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Showing posts from September 28, 2016

Man, woman found dead in Umuahia brothel

Mr. Leye Oyebade, Abia State Commissioner of Police The police in Abia on Wednesday confirmed the death of one unidentified man and a woman in a brothel in Umuahia. The Public Relations Officer of the state police command, Mr Nta Ogbonaya, confirmed the incident in Umuahia. He said that the two persons were found dead in the early hours of Wednesday in the brothel located at No. 44 Uyo Street, Umuahia. “The information we got is that many people died in the brothel but on getting to the place, we found only two lifeless bodies and six other persons who were unconscious.” He said that the remains of the deceased had been deposited in the mortuary while the unconscious ones, including the manager of the brothel, were taken to the Federal Medical Centre. He added that the deceased and the six unconscious persons were found in different rooms in the brothel, popularly known as 50-50. Ogbonnaya, however, said that the cause of the death was still unknown, saying that “an autopsy wou

Edo poll: Electoral officer confirms ballot box snatching at Ekpoma

The APC candidate, Godwin Obaseki casting his vote Mr Lebari Nduh, INEC Electoral Officer in Esan West Local Government Area, has confirmed that hoodlums had snatched a ballot box from Ward 7 unit 11, during the Edo governorship election on Wednesday. Nduh made the confirmation while addressing Journalists at INEC office in Ekpoma. He, however, said that the election was peaceful at the various polling centres,“ except in ward 7 unit 11, where hoodlums snatched a ballot box”. “The hoodlums couldn’t lay their hands on the result sheets which were saved by the presiding officer, but as I speak with you, there is no result from there,” he said. The electoral officer said although INEC officials experienced some hitches with the card readers, “the faulty machines were immediately replaced with functional ones’’.

NASS crisis: Jibrin vows to continue anti-corruption crusade

Hon. Jibrin Abdumumini Rep. Abdulmumin Jibrin, former Chairman, House of Representatives Committee on Appropriation who was suspended on Wednesday, says he will follow up his anti-corruption crusade against the house leadership until justice is served. The lawmaker was on Wednesday suspended for 180 days after failing to appear before the Ethics Committee over allegation of corruption he made against the leadership. Speaker Dogara and others accused of wrongdoing had, however, denied the allegations. Abdulmum, in a letter addressed to the principal officers and other members of the house, said he had begun a crusade to expose systemic and individual corruption in the House and push for reforms that would wipe out corruption. The letter titled, made available to newsmen, was titled: “Details and management of running cost and other allowances of principal officers of the House.” Copies of the 2-page letter were addressed to the Attorney General of the Federation, security and ant

Nigeria is already getting out of recession –Minister

Kemi Adeosun, Minister of Finance Mrs Kemi Adeosun, the Minister of Finance, on Wednesday said that the nation was already getting out of recession, saying the Federal Government had taken steps that were in the best interest of the citizens. Adeosun disclosed this in her closing remarks at a two-day conference of National Council of Finance and Economic Development (NACOFED) in Abeokuta. “We are already getting out of recession because of the actions the Federal Government is taking. If you are in a problem, the day you start to step towards progression, you are already getting out of it. “The government is investing more in capital than we have ever invested, we are sorting out infrastructures, we are stopping wastage and so the sign of recovery is already there. “Agriculture and solid mineral are already starting to grow and so they are responding to our policy initiative and we are expected to continue in that direction. “Nigeria is getting out of the trouble that we have fo

Oshiomhole, INEC planning to rig Edo poll at collation centres – PDP

Pastor Ize-Iyamu, the PDP governorship candidate, casting his vote Jethro Ibileke/Benin The Edo State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has raised an alarm that Governor Adams Oshiomhole and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) are planning to rig the ongoing gubernatorial election at collation centres. The party stated this in a statement issued and signed by its State Publicity Secretary, Chris Nehikhare. The statement reads: “Edo PDP wishes to let Edo People know that there has been enough time for the INEC to start announcing the ward results. Voting stopped at 2pm and votes were counted immediately at the unit levels. “From results made available to us, we are in a very comfortable lead. We are however shocked that till now no ward result has been declared. We are aware that APC and INEC plan to change the results at the collation centres and we wish to warn that any change to the result we are already aware of will be met with stiff resistance.

APGA calls for cancellation of Edo guber poll

Voters queing to vote in the Edo governorship election Jethro Ibileke‎/Benin Candidate of the All Progressive Grand Alliance (APGA) in the ongoing Edo State governorship election, Mr. Osaro Onaiwu, has called for the cancellation of the poll. While admitting that “the turnout was impressive because Edo people wanted change,” Osaro alleged that the exercise was fraught with financial inducement and violence. According to him, “The people were disenfranchised by the PDP and APC. This is not the democracy we laboured for, not the kind democracy we want to leave for our children. “I asked for the cancellation since 2pm (Wednesday) because there was no election. There was no election. In my unit where I voted, the APC thugs went there and they took the ballot box,” he alleged.

House of Reps suspends Abdumumin Jibrin

Hon. Jibrin Abdumumini The House of Representatives on Wednesday suspended Rep. Abdulmumin Jibrin (APC-Kano), the embattled former Chairman, House Committee on Appropriation, for a year. Specifically, Jibrin was ordered to abstain from the lower legislative chamber for 180 legislative days for breach of privileges of members. Jibrin’s suspension would see him barred from the premises of the National Assembly in the course of the disciplinary action and would not receive salaries or allowances. Part of the punitive measures further stated that Jibrin would not be able to hold any position of responsibility for the lifespan of the current National Assembly. These followed the adoption of the report of the House Committee on Ethics and Priviledges chaired by Rep. Nicholas Ossai at the plenary, presided over by the Deputy Speaker of the House, Mr Yussuf Lasun. According to the report, the committee found that Jibrin’s statements were injurious, scandalous and denigrating to the Hous

Edo Poll: APC chairman, Oyegun loses in polling unit, Obaseki wins

National Chairman APC, Chief John Odigie-Oyegun being accredited by an electoral officer Jethro Ibileke/Benin‎ The National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress, Chief John Odigie Oyegun, has again lost in his polling unit to the Peoples Democratic Party, in the ongoing Edo State governorship election. Oyegun who voted at Oredo Ward 2, Unit 1, has not won election for his party in the unit since joining the APC. The returning officer of the Independent National Electoral Commission, while announcing results from the Unit, said the APC scored 69 votes, while the PDP scored 78 votes. Meanwhile the APC governorship candidate, Godwin ‎Obaseki won in his Ward 4 polling unit 19 in Oredo Local Government Area. In the results announced by electoral officials APC scored 160 while PDP got 77.

$7b saga: Soludo’s a joker for demanding apology-Falana

Femi Falana, SAN Human rights lawyer, Femi Falan (SAN) has described the former Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, governor, Prof. Charles Soludo as a joker for demanding apology from him over the $7 billion illegal loan to 14 commercial banks by the apex bank in 2006. Falana had called on the Economic and Financial Crime Commission, EFCC, to investigate the the $7 billion the CBN granted the banks under the tenure of Soludo as it was done fraudulently. Falana, in a statement on Wednesday said in his rather hasty reaction to his petition to the EFCC on the criminal diversion of public funds from the Federation Account and the mismanagement of the nation’s foreign reserves, Soludo accused him of peddling falsehood by saying that he removed $7 billion from the nation’s foreign reserves and doled it out to 14 commercial banks in 2006. “While insisting that the issue of $7 billion was a figment of my imagination he asked for a retraction of the allegation and apology from me. Although Prof

Ize-Iyamu’s a liar, Ambode overseas-LASG

Pastor Ize-Iyamu Kazeem Ugbodaga The Lagos State Government on Wednesday dismissed allegations made by the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Edo State, Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu alleging that Governor Akinwunmi Ambode and his Kaduna State counterpart, Mallam Nasir El Rufai were in Edo State for the election. In a statement signed by the State’s Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Mr Steve Ayorinde, the government described the allegations by the PDP candidate as reckless and disgraceful. Ayorinde while clarifying the position of the government said Ambode was presently overseas for an official assignment and in any case had no business being in Edo State on Election Day. “The Lagos State Governor served as the chairman Campaign Council constituted by the All Progressives Congress and his duty ended 24 hours before the election because no campaign was supposed to hold 24 hours to the election and having completed his assignment which included appearing with P

IOC to convene Olympic Summit on Oct. 8

IOC President, Thomas Bach The International Olympic Committee (IOC) is to convene an Olympic Summit to discuss the protection of clean athletes and more specifically, to review World Anti Doping Agency (WADA) anti-doping system. The IOC Media Department said in a statement on Tuesday that the summit would hold on Oct. 8 in Lausanne, Switzerland. It said that the discussions would focus on some principles for a more robust, more efficient and more independent worldwide anti-doping system. “This will include a reinforcement of the request issued by the Olympic Summit on Oct. 17, 2015 to make the entire anti-doping system independent from sports organisations. “The Olympic Summit will also discuss a first debrief on the success of the Rio 2016 Olympic Games,’’ it said. It also said that the Olympic Summit would involve leading representatives of the Olympic Movement. It forms part of the ongoing dialogue and consultation on the main topics of interest and concern to the Olympic M

300 teachers to benefit from MultiChoice digital training

By Daniels Ekugo John Ugbe, Managing Director, MultiChoice Nigeria In an effort to increase knowledge in digital audio-visual education, MultiChoice Nigeria, leading provider of video entertainment services, has concluded plans to train over 300 Secondary School teachers and principals in the digital audio-visual teaching techniques. The one month training exercise which will take place in; Ebonyi, Oyo and Kano States from September 13- October 6, 2016 will enable teachers and principals of Secondary Schools to utilize the MultiChoice educational resource centres effectively. Speaking on the training exercise, the Managing Director, MultiChoice Nigeria, Mr. John Ugbe said MultiChoice is set to rollout and revamp 60 digital education centres; known as the MultiChoice Resource Centres.” He further added that, ‘the training exercise is part of the value MultiChoice imparts in the teachers of bene7ciary schools, because it brings them up to speed on how to navigate the resources and

Odunlade Adekola, Richard Mofe-Damijo star in The Grudge

The Grudge poster It is not every day actors in the Yoruba sphere of Nollywood get to feature in the out and out English speaking Nollywood movies. Yoruba leading actor Odunlade Adekola stars in this new movie from Tinsel Star Funmi Holder titled The Grudge alongside Richard Mofe-Damijo (RMD) an actor of repute. The Abeokuta-born Odunlade Adekola who started acting in 1996 is unarguably the biggest actor in the Yoruba sphere of Nollywood as he is the actor with the most appearances in Yoruba movies and has the highest following across different social media platforms. His face literary sells movies and he is the darling of several film marketers in Idumota and Aba in the South-west and South-east regions of Nigeria respectively. He has won the popular City People Entertainment Awards Best Actor of the Year four times (2009, 2011, 2014 & 2015). In April 2014, he won the Africa Movie Academy Award, having emerged as best actor of the year. For RMD, he is a man who ha

Edo guber poll: Anenih sues for peace

Chief Tony Anenih Chief Tony Anenih, former Chairman, Board of Trustees (BOT), Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), on Wednesday called for peace among the people of Edo as they participated in the gubernatorial election in the state. Anenih made the call after casting his vote at Uzenema Primary School, Urue-Uromi, Esan North East Local Government Area at about 8.20 a.m. He said that there was need for the people to maintain peace during and after the poll “for the state to have full benefit of democracy’’. The PDP chieftain expressed satisfaction with the timely arrival of electoral officials and materials as well as the peaceful conduct of the exercise in the area so far. On security arrangement, the former minister of works said “as I said, it is too early to make a general statement”. Meanwhile, Mr John Yakubu, deputy governorship candidate of the PDP in ongoing gubernatorial poll in Edo, has described the simultaneous accreditation and voting in the process as a perfect process

iSON BPO embarks on fresh recruitment drive

By Daniels Ekugo Pravin Kumar, CEO iSON BPO iSON BPO, the leading service provider in Africa of Customer Experience Management, is poised to embark on another intensive recruitment drive to engage more Nigerian youth in its new ultramodern call centers and skill development facilities in Oyo, Ogun and Kwara States, thus increasing its staff strength pan-Nigeria to over 4,000 which would make it one of the highest employment generating establishments in the country. The high- tech call centers will serve the growing clientele that iSON has in Nigeria, with the twin benefits of upskilling talents in the best and contemporary methods available in customer service delivery globally, through its skills development centers. It is noteworthy that while many organizations are downsizing in Nigeria, iSON BPO is actively engaged in upskilling and creating additional capacity thereby boosting the economy in many ways. “As part of our core strategy, we have invested in developing state-of-t

Commissioner of Police says Edo election peaceful so far

National Chairman of APC, Chief John Odigie-Oyegun about to cast his vote The Commissioner of Police in Edo, Mr Haliru Gwandu, has said that the governorship election in the state has been peaceful. Gwandu disclosed in Benin that the state Police Command had not recorded any incident since accreditation and voting began simultaneously at 8.00 a.m. He said the command was in touch with all the police formations and special units involved in the election duty. National Chairman APC, Chief John Odigie-Oyegun being accredited by an electoral officer “So far, all is well as I talk to you. We are presently in the field monitoring the election in some parts of the state. “ I will give you more details after monitoring the election. But, so far, so good, I can say for now,” he said. Accreditation and voting had commenced in many polling units in the state.

Edo Poll: APC, PDP candidates commend INEC, electorate

The APC candidate, Godwin Obaseki casting his vote Mr Godwin Obaseki, the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate in Wednesday’s governorship election in Edo, said he was satisfied with the conduct of the exercise by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). Obaseki told newsmen after voting in his Unit 19, Ward 4, Benin, at about 10.30 a.m. that he was particularly impressed with the prompt commencement of the exercise across the state and the peaceful conduct of voters. He expressed hope that the peace, large turnout of the electorate and adequate security that had characterized the exercise so far, would be sustained to ensure that it ended peacefully. According to him, we pray that there will be no crisis and spilling of blood, so that at the end of the day, it will end peacefully. Similarly, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate, Mr Osaze Ize-Iyamu, commended INEC and the electorate for the peaceful conduct of the poll. Ize-Iyamu, who voted at 9.55 a.m.

Ambode, el’Rufai in Edo to rig guber poll, ‎Ize-Iyamu alleges

Pastor Ize-Iyamu casting his vote Governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu, has accused of two governors of the APC, Akinwumi Ambode and Nasir el’Rufai of Lagos and Kaduna states respectively, of coming to Edo State to rig the ongoing governorship election in the state. Ize-Iyamu made the allegation this morning immediately after casting his vote at Ward 5, Unit 26, Iguododo Primary School, Iguododo, Orhiomwon ‎Local Government Area, where he hails from.‎ The PDP flagbearer who described the election as “very peaceful,” called on INEC and security agents to ensure that the ruling APC does not hijack the process. “I want to cry out to the whole world that I have been reliably informed that Governors Akinwumi Ambode of Lagos and Nasir el’Rufai of Kaduna, are in the state. Pastor Ize-Iyamu being accredited “If the federal government and INEC declared today ‎a restricted date for movement, even to indigenes of the state, what are they

Former Israeli President Shimon Peres dies at 93

Shimon Peres, who served twice as Israel’s prime minister and once as president, has died at the age of 93. Mr Peres suffered a stroke two weeks ago. His condition had improved before a sudden deterioration on Tuesday. His son Chemi led tributes to “one of the founding fathers of the state of Israel” who “worked tirelessly” for it. World figures are expected to attend his funeral in Jerusalem on Friday, including US President Barack Obama, Prince Charles and Pope Francis. Mr Peres was one of the last of a generation of Israeli politicians present at the new nation’s birth in 1948. He won the Nobel Peace prize in 1994 for his role negotiating peace accords with the Palestinians a year earlier. Mr Peres shared the 1994 Nobel Peace Prize for his part in negotiating a peace deal with the Palestinians He once said the Palestinians were Israel’s “closest neighbours” and might become its “closest friends.”. Mr Peres died in a hospital near Tel Aviv early on Wednesday, with his fami

Analysis: 5 things Edo voters must do today by Deji Adeyanju

By Deji Adeyanju FILE PHOTO: Kogi voters show their PVCs As voters in Edo State go out later today to elect a candidate to fill the office of Governor of Edo State for the next four years, they must do the following in order to ensure that their collective will prevails and that their votes count: 1. Make sure that their mobile phones and other devices are properly charged. If need be, they should carry power banks. This would enable them record any activities by anyone who attempts to disrupt the electoral process. Pictorial and video evidence would validate any assertions of wrong doing. 2. They should ensure that all electoral materials are accounted for. The Electoral Act (2010) as amended gives everyone the right to ask questions and receive answers from INEC staff in the various polling units. The Act places an obligation on all INEC staff to display all electoral materials and the voters’ register before the commencement of the voting exercise. 3. All voters must be aware

S/Court suspends hearing of appeal against Gov. Ikpeazu

Dr Okezie Ikpeazu, Governor of Abia State, The Supreme Court on Tuesday temporarily suspended the hearing of appeals against the election of Okezie Ikpeazu as Governor of Abia pending harmonisation of processes by the parties. Justice Tanko Mohammed-led six other justices of the apex court to arrive at the decision. Three motions brought by Dr Uche Ogah of PDP, All Progressives Grand Alliance and Alex Oti, were heard and decided. Chief Wole Olanipekun (SAN), Dr Alex Izinyon (SAN) and Chief Patrick Ikwueto (SAN) represented the governor, Ogah and Oti respectively. On Oti’s motion for joinder, Mohammed held that the court required proper addresses to be filed by parties since the application had become contentious. “In the light of this, we would not be going on with the hearing of the substantive appeals. “The Counsel to Oti is given four days to file his written address to convince the court why his client should be joined in the matter. “The respondents counsel are given seve

Trump vows to hit Clinton harder in next U.S. presidential debate

Donald Trump Donald Trump, U.S. Republican presidential candidate on Tuesday in Washington vowed to hit rival Democrat Hillary Clinton harder in next presidential debate. This was coming after Clinton put him on the defensive by accusing him of being a racist, sexist and a tax dodger during their first matchup. Trump, making his first run for public office, praised himself for not attacking Clinton about the marital infidelity of her husband, former President Bill Clinton, during the debate at Hofstra University. He said during a separate interview that he may take up the attack line going forward. “I may hit her harder in certain ways,” Trump said, adding that when Clinton criticised him for his treatment of women, he resisted. He added that “I was going to hit her with her husband’s women. And I decided I shouldn’t do it because her daughter was in the room.” Trump, 70, himself had a high-profile affair with Marla Maples, the woman who would be his second wife while he was st

Clinton expresses satisfaction with debate, ready for round two

U.S. Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton arrives at a campaign event in Orlando, U.S. September 21, 2016. REUTERS/Carlos Barria Hillary Clinton, Democratic presidential candidate has expressed satisfaction about her performance against Republican Donald Trump in the first presidential debate and was looking forward to facing him again next month. She said on Tuesday in Washington that she felt “positive” about her performance. “We had a great, great time last night and I have to say, I was thrilled that I got to lay out some of the middle class economic policies and pro-family policies that I’ve been talking about throughout this campaign to all the viewers who tuned in. Clinton aboard her campaign plane again dismissed Trump as having a temperament that was unfit for the nation’s highest elected office, saying he had made repeated untrue charges and claims in a largely negative campaign. “I’m excited about where we are in this country. He talks down America every c

Nigeria should borrow, spend less, earn more to exit recession – Obasanjo

Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, former Nigerian president Former President Olusegun Obasanjo on Tuesday stressed the need for Nigeria to borrow, spend less and earn more to get out of the current economic recession. Obasanjo said this in Abeokuta at the opening ceremony of the National Council On Finance and Economic Development Conference (NACOFED). The theme of the conference is “Enhancing Revenue Generation and Obtaining Best Value for Money in Expenditure”. According to Obasanjo, the major problem with Nigeria is that “we are spending more than we are earning and we have not been able to save for the rainy day”. He, however, proffered a three-fold solution of borrowing, spending less and earning more to the economic challenges of the nation. Obasanjo, who said that funds were available outside the country, advised that Nigeria needed to approach its allies who could lend to the country on reasonable terms. He warned, however, that no such nation would part with its funds without o

House of Reps approves state, community police for Nigeria

Yakubu Dogara, Speaker House of Representatives The House of Representatives on Tuesday passed for second reading a bill seeking to establish state and community police in the country. The bill sponsored by Rep. Abiodun Awoyele (APC-Oyo) also sought to replace the nomenclature of Nigeria Police Force with Nigeria Police Service. Moving the motion for the amendment on the floor of the house, Awoyele explained that he was seeking to alter a section of the 1999 Constitution as amended to protect the unity of the country. He said that state and community policing would provide adequate security of lives and property in the country. He argued that the move was crucial since most of the personnel would be familiar with their localities. “The police are supposed to be for the people. “The inhabitants of various communities will see the police as part of their communities; it is necessary in effective policing. “State and community policing are necessary because they know the terrain

No terrorists’ presence, flags in Borno villages – Army

Boko Haram insurgents The Nigerian Army has refuted report of alleged presence of Boko Haram terrorists and their flag in some Borno villages. “There is no presence of the terrorists in any of the villages talkless of hoisting flags as alleged,” army spokesman, Col. Sani Usman said in a statement on Tuesday. Usman, however, said that some remnants of the terrorists at about 4.35 p.m. on Monday attacked Boftari, about 15 kilometres from Chibok town. He said that troops of Operation Lafiya Dole stationed in Forward Operation Base, Chibok, mobilised to the area. “The troops encountered Boko Haram terrorists ambush site shortly before Kuburmbula village. “They quickly cleared the ambush and proceeded to Boftari. “Unfortunately, the terrorists had set some houses on fire and fled. The troops put out the fire and are currently on the hunt for the terrorists. “It is imperative to state that contrary to rumours flying around some media reports, no life was lost,” he said. Usman also