₦airaland Forum

The travails of Governor Akinwunmi Ambode of Lagos State need to be fully documented not only by journalists and historians but also by political scientists across the world as it sets a new trend in Nigerian politics especially in our unformed version of democracy.

A few months ago, Ambode was the winning point of political arguments about the influence of godfatherism in politics and how the Lagos political warhorse, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu has been a legendary scout spotting the best heads for public offices. In the last 12 years, he has singlehandedly installed amazing governors namely Babatunde Raji Fashola and Ambode who have recorded enviable feats in the development of Lagos as a major financial hub in Africa and the world as a whole. Other public officer holders including the number one citizen of Nigeria, President Muhammadu Buhari have also benefitted from Tinubu's unfathomable political prowess and sagacity.

The new capital projects undertaken by Ambode are conspicuous enough for all eyes to see. Even his die-hard critics at the bottom of their hearts will admit that Ambode has touched all aspects of life in Lagos State ranging from social amenities, entertainment, formal education, youth employment, business, health, housing, transportation, sports, security arts and culture and other critical sectors. Public engagement has also increased under the ardent speech-reading governor through his regular town hall meetings and other initiatives like “Your Voice Lagos" and "Tell Governor Ambode".
Any Doubting Thomas can simply Google-search the "35 Achievements of Governor Ambode In Lagos" for a sneak-peek into his progress so far.

Some political pundits even argued that the fastest way to lose yourhard- earned money and waste your time is by contesting against Ambode in the coming gubernatorial election in Lagos State. I'm sure this is the main reason why the main opposition party in Nigeria, Peoples Democratic Party has been reluctant to participate in the contest. The party has been apparently begging oil mogul Femi Otedola with its governorship ticket as the billionaire CEO of Forte Oil Plc blushes over their generosity like the Village Belle. Analysts have even gone as far as rating Ambode as the best state governor in the last three years. But all these changed about a month ago when rumours started filtering in that elements at the original seat of power - Bourdillion, Ikoyi where Tinubu resides weren’t at peace with Ambode.

Yes, in the sight of over 21 million residents of Lagos, he might have excelled in his position as the first man of the state but he doesn't deserve a second term as long as the political interests of a few powerful folks aren’t guaranteed. This paints a laughable scenario of the 'Lagos State Board of Trustees' not being satisfied with their Managing Director. This is a real mockery of democracy in Africa which has its roots in Oligarchy and the traditional system of Monarchy where the input of the governed doesn’t really count in the choice of leaders.

In our democracy, power doesn't reside with the people (majority) and this accounts for the reason why you see politicians thronging the houses of former leaders like Chief Olusegun Obasanjo and Gen. Ibrahim Babangida (Rtd) for political endorsements. The fate of would-be leaders is regularly sealed by a couple of powerful and noteworthy old people who I refer as 'Gerontocrats'; they hold political meetings at the odd hours of the day about the political future of a state and then give orders to their subordinates who are mostly young and energetic folks to pursue their cause for them while they operate remotely. These young people are like their foot soldiers whose conscience have been bought with money and other worldly benefits. They make up what we call 'political structure' in our local lexicon. The structure consists of journalists, political analysts, lawyers, media houses, government officials, artisans, market women, thugs, private bodies, entrepreneurs, musicians, actors, grassroots mobilizers, political strategists, thugs, social media warriors and mostly criminals who have made careers out of gathering intelligence on how to subvert the political system. Their definition of democracy is different from the textbook version we all advocate, so when you hear them harp on the efficacy of democracy with you in public places, don't be deceived, you guys are not talking the same thing.

There have been strong rumours that Ambode has been begging his benefactor, Tinubu endlessly and his wife, Bolanle has also been recruited to join the 'Bambiala train'. Sources claim that Ambode has been experiencing acute mood swings and that he recently burst into tears over his perceived disgraceful end. President Muhammadu Buhari, Vice President YemiOsinbajo, traditional rulers, state governors, the national leadership of the ruling All Progressives Congress have been pleading with the Jagaban of Lagos politics to forgive his former anointed son as he "didn't know what he was doing" but all their concerted efforts have ended in futility.

Doesn't it defy logic that Tinubu has only one vote, the 57 local government council chairmen of the Mandate Group have only one vote each and Ambode should rather be more focused on the millions of Lagosians singing his praises to ensure his re-election in 2019? Is that not what is obtainable in an ideal democratic system like the U.S where approval ratings could even be determined by the outcomes of mere debates or public utterances. President Donald Trump's approval rating was on a free fall following his controversial Helsinki Summit with Russian President Vladimir Putin. Ambode whose major offence according to reports was not “servicing the APC political structure" will prefer to cry at the feet of his principal, Tinubu because he knows that his vote is ostensibly bigger than that of the general public. Democracy in Nigeria is the biggest political scam ever!

Politicians know how to beat the system by taking advantages of its loopholes. This is why the so-called Mandate Group holds sway and in a matter of barely seven days, it has made a bold statement with the emergence of Babajide Sanwo-Olu who has suspiciously obtained the APC's expression of interest and nomination forms of N22.5 million which his monthly earnings might not comfortably afford him. To add insults to Ambode’s injury, Sanwo-olu, is an appointee of Ambode. He was appointed as the Director of Lagos State Property Development Company (LSPDC) barely one year after the inauguration of his government. Dr. Femi Hamzat, a former Lagos State commissioner for works and infrastructure is also waiting to unseat Ambode in case he survives the storm of Sanwo-Olu. Partisan and pseudo-political analysts have claimed the emergence of Sanwo-Olu and Hamzat will strengthen the internal democracy of the APC and test the popularity of Ambode which liberal democracy entails but they have purposely ignored the fact that a bumpy playing field has been covertly created to the advantage of a favoured candidate which is odious.

Democratic institutions in Nigeria are inherently weak and the aged political juggernauts know that. They are well aware that political apathy in Nigeria is still rife as people are shy about participating actively in the electoral process. They express reluctance in obtaining their Permanent Voter’s Cards, PVCs. Even when they do, they are not motivated to use it due to the failure of past administrations promising an El Dorado like Buhari and technically delivering nothing tangible except more economic hardship, identity crisis and insecurity.

Nigeria is the poverty capital of the world with 87 million of her populace living in abject poverty and corruption has become part of our survival instincts in sharp contrast to the proliferation of religious institutions at the nooks and crannies of the country. The implication of poverty is that any available person can be bought or hired as long as you can ease his hunger with a mesh of porridge like the biblical Esau who sold his birthright to Jacob for a momentary satisfaction.

With an alarming illiteracy rate of 65 to 75 million people and poor voters’ education programmes, most people don't even understand the concept of voting as a civic right and responsibility not to talk of its essence in a political system. Also, the process of PVC collection is as narrow as the gate of heaven and this discourages any serious-minded person without much time on his hands from registering, not to talk of collecting it. You will rather take the easiest route of using social media to verbalize your critical political views which mostly don't count.

Also, the commercial nature of Lagos State and other urban centres in Nigeria militates against electoral participation indirectly. Since registration centres are opened during the week, most people register around their working places which are mostly far from their residences. Due to the ban on transportation on election day to forestall anticipated security breaches, these people are relegated to their houses during the voting exercises leaving their preferred candidates in the hands of fate and Providence. In 2015, 5,827,846 million people registered to vote in Lagos State, 3,771,199 million collected their PVCs and less than 1.5 million electorate participated in the election despite the large population size. This is poor!

How many Nigerians will sleep in or around their places of work just to cast their votes for their preferred candidates at the designated polling units without any incentives or being a direct beneficiary of the person contesting? I'm sure none except the northerners which brings back the memories of the success of the Indirect Rule system in the northern part of Nigeria.

Most Lagosians believe no candidate is worth the stress. But members of the Mandate Group and their followers majorly plebeians understand the system better than we educated folks who are too obsessed with the ideal system which is only obtainable in the nonexistent Utopian world. They register at polling units that are easily accessible to them, they obtain their PVCs, they mobilize other like-minded people, they vote and also stay behind to protect their votes while the so-called intellectuals dominate social media, TV, radio stations and other media platforms with their flowery political speeches laced with polished English language. Since politics is a game of numbers, they end up having their way at the detriment of societal progress.

Ambode knows this, he is aware that politics in Nigeria not just about competence, confidence and oratory skills. He has a firsthand experience of the subversion of the system in Lagos where his dusty image was built from an alleged erring senior civil servant who was forced to resign under the Fashola administration to save his face on allegations of corruption to a ‘Star Boy’ in Lagos politics. He is a product of an unlevelled playing ground. Ambode couldn't have defeated the 2015 gubernatorial candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party - Jimi Agbaje even if the latter's hands were tied to a stake. Ambode struggled to convince himself that he could do the job in his public speeches while Agbaje kept hitting the bull's eye with his views.
Rather than focus on the people who he is responsible to, Ambode would rather beg Jagaban with his life and clean his black shoes with his flowing tears to secure his second term in office. This is a gross aberration to the tenets of democracy.

With Ambode's high ratings following his top class performance in office within the last three years, he stands a chance against Tinubu if he has the heart to approach him head on. Tinubu is a force to be reckoned with in both local and national politics but his popularity is as fragile as a newborn's umbilical cord. His failed role in the APC governorship primaries in Ondo in 2016 is still fresh in our memories. Tinubu is reportedly the brain behind Governor Rotimi Akeredolu’s political career. He backed the legal luminary to challenge Olusegun Mimiko, the then governor of Ondo State in 2012. In 2016, Tinubu endorsed Olusegun Abraham to get the APC ticket ahead of his former protege, Akeredolu. Akeredolu finally called his bluff, aligned with his Abuja friends and went ahead to win the primaries and the governorship election to the rude shock and displeasure of Tinubu. In fact, Tinubu's Plan B candidate, Olusola Oke finished a distant third under the banner of the Alliance for Democracy. Many will say Ondo is different from Lagos which is the home of Tinubu but that was the same way people doubted the chances of success of Akeredolu at the polls.

Pressure is being mounted on Ambode via the media through unconscionable and inordinate means to throw in the towel and endorse Sanwo-Olu. That is totally preposterous, nonsensical and unacceptable. I urge Ambode to die in battle with honour like a true soldier rather than beg his oppressor for his life.

In retrospect, the 2015 governorship election results in Lagos State offer chances of redemption for Ambode. Ambode, a political neophyte then with the influence of Tinubu and his exalted political machinery polled 811,994 votes while his main challenger Agbaje who has rejoined the race scored 659,788 votes. The difference in the votes at the peak of APC's strength and the Buhari euphoria was just 152,206. Now, Ambode has made a name for himself with colourful achievements and he stands the chance of attracting some sympathy votes from a section of the section of the electorate who now see him as a victim of brutal political machination.

Since politics all over the world is a matter of alignment and realignment, Ambode could give Tinubu a run for his money if he enters a coalition with other political parties and stakeholders including the PDP which has opened its arms for him. His present popularity, war chest, friends at the centre and a formidable coalition could help him breakaway from the stranglehold and stronghold of Tinubu which is the silent prayers of Lagosians. This isn't rocket science, it’s very feasible. No winner reigns forever and its time for someone to put Tinubu in his place as a former governor of Lagos State.

Even if Ambode fails, another politician in the nearest future will leverage on the attempt made by Ambode to challenge Tinubu to a political duel till he is finally demystified. History is about to be made and fate has put Ambode at a vantage point of glory. Nobody ever thought David stood a chance against Goliath but he defeated the arrogant giant before the raging Philistines, the same way American boxer Evander Holyfield reduced the almighty Mike Tyson to a dishonourable biting sportsman after dealing him some real punches in the WBA Heavyweight Championship in 1997. Ambode should man up, wipe his tears, pick up the challenge and see how the world will rally round him with selfless support.


Osayimwen Osahon George is a journalist and a PhD student of Political Science. He writes from Lagos State.


Source: https://www.tori.ng/news/106759/the-day-governor-ambode-wept.html

Lalasticlala Seun Mynd44 Tonyebarcanista Obinoscoppy Dominique

It appears Omoyele Sowere, a presidential aspirant is trying to sway the political support of the thousands of Indian Hemp smokers in Nigeria ahead of the 2019 presidential election.

Founder of SaharaReporters, Omoyele Sowore has promised to legalize the usage of Marijuana if he is voted president come 2019.

According to Sowore who is also convener of the Take It Back movement, the mass production of Marijuana in Nigeria will open a window of cash inflow for the country which is over-relying on petro-dollars presently.

Sowore who was once described as the 'latest comedian in town' by a political pundit made these assertions at a conference amid laughter by the audience filled with youths.

In Sowore's words:

"We have to start taking care of our weed, Igbo, such that we can also contribute to the GDP of the world.

Some of the best weeds in the world are grown in Ekiti State. I'm very serious. People are making billions out of that particular plant that is very potent in Nigeria. We should be focusing on it.

Our NDLEA should get the notice, memo in advance that

Nigeria will be exporting weed to cure cancer in other parts of the world.

Instead of chasing after people who are growing weeds, whereas, they are not chasing after politicians who are smoking cocaine in their houses.

That is my last words and I know this one is controversial. If you want to hear more from me about it, I will discuss it"

Watch a video of Sowore boldly explaining his economic plan below:


Source: https://www.tori.ng/news/105484/nigeria-will-be-exporting-marijuana-if-i-become-pr.html

https://www.instagram.com/p/BnWEeCyhnC5/?taken-by=instablog9ja

Lalasticlala Seun Mynd44 Ishilove Tonyebarcanista

"Have you ever doubted your ability to invoke rainfall," he was asked by a BBC Pidgin reporter.

The old man looked up slowly as if his neck was weighing him down. He pointed his finger to his chest in confidence and told the reporter, "Rain will disturb your movements as you return to your base today"

After making that boastful statement, he folded his hand to indicate that the interview was over as he was prepared to display his metaphysical power.

Later that evening, the reporters began to drive from Akwa to (Anambra State) Enugu and heavy rain started to fall. According to the reporters, it was so heavy that the team almost parked their car at the side of the road. The rain fell until they reached Enugu State.

The Search For The Rainmaker

The existence of powerful men and women reported to have control over the atmospheric condition has always been a popular talk in town. Many people have always say the rainmakers can invoke rainfall as well as stopping it.

But several other people believe nobody can control the weather not to talk of causing rainfall. The Nigerian Metrological Agency believes controlling the weather is as good as a myth.

There are rainmakers across the world especially in Nigeria. Their business is to halt any event of rainfall for people holding social occasions like burial ceremonies, parties or even market days. There are also reports that some people hire rainmakers to invoke rainfall to disrupt the events organised by their supposed enemies.

Some people also believe rainmaking is full of lies and no human being possesses the power to invoke or stop rainfull at any given time.

It took the reporter four good months to look for a confident rainmaker who was ready to display his powers on tape. With the help of some indigenes, the reporter traced Godwin Onasedu to Ifitedunu village at Dunukofia Local Goment Area in Anambra State, southeast Nigeria.
Godwin Onasedu is a powerful rainmaker in his village and according to him, his generation has been into rainmaking for many years.

To invoke rainfall, he asked the reporters to bring some items which are as follows:

Two crates of beer
One bottle of 501 gin
Four pieces of kola nut
1000 naira to take break the kola nut
Candles, white and red cloth

On The D-day

On Friday, the 17th of August, 2018, the reporter finally met with Godwin at his house. When the reporter met him, he was seen burning some leaves outside his house. He revealed he performing that as a ritual to forestall rainfall.

"Some people are organizing a burial ceremony and they have given me the job of holding off rainfall" he said.

"But as you have come to put my powers to test, I will cause a small quantity of rain to fall but it will not last"

As the sacrificial items were presented before him, he ordered an assistant to quench the fire so that they could head to a designated shrine to complete the task of invoking the rain.

The rainmaker revealed to the reporter that the fire from the burning leaves prevent rainfall and quenching the fire will allow rainfall.

This is a raining season and rainfall has been a regular occurrence. But on this particular day, the sun was shining brightly. The reporter checked Google weather report and discovered rain was supposed to fall later that day.

By the time they arrived at the shrine which was close to the rainmaker's house, the villagers who heard about the test had gathered to feed their eyes. Parent and their kids followed the reporters and the rainmaker. The rainmaker walked in front of the crowd wearing a white cloth which he also tied on his head.
The shrine was made up of two very tall trees. A rope and some clothes with yellow and red colours were tied to these trees. There were empty bottles of gin on the ground coupled with other fetish materials unknown to the reporter. The rainmaker started to recite incantations and repeatedly beat a gong known as Ogene in local parlance to bring down rainfall but at that time, there was no single rain drop.

People gathered watching the scene and the camera of the reporter was set to capture the event. Nothing happened, he performed these rites for about 45 minutes but the rain refused to come. The rainmaker stopped. By this time, people had started to leave for their various houses.

The rainmaker asked the assistant to return to his house to check on it. When the assistant returned, he informed the rainmaker that someone had started the fire they quenched behind their back. According to reports, the man who set the fire was mentally-challenged, the pressmen had earlier met him at the rainmaker's house and he wasn't friendly. As the rainmaker was invoking rainfall, the man was busy derailing his efforts by burning the mystic leaves.

At last, Godwin the rainmaker lost his temper and returned to his house. The impatient villagers also left for their abodes but the reporters waited at the shrine for the rainmaker. They were waiting for the two hours deadline they gave him to elapse.

At about one hour and thirty minutes, there was no sign of rain so the pressmen started packing their gadgets in preparation to leave the area. Not too long, the breeze started. This started gradually. The cassava leaves, palm trees and other plants started to shake due to the breeze. The pressmen looked up and observed that the environment was cloudy giving indications of imminent rainfall.
The pressmen immediately brought out their equipment, switched on the camera and pointed it to the sky to film as the rain had started.

This according to them lasted for five minutes. The rain wasn't heavy but the ground was obviously wet. According to the reporter who wrote the story, people might believe or doubt the story but he witnessed rainfall that day. He asserted that he can't categorically state that the rainfall was natural or induced by the supposed powerful rainmaker.

Watch a short video clip of the incident below:


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L-iJqi_ZLW0

Source: https://www.tori.ng/news/104885/unbelievable-story-of-powerful-igbo-man-who-can-co.html

CC Lalasticlala Seun Ishilove Mynd44 Obinoscoppy Airforce1 Tonyebarcanista

The partial demolition of the magnificent Music House of the wheelchair-bound singer, Yinka Ayefele by the administration of Governor Abiola Ajimobi confirms my fears about the health of democracy in Nigeria. It’s becoming apparent that Nigeria is only a democratic state on paper with public office holders implementing policies generated from the playbook of totalitarian leaders.

Democracy is gradually being plagued by Fascism across the world and Nigeria seems to have caught the flu. In a Fascist dictatorship, citizens have no guaranteed rights; you can be arrested, jailed or killed without trial for being in the opposition.

According to political scientist, Dr. Lawrence Britt, Fascist regimes have 14 elements in common namely; powerful and continuing nationalism, disdain for the recognition of human rights, identification of enemies/scapegoats as a unifying cause, supremacy of the military, rampant sexism, controlled mass media, obsession with national security, religion and government are intertwined, corporate power is protected, labour power is suppressed, disdain for intellectuals and arts, obsession with crime and punishment, rampant cronyism and corruption and fraudulent elections.

The United States of America is thought to stand as the model of democracy for the rest of the world but its president, Donald Trump appears to be the face of Fascism today.

Trump has been waging war against the media for playing its role as the ‘Fourth Estate of the Realm’. According to the Fact Checker’s database, in Trump’s 466 days of taking the oath of office, he had made about 3,001 false or misleading claims which is an average of 6.5 claims a day. His grouse with the media is hinged on its failure to recognize his claims as the sole truth in America. This is a feature of prominent dictators across the world.

Trump recently called on the Attorney General, Jeff Sessions to investigate corruption among those looking into his alleged collusion with Russia during the 2016 presidential election and his prominent critics. He also revoked the security clearance of a former Central Intelligence Agency Director John Brennan who has been a harsh critic of Trump’s rhetoric and policies. The world was shocked when he called a former White House aide, Amarosa Manigault Newman ‘a dog and a crying lowlife’ in a wild Twitter attack over the contents of her new book which centered on him. Trump hasn’t also hidden his admiration of strong and undemocratic men in world politics like the Russian President Vladimir Putin, President of China Xi Jinping, Supreme leader of North Korea - Kim Jong -un, President of Turkey, Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Rodrigo Durtete, the President of the Philippines.
It’s about to get worse in Nigeria due to the general weakness of our governmental institutions which are supposed to check the excesses of leaders. Most State Houses of Assembly in Nigeria are rubber stamp in nature. They are peopled by the loyalists of the state governors. The Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice as well as Chief Judge of the state are appointed by the governors and we know where their loyalties will lie in the event of abuse of power, so where is the possibility of checks and balances?

The alarming level of illiteracy in Nigeria which ranges from 65 to 75 million people intensifying the problem of 'uninformed voting' is also a setback to our democracy. This coupled with the widespread poverty in Nigeria are used as loopholes by unpopular leaders to subvert the democratic system and emerge as leaders.

Back to the crux of the matter, Ajimobi through his Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice in Oyo State, Oluseun Abimbola on the 3rd of July, 2018 accused Fresh FM 105.9 which is situated at the Music House as owned by the gospel singer, Ayefele of defamation following critical statements about the governor made on a radio programme – ‘Political Circuit’ on the 30th of June, 2018. One of the panelists, Mr Dare Adekanmbi of the Nigerian Tribune reportedly insinuated that Governor Ajimobi had interest and shares in the private company involved in the building and operation on the new central abattoir in Ibadan.

The Attorney General demanded an apology letter from the radio station, immediate retraction of the statement via the medium it was made with the presenter and panelists present and that the recantation should be broadcast as “intermittent news flash for at least seven days”. Failure to comply with the demands within the stipulated timeframe according to his letter would attract a legal suit against the radio station, its presenter, Isaac Brown and panelists (Mr Dare Adekanmbi and Chief Olayiwola Olakojo). Additionally, the government would seek damages in the tune of N500 million from them for allegedly assassinating the character of the governor.
In October, 2016, Ajimobi had earlier spoken about how he resisted pressure from his political associates to demolish the Music House worth N800 million for not offering him political support.

The publicist of Ayefele named David Ajiboye even went as far as shedding light on how Ajimobi maliciously attempted to make the media platform his Public Relations arm for the purpose of laundering his image. Ayefele ran to the court which is supposed to be the last hope of the common man for redress as he was served the demolition notice but Ajimobi appears bigger than the court. He undermined the judiciary and disregarded the rule of law by partially demolishing the edifice despite a court order mandating the government to maintain status quo. He couldn't wait for the court to ascertain the illegality of the building.

As a political scientist, I have looked at the connection between a seeming educated and well-travelled Ajimobi and the odious action reminiscent of the days of Amala Politics of gross impunity in Oyo State under the Indirect Rule of the late Lamidi Adedibu. I have tentatively traced Ajimobi's uncouth behaviour, underhand method on press freedom and intolerance of opposition to his party, APC.
Ajimobi's dictatorial tendencies have been exhibited by other members of the ruling APC with the general public folding its arms and the Southwest governor might just be taking after his colleagues to satisfy his selfish interests.

Peer pressure plays a huge role in influencing political behaviour in a polity. In sociology, a peer group is both a social group and a primary group of people who have similar interests, age, background, or social status, occupation, education and interact on a level of equality. Research has shown that members of this group are likely to influence a person’s beliefs and behaviour.
President Muhammadu Buhari, a national leader of the APC has undermined the judiciary countless times. A former National Security Adviser, Sambo Dasuki as well as the leader of the Islamic Movement of Nigeria, Sheikh El Zakzaky have remained incarcerated since 2015 despite being granted bail by the court. Buhari sanctioned the invasion of the homes of Supreme Court justices by operatives of the local spy agency, DSS. Separatist, Nnamdi Kanu's bail wasn't honoured by the government until a reported political agreement was reached through mediation by a former Abia State governor Orji Uzor Kalu and others.

Under Buhari, accused people granted bail by the court were immediately rearrested by security operatives within and outside the court premises. Former DG of NIMASA Patrick Akpobolokemi, Former scribe of the PDP Olisa Metuh and a former Minister of Aviation Femi Fani Kayode got their bitter shares of this treatment.

As regards demolition, the Kaduna State government through the Kaduna State Urban Planning and Development Agency, KASUPDA destroyed the house of Sheikh El Zakzaky in Kaduna without following due process. According to reports circulated by the leadership of the Shiites, over 60 graves in the cemetery belonging to the Shiite sect were exhumed, including that of Zakzaky’s son, Ayatullah who died in 2014. His mother’s grave was reportedly desecrated by the Nigerian Army.

Still on Kaduna, Governor Nasir Ahmad El Rufai also pulled down a building at the heart of Kaduna City belonging to one of his political antagonists, Senator Suleiman Hunkuyi. This happened in February, 2018 after Senator Hunkuyi’s faction suspended El Rufai from the party. The one-storey building was put to use by the APC faction of Hunkuyi where the suspension order was given.

In May, 2017, Governor Umaru Tanko Al-Makura-led administration also demolished a building that housed Breeze 99.9 FM in Nasarawa State. It’s been over a year and the state government has failed to fulfill its agreement on the relocation of the radio station.

On the 26th of August, 2017, Governor Rochas Okorocha demolished the Eke-Ukwu Owerri market place in Imo state despite court orders restraining such action which led to the destruction of wares worth millions of naira and the death of a 10-year old boy named Somtochukwu Ibeanusi who was reportedly trying to assist his parents in evacuating their goods trapped in a shop.

With the tone of Buhari's statement on jailing more looters on his return from London where he recently holidayed for 10 working days, one might be forced to think the 75 year old is not only the president of Nigeria but also the Chief Justice of the country who could singlehandedly put an erring person behind bars without the input of the judicial arm of government.

In conclusion, considering the influence of peer pressure on political behaviour, one might be forced to admit that Ajimobi is following the antics of his party mates.

Ajimobi has also taught us a few lessons, one of which is that our leaders will never sacrifice their empty egos for the betterment of the lives of the people. He didn't mind taking food off the mouths of about 200 people working at the Music House. This is a man who has struggled to create executive jobs for his people in almost 8 years of being the governor. We still remember his sham employment initiative in Oyo State called the Youth Employment Scheme of Oyo State - ‘YES O’ which almost turned the city of brown roofs upside down forcing the government to sack the 20,000 youths it initially employed for a paltry stipends of N10,000 per month. Poverty reigns supreme in Oyo State and the people seem to have turned the economic hardship into some sort of culture and tradition.

Media watchers would have observed that major news platforms in Oyo State were very reluctant to cover the events surrounding the demolition of the Music House out of fear of not being Ajimobi’s next target. This journalist repeatedly called up his colleagues in Ibadan on phone and was told the environment was too hostile to cover the news. Several journalists were scared to drop comments on the issue even under the condition of anonymity giving indications that Oyo State might be under siege.

Furthermore, those clamouring for State Police might be forced to have a rethink considering the despotic tendencies displayed by our state governors. If they ever succeed in paying the salaries of state police officers as at when due, they might eventually turn them into soldiers to occupy the territories of neighbouring states. The prisons will be filled with dissenters considering the temperament of some state governors who are like emperors.

Osayimwen Osahon George is a journalist and a doctoral candidate of the University of Ibadan. He writes from Lagos State.

Source: http://www.villagetowncrier.com/2018/08/the-scary-bigger-picture-of-demolition.html

CC Lalasticlala Seun Mynd44 Ishilove Obinoscoppy Dominique Tonyebarcanista

Sometime last year, a friend advised me to look into the abuse of press freedom under the current administration of President Muhammadu Buhari as a research work and I laughed it off. I told him Nigeria is like a paradise for journalists compared to what is obtainable in her fellow African countries like Egypt, Uganda, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Zimbabwe, Kenya, Burundi and others in the class of Russia, North Korea, Turkey, China etc.

Nigeria has been able to achieve pluralism in the media sector as she accommodates successfully the traditional and alternative media as democracy entails but press freedom as well as independence which the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization, UNESCO gave as criteria for the media to strive well is not adequately guaranteed in reality. All over the world, the media industry is described as a business of the elites who tend to churn out media narratives that suit their political and business interests.

Most of the Nigerian politicians adjudged looters in the 'court of public opinion' now have media houses with talented journalists employed as perpetual praise-singers. In order not to be unconsciously caught in a ‘Filter Bubble’, never stick to one media platform.

Press freedom under Buhari appears to be shrinking everyday with media practitioners comfortably sitting on a keg of gun powder. The fate of Premium Times journalist, Samuel Ogundipe who has been hounded and hunted by the police for doing his job is a wake-up call for journalists sleeping at the war front. This didn't just happen overnight; just like AIDS, the symptoms have always been there but nobody cared to pay attention and now we are about to experience a full blown virus at the detriment of good governance.

In 2015, Buhari gave indications of his intolerance of press freedom when he barred the African Independent Television, AIT in April, 2015 from covering his activities. I'm sure the President suddenly forgot it wasn't 1983 anymore. It took the intervention of the then National Publicity Secretary of the ruling All Progressives Congress, Lai Mohammed to water down the controversy.

Press freedom goes hand in hand with the freedom of expression, which together are inalienable rights of human beings. Once you mortgage one of them, you end up automatically limiting the other. Buhari's body language appeared to have been wrongly read by the police in Ogun State when it arrested a man, Mr. Joachim Iroko for naming his dog 'Buhari' to taunt his neighbour of Northern ancestry. The issue which could have made a good comedy skit on Instagram or Nollywood almost landed the man behind bars if not for the public outrage and intervention of human rights lawyers.

Another casualty was Jones Abiri, a journalist based in the South-south part of Nigeria who was arrested by the men of the Directorate of State Security, DSS in 2016 and held incommunicado in a secret cell for two years without being charged to court. His family never heard of him, the DSS denied having him and he was presumed dead! It took the intervention of human rights lawyer, Femi Falana and other media activists for the secret police to arraign the emaciated married man and father of five in court recently.

Former CEO of Chocolate City Entertainment, Audu Maikori who was the loudest voice of residents of Southern Kaduna on Twitter was hit by Governor Nasir El Rufai for admittedly propagating a false report about the Kaduna killings in February, 2017. Maikori briefly landed behind bars for his mistake.

Still on Kaduna State, a journalist working with Vanguard newspaper, Mr. Luka Binniyat was also arrested by the Kaduna Police, on allegations of authoring a false story of a herdsmen attack in Southern Kaduna. Binniyat appeared in the courtroom in crutches having survived an accident and was remanded in prison.

Similarly, Mr. Midat Joseph of Leadership newspaper and one Yayock Eusebiuf were arrested and charged to the court on a three-count charge of criminal conspiracy, inciting disturbance and injurious falsehood. Joseph was arrested on April 19, 2017 and detained by the police over a comment on WhatsApp social platform group chat where he had contributed to a conversation. The court later dismissed the case.

A blogger-turned-politician Abubakar ‘Abusidiq’ Usman was arrested by the anti-graft agency, EFCC for publishing articles which were critical of the acting chairman of the EFCC, Ibrahim Magu. His house was searched and some of his working tools confisticated by the EFCC. The young man is a member of the APC today. If you can't beat them, you join them!

Ahmad Salkida who is widely regarded as a ‘Boko Haram journalist’ is a regular customer of the army. His controversial reports on the activities of the terrorists in the North-east have made him a regular target of the military which is trying hard to sell the narrative that it has won the war against Boko Haram insurgency. At some point, Salkida fled Nigeria to do menial jobs in Dubai, United Arab Emirates for survival.

A former presidential spokesman, Reuben Abati who has maintained a pessimistic view of the Buhari-led administration from day one with censorious opinion editorials released weekly soon became a guest of the EFCC. He was accused of benefiting from slush funds while in office and subsequently detained. On his release, Abati learned to use the caution button better when criticizing the government in his regular columns.

A Punch newspaper's State House correspondent, Olalekan Adetayo covering the Presidential Villa, Abuja was expelled by the Chief Security Officer to President Muhammadu Buhari, Bashir Abubakar for reporting that Buhari’s concealed poor health and dereliction of duties. He was later reinstated following a public outcry.

At the peak of the Biafra advocacy championed by the missing separatist, Nnamdi Kanu, over 20 soldiers during the Operation Python Dance II military exercise invaded the Secretariat of the Abia State Council of Nigerian Union of Journalists at No. 1 Aba Road Umuahia and unleashed terror on journalists. Senior journalists were beaten and their electronic gadgets were destroyed. Nobody has been held to account for this Gestapo style act till date.

One, Emeh James Anyalekwa – the editor-in-chief of Igbere TV was also arrested and detained by the DSS. This man wasn’t totally innocent anyway. He was notorious at abusing media ethics and values.

In April, 2017, Austin Okai, blogger was arrested in Abuja by security operatives believed to be from the Special Anti-Robbery Squad, SARS over alleged criticisms of the government of Kogi state.

Operatives of the special anti-robbery squad (SARS) on the orders of the Inspector General of Police, Ibrahim Idris whisked away Daniel and Timothy Elombah, publisher and editor of Elombah.com from their Anambra residence. Six other males were reportedly arrested alongside him. The police weren’t bold enough to concretely spell out their offence but rumours have it that one of the brothers published a negative piece about the IGP who didn't want to be checked.

The Deputy Majority Leader of the Senate, Bala Ibn Na’Allah (APC, Kebbi South), of the APC also made an attempt to gag the social media by sponsoring an obnoxious social media bill. His major goal was to kill the political consciousness in Nigeria and limit the freedom of expression as social media has proven to become the one of the most lethal political tools in the world today.

Leading alternative media platform SaharaReporters is battling with lawsuits filed by Senators Dino Melaye, Bukola Saraki and others just for the purpose of derailing the media platform which is built on citizen journalism in the face of a highly politicized mainstream media in Nigeria.

A tracking officer of a Nigerian civil society organization, BudgIT - Moses Motoni was arrested in Kaduna State in December, 2017. He was arrested for teaching residents of Bida, Niger State how to hold leaders representing them both at the state and federal levels accountable. This action provoked Senator Sani Mohammed, representing Niger South of Niger State, to order Mr. Motoni’s arrest.

In August, 2017, the Nigerian military through John Enenche - director of defence information, said it had commenced monitoring of the social media for comments that could be “anti-government, anti-military or anti-security”.

Earlier in June, 2016, the Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Tukur Buratai, described those behind the issue of the acquisition of two properties by his family in Dubai, the United Arab Emirates, as defeated Boko Haram terrorists on migration to the nation’s cyberspace. He promised to defeat them accordingly.

President Buhari on his forced visit to Benue State (March, 2018) in the light of incessant killings by herdsmen banned top media houses from covering his visit to the middle-belt state. Some protesters were also disbanded by security operatives.

According to reports, out of 30 correspondents from various media organisations in Benue State, only 7 seven were handpicked to cover the President's visit without any definite reason.

Furthermore, the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC), fined DAAR Communications (owner of AIT/Raypower) N500,000 for alleged persistent violation of the provisions of the Nigeria Broadcasting Code. NBC’s Head of Public Affair, Maimuna Jimada, via a statement said comments made on Raypower’s programme “Political Platform” was against the broadcasting code.

The APC National Chairman, Adams Oshiomhole recently launched a scathing attack on the 12-time best TV station in Nigeria - Channels TV as well as other newspapers for allegedly spreading Fake News about the National Assembly crisis. The author and finisher of Fake News in Nigeria, Alhaji Lai Mohammed has also been hiding under the guise of limiting hate speech and Fake News to disparage dissenters which is an aberration to the principles of democracy.

Lately, the song of Nigerian rapper, Falz titled 'This Is Nigeria' which mirrored the challenges of the Nigerian society was banned by the National Broadcasting Corporation.

These are just a few cases on the infringement on freedom of press and speech by state actors under the Buhari-led administration. The real attack on democracy wasn't the National Assembly siege by the DSS but a clampdown on journalists who work assiduously for meagre sums just to grant the general public their constitutional right to know.

Gradually, Nigeria is heading towards the direction of North Korea under Chairman Kim Jong Un where the only information out there is what the government wants you to know. A place where you can be seen but should never be heard. A place of stark dictatorship where the abuse of fundamental human rights reigns supreme. This is certainly not the dream of the most populous black nation in the world.

Strong men trying to intimidate journalists and stifle the media should be reminded that political communication is key to the maturation of our nascent democracy. The role of the media can't be overemphasized as it acts as a bridge between the government and the people.

Osayimwen Osahon George is a journalist and a doctoral student of the University of Ibadan. He writes from Lagos State.

Source: http://saharareporters.com/2018/08/18/tears-nigerian-journalists-gory-tales-under-buhari-osayimwen-osahon-george

CC Lalasticlala Seun Ishilove Mynd44 Obinoscoppy Dominique

“Let me assure you that under no circumstance whatsoever will I give up my faith or refuse to stand up for my faith. You can take that to the bank. Even the position that I currently occupy, I did not ask for it and I’m prepared to leave it on short notice. It doesn’t mean anything.

“I became a born again Christian after I became a professor, a Professor of the Law of Evidence, a professor of proof. But when the Lord Jesus Christ met me, He persuaded me by showing me clearly that there is such a thing as the evidence of faith that is not seen. It is because of the evidence of things that are not seen, it is because you can make something out of nothing that I stand here today as vice- president....." Vice President Yemi Osinbajo addressed some bereaved people in Benue on the 16th of May, 2018 over his alleged silence on the killings by suspected herdsmen.

One must confess he uttered captivating words that are reassuring, but how far has he been able to live up his professed biblical principles and Christian doctrines in reality?

This journalist has always wondered how Professor Osinbajo, a religious leader in one of the biggest Christian ministries in Africa - The Redeemed Christian Church of God actually feels about some anomalies in Nigerian politics as well as some state-sponsored propaganda associated with the game his party, the All Progressives Congress plays. I mean moments when the camera, lights, action, reporters, government officials, aides and the likes are gone. That lonely moment when he is on his bed connecting with his soul with his wife, Mrs. Dolapo Osinbajo possibly at the other end trying to catch some sleep.

I wish to know his sincere position on the murder of 347 members of the Islamic Movement of Nigeria by the army in Kaduna and the illegal incarceration of their leader, Sheik El Zakzaky, the extended detainment of a former National Security Adviser Sambo Dasuki, killings by herdsmen, quashing of the cases against the alleged killers of Abuja and Kano preachers (Late Mrs Eunice Elisha Olawale, and Bridget Agbahime respectively), faux anti-corruption war, harassment of political opponents by the DSS and EFCC, accommodation of the black sheep of the PDP in the APC, and false removal of fuel subsidy.

What about other image-tainting issues bothering on the alleged National Youth Service Corp discharge certificate forgery scandal of the Finance Minister Kemi Adeosun, alleged WAEC certificate forgery by the Chairman, Special Presidential Investigative Panel for the Recovery of Property, Mr Okoi Obono-Obla and even the President himself whose secondary school certificate is like a ghost we all talk About but no one has ever seen? The Dancing Senator, Ademola Adeleke who is running for the governorship office in Osun under the PDP appears to be gathering inspiration from Buhari by allegedly forging his entire educational history. Indiscriminate budgetary allocations to the Aso Rock Villa such as the over N3 billion allocation to state house clinic, N4.86 billion for the maintenance of the Presidential Villa, N65 million for the design of the already existing website of the Office of the Secretary of the Government of the Federation, N250 million for the construction of the Vice President's gatehouse of a 3-bedroomed apartment and others also constitute another worrisome issue.

How did Pastor Osinbajo feel when meeting with Senator Godswill Akpabio while they negotiated his defection from the PDP to the APC taking into consideration the fact the anti-graft agency, EFCC is presently investigating Akpabio for an alleged large-scale fraud of N108 billion? The same Osinbajo journeyed to Kogi State in November, 2015 to endorse the late APC's gubernatorial candidate, Prince Abubakar Audu – someone accused of misappropriating over N10 billion of public funds.

What is Osinbajo’s stand on the alleged payment of ransoms to the Boko Haram sect by the Nigerian government to release abducted girls which has always been denied toeing the line of political correctness? Does he know the Federal Government has apparently become the biggest financier of the Boko Haram sect? What about the menace of vote-buying in Nigeria which his party has reportedly benefited from in recent gubernatorial elections in Edo, Ondo and Ekiti States?

Osinbajo just like his principal, Buhari has always accused the previous administration of gargantuan corruption and abuse of office. Specifically, he claimed $3 billion was looted under the Jonathan administration through the strategic alliance contracts and that in one single transaction, the sum of N100 billion and $289 million in cash were released into private pockets a few weeks to the 2015 elections. Osinbajo’s accusations reek of sheer hypocrisy and political theatrics considering the fact that his party has been freely admitting politicians who participating in the alleged heist under the 16-year rule of the PDP.

Many have argued that the office of the Vice President is more of a ceremonial one as he is obliged to be in the shadow of the President but that is no excuse for condoning bad governance. South African icon, Archbishop Desmond Tutu said, "If you are neutral in situations of injustice, you have chosen the side of the oppressor"

A major flaw in my claims is that these mere allegations that haven't been proven in the court of law as the principle of rule of Law stipulates. But in the deepest part of our hearts, we know what our politicians stand for. The members of the opposition party, PDP have tagged Buhari's anti-corruption fight a witch-hunt but this plan wouldn't have succeeded if there were so 'witches' so to say. Our leaders are fond of having skeletons in their cupboard thereby making them easy targets for political victimization and harassment when the need arises.

Osinbajo made a flying start as a politician and running-mate of Buhari in 2014 when he attended the 'worldly' Lagos musical concert of indigenous rapper Olamide whose stock-in-trade is promoting vulgarity, alcohol, nudity, prostitution, hard drugs and other acts of youthful exuberance with his songs. Osinbajo's action was acceptable considering the bigger picture as it was an opportunity for him to connect with the youths. But again, the Holy Bible in the book of 2nd Corinthians 6:14 speaks against being unequally yoked with “unbelievers”.
What I see here is interplay between professionalism and religion. To a large extent, Osinbajo has proved more to be a ‘professional in politics’ than a ‘pastor in politics’.

Even the circumstance which produced 'Osingbade' as Buhari's running-mate was more of political machination than merit which I'm sure Osinbajo understands. In 2014, at the heat of the presidential election campaign, the incumbent President, Goodluck Ebele Jonathan had started a 'church tour' which was a disguised campaign strategy to sway the political support of Christian folks. Then, there was a rumour in the air that the APC had concluded plans to Islamize Nigeria. Some comments Buhari purportedly made about the implementation of Sharia Law across the country gave credence to the rumours about Islamization. The APC countered the canard not only by words but also concrete decisions. Osinbajo was handpicked from the largest Christian Ministry in Nigeria, RCCG where he was popular to restore confidence to Christian voters. It should be noted that the General Overseer of the minister, Pastor E.A Adeboye revealed in 2014 that the RCCG has over 32,000 parishes in Nigeria. The church which is adjudged as the fastest growing Pentecostal church in the world has its presence in over 180 countries of the world.

Personally, I feel Osinbajo has lived up to the image of a 'pastor' considering the fact that I don't rate people on the basis of their faith. I judge them as normal human beings with unique and differing flaws. No religion preaches evil; bad people only make certain religions look bad. But if you want to rate Osinbajo according to the exploits of Jesus Christ in the Holy Bible, you might be disappointed considering the pitfalls of the APC.

Things have evolved in Nigeria and like the White Evangelicals in the U.S; the church is getting involved in the dirty game of politics in Nigeria. Senator Oluremi Tinubu is now an assistant pastor at the RCCG, PDP 2016 gubernatorial candidate in Edo State, Osagie Iyze Iyamu also claimed to be a pastor, Pastor Chris Okotie is back again in the political space to try his luck and so many other unknown presidential aspirants leading different churches who seemingly contest for the sake of it. We also have many other clerics patronizing politicians with concocted prophesies without specificity. The popular phrases are "The Lord told me.....but if you pray hard"

Political Scientists will interpret the involvement of the Church to be advancement in political consciousness across the country but I sense a dangerous trend. With our budding democracy, it’s like a wrestle with the pig. The church is about to get dirtier.

Nigerians following the lead of Daddy Freeze - the convener of the Free The Sheeple Movement are already questioning how tithes and offerings given in the church are being spent. They have also come to realize that the church has less of preachers and more of motivational speakers ending sermons with requests for financial donations. The church has a lot on its hands and dabbling into politics will destroy the one of the few places when Nigerians find sanity and redemption. I suggest the church should stick to its advocacy for good governance, collection of Permanent Voter’ Cards and subsequent voting.

Acting President Osinbajo in the deepest part of his heart would be wondering how much politics has changed him in the last three years but he will always console himself that he is committing 'small sins' for a greater cause.

Osayimwen Osahon George is a journalist and doctoral student of the University of Ibadan. He writes from Lagos State.

Source: https://www.tori.ng/news/103855/between-pastor-osinbajo-and-nigerias-dirty-politic.html

CC Lalasticlala Seun Ishilove Mynd44 Obinoscoppy Dominique Tonyebarcanista

The siege laid at the National Assembly by masked and unmasked men of the Directorate of State Security, DSS on the 7th of August, 2018 caused threatening political tremors across the country.

The media coverage was intense and the advent of social media helped the quick reportage of the development across the country. The stout Hon. Boma Goodhead from Bayelsa State stole the show by confronting the men of the local intelligence agency who brandished their frightening guns like the country was at war.

Social media platforms became awash with different versions of the besiegement. Fake news and partisan reportage as well as different analyses of the development took the centre stage. It was as if Nigeria was about to return to military rule. It instantaneously appeared there was a need for every Nigerian to compulsorily comment on the oddity to salvage our democracy. A lawmaker from the green chamber even insinuated that the National Assembly is the 'heart of democracy'.

The tweeting senator, Ben Murray Bruce wasn’t left out; he threatened to report that masterminds of the siege to the United Kingdom, U.S, Canada and the European Union so that their visas and that of their family members would be revoked. It remains unclear if his utterances were for comic relief.

It was an interesting but also sordid drama to watch. Inasmuch as I condemn the desecration and flagrant disrespect for the legislative arm of government which is backed by Baron de Montesquieu’s theory of separation of powers; I feel a national attention and energy was invested in the wrong issue.

The Nigerian system is all about the upper class which constitutes a small percentage of the populace. When the poor people who are in the majority cry, they are expected to cry alone. Their loud voices are always greeted with a deafening silence by the ruling class. Their representatives only release non-committal press statements of empty promises in the event of crises without concrete steps to plug loopholes towards curtailing a future re-occurrence of such dastardly acts. In fact, the problem is used as political brickbats between the opposition and ruling parties for the purpose of scoring cheap political points. The moment the hurricane hits the camp of the few elites, it’s like the whole nation has experienced the highest magnitude earthquake.

A false picture of an entire collapse of the governmental structures is painted with the poor masses blindly aligning with egotistical political leaders pursuing inordinate ambitions under the guise of representing the people.

I wish the Senate President Bukola Saraki's so-called 'World Press Conference' was held to raise an alarm about the unprecedented spate of killings in Plateau, Benue, Taraba, Adamawa states and other geopolitical zones by suspected herdsmen. Sokoto, Zamfara, Kaduna, Borno, Yobe States have also been hit with a combination of faceless militias and suspected Boko Haram terrorists with security operatives caught napping on several occasions.

According to a global human rights group - Amnesty International, the Nigerian government has been encouraging the impunity fuelling the increasing insecurity in the country by failing to hold murderers to account.

A recent statement (June, 28, 2018) by the group claims that at least 1,813 persons have been murdered across 17 states since January this year, which is double the 894 people killed in the entire 2017. In Plateau State, marauders attacked 11 villages on June 23 for at least seven hours and killed at least 200 villagers without intervention from security forces, Amnesty International asserted as it called for investigation into the onslaught.

Over 50 people optimistic about the New Year eve (January, 1, 2018) in Benue were killed by suspected Fulani herdsmen amid the biting crisis of fuel scarcity and age-long epileptic power supply but the news didn’t gain as much traction as the bike accident of President Buhari’s son, Yusuf. In fact, it was as if the best medical practitioners in Nigeria including the Minister of Health, Isaac Adewole resigned from their day to day activities to salvage the life of just one ‘special child’.

The acclaimed boldness and varlour of Boma Goodhead would have been helpful if added to the struggle for redemption of Benue indigenes helpless at the mercy of herdsmen. The massive bloodshed in Benue didn’t compel the state governor, Samuel Ortom to step down; he stood firm, sympathised with his people and passed the buck as usual. The only time his seat was threatened was recently when he fell out with a political warhorse in his state and former party mate, George Akume which subsequently forced him to cross-carpet from the All Progressives Congress to the Peoples Democratic Party. We are aware of the move to impeach him by 8 APC state legislators reportedly guarded by the police. It’s also of public knowledge that the anti-graft agency, EFCC accused his administration of N22 billion fraud as well as freezing the Benue State account in an alleged act of political victimization sponsored by the Presidency. Wouldn’t it have been more honourable if the travails of Ortom started as soon as the killings in Benue went out of hand? It’s evident again that the interests of the elites in Nigeria always dominate that of the people.

I'm sorry to conclude that the protesting lawmakers in the face of the blockage weren't fighting for democracy or the sanctity of our institutions in my own view. They were only defending their meal tickets from being hijacked by a superior power bloc. The poor masses had nothing whatsoever to gain from the blockade of the National Assembly as well as the free entry of lawmakers sponsoring obnoxious bills which don't reflect the dreams and aspirations of the people.

There is nothing actually democratic about the National Assembly especially the Senate which has become the retirement home of former governors. In that same National Assembly which claims to be a democratic institution, Hon. Abdulmumin Jibrin, Senator Ovie Omo Agege, Senator Ali Ndume were dragged to the slaughterhouse for holding opposing views against the powers-that-be in aberration to the stand of the court as seen in previous cases.

How many of our lawmakers really consult with their constituents before defecting? Has there ever been an opinion poll conducted at the constituency level to determine the political direction or decisions of their representatives?

The National Assembly became the bane of democracy the moment it started padding and delaying the passage of the national budgets in successive years at the expense of the destinies of 198 million Nigerians. A National Assembly that went on unprecedented recess (July, 24 to September, 25) at a critical time in the country thereby threatening a governmental shutdown is an impediment to democracy. According to Senator Ali Ndume, 5 critical items in the country have been left hanging in the balance with the expensive annual recess embarked upon by the senate due to its face-off with the executive arm of government.

“We have five different critical items. We have the budget of the FCT before the senate which has not been approved.
“We have the virement and supplementary budget for INEC which is necessary in order to conduct the 2019 elections and then we have the appointment and the confirmation of ICPC members, that of FERMA is lying there, that of judicial commission is there and in fact, the budget of 64 government agencies is before the senate. Approval for the funding, external borrowing to fund the 2018 budget which has already been approved is before the senate.” Ndume explained.

In a nutshell, the dramatic resistance against the DSS wasn't a fight for democracy; it was more of a 'demonstration of craze (madness) like the late Afrobeat legend, Fela Anikulapo Kuti sang.

Democracy is dead in Nigeria. It was long buried and forgotten the moment these politicians bought votes with cash at polling stations, snatched ballot boxes during voting exercises and diverted funds allocated for constituency projects.

The country is being run as if the end time is near. 7.956 million jobs were lost in just 21 months under Buhari who promised to create 3 million jobs in a year, almost 2,000 people have been killed in the last 8 months due to incessant security breaches, properties worth billions of naira have been destroyed in the farmers and herdsmen clashes thereby threatening food security, cost of living has become excruciatingly higher, unemployment is alarming, illegal migration is booming due to perpetual economic hardship, internet scam and drug trafficking for quick cash is gaining prominence, increasing suicide rates, Nigeria is the poverty capital of the world today with 87 million extremely poor people ahead of India, the state-owned oil company – NNPC is paying fuel subsidy of N774 million daily to itself without provision in the national budget, corruption has taken new phases with cases of financial crimes and certificate forgery scandals being covered up under the administration of Mr Integrity. All these haven't culminated in a protest as fierce as the Arab Spring, Nicaragua or that of Iran but a simple siege at the NASS gate caused needless tremors. Same old Nigeria, always about the elites! A country of so many strong men and weak institutions!!

This is an aberration to the Social Contract theory of John Locke which states that the state exists to cater for the interests of the people termed the ‘general will’.

The media in Nigeria has become so reactive and no longer playing the role of the 'Fourth Estate' in the polity. Various reports about the mind-boggling sins of the disgraced DSS boss, Lawal Daura suddenly surfaced less than 24hrs after his sack. How come no media platform was bold enough to fully unearth his dark sides in this dimension while he was in office? Is it that he suddenly became a villain the moment he was eased out of office? Would he have remained a saint if he was left in office? These are questions begging for answers.

I wish I could join the general public in celebrating the Acting President Yemi Osinbajo and President Muhammadu Buhari over the timely sack of Daura but my heart is filled with scepticism. I have a strong feeling that Daura is just a fall guy and the sack was a face-saving move by the Presidency following the backlash received from the public concerning the besieging of the National Assembly by the DSS operatives. Daura couldn't have acted alone. Politics is deeper than looking at it at the surface level and making conclusions.

I will appreciate a swift, thorough, and transparent investigation into the blockade of the National Assembly. All those who backed the action of Daura should be exposed and punished. The investigation will help us estimate the cancerous damage in government and level of institutional weakness. This investigation will also assist in restoring the lost faith in this administration which seems to have made the police, INEC, EFCC, DSS partisan. Another opaque investigation of the incident will confirm my worst fears about the involvement of the Presidency.

Osayimwen Osahon George is a journalist and a doctoral student of the University of Ibadan. He writes from Lagos State.

Source: https://www.tori.ng/news/103691/national-assembly-blockade-the-other-side-of-the-s.html

CC Lalasticlala Seun Ishilove Tonyebarcanista Mynd44 Dominique Airforce1

Jogry could be regarded as one of the fast-rising and brightest cinematographers in town who shoots expertly with the ease at which human beings breathe.

There is always a tale of struggles with demons, cash crunch and other technicalities militating against the progress of Nigerian stars at the budding stages of their lives.

Joshua Bassey aka Jogry who hails from Cross River State had his fair share of challenges as a dreamer from the streets of Jericho, Ibadan - Oyo State. He barely had access to cable TV unlike most privileged kids who enjoyed the works of the continent's and world biggest entertainment stars at the snap of their fingers. But with the judicious use of the meagre resources he had at hand, Jogry was determined to make it to the zenith in his childhood ambition of being a cinematographer.

Jogry admired the dexterity of legendary music video director, Clarence Peters and never knew he would share the same set with the iconic cinematographer in a matter of time. The young man who was hit with odd economic realities traversed different geopolitical zones in Nigeria in the quest for knowledge about filmmaking and also making a mark in life with a formidable production structure.

He is a multi-talented youth with deep roots in creativity, storytelling, stellar handling of the camera, listening skills and good sense of judgement. He has lso worked with a number of fantastic music artistes in Abuja.

The year 2018 came with the blessing of putting him on the same set with one of the highest paid music video directors in Nigeria. He was made to support Clarence Peters who had a brief stint at a South African film school.

Clarence was quick to recognize the potentials of Jogry and soon they both clicked like blood brothers. Clarence consulted extensively with him in shooting the 'Ori' video of a buzzing music artiste, Saga Ocean. Observers claim Jogry was like a utility player on the set of the shooting of the music video as he participated actively in the arrangement of the set and other logistics, coaching of characters that appeared in the video, writing out scripts, acting alongside the actors, taking shots and the general pre and post production of the music video which is currently enjoying positive reviews online and on major TV stations across the country.

According to Jogry, Ori is a unique song which he personally connected to as it tells a story of his personal struggles as a kid from a humble background with big dreams in life.

"I believe I have what it takes to be the best in Nigeria" Jogry affirmatively told journalists in Abuja.

"I do a lot and it amazes people. I can rap, I can dance, I can act, I can sing, I can shoot, I can edit films, I also coach and manage the careers of music artistes. I love to tell stories that make indelible marks in hearts of the audience with my films" the handsome young man added with confidence.

He also used the juncture of the interview to shower vast praises on Clarence Peters whom he learned alot from in the course of their brief stint on the set of Ori.

"Clarence is a legend and working with him within a short period of my career means so much to me. I have always watched his works online and on TV with big aspirations about sharing the same set with the living legend. I never knew dreams could come true speedily. We should always dream as big as an ocean" he emphasized.

Jogry is presently projecting his brand under the banner of @Kakafilmpro which he founded and he is optimistic about a major breakthrough in the competitive entertainment industry very soon.

One thing you can't take away from Jogry is the fighting spirit of an average Nigerian youth which he exudes having survived the threatening tides of life which have destroyed the dreams and aspirations of millions of others.

Watch a short clip of the making of Saga Ocean's Ori music video below:


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZY1I5J-aq8M

Source: https://www.tori.ng/news/102639/sweet-story-of-young-and-talented-film-director-jo.html

CC Lalasticlala Seun Ishilove Mynd44

What was supposed to be a romantic public marriage proposal of happy ending turned out to be a well-dressed man's nightmare after his supposed lover turned him down, screamed at him and went as far as physically assaulting him.

This young man dressed in a native dress staged a marriage proposal at the Ikeja City mall, Lagos State which is regularly a beehive of activities on weekends.

As hundreds of customers went about their businesses, he suddenly went on his knees and brought out an engagement ring to propose to his light-skinned girlfriend.

To his rude shock, the lady who didn't sound too audible in a viral video screamed at him and landed him a dirty slap that had him falling to the ground. She kept insisting she would embarrass him as she called on on-lookers to come hear her out.

The young man who couldn't believe his eyes crawled on the floor in utter disgrace as he tried to appeal to the lady who wasn't ready to hear him out.

The video recording of the awry event has been trending on Instagram for some hours with social media users trying to unravel the identities of both parties and the cause of the drama that ensued.

It would be recalled that public marriage proposal as copied from the western world has become the order of the day among Nigerian youths.

Watch the amateur video clip below:


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HM9ytPctG5E


Source: https://www.tori.ng/news/100931/serious-drama-as-lady-turns-down-boyfriends-propos.html

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Cee-C of the South-eastern descent has opened up in a recent parley about how someone barged into her in the rest room while she was trying to obey the call of nature.

Cynthia Cee-C Nwadiora recently granted an interview to Elozonam of the Cliff Hanger show during which she spoke about her sojourn in the Big Brother Naija 2018 reality show which held in South Africa.

The first-runner up of the TV show discussed many issues ranging from the drama in the house, endorsement deals, embarrassing day of her life, hates and likes, relationship status and her plans for the future.

Speaking on the most embarrassing day of her life, she explained how she wore a jumpsuit and struggled to totally take it off to pee before someone barged into her private space.

"I think it (most embarrassing moment in my life) has to be the day that I wore a jumpsuit and wanted to pee and in trying to zip down and taking off the entire outfit just to pee, someone just came into the house and I was like okay I'm n*ked" she said amidst loud laughter.

When quizzed further, the drama queen who clipped the wings of Tobi Bakre at the house refused to mention the identity if the person.

The 26-year old lawyer later explained in the rest of the interview that she is still single and not interested in dating anyone for now. She also revealed she missed Big Brother's voice but she is not interested in participating in the show again except if she is paid to do so.

The diminutive lady also hinted that she left the show with nothing. It would be recalled that Miracle went home with prizes and money worth N45 million being the winner of the show.

Watch the full interview below:


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O_bgEmy5bPE

Source: https://www.tori.ng/news/100856/the-most-embarrassing-day-someone-saw-me-nked-ceec.html

Despite being an ambassador of leading smartphone brand, Infinix Mobile, Nigerian superstar singer David Adedeji Adeleke popularly regarded as Davido has gone ahead to indirectly advertize his usage of American multinational technology company, Apple Inc product - iPhone.

Davido abused his ambassadorial role at Infinix Mobility Limited by subtly announcing that he is using an iPhone which is a rival phone company to the brand he is reportedly being paid some handsome millions of naira to represent.

The 25 year old winner of the 2018 BET Best International Act took to the Instagram's Instastory feature to insinuate in a short video clip that someone was snooping around his iPhone for which he recommended Apple Inc should introduce the feature of 'electric shock' to deter privacy invaders.

"Next iPhone we need electric shocker for unlawful entry of person phone" he posted yesterday on social media.

With Davido's 6.9 million followers on Instagram, he has created a free awareness for iPhone.

Regulations and ethics guiding ambassadorial roles of business brands demand that the individuals should never been seen directly or indirectly showcasing the products of rival brands while he/she is still under contract.

The popular insinuation is that even though the single father of two is representing the Infinix Mobile brand, he doesn't find their products either attractive or worthy of usage. Checks by TORI NEWS revealed that Davido has also technically distanced himself from the Infinix Mobile brand by not sharing any visible content about it on his Instagram page.

Although, Davido's detrimental action might be unconscious, the leadership of Infinix Mobility Limited is expected to frown at his Instagram post.

It would be recalled that the smartphone brand in Nigeria, Infinix Mobile had announced the prolific the music artiste as its brand ambassador at a colorful ceremony which took place in Lagos State in May, 2018.

Source: https://www.tori.ng/news/100592/davido-abuses-ambassadorial-role-at-infinix-mobile.html

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The Nigeria Police Force has revealed Senate President Bukola Saraki is still under investigation for allegedly arming thugs who orchestrated the Offa robbery that claimed 33 lives.

This was revealed by the Police Public Relations Officer, Mr Jimoh Moshood while speaking at a recent press conference during which some of the robbery suspects were paraded. Mr Moshood said the invitation of Saraki who has been asked to respond to allegations against him in writing hasn't been withdrawn as reported in the media.

The leader of the robbery team, Ayodele Akinnibosun confessed his criminal gang took instructions from Saraki through a middle man and other figures close to him for privacy reasons.

He also revealed that he was part of the team which joined Saraki in paying a condolence visit to a traditional ruler, Olofa of Offa over the bloody aftermath of the bank robbery.

"I have a friend, he is a politician too. He is close to the senate president, Senator, Bukola Saraki. His name is Samsudeen Bada. He was the one that called me though we have a political platform but I didn't get to know he (Saraki) was there already; that he was going to pay a condolence visit to the Olofa of Offa.

"The senate president is not just a small person somebody can just say you want to go and see. If he wants to talk with us, he talks with us through his own political aides, his own people around him because he doesn't have anything to do with us because of something like this (their arrest)" he said.

Mr. Moshood insisted that the criminal case against Saraki will not be swept under the carpet as they have a case that can stand the test of trial.

It would be recalled that Ayodele Akinnibosun claims to be the chairman of the Liberation Youths Movement in Kwara South.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nH_htbQun9I


Source: https://www.tori.ng/news/98464/how-saraki-communicated-with-us-offa-robbery-gang.html

A recent statement by the eccentric Charles Chukwuemeka Oputa popularly known as Charly Boy that marriage will no longer be fashionable soon because most people can't cope, got me thinking critically considering the fact that the 66-year old has survived the rigours of marriage for almost 40 years. He made the statement while commenting on the how millionaire blogger, Linda Ikeji ‘miraculously’ got pregnant without a man while she was celibate.

The African society is evolving and some intricate cultural, moral and religious values have continued to wane in relevance. Education and globalization have subliminally made us pull down some walls that define us thereby allowing the intrusion of detrimental western values.
In the olden days, it was a big shame for a lady and her family if she is not confirmed to be a virgin on her wedding night. This was the 'Ibale culture' in Yoruba land.

According to the old tradition, a lady and her suitor can court as long as they want but they are never expected to have sexual intercourse with one another. After, the groom's family has paid the bride price, he is granted full permission to take his bride home. The bride and groom are expected to enter a house for consummation taking along with them a white cloth with people waiting outside for a feedback. On their return, the white cloth is expected to be stained with blood to indicate that the woman had been deflowered.

In the event that the lady isn't a virgin, she's put to shame and the bride price is returned to the groom's family with no man ever asking for her hand in marriage again. Some women defiled under different circumstances before their wedding day might commit suicide to avoid bringing disgrace to themselves and their relatives. They were regarded as 'Ajadi Apeere' meaning a 'bottomless basket' which connotes a worthless object. Today, most newlyweds sleep off like logs of wood on the nights of their wedding as they is nothing new to anticipate or explore.

Today, westernization has changed us. Virginity is almost a taboo for people that have attained puberty. Young men now want to taste the soup before they pay for it; they want to drive the cars recklessly before negotiating for the price. Most young men even flee when they meet virgins as they feel they are inexperienced, boring and timid. Single Nigerian women have become warriors in the 'other room'. Premarital s*x which is regarded fornication in the Holy Bible and also condemned in Islam is now being done freely either as recreational activity, or commercial purpose, compensation, and lobbying. Some women proudly use improvised s*x toys to masturbate.

Being a baby mama of an established person has now become a fancy job with the women parading themselves as influencers on social media while they watch their men wreck more havoc in the society with the rocket launchers between their legs.

The women draw hefty salaries from their men while they continue to live their lives of unlimited freedom without a concrete means of livelihood. In 2015, Davido during a brawl with his baby mama, Sophia Momodu revealed he was paying her on a monthly salary of N300,000. In addition to that, he paid a 2-year rent of a 3-bedroom apartment in the highbrow area of Lekki, Lagos State for her. Sophia was also reportedly given a sum of N500,000 as Christmas bonus and allowance. Trouble started when Sophia like Oliver Twist demanded for an increment in monthly allowance to the tune of N1 million according to Davido's account. This lucrative welfare package is even more than what some multinational companies pay provide for their senior staff with donkey years of work experience.

I remember during my elementary school days when I was taught that the man is the breadwinner of the home while the wife is the bread-eater who is confined in the kitchen. Some pastors even preached that the man is the head of the family while the woman is the backbone. Today, we have women gathering inspiration blindly from popular novelist Chimamanda Adichie, Meghan Markel, Hillary Clinton and others to be feminists. They now preach equal rights in marriages between a man and a woman. Unconfirmed reports have it that some feminists even want to be perpetually on top of their men during s*x.

Despite the stand of religious institutions and the Nigerian state, we have homosexuals discreetly living together under the guise of close friendship. In the past, men used to hide to sleep with prostitutes to avoid stigma but today s*x with whores is the highlight of hit tracks in the music industry.

As at a decade ago, you could lose your relationship for demanding for oral s*x from your partner but today giving head is like a norm with so many ‘headmasters’ or ‘headmistresses’ with many years of experience throwing caution to the wind for sexual satisfaction. We now have leaders of tomorrow who leak the anus, toes and also eat the faeces of their partners during tense romps. People even brag about sucking genitals at informal gatherings like they should be awarded medals for the act. Sultry young girls commonly referred to as slay queens also take to social media to make mockery of one-minute guys and others with small manhood.

The changing societal values account for why Linda Ikeji who is widely regarded as a role model to many ladies could openly celebrate her baby bump with her man missing in action.

Many believe Linda Ikeji's engagement news which she hasn't confirmed till date was arranged to cover the perceived shame of pregnancy especially against her teachings on celibacy. Nollywood actress and movie producer, Toyin Abraham in the heat of the moment also prayed for Linda's 'blessing' when she is still single but reported to be engaged to a man who is also invisible.
Recent research has shown that marriage is becoming obsolete especially in developed countries like China, United States of America, Japan, United Kingdom and most European countries due to varying factors. The figures keep declining disturbingly. Several Nigerian celebrities have taken to having children illegitimately as marriage is seen as a bondage which doesn't encourage youthful exuberance, liberty and career development.

As of today, public figures like Flavour Nabania, Reminisce, Charles Okocha, Olamide, Timaya, Daddy Freeze, Davido, Wizkid, Solidstar have baby mamas with no feasible plans about marriage in sight despite the vast financial resources at their disposal.
Other figures that have caught the single parent craze are; Sauce Kid, Tekno, MayD, Ice Prince, Toyin Lawani, Waje, Mr 2Kay, Jim Iyke, Mikel Obi, Femi Fani Kayode, Kemi Omololu Olunloyo, Bisola Aiyeola and Teddy A (Big Brother Naija ex housemates), Waje Iruobe and several others smart enough to hide their private affairs from the public space.

We also have people like Ireti Doyle, Dino Melaye, Tonto Dikeh, Tiwa Savage, Toke Makinwa Chris Attoh and Damilola Adegbite walking out of the marital institution because it wasn't working.
Consciously and unconsciously, the lives of these people with massive followership on social media and maximum recognition in the public space have continued to shape the thought process of the younger generation.

Most career women in Nigeria now see marriage as a limitation to their work progression. Numerous companies in Nigeria feel more comfortable employing single and young people who can withstand overtime sessions at work. Telecommunication giant, Globacom was earlier this year accused of firing married women for obvious reasons although the company has denied it.
Several men have developed insatiable urges for s*x in such a radical manner that what their wives bring to the table means nothing. Social media has increased access to women of diverse shapes and ages willing to offer s*x for money.

The muddle has further been complicated by the widespread issue of indecent dressing among women which has left many men with erections even on Monday mornings, influence of corrupt songs and x-rated music videos and pornographic materials online have turned decent men to perverts without conscience.

Most men now feel sleeping with one woman for the rest of their lives is boring. So cheating is inevitable or probably just having a child or two and forgetting about marriage. The sanctity of the institution of marriage is been constantly abused by people who only got married because it’s supposed to be the next stage after school and getting a good job.

A friend was seen cheating on his wife weeks after getting married. The gist was that he married her a virgin and he couldn’t cope with the slow learning process of romance on her part. Instead of mounting unnecessary pressure on her, he decided to seek help outside till she mastered the act of making love. Today, most women have come to admit that men must cheat on them and they tend to endure the downsides of their men so far he takes good care of the home. People are dying in silence simply because the institution of marriage is no longer being respected.

Adverse economic conditions have also forced young men to settle for the baby mama option especially when you are dealing with an Igbo girl whose kinsmen might require 'Buhari's head' as bride price and other materials for traditional marriage rites.

The moral decadence and marriage decline can only get worse with public folks constantly raising the bar of oddities every day. As we join Linda Ikeji in celebrating her pregnancy which shares close similarities with the birth of Jesus Christ – Virgin Mary in consideration of her initial stance on s*x, we should take a few moments to reflect on how our values and standards have changed as Africans.

Source: http://www.villagetowncrier.com/2018/06/still-on-linda-ikejis-pregnancy-and.html

Osayimwen Osahon George is a journalist and a doctoral student of the University of Ibadan.

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REPORTER’S DIARY: With N46,000 bribe, I drove a ‘stolen’ car from Abuja to Lagos, and back!

An operative of the Nigeria Police Force identified as Gambo might be in hot soup as he was videoed obtaining bribe from an undercover journalist investigating corruption among security operatives.

Over two days in April, investigative journalist ‘Fisayo Soyombo drove the equivalent of a stolen vehicle from Abuja, Nigeria’s federal capital, to Lagos, the country’s commercial hub.

Not only did he arrive Lagos safely with the car, he returned to Abuja scot-free with it — and this is despite passing through a whopping 86 checkpoints in a journey of over 1,600km that lasted a cumulative 28hours 17minutes. He recounts his experience in this article for TheCable.

Just by the exit of the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway into the descent leading to Ife Road, a policeman named Gambo aggressively flagged him down during the second part of the undercover investigation.

After much haggling, they both agreed on a N20,000 fee to be paid to Gambo as bribe for the undercover journalist whose vehicle had no papers to be free. It was unknown to Gambo that their discussion was being filmed by the journalist.

Read how some scenes of the drama ensued below:

“What is the content of these bags?” he asks after making me open the car booth.

“Personal effects.”

“Can we check?”

“Yes, please.”

When he requests for my papers and I tell him I don’t have, he climbs into the car with me, signals his colleague that he is leaving the scene with me, and asks me to drive off. He doesn’t exactly tell me the destination, but rather than go right towards Ife Road, he asks me to exit the roundabout to the left, towards Idi-Ape in Ibadan.

When I politely ask to be allowed to park nearby “so we can discuss”, Gambo, as the officer would later introduce himself as, drags the car steering with me, Soyombo narrated in his lengthy report.

“I’m not a easy person like that o,” he says emphatically. “You want to argue with me? Even if we are going to discuss, don’t cause holdup. Don’t argue with me; you cannot argue with me, oga. I’m not a easy person like that o. I say go!”

I comply, telling him: “You said you want to discuss; I’m ready.”

“No, I don’t want to discuss!” Officer Gambo interjects. “But if you want to discuss, I’m hearing you. If you want to discuss, I will listen to you.”

“Tell me what you want,” I reply. “If you tell me what you want, I will do it.”

Encouraged, he asks in quick succession: “Can you? Can you?”

“I’ll try my best.”

Watch the video below


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SApnUH9AZ9k

Source: https://www.thecable.ng/reporters-diary-with-n46000-bribe-i-drove-a-stolen-car-from-abuja-to-lagos-and-back

Controversial Nigerian blogger and investigative journalist, Kemi Omololu Olunloyo has traced the historical antecedence of the feud between her and Linda Ikeji via a lengthy video on YouTube.

Kemi Omololu Olunloyo aka Madam KOO has finally apologized to Linda Ikeji over her recent and renewed tirade against her after being advised to toe that line of peace by a suspected internet fraudster, Ramoni popularly known as Hushpuppi as a condition to curry favours from him.

It would be recalled that Hushpuppi had promised to assist Madam KOO financially to cater for her health as she claims to be dealing with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, PTSD which would require over $260,000 to treat.

According to Madam KOO who claims to be the first Nigerian blogger in the world, she crossed paths with Linda Ikeji when she had a s*xual affair with the fiance of her cousin named Adeola Olunloyo some 12 years ago.

"Linda and I have had a feud forever. Many of you don't know what this feud is about. Lets give an example, the average age of persons out here taking panadol for Linda's headache, cursing me on my pages is 25. 12 years ago, how old were you? 13. Did you know Linda at 13? No. You were a kid" she said.

She went on to narrate how she visited Nigeria from the U.S in the year 2006 for the society wedding of her cousin named Deola Olunloyo, a journalist too who was set to get married to one high-profile Black American broadcaster, Dan Foster. Things reportedly went south when Deola learned about Linda's affair with Dan Foster forcing her to back out of the wedding which had already been fixed with food materials and drinks already purchased.

"Deola Olunloyo, my cousin was marrying a high-profile On-Air-Personality, Dan Foster of Cool FM. Dan was an American, good-looking....big wedding. My uncle, Uncle Diti...he is dead now and all the Olunloyos had prepared this big wedding. Food, cows and everything and Deola was going to get married, a high society wedding" she emphasized.

"About two and a half weeks before the wedding, everything was cancelled. Food was wasted, cows..everything. What happened? What could have happened? Deola broke up with Dan because Dan was having an affair and he was caught in the affair. With who? the bride's side was mad....with a model. The model's name was Linda Ikeji" Madam KOO said.

She added that all efforts to pacify Deola to forgive Dan and continue with the marriage failed as she felt it was a bad omen. From that point, Madam KOO claimed she drew the battle line against Linda and spoke to some tabloids attacking Linda. Linda according to her account later went on with her romance with Dan Foster and the duo broke up.

She also complained about how Linda Ikeji used her blog to spread falsehood about her. Madam KOO explained that Linda Ikeji once posted a picture of her holding an assault rifle - M16 and wrote that she was threatening bloggers. This according to Madam KOO led to her house being raided in Canada by the police and her reputation was left in ruins.

It would be recalled that Hushpuppi had promised to assist Madam KOO financially to cater for her health as she claims to be dealing with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, PTSD which would require over $260,000 to treat.

According to Madam KOO who claims to be the first Nigerian blogger in the world, she crossed paths with Linda Ikeji when she had a s*xual affair with the fiance of her cousin named Adeola Olunloyo some 12 years ago.

"Linda and I have had a feud forever. Many of you don't know what this feud is about. Lets give an example, the average age of persons out here taking panadol for Linda's headache, cursing me on my pages is 25. 12 years ago, how old were you? 13. Did you know Linda at 13? No. You were a kid" she said.

She went on to narrate how she visited Nigeria from the U.S in the year 2006 for the society wedding of her cousin named Deola Olunloyo, a journalist too who was set to get married to one high-profile Black American broadcaster, Dan Foster. Things reportedly went south when Deola learned about Linda's affair with Dan Foster forcing her to back out of the wedding which had already been fixed with food materials and drinks already purchased.

"Deola Olunloyo, my cousin was marrying a high-profile On-Air-Personality, Dan Foster of Cool FM. Dan was an American, goodlooking....big wedding. My uncle, Uncle Diti...he is dead now and all the Olunloyos had prepared this big wedding. Food, cows and everything and Deola was going to get married, a high society wedding" she emphasized.

"About two and a half weeks before the wedding, everything was cancelled. Food was wasted, cows..everything. What happened? What could have happened? Deola broke up with Dan because Dan was having an affair and he was caught in the affair. With who? the bride's side was mad....with a model. The model's name was Linda Ikeji" Madam KOO said.

She added that all efforts to pacify Deola to forgive Dan and continue with the marriage failed as she felt it was a bad omen. From that point, Madam KOO claimed she drew the battle line against Linda and spoke to some tabloids attacking Linda.
Linda according to her account later went on with her romance with Dan Foster and the duo broke up.

She also complained about how Linda Ikeji used her blog to spread falsehood about her. Madam KOO explained that Linda Ikeji once posted a picture of her holding an assault rifle - M16 and wrote that she was threatening bloggers. This according to Madam KOO led to her house being raided in Canada by the police and her reputation was left in ruins.

Madam KOO believes Linda is 42 years old and doesn't have a woman to carry a baby. She accused Linda of engaging in money-making rituals which came with the cost of her womb.

Watch Madam KOO's expository video which lasted for one hour and 17 minutes below:


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CNd5PYF_Vxk

Source: https://www.tori.ng/news/97734/how-linda-ikeji-slept-with-my-cousins-fiance-kemi.html

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As the FIFA World Cup for Russia draws nearer, many Nigerians are drumming support for the Super Eagles both in Nigeria and Russia.

Supporters have been purchasing jerseys en masse to show support for the national football team.

Mallam Shehu Dikko who is the 2nd Vice President and Chairman of NFF Marketing, Sponsorship and TV Rights Committee said; "the new Super Eagles' jersey will soon be in the markets all over the would including some Nike shops in different parts of Nigeria on the 29th of May, 2018"

But the production of the jerseys has taken a phoney twist as some individuals have circulated replicas around the market before the official release date by Nike.

The traders interviewed by the BBC Pidgin have bragged that sales of the fake jerseys have been explosive.

"I pray Nigeria reaches the finals. Once we make it to the finals of the world cup, I will import a container-load of jerseys for big sales" Obiora, a local trader from the South-eastern part of Nigeria said.

"I have been selling the Nigerian jerseys even before they were unveiled on the internet. All my customers have been going crazy about the jerseys. I have successfully sold more than 3,000 pieces so far" he added.

A BBC correspondent also spoke with other traders in the business of selling fake jerseys which the Nigeria Football Federation hasn't endorsed. One of the traders proudly rocking the replica jersey said his is original as he imported them from Thailand. The traders also help customers in cresting their names on the jerseys for a feee.

Another trader who called the replica jersey a 'top grade' said the price ranges from N7,000 to N10,000 per unit.

It would be recalled that TORI NEWS had earlier reported that most of the new Super Eagles jerseys in circulation are fake. Further checks revealed that Nigerians are indifferent about purchasing immitations. They believe the original one which costs $85 (N30,600) is too expensive for them.

One Twitter user identified as Iya Oni Jersey is also in the notorious business of selling fake Super Eagles jerseys for N15,000 per unit on the micro-blogging platform.

This act of Intellectual Property Theft and Copyright Abuse is criminal but it appears the society is comfortable with it. It remains unclear if the leadership of the NFF will take judicial actions against the traders of replica Super Eagles Jerseys.

Watch a video of Obiora, the trader and his colleagues bragging to journalist about importing fake jerseys for sale in Nigeria below:


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DSwk2tnRgVw

Source: https://www.tori.ng/news/97628/traders-illegally-selling-fake-super-eagles-jersey.html

American multinational corporation, Nike has apparently disclaimed the Super Eagles jerseys crested with its patent pass-mark logo which are widely in circulation in the local markets.

According to the sportswear giant, the jerseys designed with its latest Dri-FIT technology for the Super Eagles ahead of the 2018 world cup in Russia will not be ready for public consumption until June this year.

"The jersey has not been released yet, it is scheduled to be available in June. Also, there has not been an option to pre-order the jersey. Stay tuned to our site for updates" the company reacted to an inquiry made by a potential Nigerian buyer, Dotun Olusoga via Twitter.
The revelation made by the company is in sharp and embarrasing contrast to a public announcement made by the Nigeria Football Federation on the 17th of May, 2018 via the same microblogging platform which reads:

"NIKE receives three million orders for Eagles' jerseys, explores new contract with NFF"

Aside Twitter, a report on the NFF's official website, www.theff.com details a meeting its leadership had with Nike's representatives in Europe on the progress of the Nike deal and other future engagements.

The questionable statement made by the NFF had prompted Dotun Olusoga's inquiry;

"I have searched the @Nike website and I can't find a "Buy" button on the Nigerian National Team kit page. Where did this 3 million preorders happen?"
By implication, all the Nike Super Eagles jerseys in circulation as worn by thousands of Nigerians including celebrities are likely replicas except if they were obtained directly from the Super Eagles or individuals used in showcasing the jerseys.

It would be recalled that Nike unveiled the new Super Eagles jerseys on the 7th of February via its Youtube channels featuring prominent Nigerian footballers like Alex Iwobi, Mikel Obi, Oyinye Ndidi, Kelechi Iheanacho, singer Ayodeji 'Wizkid' Balogun and an unknown lady who modeled them in different colours.

On the NFF website, it was stated that the jerseys were going to be available on Tuesday, 29th May (tomorrow), at unit cost of $85 as revealed after a meeting with with the NFF chieftains namely the President of federation, Mr. Amaju Melvin Pinnick and the NFF 2nd Vice President/LMC Chairman, Mallam Shehu Dikko, who is also Chairman of the NFF Marketing, Sponsorship and TV Rights Committee at Nike's Europe headquarters in Amsterdam, Netherlands.

Nike only listed some trusted retail outlets they are dealing with in Nigeria on their website namely; Nike Ikeja City Mall Lagos, Nike Lekki Palm Mall Lagos, Nike Jabi Lake Mall Abuja, Nike Cedi Plaza Abuja and Nike Port Harcourt Mall, Rivers State.

The current designs bring back the nostalgia patterned Adidas jersey the Super Eagles wore at the 1994 Africa Cup of Nations in Tunisia and their first World Cup in the United States of America that same year.

The away kit has the shirt with the predominantly light green background with bold white V-shaped patterns drawn on it. The sleeves have white underneath black patterns. The shorts are plain white. The home shirt is all-green, this one darker than usual.

Source: https://www.tori.ng/news/97502/all-nike-super-eagles-jerseys-in-local-markets-are.html

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I thought Tonto Dikeh said Olakunle Oladunni Churchill is into internet scam? This is the joke of the year.

Hushpuppi, who has been described as one of the most popular and richest internet fraudsters from Nigeria rarely talks but his lifestyle has been doing the talking for him. This time, he seems to have a story to tell after being irked.

A former director of social media of the People's Democratic Party and self-acclaimed human rights activist, Deji Adeyanju recently recommended Hushpuppi (real name Ramoni) for investigation and prosecution by the anti-graft body, Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC. He made the controversial recommendation while commending the EFCC for the arrest of six internet fraudsters popularly known as Yahoo Boys in Abuja.

Adeyanju believes Hushpuppi who serially flaunts his uncanny wealthy on social media is into internet fraud which the young man has also not denied. This is second time Adeyanju is recommending Hushpuppi for arrest by the EFCC operatives but the body appearing unconcerned.

His recommendation which happened via Twitter went viral thereby necessitating responses from Hushpuppi. Hushpuppi is one of the most flamboyant Nigerian youths on social media. He strictly wears mostly expensive Gucci wears and holidays at the exotic locations across the world. He once expended a whopping sum of N11.5 million at one of the classiest club houses in Lagos State identified as Quilox owned by socialite Shina Peller. Overtime, his presence on social media has intimidated hundreds of local celebrities whom he has accused of wearing fake designer clothes, shoes, wristwatches and others at different occasions. Musicians namely Phyno, Ice Prince, Kcee have had skirmishes with him over what they wear.

Hushpuppi once lived in Malaysia and has reportedly moved to Dubai, United Arab Emirates where he basks in luxury doing what nobody knows. The social media tells us he is into high-profile internet fraud and the bearded young man whose mother hails from the Niger Delta region has refused to debunk the criminal stories trailing him. He seems to love the identity. He has over 1 million followers on Instagram and on his bio, you are welcomed with the bold message; The Billionaire Gucci Master”

Hushpuppi who has lived outside Nigeria for 8 years has threatened to drop his citizenship as he makes a response to Deji Adeyanju's apparent attack on his personality.

He made a video yesterday with mixed emotions detailing his journey from poverty to luxury. Just like other picaros across the world like Pablo Escobar of Colombia, Joaquin Guzman aka El Chapo of Mexico and Lawrence Nomanyagbon Anini of Nigeria, there is a touching story about their stand against the law.

He spoke about the spate of poverty in his family stemming from several generations before his parents who wallowed in poverty. He recalled how his sister died of typhoid fever as well as his personal struggles as a man to make it from nothing. He regarded the Nigerian state as a failure which has disappointed the millions of her citizens.

It should be noted Adeyanju also challenged Hushpuppi to a debate in front of the EFCC office in Abuja which he has accepted but he gave his conditions. Ridiculously, Hushpuppi would also love to engage in a physical fight with Adeyanju during the death during which he hopes to do some damage on his face and make an impression of his source of money through vast injuries.

“Yes, I accept your debate challenge. First you have to know to invite me to Nigeria; it comes with a cost just like other people who have been inviting me for appearances in so many different countries worldwide. It comes with a cost which you have to discuss with me if you want to see me, I dont care about you. You have to realize it comes with a first class ticket, a 5-star hotel, on ground security since the country is not safe it is well known for kidnapping people and all these things, you have to provide me with my meals, I have my own preferences, you know the kind of meals I eat” he said.

Hushpuppi also wants the debate location to be shifted from the vicinity of the EFCC office in Abuja and taken to the people since Adeyanju claims to fight for them. Hushuppi hopes to debate with him at the Oyingbo Market in the Ebute Metta area, Idumota market and Yaba area which is close to the psychiatric hospital where he believes Adeyanju will end up as his mother opined.

Funny enough, Adeyanju’s source of income is also unknown but some believe he is a professional protester. It is not clear if that is a paid job anywhere in the world. Deji has been involved in several protests for and against the ‘enemies of the state’. He has been accused of benefitting from the financial corruption orchestrated by members of the then ruling party, PDP.

Well, back to the issue at hand; after a series of threats to Adeyanju's life, Huspuppi gave clues about what the debate points would look like. He wants to debate on the spate of poverty in Nigeria as it riddled his family.

"When you are coming to this debate, please be well prepared to answer some very good questions that I have for you and Nigerians. You have to explain to me personally why is it that my elder sister, the one I was immediately born after had to die of just Typhoid in Nigeria in Gbagada General Hospital (Lagos)? Why did my sister have to die because my parents didn't have enough money? Why did she have to die cos they didn't attend to her quick in the hospital? You have to answer these questions that give me pains that I go through all the time, everyday in my life.

You have to be able tell me why my parents have to suffer so much and they can't be proud of N1,000 that has been given to them by the federal government. My mother is from the Niger Delta part of Nigeria where Nigeria's oil comes from. She has never benefited one dollar from the Niger Delta, the oil-producing part of Nigeria where she comes from and she is over 60 years old” he harped.

He went on to explain that many generations before his parents have been stricken by poverty and he is the only one who has escaped by the whiskers. He narrates that his father has worked harder that Presidents Muhammadu Buhari and Olusegun Obasanjo and yet there is nothing to show for it. According to him, only him among the children of his parents has been so far successful in life. He attributed the recent attacks on him to envy as he has been through so much hardship in life.

"I suffer, okada don jam me so many times, motor don jam me for the same Nigeria. I don nearly die. I come escape, I come escape una country, just few years I don dey enjoy. This enjoyment never even mature. Just this small enjoyment wey I dey enjoy never dey equilibrium with the suffer wey I don suffer. I don suffer for decades, I never enjoy reach 5 years sef. Una dey look say no, dem suppose bring me back make I come suffer, say na must say I must suffer" he lamented in Pidgin English.

Hushpuppi believes the government owes him an explanation as to why his father languished in penury for so long. He revealed that his father's second wife also passed away in the course of his father's travails.

He lamented on the general sufferings in Nigeria specifically mentioning the deplorable state of people living in Badagry which is at the outskirts of Lagos, Agege, Iyana Ipaja as well as Ebonyi and Nassarawa States which according to him have been starved of developmental projects. He believes negligence on the part of the government has further impoverished the people.

Hushpuppi said his story must be used as documentary to give hope to the youths.

"My papa when im dey 4 years old, him papa die. At the age of 7 them put am inside motor wey carry yam and cow dey go north. My papa follow motor go north.

At the age of 8, 9, my papa don dey work for bakery for north from Ijebu. My papa suffer. E acquire many things, e get to where him want you know. My papa really go through a lot you know. I nor fit dey remember so many things. I nor fit open my eyes down dey talk my papa story because e dey cause me so many pains. Una know go understand."

He said he travelled to Ethiopia and slept with donkeys in an uncompleted building in his first trip out of Nigeria. He recalled how he suffered in Ghana and Ashimota where he sold phones.

Hushpuppi believes 'God' answered his prayers a few years ago and alot of Nigerians believe he doesn't deserve the opulence he is basking in. He said Nigerians should be more concerned about the less-privileged in the country who are looking for opportunities to leave the shores of the country for better opportunities abroad.

His story has appealed to the hearts of thousands of Nigerian youths who have turned against Adeyanju despite been left in the dark about the source of income of Hushpuppi. Rumours have it that Hushpuppi is worth over $20 million dollars which beggars belief.

Source: https://www.tori.ng/news/96791/i-suffered-i-was-hit-by-okada-i-slept-among-donkey.html

CC Lalasticlala Seun Ishilove Obinoscoppy Mynd44 Airforce1 Dominique

Violent J was sleeping one night when she began to feel pressure around her neck. She opened her eyes to the rude shock that her massive bosom was actually choking her.

Its difficult for people to believe a woman's breast could suffocate, but some women with big breasts have this challenge.

Since then, "I haven't been able to sleep on my back" Violent J told the BBC. in an interview originally written in Pidgin English and later translated by a Tori News correspondent.

Violent J who is a mother of two said she is experiencing back and shoulder pain in addition to the weight of the breasts which are weighing her down.

She has decided to ease her struggle with her huge breasts through a surgical operation.

"I need a surgery" she said.

"After giving birth, the breast size didn't decrease and there was no milk inside. As I am speaking to you right now, my breasts are heavy on my chest. I wish I could loose my bra for you to see but that is not appropriate. Some people have big breasts but they are light. My breasts are heavy"

"My bra size is not even in the market and I have to contract fashion designers to make special bras for me" she added.

She went to complain that the breasts have affected her dressing pattern as she is always conscious of the kind of clothes she puts on to prevent causing a scene in public.

According to her, her bosom frequently causes a stir when she steps out with young men insulting and flirting with her. She is presently looking for money to undertake a surgical operation to reduce the size so that she could sleep well at night and ease the pressure on her body.

Having Big Breasts is not a medical condition

Dr Aranmolate Ayobami who is a cosmetic surgeon said its normal for women to feel pains due to the massive size of their boobs but its not very common in the society.

In the medical field, such a condition that causes pains is called 'Macromastia' and the cause is not really known in medicine.

"I have operated on up 5 to 10 women in the last two years because of big breasts or giant breasts as they call the case" Dr Aranmolate Ayobami said.

"Its big breasts when women start to complain of back ache, bra line and injury. The breasts could be regarded as big when they not proportional to the body size of the person or not in correspondence with the person's age. In some books, any breast that is bigger than 1.5kg is regarded as giant breasts"

"A very huge breast could be as big as a bottle of EVA water. Most times, any woman with a breast size above D cup is regarded as big. The moment you start to reach E, G, H, its clear a big breast".

"An average women should wear a bra size of C and D in terms of cup size" the medical practioner insisted.

"Women with big breasts have no health issues and there is nothing to fear. Its just a big breast"

"The simple solution is breast reduction. What we (doctors) do is to cut off some parts of the mammary gland to reduce the size. A plastic or breast surgeon could take care of that."

I will advise busty women not to lose sleep over it. They should just visit the nearest hospital that deals with the health of breast or specifically a plastic surgeon to resolve the problem" he concluded.

Watch part of Violet J's interview below:


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QmCFbK7D6h0

Source: https://www.tori.ng/news/96646/my-breasts-are-too-heavy-for-me-busty-nigerian-wom.html

Social media users have been thrown into deeper confusion about the alleged romance between Miracle Igbokwe and one 'Aunty Juliet' who has been described as his sugar mummy by a section of the media.

Big Brother Naija 2018 winner, Miracle and his popular brother, Captain Godwin Igbokwe have given conflicting accounts about his relationship with 'Aunty Juliet' rumoured to be his bedmate.

While Captain Igbokwe referred to Juliet as Miracle's aunt, the self-acclaimed FlyBoy who is seeing Nina claims Juliet is a 'family friend'. Now, who do we believe?

It would be recalled that the internet was agog over the weekend with claims and pictures that the winner of the just concluded BBNaija reality show, Miracle, had a sugar mummy.

However, Miracle’s brother, Captain Igbokwe, reacted to the allegation on behalf of his brother. Captain Igbokwe, who took to his Instagram page to address the issue in a video, said the woman known as Juliet was actually their aunt.

He said “Juliet is Miracle’s aunt, it is insulting because someone is hurt or you have been unable to see Miracle outside the house then try to fabricate stories.

“In our family, we love each other dearly and down to earth. And then someone calls my aunt, my brother’s sugar mummy it is unfair. How do you expect people to see her in public, this is a woman who has a reputation?”

Meanwhile, some social media users who have been digging into his private life presented an old interview Miracle granted immediately on his return to Nigeria from South Africa during which he referred to the 'Juliet' as a 'family friend' who has been assisting him financially.

[i]"She is a family friend, she's someone that actually helped me out when it comes to me being a pilot. A lot of people helped me out. She is one of the persons that actually helped me and I learnt a lot from her. I know her...she is into exporting.

"There was a time she actually offered to pay me one or two things in order for me to raise money for my training (aviation school).
"She was there for me. Trust me." [/i]he claimed.

The conflicting information has further being questioned as people raise eyebrows on why Miracle has suddenly lost his voice with his brother now assuming the position of his scribe when he is alive and healthy.

Watch the video of Miracle's interview below:


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dBU-md_MPt8&feature=youtu.be

Source: https://www.tori.ng/news/96457/bbnaija-miracle-and-brother-give-conflicting-accou.html

They are not necessarily the most educated, attractive, eloquent, innovative or intelligent people in the country but the society embrace them due to size of their bank accounts.

They date the most beautiful, educated and sophisticated girls of your dreams even when they represent the opposite of what the girl really wants; that’s the power of money. Also, they roughly wear the most expensive jewelries, shoes, clothes, throw the biggest parties, lodge endlessly in fancy hotels and paint the town red in the best cars.

They are the internet fraudsters popularly known as G-Boys or Yahoo Boys. These sets of people cause massive damage both home and abroad in a slow manner which could be likened to the effect of drug abuse on human beings.

Back home, the losses are immeasurable. Nigeria records about N127 billion loss annually to cyber-crime. Nigeria has been ranked third in global internet crimes, coming after United States of America and United Kingdom respectively. In 2014 alone, the anti-graft agency - Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC reported that customers in Nigeria lost about N6 billion to cyber criminals. Banks in Nigeria have lost approximately N159 billion to electronic frauds and cyber-crimes between 2000 and 2013.

I'm sure the Global North countries that are the prime victims can't fully count their losses even if they want to.

According to a report by Ultrascan AGI, a subsidiary of Ultrascan Research Services - an international research organization, a whopping sum of $12.7 billion was lost to Nigerian scams (focusing on Advance Fee Fraud statistics) in 2013. In 2012, losses totaled $10.9 billion from $9.6 billion in 2011. Another report says that $50 million is lost annually to romance scams which our brothers participate actively in.

In the U.S, romance scams account for the highest financial losses of all internet-facilitated crimes according to the Federal Bureau of Investigation, FBI. Reported losses in 2016 exceeded $230 million according to a conservative report as only 15% of the crimes are being reported.

Earlier this year, an 82-year-old grandmother in the U.S, Marjorie Earl Jones who lost all of her money to a con artist, was so devastated by the scam that she committed suicide.

Similarly, a lonely bachelor in the United Kingdom- Ian Doney, 51, sent thousands of pounds and paid for flights after believing he had met one girlfriend online and she was travelling to the UK. He also committed suicide on the 30th of August, 2016 after being scammed.

After he spent all day waiting fruitlessly at the airport, he went on to give more money for medical bills because he was told her visit had been prevented by an accident.

“He had not had a relationship with anybody. He just wanted a family.”

"He was borrowing money to send over there. He wasn't eating properly and he was starving himself. Anything he could sell, he sold it." his sister, Gillian Doney revealed. These are just a few examples of the catastrophic effects of internet fraud on individual lives.

The Yahoo Boys have presented Nigerians are predators in the international community who are considered too radioactive to have to have a dealing with.

Remember the ne’er-do-wells you mocked during your first degree days. I mean the Indian Hemp smokers and drunks who failed to pass the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board, JAMB examination, they are now the kings of the streets with the cash to throw around just like El Chapo and Pablo Escobar. Some of them like the popular de facto Gucci ambassador, Hushpuppi now command elephantine followership on social media through which they now mentor people. They regularly do giveaways to build their presence online and compete with the regular celebrities.

The economic downturn in Nigeria has made even the most principled vulnerable to them. Religious and societal values have also been abandoned for a mesh of porridge provided by these people who ruin lives through the keyboard. Even though, many believe internet fraud is a manifestation of age-long political corruption and economic hardship in Nigeria, there is no justification for living off the sweats of others like parasites in the ecosystem.

12 suspected internet fraudsters were apprehended by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, (EFCC) Lagos Zonal Office in collaboration with the Nigeria Police on Friday arrested in an Ikoyi Club in Lagos State with ostentatious properties seized from them as investigation continues.

This action has sparked ripples across the country with majority of Nigerian youths remaining divided concerning the bust. The usual flimsy excuses of the Yahoo Boys are that the government made them monsters and the politicians who are their role models are constantly stealing in million folds in the comfort of their offices with law enforcement agents and flawed institutions of state protecting them.

Unemployment and underemployment have been majorly blamed for the surging spate of cyber-crimes in Nigeria. Most Nigerians feel comfortable about internet fraud as far as they are not the victims.

Part of the praise-singers of the fraudsters are Nigerian musicians prominently 9ice, Reminisce, Olamide, Small Doctor, Olu Maintain, Kelly Hansome, Tupengo and others taking such actions to either show gratitude for previous financial assistance or probably curry favour from them. This is dangerous to the young minds because music is powerful; it could penetrate and control human minds in the fastest way possible.

The social media slay queens who hide under the guise of acting, make-up artistry, event management, fashion blogging, modeling and other flexible jobs to sell their bodies have also gone into overdrive over the attack on Yahoo Boys. These guys are one of their biggest customers keeping them in business and sponsoring their upscale lifestyles.

This journalist took his time to read hundreds of social media comments for and against internet scam and the survey has yielded appalling and shameful results. In saner climes, this topic doesn’t warrant any debate but an outright condemnation of the act.

Nigerians benefiting from internet scam have flagrantly defended the internet fraudsters publicly without shame. If these people have their way, internet fraud would be enshrined in the Nigerian constitution as it supposedly generates ‘foreign exchange’ for the local economy in contrast to unscrupulous politicians who take money out of the already fragile economy to stash in foreign banks or buy vast properties outside the country.

A section of social media commenters even believe the Yahoo Boys who have fully delved into rituals to jinx their victims into making huge payments for phantom deals are avenging the crimes of the whites against the blacks for the 400 years of slavery. In the crime world, most criminals have a way of seeking justification for their crimes to subdue their conscience so that they could sleep well at night. Even the dreaded terrorist group, Boko Haram has a fine narrative to suit its quest for blood and destruction. But, in the real sense, there is no justification for being an outlaw.

Social media influencer and Lagos socialite, Noble Igwe has been criticized vehemently on social media platforms for exposing the business fronts through which these scam artists launder their dirty money in Lagos. He drew attention to real estate and property businesses, record label ownership (which singer Dbanj also confirmed some months back) car shops as well as other outlets in the privileged Island area of Lagos State. His tweets have been regarded as 'snitching' which is a popular black American cliché for condoning crime.

Those opposing him are not even faceless people, they are prominent figures in the entertainment circle using their large following and verified accounts to hit the fashionista in a brazen way as it fraud is a legalized part of the Nigerian economy. This is not the Nigerian dream and one wonders how we got here.

Dating a 'god fearing' and loving internet fraudster has become the dream of most girls in Lagos. Following some wealth-flaunting celebrities on Instagram has spurred them to lust after ostentatious products like iPhones, iPads, designer shoes, clothes, Exotic meals, wines, cars, top class hotels, vacation in some tourist centres across the world especially Dubai and engage in all sorts ephemeral of activities that could be used to intimidate their pairs.

Yahoo Boys who can be safely called armed robbers whose guns are laptops and operation area is the internet have become fixers celebrated by some parents as long as they are generous with their loot. This red-carpet treatment given to them is setting a bad precedent that would mortgage societal balance as well as the development of Nigerian youths.

Majority of people don't care about hard work anymore. Academics are being mocked for finishing school in flying colours and working for peanuts while the uneducated fraudsters who wasted the sunny days of their lives at beer parlours, engaging in drug abuse and chilling at dark corners with prostitutes, ride the best of cars and even open businesses that could employ the educated.

This acceptance of fraud as a way of life which has almost formed a foundation of Lagos State - commercial capital of Nigeria where workers painstakingly earn an average of N100,000 per month is happening in the face of a #NotTooYoungToRun campaign aimed at ensuring young people take up public positions in Nigeria. There is this general belief that Nigeria would be better off if the apparent system of 'Gerontocracy' is abolished and the youths with fresh ideas assume power.

With the calibre of youths seen supporting fraud, I think the present formidable team of political jobbers is set to change to more energetic, hungrier, tactical and, brilliant ones. There is no light at the end of the tunnel. The agitations for direct political participation by pseudo intellectuals and half-baked political analysts on Twitter are mostly being made by youths who are indirectly bitter about being shut out of the heist being committed at the corridors of power daily.

The same Nigerians who complain about the weakness of the Nigerian international passport are the ones stealing with strong political will, operating as rug rags on the internet giving the country a bad reputation in the developed world. Nigerians are like desperados outside the country; they could even betray their mothers just to make their lives worthwhile.

This has had a malignant effect on foreign investments in Nigeria as businesses to a large extent have to do with trust. What we see here are long term growth and development prospects being sacrificed for the short term benefits of a greedy few.

Nigerians abroad are being treated with disdain and disrepute simply because of the sins of a faceless few swallowing the lifetime savings of responsible people overnight only to satisfy youthful exuberance with the stolen funds.

There have been cases of victims becoming drug addicts, alcoholics, getting heart attacks, committing suicide and parting with their beautiful families after losing huge savings to Yahoo Boys who ignorantly attribute their successes to 'God'. There is danger as the new crop of Nigerian youths doesn’t want to work, they just want to get rich and scam is the way.

Most families, friends and acquaintances don't care about the source of the money, they just want to celebrate the spender and enjoy their share. The Yahoo Boys are their heroes and messiahs.

Permit me to end my piece with the wise words of the creative director and lead producer at Soundcity TV, Olamide Adedeji about the Yahoo Boys saga as seen on Twitter:

"Yahoo boys are armed robbers. Armed with computers harming people and corporations. So please, file them next to Drug dealers, thieves, money launderers etc"

“They don’t deserve to be glorified, praised or emulated. We need this reality check”.

Osayimwen Osahon George is a journalist and doctoral student of the University of Ibadan.

Source: http://www.villagetowncrier.com/2018/05/the-celebrity-status-of-yahoo-boys-in.html

Tiwa Savage has been frequently seen with Wizkid thereby giving indications that the duo might be getting intimate in the 'other room'.

There have been widespread rumours that Ayodeji 'Wizkid' Balogun might be sneaking into the bed of Mama Jam Jam in the middle of the night when prying eyes are closed.

It would be recalled that Wizkid who has been described as snobbish and non-challant in his relationship with his fellow celebrities wished Tiwa Savage 'happy birthday' - on the 5th of February this year on his Instagram page 5 different times thereby raising the eyebrows of his fans.

Tiwa Savage has also featured Wizkid on two hit songs titled 'Malo' and 'Bad'. The duo is also working on a music project which is yet to be announced and have been enjoying romantic stage performances with a chemistry that has sent wrong signals.

It seems clear that there might be more to the business relationship both parties share especially when a video of the mother of one and 25-year old Leadcity University drop-out, Wizkid hanging out yesterday night in Lagos leaked.

Tania Omotayo, an estranged lover of Wizkid has also parted ways with Tiwa Savage as she unfollowed her on Instagram. Tiwa also followed suit. A cryptic message posted by Tania has been linked to the romance rumours between Tiwa and Wizkid.

"You can not be friends with people who secretly wany your life... Stay woke!" [/i]she posted on social media.

Some fans of Tiwa Savage and Wizkid believe they are not doing anything illegal or wrong as they are old enough to make strategic decisions that suit them. They believe its normal for Tiwa Savage to have fun with another man in the absence of her estranged husband who has reportedly left for the U.S to start a new life.

[i]"Woman body nor be wood na. Tiwa need who go dey help am grease that her waist make e nor dey stiff" [/i]a fan said on Twitter.

Tiwa Savage recently filed for a divorce from husband, Tunji Balogun, popularly known as TeeBills. TeeBills and Tiwa Savage have had turbulent marriage since 2016 when TeeBills attempted to jump off Lekki-Ikoyi bridge in attempted suicide in Lagos. He blamed his woes on Tiwa whom he said neglected him.

Tiwa said in several interviews that TeeBills abandoned her and their son. She said she has been responsible for the upkeep of the family, including their son, Jamil. The pair purportedly came back together after families intervened.

Ayodeji Ibrahim Balogun popularly called Wizkid, was born July 16, 1990, making him 11 years younger than Tiwa Savage, 38. He has three children from three different women, Sola Ogundudu, Boluwatife Balogun and Binta Diallo.

Nigerian singer, Kimora Nelson, had told Tiwa Savage in an Instagram post to stop throwing herself around Wizkid.

She quizzed,[i] “My fellow Nigerians, this message is for Tiwa Savage and Wizkid, can someone really tell me what is going on between them?

“This posting, posting, tagging, tagging. I’m not going to keep quiet, and I don’t care what anybody would say about this. I’m saying this particularly to Tiwa Savage, I think she’s the one pushing everything,” she added.

Although, fans have been speculating that the artistes may be courting each other, neither Wizkid nor Tiwa has spoken on the allegation.

Source: https://www.tori.ng/news/95573/secret-romance-is-tiwa-savage-dating-wizkid.html

CC Lalasticlala Seun Ishilove Mynd44 Obinoscoppy Dominique

Ahneeka, an ex housemate of the Big Brother Naija reality show has opened up on how contaminated water was provided in the Big Brother Naija house in South Africa in the course of which infections spread among participants.

Ahneeka spoke on her acne challenge on the Cliffhanger show of Elozanam in a video published on the 12th of April, 2018 shortly after her eviction with Angel, her former strategic partner.

She blamed the aggravation of her acne struggles on the water supplied in the Big Brother House as it was impure thereby causing the spread of infections among other housemates.

It would be recalled that Ahneeka was trolled on social media about her acne battle which she appears to be winning. Social media influencer Noble Igwe didn't spare her one bit as he blamed the acne problem on her poor hygiene.

"I had acne. I have been battling acne before I got into the house and then going into that new environment.... first of all, the water in there (Big Brother House) is not the best. So I just started reacting to it....everybody started reacting to it. Mine just came off and it was acne. The cameras are not very nice, they are not forgiving, they kept exposing me like that" she said amid laughter.

She further stated that the quality of the water didn't encourage her to wash her face regularly as she believed it was aiding the acne growth.

The Big Brother Naija reality show which lasted for 85 days has also been criticized over the availability of food as the housemates were made to consume so much starchy foods especially as food materials provision was included in the game through a 'wager system'.

The housemates consumed much of noodles for most parts of the reality show in South Africa and most of the participants complained of loss of weight during the contest won by Miracle.

Watch the video of Ahneeka's interview below: (fastforward it to the 10th minute to hear the water crisis part)


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dc-Anf9VX4M

Source: https://www.tori.ng/news/95352/how-the-water-at-the-big-brother-naija-house-infec.html

CC Lalasticlala Seun Mynd44 Obinoscoppy Dominique Airforce1

It was so easy for me to select the title of this piece. Truly, Sowore is the latest comedian in town. People are praising his so-called audacity. You praise an energetic young man for wasting his time and energy? What I think is that his shows videos on the cyber space are really entertaining to many. While we derive fun from them, we should as well advise him to properly channel his energy and define his purpose. We want to take back Nigeria is not a statement of purpose for someone who want to lead Nigeria.

So far, I haven’t seen how he has started differently from our deceitful politicians we complain about. His first points of call is at an Emir palace and a church. Before I could ask when he is visiting my mosque, I saw him in a video ‘praying’ with Muslim faithful at a mosque in Ibadan.

Even Buhari did not do this early in his day in the wilderness, which still stands him out of the crowd.

How is Sowore’s approach of visiting religious houses different from Omisore eating two corns simultaneously on the street at the eve of electioneering in order to impress voters? So, Sowore has started with the same deceit of those he wants to put in prison. Even Buhari had to tone down on locking people up when it dawned on him he needed the thieves.

The issue with the likes of Sowore who think they have the medication to our malaise is that they think becoming the president is the only way to start solving the problem of Nigeria. It only tells you they are empty in thoughtfulness. For most of his video I have entertained myself with, I did not see anywhere he demonstrates that he knows what he is talking about.

All those Aluta-like talk to a handful of Facebook, Twitter and YouTube account holders in a hall cannot disrupt a local government election in Ondo state, let alone a presidential race. Believe you me, Ondo state, his home state, needs him more than the entire Nigeria. Perhaps, his local government of origin need his solution most, provided he has any.

Our know-it-all braggadocios never want to start it small on a local political space where he can be projected by his performance. No, they wake up from a dream one hot afternoon and wants to become President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. Perhaps, it is this type of a hot-afternoon dream Dele Momodu had in 2011 that he wanted to become the President. Nigeria Presidency is this cheap! Buhari toiled for thirteen uninterrupted years.

Atiku has been scheming to become the President since 1992 and he has not rested. Even a sitting President had to beg a vice president to be able to do a second tenure as Nigeria President. And a former anti-corruption Czar who was just too naïve like any other political jester had to start reversing himself, praising those he once called the greatest thieves on earth, because he wanted to become President or Governor overnight.

Get it right. I am not denying the possibility of a young person becoming the President of Nigeria. Such a young person, and any Nigerian for that matter, needs to learn and have what it takes to become a President. The current Indonesia President, 56-year-old Joko Widodo, should be a case study to our theatrical youths and adults who truly want to rule Nigeria. Joko Widodo is son of no one. But his work as a City Mayor projected him to the presidency.

No, it is Obama and Macron, the latest poster boy for youthful leadership, our comedians brandish. Even them, they didn’t wake up overnight to become the president of their countries. Go read about their lives.

If Sowore is serious a bit, it should be that he starts this for an ambition he wishes to realize in ten years from now. And for him to realize this fast, he should continue this bragging for the next ten years, but with serious modifications that shows he understands Nigeria and her problem. During this period, he is on ground advancing his ideals, demonstrating that his solution can solve problem and engaging the real victims of corruption and poverty. These are the peasants of whom majority live outside the cities.

Fiery talk to Facebook, Twitter and YouTube account holders will not make any impact even in the so-called disruption he wants to cause. Fiery speeches with substance has never won any one presidency anywhere, let alone one with so much vacuousness. Presidents become fiery when they have ascended the seat. Wikipedia can help him on the political and leadership history of Rodrigo Duterte, the fiery-talking President of the Philippines.

If actually Sowore wants to become President in 2019, he has started too late. Besides, his approach is like he wants to do a 2nd term as UNILAG student union president. Even to achieve this, he needs to secure admission first either through JAMB or post-UME test. For now, Sowore is only trying to outdo Dr. Damages. Those Facebook, Twitter and YouTube addicts who welcome him with posters at every of his comedic outing only increase his state of trance.

May Allah spare our lives beyond 2030 (sic)

A. S. M. Jimoh (anehi2008@gmail.com or On twitter: @anehi2008).

Source: https://www.pmnewsnigeria.com/2018/04/26/yele-sowore-the-latest-comedian-in-town/

CC Lalasticlala Seun Ishilove Mynd44 Obinoscoppy Tonyebarcanista Dominique Airforce1

lalasticlala come do the needful now. This piece makes so much sense na.

The result of the 2019 election is still very much between Buhari and Atiku. Sowore, Durotoye and Ahmed Buhari shouldn't give up. They can keep warming up. Buhari has 65% chances than other candidates.

APC and PDP combined together have over 6 million partisan members across the country in their respective LGAs, wards and units. A new party cannot wake up and build such formidable structure. If just APC and PDP members vote without other neutral voters, they without campaign have acquired millions of vote already.

Now the question; was APC not a new party? APC was never a new party. Since 1999, almost all Nigerian politicians were PDP members, ANPP, CPC, AD e.t.c all tried their best with competent candidates but the PDP's grassroot structure couldn't be matched. To get APC to defeat PDP, they had to combine the structure of all existing parties and steal from PDP. They won the heart of PDP's aggrieved and ambitious members and APC was formed.

A presidential material needs a party with a firm grassroot structure. As a PDP member and a youth, you can't just come from nowhere and convince me for Sowore and the likes. There are millions of people like myself all over the country. I shouldn't go into the politics of regions. To break the northern population and votes, you need a northerner. Those northerners don't vote because you are capable or not. Loyalty flows in their veins. At the moment, they have acquired more PVCs than we have and they have even registered underage kids all to remain in power.

Fela Durotoye can't even win in Lagos. He has been there doing "God told me" when other candidates are permutating. Do you expect Ahmed Buhari to win his state or Sowore?

Now these three will combine efforts and ruin the efforts of the youths who are angry with Buhari. Vote of the youths will be divided. The popularity you need as a Nigeria presidential candidate isn't that of a public speaker. How many public speaker-presidents has Nigeria produced? It took a 3-time presidential candidate to unseat PDP with the slimmest margin since Nigeria's democracy. If you are tired of Buhari, Atiku may be our only option. Personally, I see no big difference between the two of them.

Nigeria needs only a kind of leader at this crucial moment. A strong body in a strong mind. A man with the heart of Jesus Christ and the Devil at the same time with both tides striking a balance. We don't necessarily need a good man. At the moment, such a person is unavailable. When the best is not available, the available becomes the best.

Let me add this, do you know Ben Carson wanted to be U.S president as a member of the Republican Party? The much popular Ben Carson! The then 'useless' Donald Trump was chosen ahead of him. Trump was stupid but controversial enough. He was rich enough to fund his campaign.

Money+popularity+formidable party.

In conclusion, Buhari and Atiku are our only options. Choose your better devil or Buhari wins again!

N.B: The short piece has been trending on social media as written by an unnamed PDP member.

Source: https://www.tori.ng/news/94813/bitter-truth-why-sowore-durotoye-are-wasting-their.html

CC Seun Lalasticlala Ishilove Mynd44 Obinoscoppy Airforce1 Dominique

The drawbacks of Nigeria are very complicated. We all know all our stumbling blocks can never be solved in one fell swoop even by a Barack Obama in 8 years but we want administrations that could give us realistic hope and improve our lives.

Two of the three cardinal points of the All Progressives Congress manifesto are fixated on security and the economy. Although President Buhari has recorded giant strides in those areas, but his records have fallen below expectations as well as what is adequate on a national scale. Most of his accomplishments are only admirable on the pages of newspapers after being polished by paid writers and those benefiting from him directly.

The first step of solving a problem is identification/diagnosis. One has to admit first of all that there is a problem and then look at the causes of the problem towards making steps to mitigate it. Trust me; President Buhari doesn't understand the major problems of Nigeria thereby making it unfeasible for him to bring solutions.

An earlier indication of President Buhari’s lack of understanding of governance was his decision to avoid the 2015 presidential debate. Another one is his failure to regularly communicate with Nigerians directly except through this media aides and scripted non-committal public speeches. When last did President Buhari hold another presidential media chat aside the tepid one organized in December, 2015? These are for obvious reasons.

President Buhari has a penchant for talking to the international media but the challenge is that he regularly tells them the wrong things that end up de-marketing Nigeria on a large-scale.

President Buhari traveled to the United Kingdom amid fears that his health had deteriorated again as it earlier kept him out of office for almost 6 months on a cumulative note. He spoke to his old friend, the Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby whom he discussed the issue of insecurity/herdsmen crisis with making reference to the fall out of the Muammar Gaddafi administration in 2011 which caused a spill-over effect of arms proliferation in Nigeria.

Aside the Boko Haram crisis, Nigeria has bled from the quagmire of Fulani herdsmen clashes with local farmers leaving hundreds dead. With interviews granted by the leadership of the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association, arguments against the anti-open grazing laws in Benue State, compensation of warring herdsmen by the Kaduna State governor, Nasir Ahmad El Rufai, media reports on attacks in worst hit Taraba, Adamawa and Plateau states, controversial revelation about the cause of the crisis by the Minister of Defence Mansur Dan Ali, town hall meetings and other peaceful resolution attempts; the crisis which is as old as agriculture in Nigeria has little or nothing to do with Libya which Nigeria doesn't share borders directly with. Six countries border Libya namely Niger, Chad, Tunisia Egypt, Algeria and Sudan with none of them experiencing any herdsmen/farmers clashes. If the problem has to do with the collapsed government in Libya, then where did the recommendation of cattle colony or ranching as a panacea to the mayhem come from?

Another gaffe was of recent when Buhari while speaking at the Commonwealth Business Forum in Westminster insinuated that a lot of Nigerian youths are lazy and are not interested in formal education because of the oil rich state of the country. This is totally wrong in all ramifications and should be condemned. Unemployment rate in Nigeria is around 18.8% after climbing from 8.2% in Q2 2015 when Buhari took over; under Buhari, over 7 million jobs have been lost in the past three years.

The major reasons why people are trying to flee the country in droves desperately through the land borders even in the face of death and slavery bore down to the unprogressive nature of the country. Nigeria has been rated low on Human Development Index. One wonders why the same people who failed woefully in Nigeria succeed abroad. Buhari should be reminded that 6 PhD holders, 704 Masters degree holders and over 8,460 Bachelor degree holders once applied as Graduate Executive Truck Drivers with the Dangote Group while the company needed a 100 people in 2012. 800,000 people also jostled for 1,500 available job slots with the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC in December, 2012.

In Edo state in 2014, about 4,000 people applied for vacancies at the Directorate of State Security when they originally needed 10 people (per state) according to reports. In 2014, 16 job job-seekers died and over 119 others were injured in the keen contest for 4,000 job slots at the Nigeria Immigration Service after being scammed of N1,000 each. 6.5 million people across the 36 states in Nigeria applied for the vacancies. In August, 2017, it was revealed that 1.2 million applicants applied for 1,112 vacancies at the same establishment. In November, 2016, 700,000 job applicants applied for 500 job slots at the Federal Inland Revenue Service, FIRS and I could go on and on with disturbing figures.

According to a former Minister of Finance Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, no fewer than 1.8 million Nigerian graduates move into the labour market every year as at 2014. How many of them are gainfully employed? Underemployment is rife in Nigeria and things are not getting better. We have thousands of graduates working for a paltry sum of N50,000 or less at the commercial capital, Lagos where cost of living is astronomical without any financial benefits. Their transport fares consume more than half of the pays not to talk of feeding. All these people can only hope for a better tomorrow courtesy of the preaching they hear in religious institutions.

President Buhari and his cronies have smartly cornered the juicy Central Bank of Nigeria, Federal Inland Revenue Service and Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation jobs for themselves. I agree with the President that some Nigerian youths might fall into that category of being lazy and uneducated, but the number is insignificant. Even the United Kingdom has over 250,000 homeless people with many able-bodied ones uninterested in working. This is coming from a leader who hired 13 Senior Advocates of Nigeria, SANs when his basic Secondary School Certificate was demanded in court.

President Buhari has proudly created phantom jobs in agriculture with his achievement of 90% reduction in the importation of rice remaining unverifiable. If this is President Buhari's view of the highly industrious Nigerian youths applauded by the novelist Chimamanda Adichie, Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg and CNN show host Fareed Zakaria, then the solution to unemployment which could cause an implosion is far from him.

This is not Buhari's first time of embarrassing Nigeria on international soil. Recall that at beginning of this administration, President Buhari stated in the United States in 2015 that he will not treat Nigerians equally. His 97%-5% treatment according to political support given during the presidential election didn't even add up to 100% mathematically speaking.

Buhari also told a UK audience that Nigerians are corrupt in corroboration of the infamous view of a former British Prime Minister David Cameron that Nigeria is one of the most fantastically corrupt countries in the world.

At the aftermath of his wife - Aisha Buhari's controversial interview by the BBC Hausa, the President apparently derided her by claiming she has no business in politics as she belongs to the kitchen, the living room and the‘other room’. This misogynistic and sexist statement was made before one of the most powerful women in the world, German Chancellor Angela Merkel.

I have always studied three elderly prominent people in the world namely U.S President Donald Trump - 71, Arsene Wenger - 68 and President Buhari - 75 in the face of the #NotTooYoungToRun campaign in a bid to understand if leadership is about age or competency. Trump stands out regardless of his unconventional style of governance and controversies. His tax cuts have increased investments in America and created more jobs, America’s stock market is one of the most performing in the world, unemployment under him has reach a 49 year low with almost 3 million jobs created since 2016, his trade war with China which causes the U.S an annual trade deficit of $500 billion and another $300 billion in intellectual property theft is beginning to yield positive results with China reducing tariffs on importation of automobiles; he has brought nuclear weapons-obsessed North Korea to the negotiation table, trying to clip the wings of Syrian President Bashar Al Assad who has been allegedly using chemical weapons against his people, tightening border security amid other initiatives that have taken his approval rating over 50% despite his gaffes.

On the other hand, Arsene Wenger with almost 22 years at Arsenal Football club has been a shadow of his former self winning just 10 trophies in over two decades with the club falling out of the top 4 contest in the English Premier League and settling for the Europa League. His football strategies and ideas have proven ineffective. They seem too analog in a digital age; he is just like Buhari. He finally succumbed to intense pressure to resign at the end of the season for the good of the club. President Buhari should dial up his phone number, discuss with him about what it means to overstay one’s welcome in office and bow out after his first term which expires in 2019.

Fighting corruption is necessary but can never be an economic policy as it’s been apparently projected. It’s time for Buhari to dismount the horse as Obasanjo advised to gloriously tend to his healthy cattle in Daura, Katsina State.
It’s time for Buhari to choose how he wants to be remembered by Nigerians. In the words of the federal lawmaker representing Kaduna Central Shehu Sani while reacting to President Buhari's second term bid declaration;

"Now that Baba decided not to be a Mandela, we hope he become a Deng Xioping and not Augustus Pinochet Agarte".
Deng Xiaoping, was the paramount leader in the 1980s who lifted China out of backwardness with economic reforms, highlighted by his motto “Hide your strength, bide your time".

Deng was the first to rule out lifelong tenure in Communist Party leadership.

On the other hand, Gen. Augusto Pinochet Ugarte was the brutal dictator who repressed and reshaped Chile for nearly two decades and became a notorious symbol of human rights abuse and corruption.

It’s not about the length of time in office as South African legend, Nelson Mandela proved after doing just one term; it’s about the legacy you are leaving behind. 94-year old former President of Zimbabwe, Robert Mugabe was in power for 37 years and till date, he is a perfect example of the backwardness of power-drunk and sit-tight African leaders. The ball is in Buhari's court.

Osayimwen Osahon George is a journalist and a political scientist. He writes from Lagos State.

Source: http://www.villagetowncrier.com/2018/04/dear-arsene-wenger-please-help-us-beg.html

CC Lalasticlala Seun Ishilove Mynd44 Obinoscoppy Dominique Airforce1

The drawbacks of Nigeria are very complicated. We all know all our stumbling blocks can never be solved in one fell swoop even by a Barack Obama in 8 years but we want administrations that could give us realistic hope and improve our lives.

Two of the three cardinal points of the All Progressives Congress manifesto are fixated on security and the economy. Although President Buhari has recorded giant strides in those areas, but his records have fallen below expectations as well as what is adequate on a national scale. Most of his accomplishments are only admirable on the pages of newspapers after being polished by paid writers and those benefiting from him directly.

The first step of solving a problem is identification/diagnosis. One has to admit first of all that there is a problem and then look at the causes of the problem towards making steps to mitigate it. Trust me; President Buhari doesn't understand the major problems of Nigeria thereby making it unfeasible for him to bring solutions.

An earlier indication of President Buhari’s lack of understanding of governance was his decision to avoid the 2015 presidential debate. Another one is his failure to regularly communicate with Nigerians directly except through this media aides and scripted non-committal public speeches. When last did President Buhari hold another presidential media chat aside the tepid one organized in December, 2015? These are for obvious reasons.

President Buhari has a penchant for talking to the international media but the challenge is that he regularly tells them the wrong things that end up de-marketing Nigeria on a large-scale.

President Buhari traveled to the United Kingdom amid fears that his health had deteriorated again as it earlier kept him out of office for almost 6 months on a cumulative note. He spoke to his old friend, the Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby whom he discussed the issue of insecurity/herdsmen crisis with making reference to the fall out of the Muammar Gaddafi administration in 2011 which caused a spill-over effect of arms proliferation in Nigeria.

Aside the Boko Haram crisis, Nigeria has bled from the quagmire of Fulani herdsmen clashes with local farmers leaving hundreds dead. With interviews granted by the leadership of the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association, arguments against the anti-open grazing laws in Benue State, compensation of warring herdsmen by the Kaduna State governor, Nasir Ahmad El Rufai, media reports on attacks in worst hit Taraba, Adamawa and Plateau states, controversial revelation about the cause of the crisis by the Minister of Defence Mansur Dan Ali, town hall meetings and other peaceful resolution attempts; the crisis which is as old as agriculture in Nigeria has little or nothing to do with Libya which Nigeria doesn't share borders directly with. Six countries border Libya namely Niger, Chad, Tunisia Egypt, Algeria and Sudan with none of them experiencing any herdsmen/farmers clashes. If the problem has to do with the collapsed government in Libya, then where did the recommendation of cattle colony or ranching as a panacea to the mayhem come from?

Another gaffe was of recent when Buhari while speaking at the Commonwealth Business Forum in Westminster insinuated that a lot of Nigerian youths are lazy and are not interested in formal education because of the oil rich state of the country. This is totally wrong in all ramifications and should be condemned. Unemployment rate in Nigeria is around 18.8% after climbing from 8.2% in Q2 2015 when Buhari took over; under Buhari, over 7 million jobs have been lost in the past three years.

The major reasons why people are trying to flee the country in droves desperately through the land borders even in the face of death and slavery bore down to the unprogressive nature of the country. Nigeria has been rated low on Human Development Index. One wonders why the same people who failed woefully in Nigeria succeed abroad. Buhari should be reminded that 6 PhD holders, 704 Masters degree holders and over 8,460 Bachelor degree holders once applied as Graduate Executive Truck Drivers with the Dangote Group while the company needed a 100 people in 2012. 800,000 people also jostled for 1,500 available job slots with the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC in December, 2012.

In Edo state in 2014, about 4,000 people applied for vacancies at the Directorate of State Security when they originally needed 10 people (per state) according to reports. In 2014, 16 job job-seekers died and over 119 others were injured in the keen contest for 4,000 job slots at the Nigeria Immigration Service after being scammed of N1,000 each. 6.5 million people across the 36 states in Nigeria applied for the vacancies. In August, 2017, it was revealed that 1.2 million applicants applied for 1,112 vacancies at the same establishment. In November, 2016, 700,000 job applicants applied for 500 job slots at the Federal Inland Revenue Service, FIRS and I could go on and on with disturbing figures.

According to a former Minister of Finance Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, no fewer than 1.8 million Nigerian graduates move into the labour market every year as at 2014. How many of them are gainfully employed? Underemployment is rife in Nigeria and things are not getting better. We have thousands of graduates working for a paltry sum of N50,000 or less at the commercial capital, Lagos where cost of living is astronomical without any financial benefits. Their transport fares consume more than half of the pays not to talk of feeding. All these people can only hope for a better tomorrow courtesy of the preaching they hear in religious institutions.

President Buhari and his cronies have smartly cornered the juicy Central Bank of Nigeria, Federal Inland Revenue Service and Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation jobs for themselves. I agree with the President that some Nigerian youths might fall into that category of being lazy and uneducated, but the number is insignificant. Even the United Kingdom has over 250,000 homeless people with many able-bodied ones uninterested in working. This is coming from a leader who hired 13 Senior Advocates of Nigeria, SANs when his basic Secondary School Certificate was demanded in court.
President Buhari has proudly created phantom jobs in agriculture with his achievement of 90% reduction in the importation of rice remaining unverifiable. If this is President Buhari's view of the highly industrious Nigerian youths applauded by the novelist Chimamanda Adichie, Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg and CNN show host Fareed Zakaria, then the solution to unemployment which could cause an implosion is far from him.
This is not Buhari's first time of embarrassing Nigeria on international soil. Recall that at beginning of this administration, President Buhari stated in the United States in 2015 that he will not treat Nigerians equally. His 97%-5% treatment according to political support given during the presidential election didn't even add up to 100% mathematically speaking.

Buhari also told a UK audience that Nigerians are corrupt in corroboration of the infamous view of a former British Prime Minister David Cameron that Nigeria is one of the most fantastically corrupt countries in the world.

At the aftermath of his wife - Aisha Buhari's controversial interview by the BBC Hausa, the President apparently derided her by claiming she has no business in politics as she belongs to the kitchen, the living room and the‘other room’. This misogynistic and sexist statement was made before one of the most powerful women in the world, German Chancellor Angela Merkel.

I have always studied three elderly prominent people in the world namely U.S President Donald Trump - 71, Arsene Wenger - 68 and President Buhari - 75 in the face of the #NotTooYoungToRun campaign in a bid to understand if leadership is about age or competency. Trump stands out regardless of his unconventional style of governance and controversies. His tax cuts have increased investments in America and created more jobs, America’s stock market is one of the most performing in the world, unemployment under him has reach a 49 year low with almost 3 million jobs created since 2016, his trade war with China which causes the U.S an annual trade deficit of $500 billion and another $300 billion in intellectual property theft is beginning to yield positive results with China reducing tariffs on importation of automobiles; he has brought nuclear weapons-obsessed North Korea to the negotiation table, trying to clip the wings of Syrian President Bashar Al Assad who has been allegedly using chemical weapons against his people, tightening border security amid other initiatives that have taken his approval rating over 50% despite his gaffes.

On the other hand, Arsene Wenger with almost 22 years at Arsenal Football club has been a shadow of his former self winning just 10 trophies in over two decades with the club falling out of the top 4 contest in the English Premier League and settling for the Europa League. His football strategies and ideas have proven ineffective. They seem too analog in a digital age; he is just like Buhari. He finally succumbed to intense pressure to resign at the end of the season for the good of the club. President Buhari should dial up his phone number, discuss with him about what it means to overstay one’s welcome in office and bow out after his first term which expires in 2019.

Fighting corruption is necessary but can never be an economic policy as it’s been apparently projected. It’s time for Buhari to dismount the horse as Obasanjo advised to gloriously tend to his healthy cattle in Daura, Katsina State.
It’s time for Buhari to choose how he wants to be remembered by Nigerians. In the words of the federal lawmaker representing Kaduna Central Shehu Sani while reacting to President Buhari's second term bid declaration;

"Now that Baba decided not to be a Mandela, we hope he become a Deng Xioping and not Augustus Pinochet Agarte".
Deng Xiaoping, was the paramount leader in the 1980s who lifted China out of backwardness with economic reforms, highlighted by his motto “Hide your strength, bide your time".

Deng was the first to rule out lifelong tenure in Communist Party leadership.

On the other hand, Gen. Augusto Pinochet Ugarte was the brutal dictator who repressed and reshaped Chile for nearly two decades and became a notorious symbol of human rights abuse and corruption.

It’s not about the length of time in office as South African legend, Nelson Mandela proved after doing just one term; it’s about the legacy you are leaving behind. 94-year old former President of Zimbabwe, Robert Mugabe was in power for 37 years and till date, he is a perfect example of the backwardness of power-drunk and sit-tight African leaders. The ball is in Buhari's court.

Osayimwen Osahon George is a journalist and a political scientist. He writes from Lagos State.

Source: http://www.villagetowncrier.com/2018/04/dear-arsene-wenger-please-help-us-beg.html

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Cee-C's campaign team yesterday stormed the National Assembly to campaign for votes for the controversial housemate who has been graciously hurling insults at different directions.

Hon. Ehiozuwa Johnson Agbonayinma representing Egor/Ikpoba-okha constituency of Edo State has tipped Cee-C to win the Big Brother Naija reality show which is expected to end in three days.

Some youths comprising more of ladies with branded shirts stormed the National Assembly to campaign for the curvy housemate. They succeeded in getting the endorsement of the All Progressives Congress chieftain who is very vocal at the Green Chamber.

"Help me support Cee-C" Hon. Agbonayinma said in a video amid cheers.

They promised to bring Cee-C to the House of Reps member. Cee-C is one of the most popular housemates in the contest but her tirade against Tobi yesterday dealt a huge blow to her fan base, even though she has apologized.

The winner of the show is expected to walk away with a grand prize of N45 million.

Click here for the video https://www.tori.ng/news/94186/bbnaija-nigerian-lawmaker-endorses-ceec-photosvide.html

There is a possibility that Big Brother Naija housemate, Tobi was strangely born 'two times' as he claims to be 23 years old as well as being 29 years old according to scanty details revealed by his former strategic and romance partner Cee-C.

The toxic relationship between Cee-C and Tobi has continued today with the latter going on full attack on the University of Lagos graduate.

Cee-C vehemently criticized Tobi for serially gossiping about her with other housemates. She claims that Tobi isn't man enough and has been hovering around Alex, Anto as well as her in a bid to date one of them.

The controversial Cee-C accused Tobi of conspiring against her, gossiping about her, defaming her within the house, putting her up for eviction as well as making other frantic but futile effort to eject her from the reality show which promises a N45 million prize money.

During the dramatic session which lasted for about 40 minutes during which Tobi hardly uttered a sentence, Cee-C alleged that Tobi told her that he is 29 years old.

It would be recalled that Tobi's official age is 23 and this has raised the eyebrows of viewers considering the physical appearance and behavioural tendencies of the former employee of Heritage Bank Plc.

Tobi once revealed that he graduated from school at 18 and joined the bank in 2014 as a 19-year old.

Source: https://www.tori.ng/news/94058/tobi-told-me-he-is-29-years-old-ceec-reveals-top-s.html

The last thing on the mind of Adedeji Harris Adesola is to sit behind his computer or Smartphone to rant on social media about politics and the economy just like thousands of other youths as he is set to throw his hat in the ring to slug it out with the aged political warhorses in Oyo State.

In the times of the #NotTooYoungToRun campaign, some Nigerian youths appear to be gathering political inspiration from the French President, Emmanuel Macron, 40; Sebastian Kurz of Austria, 31, and the Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia, Mohammad bin Salman, 32.

Adedeji Harris Adesola, a graduate of Sociology and Anthropology from the prestigious Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Osun State has decided to take his chances rather than wait to be given one by the elderly politicians.

The 37-year old handsome young man who was born on Valentine's Day which signifies love to the world will be contesting for a seat at the Oyo State House of Assembly in representation of the Ibadan South East Local Government Constituency 1 under the banner of the ruling All Progressives Congress.

Speaking confidently to a TORI NEWS correspondent recently, the dark-skinned egghead spoke about how he was motivated to contest out of a deep and sincere desire to enforce positive change and provide true leadership which is inadequate in the country.

"I want to give my people sound, good and quality representation at the floor of the Oyo State House of Assembly. I want to legislate, sponsor bills and make laws that will have positive influence on our social institutions and that will have direct positive impact the State economy and make life meaningful for my people at my constituency as a unit of the State and Oyo Sate at large" he emphasized during a recent parley.

Adedeji Harris Adesola is quite successful as a youth with a track record of impressive work experience. He is the Chairman/CEO of Agogo Global Ventures - a business enterprise which is striving well amid the challenges of doing business in Nigeria.

One of the intriguing features of Adedeji Harris Adesola is his interest in some intricate issues battling Oyo State over decades which many lawmakers have been wary about dabbling into.

He wants to speak on the economy of the state and contribute his quota towards improving the Internally Generated Revenue which is abysmally around N2 billion per month, address workers and pensioners' welfare, industrialization, youth unemployment, health care, education and the plight of the physically challenged people who have been sidelined over time.

On his chances of winning, Adedeji Harris Adesola quoted the golden words of South African legend, Nelson Mandela which reads; "It always seems impossible until it's done".

He urged Nigerian youths to stop complaining on social media about the state of affairs in Nigeria and participate in the electoral process by running for offices and also coming out en masse to vote for their desired candidates.

Source: https://www.tori.ng/news/93711/nottooyoungtorun-promising-nigerian-inspires-true.html

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