Welcome to Obafemayor's blog: 2012

Wednesday, 26 December 2012

AY comedian and 2face set to move into multi million twin duplex

These Naija entertainers are not playing o. The unfinished building you see above is the twin duplex AY comedian and 2face Idibia will move into when its finished in January 2013. They will be next door neighbours. What you see below is what the house will look like when it's completed. The massive house is being built for the entertainers by Haven Homes. It's located in Lekki Phase 1. Heard AY and 2face paid a lot for the house...

Lindaikeji

Merry Christmas Everyone!

May your hearts always be filled with joy, peace, happiness and love. Wishing everyone Merry Christmas and a Happy New year in advance...lots of love from yours truly.

Forget Christianity and Islam — Only Ifa can curb corruption here (Ayekonilogbon)

This might sound like blasphemy. But the point is made! Omo-Oba Ayekonilogbon Olorunwa, a priest of Ifa deity, says corruption in the country will be bygone if Nigerians will agree to toe the path of Ifa. Ifa is a religion widely worshiped mostly by the Yorubas in the South Western part of the country. Olorunwa, 45, from Ode-Erinje in Okutipupa, Ondo State, believes that neither Christianity nor Islam – Nigeria’s two most professed religions is superior to Ifa.
He wants Ifa to be embraced as a national religion, maintaining that with the deity staring Nigerians in the face, corruption and allied vices in Nigerians will disappear. And no one will have to worry about them anymore. He admits, however, that getting Nigerians to reason with him will not be as easy as breaking biscuit. And that is where he is prepared to work and defend the cause of Ifa, even at the risk of his life.
He says all along, many people have been fighting and castigating Ifa unnecessarily. He says the country will be better off if the name of the deity is invoked while politicians are taking oath of office. “Beginning from time, Ifa has been the deity that directs people on what to do and what not to do. If somebody steals and Esu is commissioned to pass judgment, it will do just that. But when the culprit realises his sin and confesses, he can consult Ifa to help him ask what Esu will take to show compassion.

As part of efforts to keep his second term bid on track, indications have emerged suggesting that President Goodluck Jonathan has commenced moves to pacify one of his predecessors in office, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo.
This is coming on the heels of reports yesterday in which the President denied insinuations that the relationship between him and ex-president Obasanjo was strained.
The relationship between the two seemed to be on the slide in recent times owing to the verbal exchanges that have ensued between them, prompting suggestions in some quarters that the Owu-born soldier-turned-politician might dump his protégé for another candidate in 2015.
There were speculations that two serving governors had been lined up to square up against President Jonathan in the event that he decides to contest the ticket of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). One of the two being propped up and others from the northern part of the country have been making contact with the former president with a view to enlisting his support, especially to lend them his platform in the south west.
Sources close to the former president told LEADERSHIP in Lagos that President Jonathan penultimate Friday paid a secret visit to Obasanjo to reconcile issues with him over some grievances that the former leader might habour against him.
The source said one of the nation’s respected Christian clergymen (names withheld) was part of the presidential delegation, during which the two spoke for some hours before Jonathan proceeded to the retreat camp of the Redeemed Christian Church of God for the monthly Holy Ghost service.
“The president was in the Lagos-Abeokuta axis two Fridays ago (December 14) to see Baba (Obasanjo) on the perceived gulf between the two of them, which has become common knowledge. Owing to the respect which the former leader has for the office of the president, he (Obasanjo) had to wait for him as he was scheduled to travel on the said day,” the source said.

Yinka Ayefele Set To Launch New Album.

Ibadan based popular Juju/Gospel singer, Yinka Ayefele who over the years has consistently recorded hit albums that always record big success in the market; and bringing in new innovation into his music every year is set to launch another fantastic album titled "Goodness Of God" in gand-style. The event which is powered by City People Entertainment will take place on Sunday, 23rd of December 2012 at Ayefele Music House opposite Conoil Filling Station, Toll-Gate/Challenge Road, Ibadan.

Time: 2:PM

6-Year Old Strangled to Death after Catching Her Uncle and Step Mom in Bed!

A 6-year-old Egyptian girl was strangled to death by her uncle and step mother after she saw them in an indecent position.

The incident occurred when the young victim, Mena-M, suddenly woke up from her sleep to find her uncle and her stepmother in bed.

When the couple realised what the girl had witnessed, they strangled her to death.

Officials were tipped off when a general clinic reported receiving the body of a dead girl. The police questioned the girl’s father, Mahmoud-Z, who said that his daughter was suffering from some abdominal trouble and was taken to private clinic where she was examined. However, he claimed that he was surprised by her death.

Senator Jonathan Zwingina

Senator Jonathan Zwingina's beautiful daughter, Na Zwingina who is a pharmacist in the United Kingdom tied the knot with her long term lover, Kayode Obateru, who is also a banker in the United Kingdom, where the duo met a few years back, precisely 5 years.

The event which was attended by over 300 guests includes Hon. Yakubu Ibrahim, Senator John Asuta, Amb. Fati Abubakar, Senator Abba Aji, Hon. Bawa Buari and other top dignitaries, took place on Thursday, 29th November, 2012 at No 7 Chuba Okadigbo Street, Apo Legislative Quarters.

The Groom - Kayode Obateru

The solemnization of holy matrimony took place on Saturday, 1st of December, 2012 at First Baptist Church, Port Harcourt Crescent, Area 11, Garki Abuja.

Principal quizzed for conducting virginity tests on pupils

Principal, Ajuwon Senior High School, Ajuwon, Ifo Local Government Area, Ogun State, Rev. Olufunke Oladeojobi, has been quizzed by the police for allegedly conducting virginity tests on the pupils.
PUNCH Metro learnt that Oladeojobi, who was described as a strict disciplinarian, by her pupils called in a nurse and jointly carried out virginity tests on a group of 10 students last week Monday.
It was further learnt that the principal did not seek the consent of the parents/guardians of the pupils before conducting the test on Senior Secondary School 1 pupils.
During the test, it was alleged that the principal and the nurse whose name could not be ascertained allegedly dipped their fingers into the pupils’ private parts.
After the exercise, which took place at the principal’s office, each of the pupils was given an exercise book.
A 15-year-old pupil, who identified herself simply as Ayo, said the principal came into the classroom on the day and announced that all female SSS 1 pupils should converge on the assembly ground.
She said the principal subsequently asked that those who had yet to lose their virginity should stand apart.
Ayo said, “We are over 600 in SSS 1 but only about 300 of us are females. Those of us that are virgins are 38 and we were matched into the principal’s office with the assistance of members of staff.
“They subsequently divided us into three groups of 10, 15 and 13 and I was in the second group. The principal later addressed us and threatened that any pupil who fails the test would have her name written in the school’s black book and would be suspended.”

Theremains of the late governor of Kaduna State, Sir Patrick Ibrahim Yakowa, and that of his close associate, late Dauda Tsoho yesterday arrived in Kaduna from Bayelsa State after a valedictory session held in their honour by the Bayelsa State government.
The remains of the deceased, aboard a C130 Air Force Plane with registration number UR-CAG, touched down at the Kaduna International Airport at about 2:40pm.
This is just as Senate President David Mark, his wife, and former head of state General Abdulsalami Abubakar paid a condolence visit to Yakowa’s widow and the government of Kaduna State.
The body of late Yakowa was handed over to the governor of Kaduna State Alhaji Mukthar Yero by the deputy governor of Bayelsa State in whose state the unfortunate crash occurred.
At the airport, top government officials from the state and outside the state, Yakowa’s widow, children, senators, religious and traditional rulers, Knights of St. Mulumba, and several other well wishers were on ground to receive the remains of the late governor.
Shortly after the arrival of the body, prayers were offered, led by the Catholic Bishop of Sokoto Diocese Most Reverend Matthew Hassan Kukah and the Archbishop of Kaduna Anglican Diocese Most Reverend Matthew Man-Oso Ndagoso.
The bodies of late Yakowa and Dauda Tsoho were thereafter deposited at the Saint Gerard’s Catholic Hospital amidst tight security.
Arrangements are on top gear for the wake keep of the late Yakowa and Tsoho scheduled to hold today at the Sir Ibrahim Kashim Government House. Dignitaries from far and near had already arrived at the state yesterday ahead of the vigil today and burial tomorrow.
Source

Helicopter Crash: “We lack the equipment to investigate cause” – SSS

The spat of high profile assassinations and rampant kidnappings laying siege over the many regions of the federal republic of Nigeria may have found a suitable loophole to continue its siege over the country owing to the maladministration of resources earmarked to the security agencies of the nation.
Information available to 247ureports.com obtained through competent sources within the State Security Services [SSS] revealed that the helicopter crash is being treated as a probable sabotage by the investigators of the crash. As gathered, the SSS agent indicated that there is ample evidence pointing away from the incident being a mere natural accident.

Bayelsa State Governor Seriake Dickson has described the late Kaduna State Governor Patrick Yakowa as a detribalised Nigerian, the News Agency of Nigeria reports.

Dickson said this in his tribute at the special valedictory session of the Bayelsa Executive Council in Yenagoa on Tuesday in honour of Yakowa, who died in an air crash in Bayelsa on Saturday.

He said, “The late governor was and will remain a great Nigerian patriot, who came to Bayelsa, building bridges of love and bonds of fraternity.

“He was a dedicated and humble servant of the people of Kaduna State and Nigeria at large.”

The governor, who described the accident that killed Yakowa, former National Security Adviser Andrew Azazi and others as “a hurting nightmare”, said “the day would forever remain dark in our memories forever”.

He said the nation lost two distinguished leaders and dedicated military officers in the ill-fated crash, adding that Yakowa died in active service while visiting Bayelsa as a friend of the state.

Dickson said, “Bayelsa has lost a great friend and I, personally, have lost an elder brother,” he said.

The governor, who was accompanied to the special session by his wife, Rachael, assured Yakowa’s widow, Amina, that the government and people of Bayelsa would remain close to her.

Helicopter crash: Don’t sweep probe report under the carpet – CAN

President of the Christian Association of Nigeria, Pastor Ayo Oritsejafor, has called for a thorough probe into helicopter crash that killed Kaduna State Governor Patrick Yakowa and ex-National Security Adviser Andrew Azazi in Bayelsa State on Saturday.

He also warned the government not to sweep the report of its probe panel under the carpet.

Oritsejafor, who spoke in Kaduna on Tuesday through CAN Secretary-General Musa Asake, pledged the association’s support for the investigation into the crash.

He insisted that the report of the probe should not go the way of previous probe reports when submitted.

According to the him, the group is solidly behind the government on the probe but “we are calling on the Federal Government that if the report is submitted, it should please act on it”.

He said, “CAN supports the Federal Government for setting up a panel of investigation. We support it and we are looking forward to the report. But we have heard of panels of investigation being set up and reports submitted in the country.

Nollywood Actress, Stella Damasus Marries Again

The beautiful Nollywood actress, Stella Damasus who is obviously living on past glory may be walking down the aisle soon.
It was gathered that the mother of two recently displayed an engagement ring at the 2012 Mode Men of the Year Awards and she said if it looked like engagement ring, then it’s, when she was asked about.
“It’s a simple thing, I am refusing to talk about, my private life”. She later said “If it looks like it then it is. For me to boldly wear this, I know what it would cause, so I am saying let them talk”
So is it for real or it is just a stylish accessory? She finally agrees that she is wearing an engagement ring. “Yes I am wearing an engagement ring, whether it is for fashion or for real nobody knows.
It is left for you to decide whether it is for real or I am wearing it for fashion or I am simply looking for trouble”.
Stella was once married to Jaiye Aboderin, who died mysteriously. She dated other men before she got married to Nzeribe, the wedding didn’t last six months before it got dissolved.

Source

Pope Benedict XVI posts first tweets, admonishes followers

Pope Benedict XVI lived up to his promise on Wednesday by posting his first set of tweets to hundreds of thousands of followers.
The Vatican had indicated on December 3, 2012 that the pope had opened a major Twitter account in English and others in Italian, French, German, Polish, Portuguese, Arabic and Spanish.
The Vatican also said the Catholic pontiff would begin tweeting on December 12 via @Pontifex.
The 85-year-old pope pronounced a blessing in the first 140-word tweet.
He wrote, “Dear friends, I am pleased to get in touch with you through Twitter. Thank you for your generous response. I bless all of you from my heart.
As at the time of posting his second tweet, the account had risen to 709,610 followers.
USA Today reports that he launched his first tweet at the end of his weekly general audience.
The text of the tweet, in Italian, flashed on the jumbo screens in the modernist Pope Paul VI Hall, where the audience was held.
Then, about an hour later, he answered the first of thousands of questions sent to him in the past nine days.
It went out to someone in the United States, who asked in English, “How can we celebrate the Year of Faith better in our daily lives?”
The pope responded thus: “By speaking with Jesus in prayer, listening to what he tells you in the Gospel and looking for him in those in need.”
His tweets are in keeping with his teaching on Advent on Wednesday morning, that God “comes to us in different ways.”
He is expected to answer two more questions in the course of the day, in two other languages from two other continents, sent to him with the hashtag #askpontifex, says Greg Burke, the Vatican’s communications strategist.
Source

Boko Haram: Jonathan Asks U.S To Help Nigeria

President Goodluck Jonathan has made a passionate appeal to the United States government to help the federal government in the bid to tackle the security morass the country is enmeshed in, following the gory activities of the Islamic extremist group, Boko Haram.
According to the president, “Nigeria is facing various security challenges, such as Boko Haram, policing the nation’s extensive maritime borders, crude oil theft and kidnapping”, adding that the USA government must “support the Government’s efforts to find lasting solutions to these problems”.
Jonathan made this appeal to General Carter Ham, Commander of the United States’ Africa Command (AFRICOM) who paid him a courtesy call at the presidential villa, Abuja, as part of activities marking his presentation of a paper at the National Defence College, Abuja.

Osun State governor, Mr Rauf Aregbesola, has praised the virtues of former President, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, describing him as a man whom every Yoruba man must be proud of.
Governor Aregbesola, who gave the commendation in Osogbo, on Monday, when he led a delegation of Owu Foundation to the governor’s office, said the state government held the former president in high esteem, a reason he was accorded the honour he rightly deserved by being asked to unveil the statue of late Bola Ige erected at the entrance to the governor’s office.
According to the governor, “It is not for nothing that Chief Obasanjo is a Yoruba person. As a Yoruba man, we must be proud of his achievements.
Governor Aregbesola said that once the powers that be recognise in the Yoruba people a lover of federalism and freedom, they would find the Yoruba the best of people to befriend and be with.

When asked if she would ever consider having plastic surgery, the stunning actress and reality star replied:

Seriously I am thinking about it. I have four kids. That has taken its toll on my body. I am not against plastic surgery as long as you're not doing it for extremely vain reasons. If you need it, you should do it. If I see any irregularities in my body that I cannot control, I will do it.

Enebeli Elebuwa’s body arrives from India on Saturday

The body of the late veteran actor Enebeli Elebuwa will arrive from India on Saturday, December 15, 2012, NET has gathered.

Elebuwa passed on in an Indian hospital on Wednesday, December 5, 2012 after a long battle with an undisclosed illness.

He was ill for over a year, and suffered a stroke before he was flown to India in October to receive better treatment.

No burial details have ben announced yet.

Source: NET

Ex-gov Audu to be declared wanted by EFCC

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission on Tuesday said it had concluded arrangements to declare Kogi State ex-governor, Alhaji Abubakar Audu, wanted over alleged N4bn fraud.
A statement by the spokesperson for the EFCC, Mr. Wilson Uwujaren, said the decision followed alleged evasion of arrest of the embattled former governor.
EFCC said he “fled when operatives of the commission stormed his 32 Suleiman Barau Street, Aso Villa, Asokoro-Abuja residence in the early hours of today.”
According to him, Audu was alleged to have fraudulently enriched himself to the tune of over N4bn while he was governor of Kogi State between 1999 and 2003.
He added, “The latest effort to arrest the ex- governor followed a Supreme Court ruling of November 23, 2012, which dismissed his appeal to continue to protract his corruption trial by the EFCC. The Supreme Court ruling therefore clears the way for his fresh arraignment.”
Uwujaren added, “Audu was arrested in Jos in 2006, after a six months manhunt by operatives of the Commission, before his earlier arraignment at the Kogi State High Court on December 1, 2006, on an 80 counts of conspiracy, fraud, criminal breach of trust and embezzlement of public fund.

Nelson Mandela ‘spirit and sparkle is fading,’ says wife

Former South African President Nelson Mandela, 94, who has been in hospital since Saturday for tests, has suffered a recurrence of a lung infection but he is responding to treatment, the government said yesterday.
The revered anti-apartheid leader and Nobel Peace laureate is spending his fourth day in hospital in the capital, Pretoria.
Known affectionately by his clan name “Madiba”, Mandela remains a hero to many of South Africa’s 52 million people and two brief stretches in hospital in the past two years made front page news.
“Doctors have concluded the tests and these have revealed a recurrence of a previous lung infection, for which Madiba is receiving appropriate treatment and he is responding to the treatment,” the government said in a statement.
Mandela was admitted to the Pretoria military hospital on Saturday after being flown from his home village of Qunu in a remote part of the Eastern Cape province.
Until now, authorities had given few details about the reason for his latest visit to hospital.
In an interview broadcast on South Africa’s eNCA television channel, Mandela’s Mozambican-born wife Graca said the former president’s “sparkle” was fading.
When he was admitted to hospital on Saturday, officials stressed there was no cause for concern although domestic media reports suggested senior members of the government and people close to him had been caught unawares.
On the streets, ordinary South Africans crossed their fingers for his recovery. Leading cartoonist Zapiro depicted Mandela asleep in his hospital bed with hundreds of “Get Well” cards flying through the window like a flock of birds.
“He’s old and I hope he gets better soon. He means a lot to the world,” 25-year-old legal researcher Liezel Jacobs said.
Source

Messi’s new goalscoring record ‘was broken in 1972′ by an African star decades ago

Lionel Messi has been showered with praise after establishing a new world record by scoring 86 goals in a calendar year.
Regardless of what you might think of calendar year as opposed to season-by-season records – our blogger Early Doors certainly did not approve – you can’t help doffing your cap to the diminutive Argentine for his goal tally. At the age of just 25 he is already a legend of the game, and even Gerd Mueller – the man whose record he took – has paid homage to him.
Yet it seems that Messi’s latest entry in the footballing record books might have to be scrubbed out: the Zambian FA have claimed that one of their own legendary strikers put the Barca star’s tally in the shade way back in 1972.

FORMER Nigerian Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Yusuf Maitama-Sule, has expressed disappointment over Nigeria’s failure to develop its politics, philosophy and economy.
Maitama-Sule, who bagged a Lifetime Achievement Award alongside a former Nigerian High Commissioner to the United Kingdom, Dr. Christopher Kolade, at an annual dinner organised by the Academy for Entrepreneurial Studies in Lagos, also described the situation facing the country as “meaningless”.
According to a statement in Lagos on Tuesday, the diplomat said present Nigerian leaders had betrayed the efforts made by the nation’s founding fathers to bring orderliness and greatness to the country.
He said, “Honestly, everything in the Nigerian state has become meaningless. In short, today there is meaningless in philosophy, intellectualism, politics, immorality in the society, corruption in the economy, fraud in act, and lack of creativity.
“Nigeria today is not what it used to be. Our founding fathers made all efforts to give us foundation and dream that between the next 15 and 30 years, Nigeria will become a great country. But things have fallen apart. The family institution today has broken down. Respect for elders and constituted authority, which used to be a standing order in our society, has now become a wasted effort.”
He, however, urged Nigerians to love one another, saying there was still hope in the country.

Source

Nigeria Police, worst violators of human rights

THE International Society for Social Justice and Human Rights has described the Nigeria Police as the worst violator of human rights in the country.
The ISSJHR stated that if the number of human right violations perpetrated by the police were presented to the international community, Nigeria would be regarded as an “animal farm” and another Cambodia of the past.
Chancellor of the rights group, Chief Jackson Omenazu, expressed worry that Nigerians had continued to suffer in the hands of those paid to protect them, adding that the Human Rights Day was an opportunity for the security outfit to turn a new leaf.
Omenazu, who spoke in a telephone interview with The PUNCH on Tuesday, said the proposed reform of the Nigeria Police should be total, even as he observed that the security outfit, as an institution, was disconnected from the people.
He added that it was becoming difficult for the police to get information from members of the public as a result of the frosty relationship between the two of them.
The chancellor recalled that many Nigerians had lost their lives as a result of the overzealousness of the police and added that a change in the system was required for Nigerians to feel protected.
He said, “Go to the police station where they tell you that the bail for a suspect is free, the truth is that Nigerians end up paying to bail suspects. It is difficult for you not to part with money if you go to most police stations to bail anybody.”
The ISSJHR chancellor also accused government at all levels of the violation of the citizens’ economic rights through the refusal to provide housing, employment, education and healthcare for Nigerian.

PUNCH

Nine-year-old girl, one other need N2.5m to fight cancer

A lthough nine-year-old Eniola Adepitan and 22-year-old Omolara Onibudo, are not relatives, fate has brought them together in their quest for good health.
Adepitan suffers from cancer of the bone, Onibudo has cancer of the lip.
Speaking with PUNCH Metro on Monday in Magboro, Ogun State, Onibudo said her guardians had spent hundreds of thousands of naira on her yet her problem persists.
She said, “In May 2010, I discovered that I had a wound on my upper lip then I started bleeding from the affected lip. I sought medical attention at the Epe General Hospital, Epe, Lagos State, before I was referred to the Lagos University Teaching Hospital.

The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) headquarters in Lagos on Monday, came short of a war front, as Motorcycle (Okada) riders encountered armed policemen, causing gridlock on the Yaba-Ojuelegba road.
Apparently acting on orders, the policemen surrounded the NLC building, take-off point of the protest. This however did little to deter the organisers, Joint Action Front (JAF), as they remained adamant, saying they needed no permit to hold a peaceful rally.
As tension grew, the police who were already overwhelmed by the gathering, called for reinforcement from nearby stations. Four of the people distributing leaflets among the crowd were later arrested, an action which further angered the protesters.
Protesting further against the obstruction of the rally, JAF Secretary, Comrade Abiodun Aremu, told the police team thus “If Fashola still smokes despite warnings that tobacco smokers are liable to die young; motorbike operators also have a right to continue their operations with provided warnings that bike passengers are liable to be injured in an accident”.

Thursday, 29 November 2012

Kidnappers release ex-UNIZIK VC

The former Vice Chancellor of Nnamdi Azikiwe University in Anambra State, Prof. Ilochi Okafor, who was kidnapped by unidentified gunmen from his home last Sunday as he prepared to leave for a church service, has been released.
The professor of Law, a two-time Attorney General of the old Anambra State and a candidate in the 2011 governorship election in the state, was reportedly dropped off blindfolded in the vicinity of the National Orthopaedic Hospital, Emene, Enugu, saharareporters. com reports.
Following the kidnap, the Enugu State Police Command vowed to ensure Okafor’s return, immediately embarking on an intensive search.
Sources said he regained his freedom after his kidnappers were able to collect a substantial ransom from his family, but that has yet to be confirmed.
Source

How my daughter’s fiancé bathed her with acid

The motive behind the acid bath of 22-year-old Chika Egbo by her estranged lover, David Sulaimon, remains elusive, but one thing is sure, the victim may not remain the same again.
Chika is a student of the Enugu State College of Education.
Last Tuesday, when our correspondent visited her at the Burns Unit of the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital, Ikeja, Egbo has become a shadow of the beautiful girl she was.
The substance Sulaimon allegedly poured on her had destroyed every visible skin from her chest upwards.
She mumbled to her father, a Taraba State-based businessman, as she could neither see nor speak properly at the time.

Following the brazen manner with which gunmen attacked both military and police facilities in Abuja and Jaji few days ago, killing soldiers, policemen and civilians alike, members of the House of Representatives, yesterday, declared the National Assembly complex unsafe.
The alarm raised by the lawmakers is due to worsening security situation in the country.
The lawmakers in a motion of urgent national importance said insecurity had reached a level where no security facility was safe again.
Hon Abubakar Momoh who led the debate said the Tuesday robbery in Auchi, Edo State which claimed the lives of three soldiers, some policemen and civilians, clearly showed that insecurity in the country was getting out of hand.

In a similar vein, Hon Raphael Nnanna said the successful operation by gunmen who invaded the headquarters of Special Anti- Robbery Squad (SARS) inAbujahas shown that the security personnel lacked the capacity to stem the tide of insecurity in the country.

VANGUARD

INEC to issue 10-yr electronic voters’ card – Jega

Temporary Voter’s Card

Abuja — Chairman, Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, Prof. Attahiru Jega, said Wednesday, in Abuja that the commission had successfully prosecuted 200 of the 870,000 electoral offenders.
Jega who spoke at the INEC/civil society dialogue on plans and progress toward the 2015 elections, also said the commission was ready to issue permanent electronic voters’ card that would be valid for 10 years

He explained that the prosecution of electoral offenders was in respect of offences arising from the 2011 voters registration and general elections.
Jega said the prosecution had been “a big problem” because of paucity of fund and manpower.
He said: “In actual fact, some of those apprehended have been prosecuted and convicted but the number is just too small compared to those remaining. A youth corps member was also prosecuted and sentenced in Ondo for electoral manipulation.”
He noted that the police was in charge of prosecuting offenders until it was handed over to INEC, adding that the task was beyond the capacity of INEC and should not be left with the commission.
He said if INEC was saddled with the responsibility of prosecuting electoral offenders, its major mandate would suffer because the quantum of offenders would be too much for the commission.
Jega called on government to work on the “Uwais panel report, on electoral reform, that recommended that a separate body should be set up to handle electoral offences.”

Source

Wednesday, 28 November 2012

New electricity tariff coming soon – NERC

The Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission, NERC, has announced impending review of the newly deployed Multi-Year Tariff Order, MYTO.
It said this was necessary following a series of complaints from electricity consumers, especially Small and Medium Enterprises, about high fixed fee they must pay every month irrespective of the power situation within any particular month.
Executive Commissioner, Government and Consumer Affairs at the NERC, Dr. Abba Ibrahim, confirmed this to newsmen on the sideline of Power Consumers Assembly in Dutse, Jigawa State by the commission.
Abba said having received the complaints, the commission had put a process in motion to resolve the complaints of the SMEs, adding that the new tariff regime provided for review mechanism in case of such complaints.
He said: “There have been quite a number of complaints that have been raised. MYTO in itself has a mechanism for review. It is a multi year tariff order that has safety guards within it. Wherever there are issues raised by customers or even a service provider, the commission has the responsibility to sit down, listen and review where necessary.
“MYTO already has a six-month window for regular reviews. Also within it, if there are complaints regarding the implementation of the tariff order and the complaints were brought in within sixty days of its deployment, then the commission is also obliged to sit.
“We have had complaints from commercial operators, specifically, Small and Medium Enterprises, complaining about high fixed charges, equivalent to industrial categories. It is a complaint that was laid and met these criteria for review within 60 days of the MYTO order. We are now in the fifth month of the implementation of the tariff.
“These complaints were made within the 60 days of implementation and we have sat down with all the stakeholders. My chairman, Dr. Sam Amadi, is meeting with the National Association of Small and Medium Enterprises on this particular issue as we speak. We have consulted the distribution companies. We have met severally and we are in the process of addressing this particular issue.
“So it is a review that is already being taken care of. It is unfortunate that some particular group has suffered this long but I can assure you we are putting all efforts to ensure that this is redressed.”
Source

Ramsey Nouah, Ini Edo, Mercy Johnson join Nadia Buari, Jackie Appiah and Chris Attoh for Ghana Movie Awards

Ramsey Nouah

Nollywood actors, Ramsey Nouah, Ini Edo and Tonto Dike have been revealed as nominees for this year’s edition of the annual Ghana movie awards billed to hold on Sunday, December 2, 2012 at the Accra International conference centre.

In a statement released by the organisers, a total of 14 Nigerians made the nominations list including Patience Ozokwor, Mercy Johnson, Uti Nwachukwu and Alex Ekubo. Others include Yemi Blaq, Rukky Sanda, Nse Ikpe-Etim and Desmond Elliot all of who were nominated for the Best Actro and Actress in African Collaboration category.

President Goodluck Jonathan has directed the Director General of the Bureau for Public Enterprises (BPE) Mrs. Bolanle Onogoruwa to vacate office.
Accordingly, he ordered her to handover to Mr. Benjamin Ezra Dikki who is the most senior Director in the Bureau. Dikki is to hold for to the position of DG of the BPE in acting capacity until further notice.
Although reasons for Onogoruwa sack was not given as at the time of handling this report, LEADERSHIP gathered that the change of baton effected with immediate effect yesterday was not unconnected with the shabby handling of the on-going privatisation process in the power sector.
A terse statement by the Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity to Vice President Namadi Sambo, Alhaji Umar Sani to this effect noted: “The Director General of the Bureau for Public Enterprises (BPE) Mrs. Bolanle Onogoruwa has been relieved of her appointment with immediate effect. She is to hand over to the most Senior Director in the Bureau, Mr. Benjamin Ezra Dikki who is to hold the position in an acting capacity.
“Mr. President extends his sincere appreciation to Mrs. Bolanle Onogoruwa for her services to the nation and wishes her the best in her future endeavours”.
The Vice President is the Chairman of the National Council on Privatisation (NPC), while Onogoruwa, the erstwhile BPE DG and business man, Atedo Peterside are at the helm of affairs. They had always briefed the press at the end of the council’s monthly meeting.
Source

Patience Jonathan, Pastor Folu Adeboye and others bag awards

THE wife of the President, Dame Patience Jonathan will Thursday lead other distinguished women to receive the coveted Nigerian Royalty Awards at this year’s edition.which celebrates womanhood with the theme: Nigerian Womanhood; Distinctively Unique, Celebrating Excellence, A Catalyst For National Development., at Nicon Luxury Hotel, Abuja, at 6.30p.m. with Captain Chinyere Kalu as the guest speaker while the chairman is Sir Mike Mbama Okiro, retired Inspector General of Police.
Others include Pastor (Mrs.) Folu Adeboye of RCCG, Hajia Amina Sambo, Dr Becky Enenche, Justice Aloma Muktar, Justice Mary Odili, Chief Kema Chikwe, Helen Onma Mark, Prof. Ruqqayatu Rufai, Maryam Babangida (post humous recipient), Sen. Joy Emodi, Hajia Ladi Hamalai, HRM Queen Florence of Kalabari, HRM Ugoeze of Obinugwu, Sen Zainab Kure, Hajia Zainab Maina, Rose Uzoma, Patricia Etteh, Sarah Jubril, Diezani Madueke, Omobola Johnson, Erelu Dosumu, Sarah Ochekpe, Mulikat Akande, Erelu Olusola Obada, Vera Oguejiofor, Zainab Okino, Tosin Dokpesi, Eugenia Abu, Sa’Adiyatu Dikko, Yeye Funke Daniel, Fatima Shema, Stella Okoli, Dooshima Suswam, Khadijat Bukar Abba, Fatima Maikasuwa, Victoria Okojie and Fatima Bamidele.
Alhaji Mohammed Sa’idu will, however, receive trophies alongside other eminent Nigerians such as M.D Abubakar, Gov. Aliyu Wamakko, Gov. Seriake Dickson, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, Sir Patrick Yakowa, Eze Ilomuanya, Gbong Gwon Jos, Ona of Abaji among others.
This year’s edition is significant because it dwells on women and national development, according to the National Co-ordinator, Omooba Kenneth Aigbegbele.
The Nigerian Royalty Awards is a veritable platform for the growth of the traditional institution in Nigeria and conferred on individuals and organizations with distinct services to humanity.
This year’s event is supported by Zenith Bank Plc.
Source

Omotola stunning in black

This is what the actress wore to the ELOY Awards this past Sunday...

Nigeria to Export Cassava Bread by December

Barring last minute change of plans, Nigeria is set to export cassava bread to ECOWAS region starting with Ghana, Togo and Benin Republic.
The minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Akinwunmi Adesina who disclosed this yesterday in Katsina said the export will begin by December this year.
“I am pleased to inform you that starting December 2012 UTC will start exporting cassava bread to ECOWAS region” Adesina said assuring that “Nigeria will become the largest producer of cassava bread in Africa and help other African countries to do same and reduce dependence on wheat imports”
The minister who revealed that the nation has secured a total of 2.2 million metric tones of dried cassava chips exports to China said the federal government was turning cassava from a non tradable commodity to a tradable commodity.
He said the initiative was part of the federal government’s value chains for cassava noting “we are expanding the production of high quality cassava for use in composite flours to substitute for some of
the imported wheat flour.”
It would be recalled that UTC in February 2012, commercialized the cassava flour bread with 20% cassava flour substitution for wheat flour.

Tuesday, 6 November 2012

6 Ph.D, 704 Masters Holders among applicants for drivers at Dangote

In June 2012, the Dangote Transport company said they were looking to employ 2, 000 graduate drivers. A few of us thought it was NOT RIGHT for the company to insist on university graduates for that kind of job, but guess what? It wasn't just graduates that applied for the Graduate Executive Truck Driver position o. Of the 13, 000 applications received, 6 were Ph.D holders, 704 were Masters Holders, while 8, 460 were Bachelor degree holders.

The Chairman of the company, Aliko Dangote revealed this while speaking during the mentor-ship meeting of the World Bank Youth Forum. Na wa o!

20 Things You May Not Know About Obama

As the world wait to see who Americans will choose as the next United States president, Nasheet Khan made a list of 20 things you may not know about US president Barrack Obama.
You probably know he used to smoke, or maybe still does…read through first.
Also, there were recent publications about a possible connection of Obama to the occult group Illuminati, while some say Obama is an anti-Christ.
While all these are not proven yet, you may want to know other things you didn’t know about America’s first black president or first mixed-race president as some choose to call him.
Here are 20 things you may not know about Barack Obama
1. He collects Spider-Man and Conan the Barbarian comics.
2. He was known as “O’Bomber” at high school for his skill at basketball.
3. His name means “one who is blessed” in Swahili.
4. He won a Grammy in 2006 for the audio version of his memoir, Dreams From My Father.
5. He is left-handed — the sixth post-war president to be left-handed.
6. He owns a set of red boxing gloves autographed by Muhammad Ali.
7. He worked in a Baskin-Robbins ice cream shop as a teenager and now can’t stand ice cream.
8. He ate dog meat, snake meat, and roasted grasshopper while living in Indonesia.
9. He promised Michelle he would quit smoking before running for president — he didn’t.
10. He kept a pet ape called Tata while in Indonesia.
11. He can bench press an impressive 96 kilograms.
12. His desk in his Senate office once belonged to Robert Kennedy.
13. He applied to appear in a black pin-up calendar while at Harvard but was rejected by the all-female committee.
14. He repaid his student loan only four years ago after signing his book deal.
15. Obama and his wife bought a house on Chicago’s South Side in June 2005 for $1.65 million (N260 million). It has four fireplaces.
16. He owns four identical pairs of black size 11 shoes.
17. He has his hair cut once a week by his Chicago barber, Zariff, who charges $21 (£13).
18. He was given the code name “Renegade” by his Secret Service handlers.
19. His heroes are Martin Luther King Jr, Mohandas Gandhi, Pablo Picasso, and John Coltrane.
20. Barack Obama’s first children’s book was for his daughters and is Of Thee I Sing – A letter to my daughters.

Professional 'cuddler' makes $500 a day by inviting strangers to take a nap with her at home

29 year old Jackie Samuel is a professional cuddler. She charges up to $100 an hour to cuddle people who need cuddling. Lol. Oyibo people sef! Jackie Samuel established The Snuggery in Rochester, New York and makes up to $500 a day and cuddles up to 30 people, both men and women, a week.

'I think I was born knowing how to snuggle. Snuggling is healthy, spiritual and fun. I think clients come to me for all different kinds of reasons. Some of my older clients, their wives have passed away, and they just need someone to be with, like someone to experience touch with. Some of the younger clients are between relationships, some are in problematic relationships, and some people are just really curious and they come to just find out what it's going to be like.' - Jackie said

Customers can snuggle anywhere in Jackie's house but most opt for her large double bed. #ashewotinz. lol. Kidding. But isn't it a little dangerous, inviting strange people into your home?

Lindaikeji

Bride Divorces Rude Husband On Wedding Day, Opts For A Wedding Guest

A newly-wed bride opted for divorce soon after the marriage formalities were completed in Bihar. She found her new husband too ‘rude’ and married a ‘more sober’ youth who had come to the wedding ceremony.
The incident occurred at Kasba village in Begusarai district, some 120km east of the Bihar capital Patna, India.
Reports say Sifat and Rashid were to get married on Saturday evening. Hundreds of guests had turned up to witness the marriage. Trouble began soon after the bride’s family urged the groom to wear clothes given to him by them for the event, but he refused to comply to their request.
“This led to a verbal altercation between the bride and groom’s families, after which the bride divorced her just-wed husband, but married another boy who had come for the marriage with the consent of the family,” said a village council official Mashkoor Alam.
“It was a peculiar incident. I have never seen such a thing in my entire life,” remarked Alam, the deputy chief of the local village panchayat (council). [GN]

Illegal arms importation to rise during Yuletide

NIGERIANS will need to be more security conscious as Christmas draws nearer. Reason: intelligence report indicates increased arms importation.
The PUNCH however learnt on Monday that the report, compiled by the police, had compelled security agencies to review their strategies to stem the trend and effectively counter security challenges during the yuletide.
A top police officer who spoke to one of our correspondents on the report said, “We have a report which shows that some nefarious elements want to take advantage of the festive season to bring (more) arms into the country. But all security agents have strenghtened their intelligence networks.”
When contacted, Deputy Force Public Relations Officer, Frank Mba, asssured that the polie were ready to prevent importaion of arms into the country at any time.
“The police collaborated with INTERPOL to track down the international angle to arms importation, adding that its operations in troubled countries like Sudan, Liberia and others were meant to get to the root of illegal arms that find their way into Nigeria,” he said.
Already, security has been beefed up at the nation’s airports, land borders and sea ports.
The preventive measures appear to have yielded results as the police said they had recovered a huge arms cache, including 74 AK-47 riffles, six rocket launchers, 13 rocket grenades and dynamites from criminals and arms dealers in Lagos and Anambra states just under six weeks.
Also a vessel, MV Naomi Corcel, which was carrying 20,000 rounds of ammunition and 100 AK-47 riffles, was seized near Badagry, Lagos.
It was learnt that a task force consisting of the Navy, Nigerian Maritime Administration Safety Agency, a private security agency, Global West, and marine police seized the vessel.
The task force also arrested 15 crew members, made up of three Ghanaians, four Togolese and eight Nigerians.

Fashola and wife Abimbola pictured kissing at Committee of Wives of Lagos State Officials closing ceremony.

Governor Babatunde Fashola can be described by many with different words – disciplinarian, non-conformist even visionary; but can we also add romantic?

The Lagos State number one citizen was recently pictured sharing a passionate kiss with his wife Abimbola Fashola at the closing ceremony of the Committee of Wives of Lagos State Officials meeting.

Fashola got the crowd applauding when he planted a kiss on his wife’s lips, as the Osun State governor Rauf Aregbesola and other guests looked on.

Obama and Romney Battle Down to Wire

After more than one million television ads, countless appearances and three contentious debates, the 2012 presidential election remained on a knife’s edge with both candidates seeking to shore up support in states crucial to their chances Tuesday.
President Barack Obama cheered on backers in Wisconsin, Ohio and Iowa on Monday, evidence that his campaign aimed to build a firewall in the Midwest to try to block his Republican rival. He plans to await the election returns at his base in Chicago.
Mitt Romney swooped through four battleground states—Virginia, Florida, Ohio and New Hampshire—where the Republican needs to do well to