Police uncover plans by terrorists to attack Abuja transport service

Below is a Police press statement signed by Force Public Relations Officer, ACP Frank Mba...

Credible intelligence reports at the disposal of the Nigeria Police indicate that terrorists have perfected plot to carry out attacks on the Abuja transport sector. The attacks which are intended to cause panic amongst Abuja residents and visitors alike are planned to be perpetrated through suicide bombings, or through the use of Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) concealed in luggage, bags, cans, and other receptacles. The Police High Command therefore, while ordering FCT Commissioner of Police in particular and other CPs in adjoining States to beef-up security at major parks around Abuja and its environs, enjoins the general public, particularly those within and outside the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja to be roundly vigilant and report any suspicious persons, objects, movements or activities to the Security Forces without delay. Continue..

ASUP suspends 10-month old strike, Polytechnics to resume Tuesday

The Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics, ASUP, has suspended its 10-month old strike. The strike which started in October 2013 was suspended today Saturday July 12th the National Executive Council of the association. 

Rising from a meeting this morning in Abuja, the ASUP NEC decided to suspend the strike which has seen polytechnic students stay at home in the last ten months. 

The National Publicity Secretary of ASUP, Clement Chirman announced the suspension and also stated that academic activities would resume in all polytechnics nationwide from Tuesday July 15th. The ASUP leadership held what it termed a fruitful meeting with the newly sworn in Minister of Education, Ibrahim Shekarau on Thursday July 10th.

Ini Edo &Desmond Elliot at Open University matriculation ceremony

The actors are pictured above at the matriculation ceremony of the National Open University of Nigeria, which held today. They're both there to pursue a degree in Law. See another pic after the cut

Jilted by lover: 21-yr-old student commits suicide

FRIENDS and family members of a 21-year-old student of Maritime Academy Oron, Effiong Otu are at a loss why he committed suicide by hanging himself on a rope in his room on Thursday morning after he was jilted by his girl friend.

Ann, a family member told Vanguard that Effiong was found hanging in his room at Diamond Hill, a few minutes after he collected a rope from neighbours who became suspicious soon after he went   inside his room with the rope wondering what he wanted to use it for.

Effiong

According to the source, when his mother Grace Otu, a nurse at the University of Calabar Teaching Hospital   left the house at about 3pm on that fateful day, the young man borrowed a rope and killed himself.

According Ann: “The 10th of July was the 10th anniversary of his father’s death in a car accident and after the anniversary and everyone had left the house including his mother, he went to a neighbour and borrowed a rope which he took to his room and hung himself.”

Ann said: “The neighbours became suspicious of what he was doing in his room with the rope and decided to rush there but found the door to the room locked and before they could force the door open he had died.”

She said before he hung himself, he called one of his friends, Adu on phone requesting him to tell his girl friend, Blessing who works with the UNICEM that she should now be happy that he has killed himself for her.

“Before his friend could rush to the house, the door had already been forced open by neighbours and Effiong’s body was hanging from the ceiling of the house”.

Ann stated that Effiong was an only son of the family and was given the late father’s name as a source of succor for the family but “he has again left us by this thoughtless action”

Perhaps to give an inkling of his planned action , Effiong had posted his face book page on the 6th of July the following message “It’s not about being engaged, married or in a relationship. It’s about being happy, safe, secured, relieved and feeling good. It’s about peaceful state of mind, it’s about sleeping at night without the fear of losing what you’ve got.

It’s being yourself and not someone else, it’s about feeling loved, happy, respected, understood, cared for and appreciated.! Goodnight my beautiful people!!

Efforts to speak with Hogan Bassey, the Cross River State Police Public Relations Officer did not yield any success as his phone was switched off. Effiong’s body has been removed and de[posited at the mortuary of the General Hospital, Calabar.

Please, forgive me, Ohakim begs Imo people

The immediate past Governor of Imo State, Chief Ikedi Ohakim, spoke to our correspondent, CHIDI NKWOPARA, on a number of issues, including his days in office, the scores of allegations leveled against him and his aspirations. Please read on.
Could you cast your mind back on the recent fire incident in your private residence in Owerri?

I want to thank you immensely for your concern about my welfare, especially since the dastardly act of bombing the only house I have in Owerri. The press, particularly Vanguard, has been very fantastic in its

Gov. Ikedy Ohakim

reportage. You highlighted it. You said everything that needed to be said and you made all the appeals that needed to be made. It is most regrettable that some miscreants decided to play politics with that tragedy. I thank God almighty that I am alive today to talk to you. I would have lost my first son and my wife, and I would have also died in that unfortunate incident.

What has it been like since you left office?

Since I left office, I decided to climb on to the balcony, to watch events. I decided to remain a little bit silent to be able to enrich my knowledge.

What have you to say about some of the things that were said about you?

When I left office, so many things were said about me and I believe God that events and time have proved me right. When I spoke to you on my last day in the office, I told you that after four years or even before four years, it is only then that people with futuristic view will begin to talk about our administration.

I left office with more than 1,000 petitions against me but today, I need to tell you that no single charge has been filed against me in any court of law in or outside Nigeria. So, all the fake accusations have been thrown into the waste paper basket.

While I was here, there was no political assassination. There was no political intimidation in Imo State. There was no arson in Imo State. There was peace and you will agree with me that money was circulating.

In our capital city, Owerri, I was running the street lights with 52 dedicated generators and we were running a 24-hour economy. It is also very surprising  and a thing to thank God about that no section of Imo, no zone ever raised a single complaint or petition that they were marginalised. Appointments were evenly distributed in accordance with the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. Projects and empowerments were evenly distributed.

And the controversial 10,000 jobs?

FIFA BAN: Why my heart bleeds

Last week Monday, I wrote in my column   in the Vanguard Newspapers that we will be banned by FIFA. The closing paragraph was  “…..Let no one be deceived that the bluff of a FIFA sanction can be called. It will paralyse football in this country, turn us into a pariah state and hit the youth of this country who will be thrown out of all football competitions until we learn to operate by the rules  “

Surprisingly, there were other shades of opinion, insinuating that we will not be banned, that everything was ok. Now we know better,    the workings and the the Statutes of FIFA.

Tamuno Danagogo, Sepp Blatter and Aminu Maigari

What about those who welcome the ban to “help us develop our football” Must we shut out our game to enable us develop? What sort of development are we talking about here where we will be barred from courses, seminars, clinics and conferences that are held   globally daily to advance the sport?

How do we gain when we operate outside of FIFA regulations geared towards “……youth and development programmes to improve constantly and promote the game globally in light of unifying, educational, cultural and humanitarian values…”?

Just yesterday, Friday, FIFA released new pieces of teaching materials for referees. if we are banned, there is no how we can benefit therefrom.

FIFA Statutes Articles 13 and 17    say if you are not satisfied with the conduct of those running the sport, come together and send them packing. It is as simple and as straight forward as that.

The night Boko Haram killed my husband, burnt our house – Sara

If Army or Police Barracks lacked anything in the past it was not security.

The fact that security men resided there was enough to assure one of security. So there was security there especially in the Army Barracks. One could not easily gain access into the barracks without being thoroughly searched except one was a resident. Non residents avoided the barracks and only visited when necessary.

Have times so changed that insurgents could invade an Army Barracks for more than two hours, unleash mayhem on soldiers and their families and leave unchallenged?

Although this may not be possible in many parts of the country, it happened in Borno State. The North Eastern Nigeria has its peculiar cases of attacks by Boko Haram terrorists.

“It was a midnight attack. They took everybody unaware and when they were done everybody was searching – children for their parents and soldiers for their families. Many were killed,” Mrs Sara Steven Zira recounted Thursday when we visited her in Yelwa Kakadama, a suburb of Bauchi metropolis.

Mrs Sara Steven Zira with their kids and Sergeant Stephen Zika…set ablaze by Boko Haram

She now resides there after losing her husband, Sergeant Stephen Zika, in an unbelievable attack on 202 Battalion Army Barracks, Maiduguri late last year.

Sarah has two kids to cater for, a five year old boy and a three year old girl.

“I never knew that life would turn out to be this way,” she cried.

She appeared strong during the exchange of pleasantries. But as soon as she settled to begin her pathetic story, she was fighting back tears. Just 31, the burden of ensuring her kids go to school now falls on her. She only got married six years ago. Sarah is from Dasham Bakin Kogi Village in Tafawa Balewa Local Government of Bauchi State while her late husband hailed from Michika Local Government Area of Adamawa State.

Horror: Ritual killings everywhere inspite of civilization

Looking curiously as this reporter approached her make-shift restaurant around J4 , Aketegbo community in Seme Badagry area of Lagos two weeks ago, mama Rilwan as she is popularly called, stood up from her seat, apparently thinking the stranger had come to patronize her.’ ki lefe ra?(what do you want to buy ?)  she asked.

But when this writer disclosed her mission, the seeming expectation on her face dropped, giving way to a sad expression of a memory she never wishes to recall. She immediately beckoned on two teenagers later discovered to be her children to take over the stand while she went inside the shop, with this reporter following with caution.

After a long silence accompanied with a long stare at this reporter, she said: “ I recognize you now. You were here in 2007 when the incident that threw my entire life upside down occurred. My son, Rilwan would have been 20 years this month (June), had he not been sent to an early grave by my neighbor. He was my first child and  also my back bone”.

Tried as she could to control her emotion as she spoke, her strength failed her. Tears trickled  down her cheeks.

All was going on well for the food vendor until September 1, 2007, when her son , Rilwan , was reported missing. Three days later, his remains were found with the throat slashed, signifying that he could have been a victim of ritual killing which was said to be common in the area.

Accusing finger was pointed at one Muyideen Salam whose shop was close to the deceased’s mother’s place. He was said to have been seen with the deceased before his disappearance. After much persuasion which took a brutal dimension, Muyideen confirmed everyone’s fears, by confessing that  he killed Rilwan and used his blood for money ritual.

Lagos working on 205 roads

Gov. Babatunde Fashola of Lagos State on Friday said that the state government was executing no fewer than 205 road projects in different parts of the state.

Fashola said this in Ikeja at a programme to commemorate the 2,600 days of his administration.

The governor said that the road projects cut across all the 20 local government areas and the 37 local council development areas of the state.

He said that the projects were part of his administration’s efforts to promote development.

The governor said that the roads included: Langbasa and Unity roads in Ajah, Ibeshe Road in Ikorodu, Ikotun-Ijegun Bridge, Ayobo-Ipaja Road in Alimosho, and Ago-Palace Way in Okota. 

Nigeria comes tops in global crude theft

Nigeria has been listed as the country with the highest incidents of crude oil theft in the world, according to data released by Oilprice.com.

*Oil-impacted Ikeinghenbiri creek

According to the website, with as much as 400,000 barrels of crude oil stolen daily, Nigeria is ranked worse than Mexico, Iraq, Russia and Indonesia on the top five countries most plagued by oil theft.

The report put Nigeria’s losses to crude theft at $1.7 billion, about N272 billion per month, representing 7.7 percent of Nigeria’s Gross Domestic Product, GDP.

The report said: “This represents 7.7 percent of Nigeria’s GDP vanishing, or more than the country spends on education and healthcare.

“These numbers paint a harsh picture about the inability of the Nigerian government and the multinational oil companies in Niger Delta, to do anything about this rampant theft.

“With oil theft hitting record levels in 2013, the G8 has been reminded of its 2000 pledge to help Nigeria solve this crippling problem.

“However, as the Global Financial Initiative points out, ‘stolen Nigerian crude oil is transported on internationally registered vessels, sold to international buyers, processed by international oil refineries and paid for using international bank accounts’.

“With one group of thieves admitting to profits of nearly $7,000 a day from their illicit activities, it will take some doing to stop them.”

On Iraq, the report said there have been substantiated reports of complex networks taking thousands of barrels right from the refineries and selling them illegally to Iran and Syria.

If Messi can match Maradona …

Lionel Messi kept running into a determined Dutch defensive wall on Wednesday but Argentina are still in the World Cup final and the little genius will get his chance to emulate Diego Maradona.

A disciplined defensive display by the Netherlands ensured that the tense Sao Paolo semi-final was dragged into a penalty shootout that Argentina won 4-2 to set up a date with Germany at the Maracana stadium on Sunday.

Messi confidently dispatched Argentina’s first spot-kick, but before that he offered little, his enthusiasm dulled by the man-marking he was subjected to for the first hour by Nigel de Jong.

If Messi can match Maradona and captain Argentina to World Cup glory this will be remembered as his tournament — even more satisfactory on the territory of rival Brazil.

But it was not his semi-final on a dreary and cold evening at the Corinthians Arena.

The Barcelona man was pivotal in taking Alejandro Sabella’s side to this stage, with his match-winning performances in Group F wins over Bosnia-Hercegovina, Iran and Nigeria.

Twin sisters who were set to train as doctors, now in Syria 'training to be killers'

16 year olds Salma (centre left) and Zahra Halane (centre right), who were among the top 20 students at their girls' school in Manchester, left their parents' home in the middle of the night and caught a flight to Turkey, before crossing the border. Police said the pair are thought to have followed their elder brother, who ditched his own 'excellent' academic career to join the ISIS terror group around a year ago. Friends said the twins had appeared to be typical teenagers, pouting for selfies & shopping at Primark - but they are now feared to be training for battle. Pictured left are visitors arriving at the family's home. Continue to read full story...

Pres. Jonathan nominates FRSC boss as minister, to replace Stella Oduah

President Jonathan has nominated the current boss of the Federal Road Safety Commission FRSC, 43 year old Ositadinma Benjamin Chidoka as a Minister of the Federal Republic of Nigeria to represent Anambra in the Federal Executive council.

According to reports, Chidoka is most likely to replace former Minister of Aviation, Stella Oduah who resigned her position in February. A letter of his nomination has been sent to the Nigerian Senate and would be read on the floor of the Senate today. Abubakar Olanrewaju from Kwara state was also nominated and would replace former Sports minister, Bolaji Abdullahi, in the Federal Executive Council if confirmed by the senate.

Wale Gates makes case RCCG student who killed his father, shares his own story

A few days ago, we heard about a 21 year old Redeemer University student named Tolani Ajayi, who killedhis own father. The news shocked us all...because it's unheard of for a child to kill his own parent but UK based comedian Wale Gates says he has little sympathy for the young man because he's been in the boy's shoes and kind of understands what could have pushed him.

Wales shares his own story of the abuse he suffered in the hands of his own father growing up, how he didn't speak to the man for 12 years and how he eventually forgave him. See all that after the cut...

Jayz Sued By A Sound Engineer For Copyright Theft

A sound engineer who claims he was a key producer/creator of Roc-A-Fella's entire body of work between 1999 - 2000 wants a declaration from a judge. He's as much the owner of the 6 albums as the label itself.

Chauncey Mahan claims in a new lawsuit, that he was the sound engineer who was one of the first masters of Pro Tools production software and was instrumental in creating the sound for a number of Roc-A-Fella's biggest hits.

Jay Z and Roc Nation filed an extortion police report earlier this year, claiming Chauncey was holding boxes of master recordings hostage demanding
$100,000 for the music. Jay Z set up a sting operation where his people met Chancey at a storage facility in the San Fernando Valley, and unknown to him the LAPD was there and seized the boxes.

Chauncey now wants a judge to say he was so essential to the creation of the music he's a co-owner of the copyright. As such, it would give him the
right to get the masters back. 

It's interesting ... Jay Z and Roc Nation dropped their extortion complaint against Chauncey.

Nigerian Censors Board Plans To Destroy N10 Million Worth Of Porn Movies

The National Film and Video Censors Board (NFVCB) is making plans to destroy 2 million copies of P0*nographic and unwholesome movies valued at N10million.

This report was announced by Caesar Kagho, the Acting Head, Corporate Affairs of NFVCB. According to the News Agency of Nigeria, the unwholesome movies were seized within FCT and its environs between January and June 2014. 60% of the movies are said to be of P0*nographic content while 40% are uncensored, unwholesome, and pirated.

The NFVCB is working with the Federal Ministry of Environment to get a dump site to burn the seized films.

S-A-C-R-I-L-E-G-E: Police arrest Pastor that impregnates married women and young girls ‘in the name of God’

The Police in Nsukka, Enugu State, recently, arrested a 53-year-old man who claims to be the Pastor of Ministry of the Holy Trinity in Umudikwere community whom they alleged specializes in impregnating married women and young girls in his ministry.

Police sources alleged that the Pastor identified as Timothy Ngwu, the General Overseer of  Ministry, sexually abuse female members of the ministry and claim that the Holy Spirit directs him to do so in the name of God.
How it was blown open

Crime Alert gathered that the alleged sexual exploits of the self-acclaimed man of God was blown open when his estranged wife, Veronica Ngwu, who hails from Udi L.G.A and have three children for the pastor, could no longer stomach the sexual rascality of her husband. She reportedly  lodged complaint with the Anti- Child Trafficking Unit of the Criminal Investigation Department, Enugu, which led to the arrest of Timothy Ngwu, for alleged sex and child abuses/trafficking.

Veronica, the estranged wife of the suspect reportedly informed the police that she escaped from the ministry with one of her daughters when her husband impregnated her niece and claimed he was obeying the directives of the Holy Spirit and a prophetic revelation.  She also informed detectives led by Gloria Udoka (DSP) that the situation at the Vineyard ministry of the Holy Trinity was better imagined than seen alleging that her husband converts married women and single girls to his own and impregnates all of them while pretending to be obeying spiritual directives.

His claims

18 new States: 50 Osun Monarchs write Kutigi

50 first class traditional rulers, leaders, stakeholders, elders from Osun State have written the Chairman, National Conference, Justice Idris Kutigi and the leadership to demand the inclusion of Oduduwa State as an additional state to those to be created from the South West geo- political zone of the country.

Expressing dismay that Oduduwa State was not part of the 18 states proposed by the national conference committee on Political Restructuring and Forms of Government, the Osun traditional rulers and leaders said the demand for the new state had been a passion for the people of the affected area since 1983.

Addressing journalists yesterday, stakeholders pushing for the new state led by Prof. Muheed Opeloye, President, Ife Development Board recalled that the request for state creation from the old Oyo State in 1983 included among others, Oduduwa and Osun States, adding that while the then proposed Osun State included Ede, Ejigbo, Ifelodun, Ila, Irepodun, Osogbo, Iwo and Odo Otin areas, the proposed Oduduwa State had Atakunmosa, Ayedaade, Ife Central, Ife North, Ife South, Irewole, Isokan, Oriade and Obokun.

Prof. Opeloye was flanked by the Alayemore of Ido Osun, Oba Aderemi Adedapo, Prof. Steve Adewusi, member Ife Development Board, Alhaji Ajagbe Akewasola, member Ife Development Board, Prince Gbenga Omiwole, General Secretary, Oduduwa State and National Secretary, National Association of State Movement at the briefing.

He said that after the eventual creation of Osun State, the clamour for the creation of Oduduwa state never stopped.

According to him, in December 1995, the leaders from the proposed Oduduwa State submitted a memorandum to the National Conference holding at that time while the same was also done in March 1996 when traditional rulers, chiefs and community leaders from the area signed another memorandum requesting for the creation of Oduduwa State. He added that in 2009, the Osun State Council of Obas examined the agitation for the creation of a new state out of the present Osun State and found it desirable and justifiable.

He explained that the Council was satisfied that both the new and what was left in the existing Osun State will be economically viable and sustainable adding that the endorsement for the creation of Oduduwa State was signed by 50 senior traditional rulers of Osun State Council of Obas, just as he explained that the proposed state covers a land area of 8,853,22 square kilometers with approximate population of over 1.7 million people based on the 2006 census figure.

“The historical significance of Oduduwa as the progenitor of the Yoruba race and Ile-Ife as the cradle of Yoruba in Nigeria and the Diaspora are some of the compelling reasons for the endorsement by the Council’s call for the creation of Oduduwa State.

“From the foregoing, it is evident that creation of Oduduwa State will bring benefit to all the communities in the new state in terms of development, and also more beneficial to the remaining Communities in Osun State in terms of more amenities. The job opportunities for the citizens of the area in the wake of more ministries and agencies cannot be overlooked.

“The efforts of our delegates in the National CONFAB to make this dream realizable will be indelible in the minds of the people and be an everlasting legacy for the present stakeholders in the struggle. Wishing the CONFAB success in their deliberations.”

Oba Adedapo, who is secretary, Council of Yoruba Obas and also a delegate to the ongoing National Conference is leading the intense lobby for Oduduwa State to be included among the new states to be so recommended for creation.

PDP lied over $280m loan —Rivers govt

RIVERS State Government has described as falsehood, allegation by the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, that it approached the state House of Assembly for approval to secure a fresh $280 million loan.

State Commissioner for Information and Communications, Mrs. Ibim Semenitari, in a statement yesterday, said that the $280m loan the state House of Assembly approved for the government on Monday was part of the needed formalities for the government to access the World Bank and Africa Development Bank loan package it applied for in 2012.

“PDP issued a misleading and mischievous statement accusing the Rivers State Government of taking a new loan of $280m. The statement, which was a tissue of lies, claims that the government tabled a fresh request for loan before the House of Assembly. The PDP also claims that the loans were to enable the governor source money for 2015 elections and to sponsor the All Progressives Congress, APC.

“The facts of the matter are as follows: The Rivers State Government applied for and secured a loan package from the African Development Bank, AfDB, and the World Bank in 2012 for the World Bank-assisted water scheme in Rivers State.

“The rule is that the national government will need to endorse the release of the loan after the state House of Assembly would have approved. Everything else was done but for reasons unknown to the Rivers State Government, the responsible officers in the Ministry of Finance failed to sign off the release of funds, thereby delaying the Rivers State Government robust water sector’s complete overhaul.”

Pics: Drug dealer releases haunting video of Angelina Jolie as a drug addict

I don't think anything can hurt Angelina's image at this point, because she's admitted many times in the past that she was a drug addict, describing it as a 'dark' and 'dangerous' period of her life which she was lucky to survive but I have a feeling she won't want her kids to see these photos or the video

The video was released to National Enquirer magazine recently by Angelina Jolie's former drug dealer, Franklin Meyer, who claims he shot it in 1999 after she called him to her to home to re-supply her with heroin and cocaine.

"Angie was a client of mine for several years. I sold her heroin and cocaine. One day she called me up and wanted me to drop by her place. That was her way of telling me she wanted me to bring her drugs. At the time, I had just bought a video camera and decided to bring it along. When I arrived, I just gave her the drugs and then she gave me the money.’

Convicted drug dealer Meyer said he kept filming her as her father, actor Jon Voight, called her to discuss family matters. In the video Angie's eyes are bloodshot, her arms emaciated and scratched, her fingernails dirty...and the room filthy. But all these was 15 years ago, she's gone on to become one of the biggest film stars in the world, involved with one of the hottest men in the world, has 6 kids and is a humanitarian. What a woman! See more pics and the video from her dark days after the cut

Man nabbed with 1.370kg of cocaine at Lagos airport

Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), yesterday, arrested a 34-year- old drug suspect with 1.370 kilogrammes of whitish powdery substance that tested positive for cocaine at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos.

The suspect, Mr. Nriagwu Augustine Ifeanyi, was apprehended during the screening of passengers on a Turkish Airline flight at the departure hall of the airport.

Speaking on the arrest, NDLEA Commander at the Lagos Airport, Mr. Hamza Umar, noted that the suspect hid the drug and packed them in two parcels inside a laptop bag.

Umar noted that if the suspect had not been arrested at the airport, he would have proceeded to South Sudan upon arrival at Turkey.

He said: “The suspect was found with two parcels of cocaine industrially hidden by the sides of his laptop bag. He was detected on his way to Turkey from where he would have proceeded to South Sudan. The drug tested positive for cocaine and weighed 1.370kg.”

Meanwhile, Chairman of NDLEA, Ahmadu Giade said that the agency would continue to engage in both drug supply and demand reduction activities towards making the country drug-free.

How to end Boko Haram insurgency in Nigeria, by Alao Akala

Christopher Adebayo Alao-Akala, is former governor of Oyo State and strong member of the ruling People’s Democratic Party (PDP). In this interview he speaks on his life outside government House and the current security situation in the country and how to end the cycle of insurgency among other burning issues.

YOU have been out of office for some time now, how have you been coping?

I have been enjoying myself. I have time to myself. As a politician I
have time to think of the past and focus on the future. I don’t have any office work bothering me. Since I left office, I have less of responsibilities.

2015 is around the corner, what are you up to?

Adebayo Alao-Akala

I am thinking of coming back, I don’t think anything is wrong with that. I am am giving it a very serious consideration and I will soon come back to the race. And my chances are very bright, considering my track records. They have tried me before, they are trying another person now, and if you do analysis or comparison between the two of us I will be rated higher than the other person.

You are quoted as saying without you PDP is dead in Oyo State is it true?

Let me put it this way; I don’t want to arrogate that to myself alone, but myself and my associates. Without them and me I don’t think PDP will exist in Oyo State because anybody in the party now can never know PDP more than me. I have seen it all in PDP. We started the party. I thank God am in charge.

Man docked for assaulting LASTMA official

A 32-year-old man, Ahmed Adediran, has been arraigned before an Ikeja magistrate’s court over alleged assault of one Anaye David, an official of the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority, LASTMA.

The accused was said to have unlawfully assaulted David while armed with a bottle and a stick at Mile 12, Lagos.
According to the charge, MIK/B/139/2014, the accused committed the said offence with others already charged to Magistrate Court 2 on Charge No. MIK/B/117/2014.

However, when the charge was read to the accused, he pleaded not guilty.

Police prosecutor, ASP Nnamonu Ibekwe, informed the court that the offence was punishable under Section 17 of the Criminal Laws of Lagos State of Nigeria, 2011.

Magistrate Abimbola Komolafe granted the accused bail in the sum of N50,000 with two sureties in like sum. She ordered that the sureties must be blood relations.

Court discharges man who stole N3,000 from lover

A Grade 1 Area Court in Aso Pada, Mararaba, Monday, discharged a labourer, Thomas Abu, 29, of Aso Pada, Mararaba who was charged for stealing the sum of N3,000.

The judge, Albert Maga, struck out the case and discharged the accused after the prosecutor, Cpl Friday Enumaje, told the court that he could not locate the complainant.

“This is a case of theft brought by the Commissioner of Police; the prosecution has failed to produce any witness in the matter as they could not locate the complainant.

“I hereby invoke Section 165 of the Criminal Procedure Code to strike out the matter and discharge the accused for want of diligent prosecution,” the judge said.

Maga advised Abu to stop committing crime and be close to God. Abu was arraigned on May 20 for theft.
Enumaje told the court that Comfort James of same address as the accused lodged a complaint against the accused, her boyfriend, at the Aso Pada Police Station on May 13.

He said the accused stole the money when he visited James in her house on May 11.

He said: “She went out to buy some fish and tomatoes at a nearby shop and the accused took N3,000 from her purse that was on the bed without her consent.”

The prosecutor said Abu was arrested later with the said amount.

Abu pleaded guilty to the charge, saying it was the handiwork of the devil, saying: “I don’t know why I did it; I think it is the handiwork of the devil. Please forgive me, I will never do it again.”

World Bank to train 200,000 indigent Nigerian youths

Over 200,000 youths from poor households in Nigeria are to receive life skills training between 2014 and 2017 under the Social Protection and Labour Programme of the World Bank.

The bank made the plan known in its report on: “Nigeria Country Partnership Strategy 2014-2017’,’ released in Abuja yesterday.

According to the report, the programme intends to increase the number of states using the unified registry of beneficiaries and common targeting mechanism from 0 to not less than 10 by 2017.

It is expected that: “More than 200,000 youths from poor households received re-orientation and life skills training.

“Also about 40 per cent increase in the number of beneficiaries from targeted poor households receiving cash transfers conditioned on utilisation of education and health services”, the report said.

It stated that the poor in communities would be selected using a combined geographical and community-based targeting system in order to benefit from the programme.

“The population in poor communities will also benefit jointly from community driven initiatives and government structures and systems will be revitalised for sustainability,” it stated

It explained that governance and institutional issues hampered the effectiveness of social protection system.

According to the report, a well-developed social protection system can give adequate support for the large segments of the population that suffer from vulnerable circumstances in Nigeria.

“It can also help mitigate challenges in achievement of some MDGs by 2015, particularly MDGs 4 and 5.

“Governance and institutional issues, such as poor targeting system, weak collaboration and coordination, inadequate monitoring and evaluation and absence of policy guidance hamper effectiveness of social protection systems,” it stated.

Boko Haram member speaks with BBC, says only prisoner exchange can secure the girls release

A man who described himself as a teacher/scholar inside the Boko Haram camp today July 8th spoke anonymously with Tobi Oladipo of BBC World radio service where he stated that it's only the release of their imprisoned members by the Federal Government that can make them release the over 200 Chibok girls they abducted on April 14th at the Government Girls Secondary School in Chibok. 

"Yes we want the Nigerian government to release our members. As our leader Abubakar Shekau promised to the media, if today the government releases our members, tomorrow or the next day we promise you can see all of them (the girls) sure. We would release themtomorrow or the next day." he told BBC World Radio. Continue...

Nigerian prostitutes reveal their hell in Europe after being tricked into joining the sex trade

Nigerian women are being trafficked to Italy under the pretence that they will be working as nannies or in factories – but often end up working the streets as prostitutes.

Their plight has been highlighted by Paris-based photographer Elena Perlino, originally from Italy, who began to notice the presence of young African women working on the streets during her commutes from Turin.

She said: 'I decided to start from this surreal vision to tell a story. I have been working on the topic for several years, focusing mainly on the Italian connection.' Continue...