Few days after the shocking death of Classic FM presenter, Sylvester Ojigbede, fondly called Sly, the body of the late on-air-personality has been laid to rest at the Ikoyi Cemetery in Lagos.
The popular presenter passed away on May 3, 2015 after a brief illness which was kept from friends and colleagues in the industry.
Until his untimely death, he was host of Morning Show and Saturday Morning Express both on Classic FM 97.3 Lagos.
Nigeria’s Reggae icon better known as Rain Maker, Majek Fashek, might actually be gaining himself back after fighting some health challenges sometimes back.
The singer who was recently at the Lagos State Federal High court to show support for his fellow Reggae singer, Victor Essiet aka The Mandators whose case of assault by the Nigerian Police was being reviewed, seems not to have slowed down in his smoking habit.
While trying to wait to make sure he sees his colleague and friend before leaving the court yard, the singer had to beg a journalist for a pack of cigarette and a lighter after the journalist had sort his audience about his album.
According to report, Majek Fashek needed the cigarette first before he could speak on when his much anticipated album ‘Dancing Rasta’ was going to be released.
Though he was in the company of fellow singer, Prince Wadada, immediately he got a pack of B&H and matches, he was so happy to let the cat out of the bag as he disclosed that his album will be released next month June.
The Olusegun Obasanjo Foundation on Friday said it has fired a member of its Board of Trustees, Anne Welsh, following shocking reports that she plotted to help some Lebanese businessmen to launder millions of dollars.
A new video obtained by SaharaReporters and published Thursday suggested Mrs. Welsh “operated a well-oiled money-laundering scheme for many years”.
In the video, which the news website said was discreetly shot by one of the participants at a meeting in the United Kingdom in December 2014, Ms. Welsh was seen negotiating a $4.9 million money laundering scheme that would have seen her pocket about a million dollars.
She was seen exploiting the Ebola Virus Disease tragedy in West Africa to help a group of “Lebanese businessmen” who wished to donate money to the Obasanjo Foundation for some work in Sierra Leone.
The group, the video indicates, explained it would make the donation on one condition: the Obasanjo Foundation would get $2m, as long as it helps launder the balance of $2.9m.
But when contacted Friday, the Founder/Chairman of the Foundation, Olusegun Obasanjo, said he, other trustees of the organization as well as staff of the Foundation were deeply saddened and disturbed by the allegations against Mrs. Weish.
“Accordingly, the Board of Trustees has asked her to immediately resign, and she has done so.” Mr. Obasanjo said on telephone.
The former Nigerian President also said the Foundation has launched a full-scale investigation into the allegations and has already reported the matter to the London Metropolitan Police and the UK Charity Commission for a thorough probe.
“We have asked the two authorities to investigate the matter exhaustively,” Mr. Obasanjo said.
The former President also said his Foundation had already contacted personalities mentioned or photographed with Mrs Welsh in the publication that revealed the deal as well as other dignitaries and partners to inform them that” she has now become a persona non grata with the Foundation and its Chairman/Founder”.
Mr. Obasanjo however explained that Mrs Welsh had ceased to be chief executive officer of the Foundation in December 2014 when she reportedly met the Lebanese businessmen to strike the alleged money laundering deal.
“The CEO of the Foundation at that time was Franklin Lisk,” the former President said.
Mr. Obasanjo said he would travel to London to make more enquiry about the matter and that his Foundation would soon release a formal statement on the development.
“I can never associate myself with anything that has to do with money laundering and corruption, and this is a very disturbing development for us all,” the former President said.
According to information on the UK Charity Commission’s website, the Olusegun Obasanjo Foundation was granted charity status by the Charity Commission of England and Wales on September 24, 2012 with the vision of advancing human security in Africa.
“The foundation partners with change agents, policy makers, global partners and visionary individuals worldwide to tackle critical problems through the initiatives of leadership, of food and nutrition, girls education, youth empowerment and employment and health for non-communicable diseases. “
The charity, according to its 2013 annual report “works with countries across Africa —with a current focus on Republic of Benin, Cote d’Ivoire, Ghana, Liberia, Malawi, Nigeria, Senegal and Ethiopia —that are at development turning-points, where there is clear potential and a leader with the vision and will to achieve progress”.
Ohanaeze Ndigbo Caretaker Committee, yesterday, told the President-elect, General Muhammadu Buhari, that President Jonathan lied to the Igbo nation about awarding contract for the construction of Second Niger bridge and major federal roads in the South East.
Listing Enugu-Awka-Onitsha Expressway and Enugu-Umuahia-Aba Expressway, the committee said that up till now, work was yet to start at the sites.
It added that no financial commitment had been made by the Federal Government to commence the construction of the Second Niger Bridge, saying that those were deceptive campaign messages to Ndigbo.
The committee made the revelation during its congratulatory visit to Buhari at the Defence House in Abuja.
The leader of the delegation, Chief Ralph, who spoke on behalf of the Committee, however, told the President-elect that the South-east was a silent supporter of his presidential ambition.
He also stated that the region would fully support the incoming government to succeed, urging him to reconstruct Nigeria.
Revisitation of the report of Oputa Panel and the issue of abandoned property in the country were also other matters the committee presented before Buhari.
He said: “This is a delegation of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Caretaker Committee, who proudly took side with you, convinced that what Nigeria needs today is the leadership that you will provide to rebuild our battered and pulverised nation.
“The Ohanaeze Ndigbo Caretaker Committee is fully aware of the difficult and daunting work that has befallen on your shoulders. And we are here to offer our commitment that Ndigbo will stand shoulder to shoulder with you on this mission to reconstruct our nation.
“We are also aware that our cry of marginalization is not unique to our region, but ours stands out as an SOS case as a region criminally neglected and abandoned by the outgoing administration.
“During your campaign tours, you saw things for yourself and needless reminding Your Excellency that South-east is an emergency case. You drove through the badly neglected and impassable Enugu-Awka-Onitsha Expressway and the Enugu-Umuahia-Aba Expressway, needless to mention the Oba-Okigwe Highway.
“Contrary to the election claims by the outgoing administration, no appreciable work is going on these roads, information has shown that no financial arrangement has been firmed up for the Second Nigeria Bridge. The Oputa Panel report has been gathering dust and Ndigbo have pleaded for the revisitation of the so-called abandoned property in Nigeria and its collateral reparation demand.
“One common denominator is that unknown to a vast majority of Nigerians, Ndigbo were the silent majority supporters of General Muhammadu Buhari, GMB, but a twist of “what is wrong with Nigerian” electoral result cannot prove it.
Obioha also made a case for the office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, SGF, to be ceded to the South-east.
“This body, Ohanaeze Ndigbo Caretaker Committee, is a baby conceived by Chris Ngige and delivered by Chief Mbazulike Ameachi and handed over to Ndigbo to check excesses of the people who were just agents of a pre-determined agenda.
“Your Excellency, you were aware that the South-east was targeted by the PDP rigging machine which produced an election result that denied the zone of even a single senator and only three non-ranking House of Representatives members.
“Ndigbo request that you adopt the principle of necessity to give the zone the position of Secretary to the Government of the Federation which is your prerogative and in addition, a position of one Presiding Officer in the House of Representatives,” he stated.
According to the leader, Buhari assured them of equity.
“He gave us assurance that he is going to treat the entire nation as his constituency for all and we believe him,” he said
Also speaking, a member of the delegation, Senator Chris Ngige said that though the party was yet to make a categorical statement on the issue of SGF, he was optimistic that it would eventually consider the South- east.
“Well, I was in the first delegation that came the last time, but we cannot say for now that our party has zoned the position of SGF to the South-east because we have a Senate committee that is still working on distribution of party offices, executive and that of legislature which is where we have the Senate President, Deputy Senate President, Speaker, Deputy Speaker of the House of the Representative as presiding officers.
Nollywood actress, Ini Edo amidst various controversies, has continued to soar high in her acting profession as she takes out time off set to appreciate herself.
The actress recently shared a picture while praising herself that with or without makeup, she is still beautiful.
She explained that she is very happy that her spores will have some rest from the usual heavy make-up she does.
Fresh face day. My pores can actually breathe lol #brown skin sparkles #with or without makeup #nature is everything
Credit: Nigeriafilms.com
It is now seen as a style for an entertainer to succeed especially in Nigeria, the fellow needs to diversify in order to still remain focus over time. This could be related to the achievement of the Nollywood bad boy, Jim Iyke and singer, Terry G.
Few months ago, Terry G announced his venturing into sachet water popularly known as pure water and table water business and he showed off some samples of the water which has finally gone into large production with high increase in demand.
Still reaping the fruit of his labour gradually, the singer has now gotten a strong competitor in the same line of business as Nollywood actor, Jim Iyke with his friend, Henry, have decided to give the singer a run for his money by introducing their own brand of table water known as ‘Burgeon' table water.
Both entertainers have had their own fair share of hard times as public figures with various scandals trailing their career yet they were still in high spirit ahead of their future plans.
For the likes of Terry G, he had once stated that his reason for going into the water business is to have what he can fall back on when music will not be able to pay his bills anymore. Aside just the table water business, the singer is also nursing plans for other line of businesses which he is yet to begin.
On the other hand, Jim Iyke may not really have the time to pay attention to ugly things being said about him as he is now set to step up his game business wise and with this latest development in water production, many hopes are high as to who makes it well in the water business.
Source: Nigerianfilms.com
A gunman opened fire on Friday outside a school in northeast Nigeria‘s city of Potiskum, seriously wounding 12 students in an area repeatedly targeted by Boko Haram, a police officer and witnesses said.
“We have evacuated 12 people with serious gunshot wounds to hospital from the scene of the shooting attack,” said the officer, who requested anonymity.
Multiple students at the College of Administrative and Business Studies in Potiskum, Yobe state, said the attacker with explosives strapped to his body blew himself up when he ran out of ammunition, but the blast caused no other casualties.
Following a wave of attacks in the city, including on schools and colleges, students at CABS must pass through security screening before entering the campus.
The gunman fired on a crowd waiting at the gate to be screened, witnesses said.
“We had just started a class when we heard gunshots coming from the direction of the gates and we instantly realised we were under attack which made us to rush out of the class,” student Tijjani Musa said.
According to another student, Mustapha Umar, the gunman managed to pass through the gates amid the chaos that broke out after he began shooting.
“He kept firing sporadic shots,” but was chased by a group of students who were frantically trying to subdue him, said Umar.
“When he ran out of ammunition he detonated the explosives under his robe, killing himself but no one from the crowd,” Umar told AFP.
However, residents say three students were killed.
After revealing his family Secrets on Facebook, the sister of Tottenham striker, Emmanuel Adebayor has hit back at the player over his post.
Recall that the 31-year-old on Tuesday, May 5 took to his Facebook to open up about his dealings with his family.
But the sister of the striker has branded him a 'liar and under a spell'.
“Keep on lying to the whole world brother... where is the car you got for mum… you took it back…
The house you claim you bought for sister are all lies... The phones Rotimi stole are all lies....,” Lucia Adebayor posted a comment under her brother's Facebook post.
“Money is not everything oooo... we the family don’t even need you again just be on your own so we do the same...de fact you have it today doesn't guarantee your tomorrow… May God Allah forgive you.”
“The Alfas and Mallams have done great harm to your life. You need God... Only God can save your soul.” She added to it.
When the Nigerian society woke up to the news that Africa's richest man, Aliko Dangote, was bidding his time to buy English premiereship club, Arsenal FC, many raised confused eyebrows at the news.
This might have prompted the daughter of late Nollywood producer, Amake Igwe, Ruby Igwe to write a thoughtful appealing letter to Dangote in the bid to reinvest in the Nigerian footballing structure instead.
Read excerpts from the letter below:
'Dear Mr. Dangote.
'Of course you should buy the Gunners. It is a sound investment to invest in football, I think financially. And of course in terms of reputation, having a stake in a club is epic. And of course you have the cash. That is indisputable.
'However, I have two propositions for you. Please buy Manchester United instead. Just because. If you do not want to, that’s fine.
'But if you have change, after the Gunners, invest in the football in Nigeria. I can assure you that it is not only in the UEFA Champions League, or the English Premier League, or La Liga, or Bundesliga, that you will find good soccer.
'What these leagues have in common is solid financial backing, and solid infrastructure. They have created an internationally celebrated, culturally appreciated, economically viable system.
'Please do Nigeria a favour and invest in the infrastructure of our football. Invest in change. Do not just donate, in case it becomes pocket-oriented. Do not make a local investment. Go hard. Go national. Consult people, including football fanatics, and layout a battle plan.
'Invest in our football and follow your investment until you see the sizable returns that can and will actualize. Invest in generations to come.'
She also highlighted the benefits that the money which she hopes Danagote would invest in Nigeria.
'If you invest in the football in Nigeria, maybe people will feel the way they feel about Chelsea, Arsenal, Manchester City and Manchester United; about Enyimba.
'Maybe my mates will make good money playing for Nigeria’s local and national teams. Maybe watching football and sports live in Lagos and Lafia will become a favourite past time. Maybe we will know more Nigerian players by name and not because of what non-national club they play for.
Maybe there will not be that much traffic every time in Lagos because the stadiums will be packed full. Maybe the clothing and manufacturing industries will be revived by making jerseys and other memorabilia.
'Maybe students can find modes of expression and survival in sports in general, instead of trying to conform to what they are not.
'Nigeria will thank you…'
Nollywood actor cum elected political office holder, Desmond Elliot, has disclosed that he would like his political career to lead him to the seat of the Governor of Lagos state in some years to come.
The actor, who won the Lagos state House of Assembly election and would proceed to the State Assembly where he'll be representing Surulere Constituency 1, believes that the future holds greater prospects for him as far as politics is concern.
In his words, “I am looking forward to becoming the elected Governor of Lagos State in not too distant future. I want to serve the people of Lagos and I know I can do it.”
“People say that politics is a dirty game, I don’t know exactly how dirty it can get but my intention basically is to serve humanity. My choice as a representative of the good people of Surulere constituency 1 is an added advantage for me to utilize my humanitarian service to my people.
To me it is a bold step and a stepping stone; and I promise never to disappoint my constituents,” he noted.
We all keep secrets. But some secrets – if you keep them from your doctor – can hurt.
A problem you consider to be simply embarrassing may be a symptom of an undiagnosed medical condition – possibly a treatable condition.
Are you hiding from your doctor something from your past? You may think it’s irrelevant to today, but your doctor may see it as very relevant. And if you’re hoping to get pregnant, it’s even more important to be honest with your doctor. What are these secrets? These ones…
Painful bowel movements
Bowel movements can be uncomfortable, but they shouldn’t be painful. I’ll never forget a friend who would practically pass out when defecating. She never told her doctor about the pain. She thought it was just “something weird” about her body that she had to deal with.
There are a number of conditions that can cause pain during a bowel movement. Endometriosis can cause pain when defecating and sometimes also when urinating. The symptoms typically worsen around your period. Endometriosis can also cause infertility.
Another common cause of painful bowel movements is Irritable Bowel Syndrome. IBS alone won’t impact your fertility. However, IBS and endometriosis can occur together. IBS patients are more likely than the general population to later be diagnosed with endometriosis.
Endometriosis is difficult to diagnose, so it’s especially important you share this symptom with your gynaecologist if you’re experiencing it, even if you already have another diagnosis (like IBS) to explain your pain.
Vaginal dryness/if you don’t get wet during sex
Usually, when a woman is sexually aroused, glands near the vagina secrete a fluid. These arousal fluids make sex more comfortable and also provide healthier environment for sperm.
If a woman experiences vaginal dryness, she or her partner may assume it’s due to a lack of sexual arousal. If they proceed with having sex anyway, she may experience painful sex.
Because the woman may feel shame or embarrassment for not “getting wet” as expected, she may never tell her doctor or realise this can actually be a medical issue.
However, vaginal dryness is nothing to be ashamed of… and it may have little to do with a lack of sexual excitement.
Vaginal dryness can be caused by a hormonal imbalance, a vaginal infection or irritation, or as a side effect of a medication. It is also a possible side effect of Clomid.
You can use a fertility-friendly lubricant to make sex more comfortable. But don’t leave it at that. You also should tell your doctor. If it’s a medication side effect, there may be other options that won’t cause dryness. If it’s a hormonal imbalance, that’s an important symptom your doctor should know about.
Depending on the cause for the dryness, your doctor may prescribe estrogen suppositories. It can also be treated with over-the-counter creams and lubricants.
Painful intercourse
Sex shouldn’t be painful. Occasional discomfort can be normal. However, if you regularly experience pain, tell your doctor.
Painful sex can be caused by a number of conditions, many that may affect fertility. Endometriosis, fibroids, pelvic adhesions, and pelvic inflammatory disease, for example, can cause pain during sex and also cause infertility.
Painful sex itself can also make it difficult to conceive. Some women will experience painful intercourse especially around the time of ovulation – which is just when they need to have sex to get pregnant.
Others have pain due to vaginal dryness, which not only can make sex uncomfortable but also harm your odds of getting pregnant. If sex hurts, tell your doctor.
Sexually transmitted infection
If you had a sexually transmitted infection in the past, and it was successfully treated with antibiotics, you may think it’s not important to tell your doctor. But you really should, especially if you’re planning or currently trying to get pregnant.
While antibiotics can treat the infection, STDs can often cause scaring of the reproductive organs. The antibiotics won’t remove or heal the adhesions left behind.
Blocked fallopian tubes and hydrosalpinx (a specific kind of blocked fallopian tube) can cause infertility. You may experience no other symptoms besides an inability to conceive, so don’t assume that a lack of pain or lack of pelvic discomfort means everything is okay.
Don’t want your partner to know you had an STD in the past? Remember that your doctor cannot share your private medical information with anyone else, including your significant other.
Unusual vaginal odour
Body odours are generally attributed to poor hygiene. We have soaps and deodorants for those kinds of problems. But if you notice a strange or particularly pungent vaginal odour, don’t just cover it up with douching or feminine deodorants – for two reasons.
First, abnormal vaginal odour can signal an infection. Bacterial vaginosis can lead to foul vaginal odours. During pregnancy, bacterial vaginosis can increase your risk of pre-term birth. It can also make you more susceptible to contracting a sexually transmitted infection.
Untreated bacterial vaginosis is associated with pelvic inflammatory disease, which can cause infertility. These are all good reasons to put the feminine hygiene product down and, instead, tell your gynaecologist.
The other important reason not to use douche products for vaginal odours are that they can cause irritation and infection themselves. Douching washes away the healthy vaginal mucus that naturally keeps the vagina clean and free of bad bacteria.
If you’re unsure whether your vaginal odours are normal or the kind that signal an infection, ask your doctor. Don’t be embarrassed to ask – you’re not the first to wonder.
Lack of interest in sex
“I don’t feel like having sex,” sounds like something you might say to a psychologist, not your gynaecologist. But a lack of sexual desire can be a sign of a medical issue.
Sexual desire is rooted in the biochemistry of our bodies. When you’re approaching ovulation – your most fertile time – hormones connected to sexual desire increase. This is nature’s way of making sure humans have sex at the best time for making babies.
If you’re not experiencing this boost in sexual desire, it could signal a hormonal imbalance. You should tell your gynaecologist.
Excessive facial or body hair growth
Excessive facial or body hair growth – known as hirsutism – is a possible symptom of hormonal imbalance. Specifically, it signals that there may be a problem with your androgen levels.
Most commonly, polycystic ovarian syndrome is the culprit. Other possible causes include non-classical adrenal hyperplasia, HAIR-AN Syndrome, Cushing’s Syndrome, and ovarian or adrenal tumours.
All of these conditions can cause infertility. Many can also affect your overall health. You can keep waxing – but do tell your doctor about the hair growth.
Culled
The National Examinations Committee of West Africa Examinations Council on Thursday said it had cancelled results of candidates involved in examination malpractice at the 2014 examinations.
According to the News Agency of Nigeria, the WAEC Public Affairs Officer, Mr. Damianus Ojijeogu, made this known in a statement in Lagos.
The committee, he said, took the decision to cancel the results at its 59th meeting held in Lagos.
Ojijeogu said the committee reviewed a report on irregularity and special and clemency cases arising from the conduct of the May/June 2014 West African Senior School Certificate at the meeting.
The statement added that the committee considered a report on the conduct of the November/December 2014 WASSCE, including irregularity cases arising from the conduct of the examination.
It said, “In the course of considering the various reported cases of malpractice, the committee, after diligent deliberations, approved appropriate sanctions in all established cases of malpractice.
“This action is as prescribed by the rules and regulations governing the conduct of the council’s examinations.
“It approved that the entire results of such candidates involved in proven cases be cancelled.
“The communiqué also recommended that the subjects’ results of those involved in proven cases of malpractice be similarly cancelled.
“In addition, some candidates will also suffer other sanctions, such as barring them from sitting for the council’s examinations for a certain number of years.”
The statement said that the decisions of the committee would be implemented immediately.
It, however, said that the council would release results of candidates exonerated by the committee.
According to the communiqué, the committee’s sanctions will also impose sanction on all the ad-hoc examination workers that condoned the malpractice.
“The committee has directed all the ad-hoc examination functionaries indicted of involvement or condoning malpractice during the conduct of the examination, be reported to appropriate state ministries of education.
“The ad-hoc examination functionaries, who participated during the November/December 2014 WASSCE, would also be reported to relevant bodies for disciplinary action.
“This will be in addition to the sanctions imposed on them by the council.
“The committee, as in previous meetings, strongly expressed concern at the alarming incidence of malpractice in examination and urged stakeholders to join hands in curbing the menace,” it said.
A graduate of computer science, Valentine Jegede, has gone missing on the way to his hometown in Kanji, Niger State, after collecting his Bachelor of Science degree certificate.
It was learnt that the 27-year-old man had left Kanji on April 28 to collect his result at the North American University, Cotonou, Benin Republic in preparation for the National Youth Service Corps exercise.
PUNCH Metro learnt that he was billed to go to the orientation camp of the corps on Tuesday in Cross River State, where he was posted.
Our correspondent gathered that on his way back from the school, he stopped by in Lagos and passed the night at his friend’s house in Ijede, Ikorodu. He reportedly left for Kanji around 9am on Monday.
The father, Oluwaseun, said his son called him when he was at a motor park, informing him that he was in a bus en route to Kanji. He added that he had been basking in excitement and waiting for his son’s arrival to celebrate the result.
He said, “He told me on the phone that he was at a motor park and that the bus would soon take off.
“One hour later, I tried to get across to him, but his line indicated that it was not reachable. I became confused when it was evening and I did not hear from him.
“I called his friend’s mother, but she was confused too. We have been in darkness since then. We have no idea of where he could have gone to. I just pray he is safe wherever he may be. I jubilated when he informed me that he had collected his result and I promised him a special celebration. He was preparing for his NYSC. The family is in deep sorrow now. Her mother has been crying.”
Valentine’s mother, Ronke Jegede, who also spoke with PUNCH Metro, appealed to the public to avail the family of any information that could lead to her son’s whereabouts. She described him as God-fearing and obedient.
“He is my first son and they are only two. Please pray along with us for Valentine to come back home safe. I believe it is not big for God to do. He is gentle and God-fearing.
Deji’s mother, Mrs. Ajaguna Jumoke, said she received the news of Valentine’s missing with shock. She said she had reported the incident at the police stations in Ikorodu.
“I was in the office when his dad notified me. It seemed like magic. That very day when he wanted to leave, I gave him N1,000 to buy recharge card and he prayed for me. I told him we will fast and pray for him to have a hitch-free NYSC orientation. He ought to have been in camp since Tuesday. His friend, Deji is supposed to go for NYSC too this year, but he is sick.
“I reported at the Ipakodo and Sagamu Road police stations. The police said they would try their best to ensure he is found. I also went to a motor park in Ikorodu, but I could not trace him. He told me he would board a bus there. A woman told me police raided the park in the morning because of a riot. I was showed those that were arrested when I went to Area N but he was not there.”
The Lagos State Police spokesperson, DSP Kenneth Nwosu promised to get back to our correspondent.
Source: The PUNCH
The Ogun State Police Command has uncovered another suspected ritual killers’ den in Unity and Peace Estate along Itele-Lafenwa Road, Ota in the Ado Odo-Ota Local Government Area.
The latest discovery was made possible by the escape of a 28-year-old lady, who had been kept in an uncompleted building in the estate, bound hands and feet.
The lady was said to have been abducted, blindfolded, gagged and dumped in the den. She was reportedly told by her captors that they would come for her in the night on Wednesday.
But she was said to have struggled to free herself and rolled towards the entrance of the building.
It was learnt that some passersby in the area saw her and came to her rescue.
Policemen from the Itele Police Station, who were later invited to the scene, were said to have cordoned off the area.
When the policemen combed the surroundings of the uncompleted building, decomposing bodies of two female victims were said to have been found.
Suspected bones of other victims also littered the place.
The lady told PUNCH Metro that she had met one of her captors two weeks before the incident, and they started a relationship.
She explained that the man called her on Monday that he had secured a contract of N1.5m for her at a site in the estate. She added that the man told her that she would supply bags of cement worth that amount.
The victim said on getting to the site, the lover, was joined by another person, who abducted her.
She said, “I met one of the ritual killers about two weeks ago and we started a relationship. The guy told me that he was a contractor and promised to link me up with people who would give me juicy contracts.
“The man called me two days ago and told me about a contract worth about N1.5m, but I could not meet him because I was sick. The man later came to my residence in Lagos and still persuaded me to come for the deal.
“On getting to the Unity and Peace Estate, we headed for an uncompleted building. One other person joined us. When we got to the building, I saw that the house had been plastered and the floor had been cemented.
“But both of them pounced on me, beat me up and attempted to rape me. I was having my monthly flow and that dissuaded them.
“They then tied my hands and legs, blindfolded and gagged me. They promised to come back at night to complete their assignment. It was a miracle that passers-by rescued me.”
Some residents of the community, who spoke with journalists, said they were startled at the discovery.
Some of them claimed that they always smelt some unpleasant odour from the area, but believed it emanated from a poultry farm nearby.
It was gathered that the policemen had arrested the owner of the building, while the suspected ritual killers had fled.
The state Police Public Relations Officer, Muyiwa Adejobi, confirmed the incident.
He said two decomposing bodies and some human skeletons were recovered from the scene.
He said, “The command has taken over the building and our men will take some samples from the scene for forensic analysis to assist in investigation.”
Source: The PUNCH
President Goodluck Jonathan on Wednesday night met behind closed doors with the President-elect, Muhammadu Buhari.
The meeting was held inside the President’s office at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.
That was the third time the two leaders would be meeting after the Independent National Electoral Commission declared Buhari winner of the March 28 presidential election.
The Wednesday meeting, just like the first one they had on a public holiday (Good Friday), was described as “private” and so it was not opened to journalists.
Buhari was said to have arrived for the meeting in a convoy of about four cars at about 9pm.
The meeting was said to have lasted less than 30 minutes.
Although there was no official communication on the meeting, it might not be unconnected with the ongoing transition programmes and preparation for Buhari’s inauguration on May 29.
At the end of their second meeting, Jonathan had told State House correspondents that a date would be picked during which he would conduct Buhari round the Presidential Villa before his inauguration day.
When contacted, the Director of Media and Publicity of the All Progressives Congress Presidential Campaign Council, Mallam Garba Shehu, said although he heard there was a meeting, he could not confirm it.
He said, “I heard there was a meeting but I have no idea where or when it held or what was discussed.”
However, it was learnt that the little or no progress being made by the transition committees they both set up might be the major agenda of the meeting.
It will be recalled that the President’s Political Adviser, Prof. Rufai Alkali, had in a statement he issued in Abuja, on Wednesday told the APC that it could not stampede Jonathan out of office.
He accused the APC of failing to set up its transition committee long after the President had constituted his own.
In response, the National Publicity Secretary of the APC, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, accused the presidential adviser of being economical with the truth.
This, he said, was because the President’s transition team had been stalling and refusing to meet with that of the president-elect.
Source: The PUNCH
Mrs. Patience Jonathan
The Presidency on Thursday morning broke its silence on the whereabouts of President Goodluck Jonathan’s wife, Patience.
The Media Assistant to Mrs. Jonathan, Mr. Ayo Adewuyi, in a statement made available to journalists in Abuja said the President’s wife is currently in Congo.
He said Mrs. Jonathan was in the country to join her colleagues from Africa for the celebration of the 30th anniversary of a non-governmental organisation, Congo Assistance Foundation, floated by the Congolese First Lady, Madam Antoinette Sassou-Nguesso.
Adewuyi however did not indicate when Mrs. Jonathan arrived Congo or when she is expected back in Nigeria.
He only said his principal was received on arrival by Nigeria’s Ambassador to Congo Brazzaville, Princess Onipede, in company of top Congolese officials.
The President’s wife has not been seen attending any public event inside the Presidential Villa, Abuja, since her husband lost his re-election bid in the March 28 presidential election.
She was conspicuously absent during the Good Friday and Easter Sunday services held inside the Aso Villa Chapel.
Mrs. Jonathan did not also join her husband for the funeral service held in honour of his top aide, Oronto Douglas, in Yenagoa last Saturday.
While she voted alongside her husband in the presidential election in Otuoke, Bayelsa State, she stayed back in her home state, Rivers, during the April 11 governorship election.
She had expressed fears ahead of the elections that she would be thrown into prison if Muhammadu Buhari wins the election.
The Presidency had so far kept mute on her whereabouts, therefore, giving room for speculation.
Adewuyi’s statement read, “First Lady, Dame Patience Faka Jonathan, is in Brazzaville, Republic of Congo, joining other African First Ladies for the celebration of the 30th Anniversary of Congo Assistance Foundation, an NGO of Congolese First Lady, Madam Antoinette Sassou-Nguesso.
“The Foundation established in 1984 has engendered social action in the areas of health, education, skills acquisition in favour of indigent people of Congo.
“Dame Patience Jonathan runs similar organisation in Nigeria, the Aruera Reach-out Foundation which also focuses on the uplift of women and children, the needy and imprisoned.
“The First Ladies of Benin Republic, Senegal, Mali, Tchad, Niger, Guinea Conakry are also in Brazzaville for the grand finale of the week-long programmes, during which a National Centre for Sickle Cell Disease was inaugurated.
“Dame Patience Jonathan was received on arrival by Nigeria’s Ambassador to Congo Brazzaville, Princess Onipede, in company of top Congolese officials.”
Source: The PUNCH
With barely 22 days to the May 28 handover date, the transition committee set up by outgoing President Goodluck Jonathan has yet to meet its counterpart, set up by the President-elect, Muhammadu Buhari.
This is even as it has come to light that the handover notes, which the Buhari team is to study and ask questionson, are not yet ready.
It was gathered in Abuja on Thursday that the bickering between the two teams over terms of reference of the Ahmed Joda-led Buhari Transition Committee is largely responsible for the stalemate.
The National Publicity Secretary of the All Progressives Congress, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, confirmed this in a statement he made available to newsmen in Abuja.
Mohammed, who is a member of the Buhari Transition Committee, explained that while the Jonathan Inauguration Committee had been meeting with its counterpart in the Buhari team, “its transitional committee has yet to even meet with ours.”
The APC spokesman also chided the Political Adviser to President Jonathan for attacking the APC over the issue.
It described as provocative and ill-intentioned the statement credited to the Special Adviser to the President on Political Affairs, Prof. Rufai Alkali, that the APC should talk less and plan more for the nation, and that the party (APC) was seeking to stampede the President out of office.
Mohammed said, “Prof. Alkali doesn’t know what he is saying. How does he expect us to plan when the Peoples Democratic Party-led Federal Government has bluntly refused to cooperate with us in ensuring a successful transition? As we write, the transition committee of the Federal Government has yet to hold a single meeting with our own transition committee, neither have they given us a line of handover note.
‘’As a matter of fact, the Jonathan administration has said the handover notes will not be ready until the third week of May, meaning just a week before the handover.
“What time then do we have to scrutinise the handover notes? How can we plan when we don’t even know which projects they have and which ones they have completed and which ones are outstanding? How can we plan when we don’t even know how many barrels of oil are sold per day?’’
The statement also said, ‘’Is it part of their transition mode that President Jonathan has been engaged in a rash of feverish last-minute appointments that, though may not have breached any known law, are patently in bad faith, morally repugnant and indecorous.
“They say they are in office until May 29, but are appointments the only function of a government? Are there no problems crying for attention, such as the intractable fuel scarcity, the worsening power situation, the grounded economy and the missing Chibok girls?”
The APC also urged President Goodluck Jonathan to caution his aides against overheating the polity with their incautious statements, especially relating to the transition of power.
The party said while “the PDP may be deeply traumatised by its loss in the last general elections – and the party itself has said it is indeed suffering from post-election (defeat) trauma – that should not be a reason for it to disrupt the nation’s peace by displaying crab mentality.”
The APC wondered if it is part of the transition mode of the Jonathan administration that the Minister of Power has virtually been reading the riot act to the incoming government, condescendingly warning it not to even consider reversing the power sector privatisation because its gains are ‘’very obvious?’’.
“Do they understand the implication of their gratuitous and unsolicited advice? If their power sector reforms have been so successful, would Nigeria’s power situation have hit perhaps its lowest point in a long time as we have it now?’’ It queried.
Read more: http://www.punchng.com/news/transition-jonathans-handover-notes-not-yet-ready-says-apc/
Pelé was in stable condition in a Sao Paulo hospital on Thursday after undergoing surgery for an enlarged prostate, doctors said, just the latest health scare for the Brazilian football legend.
The 74 year old had the surgery Tuesday and is to have tests to see when he can be released from the Albert Einstein Hospital in Sao Paulo, the same facility that treated him for two weeks last year for a urinary infection.
It said he was resting in his room after a “transurethral resection of the prostate,” or TURP.
The Urology Care Foundation says the surgery “has excellent outcomes and is the gold standard” in caring for benign prostatic hyperplasia, or non-cancerous enlargement of the prostate, a common condition in aging men.
Brazilian media reports said the surgery was aimed at preventing a repeat of the urinary infection that put him in hospital last year.
That health scare, which included five days in intensive care, came after he underwent surgery for kidney stones on November 13.
After developing an infection, he was readmitted to hospital.
His only kidney – the other was removed following a rib injury during his playing days – had stopped working and he had to be treated with hemodialysis, a procedure that involves filtering a patient’s blood through an artificial kidney.
After a hospital stay that worried fans worldwide, he was released on December 9, walking gingerly but joking with reporters: “I am preparing for the Olympics!”
Pele, whose real name is Edson Arantes do Nascimento, is widely regarded as the greatest player of all time.
The only player to win three World Cup titles, he was named the athlete of the century by the International Olympic Committee in 1999.
Nicknamed O Rei (The King), Pele was born in a humble home in the city of Tres Coracoes and exploded into Brazilian football as a young phenom.
He made his professional debut for the Brazilian side Santos at 15 and won his first World Cup aged just 17, scoring twice in the 1958 final win over hosts Sweden.
He would go on to score a total of 77 goals in 91 games for his football-mad country across a remarkable career that included two more World Cup titles, in 1962 and 1970.
In 1977, he inspired the New York Cosmos to the US national title in his final season with the club, which also featured fellow greats Franz Beckenbauer, Italian striker Giorgio Chinaglia and former Brazil captain Carlos Alberto.
He scored a total 1,281 goals in his sparkling career.
Minister of Finance, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala | credits: blogs.cfr.org
The All Progressives Congress has called on the President-elect, Muhammadu Buhari, to probe the individuals responsible for the inability of government to pay workers’ salaries.
The Imo State Governor and Chairman, APC Governors’ Forum, Rochas Okorocha, said this on Thursday.
He said that President Goodluck Jonathan and the Minister of Finance, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, must take responsibility for unpaid salaries and the poor state of Nigeria’s economy.
Also, two APC governors faulted the claim by the Federal Government that many state governments could not pay salaries because they did not prioritise the payment of workers’ salaries.
They included Oyo State Governor, Abiola Ajimobi; and his Osun State counterpart, Rauf Aregbesola.
Speaking in separate interviews, the governors on Thursday laid the blame for the inability to pay workers’ salaries on the doorstep of the Federal Government.
Okorocha decried a situation where state governments had found it difficult to pay workers’ salaries, maintaining that the President and the minister should own up to their mistakes.
The governor, who spoke on Thursday through his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Sam Onwuemedo, argued that Okonjo-Iweala should not have shifted the blame since the complaint of the inability to pay salaries was also coming from some of the Peoples Democratic Party-controlled states.
Okorocha said, “God has begun to do something for Nigerians. The man, Buhari, who is coming in now, is a person who does not joke with discipline. When you talk about discipline, it is all-embracing. He will bring financial discipline into the system.
“By the time the man takes off, most of these things would be corrected. When the man at the helm of affairs is disciplined, invariably, other people must follow. Have you asked yourself the issue of the missing $20bn? All of a sudden, it was linked to somewhere. Nigeria is a rich country because God blessed this country. It will only take a strong leadership to get things moving.
“Buhari must set the ball rolling. Nigerians know why they voted for him. Even though he has said he will not probe anybody, but in the current situation we are, when it becomes necessary, with all these monies taken away by individuals, he should recover them for the country. If need be, he (Buhari) should put some of them on trial so that others will be very careful.
“A few Nigerians cannot be holding the entire nation to ransom. Whatever it takes to recover Nigeria’s money, it does not matter whose ox is gored; he should go ahead and do it. He must deviate from the old system for this country to move forward.”
Mr. Festus Adedayo, who is the special adviser (media) to Oyo State Governor, Senator Abiola Ajimobi, said the Federal Government was wrong to pass the blame on state governments.
A statement by Adedayo on Thursday said that the fall in the allocation accruable to the states was responsible for the financial challenges being faced by states.
The statement read, “The Federal Ministry of Finance needed to be told the equivocation in its own statement. According to it, the FG had gone to banks in the last few months to meet its salary obligations.It also acknowledged that allocations to state governments had reduced by 50 per cent. Truly, the Oyo State government, which used to collect about N4bn, has had same reduced to a little more than N2bn now.
“Before now, we were paying our workers on or before 26th of every month. How do we meet our salary obligation of about N5.3bn with such colossal reduction?”
Reacting, Rauf Aregbesola said his administration had prioritised payment of workers’ salaries, adding that the state had been augmenting workers’ salaries with its hard-earned savings since 2013.
Read more: http://www.punchng.com/news/apc-govs-fault-okonjo-iweala-on-unpaid-salaries/
Floyd Mayweather described Manny Pacquiao as a "sore loser" and "coward," and said he has no interest in a rematch.
In an interview set to air on Showtime this weekend, the middleweight champ ripped Pacquiao for blaming his loss at Saturday's title fight on a shoulder injury -- one he failed to disclose beforehand.
"Excuses, excuses, excuses," Mayweather told sportscaster Jim Gray in excerpts released in advance and cited by The Associated Press.
Culled
