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
Nigerians travelling to Saudi Arabia for this year's Hajj are in for an exciting time as leading telecoms operator, Airtel Nigeria, is offering Hajj pilgrims free incoming callsand discounted rates on out-going calls, SMS and data.
File: Hajj pilgrims
The offer, which is dubbed the 'Airtel Hajj Promo,' is valid till Friday, 30th September, 2016.
According to Airtel, the special offer, which guarantees huge discount on roaming tariffs, is aimed at empowering the pilgrims tostay connected to their Families and Friends at affordable rates, while in Saudi Arabia.
Under the Hajj offer, customers will be able to call any network in Nigeria and any local Saudi number for just N30/minute. They will also be able to send SMS to all destinations for N20 per SMS.
In addition, the pilgrims will receive SMS and calls for free, which means that their loved ones can call them and they will not be charged for receiving the calls. They will also enjoy a reduced rate of 2k/kb all day.
This offer, which does not require any form of opt-in, is available to all prepaid and Post-paid customers of the Airtel Network.
For prepaid customers to enjoy the benefits, they will need to load sufficient credit on their phones and ensure that their lines are latched on to the Zain or STC network once they arrive in Saudi Arabia.
On the other hand, Post-paid customers must ensure that they activate Global roaming on their lines before they depart Nigeria and once they arrive in Saudi Arabia, they must also ensure that their lines are latched on to the Zain or STC network.
While in Saudi, customers can easily top up their airtime credit at any time using any of the following channels: Ask your relations in Nigeria to send you recharge pin and load the pin by dialling *126*PIN#; ask a retailer in Nigeria to recharge your line directly using electronic recharge; recharge from your bank's internet portal or mobile app
Calls to other international destinations will be charged at normal roaming rates.
According to Airtel Nigeria's Chief Commercial Officer, Ahmad Mokhles, the Airtel hajj promo is designed specifically for Muslim pilgrims to excite and provide a home away from home experience while on this religious trip.
Nigeria’s Olympic team, wearing Delta Airline shirts. Delta Airline lifted the team to Brazil where they play Germany in today’s Semi final match. They remain grateful to Delta Airline.
U-23 football team coach Samson Siasia has singled out Chelsea star Mikel Obi for special praise as the team get set for a Rio Olympics semi-final against Germany tomorrow.
Mikel has shone in Brazil that Siasia said the Chelsea star reminds him of when he inspired the Flying Eagles to reach the final of the 2005 FIFA U-20 World Cup in Holland with the midfielder playing a more offensive role that earned him the tournament second best player after Lionel Messi.
The coach was full of appreciation to the entire team after the comfortable 2-0 victory over Denmark in the quarter-finals of the Rio Olympics, but reserved special praise for his captain.
"Coach Siasia has publicly praised the contribution of the team captain Mikel Obi to the success of the team so far. He had a one-on-one with Mikel and thanked him for being there for the team and also his full support for him that has kept him and his team going."
He said Mikel has led by example on and off the pitch.
He said a very good example was the Chelsea star's opening goal against Denmark before he was also involved in the second goal that ousted the Danes from the Olympics in Brazil.
"He said with the leadership role Mikel is playing right now he is very confident that his team would beat Germany in the semi-finals to qualify for the Gold medal match," added the source.
In continuation of its crackdown on the activities of illegal crude oil thieves and pipeline vandals, the Nigerian Navy has arrested a marine vessel (MV) Star Shrimper for trying to evade interrogation about the contents it was carrying, as well as the destination it was headed.
File Photo: Nigerian Navy
A statement signed by the Director of Naval Information, Commodore Christian Ezekobe noted that the vessel and its crew are being investigated adding, "The vessel was alleged to have tried to evade interrogation when intercepted by the Nigerian Navy Vessel, with an unclear reason for its action".
Disclosing that the vessel was arrested by the Nigerian Navy Ship Nwamba on 13 August 2016, at about 1000 hours, Ezekobe reiterated the Nigerian Navy's resolve to eliminate all forms of economic sabotage and criminal activities in the maritime areas.
Furthermore, the Navy said on 10 August 2016, a patrol team deployed by NNS Jubilee raided an illegal refinery site at Ikoh Imoh Community in Akwa-Ibom State.
"During the operation, the patrol team destroyed a Cotonou boat laden with suspected stolen crude oil, 103 drums of illegally refined Automotive Gas Oil (AGO) and 2 motorcycles.
"Similarly, on 12 August 16 at about 0630 hours, a patrol team deployed by NNS Delta raided several illegal refinery sites along Jones Creek in Delta State.
"During the raid, the patrol team destroyed unquantifiable amount of stolen crude oil and illegally refined AGO."
It is a welcome news that Mr. Anjem Choudary, Britain’s “most hated man” and the radical British Islamist who pledged an oath of allegiance to the leader of ISIS, Amir Abubakar Al Baghdadi, has been jailed in the United Kingdom.
*Fani-Kayode
This was a man who encouraged Islamic fundamentalism and terror and who has spent many years on the international television networks trying to justify the actions of Al Qaeda, Al Nusra, Boko Haram, the Taliban, Al Shabab, Hamas, Islamic Jihad, Daesh, Abu Sayyaf and all other evil terror groups in the world that believe in the establishment of a new world caliphate where Sharia law is imposed on everyone.
If the truth be told, there are many Ansem Choudarys in Nigeria. As a matter of fact many of those that think like him now run the affairs of our country and that is our major challenge.
The fact that Nigerian Christians have been so accommodating, tolerant and restrained in the face of what has been going on in the last one year is a glaring testimony to their maturity and decency.
It is not a sign of weakness but rather an evidence of true strength.
I say this because it takes courage not to retaliate when you are consistently marginalised, insulted, cheated, pillaged, raped, murdered, singled out for destruction and treated like filth.
Yet it is not just about being restrained even in the face of the worst type of provocation.
The children of the Lord, believers and the faithful still have so much more to do in order to protect ourselves from the relentless onslaught of the Islamists in our country like Boko Haram and the Fulani herdsmen and from the excesses of a Federal Government that is hell bent on turning Christians into an endangered species and second class citizens.
Anyone that doubts that this is the case would do well to read the seminal and well-researched contribution made by the elder-statesman Chief Solomon Asemota SAN a few days ago which was titled “Discriminatory Appointments Against Non-Muslims In Nigeria”.
Though much of the Nigerian print media, out of fear of the authorities, have refused to publish it, the essay is all over the internet and it can be accessed there.
Today, more than at any other time in our history, Christians must be united in our country.
Anything less than that would lead to our collective defeat and destruction and it would feed into the narrative of those who wish to islamise our nation.
It is for this reason that I am a little concerned by what appears to be happening in the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN).
It is very important that the Christian community in Nigeria keeps a united front and supports the new leadership of CAN.
No matter what our differences may be, the attempt to discredit and destroy CAN by threats of breaking off from it by any group is counter-productive and dangerous to our collective cause.
When the Muslim fundamentalists and Fulani herdsmen kill our brothers and sisters, when the Federal and core northern state governments discriminate against us and persecute members of our faith, when the Sultan of Sokoto says that Christians indulge in more wicked acts than any other group in the world and when you have a religiously partial man as your President who says that Sharia law should be spread into every state of the federation, you do not split your ranks and give room to your collective enemies.
This brings me to another point. Other than yours truly, no-one has made the point that the Chibok girls are virtually all Christians.
Firstly, Boko Haram abducted, raped, killed, enslaved and Islamised them and now our Muslim-controlled and Muslim-led military are carpet-bombing them from the sky.
I watched the video on CNN today and I wept, especially after I watched the interview of the mother of the young girl that spoke from captivity. Those are CHRISTIAN girls and just look at what they are being subjected to.
Regardless of their faith, whether they be Christian or Muslim, no child should be subjected to such atrocities but the truth is that the fact that virtually all the communities and towns that Boko Haram managed to torment, capture or hoist their evil black flag over the years were predominantly Christian communities like Mubi, Biu, Chibok, Dikwa, Bama, Gwoza, Banki and Potiskum.
This is a point that is relevant but that is purposely underplayed and ignored by the Nigerian and international media for obvious reasons.
President Jonathan may not have been able to rescue the Chibok girls but at least his army and airforce did not carpet-bomb them. At least he did not order that they should be aerial-bombed to death and slaughtered if they can't be rescued.
And you can bet your bottom dollar that if those girls had come from a Muslim community and not a Christian one like Chibok, the government, and more likely than not Boko Haram itself, would have been more restrained and they would not have bombed and killed them in the way that they are doing.
Yet the Bible says “vengeance belongs to the Lord”. It says that He “will repay”. I have little doubt that in the fullness of time He will repay the powers that be for what they are doing to the Body of Christ and to our brothers and sisters in the Lord.
Meanwhile I sincerely hope that the northern Christians will not break ranks with the rest of us and that we maintain our unity.
I sincerely hope that the Judas’ in our ranks and all those that are being used as agents of division and destruction by the government in return for a fee think twice and retrace their steps.
That is the only way that we can win in what has become, to all intents and purposes, a religious cold war in Nigeria. It is a spiritual war. It is a war of attrition and it is a fight for the very soul and future of our nation.
It is a war that will be long and subtle and in which there will be many casualties: yet it is a war that must be fought and must be won. Everything depends on it.
Permit me to end this contribution with the following. When a few misguided individuals from the south, who are obviously suffering from what is commonly referred to as “Stockholm’s disease”, clap for men like the so-called elder-statesman Alhaji Lawal Kaita when he says “the north will not allow the restructuring or break- up of Nigeria” and that “those that are calling for either of the two are calling for a second civil war” it amuses me.
In their slavish attempt to fawn over their captors and to please the “master race” they forget that Mr. Ken Saro-Wiwa and Mr. Isaac Adaka Boro, two great and patriotic sons of the Niger Delta who swam against the tide of the people of the old Eastern region at the time of the civil war, who fought against the quest for self-determination by the Igbo people and who, together with the rest of Nigeria, resisted the quest for the establishment of the sovereign state of Biafra, were both executed by northern Heads of State who presided over the affairs of a united Nigeria at the time.
The first was General Yakubu Gowon and the second was General Sani Abacha. The same set of northerner leaders conspired with others and jailed Chief Obafemi Awolowo and President Olusegun Obasanjo on false and trumped-up charges simply because they resisted their hidden agenda and exposed their excesses.
This ought to be food for thought for every southerner and Middle Belter worth his salt, especially those who make a habit of sitting at the feet of our collective oppressors and worshipping them.
We must learn from history and we must not repeat its mistakes. If, God forbid, there is another civil war in this country people like Kaita and those that he represents will be confronted with a very different adversary when compared to the one that they faced before and they will rue the day that they ever threatened or sought to impose their will on the rest of us.
If, God-forbid, it were to ever happen again, this time around, the south, the northern minorities and the Middle Belt would be united in their resolve and the core Muslim north would be driven into the desert and into the waiting arms of the Republic of Niger and Chad.
Someone should make this point to the Lawal Kaitas of this world and all the other arch-conservatives and hegemonists who are still living in an inglorious past. The word today is that either we restructure Nigeria or we break her. Simple as that!
This is a battle between a child of perdition and a child of promise. It is a struggle between the sons of Kings and the sons of slaves. It is a struggle between the forces of light and the forces of darkness. We cannot run from it and we cannot shun it.
We must stand up and fight it with all that we have got. We must secure our liberation and we must ensure that our children and our childrens children have something to look forward to and something to live for.
To the faithful I have only the following left to say: the battle belongs to the Lord and our victory is assured.
For over forty years, Chevron had been operating the Escravos terminal, shipping billions of dollars' worth of crude oil to the United States; yet they are not prepared to develop the community whose Crude Oil wealth defines the mainstay of Nigerian economy.
From when Chevron started lifting crude oil from Ugborodo community till date, is a long period for positive developments to occur. Development is doubtlessly the antidote against the confrontational agitation anywhere in the Niger Delta. With development as the antidote to the resurgence of peaceful cum violent agitation anywhere in the Niger Delta, the current siege laid by irate elders, leaders, youths and women of host Ugborodo community on the Escravos Tank Farm operated by Chevron Nigeria Limited, CNL since Tuesday last week would have been totally put to an end in a second. Reports had it that the protesting villagers, who felt neglected and discriminated by the multinational oil conglomerate set bonfires and occupied the company's premises, refusing all entreaties by security agencies to vacate the premises until the authorities addressed their demands.
The writer who incidentally is the Honorable Member representing Warri South-West Constituency (where Ugborodo community is part of), in the Delta State House of Assembly, shares the sentiments of these protesters, as the underdevelopment in the community in question is quiet conspicuous. One recall with nostalgia, how late Eric Igban, a onetime Ugborodo Community leader, together with the writer, eloquently provided very outstanding insights into the issues that led to the drafting of the jettison MoU that was hitherto signed in 2002 by CNL, Ugborodo community and the Delta State, which could have comprehensively changed the narrative of the community for good.
Ironically, the vibrations of enslavement daily occupy such a large space of the Ugborodo geography that the aborigines are invariably tempted to embrace the confrontational ideology in their range of agitations. At any rate, no coherent human being would fault this Marxist approach. Mere reflection on the investigative words of United Nations, UN regurgitated in the situation of their in-depth and dispassionate analysis and assessment of Ugborodo community, nay the Niger Delta, which points to the development wickedness of Chevron, and its likes.
Ordinarily, Ugborodo, like every other Niger Delta communities should be a gigantic economic reservoir of national and international importance. Its rich endowment of oil and gas fit methodically into the international economic system. It's evidence for massive revenue that carry the promise of a rapid socio-economic transformation within the Niger Delta itself.
In reality, Ugborodo community is suffering from administrative neglect, crumbling social infrastructures and services, high unemployment, social degradation, abject poverty, squalor and endemic conflict!
Characteristically, CNL is plagued by the virus of amnesia. The length of time must have swept the dispassionate evaluative words of the UN into oblivion. This then becomes a contextual justification for the enslavement of the people in the community.
If this contextual justification enjoys situational rationality and acceptability, the occupychevron protest is timely enough to reawaken CNL, its sister company and the Nigerian Federal Government to the development needs of the people of the region. The IOCs and the Nigeria Government are too intelligent to be awakened by the compelling rhythm of protest captured thus. 'despite Ugborodo vast oil resources, the community remains poor, per capital income remains below the national average of 380 dollars, unemployment is rife in the area.
The Nigeria Local Content policy is not domesticated. The headquarters of Chevron urgently needs to be relocated from Lekki, Lagos State to Ugborodo community. CNL local staff training center must be sited in Ugborodo, as against Ogere in Ondo State. The divide and rule antic of CNL has engendered conflict and division in the community. Educational levels are below the national average and are particularly low for women, while 76 percent of Nigerian children attend Primary School, this level dropped to 40 percent in Niger Delta, Ugborodo not exempted'.
Against this backdrop, the recent revelation that the Delta State Government has formally invited CNL, security agents, as well as the aggrieved community to the negotiating table is quiet instructive. The report that the Ugborodo community leadership has shifted ground, thus signaling their readiness to partake in the resolution of the said dispute is heartwarming. On our part as the people's representatives, we have firmly resolved that it will not be business as usual.
We are ready to work with all stakeholders to ensure that there is concise development in not just Ugborodo community but all the oil producing and transit communities in the Niger Delta. Chevron must turn a new leave in the way they handle developmental issues and show more positive inclination toward empowering the people, as well as developing the community.
The 21-items encapsulated in the 2002 MoU jointly signed by Chevron, Ugborodo community and the Delta State Government MUST be implemented with soldierly brevity. CNL must effectively operationalize the Nigeria Local Content Act, by outsourcing significant percentage of their projects to indigenous contractors.
The communities on their part must provide the enabling environment for business to thrive. They must begin to appreciate that they have a role to ensure that they do not encourage or protect nefarious individuals and criminals who seek to vandalize and sabotage oil installations for their selfish ends and resolve to work as partners in developing the area. Barr. Mayuku, is a Member of the Delta State House of Assembly.
UYO-Ex-Agitators numbering about 100 from Mbo Local Government extraction of Akwa-Ibom State, on Tuesday, invaded the Akwa-Ibom State Government House to protest the non-payment of their monthly allowances by the government, blocking the Welington Bassey Way leading to the Government House, Uyo to bolster their grievances.
File: Ex-militants
The ex-agitators who were dressed in black T-Shirts and Black jean trousers with red scarves on their heads also barricaded Wellington Bassey Way and the Dominic Utuk Avenue for about two hours thereby preventing traffic from the entry and exit from the Government House and the adjourning streets.
But the security operatives comprising men of the Nigerian Army, the Mobile Police, Anti-Riot Squad and Civil Defence Corps were on hand to contend the ex-agitators as canisters of tear gas were freely deployed to disperse them.
Vanguard gathered that the protest by the self-styled ex-agitators had become a recurring decimal as a month hardly passes without them taking to the streets to demand payment of their allowances by government.
Some of the ex-agitators who spoke with the Vanguard but did not want to be named alleged that the Akwa-Ibom State government was not taking the issue of their allowances and welfare seriously after they had been persuaded to leave the creeks and mingle with their kith and kin with a promise to pay them monthly.
“As it is now, it is the government that has reneged on the agreement reached with us by not paying our allowances for some months now. It appears they want us to return to the trenches which we shall not hesitate to do. But I can assure you that government would be at the disadvantage if we return to the creeks”, he said.
Speaking on telephone with the Vanguard, the Akwa-Ibom State Police Spokesman, Delia Nwawe refused to acknowledge the protesters as ex-agitators or militants saying those who were protesting were hoodlums.
She expressed delight that the police were handy to disperse them warning that the Akwa-Ibom State Police Command under Mr. Murtala Mani would not condone any unlawful assembly and criminality.
By Soni Daniel The former Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party in Bagoro Local Government Area of Bauchi State, Andrew Adamu,Tuesday, refunded N5 million out of the N12 million he is said to have received in the build-up to the 2015 presidential poll.
The payment of the N5 million was in addition to the N1 million he previously made available to the anti-graft agency in order to avert prosecution, thereby bringing his told refund so far to N6 million.
The former chairman is said to have made the refund via bank draft to the EFCC North East Zonal Office in Gombe State.
By Levinus Nwabughiogu ABUJA-President Muhammadu Buhari has revealed that his government had started making efforts to revive the steel industry in Nigeria.
He also said that the country was ready to get investments from all sectors of the economy to better the lots of the people.
The President who spoke Tuesday at State House, Abuja, while receiving Executive Members of Association of Africa Automotive Manufacturers (AAAM), led by the chairman, Mr Jeff Nemeth regretted that “Nigeria as a country recognized her problems early enough, but remained potential for too long”, declaring that it did not achieve much results.
President Buhari said that to reverse the trend, “We must avoid the mistakes made in the past by both government and manufacturers, and we are ready to get investment from all quarters, so that we can improve the lives of our people.”
The President lamented that Nigeria failed to develop on automobile initiatives started in Bauchi, Kaduna and Ibadan, and depended too much on oil as mainstay of her economy.
“We are making efforts to start our steel industry all over again. I see vast opportunities for both the country and those who invest here,” the President said.
A statement by the presidential spokesman, Mr. Femi Adesina stated that Nemeth said the Association comprised potential investors who were ready to unlock investment potentials on the African continent.
“We are ready to offer strategic partnership with Nigeria. We want to promote investor-friendly regulatory frameworks and sustainable manufacturing.
“We will equally promote infrastructure development, job creation, and skills transfer,” he said.
The AAAM chairman sought the support of the Presidency in the realization of the vision and mission of the association.
By UDEME ARCHIBONG In the middle of a famine in Bangladesh, there lived a University lecturer who taught Economics. Despite the fact that he acquired a Ph.D. from the United States, he was unsatisfied with himself.
Whenever he left the walls of the University Campus, he saw around him malnourished people who appeared like skeletons and he felt that the Economics he was teaching were mere theories with no significant difference or impact in the lives of people. In his own words, "so I started trying to find out how people lived in the village next door to the university campus.
I wanted to delay or stop the death, even for one single person." He came in contact with a woman who specialized in making bamboo stools. The woman revealed that she made only two U.S pennies which was extremely meager for her hard work and skill. The woman disclosed to him that since she did not have adequate capital to purchase the bamboo for the stools the trader imposed a condition that she had to sell the stools to him at a price that he decided. Therefore, he decided to go round the village and came up with a list of forty-two such people who had similar need. It all summed up to twenty seven dollars in which he volunteered to borrow these people the money from his pocket with the condition that they can pay him back when they are able to do so without any interest and they can sell their product wherever they can get a good price.
A vision to help the poor people evolved in his mind and he decided to approach the manager of the bank branch which was located on the university campus to suggest to him that he lend money to the poor people that he had met in the village. The branch manager retorted, "You are crazy.
It is impossible. How could we lend money to poor people? They are not credit worthy. They cannot offer collateral and such a tiny amount is not worth lending." This unselfish thinking man went to the people who matter in the banking section and they reiterated the same lines. Hence, he offered himself as a guarantor. The bankers warned him that poor people who received the money will never pay it back. But he decided to take a chance. As it turned out the poor people paid him every penny. He went back to the manager with the positive feedback, But he said, "Oh no they're just fooling you. Soon they will take more money and never pay back". The man gave the poor people more money and they paid him back.
Despite the results that were evident that poor people were reliable, the bankers continued to have a narrow view about them because of the way they had been conditioned to see and treat poor people (they did not value the poor enough to feel they way worth taking a risk for because of selfish thinking). The man replicated his vision in up to one hundred villages yet the bankers were not still convinced but they could not deny the proof because the poor people paid every dime that was loaned to them. Eventually, the man thought within him, "Why am I trying to convince them? I am totally convinced that poor people can take money and pay it back.
Why don't we set up a separate bank? Therefore, he presented a proposal to the government seeking permission to set up a bank. However, it took two years to convince the government. On October 2nd 1983 Grameen Bank popularly known as Bank for the Poor was established and became a pacesetter for the offshoot of Microcredit finance banks that has spread across the world and still counting. Grameen bank lends even to beggars to help them come out of begging and start selling (19,678 beggars have quit begging). Grameen Bank has 2,565 branches.
It works in 81,379 villages. Total staff is 22,124 and total amount of loan disbursed since its inception is $11.35 billion in which $10.11 billion has been repaid (over 97 percent recovery rate). The amazing fact is that all loans are interest free with no collateral, no legal instrument, no group guarantee or joint liability. Professor Muhammad Yunus changed his world by engaging in unselfish thinking. Alan Loy McGinnis reveals, "There is no more noble occupation in the world than to assist another human being-to help someone succeed".
Unselfish thinking is the gateway to living a fulfilled life-a life dedicated to adding value to the lives of people. You never really succeed until you help other people to succeed. Unselfish thinking opens up frontiers of new opportunities and possibilities and attracts true riches. You can never live in the dumps of life when your mind is centered on meeting the needs of others in whatever way you can. When you are apt to see a need and fill it, it raises you from the dump pile of life to a quality life. Investing in people produces legacy which outlives you, investment in material things produces success which can be wiped out.
Unselfish thinking demands a shift of focus from self to others- a shift from self-centered living to people-centered living. It is getting beyond your wants to meet the needs of others. It is realizing that the universe is not centered on you but rather the universe is a space filled with love that unites all humanity as a family and whatever affects one member affects the whole body. Unselfish thinking demands getting out of your comfort zone and exposing yourself to situations where people have needs. It is becoming a go-giver by deciding to become a committed give-thinker.
Unselfish thinkers are not attention seekers. They value contribution rather than recognition and they will give of themselves; their gifts and talents; and their resources when they cannot receive anything in return from those they have helped. Go-givers give anonymously-they live to give rather than give to get. Unselfish thinkers are investors in people. They add value to everyone that they have dealings with. They bring the best out of their relationship with people by giving the best into their relationships. They are not self-willed rather they are love-willed.
Unselfish thinkers consistently examine their motives because human nature tends to slide towards selfishness if not absolutely controlled and directed. Before, you go into the day, ask yourself "who can I bless today?" and "Do I seek to bless or impress? "Is the choice am about to make self-willed or love-willed?" "Is my motive self-motivated or love-motivated?" Then as you go through the day seek to sincerely answer these questions to always put your motives in check; you will get better and better at practicing unselfish way of thinking.
By Daud Olatunji ABEOKUTA- No fewer than four persons reportedly lost their lives on Tuesday, in Ibara Housing Estate area of Abeokuta, Ogun state capital after excessive consumption of local liquor known as “ogogoro” .
The seller of the liquor, one Salako Taloju, a gateman who has his kiosk in front of the house of prominent Abeokuta man, Alhaji Sule Onabiyi was however, arrested.
When our correspondent visited the scene, men of the Ibara Police station were at the scene whisking away the suspect.
The seller of the liquor was drunk, shortly before he was whisked away by Policemen said only three people died and that they were living around the area.
Many houses were submerged by the flood at Ado, Karu Local Government of Nasarawa State.Residents of Ado in Karu Local Government, Nasarawa State counting their losses after Monday night flood killed many residents and damaged several houses, other propertyMany houses were submerged by the flood at Ado, Karu Local Government of Nasarawa State.Residents of Ado in Karu Local Government, Nasarawa State counting their losses after Monday night flood killed many residents and damaged several houses, other propertyResidents of Ado in Karu Local Government, Nasarawa State counting their losses after Monday night flood killed many residents and damaged several houses, other propertyResidents of Ado in Karu Local Government, Nasarawa State counting their losses after Monday night flood killed many residents and damaged several houses, other property
In the 1970s, an angry, maligned rock star would throw his television out of his hotel window, but Justin Bieber has gone for the millennial-style nuclear option — deleting his Instagram account.
The baby-faced Canadian musician, 22, committed online hara-kiri after becoming upset by a barrage of negative comments about his new friendship with Sofia Richie.
LOS ANGELES, CA – DECEMBER 03: Singer Justin Bieber performs onstage during KIIS FM’s 2012 Jingle Ball at Nokia Theatre L.A. Live on December 3, 2012 in Los Angeles, California. /AFP
The pair have been pictured stepping out together several times in recent weeks, amid a frenzy of rumors linking them romantically.
Reacting to insults posted by fans alongside pictures of the 17-year-old model — singer Lionel Richie’s daughter — Bieber told his 77 million followers: “I’m gonna make my Instagram private if you guys don’t stop the hate.
“This is getting out of hand, if you guys are really fans you wouldn’t be so mean to people that I like.”
But the millionaire singer appears to have gone a step further, as clicking on links to his Instagram page now yields an error message.
Fellow singer Selena Gomez, Bieber’s former girlfriend, took the opportunity to twist the knife before the account was deleted.
“If you can’t handle the hate then stop posting pictures of your girlfriend lol — it should be special between you two only,” the 24-year-old posted.
“Don’t be mad at your fans. They love you. They were there for you before anyone.”
“It’s funny to see people that used me for attention and still try to point the finger this way. Sad. All love,” Bieber countered.
“Funny how the ones that cheated multiple times, are pointing the finger at the ones that were forgiving and supportive, no wonder fans are mad. Sad. All love,” Gomez retaliated.
Bieber is the latest in a series of celebrities dealing with abuse on social media by closing their accounts.
Actress and comedian Leslie Jones quit Twitter temporarily in June — devastated by a torrent of racist and sexist abuse aimed at her by trolls.
Bieber recently shut his Snapchat account too, and announced in May that he would no longer be taking pictures with fans in public.
“It has gotten to the point that people won’t even say hi to me or recognize me as a human,” he wrote on Instagram.
“I feel like a zoo animal, and I wanna be able to keep my sanity.”
Bieber and Gomez dated for almost two years from January 2011, but spilt up citing busy schedules.
Some fans interpreted “Sorry,” from Bieber’s album “Purpose,” which came out in November last year, as a message from the former child star to Gomez.
Bieber has had a string of legal run-ins for incidents including throwing eggs at a neighbor’s house, driving under the influence of alcohol without a license and allegedly assaulting a photographer.
Prince Deji Adeyanju, one of the aspirants for the position of National Publicity Secretary, NPS, of the Peoples Democratic party, PDP has pledged total commitment to the PDP, vowing to lead a revolution that will strengthen the party, if elected at the party's national convention billed for Wednesday, August 17, 2016, in Port-Harcourt, the Rivers State capital.
Deji-Adeyanju
In a statement on Tuesday, the Kogi State born politician introduced himself and his agenda for service, saying, "My name is Prince Deji Adeyanju and I have been a member of the Peoples' Democratic Party (PDP) for several years. I am a firm believer in its principles and ideals. I also believe that PDP is the only truly national party in Nigeria and is, therefore, best placed to deliver successful achievement of the collective ideals and aspirations of the Nigerian people.
"While I recognise that the party is by no means perfect, I am aware that over the years it has deepened democracy in the country and has contributed immensely to the growth and development of Nigeria as a whole.
"Following the defeat PDP suffered in the last general elections, and the zoning of the office of the National Publicity Secretary (NPS) to the North Central Region of the country, I have decided to contest for the office and a place on the National Working Committee of the party.
"I believe I possess the skills, ability and the personality to make an outstanding contribution to the task of improving the image of the party. It is for this reason that I solicit the support of all members of the party as I work to actualise this ambition.
"In return for your support, I pledge to give my best in the day to day activities of the office. I pledge to ensure that the image of the party, the protection and polishing of which is the objective of the Directorate of Publicity, will be significantly better at the end of my tenure than the way I met it. I pledge to execute my duties with exemplary discipline and dedication to duty.
"In return for your support, I pledge to bring a new way of doing things to the Publicity Secretariat of the party. I pledge to lead a revolution that will not only strengthen the faith that members and supporters have in the party, but which will also convince millions of Nigerians that as a party PDP has their best interests at heart and is the most viable vehicle with which to deliver on our collective dreams and aspirations.
"This way, together with the leadership of the party, I believe that we can make this party great again. Thank you."
By Soni Daniel, Northern Region Editor Two days after the Federal Government declared two men and a woman wanted in connection with their alleged links with the Boko Haram terrorist group, indications emerged that the three persons could play crucial roles in freeing the remaining Chibok school girls.Salkida, Wakil and Bolori
A source, which is familiar with the Boko Haram leadership, told Vanguard Monday night that it was counterproductive for the Nigerian Army to declare Ahmad Salkida, Aisha Wakil and Ahmad Bolori wanted many years after they have been working with the Nigerian Government to secure freedom for the Chibok girls.
The source, which has been part of previous botched federal government bids to secure the release of the Chibok girls and end terrorism in the Northeast, described the three persons now being declared wanted, as 'people who are well known by the authorities' as having access to some of associates of slain Boko Haram leader, Mohammed.
Amber Heard and Johnny Depp have reached an out-of-court settlement to end their 18-month marriage, reports said Tuesday, after the actress withdrew allegations that her husband physically abused her.
Entertainment website TMZ said Heard filed court papers to dismiss the abuse case — dropping an application to extend a restraining order against the actor — and the two agreed that Oscar-nominated Depp would pay Heard $7 million.
Amber and Depp
The pair’s lawyers and representatives were not immediately available for comment.
“Our relationship was intensely passionate and at times volatile, but always bound by love,” they said in a statement to TMZ and Daily Mail Online.
“Neither party has made false accusations for financial gains. There was never an intent of physical or emotional harm. Amber wishes the best for Johnny in the future.”
The statement said Heard would be donating financial proceeds from the divorce to a charity.
The announcement comes a day before the pair were due in Los Angeles Superior Court to discuss extending Depp’s restraining order and brings to an end an acrimonious and bitter three months of accusation and counter-claim.
Heard dismissed the case with prejudice, according to TMZ, which meaning she cannot re-file it.
The 30-year-old initially filed for divorce from Depp, 53, in May and subsequently obtained a restraining order that requires the “Pirates of the Caribbean” star to stay away from her.
She made a police statement accusing Depp of domestic violence, saying she had endured “years of physical and psychological” abuse.
She subsequently appeared in court with a black eye that she said was the result of Depp hurling a cell phone at her face.
The former couple met on the set of the 2011 film “The Rum Diary,” when the actor was still in a relationship with French actress Vanessa Paradis, mother of his son Jack and daughter Lily-Rose.
Nigeria’s Divine Oduduru, has put up a new personal best for the Nigerian athletes in the Rio Olympics, finishing 2nd behind Usain Bolt in the Men’s 200m Heat race.
Zamalek striker Basem Morsy was again responsible for the downfall of Nigeria’s Enyimba as his goal sealed a 1-0 win to hand the Cairo giants a CAF Champions League semi-finals place.File: Enyimba
The 24-year-old converted a 63rd-minute penalty awarded for hand-ball at the Petro Sport Stadium late Monday in a Group B matchday 5 showdown.
Morsy also scored when Zamalek won 1-0 at Enyimba two months ago in the first mini-league round of the premier African club football competition.
Victory lifted the Egyptian White Knights to six points, three less than group winners Mamelodi Sundowns of South Africa and six more than eliminated Enyimba.
The section was reduced to three clubs after Entente Setif of Algeria were disqualified for a pitch invasion by supporters frustrated at the team trailing 2-0 against Sundowns.
Wydad Casablanca of Morocco, who hold a two-point lead, and Zesco United of Zambia have qualified from Group A and meet on August 24 to decide who tops the final standings.
Zamalek have been African champions five times and Wydad once, Sundowns were runners-up once and Zesco have reached the semi-finals for the first time.
North African clubs have won 28 of the 51 Champions League competitions while only one from the south, Orlando Pirates of South Africa, have lifted the trophy.
A young Nigerian footballer, Michael Umanyika, died yesterday while in training with Azerbaijani First Division club, Zagatala PFK.
Umanyika who reportedly fell during his first training session with Zagatala PFK after returning from vacation in Nigeria was unable to be revived despite several efforts put in by the medical team on ground.
The deceased joined Zagatala PFK last season and made 20 appearances for the club.
….orders INEC to ignore Makarfi-led faction By Ikechukwu Nnochiri ABUJA – The Federal High Court in Abuja has granted an order of interlocutory injunction restraining the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, from conducting its National Convention until September 7.
Justice Okon Abang ordered the party not to sponsor any candidate to be elected into any of its national offices, pending the determination of the suit that was filed by the Ali Modu Sheriff-led faction of the party.
The judge equally issued an order of interlocutory injunction restraining the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, from monitoring the convention of the party scheduled to hold in Port Harcourt tomorrow.
He directed the Inspector General of Police to enforce the orders until all the applications pending before the court are disposed off.
Justice Abang asked the plaintiffs to issue and serve Form 48 on all the defendants, even as he vowed to take disciplinary measures against any of them that fail to comply with the orders.
“Failure to comply with the orders will attract disciplinary action against any of the parties, so far the plaintiffs know what to do”, Justice Abang added.
He subsequently adjourned hearing on the substantive suit till September 7.
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
Controversial enter tainer and TV personality, Charles Oputa, aka 'Charly Boy', is in the news again. He has resumed his usual rants on what he describes as religious hypocrisy.
Chaly Boy
The 'Area Father', as he is fondly called, recently went on a social media rant, calling out fake pastors, hypocritical Christians and people who claim to be religious but constantly fall for the antics and deceit of fake pastors. He claims to have read the Holy Bible from page to page over 20-times,and thus knows what he is talking about.
"A country full of religious mumus. A lot of us being brainwashed on how to worship God as some churches now come up with different gimmicks. It is not surprising to see people attend church rituals involving frantic falls as if grasped by epileptic seizures, feigning attack by the spirits. Yes, most of these dramatics are paid, like the Nollywood actor who claimed that the devil exited his body through his foot.
I'm not suggesting that all men of God are tinted, but out of a hundred you may not find four that live what they preach. Would it surprise you if I tell you I've read the bible page to page over 20-times? So I know more than I make out. I know that true men of God do not misquote the Bible."
Falling in love with a physically challenged person isn't something that people talk about often (if at all). People tend to place more emphasis on physical appearance than feelings, which ought to always follow in the pursuit of true happiness. Shirley
But feelings can also be fickle and fleeting and could be very tricky. Love isn't just a euphoric, spontaneous feeling, it is an inner chemistry difficult to describe. Should physical disability be a barrier to true love? Following is what some Nigerian entertainment celebrities have to say on the matter.
I don’t believe in love – Baba De Baba, Comedian
I don’t really believe in love because love makes you go into a relationship without checking qualities. When the guy is faced with that reality called marriage, he will begin to see faults he never noticed while dating and the love will begin to dissipate. Physical disability can only be a barrier if you’re not educated or empowered. She must also have other qualities to cover up for her disabilities. You can’t be disabled and useless.
I see no barrier in it – Nev Harrison, Comedian/Ventriloquist
It shouldn’t be a barrier because at the end of the day, what keeps love alive is what’s on the inside of a person and not what’s on the outside. I haven’t tried such a relationship though, but judging from others, I see no barrier .
There’s this blind man I know who has one of the finest woman I have seen in recent times as a wife. Also there’s this crippled woman whose husband is one of the happiest man I have come across. However a lot of people do not feel comfortable about in here in Nigeria. They attach spirituality to everything and view it as getting themselves into spiritual warfare.
But personally, I see nothing wrong with it, because the divorces and separations I have seen in the last ten years are between two normal and complete people. Marrying a disabled person is not a decision people make when they set out to look for love. But if I’m in search of love and I find love there, then so be it.
For me, it depends - Ene Ochu, Actress/Model
It depends. I would love a physically disabled person who loved me extraordinarily before he became disabled. Although it's going to take serious thought and consideration loving a disabled person that you didn't know or haven't dated before. The truth is, these people are also humans and deserve to be loved. There must be a high level of love that I must get from him to hold me down. Disabled people deserve love.
We need more than just love to stay in a relationship – Yvonne Enakena, Actress
No, it shouldn't if it's 'true' love. But then you need more than just love to stay in a relationship… Love is just a fraction of it. Another thing is that most disabilities are hereditary, you have to think about your children, the emotional stress on both you and your child. You have to be sure you can cope, ask yourself the right and sincere questions and you're convinced and certain, you can go ahead. But sometimes it's good to apply wisdom in all we do.
You love a person’s soul, not their appearance - Shirley Igwe, Actress/Model
Physical disability shouldn’t be a barrier. You fall in love with the soul of a person not their physical appearance. Even though physical abilities play a big role but if you’re deeply in love with someone’s soul - poor English, height, physical challenge, financial status and the rest do not matter.
No man is created to be alone – Blessing Patrick, Actress No physical disability should be a barrier to true love, because a disabled person is alive. Once a person has life, there is hope. Anything can happen as long as they both love each other. Besides, one man's meat is another man's poison. We've had stories and we've seen so many physically challenged people who found love.
No wonder God created Eve from Adam when he was asleep and when he woke up, he recognised Eve and said "This is the bone of my bone".
Therefore a disabled person also has the bone of his bones, as it is written, no man is created to be alone. A physically disabled person is exempted from finding true love. Would I love a disabled person? I'm in line with God's original purpose for me, if it's his will for me.
Despite shortage ofgas supply occasioned by disruption of pipelines by incessant bombings by militants, the Minister of Power, Works and Housing, Babatunde Fashola, said that power generation has been stable at over 3,000 megawatts, mw, for days due to decisions taken at the monthly power sector meetings.
Fashola, who made this known at the eighth stakeholders meeting which held in Maiduguri, noted that the meeting has helped to bring some stability back to the sector.
He said: "In spite of the gas outages that we have, for the last few days now, we are settling at just a little over 3,000mw daily which is some progress from a setback that we have recorded consistently because of vandalism."
In a statement by the Ministry's spokesperson, Hakeem Bello, Fashola, said the task of power supply would be greatly enhanced if government and the suppliers knew the number of people that needed power for proper planning for generation and supply.
He called for the audit of households, the occupants and the quantity of power consumption as that would help government design a comprehensive service delivery across the country.
The ministry, Fashola said, planned to do an audit during the next National Census exercise and appealed to state governments to do same to enhance electricity supply, using such information.
In a bid to drive effective importation of petroleum product across the country, under the leadership of its National President, Chief Obasi Lawson.
Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria, IPMAN, has entered into a strategic partnership with NIMEX Petroleum Group, to import 100, 000 metric tonnes of petroleum products.
This, according to a statement by National President of IPMAN, Mr. Lawson Obasi, will complement the laudable efforts of the Federal Government in driving a sustainable deregulation policy for the sector.
Obasi said this after the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding, MoU, with NIMEX Petroleum Group.
Obasi, said that the product which would be imported by NIMEX Petroleum Group would be distributed to its members across the country to augument supply received from NNPC and other sources.
The IPMAN president, also added that the product would go a long way to making petrol available in the country, adding that the quantum of petrol received from Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC, was not sufficient for its members.
He however, commended the Federal Ministry of Petroleum Resources under the minister, Mr. Ibe Kachikwu, and Mr. Maikanti Baru, the Group Managing Director, NNPC, for a laudable job in ensuring that products are available for the consuming public in spite of the grave challenges they face.
He said that IPMAN is not unmindful of the positive effect of the partnership to its complementary effort to bringing in petroleum products to service the dire needs of our members.
Lawson said that this strategic relationship established with NIMEX Petroleum Group would also help improve the supply chain of petroleum product in the country in driving the deregulation policy.
According to him, IPMAN which is an umbrella association of independent marketers of petroleum product in Nigeria has today grown to occupy a pride of place in the downstream sector of the Nigerian Oil and Gas Industry.
He said, "With membership of well over 10,000 marketers across the length and breadth of Nigeria, IPMAN has over the years grown to control well over 87 per cent of the petroleum products retail outlets in Nigeria with a reach that auspiciously spreads to every nook and cranny of the country.
"This commendable spread by IPMAN members in the establishment of retail outlets across the country necessarily requires a steady supply of petroleum products in order for its positive effect to be felt both by government and Nigerians.
"The NIMEX Petroleum Group was founded by Azmat Mahmoud, an astute German Businessman, a global name in the provision of solid services in the petroleum sector.
"NIMEX Petroleum Group with a global footprint in more than 15 countries in Africa has garnered three decades experience in the provision of solid services in petroleum-related trading and in fostering relationships globally recognised and aimed at delivering consistent value for its patrons."
Lawson addedý that "It is in recognition of this global reach by NIMEX, that IPMAN has decided to partner with it in order for it to bring its huge experience to support IPMAN in capacity building in the strategic area of satisfying the growing needs of its members for availability of petroleum products."
In his comment, Mr Kanwar Ratra, the President of NIMEX Petroleum Group, however, assured of its preparedness to satisfy the yearning of IPMAN and its members for products.
Ratra said that the partnership with IPMAN as a very strong petroleum marketers association would yield fruitful result, adding that the importation will be continuous to support IPMAN members and to quash the market force.
He lauded the leadership of IPMAN for their initiative to ensure petroleum product is available at every nook and crannies of the country, adding that the partnership would ease scarcity and crash market price seeing the enviable pedigree of IPMAN in the global petroleum trade.
"To this end, we assure all IPMAN members, the Federal Government and the public at large that IPMAN's strategic relationship with NIMEX will ensure the availability of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), Automated Gas Oil (AGO) and Dual Purpose Kerosene (DPK) in large commercial quantities to complement the efforts of the Federal Government to quench the burning thirst of our members and the public at large for these products.
"It will be a win-win situation for IPMAN, its teeming members, the generality of Nigerians and NIMEX.
"We wish to seize this opportunity and once more extend our profound gratitude and thanks to our avuncular President Muhammadu Buhari, the Minister of Petroleum Resources, Dr. Ibe Kachikwu, the management of NNPC and PPMC and all those who made it possible for the peace that IPMAN is enjoying today."
There will not be a second Olympic champion called Muhammad Ali after Britain’s flyweight with the most famous name in boxing was defeated in his Rio debut on Monday. The young Ali- reportedly bestowed the name by his boxing-mad father — was left distraught and in tears after his Olympic dream came to a premature end after just nine minutes of action.
Venezuela’s Yoel Finol, 19, was awarded the bout on a unanimous points decision to leave Ali, who is a year older, with his head in his hands and looking stunned. “I’ve been here too long and I was itching to get in there,” said Ali, who was making his first appearance nine days after the Rio boxing began.
“I let the emotions get the better of me, I just tried too hard and nothing was flowing and now I am just here…” said Ali, his voice trembling and tears welling in his eyes. “I just feel like it’s the end of the world.” The heavyweight legend Ali, who died in June aged 74, announced his presence to the world — he was then called Cassius Clay — with gold at the Rome Olympics in 1960.
The decision to release Boko Haram suspects in exchange for abducted Chibok schoolgirls as being demanded by the terror sect, will be a political decision.
Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), Gen. Gabriel Olonishakin stated this while fielding questions from State House correspondents after a security meeting, held in the Presidential Villa, Abuja on Monday.
He, however, said that military operations against activities of the terrorist group would continue irrespective of any negotiations with the sect.
“That is a political decision to be taken.
“The military decision is that we are going ahead with our operations.
“The operation is being conducted appropriately.''
The CDS stated that the military authorities were analysing the video released by Boko Haram sect and “we will make appropriate comments at the right time''.
He said that one of the people declared wanted by the army in connection with the abduction of the Chibok schoolgirls had surrendered himself to the army for interrogation.
Olonishaki disclosed that the meeting went beyond discussing security matters, saying that it also discussed issues on floods apart from terrorism.
Also speaking on the outcome of the meeting, the Comptroller-General of Customs, retired Col. Hameed Ali said the meeting took the form of workshop as participants were trained on how to respond to emergency issues.
“It was not a meeting as such, it was a little workshop that was arranged for us to understand how to respond to emergency issues, how to be in the position to advise the President to take the right decisions under emergency cases either terrorism, flood or any other thing.
“It was put together for chief executives to sit down and understand the processes of thinking when there is disaster.
“And I think that is what we have learnt today, and hope we will put into use.''
Also commenting on the activities of the Boko Haram, the Minister of Information, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, said even though the Federal Government was in touch with the sect.
According to him, the government is being careful and cautious in view of the split in the leadership of the group.
“What is important to government is the safety and security of these girls.
“Don’t forget that this is not the first time we will be engaged in talking and engaging them.
“The point is we assure the nation that we are on top of the situation.
“We are not even just reacting to the video; we have gone far beyond the video in talking to the group already.
“Until you are able to ascertain the authenticity of the people you are talking to, you don’t go into details.''
On the planned protest-march to the Presidential Villa by members of the BringBack Our Girls' group, Mohammed stated that government was committed to doing everything possible to rescue all kidnapped citizens, including the Chibok schoolgirls.
“We appreciate their commitment to the return of these girls but there are few things we need to do behind the scene.
“What we are saying is that the government is committed to do everything to rescue these girls.''
The Civil Defence, Fire, Immigration and Prisons Services Board (CDFIPB) has, at its emergency meeting held on Thursday 11th August, 2016, approved the dismissal of 3 senior Prisons officers serving in Kuje Medium Security prison and 3 other senior officers serving in Koton Karfe prison for their complicity in the escape of prisoners from the respective prisons. The dismissal letters dated 12th August, 2016 were signed by the Secretary to the Board Alhaji A A Ibrahim.
The letter reads in part “…… Civil Defence, Fire, Immigration and Prisons Services Board (CDFIPB) considered the allegation of serious misconduct arising from your negligence of duty as leveled against you ….. The Board thereafter approved your immediate dismissal from the Nigerian Prisons Service.. in line with the provision of the Public Service Rule 030402 (O) being an action prejudicial to the security of the State”.
Similarly the Controller-General of Prisons in his capacity has approved the dismissal of 7 junior staff serving in Kuje Medium Security prison and 10 other junior staff serving in Koton Karfe prison also implicated in the escape saga.
The affected officers are to hand over all government properties in their possession to Jailbreaks their immediate superior and proceed accordingly.
Meanwhile the officer in charge of Nsukka Prison DCP Okonkwo Lawrence and 10 others have been suspended over the recent prisoners’ escape from the prison. The suspension is to allow for detailed and uninterrupted investigation into the circumstances surrounding the incident in order to facilitate appropriate action by the authority.
It would be recalled that in the wake of incessant escape of prisoners from some prisons in the country the CGP, Ja'afaru Ahmed on the 2nd of August, 2016 convened an emergency meeting of Command Officers and 241 officers in charge prisons across the country to reassess security measures for safe keeping of prisoners. Although a number of escapees have been recaptured, efforts are still being made to ensure that all the fugitives are apprehended and returned to prison custody.
The Controller General wishes to assure all officers and men of the Nigerian Prisons Service of his readiness to support and encourage hard work and dedication to duty but frowns at acts of negligence capable of embarrassing the Service and the nation at large. While appreciating the collaboration of security agencies, vigilante groups and members of the public for their support, the Controller General further assures that all necessary measures are being put in place to guarantee maximum security of persons in Prison custody.
Sen. Shehu Sani (APC Kaduna Central) said Gov. El-Rufai of Kaduna State had no justification to blame the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for Nigeria's problems.
Governor Nasir El-Rufai of Kaduna State (2nd right), and Senator Sheu Sani.
Speaking in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja on Monday, Sani said all defectors from PDP were part of the party and should not absolve themselves of blame.
He said that the governor was a PDP beneficiary for 14 years out of the 16 years of the part's reign and as such could not claim to be innocent.
He added that the Kaduna state governor came to limelight through the PDP from 1999 until 2014 when he joined the All Progressives Congress (APC).
“If you google El-Rufai, you will see him from 1999 but if you google Shehu Sani, you will see him from 1989.
“So you can see. He was brought to limelight by virtue of being in the politics of the PDP.
“I laughed at him when he said `the PDP has destroyed Nigeria for 16 years' while he enjoyed 14 years out of the 16.
“For somebody who has spent 14 out of the 16 years, you cannot say he's a repented man in two years.
“If you repent in two years, it has to take time to reach people who have never been sinners, like me.
“I have never eaten from the PDP nor have I ever been under their umbrella.
“But he was part and parcel of it for this period of time," he said.
He said that the APC was a convergence of forces from other political parties, adding that some of the people who came to the APC still had their PDP mentality.
Sani insisted that the defectors should also carry all attributes of change and not act like they are still in the PDP.
According to him, it is not unusual to have people with PDP mentality still entrenched in the APC.
“They do not want criticism, they do not want contrary opinions, but that is what drove them from that very party.
“When they moved out of the PDP, what they said is that they were denied the right to express themselves on the way the party should be run.
“Nigerians have a very sadly short memory: We forget people who were part and parcel of the destruction of this country simply because they change political parties and then they become saints.
“It is good when you repent, but we should remind you each time you try to insult our intelligence, to tell us that you are clean and every other person is dirty.''
Sani said that the governor was not making life easy for the common people in Kaduna state.
According to Sani, when the APC took over from the PDP, Kaduna people had expected to witness changes, but rather than change, the government brought policies that imposed hardship on them.
He said that the governor had been out of Kaduna for too long and so did not understand the pains and aspirations of the people.
"Since El-Rufai took over power, he has kept on unleashing one programme after another that further made things difficult for the people.
“We are still within the APC but right now, the problem has gone beyond me and him.
“It also involves stakeholders in the state: the party is divided.
There are people who have invested heavily in the party, they are marginalised, not carried along and a seeming new group has emerged challenging his dominance and authority in the party.
He added that El-Rufai should treat people who contributed to the victory of the party in Kaduna as equals to ensure peace and reconciliations.
He added that the governor should also recognise the poor and refrain from policies that would further impoverish them.
He urged the governor to stop all unwarranted demolition in the state, especially when the land allegedly encroached into belonged to the Federal Government and beyond his jurisdiction.
Police authorities said it has busted a notorious syndicate of fraudsters, who specialised in counterfeiting local and foreign currencies.
One of the suspects
Vanguard gathered that two members of the syndicate, identified as Asiedu Ofei, a Ghanaian, and Tunji Femi, were declared wanted when police operatives raided the syndicate's hideout in Lagos and Ekiti states, where they recovered millions of fake Cedis and Naira.
Asiedu Ofei was arrested during the raid, but escaped from police custody when he led policemen to arrest other members of his syndicate.
A police source disclosed that Ofei and members of his syndicate normally produce the counterfeit currencies in China, bring them to Lagos before smuggling them to Ghana, where they are exchanged for original currencies.
The source added that effort to re-arrest Ofei had remained unsuccessful, adding that police had no information on his whereabouts.
The source said police were counting on the public for information that could lead to the suspects’ arrest.
The Katsina State Police Command, have arraigned Hamisu Galadima, a primary school teacher, before a senior magistrate's court for allegedly raping seven girls in Faskari local government area. The police prosecutor, ASP Hashimu Musa, told the court that the suspect was arrested following complaints by the victims' parents.
He said that all the girls were not above nine-years-old. He said that the First Information Report (FIR) indicated that the incident occurred at Tashar-icce village in Faskari local government area. Musa told the court that Galadima lured the girls into an office after school hours and had sexual intercourse with them at different occasions.
He said that the girls' parents reported the case to the police after which the suspect was arrested for investigations. The prosecutor added that the girls were treated at Funtua General Hospital. He said that the offence was punishable under the section 283 of the penal code.
The magistrate, Mr Abdulkarim Ahmed-Umar, adjourned the case till Sept. 24, for mention and ordered that the accused be remanded in prison custody.
The Naira on Monday depreciated against the dollar at the parallel market, the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), reports.
The Nigerian currency lost N3 to exchange at N393, from N390 posted on Friday; while it traded at N505 and N435 against the Pound Sterling and the Euro respectively . At the Bureau De Change (BDC) segment of the market, the naira closed at N385, N505 and N420 against the dollar, Pound Sterling and the Euro, respectively.
The naira appreciated at the official interbank market to close at N317.34, from N320.25 posted on Friday.
Traders at the market said that the demand for the greenback was still on the high side.
NAN reports that the market was eagerly awaiting the sale of forex by banks to BDCs during the week.
President Muhammadu Buhari on Monday appealed to political leaders in Guinea Bissau to embrace unity and avoid any act that could plunge the nation into further crisis. The president made the appeal when he received Mr Modibo Toure, the Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General on Guinea Bissau at the State House, Abuja. Buhari decried the lingering political crisis in the West African country. “They must accept responsibility for leadership to stabilize their own country,'' he said. He further maintained that only the country's political leaders, not outsiders that could effectively resolve the political crisis in the country. The president told the visiting envoy that Nigeria would welcome increased support from ECOWAS and the United Nations to stabilise the country and prevent breakdown of law and order. According to him, Nigeria has a responsibility to the region and the rest of Africa, saying that “we will not shirk on our responsibility, in spite of the hardship confronting us''. Toure had requested Nigeria to use its clout in the regional bloc, ECOWAS, to break the deadlock in the country. The UN representative warned that Guinea Bissau faced “a very grim future if the country continues without a functioning government''.
The Academic Staff Union of Universities, ASUU has kicked against the appointment of former Vice Chancellor of University of Ilorin, Professor Ishaq Oloyede as JAMB Registrar, calling for his probe.
Professor Is-haq Oloyede
It added that his era as Vice Chancellor was characterized with anti-democratic and anti-union antecedents.
ASUU President, Professor Biodun Ogunyemi while addressing journalists in Lagos said: “Given our inside knowledge of his anti democratic and anti-union antecedents, Professor Oloyede is the last person that we expected to be so honoured with a national appointment of that status in the education sector.”
According to Ogunyemi, Oloyede ‘s anti-workers stance stood out in the case of the sacked UNILORIN 49.
“He led the administration’s team to as far as Lagos to testify falsely against the workers before the Industrial Arbitration Panel,” Ogunyemi said.
He said that when academic staff were reinstated in 2009 by the Supreme Court, Oloyede, as VC then refused to fully implement the orders of the Court.
Ogunyemi pointed out that in 2008, Oloyede as VC said that UNILORIN is happy without ASUU, while at the same time collecting money from UNILORIN academics in the name of ASUU without remitting same to the Union.
Ogunyemi who accused Oloyede of nepotism said: “As VC of UNILORIN, the system was manipulated to favour his son and daughter and within weeks, gave them awards for overseas training despite explicit regulations against the practice.”
He also said that in May 2012, Professor Oloyede as VC, suddenly doubled the amount of pension being deducted from UNILORIN staff under the pretext that the deductions were not enough, adding that this was in contravention of the Pensions Reform Act which prescribed 7,5 per cent.
The ASUU President said: “The above represent some of the reasons why the Union is appalled that Oloyede has been offered an appointment to head the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board.
“The Union has resolved to lodge an official complaint with the appropriate authorities and to demand investigation into the activities of Oloyede while in office as VC of UNILORIN. “
Maiduguri – The Japanese Government on Monday announced a donation of three million dollars in support of victims of Boko Haram insurgency in Adamawa, Borno and Yobe States.
The Japanese Ambassador to Nigeria, Mr Sadanabu Kusaoke, made the announcement at the launch of the project in Maiduguri.
Kusaake said that the project was aimed at assisting the victims to engage in gainful activities like farming and trading for social stability.
“The Japanese Government has decided to support the project for early recovery and social cohesion in the North-East of Nigeria with a 3 million dollars donation.
“This is to help people who engage in gainful activities like farming and trading to contribute to the social stabilisation and recovery of the affected communities in the three states,” he said.
Kusaoke said that the project would concentrate on women, youths and other vulnerable groups in the communities.
“Priority is on women, youths and other vulnerable people.
“The project is expected to create safe environment for the returning Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) as well as reduce pressure on migration to neighboring countries,” he said.
Kusaoke said that the project would also involved support for UNDP programme of de-radicalisation of former militants in the states.
“We have also decided to fund the UNDP project on de-radicalisation and also to increase the capacity of security agents in investigations and prosecution as well as preventing and controlling migration,” he said.
The envoy commended the Borno state Government for its multi-facet approach in addressing the problems of insurgency in the state.
“We commend the state government for its comprehensive approach in dealing with the insurgency problems.
“We also commended the Federal Government for its support to the military to end the Boko Haram crisis,” he said.
Commenting, Gov. Kashim Shettima thanked the Japanese Government for the gesture and urged other donors to emulate the gesture by providing similar assistance to victms of insurgency. (NAN)
The Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar III, has called on cattle breeders to shun violence in seeking injustice in order to foster peaceful co-existence among all communities across the country.
Armed Fulani-herdsmen
The monarch made the call on Monday in Sokoto, when members of the Presidential Committee on Grazing Reserves paid him a courtesy visit.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that, the committee was on a nationwide sensitisation campaign among cattle breeders across the country.
The sultan said: “Seeking justice does not call for violence as the government and all traditional leaders are committed to ensure the rights of all the citizens are protected.
“We always condemn any act that will mar the peace and unity of the people, as it generates more bad than good in the growth and development of every society.
“Moreover, violence creates more harm, not only to the cattle rearers or farmers among us, but to the entire country and beyond.''
The sultan also called on Miyatti Allah Cattle Breeding Association to initiate more ways of sensitising their members to maintain peace among the communities.
He declared that peaceful atmosphere would enhance development among the people and the country.
He commended the Federal government for striving to sustain peace among cattle rearers and farmers in the country.
The chairman of the committee, Alhaji Muhammad Kiruwa, said that the sensitation campaign was to intimate Nigerians on the efforts of the federal government to entrench lasting peace and unity in the country.
“The reactivation of grazing reserves will aid in camping the cattle rearers and prevent the destruction of farm products by their animals.”
He stressed the need seek justice for and assist cattle breeders settle in grazing reserves.
Speaking earlier, Alhaji Tukur Alkali, Sokoto State Commissioner of Animal Health and Fisheries Development, pledged the support of the government to ensure the success of the committee’s assignment
Maiduguri – The Japanese Government on Monday announced a donation of three million dollars in support of victims of Boko Haram insurgency in Adamawa, Borno and Yobe States.
The Japanese Ambassador to Nigeria, Mr Sadanabu Kusaoke, made the announcement at the launch of the project in Maiduguri. Kusaake said that the project was aimed at assisting the victims to engage in gainful activities like farming and trading for social stability.
“The Japanese Government has decided to support the project for early recovery and social cohesion in the North-East of Nigeria with a 3 million dollars donation.
“This is to help people who engage in gainful activities like farming and trading to contribute to the social stabilisation and recovery of the affected communities in the three states,” he said.
Kusaoke said that the project would concentrate on women, youths and other vulnerable groups in the communities.
“Priority is on women, youths and other vulnerable people.
“The project is expected to create safe environment for the returning Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) as well as reduce pressure on migration to neighboring countries,” he said.
Kusaoke said that the project would also involved support for UNDP programme of de-radicalisation of former militants in the states.
“We have also decided to fund the UNDP project on de-radicalisation and also to increase the capacity of security agents in investigations and prosecution as well as preventing and controlling migration,” he said.
The envoy commended the Borno state Government for its multi-facet approach in addressing the problems of insurgency in the state.
“We commend the state government for its comprehensive approach in dealing with the insurgency problems.
“We also commended the Federal Government for its support to the military to end the Boko Haram crisis,” he said.
Commenting, Gov. Kashim Shettima thanked the Japanese Government for the gesture and urged other donors to emulate the gesture by providing similar assistance to victms of insurgency.
Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode on Monday said the winning of the hosting right of the 2016 All Africa Music Awards (AFRIMA) by the State has further confirmed the fact that Lagos is now the cornerstone for driving African arts and culture, just as he expressed his administration’s commitment to continue to support the talents in the industry and promote cultural heritage of the continent.
Governor Ambode, who spoke at the Lagos House, Ikeja, when he received AFRIMA delegation led by Head of Culture of African Union Commission, Ms Angela Martins and AFRIMA President, Mr. Mike Dada, expressed excitement at the development and accepted the hosting right, saying that it was in sync with his passion of using tourism, hospitality, entertainment, arts and sports to promote excellence.AMBODE
“I want to thank the African Union and the organizers of the All Africa Music Awards for finding it worthy to once again pick Lagos as the host city. We are very glad that Lagos has become more or less the cornerstone for driving the African arts and culture. I must say that even though this is the third time that Lagos is hosting it, but this is the very first time that the Lagos State Government will be practically involved and that goes to show that there is a convergence of vision between what the African Union stands for and what this particular administration stands for also.
“We are big promoters of our culture; we believe so much in heritage; we believe also that the creative part of the African identity is yet to be tapped and obviously, we need to intervene in some of the things that are being done individually to be able to put things together so that we can together drive the African identity and that is why it is a no brainier for us as a government to actually say that we are going to participate in this,” Governor Ambode said.
The Governor said he believes that talents abound in Africa, which, according to him, informed why his administration had been working hard to promote the African artists, adding that talents must be supported and assisted not to die, so that they can use their talents to push Africa to her rightful place.
He said: “One of our vision is actually to promote our heritage and one of our programmes in the course of the electioneering was “Project THESE. We believe strongly that we can use Tourism, Hospitality, Entertainment and Arts and Sports to actually promote excellence. We believe we are the next face of Africa and we think that the hub of entertainment should actually reside in Lagos and so we will do everything to promote our artists, to promote our producers and even those that are upcoming.”
Besides, the Governor urged those in the creative industry to key into the N25bn Employment Trust Fund set up by his administration.
Earlier, Martins commended Governor Ambode for his passion in developing and promoting arts and culture in the continent. She recalled that out of the States in Nigeria that received letters from the leadership of the African Union through the Commissioner for Social Affairs, His Excellency Dr Mustapha Sidiki Kaloko, Lagos won the rights to once again host the 2016 edition of AFRIMA, adding that the development was a great achievement for both the Union and the State.
“We want to thank you (Governor Ambode) for always being on the side of artists and on the side of the African continent in the development of the culture and creative industries of the continent,” Martins said.
In his opening remarks, the State’s Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Mr. Steve Ayorinde said the hosting right of AFRIMA further attests to the commitment of Governor Ambode to promote culture, arts and tourism.
Ayorinde, who reeled out many achievements of the present administration in the sector such as the expansion of the One Lagos Fiesta, the hosting of the International Jazz Festival at the Lagos House, and the upcoming celebration of Lagos at the Toronto International Festival in September, said the Ambode administration has indeed continue to use the sector to achieve excellence.
Some of the notable names in the creative industry who were part of the delegation include Innocent Idibia, DJ Jimmy Jatt, Seyi Shay, Praise, Simi, Olisa Adibua, Tee Mac, among others.
By CALEB AYANSINA ABUJA – A former Prelate of Methodist Church of Nigeria, Dr. Sunday Ola Makinde, Monday, said that the All Progressive Congress (APC) administration led by President Muhammadu Buhari is not fit to rule the country.* Prelate Sunday Ola Makinde
The cleric maintained that except stringent measures were taken, the country may explode because of the current biting economic hardship.
Makinde told Journalists during the inaugural meeting of retired Christian leaders of major denominations in Nigeria facilitated by El-Rehoboth Global Leadership Foundation, in Abuja.
"The APC is part of the corruption in the country. They are not fit to be there, they must handle the issue of padding very carefully. We are sitting on a keg of gun powder. The day it will explode, it will consume us. So many graduates are not employed. Unemployed people are the people behind the militancy in the Niger Delta region.
"I want to warn Christians in the National Assembly. They should be careful, they should not take the issue of Sharia law and the grazing bill in the National Assembly lightly. Nobody can acquire my land. Northerners cannot acquire my land to graze their cattle. Let them go and graze in their own part of the country," he stated.
The cleric, popularly called Prelate Emeritus also advised the Federal Government and the ruling APC to be fair in their fight against corruption.
The Federal Government on Monday inaugurated a roadmap for the agriculture sector, tagged: “The Green Alternative: Agriculture Promotion Policy, 2016-2020.''
Audu Ogbeh
Speaking at the occasion, the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Chief Audu Ogbeh, said the vision was to revive agric sector to boost food production in the country.
According to Ogbeh, the policy will serve as the new fulcrum for economic diversification, inclusive growth and sustainable development in agric sector.
“The launch of the `Green Alternative' is an attestation that the change that the overwhelming majority of Nigerians canvassed for and openly welcomed by giving Muhammadu Buhari a resounding victory in the last presidential election is here.
“In this policy, you will see us navigating through the agricultural terrain, trucking on virtually every aspect, we launched on the human element.
“We will reflect on years of neglect where agriculture was seen as a refuge for the wretched and unsophisticated,'' Ogbeh said.
The minister explained further that the emphasis on ''Green" would capture the essence, spirit and orientation of the new policy/strategy document.
“The emphasis on green is deliberate; it is to underscore, not only the imperative of building a strong, vibrant and resilient economy, but also a green refreshing, generating, transformative-agriculture-led economy.
“It is to ensure mutual complementary between efficient, effective and productive agricultural production, system and processes on one hand and environmental sustainability,'' Ogbeh said.
He stated that the policy had five major strategic driving forces namely, achievement of self-sufficiency and sustainable food security, reduction in import dependence and economic losses, particularly through value addition.
Other, he said, were stimulation of agro-exports for enhanced foreign exchange earnings, enhancement of wealth and job creation, especially provision of employment opportunities for the teeming youths.
The minister also said achievement of economic diversification to make the economy less oil-dependent was among the driving forces of the green policy.
Ogbeh said that through the policy, farmers would have access to land, soil fertility, information and knowledge, inputs, production management, storage, processing, marketing and trade, including access to finance.
Others are promoting agribusiness and ensuring investment development, institutional setting and roles, youth and women, infrastructure, research and innovation and nutrition security.
Also, the Minister of State for Agriculture, Sen. Heineken Lokpobiri explained that agricultural policy over the years had focused on conventional paradigm of harnessing the sector's potential to provide sufficient food for the growing population.
Lokpobiri, who was represented by Dr Shehu Ahmed, the Permanent Secretary of the ministry said effective implementation of the policy required a systematic collaboration among the stakeholders.
“One significant element of this desire is the relevance and suitability of support institutions as an integral process of facilitating the consultative, entrepreneurial, coordinating and regulatory roles in the nation's development process.
“In this regard, government's responsibility is to continuously put in place measures that will restructure, re-orientate and strengthen the relevant national institutions as well as utilise the opportunities offered by international cooperate bodies, “ he said
According to him, this is to embrace the challenges of intensifying the integration of the country's development goals into the liberalisation principle of the world economy.
Mr kabir Ibrahim, President, All Farmers Association of Nigeria (AFAN), commended the ministry for the policy, saying it would go a long way in assisting farmers to boost productivity.
“The Nigerian farmers are seeking more availability of fertiliser, timely application of the research finding, adoption of good science and technology, provision of good seeds and small irrigation facility for all-year-round farming, “ he said.
Ibrahim urged both states and local governments to key into the policy to enable the nation achieve self-reliance in food production. (NAN)
By Luka Binniyat KADUNA - After killing 11 persons, and burning down two villages in Godogodo Chiefdom, Jema'a Local Government Area, LGA, in Southern part of Kaduna State, penultimate week, the same alleged armed herdsmen killed six farmers last Saturday in Godogodo, village sources told our reporter in Kaduna.
The villagers, who spoke to Vanguard, claimed that the armed herdsmen said that their villages have become cattle grazing reserves and wanted them to vacate immediately.
Kaduna State Police Spokesman, ASP, Aliyu Usman, confirmed to Vanguard that six people were killed and that some arrest have been made, and that there was tension in the area.
