Inauguration: Lagos Urhobo chiefs salute Sanwo-Olu, call for recognition

LAGOS MAY 30TH -Urhobo Chiefs resident in Lagos under the aegis Urhobo Traditional Council of Chiefs Lagos has congratulated the newly sworn – in Lagos State Governor, His Excellency Babajide Sanwo-Olu for his successful election and inauguration as Lagos state Governor.

The Secretary of the group, Chief Godspower Ikpimi who spoke to journalists on the sideline at Tafawa Balewa Square Onikan, Lagos during the inauguration of His Excellency, Mr. Sanwo-Olu on Wednesday said the Governor landslide victory at the polls was a clear testament of the belief of Lagosians in the All Progressives Congress candidate to take the state to the next level.
He pointed out that the mandate given to Sanwo-Olu to lead the Centre of Excellence for the next four years is a great opportunity for him to leave his footprints on the sands of time.

“We sincerely congratulate His Excellency, Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu for this landslide victory at the polls and inauguration as Lagos State Governor. Emerging as one of the chosen few to rise to the level of leader of the leading economic state in Africa is a massive achievement and an opportunity that can only come once in a life time,” he stated.

Chief Ikpimi said the victory of Sanwo-Olu as Lagos State Governor is not a surprise to them because they gave instructions to all Urhobos resident in Lagos, their loyalists and supporters to vote massively for Sanwo-Olu and this afforded him the deserved victory.
He promised that Urhobo Chiefs in Lagos had vowed to provide all necessary support to the Governor for the peace and growth of Lagos state, adding that despite being starved of funds during the last electioneering campaign, they do not relent in ensuring that the party emerged victorious in different parts of the state where its members reside.

He, however, lamented that despite their unflinching commitment and support to the All Progressive Congress in the state in all these years of their activities, achievements and contributions, their efforts have not been adequately recognized in term of empowerment, neither has it given us any appointment as a group to sustain and keep the group together.

While wishing the new Governor success, as Governor of Lagos State, the group appealed to him to take its members along in his government by giving them appointments either in his cabinet or board members in his government. .

Female teacher arrested for allegedly planning own kidnap collecting ransom

A female teacher ,Chizoba Ogbonna have been arrested by police operatives attached to the Inspector – General of Police Intelligence Response Team ( IRT) for allegedly staging her own kidnap and collecting ransom from her family in Abriba-Ohafia area of Abia State.

The 36- year- old suspect and mother of three was arrested alongside two others simply identified as Anthony and Ezema, alleged to be accomplices in the fake kidnap.

They were alleged to have assisted her in planning the kidnap but were arrested by the IRT team.
Daily Independent learnt N500,000 was paid through Chizoba’s bank account as ransom, before the IRT operatives swooped on them.

Police source said one of Chizoba’s relatives , alerted IGP Adamu Mohammed, about her abduction and the subsequent demand for N2 million ransom.


The informant reported to Mohammed Adamu IGP that Chizoba’s kidnappers had threatened to kill her within hours if their demands were not met and Adamu swiftly deployed a crack team of operatives from the IRT, headed by DCP Abba Kyari, to track and apprehend the suspects.

Police source said the operatives, who were armed with advance tracking devices, trailed Chizoba and her supposed kidnappers to an uncompleted building at Agborji Community in Abriba-Ohafia area of the State, with the intention of rescuing her and apprehending her kidnappers, but the operatives got the shock of their lives when they arrived the hideout where they met Chizoba having marathon sex with one of her supposed kidnappers without even noticing the presence of the security agencies and they were caught red handed.

Our source said the operatives also discovered that her abduction was staged managed so as to extort money from her relatives.

Following their arrest Chizoba has confessed that she wanted to use the money to elope with her boyfriend to Europe.

However, Chizoba in her confession to the police denied staging her own kidnap, claiming that she was hypnotised by her boyfriend, Ezema.

She said “I am a primary school teacher, I was formerly married and I had three children with my former husband. I met Ezema on Facebook and he told me he is a fashion designer and I told him that I have some jobs for him and from that point we started a relationship.
“At one point in our relationship we discussed about traveling out of the country and he told me that he had once spent N300,000 for a visa which did not work out. So, on March 13 , I was on my way to visit my sister and a vehicle stopped in front of me where I saw six persons including a lady inside it.

“The lady amongst them called me and when I responded she asked me to enter the vehicle. It was at that time that I lost consciousness and I later found myself in my boyfriend’s home. I later realised that my boyfriend took my phone and used it to call my sister. He started demanding for ransom and when my sister spoke with me, I had no option than to beg her to pay the ransom.”

Governor marries predecessor’s daughter as third wife after swearing-in

Governor Mala Buni of Yobe State has taken a third wife barely 24hours after his swearing in.

The Governor tied the knot on Thursday with the daughter of his immediate past predecessor, Ibrahim Gaidam.
Buni’s new wife is Ummi Adama Gaidam.
Ummi Adama, who takes the position of Governor’s third wife is currently studying in Saudi Arabia.
Ummi’s marriage to Buni could be to strengthen their political relationship.
Aljazirah reports that there are strong rumours indicating that the new bride will be made the first lady of the State governor.

The low key marriage was solemnized at Mr Gaidam’s residence at Sabon Fegi area Damaturu, the state capital, in the early hours of Thursday.


Aljazira quoted an ally of the Governor, who preferred not to be mentioned, as saying that the marriage was performed secretly to avoid public criticism.
An Islamic scholar, Sheik Abubakar Adam who is also close to the two governors (Gaidam and Mai mala), gave the hand of Fatima Ibrahim Gaidam to Mala Buni.

Shiek Adam, who conducted the wedding called on the couple to fear God in all their dealings in order to have a good family and live a fulfilling life.
Buni was the immediate-past National Secretary of the ruling party, All Progressives Congress, APC, and was anointed by Gaidam to succeeded him as governor.

The new Governor was sworn-in on Wednesday by the state Chief Judge, Justice Garba Na Baruma.

How teacher walked to death in Asaba over Okowa’s largesse

A single mother of three children, Lovett Ighorodhe, slumped and died during the Delta State Governor Annual Elders’ Tournament Walk tagged: ‘Walk to Health’ in Asaba on Monday.

The 10-kilometre walk that was strictly for Delta residents between the ages of 55 and 70 without gender discrimination was one of the activities lined up for the inauguration of Governor Ifeanyi Okowa’s second term.

Okowa had splashed the winner, first runner-up and second runner-up with cash prizes running into millions of naira.

We gathered that the deceased slumped less than two kilometres into the walk that commenced at the Abraka junction in Asaba through Dennis Osadebay Way, Nnebisi Road, Anwai Road to the Government House.

The deceased, according to a source, who spoke on condition of anonymity, was a teacher at the Asagba Secondary School, Asaba, and was hale and hearty when she left for the walk.

It was gathered that Ighorodhe was a native of Aboh in the Ndokwa East Local Government Area of the state and was in her 50s.

The corpse was said to have been deposited in the morgue of the Federal Medical Centre, Asaba.

“The news of her death came to us as a rude shock. If anybody had told us that she would die even in two years time, we would have doubted it,” the source stated.

The woman, according to the source, was in the guidance and counselling unit of the school.

Okowa, who received the participants at the Government House, expressed joy that elderly citizens came out to actively participate in the walk.

Dr Toju Eresanara, who came first in the walk, got a prize of N3m, while the first and second runners up, Mr Hyacinth Osuhor and Mr Ojubana Peter, were rewarded with N2m and N1m, respectively.

14-year-old child must be return – Edo state governor, Obaseki declares

Edo state Governor Godwin Obaseki  has disclosed that he is working with the Katsina State Governor, Aminu Masari, to ensure the safe return of Memunatu Musa, a 14-year-old pupil of Enikaro Primary School, in Benin City, who was given out in marriage to a man in Katsina.

Obaseki  said this at the 2019 Children’s Day celebration held on Monday in Benin City.

He pointed out that his administration would not allow children to be denied the opportunity to go to school in the state.

The Governor  said that Memunatu Musa would be brought back to the state to complete her education.

He noted that the state government would continue to work with the Federal Government to ensure that child marriage is stamped out from the country so that children will have the opportunity to attain their full potential.

The Governor also disclosed that his administration had set up a mechanism to punish parents and teachers who abuse children in the state.

He described the theme for the 2019 Children’s Day; ‘Drug Abuse Among Children: Addressing the Challenges’ as a call to action for all to work towards ending the menace in Nigeria.

He said, “If we allow drugs and other vices to harm our children, we are destroying our future. Edo is currently working with the Federal Government and other stakeholders to develop appropriate responses and measures to end the rising cases of drug abuse among children,” he said.

Nigeria becomes the highest marijuana consuming country in Africa

Nigeria is now ranked number 1 on the list of highest marijuana consuming country in Africa.

The new report on what African country consume marijuana the most has been revealed in Global Cannabis Report: 2019 Industry Outlook.

Nigeria is the highest in Africa in marijuana consumption followed by Ethiopia.

According to the report by New Frontier Data, an analytics company specializing in the cannabis industry, Nigeria tops the list in the continent with 20.8 million Cannabis users.

Top 10 List of Highest Marijuana Consuming Countries in Africa


The report ranked Nigeria number one in Africa with marijuana consumption by 20.8 million users followed by Ethiopia’s 7.1 million.

The report further ranks Egypt and DR Congo third and fourth with 5.9 million and 5 million users respectively.

In seventh place is Sudan with 2.7 million weed smokers followed by Madagascar’s 2.1 million users. Ghana has 2 million marijuana users.

New Frontier Data notes that
"the purpose of the report is to support operators and investors in guiding business strategy by providing a macro view of cannabis use and legalization trends globally."

Sudan, which is ranked seventh has 2.7 million marijuana users followed by Madagascar’s 2.1 million users. Ghana has 2 million marijuana users.

Least marijuana consumers in Africa

The African countries with the least number of marijuana users include Zimbabwe, Malawi, Niger and Zambia with 1.1 million, 1.2 million, 1.2 million and 1.4 million users respectively

Patriarch Essi goes home amidst tears, joy

Late Hon. R.A Essi

The life and times of Hon. Raphael Avuakeoghene Essi will without a doubt remain evergreen in the hearts of his loved ones.

The Essi patriarch who was bade final goodbye on May 10, 2019 at his hometown, Uzere Kingdom, Isoko South council area of Delta state, was aged 80, when he departed this world, last December 2018.

Although he lived to a very ripe age, the tears could not be held as the final rites of internment were performed.

Ogaga, Bella, Trebor, Omuye and others during the greeting of the guest

He was once a teacher and an administrator and later held some managerial positions until his appointment as a lay judge in the Customary Courts Department attached to the district court in Uzere from 2000 to April 2013, when he retired, Pa Essi became the Odio Orere (a member of council of Edios) of Uruehe, a sub-community in Uzere in October 2017 till his death.

Mr Richard Akporero dancing at the reception

Meanwhile, in a tribute to her late father, the first daughter, Comrade Dr. Felida Essi said, "you taught us that no matter how offended we are, we should forgive the offender and let God fight our battles. And that in everything we do in life, we should always be perseverance and be patient."

Asked what she will miss most about him, the Comrade, who is the publisher of Isoko Mirror newspaper stated thus: "I will miss his comforting words, especially when I am down."

On his part, the first son, Rotarian Brooklyn Essi, expressed gratitude for all the many lessons, including "the importance of humility, education and the remarkable power of emotional and financial generosity," that he learnt from him (his father).

Rev. father Ambrose Onyewuchi of ST. Matthias catholic church and other church members during the funeral mass for Late Hon. R.A Essi

One of his students Prof. Benjamin Ubreye Owhe-Ureghe in RCM school, in this tribute wrote “the truth is that, I benefited from your disciplinary action as your pupils, which helped shaped my life words are not enough to express my formative years. Bye my teacher”

The Ogieh and Uti family members in attendance

With the demise of his second son, Evang Jeff, Pa Essi is survived by a wife, nine children, including a step daughter, Mrs. Florence Emuobor and several sons and daughters in-law.

Other children are Mrs. Faith Ariekoko, Mrs. Efe Ubu, Rtn. Ifoghale Maaer, Bosco, Israel and Barr. Rafaela Essi. Also left behind, are 16 grandchildren and a brother, Mr. Ligourey Essi.

Some members of Community Newspapers Publishers of Nigeria, Delta State with the bereaved Dr. Comrade Fellida Essi

The ceremony which was a celebration of life, saw dignitaries, friends and families from all walks of life graced the occasion.

RTN Brooklyn Essi attending to some of his guests

Some notable personalities present at the occasion are Isoko Mirror director, Chief JAD Iboma, Executive Director, Finance and Administration, DESOPADEC, Bashorun Askia Ogieh, Uzere Grammar School Old Students Association led by its president, Chief Joseph Ubeleke, Isoko Ladies League International, led by Chief (Mrs.) Stella Ejeh and Community Newspaper Publishers of Nigeria, Delta State chapter led by Comrade Jude Obeyemenyego.

Chief JAD Iboma, CHief Richard Okogba, Chief Godwin Awoso, Mr Gabriel Iboma and others

Some members of Isoko Ladies League International in attendance

Also present were Isoko Development Union (IDU) Women's wing, Warri and Asaba branches, Enyaharo Eyana Warri, former colleagues of the late Hon. R. A. Essi in the judiciary led by Chief Uriri, the Akporeros from Olomoro, Uzere community, Asaba, Chief Godwin Awoso, Dr. Isaac Ejebe, Chief Isaac Agbajileke, Dr John Eru, Chief Richard Okogba, Chief Sunny Omoredo, Mr and Mrs Okorigba, Pastors Duke and Kelvin, Mrs Christy Okotie, Chief Erume, Barrister Mrs. Mary Erijo, Hon. Mrs. Ilolo.

Others are Chief Richard Okogba, Mr. Festus Owhojero, Sir Akporuno, Director-General Delta sports commission Chief Onogagamue Victor, Sir Evans Egbo among others.

Some family members with Comrade Essi and UDU branch Uzere  chairman

Olakpe says, LASTMA has power to apprehend vehicles, recalcitrant motorists

The CEO of the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) has reiterated the powers under the agency of the relevant provisions of the Lagos State Traffic Laws of 2012 as (amended) to impound any vehicle and apprehend recalcitrant motorists who contravene any section of the law.

Chris Olakpe stated this on the 18^th April, 2019 while receiving members of the Humanitarian Voluntary Association for Community Development who came on a solidarity visit to express their sympathy over the death of 18 traffic officials of the agency that died in the course of discharging their duties in 2018.
“I want to say that, contrary to some misinformation in some sections of the media, the agency is fully empowered by law to make arrest where and when necessary”. 


He noted that the traffic laws of Lagos State equipped officials of the agency with powers to arrest where appropriate, and to also make the offender to pay the fine stipulated for the offence under the law and added that the law allows for penalties for neglect of traffic directives, while disobeying traffic control personnel also attracts fines and impounding of vehicles.
He used the medium to counsel motorists to take advantage of the “open-door policy of LASTMA” by reporting any erring officer for disciplinary action if found wanting

HOSTCOM congratulates Okowa

APC deputy chairman demands Oshiomhole's resignation

The deputy chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Senator Lawali Shuaibu, has asked the national head of the ruling party, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole, to resign - Shuaibu said that Oshiomhole should resign, since according to him, he is not adding value to the party - He further alleged that Oshiomhole lacks the necessary composure, capabilities and the requisite experience to run a political party Another wave of heat has hit the All Progressives Congress (APC) as Senator Lawali Shuaibu, the party's deputy national chairman has demanded for the resignation of the party’s national boss, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole, Vanguard reports. 

Addressing Oshiomhole in a six-page letter, Shuaibu opined that in developed nations leaders who are unable to impact on those they are leading or improve upon antecedent leave office with honour. 

In the letter titled APC: Its fortune and misfortune, time to act, Shuaibu said: “It is my honest opinion that your ability to ensure this party flourishes is deficient as you lack the necessary composure and you also don’t posses the capabilities and the requisite experience to run a political party.” Meanwhile, Legit.ng reported that the APC had appointed a new acting national publicity secretary for the party. Victor Giadom, a former executive chairman of Gokana local government area also served as commissioner for works in the Rotimi Amaechi administration in Rivers state from 2011 to 2015. Giadom also served as the director general of the Greater Together Governorship Campaign Organisation of APC in 2015 and a running mate to Tonye Cole in the 2019 governorship election for APC. 

Delta court jails kidnappers 113 years, another to die for killing undergraduate

An Asaba High Court has delivered a landmark judgement as it sentenced two kidnappers, David Erutere and Sunday Omamuzo Ukailkwo, to a total of 113 years imprisonment with hard labour for the offences of kidnapping and armed robbery.
The court sentenced Eruter and Ukailkwo to prison with hard labour having found them guilty of the five count charge of conspiracy to commit a felony to wit, kidnap, kidnapping and conspiracy to commit a felony to wit, armed robbery contrary to Section 6 (b) and punishable under Section 1 (2) a of the robbery and fire arms (Special Provisions) Act Cap R II Volume 14 Laws of the Federation, 2004.
Other offences included armed robbery and demanding property with menace.
The prosecution had told the court that David Erutere and Sunday Omamuzo had conspired, kidnapped and robbed Irikefe Edafe and Egwu Johnbull.
Valuables including a Pathfinder Jeep, GSM phones, laptop, wedding rings and cash were stolen from the victims on two different dates in June 2011 at Delta Palace Road, Warri and Ubiaruku respectively and demanded for a ransom of N50 million from their families before they could be released.
The court, in its judgement, sentenced the first accused person, David Erutere, 31, and a native of Ekrakra village of Ethiope East Local Government of Delta State, to 45 years in jail for conspiracy to commit armed robbery and armed robbery while they both got seven years imprisonment each for conspiracy to commit kidnapping, three years imprisonment each for demanding property with menace and another 10 years each for the offence of kidnapping.
The second accused person, Sunday Omamuzo Ukwaikwo, who claimed to be a farmer and a native of Olomoro in Isoko South Local Government Area was slammed with 25 years imprisonment for the same offence of armed robbery.
Sunday Omamuzo was arrested by men of the state command of the State Security Service when he fell into the trap set for him at the point of picking up the agreed ransom and he later took the security agents to the house of the second accused person where he too was arrested.
Meanwhile another Delta State High Court sitting at Orerokpe, headquarters of Okpe Local Government Area, has sentenced a 27-year-old university worker, David Wonder Erhirhie, to death for committing murder.
The court sentenced David Wonder to death having found him guilty of the murder of Princess Chinoso Ijezie, an admission seeker, in 2009 at Abraka, an offence punishable under Section 319 of the Criminal Code Law Cap C. 21 Laws of Delta State 2006.
While delivering the judgement, the court said prosecution was able to prove beyond all reasonable doubts its case.
The court said: “The punishment for a crime of this magnitude is death penalty. This accused person does not deserve less. I hereby sentence you to death by hanging at the neck until you be dead. May God have mercy upon your soul.”
Prosecution called six witnesses during trial, which lasted for over two years, while the accused testified for himself.
It would be recalled that David Wonder, who until the ugly incidence was a clerical staff of the Provost Office, Delta State University, Abraka, was involved in a failed admission racketeering for which he collected N155,000 from the deceased to assist her to secure admission into the University from a private university somewhere in Edo State where the deceased was already running a programme.
The convict however could not secure the admission for the deceased but in a bid to cover up the fraud, he lured the late Princess Chinoso Ijezie to his house under the pretence that he wanted to refund her money.

Drama As Students Rescue RCCG Pastor From Kidnappers In Edo

Some students have been hailed after they rescued a RCCG pastor from kidnappers in a community in Edo state.

According to a PM News report, brave youths of Benin Technical College (BTC), Benin, Edo State, and members of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), on Sunday rescued a pastor of the church who was abducted by a three-man kidnap gang.

Abductors of the victim, simply identified as Pastor Ayo, in charge of Ologbosere Parish, in Egor Local Government Area of the State, were later apprehended by youths and vigilante men of the community who chased after them.

It was gathered that the suspects who specialised in robbing residents and unsuspecting worshippers on a daily basis, swooped on the community as early as 7.30 am.

A resident of the area who craved anonymity, said the BTC community has been under siege of hoodlums who terrorised members of the several churches in the area.

He said that the suspects had earlier snatched a Toyota Camry car from its owner, but later abandoned it behind Church of God Mission International (CGMi), in the area.

It was learnt that the hoodlums later proceeded to the Redeemed Christian Church God (RCCG), where they dispossessed worshippers of their money, phones, other valuables and abducted the pastor, and whisked him away in his Nissan Xtera SUV with registration Number, LAGOS: EKY 353 CA.

Luck, however, ran out of the three-man gang when the youths, the vigilante men and some of the worshippers gave them a hot chase, resulting in the rescue of the RCCG pastor and the arrest of his abductors.

Leader of the vigilante group who asked not to be named , said it “took the timely intervention of the community youths, worshippers who chased the hoodlums until they abandon the pastor’s vehicle and the pastor.”

He added that the hoodlums terrorising the community “are notorious for snatching cars at various churches during church service.”

Items allegedly recovered from the suspects include two double barrel-cut-to size guns, a Camry car and the Nissan SUV belonging to the RCCG Pastor.

At the time of filing this report, identities of the suspects could not be ascertained, as the Okhoro Divisional Police Station, acting on the orders of the State Police Commissioner had taken the suspects to police headquarters in the state.

Effort to reach the RCCG pastor was unsuccessful as he was said to be receiving medical attention in an undisclosed hospital following injuries sustained during the kidnap attempt.

It was gathered that the timely intervention of the Edo State Police Commissioner, Mr. Mohammed DanMallam, saved the suspects from being lynched by angry youths in the community.

The suspects were later transferred​ from the Okhoro Divisional Police Station to the State police headquarters for further investigation.

ABOMINATION! MAN CONFESSES TO POLICE HOW HE SLEPT WITH HIS 4 DAUGHTERS AFTER BEING CAUGHT

With the recent increase in incest and other crime rate, another forty-seven-year old man  identified as Rashidi, living in Sango-Ota, Ogun State has been arrested for sleeping with his four daughters.

The  affairs were blown open after a crack team of police detectives from Sango-Ota Area Command, Ogun State, went undercover to investigate the crime .Although the illegal affairs had been going on for years, daughters, father and mother had preferred to let it remain within the family circle.

The police team was determined to rescue the girls. They pretended to be preachers, talking about salvation and God. They went to the place where one of the girls worked and preached to her and then prayed for her.”Then they delved tactfully into issues that had to be do with incest .

They gently asked her more questions about incest and whether she was experiencing it. It was at that point she opened up.

However, the following day, the police team returned to her work place in their uniforms. They introduced themselves as police. They had to pet her before she agreed to follow them to make statement. After her statement, the police went to the house and arrested the father.

The father, right then and there, denied the allegation.When the mother got to the station, she admitted knowing about it. The three other daughters also confessed that their father had being having sex with them. Police carried out preliminary investigations and discovered that Rashidi used to have sex in his room with his daughters, while his wife is fast asleep or when the wife is not around.

He also used to have intercourse  with them outside the house.“When police asked the daughters why they didn’t react against their dad, they said they too were under a spell. They said once he tells them to undress, they would simply obey. Whenever their mother catches them, she would shout on her husband. But the woman has a medical condition, which if she shouts too much, could lead to her losing consciousness, for about three days.”

One would have expected the daughters to have fought the act, especially since two are adults, but they didn’t. They said: “Our father is sick. He doesn’t know what he is doing. We know what is wrong with him. We just need money to make him well. To arrest him and take him to court for the whole world to see and read about him and us is not the solution. We need spiritual help, not publicity.” The first of the girls is 26 years old, second is 23, third is 19 and the last is 14.

Also, it was gathered that when Rashidi was arrested and presented with his alleged crime, he had vehemently denied it. On Tuesday, however, he confessed. ‘Yes, I have been having sexual intercourse with my four daughters. Something used to come upon me and take control of me. I’ll lose my senses and about two or three hours after having intercourse with any of my daughters, I will come back to my senses. This had been going on for years. I even married a second wife and visited a herbalist in order to check this malady, but all efforts failed. But it’s not every day I have sex with them. It is whenever that evil spirit comes upon me.” Investigators had earlier discovered that the last sexual intercourse with his third and fourth daughters occurred on May 11, 12 and 13.

Speaking amidst tears, Rashidi said that he had been hearing voices in the past 13 years. The voices used to order him around. It was also discovered that Rashidi had attempted suicide several times, but often saved in the nick of time. Our reporter heard that his last attempt was mixture of chemicals, which he wanted to drink, but he was caught. He cried: “I just want to take the chemicals and die. I even took a second wife because I thought it would check my sexual predilection towards my daughters, but it didn’t work. I still continue to leave my second wife’s house to my first, to have s*x with my daughters.”

Rashidi is said to be the breadwinner of his family, daughters, wives and aged father. The father, who is about 90 years old, was said to have rushed down to Lagos after hearing that his son had been arrested. Since the old man got to Lagos to hear the story, he had been stooling nonstop.

One of his daughters, had already made efforts to seek for solution. She had gone to Christian and Muslim clerics. She has also visited a herbalist. The verdict had always remained the same, unchanged. Asked what the verdict was, she said: “They all said that my father is under a curse. The curse was placed on him by a woman, who he had offended. They all said that a spiritual work needed to be carried out.

Noise pollution: Lagos shuts down 70 churches, 20 mosques, others

The Lagos State Government has shut down 70 churches, 20 mosques and about 11 hotels, club houses and beer parlours in a move aimed at reducing noise in the state.
Bola Shabi, the General Manager of the Lagos State Environmental Protection Agency, made this known in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria in Lagos on Wednesday.
Shabi said henceforth, the state government would no longer allow make-shift buildings to be used as places of worship.
He said: “Precisely about 70 churches, 20 mosques and about 11 hotels, club houses and beer parlours were shut and we’ve given them some directives to follow.
“We’ve been so strict now that we are not going to even allow make-shift churches in the state any longer.

“What I mean by make-shift, using tents and uncompleted buildings.
“We are not going to allow that any further in the state.
“But I will strongly tell you that the level of compliance is more on the mosque area, because immediately you shut them, they instantly bring down their speakers or reduce the noise they make.”
Shabi said LASEPA planned to reduce noise in the state to 70 per cent and to zero per cent by the year 2020.
He said: “As at today, we are only able to reduce the noise level to about 35 per cent.
“That is not a pass mark yet.
“So, until we reach that target of 70 to 80 per cent, we will continue the enforcement.
“Enforcement is a continuous exercise and we have set a target for ourselves.
“We want to ensure that Lagos is noise-free by the year 2020.
:With our status as a mega city, by year 2020 we will be free of noise.”
NAN.

Children’s Day: Osanebi charges parents on care, love for children

Deputy Speaker, Delta State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon Friday Ossai Osanebi has challenged parents not to loose focus on their task of raising God fearing children, urging them to fulfill their obligations to their children and shower them with care.

Osanebi droped the hint this morning in his message on this year’s children day celebration.

The Deputy Speaker said, when parents fulfill their obligation, the society will become a peaceful place and make the children grow into responsible adults and become great future leaders.

He congratulated children on their celebration that today, saying the occasion should remind parents to be more alive to their responsibilities and show much more love to their children and wards.

“Let me quickly congratulate our children, on this special day, a day packaged to specially celebrate these gifts from God and remember our obligations to our children and perhaps give much more care as we should, on this special day, May 27”.

“The care obligation to our children is a daily affair, but on this special day, we are reminded on the need to refocus on the obligations that we owe the children as parents,” he said.

The Deputy Speaker thanked the children of Delta for supporting the PDP led administration of the State and for influencing their parents to vote for Governor Ifeanyi Okowa and other PDP candidates in the last general election.

Osanebi added that the Governor Ifeanyi Okowa led administration of Delta State have continued to consolidate on programs and policies that will inculcate the right values in children, with free and compulsory education.

Money won’t stop your treatment, Otedola assures Christian Chukwu

Forte Oil Chairman, Chief Femi Otedola has assured former Super Eagles’ Coach, Christian Chukwu that  money would not be an impediment to his medical and post-medical care.
Otedola, who had earlier made a contribution of $50,000 to the medicare of the 1980 Africa Cup of Nations–winning team captain, made this statement on Tuesday when he visited Chukwu at the Wellington Hospital, Circus Road, St. John’s Woods in London.

“I want to thank you for your effort regarding the medical attention to our beloved ‘Chairman’. Please continue to do your best. I want to say here and now, and for the avoidance of doubt, that money will not be an impediment to his treatment,” Otedola said.
Also present during the visit were Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) President, Mr. Amaju Melvin Pinnick and ‘Chairman’ Chukwu’s wife, Lilian Nkeiruka.
Dr. Leye Ajayi, a renowned urologist, who was also consultant to Otedola’s late father, Sir Michael Otedola, as well as Dr. Katherine Piggo4 (an uncologist) and Dr. Evadney Keith (a cardiologist) are the medical crew taking care of Christian Chukwu, who also coached the Super Eagles between 2002-2005.

Children's Day: Tidi tasks parents on sound moral upbringing

Parents and guardians have been tasked on the need to build solid family units and inculcate sound moral values on their children and wards.                          Chairman of Warri South Local Government Area, Dr. Michael Tidi who gave the charge in a message to mark this year's children's day,quipped that since children are the future generation,it was necessary for the elderlies in the society to change the narrative of desperation for materialism to respect for merit,credibility and hardwork. 

                

According to the Warri South Council Boss,individuals and institutions should also create avenues for celebrating children with moral uprightness,penchant for academic excellence and apparent inventive instincts,saying it would go a long way in laying the foundation for Nigeria to attain industrial growth and infrastructural development.                          He admonished children to put God first in everything they do,adding that the fear of God is the beginning of wisdom and"wisdom is the principal thing as attested to by the scripture".

Security guard kills colleague for ritual

The Police in Lagos State have arrested one Cletus Wilson, a security guard employed by the management of the Lagos State Polytechnic (LASPOTECH), Ikorodu, for allegedly murdering his colleague, John Okoro, and attempting to flee with his body parts.

According to reports, Cletus whose post is the Computer Engineering Faculty of the polytechnic, had tricked his colleague, John, into the bush within the school premises where he first used a metal object to hit his head. Confirming that John was unconscious, Cletus slaughtered the deceased and then chopped off his hand. He was about to run with the body part when he was apprehended by his colleagues.

The management of the school immediately alerted the police along Ikorodu-Sagamu road and Cletus was arrested.

Confirming the incident, the divisional police officer in charge of the police station, Adekunle Omisakin, said the suspect will be charged to court immediately after investigations into the matter have been concluded.

Lagos Imam invited to pray at house-warming disappears

The imam of a mosque on Nuru Oniwo Street, Aguda, Surulere, Lagos State, Yahaya Quadri, has remained missing three weeks after he left home, The PUNCH is reporting.

Isoko Mirror learnt that the victim had left home to pray at a house-warming in Owode Onirin, Ikorodu at about 8am on October 16, 2017.

He was said to have been invited to the event by a friend, who told him not to come along with anybody.

Our correspondent gathered that the family of the 40-year-old Islamic cleric became apprehensive around 4pm on that day when he did not return home.

When one of his lines was contacted, he reportedly spoke in distress for a few seconds before the call was terminated.

The lines were said to have been unreachable afterwards.

His mother, Afusat Quadri, said the unknown friend had contacted Yahaya on the telephone on Sunday when he was leading a group of women in a prayer at Oluwakemi Mosque in Aguda.

She said he was supposed to leave for Owode Onirin after the prayer ended around 4pm, but the friend told him the event had been postponed to the following day.




She said: “He announced at the prayer on Sunday that he was invited to pray in a house-warming in Owode Onirin.

“On Monday morning, while his children, who live with me, were preparing for school, he came in and asked them to give him a small bag.

“I asked him what the bag was meant for and he said he was going for the house-warming prayer and wanted to keep his Quran there.

“I asked why would such an event hold on Monday and he said that was how the organiser wanted it.

“I told him to go with one of his brothers.

“He said the friend that invited him had told him to come alone.

“Around 4pm, when his children returned from school, I sent them to him to collect money for their lunch.

“They said he had not come back.

“I was surprised because he told me he would not stay long at the event.

“I called his line and he picked it.

“I asked if he was in his apartment in Ijesha, Surulere; he exclaimed, saying: ‘I have not come o!’

“There was much noise where he was.

“I wanted to ask him what happened, but the line disengaged.

“We have not been able to reach him since then.

“He didn’t tell us the name of the friend and we don’t know any of his friends in Owode Onirin.”

Yahaya’s fiancée, Karimat Kasali, said she was also amazed that the house-warming was scheduled for a Monday, adding that she advised him to go with one of his brothers, but he refused.

Kasali said: “He told me he was going to Owode Onirin on Monday morning while I was preparing for the office.

“Around 8.30am, I called him and he said he was at Palmgroove waiting to board a bus en route to Ikorodu.

“At about 9am, he said he was already at the event and he promised to call me back after the prayer.

“Around 12pm, I called his line, but it was not reachable.”

Yahaya’s younger brother, Muritala Quadri, said the case was reported at the Special Anti-Robbery Squad of the Lagos State Police Command, Ikeja, Owode Onirin and Ijesha police divisions and at the Anti-Kidnapping and Anti-Cultism Unit in Surulere.

He said: “The SARS men said they had tracked his line, but could not locate him. A policeman directed us to the Anti-Kidnapping and Anti-Cultism Unit, which is presently handling the case. Since his lines are switched off, it is likely he was abducted.”

The Lagos State Police Public Relations Officer, ASP Olarinde Famous-Cole, promised to get back to our correspondent with comments on the case.

Naira Marley: Actress, Georgina Onuoha begs EFCC, arrest corrupt politicians

Nollywood actress, Georgina Onuoha has appealed to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, to have mercy on Nigerian singer, Naira Marley.

Onuoha joined other celebrities as she took to her Instagram page appealing to the court to temper justice with mercy.

According to her “Our society is so corrupt and sadly, the legal system works differently depending on your social political status.”

The actress further urged the EFCC to arrest and treat politicians that had looted the National treasury same way as Naira Marley.

Her post read: “I don’t know this young man. I believe everyone is presumed innocent until proven guilty.

“I condemn any form of crime, I condemn cyber crimes.My family have been victims of frauds and the pain caused is always palpable.

“That being said, I hope our young men and women will begin to do the needful by speaking up and standing up to their elected officials and demand better governance and accountability so we can eradicate this pandemic scam ravaging our society and image locally and internationally.

“Please guys, the time and talent wasted in cybercrime and other forms of crime can be used well.

“Nigerian youths deserve better from their government. What happened in Sudan and Arab spring will come to our shores if our elected officials and politicians don’t begin to address the hunger, poverty and joblessness amongst Nigerian youths.

“I don’t know this young man and I pray for him that they tamper justice with mercy. EFCC, I will be more than glad if you start arresting our politicians who are looting our National treasury this way.

“I hope you show this same show of force to the cabals causing untold hardship on the Nigerian citizenry. I hope you hold every criminal in Nigeria accountable like this.

“If you use this amount of security and force on this young man according to your policy and procedures, I hope every politician and public office holders who steal from our treasury will be treated like this , so that equal justice will be served under the law.

“Our society is so corrupt and sadly, the legal system works differently depending on your social political status.”