Buhari’s probe selective, playing to the gallery – Fayose

Ekiti State Governor, Mr Ayodele Fayose has said announcements in the media by the President Mohammadu Buhari led All Progressives Congress (APC) Federal Government that the immediate past Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) government of Dr Goodluck Jonathan will be probed was mere “playing to the gallery,” noting that “there is no need announcing the intended probe in the media. Rather, the Federal Government should just go ahead and carry out the probe.

The governor, who also counselled the Buhari-led government not to embark on selective probe, added that; “From all indications, it is obvious that the probe they are talking about is targeted at some people and if activities of anti-graft agencies during the tenure of President Buhari are going to be selective, the president should know that the world is watching.”

In a release issued in Ado Ekiti by his Special Assistant on Public Communications and New Media, Lere Olayinka, Governor Fayose said the consequences of Dr Goodluck Jonathan’s conducting a credible election and handing over power to the winner should not be witch-hunt as obviously being done by the federal government.

“Nigerians should not be probed on the pages of newspapers. Rather, the anti-graft agencies should do their jobs quietly, diligently and in accordance with the laws of the country, not as dictated by any individual or political party,” Fayose said.

The governor noted that; “If there must be any probe, Nigerians want a general probe, not a probe targeted only at PDP supporters, those who served in Jonathan’s government and those seen as not agreeing with the APC positions on the National Assembly.

“However, if what they believed should be done is a selective probe, those holding power in Abuja now should know that what goes round will surely come round and it is just a matter of time.”

Speaking further, Governor Fayose urged President Buhari to pay more attention to governance, especially the Boko Haram insurgency that has come back strongly taking control of five Local Government Areas in the North East, the rising exchange rates of Dollar; Pound Sterling; Euro and other foreign currencies and most importantly, he be guided by the rule of law.

“This is because four years is a very short period and time is already going. Before you sleep and wakeup, four years will be gone and Nigerians will rate the government based on how well the government bettered their lives, not how many perceived enemies were hunted with anti-graft agencies, he said.”

He noted that God was already vindicating Dr Jonathan by elevating those who worked with him, saying; “As opposition party, APC disparaged Jonathan and those who worked with him. Now that the party is in power, they are still doing the same, behaving as if the party is still in opposition.

“Ironically, the same people the APC vilified are being elevated at the world stage. Dr Akinwumi Adesina, who served as Jonathan’s Minister of Agriculture, is now the African Development Bank (ADB) president while Arunma Oteh, who was the Director-General of the Security Exchange Commission (SEC) under Jonathan is reported to have been appointed as the World Bank Vice-President and Treasurer.”

Vanguard

Nigeria friendly against Rwanda postponed

A friendly game between Nigeria and National Rwandan U-23 teams that was scheduled for Saturday in Kigali has been postponed.

According to a senior official of Rwanda Football Federation, Bonnie Mugabe, the postponement is due to challenges faced by some Nigerian players to travel to Rwanda.
The official spoke with reporters on Thursday in Kigali.

Without further explanation, Mugabe said he was hopeful that another date would be fixed for the game.

Rwanda’s national team, Amavubi, was keen to play the match in preparation for the upcoming 2016 African Nations Championship (CHAN) scheduled for Jan. 16 to Feb. 7, 2016 in Kigali.

Vanguard

BOVI DREAMS BIGGER, CHALLENGES GOD FOR A MASERATI CAR

Comedian Bovi, is seriously dreaming big despite the standard of fame he has acquired in the Nigerian entertainment industry so far.

The comedian recently challenged God that in a prayer urging him to remember the promises he has made towards his life.

He prayed that God should give him the ability of acquiring a new car, Maserati, anytime soon as his hopes are currently high.

In his words, “Dear God, you said in your word and I quote, ‘my son Bovi, if your wife fit marry you, nothing wey you want for this life wey you no go get.’ This Maserati will be mine sooner or later.”

HOW TOKE MAKINWA REPLIED HER HUSBAND’S APOLOGY

Shortly after Toke Makinwa’s husband, Maje Ayida publicly apologized to her for impregnating his ex-girlfriend, Anita Solomon, the Vloger has been constant on social media going about her duties like nothing of such happened.

However, she shared a meme on her social media page recently that suggests she is yet to forgive and accept her strayed husband back.

“The more I find myself, the more people I lose,” her post read.

Recall that few days, Maje, pleaded his wife’s forgiveness, as well as begging the public to allow him handle his family issues privately.

“I am writing to express my sincerest apologies to my wife. I was wrong, it is indefensible and I am sorry. I deeply regret what my wife and my family has had to endure. My behaviour has caused a lot of anguish to everyone. Though this matter has been very public in nature, it is a private issue and I would appreciate the opportunity to face it privately. I love my wife and will make every effort to make things right Toke Makinwa, “he wrote.

Toke Makinwa and Maje Ayida got married in January 2014 after their off and on relationship that spans 12 years.

Divorce Saga: Man Defends Emeka Ike On Facebook

The man claims to be in the know of what happened between actor Emeka Ike and his wife.

Pregnant Women, Nursing Mothers Bar From Serving

The Director-General of the National Youth Service Corps, Brig-Gen. Johnson Olawumi, has announced that prospective corps members that are pregnant and nursing babies have been barred from participating in the national service across the country.

The DG in a statement made available to journalists yesterday also said students undergoing post-graduate studies in institutions of higher learning have also been barred.

He said those affected need not bother to enlist for service “until they are free to participate effectively.”

3-Year-Old Boy Goes Missing After Aunt Went For Party

The whereabouts of a three-year-old boy, Mubarak Ogunlewe, who lives in Papa Alfa, Asese-Ibafo, in the Obafemi Owode Local Government Area of Ogun State, is still unknown a month after he went missing.

It was learnt that Ogunlewe had been living with his aunt, Alhaja Taibat Bello, since March last year when his parents divorced.

Punch Metro gathered that the boy had returned home with a friend from a Quranic class in the area. He was said to have decided to stay back and had a bath when the friend called him that he was going back to the class.

It was learnt that the boy, after dressing up around 12pm, told his aunt that he was returning to the school while the woman left for a ceremony in the neighbourhood

Pandemonium, however, started around 3pm when Bello returned from the event and did not meet her nephew at home. She and residents were said to have searched the nook and cranny of the area to no avail.

Bello said they went to the Ibafo Police Station to report the incident on the fateful day, but they were told to come back after 24 hours.

She said, “I am baffled by how he got missing. I just took my bath when he came back from the Quranic class with his friend. After using the toilet, he said he wanted to bath too, which he did. He dressed up hurriedly and told me he was going back to the class and I left for the anniversary of our cooperative society.

“I came back around 3pm but he was not at home. I went to the class only to be told that he had left home with others. When we searched everywhere and did not find him, we went to report at the Ibafo police station, but we were told to come back after 24 hours. We went back on Monday to report.”

A neighbour, who identified herself as Mummy Mosun, said her six-year-old daughter, who she sent to give pepper to a friend in the afternoon of the fateful day, claimed to have seen Ogunlewe, walking alone along the bush path in the area and called him.

“She said he answered when she called him and continued with his journey.   When I doubted her account, she took me to the route he passed through,” the woman said.

The head of the Quranic school was said to have gone out when our correspondent visited the facility. One of the teachers, Murtadoh Abdulganiy, said they had released all the children from the class at 2pm.

He added that he did not know Ogunlewe’s whereabouts.

He said, “When we finished observing Zuhr prayer that day, we told them (the pupils) to go home and come back at 4pm for Ramadan lecture. We have ended the lecture when the aunt came to look for Mubarak.

“I was not aware that he went home to ease himself, but the woman confirmed that he saw him before leaving for the ceremony. She said she stylishly left him behind. We have also assisted in looking for him and we are still praying.”

The boy’s mother, Silifat Odutan, who lives in Igbogbo, Ikorodu, said she was informed of the incident two days after.

“He has been living with the aunt since his father and I separated while his elder sister is living with me,” she added.

The Ogun State Police spokesperson, DSP Muyiwa Adejobi, confirmed the incident.

He said, “The case was reported at the station and we have sent signals to all the formations within the state and the neighbouring states. We are making efforts to ensure that the boy is found."

Hausas Flee Ikorodu As Community Vows To Avenge Death Of Yoruba Man Killed By Them

There has been tension in Lara, Igbe community, in the Ikorodu area of Lagos State after some Hausa thugs allegedly slaughtered a 33-year-old resident, Shola Olaide, during an argument.

It was learnt that after the killing, which occurred at about 8pm last Sunday, angry youths went on the rampage threatening to kill all northerners in the area, which made Hausa to flee the community.

Our correspondent gathered that Olaide, who was a meat seller, had gone to a shop owned by a Hausa man in company with a friend, identified simply as Biggy, to buy an item.

It was learnt that Olaide, an indigene of Igboora, Oyo State, had met some Hausa men standing at the entrance of the shop, and reportedly asked them to give way.

An argument was said to have ensued between them during which the trader and his friends allegedly dragged Olaide to the back of the shop, and slaughtered him.

The landlord of the house along with other residents were said to have rushed Olaide to a hospital in the area where he later died.

Punch Metro learnt that angry youths immediately started going round shops and houses where northerners were staying, threatening to avenge Olaide’s death.

The Hausa people living in the area were said to have fled the community that night and the following morning.

It was learnt that the matter was reported at the Area N Command, Ijede, while policemen had deposited the corpse in a mortuary.

When our correspondent visited the area on Wednesday, it was noted that some sheds used by Hausa traders had been razed.

On Alagemo Street where the deceased lived, a neighbour, Mrs Taiwo Akanda, said Olaide was planning to visit his sick parents in Oyo State when he was killed.

She added that since Sunday, all the Hausa in the area had fled as youths vowed to avenge Olaide’s death. She said the deceased was a jovial man, and the Hausa assailants might have misinterpreted him.

She said, “Brother Shola (Olaide) was a meat seller, and he was a very jovial man. On that Sunday, he left house at about 7.30pm, and told his wife that he was going to buy an item in Lara.

“When he got to the shop, some Hausa men were hanging around the shop. So, he asked them to give way. They got angry, and there was an argument, during which they dragged him away and murdered him.

“Initially, the residents that were around tried to save him.But by the time they rushed him to a hospital, he had died. His wife sells food, and theirs used to be a happy family. This is not the first time some Hausa thugs will attack people in this place. That is why the residents are angry with them on this incident.”

Another resident, identified only as Ogunleye, said the government should look into the uncontrolled attacks by the Hausas in the area.

“We do not want them in this community if they cannot learn to live in peace. Enough is enough. Now, they have thrown a happy family into mourning. The man still has parents, who he had planned to visit,” he added.

The uncle of the deceased, identified only as Onimole, said Olaide’s wife, Rasheedat, and their three children had been taken to a house in Ikorodu.

He said, “The family is still young. The eldest of their three children is in Junior Secondary School 1, and the family needs assistance. Olaide’s death was a shock to the family.”

Our correspondent gathered that the police in Ijede had yet to arrest any of the suspected killers.

The Lagos State Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Kenneth Nwosu, confirmed the incident. He added that investigations were ongoing.

He said, “The matter was reported to the police by the landlord, one Niniola.

“The victim was rushed to a hospital in the area where he later died. Meanwhile, investigations are ongoing on the matter.”

Punch

Arunma Oteh, former SEC DG Appointed VP and Treasurer At World Bank

Ms. Arunma Oteh, a former Director General of Security and Exchange Commission (SEC) under former President Goodluck Jonathan, has been appointed as VP and Treasurer of the World Bank.

It will be recalled that Ms. Oteh was praised for transforming SEC during her time. A big congratulations to her.

Degrees From Maryam Abacha University, Not Recognized- NUC

The National Universities Commission, NUC, through the commission’s Director of Information and Public Relations, Mr. Ibrahim Usman Yakasai, yesterday evening said the Maryam Abacha American University, in Niger Republic, is not an institution recognized by the body; hence the degrees awarded to students of the university will not be accepted in Nigeria.

He also spoke about online universities, asking Nigerians to desist from them, saying degrees from such universities at the moment will also not be accepted in Nigeria.

“We wish to restate that as the only quality assurance agency for universities in Nigeria, the NUC is maintaining its stand that degrees from Maryam Abacha University will not be accepted in Nigeria”, the commission stated.

About online degrees;

“Nigeria will not recognise online degrees. Online degrees are not accepted in Nigeria at the moment; the Nigerian constitution does not even give recognition to such degrees. Those who ran out of Nigeria for study outside this country are those looking for cheaper degrees.

It is either they cannot pass the examinations or they do not possess the minimum entry qualifications,” the commission also stated.

If I Didn’t Marry At 18, I Will Probably Still Be Single - Omotola

Omotola again has said she thinks she is lucky to have married at a very young age, stating again that if she had not tied the knot at 18, she probably would still be single by now. I totally agree with her, but I will not expatiate, I am sure some people know what I mean by this. Her words;

“If I hadn’t been married earlier, I probably would not be by now. I don’t know if any other man would have been able to handle me the way my husband has done. It is not because I am a bad person. I am actually a very strong woman.”

LLB

South African Police Beat Nigerian To Death

The President of Nigeria Union in South Africa, Ikechukwu Anyene, on Thursday, decried the killing of a Nigerian in Hillbrow, Johannesburg. NAN recalls that the Nigerian, Nonso Odo, 30, from Amangwu-Nkwerre, Imo State, was allegedly tortured to death by South African Police officers on Thursday.

Mr Emeka Ezinteje, Public Relations Officer of the union, told NAN in Johannesburg that the union decried the incident after receiving the report.

Ezinteje said reports indicated that the deceased, who was a barber, quarrelled with a fellow Nigerian in their business centre.

“After the quarrel, the fellow Nigerian stopped a police patrol team. The barber ran when he saw the patrol team.”

According to Ezinteje, the police patrol went after Odo; 30 minutes later, the police brought back the lifeless body of the barber.

“Not satisfied with the police report, some members of the union went to see the corpse in hospital.”

He said Sgt. Nengobeni, a South African police officer at the hospital, denied that the police killed him.

The officer said the police were flagged down by somebody while the victim took to his heels.

Nengobeni said by the time the police got to the victim, he was tired and gasping for breath and was pronounced dead on getting to the hospital.

Ezinteje said the union suspected foul play and would get to the root of the case.

“We have also received reports by eyewitnesses that Odo was beaten to death.

“We have ordered a post mortem to ascertain the cause of Odo’s death. The union will also take this case to the Independent Police Investigative Department, for more investigation.

“The department is responsible for investigating wrong doings by police officers,” he said.

He also said the incident had been reported to Nigeria`s Consulate General in Johannesburg and Hillbrow Police Station, also in Johannesburg.

EFCC Summons Another Former Aide Of Jonathan

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC has summoned Kingsley Kuku, a former special adviser on Niger Delta Affairs to former President Goodluck Jonathan, for questioning.

A report by Premium Times says Kuku and two others are wanted by the EFCC over allegation of embezzlement and fraudulent diversion of funds running into hundreds of millions of Naira.

Burundi President, Nkurunziza, wins controversial 3rd term

Burundi's President Pierre Nkurunziza has won the controversial 3rd term.

The country's electoral commission says he got nearly 70% of votes in Tuesday's poll following an election marred by violence and a boycott by the opposition. Nkrunziza's nearest rival, Agathon Rwasa, took 18.99%.

The president's decision in April to seek a third term had plunged the country into chaos, with many taking to the streets to protest.

There was even an unsuccessful coup. Opposition say they won't accept the election result because Nkurunziza's 3rd term bid violated their constitution.

MEND meeting not to restart hostilities in the Niger Delta - Tompolo

The leader of the Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND), Chief Government Ekpemupolo (aka Tompolo) says the Saturday July 25th meeting of the militant group in Yenagoa, Bayelsa state is  not in any way meant to restart hostilities in the Niger Delta.

The ex militant clarified this in a statement he released today.

Read the statement below...

"I am compelled to clarify issues as they relate to the meeting of the leadership of ex-agitators under the platform of MEND and other organisations summoned at my instance.

The tension generated by the meeting is uncalled for, diversionary and mischievous as no evil is intended in whatever form. The nation would recall that in the build up to the Amnesty offer of the late president, Alhaji Umaru Musa Yar’Adua, there was hesitance on the part of most of Niger Delta agitators until God in His infinite mercy, granted me wisdom to provide leadership.

The nation will also recall that under the Amnesty programme as inherited by the immediate past president, Dr. Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, relative peace was enjoyed even as security of lives and property was enhanced to an appreciable level. Also, oil production increased from 700,000 barrels per day to 2.5million barrels per day. Put simply, hitherto aggrieved Niger-Delta youths who inadvertently became agitators, upon the acceptance of the Amnesty offer, refrained from armed agitation to face normal urban life.

While some of us understand to an extent, the apparent delay in the continued payment of the monthly stipend to the ex-agitators in view of the seeming scrutiny of government agencies, including the Amnesty Office by the current administration, same cannot be said of the majority of beneficiaries of the Amnesty programme.

To this extent, some of us, particularly myself and other leaders have been under intense pressure from ex-agitators commanders, individuals, parents and guardians as well as communities who are beneficiaries of the Amnesty programme.

While a few see the delay in the payment of their monthly stipends in the light of the need for the current government to settle in properly, others see the delay as a template to stop the programme. The expulsion of some students (home and overseas) by their schools and training institutions particularly has heightened these fears.

Hence, I thought it wise that a meeting of the collegiate leadership of the platform under which we operated as agitators could be convened to appraise the situation and possibly, explore means to douse the tension that is growing among the disarmed youths whose stipends (training allowances and tuition fees) have been delayed for months.

This becomes more compelling in view of the fact that as leaders of the platform that served as midwife to the Amnesty offer, we owe the nation a duty to play our roles in order to stem a relapse of the relative peace in the Niger Delta Region,” he said.

Yobe Police arrests armed robbers terrorizing the State

The Yobe State Police Command has arrested and paraded a seven-man armed robbery gang said to be terrorizing Kakuri-Daudari axis along Nguru-Kano road.

The notorious armed robbers identified as Shuaibu Audu 52yrs, Buba Alhaji Amodu 36yrs, Muhammed Musa 25yrs, Adamu Musa Maiwake 27yrs, Ardo Ado Adoro 46yrs, Gagare Lamido Shirgo 30yrs, Garba Tiya 18yrs, were arrested after they robbed and attacked a businessman and his driver on July 15th.

The suspects will be charged to court for the offenses of criminal conspiracy, armed robbery and culpable homicide as credible evidence to secure their conviction have been gathered.

Nigeria marks one year without any reported case of Polio

This indeed is great news. The World Health Organization will in few weeks remove Nigeria from countries where the disease is endemic and declare Nigeria polio-free.

N18k no longer realistic as minimum wage - NLC boss

Nigeria Labour Congress Chairman, Comrade Ayuba Waba  has called on the Nigerian government to increase the minimum wage of workers from N18,000, saying the old minimum wage was no longer realistic in the face of the increasing exchange rate.

Speaking after a meeting with Senate President Bukola Saraki, Comrade Waba said the NLC intends to submit a new minimum wage demand to the National Assembly.

He added that as at the time when the wages of workers was increased to N18,000, the exchange rate was about N140 but with the new exchange rate, the value of the N18,000 minimum wage had decreased.

See photos of Obama’s grandmother arriving at the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport

Mama Sarah as she is popularly called is in Nairobi to await the arrival of her grandson, the President of the United States of America, Barak Obama.

See photos from ex-Governor Lateef Jakande's 86th birthday party

Here are some photos from the 86th birthday party of former Governor of Lagos State, Alhaji Lateef KayodeJakande. We say happy birthday to Baba Kekere!!!

See photos of Lafayette movie theatre shooter and his victims

This is the 59 year old white gunman who opened fire on movie goers last night in a Louisiana movie theater, killing 2 women, a 21 year old woman and a 33 year old. 9 other people were injured, one in critical condition.

He shot himself in the head as police tried to stop him from escaping. His name is John Houser and he's described as a drifter who arrived in the state less than a month ago and was staying in a motel.

The victims who died in the movie theatre shooting have been identified as Mayci Breaux, 21 and Jillian Johnson, 33

Buhari denies accusing U.S. Government of aiding Boko Haram

Statement from the Presidency

Persisting claims in  the local and international media that President Buhari has accused or indicted the United States Government of helping the terrorist group, Boko Haram are untrue and widely off mark.

Reports to that effect are an unfortunate misinterpretation and distortion of the President’s remarks at the United States Institute of Peace (USIP) during his highly successful official visit to Washington DC.

Indeed, President Buhari made it abundantly clear in those remarks, copies of which were circulated to the media, that he was convinced that the United States could never support groups such as Boko Haram.

“I know the American people cannot support any group engaged in these crimes,” the President clearly stated.

The regrets expressed by President Buhari at USIP about the impact of the application of the Leahy Law on Nigeria’s war against  Boko Haram and terrorism cannot be construed as an indictment of President Barack Obama and the United States Government who have publicly and privately declared their preparedness to give the Buhari Administration the fullest possible support and assistance.

Within the context in which they were made, President Buhari’s comments on the adverse effect of the Leahy Law on Nigeria’s efforts to contain Boko Haram’s atrocious acts of terrorism should only be taken as a passionate appeal for even greater understanding and support from a very powerful and longstanding ally.

President Buhari has nothing but the highest possible regard for President Obama, the United States Government, the people of the United States, their laws and institutions.

The President had very successful and useful talks with President Obama, Vice President Joe Biden, Secretary of State John Kerry, other high-ranking US government officials and members of United States Congress during his visit to Washington DC.

It is his expectation that those talks will lead to better mutual understanding and a further deepening of bilateral relations between Nigeria and the United States, especially in Nigeria’s current priority areas of  defence and security cooperation.

Arepo explosion: Armed vandals barricade creeks, evacuate dead colleagues

The fire from the explosion at the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC, pipeline at Arepo area of Ogun State, ignited by rival vandals Wednesday, was put out in the early hours of yesterday, following a forceful shut down of supply by NNPC.

This is just as armed vandals were said to have barricaded the creeks to wade off any intruder, as they recovered the bodies of their burnt colleagues.

Meanwhile, National Coordinator of Oodua People’s Congress, OPC, Otunba Gani Adams, has blamed the spate of pipeline vandalisation on Federal Government’s decision to withdraw its pipeline protection contract.

In a statement by OPC’s Director of Media and Publicity, Mr. Yinka Oguntimehin, Adams lamented that the issue of pipeline protection “is much more complex than merely protecting the pipelines.

“It involves intelligence gathering, which ultimately should involve the people. This was the strategy we employed while protecting the pipelines.

“The result of that strategy was our ability to curtail the activities of vandals.

“It is no doubt regrettable that in less than one month after our men quit the job, more than 200 deaths have been recorded as a result of the activities of pipeline vandals.”

At press time, no security agency or NNPC official had visited scene of the fire to ascertain the level of damage, or for the bodies of vandals said to have been burnt beyond recognition.

Vanguard was reliably informed that some security personnel, who attempted to go into the creeks retreated midway, following the discovery of heavily armed vandals.

Though there were journalists at the path leading to the creeks, no one dared to go beyond the river bank, as armed vandals were said to have laid ambush for anyone who dared to tread the terrain.

A security watch tower built by operatives of the Inspector General of Police Task Force on Anti-Pipeline Vandalism before the surveillance of the creeks was contracted out to a private security outfit by the past administration, was seen abandoned.

Billowing smoke was visible from the creeks.

Vanguard reliably gathered that vandals that sustained varying degrees of burns were reportedly being treated by their colleagues in make-shift buildings in the creeks.

Vanguard

4 suspected kidnappers arrested in Kwara

Kwara State Police Command, yesterday, paraded four suspected kidnappers, who have been allegedly terrorising residents of  Omu-Aran in Irepodun Local Government Area of the state.

Spokesman of the command, Ajayi Okasanmi, who paraded the suspects before journalists in Ilorin, said they were arrested after they kidnapped a Sarikin Fulani, Aliyu Harande, at Omu-Aran town.

Okasanmi told journalists that the victim was kidnapped while praying in a mosque behind his house in the town.

He added that the suspects were arrested by the command’s anti-kidnap team, who swung into action after receiving report of the kidnap.

The police scribe also said the suspects, from whom he disclosed that police recovered a vehicle and guns, allegedly confessed to being responsible for various kidnapping cases around the Omu-Aran axis.

Okasanmi said the case was still under investigation as efforts were on to arrest the leader of the syndicate, who still at large.

The police spokesman also disclosed the arrest of three suspected cult members at Oke-Oyi area on the outskirts of Ilorin.

He said the suspects, who he described as members of Eiye confraternity, were rounded up when they were forcibly initiating some potential members, while items such as an axe, Eiye cult insignia and charms were recovered from them.

Okasami also said that police arrested five suspects in connection with an armed robbery case of which a man at Gaa-Akanbi area of Ilorin and another at Amayo Ganmo area in the Ilorin environs were victims.

Vanguard

Osinbajo raises alarm, says Boko Haram targeting VIPs

Vice President Yemi Osinbajo raised alarm, yesterday, that Boko Haram members were targeting to bomb the houses of VIPs.

This came as governors of Yobe, Ibrahim Gaidem and Borno, Kassim Shetima also stated that the insurgents still occupied five local governments of the two states.
Osinbajo made the disclosure during the National Economic Council, NEC, meeting at the Presidential Villa in Abuja.

The Vice President, who decried the effect of the insurgency on the economic life of the north east, stated that public enlightenment needed to be carried out through radio and television to create more awareness.

He also argued that pressure should be mounted on the new service chiefs to stem the rising tide of insurgency in the country.

Meanwhile, there was no specific mention of the location of the VIP’s houses which the insurgents were said to be targeting for attack.
His concerns were contained in the communique issued at the end of the meeting and made available to newsmen

Scavengers being prepared by insurgents to dump bombs

According to the communique, “the Vice President regretted that the insurgency has affected the economic life of the north east and the country as a whole. He called for the council to speak as a team to put pressure on the service chiefs to increase their effort in fighting insurgency.

“There should be increase in sensitization and education channels like radio, television. The Vice President also disclosed that security report has it that scavengers are now being prepared by insurgents to dump refuse laden with bombs in the houses of VIPs.

“Governors of Yobe, Borno, Taraba, Kaduna, Gombe, Plateau and Bauchi States took turns to inform the council of security concerns in those regions,” while “Governors of Yobe and Borno raised the alarm of five local government areas of the two states still being in possession of the insurgents”.

The governors called for increase in military deployment and provision of sophisticated military equipment in those areas, insisting that “insurgents were still hiding in the Sambisa forest.”

While lending his voice, Governor Rauf Aregbesola of Osun State “suggested that special economic angle should be introduced in addition to military intervention to deal with Boko Haram problem.”

On cattle rustling and banditry, NEC stated Governor Nasir el-Rufai of Kaduna State disclosed that most of the cattle rustlers were in Kumuku national part, saying that if not properly handled, it could result to another Sambisa forest.

On CBN intervention funds

Giving updates on intervention funds by the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, to states, NEC said it had “received a presentation from the CBN governor on the update of restructuring of bank loans for the states and payment of salary arrears.”

According to the communique, “the governor informed the council that following meetings with banks, it was agreed that existing loans should be restructured for the minimum of 20 years while salary arrears should also be restructured for the minimum of 15 years and not exceed more than 20 years.”

It added that states could opt for two options which incident “the bond option which will attract market rate and the dent restructuring option which will attract single digit rate.”

By way of resolution, “Council resolved that a four-man team made up of of the governor of Bauchi, Rivers, Ondo and Osun States are to follow up with the CBN to ensure that the issues of Excess Crude Collateral for the States are sorted out by next week Tuesday.”

States to cut cost of governance

Briefing State House corespondents at the end of the NEC meeting, Governor Akinwunmi Ambode of Lagos State, who was flanked by the governors of Enugu, Plateau and Kebbi States, said NEC also directed states to reduce the cost of governance. He, however, did not give specifics on how that would be done.

He said: “We have just finished the 59th meeting economic council in which a lot of issues were deliberated upon. We resolved that all states should find ways to reduce their cost of governance.

“We do not have a  uniform template on how to reduce the cost of governance but is very clear that states in the specific situations will find different ways and means of ensuring the cost of running governance is not as huge as it has always been.

“So, it is left for the states in their respective situation to find different ways of cutting cost but what is important is that we cannot continue with the kind of huge burden or huge cost we apply to run our government. A situation where you are having a huge percentage of your budget as recurrent  expenditure is obviously not acceptable. And you must look for ways in reducing the cost of administration in the various states.”

Vanguard

Deal severely with those who ruined Nigeria, Clark tells Buhari

FORMER Federal Commissioner for Information and South South leader, Chief Edwin Clark yesterday raised alarm over the  level of corruption in the country and the economic crunch which have all combined to stagnate the progress of Nigeria over the years.

He warned that if President Muhammadu Buhari fails to deal severely with those who ruined Nigeria over the years, Nigeria as a country would sink.

In a six-page letter to President Buhari which was read to journalists yesterday at his Asokoro residence, Abuja, Chief Clark urged him to as a matter of urgency appoint a new Chairman for the Amnesty Programme as a replacement for the immediate past Chairman of the programme, Chief Kingsley Kuku, adding that he would be a sad man if the Amnesty programme fails.

According to the Elder statesman, the President should know what it means to Nigeria as a country to have peace in the Niger Delta, just as he stressed  that quick appointment of a new Chairman even in acting capacity would help stop the imminent disintegration of the programme that has kept the peace in the Niger Delta.

The Ijaw leader said that the vacuum already created following the absence of Kuku’s successor was creating tension and if not managed immediately, it would lead to that era when the activities of the militants in the creeks, contributed to crude oil fall to about 7,000 barrel per day, compared to the present situation of 2.5 million barrel per day, adding that the problem with the programme at the moment, was lack of an authority to operate the account of the programme.

According to him, “the economy of the country and the eradication of corruption which has become systematic and endemic that has stagnated the progress of this country over the years and the culprit if not severely dealt with will sink the country. We, therefore, pray the Almighty God that these discussions will materialise and  achieve the desired result.

“Secondly, I now respectfully wish to bring to the attention of Mr. President the imminent danger facing the Amnesty programme. It would be recalled, that the former chairman of Amnesty programme and Adviser to Mr. President on Niger Delta Affairs, Chief Kingsley Kuku has since vacated his office as a result of change of government, but unfortunately, he has not been replaced by an  appointee even in acting capacity by Mr. President, and as a result, the whole  programme for now, is without leadership, and no one has the authority to operate the account of the Amnesty programme.”

Vanguard

He Got An Examiner's Job Just To Tear Up The Answer Scripts Of The Girl Who Rejected Him

To take revenge on an ex-classmate who rejected his proposal, an MSc student tore up four of her supplementary exam answer scripts at the evaluation centre of the Vijayanagara Sri Krishnadevaraya University, India, recently.

P Madhukumar, 26, was arrested on Tuesday after the university authorities discovered his criminal act and informed Ballari rural police. He was granted bail on Wednesday.

According to police, Madhukumar confessed to the crime. "I did this because she rejected my proposal. I wanted to take revenge. I tore papers from her answer script booklets and threw them into a bin in the toilet," police quoted Madhukumar as saying.

He failed in love, he failed his BSc

When Madhukumar and the girl were doing BSc, he proposed to her. When she spurned his advances, he started harassing her. Subsequently, the girl joined MSc Mathematics in the university, while Madhukumar failed in BSc.

A year later, when he joined MSc computer science in the university, he got a temporary job at the evaluation section for Rs 200 per day. At the centre, he started learning how answer scripts are bundled and stored. Alongside, he also started finding out how to identify the girl's answer scripts.

During the recent evaluation for supplementary exams, when he found four answer scripts of the girl, he immediately tore up papers from the booklets, but left the first and the last pages intact so as not to arouse suspicion. A university official, who found him moving round in a suspicious manner, immediately informed the higher authorities, who reached the spot and checked all the bundles handled by Madhukumar. They found papers from four booklets had been torn away.

Upon detailed inquiry, they realised all the four booklets belonged to one student. They immediately informed Ballari rural police, who visited the evaluation center and arrested the student. Police also recovered the papers torn out of the booklets.

Source: Times of India

BASKETMOUTH APOLOGISES TO D’BANJ AND DAVIDO OVER JOKE

Popular Nigerian comedian, Basketmouth, who recently had his annual show ‘Basketmouth Uncensored’ 2015 in Houston, Texas, USA, has apologized to singer Davido and D’banj over the joke he cracked about them at his show.

The comedian was quoted as saying “The first award that they will nominate me for, that I really respected was that award (MAMA), I really love the fact that I was nominated.

“Technically, I do not look at awards to judge how much I’m good; My award is you people. For the fact that you guys are coming to watch me, I got this much award. Like around the world. You guys are awesome.

“When they were doing the awards, P-Square, they won like two awards, best duo, Best this one. D’Banj won; I don’t know why. Then Davido won above WizKid, which is quite strange, but it’s allowed.”

But the comedian has come out publicly apologise to the singers stating that he was taken out of context.

In his words, “D’banj and Davido, my sincere apologies for what I said, it was taken out of context, It was a build up to a joke and was edited to make it look like I was dissing you guys. I'm honestly sorry. One love guys. When I'm back from my tour, we meet up and drink up water.”

I’M THE RICHEST WOMAN, OMONI OBOLI BOASTS

Nollywood actress, Omoni Oboli, has disclosed that no matter what happens to her, she would not depart from her family because they have been the source of her happiness.

The actress stated that money and fame could fade away including her beauty but where she could best find hope on is her boys.

She noted that she would gladly do anything to ensure that her family remains happy all the time.

My clan!!! If fame goes, if fortunes dwindle, if beauty disappears and everyone deserts! These right here, I can always count on! For this I am the richest and most blessed! I will do ANYTHING for them!

Meanwhile, the Omoni and her family members are still thanking God for the life of her husband, Nnamdi Oboli who recently became a year older.

Kourtney Kardashian Hires Top Celebrity Divorce Lawyer

Kourtney Kardashian is reportedly preparing for a custody /money battle with her Ex, Scott Disick. The mother of three was spotted in this photo, visiting a popular divorce lawyer’s office.

TMZ reports that Kourtney went to a Century City office building filled with lawyers, including divorce queen, know as Laura Wasser, a lawyer who Kim and Khloe used in their divorces, so it’s supposed that Kourtney would use her too.