Woman who allegedly transformed from a bird dies in hospital
The woman who eyewitnesses claim fell from tension wire while flying as a bird and turned into this woman pictured above at Cappa B-stop, Oshodi on Friday Oct. 10th (read here), has died in hospital.
Witnesses claim they saw a bird flying around the area around 12noon that Friday afternoon, then the bird hit a high tension clable and then transformed into a badly burnt woman. Policemen arrived the scene as a crowd gathered the supposed ‘witch’ and took her to the hospital..
The Lagos State Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Kenneth Nwosu, told Punchthat the woman died in hospital and her body has been deposited at the Mainland General Hospital’s morgue.
Footballer Michael Essien denies reports that he contracted Ebola
There were rumours earlier today, started my mischief makers, that international/Ghanaian football star
Michael Essien had contracted the deadly Ebola virus causing hundreds of his fans to storm his social media pages begging for answers. He took to instagram to share a pic of himself and deny the report.
Source: Linda Ikeji Blog
BREAKING NEWS: Pa Johnson Taiwo Ayefele,the Father of the gospel musician Yinka Ayefele is dead
Pa Johnson Taiwo Ayefele,the father of the gospel musician,Yinka Ayefele is dead.He died in the early hours of today but the cause of his death is unknown.
According to a reliable source,today happens to be his birthday in which he celebrated with pop and pegeantry.
May His gentle soul rest in perfect peace
Ekiti Court Violence: SANs Drag Fayose, PDP Before NHRC
Following violence at the Ekiti State High Court last month, Senior Advocates of Nigeria Quakers and M.J. Onigbanjo have dragged the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the Ekiti State governor-elect, Ayodele Fayose, to the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC)over alleged violation of their right to practice as lawyers.
Suspected political thugs allegedly loyal to Fayose had on September 22 and 25 attacked the Ekiti High Court.
The lawyers alleged that their lives were threatened by the attack and their rights were infringed on.
Quaker and Onigbanjo, who are lawyers to the litigants challenging Fayose’s eligibility to contest in the June 21 governorship election, addressed their petition to the Executive Secretary of the NHRC, Prof. Bem Angwe.
Investigation on the attack is still ongoing, after the National Judicial Council (NJC) directed the Inspector General of Police, Suleiman Abbah to ensure those behind the attack are arrested and prosecuted.
Immediate Past NBA President, Okey Wali, Kidnapped
The worsening state of insecurity in the country reared its ugly head in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, following the abduction of the immediate past President of the Nigerian Bar Association, NBA, Okey Wali.
The unfortunate incident was disclosed by the NBA in a press statement Saturday, signed by its current president, Mr. Augustine Alegeh (SAN).
The umbrella body for Nigerian lawyers said it received the “shocking news” of Mr. Wali’s kidnap by unknown persons on Saturday, October 11, at about 9 p.m.
Mr. Wali, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria and an indigene of Rivers State, was elected the NBA’s 26thpresident in 2012 and served in that capacity until July this year.
“Okey Wali SAN is a man of peace who has not only contributed immensely to the enthronement of rule of law and protection of human rights, but also to the development of our Nation”, the NBA said.
“It is therefore saddening that he should become a kidnap victim. This sad event is yet another reminder of the state of insecurity in which all Nigerians live.
“The NBA calls on the Federal Government to step up efforts to fulfil its primary constitutional role of providing for the welfare and security of all Nigerians. We passionately appeal to his abductors for his immediate and safe release to his family”.
Why Nigerian Women Should Be Proposing To Their Men
Of course, Nigeria is a land of traditions and customs. It is unusual for a woman to ask a man for his hand in marriage. But times are changing now, so here are 4 reasons for a modern Nigerian girl to start proposing to her man.
1. Women do everything better
As often said, everything a man can do a woman can do better. Instead of waiting for a prince to come for you, why not to take matters into your own hands? We live in the world where most conventions are broken.
2. Men are big babies
All men are like babies. They want to be fed, given special attention and taken care of. So the best care you can give to him is to give him a ring. He probably deserves it as much as you do.
3. Time is not on your side
Often times, there is too much pressure on women from friends and, especially, parents to settle down. Your parents keep asking you when you will be married and all the ladies you know are already in their marital homes. So if you have already found a guy you love, why not to give him an engagement ring? If he does not do it first, of course.
4. You don’t want to wait for too long
Some time ago, Nigerian guys used to get married approximately at the age of 25. Now they prefer to wait till 30 or even 35. They want to buy a car, get a bigger house and so on. If this happens, you will be forced to wait a while for him to accomplish all of his goals. So if you two are in love – just propose to him. And don’t forget to cook something tasty!
Crisis Hits Ekiti Assembly As Lawmakers Move for Speaker’s Impeachment
Tension is now brewing in Ekiti State House of Assembly as lawmakers plot to impeach the Speaker, Hon. Adewale Omirin.
Also to be removed in the new power gameare the Deputy Speaker, Hon. Taiwo Orisalade; the Majority leader, Hon Churchill Adedipe; the Chief Whip, Hon. Ade Ajayi, and other principal officers of the House.
Twenty-five out of 26 members of the present Assembly are members of the All Progressives Congress (APC), with only one member, Hon. Oyedele Ajibola, belonging to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), sequel to the defection of Hon. Bunmi Oriniowo to APC prior to the June 21 governorship election.
A source in the Assembly confided in newsmen in Ado Ekiti yesterday that the anti-Speaker lawmakers were mainly those representing constituencies in Ekiti North Senatorial district, comprising Ikole, Ilejemeje, Moba, Ido/Osi and Oye Local Government Areas of the State.
The new move, which the source said could not be unconnected with the imminent change of government in the state, as Governor Kayode Fayemi’s tenure expires on Wednesday, October 15, was aimed at balancing the political equation when the Governor elect, Mr. Ayodele Fayose is sworn-in.
The Speaker, who responded to the rumour, denied the reports of leadership crisis in the House, saying the lawmakers are united and remain committed to the development of the State.
Speaking through his Special Adviser on Media, Wole Olujobi, Omirin said the rumour is just the figment of imaginations of those peddling it, noting that the unity among members is something of pride to members and Ekiti people in general.
The source said the incumbent governor is from the North; his Deputy, Prof. Modupe Adelabu, from the Central, while the speaker is from the South senatorial districts respectively.
The source relayed to journalists that the equation will change with the emergence of Fayose, who is from the Central and his deputy, Dr. Olusola Eleka, from the South, the same senatorial district with Hon Omirin, which forms part of the reasons to move for his ouster, coupled with external interference.
Another reason adduced by the source for the change of leadership was the fact that the lawmakers were said to have lamented during a recent visit to a national leader of the party in Lagos, expressing disgust at how Fayemi had allegedly treated them in the last three and half years due to seeming weak leadership.
The source said the lawmakers later resorted to the new tactic when they returned to Ekiti, seeing the Speaker’s removal as the best way to get at the governor.
The source said: “The Speaker may
be removed anytime from now except he could play a fast game. Some APC lawmakers are bent on removing him at all cost, not only to balance the political equation, but to punish him for the sins he had committed under Governor Fayemi.”
Rattled by the lawmakers’ desperate move, the leaders of the party held a truce meeting with the aggrieved legislators up to midnight on Friday, urging them to sheathe their swords, which the source said have been fruitful.
The Speaker has urged Ekiti people to continue to have faith in their elected representatives in the House of Assembly, assuring them that members will not betray them in whatever guise.
Graphic Photo: Another Deadly Virus Surfaces- Marburg Haemorrhagic Fever (MHF)
With West Africa, and indeed the rest of the world, still reeling from the deaths brought about by the Ebola virus, the recent death of a Ugandan hospital technician of another deadly viral disease, Marburg Haemorrhagic Fever (MHF), has brought fresh fears, Tribune Newspaperreports.
Uganda’s Ministry of Health disclosed that a total of 99 people who had been in contact with the victim had been moved to quarantine. These contacts are being monitored for signs and symptoms of the disease after tests confirmed that the 30-year-old man who worked as a radiographer in a Kampala hospital died of the disease. The man was said to have had a headache, abdominal pains, diarrhoea and vomited blood before he died.
Marburg virus was first identified in 1967, after simultaneous outbreaks in Marburg (from which the disease takes its name) and Frankfurt both in Germany, Belgrade, Serbia and Yugoslavia. It was later traced back to monkeys imported from Uganda for laboratory work. Since then, the virus has appeared sporadically, with just a dozen outbreaks on record. The most recent outbreak, also in Uganda, in 2012, killed four out of 15 patients, according to the United States of America’s Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Source: Ladun Liadi Blog
Military Jet Almost Crashed In Yola Airport After Losing Two Tires During Lift-Off
A military jet was on Friday involved in a near crash at the Yola Airport, Adamawa State, after the aircraft lost two tires while it was trying to take off.

According to The Punch, the jet is believed to be one of those being used for aerial bombardments of insurgents in the North East, including Adamawa, Borno and Yobe states.
Reportedly, the incident occurred at about 2.30pm. There was panic among airport users and workers when the engine of the aircraft, which was already taxing, was suddenly switched off.
When the alarm was raised, airport officials, fire fighters and security operatives, were quickly mobilised. Some of them were driven to the scene in a white patrol van to ascertain the situation.
The initial rumour was that the jet was on fire, but the officials debunked this information when they returned from the scene.
Thus the airport’s runway was temporarily closed to traffic.
I Can’t Tell You If I Am In A Relationship With Yemi Alade Or Not- Alex Ekubo
Mr Nigeria 2010 runner up and actor, Alex Ekubo have decided to keep mum once again over his relationship with female musician, Yemi Alade. Alex while speaking to a vanguardreporter says there are two things he never does, and they are speaking about his finances and talking about his relationship. He however admits the singer has a sweet soul and she’s his personal darling.
“Yemi is vibrant, she’s a breath of fresh air, and she’s young, creative and talented. Have you seen Yemi dance? I’ve been in two of her videos and she is my darling, a sweetheart and there are two things I don’t talk about; they are my finance and my relationship,” he said.
Source: Ladun liadi Blog
Host nation Morocco wants Africa Nations Cup 2015 postponed because of Ebola
According to Mail Online Sports handle, the Moroccan government has called for the Africa Cup of Nations to be postponed because of the dangers of the Ebola virus. The 2015 Africa Nations Cup is supposed to start January 17th in Morocco.
Source: Linda Ikeji Blog
Cause of riots in Kirikiri prison revealed
There were reports earlier today that inmates of Kirikiri Medium Prisons attempted a jail break leading to the death & injury of many. But according to new reports, it may not have been a jail break
Now this is not confirmed but according to someone who is involved in Prison Outreach and was supposed to be at prison tomorrow, he got a mail from the co-ordinator of the outreach informing them that their visit has been cancelled due to an incident at the prison this afternoon. In the email that was sent out, what happened at the prison was explained. See it after the cut…
Please be advised that the Prison Outreach fortomorrowat Kirikiri Prisons has been cancelled.
Apparently, at the Kirikiri Medium Prison , the inmate GO bought himself a microphone and a fan with his own money today and the Deputy Controller of the prison did not approve of it. The DCP ordered the GO to be locked up in isolation. This infuriated the inmates and demanded the release of the GO.
A mob of inmates started throwing stones at the authorities. Hence, DCP ordered the Prison Mobile Unit to shoot on sight. Shots were fired sporadically into the inmates and scores are dead. I was informed that the K-9 Unit was also dispatched into the inmate population. The GO has been bitten several times and in critical condition.
Please be praying for him and the entire inmate population. Some of the ones who died might not have had any contact with family members since their incarceration.
Frightful photo: Bird allegedy turns into woman at Oshodi
According to Twitter user, @davidTheGear, a few minutes ago at Oshodi, a bird fell from a high tension wire and landed on the ground and turned into a woman. The woman that the bird supposedly turned into had most of her skin peeled. Photo above. Can this be explained other than she’s a witch?
Source: Linda Ikeji Blog
Photo: Police arrest pastor with human skull
35 year old Clement Oyetunde (pictured above) who claims to be a pastor with the Cherubim and Seraphim Church in Osun state was paraded by men of the Osun state police command yesterday October 9th after he was found with human skull and other charms at his church premises in the Adeowo area of Modakeke in Osun.
According to Tribunenewspapers, Clement said a friend brought the skull to his house and buried it in his compound but that the spirit of the skull kept calling for it to be returned
“I am a pastor of the Cherubim and Seraphim, Oke-Itura parish, Adeowo area in Modakeke in Osun state. It was Wasiu that brought the skull to me, We buried it at my backyard. Wasiu left immediately and I don’t know his whereabout, now. Few days later, while I was asleep in the house, I hear strange voices singing and drumming in Christian way as if they were worshiping. The tune suddenly changed into traditional song and some invisible spirits started telling me that I should return the skull of Iya-Orun. They told me that the skull buried in my house was Mama Osun’s skull and that the woman was from Ondo in Ondo state. They insisted that I must return the skull and the noise was too much for me to bear as my head. They told me that the skull we buried in my house was Mama Osun’s skull and that the woman was from Ondo in Ondo state. They insisted that I must return the skull and the noise was too much for me to bear as my head was swelling. That was why I ran out from the house and called for help so that the spirits would not kill me inside the house. It was then that the people in my area gathered and they eventually called the police” Clement said.
The police say they will find his accomplice, Wasiu, who is curently at large.
Source: Linda Ikeji Blog
Breaking: Many feared dead as inmates of Kirikiri Prisons attempt jail break
Many are feared dead and many more injured as inmates of Kirikiri Maximum Prisons, Apapa, Lagos attempted jail break earlier today. Will bring details later…
Photos: Lynch mob castrate rapist they caught attacking young girl in India
These Indian mob aren’t playing. They actually cut off his penis. 40yr old Suresh Kumar was beaten and castrated after he was caught trying to rape a teenage girl in a dark alleyway inGanganagar city in India. According to local media reports, the girl’s screams for help attracted people around the area who then dragged him to a nearby butcher’s shop and used a meat cleaver to remove his manhood after beating him mercilessly.
The lynch mob then dropped his severed manhood in the middle of the road and left Suresh to his faith. He’s said to be in a critical condition in hospital after losing a lot of blood following the beating and castration. Anyone have any sympathy for him?
Source: Linda Ikeji Blog
Fayose: Ekiti courts fail to sit
Courts in Ekiti State failed to sit yesterday for the continuation of hearings in the ongoing suit instituted by a group of the state’s stakeholders, the E-11, and the Citizen Peoples Party (CPP) against the governor-elect, Mr. Ayodele Fayose.
The development confirmed the exclusive news published byThe Nationyesterday.
The continued closure of the courts followed an alleged directive from the Presidency that the case against Fayose “should not be allowed to go on.”
The precincts of the courts were empty yesterday, except for the chirping of birds, the rustling of flora and the ceaseless breeze.
The Chief Judge, Justice Ayodeji Daramola, on September 25, ordered the closure of the courts, following attack on judges, lawyers, judicial officers and litigants.
The purported Presidency’s directive was faithfully executed by a combined team of security operatives, comprising men of Nigeria Army, the police and Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC).
As early as 7am, the security teams mounted about 10 check-points around Fajuyi area where the courts are located.
A black coloured pick-up van with the inscription, “Ondo NA 32 OPS 08 Fast Strike Squad,” which was occupied by some soldiers, patrolled the area.
Other stern-looking and heavily-armed security operatives were seen either standing by the gates of the courts or by their vans, surveying the area for possible infractions.
Some of them also stood by the roadsides, controlling vehicular movements, which were constrained to one side of the dual-carriageway from the Basiri end of the road, causing low traffic.
At the same time, scores of individuals believed to be supporters of the embattled Fayose, gathered around the Fajuyi Park, watching the scene while journalists, who ventured near the premises, were barred from gaining entry.
A male journalist with a state-owned broadcast station was physically assaulted and his camera seized by those believed to belong to one of the parties in the current dispute.
The E-11had instituted the case against the governor-elect, contesting his ‘eligibility’ to contest the June 21, 2014 election over a purported false information Fayose disclosed in a Form CF001 of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
The group claims that he failed to state in the form that he was indicted by an administrative panel in 2006 and subsequent impeached.
Source: The Nation
Police Attack Governor Fayemi And Senator Ojudu During APC Rally In Ado Ekiti
A police team led by Gabriel Seleke, a Bayelsa -born MOPOL commander who was former Goodluck Jonathan’s Aide De camp when he was Deputy governor in Bayelsa state unleashed violence on All Progressives Congress (APC) members as they embarked on an early morning street rally in Ado -Ekiti. The attack took place in Ijigbo area. The police tear gassed party members and directly shot and killed one person during the attack. MOPOL Commander Seleke also had a verbal altercation with Governor Kayode Fayemi on the scene, a commissioner in the state and one of Fayemi’s security aides were later arrested by the police team.
A police press statement later blamed Senator Babafemi Ojudu, APC chairman in the state, Jide Awe and Governor Fayemi for not hearkening to security advice that had banned the rally. Continue to see more photos below:
Jobs at Nestle Nigeria Plc (3 Position)
Nestle Nigeria Plc – As the Leading Nutrition Health and Wellness Company, we are committed to enhancing People’s lives, everywhere, every day. Infact enhancing lives will influence everything we do together.
A presence in more than 130 countries and factories in more than 80 research centres brings many global benefits. We believe in long term career development and appreciate how challenges and motivation will help you reach your potential. Nestle Nigeria Plc upholds the principle of Non- Discrimination and Equal Employment Opportunities in its recruitment processes.
Applications are hereby required from suitably qualified candidates to fill the vacant position of:
Job Title: Quality Assurance Analyst
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
• Responsible for Microbiology chemical lab activities.
• Inventory control for Chemical Lab items like consumable material and maintain minimum stock by using support from Quality Assurance Manager.
• To strictly follow the Laboratory Instructions (LIs) and Workbench instructions while doing analysis.
• Demonstrate continual improvement of Safety, Health and Environment (SHE) performance.
• Maintain the factory’s commitment to the prevention of environmental pollution via the provision of resources and materials in line with the department impact and aspect.
• Any other business related Job assigned by the Line Manager.
PROFILE:
• BSc degree or HND in any of these disciplines (Minimum of Second Class lower or Higher Credit Grade) in Chemistry, Microbiology, Biochemistry and other biological sciences.?
• Minimum of one year experience in the food industry.
• Knowledge of lab safety, GLP and chemical handling.
• Commitment to strong work ethic, integrity and honesty.
• Good communication and presentation skills.
• Analytic and diagnostic ability.
• Excellent Computer skills- Ms. Word, Ms. Excel, Ms. Power Point
Job Title: Nutrition Advisor
Job Type Full Time
Min Qualification BA/BSc/HND
Location Abia, Kaduna, Kano, Lagos, Plateau
Job Field Medical/HealthKey Responsibilities
– The potential candidates will be expected to assist in communication of our infant formula in assigned territories of health care practitioners and PHC’s that will need affordable Infant nutrition solutions.
You have no sales responsibility.
– The candidates will report directly to the Nestle Nutrition Field Operation Manager (FOM) in charge of the candidate’s assigned territory, who will supervise their operations using the prevailing Nestle Nutrition delegate’s documentation and reporting tools.
Job Title: Medical Delegate
Job Type Full Time
Min Qualification BA/BSc/HND
Experience 2 years
Location Abuja, Edo, Kano, Niger, Sokoto
Job Field Medical/Health
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
• Detail the Nestlé Infant Nutrition range of products in assigned territory with the aim of obtaining prescriptions.
• Develop relationships/partnerships with medical/paramedical contacts/institutions through effective communication and/or support of activities in line with WHO Code, local Code or Nestle Instructions.
• Conduct periodic trade checks to ensure product availability, market hygiene, completeness of product range and report competitive activities, stock level and prices.
PROFILE:
• BSc degree in any of these disciplines (Minimum of Second Class lower) Medical Sciences and Human Nutrition.
• 2 years relevant Medical detailing experience.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Excellent Knowledge of Food & Nutrition with emphasis on Infant Nutrition.
• Ability to develop excellent working relationships with internal and external stakeholders.
• Excellent interpersonal and convincing skills.
• Possession of a Valid Driver’s License and ability to drive long distances (Interstate)
• Excellent Computer skills.
• Good Planning and Organization Skills.
• Ability to use initiative and work with minimum supervision.
• Strong Drive and Passion for business results.
Entry Requirements
– BSc/HND degrees (Minimum of Second Class Upper /Lower Credit respectively) in Human Nutrition, Food Science & Technology and other Biological science fields (i.e. Microbiology, Botany, Biochemistry etc.)
– Good Communication & Presentation Skills
– Good Planning and Organization Skills
How to Apply
Nestlé Nigeria Plc. upholds the principle of Non-Discrimination and Equal Employment Opportunities in its recruitment processes.
Please note that only short listed candidates will be contacted.
Click here to apply online
Application deadline: 21st of May, 2014
WEF: Nigeria, Dangote, WFP To Fight Malnutrition In Africa With $50m
Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Dr. Akinwumi Adesina, yesterday unveiled an initiative to combat malnutrition in Africa at the World Economic Forum which just ended in Abuja.
The initiative entails drawing technical and financial support from global food and nutrition agencies, research institutions and donors and will see the injection of $50 million by Nigeria’s leading industrial and agricultural group, Dangote, into the project.
Others, who have indicated interest in the project, aimed at eliminating malnutrition, poverty and agricultural losses by farmers around the continent, are the United Nations International Children Fund, UNICEF, and World Food Programme, WFP.
Others are United States Agency for International Aid, USAID, United Kingdom’s Department for International Development, DfID, Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, Harvestplus, Global Action for Improved Nutrition, GAIN, and Syngenta.
According to Adesina, the initiative known as “Transformative Partnership for High-Energy Nutritious Foods, would see to a high level multifaceted effort aimed at arresting the scourge of malnutrition and hunger in Africa.
Giving a grim statistics of hungry and malnourished people around the world, the minister lamented that nearly 850 million of the 7.1 billion people in the world, or one in eight, are hungry.
Adesina pointed out that malnutrition is the cause of 45% of deaths in children under five, taking the lives of about 3.1 million children each year at a time global wealth in 2013 reached a new all time high of $241 trillion, up 68% within the past ten years.
“In Africa, malnutrition, especially the lack of essential minerals and vitamins poses major challenges in most countries.
“It is estimated that 12 Africans die every minute as a result of hunger and malnutrition. Almost 240 million people in sub-Saharan Africa do not eat well enough for their health and well-being.
“Africa has the highest prevalence of undernourishment in the world afflicting almost one in four people. Eighty percent of the world’s stunted children live in just 14 countries, of which eight are here in Africa. This is not a pretty picture at all,” Adesina said.
In a bid to reverse the ugly trend, the minister said effort was being made to transform agriculture from a mere development programme to a money-making business.
Chibok Abduction: Military Denies Being Forewarned About Boko Haram Attack
Nigeria’s army has dismissed the report by human rights group Amnesty International that it was forewarned about the attack on the Government Girls Secondary School, Chibok, where over 300 school girls were abducted by Islamist sect Boko Haram.
Defence spokesman Chris Olukolade on Saturday denied separate reports on Friday by Al Jazeera and Amnesty International that the Nigerian military had received advance warnings of the attack on the Chibok school, describing the reports as “unfounded”.
Amnesty said on Friday it was told that security forces were given four hours’ notice of the attack on April 14, but failed to reinforce the town.
Two politicians from Borno state, which borders Chibok, separately told Al Jazeera’s Yvonne Ndege that the army had been given at least two hours’ notice.
Makmid Kamara, a Nigeria researcher for Amnesty, on Friday said: “We received information and we spoke to a senior Nigerian military officer … that they had received intelligence reports, even before local authorities and politicians got the information, that gunmen were on their way to the Chibok town.”
Kamara told Al Jazeera that senior officials in Maiduguri and Dambua towns were alerted at about 7pm on April 14, and that information was given to senior military officers based in Dambua and Maiduguri.
“Later on, at 10pm on the same night of the 14th of April, local authorities, who Amnesty had spoken to, informed us, that they informed the local military command in Chibok town about the planned attack,” Kamara said.
“When I spoke to one of the senior military officials, they informed me that they [had] informed their superiors, and requested for reinforcement. But the reinforcement did not come.”
The school was said to have been attacked at 11.45pm.
“Only 17 troops were there to face the attack and they were outgunned and outnumbered,” Kamara said.
“They had to flee for their lives together with some other villagers.”
Genevieve Nnaji talks about missing Chibok Girls on CNN
Just watched Genevieve Nnaji on CNN a few minutes ago talking about the missing Chibok girls, and she was very articulate. Some of what she said below…
“As celebrities, we thought it was our responsibility to shed light and bring to the forefront this inhumane act.”
“For me I think it will be unfair to say they (the federal govt) were slow to react because nobody knew whether they reacted or not. The thing is we we weren’t told, we didn’t know if they were aware of the situation or not. The major problem we had was the lack of communication. We just wanted them to react to us. Now we can see things being put in place, now we can see effort being made and that will be credited to the noise that’s been made, the campaigning that’s been made around the world. We are grateful for all the attention.” Continue…
CNN: Does she welcome foreign support?
“This has been going on way too long and there’s no shame asking for help and in taking it. The truth is, terrorism is not only our problem, it’s not a continent problem, it’s a global issue and we all have to come together to help it because at the end of the day this is a breach of human rights and it sgouls concern each and everyone of us.
Davido Blast Immigration Officials, Saying They Are Corrupt
Nigerian Pop sensation Davido today missed his flight to London and he had some special words for the immigration officials.
The Skelewu crooner through his instagram page made it know that the reason he couldn’t get in his flight on time was because the immigration officials where disturbing him for bribe.
After missing his flight an obviously pissed Davido decided to use some special words to describe the officials.
Davido before this has been having a great couple of days so far as his song Tchelete with South African super group Mafikizolo is blowing away the charts .
14 Suspected Boko Haram Members Arrested In Niger Republic
Fourteen suspected members of the dreaded Islamist sect Boko Haram were arrested in neighboring Niger Republic on Tuesday after a gun duel with security personnel in Shatimari village in eastern region of Difa State.
Difa state of Niger Republic is some 1,400 km east of the country’s capital, Niamey, and borders two Nigerian states of Yobe and Borno where a lot of Boko Haram attack has carried out.
Yakubu Usmana Gawo, the state governor in an interview said the gunmen came with heavy guns and sophisticated weapons and were arrested on different spots while trying to escape from the state after a robbery incident, adding that he could not identify the names of the kind of weapons they came with as he was not a military man.
“We have arrested 2 injured people among them; one was arrested in the town. We also arrested eight of the gunmen while trying to run away from the town and we recovered eight mobile phones from them,” he said.
He explained that this wasn’t the first time such incidences were occurring in the state but this one recent one happened to be the worst because of the kind of weapons they insurgents carried.
He however said he was not sure if they were Boko Haram members because they are not known for robbing people of their monies.
Some days back,suspected Boko Haram were said to have attacked the town of Koussériin the Far North Province of Cameroon where they killed at least one security personnel at a local paramilitary police post and released their members who were being detained.
There were also reports that members of oneNiger gang were collaborating with Boko Haramwho pay them money
READ MORE:http://news.naij.com/65064.htmlto join and provide information on the situation in the region and security forces movement
#BringBackOurGirls: Female Officers Of Police, NSCDC Join Mass Protest (PHOTOS)
Dozens of concerned female NSCDC and police officers have joined the #BringBackOurGirls movement in the capital city of Nasarawa State, Lafia, on May 8, 2014, Thursday.
According to DailyTrust, the personnel joined scores of other women, chanting “We Want Our Daughters, Bring Back Our Daughters,” and carrying multiple placards with such inscriptions as “Rescue Our Daughters”, “Enough is enough”, “Stop Bombings And Killings”. Some other messages expressed anger against the government’s slow handling of this horrible crime.
One of the two Assistant Superintendents of Police (ASPs), who led other female officers to the venue of the protest, said that as women, as mothers, they had no choice, but to join the solidarity movement calling for rescue of over 200 female students abducted by Boko Haram from GGSS Chibok, 24 days ago.
Another female police personnel broke from chanting was seen raising her hands up in the air, demonstrating prayers to God. The women offered prayers as they made recitations from both the Bible and the Quran, raiding their voices up to God for intervention.
See the photos from the scene of the rally below. Photo credit – Daily Trust
Ikuforiji Willing To Succeed Babtunde Fashola In 2015
The Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Sabit Adeyemi Ikuforiji, has officially announced about his intentions to run for the governorship in 2015.
The statement was made during the second’Breakfast meeting with the Speaker’in Ikuforiji’s official residence at Joel Ogunnaike Street, GRA, Ikeja, on Tuesday, 6th May. The Speaker declared his readiness and desire to succeed the current governor of Lagos State, Babatunde Raji Fashola, whose term ends in 2015.
The Ikuforiji’s aspiration was earlier expressed by the lawmaker and the Chairman of the State House of Assembly Committee on Information, Strategy and Security, Hon. Segun Ganiyu Olulade, at the last week Assembly meeting.
The Speaker is a member of a number of Committees within the House. He is the Member of the Education Committee, Member of the Commerce and Industry Committee and the Member of the Environment Committees.
He has been honoured as the Best Speaker in Nigeria by the National Leadership Award in Abuja and seen as one of the front runners for APC’s ticket. Rt. Hon. Adeyemi Ikuforiji was first elected Speaker of the Lagos House of Assembly on 29th December, 2005.
Following his victory at the April 14th 2007 General Elections, he was returned to represent Epe Constituency II in the State Legislature under the aegis of Action Congress (AC) now Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN).
Presently he is representing Ikeja State Constituency 1. At the inauguration of the 6th Assembly held on Monday, 4th June, 2007, he became the first Legislator to serve as a Speaker for two consecutive terms.
American security experts may hit Abuja today
Theteam of US experts may arrive in Abujaon Thursday to start active assistance with the abducted girls rescue operation.
Punch made this known referring to a reliable source at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport (NAIA).
When asked to comment the claim and to say if he is sure about the arrival, the source revealed:
“Yes, I will call you once they land at the airport. The fight against terror in Nigeria is gathering momentum and the information I have is that the security experts are likely to come with an American flight. As of today (Wednesday), they (security experts) have not arrived, those that we saw are delegates and officers of the WEF.”
He also dwelt upon the resources to be deployed by the foreign authorities saying that the US could send the troops and equipment from the US Drone Base in Niger, the Gulf of Guinea, and other bases in Africa, while additional staff and equipment could be sent from the homeland.
“You think that the Americans are coming in next week? Who says so? They have all the elements in the various bases they have in Africa. They can do their deployment in hours.”
It would be recalled that more than 230girls were abducted in the April 14 night raidon Chibok school, Borno State.
The leader of the dreaded Islamic sect Boko Haram Abubakar Shekauclaimed responsibility for the kidnap in the videoreleased 3 weeks after the incident. He said now he owned the girls and would sell them in the market.
Meanwhile the tragedy has caused international rage and concern, with many countries, including USA, China, France, UK suggesting their help in the search process.
BREAKING NEWS: Brazil Names World Cup squad
Goalkeepers – Júlio César, Jefferson, Victor. / Defenders – Dante, David Luiz, Thiago Silva, Henrique, Dani Alves, Maicon, Marcelo, Maxwell / Midfielders – Fernandinho, Hernanes, Luiz Gustavo, Oscar, Paulinho, Ramires, Willian, Bernard. / STRIKERS – Fred, Hulk, Jo, Neymar
Photos From #BringBackOurGirls Rally At Nigerian Embassy In New York
Over 40 Nigerians living in New York on May 6, 2014, gathered outside of the Nigerian Embassy to protest the abduction of hundreds of GGSS Chibok female students in Borno.
The protesters were carrying various placards with such inscriptions as“Nigerian Government, Bring Chibok Girls Home Immediately,” “Govt Officials in Fortresses, Our Girls in the Forest,” “Bomb Blast in Abuja, President Jonathan Dancing in Kano,” “#BringBackOurGirls,” “Setting Committee 3 Weeks After Abduction Is Grand Mediocrity,” “The Whole World Calls for the Rescue of the Chibok Girls”and many more.
Similar rallies took place across Nigeria and in other countries across the world. Three days ago, May 3, similar protest took place in Washington, D.C., the capital of the United States.
In New York, people with placards and banners sang and chanted slogans and voiced their anger through speeches directed at the Nigerian Government and international community.
Lupita Nyong’o crazily excited to meet Beyonce
She’s met and dined with many A-list stars and even Oprah, but meeting Beyonce at the Met Gala on Monday night seemed to top it all for Lupita Nyong’o. She posted the above on her instagram page and said she hasn’t stopped screaming inside yet!
#BringBackOurGirls campaign: Drake lends his support
drake
Rihanna’s boyfriend has joined the foreign celebs supporting the ongoing campaign.
Senator calls for U.S. special forces to rescue Nigerian girls
Sen. Susan Collins told CNN in an interview that she wants the U.S. military to help rescue more than 200 schoolgirlskidnapped in Nigeria.
“More can be done by this administration. I would like to see Special Forces deployed to help rescue these young girls. Some of these girls are as young as nine years old,” said Collins.
“They’re being sold into slavery, forced into marriages, required to convert. This is just horrible,” she said.
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Collins joined Democratic Sen. Barbara Mikulski in writing a bipartisan letter Tuesday to President Barack Obama asking the administration to do more. It was signed by all 20 women senators.
But the letter focused on the diplomatic front, and urged Obama to press the United Nations to add Boko Haram to its al Qaeda Sanctions List.
Boko Haram, which has claimed responsibility for the kidnappings in April, is a militant group that has received assistance in the past from al Qaeda, according to the State Department. The United States has branded it a terror group.
“Every single woman immediately signed that letter, because she wanted to lend her voice to the international outrage,” said Mikulski.
“The women of the Senate won’t be quiet,” she said.
The comments came as word surfaced of even more abductions this week.
Mikulski, interviewed by CNN alongside Collins, was more circumspect on the idea of sending American troops on a rescue mission. Instead, she hopes regional governments take the lead.
“It has to start with the Nigerian President, using his resources, an African regional coalition, and then call upon the expertise of nations that have Special Forces, special intelligence data, satellites, etc.,” said Mikulski.
“Find the girls, rescue the girls, punish the bad guys and send a message: we won’t tolerate it. You try it again, we’ll come after you again,” Mikulski said emphatically.
But she voiced concern coming from others on Capitol Hill and elsewhere about the Nigerian government’s willingness to act.
“The Nigerian government, led by its President, has been tepid on its response at best,” said Mikulski.
Collins said she would think the Nigerian President “would welcome Special Forces coming in.”
“I don’t think the Nigerian President has the capabilities, obviously, that we have, so I would hope that he would encourage the United States to help him rescue these young citizens of his country, these girls who are being so exploited, kidnapped, taken from their homes. This is horrendous and it requires a global outrage in response to what’s happening,” said Collins.
Source: CNN
Police Offer N50m Reward For Information on Missing Chibok Girls
The Nigeria Police Force have announced a 50 million naira reward for any citizen who provides valuable and credible information that could lead to locating and rescuingthe abducted Borno State girls.
The police have issued a statement signed by the Chief Superintended of Police, Public relations officer, Frank Mba. The police have promised to ensure anonymity and confidentiality to the callers. All well-wishing Nigerians possessing valuable info are urged to call the following numbers:
09-2914649
08081777309
08055547536
08032125050
08034617591
08035969731
The girls were abducted on April 14th byBoko Haram terroristswho invaded the Chibok town in Borno State. Latest reports indicate 279 girls, aged from 16 to 19, were snatched from their dormitories of Government Girls Secondary School. Some of them have managed tobreak free, but over 200 still remain in Boko Haram’s hands. The sect’s latest act has angered not onlyNigerians, put also people all around the world
UK Hospital Apologises After Mistakenly Making Man Sterile
A man has been mistakenly given a vasectomy by medics who were supposed to be performing a “minor procedure” on him, a UK hospital has admitted.
The patient, who was not named, went to the Royal Liverpool Hospital for a minor urological operation but was wrongly made sterile by a blundering surgeon.
Medics tried to reverse the error but it is not known whether the reversal was successful.
Health bosses at the Royal Liverpool and Broadgreen University Hospitals NHS Trust said they have apologised “unreservedly” to the patient.
They said an internal investigation into the incident has been launched and the responsible surgeon has been suspended from carrying out operations pending the result.
Bill Gates Predicted To Be World’s First Trillionaire
He founded the world’s most famous software company and is dedicated to eradicating malaria.
Now Bill Gates could be set to add another line to his CV: World’s first trillionaire.
That’s according to financial forecasters who predict it’s only a matter of time before we see billions become trillions.
American tax lawyer Bob Lord predicts the next trillionaire could emerge within 25 years as wealth levels become more concentrated.
“My guess is 2039 is the most likely time frame to cross that threshold,” he told The Telegraph.
Bill Gates is predicted to be the first person to take up the mantle. He’s currently the world’s richest man with a fortune of $79.5 billion.
Carlos Slim and Warren Buffett, who are valued at $67.3 billion and $64.8 billion respectively are also in the running, although with Buffett at age 83 could be a factor.
Wealth Insight consultant Oliver Williams told The Times that with wealth growing at current levels the move is inevitable.
“You can’t be exact on when we will see the first trillionaire, and it is ‘when’ not ‘if’, but it is doubtful that it will be within 25 years; double that estimate would be more likely,” he said.
“The first trillionaire will be an inventor, someone who creates something world-changing, like Bill Gates did with the PC.”
Banking giant Credit Suisse predicts there could be as many as 11 trillionaires within the next two generations.
“If this scenario unfolds, then billionaires will be commonplace, and there is likely to be a few trillionaires too, eleven according to our best estimate” their recent Global Wealth Report stated.
Boko Haraam: Islamic Council Declares One Month Fasting
The Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs, NSCIA, has called on Muslim faithful to join in a one month fasting and prayers introduced by the council to seek God’s intervention in the current activities of Boko Haram insurgents in the country.
Vice Chairman of the council, Alhaji Dauda Ajagu, who disclosed this on Monday in Onitsha, Anambra State, said fasting and prayers would take place every Mondays and Thursday throughout this month of May.
He therefore directed Muslims to adhere strictly to the fasting and prayers since, according to him, it is only God that can restore peace and harmony in the country.
Ajagu condemned the activities of the Boko haram sects, adding that what they were doing was un-Islamic and could not in any way, draw any support from Islamic leaders.
He said the council was completely dissociating itself from Boko Haram activities and warned insurgents to desist from kidnapping and bombing and be of good behaviour, if they really wanted to see the much cherished Paradise of God.
Ajagu also appealed to Muslim leaders and fathers of Boko Haram members to call their subjects to order now that they were over-stepping their bounds before it was too late.
“God’s wrath awaits those who shed innocent blood for whatever guise,” he said.
He commended the Federal Government and the Joint Task Force, JTF, for their efforts so far in fighting the insurgents and urged them not to relent until their nefarious activities were stamped out completely from the surface of the nation.
Insecurity: Nigeria Becoming World’s Laughing Stock, Says Ogbeh
A former Minister of Communications and chieftain of the All Progressives Congress, Chief Audu Ogbeh, has pointed out that Nigeria is fast becoming a laughing stock among other nations in the world because of the state of insecurity in the country.
Ogbeh, therefore, called on President Goodluck Jonathan to take drastic measures to curtail the activities of the Boko Haram sect, stressing that the country was in “grave danger” already.
The former national chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, who made this known in a parley with reporters in Abuja on Monday night, wondered why the Federal Government and the military could deploy soldiers to man streets without adequately equipping them for the task.
He said a situation where invaders would arrive and kill 100 in Katsina, 215 in Birnin Kebbi, kill in Kaduna, Plateau, Benue, Nasarawa states unchallenged was not acceptable.
He alluded to the general belief that some of the mercenaries were hired from neighbouring counties, saying that when they were caught by security forces, it was realised that assailants were of Arabian nationalities.
He said, “Nigeria is fast becoming a laughing stock in the world. I think it is reaching a state where not only foreigners but Nigerians will begin to lose confidence in their country.
“Again what of our neighbours, how much respect does Cameroon, Niger or Chad have for Nigeria? And what level of diplomacy are we deploying to talk to these people to make sure that bandits don’t take refuge in their territory? If they had respect for Nigeria they won’t try it.
“I remember 1983 when some Chadian troublemakers invaded Nigeria and killed some soldiers, Gen. Buhari pursued them on the orders of President Shehu Shagari until the United States started panicking that we were implementing a Gaddafi agenda.
“Recently I was discoursing with Buhari on this issue and he said he wanted to give them a bloody nose because he wanted to show them that they had no business entering Nigeria to cause trouble.
“So when are we going to get tough. We are not a small country. And why should small neighbors do this to us or pretend not to know what is going on? When are we going to take tough measures against them?
YOUR SAY: “Toothless Shekau Is More Afraid Than We Are” – Nigerians Comment on Latest Boko Haram Video
Abubakar Shekau appears in one of the Boko Haram videos
Yesterday,Boko Haramleader Abubakar Shekauclaimedin the latest video address that they have been holding over 200 Chibok town girls in capitivity. Upon watching the video, Nigerians have been expressing their reactions to the development and suggesting solutions on how to end the insurgency.
As we went through thousands of comments we have received, it became clear that the thoughts could be divided into several (often contradictory) categories.
Shekau’s claims have little in common with the principles of Islam
“Muslims are very loving and caring people,”says commenter Don Enessy. “Just because oneJonathan hunterrose and started killing using Islam’s name as cover-up doesn’t mean Muslims are wicked or evil. What’s happening is just some individuals working towards disintegration of our beloved country Nigeria. Let’s stop insulting or accusing our Muslom brethren and bring positive suggestions on how to counter this insurgents. Remember, Nigerians who are being killed in the Boko Haram attacks are both Christians and Muslims. We may not know the negative implications of breaking up. Forget about which region has the highest mineral resources. There are countries that have no natural resources yet they survived.”
“This man[Shekau]speaks out of his senses,”Eliaz Olawale Raheem says.”Islam is a religion that preaches peace and not war. This useless man called Shekau has wasted so many lives including those of Muslims, he has also bomb-blasted so many mosques across the country, and those kidnapped students[the Chibok town girls]also include Muslims. All this shows that Boko Haram is not religion-motivated. God will conqure you very soon and this is the beggining of your end.”
“I beg you for the sake of humanity, especially the Christians, not to judge the whole tree just because it has some unripe mangoes,”Abubakar Sadeeq pleads.”I challenge the whole congregation, either Muslims or Christians, to tell me where exactly in the Qur’an or the Bible we are told to kill each other. In general, Mr. President[Goodluck Jonathan], you have tried to be a leader, you have a good mind. But Nigeria is too complicated for a citizen like you, so let others give it a try.”
There’s more to the girls’ abduction and Boko Haram in general than we’re allowed to see
Fortune A D Kpulubo asks,”How can someone come to a comunity, a local government, to a state and kidnap hundreds of children without anyone noticing the bus, the airplane or watever means of transportation used to carry them away? This video is an opportunity for the government to trace the culprits, from the principals to the chairman, and to the governor, because I suspect there is a link!”
Otto Chily explains:”It’s not a religious war. This is a war between us and the Northern stakeholders. Sorry to say this, but don’t think the South will let go just like that. You better have a rethink because the battle line is drawn. Over here we are ready, we act in the daylight, the world knows dat, while you do are playing hide-and-seek!”
Baffs Asset notes:”It is obvious that there is more to this so-called Boko Haram than we are made to believe. If truly it is an Islamic group, how come Saudi Arabia, the country of the origin of Islam, does not recognize Boko Haram? How come the group is peculiar only to Nigeria? How come they go to public places like Iyanya park in Abuja and to public schools? Can a bomb differentiate a Muslim from Christian? Islam encourages knowledge, both Western and Islamic. Where is all this coming from? Fellow Nigerians, shine your eyes!”
Nwadigwe Victor muses:”To me, this is a plan by the USA. We will be force-treated and when will seek for help, they will tell us to sign gay rights before anything! And once we ask for their help, we are finished as they will control our oil and other resources!”
Yakubu Jamiu seconds that:”The U.S. have hands in whatever is happening to Nigeria because they need our oil. You are engaged in the war between the North and the Southsouth, it was wrong to start from the North. The U.S. are out there fighting Islam while Islam is consuming them at home, as many Americans are converting to Islam.”
Samson Chukwuemeka says:”Boko Haram are not religious-sensitive, they are on a special assignment given to them by some political animals who thought out of their primitive evil minds they could us the media to distract the president and have it as a point to criticize his government distructively. Let’s be realistica and stop beating around the bush. Let’s stop accusing each other on religious basis. What is the brain behind Boko Haram, how do we tackle this challenge before us?”
Nwokeji Gideon suggests:”The culmination of bad leadership, bad politicking and bad followership over the decades have brought Nigeria to this point of dire repercussions. With our very powerful but weak federal centre, we are looking at mere matter of time before it fails to hold any longer. This is the very result of a general and profound i-don’t-care attitude of Nigerians, caused by tribal hate, grudge or lack of feeling for members of other tribes or religion. I smell a disintegrated Nigeria in no distant time.”
Nzei Theophilus maintains:”Lies, lies and more lies. This puppet called Shekau is a studge in the hands of some miscreants bent in derailing this government. Why would it take the pig head Shekau 3 weeks to claim responsibility for the abduction? Is it not because people are beginning to clamour that if its Boko Haram, they would have claimed responsibility, that the hand behind the clock asked him to come out and rant? When theybombed Nyanya[bus station in the susburb of Abuja; the April 14th powerful explosion claimed lives of about 80 people, leaving scores injured],it took them less than 24 hours toaccept the responsibility. Look! something is fishy somewhere.”
Nigerians are readly to unite against common enemy
Azaino Esuo agrees:”Sorry, Shekau, you can’t come to the South, we are security-conscious here. Aboki will always have aboki looks, that makes it hard for you because when we see any aboki, we shall be watchful and see how he will store bomb. We are not like the people in the North who assist evil people to comit evil, so stop dreaming!”
Praiz Don says,”Nigerians do not understand how delicate the rescue of those girls is. They should not push the government to the wall for a quick intervention. Otherwise, those girls will be killed in crossfire, what the Boko Haram boys are ready to use them as live shields? If Nigerians are sincere enough, they should be suggesting solutions to the government rather than pushing it to exchange fire with the terrorists, undermining the safety of the girls. The same people pushing the government now will turn back and accuse them for killing the girls, this is what Boko Haram are aiming at. I believe[President]Jonathan is considering the best options in handling this ugly situation.”
Longinus Nomeh gives an advice:”Please, just understand that no amount of killings can stop GEJ from going in for second term, that is culture of democracy. Stop the killing of your people. Stop taking your region backward. GEJ has the right, like every other Nigerian, to rule this country. Power monopoly is dead. Tell your brainwashing preachers to stop preaching nonsense and imbibe love, value of lives and tolerance in their sermons. Say no to Boko Haram, reject their agenda and live in peace with your fellow human beings!”
John Elibe Nigerian suggests: “Please, calm down. Why would a small boy that doesn’t exist tickle your nerves? A toothless bulldog barks, and you comment. He is more afraid than you are, that is why he is commenting. He is not man enough, that’s why he is hiding like a rat. He is a mistake to his mother.”
Boko Haram leaderShekau is dead, the sect is bluffing
After scrutinizing the video, Sylvanus Eferebo concludes:”The man who is speaking in this unclear video is not the same Shekau that has been on media. Prior to this time, his videos have always been very clear, but not since after the military attack thatreportedly killed or heavily injured him. I strongly believe that the “original” Shekau is dead, and the remaining sect members are using their own strategies to infuse fear on Nigerians and the government. This man in this current video is just a trained person to act and mimic the “original” Shekau. He emphasizes that the man who will come after him would be worse than him, but it is impossible to kill an already dead man. It will be almost Impossible to solve this menace in the way the government is going about it except their mode of operation and characteristic is studied. They don’t have the pedigree to war Nigerians. The government should stop hyping them by saying they are in total war with the Boko Haram. If Boko Haram were courageous, they would have been openly fighting their purported war against their so-called enemies instead of using their armored vehicles to thake photos and videos. Really, it’s a total blackmail and coward strategy.”
Dr. Peregrino Brimah, curator of the Every Nigerian Do Something movement, has sent us the following message: “We see the media is still distributing fake Shekau video’s to scare the public. What do we call this video? Blurry, blue skinny, scratch-bottom Shekau? Media showing these messages only makes Shekau happy, this is what he wants; so this becomes media terrorism. I believe we have more than enough great content in Nigeria than to continue spreading dead or alive, muscular, skinny, broken nose, floating head, blurry or blue Shekau’s double’s messages.”
The mass abduction that shook the world
It would be recalled that in the evening of April 14, Boko Haram gunmen raided the Chibok town in Borno State, taking some 276 young girls aged 16-18 from a local schools’ dormitories. Major controversies have accompanied this horrifying case. The exact number of abducted girls, reasons for their abductions, fates and whereabouts of the girls are still a hot topic for the government, the military and ordinary Nigerians.
Some of the girls managed to escape from their captivity andnarrated their ordeals, but hundreds still remain in the hands of terrorists.
A wave ofdemonstrationsaimed at drawing attention to the case and urging the authorities to do everything possible to secure the girls’ release has engulfed Nigeria and prompted the international society to voice their concerns. TheU.S., the UK, China and other countries have pledged their support in finding the girls.
The terrorists had kept mum on the issues up until yesterday, when a new video address by Abubakar Shekau appeared. In the almost hour-long video, he vows to start a war against Nigerian Christians, threatens government officials and claims responsibility for the girls’ abduction.
Soyinka Berates Jonathan Over Boko Haram Menace
Prof. Wole Soyinka, on Tuesday said the President Goodluck Jonathan led administration is not capable of countering the menace of the dreaded Islamist sect, popularly known as Boko Haram.
The Nobel Laureate, who made the assertion while speaking on CNN, reiterated the need for international community to intervene in what he described as the bestiality of the insurgents.
Soyinka while responding to the question of the host, Christine Amanpour on how the insurgency in the country could be curbed, said: “This menace has to be internationalised; every country has to be involved in finding solutions to the problem. It is not a Nigerian problem but the problem of the whole world. From the activities of the group and the response of the government since this madness started, it is clear that this government cannot handle this problem alone”.
Soyinka condemned both the past and the present governments in the country of living in self denial, by believing that they could negotiate or appeal to murderers and killers to stop their activities.
“It is not just the President that has been living in self denial but some of those he has surrounded himself with. I cannot understand why it is difficult to ask for international help when you are confronted with a problem of this nature.
“The problem would not have reached this monstrous level if the President has not been living in self denial. So, accepting the help of the United States in this matter is long overdue” he said.
The Nobel Laureate also condemned the visit of late President, Umaru Yar’Adua, to the family and loyalists of the founder of Boko Haram, Yusuf Mohammed, after he was killed in police detention in 2009.
“I don’t support extrajudicial killing; it is condemnable, it is absurd. But you need to understand this better that these people that were said to have been killed by the security agents were equally killers and murderers.
“Yusuf, the leader of the sect, was killing people and forcing people to convert to Islam or be killed. Now, I’m surprised that some people have painted Yusuf as a saint.
“The former President went to the family and people of Yusuf after he was killed (in 2009) to plead with them to be calm; appealing to killers and murderers to be calm?”
Soyinka recommended that the authorities should get psychologists for the abducted school girls after they have been freed as they could live with the trauma of their kidnapping for the rest of their lives.
According to him, politicians had laid the foundation for the army of idle militants in the North, which became the bedrock of the lingering insurgency.
“The politicians helped to entrench this problem in the first place. The large army of Almajiri metamorphosed into the raw materials that these terrorists recruited and the politicians also used them for their own selfish interest. Now, they can no longer handle the problem” he said.
Boko Haram Kills 300 People in Attack on Ngala Community
On May 5, gunmen suspected to be Boko Haram terrorists killed over 300 people in Ngala Local Government Area of Borno State.
The Senator representing the zone, Ahmed Zanna, confirmed the incident.
An anonymous source in the community stated that the invaders spent several hours wreaking havoc on defenceless civilians.
The source said that attackers stormed the communities in the night when residents were still sleeping. They set the houses, shops ablaze and were shooting residents who tried to escaped from the fire.
Thus, over 300 persons were confirmed dead after the attack, with several others injured. Almost all the houses in the community were destroyed by the hoodlums who threw Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) at the buildings.
The resident added: “My brother who was at the scene of the attack told me that the actual number of the dead cannot be ascertained but at least they are up to 300. In fact as we spoke he wept following the high number of the dead bodies which littered the market.
Chibok Girls Search: Nigeria Deploys Two Special Battalions
doyin_okup
Presidential aide Doyin Okupe has revealed in the interview to CNN that two special battalions were deployed to find the girls abducted in Chibok, Borno State.
This comes amid the accusations by the victims’ parents and Nigerians that the authorities are not doing enough to rescue the children.
Okupe also added that “250 aerial sortees with helicopters and fighter jets” scanned the forests, which gave no results.
More than 200school girls were abducted in the April 14 night raidon Chibok, Borno State. Boko Haram sect leader Abubakar Shekau yesterday releasedthe video in which he claimed responsibility for the kidnapand promised to sell the victims in the market.
Meanwhile the tragedy has caused international rage and concern, with many countries suggesting their help in the search process.
USA has reportedly offered assistance, which was immediately accepted by President Goodluck Jonathan, and soon the American special team is expected to join the operation.
WHY FG Wants Boko Haram Witnesses To Wear Facial Masks
An Abuja Federal High Court has been directed by the Federal Government to allow witnesses in the trial of suspected Boko Haram members to wear facial masks.
The application was filed on Tuesday by prosecution counsel, Mrs. N.B Jones Nebo, a Chief State Counsel in the Ministry of Justice before the court presided by Justice Gabriel Kolawole.
She said the application became imperative as witnesses refused to testify in open court during the trial of suspected Boko Haram members in Kogi State.
According to the prosecutor, the accused which comprised a university lecturer, Dr. Nazeef Yunus, Alhaji Abdulahi Salami as well as Umar Musa are standing trial for eight count charge of terrorism.
It would be recalled that at a hearing on April 3, a prosecution witness refused to testify against the alleged sect members after the court rejected an application brought by the Federal Government to restrict members of the public from the courtroom during the trial.
Following the Federal Government initiated witness-protection programme, witnesses involved in recent prosecutions of suspected insurgent members testified wearing facial masks, in order to keep their identities discreet.
Members of the public, apart from accredited journalists, were also barred from the courtrooms during hearing.
Counsel to the accused persons, however, opposed an application in which the Federal Government sought to have their trial conducted in secret.
Justice Kolawole upheld the submission of the defence counsel, but ordered that the identity of witnesses and their addresses should not be disclosed.
The witness, who was supposed to testify refused to without a mask as the ruling made by Justice Kolawole did not provide for any mask.
Responding, Justice Kolawole advised the prosecutor to either appeal the ruling, or bring an application for a mask.
Defence counsel, however, opposed the Federal Government’s bid to provide masks for its witnesses.
Justice Kolawole adjourned the case to May 14 for hearing on the application for mask, and the defence counsel’s objections.
Nigeria’s Boko Haram Crisis – Omoyele Sowore And Ijeoma Uduma Discuss On Democracy Now!
http://www.democracynow.org- As eight more girls are kidnapped in Nigeria, protests continue over the government’s failure to take action following the abduction of nearly 300 girls from a northern boarding school last month. On April 14, Islamic militants stormed an all-girl secondary school and seized the students. On Monday, a video was released showing the leader of Boko Haram claiming responsibility. State officials report some of the girls have already been sold off as brides for as little as $12. Others were reportedly forced to marry their abductors, and taken to neighboring Cameroon and Chad. The area in northeastern Nigeria, where the girls were kidnapped, has been under a state of emergency for nearly a year, and their school was reportedly the only one still open. We speak to Nigerian writer and activist Ijeoma Uduma in Lagos and journalist Omoyele Sowore, publisher of the website Sahara Reporters.
Watch the full segment on Democracy Now! uninterrupted:
http://www.democracynow.org/2014/5/6/…
2015 Election: Jang Backs Jonathan
*Plateau State Governor, Jonah Jang
Governor Jonah Jang, of Plateau State, has pledged his allegiance and support to President Goodluck Jonathan’s second term bid.
Speaking on Monday, during a courtesy visit to the National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Alhaji Adamu Mu’azu, the governor threw his weight behind the yet-to-be declared 2015 re-election bid of Jonathan, assuring that the President would be re-elected next year.
Jang, who is a factional chairman of the Nigerian Governors’ Forum (NFG) promised that he would lead Plateau State to deliver over one million votes for President Jonathan.
“Plateau has never failed. We are here to assure you that we have total confidence in the leadership of Mr. President and we have total confidence in your leadership” Jang said. “I want to assure you that we will do even better than 2011 when we gave the President over one million votes, the best state that delivered in the north. We are going to do more”.
According to him, the state chapter of the PDP had already laid the foundation for a resounding victory for the party in the 2015 elections, citing the outcome of the recently conducted local government election in the state.
Responding, Mu’azu, urged the governor and other stakeholders in the state to allow defectors from the ruling party to be fully integrated.
US to deploy troops to rescue abducted girls
The Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Dr. Reuben Abati, on Tuesday announced that President Goodluck Jonathan, has accepted the offer of President of the United States of America, Barrack Obama, to assist Nigerian troops in rescuing the 234 school girls that were abducted by Boko Haram sect, from Government Girls Secondary School, Chibok, Borno State.
Abati, said that the president accepted the offer through phone conversation with United States Secretary of State, Mr. John Kerry.
“President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan Tuesday welcomed and accepted a definite offer of help from the United States of America in the ongoing effort to locate and rescue the girls abducted from the Government Girls Secondary School, Chibok three weeks ago” he said.
“The offer from President Barack Obama which was conveyed to President Jonathan by the United States Secretary of State, Mr. John Kerry in a telephone conversation which began at 15.30 Hours today, includes the deployment of U.S. security personnel and assets to work with their Nigerian counterparts in the search and rescue operation.
“Mr. Kerry assured President Jonathan that the United States’ is wholly committed to giving Nigeria all required support and assistance to save the abducted girls and bring the reign of terror unleashed on parts of the country by Boko Haram to an end.
“Thanking Mr. Kerry for the call and offer of further assistance, President Jonathan told him that Nigeria’s security agencies who were already working at full capacity to find and rescue the abducted girls would appreciate the deployment of American counter-insurgency know-how and expertise in support of their efforts” Abati said.
He also disclosed that President Jonathan after speaking with the United States Secretary of State met with the Chief of Defence Staff, Service Chiefs and heads of national security agencies in continuation of the national efforts to find and rescue the abducted girls.
At the meeting, he said that the President received updates on the ongoing search and rescue effort and gave approval for recommended further actions.
“Where are the parents/guardians of missing girls?” Osita Iheme asks
osita iheme
I guess he’s one of the few who have their reservations about this case…
The Chibok Kidnapping: Confronting An Intricate Cruelty.
In the wee hours of 15th April of 2014, the boarding students of Government Secondary School, Chibok were relieving the stress of the external examinations. Some were in their beds while others may be burning the candles in an ill-fated attempt towards brightening the prospects of their very bleak Nigerian future when a group of militants, largely believed to be Boko Haram insurgents, gave them an unanticipated awakening, rounded them up, unperturbed by the Nigerian security agents in an attack that spanned for more than two hours. After the attack, over two hundred girls were reported missing. As days passed by, hopes for an early rescue or even a decisive reaction by the government dissipated as these girls and their families are now left in an uncharted emotional territory and all but to their own devices.
So far, it is evident that for all the results generated by the government as a response, the families of these girls and the girls themselves have produced better results than the increasingly clueless government. The families of these girls have organized search groups while some of the girls, probably informed by the government’s impotence have taken matters into their own hands and thus, have managed to escape their captors probably out of sheer serendipity or even divine bread crumbs dropped by the heavens for the Nigerian government, the heedless Hansel. It is indeed the case that in the face of such governmental powerlessness and systemic fragility, eyes tend to turn to the skies in the faint hope that God could demonstrate at least enough clemency to wipe the tears off the faces of these unfortunate families who have been forced to endure these long days of nightmares and scary permutations.
Expecting the heavens to handle every governmental or human ineptitude tantamount to a desperate “Deus ex machina” mentality, which would most likely not be rewarded. A popular adage has already warned that “heaven only helps those who help themselves”. There is the thought that God himself would be easily exasperated by the level of cruelty manifested in the unraveling of this human drama (Genesis 6:5). It is a drama with a capacity to be viewed as a comedy by the exploitative politicians who count votes while others count body bags, in a sick twist of schadenfreude. It is a drama with a capacity to develop into a tragicomedy if the government finds some resolve, empathy and sincerity. Lastly, there is a palpable feeling that this drama would result in a tragedy of Shakespearean proportions if it is not handled with the seriousness and urgency it deserves. However, as the government sits on its hands, the Chibok Kidnapping provides a deeper look into the hearts of men and their dispositions as this may be the crucial reason why these girls are yet to be reunited with their parents. The hearts of men as Joseph Conrad would note, is the “Heart of Darkness”. Therefore, there is the need to call a spade a spade and thus confront the obscure cruelty that may have kept these daughters from their families.
Onye sikwa ma o buru ya.
Cruelty is a word, which most men would not want to be associated with. It is a pariah word. This is largely because the image of man as produced by societal conventions is the image of a largely benign being despite the fact that experiences suggests that man has as much capacity for cruelty as he has for humaneness. There is then, the need to define cruelty so as to understand the parameters used in the categorizations and the accusations that would later be made in this piece. “Cruelty” has been defined as the disposition to inflict pain or suffering. It has also been defined as being devoid of humane feelings. Thus, cruelty is not just the disposition to inflict pain bust most crucially, it is the indifference to the plights of others.
This dual understanding of “cruelty” would help us understand how our lack of humaneness has caused the kidnap of our sisters and daughters. Firstly, it must be understood that with the kidnap of these innocent school girls and their rumored maltreatment, Boko Haram has plunged new depths in their cruelty. Blowing up men and properties into bits and pieces is cruel, but at least, it is final for the families of the affected, and in a way, it is impersonal to the insurgents. Possibly, the bombs are planted and detonated from a distance and so, the insurgents watch the carnage from a distance and or read the results of their dastardly acts on the national dailies but this kidnap is no longer impersonal to these insurgents even as extraneous circumstances forced the death of two abductees. Holding and sexually abusing a teenager against her will is extremely cruel but crueler is the realization of the kind of torture the affected families undergo each passing day their daughters and sisters stay with their abductors.
Their places on the beds are vacant; their absence at the kitchen is distressing while their friends wonder if the girl that was abducted would still be the one they would find. Would she have lost her virginity to the forced marriage? Would she come back with some bastards? Would her mind withstand and or survive the putrid experiences or would her mind succumb to this unimaginable horror? The sufferings of these concerned families and friends are accentuated by the fact that they do not know where their children are or whether they are dead or alive. Thus, we can say that over two hundred families are living their hell on earth because their hopes are paradoxically underscored by their despair and are tainted by the same.
Onye sikwa ma o buru ya.
Accusing only Boko haram as being the only guilty party in this tale of abstruse cruelty is lazy. The Jonathan-led administration and the politicians perhaps intentionally or even unwittingly demonstrate their own variations of cruelty. This cruelty could be traceable to the inertia of the incumbent administration that appears to be sitting on its hands with regards to the kidnap debacle or the threats of the insurgency in general. This inertia could be translated as insensitivity to the plights of the citizenry who are now well fed-up with the clichéd verbiage that comes from the President or Reuben Abati. It was this line of thought that led to one of the fathers of the kidnapped girls submitting in a telephone interview with a leading online newspaper that they have been abandoned by the government because they are “poor” and have “no influence whatsoever”.
It would appear that the policy makers need to be affected before tangible strides to check this tragedy would be taken. Thus, Olusegun Agagu, a political stalwart of the south-western extraction needed to die “twice” before the government would press for serious reforms in the aviation sector. Could the distraught father have been right that they were neglected because they lacked the clout to force a governmental response or even sieve out any sort of sincerity from them? Another facet of this cruelty is evident in the insensitive or nonchalant PR moves recently made by the administration. While his decision to go ahead with the hosting of the Economic Forum could be apologized for as an expedient bravado, his decision to continue his 2015 reelection campaign sticks out like a sore thumb.
It grinds the gears of these affected people that the presidential campaign adverts and his campaign schedules still go on at these periods of national mourning and pensiveness. Simply put, with his reelection bid going on simultaneously with the search for these Chibok girls, the president has unleashed a bull in a china shop. This is not to say that the President should abandon his reelection bid but to state that a better PR manager would have advised the president that a show of support or an overt display of his humaneness is the best campaign he could do right now. People need to see Mr President walking the talk.
Furthermore, securing the rescue of these girls by whichever means necessary would guarantee him the votes of the friends and families of the affected. Politics indeed can be a force for good. It is worrisome that people do not exploit these legitimate channels to further their campaign goals rather doling out money and condiments that hardly survive the month. The current approach of the administration is an affront to the affected families who would be further devastated by the realization that their daughters’ lives have been abandoned at the instance of politics.
Onye sikwa ma o buru ya.
There is the fear that a tragedy this grave would be reduced to politics or as I have pointed out in an earlier piece, disaster porn. The campaigns to bring back these girls that have been so callously taken from us have been tainted by some unscrupulous politicians and political jobbers whose plastic distress only just veils their schandenfreude. These suffering girls are often used by the politicians as a pretext to subtly make political demands or even present themselves as Midas possessing the golden touch that would teleport us from this inferno to utopia. For these politicians, their disappointments, distress and commiserations are just skin deep as their endgame goes deeper than the rescue of these innocent girls. Their endgame is not surprising; they are after all politicians who must keep an eye on the opportunities presented by this Chibok kidnapping and the strategic edge it may give them ahead of the 2015 polls.
An instance is in the consistent calls on the president to resign as a consequence of his inability to stem the tide of the onslaught. These politicians do not escape suspicions. If they had any strategy that would lead to a favorable resolution of this issue and are just waiting to win elections before they would deploy these strategies, then they must be cruel. Their insincerity has the capacity to sabotage the whole #BRINGBACKTHEGIRLS campaign. Playing politics with the lives of two hundred girls demonstrates a lack of empathy which is a vital quality for any prospective leader.
Onye sikwa ma o buru ya.
Furthermore, there is an ostensible cruelty in the ignorance of a large majority of Nigerians regarding the Chibok kidnapping. At this instance, ignorance assumes drastically cruel proportions. This ignorance and disinterestedness is most detectable in the Southern parts of Nigeria who have come to view the North-east more or less as a theatre. This disinterestedness is a cause for worry in the south east. Thus for the south-easterners, as long as their relatives were not affected by the Chibok Kidnnapping, the incident was most likely heard in the news and then dismissed with a shrug or at best a half-hearted prayer. For the Igbos who still feel some tinge of bitterness for the Biafra civil war and their persecution within the Nigerian state, as far as the “Hausas kidnap and kill themselves”, it is karma.
There are even arguments that the insurgency was a self-inflicted abscess which was initially fomented to destabilize the Jonathan-led administration and force him out of office. This argument is lent some disturbing credence by the comments of Sheikh Gumi, a northern Islamic scholar who seemed to think that Boko Haram would end as soon as Jonathan vacates the presidency. This would explain why empathy for the north is a scarce commodity in the most parts of the south. This would explain the apathy that pervaded the Chibok kidnap saga in the south. To understand the issue clearly, I ran an impromptu interview on Facebook where I asked twelve people, five boys and seven girls all between the ages of 18 and 24 whether they have heard of the Chibok Schoolgirls kidnap. Of the ten respondents, nine did not know that over two hundred girls were missing.
Only one of the respondents said that he is aware of the plights of his age mates who have been away from home for over two weeks. One of the respondents who I told the story of the kidnap asked me what she was going to do with it. This begs some questions, why would our brothers in diaspora and expatriates be so vibrant in the #BringBackOurGirls campaign when the people who are supposedly living the terror do not care about it? How could we cohesively galvanize efforts and supports across the country when a great number of us do not know and sometimes do not just want to know? For perspective sake, the Twitter channel dedicated for this campaign @BringGirlsBack has just over two thousand followers.
In a country that has over five million twitter users, two thousand followers, some of whom are just concerned foreigners, is not good enough. We must not always resort to asking for help from the international community is doing to help. As invaluable as their help may prove to be, we must take the initiative to seize the bull by the horns. The comments of the First Lady who is willing to brave mortal peril in finding answers to this Chibok puzzle must be commended. That is the right sort of politics or at least, the right sort of rhetoric. The ignorance and the inactivity of most part of the south are cruel.
Onye sikwa ma o buru ya.
Summarily, national and global protests are good, the Twitter channel dedicated to this campaign is applaudable, the tears that have been shed by the politician be it genuine or mere crocodile tears must be hailed for efforts but unfortunately, these are the minimum. There is the need to tell ourselves the truths are; the kidnap was avoidable and the rescue of these girls is possible. Their captors, the insurgents have lives, families and loved ones, our intelligent community needs to start working on their traceable links if they would ever prove to be intelligent. A greater and better level of intelligence gathering would see these girls rescued with little risks. Rescue operations have been undertaken in the past, no lest by the US, our very public allies.
Another truth is that rash actions may trigger the massacre of the surviving girls and put out the faint light at the end of the tunnel, street protests and political tirades must take note of this fact too. Another truism is that there is need for empathy cutting across different social strata and ethnicities. There is the need for an expedient unity across different political parties and a greater level of sincerity and information sharing between them. The All Progressives Congress and The People’s Democratic Party must realize before it is too late that counting votes is easier than counting bodies. The tragedy does not favour any of them; it is distorting the very fabric of the Nigeria’s political system. The government needs to wake up to the softer part of their humanity. We all have to learn to put ourselves in the shoes of these unfortunate girls and their families. Succinctly put, we must learn to personalize tragedies.
Kidnappers Of Three Dutch Nationals Free Nigerian Hostages
sunny_ofehe_0.jpg
Suspected militants who abducted three Dutch nationals in Letugbene community in Bayelsa have freed the Nigerian hostages in their custody.
Our sources disclosed that the kidnappers are still holding the foreigners. Nigeria’s security sources were not even aware of the freedom of the Nigerians when SaharaReporters sought an update on the status of the foreign hostages on Tuesday.
A press statement from Sunny Ofehe, a Netherland-based Nigerian activist who facilitated the Dutch nationals’ ill-fated trip, confirmed the developments. He said the victims of the kidnap included Mr. Erhard Leffers, Mrs. Marianne Vos, Mr. Jan Andre Groenendijk, Mr. Femi Soewu, two journalists from the Warri chapter of the Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ), and some community leaders.
“The incident occurred while [we were] returning to Warri after a successful tour of the newly built Chevron-facilitated GMOU Hospital,” said Mr. Ofehe. He added: “The gunmen, numbering about 10, shot sporadically into the air, water and the speed boats carrying us, including Mr. Berry Negerese, chairman of the Dodo River Rural Development Association, operators of the NNPC/Chevron-sponsored GMOU, who also facilitated the visit. Our team was well received by the people of the communities led by their traditional rulers.”
Mr. Ofeghe disclosed that the armed gang surrounded the team shortly after the traditional ruler of the area bid farewell to the entourage. The kidnappers “rounded up our boats suddenly from nowhere and asked everyone to lie face down and screamed, ‘We want the white men.’” He stated that the victims were panic-stricken and terrified.
After members of the entourage lay face down, the abductors dragged away the Dutch nationals and also picked up every valuable in the boats.
“Just when we thought they had gone, another boat conveying a number of the armed men, while still firing into the air, ordered me and the other Nigerian, Femi from Holland, into the boat and they sped off chanting some war songs.
He disclosed that Femi and he were blindfolded, ordered into a different boat, and taken to an unknown location and left still blindfolded. Mr. Ofehe disclosed that he and Femi were put in a speedboat Monday morning and brought to another unknown community where they were abandoned.
“The armed men threatened us to leave the Niger Delta region if we want to remain alive. We were able to find our way through a path to the town and called for help. Some local people ferried us to the nearby jetty from where we were taken to a place where we got a boat to the upland,” said Mr. Ofehe. He appealed to the kidnappers to release the other members of his team.
ARIJE is BACK
Hello guys, I have been away from blogging for a while now due to school and loads of work, but am back and better now, ready to serve you the premium news you all crave for.
I am more than ready to give you all those juicy gist and gossips as e dey hot. Tell your friend that arije baba is back and stronger than ever before.
With your daily support of reading and sharing my news updates, it will go a long way in improving my blog.
Thanks and God bless you all.
Arije Baba is back and better
Hello guys, I have been away from blogging for a while now due to school and loads of work, but am back and better now, ready to serve you the premium news you all crave for.
I am more than ready to give you all those juicy gist and gossips as e dey hot. Tell your friend that arije baba is back and stronger than ever before.
With your daily support of reading and sharing my news updates, it will go a long way in improving my blog.
Thanks and God bless you all.
CANDID IS OK FOR EKSUSU 01
Aside Posted on
The man am about to introduce is no stranger to people especially Eksu students,His name is Saliu Akeem Dennis popularly known as CANDID.Many students always describe him as a vibrant,eloquent,intelligent and peace loving Comrade who will fight with the last of his blood for the overall interest of Eksu students.He has at various time or the other serve in various capacities as student leader one of which is his work as the welfare director of these great institution.He has all the necessary esperience to lead thousands of eksuites to the promise land we crave for.Am not writing this piece because he his from my faculty but because i find him worthy of the revered position of EKSUSU TOPSEAT.In few months time,he will stand as a candidate for the post of SUG president and i want all Eksuites to come out in there large numbers and vote for this gigantic comrade of the people,and he is someone i will always support because he has never failed in any position he occupied…There are other intelligent comrades like him who are worthy of the position but CANDID stands out among them…Eksuites please let us vote for someone who has our interest at heart not someone who is only going there to loot SUG treasury…
Vibrant Opinion Of Ogundele Gbenga
Economics department, 200l.
CANDID IS OK FOR EKSUSU 01
Aside Posted on
The man am about to introduce is no stranger to people especially Eksu students,His name is Saliu Akeem Dennis popularly known as CANDID.Many students always describe him as a vibrant,eloquent,intelligent and peace loving Comrade who will fight with the last of his blood for the overall interest of Eksu students.He has at various time or the other serve in various capacities as student leader one of which is his work as the welfare director of these great institution.He has all the necessary esperience to lead thousands of eksuites to the promise land we crave for.Am not writing this piece because he his from my faculty but because i find him worthy of the revered position of EKSUSU TOPSEAT.In few months time,he will stand as a candidate for the post of SUG president and i want all Eksuites to come out in there large numbers and vote for this gigantic comrade of the people,and he is someone i will always support because he has never failed in any position he occupied…There are other intelligent comrades like him who are worthy of the position but CANDID stands out among them…Eksuites please let us vote for someone who has our interest at heart not someone who is only going there to loot SUG treasury…
Vibrant Opinion Of Ogundele Gbenga
Economics department, 200l.
CANDID IS OK FOR EKSUSU 01
Aside Posted on
The man am about to introduce is no stranger to people especially Eksu students,His name is Saliu Akeem Dennis popularly known as CANDID.Many students always describe him as a vibrant,eloquent,intelligent and peace loving Comrade who will fight with the last of his blood for the overall interest of Eksu students.He has at various time or the other serve in various capacities as student leader one of which is his work as the welfare director of these great institution.He has all the necessary esperience to lead thousands of eksuites to the promise land we crave for.Am not writing this piece because he his from my faculty but because i find him worthy of the revered position of EKSUSU TOPSEAT.In few months time,he will stand as a candidate for the post of SUG president and i want all Eksuites to come out in there large numbers and vote for this gigantic comrade of the people,and he is someone i will always support because he has never failed in any position he occupied…There are other intelligent comrades like him who are worthy of the position but CANDID stands out among them…Eksuites please let us vote for someone who has our interest at heart not someone who is only going there to loot SUG treasury…
Vibrant Opinion Of Ogundele Gbenga
Economics department, 200l.
CANDID IS OK FOR EKSUSU 01
Aside Posted on
The man am about to introduce is no stranger to people especially Eksu students,His name is Saliu Akeem Dennis popularly known as CANDID.Many students always describe him as a vibrant,eloquent,intelligent and peace loving Comrade who will fight with the last of his blood for the overall interest of Eksu students.He has at various time or the other serve in various capacities as student leader one of which is his work as the welfare director of these great institution.He has all the necessary esperience to lead thousands of eksuites to the promise land we crave for.Am not writing this piece because he his from my faculty but because i find him worthy of the revered position of EKSUSU TOPSEAT.In few months time,he will stand as a candidate for the post of SUG president and i want all Eksuites to come out in there large numbers and vote for this gigantic comrade of the people,and he is someone i will always support because he has never failed in any position he occupied…There are other intelligent comrades like him who are worthy of the position but CANDID stands out among them…Eksuites please let us vote for someone who has our interest at heart not someone who is only going there to loot SUG treasury…
Vibrant Opinion Of Ogundele Gbenga
Economics department, 200l.
GBENGA is Ok for NESA PRO
Aside Posted on
going by the turn of events,it is necessary i do the needful by declaring my intentions to contest for the post of PRO in our noble department,d greatest dy/dx even though some are saying d post is too small compare to my stance in d class…bur we only do things one at a time and politics is a gradual process….as time goes on,my teaming supporters will get to knw more abt my future ambitions but for now,i think GBENGA is ok for NESA INFO…..peace
Tinubu, Aregbesola, others lead APC one-million-man march
Aside Posted on
Thousands of All Progressives Congress members
and supporters, on Saturday, came together for a
solidarity march in Lagos State, ahead of the March
28 and April 11 elections. The march, which commended at 8.20 am, began
at Maryland via Ikorodu Road to Teslim Balogun
Stadium . Among notable party members, leading the march,
are the APC National Leader, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu;
the APC governorship candidate in the state, Mr.
Akinwunmi Ambode; and Governor Rauf
Aregbesola of Osun State amog others. Lagos State House of Assembly Speaker, Mr.
Adeyemi Ikuforiji; and others are also on the trail. The one-million-man march witnessed several civil
society groups in Lagos; representatives of the
Lagos State Waste Management Authority and the
Bus Rapid Transit, who donned their official attires. Crowd of supporters, including commercial
motorcycle riders and traders, lined the streets
shouting and singing in solidarity.
SOURCE: The Punch
Fayemi’s Successor Will Honour Or Desecrate His Legacies – Soyinka
Nobel Laureate, Prof. Woke Soyinka has said that outgoing Governor of Ekiti State, Dr Kayode Fayemi, has placed the State on an honourable footing by the various programmes and legacy projects he has put in place, adding however, that the decision to toe Fayemi’s honourable path is the choice of the Governor’s successor.
The Nobel Laureate who commissioned the new Government House christened ‘Ayoba Villa’ in Ado Ekiti on Sunday said the new Governor’s lodge is now open to the next governor of the State to “either honour or desecrate”.
Soyinka who noted that Ekiti State has known very honourable people such as the late Governor of the old Western State, Adekunle Fajuyi, stated that he had been watching Fayemi and he was happy that the outgoing governor did him proud.
He urged Ekiti people not to lose hope of having another governor who would yet again be “honourable, intelligent, committed and humanistic rulers”.
Soyinka said: “I have known you, I am watching you and I am proud of you.
This building here, this edifice, has known honourable people. This edifice, I know it didn’t exist at the time I want to speak of very briefly but I am talking about the seat of government in Ekiti state. It has known honourable, brave, intelligent and committed people like for instance Adekunle Fajuyi. My hope is that it will after the departure of Kayode yet again know honourable, intelligent committed humanistic rulers. Don’t despair, don’t give up. I have the honour and the delight of opening this building and also applauding the gesture that it is being done without the slightest rancour being done to leave it open to a next governor to either honour or desecrate. The choice is his”.
Soyinka who expressed bewilderment at the outcome of the June 21 election advised the people to put aside all the mysteries surrounding the loss and continue to build on the “good foundation” Fayemi had established.
He stressed that Ekiti State had been “resurrected from its dull state by the Governor’s good works” adding that the joyful atmosphere that permeated the event was an indication that the mysteries surrounding the Governor’s election defeat will be unravelled.
In his remarks, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Aminu Tambuwal said Posterity would be a better judge that Fayemi ruled Ekiti state in dignified ways to the extent that he left indelible marks in the State.
Tambuwal added that Fayemi combined good governance and politics; saying that despite losing election, the governor still continued to deliver dividends of democracy to the people.
He expressed optimism that the successive administration will continue where Fayemi stopped.
Earlier, a church thanksgiving was held at the St. Patrick Catholic Cathedral, Ado Ekiti for the successful completion of the 4-year term of the Fayemi-led administration which is the second time a governor would complete his tenure since the beginning of civil rule in the State in 1999.
In his homily, the Vicar General of Ekiti Catholic Diocese, Most Revd Felix Odesanmi had commended Fayemi for his consistency in gratitude to God even as he recalled that the Governor had on assumption of office in 2010 come to give thanks and gave thanks while leaving office.
The assistant Bishop of the Ekiti Catholic Diocese added that the Governor’s achievements would continue to speak because he is leaving Ekiti better than he met it.
Odesanmi said the Governor had served the State with integrity, love and commitment.
In his remarks, Governor Fayemi who read the second lesson from Philippians 4 verses 12 to 20, thanked God for helping him successfully complete his tenure and fulfil the promises he made to Ekiti people.
The Governor who said that it was the extraordinary grace of God that made it possible for him to be Governor of Ekiti State which was an opportunity for him to serve the people added that the Ekiti success story had not yet ended.
Fayemi while saying that everything that happened in the State under his Administration was about moving Ekiti forward so that it could be better than what he met, added that it is left to the incoming administration to either honour it or desecrate the service done to the people.
He stated that honour, integrity, compassion to the people had guided his government in the last four year even as he thanked the people for their support.
“For us, the job is not finished. It is not yet over. We are committed to deepening democracy in this country. We are not tired of serving our people and we will continue to offer service to our people. You can see this building. It shows that we did not just start strong, we also finished strong. We have not concluded. We re on a journey. We are not yet at the destination. We will keep moving until a greater Nigeria, a Nigeria of our dreams becomes a reality”, the Governor said.
At the event were the Governor of Ogun State, Ibikunle Amosun, his wife Olufunso, the Oyo State Governor, Abiola Ajimobi and his wife Florence, the wife of the Governor of Osun, Mrs Serifat Aregbesola, wife of the Governor of Kwara State, Mrs Omolewa Ahmed, the former Governor of Ekiti State, Asíwájú Segun Oni, the Deputy Governor of Ondo State,Alhaji Ali Olanusi, Aapc national chairman, Chief John Oyegun, Former Governor of Abia State, Chief Ogbonaya Onu, and wife of the Governor of Ekiti State, Erelu Bisi Fayemi and the Deputy Governor of Ekiti State, Prof. Modupe Adelabu.
Others are the Bishop of Ondo Catholic Diocese, Most Revd Jude Arogundade, his Ekiti counterpart, Most Revd Felix Ajakaye, retired Bishop of Ekiti Anglican Diocese, Rt. Rev Samuel Abe, the Alaaye of Efon, Oba Emmanuel Aladejare, the Oluyin of Iyin Ekiti, Oba Ademola Ajakaye and the Alare of Are Ekiti, Oba Boluwade among other important dignitaries.
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