Group petitions Code of Conduct Bureau over Obasanjo’s assets

A non-governmental resource centre, Human and Environmental Development Agenda (HEDA), has petitioned the chairman of the Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB), to demand an update on an earlier request it made to the bureau over actions of former President Olusegun Obasanjo while in office between 1999 and 2007.
The latest petition signed by the centre’s chairman, Olanrewaju Suraj, is requesting information regarding a petition written by HEDA on July 25, 2013.
“In a petition dated the 25th day of July, 2013, we complained about the following actions of Chief Olusegun Obasanjo while he was President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria from 1999-2007 namely, one, use of his position to solicit for monetary gifts, benefits and donations from government contractors, federal parastatals, oil companies, politicians, government functionaries that cut across all tiers of government as well as private individuals /sector to fund his library project,” HEDA said.
“Secondly, failure to publicly declare his assets till date and abuse of power.
“All these actions constitute a gross contravention of Items 6, 9 and 13 of the Code of Conduct for Public Officers as provided in Part 1, Fifth Schedule of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 as amended.
In its 2013 letter, the group demanded that Mr. Obasanjo be investigated and recommended for prosecution by the Code of Conduct Tribunal pursuant to Item 15(1), Part 1 of the Fifth Schedule to the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 as amended.
“However, till this moment, we are not aware of any concrete step that has so far been taken to launch an investigation into the allegations contained therein,” the group said in a new letter to the Code of Conduct Bureau.
“In view of the fact that the Code of Conduct Tribunal is now alive to its responsibilities as demonstrated in the ongoing trial of Senate President Bukola Saraki, HEDA therefore urgently requests for the update on the abovementioned subject matter pursuant to Sections 1, 2, 3 & 4 of the Freedom of Information Act 2011,
“HEDA is requesting this information based on its mandate. We look forward to receiving this information promptly, and in any event, within Seven (7) days of the receipt of this application as provided for in Section 4 of the Freedom of Information Act, 2011,” the group said.

Tribunal Upholds Dino Melaye’s Electoral Victory

The National Assembly Election Petitions Tribunal holden in Lokoja, Kogi State, has upheld the election of the Chairman, Senate Ad hoc committee on Publicity, Senator Dino Melaye.

The petition was earlier dismissed on a technical ground that it was filed out of time. But the Federal Appeal court ruled that the case should be heard anew.

 Senator Dino Melaye broke the news on twitter as he tweeted  “Praise God. Senator Dino Melaye’s election upheld and Senator Smart Adeyemi’s petition dismissed for lack of merit”
Maxwell Ashiuloka

MASSOB: Buhari’s UN speech Revitalizes our Biafran Struggle

The Movement for the Actualisation of Sovereign State of Biafra, MASSOB, says it has seen a ray of hope in its quest following President Muhammadu Buhari’s recent speech at the United Nations General Assembly where he urged world leaders to assist the Palestinian state in getting freedom from the State of Israel.

In this light, the secessionist group, in a statement issued yesterday by its Deputy National Director of Information, Mazi Chris Anierobi Mocha, asserted that it has begun re-strategizing on how to successfully establish a sovereign state of Biafra.

While recalling that former President, Olusegun Obasanjo had expressed concerns before the independence of Kosovo in February 17, 2008, that the recognition of Kosovo from Serbia would embolden the secessionist movement in Nigeria, Mocha noted that President Buhari’s speech at the just concluded meeting was an inspiration to nations seeking freedom to step up their separatist agitations.

According to him, “Some of the enclaves and proposed nations that have stepped up their separatist activities included Palastine, the new Biafra, Northern Spain, Tibet, Northern Canada, Western Sahara and 20 others.”

Mocha continued that based on Buhari’s statement, “MASSOB has begun to re-organise, re-prioritize and re-strategise on its process of fully establishing a sov­ereign state of Biafra.”

The group had claimed that UN General Assembly on September 13, 2007, adopted a resolution calling for the recognition of the world’s 370 million peoples’ right to self-determination, and vowed to pursue vigorously, the agitation for self-determination and to impact ideas, hold meetings in order to discuss freely without interference from any person or persons.

BREAKING: EFCC Arrests Former Benue State Governor Gabriel Suswam.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has arrested former Benue state governor, Gabriel Suswan, over alleged corruption during his tenure as governor.  He was arrested at around 10am today.

Buhari Will not Interfere With Ministerial Probe

Deputy National Chairman (North) of the All Progressives Congress, APC, Senator Lawan Shuaibu, on Sunday stated that President Muhammadu Buhari will not interfere in the corruption probe of any member of the party or the ministerial nominees.

Shuaibu, however, clarified that the government would only act if allegations and petitions are proven by the courts.

Speaking to newsmen in Abuja, he said: “You see the president has said several times that he believes in the rule of law, that he respects the rule of the law. Anything that is not in line with the constitution and the extant laws of this country, he would go for it.

“When it comes to the issue of the choice of people who will serve as ministers in his administration. I believe that until one convicted in the law court, we will be chasing shadows on the basis of suspicions and assumptions.

“If he decides to interpret the laws in the case of people facing investigation, I think he is quite free to go ahead with it.

“I think, quite frankly that he is not going to stop any investigations against any member of his cabinet. But should that investigation lead to conviction in courts, I assure you even before President Buhari ask them to resign, such a person would have brought a letter of resignation.

“The president cannot intervene, I assure you, in a matter before the court on behalf of anybody including his own child.”

On comments that that the current anti corruption crusade was selective, Shuaib said: “What did you expect the president to do? President Buhari has made it clear, even during his recent interview in New York, he said he would not be interfering with judicial process or procedures and he will wait to see when a court makes a decision on anyone, that is now when he will respect the decision of the court.

“And when you talk about people who have contributed to his emergence as president, I do not expect anybody who contributed to the emergence of President Buhari in the last general election to do so because they wanted cover from corruption prosecution. If anybody thinks that way, I would to say that President Buhari is not thinking that way,” he said.

"Tinubu Attack Saraki Again"

The National Leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Senator Bola Ahmed Tinubu, yesterday launched a verbal assault on Senate President Bukola Saraki, describing the manner in which Saraki captured his current position as a “crass act of disloyalty to the party”.

Tinubu, a former governor of Lagos State, added that the Senate president might have joined the APC on paper, but has remained committed to the malpractices and wrong aims of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) at heart.

He launched his attack in a statement by his media aide, Mr. Sunday Dare, in response to a report alleging that the national leader had conspired with the Senate president to undermine the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari.

In the six-page statement issued from Conakry, Guinea, Tinubu’s media adviser said his principal remained glued “to the party’s decision that the manner by which Saraki captured his current seat travestied party discipline”.

Dare stressed that it was a crass act of disloyalty showing that Saraki might have joined the APC on paper, but has remained true to the malpractices and wrong aims of the reactionary PDP in his soul.

He noted that the idea of an alleged conspiracy between Tinubu and Saraki against the president was an “execrable lie”.

“The alleged conspiracy is a figment. It takes at least two people to make a conspiracy,” he said.

He revealed that there had been no substantive communication between the duo since Saraki decided “to foul the integrity of the Senate and the party. To be truthful, I do not think Saraki would care to hear what he will have to say to him”.

He advised Saraki to shelve his personal situation for the moment and concentrate on the people’s business, adding: “It would be a grave mistake and abuse of office for Saraki to directly or indirectly inject his personal matter into the approval process (for ministerial nominees).

“Saraki should not link the approval of a single minister to his desire for extrajudicial treatment of his issues. If adhering to the decisions of the party, supporting the government’s progressive plank and working for the good of the people qualifies Tinubu for surveillance, then he will accept that. However, we know that any such surveillance is not from state security organs.

“Such activity would come from the insecurity agencies of the PDP and its mercenary allies elsewhere who would seek to fragment the true core of the APC so that they may scuttle the Buhari reform programme and return the nation to the misgovernance of the past.

“They hope to delude the APC into attacking itself. By so doing, they believe they can regain through stealth, the reins of government the people seized from them through elections.

“They seek to break the hearts and hopes of the people. Tinubu would never team with anyone to gain such an inhumane objective.”

He added that “those who midwifed this garish tale would give birth not to truth but to lies intended to kill APC’s unity and to retard the Buhari administration’s strategic reform initiatives, as earlier outlined by our party manifesto”.

“Given the potential for change that stands before us, we are now beginning to see the true nature of many people. There are those who truly want positive change so that we can break from the ways of a stolid past.

“Then there are those who speak of change with their mouths but never believe in it in their hearts. They came along with us for the ride or because no other political option availed itself at the operative time. Now, given the chance to redeem themselves from their past political actions, they would rather return to the political morass from whence they came,” Dare claimed.

He added: “If this nation is to have more than a fleeting chance of escaping the quagmire into which years of PDP misrule have taken us, we cannot allow these regressive elements to deploy their cunning tricks to divide and pit progressive against progressive.

“Tinubu waited for the presidentThe National Leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Senator Bola Ahmed Tinubu, yesterday launched a verbal assault on Senate President Bukola Saraki, describing the manner in which Saraki captured his current position as a “crass act of disloyalty to the party”.

Tinubu, a former governor of Lagos State, added that the Senate president might have joined the APC on paper, but has remained committed to the malpractices and wrong aims of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) at heart.

He launched his attack in a statement by his media aide, Mr. Sunday Dare, in response to a report alleging that the national leader had conspired with the Senate president to undermine the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari.

In the six-page statement issued from Conakry, Guinea, Tinubu’s media adviser said his principal remained glued “to the party’s decision that the manner by which Saraki captured his current seat travestied party discipline”.

Dare stressed that it was a crass act of disloyalty showing that Saraki might have joined the APC on paper, but has remained true to the malpractices and wrong aims of the reactionary PDP in his soul.

He noted that the idea of an alleged conspiracy between Tinubu and Saraki against the president was an “execrable lie”.

“The alleged conspiracy is a figment. It takes at least two people to make a conspiracy,” he said.

He revealed that there had been no substantive communication between the duo since Saraki decided “to foul the integrity of the Senate and the party. To be truthful, I do not think Saraki would care to hear what he will have to say to him”.

He advised Saraki to shelve his personal situation for the moment and concentrate on the people’s business, adding: “It would be a grave mistake and abuse of office for Saraki to directly or indirectly inject his personal matter into the approval process (for ministerial nominees).

“Saraki should not link the approval of a single minister to his desire for extrajudicial treatment of his issues. If adhering to the decisions of the party, supporting the government’s progressive plank and working for the good of the people qualifies Tinubu for surveillance, then he will accept that. However, we know that any such surveillance is not from state security organs.

“Such activity would come from the insecurity agencies of the PDP and its mercenary allies elsewhere who would seek to fragment the true core of the APC so that they may scuttle the Buhari reform programme and return the nation to the misgovernance of the past.

“They hope to delude the APC into attacking itself. By so doing, they believe they can regain through stealth, the reins of government the people seized from them through elections.

“They seek to break the hearts and hopes of the people. Tinubu would never team with anyone to gain such an inhumane objective.”

He added that “those who midwifed this garish tale would give birth not to truth but to lies intended to kill APC’s unity and to retard the Buhari administration’s strategic reform initiatives, as earlier outlined by our party manifesto”.

“Given the potential for change that stands before us, we are now beginning to see the true nature of many people. There are those who truly want positive change so that we can break from the ways of a stolid past.

“Then there are those who speak of change with their mouths but never believe in it in their hearts. They came along with us for the ride or because no other political option availed itself at the operative time. Now, given the chance to redeem themselves from their past political actions, they would rather return to the political morass from whence they came,” Dare claimed.

He added: “If this nation is to have more than a fleeting chance of escaping the quagmire into which years of PDP misrule have taken us, we cannot allow these regressive elements to deploy their cunning tricks to divide and pit progressive against progressive.

“Tinubu waited for the president to select his cabinet. The majority of the selections have been made. There is nothing to do but congratulate the appointees and pray for them. Their responsibilities are vast, the future of the nation now rests on their shoulders.

“The challenges before them are manifold and daunting. Those who want the best for Nigeria can only hope that these people succeed. The only intervention that Tinubu will make is one of encouragement. He will charge them to remain true to the progressive vision of the party and our president.

“None should allow themselves to be enticed to join league with those who would cast us back into the old mold of PDP governance: to pilfer, destroy and pillage. Instead they should cohere faithfully to the enlightened programmes and promises made by our party and this government.”

But in a swift reaction, Saraki said he would not join issues with Tinubu over the publication, adding however that he remained a committed member of the APC.

Noting that there had been no communication or meeting whatsoever with Tinubu since he was elected Senate president, Saraki, in a statement issued by his media aide, Mr. Yusuph Olaniyonu, stated: “Therefore, I do not see any basis for a newspaper to report that we are both plotting to oppose the president.”

He said that he recognised the former Lagos governor as one of the leaders of the APC who contributed considerably to the victory of the party in the last election, but so did others.

“I recognise Tinubu as one of the leaders of the APC who contributed so much to the victory of the party in the last election. Some other people also contributed and I believe the collective efforts made it possible for the first time in the history of our country for an opposition party to win the general election.

“Let me state clearly that I remain a committed member of the APC and will do all in my power to ensure the party fulfill its promises to bring positive changes into the country.

“Since my election as Senate president, my focus and efforts have been devoted to doing the job that I was elected to do by my constituents and my colleagues in the Senate. Twice, my colleagues have confirmed their support for me as the primus inter pares in the Senate.

“As I said in my speech when we resumed from our recess late September and in Ikenne yesterday, the screening of ministerial nominees will be handled by me and my colleagues with all sense of responsibility and in adherence to the provision of the constitution.

“We will be fair to all and be guided by the interest of Nigeria. The screening will be devoid of sentiment and it is not an opportunity for anybody to settle scores. We are equally eager for us to make a positive difference in our polity and Nigerians will be able to judge us whether we acted in their best interest or not,” he said.

Super Eagles thrash Cameroon Lions 3-0 in friendly

Super Eagles of Nigeria on Sunday bounced back from their disgraceful 0-2 defeat in the hands of Congo DR on Thursday to record an impressive 3-0 win over the Indomitable Lions of Cameroon in an international friendly in Belgium.

The match, played at the Edmond Machtens-Stadion, saw a more purposeful Eagles, showing more coordination but lacking the finihing power in front of goal.

Goals from Efe Ambrose, Moses Simon and Odion Ighalo were all the Nigerians needed to return to winning ways after their gloomy outing against DR Congo.

Fayose mourns Alamieyeseigha, blames FG for his death

Ekiti State Governor, Mr Ayodele Fayose has described the death of former Bayelsa State Governor, Senator Diepreye Alamieyeseigha as painful and unfortunate, saying; “It is painful that the All Progressives Congress (APC) led Federal Government finally succeeded in hounding an Ijaw leader to death just because of his staunch stance on the upcoming Bayelsa State governorship election.”

Reacting to Alamieyeseigha’s death through his Special Assistant on Public Communications and New Media, Lere Olayinka, the governor commiserated with the deceased family, former President, Dr Goodluck Jonathan as well as the Governor of Bayelsa State, Hon Seriake Dickson and the entire people of the State.

The governor, who prayed for the repose of the soul of the late former Governor-General of the Ijaw Nation, said his death was “an eclipse of a political figure, who despite all political odds, still commanded great respect from his people.”

While blaming the Federal Government for his death, Governor Fayose said; “Obviously, the Federal Government was behind the plot to extradite the Alamieyeseigha to the United Kingdom to face fresh trial, a situation that made him to abandon his medical treatment in Dubai.

“Even though I am not against anti-corruption fight, it is painful that in the present day Nigeria, political vendetta is being allowed to override the sovereignty of the country, such that the Presidency was eager to release to a foreign country, a citizen of Nigeria that had been tried, convicted and later pardoned in accordance with the laws of the country.

“Having been tried and convicted eight years ago, served his sentence and forfeited properties to the Bayelsa State Government; methinks Alamieyeseigha should have been allowed to live his life without unnecessary political intimidation and harassment.

“I have consistently asked them why they have closed their eyes to the corruption allegations against their own people. Why is their attention only on people from the Southern part of Nigeria? And now that Alamieyeseigha has been hounded and harassed to death, what else can the apostles of political vendetta do?

“My prayer is that God in His infinite mercies will console the entire Alamieyeseigha’s family and the people of Bayelsa State, especially members of our great party, the PDP and also grant them the fortitude to bear this sad and painful loss.”

Man Forced to Marry Dead Woman in Ebonyi

The family of a deceased woman have suspended her burial rites until her ‘husband’ who she was living with, performs her wedding rites.

Chinyere Mbam had died from the snake bite she sustained while returning from the wake-keep of her friend, Oge Ogashi, and was taken to a traditional healing home in the area for treatment.

She later died at her husband’s house.

However the deceased’s family have mandated her partner, Stephen Mbam, of Enyi Igwe Village, Ezzainyimagu community in Izzi Local Government Area of Ebonyi State to carry out her traditional marriage rites before she is buried.

Reports say the woman had been living with Stephen for three years and their relationship produced a child even though he did not perform marriage rites.

Her uncle, Ishiali Ikwe, said the family, who are from same village, has put the burial on hold until Mr. Mbam performs traditional marriage on the deceased.

He further said that Mbam’s family, in line with the tradition, have scheduled a date for payment of the bride price to be preceded by the wedding.

Customer Service Representatives At Ikeja Electricity Distribution Company

Ikeja Electricity Distribution Plc, Nigeria’s largest power distribution network, came into existence on November 1st, 2013 following the handover of the defunct Power Holding Company Of Nigeria (PHCN) to NEDC/ KEPCO Consortium under the privatization scheme of the Federal Government.

     The consortium has the Korean Electric Power Corporation (KEPCO) which generates about 84,000MW in capacity and has a global efficiency record of a maximum down time period of slightly above three minutes annually as technical partners.

    This partnership has positioned IE to effectively drive its commitment to deliver efficient and sustainable power supply through investments in new technology, infrastructure upgrade and human capital development.

We are recruiting to fill the position of:

 Job Title: Customer Service Representative

Job Location: Lagos

Reporting to: Customer Service Supervisor

Role Purpose

. Serve as key contact and liaison for customers to ensure total customer satisfaction.

Role Accountability

. Coordinate the prompt handling of all customer service requests.

. Providing utmost customer satisfaction at all times.

. Assist in reducing down time in customer complaint handling.

Minimum Requirements

A Bachelor’s degree from a reputable University with a minimum of 2nd Class Honours

. Proficiency in MS Office (Word, Excel, and PowerPoint).

. Minimum of 3 years’ experience in a similar role preferably within the banking or telecommunications industry.

. Age: Not more than 30 years old.

Skills & Competencies

Good interpersonal skills

Team Player

. Good written and spoken communication

. Basic understanding of the peculiar customer challenges of the power industry.

. Results Driven

. Problem Solving and Analysis Skills

. Ability to multi-task.

. Excellent time management and organizational skills

Knowledge of local language and ethos.

Deadline: 19th October, 2015.

Click here to apply online

NOTE: Unsuitable applications will not be acknowledged.

Buhari to Compensate Tinubu With Next Batch of Ministerial Appointments – Daily Trust

The National leader of the governing All Progressives Congress (APC), Asiwaju Ahmed Bola Tinubu, according to Daily Trust is embittered with President Muhammadu Buhari over the ministerial list submitted to the Senate last week.

Tinubu is said to be unhappy with President Buhari for failing to consult him on the choice of nominees from the South-West.

Reports said his sadness was predicated on the fact that the President had earlier promised to consult him before picking nominees from his zone.

“To Tinubu’s greatest surprise, he was only sent a copy of the list on the very day it was sent to the Senate President”, the source said.

It is believed that Tinubu was not consulted before the nominees from his zone were selected; a development capable of putting President Buhari and Tinubu on a political collision course.

However, having realized the implication of such a development, the presidency is said to have approached Tinubu with a promise of placating him in the list that is expected to be released by the president subsequently.

Blame Obasanjo for Yar’Adua, Jonathan’s failure — Bakare

The Serving Overseer of the Latter Rain Assembly,and President Buhari’s one time presidential running mate, Pastor Tunde Bakare, spoke to Punch on why Former president, Olusegun Obasanjo should be blamed for Jonathan and Yar’Adua’s failures….Excerpts below

    Those eight years (Obasanjo spent as president) should have been formidable years of putting Nigeria upon a pedestal that nobody can reverse it. And above all, whether it is insecurity or selfishness, which is the greatest curse on the face of the earth, he gave the weak and the sick to the nation. Whatever happened during Umar Yar’Adua and Goodluck Jonathan era – yes, they will have their own portion of the blame – but Obasanjo thought he could manipulate things from Ota.
    That is my opinion; that is my pain. He robbed this nation of quality leadership and he robbed this nation of being put on a pedestal of predictable progress. That should be his regret. Now, he should repent and contribute his quota towards giving quality leadership to this nation.

    He did (mess things) big time; time will tell.

On those jumping shop and claiming Ex president Jonathan failed to fight corruption, he said

    I will put it this way: failure is an orphan, success has many fathers. I’ve seen in this country that we are quick to shoot the wounded.

    If Jonathan did not accomplish much in the time he was president or vice president, I thank God for one thing: he did not allow a bloodbath in the process of handing over power. If he had decided to use all the powers at his disposal, he could still be unseated but there would have been bloodbath that was unnecessary and President Buhari alluded to that both in Washington—I was there with him when he made that statement—and here, when he received the baton in May. On October 1, he still alluded to it that he (Jonathan) saved Nigeria from an unnecessary bloodbath.
    As for those who are talking, especially those he (Jonathan) looked up to as father figures; it’s too soon to abandon a person, no matter what he has done wrong or right. Let the law take the full effect if he has done anything that borders on crime. I am not supporting abuse of office, but please, ‘Do not rejoice over me, my enemy,’ as the Bible says, ‘because if I fall, I will rise again. The righteous man falls seven times; the Lord picks him up again.’ What am I saying? I am trying to say, ‘let’s give credit where it is due and let’s give correction that is necessary.’ We must not shoot the wounded because we are now teaching future people to sit tight because of the shame that will come as a result of handing over power.

Boko Haram Returns To Chibok, Kills 4, Houses Razed

At least four people were killed and an unspecified number sustained injuries during an attack by suspected Boko Haram insurgents in Balakari village in Chibok local government area of Borno state. A source confirmed the attack to TheCable, saying it happened around 11am on Saturday.“Four people were killed in the attack and many houses were also destroyed,” he said. “Some rode on motorbikes, while some trekked. They were fully armed and shot into the air, confidently. The military did not respond on time.” Efforts to confirm the development from Victor Isuku, the police public relations officer in the state, did not yield any result, as he did not answer his call and had not responded to the text message sent to his phone at the time this report was filed.

Chibok came under global spotlight in April 2014 when over 200 female students were abducted from Government Secondary School, in the local government. While some of the students managed to escape, the whereabouts of over 150 of them are unknown till date. The promise of former president, Goodluck Jonathan to rescue and reunite the captives with their families, was not fulfilled until he left office more than a year after the incident happened. Though his government did all its possible best, including attempting to negotiate with the group in order to secure the release of the girls. Also, the government of President Muhammadu Buhari has been making efforts to rescue the Chibok schoolgirls, as they are now known.

During his address at the 70th session of the United Nations General Assembly, Buhari said freedom of the girls, remained a priority of his government. “One of our major aims is to rescue the Chibok girls alive and unharmed,” he had said. Boko Haram has continued to attack communities, particularly in the north-east, despite the efforts of security agencies to put them in check.

The Cause Of Lagos Explosion Revealed

An explosion that caused a scare in the Oworonsoki area of Lagos metropolis this afternoon has been traced to a ‘leaking refrigerator’ in a beer shop attached to a residential building in the area.

The affected building is a bungalow located at No. 88, Oworo Road, Oworonsoki, Lagos State.

    Four persons who were injured in the explosion have been hospitalized.

    Emergency services officials claimed they found some electrical items in the collapsed shop as they carried out their activities on the scene after the incident this afternoon, they claimed not to have found no explosive materials that could suggest it was a bomb.

Speaking on the scene to our correspondent, General Manager of the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA), Mr. Micheal Akindele said the agency can authoritatively link the explosion to a defective refrigerator in the shop. However, our reporter noted that the refrigerator that reportedly caused the explosion remained largely intact.

Mr. Akindele said gas escaped from the compressor of the refrigerator suspected to be defective and reacted with carbonated drinks in the shop.

The explosion occurred around 1.05pm.

A six months old baby who was injured in the explosion has been taken to intensive care unit of the Lagos University Teaching Hospital while three adults who had minor injuries have also been hospitalized at Afolabi hospital.

14 Signs You’re Not Drinking Enough Water

There’s not much in this world more refreshing than a tall, ice-cold glass of water. I don’t think there’s anyone alive that can deny that sometimes, a simple glass of water can be more satisfying than a cup of coffee or a can of soda. Despite this, too many of us don’t drink enough water on a daily basis. By depriving ourselves of the world’s most natural resource, we are continuously damaging our bodies. If you experience any of the following, you can improve your situation by starting with a glass of H2O.

1. Your Mouth is Dry

This seems pretty obvious, but the ramifications might not be so. Of course, any time you feel that sticky, nasty feeling in your mouth, you’d obviously reach for some sort of liquid. But sugary drinks are only a temporary solution to a larger problem. Drinking water lubricates the mucus membranes in your mouth and throat, which will continue to keep your mouth moist with saliva long after that first sip.

2. Your Skin is Dry

Your skin is your body’s largest organ, so of course it needs to stay hydrated. In fact, dry skin is one of the earliest signs of full-on dehydration, which can lead to much larger problems. A lack of water means a lack of sweat, which leads to a body’s inability to wash away excess dirt and oil accumulated throughout the day. If you want to stave off breakouts, your first recourse should be to drink more water.

3. You’re Overly Thirsty

We went over dry mouth already, but thirst goes beyond a desert-like tongue. Anyone who’s ever had a hangover can tell you that, upon waking up, your body just can’t get enough water. Alcohol dehydrates the entire body, and drinking water sends “YES PLEASE!” signals to the brain until your fluid levels get back to baseline. Listen to what your body is telling you; it knows what it’s talking about!

4. Your Eyes Are Dry

By now it should be clear that drinking water affects more than just your mouth and throat. A lack of water intake leads to dry, bloodshot eyes (again, think of that last pounding hangover). Without water in the body, your tear ducts dry up. If you’re thinking “So what if I can’t cry?”, realize that this could cause much more harm to your eyes, especially if you wear contacts on a daily basis.

5. You Experience Joint Pain

Our cartilage and spinal discs are made up of about 80% water. This is an absolute necessity to keep our bones from grinding against each other with every step we take. By keeping your body hydrated, you ensure that your joints can absorb the shock of sudden movements, such as running, jumping, or falling awkwardly.

6. Your Muscle Mass Decreases

Your muscles, also, are comprised mostly of water. Obviously, less water in the body means less muscle mass. Drinking water before, during, and after a workout not only keeps you hydrated and comfortable, it also brings water to the right places in your body, and decreases the chance of developing inflammation and soreness related to exercise and weightlifting.

7. You Stay Sick Longer

Drinking water allows your body to continuously flush out toxins. Your organs work to filter our certain waste products like a machine, but if you don’t fuel the machine with water, it cannot work properly. What ends up happening in a dehydrated body is organs start to pull water from stored areas like your blood, which leads to a whole new set of problems.

8. You Feel Fatigued and Lethargic

As we just mentioned, when a body is dehydrated it “borrows” water from your blood. A lack of properly hydrated blood leads to a lack of oxygen being brought throughout the body. Of course, a lack of oxygen leads to sleepiness and outright fatigue. A lack of stamina means you”ll start to experience that 2PM crash earlier and earlier in your day (and remember, coffee won’t help in the long run).

9. You Experience Hunger Pangs

When you’re dehydrated, your body might start to think it needs some food. This happens throughout the day, and overnight when you wake up craving that midnight snack. However, eating food creates more work for your body, whereas drinking water purifies and your organs and supplies it with the fuel it needs to go through the other processes a body goes through.

10. You Experience Digestive Problems

We spoke before about the mucus in our mouth and throat, and how keeping hydrated allows the membrane to function correctly. This also applies to the entire digestive system. Without proper hydration, the amount and strength of mucus in the stomach lessens, allowing stomach acid to do some major damage to your insides. This leads to what we commonly refer to as heartburn and indigestion.

11. You Experience Constipation

Like we said, staying hydrated helps lubricate the digestive system. During the process of dehydration, the colon uses up the water that would have been used by the intestines in the next step of the digestive process. Without going into too much detail, I’ll let you figure out what a lack of lubricant in the intestines leads to.
12. You Experience Reduced Urination

Believe it or not, if you’re not taking a trip to the restroom 4-7 times a day, you’re probably not drinking enough water. And when you do go #1, it should be a light yellow or clear color. If it’s a darker yellow, your body is telling you it’s lacking proper hydration. In extreme cases, dehydration can lead to urinary tract infections, in which case you should consult a doctor right away.

13. You Experience Premature Aging

The amount of water our bodies retain naturally decreases as we age. Obviously, what this means is that, as we get older, we should consciously increase our water intake. While premature aging is more evident on the outside, the damage it does to our insides will ultimately be felt over time. To decrease the risk of running your body raw, it’s important to continue to drink water throughout your lifetime.

14. You’re Reading This And Have Gotten This Far

I drink water all the time. I almost always have a glass or bottle of water next to me, whether I’m working, working out, or vegging out in front of the TV. If you clicked on this article, chances are you thought to yourself “Hm, I don’t think I drink enough water.” So if you don’t think you do, pour a glass right now! Don’t overdo it, of course, but if you’re not getting the recommended amount (which is higher than you’d think), there’s no harm in drinking more. Now if you’ll excuse me, all this typing has made me thirsty.

Hidden Causes Of Kidney Failure

Kidneys serve the body as a natural filter of the blood, and remove water-soluble wastes which are diverted to the bladder. In producing urine, the kidneys excrete wastes such as urea and ammonium. They are also responsible for the reabsorption of water, glucose, and amino acids. The kidneys also produce hormones including calcitriol and erythropoietin. An important enzyme renin is also produced in the kidney which acts in negative feedback.

Kidneys are essential to the urinary system and also serve homeostatic functions such as the regulation of electrolytes, maintenance of acid–base balance, and regulation of blood pressure (via maintaining the salt and water balance).

Initially kidney failure may cause no symptoms but the inability to remove potassium from the bloodstream may lead to abnormal heart rhythms and sudden death.

Acute kidney failure which is one of the major kidney failure, is the sudden loss of your kidneys’ ability to eliminate excess salts, fluids, and waste materials from the blood. When kidneys lose their filtering ability, body fluids can rise to dangerous levels. The condition will also cause electrolytes and waste material to accumulate in your body.

It occurs in connection with another medical condition or event, the conditions that can increase your risk of acute kidney failure include: when you have a condition that slows blood flow to your kidneys, you experience direct damage to your kidneys, your kidneys’ urine drainage tubes (ureters) become blocked and wastes can’t leave your body through your urine, impaired blood flow to the kidneys.

There are numerous causes of kidney failure, the diseases and conditions that may slow blood flow to the kidneys and lead to kidney failure include: blood or fluid loss, blood pressure medications, heart attack, heart disease, infection, liver failure, the use of aspirin, ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin IB, others), naproxen (Aleve, others) or related drugs, severe allergic reaction (anaphylaxis), severe burns, severe dehydration, damage to the kidneys.

The two types of treatment for kidney failure are dialysis or transplantation. There are two different kinds of dialysis: hemodialysis or peritoneal dialysis. During hemodialysis, tubes connect the patient to a machine that filters the blood. Hemodialysis is usually done three times a week for 3-4 hours each time.
They commonly treat chronic kidney disease (CKD), polycystic kidney disease (PKD), acute renal failure, kidney stones and high blood pressure and are educated on all aspects of kidney transplantation and dialysis.

Treatment of the underlying cause of kidney failure may return kidney function to normal. If the kidneys fail completely, the only treatment options available may be dialysis or transplant.

On a final note, if you are not in the hospital, but have signs or symptoms of kidney failure, make an appointment with your family doctor or a general practitioner. If your doctor suspects you have kidney problems, you may be referred to a doctor who specializes in kidney disease (nephrologist).

Former Bayelsa State Governor, Alamieyeseigha Dies At 63

Former Bayelsa state governor, Diepreye Alamieyeseigha is dead. He died of Cardiac arrest today at the University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital. He was reported to have gone into a coma two days ago and was placed on life support but didn’t make it. May his soul rest in peace Amen.

NFF Leadership In Talks With Vincent Enyeama To Return Back To Camp

The leadership of the Nigerian Football Federation NFF are currently in talks with Vincent Enyeama to convince him to return to the Super Eagles camp in Belgium. Enyeama walked out from the camp and announced his retirement on Thursday October 8th after his face-off with Sunday Oliseh. He is currently in Brussels, Germany where he is holding talks with NFF President Amaju Pinnick.

President Buhari To Drop Ministerial Nominees With Fake Certificates

President Muhammadu Buhari has taken moves to prepare the 21 ministerial nominees for their screening by the senate next week.

According to The Nation, the Department of State Security Services (DSS) on Friday invited all the candidates named by President for security checks.

The verification includes scrutiny of educational certificates, checks for any past prosecution, among others.

All the nominees were asked to fill Personal Identification Form (PIF) which requires data about their places of birth, schools attended, work experience and past offices held.

“The details provided will lead to further investigation by the DSS to confirm the veracity or otherwise of what they have filled in the PIF,” an official said on the sidelines.

    “The security agencies are paying attention to the educational certificates of most of the nominees to avoid a situation where some Nigerians will join issues with these candidates.

    “The essence of inviting these nominees is to certify that what they have pleaded is what they have. You will recall that some past leaders of the National Assembly tampered with their age and a few others presented fake certificates. The era of bloated Curriculum Vitae is gone. We do not want any nominee to embarrass the President in the Senate.

    “We have had instances in the past where ministers could not even locate their certificates or past records of service.”

    “Any nominee with any challenge capable of creating image crisis for the government or unfit to be a minister may be dropped.”

Buhari also directed the nominees to report to the Nigeria police force for profiling, Channels reports.

NYSC Member Raped & Murdered Two Weeks to Her Wedding in Ibadan

A member of the National Youth Service Corps in Ibadan, Miss Omolola Abogunrin, has been raped and murdered by unknown criminals thirteen days to her wedding.

She was looking forward to her wedding which was scheduled for October 17, the day she would have been 29 years old.

According to The Nation, Miss Abogunrin was raped and strangled beside a stream within the expansive premises of the National Cereal Research Institute, Moor Plantation, Ibadan at about 1:30 pm on Sunday.

Residents said she was returning from church when she was waylaid by the unknown criminals in a bush path within the institute’s farmland.

She was said to be on her way to her lover’s house to spend some time with a plan to return home afterwards.

Omolola graduated from the Polytechnic, Ibadan.

Police are still on the trail of the murderers and her fiance, Olusola Babalola, has been arrested and detained as part of police investigation on the broad-daylight murder.

Segun Arinze Should Be in Jail – Emeka Ike

The battle between Emeka Ike and Segun Arinze is still on following a recent interview in which Arinze said Ike should stop embarrassing the Actors Guild of Nigeria by parading himself as its president.
Arinze said

    “He should grow up. As far as I am concerned, Ibinabo Fiberesima is the bonafide president. Even in the recent judgement that came out recently telling us to return to the status quo, what does it mean? We were told to go back to the way we were. There was no time Emeka Ike was pronounced the president of AGN. Let him bring out the copy of the judgement and show us if he is man enough. He should wake up and stop embarrassing the guild.”

In response, Emeka Ike told Punch

    “I heard Segun Arinze was interviewed and he said so many things about me and nobody asked me for my own side. I don’t think it was a balanced report. Segun Arinze did not say anything meaningful, he was just cursing himself. That is not how to handle legal matters. In legal matters, we take things from the law’s point of view. Segun that is talking to the journalist is supposed to be behind bars because he committed a crime that should have sent him to jail. There was an order that he violated by bringing in Ibinabo as the president of the Actors Guild of Nigeria. I have been saying this since. That is why Ibinabo’s tenure was called ‘contentious.’

    “Why should we the educated people allow market people to talk? I am a very cerebral person and I don’t deal with men who cannot read and do not understand the legalities of the paper they have in their hand. I cannot be trading words with a common street boy because if you did not go to school, you cannot understand some legal issues. So, he cannot assess the judgement of the court of law.”

Sports Journalist, Felix Okugbe Dies After Battle With Cancer

Veteran sports journalist and Head of Sports communication at AIT/RayPower Felix Okugbe, has passed away. Family sources say he died this morning at the Lagos State Teaching Hospital after a long battle with cancer. May his soul rest in peace, Amen.

Shoprite Opens In Warri, See How Nigerians Trooped In (Photos)

Shoprite is popularly known for their best prices when it comes to goods and services. They finaly opened a branch in Warri and Warri people tropped in massively. Chai dem say Warri people no de carry last.....lols

The President-Elect Gen. Buhari Present At Adams Oshiomhole’s Wedding

Congrats on your wedding day. Nice pic!

US Blues legend, B.B King Dies At 89

Blues legend, singer, songwriter and guitarist, B.B King died yesterday May 14th at his home in Las Vegas. He was aged 89. His lawyer said the Blues King who won 15 Grammy awards, died peacefully in his sleep around 9:40pm yesterday. He had been battling diabetes-related ailments and high blood pressure for years. B.B King real name Riley B. King, was inducted into the Blues Foundation Hall of Fame in 1980 and the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1987. Rolling Stone magazine ranked him No. 6 on its 2011 list of the 100 greatest guitarists of all time. May his soul rest in peace. Amen 

Card Reader Flaws Exposed At Mock Election

The test run of the Card Reader Machines proposed for the forthcoming general elections, carried out in 12 states, yesterday, exposed the flaws in the new voting technology introduced by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), reports Vanguard.

While in some states, the machines failed to recognise Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs), the machines’ batteries went down after barely three hours of operation in other states.

At Igboukwu Ward 1 in Anambra State, the Card Reader failing to recognise about half of those who presented the cards. However, at Onigbongbo ward in Lagos, the thumbprints of most prospective voters were generally recognized by the card readers.

Some residents of the area complained that they were yet to get their PVCs, despite seeing their names on the voters’ register.

Lagos State Resident Electoral Commissioner, REC, Akin Orebiyi, who monitored the exercise, commended the exercise, noting that the result had cleared doubts about the efficiency of the SCRs.

“The intention of today’s exercise is primarily to test the efficiency of the Smart Card Readers. That is why we are here. And we have achieved good results. This shows that the Card Readers are efficient. So, politicians who have doubts about the device can now see that the device will contribute to making the elections credible,” Orebiyi said.

The exercise was carried out in Lagos, Ekiti, Anambra, Ebonyi, Taraba, Bauchi and Kano. The other states where the mock accreditation exercise took place were Kebbi, Delta and Rivers States.

Anambra State REC, Edwin Nwatarali, who monitored the exercise with some of his staff, took note of the deficiencies. He however expressed happiness that there was no incidence of the Card Reader rejecting the PVCs brought to the polling stations by their owners.

Kunle Afolayan’s ‘October 1′ Wins 9 out of 13 categories In AMVCA 2015

Movie maker and actor Kunle Afolayan’s movie, October 1 won 9 out of the 13 categories at the African Magic Viewers Choice Awards yesterday March 7th. The movie won Best film, Best director, Best Sound Design, Best Makeup, Best Costume, Best Script, Best Lighting Design, Best Lead actress and Best Production design.

ISIS to Release Video Accepting Boko Haram

The Islamic State of Iraq and Syria is expected to release a video accepting Boko Haram into its fold after the Nigerian sect pledge allegiance to the Islamist sect.

Abu Ward Al-Raqqawi, a member of Raqqa, who are the founders and activists in Syrian revolution and also one of the first persons to share Boko Haram’s audio on Twitter, said the terrorist group will accept Boko Haram in a video soon.

 In an audio recording believed to be from Boko Haram’s leader Abubakar Shekau, the jihadists,
who have been waging a six-year military campaign in northern Nigeria, said they were merging with ISIS.

A translation of the Arabic broadcast said:

‘We announce our allegiance to the Caliph… and will hear and obey in times of difficulty and prosperity.’
The recording identified ‘the Caliph’ as Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, the leader of ISIS and self-proclaimed caliph of the Muslim world.

The message means that ISIS now has a foothold in Nigeria, as well as controlling swathes of Iraq and Syria and parts of Egypt and Libya.

Baghdadi has already accepted pledges of allegiance from other jihadist groups in the Middle East, Afghanistan, Pakistan and north Africa as he seeks to expand their reign of terror.

Poor states in Nigeria

The Oxford Poverty and Human Development Initiative (OPHI) 2014 report has revealed Nigeria’s poorest states.

According to the report which puts the percentage of Nigerians living in poverty at 43.3 per cent, Bauchi State has the highest percentage of people living in extreme poverty, followed by Kebbi State.

The Oxford Poverty and Human Development Initiative (2014) “Nigeria Country Briefing”, which measured multidimensional poverty index (MPI) for Nigeria noted that 19.3 percent of the population remained vulnerable to poverty while 25.3 percent of Nigerians live in severe poverty.

OPHI is an economic research centre within the Oxford Department of International Development at the University of Oxford, United Kingdom.

26.6 percent of Nigeria’s over 170 million people are destitute, while 68.0 percent and 84.5 percent of the Nigerian population lived below $1.25 per day and $2 per day respectively in 2010, the report said.

A person is identified as multidimensionally poor (or ‘MPI poor’) if they are deprived in at least one third of the weighted indicators including years of schooling, school attendance, child mortality, nutrition, electricity, sanitation, water, floor, cooking fuel and assets. These 10 indicators are grouped under three dimensions; education, health and standard of living.

Nigeria’s 10 poorest state, according to the report are:

– Bauchi, with the highest percentage of MPI poor.
– Kebbi State
– Zamfara
– Sokoto
– Yobe
– Jigawa
– Katsina
– Gombe
– Borno
– Niger

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Fear of Election Violence: Politicians Move their Families Overseas

In  a bid to avoid being caught up in the violence that may erupt after the February 2015 general elections, politicians, many chief executive officers/chairmen of companies, top businessmen and several other wealthy Nigerians have started relocating their families out of Nigeria.

Investigations by PUNCH showed that some apprehensive politicians and members of the business community started relocating members of their families abroad few weeks ago.

In fact, it was learnt that many are still moving their families out of the country.

According to findings, medical check-ups, vacation, among others, are being cited by wealthy Nigerians as the reasons for their trips to stay out of Nigeria during the elections.

Aviation experts told Punch that passenger traffic in Nigeria is usually low between January and March but that is not the case this year.

The CEO of a travel agency, who identified himself as Damian and did not want further details about himself or his company in print, said many of his clients had made bookings to travel abroad for fear of being caught up in violence.

Damian said, “It is true that there is an increase in the number of transactions we receive; many people are making bookings to leave the country.

“People are afraid; they fear that there may be violence after the election. Those making travel plans are mostly businessmen. I am also running away. I will leave before the election and return after the person who emerges as the president of the country has been sworn in.”

Similarly, a popular travel agency on Lagos Island told one of our correspondents that many managing directors/chairmen of some companies in Nigeria had booked their flight tickets in anticipation of leaving the country before the general elections.

One of the senior workers with the company, who simply identified himself as Thaddeus, said aside politicians who thronged the firm to buy tickets, many companies’ MDs and businessmen had bought tickets from the firm between November 27, 2014 and January 14, 2015.

Thaddeus named the United States, the United Kingdom and the United Arab Emirate as the most preferred destinations of the MDs.

He said, “Some politicians made arrangement to travel out of the country after the election, while many of the MDs chose to leave the country with their families a week before the poll.

“Before the political parties’ primaries held late year, we procured tickets for the families of some politicians and we believe that they must have left the country by now. The politicians started procuring their tickets from the first week of this month.”

A human rights activist, Jiti Ogunye, said it is necessary that politicians refrain from manipulating the electorate and election results to avoid violence after the elections..

Ogunye said, “The first condition for credible election is the activation of electoral justice. Politicians should learn not just to preach peace but to do justice. If they manipulate the election results, there could be reaction of violence. So I advise that they play by the rules so that we can enjoy peace in this period. They should not rob the electorate of their decisions.”

Source: Punch

Muna Obiekwe Biography

The passing away of Nollywood star actor Muna Obiekwe came as great shock both for Nigerians and the actor’s colleagues. It would be recalled that the sad news broke out yesterday. It was however surrounded by controversy as some insisted that the information was fake.

The misunderstanding was connected with the tweet allegedly posted by the actor himself on a Twitter handle, @MunaObiekwe, that he was still hail and hearty. Soon the indications emerged that the mentioned Twitter account was fake.

Obiekwe’s colleagues took to social media to express their sorrow over his death.The president of the Actors Guild of Nigeria (AGN), Ibinabo Fiberesima, confirmed the news in a phone interview with Y!Naija saying:

“Yes, he is truly dead, i have spoken to his wife… He was a private person, he didn’t tell us he had problems so there was no way we could have helped….please i can’t disclose much information for now.”

It was learnt by The Nation that Muna had been battling renal related ailment but had kept it secret for a long time before informing Ibinabo Fiberesima.

Some unconfirmed reports say that his death was connected with his financial state.

“He could not go for his regular dialysis for the past two weeks because he was broke but rejected seeking public assistance due to shame.”

Muna Obiekwe’s Biography

Today we are paying tribute to Muna Obiekwe and recalling some of the episodes of his career which got Nigeria talking.

1. Raunchy movie scene?

The Enugu based Nollywood star was once involved in a serious controversy over a spicy incident with a fellow colleague, Biola Ige. Muna was pictured grabbing Biola’s boobs in the movie, Pregnant Hawker. However the actress later said that the widely circulating photo was fake and that there was no such scene in the movie.

Muna also commented:

“…I don’t remember the movie. I also don’t remember grabbing Biola’s boobs. If the movie exists, that scene never took place.

“Like I told you, I don’t recall the movie. I do a lot of movies and I can’t remember what happens in all of them. The fact that I don’t recall means that the movie was shot a long time ago. Probably three or more years back. When love scene was in vogue with producers. I’m still searching for the movie to acquaint myself with the story.

“There has never been anything between myself and any actress that I’ve made a movie with. My romantic relationships have always been outside the movie industry. I don’t take my work home.”

2. Muna becomes a baby daddy, they say

In 2011 it was reported by Nigeriafilms that that the actor fathered a girl “birthed by Treasure Daniels(one of the shocking look alike twin of the Gholden Girlz fame) who recently meandered into music.” It seems however that the information was never confirmed and remained rumours till the date.

3. The many roles of Obiekwe

The actor has featured in dozens of movies including Men in Love, Songs of Sorrows, Wasted Effort, My Best Friend, etc.

In the drama Men in Love dating back to 2010 he played a gay man. The film was harshly criticized as many alleged that it was popularizing the ideas of homosexuality in Nigeria.

In Fumble the actor played a role for which he was wearing a female pant in one of the scenes.

We express condolences to the family members, friends and colleagues of Muna Obiekwe. Rest in peace.

Photo: Young girl goes missing in Ogba, Lagos

15 year old Paulina Ojeka Ogwuledwu, pictured below has been declared missing by her family. According to her Uncle, a pastor with Baptist Church in Ogba, who spoke with LIB, Paulina, an indigene of Benue state, was last seen on Wednesday January 14th. She lived with her Uncle in Ogba and is an apprentice with a fashion outlet in Ogba. On the day she went missing, Paulina had gone for her training and returned in the evening but later left the house and up until today has not returned.

Anyone with information about her whereabout should please call 08027186422 or 08060168569 or contact the nearest police station.

An Open Letter to Nigeria’s President by Hafsat Abiola

Hafsat Abiola is a human rights, civil rights and democracy activist, founder of the Kudirat Initiative for Democracy (KIND), and daughter of late business man/politician, MKO Abiola. Her letter below

Dear President, 

As young global leaders we would like to express our deep concern about the recent situations in Nigeria.

The massacre in Baga has been Boko Haram’s deadliest so far and what has it met with? Your silence. Most disturbing still is the fact that you would send a message to France condemning the killings there, yet seem unable to address the Nigerian people who look to you for leadership. Unfortunately, it would not be the first time

On 10 November 2014 a suicide bomber killed 47 people and injured 79 others. The following day, with barely a mention of this horrific incident targetting children, you launched your re-election campaign.

And despite the ease with which you move on, even you will remember the abduction of the schoolgirls in Chibok in April last year. It was 40 days before you addressed the country on that occasion. Nigerians waited, perplexed, as your government debated whether or not the abductions had even taken place.  As a result, of all the girls captured, only 52 have secured their freedom – escaping on their own. The rest are still in captivity, still waiting to be rescued, 276 days after being taken from their friends, family and community.

Could it be that your government also doubts that the Baga attacks happened? Amnesty International’s satellite images confirm that indeed a massacre took place, and as many as 2000 people are dead. Yet your army wastes time contesting the numbers.

Whether 150 or 2000, we’d like to hear from you on your governments plans to secure the region and to bear witness to the loss of lives in Baga. We have seen a clear incompetency in handling matters of national interest. In the context of existing ethnic and religious fault lines, silence only says that Nigeria’s government does not care about the victims and is not dealing with the insurgency.

True the global community has also failed to maintain pressure on your government that seems ambivalent about fulfilling its constitutional role to secure the lives and properties of its citizens.

As 1.5 million Nigerians flee their homes,  swelling camps within Nigeria and overwhelming border communities’  (if not same as before), it seems the only hope to see you act is global outrage. It was this that finally forced you to address the nation and the world 40 days after the Chibok abductions.  It was only then that you reached out to other countries and, with their help, agree a plan for a regional security force to secure the porous borders between Nigeria, Niger and Chad where Boko Haram roams undeterred.

Perhaps, had international pressure been sustained last year, a multi-regional force would have been based in Baga as planned. Perhaps it would have been strong enough to repel Boko Haram when the militants attacked on 3 January. Perhaps 2000 lives could have been saved.

But Isis happened and the world moved on, leaving a small national military unit to stand between thousands of armed militants  and a town of ten thousand people. We now know what happened. The world has seen pictures of bodies still strewn around the forest and river where they died.

If these deaths do not generate the attention, outcry and action that they ought to, we can only prepare the ground for more bodies because Boko Haram shows no sign of relenting. The insurgents can be defeated but first you must decide if the lives of Nigerians are worth it or not.

Break the silence, Mr. President. Call for global attention and support to avert a crisis that begins to echo the early days of the Rwandan genocide.  Be the voice for the thousands of innocent people who have died and the millions who yearn for peace. They have the right to rebuild their communities and claim their place in the unfolding rise of the African continent.

Hafsat Abiola-Costello 

Founder/President Kudirat Initiative for democracy

Nigeria

Co-Signatories

Arnaud Ventura, France

Bjarte Reve, Norway

Binta Niambi Brown, USA

Erik Charas, Mozambique

Funmi Iyanda, Nigeria

Georgie Bernadette, USA

Jacqueline Musiitwa, Zambia

Loulwa Bakr, Saudi Arabia

Leo Shlesinger, Chile

Marieme Jamme, Senegal

Mark Turrell, Germany

Rossana Figuera, USA

Salim Amin, Kenya

Soulaima Gourani, Denmark

Susan Mashibe, Tanzania

Tara Fela Durotoye, Nigeria

Bobby Brown says he and Whitney Houston cheated on each other

Bobby Brown and Whitney Houston were married for 15 years (1993-2007) and Bobby says they cheated on each other through out their loving, turbulent marriage. In an interview with Access Hollywood set to air today Jan. 17th, after Whitney's Lifetime biopic airs, Bobby opened up about the cheating rumours that followed the couple for years.
"There was infidelity in the marriage, yes, on both parts. Both of us cheated on each other - period. So that's hard to swallow for both of us. I just think when two people that love each other as much as we loved each other, when they start drifting apart, different people come into the situation, into the scenario, and we make mistakes. We're human.' he said.

Angry Mob Lynch Boko Haram Suspect at Kano Mosque

A suspected Boko Haram member was yesterday lynched at the Kano Central Mosque where hundreds of worshippers were killed late last year. According to DailyTrust, the suspect was lynched by an irate mob around 11.30 am at the Kofa Kwaru area of the mosque as worshipers were congregating for the juma’at prayers.

Last November, over a hundred worshippers lost their lives at the mosque when insurgents hurled explosives at them and opened fire on others who tried to escape. It was gathered that the suspect was
pursued to the Kofar Kwaru area of the Emir of Kano’s palace where he was overpowered and lynched.

One worshipper, who said he witnessed the lynching, stated that a gun was found on the suspect, which prompted the mob action.

“The suspect went to drink tea around the mosque. It was the tea seller that raised an alarm that he saw a gun in the guy’s possession and that was what caused the commotion,” the witness said.

But in a telephone interview, the spokesperson of the Kano State police command, ASP Magaji Musa Majia, who confirmed the lynching, said nothing incriminating was found in his possession.

“The identity and address of the suspect is still unknown. No explosive or weapon was found on the deceased’s body. We have not found any incriminating evidence on him and nobody has come out to give or tell us of any gun or explosive found on the deceased,” he said.

The spokesman reiterated the command’s commitment to ensure the safety of all and appealed to the people of the state to desist from taking laws into their hands, saying jungle justice would not help.

Since the November 2014 attack on the mosque, youths and other volunteers have been mounting surveillance there and before worshippers are allowed in, they are thoroughly searched. Similar checks are conducted in other mosques across Kano State.

See Why Cristiano Ronaldo Dumped Girlfriend Irina Shayk

According to new reports that just emerged today, Cristiano Ronaldo dumped his model girlfriend, Irina Shayk after she apparently refused to attend a surprise birthday celebration for his mum.

The Real Madrid superstar, 29, spent New Year’s Eve alone with his son when Irina Shayk decided not to attend the 60th birthday party. The couple rowed and the former Manchester United star – this week voted the best player in the world – decided to end his romance with the Russian beauty.

Her relationship with his mum Dolores Aveiro and sisters Elma and Katia was at the centre of tensions, according to reports in Portugal. Irina, 29, sparked speculation after she stopped following
the Real Madrid star on Twitter.

She also chose not to attend the FIFA Ballon D’Or ceremony in Zurich on Monday when he was named the best player in the world. Her boyfriend of nearly five years was joined on stage by his four-year-old son Cristiano Jr and mum, Dolores. Ronaldo even thanked his family, teammates and supporters but made no mention of Irina

Sources told MirrorUK that:

“Dolores wanted someone who would assume the role of mum for Cristiano Jr. That was not a priority for Irina.”

Irina and Cristiano, who met on an Armani photo-shoot, have yet to comment officially. Her PR claimed the model did not attend the Ballon d’Or because she had other commitments.

“Jonathan Will Win 2015 Election But Be Cut Short” – Prophet Emmanuel Nwazuo

Another man of God has spoken about the 2015 election holding between February 14 and 28.

The new revelation is coming from one Prophet Emmanuel Ezenwa Nwazuo who has said that President Goodluck Jonathan will defeat his opponent, Muhammadu Buhari in the election.

The Sun reports that the man of God this known at his Lagos church.

This is actually not the first time Nwazuo would be prophesying about electoral issues. He had in 2011 published his version of his prophecy where he said Jonathan would triumph at the election which came through.

“I am not the one saying this; it is a revelation from God. I see President Jonathan winning the 2015 election with a landslide but the All Progres­sives Congress (APC) will revolt. In 2011, I predicted that Jonathan would defeat his opponent. Some people did not believe but the prophecy was ful­filled. He did not just win but he won convincingly. Quoting his prediction before 2011 presidential election, from a published Christian journal:

“The Lord took me in the spirit to the seat of power in Aso Rock and showed me a bold inscription on the Presidential seat with a heavenly seal on it ‘No vacancy here’. Thus said the Lord to President Jonathan: “I appointed you for another period of five years to lead Nigeria to greatness”. Within these five years which symbolizes grace, no weapon fashioned against you shall prosper.”

He also said the president had the mind of God and has already started praying for him in order to better his regime.

“Well, we have started praying for him. I am not campaigning for Jonathan. If we compare all the presi­dents we have had in Nigeria, I think Jonathan has the mind of God and not only that, he also has the fear of God.”

However, the prophet also said he saw the president being cut short but did not reveal if it will be the president himself or his tenure.

“I would not want to go further than that but I see him cut short.”

He also spoke on the Lagos state Governorship election.

“Both PDP and APC have equal chances of winning the state. It is open to both parties. However, there would be riot immediately the result is announced, except much prayer is rendered to avert it.” He said

Photos from the fire outbreak at Marina this morning

Another fire outbreak reported in Marina this morning. The fire started around 4am in one of the tall buildings at Eko/Berlin Market, around CBN building. Shops and other buildings have been engulfed by fire though the fire service is trying their best to put it out. Millions of Naira lost in property. This season of fire outbreaks, is it the weather? See more pix below

D’banj Claims Dr Sid Caused His Break Up With Don Jazzy

No one can really say what actually transpired between Dbanj and Donjazzy that led to their break up, a break up so major it shook the whole Nigerian entertainment industry; we were all surprised. In an interview with Olisa on The Truth With Olisa, D’banj shed some light on his break up with the Mavin boss.

Olisa asked Him, “Why did Mo’ Hits break up?”

D’banj’s response: “If I will be truthful, it would be Dr Sid”

46-Years-Old Woman Drugged And Molest 22-Year-Old Man Until His Manhood Became Swollen

A  woman was arrested and charge for molesting a young man until his private parts became swollen, police in South Africa said.

Limpopo Police said that the 46-year-old woman of Bolobedu, who was accused of raping the 22-year-old man, was released from custody after posting R1,000 ($86) bail.

According to World Wide Weird News, the woman lured the man into her home and gave him a drink that was spiked with drugs before raping him overnight.

The woman locked all the doors and windows of her home to keep the victim from escaping. In the morning, the man’s genitals began to swell.

That is when the woman freed him from her home and he went to a nearby hospital. He was treated and released. Police described the man’s injuries as serious.

I Will Punch Anyone Who Insulted My Mother – Pope Francis Says

Pope Francis warned that he will not hesitate to punch anyone who insulted his mother.

The Pope says people ‘cannot insult the faith of others’ adding that he would punch someone if they insulted his mother, as he debated freedom of speech in the wake of the Charlie Hebdo attack.

The Pontiff said there were limits to freedom of expression and that ‘provocateurs’ should not purposely anger religious people.

Speaking on board the papal plane on his way to the Philippines, he also insisted that it was an ‘aberration’ to kill in the name of God and that religion can never be used to justify violence.

INEC Officials Burgled Office to Steal Voter Cards

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has dismissed two of its workers for allegedly theft of the Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) in Delta State.

The commission said the officers allegedly burgled its office in Patani Local Government Area of Delta State to commit the offence.

According to The Nations, INEC’s in-house Daily Bulletin listed the affected officers as: Mr. Collins Omofoma (SGL 09 Officer) and Mr. Onome Avbunudiogba (SGL 07 Officer).

Two Decision Extracts on January 8 by the Director (Commission’s Secretariat), Ishiaku A. Gali, said the dismissal and termination of the workers’ appointments followed the commission’s meeting last Thursday.

Also, INEC has terminated the appointment of Mrs Obi Chinwoke Ugochi, an Administrative Officer II (SGL 08), for alleged absence from duty without leave. Mrs Ugochi was of the commission’s Anambra State office.