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
Saudi Arabia, Malaysia, and other Arab countries announced on Saturday that Sunday will be the first day of Eid al-Fitr 1438.
Oman, however, has not sighted the moon, and thus declared Monday June 26 as the first day of Eid al-Fitr.
According to Bangladesh, Pakistan, India will be sighting the moon on Sunday. These countries started Ramadan on May 28 and so Sunday will be the 29th of Ramadan for them.
Eid al-Fitr, which means “festival of breaking the fast”, marks the end of the Muslim holy fasting month of Ramadan.
Turkey and Muslim communities in North America, Europe and Australia had previously announced they would celebrate Eid al-Fitr from Sunday June 25 based on astronomical calculations.
Eid al-Fitr is is an official holiday in all Muslim-majority countries
However Nigeria is yet to announce the sighting of the moon.
The Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Sa'ad Abubakar, Thursday urged the Muslim Ummah in the country to look for the new Moon of Shawwal on Saturday, June 24.
The Sultan made the call in a statement signed by the Chairman, Advisory Committee on Religious Affairs, Sultanate Council, Sokoto, Prof. Sambo Wali on Thursday.
" This is to inform the Muslim Ummah that Saturday, June 24, which is equivalent to 29th day of Ramadan,1438 AH, shall be the day to look for the new Moon of Shawwal, 1438 AH.
" Muslims are therefore requested to start looking for the new moon of Shawwal, 1438 AH, Saturday.
" They should report its sighting to the nearest District of Village Head, for onward communication to the Sultan," he said.
The sultan urged the Muslim Ummah to report the sighting of the new moon to the sultanate council on the following numbers:
0803-715-7100, 0706-741-6900, 0806-630-3077, 0806-548-0405, 0803-595-7392, 0803-596-5322 and 0803-614-9767.
*Okada riders protest continued collection of levy
By Yinka Ajayi
Commercial motorcycle operators in Oshodi area of Lagos, otherwise known as Okada, came out en-mass to protest what they described as continued collection of levies from them by union officials in defiance of government's ban on transport union activities in the area. The government's ban on union activities came in the wake of the alleged murder of a top transport union official in Oshodi.
The Okada riders were seen, Saturday, chanting war songs and carrying placards and leaves. They called on Governor Akinwunmi Ambode to come to their aid. In a chat with Vanguard, one of the commercial motorcycle riders, who preferred to remain anonymous, said : "Governor Akinwunmi Ambode banned ticket issuance to Okada riders in Oshodi after the death of Chief Rasaq Bello, aka Hamburger, in May 2019." But these union leaders oftentimes make life unbearable for us. We are forced to pay N500 per day whether we work or not. We don't even know who to obey between the miscreants or Lagos State government. If we insist not to pay, the loyalists of the union leaders will gang up against us and sometimes threaten our lives. It will be surprised to hear that sometimes the police back them because of what they are getting from them."
Another Okada rider, who also narrated their ordeal, said: " We cannot even feed our family, we hardly pay our house rent but these self-acclaimed union executives drive in luxurious cars, their children attend expensive private schools and build for themselves well furnished apartments in Lagos and the villages as well. So who do we blame for our predicament ? Is it the government or we ourselves?"
The protesters called on Lagos State government to come to their rescue before another violence ensues over the ticket issuance. "We cannot continue to suffer from the unjust regime invoked by union leaders trying to wreak havoc in Oshodi and Lagos at large through the issuance of tickets banned by the Gov. Ambode-led administration in Lagos."
An Israeli aircraft carried out a strike on Syria after 10 projectiles fired from the war-torn country hit the occupied Golan Heights on Saturday, an army spokesman said.
The Israeli Air Force also targeted two Syrian regime tanks in the northern part of the Golan, the spokesman said, adding the projectiles did not cause any casualties.
“Because of the unacceptable violation of Israeli sovereignty”, Israel has protested to the United Nations Disengagement Observer Force (UNDOF) which monitors a 1974 ceasefire between the two countries, he added.
The Israeli military posted a video on Twitter showing what it said were a machinegun position and two tanks being targeted from above and blown up.
Syria’s official news agency SANA confirmed the strike, saying it had killed an unspecified number of people and caused material damage.
SANA said “the Israeli enemy” fired several projectiles that hit the southern province of Quneitra on the Golan plateau, and accused the Jewish state of backing the rebels battling government forces.
The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, a Britain-based monitor which has been reporting on Syria’s six-year-war, said two Syrian soldiers were killed in the Israeli strike.
It also reported fierce fighting between forces loyal to Syrian President Bashar al-Assad and rebels in Quneitra.
Defence Minister Avigdor Lieberman said Israel believes the Assad regime is “accountable for what is happening on the ground and will continue to suffer the consequences”.
“We are acting strongly, with determination,” the minister in a statement.
Israel has conducted multiple air strikes in Syria since that country’s civil war erupted in 2011, most of which it has said targeted arms convoys or warehouses of its Lebanese arch-foe Hezbollah, which is a key supporter of the Syrian regime.
In April, Israel shot down what it identified only as “a target” over the Golan, hours after Syria accused it of hitting a military position near Damascus airport.
Israel did not confirm or deny the reported Damascus attack.
Israel seized 1,200 square kilometres (460 square miles) of the Golan Heights from Syria in the Six-Day War of 1967 and later annexed it in a move never recognised by the international community.
Around 510 square kilometres of the Golan are under Syrian control.
The Israeli side of the Golan has been hit sporadically by what is thought to be stray fire from fighting between forces loyal to Syria’s government and rebels.
Mr. Stephen Onwuamadike, the father of the caught notorious kidnap kingpin in an interview with the Channels Tv, opined that out of his eleven children, Evans is the only person that remained incommunicado with him.
Watch and listen to him carefully and air your opinion unsentimental.
By Evelyn Usman The last may not have been heard of acclaimed most brilliant kidnap kingpin Chukwudidumeme Onuamadike, aka Evans, following his starling revelation that some members of his strike team were serving security agents. EVANS One of them, a serving personnel of the Nigerian Army, identified as Lance Corporal Victor Chukwunonso , with Army No: 09/NA/64/6317, has been arrested.
Unsuspecting Lance Corporal Chukwunonso , who is attached to the Nigeria Army Band Corps ,Abatti Barrack, in Surulere area of Lagos, was arrested at about 9pm on Friday, in Ojo area of the state, from where he was subsequently taken into police custody.Lance Corporal Victor Chukwunonso
During investigation Chukwunonso as reliably gathered, admitted to have only gone on three kidnap operations with Evans. He disclosed that he got a total of N6.5 million from the operations.
He revealed to policemen that all the operations were carried out in Festac area of Lagos. He claimed to have been given N3milion from the first operation, N2 million form the second and N1.5million from the third.
Abuja – Muslims in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) have begun preparations for the celebration to mark the end of the Ramadan fasting.
Commercial activities are in top gear in the areas like Garki, Wuse, Jabi Markets.Over 35,000 Ahmadi Muslims converged at the Oakland Farm, Hadeeqatul Madhi, Hampshire, London
People at Garki, Wuse and Jabi Market were busy buying and selling essential items, such as food items and drinks, in bulk and retail in preparation for the Sallah.
Hajiya Amina Katagun, a civil servant, at the Garki Market said she was happy to witness the end of Ramadan, but lamented the high cost of foodstuff and other goods in the market.
She said that the high cost of goods would limit the fun and merriment for her and many other families that were struggling to live daily.
"Alhamdulillah, fasting is about to be over; all praises is due to Allah.
"My worry now is the price of things in the market; so many families cannot afford to buy the few things they needed for the Sallah due to the cost of foodstuff and other goods.
"Though it is the `small' Sallah, we still need to cook to give out to our neighbours whether they are Muslims or not, and the less privileged,'' she said.
Mr Mohammed Suleiman, an engineer, at the market said that he was thankful to God for keeping him all through the season.
"I am grateful to God for keeping me alive to witness this year's Ramadan.
"I am, however, unhappy because of the activities of Boko Haram terrorists in the North Eastern part of the country.
"As the Ramadan winds down and Nigerians are preparing to celebrate Sallah, we must remind ourselves of the ultimate sacrifices others have been forced to make with their lives in this country.
"So, I urge all Nigerians to pray to the Almighty Allah to give the country peace, unity and stability as we continue the celebration.
"We need to intensify prayers for peace and stability in the country, because nothing can be achieved without peace,'' Suleiman said.
Mr Kabir Kato, a cobbler, in FCT, said he was grateful to Almighty Allah for giving him the opportunity to participate in the fasting, while praying for Allah`s blessing that comes with the fasting.
"In these last few days of Ramadan, the excitement of the Sallah celebration is palpable; I am happy to be alive till the end.
"A lot of blessings come with the observation of Ramadan, I thank Allah for keeping me and my family alive to participate in this year celebration,'' Kato said.
Kato said he was expecting to receive lots of gifts from elders and philanthropists, who usually demonstrate their love by giving gifts during the Sallah.
NAN reports that owners of some of the fun centres visited are optimistic of patronage during the celebration, with many already putting things in shape in great expectation.
According to Wikipedia, Eid el-Fitr is a festival of breaking of the fast.
It is an important religious holiday celebrated by Muslims worldwide.
It marks the end of Ramadan the Islamic holy month of fasting.
The religious Eid el-Fitr is a single day during which Muslims are not permitted to fast, the holiday celebrates the conclusion of the 29 or 30 days of dawn-to-sunset Ramadan fasting.
The day of the Eid el-Fitr, therefore, falls on the first day of the month of Shawwal.
The date for the start of any lunar Hijri month varies based on the observation of the new moon by local Islamic authorities.
The exact day of celebration, therefore, varies by locality; however, in most countries, it is generally celebrated on the same day as Saudi Arabia.
By Henry Umoru ABUJA – SENATE President Bukola Saraki has urged all Nigerians and Muslims across the country to imbibe the spirit of tolerance, peace, patriotism and love for one another as a way of building a strong and united nation, just as he reiterated his call on Nigerians to continue to pray for the quick recovery of President Muhammadu Buhari.Bukola Saraki
Saraki who congratulated Muslim faithful on the successful completion of a month-long Ramadan fast, said that only tolerance, stronger sense of patriotism and love for one another will help the country sail through the present multiple agitations confronting her.
In a statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Yusuph Olaniyonu, to commemorate the Eid-el-Fitri celebrations, the Senate President who called on Nigerians to put love of the country over and above individual and sectional interests, said, “We should put into practice the lessons of tolerance, perseverance, and love for our neighbours that we learnt during the Ramadan period to overcome the multiple agitations threatening the corporate existence of our country,” Saraki said. “We should realize that our strength as a nation revolves around our diverse nature, and we must do all we can to ensure that we manage these diversity to build a strong, economically viable, politically stable and prosperous nation”.
While reiterating the Senate’s resolve and determination to keep the nation united, Saraki who noted that the task is a collective responsibility, just as he charged Nigerians to embrace peace and dialogue in resolving contentious issues, adding, “We should learn to always follow the path of dialogue in resolving our differences rather than advocating for violence and other extra-constitutional means to settling our grievances.”
The Senate President who said that the economic situation of the country was a major contributor to the growing agitations and tension,however reassured Nigerians that the government was fully aware of the difficulties faced on daily basis by the people and is working seriously to get the nation out of the current recession very soon.
He said, “Both at the executive and legislative levels, we are putting together policies and laws aimed at returning the country to prosperity and the indices coming out from the experts show that the measures we are taking are yielding good results. We can only plead with the people to continue to show understanding and know that we will not take their patience for granted.
“I will like to also use this occasion of the Eid-el-Fitri, as I did in my message at the commencement of Ramadan fast, to urge all of us to continue to pray for the quick recovery of our dear President, President Muhammadu Buhari. My thoughts and prayers are always with him for his quick recovery and safe return to continue with the enormous task of nation building.”
CHAIRMAN of the Delta State Primary Health Care Under One Roof, PHCUOR, Dr Richard Kofi, has restated the commitment of the state government to quality healthcare service delivery to all Deltans.
Speaking during a sensitization meeting to review primary health care law, the Delta State Primary Health Care Development Agency, DSPHCDA, with Primary Health Care, PHC coordinators in collaboration with the United Nations International Children Education Fund, UNICEF, Kofi said the meeting became necessary to put the state at par with its contemporaries in the country as regards effective primary health care service delivery.
He said PHCUOR policy would make primary health care centres organise for easy information flow and personnel management, noting that the policy was in line with Governor Okowa’s health for all Deltans at all times.
The Director General of the state Contributory Health Commission, Dr. Ben Nkechika explained that Governor Okowa has given approval for the official flag off of the contributory health scheme next month.
Appealing to the primary health coordinators to support the commission as he would be working with them, Nkechika said PHCs were at the grassroots and would be used to reach the rural populace.
The Executive Director of DSPHCDA, Dr. Francis Onojeta stressed the urgent need to discuss some challenges mitigating against the achievement of PHCUOR.
AUTHORITIES of Achievers University, Owo, Ondo State have denied the outbreak of lassa fever in the institution.
Lassa-fever
Rather it confirmed an " isolated case of Lassa fever in which a female student was diagnosed of the symptoms but had since stabilised and discharged from the Federal Medical Center (FMC), Owo where she was taken for treatment.
It would be recalled that five cases were reported in two council areas of the state last week by the state government.
The Vice Chancellor of the university, Prof. Samuel lbiyemi, said the rumour of outbreak of lassa in the institution was not true.
Ibiyemi said the students of the institution had been sent
home on a three-week mid-semester break following the reported case that involved one of the university's students.
The affected student, according to him, must have contracted the disease from outside the university premises as none of her room mates and friends screened had the symptoms.
"So what we have in the university is an isolated case of lassa fever and not an outbreak as being rumoured", the VC stated.
"To allay the fear of parents who have heard the rumour and have been calling the university to ascertain its veracity, management has decided to send the students on three-week mid-semester break.
"This will afford the agitated parents the opportunity to see their children and rest assured that they are safe and sound.
"The break will also enable the university to carry out necessary precautionary measures before the students resume on July 9".
Ibiyemi added that the teaching staff had been advised to carry out their activities off campus while students are to return to the institution with certificates of medical fitness issued by reputable government hospitals.
He said the university was also collaborating with the FMC, Owo and the state government towards ensuring that the institution and the Owo community are safe.
Human trials of a cholesterol-lowering vaccine to help prevent heart disease are under way after successful studies in mice.
Vaccine
Researchers at the Medical University of Vienna are testing the safety of their experimental treatment in 72 volunteers.
The jab is designed to stop fatty deposits from clogging the arteries.
It would offer patients an alternative to taking daily pills to cut their risk of stroke, angina and heart attacks.
Booster jab
It will take years more of testing to know if the treatment will be safe and effective enough for human use, Dr Guenther Staffler and colleagues from The Netherlands Organisation of Applied Scientific Research say in the European Heart Journal.
Even if it does become available, in six years' time, it should not be seen as an excuse for people to avoid exercise and eat lots of high-fat food, they add.
The jab helps the body's immune system to attack a protein, called PCSK9, that would otherwise allow "bad" low density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol to build up in the bloodstream.
The researchers envisage that patients could have a yearly booster shot to top up their immunity.
In mice, the treatment cuts LDL cholesterol by up to 50% over 12 months and appears to protect against the build-up of fatty deposits in the arteries (atherosclerosis).
Cholesterol is a fatty substance found in the blood. We all need it, but too much "bad" LDL cholesterol increases the risk of cardiovascular diseases.
"Good" high density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol, on the other hand, is beneficial because it helps transport other types of cholesterol from the blood to the liver, where it can be broken down.
Some people have high cholesterol because of an inherited condition called familial hypercholesterolaemia.
Poor diet, high alcohol consumption, smoking and inactivity are also linked with high cholesterol.
Aren't there pills to reduce it?
People with high cholesterol can take cholesterol-lowering drugs, called statins, to reduce their risk of cardiovascular disease.
But although these are very cheap and effective, they will not work for everyone.
Some people dislike taking daily medication or forget to take it because they are feeling well. Rarely, there can be side-effects.
Researchers have been looking at alternative treatment options that they can give to patients alongside or instead of statins.
The first phase of testing on 72 human volunteers should be completed by the end of the year.
This will check if there are any safety issues or side-effects before more studies in people can begin.
There is a concern that the therapeutic vaccine might increase the risk of diabetes.
The researchers at the Medical University of Vienna who are conducting the human studies will be on the look out for this.
Dr Tim Chico, a cardiologist from the University of Sheffield, said: "Many questions remain about whether this approach could work in man.
"This is yet more proof that cholesterol causes heart disease, and lowering cholesterol reduces risk of heart disease, so it confirms the importance of a healthy lifestyle for everyone and medications such as statins for some people to reduce risk of heart disease."
Prof Sir Nilesh Samani, from the British Heart Foundation, said: "Finding new ways to manage people's cholesterol levels is absolutely vital.
"Although only tested in mice, this vaccine could lead to a simple way to target high cholesterol and ultimately reduce people's risk of heart disease."
By Chimaobi Nwaiwu Nnewi – The Indigenous People of Biafra,IPOB, Saturday said it has resolved totally and without equivocation never to participate in further elections in Biafraland in Nigeria starting from November 18, 2017 Governorship election in in Anambra State and the General Election coming up in 2019. IPOB members on solidarity march IPOB in a statement by its Media and Publicity Secretary, Mr. Emma Powerful said unless the Federal Government of Nigeria gives a specific date for the referendum to determine if the people of Biafra wants to remain in their present state of humiliation, servitude, bondage and hopelessness in Nigeria.
"The era of crooked Nigerian elections and imposition of Hausa Fulani slaves in the guise of politicians in Biafraland from Abuja has gone and will never be tolerated again. Until there is an agreement for a date to democratically ascertain the will of the people of Biafra, IPOB will campaign for a total boycott of elections.
"We are not unaware that the Nigerian Government and her security agencies have perfected plans to deploy 18, 000 new security operatives entirely made up of Hausa Fulani officers during the Anambra State Governorship election in November 2017. Northern dominated Army, Navy, Police, DSS and Civil Defense Corps will come to kill, maim and kidnap our people on that particular day but we are not deterred.
According to IPOB "It is very pathetic that some hired hands and unity beggars in Nigeria have adopted the unenlightened and illiterate approach of always equating self determination with war. This makes us to wonder what sort of education these people received, if at all they went to school."
It is the Arewa North who are calling for war not us. IPOB is a genuine peaceful organization that is following the stipulated laid down rules of the United Nations and African Charter, which Nigeria ratified and adopted in their constitution fort self determination.
"Referendum for Biafra is all we are asking for not war, It is the only civilized way to settle this burning issue of Biafra once and for all time.We are aware that some unscrupulous individuals and groups wants to use call for war to frighten IPOB into submission."
"We cannot allow such to happen because we do not respond to threats. The more Hausa Fulani oligarchy threatens war the more determined we become. Such silly threats can work with Northern minorities not IPOB. To prove this point, the Nigeria Government and her Hausa Fulani dominated security operatives have been abducting, killing, humiliating and burying our members in mass graves since 2014 yet IPOB is still here and have not turned violent.
"We are not interested in anything violent or war to achieve the sovereign state of Biafra because IPOB have many potent weapons than AK47, bombs and mortars. Truth as our leader Mazi Nnamdi Kanu says and determination which he has been preaching all along without fear or favour is the only weapon at our disposal.
"Therefore, anybody waiting for IPOB to engage in violent warfare is wasting his or her time because Nigeria has already collapsed under the burden of incompetence, greed, corruption and institutional laziness.
"Those clamoring for one Nigeria are the same poorly educated criminal class that put Nigeria in the mess it is today. They are too lazy to do anything else or make use of their brain apart from sickening dependence on crude oil money coming from Biafraland. One Nigeria encourages laziness and criminal allocation resources to a particular section of the country.
President Donald Trump has indicted his predecessor Barack Obama in the 2016 U.S. Presidential Election meddling by Russia following recent developments in ongoing investigation.President Trump and ex-President Obama
Trump on Saturday took to his twitter handle saying that after months of investigation, there has been no evidence of "collusion."
His response comes hours after a Washington Post article was published detailing the Obama administration's response to Russian cyberattacks.
The president has been quick to defend himself against any allegations suggesting his personal involvement with Russia in terms of the election,
While Trump's tweet in response to the Washington Post story questions why the Obama camp "did nothing" about Russian meddling in the 2016 election, the article itself indicates otherwise.
According to the article, Obama's actions in response to findings that the Russians were specifically targeting Hillary Clinton's campaign for president in an effort to elect Trump were "modest," not non-existent.
Though some staffers of the former president reportedly believe the Obama administration could have been more aggressive in its response to the threat, others stand by his actions.
Obama issued economic sanctions on Russia in late 2016, in addition to approving a "cyber-weapon" to be used on Russia to defend America from further threats.
That cyber weapon was never used, and is now under the jurisdiction of Trump for release.
Additional efforts by the former president have been released in the months following the election, including Obama verbally telling Russian President Vladimir Putin to "cut it out" in terms of hacking at the G20 Summit in Hangzhou, China in September.
Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode, on Saturday urged Nigerians to embrace the virtues of tolerance, unity and cooperation regardless of their ethnic, religious or social status, saying that it was only in such atmosphere that the nation can make meaningful progress. Governor Ambode of Lagos State The Governor, in his Eid-el-Fitri message, signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Habib Aruna, said it is only by embracing peace, unity and fairness that Nigerians can put the country back on its leadership pedestal, urging them to imbibe the tenets of love, tolerance, forgiveness and brotherhood which the period of the holy month symbolizes.
According to him, Nigeria was in dire need of brotherly love and harmonious co-existence among her citizens above all other things as a means to overcome the numerous challenges threatening her fledgling unity, especially with the disturbing trend of hate speeches.
Governor Ambode added that in the last two years, despite the economic challenges, the nation has witnessed appreciable level of development expressing optimism that more can be achieved if all hands are on deck.
Continuing, he said: "As we celebrate this auspicious occasion, therefore, let us renew our faith in our nation and implore the Almighty God to restore to us those values that place high premium on human life, love for our country, love for our neighbour and sharing even as we ventilate our faith in the unity of our dear country and the possibility of her taking her proper place in the comity of nations".
Governor Ambode thanked Lagos residents for their continued harmonious and peaceful co-existence in the midst of diverse ethnic origin and religious affiliation.
"With your demonstration of love for your neighbour and the willingness to serve, our State will continue to be a model of what patriotic Nigerians will want our dear country to be", he said.
Hence, Governor Ambode wished all Muslim brothers and sisters in the State a happy Eid-el-Fitri celebration.
The Commissioner for Commerce and Industry in Delta, Mrs Mary Iyasere, says the state government is establishing fish mills to boost fish production and reduce cost of fish feed in the state.
Iyasere said this on Saturday in Asaba when she led a delegation of Chinese investors on an inspection tour of the "Central SMART market'' in Owa Alero.Catfish
The delegation also visited Fish Feed farm in, Owanta Alizomor, both in Ika North East Local Government Area of the state
According to her, the feed mills will be run on Public Private Partnership (PPP) initiative, which will allow the private firm to a holding of 45 per cent.
"The Bank of Industry has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for the financing and running of the fish farm,'' she said.
Iyasere said that the establishment of the projects were aimed at increasing the per capital base of the state.
She said that the inclusion of markets in the scheme of infrastructural development was in line with the `SMART'' agenda of the state government.
The commissioner, who also inspected the "Orerokpe Modern SMART Market'' in Okpe Local Government Area, said the construction of markets would promote trade and development in the state.
"The Orerokpe market is being constructed by the state government at a cost of about N300 million,'' she said.
The commissioner, however, called on local governments to be responsible for the maintenance of the markets and urged traders to make effective use of the markets instead of engaging in streets trading.
Earlier, the Project Consultant, Mr Aldophus Ojobo, explained that the feed mills were particularly established to produce a variety of feed.
"The factory section will be completed and in the next few weeks, equipment will be available and the samples will be ready.
"There is a 500KVA generator to power operations, there is also steady supply of potable water,'' Ojobo said.
He said the Orerokpe modern SMART market, Okpe with water treatment plants and proper drainage is expected to last for 200 years except in case of natural disaster.
Ado-Ekiti-Governor of Ekiti State, Mr Ayodele Fayose has greeted Muslims across the country at Ramadan, urging them to embrace peace, love and understanding for one another during a season: ” that human suffering in the form of fasting, is a religious obligation observed to draw near to Allah, who is the origin of love, peace and unity”. Ayodele Fayose In a statement made available to journalists in Ado-Ekiti , Saturday by the governor’s Chief Press Secretary (CPS), Idowu Adelusi, he urged Muslims to remember that the Ramandan is the ninth month of the Islamic calendar, observed by Muslims worldwide as a month of fasting (Sawm) to commemorate the first revelation of the Quran to Muhammad according to Islamic belief .
He added that: “This annual observance is regarded as one of the five Pillars of Islam, others being testimony of faith, prayer, giving (Zakat), which is also support for the needy and the pilgrimage to Mecca: These are the framework of the Muslim life. ”
The governor therefore advised Muslims that having faithfully observed the Sawn, it beholves on them to exhibit the traits of Allah among which are peace, love and unity and practice these among themselves and extend same to others of different religious faiths.
“Let us therefore, shun all attitudes, behaviours, and actions that promote hatred, religious intolerance, disunity and violence and embrace true love that would promote peace and unity among us as a nation to allow for meaning progress and development which our dear nation is in dire need of now, ” Fayose said.
Cristiano Ronaldo scored his 75th international goal as Portugal trounced New Zealand 4-0 in Saint Petersburg on Saturday to advance to the semi-finals of the Confederations Cup.
Portugal’s forward Cristiano Ronaldo (L) and Portugal’s defender Cedric celebrate after winning their 2017 Confederations Cup group A football match against Russia at the Spartak Stadium in Moscow on June 21, 2017. / AFP PHOTO
The Real Madrid star struck from the penalty spot on 33 minutes to fire the European champions in front before Bernardo Silva turned in a second goal four minutes later.
Andre Silva added a third on 80 minutes before Nani completed the rout in stoppage time to ensure Portugal progressed to the last four as winners of Group A, finishing above Mexico on goal difference.
PORT HARCOURT – Governor Nyesom Wike has dissolved his cabinet.
A statement Saturday by his Special Assistant, Mr Simeon Nwakaudu announced the development, saying that all former Commissioners should immediately handover to their respectice Permanent secretaries.
“Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Ezenwo Wike has dissolved the State Executive Council.
The governor directed all former commissioners to handover to their respective Permanent Secretaries.
Governor Wike thanked the former commissioners for their service to the state and wished them well in their future endeavours. “, it read.
Edo government says it will provide three buses for fans of Bendel Insurance FC to travel to Owerri to cheer the team when they clash with host, HeartLand FC in a Nigeria National League (NNL) match on Wednesday.
Edo Deputy Governor, Philip Shaibu, made the assertion on Saturday in Benin at the club's training session ahead of the match day 19 game against Heartland FC.
Shaibu said the Gov. Godwin Obaseki led- administration was not pleased with the way insurance won home matches and lost away encounters in the first round of the (NNL).
He said as pet project of the state, the governor was committed to supporting Insurance FC get promotion to the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL).
He reminded insurance that Heartland was currently topping the league, and urged them to be on top of their game and be focused.
The memory of Marc-Vivien Foe who died during the 2003 Confederations Cup remains in the hearts of Cameroonian players, says midfielder Arnaud Djoum.
The African champions returned to the competition after a 14-years absence; the last time being when the sad incident occured.
Foe collapsed and died during Cameroon’s semi-final against Colombia in Lyon, with an autopsy later revealing that the 28-year-old suffered from the rare heart condition hypertrophic cardiomyopathy.
Djoum who now plays in the same position for the Indomitable Lions and wears the same jersey number late Foe wore revealed that the team carries the memory of the player with them as they compete in this year’s Confederations Cup.
“Our side, we also play for him because he was a really good person, a big player for our country and someone really important,” Djoum told Omnisport ahead of Cameroon’s final Group B game against Germany, where they must beat the world champions to have any chance of progressing.
“We try not to speak too much about it because it was a tragedy, but we know we are here also for him, for his family and for everybody.
“So we try to show good football and performances for him. Of course, I was only young [when Foe played] but I looked up to him. He was a big player.”
…The shock of my life …His different names in different cities …Denies man, woman who claimed he kidnapped them …I don't collect N20m or N10m, he tells them …I would have been worse if I was well educated …Why he threatened a victim after collecting $1m ransom
By Ifeanyi Okoli
JUST like a thriller typically involving crime and mystery, the story of arrested Kidnap Kingpin, Chukwudumeje Onwuamadike, aka, Evans has remained captivating. Like a Hollywood movie with an exciting plot and phenomenal characters, the issue begets interesting and surprising angles each day.
When you think Evans had narrated nearly all his escapades, more sensational and suspenseful narratives would emerge, producing new angles to the most intriguing criminal case in Nigeria's recent history.
Frankly, only the Lawrence Anini case of the 1980s could rival the Evans episode given that like the former, the latter was also the king of the underworld. Interestingly, the same kind of tragic flaw ended their respective episodes given that women were key to their downfall. At an exclusive encounter with SaturdayVanguard, during the week, Evans pondered on the events leading to his arrest and concluded that visiting his girlfriend, Amaka was the weakness that led to his fall.
An unassuming Evans, whose expression was a mixture of sobriety and impenitence, summarized the pre-arrest events thus: "I f***ked up."
At the latest meeting with Evans at the Lagos State Police Command Headquarters, Ikeja, where he is being detained, the Nnewi-born kidnap kingpin made fresh revelations amid regrets about not leaving the country with his family.
I failed to follow my instincts
He told Saturday Vanguard that he knew the Police had identified the area he was living, a discovery he made on May 23, 2017, when the officer-incharge-of the IRT, Abba Kyari, visited Magodo Estate and held a meeting with the Divisional Police Officer and some residents of Magodo Estate.
Evans revealed that one of the residents, who was part of that meeting alerted him to the Police presence in the area. The person, he said, informed him, who the Police were looking for and how they planned to carry out their operation.
EVANS
Evans said he quickly moved his family out of Magodo and relocated to a hotel in Ikeja. He said his failure to follow his instincts and leave the country immediately, having known that his girlfriends, sister and gang members had been arrested, gave him out.
How my problems started
Narrating the new angles to his story, the Junior Secondary School dropout said: "My problem started on Friday, May 12, 2017, when one of my captives, Mr. Donatus Dunu, a Pharmacist, who I abducted at Ilupeju area of Lagos escaped.
I got a call from one of my boys looking after my victims at my den at 6: am that Mr. Dunu escaped from that den at 4:30 am. They looked for him without success. At that time, I knew trouble had come. The next news I heard was that the Police had visited the place and my AK47 rifles, pistols and over 40 loaded magazines were recovered by the Police.
'' I was worried and I called my gang members wanting to know what actually transpired. They all blamed Uche, who was in charge of the den. I told them that I was going to deal with him. At that time, my mind started racing and I was trying to think of what to do because I knew that the Police would come after me with force.
I read a story in Vanguard
" Five days later, I read a story in Vanguard Newspaper that the IGP had deployed, Abba Kyari and his men to Lagos State, to track my boys and I and they have also visited the den, where Mr. Dunu escaped from. That was about the same time they placed a bounty of N30million for information that could lead to my arrest.
Some of my men, who got news started panicking, but I assured them that I was on top of the situation and that the police would not get me. My Second-in-Command, Felix called me and expressed fears, but I assured him that the Police can't arrest me and I was also making preparations to kidnap one other person.
I then informed him that I would commit suicide rather than allow the Police to arrest me. When Suoyo, who lives in Beyelsa State, called me and expressed fears, I also assured him that nothing was going to happen. I told him I was making plans for another operation and needed him to go into the creeks and buy a new set of arms and ammunition for me."
The shock of my life
"But in the afternoon of May 23, 2017, I got the shock of my life when a call from a man living in our estate informed me that Abba Kyari and his men, held a meeting with the estate security and the local police. He said they had information that the man kidnapping businessmen in Festac Town and Amuwo Odofin, receiving $1million as ransom from his victims was residing in Magodo Estate.
The man also informed me that the estate and the Police have agreed to shut one of the gates leading into the estate to enable them to track me down through the vehicle I was using.
He also told me that some of Abba Kyari's men would disguise as LAWMA officials cleaning the streets and some of them would operate as PHCN staff to enable them to have access to people's home within the state. The man, who gave me this information didn't know that I was the one who the Police were looking for. I quickly moved my family out of the house and we relocated to a hotel in Agidingbi, Ikeja, where we started planning on how to relocate to Ghana.
I buy my cars from Beger Motors
"While at the hotel, my mind wasn't at rest, I didn't know where the Police would be launching attacks from. I was on hyper-alert and I started thinking of how to make sure the Police didn't get me.
I quickly sold my Lexus SUVs because from the information I gathered from the man who called me, I learnt the Police were looking for a man, who drives a black and silver coloured Lexus SUVs. Then I got someone to move my mother out of Nnewi because I believed the Police may go after her and would want to use her to lure me.
While I was making these plans, news came in that my Second-in-Command, Felix had been arrested by the Police. Someone from Berger Motors on Oshodi Apapa Expressway where we normally buy our vehicles called and informed me that the Police operatives picked him up at their park.
I trusted Felix so much because he wouldn't divulge any information about me to the Police. He had told me on countless occasions, that no matter the amount of torture he receives from the Police that he would not divulge any information about our activities.
My girlfriend, Ijeoma
'' While I was still contemplating on what to do next, I received another call from one of my girlfriends, Ijeoma, who I was so fond of. She said she wanted to see me. Immediately, I had this feeling that the Police had arrested her.
I told her that she could not see me because I knew she was with the Police, then I dropped the call. I was very worried and needed to hasten our journey out of Nigeria. I planned to travel with my entire family to Canada but the Canadian Embassy refused to grant me a visa.
So we decided to move to Ghana where I have three houses so we could apply for Canadian visa from Ghana. Two days later, Ijeoma's twin sister who lives in the east called and informed me that her sister called from the Police station that she was arrested because of me and the Police wanted her to bring the sum of N200,000 as a bribe for her bail. I told her the Police were only deceiving her because the matter at hand was beyond N200,000 bribe.
My instructionto my boys
''I asked her to look for a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, SAN, who could stand for her. I also told her to look for someone who knows the Inspector General of Police, so they can take her case to him. I told her that with such pressure the Police will release her because she didn't commit any offence that would warrant her arrest.
A few days after that, the Police swooped on my younger sister, Nzube and her husband and they took them to the Police station. I didn't know how they did it, but I called their numbers for two days and they were switched off.
It was then that I suspected that they have been arrested. Immediately I called my mother in Bayelsa State and told her that the people chasing me had apprehended my sister and her husband. Luckily my sister has never been to my house in Magodo Estate, it would be difficult for her to lead the Police to my place. I became confused. I didn't know what to do.
Evans wife, Uchenna and kids
For me, I knew I was secured because I know how security agents track their targets but I was scared of my boys some of whom didn't know how to secure themselves. I sent messages to some of my boys alerting them that security operatives were clamping down on us and they should all be careful. I asked them to stop sleeping in their houses and I also gave them tips on how to stay secured.
My girlfriend, Amaka
''One week before my arrest, one of my girlfriends, Amaka, who lives in Okota called me and demanded money. I asked her what she needed money for and she said there was no food in her house, adding that her children were hungry. I was surprised and suspected something must be wrong because I gave her N25, 000 for feeding two days before she made that call. I asked her about the money I gave her earlier, she said she had spent it. From that point, I suspected something was wrong.
Then I switched off the phone she was calling me with. I had one special phone. Whenever the phone is switched off I will receive messages from her asking why my phone was switched off and she would be begging me to come and see her. At one point I called her mother and told her that I was suspecting that something was wrong with Amaka.
I asked her to visit her house to confirm. Her mother sent someone there and after spending about two hours with her, I was informed that she was alright but she only needed money and they gave her N3000. That confirmed something was wrong. Amaka is the one that gives them money, not the other way round. They couldn't be giving Amaka N3,000 because I know what I give to her.
I became very drunk
''That singular action confirmed my suspicions that policemen were with her. I called her and told her that I had a feeling that there were policemen with her and they were trying to use her to arrest me but she denied. I asked her to give the phone to her children one after the other and asked them if there was any stranger in their house.
They all said there was none. I wasn't convinced because I knew how the Police do their job and how they think. I also knew that for a high-profile target like me, the Police will do everything possible to get at me. A few days later, my wife and children left for Ghana. Amaka was still calling and begging me to send money to her. The night before my arrest, I lodged in a hotel in Okota, close to her house and I could not sleep.
I was busy drinking all night and I became very drunk. At 4:am I summoned the courage to see her. Her house is close to the road. When I got close to her gate, I stopped on the road and called her, when she picked I asked her not to drop her phone. I said she should stay on the call and meet me outside. She came bare-footed and was still on the call.
I opened the door, she came in and I drove off with her. When we got far from the house, I took her phone and switched it off. I asked the identity of the people in her house but she said there was nobody in the house. I became angry, held her neck and I tried to kill her. She screamed and confessed that the policemen had been with her in the past one week and they were trying to use her to lure me. Instantly I pushed her out of my car and I zoomed off.
I was stupid
''While at Iyana-Ipaja, I saw some vehicles trailing me seriously and thought that they were policemen. At a point, I lost control of the vehicle and rammed it against a culvert on the expressway. I quickly abandoned the car and took a trycicle to where I could get a cab that could take me to my hotel. While in the hotel, I decided it was over and I needed to leave the country as soon as possible. At 7:am I checked out of the hotel and called someone to pick the car from where I left it. I took another taxi home.
Evans at one of the houses (Dens) in Ejigbo
While in the house, I called an Uber taxi driver to come and pick me from the house. The driver was to take me from my house to Seme Border, where I would connect to Ghana, but while in the house and I was packing my things into the Uber taxi, the police showed up at my place and arrested me. I regretted going to see Amaka .
I knew Amaka was used to hunt me down, but I was stupid, I f**ked up. Going to see Amaka was my biggest mistake. It made me fall. It brought my downfall. I ought to have been at the front of that vehicle that took my family to Ghana."
How I beat security operatives
When SaturdayVanguard inquired from Evans on how he was able to evade arrest during his reign, he said he knew the dangers associated with kidnapping. Evans revealed that he maintained multiple identities, adding that he ensured there were no pictures of him in circulation.
He said: ''I beat security operatives over the years because my system is a sensor that detects problems. I don't use charms of any kind but I developed the ability to detect danger since my early days as an armed robber. That was why I was able to know that the Police were close to me even when they haven't informed me. I don't snap pictures. In fact, I don't have any picture. Nobody on earth had my picture before now. Even those who are very close to me don't have my picture.
I don't snap pictures
''My mother doesn't have my pictures. My wife and siblings don't have them as well. My pictures are not in my house and that made it difficult for security agents to apprehend me because they don't know how I look like. Another issue you may have to take into consideration is the fact that I have numerous names for different people. My wife knows me as Somtochukwu, while all my girlfriends knew me as Mike. My neighbors at Gowon Estate knew me as George.
''I was also known as Sunny in Benin while in Portharcourt, I was known as Richard. These are the reasons it was difficult for policemen to track and arrest me. No one has my pictures and the names I bear in Lagos weren't the names I had in other states. Ifeanyi (calling our reporter's name), I would have been worse than this if I had proper education. With education, I could have done worse things and be elusive. But thank God it's over and I have been stopped.
I don't collect ransom abroad
'' I don't give bank account to my victims because it could be traced. Whoever made the allegations that he paid part of his ransom in South Africa isn't sincere. I would have been arrested and they should bring the account number they paid the money into. The Interpol can trace the account and know the owner. I collect my ransom in Nigeria and after collecting it, I also do not travel abroad. I usually ask the people keeping my victims to tell them that I have traveled abroad. I usually call my victims' relatives with my satellite phones and inform them that I was out of the country. This would make them relax a little and after some time, I will ask my boys to release the victims and drop them where they could locate their people."
I was fair to my victims
Evans further disclosed that he treated his victims fairly, adding that the only wrong things he did were to chain, blindfold and detain his victim for months. He said he was doing these because he wanted his victims to meet his demand.
He added that the only victim, who he treated wrongly was Mr. Cosmos Ojukwu, who he said he collected an extra sum of $200,000, from after receiving an initial payment of $1million.
Evans said he threatened Ojukwu into paying the additional ransom of $200,000 because members of his family paid the $1million he demanded swiftly without wasting time.
He said: "After he paid the $1million I demanded swiftly than I expected more. I informed him while he was being released that I would be collecting another ransom from him. I told him he would have to pay me an additional $200,000 because the $1 million he gave me earlier were in old currencies. I asked him to bring my balance.
He felt I was joking, then I informed him that I was not just going to kidnap him again, but would hunt his entire family. He panicked and called me that he had raised the money. I asked him to bring the money to Awka. When he got there I asked him to lodge in a hotel, he obeyed me. At night I asked to bring the money to where I was. He obeyed me and paid me the money. From that time I left him alone.''
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