Jonathan Has Failed Nigerians’

                           
VIA pmnews

The Coordinator of Afenifere Renewal Group,  ARG, United State of America, USA, chapter, Taiwo Oladokun Ogunleye, has described President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan as a failed leader who cannot rule Nigeria.
The ARG United States scribe, who said this in an interview with Political Platform, added that most of the decisions he has ever taken as president clearly portray him as somebody who does not know what to do whenever a problem arises.
“Leaders are born but Jonathan is not a leader because he lacks personal development. When people come to you to say things, you should be able to make  decisions on your own without people telling you what to do. But Jonathan does not have what it takes to rule this country.
“Jonathan is a failed leader and he’s not fit to rule. Most of the decisions he has taken so far are not decisions that came from somebody who has a focus of what he should when situations arise,” he said.
He said Boko Haram and insecurity in the country call for Nigerian leaders at all levels to come together and discuss how to move the country forward, adding that it is when that is done that all the tribes in the country would know whether to stay together as a nation or not.
“The only thing I can say about the state of the nation is that Nigeria is going through a crisis, a situation where as a nation we can’t cope with one another. What I meant is that I forsee a situation whereby this country may cease to exist in the next few years.
“If we fail to find a way out of this situation that we found ourself today, as a nation, there is no way that we are going to be together. What is happening in Nigeria today is not politically motivated but its about the foundation, its about the different ethnic groups coming together without any basis to be together.
“Our coexistence needs to be discussed. Our living together has to be ironed out from the south, west, east to the north. Are we ready to live together? With all pointers from all aspects of our lives, I don’t think we are ready to live together as a nation.
“When the military was in power, we were told Nigeria will be great. When Obasanjo came on board, they said the country will move forward. But today, we are still sitting on a keg of gun powder because I can tell you that Nigeria is going to break up except God intervenes.
But God will not come down, it is the people that will solve these problems,” he said.
Commenting on the ARG’s programme slated for October in the United States, Ogunleye said: “About three months ago, our parent body, ARG Nigeria chapter, launched what is called Development Agenda for Western Nigeria, DAWN.
He added: “Ours is a follow up on how to carry Yoruba in Diaspora, particularly in America, along in what our parent body is doing.
“It would be based on regional cooperation and integration in the Southwest, how the region will move forward, what to do, the pros and cons of social regional corporation, the state of Yoruba nation and more.”

James Ibori Moved to Maximum security prison with terrorist and Violent criminals Outside London

caption: James Ibori

By SaharaReporters, New York

SaharaReporters has confirmed that James Ibori, the convicted former governor of Delta State, has been transferred to a maximum-security prison, the Worcestershire Long Lartin Prison outside London.
UK prison officials in the United Kingdom confirmed the transfer to our correspondent, but said they could not tell what informed the move. “Yes, Mr. Ibori is now serving his prison term in the Long Lartin prison in Worcestershire,” said an official of the UK prisons.
The maximum-security prison houses terrorists, rapists, drug barons and other violent criminals. A recent report in The Guardian, a major UK newspaper, portrayed the prison as a rough, lawless facility where gangsters reign supreme.

In April this year, Mr. Ibori was sentenced to 13 years in prison for using UK financial institutions to launder hundreds of millions of pound sterling he stole from public funds in Delta State. The looted funds enabled Mr. Ibori, his family and mistress to live lavish lifestyles that included purchase of private jets, luxurious cars and to own plush homes as well as apartments in some of the swankiest areas in London. Mr. Ibori is expected to serve at least seven years in the UK since he received credit for his detention in the United Arab Emirates as well as the UK prior to his trial.

The US Department of Justice recently restrained assets belonging to the former governor in Texas and Massachusetts. A US attorney told SaharaReporters that the action means that Mr. Ibori is in legal trouble in the US whenever he serves out his prison term in the UK.

One of Mr. Ibori’s lawyers, Bhadresh Gohil, his wife, Theresa Nkoyo, sister, Christine Ibori-Ibie, and mistress, Udoamaka Okoronkwo were all sentenced to prison terms for aiding and abetting the former governor in his money laundering activities.

Meanwhile, several sources in Abuja and Asaba, the Delta State capital, have told SaharaReporters that Mr. Ibori has now perfected plans to reclaim the $15 million with which he tried, but failed, to bribe Nuhu Ribadu, the former chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
The Delta State government, led by Ibori’s cousin and money laundering accomplice, Emmanuel Uduaghan, recently stepped forward to claim the $15 million bribe which has been deposited at the Central Bank of Nigeria for several years.

Several sources had told SaharaReporters that Mr. Ibori frowned at the state government’s move, worried that an open admission that he gave the bribe would complicate things for him.
However, Saharareporters further learnt yesterday that the Attorney General of the Federation, Mohammed Adoke, who initiated a lawsuit in which the federal government sought to take over the money from the Central Bank, had struck a deal with Delta State Governor to enable Mr. Ibori to ultimately reclaim the money. The deal was communicated to Ibori to calm him down.

Our sources revealed that claims by Mr. Ibori’s associates which will be planted in several Nigerian blogs to the effect that the cash was not intended as a bribe were part of a series of complex schemes to clear the way for Mr. Ibori to reclaim the money.
“Adoke and the Delta State government are now on the same page and working in tandem,” said one source. He added, “Once the state government obtains a court order awarding the cash to Delta, Chief Ibori will get a Delta State high court to rule that the money was not a bribe but Ibori’s contribution for an undisclosed political purpose. The state court will argue that the former governor was never convicted for any crimes in Nigeria, and order the state to return the cash to its rightful owner, Chief Ibori. The state government will quickly comply.”
Another source close to Mr. Adoke told SaharaReporters that the country’s attorney general and Minister for Justice has rubberstamped the deal, after officials of Delta State and associates of Mr. Ibori promised him a cut of the $15 million.
The source added that it was Mr. Adoke who came up with the legal scheme to enable Mr. Ibori to eventually take possession of the seized funds. He reportedly stated that since a Nigerian court presided over by Justice Marcel Awokulehin had dismissed all money laundering and corruption charges against Mr. Ibori, it would be easy for a Delta State court to rule that it was “impossible to accuse Chief Ibori of stealing from Delta State to bribe Ribadu.”
A leader of an activist political group in Delta State told SaharaReporters that his group had heard rumors about the planned deal between Mr. Ibori, the state government and Mr. Adoke. “I can tell you that we are vigilant and will resist any attempt to hand back money Ibori stole to the man to enjoy when he comes out of jail. We plan to take him to court again in Nigeria to explain what he did with our people’s money,” said the source.

Power generation hits 4,478MW — Nnaji

Leadership, 16/08/2012

The Minister of Power, Prof. Barth Nnaji has said that power generation has hit 4,477.7 MW.

He said that this new high was reordered for the first time including the 170 MW which is serving as spinning reserve.

According to the minister, the new peak exceeds the record level of 4,237MW achieved early this month by 2407mw.

In a statement signed by Mr. Ogbuagu Anikwe  Special Assistant (Media) to Minister of Power said this was another record level to be attained in power generation in Nigeria. ‘The good news is that every power generated is wheeled comfortably’ he said.

ZENITH BANK PLC

FG plans new infrastructure policy to attract investments

                       

Punch August 14, 2012

The Federal Government said on Monday that it would soon unveil an infrastructure master plan that would enable it drive new investments across all sectors of the economy.

The Minister of Trade and Investment, Mr. Olusegun Aganga, said this during a meeting with officials of the Andrade Gutierrez Group in Abuja.

The group was led by Nigeria’s Ambassador to Brazil, Vincent Okoedion; AG’s President for Africa, Mr. Rodrigo da Costa Fonseca; and AG’s new Managing Director for Nigeria, Mr. Amauri Pinha.

The AG Group is one of the largest infrastructure investment company in Brazil. Founded in 1948 as a local company; the group’s asset base in 2010 was $19.23bn, while its turnover was $10.3bn.

It has completed over 650 projects in 38 countries, including the second largest hydro power plant in the world located in Itaipu, Brazil.

Institute petitions SEC over CBN’s directives on NUBAN

                        

Guardian, 14 August 2012

THE Institute of Capital Market Registrars (ICMR) has forwarded a petition to the Director-General of Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), Ms Arunma Oteh, seeking her intervention in respect of a recent policy directive from the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), that all banks should comply with the Nigeria Uniform Bank Account Number (NUBAN) scheme.

The Registrar/Chief Executive of ICMR, Dr David Ogoro, who confirmed the development in an interview with The Guardian yesterday, advised the SEC DG to initiate discussions with the CBN.

In the petition with ref: ICMR/11/012/181, the institute said: “We forward herein a letter from First Registrars Nigeria Limited dated 25th July, 2012 which captures the experience of many registrar outfits in connection with dividend warrants already in circulation”

CBN orders banks, others to register with EFCC

The Central Bank of Nigeria has ordered banks and other financial institutions to register with the Special Control Unit against Money Laundering, a department of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission.

The measure, the bank said, was to ensure compliance with anti-money laundering regulations by Designated Non-Financial Institutions.

This was contained in a directive issued by the Director of Financial Policy and Regulation Department, CBN, Mr. Chris Chukwu.

Under the new arrangement, all financial institutions must register with the SCUML in line with the know-your-customer requirement for opening accounts for the DNFIs.

The directive entitled: ‘Additional know your customer requirement in respect of designated non-financial businesses and professions,’ with reference number: FPR/CIR/GEN/VOL.1.028 and dated August 2, 2012, was obtained by journalists in Abuja on Monday.

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Chris Okotie replies ex-wife: I will never accept you back

vIA Nigerian Vanguard

By OPEOLUWANI OGUNJIMI

Following an outburst by Stephannie, about why her marriage to the Pastor crashed, Chris Okotie for the first time since their breakup, tongue-lashed his ex-wife,  referring to her as a ‘Jezebel’.
According to reports, Pastor Chris openly spoke against Stephannie during sermon on Sunday, August 12.
During the sermon, he was said to have been bitter as he related ‘his experience in the hands’ of Stephannie. He verbally attacked her, thereafter comparing her to Jezebel in the Bible. Pastor Chris said he was free to judge her, as he kept saying that ‘he suffered much in her hands’, but failed to say what exactly was her    offence.

Chris and Stephanie …when the going was good

He was also quoted to have said she is free to say whatever she likes about him, and if she likes, she could go to CNN or BBC but he would never accept her back into his life. Since their divorce, Pastor Chris was also said to have taken back the gift of two cars,  a Benz S Class and a BMW X6 he bought for her during their four years marriage.  It would be recalled that in June this year, Pastor Chris Okotie, who is also the head of Household of God Church, Lagos,  announced his marriage break-up to his second wife, Stephannie Henshaw.
The glamorous marriage between him and his beautiful wife crashed less than four years after their big wedding. In a dramatic announcement after a moving ministration, he told his church their differences were irreconcilable and that they had divorced.
“Stephanie and I are no longer married. We have separated. You can see she’s not in church today. It’s due to irreconcilable differences and you should please respect our wishes at this time because there is no going back.”

‘NUC Has Not Scrapped Part-Time Programmes’

‘NUC Has Not Scrapped Part-Time Programmes’
he National Universities Commission (NUC) has not scrapped part-time programmes in
Nigerian universities, the Executive Secretary, Professor Julius Okojie, has said.
Addressing newsmen in Abuja recently, Professor Okojie explained that the programmes
were suspended to carry out a staff and students audit so as to identify and address issues that
border on quality in the System. He said the decision became necessary following complaints
from several quarters on the bastardisation of part-time programmes by universities. According
to him, most universities violate the recommended percentage of 20% part-time and 80% for
regular students in their admission process, leading to more attention being given to part-time
students than the regular ones, all in a bid to boost Internally Generated Revenue (IGR). Majority
of these students never had JAMB results which is a prerequisite for admission.
Professor Okojie disclosed that, on completion of the audit, part-time programmes, if allowed to
subsist, would be domiciled on the main campus of the institution and must not exceed 20% of
the student population of each programme. On quality assurance, the Executive Secretary
informed the press that NUC, in collaboration with ICPC, was set to carry out a comprehensive
forensic audit of staff records, students admission, examination records, governance structure,
covering three major issues of input, process and output in the NUS.

On the concept of “marketisation of education”, he said Nigeria was a big market for the pursuit
of education and berated the rush for foreign degrees by Nigerians, saying that the ‘degree mill’
phenomenon was global and not peculiar to Nigeria. He decried the practice, in some foreign
universities, of admitting candidates with Arts background in the sciences like Medicine,
Engineering, among others, which, he said, has not happened in the history of university
education in Nigeria.
Professor Okojie also lamented the weak governance structure inherent in some Nigerian
universities, saying private universities were running foul of the laws of universities with abrupt
changes of Vice-Chancellors without due process. He explained that some universities
periodically changed Vice-Chancellors and other principal officers, without proper
advertisement, a trend which does not allow for stability. He added that contrary to insinuations,
funding was no longer a major challenge of the NUS, particularly in federal and state
universities, as the federal government was making deliberate effort to address the issue, through
various interventions.
The Executive Secretary frowned at some universities who administered multiple choice
questions to students, noting that such an assessment was a contravention of NUC standards. He
explained that the decision to suspend the licences of six universities and outright withdrawal of
one, was taken to safeguard the System.
(l-r) Prof. Julius Okojie, Mr. Akinbode Agbaoye, Arc. Balogun, Mrs. Hansatu Abechi, Mr. Ibrahim Dan’Iya and
Mrs Florence Asemadahun
A cross section of the press during the luncheon
Page 9
Mrs. Hansatu Abechi
NUC Director, Inspection and Monitoring
He appealed to the media to partner with the Commission in exposing universities that engaged
in corrupt practices that are capable of destroying the system. He particularly urged them to carry
out independent investigation on the activities of universities, to assist NUC carry out its
mandate of repositioning the NUS for greater impact.
At the meeting were the Deputy Executive Secretary, Mr. Akinbode Agbaoye; Director
Management Support Services, Mr. Ibrahim Dan’Iya; Ag. Directors of Physical Planning and
Development, Arc. Bola Balogun; Inspection and Monitoring, Mrs. Hansatu Abechi and
Academic Standards, Mrs. Florence Asemadahun. The Directors, Student Support Services,
Research and Innovation and Open and Distance Education were represented by Mrs. Lauretta
Achor, Mr. Musa Ndanusa and Arc. Samuel Ikani, respectively.

'My husband pours his sperm on my stomach' - wife tells court

 

A Badagry Customary Court, on Wednesday, dissolved the marriage between Rasheed Lateef, 38, and Toyin Lateef, 28.

Toyin, testifying in a charge of infidelity brought against her by Rasheed, who is seeking the dissolution of their marriage, had told the court that her husband was in the habit of withdrawing while they had sex and depositing his sperm on her stomach in a bid to avoid getting her pregnant.


The couple have two children.
"My husband does not release sperm into my vagina when making love to me; instead he pours it on my stomach,’’ she said. "My husband said he wants only two children and did not want me to be pregnant again."
She told the court that her husband, whom she claimed lived a reckless life, was in the habit of suspecting her because he had been marrying women and divorcing them. "I once met my husband sleeping with his girlfriend on our matrimonial bed,’’ she said.
Responding, Rasheed, who had filed the suit on the ground that there was no more love between them, said he did not want his wife again and accused her of sleeping around. "If the marriage is dissolved, I want my children to be with me, and they must be allowed to go to school if they are with their mother,’’ he said.
President of the court, A.B. Kudaisi, dissolved the union. "This court has realised that the marriage between the complainant and defendant has broken down," he said. "Therefore, the union between the two is hereby dissolved."
He, however, asked Rasheed to pay N15, 000 and N10, 000 to the defendant as rent and business allowance respectively, and ordered him to provide a feeding allowance of N5, 000 monthly, to her, for the children, who must stay with their mother because of their young age.

Source: Dailytimes

Pres. Jonathan seeks feedback from Nigerians on power supply

 

 

President Goodluck Jonathan will like to have your feed back on electricity in your area, kidly follow rennoomokri to drop your comment

Rihanna is still talking about Chris Brown; breaks down during Oprah interview

 

Rihanna told Oprah:

'I felt like the only person they hate right now is him. It was a weird, confusing space to be in. Because as angry as I was - as angry and hurt and betrayed - I just felt like he made that mistake because he needed help. And who's going to help him? Nobody's going to say he needs help, everybody's going to say he's a monster, without looking at the source. And I was more concerned about him. It was embarrassing it was humiliating... I lost my best friend.'

She also said:

'I am super duper terrified of the pedestal that comes with fame..It's amazing how lonely you can feel.'

Topic of the day: Does a husband have absolute right over his wife's body?

 

Please share your thoughts...

Baby boom at Redemption Camp; over 60,000 babies born in 1 year

 

 

Pastor Enoch Adeboye - led Redeemed Christian Church of God Redemption Camp located along the Lagos Ibadan Expressway has become a baby factory as over 60, 000 babies were born just within a year by worshipers inside the camp (From August 10th, 2011 to August 10th, 2012).

Also, over 11, 000 marriages were conducted in all the branches of RCCG this year alone.

It was Pastor Adeboye himself who revealed the number of babies born during the last Holy Ghost convention which ended August 10th 2012. He said:

"I asked God for 70, 000 children during last Holy Ghost convention and as at now, from reports in Nigeria alone, we have gotten 60, 979 babies, and more at still coming. We have also conducted 11, 962 marriages in RCCG this year.

                                    

                                    

UNILAG STUDENTS, MANDATORY STAFF AND STUDENTS BIOMETRIC DATA CAPTURE BEGINS, AUGUST 10

    

Staff and students of the University of Lagos are hereby informed of the commencement of a COMPULSORY biometric data capture exercise towards the issuance of staff and students identity cards.
To facilitate the process, a detailed process map has been devised as shown below:
Step 1: FILLING OF ONLINE FORM FROM THE UNILAG PORTAL OR VIA INDIVIDUAL EMAIL ADDRESSES BEGINS ON AUGUST 10, 2012. THE COMPLETED FORM MUST BE PRINTED AND ENDORSED BY HEADS OF DEPARTMENTS/UNITS.
Step 2: ENROLEES SHOULD REPORT TO DESIGNATED POINTS IN THEIR FACULTIES/UNITS WITH THEIR ENDORSED FORMS FOR BIOMETRIC DATA CAPTURE FROM AUGUST 14 TO 28, 2012, FROM 8A.M. TO 5P.M., AS INDICATED IN THE TIMETABLE BELOW./
Please note that failure to register within this time frame will result in non-issuance of the new acceptable identity cards for bonafide staff and students of the University of Lagos.
ENROLMENT PROCESS

• Applicant should visit the University website:www.unilag.edu.ngto access and fill the enrolment form or access through individual UNILAG email addresses.
• On submission, applicant’s enrolment is acknowledged and completed enrolment form is sent to applicant’s email address.
• Applicant prints the filled enrolment form from his/her e-mail address.
• Applicant takes the enrolment form to the Head of Department/Unit for his or her signature.
• Applicant takes the enrolment form to the registration centre.
• Applicant has his photograph, fingerprints and signature captured.

COMMENCEMENT DATE: AUGUST 10, 2012
FINAL STUDENT/STAFF BIOMETRIC EXERCISE TIMETABLE

FACULTY OF LAW STUDENTS
LAW ANNEX
AUGUST 14 TO 21, 2012
FACULTY OF BUSINESS ADMINSTRATION
ROOM 8 ANNEX HALL
AUGUST 14 TO 21, 2012
FACULTY OF ARTS STUDENTS
FACULTY LIBRARY
AUGUST 14 TO 21, 2012
FACULTY OF ENGINEERING STUDENTS
DIPLOMA CLAS
AUGUST 14 TO 21, 2012
FACULTY OF ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE STUDENTS
DIPLOMA CLASS
AUGUST 14 TO 21, 2012
FACULTY OF SCIENCE STUDENTS
FACULTY BOARD ROOM
AUGUST 14 TO 21, 2012
FACULTY OF EDUCATION STUDENTS
CENTRE FOR EDUCATIONAL TECHNOLOGY (CET)
AUGUST 14 TO 21, 2012
FACULTY OF SOCIAL SCIENCE STUDENTS
STAFF COMMON ROOM
AUGUST 14 T0 21, 2012
FACULTY OF PHARMACY
FACULTY LIBRARY
AUGUST 20 TO 28, 2012
COLLEGE OF MEDICINE
OLD GEAT HALL
AUGUST 20 TO 28, 2012
DLI STUDENTS
BEGINS ON SEPTEMBER 4, 2012
NON TEACHING STAFF
SENATE HOUSE AND WORKS & PHYSICAL PLANNING
AUGUST 22 TO 28, 2012
NOTE: BIOMETRIC DATA FOR STAFF WILL BE AT THEIR RESPECTIVE FACULTIES/VENUES AS ABOVE FROM AUGUST 22 TO 28, 2012

Future Awards moves to Port Harcourt; Keynote Speaker is Tony Elumelu

 

The central working committee for The Future Awards is excited to announce that Port Harcourt - selected by UNESCO as the World Book Capital 2014 - is the official host city for The Future Awards 2012. The event will hold on 25 and 26 August in the Rivers State capital. 

ESUT Vice Chancellor Kidnapped by Gunmen

 

The Vice-Chancellor of Enugu State University of Technology, ESUT, Professor Cyprian Onyeji, was kidnapped by unknown gunmen in front of the university gate around 11: 30am yesterday morning.

According to eye witnesses, the gunmen ambushed the VC and his police escort at the main gate of the university in Agbani, Nkanu West LGA of Enugu State, as he was returning to campus. Three of his police escorts were seriously injured in the gun battle that ensued during the kidnapping. After demobilizing the police escort, the gunmen dragged the VC's driver and orderly out of the car, jumped in and drove off with the VC.

Prof. Onyeji’s whereabouts is still unknown as the kidnappers are yet to contact his family or the school authority.

Why we are holding talks with Boko Haram – FG

The Federal Government on Wednesday said it accepted to hold dialogue with the violent Islamic sect, Boko Haram, in order to arrest insecurity in the country as soon as possible.

“We have accepted dialogue as a way of bringing the (insecurity) situation to an end as quickly as possible. We have always called on those engaging in violence to stop because violence can’t solve any problem. So we welcome the decision to dialogue,” Minister of Information, Labaran Maku, told journalists in Abuja.

The Christian Association of Nigeria has, however, warned that the government should not hold dialogue with the sect on its own terms.

Though CAN said it was ready to support any step aimed at curbing the sect’s insurgency, it opposed the government-Boko Haram talks if they centred on the condition to Islamise of the country.

The sect’s leader, Abubakar Shekau, was reportedly quoted to have said in a video footage that President Goodluck Jonathan should convert to Islam or resign from office.

Jonathan in a statement by his spokesman, Reuben Abati, had rebuffed the condition, saying he had the legitimate mandate of the people, both Christians and Muslims, hence he could not resign.

The Voice of America had reported on Tuesday that a purported spokesman for Boko Haram, one Habu Mohammed, said the group had the Fedral Governement in direct talks on ways to end violence in the North.

According to the VOA, Mohammed, who claims to be a deputy to Boko Haram leader Sheikh Abubakar Shekau, said in a statement that the group decided to initiate the peace moves in response to numerous public appeals for peace in the country.

The VOA said a senior Nigerian official, speaking on the condition of anonymity, confirmed the talks to VOA.

Maku, while not denying that talks with the violent sect had commenced, claimed that the government also heard Mohammed’s claim on the radio.

Our correspondent reports that the minister might have refrained from confirming the talks in order not to stall its progress. Recent talks between government and the sect had broken down after they were reported. Northern clerics who facilitated these meetings had accused government of breaching an understanding reached by both parties that the talks should be kept secret.

He said, “We have heard about the news. The position of government from the beginning has been that we are prepared to negotiate and hold dialogue with members of this group because we believe they are Nigerians and they are our children.

“It is a known fact that violence has disrupted social and economic activities in some parts of Northern Nigeria.

“We have accepted dialogue as a way of bringing the situation to an end as quickly as possible.

“We have always called on those engaging in violence to stop because violence can’t solve any problem. So we welcome the decision to hold dialogue.”

Meanwhile, the Coalition of Northern Leaders, Academics, Professionals and Businessmen has said there are proofs that government officials are benefiting from the Boko Haram crisis.

The leader of the group, Dr. Junaid Mohammed, told one of our correspondents in a telephone interview on Wednesday that the inability of the government to hold dialogue with members of the sect in the past was because the unnamed government officials were afraid that they might stop making money from the crisis if the discussion had succeeded.

He said this was the reason the first talks between government and members of the sect did not yield any positive result.

Mohammed said, “The so-called talk between government and Boko Haram should be encouraged and must be pursued in good conscience with the interest of Nigeria and Nigerians at heart.

“The last time the talk was initiated; government started it with bad faith. This was because government officials and members of the Joint Task Force are making money from the crisis.

“This was why the officials sabotaged the talk. They knew that they might not make money again if the talk had succeeded. “

Junaid however said Jonathan could not also be trusted with a successful dialogue with the sect that had been prosecuting campaign of bombing against the country for the past two years.

He added, “But if now they are serious about it, it is alright. I will encourage them to continue because they know that members of the Armed Forces are not in the best position to defeat the sect.

“My fear is that the President himself is not a leader we can trust. He is not a good leader. And above all, he is also surrounded by bad people.”The Special Assistant (Media and Public Affairs), to CAN President, Mr. Kenny Ashaka, in an interview with one of our correspondents on Wednesday questioned whether Jonathan had satisfied the condition for dialogue with the insurgent group.

He said, “We in CAN believe in dialogue on matters that can be resolved by all parties to a dispute. Indeed, our attitude to matters of dialogue is altruistic contrary to the feelings of our detractors who believe that we don’t want dialogue.

“But our opposition to dialogue or negotiation with Boko Haram is because of their demand to Islamise Nigeria which is in clear breach of the nation’s constitution. So what CAN is saying clearly is that any move, no matter how central it is, to end the insurgency of the Boko Haram sect that seeks to curtail or wish away the rights and liberties of Christians in Nigeria will not enjoy our support. That is our stand.

“President Goodluck Jonathan at a point told Reuters in an interview early this year that if the Boko Haram people clearly identify themselves and say ‘this is the reason we are resisting and confronting government, killing people and destroying property, there will be a basis for dialogue.’ Has this condition been met?”

 

My husband supports my return to acting 100% - Dakore Akande

 

"I want to use this medium to clear the air. I don't know why they went ahead to say because I became a wife my career was over. That is a very archaic way of thinking. Women these day and age work. We have responsibilities. But I didn't say anything because everything one says about me and I react, I won't have time to do anything with my life. I am an actor but having a family is more important to me, and I am very sure my fans appreciate that. I considered my fans and I said to myself when my daughter is old enough, I would come back to the movie industry. She's almost one now. I am back to acting and my husband supports me returning to it 100%. If he was not supporting me, I would not be doing it." - Dakore Egbuson Akande

Zaaki Azzay's 8 year marriage ends; wife claims years of battery

 

After 8 years and three children together, Zaaki Azzay's marriage to Hadiza Azzay has ended. The marriage actually ended four months ago but we are all getting to know about it now because the ex-couple are involved in a bitter custody battle. The police are even now involved.

29 year old Hadiza told me she packed out of her husband's house on April 17th after being badly battered the day before by Zaaki. She was able to leave with two of her children, but the third one, her eldest child, is still living at home.

She said he had been battering her for years, sometimes he would beat her so much she would faint, but her family kept telling her to go back to him for the sake of their children. She said she left him twice last year but returned to him after much pressure from family and friends. But when the battery continued, she made up her mind to end her marriage for good because she didn't want to be another dead wife.

Hadiza was a housewife, so since leaving her husband she has been under the care of an NGO that takes care of battered women. They've given her and her children shelter and are taking up her case.

She will issue an official press statement telling her side of the story in the coming days...right now she's dealing with the police who arrested her for allegedly 'kidnapping' her own children. She says Zaaki has been using the police to harass her. We are also looking to get Zaaki's side of the story. More on this later...

Woman burns 9 year old househelp with electric iron (Photo)

 

9 year old Chinenye Emeka got her buttocks burnt with hot electric pressing iron by her guardian, Mrs. Ifechukwu Akabekwa, because she used the money given to her by a philanthropist to pay her school fees without the permission of her guardian. 

Mrs Akabekwa, of Abazuonu Street in Iyi-Owa Odekpe, Anambra state, maltreated and subjected Chinenye to different ordeals on a daily basis, including forcing her to hawk along the major road of Atani during school hours. And when a stranger tried to help little Chinenye, the mother of three got so mad, she scarred the little girl for life

Police drops murder charge against banker, Yinka Johnson

 

Yinka Johnson, the banker accused of crushing a LASTMA official to death on Friday August 10th has been freed of the murder charge. The police, some LASTMA officials, eye witnesses and some members of the press visited the scene of the incident yesterday Monday August 13th to investigate further and afterwards all agreed that Yinka's car was not the car that hit and killed 33 year old Hammed Balogun. Eye-witnesses, including the one inside the bus that allegedly killed hammed, gave the police a clear account of what really happened that Friday.

After the investigation yesterday, the police officially dropped the murder charge and instead arraigned her for driving recklessly.

Yinka Johnson was brought to the Igbosere Magistrate Court today to face a one-count charge of driving recklessly. She was granted bail and ordered to pay fine. The case was adjourned to Sept 3rd.

Summer Jam Fest with Rick Ross is this Friday August 17th

 

 

St. Eve Magazine in collaboration with Trace Urban presents Summer Jam Fest featuring Rick Ross. Check banner for details.

Omotola gets verified on Twitter!

 

  

 

Presidential panel wants police ministry scrapped …says IG earns less than D-G SSS, EFCC chair

 

 

 

The 2012 Presidential Committee on the Reorganisation of the Nigeria Police on Tuesday told President Goodluck Jonathan to scrap the Ministry of Police Affairs, saying the ministry was no longer relevant in line with the 1999 Constitution as amended.

The committee also faulted the disparity in the salaries of policemen and personnel of organisations carved out from the NP, including the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission and the State Security Service.

Chairman of the presidential panel, Mr. Parry Osayande, said this while giving the President highlights of his committee’s report. The report was submitted to President Jonathan in Abuja on Tuesday.

Osayande, who is also the Chairman of the Police Service Commission, said his committee discovered that the budgeted fund of the police was unjustifiably domiciled with the Ministry of Police Affairs despite the fact that the ministry was neither in charge of police administration nor its operations.

Osayande, is an ex-Deputy Inspector General of Police.

Osayande said because the ministry determined police projects with no input from police authorities, some of the projects so executed ended up not being of priority to the police.

This, he explained, was an aberration which he said had led to “abuse, misapplication and haemorrhage” of the limited resources made available to the police.

The PSC boss said, “The Ministry of Police Affairs has no particular assigned role in the 1999 Constitution as amended, being neither in charge of Police administration which is assigned to the Police Council, nor in charge of operations which are assigned to the Inspector-General of Police nor in charge of appointment, discipline and promotion which is assigned to the Police Service Commission.

“Notwithstanding, the budgeted fund of the Police is unjustifiably domiciled with the Ministry of Police Affairs. The ministry determines police projects and awards its contracts, including organising and running training programmes involving billions of naira with no input from the Police who are the end users.

“The result is that some of the projects being executed are not priorities to the Police. This is an aberration which has led to abuse, misapplication and haemorrhage of the limited resources made available to the police.”

He argued that the police should be empowered to determine its priorities, draw its budget based on its needs and be held accountable for the use of the funds.

Osayande observed that the gradual decimation of the police by successive governments through carving of integral units out of the force as autonomous entities had been weakening its ability to effectively discharge its constitutional roles.

He said the creation of such agencies violated Section 214 (1) of the 1999 Constitution as amended which he said provided that there should be only one police force. He argued that the funds that should have been aggregated and used to strengthen the capacity of the police were dissipated on “quasi organisations.”

He said, “The committee therefore recommends that some of the duties taken away from the police should be returned as they are integral and still remain the constitutional duties of the Nigeria Police Force.

“Consequently, the Independent Corrupt Practices and other Related Offences Commission, Federal Road Safety Corps and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps should be immediately merged with the Nigeria Police Force.”

The retired DIG observed that the poverty of the ordinary policeman coupled with weak institutional governance predisposed him to engaging in all sorts of schemes for self-help and survival.

He regretted that despite the fact that the parallel organisations carved out of the Nigeria Police only performed part of functions of the police, their personnel were better remunerated and motivated than policemen.

“For instance, while the Inspector-General of Police earns N711, 498 per month, the Director-General, State Security Service earns N 1.336m per month and the Executive Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission earns N1.5m per month.

“This disparity in salaries does not reflect higher responsibility attached to the Office of the Inspector-General of Police,” Osayande added.

The retired DIG said the agitation for state police was irrelevant because the states could not afford the cost, adding that the country would break up if state police were allowed.

“The agitation is irrelevant. They cannot afford it. Do you know how much it is to police a country? What we are recommending is this, if they allow the Police Council to function, the president is the chairman, the chairman of Police Service Commission is a member, governors are members, the IGP is a member, and you bring your policing plan to the council. They will now decide on what to do. We don’t need state police, the country will break up, take it from me,” he said.

The Ministry of Police Affairs on Tuesday said it could not comment on the recommendation of the presidential panel.

The Deputy Director, Public Relations, in the ministry, Mr. James Odaudu, declined comment when asked for his reaction to the call by the PSC.

A senior official in the police affairs ministry however said the Federal Government had the freedom to take any decision it deemed fit. “The ministry has no say in the matter,” the official who asked not to be named said.

But a former IG, Alhaji Mohammed Gambo Jimeta, opposed the proposed scrapping of the police affairs ministry.

Gambo said this on Tuesday during a closed-door meeting between Jonathan and four ex-IGs at the Presidential Villa, Abuja. He said there was no need to scrap the ministry.

He said, “The police are directly under the President or Prime Minister. With his busy schedule, the Prime Minister or President will not have enough time to attend to the day-to-day issues that are arising on police issues. During the Parliamentary days, there was the need for somebody, not the Prime Minister who should answer questions on Police so a Minister of State was created in the Prime Minister’s office to ensure that he conducted the political aspects related to Police just as he does now to the President and he needs somebody to explain to the Public not a Police Officer as to the validity of the policies that were carried out by the Police that heightened criticisms or recommendations as is being anticipated.”

Bomb Explodes In Kaduna Metropolis

 

An IED has exploded around the Ahmadu Bello Way/Lugard/Alkali axis in Kaduna, Kaduna State, according to eyewitnesses. At least 3 dead bodies were seen at the scene of the blast.

One eyewitness said that the IED, which was being transported by men believed to be members of the Boko Haram, detonated in transit, killing them instantly.


The source further said the loud bang shook the often crowded and busy part of the city where it occurred, sending wares and windows flying, just as people fled the scene. A combined team made of up the military and local law enforcement have cordoned off the scene of the blast. (TheWill)

Nollywood actress Lilian Bach denies secret wedding

 

The actress has denied reports making the rounds that she secretly got married to a man named Alaka and moved into his Lekki home a few weeks back. What she told an Encomium reporter below:

It's not a crime to be single and it's not a crime to be married. If I chose to tie the knot, it won't be a secret. For now, I am still single but if I chose to get married, my friends will be invited. I have nothing to hide and I have done nothing wrong. I am presently away but I have been receiving calls from people who are shocked as I am at the supposed breaking news of my secrets wedding. The report is false.

Man surrenders to police 8 months after burying prophetess alive

 

This happened in Delta State. A 27 year old man went to the police last week to confess a crime he committed eight months ago, because according to him, the spirit of the woman he killed was haunting him.

According to the story he told police, he and some men kidnapped a prophetess in December 2011 and buried her alive a few days later in his compound. He didn't say why he kidnapped the woman.

When the police arrived at the grave Emmanuel from Owahawa, Ughelli South LGA took them to, they exhumed the body of a woman fully dressed in a white garment church attire, jewelry and all.

Emmanuel and another man have been arrested while the police is looking for relatives of the yet to be identified prophetess.

President Jonathan Aide Accuses Nigerian Muslims of Harboring BOKO HARAM

                                                 

caption: Doyin Okupe

 

Via sahara reporters

A recently appointed presidential aide said he prefers a bullish ‘Attack Lion’ pet title to the bearish ‘Attack Dog’ critics call him.
The Senior Special Adviser to the President on Public Affairs, Doyin Okupe, on Monday rejected the tag of an “attack dog,” for the Presidency.
Mr. Okupe, who appeared on an interview programme on the Africa Independent television (AIT), said his job for the presidency was to engage the public on discussions around the achievement of President Goodluck Jonathan’s administration.
He said those calling him an attack dog where not fair to him considering his (physical) size and past achievements.
“They should even call me an ‘attack lion,” Mr. Okupe said.
The light remark by Mr. Okupe caused the interviewer, Gbenga Aruleba, to say that there were some dogs that could be so fierce and large like a lion. A remark the presidential aide rejected, seemingly preferring the title, ‘Attack Lion’, when he said no dog could be fierce or large enough to confront a lion.
The Ogun State politician also gave an indication of what to expect from his office. He said his office and his team would respond to any public criticism (by public commentators) against Mr. Jonathan and his policies.
Mr. Okupe also used the interview to explain President Jonathan’s reluctance to use maximum force on the Boko Haram
No maximum force on Boko Haram
The presidential aide said those accusing Mr. Jonathan of inaction, on the insecurity pervading the country, were not fair on the President.
“It is wrong to say the President has not been able to tackle the security problem,” Mr. Okupe said.
The Ogun state politician said the Federal Government could not use force on the Islamist group because it wanted to avoid civilian casualties.
“The Nigerian army can in one month wipe out the Boko Haram, but the collateral damage will be unbearable,” he said.
He said that the government was already achieving some success against the terrorist group.
“Three people (Boko Haram members) have been declared terrorists (by the U.S.). One is dead (killed), one is under the armpits of security forces, and another is on the run,” Mr. Okupe said. “That is a remarkable achievement.”
Mr. Okupe compared the difficulty in tackling the Boko Haram menace in Nigeria to what the British government faced with the Irish Republican Army saying “for 28years, the British Government could not stop it (IRA). When terrorism is internal, it is hard.”
Three categories of Boko Haram
Mr. Okupe also said there were three categories of Boko Haram operating in the country. He listed them as the religious Boko Haram, the criminal one, and the political Boko Haram.
Nasir El-Rufai, an opposition figure and leader of the Congress for Progressive Change had also listed the same categories of Boko Haram in an interview with PREMIUM TIMES.
The two me however disagreed on the sponsors of the political Boko Haram. While Mr. El-Rufai alleges that they are sponsored by the Federal Government in order to split the country along ethnic lines and for other reasons, Mr. Okupe insinuated that they were being sponsored by the opposition.
Though he refused to mention names, Mr. Okupe said that the fact that the violence went out of proportion after the 2011 presidential elections was a sign that the opposition were behind the political sect.
He said that the Federal Government was going to dialogue with perceived political sponsors of the terrorist group because it had no hard evidence with which to link them to the group’s sponsorship.
“When we have weakened the apparatus of the insurgency, you now call for dialogue,” Mr. Okupe added.
Muslims harbour Boko Haram
Mr. Okupe also said that gathering intelligence on the Boko Haram group was difficult as they were getting help from some Muslims.
“Sincere and pious Muslims believe it is against their religion to report these terrorists,” he said while explaining that the security forces were improving on their intelligence gathering efforts.

Spinlet.com Featured Song of the Day

                           

The Spinlet Song of the Day is titled “King of My Country” by Sound Sultan Featuring Wyclef. 

Check it out on Spinlet’s featured list this week.

The Two Kings have completed a Second collaboration titled “People Bad” which will also be available on Spinlet. The Video for “People Bad” was also shot recently. The video was directed by Gini of Omo Ita Entertainment and will be released shortly before Sound Sultan Marks his historic 12 years on Stage on the 17^th of September at Eko Hotel.

Go to www.spinlet.com Get your Free Mobile Application and Download/Stream  all the Hottest Joints on the Street!!!

Eva Alordiah and Skepta Cover August Issue of Fab Magazine

 

Cute!

Fire Okupe, apologise to Nigerians, ACN tells Jonathan

Via punchng

 

The Action Congress of Nigeria on Monday urged President Goodluck Jonathan to sack his Senior Special Assistant on Public Affairs, Dr Doyin Okupe.

In a statement on Monday by its National Publicity Secretary, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, the party also asked the President to hand over Okupe to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission for prosecution and apologise to Nigerians for appointing him as his spokesman.

The party said the Jonathan administration, in its desperation to employ an “attack dog” to spearhead its onslaught against the opposition parties, ended up outsourcing the job to Okupe.

Citing an online report, it said the presidential aide was on the list of those being investigated by the EFCC “on account of a contract running into hundreds of millions of naira obtained from the Benue State Governor while serving under former President Olusegun Obasanjo in a similar capacity as the chief spokesperson of that administration.”

But when contacted, the EFCC said the Presidential spokesperson was not under investigation by its operatives.

The Head of the commission’s media unit, Mr. Wilson Uwujaaren, in his reaction to an enquiry by The PUNCH in Abuja, said, “I am not aware and it is not to my notice that Okupe is under investigation.”

Okupe could not be reached on Monday to comment on the allegation.

ACN, however, insisted that the appointment of Okupe in spite of his past record should not come as a surprise to any close observer of the Jonathan administration.

According to the party, it only confirms the fatal attraction President Jonathan has for appointing or “retaining tainted and damaged persons.”

It said, “The ill-informed decision of President Jonathan to appoint as his chief image maker, a person who needs to be publicly prosecuted for alleged crime has once again confirmed that the Jonathan administration is deeply troubled about its public image and perception as a rudderless government that is lost at sea with no compass.”

The ACN said no amount of spin would rescue the government from public odium.

It added, “The Action Congress of Nigeria therefore calls on President Jonathan today to fire Dr Doyin Okupe immediately, allow the EFCC to prosecute him and offer Nigerians an unpreserved apology for appointing someone who needs to be publicly prosecuted for alleged crime to interface with and on their behalf.”

Olympics end as Nigeria return with no medal Billions of Naira was used

       

   

Via....Punchng

  

The London 2012 Olympic Games ended on Sunday with Team Nigeria returning home with no medal, raising questions over the N1.9bn budgeted for the Nigeria’s participation at the Games.

It was an unusual record compared to the nation’s achievements at the Games in the past two decades. It was one that reminded Nigerians of the woeful performance recorded when Nigeria did not win any medal at Seoul ’88.

In London, Nigeria’s hopes for medals were shouldered by the athletics team, where Blessing Okagbare was regarded as a match for Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce of Jamaica and Carmelita Jeter of the US in the women’s 100m. But Okagbare finished the final in the 8th position, blaming her poor performance on injury despite competing till the end.

In the long jump, she had an equally bad outing, failing to qualify for the final after finishing in the 17th position. In the women’s 4x100m relay race, Christy Udoh, Gloria Asumnu, Oludamola Osayomi and Okagbare did put up a fight but the 42.64 time recorded by them was only good as their season’s best with Nigeria ending in the 4th position.

Ajoke Odumosu also raised the nation’s hopes when she reached the 400m hurdles but she came last to end all medal expectations from the race.

The basketball team reached the Olympics for the first time with much expectation, especially after beating Greece and Lithuania, respectively ranked 4th and 5th in the world, during the qualifiers.

They even gladdened the nation’s heart with a win over African champions, Tunisia, in their first match at the Olympics, but defeats by to Lithuania, Argentina, US and France ended first basketball participation at the Games with one win.

There was disappointment after the table tennis team was ousted a day after the opening ceremony but there were last minute hopes that later produced no medals for Nigeria.

Team Nigeria’s Captain Chika Chukwumerije, who won a bronze at the last Olympic Games in Beijing, China was seen as a medal prospect in taekwondo because of the preparation he had before the Games. He did not begin his contest until a day before the closing ceremony, but in his only fight, he lost to Cuban opponent, Robelis Despaigne, in the men’s+80kg class.

A few hours after his defeat on Saturday, another hope was dashed when the women’s 4x400m relay team was disqualified in the final. It was however not the final straw as hopes of any type of medal rested on Sinivie Boltic, a male wrestler in the freestyle 96kgcategory. He drew bye into the quarterfinals where he met Republic of Moldova’s Ceban Nicolai on Sunday. But like other athletes that represented Nigeria, Boltic did not get to the medal zone, ending all hopes for Nigeria.

A few weeks before the Games commenced, there was controversy over the release of funds as sports federations bosses had to look for money to prepare athletes for the competition. Chukwumerije was the only athlete who had first class preparation for the Games. He was treated for an injury in London and sent to Korea to prepare for his taekwondo event.

Reacting to the nation’s failure in London, a member of the Association of Veteran Sports Administrators Forum, Martins Osaile, said Nigerians should hold the Federal Government responsible for the poor outing.

Osaile said, “Before 1999 when we returned to democratic rule, our sport was healthy, today it is almost dead. The present government in the hands of our people is not ready to develop sport in Nigeria. They play game with the future of our athletes. They have forgotten that there is political power in achieving excellence in global events.

“When the present head of the Nigeria Olympic Committee, Sanni Ndanusa, was the president of tennis federation, I challenged him to list his achievements in the sport. To the surprise of Nigerians, he became the sports minister and now NOC president. That shows how the Nigerian government has relegated sport in Nigeria.”

Osaile advised the athletes to challenge their leaders and free themselves from their hold.

“Usain Bolt made over $30m from endorsement last year and there are many others that were not documented for public consumption. How many Nigerian athletes made anything from endorsement in the past one year? The US announced last week that camp for the 2016 Olympics would open in September, here in Nigeria, we will not start until three months to the Games,” Osaile said.

Former boxer and an Olympian, Jeremiah Okorodudu, said the boxers who represented Nigeria in London were not ready for the contest.

He said, “We had three boxers but they were not good enough to win medals. They were picked from the National Sports Festival which was wrong. If we are going to use the festival as Olympic qualifier, it should be made open. You cannot take rookies to a big event like the Olympics.”

Okorodudu also said Nigeria was heading for a major failure when training tours are not properly handled before the Games.

“In the past when Nigeria did well at the Olympics, training tours were not limited to putting athletes in a hotel and training at a remote facility. Tours are meant to expose the athletes and put them in proper shape for the big events,” he said.

Beauty of the day: Yvonne Okoro

 

Nigerian/Ghanaian actress Yvonne Okoro is stunning! Definition of black beauty. You guys agree?