A Nigerian newspaper and Online version of the Vanguard, a daily publication in Nigeria covering Niger delta, general national news, politics, business, energy, sports, entertainment, fashion,lifestyle human interest stories, etc
By Rotimi Ojomoyela In recent times, deadly cultists' activities are beginning to gain notoriety in Ekiti State and the development is assuming very worrisome proportions, as killings and maiming of youngsters continue to mount daily, as at last count, about 20 young men have lost their lives to deadly clashes between suspected rival student cultists in some tertiary institutions in the state.
Discovery
Early this year, precisely, February 20, 29-year-old Sunday Abudioke was pronounced dead at the Ekiti State Teaching Hospital, Ado-Ekiti, few hours after being rushed to the Hospital, following attacks by suspected cultists along the Ado-Ilawe road.
Abudioke was reported to have been macheted severely by his assailants who dumped him by the road in between Odo community and Ado-Ekiti.
According to a relative of the deceased who prefer anonymity for fear of a possible attack by assailants of the deceased, a good Samaritan who had spotted and recognised Sunday while he laid almost lifeless in pool of his own blood by the roadside, had rushed him to the Ekiti State Teaching Hospital on Iworoko Road, Ado-Ekiti, but his effort didn't yield positive results as the deceased reportedly gave up the ghost a few hours after he was taken to the hospital.
Different versions of who and what killed the deceased had cropped up; while neighbours of the deceased in Okebola area of Ado-Ekiti alleged that those who attacked the deceased are suspected cultists from a tertiary institution in Odo Community, another person, who asked anonymity and resides close to Sunday's shop, said he had seen the deceased enter a Sport Utility vehicle which drove out of the Crown Polythenic in Odo community, after he (deceased) closed from his shop on the evening of Saturday, February 20 when the victim was found by the good Samaritan.
Another death
The dust raised by the death of Abudioke had barely settled, when a 38-year-old man, Sunday Afolabi, was confirmed dead after an attack by men suspected to be cultists at the Igbole area of Irona in Ado-Ekiti, the state capital on February 28.
Vanguard gathered that Afolabi was hacked to death in his room while his heavily pregnant wife was away to attend a 'night vigil' at a nearby church.
The killing mounts
While further checks revealed that Sunday's killing by a gang suspected to be cultists brought the number of such killings to 5 as at February this year, the Ekiti State Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Alberto Adeyemi, who confirmed the incident, alleged that Sunday Afolabi, was a notorious armed robbery suspect who had for a long time escaped arrest of the police.
Police investigation
Adeyemi said, "he was a notorious armed robber, whom we have been looking for. His family had picked his corpse up for burial as they claimed they could not afford the cost of either autopsy or mortuary. We are doing investigations into the killing."
Several weeks after the incident, residents around Ojido market in Ejigbo, another community in the state capital, discovered a dismembered body of a young man tucked inside some 'Ghana-must-go' bags which were thrown inside the drainage at different spots.
The gory sight of the decapidated body of the young man who wore a stylish, youthful haircut and wore a ring and strange enough, he also had a white cloth wrapped around his waist, but his two hands and legs had been chopped off. He also had a severe machete cut on his neck.
Speculating, residents in the area gave different interpretations of the incident. Some said the deceased must have been a member of some secret cult. Others said he could have belonged to the clique of some internet fraud popularly known as 'Yahoo-yahoo boys' in local parlance, yet, others argued that the unfortunate youth might have just been a victim of some ritualists who had preyed on him the night before his body was dumped.
According to Toju Adio, a tailor in the area, “when we saw the body, the young man wrapped a white clothe that looked like those of Ogboni people round his waist. He had an ear ring and wore a stylish youthful hair.
“That is why people read some meanings to who he was in his lifetime: He could be a student cultist, a Yahoo-Yahoo boy or a victim of ritualists. The policemen later came to evacuate his body, that is as far as I know."
Police confirmation
Confirming the development, the state's Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Mr. Alberto Adeyemi said the deceased's body has been evacuated and deposited at the mortuary. "We have evacuated the young man's body. It is an unfortunate development. Sadly, no one in the area could identify the deceased. We have been requesting for information from people in are to avail us with any useful information on who dump the body there. We are still investigating, " he said.
Ikere-Ekiti Mayhem
A few days ago, the tragic development reached its peak in Ikere-Ekiti, a sprawling community on the southern side of the state, suspected student cultists unleashed terror launching attacks and counter-attacks.
Although, security operatives confirmed only one person dead since the attacks started earlier in the week but the cause of the violence was traced to unresolved disputes among rival student cultists.
Not less than 20 suspects were arrested by the community vigilante group who have handed them over to the Police.
Security had since been beefed up in the community as Police now conduct stop-and-search on vehicles coming in and out of the town.
Residents now go to bed early while shops, business centers and places of worship now close early because of the security scare.
The Ogoga of Ikere, Oba Adejimi Adu Alagbado, confirmed in a telephone chat that only one person has been killed so far in the clashes.
Reacting to the development, Ekiti State Commissioner for Information and Youths development, Mr. Lanre Ogunsuyi, expressed worry at the tragic incidents: "Cultism itself in the society is worrisome. I want to advise our students and youths generally to desist from it.
The state government will continue to support educational institutions in their bid to rid the campuses of cultism. We will continue to support them in policies geared towards eradicating the malaise. We cannot condone acts that are anti-social on our campuses where our young one must be brought up in a cultured manner. "
By Daud Olatunji Hundreds of farmers living at Coker farm settlements in Ifo local government area of Ogun State have cried out for help from the government against alleged plan by some suspected land grabbers to eject them from their homes and farms.
The farmers who made the complaint under the aegis of farm Settlers Association in Ogun State raised the alarm that,land grabbers popularly called 'Omo-Onile' are now forcefully taking over their farm settlements.
According to them mostly aged men and women,their farm lands are being sold randomly by land speculators, adding that land grabbers and sand diggers have taken over larger part of the 7, 000 hectares of the settlement.
Speaking on behalf of other affected farmers, the Secretary of the settlement and the State Secretary of Farm Settlers Association, Kazeem Adediran and Afolabi Kufo respectively blamed the activities on connivance with government officials.
The farmers appealed to the federal government not to allow eight settlements inherited by Ogun State government from the old Western Region go into extinction,stating that the same is the situation with other seven settlements across the State.
The duo lamented that the land grabbers have destroyed invaluable cash crops including rubber, cocoa, oil palm,as well as other plantations.
The State Secretary explained that the purposes for the establishment of the settlements which were to provide foods for the populace and raw materials for the industry are being defeated by the alleged non-challant attitude of the state government.
Kufo in his own comment explained that the lands were acquired by late Obafemi Awolowo in 1958 and that adequate compensation were paid to the land owners.
He said the encroachment started during the regime of Olusegun Osoba but was worsened when former Governor Gbenga Daniel was advised to release part of the land to land owners.
The farm settlements according to Kufo accounted for 50 per cent of food produce in the markets and 50% of raw materials available for agro based industries in the old western region.
The farm settlers however blamed Governor Ibikunle Amosun for paying lip services to the agitations of the settlers since he came on board.
Speaking further,the association scribe said the settlements presented their position during the sitting of a panel of inquiry on land matters set up by the state government in 2012 but that Amosun failed to implement the white paper released on the committee's report.
However,a copy of the white paper distributed at the conference indicated that the government accepted the recommendations of the commission on Coker Farm settlement.
In his own remark, Chairman of the farm settlers association, Adeola Olubakin appealed to President Muhammadu Buhari to intervene alleging that Ogun State government is only after the collection of rents and not the existence of the farm.
Olubakin, a retired army major who was furious over the development, said the landgrabbers activities have led to huge loss for large number of settlers,and also turned many farming undergraduates to being jobless now.
Vanguard observed that those, who engage in the selling of the farm lands are prominent personalities in the state.
Whereas, the farmers were downtrodden whose voice could not be heard because of their status in the society.
Most of them while speaking with our correspondent said if the land grabbers succeed in ejecting them from their farm settlement, they have no place to fall back on.
The Nigerian Air Force, NAF personnel attached to OPERATION YAKI in Kaduna State have recovered 665 cows and 141 sheep (ewes and rams) from rustlers in Birnin Gwari area of the State.
The recovered cattle have been handed over to the State Security Coordinator, Col Yusuf Yakubu (retired), said NAF in a statement on its Facebook page.
The Team, about a month ago, also recovered a stolen vehicle from an armed robber by name Sara Suka. The said vehicle has also been handed over to the Police.
Recall that OPERATION SHARAN DAJI was set-up to tackle the menace of cattle rustling, armed robbery and kidnapping in the North West region.
The NAF, being part of this operation, has been undertaking a number of air operations including surveillance and strike missions to support the operation.
A similar operation in Kaduna State, aimed at tackling all forms of internal security challenges, is code-named OPERATION YAKI.
Among platforms deployed for Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) role in support of the operation are the EC 135 and Dolphin helicopters and ATR-42 MPA.
Two years after Legacy Empire Management (LEM), made its major entry into visual arts terrain, another successful exhibition has just been recorded by the same artists management group.
.Conspiracy of Thoughts by Uzor
At Rele Gallery, Ikoyi, Lagos, few weeks ago, LEM showed monochrome drawings titled Visitors by Austin Uzor. In 2014, the promoters showed Olawunmi Banjo's solo Mind Revolution at Nike Gallery, Lekki, Lagos.
LEM is a Management Company based in Germany, that focus in promoting the career of visual artists and music artistes worldwide.
On display during the exhibition of Visitors were mostly portraits, depicting ladies fashion and beauty. In the portraits such as Dusty Clouds, Whispers Of Destruction, Pool Of Thoughts, Adorable Allergies, War Head, Anticipants and Untitled, Uzor uses the head as the focal point where the energy that initiates any change is generated.
Yes, the portraits could pass as illustrations for beauty products or services, but the intellectual depth in articulating the argument about individual versus societal norms is also loud in the ebullience of the images.
Uzor goes further by moving his subject into the spiritual realm with few of the works such as Patches Of Light, Food Is Ready, Mud Fences and Ashes and Rain.
The artist notes that naturally, everyone was a free born until society created a system and made people "live strictly by its standards." As he argues that for survival sake "we traded our values and in so doing have allowed shackles built by society on our wrists," the question values the individual before birth arises. But values – religious, cultural or professional – are naturally integral parts of man's extension as members of the society.
The catalogue of Visitors, is endorsed by LEM, which is flexing its muscle as a new art promotion group. With Banjo's solo Mind Revolution at Nike Gallery, Lekki in 2014 LEM announced its arrival in style.
For Uzor, Visitors is a good start for an artist coming freshly into the Lagos art space. Excerpts from his artist statement: "In this transformation we find ourselves walking around in pain and intermittently in unprecedented joy and controlled laughter as Fela aptly called it, "suffering and smiling." We do this because society has provided roofs over our ailing heads. Our minds are therefore bound by beliefs which are formed of dust and so our true nature is forgotten as we have transcendentally become visitors in our own land. Our true selves are non- existent and our conscience wanders away and fades off at the dawn of realities like the morning mist that just got ambushed by the rising sun. Society is the new landlord and we are only but loyal tenants at his mercy. This analysis has taken a visual and illustrative dimension as every aspect of our everyday lives has been narrowed down to figurative expressions with Ballpoint pen drawings body of work by me."
Uzor, according to Legacy made its first major show at the PAN AFRICAN FILM & ARTS FESTIVAL in Los Angeles, California in February 2016.
Uzor is a native of Atta in Imo State. He is a visual artist with creative talents in Fine Arts. He studied Fine & Applied Arts at the University of Nsukka, graduated 2013, since then, became a full studio Artist.
Still fresh from spoiling indigent village school kids in Delta State with food packs and drinks, the Greater Tomorrow Children Foundation has continued to carry out its charity works by donating relief materials to children at the Internally Displaced Persons Camp in Jos, Plateau State. Okoku
He was accompanied by the ambassadors of GTCF, ex-internationals, Dahiru Sadi, MFR, Baba Otu Mohammed, Sylvester Ekoja and the protocol officer, Nigerian National Assembly, Abuja, Alhaji Khalifa Labaran Mohammed.
The donated was done to The House of Recab, which runs the children home and is run by Sam Akaakaa.
The dust from the foundation’s trip to Ndokwa Local Government to celebrate Children’s Day and World Hunger Day with pupils of Igbe Ogume Primary School is yet to settle as the kids are still counting their lucky stars with such an August visit from the foundation founded by ex-international Paul Okoku.
Speaking during his tour of the camp, Okoku, who personally donated the relief items to the displaced kids said he was fulfilling one of the dreams of former teammate and ex-Eagles coach, Stephen Keshi, who according to Okoku should have made the presentations to the kids in 2014 after the Nyanya bomb blast in Abuja.
"I was supposed to do this with Keshi after the Nyanya bomb blast but national assignment stopped my later friend, which forced us to postpone it but fate had something else in store for us as events later proved.
"It was sad doing this without Keshi but I am sure that the foundation has in a way carried out one of his lifelong objectives because he was so much into humanitarian work and wanted to help these kids, but death stopped him. However, we have kept his dream alive by putting smiles on the faces of these kids", added Okoku.
Okoku was in Nigeria attending the funeral rites of Keshi in Delta State and used his short stay to present the relief items to the displaced kids in Jos. He said he was not going to relent in his dream to offer a ray of hope of less-privileged kids in the society.
"This is what I love to do and would continue doing because these kids deserve better welfare, healthcare and improved living conditions", added Okoku.
Speaking later, an emotional displaced kid, Afodia narrated to Okoku and other ambassadors of the Greater Tomorrow Children Foundation how her parents were killed in her presence. The emotions ran high as she she broke down in tears, aunble to conclude her moving tale, which struck chord with Okoku, a champion of the cause of the less-privileged ones in the society.
"Such a story only goes to prove that we have a lot to do to salvage the situation and we need the support of corporate sponsors and wealthy individuals to reach out to girls like Afodia", said Okoku.
The House of Recab has more than 200 needy children most of them between the ages of 3 and 21years.
The decision of the Kogi State Governor, Alh. Yahaya Bello to set up a Judicial Panel of Enquiry to probe contracts awarded in the State between 2003 and 2016 was not aimed at victimizing political opponents but to protect the Commonwealth of the Kogi people.
Yahaya-Bello
The Governor who made this known in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Kingsley Fanwo said his administration is interested in taking stock of the past contracts in the State in order not to plunge the state into “economic crisis”.
The statement read: “The Judicial Panel of Enquiry to be instituted by the Governor is to hear from contractors that have questions to answer, especially CGC. Nobody is condemning them yet because as a democrat that is committed to the rule of law, Governor Yahaya Bello will ensure they are all given fair hearing.
“Upon assumption of office, Governor Bello engaged a Consultant to help ascertain the state of projects across the state and find out what is needed to complete the projects since government is a continuum. The reports submitted by the firm has made it pertinent to call the contractors for some questioning as a result of some shoddy discoveries.
“The decision to start the probe from 2003 was due to the fact that the firm did not discover any failed contract prior to the period. The late Prince Abubakar Audu placed his foot on the ground to ensure his projects were completed. He will remain a great example of good leadership.
“The terms of some of the contracts awarded between 2003 and 2016 are such that could mortgage the future of our dear State. People who collected huge sums of money to execute projects abandoned such projects. As a responsible Governor, he cannot close his eyes to such financial rape on the purse of the State”.
Governor Yahaya Bello also pledge to complete all laudable projects abandoned across the state, as they will have direct bearing on the standard of living of the people.
“As a government of change, the administration of Governor Yahaya Bello is poised to redefine governance in the State. If past administrations abandoned projects, we are bound to complete them to show the difference between our government and theirs. We are not interested in complaining about the past, we are here to make Kogi prosper.
“He has told the contractors that it won’t be business as usual. Kogi people deserve value for money. Contractors who have absconded the shores of Nigeria will be tracked and brought to justice if found guilty of taking part in what has brought the finances of the State to its knees,” the statement added.
In the same vein, Governor Yahaya Bello called on the people of Kogi State to remain eternally grateful to President Muhammadu Buhari for fulfilling his electoral promise on Ajaokuta Steel Company and the Itakpe Iron Ore Company, saying the two companies will reposition the economy of Nigeria.
The Governor was quoted as saying: “Today, I am happy that Mr. President has delivered on his promise to make Ajaokuta Steel Company and Itakpe Iron Ore Company work. That it is happening in my time when fate has placed me here to serve the people of Kogi State is even more heartwarming. I call on the Kogi people to make the best use of this opportunity as we are prepared to become the steel capital of Africa”.
He said his administration is determined to take Kogi to new heights and make it one of the most developed states within the next four years.
“I urge our political opponents to join us in developing our state. We have no other place to call our own. I hold no grudge against anyone. We are brothers, proud Kogites who are determined to make the state the epicenter of excellence,” he said.
Popular model and TV presenter, Denrele Edun recently went down memory lane, explaining what actually ignited his 'alleged romance' with maverick musician, Charly Boy, which went viral about five years ago.
Denrele was a guest on an NTA programme, where he talked about the picture of Charly Boy kissing him. Though he has since debunked the gay rumour, Denrele said, the picture emanated following a movie they were shooting about two different generations with similarities.
According to him, while, they were posing for shots like father and son, after the day's activities, Charly Boy planted a quick kiss on his lips.
"We were shooting a film of two different generations with similarities. Later that evening, we were posing for shots like father and son. Jokingly, he planted a kiss on my lips and that was it. Before, we knew what was happening, the picture was everywhere," he added.
Recall that a photo of Charly Boy kissing Denrele went viral years ago, causing many fans to raise eyebrows at the suspicious act. Since then, fans have not stopped accusing Denrele as being gay.
Charly Boy once explained that the picture was leaked with Denrele's consent. The major motive was to publicize the video before gay allegations trailed both parties.
Abuja – The Federal Government on Thursday in Abuja directed the management of banks to compile with all labour laws regulating industrial relations in the country.
Sen. Chris Ngige, Minister of Labour and Employment, gave the directive at an interactive meeting with Chief Executives of Banks and Financial Institutions in the country.
Ngige said that the ministry had received various petitions from unions in the banks on alleged “sharp labour practices'' by the management of the institutions.
He said some banks had refused to allow their staff to join unions of their choice , which is against the law.
“The unions also complained of non- remittance of checkup dues collected from them by the banks.
“They complained that in some cases the unions received what they called as handouts from the banks instead of checkup dues which are not the same thing.
“They also complained of imposition of executive structures even when unionization is allowed, among others."
He said that the unions cited several practices which are against the principles of decent jobs as stated in the International Labour Organisation (ILO) convention
Ngige said that by the ILO convention, the ministry was supposed to handle the issues raised by the unions to avoid industrial crises.
“Nigeria is a signatory to those conventions and many instruments of the ILO and if our country is taken over to the meeting, which is also a United Nation body, we will be sanctioned.
“When we are sanctioned, the sanction elements actually will rest on this ministry and the Federal Government of Nigeria.
“That is why the ministry must maintain industrial relations and peace as it concerns labour issues in the country.
“We have discussed with the unions, now we are discussing with you so that we will look at the allegations bank by bank and hear you own side of the story," he said.
He said that the meeting would also look at the issue of redundancy procedures, unionisation, rights to collective bargaining, casual and contract staff as well as regulated hours of work as stipulated by ILO convention.
The Minister said that the ministry was ready to do a framework for contract staffing regulations in banks as it was done the oil industries.
Ngige expressed the ministry's concern over the moribund state of the Nigeria Employers Association of Banks, Insurance and Allied Institutions which is supposed to be the umbrella body for all banks employers.
He called on the Chief Executives of the banks to resuscitate the association. ' Also speaking, Mr Kolawole Balogun, Deputy Director, Banking Supervisor Department in the Central Bank of Niger (CBN), said several meetings have been held concerning the issues raised by the unions.
Balogun said that the CBN Governor was passionate about the development of the country's finances and the rebuilding of unemployment in the banks to expand the economy.
“We have looked at our laws and in as much we cannot impose staff on any bank we can engage them on moral suasion and that is exactly what we are doing now
“We are also coming up with a circular that when these banks are about to disengage workers, they should let us know and reasons should be given on why the action is being taken,'' he said.
He pledged CBN's support to the ministry and also assured the minister that the lacunas in terms of labour laws would be honoured by the banks.
Mr Shehu Aliyu, Acting Group Executive Director, First Bank, who spoke on behalf of other banks, said the banks were ready to partner and obey the labour laws to ensure industrial harmony in the sector.
NAN reports that representatives of Nigeria Deposit Insurance Corporation and all others banks across the country were also present at the meeting.
Uyo – The Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Pastor Usani Uguru Usani,said the Federal Government was passionate about and determined to solve the unemployment crisis in the Niger Delta.
Usani stated this in an interview, in Uyo on Thursday.Pastor Usani Uguru He said was promoting proper youth engagement to curb unemployment and youth restiveness in the region.
"It's a cluster of industrial and entrepreneurial sub-sector in different vocations. "We have to promote artisanship for those who are not privileged to embrace western education.
“We will promote physical and emotional stability in the lifestyle of the youths. “An empowerment programme is on going for those trained in agriculture'', he said.
Usani added that 130 people had been trained in the International Skills Acquisition Center in Israel in partnership with the Bank of Agriculture and the ministry.
“Over 200 youths have benefited from mobile phone assemblage training in Calabar, and 60 youths are currently undergoing training in the same skill”, he said
He said the ministry was promoting core values of artisanship (for the non-formal sectors) and setting a futuristic programme which has an industry for engagement once training was embarked upon.
The minister said the programme would also persuade the youths to understand the value of peace in the face of provocation.
He decried the harm the restiveness had done to the region. Usani said it had led to the identification of skillful education as one of the key factors that will bring about the much-needed peace.
The minister said the present administration had designed a skillful education system that would enable the youths to acquire skills.
He said such skills would make them useful to themselves and the nation at large. Usani also said government had made tremendous effort in curbing restiveness in the region. He said this was done partly by having nine skills acquisition centres in the region for youths to gain skilful knowledge.
Usani said this would enable them to be useful to the society after graduating. He decried corruption and unemployment, saying they were some of the causes of youth restiveness in the society.
The minister stated that to fight against youth restiveness demands genuine commitment from all stakeholders. He noted that the region was seriously experiencing high rate of insecurity. He stressed that government was committed to resolving the restiveness.
Usani also said that re-orientation of the people against violence would go a long way in solving the problem. "Violence is violence in any form or shape. Unless both victims and perpetrators are transformed, there will be no end to violence", he stated.
Usani urged the people of the region to promote the culture of peace through education and advocacy. He also advised them to collaborate and build relationship with identifiable key stakeholders in peace-building.
Abuja – President Muhammadu Buhari has appealed to developed nations to save Lake Chad from extinction as a result of the adverse effects of climate change.
A statement by Malam Garba Shehu, the president's Senior Special Assistant, said Buhari made the call on Thursday in Abuja when he received the Director-General of UNESCO, Ms Irina Bokova.
The President warned that failure to regenerate Lake Chad would lead to another round of migration by the people living in the area.
Buhari led seven ministers to an interactive meeting with the UNESCO chief.
He said that Nigeria and the other countries of the Lake Chad Basin lacked the billions of dollars required to channel water from the Congo Basin into the lake to check its rapid depletion.
He said: “those living in the Lake Chad region have suffered untold hardship and displacement because of the violence perpetrated by Boko Haram terrorists.
“If there is no farming and fishing, they will dare the desert to migrate.
“Unless the developed countries make concerted efforts to complete the feasibility study, mobilise resources and technology to start the water transfer from the Congo Basin, Lake Chad will dry up.
“The people will go somewhere and they will create problems for those countries."
Buhari commended UNESCO for its support to Nigeria particularly for the ongoing rehabilitation work in the North-East and reintegration of Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs).
He noted that the pathetic situation of the IDPs require immediate and urgent response from international organisations such as UNSECO in the provision of infrastructure, health and education.
In her remarks, the UNESCO Director-General, said she was in Nigeria to strengthen the organisation's programme in the areas of science and technology, gender and youth development, culture, water resources development, health and environment.
Bokova commenced a week-long visit to West and Central Africa on Aug. 6.
By Emma Amaize WARRI- ELDERS, leaders, women and youths of Ugborodo community in Warri South-West Local Government Area, Delta State, who laid siege to the Chevron Nigeria Limited, CNL Tank Farm at Escravos, since Tuesday, have refused to vacate the premises.
President of Ugborodo Youths, Mr Ofe Nene, who is leading the protest, told Vanguard on phone, that the protesters would not lift the siege on the company until the appropriate authorities addressed their demands.
The Commissioner of Police, Delta State, his DSS counterpart, representatives of the Commander of NNS Delta and Army Commander in Warri visited Escravos to appeal to the villagers to go to their homes, but they refused, saying their protest was peaceful and challenged anybody saying that they were rebels to come to the community and utter such nonsense.
Nene said: "For the avoidance of doubt, we are suffering issues of neglect, discrimination and abandonment by Chevron even though we are their host with over 200 oil wells and they think their divide and rule against us is going to work this time around."
"We told the Commissioner of Police, DSS director and others that came here today (yesterday) that we want the Minister of State for Petroleum, Dr. Ibe Kachikwu, Minister of Power, Works and Housing, Chief Babatunde Fashola and Minister of Niger Delta, Pastor Usani Uguru to come and see our plight and take action before we will leave here," he asserted.
Jos – Following the recent attacks on its people by suspected Fulani herdsmen, the Bwatiye people of Demsa local government of Adamawa state, resident in Jos, have asked the federal government and the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Mr. Ibrahim Idris to as a matter of urgency, disarm the Fulani herdsmen in their locality so as to safeguard the lives of the remaining members of the ethnic group.
Buhari
The people said such exercise was necessary in view of the incessant attacks on the ethnic group by heavily armed Fulani herdsmen which have so far led to the death of about 100 people in the last seven months.
In a statement issued on Thursday, in Jos and signed by the National President, Pene Da Bwatiye, Prince Hezron Fada, the people alleged that armed Fulani herdsmen have attacked more than 10 villages in the locality between January and July 2016.
According to Fada, “It is with a heavy heart that the Bwatiye Community represented by our umbrella organization, PENE DA BWATIYE wish to draw the attention of Nigerians to the massive destruction of the rural town of Kodomun in Demsa Local Government of Adamawa State and the brutal cold blooded murder of 25 persons comprising our revered elders, young and middle aged men and children.
“The attacks has left a population of about 2,500 inhabitants now homeless and scattered in towns and villages as Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs). From January to July this year, similar mass killings took place in the Bwatiye villages of Koh, Goron, Ndikajam, Tabongo, No-Ine Fawaire and Jimoh in Girei Local Government Area of Adamawa State, where 72 deaths were recorded including the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) of Vunoklang, a suburb of the Jimeta metropolis.
“There is no doubt that the killings by the Fulani herdsmen and their hired mercenaries were perpetrated under a grand design to annihilate the Bwatiye race as a people. Upto this time no one has been apprehended, questioned or sanctioned by the authorities over the incidences. Is this not a conspiracy of silence?”
The statement added, “As painful as the destruction and looting of property and the brutal killings of our defenceless people and the removal of some vital parts of their bodies for ritual purposes have been, we have managed with difficulty, to implore our communities to refrain from taking law into their hands. While we continue to look up to the State Government for justice and protection, unfortunately, government failed in this regard.
“We find this failure of government unacceptable, as it is equally becoming more challenging to restrain our people from rising up to their own self defence by every possible means against armed Fulani herdsmen that are using assault riffles and hard core military weapons, as did in Koh, Ndikajam, No-Ine, Tabong Goron, Fawaire and Jimoh in Girei Local Government Area. The impunity of these invaders will not stop unless the government ceases to treat them with kid gloves.
“We are gratified that the President Muhamamdu Buhari has at last directed the security agents to disarm them. However, we wait to see what will happen, for with the likes of Commissioner of Police of Adamawa State, Alh. Ghazzali Mohammed as law enforcement officers, we will be faced with either non-compliance or complicity. You will recall that this Commissioner of Police on Tuesday, August 2, 2016 said no life was lost in the invasion of Kodomun and that he did not allow his men to intervene in the attack because according him, it was a communal clash and to do so, would appear to be taking sides.
“This man is therefore not fit for a Command position. He should be removed immediately by the Inspector General of Police. In light of the foregoing, we unequivocally affirm that it is not a coincidence that the brunt of these murderous attacks have been directed mainly at the ethnic nationalities and other well meaning citizens who are opposed to this diabolic agenda.
“More importantly, we demand the immediate disarming of all Fulani herdsmen who are taking cover under the guise of grazing their cattle to kill, maim, plunder and economically incapacitate the communities. That, as a matter of urgency, government should immediately come to the aid of the victims of the Kodomun massacre through the provision of relief materials. Government should also rehabilitate and settle the affected community as houses and property have been destroyed and they could hardly afford to provide shelter for themselves.”
Music is huge in Nigeria and while there are celebrities already dominating the industry, there are quite a number of them still struggling to be heard and seen.
No doubt, for every musician – popular or not, the dream of making every single a major hit is of a recurring nature. But, how do you go viral with your music? This is what every musician wants to know. To this end, Jumia Travel, Africa's No.1 online hotel booking site highlights key areas every artiste should concentrate on to make viral music:
Ensure the song sounds amazing
You cannot expect a song that is not appealing to the ears or lacking great content to go viral, really. If you want your song to catch on and go viral, the obvious answer is for it to be your best work and nothing less. It has to be catchy and easy to sing along to. Listeners should be able to bob their head and smile as they sing along too. Putting out an amazing song is the perfect way to make people want to spread your music around, ensuring it goes viral much faster.
Put out a video
A great way to reach a large number of people and get your music across on the internet today is through video. Video is considered by Google as a higher form of engagement, therefore you have a better shot at reaching more people if you do a video for your music..but not just any video. It must capture and keep your audience's attention. Also, endeavour to keep your video short and entertaining.
Share your song on all platforms
While social media, especially Twitter and Facebook are undoubtedly the best and most reliable platform for boosting the visibility of your song and making it go viral, you should also consider the old media: Radio and TV. They are not "trendy' as much anymore, but they are definitely still relevant. Push your songs to the relevant guys on these platforms and see the effects of massive airtime play. Basically, know the right people with the right numbers and influence on all the media – broadcast, print, social media and other social networking sites you opt for, and enlist them to support you.
Get people to do covers of your song
A great way to get your music go viral is to get your fans and community of friends to do a cover of your song and post it on social media. With a number of people making covers and tweeting about it, even tagging others on Facebook, it is bound to get some attention and eventually go viral. To spice things up, you could make it a bit competitive and attach a prize to the fan with the best cover. You however must ensure the entire process is transparent.
Epe, one of the Local Government Areas (LGAs) in Lagos State, is slowly becoming a popular choice residential destination for Lagosians, especially those who would like to share proximity with the Lekki Peninsula.
It is indeed striking to see increase in the number of Nigerians moving to settle in Epe even though they are not natives of the town.
Information from some quarters reveal that Epe might be a land of strong Yoruba accents, bad food, and seriously questionable fashion choices. Contrarily, there is a wealth of legitimately cool things to do in the town. Jumia Travel, Africa's No.1 online hotel booking portal shares five (5) reasons Epe should be your next holiday destination, if you're not considering settling. Explore and enjoy.
Have a Chill moment at Epe Resorts and Spa
Epe Resorts and Spa offers truly unique experience and privacy that redefines the definition of modern resorts. From immersing in the tranquility of its beautiful environs and unwinding at the luxurious Spa to indulging at the fabulous onsite restaurant and relaxing in the beautiful post-modern accommodations, Epe Resorts is not just a destination for your vacation, it is a getaway paradise and the perfect place to just visit and chill.
Enjoy some heavy window shopping at Novare Lekki Mall
Novare Lekki Mall shares a close proximity with Epe; it's a spanking new mall slated for official opening on August 25th, 2016. The mall is expected to provide the perfect window shopping experience for most visitors in the town. You'll find all sorts of lovely boutiques, home items, and also beauty products, as it houses shops such as Shoprite, Game e.t.c. There is also a cinema multiplex.
Visit the local markets
If you savour the taste of fresh fish, there are two major markets in Epe where you can buy from. Oluwo market is located around 'chief' area, and they have, especially on weekends, a good spread of fresh fish. You will get good discounts on any item purchased from this market. Ayetoro market is also another area in Epe where you can buy fresh. It's at the beginning of Lagos road.
Sample local culinary delights at Madam K. Adewale
Food makes everything beautiful, and what better way to enjoy the essence of a town than have a taste of its local cuisine? Madam L. Adewale is the perfect spot for local delights. Open from Monday through Saturday, the restaurant offers good food with everything from local Yoruba cuisines to popular Nigerian meals. You are bound to enjoy a luscious meal at a very affordable price.
Go for swimming with friends at 12:30
Swimming at a pool is one of the best ways to have fun and hang with friends too. One of the popular hotels in Epe town, 12:30 offers great opportunity for visitors and guests to enjoy swimming sessions in its outdoor pool. Meals can be ordered from the onsite restaurant or poolside restaurant, and an assortment of drinks at the bar or the pool bar. Guests have free access to the swimming pool, while short-term visitors have to pay a fee for access.
Have fun at the Eebi Festival
Eebi festival is a celebration of the town's war victories in the nineteenth century. It's one of the most popular festivals in Epe town. During the festival, the Kilajolu masquerade is usually paraded to the colourful delight of onlookers. The masquerade which comes out from Oju Alaro in marina Epe offers great fun opportunities for all who attend.
The Lagos State Government and the Office of the Head of Service of the Federation on Thursday commenced talks on partnership for the massive provision of affordable housing for Federal and State civil servants to address housing deficit especially for workers in the State.
Head of Service of the Federation, Mrs. Winifred Oyo-Ita, who disclosed this while leading a technical delegation to Governor Akinwunmi Ambode at the Lagos House in Ikeja, said the decision to go into partnership with the State Government followed the need to key into the housing programme of President Muhammadu Buhari-led administration.
She said under the scheme known as the Federal Integrated Staff Housing (FISH) programme, the Lagos State Government will be required to provide land for development of affordable housing for Federal civil servants, while 10 to 15 percentage of the scheme will be made available for civil servants in the State, who will benefit as the State’s equity contribution to the scheme.
The Federal HOS, who was received by the Lagos State Head of Service, Mrs Olabowale Ademola and top government functionaries in the housing sector on behalf of Governor Ambode, said the decision to partner with the State Government was borne out of the fact that many civil servants were willing to own properties in Lagos, being the commercial capital of Nigeria.
Oyo-Ita said: “We are here today to introduce to you Federal Integrated Staff Housing (FISH) Programme which is a welfare programme for federal civil servants that aspire to provide affordable housing for civil servants.
“Lagos State is critical to this scheme and it is so because Lagos is the commercial capital of Nigeria and apart from the fact that quite a number of Lagos State indigene who are federal civil servants would want to own their homes here in Lagos State, there is a cross-section of Nigerians like somebody like me who grew up in Lagos who will like to have homes in Lagos State,” Oyo-Ita said.
She added that aside the fact that Lagos stands to benefit immensely from the scheme in terms of property tax and income tax, arrangement was also ongoing with the Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria (FMBN) and other international agencies to grant single digit loan to estate developers to develop the scheme.
Responding, Mrs. Ademola said the deliberations at the meeting would be conveyed to the Governor and assured that appropriate communication would soon been made.
Mrs. Ademola alongside other top government functionaries in Lagos State, however raised enquiries as to the benefit for civil servants in the State, after which the Chairman of the FISH scheme and Permanent Secretary in the office of the Federal Head of Service, Mr. Yemi Adelakun assured of 10 to 15 per cent reservation for State civil servants.
It was also agreed that a joint technical committee should be set up to work out and fine tune the process in terms of benefit to State civil servants.
Hillary Clinton admonished rival Donald Trump on Thursday for claiming that she and Barack Obama were the founders of the Islamic State, saying anyone who would “sink so low” should never be president.
“No, Barack Obama is not the founder of ISIS,” Clinton tweeted.
“Anyone willing to sink so low, so often should never be allowed to serve as our Commander-in-Chief.”
Trump again roiled the presidential campaign late Wednesday, telling a rally in Florida that Obama “is the founder of ISIS.”
“And I would say, the co-founder would be crooked Hillary Clinton.”
Republicans have long stated that the foreign policies of Obama and his then-secretary of state Clinton share blame in helping create conditions that allowed IS to grow in Iraq and Syria.
IS was founded in 2013, months after Clinton left the State Department. It was born out of the terror group Al-Qaeda in Iraq that grew in strength in 2006 following Republican president George W. Bush’s decision to invade Iraq in 2003.
The group flourished with Obama’s withdrawal of US troops from Iraq in late 2011. Republicans said Obama was slow to recognize the threat when he said in 2014 that the Islamic State was a “JV” — junior varsity — team even though they gained ground in Syria and Iraq.
“It goes without saying that this is a false claim from a presidential candidate with an aversion to the truth and an unprecedented lack of knowledge,” Clinton senior policy advisor Jake Sullivan said in a statement.
“This is another example of Donald Trump trash-talking the United States.”
Sullivan warned that Trump was “echoing the talking points of (Russian President Vladimir) Putin and our adversaries to attack American leaders and American interests, while failing to offer any serious plans to confront terrorism or make this country more secure.”
The Democratic National Committee weighed in, saying Trump “should apologize for his outrageous, unhinged and patently false suggestions.”
But on Thursday, Trump doubled down, telling homebuilders in Miami Beach, Florida that Obama and Clinton were “the founders of ISIS.”
“ISIS will hand her the most valuable player award,” he said of Clinton, 68.
Earlier Thursday, Trump stood firm when asked by CNBC whether it was appropriate to say a sitting US president founded a jihadist group determined to kill Americans.
“Is there something wrong with saying that?” Trump, 70, said. “Are people complaining that I said he was the founder of ISIS?”
“All I do is tell the truth. I’m a truth-teller.”
With his poll numbers slipping after two nightmarish weeks, the billionaire real estate mogul also sought to minimize the personal cost of a potential defeat against Clinton.
“If at the end of 90 days I fall short… even though I’m supposed to have a lot of good ideas, it’s OK. I go back to a very good way of life,” he told the network.
“It’s either going to work or I’m going to, you know, I’m going to have a very, very nice long vacation.”
Last week, Trump prepared his followers for possible defeat, warning a rally that the November 8 election will be “rigged.”
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) said it had cleared Osagie Ize-Iyamu of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and 18 others as candidates in the Sept. 10 governorship election in Edo.
Ize-Iyamu, Obaseki and Oshiomhole
Also cleared, according to the commission, are Mr Godwin Obaseki of All Progressives Congress (APC), Amos Areloegbe, Labour Party and Oronsaye Richard, Mega Progressive Peoples Party (MPPP).
This is contained in the list of political parties and their candidates for the election, published by the commission in a document obtained by the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja on Thursday.
The document signed by the commission's Secretary, Mrs Augusta Ogakwu, explained that the clearance of Obaseki as PDP's candidate was based on a court order.
Other candidates on the list are Mr Ishaka Ofemile, Action Alliance; Mr Andrew Igewmoh, Advanced Congress of Democrats (ACD); Mr Cosmos Irabor, Allied Congress Party of Nigeria (ACPN) and Onaiwu Osaro, All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA).
Others are Mr David Okoror, Citizens Popular Party (CPP); Mr Tobi Adeniyi, Independent Democrats (ID), Thompson Osadolor, KOWA Party; Peters Omoragbon, National Conscience Party (NCP) and Akhalamhe Amiemenoghena of People for Democratic Change (PDC).
Mr Thomas Sadoh of Progressive People Alliance (PPA), Mrs Agol Ebun, Peoples Party of Nigeria (PPN); Omorogieva Gbajumo, Social Democratic Party (SDP); Shadrach Efogie, United Progressive Party (UPP) and Nurudeen Inwanefero of Young Democratic Party (YDP) were also cleared to participate.
In the document, INEC stated that the announcement of cleared candidates for the election was in line with Section 34 of the Electoral Act 2010 (as amended).
Abuja – A man and his wife were on Thursday arraigned in a Wuse Zone 6 Chief Magistrates' Court, Abuja, for cheating.
The defendants Glory Elisha, 36, and Yohanna Elisha, 45, of CBN Estate, Garki 2, Abuja, were arraigned for breach of trust and cheating.
They pleaded not guilty to the charges.
The Prosecuting counsel, Nnamani Emmanuel, told the court that Alomaja Olajide of Area 2, Garki, Abuja, reported the matter at the Garki Police Station on Aug. 4.
He said that sometimes in May 2014, the defendants conspired and approached him in his office under false pretext that they want to sell their house located at Garki, Abuja.
“The couple told the complainant to bring N10, 800, 000 for the house which he paid as agreed. “After purchasing the house the couple pleaded with the complainant to allow them stay for one year to enable them get a new house before he can fully take possession of the house," Emmanuel said.
The prosecutor further said that unknown to Olajide, the defendants had already sold the house to Alhaji Musa Abubakar of CBN Estate, Utako, Abuja, at the rate of N25, 000, 000 before they sold it to him.
He added that during police investigation the defendants made confessional statements and N100, 000 was recovered from them.
Nnamani said that the offences contravened sections 312 and 322 of the Penal Code, which attracts five years jail term with fine or both on conviction.
The Magistrate, Mrs Jacinta Okeke, however, granted the defendants bail in the sum of two million naira with one surety each in like sum.
She said that the sureties must be a civil servant not below grade level 8, and must reside within the jurisdiction of the court.
Okeke also said the sureties must tender two recent passport photographs or National Identity Card or driver licence He adjourned the matter till Aug. 22 for further hearing.
The Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, has appealed to the media to project a positive image of Nigeria instead of echoing the misinformation about widespread insecurity in the country.
Receiving members of the Association of Tourism Practitioners of Nigeria, who paid him a courtesy call in his office in Abuja on Thursday, the Minister urged the media to be wary of spreading the misinformation that 20 out of the 36 states in Nigeria are not safe, saying every Nigerian state is safe for investment and tourism.
”If they want to tell their people not to come to Nigeria, we do not need to help them to spread the news,” he said. ”You do not need to spread news about Nigeria that will hurt investment and tourism.”
Alhaji Mohammed enjoined members of the Association to complement the efforts of the government in promoting the good image of the country, saying perception management and aggressive marketing are key to the promotion of tourism in Nigeria.
“I will mention an area which is dire to tourism and development. That is the area of marketing tourism. We do not market tourism enough in this country. Tourism is driven by perception more than by reality. What do I mean? Today, countries that are less endowed and peaceful than Nigeria…go on CNN and Aljazeera to advertise their countries as the countries of peace and stability. We must change the perception and invest in perception management,” he said.
The Minister said the ministry is working to change the general perception about tourism as a mere leisure instead of as a business, because of its huge potential in the diversification of the economy, hence the renewed drive to partner with the UN World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO) to rejig the nation’s tourism architecture.
Alhaji Mohammed told the Association that he had made recommendation for the resuscitation of the Presidential Council on Tourism (PCT) involving all stakeholders across ministries, departments and agencies with a view to fashioning out a holistic approach towards the development of tourism in the country.
He urged leaders to do more to promote domestic tourism in Nigeria by spending their vacation in the country, as leaders in other climes do.
In his address, the National President of the Association, Kabir Mallam, hailed the Minister for his uncommon commitment to repositioning tourism in Nigeria.
“Permit me sir to appreciate you for the three significant outings since assumption of office: Tourism and Culture Summit held at Transcorp Hilton Hotel on the 28th and 29th April, 2016; Your appearance before the House of Representatives on May 3rd 2016 and most recent visit to the UNWTO this month,” he said.
He called for a review of the Tourism Master plan to conform to current realities, saying the Association has set up a committee to complement government in that regard.
Mallam called for the enactment of a law to regulate tourism practice in Nigeria to guard against the unscrupulous activities of quacks in the sector.
Tweets regarding Twitter’s pending demise are greatly exaggerated.
Despite a rumor to the contrary, the global one-to-many messaging service on Thursday had no plans to shut down any time in the foreseeable future due to the bane of cyber bullying.
Twitter assured AFP that there is no truth at all to the gossip.
Twitter’s own platform was being used as a springboard for the rumor, along with missives poking fun at the angst sparked by the idea of a tweetless world.
The commentary took flight with a hashtag of #SaveTwitter.
“People who believe Twitter will shut down in 2017 are the same people who thought the world would end in 2012,” read a message fired off from the account of @ChocMilkSheikh.
The barrage of tweets included outrage over the notion of killing Twitter because of cyber bullies. There were also pictures and looped video snippets of mayhem, misery and confusion.
Twitter’s future nonetheless has been the subject of speculation because of its relatively slow growth and persistent losses, and its inability to control abuse on the platform.
Some users mockingly marveled at the notion that many stripped of Twitter might actually need to engage the world around them for news or social interaction.
“If Twitter shuts down we will all have to actually do something with our lives,” read a tweet from the account of @ColleensAnatomy.
