Rising poverty greatest national security threat, says Atiku

 



                          
Former Vice-President and presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the last general elections, Atiku Abubakar, has said that the greatest threat to national security was the rising wave of poverty that has remained unchecked among Nigerians.

In his reflection on the state of the nation, Atiku observed that the most dangerous dimension to the poverty ravaging the country was that the financial capacity of industrialists, businessmen and factory owners, who provide employment to the teeming youths, was also drastically reducing.

Atiku said there was an urgent and compelling need for institutions of the Nigerian State to understand that it is an appalling dereliction of duty to stand idly by and allow misery multiply in the populace.


In a statement by his media adviser, Paul Ibe, the former Vice President noted that the recent report by the United Nations Development Programme, published on July 11, 2019, which established that over 98 million Nigerians were living in multidimensional poverty, was a frightening corroboration that poverty had become the fastest growing venture in Nigeria in the last four years.

Specifically, Atiku lamented the drastic reduction in the wealth of employment providers, noting that the situation was no longer a grassroots problem and was a confirmation that the failure of the nation’s economy over the last four years affected everyone from top to bottom.

“Four years ago, Aliko Dangote, Nigeria’s richest man, was worth $25 billion. However, his net worth in 2019 is less than half of that. He joins thousands of industrialists whose wealth and their ability to produce, has eroded in recent years, and continue to do so.

“With the National Bureau of Statistics reporting a net job loss of over six million since 2015, we see that if industrialists have their wealth eroding, it affects their ability to create opportunities, which means that the trickle-down effect gradually dries,” he said.

The ex-VP stressed further: “The greatest national security threat Nigeria faces in 2019 is not Boko Haram/ISWAP or bandits. It is that we have created the largest wave of poverty in human history. And the world is noticing, hence Foreign Direct Investment is shifting from Nigeria to Ghana, making Ghana the top recipient of FDI in West Africa in the last year.”

And in the wake of the UNDP report, Atiku is saddened by the nonchalance of those he alleged led the country into the supposed poverty crisis.

He said: “It is as though they think that as long as they and their families are not amongst those 98 million extremely poor Nigerians, things can carry on as before. But that cannot be allowed to be the case.”

Atiku therefore called on all stakeholders who have the ability, including the Council of State, all former leaders, elder-statesmen, and especially the other arms of government, to “begin to collaborate for solutions, before the number increases from 98 million, to all 198 million Nigerians.”

“We must remember that we are stakeholders in the Nigerian project. Stakeholders who must speak up for those 98 million people who are losing their voices to poverty,” he added

"I Rap About My Pussy Because She’s My Best Friend" - Cardi B

 



                          
American music rapper, Cardi B has taken to Instagram to share a video of her responding to Hip-hop music veteran, Jermaine Dupri’s remark about female rappers on Thursday, July 11.
Jermaine Dupri, who once dated singer Janet Jackon, was a star guest on People TVwhere he expressed his utmost distaste at the new wave of female rappers.

Jermaine Dupri was also asked to name his favorite female in the rap game to which he replied;
“I can’t really say. The only reason why I can’t say is because I feel they’re all rapping about the same things, I don’t think they’re showing us who’s the best rapper. I think they’re trying to show?—for me, it’s like strippers rapping. And as far as rap goes, I’m not getting who’s the best rapper. I’m getting like, ‘OK, you got a story about you dancing in the club, you got a story about you dancing in the club, you got a story about you dancing in the club.’ It’s like, ‘OK, who’s going to be the rapper?’ At some point, somebody’s going to have to break out of that mold and just show us?—talk about other things, just rap about other things besides that.”
Cardi B, who was formerly a club stripper, caught wind of the video and felt the need to respond to his unsolicited comment. The mother of one addressed the on-going criticism of her sexual lyrics saying,

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RHAPSODY OF REALITIES

Sunday 14th July 2019.


HIS LOVE—A COMPELLING FORCE

For the love of Christ constraineth us; because we thus judge, that if one died for all, then were all dead (2 Corinthians 5:14).

Did you know that at the end of all things, the only thing that’ll stand is your love for the Lord Jesus? If you lived a whole life to be recognized by men, to be famous and have all that money could buy, but the Gospel of Jesus Christ wasn’t a compelling force in your life, you’d have lived an empty life.

The Lord Jesus said in Mark 8:36, “For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?” Then in Matthew 6:33, He said, “But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.” What else could a Christian possibly live for, if not Christ and His Gospel? He’s all that counts. He’s the joy of heaven and earth.

As Christians, we’re not to be moved by anything else, but by Christ and His eternal Word. That means His Word doesn’t just come to you without impact; it brings a conviction to your heart and compels you to act; to do things that are pleasing to the Father. No wonder the Lord Jesus said in John 14:15, “If ye love me, keep my commandments.”

It matters that you’re compelled by the love of Christ to do the things that you do on earth. The Apostle Paul in our opening scripture shows us the motivational force behind his overwhelming passion for the Gospel; it was the love of Christ. He was constrained by this love to preach the Gospel, and do all that he did in furtherance of the Gospel. Have the same consciousness. Make Jesus your focus, and be compelled by His love in all you do.

PRAYER

Dear Lord Jesus, I love you with all my heart. I thank you for the privilege of being a custodian of the Gospel, which has become the compelling force in my life. I’m ever afire for the Gospel, shining ever so brightly as a light in my world. Hallelujah!

FURTHER STUDY

Romans 5:5 And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.
John 14:15 AMPC If you [really] love Me, you will keep (obey) My commands.
2 Corinthians 5:14 AMPC For the love of Christ controls and urges and impels us, because we are of the opinion and conviction that [if] One died for all, then all died

DAILY SCRIPTURES READING

1 YEAR BIBLE READING PLAN
Acts 22:22-23:1-11 &
Job 36-39

2 YEAR BIBLE READING PLAN
Luke 8:40-56 & Joshua 10





#AFFIRMATIONTRAIN

14TH JULY.

I affirm that the truths of God are unveiled to my spirit, and by them, I walk in the realms of glory. Life isn’t a mystery for me because the Holy Spirit teaches me all things. God has given me His Word, to show me how to run with patience the race that is set before me. My spirit is open to correction and I have a teachable spirit!

My heart is full of joy, love, kindness, and compassion. I refuse to allow bitterness, anger, or strife to take root in me. I walk in love today and always, confident that no weapon fashioned against me shall prosper. My gaze is on the Lord Jesus, and my energies are focused on fulfilling God’s plans and purpose for my life.

I function from a vantage position of rest without struggles, worries, or anxieties over anything; knowing that Jesus did all that is necessary for me to have a great life. I live a life of glory, grace, favour, and expansion. Hallelujah! I refuse to compare myself with anyone else, but measure my success base on my assignment here on earth.

I walk by the same principles of faith by which my heavenly Father made the heavens and the earth! Today, by my faith filled affirmations, I frame my world, causing spiritual forces and the circumstances of my life to synchronise with God’s perfect will for my life. Glory to God. Hallelujah!


God bless you

DJ Cuppy Gifts Anthony Joshua A Cake, Organizes A Welcome Home Party For Him

 



                             
Popular Nigerian celebrity Dj Cuppy posted a video on her Instagram page in which she gave Nigerian boxer Anthony Joshua a cake, MySportDab reports.

Joshua recently arrived in Lagos a few days ago after his famous loss to Andy Ruiz Jr. 

However, Cuppy tagged the clip: "Welcome Back Home Femi"

Herdsmen Convert Ondo Forest Reserve Into Militia Camp


 



                              
Fresh facts emerged on Saturday that herdsmen have converted the Ondo Government reserve located in the Odigbo Local Government Area into a militia camp.

This indication buttressed the widespread claim that killers of Mrs Funke Olakunrin, 58-year-old daughter of the leader of pan-Yoruba socio-cultural organisation, Afenifere, Chief Reuben Fasoranti, were herdsmen who sneaked out of the reserve to rain bullets on the vehicle she was travelling in.

Olakunrin was killed on Friday as the gunmen ambushed vehicles on the highway and abducted some commuters. Her maid reportedly sustained some gunshot injuries during the attack.

Killers of Fasoranti’s daughter have their base in the forest, say villagers

A former senator who represented Ondo South Senatorial District at the Senate, Boluwaji Kunlere, said hoodlums had been operating around where Olakunrin was killed for a long time.

He said this in an interview with one of our correspondents in Lagos on Saturday.

Kunlere said, “I beefed up security in the area when I was in the Senate. I gave 13 Hilux vans to the police divisions in Ondo South Senatorial District and gave motorcycles to the Department of State Services for surveillance.

“I think the police do not have the manpower to ensure adequate security in the area. The expressway (Benin-Ore-Sagamu Expressway) is where the major problem is. The spot (Kajola) where they killed Baba Fasoranti’s daughter falls between Odigbo and Okitipupa Local Government territory.

“The people living close to the area said Fulani herdsmen had taken over that area and there was a time a bishop was abducted and the police rescued him in that area. Herdsmen are all over the forest. We see them between Omotosho and Igbotako. They graze their cows on the road and strike and they run back to the bush.

“They have been operating there for long but the attack on Baba Fasoranti’s daughter was given a wide publicity because of the man’s influence. The downtrodden have been suffering there for long. There was a time that they exchanged gunfire with the police between Omotosho and Ore in the afternoon and they ran away when they discovered that the police would overpower them.

“When they attacked Chief Olu Falae’s farm then, the police said it was bush burning because of the fear of Abuja. They want to attribute this killing to armed robbers but the locals are saying the killers are herdsmen.

Some residents of Kajola town in the Odigbo council area who spoke with SUNDAY PUNCH insisted that some Fulani herdsmen terrorising the area were residing in the forest in the area.

One of the residents identified only as Mr Ola said the herdsmen behaved as if they were above the law, adding that it was not the first time they would perpetrate the act in the area.

He said, “They destroy our farms at will. Their cows always eat up many of our farm produce. We have reported several times to the police but no action was taken. We heard gunshots yesterday (Friday) and it is a common thing in the area. We call on the government to provide adequate security to protect our lives and property.’’

Also, a farmer in Kajola village who gave his name only as Mr Aliu, also said bandits had invaded forests surrounding the village.

He said there had been many criminal activities going on in the forest and nobody stopped them.

Aliu said, “The herdsmen that struck on the expressway yesterday (Friday) stay in the forest around the area. That is not their first time and that is how they operate. We have reported to security agents but nothing has been done about it. We are helpless. Government should come to our aid.”

Another resident who spoke on condition of anonymity also reiterated that the reserve in the Odigbo council area had been inhabited for long by herdsmen.

He said though the reserve belonged to the government, community members now use the place for farming.

The resident, who is a prominent member of the National Association of Odigbo Local Government Students, said herdsmen rampage started in the area at the same time it became rampant in the country.

He said, “Villagers are aware of the activities of herdsmen in the area. There was a time herdsmen cut the wrist of a farmer who confronted them when they took their cows for grazing on his farm.

“The DPO of Ore Police Station intervened in the matter and spoke with members of the community. The vigilantes have had to confront them many times. The vigilantes later constructed a shed in the community and take turns to ensure security in the area. This is a development that is known to people in the community.’’

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Quote:Herdsmen under their umbrella body, Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN) has pushed back claims that they are responsible for the dead of Funke Olakunrin.

Mrs Olakunrin who died on Friday was said to have been killed by herdsmen in Ondo State. She is the daughter of Reuben Fasoranti, leader of Afenifere, a socio-cultural group in the South-West region.

In a statement by its National Secretary, Baba Uthman Ngelzarma, the pastoralist expressed sadness over the incident and called on “security agencies to swing into action, and unravel the perpetrators to bring them to justice in the shortest time possible.”



The group also blasted the media which reported that the perpetrators of the act were herdsmen from Fulani extraction.

Herders are accused as arrowheads of insecurity in the country which has recently witnessed a spike in criminal activities.

“As we express sincere heartfelt condolence to the family of the deceased, we are left in a deep shock on how a section of the media in collaboration with elements in the country that are held bane (sic) on using every opportunity available to them to fuel crisis as they continue the negative profiling of Fulanis for their total annihilation by jumping into a mischievous conclusion that she was killed by herdsmen,” the statement read.


“We strongly condemn this very unprofessional, unpatriotic and callous news reportage patterns that have been conscripted against our people by the section of the media,” the group added.

The State Police Command in the state said armed robbers were the ones who killed the lady.

Meanwhile, the Oodua Peoples Congress (OPC) has vowed to retaliate the dead of the deceased.

Ex-BBNaija housemate, Asogwa Alexandra Amuche Sandra known as Alex Unsual got robbed yesterday with her friend as valuables were taken. Gistvic Reports.

Alex car side mirror was destroyed which the robbers used to pave away into the car. 

She wrote:

Quote:"Was robbed yesterday alongside @princessdaprada �, a lot lost but more to gain in the future as life goes on ��. By the way, how’s your weekend going��‍♀️? I hope it’s as peaceful as my heart, body and soul was when I took this picture ? ✌�I love you all��. Happy Saturday, Happy weekend."

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Watch Video:
Source: https://www.gistvic.com/2019/07/ex-bbnaija-alex-unsual-got-robbed.htm


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Gunmen kill Senator Elisha Abbo’s uncle, abduct his nursing stepmother






Some unknown gunmen struck today at Muchalla ward in Mubi North Local Government of Adamawa State, killing embattled Senator Elisha Abbo's uncle and also abducted his nursing stepmother. 
 
The abducted stepmother of the senator spotted in a video slapping a nursing mother days ago in Abuja, had given birth about 11 days ago according to family members. An eyewitness told newsmen; 

Quote:"They went straight to senator Ishaku Abbo’s family house and abducted the senator’s nursing stepmother who delivered about 11 days ago. As they made their way with the victim, Abbo’s uncle came out of his room and on sighting the gunmen, raised alarm.
“Immediately, the gunmen opened fire on him leading to his death and they went away with the victim unchallenged. Right now the village is in mourning.” 

Quote:“Our men from the IG rapid response team, in conjunction with men from anti-kidnapping unit, as well as men from homicide unit, have been deployed in order to rescue (the victim) and arrest the suspects.”

by Linda Ikej

Obasanjo deplores killing of Afenifere leader's daughter, calls out Fulani herdsmen






Former President Olusegun Obasanjo in his condolence letter to the family of leader of Afenifere, Pas Reuben Fasoranti, expressed worry over the killing and kidnap menace that has ravaged the country in the last few weeks.
 
Obasanjo alleged that the country is 'diminshed' by the manner of Funke’s death, and also called for solution to all acts of insecurity in the country, particularly acts of banditry, kidnapping, robbery and killing by the suspected Fulani herdsmen.He also implored the family to be strong. 
 
Following his engagement in Morocco, the former President said the letter will be delivered to Pa Fasoranti's family by Olagunsoye Oyinlola and Oluwole Fasawe. It reads; 

Quote:I received, today, the tragic news of the death of your beloved daughter, Mrs. Funke Olakunri, who was killed by some suspected Fulani herdsmen.
This is a worrisome development in our polity, especially, at a time when all well-meaning Nigerians are preaching tolerance and political accommodation in national politics. I must say Nigeria as a whole is diminished by the manner of Funke’s death. We deplore this dastardly act and seize this opportunity to call on governments at all levels to leave no stone unturned in ensuring that our security agents vigorously pursue and find the perpetrators of such heinous crime and make them face the full weight of the law. We must, together, find solution to all acts of insecurity in the country, particularly acts of banditry, kidnapping, robbery and killing by the suspected Fulani herdsmen.
As you mourn the tragic loss of our very dear Funke, please be assured of the sympathy and profound sorrow of many others like me who are saddened by the manner of her demise, especially as she still had a lot to contribute to the nation and her family to which she was highly devoted.
Let me also implore you to be strong for the entire family. I pray that God Himself will comfort you and sustain the whole family in this hour of painful trial. And may the soul of the dear departed rest in perfect peace. Because I have to be in Morocco, I am sending a delegation of Otunba Oluwole Fasawe and Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola with this letter and to personally deliver my condolence.

by Linda Ikeji at 13

Quote:Nnewi – The Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, Saturday condemned the killing of the daughter of Afenifere Chairman, Funke Fasoranti Olakunrin by killer herdsmen and should not be ignored, unanswered and allowed to be swept under the carpet.

IPOB in a statement by its Media and Publicity Secretary, Emma Powerful described the killing as barbaric and an affront against the Yoruba race against by the terrorist herdsmen.


The group said that “Press statements and lamentations will not stop the invaders, only concrete mass action can and we are ever ready.”

IPOBs statement titled “Action better than words of fury” also described the attack and killing of Mrs. Fasoranti Olakunrin as timely warning there is a Jihads mission supported by the present administration in Nigeria.

It said that “the Jihadi mission is to terrorise, subjugate and enslave everybody unfortunate enough to be part of the British colonial experiment in Nigeria.”

According IPOB, “the brazen terror attack in Yorubaland by terrorist which led to the killing of the daughter of Chairman the Afanifere, Funke Fasoranti Olakunrin is regrettable, evil and an action intended to be use to intimade, harass and subjugate and enslave everybody in Nigeria, iris also to a timely warning to Yoruba.”

IPOB statement further read, “The brazen terror attack on Yoruba soil by Fulani terrorists yesterday must not go unanswered, ignored or be allowed to be swept under the carpet because of the selfish party interest.

“Let the murder of the daughter of Afenifere Chairman Funke Fasoranti Olakunrin by terrorists be another sombre but timely reminder to the great Yoruba race and their media in particular that supporting evil has its unintended consequences.

“I hate to say it but this sad incident goes to underscore the prediction I made long ago – that this Governmebt of Nigeria as constituted from 2015 is a murderous cabal on a Jihadi mission to terrorise, subjugate and enslave everybody unfortunate enough to be part of the British colonial experiment gone mad called Nigeria.

“I specifically warned the Yoruba race and their dominant media that supportig atrocities against Biafra and suppression of the truth about the true identity of Jubril Aminu Al-Sudani because of Tinubu’s 2023 presidential ambition will not only be counter-productive but will turn around to consume them.They called me a merchant of hate speech. Today I ask them, what is happening?

“It is unfortunate that at a time of great peril like this, weak men hand-picked by the same Fulani caliphate that are persecuting everybody today, are the ones in charge of the leadership of the South. Fulani terror will only stop when we confront them with an equal force, mere words will not do it.

“It is time that those immoral and spineless Yoruba media should shoulder the blame for the death of this prominent Yoruba daughter and the wider rampaging savagery of Fulani herdsmen across Nigeria.

“They failed to objectively report the truth but instead chose to malign and attack IPOB that saw the danger the country was sliding into way ahead of everybody.

“The time for the mother of all popular resistance is now not tomorrow. Only an IPOB led mass revolution will save the day because we are the only ones with a history of resistance againt the vandals from the Sahel.

“The sooner the youths of the Middle Belt and South West rise up to join IPOB to dismantle the terror government group and chart a new course for the respective ethnic nationalities that make up Nigeria, the better our chances of survival or else we are all doomed.

“Press statements and lamentations will not stop the invaders, only concrete mass action can and we are ever ready.”

Quote:The United States has advised its citizens in Nigeria to avoid large crowds and demonstration by the members of the Islamic Movement of Nigeria (IMN), also known as Shiites.

Recall that the Islamic sect last week had a violent clash with security operatives within the precincts of the National Assembly which culminated in burning of police vehicles, injuries to persons on both sides and arrest of over 40 suspects.

However, in a statement issued on Saturday by the US Mission in Abuja, American citizens were alerted to expected protests by members of the sect across the country.

It, therefore, urged its citizens in Nigeria to review their personal security plans.

The statement reads: “The U.S. Mission in Nigeria advises U.S. citizens that large demonstrations by protesters affiliated with the Islamic Movement of Nigeria are expected in the coming days throughout the country, including Abuja and Lagos.

“Protests by this group in the Nigerian capital on July 9 became violent, including exchanges of gunfire between protestors and Nigerian Police, resulting in a couple of deaths. The U.S. Mission advises its citizens to avoid these demonstrations and remain in safe areas during these periods.”

The US added that its citizens should avoid demonstrations and large crowds, be aware of their surroundings, monitor local media for updates and carry proper identification, including a U.S. passport with a current Nigerian visa.

Ondo State governor, Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, SAN, has led Oyo State Governor, Engr. Seyi Makinde and Security Chiefs in the state to the residence of Pa. Reuben Fasoranti to condole with him over the loss of his daughter, Mrs Funke Olakunri who was killed by unknown gunmen on Friday.

The Governor who was earlier at the residence of the leader of the Pan Yoruba Socio-political organisation, Afenifere, returned with security chiefs and was later joined by Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State and former Governor of the state, Dr. Olusegun Mimiko.

Akeredolu who described the death of Mrs Funke Olakunrin as an ugly incident, has said preventive measures must be taken to ensure that such incident does not reoccur in the state.

http://ondostate.gov.ng/Home/NewsItem/Akeredolu-leads-Makinde--Ondo-Security-Chiefs--Mimiko--Others-to-Fasoranti's-House-

Prophet Jeremiah Omoto Fufeyin saved Journalist from suicide mission









Prophet Jeremiah Omoto Fufeyin, the General Overseer, Christ Mercyland Deliverance Ministry (C.M.D.M), Warri, Delta State, popularly called Mercy City alias ‘The Arena of Solution and Power’ has saved a seasoned journalist, Mr. Emmanuel Ogoigbe from embarking on a suicide mission.

 

Mr. Ogoigbe was a former staff with The Sun Newspaper, a father of seven children with an ailing wife has tried committing suicide on several occasions due to his inability to further his children education and other financial challenges. The journalist wrote letters and sent to over 30 persons whom he has known and helped either to secure jobs, financial assistance etc in the course of practicing as a journalist yet nobody replied so he thought of taking his life to put an end to his misery.

 



 

But when his letter got to Jeremiah Omoto Fufeyin Foundation (JOFF), Prophet Jeremiah Omoto Fufeyin and his amiable wife, Prophetess Anthonia Fufeyin saved him from committing suicide with the word of God, the Holy Bible and the sum of three million naira (N3, 000,000). The Edo state born journalist was perplexed, crying like a baby, and almost fainted while one of his daughters fainted and was revived with water of life as they never imagined such blessings from the man of God.

 



 

In appreciation to God Almighty for using the founder of Mercy Television, Prophet Jeremiah Omoto Fufeyin to save him from embarking on a suicide mission, he said: “I don’t want to die anymore and I want to use this medium to call my colleagues not to think of suicide as an option. I know it’s not easy for us journalists but God will come to our rescue no matter the situation we found ourselves”.

 



 

After the financial blessings, Owomowomo 1 delivered the journalist saying the thought of committing suicide is an evil spirit. The tireless prophet admonished members to imbibe the habit of giving saying is an act of righteousness that comes from our duty as humans to help each other as giving is a strong demonstration of love towards others.

 

click to watch how it happened……….

 

https://youtu.be/Qcneueuo6Rw




by Linda

The Oodua People’s Congress, OPC (Reformed), has joined numerous others in the South-West to call on President Muhammadu Buhari to, as a matter of utmost priority, find immediate and permanent solution to the incessant harassment, kidnapping and killing of the people of the region by Fulani herdsmen who, it said, had penetrated the geopolitical zone.

The president of the group, Ambassador Dare Adesope, made the call at a news conference in Lagos, on Thursday.

According to Adesope, who was represented by the Lagos State coordinator of the group and its secretary-general, Messrs Samson Balogun and Sufian Ogundimu, it is disturbing that Fulani herdsmen have invaded Yorubaland, perpetrating all forms of evil, including kidnapping and killing of our people, especially in Osun, Oyo, Ekiti and Ondo states, such that people, most of whom are farmers, are now living in fear.

“Yorubaland is known as a peaceful place for every law-abiding Nigerian, where foreigners enjoy to live and do business.

“We love and accommodate people, irrespective of tribe, but not those whose mission is to steal, to kill and to destroy our people and resources. We can never tolerate that,” he said.

Adesope said it was not that Youruba people were cowards for appealing for peace to reign as the inability of the Federal Government to stop the excesses of herders could necessitate the region adopting the self-defence of its people and property.

He, however, urged traditional rulers in the region and people in the corridors of power and politicians to prioritise the safety of lives and property of the people of the region over personal and political ambitions.

“Politicians should put aside, for now, their political ambitions towards the 2023 general elections, while the obas should also not wait until their palaces are invaded by herdsmen before they will do something concrete to stop the attacks,” he stressed.


https://tribuneonlineng.com/225940/

Quote:A company in which Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo has a stake, Simmons Coopers Partners, has been linked to another firm, Ocean Trust Limited, which was fingered in an alleged N100bn scam involving Alpha Beta Consulting Limited and Alpha Beta LP.

Ocean Trust Limited, which was accused of being a conduit for diversion and laundering of funds by Alpha Beta, listed Simmons Coopers as its company secretary, documents exclusively obtained from the Corporate Affairs Commission by Saturday PUNCH showed.

Simmons Coopers was listed as a company in which Prof Yemi Osinbajo (now Vice-President) had a stake in his asset declaration form in 2015, according to the statement by the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu.

In a petition submitted to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission in July 2018, Dapo Apara, the erstwhile managing director of Alpha Beta, had alleged that Alpha Beta owed the Federal Government N100bn in unpaid taxes spanning over 10 years, adding that the firm usually laundered funds through another firm, Ocean Trust Limited.

He alleged that the firm was being protected by powerful politicians.

The petition by Apara’s lawyer, Adetunji Adegboyega, read in part, “Over the years, the company (Alpha Beta) has been protected and shielded by some powerful politicians and people in the society which made them to always boast of being untouchable.

“But our client, feeling the need not to keep quiet again and strengthened by his belief in the fact that the government of President Muhammadu Buhari is keen on fighting corruption which has been the bane of our country, is of the firm view that it is time to expose and open the can of worms called Alpha Beta Consulting.

“Our client is of the firm belief that it is time for the commission to step in and conduct a holistic investigation into the activities of Alpha Beta Consulting Limited and Alpha Beta LLP with a view to uncovering the massive corruption, money laundering, tax evasion, etc., going on in the company.


“Kindly note that one of the companies being used to perpetrate money laundering by the company is still another company named Ocean Trust Limited.”

Osinbajo’s reaction

When contacted on the relationship between Osinbajo’s firm, Simmons Coopers and Ocean Trust, the Senior Special Assistant to the Vice-President on Media, Mr Laolu Akande, said he would not comment on the matter unless Saturday PUNCH showed him the document indicating Simmons Coopers was Ocean Trust’s company secretary.

But, a source close to Osinbajo told Saturday PUNCH that “the Vice President has since 2014 left the firm. There is no interest there anymore.”

The source added, “And I think you should talk to the EFCC about its own decisions. It does not make sense that the EFCC will say it is not prosecuting or, as you say, investigating or probing (the allegations) because of what you claimed.”

However, Osinbajo in 2015 listed Simmons Coopers as one of his companies in his asset declaration form.

Where is Ocean Trust?

Saturday PUNCH, which investigated Ocean Trust Limited for three months, conducted a search at the Corporate Affairs Commission.

It was noted during a CAC search that the firm was registered with number 419706 on January 5, 2011, and is located at 684, Idowu Taylor Street, Victoria Island, Lagos and had Gboyega Iyiola and Kunle Akinniyi as shareholders at the inception both of whom relinquished their shares two days later on January 7, 2011.


One of documents exclusively obtained from the Corporate Affairs Commission

Incidentally, the property where Ocean Trust Limited is located shares the same address with the office of former Governor Bola Tinubu of Lagos State known as ‘Freedom House’.

All efforts to contact Ocean Trust Limited proved futile as investigations by Saturday PUNCH showed that the company might no longer be in operation.

Also, attempts to speak with its management turned out to be a wild goose chase.

When one of our correspondents visited the company’s address at the Freedom House, Plot 684, Idowu Taylor Street, a fair-complexioned lady, who said she was an employee of Ocean Trust Limited, told Saturday PUNCH that the company was no longer located there.

When asked if it was true that the firm was being used to launder funds for Alpha Beta, the lady, who refused to identify herself, asked our correspondent to send an email which she would forward to her boss.

Over three weeks after one of our correspondents sent her an email, a response was still being awaited as of the time of filing this report on Friday.

A visit to Ocean Trust’s second listed address at 42 Norman Williams Avenue, Ikoyi, Lagos yielded no positive result as the compound looked deserted having been overtaken by weeds.


Another document obtained from the CAC …
Saturday PUNCH met with a lady, who simply gave her name as Blessing, and confirmed that the place was being used by Ocean Trust. She, however, said she could not speak on any issue as the place was only a correspondence office.

After a brief chat, she gave one of our reporters a phone number that she claimed belonged to an accountant with Ocean Trust.

When Saturday PUNCH called the number, a man who picked the phone said he was not a staff member of the company.

After one of our correspondents told Blessing that the ‘accountant’ denied working for Ocean Trust, she referred him to the head office on 9 Grace Anjous Street, Lekki Phase I to make an enquiry.

When one of our correspondents got to the address, a male receptionist initially confirmed that the office belonged to Ocean Trust.

However, after an introduction as a journalist, he retracted his statement and said the premises belonged to Paragon Holdings and only delivered correspondences to Ocean Trust.

He said, “Ocean Trust is not one of our partners; they used to use here to receive correspondences, but they no longer come here.

“They are not our partners again. Here, we only deal with their files, both physical and electronic.”

While questioning the receptionist on why he had earlier admitted that the place belonged to Ocean Trust, another man emerged from one of the offices in the building and said Ocean Trust was no longer in existence.

He said, “To the best of my knowledge, Ocean Trust is not functioning. We only receive correspondences for them, but in terms of business, they stopped existing before the end of the (former Lagos State Governor Babatunde) Fashola’s administration. We don’t even know who they are. They’ve folded up since.”

EFCC yet to take action

One year after Apara’s petition, the EFCC has yet to take any action on the matter.

The EFCC spokesman, Tony Orilade, had said in February that the petitioner should send a reminder as the petition could not be traced.

In a recent chat with Saturday PUNCH on why the commission had refused to respond to media inquiries for over a month, the EFCC spokesman asked one of our correspondents to give him more time to react.

Efforts made thereafter to get a response from the EFCC did not yield result.

As of Friday when this report was being filed, Orilade had yet to respond.

Apara, who accused the firm of tax evasion to the tune of N100bn, also told Saturday PUNCH that the EFCC had yet to contact him a year after the petition had been submitted.

“I have still not been contacted by the EFCC,” he said in response to an inquiry.

Alpha Beta’s controversies

Alpha Beta Consulting was awarded a contract by the Tinubu-led government after a recommendation by a committee comprising the then attorney-general of Lagos State, Prof Osinbajo (now the Vice-President); Mr Wale Edun, the then commissioner for finance; and a former commissioner for economic planning and budget, Yemi Cardoso.

The firm was subsequently given exclusive rights to collect taxes on behalf of Lagos State and was believed to receive about 10 per cent commission from the revenue it collected for the state.

However, pro-transparency groups and opposition politicians have constantly alleged that Tinubu owns Alpha Beta.

In 2012, a Lagos-based medical doctor, Dominic Adegbola, filed a Freedom of Information request to state authorities, seeking detailed information on all Alpha Beta contracts with Lagos State since 1999.

But the state’s Attorney-General then, Ade Ipaye, (now Osinbajo’s chief of staff), rejected the request, insisting that the FoI was a federal law that did not apply to the states.

However, in November 2017, a state judge ruled that the FoI was applicable to Lagos State. The judge said the law was duly enacted by the National Assembly and did not require domestication to take effect in states.

When one of our correspondents visited the office of Alpha Beta at the Lagos Water Corporation Building, Ijora Causeway, Lagos, the company’s Head of Corporate Support Services and General Counsel, Mr Omogbemi Adelagun, said the matter was already in court and, therefore, he could not comment on the issue.

“If the matter had not been taken to court, we would have been able to react to it. So, right now, we cannot say anything until the court rules on the case,” he said.

Alpha Beta LLP had, however, said in an advertorial in response to the allegations levelled against it by its former MD that the accusations were illogical and false.

The advertorial read in part, “Alpha Beta has been visibly engaged by the Lagos State Government since 2002 as a forensic, internal control and enhancement adviser. In working with the state, Alpha Beta helped develop the state’s centralised transaction platforms, the precursor to the present-day Treasury Single Account.”

The firm said at the time it entered into the contract with Lagos State, the state was taking in the sum of N600m in internally generated revenue per month but things had since changed for the better.

Former MD heads to court

Meanwhile, the Alpha Beta’s former managing director, Apara, has approached a Federal High Court, Abuja, “directing an investigation to be made by the Corporate Affairs Commission into the conduct of Alpha Beta Consulting Limited.”

Apara, who said he had been and remained a director of the firm since its incorporation, with control of 30 per cent of its shares value, also alleged that the financial records of the company filed with the CAC and tax authorities did not reflect the actual profits of the company or of its directors.

He alleged among others in the suit that he and shareholders of the company were being owed their remunerations.

Also praying for the takeover of the management of the company by an appointee of the court, the suit urged the court “to appoint a receiver or a receiver manager of the property of Alpha Beta Consulting Limited.”

The suit, couched as a “petition” and brought under the Companies Proceedings Rules and Order 5 of the Federal High Court (Civil Procedure) Rules 2009, was filed on November 9, 2018 and marked FHC/ABJ/PET/2018.

When contacted on the telephone, a former Senior Partner at Simmons Coopers, Babatunde Irukera, said he had never heard of Ocean Trust Limited and wondered how Simmons Coopers could have served as its company secretary.

Irukera, who is now the Executive Secretary, Consumer Protection Council and had served as managing partner at Simmons Coopers during the time in question, directed our correspondent to another partner, Victoria Alonge.

Alonge told Saturday PUNCH that she had never heard of Ocean Trust Limited and asked Saturday PUNCH for more time.

She said Simmons Coopers had checked all its records and had not found Ocean Trust in its books, adding that it had no record with the CAC.

When one of our correspondents dictated the contents of the document linking Simmons Coopers with Ocean Trust, Alonge expressed shock and asked that the document be sent to her.

She, however, maintained that Vice-President Osinbajo was a man of honour and honesty and would never hinder the EFCC from doing its job.

Alonge said, “Simmons Coopers has never had any dealings with Ocean Trust. We are also doing our own investigations. We checked our Abuja records and Ocean Trust is not stated there. This is new to us and it cannot be insinuated that Prof Osinbajo is stopping the EFCC from doing its job.

“For us, there is nothing to hide. As a partner, I should be in a position to know. We are still checking our records and we haven’t found anything.”

https://punchng.com/osinbajos-firm-linked-to-company-fingered-in-alleged-n100bn-alpha-beta-scam/

Police arrest 10-members of a notorious syndicate that specialize in robbing bank customers in Lagos






No fewer that ten members of a notorious armed robbery gang, which specialises in robbing bank customers, have been arrested by operatives of Inspector General of Police Intelligence Response Team in Lagos State.  
 
The suspects identified as Musibau Ogunbiyi, Rilwan Olarinwajo, Wahab Wasiu, Akeem Hassan, Idowu Taofiq, Sadiq Alada, Razaq Isah, Tunji Kundus, Tijani Koyim and Ibrahim Olagoke were apprehended after robbing a businessman of N2m in his shop at the Abule-Egbe area of Lagos.    
 
According to reports, the businessman, whose name has been withheld, reported the incident to the Inspector General of Police, Adamu Mohammed, through a petition where he disclosed that his mobile phones and those of his staff members were collected during the robbery operation.  
 
IGP Mohammed immediately detailed operatives of the IRT to go after the culprits and ensure those responsible were arrested. During investigation, the IRT operatives were said to have discovered that those behind the robbery were members of a notorious gang operating on motorcycles and had been terrorising residents of Lagos, especially customers making withdrawals at banks.  
 
An IRT official, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said, “During their operation, one of the gang members usually stays on a motorcycle and trails a bank customer with money before alerting his colleagues waiting nearby.

Quote:“They will thereafter rob and dispossess the unsuspecting victim of the money and other valuables. We discovered that the suspects have been in this business for a long time and have robbed several bank customers in various part of Lagos. Based on the IGP’s directives, we swooped on the suspects and arrested 10 of them from different parts of Lagos and Ogun states.” 

Quote:“I am into aluminium production but went into armed robbery in 2017 after being introduced to it by a guy named Tunde. There was a day he invited me to follow him to do his business and asked me to go to a bank at Idimu and stand beside the ATM to monitor people withdrawing huge amount of money.  
“The plan was for me to call our bikeman who is Akeem Hassan once we identify a target so that we could start trailing the person. Tunde usually joins us later and we rob the person of his money.
Sometimes, when I am standing by the ATM, I also monitor customers coming out of the bank with nylon bags of money before trailing such persons until we rob them. So far, I have trailed over eight bank customers and built a house with the money I made from the robbery operations.”

by Linda Ikeji at

Photo: Ugandan man hacks wife with machete over alleged infidelity






Police in Bugweri District, Uganda, are hunting for a man who hacked his wife after accusing her of having extramarital affairs with another man.
 
The incident occurred on Wednesday at Butende village in Ibulanku Sub County where the suspect hacked his wife Ziriya Nankwaga several using a panga.
 
According to reports, trouble started two days ago when Ms Nakwanga returned home after spending three days at her parents’ home in the nearby Buyanga Sub County.
 
Ms Kamida Kagoya, 70, a grandmother to the suspect who stays at the couple’s home, said that when the woman returned, the husband started accusing her of planning to quit their marriage.
 
“The two had a verbal exchange and it was from there that the man tried to hang Ms Nakwanga, but I intervened and separated them,” he said.
 
Ms Kagoya said that on the fateful night, his grandson arrived home at about 8.00pm and asked the woman to open the door, in vain.
“Ms Nankwanga feared to open the door and the man passed through the window and started beating her. When the mother of three tried to escape, the suspect picked a panga and hacked her several times,” she said.
 
After hacking the woman, the suspect turned to the two-year-old child who remained in the house when her siblings took off for safety. Ms Nakwanga and her child were rushed to Iganga Hospital where they are currently receiving medical treatment, but still in bad condition.
 
The Bugweri District police commander Mr John Nkudizana confirmed the incident saying the woman’s right hand was chopped off by the suspect while the baby was cut on the thighs.
“The woman was hacked several times on the head, hands, abdomen and other body parts. One of the hands was cut off, it is very unfortunate,” he said.
 
Mr Nkudizana said that the suspect managed to escape, but they are tireless hunting for him to face the law.
“We call upon members of the public who could be having any clue about the whereabouts of the suspect to share with us information such that he can be brought to book,” he said.

by Linda Ikeji at 13/

We have invested N900bn on power since assumption of office – Osinbajo






Vice President Yemi Osinbajo says the present administration has invested N900 billion in the power sector since it took over from the last administration in 2015. 
 
Osinbajo revealed this during his courtesy visit to Chike Edozien, the Asagba of Asaba, on Friday. Noting that one of the problem in the power sector is that Distribution Companies (Discos) control a particular territory, the Vice President stated that the Buhari Government is working towards resolving the challenges. 

Quote:”Since assumption of office, we have invested so far in terms of support N700 billion in the power sector. Earlier, we invested N200 billion,” he said.
”And now we are saying that any company that wants to provide power to any territory, should be able to provide power for the territory and the people. We have been able to break the existing monopoly in the power sector. Whether upgrade or not, the DisCos should be able to serve the people. Another strategy we are trying to introduce is to open up the power sector by restructuring", he added. 

by Linda Ikeji at 13/07

Photo: Little boy scared of getting circumcised climbed up a roof and refused to come down for three hours






A photo shared on Facebook by Anik Sutari, a doctor living in Serang, Banten, Indonesian, shows a scared little boy sitting on a roof to avoid getting circumcised.
 
The post has gone viral since Dr. Anik posted it on Monday, and garnered over 2,400 likes and over 1000 shares.
 
According to tradition, most Indonesian boys, especially Muslims, get circumcised around the age of five.
 
Dr. Anik said everybody tried to talk the boy down, but nobody dared to come up to the roof out of fear the child might run away and endanger his safety. After two hours of waiting, there were still no signs that the child wanted to go down, but suddenly his parents thought to call the boy’s teacher. Later, the boy’s teacher arrived on the scene and with a little persuasion, was finally able to talk to boy down. Read her post below.
 

Quote:"Throughout the history of my profession, 20 years of nyunat, and from thousands of children that I have been circumcision, just now his child ran away until he went up the roof
Everyone is trying to seduce, but no one dares to get rid of him because he is afraid of his child running and endangering his safety
After 2 hours waiting, but no sign of child want to go down, suddenly his parents remember someone, bu teacher......!!!
Yaaaaa....... it's the guru......!!!!
It's true..... as soon as the teacher comes, with a little persuasion finally the child wants to go down......
And the more magical...... the child walks himself towards the place of circumcision execution, directly positioning himself, without being led especially forced.......
Even until circumcision is done not thrashing / snapped, not crying and not complaining at all......
Praise be to Allah.
It's only 10 minutes.......
But Nunggunya...... 3 hours.......!!!!
But it's okay..... 3 hours is not a long time if it is compared to a very valuable lesson that I get from a great one........ the teacher"

by Linda

26 people including several foreigners killed and 56 others injured in a suicide bomb and gun attack by Al-Shabaab militants on a popular hotel in Somalia






At least 26 people, including several foreigners, were killed and 56 injured in a suicide bomb and gun attack claimed by Al-Shabaab militants on a popular hotel in southern Somalia.
 
According to local media, a suicide bomber rammed a vehicle loaded with explosives into the Medina hotel in the port town of Kismayo on Friday before several heavily armed gunmen forced their way inside, shooting sporadically.  
 
The siege lasted for almost 12 hours and only ended on Saturday morning after clashes with security forces.

Quote:Three Kenyans, three Tanzanians, two Americans, one British and one Canadian were among the 26 people killed in the attack, president Ahmed Mohamed Islam of the semi-autonomous Jubaland region told a news conference. There are also two wounded Chinese citizens, he added.

Quote:“There is chaos inside, I saw several dead bodies carried from the scene and people are fleeing from the nearby buildings. “The blast was very big” witness Hussein Muktar said during the assault.

by Linda Ikeji at 13/07

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Sometimes in February 2016, this young boy was condemned to die after a pastor accused him of witchcraft and his images went vural. Abandoned by his parents and community. He was rescued by Anja Ringgren Loven, a Danish woman living in Nigeria at the time who bent down and began feeding the boy and giving him water. She runs a children's centre where the children she saves receive medical care, food and schooling.

Ms Loven is the founder of African Children's Aid Education and Development Foundation, which she created to help children which have been labelled as witches and therefore neglected and even killed by members of their community.

Three years, 5 months later, this is him. Back to school, eating well and his new name is HOPE




See more pictures here https://thickmatch.com/magical-transform...itchcraft/

Little girl dragged into a shop and raped in Ondo state (graphic photos)





 
Another rape incident was recorded last night in Ondo State, and it involved a little girl whose private part was torn as a result of the sad incident. 
 
It was gathered that the little girl identified as Oluwatosin Abosede, was dragged into a shop and raped by an unknown person. The police was also accused of having cold feet in investigating the incident, as they allegedly dropped off the girl at Irele General Hospital in Irele local government area of Ondo state and left immediately. 
 
@Ogbeni_BamBam tweeted; 

Quote:This girl you are seeing in the picture above is Oluwatosin Abosede , She was dragged into a shop and raped severely this evening by one unfortunate guy (unknown yet) , According to the information source...
She was dropped in Irele General Hospital, Irele local government, Ondo state by some officers of NPF that left immediately and not ready to take the case up (this according to is the only police station in this particular area).
This little girl vagina is severely torn and will be needing suturing. Help rebroadcast this until we get somebody to help this little girl fight for her life & justice

The Presidency has declared that since the take off of N-Power, one of the social investment programme of the federal government in December 2016, that none of the beneficiaries has been owed. It also disclosed that so far the sum of N279 billion has been spent on the stipend paid to beneficiaries of the programme from December 2016 till date.

The Senior Special Assistant (SSA) to the President on Job Creation and Youth Employment, Office of the Vice President, Afolabi Imoukhuede, made the disclosure while fielding questions from journalists on Friday. The N-Power programme is one of the National Social Investment Programmes (NSIP) introduced by the President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration towards creating jobs and ameliorating poverty in the land.

While giving the breakdown of the stipend disbursed, the presidential aide explained that N30,000 monthly was paid to the 500,000 youths engaged under the N-Power programme since December 2016.

According to Imoukhuede, the first batch of 200,000 youths have earned a total of N180 billion for 30 months from December 2016 to June 2019 with a monthly bill of N6 billion.


He further disclosed that additional N9 billion monthly bill was paid from August 2018 to June 2019 totaling N99 billion for the second batch of 300,000 youths engaged under the N-Power programme.

According to him, “It is very simple when talking about amount that has been invested. I am saying that in Batch 1, they started earning from December 2016, so roughly we invest N72 billion annually just for Batch 1 alone. That is aside from the gadgets that they get and aside from from all the sponsored trainings that they get.

“For instance, all the trainings on agric for N-Agro, training for health for those who are in health, we sponsor all of that through the federal agencies, ministry of agriculture and ministry of health.

“So direct on our people is N30,000 x 200,000 = N6 billion every month for the first batch which started in 2016. So they have been there for over two years, that is N72 billion multiply by two years or thereabout.

“But since August last year, the wage bill moved from N6 billion to N15 billion because it’s now 500,000 of them that earn N30,000 monthly. We have been on N15 billion for almost one year because by end of July it will be one year that we have been making that investment every month.

“So if you put it together that just tells you how much investment we have made and like I have said, we don’t owe anyone because the money is paid directly to them not through a proxy.”

The Presidential aide further explained that the scheme was designed to solve the problems of unemployment Nigerian youths were facing after graduation.

Imoukhuede speaking on the plans to recruit National Youth Service Corps members and beneficiaries of the N’Power programme to beef up the manpower needs of the Nigeria Police Force, said the proposal actually came from the managers of the programme. He said the SIP office actually supplied the data to the Nigeria Governors Forum, describing the beneficiaries as fully trained foot soldiers spread in all 774 local government areas in the country. The corps members and N’Power cadets are to make up for the inadequacy of the ongoing recruitment of 10,000 additional hands by the police.

https://www.akelicious.net/2019/07/fg-no...aries.html

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OUR ENDLESS TALES OF WOE
•Farmers relive ugly experiences with killer herdsmen, demand heavy compensation
by INNOCENT DURU
July 13, 2019

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These are not the best of times for the leaders of the various farmers’ associations across the country, given their members’ ugly experiences with killer herdsmen in recent times. They are particularly miffed by what some of them described as government’s deafening silence and neglect in the face of mindless attacks and losses they are experiencing at the hands murderous herdsmen. INNOCENT DURU reports on their grievances and expectations from the federal government.

One of my members in Saki (Oyo State) once harvested yams. But before he could pack them, some herdsmen led their cows there and made them to eat up the yams. He reported to the police but got no response. The same thing happened when he harvested another set of yams, so when he harvested the yams the third time, he applied chemicals on them. The cows ate the poisoned yams and all died. The police arrested the farmer and detained him in Saki for three days before they transferred him to their headquarters in Ibadan.”

Those were the words of the Chairman of Oyo State Farmers Association, Mr Ayoola Ajibesin, as he gave a disturbing account of his members’ ordeal at the hands of vicious herdsmen terrorising the area. From his voice and countenance, one could tell the frustration he has gone through dealing with the onslaught of herders on his members. Emotion ran through his face and his voice quaked as he recalled the plight of his members.
“We have suffered immeasurable losses at the hands of herders. They have killed our members in their numbers in places like Igboora, Ibarapa North and Ibarapa Central. Not only do they kill our members, they also destroy our farms. Once they run into my members harvesting yam, they would make their cows to eat the yams. The police don’t care about our plight.

“Herdsmen’s attacks on our members are more prevalent in Oke Ogun. Our members don’t get to eat the fruits of their labour. We are tired of all this. We don’t want the government to bring herdsmen’s settlement to our area at all. The government has never even given us anything to assuage the losses we have suffered,” he said.
 
Benue
Besides killing and maiming hapless farmers and destroying farmlands, the atrocities of the herdsmen is said to have assumed another dimension in Benue State. According to the state’s farmers’ association chairman, Aondongu Saaku, herdsmen have also begun to poison wells to make sure that the water is not useful to the surviving farmers.

Aondongu’s voice reverberated with obvious distress as he relived the ugly experiences of his members.
He said: “In some places, they burnt houses and dropped chemicals in the wells so that the waters there would not be useful. They carry out the attacks in such a way that the farmers would not be able to regain their losses. We experience loss of human lives, loss of farmlands and loss of crops which could have been used to start fresh planting.
“Farmers are scared of going to the farms. Fish farmers are also not spared. Once the herdsmen catch them at the river bank, they kill them. But in all this, we have never received any support from the government. When we tried getting support from ANCHOR Borrowers’ Scheme, they didn’t give us anything.
“We have also got no approval for the one we are trying to get from NISSER. Our members have not only been made jobless, they have also become beggars. They are dying of hunger because they have no access to anything.

“The damage to our farms is such that it is very difficult for anything to survive now. The economic trees have been cut down and the farms are completely run down that anything remaining is mere dust.”

The District Head of Odugbehan community in Agatu Local Government Area of the state, Hon Bawa Haruna, also bemoaned what he described as “the irredeemable losses” that farmers in the area have suffered at the hands of herders.
For Bawa, who said he had witnessed gruesome killing of many of his kinsmen by deadly herdsmen, speaking out against their menace and paying for it is better than keeping quiet and pretending that all is well.

In a tone of lamentation, he said: “We have lost a huge number of farmers in Agatu to herders’ attacks. We can’t replace our fathers, mothers and children that were killed. We have no hope for the future as I talk to you now.

“It is pathetic that after all that we have suffered and lost, the federal government has not deemed it fit to give us even a seedling to put back on the farms. How can you be doing that and claim that you want to use agriculture to serve as the mainstay of the economy?

“I cannot recover what I have personally lost to the herders’ attacks. I have nothing to feed my family with. My five hectares of farmland filled with yam were destroyed. Another five hectares of rice was destroyed. One and a half hectares of kolanut was destroyed. Two hectares of cashew, two hectares of banana and so on were all destroyed by herders in one fell swoop.

“I am mentioning all these so that you can record it. I have no fear of anybody. Rather, I am prepared to die since I have lost a good number of people. The same thing has happened to countless number of my kinsmen and nobody in the central government has said ordinary sorry to us, not to talk of giving us any form of assistance.


Delta

It was also tales of sorrow, tears and blood in Delta State where the farmers’ association chairman, Umunna Anthony, described the herders’ menace as a serious issue that had dampened his members’ morale in farming.
According to Umunna, “rape is an understatement when it comes to what the herders do to our women.  They simply attack people for no just reason and you can’t just ask them why they brought their cows into your farm. The most disturbing thing now is that when somebody is working on his or her farm, they would go there and kill the person. This is why we are worried.
“Once people hear that herders are around their farms, for two to three days, they would not even go close to the area. Before now, I could be coming from Abuja around 3 am and would get down at Isleleukwu and trek down to Ubulukwu. There is a settlement the herders now have in that area and that makes it difficult for people to even pass in their cars. We weren’t t seeing all that before now.
“The herders that were here before were living peacefully. But the rustlers that came from along Ughelli are the ones that are causing this havoc. They pass through Ugheli, Obiaruku, to Oghara axis.”
 
Taraba

The story is not different in Taraba State where the farmers’ chairman, Bala Tawah, said that farms have become an abattoir where farmers are regularly slaughtered.
He said: “We have suffered a lot in the hands of herdsmen here in Taraba. Besides human lives, properties were destroyed. Farmlands have been abandoned and that has affected farming activities. If you quantify these, you will find out that it is a colossal loss.
“Our members are not going to farm anymore because many of them have been displaced. Unfortunately, we have never received any support from the federal government. If our members had received any support, they would have gone back to farm.”

More disturbing tales

The chairman of Association of Small Scale Agro Producers in Nigeria (ASSAPIN), Olaniyi believes that the government is not serious about its claim that it desires making agriculture a major income earner for the country, given the experiences of farmers at the hands of herdsmen.
He said: “Sometime ago, I planted cassava on 30 acres of land. The investment cost me so much money. One day, I got there and found that the farm had been razed by herdsmen.
“The chief of the community through whom I acquired the land told me that he had seen the havoc on my farm. He said he got the herders and they said they would pay me between N20,000 and N30,000 for the destruction of my farm. I just laughed, because I could not be chasing shadows.
“Besides, one needed to be careful of what the herders could do. They weren’t even as dangerous as they are today then, but because I have my life to live, I packed my things and left the area. I returned to Osogbo to look for another place to farm.
“In 2014, I had some contract farmers planting rice for me. One day, one of the men working for me called that I should come because herders were on the prowl. It became a police matter and I made the police to understand that the man was just working for me.

“In the long run, the man said the police gave him N30,000 as the money they collected from the herdsmen in my absence.
“Last year, a woman here in Osun lost about 30 acres of rice farm to the herders’ menace. These are the series of ugly things we experience in the farms. “
The President of Cocoa Farmers Association of Nigeria (CFAN), Adeola Adegoke also gave account of how herders have been using their farms as hideouts to carry out heinous crimes.

He said: “Most of our farmers have abandoned the farms because of the atrocities being committed by the herders. This has resulted in serious losses, because when you leave your farm and cannot observe your agronomy farming, it means when you are to apply fungicides, you will not; when you are to apply pesticides, you will not. Invariably, you are losing the farm.
“These are the issues we are grappling with as cocoa farmers. Their presence creates fear because they also rape women. Our wives and children who used to assist us are no longer going to the farm with us.

“If you look at my inauguration speech, I called on the government to come and rescue cocoa farmers from herdsmen’s attacks. As cocoa farmers, we also have other crops that we are growing.  Sometimes, the herders occupy our land and kidnap people. They sometimes use our farms as hideouts, and when we see this, we as cocoa farmers run for our lives. “

Also condemning the herders’ activities, the National President of Bee Keepers of Nigeria, Dr Dokun Olagunju, said: “It is a rational and logical thinking to ask for compensation for farmers, but there is nothing like that. We have never had anything like that. Even what we want primarily is that they should stop these herdsmen from infiltrating the farmlands, especially in the rural villages where they kidnap and kill people.
“You cannot bring foreigners to my land with AK 47. How can people be on their farms and some people will just come and kill them when they had never met in life? You come to his God-given territory and kill him. That kind of thing gives one headache.
“They are not bothered about compensating farmers but they want herders to take over the nooks and crannies of the country. That kind of move is a time bomb.

“We are not into bee keeping alone. We are into integrated agriculture. The person keeping bee also engages in crop farming. Even if you are only keeping bee and you are not sure of going to farm and returning safely, it would discourage you. The whole thing is frightening. It will affect agricultural production generally because there would be a sharp fall in agricultural produce.”
 
Farmers demand N259 billion compensation from govt

The chairmen of the various state farmers’ associations have demanded the sum of N259 .1 billion as compensation from the federal government for the losses their members have suffered at the hands of herdsmen.
The Oyo State chair, Ajibesin, said: “We know that the government does not care about compensating us for all that we have lost. But going by the volume of what we have lost, if there should be compensation from government to farmers in Oyo State, it should not be less than N40 billion.

“Even if this amount is given, it can never replace the lives of our promising members that have been murdered by the herders.
His Delta State counterpart, Umunna, said the state does not deserve anything less than N50 billion as compensation for the losses suffered by famers in the state.
“The lives that they have taken is another issue because you cannot quantify that in monetary terms,” he said, adding: “N50 billion compensation would be a starting point for all the losses that our people have suffered at the hands of herders.
“Western countries have the highest figure of cattle rearing but you will never find their cattle on the street.
The same sum was demanded as compensation by Taraba State farmers’ chairman, Tawah.
He said: “To arrive at the value of what we have lost, we have to get the total number of displaced families. An average family has about five hectares. If you quantify the value of the crops and other things, we would be looking at about N50 billion. “
The Benue State farmers’ chairman, Aondongu, said: “We should be asking for nothing less than N45 billion from the government as compensation. This cannot be adequate but it would help our members to bounce back.

Looking at the magnitude of losses recorded by his kinsmen, the head of Odugbehan Community in Agatu LGA, Bawa Haruna, requested for N50 billion compensation for farmers in the area.
He said: “If I would ask for compensation for Agatu alone, it should be nothing less than N50 billion. I cannot estimate the losses in other 22 local government areas. Agatu is well known for farming, and when you talk of Benue State being the food basket of the nation, it is Agatu that contributes the largest part.

“Many of our people are now begging for food. We were not known for begging, but that is what our people have been reduced to. Now they are talking of taking our lands for RUGA. That is rather unfortunate and it amounts to adding insult to our injury.”
For farmers in Osun State who have had their farms destroyed by herders, Olaniyi, the ASSAPIN chair, demanded an average of N20 billion compensation. But he expressed doubt over government’s readiness to compensate farmers.
He said: “If you are waiting for compensation from government, in the next two to three years, you may not get anything. Government will query you and give you reason why the money cannot be paid. This is a country where you don’t need to bother yourself pursuing shadows.
“Even if the government comes to your farm and sees the damage, they would still be asking you questions. Even when the government wants to pay, through who are they going to pay you? Directly or through somebody or one agent?
“How are you sure the money will get to your pocket? This is why I don’t want to reply on Nigerian government for anything again. Whatever I have the capacity to do on my own, I would do.

“For a state like Osun, N20 billion should be enough to compensate affected farmers.”
Also making a request for compensation of his members, the chairman of farmers in Plateau State said they were agitating for the kind of support given to farmers in the North East.
He said: “In the North East, both subsistent and big time farmers are being compensated. That is what we also want. If we are given between N3 billion and N4 billion, it would go a long way to help our members.”

Admitting that his state has not suffered too much damage at the hands of herders, Imo State chairman of the farmers’ association, Chief Japhet Duru, said there has not been conscious codification of what farmers have lost to herders in the state, adding: “But we would be looking at the region of N100 million, because the damage is not so much as you have in places like Benue and other places where farming is very high.
“In some places like Ohaji, Ngo Okpala and some others, herders have destroyed farmers’ crops. There has been no form of compensation to the farmers by the government.”
Efforts made to get the reactions of the Presidency yielded no result at press time. The Senior Special Assistant to the President on Information, Mallam Garba Shehu, who asked our reporter to send  a text to his phone had not responded to the reporter’s enquiries at press time.

Passengers at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, have expressed disappointment in Dana airline meant to fly them from Abuja to Port-Harcourt.

A cross section of the passengers who spoke with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Friday at the airport described their experience as unfortunate.

One of the passengers, Mr waribo Kuku, said he was supposed to board Dana flight from Abuja to Port-harcourt since Wednesday (July 10), but no flight was available.

Kuku called on the management of Dana airline to compensate him for the delay and inconvenience.



He also appealed to relevant authorities, such as the Federal Airport Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), Consumers Protection Council and SERVICOM, to address such grievances and ensure that customers were adequately compensated to serve as adeterrent.

Another passenger, Mr Jerry Wanodi, told NAN that he was booked a Dana flight from Abuja to Port-harcourt since Thursday but couldn’t board the flight due to rescheduling and cancellation of the flight .

Wanodi said that he had been at the airport since 2 p.m on July 11, up till the 6.30 p.m and there was no sign of any Dana Air flight on ground.

Another passenger of the same airline who pleaded for anonymity said he was disappointed with Dana and threatened to sue them for damages.


“I have to go back to my family, you know how women think. It’s like I have been giving excuses on why I haven’t come home yet.

“I am so disappointed with Dana Air and I want relevant authorities to ban Dana from flying in Nigeria

“I also want them to pay compensation to me for keeping me at the airport since Thursday,” he said.

Similarly, Mr Berepelebo George told NAN that he has lost an opportunity to be gainfully employed because of the cancelled flight.



“I have an interview appointment with an organisation in Port-harcourt which I have missed due to flight cancellations.

“I want the relevant authorities to have regulations on airlines to tackle this impunity,” he urged.

Mrs Amaka Ojeka, another sad passenger, described the development as a national embarrassment.

Ojeka narrated how she flew in from Germany, noting that there was no stroller at the international wing and had to wait for 45 minites before she was able to secure one.

She also expresded regretd that she has been waiting to board Dana to Port-Harcourt but found out that there was no aircraft on ground.

“I am disappointed by what is going on at the airport because you can’t find this in a developed society.

“They are not organised and why is Dana not returning my money but they sent a message via email for me to come to the airport and there was no plane on ground.

“I went back and paid a hotel bill of N10,000 as well as airport taxi.

“Government should look into the matter and take appropriate measures to address it,” she said.

The FAAN authorities and Dana Air management were yet to react to the development in spite of media inquiries.

NAN reports that the passengers waiting to board Dana Airline flight to Portharcourt and Lagos have been kept in suspence amidst mounting anxiety.

See more here; http://gistmore.com/passengers-stranded-...al-airport

Woman pours hot water on husband over second wife




 
A Kano State Primary school teacher's plan to marry a second wife, saw him badly scalded by the hot water his wife, Lauratu Ahmad, poured on him.
 
The distraught wife had been given money by her husband, Mallam Aliyu Ibrahim Fayan-Fayan, to buy some things for herself in consolation over the wedding. However while Ibrahim Fayan-fayan was listening to a radio programme around 10pm on Thursday at their home in Danbatta Local Government Area of Kano State, she stormed the room he was in and poured hot water on his body targeting his private part. 

Quote:“Since the time I told her about my plan to marry another wife, I did not see any change of attitude from her and we had been living together peacefully. In fact, she promised me that she would be among those that would buy the wedding items for the bride,” he said.
“Last night after I returned home, I bought some meat for them. I met her boiling the water, but I had no idea what she was going to use it for,” he added. 

#bbnaija 2019: Ceec Commends Diane For Speaking Against Tacha
 
 
The former Big Brother Naija housemate, Cynthia Nwadiora popularly known as CeeC was also a sauce during her own season of BBNaija as she got loved by so many viewers while in the house.

She opted in for this on going Big Brother Naija PepperDem season where she commended one of the most beautiful female housemate, Diane for speaking against Tacha who has been so saucy in the house from the start.

CeeC showed her support for Diane in the process, see what she wrote...

Quote:BREAKING: Killing Of Fasoranti's Daughter Declaration Of War On Yoruba -Odumakin.Says herdsmen will 'hear' from Yoruba nation

Yinka Odumakin, spokesperson for Afenifere says the killing of Mrs. Funke Olakunrin is a declaration of war on Yoruba people.

Odumakin said herdsmen attacked and killed Mrs Olakunrin, daughter of Pa Reuben Fasoranti, leader of the Yoruba socio-cultural organisation, Afenifere on the Benin-Ore road.

Odumakin said: “When they started with the kidnapping process, they started with Olu Falae, a prominent leader in Akure.

“Whether deliberately or intentionally, this is clearly a declaration of war on the Yoruba. They shall hear from the Yoruba nation.”He also condemned the incessant attacks of herdsmen in South-western part of Nigeria.

Narrating how the attack happened, Odumakin said: “Yes. Mrs Funke Olakunrin, 58 years old, daughter of leader of Afenifere was coming from Akure this morning (Friday) to Lagos.

“When she got to Ore, shortly as she was to hit the express, Fulani herdsmen emerged from the bush, started shooting at her car, maybe they wanted to kidnap her or not, shot at her car and she died from gunshot while her maid who was with her in the car sustained gunshot injury."

The Afenifere spokesperson stated that the group would not take the killing lightly and that would only signal an end to the terror reign of the herdsmen in the region.

"The people will hear from us. They started with Olu Falae. They macheted him, kept him in the bush for four days before Ondo State government paid a ransom to get Falae out. With this, this is the beginning of the end of their kidnap in Yorubaland,” Odumakin said.

Buhari says armed robbers, not Fulani herdsmen killed Afenifere leader’s daughter, Funke




 
President Buhari in his reaction to the killing of Afenifere leader’s daughter, Mrs Funke Olakunrin, debunked claims which linked the incident to Fulani herdsmen. 
 
Recall that it was reported that Olakunrin was shot dead, after being attacked alongside other road users by suspected Fulani herdsmen at Ore junction in Ondo State earlier on Friday. 
 
The Presidency in its statement, said Pa Reuben Fasoranti's daughter was killed by armed robbers and not Fulani herdsmen as claimed by eyewitnesses. The statement by President Buhari's Special Adviser on (Media & Publicity) Femi Adesina on Twitter reads,

Quote:“President Muhammadu Buhari condoles with Afenifere leader, Pa Reuben Fasoranti, whose daughter, Mrs Funke Olakunrin was killed along Ondo-Ore road by those described as armed robbers by Ondo Police Command.He prays God to give Pa Fasoranti fortitude to bear the loss."

Police arrest two in possession of human skulls in Oyo





 
Two suspects identified as Basiru Abdullahi and Martin Adekola, both from Oja Funi area of Ede, Osun State, have been arrested by the Oyo State Police Command for being in possession of human skulls. 
 
The suspects paraded alongside 53 others for various offences including armed robbery and cultism, were arrested on July 11 after being unable to give satisfactory account of the human skulls they were in possession of. Speaking to newsmen, Commissioner of Police, Mr Shina Olukolu said; 

Quote: “On July 11, 2019, at about 1600hrs patrol team attached to Ikoyi Ile/Ogbomoso road led by inspector Benjamin Olayiwola intercepted Abdullahi Basiru and Adekola Martin both of Oja Funi Area, Ede, Osun state with two human skulls.”

RHAPSODY OF REALITIES

SATURDAY, 13TH JULY.

KEEN TO DO GOOD

And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not (Galatians 6:9).
Nowadays, there’re those who have resolved not to be kind and helpful to others anymore. Why? They’ve had bad experiences, or seen other people who have been harmed or taken advantage of, in their bid to help others.

Our societies have become increasingly cruel such that many have shut their bowels of mercy and compassion. Many years ago, if you were driving and saw someone that was stranded, you were quick to help. But because of so much evil in the world today, many are more concerned about the danger of assisting strangers. This is what evil has caused.
Evil has brought hardness of heart to many. They want to help, but they don’t want to become victims at the end. But you see, you must never give up on doing good. Never be reluctant to help, for there’s power in you that far outclasses all the power of evil in the world, put together.

Greater is He that’s in you, than he that’s in the world. You’re not helpless. Think about Jesus: The servants of the High Priest came to arrest Him, and the Bible says, “Jesus therefore, knowing all things that should come upon him, went forth, and said unto them, Whom seek ye? (John 18:4). They said, “Jesus of Nazareth,” then, He replied, “I am He” (John 18:5). Immediately, the power of God was released, and they all fell under the power! Why did that happen?

Just a short while before then, in Matthew 26, Jesus had been praying in the garden of Gethsemane, and the power of the Holy Ghost was surging through His being. When He said, “I am He,” the word went forth with power. He wasn’t empty. It’s the same with you. Your words are filled with power, because you carry divinity inside you.

What you need is the Spirit’s admonition in Ephesians 5:18: “And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit.” When you’re filled with the Spirit, you’d never have to bother about being victimized for doing good.

Therefore, before you hit the road or get about the day’s business, get filled with the Holy Ghost! He’ll lead and guide you through all the good things He’s put in your heart to do, and no one would be able to harm or deter you. Praise God!

PRAYER

Dear Lord, thank you for blessing me and making me a blessing, such that in every situation, I have all I need for every good work. I’m never weary of doing good, because I’m guided by the Spirit to be a blessing to my world, in Jesus’ Name. Amen.

FURTHER STUDY

Galatians 6:9-10; Hebrews 13:16 NIV; Proverbs 3:27-28
1 YEAR BIBLE READING PLAN
Acts 21:17-37-22:1-21 & Job 32-35

2 YEAR BIBLE READING PLAN
Luke 8:26-39 & Joshua 9




#TALKINGSESSION

13TH JULY.

KINDLY SAY THESE WORDS OUT LOUD

Dear Lord, You’re the great God; the great King above all gods! In Your hand are the deep places of the earth, and the strength of the hills is Yours! For in You, I’ve been enriched in every way. You’ve been my strength and my shield. My heart trusts in You, and I’ve been mightily helped! For all You’ve done for me, my heart leaps for joy, and I give You all the praise. I thank You for the indwelling presence of the Holy Spirit in my life.

I acknowledge His presence in me, and I am yielded to His leading and guidance today. I am strengthened and rightly positioned in the centre of Your perfect will, because I walk with the Spirit; His wisdom guides and propels me, in Jesus’ Name. Amen

God bless you

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BREAKING: Appeal Court dismisses suit challenging Buhari's educational qualification for 2019 elections.

The Court of Appeal, Abuja Division, has struck out a suit seeking to nullify the candidacy of President Muhammadu Buhari on academic grounds.

The court in a judgement on Friday said the application was brought outside the specified time for pre-election matters.

A three-member panel of the court let by Justice AtinukeAkomolafe-Wilson had reserved judgment for Friday after entertaining arguments from the appellants on Wednesday.

The applicants, Kalu Kalu, Labaran Ismail and Hassy Kyari el-Kuris, had approached the appellate court after a Federal High Court dismissed their application on the grounds that it was brought outside the specified period of time.

In a judgement on the appeal, read by Mohammed Idris on behalf of the three-member panel, the court agreed with the high court and struck out the motion.

“We have decided to settle on the preliminary objection. To determine the issue, we have to pay serious attention to when the cause of action arose.

“I have no doubt in my mind that the cause of action arose on October 18 when the documents said to be false that is the Curriculum Vitae and affidavit were submitted to INEC in form CF001,” the court ruled.

It then added that based on section 285 (9) of the 1999 Constitution, the case was brought later than the stipulated period of 14 days when a pre-election matter ought to have been brought.

The court further held that even if the first part of the application had succeeded and the court agreed that the matter was not brought out of time, the stipulated period when such a pre-election matter ought to have been determined elapsed since May.

Consequently, the court ruled that it cannot accord itself any jurisdiction outside that given to it by the constitution.

Mr Buhari’s educational qualification is also one of the grounds of the petition filed by Atiku Abubakar and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) at the presidential election tribunal.

Mr Abubakar came second in the February presidential election won by Mr Buhari.

The opposition candidate, however, alleges, among others, that Mr Buhari lied on oath about his educational qualifications and that the electoral commission manipulated the result in favour of the president.

Mr Abubakar and the PDP are still arguing their petitions at the tribunal.

https://www.premiumtimesng.com/news/headlines/340548-breaking-appeal-court-dismisses-suit-challenging-buharis-educational-qualification-for-2019-elections.html

PDP presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar has reacted through his Twitter handle to the death of Mrs. Funke Olakunrin, daughter of Afenifere chairman, Pa Reuben Fasoranti, killed by persons suspected to be herdsmen. 

According to sources, the 58-year-old woman was heading to Ore Junction from Akure, Ondo State, when she was attacked and shot by the herdsmen. 

Atiku said:

"I condemn, in the strongest possible terms, the killing of Mrs. Funke Olakunrin, daughter of Chief Reuben Fasoranti, the Chairman of Afenifere. This is one death too many.

"I call on the security services to initiate speedy and thorough investigations to bring her killers to book and stem the epidemic of insecurity in our land. 

My prayers and deep compassion go to Chief Reuben Fasoranti, his family and the entire membership of Afenifere.

"My family and I stand shoulder to shoulder with you at this trying time, even as we pray for the repose of Mrs. Funke Olakunrin’s soul. Peace must return to Nigeria, by every means possible. Enough of this. Enough of this! -AA

Source: https://www.mediahelm.com.ng/2019/07/atiku-reacts-to-death-of-daughter-of.html

Quote:Ahmed Lawan, President of the 9th Senate has vowed that the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari will be challenged to proof the legislature under him is not a rubber stamp as insinuated in some quarters.

Mr Lawan stated this on Friday while addressing Women Parliamentarians, led by Joy Emordi, a former federal lawmaker.

Critics of the ruling All Progressive Congress (APC) are quick to refer to the top lawmaker as a rubber stamp of the executive led by President Muhammadu Buhari, considering the circumstances that led to his emergence as the leader of the legislative arm of government.



Mr Buhari and his party had explored all available means at its disposal to ensure Mr Lawan succeeded the immediate past President of the 8th Senate, Bukola Saraki,

Although the top lawmaker was tipped for the position during the formation of the 8th Senate in 2015, Mr Saraki thwarted the plan, despite belonging to the ruling party, by forming alliance with the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to produce the past legislature.

As the formation of the 9th Senate drew near, Buhari played a vital role in ensuring the preferred candidate of his party clinched the position. Another lawmaker who was interested in succeeding Saraki traded his ambition for the withdrawal of corruption charges against him on the orders of the president who claims the fight against corruption knows no political inclination.

Addressing his visitors, the Senate President said he will never be a rubber stamp of the president.

“Yes, I believe in President Buhari as a person and I believe in my party, the APC, but I believe that our problems as Nigerians are Nigerian problems. They are neither APC nor PDP problems, they are Nigerian problems that require Nigerian solution. So, we have to work together,” Mr Lawan was quoted by his media aide, Mohammed Isa, to have told his guests during their visit.

“We will be there for the executive arm of government all the time in moving this country forward. We are going to challenge the executive in a manner that is decent but decisive. As a minister, you have to do your ministerial job well.

“We will make government appointees to do what is required of them. We have to deal with the issues confronting us. It is not going to be easy, but we have to build a relationship that have mutual respect, collaboration and partnership. It is achievable,” a statement Mr Isa added.

The Yoruba socio-cultural organisation, Afenifere, Friday said that Mrs. Funke Olakunrin, daughter of Afenifere chairman, Pa Reuben Fasoranti, has been killed by suspected kidnappers.

Sources said the deceased was coming from the Lagos end of the Benin/Ore road when her car was attacked by the kidnappers. The Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) for the state Police command, Femi Joseph, confirmed the incident.

He said the suspects were kidnappers who also engaged in armed robbery. The incident, he said, happened between Kajola and Ore, adding that Mrs Olakunrin was the only one killed in the incident.

He said three vehicles, including a luxurious bus belonging to the Young Shall Grow Motors, were attacked by the kidnappers, adding that the passengers in the luxurious bus were travelling from Imo State to Lagos.

However, he said the Police have rescued three of the victims, adding that one Gerald Igboroka was yet to be found by the police. Joseph said: “information available to us is that suspected kidnappers who were 16 in number.”

See more here; http://gistmore.com/kidnappers-kill-the-daughter-of-afenifere-leader-abduct-others

After three years, Eritrean man is released from an Italian jail in a case of mistaken identity case






A Palermo judge has acquitted an Eritrean man of being a human trafficking kingpin, confirming he was the victim of mistaken identity when he was arrested more than three years ago in a joint operation between Italian and British authorities.  
 
The arrest of Medhanie Tesfamariam Berhe in 2016 was presented to the press as a brilliant coup by Italian and British authorities, who mistook him for one of the world’s most-wanted human traffickers, Medhanie Yehdego Mered, aka the General.
 
On Friday, Judge Alfredo Montalto of the criminal court of Palermo, rejected prosecutors’ claims and ordered the immediate release of Berhe, who was arrested in Khartoum, Sudan, on 24 May 2016 with help of the British National Crime Agency and the Sudanese police.
 
“It was a case of mistaken identity. The man in prison was wrongly arrested” the judge said. Berhe was found guilty on Friday of a much lesser charge of aiding illegal immigration for having helped his cousin to reach Libya, but because he had already served three years in prison, the judge ordered his immediate release.
 
“I have no words to explain the way I feel,” said Hiwett Tesfamariam, Berhe’s sister, who travelled from Norway for the verdict. “It was a nightmare. A real nightmare. After three years finally the judge confirmed what we have been saying: we had a farmer in jail and a smuggler at large,” said Michele Calantropo, Berhe’s lawyer.  
 
Within a few hours of Berhe’s arrest, hundreds of Mered’s victims claimed the wrong man had been detained. According to Berhe’s family, far from being a notorious trafficker he was an Eritrean refugee who earned his living on a dairy farm and working occasionally as a carpenter.  
 
Among many factors that pointed to his innocence, including two DNA tests and an array of witnesses, was a documentary by the Swedish broadcaster SVT, in collaboration with the Guardian, which revealed that the “real” Mered was living in the Ugandan capital, spending his substantial earnings in Kampala nightclubs while Berhe faced up to 15 years in jail.

by Linda Ike

Methodist church Prelate, Eminence Dr. Samuel Uche during an interview, reacted to the rape allegations against COZA senior pastor and founder, Biodun Fatoyinbo by Busola Dakolo.

According to the Methodist church Prelate, he believes the rape allegations against the COZA pastor are foolish and there is not truth in it. In his words, he said;

"some allegations are foolish, there is no truth in such".

He said Busola Dakolo claims the COZA pastor raped her some 16 years ago and is now just seeking for justice. He thinks it is baseless and she is only trying to blackmail or tarnish his image.

"maybe you demanded money or you wanted some payment and the person is not able to give you then you like to blackmail the person."

Watch video

https://lailasnews.com/coza-the-allegations-are-foolish-why-punish-someone-for-sin-he-committed-16-years-ago-methodist-church-prelate/

Brothers jailed after they attacked their mother's killer in dramatic court room brawl






Two brothers have been jailed for trying to beat up a murderer who pleaded guilty to killing their mother.

Dale Williams, 62, admitted to fatally shooting Elizabeth Pledger-Stewart, 46. 

On June 15, 2017 he crashed his van into Ms Pledger-Stewart's car and then shot her several times as she got out of her vehicle. The night before the killing Ms Pledger-Stewart filed a police report in which she claimed Williams had threatened her.

After pleading guilty to fatally shooting the deceased, as he was waiting on his sentence at Mahoning County courtroom, his victim's sons lunged at him just before the victim's daughter was due to make a statement. 
 


A video of the incident shows pandemonium breaking out in the court as the two sons charge across the room at Williams.
 


Court staff stopped the brothers and restrained them before they reached Wiliams. The brothers still threw blows at the convict and police had to user a taser on them.
 


One of the brothers screamed out, saying: "He killed my mum. He killed my mum. She take care of me bro. Nobody else did."
 


The brothers were cuffed and taken away. They will serve 30-days in jail for contempt of court, Wtap reported.

Although Williams' sentence was delayed he is facing 23 years to life in prison, according to WFMJ.

by Linda Ikeji

Aerial mast collapses in Abuja, destroy cars






A tragic incident which was quite destructive occurred at Utako area of Abuja, as an aerial mast fell and destroyed cars amongst other properties.
 
Though no life was lost, however the incident which occurred at about 5am on June 24, 2019, destroyed 4 cars in the building opposite Utako Police Station where it was mounted.
 
While the police are yet to release the identity of the owner of the mast, the Abuja Development Control who are in-charge of allocating land space for masts initially claimed not knowing the owner of the mast but went on to allegedly deny the owners of the properties the mast destroyed access after they notified the Nigerian communications commission, NCC. 
 
Here are photos of destroyed properties at the scene of the incident below; 
 

Quote: 
 
 
 
 
View this post on Instagram
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Aerial mast falls at Utako, #Abuja, destroys 4 cars
A post shared by Lindaikejiblog (@lindaikejiblogofficial) on Jul 12, 2019 at 9:07am PDT

by Linda Ikeji

A Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, collation agent for the 2019 presidential election in Damboa Local Government Area of Borno State, Bukar Bukar Petrol, has claimed that the All Progressives Congress, APC, took advantage of the bombings that occurred in Damboa town during the February 23, 2019 election, to rig the election.

Petrol, who was the 27th petitioner witness, made the disclosure at the Presidential Election Petition Tribunal in Abuja on Thursday.

He said due to the insecurity situation caused by Boko Haram insurgency in Borno State, the 100 polling units in the 10 wards of the Damboa Local Government Area were sited on the premises of the Local Government Secretariat in Damboa town.

The PDP agent stated that the distribution of sensitive electoral materials in the local government area which ought to commence by 4am was deliberately delayed by the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, officers till 8am and voting actually commenced at some few minutes past 10am.

Petrol informed the tribunal that in the course of voting, there were bombings in the area which made everybody to scamper to safety.

He said when they returned to the venue of the election, the Civilian Joint Task Force, had taken over the election and the APC allegedly took advantage of the situation to rig.

According to Petrol: “When the explosions occurred, everybody ran away. After the explosions, the Civilian JTF took over the election and the 3rd respondent (APC) took advantage of the situation to rig the election.”

Petrol said he subsequently reported the incident to the Divisional Police Officer, the military intelligence, the Criminal Investigation Bureau, the military police, head of the National Orientation Agency and his party, the PDP.




https://www.google.com/amp/s/punchng.com...agent/amp/

President Muhammadu Buhari on Thursday hosted the leadership of the National Assembly to dinner at the State House, Abuja.


During the dinner, President Buhari reacted to calls for him to form his cabinet noting that he is under pressure to unveil his ministerial list.

“I am very much aware about it and I am under tremendous pressure on it. The last cabinet which I had, most of them, a majority of them I didn’t know.

“I had to accept their names and recommendation from the party. I worked with them for three and a half years,” Buhari said.

Those in attendance at the dinner include the National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Adams Oshiomhole; Senate President, Ahmad Lawan; Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila; Senator Abdullahi Yahaya – Majority Leader; Senator Ajayi Borofice – Deputy Leader; Senator Orji Uzor Kalu – Chief Whip; Senator Sabi Abdullahi – Deputy Chief Whip among others.

See More Photos Here..https://www.thenaijafame.com.ng/2019/07/...s.html?m=1

Europe’s congested airspace, Africa’s empty skies 


The International Air Transport Association (IATA) is worried about congested European airspace, which is likely to cost airlines 35 years in delayed time by 2025. It is an irony that while airspace in Europe is congested, Africa’s airspace is virtually empty due to SAATM low implementation. WOLE SHADARE writes

 
 
Connectivity
The air transport network plays an important role in today’s globalized society. The connectivity it generates is a key element for the competitive position of European countries, regions and cities. It drives consumer and wider economic benefits.
A superior connectivity performance minimizes travel costs for passengers, businesses and shippers. Aviation facilitates global contacts, mobility and trade. It stimulates productivity, trade, Research and Development (R&D) and foreign direct investment (FDI).
In addition, the aviation industry is a major industry in its own right, supporting about 12 million jobs and 4.1 percent of Gross Domestic (GDP) in Europe.
Europe is in a strong position in terms of connectivity. Since the start of liberalization of the European air transport market about 25 years ago, consumers have benefitted from connectivity growth within Europe as well as to/from other world regions.

The gains
These gains include more directly and indirectly served destinations, higher frequencies, shorter travel times and lower fares. The connectivity gains have substantially reduced consumer’s costs to get from A to B and induced significant consumer welfare benefits, as well as gains for the wider economy. But there are challenges to deal with if these gains are to continue.
Sufficient capacity both in the air and on the ground and an efficiently organized airspace are key in this respect.
However, the European air transport system is not operating at its optimum level. Flight trajectories are longer than needed. On average, flights in European airspace are 3 per cent longer than the great circle distance between origin and destination airport.
Airspace inefficiencies and capacity bottlenecks cause delays of around 10 minutes per flight. In contrast to the US, which has just one single Air Navigation Service Provider (ANSP), Europe has 38 ANSPs to handle approximately the same geographical area, resulting in higher than needed costs of Air Navigation Service Provision for airlines and passengers.
Examples of these costs are higher ANSP user charges and longer than needed flight trajectories, with associated fuel burn and environmental burden. But the much-needed modernization of European airspace is progressing slowly and is lagging behind the targets set. Furthermore, airport capacity is expected to fall short of future demand growth.

IATA worry
The continued congestion of the airspace is a source of worry to the clearing house for airlines. The Director-General of IATA, Alexandre de Juniac had during an interview at the just concluded IATA 75th Annual General Meeting in Seoul, South Korea stated that that compiled minutes of delay runs into about 36 years if the situation continues till 2025.
Just like the bottlenecks faced by Africa to have a unified single African airspace, which has lingered for about 20 years with slow implementation of Yamoussoukro Declaration, Europe seems to be facing a more intriguing decision to have single European airspace. This has even lingered more than the much talked about Yamoussoukro Decision. That is where the comparison ends. While Europe has gone to develop its air transport sector albeit with some bottlenecks, Africa is still confused on what to do.

The contradictions
While on one hand they support Single African Air Transport Market [SAATM], on the other hand, they are very reluctant to open their airspace as the still consider Bilateral Air Services Agreement [BASA] far and above a policy that would make them prosperous and face competition if they are to survive in the highly competitive aviation industry.
The IATA chief lamented that what is happening in Europe is similar to those of Yamoussoukro Declaration, which has been there 20 years ago.
His words, ‘Firstly, it is political reason. You are touching on a subject that has sovereignty, economic reasons because some of the incumbent airlines owned by governments want to protect their airspace and their operators against what they perceive as threatening competition.
“They also think that it will kill any initiative of national carrier and the reasons they don’t want to open their borders. It is all about political control, sovereignty issues. It is protection, political issue.”

The potential
Getting air traffic to and through a country gives a proven boost to trade, tourism and other economic activity. Countries and cities that have managed to do this have been handsomely rewarded. While Africa’s geography gives it the potential to become a hub for flights from Australia to the Americas, from China to South America, and many other routes, that is no more than a threshold advantage. Getting airlines to fly to a city rests on issues that Africa still struggle with – not just inadequate infrastructure, but also a scarcity of Africa-based international airlines, poor route management, insecurity and a failure to generate tourist interest.
Many African nations lack national carriers and some of the international airlines that do exist are loss-makers – South African Airways is one example. People obviously cannot fly to or through a country if there are no airlines to take them there. Furthermore, internal connections between many African cities are poor or non-existent.
We regularly talk about the need to develop a ‘United Africa’ to enable air transport to grow to its full potential and the need for enhanced connectivity and cooperation within the Continent.
Bottlenecks
Part of the reason for Africa’s under-served status is that many African countries have continued to restrict their air services markets to protect the share held by state-owned air carriers. This practice originated in the early 1960s when many newly-independent African states created national airlines, in part, to assert their status as nations.
It has been a long journey with lots of talking but very little action, albeit there has been limited liberalisation in certain regional economic blocs and between certain markets. Now, the industry in Africa appears to better understand the economic benefits of a more liberal regime and moving from a general protective stance of state interests. We are now the closest we have ever been to allowing Africa to fulfil its aviation potential.

Last line
Africa covers over 30 million square kilometers and is home to more than a billion people. Due to its challenging terrain, air transport is often the best—sometimes the only—way to connect the continent. Africa needs safe, efficient and affordable air transport links to make the most of its people and resources.

Business and Economy
CBN limits standing deposit facility of banks to N2bn daily
 







CENTRAL Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has set maximum Standing Deposit Facility (SDF) at N2bn, aS part of compelling the nation’s banks to perform their financial intermediation roles especially to the private sector, rather than concentrating on government instruments,
According to the circular dated July 10, 2019, with reference: FMD/FIR/CON/OGC/12/019, titled “Re: Guidelines on accessing the CBN Standing Deposit Facility, which is a review of the earlier circular dated November 6, 2014, the new ceiling represents just 26.66% of the previously set remunerable daily bank placements of N7.5bn.

The circular signed by Angela Sere-Ejembi (Ph.D.), Director of its Financial Markets Department, at the CBN, said the SDF deposit of N2bn shall be remunerated at the interest rate prescribed by the Monetary Policy Committee from time to time.
The circular warned that with effect from Thursday, July 11, 2019, any deposit by banks in excess of the prescribed sum shall not be remunerated.
The 2014 circular, signed by E.U. Ukeje, Director, the Financial Markets Department, the CBN observed: “that and discount houses have a preference for keeping their idle balances at the Central Bank in the SDF thereby constraining the process of financial intermediation.”

The limit at the time, the CBN continued, was set “to encourage the banks to increase lending to the productive sector of the economy.”
At that time also, the SDF was remunerated at 10% per annum, the floor rate for the absorption of overnight excess liquidity from the banking system by the CBN.

The latest circular is part of efforts by the CBN to compel banks to channel loans to the nation’s real sector.
Only last week, the CBN, on July 3, 2019, circular to all banks, the apex bank ordered deposit money banks to maintain a minimum Loan to Deposit Ratio (LDR) of 60% by September 30, 2019 (READ MORE).

Members of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) expressed disappointment that their decision at the meeting of March to cut benchmark Monetary Policy Rate (MPR) has not yielded the expected impact on market rates.

In their personal comment during the meeting of May, published by the apex bank, they expressed worry that rather than impacting credit to the domestic economy, banks continue to concentrate lending on government and risk-free financial assets.
They also noted that although Non-Performing Loans (NPLs) ratio is on the decline, it is still way above the prescribed regulatory threshold. The drop in NPL, they however noted, was driven more by significant asset portfolio write-offs than recoveries.

According to Prof. Festus Adenikinju, a member of the MPC for example, although rates on intermediate financial assets decreased, “maximum and prime lending rates rose in April, while rates on consolidated demand, savings, and terms deposit declined, further worsening the gap between the average lending and deposit rates.”
Related Posts

Business and Economy
Conoil nets N1.796bn 2018 profit, offers N2 dividend per share
[url=http://nigerianpilot.com/byline/kehinde-ibrahim/][/url] 







DIRECTORS of petroleum products market giant- ConoilPlc, has presented its audited financials for the year ended December 31, 2018, highlights of which was the 13.8% rise in profit, as against the 5.8% increase in sales revenue.
The board also recommended a dividend of N2 per share, just as it paid in the 2017 financial year, from its earnings per share of N2.57, up from N2.27 kobo in the prior year.
According to the result, sales revenue rose from N115.513bn in 2017 to N122.213bn, out of which cost of sales climbed from N102.463bn to N109.442bn, leaving a gross profit of N12.77bn, a marginal drop from N13.049bn in the corresponding period of 2017.
A breakdown of the numbers shows that 95% of the revenue or N116.525bn was derived from the sale of white products, while lubricants fetched N5.687bn or 5%. Also, cost of sales was mainly driven by white products, which accounted for N105.303bn or 96%, resulting in gross profit of N11.221bn; while N4.138bn cost came from lubricants business, with N1.549bn as gross profit.
Other operating income for the period dropped significantly from N2.522bn to N79.012m; just as other gains tumbled to N34.699m from N2.06bn; even as distribution expenses increased to N2.571bn from N1.995bn. Administrative expense, however, fell to N6.238bn from N11.195bn, boosted by the N1.802bn staff cost, as against N1.8bn in 2017; followed by litigation claims which fell from N6.515bn in 2017 to N1.417bn, among others.
Also, finance cost declined from N2.137bn to N1.508bn.

Profit before tax, therefore, stood at N2.566bn from N2.304bn; while tax expense for the period rose slightly from N726.12m to N770.723m, leaving a net profit for the period at N1.796bn, compared to N1.578bn in 2017.

Couple gave birth to other people's babies in 'heartbreaking' IVF mix-up





 
A couple gave birth to twins, thinking they were theirs, only to later discover that there was an IVF mix-up and the woman had been implanted with two other women's babies.
 
The Asian American couple, from Queens in New York, were forced to give up their babies after the mistake was discovered, a lawsuit claims.
 
The couple, named in court documents only as A.P. and Y.Z., realised something could be wrong when they were told they were carrying two boys instead of the girls they had been expecting. However, they were told there's a possibility there had been a mistake on the sonogram.
 
However, the couple realised they had been implanted with the wrong embryos when they gave birth to twin boys who were a different race on March 30. Tests showed the babies were not genetically related to the couple, or to each other.
 
The Asian American couple were desperate to have a child that they had spent over $100,000 on doctors’ fees, medication, lab expenses and travel costs, according to the New York Post. But their dreams were shattered and they had to give up both children after discovering they aren't biologically theirs.
 
It was later discovered that a couple from California were the biological parents of one of the boys.  Anni and Ashot Manukyan, from Glendale, had to fight a custody battle to be able to take their son from the Asian American couple who bore the child, by which time he was already six weeks old. 
 
Anni and Ashot Manukyan are also suing Los Angeles CHA Fertility Center over the error.
 

Anni and Ashot Manukyan 
 
Anni Manukyan told a press conference: "Who wants to meet their child in the lobby of a hotel? It was heartbreaking. It was terrible."

Their lawyer Adam Wolf said the case was "one of the worst embryo-related tragedies in US history."
 
Anni said she found out she had also been implanted with an embryo from an unknown woman, but it did not result in pregnancy.
 
She said: "CHA robbed me of my ability to carry my own child, my baby boy, and be with him in the first moments of his life."
 
The couple implanted with the wrong embryo said the experience has left them with "permanent emotional injuries from which they will not recover," Metro UK reports.
 
The parents of the second twin have not come forward publicly.
 
So far, the clinic has not yet commented on the case.
 
 
 
 
 
by Lind

Students left with serious injuries as armed robbers attack University of Ibadan female hostel





 
The Obafemi Awolowo Hall of residence (Awo) in the University of Ibadan (UI) was attacked by suspected armed men in the early hours of today Friday July 12th. 
 
According to students of the institution, the armed robbers who were over 10 in number, stormed the hall around 1am and raided for almost two hours.
 
The hall porters were said to have done some inspection in the rooms by 11pm and when the students heard knocks on their doors, they thought the porters had returned and willingly opened the doors to the attackers.
 
At least five students are said to have sustained injuries inflicted on them by the attackers while many gadgets including phones and laptops were carted away.

Quote:''Two girls were stabbed and another was said to have jumped from the third floor out of fear, another account says that a girl was kidnapped by these men and found later this morning. People were beaten and laptops, phones and other valuable carted away, most victims whose phones were stolen claimed the robbers even went as far as demanding their phone passwords, Apple ID login details and also their ATM card pins'' a student said

Reality star, Natalie Nunn flaunts her curvy backside in new photos





 
American video vixen and reality star, Natalie Nunn took to Instagram to put her curvy backside on display in new sexy photos she shared.
 
See full photos below.
 

by Linda I

Nigerian man who was hit by stray bullet when one of the Nigerian soldier was shooting in portharcourt on his way to exam cries out.


He was spotted sitting on the middle of the road whie one of the soldier walk to him and carry him up, In a series of tweets he made online why still protesting wrote below,..

Quote:"Today I went on a ONE MAN PROTEST on the STREET of PORTHARCOURT close to BORI CAMP Rumuola by Aba road Just right in front of Port Harcourt army barracks to DEMAND For JUSTICE and to let Nigerians know that it's been 2years ever since I was hit by a STRAY BULLET...

From one of @HQNigerianArmy reckless soldier on my way going to school to write my exams on the "14th of September 2017" which lead to my left limb been amputated and my self being disfigured �its 2years now and @HQNigerianArmy has done absolutely nothing to help me

Even after carrying out all investigation and arresting the soldier that did this to me, they invited my family of which we went to BORI CAMP PORTHARCOURT, the soldiers spoke to my mom pleaded and asked that I forgive him, they went ahead to say that they will pay one million

First for hospital bill after which We will all come back and seat on a round table to discuss on how they going to take care of me according to the PETITION that my lawyer wrote and sent to the office of ARMY CHIEF OF STAFF via DHL,

They pleaded that we withdraw the case from court so they won't lose their jobs,

"which we did" .

But to my greatest surprise till date @HQNigerianArmy have done nothing to help me back to my feet.
Each time I call or chart them up via their verified Twitter handle

They keep telling me that the investigation is quiet slow.. That hopefully I will get justice by the end.. This is what they have been telling us for the past two years now.

Am appealing to all Nigerians to protest along side me by Retweeting this tweet,so the world can see what I have been passing through ever since this incident and hopefully my HELPER can see it too and render help to us ��� �".

Five out of every 10 Jigawa children in danger of poor brain development – UNICEF

 
 
 
                     
The United Nations Children Education Funds, UNICEF, has disclosed that five out of every 10 children in Jigawa State are in a danger of poor brain and internal organs development.

This was stated by Bhanu Pathak, Chief of Field Office, UNICEF Nigeria, Bauchi Field Office, represented by the Nutritionist Specialist, Bauchi field office, Philomena Irene, at the Advocacy and Capacity Building Workshop for Jigawa State House of Assembly Legislators held in Kano, Kano State.

She explained a recent SMART Survey conducted revealed that Jigawa is still one of the States that has a stunting growth rate in the country with -54% rate.

“In every 10 children in Jigawa state 5 of them are in a danger of poor brain and internal organs development which are critical for the future productivity of individuals and for the economic competitiveness of the state,” she stated.

Irene pointed out that although the state is recording a tremendous success in fighting the menace from 63.10 per cent to 54.10 per cent, more needed to be done to address the problems.


She identified negligence and lack of care for the children during childhood and adolescence as some of the reasons that complicates the health and nutritional status of the individual.

“Investing in the early years is one of the smartest investments a State can make to break the cycle of poverty, address inequality, and boost productivity later in life,” she noted.

The UNICEF Nutrition Specialist urged the legislatures to track the release and implementation of allocated budget for Health and Nutrition in 2019 budget.

Soldiers of the Nigerian Army stormed the NYSC camp in Ikare-Akoko, Ondo state, to assault a staff of the scheme.

According to information gathered from our sources on camp, the soldiers led by one Captain CU Kanu, stormed the National Youth Service Corps, Ikare Akoko orientation camp on Monday 8, July 2019.

KikioTolu News exclusively learnt that Captain CU Kanu and the victim, Mr Owolabi Wake (who is the Chief Inspector Head of Security on Camp), had a little argument during the camp period.

This led to the Captain laying an ambush on Mr Owolabi, who was on his way home after the winding up of camp activities.

Mr Owolabi on spotting the soldiers quickly turned his car and returned to camp, only for the soldiers to follow him there and beat him to pulp. Image of a brutalised Mr Owolabi below;

Source: https://kikiotolu.com/exclusive-soldiers...ult-staff/

July 11, 2019 Kunle Sanni
The Special Presidential Investigation Panel on Recovery of Public Property (SPIP), on Wednesday, said it has recovered over N3 billion from two senior officials by the Petroleum Equalization Fund (PEF).

The panel named the officials as Goody Nnadi, who is the General Manager, Corporate Services at the Fund, and Aisha Usman, the General Manager, Operations.

This was disclosed in a press conference on Wednesday in Abuja by the chairman of the panel, Okio Obono-Obla. Details of the press conference was published by Daily Trust newspapers.

Mr Obono-Obla said the agency received a petition that Mr Nnadi operated a corporate account with a hotel named Galbani and Greatwood in Owerri, Imo State.

He said the amount that went into the accounts of Mr Nnadi from 2011 to 2019 “totals N2.2billion, $302,964, €11,000 Euro and £2,000 pounds sterling.”

He also said: “two documents of landed property, $1,000 and €200 Euros were recovered” from the civil servant.

He said Mr Nnadi was quizzed but has been released on bail.
”He is presently undergoing Senior Executive Course (SEC 41, 2019) at the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies, Kuru, Plateau State.

On Ms Usman, the chairman said findings revealed that she operates nine accounts with one bank alone with a total inflow of N1.4billion.

He said it was discovered that some corporate organisations paid the money into her account.

He noted that the panel has extended invitations to other management staff of PEF as the two await charges against them.

Mr Obono-Obla noted that the suspects admitted helping some of the oil companies to get an allocation from NNPC and paid money into their personal and corporate accounts alleged to be graft.

The SPIP was set up in August 2017 by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo. The panel’s operations in the past have been enmeshed in controversy with Mr Osinbajo once ordering the panel to suspend its operations.

https://www.premiumtimesng.com/news/top-...vants.html

News
El-Zakzaky: We are ready to sacrifice 21 million members if Buhari govt fails to release our leader – Shi’ites
 


The Islamic Movement of Nigeria, IMN, have vowed to sacrifice 21 million of its members if Federal Government failed to release its leader, Ibrahim El-Zakzaky.
IMN issued the warning during its protest in Ikeja, Lagos State on Thursday.

Members of the group chanted several songs, demanding that the President Muhammadu Buhari-led administration should respect court orders and release El-Zakzaky.
Addressing journalists during the protest, the South-West Coordinator of IMN, Mr. Muftau Zakariya, called on the National Leader of the All Progressives Congress, APC, Bola Tinubu, to prevail on Buhari to release it’s leader.
According to Zakariya, the group would not desist from protest until Buhari released El-Zakzaky.

He said: “We are ready to die if our leader is not released. If they are ready to kill us, we have 21 million lives to offer. I know that Nigerian soldiers do not have 21 million bullets to shoot at us.
“It’s true that there are 21 million Shi’ites in Nigeria, and if they kill our leader, which country will they have to rule by 2023.
“Buhari got to the office because the National Leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, assisted him. It was Tinubu that started the movement and spent his money to ensure that the party assumes power. We’re calling on Tinubu, to talk to the President, who is a member of his party to free our leader. If he allows the President to continue to kill our members, there will not be Nigeria in 2023. We’re not happy over the continued detention of our leader.”

This is coming barely 48-hours after members of the groups invaded the National Assembly and forcibly took over the complex and injured six policemen in the process.
The protesters were said to have overpowered security men at the popular Mopol (Mobile Policemen) gate, and entered the second gate.
Soon after they entered, the Shi’ites members started vandalising vehicles that were either coming or going out of the National Assembly. The mayhem forced workers and visitors to scamper for safety.

Politics
Buhari vs Atiku: Election results in Kaduna doctored to favour president – PDP agent tells Tribunal
 


An agent of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in the 2019 presidential election, Yahaya Shiko, on Thursday claimed that results of the election in Kaduna State were doctored to favour President Muhammadu Buhari, who flew the flag of the All Progressives Congress, APC.
Shiko, who served as the collation agent for PDP in Kaduna South Local Government of Kaduna State, told the Presidential Election Petition Tribunal that the results were doctored in his presence.

He also informed the tribunal that the election in his area was marred by over-voting and allocation of figures to parties.
Under cross-examination by Charles Edosomwan, Counsel for the All Progressives Congress (APC), he said, “My statement was based on the reports I received from the polling unit agents and what I saw on the result sheets which were forwarded to the local government collation centre.
“There were cases of over-voting, and allocation of figures. These were what were carried to the Local Government collation centre. In my presence, the results were doctored.”

Responding to a question from counsel to the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, Yunus Usman, Shiko said “figures were wrongly credited to the APC.”
“At the collation centre, I made complaints when the results were announced and I protested by refusing to append my signature to the result sheets,” he said.

Atiku vs Buhari: Ex-APC chieftain, Frank sends message to Nigerians over INEC server
 


A former Deputy National Publicity Secretary of the All Progressives Congress, APC, Comrade Timi Frank has urged more Nigerians to come up with more credible evidence in their possessions that clearly show that the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, made use of server to transmit election result in the last presidential election.
Frank commended a former aide to ex-President Goodluck Jonathan, Reno Omokri, who had yesterday released some documents he claimed to have shown that INEC deployed the use of computer server for electronic transmission of the 2019 election results.

Frank, a former chieftain of the APC, claimed that the leadership of the current electoral body lied on oath, and can no longer be credible to conduct any election.
Reacting to Omokri’s revelations through a statement he made available to DAILY POST on Thursday in Abuja, Frank said INEC must be forced to produced the central server it used during the presidential election.
The Bayelsa-born political activist, however, said that leaders of thought and all Nigerians who are in possession of one document or the other regarding the controversial central server should speak up now for posterity sake.

While calling on the judiciary to take note of the latest evidence in circulation, he charged the court of law to conquer fear and intimidation which he said the APC administration is known for, and do the needful because of posterity.
“Nigerians are patiently waiting for the determination of the Judiciary which is the last hope of a common man. Atiku Abubakar’s stolen mandate must be returned. Nigerians are tired of a directionless government of APC where huge debt is threatening the nation, where poverty, unemployment, all manners of killings, kidnapping and injustices are fast becoming the order of the day,” Frank stated.
He also said: “Prof. Mahmood Yakubu-led INEC has gone down in history as the worst electoral empire which posterity will hardly forgive. All the known credible local and international observers totally condemned the outcome of the last general elections under Mr. Yakubu.

“The Judiciary should know that the world, all relevant international organizations and Nigerians at home and abroad are watching the unfolding events regarding the central server used to compile the last election. This particular case must not be likened to that of Ademola Adeleke in Osun state. The Judiciary must however redeem its image.”
Frank also called on the international community to pay more attention to ongoing debate and ensure proper sanction of the electoral officials when it becomes clear how they manipulated the outcome of the last presidential election.

Gabrielle Union's daughter Kaavia James makes her first red carpet appearance (Photos)




 

 
Kaavia James, the daughter of superstars Gabrielle Union and Dwyane Wade has made her "red" carpet debut.
 
On Thursday, the 8-month-old made her first red carpet appearance at the Nickelodeon Kids’ Choice Sports Awards alongside her parents.
 
Kaavia looked adorable in a white sundress paired with white sandals while her mom was dressed in a peacock-patterned cocktail dress by Antonio Berardio and gold heels.
 
Her husband Wade also looked dapper in a black short suit paired with sneakers and checkered socks.
 
The couple welcomed baby Kaavia in November 2018 via surrogate. Wade is also dad to three sons.
 
See more photos below.
 

 
by Lin

19-year-old man arrested for kidnapping, drugging and killing his 5 year old cousin in Kano (graphic photos)




 
The Kano State Police Command yesterday July 12th, exhumed the body of a 5 year old boy  identified as Ahmed Ado, a resident of Karkasara Quarters who was kidnapped, killed and buried by a gang of kidnappers, led by his 19 year old uncle, Ibrahim Ahmad pictured in the middle.
 
The state commissioner of police, CP Ahmed Illiyasu, who led a team of policemen to exhume the body of the deceased in an uncompleted building in Sheka Makabarta, situated in Kumbotso Local Government Area of the state, said late Ahmed was kidnapped at Ma'ahat Nursery and Primary School, Karkasara by his uncle, Ibrahim Ahmed, as well as his accomplices, Abdulmajid Mohd and Musa Sanusi both aged 18, who demanded the sum of Fifty Million Naira as ransom.
 
CP Illiyasu said that the deceased was suspected to have been drugged by the suspects which led to his death. He was later buried in an uncompleted building in Sheka after the gang reduced the ransom to One Hundred Thousand Naira.
 
Ahmad and his gang were arrested after the police tracked the phone with which they used to speak with the family of the deceased. Ahmed who masterminded the kidnapping, expressed regret over his involvement in the criminal act.
 
See graphic photos below.
 








by Linda I

UK report indicts Buhari's government over alleged killing of Christians





 
A report which studied seven countries; Iraq, Indonesia, China, Sri Lanka, Pakistan, Syria and Nigeria as the world capitals for the persecution of Christians, indicted the President Buhari led government over the persecution and killing of Christians. 
 
The report which took into account the killings allegedly perpetrated by the Fulani herdsmen along the middle belt regions of Nigeria, was authored by the Rt. Rev. Philip Mounstephen Bishop of Truro, and has been concluded and submitted to the UK Parliament. 
 
It also accused Nigerian security agencies of being reluctant to go after the attackers, but always going after Christian victims of the attacks pepetrated by Fulani herdsmen who are often armed with sophisticated weapons. 
 
Read the full report below; 

Quote:The “intensification of conflict” in Nigeria in recent years comes at a time when Christians in the country have suffered some of the worst atrocities inflicted on Churchgoers anywhere in the world. Since 2009, Boko Haram, the Islamist militant group in “allegiance” with Daesh (ISIS) extremists in Iraq and Syria, has 424 “inflicted mass terror on civilians, killing 20,000 Nigerians, kidnapping thousands and displacing nearly two million”.425 The kidnapping of “mostly Christian girls”426 from a school in Chibok north-east Nigeria in April 2014 and the forced “conversions” to Islam of many of the students, demonstrated the anti-Christian 427 agenda of the militants. Boko Haram’s continued detention of teenager Leah Sharibu , kidnapped in April 2018, showed that the militants were continuing to 428 target Christians. The Catholic Church in north-east Nigeria reported in spring 2017 that Boko Haram violence had resulted in damage to 200 churches and chapels, 35 presbyteries (priests’ houses) and parish centres. At least 1.8 million people in north-east Nigeria’s Borno state had been displaced by March 2017, according to Church sources. To this extent, Boko Haram delivered on its March 2012 promise of a “war” on Christians in Nigeria, in which a spokesman for the militants reportedly declared: “We will create so much effort to end the Christian presence in our push to have a proper Islamic state that the Christians won’t be able to stay.”
Hence, by 2017 it was being concluded that “Boko Haram has carried out a genocide against Christians in northern Nigeria.” By that time, a new and growing threat to mainly Christian farming communities had emerged from nomadic Fulani herdsmen. The Fulani carried out attacks against Christian communities especially in Nigeria’s ‘Middle Belt’, the border territory between the Hausa-speaking Muslim areas in northern Nigeria and land further south mainly populated by Christians. Reports also showed mostly retaliatory attacks against Fulani by “predominantly” Christian farmers, such as the November 2016 killing of about 50 mainly Fulani pastoralists by ethnic Bachama local residents in Numan district, Adamawa state. The causes of this inter-communal conflict are complex and “attributed to many factors.”
That said whilst the conflict cannot simply be seen in terms of religion, it is equally simplistic not to see the religious dimension as a significantly exacerbating factor, and the Fulani attacks have repeatedly demonstrated a clear intent to target Christians, and potent symbols of Christian identity. This was evidenced, for example, by the April 2018 murder of two priests and 17 faithful during early morning Mass at St Ignatius Catholic Church, Mblaom, Benue State, in Nigeria’s Middle Belt.
The threat from Boko Haram and militant Fulani Islamist herdsmen – with evidence of some counter-attacks from Christians – suggests that the situation for Christians in parts of the country has “deteriorated” , with Nigeria rising through the ranks of countries with the worst record of persecution against Christians.
Faced with repeated accusations of inaction and even “connivance” in relation to Fulani violence, it remains to be seen if Muhammadu Buhari, re-elected in the February 2019 Presidential elections , will make good his promise, stated in Easter 2019, to “do all it takes to… confront these security challenges [and] not allow merchants of death and evil to overwhelm the nation.”
Two priests, Father Joseph Gor and Father Felix Tyolaha, and 17 others were killed on 24 April 2018 when “suspected” Islamist militant Fulani herdsmen opened fire as a 5.30am Mass got underway at St Ignatius’ Church, Mbalom in Nigeria’s ‘Middle Belt’. At least 50 homes and “farm”443 buildings in the village were “set on fire” before the attackers fled
Case report in full At 5.30am on Tuesday, 24 April 2018 “around 30 attackers” entered St Ignatius’ Catholic Church in Ukpor-Mbalom, in Gwer East Local Government Area of Benue State, in Nigeria’s Middle Belt. The attackers opened fire and 19 people were killed including two priests, Father Joseph Gor and Father Felix Tyolaha.
The rest were “worshippers” , mostly “parishioners” . “Several others also sustained bullet wounds.”
The attack took place as early morning Mass was getting underway, a service which was to conclude with “a burial ceremony.” A local source told The Nigerian Vanguard newspaper: “The service had barely started and worshippers were still coming for the Mass after which a burial ceremony would take place, when sounds of rapid gunshots rent the air.”
Oryiman Akule, aged nine, an altar server at the service and witness to the atrocity, said: “As soon as the priest started the Mass, he sighted some people with guns running towards the church and alerted people but, almost at the same time,they began to shoot… We ran and hid in one building.” Another survivor stated:
“People started scampering and wailing” but they were defenceless as “the perpetrators started shooting against the congregation.” Peter Lorver, whose stepmother was at the Mass and who lost her life in the attack, said: “The herdsmen came and opened fire on the church while morning Mass was going on.
After they attacked and killed those in the church, they left and started shootingsporadically, killing residents around the area.”
“After the attack on the church, the herdsmen proceeded to shoot residents in thearea, and set fire to 50 homes.” Some reports give a higher figure of “60 houses”458 attacked and “razed… in an attempt to sack the entire community…”
Also targeted were “farmland, food barns” with the attackers “carting away whatthe people had in their barns.” The attackers then “fled from the scene.” The identity of the attackers was not clear. Nobody claimed responsibility for the atrocity although, from the outset, police “suspected” militant Islamist Fulani nomadic herdsmen, a view shared by state officials as well as Christian leaders.
People in the area had been warning of the threat of attack by the Fulani for several weeks. On 3 January 2018 , more than three months before the attack Father Gor, the parish priest, who would become a victim of the atrocity, “had put a message on Facebook before the attack: ‘Living in fear. The Fulani herdsmen are still around us in Mbalom. They refuse to go. They still go grazing around us.’”
Context of the attacks:
The attack at St Ignatius’ Church, Mbalom fitted a pattern of earlier attacks in the region, known to have been carried out by Fulani. On 19 April 2018, less than a week before the Mbalom attack, James Tsave, a resident in the area, reported that “Muslim Fulani herdsmen in Benue State’s Anyiin village killed 25 Christians… The assailants set fire to 30 houses, destroying them.” The media quoted Mr Tsave saying: “Twenty-five Christians have been killed, and those of us who survived have been forced to flee our village.” On 10 April 2018, two weeks before the attack, in Gbeji village, in another part of Benue State, Fulani killed about 30 Christians. A resident stated that a Catholic church building was attacked and afterwards houses were set on fire.
“Herdsmen attacks in the first three weeks of April [2018] are believed to have caused the deaths of more than 250 Christians in Benue State, according to local media reports.” “Some 73 people were killed in central states – known as the ‘Middle Belt’– in the first few days of 2018, prompting a high-profile mass burial in Benue State’s capital, Makurdi.”
Fulani attacks have been attributed to the desperate search for grazing pastures for their cattle at a time of increasing “desertification” arising from climate change. Father Patrick Alumuku, Director of Communications for the Archdiocese of Abuja, told Vatican News: “‘Groups of nomadic shepherds are forced to move south because of desertification, resulting in conflicts over lands and resources in this fertile region.”‘
The superiority of the weapons used by the Fulani has prompted commentators to suggest that the herdsmen are funded and trained by others. Bishop Wilfred Chikpa Anagbe said the herdsmen were “being armed with ‘sophisticated weapons… the Fulani tribesmen for the most part live in the forest and cannot afford the luxury of such sophisticated weapons – so who is funding them?”
Analysis specifically relating to the attack at St Ignatius’ Church, Mbalom, pointed to an unambiguous religious motivation. Samuel Ortom, Benue State governor, said: “The reverend fathers [Joseph Gor and Felix Tyolaha] were not farmers. They were not in the farm. The church where they were holding the Mass had no grass.
The armed herdsmen have moved the narrative of the current crisis from search for grass to other obvious motives.”
Aftermath of the attack:
In the weeks that followed, attacks similar to that at St Ignatius’ Church, Mbalom, re-inforced the view of Church leaders that religious hatred and territorial expansion were central motives for the attacks. News reports highlighted that
“The attack took place near… where the Muslim north [of Nigeria] meets the southern Christian area.” Speaking on Wednesday, 30 May 2018, Bishop Wilfred Chikpa Anagbe of Makurdi “pointed out that 11 parishes in his diocese had been attacked.”
Referring to the killings at St Ignatius’ Church and elsewhere, Bishop Anagbe said: “Up to 100 Christians have died this year in the hands of nomadic herdsmen… There is a clear agenda – a plan – to Islamise all of the areas that are currently predominantly Christian in the so-called Middle Belt of Nigeria.” He also said: “The Fulanis’ agenda was the same as that of Boko Haram. Both groups are united in the same intention to Islamise the entire region.”
In the UK, The Telegraph’s Africa correspondent Adrian Blomfield stated: “The attack [on St Ignatius’ Church on 24 April 2018] has had a powerful effect on Nigeria’s Christians, persuading many, justifiably or otherwise, that the Fulanis’ real intent is dispossession, territorial acquisition and the expansion of Islam – all to be achieved by the ethnic cleansing of Christians.”
Reports indicated that Christians had carried out violence against the Fulani, while acknowledging that the attacks by Fulani were far greater both in number and severity. “Herdsmen involved in the communal violence are mainly Muslims from the Fulani ethnic group, while members of the settled farming communities are mostly Christian. Attacks have been carried out by both sides.”
Political reaction to the attack:
The Government of Nigeria immediately responded to the attack by publicly acknowledging its significance. Nigeria’s President Muhammadu Buhari, who was in the US in the days following the attack, tweeted : “Violating a place of worship, killing priests and worshippers, is not only vile, evil and satanic: it is clearly calculated to stoke up religious conflict and plunge our communities into endless bloodletting.”
Nonetheless church leaders accused the government of inaction. “In the wake of the attack” at St Ignatius’ Church, Mbalom, the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Nigeria issued a statement “calling on President [Buhari] to ‘consider stepping aside’ and accusing the government of security failures: ‘How can the federal government stand back while its security agencies deliberately turn a blind eye to the cries and wails of helpless and armless citizens who remain sitting ducks in their homes, farms, highway and now, even in their sacred places of worship?’
Local leaders in Nigeria called for police and other security forces to take action.
“Trever Akase, a spokesman for the Benue governor, said: ‘The armed herdsmen also burnt numerous houses, shops and other property in the area. This mindless attack was unprovoked, and we urge security agencies to arrest the herdsmen behind the killings for prosecution.’”
US politicians and government called for the Government of Nigeria to act quickly to stem the crisis of repeated Fulani attacks. US Congressman Chris Smith, chairman of the House Subcommittee on Africa, said: “[The] killing of priests and parishioners… of St Ignatius’ Catholic Church in the Makurdi Diocese signals that the religious violence is escalating. It’s imperative that Nigerian authorities punish those who are culpable, lest violence worsen…”
On 30 April 2018, US President Donald Trump said in front of President Muhammadu Buhari of Nigeria at a press conference outside the White House, Washington DC: “We are deeply concerned by religious violence in Nigeria including the burning of churches and the killing and persecution of Christians.”
64 Foreign Office Minister and the Prime Minister’s Special Envoy on Freedom of Religion or Belief, Lord Ahmad, when answering a Parliamentary Question on this subject, has said: “We condemn the recent attack in Mbalom, Benue State, which included an attack on a church and up to fifty houses. Two priests were among at least 18 people reportedly killed. We are appalled by the tragic loss of life” Case Review and Analysis In spite of uncertainly over the identity of the attackers, the evidence suggests a religious motive lay, at least in part, behind the 24 April 2018 killing of priests and worshippers attending an early morning church service at St Ignatius’ Church,
Mbalom, in Nigeria’s ‘Middle Belt’. Insofar as the massacre fitted with a general pattern of attacks by militant Fulani nomadic herdsmen, the killings appeared to point out the error of an analysis, which downplayed religious motives in exclusive favour of issues including climate change, the search for cattle-grazing pastures and other economic factors. In the US, response to the St Ignatius’ Church killings from President Donald Trump and other political leaders both recognised the religious dimension to the violence and renewed calls for the Nigerian government to do more to bring the perpetrators to justice. A similar approach is evident in the response made by the UK government.
Conclusions Nigeria is one of a number of West African countries straddling the sub-Saharan transition zone between majority-Muslim regions in the north and majorityChristian regions in the south. Since independence there has been a conscious effort to ensure that both communities are fairly represented at all levels in the structures of power in civil and military life. But in more recent years this balance appears to have been disturbed. In the northern and central regions of the country attacks on and abductions of unarmed civilians by armed groups have become increasingly frequent. The case study above gives full details of one such attack in the so-called Middle Belt, and cross-references others that demonstrate a consistent pattern.
Members of the Independent Review Team visited Nigeria in March. They met with church leaders, representatives of international civil society, FoRB NGO representatives, witnesses to persecution and attacks in the northern and central regions and staff at the British High Commission in Abuja. This included a roundtable discussion hosted by the British High Commission specifically on the farmer/herder clashes in the Middle Belt. There was a consensus in condemnation of the activities of Boko Haram and associated groups in the northern regions as religiously motivated, the widely publicised abduction of the Chibok schoolgirls being but one example of these activities. But when it came to the numerous attacks by Fulani herdsmen on farming communities in what is known as the Middle Belt, where Christian and Muslim communities are intermixed, there was a divergence of view.
Representatives of some international organisations and FCO staff maintained that these attacks were primarily caused by factors such as a changing environment and the clash of livelihoods This would reflect the position taken in an April 2019 FCO 65 research analysts’ paper cautioning against seeing the attacks as being sparked by a Fulani Islamisation agenda (this was despite assurances from senior FCO researchers in London that their own analysis, supplied to Post, always took the religious dimension into account). However church leaders and witnesses from the region maintained that the facts pointed to a further ethno-religious dynamic as a significant exacerbating factor. It was pointed out that the effects of climate change are more severe in neighbouring Niger to the north, but farmer-herder disputes there do not lead to mass loss of life as Government security forces are quick to diffuse tensions and initiate traditional dispute-resolution procedures.
Additionally there are normally only primitive weapons available to both sides. By contrast in Nigeria the herdsmen side is often armed with sophisticated assault rifles, the Government security forces seem to steer clear of getting involved; and traditional dispute resolution procedures cannot operate when the situation has already been significantly enflamed with one party to the dispute suffering disproportionately. Add to this that Christian villages are predominantly targeted and that attacks often start by attacking the priest and the church and the religious dimension of the conflict becomes ever more evident. Specialist witnesses interviewed in London also reported observing spikes in geo-located jihadi social media traffic both before and after such raids.
Whatever the motivation behind these attacks, however, it is striking that nobody is being brought to justice for these crimes. Where there is such impunity the incentive is clearly given for the attacks to continue and the affected communities are denied protection. In just four months in early 2018 there were at least 106 of such attacks and the resulting death toll was 1,061 Christian villagers killed, over the same period there were seven attacks on Fulani herdsmen, two of them in the south of the country . Since 2015 more deaths have resulted from these violent attacks than those caused by Boko Haram further north. By June 2018 11,833 485 displaced persons from these raids were living in 17 camps and 54 communities in
Plateau state alone had been occupied and renamed by the raiders. On 3 July 2018 the Nigerian House of Representatives declared the killings in Plateau State to be a genocide. Around the same time British Government Ministers were insisting in parliament that these killings had little to do with religious extremism.
Victim witnesses from Plateau state reported that they received regular visits from staff at the US mission in Abuja, but said that the British hardly ever visited (although a forthcoming visit to Jos was promised at the roundtable meeting).
Post have since clarified that they had visited Plateau a number of times duringthe past year to visit other groups, but had not had the opportunity to meet affected communities. Nonetheless Independent Review Team members were assured that contact is good between the British High Commission and the Nigerian Federal Government at the highest levels and that security and humanitarian assistance has been offered. But until at least some of the perpetrators of violence in the Middle Belt are brought to justice; the security forces intervene effectively on the side of those being attacked; and solutions are formulated which take theethno-religious dimension seriously, victims and survivors will remain unconvinced that diplomatic efforts to date have been as effective as they might otherwise have been.

Breaking: Kizz Daniel slams N100million lawsuit on Vanguard for 'malicious publication' (Photos)



Nigerian popstar, Kizz Daniel through his recrod label Fly Boy Inc has slammed a 100 Million Naira lawsuit on Vanguard Newspapers over what it calls a 'malicious publication'.



Last week, the singer had called out the newspaper and also denied granting an interview which stated that he attacked celebrities for protesting against COZA pastor, Biodun Fatoyinbo, who is currently enmeshed in a rape scandal.


Several media reports claimed that he granted an interview where he called celebrities ''Brainless'' for attacking and protesting against Fatoyinbo.



In a letter written to Vanguard through his lawyers, Kizz Daniel is demanding a public apology and withdrawal of the publication, a written undertaking not to publish anyhting about him without confirmation and the sum of 100million naira to cover for reputational damage he has already suffered.



See the full letter below....

VIA>>https://kupelove.blogspot.com/2019/07/br...llion.html






Re: Kizz Daniel Sues Vanguard For N100 Million Over COZA Pastor Biodun Rape Story by realmedia(f): 10:03pm On Jul 11
READ FULL LETTER>> https://kupelove.blogspot.com/2019/07/br...llion.html
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Kaduna Assembly refuses to confirm Commissioner-nominee for criticising El-Rufai 


The Kaduna State House of Assembly on Thursday rejected the Commissioner nominee for Agriculture, Aliyu Jaafaru, sent to them for confirmation by Governor Nasir El-Rufai.
According to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), the nominee, who appeared before the assembly for screening, was however rejected by the lawmakers due to his alleged criticism of the El-Rufai administration.

The Speaker, Alhaji Aminu Shagali, who presided over plenary, said the rejection was as a result of his criticism against the El-Rufai government on his social media handle since 2017.
Shagali said Jafaaru had been criticising one of the best policies of the present administration on education since 2017, which is the issue of disengagement of unqualified teachers in the state.
While quoting some of his posts, the Speaker said “in your Facebook account, you said there was nothing like making Kaduna State great again.

“It is a deceptive clinch used by politicians to deceive the masses; we will make Kaduna great at the appropriate time.
“It is a responsibility for those who are truly sincere not for those who are inherently sarcastic.
“You also said El-Rufai must learn to tackle issues with human face, you also said you are an advocate of change that goes to the root cause, not only the symptoms.

“You also said in the same post, stop comparing me with El-Rufai who thinks he is more intelligent than intelligence itself.
“You, however, said you are a humble human being that believes that all that glitter is not gold hence there is nothing authoritarian in insisting on the truth and never speak the truth.
“I detest insincerity as there are better ways of genuinely solving problems.”
Briefing journalists shortly after the plenary, the Chairman, Assembly Committee on Media and Public Affairs, Alhaji Tanimu Musa, said the rejection of the governor’s nominee was as a result of his criticism of the El-Rufai administration.
He said: “The evil that men do live even after them, Jaafaru has been a critic of this administration on social media.
“He has been criticising the government, so why does he want to work with the government you have been criticising?”
Other nominees screened include: Mr. Thomas Gyang – Commissioner for Planning and Budget, Alhaji Hassan Mahmud – Commissioner in the governor’s office for Riots, Damage, Rehabilitation and Resettlement and Alhaji Atiku Musa as Auditor General.
The House urged the auditor general to ensure that the audited account of each local government in the state was up-to-date.
Meanwhile, the speaker also announced that the Deputy Governor, Hajiya Hadiza Balarabe, would serve as the acting commissioner for Health pending when the substantive commissioner was appointed.

Quote:President Muhammadu Buhari has said most of the ministers he appointed when he was first elected president in 2015 are strangers.

Mr Buhari who took almost six months to appoint the strangers into different ministries had at the time told Nigerians that he took his time to carefully appoint those he described as to have merited the appointment.

The president who was first sworn-in on May 29, 2015 also said his intention to restructure Federal Government ministries accounted for why he did not send names of ministerial nominees to the Nigerian Senate until September 30, of that same year.



He has at different occasions praised his cabinet members as effectively discharging their duties well despite allegation of incompetence levelled against most of them by critics of the administration.

Mr Buhari who was sworn-in for a second term four years after, is yet to name those who will help him pilot the affairs of the nation for another term of four years.

After President of the Senate, Ahmed Lawan, who predicted that ministerial list of the president will arrive the lawmaking arm before the week runs out, led the leadership of the National Assembly to visit the president, the Nigerian leader has said he is under pressure to unveil his ministers.

He also said those who worked with him during his first term are strangers whom he does not know but were recommended to him by his party, the ruling All Progressive Congress, (APC).

“I am very much aware about it and I am under tremendous pressure on it,” Mr Buhari told State House Correspondents after the gathering Thursday night

“The last cabinet which I had, most of them, a majority of them I didn’t know.

“I had to accept their names and recommendation from the party. I worked with them for three and a half years,” he added.

TODAY POLITICS could not independently verify if the president handed over the list to the leadership of the National Assembly. A senator had said should the president fail to send in his ministerial nominees on time, he will have to wait until the legislative arm resumes in September after their two months recess expected to start in two weeks time.

He also opined that this might shatter the plans of both the legislature and the executive to return to the January to December budget cycle.

A 19-year-old Secondary School leaver, Ibrahim Ahmad, was on Thursday arrested by the Kano State Police Command, over the kidnap and drugging to death of a five-year-old Primary school pupil, identified as Ahmad Ado, popularly known as Sayyid.


The suspect, alongside his accomplices, Abdulmajid Mohammed and Musa Sunusi, both 18 years old, hurriedly buried the victim in an uncompleted building at Sheka area of the ancient City of Kano.

Briefing newsmen in Kano, shortly after Police operatives exhumed the victim’s body from a shallow grave, the State Commissioner of Police, Ahmed Iliyasu, said the police received a report that one Ahmad, Ado, five years old of Karkasara Quarters, Kano has been kidnapped by unknown persons at Ma’ahat Nursery and Primary School, Karkasara, Kano.

According to him, the kidnappers, subsequently contacted the family of their victim, demanding a ransom of N50 million before they will release the kidnapped boy.

Following the tip off, the Police boss, said a team of Operation Puff Adder detectives from Anti-Kidnapping Squad, promptly swung into action, using technical intelligence and arrested the principal suspects, one Ibrahim Ahmad, aged 19 , of Darmanawa quarters, Kano.

On interrogation, according to the Iliyasu, two of his accomplice, Abdulmajid Mohammed and Musa Sunusi, both 18 years old of Sheka quarters, Kunmbotso Local Government Area of Kano State, were instantly nabbed.

During interrogation, according the Police boss, the suspected confessed to have over drugged the victim after kidnapping him, which subsequently led to his death at Sheka Sabuwa Abuja Quarters, Kumbotso Local Government Area.

”The suspects went ahead and buried the boy in a shallow grave at an uncompleted building. The scene was visited by the Commissioner of Police, including a team of Forensic experts.”

Meanwhile, the CP, said, investigation has commenced, adding that on completion the suspects will be charged to court for prosecution.

In an interview, the prime suspect, Ibrahim Ahmad, admitted to committing the crime, adding that he was a first offender.

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