Taxi Driver In Court For Allegedly Abducting Ten Children

The Police on Wednesday arraigned a 25-year-old taxi driver, Kenneth Edet, in a Grade I Area Court in Mpape, Abuja, for allegedly kidnapping 10 children.

The police charged Edet, who lives in Mpape, with one count of abduction.
According to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), the Prosecution Counsel, Mr Edwin Ochayi, told the court that the case was reported at the Mpape Police Station on June 22.

Ochayi alleged that the defendant was apprehended at a burial ground in Mashafa Village by some people when they heard a sound coming from his car.

He said that the children were aged between 12 and 18 years.
Ochayi said that during police investigation, the defendant could not give satisfactory answer as to where he was taking them.

The offence, he said, contravened provisions of Section 272 of the Penal Code.
The defendant, however, pleaded not guilty to the charge.
The Judge, Salihu Ibrahim, admitted the defendant to bail in the sum of N300,000 with one surety each in like sum.

Ibrahim ordered that the surety must be reasonable and reliable.
He also ordered that the surety must deposit his or her identity card at the court registry for verification.

Son Of Imam Killed For Stealing At Redeemer’s University In Osun

A welder, identified as Ibraheem Olaiya, has been lynched to death for allegedly stealing iron rods belonging to the Redeemer’s University, Ede.

It was gathered that Ibraheem, son of the Amir of Zumuratu Mumini in Ede, was lynched to death by suspected Oodua Peoples Congress (OPC) members who reportedly had put him under surveillance.

Ibraheem had earlier been accused of stealing iron rods.
It was gathered that Ibraheem allegedly gave up the ghost while he was being rushed to the State Hospital in Ede.

Reacting to the incident, the Head, Directorate of Public Affairs, Redeemer’s University, Ede, Mr. Adetunji Adeleye confirmed the incident but denied any link between the University and OPC members

Adeleye maintained that the institution had no link with the death of Ibraheem, adding that Redeemer’s University operated a non- violence policy.

18-year-old Nigerian genius becomes the youngest graduate of New York University

It is no doubt that Nigerians are a talented group of people who always find a way to achieve commendable feats wherever they find themselves. Such is the case of 18-year-old Daniel Obaji, who has become the youngest graduate in the New York University, Abu Dhabi.

In a post shared by @Diasporaq, it was disclosed that the young genius does not intend to hang his boots just yet, as he plans to enroll for his PhD in biology, come September 2019. The young Nigerian graduate will be focusing on computational biology, which is a combination of computer studies and biology.

 Reacting to Obaji’s story, some Twitter users commended the young man for his achievement, but also pointed out the case of a 15-year-old Nigerian kid, Ekene Francis Ezeunala, who scored the highest mark at the 2019 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME), but was denied admission into the University of Lagos, because of his age.

How women scavengers make wealth from wastes

Determined to make a living a good number of local women in the Lemmna community near Calabar metropolis are now making fortunes from scavenging from a massive and popular dump site in the community. The Lemmna dump site covers a vast land of about five Olympic sized football fields. It is reported that bad gangs, hemp smokers, even armed robbers have turned it into their comfortable homes.

One of the scavengers, Madam Philomena Elemi from Abi local government area of Cross River State said she makes good money from picking wastes, including empty cartons, plastic bottles and other condemned items for sale. “I make good money.  I cannot work for salary at this stage,” she told our source. Philo, as she is popularly called, said she is a widow with nine children and has been working or scavenging from the dump site for more than 10 years.

It was not easy to get her to speak because of apparent fear, she even refused for her picture to be taken.  There is very strict rule against reporters visiting the site let alone interview workers. Philo claimed that there are 30 widows  and other married  women who are coming into the site even as there are men, and young people of questionable characters who loiter around the area. She said, like her, most scavengers at the site have been there for several years, and are not particularly worried of the terrible stench, hazardous atmosphere and general health risks associated with the mountainous diets and decomposing bodies of animals and even humans. She said they are very much used to the stench, flies, and hazards posed by the wastes, adding that every job has its own risks.

 Philo like other women and workers at the site kit themselves with rain boots,  overalls and face masks for protection. “For me, I have never slept in a hospital as a result of working here. I take good medical care of myself every day when I close from here. “I am a widow. I have nine children.  I prefer this job here. It is better than engaging in prostitution, begging for alms or engaging in illegal works. At least, I make good money from here to sponsor my children at various schools. I am their father, I am their mother. Some of them do come here to help me out. “There are many women like me here. Many are widows like me. We all pick up useful items here which we sell at, say N5 or N10 or such amount to buyers who come here and are willing to pay. Many of us sustain themselves from these wastes”, Philo said. Another scavenger, Rita, who said she is 22 years, told our source that she joined others when she could not afford her school fees and was forced to drop out.

A youth leader in the community, Festus Ben, speaking on reported activities of some criminal elements around the site said they have reports that such undesirable elements have once or twice launched out from the site but that they were equal to them. Police PRO, Irene Igbo said they have not received any reports about criminal activities at the site. An official of the state Ministry of Environment, who gave his name as Mr John, said there was an attempt by the state government to move the site to Awi in Akamkpa LGA. The official said Governor Ben Ayade has visited the site no fewer than two times and had told them that he would send experts who would recycle the entire wastes.

The Commissioner for Commerce and Industry, Peter Egba showed this reporter an ongoing building at the sprawling Ayade Industrial Park which he said is  for the recycling of wastes from  Lemma and other sites. “We do not want to recycle the wastes at Lemma to avoid the impact of the stench circulation.  We will evacuate the wastes to the new recycling plant which we are building at the industrial estate.  Government wants to turn the whole wastes into wealth for the state,” Egba said.

Tribal marks miraculously saves 6-year-old boy from being sold

A 6-year-old boy Naziru Abdulwahab, was miraculously saved from being sold because of his facial tribal marks. The leader of a kidnap syndicate in Imo State, Queen Imoh who is a Cameroonian was set to sell off the little boy to a customer but the buyer rejected him when he noticed he had tribal marks on both sides of his head.

The culprit was arrested yesterday June 19, 2019, by operatives of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad, SARS, after the would-be buyer rejected the boy because of the tribal marks and locals raised an alarm. It was also gathered that the woman had, in the past, sold her son for N200,000 and another for N230,000 before she was arrested.

The state Police Public Relation Officer, Orlando Ikeokwu, who confirmed the arrest in Owerri, said that Mrs. Imoh stole the child from Nasarawa area of Kaduna State, and conveyed him to Imo State to sell. The Police said based on credible intelligence, she was caught with the child, adding that the child has been reunited with his family.

The Police narrated that “On June 13, operatives of Special Anti-Robbery Squad, SARS, acting on intelligence arrested one Queen Imoh, a native of Cameroon but residing in Kaduna, with a stolen child, one Naziru Abdulwahab, male, aged six, at Umuna, Orlu.”

“The said Queen stole the boy from Nasarawa area of Kaduna State and brought him down to Imo State to sell him to her partner, but unfortunately for her, the said buyer rejected the boy on the basis that the boy has tribal marks on both side of his head.”

“She was consequently arrested based on a tip-off by the locals, who suspected that she was not in any way related to the boy. She confessed to the crime and said it was her third time. She said the first one she sold was her own son, named Joseph Imoh, aged two, whom she sold for N200,000.”

“The second was one Samuel, aged one, whom she stole when the mum asked her to help her take care of her son, while she rushed to buy something. She said she sold him for N230,000. The command in partnership with the Hausa community in Orlu has been able to trace the parents of the said Naziru Abdulwahab, and the boy was handed over to his father Abdulwahab Ya’u.”

Good news as foreign university announces low fees for Nigerian students

The University of Botswana has announced that undergraduate and graduate students from Nigeria will pay low school fees. Daily Trust reports that The Vice Chancellor, Professor David Norris at a press conference on the university’s forthcoming career fair exhibition in Abuja on Friday, June 21.

He said the university “aspires to be a leading centre of academic excellence in Africa and the world through educating students from all over the continent for the global marked.” He said more students from Nigeria will be admitted and that “prospective candidates would pay in-state tuition rates paid by the locals instead of exorbitant rates paid by international students. The vice chancellor also said all Nigerian students would also have their accommodations on campus.

 He said: “The institution would promote collaborative research among academic scholars in the Nigerian universities as well as staff and students exchange. “The University will promote dual programs and supervision of postgraduate students, cultural and other bilateral Unions.” He added that “the university realizes that in the context of globalization, it is important to create a highly diversified student and staff population for effective training of graduates who would serve not only the needs of Africa, but the world as a whole.”

Meanwhile, the University of Education, Winneba (UEW) dismissed its visiting Nigerian lecturer, Prof. Augustine Uzoma Nwagbara, following certain “inciting” comments he made. In a video that has gone viral, Prof. Nwagbara was captured advising the Nigerian community in Ghana to devise strategies that will destroy Ghana’s international image.

He accused Ghanaians of being part of the reason why Nigeria has a bad image, saying it is time for Nigerians to also reciprocate.
 Prof. Nwagbara was picked up on Tuesday, June 18 by the police over his inciting comments, but was later granted bail.

God told me that one British Pound would one day be worth N6: UK-based Pastor

A UK-based Nigerian cleric has disclosed that God told her that Nigeria would one day have a leader who would revive the country’s economy and make six Naira to exchange for a British Pound.

Senior Pastor of Faith Revival Ministries International, Pastor, Felicia Ify Chidike, while unveiling the theme for the International Conference held in Lagos, on June 21 and 22, 2019, said: “I want to return all glory and adoration to God for revealing to me that President Muhammadu Buhari will win the Presidential election in 2015 which was published by credible media outfits one week before the general elections. Against all odds and oppositions, the voice of God prevailed and God proved Himself mighty.

“God also told me in 2011 that he will appoint a president in Nigeria that will trust God to turn the economic fortunes of the nation around to the point that one British pound will be N6. “God didn’t mention to me who this president would be.

“At the time He said this, one pound sterling was N250, so as we thank God for recent prophetic utterances, He will also bring the economic prophesy to fulfillment.”

Pastor Chidike charged Christians to imbibe the spirit of thanksgiving, supplication and adoration to God as a way of life, even as they were also encouraged to always put the love of God and humankind as their watchword.

The Prophetess encouraged Christians to always pray without ceasing as this is the major roadmap to seeking the face of God in all their endeavours.

According to her, this conference tagged ‘Thanksgiving Conference’ is apt as Nigerians have every reason to return all glory to God for a successful conduct of the 2019 general election and fulfilling the prophetic utterances as released by God to her.”

According to Pastor Ify Chidike, “This is an opportunity to return adoration to God for using her as an instrument in releasing prophetic utterances.

While stressing that the inter-denominational thanksgiving conference would afford the congregation the golden opportunity to appreciate God for his manifold blessings across the nations of the world.

This, she said, is against the back drop of prophets of doom who predicted contrary to the will of God for Nigeria and nations across the world.

Pastor Ify Chidike revealed that God appeared to her in May 1987 and she has continued to enjoy a close relationship with the Lord and this, she indicated, has resulted in deep prophetic gift and discernment.

She explained that God spoke to her that what the nation requires at this point in time is fervent prayers, repentance and total obedience to the word of God coupled with departure from evil ways.

Pastor Ify Chidike explained that if we worship God in truth and in spirit, he will surely answer our prayers and heal the land. “Nigeria has all the potentials, capacity, to be great and we must change our ways, be truthful and trust worthy, obey God and worship him all sincerely,” she said.

The cleric admonished leaders across the globe to display empathy towards the citizens and not to starve them of the common wealth by accumulating the common wealth of the nations to themselves for selfish interest.

According to her, God has tremendous agenda for Nigeria, adding that what the country need are dedicated leaders who are God fearing and not visionless leaders.

“Nigeria occupies a special place in God’s Agenda, we must rededicate ourselves to him, so that he will remould us, she submitted.”

The woman of God gave glory to God for using her as an instrument to accomplish the prophetic mandated for Africa and the world in general.

”How I killed, buried housewife four months after we met on Facebook” – Pastor Confesses

The Kwara state police command has paraded a man named, Dotun Okunlade, who claimed to be a pastor for allegedly strangling a 25-year -old married woman Igbo-ora, in Ibarapa local government area of Kwara State

According to the suspect, he said he met the said lady of Facebook in January this year and invited her over.

See his confessional statement below:

“I and the woman had been chatting on Facebook since January this year. I later invited her to Igbo-ora.

“Meanwhile, Mutiu, a friend had already told me about his challenges in life. He told me he was ready for money rituals. So, I decided to use the woman for money for him.

“When the woman later arrived from Ilorin, I went to pick her to Igbo-Ora from Iseyin. On her arrival at my house, on the 31st of May, this year, I gave her sleeping drugs after she complained about pains in her body.

“She slept off and I cut off her head and arms. Her head was later burnt to ashes for money rituals.”

I Sold Boys Heads For N170,000, Girls’ For N160,000 – Arrested Head Hunter Confesses

A 22-year-old man, Mustapha Aliyu, has landed in custody of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) police for the gruesome murder and decapitation of a three-year-old boy for ritual purposes.
The three-year-old boy was the fifth victim the suspect had killed and beheaded before he was eventually caught.

The ritual head hunter was beaten to a pulp by resident of the area where had he killed the child victim identified as Usman Awalu. The deceased was said to be the child of a Fulani man resident at Rugan Fulani, close to Leleyi village in Kwali Area Council of the FCT.
But for the quick intervention of the police, the lynching of the murder suspect would have resulted in his death, with the village rallying after vigilantes caught him with a bag containing the fresh head of the innocent child.
Caught in the violence of the lynch mob, a policeman who led authorities to arrest the suspect is said to be lying critical ill in one of the area hospitals.

The suspect, who claimed he had made good money killing innocent children and chopping off their heads, confessed that he used the money to purchase lands and build houses in the area.
Though not unmarried and without children of his own, the suspect, who said he was looking forward to getting married, told this reporter that he would not like anyone to kill his child.
In the following interview, the suspect narrates how he went into the bloody head hunting ‘business’.

“My name is Mustapha Aliyu. I am 22-years-old and I am from Lele-Gwari village in Kwali Area Council.

“I got into the business of killing children though my master who asked me to go and cut human heads for him. I met my master after I went to meet him to assist me with money because I wanted to go to school,  and he said ‘no problem’. After that he entertained me with rice and palm oil, and after I ate I started obeying his orders, I could not argue with him.”

“To start the killings, he equipped me with a machete, a cloth and charms; that was how I was recruited into killing innocent children.”

“He specifically asked me to bring heads of children for him and promised to give me N170,000, if I bring the head of a boy and N160,000 for that of a girl.

HOW I OPERATE

“My master gave me one charm with which I operate with whenever I go in search of my victims. All I do is put the charm on my hand and if I see any child I will just touch the child, and once I do that the child will just lose his or her senses and won’t be able to talk again; then I will take the child to a lonely place, push them to the ground and kill them with the machete and other things given to me by my master.”

“To separate the head from the body of the child, I usually hit the head two times, after which I will put the head in a bag and deliver to my master and he will give me the cash (payment) immediately.”

“So far I have killed four children, two boys and two girls, and this one was the fifth one before I was caught. Apart from the head, I don’t take anything from their bodies because that was the instruction my master gave me.

“My master bought me land for doing a good job and I have built houses with the money I made from the business. I am not afraid of sleeping in the house that I built using the blood of innocent children, I am happy with it.

“I am not yet married I am looking forward to getting married but honestly I will not be happy if somebody kills my child like this”used to pay me.”

Angry Mob Beats Two Robbery Suspects To Death In Abraka

Two suspected thieves have been killed after angry mob beat them to death after an unsuccessful robbery operation.

The thieves who were identified to be, Uchenna Ezekonyi and Mbachu Sunday, aged 27 and 30 respectively, were alleged to have trailed one, Emoghene Moses from Zenith Bank, PLC, Abraka, who was reported to have withdrew a sum of N250,000 from the bank.

It was reported that the victim raised alarm after the two men robbed him of his money. However, his cry drew the attention of people,who gave the robbers a hot chase, after which they were apprehended.

During questioning from the angry mob, it was revealed that both men are natives of Imo State. They also confessed to having carried out such activities in Asaba.

They claimed that they stay close to the bank to monitor those coming out of the bank with large parcels before dispossessing them of the cash.

Angered by their confessions, the mob beat up the culprits with heavy objects, leaving them with high degree of injuries. However, they culprits were reported dead on the way to the hospital.

Meanwhile, Delta State,Commissioner of Police (CP), Adeleke Adeyinka confirmed the development. Stating that, it is true that such an incident happened but we are not happy about the idea of jungle justice.

Woman who posed as Sanwo-Olu’s aide to get visas arrested in Lagos

A woman has been arrested for posing as a staff of the Lagos State Governor’s Office at the Italian Embassy in a bid to secure visas for some persons.

She was arrested at the weekend following an intelligence on the usage of the Governor’s Office for unauthorised purpose.

A statement Monday night by Gboyega Akosile, Deputy Chief Press Secretary to Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, advised members of the public not to deal with anybody on consular affairs.

It read: “The suspect (name withheld), via an e-mail sent to the Embassy of Italy in Lagos allegedly posed as an official of Lagos State government and sought the country’s visas for some unsuspecting Nigerians.

“The embassy however wrote to the Governor’s office to authenticate the claims, which were later found to be false.

“The letter from the Italian embassy led to further investigation and her subsequent arrest and interrogation.

“Although, she denied the allegation claiming that her email was hacked, the Lagos State Governor’s office has sent the matter to the appropriate security agencies for appropriate action.

“In the meantime, the office has warned members of the public not to deal with any persons who parade themselves as government representatives in consular matters.”

Nigerian Drug Trafficker, Christian Ugbechi Sentenced To 30 Years In Prison In Tanzania

Tanzania’s High Court for Economic Corruption and Organized Crime Division has sentenced Nigerian, Christian Ugbechi to 30 years imprisonment for trafficking in 56 pellets of Heroin Hydrochloride, narcotic drugs, weighing 947.57 grams.

Tanzania’s Daily News reported that Judge Sirilius Matupa imposed the sentence on Friday after convicting Ugbechi of the offence.

The judge said he was satisfied by the evidence produced by 11 prosecution witnesses, led by State Attorney Constantine Kakula.

Before Ugbechi was sentenced, the trial attorney requested the court to punish him severely considering the seriousness of the offence committed and that stiff sentence should deter others from committing similar crime.

Presenting mitigating factors, Advocate Jeremiah Ntobesya, for the convict, requested the court for mercy, in particular, reducing the punishment for his client as he has a family, notably a wife and children, who all depend on him.

During the trial, the prosecution told the court that on January 28, 2018 at Julius Nyerere International Airport within Ilala District in Dar es Salaam, the Ugbechi was found trafficking in the narcotic drugs.

A police officer, Detective Corporal Peter at the airport narrated that he recorded the statement of the accused, and that during interrogation he told him that he had swallowed some pellets of narcotic drugs.

The witness testified that he kept the accused in remand to enable him excrete the pellets, and that by January 30, 2018, at around 4:30pm, he discharged 23 pellets. Corporal Peter also testified that they took such exhibits and other pellets found in a bag and sent them to the government’s chief chemistry for analysis.

Bayelsa State Media Cooperation Bill And The Shambles In The Local Media

Surprise registered on the faces of journalists in the gallery covering the official closing of the 5ft session as the erswhile Speaker and Chairman of the Bayelsa State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Benson Friday Konbowei listed the Media Cooperation bill as part of his land mark achievements while he was in office.

An achievement which is at variance with the reality on ground. Where are the areas of collaboration between the government and the press, particularly the local media that has been brought down to shambles?

Years of fruitful collaboration that resulted to reduction in crime and criminality was destroyed by self styled administrators and media managers who felt that the status quo does not favour them.
Journalists that went to discuss issues with the media managers were disgracefully driven out of their offices and tagged as enemies of restoration government.
The ill advice from these self styled media managers to the governor is alleged to have led to the deliberate blockage of the local media from attaining the required economic growth.

Earlier, the media managers placed the severance of the media/government relationship on the decline on the economy, however, the economy has improved, yet they refused to return to status quo, rather they devise segregation, favoritism, nepotism and dichotomy as a divide an rule tactics.
Attempt for the local media Houses to secure Small and Medium Scale enterprise's loans as earlier promised by Governor Henry Seriake Dickson from the Izon-Ibe Micro Finance Bank was blocked, as Mr. Ebiekure Eradiri, Director General of Small and Medium Scale Enterprises, and Joe Ala, Special Adviser to the governor on Cooperatives deliberately refused to take action even when the governor as appended his signature for the Special Adviser on Cooperatives to act on it.

Ebiekure Eradiri, in a program organized recently by Ijaw Ladies Association in Yenagoa bluntly told the listening public that they give loans to politicians because they are the only ones they are sure of paying back the loans.
Sincerely, media houses shared a robust relationship with every commissioner that came into the ministry of Information and Orientation in our capacity as critical stakeholders of the Bayelsa state project, but Daniel Iworiso- Markson as widen the gap by alienating himself from his immediate constituency.

The deficiency of those in charge of information management in the state is the major reason why the local media is in shambles.


Their deficiencies and lack of proper cooperative effort as denied the masses of needed gain in terms of carrying out informative judgment.
Cooperation between government and the media provides verified information to the press, which unveil false stories which most masses fall prey to in their attempt to get information.

Information they say is power as it will enable you to know your environment and also give you the ability to forecast into the future.
Not only that the cooperative efforts enable people to make an informed choice without bias.

Thus, the Media cooperation bill passed by the Bayelsa state House of Assembly is encouraging, as it is to foster cooperative effort to fight insecurity in the state.
Often time, the meida managers gag journalists from covering public functions as only selected media organisations and restoration government social media reporters are allowed to such important ocassion, leaving the local media which is closer to the people behind.

Salawa Abeni unveils plans to wed again

Not a pushover in the entertainment industry, Queen Salawa Abeni has been on this terrain since she was 13. Now 58 years old, QSA, as she is fondly called, has her bag of success stories full.

Just back from Hajj after a 10-year hiatus, the Waka Queen, who was challenged in her health for five years revealed this was her first hajj after the illness that claimed all that she had.
“Glory be to Allah because this is a significant trip,” she said.
Recalling her ordeal some years ago, QSA believed her last pilgrimage was significant.
“I just returned from lesser hajj. I went to thank God after 10 years that I’ve been there. I was there in October 2008 but fell terribly ill on February 1, 2009. I was bed-ridden for five years. Today, I thank God I am back on my feet.”

How has she evolved over the years especially now that she sings modernized Waka?
“To be up and retain the position is not easy. I have to also evolve so that I wouldn’t be stagnant. I’ve had collabos with my son, Big Sheff, I’ve had to feature in many shows/concerts to pass the message across that Queen Salawa Abeni is back,” she said.


Fans
Accommodating and support me since I came back. The prayers, messages, kind words are quite encouraging.
Overcoming challenges
I always advise that anybody challenged should learn to pray to God. Also, such persons should not be shy to tell others about such challenges. I am not shy to seek assistance. If you like, abuse me and start telling others, I don’t care because I want the best for myself. Don’t be moved by criticisms/hearsays. I don’t give up. If you fall, you will rise again.
Mentoring
I have a handful of mentees and they are doing well. Though some of them don’t sing Waka, they have chosen to toe the religion line.

Inspiration
Whenever I’m on stage, my inspiration is the crowd. Whenever I see people and a crowd of loved ones, I am inspired. It strengthens me.

Life as an artiste

I believe an artiste should be focused and refuse distraction. For young artiste, I think they should sing meaningful songs that would extend beyond the time they are. Young people should be patient, prayerful and meaningful. I remember a concert I performed in Germany. I try as much as possible to allow fans understand whatever I am singing. God is also my strength because you cannot claim to be happy and singing without dancing.

Support System

God has always surrounded me with good people who assisted me and still do in every step of the way. The journey has not been easy especially when I was raising my kids. To be able to still be relevant after so many years in the industry is a mystery. My first trip abroad was in 1978. I also went for Hajj in 1978 and from there; God started upgrading me to the next level. After that, I started travelling abroad.


Memorable Concerts
I would not forget Benson and Hedges show which held at Tafawa Balewa Square, Lagos some years ago. It featured Sir Shina Peters, Femi Kuti and many big artistes. We were accommodated in Federal Palace Hotel and I was instructed to perform the last show. That could be a challenge to some artistes because fans could decide going before you climb the stage. The show was quite unique because you can’t even watch another artiste before your performance. When it was your turn to perform, organizers would come and request for your appearance. My turn was 6am. By time my name was announced, the crowd surged! They made so much noise and I was so happy. I started singing and they sang along with me. By 8.30am, the crowd still asked for more. They sang, ‘All we are saying, Salawa, give us more music,’ I was surprised because I would have continued but I had a show in Ijebu in the afternoon. It was a great time. Also, I would not forget another show I had in Queen Elizabeth Hall in England. That was about four years ago and two of us performed. I was the only black artiste because the other performer was a white man. I sang and the crowd asked for more because I was the artiste that closed the show.

Strength
It comes from God because I don’t drink or smoke. I realise that anytime I start to perform, I get inspired and the strength to go on and on comes upon me. You can’t perform without strength because I love dancing. At 58 now, I dance and dance while performing. Whenever I see older artistes like King Sunny Ade, Evangelist Ebenezar Obey, and others are still performing in their 70s. Even artistes in their 60s are performing.


Marriage/Career
Whatever you are doing that gets you a livelihood and you become famous or successful, people would get jealous and could bad-mouth you.
I was once married to Chief Kollington Ayinla but we are no longer together. I don’t want to comment on that because the union produced wonderful children. Now, I am not married but I have lovely kids. That a woman is successful in her career and still married is good. That’s a plus. On the other hand, it does not mean the woman who is divorced or single is of bad behavior—she is not abnormal. It could be a challenge and such women should move on and stop seeing everyone as an enemy.
They should also learn to ignore whatever negative words people are saying. There is no woman who doesn’t want to be married. Though there could be challenges, I believe God can give everyone a new beginning. Even at my age, I know and believe God can give me a new beginning. So, don’t give up!

Obaseki blasts Oshiomhole publicly for first time

Edo Governor Godwin Obaseki hit at his godfather and APC national chairman Adams Oshiomhole for the first time, publicly, since their cold war began more than eight months ago.

The governor in a press release just warned his chairman to respect party supremacy, the biggest slight a political creature can hurl at his maker.

Oshiomhole had remarked about the inauguration of the Edo State House of Assembly, and the Obaseki camp believes the chairman has vested interest.

Obaseki’s charge was contained in a statement issued by his Special Adviser on Media and Communication Strategy, Crusoe Osagie.

According to the governor’s aide, the remark about the governor false and baseless.

“We believe that he could have shown that he does not have a vested interest by simply inquiring from his friend, the governor or any official of the State Working Committee of our party as to what actually transpired,” said Osagie.

“His failure to satisfy the basic tenets of natural justice, which makes fair hearing from all sides of a matter mandatory, has clearly exposed his bias on this issue.”

Osagie said all the decisions relating to the leadership of the Edo State House of Assembly recently elected by the House were taken by the State Working Committee and leaders of the party from across the state.

“In reference to the rule of party supremacy, which our national chairman so eloquently professes, the governor and all party members are obliged to respect the party’s decision, as we expect the national chairman to also do.”

The Oshiomhole-led national leadership objected to the emergence of Ho, Frank Okiye as Speaker of Edo’s eighth assembly last week.

Investors sign MoU to develop 7,000 hectares mega city from Warri

By Eneromoja Avuake

A major breakthrough to develop Mega City from Warri South Local Government Area in Delta State, was on Tuesday June 25, reached with the signing of Memorandum of Understanding, MoU, to kick –start processes for the development of a 7,000 hectares of land and water into what would be called Delta-Ukpokiti Industrial City.

The MoU was signed at Warri South Council Main Secretariat between Finest Investment Limited and Partsmaster Overseas Limited, with Chairman of Warri South Local Government Area, Dr. Michael Tidi, appending his imprimatur as witness.

Chief Charles Akeni, who spoke on behalf of one of the investors, Partsmaster Overseas Limited, stated that the proposed city would be bigger than Warri and Effurun Urban put together, with modern Industries, residential areas, railways, stadium and several other facilities associated with a 21st century Mega City like Dubai.

A former Local Government Chairman, Hon. Yomi Lapite, who also spoke briefly on behalf of one of the core investors, averred that the planned Delta –Ukpokiti Industrial City, “will surpass Dubai and Ukpokiti will come into world reckoning”, adding, “60% of unskilled labour will go to Ukpokiti Community”.

Chairman of Warri South Local Government Area, Dr. Michael Tidi, while expressing delight with the signing of the MoU, assured that his administration will provide the necessary support so as to actualize the project.

Dr. Tidi who pledged to engage Royal Fathers and youths in the area with a view to making them key into the Mega City project, disclosed that the second edition of Warri Economic Summit will be staged October this year, with larger audience and renowned resource persons.

Managing Director of Finest Investment Limited, Hon. Abel Oshevire, Emmanuel Otomewo, Mr. Joshua Tidi and Olorogun Atuyota Ejuoghemre, were among the investors that witnessed the ceremony, while Dr. Tidi was flanked by Secretary to Warri South Local Government, Mr. Joseph Oribioye, the Council’s Supervisors: Chief Linda Ikpuri, Elvis Eboh, Shegue Gbeneso, Henry Mayuku and Patricia Edun. The Head of Personnel Management of Warri South Local Government Council, Mr. Douglas Akambe and Treasurer to the Local Government, Mr. Otighi Sunday also witnessed the ceremony.

Pa Emmanuel Ugeh, the fallen Hero laid to rest

It was a celebration of life well spent of late Pa Emmanuel Edho Ugeh (JP) who was laid to rest on May 4th, 2019 in his hometown Emede, Isoko South Local Government Area of Delta state.
Dignitaries came far and near to witness the laying of the fallen “hero”. Late Pa Ugeh was born on May 5, 1925 in Umeh to the families of late Pa Ugeh Onwah of Emede and Mrs Afahoko Ugeh of Umeh town both of Isoko South Local Government Area.



He started his early education in 1938 and obtained his elementary and standard six in Isoko in 1945 and was baptized in the same year at Owodokpokpo by Rev Garbeitt and was confirmed at Bethel by Rev. C.J. Peterson. He started teaching while continuing his education with Teacher Training grade III certificate for the western region ministry of education in 1956.

By this time he had married his first wife, Mrs Rebecca Ayo Ugeh and bore him Patrick Oghenewede Ugeh an editor with This Day Newspaper (retired) and other three children in 1963, he got his Teachers grade II certificate for western region ministry of Education and completed his teacher training grade I in Asaba in 1963 and married his 2nd wife Mrs Grace Ugeh who bore him 4 children in 1965. Pa Ugeh taught for several years becoming headmaster in some of the schools he taught before joining the Nigerian Army on 23rd June, 1973.

Due to his love for education, in 1978 he enrolled in the correspondence and open studies unit, University of Lagos, Akoka for a Bachelor’s Degree programme but he could not complete it on health grounds.

He retired from the Nigerian Army in 1980 as a warrant officer. He joined the National Directorate of Employment (NDE) in 1990 and retired on July 1, 2002, after which he relocated to his hometown where he lived until his death on 14th January, 2019.

Before then, Pa Emmanuel Ugeh always love to be up-to-date in the sphere of information, so he always listened to the news on radio and television. He was a kindhearted man who reached out to people and accommodated everyone. Because of his persistent fight for Justice, he was recognized by the Delta state government as Justice of Peace (JP)
He was the oldest man in his quarter, Okporo Odio, and 2nd oldest in Emede at the time of his transition.

He is survived by a wife Mrs Grace Ugeh, 8 children, several grandchildren, and great grandchildren, brothers, sisters, nephew, nieces and cousins. Late Pa Emmanuel Ugeh is blessed with Mr Patrick O. Ugeh, Mrs Bessie Ebah, Miss Elo Ugeh, Mr Eniwotu Ugeh, Mr Samuel Ugeh, Lady Dr Patience Erigbe, Mrs Helen Aginwa and Mr Ewomazino Ugeh.

In a tribute, the eldest son, Mr Patrick Ugeh had described his father as a good man who is pure in heart and a disciplinarian with sharp intellect who taught them (the children) to be contented with whatever they had and that has shaped their lives positively.

Mrs Grace N. Ugeh, had described her husband, late Pa Emmanuel Edho Ugeh as a good husband and father. She concluded by saying that “if there is anything like reincarnation, I would love to come back to this world and choose you as my husband again”

Lady Dr Patience Ajirioghene Erigbe, she also described her father as a man who loves truth and taught them to be strong, contented and upright in all their dealings. She noted that as a loving father he always provides for them no matter the situation at hand, stressing that the Emede community are proud of her father because of his magnanimity.
“You were my friend and mentor whom I could shared all that bothered me with, but I feel so sad that you did not witness me getting to the peak of my career” she concluded.

Dignitaries present include Sir Ayodele Oghogho & Lad Sally Othihiwa, Hon (Mrs) Catherine Ilolo, Barr. Ejeta & Mrs Fatima Otuoniyo, Arc & Mrs J. Okah-Avae, Dr (Mrs) Jane Ofo, The Odhomos, Damola Diya, Olumide, Akinsanya, Gbenga Ismael, Isaac Agbonson, Segun Alison, Leke Kadri, Prof Karo Ogbinaka, Amos Iwari, Mr Okpeki, Hon Chief Miller Akpoili, Dr (Mrs) Ochuko Ejumedia, Mrs Elizabeth Awoh, Mrs Blessing Otobor, Julie Obrutse, Mrs Gloria Otobo, Wale Oyedeji, Binaibi Brisibe, Kalifa Green, Dr Bassy Annam.

Others are Emede Progress Union, Lagos, Ewheyae Isoko Association of Nigeria Headquarter (Lagos), Home branch, Jos, Asaba, The Ideal Isoko Women, Command Secondary School Old Students Association Class of ’85 (C85), Christian Ladies League.

72-year-old prophet Jacob Farinmade arrested for secretly burying young lady he impregnated who died during childbirth in Lagos

Prophet Jacob Ade Farinmade, the head of Celestial Church of Christ, Gospec Mission, Mosan, Ipaja, Lagos, has been arrested for secretly burying a female undergraduate he impregnated.

The suspect allegedly secretly buried Bunmi after she died during childbirth and he didn’t inform her parents. The deceased was said to have been taken by her father to live with her mother, following her rustication in 200 level at Babcock University in 2014.

Bunmi’s mother, Derayo Omisipi, thereafter took her to Farinmade for spiritual deliverance and protection.

According to a report by TheNation, the cleric, who already had more than 10 wives, took advantage of Bunmi’s stay in his church for the purported deliverance, to lure her to bed and impregnated her.

It was learnt that the cleric did not allow the deceased to attend any antenatal clinic throughout the duration of her pregnancy. The cleric onlybroke the news of the girl’s death to her mother after he had buried her in a shallow grave near his church premises.

The father of the deceased became curious after her mother could not offer satisfactory explanation about her whereabouts. He later reported the matter to the police and the cleric was arrested.

Community conspiracy landed dad in life jail – Surviving daughter of freed centenarian prisoner

Miss Chisom Celestine is the only surviving daughter of Pa Egbohuche Celestine, the recently-released 101-year-old prisoner. She talks with OGBONNA CASMIR about the agony she suffered while her father was behind bars for 19 years

How did you cope in the last 19 years that your father was in prison?

I was 12 when my father was imprisoned. I survived with support from friends and those who knew about the case. They were the people who helped me all the years. My father was imprisoned at the Enugu Maximum Prison.

What was your reaction the day he was jailed alongside his son and a relative?

It was sad news. It wasn’t easy for me then. If not for God, I would have been dead by now; nobody to go to. There was no mother, uncle, brother or sister.

Did you ever think you would see your father alive again?

No, because there was nobody to seek help from on his behalf. I thought all hope was lost. I thank God Almighty who used a non-governmental organization, Global Society for Anti Corruption, to put a smile on my face again after many years of not seeing my father.

How would you describe the efforts of the NGO in assisting to secure your father’s release?

I can say that it’s wonderful. Their efforts were wonderful and I’m delighted in what they did. They really tried and what preoccupied my mind was how to pay them. I couldn’t have afforded it if they requested money, but they didn’t request a dime. I pray God to give them grace to continue fighting for people who don’t have anybody to fight for them. There are some people out there who are suffering the same way my people suffered all these years because they have nobody to advocate for them.

How did you react to the granting of pardon to some prisoners, including your father, by the past administration of ex-governor Rochas Okorocha?

On behalf of my family, I thank ex-governor Rochas Okorocha for the pardon granted my father. God will do for him what he cannot do for himself. To all that were released, I pray that the grace of God will keep them from putting their hands in anything that can tarnish their image again.

What offence was your father and others accused of?

My people accused him of killing his cousin’s brother, one Cyril Igbokwe. The said Igbokwe was trained and nurtured by my father and he lived with us up until he got money and built his own house.

Till date, my father and the entire family were yet to comprehend what happened. When my father and members of his family were taken to a police station at Akokwa till when they were transferred to the state police command, Owerri, my father and my brother were not allowed to make a statement.

It was based on an alleged confessional statement that my father and brother were convicted. My father was an ex-seminarian who wanted to be a Catholic priest but because he was an only son, he was not ordained Catholic priest. My brother was educated was not allowed to make statement on their own. They were charged for allegedly killing his cousin.

What do you intend to do to make your father enjoy the remaining years of his life?

The only thing I can do is to pray for more grace and more years for him. There is a part in the Bible where God told Samuel to tell Hezekiah that he would die, he pleaded to God and God added more 15 years to his life.

My father was the head of St. Jude Society in St. David Catholic Church, Owerri-Akokwa, where he served faithfully. He served as an usher from St. Banabas Church to Owerri-Akokwa to St. David Catholic Church during the time of Rev. Fr. Jude Agowa and Jude Ndugbu etc. During the regime of Gregory Ochiagha, my father served faithfully. I pray that God will look at his service to Him and give him more years to live.

What did the local church in his community do when the incident happened?

The parish priest in the church was transferred immediately the incident happened. The new priest didn’t know anything about him. The conspiracy was too complicated. I was about 12 years when the incident happened as I earlier told you. My elder sister who was fighting against the unjust treatment meted out to our family was killed by the same people in 2005.

Are you saying the church didn’t do anything?

Yes. The church didn’t do anything. The pressure was much from the people who conspired against us. They threatened to burn the house of anybody that helped us and many were afraid.

The case was heard in court and he was sentenced…?

My father is innocent. I can say that again and again. During the time of the first parish priest, he (priest) was a vibrant charismatic priest. He conducted community deliverance and burning of shrines. My father helped him in the mission.

Immediately that priest was transferred, they struck at my father because they saw him as a threat. He doesn’t support evil, when anybody wants to cheat anybody; my father won’t allow it. They said my father was against them since he didn’t  support them; so, they planned all means to intimidate him.

I was surprised the day the lawyer my late sister engaged to defend my father called me and said they had been transferred to Enugu Maximum Prison after sentencing them to death.

I asked him what happened and he said we could appeal the judgement. I didn’t know where to start or who to go to. I said if God could not exonerate him, let them die in the prison. But if they were innocent, God would prove Himself by ensuring their release.

What is your plea for your only brother who is still in prison?

My brother, Paul, is still in prison. I am appealing to the government of Imo State to also pardon my brother and release him to us. He is the only relative I have now. I can boast of his innocence too. I’m appealing to Governor Emeka Ihedioha to please help in releasing my brother. Members of my family have been wasted.

It was reported that your family house has been destroyed. Would you want to return to your community with you father?

I don’t want to return to the community if not for my father. If it is about only me, I would look for another place.

Curbing crimes, and social vices through stakeholders intervention

FEATURES

By Emuji Magnus

The deteriorating state of the moral values in our society could to traceable to several indices or factors. One of such factors , perceived to be plaguing against the harmonious and peaceful coexistence among the people in the society is the rising cases of social vices ,especially among the youths.
The essence of inculcating on children, the right moral values of the society is predicated on the burning need to sustain certain critical conventional practices aimed at having a better society , devoid of crimes though one could also come to terms that no society could be entirely rid of crimes, owing to the dynamic nature of our society as a result of modernisation.

However,crime should be minimal if it cannot be wholely brought to an end. To this end,it calls for the immediate attention of every stakeholder in the society to tackle  the issue with renewed vigour and all sense of commitment in line with the saying that 'a stitch in time saves nine' . With the growing dimension at which crimes  are being perpetrated even in our immediate proximity on daily basis there is no doubt that it is tinting towards a situation where the entire society would be consumed in the nearest future if all stakeholders continue to maintain their existing posture by not rediscovering the missing links in time.
In rediscovering the missing links, all hands must be on deck with the government,parents, religious organisations and even the children themselves, playing their parts. In this case, parents should  play the fundamental role by ensuring that their children and wards are not unnecessarily exposed to things that necessitate lapses and jupardize their life.

Records have shown that on daily basis, Nigeria society just like other global societies is being confronted and seriously grappling with certain high profiled security challenges. From kidnapping to oil theft especially in the southern part of the country, armed robbery, yahoo richuals and now,the one that seems to be defiling all tenacious efforts and logistics being unleashed by the various security agencies, talking about the Boko'Haram  menace and the nefarious activities of the fulani herdsmen.
The dastard actions of these evil monsters against mankind, have continued to threaten the continued existence of all individuals, who at one time or the other fall victims either with their lives suddenly cut short,that is brought to abrupt end or their means of livelihood including their property destroyed  thus launching them into untold hardship.

The rising spate in which youths og nowadays relish crimes and other forms of unpleasant life-style shoild be brought to the fore and be a source of concern to all stakeholders .
It could be recalled that, through proper upbringing    children are effectively guided not to derail from upholding the ideas and tenets og the society. A practical example is that they are made to understand  that it is only  through stint of hardwork and uncommon commitment,that one could actualise one's dreams of living a fulfilled life or getting to the pinnacle of their career /skills and  henceforth , make wealth genuinely rather than aspire to be rich just over night without definite, approved means of livelihood.
Again, in the past children especially youths do not phantom blood letting. By this I mean they do not indulge in violent acts that could lead to loss of precious lives thus putting the family members into a state of desolation  as they consider lives to be sacrosanct .They see such action as a 'taboo' that should be avoided and value lives in adherence with  the scriptural doctrines , that no man  has the prerogative of power to end his or another man's life except God almighty.
Today, the reverse is the case as available and reliable statistics have indicated that there is unabating instances or cases of moral decadence  among children. There is a paradigm shift  from what was the scenario several decades ago and generations gone past as a sizeable proportion of youths these days  no longer show politeness and respect to their elders as the culture demands  even though there are handful of them from good family background that are still conscious of the fact that something of great value could be missing in them if they do not give respect to their elderly ones.
Worst still is the raging menace of cultism where able bodied youths who ought to be contributing immensely to the nation's GDPs and their economic wellbeing  are blowing away their prospects in life through indulgence in cultism and other related activities that are inimical to the growth and development of the society. Some of these include commercial sex activities popularly known as prostitution  as in the case of the female folks . The minds of  some youths of this generation , that is the 21st century are preoccupied  with how to make money in a quicker way.
Often time, the individuals who engage in cultism may not be aware of the dangers inherent in what they had taken into as virtually many of them may be lured into it by their older friends  who usually take advantage of their innocence and teenage.

 In view of the foregoing, however,parents  must strive to as a matter of fact, always scrutinize the kind of relationship, friends and associations their children keep from time to time so that at the end, they do not influence them negatively leaving the parents , and innocent members of the society to contend with their  activities as they may become threat to the society.
To rid the society off crimes at least to the barest minimum, stakeholders should go back to the drawing board and tackle the phenomenon squarely from the root rather than ending up in just window-dressing  that might not stand the test of time.

Certain crucial steps and measures need to be put in place. First, parents should ensure that they keep talking to their children on the need to embrace the ideas of a good society, ensure that their children are dissuaded from engaging in acts that could dent the image of their family as well as make them understand that there are no quickest way of becoming rich except through genuine instrument of hardwork. Parents should also ensure that they meet both the educational/skills and material needs of their children because as the saying goes :'an idle mind is the devils workshop ' .
In addition to the conventional role of the parents to their children, governments at all levels must embark on some strategic approaches to complement their efforts of parents in  bid to unravel the issue by nipping it on the bud.

Governments must carry out sentization/advocacy  programmes across all nooks and crannies of the society, which theme should focus on the dangers of crimes and urgent need to shun it totally. This could  also be achieved through the production and airing of well thought and articulated jingles on the major mass media channels such as the radio and perhaps, the television media. This kind of sensitization should be consistent so that it would be effective and result oriented.
Again, the religious organisations have salient role to play. Religious leaders - the pastors, imams in the case of the Islamic religion must be sincere with the kind of doctrines  they  inculcate in their faithful. At all times, they should ensure that their sermons centre on the ten commandments , which is hinged on the right doctrines . They should not destroy the foundation laid by Christ on the alter of personal gains as most religious teachers , instead of preaching salvation  of mankind , may end up worshipping worthless richness and ill gotten wealth as a result of the weight of money those culprits lavish on them.
Similarly, the children should have value reorientation . They should shun greed because a greedy mindset always end up in crime. Hard work and suffer before pleasure must be the guiding principles of our children .
At the end , there would be hand of God in everything one does.  Lastly, teachers in schools should be up and doing by ensuring that the children  are taught the right thing especially the moral values .

Marry me, or I die, says lady arraigned for breach of peace

A 34-year-old lady, Beatrice Anyanwu was brought before Ojo Magistrate Court, in Ojo Local Government Area for a case of harassment and breach of peace.

The lady was arraigned by the Ojo Police Division, Lagos on a charge of engaging in a life-threatening behaviour and invasion of privacy of one Mr. Simon Nwalue, a 54-year-old businessman at his shop in Alaba International market. Beatrice, who is an unmarried petty trader, attends the same church (not mentioned) with Nwalue.

The prosecutor, Inspector Uche Oguamanam while reading out the charges said the defendant had threatened the petitioner at his shop saying: She was quoted to have said: “Holy spirit said you are my husband. You must marry me by force or  I will die.” Inspector Uche added that the lady knew that the man is married with four children.

We will not tolerate any breach of peace in Kano – Ganduje‎ Anyanwu who is a member of the prayer group in the church was said to be desperate for marriage. She had told Nwalue that the Holy Spirit told her that he is her husband. This didn’t go down well with the man who handed her over to the police for his safety and that his family.

The prosecutor said she was charged with conduct likely to cause a breach of peace, saying the action contravened Section 168 D of the Lagos State law.

Meanwhile, the Presiding Magistrate of Ojo Magistrate Court, Ademola Adesanya, after taking her plea, urged her to stop engaging in unpleasant public conduct.

This Is The Most Confused, Weakest INEC I Have Ever Seen - Sagay

Prof. Itse Sagay (SAN)

Prof. Itse Sagay (SAN), Chairman of the Presidential Advisory Committee Against Corruption (PACAC), in this interview with TEMIDAYO AKINSUYI, speaks on the wait for President Muhammadu Buhari’s cabinet and other latest developments in the polity.

Excerpts:

Some Nigerians are beginning to get worried over the failure of President Muhammadu Buhari to announce his cabinet almost a month after he was inaugurated for second term, especially given the fact that it took the President six months to announce his cabinet in his first term. Are you also worried about this?

What are Nigerians worrying about? Nigerians will always have something to worry about. When was the National Assembly inaugurated?

That was just few days ago. So, there is nothing to worry about. It’s better to be thorough, make your enquiries, get all the recommendations, study reports about the ministerial nominee before selecting him and forwarding names for screening and confirmation. I think we are in very, very early days. There is nothing to worry about in the formation of the cabinet.

91 political parties participated in the 2019 general elections. Now INEC is saying we may have up to 200 political parties in the 2023 general elections. How do you think that can be averted?

Well, I think INEC is to blame for all these. A body like INEC should be proactive. When they found that the whole thing was getting out of hand with 91 parties, they should have done something about it. I myself with my level of education find it very difficult to identify my party logo out of the 73 political parties that contested in the presidential election.

Now, INEC is talking of 200 and they are just saying it without thinking of what to do about so that we don’t get to that level. Shouldn’t INEC now through the government propose an amendment to the provisions of the constitution for registration of political parties?

That is what INEC should be talking of. They should get their lawyers to draft a document and send it to the Ministry of Justice so that the conditions for registration can be made more drastic and at the end, we won’t have more than 10 political parties.

For me, it’s all a sign of INEC’s weakness which has been a serious problem particularly in these 2019 elections as against the one in 2015 when we had a chairman of INEC who knew what he was doing.

The current INEC chairman is a very weak man and doesn’t have any initiative. He is not proactive and collapses easily under problems and just articulates the problems without any solutions while waiting for somebody else to do it for him.

You once said ex- Presidents are institutions that cannot be arrested. Do you think former President Olusegun Obasanjo can be investigated over some of his recent claims about Islamisation of the country?

Every rule has its exception. When I say Obasanjo is an institution that cannot be arrested, I was looking at him as a former president who though does not have legal immunity but has immunity by convention because we look at them as people who are the embodiment of the country and as such should not be humiliated.

But if an ex-president goes out of his way to endanger the country by spreading alarmist stories that will create disunity, frictions, dissension, crisis and then possibly conflicts, then it may become necessary to restrain such an ex-president in any way possible even if it means physical restraints.

If the case is as extreme as Obasanjo is making it now, he may erode all the protections and expose himself to some form of restraints and it may be physical.

Let me add something here. I have been observing politics in Nigeria, even participating for almost 60 years; I have never seen the level of bitterness a loser has expressed in actions, in words Obasanjo.

The impression they gave before the election was that they are absolutely certain that Atiku will be declared the President one way or the other. When it didn’t happen, they were shocked so much that it has become extreme bitterness and this is what is spilling over to Obasanjo.

Obasanjo has always been the kingmaker. He made Yar’Adua, he made Jonathan. Later, he said Jonathan should not contest and he contested and lost so all that myth has grown around him but now that myth has been totally blown by Buhari and so, he is extremely bitter.

That is own source of bitterness and he has been humiliated by the way Buhari overwhelmingly defeated Atiku. Atiku’s own is that something he is absolutely certain of and for which he has made lots of investments in both psychological and material matters has been removed from him.

So, the level of bitterness is unprecedented. He attacked the President of the Court of Appeal; he hired people abroad to say they won’t recognise the government.

Some people even went to court to stop the inauguration which has never happened before. Before Buhari won in 2015, he was defeated three times but he never tried to stop anybody from being inaugurated.

They are even issuing out statements that can destabilise the country. When you combine all these, we may have a situation where people behind all these may have to be restrained for peace and stability to reign.

Cop Brutalizes Isoko Activist Over Minor Issue

Henry Adagbra

An Isoko Activist identified as Sagacious Louis was attacked by men of the Nigerian Police Force for approaching them over a minor issue.

According to the victim who has been discharged from the hospital in a telephone chat with IMirror correspondent on sunday 23 June, 2019, said the attack by the mobile police personnels occurred at the popular Owhelogbo junction, Ozoro, headquarters of Isoko North council area of Delta state on friday 21 June, 2019.

Narrating his experience, he said at about 5 pm in the evening, a team of the Nigeria police were causing serious gridlock at the Owhelogbo junction, Ozoro, and I was coming from Owhelogbo with a bike I came down and decided to approached the team to beg them to give access to a vehicular movement that they were causing an obstruction and making vehicular movement difficult.

"As I was about leaving, one of the mobile police officers in the team identified as Nelson with force number 444916, brought out his gun and used its butt to hit me on the head with a threat to kill me. Immediately, I fell with blood gushing out of my head".

He also told our correspondent that, "the incident drew the attention of the man on a Jeep the mobile escort were following and the mobile police personnel told the man that I am a kidnapper, without the man hearing from me he order them to continuing brutalizing me"

Other members of the team came out from their vehicles and started manhandling me, one of them spray pepper teargas on me,they left me in the pool of blood , some good Samaritans came to my rescue. Before I  was rushed to the hospital.

Meanwhile the Isoko National Youth Assembly (INYA) Worldwide condemned the incident calling it an unwarranted attack by the overzealous mobile policemen at Ozoro.

In a statement by its President, Umuakpo Ovie, the group said: "We hereby condemn in strong terms the unjustifiable attack on Sagacious Louis by the men of the Nigeria Police"

"We want to use this opportunity to call on the DPO Ozoro police station, area Commander, Ozoro as well as the commissioner of police Delta State to rise to the occasion to fish out this unscrupulous element and be brought to book. An injury to one is an injury to all."

Also reacting, the Isoko Monitoring Group (IMG), stated: "The brutality and assault of one of its members, Mr. Sagacious Louis by men of the Nigerian Police Force at Owhelogbo Junction, Ozoro, which has left several injuries on his head, would have been avoided by the police, whose responsibility it is to protect innocent and law-abiding citizens."

The victim also confirmed to our correspondent that the mobile policemen that brutalized him has been arrested to the mobile base Ogwashi-uku.

20-year-old woman gives birth to baby with two heads

Twenty-year-old Patience Oklu, wife of 27-year-old farmer, Collins Ainoo on Friday, June 7, 2019 gave birth to a two-headed baby at Mensakrom Hospital in the Agona East District of the Central region of Ghana.

According to the couple, who live at Peterkwa, also in the Agona East Municipality, the two weeks old baby is now at home with no medical attention because they have not been able to raise money for a scan and the necessary surgery.

In an interview with Adomonline, father of the baby, Mr Ainoo said they were yet to get any help for the child.
“This is our second child and it is strange to us he came out this way. We were transferred to Korle-Bu on Tuesday from Swedru Hospital and we were told treatment can be administered after the scan which requires GH¢ 600.00, so we are praying to God to bring us helpers,” they narrated.

They are, thus, appealing to well-meaning Ghanaians and the government to assist them in raising GH¢ 600.00 for a scan to enable doctors determine the cause of the two head formation and the necessary medical attention needed.

Church, Islamic, Political leaders want TB Joshua banned in Israel, reject his crusade

Churches, Islamic clerics and political groups in Nazareth, the largest city in the northern district of Israel, have joined forces against a two-day crusade being planned by Nigerian preacher, TB Joshua, at Mount Precipice.

The churches and Islamic leaders want Joshua banned from preaching in Israel and called for the cancellation of the planned crusade, Israeli’s popular newspaper, Haaretz, reports on Thursday.

According to the newspaper, church officials meeting in Nazareth several days ago urged residents to boycott the event and clerics to avoid any mention of it in their sermons.

“We beg you not to play in the hands of those organizing this type of festival which is an affront to the principles of Christianity, and our national identity, and deals a blow to the social fabric of a city like Nazareth,” the churches were quoted as saying.

Haaretz reports that the church officials quoted text from the New Testament about how believers must be cautious about false messiahs who try to convince people they’re performing miracles.

Most of the churches in Nazareth have reportedly signed their support for the statement – all but the Roman Catholic Church, which has avoided taking a clear stand.

Joshua, arguably one of the most popular TV figures in Africa and Latin America, is set to hold two events at a Christian site in the city.

Joshua is the founder of The Synagogue, Church of All Nations, a Christian organization that runs the Emmanuel TV television station from Lagos, which has a YouTube channel with 1.5 million subscribers.  Arguably one of the most popular figures on television across Africa and Latin America, Joshua has 3.5 million followers on Facebook.

T.B. Joshua, a controversial pastor whose sermon has drawn criticisms, is famous for performing miracles in his Lagos church attended by thousands every week. His visit to Israel is supported by Nazareth Mayor Ali Sallam, but many in the city oppose it, some of them alleging that the pastor has ties to far-right Israelis.  

He has visited Israel in the past and written of forging a covenant with God to start his ministry, as well as hinting a couple of years ago of considering relocation to Israel.

Thousands participate in his prayer sessions and exorcism rituals. Many video clips have been released on social media in recent days announcing the "rock-star" pastor’s visit.

In response to a query from Haaretz, Father Emil Shopany of the Catholic Church said there’s no reason not to host such a visit and that he, as opposed to others, will support the mayor’s position. He said Nazareth is an open city and that you cannot stop a religious man from abroad who decides to visit from holding prayers like thousands of pilgrims do.

But even members of Sallam’s coalition have criticized the visit. Haj Samir Sa’adi, a city councilor, has expressed his opposition to Joshua’s visit in a letter and has urged its cancellation.

“The planned visit by the person called T.B. Joshua to the city of the Annunciation is a challenge to the Christian faith in the city of Jesus’s boyhood and the Nazareth of ancient history, which does not need such a stain as this in which a false prophet exploits Mount Precipice to disseminate his lies,” he wrote.

Muslims from Nazareth and elsewhere have joined Sa’adi’s protests, among them the council of muftis, which has urged that the event be cancelled: “This is an event that would offend believers of all ethnic groups and religions and should be seen as a red line for faith in religious values. Therefore we call upon those who are behind the event to see to its immediate cancellation,” their statement said.

Among politicians, the event is also seen as volatile, and calls have been issued on social media to block the main roads to Mount Precipice. The Hadash and Youth for Change parties in the city council have demanded a meeting about the decision to invite the pastor to hold an event at a city installation against the wishes of the majority of residents.

“We have asked to take an in-depth look at this issue, at why a city like Nazareth would receive such a person who is denied entry to many countries on grounds of criminal suspicions and given his links to the extreme right in Israel,” they wrote. “What's more, the man is known to have grown wealthy in a way that has raised many questions and therefore we view such a visit as an illegitimate step which contaminates the city and its historic heritage, and we absolutely reject the mayor’s claims that such an event would bring $1 million to the city and would see such a sum were it to actually materialize as an illegitimate contribution that would contaminate the city.”

The mayor has not responded to appeals by Haaretz for comment.

Police are meanwhile preparing for an expected crowd of 15,000 people at the event.

Joshua visited Israel two years ago, hosted by ZAKA founder Yehuda Meshi Zahav. Meshi Zahav has also visited Joshua in Nigeria. During his visit, Joshua met with Idan Greenbaum, the Jordan Valley regional council head.

Channel 12 reported at the time that Joshua had said he plans to move his operations to Israel and that he said that six out of 10 foreigners visiting Nigeria attend exorcism rites at Joshua’s church. Greenbaum said a number of ideas were raised in their meeting to contribute to tourism in the Jordan Valley and Sea of Galilee area, but these ideas have not yet been carried out. But Greenbaum said that Joshua’s visit had received wide media coverage in his country and attracted tourism to Israel and the Jordan Valley.



Haaretz reports that a statement released ahead of Joshua’s visit says this would be his first event in the Middle East, that it would have a positive impact on the local economy, and that he has visited Israel many times and met with leading officials including Tourism Minister Yariv Levin, Communications Minister Ayoub Kara and Chief Rabbi David Lau.

Court allegedly sentences musician to 2 years imprisonment

We gathered that a magistrate court in Kano has sentenced a singer, Mohammed Yusuf, to two years imprisonment for defaming the character of the state governor, Abdullahi Ganduje, in his hit song.

According to reports, Yusuf's song which was intended to praise Emir of Kano Muhammadu Sanusi II contained some stanzas in which he outrightly defamed Governor Ganduje. Daily Nigerian reports that the singer, Mohammed, was arrested by the police on Monday, June 17 and arraigned before magistrate court at 72 Noman’s Land in Kano, presided by Aminu Gabari.

It was gathered that the court found Yusuf guilty of three-count charges; of releasing a song without the approval of the Kano state Censorship Board, releasing a video without obtaining approval and defamation of the character of Governor Ganduje.

In the said hit song, the singer had stated that the governor can sell his wife, Goggo, because of money. Some lines in the song read: "Kano governor has already turned blind, I swear what you did is hurting us, for lucre, governor is more than a thief, for lucre, governor can sell out Goggo." Meanwhile, Muhammadu Sanusi II and Governor Ganduje have been ordered to maintain status quo. The order is in respect of the interim order issued against Ganduje which stopped the governor from appointing four new emirs in Kano state. Barr. Ibrahim Mukhtar, counsel to Ganduje, urged the court to vacate the order of maintaining status quo.

Boyfriend On The Run After Allegedly Using His 18-Year-Old Girlfriend For Ritual In Delta State

The boyfriend of an 18-year-old girl from Delta state is on the run after allegedly using the girl for ritual.

The 18-year old girl identified as Favour Ogheneyenrowho has been reportedly strangled to death by her boyfriend who allegedly used her for money rituals.

The sad incident happened in in Abraka, Ethiope-East council area of Delta state.

The Nation gathered that the victim’s pubic hairs were shaved off before she was murdered and her remains kept in a “Ghana-must-Go” bag which was disposed at a dump site behind Ozoro park in the town.

Witnesses said there were violent marks around her neck area, indicating that she was violently strangulated.

Ogheneyenrowho hailed from Ughere in Abraka Community.

Recounting the incident leading to the teenager’s demise, Maureen Sunday, her elder sister, told the police that Favour, had received a call from a male at about 10 a.m, requesting that she met him at the Abraka park.

She, however, replied the caller that she was going to the market with her elder sister.

Miss Sunday added that on their way out of their residence located along Winners Road, a young man, whom she had never seen before (whom she believed was the same person that called her sister earlier), boarded a motorcycle that stopped at the junction and approached them.

A short conversation ensued between them and her late sister, Favour, joined him on the bike and they rode off, even as she called after her to return early.

Unfortunately, it was the shocking news of her sister, dead and tied with ropes in a sack, that reached her the following day.

When reached for confirmation, the Delta State Police Commissioner, Mr Adeyinka Adeleke, explained that what had been discovered so far revealed that the killing of the victim was more of a murder case and not ritual killing.

The police boss also revealed that the suspected killer, who is believed to be Favour’s boyfriend, has since been on the run, adding that the state police command was already on his trial.

Explaining the circumstances around the killing of Favour, CP Adeleke said “the lady in question was with the sister and she had a call. When she wanted to leave, she told her sister that it’s her boyfriend that she wanted to go and see.

How I was used to steal N168.5m from FG through subsidy ― former banker

A former employee of Sterling Bank, Chumwuemeka Ekwunife, on Wednesday narrated how a businesswoman and oil marketer, one Mrs. Ngozi Ekeoma used him to steal the sum of N168.5m from the Federal Government of Nigeria using subsidy scheme.

Ekwunife made this revelation before an Ikeja Special Offences Court, Lagos where he is standing trial on an 8 count charge of stealing.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, (EFCC), had arraigned Ekwunife and Structured Energy Limited for stealing a total sum of N168.5m from several companies.

The EFCC alleged that Ekwunife, at different times in 2014, stole the said sum of money from, M.R.S oil and Gas, Exit Energy limited, Globin oil and Gas limited, Bond Energy, Greenage Energy Limited – all properties of Nepal Oil and Gas Limited.

The anti-graft agency alleged that the defendant stole the money in tranches of N19m, N9m, N85m, N25m, and N6.5m sometimes in August, October and November 2014 from the complaint, Nepal Oil and Gas limited.

However, during Wednesday’s proceedings, Ekwunife told the court that one Mrs. Ngozi Ekeoma, owner of Nepal Oil and Gas Limited, used him to facilitate false documentation in Liberia in order to obtain money from the FG through subsidy scheme.

Ekwunife, while led in defence by his lawyer, Mr Eubena Amedie, said that he helped Mrs Ekeoma register several companies in Liberia to enable her to carry out various importation of petroleum products particularly Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), under the petroleum scheme fund (subsidy scheme) with the FG.

The former banker, who was formerly a Credit Relationship Manager of Sterling Bank, said he resigned from the bank in 2014 after Mrs. Ekeoma pleaded with him to join her business and help her provide credit facilities for her companies.

He said: “I met the Managing Director of Nepal Oil and Gas limited, Ngozi Ekeoma in 2010 while I was working with Sterling Bank as a Credit Relationship Manager. Mrs. Ekeoma was a customer of the bank and so she came to me to help her provide credit facilities to various companies that she introduced to the bank.

“She introduced companies as Nepal Oil and Gas Limited, Dell Energy Limited, Carnival Energy Oil and Gas Limited.

“So I provided credit facilities for these companies that enabled her to carry out various importations of PMS through subsidy scheme with the FG.

“This relationship lasted for four years. And in 2014, I voluntarily resigned from Sterling Bank after she pleaded earnestly with me to join her business.

“So I left my job in the bank to work for her in a contractor/staff arrangement.

“I helped her set up various companies like Structured Energy Resources Limited, Dexter Oil Limited, Ritrak Supply and Trading Limited, Gulf Trading and Shipping Limited – all registered in Liberia.

“These companies were used at various times to carry out trading and documentation related to subsidy by the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

“We produced supporting documents like Bill of Laden, the recertification of products, the certificate of quality and certificate of Origin.

“These documentations were done outside the shores of Nigeria and used for trades that never happened in Nigeria. The documentation was done in Liberia for trades that were nonexistent,” Ekwunife said.

Justice Sherifat Solebo adjourned the matter till July 5, 2019, for the continuation of trial.