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The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Kano state has constituted a committee to reconcile aggrieved factions of the party in the state.
The state APC Acting chairman, Alhaji Abdullahi Abbas, disclosed this while addressing newsmen on Wednesday in Kano.
The removal of the former state APC Chairman, Alhaji Haruna Doguwa, led to the party been divided into about three factions.
While one of the factions is with Gov. Abdullahi Ganduje, the other faction is with the former governor of the state, Engr. Rabi'u Kwankwaso.
Abbas said that the party found it necessary to set up the reconciliation committee in order to ensure unity within the members of the party across the state.
"We felt it necessary to set up the reconciliation committee because even within the Gandujiyya faction, there are factions.
"So we have set up of the committee to bring sanity and unity to the party," Abbas said.
He explained that the committee, which is under the leadership of Alhaji Nasiru Aliko-Koki, a chieftain of the party, had been mandated to reconcile the aggrieved factions to ensure peace and unity within the party.
On the allegation that the headquarters of the party had not endorsed his selection as the Acting Chairman of the party, he said the letter to that effect was presented to him by the Northwest Zonal Chairman, Alhaji Inuwa Abdulkadir.
"Anybody doubting the authenticity of the letter should come and see it.
"The constitution of the party allows for the election of leaders and the same constitution said if he errs, he should be removed," he said.
Abass said since his appointment as Acting Chairman, the party leaders from all the 44 local government areas of the state had paid their homage to him with the promise to give him all the necessary support.
"The Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Alhaji Kabiru Rurum and members of the Assembly were also here to show their solidarity." he said.
Abbas also said that he would continue to ensure justice and fairness in the discharge of his duties in order to move the party forward.
Global football federations are "overwhelmingly in favour'' of plans for a 48-team World Cup, FIFA president Gianni Infantino said on Wednesday.
The head of football's governing body had outlined his vision for an expanded tournament comprising 16 groups of three teams earlier this month.
According to his plan, the top two teams in each group would progress to the knockout rounds.
Fifa President, Gianni Infantino
A decision will be made in January but any change to the 32-team format is unlikely to come in before 2026.
FIFA's Council will discuss the proposal at a meeting on Jan. 9, but the 46-year-old Infantino had made expansion part of his election manifesto earlier this year.
"We have to be more inclusive,'' he said at a sports conference in Dubai, adding that a 48-team tournament was the most financially appealing.
"If we can have a format that does not add any additional matches but brings so much joy to those who don't have the chance to participate, then we will have to think about that," Infantino said.
"When discussed with the associations in the summits, they were overwhelmingly in favour. But more discussions will have to take place.''
The number of competing teams at World Cups last changed in 1998, increasing from 24 to 32.
The European Club Association, which represents the region's leading clubs, has rejected calls for the World Cup to be expanded.
Infantino also said experiments around video technology in refereeing at the recent Club World Cup had been "very positive''.
He said he hoped the system would be used at the 2018 World Cup in Russia.
President Muhammadu Buhari on Wednesday assured that as the Chairman of ECOWAS Contact Group on Guinea Bissau, he would do his best to ensure that the country did not relapse into crisis.
The President gave the assurance when he received the Prime Minister of Guinea Bissau, Umaro El-Mukhtar Sissoco-Embola, at the State House, Abuja.
The President expressed satisfaction with the gradual return of normalcy to the West African country.
While assuring the visiting Prime Minister of Nigeria's continued support for political stability in Guinea Bissau, Buhari urged the leaders to work hard to reach a lasting solution to the political crisis in the country.
President Buhari with L-R: Director Cabinet of Prime Minister Mr Djalo Pires, Prime Minister Gen. Umar Mokhtar Sissoco Embalo and Minister of State Foreign Affairs Hajia Khadija Bukar Ibrahim.
The President congratulated the new Prime Minister on his appointment and urged him to put the interest of the country and its people ahead of everything else.
Sissoco-Embalo described President Buhari as his role model, adding that his country would continue to thank the government and people of Nigeria for standing by them in their moment of crisis.
He also pledged his country's commitment to improved ties with Nigeria.
Guinea-Bissau has been in the throes of a power struggle since August 2015, following the removal of Prime Minister Domingos Pereira by the country's President Jose Vaz.
Vaz replaced Pereira with 44-year old Embalo, retired general who had served in previous administrations.
ECOWAS leaders at their just concluded 50th Ordinary Session of the Authority of Heads of State and Government, held in Abuja, took note of the political misunderstanding in Guinea-Bissau.
They reaffirmed their deep concern over the protracted political and institutional crisis due to the inability of political stakeholders to reach a lasting and consensual solution.
Dr Zakaria Idris, a Director in the Kano State Ministry of Culture has described the Calabar Annual Carnival as the best in the country.
Idris said this on Wednesday in an interview with newsmen during the 2016 Calabar Carnival street party.
He said that Kano state would replicate the Calabar carnival but with slight modifications.
"We are very interested in Calabar carnival. We love the carnival. It is one of the best in Nigeria and we are here every year.
"Apart from that, Calabar as a city is very beautiful and lovely. We have carnival in Kano but with some differences,'' he said.
He said that the state cultural troupe "Koroso Dancers'' were in Calabar to participate in the cultural carnival and join other bands during the street party as part of inter-state friendship.
"This is not the first time for us to participate in the Calabar Carnival. We have been participating, especially in the cultural carnival, so we are not new in the carnival,'' he said.
He stressed the importance of culture in the society, adding that Kano State government was very much aware of the rich culture of the people of Kano.
The Koroso dancers entertained fun seekers with their well choreographed dance steps before the official opening of the street party.
Gov. Rochas Okocha of Imo, former Gov. Godswill Akpabio of Akwa Ibom and NollyWood actress Shan George, among others joined the Gov. Ben Ayade's band for the street party.
Gov. Ben Ayade of Cross River has described the annual Calabar carnival as the melting pot of Africa's hospitality.
Ayade said this on Wednesday in Calabar while opening the grand finale of the 2016 Calabar carnival.
He said that the carnival, which had gained international recognition over the years had continue to grow bigger, better and bolder.
According to him, the carnival represents the true vitality, unity and harmony that signify the growth of Africa.
"The flag off of the grand finale of the 2016 Calabar carnival represents the true beginning of African enjoyment.
"As we have started today, this is the beginning of a new dawn in Africa. Calabar carnival remains the largest street party in Africa.
"As a government, we will continue to promote and sustain the hospitality and tourism that the state is known for,'' he said.
The theme for the 2016 Calabar carnival is `Climate Change'.
The five carnival bands – Seagull, Master Blasta, Passion 4, Freedom and Bayside were colourfully dressed in different costumes to reflect the colour of their bands.
Mr Gab Onah, the Chairman of Calabar Carnival Commission, said that 13 countries were in attendance for the street party.
According to Onah, some of the countries included Brazil, Croatia, Turkey, UK, Spain, Kenya, Ghana and others.
He said that the carnival, the 12th edition in a row had united the state and Nigeria in general.
"We have in Cross River today 13 countries worldwide. The attention of the world is in Cross River today.
"We are going to hit the street today with different dance steps and different displays.
"Today is the grand finale of the 2016 Calabar carnival, the largest street party ever; the greatest show in Africa,'' he said.
Neurite Mendes, Miss Africa, who was in attendance, said that the carnival had gone beyond borders due to its sustained organisation by the state government.
"It is an honour to come from my country Angola to represent the African beauty in the carnival.
"The theme of the carnival is climate change. We need to let the world know that together we can combat the effect of climate change.
"This carnival is definitely bigger and better; I am happy to be in attendance at the grand finale of the 2016 Calabar carnival,'' she said.
Dignitaries at the event include, Mr Donald Duke, former Cross River governor, Senator Godswill Akpabio, former governor of Akwa Ibom, Nollywood actors and actresses, captain of industries, among others.
There was heavy presence of security personnel including the Police, Army, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, Immigration and others.
The West African Examinations Council (WAEC), says collusion is one of the greatest methods of examination malpractices that is inherent among blind candidates.
The Head of Test Administration of WAEC in Nigeria, Mrs Frances Iweha-Onukwu, made the revelation in an interview with newsmen in Lagos on Wednesday.
Iweha-Onukwu said the reason could be that the candidates were usually not well equipped individually for the examinations.
She added that this had been responsible for what she described as 'not too wonderful performance' among the blinds.
"We have discovered that there is usually high incidence of collusion among blind candidates during examinations.
"That is why their performance has not really been anything wonderful.
"Our society is such that there have not been adequate and conscious efforts to take care of the challenged.
"There have not been enough trained personnel to guide blind candidates before being exposed to major external examination'', she said.
She said that in a situation where a teacher who studied Special Education in higher institution is employed to cater for the needs of physically challenged persons of various dimensions, was worrisome and must be reviewed.
"I cannot explain how one teacher, who studied special education can be given the singular task of meeting the academic needs of the deaf, dumb, the blind and all others.
"Meanwhile, there are candidates who need personalised attention on one-on-one basis.
"If we intend to give the best and all-inclusive education, Federal Government must employ more trained teachers in special education to take care of the different defects among the physically challenged students.
"There must also be consciousness in policy fomulation that will take care of these persons.
"This is because there is ability in disability. These persons can do better if adequate care is given'', Iweha-Onukwu added.
Davido a.k.a Omo Baba Olowo has gifted himself the perfect gift for the festive period by acquiring a 2017 Ranger Rover Sport.
The artist showed off his staggering N80million acquisition on social media to wrap up what has been an eventful year.
Davido with his new acquisition
He shared the photo of the car with the caption “Zero Recession”, probably implying that he is not affected by the current state of the nation’s economy.
The All Progressives Congress Party, APC, Rivers state chapter has alleged that the state's Governor, Nyesom Wike, has refused to honour a panel of inquiry set up by the police to investigate the violence that occurred during the December 10 re-run poll. It said the Governor's refusal to honour the panel portends a bad omen.
"The refusal of Rivers State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike, to cooperate with the Panel set up by Inspector-General of Police (IGP) Ibrahim Idris to investigate the violence that marred the December 10 legislative rerun elections in the State has been described as a bad omen."
APC
"This is a direct affront to Federal powers and should be swiftly met with appropriate response by those whose authority he is challenging so as not to embolden others to follow his dangerous example," the State Chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) said.
It expressed dismay that "Wike has the effrontery to set up a parallel Commission of Enquiry on the rerun elections." "By so doing, Wike has clearly crossed the line and should be put in his proper place by the Federal Government whose powers he is brazenly challenging," Rivers APC said in the statement signed by the State Chairman, Chief (Dr.) Davies Ibiamu Ikanya in Port Harcourt and made available to newsmen.
"Wike's sole purpose in setting up the kangaroo commission is to ridicule APC leaders and makes nonsense of the efforts by the Police to probe and stop further killings in Rivers State."
"It is laughable and a mockery of civilised procedure for Wike, whom everybody knows is the brain behind most of the killings and insecurity in Rivers State, to set up a judicial commission on the said killings instead of submitting himself to a Federal Panel set up by a neutral party."
"As much as we respect Hon. Justice Chinwendu Nwogu, we pray and hope that by accepting to chair this kangaroo commission, he will not end up allowing Wike to ridicule his hard-earned reputation. The truth is that, if the commission is to be taken serious, it should indict both Wike and the State PDP Chairman, Bro. Felix Obuah, for their belligerent acts that fueled violence during the rerun polls."
"We wish to caution all and sundry that Wike's recent boast that no force even God can remove him from office shouldn’t be taken on its face value as this is one of his strategies to shout of an attack and later embark upon another act of hooliganism and mayhem in Rivers State knowing very well that nobody or agency can call him to order."
"He has started his plot against the Ogonis even after the rerun election was successfully won by Senate Magnus Abe to represent South East Senatorial district in the Senate."
"With the killing of nine persons mostly of APC extraction in (Khana) Ogoni communities at the early hours of today by Wike's hoodlums which they intend to replicate in other communities in the State and after to lay the blame on the Security Agencies in his current plot to discredit the security agencies, we wish to state once more that Wike has constituted himself not only as a nuisance but a serious threat to our nascent democracy and if we continue to treat his case with kid’s glove, we as a nation will have ourselves to be blamed."
"We will like to state that Wike's unreasonable antagonism against the present Federal Government under the watch of President Muhammadu Buhari for reasons best known to him, and for him to sponsor attacks against agencies of the Federal Government, is irresponsibility taken too far, which must be condemned by all and sundry."
"We have shouted ourselves hoarse that Wike is a threat to the current democracy in our country but it seems that nobody wants to take us serious. We wish to reiterate once again that the continued treatment of Wike's excesses with kid gloves is a bad omen which should be decisively checked before it plunges this country into avoidable chaos."
"Rivers APC declared that Wike must submit himself to the Police Probe Panel to throw more light on the audio tape in which he was heard threatening to kill INEC officials, as well as sponsorship of various acts of violence in the State."
Lagos – The Naira on Wednesday weakened to N490 to a dollar at the parallel market after appreciating to N485 to a dollar during the Christmas break.
The Naira lost 5 points, representing a depreciation of 1.03 per cent, while the Pound Sterling and the Euro closed at N590 and 502, respectively.
At the Bureau De Change (BDC) Window, the Naira traded at N399 to a dollar, CBN controlled rate, while the Pound Sterling and the Euro closed at N602 and N510, respectively.
The Naira traded at N305.25 to a dollar at the official interbank market.
Traders at the market said that the scarcity of forex was still exerting pressures on the Naira.
Meanwhile, Alhaji Aminu Gwadabe, President, Association of Bureau De Change Operators of Nigeria (ABCON) said that the pressure on the Naira was disturbing and dangerous to investment, output and employment.
Gwadabe called for harmony between the fiscal and monetary policies in addressing the woes of the Naira.
"There is the need for concerted collaboration among both the fiscal, monetary policy makers and the operators in the economy to address this monster facing the economy.
"I must confessed that I am disturbed and worried,'' Gwadabe said.
A group of 21 Nigerian Chibok girls brought home for Christmas after almost three years in captivity were prevented from celebrating at home with their families, several sources told AFP on Wednesday.
The 21 were among more than 200 mostly Christian schoolgirls released in October after being snatched by jihadist Boko Haram gunmen in April 2014 in a kidnapping that sent shockwaves across the world.
The group had been brought back to Chibok on Friday under heavy escort to spend Christmas at home but family and relatives said that instead they had been kept inside the house of a local parliamentarian for several days.
“What is the point of bringing them home if we as their parents can’t see them?” said one of the fathers, who asked not to be identified.
A mother accused the government of “deliberately breaking our hearts in this festive period”.
The girls were not given permission either to attend Christmas mass, angering Chibok residents as well as their relatives.
“We are a community and we take these girls as ours whether they are related to us or not,” said local resident Ayuba Alamson.
A spokesman for the presidency Garba Shehu said in a statement late Tuesday that the officers in charge of protecting the girls had misinterpreted their instructions.
“There were some hitches arising from a lack of understanding of the objective of the trip on the part of some security operatives,” he said, adding that instructions have “been given from headquarters for access by the parents to be eased”.
Several dozen girls are still in captivity and those freed are watched over. Their capture had sparked a global Twitter campaign under the hashtag #BringBackOurGirls.
FIFA president Gianni Infantino said Wednesday he will not be a “dictator” in discussions over his proposal to expand the World Cup finals from 32 to 48 teams.
“I strongly believe in that, but obviously I’m not a dictator,” Infantino told the closing session of the Dubai International Sports Conference.
“This is something that needs to be discussed. When discussed with the associations in the summits they were overwhelmingly in favour, but more discussions will have to take place,” he said.
Infantino’s proposal for a 48-team World Cup in 2026, featuring 16 groups of three, will be submitted to the FIFA Council next month. A 40-team World Cup is also on the table.Fifa President, Gianni Infantino
Infantino said that expansion means “inclusion” in the “biggest social and sporting event.”
He said failure to qualify for the finals strongly affects nations, with coaches being sacked and clubs and players criticised.
If they qualify “the whole country lives and breathes football. Everyone gets interested,” he added.
The European Club Association, the powerful body representing Europe’s top clubs, told Infantino earlier this month that it opposes a bigger World Cup, saying leading players were already under too much strain.
The Chief Executive Officer, Capital Oil and Gas, Dr. Patrick Ifeanyi Ubah, has stated that the Anambra Youth Fiesta and Talent Hunt 2016 billed to hold on Friday, December 30, 2016, at FC Ifeanyi Ubah Stadium Nnewi/Ozubulu, Anambra State, was organised owing to his genuine focus on youth advancement, saying the entertainment industry remains a serious sector of Nigeria’s economy that must absolve unemployed but talented youths.
Ifeanyi Ubah
In a statement signed by Ikechukwu Onyia, his Senior Special Assistant on Media, Ubah said: “The Anambra Youth Fiesta and Talent Hunt 2016 is an event that promises to attract many elite and established stars on the areas of music, comedy, movie making among others. The event will feature some of Anambra State-born entertainment icons like Phyno, Flavour, Kcee, PSquare and other stars such as Davido, Patoranking, Humble Smith, AY, Yaw, Bovi, Gordons, Funny Bone, Senator among others. The event will also give the upcoming artists the opportunity to showcase their talents especially those of Anambra State extraction.
“The event is multipurpose ways of adding value to our society towards advancing humanity.”
Ubah had personally said that “We aim to use the event to motivate our youths to model after these established stars in order for them to reach stardom. Yes, by so doing, these youths will pursue their vision of making it in the industry by toeing the line of mentorship which is the platform we are providing for them.
“We are focusing on youth advancement and as such, we are gearing towards using multi-channels of youth development and here, we are using Music and Comedy among others, as the industry remains one of the serious sectors of our economy that we must see how we can utilize in order to absolve our unemployed but talented youths.
“This event has tourism contents when you also consider the number of persons that will move into Anambra State within the short period of the event as Anambra economy stands to gain from the event.”
The statement added: “No doubt, Ndi Anambra will have a place to be on the said day especially the Anambra Youths. Over the years, Dr Patrick Ifeanyi Ubah has taken note of the army of latent talents within the state and has since been working to develop these talents through multi channels of youth development.
“One thing is that series of events have shown that Dr. Patrick Ifeanyi Ubah is not playing with the begging attention of Youth development. Dr. Patrick Ifeanyi Ubah is the President of the victorious FC Ifeanyi Ubah (Anambra Warriors) that came into existence in 2015 and won Federation Cup in 2016, thus becoming the first club from Anambra State to have achieved that feat since the creation of the State.
“Today, Dr Patrick Ifeanyi Ubah’s effort on football development has seen our people coming back to stadia to watch football unlike what was the case before his coming into the scene. FC Ifeanyi Ubah also entered into partnership with West Ham United FC of England which is aimed at Youth development. Dr Patrick Ifeanyi Ubah earlier this month (December), sponsored over 70 Youths to London to learn how best to develop football driven economy like what obtains in Europe. On December 30th, this event will open up yet another channel of opportunities for our youths towards making them societal assets.”
Football officials from the U.S., Canada and Mexico are likely to meet next year to discuss a joint bid for the 2026 World Cup, CONCACAF President, Victor Montagliani, has said.
FIFA confirmed on Oct. 14 that co-hosting would be allowed at the 2026 tournament and that there would be no restrictions on the number of countries in a given bid.
"It's obviously a possibility,'' Montagliani said on Wednesday on the sidelines of a sports conference in Dubai.
"We are fully aware that each country can probably host it on its own,'' he said.
CONCACAF governs football in North and Central America and the Caribbean.
A successful joint bid would be the first World Cup in CONCACAF since the tournament was held in the U.S. in 1994.
It would also be the first co-hosted World Cup since 2002 in South Korea and Japan.
"It is time for it to come back,'' Montagliani said, adding that CONCACAF "absolutely'' expects the 2026 tournament will be held by one of its 41 members.
"Formal discussions over a possible joint US-Canada-Mexico bid are likely to start in 2017 once all the rules and regulation related to the bid are announced,'' he said.
FIFA is proposing to expand the 32-team World Cup to up to 48 teams, potentially starting with the 2026 tournament.
A 54-year-old Gabriel Asateru who allegedly lured a 5-year-old girl to sit on his lap and then defiled her has been remanded in prison on the orders of a Magistrates' Court in Ado-Ekiti.
The police prosecutor, Insp. Bayo Ajiboye, had told the court that the accused committed the offence on Dec. 23 at Ifishin-Ekiti.
Ajiboye said the accused, on the said date, defiled the minor by luring her to sit on his laps.
According to him, the offence contravened Section 31 of the Child Rights Law of Ekiti State.
Ajiboye said a duplicate of the case file had been sent to the Director of Public Prosecution (DPP), for legal advice.
The plea of the accused was not taken as his counsel, Mr Tunde Olayemi, sought adjournment pending response from the DPP.
Magistrate Modupe Afeniforo ordered the accused be remanded in prison.
She adjourned the case to Feb.15, 2017 for further hearing.
Following the defeat of Boko Haram terrorist group in the aftermath of the capture of Sambisa Forest, the Centre for Social Justice, Equity and Transparency (CESJET) has called on Nigerians to ensure that fleeing members of the terror sect are not allowed to regroup under any name just as it said no other extremist group is allowed to take up its place.
CESJET Executive Secretary, Comrade Ikpa Isaac in a statement made available to journalists in Abuja urged Nigerians to be their brother’s keepers by reporting any suspicious movement of unknown persons to the police or other relevant security agencies.
He said, given the desperation with which the terrorists sympathisers have tried to convince themselves that their fleeing members are potent, Nigerians must be cautious to help foil suicide bombers who he described as “lone wolf" attacks by those who would rather kill themselves and take others with them.
Isaac also urged the security agencies not to spare any efforts at tracking down and apprehending the last of the fleeing terrorists.
He commended the efforts of the Nigerian Army whose leadership from the Chief of Army Staff, Lt. General TY Buratai to the last troop of Operation Lafiya Dole who spent sleepless nights in the trenches to achieve the rare feat that has united Nigerians irrespective of political or ethnic affiliation.
He said, “We appeal to traditional leaders and religious leaders to see now as the moment to scale up the performance of their roles in ending the menace of terrorism which the Nigerian Army through a decisive leadership has brought to a halt in Nigeria."
“Even as we urge vigilance on the part of members of the public, it must be noted that membership of Boko Haram terror group is not written on the face as only security personnel are able to investigate and interrogate suspected persons to determine their culpability."
“Nigerians must therefore not hide under the cover of suspected Boko Haram membership or affiliation to lynch anyone or dispense mob justice. Anyone suspected of being a fleeing Boko Haram member must be handed over to the police.
“We further appeal to social commentators, especially the online community, to make analysis based on fact and to be wary of amplifying alarmist views aimed at sustaining a regime of fear in the heart of citizens. There is nothing to be gained from helping defeated terrorists to achieve the campaign of fear at which they had failed woefully in the past.
He also called on the government to collaborate with foreign security agenciesto ensure that terrorists who may have fled the country are apprehended.
He said, “CESJET urges the Federal Government not to slow down activities geared towards the total eradication of terrorism simply on account of the capture of Sambisa Forest and the defeat of boko Haram noting that the inertia of 2009 after the death of Boko Haram founder, Muhammed Yusuf, allowed members of the sect to flee to other countries where they got training and were further radicalised. It is on this account that any escaping terrorists must be apprehended before they exit the boundaries of Nigeria.
“We further underscore the importance of activating the necessary international instrument necessary to go after any known Boko Haram suspect in other countries. This terror group is a cancer that must be excised to its very roots.”
My boyfried and I were having an affair while he was living with an older woman who was also his business associate. Because he was financially reliant on her, we had to be discreet. However, they split up recently and he moved to a bungalow she helped him to buy.
He always said things would be different between us when he was unattached, but they aren't. We go out more and do more love-making and he tells me he loves me – then he denies we have a committed relationship. He still insists we sneak off to meet well away from our neigbourhood and he makes sure no one knows about us. I'm not interested in us living together, but I want us to see each other openly and be a proper couple. When I told him this he said I should go and find someone else. I love him and can't believe it has turned out like this. Why doesn't he want the world to know we're together?
Justina by e-mail.
Dear Justina,
Your boyfriend is wise in not wanting to go straight from one fully-committed relationship into the next. And remember, he was having an affair with you; affairs are fun because they're naughty and dangerous and have to be kept secret. That's almost certainly why he wants to keep your relationship under wraps and why he wanted out when you asked to be seen openly as his girlfriend.
A Lagos bound train from Kano collided with a trailer at railway crossing in Kawo, Kaduna, and cut the trailer into two, the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) said in Kaduna on Wednesday.
Sector Commander of FRSC in the state, Mr Francis Udoma, told newsmen that the incident occurred at 3 a.m., adding however, that no life was lost. Udoma explained that the train, carrying Nigerian soldiers and civilians, crashed into the trailer, belonging to W.A Group of Companies, carrying sugarcane.
He said the accident occurred when the driver of the trailer insisted on crossing the rail line even when the train was blaring. He said the incident caused traffic jam that lasted for six hours.
Udoma said motorist coming from Kano and other northern states, as well as those coming from the southern and the eastern part of the country were all stranded at the railway crossing.
"We deployed our men, including myself, when we received the call, and arrived there to manage the traffic jam for hours. "We were there until 9 a.m. before we were able to open the road for motorists to pass through'', Udoma said.
He blamed the accident on the impatience of the trailer driver, whom he said might be suffering from hearing problem. "It could be that the driver had problem hearing, because train normally will blare, but this driver, even with the horn decided to cross. "This is abnormal. Nobody with normal hearing sense would take such a risk'', he said.
The FRSC boss advised drivers with hearing defect to get hearing aids to avoid accidents. In a related development, Udoma said that no fewer than 14 people lost their lives and 160 injured in accidents involving 53 vehicles from Dec. 1 to date in the state. He said that the 14 people were killed in 11 fatal and 23 serious accidents involving 332 people.
Udoma, however, said the corps had rolled out several operations which began on Dec. 12 to ensure safety on roads throughout the yuletide. "These include operation zero tolerance to accidents, special intervention patrol and traffic frequency monitoring. "The operations are being carried out in collaboration with the police, Nigerian Security and Civil Defense Corps, National Emergency Management Agency and the National Union of Road Transport Workers, he said.
He said that marshals had been deployed to junctions to ease traffic flow in Kaduna metropolis, adding that officers had also been deployed to all flash points to assess the impact of the patrol.
He added that the operations were being conducted along with mobile court, being part of FRSC mandate to prosecute traffic offenders with a view to bringing sanity to the roads.
Legal Officer of the command, Ibrahim Tanko said so far, 210 motorists had been convicted by the mobile court from Dec. 7 to date. He said 32 motorists were convicted in Kachia, 49 in Kaduna – Zaria toll gate, 59 on Kaduna–Abuja Express way, while 70 were convicted at Sabon Tasha, in Kaduna metropolis.
"The motorists were arrested for overloading, driver's license violation; vehicle license violation; tyre violation; number plate violation, and obstruction of marshal on duty, among others'', Tanko said.
The Police in Edo have declared war on cultism following the death of three persons due to cult-related killings in Benin, the capital City of Edo.
The Commissioner of Police in the State, Mr Haliru Gwandu, stated this while confirming the killings to newsmen in Benin on Wednesday.
The commissioner said 51 suspects had been arrested since the renewed cult clashes on Christmas day.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), reports that three persons were killed in different parts of Benin on Wednesday.
One of the victims, identified as Godspower, was killed at about 4 a.m. in front of his residence on Second East Circular road, Benin.
The deceased was scheduled to travel out of the country on Saturday.
His bereaved mother, who refused to give her name, sat on a walkway and wept profusely.
She placed curses on her son's killers before policemen came to take the corpse away.
Witnesses said they heard Godspower begging for his life before he was shot.
Meanwhile, a farmer, who identified himself as Joseph Agbonma, has sent a Save Our Soul message to the police to save his only son, Evans, from the hands of suspected cultists.
Agbonma said his son was attacked by suspected cultists at Ugbogui village where both of them worked as farmers.
He said his son escaped with serious injuries and appealed to the police to protect the man. (NAN)
Activities on the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) resumed trading on Wednesday after the long holidays to mark the Yuletide still on a bullish trend with the market capitalisation growing by N69 billion.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the market capitalisation inched by N69 billion or 0.76 per cent to close at N9.182 trillion compared with N9.113 trillion posted on Friday.
Similarly, the All-Share Index rose by 202.23 points or 0.76 per cent to close at 26,688.25 as against 26,486.02 achieved on Friday due to huge gains by some blue chips.
Mobil Oil recorded the highest gain to lead the gainers' chart appreciating by N12 to close at N292 per share.
Nigerian Breweries came second with a gain of N4.48 to close at N142.03, while Total garnered N3.12 to close at N287.12 per share.
Cadbury improved by 80k to close at N10.83 and Stanbic IBTC rose by 74k to close at N15.66 per share.
Conversely, Guinness led the losers' table with a loss of N4.30 to close at N80 per share.
ETI lost 54k to close at N10.34 and Forte Oil dipped 26k to close at N103.61 per share.
Custodian Insurance shed 19k to close at N3.74, while Ekocorp dropped 16k to close at N3.21 per share.
An analysis of the activity chart indicated that International Breweries was the most active in volume terms, accounting for 16.21 million shares valued at N289.23 million.
Transcorp traded 12.42 million shares worth N10.98 million, while FCMB Group sold 11.66 million valued at N12.59 million.
Access Bank exchanged 10.65 million shares worth N63.15 million, while Zenith Bank accounted for 7.59 million shares valued at N110.76 million.
In all, investors bought and sold 131.74 million shares worth N1.25 million transacted in 2,257 deals against 139.09 million shares valued at N1.43 billion traded in 1,703 deals on Friday.
You recently advised a 20-year-old man that when he's with a woman he cares for, he shouldn't hesitate if they both wanted to know each other erotically; that making love was the most natural thing in the world. I agree with you that it is – with love and commitment in marriage.
I feel sad that these days love-making is regarded so lightly and, as a result very few relationships or marriages last; young girls get pregnant, and teenagers who are not mature face problems. When I was younger, I was in love with many boys. If I had indulged in love-making with all of them, I would have regretted it by the time I met my husband. He and I were friends first, and our love developed slowly. We knew a lot about each other before we got married and only then did we embark on our desires and then to fulfil them in the security of marriage was the most wonderful, lasting and satisfying experience. Consequently, our marriage lasted 40 years and our love and respect for each other was deep. Sadly, I'm now a widow.
I pray that the sanctity of love and love-making could return. Instead, love- making seems to have become cheap and tawdry. I respect your view. But please tell young people to hesitate before engaging in love-making. Casual love-making is a disaster.
Beatrice, by e-mail.
Dear Beatrice,
I respect your view too. Thank you for sharing your beautiful experience of love-making and marriage. There are no rules of erotic behaviour by which we may an live happily. Love-making within or outside marriage, or a committed relationship can be ugly or beautiful. We need to respect our instincts. Men and women who have erotic experiences before meeting their partners for life do not in any way diminish their great joy when they eventually find one another.
It's been proved that resisting our desire to make love with someone we love does not improve our chances of building a strong relationship. Rather, it reflects our natural fear of love-making and what was drummed into us as children that love- making is somewhat shameful. By encouraging people to think of love-making as taboo, we increase, not decrease the probability of guilt, disease or unwanted pregnancy.
Intimacy is the core oflasting love and companionship. By making love, as you and your husband discovered, we reveal ourselves more completely. I thank you once again for sharing the joy you found during your marriage. Your story should be an inspiration to us all.
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