woman docked over impersonating army officer

A 25-year-old woman, Cynthia Okonkwo, was yesterday in Lagos charged with impersonating an army officer at an Ogudu Magistrates’ Court.
Okonkwo, whose address was unknown, was also charged with the theft of a Toyota Camry saloon car with registration no. KU 200 AAA, valued at N800, 000, property of Mr. Babatunde Onibire.
She, however, pleaded not guilty to the four-count charge of impersonation, unlawful possession, stealing and conspiracy.
According to Cpl. Kemi Adeniran, the prosecutor, Okonkwo falsely and unlawfully represented herself as an army officer by putting on an army cap and a jacket.
She said the accused committed the offences on Oct.16 at 2.00 p.m. at Ojota motor park, Lagos.
“The accused approached Onibire at Ojota Motor Park to take her to Adeniji Adele on Lagos Island, to buy some drugs.

Factors behind Mimiko's victory.

THE battle to dislodge Dr. Segun Mimiko as governor of Ondo State was fierce but the performance in the first four years was an unyielding tower in the time of storm for the embattled governor.
As the results of the election distill among the political class, the factors that framed the governor’s re-election are equally crystallising.
Iroko as Mimiko is popularly known in political circles, proved the cynics wrong that the he would be subsumed by the forces from the four South West governors that worked round the clock and coordinated by the Osun state governor Rauf Aregbesola to uproot him with a mere “broom”.
Mimiko: Laughs last
The result of the October 20 gubernatorial election has positioned Mimiko as the first governor of the new Ondo State to secure a second term mandate from the people of the state.
His re-election made nonsense of the campaign of the opposition A C N that the state needed to join other states in the region for proper regional economic integration, and that of the PDP that the state should join the mainstream politics by voting for its candidate

ACN leaders refuse to endorse Mimiko's victory

The national hierarchy of the Action Congress of Nigeria, ACN, yesterday shied away from a full endorsement of the outcome of the Ondo State gubernatorial election even as the party leaders pledged to put the election behind them.
At a top level meeting of the party’s national leadership in Lagos, party leaders also vowed not to be intimidated into endorsing an election they claimed was characterized by “several irregularities and instances of thuggery and violence.”
While vowing not to be spoilsports who would rather sacrifice the nation’s democracy than lose an election, the party leaders vowed to continue a scrutinisation of the votes and processes of the election, saying a legal action would be instituted where sufficient evidence is obtained.

NNPC appoints new MDs

Abuja The management of the NNPC on Monday approved the appointment of new managing directors for the Port Harcourt Refining Company (PHRC) and Warri Refining and Petrochemical Company (WRPC).
The new managing directors are Mr Ian Udoh for PHRC and Mr Paul Obelley for WRPC.
This is contained in a statement by the acting Group General Manager, Public Affairs Division of the NNPC, Mr Fidel Pepple.
He said that a number of other management staff members were also promoted while others were re-deployed.
He named those promoted to include Mr Farouk Ahmed, formerly Executive Director, Commercial, PPMC, now Managing Director NIDAS; Mr Samuel Babatunde, formerly Executive Director Operations of the Warri Refinery, now Project Director Olokola Liquefied Natural Gas Project.
Also promoted are Mr Abdullahi Dandume, formerly Executive Director Operations, Nigerian Engineering and Technical Company (NETCO), now Managing Director NETCO and Aliyu Sambo, who was General Manager, M&P, now Group General Manager, Accounts.

one killed as huricane hits jamaica

The hurricane struck the island unleashing heavy rains and winds of 125km/h (80mph).
According to BBC reports, schools and airports are closed, and a curfew has been imposed in major towns. A police officer was shot and injured by looters in the capital, Kingston.
A hurricane warning has also been issued in Cuba, where Sandy is expected to make its next landfall.
Moving at 22km/h, the hurricane struck Kingston on Wednesday evening and headed north, emerging off the island’s northern coast near the town of Port Antonio.
Sandy has prompted a hurricane watch in the Bahamas, while Florida has been placed on tropical storm watch.
“It’s a big storm and it’s going to grow in size after it leaves Cuba,” said forecaster Michael Brennan from the National Hurricane Centre (NHC) in Miami.
The NHC predicts that Sandy could dump up to 50cm (inches) of rain across parts of Jamaica, Haiti, the Dominican Republic and eastern Cuba.
“These rains may produce life-threatening flash floods and mudslides, especially in areas of mountainous terrain,” the Centre warned in a statement.
More than 1,000 Jamaicans have sought refuge in shelters, with residents reporting widespread power outages, flooded streets and damages to buildings.
An elderly man was crushed to death by stones that fell from a hillside as he tried to get into his house in a rural village, authorities said.said.

Nollywood ranks third in global revenue.

Nollywood, Nigeria’s film industry, is ranked third globally in revenue, Robert Orya, managing director, Nigerian Export-Import Bank (NEXIM) has said. Nollywood generated close to N126.4 billion ($800 million) revenue in the last three years

Three die as Government forces clash with militants in Russia

The shooting came after the militants were surrounded in a residential building in an operation against “especially dangerous criminals”.
Police said one of the dead militants was wearing a suicide belt.
Kazan is capital of a region with large numbers of Muslim Tatars and Bashkirs.
Officials said the militants had been planning an attack to coincide with the Kurban Bayram (Eid al-Adha) holiday, to be celebrated on Thursday (today) and Friday.
Special security operations against Islamists are relatively common in the volatile North Caucasus region but rare in Tatarstan, the BBC reports.

Frsc asks motorists to take kuje exit.

Federal Road Safety Corps on Thursday morning warned travellers on Abuja-Gwagwalada Road to expect some delay as a result of the unruly behaviour of some truck drivers.
In a post on Facebook at 6.35a.m, FRSC said two trailer drivers intentionally blocked the entire expressway with their trucks, causing a traffic jam on the busy road.
It advised road users, especially those travelling home from Abuja for the Sallah holiday, to use Kuje exit to Gwagwalada.
The alert reads: “Sallah travelers -Abuja Exit Traffic Alert! Between Giri junction and towards Gwagwalada is blocked presently due to two trailers who refuse to abide by (the) rules.
“They intentionally used their trailers to cross the road. If you are still in Abuja, you are advised to use Kuje exit to Gwagwalada! FRSC officers and other law enforcers are there to restore traffic flow on the road.”

Ondo election was clean said Pastor Adeboye

THE General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), Pastor Enoch Adejare Adeboye, has described the re-election of the Ondo State governor, Dr. Olusegun Mimiko, as clean, transparent and peaceful.
The clergyman made the remark in a congratulatory message by his Special Assistant on Administration and Personnel, Pastor Johnson Odesola, to the governor and the entire people of Ondo State, yesterday.
He maintained that the re-election of Mimiko was indeed a landslide victory, saying, “So overwhelming that everyone agrees that the result was a true and accurate expression of the voters’ choice.”
Adeboye stated that the entire family of the RCCG is proud of Mimiko’s honesty, transparency, dedication and hard work in his first term in office and wishes he continues in that light and with the fear of God, with his second term,

 

Nigerian Archbishop included among newly appointed cardinals

Pope Benedict XVI named six new cardinals yesterday Wednesday October 24th, and among them is a Nigerian Arch-bishop, John Olorunfemi Onaiyekan, who until his promotion, was the Archbishop of Abuja. Bishop Onaiyekan becomes the third Nigerian cardinal after Cardinal Francis Arinze and Cardinal Olubumi Okogie.

The other five newly appointed cardinals are: Archbishop of Bogota, Colombia, Ruben Salazar Gomez; Archbishop of Manila, Philippines, Luis Antonio Tagle; Patriarch of Antioch of the Maronites in Lebanon, Bechara Boutros Rai; and the major Archbishop of the Trivandrum of the Siro-Malankaresi in India, Baselios Cleemis Thottunkal.

Two students arrested over rape, kidnap and murder of school mate

Two students of Federal Polytechnic, Auchi, Edo State, Henry Edewo, 21 and Emmanuel Isikhuime (pictured above), have been arrested by the Police for kidnapping, raping and murdering a female student, one Mercy Peter, 21, also a student of the institution.
They were alleged to have buried their victim in a shallow grave in a forest at Ugbor village, Oredo Local Government Area of Edo State, after killing her.
Vanguard gathered that the victim, who was kidnapped on July 29, this year, was killed four days later after she was serially raped by the suspects.

MI records Ashes in memory of Aluu4

 4 young men died at the hands of a lynch mob on the 5th of October 2012. Whether or not their deaths will mean anything, or fade out of our minds as just another meaningless tragedy, is up to us and what we do from here on. I hope this song captures that message. Nothing would be worse than for a death to mean nothing" - MI Abaga.

    

Lyrics

We were down a sandy beach,
All night talking to your mouth’s words.
Tell me where you would like to be.
Tonight don’t be afraid to dream.
Lean on the fire for a while.
Cause in the morning it’ll all just be ashes on the ground

Instead it be them, let it be me.
Since I will die inevitably,
Then let it be, that it be said

Victims of Flood disaster died in Rivers State

NO fewer than eight victims of the flood disaster in Ahoada East Local Government Area of Rivers State, have died at their camps.
Deputy Governor of Rivers State and Chairman of the State Flood Relief Committee, Tele Ikuru, who announced this yesterday in Port Harcourt, said the government would not hesitate to sanction any traditional ruler caught diverting relief materials meant for victims.
According to the Deputy Governor, there are reports that some traditional rulers and community leaders were diverting relief materials meant for victims in camps in their domains.
Ikuru urged traditional rulers and leaders in communities affected by the flood to work with government officials to effectively distribute the relief materials.
He said: “It is absurd for chiefs and leaders of some communities to bring their chieftaincy and communal problems to the camps, and engage in favoritism and criminal diversion of relief materials meant for the flood victims. Such acts of criminality will not be condoned henceforth, and defaulters will be made to face the full wrath of the law.”

Bakassi indigenes go to court.

They took their plight to the appellate court after Justice Gabriel Kolawole relied on technicalities and dismissed their legal action.
In a ruling he delivered, yesterday, Kolawole maintained that the plaintiffs failed to attach an affidavit to support the reliefs they sought against the Federal Government, noting that after a careful perusal of the processes before the court, he discovered that Bakassi indigenes only adduced a verifying affidavit.
The presiding judge placed reliance on the decided case-law in Agbakoba Vs SSS, to insist that the inability of the plaintiffs to file the requisite affidavit in line with the rules of the court, rendered their suit incompetent.
The judge said: “A verifying affidavit cannot be substituted for the primary affidavit upon which every other application rests. Verifying affidavit is only meant to support the main affidavit. Therefore, in the absence of the requisite affidavit, this suit is ex-facie incompetent and is doomed to be struck out.”
Besides,Kolawole said the court

Teacher flogs student to death.

A 12-year-old student of a secondary school in Awka, Anambra State, Miss Chidimma Ukachukwu, has died after she was allegedly flogged by her teacher for failing to do her homework.

A reliable source in the school told the News Agency of Nigeria in Awka on Tuesday that the girl died on Thursday last week after she was flogged. The source explained that the girl fainted after being flogged severally by a female teacher and was subsequently rushed to an undisclosed hospital, where she died.

Haven't they banned corporal punishment in Nigerian schools? Why are some teachers still flogging? WTH? Please continue...

The source also told NAN that the Commissioner for Education, Mrs. Uju Okeke, then ordered the closure of the school as a result of the incident.

Boko Haram threaten Adoke

The State Security Service on Wednesday told an Abuja Federal High Court that Senator Aliyu Ndume asked a self-confessed spokesman of the violent Islamic sect, Boko Haram, Ali Kodunga (a.ka Al-Zawahiri), to call and threaten the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice,Mohammed Adoke (SAN).

Konduga has since been convicted on two counts of criminal breach of public trust and intimidation through anonymous communication. He is currently serving a three-year prison term.

The SSS said it made the discovery when Ndume’s mobile telephone call logs were analysed during investigations. The Senator is facing terrorism charges brought against him by the Federal Government.

Fashola ban okada riders in Lagos State, fuel scarcity bite harder

With the restriction of okada on some routes and the worsening fuel scarcity in Lagos State, many Lagosians who were stranded trekked to their destinations on Wednesday.

Also, motorists were held up for hours following gridlock on most major roads. Lagos-Ibadan Expressway towards Seven-Up, Yaba, Iyana Ipaja, Ikorodu Road, Oshodi-Apapa Expressway, Lagos-Abeokuta Expressway, Oba Akran Avenue, Oba Ogunnusi Road in Ogba among others witnessed traffic snarl.

Findings by our correspondents showed that the gridlock was as a result of motorists struggling to buy fuel at some filling stations, ban on okada in some routes and Sallah rush.

At Oando filling station, Oba Akinjobi Way, Ikeja and at Total filling station in Ojota, where fuel was being dispensed, the queues took over a large part of the road causing gridlock.

Some motorists and commuters, who spoke with our correspondents, also attributed the situation to the Lagos State Government new traffic laws.

They said the policy was not well thought out because it had only imposed hardship on the people.

“I really don’t know the purpose of a law. Is it to make the people suffer or to provide relief? a woman, who gave her name as Janet, said in Ogba.

CAN president rejoices with muslims

The President of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Pastor Ayo Oritsejafor, has called on Muslims to use the Sallah celebration to pray for peace, unity and development of the country.
This is contained in a statement issued on Wednesday in Abuja by the Special Assistant, Media and Public Affairs to the CAN President, Mr Kenny Ashaka.
“The CAN president rejoices with the Muslim ummah on this joyous occasion of the Eid-el-Kabir celebration.
“He wishes the President-General of the Nigeria Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs and the Sultan of Sokoto, His Eminence, Alhaji Saad Abubakar lll and indeed all Muslims a happy celebration.”
Oritsejafor said the prayers should centre on the re-establishment of the pillars of love and tolerance for which Islam is known.
He also urged the Muslim community to “shun harshness and bigotry which are attributes that are alien to Islam and use this occasion to understand the Holy Prophet Muhammad’’.
The Federal Government has declared Oct. 25 and Oct. 26 as public holidays to mark Eid-el-Kabir. (NAN)

 

Ghana’s Heated Elections

TWO issues are distracting the Ghanaian general elections that are 44 days away – the disqualification of former first lady, Nana Konadu Agyemang Rawlings, of the newly formed National Democratic Party, NDP, and electronic registration of voters that went a further step by asking prospective voters to verify their details by SMS.
Ghanaians have criticised the voting verification method as unsuitable for a population with low literacy and a telephone penetration of about 30 per cent. Another criticism of electronic verification is that the SMS cost more than regular ones.
However, concerns about registration pale significantly when compared to the disqualification of Mrs. Rawlings, who the Electoral Commission, EC, said failed to fill her nomination forms properly.
The decision is a major blow for the flamboyant grandmother whose husband, Jerry Rawlings, ruled Ghana for almost 19 years.

Whizkid is performing at the BBC Radio 1Xtra Live Concert in November

Nigerian pop sensation, Wizkid has loads of reason to smile. This year, he clinched a mega endorsement deal with Pepsi alongside Tiwa Savage as a brand ambassador for the drink company, his singles including “Dance For Me” raced to the number 1 spot on most Nigerian billboard charts at release date and just recently, on Saturday 20th October 2012, he was honored with the biggest award of the 2012 Headies as the Artiste of the Year.And now, Wizkid is once again making headlines as the only Nigerian artiste to perform alongside top international acts including Trey Songz, Kendrick Lamar, Tulisa and Angel at the BBC 1xtra Live concert set to take place on Monday 12th November 2012 at the Brixton Academy, London.

 

Cossy Ojiakor newly acquired plots of land worth millions in Abuja

This one no be yimu, na true! :-). The actress and singer recently acquired 12 plots of land at Kuchiako, Kuje, Abuja, said to be worth millions of Naira. Heard she acquired the land forcommercial use.

Attack at syria funeral

 It's a horror show that has played out across Syria for 19 months. Those grieving the dead are themselves targeted by gunfire or deadly blasts.

That cycle of death played out again Tuesday when mourners gathered to grieve a man who dared speak out against the Syrian government.

A car bomb silenced them.

"Children's bodies were maimed and burnt. I saw pieces of human flesh and blood on the street," witness Ahmed Al-Muadami said.

THE Kogi State House of Assembly suspends 2 members

THE Kogi State House of Assembly yesterday suspended two of its members for defecting to another political party although there was no crisis in their respective parties.
The two members are Henry Ojuola and Funsho Daniel from Mopa Muro and Yagba East, respectively. Ojuola was elected on the platform of the All Nigeria People’s Party (ANPP) but served as running mate in the gubernatorial election for Action Congress of Nigeria. Daniel was elected on the ANPP platform and defected to the PDP in September. .
Both men were suspended following an ANPP petition declaring their positions vacant for leaving the platform on which they won elections into the assembly.
Speaker Momoh Lawal Jimoh told the House that about two months ago, its former leadership had been informed by the ANPP about the defection. .
According to the ANPP October 20, 21012, letter signed by Patrick Daudu and Issac Ainoko, Chairman and Secretary, stated the grounds for which they seek that the two seats b declared vacant include the violation of section 109(1)(g) of the constitution of Nigeria, “the fact that there was no record of division or merger with the later parties the members under reference choose to belong under the provision of section 109(109)(g) of the Nigerian constitution.”
A three-man adhoc committee was constituted to investigate the petition.
The House also resolved to condemn the Kogi State Police Commisioner whom it accused of sealing off the assembly premises, adding that it will make an official report to the office of the Inspector General of Police.

 

 

Lagos Okada ban.

 Governor Babatunde Fashola has banned the activities of commercial motorcyclists popularly known as okada riders on 475 routes in the state.

Over 60 per cent of Lagos residents ask, Where would these okada riders go to? This action by the governor will in no time have harsh consequences which I fear the government will panic over.

Section 41 of the 1999 Constitution states that, “Every citizen of Nigeria is entitled to move freely throughout Nigeria and to reside in any part thereof…”

From the aforementioned section of the constitution, it is clear that the okada riders are at freedom to move throughout the country in so far as they are citizens thereto.

Looking at sub-section 2(a) – (b) of the section under consideration which gives lawful grounds for derogation from this right, the action of the Lagos State governor can’t be traceable to that proviso to the constitution.

I sincerely hope the governor will not hide under the guise of Section 41 which gives him such power for the interest of “ public order “ amongst others because he can’t maintain public order by creating public disorder.

I however crave the indulgences of the okada riders who vandalised about 10 BRT buses at Onipan, on Ikorodu Road during their violent protest against the Lagos State Government to be peaceful in their action. This is so because under such circumstance, the police are covered by Section 33(2)(c) to pull the trigger. The Police Act of 1962, cap 359, LFN 1990 also gives the police legal backing under such circumstance.

 

 

K solo is engaged!

 

Singer and producer K Solo is flaunting another woman on his Facebook page as his love and new fiancee, less than two months after he and pregnant wife, Kikelomo Oyeniyi came out to say their very public BREAK UP was just a publicity STUNT.
The new lady's name is Bimbo and they got engaged yesterday October 22nd.

Tonto Dike Fires Back at Burna Boy

For those who don't understand why Tonto would Tweet and mention Burna Boy, let me explain. The day Tonto released her two singles, Burna Boy Tweeted that all wack artists deserve death, though he specifically said he wasn't referring to Ms Dike. Well, Tonto apparently didn't believe him, and after watching Burna Boy's fall from the stage at the Headies, the vivacious actress/singer fired back...and in true

Adele welcomes baby boy

Adele has reportedly given birth to a baby boy. Reports claim the 24-year-old singer and partner Simon Konecki welcomed their child on Friday night, though there's no official statement from the couple. Congrats to them

A Nigerian couple in the UK who could not have children, have been granted custody of a baby born in Nigeria, despite tests showing they were not the child’s biological parents.

The court’s ruling has created an uproar among charities, child and human rights groups who claim their story was a “charade” and might encourage trafficking. This is partly because of the manner in which the woman told the court she conceived and had a baby.

The couple who live in London but cannot be named for legal reasons failed to conceive a child despite undergoing IVF treatment in the UK.

BBC reports that they were said to be “desperate and distressed” after failed attempts to conceive and then travelled to Nigeria in 2010 where the woman began fertility treatment at a private clinic. She told the court that when she returned to the clinic months later, she was sedated. When she regained consciousness she was handed a baby and told she had given birth.

2Face Idibia Parties with Dammy Krane, DJ Xclusive, Tunde Ednut, Tony Tetuila & More at the Hennessy Artistry Club Tour in Lagos

The Hennessy Artistry club tour hit Lagos for another smashing party with music fans and lovers of Hennessy on Saturday, October 6th 2012.

The day after M.I and Naeto C visited Abuja for their second club appearance on Friday October 5th, Dammy Krane and Tunde Ednut headed to Rumors Nightclub in Ikeja, Lagos for the Hennessy Artistry club tour event.

2Face’s protégé, Dammy Krane wowed guests with a thrilling performance of his hit track, “My Dear”. Guests also went wild as 2Face joined Dammy Krane on stage during his performance. Fast-rising pop star, Tunde Ednut also got the crowd screaming with excitement as they sang along to his hit track “Catching cold”.

Some notable faces at the event include: 2Face, Tony Tetuila, Chris of BBA among others.

Since Hennessy Artistry was first unveiled in Nigeria in 2007, Hennessy Cognac has maintained its position as Nigeria’s and the world’s leading cognac brand. Hennessy Artistry has since evolved from a cocktail-mixing contest between renowned bartenders to a DJ battle, and is now an important platform for exciting collaborations between multi-talented artistes.

Previous participating entertainers include Ice Prince,Nneka, Sir Shina Peters, Banky W, Eldee, Tiwa Savage, Jesse Jagz, Bez,Mo’Cheddah among others.

Today, BN brings you photos from the club tour at Rumors Night Club – Check them out!

DJ Xclusive

Tai Solarin's wife joined her ancestors

Madam Sheila Solarin (Nee Tuer), the wife of Dr Tai Solarin, the educator and author who established the famous Mayflower School, Ikenne, Ogun State, has died. British born Sheila Mary, who was a co-founder of the Mayflower School, died today October 21st 2012 at Babcock University Teaching Hospital in Sagamu. She was 88 years old. Tai Solarin died in 1994 at the age of 71. May her soul rest in peace...amen.

Nigeria’s debt profile may hit $25bn in 2015

The Debt Management Office gave an indication on Tuesday that the country’s total debt profile might hit $25bn by 2015.
The figure covers both local and foreign borrowing.
The Director-General of the DMO, Mr. Abraham Nwankwo, had met with the House of Representatives Joint Committee on Finance/Legislative Budget and Research/National Planning and Aid, Loans and Debt Management in Abuja to discuss the 2013-2015 Medium Term Expenditure Framework and Fiscal Strategy, which President Goodluck Jonathan sent to the National Assembly last month.
Nwankwo, who made a presentation to the committee, stated that external debt for this year stood at $9bn, while the figure would jump to $12.1bn in 2013.
The document showed that the projected debt for 2014 would be $14.5bn and $16.7bn in 2015.
Locally, the country would owe $6.48bn in 2012; $7.1bn in 2013; $7.7bn in 2014 and $8.4bn in 2015.
Members of the committee were alarmed by the growing debt profile of the country.
The Chairman, House Committee on Legislative Budget and Research, Mr. Opeyemi Bamidele, for instance, expressed concern that Nigeria was borrowing without hesitation.
He said, “We are aggressively borrowing in such a manner that the private sector is being stifled as the government is now the only big spender in the economy.
“The private sector cannot access funds domestically, they cannot create jobs.”
Some members observed that while the debt profile was rising, there was no evidence of how Nigeria spent the money it borrowed.
But Nwankwo countered, saying,”Every country in the world borrows, even the most financially prudent countries like Germany and the US.”
The Chairman of the committee, Mr. Abdulmunimi Jibrin, granted the Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Mr. Lamido Sanusi, up to Wednesday (today) to appear before the committee to discuss the MTEF.
Sanusi had twice failed to appear before the committee in person, preferring to send representatives.
The committee noted that the MTEF as presented by the President was not realistic and insisted that government agencies in charge of managing the economy must convince the House on why it should approve the document.

Nigerian Architect, Kunle Adeyemi Brings Hope to Makoko Slum with the Floating School Project

Some days ago, BN brought to you a story on the harsh reality faced by thousands of families living on the murky waters of Makoko slum in Lagos. The story which was inspired by a UK Daily Mail feature highlighted the difficulties of families fighting for survival on a sea of festering filth. The pictures showed the terrible living conditions the families have to cope with. And to compound their problems, they live in fear of having their homes demolished.
But in the midst of this despair, an architect, Kunle Adeyemi hopes to bring some light. He plans to build a three-story school out of 16 floating platforms lashed together, capable of holding 100 students and teachers in the iconic slum.
Mr. Adeyemi who works both in Lagos and in Amsterdam, Holland told Sun Herald that the project involves building the platforms out of locally sourced wood and empty plastic drums, then using wooded beams to build a structure that would have a common area for children to play on as its base, with two floors for classrooms above it. The building would also include bathroom facilities, something lacking in a slum where most relieve themselves by hovering over the water.
“If the people don’t live here, they’ll live somewhere else. What we’re only trying to do is offer them a better solution,” he said.
The school project will cost about $6,250, Mr Adeyemi said and has received support from international groups and government officials. One of which is Heinrich Boell Stiftung which is partnering with Mr Adeyemi’s company NLÉ to make it a reality

Sex Hawkers, Beggars Taking Over FCT – Minister of the Federal Capital Territory

According to him, waste, street hawkers, beggars and commercial sex workers have taken over the city.
He blamed the secretaries and other officials for abdicating their responsibilities there by putting the city in jeopardy.
Mohammed said this on Tuesday in Abuja during a stakeholders’ meeting on the performance of the FCT Administration on environment and other social development issues.
Mohammed told the personnel of the Abuja Environmental Protection Board, Directorate of Road Traffic Services, and Social Development that the deteriorating environmental situation of the city was giving him and the Minister of State, Olajumoke Akinjide, concern.
Noting that he would not tolerate incompetence and inefficiency, the minister said “the tea party is over”.
He added, “Since we came on board, we have paid all your entitlements on time, we never owed you a kobo and yet you sit doing nothing while filth, beggars and hawkers fill the streets.
“You ought to be ashamed of yourselves; those who want to work should work and those who are not ready should tell us so that we can show them the way out.”
He stated that collaboration was needed to take care of the restructured FCT departments and agencies to ensure their optimum performance.
According to him, the FCT is expanding and it has no option but to introduce effective measures in order to achieve its goal of keeping the city clean and secure.

 

President Goodluck Jonathan’s Alleged “Lie” in his Independence Day Speech was based on a Newspaper Report

President Goodluck Jonathan in his 52nd Independence Day broadcast on October 1st, 2012 told Nigerians that the global corruption watch body, Transparency International, rated Nigeria second after United States in anti-corruption efforts.

He was quoted as saying “In its latest report, Transparency International noted that Nigeria is the second most improved country in the effort to curb corruption. We will sustain the effort in this direction with an even stronger determination to strengthen the institutions that are statutorily entrusted with the task of ending this scourge.”

His statement has however raised up some controversy as findings have revealed that Transparency International never gave Nigeria such a rating. When Premium Times contacted Transparency International seeking a copy of its latest report which the President referred to in his speech, the group replied in an email saying it had no such report.

The Federal Government has approved N25 billion for 12 tertiary institutions, including the University of Lagos, to upgrade and improve their teaching and learning environment, under the 2012 Special High Impact Programme Fund.
Senator Oluremi Tinubu said this at the fourth town hall meeting of the Lagos Central Senatorial District, adding that the money was approved in August this year by the Federal Ministry of Education.
Senator Tinubu, who was a member of the Senate Committee on Education that visited University of Lagos and other federal institutions for the oversight function, said all Federal Government agencies and institutions in Lagos suffered poor funding.
She explained that her visit to Yaba College of Technology, French Village, Computer Professionals’ Registration Council of Nigeria and the National Open University of Nigeria, showed that the institutions faced the challenge of fund delay.
“They all have a similar challenge in the area of delayed funding from the federal budget while they have huge expenditure on overheads such as power generation. The clear need for increased funding towards the upgrading of poor infrastructure was evident,” she said.
Other institutions that would benefit from the government’s largesse are Federal College of Education (Technical), FCE (T), Akoka; State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB), Maryland; West African Examination Council (National) and West African Examination Council (International) at WAEC office, Yaba.

Kano: Putting up a brave face under fire

 

                    

A crowded street in Kano.

The ancient city of Kano is crawling back to life. Persons of southern origin and other nationals who fled the city in the wake of attacks by extremist religious sects that claimed several lives have returned to commence business. This is even as the residents are excited for the gradual return of peace in the state. Many panic-stricken southerners, especially the Igbo who fled Kano following are back in their shops and other business premises, especially in the Sabon- Gari area, inhabited predominantly by non-Muslims and non-natives. This development has been attributed to improved security lately. Chukwuemeka Ibeh and Ben Okoro, both spare parts dealers, who recently fled Kano city for safety, told National Mirror that they left the town in response to pressure from relatives at home, who feared for their safety. “You don’t leave your place of business for home without making adequate arrangements; it had been a hell while at home doing nothing tangible,” Ibeh said, even as he admitted that most media reports on the conflict did not reflect the true situation on ground. “The reports had generated fear in the minds of people outside Kano and the North generally,” he added.
In like manner, Okoro says, “we are happy there is relative peace now and hope the security agencies will sustain it. People’s confidence is gradually being restored. Don’t forget that for most of us Kano is home.” Security agents have intensified efforts aimed at reassuring residents of their resolve to nip any threat from those who specialise in trouble making in the bud. This is what security sources described as “adjustment and readjustment” which has unhindered access to strategic areas, particularly in the state capital that has, for long, become the den of extremists.

Men and Women shaping the Entertainment Industry

As Nigeria marks her 52nd year of independence, thenetng.com decided to make a list of 52 men and women shaping our growing entertainment industry.
2face Idibia: Mr Innocent Ujah Idibia is one of the most influential, the most consistent, the most decorated, and the most successful musician in his generation. Even his peers attest to that. From humble beginnings in Jos, he has grown to become Africa’s most iconic pop star, clearing the path for hundreds of others after him. Respected at home and abroad by almost everyone that matters, Idibia is now building his Hypertek dreams, mentoring younger acts like W4, Rocksteady and Dammy Krane.

Alaba Marketers: Although digital distribution is now finding its way to Nigeria with platforms such as Spinlet, Truspot, Iroking and Notjustok, and with the coming of Apple, marketers like Obaino, ABHU, and TJOE still wield their potent influence on music distribution. With many Nigerians consuming physical CDs, and the industry lacking the much-needed distribution framework, Alaba is the headquarters of music sales, with those there responsible for at least 90 percent of annual music sales.

Shock greets FG’s overhaul of aviation agencies

 

In the restructuring, some personnel were redeployed while some directors were retired.
Aviation sector workers gathered in groups on Tuesday morning at the Murtala Muhammed Airport, Lagos, discussing the development.
Some said they were surprised at the shakeup while others said they would take the situation with equanimity.
A national newspaper reported on Tuesday that the shake-up affected top management staff in the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority, Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria, Nigerian Airspace Management Agency, Nigerian College of Aviation Technology, Accident Investigation Bureau and Nigerian Meteorological Agency.

Husband sets wife on fire at a party

Love is said to be the fire of life that neither consumes nor purifies; but for 35-year-old Janeth Odehgbe, hers was a different case as she has been set on fire by her husband following disagreement over her collecting a cup of wine from another man during a party they both attended.

Recounting her ordeal in the hand of her 39-year-old husband, Mr Kehinde Adesanmoye, Janeth told Crime Alert that on September 11, 2012 around 10 pm, her husband poured petrol on her as she was preparing Indomie noodles for a customer and fire caught her immediately. She was nearly consumed by the fire but for passers-by that rescued her.

She said, “I saw him coming towards me, as he got nearer, he ordered my customer to leave and as I tried to run for my dear life, he poured petrol on me and fire caught up with me immediately. Passers-by rescued me and ran after him to fight him, but immediately they noticed it was him, they all went to their various homes. Then some of them took me to the Police station and from there I was taken to Peaceful Convalescent Center, Alhaji Obe Street, Ejigbo Lagos.”

Public Defender Office set up in Edo state.

Governor Adams Oshiomhole, who stated this on Monday at the unveiling of the Edo State High Court (Civil Procedure) Rules, said too many people were being victimised and intimidated but were unable to fight for their rights.
The governor said: “Just recently, the police in the state arrested an innocent man and charged him for murder without any convincing evidence.
“I have now decided to set up a public defenders unit that will provide free legal aid to all those who are victims of police abuse of power or by any functionary of the state.
“Government may not be able to deliver food to all the citizens but government must not tamper with the citizens’ rights.

Curfew suspended in Mubi, Adamawa state

 

The Adamawa Government has relaxed the 24-hour curfew imposed on Mubi town in the past three days.
A statement by Malam Maijama’a Adamu, the Director, Press Affairs to the State Governor, said people could now move from 6 a.m to 3 p.m.
The statement said the movement was however within Mubi town alone, to allow residents make purchases as no movement would be allowed into or out of the town.
It would be recalled that the curfew was imposed by the government to enable security operatives conduct house-to-house searches in some wards.
This had followed series of killings and attacks on communication masts in the commercial town.
The Brigade Commander, 23rd Armour Brigade, Yola, Maj.-Gen. John Nwaoga, while speaking on the security operation in the town, said many arrests had been made.
“Weapons, including guns, ammunitions and explosives, have also been recovered in the on-going exercise,’’ he said.(NAN)

 

 

 

Opposition won’t allow PDP return after 2015’

 

The National Publicity Secretary of the Action Congress of Nigeria, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, spoke to journalists in Ilorin on some national issues. Success Nwogu was there.
There is the feeling that the ambition of some stalwarts of the parties involved in the merger talks will stall the realisation of the proposed merger of ACN, What is the update or extent of the merger development?
Clearly the PDP is very jittery. Honestly there is no alternative to pushing out the PDP. IfNigeriawants to survive as a corporate entity, the PDP must be given the boot. I think that the leaders of the opposition (when I say opposition, it is not all parties that are not in power that are in opposition.) There are some political parties that are not in government but they are even more PDP in their thoughts and actions. But I believe that the ACN, CPC and ANPP have come to the realization that posterity will not forget us, if we allow PDP to remain one day more in power after