PDP is 17: Lists achievements of the party in its 17 years of existence

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://ift.tt/1KAgeIE" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="286" src="http://ift.tt/1JxVT4x" width="640" /></a></div> <br /> <b>The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Nigeria’s oldest political party, yesterday, marked 17 years of its existence with a low-key event at its Wadata Plaza, Abuja National Secretariat.</b><br /> <br /> Briefing Journalists in Abuja, PDP National Publicity Secretary, Chief Olisa Metuh, who catalogued the achievements of the party in its 17 years of existence, said it lost some of its founding and leading members because they could not withstand what he termed, stiff competition within the party and some mistakes the party made.<br /> <br /> <a name='more' id="more"></a><br /> <br /> Metuh who tagged his speech, ”PDP At 17..Still The Only True National Party”, said that in spite of the exit of some of its founders and leaders, the party is still in line with the vision and mission of its founding fathers.<br /> <br /> He listed the achievements of the PDP-led administrations in economy, transportation, agriculture, healthcare, rule of law, entrenching democracy among others and wondered why the eletorate rejected the party at the polls in 2015.<br /> <br /> PDP pioneer members and leaders, who left the party at different times include former National Chairmen, Audu Ogbeh, Barnabas Gemade and Abubakar Kawu Baraje; former President Olusegun Obasanjo, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, Iyorchia Ayu andYahaya Kwande.<br /> <br /> Former PDP National Secretary, Olagunsoye Oyinlola; former governors Rotimi Amaechi (Rivers) Musa Kwankwaso (Kano); Aliyu Wamakko (Sokoto); Murtala Nyako (Adamawa); Kwara state governor, Abdulfatah Ahmed; Senate President, Bukola Saraki; Kebbi State, Senator Atiku Bagudu; Kaduna State governor, Mallam Nasir El- Rufai and their Benue State counterpart, Samuel Ortom among others also dumped the PDP just before the March/April general elections.<br /> <br /> Metuh who enumerated the party’s achievements in all the sectors beginning from 1999 to date, however, said that only the voting public can explain why the PDP lost the last general elections to the All Progressives Congress (APC).<br /> <br /> ‎”Some of those who defected could not just cope with the level of competition in the party; and some members felt that they were not well protected when they sought assistance. Others left because we lost election, others for selfish reason while some others left when they felt they were honestly not accommodated in the party.”<br /> <br /> Metuh was the only member of the 16-man National Working Committee (NWC) on a day the party announced that it was marking its 17 ‎years of existence.<br /> <br /> ‎On the causes of its loss in the last general election, Metuh said that the statement credited to the acting chairman of PDP Board of Trustees, Haliru Bello, to the effect that disrespect for party rules caused its loss was not the position of the party, which he did not disclose.<br /> <br /> Listing the achievements of the party in the last 17 years, Metu said: ‎”We recall with pride that the founding fathers of the PDP are heroes who rose to the challenge, stood up for million of other citizens, confronted the military and restored genuine democracy, national unity<br /> and stability, entrenched the rule of law and enlarged the political space we all enjoy today.<br /> <br /> “Over the years, the PDP has shown strength as the only Nigerian political party that is completely owned and controlled by the Nigerian people; with structures in all the nooks and crannies of the country; and where no individual or group of individuals can claim ownership or allowed to appropriate the interest of the generality of the members.<br /> <br /> “This unique national outlook clearly informs PDP’s irrevocable stance on politics of national integration, which ensured that no group or section in the polity is excluded from power, public office and spread of development projects, in line with the federal character principle of our great country.<br /> “At the time PDP came to power, Nigeria’s image internationally was in a deplorable state, with very poor human rights records. The onus of restoring it from its pariah status then rested squarely on the PDP-led government, which it successfully executed, returning the nation to its<br /> pride of place in the comity of nations.<br /> <br /> “The PDP-led government under former President Olusegun Obasanjo went further to work assiduously to settle foreign debts accumulated by previous administrations and extricated the nation’s economy from burdens of the London and Paris Clubs debt overhang.<br /> <br /> “Furthermore, in line with the determination to establish a moral and ethical society guided by such core values as honesty, integrity and justice, as contained in its manifesto, the PDP administration set up the Budget Monitoring and Price Intelligence Unit, otherwise known as<br /> Due Process Unit, which ensured transparency in government procurements and spending.<br /> “The PDP government, in the same vein, immediately established the two major anti-corruption agencies, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Independent Corrupt Practices and other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) with strict establishing and<br /> operation laws to ensure effectiveness and immunity from executive interferences. Down the years, SERVICOM desks were opened in ministries and agencies to further ensure ethical standards in government businesses.<br /> <br /> “As a result of this deliberate policies, human rights and business friendly environment were created and it saw to the massive return of Nigerians in the Diaspora and the influx of direct foreign investments into the country.<br /> <br /> “Also, in keeping with the vision of our founding fathers to build a qualitative democratic society, successive PDP administrations for 16 years nurtured and sustained national unity and cohesion through strict application of the principles of federal character and social justice, for equitable distribution of wealth and opportunities.<br /> <br /> “We initiated series of amendments to the constitution to make it more responsive to the wishes and aspirations of the people; reformed the electoral system to allow for greater political participation, granted operational independence to INEC, enacted the Freedom of Information law, while upholding the sanctity of the rule of law in all sectors of the polity.<br /> <br /> “To reposition the economy for greater productivity, successive PDP administrations applied an economic policy, which enhanced a dynamic economy, in which market forces are combined with the forces of partnership, solidarity and cooperation to boost private sector participation and emergence of an empowered middle class system in the country.<br /> <br /> “As you are aware, the hallmark of the PDP administration was anchored on the policy of transfer of wealth from the public sector to hard working and enterprising Nigerians. This resulted in the rapid expansion of the nation’s economic frontiers with an unprecedented growth in small and medium scale enterprises, which helped in providing employment for millions of our citizens across the country.<br /> <br /> “It is incontrovertible that within the 16 years of successive PDP administrations, more businesses opened in the country in all sectors of the economy; in telecommunication (with one of the world’s fastest GSM and internet penetrations), transport, aviation, hospitality, education, agriculture, the media, auto mobile, real estate, oil and gas, food processing, among others, than in any other period in the nation’s history.<br /> <br /> “In the same vein, hitherto weak banking sector was repositioned and strengthened, thereby providing support for businesses and restoring investors’ confidence in our system. By 2015, the PDP has grown our nation’s economy to the largest in Africa and one of the fastest growing<br /> in the world.<br /> <br /> “Under the PDP administration of Dr. Goodluck Jonathan, our nation witnessed the successful unbundling of the power sector with massive investments, resulting in the construction and rehabilitation of various power projects. This is in addition to investments in oil and gas sector including the Turn Around Maintenance (TAM) of our oil refineries, which dividends, the nation is now enjoying.<br /> <br /> “In the works, transport and aviation sectors, yearly investments by PDP administrations resulted in the revitalization of the railways, inland water ways, re-modelling and re-equipping of our aviation system to international standard, rehabilitation and construction of thousands of kilometres of roads and bridges across our country.<br /> <br /> “Similar yearly investments by successive PDP administrations changed the face of agriculture in our country from a development Programme to a business for national wealth creation, focusing on the private sector.<br /> <br /> By 2014 our national food production had expanded by an additional 21 million metric tons, a record, exceeding the national set target of 20 million metric tons for 2015.<br /> <br /> “In education and health, meticulous execution of deliberate policies resulted in significant achievements. While healthcare become more affordable and accessible, series interventionist initiatives in life threatening diseases such as malaria, fibroid, HIV and AIDS, VVF, Hepatitis, Sickle Cell Anaemia, cardiac related ailments, polio which was successfully eradicated in 2014, among others, culminating in an unprecedented 50 per cent drop in maternal mortality and increase in national life expectancy by 2015.<br /> <br /> “In education, while all levels of learning received adequate attention, the National Open University of Nigeria was established to boost opportunity for tertiary learning. By the end of first quarter of 2015, 14 new universities were established by the immediate past PDP administration to ensure that all states in the federation has a federal university, in addition to the establishment of the Almajiri system of education in the northern parts to ensure that no Nigerian child is denied access to education.<br /> <br /> “As you are aware, one of the major challenges we faced was security. Despite the daunting challenges, successive PDP administrations ensured a well-equipped military, police and para-military agencies to tackle external and internal aggressions and ensure safety of lives and property.<br /> “The record ending of the Niger Delta militancy by the Late Umaru Yar’Adua-led PDP administration, using the Amnesty Initiative, the containing of kidnapping menace in the south east, the drastic reduction in cases of highway criminality, using a combination of combat system<br /> and regulations on electronic money transfer, and the vigorous confrontation of the fight against insurgency in the North east, all give credence to the efforts of the PDP.<br /> <br /> “Also, the passing into law of “The Prevention of Terrorism Act 2011,” which provides for prevention, prohibition and combating of acts of terrorism, the re-equipping of the armed forces with officers and men undergoing retraining to enhance operations and professionalism; the<br /> streamlining of security agencies for better cohesion of their roles, including improved intelligence gathering and sharing, which are now being deployed in the services are all to the credit of the PDP.<br /> “Despite our temporary electoral setback in the last election, the PDP is a success story. Unarguably, the PDP is still the only pan-Nigeria party, wholly committed to the Nigerian project, accommodating all national interest and whose only agenda remains the unity, stability and prosperity of Nigeria and its people.<br /> <br /> “While we restate our gratitude to the Nigerian electorate who stood by us in our 16 years in government at the centre, and who for obvious reasons now have greater confidence in us than before, we deeply celebrate past and present leaders of our party, past and present members of our National Executive Committee (NEC), past and present elected government officials at the national and state levels, our development partners and teeming members nationwide.<br /> <br /> “As we play our new opposition role, the PDP as a highly responsible party, will continue to provide a firm but credible opposition, presenting alternatives to the programmes and policies of the present government while firmly standing on the side of the citizens in opposing acts and policies that are inimical to the health of the nation and the happiness of the people.<br /> <br /> “We therefore call on all well-meaning Nigerians to continue to support the PDP as it relentlessly pursue and defend those values and tenets that ensure our unity, stability and prosperity as one people under God.”

PDP is 17: Lists achievements of the party in its 17 years of existence

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Nigeria’s oldest political party, yesterday, marked 17 years of its existence with a low-key event at ...

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Nigeria's Taiwo Awoniyi joins Liverpool

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://ift.tt/1KAgeIz" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="236" src="http://ift.tt/1JxVVtt" width="400" /></a></div> <br /> <b>Nigeria striker Taiwo Awoniyi has joined English Premier League outfit, Liverpool, from Imperial Academy.</b><br /> <br /> The 18-year-old forward who was part of the Flying Eagles squad to the Fifa U20 World Cup and currently represents the Nigeria U23 has been sent on loan to Bundesliga side FSV Frankfurt.<br /> <br /> <a name='more' id="more"></a><br /> <br /> “This is the biggest club in the world and I’m privileged to be here,” Awoniyi told Liverpoolfc.com.<br /> <br /> “I’ll try to develop myself very well so that when I come back to Liverpool I’ll be able to add value to the team.<br /> <br /> “When I’m in the red shirt, I will always give my very best to make the fans happy,” he concluded.<br /> <br /> He would be hoping to get regular playing time at Bundesliga 2 side FSV Frankfurt under manager Tomas Oral.

Nigeria's Taiwo Awoniyi joins Liverpool

Nigeria striker Taiwo Awoniyi has joined English Premier League outfit, Liverpool, from Imperial Academy. The 18-year-old forward who wa...

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Osinbajo to leave for Abidjan Monday night

<br /> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://ift.tt/1N4RJ8o" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="250" src="http://ift.tt/1N4RJ8q" width="400" /></a></div> <br /> Vice President Yemi Osinbajo will depart Abuja Monday to represent President Muhammadu Buhari at the swearing-in ceremony of Nigeria’s immediate past Agriculture Minister, Dr. Akinwunmi Adesina, as President of the African Development Bank (AfDB).<br /> <a name='more' id="more"></a><br /> <br /> The inauguration, according to a statement issued by his Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Laolu Akande, will take place on September 1 at the Ivoirian capital city of Abidjan.<br /> <br /> It reads: “It would be recalled that President Buhari actively supported the candidature of the AfDB president-elect in a keenly contested election conducted in May this year even before the Buhari presidency assumed office.<br /> <br /> “The Vice President will speak at the event and return to Abuja later tomorrow.”

Osinbajo to leave for Abidjan Monday night

Vice President Yemi Osinbajo will depart Abuja Monday to represent President Muhammadu Buhari at the swearing-in ceremony of Nigeria’s im...

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UNIPORT students protest colleague’s death

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://ift.tt/1KXugjx" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://ift.tt/1N4RJ8g" width="232" /></a></div> <br /> There was pandemonium Monday at the University of Port Harcourt (UNIPORT) over the mysterious death of Miss Kelechi Precious, a 200 level student of Theatre Art and Film Study who was said to have collapsed at her hostel bathroom and died after the University Teaching Hospital rejected her for lack of space.<br /> <a name='more' id="more"></a><br /> <br /> Angered by the inability of the University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital (UPTH) to save the victim’s life instead of rejecting her on the excuse of lack of space, the students led by the Student Union Government (SUG) of the University went into protest, locking all the entrance gates to the school.<br /> <br /> They also blocked the popular East-West road, including Ada-George Road and UNIPORT Aluu road leading to a serious traffic jam. Some of the school properties were also vandalized by the angry protesters who were chanting war song accusing UPTH of being responsible for the death of the victim.<br /> <br /> As at the time of filing this report, the management of UPTH has started discharging patients at the hospital following the protest at the hospital leading to breakdown of law and order.<br /> <br /> Some of the students who spoke to newsmen including SUG President accused the management of UPTH of killing their colleague for not giving her preference as student of the university in spite the lack of space complained about.<br /> <br /> UNIPORT SUG President, Comrade Chuku Endwell said, the management of UPTH has failed the students, adding that for testing the anger of the students and for showing insensitivity over their life of one of them, the school at the moment will remain under lock.<br /> <br /> Chuku said, “this is not college of Education, it is not a polytechnic or a secondary school, it is the famous university in the black Africa. The students were the reason for the establishment of UPTH, I don’t know why a student will be taking to the hospital and he or she would be rejected.<br /> <br /> “This shows that our lives are no longer safe, by the Grace of God, SUG has summoned a meeting of all those concern and before the end of today we will reach a compromise especially the safety of our lives as students. If there is any one that should be giving a priority in the UPTH it is the students of UNIPORT.”<br /> <br /> Narrating how the victim died, her closet roommate Miss Kainti Dauebimoere said; “She is in the same department with me and a roommate; we slept on the same bed on Sunday morning. We both woke up almost the same time, she went in to have her bath but later I heard a voice screaming.<br /> <br /> “Then, I ran into the bathroom to know what was wrong with her but I saw her on the floor behaving like an asthmatic patient. Then, I ran back to the room to call other roommates. That was how we got a car around 5:45 am to take her to UPTH at accident and emergency ward. But the doctors who were there said there was no bed space. We pleaded that we are going to use the car as her bed, but they refused.<br /> <br /> “When we discovered that the UPTH was not able to assist we took her to fountain hospital at Ozuoba, the doctor there told us that we should look for her relative. He then directed us to take her back to the UPTH but we told him that we are just coming from there. We were again directed to Ebonyi Hospital where the doctor confirmed that there was no live in her.<br /> <br /> “Then we took her to Military hospital, when we got there they said she died three hours ago, but they advice us to make an entry to any police station. After making an entry at Choba Police station, we took her corpse to UPTH mortuary. The management of UPTH who said there was no space now accepted her corpse at their mortuary.”<br /> <br /> Responding, the Chief Medical Director (CMD) of University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital Prof. Aaron Ajule said there was no space when the victim was brought to the hospital, noting that the hospital cannot reject an outsider not to talk of a student of the university.<br /> <br /> “It was not an issue of reject; we cannot reject any body outside the campus not to talk of student of the university. When the hospital is filled it is filled, we cannot ask somebody to go down to accept another. We sympathised with the victim’s family and the University over what happened.<br /> <br /> “The information I am giving you now is still going to be investigated and confirmed, we have setup a panel to investigate the issue. They came here and we told them there was no space at the time they came and when the lady died they said it was UPTH that killed her. We have always told the people that UPTH is over subscribed.”

UNIPORT students protest colleague’s death

There was pandemonium Monday at the University of Port Harcourt (UNIPORT) over the mysterious death of Miss Kelechi Precious, a 200 level ...

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Power supply hit 4,029.83MW

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://ift.tt/1N4RI4a" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="282" src="http://ift.tt/1N4RI4g" width="640" /></a></div> <br /> <br /> Energy Sent out by the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) last Sunday hit 4,029.83MW, The Nation learnt Monday.<br /> <br /> According to the Federal Ministry of Power in its Power Statistics of Sunday 30th August, power supply leaped by 32.02MW from the last statistics of August 25.<br /> <br /> Of the total energy generated in period under review, the company recorded 87.9MW spinning reserve or stranded energy which the it could not wheel to the electricity distribution companies.<br /> <br /> The ministry made this disclosure on its website Monday, adding that the peak power generation that was 4,810.7MW on August 25 dipped to 4,516.5MW on Sunday.<br /> <a name='more' id="more"></a><br /> <br /> It also noted that Energy Generation rose to 4,117.73MW from the last record of 4,080.86MW.<br /> Highest peak power generation in the Nigeria Electricity Supply Industry (NESI) was the 4,810.7 MW of August 25.<br /> <br /> There has been significant increase in the electricity supply to customers, which most consumers have described as the usual ploy of electricity distribution companies when they are preparing to dispatch their monthly bills.<br /> <br /> The Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) had recently decided that the Discos’ fixed charge should now be proportional to energy charge, although The Nation could not confirm whether the adjustment was effected in the August bill or whether it would commence in September.

Power supply hit 4,029.83MW

Energy Sent out by the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) last Sunday hit 4,029.83MW, The Nation learnt Monday. According to the Fed...

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64 million Nigerians suffer from mental illness – Nebo

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://ift.tt/1KXugjo" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://ift.tt/1KXuerI" width="320" /></a></div> <br /> A former power minister, Professor Chinedu Nebo, on Monday said the federal and state governments have not provided medical attention to about 64 million Nigerians who suffer from mental illness.<br /> <br /> Nebo spoke during the Second Public Lecture organised by the Federal Neuropsychiatric Hospital, Enugu, in collaboration with the West African College of Nursing.<br /> <br /> <a name='more' id="more"></a><br /> <br /> Speaking on the theme ‘Psychiatric and mental health in Nigeria: challenges and prospects,’ Nebo noted that, according to medical scholars, out of a population of 160 million or thereabouts, “64 million Nigerians suffer from one form or the other of afflictions of mental illness,” which deserved attention.<br /> <br /> Nebo, a former Vice Chancellor of the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, pointed out that, whereas government had done much in the area of primary health care, nothing had been done to address mental health challenges.<br /> <br /> He also noted that Nigerians were not adequately informed about mental health issues.<br /> “Nigerians still grapple with many social challenges, including poverty, high level of unemployment and other social pressures.<br /> <br /> “The prevalence of these situations have been escalated by the fact that there is high level of poor knowledge and understanding of the malaise of mental health disorder and the positive treatments required by the growing population of mentally ill patients,” he said.<br /> <br /> He identified causes of mental illness to include genetic composition, neurological and psychological experiences and environmental stresses.<br /> <br /> He faulted what he described as “the belief that many Nigerians seem to hold that mental disorder is a result of supernatural forces and, therefore, only responds to cure through traditional practices and supernatural incantations.”<br /> <br /> Nebo urged Nigerians to give up such beliefs and “face the realities of modern conditions, which in fact, produce the stresses that lead to different levels of mental conditions.”<br /> The former power minister called for adequate funding for research and training of mental health manpower.<br /> <br /> Nebo equally canvassed the provision of community based mental health care services, total integration of mental health care into the primary health care system and periodic review of legislation governing the care of the mentally ill.<br /> <br /> The Chief Medical Director of the Federal Neuropsychiatric Hospital, Enugu, Dr. Jojo Onwukwe, said the institution has a staff strength of about 1000 workers, including eight consultant specialist psychiatrists, more than 400 psychiatric nurses and 27 resident doctors.

64 million Nigerians suffer from mental illness – Nebo

A former power minister, Professor Chinedu Nebo, on Monday said the federal and state governments have not provided medical attention to a...

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Fraudsters using my name to dupe applicants – El-Rufai

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://ift.tt/1KXugjm" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="332" src="http://ift.tt/1N4RFW5" width="640" /></a></div> <br /> <br /> Governor Nasir el-Rufai of Kaduna State on Monday raised the alarm that fraudsters are using his names to defraud job seekers in the state.<br /> <br /> The governor warned those applying for employment in the state civil service or contracts to be wary of such dubious characters.<br /> <br /> El-Rufai said this through his Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Samuel Aruwan, while addressing journalists at the Sir Kashim Ibrahim Government House, Kaduna, adding that security agencies were on the trail of the fraudsters.<br /> <br /> <a name='more' id="more"></a><br /> <br /> According to him, the fraudsters specialised in duping persons under the guise of securing government appointments and contracts in the state for them.<br /> <br /> He cautioned unsuspecting members of the public, especially those applying for jobs or contracts in the state against the nefarious acts so as not to fall victim.<br /> <br /> El-Rufai added, “Our attention has been drawn to criminal activities of fraudsters duping members of the public purportedly under the guise of securing government appointments, employment and contracts in the state and beyond.<br /> <br /> “The fraudsters have been dropping a Diamond Bank account number, 0061680758, with the name Martin Anderson. There is also one Engr Bello, claiming to be a Manager in NNPC with telephone number 08133613031, which he circulates via a fake Facebook account.<br /> <br /> “The fraudsters, who are cheating and collecting resumes and Curriculum Vitae of ambitious persons, have no mandate of the governor or Kaduna State Government but are criminals and the general public should take note.<br /> <br /> “The security agencies have been alerted and presently trailing them for appropriate action and prosecution. The members of the public are hereby reminded to cease patronising criminals but to report them to the nearest security agencies.”

Fraudsters using my name to dupe applicants – El-Rufai

Governor Nasir el-Rufai of Kaduna State on Monday raised the alarm that fraudsters are using his names to defraud job seekers in the stat...

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Nigeria’s first test-tube baby gets European varsity admission

<br /> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://ift.tt/1N4RHxa" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://ift.tt/1KXuebm" width="400" /></a></div> <br /> <b>Seventeen years after she was born through In Vitro Fertilisation‎, Nigeria’s first test tube baby, Miss Hannatu Kupchi, has made history by securing admission into a Hungarian university to study medicine.</b><br /> <br /> The medical doctor that supervised the first IVF experiment in Nigeria, Dr. Ibrahim Wada, said Hannatu’s birth on February 11, 1998, at Nisa Premier Hospital in Abuja, signalled a significant revolution in the practice of medicine in Nigeria.<br /> <br /> <a name='more' id="more"></a><br /> <br /> Speaking on Sunday in Abuja during a brief reception and presentation of an award to Hannatu Kupchi, Wada said it would be very difficult to make a an elaborate statement on such occasions.<br /> <br /> He said, “When I was out of this country, I knew there were people who wanted babies. I made the decision to come back to Nigeria to help people. It happened on February 11, 1998, when this historic event occurred in this hospital.<br /> <br /> “The baby of that historic day is going to become a doctor. Because the parents stood firm, we were able to help others. You gave us government recognition and that was important. It was the first time that a federal minister came to receive a baby in Nigeria.<br /> <br /> “I want to assure you (Hannatu), when you graduate, there is an automatic employment when you finish your medicine in Europe.”<br /> <br /> Hannatu promised to break barriers and become a doctor in order to help families and parents, who are unable to give birth through the traditional means.<br /> <br /> She said by her birth, misconceptions about IVF were broken and that many more children had been brought into this world as well.<br /> <br /> “I barely made it beyond the cut off mark. God helped me. I am going to try my best and make everyone proud. I am studying Medicine because I want to be a doctor. I want to study it because I want God to use me to help families who suffered what my parents went through,” she said.<br /> <br /> In his remarks, Hannatu’s father, Mr. Hosea Kupchi, said the couple waited for 13 years without a child.<br /> <br /> He added, “We had 13 years of marriage without a child and we went through the orthodox method without any success. But along the line, my sister-in-law told me that there was one Dr. Wada that had been helping couples. That is how we came.<br /> <br /> “Then challenges came again on how to let the world know that we have achieved this feat locally here in Nigeria. There are a lot of couples out there that are not ready to speak out. One, there is the issue of stigmatisation, but I said to myself that nobody light the candle and put it under the bed.”

Nigeria’s first test-tube baby gets European varsity admission

Seventeen years after she was born through In Vitro Fertilisation‎, Nigeria’s first test tube baby, Miss Hannatu Kupchi, has made history...

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Ohanaeze appeals to Ndigbo for clam over skewed appointments

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://ift.tt/1hs1jEJ" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="250" src="http://ift.tt/1NJ6b5Z" width="400" /></a></div> <br /> Following the outrageous outcries that have greeted the recent appointments made by President Muhammad Buhari, Secretary General,apex Igbo socio-cultural group, Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Dr. Joe Nwaorgu, has called on Ndigbo to remain calm in the present circumstance of unexplainable and skewed pattern of appointments which has completely excluded Ndigbo from key strategic positions in the Federal Government.<br /> <br /> Speaking with Journalists in Enugu, Monday, against the backdrop of the appointment of principal officers in the presidency and Secretary to the Government of the Federation, SGF, Dr. Nwaorgu said that the call for Ndigbo to remain calm had become necessary because of the numerous telephone calls from Ndigbo all over Nigeria and in the Diaspora expressing shock and disbelief at the appointments.<br /> <br /> He said that some Ndigbo who have telephoned on the issue had queried “whether Ndigbo are still regarded as part of Nigeria.”<br /> <br /> The Ohanaeze Secretary General requested Ndigbo not to overreact either by word or otherwise to this ugly situation of total exclusion.<br /> <br /> <a name='more' id="more"></a><br /> <br /> “Ohanaeze Ndigbo urges Ndigbo to continue to be nation builders anywhere they are and not to be downcast by what has happened.<br /> <br /> “Ohanaeze strongly believes that a President of Nigeria is the president for all Nigerians and that equity and fair-play for all Nigerians will be respected,” Nwaorgu said.<br /> <br /> Also speaking in the same vein on telephone from Abuja, Monday, a former Minister of Health, Professor A.B.C Nwosu said that he was not surprised that the appointments excluded Ndigbo.<br /> According to him, “many Ndigbo expected this to be so even during the campaigns and that was why they voted the way they did.”<br /> <br /> He stated that “Ndigbo should not be troubled by this development because they have seen and survived worse situations in Nigeria and there is no cause for mourning the present development.<br /> “Ndigbo should continue to be strong and committed to nation building and await the envisaged remedial action as stated by the presidency even though, personally, I do not see any position that will equal the position of the Secretary to Government of the Federation and its centrality in the exercise of federal power in Nigeria.”<br /> <br /> Prof. Nwosu advised that upon conclusion of major appointments, Ohanaeze Ndigbo in consultation with Igbo organizations like Aka Ikenga, Ndigbo Lagos, World Igbo Congress, Igbo World Assembly, Izu Umunna, Igbo Leaders of Thought and so on should summon a meeting of Igbo leaders and elders to review the situation.

Ohanaeze appeals to Ndigbo for clam over skewed appointments

Following the outrageous outcries that have greeted the recent appointments made by President Muhammad Buhari, Secretary General,apex Igbo...

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Pandemonium as four masquerades invade Ondo church, flog pastors, worshipers

<br /> <b>Pandemonium engulfed the Epinmi Akoko area of Ondo state on Sunday as a church service was reportedly disrupted by four masquerades who flogged the pastors and the worshipers.</b><br /> <br /> <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"> <tbody> <tr> <td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://ift.tt/1NJ68qM" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="328" src="http://ift.tt/1hs1jED" width="640" /></a></td> </tr> <tr> <td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">File Photo: Masquerades dancing with whips</td> </tr> </tbody> </table> One of the masquerades, Tunde Arohunmolase was however arrested while others fled after flogging the pastors and the worshipers.<br /> <br /> <a name='more' id="more"></a><br /> <br /> Police source said that the masquerades invade the Christ Apostolic Church in the town while the service was on-going and abruptly ended it.<br /> <br /> Two of the Pastors were reportedly injured by the time the masquerades left the church premises.<br /> <br /> It was gathered that when the masquerades arrived the church premises they were challenged by some of the church workers.<br /> <br /> But they reportedly ‎overpowered them and went straight for their target.<br /> <br /> While other worshipers fled leaving the Pastors , their attackers reportedly had a field day dealing with them.<br /> <br /> It was also leant that the matter ‎was later reported at the police station and one of the suspect was apprehended.<br /> <br /> Police detectives are probing the reason for the attack of the church by the masqueraders during the service.<br /> <br /> When contacted the police Image Maker, Wole Ogodo, confirmed that two Pastors were wounded during the attack and have been treated.<br /> <br /> He gave the names of the Pastors as Jacob Ogunmola and Kehinde Ilori.<br /> <br /> The Police Spokesman added that one of the suspect- Tunde Arohunmolase is in Police custody and has made useful statement.<br /> <br /> Ogodo assured that the fleeing masqueraders would soon be arrested from their hideouts.

Pandemonium as four masquerades invade Ondo church, flog pastors, worshipers

Pandemonium engulfed the Epinmi Akoko area of Ondo state on Sunday as a church service was reportedly disrupted by four masquerades who flo...

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Fashola Website/Borehole Scandal: Tinubu is laughable, jittery - PDP

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="257" src="http://ift.tt/1O3FohL" width="400" /></div> <b>The Lagos State chapter of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has described a statement credited to former Lagos State Governor, Bola Tinubu, that the PDP was responsible for the tirades against former Governor Babatunde Fashola as laughable, diversionary and obvious show of jitters.</b><br /> <br /> The party in a statement signed by its Publicity Secretary, Taofik Gani congratulated Lagosians that at last the whereabouts of the state’s mismanaged resources in the last 16 years might begin to resurface now that the two ex-governors of the state have come against each other.<br /> <br /> <a name='more' id="more"></a><br /> <br /> Tinubu was reported to have accused the PDP of sponsoring recent attacks on his successor, Raji Fashola and defended Fashola’s tenure.<br /> <br /> Fashola has recently come under attacks for spending the sum of N78M on a personal website and another N105M to construct only two boreholes.<br /> <br /> Replying the former governor and national leader of the APC, the Lagos PDP berated him as being economical with the truth of attacks on Fashola, stating that the APC leader is the actual sponsor of the attacks and that his denial is not only disgraceful, but also an after thought in order to avoid his own attacks.<br /> <br /> “It is laughable that Tinubu can now blame PDP for disseminating informations which no doubt emanated from the office of the State governor and which was made public by the anti-Fasholas within the APC. Indeed bringing PDP into this is a deliberate attempt to divert attention from the real issues of fraud in the state.<br /> <br /> “Tinubu and the APC should rather face the accusations and not the accusers. We know well that Tinubu is behind the attacks. He lost cordiality with Fashola since the period of the APC governorship primary. Now he doesn’t want Fashola to gain any federal appointment. The whole world knows this.<br /> <br /> “He is now jittery and denying the attacks because of the rumoured plans by Fashola to release classified informations of frauds and assassination during the administration of Tinubu. This is why Tinubu is now jittery and telling lies that we are behind the attacks,” it said.<br /> <br /> The PDP has however reiterated its stance that the state was mismanaged by both Tinubu and Fashola since 1999 “hence Lagos is the capital of governor’s corruption in nigeria.”<br /> <br /> According to the party, “Tinubu and Fashola should both be probed and called upon to account for the near N1trillion debt owed by the state even as the state’s IGR stands at not less than N27 billion every month.<br /> <br />  In spite of this huge IGR, the state lacks affordable government services like low cost housing, pipe borne water, markets, functional university etc. The assumed developments in the state are by concessionaires; federal Government; donors; private and corporate bodies”

Fashola Website/Borehole Scandal: Tinubu is laughable, jittery - PDP

The Lagos State chapter of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has described a statement credited to former Lagos State Governor, Bola Tinubu, t...

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Buhari is nothing but a Northern President – Fayose

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://ift.tt/1hrO3jw" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="http://ift.tt/1KyWCVo" width="640" /></a></div> <br /> <b>Ekiti State Governor, Mr Ayodele Fayose has said President Muhammadu Buhari was operating as a president of Northern Nigeria only, describing steps taken by the president since May 29, 2015 as tainted in ethnic and tribal colouration, which is inimical to the unity of Nigeria.</b><br /> <br /> The governor, who descried what he called President Buhari’s “Northernisation of Nigeria”, said “appointments made by the President so far negate the principle of federal character and it appears the unity in diversity of Nigeria is being taken for granted by the President.”<br /> <br /> <a name='more' id="more"></a><br /> <br /> According to a statement issued on Monday, by his Special Assistant on Public Communications and New Media, Lere Olayinka, Governor Fayose said it was wrong for President Buhari to have made 31 major appointments and only seven will come from the South while 24 were from the North.<br /> <br /> He asked: “Under Buhari, are people from Southern Nigeria only meant to be hounded and harassed by anti-corruption agencies and the Department of State Security (DSS) while those from the North are meant to enjoy federal government juicy appointments?”<br /> <br /> The governor added: “Apart from lopsided appointments being made by the President, I am worried that construction of Lagos-Ibadan expressway has been slowed down while work has stopped on Lokoja-Abuja roads, which are the major roads linking the Southern part of Nigeria with the North.<br /> “Also, we have been told by the Federal Government that the Second Niger Bridge project has been suspended and one is now beginning to remember how Buhari cancelled the Lagos Metroline Project in 1985 at a loss of over $78 million (then) to the Lagos tax payers.”<br /> <br /> Governor Fayose, who maintained that Nigeria can only move forward if there was equity and fairness, said those who made the country’s constitution and enshrined the principle of Federal Character were mindful of the ethnic diversity of the country, adding that President Buhari running Nigeria as if he was a Northern Nigeria’s President was not in the interest of the country.<br /> <br /> “They said the President made the appointments on merit and I wish to ask whether there are no competent people in the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the Southern part of Nigeria, especially South-East where no one has been appointed.<br /> <br /> “Are they saying Igbo leader like Dr. Ogbonnaya Onu, who graduated with a first class honours degree in Chemical Engineering at the University of Lagos, is not competent to be appointed as Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF)?<br /> <br /> “To my mind, these lopsided appointments skewed in favour of the North is a reminder of President Buhari’s tenure as Military Head of State and I hope the President is not seeing Nigeria of today as that of 1984 because doing so will mean that he has turned himself to a northern president, thereby justifying his notion that those who gave him 97 percent votes must get more benefits than those who gave him five percent votes.”

Buhari is nothing but a Northern President – Fayose

Ekiti State Governor, Mr Ayodele Fayose has said President Muhammadu Buhari was operating as a president of Northern Nigeria only, descri...

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Jonathan’s former CSO denies role in $6.9 million ‘mobile stage scandal’

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://ift.tt/1KyWCVd" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://ift.tt/1hrO3ju" width="400" /></a></div> <br /> <b>The former chief security officer of ex-President Goodluck Jonathan, Gordon Obua, has denied any role in an alleged multi million dollar inflated contract for the purchase of speech platforms from Mr. Jonathan.</b><br /> <br /> The transaction involved the purchase of three 40-feet mobile rostrums at $6.9 million, paid by the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC.<br /> <br /> <a name='more' id="more"></a><br /> <br /> The deal was allegedly sealed between the former president, Mr. Obua and a former petroleum minister, Diezani Alison-Madueke.<br /> <br /> Federal government investigators and security agencies told newsmen the contract, executed in 2011, was one of many allegedly corrupt practices engaged and condoned under the presidency of the immediate past president.<br /> <br /> Besides the fact that the sum for the stages had been incredibly inflated according to mobile stages industry experts, government investigators said there was no evidence that any stage was purchased.<br /> The process of procurement of the three mobile stages was neither known to extant Nigerian laws and due process regulations, nor were the offices of the Auditor-General and the Accountant-General in the know, according to investigators.<br /> <br /> A source also said Mr. Obua was at the centre of the fraudulent financial ring, and that he initiated a memo to the former president asking for the purchase of three mobile stages.<br /> <br /> But Mr. Obua, who had earlier been arrested and released by state security agents, denied initiating the memo to Mr. Jonathan.<br /> <br /> A statement released by his lawyer, Andrew Itsekiri, on Monday, said the former CSO did not receive a penny for the construction of any stage for Mr. Jonathan.<br /> <br /> Mr. Obua said the company that purportedly received $6.9 million for the construction of stages was not owned by him and that he had no link to the firm.<br /> <br /> He challenged those behind the allegation to produce evidence from the corporate commission Abuja linking the ownership of any such company to him.<br /> <br /> He also challenged the leadership of the NNPC to ‎ identify the person or the owner of the company to whom the purported money was paid.<br /> <br /> Mr. Itsekiri also pointed out that resorting to “media trial” was a calculated attempt by the government to discredit his client after agencies of government had investigated him and found nothing with which to nail him.<br /> <br /> “Our client did not know anything about the purported transactions. He did not initiate any memo to the then presidency. It is a mere cheap blackmail,” Mr. Itsekiri said.<br /> <br /> ”The authorities have a duty to dispel claims that the whole idea is to hurriedly charge him to court with no single shred of evidence to convict, with the expectation that his innocence can only be established years later, after his reputation would have been irredeemably dented before an unsuspecting public.”<br /> <br /> Mr. Itsekiri said the Muhammadu Buhari administration ”would be setting a dangerous precedent by deliberately subjecting innocent people to media trial, knowing clearly that the cases are seriously bereft of facts and evidence, linking such persons to the crimes advertised”.

Jonathan’s former CSO denies role in $6.9 million ‘mobile stage scandal’

The former chief security officer of ex-President Goodluck Jonathan, Gordon Obua, has denied any role in an alleged multi million dollar i...

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PICTURE: Ekiti Civil servants prostrate and beg Governor Fayose for coming late to work

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://ift.tt/1X5Pbdm" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://ift.tt/1Q3IO5y" width="480" /></a></div> <br /> <b>Several civil servants were pictured prostrating to the Ekiti State Governor, Mr. Ayodele Fayose who paid an unscheduled visit to the state Secretariat at 8:00 am on the dot Monday, 31st August, 2015.</b><br /> <br /> Fayose has frowned and warned civil servants in the state to shun every act of lateness and truancy; that, whoever engages in late-coming and truancy may be shown the way out of service if he or she remains recalcitrant.<br /> <a name='more' id="more"></a><br /> <br /> The Governor, who was at the state Secretariat at 8:00 am on the dot Monday, apprehended over 30 civil servants who came late and directed that a disciplinary committee be set up to try them with appropriate sanctions.<br /> <br /> Many of the civil servants on sighting the Governor scampered around to avoid being apprehended.<br /> <br /> Meanwhile, the Governor has stated that the unscheduled visit will continue until appropriate discipline has been entrenched in the civil service; saying, he could be at the MDAs anytime.<br /> <br /> He noted that if the government is working round the clock to ensure workers’ salaries are paid as at when due in spite of the economic downturn, the workers should reciprocate the gesture by being alive to their responsibilities.<br /> <br /> The Head of Service, Dr. Olugbenga, while reacting said, several warnings, interface and memos have been issued on the need for civil servants to shun lateness and absenteeism.<br /> <br /> He noted that, it is time to enforce strict adherence to the civil service rules; adding that workers have to sit up and reciprocate the gesture of the government which has made the payment of salaries and allowances of workers its priority.

PICTURE: Ekiti Civil servants prostrate and beg Governor Fayose for coming late to work

Several civil servants were pictured prostrating to the Ekiti State Governor, Mr. Ayodele Fayose who paid an unscheduled visit to the stat...

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US rapper, Kanye West to run for US presidency

<b><br /></b> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div> <br /> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://ift.tt/1X5P8y8" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="414" src="http://ift.tt/1X5P8yc" width="640" /></a></div> <b><br /></b><b>Popular US rapper, Kanye West has said that he is running for president in 2020 during his acceptance speech for the MTV Music Video Award’s lifetime achievement honor.</b><br /> <br /> West made the announcement at the end of a 10-minute-long speech where he discussed visiting the grocery store with his daughter and admitted that he does not understand awards shows.<br /> <br /> “And yes, as you probably could’ve guessed in this moment, I’ve decided in 2020 to run for president,” West said, before walking off stage.<br /> <br /> <a name='more' id="more"></a><br /> <br /> West famously stormed the stage at the 2009 awards to protest Taylor Swift’s win for best female video. Swift presented the Video Vanguard award to West on Sunday night and stood next to his wife Kim Kardashian during the speech.<br /> <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"> <tbody> <tr> <td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://ift.tt/1Q3IO5p" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://ift.tt/1Q3IMKK" width="496" /></a></td> </tr> <tr> <td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A Twitter handle started a poll, Kanye leading Trump at press time</td> </tr> </tbody> </table> <br /> After accepting the award on stage, West stood silently for several minutes under a spotlight while the crowd cheered for him. “Bro, bro, listen to the kids,” West began.<br /> <br /> In his speech, West rehashed the controversy in 2009, when he took Swift’s award. He said that it is something he thinks about in the grocery store with his daughter and when a crowd of 60,000 people boo him at a baseball game.<br /> <br /> “I think if I had to do it all again, what would I have done?” Kanye said. “Would I have worn a leather shirt? Would I have drank a half a bottle of Hennessy and given the rest to the crowd?”<br /> <br /> He then asked if he would do it if he had had a daughter at the time, as he does now, would he have taken the award from Swift. At no point in the speech did he give a clear answer to those four questions.<br /> <br /> Six years later, West said it does not make sense to him why “five artists” are given the opportunity to attend awards ceremonies where they can lose. “I still don’t understand awards shows,” West said.<br /> West also acknowledged that his comments might make the audience wonder about whether he was intoxicated.<br /> <br /> “‘Did you smoke something before coming out here?’” West said. “The answer is yes, I rolled up a little something to knock the edge off.”<br /> <br /> Shortly after, he announced his run for president.<br /> <br /> West who supported US President, Barack Obama, in his reelection bid is widely known to support Democrats and will be expected to run as a Democrat.<br /> <br /> <i>Culled from theguardian.com</i>

US rapper, Kanye West to run for US presidency

Popular US rapper, Kanye West has said that he is running for president in 2020 during his acceptance speech for the MTV Music Video Awa...

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Rival cults clash in Ogun, two slaugthered, houses razed

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://ift.tt/1NITwA3" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="290" src="http://ift.tt/1hrJAgI" width="640" /></a></div> <br /> Two persons have been killed and two other houses razed when some suspected cultists, said to be members of Aiye and Eiye Confraternity clashed at the Ago Odo and Elega areas in Abeokuta on Monday.<br /> <br /> <a name='more' id="more"></a><br /> <br /> The Ogun State Police Command, which confirmed the killings, said the two victims were slaughtered, their throats removed while their two hands were cut and taken away by their assailants.<br /> <br /> This situation it was gathered caused pandemonium in the areas affected, as residents hurriedly closed their shops and houses, scampering for safety.<br /> <br /> While Police patrol teams were seen roving the area, the State Police public Relations Officer (PRO), Muyiwa Adejobi confirmed the development, hinting that the Police had began a manhunt for the killers.

Rival cults clash in Ogun, two slaugthered, houses razed

Two persons have been killed and two other houses razed when some suspected cultists, said to be members of Aiye and Eiye Confraternity cl...

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Buhari's appointments not based on tribes, faith – SGF

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://ift.tt/1hrJy8v" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="250" src="http://ift.tt/1NITwzX" width="400" /></a></div> <b><br /></b><b><br /></b><b>The Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Mr. Babachir Lawal, on Monday said contrary to the belief of many, his appointment and those of some other appointees of President Muhammadu Buhari were not based on their tribes or religion.</b><br /> <br /> The last Thursday’s appointments of Lawal and five others by the President sparked off outrage among some individuals and groups who felt that Buhari’s appointments have so far been skewed in favour of the Northern part of the country.<br /> <br /> Of the six appointments, five appointees were picked from the North while the remaining one hails from the South.<br /> <br /> <a name='more' id="more"></a><br /> <br /> But speaking after taking his oath of office before Buhari on Monday, the SGF said he and his colleagues were not considered for their political appointments because of their tribes, faiths or political groups.<br /> <br /> Lawal who was sworn in alongside the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Mr. Femi Adesina; as well as the National Security Adviser, Maj.-Gen. Babagana Monguno (retd.), said if such factors were considered, they would not have made the President’s list.<br /> <br /> He said Nigeria was at the threshold of achieving greatness and it is a privilege for him and his colleagues to be part of the team that would propel the country to greatness.<br /> <br /> He promised that the new appointees would not fail the President and the country.<br /> <br /> He added that they would serve the country with excellence and integrity.<br /> <br /> Lawal said, “We want to thank God for granting Mr. President the vision, wisdom, kindness and boldness to consider us worthy for positions of responsibilities.<br /> <br /> “We did not have to pass examination to get appointed into these positions; not because of our tribes, our faiths or our political groups that we were considered worthy for these positions.<br /> <br /> “If it is such, I am sure none of us would have been considered worthy of these appointments.<br /> <br /> “We appreciate the President and we appreciate God that He has blessed us with these privileged appointments. It is a privilege to serve Nigerians in these capacities at this point in time.<br /> <br /> “Nigeria is at the threshold of achieving greatness and it is our honour and privilege to be senior members of the team that will propel the country to this greatness.<br /> <br /> “We have in you (the President) and the Vice President, leaders that lead by examples, leaders that are focused, leaders whose goal is to build a Nigeria where there is liberty, security, economic prosperity and the rule of law.<br /> <br /> “We are grateful that we are part of the team to deliver this goal. Accept our assurances that by the grace of God, we will not fail you, we will not fail our country, we will not fail ourselves, our families and our friends. By the grace of God, we will not fail you either. We will strive at all times to serve our country and to serve you with excellence, hard work and integrity.”<br /> <br /> Buhari did not make any statement at the brief ceremony that was attended by top government officials including the nation’s service chiefs and permanent secretaries as well as some chiefs of the ruling All Progressive Congress, led by their National Chairman, Chief John Odigie-Oyegun.<br /> <br /> Adesina’s appointment was one of the first set of appointments announced by Buhari on May 31.<br /> <br /> Monguno’s appointment was announced on July 13 while Lawal was appointed last Thursday.

Buhari's appointments not based on tribes, faith – SGF

The Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Mr. Babachir Lawal, on Monday said contrary to the belief of many, his appointment and t...

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Exam malpractice: Final year student of DELSU caught with 'exam expo’ on her thighs and private part

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://ift.tt/1EvGQK4" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="298" src="http://ift.tt/1JGWfmt" width="400" /></a></div> <br /> <b>An unidentified final year female student of  Library and Information Science, Delta State University, Abraka,was on Friday caught with “expo materials” (cheated with materials during examination) written on her thighs and private part</b><br /> <br /> NE gathered that six other female students were also caught with “expo materials” during examination.<br /> <br /> An examiner identified as Sylvester Okiemute caught a final year female student of the Department of Library and Information Science with incriminating materials during an examination.<br /> <a name='more' id="more"></a><br /> <br /> Sources said the student was caught while sitting for an exam on ‘Entrepreneurship and Information Services’ who had been observing her suspicious moves.<br /> <br /> It was gathered that the examiner, convinced that the student was making reference to a paper he smuggled in, asked her to hand over the paper. The girl denied and that led to a shouting match between the examiner and the student.<br /> <br /> It was gathered that the furious male examiner threatened to dip his hands into her private part to recover the incriminating materials.<br /> <br /> Our source, who narrated the incident on condition of anonymity, said the student was earlier caught by another examiner and she pleaded with the examiner, who later pardoned her.<br /> <br /> She was reportedly given another booklet to start over again, but was caught again, 45 minutes later.<br /> <br /> Confirming the incident, the university Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Victor Peretomode, said the university had declared total war on illegality and examination malpractices.<br /> <br /> Peretomode warned that any student, no matter how highly placed, found to be involved in examination malpractices would be shown the way out.

Exam malpractice: Final year student of DELSU caught with 'exam expo’ on her thighs and private part

An unidentified final year female student of  Library and Information Science, Delta State University, Abraka,was on Friday caught with “e...

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Nigerian woman, 3 Canadians, Pakistani die in Saudi fire

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://ift.tt/1EvGPpA" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="460" src="http://ift.tt/1JGWfmr" width="640" /></a></div> <br /> <br /> Saudi authorities said Monday that a Nigerian woman, three Canadians and one Pakistani were among 10 people killed in a fire at a residential complex rented by oil giant Saudi Aramco at the weekend.<br /> <br /> The civil defence revised down from 11 the death toll for Sunday’s blaze at the complex in the kingdom’s Eastern Province, in a statement carried by state news agency SPA.<br /> <br /> <a name='more' id="more"></a><br /> <br /> It said 259 people were wounded, but that 179 of those have been discharged. The five others who died in the blaze were yet to be identified, according to the civil defence.<br /> <br /> It said the fire was ignited by an electric short circuit in the underground parking where 130 cars were parked. It said that 35 vehicles were completely destroyed by the fire.<br /> <br /> Saudi Aramco says it employs more than 61,000 workers worldwide from 77 countries. Foreigners represent around a third of the kingdom’s population of 30.8 million.

Nigerian woman, 3 Canadians, Pakistani die in Saudi fire

Saudi authorities said Monday that a Nigerian woman, three Canadians and one Pakistani were among 10 people killed in a fire at a reside...

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“Be patient with Buhari, there are over 5,000 appointments yet to be made”

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://ift.tt/1FcanmS" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="302" src="http://ift.tt/1MXIVPU" width="640" /></a></div> <br /> Dr Nya Asuquo, a former House of Representatives member, has appealed to Nigerians to be patient with President Muhammadu Buhari over his recent appointments.<br /> <br /> Asuquo made the appeal while speaking with journalists during the occasion of his 67th birthday celebration on Sunday in Calabar.<br /> <a name='more' id="more"></a><br /> <br /> According to him, it will be balanced in no distant time and it is too early and unfair for Nigerians to criticise Buhari over his recent appointments.<br /> <br /> “There are over 5,000 appointments yet to be made. Nigerians should be patient with the president for he will make a balance in no distance time.<br /> “As president, people will always criticise your actions and inaction. Nigerians should not judge Buhari by the few appointments he has made.<br /> “There will be ministers, heads of government department, federal boards, advisers and others,’’ he said.<br /> <br /> Asuquo advised those appointed to see their positions as a call to serve and not a ticket to embezzling public funds.<br /> <br /> He said the APC-led government of Buhari had recorded remarkable success since it came on board, especially in its efforts to bringing looters of the nation’s treasury to justice.<br /> <br /> On the issue of insurgency, he said that the Boko Haram had, in the past few months, been pushed almost to the back burner.<br /> <br /> “In fact, the military has almost made the Boko Haram insurgents to look insignificant and the president has given them three months to end Boko Haram,’’ he said.<br /> <br /> Asuquo represented Odukpani/ Calabar Municipality Federal Constituency of Cross River between 1999-2003 under the platform of the defunct All Nigerian People’s Party(ANPP).

“Be patient with Buhari, there are over 5,000 appointments yet to be made”

Dr Nya Asuquo, a former House of Representatives member, has appealed to Nigerians to be patient with President Muhammadu Buhari over his ...

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“Buhari never promised to do anything in 100 days” - Lai Mohammed:

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://ift.tt/1hrC710" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="195" src="http://ift.tt/1X5uHBp" width="400" /></a></div> <br /> <b>APC national spokesperson, Lai Mohammed this morning on Channels TV said President Buhari never promised to do anything within his 1st 100 days in office.</b><br /> <br /> "Buhari never promised to do anything in 100 days, that's the honest truth. You see, when you are running a campaign, all kinds of literature will emerge from all sorts of groups but I came here and I said there are only just two documents that you can judge a party with. that is the constitution of the party and the manifesto of the party. Those are the only two documents that are registered with INEC you can go to court on or hold a party accountable for" he said.<br /> <br /> <a name='more' id="more"></a><br /> <br /> His statement comes a few days after presidential spokesperson, Shehu Garba released a statement distancing President Buhari from two documents tagged <b><a href="http://ift.tt/1hrC712">"One Hundred Things Buhari Will Do in 100 Days"</a></b> . The documents had a list of promises President Buhari and APC during their campaign, vowed to fulfill within his 1st 100 days in office if elected.<br /> <br /> The statement in part reads "<br /> <br /> "Both pamphlets bore the authorized party logo but as the Director of Media and Communications in that campaign, I did not fund or authorize any of those. I can equally bet my last Kobo that Candidate Buhari did not see or authorize those publications.<br /> <br />  As a consequence of these publications, expectations have been raised unreasonably, that as President, Muhammadu Buhari will wave his hand and all the problems that the country faces- insecurity, corruption, unemployment, poor infrastructure would go away. But that notwithstanding, President Buhari has given the job his best shot and the whole country is saying that we never had it so good.<br /> <br /> He has re-instituted the values of hard work and administrative efficiency. The President says times without number that this country needs to fix governance and that he won't tolerate laziness".<br /> <br /> He debunked reports that some members of the APC have expressed disappointments over the appointments made by the President, insisting that the party is happy about the appointment.<br /> <br /> “ I also read online that some APC leaders who chose to remain anonymous, expressed dissatisfaction.<br /> <br /> But I can tell u that all the APC members are behind the President on the issue of this appointment”, he stressed.<br /> <br /> He, however, disagreed what is being said about the National Chairman of the party, John Oyegun, that APC will be more involved in other appointments of the President.<br /> <br /> “ I read the full statement of the National Chairman of my party, and what he said was that, these are personal staff . It’s too early to make a judgment, you do not take part to be the whole.<br /> <br /> Future appointments will be different but these are personal staff”, he said.<br /> <br /> Talking about personal staff, Mr Mohammed said that “ I have been a Chief of Staff, and as the Chief of Staff, I was the first person the Governor saw in the morning and the last he saw at night almost on a daily basis.<br /> <br /> “ As the Chief of Staff, I was the link between the Governor’s personal and public life .<br /> <br /> “You can’t choose anybody from any party for that kind of job. There must be a relationship between you and your principal which must be personal”, he maintained.<br /> <br /> The National Secretary of the APC opined that the calculation and permutation by Nigerians on who the President will appoint is wrong.<br /> <br /> “There should be no fixation on any particular office, going to any particular part of the country.<br /> <br /> The fact that it went to a particular part of the country in the previous administration, does not mean it will go there in this present administration”.<br /> <br /> He stressed that “what we should focus on is the assurance from the government that in the fullness of time, no part of this country will feel marginalised by the kind of appointments that would be made”.

“Buhari never promised to do anything in 100 days” - Lai Mohammed:

APC national spokesperson, Lai Mohammed this morning on Channels TV said President Buhari never promised to do anything within his 1st 100...

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IGBOS AND THE BUHARI’S GOVERNMENT

<br /> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://ift.tt/1JwAKI9" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="350" src="http://ift.tt/1KyCDpM" width="640" /></a></div> <br /> The Igbos have not hidden their contempt for the All Progressives Congress (APC) since its formation in 2013. The party’s image has not been redeemed among Igbos with the APC Government led by President Muhammadu Buhari yet to appoint anyone from the South East, the home of the Igbos into his government.<br /> <br /> <br /> <a name='more' id="more"></a>It doesn’t appear pleasing to the Igbo ears that Mr Emmanuel IbeKachikwu from Delta state was appointed Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation(NNPC) boss. This is perhaps why the OhanezeNdigbo (the apex Igbo group) Youth Council recently accused the President of “hatred for the Igbo nation”. In the past few days, words like “federal character”, “marginalisation” “Biafra” and the likes have been used frequently in public discussions especially among many “Igbo” writers who have suddenly found their lost voices!<br /> <br /> While no responsible person should support of the marginalisation of any ethnic, religious or national group in Nigeria, wemust consider jettisoning our support of the so-called federal character. Igbos, in particular, have a lot to learn from other Nigerians and must be ready to do away with Civil War mentality to really prosper in a united Nigeria.<br /> <br /> On the federal character which was introduced in 1978 and became part of the 1979 Constitution and subsequent constitutions, we need to know if it has added any value(s) to our lives as a nation.<br /> <br /> After Chief ObafemiAwolowo lost the 1979 Presidential election, Yorubas who voted massively for him played the role of opposition in the SheuShagari’s administration. The Vice President, Senate President, Speaker of the House of Representatives all were non-Yorubas and the heavens did not fall. No one mentioned federal character or “marginalisation of Yorubas”. Much ado about federal character!<br /> <br /> If Yorubas did not go into extinction outside mainstream politics for about 40 years under different platforms-AG, UPN, AD, AC, ACN- I submit the Igbos must learn, like Yorubas did, to develop unique political character outside political power!<br /> <br /> From a little observation, it appears some Igbos are yet to jettison their Civil War experiences when others have moved on. It is no longer a secret that Igbos made their choice clear during the presidential election and that was not General Muhammadu Buhari , but whether they stand with him through thick and thin is yet to be seen.One of the questions that came up during the campaigns was General Buhari’s role during the Nigerian Civil War.<br /> <br />  This question was raised by no less a person than the People’s Democratic Party(PDP) campaign spokesman, Chief Femi Fani-Kayode. Needless to say that Fani-Kayode or FFK as he is sometimes called himself would have committed “genocide” considering his earlier views on Ndigbo while he was in the APC. How he suddenly become a “beloved Igbo” when he joined the PDP remains strange to me. This only convinces me that anyone can be a “friend of Ndigbo” if he can just oppose Buhari or the APC!<br /> <br /> In parenthesis, what role does a soldier play during war? Does FFK expect Buhari to come out and say he did not fight according to command? At the risk of sounding immodest, though I was born over two decades after the end of the War, I have read several Civil War books from both sides; I didn’t come close to any specific command led by General Buhari. Those that play prominent roles were: T.Y. Danjuma, Murtala Muhammed, Benjamin Adekunle “The Scorpion”, more later, OlusegunObasanjo and the likes on the Nigerian side. You can mention people like Joseph “Air Raid” Achuzie, Alexander Madiebo, Emmanuel Ifeajuna and others on Biafran side. I am yet to find any Civil War document on Buhari’s specific role(s) leading during the war!<br /> <br /> This leads me to my next point- Igbos do not appear to know their real “enemies”. They supported former president Jonathan, himself an Ijaw man from Bayelsa state even adding “Azikwe” to his name just to make him “our son”. Jonathan himself did not disappoint, he rewarded the Igbo nation with “juicy appointments” in his government. But as at the last time I checked,Ijaws fought alongside the Federal army during the Civil War. People like Isaac Boro and immortal Ken Saro-Wiwa both from “minority areas” fought the Biafrans to a standstill during the war. I am not sure if Ijaws will proudly call themselves Biafrans any time soon!<br /> <br /> In anAdvertorial titled “APC is Dead on Arrival in the South East” sponsored by an unknown group in the eve of the launch of the party in Anambra sometimes in 2014, cites the “deportation” of 14 destitudes of Igbo Origin to Anambra and Imo States as a case for Igbos not to support the APC. I wish to say that while I condemn this act by the Lagos State Government in its totality, I am not losing sights of the present security challenges in the country necessitating such actions by the Government. Lagos is not one of those States that harbours destitute (Almajiris).<br /> <br /> Apart from this, before this action by Lagos State, the PDP Government of AbiaSrate has adopted the Indigenization Policy leading to thousands (mainly Igbos) non-Abianslosing their jobs in the State Public Service. Nothing was wrong with relieving Nigerians of their jobs but everything was incorrect with clearing the streets of destitutes!<br /> <br /> Igbos must accept their presently reality and fast. Buhari is the President of Nigeria at least for the next four years. There are, for me, few options left for Igbos in the Buhari administration considering the fact that they boxed themselves into a tight corner. They can either play the role of a responsible opposition standing with the PDP or join the APC Government the latter which will make them negotiate from the position of weakness.<br /> <br /> If Igbos decide to play the role of opposition, that is, standing their grounds till the end and they will be taken more seriously in the political schemes in the future. This can also lay the foundation for Igbo Presidency sooner than we may think.The second option will be that Igbos will join the Buhari government through those their “rejected stones”-Ogbonaya Onu, Rochas Okorocha, Chris Ngige and the likes. This will also mean that pan-Igbo groups will do more than just praise singing of President Buhari and his lieutenants in the region to win him over for their past “sins”.<br /> <br /> I do not know how General Buhari must have felt early this year when he wrote to Ohaneze Ndigbo, requesting a simple audience. The response of the organisation in my opinion portrays that of a disoriented body in desperate need of reformation. The group did not even deem it fit to acknowledge receipt of the General’s letter!<br /> <br /> In all these, I think all hope is not lost. President Buhari must, through the state his party controls in the region(Imo), provide the lead. The President must shun shallow thinkers and flatterers in the region by building the Second Niger Bridge which has been in the realms of dreams over the years. The administration must also ensure that Ports are located in the region for improved revenue and jobs creation. I know little of Igbo needs except those I am told by my Igbo friends.<br /> <br /> The time to build a Nigeria where Igbos can be proud once again to be Nigerians is now. Buhari can do this and more. My only advice to Igbo leaders is for them to drop their toga of Civil War lenses and look at issues more clearly within the 21st century realities!<br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <i>OlalekanWaheed ADIGUN is a political risk analyst and an independent political strategist for wide range of individuals, organisations and campaigns. He is based in Lagos, Nigeria.</i><br /> <br />

IGBOS AND THE BUHARI’S GOVERNMENT

The Igbos have not hidden their contempt for the All Progressives Congress (APC) since its formation in 2013. The party’s image has not b...

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Former Akwa-Ibom governor, Goodswill Akpabio escapes death in auto crash, hospitalised in Abuja

<b><br /></b> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://ift.tt/1Q3x6aT" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="276" src="http://ift.tt/1EvBrmn" width="640" /></a></div> <b><br /></b><b>Immediate past Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Chief Godswill Akpabio, has been admitted at the National Hospital Abuja after being involved in a motor accident this morning.</b><br /> <br /> <b><i>NigerianEye</i></b> learnt that the accident occurred near the Bolingo Junction close to the Ship House, Abuja.<br /> <br /> His siren-blaring convoy was said to have crashed into other vehicles, with the former governor sustaining injury. The extent of his injury was not disclosed by the doctors at the National Hospital, who claimed that it was the family that had the right to do so.<br /> <br /> <a name='more' id="more"></a><br /> <br /> A witness who spoke with <b><i>NigerianEye</i></b> said Mr. Akpabio was moving in a convoy of vehicles towards the City Gate when his vehicle ran into another car.<br /> <br /> “My wife and I were coming from the NNPC Mega Station and we stopped at the traffic light by Bolingo Hotel Junction. When the green light showed and we made to move, there was this siren blaring Mercedes Benz jeep that came from the town and almost crashed onto my car. I don’t know how we dodged but another that was behind the jeep hit the car behind me and tumbled on its side.<br /> <br /> “I and my wife rushed out of our vehicle and helped the driver bring out his boss. When we brought him out, we found that it was former governor Godswill Akpabio.<br /> <br /> “At the time we brought him out, the siren was still blaring. We put him in the other vehicle and he was rushed to the National Hospital.”<br /> The witness said Mr. Akpabio was badly shaken and was in a traumatic condition when he was brought out of the crashed vehicle.<br /> <br /> He said the former governor was apparently rushing out of the city when his convoy beat the traffic and crashed.<br /> <br /> When newsmen arrived at the National Hospital two hours after Mr. Akpabio was admitted at the hospital, a security official said the former governor was at the National Trauma Center.<br /> <br /> The source however noted that Mr. Akpabio was later moved to a private section of the hospital for X-ray and other investigations.<br /> <br /> At about 10am, journalists met with the driver to the former governor, simply called David who confirmed the accident.<br /> <br /> Mr. David said his boss was in stable condition but declined to say how the accident happened. He wore a black jeens trouser with a white stripped shirt.<br /> <br /> When contacted on the telephone, the Chief Medical Director of the hospital, J. Momoh, said he could not speak on Mr. Akpabio’s case because he has no authorisation from the family.<br /> <br /> Mr. Momoh, who argued that it is against medical ethics to speak about a patient in admission, did not however deny that Mr. Akpabio was being admitted in the facility.<br /> <br /> “I cannot speak about a patient in admission without getting approval from his family. You should therefore excuse me,” Mr. Momoh said.<br /> <br /> When reminded that Mr. Akpabio is a public official and Nigerian Senate Majority Leader and not a quiet family man, Mr. Momoh still insisted he cannot speak on the matter.<br /> <br /> At about 12.25p.m. Mr. Akpabio’s successor, Governor, Udom Emmanuel, arrived in a three-vehicle convoy, led by a Toyota Jeep, with registration number, Yab 474 BG.<br /> <br /> Mr. Udom was driven in a BMW salon car with the number plates covered.

Former Akwa-Ibom governor, Goodswill Akpabio escapes death in auto crash, hospitalised in Abuja

Immediate past Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Chief Godswill Akpabio, has been admitted at the National Hospital Abuja after being involved ...

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IGP reduces orderlies attached to Nigerian governors from 150 to 62

<br /> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://ift.tt/1UhBUzt" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="314" src="http://ift.tt/1Fc2P3x" width="640" /></a></div> <br /> In line with President Muhammadu Buhari’s directive, that the Inspector-General of Police should prune the number of policemen attached to dignitaries, and redeploy all policemen withdrawn from the role to regular police duties, the IGP, Solomon Arase, has reduced the numbers of Policemen attached to each of the 36 states Governors, from 150 to 62.<br /> <br /> <a name='more' id="more"></a><br /> <br /> Arase, who spoke in Lagos at the weekend, said the Police were worried that too many of their officers and men were doing jobs other than their core police duties, yet they were being promoted.<br /> He added that usually when these policemen are deployed from these special assignments back to their core duties, they may have lost touch.<br /> <br /> The IGP also pointed that there is a decision to withdraw security from unauthorised persons who use police orderlies for personal aggrandisement rather than as a result of a real threat to their lives. Such people, he said, should find other ways to secure themselves.<br /> <br /> Recall that during a meeting, penultimate Friday, with officials of the Ministry of Police Affairs and the Police Service Commission at the Presidential Villa, President Buhari had given this order.<br /> The Inspector-General of Police, however, denied that policemen working with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) were recalled to undermine the anti-corruption crusade of the government.<br /> <br /> According to him, policemen working in other agencies like the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), NAPTIP, ICPC and others, who had stayed more than five years, were recalled to be replaced with another set, if necessary.<br /> <br /> He said the EFCC Chairman Ibrahim Lamorde requested the retention of some of them because they were on special assignments, which, he said, he agreed to do.<br /> <br /> The Police Service Commission said last week that a special squad would be deployed on the highways and airports to stop policemen doing illegal guard duties.<br /> <br /> Arase said deployment of policemen for guard duties had ensured that of the about 305, 000 policemen engaged by the government, only about 150,000 were available for core duties.<br /> He added that 40,000 policemen across ranks were due to attend promotion courses which he would ensure as soon as funding is available.<br /> <br /> The recruitment of 10,000 policemen as announced by the Federal Government would have to wait till next year when there would be budget for it, Arase said, adding that only the best hands would be recruited to ensuring that people of integrity are hired.<br /> <br /> He expressed his determination to build a data base crime investigation with the support of a $10millon grant from a foreign country.<br /> <br /> “I assure you that I will leave the police better than I met it at the end of my tenure next year,” he affirmed.

IGP reduces orderlies attached to Nigerian governors from 150 to 62

In line with President Muhammadu Buhari’s directive, that the Inspector-General of Police should prune the number of policemen attached t...

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REVEALED: How VP Osinbajo's phone call motivated D'Tigers to win first Afrobasket championship

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://ift.tt/1UhBUzn" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="250" src="http://ift.tt/1Fc2PAu" width="400" /></a></div> <br /> Nigeria’s senior men basketball team, D’Tigers made history by finally beating their perennial foes, Angola, to win the 2015 African Basketball Championship, AfroBasket, on Sunday in Tunisia, and <b><i>NigerianEye</i></b> gathered that a phone call from Vice President Yemi Osinbajo might have motivated<br /> The Nigerian team.<br /> <br /> <br /> D’Tigers won the final 74-65 at the Tunisia 2015 in Rades.<br /> <br /> Media Officer of Nigeria Basketball Federation, NBBF, Patrick Omorodion, posted on his facebook page after the epic match that the call made by Prof Osinbajo before the boys played the final was a timely tonic that propelled the Nigerians to victory.<br /> <br /> <a name='more' id="more"></a><br /> <br /> “Thank you President Buhari for mandating the Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo to speak to our players before they entered the court to battle perennial foes, Angola. That did the magic as it fired the players to say Angola was beatable,” an elated Omorodion, who was with the team in Tunisia, wrote.<br /> <br /> Meanwhile, the social media have also been awash with congratulatory messages for Nigeria winning the AfroBasket.<br /> <br /> While felicitating with the team, Segun Agbede wrote @SegunThePundit: “Congratulations D’Tigers for making history and making us so proud. Rio 2016 here we come!”<br /> <br /> The Nigeria Super Eagles also congratulated the victorious team in their tweeters handle, saying “Congratulations to our national men’s senior basketball team, D’Tigers for winning the #2015AfroBasketchampionship in Tunisia in grand style.”<br /> <br /> Angola went into the final looking to win a 12th African title and led early on, before Nigeria’s rotation made the difference as they turned the score around in the second quarter and once they took the lead, they held on to it, going up by as many as 19 points.<br /> <br /> Chamberlain Oguchi hit a trifecta of three-pointers on his way to a game-high 19 points for Nigeria, with Olaseni Lawal finishing with a dozen. Carlos Morais led the Angolans with 15 points while Yanick Moreira added 13.<br /> <br /> Oguchi was rewarded for his impressive tournament and huge individual performance in the final by receiving the Most Valuable Player award, presented by Tissot.<br /> <br /> The 29-year-old headlined the All-Star Five which also included his Nigeria team-mate Al-Farouq Aminu, Morais of Angola, Tunisia’s Makram Ben Romdhane and Gorgui Dieng of Senegal.<br /> <br /> “It’s the best moment of my life, to be able to come here after missing the last AfroBasket, to be able to come here and do this with my brothers, it feels amazing,” Oguchi said afterwards.

REVEALED: How VP Osinbajo's phone call motivated D'Tigers to win first Afrobasket championship

Nigeria’s senior men basketball team, D’Tigers made history by finally beating their perennial foes, Angola, to win the 2015 African Baske...

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Buhari swears in SFG, NSA and SA Media

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://ift.tt/1KyuW2V" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://ift.tt/1Jwu90n" width="320" /></a></div> <br /> <b>President Muhammadu Buhari on Monday swore in his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Mr. Femi Adesina, a few weeks after his appointment was announced.</b><br /> <br /> Others sworn in at the event held inside the Council Chambers of the Presidential Villa, Abuja, included the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Mr. Babachir Lawal; and the National Security Adviser, Maj.-Gen. Babagana Monguno (retd.).<br /> <a name='more' id="more"></a><br /> <br /> The brief event attracted top government officials including the nation’s service chiefs and permanent secretaries, among others.<br /> <br /> The National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress, Chief John Odigie-Oyegun, also attended.

Buhari swears in SFG, NSA and SA Media

President Muhammadu Buhari on Monday swore in his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Mr. Femi Adesina, a few weeks after his appoin...

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Governor Rochas Okorocha begs President Buhari to consider South East in his appointments

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://ift.tt/1Jwu64B" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://ift.tt/1KyuVMn" width="640" /></a></div> <br /> Imo state Governor and Chairman, All Progressives Congress, APC, Governor’s Forum, Owelle Rochas Okorocha has said that it is too early to begin to judge Buhari’s intention on his appointments and that as far as he is concerned, the president had executed what the office empowers him to do.<br /> <br /> Rochas who appealed to the president to consider the South-East in his appointments said as the President and Commander-in-Chief of the armed forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, he has the right to make appointments that would make him succeed and nobody should dictate for him who he should appoint or who he should not appoint.<br /> <br /> The governor spoke weekend at the end during his meeting with selected stakeholders in the state, urging them to continue supporting the APC governments at all levels, in the country and mostly that of President Mohammadu Buhari.<br /> <br /> <a name='more' id="more"></a><br /> <br /> As the president’s appointments so far affect the South-East, Governor Okorocha said “what I can only do is to continue to appeal to the president to consider the South-East in his appointments. And as far as I am concerned, the president had executed what the office empowers him to do, and it is believed that he did that in the best interest of the nation.”<br /> <br /> He continued, “again, most of the appointments the president has so far made are like his personal staff. I don’t think South-East will ever be forgotten in this administration, we will get our due. In fact, if you ask me, I would say we should be more interested in the projects coming down to the South-East, and as much as we can get. The projects will bring about development of the South-East.”<br /> <br /> The governor continued on the appointments, “on the appointments as they concern the South-East, there is no cause for alarm. It is too early in the day to begin to judge Buhari’s intention. I think he means well. Let us give him a chance. Nigeria is one nation. A nation for all of us. We must start thinking about the nation rather than thinking about sentiment of where we come from.”<br /> <br /> “Although the South-East had expected so much, we believe all will be well with the Buhari presidency and for the development of the South-East. It is wrong for some people to begin to use the issue to incite the people of the South-east against the president. The government is about to celebrate its one hundred days, and the appointments are just beginning to come, and by and large, the South-East will get their dues.”<br /> <br /> “The point is that we cannot begin to judge President Buhari with the appointments so far made. We cannot obviously use it to judge his intention. I think he means well for the nation and with every geo-political zone inclusive. So, let us give him a chance.”<br /> <br /> The Governor also restated his commitment towards ensuring that many federal projects are cited in the South East zone during the present federal administration than during the previous ones. On the essence of the meeting he held with political stake holders in the state Owelle Okorocha said it was aimed at charting the way forward on the government’s programme of beautifying the state to attract investors, adding that the exercise will be extended to Okigwe and Orlu.<br /> <br /> The governor explained that government would establish taskforce committees charged with the responsibility of cleaning up Imo state and relocating markets and parks as to create healthy environments, adding that the joint state and local government committees aimed at reviewing development projects executed in rural and urban areas of the state will be set up.

Governor Rochas Okorocha begs President Buhari to consider South East in his appointments

Imo state Governor and Chairman, All Progressives Congress, APC, Governor’s Forum, Owelle Rochas Okorocha has said that it is too early to...

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Buhari congratulates D’Tigers, seeks Olympic glory

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://ift.tt/1JrJXzh" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="340" src="http://ift.tt/1LNJxZO" width="640" /></a></div> <br /> <br /> President Muhammadu Buhari on Monday congratulated the national men’s basketball team, D’Tigers, on their victory over Angola in Sunday’s final of the FIBA Africa Basketball Championship in Tunisia.<br /> <br /> Buhari’s congratulatory message was contained in a statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Mr. Femi Adesina.<br /> <br /> <a name='more' id="more"></a><br /> <br /> The President joined other sports-loving Nigerians in applauding what he described as D’Tigers’ exhilarating 74-65 victory over their Angolan opponents which also secured Nigeria’s qualification for the men’s basketball event at next year’s Olympic Games in Rio De Janeiro.<br /> <br /> Buhari lauded the players for displaying exemplary strength, courage, determination and patriotism as well as great skills and creativity to dethrone Angola, the perennial African basketball champions.<br /> <br /> The statement added, “President Buhari urges members of the team and their handlers to work very hard to surpass their extraordinary heroics in Tunisia before a global audience at next year’s Olympic Games in Rio De Janeiro and bring even greater glory to Nigeria.<br /> <br /> “The President assures the team, its managers and the Nigerian Basketball Federation that his administration will give them and Nigeria’s other representatives at the next Olympic Games, the fullest possible support to ensure that they are well prepared to excel against the champions of other countries and regions in Rio De Janeiro.”

Buhari congratulates D’Tigers, seeks Olympic glory

President Muhammadu Buhari on Monday congratulated the national men’s basketball team, D’Tigers, on their victory over Angola in Sunday’s...

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Watch Match Highlights: Nigeria defeats Angola to win first ever continental title in Basketball

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-oGyO3TN2g88/VeTo2Kzl6BI/AAAAAAAAA3E/2iGTCTds3tM/s1600/afro-basket-ball.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Nigeria defeats Angola to win first ever continental title in Basketball" border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-oGyO3TN2g88/VeTo2Kzl6BI/AAAAAAAAA3E/2iGTCTds3tM/s1600/afro-basket-ball.jpg" title="Nigeria defeats Angola to win first ever continental title in Basketball" /></a></div> <div style="text-align: center;"> <br /></div> Nigeria's male basketball team, D'Tigers made history today by beating Angola 74-65 in the Final of AfroBasket 2015 in Rades, Tunisia on Sunday to claim their first-ever continental championship.<br /> <br /> <b><i>Did you miss the match? watch highlifghts of the final below</i></b><br /> <br /> <center> <iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="390" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/apCTbbgG7XE" width="520"></iframe></center> <br /> <br /> In being crowned African champions, the Nigerians also qualified for the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Olympics. Meanwhile, second-place Angola joined third- and fourth-place Tunisia and Senegal in booking their places for the 2016 FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournaments (OQTs).<br /> <br /> Angola went into the Final looking to win a 12th African title and led early on, before Nigeria's rotation made the difference as they turned the score around in the second quarter and once they took the lead, they held on to it, going up by as many as 19 points.<br /> <br /> Chamberlain Oguchi hit a trifecta of three-pointers on his way to a game-high 19 points for Nigeria, with Olaseni Lawal finished with a dozen. Carlos Morais led the Angolans with 15 points while Yanick Moreira added 13.<br /> <br /> <i>Credits: Fiba.com/Youtube</i>

Watch Match Highlights: Nigeria defeats Angola to win first ever continental title in Basketball

Nigeria's male basketball team, D'Tigers made history today by beating Angola 74-65 in the Final of AfroBasket 2015 in Rades, Tu...

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Nigeria’s male basketball team, D’Tigers win first African Basketball Nations Cup, qualify for Rio Olympics

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="http://ift.tt/1JwmtuS" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://ift.tt/1JwmtuU" height="221" width="400" /></a></div> <b><br /></b> <b>Nigeria’s national male basketball team, D’Tigers, have finally won a first ever FIBA Afrobasket Championship on Sunday night, in Tunisia, after beat 10-time champions and arch-rivals, Angola 74-65.</b><br /> <br /> By this victory, they have also qualified directly for the 2016 Rio Olympics, holding in Brazil.<br /> <br /> Chamberlain Oguchi scored 19 points and was voted the Most Valuable Player of the tournament and was also named in the team of the tournament alongside teammate, Al-Farouq Aminu.<br /> <br /> Oguchi was curtailed on his three-point shooting as he only made three, compared to the eight he made in the semifinal against Senegal.<br /> <br /> The Angolans were very aggressive and made 33 fouls compared to just 14 from D’Tigers with the Nigerians also dominant on the glass with 60 rebounds – 24 offensively and 36 on the defensive end. Alade Aminu led the team in blocks with 12 and he added four points<br /> <br /> Captain of the team, Olumide Oyedeji, had said the team was the most talented of the teams that came to Tunisia and that claim was justified even though one of their best players, Ike Diogu, did not play a single minute of the competition because of a twisted ankle.<br /> <br /> Afterwards, Oluchi, the MVP, said: “It’s the best moment of my life, to be able to come here after missing the last AfroBasket, to be able to come here and do this with my brothers, it feels amazing.<br /> <br /> “I’m happy to be able to share this moment with them and for me personally, it’s just really great.”<br /> <br /> It is also a great triumph for the coach of the team, William Voigt, who was named the substantive coach of the team just in July and he has fulfilled the first part of his contract, which was to qualify the team for Rio.<br /> <br /> He will now be expected to prepare the team to do better in Brazil.<br /> <br /> Recall that Nigeria had on Saturday, beaten their Senegalese opponent 88-79 in overtime to reach their first FIBA finals. This was after they defeated Gabon 88-64, last Thursday, to qualify for the semi-finals.<br /> <br /> <center> <iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/apCTbbgG7XE" width="520"></iframe> </center>

Nigeria’s male basketball team, D’Tigers win first African Basketball Nations Cup, qualify for Rio Olympics

Nigeria’s national male basketball team, D’Tigers, have finally won a first ever FIBA Afrobasket Championship on Sunday night, in Tunisia...

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Dasuki’s trial begins Tuesday

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://ift.tt/1Q2GpYR" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="257" src="http://ift.tt/1hNNBwD" width="400" /></a></div> <br /> <br /> The Federal Government will on Tuesday (tomorrow)arraign a former National Security Adviser, Col. Sambo Dasuki (retd.), before a Federal High Court in Abuja for allegedly being in possession of firearms without license.<br /> <br /> The Department of State Security Service had, in a statement by one of its officials, Tony Opuiyo, on August 24, 2015, said that it had charged Dasuki with the alleged offence.<br /> <a name='more' id="more"></a><br /> <br /> The service did not disclose details of the charge but our correspondent learnt that the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court, Justice Ibrahim Auta, had on Friday assigned the case to Justice Adeniyi Ademola, who is the court’s vacation judge.<br /> <br /> The DSS said it had charged Dasuki with possession of firearms without licence, an offence punishable under section 27(I)(a)(I) of the Firearms Act Cap F28 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2004, based on evidence so far obtained.<br /> <br /> Findings showed that the Federal Ministry of Justice had since taken over the case.<br /> <br /> It was learnt that the trial ought to have commenced last week but it could not go on because of the directive of the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Mahmmud Mohammed, to various heads of court not to sit throughout the week to enable lawyers and interested judges to participate in the just-concluded one week-long Annual Bar Conference of the Nigerian Bar Association.<br /> <br /> The DSS had on July 16, 2015 searched the ex-NSA’s residences in Asokoro, Abuja; and Sokoto, where its operatives claimed to have recovered seven high calibre rifles, including magazines and military gears in the houses located at 13, John Khadya Street, and 46, Nelson Mandela Street, both at Asokoro, Abuja; and 3 Sabon Birni Road, Gwiwa Area, Sokoto, Sokoto State.<br /> <br /> The agency also said that it recovered 12 new vehicles, including five bullet-proof cars from Dasuki’s house, the ownership of which could not be explained by the embattled former NSA, and which investigators believed must have been purchased with proceeds of corruption.<br /> <br /> The DSS had claimed that it searched Dasuki’s homes “based on credible intelligence linking the immediate past NSA with alleged plans to commit treasonable felony against the Nigerian state.”<br /> <br /> The statement partly read, “You may recall that on July 16, 2015, the Department of State Services carried out search operations on properties belonging to the immediate past National Security Adviser, Col. Mohammed Sambo Dasuki (retd.), in Abuja and Sokoto.<br /> <br /> “This action was necessitated by credible intelligence, which linked him to acts capable of undermining national security. The search operations led to the recovery of large cache of arms and ammunition among other things and for which further investigation was conducted.<br /> <br /> “Consequently, on Monday, August 24, 2015, he was charged to court based on evidence so far obtained, but which relates to possession of firearms without licence punishable under section 27(i)(a)(i) of the Firearms Act Cap F28 LFN 2004.”<br /> <br /> The secret service said Dasuki’s arraignment was in line with democratic practice and “our avowed commitment to the rule of law, in which nobody is deemed to be above the law, no matter how highly placed in the society.”

Dasuki’s trial begins Tuesday

The Federal Government will on Tuesday (tomorrow)arraign a former National Security Adviser, Col. Sambo Dasuki (retd.), before a Federal ...

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PHOTO OF THE DAY: Residents cheer as Governor Fayose drives a Tipper Lorry in Ekiti

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://ift.tt/1LEFuMG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="428" src="http://ift.tt/1EshSef" width="640" /></a></div> <br /> And our picture of the day goes to the controversial Ekiti state Governor, Ayo Fayose who drove a tipper lorry during the weekend amidst cheers from Ekiti people as he went on inspection of the Channelization Project at Arowa - Darlimore area of Ado Ekiti.<br /> <br /> More pictures below...<br /> <a name='more' id="more"></a><br /> <br /> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://ift.tt/1LEFv2U" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="428" src="http://ift.tt/1EshRH2" width="640" /></a></div> <br /> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://ift.tt/1LEFts6" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="430" src="http://ift.tt/1EshRH4" width="640" /></a></div> <br /> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://ift.tt/1LEFv2Y" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="428" src="http://ift.tt/1EshSen" width="640" /></a></div> <br /> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://ift.tt/1LEFv32" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="428" src="http://ift.tt/1EshSuC" width="640" /></a></div> <br />

PHOTO OF THE DAY: Residents cheer as Governor Fayose drives a Tipper Lorry in Ekiti

And our picture of the day goes to the controversial Ekiti state Governor, Ayo Fayose who drove a tipper lorry during the weekend amidst c...

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We now have Boko Haram members all over Lagos - DSS + How to spot a terrorist

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://ift.tt/1UgNFpM" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="422" src="http://ift.tt/1O2FKVZ" width="640" /></a></div> <br /> <span style="font-size: large;"><b>According to the he Department of State Services (DSS) we now have Boko Haram members spread across Lagos state.</b></span><br /> <br /> The DSS revealed this following the arrest of about 20 suspected Boko Haram commanders in Lagos, Kano, Enugu, Plateau and Gombe states.<br /> <a name='more' id="more"></a><br /> <br /> The suspects, who were arrested between July 8 and August 25, 2015, include the masterminds of the suicide attacks in Potiskum, Kano, Zaria, and Jos.<br /> <br /> The DSS in a statement by an official, Tony Opuiyo, on Sunday in Abuja, said those arrested were notable commanders and frontline members of the notorious group from different parts of the country.<br /> <br /> The statement noted that the group’s new pattern of movement and spread was caused by the pressure being put on it by security forces in its core areas of strength in the North-East.<br /> <br /> The service listed those arrested in Lagos to include <b>Bakura Modu</b> who was apprehended on July, 20 at Kara, Ogun State; <b>Mustapha Jamberi,</b> who was picked up on July 24 at Gowon Estate.<br /> <br /> Others are <b>Abuyi Sheriff</b>, who was nabbed at Ebute-Meta; <b>Babagana Ali</b> and <b>Babagana Koloye</b>, who were arrested on August, 7 at Eric Moore, Surulere.<br /> <br /> The service explained that it picked up <b>Abba Sagma</b> at Ijora Badia on August 9; <b>Grema Abubakar</b> and <b>Tijani Bagudu</b> were apprehended at Amukoko, Ijora Badia the next day, while <b>Baba Alhaji</b> and <b>Abass Ibrahim</b> were arrested earlier on the same day at the Alaba International Market, Ojo.<br /> <br /> The DSS stated that a Boko Haram commander, <b>Usman Shuaibu</b>, aka Money, revealed that he coordinated the suicide attacks in Potiskum, Kano, Zaria and Jos, which claimed several lives, with N500,000 that was provided by his Amir, one Isa Ali, who had a direct access to the sect leader, Abubakar Shekau, from whom he collected money to fund operations undertaken by their Markaz.<br /> <br /> The agency said, “Shuaibu also revealed that he had participated in several Boko Haram attacks, including the attacks at Gwoza Divisional Police Station in 2014.<br /> <br /> “He admitted to being the leader of the team of nine sect members that was dispatched from Sambisa Forest to carry out the attacks. He disclosed that four out of the nine of them were used as suicide bombers in executing all the (suicide) attacks.<br /> <br /> “Nigerians and indeed the general public have to note that the arrest of Shuaibu, aka Money, and the core members of his cell, stemmed the spate of bombings by the extremist sect. It will be recalled that Money and his group were arrested on their way to Bauchi State where they had planned to execute another bomb attack, and this was frustrated by the arrest.<br /> <br /> “The sudden influx of Boko Haram members into Lagos State points is due to the determination of the sect to extend its nefarious terrorist activities to the state and in fact, to other parts of the country.<br /> <br /> “The arrest of these confessed terrorists has, however, helped in no small measure to avert devastating attacks in the area. However, the service is making efforts to conclude its investigations and commence prosecution of the suspects.”<br /> <br /> The DSS said a Boko Haram Improvised Explosive Device expert, Ahmed Mohammed, aka Abubakar), admitted to making the IEDs used in the various suicide bombings in the country.<br /> <br /> “Mohammed also averred that he was the one who strapped the suicide bombers, notably Sule and his wives, with IED vests, which they used in the attacks in Jos,” the service said.<br /> <br /> The secret service further stated that Adamu Abdulahi, aka Babpa, confessed that Shuaibu motivated him to work closely with IED expert, Mohammed, in the preparation of the IEDs used in the attacks under reference.<br /> <br /> The service said that another suspect, Ibrahim Issa​, confessed that he was the one who carried out reconnaissance on the targets in Jos ahead of the attacks, while Muttaqa Yusuf (aka Mohammed Sani/Mudtaka), disclosed that one Aliyu believed to be Aliyu Gombe in Sambisa forest, was the one that ordered the serial attacks which the syndicate carried out.<br /> <br /> He further confessed that he assisted Shuaibu in planning and executing the said attacks.<br /> <br /> Other suspects include Ibrahim Audu, who was arrested on August 19 at New Artisan Market, Enugu; Ibrahim Haruna, arrested on August, 21 at Kwomi village, Kwami Local Government Area, Gombe State; Ali Mohammodu, nabbed on August 22 at Ibrahim Taiwo Road, Fagga LGA in Kano State; and Adam Jilbe, who was apprehended on August 23 at ​Obanikoro, Lagos State.<br /> <br /> The agency restated its determination to work with other stakeholders in the fight against terror and other forms of criminality in the country and called on citizens to volunteer useful information to the service and other security agencies.<br /> <br /> Meanwhile, the DSS has stepped up covert operations to dismantle Boko Haram cells across the country, particularly in the South-West, South-East and South-South where suspected terrorists are hiding.<br /> <br /> It was learnt that the arrest of notable Boko Haram commanders had provided credible leads and intelligence that could assist the service to track down insurgents and their supporters, including ‘sleeper cells.’<br /> <br /> A source said, “The recent arrest of terror suspects has provided a haul of information and intelligence that could assist the service to dismantle various terrorist cells. If the security forces can sustain the current momentum, we will destroy Boko Haram; it is a matter of time.”<br /> <br /> <br /> <b><br /></b><b>How to spot a terrorist- Experts</b><br /> <br /> Two security experts, Richard Amuwa and Dr. Ona Ekhomu, have urged vigilance and a more friendly relationship between security agents and residents to tackle threats of Boko Haram, especially in Lagos.<br /> <br /> They said vigilance was the only way to recognise terrorists, adding that a friendly relationship would encourage the people to be free to report suspicious objects or persons in their neighbourhood.<br /> <br /> Ekhomu, who is the President of the Association of Industrial Security and Safety Operators of Nigeria, advised Lagosians to imbibe the culture of TAPIs ─ Terrorists Attacks Pre-incident Indicators ─ to avoid unnecessary deaths and tragedy.<br /> <br /> He said, “Boko Haram members have been with us for a while; so one thing we can do is to be vigilant against the influx of strangers into neighbourhoods. Landlords associations should register okada (motorcycle) riders and keke NAPEP (tricycle) drivers. Give them vests so that any stranger would be picked up.<br /> <br /> “Also, ask questions if anyone moves suspiciously in your area. Look out for one another. Everybody must be their brothers’ keepers.”<br /> <br /> Ekhomu said the ammunition of war of Boko Haram members was usually the IEDs.<br /> <br /> “So, if you see anyone collecting cans; or anyone with bags of fertiliser; or anyone with container of diesel when they don’t have a generator, be suspicious. These are ingredients for IEDs. Boko Haram don’t have easy access to high explosives,” the security expert added.<br /> <br /> He also urged Lagosians not to be confrontational if someone looked suspicious. He added that the suspect might be armed and could kill to save himself.<br /> <br /> Ekhomu said, “Contact the authority immediately. You can also contact the media to ensure accountability by the security agencies.”<br /> <br /> Also, Amuwa said the police should be ready to work with the people without creating fear in them.<br /> <br /> He said, “The people should not hesitate to raise the alarm if they see any strange face in their environment.<br /> <br /> “People should think less about their problems, and be more conscious of happenings within their environment.”<br /> <br /> Amuwa, who is the Managing Director of the Mega Guards Services Limited, also advised the government to ban the wearing of hijab for the time being, saying the veil worn by muslim women, was being used by terrorists to shield explosives.<br /> <br /> He said, “The problem is that how do you detect a Boko Haram member? If you are wearing shirts and the terrorist is wearing hijab, how do you figure him or her out? That is why we have asked the government to stop the wearing of hijab for now.”<br /> <br /> In a related development sources told our correspondent that the security agencies had been paying attention to some area in Lagos to prevent attacks.<br /> <br /> The areas include FESTAC, Apapa, Agege, Yaba, Ojuelegba, Obalende, Ajegunle, Alimosho, Badagry, Lagos Island, Idi araba, Bariga, Bajulaiye, Fola Agoro, Onipanu, Palmgroove, Aguda, Agbado, Ejigbo and Ikorodu, among others.

We now have Boko Haram members all over Lagos - DSS + How to spot a terrorist

According to the he Department of State Services (DSS) we now have Boko Haram members spread across Lagos state. The DSS revealed this f...

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