Couple, 3 Others Killed In Trailer Crash - Picture

When Mr Victor Idam, his wife and three others left their home in an ash-coloured Nissan Primera car for Abakaliki, the Ebonyi State capital, they had no premonition that the journey which started on a joyous note, would end in a disaster.
The couple and their three companions who hailed from Afikpo North Local Government Area, were involved in a ghastly auto-crash which claimed their lives, leaving two others with minor injuries. The crash which was a head-on- collision with a trailer, occurred at about 3.45 pm at Berger Junction along the Ishiagu – Afikpo Road.
The deceased couple who were members of Deeper Life Bible Church were riding in a Nissan Primera with registration number UML 250 AA when it (car) collided with a yellow-coloured Mack Trailer with registration No. APP 215 XP

A source close to the Federal Road Safety Corps, FRSC, in Ebonyi State told Vanguard Metro on condition of anonymity, that the crash was caused by over-speeding. He advised road users to desist from over-speeding on the smooth-surfaced Ishiagu/Afikpo road.
Another eyewitness attributed the crash to the carelessness of the driver of the trailer. The source told VM that the accident occurred when the conductor of the trailer was trying to take over from his driver while the vehicle was still in motion.
“The accident was very terrible; in fact, those who came to rescue the victims had to force the doors open before the victims were brought out. I learnt that the conductor was trying to take over from the driver while on steering. Before their death, the couple were resident in Umuahia. The wife worked with the Education Board in Abia, while the husband who is graduate of Ebonyi State University, EBSU, Abakaliki worked with a media outfit located in Port Harcourt. He was a presenter with Deeper Life Satellite Television,” the source explained.
The State Coordinator, Special Marshal RF 9.2 Nigeria, Dr. Henry Urochukwu who spoke on the accident, advised government to make the teaching and learning of safety education mandatory in primary and secondary schools.
“If we start on time to talk about safe driving from our primary and secondary schools, it help the situation. That accident that happened at Ishiagu was very pathetic; learning how to drive is not just it, you need to know about the maintenance of the vehicle among other requirements.
“In this case, we must look at both human and environmental factors before we can accurately discuss the reasons behind that accident. If a driver is not conversant with the road, accident may occur. Note that the road may be well tarred but accident may occur due to poor lighting of the road at night. If a driver does over 100 kilometres per hour, it is over speeding. The psychological disposition of a driver matters a lot during driving,” he said.

Continuing, Dr Urochukwu asked a lot of rhetorical questions : “We need to look at the medical history of the driver to ascertain whether he had had a heart attack. What is his psychological disposition to driving? Is he an epileptic patient? Is the driver tired after driving for about 17 hours? Is the person prone to risk taking? Does he have a pulse for over-speeding; does he have a defective judgement while driving; does he spend time quarrelling with another road user instead of focusing on his lane? Does he have a poor perception of his or her environment? It is a very complex issue but these are the factors we need to put into consideration”
VM learnt that the bodies of the deceased have been deposited at a mortuary in Uturu, Abia State while the injured victims are currently receiving treatment in hospital.

Yobe Attack: How Survivors Escaped Through The Window

Some of the survivors of last Saturday’s midnight attack on the students of the College of Agriculture, Gujba, Yobe State, which about 70 students were killed, have narrated how they escaped death by the whiskers, jumping through the window when the gunmen stormed the hostel.

The survivors, who are now receiving medical treatment at the Sani Abacha Specialist Hospital, following injuries received during the attack told journalist yesterday that the gunmen, who were cladded in military camouflage stormed the school in a commando style and opened fire on them.

According to Adamu Mohammed, a final year student of Animal Husbandry department when it dawned on the students that the school was surrounded by the gunmen, all the students were confused and began to seek escape routes.

He said, “We were all sleeping in the hostel when one of our students came into their room in a confused state, saying they will kill us, they will kill us. When we heard this, everybody in the hostel became confused.

“There was no light and we could not go out while we don’t know where to go in the night. Some of my colleagues decided to go into security office to report what they had seen.

“When we were trying to come out from our hostel, we saw many people with army uniforms and immediately, they started shooting us from different directions. They killed many of my friends, but some of us managed to escape through the window of our room, I ran into the bush.”
Another survivor, who gave his name as Sule, said he lost two of his brothers in the attack. He lamented that the attack had left everyone completely devastated and has impacted negatively on their studies.

The Sani Abacha Specialist Hospital where the wounded were taken to for treatment and the remains of the dead were deposited was a beehive of activities as relations and sympathisers thronged the place to see the spectacle left by the attack.
A father of one of the victims, 18-year-old Ahmadu, Alhaji Ado Adamu, described what happened as barbaric and unIslamic.

Tom Clancy Dies At 66

Best-selling author Tom Clancy, whose wildly successful technological thrillers made him one of the biggest publishing phenomena of his time, has died. He was 66.

Mr. Clancy arrived on best-seller lists in 1984 with "The Hunt for Red October." He sold the manuscript to the first publisher he tried, the Naval Institute Press, which had never bought original fiction.

A string of other best-sellers soon followed, including "Red Storm Rising," ''Patriot Games," ''The Cardinal of the Kremlin," ''Clear and Present Danger," ''The Sum of All Fears," and "Without Remorse."

Mr. Clancy had said his dream had been simply to publish a book, hopefully a good one, so that he would be in the Library of Congress catalog. Four of his books, "The Hunt for Red October," ''Patriot Games," ''Clear and Present Danger," and "the Sum of All Fears" were later made into movies, with a fifth based on his desk-jockey CIA hero, "Jack Ryan," set for release later this year.

Born in Baltimore on April 12, 1947, to a mailman and his wife, Mr. Clancy entered Loyola College as a physics major, but switched to English as a sophomore, saying later that he wasn't smart enough for the rigors of science.

Ironically, his novels carried stiff doses of scientific data and military detail.

After graduation in 1969, he married his wife Wanda and joined her family's insurance business, all the while scribbling down ideas for a novel.

In 1979, Mr. Clancy began "Patriot Games," in which he invented his hero, CIA agent Jack Ryan. In 1982, he put it aside and started "The Hunt for Red October," basing it on a real incident in November 1979, in which a Soviet missile frigate called the Storozhevoy attempted to defect.

In real life, the ship didn't make it, but in Mr. Clancy's book, the defection is a success.

By a stroke of luck, President Reagan got "Red October" as a Christmas gift and quipped at a dinner that he was losing sleep because he couldn't put the book down—a statement Mr. Clancy later said helped put him on the New York Times best-seller list.

It led to a string of hits, both on the page and in Hollywood blockbusters. He even ventured into videogames with the best-selling "Tom Clancy's Ghost Recon: Future Soldier," ''Tom Clancy's Splinter Cell: Conviction" and "Tom Clancy's Splinter Cell: Double Agent."

The latest Jack Ryan movie, directed by Kenneth Branagh and starring Chris Pine, is set for release in the U.S. on Christmas Day. Keira Knightly plays Jack Ryan's wife and Kevin Costner plays his mentor at the CIA.

Mr. Clancy resided in rural Calvert County, Md., and in 1993 he joined a group of investors led by Baltimore attorney Peter Angelos who bought the Baltimore Orioles from businessman Eli Jacobs.

Mr. Clancy also attempted to bring a NFL team to Baltimore in 1993, but he later dropped out of the effort.

Flavian Okojie Shot Dead In Benin City

Popular Edo born Nollywood actor and board of internal revenue staff, Flavian Okojie has been shot dead in Benin City by unknown gunmen 3 weeks after his wedding.
Flavian and former EBS but now NTA presenter Omo-kivie Adeola got married barely 3 weeks ago.
This is so heart wrenching may his soul RIP, Amen!Flavian and former EBS but now NTA(Benin) presenter Omo-kivie Adeola got married barely three weeks ago.
His wife shared the information via her Facebook page.




One of Flavian's movies, Life is Wicked

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4XsI5fQWFg0

Magistrate tongue-lashes drunk lawyer

LAGOS—An Igbosere Magistrate Court, Lagos State, Wednesday, scolded a lawyer for taking alcohol before coming to the court.

The Magistrate, Mrs E. Kubeinje, who was livid that the lawyer, Mr. Emmanuel Benye, was drunk when he appeared in her court, asked the legal practitioner to get a colleague to represent him as she would not allow him to go ahead with his case since he was reeking of alcohol.

Benye was said to have been reeking of alcohol when he stood up in the courtroom to announce the appearance for his client.

Presiding Magistrate, Mrs Kubeinje said: “You should not be involved in things like this, especially when you are at work.’’

Kubeinje had initially ordered that the matter be stood down when Benye and the police prosecutor, Inspector Clifford Ogu, denied that the offensive odour emanated from them, prompting her to ask the registrar to move closer to them and determine who was reeking of alcohol.

Subsequently, the registrar informed the court that Benye was the offender.

Although the lawyer later apologised to the magistrate and promised that such occurrence would not happen again.

The Magistrate advised him to plead with one of his colleagues to assist him handle his client’s case after expressing her displeasure over the embarrassment.

National confab, attempt to deceive Nigerians — CNPP

MAKURDI—The Conference of Nigeria Political Parties, CNPP, has declared the President Goodluck Jonathan’s proposed National Conference as another dummy by the presidency to deceive Nigerians.

According to them, ”the process will definitely be manipulated by the government to suit their own purpose. The fact is that, at the end of the day, it will turn out to another jamboree and avenue for people to make money from the system.”

Benue State Chairman of the CNPP, Mr. Baba Agan who spoke, yesterday, with Vanguard in Makurdi, said: “Mark my word, money will be the determining factor in everything that will transpire at that conference; they just want to deceive Nigerians.

”Nobody can trust this PDP government to diligently convene a national confab without the process being manipulated and exploited to suit the purpose of the conveners.

”They will influence the entire process and at the end of the day, the wishes, aspirations and voice of the ordinary Nigerian would be subsumed by the wishes of our leaders who do not care about the poor and needy.

”The truth is that Nigeria is faced with array of problems but corruption and the Boko Haram menace are the most devastating, and if we are serious with the fight against corruption in this country, let us emulate the Chinese example.

”We need laws that can bite, stiffer penalties for corrupt practices are what we need in this country. If we do that, every other thing will fall into place. We are tired of these talk shops.”

We’ve met all necessary conditions for Ijebu State creation’

ABEOKUTA — The Awujale of Ijebuland, Oba Sikiru Kayode Adetona has said the Ijebus have met all the necessary conditions stipulated by the constitution for the creation of Ijebu State from the present Ogun State.

At a briefing,  the monarch whose speech was read by the Coordinator of this year’s Ojude Oba Festival, Chief Fasi Yusuf  said the people of Ijebu had met  requirements as stipulated in Section 8 (1) (a) to (d) of the 1999 Constitution and were qualified to have a state of their own.

According to the monarch, this year’s Ojude Oba Festival which would hold October 17, would be used to drum up support for the creation of the long over-due Ijebu State by the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Aminu Tambuwal and Bayelsa State Governor, Seriake Dickson.

Also, at the event was Globacom Marketing Coordinator, Adeniyi Olukoya and the Ogun State Commissioner for Culture and Tourism, Mrs. Yewande Amusan commended the Globacom for its usual sponsorship of the festival.

DOWNLOAD VIDEO PREMIERE: D’Banj – Finally

Eja Nla finally drops the much anticipated video for one of the singles off the DKM album . We all saw the BTS for the video a week ago and here is the official video featuring cameo from Starboy WIZKID.

Watch and Share your thoughts

DOWNLOAD HERE

4-year-old stolen boy found in Onitsha

Enugu – The Enugu State Police Command has found a four-year-old boy, who was allegedly stolen at his school three months ago.

A statement signed by the Public Relations Officer of the command, Mr Ebere Amarizu, on Monday in Enugu said the kid was found on Sept. 26 at the residence of a couple, Mr and Mrs Ejiofor Eze, at Awada Layout in Onitsha, Anambra.

The statement said that Mr and Mrs Eze, residing at Awada in Onitsha, allegedly stole the kid at his school at Achara Layout, Enugu on July 2.

“Following intensive investigation by the Anti-Kidnap Unit of the Enugu State Police Command, it was discovered that the boy was held hostage by the couple in their house.

“Ejiofor Eze and his wife are the brain behind the stealing of the boy.’’

The statement said that the boy was in good health and had rejoined his family.

It said, however, that the couple was currently on the run, noting that the police had been on their trail.

Yobe killings: Tambuwal urges new tactics

Abuja – The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Alhaji Aminu Tambuwal, on Monday advised security agencies to adopt new tactics in tackling insurgency and acts of terrorism.

In a statement issued in Abuja by Malam Imam Imam, his Special Adviser on Media and Public Affairs, Tambuwal said that a change of tactics was necessary, now that those engaged in the act have increased their attacks on softer targets.

46 students of the College of Agriculture, Gujba, Yobe, were killed by gunmen in predawn attack on Sept. 28.

Tambuwal described the killing of the students as “wicked, horrendous and beyond the realm of humanity”, saying a similar act was committed barely  two months ago at the Government Secondary School, Mamudo, also in Yobe.

He said the only way to console the families of the victims and Nigerians was by apprehending the perpetrators of the dastardly act and bringing them to justice.

“We in the House of Representatives feel the grief and pain of the families of the victims. In this their hour of need, we will stand with them hand in hand, shoulder to shoulder.

“We want to assure them that as brothers, we will continue to confront the threats of terror confronting our nation, and we know we will come out stronger and victorious,” he said.

Tambuwal urged Nigerians to be more vigilant and to help security agencies with useful information that would help to secure lives and property.

‘Our chemical exports to Syria may have been weaponised’

BERLIN (AFP) – The German government on Monday admitted it had approved as recently as 2011 the export to Syria of chemicals that could be weaponised, and in larger quantities than previously known.

Data released by the economy ministry showed that German firms had exported between 1998 and 2011 to Syria a total of 360 tonnes of chemicals for either military or civilian use.

The ministry insisted that it had no evidence the chemicals, which were approved as recently as April 2011, were used in weapons.

“After a comprehensive review of all available information, it can be assumed that the goods were used for civilian purposes by private industry,” it said in a statement.

The ministry did not say which companies had exported the chemicals but said that shipments stopped from May 2011 when sanctions against chemical exports to Syria were imposed.

It had acknowledged two weeks ago that export licences were granted between 2002 and 2006 for shipments totalling more than 100 tonnes of so-called dual-use chemicals.

Ministry sources said the chemicals could be used in the surface treatment of metals, fluorination of drinking water and the manufacture of toothpaste.

UN chemical weapons inspectors reported in September that banned chemical weapons were used on a large scale in the Syrian civil war, and that evidence showed sarin gas killed hundreds in an opposition-held area near Damascus on August 21.

The UN report did not say who used the sarin gas, though the Syrian opposition and its allies have blamed President Bashar al-Assad’s troops. The United States claims more than 1,400 people died in the attack and has threatened to attack Assad’s regime.

German Foreign Minister Guido Westerwelle said Saturday at the UN General Assembly that Berlin was ready to give financial and technical support to the international operation to destroy Syria’s chemical weapons.

The announcement followed a resolution passed by the UN Security Council which ordered the destruction of Assad’s banned chemical arms.

Lay down your arms, ACF begs Boko Haram

KADUNA—The Arewa Consultative Forum, ACF, has again asked the Boko Haram insurgents to lay down their arms and embrace peace, saying that although the country was experiencing hard times, the situation was not bad enough for some people to lose the will to live in the mistaken belief that it is better to die but not alone.

The ACF made this known in its goodwill message to mark the nation’s 53 Independence anniversary.

The statement entitled, “ACF felicitates with people and government of Nigeria on the occasion of the 53rd Independence,”’ and signed by the National Publicity Secretary of the forum, Mr. Anthony Sani reads in part: “Nigerians have reasons to celebrate because the Independence gives freedom for Nigeria to take its destiny into its hands by determining the content, shape, direction and pace of its socio economic development needed for national solidarity and welfare of all.

“There is no doubt that the nation is experiencing hard times. But Nigerians should not allow these challenges to set their national agenda.

Boko haram

‘’On the contrary, difficult times should bring about national grandeur, purposeful leadership and the best in every one. More so, that no nation thrives on victory of its faction but through ultimate reconciliation which is not act of cowardice but of patriotic courage,and even heroism.

“Building a country inhabited by people who are socially diverse, economically empowered and politically active demands consciously directed efforts to make what we desire as a collective possible and then actual.

‘’One way of starting this journey is for Nigerians to make judicious use of their democratic rights and ensure that their votes count so that the emerging leaders would be accountable and make poverty history.”

To that end, those who relish in employment of violence to solve their perceived concerns should have known by now that such approaches do not solve problems. And so, ACF urges them to lay down their arms and embrace civilized ways of doing things.”

’’It may well be true that corruption has stolen the empowerment, the opportunity and the future of most Nigerians,which have made some people to lose the will to live in the mistaken belief that it is better to die but not alone.

’’But corruption can thrive only in a corrupt society which glorifies riches which sources are unknown.And so,it is not correct for some people to lose their will to live,worse by taking their lives and those of others along.This is a wrong headed approach to solving problems.

Surely,our problems are not beyond redemption.After all,adversity can be cathartic and constructive as well.

’’That is why ACF appeals to all Nigerians to use this occasion and resolve to live up the concept of a nation by coming together and unleash their synergy against our common challenges for public good. This is because the task of overcoming national challenges is a collective responsibility and not for the government alone. In that way,we can make Nigeria feel young again with promise of glory days ahead.’’

It’s time to pause and decide Nigeria’s future – Iwuanyanwu

Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu, politician, industrialist and publisher of Champion Newspapers, is a chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP)

What is your thought on Nigeria as a nation?

Frankly speaking, I don’t believe that when Lord Luggard  amalgamated the North and South he had the intention of establishing a nation based on unity, love and prosperity.

I think Luggard only did that for the convenience of the British Trading Company that employed him. He was just a staff of the company and of course he made every effort to maximize profit and the bigger the profit he made, the more he pleased his masters.

In the history of mankind, God at times takes a very simple action which he turns into a very serious situation. That action, which was very simply taken by Luggard has been able to transform into one of the strongest countries of the world.  I think Nigeria, as it is today, is one of the strongest countries in the world. Nigeria is endowed enormously with potentials.

Our diversity means that Nigeria has got everything that God can give to a people in this world. And if Nigerians have a government, if Nigerians decide to harness these resources, we will be able to build a country, which no nation in the world can overtake in any situation.

What is your take on calls for national conference? 

President Goodluck Jonathan has been very kind and generous to Nigerians and by next year, we will be 100 years as a nation.

In the life of a people, there comes a time, when the people pause for a while, to reflect on the past, examine the present situation and then decide the future. I think for Nigeria, the time is now.

Over the years, the history is clear and we know how we fought for our independence and got it in 1960. Soon, after that, we went into an unfortunate civil war.

And of course, that civil war was a major set-back to Nigeria but in spite of the civil war, we still remain strong.  Very few countries will come out of a very serious civil war and still stand to day as a very strong nation, respected all over the world.

Do you have faith in this nation?

I have faith in this country; I believe that Nigerians should do everything humanly possible to preserve the entity. There is not part of Nigeria that has not got tremendous natural potentials.

Dr Emmanuel Iwuanyawu

Some of them are being tapped today; some of them will be tapped in future. There is no part of Nigeria that has not got human resources that are needed for the development of the people, but what I want in Nigeria is actually honesty of purpose.

Now, I will start off from the political angle: in any country like Nigeria or republic, Nigeria is not obviously a nation, it comprises nation states.

That Lord Luggard by force amalgamated Nigeria does not necessarily mean that Nigerians have essentially agreed to be together but we have learnt over the years to live together and we are ready to live together. I think one thing that makes the country survive more than anything is for the people to be fair to one another.

Federal Character is very important. One issue that creates problem in this country is the office of the President of this country.

Nigerians over the years, throughout our experimentation on how to govern ourselves, started with three regions, we came to four regions. We had 12 states and today we have 36 states and Federal Capital Territory, Abuja. Now, in our constitution, there is a clear policy of Federal Character. This is very important.

This is being applied in many areas. Nigerians must make sure that the Presidency of this country reflects Federal character. Nigeria is not the first country to do that. Switzerland, America and many other countries do it. We have now six geo-political zones. Every geo-political zone can produce a president.

I don’t see why Nigerians can’t be bold enough to put rotation of the presidency in the constitution among the six geo-political zones.

That will reduce acrimony and rancour that characterise the polity. Nigerians must work it out.

This is very important because every part of this country needs to have a sense of belonging.

If we don’t have a Federal Character and it is left to the whims and caprices of some people that don’t have the efficiency or capability, then it means that the weak will continue to be weak and the poor will continue to be poor and that will not be good for this country.

For example, everyday, you see people from the South East clamouring for Igbo Presidency and I feel that they are right because they know that their forebears like Zik played a frontline role in securing the Nigerian independence. South East also knows that their men and women are all over this country playing major roles in shaping the country’s destiny, socially, economically and otherwise.

So, they think that they deserve to be given the power but without zoning, it may probably be very difficult for people in their type of structure to achieve that. That is why, I think we must be bold enough to put this in the constitution.

In clear terms, does that mean you support  Sovereign National Conference?

At first, I was not supporting it, but now, I support. I support it because I have seen that the National Assembly that is supposed to do this job is not able to do it.

Why do you think it is very important?

It is very important because we must examine the structure of this country now to ensure we have a country we can manage with our resources. For example, we have to look at the legislative structure in this country. The Central Bank Governor has always said that the National Assembly is very large and spends so much money.

This country spends so much on overhead and this is not good for any country. We are living in a country where most school leavers, instead of going to look for jobs in productive areas, are seeking to be political aids.  This is so because we are spending a lot of money on overheads.

Are you saying it is good for us to practice a unicameral legislature? 

No, I am not saying that. Nigerians should sit back and reflect whether we need a full-time Senate and a full-time House of Representatives.

Most of the time, they overlap in their functions. What the House of Reps does is often repeated by the Senate. These are the issues that must be examined by Nigerians because America may be able to afford it, but Nigeria at this level of our economy cannot afford it.

The fact remains that the overhead of this country is so high and has become serious problem and is affecting the youths. There is a serious unemployment in this country.  It is affecting development. Part of it is that private sector is very weak. When you have a country that is spending so much on overhead, the capital money generated by the private sector is reduced and the private sector is weak and can’t generate jobs.

Everybody, who leaves university today, is looking for job in one government agency or parastatal. It never used to be so.  It is not so in America or Britain. A normal brilliant graduate from Harvard is not looking for a job in the state department.  He is looking for a job in a company. But here, our own people, everybody is looking for job in a ministry, where they feel their jobs will be secured.

Sir,  would you recommend physical federalism under  which states control their resources and pay some portion as their contribution to the centre? 

I don’t want to speak about that. I want the Nigerian state to decide what to do. But going to this national conference, after 100 years. These are our experiences.  Nigerians have had it all and must use their experiences to  bring a new constitution that will be able to guide the nation on the path of growth.

Any constitution we bring today must be able to create a situation, where the youth will have the opportunity to get jobs.

I believe that every nation, owes every citizen a right to earn a living. That is why every government owes every citizen, a right and opportunity to earn a living honestly and that is not done in this country. The private sector must be empowered.

The other issue that has been a problem for this country and which requires to be tackled very seriously is corruption. I believe that it is corruption. A typical American governor is voted to go and serve without giving bribe. In their culture, there is integrity. He was not voted to go and make money.

Here, we have seen that over the years, when governors leave office, the EFCC will be going after them to recover monies he stole.

You will see a person who was a governor of a state, before he became a governor,  he had only one house but at the end of his tenure, he has a house in Abuja, he has a house in Lagos, he has a house in Dubai, he has a house in America of London and so many other places. In addition, he has investment in so many businesses.

 How can this be effectively addressed? 

Only government cannot address this. The fact is that every government that comes, talk about corruption, but when they leave, we see in the trail of their job very nasty size of corruption. Take for example, the stealing of oil.

This government has virtually actually stopped it. And I think, that is a major achievement of this government. I think Nigerians should stop blaming government for this corruption, they should blame politicians. Everybody must be involved. If you have somebody, who before he became a public servant that suddenly became rich, and we keep quiet. Is it the government that will do it?

In their religious places like churches, they are knighted because they have stolen public fund. In some ceremonies, they are giving recognition and people say they are doing well.

People who stole public money must be made outcasts, so that people will know that it is a bad thing.  

This attitude must completely be eroded. It is a problem that must involve everybody in working for the solution. I think we require a moral reorientation and moral transformation by everybody.

Even in the universities, where students buy degrees, where people ask for favour from women to get degree. The stories are very nasty. I hope they are all not correct. But the stories are bad and people now see that the quality of education has gone down drastically.

You are a top member of the ruling Peoples’ Democratic Party, what do you think is the most important key to the issue of reconciling your members? 

I am not blaming anybody who has an issue to raise but PDP as a party has a constitution. Bamanga Tukur was elected in a very transparent election. Most of these governors were there when he was elected. He has been there for nearly two years.

None of them raised these issues, when he was elected. Now, if there are issues against him, I don’t know, I have not investigated. There is a constitutional process to follow in resolving issues, if they are actually working to protect the party.

They should raise the issue within the laws of the party, but what they are doing today, is to destroy the party and may be to form another party. Otherwise, if they actually have facts, they should constitutional process to remove him. And I am quite sure that they are very powerful, if they actually have facts, but it is not easy.

I have heard some of them giving conditions to the President that he must remove the party Chairman. The president of Nigeria has no power to remove any party Chairman, who was duly elected.

So, anybody, who is telling the President that the only condition to support him is to remove an elected Party Chairman, is not actually being fair to the President because he has no such powers. The Chairman was elected; everybody watched the election in a transparent election. Even those, whose elections had flaws, went back in the last convention to be re-elected .

Most of these people who are giving these conditions are founding members of the party and people who have made contributions to the party. I think that they should be able to work hard to make sure that the party does not disintegrate. Some of them became what they are today, even governors through the party.  They should come back to the party and raise these issues through the constitution of the party. Telling the president to remove the party Chairman is not possible.

Obama congratulates Jonathan, Nigerians on 53rd independence anniversary

Washington, DC – The U.S. President, Barack Obama, has congratulated  President Goodluck Jonathan and the people of Nigeria as the nation celebrates 53rd anniversary it Independence Day on Oct.1.

“A warm friendship connects the Nigerian and American people, reflecting our shared values of democracy, economic growth, security, and respect for human rights and the rule of law.

“Our partnership is strong because of our people, as the proverb tells us, if you want to go quickly go alone. If you want to go far go together,’’ Obama in a statement,  issued by Secretary of State, John Kerry said on Monday.

He added that in the coming years, the U.S. would be looking forward to going further with Nigeria as the country expands education, jobs and opportunity for its people.

US President Barack Obama (R) shakes hands with President Goodluck Jonathan of Nigeria before their bilateral meeting in New York on September 23, 2013 on the sideline of the United Nations General Assembly. AFP

“On the 53rd anniversary of your independence, I wish all Nigerians a safe and prosperous future,” Kerry quoted the U.S. president as saying.

Meanwhile, in the historic city, New York, Nigerians and friends of Nigeria from around the world are gearing up to celebrate the anniversary of Nigeria’s Independence.

The celebration is scheduled from Oct.3 to 5 with activities ranging from party for young Nigerians and their friends, to a cultural night where the youth would demonstrate appreciation of their Nigerian heritage.

Also there would be an Independence Day Parade/Carnival and Festival.

People from all walks of life are expected at the celebration to showcase the glory of Nigeria.

The  theme for this year’s celebration is “Nigeria, Time for change’’.

Nigeria’s Independence Day celebration in New York started in 1991.

The celebration is usually the largest of its kind by any African nation in the U.S.

33 feared dead as herdsmen, farmers clash in Benue

MAKURDI—No fewer than 33 persons were feared dead in a fresh outbreak of fighting between suspected Fulani herdsmen and native farmers in Agatu Local Government Area of Benue State.

Vanguard gathered from eyewitnesses that the crisis, which erupted Saturday and lasted till yesterday, some of the victims burnt beyond recognition. It also led to the burning down of over 30 houses and huts, including several farmlands and fish ponds owned by the natives.

According to the source, “the Fulani herdsmen had invaded Ojantele, Okpagabi and Ibadan in Agatu council on Saturday, killing close to 10 people.

“From there, they ambushed about three people from Agatu, who were going to a neighbouring villages in Apa Local Government Area of the state and slaughtered them in cold blood.”

The unwarranted killing and destruction of houses, huts and farms prompted a reprisal attack on Sunday at the Fulani settlement in a boarder village between Apa and Agatu, where a free for all ensued leading to the death of many more people.

“The development has led to villagers living at the border of both Apa and Agatu councils fleeing their abode and taking refuge in neighouring towns and villages for fear of being killed by the mercenaries, who have taken over the fighting.”

When contacted, Secretary, Miyette Allah Cattle Breeders Association, Benue State chapter, Garus Gololo told Journalists that last night, no fewer than 20 Fulanis were killed in the fighting.

Strike: Oritsejafor urges ASUU, FG to shift ground

ABUJA—The President, Christian Association of Nigeria, CAN, Pastor Ayo Oritsejafor, has urged the Federal Government and Academic Staff Union of Universities, ASUU, to shift ground to resolve the ongoing industrial action embarked upon by the union.

This came as lecturers at Enugu State University of Science and Technology, ESUT, reaffirmed their support for the ongoing nationwide indefinite strike.

Oritsejafor, who spoke yesterday in Abuja at the celebration to mark the country’s 53rd independence anniversary, said to resolve the strike that would be 90 days old today would not be a ‘win-win’ situation, adding that the two parties must give and take, in the interest of Nigerian students.

“Government must shift ground and ASUU also must shift ground. If they will allow us, we can resolve it, we are prepared to provide solution, if they will allow us, it is possible,” he said.

Also, the CAN boss in a statement signed by his Special Assistant on Media, Kenny Ashaka, yesterday, in Abuja stated that as leader of the continent, Nigeria deserved more than she had attained so far.

Although the country is yet to achieve the desired standard of conduct and performance envisaged by its founding fathers, Oritsejafor expressed a strong hope that development would come as soon as all the challenges inhibiting its progress were surmounted.

He said: “We must keep hope alive; we are still together and would be together. There has been modest improvement and development. It could be better.

“But the atmosphere is not encouraging enough to hold those administering the country accountable, talking about the security challenges. We must all return to the path of sanity to be able to develop.”

Meanwhile, lecturers at Enugu State University of Science and Technology, ESUT, have reaffirmed their support for the ongoing nationwide indefinite strike of Academic Staff Union of Universities, ASUU.

Photos: Rihanna wears fishnet bodysuit on set of her new video

She's getting naked again in her new video. The singer shared behind-the-scenes pics from her latest music video, Pour It Up, on her instagram page yesterday. See more photos after the cut...

Jealous ex-girlfriend sets rival ablaze in Enugu

According to a report by Sunnewsonline.com, a 20 year old girl allegedly set ablaze the 22 year old new love interest of her ex-boyfriend. Cynthia Onah reportedly went to her ex-boyfriend's house at Onugba Nike area in Enugu State late at night with a gallon of fuel and emptied its content on Chinwe Igwe, her ex's girlfriend, who was sleeping. The incident took place on August 24th.

The Commissioner of Police Enugu State, Mr. Mohammed Adamu described the incident as very unfortunate. “It is terrible that a girl because of jealousy would set another girl on fire simply because they are befriending the same boy.”

CP Adamu explained that on that fateful day, Cynthia had in connivance with another suspect, one Obiora Chukwuegbo stormed Chika’s home and set Chinwe on fire. It was only the assistance of  neighbours that Chinwe was rescued through the window as the fire consumed the room. She was said to have been taken to a private hospital before she was transferred to Annunciation Specialist Hospital  Emene, Enugu State where she is still receiving treatment.

The boyfriend, Chika told Sunday Sun

“I am a driver and I’ve been dating Chinwe for the past five years. We had little quarrel and we stopped dating. I meet Cynthia who is a prostitute and dated her for just one month. We separated one month after because at times she would be chasing me with a knife. I couldn’t bear it and so I went back to settle with my former girlfriend. Cynthia didn’t give up as she threatened that she was going to deal with us. She even threatened to pour acid on me.

Being a driver, I travelled the day Cynthia burnt my girlfriend. It was one of my neighbours that called me to say that my house was on fire and that somebody poured fuel under the door and it exploded and burnt my girlfriend who was sleeping in the room; that they have rescued her through the window.

“When I got home, I saw that all my property had been burnt to ashes. My girlfriend was hospitalized because she sustained injuries from the fire. But I am determined and I have promised God that with the condition of my  girlfriend that I am still going to marry her.”

The suspect, Cynthia, who hails from Isi-Uzo Local Government Area of  Enugu State, said

“I started dating Chika when he had misunderstanding with his former girlfriend, Chinwe. We dated for one month and then he told me that he was no longer interested in marrying me. Chika is owing me N12,000. When we had a quarrel, I did not threaten him with a knife. I only used the knife to deflate his tyres.

“I have quarreled with Chinwe several times. I sent her a text message to leave my boyfriend. Because she threatened  me, I also threatened her that she will never enjoy the relationship. I don’t  know anything about who took fuel to the house of her boyfriend and burnt  the house. On that fateful day, Chika called my phone at night and said that I should meet him at Emene junction. I was out waiting for him when the policemen from the State CID arrested me. I didn’t know anything about the incident. I only know we have traded words.”

When  Sunday Sun visited the victim at the Annunciation Specialist Hospital Emene Area, Enugu State, she said:

“I am still shocked at what happened. I regret dating Chika as I have been turned to something else now. I saw  Cynthia Onah and  Chukwuegbo Obiora after they had poured  fuel under the door and fire was everywhere. I was calling him for help. It was when I was calling  for help through the other window that  I saw Cynthia Onah and Obiora Chkwuegbo running away and I was shouting for help until the neighbours broke one of the windows and carried me out from the window”,  she said.

“My relationship with Chika is over. I am in pains and agony. I didn’t know what to do. I was sleeping and suddenly I saw smoke and it exploded and caught fire. I could have been burnt to ashes if not for the neighbours who broke through the window and rescued me,” she added.

CP Adamu said the suspects would soon be charged to court.

Jim Iyke receives deliverance at TB Joshua's Synagogue Church

This one pass me. The church explained on their Facebook page exactly what the actor was doing there and how he got delivered. His deliverance was shown on TV today. More photos after the cut...

Photos: Angelo Collins and Beverly Osu kiss at her birthday party

BBA Housemates Beverly Osu and Angelo Collins photographed kissing passionately at her birthday party at Aura night club last night...see more photos after the cut...