FG declares Wednesday May 1st Public holiday

                                 

The Federal Government has declared Wednesday, May 1st as public holiday to celebrate the 2019 Workers’ Day.

In a statement released today April 29th, the Minister of Interior, Lt.- Gen. (Rtd) Abdulrahman Dambazau, commended workers’ effort at ensuring the full implementation of the policies and programmes of government through efficient and effective service delivery to Nigerians and foreigners.

Dambazau called for the continuous support of Nigerian workers in government’s effort at re-positioning the economy and moving it to the Next Level. He also commended them for keeping faith with the President Muhammadu Buhari administration’s resolve of building a better Nigeria.

The Minister in the statement, wished all Nigerian workers a successful May Day Celebration.

Governor Dickson declines assent to bill seeking life pension for Bayelsa House of Assembly members

                                

The Bayelsa State Governor, Seriake Dickson, has declined assent to the bill seeking a lifetime pension police for members of the state House of Assembly.

The lawmakers passed the bill into law on Wednesday April 24th after the Leader of the House, Peter Akpe, representing Sagbama Constituency 1, moved the motion for the debate.  The bill proposes a monthly pension of N100,000 for members while the speaker and deputy speaker would be entitled to N500,000 and N200,000, respectively throughout their life after serving in the Assembly. 

In a statement released today April 29th, the State Commissioner for Information, Daniel Iworiso-Markson, said the governor conveyed the decision to decline assent to the bill in a letter to the Speaker of the Bayelsa State House of Assembly on Monday. According to Governor Seriake, the bill was inconsistent with Section 124 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria as amended. The governor argued that members of the State Assembly lacked the powers to expand the categories of public servants who should be entitled to a pension.

He said that he had to withhold assent to the bill because the State which was bedeviled with a lot of challenges in spite of its low Internally generated revenue base and unstable earnings from the oil economy was the only state out of Nigeria’s 36 states to come up with such a bill.

According to him, he was guided in the decision by the principle that government should not be for a select class of the privileged in the society, and would not discard it over seven years into his administration.

He said that notwithstanding his decision to decline assent to the bill, he still holds the Assembly in very high esteem.

''I can never imagine spending the rest of life with anyone else'' - Davido tells Chioma his lover as she celebrates her birthday

                     

Today April 30th is Davido's girlfriend, Chioma Rowland's birthday.

The singer took to his Instagram page to express his unflinching love for her as he celebrated her on her birthday.

''Happy Birthday TO THE LOML  @thechefchi It’s your Birthday All week !!?? WHERE WE GOING ??!! God bless you for me ! Can never Imagine Spending the Rest of life With any one ELSE !! I love you BABY !! GREAT THINGS AHEAD !!  Davido wrote

Boko Haram members earn $3,000 daily but Nigerian soldiers get N1,000 - FG official, Sidi Ali Mohammed says

                               

A member of the Presidential Committee on the North East Initiative (PCNI), Dr. Sidi Ali Mohammed, has disclosed that Boko Haram members receive as much as $3,000 daily which he claims serves as payment for carrying out terrorist attacks in the North-East since 2014.

Mohammed made this disclosure at the Presentation of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) Sub-Sahara Africa’s Economic Outlook Report, in Abuja on Monday April 29th.

According to Mohammed, the payment makes the N1,000 daily allowance paid to Nigerian troops at the war front ridiculous.

“I will give you an example. The Nigerian military for example, gets N1, 000 per day for being in the North East, at the war front, as an allowance. The same North-East, where if you are a member of Boko Haram you get $3,000 per day as allowance. So it is lucrative. Sometimes, they even give you money upfront. So we must do something about the youth from where they are recruiting.” he said

Policemen used pure water sachets as condoms to allegedly have sex with ladies randomly arrested in Abuja- activist Dorothy Njemanze says

                                      

Activist/Actress, Dorothy Njemanze, says some of the 70 girls allegedly arrested by men of the Utako Police station in Abuja, have accused some of the officers of forcefully having sex with them using pure water sachets as condom.

Recall that over the weekend, a Nigerian lawyer, Mart Obono, came on twitter to announce that over 70 girls accused of engaging in prostitution, had been arrested by officers of the Utako Police station and were made to spend the weekend at the station.

Njemanze who went with her team to see some of the girls as they were arraigned before a mobile court at the Area 10 old Parade ground in Abuja, said the girls were denied access to their family members and were also threatened to plead guilty. The ladies were asked to pay a fine of N5000 or have sex with the police men.

Rihanna flaunts her long legs in matching jumpsuit and coat at a reggae concert in Barbados (Photos)

                               

Pop star, Rihanna commanded attention as she attended the Buju Banton concert in Barbados on Saturday night.

The 31-year-old makeup mogul flaunted her hot legs in a yellow-and-grey checkered Off-White ensemble complete with shorts, matching coat and ankle-high booties for the reggae show.

At one point, the singer who is from Barbados was pictured posing backstage with Barbados Prime Minister Mia Mottley.

Liverpool defender Virgil van Dijk officially crowned PFA Players' Player of the Year (Photos)

                                  

Liverpool centre-back , Virgil Van Dijk has been officially crowned the Professional Footballers' Association's Players' Player of the Year for 2019 after a stellar season. 

The Dutch defender succeeds team-mate Mohamed Salah in winning the award after beating Manchester City stars, Raheem Sterling, Sergio Aguero, Bernardo Silva, and Chelsea forward Eden Hazard to claim the prestigious prize.  

The 27-year-old footballer received the gong at a ceremony which took place at the Grosvenor House in London.

I think it's special, definitely,' the 27-year-old said. 'If you see the standard of strikers we have in the league or play makers we have in the league, it's unbelievable.

'If you see the shortlist and quality there is, it's very special that the players in the league voted for me. I won't take it for granted. It's just very special.

'I think throughout the whole season I've been feeling great. We've been winning many games, we are competing with Man City for the title and I think the most important thing is to stay fit and play consistent as well - I think I've been doing that pretty well this season.

'Obviously without the help of my team-mates, it wouldn't be possible but we have just to keep going, carry on and I'm feeling good.' 

Van Dijk went on to pay tribute to his Liverpool team-mates. 'I think the key is that the way we defend is that we do it all together,' he added.

'Defending starts upfront, our strikers put pressure on their defenders, it's unbelievable. 

'I don't want to be put under pressure by those kind of players and even if they (the opponent) beat that press, we still have a midfield that keeps hunting you down at all times.

'It makes it a lot easier for us as the back four. But if we're under pressure we still need to deal with it and I think that's been going pretty well as well.

'Everyone is responsible for the good things that have been going on right now at Liverpool. We just want to keep it going and hopefully that will result in trophies.'

Van Dijk was also  joined by his Liverpool team-mates Sadio Mane, Andy Robertson and Trent Alexander-Arnold who all made the Premier League team of the year.

Photo: Police arrest four with freezer loaded with Indian Hemp in Ogun

                                

The Ogun state police command have arrested four suspects with a deep freezer loaded with substance suspected to be Indian hemp at Iperin area of the Agbara industrial park area of the state.

A statement released by the state police command's spokesperson, Abimbola Oyeyemi, says the suspects were arrested during a raid on black spots by officers of the just-launched operation Puff Adder.

“The raiding of black spots across the state is in furtherance of a total clampdown on hoodlums perpetrating violent crimes such as armed robbery, kidnapping, cultism, and the likes. In line with this, a special operation outfit code named “OPERATION PUFF ADDER ” was recently launched by the Commissioner of Police CP Bashir Makama in compliance with the directive of Inspector general of police. 

The 4 suspects namely Opeyemi Wahab f’ 22yrs, Kabirat Ahmed f’ 21yrs, Yusuf Rasaki m’ 20yrs and Saheed Mustapha m’ 32yrs were all arrested at Iperin black spots in Agbara area on Saturday 27th April 2019 during the raiding of the area by team of policemen led by the DPO SP Adegbite Omotayo.

“The suspects were caught with the deep freezer which they pretended to be using for sales of soft drinks, but when it was opened, behold, it was loaded with weeds suspected to be marijuana hence they were promptly apprehended'' he said

The statement continues

“On interrogation, they confessed been the major distributor of the substance in Agbara area and that they always use the freezer to distribute it around so as to deceive the security agents and prevent them from arrest. ”

The four suspects have now been transferred to the state criminal investigation and intelligence department for discreet investigation.

Dillish Mathews shares new loved-up video with her boo Emmanuel Adebayor, says 'Love is sweet'

                               

Big Brother Africa The Chase winner, Dillish Mattews, and her footballer boo, Emmanuel Adebayor are still going strong.

The Namibian beauty shared this loved up video of them having a nice time together and wrote:  'Love is sweet oo' 

Beware of poisonous cow skin 'Ponmo' sold in markets, Lagos State government warns residents

                       

The Lagos State Government has alerted residents of the state to the circulation of “poisonous ponmo" in some markets in the state. 

 A statement by Adeola Salako, Director of Public Affairs, Lagos State Ministry of Health, noted that the government has so far arrested three persons involved in the selling of the “poisonous ponmo”. Ponmo, as it is popularly known in Nigeria, is cow skin, specially prepared for consumption.  

He revealed that the suspects were arrested at Ojo and Iba Local Government Areas of the state with large quantities of ponmo and that the seized ponmo have been sent to the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control in order for tests to be carried out to check if they are okay for consumption.  

The statement read: “The Commissioner for Health, Dr Jide Idris, who disclosed this in his office today (Sunday) while reviewing report of preliminary investigation and enforcement carried out on the sale of the toxic ponmo in the areas, stated that the three persons involved had been charged to court, while samples of the confiscated ponmohad been sent to the NAFDAC laboratory for suitability test analysis for human consumption."  

The commissioner further said the traders engaged in the sale of these poisonous products do business at odd hours in various locations in two Local Government Areas.  

“Preliminary investigations and suspects tracing revealed that the traders were very active between 4am and 6am at various locations such as Volkswagen bus stop, Iyana Iba, Afolabi Ege Markets, all within the Ojo local government and Iba local council areas of the state.  

“Furthermore, a company said to be located at the Ijedodo area of Iba LCDA was indicted as the source of supply of this toxic ponmo and has subsequently been put under surveillance."  

Salako went on to urge the public to be careful and not hesitate to report to environmental health officers in their nearest local government or to the ministry of health any sale of foods and foods products that are not up to required standard.

Face coverings banned in Sri Lanka to prevent terrorists hiding their identities

                               

Henceforth, it will be illegal for people to wear items of clothings that cover their faces in Sri Lanka

Following the multiple terror attacks on Easter Sunday and the explosions and shootouts that broke out on Friday,  Sri Lanka government has issued an emergency law making it unacceptable to wear clothings that hides the face.

The new rule came into effect on Monday, eight days after the Easter bombings of churches and hotels that claimed the lives of more than 250 people at several locations. The law banning face veils was brought in at the orders of President Maithripala Sirisena who has been warned that more militants remain at large despite multiple arrests made.

Asidea the banning of face veils, a number of other measures have been taken to avoid another terror attack. Catholic Masses have been banned for the moment.

Sri Lanka’s Catholics yesterday celebrated Mass in their homes by a televised broadcast as churches across the island nation shut over fears of militant attacks.

24-year-old man kills his 65-year-old dad in Anambra, sets his corpse ablaze

                                

The police in Anambra state are currently on the trail of a 24-year-old man identified as Abuchi Onuorah, for allegedly killing his 65-year-old father, Onyiauke Onuorah, in Nando, in the Anambra East Local Government Area of Anambra State and setting the corpse ablaze.

A family member said Abuchi killed his father over suspicion that he was responsible for the death of his 51-year-old mother. 

“The deceased was killed by his son. He claimed that his father was responsible for the death of his 51-year-old mother, Okwundu Onuorah. The deceased was alleged to have used diabolical powers to inflict disease on his wife for flouting his order not to attend the Omugwo (maternity treat) of their daughter, who was recently delivered of a baby. Onyiauke threatened his wife that if she went for their daughter’s Omugwo at Nteje, she would not come back alive. But the wife went against his order.

During the visit, she was struck by a strange ailment and she died two days later. Before her death, the woman revealed to her children how their father threatened to kill her through diabolical means if she dared to visit their sister that put to bed. So, when she eventually died and the message got to her children, one of her sons, Abuchi, dashed to their father’s room, dismembered him with a cutlass and poured petrol  on his remains and set them on fire'' the family member told Southern City News

FFK comes hard on lawmaker, Femi Gbajabiamila, for sitting at the feet of a Fulani Islamic scholar (photo)

                               

Former Aviation Minister, Femi Fani-Kayode, has slammed member of the House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila, for sitting at the feet of a Muslim cleric.

Posting the photo above, FFK wrote;

Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila, a Yorubaman and a three-term member of the Federal House of Representatives who wishes to be elected Speaker, sitting at the feet and clinging to the thighs of a Fulani Islamic scholar by the name of Sheik Dahiru Bauchi.

Has it really come to this? Do we have to sink to this level? Must we bow before them? Is it not better to die a free man than live a slave?

Some have argued that Femi did this because he is a Muslim and that he was merely displaying his deep respect for a northern Muslim cleric.

I find this contention, at best, intellectually dishonest and, at worst, specious and disingenious. It is also a pernicious lie that seeks to mask the bitter truth.

The question is whether any leading Fulani politician would ever crawl before, kneel at the feet of and grab the thighs of any Yoruba Muslim cleric or Sheik simply to win his support for any position?

I doubt it very much given the fact that Fulani Muslims do not even allow Yoruba clerics to lead prayers in mosques in the north.

The Yoruba Muslims in the north are compelled to open their own "Yoruba Mosques" where they can lead in prayer but they cannot lead in any mosque that the Hausa Fulani attend.

This is the case despite the fact that Islam came to the Yorubaland, through the Turkish traders, a good 400 years before it arrived in the northern region of what later became Nigeria through Usman Dan Fodio.

I have known Femi for over 40 years and I have always loved and respected him. I still do. And as far as I am concerned politics can never come between us. But the Femi in this picture is not the Femi I knew, loved and grew up with in old Lagos.

That Femi would NEVER bow or kneel before ANY man for ANY reason. That Femi was a man of honor, self-respect and dignity who put his family and tribe before anything or anyone else.

That Femi was one of the most brilliant minds of the new generation of young political leaders that emerged in the late '90's and that went on to do great things and achieve so much for their people and country.

Nothing could intimidate him and no-one could buy him. And neither would he ever beg or crawl before anyone or grab their thighs and knees in desperation.

Sadly things appear to have changed. May God deliver us! I still believe that he would make a great Speaker of the House of Reps and that he deserves the position.

I do not however believe that he ought or need to sell his soul or conscience for it. The Femi that I know is just too big and too good for that!

Let us remember the celebrated words of the late Leader of the Yoruba, Chief Obafemi Awolowo. He said, "Kaka ka dobale fun Gambari ka kuku roju ku" (meaning "We the Yoruba would rather die than bow down to the Fulani").

Those were the words of a courageous man and an insightful leader. How I wish we had more of such leaders in Nigeria today.

Saraki nominated as International Human Rights Commission Ambassador

                                

President of the Senate, Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki, has been nominated as an “Ambassador-at-Large” of the International Human Rights Commission (IHRC). 

In a letter dated March 16, 2019, Ambassador Friday Sani, the Diplomatic Head of the Commission to Nigeria and other African Countries, stated that sequel to the approval of the World Secretary General of the IHRC, Dr. Saraki has been appointed as one of the revered Ambassadors-at-Large of the multinational body.

“While our role as a regional body is to promote and encourage institutions and persons to uphold human dignity across the world, we must not fail to mention the commendation of our Nigerian team over your resolute efforts in the stability of your country and your firm leadership of the Nigerian Senate which is adjudged to be among the most proactive parliaments across the world. 

“Besides, the Commission is not unmindful of the maturity that you recently displayed in the face of an obvious provocation in your constituency during the last Presidential and National Assembly elections,” Ambassador Sani said in the letter.

In the new capacity, Dr. Saraki is expected to lead the diplomatic team of the IHRC in various diplomatic missions across the world. 

The Senate President, on April 10th 2019, accepted the nomination of the Commission, while also expressing his appreciation to the IHRC for his nomination.

Women should stop attacking Regina Daniels for marrying Ned Nwoko- Helen Paul

                               

Comedian, Helen Paul, has reacted to the backlash 20-year old actress, Regina Daniels, has received since the news of her alleged marriage to 59-year-old Delta state billionaire, Ned Nwoko, surfaced online.

The attacks on Regina increased over the weekend after the pair made their first public appearance at the Federal University of Petroleum Resources Effurun, FUPRE, Delta State where Nwoko received an honorary doctorate degree.

In a post she shared on her Instagram page, Helen asked women to stop condemning Regina because they do not have any idea about what led her into such a 'marriage'. According to Helen;

''Hypocracy of the highest order, ladies are used to killing and condemning each other.
Do you know what she has gone through?
Do you know what pushed her and her family to go into such a marriage? 
There are people who get married at an older age and their husbands are using them as punching bag.
Why are we quick to judge women? The woman did this, the woman did that, What about the men? 
Please let us leave issues that are sorted and focus on matters that truly need attention.
Nigeria is so big. Plenty problems to be solved o...
Every body na sinner!
Better matter no go trend o.
#actor #react

OZOMKPU VICTOR OYE'S LEADERSHIP AND THE COLLAPSE OF APGA - by Chilagorom Ifeanyi

OZOMKPU VICTOR OYE'S LEADERSHIP AND THE COLLAPSE OF APGA
                       

                                  


All Progressive Grand Alliance (APGA) as a political party in Nigeria, was found by Chief Chekwas Okorie in collaboration with a few leaders especially from the Igbo extraction. In 2003, Dim Chukwuemeka Odimegwu Ojukwu was made her presidential candidate to attract Igbo population into APGA. It was bandied that APGA was for the growth and development of Igbo nation. Dim Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu became the face of APGA as Igbos trooped into the party. As a matter of fact, there was a time in Nigerian politics when APGA was trying to take over almost all the Southeastern states. Every candidate produced by APGA during any election was seen as a competent, reliable and people oriented person and he/she must not have any corrupt record. The Igbo political elites and the masses used APGA as an umbrella to produce decent, competent, trustworthy and capable politicians who understood the exact problems of the people. APGA was growing as a national party but with regional strong base in Igboland. Even those of us in PDP were secretly admiring APGA as a party of Ndi Igbo with the Onye aghala nwanne ya and Nkea bu nke anyi slogans. At some point, it seemed that every Igbo man or woman was a member of APGA in spirit. It almost was as if all Igbos in other political parties were on sabbatical.

Suddenly, night fell on the bright sky. APGA was overrun by merchants and it became a merchandise. But as the reverse has turned to be the case, its no more Onye aghala nwanne ya or Nkea bu nke anyi. Everyone has left his brother as the current party leaders have turned APGA as the party of highest bidders and therefore, promoting money politics. I was disappointed to hear last time that there was sell of delegate forms. Indeed, APGA ran a ponzi and duplicated issues beyond necessity of normalcy. Instead of delegates for delegates, Victor Oye led APGA ran a system of delegates for aspirants (positions). This made it possible for an aspiring delegate to purchase delegate forms with respect to the number of positions for the election. APGA offices across the nation became market square. The election and its processes were crassly commercialized and criminal extortion became the order of the day. Whereas the usual process known across political parties was for delegates to contest and win to become eligible to vote in the primary elections, a delegate now will have to undergo four (4) different elections. One for State House, one for Federal House, one for Senate and one for Governorship.

This was allowed to go on with the trend of crime attached to it. While till the date of the primary election, no one had known who was a delegate or not since no delegates election was conducted by APGA, the party leadership kept the list on the chest, trying to play pranks with the people's mandate.

I was at Hillman Hotels, Afor-Oru, Ahiazu Mbaise, Imo State on 2nd October, 2018 being the day of the so-called primary election for Federal House of Representatives. It was a total disappointment that even the disqualified aspirants were never informed till the moment everyone gather for the primary election. I mean that the aspirants who went through the party screening process were not given results of their screening. No list of aspirants was published and all the aspirants assumed success as no one was declared disqualified. It was at the accreditation of aspirants and delegates for the primaries that the disqualified aspirants were made to know that they have been disqualified. There was fights and argument here and there till the electoral officials disappeared with a particular aspirant who has been rumoured and believed to be the highest bidder. As an observer, I was at the venue till 11pm to make sure I have an authentic report that there was no election. But to my greatest surprise, it started flooding the entire social media at about 9pm same day that the primary election was peacefully conducted free and fair. In fact, news were trickling in that there was jubilation at the home of that particular aspirant.

 WHAT?

Is this the APGA we have been admiring from afar? This was my question to one of the APGA leaders who I saw around the venue. As a reporter and observer, I thought it was a joke till names were published the next few days as winners of the primaries. It was then clear to everyone that the party leadership had defrauded aspirants lots of money and just decided to give the ticket to the highest bidders instead of allowing the people to democratically produce competent candidates as usual for the general elections.

An information had it that APGA National Chairman, Ozomkpu Victor Oye stated that his party raised about #1.3 Billion from sale of Forms. I personally think he has under-accounted for what he received. The criminal harvest was a festival. He said out of the amount, he still saved about #900 Million in Anambra State coffers. He has now declared to seek another four year term in the party's National Convention to be held in May, 2019. And my question is: What has Oye done to deserve another term? Is criminality and insincerity now a prerequisite and character required for APGA National Championship position? Does APGA wish to run and thrive on goodwill and honour or on extravagance of insincerity and low value system?

The last time I visited APGA National Secretariat in Abuja, the building and environment do not even look like that of a great party like APGA. Even some of the newly established political parties in Nigeria have better National Headquarters than our beloved APGA. Another of my question goes: Nkea obukwa nke anyi? Is this really
our own?

Is APGA really an Igbo party or just an Anambra State's political party?


                                


Victor Oye is from Anambra State as his predecessor, Senator Victor Umeh. And the next question comes: Will APGA reward a failed man to continue as its National Chairman?
Which political party shall the Igbos really see as theirs? It is obvious that the time is fast moving and no one seems to raise his fingers. Whither APGA and Ndi Igbo? Where do we go from here?

Let's meet next time as things unfold.

Chilagorom Ifeanyi

ELITE'S LOVE GARDEN - 2002 MAIDEN EDITION REUNION

ENGLISH AND LITERARY STUDIES GRADUATES - 2002 SET, IMO STATE UNIVERSITY HOLDS ITS MAIDEN EDITION REUNION

                           

                           

It was an interesting and exciting moment as Imo State University graduates of English and Literary Studies (ELSA 2002) held its maiden edition reunion on Saturday, 27th April, 2019 at Sweeties Eatery, Opposite City School, Wetheral Road, Owerri, Imo State. 

The group of now grown and almost married young gentlemen and ladies started the journey in 2002 as students of English and Literary Studies, Faculty of Humanities. Elite as they are known as, are filled with intelligent; handsome and beautiful young gentlemen and ladies.

Below are more photos at the event...

                          

                                      

                                       

Sharon (Nee) Eke, Juliet (Nee) Nwakwu and Ndidiamaka (Nee) Agbakwuru

                                       

Livingstone Uche Maduneme, Chioma Rosemary Obi and Ezebuiro Peter-Damian (aka DG)

                                       

       Esther Raphael

                                            

Chinoso (Nee) Ubaka

The reunion was attended by other gentlemen and ladies like, Mr. Uzo Desmond Uzo (Mon Tutu), Uchechi (Nee) Obi, Esther (Nee) Umune, Jessica (Nee) Igbokwe, Eze Ifeanyichukwu, Sunny Iyke U. Okeigwe, Anne (Nee) Olewunne and the rest.

Other handsome and beautiful gentlemen/ladies of ELSA 2002 include Chilagorom Anthony Ifeanyi, Chukwunonyerem Clifford, Olachi (Nee) Osuji, Chisom (Nee) Ezike, Goodness (Nee) Inyama, John Arinze, Jude Obumneke Obiefule, Oluchi (Nee) Nnadi, Ezinne (Nee) Ofoegbu, Regibald Azubuike, Lovelyn (Nee) Duru, Miriam Dike, Ursulla (Nee) Igwebuike, Grace (Nee) Ebereonwu, Judith (Nee) Ukpabia, Joy Egwuekwe, Okwaranwaneri Patrick, Adaugo (Nee) Onuegbu, Ikechukwu Okorie, Modesty, Nkechi (Nee) Oragui, Onyinyechi (Nee) Umunakwe, Amaka (Nee) Onwuenyi, Ugochi, Ehirim Ifeanyi, Victoria (Nee) Ahiwe, Wereuche (Nee) Njoku, Adaku (Nee) Ariole, Venessa, Blessing Damian Onu, Chidinma (Nee) Opara (Chim Chim), Florence (Nee) Ihentuge, Chinenye (Nee) Ugwudi, Kingsley Ewuru, Lilian (Nee) Okoronkwo, Azuka Paschalyn (Nee) Onyeka, Chioma (Nee) Okafor, Chioma (Nee) Nnodim, Uchenna (Nee) Muomaife, Cynthia (Nee) Achuko, Ugonna Amadi and the rest who are still to join the group.

Photos: Aliko Dangote attends Senator Dino Melaye's convocation as he bags Msc in International Relations and Diplomacy

                                

On Saturday, Senator Dino Melaye was welcomed by a massive crowd at the Ahmadu Bello University (ABU) in Zaria where the lawmaker attended his convocation ceremony and bagged his Msc in International Relations and Diplomacy.

Africa's richest man, Aliko Dangote was also in attendance as Melaye who represents Kogi west district in the National Assembly bagged hs MSc.

 

Corps member dies after falling out of a commercial bus in Lagos (graphic photo)

                                  

A corps member has died after he fell off a commercial bus in Lagos.

Akhigbe Nuel Odiase, a recent law graduate, was in a bus plying the LASU-Isheri road when he fell from the moving vehicle at about 9:45pm on the night of April 15, 2019.

He sustained a severe head injury from the accident and was rushed to the nearby Alimosho General Hospital, Igando, where he was given first aid treatment. He was then transferred to LASUTH where he died later that night from his wounds.

Friends and colleague have taken to Facebook to mourn the Ambrose Alli University law graduate.

Boaz Kelvin Olumba wrote:

The efforts And love you put into Law, into life.. You strived to be better, even though you didnt get the first class you aimed at LS you made a clear 2.1.. You emerged so beautifully...
I dont want to believe its all vanity.. You cannot die in that khaki.. Please i hear miracles happen and its never too late

 

We produce 90% of the rice we eat now- Nigeria's Minister of Agriculture Audu Ogbeh says

                                

Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Audu Ogbeh, says Nigeria currently produces 90 per cent of the rice consumed in the country. The Minister who last month said people import Pizza to Nigeria from the UK, said this when he spoke at the 2019 Annual Research Review and Planning meeting which held at the Balarabe Tanimu Conference Hall at the Institute for Agricultural Research (IAR), Zaria, Kaduna State yesterday Tuesday April 16th.

Ogbeh, who was represented by Karima Babangida, the Director of Extension Services in the ministry, said this was achievable because of the massive suport the Federal government was giving local rice farmers.  

“One very good example that we see today is the home-grown Nigerian rice. Hitherto, Nigeria has been a major and largest importer of rice from Thailand and this implies largest importer in the world. But today, we have been able to achieve a paradigm shift in the right direction and we are now producing 90 per cent of the rice we eat in the country, I think we should appreciate our farmers here.

Nigeria does not only have the capacity to feed itself, it also becomes a major actor in agricultural exports to other African countries, Europe and American countries, including the Far East, especially China.” he said

Here's the full list of 23 Nigerians to be executed in Saudi Arabia

                               

Saudi Arabian authorities have revealed that at least 23 Nigerians are currently on the death row in Saudi Arabia for drug-related offences and may executed anytime from now.

In a report, The Nation newspaper said the Nigerians were convicted for contravening the narcotic and psychotropic substances control law, which is punishable by death.

They were said to have been arrested between 2016 and 2017 at King Abdul-Aziz International Airport, Jeddah and Prince Muhammad bin Abdu- Aziz International Airport, Madinah having concealed the banned substances in their rectums, the Saudi document revealed.

The names of the convicted persons were given as:

Adeniyi Adebayo Zikri
Tunde Ibrahim
Jimoh Idhola Lawal
Lolo Babatunde
Sulaiman Tunde
Idris Adewuumi Adepoju
Abdul Raimi Awela Ajibola
Yusuf Makeen Ajiboye
Adam Idris Abubakar
Saka Zakaria
Biola Lawal
Isa Abubakar Adam
Ibrahim Chiroma
Hafis Amosu
Aliu Muhammad
Funmilayo Omoyemi Bishi
Mistura Yekini
Amina Ajoke Alobi
Kuburat Ibrahim
Alaja Olufunke Alalaoe Abdulqadir
Fawsat Balagun Alabi
Aisha Muhammad Amira
Adebayo Zakariya.

This is coming a few weeks after the Saudi authorities executed Kudirat Afolabi for drug trafficking and Saheed Sobade, another Nigerian, reportedly nabbed with 1,183 grams of cocaine powder in Jeddah.

Here's the full list of 23 Nigerians to be executed in Saudi Arabia

                               

Saudi Arabian authorities have revealed that at least 23 Nigerians are currently on the death row in Saudi Arabia for drug-related offences and may executed anytime from now.

In a report, The Nation newspaper said the Nigerians were convicted for contravening the narcotic and psychotropic substances control law, which is punishable by death.

They were said to have been arrested between 2016 and 2017 at King Abdul-Aziz International Airport, Jeddah and Prince Muhammad bin Abdu- Aziz International Airport, Madinah having concealed the banned substances in their rectums, the Saudi document revealed.

The names of the convicted persons were given as:

Adeniyi Adebayo Zikri
Tunde Ibrahim
Jimoh Idhola Lawal
Lolo Babatunde
Sulaiman Tunde
Idris Adewuumi Adepoju
Abdul Raimi Awela Ajibola
Yusuf Makeen Ajiboye
Adam Idris Abubakar
Saka Zakaria
Biola Lawal
Isa Abubakar Adam
Ibrahim Chiroma
Hafis Amosu
Aliu Muhammad
Funmilayo Omoyemi Bishi
Mistura Yekini
Amina Ajoke Alobi
Kuburat Ibrahim
Alaja Olufunke Alalaoe Abdulqadir
Fawsat Balagun Alabi
Aisha Muhammad Amira
Adebayo Zakariya.

This is coming a few weeks after the Saudi authorities executed Kudirat Afolabi for drug trafficking and Saheed Sobade, another Nigerian, reportedly nabbed with 1,183 grams of cocaine powder in Jeddah.

Update: Mother of kidnapped girl located in Kaduna

                                

The mother of Philomena Friday, who was kidnapped from Kaduna and rescued in Enugu State, has been located. See the post below.

INEC presents certificate of return to Governor Wike and lawmakers In Rivers State

                               

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has presented Certificates of Return to Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike, his deputy, Ipalibo Banigo and other members of the House of Assembly.

The event comes two weeks after Wike won the governorship election after polling 886,264 votes to beat his closest opponent, Mr. Awara of the AAC who polled 173,859 votes.

Wike who is present at the INEC headquarters in Port Harcourt, the state capital is joined by his deputy, other lawmakers of the State and National Assembly.