Global Naija Info

Nigerian soldiers The Nigerian Army said on Wednesday that a sizeable number of the 39 soldiers declared missing after last week suspected Boko Haram insurgents’ attack in the border town of Gashigar in Borno, had returned. Maj.-Gen. Lucky Irabor, the Theater Commander of Operation Lafiya Dole, stated this while briefing newsmen in Maiduguri. “It is true that about 39 soldiers were declared missing. ”I want to inform you that a sizeable number of our soldiers had returned to base,” Irabor said. He, however, admitted that a few soldiers were yet to be found. “I think it is only a handful that have not been found,” Irabor said declining to state their exact number. He said that the military was engaged in an ongoing operation to uproot the terrorists from the area. “Operations are ongoing in the area. ”I think that we will give you the details in due course, ” Irabor said. He also said that the military was focused on rescuing the remaining Chibok girls from the Boko Haram ter...

HIV Bauchi lawmaker, Mrs Maryam Begel, said on Wednesday that investigations conducted revealed that the HIV virus is spreading faster in matrimonial homes in most Northern states of the country than outside the home. Begel, representing Dass constituency in the Bauchi House of Assembly, said in Bauchi that it appeared precautionary measures were taken by partners only when meeting outside matrimonial homes, than when at home. “We did an investigation and discovered that HIV virus is spreading faster in matrimonial homes than outside. “This is because most males take precautionary measures when they sleep with outsiders but hardly take such measures when they meet with their wives. “This is especially the case in settings where polygamy is allowed and you find a husband infecting some or all of his wives with the deadly virus,” she said. Begel, who is also the chairperson, Committee on Women Affairs, Bauchi House of Assembly, described the development as worrisome. Meanwhi...

court Idris Adam, a 25-year-old unemployed man, was on Wednesday arraigned before a Badagry Chief Magistrates’ Court. Lagos over alleged theft of three portraits valued at N90, 000. Adam, whose address is unknown, is facing one count charge of stealing. The Prosecutor, Insp. Innocent Uko, told the court that the accused committed the crime on Oct. 14 at the premises of Badagry Heritage Museum. He said that the accused stole the items from the complainant, one Mr Bayo Amonu. “The accused went into the premises, saw the portraits on display and took them. “He was apprehended when he was about to leave the premises,’’ he said. The prosecutor said the offence contravened Section 285 (1) of the Criminal law, laws of Lagos State Nigeria 2011. The accused however pleaded not guilty to the charge. The defence counsel, Mr Timothy Salmon, pleaded with the court to grant the accused bail since the offence was bailable. The Magistrate, Mr Abiodun Etti, granted the accused bail in the s...

The gavel of justice A 56-year-old man, Adegoke Sanusi, who allegedly obtained N4 million from accommodation seeker under the guise of renting out an apartment was on Wednesday docked before an Igbosere Magistrates’ Court, Lagos. Sanusi, whose address was not given, is standing trial on a three-count charge of fraud, stealing and unlawful breaking of house. The Prosecutor, Insp. Haruna Ibrahim, told the court that the accused committed the offences between January 2010 and January 2015 at No. 23, Sadatu St., Oregun, Ikeja. He said that the accused unlawfully broke into the house of one Karimot Sanusi under pretext of being the owner of the premises. Ibrahim said that the accused obtained the N4 million from an unsuspecting accommodation seeker under guise of renting out the apartment. The prosecutor said that the apartment was a five bedroom duplex with a boys’ quarter, property of Karimot. Ibrahim said the offences contravened Sections 285, 306 and 312 of the Criminal Law of ...

magistrate-court Two men — Yahaya Adamu and Abubakar Umoru — who allegedly tortured their colleague to death, were on Wednesday hauled up before an Ebute Meta Chief Magistrates’ Court, Lagos. The accused — Adamu, 21, and Umoru, 25 — are being tried by Magistrate A.O. Ajibade on a two-count charge of conspiracy and murder. She ordered the accused to be remanded at Ikoyi Prisons pending legal advice from the State Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP). The Prosecutor, Sgt. Maria Dauda said the accused committed the offences on Oct. 8 at Adamawa Village, Festac Town. The duo conspired and tortured Suleiman Adbultella, 30, to death over an undisclosed issue, she told the court. The offences contravened Sections 221 and 231 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2011. The magistrate adjourned the case to Nov. 25.

magistrate-court Two men -Yahaya Adamu and Abubakar Umoru — who allegedly tortured their colleague to death, were on Wednesday hauled up before an Ebute Meta Chief Magistrates’ Court, Lagos. The accused — Adamu, 21, and Umoru, 25 — are being tried by Magistrate A.O. Ajibade on a two-count charge of conspiracy and murder. She ordered the accused to be remanded at Ikoyi Prisons pending legal advice from the State Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP). The Prosecutor, Sgt. Maria Dauda said the accused committed the offences on Oct. 8 at Adamawa Village, Festac Town. The duo conspired and tortured Suleiman Adbultella, 30, to death over an undisclosed issue, she told the court. The offences contravened Sections 221 and 231 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2011. The magistrate adjourned the case to Nov. 25.

Nigerian-Senate The Senate Committee on Power has expressed concern over the liquidity crunch in the power sector. It has also expressed doubt over the financial and technical competence of the private investors in the sector. The Chairman of the committee, Sen Enyinnaya Abaribe, expressed the concern in a statement by Dr. Usman Arabi, the Head of Public Affairs Department, Nigeria Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) on Wednesday. The statement said that the committee members, who were on an oversight visit to the commission, queried the reduction in cash collection, which they claimed was N15billion before privatization but had now reduced to about N5billion. The statement said the committee members were unhappy at the inability of the Distribution Companies (DISCOs) to meter customers and their use of the estimated billing system. It quoted Abaribe as saying: “Are you sure the privatization of the power sector is producing the needed result with the under-performance by ...

Kaffi Dance Queen Kaffy has apologised for her actions which has since gone viral on social media. The mother of two earlier put out a video where she blasted Davido for being unprofessional, unethical and for disrespecting dancers. See her post on Instagram below: ”I want to start by apologizing profusely for my profanity. It’s not how I roll .i am one person who promote discipline and respect among dancers towards their clients and one another. However this isssue is REAL. We MATTER and deserve respect as we have become part of the building block of the entertainment world. We communicate with our bodies what words and sound can’t express. We paint a picture that defies laws of nature ND produce masterpieces beyond mere imaginations. It requires a lot of brain power to begin to be a dancer not to talk of the ability to command muscles people can’t imagine using and that is still underrating the Power of the Art of Dance. From youth empowerment to mind empowerment it is the l...

Dame Patience Jonathan A Federal High Court in Lagos on Wednesday fixed Dec. 7 to hear a suit by ex-First Lady, Mrs Patience Jonathan, against the Economic and Financial Crime Commission (EFCC),seeking to unfreeze her account. Apart from the EFCC, other respondents are Skye Bank and a former Special Assistant to ex-President Goodluck Jonathan, Waripama-Owei Dudafa. Also joined in the suit are Pluto Property and Investment company Ltd, Seagate Property Development and Investment Company Ltd, Transocean Property and Investment Company Ltd and Globus Integrated Service Ltd. The ex-first lady is demanding the sum of 200 million dollars from the commission as damages for infringing on her rights. She is also urging the court to issue an order discharging the freezing order and restrain the EFCC and its agent from further placing a freezing order on the said accounts. When the case was called on Wednesday, Mr Rotimi Oyedepo, announced appearance for the EFCC, while Mr Granville Abibo...

Donald Trump, Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump warned in an interview Tuesday that Hillary Clinton’s policies as president to address the Syrian conflict would lead to World War III, arguing the Democratic nominee would draw the US into armed confrontation with Russia, Syria and Iran. “What we should do is focus on ISIS. We should not be focusing on Syria,” Trump told Reuters on Tuesday morning at his resort in Doral, Florida. “You’re going to end up in World War III over Syria if we listen to Hillary Clinton.” The Republican nominee, who has called for a rapprochement with Russia in order to jointly combat ISIS, argued that his Democratic rival’s calls for taking a more aggressive posture in Syria to bring the conflict there to an end and combat ISIS will only draw the US into a larger war. Trump’s remarks come as he trails Clinton in most national and key battleground state polls just two weeks from Election Day. “You’re not fighting Syria anymore, you’re fighting ...

court A 28-year-old tertiary institution student, Anthony Akpiri, who allegedly stole N250,000 from customers of a bank at 16 branches in Lagos, was on Wednesday left off the hook temporarily as he was admitted to a bail of N50,000 by a Lagos court. Akpiri of Iju-Ishaga in Agege area of Lagos is being tried for stealing at an Ogudu Magistrates’ Court. Between Dec. 2015 and Oct. 20, the accused committed the offence at 16 different branches of GTBank on the mainland as reported to the police by the bank’s chief security officer, said Sgt. Ihiehie Lucky. “He reported that they discovered that the accused always present himself to their customers as a staff of the bank in any GTBank branch on the mainland. “He said the accused used to collect money from customers on the pretext of helping them to deposit their money into their accounts but he will abscond with their money.” Iheihe told the court that the accused, who was later identified as Anthony had gone round about 16 branches...

FILE PHOTO: Awon Mass Wedding Mr Femi Adebayo, the Special Assistant to Gov. Abdulfatah Ahmed on Arts, Culture and Tourism, on Wednesday said 25 brides would participate in the Shawo mass wedding. The event, also known as Awon Mass Wedding, would hold on Friday in Shao, Moro Local Government Area of Kwara. Adebayo, who disclosed this at a news conference, said the mass wedding would feature a stage play parading Nollywood stars such as Ronke Oshodi-Oke, Alhaji Wasiu Pasuma as well as other members of the Actors Guild of Nigeria in Kwara. He expressed the hope that the ceremony would generate some revenue for the state as well as attract tourists from within and outside the country. Adebayo also said the mass wedding would feature a stage play by Nollywood stars such as Ronke Oshodi-Oke, Alhaji Wasiu Pasuma and members of the Actors Guild of Nigeria, Kwara chapter. According to him, the Awon Mass Wedding has its origin in a one-breasted woman who had helped an indigene of Shawo....

Efcc-Operatives The Citizens Advocacy for Social and Economic Rights (CASER) has faulted the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC’s) recent request for powers to retain a percentage of money recovered by it. This is contained in a statement signed by the group’s Executive Director, Mr Frank Tietie, in Abuja on Wednesday. Tietie said that allowing anti-graft agencies in the country to directly benefit from recovered crime proceeds would “serve as a bad motivation for economic and financial law enforcement”. He argued that the request if approved, would easily transform into an “irresistible temptation for law enforcement agents to engage in unbridled confiscation and forfeitures”. The Acting Chairman of the EFCC, Mr Ibrahim Magu, had at a National Anti-corruption Conference in Abuja on Oct. 20, requested for such powers. Magu had called for a review of relevant laws to enable the EFCC and other anti-graft agencies to retain a percentage of loots recovered to fund their...

Hajiya Fatima, the second daughter of President Muhammadu Buhari will be getting married to her fiance, Mallam Gimba Yau Kumo, on Friday, October 28, 2016. The 56-year-old fiancé, who was appointed Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of the Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria on December 4, 2010, had his tenure ended in August 2014. The couples to be shared some adorable photos of their pre-wedding pictures. The wedding is scheduled to hold at President Buhari’s Maiduwa GRA residence, Daura, Kastina State. See some of the pre-wedding photos. Buhari’s daughter set to marry

FILE PHOTO: Illegal immigrants The Niger State Command of the Nigeria Immigration Service said on Wednesday that 53 illegal immigrants have been repatriated to Niger Republic. Mrs Tamuno Oyedeji, Comptroller of Immigration Service in the state disclosed this in an interview with News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Minna. Adededji said the state government provided vehicles for the transportation of the illegal immigrants to the border post at Jibia in Katsina state. “We successfully handed them over to the Niger Republic Immigration officers at the border post,’’ she said. Adedeji said that the immigrants were repatriated because their presents constitute security threats in the state. She said that most of the illegal immigrants possess expired documents, while others have no legal documents to back their legitimate stay in the country. The comptroller said that the command has taken proactive security measures to ensure only immigrants with proper documents are allowed into the ...

Governor Rauf Aregbesola of Osun State Gov. Rauf Aregbesola of Osun has solicited the passage of the State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB) Establishment Bill by the House of Assembly. This is contained in a letter written by the governor to the assembly and read by the Speaker, Mr. Najeem Salaam, during plenary on Wednesday. Aregbesola, in the letter, also sought for the passage of the Local Government Education Authority Bill. The governor also urged the lawmakers to screen Mr. Asaola Adebowale as Commissioner 1 in the Civil Service Commission to replace the late Robert Adebiyi. The two bills, according to the speaker, would provide for effective regulation and management of elementary and middle schools in the state. A motion for the first reading of the bills was subsequently moved by the Majority Leader of the house, Mr. Timothy Owoeye, and seconded by the Chief Whip, Folorunsho Bamisayemi. Salaam, however, urged members to study the bill properly to enable them to...

Some stakeholders in the lottery industry have canvassed for a good working environment as a way of empowering youths. In an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja on Wednesday, the stakeholders also expressed optimism that the lottery environment was capable of generating employment and revenue for the country. Mr. Vincent Orji, a Supervisor in Access Bet lottery outlet, said the prominence given to lottery activities in the country had encouraged youths to participate actively in the business. Orji noted that lottery proceeds was contributing to national development. “Lottery, as we all know, is a game of chance in which people pay for the opportunity to win prizes. “Part of the money taken in by a lottery is then used to award the winners and also pay the costs of administering the lottery. “However, the money left over is the profit which is used solely to provide social facilities in public places.” He said that Nigerian youths had contributed immensely t...

The protesters Some protesters on Wednesday stored the premises of the Supreme Court of Nigeria, demanding that all judges arrested by the Department of State Services (DSS) in a sting operation, step aside, pending the outcome of their trials in court. The DSS had over two weeks ago, arrested seven judges across the country. They are Justice Sylvester Ngwuta and Inyang Okoro – the suspended Presiding Justice of the Court of Appeal, Ilorin Division; Justice Mohammed Ladan Tsamiya, who was picked up in Sokoto; Justice Adeniyi Ademola (Federal High Court); the Chief Judge of Enugu State, Justice I. A. Umezulike; Justice Kabiru Auta of Kano State High Court; and Justice Muazu Pindiga (Gombe State High Court). The Service had accused the judges of engaging in corrupt practices, a claim the National Judicial Commission, NJC, denies. Information Nigeria reports that the protesters, who marched on the Supreme Court premises in Abuja, carried placards with various inscriptions such as: “S...

The gavel of justice For allegedly impersonating Bishop Matthew Kukah of Sokoto Catholic Diocese to defraud Chief Afe Babalola (SAN), a man, Abdulrahaman Muazu, is facing trial at a Federal High Court in Ado-Ekiti. The accused and others now at large had some time in June 2016 obtained N2.5 million from Babalola, founder of Afe Babalola University in the town, according to Prosecutor Femi Falade. He said they impersonated Kukah and under false pretences defrauded Babalola. Falade said: “The accused presented himself as Bishop Kukah, who is preparing for the welfare of Internally Displaced Persons in the North-East and obtained the sum of N2,500,000 from Chief Afe Babalola.” He told the court that he had assembled two witnesses to proceed with the prosecution of the case and asked for an adjournment to enable him to prepare. The accused, who was represented by a lawyer, Mr. Tinuade Baderin, pleaded not guilty to the two-count charge. The offences contravened Sections 1(3) and 1...

court A 23-year-old man, who allegedly broke into a hotel room and stole items valued at N105,000, is on reprieve as he was granted a N100, 000 bail, a court ruled in Lagos on Wednesday. Suleiman Yahaya, a resident of Ijora Badia area of Lagos, is facing a three-count charge of conspiracy, burglary and stealing at an Apapa Magistrates’ Court. The accused, however, pleaded innocence of the offences. But Prosecutor Kokoye Olusegun insisted that the accused committed the offences on Sept. 27 at Islander Hotel, located at Ijora-Badia in Iganmu area of Lagos. He said the accused and others still on the run entered the hotel pretending to be guests. Olusegun said immediately they entered the hotel, they used an object to cut the barrier to gain entry into one of the rooms, where they stole cash and five phones all valued at N105,000 belonging to a man, John Opiri. “The complainant, Opiri, said Sulaiman’s accomplices left with the valuables while the accused was caught ransacking the...

Nigeria Medical Association (MNA), Plateau state chapter, has decried non-implementation of the National Health Act. Dr Daniel Meshak, the state chairman of the association, made the statement on Wednesday in Jos when he led other members of the association on an advocacy visit to the state Assembly He declared that non-implementation of the act was negatively affecting the nation’s health sector. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the National Health Act was signed into law in 2014. Meshad said: “as you all know, the National Health Act was enacted in 2014 with provisions that have the potentials to turn around the fortunes of the hitherto bastardized health sector. “This is because the Act made specific provisions for the establishment of Basic Health Care Fund which is a first line charge on the consolidated revenue of the Federal Government. “This fund is to be primarily deployed into our primary healthcare which has been so neglected in the past. “Unfortunately,...

Jose Mourinho Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho has said he has struggled to adapt to life in Manchester, labelling his living arrangement in the city as “bit of a disaster”. The Portuguese has endured a mixed start to his stint as United’s boss, having lost three of his nine league games, including a 4-0 hammering in the hands of Chelsea on Sunday. Away from the pitch, the 53-year old said he was far from settled in England’s northwest city, staying without his family for the first time. “For me it’s a bit of a disaster because I want sometimes to walk a little bit and I can’t. “I just want to cross the bridge and go for a restaurant. I can’t, so it is really bad. “Buy a house? I do not know, I do not know. The reality is that my daughter will be 20 next week; my son will be 17 in a couple of months. “They are very stable. So, they are in an age where they can’t chase me like they did before. So, for the first time the family lives in a different way. “We try to feel i...

court-of-law An Oredo Magistrates’ Court in Benin, Edo, on Wednesday sentenced a teenager, Shegun Olamide to 12 months imprisonment with hard labour for stealing a N5,000 cell phone. The Magistrate, Mrs P.E Foy-Yamah, sentenced Olamide, 18, after he pleaded guilty to a charge of theft and begged the court for mercy. The Prosecutor, Insp. Ada Johnbull told the court that the accused committed the offence on Oct. 21 at about 4:00pm in Benin City. Johnbull said the accused stole the N5,000 handset from one Amen Kingsley. He said the offence contravened Section 390 of the Criminal Code.

The Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR) on Wednesday began an investigation into some depot owners in Apapa who sold fuel to marketers above the official ex-depot price of N133.28 kobo. Mrs. Dorothy Bassey, Assistant Director, Public Affairs, DPR told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos that the agency would sanction depot owners found guilty. According to Bassey, there is no reason for any depot to sell petrol above the official ex-depot price. “The agency will not hesitate to sanction any depot found guilty of the claim,” she said. A data obtained by the NAN showed that the depot owners increased the ex-depot price on Tuesday following a statement by an NNPC official at a function in Lagos. Mr. Mele Kyari, Group Manager, Crude Oil Marketing, NNPC had said at the 10th Oil Trading and Logistics Africa Downstream that the current price of fuel was no longer realistic due to the nation’s difficult business environment. The data revealed that five depot owners sold petrol...

Salisu-Yusuf, Super Eagles Coach One-time coach of the Flying Eagles, Tunde Disu, and an ex-international Bright Omakro, have commended the confirmation of Salisu Yusuf as Super Eagles Head Coach by the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF). Yusuf had after a meeting with the board of NFF on Tuesday, yelled out: “I have been offered a contract. So, I’m happy to continue with the job’’. Disu said that Yusuf’s appointment was a welcome development to Nigerian football, adding: “I think the country needs someone like him who has travelled far and wide in the country. “He is of a dependable quality which I can vouch for. He worked under me as assistant when I was the coach of Lobi Stars of Markurdi but before then, he played under me from 1987 to 1989. “He has proven to be a highly technical person whose job of handling the national team can be left to; more so, he understands the local league. “Yusuf has handled some of the local teams, Enyimba International of Aba inclusive,’’ he tol...

The gavel of justice Accusing her husband of being violent and irresponsible, a 34-year-old trader, Adebisi Abiodun, on Wednesday pleaded with an Agege Customary Court to dissolve her eight-year-old marriage. Adebisi, an indigene of Ogun and a mother of two, resides at Orile Road, Agege in Lagos. “My husband is destructive and he no longer cares for me and the children. “He destroys household items whenever he is angry and constantly beats me when I try to find out why he comes home late or why he sleeps outside the matrimonial home. “He would lock the doors so that I won’t escape and to prevent intervention by neighbours. “He has no interest in my welfare and has not been responsible for the children’s upkeep,’’ she told the court. The petitioner, who described her husband as an irresponsible and violent man, pleaded with the court to separate them, saying “I am no longer interested in the union; the love I have for him has faded. “I also want my husband to take full respons...

court-of-law A 30-year-old man, Tunde Ajani, who allegedly beat up a policeman, was on Wednesday brought before an Apapa Magistrates’ Court in Lagos. Ajani, a resident of Ajegunle area of Apapa, is facing a two-count charge of breach of peace and assault. The Prosecutor, Sgt. Kokoye Olusegun told the court that the accused committed the offences on Sept. 9 at Layeni Police Station, Ojo Road, Ajegunle-Apapa, Lagos. Olusegun said that Ajani assaulted a police officer, Paul Okonkwo, by pulling his uniform and punching him, while performing his lawful duty. “The complainant said he was trying to explain an issue concerning the conduct of the accused to him when he got angry and started rough handling him,” he said. The offences contravened Sections 166 and 171 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2011. The accused, however, pleaded not guilty. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Section 171 prescribes three-year jail term for assault occasioning harm if found guilty. Th...

Governor Darius Ishaku of Taraba State The Taraba Government has retained as permanent workers, 83 ad-hoc staff of the State Broadcasting Service(TSBS) who have served for between five and 20 years. The state Commissioner for Information, Mr Anthony Danburam, said in Jalingo on Wednesday that the retained workers included presenters, artists, reporters and engineers. Danburam spoke while inspecting digitization equipment at the Taraba Television Station (TTV). He said that the government would soon recruit additional 20 workers for the media house. The commissioner said that the employment was part of the state government’s efforts to reposition media houses in the state to make them more result-oriented. Danburam advised the staff members to render efficient services to justify their permanent appointments.

Minister of Power, Works and Housing, Mr Babatunde Fashola, SAN The Minister of Power, Works and Housing, Mr. Babatunde Fashola, has given an assurance that the Federal Government would ensure a conducive environment for businesses to thrive. Fashola said this while speaking with a Swedish business delegation on ICT and Smart Cities who visited him in Abuja. The delegation was led by the Swedish Minister of Trade and European Affairs, Ms. Ann Linde. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the delegation comprised experts in the Swedish financial sector, ICT, energy, transportation, telecommunication, health and agriculture. Fashola said that although government’s role in electricity generation was now regulatory and policy making, it was doing everything possible to ensure reliable electricity supply in the country. He said that for Nigerians to feel the impact of Swedish investment in the country, the investors should think of establishing manufacturing and assembling pl...

Kaffy Jennifer Okundia Nigerian Choreographer Kafayat Shafau Ameh popularly called Kaffy has come out on her Instagram page ”KAFFYDANCE” to address Davido and all other artistes who take dancers for granted. in a video she says several dancers trained and rehearsed with Davido for the 3 Thrones concert, only for him to cancel on stage at the last minute saying he doesn’t need the dancers anymore. She calls him out saying it is unethical and unprofessional that after receiving millions of Naira for a show and after 2-3 weeks of rehearsals for him, he treats dancers disrespectfully on top of the bits and pieces they receive. This attitude of the Omo baba olowo seems not to be new as It can be recalled that on Saturday August 13, 2016. The ‘Aye’ crooner reportedly failed to show up at an event tagged Festival of India where he was billed to perform . Davido had reportedly called the organizers on Friday, August 12, the night before the event was scheduled to take place to cancel on...

Ooni of Ife, Oba Enitan Adeyeye Ogunwusi, Ojaja II The Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, Ojaja II, has cautioned people to stop misrepresenting the importance of festivals and deities celebrated in the ancient city of Ile-Ife and all parts of Africa. Ooni stated this when he spoke at the 2016 celebration of ORANFE, the god of fire in Ile-Ife, Osun, on Wednesday. He expressed regrets that many people failed to promote the positive aspects of the Yoruba and African festivals due to slavish mentality and over-westernization. The royal father said that no one was immune from worshipping the nature, adding that no human being could survive without what the deities represented.‎ “Our people really need to be enlightened, a lot of these festivals have been misconstrued, misrepresented and demonised as if we are idol worshippers. We are not idol worshippers. We are rather believers in nature. ‎ “I am not saying the commandments of God should not be adhered to, but we must know that al...

Dr. Olubunmi Omojowolo The Lagos State chapter of the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) has said that there was need to address the issue of poverty to reduce the burden of ill health in the country. The association said that poverty contributed to ill health which in turn aggravated and extended the poverty, thereby having adverse effects on the country’s health indices. Dr. Olubunmi Omojowolo, Chairman of the Lagos NMA, made the assertion at a news conference to mark the 2016 Annual Physicians Week at the state NMA Secretariat, Lagos. The theme for this year’s programme is, “Healthcare in a Frail Economy: Challenges and Way Forward.’’ Omojowolo said that “this topic is very important, given the present economic downturn being experienced by our dear nation. “The World Bank recognizes the relationship between economic development and health. “It also recognizes that the poor health indices in most developing countries are as a result of entrapment in a vicious circle of unre...

Oguneye, Lagos Commissioner for Commerce, Industry and Cooperatives Kazeem Ugbodaga Lagos State Governor, Akinwunmi Ambode has banned ggovernment Ministries, Departments and Agencies, MDAs from carrying out multiple inspection of industries and work places in the state, to avert the pitfalls associated with the practice. Commissioner for Commerce, Industry and Cooperatives, Prince Rotimi Ogunleye who disclosed this on Tuesday at a press conference in Lagos said the state government has introduced the harmonized inspection of factories and other workplaces in the state instead of each MDAs going for different inspections in workplaces. “This new system entails having a joint inspection team of all the Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) rather than the previous modus operandi of having four MDAs going on separate factory inspections. “As you are aware, Lagos is a mega city with a burgeoning population of over 21 million people and it is Nigeria’s financial, commercial and ...

Democratic Peoples’ Congress (DPC) The Democratic Peoples’ Congress (DPC) says it has started mobilizing its members for the victory of its candidate, Dr Adeeyo Mathew, in the Nov.26 Governorship Election in Ondo State. Its National Chairman, Rev. Olusegun Peters Olusegun, said this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja on Wednesday. Peters said that the mobilization was to create the desired impact in the electioneering process in the state. He said that it was the desire of the party to form a government that would move the state to greater heights if elected. The party national chairman, therefore, called on the people of the state to vote massively for Mathew. He said that Mathew had been tested and confirmed to be a man of impeccable character with other enviable qualities and assured the people that DPC would govern the state effectively. He said that the party had put in place measures to avoid recurrence of past mistakes. Peters called on the ...

NCC Tennis League The Nigerian Communication Commission (NCC) Tennis League will resume on Oct. 28 with a high-stake tie between Team Lead Way and defending champions, Team Tombim, at the National Stadium Surulere, Lagos. The league was supposed to hold on Oct. 7 to Oct. 23 but was postponed because of the Governor’s Cup Lagos Tennis which started on Oct.10 to Oct. 22. Most players meant to play in the league took part in the Governor’s Cup Tennis Lagos which was held at the Lagos Lawn Tennis Club, Onikan. Godwin Keinka, the coordinator of the league, said in a statement on Wednesday in Lagos, that Team Tombim had national champion, Moses Michael and the highest ranked ATP player, Christian Paul leading its players. It said that the national number four female, Sarah Adegoke, was also included in the team. According to the statement, the defending champions will have to contend with Joseph Imeh, a Nigerian top 10 and ATP ranked player as well as Ronke Akingbade ranked No.5 in t...

Students A Zaria-based Non-Governmental Organisation, Teens and Times, said on Wednesday that about 95 percent of students writing Senior Secondary School Certificate Examinations do not read, but pay their way out of school. The Coordinator of the NGO, Nnenna Opigbe blamed the development on the proliferation of miracle centers and connivance of parents with schools to pass their children at all cost. Opigbe told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Kaduna that the students have assumed that reading hard does not translate to good grades, so they pay to get the good grade. “When I interact with some of these students about their reading habits they will say, aunty, do not worry, we will pass and their parents will pay and will pass. “What worries me is that these students are intelligent, creative and innovative and could pass their exam on their own. “But they feel there is no need to read since they will pay their way out and get the grades they need to get them into universi...

Kaffy Jennifer Okundia Nigerian Choreographer Kafayat Shafau Ameh popularly called Kaffy has come out on her Instagram page ”KAFFYDANCE” to address Davido and all other artistes who take dancers for granted. in a video she says several dancers trained and rehearsed with Davido for the 3 Thrones concert, only for him to cancel on stage at the last minute saying he doesn’t need the dancers anymore. She calls him out saying it is unethical and unprofessional that after receiving millions of Naira for a show and after 2-3 weeks of rehearsals for him, he treats dancers disrespectfully on top of the bits and pieces they receive. This attitude of the Omo baba olowo seems not to be new as It can be recalled that on Saturday August 13, 2016. The ‘Aye’ crooner reportedly failed to show up at an event tagged Festival of India where he was billed to perform . Davido had reportedly called the organizers on Friday, August 12, the night before the event was scheduled to take place to cancel on...

Democratic Peoples’ Congress (DPC) The Democratic Peoples’ Congress (DPC) says it has started mobilizing its members for the victory of its candidate, Dr Adeeyo Mathew, in the Nov.26 Governorship Election in Ondo State. Its National Chairman, Rev. Olusegun Peters Olusegun, said this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja on Wednesday. Peters said that the mobilization was to create the desired impact in the electioneering process in the state. He said that it was the desire of the party to form a government that would move the state to greater heights if elected. The party national chairman, therefore, called on the people of the state to vote massively for Mathew. He said that Mathew had been tested and confirmed to be a man of impeccable character with other enviable qualities and assured the people that DPC would govern the state effectively. He said that the party had put in place measures to avoid recurrence of past mistakes. Peters called on the ...

Mr. Ifeatu Obiokoye, the National Publicity Secretary, All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), said the party never held National Working Committee (NWC) meeting, as claimed by Vice-Chairman, South-East zone, Mr. Nwabueze Okafor. Obiokoye, via a statement he issued on Wednesday in Abuja, said no such meeting held anywhere. Okafor said on Monday that APGA’s NWC, held a meeting under his chairmanship, to ratify the purported suspension of the National Chairman of the party, Dr. Victor Oye. “APGA wishes to assure members and well wishers of the great party that no such meeting of APGA NWC was ever held at anytime or in any place where such decision was ever taken. “Besides, Okafor as a zonal vice-chairman of the party does not have the constitutional powers to either convene or preside over a meeting of the NWC,” Obiokoye said. He said that members of the NWC of APGA remained unquestionably committed to the resolution reached at the peace meeting convened at the instance of the nati...

Mr. Ifeatu Obiokoye, the National Publicity Secretary, All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), said the party never held National Working Committee (NWC) meeting, as claimed by Vice-Chairman, South-East zone, Mr. Nwabueze Okafor. Obiokoye, via a statement he issued on Wednesday in Abuja, said no such meeting held anywhere. Okafor said on Monday that APGA’s NWC, held a meeting under his chairmanship, to ratify the purported suspension of the National Chairman of the party, Dr. Victor Oye. “APGA wishes to assure members and well wishers of the great party that no such meeting of APGA NWC was ever held at anytime or in any place where such decision was ever taken. “Besides, Okafor as a zonal vice-chairman of the party does not have the constitutional powers to either convene or preside over a meeting of the NWC,” Obiokoye said. He said that members of the NWC of APGA remained unquestionably committed to the resolution reached at the peace meeting convened at the instance of the nati...

The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) in Niger has advised the Federal Government to involve seasoned, experienced and informed clergymen to assist in counseling the released 21 Chibok girls. The CAN Chairman in the state, Dr. Mathias Echioda, gave the advice in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Minna on Tuesday. Echioda said that the call became necessary to help rebuild their morals and lives of the affected girls. “I appeal to the Federal Government to involve clergymen that will use their professional based knowledge and faith to counsel the girls. “Government should involve seasoned, experienced and informed clergymen to assist in counseling the girls to rebuild their morals and lives,” he said. He added that the effort would help the girls to overcome the physiological trauma they went through in the hands of their abductors. The CAN chairman described the release of the girls as a welcome development to Nigerians in particular and the world at lar...

Charly-Boy A showbiz superstar, Charly Boy, has advocated constant staging of cultural carnivals across the country in order to boost preservation of the nation’s rich cultural heritage. He made the call on Wednesday in Abuja. Charly Boy said:”Our diverse and rich cultural heritage and values must be kept alive for the next generation, and cultural carnival is one of the best platforms to achieve this. “There seems to be no transfer of culture and values from one generation to the other because of modernisation. “If nothing is urgently done about it, we may soon lose our identity as Nigerians and Africans.” The “Areafada”, as he is popularly called by young people, noted that Western civilisation has alienated the younger generation of Nigerians from their cultural values. He added that since carnivals usually attract young people because of the “aura of amusement and entertainment they carry,’’ they will be veritable tools to showcase Nigeria’s cultural heritage. Charly Boy ...