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
Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode (2nd right); former President, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo (right); Ogun State Governor, Sen. Ibikunle Amosun (2nd left) and Deputy Governor of Osun State, Chief (Mrs) Titilayo Laoye-Tomori (left) during the grand opening of the Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library at Oke-Mosan, Abeokuta, on Saturday, March 4, 2017.Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode, with Asiwaju Bola Tinubu and Ogun State Governor, Sen. Ibikunle Amosun during the grand opening of the Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library at Oke-Mosan, Abeokuta, on Saturday, March 4, 2017.Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode (middle); former Secretary General of the United Nations (UN), Mr. Koffi Annan (2nd right); Governor of Kastina State, Alhaji Aminu Masari (right) Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed (left) and former EFCC Chairman, Alhaji Nuhu Ribadu (2nd left) during the grand opening of the Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library at Oke-Mosan, Abeokuta, on Saturday, March 4, 2017.Amin Moussalli Aim Consul and Otunba & Chief Mrs. Gbenga DanielMinister of Finance Mrs. Kemi Adeosun and other arrival.Alafin of Oyo Lamidi Adeyemi and Iyalode Alaba LawsonLagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode; former Secretary General of the United Nations (UN), Mr. Koffi Annan; a guest, Adi Timor and Governor of Kastina State, Alhaji Aminu Masari during the grand opening of the Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library at Oke-Mosan, Abeokuta, on Saturday, March 4, 2017.Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode (2nd right); his Ogun State counterpart, Sen. Ibikunle Amosun (right); former President, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo (2nd left) and former Secretary General of the United Nations (UN), Mr. Koffi Annan (left) during the grand opening of the Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library at Oke-Mosan, Abeokuta, on Saturday, March 4, 2017.
DELTA State Commissioner for Transport, Mr Vincent Uduaghan, has enjoined motorists and other road users to be patient and make use of alternative routes, following the ongoing construction and rehabilitation works on some roads in the state.
Uduaghan who spoke with newsmen shortly after unscheduled inspection of the NPA bypass, Esisi and Swamp roads in Warri, said the Senator Ifeanyi Okowa- led government was determined to make life more meaningful for all Deltans.
The Commissioner who was accompanied by the site engineer, Mr Justin Nwoko, inspected the granites, rods, the quality and quantity of cement being used for the project. He also inspected works on the road.
While expressing satisfaction with the pace and quality of work, he told the contractor to ensure speedy completion of the road to ease traffic flow in the area.
At Esisi road where he inspected rehabilitation of failed portions and drainage work, he urged the contractor to step up the tempo of the work.
Querying the contractor handling the Swamp road for the poor drainage job, Uduaghan said the state government would not tolerate any shaddy job. The site Engineer, Mr Hyacinth Ajeh, however, assured that the project would be completed to specification.
Some leaders of the community hosting the project, commended the state governor for embarking on the projects and thanked the commissioner for his effort towards ensuring speedy completion of the works.
Manchester United striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic is likely to face disciplinary action after appearing to elbow Bournemouth’s Tyrone Mings during Saturday’s fiery 1-1 draw in the Premier League.
Mings appeared to stamp on Ibrahimovic’s head with his left foot as he jumped over him late in the first half and the Swedish striker seemed to elbow him in retaliation moments later.
Ibrahimovic, who also squandered a penalty, told BBC Sport: “You have the TV, you can see the images. I jump up and jump high and he (Mings) jumps into my elbow. It is not my intention to hurt someone.”
Elsewhere, champions Leicester City continued their smooth adaptation to life after Claudio Ranieri by winning 3-1 at home to fellow strugglers Hull City.
Leicester City’s Nigerian midfielder Wilfred Ndidi (C) scores with this header to make the score 3-1 (later given as an own goal) during the English Premier League football match between Leicester City and Hull City at King Power Stadium in Leicester, central England on March 4, 2017. / AFP PHOTO
Marcos Rojo put United ahead in the 23rd minute at Old Trafford, but Joshua King levelled from the spot five minutes before half-time following a foul on Marc Pugh by Phil Jones.
Adam Smith’s handball gave Ibrahimovic a chance to restore United’s lead from the penalty spot, but his spot-kick was brilliantly palmed away by Bournemouth goalkeeper Artur Boruc.
Victory would have taken United into the Champions League places, but they remain sixth, a position they have occupied since November.
Jose Mourinho’s side could lose ground in the race for Champions League qualification later on Saturday when fifth-place Liverpool welcome fourth-place Arsenal to Anfield.
Ibrahimovic was already on a booking when he tangled with Mings, but both players avoided punishment, raising the prospect of violent conduct charges from the Football Association.
The standard punishment for violent conduct in the Premier League is a three-game ban.
United captain Wayne Rooney felt Mings’s stamp had been deliberate, saying: “There’s no place for it and I’m sure there will be punishment for it after the game.”
But Mings, whose side remain 14th, said the contact with Ibrahimovic had been accidental.
“I would never do that. That’s not in my game,” Mings said. “Hard and fair is how I like to tackle, but off-the-ball stuff like that isn’t part of my game.”
– Boro into drop zone –
Referee Kevin Friend also sent off Bournemouth’s Andy Surman for two bookable offences, although he had to be reminded by United left-back Luke Shaw that the midfielder had already been booked.
United manager Mourinho said Friend had been “very good”.
“Who can I blame?” Mourinho said. “Ourselves. Nobody else. We missed big chances.”
Leicester’s resurgence continued as they beat Hull 3-1 to pull five points clear of the relegation zone.
The champions beat Liverpool 3-1 last Monday in their first game since the sacking of popular manager Ranieri and caretaker coach Craig Shakespeare saw them record back-to-back wins for the first time since last April.
Sam Clucas gave Hull a 14th-minute lead, but Leicester stormed back to win through strikes from Christian Fuchs and Riyad Mahrez and a Tom Huddlestone own goal.
“Results give players confidence,” said Shakespeare. “Back-to-back wins will give confidence for the last 11 games of the season.
“Everyone looked at the game against Liverpool on Monday and to get the three points under pressure was important, but to back that up with another win was vitally important.”
Hull are now four points from safety and they were joined in the bottom three by Middlesbrough, who fell to two Marko Arnautovic goals in a 2-0 defeat at Stoke City.
Swansea City also pulled five points clear of the bottom three after Fernando Llorente’s 92nd-minute header gave Paul Clement’s improving side a precious 3-2 win at home to Burnley.
Wilfried Zaha and Andros Townsend struck in the second half as Sam Allardyce’s Crystal Palace moved three points clear of danger with a 2-0 success at West Bromwich Albion.
Meanwhile, Manolo Gabbiadini scored his sixth goal in four games as Southampton bounced back from last weekend’s League Cup final loss to United by winning 4-3 in an entertaining game at Watford.
BY UGOCHUKWU ALARIBE & ERIC UGBOR ABA-Soldiers of the Forward Operation Base, FOB, stationed at Ngwa road, Aba, Abia State, has assaulted the Aba sales representatives of Thisday, Punch and Authority Newspapers and arrested two newspaper vendors including a 64 year old woman, Jacima, over alleged sale of pro Biafra newspapers.
Trouble started for the victims when the soldiers in two hilux vans stormed a newspaper distribution centre at St. Michael's road, Aba, in a commando-style and ordered vendors including those who came to buy newspapers and magazines to sit on the floor and identify themselves.
Vanguard gathered that when the Thisday sales rep, Mr. Simeon Obi identified himself, the soldiers demanded for his official identity card but his explanation that the card was in his office upstairs infuriated the soldiers who bundled him into one of the waiting hilux vans.
Also it was reported that soldiers allegedly assaulted the sales rep of the Authority newspapers, Mrs. Chinyere Ibe who was giving newspapers to vendors when the soldiers arrived and asked her to identify herself.
An eyewitness said, "Immediately the woman said "I'm with the Authority Newspapers", one of the soldiers gave her severe slaps and said, "You say you be authority, who gave you that authority, who made you the authority of this town? If I hear you be authority again, I will deal with you."
The Punch, Thisday and Authority sales reps including the two vendors were later taken to the army base at Ngwa High school.
The Army Captain in charge of the base was reported to have released the newspaper sales reps. As at the time of filing this report, the two vendors including the 64 year old woman, Jacima who was said to have been discharged from the hospital a day before her arrest, are still being held by the Army.
When contacted, Commanding Officer, 144 Battalion, Asa, Abia State, Lt. Col. Ksssim Umar Sidi, who denied that the suspects were assaulted added that they have been handed over to the Department of State Services, DSS.
In 44 BC the respected Roman seer and soothsayer Spurinna warned the great Consul and ruler of the Roman Empire Julius Caesar about the “ides of March”. He counselled him not to go out on that day because he had perceived that something terrible would happen. According to the Roman calendar the ides of March was the 15th of March.
Caesar treated the prophecy and the warning with ridicule and contempt, as is often the case with most men of power, and he chose to ignore it.
According to the Greek historian and essayist Plutarch, on the morning of March 15th, whilst on his way to the Theater at Pompei, Julius Caesar saw Spurinna again and disdainfully whispered into his ear that the ides of March had come, thereby mocking the old man and his prophecy.
The soothsayer smiled and responded by calmly saying,
“Ay Caesar, the ides of March has indeed come but it has not yet ended”.
Later on that same day on his return to Rome and as he entered the great hall and hallowed chambers of the Senate, the great Julius Caesar was stabbed to death by no less than 60 of his most trusted colleagues in the Senate, including Marcus Brutus, his young protegee who hailed from a noble and respected Roman family, who he had supported all his life and who he had virtually adopted as his own son.
History records that such was the courage, strength and fortitude of Caesar that even after dozens of vicious and deep fatal stabs were inflicted all over his ageing body and even as his blood flowed all over the floor of the Senate, he still stood up proud, refusing to bend his knee, refusing to plead for his life and refusing to fall. What a man he was!
It was only after the last of the conspirators, his very own Marcus Brutus, walked up to him slowly, looked him in the eye and plunged his long and sharp dagger deep into the old mans heart that Caesar gave up, yelled in pain and whispered the famous latin words, “Et tu Brute?” meaning “and you too Brutus?”? He ended it by saying “then Caesar falls” after which he fell down and gave up the ghost.
The truth is that he died more of a broken heart as a result of those the betrayal of those that he trusted and loved, like Marcus Brutus, than he did from the physical stab wounds that were inflicted on him by the other Senators and his political enemies.
When he saw, felt and suffered Brutus’ betrayal and treachery he gave up hope and lost his will to continue to live.
What a royal tragedy this was! What a waste of human life and greatness! What a gruesome and complicated mess!
What a way for the most powerful man on earth of his time to end his days.
What a way for a gallant and noble son of Rome, a man of valour and a great and irresistible warrior, clothed by the Living God in magnificence, splendour and glory to go down and leave the earthly plain.
This was a valiant and courageous man who had achieved greatness and who was bestowed with awesome power and unprecedented glory by the God of Heaven and the Lord of Hosts.
This was a man who went to the British Isles, who conquered their ruling spirit Brittania and who proudly proclaimed those famous latin words, “veni, vedi, vici”, meaning “I came, I saw, I conquered”.
This was a man who turned Egypt into a vassal state, who overwhelmed the Greeks, who conquered Europe, who mastered the Middle East, who ruled over the entire civilised world and who bedded and tamed the great African Queen Cleopatra.
Yet this was also a man that was deeply flawed, who died in a pool of his own blood and who was slaughtered not by his enemies but by his loved ones and his erstwhile friends.
This was an unforgiving man who could not reign in his immeasurable narcissicism and his obsession with power and domination or control his sense of pride, self-importance and vanity.
This was an arrogant man who listened to no-one, who took pleasure in being worshipped and revered, who persecuted his enemies relentlessly, who was cruel to his detractors, who scorned his three wives, who had contempt for his clerics, who mocked the sacred prophecies and who defied the Living God and the Ancient of Days.
Predictably and sadly it all eventually caught up with him and, in the end, this was a man who died in the most agonising and pitiful way, wallowing in a pool of his own blood, slaughtered, not by his traditional and known enemies, but rather by his own political associates, loved ones and erstwhile friends.
If Caesar had listened to his youngest wife, the beautiful Calpurnia, that ill-fated morning and not stepped out he would not have been murdered and Roman, nay, world history would have been very different.
If he had listened to Spurinna, the great seer and soothsayer, who the God of Heaven had used to speak to him and if he had shown humility and heeded the seer’s warning about the ides of March, Caesar would have lived to finish the work that he had started many years before and to fulfil his vision.
If he had not become the victim of his own vanity and obsessions and if he had not turned from being a great and much-loved war general and hero into a beastly and dictatorial bully and tyrant he would not have turned the hearts of the Senate against all that he stood for, he would not have provoked the wrath of God and he would not have kindled and stoked the bitterness, hatred and enmity of even his most trusted men like Marcus Brutus.
If he had not sought to destroy all his enemies with a bitter vengeance and if he had not killed, incarcerated, jailed and tortured the innocent and those that had done no wrong he would have attracted the mercies of God and the Lord would have protected him from his relentless and incensed enemies.
If he had not abused power, brought sorrow, hardship and pain to the people, played God and sought to impose his wicked will over the entire nation and indeed the Roman Empire he would have lived longer and he would have died peacefully in his bed many years later as a fulfilled and happy old man.
If he had not allowed himself to be transformed from being a great warrior and war hero who feared and honoured God, who believed in justice, equity, fairness and the rule of law, who upheld the sanctity and rules of the Roman Republic and who defended the constitution and the sacredness of the democratically-elected Senate into a mean-spirited, power-hungry, obsessive and brutal tyrant he would have lived for much longer.
If he had not attempted to transform himself from being a gentle and accommodating Consul and the humble leader of the Roman Empire into a life-long dictator and all-powerful emperor who would tolerate no criticism and brook no opposition and who would kill, brutalise and demonise his enemies, lock up and humiliate his critics and seek to destroy the destiny and very essence of his nation, he would have lived for much longer.
If he had not used his brutal army to murder young and defenceless activists and protestors or his secret police to torture innocent people and lock them up all over the country without any recourse to the law or respect for their rights or the courts, he would have lived much longer.
If he had not attacked and sought to blackmail, humiliate and intimidate the Judiciary and if he had not attempted to politicise, manipulate and corrupt the administration of justice in his nation he would have lived much longer.
If he had not treated the opposition with disdain and contempt and if he had not sought to decimate and destroy their ranks by foul means and the dishonourable despatch, planting and deployment of a bunch of merciless, crooked and treacherous blacklegs, traitors, moles, gangsters, saboteurs and murderers in their ranks he would have lived for much longer.
I could go on and on. When men play God all manner of tragedies stalk them and they never end well. That is the lesson of history and that is what we are seeing unfolding in Nigeria.
Persecution and the abuse of power always attracts a heavy price for those who indulge in it: this is especially so when they hate God’s children and His anointed and they persecute the Church and His clerics. (TO BE CONTINUED). By Chief Femi Fani-Kayode
LOLA didn't know the real truth about her mum's marriage of over 30 years until her dad died a few years ago. "I'd had my suspicion about the relationship between my parents. Whilst a few relatives made snide remarks about the illegitimacy of their union, my mother assured us that though our father was once married, he got divorced before they tied the knot.
We somewhat believed her because our half-siblings from our dad's first marriage visited regularly." Lola told me, still bewildered at the events that unfolded just after her dad's passing. "We had what you would call a week-end dad. He worked away in one of the states and only came home weekends. At least, that's what we were made to understand. But he was a pleasant enough dad and picked up all our bills.
"I was an undergraduate when a new friend became curious and wanted to know if my father was the same one her family knew by the same name on their street. I said he was. Is your mum's name Fadeke?", she asked, puzzled. "No. She's Maureen." She looked a bit embarrassed and when next I got home, I asked mum if she knew anyone called Fadeke. 'She's your dad's first wife but they're divorced now', she said. I was really curious.
'So what type of wedding did you have?' I wanted to know. She'd never shown us any photographs. It was a simple registry wedding', she breezed. 'We just had close friends as witnesses.' So where were the photographs? `When the house was flooded years back, the few wedding photographs we had were among the ones destroyed,' she said offhand, not quite meeting my eyes. By the time I finished at the university, our dad's visit had dwindled and mum had to confess they'd separated.
Why didn't she say anything until now? I vowed to have a word with him but he died suddenly of a heart attack a few months to his 60th birthday. I was heartbroken. I really loved that man. When I saw his obituary in the papers, I was gub-smacked. The name of his wife was given as Fadeke, and the three children of my mum were last on the list of seven children. I didn't show it to mum. She must have seen it anyway. What sort of funeral would he have? I stepped with trepidation into the church at his funeral service.
At the wake the previous day, my mum was absent and we were lumped with his other children, all adorned in the same fabric. Fadeke, his supposed estranged first wife looked to me like the chief mourner. As we entered the church, with my two siblings, I hardly knew anyone – only the two half-siblings dad used to bring to our house. They sat with Fadeke, the first wife and they were fussed over and comforted by mourners. Where was our mother? Why was she sidelined in all the ceremonies?
"As the preacher went on about my dad being a loving husband to Fadeke and all his children, I looked around because I felt a movement. It was my mother at the end of the pews, acting as if she didn't want to be seen. Why wasn't she at the front too if she was really married to him? It was in that moment that the truth forcibly hit me. Our mum was never a wife to him – she was his mistress!
That explained her skulking into her 'husband's' funeral in shame. Back home, I asked why she didn't play a prominent role in dad's funeral and she insisted Fadeke was divorced, that she was his real wife. She looked so sad and fidgety. I realized she'd been lying to herself all these years too. I felt as if I was standing on a layer of lies. All I had were questions. Why did my mother wear wedding rings all the time? Did the affair start during his first marriage?
"A few months after dad died. we, the children of her supposed marriage sat her down wanting to know the truth. Our dad's will had been read and he acknowledged the three of us – not a word was said in the will about her being his wife. She confessed she was 20 and pregnant when dad told her that he was already a married man. According to her, "Being an unmarried mother wasn't as easy in those days as it is now, so we just decided to tell people we were married the native way. He was the one who gave me the rings. Yet, in spite of his telling me he wasn't in love with Fadeke, they went on to have one more child and he simply forgot about a divorce.
"'I had told people we were married for so long that it just felt normal to keep doing it – especially when your dad backed me up. And let's face it, it's painful enough to admit that your so-called husband is having an affair, let alone that he's fathering other children and that you weren't really married. He left me with you lot to bring up virtually on my own while he flitted between us and his wife. As far as I'm concerned, I did what was right and best for my children. Any lies I told you were to protect you from the harsh reality of being born out of wedlock … '
"I felt really sorry for her but she was a bit of a prude. In this day and age, who gives a hoot whether or not your parents are married! Mum said she was from the era, when certain things just weren't discussed and she didn't enjoy having to justify her decision to give us life. That if anyone was the victim in all this love triangle, that person was her. She told us with a final ring to her voice that she'd rather get on with things and put all this behind her. Heavens only know how long it will take us children to do the same … "
Need Any Help? (Humour)
The young man walked his girlfriend to her front door and started to kiss her. "How about a quick blow job?", he said "before I go". "Oh no," she replied, "not here, anyone could pass and see us". "Oh come on", he coaxed, "it won't take long, just a tiny little blow job". "No, it won't be right", she said adamantly.
For the next couple of minutes, the man tried unsuccessfully to change her mind, then suddenly the front door yanked open and a young girl stood there sleepy-eyed, obviously just having got out of bed. "Dad says hurry up and give him a blow job, or he'll come down and do it, or I will, or someone will, just as long as you take your bloody hand off the intercom".
Are You Sure? (Humour)
The judge looked over his glasses at the man standing before him. "You are filing for divorce on the grounds of your wife's adultery. Is that so?" "Yes, your honour". "And do you have proof of this adultery? Can you name the man involved? Have you seen him"?
"Well, erm, no, not exactly, Your Honour. But I can tell you when I first knew about it, he added confidently. "It was one weekend, three months ago. 1 had been away all week on a conference and didn't arrive home until late on Friday night. In the morning, we made passionate love when suddenly the woman in the flat next to us started banging on the wall and shouting: "Don't start all that again, for f .. k's sake! Have you not had enough this week?"
When on October 23, 2010 Adebayo Nurudeen and Rashidat tied the nuptial knot after seven years of courtship, their joy knew no bounds. They were full of expectations. Their marriage was the envy of everyone. Like love destined from heaven, they were happy they became a couple at last. Unfortunately, Nurudeen and Rashidat's world came- crashing when they had their first child, Mohammed-Ameer, on January 19, 2011.
The birth of of the baby was a turning point in their lives, an incident Nurudeen told Sunday Vanguard, left him in quandary.
Right from childhood, Nurudeen, from Oyo State, was loved by his parents being the first male child of a polygamous family until he decided to go against the wish of his father to pursue his own dreams instead of the profession the father chose for him.
However, the birth of Mohammed-Ameer, which seemed to have reconciled him with his father, soon snapped when it was discovered, a year after, that the child’s growth was retarded. Unable to explain the boy’s condition, the situation became disturbing to the family.
Nurudeen's father was alleged to have threatened to strangle his grandson, claiming that his spiritual consultations revealed that Mohammed-Ameer is a curse to the family and evil.
The behaviour of Nurudeen's father is not unconnected with the fact that many people in Nigeria depend on spiritualists to find answers to many mysteries of life. Consequently, many children with disability are taken as witches and evil. Such is the story of Nurudeen.
Narrating his ordeal to Sunday Vanguard, Nurudeen said that following the strange situation of his son, the boy was taken to a speech and language centre where he was diagnosed of autism. Mohammed-Ameer walked when he was almost two years.
"The disposition of my father had prompted my wife and children to seek asylum in Europe," Nurudeen stated.
"We discovered that he (Mohammed-Ameer) did not always understand how he was feeling or how others were feeling about him. He never, ever felt at ease wherever we were. Because of this, he would go in search of some location where he could feel at ease.
"When we could not understand him anymore, we consulted medical experts, at Gloria Hospital where he was born, Ikorodu, Gbagada General Hospital and Lagos Island Maternity. They assured us that the problem was a mild situation of delayed growth.
"But in January 2013, when we couldn't bear it any longer, we took him to a physiotherapist and a psychologist for help. After observing him, they told us to be calm and that, with time, he was going to outgrow the challenges."
Meanwhile, Mohammed-Ameer always found it difficult putting his clothes on.
The father said: "He wouldn't sleep at night, he would cry for everything. He was constantly drooling, flapping and screaming. He would bang his head against the kitchen floor and it won’t hurt him as much as it would hurt you or me."
Efforts by Nurudeen and his wife to find care for him were not successful as every crèche they visited rejected him. That was the point the boy was taken to the speech and language centre where he was diagnosed as suffering from autism "This prompted our search for a safe haven, we wanted him to be useful to himself and, the society at large".
urudeen father's (Tiamiyu) disposition
Precisely, on January 2, 2015, Nurudeen’s father (Tiamiyu) paid the family a new year visit. The visit compounded Mohammed-Ameer's case. Nurudeen told Sunday Vanguard that his father had threatened to kill the boy.
"My father (Tiamiyu) engaged me in a private discussion during which he claimed he had made his own spiritual consultations and it was revealed that the boy is evil, spiritually possessed and a curse to our lineage. That at age five if there is no appreciable improvement, he will strangle Mohammed – Ameer with his own hands,"Nurudeen said.
He further alleged that there had been serial assault committed against Mohammed-Ameer by his father which he kept away from his wife (Rashidat).
"On one occasion, during Sallah that we celebrated with my father at home, he locked Mohammed -Ameer up in a room for spiritual seclusion. He placed him on a spiritual stool. As Ameer was trying to find his way out of the room, he fell and broke a tooth.
"We decided to take Mohammed-Ameer out of his sight. We resolved to seek asylum in Europe since my father may not be able to reach our son there".
In the process, Ameer's mother was said to have given birth to another son, Mohammed-Ahmad Adebayo, because she left Nigeria with seven months pregnancy. She was delivered of the boy on October 31, 2015.
However, Nurudeen told Sunday Vanguard that the asylum granted the son in Europe may soon expire and may the boy subsequently be returned to Nigeria, saying this may threaten his life and bring back the stigmatisation"which he has outgrown". "The father added: "I see his pictures, and I found that he has found love amongst the people he is opportune to be with. Not only that, returning the boy to Nigeria will be risky to his improving state of health."
By Rotimi Ojomoyela Ado-Ekiti-Ekiti State Governor, Mr Ayodele Fayose, has admonished former President Olusegun Obasanjo to emulate statesmen like former Head of State, General Abdusalam Abubakar who are working diligently for the stability of the country and who do not see themselves as saints while others are devils.
Fayose, who is also the Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party Governors’ Forum, stated this while speaking with newsmen shortly after a visit to General Abubakar in his residence in Abuja.Ayodele Fayose
“Former President Olusegun Obasanjo must take a cue from somebody like General Abdusalam Abubakar who are working for the unity and stability of the country.
President Obasanjo must behave like a true statesman. President Obasanjo’s major weakness is that he does not see anything good in other people or what they do except what he does himself,” he said.
Fayose commended the General for the roles he played before and after the 2015 general elections in Nigeria.
The governor told the former leader some of the legacy projects his administration is executing despite the economic recession in the country.
In his remarks, General Abubakar congratulated Fayose on his election as the Chairman of the PDP Governors’ Forum.
He also said he has been reading about Fayose’s activities as a leading opposition figure in Nigeria.
He added that democracy needs a virile opposition to thrive and make progress and commended Fayose for the various development projects being executed in Ekiti State.
Asked if he would embark on such a visit to Obasanjo, Fayose replied in the negative.
Oyo State Governor, Senator Abiola Ajimobi has felicitated with former President Olusegun Obasanjo on the occasion of his 80th birthday, describing him as a quintessential leader and passionate lover of his fatherland.
The governor's remark was contained in a statement issued in Ibadan on Saturday by his Special Adviser on Communication and Strategy, Mr. Yomi Layinka.
According to Ajimobi, attaining the enviable age of 80 on earth by the former president is a special grace and remarkable feat which calls for celebration. left Mrs. Bola Obasanjo, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo and Chief Taofeek Arapaja former Deputy Governor Oyo. “Chief Obasanjo deserves all the celebrations. He is not only a rare breed but also, a symbol of divine grace whose life is worthy of emulation by every Nigerian,'' he said.
The governor commended Obasanjo for his strong belief in the indivisibility of Nigeria, saying this had informed his active participation in the 30-month civil war to ensure that the country remained together, under whatever circumstance.
Ajimobi also noted that since leaving office in 2007 as President and Commander-in-Chief, Obasanjo had never wavered in participating in activities capable of promoting the socio-political and economic well-being of the country.
“Besides, as a father of the nation, he has been engaging in constructive criticism of successive administrations, all in an attempt at ensuring good governance and better life for all Nigerians,'' he said.
The governor prayed God to grant the former president long life and sound health so that he would continue to serve Nigeria, his fatherland.
The Lagos State Scholarship Board on Saturday put 600 students through oral interviews to ascertain their claims of being from the state and eligibility for 2016/2017 local scholarship offered by the government.
Mr Stephen Oshinowo, the Executive Secretary of the board, told newsmen in Lagos that the candidates needed to be interviewed to authenticate their claims of Lagos being their state of origin.
"Out of over 3000 candidates who sat for the computer based test in February 2017, only 600 candidates scored 43 per cent cut-off mark.
"We reduced the cut-off mark to 43 per cent to give more candidates opportunity to benefit from the scholarship. "The candidates must attend the oral interview to substantiate their claim to Lagos," he said.
Oshinowo said three panelists, selected from the five administrative divisions — Ikorodu, Badagry, Ikeja, Lagos and Epe, were brought in to interview the candidates.
He said that the local scholarship was for exceptionally brilliant students, who have made 3.5 CGPA in their various institutions. "In 2015/2016 session, about 1121 candidates benefited from the exercise.
students
"Out of the 600 candidates, those that are not recommended will still be dropped because we do not want to exceed what our budget can accommodate," he said.
According to him, the local scholarship covers undergraduates, Masters and PhD students, who are indigenes of the state. Oshinowo said that the budget for the 2016/2017 scholarship is N265 million.
He said that the state government was aware of the economic downturn and was ready to assist indigenes of the state to pursue their academics.
According to him, the names of the successful candidates after the exercise would be forwarded to the governor for approval and release of funds.
Oshinowo said undergraduates would be awarded N200,000 yearly for the duration of their course, while masters students would receive N300,000 once and PhD students get N400,000 yearly for the duration of their programme.
He, however, said that candidates must maintain 2:1 CGPA throughout their academics to continue to benefit from the scholarship.
Mrs Kudirat Odewale, one of the panelists from Epe division, told NAN that the essence of the oral interview was to ascertain the claim of the candidates, find out their family house and history.
Odewale said that government could not afford to waste resources on people that are not from the state.
She said the interview was mostly conducted in native language and names also play a major role to ascertain place of origin.
"In the past, we have seen students who claimed to be indigenes of the state but could not speak the language or identify their family house.
"Some students go as far as collecting scholarship from two different states; all these we are trying to stop," she said.
One of the candidates, Miss Maume Hundenu, from Badagry division, commended the state government for setting up the scholarship to help average students, pleading that it be sustained.
"I am satisfied with the interview process; the panelists checked my documents, my family history and ability to speak my native language. "It is not stressful, everything is orderly unlike the previous exercise. "If I get the scholarship, it will help me finance my education and not become a drop-out," she said.
Makeshift Napoli striker Dries Mertens hit a brace in a thrilling 2-1 win away to Roma that has put Juventus firmly on track for a record sixth consecutive Serie A title.
Belgium midfielder Mertens was given the nod ahead of striker Arkadiusz Milik despite the Poland star’s recent return from a five-month injury lay-off.
And coach Maurizio Sarri’s intuition proved right ahead of an entertaining encounter that saw Napoli soak up long spells of pressure to see Mertens expose gaping holes in the Roma defence.
Napoli took a 1-0 lead into half-time at the Stadio Olimpico after Mertens struck against the run of play to flick the ball over onrushing Wojciech Szczesny on 26 minutes.
Mertens completed his brace, taking his league tally for the season to 18 goals, five minutes into the second half with another cool finish following Lorenzo Insigne’s inswinger towards the back post.
Napoli’s forward from Belgium Dries Mertens scores against Roma’s goalkeeper from Poland Wojciech Szcz?sny during the Italian Serie A football match AS Roma vs Napoli on March 4, 2017 at the Olympic Stadium in Rome. / AFP PHOTO
When Kevin Strootman reduced arrears on 89 minutes it sparked a dramatic late fightback from Roma that saw Pepe Reina acrobatically palm a drive off the crossbar before clearing with his leg.
But Napoli, who saw Sarri sent to the stands for dissent midway through the second period, held on for a valuable win.
After virtually dropping out of title contention last week following a 2-0 defeat to Atalanta which left them trailing Juventus by 12 points, Napoli have now done the Turin giants a favour.
A win at Udinese on Sunday will see Juventus take their lead over second-placed Roma to 10 points, with Napoli now only two points behind Luciano Spalletti’s men in the race for the second automatic Champions League spot.
Roma stunned Napoli at the San Paolo earlier in the campaign, but have since emerged as one of the top teams in Europe.
With three hat-tricks to his name so far, Mertens was an automatic starter and repaid Sarri’s faith tenfold with a performance that will make it even harder for Milik to reclaim his position.
But Roma’s defence made the diminutive midfielder’s job easy.
Roma were in control for most of the opening period but Federico Fazio and Kostal Manolas suffered the first of several lapses on 26 minutes when Marek Hamsik squeezed a great ball between them for Mertens to run in and chip the onrushing Szczesny.
Roma were shook up but when Stephan El Shaarawy won back possession in the area to set up Strootman the Dutchman ballooned over from 10 yards.
Mertens almost doubled Napoli’s lead six minutes before the break when he flicked over Szczesny but it was chalked off after after the Belgian’s earlier foul on Fazio.
Roma showed promise immediately after the restart but Radja Nainggolan’s drive came off the leg of Kalidou Koulibaly.
Minutes later, Mertens doubled Napoli’s lead in style. Roma lost possession as they tried to break and after a swift exchange of passes Insigne delivered a great curling ball for Mertens at the back post where he was left unmarked by Fazio.
Roma fought back again, but a superb Reina was at full stretch to tip Diego Perotti’s curling right-footer out for a corner.
Spalletti replaced Fazio with Bruno Peres, with Mohamed Salah coming on for Stephan El Shaarawy.
Salah’s impact was immediate but the Egyptian reaped little reward for his efforts, seeing a late strike come off Reina’s post before the ‘keeper kept out Perotti’s late strike that came off the crossbar.
The newly installed Tor Tiv, HRM Orchivirigh Professor James Ortese Ayatse, has called on the federal government to give more Benue people appointments as they are central to the central government's economic diversification programme.
The paramount ruler stated this in his inaugural speech in Gboko, at a grand ceremony at the Joseph Sarwuan Tarka Stadium. His full title will be His Royal Majesty, Begha U Tiv, Orchivirigh, Prof Ortese Iorzua James Ayatse.
The ceremony was witnessed by many dignitaries, including state governors, Senate President Bukola Saraki, Speaker Yakubu Dogara and former vice-president Atiku Abubakar.
Ayatse specifically noted that" the Tiv people, who are the fourth largest ethnic group in the country are not represented at the Federal Executive Council (FEC)". He urged acting President Yemi Osinbajo to rectify the omission.
"No Tiv man has been appointed Chief Executive Officer of any federal parastatal in the current dispensation; we believe God will help you to correct this marginalization," he said.
He said the marginalization has become worrisome especially as the Tiv people gave their overwhelming support during the electioneering campaign.
"As you take stock and make your next series of appointments, kindly be reminded that the Tiv Nation is not represented in FEC and have not
benefitted from any appointment at the federal level."
His Royal Majesty, Begha U Tiv, Orchivirigh, Prof Ortese Iorzua James Ayatse
He said the diversification program of the government was tied to agriculture and the people have comparative advantage owing their agrarian economy.
The paramount ruler appealed to the federal government to involve the Tiv people in its empowerment schemes to facilitate provision of agricultural inputs and enhance skills. He said such measures would enhance food sufficiency and prevent food crises in the country.
Acting President Osinbajo, represented by the Minister of Agriculture, Mr Audu Ogbeh, promised to present the demands of the Tor Tiv to the president.
He, however, advised the Tiv people to learn to live together with Fulani herdsmen, with whom, they had lived together for ages. He congratulated the new king for his elevation and prayed for his prosperous reign.
Senate president, Bukola Saraki and former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar, the Sultan of Sokoto all appealed to the Tiv nation to co-exist with the Fulani herdsmen to avoid acrimony for the well-being of both ethnic tribes.
Speaker Yakubu Dogara, on his part prayed for the new Tor Tiv and said he was convinced of his capabilities in giving good leadership to the people and assured that the problems of the Tiv would be considered.
The chairman of the governors forum, Gov. Abdulaziz Yari of Zamfara stated that the governors would come together to tackle the problems of the Tiv nation.
Gov. Samuel Ortom lamented the recent security challenges confronting the state but said measures had been adopted to curtail the challenges.
He reiterated his earlier resolve on ranches as the solution to the perennial crises between farmers and herdsmen.
The governors of Imo, Sokoto, Zamfara, Jigawa, Nasarawa, Kwara, Niger, Taraba, Plateau, Kano and Kogi were amongst hundreds of dignitaries that graced the occasion.
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The family of a Liberian Ebola nurse named Time magazine's "Person of the Year" in 2014 wants to sue a hospital whose staff they say were too scared to treat her when she died of complications around childbirth.
The hospital in the capital Monrovia rejected that claim, saying staff had done all they could save Salome Karwah, who died after giving birth by caesarean section last week.
Liberian authorities said this week they are investigating her death.
Karwah worked with charity Doctors Without Borders as a nurse after herself recovering from the often deadly hemorrhagic fever.
She was one of five people featured on the Time magazine cover for their work in fighting Ebola.
Her brother Reginald Karwah stated through telephone: "the … family is going to take a lawsuit against the hospital,"
"The mismanagement of our (sister's) condition was due to the fact that they had people on shift who did not handle her case professionally."
Since her previous exposure — when Ebola ravaged her village and killed a number of her relatives — had rendered her immune, Karwah was able to make direct contact with sick patients that most carers could not.
Time reported that she could even "spoon-feed elderly sufferers, and rock feverish babies to sleep".
In June last year the World Health Organisation (WHO) declared Liberia free of active Ebola virus transmission, the last of four West African countries at the epicentre of the world's worst outbreak of the disease.
Traces of Ebola can hide in survivors' bodies long after they have recovered, but health experts say the risk of Ebola re-emerging and being transmitted to others is extremely low.
Inspite of that, there is a great deal of stigma around survivors of the virus in West Africa.
Liberia's Chief Medical Officer Dr. Francis Kateh revealed by telephone the family were "not looking at the reality".
"I don't think [stigmatisation] is an issue.
"She stayed there for days before she was discharged, so if there was a stigma against someone with Ebola they would not have touched her or operated on her," when in fact they did, he said.
"Had … no one touched her, no one looked at her, then you could say stigmatisation (occurred)," he added, denying that this is what happened.
But Karwah's husband James Harris said he had argued with doctors and nurses at the hospital for three hours to let her in while she lay unattended in an ambulance.
"I feel very bad and angry. My wife fought Ebola, saved other people's lives and now this was the time for the healthcare workers in Liberia to pay back but they refused."
The epidemic killed more than 11,300 people and infected some 28,600 from 2013, as it swept through Guinea, Sierra Leone and Liberia, according to WHO data.
The United Nations Security Council Visiting Mission to Lake Chad Basin Region will arrive in Maiduguri, Borno State on Sunday. On Monday, the Mission will go to Abuja to meet with the Acting President Yemi Osinbajo.
Matt Moody, Spokesperson and Head of Communications, UK Mission to the UN, said: "on Day 5 of the UK Presidency, the Security Council will transfer to Maiduguri, Nigeria.
They will meet local officials and civil society organisations before visiting an IDP camps.
"On Day 6 of the UK Presidency (Monday), the Security Council will meet Civil Society Organisations, Women's Groups, and leaders of the Nigerian Government in Abuja."
The visit is part of the UN Security Council's mission under the UK Presidency, to the areas devastated by Boko Haram terrorists in the countries of the Lake Chad Basin – Nigeria, Cameroon, Chad and Niger.
The mission to Nigeria is aimed at enabling the UN body to get first-hand information on the various issues affecting the country.
This will be the first time the UN Security Council is visiting Nigeria.
With the on-going crisis in the Northeast and other challenges faced by the country, the delegation will use the mission to engage with federal and state authorities.
The Council will also engage actors on the ground supporting national response efforts and visit selected affected populations.
The delegation will have engagement with journalists in Maiduguri at 5 p.m. on Sunday and Abuja at 7 p.m. on Monday.
The delegation is led by Amb. Matthew Rycroft, UK Permanent Representative to the UN and the Security Council's President for the month of March.
They had earlier visited Cameroon, Chad and will leave to Niger on Saturday night.
"First of all, we came here in order to shine a spotlight on the situation in the Lake Chad Basin.
"We came to hear the individual stories of people involved, whether they are refugees or displaced people or other victims of Boko Haram.
"We stand with the government and the people of Cameroon, and the wider region, in tackling the scourge of terrorism.
"And in encouraging them to look broadly and deeply at the root causes of the set of crises going on here.
"Whether humanitarian, to do with development, to do with education, agriculture and so on," Rycroft said on Friday in Cameroon.
The UN says no fewer than 4.8 million people are now in urgent need of food assistance and 5.1 million are predicted to be food insecure if not supported by the humanitarian community in 2017.
The UN said that an estimated 300,000 children in Borno alone will suffer from severe acute malnutrition over the next 12 months and up to 450,000 in total across Adamawa, Borno and Yobe, if adequate assistance is not received.
Sikiru Olatunbosun of MFM FC has hit the headlines again as his goal against Rangers has been named 'Goal of the Week' by the influential American news channel Cable News Network (CNN).
Olatunbosun scored a beauty of a goal in Matchday 10 of the Nigeria Professional Football League game at the Agege Stadium which went viral with the winger getting accolades from renowned pundits, blogs and websites.
The goal was quite special and Olatunbosun's execution was brilliant as he gave the home side a 1-0 lead in the game that they eventually won 2-1.
Sikiru Olatunbosun: amazing goal wins CNN poll
Rangers midfielder Chinedu Udeagha lost the ball in midfield to MFM left-back Julius Emiloju, who prodded the ball forward to the diminutive midfield maestro Chukwuka Onuwa.
Onuwa found space to lob the ball to Stephen Odey, who on noticing three Rangers defenders closing in on him, flicked the ball with the inside of his left boot to Olatunbosun.
In one swift movement, Olatunbosun contoured his body to meet the direction of the ball while flicking it over a visibly bamboozled Etim Matthew with his left foot, before taking a 180-degree turn and letting fly with the same left foot.
The ball went all of 20 yards, taking a swerve on the way before landing in the top right corner of the Rangers net.
The MFM striker won the CNN 'Goal of the Week' poll ahead of Roma's Raja Nainggolan, Youri Tielemans of Anderlecht and Joey Jones of Woking FC.
Olatunbosun came tops with a whopping 82 percent of votes cast ahead of Nainggolan who had 11 percent, Tielemans at six percent while Jones had one percent out of the 6 647 votes cast.
Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte could not hide his grandparental pride when he heard the news about the birth of his newest grandchild late Thursday. And expectedly he followed the family tradition by naming the child Stonefish.
"I have to fly home because my daughter gave birth," Duterte, 71, broke the news to guests attending the induction of newly-elected officers of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry in the central Philippine city of Cebu on Thursday night.
Duterte was referring to his daughter, Sara, now the mayor of the southern Philippine city of Davao, Duterte's home city.
Duterte's daughter gave birth to a healthy baby boy through caesarian section on Thursday.
The mayor's spokesman Jefry Tupas told reporters the baby weighed 2.42 kilograms.
President Rodrigo Duterte and his third grandchild named Stonefish
The new baby, who was named Marko Digong Carpio, is the third child of Sara.
"I am very excited to go home. I'd be flying home directly and will go straight to the hospital because I heard that he was named Marko Digong," Duterte said. Digong has been Duterte's nickname since he became a politician three decades ago.
Duterte also announced that his newest grandson will be given the nickname Stonefish, eliciting laughter from the audience.
"Poor child," he said, eliciting more laughter from the audience. "I am so happy. Thank God!"
Sara has two other children: Mikhaila Maria or Sharky, 8, and Mateo Lucas or Stingray, 4.
Spokesman Tupas said Sara is known as the "Mother Ocean" and loves to name her children after fish.
Sara was pregnant with triplets but lost two to miscarriage in September last year. Duterte at the time said he was emotional when he heard the news.
"I cried… These are the things in life you just have to be yourself. I cried all day," an emotional Duterte told a news conference in September, adding he went to the bathroom after he was told about what happened to Sara's babies.
Duterte's spokesman Ernesto Abella told presidential reporters that the arrival of Stonefish fortifies Duterte's resolve "to leave a legacy of a Philippines safe and secure from drugs and heinous crimes to future generation of Filipinos."
Sara is Duterte's only daughter to his first marriage. She has two other brothers. Duterte has another daughter with his current partner.
Duterte assumed the presidency in June last year. He will be turning 72 on March 28.
US President Donald Trump on Saturday again exploded on Twitter and took another swipe at the former President Barack Obama, accusing him of being “a bad, (or sick) guy who wire-tapped his phones before the election.
"Terrible! Just found out that Obama had my 'wires tapped' in Trump Tower just before the victory. Nothing found. This is McCarthyism!," he wrote.
"Is it legal for a sitting President to be 'wire-tapping' a race for president prior to an election? Turned down by court earlier. A NEW LOW!" he added
It wasn't clear what, exactly, Trump was referring to as he accused his predecessor, whom he labeled a bad (or sick) guy!"
He also said a talented lawyer could make "a great case" out of the situation.
President Trump and ex-President Obama
Obama's post-presidency office did not immediately respond to a request for comment from Yahoo News on Trump's accusation, and the White House did not immediately clarify from whom Trump had "just learned" this new information.
Trump has the authority to declassify almost any classified material, and could substantiate his accusations if he wanted to.
The Saturday-morning Twitter storm was striking as Trump and Obama had largely appeared to paper over their differences — at least publicly — since the election.
Trump called Obama "a very good man" shortly after his stunning November victory.
But Trump had started to increasingly blame Obama for his misfortunes, particularly an embarrassing and politically toxic string of leaks coming out of the federal government.
Trump has been particularly irked by reports linking his campaign and transition team to Russia.
He fired his national security adviser, Michael Flynn, after it was revealed that the retired lieutenant general talked to Russia's ambassador about Obama-era sanctions and then misled Vice President Mike Pence about them.
But Trump has stood behind Attorney General Jeff Sessions, who this week has weathered a firestorm over his own conversations with the Russian ambassador during the campaign.
During his confirmation hearing, Sessions indicated under oath that he had no contact with Russian officials.
"Just out: The same Russian Ambassador that met Jeff Sessions visited the Obama White House 22 times, and 4 times last year alone," Trump tweeted Saturday morning.
It was not only Obama that got harangued by Trump's tweets today.
Trump also attacked actor and former governor of California Arnold Schwarzenegger who reportedly quit the TV programme, Apprentice, the hosting of which had given Trump himself much fame.
Trump had criticised Schwarzenegger in the past over his handling of the programme. But the actor had cheekily told him to face his job as president or trade places with him.
Some Abuja residents on Saturday said they were excited about the recent announcement of the release of a revamped version of the popular Nokia 3310.
The phone which was first produced in the year 2000 was known for its durability and long battery life.
It was unveiled during HMD Global press conference at on Sunday, Feb. 26.
The phone which will be released by the new Finnish producers of Nokia known as HMD Global, is expected to be sold in markets across the world in the second quarter of the year.
Some of the residents who spoke said they were happy that such a phone was being revamped giving reasons why they would be patronising the model.
New Nokia 3310
Clement Okoro, an entrepreneur, said that he was surprised to hear that the Nokia 3310 was being brought back to the market and that he planned on purchasing it once it was available.
"The Nokia 3310 was an amazing phone that could not be affected by anything.
"I remember my mother had the phone when I was a child and it fell into a pool of water twice, not to mention the countless times it fell on the hard floor, but it kept working.
"I am excited to hear that the phone will be in markets soon because I need such a phone for my business and it is nice to learn it's been upgraded with a camera and 16 megabyte internal memory.
"I currently use an iPhone and anyone who knows an iPhone well knows that the battery does not last and the phone is very fragile, yet, the phone is extremely expensive.
"Everyone who has a Smartphone should have a phone like 3310 for backup'' Okoro advised.
Also speaking, a civil servant, Susan Iyaye said "I am happy that this durable phone is back in production and it has been designed to fit the current digital age trend.
"I struggle with my phones most times because of the poor electricity supply we all deal with in Nigeria.
"The 3310 of those days could last up to four days, if not more, without being charged so I am eager to see how this revamped version will perform.
"I am definitely purchasing this phone once I hear it is in the market. I'm sure it will sell well in countries like Nigeria because the product is highly dependable," she said.
Another resident, Glory Anyawu said that she was excited at the news because the re-emergence of the phone would meet the needs of low-income earners.
"I am very happy about this news because it is a phone that fits my lifestyle and income.
"This phone will help people like me who struggle financially. I will also not have to worry about my phone not being charged when there is no electricity.
"We always made fun of how 3310 could be used as a weapon during fights and how it could survive under water but in reality, the phone was extremely durable and dependable.
"I will make sure I get this phone for myself and my siblings' because it would help us in our business communications.''
The phone, which is expected to be slimmer and lighter with full colour display, would be made in four colours; red, yellow, blue and grey.
Members of the Nigerian Union of Allied Health Professionals (NUAHP), would begin an indefinite nation-wide strike, on Monday, March, 6, 2017.
Mr Ayinde Obisesan, the National General- Secretary of the Association announced this on Saturday in Ibadan, in a directive to the workers.
"You are hereby directed to commence an indefinite strike action with effect from 12: 01 am, Monday, 6 March, 2017, until otherwise directed.
"This is sequel to the ultimatum issued to the government since 20 January, 2017 and the inability of government to address our demands positively, "he said
NUAHP is an umbrella union for health workers such as physiotherapists, pharmacists, dieticians, medical laboratory scientists, optometrists and radiographers.
Others are dental therapists, medical physicists, health information officers, clinical psychologists and medical social workers.
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