Heavy rainfall which may result in flooding is expected in 14 states from July 30 to Aug. 6, in the northern part of the country, the Federal Ministry of Environment announced in Abuja on Monday.
According to a statement, the affected states are Benue, Kebbi, Gombe, Zamfara, Yobe, Jigawa, Borno, Katsina, Bauchi, Kano, Sokoto, Kaduna, Taraba and Adamawa.
Many towns are also expected to be flooded in these states.
The ministry appealed to government and people of the prone areas to take all necessary precautionary measures to avoid any disaster.
It added that adherence to similar warnings in the past had saved lives and property. (NAN)
Monday, 29 July 2013
Nigerian music director jailed 90 yrs for fathering six children with daughters
An award-winning Nigerian music director found guilty of fathering children with his daughters will spend the rest of his life in jail.
Aswad Ayinde, 55, of Paterson, NJ, was sentenced to 50 years in prison Friday after being found guilty in the second of five expected trials in which he is accused of repeatedly raping his six daughters, resulting in six children being fathered. Mr. Ayinde was found guilty in his latest trial of having intercourse with one of his daughters when she was as young as eight-years-old. The second sentence adds to the 40 year sentence Mr Ayinde received in a 2011 trial for sexually assaulting a separate daughter.
Aswad Ayinde hides his face with a piece of paper during his sentencing
Mr. Ayinde is known for directing the music video for the Fugees 1996 smash hit ‘Killing Me Softly.’
In a disturbing disclosure during his first trial, Mr. Ayinde’s former wife said he was trying to create a ‘pure family bloodline’ by impregnating his daughters. He even claimed during a pre-trial hearing before the first trial that ‘the world was going to end, and it was just going to be him and his offspring and that he was chosen.’
In this latest trial, it was revealed that Mr. Ayinde began having intercourse with his second daughter from the time she eight-years-old, impregnating her four times.
As repoted by Mail Online the sexual assaults happened for almost 30 years until Mr. Ayinde and his wife separated, officials said. They occurred in numerous homes across northern New Jersey, even while the family was under watch of state child welfare officials, according to NBC New York. Some of the rapes even took place in an abandoned funeral home.
The family moving as far away as Florida to avoid investigation after case workers removed multiple children from the Ayinde household in 2000, resulting in Mr. Ayinde being arrested for kidnapping for trying to take them from state custody in a medical center, NBC New York reported.
He pleaded guilty to lesser charges and received a year’s probation – as he continued raping one daughter for at least another two years, according to officials.
The depraved father also beat and starved the girls using wooden boards and steel-toed boots for even ‘minor transgressions,’ Ayinde’s wife testified at the first trial.
Some of the children Ayinde fathered with his daughters were born in the home, with at least two babies who died in the home having been buried without notifying authorities or obtaining birth certificates, NBC New York reported.
Mr. Ayinde also fathered 12 additional children with an additional three women, according to court records
Ayinde’s tortured daughters were home schooled and isolated from other children, so as to keep the family secrets hidden, the station added.
With his wife too afraid to confront him, Mr. Ayinde carried out his evil plan without hindrance even while directing the music video for the Fugees 1996 breakout hit ‘Killing Me Softly, for which he won ‘Best R&B Video’ at the 1996 MTV Music Video Awards. The Fugees are also originally from Northern New Jersey.
Mr. Ayinde faces three more trials over the alleged assaults
Aswad Ayinde, 55, of Paterson, NJ, was sentenced to 50 years in prison Friday after being found guilty in the second of five expected trials in which he is accused of repeatedly raping his six daughters, resulting in six children being fathered. Mr. Ayinde was found guilty in his latest trial of having intercourse with one of his daughters when she was as young as eight-years-old. The second sentence adds to the 40 year sentence Mr Ayinde received in a 2011 trial for sexually assaulting a separate daughter.
Mr. Ayinde is known for directing the music video for the Fugees 1996 smash hit ‘Killing Me Softly.’
In a disturbing disclosure during his first trial, Mr. Ayinde’s former wife said he was trying to create a ‘pure family bloodline’ by impregnating his daughters. He even claimed during a pre-trial hearing before the first trial that ‘the world was going to end, and it was just going to be him and his offspring and that he was chosen.’
In this latest trial, it was revealed that Mr. Ayinde began having intercourse with his second daughter from the time she eight-years-old, impregnating her four times.
As repoted by Mail Online the sexual assaults happened for almost 30 years until Mr. Ayinde and his wife separated, officials said. They occurred in numerous homes across northern New Jersey, even while the family was under watch of state child welfare officials, according to NBC New York. Some of the rapes even took place in an abandoned funeral home.
The family moving as far away as Florida to avoid investigation after case workers removed multiple children from the Ayinde household in 2000, resulting in Mr. Ayinde being arrested for kidnapping for trying to take them from state custody in a medical center, NBC New York reported.
He pleaded guilty to lesser charges and received a year’s probation – as he continued raping one daughter for at least another two years, according to officials.
The depraved father also beat and starved the girls using wooden boards and steel-toed boots for even ‘minor transgressions,’ Ayinde’s wife testified at the first trial.
Some of the children Ayinde fathered with his daughters were born in the home, with at least two babies who died in the home having been buried without notifying authorities or obtaining birth certificates, NBC New York reported.
Mr. Ayinde also fathered 12 additional children with an additional three women, according to court records
Ayinde’s tortured daughters were home schooled and isolated from other children, so as to keep the family secrets hidden, the station added.
With his wife too afraid to confront him, Mr. Ayinde carried out his evil plan without hindrance even while directing the music video for the Fugees 1996 breakout hit ‘Killing Me Softly, for which he won ‘Best R&B Video’ at the 1996 MTV Music Video Awards. The Fugees are also originally from Northern New Jersey.
Mr. Ayinde faces three more trials over the alleged assaults
ASUU denies plan to call off strike
ACADEMIC Staff Union of Universities, ASUU, has described as speculative reports that the strike embarked upon by the union over the inability of the Federal Government to implement the 2009 agreement it willingly entered into with the union would be called off this Thursday.
National President of ASUU, Dr. Nasir Fagge, told Vanguard that he was surprised to hear that the union was going to call off the strike on Thursday when the issues tabled before government had not been resolved.
Faggae said: “There is nothing like that (suspending the strike). I am also surprised to hear people say that we are going to call off the strike.
He said: “Our members have made it categorically clear what they want. This meeting we had with government on Friday at the office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, SGF, is just exploratory.
“We are trying to look at issues holistically and see how we are going to address them. So assignments were given to various people that attended the meeting and the expectation is that we will meet tomorrow (today), Monday and look at the assignment given and also look at it on Thursday again.
“So, that is why I’m surprised to hear people say that we are going to suspend strike on Thursday. The mandate of our members is very clear. So, we will wait and see what the Monday and Thursday meetings unfold and then we report back to our members.”
On how long it would take ASUU leaders to convene a meeting with its members after the meeting with government on Thursday, the ASUU boss said “we are in constant consultation with our members, we don’t really have problems with that.
“After the meeting, we will decide when to link up with our members depending upon what is placed on table on Thursday.”
Commenting on the speculation that the union might suspend the strike if the government met up to 50 per cent of the agreement, Faggae said the union would prefer to get to the bridge before crossing it.
He commended the positive disposition of the Joint Senate and House of Representatives Committee on Education towards the resolution of the crisis.
Fagge added: “For us, the interaction we have had with the Joint Committee clearly indicates that they are concerned like other Nigerians”.
“This is expected of the representatives of people. You see the problem has always been that the executive arm of government does not really hearken to advise that are given on how best to address the problems on education in this country.
“We are convinced as a union that the only thing the government can really do for Nigerians is to avail them of education.
“Once you are able to do that, you will see that people will be able to generate jobs and they will be able to take care of themselves and contribute to nation building. So that is the argument we are placing on the table.”
National President of ASUU, Dr. Nasir Fagge, told Vanguard that he was surprised to hear that the union was going to call off the strike on Thursday when the issues tabled before government had not been resolved.
Faggae said: “There is nothing like that (suspending the strike). I am also surprised to hear people say that we are going to call off the strike.
He said: “Our members have made it categorically clear what they want. This meeting we had with government on Friday at the office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, SGF, is just exploratory.
“So, that is why I’m surprised to hear people say that we are going to suspend strike on Thursday. The mandate of our members is very clear. So, we will wait and see what the Monday and Thursday meetings unfold and then we report back to our members.”
On how long it would take ASUU leaders to convene a meeting with its members after the meeting with government on Thursday, the ASUU boss said “we are in constant consultation with our members, we don’t really have problems with that.
“After the meeting, we will decide when to link up with our members depending upon what is placed on table on Thursday.”
Commenting on the speculation that the union might suspend the strike if the government met up to 50 per cent of the agreement, Faggae said the union would prefer to get to the bridge before crossing it.
He commended the positive disposition of the Joint Senate and House of Representatives Committee on Education towards the resolution of the crisis.
Fagge added: “For us, the interaction we have had with the Joint Committee clearly indicates that they are concerned like other Nigerians”.
“This is expected of the representatives of people. You see the problem has always been that the executive arm of government does not really hearken to advise that are given on how best to address the problems on education in this country.
“We are convinced as a union that the only thing the government can really do for Nigerians is to avail them of education.
“Once you are able to do that, you will see that people will be able to generate jobs and they will be able to take care of themselves and contribute to nation building. So that is the argument we are placing on the table.”
Husband allegedly poisons wife for being barren
AKURE —THE Police in Ondo State have arrested a 47-year-old bricklayer, Damilare Olotu, for allegedly poisoning his wife, Mary, for being barren.
The 45-year-old Mary who hailed from Kwara State was a trader and had been having running battle with the suspect over her inability to conceive.
Reports had it that following the condition of the deceased the suspect married a second wife, Kemi, from Igbara Oke area of the state who bore him two children.
The suspect who is from Akure used to live with the deceased in Ibuji, Ifedore council area of the state.
It was alleged that the second wife reportedly insisted on packing into the suspect’s house but the deceased resisted.
The junior brother to the deceased, Mr. Lawrence Omotosho, told newsmen that the suspect and the second wife connived to poison his sister.
According to him, the sister had told him that the suspect had threatened to kill her. Omotosho asked the police to investigate the matter thoroughly and bring the culprit to book.
Also the only child of the deceased from her former marriage, Shola Olatunji who is an undergraduate in Kogi State said the family of her late mother warned her not to re-marry but she refused.
Contacted, the police image maker, Wole Ogodo, said investigation into Mary’s death ws on-going, noting that the case has been transfered from Igbara Oke to the headquarters in Akure for further investigation.
Meanwhile, the corpse of the deceased has been deposited in mortuary for autopsy.
Sunday, 28 July 2013
Parents Gave Their Baby A Snake To Play With Since They Can't Afford Toys
It's a sight to make most parents go cold with fear - a six-month-old girl playing with a python.
But Sidhi Siddharth Sinune who isn't even old enough to walk, never mind run away from the reptile, treats it as a plaything.
This is because it was given to her by her farmer father who earns extra cash as a snake catcher.
He brings home his prey for his daughter to play with because he says he is too poor to afford toys.
'Sidhi has an unusual bonding with the snakes and surprisingly they too like to play with her,' said Siddharth Sinune.
'Being a poor farmer, I can't buy her costly toys but I can get her snakes to play with.'
So while he and his wife are working in nearby fields in a rural part of south-west India the youngster pats the powerful snake which is capable of killing her by constriction in an instant.
In one image she squeezes its scales with her little hands in another she chews on its tail with her gums. Shrieking with delight she lets it weave through her legs.
Although not venomous, pythons are constrictors that kill by constriction, or by swallowing their prey whole.
After catching snakes which stray into the fields close to the village in the state of Maharashtra Sidhi's father releases them back to the surrounding forests.
But Sidhi Siddharth Sinune who isn't even old enough to walk, never mind run away from the reptile, treats it as a plaything.
This is because it was given to her by her farmer father who earns extra cash as a snake catcher.
He brings home his prey for his daughter to play with because he says he is too poor to afford toys.
'Sidhi has an unusual bonding with the snakes and surprisingly they too like to play with her,' said Siddharth Sinune.
'Being a poor farmer, I can't buy her costly toys but I can get her snakes to play with.'
So while he and his wife are working in nearby fields in a rural part of south-west India the youngster pats the powerful snake which is capable of killing her by constriction in an instant.
In one image she squeezes its scales with her little hands in another she chews on its tail with her gums. Shrieking with delight she lets it weave through her legs.
Although not venomous, pythons are constrictors that kill by constriction, or by swallowing their prey whole.
After catching snakes which stray into the fields close to the village in the state of Maharashtra Sidhi's father releases them back to the surrounding forests.
Saturday, 27 July 2013
ASUU may call off strike next Thursday
ASUU may call off strike next Thursday
on July 26, 2013 at 11:02 pm in News
BY OKEY NDIRIBE
There are indications that the on-going strike embarked upon by the Academic Staff Union of Nigerian Universities might be called off next Thursday.
Governor of Benue State, Mr Gabriel Suswam who dropped this hint Friday said ASUU and the Federal Government had reached agreements on all the contentious issues that led to the industrial action except two.
Suswam who was appointed as Chairman of the Needs Assessment Implementation Committee of the Federal Government said after next Thursday’s deliberations between his Committee and the various agencies of government funding tertiary education, all the contentious issues would likely be resolved.
Speaking to news men in Abuja after attending a meeting between the Federal Government’s delegation and ASUU, Suswam said that agreements had been reached by both parties on all issues except two.
Said he: “We reached agreements on all issues except two. These two issues are those of earned allowances of lecturers and intervention for the federal universities. These are the only issues that are still outstanding.”
The Benue Governor further said he believed that by next week after his Committee would have arrived at an agreement on all the issues, ASUU would call off the strike.
He continued: ”The SGF would meet with the leadership of ASUU on the issue of earned allowances by next Monday.
Then my committee which is dealing with the issue of the needs assessment of the universities would meet again next Thursday and take another look at all the infrastructural deficits which the federal universities are facing.
If you go to our universities, you would agree that they are facing infrastructural deficits and that is why my committee would meet with all the funding agencies next Thursday for the purpose of prioritizing all the projects that need to be executed. We are going to invite all the agencies that are involved in the funding of the universities including the Central Bank of Nigeria.”
Suswam further stated that the issues on agreements have been reached include: those of retirement age for university lecturers- which has now been increased from 65 to 70 years; the constitution of the governing councils of the universities which has already been done by the Government; the setting up of a pension administrator and the issue of persuading companies operating in the country to set up research centers in the universities.
Said he: “As far as I am concerned, if the issues concerning intervention and earned allowances are resolved next week, then the strike could be called off”
Among those who attended the meeting were Secretary to the Government of the Federation Senator Anyim Pius Anyim, Minister of Labour, Hon. Emeka Wogu, Minister of Education, Prof. Ruqayatu Rufai and President of Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), Dr Nasir Fagge.
on July 26, 2013 at 11:02 pm in News
BY OKEY NDIRIBE
There are indications that the on-going strike embarked upon by the Academic Staff Union of Nigerian Universities might be called off next Thursday.
Governor of Benue State, Mr Gabriel Suswam who dropped this hint Friday said ASUU and the Federal Government had reached agreements on all the contentious issues that led to the industrial action except two.
Suswam who was appointed as Chairman of the Needs Assessment Implementation Committee of the Federal Government said after next Thursday’s deliberations between his Committee and the various agencies of government funding tertiary education, all the contentious issues would likely be resolved.
Speaking to news men in Abuja after attending a meeting between the Federal Government’s delegation and ASUU, Suswam said that agreements had been reached by both parties on all issues except two.
Said he: “We reached agreements on all issues except two. These two issues are those of earned allowances of lecturers and intervention for the federal universities. These are the only issues that are still outstanding.”
The Benue Governor further said he believed that by next week after his Committee would have arrived at an agreement on all the issues, ASUU would call off the strike.
He continued: ”The SGF would meet with the leadership of ASUU on the issue of earned allowances by next Monday.
Then my committee which is dealing with the issue of the needs assessment of the universities would meet again next Thursday and take another look at all the infrastructural deficits which the federal universities are facing.
If you go to our universities, you would agree that they are facing infrastructural deficits and that is why my committee would meet with all the funding agencies next Thursday for the purpose of prioritizing all the projects that need to be executed. We are going to invite all the agencies that are involved in the funding of the universities including the Central Bank of Nigeria.”
Suswam further stated that the issues on agreements have been reached include: those of retirement age for university lecturers- which has now been increased from 65 to 70 years; the constitution of the governing councils of the universities which has already been done by the Government; the setting up of a pension administrator and the issue of persuading companies operating in the country to set up research centers in the universities.
Said he: “As far as I am concerned, if the issues concerning intervention and earned allowances are resolved next week, then the strike could be called off”
Among those who attended the meeting were Secretary to the Government of the Federation Senator Anyim Pius Anyim, Minister of Labour, Hon. Emeka Wogu, Minister of Education, Prof. Ruqayatu Rufai and President of Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), Dr Nasir Fagge.
Wednesday, 24 July 2013
Again, Samsung hits Nigeria market with Galaxy Mega
Through relentless innovation and discovery, digital media and digital convergence technologies makers, Samsung Electronics West Africa, has introduced the world’s largest smartphone, Samsung Galaxy Mega, to the Nigerian market.
Delivering a mobile experience that is larger than life, the Galaxy Mega, according to the phone maker combines the portability and convenience of a smartphone with the power, multitasking capabilities and extensive viewing experience of a tablet.
Mega sized portability
Feast your eyes on this mobile’s mega-sized screen! The ideal viewing medium for photos and videos, the mobile remains optimally sized for portability as well as taking phone calls. The Mega UX takes full advantage of the large display, especially while multi-tasking with Dual View. See more of your mobile world with Samsung’s GALAXY Mega!
Fun, Smart and Convenient
With smart functions and services, this mobile comes in handy in any occasion. Traveling to a new place? Receive geographic info for restaurant recommendations or sites to see. The mobile also features various camera modes for fun picture taking. Additionally, GALAXY Mega offers other valuable services including translation so you can communicate internationally without language barriers, or voice commands for use while driving.
More ways to connect, share
Stay connected in tody’s super connected world. Samsung’s GALAXY Mega keeps you interacted, with your friends, interest groups and more – whether you’re sharing content with friends over Wi-Fi, instant messaging on ChatON. With this mobile, your mobile reach is wider and more powerful than ever
Optimal viewing experience:
Coming with chock full of smart services and enhanced connectivity that take mobile to new heights, the Galaxy series balances an optimal viewing experience on a 5.8-inch HD screen, yet is ultra-thin and portable enough to fit in a user’s pocket or in the palm of one hand. Powered by the latest Android 4.2 Jelly Bean operating system and 1.4GHz dual core processor, the Galaxy Mega features an 8-megapixel rear camera, as well as a 2-megapixel front facing camera.
It comes with 8GB internal memory and up to 64GB expandable storage. The device also boasts Samsung’s proprietary ‘Air View’ feature, which lets users preview photos, speed dial contacts and information in e-mails, without opening them.
Samsung also debuted two new models from its Wi-Fi-enabled Galaxy Tab 3 portfolio , the Galaxy Tab 3 7.0 and the Galaxy Tab 3 10.1, at the launch of the product.
Accordingly, the series blends the familiar Galaxy family feel in sleek and slim designs, with, compelling content and services designed for consumers’ everyday use.
Unique features:
The latest Galaxy Tab family comes with Samsung’s proprietary SaFE (Samsung for Enterprise) feature, allowing users to work and play with confidence that their photos, e-mails and contacts are protected.
The portfolio also includes an expandable memory of up to 64GB through a microSD card.
Delivering a mobile experience that is larger than life, the Galaxy Mega, according to the phone maker combines the portability and convenience of a smartphone with the power, multitasking capabilities and extensive viewing experience of a tablet.
Feast your eyes on this mobile’s mega-sized screen! The ideal viewing medium for photos and videos, the mobile remains optimally sized for portability as well as taking phone calls. The Mega UX takes full advantage of the large display, especially while multi-tasking with Dual View. See more of your mobile world with Samsung’s GALAXY Mega!
Fun, Smart and Convenient
With smart functions and services, this mobile comes in handy in any occasion. Traveling to a new place? Receive geographic info for restaurant recommendations or sites to see. The mobile also features various camera modes for fun picture taking. Additionally, GALAXY Mega offers other valuable services including translation so you can communicate internationally without language barriers, or voice commands for use while driving.
More ways to connect, share
Stay connected in tody’s super connected world. Samsung’s GALAXY Mega keeps you interacted, with your friends, interest groups and more – whether you’re sharing content with friends over Wi-Fi, instant messaging on ChatON. With this mobile, your mobile reach is wider and more powerful than ever
Optimal viewing experience:
Coming with chock full of smart services and enhanced connectivity that take mobile to new heights, the Galaxy series balances an optimal viewing experience on a 5.8-inch HD screen, yet is ultra-thin and portable enough to fit in a user’s pocket or in the palm of one hand. Powered by the latest Android 4.2 Jelly Bean operating system and 1.4GHz dual core processor, the Galaxy Mega features an 8-megapixel rear camera, as well as a 2-megapixel front facing camera.
It comes with 8GB internal memory and up to 64GB expandable storage. The device also boasts Samsung’s proprietary ‘Air View’ feature, which lets users preview photos, speed dial contacts and information in e-mails, without opening them.
Samsung also debuted two new models from its Wi-Fi-enabled Galaxy Tab 3 portfolio , the Galaxy Tab 3 7.0 and the Galaxy Tab 3 10.1, at the launch of the product.
Accordingly, the series blends the familiar Galaxy family feel in sleek and slim designs, with, compelling content and services designed for consumers’ everyday use.
Unique features:
The latest Galaxy Tab family comes with Samsung’s proprietary SaFE (Samsung for Enterprise) feature, allowing users to work and play with confidence that their photos, e-mails and contacts are protected.
The portfolio also includes an expandable memory of up to 64GB through a microSD card.
Monday, 22 July 2013
Child marriage: Nigerians misunderstand us — Senators
OLLOWING the barrage of attacks on the Senate by concerned Nigerians over alleged voting for child marriage during last week consideration of the Senate’s Committee Report on Constitution Review, some senators have said that the public misconstrued Senate’s position on the issue.
Senators Akin Odunsi, ACN Ogun West, and Atiku Abubakar Bagudu , PDP Kebbi Central, who spoke at separate briefings with journalists Monday, said the Senate position on the issue was completely different from both the public and media views.
Senator Odunsi, explained that the alleged underage marriage provision was an existing law in the 1999 constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria as contained in section 29 clauses 4 (a) and (b) which states that “any woman that is married in Nigeria is of full age”
“What the Senate attempted to do that day was to expunge that clause but couldn’t do so due to shortage of 13 votes because 60 senators voted for its removal as against 73 required votes while 35 voted for its
retention.
“Therefore, from what happened on the floor of the Senate last Tuesday, the Senate attempted to expunge the somewhat archaic clause and not in any way created the law as now wrongly portrayed by Nigerians”, he clarified.
On his part, Senator Abubakar Bagudu, said it was quite unfortunate that the Senate was being drawn into what he described as unnecessary debate.
He said the alleged endorsement of the Senate for underage marriage in Nigeria was a terrible misrepresentation of what the Senate considered or voted for under section 29 clauses 4(a) and (b) of the Nigeria constitution and as presented for consideration by its committee on Constitution review.
According to him, the issue of renunciation of citizenship was what the Senate considered and voted on as far as section 29 clauses 4a and b were concerned and not anything about marriage.
He said: “Clause 4a of section 29 of the 1999 constitution defines a full age for any Nigerian who wants to renounce his or her citizenship to be 18 years and above while clause 4b states further that in the case of women, aside the 18 years prescribed in clause 4a, any woman that is married can be considered to be of full age”.
Senator Bagudu said: “In many places around the world, marriage below the age of 18 years for girls is allowed by parental consent”. He insisted that the “Holy Bible, the Koran, the Torah etc , all view full age for women from the age of puberty.”
Senators Akin Odunsi, ACN Ogun West, and Atiku Abubakar Bagudu , PDP Kebbi Central, who spoke at separate briefings with journalists Monday, said the Senate position on the issue was completely different from both the public and media views.
Senator Odunsi, explained that the alleged underage marriage provision was an existing law in the 1999 constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria as contained in section 29 clauses 4 (a) and (b) which states that “any woman that is married in Nigeria is of full age”
“What the Senate attempted to do that day was to expunge that clause but couldn’t do so due to shortage of 13 votes because 60 senators voted for its removal as against 73 required votes while 35 voted for its
retention.
“Therefore, from what happened on the floor of the Senate last Tuesday, the Senate attempted to expunge the somewhat archaic clause and not in any way created the law as now wrongly portrayed by Nigerians”, he clarified.
On his part, Senator Abubakar Bagudu, said it was quite unfortunate that the Senate was being drawn into what he described as unnecessary debate.
He said the alleged endorsement of the Senate for underage marriage in Nigeria was a terrible misrepresentation of what the Senate considered or voted for under section 29 clauses 4(a) and (b) of the Nigeria constitution and as presented for consideration by its committee on Constitution review.
According to him, the issue of renunciation of citizenship was what the Senate considered and voted on as far as section 29 clauses 4a and b were concerned and not anything about marriage.
He said: “Clause 4a of section 29 of the 1999 constitution defines a full age for any Nigerian who wants to renounce his or her citizenship to be 18 years and above while clause 4b states further that in the case of women, aside the 18 years prescribed in clause 4a, any woman that is married can be considered to be of full age”.
Senator Bagudu said: “In many places around the world, marriage below the age of 18 years for girls is allowed by parental consent”. He insisted that the “Holy Bible, the Koran, the Torah etc , all view full age for women from the age of puberty.”
ASUU to prolong strike until…
Academic Staff Union of Universities, ASUU, Benin zone, weekend, vowed to continue with the ongoing strike action, accusing the Jonathan administration of not learning from the mistakes of previous governments.
Meanwhile, Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities, SSANU; Non-Academic Staff Union of Educational and Associated Institutions, NASU, and the National Associations of Academic Technologists, NAAT, weekend, threatened to resume their suspended strike today over failure of the Federal Government to honour the 2009 agreement entered into with the unions.
Coordinator of Benin ASUU Zone and member of its National Executive Council, NEC, Dr. Sunny Ighalo, who briefed newsmen in Benin, Edo State, said its members will sit at home as long as government remains insensitive to their plight over the agreement it entered with ASUU.
Ighalo, who said the current strike action has been very successful, noted that ASUU would only call off the strike when the Federal Government honours the agreement entered into with it.
He said that part of the agreement was to reposition ailing infrastructure in most of the country’s federal universities and improved welfare of members of the body.
Ighalo said: “It is clear that President Jonathan has not learnt any lesson from the mistakes of past administrations, because ASUU members will not be moved about this threat of no work no pay.
“We know that when the chips are down they will receive all their relevant salaries and entitlements. Government must be compelled to find solution to the brain drain issue and infrastructure decay in the system.”
JAC addresses journalists
Meanwhile, Joint Action Committee, JAC, of SSANU, NASU and NAAT told newsmen in Abuja that Federal Government had established the habit of signing agreements with unions without honouring such agreements.
President of NASU, Mrs. Ladi IIiya, who spoke on behalf of the three unions, said they met on Thursday to deliberate on burning and germane issues affecting their members in public universities and inter-university centres.
She said that at the end of deliberations, it was discovered that government was insensitive and not committed to the full implementation of an agreement it freely entered into with them since 2009.
The agreement
She said Federal Government had, in a letter dated January 24, 2012 by Professor Nicholas Damachi, Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Education, agreed to embark on a systematic increase in the funding of the universities by releasing N100 billion annually to the Nigerian universities system for a period of four years, effective from January 2012.
The three affiliate unions regretted that more than a year after the circular was issued, government had not released any money.
They also complained of failure of government to implement the agreement on occupational hazard allowance, responsibility allowance and head of section/unit allowance, which were contained in the 2009 agreement.
JAC said: “The failure on the part of government to commence implementation of this aspect of the agreement and pay up the arrears has resulted in huge arrears spanning over four years.”
The unions lamented that they were fed up with the insensitivity of government, and appealed to Nigerians to “as a matter of urgency prevail on government to address all the burning issues within the shortest possible time.
“If they fail to address these issues, we may not be able to continue to hold our members back from resuming our earlier suspended strike action without notice.”
Meanwhile, Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities, SSANU; Non-Academic Staff Union of Educational and Associated Institutions, NASU, and the National Associations of Academic Technologists, NAAT, weekend, threatened to resume their suspended strike today over failure of the Federal Government to honour the 2009 agreement entered into with the unions.
Coordinator of Benin ASUU Zone and member of its National Executive Council, NEC, Dr. Sunny Ighalo, who briefed newsmen in Benin, Edo State, said its members will sit at home as long as government remains insensitive to their plight over the agreement it entered with ASUU.
He said that part of the agreement was to reposition ailing infrastructure in most of the country’s federal universities and improved welfare of members of the body.
Ighalo said: “It is clear that President Jonathan has not learnt any lesson from the mistakes of past administrations, because ASUU members will not be moved about this threat of no work no pay.
“We know that when the chips are down they will receive all their relevant salaries and entitlements. Government must be compelled to find solution to the brain drain issue and infrastructure decay in the system.”
JAC addresses journalists
Meanwhile, Joint Action Committee, JAC, of SSANU, NASU and NAAT told newsmen in Abuja that Federal Government had established the habit of signing agreements with unions without honouring such agreements.
President of NASU, Mrs. Ladi IIiya, who spoke on behalf of the three unions, said they met on Thursday to deliberate on burning and germane issues affecting their members in public universities and inter-university centres.
She said that at the end of deliberations, it was discovered that government was insensitive and not committed to the full implementation of an agreement it freely entered into with them since 2009.
The agreement
She said Federal Government had, in a letter dated January 24, 2012 by Professor Nicholas Damachi, Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Education, agreed to embark on a systematic increase in the funding of the universities by releasing N100 billion annually to the Nigerian universities system for a period of four years, effective from January 2012.
The three affiliate unions regretted that more than a year after the circular was issued, government had not released any money.
They also complained of failure of government to implement the agreement on occupational hazard allowance, responsibility allowance and head of section/unit allowance, which were contained in the 2009 agreement.
JAC said: “The failure on the part of government to commence implementation of this aspect of the agreement and pay up the arrears has resulted in huge arrears spanning over four years.”
The unions lamented that they were fed up with the insensitivity of government, and appealed to Nigerians to “as a matter of urgency prevail on government to address all the burning issues within the shortest possible time.
“If they fail to address these issues, we may not be able to continue to hold our members back from resuming our earlier suspended strike action without notice.”
73-yr-old CBN retiree duped N10m, recounts ordeal
LAGOS — Operatives of the Special Fraud Unit, SFU, Ikoyi, Lagos have smashed a syndicate which specialised in defrauding members of the public by sending congratulatory text messages for winning jackpots in non-existent promos.
The syndicate’s victim that led to their arrest is a 73-year-old retiree of Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, identified simply as Pa Steven, a United States of America returnee, who was reportedly swindled of N10 million.
The unit’s spokesman, Ngozi Nsiotume-Agun, a Deputy Superintendent of Police, DSP, said a suspected member of the syndicate, Philip Ikechukwu Orji, was arrested at the verge of withdrawing an amount paid into his account by the victim.
The victim in a petition to the unit, explained that he received a text message supposedly from Airtel on September 16, 2011 that he had wonN2 million for using up to N200 in two weeks in its ongoing promo, with batch number A17.
Victim’s account
According to Pa Steven, “I was given a telephone number 08088664395 to speak with one Mr. Femi Adams who they introduced as a staff of Airtel. I called Femi and he said that he was the officer in-charge of the promo and that I should forward my personal data to that number.
“I asked what he meant by personal data and he explained that he was referring to my name, address, state of origin, bank and profession.
“I sent those information to the number and the next day, I received a message requesting me to send the name of the bank where the money would be deposited.
“Later, they requested that I should call one, Mr. Ken Eze who is the account officer on 08132956960. I immediately called the man who said I was expected to pay 4.8 per cent of the amount that I won as Charge on Turnover, COT.
“I paid the amount into account number 0033313251 belonging to one Eghobamen Agnes in Festac branch of the bank as requested.”
Shortly after the payment, he said he received another congratulatory message that his name had been listed on the final list and that he would receive a voucher that serves as his ticket into a gala night organised for the award.
Pa Steven was, however, disappointed as Femi reportedly contacted him to say the gala night had been postponed, explaining that Airtel had expanded it to a national mega promo and that he had an automatic ticket to participate in the draw as a promo winner. He demanded a recharge card to make necessary contacts to ensure the purported voucher was intact.
Not satisfied, the syndicate reportedly contacted Pa Steven, informing him that he had won another N350 million in the ‘Airtel at 10 Club’ .
He said: “This was on June 16, 2013. Femi said I should contact one Mr. Tunde Alabi at the Airtel head office on 08089932304 for further details.
“When contacted, Tunde Alabi told me that Airtel had selected two banks to handle its payments to various beneficiaries and advised me to keep in touch with the account officer on 07065947835.
“To be sure that I was still relating with the right persons, I called Femi and he told me that I would be expected to pay N2 million as functional fee.
“I called the supposed account officer who confirmed what Femi told me. She introduced herself as Mbamalu Nnenna Ruth and forwarded her FirstBank account number as 3040173040, requesting that I should pay N2 million.
“I went a borrowing because I knew that with N350 million, I do not need to rely on pension for the rest of my life.
“Few days after I made the payment, I received a text message purportedly from Guarantee Trust Bank reminding me that I was yet to come and claim my money. I called Femi who advised me to contact my account officer who requested that I should pay another N3 million into the account 0051886627 which belongs to one Ikechukwu Orji.
“They kept demanding for one fee or the other and Femi who claimed to be a staff of Airtel confirmed each transaction.”
Pa Steven said he became suspicious after a year without any payment into his account.
Ikechukwu used forged document, identity
But on further investigation, operatives discovered that Ikechukwu (22) used forged document and identity to open the account.
Nsiotume-Agun said: “Initially, he claimed that he was an orphan and was at the mercy of friends who deceived him into allowing them use his account for fraud.
“His true identity was later revealed when his mother who is a pastor called the police station demanding to speak with her son, Phillip.
“We are also interrogating the bank officials to find out why Ikechukwu was allowed to operate an account with false document.”
Asked why, Ikechukwu replied: “I was advised to close my account with GTB and open another one with any other bank. I simply opened a savings account with the name Ikechukwu Okafor. I was able to get fake identity card, PHCN bill and an address that cannot be traced. Nobody called to confirm the information, so I started using the account for my transactions. I am terribly sorry especially to my parents.”
The syndicate’s victim that led to their arrest is a 73-year-old retiree of Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, identified simply as Pa Steven, a United States of America returnee, who was reportedly swindled of N10 million.
The unit’s spokesman, Ngozi Nsiotume-Agun, a Deputy Superintendent of Police, DSP, said a suspected member of the syndicate, Philip Ikechukwu Orji, was arrested at the verge of withdrawing an amount paid into his account by the victim.
The victim in a petition to the unit, explained that he received a text message supposedly from Airtel on September 16, 2011 that he had wonN2 million for using up to N200 in two weeks in its ongoing promo, with batch number A17.
Victim’s account
According to Pa Steven, “I was given a telephone number 08088664395 to speak with one Mr. Femi Adams who they introduced as a staff of Airtel. I called Femi and he said that he was the officer in-charge of the promo and that I should forward my personal data to that number.
“I asked what he meant by personal data and he explained that he was referring to my name, address, state of origin, bank and profession.
“I sent those information to the number and the next day, I received a message requesting me to send the name of the bank where the money would be deposited.
“Later, they requested that I should call one, Mr. Ken Eze who is the account officer on 08132956960. I immediately called the man who said I was expected to pay 4.8 per cent of the amount that I won as Charge on Turnover, COT.
“I paid the amount into account number 0033313251 belonging to one Eghobamen Agnes in Festac branch of the bank as requested.”
Shortly after the payment, he said he received another congratulatory message that his name had been listed on the final list and that he would receive a voucher that serves as his ticket into a gala night organised for the award.
Pa Steven was, however, disappointed as Femi reportedly contacted him to say the gala night had been postponed, explaining that Airtel had expanded it to a national mega promo and that he had an automatic ticket to participate in the draw as a promo winner. He demanded a recharge card to make necessary contacts to ensure the purported voucher was intact.
Not satisfied, the syndicate reportedly contacted Pa Steven, informing him that he had won another N350 million in the ‘Airtel at 10 Club’ .
He said: “This was on June 16, 2013. Femi said I should contact one Mr. Tunde Alabi at the Airtel head office on 08089932304 for further details.
“When contacted, Tunde Alabi told me that Airtel had selected two banks to handle its payments to various beneficiaries and advised me to keep in touch with the account officer on 07065947835.
“To be sure that I was still relating with the right persons, I called Femi and he told me that I would be expected to pay N2 million as functional fee.
“I called the supposed account officer who confirmed what Femi told me. She introduced herself as Mbamalu Nnenna Ruth and forwarded her FirstBank account number as 3040173040, requesting that I should pay N2 million.
“I went a borrowing because I knew that with N350 million, I do not need to rely on pension for the rest of my life.
“Few days after I made the payment, I received a text message purportedly from Guarantee Trust Bank reminding me that I was yet to come and claim my money. I called Femi who advised me to contact my account officer who requested that I should pay another N3 million into the account 0051886627 which belongs to one Ikechukwu Orji.
“They kept demanding for one fee or the other and Femi who claimed to be a staff of Airtel confirmed each transaction.”
Pa Steven said he became suspicious after a year without any payment into his account.
Ikechukwu used forged document, identity
But on further investigation, operatives discovered that Ikechukwu (22) used forged document and identity to open the account.
Nsiotume-Agun said: “Initially, he claimed that he was an orphan and was at the mercy of friends who deceived him into allowing them use his account for fraud.
“His true identity was later revealed when his mother who is a pastor called the police station demanding to speak with her son, Phillip.
“We are also interrogating the bank officials to find out why Ikechukwu was allowed to operate an account with false document.”
Asked why, Ikechukwu replied: “I was advised to close my account with GTB and open another one with any other bank. I simply opened a savings account with the name Ikechukwu Okafor. I was able to get fake identity card, PHCN bill and an address that cannot be traced. Nobody called to confirm the information, so I started using the account for my transactions. I am terribly sorry especially to my parents.”
Sunday, 21 July 2013
SPORTS: Another ex-Eagles player, Pius Oleh dies
A former Green Eagles player Pius Oleh is dead.
Confirming this on Sunday, the coordinator of the Association of Nigerian ex-internationals in the Diasposa (ANED), Pual Okoku said that Oleh, who until his demise, resided in Michigan, was found dead in his car garrage in the United States home.
Okoku said a former Flying Eagles teammate Alphonsus Akhahon, who resides in Michigan and a one-time close friend of the deceased former footballer confirmed Oleh’s demise.
“It is true that Pius Oleh was found dead at his home car garage and the unconfirmed cause of death was linked to carbon monoxide.
“What’s going on Paul because this reminds me of how Uche Okafor died in Dallas, we have to keep in touch with one another and ANED is a great way of doing just that”, Totty O. Totty exclaimed in a trembling voice”, said Akhahon.
Okoku added that “Pius was one-time a Super Eagles’ player, a point of pride to his nation, a graduate of Alabama A&M University, held IT position with the US Ford Motor company in Detroit, Michigan, until his death.
It is recalled that this time last year AmeriSoccer President Pius Oleh was in the process of finalizing the details of the Obama Bowl. Unfortunately Pius could not close the deal and caused a major scandal with four federations
None more serious than the Nigerian Football Federation (Furious NFF to report agent after fiasco) which did not cancel their trip in time stranding the Nigerian national team in Dallas.
Okoku said that ANED mourns the death of a comrade, a fraternity colleague. Pius Oleh, may your soul rest in peace.
Confirming this on Sunday, the coordinator of the Association of Nigerian ex-internationals in the Diasposa (ANED), Pual Okoku said that Oleh, who until his demise, resided in Michigan, was found dead in his car garrage in the United States home.
Okoku said a former Flying Eagles teammate Alphonsus Akhahon, who resides in Michigan and a one-time close friend of the deceased former footballer confirmed Oleh’s demise.
“It is true that Pius Oleh was found dead at his home car garage and the unconfirmed cause of death was linked to carbon monoxide.
“What’s going on Paul because this reminds me of how Uche Okafor died in Dallas, we have to keep in touch with one another and ANED is a great way of doing just that”, Totty O. Totty exclaimed in a trembling voice”, said Akhahon.
Okoku added that “Pius was one-time a Super Eagles’ player, a point of pride to his nation, a graduate of Alabama A&M University, held IT position with the US Ford Motor company in Detroit, Michigan, until his death.
It is recalled that this time last year AmeriSoccer President Pius Oleh was in the process of finalizing the details of the Obama Bowl. Unfortunately Pius could not close the deal and caused a major scandal with four federations
None more serious than the Nigerian Football Federation (Furious NFF to report agent after fiasco) which did not cancel their trip in time stranding the Nigerian national team in Dallas.
Okoku said that ANED mourns the death of a comrade, a fraternity colleague. Pius Oleh, may your soul rest in peace.
Entertainment: Miss Anna Banner wins MBGN 2013
Anna beat other 31 contestants to win the coveted crown organised annually by Silverbird group.
Anna from Bayelsa will now represent Nigeria in the Miss World pageant to be held September 28th in Indonisia.
Season of Rape: Why we defile small girls – Pastor, others
Child defilement is becoming a source of concern in Benin-City, Edo State capital. It is even more worrisome when the act is carried out by supposedly men of God.
In the last few weeks, no fewer than five children have, allegedly, been defiled in Benin-City by men old enough to be their fathers. On Thursday, Edo State Police Command paraded 32 suspected criminals, amongst them, three accused of defiling children. The suspects include a pastor with the Deeper Life Bible Church, Abudu, Edo State, Eze Fidelis, who was said to have had carnal knowledge of two girls: Joy, 9, and Anthonia,11.
There is also the case of one Grace, 12, who was sent on an errand by her mother to get her a rechargeable lantern from a hall within their compound. When the said girl failed to return after 30 minutes, the mother went in search of her, only to discover that one Segun Oteru, 42, was allegedly having carnal knowledge of her in the hall.
The woman raised the alarm which attracted members of the public while the suspect was arrested.
The incident happened on July 6. The following day, one Saturday Cole, 35, and a co-tenant of the complainant (names withheld), allegedly lured the complainant’s daughter, identified as Mariam, 11, into his room and had a carnal knowledge of her. While the victim was coming out from the suspect’s room, her elder brother saw her and, on inquiry, discovered that the victim was not putting on her pants. The victim narrated her ordeal in the hands of the suspect. According to the victim, “uncle has always bought me things but I didn’t know he wanted to have anything with me. He forced me and removed my dress, I was shouting but he closed my mouth and forced his penis inside me”.
Suspected rapists, Segun Otaru and Pastor Fidelis Eze
On July 12, one Eugene Odozor, 46, allegedly took a 13-year-old girl, identified as Oluwabunmi,into his room and forced her to lie on his bed where she was said to have been defiled by the suspect. For Eze, the suspect in the September 11, 2013 alleged rape, luck ran out on him after one Joseph observed that his daughter Joy, 9, was not walking properly. While suspecting that the daughter may have been defiled, he invited her inside the room and threatened to deal with her if she refused to say the truth. The little girl allegedly that her pain started after she had sexual intercourse with the pastor. She further confessed that the pastor had intercourse with her friend, Anthonia, 11, too. Joy revealed that the unwholesome practice had been going on for about a year.
Edo State Police Commissioner, Mr. Adebanjo, who expressed worry over what he described as the increasing number of underage sex in the state, said the action of the suspects was wicked and they will face the wrath of the law.
Confessions
Pastor Eze confessed that he defiled both girls, Joy and Anthonia, saying he was possessed by evil spirit to commit the act. “I am really ashamed of myself particularly as a pastor. I have been a pastor at Deeper Life for over six years but I was tempted to defile the girls. They were always visiting me; so, on this particularly day, I defiled both of them. It was temptation. I have a child. Joy brought Anthonia to my house. They were my church members. Their parents have left my church but we still leave close. I know their parents very well. They come to collect wheel barrow from us. Sometimes Joy will ask me for money to go to school. That particular day, I did not have money to give to her, so I asked her to go to school and come during break. It was during the break that she came in company of the other girl. I was tempted to defile both of them. They undressed and we all went to bed”.
Oteru, the 42-year-old who had sex with girl, 12, also narrated his story: “It happened that the woman employed me as her security guard. So there was this little girl working with the madam, but, whenever madam was not around, she would come to play with me. The girl is about 12 years old.
I was tempted to have sex with her on several occasions. I have a wife but I don’t have girl friend. The day we had sex, she told her madam that she wanted to go to the toilet, but she had informed me that she would come and use my phone because she was always playing games with my phone. I always assisted her in operating my handset.
Each time she came, she would sit on my lap. That particular day, I was tempted to defile her. Unfortunately, the madam started looking for her and she entered my room and caught both of us making love”.
In the last few weeks, no fewer than five children have, allegedly, been defiled in Benin-City by men old enough to be their fathers. On Thursday, Edo State Police Command paraded 32 suspected criminals, amongst them, three accused of defiling children. The suspects include a pastor with the Deeper Life Bible Church, Abudu, Edo State, Eze Fidelis, who was said to have had carnal knowledge of two girls: Joy, 9, and Anthonia,11.
There is also the case of one Grace, 12, who was sent on an errand by her mother to get her a rechargeable lantern from a hall within their compound. When the said girl failed to return after 30 minutes, the mother went in search of her, only to discover that one Segun Oteru, 42, was allegedly having carnal knowledge of her in the hall.
The woman raised the alarm which attracted members of the public while the suspect was arrested.
The incident happened on July 6. The following day, one Saturday Cole, 35, and a co-tenant of the complainant (names withheld), allegedly lured the complainant’s daughter, identified as Mariam, 11, into his room and had a carnal knowledge of her. While the victim was coming out from the suspect’s room, her elder brother saw her and, on inquiry, discovered that the victim was not putting on her pants. The victim narrated her ordeal in the hands of the suspect. According to the victim, “uncle has always bought me things but I didn’t know he wanted to have anything with me. He forced me and removed my dress, I was shouting but he closed my mouth and forced his penis inside me”.
Suspected rapists, Segun Otaru and Pastor Fidelis Eze
On July 12, one Eugene Odozor, 46, allegedly took a 13-year-old girl, identified as Oluwabunmi,into his room and forced her to lie on his bed where she was said to have been defiled by the suspect. For Eze, the suspect in the September 11, 2013 alleged rape, luck ran out on him after one Joseph observed that his daughter Joy, 9, was not walking properly. While suspecting that the daughter may have been defiled, he invited her inside the room and threatened to deal with her if she refused to say the truth. The little girl allegedly that her pain started after she had sexual intercourse with the pastor. She further confessed that the pastor had intercourse with her friend, Anthonia, 11, too. Joy revealed that the unwholesome practice had been going on for about a year.
Edo State Police Commissioner, Mr. Adebanjo, who expressed worry over what he described as the increasing number of underage sex in the state, said the action of the suspects was wicked and they will face the wrath of the law.
Confessions
Pastor Eze confessed that he defiled both girls, Joy and Anthonia, saying he was possessed by evil spirit to commit the act. “I am really ashamed of myself particularly as a pastor. I have been a pastor at Deeper Life for over six years but I was tempted to defile the girls. They were always visiting me; so, on this particularly day, I defiled both of them. It was temptation. I have a child. Joy brought Anthonia to my house. They were my church members. Their parents have left my church but we still leave close. I know their parents very well. They come to collect wheel barrow from us. Sometimes Joy will ask me for money to go to school. That particular day, I did not have money to give to her, so I asked her to go to school and come during break. It was during the break that she came in company of the other girl. I was tempted to defile both of them. They undressed and we all went to bed”.
Oteru, the 42-year-old who had sex with girl, 12, also narrated his story: “It happened that the woman employed me as her security guard. So there was this little girl working with the madam, but, whenever madam was not around, she would come to play with me. The girl is about 12 years old.
I was tempted to have sex with her on several occasions. I have a wife but I don’t have girl friend. The day we had sex, she told her madam that she wanted to go to the toilet, but she had informed me that she would come and use my phone because she was always playing games with my phone. I always assisted her in operating my handset.
Each time she came, she would sit on my lap. That particular day, I was tempted to defile her. Unfortunately, the madam started looking for her and she entered my room and caught both of us making love”.
Saturday, 20 July 2013
SHOCKING NEWS: Nigeria Senate Approves Marriage for Underage Children, Parents watch out.....
The Senate of Federal republic of Nigeria has approved the marriage of under-aged children irrespective of their age in the country. This new law will proscribe the 18 year-old rule for any Nigerian child to qualify to engaged into a conscious agreement of marriage.
The Senates claimed that a woman is deemed to be full of age once she is married irrespective of her age. The Proponents or supporters of the under-age marriage rule includes Senator Yerima Ahmad Sani, Zamfara West, who claimed that the provision which stipulates a certain age for women before getting married, was at variance with Islamic law.
After a moment of controversy, Senate President David Mark asked his colleagues to vote afresh on the provision, a situation that eventually went in favour of Sani, who, thereafter, thanked the Senate president and his colleagues for supporting his cause.
It is worthy of note that Senator Yerima Ahmad Sani had two years ago married a 13-year-old Egyptian in violation of the constitutional provision.
Sultry actress Rita Dominic has always been known to be on top of her game. Her efforts in the industry have continued to earn her a lot of laurels, and last weekend was not different as she added another feather to her cap when she won the Face of Nollywood award at this year’s edition of the City People Awards.
Nigerians knock senators who passed 'underage marriage' law
resolution passed by the Senate to retain the provision of section 29 (4) (b) of the 1999 Constitution.
Under the section, a married underage girl is deemed to be an adult.
But FIDA in a statement issued on Friday in Abuja by its National President, Hauwa Shekarau and National Secretary, Chigoziri Ojiaka, said the constitutional provision contravened "the general views of Nigerians as expressed during the recent constituency consultations conducted as part of the ongoing constitution review process."
According to FIDA, allowing section 29 (4) (b) to remain in the nation's constitution amounts to "a clear negation of Nigeria's commitment to different international and regional treaties such as the Convention on the Rights of the Child, African Charter on the Rights and Welfare of the Child and AU Protocol on the Rights of Women in Africa, which all prohibit child marriages."
The statement said, "FIDA Nigeria reiterates that the generality of Nigerians have spoken during the constituency consultations that section 29 (4) (b) does not deserve to be in the constitution and therefore should be deleted.
"It, therefore, behoves the Senate to grant Nigerians their desired wish, rather than allow itself to be deterred by the views of an individual borne out of purely selfish considerations. It is generally accepted that the voice of the people is the voice of God.
"We therefore call on the Senate to hearken to the voice of the people by reviewing and reconsidering the resolution and by so doing, etch their names in gold and history."
FIDA also called on the House of Representatives to rise to the occasion and stand with the generality of Nigerians by ensuring that the voice of the people was heard and upheld.
FIDA has an observer status with the African Commission on Human and Peoples Right.
The group also works to promote and protect the rights of women, children and the less-privileged in the society.
Under the section, a married underage girl is deemed to be an adult.
But FIDA in a statement issued on Friday in Abuja by its National President, Hauwa Shekarau and National Secretary, Chigoziri Ojiaka, said the constitutional provision contravened "the general views of Nigerians as expressed during the recent constituency consultations conducted as part of the ongoing constitution review process."
According to FIDA, allowing section 29 (4) (b) to remain in the nation's constitution amounts to "a clear negation of Nigeria's commitment to different international and regional treaties such as the Convention on the Rights of the Child, African Charter on the Rights and Welfare of the Child and AU Protocol on the Rights of Women in Africa, which all prohibit child marriages."
The statement said, "FIDA Nigeria reiterates that the generality of Nigerians have spoken during the constituency consultations that section 29 (4) (b) does not deserve to be in the constitution and therefore should be deleted.
"It, therefore, behoves the Senate to grant Nigerians their desired wish, rather than allow itself to be deterred by the views of an individual borne out of purely selfish considerations. It is generally accepted that the voice of the people is the voice of God.
"We therefore call on the Senate to hearken to the voice of the people by reviewing and reconsidering the resolution and by so doing, etch their names in gold and history."
FIDA also called on the House of Representatives to rise to the occasion and stand with the generality of Nigerians by ensuring that the voice of the people was heard and upheld.
FIDA has an observer status with the African Commission on Human and Peoples Right.
The group also works to promote and protect the rights of women, children and the less-privileged in the society.
Friday, 19 July 2013
SPORTS: Vilanova to leave Barcelona due to cancer relapse
Barcelona have called a news conference for later on Friday amid news reports that coach Tito Vilanova is to step down because he has suffered a relapse of cancer.
The 45-year-old had a cancerous tumour removed from his throat in November 2011 and in December 2012 he suffered a relapse and underwent surgery again followed by 10 weeks of chemotherapy and radiotherapy in New York.
He returned to the helm of Barcelona in March and led the club to the Spanish league title.
Barcelona president Sandro Rosell and the club’s sporting director Andoni Zubizarreta will give a press conference at 8:30 pm (1830 GMT), the club said on its website without giving further details.
But several Spanish media outlets said the club would announce that Vilanova has had a relapse and was leaving his post.
“The coach has recently undergone tests which confirmed the bad news,” the online edition of Catalan sports daily Mundo Deportivo said.
Top-selling daily El Pais said Vilanova’s latest tests “revealed complications of the disease”.
Vilanova replaced Pep Guardiola as manager in June 2012, having previously worked as his assistant.
The 45-year-old had a cancerous tumour removed from his throat in November 2011 and in December 2012 he suffered a relapse and underwent surgery again followed by 10 weeks of chemotherapy and radiotherapy in New York.
He returned to the helm of Barcelona in March and led the club to the Spanish league title.
Barcelona president Sandro Rosell and the club’s sporting director Andoni Zubizarreta will give a press conference at 8:30 pm (1830 GMT), the club said on its website without giving further details.
But several Spanish media outlets said the club would announce that Vilanova has had a relapse and was leaving his post.
“The coach has recently undergone tests which confirmed the bad news,” the online edition of Catalan sports daily Mundo Deportivo said.
Top-selling daily El Pais said Vilanova’s latest tests “revealed complications of the disease”.
Vilanova replaced Pep Guardiola as manager in June 2012, having previously worked as his assistant.
Sunday, 14 July 2013
Boko-Haram: Shekau denies ceasefire •Threatens more attacks.
IN an apparent denial of a ceasefire, the bearded leader of Nigeria’s
extremist Islamic sect, Abubakar Shekau, has threatened to burn down more
schools and kill teachers. But he denied his fighters were killing children.In a new video released Saturday, Shekau said he, “fully supports” attacks on several schools in northeastern Nigeria in recent weeks.
The United Nations Children’s Fund says at least 48 students and seven teachers have been killed since June, with some burned alive in a dormitory this month.
“We support the work they did at the school, at Mamudo and Damaturu, and other attacks in other schools,” said Shekau, who wore military fatigues in the video. “We are going to burn down the schools, if they are not Islamic religious schools for Allah.”
But Shekau insisted his fighters do not kill children.
“We don’t touch small children, we only burn the schools,” he says. “Our religion does not permit us to touch small children and women, we don’t kill children.”
He said his fighters would, however, attack teachers. “School teachers who are teaching Western education? We will kill them! We will kill them!” he warns, wagging his finger.
Shekau is a leader of the extremist group Boko Haram, whose name means “Western education is forbidden” in the Hausa language.
Attacks on schools have continued although thousands of troops have deployed in northeastern Nigeria to put down the Islamic extremists’ violent campaign which poses the greatest threat in years to the security of Nigeria, Africa’s biggest oil producer.
President Goodluck Jonathan declared a state of emergency on May 14 in the three northeastern states of Adamawa, Borno and Yobe.
In northwestern Nigeria this week, security forces said they engaged in a five-hour gunbattle against a group of Boko Haram fighters in Sokoto. The city is home to the Sultan of Sokoto, the pre-eminent leader of Nigeria’s tens of millions of Muslims, who preaches against extremism and who has condemned Boko Haram.
Police said they recovered a weapons cache including assault rifles, grenades, rocket launchers and homemade bombs.
There has been no attack on Sokoto since July 30 last year, when suicide bombers in cars laden with explosives simultaneously attacked a police station and the regional police headquarters. The two bombers and at least three other people were killed. At the time, Boko Haram threatened to assassinate the sultan.
Recently, the extremists have started targeting civilians, especially government workers, Christian pastors, school teachers and their students.
In the video, received by The Associated Press through intermediaries, Shekau also denied he is negotiating a peace agreement with the Nigerian government.
“We will not enter into any agreement with non-believers or the Nigerian government,” he said, speaking in his native Hausa.
“The Quran teaches that we must shun democracy, we must shun Western education, we must shun the constitution,” Shekau said in the 15-minute video.
At the end, he speaks in English to denounce the West, accusing it of trying to destroy Islam and working “to tactically make the Quran insignificant and unimportant.”
Twins’ Breast Feeding Row: Man kills wife 24 hours ahead of naming ceremony
Edo State Police Command, yesterday, confirmed the arrest of a young man, identified as Endurance Enadeba, who allegedly killed his wife, Osarumwense, over alleged failure to breast feed their one week old twins.
The husband and wife were said to be preparing for the naming ceremony of their twins which should have held yesterday.
It was learnt that the incident occurred after an argument ensued on how to breast feed the twins by their mother. Sunday Vanguard learnt that the sad incident happened on Friday night after Endurance was alleged to have hit his wife on the head with an object which killed her.
An eye witness said the husband asked the wife to breastfeed the babies who were crying but the woman said she wanted to urinate first. The husband was said to have gone to where the wife was to urinate and a face-off ensued which led to the man hitting the wife on the head.
The father of the deceased, who gave his name as Eghenayayore, was seen weeping and cursing profusely over the corpse. He said his daughter called to inform him about the incident but that she died before they rushed her to hospital, adding that the suspect fled when the wife collapsed.
“He killed my daughter because of a row over the breastfeeding of the twins. The twins are at home now, who will give them breast milk? Why did he kill my young daughter? This girl was born in 1996. We were preparing to name the babies tomorrow because they were their first issue.”
Edo State Police spokesman, DSP Moses Eguavoen, confirmed the incident. He said the husband had been arrested from where he was hiding.
The husband and wife were said to be preparing for the naming ceremony of their twins which should have held yesterday.
It was learnt that the incident occurred after an argument ensued on how to breast feed the twins by their mother. Sunday Vanguard learnt that the sad incident happened on Friday night after Endurance was alleged to have hit his wife on the head with an object which killed her.
An eye witness said the husband asked the wife to breastfeed the babies who were crying but the woman said she wanted to urinate first. The husband was said to have gone to where the wife was to urinate and a face-off ensued which led to the man hitting the wife on the head.
The father of the deceased, who gave his name as Eghenayayore, was seen weeping and cursing profusely over the corpse. He said his daughter called to inform him about the incident but that she died before they rushed her to hospital, adding that the suspect fled when the wife collapsed.
“He killed my daughter because of a row over the breastfeeding of the twins. The twins are at home now, who will give them breast milk? Why did he kill my young daughter? This girl was born in 1996. We were preparing to name the babies tomorrow because they were their first issue.”
Edo State Police spokesman, DSP Moses Eguavoen, confirmed the incident. He said the husband had been arrested from where he was hiding.
Bishop criticises wealthy Nigerians hosting weddings abroad
THE newly consecrated Bishop of Akure Diocese of the Anglican Church, Rt. Rev. Simeon Borokini, has criticised Nigerian leaders who flagrantly display wealth by celebrating birthdays, marriages and other programmes in foreign countries despite the increasing level of poverty in the country.
Borokini said this while delivering the bishop’s charge to the first session of the eleventh synod with the theme, “Riches of His Glory at the St. David’s Cathedral, Ijomu, Akure.
He said that “”even government officials now use public funds to sponsor private marriages to be celebrated in far away and exotic cities of the world”.
According to him “in a country that is faced with bad economy, we witness the disturbing and most expensive way some people celebrate marriages, birthdays, burials, promotions, chieftaincy titles and the so-called house warming.
Borokini said this while delivering the bishop’s charge to the first session of the eleventh synod with the theme, “Riches of His Glory at the St. David’s Cathedral, Ijomu, Akure.
He said that “”even government officials now use public funds to sponsor private marriages to be celebrated in far away and exotic cities of the world”.
According to him “in a country that is faced with bad economy, we witness the disturbing and most expensive way some people celebrate marriages, birthdays, burials, promotions, chieftaincy titles and the so-called house warming.
Army intercepts petrol tanker loaded with arms in Kebbi
By Tony Nwankwo with agency reports
The Army has announced the interception of a petrol tanker loaded with arms and ammunitions in Kebbi.
The Commanding Officer, 1 Battalion, Nigerian Army, Lt. Col. Sunday Ilori, told newsmen, yesterday, in Birnin Kebbi that the vehicle, bearing the logo of Mobil Oil, was intercepted on July 11, in a joint operation with men of the State Security Service.
He listed the items recovered in the fuel compartment of the oil tanker as three AK 47 Riffles, one RPG-2, nine AK 47 magazines, two bombs, three RPG chargers and 790 rounds of 7.62mm of special ammunitions
“The arrest and confiscation of arms was sequel to the on-going operations of the 1 Battalion of the Nigerian Army with headquarters in Sokoto, against insurgency and insurgent activities within its area of responsibilities.
“The efforts resulted in the arrest of one suspect, arms and ammunition and a petrol tanker on July 11, 2013 after a combined operation between the 1 Battalion of the Nigerian Army and the State Security Services,” Mr. Ilori said.
He added that two other suspects had escaped when the vehicle was intercepted, assuring that investigation was on to “unravel the source and ownership of the arms and ammunition”.
The commanding officer appealed to the public to continue supporting the Army and other security agencies in the current war against insurgents in the country.
The suspect claimed that he was paid N500, 000 to deliver the items to Sokoto and that the owners had threatened to eliminate his family.
The Army has announced the interception of a petrol tanker loaded with arms and ammunitions in Kebbi.
The Commanding Officer, 1 Battalion, Nigerian Army, Lt. Col. Sunday Ilori, told newsmen, yesterday, in Birnin Kebbi that the vehicle, bearing the logo of Mobil Oil, was intercepted on July 11, in a joint operation with men of the State Security Service.
He listed the items recovered in the fuel compartment of the oil tanker as three AK 47 Riffles, one RPG-2, nine AK 47 magazines, two bombs, three RPG chargers and 790 rounds of 7.62mm of special ammunitions
“The arrest and confiscation of arms was sequel to the on-going operations of the 1 Battalion of the Nigerian Army with headquarters in Sokoto, against insurgency and insurgent activities within its area of responsibilities.
“The efforts resulted in the arrest of one suspect, arms and ammunition and a petrol tanker on July 11, 2013 after a combined operation between the 1 Battalion of the Nigerian Army and the State Security Services,” Mr. Ilori said.
He added that two other suspects had escaped when the vehicle was intercepted, assuring that investigation was on to “unravel the source and ownership of the arms and ammunition”.
The commanding officer appealed to the public to continue supporting the Army and other security agencies in the current war against insurgents in the country.
The suspect claimed that he was paid N500, 000 to deliver the items to Sokoto and that the owners had threatened to eliminate his family.
Tragedy: Husband kills wife over breastfeeding of babies
BENIN- A middle aged woman identified as Osarumwnse and who was said to be preparing for the naming ceremony of her twins was allegedly killed by her husband in Oka quarters, Upper Sakponba, Benin- City.
The incident was said to have occurred after a heated argument between the woman and her husband on when the woman should breastfeed the babies.
Witnesses said the couple celebrated the birth of the twins on Sunday and was preparing for the naming ceremony when the tragedy occurred.
It was gathered that the husband, Endurance Enadeba, hit the wife on the head with an object which resulted to her death.
Sources said the husband had asked the wife to breastfeed the babies who were crying but the woman said she wanted to urinate first.
Vanguard learnt that the husband who was said to be infuriated went to where the wife was to urinate and a fracas ensued which led to the man hitting the wife on the head.
Father of the deceased who gave his name as Eghenayayore was seen weeping and cursing profusely over the corpse.
He said his daughter called to inform him about the incident but that she died before they rushed her to the hospital Eghenayayore said the husband fled when the wife collapsed.
According to him, “He killed my daughter because of breastfeeding the twins. The twins are at home now, who will breastfeed them now? Why did he killed my young daughter. This girl was born in 1996. We were preparing to name the babies tomorrow because it was their first issue.”
Police spokesmsn, DSP Moses Eguavoen confirmed the incident. He said the husband has been arrested from where he was hiding.
The incident was said to have occurred after a heated argument between the woman and her husband on when the woman should breastfeed the babies.
Witnesses said the couple celebrated the birth of the twins on Sunday and was preparing for the naming ceremony when the tragedy occurred.
It was gathered that the husband, Endurance Enadeba, hit the wife on the head with an object which resulted to her death.
Sources said the husband had asked the wife to breastfeed the babies who were crying but the woman said she wanted to urinate first.
Vanguard learnt that the husband who was said to be infuriated went to where the wife was to urinate and a fracas ensued which led to the man hitting the wife on the head.
Father of the deceased who gave his name as Eghenayayore was seen weeping and cursing profusely over the corpse.
He said his daughter called to inform him about the incident but that she died before they rushed her to the hospital Eghenayayore said the husband fled when the wife collapsed.
According to him, “He killed my daughter because of breastfeeding the twins. The twins are at home now, who will breastfeed them now? Why did he killed my young daughter. This girl was born in 1996. We were preparing to name the babies tomorrow because it was their first issue.”
Police spokesmsn, DSP Moses Eguavoen confirmed the incident. He said the husband has been arrested from where he was hiding.
Friday, 12 July 2013
NSCDC smashes illegal baby factory, arrests doctor, nurse
ENUGU— OPERATIVES of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, NSCDC, in Enugu State, yesterday, raided a clinic where babies from unwanted pregnancies are sold. Proprietor of the clinic, Dr Ben Agbo, and a nurse working with him, have been arrested while a three-day old baby about to be delivered to a buyer was recovered from them.
The illegal baby home identified as ‘Moonlight Maternity home’ is located at Agbani Road by Abagana street in Coal Camp area of Enugu capital city. The 74-year old proprietor of the clinic said he had been operating the clinic since the past nine years admitting that he had been selling babies to those in need under a humanitarian service of the clinic.
The State NSCDC Commander, Nathaniel Ubong, while parading the suspects, said they were arrested following a tedious surveillance mounted by his men around the maternity home after a tip off by a patriotic citizen on the illicit activities going on at the maternity home.
He explained that they were disturbed because the said ‘Moonlight maternity home’ was not on the list of hospitals submitted to his unit by Ministry of Gender Affairs as those accredited for child fostering in the state. He said his men recovered some vital documents relating to past sales of babies by the clinic under the guise of child fostering which the doctor had no authority to conduct.
Speaking with newsmen, Dr Agbo said though he was not accredited to conduct child fostering, he was using his clinic to render humanitarian services to couples,who were finding it hard to produce their own babies after many years of marriage.
Asked to explain the whereabouts of the mother of the baby found in the home, he said she went away to seek for assistance and was yet to return.
The illegal baby home identified as ‘Moonlight Maternity home’ is located at Agbani Road by Abagana street in Coal Camp area of Enugu capital city. The 74-year old proprietor of the clinic said he had been operating the clinic since the past nine years admitting that he had been selling babies to those in need under a humanitarian service of the clinic.
The State NSCDC Commander, Nathaniel Ubong, while parading the suspects, said they were arrested following a tedious surveillance mounted by his men around the maternity home after a tip off by a patriotic citizen on the illicit activities going on at the maternity home.
He explained that they were disturbed because the said ‘Moonlight maternity home’ was not on the list of hospitals submitted to his unit by Ministry of Gender Affairs as those accredited for child fostering in the state. He said his men recovered some vital documents relating to past sales of babies by the clinic under the guise of child fostering which the doctor had no authority to conduct.
Speaking with newsmen, Dr Agbo said though he was not accredited to conduct child fostering, he was using his clinic to render humanitarian services to couples,who were finding it hard to produce their own babies after many years of marriage.
Asked to explain the whereabouts of the mother of the baby found in the home, he said she went away to seek for assistance and was yet to return.
Thursday, 11 July 2013
POLITICS - Rivers Crisis: ACN calls for Jonathan’s impeachment
The Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) has heaped the blame for the ongoing crisis in Rivers State on President Goodluck Jonathan and asked the National Assembly to immediately commence impeachment proceedings against him, for failing to live up to his oath of office to uphold the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
In a statement issued in Lagos on Wednesday by its National Publicity Secretary, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, the party said by Jonathan’s abhorrence of the rule of law and majority rule, the latest indication of which is his unmistakable support for a group of renegade lawmakers who are fomenting trouble in Rivers State, the President has become a clear and present danger to the country’s democracy, and must be shown the way out in accordance with the Constitution.
President Jonathan; Senate President, David Mark and Speaker, House of Reps, Hon Aminu Tambuwal
”Under President Jonathan’s watch and with his tacit support, a few lawmakers dictated to majority of the members of the Ogun State House of Assembly, which was locked for a long time. Under President Jonathan’s watch, the Nigerian Governors’ Forum was sabotaged by his minions who declared a Governor with 16 votes a winner over the one who scored 19 votes, in a injurious blow to the concept of democracy.
”And under his watch, five lawmakers – out of 32 – have become the majority and, simply because they have the backing of the presidency, are now being given police protection to disrupt the proceedings of the House. As we write, Rivers state has been taken over by current and former militants who have been unleashed to destabilize the state and cause a breakdown of law and order, to pave the way for the imposition of a State of Emergency.
”This cannot and must be allowed to continue, hence our call on the National Assembly to move quickly to remove the source of the crisis. Since this is no longer an intra-party dispute and because of its potentials to set the country on fire, we also call on civil society groups, professional bodies and ordinary Nigerians to rise up and defend the rule of law and the supremacy of the Constitution over arbitrariness,” ACN said.
The party decried the anarchy that is now reigning in Rivers, simply because the five renegade lawmakers have the backing of the presidency, which has emboldened them to take extra-Constitutional measures to try to remove the majority-backed Speaker of the State House of Assembly.
”Taking a cue from the presidency, the State Commissioner of Police has turned himself into a politician and abandoned his constitutional role. Instead of providing security for the entire House to sit, he chose to back the renegades and their thugs to unleash mayhem on their colleagues. This is what you get when a leader dons the garb of a partisan instead of being a statesman.
All sorts of minions simply follow suit,” it said.
The party said that in the aftermath of the crisis, the soldiers attached to the State House in Rivers have been withdrawn while there are real fears that the police security will also be withdrawn by a Commissioner of Police who, apparently, no longer takes orders from his boss.
”This is not the democracy that was watered with the blood of many Nigerians. This not what Nigerians bargained for after years of military rule. We should not and must not allow those who are now reaping where they did not sow to reverse the little progress that we have made,” ACN warned.n July 10, 2013 at 5:00 pm in Politics
The Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) has heaped the blame for the ongoing crisis in Rivers State on President Goodluck Jonathan and asked the National Assembly to immediately commence impeachment proceedings against him, for failing to live up to his oath of office to uphold the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
In a statement issued in Lagos on Wednesday by its National Publicity Secretary, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, the party said by Jonathan’s abhorrence of the rule of law and majority rule, the latest indication of which is his unmistakable support for a group of renegade lawmakers who are fomenting trouble in Rivers State, the President has become a clear and present danger to the country’s democracy, and must be shown the way out in accordance with the Constitution.
President Jonathan; Senate President, David Mark and Speaker, House of Reps, Hon Aminu Tambuwal
”Under President Jonathan’s watch and with his tacit support, a few lawmakers dictated to majority of the members of the Ogun State House of Assembly, which was locked for a long time. Under President Jonathan’s watch, the Nigerian Governors’ Forum was sabotaged by his minions who declared a Governor with 16 votes a winner over the one who scored 19 votes, in a injurious blow to the concept of democracy.
”And under his watch, five lawmakers – out of 32 – have become the majority and, simply because they have the backing of the presidency, are now being given police protection to disrupt the proceedings of the House. As we write, Rivers state has been taken over by current and former militants who have been unleashed to destabilize the state and cause a breakdown of law and order, to pave the way for the imposition of a State of Emergency.
”This cannot and must be allowed to continue, hence our call on the National Assembly to move quickly to remove the source of the crisis. Since this is no longer an intra-party dispute and because of its potentials to set the country on fire, we also call on civil society groups, professional bodies and ordinary Nigerians to rise up and defend the rule of law and the supremacy of the Constitution over arbitrariness,” ACN said.
The party decried the anarchy that is now reigning in Rivers, simply because the five renegade lawmakers have the backing of the presidency, which has emboldened them to take extra-Constitutional measures to try to remove the majority-backed Speaker of the State House of Assembly.
”Taking a cue from the presidency, the State Commissioner of Police has turned himself into a politician and abandoned his constitutional role. Instead of providing security for the entire House to sit, he chose to back the renegades and their thugs to unleash mayhem on their colleagues. This is what you get when a leader dons the garb of a partisan instead of being a statesman.
All sorts of minions simply follow suit,” it said.
The party said that in the aftermath of the crisis, the soldiers attached to the State House in Rivers have been withdrawn while there are real fears that the police security will also be withdrawn by a Commissioner of Police who, apparently, no longer takes orders from his boss.
”This is not the democracy that was watered with the blood of many Nigerians. This not what Nigerians bargained for after years of military rule. We should not and must not allow those who are now reaping where they did not sow to reverse the little progress that we have made,” ACN warned.
In a statement issued in Lagos on Wednesday by its National Publicity Secretary, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, the party said by Jonathan’s abhorrence of the rule of law and majority rule, the latest indication of which is his unmistakable support for a group of renegade lawmakers who are fomenting trouble in Rivers State, the President has become a clear and present danger to the country’s democracy, and must be shown the way out in accordance with the Constitution.
President Jonathan; Senate President, David Mark and Speaker, House of Reps, Hon Aminu Tambuwal
”Under President Jonathan’s watch and with his tacit support, a few lawmakers dictated to majority of the members of the Ogun State House of Assembly, which was locked for a long time. Under President Jonathan’s watch, the Nigerian Governors’ Forum was sabotaged by his minions who declared a Governor with 16 votes a winner over the one who scored 19 votes, in a injurious blow to the concept of democracy.
”And under his watch, five lawmakers – out of 32 – have become the majority and, simply because they have the backing of the presidency, are now being given police protection to disrupt the proceedings of the House. As we write, Rivers state has been taken over by current and former militants who have been unleashed to destabilize the state and cause a breakdown of law and order, to pave the way for the imposition of a State of Emergency.
”This cannot and must be allowed to continue, hence our call on the National Assembly to move quickly to remove the source of the crisis. Since this is no longer an intra-party dispute and because of its potentials to set the country on fire, we also call on civil society groups, professional bodies and ordinary Nigerians to rise up and defend the rule of law and the supremacy of the Constitution over arbitrariness,” ACN said.
The party decried the anarchy that is now reigning in Rivers, simply because the five renegade lawmakers have the backing of the presidency, which has emboldened them to take extra-Constitutional measures to try to remove the majority-backed Speaker of the State House of Assembly.
”Taking a cue from the presidency, the State Commissioner of Police has turned himself into a politician and abandoned his constitutional role. Instead of providing security for the entire House to sit, he chose to back the renegades and their thugs to unleash mayhem on their colleagues. This is what you get when a leader dons the garb of a partisan instead of being a statesman.
All sorts of minions simply follow suit,” it said.
The party said that in the aftermath of the crisis, the soldiers attached to the State House in Rivers have been withdrawn while there are real fears that the police security will also be withdrawn by a Commissioner of Police who, apparently, no longer takes orders from his boss.
”This is not the democracy that was watered with the blood of many Nigerians. This not what Nigerians bargained for after years of military rule. We should not and must not allow those who are now reaping where they did not sow to reverse the little progress that we have made,” ACN warned.n July 10, 2013 at 5:00 pm in Politics
The Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) has heaped the blame for the ongoing crisis in Rivers State on President Goodluck Jonathan and asked the National Assembly to immediately commence impeachment proceedings against him, for failing to live up to his oath of office to uphold the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
In a statement issued in Lagos on Wednesday by its National Publicity Secretary, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, the party said by Jonathan’s abhorrence of the rule of law and majority rule, the latest indication of which is his unmistakable support for a group of renegade lawmakers who are fomenting trouble in Rivers State, the President has become a clear and present danger to the country’s democracy, and must be shown the way out in accordance with the Constitution.
President Jonathan; Senate President, David Mark and Speaker, House of Reps, Hon Aminu Tambuwal
”Under President Jonathan’s watch and with his tacit support, a few lawmakers dictated to majority of the members of the Ogun State House of Assembly, which was locked for a long time. Under President Jonathan’s watch, the Nigerian Governors’ Forum was sabotaged by his minions who declared a Governor with 16 votes a winner over the one who scored 19 votes, in a injurious blow to the concept of democracy.
”And under his watch, five lawmakers – out of 32 – have become the majority and, simply because they have the backing of the presidency, are now being given police protection to disrupt the proceedings of the House. As we write, Rivers state has been taken over by current and former militants who have been unleashed to destabilize the state and cause a breakdown of law and order, to pave the way for the imposition of a State of Emergency.
”This cannot and must be allowed to continue, hence our call on the National Assembly to move quickly to remove the source of the crisis. Since this is no longer an intra-party dispute and because of its potentials to set the country on fire, we also call on civil society groups, professional bodies and ordinary Nigerians to rise up and defend the rule of law and the supremacy of the Constitution over arbitrariness,” ACN said.
The party decried the anarchy that is now reigning in Rivers, simply because the five renegade lawmakers have the backing of the presidency, which has emboldened them to take extra-Constitutional measures to try to remove the majority-backed Speaker of the State House of Assembly.
”Taking a cue from the presidency, the State Commissioner of Police has turned himself into a politician and abandoned his constitutional role. Instead of providing security for the entire House to sit, he chose to back the renegades and their thugs to unleash mayhem on their colleagues. This is what you get when a leader dons the garb of a partisan instead of being a statesman.
All sorts of minions simply follow suit,” it said.
The party said that in the aftermath of the crisis, the soldiers attached to the State House in Rivers have been withdrawn while there are real fears that the police security will also be withdrawn by a Commissioner of Police who, apparently, no longer takes orders from his boss.
”This is not the democracy that was watered with the blood of many Nigerians. This not what Nigerians bargained for after years of military rule. We should not and must not allow those who are now reaping where they did not sow to reverse the little progress that we have made,” ACN warned.
TRAGEDY: Couple, baby, 4 others die in Lagos building collapse
Tragedy struck this morning when a three-storey building collapsed in Lagos killing a couple, a baby and four others.
According to an eye witness, seven people had been rescued with three others critically injured, from the building located at 29b Oloto Street, off Cemetery Road, Ebute Metta.
The Spokesperson of the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), South-West, Mr. Ibrahim Farinloye, told the News Agency of Nigeria that the agency got information that the building started cracking at about 1:30am and finally gave way at about 2:00am.
He confirmed that the rescued victims had been taken to hospitals for treatment.
As of the time of filing this report, emergency workers were still combing the debris for whoever might be trapped.
Also, the Nigerian Police, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, Red Cross, NEMA, Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA), the state Fire Service, as well as youths in the area, were helping out,
A rescued resident of the building, Miss Dalikis Abdulamid, 23, while narrating her experience said she was at the balcony of the second floor when the incident happened.
She also disclosed that both her mother and her four siblings were rescued, but had been taken to hospital. According to her, they had been noticing cracks in the walls of their rooms, but their father used to patch these up with cement.
“We did not know that the building will collapse. By about 2:00am when the building came down, some of our co-tenants were trapped, while some were dead,’’ she said.
According to an eye witness, seven people had been rescued with three others critically injured, from the building located at 29b Oloto Street, off Cemetery Road, Ebute Metta.
The Spokesperson of the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), South-West, Mr. Ibrahim Farinloye, told the News Agency of Nigeria that the agency got information that the building started cracking at about 1:30am and finally gave way at about 2:00am.
He confirmed that the rescued victims had been taken to hospitals for treatment.
As of the time of filing this report, emergency workers were still combing the debris for whoever might be trapped.
Also, the Nigerian Police, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, Red Cross, NEMA, Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA), the state Fire Service, as well as youths in the area, were helping out,
A rescued resident of the building, Miss Dalikis Abdulamid, 23, while narrating her experience said she was at the balcony of the second floor when the incident happened.
She also disclosed that both her mother and her four siblings were rescued, but had been taken to hospital. According to her, they had been noticing cracks in the walls of their rooms, but their father used to patch these up with cement.
“We did not know that the building will collapse. By about 2:00am when the building came down, some of our co-tenants were trapped, while some were dead,’’ she said.
Lady Forced To Have Sex With Dog By His Boyfriend
It was a pity for a girl whose lover turned into something else, and forcing her to have s*x with his dog.The 24-year-old Justin Mustafa was arrested for holding his girlfriend captive for several days and forcing her to perform a s*x act on his dog while he film them. He has been charged for beating and choking her, even forcibly injecting her with doses if coke. Days later, the lady was able to report the incident at the Falmouth police station. She told investigators that, when he forced her to perform the s*x act on the dog, he filmed the incident and told her he would show other people the recording if she told anyone about what he had done.
Mustafa was arrested on July 6. On Monday, he pleaded not guilty in Falmouth District Court to charges of ..
assault with intent to murder, assault and battery with a dangerous weapon, bestiality, intimidating a witness, five counts of assault with a hypodermic needle and malicious destruction of property. The lady told investigators that Mustafa started abusing her because he thinks she was unfaithful to him when he was in jail.
Mustafa, from Massachusetts, had spent a year in jail from February 2012 to 2013, after he pleaded guilty to filming a sexual encounter with a woman without her consent, according to the Associated Press.
He hid the camera in the closet while he had s*x with the woman who thought he loved her, he then later sent a copy to the victim and her new boyfriend. If found guilty this time,Muatafa will be in for big time sentence.
Mustafa was arrested on July 6. On Monday, he pleaded not guilty in Falmouth District Court to charges of ..
assault with intent to murder, assault and battery with a dangerous weapon, bestiality, intimidating a witness, five counts of assault with a hypodermic needle and malicious destruction of property. The lady told investigators that Mustafa started abusing her because he thinks she was unfaithful to him when he was in jail.
Mustafa, from Massachusetts, had spent a year in jail from February 2012 to 2013, after he pleaded guilty to filming a sexual encounter with a woman without her consent, according to the Associated Press.
He hid the camera in the closet while he had s*x with the woman who thought he loved her, he then later sent a copy to the victim and her new boyfriend. If found guilty this time,Muatafa will be in for big time sentence.
World News: Search for China landslide missing in Sichuan
More than 20 people remain missing in the wake of a landslide caused by heavy rain in China's Sichuan province, state media report.
The landslide in Dujiangyan city covered an area of two sq km (0.8 sq miles) and killed a local villager and a tourist, state media said.
Heavy rain and floods have damaged hundreds of homes in southwest China.
The weather has forced the evacuation of more than 36,000 people in Sichuan and Yunnan provinces.
The overall death toll across Sichuan has reached nine, with more than 60 people missing, state media report.
A local villager in Dujiangyan, Gao Shiquan, said that he ran outside his home after he heard the landslide.
"I could see the hill opposite me had collapsed. There was a buzzing noise for around two or three minutes. My first feeling was that the hill had collapsed and the entire hillside was buried," he told state-run news agency Xinhua.
Rescuers had safely relocated over 350 tourists affected by the landslide, Xinhua reported.
More than 1,000 blankets had been distributed to Dujiangyan, while neighbouring Wenchuan county, which had also been hit by floods, received 500 disaster relief tents and 500 quilts, state media said.
Dujiangyan official Liu Junlin told reporters on Wednesday that the rainfall in the city was the highest since national weather records were established in 1954.
On Wednesday, more than 2,000 people were trapped in a tunnel expressway connecting Dujiangyan with Wenchuan, as a result of the heavy rain.
They waited several hours before being rescued and relocated, Wenchuan's emergency management office said.
The landslide in Dujiangyan city covered an area of two sq km (0.8 sq miles) and killed a local villager and a tourist, state media said.
Heavy rain and floods have damaged hundreds of homes in southwest China.
The weather has forced the evacuation of more than 36,000 people in Sichuan and Yunnan provinces.
The overall death toll across Sichuan has reached nine, with more than 60 people missing, state media report.
A local villager in Dujiangyan, Gao Shiquan, said that he ran outside his home after he heard the landslide.
"I could see the hill opposite me had collapsed. There was a buzzing noise for around two or three minutes. My first feeling was that the hill had collapsed and the entire hillside was buried," he told state-run news agency Xinhua.
Rescuers had safely relocated over 350 tourists affected by the landslide, Xinhua reported.
More than 1,000 blankets had been distributed to Dujiangyan, while neighbouring Wenchuan county, which had also been hit by floods, received 500 disaster relief tents and 500 quilts, state media said.
Dujiangyan official Liu Junlin told reporters on Wednesday that the rainfall in the city was the highest since national weather records were established in 1954.
On Wednesday, more than 2,000 people were trapped in a tunnel expressway connecting Dujiangyan with Wenchuan, as a result of the heavy rain.
They waited several hours before being rescued and relocated, Wenchuan's emergency management office said.
Tuesday, 9 July 2013
O-U-T-R-A-G-E-O-U-S!: Soccer team wins 79 – 0, Another 67 – 0.
The Nigeria Football Federation was left red-eyed and
livid with rage after two matches in amateur league games produced what
ordinarily should have shattered the Guinness Book of World Records with 146
goals.
Plateau
United Feeders produced a mind-boggling 79-0 victory over Akurba FC
while Police Machine FC demolished Babayaro FC 67-0. All teams were involved in
promotion play-offs in which the winners would qualify to play in Nigeria
Nationwide League Division 3.
The
matches were going on simultaneously and Plateau and Police Machine were in
contention for promotion.
The two
winners were apparently monitoring their scores and kept recording the goals to
outdo each other. The Nigeria Football Federation, alarmed by the
scandal, reacted swiftly by placing the four teams on indefinte
suspension and dismissed the results as laughable.
“It is
unacceptable. This is a scandal of huge proportions. The four teams involved
are suspended immediately and indefinitely, pending further sanctions. We will
investigate this matter thoroughly and get to the bottom of it,” Chief Mike
Umeh who is the first Vice President of NFF said.
The
highest number of goals scored in a single game by one team is also the largest
margin of defeat by any team and it was the Game between Arbroath and Bon
Accord in 1885 where the score was 36-0 . The goals glut if allowed by NFF,
definitely, would have shot the teams into the history books.
Group
Sports Editor, Onochie Anibeze was alarmed yesterday and asked repeatedly if
the goals were scored with legs or hands. He said that match fixing was a
criminal offence and that those involved should be investigated and prosecuted.
Also
stunned by the massive scorelines, NFF’s Director of Competitions, Dr. Mohammed
Sanusi assured that the Organising Committee would punish all persons and
institutions indicted by the investigation.
“For now,
all the match officials are suspended. The teams involved, their players and
officials, coordinator and anyone found to have played some role in this
despicable matter would be severely dealt with,” Sanusi angrily said.
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