Global Naija Info

Ekiti State Governor, Ayodele Fayose Alade-Oluseye Sunday, a prosecution witness in the ongoing trial of Abiodun Agbele, an ally of Gov. Ayodele Fayose of Ekiti, on Thursday, confirmed that cash deposits were made into the governor’s account before his election. Sunday made the confirmation while being cross-examined by Defence Counsel, Mike Ozekhome (SAN), before Justice Nnamdi Dimgba of Federal High Court, Abuja. The witness told the court that he did not know that Fayose had an account with Zenith Bank until June 23, 2014 when N1.37 million was paid into the account. Sunday then gave a breakdown of the monies paid into Fayose’s account before he became governor of Ekiti as; N19,209,882.92 already in the account before the payment of N1.37 million was made into that account on June 23, 2014. “On June 11, 2014, N5 million was credited into Fayose’s account and another N5 million credited into the account on the same day. “On the same June 11, 2014, N2.5 million was also credite

Mr Fatai Owoseni, Lagos State Commissioner of Police. The Commissioner of Police, Lagos State, Mr Fatai Owoseni on Thursday said that a police station in Nigeria gets N45,000 in three months as running cost. Owoseni disclosed this while addressing members of the Human Rights Defenders and Advocacy Centre, a civil society organisation, who protested to his office in Ikeja. The group urged the Federal Government to probe the embezzlement of funds meant for fuelling of patrol vehicles, stationeries, uniforms and allowance for the Nigerian Police Force. The group had placards with inscriptions such as ‘No More Embezzlement of Police Funds’, ‘IG is a thief’, ‘Why are Police Officers buying Uniforms by themselves’ and ‘Junior Officers dey work, Senior Officers dey chop’. Addressing the protesters, Owoseni said that the group was protesting on the basis of ignorance as police fund was not embezzled. He said that government could not be blamed for the low budgetary allocation to the pol

Alleged-7-year-old-boy-burnt for stealing garri Nigerians have been left to wonder about what has become of our beloved country as the video of a 7 year old boy who was burnt for allegedly stealing garri went viral on wednesday. As a result, Kingsley Ughe, a legal practitioner and General Counsel of the Joint Action Aids has reacted to the diverse reports about a boy lynched by an angry mob in Lagos state for stealing. According to Ughe, General Counsel for Joint Action Aids in a Facebook post titled, ‘A Thief and A Frenzied Mob Baying for Blood,’ the victim was a member of a gang of notorious thieves trying to steal a phone from a woman who screamed for help and not a seven-year-old boy, as claimed by media reports. Read Ughe’s account of the story below: The true account of the young man lynched and summarily burnt to death at Orile Iganmu last Saturday speaks of the uncertainty and brevity of human life in Nigeria. It was Saturday, the 11th day of November 2016. The venue of

Kole Omotoso, Helon Habila, Matthew Willsher, Dele Olojede and Opeyemi Lawal The longlist for the 2016 Etisalat Prize for Literature has been announced. The list of nine books and authors was unveiled at the opening of the 2016 Ake Arts and Book Festival. Elvis Ogiemwanye, Etisalat Nigeria’s Director, Brand and Experience and award-winning author and poet, HelonHabila announced the longlist. On the longlist for the 2016 prize are: Mr and Mrs Doctor by Julie Tromuany; The Yearning by MohaleMashigo; Piggy Boy’s Blues by NakhaneToure; The Peculiars by Jen Thorpe; Born On Tuesday by Elnathan John; And After Many Days by Jowhor Ile; Dub Steps by Andrew Miller; The Seed Thief by Jacqui L’ange; and Nwelezelanga The Star Child by Unathi Magubeni. The Etisalat prize “celebrates debut African writers of published fiction”. Previous winners include No Violet Bulawayo, Songeziwe Mahlangu and Fiston Mwanza Mujila. The winner of the 2016 Etisalat Prize for Literature will be awarded a cash

The remains of Rasheed Gbadamosi was buried in his house at Ikorodu on Thursday. The remains of former Minister of National Planning, Chief Rasheed Gbadamosi was on Thursday buried at his house in Ikorodu, Lagos, Southwest Nigeria amidst eulogies. Gbadamosi died on Wednesday at the age of 72. Several politicians, captain of industries and others thronged his home to eulogise him for his contribution to the development of the country. Members of his Eyo Orisa Aagere, which he was their chairman were at the burial to entertain the guest who thronged his Ikorodu home to pay him their last respect. His remains was wrapped in white cloth as the Muslim rites demands and buried before 4 pm. The remains of Rasheed Gbadamosi being conveyed for burial. Gbadamosi’s daughter, Mrs. Kunbi Oshinoiki said his father was ill before he died, saying that she was hoping that he would recover from his brief ailment, but that unfortunately, he did not make it. “He would have been 73-year-old next

Alhaji Atiku Abubakar Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar said on Thursday that no member of his family ever reached the ripe age of 70 years. He spoke in Yola at an event organised to mark his 70th birthday by students of American University of Nigeria Academy and Primary schools. “It is a milestone in my life because nobody in my family has ever lived up to 70 years,” Abubakar said. He lauded the students for “the surprise of a birthday bash’’ and reiterated his commitment to continue to support education in the country. The former vice president called on the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) to suspend the ongoing warning strike for the sake of Nigerian students. He said that education was the backbone of development, stressing that nothing should be done to jeopardise education.

Lola Shoneyin, festival’s director The 2016 edition of the Ake Arts and Book Festival kicked off Thursday with an opening ceremony in Abeokuta, Ogun State. Hosted by media personality, Wana Udobang, the event began with the arrival of the Alake of Egbaland, Oba Adedotun Aremu Gbadebo and renditions of the national and Ogun State anthems by Falana and Adunni and Nefertiti. This was followed by a welcome address from the festival’s director, Ms Lola Shoneyin who highlighted the opportunities for collaboration, networking and relationship-building created since the festival began in 2013. She said this year’s festival promises a memorable exploration of African identity through a series of panels, performances and book chats. The organisers have also ensured that the festival reaches a wide audience by creating a mobile application; a designated blog, and by live streaming events on the festival’s YouTube channel. Her speech was followed by Oba Gbadebo’s goodwill message, which fea

L-R: Director of Training, Office of Establishments & Training, Mr. Ayodeji Aruna; Director, Accounts, Mr. Deji Koko; Commissioner for Establishments, Training and Pensions, Dr. Akintola Benson Oke and the Consultant, Sola Oyetayo & Co, Mr Sola Oyetayo at a 2-day workshop organized by the Ministry of Establishments, Training and Pensions for Accountants and Auditors in Lagos State Public Service. The Lagos State Ministry of Establishments, Training and Pensions has held a two-day workshop for accountants and auditors in Lagos State Public Service.

L-R: Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode, with Faculty Director, Legatum Center & member of UK Prime Minister’s Council for Science and Technology, Professor Fiona Murray and Associate Provost for International Activities, Professor Richard Lester during a meeting between the MIT Africa Initiative and Lagos State Government in Boston, Massachusetts, U.S.A, on Thursday. The Lagos State Government on Thursday unveiled plans to adopt the Boston model to clean up the State Waterways and tackle other environmental issues confronting the State. State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode disclosed this shortly after series of meetings with the Mayor of Boston, Marty Walsh and the Executive Director of Massachusetts Water Resources Authority, Mr Paul Levy in the United States of America. At the meeting, Mr. Levy recalled the Boston Waterways and sewage crises and explained to the Governor and his team on how the government worked hard for years to clean up the harbour as well to provi

Mr Steve Ayorinde, Commissioner for Information and Strategy The Lagos State Government on Thursday denied the unsubstantiated claims being circulated in some sections of the media and on social media of its involvement in the fire incident that took place at Otodo Gbame Community in Lekki area of the State last Wednesday. The State Government specifically punctured media reports suggesting that it authorized the burning down of the community, saying that the allegation was far from the truth. The State’s Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Mr. Steve Ayorinde, in a statement, said the State Government shared in the painful loss of the residents but explained that from Police reports and evaluation by the government, the waterfront community was razed by the fire incident that happened as a result of the ethic clash that occurred between the Egun and Yoruba residents within the community. Ayorinde said while the Police succeeded in bringing to a halt the deadly clashes which

DSS operatives The Nigerian Navy has arrested Mr Augustine Effiong, a suspect who specialises in providing medical services to injured militants in the creeks of Bakassi and Akpabuyo local government areas of Cross River. Briefing newsmen on Thursday in Calabar, Commodore Obed Ngalabak, Commander, Nigerian Navy Ship Victory (NNS-V), said the suspect was arrested on Oct. 26, 2016 at Nakanda-Idebe area in Bakassi local government. Ngalabak handed over the suspect to Cross River State Director of Department of State Service (DSS). He said that the hand over was in compliance with the directive issued by Rear Adm. James Oluwole, Flag Officer Commanding Eastern Naval Command. He said that the operation that led to the arrest of the suspect was carried out by men of the Nigerian Navy Special Forces attached to the NNS-V. “On the 26 October 2016, men of the Nigerian Navy arrested one Mr Augustine Effiong at his shop around Nakanda-Idebe in Bakassi local government area. “Intelligence

File photo: Fuel tanker fire re Property worth millions of naira was on Thursday gutted by fire in Egono Etsako West Local Government Area of Edo when a petrol tanker fell, spilling its content. No life was lost in the accident. It was gathered from eyewitnesses that an unmarked tanker spilled its contents into the building after the driver apparently lost control of the vehicle on the Benin-Auchi Highway. Some residents at the scene described it as “terrible and unfortunate,” while others defied the inferno to scoop the products suspected to be kerosene. The situation, however, took a different turn when a patrol team of policemen arrived at the scene and began to shoot into the air to scare them. A witness, Mr Monday Iyalo said the tanker fell and burst into flames. “The truck went up in flames when the police fired canisters into the spilled product which sent them scampering into safety. The building in front of the accident scene was not spared” . A handful of those that

court-of-law A 40-year-old painter, Yisa Aweda, on Thursday was caught at his residence in Orile Area of Lagos having sexual intercourse with a two-year-old girl child (name withheld). The Coordinator, Lagos State Domestic Violence Response Team (DSVRT), Mrs Titilola Vivour-Adeniyi, disclosed this in a statement on Thursday. Adeniyi said that the crime was initially reported at Orile Police Station where the father of the victim was also reported to have hit the rapist with a broken bottle when he caught him in the act. “On Nov. 16, the victim’s mother found Yisa Aweda having sexual intercourse with her daughter in her living room and immediately shouted for help. “This attracted other neighbours and her husband who came in and in anger took a broken bottle to cause serious injury on the perpetrator. “The matter was immediately reported to Orile Police station, while the perpetrator was taken to the hospital for medical attention. “The father of the girl was also arrested and

The gavel of justice vel Three labourers who allegedly stole two canopy pillars valued at N250,000 from their employer on Thursday appeared before an Ojo Magistrates’ Court in Lagos. The accused – Abdullahi Ojedapo, 21, Habib Dauda, 28, and Adetunji Aremu, 26, reside in Festac Town area of Lagos State. They are facing a two-count charge of conspiracy and stealing. The Prosecutor, Insp. Uche Simon, told the court that the accused committed the offences on Oct. 9 at Ibeto Group of Companies at 1st Rainbow, Festac Town, Lagos. Simon said the pillars were from Ibeto Group of Companies where they work. “When the company discovered that some pillars were missing, they confronted the workers, who all claimed they knew nothing about the missing pillars. “The the trio were arrested because they were acting suspicious and they were the ones in charge of the pillars,’’ he said. He said the offences contravened Sections 285 and 409 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2011. Section 285 p

Tanko-Al-Makura, Governor Nasarawa Sate Nasarawa State Government said on Thursday that it had spent N850 million for the construction and provision of water supply to three local government areas of the state to reduce water shortage in the areas. Dr. Salisu Rajj, the Senior Special Assistant (SSA) to Gov.Almakura on Planning and Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) said this known when the state House of Assembly Committee on Planning and SDGs inspected Nassarawa Eggon and Daddere water works. Areas that benefited from the schemes are Nassarawa Eggon, Toto and Daddere development area. He said that the project was geared towards reducing water problems in the state and improving on the living standard of the people. The water work, with different water fetching points, has been completed and ready for public use. “Nassarawa Eggon water scheme cost about N300m; Daddere scheme N300m and the rehabilitation of Lille projects in Toto Local Government cost N250m. Nassarawa Eggon a

Governor Ayodele Fayose of Ekiti State The Chairman of Ekiti Football Association (FA), Mr Ayodeji Alabi, on Thursday said its new secretariat would be inaugurated in the first week‎ of January 2017. Alabi made the disclosure in Ado-Ekiti while inaugurating three statutory committees that would pilot the affairs of grassroots football development in the state in 2017. He said the association’s new building would be enable members have well-organised offices to discharge their duties effectively. “For over five years, the FA did not have its own office and this is the reason why I feel our tenure should change that history by making sure that a standard building is built. “The office of the FA will be inaugurated in January 2017 by the grace of God,’’ he said. ‎Alabi said the building comprised the office of the chairman, vice-chairman, board room, media centre and library among others. He explained that the three statutory committees which would be effective from January inclu

Governor Olusegun Mimiko of Ondo State The Youth Initiative for Advocacy, Growth and Advancement (YIAGA) said on Thursday that 363 well-trained, non-partisan observers would be deployed across Ondo State for the Nov. 26 Governorship election. A Consultant for YIAGA, Mr Paul James, disclosed this during a “Watch the Vote (WTV)’’ media training organised by YIAGA in Akure. He said that the observers would include 340 stationary and 23 roaming observers deployed to 300 polling units to collate data for the Parallel Votes Tabulation (PVT) methodology. James said that the PVT method deployed for the election would be evidence- based to verify election processes and its outcome, adding that this would only be shared publicly after original results for INEC had been released. “The PVT is driven by data, non-partisan and has no affiliation to any political party and has also performed in Ghana, Malawi, Madagascar and Zambia, ‘’ he said. The WTV Project Manager for YIAGA, Miss Cynthia M

christian-pilgrims Mr Daniel Shawulu, Executive Secretary, Bauchi State Christians Welfare Board, said at least 35 Christians from the state have registered to perform 2016 pilgrimage to Israel and Rome. Shawulu revealed in Bauchi on Thursday that 30 of them had paid their fares in full, while others have up to the end of the month to do so. According to him, the board had undertaken campaign to encourage individuals and churches to sponsor intending pilgrims. The executive secretary disclosed that the board had designed an online registration portal for intending pilgrims, to stop them from travelling to Bauchi for the registration. The official said that the portal would be closed at the end of November, and urged those interested in embarking on the journey to pay their fares before then. He said that the board would soon embark on the screening of the intending pilgrims, stressing that there would be no screening by proxy. Shawulu said that intending pilgrims travelling fr

United-Nations The UN has challenged Nigeria to push its qualified citizens forward for appointment and employment positions at the UN. Director, Learning, Development and Human Resource Services of the UN, Mr Victor Kisob, threw the challenge when Mrs Joan Ayo, Chairman, Federal Civil Service Commission, visited him. Ayo had led a delegation from the commission and Nigeria’s Permanent Mission to the UN to Kisob on job opportunities for Nigerians, lamenting the country’s under-representation at the organisation. Kisob said that the UN encouraged Nigerians to apply for jobs especially in the middle and senior cadres. “We still encourage Nigerians to apply for positions because we always look for the best and I believe that Nigeria has quite a reservoir of very qualified people in all fields of endeavours that the organisation looks for. “What I will encourage is for those who are in mid-career or senior levels to also look at positions within the organisation when we do advertis

Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar III, Sultan of Sokoto and the head of JNI The administrative secretary of the Jama’atu Nasirl Islam, JNI, in Plateau State, Abdulaziz Yusuf, has been kidnapped. He was abducted on Wednesday evening on his way back to Jos from Kaduna State where he went to condole the family of the late Dr Ibrahim Dasuki, the deposed Sultan of Sokoto. According to a son of the victim, Mr. Yusuf was seized alongside his driver by the kidnappers who abandoned the vehicle of the victim around Saminaka, a town in Kaduna State. He said the incident was reported to the police in Saminaka, but the police suspected it was a robbery. “The kidnappers went away with my dad and his driver, they abandoned their vehicle, a Peugeot 406”, Sani, the son of the cleric, told PREMIUM TIMES on the telephone. “The phone of the driver was also left in the car. This morning, I called the phone number of the driver and the police from Saminaka picked it. They told me that they recovered the vehicle

Late Rasheed Gbadamosi One of Nigeria’s renowned writers, Odia Ofeimum on Thursday mourned the demise of an art patron, Rasheed Gbadamosi, whom he described as a man who stood behind literature all his life. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Gbadamosi, who was a leading industrialist, art collector and writer, died on Wednesday at the age of 72. He was said to have suffered from multiple strokes since 2015 and had recently gone abroad for medical treatment. Ofeimum, who is the author of many volumes of poetry, books of political essays and on cultural politics, said Gbadamosi’s death was a big loss as far as literature was concerned. “The man stood with literature all the while, he was always where the literary arts were being promoted. “He was a very sensible businessman. It is difficult to find businessmen who are genuinely committed to literature. “Rasheed Gbadamosi was committed to literature almost as much as he was committed to being a businessman.” Ofeimun

Lt.-Gen. Tukur Buratai, receiving the military vehicles. An indigenous automobile firm, Innoson Motors, on Thursday, donated three customized vehicles to the Nigerian Army. Presenting the vehicles at the headquarters of Theatre Command, Operation Lafiya Dole, Maimalari Cantonment, Maiduguri, Chief Executive Officer of Innoson, Chief Innocent Chukwuma, said the vehicles were specially designed for the North-East terrain. Chief Innocent Chukwuma, Chief Executive Officer Innoson, talking about the vehicles, According to him, the vehicles have re-enforced shock absorbers and metallic body and except the engine, other components were locally sourced. Chukwuma said that the vehicles were to assist troops fighting the Boko Haram terrorists. The Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Tukur Buratai, who received the vehicles, thanked the firm for the donation and said that the gesture was the type needed by the army to tackle the insurgents. He said that the vehicles would make the troops ope

Some of the migrants from Libya: AP More than 240 people have died in boats in the Mediterranean Sea this week, according to officials, as horrifying new testimony emerged from survivors of yet another tragedy off the coast of Libya. Departures from Libya are continuing unabated despite worsening weather in the Mediterranean, with over 3,200 people rescued from crowded and unseaworthy dinghies since Saturday. The total is the same as for the whole month of November 2015. The new death toll was based on information gathered by the UN’s refugee agency (UNHCR) from 15 survivors, who said some 135 people had drowned or lost their lives when a dinghy capsized on Monday. Some 95 others are presumed dead after another boat sank on Tuesday. Nine bodies have been recovered in total after both incidents, while a 10th person was seen to have drowned but could not be pulled from the sea by rescue teams. The survivors of Monday’s shipwreck off Libya – overwhelmingly from sub-Saharan Africa –

Google Over 100 media groups and projects are set to share 24 million Euros (25.7 million dollars) in grants handed out by internet giant Google on Thursday in Berlin. The money was distributed to 124 projects in 25 European countries, with the lion’s share in terms of value going to Germany, Spain and France. All participants received not less than 300,000 Euros. The funding is part of Google’s Digital News Initiative, a project launched in 2015 to “advance innovation in the news industry”. A first round of funding in March disbursed 27 million Euros for 128 projects. The money is intended to help fund start-up media projects or to help established media organisations attempt to set up new programmes. Separately, Google announced that the German version of its Google News page will start carrying a “fact check” tab this week, which allows readers to access further information about reports. It said the Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung newspaper and Corrective website would soo

Former Governor Adams Oshiomhole of Edo State Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has asked Governor Godwin Obaseki not to sign the amended law by the state House of Assembly which approved N200m house for the former governor of Edo State, Adams Oshiomhole. In a statement issued on Thursday, SERAP condemned the N300 million mansion retirement benefits for Oshiomhole and the N100m house approved for his former deputy, Dr. Pius Odubu. SERAP called on Governor Godwin Obaseki to “immediately withdraw the bill, and use the funds to clear the backlog of pension arrears spanning between seven and 45 months.” This followed reports of amendment of Law for Pension Rights of the Governor and Deputy Governor by the Edo State House of Assembly, with the immediate past governor and deputy governor expected to be some of the beneficiaries. The new amendment contains provision of residential buildings worth N200m and N100m for the governor and his deputy at the expiration of

court-of-law jail An 89-year-old man, Alabi Oyedele, and three others were on Thursday sentenced to 15 months imprisonment by an Osogbo Magistrates’ Court. The other accused were Saka Oyedeji, 70, Ologunde Owodiran, 45, and Olabisi Taiwo, 55. The accused were found guilty on three-count charge bordering on illegal entry and damage. The Magistrate, Mrs. Olowolagba Olubukola, ordered the convicts to be kept behind bars without the option of fine due to the magnitude of their offences. Earlier, the Prosecutor, Insp. Joshua Oladoye had told the court that the accused committed the offences on April 10, 2013, at about 1.00p.m., at Jagun Oluwere Compound, Okinni, a suburb of Osogbo. Oladoye said the convicts conspired and forcibly enter the land belonging to Jagun Oluwere compound. He said that the accused maliciously damaged built structures on the disputed land. The prosecutor said that both parties were at loggerheads over the land on which the buildings were erected. According

Gov. Sani Bello of Niger State. The Niger State Government has approved N84.408 million for the purchase of science equipment and construction of laboratories in four tertiary institutions in the state. The Commissioner for Education, Hajiya Fatima Madugu, made the disclosure on Thursday in Minna while briefing newsmen on the outcome of the meeting of the state executive council. She said that books would also be purchased for the libraries in the four institutions. She said that the four institutions were being equipped to meet up with accreditation requirements. “Most of the programmes in those schools are due for accreditation; if these items are not put in place, there is no way the programmes can be accredited,” she said. The Commissioner named the four schools as Fati Lami Abubakar Institute of Legal and Administrative Studies, Institute of Technology and Innovation both in Minna. Others are the School of Health Technology Tunga Magajiya and School of Agriculture Mokwa‎.

Nigerian-army An indigenous automobile firm, Innoson Motors, on Thursday, donated three customised vehicles to the Nigerian Army. Presenting the vehicles at the headquarters of Theatre Command, Operation Lafiya Dole, Maimalari Cantonment, Maiduguri, Chief Executive Officer of Innoson, Chief Innocent Chukwuma, said the vehicles were specially designed for the North-East terrain. According to him, the vehicles have re-enforced shock absorbers and metallic body and except the engine, other components were locally sourced. Chukwuma said that the vehicles were to assist troops fighting the Boko Haram terrorists. The Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Tukur Buratai, who received the vehicles, thanked the firm for the donation, and said that the gesture was the type needed by the army to tackle the insurgents. He said that the vehicles would make the troops operate “efficiently and depend less on foreign items,’’ adding that the need to patronage Made-in-Nigeria products in view of dwindli

tourism Mr Ukeka Orji, a renowned Artist and proprietor of Kaka Art Inspirations, has attributed poor patronage and lack of peace and unity to the collapse of the tourism industry in the country. Orji said on Thursday in Abuja, that tourism sites, zoological garden and amusement parks in the country had little or no patronage. “There are lots of tourist sites, zoological gardens and parks that are meant for people to visit, relax and have some fun; unfortunately, they are all not enjoying patronage. “Amusement parks and the zoo, zoological gardens used to be the destination for tourists from within and outside the country, but not anymore; our people seem to have forgotten the value of relaxation. “Low patronage, hinged on insecurity has made it difficult for tourism business to thrive and for the operators to make returns on their investment. No one wants to go to a place where there is no security. “In many developed countries, there are organisations that specialise in the c

Hillary Clinton in Las Vegas on Wednesday. Hillary Clinton on Wednesday night made her first public appearance since delivering her concession speech a week ago today, making an emotional plea for the country to focus on helping underprivileged children while acknowledging the pain she feels after her unexpected failure to defeat Donald Trump at the ballot box. Speaking at the Children’s Defense Fund’s 26th annual Beat the Odds Celebration in Washington, D.C., Clinton said, “I know this isn’t easy. I know that over the past week a lot of people have asked themselves whether America was the country we thought it was. The divisions laid bare by this election run deep. But please listen to me when I say this: America is worth it. Our children are worth it.” Clinton, who was honored at the gala for her dedication and contributions to the organization and child advocacy throughout her career, admitted, “coming here tonight wasn’t the easiest for me. There have been a few times this past

Father Olumba Olumba Obu The Brotherhood of the Cross and Star (BCS) says more than 500,000 worshipers are expected at the birthday celebration of its founder, Olumba Olumba Obu, underway in Calabar. Archbishop Princely Ibeabuchi, the spokesman of the organization, disclosed this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Calabar on Thursday. Ibeabuchi said that the week-long event would feature community service, visits to orphanages as well as Calabar Prison, among others. “We celebrate the birthday of our father yearly to show love to the people and as a mark of humility by the spiritual leader. “Father Olumba is a symbol of humility and love. “As part of the activities to celebrate his birthday, the organization will visit orphanages, prison yards and carry out community service around Calabar metropolis. “There will also be an open kitchen where food will be served free to all participants and worshipers at the BCS World Headquarters, Calabar,” he said. He

Dbanj One of Nigeria’s renowned entertainers, “D’banj,’’ born as Dapo Oyebanjo, says artistes ought to reap from their creative works. D’banj said on Thursday in Lagos that artistes would be encouraged to work harder when they get due remuneration for their works. “A musician is supposed to know how to play good music or collaborate with others to make good music in order to get paid for the services,’’ he said. He said that if musicians could access the right platform to recoup the money they had invested in their albums, they would smile to their banks. “We are not releasing music for it to be on You Tube or some other social media to make us popular. “A musician should create room for some other persons to contribute to his music to make it worth the people’s while. “We are releasing music to make money and to have money to help ourselves and our families,” he said. D’banj also stressed that musicians have to be versatile in their craft and not be averse to new ideas that

Ebonyi State University (EBSU). The warning strike embarked by the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has paralyzed academic activities at Ebonyi State University (EBSU). The nationwide warning strike in its second day was declared to press home ASUU’s demand for the Federal Government to honour and implement the earlier agreement it entered into with the union in 2009. The failure of the government to implement the 2013 Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) it entered into with the union also led to the strike. NAN correspondent who monitored the strike on Thursday in Abakalili, reports that academic activities at the institution were suspended in compliance with the directive of the national leadership of ASUU. Addressing newsmen in Abakalili, Prof. Ndubuisi Ideyi, EBSU chairman of ASUU, confirmed that the branch was in full support of the warning strike. “Our men are in full support of our national leadership, who has directed that ASUU members across the federation sho

Crochet Braids Amid the preference for “Brazilian Hair” as a fashion statement by ladies, the “Crochet Braids” appear to be making waves these days. In series of interviews carried out on Thursday in Lagos, most of the beauticians said that crochet braids are now the rave of the moment. Unlike in other braids where the stylists used their hands to weave the intricate pattern, crochet braid is made with crochet pins. For some time now, crochet braids have been gaining ground silently and have been influenced mainly by its texture which is natural. Having been popular in the late 1990s and up to the early 2000, this practical hairstyle is back, with a more vibrant touch to it. Mrs. Caroline Badmus, a stylist with “Tutu Hairdressing Home’’ in Ikorodu, Lagos, said that most of her clients preferred crochet braid which, she added, was a simple task to handle. “Almost all my customers wanted to do crochet braids because it doesn’t take time, all you need to do is weave the natural h

Dangote The Kano State Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (KACCIMA), has commended the Dangote Group for sponsoring the 37th Kano International Trade Fair which opens on Friday in Kano. The Director-General of KACCIMA, Mr. Aliyu Muhammad Mustafa, told newsmen that the Group had been a major sponsor over the years. “Most marketers have been asking us if Dangote will participate and we told them yes. So, Dangote is a major driving force in Kano Trade Fair.” Mustafa said with the participation and sponsorship by the company, many organisations would now show interest in the expo, including local and multinational companies from China. He said 17 ambassadors and delegates from African countries would participate in the exhibition. A statement on Thursday by the Regional spokesman for the Dangote Group, Jibrin Abubakar, said its companies and subsidiaries would form part of the expo to encourage others to make meaningful contribution to national growth. The Fair h

Kingsley-Kuku An FCT High Court in Wuse on Thursday adjourned hearing in a case of alleged corruption against Lawrence Pepple and Henry Ogbulue to Jan. 19, 2017. The defendants were aides to Kingsley Kuku, the Adviser on Niger Delta Affairs to former President Goodluck Jonathan. Justice Mamman Kolo granted the adjournment after receiving a written application from the Counsel to the Defendant, Mr Jay Ezeuko, stating that he lost his mother and was out of town. At the last sitting, Kolo had adjourned hearing in the case at the instance of the Prosecuting Counsel, Faruk Abdullahi, who also sent an application notifying the court of being on official engagement outside the jurisdiction of the court. Pepple and Ogbulue were separately arraigned by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission for alleged criminal conspiracy and fraudulent acquisition of properties while in office as public servants. Their offences contravened Section 26(1)(b) of the Corrupt Practices and Other Relat

court Police on Thursday arraigned three persons at an Ire-Ekiti Magistrates’ Court, Ekiti state, for allegedly stealing a goat. The accused are Bamidele Ayobami, 28; Popoola Kehinde, 25 and Olaosebikan Tunde, 43. The Police Prosecutor, Sgt. Tunde Awosola told the court that the accused committed the offence on Nov.12 at about midnight at Ire-Ekiti. He alleged that the accused, on the said date and time, unlawfully stole a goat valued at N15,000 which belonged to one Jimoh Ramotu. The prosecutor, who described the accused as “perpetual goat thieves”, alleged that they had severally been arrested and arraigned an Ado-Ekiti Magistrates’ court for the same offence. He told the court that the accused plied their notorious stealing trade between Ado-Ekiti ande Ire-Ekiti. He said that the offence contravened Section 390 (a) of the Criminal Code, Cap C 16, Laws of Ekiti State, 2012. The accused pleaded not guilty to the charge, and their counsel, Mr. Femi Falade, prayed the court to

Tanko-Al-Makura, Governor Nasarawa Sate Gov. Umaru Al-Makura of Nasarawa State has directed all the local government councils in the state to desist from mounting road blocks on roads for the purpose of revenue collection. The governor gave the directive on Thursday in Lafia during a meeting with Interim Management Committee (IMC), chairmen and stakeholders of local government and development areas. He said the ban was to ensure compliance with Federal Government’s directive on the dismantling of road blocks on the nation’s highways. Al-Makura urged the chairmen to come up with initiatives of generating internal revenue for the survival of the local government system in the state. “As leaders at the local government level, it behooves on you to live up to your responsibility by adopting measures that would ensure the survival of the system given the dwindling allocation from the federation account,” he said. He said that the government was working on a benchmark of the expected

Nigeria-police A 15-year-old boy, Tegah Okagbare, was on Thursday handed over to the police by an Okitipupa Magistrates’ Court in Ondo State for allegedly assaulting one Dotun Adeyemi. The accused, who is of no fixed address, was arraigned on a one-count charge of unlawful assault. The Magistrate, Mr Banji Ayeomoni, ordered that the accused be kept in police custody as there was no juvenile court in Okitipupa. He adjourned the case till Monday for further hearing. The prosecutor, Insp Zedekiah Orogbemi, told the court that the accused on Nov. 14 at about 9:00 a.m. at No. 3, Ewi Str. Okitipupa hit Adeyemi with nail-plank on the head. According to the prosecutor, Adeyemi fainted and was rushed to the hospital where he is still recuperating. He said that the offence was contrary to Section 516 of the Criminal Code, Cap.37, Vol. 1, Laws of Ondo State, 2006.

Gov Atiku Bagudu The Kebbi State Government has warned illegal miners to obtain the official permit and form cooperative societies to benefit from government support and avoid prosecution. Alhaji Zailani Mohammad, the Commissioner for Budget and Economic Planning, gave the warning on Thursday while addressing the miners at Mararabar, Yauri Local Government Area of the state. Mohammad was accompanied by officials of the state Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission and other stakeholders. He said that the visit was to intimate the miners of the state government’s readiness to collaborate with them in harnessing the solid minerals for revenue generation. The commissioner also tasked them on the need to be law abiding and to be well organized to attract support from the state government. He said that the state government would focus attention on solid minerals due to the fallen price of fuel, adding that the visit was to interact with the miners on how to assist them