₦airaland Forum

More pictures

Despite the rains and the cold weather in London, United Kingdom, a group of Nigerians in diaspora came out en masse to campaign against the political developments in Nigeria.

A group of Nigerians in the United Kingdom under the aegis of the Concerned Nigerians Living in the UK (CNLUK) have strongly condemned the suspension of the number five citizen of Nigeria, CJN Walter Onnoghen amid other political issues in the public domain.

The group described Onnoghen's suspension as an attempt by the executive arm of government under the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari to undermine the judiciary and the override the essence of the rule of law in Nigeria.

Speaking through its convener - Dr Wilson Diriwari during a protest under the bad weather at 1:00pm (London time) at Nigerian High Commission in London, the group accuses Buhari of incumbent government of President Muhammadu Buhari is unleashing fear and terror on opponents from other parties.

The group cautioned the present government against taking the path of violence, anarchy and national unrest.

Source: https://www.tori.ng/news/115547/nigerians-in-the-uk-brace-bad-weather-to-protest-a.html

One salient treasure the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC has lost in the last three and a half years is public trust.

This present administration was able to easily increase fuel price, electricity tariffs, delay setting up a cabinet, enjoy relative calm when the economy was in recession coupled with the depreciation of the Naira and prosecute high profile public figures without any major protests on the streets because people believed in the government.

Today, the approval rating of the APC might be below 20% if measured and this has grave implications. A major sign of loss of legitimacy is that the people will start to perceive every action or inaction of the government wrongly. The goodwill of the government of the day will be overshadowed by noise, conspiracy theories and criticisms. This signifies a disconnection between the government and the people. If this is not well managed during an election period, the government should be ready to pack its bags unless it wants to be like President Daniel Ortega in Nicaragua, President Omar al-Bashir in Sudan, President Nicolás Maduro in Venezuela, Pierre Nkurunziza in Burundi, Paul Biya in Cameroon, Faure Gnassingbé President of Togo, Bashar al-Assad in Syria and other very unpopular governments.

Before I delve into Buhari’s lapses fully, I will like to make reference to a similar issue around the world which has to do with the essence of public trust. The youngest lawmaker in the US, new Democratic Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez proposed a 70% tax rate for the rich. A senior columnist at Yahoo Finance – Rick Newman discredited her proposal citing the distrust in government in the U.S.

According to Rick Newman, in 1958, 73% of Americans said they trusted the federal government to do the right thing most of the time. By 2017, that had fallen to 18%. Surveys show that a majority of Americans don’t trust Washington with their tax dollars, and voters think the government wastes about half of all the money it collects.

This issue of public distrust will hinder any government from making bold moves without any public opprobrium like what President Emmanuel Macron is facing with the Yellow Vest protesters in France due to his rising fuel prices, high cost of living and other economic challenges.

When a former President, Goodluck Ebele Jonathan removed the fuel subsidy in 2012, it was like he committed political hara-kiri. He also infamously explained that 'stealing is not corruption'. Intellectually speaking, he was right but because of his low approval ratings at that point in time, his explanation was misconstrued by the public and his image was further tainted. The backlash even lived after his administration.
Today, it’s the APC turn to face the downsides of public distrust in which the people listen to public speeches with their ears blocked and also read press statements upside down.

The APC has costly started the year on a very bad note and they are in for more stumbling blocks. The leaked audio tapes of the Minister of Transport , Rotimi Amaechi who doubles as the Director-General of the Buhari 2019 presidential campaign in which he disparaged his principal is like a gully erosion that will eat up the foundation of the Buhari campaign structures. Amaechi has been presented as a conman selling a product he doesn’t use or believe in. Apart from this, the arrangement of Buhari’s rare interview with the Arise TV network in which the presidency rejected the plan for a live interview, barred Arise TV correspondents from conducting the interview, prevented them from using their equipment but rather allowed the national TV station, NTA to record and hand over the raw files to Arise TV reeks of suspicions. Many have asked; ‘What are they hiding?’ ‘Is he truly suffering from dementia or is he actually the impostor Jubril Aminu Al Sudani as separatist leader, Nnamdi Kanu claimed?’

The Federal Government's decision to abandon due process and prosecute the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Walter Onnoghen for false declaration of assets has been interpreted as a futuristic move of President Muhammadu Buhari to compromise the judiciary ahead of a possible unfavourable presidential election result. Many have wondered the motive behind the speedy trial of Onnoghen when the petition against the Minister of Power, Works and Housing, Babatunde Fashola by Coalition Against Corrupt Leaders. CACOL hasn't been attended to. The same government which ignored the Ganduje's dollar bribe videos, petitions against Rotimi Amaechi, Governor Kayode Fayemi and the clamour for the prosecution of the former SGF, Babachir Lawal, former DSS director, Lawal Daura and several APC faithful with questions to answer.

There is a palpable fear that votes will not count on the 16th of February which is the day of Nigeria's presidential election. The ordeal of Onnoghen is seen as a plan of Buhari to hold unto to power like former President Laurent Gbagbo did in Ivory Coast in 2010. The top gainer is the presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, Atiku Abubakar who is seen as Buhari's major challenger and viable option considering his popularity and party's deep-rooted structure in Nigeria.

Last week was a long one for Buhari. His performance at the ‘The Candidates’ town hall meeting further explains why his media team has been hiding him over the years. The president suddenly became a spectator while dressed as a player. He stared at his Vice President Yemi Osinbajo like he was transmitting the messages to the latter's brain through infrared. Many people who didn't believe U.S President Donald Trump called him 'lifeless' had a rethink.

In Kogi State, Buhari slipped during a presidential campaign. While that is normal, this has been weaponized and many have attributed that to his rumoured health and age. Another video also showed Buhari missing his steps as he tried to take a seat at an APC rally in Kaduna State.
Buhari gave credibility to those who claim he is suffering from dementia when he said he assumed power on the 19th of May, 2018 instead of May 29 the same year. He also reportedly said he assumed power as a military ruler in 1984 when he actually did in December, 1983.

As his supporters fought hard on social media to dominate after the myriad of faux pax, the 76 year old leader was unto the next gaffe. He apparently endorsed Great Ovedje Ogboru in Delta State as the "presidential, senatorial and 'governortorial' candidate' of the APC while handing over the party's flag to him originally as a gubernatorial candidate. The video was widely shared on social media to ridicule him and it has been very effective.
Atiku, 72, on the other hand has been diligently rolling out his plans for Nigeria should they give him a chance and some economic experts have been endorsing his views e.g. the sale of the state-owned oil company, NNPC.

Atiku also travelled to the U.S with his entourage after 12 years of staying away to make a political point which is that, America's Department of Justice has no criminal case against him. The news reduced the morale of Buhari's supporters while it increased the confidence of people selling the Atiku product. Rather than ignore the noise of the campaign period and focus on the messages, the Minister of Information, Lai Mohammed probably after reading the draconian books of President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi of Egypt announced that Atiku would be questioned on his return to Nigeria as regards the collapse of Bank PHB which happened over 8 years ago. It would be recalled that Sisi technically contested against himself in the April 2018 presidential election in Egypt securing over 90% of the votes after forcing all his opponents to step down.

Many Nigerians who are even apolitical have frowned at the underhand tactics employed by the government which also delayed signing the Electoral Amendment Bill that backed the usage of card reader machines and electronic transmission of election results. It’s on paper that Buhari benefitted immensely from the usage of incident forms.

An INEC report showed 10,184,720 votes representing 75 percent of the total votes cast were from states won by Muhammadu Buhari, then presidential candidate of the APC, while 3,351,591 votes representing 25 percent came from states won by Goodluck Jonathan of the PDP.
Many suspect a repeat of the Kano incident in 2015 where cows reportedly voted and waited behind to defend their votes.

The APC is indirectly painting Atiku as the victim paying the golden price like Jesus Christ for trying to free Nigeria from captivity. This is making him more popular. This is giving him public sympathy. The electorates are very fickle-minded and their support can be swayed at the final minute.
The more people lose faith in Buhari, the more they consider Atiku as his replacement.

Atiku on Saturday goofed by failing to take advantage of Buhari’s expected absence at the presidential debate to shine. Nigerians hailed him as he flew into the country from the U.S and briefly prepared for the debate. We were shocked when he dramatically made a U-turn after storming the venue of the debate using Buhari’s absence as an excuse.

Buhari got away with his non-participation at the presidential debate in 2015 but this time around, it will be a minus on his scorecard. People will not only question his intellectual capacity but they will also discuss his mental and physical fitness to lead a nation of 198 million people out of the doldrums.
Finally, Buhari's media team needs to restrategize. They are not acting like journalists or Public Relations specialists at all; they are more of voyeurs who are more interested in the next door neighbour’s apartment thereby neglecting their houses and exposing them to attacks. There is too much of the mention of Atiku's name on their lips. Their attacks are the same and have become boring in the media. They need to reduce the publicity and visibility they are giving Atiku through the regular criticisms while they focus on Buhari's achievements.

Their offensive campaign strategy reminds me of the making of Trump. He was an unconventional candidate with the African style of political campaign. In Africa, political campaigns are less of issues and more of character assassination. The media publicized his utterances and gaffes which were alien to the American political space. The platforms like CNN, New York Times, Washington Post and others enjoyed the views from Trump contents but unconsciously sold his brand for free. Even people who were not interested in politics enjoyed and laughed over the drama Trump brought to the table. They began to love what they were seeing, they were indoctrinated by his views and hence, they cast their votes for him at the end of the day.

Buhari's foot soldiers should learn from history and get over the undue obsession with Atiku as we have over 70 candidates gunning for their principal's job, although unrealistically.


Osayimwen Osahon George is a journalist and a PhD student of the University of Ibadan. He writes from Lagos State.
Email: G.osayimwen@gmail.com

Source: https://www.tori.ng/news/114782/how-buhari-is-rigorously-campaigning-for-atiku.html

CC Lalasticlala Seun Ishilove Mynd44 Obinoscoppy Dominique Tonyebarcanista

The presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP - Alhaji Atiku Abubakar flew from Washington DC, United States of America and arrived Nigeria hours to the presidential debate yesterday - 19th of January, 2019.

In a matter of hours Atiku, stormed the venue of the presidential debate in his flowing Agbada and posed for pictures. He publicized his activities on social media and Nigerians were applauding his drive and energy without knowing the Old Fox had a different plan which he was about to hatch expertly.
As the moderator, Mark Sugar was about announcing his name, he got a note that Atiku had backed out of the debate. Atiku ‘intelligently’ cited Buhari's absence as his reason behind his U-turn. What a disrespectful, insensitive and despicable move!

Don't be deceived, Atiku never really planned to debate. Buhari was just a convenient excuse for him to leave the kitchen and avoid the heat.
Right from last year, 2018 since the date of the presidential debate was announced, Nigerians knew that a cold president like Buhari who only organized one media chat which is supposed to be on a monthly basis in December, 2015 was never going to debate and the reasons have been over-flogged. Even his media team never gave any assurance that the ‘Baba Go Slow’ was ever going to participate in the exercise.

Atiku and Buhari belong to the same retrogressive class of politics where they mostly strive on the failure of the middle class to participate in politics. They take advantage of the uninformed voters/plebians and sway them with populist views. If you have noticed, the presidential campaign is like a fake news contest between the PDP and the APC.

This is why most honest political analysts have called the APC and the PDP two sides of the same coin. They are just the same rats in different holes constantly changing formations to beat the intelligence of the masses. If Atiku had any serious message for Nigerians, the debate podium would have been the viable spot to preach his sermon to Nigerians and the world who would be weighing his ideas against that of the other popular candidates.
Atiku only came for the pictures and his plan worked out with Buhari's assured absence.

Frankly speaking, Atiku wasn't going to outshine eggheads like Fela Durotoye, Kingsley Moghalu and Oby Ezekwesili. His resume, experience and intellectual capacity don't match that of these individuals who mounted the podium with clean records. Atiku only sounds brilliant because he has the financial muscle to acquire the best talents to work with him.

Atiku must have been wary of intimidation by the offensive nature of Oby Ezekwesili who has always tagged him and Buhari as 'Butiku' with a promise to retire them from the political space. Moghalu who has also been a part of the engine room of Nigeria's economy - the Central Bank of Nigeria would have been also waiting to slay Atiku with facts and figures. Atiku must have feared that the absence of Buhari would mean an overdose of pressure on him as the candidates would have been ready to hold his party responsible for Nigeria's woes since the adoption of democracy in 1999.

If Buhari had attended, he would have absorbed 80% of the attacks while Atiku might have had a little do deal with thereby giving him much space to overlap, attack and retreat. His dramatic U-turn was a well choreographed move which would do him more harm than good in the long run among the elites especially now that politics in Nigeria is gradually evolving. This is evident in the record number of registered voters – 84 million (approximately 15 million new voters) who want to participate in the electoral process instead of merely joining the conversations on social media and other public spaces.
Instead of engaging in a fight you are not sure of winning, Atiku decided to use the exit door in style and his flowery and timely press statement looks good but Nigerians know better. He has only reminded us that he is still that smart businessman/politician that is good at manipulating the political system for his own personal gains.

Here is the gospel truth; Atiku and Buhari are terrible options. Atiku might beat Buhari at the presidential election but Nigeria will not experience any serious positive change under him. It’s impossible to solve a problem you were a part of. It’s also hard to change a system of unequal exchange and imbalance that made you. If the Nigerian system was built on integrity, transparency and probity, Atiku wouldn’t be who he is today financially speaking.
When Robert Mugabe of Zimbabwe was removed in November, 2017 through a democratic coup, his country people were thrown into wild celebrations thinking Emmerson Mnangagwa aka the crocodile would right the wrongs of Mugabe. They had forgotten that Mnangagwa was an ally of Mugabe for over three decades; he was part of the rot in the land. It’s over a year now since his assumption of office and Zimbabweans are on the streets protesting against the increment in fuel prices amidst grave economic hardship in the country.

The only answer Mnangagwa seems to have is to deploy security forces to use live ammunition against him, injure several people, arrest them and kill a few to finally suppress them.

I have a question for Atiku, as a businessman with blossoming establishments across the country, will he employ a Managing Director who skips the interviews and opts for an assurance note that he could do the job?

Fellow Nigerians we are in trouble! People are frustrated and they are losing hope because our politics has become a type of cancer in our lives. This is evident in the high rate of suicide, drug addiction, depression and migration across the country.


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

Source: https://www.tori.ng/news/114710/the-undisclosed-reason-why-atiku-didnt-participate.html

cc Lalasticlala Seun mynd44 obinoscoppy dominique

Despite his perceived popularity and vantage position to win the 2019 presidential election, President Muhammadu Buhari may face some major stumbling blocks which might overwhelm him if the obstacles are not well managed.

The lanky leader of the most populous black nation in the world has several hurdles to scale as he throws his hat in the ring with a very low approval rating. His major challenger is a former Vice President Atiku Abubakar who is a member of the main opposition party in Nigeria, Peoples Democratic Party, PDP. The 2019 presidential election is expected to be a close contest between Atiku and Buhari despite producing a record of 73 presidential candidates from different mushroom political parties.

Popular views have it that Buhari would come out on top in the February 16 presidential election but some Achilles’ heel might militate against his success despite the perceived power of incumbency.

Political analyst, Osayimwen Osahon George examines some factors that could affect Buhari's chances of success in the forthcoming presidential below:


(1) General under-performance:

Aside the record investment in infrastructural facilities (N1.3 trillion in 2016), is there any positive change Buhari has brought that the masses can boldly attest to? The war against corruption has been blighted by politics. Only three high-profile cases have been concluded in the past three years with no transparency in the recovered loot. The economy slid into recession and has been able to muster just 1.8% growth since recovery. Over 90 million Nigerians still live in extreme poverty as Nigeria consolidates her stand as the world's poverty capital.

As for security, data from the Nigeria security tracker showed that since the beginning of the current administration, crisis situations mostly Boko Haram attacks have caused the death of 10,108 persons in the north-eastern states of Borno, Yobe and Adamawa. Armed bandits are still having a field day in Zamfara, Katsina, Adamawa, Kaduna, Taraba, Plateau and other areas. In the last two years, armed bandits have reportedly killed over 3,000 people in Zamfara state. At least N1.2 billion has been paid as ransom to secure the release of those abducted during the period. The governors of Borno and Katsina States recently ate the humble pie as they admitted that their domains are no longer safe.


(2) Divided Army

One of the greatest mistakes the APC made was the appointment of a former Edo State governor, Adams Oshiomhole as its national chairman. Oshiomhole has been confusing the leadership role with his days at the helms of affairs of the Nigeria Labour Congress. He has presided over one of the most controversial and corrupt primary elections in Nigeria which Aisha Buhari raised her voice against. The resultant effect is the divided loyalties of Governor Ibikunle Amosun, Governor Rochas Okorocha, Governor Rotimi Akeredolu, Senator Magnus Abe, APC Zamfara crisis, Adamawa crisis and the mass exodus of lawmakers. Members of the APC are either openly or discreetly aggrieved. Buhari will be approaching the 2019 election with a divided and uncoordinated army. As at October, 2018, 15 governors alongside their allies in the presidency reportedly wanted the chairman out of office.


(3) Health factor

Political analysts believe the health of a president determines that of the country and that is why the mental and physical fitness of a leader will always be paramount in politics. President Buhari spent a cumulative period of 6 months in the UK recovering from an ailment that almost claimed his life. He is 76 and will be president till the age of 80 if given a chance. His sickness has been rumoured to be lingering prostrate flare-up, Crohn’s disease, amnesia other chronic conditions amid lack of transparency by his handlers. Considering Buhari's age, recent health history and work demands; there is the possibility that he will suffer a relapse in the nearest and the dreaded cabal might seize that opportunity to rule by proxy. There might be a replay of the late Umaru Musa Yar'Adua scenario in Buhari's second term in office.


(4) The Obasanjo factor

The ex president of Nigeria, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo is a powerful force as far as Nigerian politics is concerned. He is one man in a million. Former President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan underrated him and learned the hard way. He has apparently installed several Nigerian leaders including Buhari in 2015. An ordinary open letter from him in January, 2018 which reinforced over flogged issues trended for months in the media. He has turned his back against Buhari and backed Atiku.

Obasanjo's cause to oust Buhari will also be backed by a coalition of angry military generals namely; former military president Ibrahim Babangida, General Aliyu Gusau, General Theophilus Yakubu Danjuma and others in their class. Will the Ebora Owu get it wrong this time around or will he be missed as Real Madrid secretly does about Cristiano Ronaldo? Time is about to tell a shocking story.


(5) Buhari's perceived clannishness:

President Buhari is seen more as the president of the north rather than the Nigerian president. Nigeria has never been this divided due to his actions and inactions. 16 out of 17 service chiefs are from the northern part of Nigeria. In October, 2017, there was a controversial report by the BusinessDay newspaper that 81 of the president’s 100 political appointees since he assumed office in 2015 are northerners.

Buhari excluded the South-South, and the South-East from Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC board thereby generating uproar in the senate. His alleged pampering of Fulani herdsmen and brutal crushing of the Biafra separatists will forever linger in the heads of the Igbos despite all the capital projects he allocated to the region. There will be protest votes in 2019. The Southeast will not follow him. Buhari sold a dummy to the South-south with the promises of restructuring and Ogoni clean-up exercise. They will be aiming to pay him back with their voter's cards.


(6) Fear of the unknown:

With due respect, Buhari is a democrat by face and dictator by heart. He recently blamed the judicial system for allegedly derailing his anti-corruption war. Buhari also daringly told a community of lawyers at the 2018 Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) conference in Abuja that the rule of law would now be subservient to national interest and national security. That sounds fascist!

The controversial Presidential Executive Order 6 and travel ban reek of the human right abuses during his days as a military Head of State in 1983 to 1985. His refusal to release the former NSA Sambo Dasuki and the leader of the Islamic Movement of Nigeria – Sheikh Ibrahim El Zakzaky despite existing court orders for their release is a tip of the iceberg on the doom that might await Nigerians and his political enemies in his second coming. He is already used to the speedy but inexpert trial of suspects by Kangaroo military courts. Most of his critics have been silenced by the DSS, police and the regular state weapon, EFCC.

There is a general fear that Buhari could show his hidden or suppressed colours when given a second chance as this time around, he would have no reason to be accountable to Nigerians. The fate of the economy of a 23.1% unemployment record from the 14% Buhari met it alongside our burgeoning foreign debts also constitute contemplative fears among people. Nigeria might head the Venezuela way under President Nicolas Maduro if nothing changes positively till 2023.


(7) Poor media relationship:

Buhari is one of the few if not the only president in the world that hates the local media. The monthly media chat has been observed only once by him and that was in December, 2015. Yet, Buhari has spoken with the CNN, BBC, Al Jazeera and other international media platforms outside Nigeria.
What we get mostly is regular press statements and written speeches he might have only aligned with for political correctness. Buhari has also showed no signs of participating in the upcoming January 19, 2019 presidential debate. There seem to be a disconnect between him and the people and this gave credibility to the spurious Body Double claims made by separatist leader, Nnamdi Kanu.

Buhari's campaign team appears grossly incompetent with one of his media aides, Lauretta Onochie unrepentantly spreading fake news on Twitter. There is no clear cut strategy to market Buhari. Rather than focus on his achievements, and sell the Next Level agenda, they are more fixated on how corrupt Atiku has been in the past and how Nigeria might be sold if the billionaire politician is given a chance. That song has been overplayed on radio!


( Similarities between Atiku and Buhari

The 2015 presidential election between Buhari and Jonathan was close despite the euphoria that ushered in the latter. The difference in votes was just 2,571, 759 million. Apart from the contentious Kano votes of 1.9 million, Jonathan gave a tough fight in Buhari’s political strongholds. Majority of the northerners followed Buhari on ethnic and religious grounds. The followership was sparsely motivated by his vision or leadership qualities. It was more of a contest between Christians and Muslims and also the north and south. Today, the Atiku candidacy seems immune to religious and ethnic differences. He is an Hausa/Fulani Muslim just like Buhari with a considerable popularity in the north. There will be a fair fight in the northern part which is Buhari's major support base.


(9) Influence of pressure groups:

The minimum wage debate will either make or mar Buhari. The Nigeria Labour Congress is a lethal pressure group that could shape the public perception of the Buhari administration. The influence of Academic Staff Union of Universities, ASUU and Academic Staff of Union of Polytechnics, ASUP also counts. They are on strike and the longer the strike lingers, the more damage it causes to the image of Buhari.


(10) External factors:

The HSBC, The Economist, IMF, World Bank, Brookings Institution, former Secretary of State for International Development in the United Kingdom, Priti Patel, the Defence and Foreign Affairs Department of the International Strategic Studies Association and other influential international bodies have picked faults in the Buhari administration which can be translated to lack of faith. Nigeria has also been topping odious charts across the world and this has reduced the morale of the supporters of Buhari.

Osayimwen Osahon George is a Political Scientist, journalist and PhD student of the University of Ibadan. He writes from Lagos State.


Source: http://www.villagetowncrier.com/2019/01/how-buhari-might-lose-2019-presidential.html

CC Lalasticlala Seun Ishilove Mynd44 Obinoscoppy Tonyebarcanista

In the month of October, 2018, a young man with dreadlocks who claimed to be abroad raised an alarm about internet fraudsters doing rituals with the panties of ladies to spiritually empower them to enjoy easy windfalls from scams.'

According to him, the panties were sold at the black market from the price range of N200,000 to N350,000 depending on how much residues/body fluids they contained. Only a few people took him serious. Netizens laughed about it in the comment section of the Instagram page. A few days later, the man's revelation started gaining traction in the media. Reports of people stealing panties from washing lines started emerging with confessions made by culprits mostly in the face of jungle justice.

In December, the panties of a popular American video vixen and model, Symba and that of her friend were reportedly stolen at the Villa Thirty Three Hotel in Lekki, Lagos State by one of the hotel cleaners. She raised the alarm on social media and immediately, the ladies got the message that the desperate hunt for their panties was real.

The internet fraudsters who are majorly young men were fingered in the diabolic act of wicked ritualism. According to reports, the implication of this is that the victim whose panties were used for rituals might fall sick, die mysteriously, run mad or be bewitched with ill-luck till her last day on earth.
The situation seems worse in Delta State with gunmen allegedly robbing women of their underwear.

But how true are these stories? Hope they are not one of these periodic social media hoaxes that are click baits set by bloggers and online journalists hungry for traffic?


Nigeria’s social media space and its penchant for fake news

Nigerians have an unimpressive record of wilfully spreading fake and odd news. A section of the country once spread rumours that there was a sinister plan by the ruling All Progressives Congress to islamize Nigeria and turn it into a country like Turkey. You can also remember how rumours emanated from the South-East geo-political zone in 2017 that the Nigerian Army was using a medical exercise to inject poison/monkeypox virus into the people to depopulate the South-East against the 2019 general election.

We have also heard unfounded claims of people picking monies on the ground and turning into yam tubers or other objects which are easily stashed away but the culprits who planted it. What about the issue of 'killer phone number or phone call'? A strange number calls your line and immediately you respond to the call, you start to vomit blood and die. Another close one that was popular in Ibadan where this reporter grew up is 'manhood theft'. A stranger will accost you in public space to ask for direction and the next minute after your response, your manhood shrinks.

Just of late, people believe there are piggy banks (kolo) that are laced with juju. The money saved in them will gradually disappear without your knowledge. All these and many more are spread from mouth to mouth and on social media with people taking it hook line and sinker without any empirical evidence. But the moment you try to verify the report, the proponents feel uneasy due to lack of substance and begin to retrace their steps.

As the story of a lady who vomited naira notes at the Effurun market area of Uvwie local government area of Warri, Delta State after her pant was allegedly stolen at her residence few weeks ago pervaded the internet space, fear gripped female folks especially the ones who discreetly sell their bodies on the internet. Wearing panties to the house of a man you don’t trust has become a high risk. People became vigilant about the young men with unsubstantiated sources of wealth in their neighbourhoods also called the ‘Benz or Nothing Boys’ on social media due to their affinity with exotic Mercedes Benz automobiles.


Using the panties of ladies isn’t part of our line of trade – Yahoo Boys

As this reporter enjoyed the ambience of the Lagos-Ibadan expressway on his way back to his home-city for the Yuletide, he thought about the panties rituals and was determined to get to the root of the issue due to the fact that most of the journalists who have worked on the stories lack optimism in their reportage.

Yahoo Boys are not ghosts, they live around us. We grew up with some of them. They share their scam escapades and proceeds at beer parlours, club houses and social gatherings in the midst of like-minds. They are very approachable as long as you are not a security operative and the principle of confidentiality is assured. I got a couple of phone numbers and started to set up interviews with them on the craze of panties being used for black magic. It was a very herculean task but funny enough the Yahoo Boys I spoke with were willing to talk. I even got referrals to other fraudsters for necessary information.

To my greatest shock, the several seemingly established ‘hustlers’ as they call themselves claimed to have heard the rumours on social media. Most of them admitted that internet fraud had taken a spiritual dimension a long time ago but the issue of panties being used at the detriment of the owner was out of place.

“Your questions are very funny; I haven’t heard such news of the pant ritual on the street (among friends). just like you, I read it online. I know boys do juju so that their magas (victims) could pay big cash on time but the reported fate of the victims is synonymous to pure blood money” a suspected scammer of South-east descent who spoke under the condition of anonymity told this reporter.

Not satisfied, the reporter was able to set up a meeting with another young man in his early thirties who is in the illicit business. He paraded one of the latest iPhones, Apple laptop, jewelleries. He spoke to this reporter with a wrap of weed on one hand, a mixture of unknown alcoholic substance on the other with mostly ladies constantly interrupting the brief interview with phone calls. After being assured of his safety a second time, he slowly started singing like a bird.

“I can boldly tell you that most of the guys out there are pure ritualists and not Yahoo Boys. They know nothing about this work. My old friend who has no email address bought a Maserati car worth N60 million. I don’t know if you know the car....he is based in South Africa. I have asked him to give me tips for work but his brain is empty. People close to him have told me that he only uses his laptop for Facebook. I suspect pure blood money as he isn’t doing drugs. He comes to Nigeria periodically maybe to renew his jazz (hoodoo). People will think such a guy is doing Yahoo but I doubt bro. That’s the problem we are dealing with” he said.

When probed further about the infusion of black magic with internet scam, he admitted that voodoo plays a huge role in the criminal industry.

“I nor fit lie you, juju dey and people dey use am wella. Most of these herbalists have a book of spells and they can make such charms to jinx white people. The problem is that most of them are fake. I have done some in the past but they never worked for me. I still believe in pure hard work and I know very successful guys in Lagos who own properties here and there doing fraud without juju” he added.

He further explained that some herbalists use human skulls recovered from burial grounds, tongues of human beings, breasts and other parts to make potions. According to his account, these materials are grinded into power to make soaps, drinks or food for the scammer and a procedure is followed to bring good luck. He accused the “Benz Boy” of indulging in that level of fraud to cater for their flamboyant lifestyles.

This reporter also spoke with another very wealthy young man, an Osun State native in his mid thirties who shuttles between Nigeria and Malaysia. He is happily married with two kids. He owns several cars, landed properties and businesses used as fronts for fraud. He abruptly denied having any knowledge of the panties ritual.

“Internet scam has been around in Nigeria for almost two decades now and the issue of panties of women being used for money never came up until recently. What is so special about the panties of ladies? I’m in touch with guys and I have never met or heard of one using the panties of ladies to attract goodwill. That’s pure blood money and my mind tells me the politicians might be involved. This is an election season and desperate politicians need spiritual powers to play dirty politics” he alleged.

This reporter came close to making a breakthrough in meeting two victims of the panties wizardry when he spoke with one partly uncooperative hustler around the Ologuneru area of Ibadan who initially insulted the reporter. On being quizzed on the issue, he mocked the journalist during the telephone interview.

“Guy you dey mad oh!, which kain question be this one na? Who tell you say I dey press?” he asked amid laughter.

When the journalist explained the objective of the investigation to him and how he had spoken with his colleagues with much progress made, he toned down his utterances.

“I have never seen any guy using the pants of ladies. Apart from what we read on Instablog (Nigeria’s popular microblog on Instagram), no one has ever informed me that it’s the new method of making cash or that someone he knows is involved. The reports are very strange to us. Most of the guys doing such are into blood money and not Yahoo Yahoo. I can assure you. Thats all I know” he said.

He later called this reporter to tell him about two ladies whose panties were reportedly used for rituals. According to the rumours he heard, the young ladies slept with the big boys for money and ended up in the hands of the ritualists. He was told the ladies started falling sick later on with their bodies shrinking and oozing a foul smell. All efforts to speak with the purported victims failed as people contacted had uneasily feelings about the reportage.


Youths now follow Ifa (West African religion and system of divination) for financial benefits

The reporter also met a 25-year old alumnus of the Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, Ogbomoso. The school is famed for housing some of the most notorious fraudsters in the South-western part of the country. Segun Quadri (not real name) drives a Lexus 350 jeep; he has built his own house and has invested in fish farming. He has a start-up that sells fish feed on a large-scale. He looks so innocent and no one would ever suspect he is into to internet fraud. He also claimed ignorance about the panties voodoo.

“I don’t believe any Yahoo Boy is using the panties of any woman. It’s all fake news. Most of the stories are hard to prove. The major problem is that most people are now into money-making rituals. That is not internet fraud. There are some rituals that you will do to prosper whatever you lay your hands on. On the conclusion of the spiritual exercise, the native doctor asks you to go start any business. Even if it means selling ordinary slippers, you will become rich and famous from that cheap venture” Segun narrated as he swung his car keys in the air as if he was coordinating a group of choristers in a church.

“People in Lagos are now ‘doing Ifa’, the process is very deep and hard to explain. It’s like joining a secret cult. When you do, worshiping Ifa becomes your second religion. It doesn’t disturb the first one. It’s like joining the illuminati. You just have to admit that you now have a second god in your life” he added.

His narration reminded the reporter of one popular and super rich suspected internet fraudster named Femi at the Jericho area of Ibadan of Ibadan who was purportedly caught performing a ritual in the middle of the night at a three-way junction. According to reports, he was dressed in all-white clothes. The suspect later admitted openly that he is an Ifa worshipper who has refused to align with Christianity or Islam.

The reporter asked him if these Ifa faithful he described are engaged in rituals in the class of what Femi did and he affirmatively said no.

“You don’t have to perform such rituals except you need certain powers. These Ifa faithful are given some fetish structures they simply worship in their houses. Mostly, they are given a calabash containing other spiritual materials. You will pray on it and pour a quantity of palm oil inside of it as part of the rites involved. The palm oil is expected to dry up before the day ends. This in turn brings good luck to the worshiper” he said.

When asked about clues to identifying members of the Ifa confraternity, he spoke further;

“Some of these Ifa members only wear white dresses. Their cars are white, houses have the same colour and most of their belongings. They will tell you they have some sort of obsession with that colour but it’s not true. Most of them have forbidden food materials like fish, snail, pig, cow meat and others. Eating these has become a taboo for them. Their wealth could cease if they break the rules” he emphatically stated.

After enjoying Segun’s utmost cooperation, the reporter felt indebted and couldn’t summon courage to ask him about his personal involvement in black magic. Rumours have it that his early success might have come directly from the devil’s altar.


People are truly using the panties of women for juju – native doctor

A native doctor who also spoke on the issue under the condition of anonymity due to its sensitive nature claims the panties of female folks are actually being utilized by unscrupulous elements for rituals. According to him, it’s a very potent source of the Midas touch in life.

“The panties of women are actually being used by Yahoo Boys. The panties work for different things depending on the wish of the person in question. It’s capable of unlocking the destiny of the ritualist. He stands a good chance of being prosperous in whatever he lays his hands on be it business or internet scam. I will not lie to you, people are indeed using the underwear of women for rituals” he said.


Written exclusively for Tori News by Osayimwen Osahon George

Source: http://www.villagetowncrier.com/2018/12/the-truth-about-yahoo-boys-using.html

Of recent, I saw a picture of a young boy who cried profusely on sighting the Vice President Yemi Osinbajo during the contentious Trader Moni Empowerment Scheme exercise in the Southern part of the country. The poor boy was starstruck!

The image was reminiscent of how the Governor of Imo State, Rochas Okorocha felt when he shook hands with the former U.S President Barack Obama while visiting the White House with President Muhammadu Buhari in July, 2015.

The picture was on a popular page on Instagram and many commenters were mocking the child. I was forced to rise to the child's defense. I boldly commented that I could do the same if I have a personal encounter with President Muhammadu Buhari. I love his personality but detest his leadership style. He is tall, handsome, funny, quiet and above all very modest. Being modest deserves some accolades especially in a country that culturally celebrates materialism especially unfounded wealth. I used to be a Buharist and I have no regrets about that. Life is a teacher, the more we live, the more we learn.

The President did no wrong in my sight till I started lying to myself to uphold the belief that my idol is the panacea to the myriad of challenges bedeviling Nigeria. I lost my objectivity, balance and professional skepticism in the process. These are the golden values that make or mar a journalist or academic.

The President who is being tagged 'Mr Integrity' might be a good man with sincere intentions as he is being portrayed by his party - All Progressives Congress but the million dollar question is if he is good enough for Nigeria considering the present tumbledown state of affairs. Honesty is an intricate leadership attribute but it’s pointless as far as its not accompanied by the competence to effect a positive change. Even his wife, Aisha Buhari has insinuated severally that her husband isn't in charge.

The former British Prime Minister, David Cameroon had the honesty and competence to preside over the affairs of the United Kingdom but he resigned honourably in 2016 as his vision didn't align with Brexit. Theresa May took over to oversee the divorce of the United Kingdom from the European Union and it has been a wild goose chase all along with several of her top advisers namely Boris Johnson, Dominic Raab, David Davis, Esther McVey, Shailesh Vara, Anne-Marie Trevelyan, and Suella Braverman apparently abandoning her in the snow without a jacket.

It is not debatable that Nigeria is terribly ill and it was in the dire need to rescue her life in the Emergency Ward that 'Doctor Buhari' was called upon in 2015 through the ballot box. But the question is this; is Nigeria showing any signs of recovery from her numerous ailments? The sincere answer lies in us. It’s time for us to undertake a truthful process of self-evaluation and introspection in order to take the right political decisions in the 2019 presidential polls. We need to do a comparative study of where we are and where we are coming from as well as our destination. The truth nowadays has not only been doctored, it has also been 'lawyered and engineered' for low-hanging political gains.

I have no issues with those who support Buhari on the basis of family ties or bloodline; I could have done the same if I were in their shoes. I hold no grudge against those who are paid to campaign for Buhari and launder his image, they are only doing their jobs diligently as professionals and they have their family members to feed. I also have no issues with those directly or indirectly enjoying the proceeds of a political appointment awarded by the presidency to their benefactor, it’s really hard to "talk while you are eating"; table manners should be duly observed. My major grouse is with the die-hard supporters of Buhari who have tasted nothing close to good governance or personal benefits in the past three and a half years of his administration. I mean the 88 million Nigerians living in extreme poverty and the 20.9 million people who remain unemployed not to talk of the underemployed whose take home pays never take them home.

The issue of 'Uninformed Voting' is a huge quandary even in developed countries. It has militated against the efficacy of democracy. It is worse in Africa due to the challenge of illiteracy and rise in populism. Politicians tend to take advantage of the over 60 million illiterates in Nigeria. The fact that we have over 40 million people with mental illnesses in the country also threatens the 2019 general election. Who can vouch for their political judgement? We pray most of them don't have PVCs because they could end up voting for nothing. The level of poverty in the land has been a catalyst for vote-buying. Many opinion leaders today believe the Federal Government is the biggest vote-buyer in the country through its Trader Moni programme. The resultant effect of all these is the presence of an opportunist or unfit leader at the helm of affairs.

Buhari campaigned on three cardinal points in 2015 namely; the economy, fighting corruption and combating security. Can we sincerely say there has been any major upswing in these key areas? Unemployment is rocking the economy, the supply of electricity which is the lifeline of every modern economy remains short on demand, investment in infrastructures is only experienced on paper, the naira has continued to share the same value with a used contraceptive, cost of living is very high and there is food crisis in several remote parts of the country. Today, every Nigerian is dreaming of migrating to Canada for a better life. In the same vein, no fewer than 10,000 Nigerians have died between January and May 2017 while trying to illegally migrate through the Mediterranean Sea and the deserts according to the Nigeria Immigration Service. The European Union had also disclosed that 22,500 Nigerian illegal migrants crossed the Mediterranean Sea to Europe between January and September 2016. We all know what is chasing them.

On corruption which is like Buhari's economic plan, it has become glaring that the president is fighting the opposition party under the guise of corruption. As far as the dollar bribe videos of Governor Abdullahi Ganduje who promised Buhari 5 million votes from Kano State remains accessible through Google amid his freedom, the anti-corruption fight remains a mere charade. Even the Transparency International scored the anti-graft war low. Eight prominent politicians accused of a gargantuan fraud of over N232 billion are also supporting Buhari's re-election bid. Buhari must be a magician to believe he could combat corruption in the face of abject poverty and weak governmental structures.

What about security? 3,641 people died in the last 3 years according to the embattled Amnesty International and a former minister of defence, General T.Y Danjuma (retd), alluded to the conclusion of the international body. With over 100 Nigerian troops reportedly dying in the infamous Metele attack in Borno, our soldiers now fear the Abu Musab al-Barnawi faction of Boko Haram sect more than their creator. Even as some of us prepared for Christmas, the sect killed 13 soldiers including a policeman in an ambush along the Maiduguri-Damaturu highway during the eve. What about the sorry plight of the Internally Displaced People in various camps across the country?
What about the regular massacre of farmers with their crops set ablaze by the insurgents? Contrary to the claims by the Federal Government that Boko Haram has been decimated and no longer holding territories, the chairman of the House Committee on Internally Displaced Persons, IDPs, Sani Zorro, recently gave a staggering revelation that 17 local government areas are occupied by terrorists and they are allegedly collecting taxes from the locals.

If the lives of Retired Major General Idris Alkali and that of Chief of Air Staff (retd) Alex Badeh could be cheaply taken away from them, then that means the ordinary citizens are not just surviving on the grace of God, they are only alive today because they are of no use to the assailants.

With the way Nigeria is competitively chasing the records of oddities across the world, I can see the road to Venezuela without the aid of binoculars. May that day not come when we will begin to feed from the dustbins and migrate in millions to other neighbouring African nations due to hunger and public unrest like we have in Guatemala, Honduras, El Salvador, and Nicaragua. The convenient and effective excuse is that the purported 16 locust years of the main opposition party - PDP led us to where we are and Buhari is cleaning the mess. But the truth is that the mess might be getting messier with lack of any visible headway. Today, Buhari nicknamed 'Baba Go Slow' even brags about his 'snail-speed' leadership style which is at the detriment of the people.

Below are other disturbing indices that you should consider before casting your votes in 2019 (credit to Clifford Ndujihe, Vanguard newspaper):

Nigeria is the 11th worst place to be born (2018), second worst country with electricity supply in the world (2017), third most terrorized country in the world (2018) of which, as of November 30, 2018, no fewer than 6,652 Nigerians had been killed through terrorism, Boko Haram insurgency; farmers/herdsmen, ethno-religious and cult clashes, and armed robbery among others.

Other indices include: One of the most dangerous places in the world to give birth and third country with the worst maternal mortality rate (2018), seventh worst country on World Bank’s Human Capital Index (2018), worst police in the world (2017), third worst city to live in the world (2018), worst country in the world at fighting inequality (2017), 10th worst army in the world (2018), highest number of children out of school – 13.2 million (2018), one of the most corrupt countries in the world (2018), the fourth country with the highest deforestation rate in the world (2018), the country with the highest number of road fatalities in Africa (2017, FRSC), and the 9th most dangerous country for women (2018), Nigeria is projected to be the highest importer of rice behind China in 2019, Nigeria to overtake India in open defecation with 47 million Nigerians lacking basic toilet facilities - UNICEF, 2018, the World Justice Project in its 2017/2018 Rule of Law Index ranks Nigeria 97 out of 113 countries. Nigeria made the list of the top 7 Sub-Saharan African countries with the highest foreign debt which stands at $22.08 billion.

Inasmuch as I agree that most of what constitute this muddle have roots in the past, and can't be resolved in 4 years, but can we beat out chests that there has been any major rectification in the last three and a half years? The truth nowadays is not the truth. It has become relative. It depends on who you ask and where the person stands. What some people call 'corruption' is what others regard as 'connection'. A vote for Buhari is an endorsement for the continuation of the present hurdles and it might get worse in the coming years as The Economist, HSBC, IMF, World Bank and other reputable bodies have projected for Nigeria.

As we vote, we should think about the fates of incarcerated people like Sheikh Ibrahim El Zakzaky, Sambo Dasuki, Deji Adeyanju and the hundreds of people reportedly housed in the underground cells of the Department of State Security, DSS considering the fact that they remain innocent until proved guilty by a court of competent jurisdiction.

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

Source: http://www.villagetowncrier.com/2018/12/2019-what-vote-for-president-buhari.html

CC Lalasticlala Seun Ishilove Mynd44 Obinoscoppy

As far as you are an active Instagram user, you would have consciously or unconsciously come across the name 'Bro Segun also spelt Brah Segun' which is regularly littered around the popular pages of the picture and video-uploading platform.

Lasisi Elenu became so prominent in the Nigerian social media space that the Vice President of Nigeria, Professor Yemi Osinbajo once spoke about him during a symposium at the beginning of this year. The number one ranter in Nigeria as he is fondly referred to, who has over 1.2 million followers on Instagram was used to buttress the VP's point on the quality of human resources in Nigeria.

In less than a year, Lasisi who mostly drops one-minute comedy skits on Instagram lamenting about one issue or the other starting with the popular phrase "Sum Just Happen Right Now" attained stardom in less than a year. He has become a major brand influencer with top commercial brands dealing with him.

But this story isn't entirely about Lasisi Elenu, it's about a certain young man directly unconnected with Lasisi who is benefiting immensely from his fame.
That is one handsome, soft spoken, stylish and classy young man identified as Ifeanyi Nwakaudu who is impersonating a fictitious character steadily mentioned by Lasisi in his comedy skits and that is 'Bro Segun Abereowo'. He is Lasisi's church member and number one irritant as heard in the dramatic rants. Before now, Ifeanyi struggled with about 1,000 or thereabout followers on Instagram. Immediately he spotted Lasisi, he took advantage of the personality of Bro Segun. The University of Nigeria Nsukka graduate of English Language and History edited his bio to align with Lasisi and fun-seeking social media users started following him in droves. He calls himself a "professional troublemaker" and a "certified food taster".

"In the past, I used to struggle to get the attention of ladies on Instagram but of late, I don't sweat it. They contact me first because of the Bro Segun identity" Bro Segun boldly told a Tori News correspondent during an interview organized around FESTAC Town in Lagos State.

"I have also made good cash from doing advertisements for some small businesses via my page. I also get paid to attend high-profile social events and also create awareness about them via my page. Aside this, I'm also building a platform through which work place issues can be discussed and resolved and people have been participating" he continued.

Ifeanyi explained that there is no cordial relationship between Lasisi and himself although he regularly comments on his posts like he is responding directly to him. He comments with the hashtag - "BrahSegunResponds". This hoodwinks fans of Lasisi into believing they are close and they begin to associate with him. Ifeanyi also shares Lasisi's comical contents on his page. The seeming harmless and symbiotic relationship backfired earlier this year, 2018 with Lasisi blocking him on Instagram. He didn't believe this eyes. According to the picture he painted, being blocked by Lasisi was like appearing in naked in the market place in broad daylight with your senses intact.

"Lasisi once followed me back on Instagram and he always responded to my comments on his page. This gave me more credibility and also spiced up the believability of his rants. But things started changing when advertisers and potential clients started reaching Lasisi through me. He got uncomfortable and blocked me around March, 2018. It was disheartening" he said.

For weeks, Ifeanyi couldn't reach out to his host page anymore and like a river that forgets his source, there was stagnancy in the growth of his page. He said he had to reach to Lasisi through some means to explain he meant no harm to his brand and the ban was subsequently lifted.

"When he (Lasisi) unblocked me, I reduced my activities on his page to the barest minimum and since then, we have been cool. No personal relationship between us till now through" Ifeanyi added.

His brand is becoming big and he wishes to stop leaning on Lasisi to survive. He doesn't have the kind of comical skills possessed by Lasisi but he has a mastery of writing and engagement skills. He regularly engages people on a variety of topics through live Instagram videos.

Building his brand on Instagram has been tasking. Bro Segun once revealed he takes his mobile phone to the bathroom regularly to track events and respond to people. He wishes he could conviently type messages while taking his bath. That sounds really crazy but he means his words.

The supervisor at a start-up who is starting his Masters degree programme at the University of Lagos, Akoka very soon worships his phone like an idol, he sleeps on it, dreams on it, and wakes up on it. When the battery dies, he acts as if oxygen is about to be withdrawn from his body. It sounds like madness but Bro Segun believes its a momentary sacrifice for a brighter future.

"See people think I'm crazy but I'm not. I swear to God, I'm just fine and chronically focused. Just like yesterday, some regular netizens were accused of being jobless, today there are brand influencers, social media consultants and managers making so much money. Social media is the future of marketing and advertising in the world. Who says I can't be as big as brands like Instablog9ja, TundeEdnut, TheShadeRoom and others?
They all started small and slowly on Instagram and look at how big they are today" Bro Segun concluded with so much optimism as he quickly replied a fan's message with a big smile on his face.

The person could have been a lady but he was reluctant to reveal this to the reporter.


Source: https://www.tori.ng/news/113593/how-i-made-it-from-faking-it-tale-of-lasisi-elenus.html

CC Lalasticlala Seun Ishilove mynd44 Obinoscoppy

The best way to be sexually aroused nowadays is not really by watching adult films. All you need to do is pay attention to the trending secular songs which are virtually wherever you go.

The sounds and visuals are potent enough to resurrect a manhood which has been flaccid from inception. You will see the best quality of high definition videos flashing the well-exposed waists, hips, boobs and bums of young ladies in your face.

As we have unsound music videos, so also we have second-rate lyrics which are worse than nursery rhymes designed to enhance the learning ability of kids. The mediocrity of the so-called talented heads is laced with melodious beats and instrumentals to easily penetrate the minds of unsuspecting listeners.

It’s like the key to dropping a hit song in Nigeria is by using unmeaning, silly and unintelligible lyrics that portray and glorify s*x, drugs, internet scam, thuggery, promiscuity, alcoholism, civil disobedience and unfounded wealth. These are the common vices the youths easily identify with and it gives the brand of the artistes wide acceptance. The music industry has continued to deteriorate that good profane music is beginning to become extinct except you want to consider the religious songs.

For a male artiste to appeal to the audience, he has to portray himself as a slave master who manipulates the hottest ladies at will and for that female artiste to be given attention, she has to project herself as a sex idol that can win the heart of any man who sights her. Wizkid and Tiwa Savage fit perfectly into this description.

Music has continued to adversely shape our perception of life in Nigeria. It has helped in making abnormal things normal and this can be traced to the problem of globalization. Through this, foreign culture, tradition and behaviours have been imbibed to show exposure and class on the path of the performers. When I was growing up, it was a big shame to pay for sex. Men who patronize prostitutes did it with utmost secrecy to save their reputation. Today, sleeping with a prostitute has become a competitive sport which could attract a gold medal. This might not be far from the way some vulgar celebrities like Olamide, the late Da Grin, Reminisce, Lil Kesh and others have admitted to sleeping with hookers popularly regarded as "Oloshos".

I remember the popular song which says " Bata re adun koko ka, ti o ba kawe re, bata re a dun koko ka" meaning that "You will excel in life if you are educated". This song added real value to our lives and helped improve our mentality towards personal development. Today, good and inspirational lyrics have been replaced with songs that celebrate internet fraud and inexplicable wealth. Songs that demean women and reduce them to mere commodities which could be acquired in the market places if their prices are triggered dominate the airwaves.

Music video directors now hire video vixens that perform sexual acts painstakingly to impress their paymasters while the Hot audience feed their lust. They now pay millions of naira to enhance their bodies through cosmetic surgeries to make their body parts more attractive and intoxicating.
The leadership of the Nigerian Customs Service has been constantly intercepting container loads of Tramadol worth billions of naira. A society which tolerates and applauds songs like ‘Codeine Diet’ and ‘Science Student’ by Olamide shouldn't be shocked about the crisis of hard drugs as vulnerable people might think getting high is the only way to experience Utopia.

I remember how the Ibale tradition in Yorubaland which encouraged women to remain virgins till they get married instilled discipline and decency among female folks. I also remember how single mothers were called 'Adelebo'. The latter sounded like the stigmatization of women involved in failed relationships or broken marriages but it helped us in maintaining sanity in the marital institution. Today, being a 'baby mama' to a wealthy person is bigger and more enviable than working at Shell or Chevron. Musicians now indiscriminately sleep with young ladies unprotected and consequently impregnate them.

Legendary musician, Innocent ‘2Baba’ Idibia once boasted in his song, ‘Enter The Place’ about his virility although he later regretted his actions after having 7 kids from three different women at a young age. Davido even went as far as featuring his two baby mamas, their children and also his reigning girlfriend, Chioma in his ‘Wonder Woman’ music video. The 26-year old is also under pressure to accept another child from an Ibadan-based lady he reportedly had a one-night stand with.

With the advent of social media today and the desperate quest of multinational companies to make money at all costs, some of these celebrities who are outright bad examples in the society are now paraded as mentors under the banner of ambassadorial roles with cooked up successes stories that mislead the younger generation.

In all sincerity, these songs which are produced with hot beats and attractive choruses easily captivate the minds of the younger generation; mostly taking them unaware. These poisonous contents unconsciously pollute their minds and they later see life from the corrupted lenses of these celebrities. Music is powerful and often times underrated. One of the purposes of music is to express and modulate emotions. We use it to soothe, psych up, woo, enrage, sadden and cheer each other, or ourselves.

The societal decay is so prevalent that it appears any artiste making good songs with meaningful lyrics is unserious about his musical career.

One wonders how the promising and intelligent rapper, Skales of the defunct music record label, Empire Mates Entertainment retrogressed from the crooner of the inspirational song "Heading For A Grammy" to a questionable song like "Booty Language". The popular excuse is that he is only producing what the society wants to consume as that is the only way to make good and quick money.

Most youths now want to get rich quick and acquire belongings that will attract numerous girls to warm their beds with ease. Women have been reduced to fortune-hunting elements that generously spread their legs at the sight or smell of Naira notes.

Watching Nigerian music videos have boosted the sexual fantasies of men who wish they could have replicas of the video vixens to sleep with them. It’s even worse for married men who are given clues of what their aging wives aren’t giving them. Morality and shame have been thrown into the dustbins with ladies now advocating on social media for long sexual sessions. They have even tagged some men "one minute or Indomie men". Who else has noticed sex drugs advertorials have taken over Instagram with popular pages showcasing nothing less than three brands of sex enhancers per day? The companies producing and marketing these drugs have become so bold that they hire young ladies who make sultry appearances in short videos to talk raw in attestation to the efficacy of the drugs. Reports have it that men are patronizing these start-ups massively in the bid to satisfy the women in their lives in the ‘other room’.

These are signs of insanity and absurdity being normalized by the young folks who are supposed to be the future of the country. The destiny of 67 million youths appears to be at stake with the ailment of cancerous music eating up the audience towards the destruction of their psyche.

Music is deeper than how it sounds and its clandestine effects on the lives of human beings can’t be overemphasized.

Scientists have proved that sound affects our bodies; sound affects us physiologically in very powerful ways. This is because hearing is our primary warning sense. A sudden sound will start a process. It releases cortisol (steroid hormone produced by the adrenal cortex), it increases your heart rate, and it changes your breathing.

Music can improve mood, increase intelligence, enhance learning and concentration, and ward off the effects of brain aging. This is why one needs to be careful about the musical contents he/she consumes consciously and unconsciously.

Also, according to an entertainment writer, Ronald Urbina - music is the reflection of the society. The fact that music reflects the community is well-known for more than a century. This is why the investigation of tribes that lived in the past is conducted through exploration of their way of life, which includes music. People like to express their state of being through songs.

The way a Nigerian will dance to bad music in the heat of the moment is the same way he will show indifference about poor infrastructural facilities, bad government policies, corruption, moral decadence and other forms of societal challenges.

This is who we are in Nigeria, we just don’t care. We suffer and smile. We easily overlook budding challenges until they become insurmountable. Those bad musical contents are reflections of us no matter how much we deny it.


Written by Osayimwen Osahon George, a journalist and PhD student based in Lagos State

Source: https://www.tori.ng/news/112737/dont-watch-blue-films-just-watch-nigerian-music-vi.html

More tweets

A customer who hasn't received his ATM card after two weeks of applying for it has launched a tirade against the bank.

Polaris Bank has been in the news this week over the delivery of poor service to the generality of Nigerians nationwide.

Who else is facing difficulties with Polaris Bank?



CC Lalasticlala Seun Ishilove Mynd44

The leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, Nnamdi Kanu has insisted that President Muhammadu Buhari is dead and the person at the Aso Rock Villa is an impostor.

In his latest broadcast from Israel, Nnamdi Kanu explained that the current President of Nigeria believe to be Muhammadu Buhari is not a clone but an impostor from Sudan

He stated that there this very plural attempt by the Nigerian government to divert puublic attention from the 'facts' he is presenting to the world. According to his account, the only part of Buhari which was cloned is his left ear that wasn't perfectly fixed.

"What they are cloning about Buhari is the ear, you know the ear at the back of the mouse, that is what they are cloning. Because when they cut of the ear, they can now cut it to the shape of the dead Buhari. Have u noticed how they never photographed the left ear. Have you noticed it all of you? They never allow you to get close" he alleged.

He also explained that soldiers were positioned three miles away from Buhari when he recently visited Maiduguri, Borno State to prevent them from having any clues about the impostor.

"When he went to the hospital, (condolence visit to injured soldiers) they cleverly positioned him so that a useless plank they tied on the bed will cover the left ear" he also added

He went on the allege that some journalists in Nigeria have been paid by the ruling All Progressives Congress to distort their reportage of events in Nigeria

"Those in the pay of the APC like Channels TV and a few other media houses who are so hungry that they sell their conscience will accept these very simple facts that at no time have I said Buhari was cloned. I said they brought in an impostor, an actor from Sudan, Jubril Aminu Al Sudani, thats his name, till tomorrow ans I'm very grateful that the Sudanese government are doing something about it....investigating this very matter," Kanu concluded.

Watch a video of his latest broadcast below (Skip to the 22nd minute):


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YXUqJlv-YLo

Source: https://www.tori.ng/news/112189/nnamdi-kanu-names-part-of-president-buharis-body-t.html

cc Lalasticlala Seun Mynd44 Obinoscoppy Airforce1

Social media sensation and comedian, MC Tom is in the news again following a thrilling way he taught a wedding couple how to lock lips during their marital ceremony.

MC Tom Comedian is one of the most eccentric comedians, event MCs and public speakers in town following his display of natural skills and talent while anchoring events.

He delivered a short but effective practical lecture to a couple who appeared to shy to kiss each other on their wedding day. After so much reluctance from the couple to kiss, MC Tom called out his own wife who was present at the event and kissed her profusely to inspire the couple of the day.

[i]"The couple said they don't know how to kiss,then I brought out my wife, kissed her passionately publicly.....My woman,my everything.
Learn to celebrate what U av any day and anytime because it will be a shame if outsiders are helping u in celebrating what belongs to u externally.
If I av to choose, I will choose u over and over again my love." [/i]MC Tom said.

The father of one who is married to a lawyer is known for his energetic, rib-cracking and electric style of presiding over social gatherings.

Source: https://www.tori.ng/news/111781/the-awkward-moment-comedian-publicly-taught-weddin.html

Following Linda Ikeji‘s revelation of a certain John Abayomi who she reported was the owner of the popular and controversial Instagram page InstaBlog9ja, the employers of the man have swung into action almost immediately, vowing to get to the bottom of it and possibly fire him if indeed he’s the brain behind it.

In the LIB report, it was alleged that Abayomi who is currently the online editor of Punch Newspapers and a former editor of Vanguard News had been running the platform since 2015, combining it with his daily duty at the 42-year-old media house.

Instablog9ja has grown to be one of the most followed handles in the Nigerian media space with 1.7 million followers. Using the Linda Ikeji model for publishing gossip and bizarre news, it usurped many a gossip site. Ironically, it was on IBJ9 that the identity of Linda Ikeji’s “baby daddy”, Sholaye Jeremi was first revealed. Before then she had hidden his identity, ostensibly because he’s a married man. While it is not clear if this was a case of her paying him back, what is known is that her story set in motion a chain of events that held the entire Punch Newspapers in a daze today.

Inside sources who spoke to NET on the condition of anonymity told us that no sooner than the news broke did several board members of Punch gather at the premises of the newspaper on Lagos/Ibadan Expressway for an emergency meeting.

”Abayomi was summoned into a high-level editorial meeting, along with his bosses and the management and everyone is confused about the whole situation” Our sources told us.

Our source further revealed that the main bone of contention was the issue of “moonlight”, the act of having a second job while in full-time employment. We gather that the rule is very strict at Punch Newspapers and the Abayomi’s case is of extreme importance because while the newspaper has a paltry 225,000 followers on Instagram, Instablog on its part has nearly eight times as much- while incurring no overhead costs and on company time.

Our source went on: “Everyone is confused and asking questions. Mr Abayomi is a dedicated man who is always in the office. I wonder where he would get the spare time to handle a blog like Instablog9ja, so I think it is untrue until investigations are complete.”

At the emergency meeting, Abayomi himself was said to have denied the allegation strenuously. He maintained that the report was untrue and a fabrication and vowed to sue Linda Ikeji in the coming days for libel, false accusation and defamation of character.

Calls made by NET to Mr Abayomi at the time of this report neither were text messages sent to his phone replied.

The identity of the owner and handlers of Instablog has been a mystery to many social media users in Nigeria. There is zero trace of who started it in 2015 or if a team made up of different individuals run it. At various times, a number of names have been touted as owners, including “Lillian” and Hauwa Mohammed of Jaruma Empire. Even when the platform started taking on adverts, the official name on their bank accounts is “Instablog9ja”.

While the management and board of Punch Newspapers took Abayomi at his words today, they have promised to continue investigations into the matter; even as the embattled individual on his part is determined to clear his name.

Source: http://thenet.ng/net-exclusive-punch-newspapers-to-investigate-alleged-owner-of-instablog9ja/?fbclid=IwAR0l075N25D59kBPYpFAbmkrpm3PVAHNLRBvh49WfskJMIRdHJcofCXLqlg

CC Lalasticlala Seun Mynd44 Ishilove

[i]“Some continue to dip their hands and eat with you and you won’t even know the person who will point a gun at you or plant a bomb behind your house,” [/i]were the words of the then President, Goodluck Ebele Jonthan on January 8, 2012 during a church service at the National Ecumenical Centre in Abuja. The event was a part of the annual Armed Forces Remembrance Day celebrations.

Jonathan made this assertion to buttress his personal conviction that the Boko Haram sect had infiltrated his government with its members, apologists or sympathizers planted in government agencies and security outfits.

Jonathan’s comments had deleterious effects on his popularity then. We thought he was weak; we vilified him and appealed to him to use the Aso Rock Villa exit door. We turned to General Muhammadu Buhari (Rtd) like the 75-year old fragile man of Fulani ancestry was going to lead the Nigerian Army against the Boko Haram sect like the kings led battles in the medieval period.

Almost 10 years down the line, the Boko Haram war has refused to end. Almost 100,000 people have been killed (Governor Kashim Shettima, Feb. 2017), over 2 million people have been displaced, about 1,500 schools destroyed in the Northeast, 2,295 school teachers killed, over 1,000 children abducted, properties worth $5.9 billion have been mangled by the vicious sect in 6 years. According to the Borno State government, the insurgents razed down 986, 453 residential homes, 5,335 classrooms, 201 health facilities, 1,630 water facilities and 726 power stations and transformers, 800 public structures such as offices, prisons, police posts and others have also been destroyed. To cap it all, 22 out of the 27 local government council areas have been rendered inhabitable.

Even our well-trained but sparsely equipped soldiers aren't safe in the Northeastern part of Nigeria not to talk of the civilians. Buhari has only won the war in phantom places namely in the media through state-sponsored propaganda, and in his wild imaginations or possibly in his dreams.
The attacks are still interminable and most of them go unreported. Boko Haram has made a mockery of Buhari's bid to diversify the economy through his focus on agriculture. Farmers in the North-east now cultivate farmlands with their hearts in the mouths. The Nigerian Military recently urged farmers in Maiduguri not to stay beyond 4pm on their farmlands starting from Tuesday, 14th of November, 2018 due to the severity of insecurity in the zone.

The Boko Haram menace is being supported by other forms of criminality like armed banditry, farmers-herdsmen clashes, kidnappings and farmers in rural areas are being freely slaughtered in their farms without due interference by security operatives.
A report by BBC Monitoring has it that there have been more attacks by Boko Haram from the year 2016 to 2017 of the Buhari administration.
The group killed more than 900 people in 2017, marginally more than it did in 2016. Boko Haram reportedly mounted a total of 150 attacks in 2017, an increase on the 127 attacks it is said to have mounted the previous year. At least 967 people were reportedly killed by Boko Haram attacks in 2017, an increase on the previous year when 910 deaths were reported.
As for this year, at least 90 soldiers have been confirmed to be killed by the Islamic terror sect between August and September (Premium Times, 2nd of September, 2018). If soldiers can suffer losses of this magnitude, a census on the death toll of civilians this year will be inconceivable.

Boko Haram attacks have become so brazen and barbarous that it appears the sect unleashes terror in the Northeast in response to President Muhammadu Buhari and the ruling party - All Progressives Congress' claims of 'technical victory' or decimation. The Nigerian Army has been suffering and smiling in order not to derail the approval ratings of the current administration.
It always claims victory over the Boko Haram group with minimal losses while families of fallen soldiers loudly mourn their losses on social media. Dead troops are summarily buried by the Nigerian Army without their national respect duly paid to them to make the present day government look good and in charge.

Its time for a revitalization of the battle against Boko Haram terrorism in Nigeria. We can't keep doing the same thing, the same way multiple times and expect a different result. The Nigerian government has bought military hardware from the West and other countries. The government struck a military partnership agreement known as the Multi-National Joint Task Force (MNJTF) with neighbouring African countries namely Benin, Cameroon, Chad, Niger, to combat Boko Haram; former President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan hired South African and Ukrainian military mercenaries, secured foreign training of soldiers and sharing intelligence with collaborative countries like the U.S, United Kingdom and others but the battle hasn't waned.

Buhari keeps living under the illusion that 14 Local Government Areas were under the control of the sect before he assumed power and they have been liberated. He might even add that the military under his administration chased the factional Boko Haram leader, Abubakar Shekau out of its stronghold in Sambisa Forest. Yes, he is right but the strategy of the group appears to have changed. They appear uninterested in holding territories and hoisting their flags anymore. They just want to paint the Northeast red with human blood and degrade habited areas to deserts.

Nigeria needs international help. This is hard to admit but it’s the gospel truth. Those giving Buhari hope are mostly feeding fat on the protracted war by diverting military allocations, slashing the allowances of the troops, and other funds from serving as middlemen between Boko Haram and the government during negotiations on the release of abductees.

The Boko Haram insurgency has been enmeshed in stinking and retrogressive politics typical of the Dark Continent. The crisis has its roots in politics and students of Nigerian history will confirm that issues with political undertones in Nigeria are seldom resolved. Examples are the deaths of Dele Giwa, MKO Abiola, Bola Ige, Funsho Williams and other high profile murder cases in Nigeria. Take a look at the anti-corruption fight since the establishment of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC and the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences, ICPC since the administration of former President Olusegun Obasanjo; the two anti-graft bodies have struggled to conclude more than 12 high-profile cases since in 18 years.

The EFCC and ICPC between 2000 and 2018 have secured hundreds of convictions for low-level offenders. Just a handful of high-profile offenders were sentenced to punishment proportionate to the gravity of their offences. This doesn’t have much to do with the competence of the members of staff of the anti-corruption bodies or their funding; the root cause is the political colouration of the crimes it handles.
The EFCC, military police, the Directorate of State Security and other security organizations easily become the political arms of the party in power. They are used to clip the wings of the political enemies of the person at the helm of affairs. This isn’t far from the predominant challenge of strong men and weak institutions in Nigeria.
I think the former governor of Ekiti State, Ayodele Fayose will agree with me on this one due to his personal experience with the EFCC. Governor Samuel Ortom of Benue State and Nyesom Wike of Rivers might also attest to this. This shouldn't be allowed to fester in the battle against the Boko Haram sect as human lives are at stake and the territorial integrity of Nigeria as well as her sovereignty is being threatened by the sect.

On this note, I will recommend the “Syrian model” to be used in fighting the Boko Haram sect. The Nigerian government needs to eat the humble pie by admitting that it’s incapable of dealing with the blood-thirsty sect. We need international mercenaries who will be in full control of the war while their Nigerian counterparts are relegated to the roles of “fixers” as we have in journalism. The 7-year civil war in Syria which is close to coming to an end is being prosecuted majorly by fighters from Russia, Iran, Hezbollah, and foreign Shia militias (Afghanistan and Pakistan) with tremendous progress. It is also worthy of note that the Syrian coalition receives political, logistic and military support from the United States, Britain and France.

A number of countries, including some individual NATO members, have since September 2014 participated in air operations in Syria. Those who have conducted airstrikes in Syria include the United States, Australia, Bahrain, Canada, France, Jordan, The Netherlands, Saudi Arabia, Turkey, the United Arab Emirates, and the United Kingdom.

President Bashar al-Assad, was almost forced out of the country by rebel groups and members of the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant, ISIL but today, the last rebel stronghold, Idlib province is about to be given up. Russia has been incredible in its war games which have caught the attention of America; Iran also did the same recently as President Trump hit the country with hard economic sanctions. It’s understandable for western powers like the U.S, France, Germany and United Kingdom to be uninterested in being fully involved direct military confrontations in another continent but President Vladimir Putin's quest for influence in Africa and the world could be favourably exploited. If the deal is good, Russia might take it alongside Turkey, Israel or Iran (Both will never fight together). A snippet of the anticipated result could be seen in former President Jonathan's intensified attack on Boko Haram for 6 weeks after the 2015 presidential election was postponed from February 14 to March 28. He reportedly engaged mercenaries and the sect was largely degraded to facilitate the peaceful conduct of the 2015 general elections.

The way Turkey has swiftly unraveled the killing of Saudi Arabian journalist Jamal Khashoggi is an addition to the resume of the European country. We need to approach crime with adequate intelligence gathering and surveillance system by trusted experts and not moles. We need a military set-up that is ahead of the sect. A security architecture that can anticipate their attacks and mitigate the crisis even before an outbreak; not a reactionary one.

We need to know those funding the sect, their apologists, the moles they have planted within the security system, we need to wiretap the pseudo-journalists who are like mouthpieces of the group, the negotiators and other suspicious elements working for Boko Haram. How do they recruit members, buy arms, and transfer cash? Terrorism Financing is key to counterterrorism. We need to saturate Sambisa Forest and other grey spots in Yobe with stealth drones to pick the movements of terrorists. We need to figure out their camps and take the war to them. We need an independent, well-trained and organized army which could effectively implement a technology and intelligence-driven approach to counterterrorism no matter the economic costs.
A security structure under whose radar Boko Haram can conveniently steal 200 cows, 300 sheep and goats, raze 65 houses, attack people in one night without credible leads to where they came from or moved their loot like we experienced of late in Bale Shuwa Village in Jere Local Government area of Borno State is a recipe for utter disaster.

The jihadist militant organization is ahead of our security agencies in intelligence gathering and it’s appalling. They were able to kidnap 273 Chibok school girls unhindered in 2014. They constantly ambush military convoys like the July, 2018 incident at Boboshe village in Bama Local Government Area of Borno State. Five officers, 18 soldiers and eight trucks were reportedly missing after the attack. They killed over 69 people and kidnapped lecturers contracted by the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC during the oil exploration exercise in the Lake Chad basin. They took advantage of the relaxation of security in Dapchi, Yobe State to kidnap 110 school girls immediately and also returned them like heroes after purportedly pocketing fat ransom monies from the Federal Government. My examples of security lapses are endless and I can go on forever.

Peace is invaluable and it goes hand in hand with growth and development. We should be ready to pay the price for peace no matter the financial and political demands. Let’s end the Boko Haram insurgency once and for all!

My religion is not in full support of taking alcohol but I don’t mind breaking the rules for once by using the skulls of the factional leaders of Boko Haram - Abu Musab al-Barnawi and Abubakar Shekau to drink cold beer with some Wizkid’s song playing at the background.

Osayimwen Osahon George is a journalist and PhD student of the University of Ibadan. He writes from Lagos State.
E-mail: G.osayimwen@gmail.com

Source: http://www.villagetowncrier.com/2018/11/boko-haram-time-to-drink-cold-beer-with.html

cc Lalasticlala Seun Mynd44 Tonyebarcanista

One thing you can't take away from a popular comedian, MC Tom is his 'natural madness' which he is very proud of us and exhibits boldly to blow the minds of his audience.

These are hilarious and trending photos of event host, Meroyi Segun Matthew aka MC Tom dancing recklessly at a wedding ceremony.

MC Tom gallantly and comfortably stole the show during a certain wedding ceremony he anchored by leading the couple and their friends in a brief dance performance which left the event attendees falling off their chairs in utmost laughter.

MC Tom clearly outclassed the couple and their friends during the performance, according to an eyewitness. He has been described as a hyper-talented comedian who has shown flashes of brilliance since his days at the Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Osun State.

[i]"I love what I do and I do what I love.

I see it as an offence to MC of ur event and u are not satisfied,Ur guests must be fully entertained and professionally carried along.
My name is MC TOM comedian, I am ur premium and Royal MC.

Still on the matter #RachClem2018. Congrats to Mr&Barr(Mrs) Famojuro, I celebrate you permanently" [/i]he captioned the glossy pictures.

Most social media users have been commenting on the perceived passion and energy of the married fan of one who is making waves in the competitive entertainment industry.

Source: https://www.tori.ng/news/109385/crazy-moment-nigerian-event-host-went-berserk-duri.html

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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


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


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

Lalasticlala Seun Mynd44 Tonyebarcanista Obinoscoppy Dominique

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

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

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

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

In Sowore's words:

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

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

Our NDLEA should get the notice, memo in advance that

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

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

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

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


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

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

Lalasticlala Seun Mynd44 Ishilove Tonyebarcanista

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

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

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

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

The Search For The Rainmaker

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

On The D-day

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Watch a short video clip of the incident below:


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

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

CC Lalasticlala Seun Ishilove Mynd44 Obinoscoppy Airforce1 Tonyebarcanista

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

CC Lalasticlala Seun Mynd44 Ishilove Obinoscoppy Dominique Tonyebarcanista

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

CC Lalasticlala Seun Ishilove Mynd44 Obinoscoppy Dominique

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

CC Lalasticlala Seun Ishilove Mynd44 Obinoscoppy Dominique Tonyebarcanista

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

CC Lalasticlala Seun Ishilove Tonyebarcanista Mynd44 Dominique Airforce1

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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


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

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

CC Lalasticlala Seun Ishilove Mynd44

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Watch the amateur video clip below:


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


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

CC Lalasticlala Seun Ishilove Obinoscoppy Tonyebarcanista Airforce1 Dominique

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Watch the full interview below:


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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

CC Lalasticlala Seun Ishilove Mynd44 Obinoscoppy Dominique Airforce1 Tonyebarcanista

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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


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


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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

CC Lalasticlala Seun Ishilove Mynd44 Obinoscoppy Dominique Tonyebarcanista

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

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

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

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

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

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

Read how some scenes of the drama ensued below:

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

“Personal effects.”

“Can we check?”

“Yes, please.”

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

“I’ll try my best.”

Watch the video below


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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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


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

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

CC Lalasticlala Seun Ishilove Mydn44 Tonyebarcanista Dominique Airforce1

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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


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

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