₦airaland Forum

Let me start this article on a very personal note. I know of a medical doctor who is so dear to me. She is such a wonderful soul and has been a blessing to my life. When the first coronavirus case involving the Italian was announced on the 27th of February 2020, she was undergoing an internship programme at one of the major government hospitals in Lagos State. I feared for her life as I had seen what the virus did to Dr Li Wenliang (the famous coronavirus whistleblower) and other medical practitioners in China.

Even though statistics from China are largely unreliable as a result of the constantly alleged cover-up, 1,760 health workers were infected with the virus as at the 14th of February with 6 death recorded. The medics are very vulnerable to the virus as they have to be perfect when dealing with it to prevent being infected. This lady and I discussed the virus at length as well as some quick protective measures she could employ to stay safe.

The following day, she went to work and realized that the only measure taken by the government/the hospital management to tackle coronavirus was to paste a few awareness posters about the disease around the hospital premises and it stopped there. Hand sanitizers, face masks, gloves and other Private Protective Equipment which should have been readily available to protect health workers were as scarce as good news during this pandemic. It was a clear case of soldiers going to war clothed like rockstars with guitars and other musical instruments.

Things never improved. Fortunately, there was no local transmission or community spread of the disease then. She finished her internship safely. A month later, she got a memo urging medics to come forward to join the fight against Covid-19 in Lagos, Nigeria. She declined and expressed her fears about the dangers ahead of the battle. As a patriotic Nigerian, I felt disappointed in her. I expected her to show the dedication and resilience of the healthcare workers in the United Kingdom, United States of America, Italy, Spain, South Korea and other affected countries of the world. These special people that I regard as 'earthly angels' have been toiling on the battlefield, away from their family members as their mental state is bastardized with the regular sight of body bags. Despite being a patriotic and passionate professional who has trained most of her life to save lives, she was scared of dying cheaply. She didn't trust the system to protect her. Many of her colleagues who are brilliant heads shared the same sentiments with her. I tried not to judge her due to my close knowledge of her, but I still hope to convince her in the nearest future to join the war, as we are far from reaching the peak of it.

In just 5 weeks into the odd war, it has claimed the lives of three doctors namely Dr Emeka Chugbo, Dr Aliyu Yakubu, Dr Oluwayemisi Adetokumbo Otegbeye and a nurse working for the medical charity Doctors Without Borders. It didn't stop there, a total of 40 health workers have been infected according to a recent announcement made by the Minister of Health, Dr Osagie Ehanire. While this is like a case of having casualties in a war situation, these cases are saddening and to an extent preventable. Countries of the world have recorded massive casualties among health workers turning into hapless patients in a twinkle of an eye. The Nigerian case is different in the sense that most health workers have become victims in the hands of their patients. Patients probably dealing with delusion associated with medical conditions conceal their symptoms and travel history when being treated in hospitals. For example, a man who was treated at the Lagos University Teaching Hospital, LUTH in early April hid some essential details that pointed towards coronavirus when he was admitted. He later opened up at the point of death when four doctors were already exposed. Also in Kwara State, the index case was brought in as someone who was just feeling unwell in general with the facilitator of the move reportedly having a clue of the danger on the ground. He later died and those who attended to him were exposed. A similar scenario also played out in Kano and Borno States. The gory tales never end.

Like every occupation, there must be a fee to be earned after the delivery of expert services by the health workers. The remuneration of the medics are not encouraging and can only afford them the basic things of life. This is an aberration to what is obtainable in developed countries where they regard them as 'high-level workers'. For example, the hazard allowance given to doctors working on the frontlines was initially N5,000 per month before it was reviewed by the government for the Covid-19 period pegged at three months. A premium life insurance cover of N122.5 million has also been approved for frontline workers. The upward review of the hazard allowances doesn't amount to a significant fee in comparison with the danger they confront every day. The poor earnings account for the reason why most doctors pursue oversea jobs. A medical doctor once confided in me that out of the over 130 doctors which his class produced, about 110 have left the country to work abroad for bigger pays. According to a 2019 report, the UK employs an average of 12 Nigerian doctors every week. Nigeria has about 42,000 doctors available to treat a staggering population of 200 million people. It would be recalled that the Nigeria Medical Association registered 75,000 doctors but 33,000 of them later left the country for better opportunities abroad. The World Health Organization estimates that at least one doctor should be available to 600 persons but in Nigeria today, we have a case of one doctor to 5,000 persons. Nigeria's domestic budgetary allocations have also failed to meet the 15% mark set by 52 African country leaders after a meeting in Abuja in 2001. Nigeria allocates less than 6% of its yearly budget on health. So what do these health workers stand to gain? Like the teachers, their rewards seem to be in heaven.

In the UK where the lives of more than 69 workers of the National Health Service, NHS have been lost in the Covid-19 fight, the citizens are showing appreciations to the health workers. They have designated days set aside in which they congregate at the corridors of their apartments, windows and open areas to clap for the health workers. It's the same in the US, Spain, Italy and other developed countries. This might be little but it goes a long way in psychologically boosting the morale of the health workers and showing them how much they are loved for their services.

Unfortunately, no such open gesture is shown towards health workers in Nigeria. They are seen as normal professional s working for their earnings and not unconventional soldiers bleeding on the field to save our lives from the scourge of the imported disease. Nobody claps for them, their faces are hardly seen and their identities apart from a few government officials are not known. Coronavirus cases in Nigeria have surged above 1,000 amid a present exponential rise and a potential national spread. This means the needed break by the health workers might be uncertain.

By Osayimwen Osahon George, doctoral student of the University of Ibadan

Source: http://www.villagetowncrier.com/2020/04/who-will-clap-for-nigerian-health.html

CC Lalasticlala Seun Ishilove Mynd44 Dominique MissyB3 Fynestboi

With the fear of the second wave of coronavirus infections in China emanating from imported cases and rumours that local transmissions might still be ongoing, it's becoming crystal clear that there is no end to this battle with the unseen enemy which is running into four months now. Lockdowns, testings, quarantine, self-isolation, social distancing, and medical treatment have proved to the effective in slowing down the spread but the world isn't close to winning this unconventional war with a force that can't be negotiated with. According to the World Health Organization, the number of coronavirus cases might be running into a million in the coming days with the global death toll reaching 50,000. This is even coming after countries especially China have been accused of not being transparent with the number of infected cases.

There is an urgent need for a solution or invention that could end the crisis and save the globe of the massive losses in man-hours, human lives and also financial resources. It has been forecasted that the global economy is to be hit with one of the worst cases of economic recession ever. In the U.S alone, about 47 million jobs could be lost through the economic freeze initiated by the outbreak. Several countries in the Global North specifically in Europe and America which are regularly described by developing countries as 'saner climes' have been humbly brought to their knees by this novel disease despite China showing the world a blueprint on how to contain it. People have been dying in hundreds daily in Spain, Italy, U.S, United Kingdom and others. Morgues have been full, same with the hospitals, PPE for medical workers are becoming scarce, ventilators for patients with severe breathing challenges can't go round and there have been worrying cases of doctors choosing who to die next under emergency circumstances even in developed countries famed for saving lives with their 'state of the art' healthcare systems.

Hopes of a victory are becoming dim. Recently, A well-decorated and highly experienced pediatric neurosurgeon Dr Jim Goodrich in the United States was killed by the disease, over 1,400 New York Police Department officials working tirelessly to maintain law and order have been infected with the virus, 66 doctors have died in Italy, over 9 in the Philippines and most countries have gory tales of their frontline workers becoming soft targets of the ruthless virus. Infections have also been spreading on waterways through virus-stricken cruise ships treated as plagues by countries over the fear of an outbreak.

There is a gory projection that the number of fatalities in the U.S at worst might hit 2.2 million according to the Imperial College of London COVID-19 Response Team. And also, even with the containment efforts of the US government, a leading infectious disease expert, Dr Anthony S. Fauci has predicted that 100,000 to 240,000 people might die in the country. Over 5,000 others have already passed away. These are not mere statistics, the figures entail the family members, friends, loved ones, acquaintances, business partners of people who will forever be missed after their demise.

The truth about the pandemic is that the world will never be at rest until its globally eradicated. If it can spread from the distant city of Wuhan, Hubei province to almost 200 countries, any country left battling it will trigger a second wave and the world goes through the vicious circle again. Its a dilly-dally affair with no end in sight. For example, China which has been making the world believe it has beaten the virus yesterday reported about 1,541 imported but largely asymptomatic cases which are easily ignored by other countries since they show no symptoms but spread the disease and ruin the efforts of the government to control it. The coronavirus is highly elusive because 30.8% of infected people feel no symptoms at all.

Rumours have it that there have also been minor incidents of potential threats in Wuhan and other areas in the Asian country. This means that you can win the battle and also resume it again in the cause of celebrating your victory.

Now, what is the global and most potent solution to the current pandemic? It's simple a vaccine. Drug companies and scientists have to invest their resources in finding a quick cure that can immediately absorb, deactivate and subsequently expel the virus from the human body within a very limited period. The affordable vaccine should also be made available in large quantities and distributed across the world to cure every infected person. With this, there will be a mass eradication of the virus and we will all continue with our daily lives without fear of contracting the disease and dying.

Sadly, most vaccines being developed will not be available until next year, 2021 due to the testing procedures to ascertain its safe use. Who knows what will happen by then with the curves refusing to be flattened? This development leaves us in limbo as we continue to look up to the heavens for a miracle against a common enemy the state soldiers can't directly engage with assault weapons on the battlefield. Without a solution like this, this battle might go on until the end of this year at a very huge cost.

By Osayimwen Osahon George

Source: http://www.villagetowncrier.com/2020/04/the-only-solution-to-coronavirus.html

CC Lalasticlala Seun Ishilove Mynd44 Dominique MissyB3 Fynestboi

A viral social media joke about Burundi (not necessarily true) being the only African country not to record a case of Coronavirus infection was simply linked to the unavailability of testing kits. This is the only way the true state of the contagion could be ascertained in any country. The World Health Organization chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus in press conferences has been emphasizing that instruction to countries since the outbreak by saying; 'Test! test!! Test!!!'

Nigeria - the most populous black nation in the world has been proudly lagging in that area and nobody seems to be bothered about the untrue state of figures about infected people that it keeps making public.

Since the 18th of March, 2020, Nigeria has been witnessing a gradual increase in the number of Coronavirus cases. An additional number of 5 cases making up 8 in total prompted the Federal Government to issue travel restrictions against 13 countries on that fateful day following massive pressure from Nigerians on social media and also some representatives of the Nigeria Medical Association.

Despite the travel restrictions, the number of infected people has continued to increase but not at the rate of other countries of the world. Many have attributed this to some sort of luck, high temperatures limiting the virus spread or even answered prayers because Nigeria is a country not only populated with religious people but also very superstitious ones. Presently, we have 111 confirmed cases (as at Monday evening - 30th of March) in Nigeria spreading across 10 states and the FCT, and one might decide to celebrate the low figure thinking an outbreak of the level of what the U.S, Spain, Italy, UK and others is far from Nigeria. The figure is very deceitful and in fact, most of the figures of the infected cases around the world are misleading due to the varying patterns of testing employed by different countries. In essence, the number of Coronavirus cases are largely under-reported and also played down by some countries due to political reasons.

As for Nigeria, the truth is that our testing capacity has been very low and poor with an initial number of 5 NCDC testing laboratories across the 36 states in the country. Testing has been monopolized by government hospitals leaving private hospitals and laboratories out of the equation. The Nigerian government appears to be rationing testing kits by focusing on mostly returnees from Coronavirus-affected countries who display alarming symptoms of the dreaded ailment which has infected over 768,370 and leaving 36,912 others dead across the world. Close contacts of those that tested positive to the virus have also been given top priority. Since this disease could be very elusive as it infects people who unknowingly become carriers and spreaders without falling sick, it spreads rapidly under the radar and in a matter of days, thousands of cases can be confirmed. It only takes one person to maintain contact with a group of people and the infection will begin to spread like the California wildfires.

There is also the belief that the disease has been spreading without the knowledge of the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control, NCDC. This isn't far from the crude approach of the government which instructs suspected carriers to fill a contact form, self-isolate and keep in touch with the government about their health. Probably out of crass ignorance, carelessness or negligence, the travelers fill in wrong contact details to avoid any sort of disturbance from health officials. Since Nigeria has issues with technology and keeping a database that could help track people with their mere names, phone numbers, fingerprints or pictures like China does, we start to look for such people in futility when its confirmed that an infected person travelled on that same flight with them. Today, the Federal Government is struggling to trace over 6,000 largely uncooperative people who have had direct or indirect contact with index cases. A handful of that big figure could carry the virus, and spread it amongst the over 200 million people we have in the country. That is a huge disaster waiting to happen or probably has happened but yet to be fully unravelled.

As at Tuesday, the 24th of March, 2020, it was revealed that Nigeria had only tested 178 persons while South Korea was already bracing up for the dangers ahead by testing 10,000 people in a single day. It took the intervention of the Chinese billionaire, Jack Ma who donated testing kids and other Personal Protective Equipment before Nigeria scaled up its testing capacity up to 32% and since then, the numbers have been increasing. The informed general public who have been concerned about the unusual snail-speed of the spread of the disease are finally getting a true picture of what lies ahead. The virus is coming for us and we can only pray that its hit in Nigeria will not be too devastating.

Lagos State - the commercial capital of Nigeria has cemented its position as the 'Wuhan' of Nigeria with 59 recorded cases leaving the FCT behind with just 14 cases. The Lagos State government appears to have access to some information about the virus which the general public might not. Its bracing up for a major disaster and it has been making frantic efforts to mitigate the crushing effects. Local transmission which is the major strength of the pandemic hasn't been pronounced in Nigeria but indications have it that its ongoing and its only a matter of time before we start counting infected cases in thousands like countries in Europe and America.

Governor Babajide Sanwo-olu's body language tells it all but he keeps claiming his decisions are more of precautionary. He has urged residents to stay at home with civil servants ordered to work from home. He has partially closed market places as he restricts trading to people dealing in essential commodities. Gatherings of over 20 people have been banned with religious organizations directly affected. He has also been hinting about the possible imposition of curfew if the need arises. Apart from this, some physical structures have also been put in place to combat the virus before it makes a full landfall in Lagos State. A health facility has been set up in Gbagada asides from the Infectious Disease Hospital at Yaba which reportedly boasts of 100 beds. A massive makeshift isolation centre has also been set up at the Onikan stadium to house hundreds of Coronavirus patients. Funds have also been raised from private individuals, corporate organizations and state coffers. Donation of needed health kits, ventilators and others have been gathered from well-meaning Nigerians. Furthermore, the government has set up a food bank to feed over 200,000 households in the state for 14 days during the austerity period.

The Commissioner for Health in Lagos State, Professor Akin Abayomi who has been instrumental to postponing the doomsday isn't mincing words. He doesn't want to be politically correct. He simply wants Lagosians to get their body armours and arsenal ready for the war ahead with the unseen enemy. He must have frightened Lagosians and Nigerians as a whole when he revealed his statistical projection that 39,000 people could be infected with the virus in Lagos. According to him, the figure might be beaten down to 13,000 if Lagosians adhere to the globally recommended practice of social distancing. Which ever way the pendulum swings, this spells doom for not only the state but Nigeria as a whole. The professor is not alone, he is only doing his job with a touch of professionalism. The United Kingdom predicts the death of 20,000 people in the worst case scenario and the Governor of New York Andrew Cuomo is projecting the need for 30,000 ventilators in a similar scenario thereby drawing criticisms from an already overwhelmed President Donald Trump.

I know there is a need to be hopeful but we need to prepare for bad times. There is a way the virus operates. It initially spreads slowly like its doing in Nigeria presently, then balloons into several thousands, claims alot of lives of mostly the elderly including those with pre-existing medical conditions, and then peaks. China went through this process and I believe Nigeria might not be different. The Health Commissioner knows this and he isn't ready to downplay the capability of the virus like Trump dangerously did.

With a bigger testing capacity and widespread testing of patients, the actual number of cases might hit 500-1000 for now and if its not well managed, we might be going the way of Spain, Italy, or Iran.

By Osayimwen Osahon George

Source: http://www.villagetowncrier.com/2020/03/coronavirus-why-number-of-cases-will.html

CC Lalasticlala Seun Ishilove Mynd44 Dominique MissyB3 Fynestboi

The outbreak of the novel Coronavirus disease has been affecting all aspects of our daily lives ranging from politics to the economy, tourism, formal education, social relationships, health and others either directly or directly.

So far, about 130,000 people have been infected by the disease with almost 5,000 others dead. A total of 114 countries have been affected by the outbreak which started from Wuhan, China in December, 2019. If there is anything the Coronavirus comes with, its fear and the culture of fake news which is highly practised on social media and other digital channels has aggravated the problem with vulnerable people constantly consuming malicious contents about the virus.

Politicians across the world have positioned themselves to benefit from the outbreak of the virus by using it as an excuse to project different political agenda. They see this window of opportunity as the golden chance to touch on the issues of open borders and migrants. A false narrative that migrants are aiding the spread of the virus has been projected and many people are ignorantly buying into it.

In reality, the disease has been spread across the globe mostly by travellers and tourists. Impoverished asylum seekers don't usually get on board cruise ships.

Matteo Salvini, Italy's populist-in-chief has blamed the country for continuing to allow migrants from Africa into the country despite the fact that the continent has only a few cases of the virus. It should be noted that Italy is the worst hit country in Europe over 10,000 cases and death toll approaching 700.

Political analysts in the United States of America are also not left out of the controversy and they have been dutifully fuelling it. Some advocates have directed their anger towards China, describing the people as 'very hungry citizens' who eat raw bats and different species of animals due to the alleged failure of the Communist Party to cater for the people.

Senator Tom Cotton, one of the strongest allies of President Donald Trump claims that the virus might be a product of a highly sophisticated biochemical laboratory in China. He isn't the only one with this kind of conspiracy theory which is readily available on the internet for those interested in reading it.

Going down memory lane, this isn't the first time politicians are weaponizing critical issues for political brickbats. In the 1980s, there was a rumour that the Human Immunodeficiency Virus, HIV was created in laboratories managed by the Central Intelligence Agency, CIA.

Trump isn't left out of the infodemic of misinformation. The controversial leader is grabbing his share of the spoils of the crisis with his two hands by claiming he closed the borders against people coming from China in January for the purpose of saving American lives.

The world is going through the phase of deglobalization which has been reflecting in a slow down in world trade and if care isn't taken, the Coronavirus will further worsen issues.

The truth is that the level of interdependence among countries might continue to decline if the fears of the people are aggravated and manipulated further by politicians targeting egoistic interests. The resultant effects would be trade wars, border walls and other barriers that could militate against globalization.

Studies have show that nationalism and protectionism were on the rise before the Coronavirus outbreak started. The disease favours people from that school of thought like Trump who preaches the message of 'America First' which almost means 'America Alone'.

Already, countries have continued to place travel restrictions on each other as well as its citizens. China placed the severely affected city of Wuhan on lock-down and also restricted travelling in and out of the country in its efforts to combat the unseen enemy. Trump lately banned Europeans from travelling to the U.S, Italy and Denmark are also on lock-down. Additionally, Russia closed its border with Iran over Coronavirus fears. Many countries have taken diverse detrimental measures against others under the guise of the doctrine of necessity and this is expected to further deteriorate fragile relationships amongst them.

The solution to the contagion remains the employment of public health techniques aimed at passing across the right information about how to deal with the outbreak which has been declared a pandemic by the World Health Organization. The deployment of financial resources by countries to undertake medical operations and scientific research coupled with international collaboration will also go a long way in containing it.

The policy of isolationism isn't the answer as the world has become a global village where every individual seeks to travel across the globe to experience new things.

By Osayimwen Osahon George

Source: http://www.villagetowncrier.com/2020/03/coronavirus-how-politicians-weaponized.html

CC Lalasticlala Seun Ishilove Mynd44 Dominique MissyB3 Fynestboi

Since it was announced on Friday that Nigeria recorded a case of the novel Coronavirus disease, many Nigerians have been having sleepless nights over the development. As a knee-jerk reaction, people stormed pharmacists to buy out the hand sanitizers and face masks to prevent being infected by the deadly virus which has a fatality rate ranging between 2% and 4%.

Well, here are some reasons why Nigeria might not suffer the fate of China which has regrettably lost over 2,600 people to the outbreak which started in December, 2019:

(1) Swift response of the Nigerian medical team:

The index patient, an Italian was immediately tested and quarantined by medical officers who rightly suspected he might have the infection when he visited a clinic in Ogun State. This has limited the spread of the disease to a large extent.

(2) Contact Tracing:

[/b]The Federal Government in collaboration with the Lagos and Osun State governments have started the contact tracing exercise aimed at gathering people who came in touch with the Italian while he transited from Lagos State to Ogun after arriving on a Turkish airline. As at yesterday, the Ogun State government announced it had traced 28 persons and they have been quarantined. There is a search for 200 more people.

[b](3) Closure of construction plant index patient visited:

[/b]The factory the unnamed Italian visited has been closed down for disinfection and the authorities of the cement factory involved is cooperating with the medical personnel on ground. This will go a long way in cleaning up any objected the European must have infected.

[b](4) Effective public sensitization programmes:

We have to salute the Nigerian government for level of transparency it displayed as it quickly went public about the first case of the Coronavirus in Nigeria. It has also opened hot telephone lines for Nigerians who need help or have any information about the virus to contact constituted authorities. Short video clips, images and other banners have been released to educated people on how to stay safe from the virus. This has been heavily disseminated on social media.

(5) The Nigerian weather:

[/b]A medical expert named Elizabeth McGraw believes that the virus might not spread easily in regions of higher temperatures compared to the lower ones in America, Europe and Asia. According to her explanation, the virus relies on tiny droplets to spread and this might not be easily achievable under heated atmospheric conditions as experienced in Nigeria.

[b](6) Vaccine Development

[/b]An Israeli company recently announced that its close to developing a vaccine to tackle the novel disease. Some other companies in the U.S and across the world have made similar progress in medical research which is set to undergo clinical trials. This might also help in curtailing the outbreak in Nigeria and across the world. One of the richest men in the world, Bill Gates even announced that a vaccine could be ready later in June this year.

[b](7) Historical antecedence of Lagos State:

Lagos State which is like the centre of excellence in Nigeria has a history of reliability when it comes to containing infectious diseases. It did against the Ebola virus in 2014 after it was imported by a Liberian. The Lagos State Government presently has a health facility of 100 bed spaces set up in the Yaba area to treat infected patients. As long as the infections are detected early, patients will easily get treated here and the sporadic spread will be highly limited.


Source: http://www.villagetowncrier.com/2020/02/coronavirus-7-reasons-why-nigerians.html

CC Lalasticlala Seun Ishilove Mynd44 Dominique MissyB3 Fynestboi

Imo: What If The Supreme Court Reverses Judgement In Favour Of Ihedioha?

Majorly two sets of people will never forget the 14th of January, 2019 in Imo State. One person was elevated across the skies and the other was unbelievably demoted. They are the Emeka Ihedioha, a Peoples Democratic Party chieftain who was just the governor for 7 months and 2 weeks and a two-time senator, Hope Uzodinma from the ruling All Progressives Congress who was challenging the victory of the former from a distant 4th position in the gubernatorial election of 2019.

That day, not only Imo State was divided into two classes of people notably, the celebrants and the wailers, Nigeria as a whole was divided. Everybody suddenly became emergency lawyers, judges and political analysts. There wasn't much they could do because the judgement of the Supreme Court which sacked Ihedioha with immediate effect and installed his rival, Uzodinma was final. Any aggrieved person would also make his case in heaven and that is on the unknown day of judgement. Mathematicians brought out their calculators and started wondering how Uzodinma was able to cover that gap of 176,946 votes which is as wide as the distance between the rich and the power in Nigeria. Uzodinma's lawyers were able to convince the judges with initially dismissed election results in 388 polling units and that made him the winner which many feel isn't mathematically accurate as the valid votes now exceed the number of accredited voters. One thing was clear to me as an observer, Ihedioha had tasted power which he had been longing for over years with a former governor, Rochas Okorocha bullying him around politically, he will never accept that judgement in good faith even if heaven falls. He soon gathered his team of lawyers led by a popular legal luminary Kanu Agabi (SAN) and they applied for a review of the judgement which many found alien to their peripheral knowledge of the legal system in Nigeria.

Officially, no date has been fixed for the review of the Supreme Court judgement although the 9th of March, 2020 is being peddled around on social media. The review might be another interesting event in the history of politics in Nigeria and it will certainly change the political climate in the country. Like every game in life, there are always winners and losers but we all want to be winners and that is where trouble starts. The Chief Justice of Nigeria, Ibrahim Tanko Muhammad has been given the short end of the stick since Uzodinma became governor. Many believe his appointment through the controversial exit of his predecessor, Justice Walter Onnoghen weakened the judiciary as he appears to be manipulated by the Federal Government. If the judgement is reviewed in favour of Ihedioha, it will be a dent on his resume for an initial 'miscarriage of justice' which is quite costly. The narrative will be that he was only coerced into doing the right thing as a result of public pressure. The distrust Nigerians have in public institutions will be further reinforced. More politicians will be applying for reviews of Supreme Court judgement citing the case of Ihedioha vs Uzodinma.

Father Ejike Mbaka will not be spared at all. His controversial January 1,2020 prophecy of the dramatic takeover of Uzodinma who has a close ties to him was already seen as political and not actually divine. A reversal of the judgement will have far-reaching implications on his credibility as a 'man of God'. Will the new explanation be that God who the Holy Bible says is infallible and never changes, suddenly changed his mind after listening to the cries of Ihedioha and the Imolites who love him? Its also going to be a huge loss to people who have increased the spiritual ratings of Mbaka following the seemingly powerful 'prophecy'.

Another set of heavy casualties of a reversal of the judgement will be Governor Hope Uzodinma who has just tasted the sweet seat of power for barely two months as at when it might happen. He is already enjoying the media attention and respect attached to being the first man of a state. He is giving orders here and there and virtually taking none. He is allocating projects to contractors and giving life-transforming appointments to his loyalists. His former foe, Rochas Okorocha, Uche Nwosu and others are getting friendly with him suddenly for obvious reasons. If he is sacked, all will go away in a twinkle of an eye and his appointees, dependants and would-be beneficiaries will experience setbacks. The ruling APC which is spreading its influence in the South-east and South-south parts of Nigeria will also have a share of the snag.

The biggest winner if the judgement is reversed will be Ihedioha and then his followers who have been wining and dinning in the last 7 months like they have no worries. Ihedioha wouldn't care about the state of the judiciary anymore as far as the mantle of leadership is returned to him. He will only undo the immediate works of Uzodinma like he has been doing to that of Okorocha and then he continues from where he stopped in Imo State.

As a Political Scientist, I fear any fresh controversial decision made by the Supreme Court in Imo State might lead to political instability that could endanger lives and properties. Imolites have been divided since the judgement. Even religious leaders especially in the Christendom who are supposed to be apolitical have been issuing press statements against each other. There might be protests, counter-protests and subsequently riots in Imo State which has been relatively peaceful.

Meanwhile, I don't expect much drama if the initial judgement stands apart from some ramblings in the media space by partisan figures. People are already facing the reality of Uzodinma coming to stay and the governor has been playing the politics of acceptance well by dangling fresh carrots here and there to appease all quarters in the state.

Well, no matter the direction the review of judgement goes, many will still be dissatisfied. The Supreme Court faces a delicate trial period in its history.

By Osayimwen Osahon George

Source: http://www.villagetowncrier.com/2020/02/imo-what-if-supreme-court-reverses.html

CC Lalasticlala Seun Ishilove Mynd44 Dominique MissyB3 Fynestboi

Okada/Keke Ban: Who Else Has Been Experiencing This Strange Thing In Lagos Of Late?

Since the restriction on the operations of commercial motorcycles and tricycles on the 1st of February, 2020 as promulgated by Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, Lagosians of different economic and social classes have been feeling the scathing heat, although at different degrees.

Most of the low-income earners have been trekking over long distances to get to work amidst an increase in prices of bus fares. Even the ride-hailing company, Taxify has been experiencing a serious surge in prices with customers either reluctantly patronizing or shunning their services for now.

But these aren't the strange things happening on Lagos roads that this article is about. The traffic jams in Lagos have been doubled since the ban and the reasons are clear. Most people have complained bitterly about the wastage of man-hours in traffic and the problem isn't abating. Here is a decent explanation for their present predicament: several people have vehicles in Lagos State. The issue is that due to the regular incidents of traffic gridlocks, many leave their vehicles at home and go to work by public transport. According to the beliefs of these people, it's cheaper to commute by public transport although it could be quite uncomfortable. People have also cultivated the habit of using motorcycles to escape heavy traffic especially in the Victoria Island/Lekki axis of Lagos State. With the partial ban placed on Okada and Keke Napep, most people keeping their vehicles for rare usage mostly during weekends and special social engagements have rolled them out in obedience to the doctrine of necessity. The resultant effect is the compounding of the issue of traffic in the overpopulated city of Lagos where the public resources especially roads are severely strained and dilapidated.

The Lagos State government's plan to release vehicles to serve as palliatives for the vacuum left behind by the Okadas and Kekes has fallen short in terms of numbers with many believing the action was only successful on paper alone.

For now, going to work everyday has become more difficult, strenuous and expensive for Lagosians. From the look of things, people might be staying indoors more on weekends except occasions they need to attend are very important. As Sanwo-Olu remains resolute about his decision to ban Okada and Keke, a massive protest has been planned this weekend to mount serious pressure on him.

President Muhammadu Buhari has voiced his opinion on the Boko Haram insurgency tackling different narratives being bandied around as well as allaying the fears of the people. The key parts of the opinion editorial have gone unnoticed with many focusing on his claim Muslims constitute the largest victims of the Boko Haram sect in Nigeria.

Below are some interesting key points taken from the piece published on a Christian website:

(1) Buhari recognised the good works of the late CAN leader, Pastor Lawan Andimi beheaded by the extremist group.

(2) Buhari believes Boko Haram has been 'defeated and degraded' despite the recent resurgence of the deadly group.

(3) Buhari didn't recognize the efforts of the Civilian Joint Task-force as well as the Multinational Joint Task Force who have played key roles in the unconventional war against the terrorists. Instead, he specifically mentioned the "British and American militaries"

(4) Buhari stated that Boko Haram are no longer a 'unified threat' as they have been fragmented into groups.

(5) Buhari further admitted that Nigeria may not yet be completely winning the battle against terrorism.

(6) Buhari said that Christianity is not contracting under his administration with almost half of the Nigerian population aligning with the faith.

(7) Buhari controversially claimed that ninety percent of Boko Haram victims are Muslims and this has incidentally become the biggest headline of the day. He went further to accuse people of distorting the stories of the actual victims of the sect.

( Buhari accused the Boko Haram fighters of having a jaundiced view of the Quran.

(9) If indeed Buhari actually wrote the article, then he has a strong knowledge of the Holy Bible with could be seen in the several meaningful references he made.

(10) Lastly, Buhari ended by paying his last respect to the slain CAN leader in Adamawa, Pastor Andimi, urging everyone Nigeria to learn from his good and selfless works.

By Osayimwen Osahon George

Source: http:///s6d3954a5200204en_ng

CC Lalasticlala Seun Ishilove Mynd44 Dominique MissyB3 Fynestboi

I quite agree with you boss. Gbadamosi carried the day.

TheStarsAlign:
Based on the soundness of logic and answers proffered during the governorship debate, I believe the ADC candidate would have been a better option but partisanship/dumb politics has so much clouded a lot of people sense of reasoning (especially the youths - they are the ones with the real power). They'd rather settle for mediocrity, lies or both.

Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu's decision to restrict the commercial operation of motorcycles and tricycles has irked Lagosians and many people have been slagging him off on social media.

The All Progressives Congress chieftain has been initially described as a man of 'many firsts' - helping set up the Lagos State Security Trust Fund, started LAGBUS and being the first to pay workers the N18,000 minimum wage in his ministry even before the Federal Government. Despite this impressive record, he also appears to be a man of 'many lies' just like many Nigerian politicians.

Below is a short list of the lies he told Lagosians when he was seeking election into office:

(1) Governor Sanwo-Olu once promised to regulate the Okada system and not ban:

Governor Sanwo-olu while speaking as a guest at The Platform in October, 2019 promised to develop a "regulation system that can account for every Okada rider in Lagos state'. Fast-forward to January 2020 when he got elected, he didn't only place a partial ban on Okada riders, he added the tricycle riders to the list.

(2) Governor Sanwo-Olu once said he will end the intractable Apapa gridlock within his first 60 days in office:

One of the richest men in Nigeria, Aliko Dangote once revealed he has lost a whopping sum of N25 billion to the perpetual gridlock at the Apapa area of Lagos State. Sanwo-olu jumped on the issue claiming he could clear the trailers within his first 60 days in office. After the 60 days, Sanwo-olu was reminded of his promise and he denied ever saying such.

(3) Governor Sanwo-Olu once claimed Lagos is the only Nigerian State that publishes its budget on a yearly basis:

While debating with political opponents on The Platform, Sanwo-Olu responded to a question on budget transparency and he said Lagos State is the only state that publishes its budget. The claim was later found to be false and misleading as Lagos only publishes summaries of its budget and does not provide details of government spending plans. Aside from this, Kaduna State under Governor Nasir el Rufai has been publishing its budget in a more robust manner.

By Osayimwen Osahon George

Source: http://www.villagetowncrier.com/2020/02/3-major-times-governor-sanwo-olu-lied.html

CC Lalasticlala Seun Ishilove Mynd44 Dominique MissyB3 Fynestboi

One thing I have observed in the course of following Nnamdi Kanu, the leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB is that he has an impressive fighting spirit and he never gives up. My only concern about him is that his energy keeps flowing in the wrong direction. Last year, he gave hope to his base that the secession of the South-eastern region from Nigeria was coming alive again with some photo-ops. He visited the European Union parliament in Brussels, Belgium where he reportedly spoke. After that, he claimed he was heading to Geneva to speak to the United Nations about the actualization of the Biafran dream. His media team has always done the best job when it comes to circulating information. They have contacts of top media practitioners at their finger tips.

Many people who might have been frustrated by the Federal Government stormed Nnamdi Kanu's social media page to salute him for the 'good work'. The Radio Biafra page soon came alive again and fake news pervaded the media space as usual in the narrative that suits the group. Later on, nobody heard anything about the outcome or the benefits of Kanu's purported meetings with the international organizations. Kanu returned to his traditional role as a chronic social media critic of the Federal Government.

As this year started, Kanu needed to give his camp something to be ululating about. The ideal country he felt could help was the most powerful country in the world, the United States of America. He simply announced his attendance of the President Donald Trump's campaign rally on Thursday, January 30, 2020 at Des Moines Iowa after being allegedly invited as a 'special guest' by the Republican Party in the state.

According to a statement released by the Publicity Secretary of IPOB, Emma Powerful, the development indicates that 'Biafra is near'.

Since the news went viral, the Biafra dream got reinvigorated as some purposely uninformed or maybe ambitious people feel Kanu is slowing getting closer to Trump who could help realize the secession of Biafra. This is nothing but an illusion!

The last thing America will want is to meddle in the internal affairs of a sovereign state when it has nothing to gain. Since it had a hand in the crises of Libya, Iraq, Palestine and other countries which has strained it's resources in terms of human and financial ones, the U.S has been more tactical and circumspect in dealing with local issues of other countries which doesn't affect it. From a realist point of view, what does the U.S stand to gain from the splitting of Nigeria? I need good answers.

Most cases of secession in Africa are never peaceful. The last thing the U.S will want to do is to cause a humanitarian crisis in a country of over 200 million people. If the U.S breaks it, it will certainly be forced to buy it.

Going by recent developments, if Trump cares about Nigeria that much, the travel ban will not be extended to us. Today, we have many African countries on travel restriction to America and they are not even strong enough to retaliate against America with sanctions as most powerful countries would have done.

Well, Kanu's fresh effort seems good but it's not good enough. Only the shallow-thinkers and the ignorant will fall for it. He needs go try harder next time.

By Osayimwen Osahon George

Source: http://www.villagetowncrier.com/2020/02/the-actual-implication-of-nnamdi-kanus.html

CC Lalasticlala Seun Ishilove Mynd44 Dominique MissyB3 Fynestboi

One music talent manager, Patrick who initially signed Davido's music artiste, Peruzzi to his record label named 'Golden Boy Entertainment' has opened the Pandora Box and it's contents are not only bad for the eyes but also disturbing to the ears.

Both parties have been going back and forth with verbal attacks on social media with tension escalating.

These are some takeaways from the ongoing battle:

(1) Davido's hit song FIA was actually written and sang by Peruzzi who handed it over to his boss probably after being compensated with cash. So many hit songs of Davido have been trailed by similar rumours in the past.

(2) The highly-publicized 'Assurance' song was probably written by Peruzzi also as Twitter users have been analysing the lyrics which share similarities with a certain tweet Peruzzi made in the past.

(3) Peruzzi might have dated Chioma - Davido's baby mama as claimed by Patrick who believes he 'pimped her out' to Davido after lying that they are cousins.

(4) The strength of Davido's love for Chioma might be presently weak as they initially unfollowed each other on Instagram and then followed again to apparently douse the tension in the public eye.

(5) Controversial blogger and journalist Kemi Omololu Olunloyo who claimed Chioma wasn't faithful to Davido long before this drama might be credible after all. She was also the first to report that Chioma was pregnant, although she denied it only for maternity pictures to be uploaded online.

(6) The reported N45 million Porsche Davido bought for Chioma on her birthday might be a ruse as Kemi Olunloyo has affirmed again. She has also reminded us of the publicized cooking show of Chioma which never materialized. It might also be an 'audio show' in the local lingo.

(7) Davido might not be a 'Father Christmas' as he appears online. He is so frugal with money. Patrick seems like a guy who only wants a bite of the money Davido has made off Peruzzi which Davido might have been opposed to.

( If it's confirmed that Peruzzi and Chioma were once bedmates as there is no smoke without fire, a paternity test needs to be carried out on baby Ifeanyi immediately.

(9) Again, if indeed Chioma hasn't been transparent in her love dealings with Davido, her intentions in his life might just be questionable. She could be there to 'secure the bag' like his first baby mama, Sophia Momodu obviously did.

(10) Lastly, Davido's musical talents might be overrated with almost half of his hit songs being linked to other artistes although it's a norm abroad.

By Osayimwen Osahon George

https://www.tori.ng/news/139887/10-disturbing-takeaways-from-the-davidopatrick-dir.html

The South-western security outfit - Operation Amotekun which is a seeming novel panacea to the security challenges like banditry and other violent crimes the region is constituting a wedge between the South-western leaders and the presidency. Since the introduction of Amotekun populated by local hunters, President Muhammadu Buhari has maintained radio silence. According to media reports, the six governors of the region initially carried the Inspector General of Police Mohammed Adamu along but he backed out of the discussion at some point.

While Operation Amotekun was publicized in the media and their operational vehicles showcased publicly, some individuals from the northern part of the country slowly questioned the legality of the initiative. The Fulani Herdsmen association, the Miyetti Allah was the first to cry out. They felt threatened by Amotekun. Shortly after a couple of critical press statements were released, the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice Abubakar Malami apparently stated the position of the Federal Government by declaring it illegal. Malami technically walked into an ambush laid by seasoned lawyers in Nigeria like Mike Ozekhome, Professor Itse Sagay, Liborous Oshoma, Jiti Ogunye, Femi Falana, Governor Rotimi Akeredolu and others who have been schooling him audaciously about what the law says. The strong grip of the South-western part of Nigeria over the mainstream and social media space in Nigeria has also put the Federal Government in a tight and difficult position in controlling the narrative about it's perceived illegality of Amotekun.

While many figures of the Yoruba socio-cultural group, Afenifere and other influential forces across Nigeria have spoken about Amotekun, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu who is rumoured to be interested in the presidential seat in the year 2023 appears to be rocking the biggest headphones in the world to pretend as if he is oblivious of the idea. His protege, Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State alongside his strong allies in Osun, Governor Gboyega Oyetola and Governor Dapo Abiodun of Ogun State even failed to attend the launching of the security project due to alleged weather conditions and personal engagements. In recent times, people have been complaining about the extremely loud silence of Tinubu who ignored the biting topic to comment on the victory of Senator Hope Uzodinma of Imo State at the Supreme Court.

You can't blame Tinubu, he is a very smart and experienced politician who knows the issues that could constitute a banana skin on his path. He must have done his background study of the issue to realize that it would do him more harm than good in future. A stand of non-alignment between the North and the South-west might just be the needed safe zone for and he could be right about that, at least politically.

Tinubu appears to be relying on an unwritten power-sharing agreement that the northern power-brokers will hand over the mantle of leadership to the Yorubas in 2023. The Igbos are also expecting that rare gift in the same year. Tinubu seems to have the strong backing of one of the most influential northern figures, President Muhammadu Buhari who doesn't joke with the interests of the Fulani Herdsmen. In fact, a section of the media once described him as their patron. Tinubu's worst fears were further confirmed when the National Secretary of the Miyetti Allah Kautal Hore, Alhassan Saleh revealed that Amotekun could cost the South-western the presidential ticket in 2023. This according to him breeds distrust between the North and the South ahead of the presidential election. His controversial utterance has sent shock-waves and tremors across the political space in the Yoruba land. Even Chief Bode George who I earlier described as a pretender instead of a contender in the 2023 presidential race might have raised his eyebrows.

Politicians are naturally desperate people and will always sacrifice the general will of the people on the altar of personal interests; it's not new. One will be stunned if Tinubu picks Amotekun ahead of his presidential ambition which might be getting realizable to him by the day.

On a closing note, the South-west governors made a mistake. They don't need any legal or media battle with the federal government. Since Governors Kayode Fayemi, Sanwo-Olu, Oyetola, Abiodun and Akeredolu have the ears of the presidency by virtue of being members of the ruling All Progressives Congress, they could have employed the strategy of lobbying to ease the fears and worries of some northern leaders before launching the security outfit. Why the rush? Till date, the rate of remuneration of Amotekun officials is yet to be decided and an initial figure of N15,000 per monthly is demeaning.

Well, share your thoughts with me in the comment section, like and also follow my page for more political contents as I keep an eye on the presidential race in 2023.



Osayimwen Osahon George
Journalist and Political Scientist (PhD in view)

https://www.tori.ng/news/139760/2023-how-operation-amotekun-could-cause-tinubu-a-m.html

CC Lalasticlala Seun Ishilove Mynd44 Dominique MissyB3 Fynestboi

Yesterday must have been the longest night for the Imo State Governor, Emeka Ihedioha who was abruptly sacked by the Supreme Court with his opponent, Hope Uzodinma of the All Progressives Congress installed as the rightful winner of the gubernatorial election in the state.

The seven-man panel led by Chief Justice of Nigeria, Tanko Muhammad, agreed that results in 388 polling units were unlawfully excluded during the collation of the final governorship election result in Imo State. The apex court noted that the result from the 388 polling units indicated that Uzodinma polled majority of the lawful vote and ought to have been declared the winner of the election by the electoral body.

Meanwhile, the Charismatic Roman Catholic Priest and Spiritual Director of Adoration Ministry, Enugu, Nigeria (Amen), Fr Ejike Mbaka during the New Year had declared Uzodinma was going to win the legal tussle at the Apex Court. His prophecy was widely frowned at from several quarters in and outside the state. In Nigeria, religious clerics always play huge roles in the political process. They either help to woo supporters for candidates, give spiritual assistance and also release prophecies about election outcomes which end up being negative at times.

Excerpts from his January 1 prophecy read:

“Lift your candles as I bless Hope Uzodinma; and I empower him to, spiritually, to take over. How, I do not know.

“Please, if you heard that there would be a new government in Imo and you don’t like the message; if I say Hope, you can say hopeless but do not fight me" he said.

Exactly 13 days later, Ihedioha who has spent much of his few months as the governor of Imo State undoing the works of his old political foe and predecessor, Senator Rochas Okorocha was sacked. Rather than give Father Mbaka credit as a credible Christian cleric who might be hearing from God directly, many feel he might have gotten intelligence report about how the Supreme Court judgement will play out.

Social media users later dug out a picture he took with Uzodinma in which they seemed to be exchanging banters. This isn't the first time Father Mbaka is delving into the murky waters of politics. He somehow finds his voice when elections are close like he did in the year 2015 when he predicted the victory of President Muhammadu Buhari at the polls. This doesn't make his revelations generally accurate; his prophecy about the former Governor of Gombe Ibrahim Dankwambo being president failed woefully.

Social media commentators and other influencers have been reacting to the Supreme Court judgement in Imo State in connection with the 'powerful' prophecy of Father Mbaka.

The Senior Pastor of Awaiting The Second Coming Of Jesus Christ, Adewale Giwa has said that he was not surprised to see the fulfilment of the prediction by Father Mbaka that Uzodinma would be declared Imo State governor by the Supreme Court. Giwa described Mbaka as a partisan prophet, adding that he must have got the hint of the judgement before speaking.

He said, “When a partisan prophet speaks, we surely know who gives him the hint. This is a concluded deal among them.

“Is it not the same prophet who enters Aso Rock, wining and dining with the president? We know where they all belong. Check my record, I stand by the truth at all times and the truth will eventually prevail in Nigeria" [/i]he said.

Activist and serial protester, Deji Adeyanju also condemned the Supreme Court ruling and he sarcastically referred to Father Mbaka as the 'real man of God'.

Reacting on his base, Twitter, he said:

[i]"Hope Uzodinma of APC who came 4th with minimal votes declared winner by Supreme Court. What a regime! Nigerians go hear am TA TA TA TA.

“Mbaka, the real man of God"

However, a fiery critic of Christian clerics, Daddy Freeze while reacting, revealed how he felt Father Mbaka was able to get his prophecy right. According to him, God is not a fortune teller.

Freeze just like Senior Pastor Adewale Giwa said that Mbaka who is a close ally of President Buhari might have gotten classified information about the judgement which was why he gave the prophecy.

He wrote:

“Lol at those who think what Father Mbaka said was a prophecy. God is not a fortune teller. Wake up guys. Someone on top of things could have squealed but you love myths don’t you? 2 Timothy 4:4:. New Living Translation. They will reject the truth and chase after myths.”

On Twitter, a survey of opinions of people on the Supreme Court verdict showed the level of distrust Nigerians have always had for the judiciary especially when it comes to political issues. Conspiracy theories believe that the 'Federal Might' could have been introduced in a well-orchestrated clandestine plan to install Uzodinma through the court. According to their postulations, Father Mbaka was only an actor who acted a script that was handed to him by powerful forces known as the Oga At The Top' in the local lingo. They allegedly made him give that prophecy to prepare the minds of the people against what was ahead and to douse any tension in the political space.

Since he is a revered figure in a highly religious society, people might embrace the Supreme Court verdict wholeheartedly so as not to go against the will of God. All these views have been made without any hard evidence.

Meanwhile, a section of social media users has been celebrating Father Mbaka due to the accuracy of his prophecy. A Two-time Commissioner in Imo state and a chieftain of the APC, Dr Vitalis Ajumbe criticized attackers of Father Mbaka, urging them to tender an apology to him.

"People who called Rev. Mbaka names as a false prophet should now apologise to him publicly. Mbaka prophesied it and it has come to past." part of his statements read.

Father Mbaka might have just gathered the momentum to make more political prophecies in the future. This time around, the entire country might listen due to his impressive track record.


By Osayimwen Osahon George

Source: https://www.tori.ng/news/139524/imo-what-if-father-mbaka-got-prophecy-from-the-oga.html

CC Lalasticlala Seun Ishilove Mynd44 Dominique MissyB3 Fynestboi

Each time Nigerian youth come across a figure they feel they could look up to, the person's image gets soiled by the anti-graft agency or an international judicial institution. One of the most influential mentors of Nigerian youths, Femi Fani Kayode who is so vocal on social media is presently facing corruption trial. The CEO of Air Peace, Allen Onyema - a philanthropist that spent millions of naira evacuating stranded Nigerians in South Africa during the last major xenophobia crisis was later indicted by the United States Attorney’s Office for alleged corruption and money laundering in the range of over $20 million.

Just as Nigerians gradually recovered from that disappointment, someone who was fast-becoming a cult figure on Twitter, a former senator representing Kaduna Central, Shehu Sani was accused of very daring financial fraud and he is presently detained by the EFCC. Sani, a trenchant critic of the President Muhammadu Buhari administration even when he was still a member of the ruling party, APC has always been an objective man. He is well-informed in both local and international history. He loves to analyse political issues and share knowledge on social media. He is well-followed by the youth who look up to him as a father figure, teacher and mentor.

Shehu Sani before now seemed to frown at corruption as well as the politicized battle against it by the current administration. In 2015, he was one of the very few public officers to publicly declare assets. Comically, he added his two wives to the list of assets declared.

While in the Senate, he was the chairman of the Senate Ad Hoc Committee on Mounting Humanitarian Crisis in the North-East which exposed the grass-cutting scandal involving the then- Secretary to the Government of the Federation Babachir Lawal and he was subsequently removed from office. He was bold to accuse the Buhari administration of tolerating corruption within the Presidency.

In his words:

"When it comes to fighting corruption in the National Assembly and the Judiciary and in the larger Nigerian sectors, the President uses insecticide, but when it comes to fighting corruption within the Presidency, they use deodorants,”

Sani who also battled the diminutive governor of Kaduna State, Nasir El Rufai didn't just become an objective critic overnight. He was one of the leading forces against the military regime in Nigeria and he was sentenced to prison with the sole aim of silencing him. He later made it out and became royalty like Joseph the dreamer of the Holy Bible.

During his school days at Kaduna Polytechnic in 1984, he was a student union activist. He was Chairman, Central Mobilization Committee of PAN-African Student Organization and President African Democratic Youth Congress. From Kaduna Polytechnic, Sani plunged into national activism. He was introduced into the Campaign for Democracy (CD), Nigeria’s umbrella pro-democracy group by activists like Femi Falana and Beko Ransome-Kuti and thereafter served as the Northern Coordinator and National Vice-Chairman of the group.

He was first detained in July 1993 under the regime of General Babagida. His offence then was that he advocated for the revalidation of the result of the 12 June 1993 Presidential election polls won by the Late Chief M. K. O. Abiola. During the interim government of Chief Earnest Shonekan, Sani was arrested and detained for two weeks and later charged to court for sedition again.

During General Sani Abacha's regime, he was implicated in the 1995 phantom coup and subsequently jailed for life and later commuted to 15 years by the Patrick Aziza Special Military Tribunal.

In recent times, everything has gone upside down for Sani. He has successfully joined the long list of Nigerian leaders with colourful careers dealing with the EFCC.

The 52-year old is now being detained by investigators grilling him for allegedly extorting a businessman - Chairman of ASD Motors, Alhaji Sani Dauda of $30,000. According to reports, Sani had told a car dealer who was trying to evade justice that he could use his contacts to help get soft-landing. Sani reportedly obtained hordes of cash to bribe the Chief Justice of Nigeria, the stone-faced EFCC chairman Ibrahim Magu, other junior EFCC officials and judges. Even when people felt it was smoke that will quickly blow over and Sani would return to Twitter where he has been teased about operating as a blogger, the EFCC secured a court order to detain him for two extra weeks for the purpose of investigation. The commission revealed it had earlier invited Sani to its office for interrogation but he failed to cooperate. Suspiciously, Sani in the course of hurling out hundreds of tweets about national and international events never dropped hints about any interaction between him and the EFCC.

From the look of things, the EFCC appears to be gaining an upper-hand in the investigation. It claims to be in custody of the huge cash given to Sani as a bribe, it appears to also have hard evidence of WhatsApp conversations between Sani and the indicted businessman and to make matters worse, the businessman has become the major antagonist of Sani constantly reeling out accusations before his face. If he is charged to court tomorrow, the businessman will be a major witness of the EFCC. Just when Nigerians thought the case against Sani was losing momentum, the EFCC allegedly showed more seriousness by invading his two houses and office in Abuja in search of incriminating materials to prosecute him.

The radio silence of Sani's colleagues in politics and others in activism has been deafening. It almost seems they have assumed he might be guilty and they now regard him as too radioactive or infected to be touched even with a long stick. From observations, Sani will have his day in court and he will never remain the same again. The trolls on social media will always use his ordeal with the EFCC against him pending on the court ruling. And in Nigeria where people including the President has little or no faith in the judicial process, Sani's image might remain tainted for life even if the court finds him innocent.

In hindsight, it appears another good man in Nigeria has died again. Let's cover our bodies in dark sack clothes, sit on ashes and mourn him without consolation because it's a real tragic event that spells future doom.

Every success story in the country appears to have a 'but'. Scandals are always been hidden by image-makers paid by the concerned principal to control public perception. Nothing seems real, the more you look, the less you see. There is actually nobody to really look up to in the Nigerian society. When you meet a formerly poor man suddenly basking in opulence and make inquiries about his new source of wealth, he easily tells you 'its God oh' rather than share some brilliant business ideas with you. The truth is that there is actually no credible story to tell in most cases, it's all fraud.

Let's hope Sani survives this trying time and tells his part of the story one day. Another good man might have just fallen.


By Osayimwen Osahon George (PhD in view)

Source: https://www.tori.ng/news/139051/shehu-sani-the-day-a-good-man-died.html

CC Lalasticlala Seun Ishilove Mynd44 Dominique MissyB3 Fynestboi

For young scientist, Kazeem Jimoh, the year 2019 ended on a good note. The 27-year-old Research Fellow with the Forestry Research Institute of Nigeria has been selected for the Man and the Biosphere (MAB) Award under the category of MAB Young Scientist of 2019.

Kazeem is the third Nigerian ever to be decorated with the prestigious prize in a programme that seeks to promote a new generation of scientists worldwide to addressing ecological and sustainability issues. The award is focused at encouraging young researchers to undertake work on ecosystems, natural resources and biodiversity.

Kazeem is the only Nigerian among the seven scientists from different parts of the world to win the 2019 Young Scientist. His work, Impact of Green Economy In Biosphere Reserve Project As An Alternative Livelihood Source On The Poverty Status Of OMO Biosphere Reserve Communities was widely reviewed and selected by the council for the award.

The scientist, who had a first-class from the University of Maiduguri where he studied Agricultural Economics, disclosed he could not hide his joy when he got the news. Kazeem in his remark called for the Nigerian government to invest more in Agriculture and see it as a means to control poverty.

Source: https://www.sunnewsonline.com/nigerian-scientist-kazeem-jimoh-picks-2019-unesco-mab-award/

Tekno just released the visuals of his new song titled 'Suru' but something has caught the attention of the audience.
Augustine Miles Kelechi popularly known by his stage name Tekno has been engulfed in different controversies after recovering from a throat infection which hampered his career in the last two years.

He seems desperate to claim his spot as an A-list singer/performer in the Nigerian music industry which is highly populated and competitive.

In the video of one of his comeback songs titled 'Agege' featuring Zlatan Ibile, he paraded half-naked women who danced in a transparent moving truck on the streets of Lagos which attracted a backlash from residents and the government.
The desperate Tekno who was later invited by the police concerning the issue seems to be back again with another controversy designed to attract undue public attention. In the just-released video of 'Suru', over 15 ladies appeared in the pop song wearing mere panties and showcasing their n*ked breasts before the camera with their bodies smeared with mud.

The 27-year-old former Made Men Music signee danced around the semi-unclad women in the video as they giggled their mammary glands around him. Since the video surfaced on YouTube about 7 hours ago (press time), viewers have been complaining about the explicit nature of the content.

In recent times, video vixens have been engaging in questionable acts in music videos depending on the money the music artiste has got to offer.

Source: https://www.tori.ng/news/138013/so-shocking-15-ladies-bare-their-breasts-in-singer.html

CC Lalasticlala Seun Ishilove Mynd44 Dominique MissyB3 Fynestboi

Damn! that relative of yours is a LION! He deserves a death penalty for such fraud lol

meobizy:
This man is a bored writer. Any male with a relaxed mind and minimal wealth knows all this. Without all those enhancements men will overlook the female. It is no different from broke guys who use lies to put themselves in positions they’ve never encountered. I had a relative who lied for months saying he was a doctor. It took his wife two years to realize he was a mere GNLD agent.

heheehee you are so funny

majamajic:
that's why I normally go for skinny girls

Lagos-based ladies have been setting 'booby traps' for men who are lovers of curves and many have been quietly taking the 'L' without making any fuss about it. It seems like a shame when you step on that kind of banana skin and it sends you crashing to the ground on your back. It could be shameful to even discuss it with one's closest friends.

Funny enough, the randy men who are easily moved by what they see, I mean physical endowments are the easiest victims of this well-coordinated subtle fraud taking place in the financial hub of Nigeria where the purchasing power is quite high. Come to think of it, several men over here have just too much cash to throw around.

Imagine a scenario in which you met a lady at a club on a Friday night with a huge bust, bulgy hips and large bum as you love it and you decide to take her home to ease off the stress you encountered at work and as you guys are about to get down, she asks for some privacy, heads to the bathroom and then comes out as a totally slim person with all the physical attributes that encouraged you to go for her gone just like that. At first, you might think the alcohol you took had started to play pranks on your eyes and brains with that instant and inexplicable physical transformation. You start to feel disillusioned and as a gentleman, you might not have the courage to ask the right questions about what's wrong to avoid annoying her. At that moment, you will feel scammed, demoralized and short-changed. This is a blatant case of the regular social media e-commerce drama of "what you ordered for and what you got"

If this issue is not well handled, I believe it could escalate from verbal attacks to a physical one causing bodily harm and subsequently death.
In essence, what I am trying to point out here is that most Lagos women especially the young ones who want the attention of men at all costs mostly for financial gains have been hiding their insecurities with boobs pads, hips pads and butt pads. These items look too natural and befitting that these men even with their years of experience in the field of hunting and having eagle eyes still fall for this 'legal scam' and it has always ended in tears and gnashing of teeth.

Over the years, I have always advocated against coming out fake. I hate telling lies and I don't like being deceived. I personally believe it's more honourable to appear the way you are and someone who likes you for who you are and what you represent will come for you. I have come across men who love their women slim/athletic and these guys will never have anything to do with the plus-sized ones. They hate too much flesh and find it difficult to cope with their size in bed. They believe these ladies are not that energetic and good with extreme positions behind closed doors. I have also seen men who will never even want to associate themselves with slim women, they love everything big and it works for them. Some others don't care, they literally eat anything that comes their way just like that heavyweight boxer Andy Ruiz.

When a lady doesn't alter or pad her shape with this material stuffs, the man in question goes for what he wants and everybody ends up being happy getting what he so desires at the end of the day with maximum utility guaranteed unlike when some greedy women employ underhand tactics to hoodwink unsuspecting men. This is the same way the National Assembly pads the national budget with phantom projects and consequently making the current administration look bad.

Men who flirt around on social media have also been taking the hit. What they see in pictures are always totally different from what they get in reality. This also accounts for why some men are wary of light-skinned ladies online. They exploit nice angles, bright lights good locations, improved camera lens and picture-editing applications to come out with killer pictures which end up being in direct contrast to their actual beauty rating. Some even use these apps to allocate hips to themselves as the Nollywood actresses and singers do. They are called the 'iron-benders' and prominent faces have been caught in this act. I have heard of ladies 'sucking in their big tummies' in pictures to con men seeking flat tummies.

When the iPhone X series came out, many complained it made them look too beautiful as their looks were exaggerated. Their profiles on social media became more attractive and got more views but most men started getting a series of disappointments on meeting them.

Men who don't look at the heart of women before making certain romantic decisions have been at a loss. Nothing is real anymore. Bald-headed women suddenly get the longest and most beautiful hairs within 24 hrs by wearing wigs and a lady with a flat bum or small breasts today might show up next week with the natural features of Nicki Minaj with the introduction of liposuction. The truth is not the truth, the more you look, the less you see.

By Osayimwen Osahon George

Source: https://www.tori.ng/news/137872/warning-the-latest-fraud-committed-by-lagos-slay-q.html

This is nice. I pray he wins

They really look alike anyway. Make them nor go scatter the guy marriage oh

A picture that resembles a buzzing comedian asking a lady to remove her pants publicly has been trending online.

Segun Meroyi aka MC Tom, a Lagos-based entertainer and rib-cracker was shocked when his fans started sending him a picture of a man who shares a striking resemblance with him apparently taking undue advantage of a vulnerable lady.

Many wondered why MC Tom, a Born Again Christian and seeming perfect gentleman will condescend to ridicule a woman in public just to thrill his audience.

In the picture taken on a podium, a man holding a microphone appeared to be commanding a woman to pull off her underwear which she did.

The man calling the shot not only looks like MC Tom but they also share other similar physical attributes like complexion, stature, hairstyle, and colour of trouser.

When the picture was further investigated online via reverse image search, it was discovered that the man in the picture was an alleged fake pastor cajoling a female member of his congregation.

When contacted by Tori News, MC Tom explained that he feared for his reputation and happy marriage when the picture was linked to him.

" This might seem like a joke but it's not. I am happily married with three children and I respect women so much. I can't imagine myself pulling such a stunt on a woman under any guise. The man in the picture isn't me and will never be me" he said affirmatively.

Source: https://www.tori.ng/news/136711/supposed-picture-of-popular-comedian-pulling-down.html

1st picture - The mistaken picture of MC Tom

2nd and third pictures: The real pictures of MC Tom

CC CC Lalasticlala Seun Ishilove Mynd44 Dominique MissyB3 Fynestboi

If you are an ardent follower of international politics, you must have noticed that there is a current wave of protests across several countries as experienced during the Arab Spring of 2010. From last year to the beginning of this year, Algeria, Sudan, Tunisia, Serbia, Cambodia, Albania, Russia, Somalia, Nicaragua, Venezuela, France, Brazil, Colombia and others have had their own fair shares of protesters storming the streets to express their displeasure and loss of faith in government. At the later part of this year, Zimbabwe, Ukraine, Puerto Rico, United Kingdom, Hong Kong, Spain, Haiti, Chile, Peru, Argentina, Ecuador, Lebanon, Iraq, India, Egypt, Bolivia, Pakistan joined. Objectively speaking, these protests have been prompted by different factors varying from one country to another, but the commonest challenges most of these countries share are bad leadership, corruption, poor infrastructural facilities, and poor economy. The people feel betrayed by their leaders and the skewed system of government, hence, the need to withdraw their signatures from the Social Contract on the basis of which the government is in existence.

I have always argued over the years that the average citizen all over the world doesn't really care about politics. As far as they are informed at the surface level, they are satisfied. Anybody who is interested in looking deeper into the power play involved might be an academic, journalist or an aspiring politician, gathering knowledge of how the system in his country works. But things change in a flash when certain negative economic policies that limit human progress and comfort are made. Sometimes, it might have to do with a limitation of some fundamental human rights as stipulated in the United Nations Charter of 1945. When their general will is impeded on, everybody develops an interest in politics and they begin to ask questions they have ignored over the years.

I will give two recent examples; in Lebanon, the level of hardship was already stifling the people but the street was calm as nobody expressed any interest in starting a protest movement against the government. But the government which took the silence of the people for granted went ahead to propose a tax on WhatsApp calls and similar applications as part of efforts to raise revenues in the country's 2020 draft budget. In a twinkle of an eye, people stormed the streets to exercise their displeasure and anger. They were not just after a reversal of that proposed policy, they demanded an entire change of government. After days of resistance, the Prime Minister, Saad Hariri resigned and the protest is still on.

Chile whose economy has been witnessing a downturn increased the train fare and just like a fire outbreak, a political turmoil started. The people felt they have had enough and it was time to enforce a radical change in government.

The city of Hong Kong which is being controlled by China made a costly mistake that it's Chief Executive, Carrie Lam will forever regret. It proposed a bill to extradite offenders from the city to mainland China for trial and everything changed. The protest has been on for about 5 months and this has driven the city known for its beauty into economic recession.

Now, let's take the story back home and see how it affects Nigeria. With the level of economic hardship in Nigeria, poor infrastructural facilities, high cost of living, corruption, security breaches and lack of opportunities amidst other grave challenges, one wonders why the country's population of over 200 million is as cold as a dog's nose. How come the people have failed to realize the real power in a democratic dispensation rests in their hands and not the elderly politicians walking around on wobbly legs?

They are not fools, they only need a torchbearer to lead. It’s a case of the brave individual that will bell the cat and Nigeria which is battling with the Resource Curse just like Iraq, would boil. Over 300 protesters have been killed in Iraq, thousands injured by security operatives and the people are not backing down. A similar case of the resilience of protesters has been shown in Chile where the security operatives have been shooting directly at the faces of protesters. According to the New York Times, about 180 protesters have been partly blinded, the number is rising and the people have been resolute in the struggle. Nigeria could follow suit since there is always this contagious effect in politics like the widespread protest during the Arab Spring.

Omoyele Sowore, the founder of Sahara Reporters and a pro-democracy activist positioned himself as the biblical Moses with the special staff of authority to lead Nigerians out of the land of Egypt through the Red Sea. Sowore didn't hide his modus operandi which were to an extent reckless and questionable. He was vocal about it and this ended up being a costly mistake. Buhari knows things were about to go out of control with the organised 'days of rage' protest. He swiftly weakened the group by arresting the head before the massive indoctrination process was complete. This is the same way America weakens terrorist groups by killing their leaders e.g. al-Qaeda under Osama Bin Laden.

In my previous article on this topic which I centred on the decline of democracy across the world, I predicted a rough and tough time for Sowore. Even after being granted bail by the court, the Department of State Security has refused to release him and he has embarked on hunger strike to force his freedom. It might be hard to believe but Sowore is now occupying the living room in Buhari's head, rent-free. Buhari knows Sowore could start an uprising that could bring down his government. With the anger being suppressed by Nigerians who are now seeing the country like the biggest prison in the world, Sowore would have been perplexed about the outcome of the movement he was about to start. Buhari knows this and it has become his greatest fear.

I pray this administration focuses on governance and not politics so as to address any catalysts of a future national protest that could threaten peace, progress, and security in Nigeria. It's just a matter of time, another Sowore could rise up if things refuse to change. Sowore whose stock has risen since his arrest and detainment has planted seeds in the hearts of people and they are sprouting already. It's just a matter of time!

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

Source: https://www.tori.ng/news/135255/sowore-the-greatest-fear-of-president-buhari.html

CC Lalasticlala Seun Ishilove Mynd44 Dominique MissyB3 Fynestboi

This is highly unprofessional and so untrue. you just made me doubt your CV son.

KingAzubuike:
The girl is most likely not fertile. As a medical practitioner with over 17 yrs of practice both home and abroad, I can easily tell by having a closer look at her medial meniscus and femoral condycle in the fourth picture.

See more pictures

If there is anything you can't take away from this couple, its the fact that there are good-looking, young and fond of each other.

Ifeanyi Nwakaudu will be walking down the aisle with his sweetheart Sandra Onyeso in a couple of weeks and they have decided to share their pre-wedding pictures with us.

The couple after a debate on some concepts of photography decided to recreate their high school pictures in which they treated assignments together.

This is reminiscent of what was obtainable while we were growing up in which a brilliant boy knowledgeable in Mathematics could win the hearts of the finest girl in the class.

They also switched to a more corporate and mature concept of pictures at the later stage of the shoot to reflect their present realities. Sandra Onyeso couldn't stop laughing throughout the photoshoot as seen in the pictures.

We at TORI News wish the lovebirds the best in life as they start a new phase of adulthood.

Source: https://www.tori.ng/news/134776/sweet-romance-beautiful-couple-recreate-high-schoo.html

While growing up as a child from a very humble background, he regularly found succour in the songs of popular gospel singer Tope Alabi. Even when he gained admission to the Obafemi Awolowo University to study Political Science in 2005, the woman's inspirational songs kept him going in the face of life challenges.

Tope Alabi from the onset cemented her stand as one of the evergreen gospel singers whose songs will forever remain relevant even after her sojourn on earth.

Meroyi Olusegun popularly known as MC Tom never thought he would one day headline the same event with the celebrity of Yoruba extraction. The day finally came on the 16th of August, 2019 at the Ejigbo, Lagos and it wasn't just Tope Alabi that he met dignitaries like Dr. Lanre Teriba (Atorise), Detoun Praise, Evangelist Olusola Dosumu and other prominent entertainment icons in the South-western part of Nigeria were also part of the show.

MC Tom who is now a popular comedian, a father of three and a fantastic husband to a beautiful lawyer brought out his mobile phone publicly to take selfies with his idol.

He was full of admiration of her and according to him, the event has given him a high sense of fulfilment.

In his words:

'This is a dream come true because I have always been blessed with her songs right from the days she was brought to the Obafemi Awolowo University as a guest artiste.

She worships God with ease. Being on the same stage with her simply means the anointing that worked for will definitely work for me

After the event, while we were taking pictures, she said, 'Tom, you will go far in this field, just make sure you remain in Christ even when you fame comes' and I simply said an affirmative Amen because it came with authority'

Source: https://www.tori.ng/news/133955/the-moment-comedian-met-veteran-singer-tope-alabi.html

CC Lalasticlala Seun Ishilove Mynd44 Dominique MissyB3 Fynestboi

There are two sets of people in Nigeria who have sworn never to tell the truth even if the heavens will fall. They are the clerics and the politicians. I say this with all sense of responsibility. Although, there are still very few decent figures among the clerics but as for the latter, the judicial system in heaven might skip their trial procedures and condemn them to hell fire without fair hearing because they don't deserve it.

When I moved to Lagos State in 2015, it didn't take much time to realize that majority of the churches here are just mere social gatherings and business centres. They are mere beautiful and well-structured buildings with a set of people organized for 'meet and greet' purposes. Some churches had more problems than their members and these challenges were largely financial. The implication of this is that you stand a good chance of leaving the church services poorer than you came after being cajoled by some motivational speakers in suits posing as pastors to sow seeds like farmers. Due to my personal experiences and other people's accounts, I didn't expect much from the churches anymore.

I just enjoyed some selected teachings, prayers, praise and worship sessions and went home quietly. I was very much wary of prophecies because they are mostly the imaginations or mere wishes of the speakers. Specifically, I stay alert with suspicion the moment I hear the phrase; 'And the Lord said to me'
Well this doesn't totally mean God doesn't speak to some people but that phrase has been abused by several pastors. We don't know who actually heard from God anymore.

I never knew the rot in the church was that deep and stinking until a few days ago when a social media user spotted fraudulent acts perpetrated by some 'god of men' parading themselves as shepherds across the country. A middle-aged woman suffering from a medical condition known as Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome (EDS) - a group of genetic connective tissue disorders with symptoms which may include loose joints, joint pain, stretchy skin, and abnormal scar formation is being paraded around by pastors to display their spiritual healing powers.

So far, 5 pastors in Nigeria have employed the services of this unnamed woman who has mastered the theatrics of stretching her bulgy hands thin during organized prayer sessions. In a well-choreographed manner synonymous to Nollywood productions, the woman stretches her hand as the pastors intensified prayers and their audience cheered as they experienced 'signs and wonders' to prove that their leader has a connection with God.

The pastors are very smart; they are aware that Nigerians are not interested in the genuine gospel of holiness and salvation anymore. They crave more for shortcuts to wealth and unmerited favours. Most people are brainwashed to believe that one elderly woman from their paternal or maternal families with brown teeth and tattered clothes in a remote village is monitoring their progresses in life through one mystic bowl of water. The pastors stage miracles to prove that they could subdue those spiritual forces and afflictions which might not even exist. The congregation follows these pastors sheepishly and their pockets suffer consequently. The pastors get richer and graduate from riding the best cars to flying in private jets around the world while the contributing members wait for their rewards in heaven.

From time immemorial, fear has been a potent measure of controlling humans. It works better on Africans who generally lack critical and analytical skills. The best way to ensure the cooperation of a Nigerian is by telling him you have spiritual powers. Even if he doubts you, he wouldn't want to take chances with you. He gives you this sort of instant respect and needed space. This is psychological tool used by most pastors to control their members. For example, specifically in April 2018, when Daddy Freeze intensified his campaign against the payment of tithes, Pastor E.A Adeboye, the General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God didn't bother to counter his claims with scriptural references, he only said those who fail to pay tithes will go to hell fire.

“Make it clear to them. Anyone who is not paying his tithe is not going to heaven. Full stop.” he said.

Politicians also use the fear factor to control the people. Most people wish to revolt against the President Muhammadu Buhari government due to the untold economic hardship but they are scared of sustaining bodily harm or having their freedoms denied like Omoyele Sowore. This is the same way most members lack the courage to question the decisions of their clerics as they fear the wrath of God. It's clear that both politicians and clerics use the same playbook. Even in the face of sex scandals and brazen corruption, some members still find it hard to take concrete decisions as regards their membership of certain churches.

2 of the pastors who hired the services of the 'miracle vixen' of a woman have been identified as Prophet Abbey Godswill, who is reportedly the founder of Ambassadors of Christ Assembly and the popular Dr Chris Okafor, a leader and founder of Mountain Of Liberation and Miracle Ministry, also known as Liberation City who is a 'good friend' of the media for publicity purposes.

While most of the indicted pastors have buried their heads in shame and kept silent, a church official of Pastor Chris Okafor kicked with an explanation that could make the Guinness Book of Records as the lamest and dumbest of all time. He reportedly said:

“The woman was in our church really. But you know in this issue of deliverance, some people could be delivered here and then go back to where they stayed before and the attack would return. That was what happened to the woman,”

My major grouse is not about the fake miracle per see, it's more about the fact that the woman isn't well paid for her services. She has been wearing the same clothes multiple times and this shows that these pastors might be underpaying her while they rip their members like Shylock.

Staged miracles are not new in Nigeria. The only issue is that they come in different dimensions with very creative scripts. It's still fresh in our memories how actor Jim Iyke was in year 2013 'delivered' at the Synagogue of All Nations of a demon that delayed him from getting married. He rolled on the floor with the kind of energy and skills he puts into his movies. He is 43 years old and not married till date. Prophet T.B Joshua who conducted the miracle later predicted the outcome of the 2016 U.S election wrongly. In 2017, he also healed the notorious
'Snake Pastor’ Penuel Mnguni of End Times Disciples Ministries in South Africa which turned out to be false.

Pastor Alph Lukau of the Alleluia Ministries International in South Africa also released a video of how he raised a man from dead. Less than 24hrs later, the Zimbabwean man named man, Brighton ‘Elliot’ Moyo was discovered to have been his cameraman. He allegedly died of HIV, kidney failure and tuberculosis days after the exposure.

Unemployment and poverty are prevalent in Nigeria coupled with illiteracy which has made people vulnerable. The inadequacy of regulatory bodies like the Christian Association of Nigeria and the Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria, PFN has made it easy for the people to be exploited. There is no quality control in Christendom. Every Tom, Dick and Harry can just wake up and set up a church and start to look for members to extort tithes and offerings from after threatening them with the hell fire experience. The religious entrepreneur makes so much profit from the religious venture without remitting tax to the government. The fact that there is mostly no transparency in the church finances makes the heist easier for those corporate con artists. The government needs to wade in like President Paul Kagame did in Rwanda. All pastors should obtain credible and verifiable certificates in theology. They should be registered and issued licenses before allowing them preach the gospel. This sounds awkward but it will help screen out some religious investors and opportunists.

CAN and PFN should also be empowered to take disciplinary actions against erring pastors and their churches. We should stop leaving them to God for judgement because they don't fear God. Most of them will leave the ministry for other viable jobs if the collection of tithes and offerings is banned.


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

Source: http://www.villagetowncrier.com/2019/10/fake-miracles-baffling-story-of-woman.html

CC Lalasticlala Seun Ishilove Mynd44 Dominique MissyB3 Fynestboi

Within a space of two years, a man with no decent history, no evident entrepreneurial ideas or viable business ventures and limited education bought a McLaren 'flying car', Lamborghini Urus, Ferrari 488 Spider, 2020 Rolls Royce Wraith Eagle III, Range Rover Autobiography and other exotic cars and Nigerians on social media started 'tapping' into his blessings.

Nobody cared to know his source(s) of income. They assembled on his Instagram page where he showcases his ostentatious life and started begging him for crumbs. Even Nigerian celebrities weren't left out, they sacrificed their egos to be associated with him. Despite the fact that they could smell from a distance that he was shady, nobody really cared as long as they could be beneficiaries of his largesse.

In early October 2019, Ismaila Mustapha aka Mompha who is based in Dubai announced that he bought the one of the 2020 collection of the Rolls Royce Wraith Eagle III reportedly worth N180 million. He claims to be the first African to buy the car which is of a limited edition, specifically 50 pieces in the world.


In one of his posts on Instagram, he once said he drives the 'Rolls Royce Wraith in the morning and Range Rover Autobiography in the afternoon'.This is apart from the expensive clothes, shoes and other pieces of jewellery in his possession. He is a premium customer of the Emirates Airline and he always flies first class. He even nicknamed himself a 'citizen of the sky' due to his regular foreign trips. Now the question is this: What does Mompha do for a living? He claims to be a Bureau de Change operator. Even the president of the Bureau de Change operators in Nigeria, Alhaji Aminu Gwadabe can't bask in the kind of luxury Mompha displayed. As he showcased his wealth online, he gathered over 650,000 followers on Instagram by doing regular giveaways and people worshipped at his feet. His former friend-turned-foe Raymond Igbalodely aka Hushpuppi was also, on the other hand, showing off items that could stun the richest man in Nigeria, Aliko Dangote.

These are interesting times. In the past, people with questionable sources of income always live in hiding. They could be briefly seen but they don't want to be heard from. They avoid media attention like James 'Ghost' St. Patrick, the main protagonist in Power TV series. One of the greatest mistakes Colombian drug lord Pablo Escobar made was venturing into politics. The U.S frowned at him making Colombia an official hard drugs cartel and immediately started exposing him. Today, we have people like Mompha and Hushpuppi associating with bloggers and celebrities to gain media attention. Mompha loves to show his wealth and brag. Hushpuppi takes it further by even commenting on public issues and offering his vivid opinion. He hardly denies being an internet fraudster. When he was called out last year by an activist Deji Adeyanju, Hushpuppi didn't bother denying who he is. He only did a long video detailing how much he has suffered in his life and how he made it to the 'top' and Nigerians changed their stance about him after listening to his phoney tales.

Earlier this year, Nollywood actor Charles Okocha holidayed in the house of Mompha in Dubai. He was taken around town in some of his cars and they even did a comic skit together. He must have left his house with some crisp dollar notes stuffs in the pockets of his tight jeans. This was all aimed at giving Mompha the media attention and visibility he hungrily craves for on the internet.
In the comment section of Mompha's Instagram page, you will find an assembly of female celebrities especially from the Yoruba section of Nollywood lobbying to be 'blessed'. One of the greatest fans of Mompha is a social media influencer, Tunde Ednut who is one of the top two Nigerian influencers on Instagram. Late last year, Mompha gave him a sum of one million Naira to share among his followers during a regular giveaway exercise. Before then, he had always given him monies to Tunde Ednut who shares his handles over the place. All these are done for the purpose of advertising Mompha's Instagram page to the world. He wanted to be a public figure by all means.


Other rich guys rumoured to be into internet fraud also sponsored the music of artistes for the same purpose. They make cameo appearances in music videos and the artistes stamp their names all over their songs as some sort of honour all in a bid to be identified with by the general public.

The almighty Daddy Freeze isn't left out despite his self-acclaimed public persona as an idealist, reformer and fiery critic of Christian clerics. Daddy Freeze travelled to Dubai with his baby mama and was hosted by Hushpuppi. Daddy Freeze who claims to be an 'online pastor' was so drunk in the wealth of Hushpuppi that he interviewed him and showcased his luxury home and cars without making enquires about his profession. Since then, Daddy Freeze has been singing the name of Hushpuppi just like the way North Koreans rock the songs of praises of Supreme leader, Kim Jong Un. That video Daddy Freeze made with Hushpuppi will one day come back to haunt him; he is beginning to lose his credibility rapidly.

The implication of this publicity strategies is that fraud became attractive to everyone. The younger generation started feeling it's the way to go. People started giving up on developing themselves academically and vocationally. The mentality instantly became about fast money, fast cars, exotic hotels, designer clothes and the best of women.

The situation in Nigeria made their mindsets justifiable. We have leaders who are talented in corruption and they are working assiduously to loot every day. Nigeria has an unemployment rate of 23% and over 90 million people live in extreme poverty. The Human Development Index rates Nigeria lower than an slowpoke's IQ. Most intelligent people get frustrated and suicide became the only way to leave Nigeria and start all over again in heaven. Internet fraudsters popularly called Yahoo Boys used this opportunity to seek justification and validation about what they do. They won arguments on Instagram popularly used for showing off. From their colourful lifestyles shown in pictures and videos, funny handles and badly written English language, we knew them. They shared money regularly online and started getting massive followings.

During this period, Nigerian musicians namely Simi and Falz were attacked for speaking against internet fraud. A controversial rapper and United Kingdom returnee, Naira Marley linked the current spate of fraud to a payback mechanism for the pains of slavery inflicted on Africans by white men. Even one of the biggest music acts in Nigeria, Davido retweeted his view to show endorsement.

Yahoo Yahoo became a big debate online and the con artists were winning the conversations. Most ladies surprisingly were behind their backs. During that period, you could walk up to a lady and be like 'My name is Jesse, I like you, I am a Yahoo Boy and she will jump into your hands'. This is because she believes this is the 'profession' that could efficiently pay her bills and help her 'slay' to the envy of her friends online. During this period, jokes of Nigerians ladies desiring a "god-fearing Yahoo boy for a serious relationship" pervaded the Nigerian social media space.

Truth be told, most of these suspected internet fraudsters gave their female lovers the best treats, they always end up being spoiled with the good things of life and this increased their tastes. Their tastes became unrealistic as they couldn't find such young men with deep pockets in their immediate environments. This was how the Momphas of this world gradually changed our societal values and behavioural patterns although one can't solely blame them for the acts of greed by the women.

In life, most people don't have it perfect. Even the top stars we celebrate across the world have dark sides in their lives. They got their hands dirty in their transition to greatness while dealing with difficult situations but they never stopped there, their eyes were on the bigger picture. American rapper, 50 Cent was once into drugs and heavyweight boxer Anthony Joshua also pleaded guilty to possession with intent to supply a class B drug in 2011. Today, these people are living better lives doing legitimate jobs. Most internet fraudsters want to do it for the rest of their lives. They are addicted to easy money. They wish the government could legalize it and even create a special industry for them. They want to gain wide acceptance in society and be accorded medals.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC later changed the narrative at the beginning of this year when it started its incessant harvest of Yahoo Boys. Parading them on social media followed by critical comments of critics reduced the morale of the fraudsters who felt ashamed. Nobody wanted that kind of ignominy to be brought upon himself and his family or friends. They started hiding their faces although some myopic people will still argue that the EFCC should go after politicians who they believe are the real problems of Nigeria.

The future of Nigeria seems bleak with the Momphas and Hushpuppis of this world being allowed to strive. They don't look like the problems of Nigeria and many will argue fallaciously that they should be allowed to operate and help their poor families. The truth is that the activities of these men gradually pollute the minds of vulnerable people who have issues with reading between the lines when they consume social media contents. This mostly leads to depression as they wonder why a man who isn't as qualified as them educationally or in terms of intelligence would be living in affluence while they struggle with a take-home-pay that can't actually take them home. After several doubts, they assume internet fraud could be the way forward and they will use our so-called corrupt leaders as the justification for their actions.

How does this affect Nigeria? There is a connection between leadership and followership. Bad leaders are made by bad followers. There is a strong likelihood that a bad leader had always been a bad follower before mounting the podium of leadership. Most of the people who adore the fraudsters will find their way to public offices with that mentality of defrauding people and living the best of life like their mentors. It becomes apparent that the vicious cycle of corruption in high places will never end with the generation of the current elderly politicians, the detrimental values will or has been passed on to the younger ones who I believe will set new records.


How much more can Nigeria endure the challenges of bad leadership and corruption which have crippled the country despite the human and mineral resources at its disposal?

An estimated $582 billion has been stolen from Nigeria since independence in 1960 according to a Chatham House May 2017 report. The only industry working perfectly well in Nigeria is the corruption industry and this is why most of our politicians are richer than the businessmen because that's the only gateway to instant and unimaginable wealth.


On this note, the arrest of Mompha is a welcome development and a reality check for unscrupulous people who want to live big out of stealing big from people. Using him as a deterrent will at least trigger the factory reset button in the brains of Nigerian youths whose minds might have been corrupted with the quantum of malicious contents they have consumed on social media.

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

Source: http://www.villagetowncrier.com/2019/10/a-closer-look-at-arrest-of-suspect.html

CC Lalasticlala Seun Ishilove Mynd44 Dominique MissyB3 Fynestboi

It's no more news that Vector has accepted the rap battle challenge being organized by one Willie Xo to face legendary rapper Jude Abaga aka M.I. At first, Willie Xo who is also struggling to make a bold statement with his own music career immediately put N20 million on the table for both rappers to have a face-off at a set date at the Eko Hotel and Suites, Lagos State before their fans. As both parties ignored the U.S-based organizer, he added an extra N10 million to his offer to make it N30 million. This time around, he even showed off the interior of his Bentley luxury car in a short video either for clout or to prove that he is capable of affording the cash. A suspected internet fraudster, Hushpuppi also offered to add N10 million to the funds promised by Willie to make it N40 million which the winner of the battle is entitled to fully claim.

Willie went as far as giving Vector a call to prove to him that he is serious and I guess he must have also reached out to M.I too but his end has been quiet. Vector made a short video on Friday in which he accepted the challenge and claimed he just needed the time and venue to take on M.I. The caption of the post on his Instagram page read "What's a rat to a snake when there' N40mil on d table? @williexo let's do this"

M.I has sworn never to reply Vector again and he has refused to speak to journalists on the issue despite the fact that Vector's last diss song which was powerful enough to keep the names of three rap figures namely M.I, Jesse Jagz, and Milli trending massively on Twitter at the same time raised serious questions. In fact, M.I will be leaving the country temporarily to kickstart his U.S tour tagged 'No Snakes' while Vector moves freely around to promote his upcoming music album.

When Vector dropped his second diss track Tetracycline after The Purge with Payper and Vader, M.I laughed it off on Twitter. He claimed the song was wack and even went as far as stating it wasn't worth his response. He said he was going to reply Vector on the ground that he claimed M.I's fans are dumb. As M.I's fans hailed him on social media, he actively joined the conversations and even posted the diss song by Vector. Truth be told, the song wasn't good enough so M.I was confident he could obliterate Vector with just one single shot from his armoury. And yes, he finally did on a boring Saturday when the news atmosphere wasn't forthcoming. M.I dropped his diss song and gave Nigerians something to talk about. Even people who never liked rap music were forced to listen to the song in order to join the conversation. M.I had a field day and many even feared Vector could either slip into depression or commit suicide due to the severity of the trolling online.

Real hip-hop heads knew the battle was just starting concerning Vector's abilities and lyrical prowess. Vector is a talented rapper and lyricist. M.I was right when he said Vector didn't reach his full potentials. Vector lacks a vivid understanding of the Nigerian music industry. The father of one has produced good products that the public wasn't interested in consuming. It was like selling luxury clothes in a rural area, only a few people would patronize you. M.I gave the public what they want. He made millions of people including females to love rap by making rhymes with what they could relate with and capping it with nice hooks. This gave M.I much financial success and till date, he has focused on the business side of music to stay afloat. His energy is diverted elsewhere and his rap abilities have declined considerably. M.I has tried though; over a decade of being on top of the rap game is no joke. At some point in Nigeria, every artiste just had to keep a verse for him on their songs to attract listeners. What a great feat!
His special place in the history of African hip-hop is forever assured.

On the other hand, M.I was never strong enough to deal with Vector. This is synonymous to a case of heavyweight boxer Mike Tyson coming out of retirement to fight Anthony Joshua who is in his prime. Murder will be the case like Patrick Day (R.I.P). This doesn't mean Tyson's legacy will be erased or that Joshua is now greater than him, it actually means his time is gone.

If you listen to Vector's first single 'Kilode', you will realize that he came into the industry with this demeanour of a warrior. He even started his music at the University of Lagos with rap battles. On 'Kilode', he apparently talked about battling M.I whom he referred to as a 'cool kid'. Vector went ahead to win the Headies Lyricist On The Roll awards twice, and he did the longest rap freestyle in Africa which lasted for two hours on Rhythm FM. Vector who is younger than M.I has so much gas left in his tank to carry him. One of the challenges of Vector is that he is more focused on cementing his stand as a rap heavyweight rather than entertaining people with good music. This was the same mistake another veteran rapper Mode9 made. Vector would rather win the battle and lose the war. Like M.I said, 'don't just win in beef, win in life'. Vector might not mind choosing the former.

Another point is that Vector at times gets too confident and cocky on the beat, tries to improvise with his style and ends up not making any sense at all. Nobody will go download a manual to understand his music. Who has that time?

When Vector's song dropped, M.I was loudly silent on Twitter. It was so strange. He must have been following the conversations on Twitter from the corner of his room. This time, he never posted it. He went as far as unfollowing and blocking people who didn't support him on social media. M.I must have played the song more than any Nigerian. The song had too many low blows. Even though some fans tried to act as if it was lame, they knew deep down M.I was hurt and could need some time to recover. He must be thinking of safeguarding his legacy right now.

Indigenous rapper Zoro was smart enough to enlist rappers M.I and Vector on the remix of his song titled 'One one One'. It appeared MI was threatening Vector while the latter didn't even know M.I was going to be on the song.

In conclusion, M.I will be making a deadly mistake if he accepts to battle Vector. Vector might also get a black eye but I am confident of him humiliating M.I. Already, Vector has already created doubts in the minds of M.I's fans and it would get worse. If M.I is the rat as Vector claims, then the whole house has been littered with booby traps to catch it dead or alive.

Anyway, the rap battle was never going to happen after all. In this era of clout-chasing, everybody is an opportunist trying to gain more social media followers and influence. Even Daddy Freeze who is a 'pastor' or 'spiritual blogger' like a troll said dined with Hushpuppi in Dubai and released a documentary of sorts to hype the young man. Willie might just be exploiting the beef to boost his own popularity. He is largely an underachiever in music. What does he really do for a living? Where is the money coming from? Why can't he invest those funds in his own career? He promised to bring important personalities like Tim Westwood and other judges across the world, who would pay for the logistics? This reeks of 'Audio Money'

The most significant thing Willie has done over the years is not even related to music, it's doing giveaways on Instagram is which to lure people to follow him. The fact that Hushpuppi has volunteered to drop N10 million makes it more ridiculous. Hushpuppi is a young man that has made an admirable career out of make-believe. Apart from posing with cars that are not his own, he has a long history of absconding on social media after promising people money. Controversial blogger and self-acclaimed investigative journalist Kemi Omololu Olunloyo was his last victim. Apart from this, a rap battle of two established artistes has never happened anywhere in the world and Nigeria is never really interested in making history in positive areas.

Willie and Hushpuppi are being smart, they know all these and are just playing to the gallery. I can bet my life that both parties will cry more than Nollywood actor Hilda Dokubo if the rappers accept the challenge.

Written by Osayimwen Osahon George

Source: http://www.villagetowncrier.com/2019/10/rap-battle-who-wants-jude-mi-abaga-dead.html

CC Lalasticlala Seun Ishilove Mynd44 Dominique MissyB3 Fynestboi

It's no more news that Vector has accepted the rap battle challenge being organized by one Willie Xo to face legendary rapper Jude Abaga aka M.I. At first, Willie Xo who is also struggling to make a bold statement with his own music career immediately put N20 million on the table for both rappers to have a face-off at a set date at the Eko Hotel and Suites, Lagos State before their fans. As both parties ignored the U.S-based organizer, he added an extra N10 million to his offer to make it N30 million. This time around, he even showed off the interior of his Bentley luxury car in a short video either for clout or to prove that he is capable of affording the cash. A suspected internet fraudster, Hushpuppi also offered to add N10 million to the funds promised by Willie to make it N40 million which the winner of the battle is entitled to fully claim.

Willie went as far as giving Vector a call to prove to him that he is serious and I guess he must have also reached out to M.I too but his end has been quiet. Vector made a short video on Friday in which he accepted the challenge and claimed he just needed the time and venue to take on M.I. The caption of the post on his Instagram page read "What's a rat to a snake when there' N40mil on d table? @williexo let's do this"

M.I has sworn never to reply Vector again and he has refused to speak to journalists on the issue despite the fact that Vector's last diss song which was powerful enough to keep the names of three rap figures namely M.I, Jesse Jagz, and Milli trending massively on Twitter at the same time raised serious questions. In fact, M.I will be leaving the country temporarily to kickstart his U.S tour tagged 'No Snakes' while Vector moves freely around to promote his upcoming music album.

When Vector dropped his second diss track Tetracycline after The Purge with Payper and Vader, M.I laughed it off on Twitter. He claimed the song was wack and even went as far as stating it wasn't worth his response. He said he was going to reply Vector on the ground that he claimed M.I's fans are dumb. As M.I's fans hailed him on social media, he actively joined the conversations and even posted the diss song by Vector. Truth be told, the song wasn't good enough so M.I was confident he could obliterate Vector with just one single shot from his armoury. And yes, he finally did on a boring Saturday when the news atmosphere wasn't forthcoming. M.I dropped his diss song and gave Nigerians something to talk about. Even people who never liked rap music were forced to listen to the song in order to join the conversation. M.I had a field day and many even feared Vector could either slip into depression or commit suicide due to the severity of the trolling online.

Real hip-hop heads knew the battle was just starting concerning Vector's abilities and lyrical prowess. Vector is a talented rapper and lyricist. M.I was right when he said Vector didn't reach his full potentials. Vector lacks a vivid understanding of the Nigerian music industry. The father of one has produced good products that the public wasn't interested in consuming. It was like selling luxury clothes in a rural area, only a few people would patronize you. M.I gave the public what they want. He made millions of people including females to love rap by making rhymes with what they could relate with and capping it with nice hooks. This gave M.I much financial success and till date, he has focused on the business side of music to stay afloat. His energy is diverted elsewhere and his rap abilities have declined considerably. M.I has tried though; over a decade of being on top of the rap game is no joke. At some point in Nigeria, every artiste just had to keep a verse for him on their songs to attract listeners. What a great feat!
His special place in the history of African hip-hop is forever assured.

On the other hand, M.I was never strong enough to deal with Vector. This is synonymous to a case of heavyweight boxer Mike Tyson coming out of retirement to fight Anthony Joshua who is in his prime. Murder will be the case like Patrick Day (R.I.P). This doesn't mean Tyson's legacy will be erased or that Joshua is now greater than him, it actually means his time is gone.

If you listen to Vector's first single 'Kilode', you will realize that he came into the industry with this demeanour of a warrior. He even started his music at the University of Lagos with rap battles. On 'Kilode', he apparently talked about battling M.I whom he referred to as a 'cool kid'. Vector went ahead to win the Headies Lyricist On The Roll awards twice, and he did the longest rap freestyle in Africa which lasted for two hours on Rhythm FM. Vector who is younger than M.I has so much gas left in his tank to carry him. One of the challenges of Vector is that he is more focused on cementing his stand as a rap heavyweight rather than entertaining people with good music. This was the same mistake another veteran rapper Mode9 made. Vector would rather win the battle and lose the war. Like M.I said, 'don't just win in beef, win in life'. Vector might not mind choosing the former.

Another point is that Vector at times gets too confident and cocky on the beat, tries to improvise with his style and ends up not making any sense at all. Nobody will go download a manual to understand his music. Who has that time?

When Vector's song dropped, M.I was loudly silent on Twitter. It was so strange. He must have been following the conversations on Twitter from the corner of his room. This time, he never posted it. He went as far as unfollowing and blocking people who didn't support him on social media. M.I must have played the song more than any Nigerian. The song had too many low blows. Even though some fans tried to act as if it was lame, they knew deep down M.I was hurt and could need some time to recover. He must be thinking of safeguarding his legacy right now.

Indigenous rapper Zoro was smart enough to enlist rappers M.I and Vector on the remix of his song titled 'One one One'. It appeared MI was threatening Vector while the latter didn't even know M.I was going to be on the song.

In conclusion, M.I will be making a deadly mistake if he accepts to battle Vector. Vector might also get a black eye but I am confident of him humiliating M.I. Already, Vector has already created doubts in the minds of M.I's fans and it would get worse. If M.I is the rat as Vector claims, then the whole house has been littered with booby traps to catch it dead or alive.

Anyway, the rap battle was never going to happen after all. In this era of clout-chasing, everybody is an opportunist trying to gain more social media followers and influence. Even Daddy Freeze who is a 'pastor' or 'spiritual blogger' like a troll said dined with Hushpuppi in Dubai and released a documentary of sorts to hype the young man. Willie might just be exploiting the beef to boost his own popularity. He is largely an underachiever in music. What does he really do for a living? Where is the money coming from? Why can't he invest those funds in his own career? He promised to bring important personalities like Tim Westwood and other judges across the world, who would pay for the logistics? This reeks of 'Audio Money'

The most significant thing Willie has done over the years is not even related to music, it's doing giveaways on Instagram is which to lure people to follow him. The fact that Hushpuppi has volunteered to drop N10 million makes it more ridiculous. Hushpuppi is a young man that has made an admirable career out of make-believe. Apart from posing with cars that are not his own, he has a long history of absconding on social media after promising people money. Controversial blogger and self-acclaimed investigative journalist Kemi Omololu Olunloyo was his last victim. Apart from this, a rap battle of two established artistes has never happened anywhere in the world and Nigeria is never really interested in making history in positive areas.

Willie and Hushpuppi are being smart, they know all these and are just playing to the gallery. I can bet my life that both parties will cry more than Nollywood actor Hilda Dokubo if the rappers accept the challenge.

Written by Osayimwen Osahon George

Source: http://www.villagetowncrier.com/2019/10/rap-battle-who-wants-jude-mi-abaga-dead.html

CC Lalasticlala Seun Ishilove Mynd44 Dominique MissyB3 Fynestboi