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Here's a quick recap of some of the musical talents we lost this year;
David Bowie: He was a master of music and makeovers, famous both for his talent and gender-bending artistry. The iconic "Ziggy Stardust" singer, who died on January, 10 at the age of 69 after a quiet, 18-month battle with cancer, defied labels while producing a long string of acclaimed hits in a range of genres, from glam rock to funk to hip hop. His final album, "Blackstar," was released just days before his death.
Glenn Frey:The Eagles co-founder, who died on January 17 at the age of 67, was known for his laid-back persona and country-tinged California sound. Along with Don Henley, Frey co-wrote such indelible Eagles songs as "Best of my love", "Lyin' Eyes", "One of These Nights" and "Hotel California" before going on to a '80s solo career.
Paul Kanter: Guitarist Paul Kantner was a founding member of the '60s psychedelic-rock band Jefferson Airplane, which later morphed into Jefferson Starship. The 74-year-old who died on January 28 was heralded as the architect of what was then known as San Francisco sound, exemplified by such trippy songs as "White Rabbit."
Maurice White: Founder and leader of sprawling R&B group Earth, Wind & Fire, Maurice White died on February 4 at age 74, leaving behind a legacy of funky, spiritually uplifting hits that were loved by black and white audiences alike. Many, including 'Shining Star', 'Sing a Song' and 'September', will stand the test of time.
Keith Emerson : Keyboardist Keith Emerson co-founded Emerson, Lake & Palmer, which Billboard calls progressive rock's first supergroup. The British outfit thrilled audiences with florid instrumentation and elaborate stage shows, including pyrotechnics. Emerson, 71, died on March 11 in Santa Monica, California, of a self-inflicted gunshot wound, a coroner said.
This file photo taken on May 18, 2013 shows musician Prince performing onstage during the 2013 Billboard Music Awards at the MGM Grand Garden Arena on May 19, 2013 in Las Vegas, Nevada. Pop icon Prince died at his compound in Minnesota on April 21, 2016, a representative said. He was 57. “It is with profound sadness that I am confirming that the legendary, iconic performer, Prince Rogers Nelson, has died at his Paisley Park residence this morning,” said his spokeswoman, Yvette Noel-Schure. / AFP PHOTO
Phife Dawg: Born Malik Taylor, he found fame as rapper Phife Dawg, a founding member of pioneering group A Tribe Called Quest. Pitchfork published some of the most epic rhymes by the diminutive, 45-year-old rapper and lyricist who spit serious magic on the mic before dying of complications from diabetes on March 23.
Merle Haggard: Singer-songwriter Merle Haggard was a grizzled country music legend who became a voice for the working man with classics like 'Okie from Muskogee' and 'Fightin' Side of Me'. He was 79 when he died from complications from pneumonia on the 6th of April.
Prince: Prince Rogers Nelson's music — a brilliant mix of pop, rock and stripped-down funk — transcended genres and generations. His best songs, from "When Doves Cry" to "Purple Rain" to "Kiss," somehow sound both timeless and fresh some 30 years later. His shocking death at age 57 on April 21 drew an international outpouring of grief that showed the breadth of his influence in popular culture.
Leonard Cohen: Canadian crooner Leonard Cohen's songwriting and poetry influenced countless musicians with its dark sensibility and ironic humor. Just before he died on November 10 at the age of 82, he released an album, 'You want it darker' that explored big questions about mortality and God.
Leon Russell: Rocker Leon Russel, who died in his sleep on November 13 at the age of 74, worked for years as an acclaimed session pianist before finding fame in his own right in the 1970s. His distinctive look and stage presence earned him the nickname, "The Master of Time and Space." Russell played on the famed 1971 "Concert for Bangladesh" at Madison Square Garden.
Sharon Jones: Soul and funk singer Sharon Jones spent decades in anonymity before audiences discovered her in the mid-2000s. With her backing band, the Dap-Kings, she became legendary for her fiery live shows, earning comparisons to her idol James Brown. Jones died at the age of 60 on November 18, but not before she defiantly told Rolling Stone in July, "I have cancer; cancer don't have me."
Greg Lake: On December 7, the prog-rock singer and bassist died at 69 after a battle with cancer, leaving Carl Palmer as the only surviving member of Emerson, Lake & Palmer. Lake also co-founded King Crimson and later scored a big solo hit in the UK with "I Believe in Father Christmas."
George Michael: Singer George Michael burst onto the scene with '80s pop duo Wham! before reaching greater heights as a charismatic — and controversial — solo artist. With such monster hits as 'Faith' and 'Freedom! '90', Michael blended danceable pop with progressive social commentary. The British pop star and gay icon was 53 when he died on December 25.
Debbie Reynolds: Actress and singer Debbie Reynolds died on Wednesday, a day after the sudden death of her daughter, "Star Wars" icon Carrie Fisher. Reynolds was 84. "She's gone to be with Carrie," Reynolds' son, Todd Fisher, said in a statement. "She loved taking care of her and now she's gone to be with her." Reynolds was rushed to a hospital from a Beverly Hills home at around 1 p.m. PT, according to law enforcement officials. Todd Fisher confirmed she had died Wednesday evening and later told "Variety" he blamed heartbreak for his mother's death.
Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has petitioned Ms. Agnes CALLAMARD, Special Rapporteur on extrajudicial, summary or arbitrary executions, urging her to "prevail on the Nigerian authorities to halt further killings of innocent citizens in Southern Kaduna, and to urgently investigation recent allegations of killings of over 800 citizens mostly women, children and the elderly in that part of the country by suspected herdsmen, and to identify the perpetrators and bring them to justice, and to provide reparations to victims"
The organization also asked Ms. CALLAMARD to "request to visit Nigeria to conduct fact-finding mission into the circumstances surrounding the killings."
In the petition dated 30 December 2016 and signed by SERAP executive director Adetokunbo Mumuni the organization expressed "concern that the killings of citizens in Southern Kaduna of Nigeria amount to serious violations of the rights to life; to security of the human person; to the respect of the dignity inherent in a human being; and right to property guaranted by not only the Nigerian Constitution 1999 (as amended) but also the African Charter on Human and Peoples' Rights and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights to which Nigeria is a state party.”
The petition reads in part: "SERAP contends that Nigerian authorities have failed and/or neglected to respect these human rights and to exercise due diligence to ensure that these rights are not violated by private individuals such as herdsmen and other unknown perpetrators. Nigerian government should therefore be held to account for failing or neglecting to guarantee and protect the rights of the people in Southern Kaduna, regardless of whether such violations are directly or indirectly attributable to the state or its officials."
"SERAP is concerned that the Nigerian government has failed and/or neglected to create an environment in Southern Kaduna to end the unlawful killings by failing to move their legal and institutional machinery towards the actual realisation of these rights. It is in fact the failure by the government to take adequate measures to prevent the violence which has contributed to the increasing number of victims."
"SERAP believes that the killings would not have taken place if the Nigerian authorities have taken measures to prevent their happening and to address persistent impunity of those responsible for the violations and abuses. The lack of accountability for the attacks by herdsmen and other unknown perpetrators across the country has continued to create a culture of impunity which clearly is not compatible with the rule of law in a democratic society."
"According to the leadership of the Catholic Diocese of Kafanchan in Kaduna State, a total of 808 people were killed in 53 villages across the four local governments areas in the state ridden by crisis. The church leaders also said that 57 people were injured; farm produce estimated at N5.5 billion were also destroyed, and a total of 1,422 houses and 16 churches were burnt during the attacks. The affected communities are spread across Kaura, Sanga, Jama'a and Kauru Local Government Areas where there had been persistent attacks on communities by gunmen believed to be Fulani herdsmen."
SERAP therefore urged Ms. CALLAMARD to prevail on the Nigerian authorities to:
Take measures to urgently secure the right to life, right to security and dignity of the human person and right to property of citizens in Southern Kaduna, and to prevent further attacks and killings by herdsmen and other unknown perpetrators Carry out an effective investigation into the circumstances surrounding the killings and to identify the perpetrators and bring them to justice, and to provide reparations to victims Provide a framework of security for the protection of life, and to protect the lives of those individuals at risk from unlawful attacks in Southern Kaduna Provide for an effective remedy and reparation for the victims
An Oredo Magistrates' Court in Benin has ordered the remand in prison custody, of two chieftains of the All Progressives Congress, Osakpamwan Eriyo and Sunday Osagbona, for alleged attempted murder.
The Chief Magistrate, Mrs M. C. Ojobo, who said she lacked jurisdiction to entertain the case, directed that both accused persons be remanded in Oko Medium Security prison.
She said the prison has proper health facilities and directed that the case file be sent to the Directorate of Public Prosecution for legal advice
The accused persons were charged with the attempted murder of Chief Osaro Idah, Secretary of the state's APC.
Eriyo is the State Youth Leader of the APC and Chairman of the Road Transport Employers Association (RTEAN) while Sunday is the Ward 3 Chairman of the APC in Oredo Local Government
No pleas were taken.
Eriyo protested being handcuffed in the court room.
He said: "Am I a criminal? Did I kill anybody? Why are they charging me for attempted murder?
"I didn't do anything. It is the governor that is oppressing me."
Their Counsel, Usunobun Evbayiro, urged the court to grant them custody in the police clinic because of their ill-health.
He said his clients were hypertensive, asthmatic and diabetic and they needed constant medical attention.
"The first accused person collapsed in police station. It was the police doctors that revived him.
" I urge you to use your discretion to order him to be kept in police hospital so that police doctors can attend to him. It is for him not to die in custody."
The case was adjourned till Jan. 13 for mention.
The APC chieftains' supporters had earlier staged protests at the headquarters of the Edo State Police Command to demand their release.
The police, however, ignored the protesters and whisked the accused, under heavy security, to the court.
Similarly officials of RTEAN and suspected thugs attempted to storm the court room but they were barred by the police.
The APC chieftains were arrested following a petition sent to the police by Chief Osaro Idah that they threatened his life
The US President-elect Donald Trump has urged Obama, Americans and, perhaps, Russian President, Putin to jettison the disagreement between the two countries and move on to bigger and better things.
Trump also said he will, however, meet with intelligence leaders next week to get the "facts of the situation" that led the Obama administration to expel 35 Russian diplomats in the wake of cyber attacks related to the US election for the interest of America.
Trump
The statement from Mr Trump urged America to "move on to bigger and better things" but confirmed he would meet security officials "in the interest of our country and its great people".
"It's time for our country to move on to bigger and better things. Nevertheless, in the interest of our country and its great people, I will meet with leaders of the intelligence community next week in order to be updated on the facts of this situation.
The Kremlin has warned the expulsion may lead to retaliatory actions.
Mr Trump has previously dismissed as "ridiculous" claims Russian cyber-hackers had interfered with the US election
U.S. President Barack Obama has ordered the expulsion of 35 Russian diplomats including shutting down of two Russian compounds in the U.S. in a number of actions announced on Thursday as reprisal for Russia's meddling in US election.
"Today, I have ordered a number of actions in response to the Russian government's aggressive harassment of U.S. officials and cyber operations aimed at U.S. election.
"These actions follow repeated private and public warnings that we have issued to the Russian government, and are a necessary and appropriate response to efforts to harm U.S. interests in violation of established international norms of behaviour.
"The U.S State Department is also shutting down two Russian compounds, in Maryland and New York, used by Russian personnel for intelligence-related purposes, and is declaring 'persona non grata' on 35 Russian intelligence operatives.
"Finally, the Department of Homeland Security and the Federal Bureau of Investigation are releasing declassified technical information on Russian civilian and military intelligence service cyber activity.
"This is to help network defenders in the U.S. and abroad to identify, detect, and disrupt Russia's global campaign of malicious cyber activities."
According to him, all Americans should be alarmed by Russia's actions.
Russian intelligence agencies over the last two years blanketed Democratic Party targets with malicious emails and have likely continued such efforts after November's elections, a US federal law enforcement report showed Thursday.
According to the AFP, US officials in the report refer to the Russian hacking efforts collectively as "Grizzly Steppe".
Russian President Vladimir Putin and U.S. President-elect Donald Trump agree to improve relations of both countries
The report's release coincided with an array of measures unveiled by Washington as retribution for what American officials have described as Moscow's malicious efforts to tip the vote in favour of President-elect Donald Trump by stealing embarrassing information from Democratic Party operations and senior party members before releasing it to the news media.
The report, produced jointly by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and Department of Homeland Security, traces the routes allegedly taken by hackers to infiltrate party operations, using targeted campaigns of "spearphishing," or fraudulent emails designed to cause the recipients to reveal passwords and other information, and then stealing large volumes of email.
The report corroborated or matched much of what had already been revealed by news media, which pointed to broad-based hacking by outfits such as APT 28 for "advanced persistent threat" tied to the Russian military intelligence body known as GRU, and APT 29, which may be associated with the FSB, or Russian federal security service.
"This activity by Russian intelligence services is part of a decade-long campaign of cyber-enabled operations directed at the US government and its citizens," DHS and FBI said in a joint statement with the Office of the Director of National Intelligence, which oversees the sprawling US intelligence community.
US intelligence officials in October formally accused Russia of responsibility for the hacking but have since reportedly been at pains to provide evidence without compromising their own intelligence collection.
The report contained technical specifications and IP addresses that the authors said network administrators could use to identify malicious activity as well as a set of recommendations for hardening networks against attack.
According to the report, in mid-2015 APT 29 used legitimate internet domains from US educational institutions and other organizations to host malware and send spearphishing emails to more than 1,000 accounts, including some belonging to US officials, successfully stealing email in bulk from several accounts.
In the spring of 2016, APT 28 also attacked, tricking victims into changing their emails on a fake website hosted by APT 28.
The New York Times reported this month that APT 28 stole emails belonging to John Podesta, then the chairman of Democrat Hillary Clinton's presidential campaign, and also penetrated computers used by the Democratic National Committee as well as the campaigning arm of Democrats in the House of Representatives.
"The US government assesses that information was leaked to the press and publicly disclosed," Thursday's report said.
"Actors likely associated with (Russian intelligence services) are continuing to engage in spearphishing campaigns, including one launched as recently as November 2016, just days after the US election."
The Directorate of State Services has reported various successes in smashing criminal gangs, including kidnappers, fraudsters and Boko Haram terrorists planning to detonate improvised bombs on New Year Day.
In Kano, the DSS operatives arrested three suspected Boko Haram fighters namely Samaila MUHAMMAD, Sanusi MUSA and Hudu MUHAMMAD.
They were arrested at Dirbunde village of Takai LGA in Kano State. The trio have perfected plans to carry out series of coordinated attacks with Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) in selected States of the North-West zone in the month of November, 2016 to disrupt festive activities during the end of year and the new year of 2017.
It was also in Kano state that DSS arrested Usman Sanusi MUSA aka KEKE, a notorious kidnap kingpin on 15th December, 2016, at Sabuwar-Kaura village in Doguwa LGA, Kano State.
MUSA is a high-profile criminal who, in conjunction with other criminal associates of his gang has been terrorising residents and communities in Bauchi, Kaduna, Kano and Plateau States, the agency reported
In the latest update of the agency's operations by Tony Opuiyo, its spokesman, the DSS said it has succeeded in degrading criminal gangs in several parts of the country in tactical operations in the last three months.
Among the criminals smashed were two gangs, a three-man and a four-man cell operating between Edo and Kogi states, either kidnapping or robbing people on the route.
Members of the three-man gang made up of Abubakar MUSA, Ismail MUSA and Suleiman MAINASARA, were arrested four weeks ago at Aduwawa in Benin city, Edo State.
"Prior to their arrest, they were members of a kidnap gang that terrorised commuters and residents of communities along the major highways between Edo and Kogi States", Opuiyo said.
"Similarly, on 30th November, 2016, one Ibrahim ADAMU and three of his associates namely; Umar ABUBAKAR, Ibrahim SALISU and Abdullahi ABUBAKAR, were arrested at Ibilio village in Edo State. The quartets were part of a larger gang that specialized in the kidnap of people along the Edo-Kogi corridor."
The DSS also on 20 December at Katsina-Ala town in Benue State,arrested another gang of suspected kidnappers comprising one Ernest BENZE, Terkura TYOKISHIR alias MPOTO, and Anun AONDONA.
The trio were identified as members of the notorious Terwase Akwaza kidnap syndicate.
Operatives of the Service also arrested Sani DIGARU, along with one Mohammed ALI, on 25th December, 2016, about 1315 hours, along Gombe-Dukku road, Gombe.
It was however not clear whether DIGARU was still alive as the DSS reported that he was fatally shot when he attempted to escape from arrest.
His arrest was sequel to earlier intelligence that he was in possession of N2million meant for the coordination of a terrorist operation in Yobe and Bauchi States.
The DSS has also uncovered a criminal gang which specializes in robbing foreigners, either visiting or living in Abuja.
For instance, on 5 December, 2016, the gang robbed an expatriate in a high brow hotel in Abuja and carted away his money and other valuables.
However, acting on actionable intelligence, and with the support and cooperation of sister agencies and the hotel management, the Service arrested one Ikechukwu OBADLEGWU and Ikechukwu Joseph EKE.
While OBADLEGWU carried out surveillance on potential targets for the group, EKE is the kingpin and mastermind of the whole operation.
Following this operation, the Service has successfully recovered almost all the stolen items.
In further disclosures, the DSS said it arrested a notorious fraudster at Gwaron Dutse, Kano Municipal, Kano State.
The fraudster was identified as Auwalu Abdullahi YAKASAI.
He was apprehended for allegedly defrauding Jaiz and Unity Banks of N100 Million and N50 Million respectively.
The Service also arrested one Bashir SHUAIBU, on 5 December, 2016 at Tsamiya village, Gezawa LGA of Kano State for obtaining money from unsuspecting victims through threat messages. He was arrested while in the process of defrauding another victim.
Just last Wednesday, operatives of the agency waded into the kidnap of a 10 year-old boy at Ben Kalio Housing Estate, Damaturu.
The kidnappers demanded a ransom of N5 million .
However, about 1920 hours same day, the Service rescued Muhd Yusuf DAYA, at Potiskum town, Potiskum LGA.
Meanwhile, the victim's mother Barakat DAYA and her friend, Rukaiya DANLADI, have been arrested for culpability in the incident, DSS said.
At least 15 Boko Haram fighters were killed in Borno State, Friday, when Nigerian troops of Operation Lafiya Dole and Boko Haram terrorists engaged in fierce battle which lasted several hours.
Sources say the battle ensued at 6 a.m this morning and did not end until after 9 a.m.
Our sources said the battle began when fighters of the terror group launched a surprise attack on troops location in Rann, in northern Borno, shooting sporadically.
They said the soldiers responded promptly, killing an unknown number of the terrorists, and wounding several others.
The battle was said to have raged for over two hours, and when the dust settled, several terrorists were found dead.
The Taraba Police Command on Friday said no All Progressives Congress (APC ) chieftain was killed in the state by miscreants.
The news of the killing was said to be contained in the news flash of a private television station on Friday.
The police spokesman in the state, Mr David Misal, told the News Agency of Nigeria ( NAN ) in Jalingo that the story of a purported killing of an APC chieftain in the state was false.
He, however, said two people had sustained injuries from a violent attack shortly after they attended a recent campaign rally of a politician at Dampar in Ibi Local Government Area of the state.
Misal said: " It is not true. No APC chieftain was killed in the incident.
" What actually happened was that two people sustained injuries from a violent attack when they returned from a campaign rally of a politician at Dampar.
" I will not give you any name because when you are dealing with political cases, you have to be careful to avoid misinterpretation.
"The two persons are currently receiving treatment at the Federal Medical Centre, Jalingo.
" The offence here is that they did not contact the security agencies before embarking on the rally.
" That is the reason why we have always advised politicians to contact security agencies before going for rallies so that they can be protected.
" If we had been informed, we would have averted the attack.''
He warned politicians in the state against violating the law while canvassing for votes in the February 2017 local government election in the state.
" Any political rally without security approval will be considered as a threat to security and the perpetrators would be liable to prosecution,'' Misal said. (NAN)
Embattled President Yahya Jammeh of Gambia has been unreachable by phone. UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon revealed his frustration in attempting to reach him in a statement in New York on Thursday. "Despite efforts to reach President Yahya Jammeh by phone, the Secretary-General has not yet been able to speak with him", the statement by Stephane Dujarric, Ban Ki-Moon's spokesman said.
Yahya Jammeh
The UN chief has however spoken with Adama Barrow, the President-elect to congratulate him on his electoral victory and to reiterate the commitment of the UN to a peaceful, timely, and orderly transfer of power. In a readout of the phone call to Barrow, Ban Ki Moon said the UN welcomed and fully supported the decision of ECOWAS on Dec. 17, to support the safety of the president-elect. Ban advised the president-elect to urge his supporters to show restraint and not resort to violence. The secretary-general emphasised that the UN would support the will of the people in their election of Barrow as well as the future government in efforts to promote democracy and sustainable development of the country. The UN Security Council and the AU have also expressed such support and have acknowledged Barrow as the president-elect after he defeated the incumbent, Jammeh, in the Dec. 1 presidential election.
The Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Adams Dabutorudima has resigned. Information about his resignation is still very sketchy as at press time.
The Chairman, House of Representatives Committee on Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs), Alhaji Sani Zoro, has advised the IDPs to be wary of returning home until the military certifies their communities safe.
Zoro gave the advice in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Dutse on Friday.
He noted with concern that some IDPs have started rushing home after the capturing of Sambisa forest, saying this did not augur well for their safety.
According to him, there is the need for the military to certify the communities safe, after liberating the territory hitherto seized by insurgents.
"I am not happy about the development that IDPs in the camps are rushing to their homes, because already there is fear that some of these communities have been mined by insurgents.
"There is need to escalate the level of reconstruction, especially shelter and means of livelihood in this harmattan season and there is also need for the massive `demining' of all liberated areas and the army had to confirm that such places are safe for the return of IDPs" .
He also advised the Federal Government to assign the reconstruction of houses, roads, police stations and schools in the North-East to the military .
Zoro explained that such a decision will generate employment in specialised areas such as carpentry, masonry and engineering.
He said that the Armed forces should be encouraged to develop their capacity in other aspects of human endeavour as obtained in other parts of the world.
Sen. Magnus Abe (APC-Rivers South-East) has flayed the preparation and passage of the Rivers' 2017 budget. He described the budget presented by Gov. Nyesom Wike and passed by the state legislature "as too hasty".
Abe made remarks when a chieftaincy title: "Esaan Kono" (First Son of Kono) was conferred on him by the Kono Community on Friday in Khana Local Government Area of Rivers.
He said that the budget was not supposed to be treated as a secret document but a collective interest of all groups in the state.
Abe said the absence of some lawmakers during the budget presentation to the House of Assembly attested to the manner the budget was prepared.
"A budget is expected to be discussed by representatives of the various local government areas to ensure equal opportunities for the economic interest of all.
"The governor would have waited for the swearing-in of all the elected lawmakers to enable every part of the state have a voice in the economic plan of the state.
"If the budget is hastily presented and subsequently passed into law without involvement of all the lawmakers, then its aim is defeated," he said.
He urged the governor to make public copies of the budget to enable the people have better knowledge of his administration.
Abe also charged the people of Kono to embrace the spirit of brotherhood to enhance the economic growth and political stability of the constituency.
Mr Blessing Nwikinaka, who spoke on behalf of the community, said the title was to honour him on his successful re-election and to pledge their continued support to his programmes.
"Kono has benefited greatly from some of your laudable projects.
"Today, we have two functional boreholes, youth scholarships, payment of backlogs of electricity bills and rehabilitation of jetty at the Kono Waterfront are some of your show of love to Kono people," Nwikinaka said.
Mr Marvin Yobana, the Youth Leader, urged youths in the area to support the Senator in his effort towards attracting democracy dividends to the region.
He urged them to embrace peace at all times so as to move the community forward.
Lawyers in Kuala Lumpur said on Friday that a 9-year-old Malaysian boy got his penis amputated in the second botched circumcision operation in December.
The Lawyers said was due to negligence on the part of his surgeon.
The doctor accidentally cut off the head of the boy's penis during the operation on December 15.
He then tried to stitch the penis head back on, but did not align it properly, lawyer P. Uthayakumar told reporters at a press conference outside the main hospital building in Kuala Lumpur.
The child was referred to another hospital for immediate further surgery, but the penis head started turning black, and the whole penis later had to be amputated.
"I am very stressed out I don't know what to do,'' the father of the child, who did not want to be named, said.
The boy's parents are seeking compensation to cover reconstructive surgery and are hoping for their son to be treated at a hospital abroad.
"He asks me: Why are you sad mother? I try to control crying in front of him I can't help but think how his life will be after this,'' the boy's mother added while sobbing.
Neither the unidentified doctor, who carried out the botched operation, nor his clinic has made any comment about the case.
Last week a 10-year-old boy lost the top of his penis in a laser technique circumcision, however, the glans was successfully reattached.
Sen. Magnus Abe (APC-Rivers South-East) has flayed the preparation and passage of the Rivers' 2017 budget.
He described the budget presented by Gov. Nyesom Wike and passed by the state legislature "as too hasty".
Abe made remarks when a chieftaincy title: "Esaan Kono" (First Son of Kono) was conferred on him by the Kono Community on Friday in Khana Local Government Area of Rivers.
He said that the budget was not supposed to be treated as a secret document but a collective interest of all groups in the state.
Abe said the absence of some lawmakers during the budget presentation to the House of Assembly attested to the manner the budget was prepared.
"A budget is expected to be discussed by representatives of the various local government areas to ensure equal opportunities for the economic interest of all.
"The governor would have waited for the swearing-in of all the elected lawmakers to enable every part of the state have a voice in the economic plan of the state.
"If the budget is hastily presented and subsequently passed into law without involvement of all the lawmakers, then its aim is defeated," he said.
He urged the governor to make public copies of the budget to enable the people have better knowledge of his administration.
Abe also charged the people of Kono to embrace the spirit of brotherhood to enhance the economic growth and political stability of the constituency.
Mr Blessing Nwikinaka, who spoke on behalf of the community, said the title was to honour him on his successful re-election and to pledge their continued support to his programmes.
"Kono has benefited greatly from some of your laudable projects.
"Today, we have two functional boreholes, youth scholarships, payment of backlogs of electricity bills and rehabilitation of jetty at the Kono Waterfront are some of your show of love to Kono people," Nwikinaka said.
Mr Marvin Yobana, the Youth Leader, urged youths in the area to support the Senator in his effort towards attracting democracy dividends to the region.
He urged them to embrace peace at all times so as to move the community forward. (NAN)
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Alexis Ohanian, the 33 year old. who got engaged to tennis legend, Serena Williams is a great man too in ICT. He is also a legend in his own world.
He is an American internet entrepreneur, activist, investor, and best-selling author. He lives in San Francisco.
He was born on 24 April 1983 in the Brooklyn borough of New York City. His father Chris Ohanian, is an Armenian-American whose family were Armenian Genocide survivors who came to the US as refugees.
Williams and Ohanian
His mother, Anke is a German-born, who worked as an au pair and overstayed her visa when she fell in love with Ohanian's father.
Ohanian went to Howard High School in Ellicott City, Maryland where he gave the student address for his graduating class in 2001.
He is best known for co-founding the social news website Reddit, co-founding the early stage venture capital firm Initialized Capital, helping launch the travel search website Hipmunk, and starting the social enterprise Breadpig. He was a partner at Y Combinator, and is also the executive chairman of Reddit.
After graduating from the University of Virginia in 2005 with degrees in commerce and history, Ohanian started reddit.com, with co-founder Steve Huffman. Reddit initially received funding from Y Combinator after Ohanian and Huffman were rejected for their initial idea, My Mobile Menu.
In 2007, Ohanian launched Breadpig, an "uncorporation" that produces geeky merchandise and gives the proceeds to charity. He is no longer involved in the day-to-day operations of Breadpig.
In 2009, Ohanian spoke at TED about a whale named Mister Splashy Pants. After leaving Reddit in 2010, Ohanian spent 3 months working in microfinance as a Kiva fellow in Yerevan, Armenia. Ohanian helped launch travel search website Hipmunk in 2010, and now acts as an advisor. In June 2010, Ohanian announced the launch of his company Das Kapital Capital, which focuses on startup investing, advising and consulting.
He was named the "Ambassador to the East" for early stage venture firm Y Combinator. In this position, he meets with East Coast applicants, mentors New York YC founders, and is a general representative for the company.
He also held the role of part-time partner and full-time partner at Y Combinator, before leaving in 2016 to help launch the third Initialized Capital fund with Garry Tan.
He co-founded Initialized Capital in 2010 and made seed investments in startups including Instacart, Zenefits, Opendoor, and Cruise. It has had three funds, totaling over $160M under management.
In late 2010 and early 2011, he spoke out against Congress's Stop Online Piracy Act and the Senate's Protect IP Act. He helped lead the Internet-enabled grassroots campaign that eventually overturned the two bills.
Ohanian spoke to members of Congress, helped launch the national anti-SOPA/PIPA protests that took place on January 18, 2012, and spoke at the rally in New York that was organized by NY Tech Meetup.
In October 2012, Ohanian teamed up with Reddit General Manager Erik Martin and embarked on the Internet 2012 Bus Tour from Denver, CO to Danville, KY to campaign for the open Internet during the Presidential and Vice Presidential debates. One of the campaign stops spurred the idea for a possible "National Geek Day." in Washington DC.
In response to his work advocating for the Open Internet, The Daily Dot named Ohanian number one in their top ten most influential activists of 2012, and Forbes dubbed him "Mayor of the Internet."
In May 2014, Ohanian began campaigning the FCC to support net neutrality, culminating with a day-long phone-a-thon into the FCC and Congress on 15 January, 2015.
In 2011 and 2012, Ohanian was named to the Forbes "30 Under 30" list as an important figure in the technology industry.
In 2013, Ohanian and Erik Martin were featured as "champions of innovation" in the 20th Anniversary issue of Wired.
In 2015, Ohanian was named to the Crain's "40 Under 40" list for business.
Ohanian published a book titled Without Their Permission: How the 21st Century Will Be Made, Not Managed on October 1, 2013.
Without Their Permission ranked 4th on the Wall Street Journal's best sellers list for Hardcover Business. In connection with the book, Ohanian embarked on a 5-month, 150-stop and 75-university tour to promote the book.
Ohanian has spoken at over 80 universities, and lectured at conferences like TED, the Clinton Global Initiative, SXSW, and ROFLCon.
He has spoken to a range of companies, including Google, BBDO, BursonMarsteller, Johnson & Johnson, Hyatt, Kraft, and Palantir. Ohanian was also the keynote speaker at an entrepreneurship summit in Cairo organized by the U.S. State Department months after the Egyptian Revolution.
The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) has declared January 8 2017 national day of mourning over Southern Kaduna killings.
This came as its commended President Muhammadu Buhari for waging war against Boko Haram fundamentalists since his assumption in office, but decried his silence over the on-going genocide in the last few weeks’
Saying that Buhari’s silence was ‘perceived as official endorsement of the dastardly and ungodly acts.’and that the defense of the President's silence and that the President has received briefing from the governor of Kaduna State over the matter was unacceptable, as governor was biased in handling of the continuous killings.
These were made known in a statement directed by Rev. Dr. Samson Olasupo A Ayokunle, President CAN and signed by Rev. Dr. Musa Asake, CAN National General Secretary on Friday.
New CAN President, Rev Ayokunle
The statement read
‘Though the church in Nigeria since 2009 has been subjected to a systemic genocide and persecution through the instrumentality of Islamic fundamentalists Boko Haram, leading to the killing of thousands of Christians and destruction of hundreds of churches, and over 50,000 houses, but the current unprecedented onslaught against Christians in southern Kaduna by the
Islamic fundamentalists disguising as the Fulani herdsmen under the watch of Kaduna state governor, Mallam Nasir El-Rufai and President Muhammadu Buhari has reached an alarming stage.
While we commend President Muhammadu Buhari for waging war against Boko Haram fundamentalists since his Assumption of office, his silence over the on-going genocide in the last few weeks speaks volume over the perceived official endorsement of the dastardly and ungodly acts.
The recent defense of the President's silence that the President has received briefing from the governor of Kaduna State over the matter is unacceptable, because the Presidency knows that the people of the affected area had already protested against the governor's unacceptable biased handling of the continuous killings.
Common sense tells anyone that at that instance, the President has to more directly wade in because lives are involved. The continuous killings have shown that the Governor of Kaduna State lacks the will power to arrest the situation and bring it under effective control.
We know that southern Kaduna has been under 24-hour curfew daily as directed by the governor, yet the enemies of the people are still prowling going from house to house killing defenseless people without government protection.
The security operatives in the area appear to be turning blind eyes to the killings. They only rush to trouble spots after the perpetrators of the evils had performed their enterprise of killings and destruction of houses and farmlands.
CAN has previously drawn attention to the imbalance in the appointments made in our security Institutions, hence we re-emphasize that leadership/ management of security institutions both at the national and state levels be reviewed to ensure a balance of Muslim and Christian Representation. Such balance, will build trust and confidence among all citizens of Nigeria in the Security empowered to protect our nation. We implore the state and federal government to increase their efforts in putting an end to these killings and as well ensure that those behind the killings are brought to book under the laws of our land and those affected to be compensated.
In view of the present predicament, the President of CAN has directed that Sunday January 8 2017, should be declared national day of mourning by Christians including those in Diaspora. We are to pray fervently for our southern Kaduna brothers and sisters who are victims of these wanton killings and also for the peace of our dear country Nigeria.
Therefore, all Christians are to dress in mourning attire of black clothes or dresses in all our church services on January 8, 2017. We are to pray that God who delivered the Jews from Haman should deliver Christians from Hamans in Nigeria.
Not only that, all celebrations/merriments associated with the New Year are to be done low key in solidarity with our brethren in southern Kaduna who had lost their lives and who have been denied the privilege of celebrating the yuletide. An injustice to one is an injustice to all. Each State Chairman of Christian Association of Nigeria should also address the press either on the 1st or 8th of January reading out the contents of this release. May God deliver our Land from the forces of darkness on rampage in Jesus' name, amen.
All Christians in Nigeria and on the global scene should speak against this ethnic/religious cleansing to wake up the Nigerian security agencies from their deliberate slumber to carry out their responsibilities.
It is our prayer that the souls of all those that were slaughtered to rest in perfect peace. We pray that God will heal the wounds of their loved ones and all those that they left behind, and that God will strengthen and avenge them in the shortest time possible, for our
God will never abandon or forsake His people.
May we be comforted that help is on the way, let us completely trust and depend on Him holding on to His promises for our God is mighty and powerful and He will surely deliver us.
Let me conclude this press statement by quoting from the poem of the German Pastor Martin Niemoller (1892-1984) during the brutal days of Adolf Hitler who pen down the following words in his famous poem:
First they came for the Socialists, and I did not speak out— because I was not a Socialist.
Then they came for the Trade Unionists, and I did not speak out— because I was not a Trade Unionist. Then they came for the Jews, and I did not speak out— because I was not a Jew. Then they came for me—and there was no one left to speak for me.
The Presidency has been advised not to relent in its efforts to stamp out corruption in the Nigerian Judicial system to truly make it the last hope of the common man by 2017.
Mr Nwoha Amaechi, lawyer and former Speaker, Imo House of Assembly, said in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja on Friday.
Amaechi said the scrutiny and uncompromising stance of the present APC-led Federal Government was key to restoring the lost public confidence in the judiciary.
He saluted the courage of President Muhammadu Buhari for championing unprecedented investigation of alleged corruption against judges, which he said, was necessary for not only unbiased judiciary but victory for the people.
“No matter what some commentators may say, I give praises to the present government for having the courage to have carried out the level of arrests and scrutiny in the judiciary.
"In 2016, the judiciary received for negative revelations with the unprecedented exposure of corruption that led to arrest of judges.
"These exposures opened up that arm of government to public scrutiny which is necessary in positioning it to perform optimally,'' Amaechi said.
The former speaker, who described the anti-graft war in the judiciary as one of the greatest achievements recorded by Buhari, said it was good for Nigeria's democracy.
He noted that corruption was capable of plunging any institution into moral and disciplinary decadence and had the potential of overriding the country's democratic institutions.
Amaechi said that it was imperative to flush out all the bad eggs from `our courts' to guarantee delivery of fair judgments without fear or favour.
He, however, reiterated the need for the cleansing of the judiciary as a roadmap to a corrupt-free Nigeria in 2017.
"I urge the government not to relent to rescue that arm of government from corruption,” he said
The Department of State Services is investigation and prosecuting some judges for alleged corruption. (NAN)
The Prison Command in Kwara on Friday commended the Comptroller-General of the Nigeria Prisons Service (NPS), Mallam Jaafaru Ahmed, for promoting 232 officers across the ranks in the state.
The state's Controller of Prisons, Mr Adetoyi Akangbe, gave the commendation while decorating the promoted officers in Ilorin.
He advised the newly promoted officers to work hard and be more committed to the service to achieve common set goals.
Akangbe commended the Controller-General for putting an end to stagnation of staff on particular ranks.
He described the Controller-General's gesture as a great motivation to officers and personnel of the service.
According to him, the promoted officers who are in high spirit are thankful to the Controller-General.
He said the promotion would further motivate the officers to do more for the service and the country as a whole.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that more than 1,000 officers of the service were promoted nationwide.
