Security beefed up as Jega relocates to Ondo

There were restrictions of movement within and around the Independent National Electoral Commission, Alagbaka, Akure on Tuesday by soldiers and policemen ahead of Saturday’s governorship election in the state.

Meanwhile, INEC Chairman, Prof. Attahiru Jega, was expected to arrive in the state on Tuesday to oversee the election.

Our correspondent, who visited the INEC headquarters, reported that there was a heavy security presence at the office.

The street leading to the office was manned by policemen who questioned pedestrians and motorists using the road.

Visitors without scheduled official business at the office were turned back by security officials manning the gate.

Kogi legislators impeach Speaker, others

KOGI State House of Assembly Speaker Abdullai Bello and four other principal officers have been impeached. The Speaker was replaced by Lawal Jimoh who represents Okene II.
Of the 25 members of the House, 17 signed the impeachment letter.
Bello’s impeachment came 16 months after he was elected Speaker and nine months after he was sworn in on January 27 as acting governor, a few hours after the incumbent helmsman, Idris Wada, took office. The rivalry was eventually resolved in Wada’s favour.
Other affected principal officers are Deputy Speaker Emmanuel Mebije, Majority Leader Yakubu Yunusa, Chief Whip Saidu Akawu Salihu and Minority Leader Adeyemi Abidemi.
Gowon Paul Haruna, representing Dekina 1 Constituency who moved the motion during the emergency meeting, said the majority members of the Assembly had lost total confidence in the leadership of some of the principal officers.

Jonathan Was Misunderstood On Single Term

The presidency, yesterday, said that President Goodluck Jonathan’s proposal for a single term for the President and Governors was misunderstand, and maintained that it was twisted to mean the president was seeking tenure elongation through the backdoor.
Speaking at a media dialogue with Editors on Constitution Amendment Process at Sheraton Hotel in Lagos, organised by Democratic
Governance for Development Project in collaboration with the Office of the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, presidential spokesman, Dr. Reuben Abati urged the media to assist in the sensitisation and debate on the ongoing constitution amendment at the National Assembly.
He noted that the president’s intention on the constitution was twisted, and said, “Now it is not new. In the last 30 years there have been attempts to amend the constitution so many times.

Heavy Bombing in Potiskum

Heavy explosions and gunfire rocked  Potiskum, the Yobe state capital Wednesday, residents said, after violence this week left at least 24 people dead in the sister city of Maiduguri in Borno state.
Blasts and shootings shook residents of the town, previously hit hard by violence blamed on the extremist group Boko Haram, residents said.
The police commissioner for Yobe state, where Potiskum is located, said there had been a bomb explosion and security forces afterward cordoned off the area and began house-to-house searches.
He did not say whether there had been any casualties.

Bakassi people sue FG

EFFORTS by the National Boundary Commission, NBC, to demarcate the maritime boundary between Nigeria and Cameroon have run into a legal storm as leaders of Bakassi have taken legal action against the commission.
The suit,which was filed at an Abuja High Court, yesterday, may be the first of the series of legal actions which the aggrieved people of Bakassi want to take against individuals, governments and agencies that worked directly, or indirectly, to take away their land, endanger their cultural heritage and rendered them as refugees in their own country.
The people of Bakassi are challenging the NBC which is expected to start the process of demarcation of the new boundary between Nigeria and Cameroon based on the 1975 Marowa Declaration, which set the controversial Ngo/Coker line which jettisoned the April 1893 and the 1954 international boundary between Nigeria and Cameroon.
The old boundary sets the boundaries and co-ordinates at the Rio Del Re Estuary, which was concealed in the memorandum of facts which Cameroon took to the International Court of Justice in 1994.
Leader of Save Bakassi Group, Mr. Maurice Ekong, told Vanguard that the people of Bakassi had decided to take legal action against the NBC because the commission’s actions are illegal and unconstitutional.
He said: “President Goodluck Jonathan went to New York last month to tell the world that he believed in the rule of law. We want to test that mantra of the president in the case of Bakassi because there are several issues here that require the interpretation of legal minds. First, we know that the Green Tree Agreement, GTA, which they have been using has not been domesticated by the National Assembly, the highest law making arm of government in Nigeria.
The provisions of GTA are inconsistent with the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and the Supreme Court, the National Boundary Commission and all agencies of Federal Government should derive their powers from valid laws of the land and the constitution. We believe that the NBC is acting based on the provisions of GTA and the pronouncement of ICJ, both of which did not take into account the position of Bakassi people.”
Mr. Ekong said the decision to sue NBC is to forestall any violent reaction from angry Bakassi people and to prevent a foreclosure of the fate of Bakassi people who are still hopeful that they would reclaim their land.
Another prominent Bakassi leader told Vanguard that Bakassi people have also concluded plans to sue Nigeria for extracting oil from Bakassi illegally since 1975 and leaving the peninsula impoverished and under-developed.
Source

Lagos State to impound bad vehicles

The Lagos State Government has announced that it would commence impounding rickety vehicles plying roads in the state.
The state’s Chief Vehicle Inspection Officer (CVIO), Gbolahan Toriola, on Monday, said that most road accidents in the state were caused by non-road worthy vehicles.
“We are set to get these rickety vehicles off the roads to make our roads safe and to achieve the proposed plan of making Lagos Metropolis a mega city,” he said.
“With the enforcement of the new traffic law in the state, motorists plying Lagos roads should obey traffic laws, make sure that their vehicles are road-worthy and they should also obtain the required valid documents.”
Toriola further stated that VIO had visited LAGBUS and the Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) depots in the metropolis to prevent their rickety buses from operating.
“It is sad to see how poorly these buses are being handled. We will never relent in making the LAGBUS and BRT buses road-worthy and worthy of emulation to other commercial buses in the state,” he said.
Both LAGBUS and BRT are franchised transport companies under the regulation of the Lagos State Metropolitan Area Transport Authority (LAMATA).

Funke Akindele, Patience Ozokwor and Others Star In "A WISH" - New Movie By Elvis Chuks, Set To Be Premiered In December!

Diamond Groove Productions presents 'A Wish' - hilarious movie  about a single mother who is petty trader with no opportunity of education, but who has One Wish ... to be able to see her child go to school and explore the opportunities she never had, but fate stricks when she discovers she has a few years to live after being diagnosed with cancer.....

BAKASSI: Tension as boundary demarcation begins

Another round of tension is building in the Bakassi Peninsula and Cross River State, following the decision by the Joint Technical Team on Bakassi Demarcation in conjunction with the National Boundary Commission, to undertake the final physical demarcation of the boundary between Nigeria and Cameroon.
The demarcation is based on the International Court of Justice ruling ceding the area to Nigeria’s neighbour. This came as the Senate said it will not delist Bakassi territory from the Nigerian constitution.
The unease in the border area of Nigeria is said to have heightened following the receipt of a notice by the NBC to the Cross River State Government asking it to prepare for the final physical boundary delineation between Nigeria and Cameroon based on the new reality of ceding Bakassi to Cameroon.
The letter, which was sighted by Vanguard, last night, was written by the NBC on September 17, 2012 with reference No NBC.SEC.7/S.2/Vol.XV/43 and addressed to Governor Liyel Imoke, notifying him of the decision of the agency to carry out the assignment and asking him to support the operation.
The communication was endorsed by S.M. Isa, a surveyor in the NBC, on behalf of the Director General of the Federal Government parastatal.
The demarcation, which is scheduled to start on October 19,  is expected to be concluded on November 11 and is being undertaken by the Joint Technical Team of the Sub-Commission on Demarcation corresponding to some sectors in Cross River State.
According to NBC, the assignment involves ‘Pillar site assessment of the Thalweg of the downstream sector of Akwa Yafe River to the first Point of the Maritime boundary by the Joint Technical Team, JTT, of the sub-commission.

Flood: President Jonathan, Dr Alban's country homes submerged

The flood has so far displaced over 50, 000 people in some states in the north, middle belt and parts of Delta regions. Dr Alban's country home in Oguta, Imo State and President Jonathan's country home in Otuoke community, Bayelsa State have bowed to the flood. More than half of the communities in these areas have been swallowed by flood.

Victims of this flood have been subjected to incredible hardship that most of us who live in states not affected will never begin to understand. Many deaths have been recorded. There have been rape cases, suicides and people missing.

This flood is not particularly a natural disaster, it's more like man made. The flood started early September when Cameroun released water from it's Lagdo dam - the dam supplies electricity to the northern part of Cameroun. Unfortunately water released from the dam is naturally unable to find its path within Cameroun to the Atlantic ocean, so it flows directly into River Benue, and because River Benue is steep, all the states around it is flooded by the water from the dam.

Yinka Ayefele cries out over plan to demolish his Nmillion house

 

The Oyo state government is planning to demolish the multi million naira music house - The Yinka Ayefele Music House, belonging to Tungba music creator, Yinka Ayefele, which is situated along Falana Rd in Ibadan . 

The state government said last week that the building is being considered for demolition because its on the right-of-way for the planned 8-lane road expansion in Ibadan. 

Reacting publicly for the first time since he got the news, Ayefele told Gbenga Shaba of Yes! Magazine that the planned demolition is a test of his faith.

"I know it's a test of my faith and it will soon pass. I observed the stipulated distance range for the building, but no one knew that the area would soon attract an 8-lane way, which will mean more lands have to give way for the expansion. I know I'm not the only one this will affect. there are hundreds of good people of Oyo state who derive their daily meals from different activities that are carried out in the building. I know the governor of Oyo state will now allow injustice to be carried out. I know he has a good heart and if the house is demolished, I hope I will be duely compensated.

First Lady expected back today

Baring a last minute change of plan, First Lady Patience Jonathan will this afternoon return to the country.
According to a source, Mrs Jonathan is expected back in Abuja around 2 p.m. after more than six week stay in Wiesbaden, Germany. She is believed to have undergone treatment for an undisclosed ailment at Horst Schmidt Klinik hospital.
Jonathan was last seen in public on August 28.But the Nigeria Television Authority (NTA) last week showed a footage of the President’s visit to her in Germany.
The Presidency initially said the ailing Mrs Jonathan was in Germany to rest.
Yesterday, the First Lady it was gathered, was in high spirits and excited about her home coming.
According to one of the sources, she spoke to some Presidential aides on the telephone about her return.
Another said she sounded elated about her return as she cracked jokes with them.
It was gathered that a Presidential jet was dispatched last night to bring her back home.

PHOTOS: Birthday girl Cossy Orjiakor goes pole dancing

Birthday girl Cossy Orjiakor added another year on Monday, October 15, 2012 (yeah she’s birthday mates with Fela and Jimmy JATT).
The actress-exotic dancer posted pictures from her birthday gig, and as usual, they are X-rated.
‘Sliding down to welcome guests…… Thanks for all ur birthday wishes. more pix latter. Gat serious hangover‘, @Cossydiva tweeted while posting pictures.
Check out more photos below…

Ex-mlitants donate N52.7m to victims in Niger Delta

FORMER agitators in the Niger Delta have contributed N52.7 million for victims of flood disaster in the region.
Chairman of the Presidential Amnesty Programme, PAP, Mr Kingsley Kuku, who disclosed this, said the 26,358 amnesty beneficiaries in Phases one and two of the programme, agreed to donate N2,000 each fom their October allowances to support efforts of the federal and state governments on the flood disaster.
Already, the PAP chairperson, who is also the Special Adviser to the President on Niger-Delta, has constituted an 18-member Flood Relief Committee, comprising key stakeholders in the amnesty programme and volunteers.
The Technical Assistant on Reintegration, Mr Larry Pepple, heads the committee. Kuku, expected to meet with state governors of the affected states soon on the management of the disaster, commended the amnesty beneficiaries for their selfless and humanitarian gesture.
His words: “This is very commendable as it is a practical demonstration of the African spirit and tradition of being your brother’s keeper in times of distress.”
He added that the committee would procure the necessary relief materials and liaise with the various states government to ensure the distribution of the items.
Culled: Vanguard

Poll: Obama edges Romney in second debate

Analysis by Sarah Dutton, Jennifer De Pinto, Anthony Salvanto, Fred Backus and Lindsey Boerma
President Obama edged Mitt Romney for a win in the second presidential debate Tuesday night, 37 percent of uncommitted voters said in a CBS News instant poll.
Moments following the debate at Hofstra University in Hempstead, N.Y., 37 percent of voters polled said the president won, 30 percent awarded the victory to Romney, and 33 percent called it a tie. After some particularly animated exchanges between the two candidates, 55 percent of voters said Mr. Obama gave direct answers, but 49 percent also said that about Romney.
As for who would do a better job of handling the economy, the president made some headway on closing that gap. Before the debate, 71 percent said they believed Romney would, while only 27 percent said they thought Obama would; after the debate, 34 percent said the president would better handle the economy, with 65 percent saying Romney would.

Van Vicker and wife celebrate 9th Wedding Anniversary

Well, the pretty boy actor says he’s been dating his lovely looking wife Adoja since 1993 before he tied the knot in 2003.

Celebrating his wedding anniversary on October 13, 2012, the Ghanian actor (who’s a Nollywood favourite by the way), wrote on his Facebook page;

‘Its being 19yrs with you. 10yrs of boyfriend, girlfriend and 9yrs of marriage. Where I fall short u strengthen me and I become ur strength when u r weak. Today I thx God for u and for us and all He’s done for us over the years. He is seeing us thru. Let’s gun for 25yrs next. Thx for accepting to marry me 9yrs ago. I love lovin u, my wife. Muah.‘

Van Vicker is half dutch, half Ghanian.

The couple have three kids – two daughters, J’dyl, J-ian and a son Vj.

Van Vicker and wife Adoja tied the knot in 2003

One happy family…

Source 

‘Peter Rufai is doing well’ Doctor confirms

The doctor-in-charge of the Surulere based Toki hospital, Dr Olamiju has confirmed that ex-international goal keeper, Peter Rufai has regained consciousness and has started responding to treatment.
Olamiju disclosed this yesterday when The NET visited the ailing football star.
‘He is doing fine, but we will not disclose more information because of so many things, but he is okay’, he told us.
Rufai, 49, was rushed to the hospital by his younger brother, Bruce, on Monday, October 15, 2012 after he slumped in his office.
According to Bruce, Rufai may be suffering from shock, following the death of their mother, Christianah, who passed away few days ago.
Dodo Mayana as he is fondly called, is fondly remembered for guarding Nigeria’s goal net leading to the Nations cup victory in 1994.
During his active years, Rufai played professional football in different countries including Belgium, Spain, Holland and Portugal.
He has since retired to run his football academy, Staruf Football Academy.

Source: NET