ASUDEEN
Friday, November 8, 2013
Friday, August 23, 2013
Man Born With His Heart In His Abdomen (PICTURED)
Tolu on August 23, 2013
A man who has lived his entire life with a heart protruding from his abdomen is finally able to walk upright without getting out of breath or turning blue. Huang Rongming, from Henan province in China, underwent life-changing surgery to correct heart a defect and move the organ away from hisabdomen and into his ribcage.
He had lived with the rare condition for 24 years until a doctor told him his condition was rapidly deteriorating and that he required urgent surgery.
Conprivate part heart displacement is incredibly rare and occurs in just five babies out of every million born. Most patients die soon after birth.
Mr Rongming could not afford the procedure that would place his heart in his chest as it should be, but media coverage of his condition enabled him to undergo to life-changing operation.
‘It’s a dream come true. I’m going to lead a normal life like everyone else,’ he told ChinaDaily.
Before surgery, Mr Rongming’s heart could clearly be seen pumping underneath a thin layer of skin and bulging out from his upper belly.
When Mr Rongming was born, doctors did not think he would survive, as his protruding heart had defects and was vulnerable to injury. His parents admitted they were anxious when he was a boy and said that he was not allowed to play with other children for fear that he would die.
The condition made the young Mr Rongming vulnerable to breathlessness and turning blue if he stood up as well as sudden death if his heart was knocked.
Earlier this year he sought treatment at Wuhan Union Hospital. His doctor, Dong Nianguo, a cardiac surgeon at the hospital, was astonished that he was still alive. Tests showed Huang’s condition was deteriorating rapidly, and he needed immediate surgery, which could cost about 200,000 yuan.
Huang’s story attracted considerable media coverage and within six days of his story being reported, he received all the money he needed from kind readers.
The surgery lasted more than 10 hours and was entirely successful. His abdomen is now flat and his heart defect fixed. Mr Rongming
FG not ready to end strike – ASUU
LAGOS— After 10 unsuccessful meetings with the Federal Government, the Academic Staff Union of Universities, ASUU, yesterday said government was not ready to end the 8-week-old strike, lamenting that government displayed dishonesty and lack of integrity during negotiations.
At a briefing in Lagos, ASUU’s President, Dr. Isa Faggae, claimed that government had declared it would not implement the agreed injection of funds to revitalize the public universities, but was only making a dubious statement of supporting some universities with N100 billion.
He said: “Government had also declared that it will not pay university academics their earned allowances which accumulated from 2009 to 2013. Rather, it is talking about providing N30 billion to assist various Governing Councils of Federal Universities to defray the arrears of N92 billion owed to all categories of staff in the university system.”
Narrating the union’s experience at the last meeting with the Government held on Monday, Faggae said: ASUU was shocked by the level of deceit, dishonesty, and lack of integrity displayed by the Government. Never in the history of ASUU-Government relations have we, as a union, ever experienced the kind of volte-face exhibited by Government. At one stage in the interaction, the Secretary to the Government Federation ridiculed the agreement, the MoU and the Needs Assessment Report, mocking the Minister of Education to “go and give them N400 billion,” at which members of the government scornfully laughed.”
He argued that the Governor Gabriel Suswam-led Implementation Committee was being used as smokescreen to “deceive ASUU, Nigerian students and their parents, as well as other unsuspecting members of the public on the purportedly released N100 billion for the implementation of the Needs Assessment Report.
First, he said, government plans to divert the regular yearly allocations to universities by Tertiary Education Trust, TETFund, to make at least 70% of the N100 billion. This is unacceptable to ASUU. It is like robbing Peter to pay Paul, since the idea of revitalization took full cognizance of the intervention role TETFund ab-initio.
“Again, contrary to subsisting operational procedures, about 75% of the money meant for revitalizing universities would not be released to them as the Suswam Committee plans to hand over construction of the hostel projects to the Federal Ministry of Education and/or the National Universities Commission, for implementation. This is illegal; neither the ministry nor NUC is backed by laws of Nigerian Public Universities to divert monies meant for the development of these institutions into centrally executed projects.”
Dr. Faggae questioned the committee’s motives for proposing to commit N1.6 million to a bed space, instead of N200, 000 to N400, 000, saying, “We see a continuation of outrageous contract regimes in the plan to centrally coordinate the construction of student hostels as done in the case of the 12 newly established Federal Universities with TETFund resources. The NUC has transmuted itself into a “Tenders’ board” which awarded contracts for the construction of 560 bed spaces hostel for each university at a whooping sum of 1.2 bn. This contract sum translates into N2.143 million per bed space.”
Thursday, August 22, 2013
Friday, November 2, 2012
Boko Haram: JTF foils plans to attack soft targets in Borno State
Colonel Sagir Musa
Lt. Col. Sagir Musa in a released made available to Daily Post on Thursday said that the JTF wishes to alert members of the public on the latest plot and advise these categories of Nigerians to be aware of people within their environment and restrict movements particularly during the hours of night.
The JTF also called on members of the public to report any suspicious movement, persons or groups to the Task Force through the following JTF Hot Lines for further action: 0806 4174066, 0708 5464012 and 0815 4429346.
In another development, Daily Post gathered that, over 50 people have been arrested by the JTF in a search operation at Zannari ward and Budun area of the metropolis.
A resident who does not want his name in print told Daily Post that, he had to return back to the office to pass the night as he cannot get to his house because the search operation was ongoing.
“Shortly after alighting from a taxi at about five O’clock this evening, I met somebody I know who ask me not to go home. ‘According to him, soldiers have taken over our street and ward as they were searching from house to house arresting people.’ So, I have no choice than to go back to the office to pass the night.
“My joy is that, I was told that my son also heard of it and he is taking refuge in my sister’s house. I also asked him not to return home until everything is over because both the guilty and the innocent are usually arrested and they all suffered before they are released and that is if they were released as many innocent people were killed in such operations.” He told Daily Post
SOurce Daily Post
Boko Haram wants talks …picks Buhari as mediator, Saudi Arabia venue …demands ex-gov’s arrest, compensation
Former Head of State, Maj.-Gen. Muhammadu Buhari (retd),
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THE violent Islamic sect, Boko Haram, on Thursday indicated its readiness to end its campaign of violence but on the conditions that ex-Borno State Governor Modu Sheriff was arrested and peace talks held in Saudi Arabia.
Also, the sect is asking for compensation for families of its members killed in the course of its terrorist acts and the rebuilding of its mosques by the Federal Government.
It also demanded the release of all its members in the custody of security agencies.
Abu Mohammed Ibn Abdulaziz, the second-in-command to the sect’s leader, Abubakar Shekau, gave the conditions on Thursday during a radio conference with journalists in Maiduguri, Borno State.
Abdulaziz did not explain why the group wanted Sheriff arrested.
Just on Wednesday, the Inspector-General of Police, Mohammed Abubakar, said Sheriff and Senators Ali Ndume and Ahmed Zanna had been put under surveillance to determine their alleged links with the sect.
The three have been variously fingered as financiers of the group
Abdulaziz named a former Head of State, Muhammadu Buhari; Dr. Shettima Monguno; a former Yobe State Governor, Bukar Ibrahim; Ambassador Gaji Galtimari; and Aisha Alkali Wakil, and her husband, Alkali as “trusted” Nigerians it would be ready to negotiate with in Saudi Arabia.
On the sect’s team would be Abdulaziz, Abu Abbas, Sheikh Ibrahim Yusuf, Sheikh Sani Kontogora and Mamman Nur.
Abdulaziz said, “We are not actually challenging the state, as people are saying, but the security (forces) that are killing our members, children and wives.
“We are highly offended but if this government is sincere, everything (the attacks) will come to an end. We want to dialogue but government must show sincerity in its handling of the situation.”
More than 1,000 persons have been killed in attacks on places of worship, military and police facilities as well as drinking joints since the sect launched its war against the government in 2009.
Last year, suicide bombers from the sect attacked the Police headquarters and the UN Building, in Abuja, killing 44 persons. On last Christmas Day, Boko Haram also attacked St Theresa’s Catholic Church, Madalla, Niger State, killing at least 46 parishioners.
It has subsequently attacked several other worship centres, including the St. Rita’s Catholic Church in Kaduna last Sunday.
Before now, the Federal Government had made several claims that it was in dialogue with the sect but Abdulaziz said there had been no contact between Boko Haram and the government. He said the sect wants the talk outside the country because the government had proved not to be trustworthy.
The PUNCH could not verify the identity of the man , who claimed to be Abdulaziz even as there were minor inconsistencies in the communication between him and the journalists on Thursday.
Apart from the fact that Abdulaziz is not the usual official spokesman for the sect, he spoke in English Language instead of the Hausa/Arabic that the sect is known for .
But, the Presidency on Thursday said the proposed ceasefire by Boko Haram was a welcome development, if it was intended to achieve the objectives of peace and security.
Presidential spokesman, Reuben Abati, said the position of President Goodluck Jonathan had been that he was ready for dialogue if members of the sect could come forward.
He said, “Yes, I have seen the story in which the Boko Haram is reportedly declaring a ceasefire and the opening of dialogue. I think it is important to restate the position of government in this matter.
“The Federal Government is committed to peace and security for the benefit of all Nigerians.
“ If what the proposed ceasefire is intended to achieve are the objectives of peace and security, then it is a welcome development.
“Don’t forget that President Jonathan made it clear that if the people behind Boko Haram are ready to come forward, and table their grievances, then government will be willing to listen to those grievances.
“There have been attempts before now, by concerned persons to reach out to the Boko Haram through back channels, in response to government’s call that all efforts should be made to resolve the problem. I suspect that this latest development may be related to that.”
Meanwhile, Governor Ibrahim Shettima of Borno State on Thursday said security agencies must be alive to their responsibilities by probing the alleged involvement of politicians in the state in the activities of Boko Haram.
Shettima gave the charge while speaking with State House correspondents in Abuja.
Borno State is considered to be the hotbed of activities of the fundamental.
He said, “On the issue of the involvement of politicians, I think is within the realm and the responsibility of the security agencies to unearth the truth.
“I am more of a developmental politician and I am more interested in addressing the core issues that makes our society vulnerable to the antics of religious bigots and all sorts of misfits that are inducting our young ones to these things.
“So, I don’t want to dabble into of the work of security agencies neither do I want to respond to allegations and accusations from any quarter. But it is the responsibility of security agencies to unearth those behind Boko Haram.”
Monday, October 29, 2012
Man, 62, defiles 10-year-old stepdaughter, flees
A 62-year-old Mr. Alabi Ibrahim has been accused of habitually having carnal knowledge of his 10-year-old-step daughter, Seyi (not) the real name.
Seyi, a primary six pupil alleged that her step-father had on several occasions molested her sexually at their residence, Opara Estate, Aiyetoro Road in Abeokuta.
The heinous act, became an open secret when the girl ignorantly shared her experience with her siblings who then informed her mother.
Angered by her husband’s incestuous act, the mother, Mrs. Adiat Ibrahim, subsequently reported Ibrahim to the police in Abeokuta.
It was learnt that the accused took to his heels when police detectives went after him in Onikolobo area.
Narrating her ordeal, the 10-year-old girl disclosed that each time her step father had sex with her, he usually threatens to kill her if she informs anybody.
She said; “Daddy always comes to me when Mummy is not at home, and warns me not to tell anybody, so that I wouldn’t die”.
The Ogun State Police Public Relations Officer, Muyiwa Adejobi who confirmed the incident described Ibrahim’s action as barbaric, promising that the police will thoroughly investigate the matter and possibly charge the suspect to court for defilement.
“The police totally condemn the act. He will not be spared. The man will be charged to court, after a thorough investigation,” Adejobi added.
Source
Daily Trust
The heinous act, became an open secret when the girl ignorantly shared her experience with her siblings who then informed her mother.
Angered by her husband’s incestuous act, the mother, Mrs. Adiat Ibrahim, subsequently reported Ibrahim to the police in Abeokuta.
It was learnt that the accused took to his heels when police detectives went after him in Onikolobo area.
Narrating her ordeal, the 10-year-old girl disclosed that each time her step father had sex with her, he usually threatens to kill her if she informs anybody.
She said; “Daddy always comes to me when Mummy is not at home, and warns me not to tell anybody, so that I wouldn’t die”.
The Ogun State Police Public Relations Officer, Muyiwa Adejobi who confirmed the incident described Ibrahim’s action as barbaric, promising that the police will thoroughly investigate the matter and possibly charge the suspect to court for defilement.
“The police totally condemn the act. He will not be spared. The man will be charged to court, after a thorough investigation,” Adejobi added.
Source
Daily Trust
Okada rider kills RTEAN Chairman for demanding ticket money in Ondo town
There was pandemonium in Ondo town on Saturday as a prominent leader of one of the Motorcycle Operators’ Association in the ancient town was killed by an unknown person.
Daily Post gathered that the victim, Late Ebenezer Adedeji, was The branch chairman of the RTEAN in one of the notable parks in the community.
According to a source from the community, late Adedeji was allegedly eliminated by a man also believed to be a member of an Okada Riders’ Association in the community, whose identity was not known as the time of filing this report.
Witnesses say the Late Adedeji had before the incident, stood at Shora Street in Ondo town where he allegedly accosted the suspect and demanded for N100 being the money for the daily ticket of the Association.
An argument was said to have ensued between the suspect and the deceased leading to altercation which led to a scuffle.
The suspect was said to have abandoned his motorcycle on the spot and left for his house which is located few meters to the area only to return with a matchet.
Eyewitness account disclosed that the late Ebenezer left the scene to attend a meeting of the Association within the area, during which the suspect had allegedly laid ambush at the entrance of the venue of the meeting.
“The late Adedeji was allegedly hacked down with the cutlass when he was on his way home from the meeting” the witness said
The suspected killer of the late RTEAN Chairman was later arrested by the traders in the area, before he was handed over to the police.
It was further learnt that all efforts made by the residents of the area to stop the suspect while he was macheting the deceased was to no avail as he was said to have ran after him, while the victim took to his heel.
However, a source at the Enuowa Divisional Police station where the incident was reported explained said that a detachment of policemen led by a senior police officer at the station were drafted to the scene.
The Divisional Police Officer in charge of the station, Chief David Ehighale, a Deputy Superintendent of Police, confirmed the incident.
He added that the suspect had been transferred to the homicide section at the Ondo State Police Command headquarters in Akure, for further investigation.
He also said the remains of the deceased has been deposited at the Ondo State Specialist Hospital Ondo town.
However, the matter took a new dimension when the news of the death of the suspected assailant was broken by the police.
He was said to have died while being taken away to the police command headquarters in Akure
Source
Daily trust News
According to a source from the community, late Adedeji was allegedly eliminated by a man also believed to be a member of an Okada Riders’ Association in the community, whose identity was not known as the time of filing this report.
Witnesses say the Late Adedeji had before the incident, stood at Shora Street in Ondo town where he allegedly accosted the suspect and demanded for N100 being the money for the daily ticket of the Association.
An argument was said to have ensued between the suspect and the deceased leading to altercation which led to a scuffle.
The suspect was said to have abandoned his motorcycle on the spot and left for his house which is located few meters to the area only to return with a matchet.
Eyewitness account disclosed that the late Ebenezer left the scene to attend a meeting of the Association within the area, during which the suspect had allegedly laid ambush at the entrance of the venue of the meeting.
“The late Adedeji was allegedly hacked down with the cutlass when he was on his way home from the meeting” the witness said
The suspected killer of the late RTEAN Chairman was later arrested by the traders in the area, before he was handed over to the police.
It was further learnt that all efforts made by the residents of the area to stop the suspect while he was macheting the deceased was to no avail as he was said to have ran after him, while the victim took to his heel.
However, a source at the Enuowa Divisional Police station where the incident was reported explained said that a detachment of policemen led by a senior police officer at the station were drafted to the scene.
The Divisional Police Officer in charge of the station, Chief David Ehighale, a Deputy Superintendent of Police, confirmed the incident.
He added that the suspect had been transferred to the homicide section at the Ondo State Police Command headquarters in Akure, for further investigation.
He also said the remains of the deceased has been deposited at the Ondo State Specialist Hospital Ondo town.
However, the matter took a new dimension when the news of the death of the suspected assailant was broken by the police.
He was said to have died while being taken away to the police command headquarters in Akure
Source
Daily trust News
Thursday, October 11, 2012
Lesbians take over the city of Calabar
Mrs. Janet Ishi of Orok Orok Street, Calabar, capital of Cross River State, is currently a worried woman. The source of her bother is her eldest daughter, Eno, whose sexual preference is less than conventional. Eno is a member of the city’s growing tribe of lesbians.
And they are found everywhere–civil service, army, police as well as secondary and tertiary institutions. Queen, a dark-skinned beauty, told TheNEWS that lesbians usually seek partners among teenage secondary school, polytechnic and university students. Places like Halls 8 and 9 (Winnie Mandela Hall), Female Medical Students’ Hostel and the School of Nursing Hostel–all at the University of Calabar; Cross River University of Technology female hostel, Federal Government Girls’ College hostels and female hostels in private schools are pools where lesbians go to fish.
Ufot, a 19-year-old girl Law student, told this magazine that several girls approached her at the University of Calabar’s Winnie Mandela Hostel, but she rejected their overtures. However, while visiting Abuja during a semester break, she was introduced to lesbianism. “My sister’s neighbour kept coming to our room to woo me each time my sister was out. She was the one that bought this Nokia X3 phone for me and often gives me money. Each time I made a move to return to school, she would weep and discourage me from going back. It was when she travelled that I left Abuja,” she said.
Lesbians, as heterosexuals do, also keep regular partners and get jealous the same way.
Adun (not real name), a journalist with a national daily, narrated his experience with Cynthia, a girl he thought was going to be meeting his sexual needs. “I took her out to all the nice places in Calabar just to put her in the mood, but she was not forthcoming. I had to make some enquires about her and was told by some people who knew her that she is a lesbian and that she has two female sex partners in the neighbourhood,” he said.
A lecturer at the Department of Sociology, University of Calabar, Dr. James Akapama, told this magazine that the environment creates the atmosphere that engenders same-sex relationship. “These people are young and their minds are susceptible to corrupting influences. They may just want to explore the experience, not knowing that they would be hooked,” he said.
He warned that social influences beyond immediate pleasures can change the direction of one’s life. Dr. Irene Aniyom, Director-General of the State Action Committee Against AIDS, SACA, said lesbianism increases the spread of HIV/AIDS in the state. She said statistics show that over 35,551 persons are currently confirmed to be HIV positive in Cross River State. This figure, she said, is obtained from tests conducted in hospitals, HIV test centres and other medical facilities across the state.
Ufot, a 19-year-old girl Law student, told this magazine that several girls approached her at the University of Calabar’s Winnie Mandela Hostel, but she rejected their overtures. However, while visiting Abuja during a semester break, she was introduced to lesbianism. “My sister’s neighbour kept coming to our room to woo me each time my sister was out. She was the one that bought this Nokia X3 phone for me and often gives me money. Each time I made a move to return to school, she would weep and discourage me from going back. It was when she travelled that I left Abuja,” she said.
Lesbians, as heterosexuals do, also keep regular partners and get jealous the same way.
Adun (not real name), a journalist with a national daily, narrated his experience with Cynthia, a girl he thought was going to be meeting his sexual needs. “I took her out to all the nice places in Calabar just to put her in the mood, but she was not forthcoming. I had to make some enquires about her and was told by some people who knew her that she is a lesbian and that she has two female sex partners in the neighbourhood,” he said.
A lecturer at the Department of Sociology, University of Calabar, Dr. James Akapama, told this magazine that the environment creates the atmosphere that engenders same-sex relationship. “These people are young and their minds are susceptible to corrupting influences. They may just want to explore the experience, not knowing that they would be hooked,” he said.
He warned that social influences beyond immediate pleasures can change the direction of one’s life. Dr. Irene Aniyom, Director-General of the State Action Committee Against AIDS, SACA, said lesbianism increases the spread of HIV/AIDS in the state. She said statistics show that over 35,551 persons are currently confirmed to be HIV positive in Cross River State. This figure, she said, is obtained from tests conducted in hospitals, HIV test centres and other medical facilities across the state.
PHOTONEWS: Lokoja-Abuja Road Cut Off By The Great Flood That Divided Nigeria
The most striking aspect of the flooding happened on the ever-busy Abuja-Lokoja highway where for close to one week now, the key highway linking northern Nigeria to the rest of the south, generally the Southwest has been submerged under water causing traffic delays that have lasted days.
Photo credit- Yushau Shuaibu/NEMA
Expect Power Supply to Get Even Better – Presidency
The President made the statement to reassure Nigerians and international investors after the ouster of Professor Barth Nnaji as the minister of Power.
According to a statement from the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Public Affairs the progress would be even more visible by the end of year 2012.
The statement read, ” “President Goodluck Jonathan expects that before the end of December 2012, with the progress being made in the area of gas supply to the National Integrated Power Project, NIPP, the present improvement in the electricity supply for domestic and industrial use will not only be sustained but also significantly improved.
“The President has set a target for the
actualisation of uninterrupted power supply, which drives economic development and Nigerians are assured that the process will not be truncated, while the privatisation of the sector will go on with utmost transparency.
“Majority of the NIPP projects that are yet to operate in full capacity despite daunting challenges will, between now and December, be able to substantially and significantly improve the generation capacity to increase the availability and sustainability of electricity power supplied nationwide for long hours.
“It is the expectation of the President that the increase in power supply will attract foreign investors and open up the flanks for job creation.
“The Roadmap to Power Sector Reform has greatly improved project planning and
management efficiency in Nigeria’s electric power system in preparation for private sector management. The President is turning words into action as evident in the
improvement in electricity power supply nationwide.
“President Jonathan is sincerely committed to ensuring that the government divests its interest in state-owned entities and
transparently entrench the key principles of restructuring and divestiture in the electric power sector.”
PHOTONEWS: Petrol Tanker Crashes, Blocks Abuja Road
The tanker somersaulted last night as its driver lost control of the vehicle as he descended the hill. No casualty was recorded in the accident.
The tanker somersaulted two times and fell and then blocked part of the road.
The driver and other occupants of the tanker escaped unhurt.
However, this afternoon fuel began gushing out of the tanker posing serious danger to road users and residents in the city.
The accident has already caused a busy traffic snarl along Kubwa road this morning.
Policemen, Firefighters and Federal Road Safety officials were seen at the scene of the accident preventing the residents from scooping fuel and making an effort to safely discharge the content of the tanker.
A police officer on the scene said that they are making an effort to get Julius Berger construction company to vacate the tanker and move it from the way to end the blockade caused by it.
Scores of Nigerian have been killed in fires caused by explosion from petrol tankers
Suspend execution of 800 condemned prisoners in Nigeria’
The Federal Government has been asked to suspend the execution of over 800 inmates on death row in various prisons in the country.
Lawyers Without Borders France, otherwise known as ASF France, and the National Human Rights Commission, made the appeal while canvassing a review of the law on capital punishment at a news conference to mark the World Day Against Death Penalty in Abuja on Wednesday.
Head of Mission, ASF France, Celine Lemmel, noted that there were over 800 inmates on death row in Nigerian prisons.
She said, “While ASF France commends the Nigerian government for its self-imposed moratorium, it urges the government to issue an official statement clearly declaring that Nigeria has adopted a moratorium on execution of death sentences, i.e an official suspension of executions and, eventually, of death sentences.”
She noted that many of those on death row were condemned based on confessional statements made under duress.
Lemmel said, “Currently, there are over 800 inmates on death row in various prisons in Nigeria. These inmates were convicted for crimes ranging from murder, armed robbery and kidnapping.
“The majority of these convicts cannot afford the services of lawyers let alone counsel of their own choice.
“In most cases, their convictions were based on confessional statements of the accused made under duress during interrogation by law enforcement agencies.
“Besides, these agencies lack apparatus to carry out forensic investigations.
“The commission supports the call for a moratorium on death penalty.
“As far back as 2004, the National Study Group on Death Penalty called on the government to impose a moratorium on execution and commute persons on death row whose appeals have been concluded to life imprisonment.
“This is given the fact that the criminal justice system has its flaws which need to be overhauled.”Friday, October 5, 2012
UN blames improper planning for ravaging flood
United Nations, UN, representative in the country, yesterday, attributed the major causes of flood disasters in Nigeria to improper urban planning even as it urged the Federal and state governments to urgently adopt pro-poor land and housing policy.
UN Habitat Programme Manager to Nigeria, Mr. Kabir Yayi and Governor Babatunde Fashola of Lagos, made the remarks at this year’s celebration of the World Habitat Day, theme ‘Changing Cities, Building Opportunities’,at the state Secretariat Audit-orium, Alausa, Ikeja.
However, Governor Babatunde Fashola has reassured residents that his administration would continue in its drive to ensure a sustainable human habitation.
Worried by the present flooding in the country which is currently ravaging some states, Yayi noted that the inability of the governments to design measures that would aid proper urban planning as the cities grow led to the chaotic development.
According to him, “It is when cities are well planned that they can continue to provide for needs of the citizens.”
Fashola, who was represented by his Deputy, Mrs. Adejoke Orelope Adefulire, said that the theme of the yearly celebration is in tandem with the state government ten-point agenda and the pursuit of becoming Africa’s model mega-city.
However, Governor Babatunde Fashola has reassured residents that his administration would continue in its drive to ensure a sustainable human habitation.
Worried by the present flooding in the country which is currently ravaging some states, Yayi noted that the inability of the governments to design measures that would aid proper urban planning as the cities grow led to the chaotic development.
According to him, “It is when cities are well planned that they can continue to provide for needs of the citizens.”
Fashola, who was represented by his Deputy, Mrs. Adejoke Orelope Adefulire, said that the theme of the yearly celebration is in tandem with the state government ten-point agenda and the pursuit of becoming Africa’s model mega-city.
Dismissed policeman, two others arrested for robbery
The Lagos State Police Command yesterday, arrested three suspected members of separate robbery gangs said to have been terrorizing residents of Alakuko and Ebute-Metta areas of the state.
Surprisingly, one of the suspects was a dismissed police corporal.
This is just as three persons lost their lives Wednesday night after an Iveco Truck with number plate AAA 92 XA driven by one Samson John, hit a Hyundai Bus with plate number XU 721 BDG at Itamaga Junction, Ikorodu.
Spokes person for the command , Ngozi Braide who confirmed the arrest ,explained that policemen from Ebutte-Metta division who acted on tip-off, stormed a make shift building in Ebutte-Metta where they arrested one Chinedu Onwunure. A search conducted round the building according to her, led to the recovery of a double barrel gun with nine live ammunition.
During preliminary investigation, it was gathered that the makeshift building was used as a hide-out and also meeting place before the gang went for operation
This is just as three persons lost their lives Wednesday night after an Iveco Truck with number plate AAA 92 XA driven by one Samson John, hit a Hyundai Bus with plate number XU 721 BDG at Itamaga Junction, Ikorodu.
Spokes person for the command , Ngozi Braide who confirmed the arrest ,explained that policemen from Ebutte-Metta division who acted on tip-off, stormed a make shift building in Ebutte-Metta where they arrested one Chinedu Onwunure. A search conducted round the building according to her, led to the recovery of a double barrel gun with nine live ammunition.
During preliminary investigation, it was gathered that the makeshift building was used as a hide-out and also meeting place before the gang went for operation
Yes, Uduaghan has got this right
He may not have performed to the utmost satisfaction of critics who, based on the spate of recent kidnappings in the state, had to draw hasty conclusions that Delta under Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan has not only collapsed in terms of security of lives and property, but also on infrastructures.
Although, these cynics are entitled to their own opinions, but the truth strongly lies in the fact that such arm-chair criticism cannot take one laudable achievement from Dr. Uduaghan, and this is the fact that Delta is at pace!
From casual discussions to formal ones, I have actually made attempts to administering questionnaires on one project Dr. Uduaghan, the Governor of Delta State has got right since he became the executive governor of the state. Responses were not encouraging as most people spoken to, generally, have become cynical about government and nihilistic that nothing good can come from it whether in Delta State or anywhere in the country.
Severally too, I have discarded the assessment project until I met an old woman whom I offered a ride from Ughelli to Oleh. Mama Rukome was angry that her customers didn’t pay for her commodity on time, hence she was stranded at the point I met her.
When I probed further, Mama made me understand that she had not for any reason, in the past two years she has been plying the Oleh /Ughelli route trading in “tapioka or kpokpogari” missed the Uduaghan bus. Meaning Mama has been patronising the Uduaghan transit bus because it provides comfort, it is reliable and above all, it is affordable. Mama Rukome does not bask in this euphoria alone.
There are other Deltans who couldn’t hide their joy for the relief the Uduaghan’s mass transit has brought. If not for the fact that the Delta mass transit was not extended to the riverine areas of the State, the Delta mass transit would have dwarfed other projects as one project Dr. Uduaghan has got right.
Tellingly, security of lives and property has been an enormous challenge to the leadership of this country. It became monstrous soon after the civil war when arms found their ways into the hands of people who, ordinarily, were not supposed to have custody of such weapons.
The smiles brought about by a return to democracy after what seemed to have been an endless wait for it was short-lived.
Again, the despicable level of insecurity in the country got out of control when the nation’s economy took a dive down the precipice. Some sophistication was injected into robbery and other related crimes.
The militant activities of Niger Delta youths and their commercial romance with Lebanese and Russians crude oil merchants gave crime a fillip in the coast of South- South Nigeria.
The present Delta State government has demonstrated that it is learning very fast from past security pitfalls. It was an ingenious Dr. Uduaghan who realised quite on time that collaboration with the military would bring about the much deserved safety of lives and property in the state.
Deltans living outside the state can attest to the fact that the security situation in the state has improved. To be fair to Dr. Uduaghan, I think there couldn’t have been anything Deltans had wished for more than peace and security.
If you ask an Itsekiri man, or an Urhobo man or an Ijaw man, what he would like to have in place of peace and security, without hesitation, he will tell you peace and security cannot be traded for anything.
This is no thanks to the avoidable communal crises that further worsened the level of underdevelopment in the area. The Uduaghan security initiative has made it possible to drive through Sapele/Warri road and Sapele/Abraka road on one hand, and the other Ughelli/Kwale/Asaba road without encountering a bloody clash.
We should not whip up sentiments and take undue advantage of the fact that infrastructures in the state are decaying. Also we were all witnesses to the prolonged court case over who was the duly elected governor of the state. That alone was enough distraction.
Quite regretfully though, Deltans had at a time lived in feverish fear. Warri, Sapele, Ughelli, Oleh, to mention but a few, were towns in the state that were notorious for dare-devil robbery attacks.
Last year, August to be precise, Kwale (Utagba-Ogbe) witnessed one of the fiercest robbery attacks on a new generational bank in the whole of Ndukwa nation. Same last year, a youth corp member serving at Oleh was shot dead outside Emore Secondary School where he was attached to for the 12 months compulsory primary assignment.
Understandably, kidnap cases were even more dreaded than robbery. Both the mighty and the not too high in Delta State were in awe of kidnappers. In some cases, their victims were murdered in cold blood before ransom was paid. My neighbour and the Managing Director of DeltanLine, Elder Eyone Isaiah, was picked up from his country home one drizzling night in October, 2011.
He didn’t regain his freedom until an undisclosed amount of money was paid. But the good thing is that he was released and those beyond the crime are presently in police custody awaiting prosecution.
There have been so many kidnap cases that were foiled by the JTF team in the state. Before this time, it was reminiscent of a “Nightfall in Soweto”. But Dr. Uduaghan has stepped up to these challenges. Men of JTF are common sights on highways and street corners. Robbers and kidnapers now know that it is nolonger safe in to carry out their criminal trade in Delta State.
Whichever way it is looked at, Delta has made some considerable progress in the safety of lives and property. Come to think of it, development can only thrive in an environment that is safe. True, investors cannot invest in an environment deep in crisis. The return of oil servicing companies to Warri is a sure sign that things are getting better in our Delta.
Mr Okofu Ubaka a social critic, wrote from Koko in Warri-North LGA
From casual discussions to formal ones, I have actually made attempts to administering questionnaires on one project Dr. Uduaghan, the Governor of Delta State has got right since he became the executive governor of the state. Responses were not encouraging as most people spoken to, generally, have become cynical about government and nihilistic that nothing good can come from it whether in Delta State or anywhere in the country.
Severally too, I have discarded the assessment project until I met an old woman whom I offered a ride from Ughelli to Oleh. Mama Rukome was angry that her customers didn’t pay for her commodity on time, hence she was stranded at the point I met her.
When I probed further, Mama made me understand that she had not for any reason, in the past two years she has been plying the Oleh /Ughelli route trading in “tapioka or kpokpogari” missed the Uduaghan bus. Meaning Mama has been patronising the Uduaghan transit bus because it provides comfort, it is reliable and above all, it is affordable. Mama Rukome does not bask in this euphoria alone.
There are other Deltans who couldn’t hide their joy for the relief the Uduaghan’s mass transit has brought. If not for the fact that the Delta mass transit was not extended to the riverine areas of the State, the Delta mass transit would have dwarfed other projects as one project Dr. Uduaghan has got right.
Tellingly, security of lives and property has been an enormous challenge to the leadership of this country. It became monstrous soon after the civil war when arms found their ways into the hands of people who, ordinarily, were not supposed to have custody of such weapons.
The smiles brought about by a return to democracy after what seemed to have been an endless wait for it was short-lived.
Again, the despicable level of insecurity in the country got out of control when the nation’s economy took a dive down the precipice. Some sophistication was injected into robbery and other related crimes.
The militant activities of Niger Delta youths and their commercial romance with Lebanese and Russians crude oil merchants gave crime a fillip in the coast of South- South Nigeria.
The present Delta State government has demonstrated that it is learning very fast from past security pitfalls. It was an ingenious Dr. Uduaghan who realised quite on time that collaboration with the military would bring about the much deserved safety of lives and property in the state.
Deltans living outside the state can attest to the fact that the security situation in the state has improved. To be fair to Dr. Uduaghan, I think there couldn’t have been anything Deltans had wished for more than peace and security.
If you ask an Itsekiri man, or an Urhobo man or an Ijaw man, what he would like to have in place of peace and security, without hesitation, he will tell you peace and security cannot be traded for anything.
This is no thanks to the avoidable communal crises that further worsened the level of underdevelopment in the area. The Uduaghan security initiative has made it possible to drive through Sapele/Warri road and Sapele/Abraka road on one hand, and the other Ughelli/Kwale/Asaba road without encountering a bloody clash.
We should not whip up sentiments and take undue advantage of the fact that infrastructures in the state are decaying. Also we were all witnesses to the prolonged court case over who was the duly elected governor of the state. That alone was enough distraction.
Quite regretfully though, Deltans had at a time lived in feverish fear. Warri, Sapele, Ughelli, Oleh, to mention but a few, were towns in the state that were notorious for dare-devil robbery attacks.
Last year, August to be precise, Kwale (Utagba-Ogbe) witnessed one of the fiercest robbery attacks on a new generational bank in the whole of Ndukwa nation. Same last year, a youth corp member serving at Oleh was shot dead outside Emore Secondary School where he was attached to for the 12 months compulsory primary assignment.
Understandably, kidnap cases were even more dreaded than robbery. Both the mighty and the not too high in Delta State were in awe of kidnappers. In some cases, their victims were murdered in cold blood before ransom was paid. My neighbour and the Managing Director of DeltanLine, Elder Eyone Isaiah, was picked up from his country home one drizzling night in October, 2011.
He didn’t regain his freedom until an undisclosed amount of money was paid. But the good thing is that he was released and those beyond the crime are presently in police custody awaiting prosecution.
There have been so many kidnap cases that were foiled by the JTF team in the state. Before this time, it was reminiscent of a “Nightfall in Soweto”. But Dr. Uduaghan has stepped up to these challenges. Men of JTF are common sights on highways and street corners. Robbers and kidnapers now know that it is nolonger safe in to carry out their criminal trade in Delta State.
Whichever way it is looked at, Delta has made some considerable progress in the safety of lives and property. Come to think of it, development can only thrive in an environment that is safe. True, investors cannot invest in an environment deep in crisis. The return of oil servicing companies to Warri is a sure sign that things are getting better in our Delta.
Mr Okofu Ubaka a social critic, wrote from Koko in Warri-North LGA
Explosion rocks Zaria hotel, injures 10
KADUNA—NO fewer than 10 persons, including commercial sex workers, were injured, yesterday, when a polythene bag laden with explosives went off in a hotel in Zaria, Kaduna State.
The incident took place at Cosmopolitan Hotel, located on Uche Road, Sabo Garin area in the city.
According to Vanguard findings, a man had strolled into the hotel, dropped the bag and attempted to sneak away.
However, some watchful guests, who sighted the bomber, raised alarm and pursued him, but they could not apprehend him. While the suspect was being pursued, the bag exploded, injuring those around the area.
A manhunt for the lone bomber was said to have commenced in the area.
Confirming the incident, Kaduna State Police Command Public Relations Officer, DSP Aminu Lawan, said only four people were injured in what he described as a minor blast.
Aminu said: “Our men were able to get to the scene of the incident immediately we were told and condoned off the area. We were also able to recover some particles of the materials used for the IED. It was only workers of the hotel that were injured. Investigation is, however, on.”
According to Vanguard findings, a man had strolled into the hotel, dropped the bag and attempted to sneak away.
However, some watchful guests, who sighted the bomber, raised alarm and pursued him, but they could not apprehend him. While the suspect was being pursued, the bag exploded, injuring those around the area.
A manhunt for the lone bomber was said to have commenced in the area.
Confirming the incident, Kaduna State Police Command Public Relations Officer, DSP Aminu Lawan, said only four people were injured in what he described as a minor blast.
Aminu said: “Our men were able to get to the scene of the incident immediately we were told and condoned off the area. We were also able to recover some particles of the materials used for the IED. It was only workers of the hotel that were injured. Investigation is, however, on.”
Ogun State Govt has suspended the Olu of Itori, Oba Fatai Akorede Akamo and the Baale of Lapeleke, Chief Adisa Akinremi, till further notice
Ogun State Govt has suspended the Olu of Itori, Oba Fatai Akorede Akamo and the Baale of Lapeleke, Chief Adisa Akinremi, till further notice
Southern leaders dare North over Jonathan’s impeachment
ABUJA—Alleged plot to remove President Goodluck Jonathan from power took a new twist yesterday as Southern leaders dared the Northerners allegedly behind the repeated impeachment threats against the President to carry out their plot and rock the Nigerian boat.
The leaders, under the aegis of Southern Mandate, in a statement issued in Abuja at the end of its meeting, said it was aware of clandestine meetings by a group of Northern leaders, made up of wealthy, retired Army Generals, politicians and businessmen “to map out new strategies and mobilise funds to intensify a long-drawn battle to ease President Goodluck Jonathan out of office through whatever means.”
Representatives of various southern groups at the meeting included Tito Zuokumor, Onengiye Elekima, Victor Akpe, Ekene Nwachukwu, Zacheaus Odera, Obi Okoroma, Demola Oloruntoba, Tope Ismail and Fadairo Bamidele.
The statement said: “The Southern Mandate hereby declares its resolve to protect and defend the office and person of President Goodluck Jonathan through appropriate and legal means. Let it be noted that no individual, group or region has a monopoly of coercion, force or ability to create chaos.
“Enough of these acts of disunity, which had been the basis of persistent calls for a Sovereign National Conference to discuss the future of our dear country. It is either we decide to live peacefully or go our separate ways with a simple handshake. But we are also ready to sink the boat when push gets to shove.”
The group, with representatives from the three southern geo-political zones, said those involved in the move were partly responsible for the heightened massive killings in various parts of the North, in line with their vow to make Nigeria ungovernable under President Jonathan.
They said when that strategy did not yield the desired result, they enlisted members of the House of Representatives, three months ago, to impeach the President, using the plank of an alleged poor 2012 budget implementation.
Representatives of various southern groups at the meeting included Tito Zuokumor, Onengiye Elekima, Victor Akpe, Ekene Nwachukwu, Zacheaus Odera, Obi Okoroma, Demola Oloruntoba, Tope Ismail and Fadairo Bamidele.
The statement said: “The Southern Mandate hereby declares its resolve to protect and defend the office and person of President Goodluck Jonathan through appropriate and legal means. Let it be noted that no individual, group or region has a monopoly of coercion, force or ability to create chaos.
“Enough of these acts of disunity, which had been the basis of persistent calls for a Sovereign National Conference to discuss the future of our dear country. It is either we decide to live peacefully or go our separate ways with a simple handshake. But we are also ready to sink the boat when push gets to shove.”
The group, with representatives from the three southern geo-political zones, said those involved in the move were partly responsible for the heightened massive killings in various parts of the North, in line with their vow to make Nigeria ungovernable under President Jonathan.
They said when that strategy did not yield the desired result, they enlisted members of the House of Representatives, three months ago, to impeach the President, using the plank of an alleged poor 2012 budget implementation.
Thursday, September 13, 2012
Idris fires at Obasanjo again: “You be bad Papa”
The ‘war’ between former president, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo and dancehall music star, Ediris Abdulkareem over his 2004 hit track, Jaga Jaga is fast becoming a tale of ‘a child who says his mother will not sleep, he too will not sleep.” Mr. Lecturer, as fans and admirers would call him is ready to ‘dance’ with OBJ, since he’s not ready to let the sleeping dog lies.
In 2004, Abdulkareem’s third album, Jaga Jaga, which lamented the corruption and suffering in Nigeria was banned from playing on radio by Nigerian President Olusegun Obasanjo, although, it continued playing in nightclubs and parties.
Since then, many thought the case had been interred and faded into a cultural pot of time, only to resurface recently at a forum in Lagos when the retired military general lambasted the singer again, an indication that his indignation towards the Kano-born crooner is still raging and roiling. If you missed it, read it here
Angered by OBJ’s comment, the singer fought back through his twit account, by calling the Ota farmer his ‘mugu.’ He tweeted: ‘It’s obvious that Obasanjo can’t do without me. I’m his joy therapy. Mr ex-president, Nigeria still dey jagajaga, in fact worse pass jagajaga‘, @idrisAbdulkarm twitted.
‘President Obasanjo if you truly love Goodluck as u claimed, why don’t you talk to your fellow Boko Haram member to let Goodluck rule in peace’.
Eedris didn’t stop there as he went on to call the PDP leader a ‘mugu’, ‘Mr expresident, I heard you were talking about me in ur last interview hahahahahhahah its obvious you can’t do without me. You are my mugu. Obasanjo na my mugu oooo na jeje i dey, u dey look for trouble oooo…. hahahahahhahahahahhahahah’. ‘Mr ex president, u be my mugu!’ he added.
Not still satisfied, Idris has released a new single, entitled ‘ Baba’ in his defense and to buttress his point that Nigeria is truly ‘Jaga Jaga.’
The lyric goes thus: “Papa na you born me but I no send you again because you no be good Papa,” he chants. “Which kind Papa dey oppress im pikin/Which kind Papa no like im pikin/Which kind Papa no want make im pikin grow. I tire, I never see this kind papa. For this moment I disown you/I no like you/ I dey look for another papa.”
“12 years ago Nigeria Jagajaga/Today Nigeria don pafuka/You be bad Papa/You no be fine Papa/You dey oppress pikin/Even for Abeokuta they no gbadun your style,” he says.
“I de my house dey watch television na im I see baba Ota dey yarn say my papa na yamayama/Say my mama na jagajaga. He say na Eedris be the problem of Nigeria. If you talk again, I go sing another. You say make them no give me show but I still dey survive. The road to your house for Ota na jagajaga/Make you sidon for your house make I live mylife,” he says.
The song is currently trending online as people are beginning to air their national frustration through it.
It would be recalled that Idris was one of the Remedies group before going solo. His debut album, P.A.S.S. (Pains and Stress = Success) was released in 2002 on Kennis Music. Released the same year and also on same label was Mr. Lecturer, which addressed the problem of students using money and sex to solicit higher grades in Nigerian colleges and universities. Also in 2004, Abdulkareem came to international attention as a result of a scuffle with American rapper 50 Cent on board an aircraft at Murtala Mohammed International Airport in Lagos.
In November 2005, Abdulkareem launched his own record label, La Kreem Music, and released his fourth album, Letter to Mr. President. The album’s title track addressed Obasanjo’s criticisms of “JagaJaga”; the album also featured “Flash Up Unu Lighter”, a tribute to Obasanjo’s wife, Stella, who died while undergoing surgery in Spain, and then victims of the Belleview Airline crash of October 2005.
Since music is no more paying the rapper, he has resorted to other things that could pay his bills faster. The man is now the founder of EedrisAbdulkareem Foundation, a fundraising organization dedicated to fighting the spread of HIV AIDS in Sub-Saharan Africa in collaboration with the Pat Utomi Foundation.
Meanwhile, at the time of filling this report, the ex president is yet to reply the singer.
We’ll keep you posted while the ‘war’ lasts
Since then, many thought the case had been interred and faded into a cultural pot of time, only to resurface recently at a forum in Lagos when the retired military general lambasted the singer again, an indication that his indignation towards the Kano-born crooner is still raging and roiling. If you missed it, read it here
Angered by OBJ’s comment, the singer fought back through his twit account, by calling the Ota farmer his ‘mugu.’ He tweeted: ‘It’s obvious that Obasanjo can’t do without me. I’m his joy therapy. Mr ex-president, Nigeria still dey jagajaga, in fact worse pass jagajaga‘, @idrisAbdulkarm twitted.
‘President Obasanjo if you truly love Goodluck as u claimed, why don’t you talk to your fellow Boko Haram member to let Goodluck rule in peace’.
Eedris didn’t stop there as he went on to call the PDP leader a ‘mugu’, ‘Mr expresident, I heard you were talking about me in ur last interview hahahahahhahah its obvious you can’t do without me. You are my mugu. Obasanjo na my mugu oooo na jeje i dey, u dey look for trouble oooo…. hahahahahhahahahahhahahah’. ‘Mr ex president, u be my mugu!’ he added.
Not still satisfied, Idris has released a new single, entitled ‘ Baba’ in his defense and to buttress his point that Nigeria is truly ‘Jaga Jaga.’
The lyric goes thus: “Papa na you born me but I no send you again because you no be good Papa,” he chants. “Which kind Papa dey oppress im pikin/Which kind Papa no like im pikin/Which kind Papa no want make im pikin grow. I tire, I never see this kind papa. For this moment I disown you/I no like you/ I dey look for another papa.”
“12 years ago Nigeria Jagajaga/Today Nigeria don pafuka/You be bad Papa/You no be fine Papa/You dey oppress pikin/Even for Abeokuta they no gbadun your style,” he says.
“I de my house dey watch television na im I see baba Ota dey yarn say my papa na yamayama/Say my mama na jagajaga. He say na Eedris be the problem of Nigeria. If you talk again, I go sing another. You say make them no give me show but I still dey survive. The road to your house for Ota na jagajaga/Make you sidon for your house make I live mylife,” he says.
The song is currently trending online as people are beginning to air their national frustration through it.
It would be recalled that Idris was one of the Remedies group before going solo. His debut album, P.A.S.S. (Pains and Stress = Success) was released in 2002 on Kennis Music. Released the same year and also on same label was Mr. Lecturer, which addressed the problem of students using money and sex to solicit higher grades in Nigerian colleges and universities. Also in 2004, Abdulkareem came to international attention as a result of a scuffle with American rapper 50 Cent on board an aircraft at Murtala Mohammed International Airport in Lagos.
In November 2005, Abdulkareem launched his own record label, La Kreem Music, and released his fourth album, Letter to Mr. President. The album’s title track addressed Obasanjo’s criticisms of “JagaJaga”; the album also featured “Flash Up Unu Lighter”, a tribute to Obasanjo’s wife, Stella, who died while undergoing surgery in Spain, and then victims of the Belleview Airline crash of October 2005.
Since music is no more paying the rapper, he has resorted to other things that could pay his bills faster. The man is now the founder of EedrisAbdulkareem Foundation, a fundraising organization dedicated to fighting the spread of HIV AIDS in Sub-Saharan Africa in collaboration with the Pat Utomi Foundation.
Meanwhile, at the time of filling this report, the ex president is yet to reply the singer.
We’ll keep you posted while the ‘war’ lasts
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