Global Naija Info

Parents and family members of the 21 released Chibok schoolgirls celebrate after being reunited with the girls kidnapped by Boko Haram at a special church service in Abuja, Nigeria, on Sunday. Photo: Olamikan Gbemiga/AP

A prison The Nigeria Prisons Service, Bauchi State Command, on Sunday refuted speculations of attempted jail-break at the Bauchi Central Prisons. In a statement issued by the command’s Public Relations Officer, ASP Adam Jibrin, in Bauchi, it said there was no such incident. “While we express our dismay at the unprecedented anxiety the purported jail-break has generated in many quarters, the Nigeria Prisons Service wishes to inform the general public that the story is unfounded. “There was neither such incident in Bauchi Central Prison, nor indeed any other prison within Bauchi state. “We assure the general public that the Nigeria Prisons Service will always do all within its statutory mandate to ensure the safe custody and reformation of inmates under its care,” it said. The last time jail-break was recorded at the Bauchi Central Prisons, was in 2010.

Some of the 21 Chibok schoolgirls released on Thursday The 21 freed Chibok Girls say on Sunday in Abuja that for “one month and 10 days’’ of their abduction by the Boko Haram insurgents they stayed without food in the bush. Ms Gloria Dame, one of the rescued girls, narrated this while giving testimony on behalf of her colleagues at a thanks giving service organised for them at a DSS health facility in Abuja. The Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, and Minister of Women Affairs, Hajiya Jummai Alhassan, attended the service. The girl, who spoke in Hausa language, said that their survival in captivity was an act of God. “I did not know that a day like this will come that we will be dancing and giving thanks to God among people. “For one month and 10 days we stayed without food. I narrowly escaped bomb blast in the forest. “We are praying to God to touch the heart of Boko Haram to repent and we are calling on Nigerians to pray and fast for the release of our r...

Governor Rochas Okorocha of Imo State Governor Rochas Okorocha of Imo State on Sunday dismissed the allegation that President Muhammadu Buhari’s three-day visit to Germany was more of a medical trip than official engagements. Okorocha, who was part of the president’s entourage to Berlin, Germany, was reacting to media interview granted by a Kano-based social commentator, Dr Junaid Muhaamed. Muhammed had alleged that Buhari visited Germany on Friday to seek medical attention over an undisclosed illness. Okorocha, who spoke to State House correspondents in Abuja, however, debunked the allegation, saying that the official engagements of Buhari in Germany, had no connection, whatsoever, with medication. He said the visit to Germany only ended on a compassionate note on Saturday with the president’s convoy veering off its way back to the airport in Berlin, to visit a Nigerian military officer receiving treatment in a Berlin hospital. “President never went for any medical check-up. At...

Governor Yahaya Bello of Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello of Kogi on Sunday suspended Alhaji Sadiq Rabiu, the Chairman of the state Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Board, over an allegation of fraud during the just concluded Hajj. The Director-General, Media and Publicity to the Governor, Mr Kingsley Fanwo, who disclosed this in a statement in Lokoja, said Rabiu had been handed over to the Department of State Services (DSS) for investigation and possible prosecution. Fanwo said that the governor was also not happy with the dehumanising treatment of pilgrims from the state during the 2016 Hajj. “The travails of the chairman stemmed from allegations of corruption, nepotism and blatant disregard to the welfare of the state’s contingent to this year’s pilgrimage to Saudi Arabia,” he said. He said that the suspension of the chairman followed the outcome of an investigative panel into the allegations of corruption, nepotism and dehumanising treatment of pilgrims in spite of adequate provisions...

prince-Eheneden-Erediauwa The Crown Prince of Benin Kingdom, Prince Eheneden Erediauwa, on Sunday left Evuekoi for Azama N’ Uhe ancestral shrine at Oloton’s Palace in Isekhere Street, Benin, to perform traditional rites. Earlier, the prince had engaged in a mock wrestling match, which symbolised ‘wrestling’ with the Chief Priest of Okhuaihe shrine, Osarodion Usuanlele, the Ohen N’ Ukoni Neyedo. The Okhuaihe shrine is located in Evbuekoi in Uhunwode Local Government Area of the state. After the symbolic wrestling match, both of them went opposite ways never to see each other again once the crown prince becomes the Oba. Okhuaihe Chief Priest would not enter the city of Benin again and whenever the Oba wants to pass through the vicinity, the chief priest would leave the area completely. The crown prince visited the chief priest and both of them proceeded to the sacred forest in the community to perform some rites. The crown prince will be installed Oba on Thursday.

Rev-Philip-Adeyemo A cleric, Rt. Rev. Philip Adeyemo said on Sunday that the adoption of a 6-year single term for elected political office holders will help to reduce corrupt tendencies and strengthen democracy. Adeyemo, who is the Bishop in-charge of the Cathedral Church of St. Paul, Omu-Aran, made the call in his charge delivered to the First Session of the Third Synod in Omu-Aran, Kwara. The cleric noted that past experience has revealed that most politicians don’t perform to expectation during their second term in office. “They are more of self than serving the people who voted them into office. “They allow the fear of unknown to catch them unaware. “We hereby suggest one term of six years for the president and his vice, the governors and their deputies, senator and legislators,” he said. Adeyemo stressed the need for discipline, trust, integrity and fear of God among the leaders. He urged Nigerian politicians to close ranks and put the interest of the nation above other ...

Unilag students Authorities of the University of Lagos have expelled 125 students and rusticated 198 others for various offences, including examination malpractices during last academic session. The lists of the affected students were published on the university’s website on Sunday. The institution’s Deputy Registrar (Information), Mr Toyin Adebule, confirmed the expulsion and estimation in Lagos on Sunday, Adebule said the university “will soon publish and display the names and photographs of the students in the media’’. He said that the action was in line with the university’s zero tolerance on malpractices and other vices in campus. “Yes we have published some names on our website and these students will be punished in various degrees, depending on the severity. “Last session, a number of students were caught in various forms of malpractices during their examinations. “Some were found cheating during the examination with “micro sheets” while others were hired as surrogates...

Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar III, Sultan of Sokoto The Da’awa Coordination Council of Nigeria, said on Sunday in Sokoto that it would organise a seminar to appraise the performance of the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar III. Malam Lawal Maidoki, National President of the group said that the event was to mark Abubakar’s 10th anniversary as Sultan. He said after a meeting with various Islamic organizations in Sokoto State, that the focus would be on the journey so far and challenges ahead. “We all believe that, the basis on which the entire Sultanate was built upon was based on knowledge and Da’awa. “So, we as representatives of Da’awa, therefore, felt that we are the most appropriate group to look into what the Sultan has done over the last 10 years. “We will look at the challenges encountered, proper solutions and advises on areas that needed improvement. “Basically, we will make suggestions on how to move the Ummah and the country forward,” the president said. Maidoki noted...

Ignatius-Kaigama The Catholic Archbishop of Jos, Most Rev. Ignatius Kaigama, has urged Christians to bé honest in all their undertakings. Kaigama made the call on Sunday while on a pastoral visit to the Church of Assumption, Chongo Pyong, Jos. The Archbishop also called on Christians in Nigeria to unite and pray for the country so as to enable it bounce back to its past glory. The cleric decried the troubles the country was passing through, and attributed it to the greed and selfishness of the people. “Nigeria is in big trouble; our country is sinking day by day because of too much greed among the people. “This country ought to be bigger and better than where it is today, but because few of us have diverted what is supposed to be used to develop the country for personal interest, we are facing all these challenges. “We must as Christians be honest in all we do, we must denounce evil and allow God’s will to prevail in our lives,” Kaigama said. The cleric, however, expressed op...

The suspect A 28 year old man, Emu – Larry Chidebere, has been apprehended by the operatives of Rapid Response Squad (RRS) of Lagos State Police Command, for being allegedly involved in United Arab Emirate’s visa racketeering in Ajah area of Lagos State. The suspect, who hailed from Ika North Local Government Area in Delta State, swindled one Abraham Jude and four other persons of N2, 000.000 under the false pretence of helping them to procure a Dubai Visa. According to Abraham, one of the victims, “when I was laid off where I was working in Abuja. I had intention of moving out of the country to start a new life. Then, I met his uncle, Samuel Obed, who told me his nephew was working with one company at the United Arab Emirate (UAE) and that he could help me to secure the country’s visa. “We started to communicate via telephone, and he assured me that he could secure Dubai Visa for me at a reasonable price. He requested for N400, 000. 00, which I told him I can’t afford such huge a...

The Lagos State Government at the weekend said it would commence total upgrade of schools in the State, especially in the slum areas, as well as evolve a robust Youth and Senior Citizens’ Policy by January 2017. Rising from an intensive three-day retreat for members of the State Executive Council and legislators from the Senate, House of Representatives and State House of Assembly, held at the Eko Hotels and Suites in Victoria Island, with the theme, “Good Governance In A Recession”, the State Government said there was need to upgrade the quality of schools through training and re-training of teachers, as well as improving the infrastructure. In a communiqué issued at the end of the retreat and read by Senator representing Lagos West Senatorial District, Mr. Olamilekan Solomon Adeola, the government said participants were unanimous in their resolution to improve the standard of education across the State, particularly in slum areas. Adeola said participants also resolved to evolve a...

Some of the 21 Chibok schoolgirls released on Thursday The Ahmadiyya Muslim Jama’at Nigeria has applauded the giants strides of the Nigerian President, Muhammadu Buhari, towards the release of 21 Chibok girls through the efforts of the International Red Cross and the Swedish government on Thursday. The Ahmadiyya Muslim Community described the bold step as a testimony of Buhari’s determination to secure the lives of all Nigerians and gradual fulfillment of his electoral promises on the eradication of Boko Haram and release of the Chibok girls. The Islamic organisation in a statement signed by its Amir Sahib (National Head), Dr Mashhud Adenrele Fashola also commends the efforts towards rehabilitating the girls and rejoiced with their parents; giving hope to the remaining children will be released in due course. It noted with satisfaction, the discipline, high sense of duty, good conduct and patriotism exemplify by the Nigeria security agencies in the fight against Boko Haram. The I...

Some Nigerian judges A Lagos-based lawyer, Mr. Olukoya Ogungbeje, has filed a N50bn suit against President Muhammadu Buhari, the Department of State Services and its Director-General, Lawal Daura, along with others for allegedly violating the rights of judges whose houses were raided by DSS operatives between October 8 and 9. Others joined as defendants in the suit with number, FHC/ABJ/CS/809/16, according to Punch are the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, the Inspector-General of Police, Ibrahim Idris, and the National Judicial Council. Ogungbeje filed the suit before the Federal High Court in Abuja on October 14. He alleged that the arrest of the judges without recourse to the NJC was unlawful and amounted to humiliating them. He said the DSS operations violated the rights of judges under sections 33, 34, 35, 36, and 41 of the Constitution. The plaintiff sought 10 prayers, among which is an order awarding N50bn against the defendants ...

Governor Badaru Abubakar, Jigawa State The Jigawa Government has empowered 200 women with 600 goats in Buji Local Government Area of the state. Ali Safiyanu, the Information Officer of Buji LGA, made this known to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Sunday in Dutse. The goats were distributed to the beneficiaries in the 11 wards of the local government under the Goat Rearing/Breeding Loan Scheme introduced to empower women in the state. The beneficiaries would pay back the revolving loan in 18 months. Mr. Safiyanu said the state’s APC Women Leader, Binta Shuaibu, distributed the goats to the beneficiaries on Oct. 14, in Buji town. He said that the women were given two she-goats and one he-goat to rear, adding that the breeds would give birth twice a year. According to him, the women would pay back the loan with three goats. The spokesperson quoted the APC women leader as explaining that the decision to give the beneficiaries goats was because of its economic value and simplici...

Governor Nasir El-Rufai of Kaduna State A 24-hour curfew has been imposed in Kafanchan, Kaduna State after youths set up road blocks and burnt vehicles on Kafanchan-Kagoro road, in retaliation of an attack on Saturday in which 20 people died in Godogodo Chiefdom. Saturday’s attack was believed to have been carried out by herdsmen who for two months had engaged the locals in series of attacks and counter attacks. Investigation revealed that several people had been killed during the period and properties worth millions of naira destroyed on both sides. Dr Bege Katuka, Interim Chairman of Jema’a Local Government disclosed in Kafanchan that the curfew would remain in force until normalcy return to the area. Katuka said the measure was to further check breaches of the law by youths who were setting up illegal road blocks. “We have received reports that youths had barricaded Kafanchan-Kagoro road along Garaje area and have burnt cars belonging to innocent persons,’’ he said. He said ...

The Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority The Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), has advised airline operators to operates with renewed vigour having secured a special sectoral Foreign Exchange (Forex) allocation in the Secondary Market Intervention Sales (SMIS). Capt. Muhtar Usman, the Director-General of NCAA), gave the advice in a statement issued on Sunday in Lagos. The forex concession was recently granted to the airlines by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) as a result of the intervention of the Minister of State for Aviation, Sen. Hadi Sirika. The statement said: “This is to further engender market confidence, ensure access to forex by the airlines and sustain the integrity of the Nigerian Inter-bank forex market. “The CBN has resolved pursuant to the minister’s show of concern to intervene in the inter-bank forex market through forward settlement. “For clarity, the SMIS retail is an important one-off exercise dedicated to the clearance of the backlog of matured forex ...

Comptroller-General of Customs, Hameed Ali The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has dismissed 17 junior officers for drug addiction, certificate forgery, theft and absenteeism, the service spokesman, Mr Wale Adeniyi, said in a statement on Sunday in Abuja. Adeniyi said that two other officers also had their appointments terminated for illegally absenting themselves from duty, while one officer was retired for drug addiction. “Seventeen (17) junior officers of the NCS have been dismissed from the service for offences ranging from drug addiction, certificate forgery, theft and absence from duty from Jan. to Sept. 2016. “Investigations into offences committed by the officers in the senior category are being concluded, officers found guilty are expected to face similar stiff penalties. “These disciplinary measures were taken after series of investigations and deliberations by the disciplinary committee and recommendations were made to the management,” Adeniyi said. He said that the pro...

Alhaji Ibrahim Idris, Inspector General of Police The Ebonyi Police Command has confirmed the clash between its officers and soldiers from the Nigerian Army Cantonment, Nkwagu, near Abakaliki, on Saturday evening. DSP George Okafor, the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) in the state, confirmed this on Sunday in Abakaliki. However, Okafor said that the matter had been resolved amicably. According to him, the clash is unfortunate and efforts have been made by the two agencies to forestall such occurrences in future. “The matter has been peacefully resolved and we urge the public not to panic over the development but be assured of their safety at all times,” he said. Okafor, who declined further comments on the issue, also failed to confirm whether police officers involved in the clash sustained injuries. An eye witness, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, said that the incident occurred at No. 1, Water Works road, Abakaliki. “Trouble started when a police patrol team o...

Pope Francis Pope Francis on Sunday canonized six men and a woman, including a child martyr from Mexico and a “gaucho priest” from Argentina, in a mass at St Peter’s Square, Rome. They all “fought the fight of faith and love,” said Francis in a Sunday mass before tens of thousands of worshippers. Among the new saints is Jose Sanchez del Rio, a Mexican-born boy, who at 14 was tortured and executed in 1928. He was executed for refusing to renounce Catholicism under the anti-clerical policies of the Calles Government. Also canonized is the Dominican priest Jose Gabriel del Rosario Brochero, who, according to Vatican Radio, is a favourite of the current pope. Known during his lifetime as the “gaucho priest,” Brochero crossed the mountains of Argentina on a mule, helping country people by building churches, schools, roads and water infrastructure. Rounding out the new saints were also two Italians, two French nationals and a Spaniard. The sole woman is the French mystic Elisabeth C...

Governor Seriake Dickson of Bayelsa State Government owned primary and secondary schools in Bayelsa will resume the 2016/2017 academic session on Monday. The resumption followed a directive from the Nigerian Union of Teachers (NUT) to striking members. Public schools in the state have yet to resume for the new session due to the failure of the state government to settle eight months salary backlog of teachers. The union resorted to strike as the state government had reneged on an earlier agreement reached in May to pay half salaries to its workers pending improvements in the finances of the state. Mr Kalaama Toinpre, Chairman of Bayelsa chapter of the NUT, disclosed on Sunday that the teachers suspended the strike at the weekend. The union leader said that the decision has been communicated to members who were directed to resume work immediately. “The state working committee of the NUT at the weekend resolved that we should suspend the ongoing strike and return to the classroo...

FILE PHOTO: Fire incident A fire outbreak at the residence of the Chairman of Bayelsa Board of Internal Revenuee, Mr Nimibofa Ayawei, on Saturday claimed two lives, witnesses said. The two victims were Ayawei’s son and his girlfriend, who were in the building, located in Akenfa, a suburb of Yenagoa. It was learnt that sympathisers and residents assisted in putting out the fire and saved the building from being burnt down. A family source, Mr James Akan, confirmed that the two victims were Mr Mike Ayawei and his girlfriend whose name could not be immediately ascertained. Akan said the fire started early on Saturday as Port-Harcourt Electricity Distribution Company restored power supply raising suspicion that the incident might be from power surge. “The family members have deposited the remains of the two persons at the mortuary, it is really a pathetic sight. “As they brought the light, there was a loud noise like explosion and other occupants of rooms in the house started runn...

Motunrayo Famuyiwa-Alaka “Then I said to the nobles, the rulers, and the rest of the people, “The work is great and extensive, and we are separated far from one another on the wall. Wherever you hear the sound of the trumpet, rally to us there. Our God will fight for us.” Nehemiah 4:19-20 Effective communication strategy is a factor for success in any entity. Throughout the book of Nehemiah, we see a clear framework for communication as evidenced by the scripture above. Nehemiah and the people of Israel appreciated the extent of the work and identified communication as a tool for collapsing barriers. They understood that a lot might go wrong due to the distance between the central governing system, the various units and the people. Hence they agreed on a communication mode. Nigeria is a nation with a vast land mass (923, 768 kilo metres square) and a huge population (170million+). In some states in northern Nigeria, Bauchi for instance, there can be as much as a three-hour distanc...

•Reuben Abati Public communication is one of the most delicate challenges that people in public life face, either in the corporate or the public sector. Many people suddenly find themselves in high places, and they become a source of news, a potential interview subject, and they get chased around by journalists and other media figures who want a story, in fact, not just a story, but a scoop. I used to explain in communication coaching classes and to the bosses whose media I managed, at one point or the other that they should never feel obliged to say things they do not want to say. No matter how aggressive the journalist may be, they should be careful what they say. A journalist would make you feel at home, he or she may even reassure you that whatever you don’t want published could be edited out, and that if you don’t feel comfortable with a question, you should feel free to keep quiet. But a good journalist knows how to push you into a corner and get you, through follow up questio...

Nneke Somto is the face of CandyCity pageant 2016, a beauty contest she won recently. The Microbiology graduate of Madonna University has hit the ground running advocating for victims domestic abuse which are largely women. The beauty spoke to SAMUEL ABULUDE on her experience and aspiration among other issues. How do you feel winning the beauty contest? I felt so overwhelmed and excited. I thank God for crowning my efforts. It was not easy being the overall winner. I also want to thank the organisers for giving me the priviledge to be the face of Candy City Pageant. Have you been involved in any beauty contest before? Yes I have back in university (Madonna University). I took part in the face of microbiology and I won. Considering that you were voted for, how did u get the votes required? I did a lot of tagging, requested my social network friends and my family to like my picture and tag friends too. At the grand finale did you ever think you will win? No! To be honest, I neve...

Africa will be unstoppable at the 2016 All Africa Music Awards, AFRIMA, as the International Committee of AFRIMA in association with the Africa Union Commission (AUC) and the Official Host City, Lagos State reveals an unprecedented stellar line up of top billed African stars including AFRIMA 2016 nominees and multiple award-winning South African choral group, Soweto Choir who have confirmed attendance at the main awards ceremony in Nigeria on Sunday, November 6. Billed to hold at the Eko Convention Centre, Eko Hotels and Suites, Victoria Island, the main awards ceremony is preceded by the AFRIMA Music Village, a concert event at the WaterFront, Bar Beach, Victoria Island, Lagos, Nigeria. In addition to the 22-man Soweto Gospel Choir, AFRIMA 2016, tagged AFRIMA 3.0, will host over 352 African superstars during the award’s programme of events from November 4 to November 6. Soweto Gospel Choir is unarguably the most decorated choral group in Africa, having won multiple awards including...

Afro pop artiste, Dice Ailes is one of the artistes the music industry must watch out for not just because he’s signed to Chocolate City Record label but because of his versatility. He released the video of his song, ‘Miracle’ about a fortnight ago and the song has been getting massive airplay on different radio stations and platforms. Miracle hypes the intrinsic features of a beautiful lady describing ‘her body as a miracle’. Dice who is a rapper, singer and Akklln songwriter has got his sight set for glory in the ever competitive music industry as he’s getting better by the day and utilizing the instructions and wise counsel he’s getting from his superiors especially his boss MI. Damilola Shasha Alesh (his real name) has halted school for now having studied Health related course at premed school in Canada, to focus on his career. Having dropped Telephone, Machinery and others, the prodigy desires to work with Wande Coal. from Entertainment – Nigerian News from Leadership News ...

Shiites in Kaduna The Kaduna State Police Command on Saturday warned that it would deal with those taking the law into their hands. The warning is contained in a statement issued by the Command’s Public Relations Officer, ASP Aliyu Usman, in Kaduna The statement said the command observed that some members of the public had become lawless and acted in manners detrimental to law and order and in total disregard to rights of other citizens. The Commissioner of Police, Sanusi Lemu, said the maintenance of law and order would not be compromised and anybody found committing acts detrimental to the peace of the society would face the music. “The public are also warned to desist from taking laws into their hands as any attempt to commit unruly behaviours would be visited with the full wrath of the law. Usman advised the public to remain calm as the command was committed to the safety and security of lives and property. Some members of the public suspected to belong to the banned Islami...

Madrid celebrate one of their goals Real Madrid ended a run of four matches without a win in sensational fashion on Saturday as they obliterated Real Betis 6-1 in La Liga to make a mockery of their supposed injury crisis. Zinedine Zidane was without a number of first-team regulars including Luka Modric, Casemiro and Sergio Ramos, but his side put on a show in Seville and raced into a 4-0 lead before half-time on their way to a first victory in all competitions since September 18. Toni Kroos was instrumental in crafting the first two, teeing up Raphael Varane early on and then Karim Benzema as Madrid took charge. Marcelo effectively ended the match as a contest with his controversial third, finding the net despite appearing to be just offside, before Isco finished a scintillating counterattack on the stroke of half-time. Betis improved immeasurably after the break and found the net early on through Alvaro Cejudo, but Isco’s delightful second after 62 minutes killed off any hope of...

Akwa Ibom State Governor, Udom-Emmanuel The Akwa Ibom governor, Udom Emmanuel, has dissolved the State Executive Council. A statement issued on Saturday evening by the Secretary to the State Government, Etekamba Umoren, said the commissioners were to hand over to the permanent secretaries in their ministries. No reason was given for the decision. The statement obtained by Premium Times said, “The Governor expresses his deep and profound appreciation for the contributions of the EXCO members to the development of the state, and wishes them success in their future endeavours.” Most of the sacked commissioners were inherited from the government of former Governor Godswill Akpabio.

Diabetes is two different types, both involving the hormone insulin. In type 1, which typically strikes before age 25 and only accounts for about 5 percent of the disease, the pancreas stops producing insulin, which is required to usher blood sugar (glucose) into the body’s cells. Type 2 diabetes typically develops after age 40, either because the pancreas does not produce enough insulin, or because the cells become “resistant” and can’t use it. Fortunately there is lasting solution here Last year during a public awareness by a health organisation, Mrs Alade, got a diagnosis she wasn’t expecting: type 2 diabetes . She had no symptoms, so the news threw her for a loop. “I was devastated,” she says. “My grandmother had diabetes, and I saw her go through major health struggles because of it.” After seeking support from loved ones and shedding a few tears, she got to us at the awareness program, With help from our website, she changed the way she ate, started exercising and took her n...