Lawmakers To Meet with Jonathan Over Insurgency Threat, Blame Babangida For Flagging Performance Of The Military

Following the rising wave of insurgency in the North-east and the threat to Nigeria’s territorial integrity, members of the National Assembly have set the stage for a meeting with President Goodluck Jonathan so as to end the ceaseless attacks that have led to the death of thousands in recent months and turned several more into refugees.

This is just as the legislators have blamed the regime of former military president, General Ibrahim Babangida, for the tNigerian Armed Forces in their confrontation with Boko Haram, saying the regime intentionally weakened the military after the failed coup d’etat led by Major Gideon Okar in 1990.

^{General Ibrahim Babangida  (rtd)}

The Chairman, Senate Committee on Defence, Senator George Sekibo (PDP, Rivers), spoke to reporters on their intention to meet with the president at the end of a closed-door meeting the legislators had with the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), Air Marshal Alex Badeh, yesterday.

Don Jazzy Debunks Death Rumour

Early this morning, many woke up to the news that Nigerian multiple-award-winning record producer, singer-songwriter, musician, CEO of Nigerian record label, Michael Collins Ajereh, popularly known as Don Jazzy, had a car accident which claimed his life.

^{Don Jazzy}

The news, which emanated from a certain blogger, ‘Ogbonna Ikechukwu’ for Lafingas.com, who wrote an article late hours of yesterday, that the Music Mogul and entrepreneur passed away after he was rushed to a hospital because he suffered injuries from a car accident. Here’s the content of the write-up:

Breaking News!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Don Jazzy Dies In Car Accident!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Organisational problems affected Eagles – Wenger

Arsene Wenger

Arsenal manager, Arsene Wenger, has blamed the Super Eagles’ second round exit at the World Cup in Brazil to “organisational problems”.

Wenger, who spoke to the Daily Mirror, said the five African teams in the tournament that ended on Sunday had the quality to go far Brazil but regretted that they lacked good administration.

Nigeria beat Bosnia-Herzegovina 1-0 after playing out a 0-0 draw against Iran and lost 3-2 to Argentina in their Group F fixtures . The Eagles were sent packing from the tournament after losing 2-0 to France in the round of 16.

“I don’t think it’s purely down to quality. I think it comes down to organisational problems before the World Cup and during the World Cup,” Wenger told Daily Mirror.

“I think what hurts football fans both in Cameroon and Nigeria – two big footballing nations –was not that their countries did not reach the quarter-finals, it was the fact that both teams had no solidarity and they had problems that were exposed all over the world before the competition and that’s the main reason.

B’Haram leader: I ordered Apapa, Lagos bombing

A screengrab taken from a video by Boko Haram insurgent showing leader of the sect, Abubakar Shekau in centre... on Sunday.
| credits: AFP.

LEADER of the violent Islamic sect, Boko Haram, Abubakar Shekau, has claimed responsibility for two explosions on June 25 at a fuel depot in Apapa, Lagos.

Shekau, according to Agence-France Presse reports, made the claim in a new video sent to the French news agency.

Also, the Lagos State Council of Arewa Chiefs on Saturday confirmed that the June 25 blasts at Apapa were indeed bomb attacks masterminded by Boko Haram.

The Sarkin Hausawa of Lagos State and chairman of the council, Alhaji Sani Kabir, said the police had confirmed that the Apapa explosions were actually bomb blasts and that 7,000 northerners had been arrested by the police in Lagos over the incident.

The Shekau video has since been posted on the internet.

APC challenges Fayose victory at tribunal

Ayo Fayose

The All Progressives Congress has filed a petition challenging the results of the June 21 governorship election won by the Peoples Democratic Party’s candidate, Mr. Ayo Fayose.

It was learnt that the Chairman of the Ekiti APC, Chief Jide Awe, submitted the petition on Saturday before the Ekiti Governorship Election Petition Tribunal sitting in Ado-Ekiti.

The Independent National Electoral Commission declared Fayose as the winner of the election ahead of the incumbent governor and the APC candidate, Dr. Kayode Fayemi.

The PDP candidate defeated Fayemi to a distant second position with 203,090 votes to 120,433.

But the APC alleged that the election was manipulated by the Federal Government in favour of the PDP.

The petitioner asked the tribunal to “unravel the hidden facts surrounding the election,” saying the poll was more of “a mechanical exercise than the conventional casting of votes.”

The party, which also challenged the qualification of Fayose for the election, stated that the governor-elect had an ongoing criminal case with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission.

It cited manipulation and undue militarisation of the election, as well as impeachment of the incoming governor as grounds for the petition.

Awe had told Saturday PUNCH in an interview that the party would contest the conduct of the election.

He said the party’s decision to challenge the election was not at variance with the earlier position of Fayemi, who had congratulated Fayose after INEC declared the PDP candidate as the winner of the June 21 poll.

He said, “It is very novel in this part of the world that somebody will concede defeat. The APC is saying that there are some things it wants to unravel. And I made a statement in an advertorial that parts of the landmines that had been planted for the 2015 general elections were detonated in Ekiti, which I called a very bad experiment.

“In a situation where you put the whole state under siege two weeks before the election, you militarised the whole place, even with dogs and horses. Election cannot be a war more than what we experienced in Ekiti State in the name of election.

“So, I believe some of these things, other than the result of the election, need to be questioned not because of now but for the future. In a situation where you mobilised soldiers from their barracks to intimidate, to hijack, to suppress and to arrest innocent citizens 72 hours before the election, that is an aberration and strange to democracy.

“You cannot continue to use soldiers to suppress democracy and expect democracy to grow. These are some of the things the leadership of the APC said they are going to examine,” Awe had said.

Malala in Abuja, five escaped Chibok girls join protest

• L–R: Director, Defence Information, Maj.-Gen. Chris Olukolade; girls education campaigner, Malala Yousafzai; spokesperson of the State Security Service, Marilyn Ogar; and Coordinator, National Information Centre, Mr. Mike Omeri, during Malala’s visit to the National Information Centre, in Abuja... on Sunday.
| credits: NAN.

Five of the schoolgirls who escaped from Boko Haram captivity joined the members of the BringBackOurGirls Coalition rally in Abuja on Sunday to drum up support for their colleagues who are still being held captive by the Bioko Haram Islamic sect.

Over 200 girls were abducted in their hostel at the Government Secondary School. Chibok, Borno State on April 15.

The girls were brought to the BBOG sit-out meeting at Unity Fountain, Maitama, Abuja on Sunday.

The young girls who sat quietly throughout the duration of the sit-out, looked subdued and withdrawn.

The girls are Awa Alhama , Hauwa Musa, Hauwa John, Kanna Bitrus, and Rebecca Ishaku.

Maina Yega, whose daughter was among those abducted, said that many affected parents could not come to Abuja to participate in the rallies on account of the distance and the fact that they were psychological disturbed by the incident.

“Many parents could not come because they are psychological traumatized by the abduction,” he explained.

Shetimma Haruna, whose daughter, Margret, was also kidnapped, thanked the members of the BBOG for their relentless efforts in campaigning for the release of the girls.

Meanwhile, the Pakistani girl-child education campaigner, Malala Yousafzai, will be addressing the #BringBackOurGirls coalition members and seeking more international support for the campaign for the release of the 200 abducted Chibok schoolgirls in Abuja on Monday (today).

Malala, who arrived Abuja on Saturday, is expected to bring more pressure on the Federal Government which has been unable to secure the release of the girls 90 days after they were kidnapped.

The child activist, who survived an assassination attempt by the Taliban, would use the occasion to mark the Malala Day (July 14,) a day set aside to champion her cause for free and compulsory education for every child around the world.

The Coordinator of the BBOG, and a former Education minister, Oby Ezekwesili, said that about 35 members of her movement would also actively participate in the rally which would hold at the conference hall of Sheraton Hotel.

Ezekwesili stated that the campaign to free the Chibok girls was not confrontational, noting that the movement was meant to partner the government and security agencies in their efforts to secure the release of the girls.

Impeachment: Panel indicts Nyako, absolves deputy

Adamawa State Governor, Alhaji Muritala Nyako
| credits: naijamayor.com

There are strong indications that the seven-man panel set up to investigate allegations of gross misconduct against the Adamawa State Governor, Murtala Nyako and his deputy, Mr. Bala Ngilari, has indicted the governor but absolved the deputy.

It was learnt in Abuja on Sunday, that the panel set up by the immediate past acting Chief Judge of Adamawa State, Justice Ambrose Mammadi, to investigate allegations levelled against the duo arrived at the decision after reviewing exhibits tendered by members of the State House of Assembly who are the complainants.

The governor and his deputy neither attended the three hearings nor did they send a representative.

Perhaps in an attempt to preempt the outcome of the committee’s report, the governor had approached the court to file an appeal.

A source privy to this confided in our correspondent that “His Excellency knew from the word go that the committee working in tandem with the House, have a predetermined outcome which is to indict the governor to pave the way for his impeachment.

“He has gone to court to challenge the constitution of the panel itself. If you recall, the outgone Acting Chief Judge gave a ruling on a Wednesday stopping the House from going ahead with their plot.

“On Thursday of the same week, the House met and passed a resolution, by Friday, the same judge constituted the panel, this is definitely more than meets the eye.

“We are petitioning the National Judicial Council over the conduct of the judge while we pursue the matter against the panel and the House in court, we cannot allow this impunity to continue.”

It was not clear whether the scheduled meeting between Nyako and some of the legislators held but an informed source said the governor was being cautiously optimistic that a meeting could save the day.

Repeated calls to the mobile telephone number of the Director of Press and Public Affairs to the Governor, Ahmad Sajoh, indicated that the phone was switched off.

It may be recalled that the former Acting Chief Judge of the State, Justice Ambrose Mammadi, constituted the seven member panel on July 8, 2014 to investigate allegations of gross misconduct against Nyako and his deputy, Bala Ngilari.

Chibok girls’ll be rescued soon –Jonathan, Obasanjo, others

Abducted Chibok girls

The Council of State, made up of former heads of government, on Tuesday held its second meeting in the year and came out with a promise that the abducted pupils of Government Secondary School, Chibok, Borno State, would soon be rescued.

More than 200 girls were seized from the school on the night of April 14 by members of the terrorist Islamic sect, Boko Haram. The incident has attracted global condemnation and protests. Almost 90 days in the custody of the terrorists, there have been many not-too-pleasant stories about the welfare of the girls.

But briefing journalists at the end of the Council meeting, presided over by President Goodluck Jonathan, Akwa Ibom State Governor Godswill Akpabio said the military high command had given assurances that the girls were safe and would soon be rescued.

Akpabio said the council was satisfied that those security agents knew where the girls had been kept and that the soldiers were on top of the situation.

He said, “Top on the agenda of the meeting was the security of the nation. We were briefed by the President and the National Security Adviser on the steps that are being taken.

“Top on the security issue was the rescue of Chibok girls, which military authorities also confirmed that efforts were being made and that very soon we will have good news.

“It is also heart-warming to note that the issue is not whether we can rescue the girls, but the issue is how can we rescue them in a way that we can ensure their safety so that we don’t end up endangering their lives in the attempt to rescue them?”

He advised that Nigerians be patient in view of the worsening insecurity in the country, stressing that terrorism was a new development in the nation and that it would take time to put an end to it.

Akpabio said, “What also came out is the need for Nigerians to be patient because terrorism is a new challenge in Nigeria and it is not something that goes away immediately and we have to be meticulous in our approach and make sure that we take the best steps forward to reduce and minimise possible loss of lives in an attempt to curb the insurgents.

“We are very satisfied the security agents know very well where the girls are located and they are on top of the situation.”

At the meeting were ex-Presidents Olusegun Obasanjo and Shehu Shagari; former heads of state, Yakubu Gowon and Abdulsalami Abubakar; ex-military dictator, Ibrahim Babangida; and former Head of the Interim National Government, Ernest Shonekan.

Maj.Gen. Muhammadu Buhari (retd.), who is a national leader of the opposition All Progressives Congress, was the only living ex-head of government that did not attend the meeting.

Also on the attendance sheet were Vice President Namadi Sambo; President of the Senate, David Mark; Speaker of the House of Representatives, Aminu Tambuwal; and some former Chief Justices of Nigeria as well as state governors.

Akpabio said the Council commended the security agents for being on top of the situation in the country.

The Council, Akpabio said, also ratified commissioners for the National Population Commission for Ekiti, Yobe, Jigawa, Zamfara and Kebbi states in line with constitutional provisions.

Governor Adams Oshiomhole of Edo State said members of the Council were unanimous in their resolution that the media should put the country first in their reportage of issues bordering on security.

Oshiomhole argued that any report that celebrated terrorism would merely be giving the insurgents incentives, adding that the council also called on politicians to be more sensitive to national security.

He said, “It is not a partisan issue, because if there is no Nigeria, political parties become irrelevant and all of us can do better and we should change our language. Political parties should choose Nigeria first before partisan consideration.

“Also the role of religious leaders, that it is not helpful for any religious leader to seek to rationalise this act by suggesting that these people belong to one religion or that their target is another religion and that the entire thing is based on religion.

“It is clear that these are just criminals that are masquerading in whatever name they choose to call themselves. No genuine Christian or Muslim would think that God needs help to kill anyone.

“Nigerians, all of us whether in government or out of government on the issue of terrorism we should learn from the Americans; once America came under attack, whether you are a democrat or republican, everybody believes that without America, all these other divides will be irrelevant.

“I think Nigerians need to understand that and there can be no quick fix. What is required is that there is sufficient political will to deal with the situation to secure the Nigerian space.”

When asked whether Obasanjo got the Federal Government’s nod to engage the Boko Haram sect on the Chibok girls as he had requested in the media, Akpabio asked journalists to approach the former President to speak for himself.

“That would be a third party report. The best thing is that since he is outside there, you can approach him and ask if he got the nod,” the governor said.

Police parade suspected baby factory operators in Rivers

The suspects.
| credits: Chukwudi Akasike

The Rivers State Police Command on Tuesday paraded three pregnant women and a 36-year-old man suspected to be involved in producing babies for sale.

The ‘baby factory’ suspects, who were arrested at Igwuruta in Ikwerre Local Government Area, on July 5, 2014, were identified as Odinchinma Nwala (25), Glory Anyanwu (22), Goodness Nwankwo (19), and Stanley Okechukwu (male, 36).

The Divisional Police Officer of Igwuruta Police Station, Mr. Bello Muhammed, told newsmen that they were able to apprehend the suspects after being alerted by well meaning Nigerians.

Muhammed, a Chief Superintendent of Police, explained that it got signals that someone was operating a baby factory in Umuehe in Igwuruta, Ikwerre Local Government Area.

“We sent a patrol team that went and confirmed the information. When the police traced and arrested Okechukwu, who took the team to where he kept the girls on Saturday, July 5, 2014, it was discovered that the suspects had been involved in the business for a long time.

“The girls were brought from different local government areas, and further investigation revealed that after delivering, he will settle (pay) the girls N100,000 per baby girl and N150,000 for a baby boy before selling the babies,” the DPO said.

Mohammed said he was following the directive of the state Commissioner of Police to enlighten the communities within his jurisdiction on the need for landlords to be mindful of the people they habour in their houses and their occupations.

He explained that investigation was ongoing to get to the root of the matter, adding that child trafficking remains an offence in the country.

However, Okechukwu, who spoke with newsmen, denied operating a baby factory. He added that he was only rendering assistance to the young pregnant women.

Also, one of the pregnant women, who identified herself as Glory Anyanwu, said she was eight months pregnant, even as she denied that they were being kept for a baby producing business.

“He (Okechukwu) saw me in this condition and decided to assist me by offering me and my unborn baby accommodation. But I know the person that impregnated me,” Anyanwu said.

Meanwhile, the Rivers State Police Command has again raised the alarm over the congestion of police cells in the state following the ongoing strike by judiciary workers.

The state chapter of the Judiciary Staff Union of Nigeria had embarked on an indefinite strike since June 10, over the crisis in the state judiciary.

Keshi demands N10m-a-month contract –Report

Super Eagles coach, Stephen Keshi
| credits: speechlog.com

Stephen Keshi has reportedly demanded a significant salary hike to sign a new contract to remain as Nigeria coach.

According to africanfootball.com on Tuesday, Keshi, who announced last week that his contract with   the Nigeria Football Federation had expired after the Super Eagles crashed out of the World Cup following their 2-0 defeat by France, told President Goodluck Jonathan that he will sign a new deal if the NFF agrees to pay him N10m a month. The former Nigeria captain received N5m a month in his initial contract.

Africanfootball.com reported that Keshi made the demand when he met with Jonathan at the Aso Rock Villa in Abuja on arrival from the World Cup in Brazil. He was also said to have demanded that his new salary be paid upfront to avoid the delays he suffered in the previous deal, as well as the recall of his former assistant Sylvanus Okpalla.

A top official at the Presidential Villa told africanfootball.com, “He (Keshi) demanded for N10m a month, which he wants to be paid upfront to check any delays.

“He also wanted what he called a free hand as regards his team selection and preparations, saying he no longer wishes to deal with the technical committee.He also wanted Okpalla back to his backroom staff.

“The President has assured him that his demands will be considered.”

Meanwhile, Keshi pocketed a total of $300,000 when he led Nigeria to the last 16 of the World Cup, africanfootball.com has learned.

He reportedly got $260,000 as appearance fee for the World Cup .

Two ex-heads of state, emirs plead for Nyako

Adamawa State Governor, Murtala Nyako

Two former military heads of state led the embattled Adamawa State Governor Murtala Nyako to a meeting with President Goodluck Jonathan on Monday night in Abuja as part of the efforts to save Nyako, who is battling to escape impeachment by legislators in his state.

The PUNCH learnt that the meeting was at the instance of the two ex-heads of state.

A source close to the meeting confided in one of our correspondents that the two former dictators’ intervention rested on the fact that Nyako was a mutual friend.

Nyako is a retired Vice-Admiral and one-time Chief of Naval Staff under ex-dictator Ibrahim Babangida.

The source said, “The two military leaders took the governor to meet with the President last night. They, however, did not get a commitment because the President insisted that the governor should withdraw his contentious memo to the Northern Governors’ Forum and publicly apologise for his indiscretions.

“The governor, who did not appear prepared to buckle, said he was prepared to leave office instead of taking any action which has the capacity to plunge the state into anarchy.”

Nyako had in April in a memo to the Northern Governors’ Forum alleged that there was a full-fledged genocide against the northern states and that the Federal Government was using the attack on Boko Haram to massively kill northerners.

He also said that virtually all the soldiers of Northern Nigerian origin recently recruited to fight Boko Haram had been deceived in that aspect.

He had said, ‘‘They are being poorly trained, totally ill-equipped, given only uniform and are killed by their trainers in Nigerian Army training centres as soon as they arrive in the Nigerian Army camps being used by the so-called Boko Haram insurgents. Virtually all the Nigerian Army soldiers killed/murdered in these operations so far are of Northern Nigeria origin.

“The Administration has also hired militia men from all across, especially North Africa, who have been deceived into accepting to come because they were made to believe that they would be fighting infidels.”

The ex-heads of state’s intervention also coincided with a similar effort by emirs from the eight emirates across Adamawa State under the leadership of the Lamido of Adamawa, Alhaji Mohammadu Musdafa. The emirs met in Yola, on Tuesday, as part of efforts to resolve the political impasse.

Nyako on Tuesday refused to entertain questions from journalists over the impeachment process instituted against him by the Adamawa State House of Assembly.

Nyako had set aside his ordeal to attend a meeting of the Council of State, presided over by Jonathan.

The Adamawa governor was the cynosure of all eyes when he arrived at the Council Chambers venue of the meeting at about 10:40am.

His colleagues kept visiting his seat to identify with him and get first-hand information on the development in his state. Nyako however remained calm throughout the period.

As soon as the meeting ended, the governor was the first to make his way out of the Presidential Villa. He refused to answer questions from journalists.

Meanwhile, members of the seven- man panel set up to investigate Nyako and his deputy, James Ngillari, for alleged gross misconduct could not meet after its Monday’s inaugural meeting.

It was learnt that the management of J & J Hotel Villa, where the committee members held their inaugural meeting shut their doors against the committee owing to what they described as “security concerns.”

The hotel management was said to have complained that the heavy presence of security personnel and the armoured personnel carrier stationed in front of the hotel premises was scaring away customers.

The clerk of the Adamawa House of Assembly, who was saddled with the responsibility of seeking for an alternative venue, was also said to have been turned down by other hotels as words spread about what transpired in J and J hotel.

An attempt by panel members to use the premises of the Nigeria Labour Congress Club was also said to have been equally rejected.

It was also learnt that the that the panel’s overtures to the Adamawa State Council of the Nigeria Union of Journalists to use the Press Centre led to a division among the journalists.

An emergency meeting of the union was said to have been held and a majority of members kicked against letting out the union’s conference hall for the panel’s sitting.

Unconfirmed report indicated that an initial deposit of N170, 000 was made by an emissary of the committee but the money was refunded when an overwhelming majority of the NUJ members rejected the proposal to use the hall.

A Tale of Two African Countries (Ghana and South Africa) Part 1

 

A Tale of two African countries is an invention of The Innovation Apartment Africa tagged “Priceless Africa” it started in Accra at the Ovation Red Carol on the 14^th of December 2013 where it witnessed the Celebrated Ghanaian poet, Professor Kofi Awoonor who lost his life in the Kenyan Mall attacks, and Nelson Mandela were honored at the Ovation Carol & Awards held in Accra on Saturday Night. The CEO of Ovation International Magazine, Chief Dele Momodu described the late professor as a true son of Africa, adding that he read several books from the literary icon. Afetsi Awoonor, son of Professor Awoonor received an Ovation Red Carol Award on behalf of the family and a cheque of ghc10, ooo was also presented to endow the fund for Kofi Awooner Poetry Competition organized by the School of performing arts, University of Ghana, Legon. The presentation was made by former President of Ghana, Jerry John Rawlings. To remember his contributions to the arts in Africa, there was a dance performance by the Noyam Dance Company and a poetry performance by Chief Munin. The South Africa tale continued from the 27^th -31^st December, 2013; the retreat objective was to learn basic principles, best practices of community service, financial literacy and collaboration for social entrepreneurship. The Trip availed us a quick opportunity to experience the quiet city of midrand, to pay homage to the late madiba who died at that time and partnership opportunities with JCI South Africa. The retreat also afforded the convener the opportunity to also engage leading social entrepreneurs and high profile personalities such as the 2010 South Africa JCI National President, Ali Fodolo and the Ogun State Special Adviser on Environment, Barr. Bimbo Lanre Balogun, they were presented Vintage Copies of Ovation International Magazine. The South African Trip was facilitated by Holloway Travels and the Ghana Trip was sponsored by Ovation

Soldiers Attack BRT Buses In Lagos Over Colleague's Death

As a BRT bus allegedly killed a soldier this morning, July 4, other soldiers are presently clamping down on BRT buses along Ikorodu Road in Lagos.

According to witnesses, the soldier who was not identified was riding a bicycle to work when the BRT bus knocked him down at the Palmgrove bus stop.

It was gathered that an alert was sent immediately to other soldiers at the Abalti Barrack, other soldiers responded angrily and hard on other BRT buses setting some buses on fire.

ACF Say Innocent Nigerian Keep Suffering Unjustly Because Of Boko Haram

With the current spate of insecurity in the country, the pan northern socio-political organization, Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) on Wednesday condemned deadly attacks by Boko Haram sect in the country.

According to Nation, the Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) in a statement, signed by its the National Publicity Secretary Muhammad Ibrahim, described the bomb attack on a market in Maiduguri, Borno State on June 30, 2014, Monday, as wicked, gruesome and condemnable.

The statement reads: “The bomb blast that occurred on Monday morning at the Maiduguri market in Borno State was wicked, gruesome and condemnable considering the huge number of children and old women that were killed in the blast and also the destruction of property it caused.

“In the last 10 days, over 100 people were killed in various bomb blasts in Borno, Abuja, Kano, Bauchi and Kaduna.  Many states in the northern region including Abuja have witnessed and experienced too many bomb blasts in the last five years which had killed many innocent lives, displaced many people, brought untold hardship on the citizens and distorted the economic life of the region.

“In fact, the insecurity situation has placed the region in a state of despair and hopelessness despite the effort of the military and other security agencies in combating the insurgency.

“The activities of the Boko Haram insurgents, unknown gunmen and other criminals in the north are most unfortunate as innocent people have continued to suffer unjustly for perceived grievances which they know nothing about.”

The ACF, who had earlier urged Boko Haram insurgents to embrace Amnesty opportunity proposed by the Federal Government, appealed to the insurgents to embrace civilized ways of addressing perceived grievances and seek dialogue with the government, as violence has never address any misgiving.

It would be added that on June 18 the Arewa Consultative Forum had condemned all the attempts to tag the Northerners as Boko Haram Members.

The latest act of Boko Haram violence against the peaceful residents was a bomb attack on a market in Maiduguri, Borno state, which killed over 18 people and injured 55.


Sources: Naij.com news, The Nation

Nigerian Singer Kefee To Be Buried On July 11

Nigerian singer, Kefee Obareki Don Momoh, who died of lungs failure on June 13th after 15 days in coma at Desert Spring Hospital, Las Vegas will be buried on Friday, July 11th in her hometown of Okpara-Inland, Ethiope East LGA of Delta State.


Kefee

According to bellanaija, her family disclosed the information to members of the Kefee Memorial Committee (a collection of artistes and entertainment personalities who paid a condolence visit to the late singer’s parents) in their Sapele home, Delta State, on Wednesday, 2nd July 2014.

On Thursday, her publicist in Lagos released a statement stating her husband, Teddy Don-Momoh, who has been making arrangements to bring her body back from the U.S., would arrive the country first to receive her body before taking her down to Delta State for burial.

Kefee's husband, Teddy, earlier indicated that his wife’s family had requested that she be buried in their hometown, with a celebratory service in Sapele afterwards and he was comfortable with the arrangement.

The condolence team who travelled to Sapele from Lagos included Sammie Okposo, Nikki Laoye, Annie Ibrahim, Gordons, Princess, Linda Etukudo, Rex Anighoro, Noah Momodu, Covenant and Chika 100%.

News of her sickness first broke out on May 29 after the branama crooner and radio personality, Kefee reportedly fainted while being on board the plane to Chicago.

Meanwhile the late Kefee's medical bills at the US hospital where she was receiving treatment before her death were allegedly paid by the current Delta State Governor, Emmanuel Uduaghan, according to theNetNG.

A condolence register has been opened for the singer at her restaurant, Branama Kitchen, Mende, Maryland, Lagos.

Sammie, who spoke on behalf of the committee that paid a tribute to the late Kefee, said:

“We will perform the last respects we owe our sister to the best of our abilities. We will let the world know that a queen was here and she will always be celebrated.

"She brought peace, happiness and love to the world even in her passing and even though we are heartbroken, we will be comforted in the fact that God knows best and we cannot question him”, he said.

Anny, a gospel artiste and close friend of Kefee, spoke of how Kefee introduced her into the entertainment industry and said that she had stopped mourning but was now celebrating Kefee’s life.

Comedian, Princess Dammy, said:

“Kefee was a huge gift put in a small container for all of us and we didn’t even know how powerful she was. She made such a huge impact in her short life that some men of 50 years have not achieved. You are a lucky man to have had her as your child,” she told Kefee’s father.

Nikki Laoye, a gospel artiste, spoke of their friendship, assured family that the entertainment industry would continue to support them and prayed for their continued good health, especially, in times like this:

“Kefee was a fighter and unapologetically passionate about her music and her art. Till her last breath, she spent her time and energy sharing her message of love, strength and peace across the world.”

Late Kefee’s father, Andrew Obareki, thanked the members of the committee:

“I stand on the authority of the word of God and use the key of David to shut the gates of death from the entertainment industry; there shall be no more sudden, tragic, premature and untimely deaths. “I’m glad Kefee touched the lives of many and her memory will continue to live on. Sometimes it’s not easy to give God thanks but we have no choice,” he said.

The award-winning singer Kefee, who started her music career at the age of 8 in her church choir, has hit songs like ‘Branama’ and ‘Kokoroko’. She won best collaboration Headies Award in 2010.

The Sapele-born 34-year-old artiste had also completed her courses in production and directing at the Chicago Access Network TV, the USA, graduating as a certified video director.



Sources: Naij.com news, bellanaija

Political Clash In Osun State As Thugs Destroy Posters Of Governor Aregbesola

Ahead of the Osun state governorship election, which will hold on August 9, a political clash was averted today in Ibokun, headquarters of Obokun Local Government of between loyalists of PDP Candidate, Omisore and Governor Aregbesola, Vanuguard reports.



The Osun state command was reported to have prevented the violence, which started with suspected political thugs destroying, defacing Governor Aregbesola's political bill boards, posters and replacing them with PDP candidate, Senator Iyiola Omisore's. The incident happened during the PDP campaign rally in Ibokun.

The hoodlums were soon challenged by some youths in the town, who demanded to know the reason for the destruction of Aregbesola’s posters and billboards, which, in turn, led to a hot exchange of words between the two parties. However, the timely intervention of the monarch of the community, Alademure of Ibokun, Oba Festus Awogboro, saved the situation from degenerating into full-blown political crisis in the state.

At the time of filling this report, relative calm have returned to the community, while Senator Iyiola Omisore continued with his door-to-door rally in the area.

The State Police Commissioner, Alhaji Ibrahim Maishanu, said that the command will not hesitate to deal with anybody according to the laws whose action is found wanting in his regards. However, no arrests have been made by the police so far.

The Director of Media and Strategy of PDP, Prince Diran Odeyemi, denied the reports on tensions, saying that the allegation that PDP boys were after posters of Governor Aregbesola were not true and has political undertone.

Meanwhile, a social-political organization in the State, De Raufs Volunteer group, has described the destruction of Governor Aregbesola's campaign billboards and posters as criminal and barbaric.

In a press statement signed by the Director General of the group, comrade Amitolu Shittu, the group noted with utmost dismay that destroying Governor Aregbesola's billboards and posters cannot save opponents from imminent defeat to come on August 9th election.

According to comrade Shittu, the opposition are only intimidated by the popularity and acceptability of governor Aregbesola by the people of Osun state which make the jittery opponent to hide under the darkness of the night to perpetrate unpopular and ignominious activities.

De Raufs Volunteer group, who said Aregbesola’s popularity is accidental, given the good work done by APC candidate in the past three and half years as governor of the state, stated: "If we are to do election tomorrow, there is no doubt that Aregbesola will carry the day. This make opponent panic, we can assure them that if they think what they can have a field day as they did in Ekiti, that’s a mistake."

It was reported yesterday that PDP Candidate, Omisore, had boasted that he will defeat Governor Aregbesola in the forthcoming governorship election saying: “On August 10 after declaration of results, we would all be jubilating across the state, while all our enemies will be crying in their closet.”

Meanwhile, an uncle to Iyoola Omisore, the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, today said that his nephew cannot defeat the incumbent governor, Rauf Aregbesola.



Sources: Naij.com news, Vanguard

'I'm still waiting for Boko Haram to accept my virginity offer' - Adokiye

Adokiye made tongues wag when she offered her virginity in exchange for the release of Chibok girls(Here).Her statement made it to international sites like Huffington Post, Daily mail and more..In a new chat with Bellanaija, she stands by her words..When asked if this was a publicity stunt, she said..

I made an open offer to some group of people. The question is why they haven’t accepted my request? They should gather up the girls, prepare them for release and then I am sure they will find out if I’m still a virgin.Publicity card to promote my music and image?Let me take us back to when this whole thing started, these same people called it “Scam”, “Publicity Card” by the Government and now look where we are today.

A lot of Nigerians are unbelievers and I’d say it is mainly some of our problems today. I am not stupid to play with something like this, let me even ask! Promote what music? I have not released any music or plan to even release any music anytime soon. So what music am I promoting?As for my image, if crying for freedom for the release of innocent children, a reminder to the nation that kids are still missing is promoting my image, then I say to you, let my image soar!

 Don’t get me wrong, I am not promoting rape or pleading to be raped as what some people are making the situation seem like a joke but whatever those kids are going through, I say kids because we are not talking about girls anymore as you know little boys have joined in this.

Whatever it is they are going through, because we cannot see them, I would say should be thrown to me instead and allow them be freed.

I want to use this opportunity to apologise to all the women around the world who have gotten my fight twisted for some reasons or the other to see this as not only a selfless service to humanity but to fall back to the biblical times where Jesus urged us to be our brothers keeper and love others as we love ourselves.”

On why she is so open about her virginity

“Virginity has its own spiritual benefit.A lot of girls that are virgins think virginity is not worth keeping probably because they are being mocked and called names, a lot of people say virginity is lack of opportunity.

So I am using this great opportunity to let the world know that if you are a girl and a virgin, oh you have a precious gift.

Make sure you end it up with a man who knows your worth, a man who knows what it means to have a pure lady. It is not a thing to be shameful about at all. Be proud.”

Ramadan: Saraki Distributes N80M Gifts To Constituents

Dr Bukola Saraki, a member of the Nigerian senate representing Kwara central senatorial district, on Wednesday flagged off the distribution of raw foods items worth about N80 million to his constituents.

The distribution, which took place at the senator's political office in Mandate, Adewole area of Ilorin, was said to be his Ramadan gifts and was shared in all the 832 polling units that made up the Ilorin- Kwara central.



Senator Bukola Saraki

Leadership reports that Engineer Musa Yeketi, the Director General of Saraki's constituency office, said the move was to assist the fasting Muslims in the Holy Month of Ramadan.

Saraki who is the chairman, Senate committee on Environment and Ecology, while presenting the items to six executives members of the All progressive Congress (APC), of the polling units on behalf of the senator Yeketi, pleaded with them to ensure that the items get to all fasting Muslims in their respective zones.

Yeketi, who revealed that the senator would soon flag off another phase of items distribution that will value N39 million, noted that it was his usual tradition during the month of Ramadan.

"As it is the tradition of our leader, Senator Bukola Saraki every year, today (yesterday) he is flagging 0ff the distribution of raw food items to the 832 polling units in Ilorin Emirate for the people of his constituency and teeming party supporters" he said. "The cost of this one we are flagging off today (yesterday) is N37 million and another phase of N39 million for individuals will soon be flag-off." 


One of the executive from Ebenezer (005) Gaa- Akanbi ward three, Saka Yusuf, who spoke on behalf of the beneficiaries said, they were very elated for the gifts. 

"We never expect this much, what we got this year is an improvement. Last year Ramadan it was not like this, today we received two bags of Rice, a bag of maize, a bag of Guinea – Corn, Salt and beans," Yusuf said.



Sources: Naij.com news, Leadership

Meet The Man Who Performs All Manner Of Miracles Just By Looking At People (PHOTOS)

Braco the Gazer has a special talent in the realm of alternative spirituality. He can heal people by just by gazing at them for a few minutes. Hundreds claim that their aches and ailments have all vanished after they looked into his peaceful eyes. The 46-year-old Croatian is now immensely popular in Europe and is a growing phenomenon in the United States.

He doesn’t call himself a healer, guru or teacher. In fact, Braco (pronounced Brah-tzo) leads a pretty normal lifestyle; he smokes, eats meat and lives with his wife and child. But none of that gets in the way of his gazing powers. According to his followers, Braco has connectivity with the Sun, which makes him a conduit for the transmission of divine energy, and a portal to oneness or the quantum field. Apparently, the power of his gaze is so strong that pregnant women are forbidden to attend his gazing events…

That might sound like a whole lot of spiritual mumbo-jumbo to the uninitiated. But it makes perfect sense to those who have been ‘touched’ by Braco’s gaze. He does not speak in public or give interviews; the only time people have heard his ‘loving’ voice is on DVD. Some people say he hasn’t actually spoken to anyone outside his inner circle since 2002. It’s almost as though he might lose his special powers if he utters more words than strictly necessary.

Braco, a former engineer, wasn’t born with his gift; he inherited it from the Serbian master gazer Ivica Prokic, whom he met in Croatia. Prokic is said to have passed on his powers and re-christened him Braco, which means ‘little brother’. After Prokic died, Braco took his new gift, ‘the gaze’, on a tour of the world. He gathered many followers and supporters during his travels, who now vouch for the magical, healing properties of his eyes.

‘The gaze’ can be experienced in various ways – through DVD, via live online sessions, in group events, or through personal meetings. Braco encourages people to bring a photo of their child or a person needing help. The sessions are intended for adults above 18 years of age; children can meet Braco only on his birthday. These sessions can cost anywhere between $3 to $8. There’s expensive merchandise to be purchased as well, like a range of ‘sun jewelry’ featuring Prokic’s symbol – a golden sun with 13 rays. A 14 carat gold version costs around $5,000. 

If the accounts of Braco’s followers are to be believed, the effects of the gaze are pretty strong. Some say that they saw him shape-shift instantly, while others describe it as a ‘shower of golden specks like a confetti’ flowing over their body. A few people were reduced to tears.

Some said that their ‘terrible foot pains’ had vanished and some were grateful for instant relief from a bad toothache. “My back usually really hurts and it hasn’t,” said a recipient of the gaze. Most people said that they felt heat, warmth, a lightness, a tingling sensation, and in some cases, a bubble of love. 

According to one follower, the effects of the gaze extended to his family as well. “The next day I went to see my mom, and I walked into the hospital, and she was walking down the hall on a walker with a nurse on each side. And they’re all going, ‘My God! This was a miracle. She just got up this morning and wanted to walk in and eat breakfast.’ She hadn’t eaten anything but a cup of little something for a month.”

The gaze seems to cure all sorts of ailments and problems. One woman’s adopted daughter reached out to her birth mother, another’s brother recovered from a bone marrow transplant. A woman’s lost granddaughter found her way home. Some were cured of Lyme’s disease, a woman’s ovaries exploded (which was needed for curing her). It seems to work on animals as well, according to a woman who claimed that her mom’s cat was saved.

Although the testimonials are quite strong, there are those who believe that Braco is a fraud. Several questions have been raised about his credibility, and some people wonder if the positive effects of the gaze are merely psychological.