₦airaland Forum

There was gloom on the faces of many
pilgrims who are currently performing
this year’s hajj in Saudi Arabia as a
stampede while stoning the devil at
Jamrat led to the death of 717 pilgrims
and counting.
About 805 others also sustained
injuries during the stampede on the
way to the Jamrat complex (stoning
site).
Although, it may take some days
before the final figures are known, the
Saudi Civil Defence Corps confirmed
the figures and said the exact cause of
the accident could not be determined
easily.
Many of the injured were in semi-
conscious state due to harsh the
weather, which added to the problem.
Sirens wailed as ambulances brought
corpses and the injured to hospitals,
while hundreds of Saudi security forces
and Hajj volunteers were at hand
helping the victims.
Most of the injured were taken to Mina
Emergency Hospital while others were
rushed to hospitals in Makkah.
The Jamrat area, where pilgrims
perform the symbolic stoning of the
devil ritual, had witnessed stampedes
in the past. Saudi authorities had
expanded the area by constructing a
multi-million US Dollar complex to ease
the flow of pilgrims.
Pilgrims had spent the night in
Muzdalifa and had come to Mina to
throw seven stones at one of the three
wall-like structures.
At the time of filling this report, it is not
yet clear whether any Nigeria pilgrims
was involved, though a prominent
Islamic cleric was said to have lost his
life in the stampede.
Officials of the National Hajj
Commission of Nigeria promised to
brief the media later on the issue.
About 111 pilgrims died and 331 others
injures in a crane crash in Kaaba,
Mecca on September 11. Six Nigerians
were among the deceased while six
others were injured in the incident.
First female editor from the North
among the dead in Saudi stampede
The first female editor from Northern
Nigeria, Hajiya Bilkisu Yusuf, and a
prominent academic, Prof. Tijjani
Almiskin, are among the 717 persons
confirmed dead in the Saudi Hajj
stampede.
Hajiya Yusuf was a journalist by
profession and a political scientist by
training. She received a B.Sc. in
political science from Ahmadu Bello
University, Zaria, and an M.A. in
political science from the University of
Wisconsin, USA. She studied
journalism at the Moscow Institute for
Journalism and International Relations
and earned an advanced diploma in
journalism and international relations.
Her previous work experience includes
working in the Ministry of Information,
Kano; editor of Sunday Triumph, Kano;
editor of New Nigerian, Kaduna, and
editor of Citizen Magazine, Kaduna.
Bilkisu was also a columnist for Daily
Trust and LEADERSHIP newspapers.
She was a founding member of several
NGOs, including Women In Nigeria
(WIN), the Federation of Muslim
Women Associations in Nigeria
(FOMWAN), and Advocacy Nigeria,
where she was the executive director.
She was a consultant and trainer in
media, gender and conflict
management and peace building. She
was on the board of FOMWAN, the
Nigerian Interfaith Action Association
Against Malaria (NIFAAM), Health
Reform Foundation of Nigeria
(HERFON), ABANTU for Development,
Vision Trust Foundation, and many
others.
Another prominent Nigerian fatality in
the Saudi stampede that took place
during the ritual stoning of the devil is
Prof. Tijjani Almiskin, a professor of
Islamic Studies at the University of
Maiduguri, Borno State, and one-time
head of the University of Maiduguri
Arabic Village in Gamboru where
students of Arabic go for special
training.
The head of the Central Hajj
Committee, Prince Khaled al Faisal, has
reportedly blamed the stampede on
“some pilgrims from African
nationalities.”
Stampede and mass death of pilgrims
during the annual hajj in Saudi Arabia
has become a recurring tragedy. In
1990, more than 1, 400 pilgrims died en
route Mecca having been suffocated or
trampled during a stampede in an air-
conditioned pedestrian tunnel.
Similarly, about 111 pilgrims died while
no fewer than 400 persons were
injured earlier this month when a crane
collapsed into a section of the Ka’abah
(Grand Mosque) in Mecca.
Stampedes and trampling to death of
pilgrims is a regular occurrence in
Mina, a valley where the symbolic
“stoning of the devil” is observed as the
last major rite during the pilgrimage.
In 2006, about 350 people were also
killed during the stoning of the devil
ritual. The Saudi Arabian health
minister had said the cause of
yesterday’s tragedy was inability of
“undisciplined pilgrims” to abide by
safety instructions.


http://leadership.ng/news/463049/hajj-tragedy-norths-1st-female-editor-bilkisu-yusuf-professor-el-miskin-715-others-dead

Ikechukwu Aduba, former Delta state police
commissioner, has insisted there is something
more dangerous than the dreaded Boko Haram
sect in Nigeria.
The retired police officer raised alarm over the
illegal activities of Fulani cattle rearers and urged
the man incharge of the country, President
Muhammadu Buhari to address the situation
before it is too late.
Ex-CP Aduba explained why these guys are
worse than Boko Haram:
“It is a serious issue, more complicated than the
terrorists activities in the Northeast. Boko Haram
war is a minor issue when compared with what
we are going to experience in the hands of Fulani
cattle rearers in the nearest future if the issue is
not addressed.
“In some places, especially in Delta state where I
served as the commissioner of police, many
people cannot go to the farm anymore for fear of
being attacked in the bush by cattle rearers.
Many women have been raped in front of their
husbands and children. Many people killed by
the cattle rearers. It is a pathetic situation if
cattle eat up people’s crops in the farm and the
farm owner challenges them, it is a big problem.
If the farm owner keeps quite, his toil for the year
will be in vain. It is a wearisome situation.
“The action is affecting agricultural businesses
as communities are afraid to go to the farm for
the fear that one day, all their labour for one year
will be eaten up in one day by cattle. If a
community is afraid that their loved may go to
the farm and not return, how do you expect them
to go to the farm where they may meet their
untimely death? This is a serious and pathetic
situation that is worse than Boko Haram. They
will soon overrun the entire country.
“I want to advice that President Muhammadu
Buhari and the National Assembly should
constitute a committee that would look into the
issue. My suggestion is that the cattle rearers
should be confined in gracing reserves and
ranches. They should be made to stay in a
particular area and not to wander from place to
place.
“If you look at it critically, we don’t eat beef more
than other countries of the world. We don’t have
cow more than other countries. We don’t export
cow, yet in the countries that even export cow,
there is absolute peace because they don’t take
their cattle to places that they are not supposed
to take them. The Nigerian government should
take a decisive stands on the matter or the keg
of gun powder will explode and the government
will now not be able to tackle the menace of the
cattle rearers.”
http://abusidiqu.com/something-more-dangerous-than-boko-haram-now-in-nigeria-police-cp/

When you find yourself in a hole, stop digging. This is the time-tested piece of advice I would have passed on to the beleaguered Senate President Bukola Saraki if he was not too far gone in his self- absorption, his overweening sense of entitlement, his predilection for cutting corners, and his Raskolnikov Complex, the delusion named for the central character in Dostoyevsky great novel, Crime and Punishment, that the rules do not apply to him. Summoned to appear before the Code of Conduct Tribunal(CCT) in the investigation of some baffling inconsistencies in his declaration of assets, he spurns the order, dismisses the charges as false and frivolous, awards himself an acquittal, and seeks a court to block the Tribunal’sproceedings. In response to this contumacy, the CCT issued a Bench warrant for his arrest. Saraki petitioned another court in a bid to void the warrant. Based on that petition, he again failed to show up before the CCT. The CCT, Saraki charged, was being used to fight political opponents “to achieve through the back door what some people cannot get through democratic process.” It is almost as if it was through the front door, and in a process emblematic of the best democratic practice, that he had emerged Senate president. I use the word “emerged” deliberately. By his own account, he had been in hiding until it was safe to join his fellow plotters on the floor of the National Assembly where he was canonised in a proceeding that seemed like the parliamentary equivalent of a street mugging. His spokesperson warns that “we should not destroy our political institutions and heat up the polity for selfish reasons” in a desperate bid to settle political scores and nail imaginary enemies, adding gravely: “Let us all learn from history.” Again, it is almost as if the process through which Saraki became Senate president was the quintessence of altruism and selflessness, and that it had, withal, brought down the nation’s political temperature from dangerously high to super normal. The Tribunal’s summons, his spokesperson further said, amounted to an abuse of the rule of law which portends danger to the judicial system. Saraki affects the language of democracy but readily employs the tactics of a backroom fixer. He is ever so ready to remind everyone that he ranks third in the nation’s constitutional order. Yet his conduct is sometimes almost indistinguishable from that of a political tout. Where is the noblesse oblige that should always inform the conduct of the holder of his exalted office? Within hours of the CCT’s order enjoining Saraki to appear before it, a shadowy organisation calling itself Nigerians of Conscience Against Impunity rushed a full- page advertisement to the major newspapers, demanding that officials of the Code of Conduct Bureau resign immediately and face prosecution for “gross violations” of their office. It was all so reminiscent of the shabby tactics Saraki’s surrogates in the Senate employed when his wife was invited for questioning by the EFCC in connection with some mysterious lodgments in her banking transactions. In what was clearly an act of petulant vindictiveness, they announced that the National Assembly was set to launch an investigation into reports that EFCC officials had corruptly enriched themselves with funds recovered from fraudsters. In the wake of all this drama, another –or perhaps the same set — set of Saraki’s surrogates recruited a huge delegation to travel from Ilorin to Abuja for the express purpose of conferring on him a traditional title of dubious worth. The real purpose of the visitation, I suspect, was to create for the embattled Senate president the illusion of mass popularity and acceptability. One of his proxies even has it that Saraki is being pursued because of his zero tolerance for corruption, in keeping with the notorious fact that if you fight corruption, corruption will fight you back. No comment. Thus has Saraki continued to dig and dig with increasing fury since finding himself in a hole last June, in the hope that he can spend or bluff or bully or lawyer his way out of it. He deepened that hole yesterday when he failed to appear before the CCT which had issued a Bench warrant for his arrest. One of his former comrades in the old PDP and one-time Minister of Works, Adeseye Ogunlewe, has warned that a situation in which the Senate president keeps making trips to the courts would not only “put Nigeria in bad light” but slow down activities in the National Assembly, which would in turn affect the nation. Ogunlewe said if Saraki appeared before the Tribunal and was found guilty, Saraki would appeal the verdict to the High Court (sic). If his guilt was affirmed there, Saraki would take his case to the Court of Appeal. And if found guilty there, Saraki would head to the Supreme Court. Prosecuting Saraki was therefore not a good move, according to Ogunlewe.”Imagine the amount of time that would be wasted and the effect it will have on the legislative work within that period. If this intervention was designed to help Saraki keep the post of Senate president, it achieved the precise opposite. It makes a powerful case for Saraki’s immediate and unconditional resignation, regardless of his guilt or innocence. A Senate president traipsing from one court to another would be a pathetic sight indeed, even if it is to answer traffic charges. But we are dealing with investigations into allegations of serious fraud. That the president of the Senate could figure in these allegations, however tangentially, should be cause for his resignation Noblesse oblige enjoins such an official to resign at the merest intimation of sleaze, real or merely perceived, in his conduct. In Saraki’s case, these intimations can no longer be ignored. There is the matter of the forged House Rules with which he procured the post of Senate president. There are the ongoing investigations into his wife’s finances. There is the charge that he made false entries in declaring his assets. And there is festering matter of how hundreds of depositors lost small fortunes in the family- owned bank that he ran aground, with nary a dent on his personal fortune. Each of these issues should move a public official in a country that sets a high store by probity to step down. Together, they make a compelling case for Saraki’s resignation. Saraki cannot be the public face of the Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. He does not have the gravitas to steer through the legislature the agenda on which President Muhammadu Buhari ran and won. He lacks the moral standing to preside over the hearings at which Buhari’s nominees for important positions are confirmed or rejected. Saraki, being Saraki, will most likely hang in there and hang tough. That might serve him well if he can pull it off. But it cannot serve the larger national interest that he now claims to be espousing. Everyday that Saraki continues to wield the gavel diminishes the office of the Senate president and the stature of the Senate. If he will not step down voluntarily, the Senate should, even if only from a sound instinct for self –preservation, ask him to go or face impeachment. This national nightmare cannot continue for much longer.

http://thenationonlineng.net/saraki-time-to-step-down/

Senate President through his twitter handle @bukolasaraki eulogise he will be at the CCT tribunal tomorrow.

Details soon

Counsel to the Senate President, Daudu Joseph has said that the Code of Conduct Tribunal is not properly constituted, arguing that it must be made of the Chairman and two members. Daudu noted that the tribunal is at present made up of the Chairman and a member. However, the Chairman of the Tribunal, Danladi Umar maintained that the tribunal is properly constituted. Saraki is facing a 13-count charge bordering on alleged corruption and false declaration of assets, levelled against him by the Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB).
http://www.vanguardngr.com/2015/09/tribunal-is-not-properly-constituted-saraki/

The All Progressives Congress has advised the people of Osun State to brace up for austerity measures which became the only way out of the economic crisis the state is facing. The Director of Publicity, Research and Strategy of the APC in Osun State, Mr. Kunle Oyatomi, gave this advice in a statement made available to our correspondent in Osogbo on Saturday while congratulating the labour unions and state government for finally resolving the salary impasse. The APC attributed the economic crisis in the country to the alleged misrule of Peoples Democratic Party-led Federal Government. He said, “This will take a lot of sacrifice and belt tightening to fix. Every citizen must be prepared to experience one form of austerity or the other in the mean time, if we are to expeditiously overcome the damage done by the PDP to the nation’s economy. Something has to give way for better things to happen. “It is not the government that will bear the brunt alone, the people should be prepared to share in making sacrifices, so that we can build a future for our children.” The ruling party blamed the PDP for the criticisms which have trailed the inability of the state to pay its workers for many months, saying the opposition party orchestrated the attacks against the government to discredit it. He said, “Of the number of states in the country where this same crisis persisted, it was only in Osun that a satanic twist was orchestrated by the PDP to magnify the sad event. This is because desperate politicians murderously seeking power will stop at nothing to exploit people’s misfortune for their selfish political ambition.” But the opposition party has said they would not stop criticising the alleged maladministration of Governor Rauf Aregbesola’s administration. The Director of Media, Publicity and Strategy of the PDP in Osun State, Mr. Diran Odeyemi, when contacted by our correspondent said the criticisms against Aregbesola was more severe than in other states because the governor was the only one involved in reckless spending with impunity. The PDP said the ruling party’s advice was a confirmation that Aregbesola was planning to retrench workers and to impose heavy taxes on the people. He said, “Rather than prove us wrong, the APC has just corroborated our position that it has lost focus and can not bring smiles to the faces of the people but hardship. “It is sad that a government that promised workers good welfare packages during campaign would withhold their salaries for nine months, and when given bailout by the FG, would fix it in a bank and embark on series of delay tactics to delay payment. “APC in other South West states do not purchase helicopter for the pleasure of their governor like we have in Osun, neither do they travel to Cuba forthrightly like Aregbesola does. If Osun APC expects us to keep quiet in the face of oppression, embezzlement, fraud, maladministration and other vices, they got it wrong.”

http://www.punchng.com/news/prepare-for-austerity-apc-tells-osun-people/

Nigeria’s military on Saturday claimed further
gains in its counter-offensive against Boko
Haram, but the group’s shadowy leader
Abubakar Shekau dismissed the talk of
success as “lies”.
Army spokesman Sani Usman said troops
destroyed more rebel enclaves and camps in
the restive state of Borno, which has been
worst hit by the six-year Islamist insurgency.
“The fight against the terrorists in the
northeast is gaining successful momentum,
with most of the camps falling to the Federal
might,” he said in a statement.
A total of 62 people were rescued from around
the town of Gwoza, which last year Boko
Haram declared the headquarters of its
caliphate but which it lost control of in March.
Some 77 men, women and children, most of
them “haggard, dejected and obviously
malnourished”, also arrived in the town of
Bama on Saturday, Usman said.
One man picked up said he had his right hand
cut off by militants in their Sambisa Forest
stronghold in Borno last year, he said, adding
that eight Boko Haram suspects surrendered to
troops.
Nigeria’s military has claimed a series of
successes against Boko Haram recently and
on Friday said it had rescued 90 people and
dislodged Boko Haram from two villages near
Gwoza.
President Muhammadu Buhari in early August
gave his new military commanders three
months to defeat Boko Haram, after six years
of violence, at least 15,000 dead and more
than two million homeless.
– Audio message –
Shekau has not been seen on video since
February and until an audio message last
month had not spoken since March, when he
proclaimed Boko Haram’s allegiance to the so-
called Islamic State group.
His absence sparked fresh rumours about
whether he was still alive or had been deposed
as leader, with other videos this year fronted
Shekau said in a 25-minute recording in Hausa
and Arabic via social media: “They (the
military) lied that they have confiscated our
arms, that we have been chased out of our
territories, that we are in disarray.
“We are alive, I am alive, this is my voice, more
audible than it was before. This is Shekau.”
He added: “Buhari is a liar and has deceived
you. The army spokesman is also lying. He
and his footsoldiers always run helter-skelter
whenever we come face to face with them…
“Buhari, you once claimed that you will crush
us in three months. How can you crush us?”
Shekau directly refers to IS group leader Abu
Bakr Al-Baghdadi, to whom he says he is “loyal
and subservient”.
He also namechecks IS spokesman Abu-
Mohammed al-Adnani and sends “greetings to
the faithful in Yemen”, where there is also an IS
“affiliate”.
There was no indication of where or when the
recording was made but it appears to have
have been in recent days.
Shekau talks of Buhari’s “deal with Hollande”,
referring to the Nigerian president’s three-day
visit to Paris earlier this week, which included
talks with his French counterpart Francois
Hollande.
He also dismissed as untrue Buhari’s
comments about “our brethren in prison”.
Buhari this week said the Nigerian authorities
were talking to Boko Haram prisoners in their
custody and could offer them amnesty if the
group hands over more than 200 schoolgirls
abducted last year.


http://www.vanguardngr.com/2015/09/buhari-is-a-liar-and-has-deceived-you-says-shekau/

Senate President Bukola Saraki has refuted report making the rounds on social media, that he is set to defect from his party, the All Progressives Congress (APC), following his recent travails in the hands of the Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT), over a 13-count charge bordering on alleged corruption and false declaration of assets, levelled against him by the Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB). Saraki made this known via his verified Twitter handle, @bukolasaraki following mixed reactions that trailed the removal of his party’s name from his handle. The party’s name was on Saturday removed from the official Twitter account of the senate president, which he uses frequently to communicate with the public. Saraki’s verified account previously says “member of the APC”, in part but at the time of this report, the party’s name is no longer on the handle. However, the Senate President who was reacting to the controversies this removal has caused said via his Twitter handle that “I remain a card carrying member of my dear party. But I’m also honoured to serve as Senate President of all Senators.” See Saraki’s verified Twitter account at the time of filing this report.



http://www.vanguardngr.com/2015/09/ive-not-left-apc-saraki/

If a secret camera followed you for a week and if someone looked through your email,text messages and listened to your conversations would you be convicted of being a Christian?
Anybody can talk about God on social media and be Holy in church.
How you live in your PRIVATE life is what make you His not what you display to the PUBLIC!

STAY RATURABLE

Nigerian users on Twitter, on Saturday, expressed surprise at the removal of the All Progressives Congress’ name from the official profile page of the Senate President, Dr. Bukola Saraki. According to some users, the Senate President’s verified Twitter biography previously read, in part, “Member of the APC.” However, when our correspondent visited the page, it simply read, “Senate President and Chairman of the 8th National Assembly. Committed to Transparency and Accountability.” One user, Am Human No Labels, said, “Sir, are you no longer a member of the ruling party? I can’t find APC on your bio anymore.” In the same vein, @olufemisp wrote, “I knew it was when @bukolasaraki deleted the “APC” that proudly adorned his bio. This Saraki war will consume the party.” Another user, AS Aruwa, said, “I just noticed that @bukolasaraki has deleted ‘Member of the APC’ from his bio. Someone is about to decamp?” Maryam Abubakar also asked, “Now that the ‘APC’ on Bukola Saraki’s Twitter bio is gone, what should we expect?” “Why is the APC on your bio gone sir?” @RichieDectector asked, while Ayokunle Odekunle wrote, “@BukolaSaraki removes the ‘APC’ from his bio. It gets more interesting.” Afolabi Ajiboro also said, “@ogundamisi have you noticed that @bukolasaraki has removed APC from his bio on Twitter? Minutes later the PDP released statement defending him.” The Senate President did not respond to the controversy on Twitter. However, the Special Adviser to the Senate President on Media, Mr. Yusuph Olaniyonu, said, “It is not a new development. The party logo was there during the elections and we took it off after the elections about a month ago.” Meanwhile, the Force Headquarters on Saturday said it was still waiting for the bench warrant issued by the Code of Conduct Tribunal for the arrest of the Senate President. The Force Public Relations Officer, Olabisi Kolawole, said the police had yet to get the court order as of Saturday when our correspondent inquired about the delay in the execution of the arrest warrant. Kolawole explained that the police cannot arrest Saraki without the court order. “We have not received the bench warrant till now (Saturday) and until we get the court order, we cannot execute it,” she said over the phone. Justice Danladi Umar of the Code of Conduct Tribunal had on Friday in Abuja ordered a bench warrant against Saraki for failing to appear before the court to answer charges over alleged false declaration of assets. The judge specifically ordered the Inspector General of Police, Mr. Solomon Arase, or other security agencies to arrest Saraki and produce him in court on Monday to take plea in the 13- count charge slammed on him by the Federal Government. But Saraki’s lead counsel and former President of the Nigerian Bar Association, Mr. Joseph Daudu, said he had filed an appeal asking the court to set aside the ruling dated September 18, 2015. Daudu said the trial judge erred in law and “acted without jurisdiction by countenancing and assuming jurisdiction over the criminal trial/ prosecution of the accused/appellant at the Code of Conduct Tribunal for a charge, which is being challenged at the FHC, Abuja in suit No: FHC/ ABJ/CS/775/2015 between Dr. Olubukola Abubakar Saraki vs Ministry of Justice and three others and in disobedience of the order of the FHC, Abuja Division dated September 17, 2015.” He averred that it was not necessary for his client to be present in court since the accused had filed an application challenging the jurisdiction of the tribunal to adjudicate on the charge brought before it. The Federal Government had on September 11 filed a 13-count charge against Saraki before the CCT and the case was fixed for Friday for his arraignment, but the accused failed to appear in court. According to the suit filed at the CCT, allegations against Saraki include failure to declare property on Plot 2A, Glover Road, Ikoyi, Lagos; failure to declare property on No 1, Tagus Street, Maitama, Abuja (Plot 2482, Cadastral Zone A06, Abuja) and failure to declare property No 3, Tagus Street, Maitama, Abuja (Plot 2481, Cadastral Properties Limited). Buhari desperate to remove Saraki — PDP The opposition Peoples Democratic Party on Saturday accused the President Muhammadu Buhari-led APC administration of despotism and desperation to remove Senate President Bukola Saraki. The PDP said the Buhari administration had continued to rule the country without a constitutional component of a cabinet, persistent abuse of power as well as undermining democratic institutions. National Publicity Secretary of the PDP, Mr. Olisa Metuh, who said this in a statement in Abuja, also accused the Buhari administration of intolerance, particularly over the treatment being meted out to Saraki. According to the PDP, the administration has invaded a state Government House and personal houses and injected confusion into the judiciary. The party expressed worry over what it called the “relentless onslaught against democratic institutions.” It said it was especially worried by “the growing tension trailing the quest to annex the National Assembly; for which the Presidency had since vowed not to recognise the current Senate leadership, in total disdain to the independence of the legislature and the principle of separation of powers.” The PDP also described President Buhari’s condemnation of the recent coup in Burkina Faso as a mockery of reasoning. Metuh said, “Ordinarily, the intra-party squabbles within the APC regarding leadership positions in the Senate is not necessarily our concern. “Also, we are not interested in whether Senate President Bukola Saraki ran for the APC presidential ticket against President Muhammadu Buhari; or whether he ran for the Senate presidency against the advice of the President and his party. “Our concerns here are the prevailing executive intolerance, the undermining of the institution of the National Assembly and the overall threat to the survival of our democracy.” The party said it took note of the dangerous trend because the Presidency and the APC had not hidden their aversion to the election of Senators Bukola Saraki and Ike Ekweremadu as Senate President and Deputy Senate President, respectively. The PDP spokesperson also said what was happening was part of a larger script to commence a major onslaught against federal lawmakers perceived to hold divergent views to those of the Presidency, irrespective of party affiliations, a situation that would ensure a subdued legislature. The APC on its part accused the PDP of openly launching a counter-offensive against the determined efforts of the Buhari administration to rid the country of impunity and corruption, but warned that the opposition party will fail in its attempt to take Nigerians back to Egypt. Its spokesman, Mr. Lai Mohammed, said, “With its statement that is nothing but an unabashed support for impunity and corruption, as well as its major actors, the PDP has now confirmed itself as the official ‘poster boy’ for corruption in Nigeria.” APC said the long-winding sophistry about the rule of law, democracy and personal freedoms is aimed at couching the PDP’s abhorrence and disdain for the fight against corruption in democratic clichés, especially now that the battle is gradually hitting the PDP where it hurts. The APC said,the persistent onslaught against the Buhari administration was neither altruistic nor informed by any belief in higher values, “because the allegations of corruption hanging on Metuh’s neck, from within his own party, is a clear indication that he is mortally afraid that the wind will soon blow hard enough to expose the fowl’s rump’’. “Neither the PDP as a party nor its spokesman have the moral authority to condemn anyone, least of all a President that is working hard to rescue Nigeria from the abyss to which it has been plunged by the former ruling party. “For the PDP to brush aside the latest revelation that a government it sired could not account for $700 million from the Sovereign Wealth Fund (SWF), or the fact that the party could not account for billions of Naira in its own campaign funds, and then launch a frontal attack against a reformist government, is the height of shamelessness. “For the ethically-challenged spokesman of the same morally-deficient party to continue to spew trash under the guise of opposition politics is totally provocative and absolutely unacceptable. Worse still, the lack of focus in the labyrinthine statements being issued by the opposition party has confirmed the prescience of the APC’s offer to the PDP’s spokesman to take a crash course in how to speak for the opposition.’’ Saraki loyalists hire 1500 Islamic clerics Supporters and loyalists of the Senate President, Dr. Bukola Saraki have engaged in vigil and fasting. One of the conveners of the prayers, Mr. Kayode Yusuf, who is popularly called ‘Maja,’ in an interview with our correspondent in Ilorin, the Kwara State capital on Saturday, said prayer sessions were being held all over the state, especially in the Ilorin motropolis. He said he had mobilised over 500 Muslim clerics while about 1,000, including the Chief Iman of Ilorin, Mohammad Solihu were praying in different areas in the state for Saraki’s victory. “Yusuf, who is the convener of ‘Maja Elders Forum’, called on President Buhari to intervene and prevent the polity from being over-heated. He expressed the hope that Saraki’s travail would soon be over. Yusuf said, “We in Kwara are powerless. The only thing we can do is to support him (Saraki) with prayers. We have no money, soldiers, police or any other security apparatus. We are just ordinary citizens of Kwara and Nigeria. But we in Kwara, especially in Ilorin, believe in the power of prayers. “All of us in Ilorin, including the Chief Imam of Ilorin, are involved in the prayers. Saraki is our leader. He must not come down. Within the short time that he was elevated as the Senate President, we know what we have benefited from him. “I have mobilised more than 500 Imans and over 1,000 others are praying in different areas. They have been praying and fasting. Even the women are praying for him. Saraki is our benefactor. Even the uneducated do not want anything to happen to Bukola Saraki. They are not sleeping but are also praying. The prayers will last till Saraki’s ordeal is over.” In a related development, a coalition of civi l society organisations under the aegis of Heritage Centre and the National Association of Nigerian Students have threatened to lead mass protests to foreign embassies in Abuja to protest alleged political vendetta being carried out against the Senate President http://www.punchng.com/news/saraki-distances-self-from-apc/

The Federal Ministry of Justice has
asked the Code of Conduct Tribunal, CCT,
sitting in Abuja to issue bench warrant for the
arrest of the Senate President, Dr. Bukola
Saraki.

A deputy director in the office of the Attorney
General of the Federation, Mr. M.S. Hassan,
applied for the arrest order following Saraki’s
refusal to appear before the tribunal to enter
his plea to the13- count corruption charge
against him.
Saraki who was billed for arraignment this
morning, sent his team of lawyers to serve the
tribunal with a copy of the ruling of Justice
Ahmed Mohammed of the Abuja Division of
the Federal High Court, yesterday, which
summoned the Ministry of Justice to appear
on Monday to show cause why the trial should
be allowed to proceed.
Equally summoned by the court were the
Chairman of the tribunal, Justice Danladi Umar
and that of the Code of Conduct Bureau, CCB,
Mr. Sam Saba, as well as Mr. Hassan who
signed the charge against Saraki.
Meanwhile, irked by Saraki’s absence at the
tribunal for the commencement of his
prosecution over alleged false declaration of
assets, the Ministry of Justice prayed the
Justice Umar-led panel to order for his arrest,
saying “he cannot sit in the comfort of his
chamber and object to his trial in absentia”.
The prosecution further maintained that
Justice Mohammed lacked the powers to
summon the CCT and CCB chairmen, even as it
accused Saraki of engaging in “forum shopping” in a desperate bid to scuttle his trial.

http://www.vanguardngr.com/2015/09/breaking-news-alleged-false-declaration-of-assets-fg-applies-for-bench-warrant-against-saraki/

MarieEyre:
Yay!!!!!!!!!!! Just got out of the consulate. My fiance visa has been approved! Easy breezy. Can't wait to be with my baby . Thank you VO.

Congratulations,

Ex-President Goodluck Jonathan’s Minister of
Communication Technology (ComTech), Mrs.
Omobola Johnson, has accused President
Muhammadu Buhari of been unfair to ministers
who worked hard, but didn’t make much noise
about it.
Johnson, was reacting to a statement credited
to President Buhari, in an interview during his
three-day official visit to France, where he
stated that it’s the civil servants and
technocrats who do the real job of governance
in Federal government ministries more than the
ministers, who he described as noise makers.
The ex-ComTech minister who reacted to
Buhari’s statement via her Twitter handle
@OmobolaJohnson said: “President Buhari is
being unfair to Ministers who work hard and
don’t make noise. The civil service is broken
and it needs to be fixed.”
However, President Buhari who departed
Nigeria for France on Monday, during an
exclusive interview with France 24 tv François
Picard, on Wednesday, said he intends to stick
with his decision to name his cabinet before
the end of the month, but however, opined that
ministers are only there to “make a lot of
noise.”
Asked if the absence of a finance minister was
affecting the Nigerian capital market and
economy, Buhari said: “No. It is what we know
–and which we learnt from the western
system. The civil service provides the
continuity, the technocrat. And in any case,
they are those that do most of the work.
“The ministers are there, I think, to make a lot
of noise; for the politicians to make a lot of
noise. But the work is being done by the
technocrats. They are there; they have to
provide the continuity, dig into the records and
then guide us, [those of us] who are just
coming in.
“They have been there, some of them for 15
years, some for 20 years. So I think this
question of ministers is political. People from
different constituencies want to see their
people directly in government, and see what
they can get out of it.
“As for the cabinet, I said we will have one by
the end of the month, and time flies. The end
of the month is coming too quickly for my
liking.
“Yeah, I will stick to it. I will send the names to
the national assembly.”
Reminded by Picard that “some have quipped
that the country runs better without ministers”,
the President said: “When you started
introducing me, you said I was around 1983 to
1985. Even then we had ministers. So under
this system, we have to have ministers; and
we are going to have ministers.”



http://www.vanguardngr.com/2015/09/ex-minister-blasts-buhari-over-comments-that-ministers-are-noise-makers/

President Muhamadu Buhari will appoint his
ministers before month’s end as he promised
although he believes technocrats do much of
the job.
In a 12-minute interview with France 24
Television during his state visit to France from
where he returned yesterday, the President
was quoted to have said: “The ministers are
there to make a lot of noise; for the politicians
to make a lot of noise. But the work is being
done by the technocrats. They are there to
provide the continuity, dig into the records and
then guide us, [those of us] who are just
coming in.
“I think this question of ministers is political.
People from different constituencies want to
see their people directly in government, and
see what they can get out of it.
“As for the cabinet, I said we will have one by
the end of the month, and time flies. The end
of the month is coming too quickly for my
liking. I will send the names to the national
assembly.
“We have a government but we don’t have a
cabinet. I don’t know how you define that but
we have a government and that is why I am
here. Under this system, we have to have
ministers and we are going to have ministers.
On Military, Boko Haram: “The results of the
re-organisation we carried out in the military
are being seen. There is progress being done.
Our main concern is the condition of the
Chibok girls and how we can recover them.
“We are occupied with negotiations and at this
stage, it has to be confidential because we are
not sure of the leadership of the Boko Haram-
that we can talk with to get the girls released.
“ We have to first identify that those who claim
to be Boko Haram leaders are actually the
leaders, and they know where the Chibok girls
are and their present condition.
“France is more hands-on in the Boko Haram
issue because Nigeria is totally surrounded by
former French colonial countries and France
has maintained a strong relationship with its
former colonies.
On Naira
“ I don’t think it is healthy for us to further
devalue the Naira. This is why we are getting
the Central Bank of Nigeria to make some
modifications, in terms of making foreign
exchange available to essential services.
“Things like toothpick and rice, Nigeria can
produce enough of those. We don’t need to
use our hard currency on that but those who
insist on buying toothpick from Europe and
China, they can go ahead and buy foreign
exchange.
“The last time I was leader, I was in the
barracks, this time I’m in the palace. It is so
big and very expensive to maintain but it is
there, it cannot be removed. I don’t think I am
a different man but I am coming back in a
different system. A better system because this
is what works.
“I was convinced in December 1991 when the
Soviet union collapsed, that multi-party
democratic system is the best form of
government, otherwise it will be the same old
problem.”



http://thenationonlineng.net/buhari-ill-appoint-ministers-but-technocrats-do-the-job/

What will i not hear oo!..This Kenyan maid was
caught on CCTV camera cooking for her boss
with the urine she had stored in some bottles.
When arrested and interrogated, she said she
decided to cook with her urine to punish her
boss for maltreating her.

http://olashegzy..com.ng/2015/09/shocking-maid-arrested-for-using-urine.html?m=1

Labour leaders and workers are excited over a
presidential directive that all arrears of salaries
and allowances must be paid.
The Presidency on Monday directed Ministries,
Departments and Agencies (MDAs) to compile
the names of all public service employees who
are being owed arrears of salaries and
allowances within seven days so that they can
be paid without further delay.
The September 14 circular came from the
Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the
Federation (OHCSF). It immediately sent
members of the Association of Senior Civil
Servants of Nigeria (ASCSN) jumping for joy.
The names of those being owed are to be
compiled within seven days for them to be
paid “immediately”.
ASCSN Secretary-General Comrade Alade
Bashir Lawal, who broke the news in a
statement released in Abuja yesterday, praised
President Muhammadu Buhari for bringing
hope to thousands of public service employees
who are being owed arrears of salaries and
allowances for years.
The Presidency identified the outstanding
benefits as: salary arrears, promotion arrears,
1st 28 days allowance on transfer from post,
repatriation allowance, burial expenses, death
benefits and mandatory training of OHCSF in
2010.
The Presidency directed the MDAs to ensure
that each unpaid entitlement is accurate,
verifiable, with the name, designation, status
(serving or retired) and amount due to each
officer.
“The correct information should reach the
Office of the Head of Civil Service of the
Federation on or before Monday September
21, 2015,” the circular stressed.
Lawal recalled that in letters written to the
President since his election and assumption of
office, the union reminded him of the
outstanding salaries and allowances and
stressed the need for the government to pay
up to boost the morale not only of the affected
officers but also that of other teeming public
service employees.
He expressed confidence that as soon as the
lists are submitted to the Presidency, the
lingering arrears of salaries and allowances
would be paid “so as to put the ugly situation
behind and move forward”.
The union warned of dire consequences, which
may include trade union actions, if the MDAs
played politics with the Presidential directive.
http://thenationonlineng.net/presidency-issues-7-day-deadline-on-workers-pay/

Indications emerged Tuesday night that despite
denials by top officials of the administration, the
Presidency had come under pressure to relocate
the Villa Chapel, where Christians have been
worshipping on Sundays.
Informed Presidency sources familiar with the
location of the Villa Chapel, which was built and
inaugurated by President Olusegun Obasanjo, is
said to be too close to Buhari’s bedroom and
kitchen and must give way.
Findings show that unlike Obasanjo who
deliberately built the church to be close to his
official residence so that he could enjoy worship
and prayers from the comfort of his bedroom, the
same would not apply to the new president, who
is of a different faith.
More details soon
http://www.vanguardngr.com/2015/09/presidency-under-pressure-to-relocate-villa-church-mosque/

Have you ever been hanging out with a
married couple and they seem to not only
love each other, but they actually seem to
like each other too? It’s enjoyable being
around them. It’s life-giving and
encouraging. By contrast, have you ever
been around a couple where it was
obvious they didn’t like each other very
much and the tension made everyone
around them feel uncomfortable?
I think we’ve all been around both kinds
of couples, but the real question is, how do
we become like the happy couple and not
like the unhappy couple? What are the
habits or secrets that separate the two?
I’m glad you asked! After observing the
behaviors of couples from all over the
world, I believe these seven indicators
below are some of the clearest ways to
measure the current health of your
marriage and chart a clearer course
towards a healthier and happier
relationship.
In no particular order…
1. Healthy Couples don’t keep secrets.
Unhealthy couples hide things from each
other regularly.
A healthy marriage is built on a solid
foundation of trust, transparency and
honesty. The moment you send a text
message, visit a website, make a purchase
or have a conversation you hope your
spouse never finds out about, you’re
already WAY out of bounds! Fight for trust
in your marriage. It’s the foundation for
everything else.
2. Healthy couples share everything.
Unhealthy couples divide everything up into
“his” and hers.”
Marriage is not 50-50. Divorce is 50-50.
Marriage is 100-100. A healthy marriage
doesn’t require dividing everything in
half, but rather, giving everything you’ve
got! Unhealthy couples “use” each other
while healthy couples look for ways to
serve each other. Serve each
other generously and selflessly and your
marriage might instantly improve.
3. Healthy couples point out the best in each
other. Unhealthy couples point out the worst
in each other.
If you focus on the best in each other,
you’ll bring out the best in each other. If
you focus on the worst, you’ll bring out
the worst in each other. Be each other’s
biggest encouragers; not the biggest
critics. 4. Healthy couples have conversations.
Unhealthy couples have arguments.
In her latest book, “The Argument-Free
Marriage,” Fawn Weaver points out the
difference between discussions and
arguments. In a discussion, you’re
working together towards a common goal,
but in an argument, you’re trying to “win’
and cause your spouse to “lose.” A
marriage needs to be win-win. You share
everything, so work together to find a
solution.
5. Healthy couples invest in their marriage
regularly. Unhealthy couples always say
“someday” they’ll get around to it.
The happiest couples I know make their
marriages a priority. It’s not rocket
science, but when you invest in
something, it tends to grow. It doesn’t
have to be a big financial investment.
Your time is the great resource you can
invest into your relationship. Make time
for each other daily. Unplug. Have
conversations. Have date nights (even if
date night is just Netflix and popcorn on
your couch).
6. Healthy couples give each other their
best. Unhealthy couples give each other
their leftovers.
Don’t go through your day giving your
best time, energy and thoughtfulness to
strangers and co-workers only to give
your spouse and family your grumpy
leftovers at the end of the day. Save your
best energies for the people who matter
most.
7. Healthy couples believe in grace in
forgiveness. Unhealthy couples believe in
keeping score and holding grudges.
If you keep score in your marriage, you
both lose. If you choose to forgive and
seek forgiveness, you both win. A
marriage can’t survive without a LOT of
grace. When you’ve blown it, be quick to
apologize, accept responsibility and work
to rebuild trust. When your spouse has
blown it, be quick to give forgiveness and
create opportunities for trust to be rebuilt.
Hold hands, not grudges.

Dedicated to my wife, Mrs Titilayo Mary Odeyele, for always give me reasons to always recommit myself to our marriage. Thanks honey.
I pray this will give everyone reading this reasons to be healthy couples. http://www.patheos.com/blogs/davewillis/7-differences-between-healthy-couples-and-unhealthy-couples/?utm_source=SilverpopMailing&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=davewillis_091415UTC070921_daily&utm_content=&spMailingID=49543574&spUserID=MTE5OTUyNDIyMTcxS0&spJobID=761947252&spReportId=NzYxOTQ3MjUyS0

Visa Officer,
I will like to know how immigrant interview is been scheduled, Is it scheduled online like the non-immigrant or one will just recieve letter of appointment at the convenience of the embassy?
Thanks

As I’ve interacted with thousands of
married couples in person and online,
I’ve noticed some bad habits many
husbands are doing to sabotage their
marriages. There are obviously many
unhealthy behaviors many wives are
doing too, but I’m going to focus this
particular post on some of the most
common and destructive habits of
married men. This is NOT intended to
bash my bros out there. I struggle with
things on this list too. This is intended to
be a call to action for all of us to step and
make some radical readjustments for the
sake of our marriages and families.
This is not a comprehensive list, but these
are some of the most common bad habits
of many married men. If these are a
factor in your marriage, please take
immediate action to correct these issues.

1. Getting more excited about Fantasy
Football than you get about your wife and
kids.
As I’m writing this, it’s football season and
I’m a fan, but I’m blown away at the
amount of time, effort, energy, money and
enthusiasm so many guys invest into
Fantasy Football. Guys, “Fantasy” in the
name, so it’s not even real. It’s okay to be
fans, but let’s not live vicariously through
pro athletes all football season long at the
expense of our loved ones. Let’s be more
excited about our real lives than our
Fantasy stats.
2. Looking at porn.
This one is going to step on a lot of toes,
because millions of people (a majority of
them men) look at porn regularly and see
nothing at all wrong with itbut in a nutshell,
porn desensitizes us from real intimacy.
It’s a form of virtual infidelity, and it’s a
“gateway drug” towards other marriage-
destroying behaviors. Marriage requires
monogamy, and monogamy should be
mental as well as physical. Instead of
living in the fantasy world of porn, work
to build stronger sexual intimacy in your
own marriage.
3. Zoning out when your wife is talking to
you.
Men and women process communication
in different ways, but both spouses need
to make conscious efforts to connect with
the other. Men, we can have a tendency to
“zone out” during conversations, but our
wives need and deserve our full,
undivided attention. Let’s not approach
conversations like zombies on autopilot.
Let’s be fully present. Remember, your
wife’s need for meaningful communication
is every bit as strong as your need for sex.
That should put it into perspective.
4. Getting mad at your kids for stuff you do
too. Though we have no kids for now, but from my experience with other couples with kids, I can give out this advice,
I catch myself in this one all the time. We
can easily get into the “Do as I say”
instead of “Do as I do” mentality, but our
kids need our example much more than
our instruction. We can’t tell them not to
cuss when we’re cussing in front of them.
We can’t tell them to control their temper
when we venting our anger all the time.
We’ve got to practice what we preach if
we’re going to have any longterm
credibility.
5. Checking out other women.
This one has a lot of similarities with #2
(looking at porn), but it creates some
separate issues as well. When we check
out other women in public, we’re publicly
disrespecting our wives and publicly
objectifying other women all at once.
Watch where your eyes go. Don’t swing
your head around at every woman
wearing yoga pants. Have more respect
for your wife.
6. Not wearing a wedding ring.
This one is controversial, but I’m a big
believer in wearing a wedding ring. I talk
about this in more detail in my post on 3
Reasons to Wear Your Wedding Ring .
Whether or not your wear a ring is one of
the first things women will notice about
you and they will make assumptions
about your “availability” and even your
commitment to your marriage based on
the presence or absence of a ring. Wear it
as often as you can.
7. Giving your career and hobbies your best
and giving your wife your leftovers.
We’ve all been guilty (at times) of giving
our best efforts to other people and
pursuits and then giving our leftovers to
the ones who should matter most. Let’s
make every effort to give our very best
energies to our families.8. Staring at your phone more than you
make eye contact with your family.
I don’t want my kids’ primary memories
of me to be the top of my head while I
stared at my phone or laptop. This is a
struggle for many men (including me),
because we feel the pressure to be
constantly connected to the world, and
sometimes, it even feels like a necessity in
working to provide for our families. Still,
we need to create clear boundaries to
have the electronics shut off as often as
possible so we can be fully present and
engaged at home.
9. Expecting your wife to do everything
around the house.
Stats show that even in homes where both
the husband and wife work full-time
outside the home, the wife is still doing
the vast majority of domestic duties
around the house. Guys, we need to step
up here (I’m talking to myself too). Your
wife is not your maid. Give her the
respect and support she deserves by
helping around the house (and in all other
areas too).
Men, whether or not these particular
issues apply to you, let’s resolve together
to be the husbands and fathers our
families deserve. Let’s love, protect,
provide and serve them to the best of our
abilities. Let’s make sure our actions and
our words communicate our undying love
and commitments . They need and deserve
our very best!
May God bless you as you try to eulogise this in your marriage.
Success Ahead.

A Second Republic governor of Kaduna State, Alhaji Balarabe Musa, has said that the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari is getting it right in the fight against corruption, but not on other aspects of the economy. Musa said while the administration of Buhari had shown promising beginnings in its anti-corruption campaign, it was only showing glimpses of change in other aspects of the national life such as electricity, supply of petroleum products and national security. In a telephone interview with our correspondent on Friday, Musa said there was no certainty that these glimpses of change would be sustained by the government. He said, “The new government is doing the right thing in the area of anti-corruption, but only in that area. In any other area, even if there is any improvement, it is just a glimpse; there is no certainty that it would be sustained. It is not a question of doing more; they are not doing anything reliable. “I think in the area of fighting corruption and the stealing of resources, we have seen promising beginnings. In particular, the establishment of an anti-corruption committee made up of, on the face of it, very responsible people to advise the President on this anti-corruption campaign. This is admirable and commendable, and it would lead to success. In addition, there is the strengthening of this also by the promise of the President that an anti-corruption court would be established to deal with all cases of corruption. These are commendable, and it is a good direction towards restoring sanity in this country. If it is followed as promised, I think something would be achieved. “But in all other cases, it is just marginal. For instance, power. In the past one week, power has been steady in the area I live. Two weeks ago, there were power cuts, at least, 10 times a day. So, yes, we are seeing glimpses of improvement, but even during (the administration of former president Goodluck Jonathan, we had this glimpse. There is also improvement in the supply of petroleum products, but we hope these improvements can be sustained. But in the case of the anti-corruption campaign, I think it is more than glimpse, but it is reality that something would be done.” In the same vein, he said that privatisation was hurting the country’s economy more than it was benefitting it. Musa said, “Privatisation is not good for the economy. Not only privatisation, but a system and leadership based on self-interest first, then public interest second; a system based on the leading role of the private sector in the economy. These are not good for the country. We should go back to the system based on public interest first, then enlightened self-interest second. When I say enlightened self-interest, I mean self-interest that takes into account collective interest, on the understanding that it is the collective interest that can guarantee even individual interests, however narrow it is. If there is no collective interest, then there will not be able to guarantee security and other things. He also decried the situation where some state governments owed their workers months of salaries and wages. He said, “It is just to show the level of corruption, stealing and rot in this country. For example, many state governments had, for months, been unable to pay the salaries and wages of workers. I blame this on corruption. This corruption arises from the leading role of the private sector in the economy, which is based on selfish interests first. We never had a situation where a government at any level was unable to pay wages of their workers during colonial times and in the First Republic. The first time in the history of Nigeria we heard that a state government was unable to pay salaries of its workers was during the Second Republic, and the first state was Benue state. And we were shocked then. That was the beginning of all this nonsense we are experiencing today. “So, it is not a question of private or public sector; the issue is a question of the leading role, on which the system and leadership are based. During colonial times and the First Republic, government, not private sector, played a leading role, and the system and leadership were based on public interest first, enlightened self-interest second, unlike today. That was why we didn’t have this level of stealing and corruption in both the public and the private sectors, and the growth of the economy was steady. The purpose of government is the welfare and security of the people. They (government) should go back to the system whereby the state (the government) plays the leading role in the economy to ensure peace, equality, dignity of the human person and progressive even development of the country.

www.punchng.com/news/buhari-so-far-not-so-good-says-balarabe-musa/

Complaints about sexual harassment seem to come mostly from female students. They get all the sympathy and attention. However, lecturers say they are being sexually harassed, too, by their students. They are worried that their case is not given as much attention as their students. Yet, they argue that they are at a greater risk because theirs is more difficult to prove. Dr. Yau-Muhammed Damagun, a lecturer in the Accounting Department of the University of Abuja, said it was unfair not to recognise the stress lecturers pass through because of sexual harassment by their students. He noted that lecturers also need help to cope in such situations. He said: “Lecturers also pass through sexual harassment from students but that of lecturer- to-students is always in the news. “In some cases, the incidents were very upsetting for the academics and they did not know where to turn. Some felt there was a perception that because they were academics, they were expected to cope with anything that was thrown at them. “I wondered whether senior academics have more ‘coping mechanisms’ than those who are junior; but some very senior academics have some quite horrifying stories.” Mr Alaezi Offia of the Department of Humanities, Abia State Polytechnic, said it was wrong to attribute sexual harassment to just one party, describing it as a two-way traffic. However, he blamed students more for it than lecturers. “This issue is a two-way traffic which takes place on the sides of both the lecturers and the female students. But it is more on the side of the female students who feel they have more to gain when they trade sex for marks than the other way round,” he said. The most common reason the lecturers interviewed said they got advances from the students was to rectify their poor performance in academic work.
Prof Francis Angrey of the Department of Modern Languages and Translation Studies, University of Calabar, said poor grades make students vulnerable and ready to offer their bodies. “It is a terrible issue. I tell my students that those of them who run after lecturers to improve their grades do so because they are weak and it makes them vulnerable. I know some students on their own go to lecturers and offer one thing or the other, whether sex, for female students, or money. They just come to you and say ‘Please how did I perform?’ And from there they say they will give you anything you want so that you can change it for them. I advise them to go sit down and study. The time they spend doing other things and pursuing lecturers, if they sit down and read, they would have done several pages of their books,” he said. Apart from grades, Dr Gbenga Abimbola of the Department of Mass Communication, Adekunle Ajasin University Akungba-Akoko (AAUA), Ondo State, said students harass lecturers to settle scores, or even because of romantic attraction. “Female students who harass their male lecturers do it for different purposes, chief among which is to get academic favours through the back door. Such students are mentally weak and are not ready for any hard work but to seek cheap grades. Others do it because they are naturally attracted to their male lecturers. But those in this category are few. Some do it out of mischief in order to tarnish the reputation of their target victims.” Sexual harassment methods Sexual harassment against lecturers takes various modes. While provocative dressing was identified by many lecturers as the most common method students use to attract their attention, it is now being used with a combination of many other tactics, including phone calls, amorous text messages, invitations to hotels, and unsolicited visits. Mr Oluwadamilola Fapetu, a lecturer in the Department of Public Administration, Rufus Giwa Polytechnic Owo (RUGIPO) in Ondo State, will quit bachelorhood soon, and he hopes the marriage will stave off ‘attacks’ from his female students. He has been invited by female students to hotels or hostels many times. “On many occasions, students have seduced me for marks but what I always do is to let them know that their bodies should not be used as a means of exchange. “I have been invited to hotels and even students’ houses to make me fall for them. But, by the special grace of God, I normally overcome such temptation,” he said. Mr John Galadima of the Mass Communication Department, University of Jos, has also got many invites from female students. He said: “Most female students just believe they can achieve anything with their body. I have experienced a lot of them who have difficulties in passing my course or attending classes. All they do is they make sure they get your phone number and you will get strange calls and the caller will introduce herself as your student. The caller will be asking the description to where you live because they want to visit. When you refuse to welcome them to your house, they suggest you come to meet them in a hotel. Some will ask me to choose any location I want or will suggest an exclusive beer palour in town and so on.” Dr Paul Omale, a lecturer in the Department of Mass Communication, Benue State University (BSU), Makurdi, said the level of sexual harassment is usually higher after examinations. “I don’t know where they get my number, but shortly after any examinations I usually receive many phone calls requesting my attention,” Omale said. Until he became a victim, Mr Ayodele Alade of the Lagos State Polytechnic (LASPOTECH), Ikorodu, did not believe students could harass lecturers. “Most of the harassment come from students and not lecturers. When I was a student, my lecturer corrected a student who sat in front for opening her legs wide without her panties on. I did not believe the lecturer then until it happened to me as a lecturer. A girl wearing no panties opened her legs wide in the class at the Isolo Campus,” he said. An Associate Professor of Political Science, Ekiti State University, Dr. Femi Omotoso, shared his three experiences of sexual harassment. He said: “The harassment on their part is just too much; they expose sensitive parts of their bodies. They write answers on their laps inside exam hall, and some of them even hide answers written in some pieces of paper inside their private parts and it is improper for a male invigilator to check their bodies. “Most of them will come around looking at you seductively, saying, ‘Oga, a n fo ju so, a n fara so ‘ (Can’t you decode the message we are sending to you?) Some of them will say, ‘before I leave this university, I must have an affair with you’.


read more http://thenationonlineng.net/teachers-were-also-sexually-harassed/

An Ado-Ekiti customary court in Ekiti State during
the week dissolved the 26-year-old marriage
between Mr Kayode Oguntuase and his wife,
Felicia.
Oguntuase had approached the court for the
dissolution on the grounds of threats to life, being
impervious to corrections, adultery, stubbornness,
theft and lack of care for him.
The plaintiff, 75, and resident of No. 99, Igirigiri,
Odo-Ado, Ado-Ekiti, told the court that he caught
his wife on three different occasions with
different men.
The father of six said that his wife did not take
care of him and always starved him of sex.
According to him, he fell sick sometime ago and
his wife refused to take care of him.
He said that his wife always stole his money,
adding that, there was a time he sent her out of
his house, but that her family intervened and he
took her back.
He, therefore, prayed the court to dissolve the
marriage.
But the respondent, Felicia, 53, denied all the
allegations levelled against her.
Felicia said that they had been living together for
many years and that she performed her
responsibilities as wife at home, and also satisfies
him in bed.
She said her husband had never sent her out of
the house and could not have done so because
they built the house together.
President of the court, Mr Joseph Ogunsemi,
observed that the marriage had broken down
irretrievably and consequently dissolved the
marriage.
He ruled that the custody of their three younger
children, who were 18, 15 and 12 years of age, be
awarded to the husband.
Ogunsemi also ruled that the three older ones,
aged 25, 23 and 21, should be left to decide
where to stay.
He ordered that the husband should be
responsible for the children’s education.
Ogunsemi also ordered that the husband should
get his wife a suitable accommodation and pay
two-year rent for her.
The, court, however, granted access to the wife to
see her children without fomenting trouble.

http://tribuneonlineng.com/i-caught-her-3-different-occasions-different-men-—husband

Retirement is supposed to be a time of
rest amid pleasure but seems to be a
curse for Prof Theo Vincent, a former
Vice Chancellor, University of Port
Harcourt and lecturer for 37 years who
is now dwelling in a Lagos slum.
ANAYO ONUKWUGHA, Port Harcourt,
AGBO-PAUL AUGUSTINE, Abuja and
George Okojie, Lagos report on the sad
journey of the Rivers State-born
Professor of English Language.
Not a few Nigerians will find it amusing
knowing that a respected professor
and administrator who served Nigeria
for 37 years as a university lecturer
and briefly as Vice Chancellor of
University of Port Harcourt, Rivers
State, is wallowing in abject poverty.
The misery of Prof Theo Vincent, a
professor of English language, is made
worse with his current blind status and
lack of cash which has forced the
former English lecturer of the
University of Lagos to have his abode
in a ghetto, notorious for vices, after
he was allegedly ejected from his
comfortable accommodation for
inability to pay his rent. He lives in a
dilapidated structure in Illaje, Bariga,
Lagos.
How did he get to that miserable point
that is not only embarrassing to the
academic world but the whole country,
considering the fact that the erudite
professor was once the chief executive
of the same university that produced
Nigeria’s former President, Dr Goodluck
Jonathan?
Prof Vincent is said to be living with
his wife and a few belongings
including his books. The professor is
also said to be arguably one of
Nigeria’s finest in poetry tutoring
hundreds of students who some are
well established in the educational
sector today.
Vincent, an indigene of Gokana local
government area of Rivers State held
sway as the Vice Chancellor of the
University of Port Harcourt between
1997 and 2000.
He was drafted from the Department of
English, the University of Lagos, by the
then Head of State, the late General
Sani Abacha to head the institution,
after the expiration of the tenure of the
then acting vice chancellor, Prof Nimi
Dimkpa Briggs.
Visits to the Delta (Choba/Aluu) and
Abuja (Alakahia) campuses of the
University of Port Harcourt, showed
evidences of the legacies left behind by
Prof Vincent in all nooks and crannies
of the school.
A senior non-academic staff of the
university, who spoke with
LEADERSHIP Weekend on the condition
of anonymity, said over 75 per cent of
the development of the Abuja campus
was achieved during the tenure of Prof
Vincent.
The campus Abuja boasts of the
Senate building, the libraries and
convocation arena, lecture halls as well
as the state-of-the-art mini stadium,
where most of the sporting events for
the 2004 NUGA Games took place.
The non-academic staff said, Prof
Vincent, who retired from the
University of Lagos in 2004, was
appointed as the vice-chancellor of the
University of Port Harcourt, at a time
the institution was struggling to
overcome a severe leadership crisis
and other challenges that threatened
its existence.
While he was on the driver’s seat in the
University, he distinguished himself as
a scholar and administrator whose
penchant for excellence and
abhorrence for indiscipline helped to
restore sanity to the institution.
Recently, there were reports in the
media that the once celebrated scholar
and writer is now facing hard times
and abandonment. It was reported that
the Ogoni-born professor of English is
now living on the ground floor of a
dilapidated two-storey residential
building in Ilaje quarters in the Bariga
area of Lagos.
A lecturer in the university, who spoke
on the condition of anonymity, said the
authorities of the institution cannot do
anything for Prof Vincent even if they
had known about his present
predicament considering the fact that
he retired as an academic staff of the
University of Lagos.
The lecturer said, “I don’t think UniPort
would have done anything to help
Professor Vincent. Although, he served
as the vice chancellor here some years
ago, the federal government brought
him from the University of Lagos. If
you ask me, I think it is the Federal
Ministry of Education, and the
University of Lagos that should help
him out.”
When contacted, the public relations
officer of the University of Port
Harcourt, Dr Williams Wodi, said
Vincent was not a staff of the
University and therefore, the institution
should not be expected to assist him.
Wodi said, “You called me asking if we
have plans to assist Professor Vincent;
I have not seen Professor Vincent in
recent times. Have you called the
University of Lagos? He retired from
the University of Lagos; so, you should
call them, please.”
After leaving the service of the
University of Port Harcourt, reports
have it Prof Vincent played a critical
role in the founding of Nigeria’s most
prestigious literary award, the Nigeria
Prize for Literature — sponsored by the
Nigeria Liquefied and Natural Gas
Company.
His pathetic state has marvelled many
in the academic sector who expressed
worries that the situation is most
embarrassing for the country.
“Something is wrong somewhere. As a
former VC and senior lecturer for 37
years, there should something for him
as emolument or pension for him – a
whole professor and a senior person in
that state?” Prof Bassey Ubom, who
chaired the Welfare and Commitment
Committee of the Academic Staff Union
of Universities (ASUU) for 11 years,
lamented.
Others were surprised to know when
LEADERSHIP Weekend contacted them
for reaction. Dr Theophilus Lagi, ASUU
chairman, Nasarawa State University,
Keffi, expressed shock at the news of
the state of the respected academician
in dire need of help.
“I am totally surprised at this news but
I need to do some findings to ascertain
the true position of his state,” he told
LEADERSHIP Weekend.
Similarly, some officials at ASUU, Abuja
Zone who also claimed ignorance of
the condition of their former colleague
told LEADERSHIP Weekend that they
need time to investigate the matter.
Reacting to the matter, a gerontologist
and behaviour specialist, Dr Ottih
Nwaka, said Prof Theo Vincent’s
situation is the reason why social
workers in Nigeria have been
advocating for the establishment of the
department of social services and a
division of home and community
services in the country.
He said, it will provide assistance and
support to the aged, the blind or the
disabled (ABD), children with mental of
physical disabilities and highly
vulnerable persons in the country.
“In Nebraska where I practiced,
assistance to the aged, the blind or the
disabled (AABD) was established by
the Nebraska Legislature in 1965. The
AABD programme was established to
provide financial aid and medical
assistance to persons in need from 65
years and above, or who are aged 64
or younger and blind or disabled
according to social security
programme definitions.
“Prof Vincent is too qualified for any
kind of services because to be eligible
for a cash payment, an individual or
married couple must have monthly
income and countable resources less
than the programme’s need and
payment standards. If determined
eligible for a cash payment, the
individual is also eligible for medical
coverage,” he said.
Nwaka urged the federal government
and the academia not to neglect Prof
Vincent whose condition is fast gaining
attention in the media. He added that
social services help to reduce
dependency, neglect and abuse. “This
is exactly what we are asking our
government to do for our people,” he
added.
Efforts by LEADERSHIP Weekend to get
reaction from the country
representative of the International
Federation on Ageing Nigerians (IFAN)
was not successful as our
correspondent was told that he was
engaged in a meeting as at press time.
IFAN is said to be a strong advocate
for the rights and privileges of older
persons in Nigeria.


http://leadership.ng/features/460535/ex-university-vc-blind-poor-lives-in-lagos-slum

A prophet, Muyiwa Adesoye, has been accused of having carnal knowledge of an auxiliary nurse under the pretence that he wants to anoint her private part. It was gathered that Adesoye allegedly prophesied to the victim (name withheld) that she had spiritual husband who usually had sex with her in her dream, which had hindered her career progress. Adesoye, who resides at Ikotun area, allegedly informed her that she needed to be delivered through prayers so that her future will be brighter stating that such prayer and deliverance would involved him having sex with her in order to anoint her private part. Nigerian Tribune gathered that, Adesoye also told her that she would pay him N25, 000 for the prayers and warned her to do so to avoid further threat to her future. The victim accepted, paid the money and gave him her two phones and a gift. It was further gathered that Adesoye took the young nurse to a popular hotel located at Abule Odu in Egbeda area and had sex with her several times and thereafter gave her a soap to use to take her bath daily. After the victim, who was introduced to Adesoye by her friend realised that she had been duped, she told her parents what happened and the matter was reported to the police at Area ‘M’ Command, Idimu. Adesoye was arrested and charged before an Ejigbo Magistrate court for obtaining sex, unlawful carnal knowledge under false pretence and stealing under the Criminal Code. He pleaded not guilty and the presiding Magistrate, Mrs J. O. E. Adeyemi granted him bail in the sum of N100, 000 with two sureties in like sum. The court ordered that one of the sureties must be a land owner and show affidavit of means. He was remanded in prison custody at Kirikiri pending when he will perfect his bail condition. The matter was adjourned till September, 21.
http://tribuneonlineng.com/prophet-conducts-sex-deliverance-nurse-hotel

The Defence Intelligence Agency (DIA)
yesterday, arrested eight suspects over
alleged plan to detonate bombs in the
Federal Capital Territory, Abuja during
the forth coming Sallah celebration
scheduled for Thursday, September 24,
2015.
LEADERSHIP WEEKEND checks confirm
that the suspects were arrested by DIA
when they sneaked into the FCT to
perfect and execute the heinous crime.
Though the identity of the suspects
were not revealed, our source said the
DIA has already taken the eight men
into custody and are currently
undergoing screening and
interrogation, adding that useful
information is being extracted from the
suspects.
The Nigeria’s capital of Abuja had in
the past come under several bomb
attacks, mostly carried out by the
dreaded Boko Haram group which has
claimed responsibility. No less than
30,000 lives with properties worth
billions of naira have been lost to the
dastard acts of this group of terrorists.
Some of the places attacked by the
terrorist group includes the United
Nations country office in Abuja, the
headquarters of the Nigeria Police,
Emab Plaza located in Wuse 2, Nyanya
motor park, as well as the popular
Abacha barracks, all within the Federal
Capital Territory.
Meanwhile, seven persons have been
confirmed dead when two suspected
female suicide bombers detonated
bombs at the Malkohi IDP camp at
about 10:50 am Friday, killing them
and five others while 13 people,
including four NEMA officials sustained
various degrees of injuries.
The bomb explosion which is the first
of its kind in an IDP camp facility in the
state has thrown the inhabitants into
pandemonium.
Our correspondent gathered that many
of the displaced persons in camps
blamed the attack on security
operatives, whom according to them,
failed to screen new IDP’s before
admitting them into the camp.
Investigations by LEADERSHIP
WEEKEND revealed that not less than
300 new IDPs from Sambisa forest and
Madagali local government were
brought into the facility less than 24
hours before the bomb explosion took
place.
Confirming the attack to newsmen
yesterday, the Adamawa State
commissioner for information,
Comrade Ahmed Sajoh said seven of
the victims have been confirmed dead
while nine others including four NEMA
officials sustained various degrees of
injuries.
The commissioner stated that governor
Muhammadu Umaru Jibrilla Bindow
has directed the state emergency
management agency to foot the
medical expenses of the injured.
He said an unaccompanied toddler was
among the dead victims and expressed
sadness that even those on
humanitarian service were not spared
by the fury of the suicide bombers.
Sajoh added that the state government
is working in conjunction with all
security agencies to ensure a water
tight security around all IDP facilities in
the state, noting that the security
personnel are currently re- screening all
the IDPs at the Malkohi camp.
“We have discussed with security
agencies on how to fortify all the
camps in the state and a re- screening
of the IDPs is currently on going,” he
said.
He added that the governor who was in
Kaduna State for official visit was
seriously disturbed by the incident and
promised to do all within his powers to
secure the state, calling on residents to
keep vigilance and report any
suspicious persons to security
personnel.
In a similar vein, Adamawa State
commissioner of police, Gabriel Adaji
has assured that his men will
strategise to ensure that such ugly
incidents do not take place again.
He noted that the police will re- screen
all the IDPs in the affected camp and
ensure that his men are deployed to
adequately secure a part of the
collapsed perimeter fence.
Also the Adamawa State coordinator of
the National Emergency Management
Agency, Mallam Sa’ad Bello said he
suspected that the explosion may be
caused by female suicide bombers,
adding that the bombers may be
among the 298 IDPs brought to the
camp from Madagali or the 17 IDPs
brought from Sambisa forest on
Thursday evening.
http://leadership.ng/news/460530/dia-arrests-eight-over-sallah-day-plan-to-bomb-abuja

A Grand 10th Remembrance For Stella
Obasanjo
IT’s been 10 years since former First
Lady, Stella Obasanjo passed on. The
fashionable wife of former President
Olusegun Obasanjo died after
undergoing cosmetic surgery in Spain in
preparation for her 60th birthday bash.
But unfortunately for her, she could not
enjoy the celebration before death came
calling.
However, while many seem to have
forgotten all the memories attached to
her, the family has not. Gathered that
the family are planning a remembrance
party for her, come October 25 to
commemorate her death. Stella died on
October 25, 2005 . And to celebrate her
in death, prayers would be offered for
the repose of her soul and this will
come with a grand party which takes
place in Abeokuta, the Ogun State
capital.
Olu, her only son and some family
members are said to be in charge of the
celebration. Eminent Nigerians are
expected to register their presence at
the event to support ex-President
Obasanjo.

http://www.ngrguardiannews.com/2015/09/a-grand-10th-remembrance-for-stella-obasanjo/

DE GEA SIGNS NEW CONTRACT
AT UNITED
David De Gea has signed a new four-year
contract with Manchester United, keeping him
at Old Trafford until at least 2019. There is
an option to extend it for a further year.
The Spain international, 24, joined the Reds
back in 2011 and has registered 175
appearances for the club, winning the Premier
League title in 2013 and two Sir Matt Busby
Player of the Year awards.
David De Gea said:
“I am delighted to be starting this new
chapter in my United career. I have always
enjoyed playing with these great players in
front of our fantastic fans. Manchester United
is a special club and Old Trafford is an ideal
place for me to continue to develop my
career. I’m looking forward to putting a
difficult summer behind me and
concentrating on working hard to improve
and help my teammates to be successful.”
Louis van Gaal said:
“I am absolutely delighted David has signed a
new contract. He is one of the best
goalkeepers in world football. I am very
pleased that he will be part of the team for
many years to come. David made a very
important contribution to our performance
last season and he has been the club’s Player
of the Year for the last two seasons. He is a
popular player who is keen to learn and
enhance his game. At such a young age for a
goalkeeper, he has many years ahead of
him.”

http://www.manutd.com/en/News-And-Features/Football-News/2015/Sep/David-De-Gea-signs-new-contract-at-Manchester-United.aspx?utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=post&utm_campaign=ManUtd

VisaOfficer:
I'm not sure I understand your question?

I mean, since visa bulletin takes effect first day of the month, will interview be schedule prior to the new month or immediately visa bulletin takes effect.

VisaOfficer:
The fiscal year only affects Diversity Visa applicants. It has no tangible effect whatsoever on other immigrant visa categories. (Okay, there's some behind-the-scenes number-crunching at a worldwide policy level, but nothing that existing applicants will feel.)

Each month has its own Visa Bulletin. The October 2015 Visa Bulletin will take effect on October 1.

t
thanks ma, that means interview are schedule prior when visa bulletin takes effect.

Dear VO, I can't but say thank You for taking your time to give answers to our questions.

Please I will like to know how Fiscal year have implication on Visa bulletin.
I read that september is the end of a fiscal year, becos right now september visa bulletin prediction is saying 8,April 2014 is for my category. I am scared retrogression becos hopefully, our case should be current by november with my calculation.

Also,will like to know when does embassy start making use of visa bulletin, is it wen it is out or after, becos I am expecting October visa bulletin to be out today or next.

Thanks ma.

The Nigerian Police Force ( NPF ) has urged
Nigerians to stop paying for tint permits for their
vehicles. The police further urged citizens to
report any officer who demands money from
them for the permit . This was disclosed on
Tuesday , September 8 , 2015 , by Force Public
Relations Officer , Olabisi Kolawole in Abuja.
She said:
We are saying that if people were paying before,
they should not do that any longer . ”
“ The police will not relent in their effort to carry out
their duty. I just want to let you know that this
current police administration will not condone any
act of public disorder . ”
Kolawole also said that the police would
henceforth arrest all unauthorized persons using
vehicle sirens in the country .
Meanwhile, the Police has released list of
authorised vehicles to use siren .

http://www.naijaurban.com/tint-permit-is-free-dont-pay-for-it-police-spokesperson/#sthash.x0x2JP7e.gbpl