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
The Amodu Sheriff-led faction of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in Aniocha South local government area, Delta State, has passed a vote of confidence on its chairman, Mr Ike Ofulue and the assistant national organizing secretary of the party, Prince Paul Okwufulueze.
Alimodu-Sheriff
Moving the vote of confidence in a meeting of the party held at Ogwushi-Uku, which was seconded by Mr Gabriel Eziechi, Chief Dennis Okwuodili said the party under leadership of Mr Ofulue and the assistant national organizing secretary, Prince Paul Okwufulueze was waxing stronger.
Reiterating that Mr Ofulue remains chairman of the party in the local government, he said the essence of the meeting was to sensitize the public on the need to follow the true party structure in the state.
Speaking during the meeting, Mr Ike Ofulue said; "We have chosen to become what we are even before Sheriff became the PDP national chairman. I am not a push over and I have vowed to see the end of impunity and imposition in the area”.
Following the recent rumored information about billionaire husband of top Nollywood actress, Tonto Dikeh, Dr. Oladunni Churchill, that their marriage is on the nosedive, more findings has indicated that there is a squabble between the two party but could not confirm about an imminent breakup.
In the last few days, the social media and some mainstream newspapers have reported the crisis involving an alleged infidelity act by Oladunni Churchill with one of his protégé, Rosaline Meurer. But Miss Meurer who went on public to clear the air about the cheating rumours did not expatiate on the breakup issue, rather exonerate herself and declared that all is well with them.
However, indication has shown that the house is shaky as one of the domestic staff in the family house who want to remain anonymous confirmed that his master, Dr. Churchill is not at ease with serial uncommonly behaviour in the house by his wife, Tonto Dikeh, but did not indicate any breakup.
Dr. Churchill with ash coloured dress, 2nd to the left walking beside Chief Olusegun Obasanjo at Ibogun, Ogun State
According to him; "The actress returned to her unmarried lifestyle of smoking marijuana which usually triggers her to destroy family properties at any provocation. This incident has occurred three times including burning the husband’s cloths and expensive interior valuables."
He also disclosed that the husband, Dr. Churchill having noticed an imminent confrontation with his wife which may be termed as domestic violence, travelled to Ghana last year after his charity programme for some weeks to cool off the disturbing tendencies which he alleged that Tonto Dikeh breastfeeds the baby while smoking.
He also revealed that the controversial actress exhibited some violent manner and was said to have pushed down the guest in-law and broke some valuables in her home in one of her many marijuana reactions. The incessant dishonorable display was sighted to have prompted her husband to stay away from home instead of confrontation which however, triggers the cheating saga.
As the accusation rages on, Dr. Churchill, according to the source, was said not to have made appearance in his Abuja office as he is not settled and had not paid some of his office staff their salary since December. However, all effort to reach Dr. Churchill for reaction to the allegation proves unsuccessful as he had briefly replied in one the calls saying; "I have been busy with my business. I will accord you audience as soon as possible".
Meanwhile, the billionaire businessman, Dr. Churchill was spotted by our correspondence yesterday, at Ogun State among the ex- President, Goodluck Jonathan visiting entourage to former ex-President Chief Olusegun Obasanjo at his ancestral village Ibogun, Ogun State.
Wayne Rooney became Manchester United’s record scorer when he netted his 250th goal for the English giants in a 1-1 draw at Stoke on Saturday, saying the landmark meant “a hell of a lot.”
*Rooney
Rooney equalised in the fourth minute of stoppage time to break fellow England great Bobby Charlton’s United record of 249 goals.
The 31-year-old forward, making his 546th United appearance, surpassed 1966 World Cup-winner Charlton’s record in style when he bent a free-kick past Stoke goalkeeper Lee Grant into the top corner of the net at the Britannia Stadium.
His latest United goal came a fortnight after Rooney, who succeeded Charlton as England’s record goal-scorer in 2015, equalled the former midfielder’s United mark during an FA Cup tie against second-tier Reading.
“It means a hell of a lot,” Rooney, who joined United from Everton in 2004, said afterwards.
“It is a great honour and I am very proud,” added the Liverpool-born Rooney, who made his name as an out-and-out striker but has been deployed lately as an attacking midfielder.
“It is difficult at the minute to be over-pleased because of the result but in the grand scheme it is huge honour. It is not something I expected when I joined. As I said before, I am proud and I hope there is more to come.
“The players who have played for this club have been world class. I am proud to play for this club. To be all-time goalscorer is a huge honour.”
Rooney’s goal could yet proved important in the context of United’s season, with Jose Mourinho’s men battling to break into the top four and bring Champions League football back to Old Trafford next season.
“It could be vital come the end of the season,” said Rooney of a draw against a Stoke side managed by former United striker Mark Hughes.
“It is not nice to lose and it looked like being the case. But we got a point that could be vital. There is a long way to go. A lot can happen. We have to keep picking up points.”
SOME uncompleted buildings parading several shops in Ibafo market, Ogun State have been described as a death trap.
The buildings were said to have been started several years ago by a private developer but unable to complete them.
Nevertheless, the developer, according to residents, rented out the buildings to shop owners who currently operate there, thus exposing them and their customers to danger.
"The storey buildings where the shops are situated have staircases,balconies,verandahs, etc, without railings at the upper floors and the stairs leading up,"one of the residents, Bimbo Olatilo, said. "The developer was allegedly allocated the market space by the state government to develop, sell and also manage.
"There is on record a man who fell off the open balcony and died instantly and other people who have been injured in recent times."
"All pleas to the developer who is well connected and his agents to complete the buildings and also provide basic infrastructures there have been rebuffed."
The residents pleaded with Governor Ibikunle Amosun to look into the issue of the buildings to avoid
A Lagos based businessman, Chief Emmanuel Nwude, has appealed to President Muhammadu Buhari and the Attorney General of the Federation, Malam Abubakar Malami, to order an investigation into how his properties running into billions of Naira were allegedly sold illegally by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, when Mallam Nuhu Ribadu was the Chairman of the anti-graft agency.
Speaking through his lawyer, Emmanuel Ilechukwu of Metropolitan Partners Law firm,Nwude lamented that all efforts by him to get justice over the issue had been frustrated.
''When Obasanjo was in power ,we raised the alarm on this matter , and tried to get justice but Ribadu told us we were wasting our time ,and that we were fighting a lost battle. True to his word, nothing came out of our efforts but we resolved to continue our fight for justice. When Yar'Adua was there, he didn't stay in office for long and therefore couldn't look into our case or order his Minister for Justice to look into our petition against Ribadu. When Jonathan got there and we took up this battle again,we were told by people close to Ribadu that he declared that we were still fighting a lost battle as Jonathan's administration was more or less a continuation of Obasanjo's government where he held powerful position. But now that we have a change of government, and era of impunity is over, we want Ribadu to be invited to render account on Chief Nwude's properties that were illegally sold under his watch", Ilechukwu slated.
While saying that Nwude's assets that were illegally sold by the EFCC run into billions of naira, the lawyer noted that even though the assets were forfeited to government by a court order, the judgment had been appealed by Nwude's lawyers.
"Under the law, it is illegal to take further action on any issue that is under appeal. Justice Olubunmi Oyewole of Lagos State High Court ordered that Chief Nwude's properties should be forfeited to the Federal Government but Nwude's lawyers appealed that judgment and the appeal is still pending at the Supreme Court. If a matter is on appeal before the Supreme Court, under what power or what power then does EFCC have to tamper with those properties? EFCC should have waited for the Supreme Court final judgment on the issue. But it is very sad that under the watch of the former EFCC Chairman, Nuhu Ribadu, Chief Nwude's assets were sold. We raised the alarm at that time but because of Ribadu's influence, our efforts to seek justice were frustrated," Ilechukwu said.
"We hereby publicly challenge Ribadu to come out and speak on what happened to Chief Nwude's seized assets under his watch. There was a lot of impunity during Ribadu's tenure at the EFCC. But now time have changed and we are under a new dispensation. We are in era of change, and that's why we are calling for justice. Ribadu should speak out now. He should come out and tell Nigerians why he illegally sold Chief Nwude's properties."
Rivers United put their unbeaten run this season on the line on Sunday when they face Niger Tornadoes in Port Harcourt on Matchday 3 of the Nigeria Professional Football League.
United have started the league on a positive note, claiming four points out of a possible six after their first two games of the season.
Tornadoes' start in stark contrast has been less than exemplary with the Minna club yet to record a win after their first two matches this season.
Head coach of Tornadoes, Abubakar Bala is keen to buck that trend by becoming the first man to lead a side to record a win over United at their storied home patch.
"It is going to be a tough challenge. Rivers United is a very big team; they are representing Nigeria on the continent and we are aware of that.
"We are here (in Port Harcourt) with our match plan at least to get our first points in Port Harcourt.
"We want a win against Rivers United but if we cannot get it, then we will settle for at least a draw," he said.
Bala will be looking towards the direction of Ebenezer Odeyemi (the only Tornadoes player to have scored a goal this season) to deliver the goods on Sunday.
Rivers United
Captain Mustapha Aliko continues to lead by example at Tornadoes while Ibrahim Babawo, Isah Husseini, Gabriel Jeremiah, Andrew Ikefe, Ibrahim Akide, Ifeanyi Okoye and Solomon Owello provide a solid spine for the Minna club.
United's technical manager, Stanley Eguma is wary of the threat posed by Tornadoes and says his side will be up for the challenge on Sunday.
"We respect Tornadoes because we know they are coming to Port Harcourt with a very good team.
"We may not have lost any game this season but no one should get carried away because the (Rivers United) team is still work in progress.
"We have a big task in the technical department of the football club because we have many new players who are yet to bond into a unit and embrace our philosophy.
"The work to attain required levels in the football club is ongoing and I know we will get better with more matches played," he said to the club’s media.
United, unbeaten in their last four league matches, will be keen to record a win on Sunday but Tornadoes will know that defeat at the Yakubu Gowon Stadium will do little to relieve the pressure occasioned by a difficult start to the season.
FORM GUIDE (LAST FIVE NPFL GAMES) Rivers United (DWWDL) Rivers United 0-1 Wikki Tourists (Away) Rivers United 0-0 Abia Warriors (Home) Rivers United 2-1 Akwa United (Away) Rivers United 2-1 El Kanemi Warriors (Home) Rivers United 1-1 Akwa United (Away)
Previous meetings (Head-to-head) Matches: Two Niger Tornadoes United wins: Nil Rivers United wins: One Draws: Nil
Details (Specific breakdown) Niger Tornadoes 3-2 Rivers United (NPFL; Confluence Stadium, Lokoja on March 13, 2016) Rivers United 1-0 Niger Tornadoes (NPFL; Yakubu Gowon Stadium, Port Harcourt on July 7, 2016)
As many as 236 people may have been killed in the botched Nigerian air strike against Boko Haram that hit a camp for civilians displaced by the unrest, a local official said on Saturday.
Doctors Without Borders (MSF) on Friday had said the death toll from Tuesday’s strike on the town of Rann in the far northeast had risen to 90, although it claimed that could climb as high as 170.
But Babagana Malarima, president of the local Kala-Balge government in Borno State where the strike took place, claimed the death toll is much higher.
“From what the people who buried the dead victims with their hands told me, not those who treated the wounded, they buried 234 dead,” said Malarima on Saturday.
“And I later got a report that two of the injured taken to Maiduguri died.”
The bombed camp had been set up to help people fleeing Boko Haram Islamists in Borno State.
Nigeria’s air force said it was investigating the incident but military commanders had already claimed it was a mistake.
“Our people are really traumatised that a fighter jet belonging to their country can make this mistake and kill them the way it did in their own country,” fumed Malarima.
“Lives and property have been lost. It is not enough to just bury the dead and pray for their souls. Their families should be supported as is done in other countries. They should not be forgotten.
An man injured during the accidental airstrike recovers in the Menís Ward at the Maiduguri State Specialist Hospital on January 18, 2017. At least 70 people have died in an Internally Displace Camp in Borno State from an accidental military airstrike on January 17, 2017, intended to target Boko Haram militants in Rann, in north-eastern Nigeria. / AFP PHOTO /
“The death toll is colossal. We are in grief.”
Tuesday’s strike happened while humanitarian workers were distributing food in Rann, a small town close to the Cameroon border where some 20,000 to 40,000 people had sought refuge.
MSF said most of the victims were women and children.
At least six Red Cross volunteers were amongst the dead with another 13 injured.
Rann only recently became accessible to aid agencies because of improved security.
But on Thursday night, security forces said Boko Haram launched an attack on Rann that was repulsed, leaving at least 14 militants dead.
Nigeria’s chief of army staff Lieutenant-General Tukur Buraitai said on Friday while visiting Rann that Thursday’s attack showed the military were acting on credible intel.
“This incident happened in the midst of a civilian population and it was based on intelligence received that Boko Haram had moved into the area,” said Buraitai.
“The air force was briefed and they came and the incident happened.
“And yesterday we received a report that Boko Haram were back. Soldiers repelled them.”
Buraitai added: “This shows that there is credibility in the intelligence report we received that these people (Boko Haram) are moving into Kala-Balge area.
“A mistake was made. We pray it doesn’t happen again.”
At least 20,000 have been killed and more than 2.6 million made homeless since Boko Haram Islamists’ insurgency began in 2009.
Abuja – President Muhammadu Buhari on Saturday warned that any university management involved in unethical practices would face the full wrath of the law.Abba Kyari, President Buhari and Adesina
Buhari, who was the Visitor at the sixth convocation of the National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN) in Abuja, said universities would henceforth prepare quarterly financial reports.
Represented by Prof. Abubakar Rasheed, Executive Secretary, National Universities Commission (NUC), Buhari said his administration was anchored on ensuring security of lives and property, fighting corruption and improving the economy.
"As we move to address the existing needs of our universities, we demand that the leadership of these institutions reciprocate government's gesture by untilising their funds with utmost integrity and probity.
"Any university council or management found wanting in relation to financial mismanagement or gross moral and ethical violations will be made to face the full wrath of law.
"I have directed the Minister of Education to demand quarterly reports from all universities, detailing their major financial and administrative activities.
"A template for such report will soon be circulated to the universities by the Federal Ministry of Education through the NUC,'' he said.
Buhari asked NOUN to continue to lead and chart new directions in distance learning education through maximum use of Information and Communication Technology (ICT).
According to him, NOUN should through effective use of ICT, research, instructional materials and other training aids, produce globally competitive graduates.
He congratulated NOUN's governing council, management, staff and students on the institution's sixth convocation.
In his address, Prof. Abdalla Adamu, NOUN's Vice-Chancellor, said that 12,125 graduating students, across all disciplines, would be conferred with honours.
He said that out of the number, 31 bagged first class degrees.
According to him, NOUN is keying into the global trend in digital learning.
"To improve our web rankings and raise the profile of our academic staff, NOUN has created a 'NOUN Academics Online' module where each of our academic staff is showcased to attract national and international collaborations in teaching and research.
"Noting the trend in technology usage among our students and predilection towards smart phone and tablet devices, NOUN has started negotiations with key technology partners to migrate our study materials into ePub electronic format.
"That will make our materials easier, friendlier and more interactively accessible on smartphone and tablet,'' he said.
He regretted that the Council for Legal Education (CLE) had consistently denied NOUN's law graduates admission into law school due to wrong perception.
Adamu, however, said that the Senate Committee on Tertiary Education and TETFund recently held a public hearing on NOUN Amendment Bill, which when passed into law, would address all outstanding issues.
The vice-chancellor said that NOUN had outpaced other Open and Distance Learning (ODL) institutions in Africa in the Open Education Resources initiative.
In his remarks, NOUN's Chancellor, Lawrence Agubuzu, said that the yearly convocation was a testimony that NOUN was pursuing its mandate vigorously.
He urged the new graduates to exhibit worthy qualities wherever they find themselves in the service of their fatherland.
Veteran actor, Soji Eweade has reasserted himself again in the Yoruba sector of the movie industry, not only as an astute actor but also as an enterprising producer. The handsome veteran who is set to release another blockbuster- 'Eje Dudu' (after the recent release of Aye Abiamo) into the cinemas, followed by a subsequent release on line before its final release into the market.
Soji Eweade
''Eje Dudu is a suspense-filled movie that reveals the secrets behind the wealth of the so called ''Big men'' in our society and featuring the likes of Antar Laniyan, Liz da-Silva, Yinka Quadri, Yetunde Wunmi, Bukola Mosoba, Hakeem Alimi , Doris Simeon, Soji Eweade among others'' said the producer.
Mr Eweade started his movie career in 1992 and produced his first movie in 1996 with the title 'Innocent Boy' "alaise omo". He has produced over 90 Yoruba movies; Tekunteje, Omotuntun, April Fool, Ireke, Oju Tiwon, Apoti Ogo1 and 2, Mase, Doro sexy, Ere Tete, Are, Juwonlo, Owo Adisa, Sare Kabakaba, Olori Ole, Matagbamole , Ose Dudu, Lakunle Maradona, Oritameta ,Ori Meji and many others.
By Soni Daniel, Northern Region Editor High Chief Mike Ekayama Loyibo is the convener of the Niger Delta People's Congress and a former leader of the Pan Niger Delta Elders Forum, PANDEF, the group at the forefront of the talks with the Presidency on how to end the standoff in the Niger Delta.
In this interview, Loyibo, an Ijaw leader, says the direct talks which the Vice President, Yemi Osinbajo, held with Niger Delta elders in Gbaramatu Kingdom, Delta State, has sent packing people who, according to him, have been using negotiations for pecuniary gains under the guise of dialogue and peace.
He also descends on Niger Delta leaders who, he claimed, have used the money earmarked from the federal purse for the transformation of the region for personal interest and turning round to blame the Niger Delta's stagnation on the centre.
Excerpts:
Ekayama Loyibo
What does the visit of the Vice President to the Gbaramatu community mean to the Niger Delta?
It means that the President means well for the people of the Niger Delta and has shown commitment to take the peace move to the next level. It was a timely meeting which demonstrates Mr. President's commitment to treat the people of the oil communities as a special people who deserve better attention than they are currently getting and who deserve better amenities and respect for their enormous contributions to the development of the country. It has never been this good. He has been able to bring his government closer to the oil producing communities more than ever before. Don't forget that the problems of the Niger Delta have been known over the years but that no serious effort has been made to confront the challenges headlong. What this government has done by sending the Vice President to meet the people directly means that he has been able to build confidence and move a step further to remove the age-long suspicion that the Federal Government is against the Niger Delta and its interest. You can see that the entire Ijaw nation and other ethnic nationalities were there to meet with the Vice President during the visit.
But a former Minister of Education, Kenneth Gbagi, has warned the Vice President not to joke with the Urhobo. What did the Vice President do to warrant that threat?
With due respect, Kenneth Gbagi is my friend and I do believe that he was speaking for himself. I don't see what the Vice President said that made him to take him on as if he did anything wrong. Sometimes, people try to overreach themselves but the visit of the Vice President to Gbaramatu Kingdom was one of the best steps ever taken by any administration to give hope and sense of belonging to the people of the oil communities who bear the brunt of oil production and rightly deserve all the attention that they can be given. We know Kenneth Gbagi and we should not allow his comment to stall the move being made for the overall well being of the people. He is entitled to his own opinion but such opinion should not be taken to represent the views of the people he is claiming to be speaking for because I don't think he is the spokesperson of the people.
But Gbagi made a point that the visit excluded key Urhobo leaders and traditional rulers despite the fact that key oil and gas institutions are situated in Urhoboland?
Let me also tell you that if the Presidency wants to solve the problem of militancy, it is not in Urhobo land. We must give priority to the people who are facing the challenges. The current crisis is not in Urhobo land. It is not Urhobo people who are being killed on daily basis. The military is not in Urhobo land. So, government knows where they went to and why they went to Gbaramatu. Let me also tell you that by this visit, the Presidency has cemented the ceasefire we worked for and any person who disagrees with the visit is selfish and falls among those who do not want the Niger Delta crisis to come to an end for reasons best known to them.
What are we going to dialogue again when we already know the problem? We have the feeling that the Federal Government is ready to solve the Niger Delta problem and all we need to do is to support it to do so instead of creating new and impossible conditions and turning round to accused the same government of not willing to do our bidding. It is treacherous to do so and we warn those who have been standing on the way of resolving the Niger Delta crisis to give way and allow peace to reign once and for all.
All Nigerians have benefitted from the Niger Delta over the years as the economic zone of Nigeria. What the Buhari government has done is good and we should stop blaming him because even when we had our son in the Presidency, he did not do anything to address the age-long problems of the Niger Delta. President Jonathan came and left the Niger Delta the way he met it and people are now complaining against Buhari as if he created the problems of the Niger Delta. We must desist from demonising Buhari on a problem his government merely inherited and team up with him to address whatsoever is the problem. Those criticising Buhari for Niger Delta problems have not been fair at all and we should speak the truth no matter which part of the country we come from.
But President Jonathan laid the foundation stone of the Maritime University in Okerenkoko and also paid billions of Naira for the take-off of the same institution even before the passage of the enabling law by the National Assembly?
He did not have the mind to establish the university because nobody establishes a university without a legal mandate. As far as I am concerned, Jonathan, a son of the Niger Delta, never had the political will to make the Maritime University a reality in Ijaw land. To me, he failed Ijaw people and Nigerians. So, when we continue to blame other leaders in Nigeria, let us first ask our leaders from the Niger Delta what they have been able to do for our people with the billions of Naira that they have been receiving from oil and other sources since the advent of democracy in 1999. Where have our governors and other leaders from the Niger Delta who have held strategic offices since then and now kept the money allocated by the Federal Government for the development of the Niger Delta?
Where are the projects and programmes that have been specifically executed by the governors of Cross River, Akwa Ibom, Bayelsa, Delta, Edo, Rivers, Abia, Imo and Ondo states with the huge billions they have been receiving from the statutory 13 percent? Have our Niger Delta advocates ever sat down to ask them where they have taken the money to or demanded to see the projects they have executed with the huge cash accruing from the derivation fund? It is very annoying for our leaders to always instigate the undiscerning and gullible to criticise the Federal Government of not doing enough for the Niger Delta when they are the real enemies of the Niger Delta people by not making judicious use of the resources made available by the centre for them to develop the Niger Delta. We should start by examining ourselves whether we have done the right thing before blaming the centre for the squalor that has become the lot of the region. We have our sons and daughters in strategic positions but they have failed us woefully by not delivering on their mandates. We should first and foremost search our conscience in this case.
Some people are only criticising the Presidency just to be seen to be relevant and if you give them the responsibility to lead, they become opaque in their dealings with the people.
Where does Tompolo stand in the visit by the Vice President because he was not at the venue as a major stakeholder and High Chief in the Gbaramatu Kingdom?
Well, what I want to say is that Tompolo is in support of the peace move and development of the Niger Delta. He is one of us and we are in touch with him.
Why was he not at the meeting with the Vice President?
He was not there because all the issues are yet to be settled.
What are the issues?
The issues that gave rise to militancy in the Niger Delta.
Does the visit by the Vice President satisfy the demands of the Pan Niger Delta Elders Forum, PANDEF?
With dues respect to the leaders of PANDEF, we are very clear on our demands. All of us were there with the Vice President. Our agenda is the same and we all want peace and development in the Niger Delta. Unfortunately, there are some elders among us who want to be seen as the beginning and the end of the Niger Delta who must be worshipped and appeased before there could be peace and development in the area. This is wrong and we need to separate those who ware fanning the embers of discord for their personal benefit and not the overall interest of the Niger Delta.
Abuja – President of The Gambia, Adama Barrow on Saturday said he was returning to his country following Yahya Jammeh's announcement to step down as president.Adama Barrow
Barrow on his twitter handle, @adama_barrow, said "As Yahya Jammeh officially stepped down from office — I will be returning to my homeland, the Republic of The Gambia. #NewGambia."
Barrow also told the Associated Press in an interview on Saturday that he would enter Gambia once a security sweep had been completed.
The new president also said that Jammeh would be leaving within hours on Saturday and told Gambians who had fled the country that they now had "the liberty to return home".
Barrow on Thursday took the oath of office as Gambia's new president.
He was sworn-in about 5p.m. Senegalese time at the Gambian High Commission in Dakar, Senegal.
Barrow succeeded Yahya Jammeh, who lost in the Dec. 1 presidential election and refused to vacate office when his 22-year rule expired midnight on Thursday.
West African mediators spent several hours in talks with him on Friday after military forces of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) stopped actions to remove Jammeh by force to allow last-minute negotiations.
Jammeh, however, on state TV on Saturday, announced that he would step down in the interest of the Gambian people adding that it was his duty to "preserve at every instant" their lives.
He was also reported to have left the State House to join President Alpha Conda of Guinea to the airport, to begin a new life in exile.
Eket (Akwa Ibom) – Chief Nduese Essien, the former Minster of Lands, Housing and Urban Development, says the Peoples Democracy Party (PDP) will recover its mandate from the defected PDP senator, Nelson Effiong.
Essien made this known during an enlarged stakeholders' meeting of Eket Senatorial District on Saturday to deliberate on the recent political development in the district.Asuquo Effiong
He said the PDP Akwa Ibom would begin the process that will ultimately ensure that the mandate given to Effiong was recovered.
Effiong, the Senator representing Eket Senatorial District, recently announced his defection from PDP, to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) on the floor of the senate.
The former minister, who is the political leader of Eket Senatorial District frowned at the alleged level of indiscipline exhibited by the senator, saying that the party would take drastic action to recover its mandate.
"We will take steps to recover our mandate from Sen. Effiong, who defected to APC.
"We are not talking about recall, because recall is an electioneering process, but there are other ways of recovering our mandate.
"When I heard that Sen. Effiong has defected, I was happy because this is the man that we were told was ill for so many months and he was not appearing in the floor of the senate.
"We were not hearing from him, we were not seeing him in the constituency and he was not doing anything.
"He was merely wasting our senatorial seat, now that he has gone, I think we have the opportunity to replace our mandate with another son of the area," Essien said.
He noted that Sen. Effiong defection was strange because he emerged from a predominantly one party in the state and that the party was not in crisis in his senatorial district.
"There is disagreement in the leadership of the PDP at the national level, but back home at his constituency and at the state level, the party is intact," he said.
He expressed dismay with what he described as Senator Effiong's abysmal performance in the upper chamber of the National Assembly.
Essien insisted that for the senator to have defected without consulting the people who elected him in the first instance was "uncharitable and unacceptable".
Meanwhile, in a swift reaction to the threat by the people of Eket Senatorial District, Sen. Effiong whose defection jolted the PDP, said that he widely consulted people of his Senatorial District before defecting to the APC.
Effiong said that he defected to APC from PDP because of factions and crisis in the party.
"PDP is factionalised, that is the major reason why I left the party; and then you can not be in a party that has no direction, people are leaving the party because of the inability to solve its crisis.
"As a politician I cannot leave my future for such a party, PDP is a party that has declared war on itself and I cannot withstand that," Effiong said.
Unlike 2016 Headies Award when Don Jazzy and Olamide practically tore each other's throats apart, over their artistes; Reekado Banks and Lil Kesh who battled for the Next Rated Award, the 2017 was literally without any serious consequence. Except perhaps, when old label mates, Kcee and Harrysong met on stage. Uti Nwachukwu had invited Kcee to join Harrysong on stage to receive the award for the Best Pop Single award for the hit single 'Reggae Blues,' which featured Kcee, Iyanya, and Orezi.
Although Kcee initially didn't want to join Harrysong on stage prior to Uti's invitation. Here's what he said: "Okay, Ladies and Gentlemen, I'm so excited tonight. This song was just recorded in a few minutes. And when we released the song everybody pounced on it, in and outside the country. I want to say,`thank you', to Olamide, Orezi, Iyanya, and 'Ya Daddy' (Harrysong). "You know, two of us have issues to settle but we are in the public. We'll settle it and come back to you."
Harrysong and Kcee
Harrysong let the challenge pass without moving a muscle, with some people even suggesting he was shell-shocked. But when Potpourri ran into the Reggae Blues star at a joint recently, he had a different story to tell.
"I don't have any issues to settle with him. I respect and love him. Even if there is a collabo offer I will do it with him. I have nothing against him. I left because my contract with them expired.
"Whenever you are under somebody, certain things will necessarily not go down well with you. But at the end of the day, what matters most in the music business is one's career. Also, at some point, there are times you have to pursue your own interest. The time came when my contract expired and I moved on. I have a greater perspective and I have to pursue it and I also felt being on my own will give me the chance to pursue it. Leaving my former record label was not done intentionally to spite anybody. Of course, when you move on at times, your family may not be happy with you," he explained
Gylfi Sigurdsson's decisive goal boosted Swansea’s hopes of Premier League survival as they inflicted Liverpool's first home defeat for almost a year with a 3-2 triumph at Anfield on Saturday.
Iceland international Sigurdsson, who has repeatedly been linked with a move away from the Welsh club, struck with 16 minutes left after Paul Clement's side had let a two-goal lead slip against title-chasing Liverpool.
Fernando Llorente had scored twice in the first seven minutes of the second half for Swansea, but Liverpool’s Roberto Firmino responded with a double of his own.
Swansea showed great spirit to come back and earn both the Welsh club's first-ever league win at Anfield and their first under Premier League victory under new manager Clement.
In doing so, they lifted themselves off the foot of the Premier League table and out of the bottom three, at least for a few hours.
Liverpool, playing their eighth match in 25 days, paid for sloppy defending, and missed the chance to put pressure on leaders Chelsea, losing at home for the first time since Stoke won the second leg of a League Cup semi-final at Anfield on January 26 last year.
Philippe Coutinho, now fully recovered from injury, made his first league start since November after playing for 65 minutes in Wednesday's FA Cup win at Plymouth, but showed only occasional sparks of creativity during a tepid first half.
It was Swansea, for all the pressure they had to absorb, who came closest to scoring before the interval. Midfielder Tom Carroll, signed from Tottenham during the week, ran in from the left on to Sigurdsson's pass infield and struck the outside of the near post from a tight angle, via a deflection off Dejan Lovren.
Both Carroll and fellow debutant Martin Olsson, brought in from Norwich, performed solidly, with the Swedish full-back making one positive attacking run that ended when he was bodychecked by Ragnar Klavan.
One excellent turn from Coutinho just after the half-hour mark allowed him to create a chance for Firmino, who would have scored but for Alfie Mawson’s block.
Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp's frustration grew as Swansea went ahead with little more than two minutes of the second half played.
– Llorente at the double –
Not for the first time this season, Liverpool conceded from a set-piece; Sigurdsson's corner was headed down by Federico Fernandez, Wayne Routledge blocked off the defender and the ball bounced loose for Llorente to prod in from eight yards.
Astonishingly, Llorente scored again from Swansea's next attack, barely four minutes later.
Olsson and Carroll combined down the left, and the former Tottenham man crossed for the Spain striker to climb between Lovren and Klavan, planting a downward header past Simon Mignolet.
Liverpool, however, pulled a goal back within three minutes.
James Milner crossed from the left, the ball drifted over Olsson, and Firmino guided a header into the bottom corner of the net.
Swansea continued to threaten but Klopp's side equalised with little more than 20 minutes to go courtesy of a superbly constructed goal.
Georginio Wijnaldum controlled a pass down the left touchline, and looped in a cross that Firmino gathered on the chest under pressure from two Swansea defenders, before hooking a first-time shot past Lukasz Fabianski.
Yet having worked their way back into the match, Liverpool fell behind again amid chaotic defending.
Carroll charged into the penalty area after taking on Llorente's pass and, as Klavan slid in to challenge, the ball ran loose for Sigurdsson to steer beyond the exposed Mignolet.
Swansea had more nervous moments to come, with Fabianski blocking substitute Divock Origi's shot on the turn following a Milner corner, and then watching helplessly as Adam Lallana looped a header against the bar.
But the visitors, denied victory by an Everton stoppage-time equaliser on their last visit to Merseyside in November, hung on to all three points.
As the popular ponzi scheme, Mavrodi Mundia Moneybox, MMM, has continued to force its participants into further dismay, a new ponzi scheme, Twinkas has emerged to replace it, with a mouth-watering double return on any amount invested.
Twinkas started trending with memberships in different categories after MMM could not return the excitement and joys to the faces of its participants days after unfreezing their Mavros, a situation that has left many disappointed.
Twinkas has categories which includes: Classic, Professionals, Premium, Ultimate and the Vetreran categories.
Twinkas
According to the website, Twinkas' Classic now has 198,985, Professionals with 117,290; Twinkas Premium with 117,147 members; the Ultimate with 170,322 members and no member registered yet under the Vetreran category.
However, any amount invested in each of the categories would attract double the amount after one month maturity.
For instance, under Classic, members are expected to invest N5,000 with V10,000 return Investment; and subscribers on the Professional platform would invest N10,000 and with N20,000 Return.
Under the Premium level of N20,000 investment, investors would get N40,000; Ultimate with contribution of N50,000 attracts N100,000 return.
The Veteran scheme is N100,000 investment with a return of N200,000 but no one has yet to invest on the platform.
Regulatory/Warning mechanism of the ponzi scheme:
According to the scheme, www.twinkas.com, Twinkas said it was created "to promote the greatest good, with a particular emphasis on helping man and the environment''.
It said that it had successfully revised all technical and logical issues about the front-end and has provided mobile numbers to help facilitate the money exchange process.
"We are gradually restoring our CRM Modules (Live Chat, Ticket, Mobile Calls) to enable us get in touch with you regularly.
"We have switched to STRICT MODE. Meaning zero tolerance. Hence, we will not entertain any form of uncanny behaviour from sponsors/downlines.''
Twinkas has rolled out some conditions, including the warning that prospective investors must keep their mobile phones open most of the times and be online in order to succeed.
" If a sponsors mobile is switched off or not answering calls for about 6 Hours, Twinkas will have that account blocked.
" If a sponsor fails to activate his/her referral after receiving payment, Twinkas will have that account and subsequent accounts connected to your bank and mobile number blocked.
" You are advised to have an online banking Application on your mobile phone to help facilitate the process. Mobile numbers will be displayed on your dashboard. Please save them and do not receive any call from other lines claiming to have emanated from Twinkas.''
It warned investors against pestering any of the numbers for trivial Issues.
"These numbers should be called only in the cases of emergency, hacked accounts or other serious Twinkas related issues.
"Use the "Live Support" and the Ticketing System (Still in View) for only serious Twinkas Issues also. We know those working hard for Twinkas, your reward will be a surprise!.''
Twinkas, another Ponzi scheme similar to the troubled MMM, has started trending with memberships in different categories.
According to the scheme, www.twinkas.com, Twinkas said it was created "to promote the greatest good, with a particular emphasis on helping man and the environment''.
It said that it had successfully revised all technical and logical issues about the front-end and has provided mobile numbers to help facilitate the money exchange process.
"We are gradually restoring our CRM Modules (Live Chat, Ticket, Mobile Calls) to enable us get in touch with you regularly.
"We have switched to STRICT MODE. Meaning zero tolerance. Hence, we will not entertain any form of uncanny behaviour from sponsors/downlines.''
Twinkas
Twinkas has rolled out some conditions, including the warning that prospective investors must keep their mobile phones open most of the times and be online in order to succeed.
" If a sponsors mobile is switched off or not answering calls for about 6 Hours, Twinkas will have that account blocked.
" If a sponsor fails to activate his/her referral after receiving payment, Twinkas will have that account and subsequent accounts connected to your bank and mobile number blocked.
" You are advised to have an online banking Application on your mobile phone to help facilitate the process. Mobile numbers will be displayed on your dashboard. Please save them and do not receive any call from other lines claiming to have emanated from Twinkas.''
It warned investors against pestering any of the numbers for trivial Issues.
"These numbers should be called only in the cases of emergency, hacked accounts or other serious Twinkas related issues.
"Use the "Live Support" and the Ticketing System (Still in View) for only serious Twinkas Issues also. We know those working hard for Twinkas, your reward will be a surprise!.''
According to the website, Twinkas' Classic now has 198,985 Professionals with 117,290; Twinkas Premium has 117,147 members; the Ultimate with 170,322 members; has zero members under the Vetreran category.
Any amount invested in each of the categories would attract double the amount after one month maturity.
Under Classic, members are expected to invest N5,000 with V10,000 return Investment; and subscribers on the Professional platform would invest N10,000 and with N20,000 Return.
Under the Premium level of N20,000 investment, investors would get N40,000; Ultimate with contribution of N50,000 attracts N100,000 return.
The Veteran scheme is N100,000 investment with a return of N200,000 but no one has yet to invest on the platform.
Concerned citizens and financial institutions had warned against participation in these Ponzi schemes because they are fraud.
Many Nigerians were warned against investing in MMM few months before it became distress and had yet to fully pick up.
Nigerians have been warned by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) not to deposit money in any institution that is not insured by the Nigeria Deposit Insurance Corporation (NDIC).
The bank through its acting Director of Corporate Communications, Mr. Isaac Okoroafor, warned especially on the trending MMM Nigeria community.
Okoroafor said: "At times like this when the economy has suffered some decline, Nigerians should be very careful with those they deal with. Any institution that is not licensed by the CBN to accept deposits should not be given money to keep under any guise.
"We can vouch for the banking system. The deposit money banks are the only licensed institutions to take deposits. If you need to deposit money in any form, go to any of the deposit money banks and put your money, you can buy fixed income instruments or invest in stocks.
"These people always come with very interesting propositions. These are fraudsters who are just out there to collect people's money and run away as soon as they hit their target. There is no insurance because the NDIC does not even protect them against such risks when they occur".
He said there is a new Ponzi scheme called 'MMM' that is spreading like wildfire and a lot of young school leavers have already signed on to this scheme, which the promoters are marketing as a "mutual fund""
"MMM offers its participants 30 per cent growth rate per month for each and every donation they make into the system… MMM belongs to the community, its sustainability depends on the activities of the people that make up the MMM Nigeria community, that is me and you and other MMM Nigeria participants,"
Typically, what promoters of such pyramid scheme do is that they offer rates far beyond what is obtainable in commercial banks. This would always attract a lot of people who would always rush in to stake their funds.
But, those who join the scheme late would always be the ones to lose their shirts as they would have been convinced by those that joined earlier to invest huge amounts of money.
An 80-year-old woman, Mrs Wuriwatu Oseni, Hassan Olalekan ,34 and Taiwo Wasiu,30, have been brought before an Ikorodu Magistrates' court for allegedly assaulting themselves.
The accused were brought before Magistrate O.O. Olatunji on Friday in Lagos.
The offence which was committed in December 2016 at Ajegunle Bus Stop in Ikorodu, attracted N50,000 bail with two sureties in like sum.
Olatunji, who granted the bail, said the sureties must be community leaders in their areas.
The prosecutor, Cpl. Bosede Adegeshin, said the three accused assaulted one another in public places and thereby causing breach of peace.
Adegeshin said the first and third accused broke the head of the second accused with stick, while the second accused also used stick to batter the others.
"During their fight, they also destroyed electricity poles in their area. The fight was due to an argument which emanated from their abode as they were neighbours.
The offences contravened Section 45 and 171 of the Criminal Code Laws of Lagos State.
The said sections depict three years and two years respectively.
The Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Sa' ad Abubakar, has advised religious leaders to eschew inciting statements capable of igniting trouble among Nigerians.
Abubakar made the call at the Abdullahi Fodio award presentation and book launch in Birnin Kebbi on Saturday.
The event titled "Gwandu Emirate: the domain of Abdullahi Fodio since 1805, was organised by the Gwandu Emirate Development Association.
He said inflamatory comments would further divide and polarised the nation, and pointed out that every religion was preaching peace,unity and solidarity among its faithful.
The sultan condemn the insurgent activities parvading the North eastern part of the country, and commended President Muhammadu Buhari for his efforts in curtailing the menace.
Abubakar commended the Federal Government for reintroducing history as a subject in schools, stressing wothout history humanity would not discover itself.
The sultan said the book, which chronicled the religious and cultural heritage of the Gwandu Emirate was timely, adding: "we will continue to support historical findings".
Earlier, in his remarks, the Emir of Gwandu, Alhaji Muhammad Bashar, said the event was an attempt to reward those who contributed to the development of the emirate, especially preservation of the rich cultural heritage of the emirate.
Bashar commended the efforts of Buhari to diversify the economy and the fight against corruption.
He said the nation under the present administration was heading to progress devoid of religious, tribal or sectional consideratioms.
Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar extoled the virtues of Abdullahi Fodio, and called on leaders to emulate the legacies of the late Islamic scholar, especially on federalism, revenue allocation and the rule of law.
He said as an elderstatesman he would continue to support historical investigations with a view to promote research and intellectual development.
Gov. Atiku Bagudu commended the efforts of Gwandu Emirate for launching the book and recognising those who contributed immensely to the development of the emirate.
Bagudu said the book would serve as very important tool in tracing the historical happenings in the emirate, stressing that Abdullahi Fodio was a hero.
He said the state government would continue to preserve historical facts and artefacts for ptesent generation and posyerity.
The governor also reiterated the state government resolve to continue to support agriculture.
Fourteen people were honoured during the ceremony.
They are; a former Chief Justice of Nigeria Legbo Kutigi, Aliyu wammako, retired Col. Sani Bello and Alhaji Aliko Dangote, Lamido Birnin Bayero and Justice Abdulkadir Ore.
The others were Gov. Atiku Bagudu, Jaiz Bank, Isah Mafara, Usman Magawata, Prof. Aisha Aliyu and Chairman of Daily Trust Newspapers, Kabiru Yusuf.
A total of N101million was realised at the launching with the highest donation of N10 million from the former vice president Atiku Abubakar.
The Speaker, Kano State House of Assembly, Alhaji Kabiru Rurum, says elected office holders must endeavour to fulfil their campaign promises before the end of their tenure in office.
The speaker spoke in Kano on Saturday during the distribution of empowerment items by the member of the state assembly representing Dawakin Kudu Constituency, Alhaji Ibrahim Dawakiji, to the people of his constituency.
Rurum said, "Elected office holders who fail to fulfil their campaign promises face the possibility of having the electorate turning their back on them during the next election.
"It is only through the fulfillment of campaign promises that the electorate will enjoy the dividend of democracy."
The speaker commended the member for empowering the teeming youths in his constituency, urging other elected office holders to emulate the gesture.
He advised the beneficiaries of the empowerment to make proper use of the goods received so as to allow others to benefit from subsequent programmes.
In his remarks, Dawakiji said he considered empowerment as part of his responsibilities to his constituents.
He said that empowering the youths, particularly at this moment in time, was a step toward making them more self-reliant.
Some of the items distributed include sewing machines, weaving machines, generators and water pumping machines.
Others include local spaghetti machines and tricycles for people with special needs.
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