TONTO DIKEH MARRIED, WHY SHE LIED ABOUT HER PREGNANCY

At last, the queen of controversy in Nollywood, Tonto Dikeh, who lashed out and cursed those behind the story of her marriage and pregnancy story few weeks ago, has shot herself in the leg.

The obviously pregnant River State-born actress is now officially Mrs Tonto Charity Churchill.

This is because she had a very low key marriage introduction to her man Oladunni Churchill in her hometown in Port Harcourt, Rivers State on Saturday, August 8, 2015.

Recall that few weeks ago, it was reported that the actress was rocking a baby bump, but she later vehemently denied the report via her Instagram page and as well cursed those behind it.

However, from all indications, it has been revealed that 'Dirty Secrets' star has been covering her bump probably because she is not proud of getting pregnant outside wedlock, as she had on several occasions condemned her colleagues who indulged in it.

I’LL PREFER TO GOVERN LAGOS, NOT ONDO STATE—OMOTOLA

Many Nigerians are gradually getting involved in politics now unlike in the past, when it was only for core politicians.

Nowadays, people from different spheres of lives are getting involved in the ‘dirty game’ of politics, especially with the ‘money’ involved in it.

For Nollywood actress, Omotola Jalade-Ekeinde, politics is not her priority at this stage. But she told New Telegraph in a recent interview that if given the chance, she would love to be the governor of Lagos State and not her own Ondo State, where she is even a chief.

Asked if she would accept to govern her state if guaranteed victory at the poll, the star actress said, “I won’t accept the offer; but maybe, if it’s in Lagos, I will accept the offer.”

WARRI BILLIONAIRE FOOTS MAJEK FASHEK’S REHAB BILL

Veteran Nigerian musician, Majek Fashek, has finally been admitted into a rehabilitation centre in Abuja and on the bill of a popular Warri-based billionaire, Ayiri Emani.

Ayiri has now urged Nigerians not to pay into the account of anyone that claims to be raising funds for the rehab of the renowned artiste.

It was said that Ayiri contracted medical experts abroad and flew them into the country to work on Majek Fashek.

Ayiri is said to be very keen in the revival of Majek’s music career. The musician is expected to begin a music tour after the rehab process is completed.

Flood looms in Nigeria as Cameroon releases dam

The impending gradual release of excess water from Lagdo Dam in Cameroon and the heavy rains expected in coming months will result in massive flooding across the country soon, the Federal Government has said.

This, it said, poses serious threat to lives and property in Nigeria, adding that the various flooding types to be experienced include river flooding, coastal flooding and flash flooding.

The Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Environment, Mrs. Nana Mede, said the government was deeply concerned about the likely loss of lives and properties as well as other negative environmental consequences which the floods would bring.

Mede, who spoke during a press briefing at the ministry’s headquarters on Monday in Abuja, stated that it had become pertinent for citizens living along flood plains to prepare for relocation to areas considered to be safe and remain at alert for any eventuality.

She said, “The impending gradual release of excess water from Lagdo Dam by our neighbouring country, Cameroon, which they have hinted could take place anytime soon and the massive rains in the coming months poses serious threats to lives and property. The states that are likely to be affected are Adamawa, Taraba, Gombe, Bauchi, Benue, and Kogi.

“On a general scale, the massive rains are also expected to cause flooding in many parts of the country. River flooding will affect Sokoto Rima, Niger, Benue and Anambra states. Coastal flooding resulting from sea level rise and tidal surges will likely occur in Bayelsa, Rivers, Delta and Lagos states.

“Flash floods could be experienced in some urban locations such as Lagos, Port Harcourt, Sokoto, Birnin Kebbi, Ibadan and other towns along the country’s coastline.”

The government urged people living in the outlined areas to immediately clear their drainages, culverts and canals.

Mede observed that earlier in the year, the Nigerian Meteorological Agency made predictions that the rains would come late, adding that when it does, it would be massive and could be disastrous in terms of environmental impact such as flooding with its attendant consequences of loss of lives, properties, livelihoods, outbreak of diseases and disruptions of socio-economic activities.

She said, “Furthermore, the Nigerian Hydrological Services Agency has also presented the 2015 Annual Flood Outlook for the country to the public and it also confirms that there is every possibility of flooding.

“The ministry is therefore appealing to states, local governments, NGOs, churches, mosques, traditional rulers and community based organisations to take immediate steps to sensitise the people and communities as well as ensure that all the necessary things are done to avoid unnecessary loss lives and properties.

“In extreme cases, state governments and local authorities should prepare to evacuate residents. Public places should be designated and prepared for any eventuality. The ministry has already called for emergency meeting of stakeholders to discuss on elaborate strategies for tackling the impending flood.”

The Federal Government, in 2012, spent over N17bn in tackling floods and its effect across the country, while about 360 lives were lost and properties worth billions of naira were destroyed.

Credit: The PUNCH

Army to punish soldiers for torturing civilian

The authorities of the Nigerian Army have apprehended some soldiers who were photographed torturing a civilian suspected to be armed robber at Mararaba, Nasarawa State, near Abuja.

The Acting Director, Army Public Relations, Col. Sani Usman, said in an electronic mail on today that the Army would ensure that the soldiers involved were punished.

He said the photograph  of a soldier flogging a naked robbery suspect, which appeared on the front page of major national newspapers and other social media platforms, had done serious damage to the image of the service.

Usman said the action of the soldiers contradicted the ethics of the military tradition and professionalism in the service.

He said the Army authorities have identified the soldiers and would administer the necessary punishment on them.

“The attention of The Nigerian Army has been drawn to a front page photograph of some soldiers maltreating a civilian suspected to be robber at Mararaba, Nasarawa State, on the front page of  today’s edition of Daily Trust newspaper.

“Sadly, it is also trending on the Social Media. There is no doubt the photograph has done incalculable damage to the image of the service. The act was unfortunate and at variance with military ethics and professionalism.

“The Nigerian Army wishes to inform the public that the perpetrators of the offence have been identified, summoned and would face disciplinary action.”

Usman said the Army had also contacted the newspaper over the prominence accorded the worrisome picture.

He stressed that steps should have been taken to alert the Army authorities to the development instead of putting the picture on the paper’s cover.

He assured the citizenry of the determination of the Army to respect human rights in its operation.

He appealed to the public not to use the ugly incidence to judge the service.

Stolen car returned to South African owner after 22 years

A South African man has been reunited with his car 22 years after it was stolen, thanks to a dogged police investigator.

A Pretoria businessman, Derick Goosen on Monday said he got a surprised call from warrant officer Kwakwa Ntokola two weeks ago about a gray 1988 Toyota Corolla.

He said he had reported the car stolen back in 1993. Goosen said that only in 2014, police seized a vehicle at a roadblock in the northern province of Limpopo after noticing that its engine number had been scratched off. He said that the stolen car was returned to him after 22 years with everything inside still in perfect order.

“I can’t believe it, everything inside is still in perfect order. “I’m going to wash it and drive around in it.’’ Police Col. Ronel Otto said that Ntokola managed to reconstruct the number and eventually traced the owner to Pretoria.

Vanguard

WAEC releases results, withheld 13 indebted states

The West African Examinations Council, WAEC has released the May/June 2015 WASSCE results, withholding the results of students in 13 states that are owing the Council.

The Head of Nigerian Office, Mr Charles Eguridu who disclosed this at its Yaba Office said:”Out of 1,593,442 candidates who sat for the examinations, only 616,370 candidates, representing 38.68% obtained credits in five subjects and above including English Language and Mathematics.”

Justifying the slight improvement in the results from previous years, Eguridu said that in 2013, a total candidates who obtained five credits in English and Mathematics were 639,760 representing 38.30 per cent.

He said, in 2014, 529,425 representing 31.28 per cent obtained five credits in English and Mathemstics.

Meanwhile, Eguridu said that 6 states among the 19 states that are owing the Council have paid their debt, left with 13 states.

The HNO who refused to disclosed the names of indebted states explained that he would not want politicians to hijacked the situation against their opponents. He, however noted that if any of the states that are owing can get an advanced payment guarantee from any reputable banks, students results in such states will be released.

His words: ” I alerted the nation on the challenges which the Council was facing in Nigeria as a result of this indebtedness, and its adverse effects on our operations. I had stated then that the Council may be constrained from releasing the results of government-sponsored candidates of the affected states.

“After my pronouncement, a few of the debtor states responded by paying their debts fully or partially; while a few others made promises, indicating their willingness to pay as soon as they are able to do so. Others have not made any efforts in addressing the matter.

“After reviewing the situation, the Council has decided that the results of government-sponsored candidates of indebted states would be released if such states endeavour to produce bank guarantees, so that the Council will be assured that the fees will be paid. This decision is in appreciation of the general prevailing economic challenges in the country, and in order not to jeopardize the educational careers of the candidates of the indebted states.”

He said that the results of 118,101 candidates, representing 7.41% are being withheld in connection with various cases of examination malpractice. According to him, the cases of such students are being investigated and reports of the investigations will be presented to the Nigerian Examinations Committee (NEC) of the Council in due course for consideration.

Also, he noted that a total number of 109 blind candidates registered for and sat the examination. From this figure, 20 candidates, representing 18.34% obtained credit in 5 subjects, including English Language and Mathematics.

In the breakdown of results, Eguridu said: “A total of 1,605,248 candidates registered for the May/June 2015 WASSCE, out of which 1,593,442 candidates, consisting of 864,096 male and 729,346 female candidates sat the examination.

“Out of the total number of candidates who sat the examination, 1,498,069 candidates, representing 94.01% have their results fully released, while 95,373 candidates, representing 5.99% have a few of their subjects still being processed due to some errors mainly traceable to the candidates and schools in the course of registration or writing the examination.

” Such errors are being corrected by the Council to enable the affected candidates get their results fully processed and released subsequently.

“Of the total number of candidates that sat the examination, representing 47.62% obtained six (6) credits and above; 949,862 candidates, representing 59.61% obtained five (5) credits and above, while 1,114,988 candidates, representing 69.97 % obtained credit and above in four (4) subjects. In addition, 1,295,915 candidates, representing 78.81% obtained credit and above in three (3) subjects, while 1,376,743 candidates, representing 86.40% obtained credit and above in two (2) subjects.

However, a total of 616,370 candidates, representing 38.68%, obtained credit in five (5) subjects and above, including English Language and Mathematics.
“Candidates who sat the May/June 2015 WASSCE will be able to check the details of their performance on the Council’s results website: www.waecdirect.org within the next 24 hours,” he said.

Credit: Vanguard

Man kills three over bitter leaf plant ownership

Tragedy struck, Sunday, at Ibillo, Akoko Edo Local Government Area of Edo State, when a man popularly known as Alhaji, murdered three persons including a three year old boy, after a quarrel over the ownership of a bitter leaf plant in the compound.

The sad incident occurred at Ogo quarters Ibillo Sunday evening.  The three killed includes a man identified as Mr Aliu Ademo, a girl called Favour and a little boy Isaac, who later died yesterday morning at the hospital.

Vanguard learnt that trouble started when the Alhaji had a heated quarrel with the daughter of a Co-tenant called Favour over the bitter leaf plant in the compound. It was said that Alhaji went to harvest the vegetable without the consent of the owner which angered the daughter of the woman, Favour.

According to an eyewitness, “Alhaji who is from Igbira came out with a cutlass and beheaded the girl. Mr Aliu saw what happened and started shouting, Alhaji ran after Isaac the little boy to kill him but Aliu pursued him in order to save the boy. But he succeeded in killing both the small boy and Mr Aliu.

“He decided to kill the man because the man came to save the little boy. The small boy was rushed to the hospital because he was still unconscious but we later heard he died this morning (Monday). Alhaji is on the run now but the police is looking for him”.

Reacting to the murder, the Police Public Relations Officer in the state, Mr Stephen Onwechei, said “ the suspect is currently on the run but we are on his trail. He will be arrested. He abandoned his cutlass and took off after the killings. When people came around to stop him he killed them including a three year old child.

“That is barbaric. I understand he previously had quarrel with the mother of the child over the ownership of the bitter leaf in the compound. That is madness but we must arrest him no matter how far he tries to run. He must face justice for his wicked act” he declared.

Vanguard

Photos: Lady Strips For 2face In Front Of Annie Idibia At Sapele Show

At a show over the weekend in Sapele, a lady fan beat the venue security and ran onstage while 2face was performing. The unidentified lady grabbed the pop icon from behind, pulled him close, stripped off her top and attempted to take 2face's clothes off before a bouncer stepped on stage to control the situation. Annie Idibia who was there to cheer her husband's performance looked dazed at the occurrence.

Everyone including the security had thought it was one of creative director Efe Omorogbe's skits but apparently it wasn't. It took a while before the security could pull her away from the Star Music Trek stage. See more photos from the bizarre encoounter...