Friday 31 March 2017

Eedris Abdulkareem blasts 2face Idibia for ‘disrespecting’ Daddy Showkey

Eedris Abdulkareem, former member of defunct music group, Eddyremedies, has verbally attacked widely acclaimed afro-pop legend, 2face Idibia, for disrespecting self styled king of the jungle, Daddy Showkey, and for pulling out of the peaceful protest against the federal government, championed by Enough is Enough group, early last month.

Recall that 2face who had initially indicated his interest to lead entertainers and other interested persons on the peaceful protest later expressed his decision to withdraw as a result of security threats.

In a recent interview, Eedris who once went on self exile due to his song Jaga Jaga, blasted 2face for starting a movement he wasn’t capable of pulling off. In his opinion, 2face should have just accepted his fate as a crooner of love songs rather than trying to imitate the likes of Fela and other legendary freedom fighters who used their songs and other means available to fight the government.

Eedris stated, “People are tired of noise on air, they want to listen to real music, we made it all happen so you all came back home to make money so show some respect fools. Without us these idiots won’t make that money they are making. The other day 2face go dey disrespect daddy Showkey, you for tell Daddy Showkey say you no go come studio, who you be, you dey mad? You don forget say na Blackface write all your hits, or who send you make you go put your hand for protest wey dem nor call you, wey you nor know anything about. Waka Wiki MC, I nor tell you say na you be the Plantashunz? I nor tell you say make you no let am get to your head? Nigga wake up men, all the good guys wey dey around, you show all of them finish you come still go dey start the protest, you come think say you go fit do am alone, you don forget say what   you do basically is love songs; dey impregnate people dey go”.


Thursday 30 March 2017

Tension rises as traditional rulers, 200 others join MASSOB in Enugu

Members of the Movement for the Survival of the Sovereign State of Biafra (MASSOB) during their rally to mark the 17th anniversary of the movement, in Awka, Anambra state

- The agitation for Biafra gains momentum as about 200 join MASSOB in Enugu
- The swelling ranks also include some traditional rulers from the state
- The mobilization of new members is something that has caused security worries in the past.

The Movement for the Actualization of the Sovereign State of Biafra, (MASSOB) has recorded a victory as the leadership reveals that some traditional rulers have joined up in the pro-Biafra struggle.

Chief James Omeke, the leader of MASSOB- Biafran Independence Movement (BIM) in Enugu North zone of Enugu state, while speaking to the press, during the mobilization and sensitization of the new members from Igbo Etiti region, revealed that their numbers are rising daily.

Chief Omeke also added that the new members were being taught that non-violence would earn them their sovereignty.

He also explained that the regional administrator of Igbo Etiti, Mr Jude Elugwu with other members traveled the entire Igbo Etiti to sensitize people and recruit new members.
He said: "We see the recent mobilization and sensitization of people of Igbo Etiti region as very successful as we now have in our fold traditional rulers and about 200 new committed members enlisted into MASSOB-BIM.
“I cannot reveal the identity of the traditional rulers because it is not in my power to do so. Our national leader, Chief Ralph Uwazuruike will do that when the time is ripe.

We told them that our national leader, Chief Ralph Uwazuruike had taken the matter up to the level of United Nations (UN), intimating them of his plans to carve out Biafra from Nigeria.
"The mobilization of new members witnessed a large turnout of people from twelve villages. We conscientised our new members on why MASSOB-BIM remained non -confrontational, we told them how we intend to actualize Biafra without a single gunshot.
"Our message to them is Biafra, our weapon, is non-violence."

According to vanguard, the MASSOB-BIM leader also went on to congratulate Chief Ralph Uwazuruike for the opportunity given the zone to go out and mobilize and sensitize people for self determination.

Omeke said MASSOB-BIM believed so much in the ability of Chief Uwazuruike to deliver Biafra to the Igbo. He therefore called on all Igbo sons and daughters to give all necessary support to MASSOB-BIM to actualize their freedom.
Meanwhile, Uchenna Madu, the MASSOB leader in Abakaliki in a statement on Sunday, March 26, said the Biafra republic can be resolved through referendum instead of war and violence.

He said: "Nigeria was on January 1, 1914 artificially cobbled together by the annexation of the Protectorate of Southern Nigeria and the Protectorate of Northern Nigeria in an exercise officially tagged ‘Amalgamation’.
"Decades of massive bloodletting which interrupted these monumental failures came to global reckoning between 1967-1970 when eastern Nigeria found itself in a genocidal war."


Wednesday 29 March 2017

Tinubu turns 65 today.



“IF your actions inspire others to dream more, learn more, do more and become more, you are a leader.”

This famous quote by John Quincy Adams, an American statesman, diplomat, Senator, member of the House of Representatives and the sixth president of the United States from 1825 to 1829 aptly describes Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu. His life is nothing but a portrait  in service. The struggle to enthrone democracy in the country has remained his sole preoccupation. Since the early 1990s when he threw his hat in the political ring, he  has never looked back. He has suffered abuses, accused, humiliated, but he has refused to be cowed. Not even by the military junta. Today, even his worst opponent cannot ignore him.
“My public life spans over three decades. I have had my share of triumphs. I have felt the sting of setback. Through it all, I have tried to keep faith with the overarching vision I earlier set forth – of a more democratic Nigeria with a robust economy that provides sufficiently for all.
Throughout most of this time span, the strategic focus has been on politics, free enterprise and assuring democracy. I believe the toil and sacrifice has been worthwhile. We have secured democracy in Nigeria. Now, our strategic leadership must focus on realising the second part of that vision – the economic component,” he one declared.
To say the former governor of Lagos State and National Leader of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) has become not just a politician, but a living legend, is a statement of fact.
As one of  Nigeria’s most popular political icons and mobilisers, he is an inspiration to a large population of Nigeria- politicians and non-politicians alike. He is loved and dreaded by associates and opponents as a result of his political sagacity and dedication in the service of fatherland. 

According to Segun Olulade, a member, Lagos State House of Assembly, “Tinubu’s many sacrifices are unusual. His contributions to political and national development are unequalled in this generation. His legacies for Nigeria’s democracy will take another decade to see their likes.  His influence across all industries and strata is not a coincidence.
The growth of his political reign has witnessed ingenuity, hard work, commitment to the masses, love for the country, firm belief in teamwork and exceptional gift ordained by God. He never fought clandestinely.
Issa Aremu, foremost labour leader agreed.
“At a time most Nigerian politicians are insular and killing their fellows to be local gaodfathers and local champions, Tinubu is a national and pan-African politicians attested to by his remarkable outreach in West Africa sub-region in particular and the continent  as a whole.
The political career of the man fondly called Jagaban Borgu began in 1992, on the platform of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) where he was elected to the Nigerian Senate to represent the Lagos West constituency in the short-lived Nigerian Third Republic.
Following the annulment of the results of the June 12 1993 presidential elections, Tinubu became a founding member of the pro-democracy National Democratic Coalition (NADECO), which mobilised support for the restoration of democracy and recognition of the election won by MKO Abiola. He went into exile in 1994 and returned to the country in 1998 after the death of General Sani Abacha, which ushered in a transition to civilian rule.
In the run-up to the 1999 elections, he emerged the governorship candidate of the Alliance for Democracy (AD) and won.
During his eight-year period of office, he made large investments in education in the state. He also initiated new road construction, required to meet the needs of the ast-growing population of the state.
Tinubu, alongside a new deputy governor, Femi Pedro, won re-election to office as Governor in April 2003. All other states in the South West fell to the People’s Democratic Party.
He was involved in a struggle with the Federal government over whether Lagos State had the right to create new Local Council Development Areas (LCDAs) to meet the needs of its large population. The controversy led to the Federal government seizing funds meant for local councils in the state. Rather than deter him, that action by the President Olusegun Obansanjo-led Federal Government fired him as he revved up his development in the state. His performance, put the former nation’s capital on the road to becoming a mega city.
However, over a decade after leaving office as governor, Tinubu’s political horizon has continued to expand, such that no serious political discuss can be concluded today without a fair mentioning of  his name.
In deed, the story of how he led the defunct All Progressives Congress (ACN) from a one state party to victory in at least half a dozen states is too well know.
To cap it all, he spearheaded and midwifed the first political merger  in the country, the All Progressives Congress (APC).


Tuesday 28 March 2017

2017 UTME: JAMB releases list of approved CBT centers for registration

The Joint Admission and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has released a state by state list centers for the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) registration for interested candidates.

According to the Registrar of the Board, Prof. Ishaq Oloyede, the time frame for the registration has now been reduced from three months to just one month for efficiency.

Prof. Oloyede,said “the essence of reducing the period of registration from three months to one month was to eliminate all ills associated with prolonged registration of candidates.”

SOURCE: VANGUARD


Davido hospitalized over an undisclosed illness

The boss of HKN and the Omobaba olowo has been hospitalized in a hospital whose name is yet to be disclosed.

Above is a picture of him on the hospital bed with drip strips attached to his right hand which he shared on Snapchat.

The 'IF' crooner is currently at the center of a paternity scandal which is yet to be known.

However, Noblegblog wishes him a quick recovery.


Certificate scandal: Explain why you graduated in 2000 and did NYSC in 1999, Nigerians tells Dino Melaye

- Nigerians have asked senator Dino Melaye to explain why he did NYSC before his graduation
- Senator Melaye had in a vedio clip he released after Senate committee on Monday, 27 mocked Sowore, SaharaReporters publisher
- ABU VC had told the Senate committee that Dino Melaye graduated from the institution with third class degree.

Nigerians have taken to their social media to react to the certificate scandal of
Senator Dino Melaye after he released a video clip where he mocked the publisher of SaharaReporters, Omoyele Sowore.

Senator Melaye has been in a running battle with SaharaReporters since last week over the latter’s damning revelation about the former’s inability to graduate from Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, contrary to the senator’s claims.

The on-going certificate scandal around Senator Dino Melaye's graduation from ABU Zaria has become a drum of jokes on the internet. There are lots of distorted facts and unanswered questions.
Twitter users are asking how it is possible for a man to graduate in 2000 but did NYSC in 1999. See the tweets after the cut.

The lawmaker has, however, insisted he graduated from the university, one of Nigeria’s oldest universities.
Meanwhile, during the hearing, the Chairman Senator Samuel Anyanwu, having put Dino Melaye on oath, explained that there was a complaint against him by a colleague, Senator Ali Ndume that he was parading a questionable degree certificate from Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria.

While responding, Dino having tendered series of documents to support that he was a graduate of Ahmadu Bello University explained that he has also sworn affidavit as to conflicts in his names.

“Distinguished Senators, I have sworn affidavit to my name which reads, Daniel Jonah Melaye to Dino Melaye, because Jonah is actually my father’s name.

He added: “Because I have become popular with Dino over times, I have decided to bear Dino Melaye and you could see that my admission to study Masters degree bears Dino Melaye.” One of the members of the committee, Senator Matthew Urhoghide noted that they could see statement of results with an affidavit and not the purported original degree from ABU.


Monday 27 March 2017

Manchester United 'preparing £173m summer bid for Barcelona superstar Neymar'

Manchester United are eyeing up a 200million (£173m) offer for Barcelona forward Neymar.
According to Spanish newspaper Sport, the Old Trafford club are willing to activate the release clause written into the Brazilian’s contract to bring him to the Premier League.
On top of the huge fee they would give Barca, United are also willing to pay Neymar €25m (£21m), or £416,000-a-week, to make the switch to England.
Last week, Neymar admitted he admired a number of Premier League sides – including United.
‘The Premier League is a championship that amazes me,’ Neymar said. ‘I like the playing style and the teams. And who knows, someday, I would like to play at it, yes.
‘I admire Manchester United, Chelsea, Arsenal, Liverpool — these are the teams that are always there fighting.
‘And then you have high-level coaches like Mourinho and Guardiola. These are coaches with whom any player would like to work.’
Neymar had developed into one of the world’s finest players since joining Barcelona in the summer of 2013.
Earlier this month he played a key role as the Nou Camp side progressed against Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League, overturning a four-goal first-leg deficit in dramatic style.
The 25-year-old got the comeback underway with a stunning free-kick in the 88th minute as Barcelona trailed 3-1 at home.
And then he converted a pressure penalty during added time prior to Sergi Roberto’s late winner as Barcelona reached the quarter-finals.


Why candidates ’re not offered admissions- JAMB

The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB), has said that often times, Nigerians accuse it wrongly particularly in its constitutional role of offering tertiary institution admissions to deserving candidates.
The board explained why majority of students that sat for the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) in the past failed to secure admissions even when some of them might have reached or exceeded the cut-off marks.
JAMB spokesman, Dr. Fabian Benjamin, said in Abuja that aside other criteria like merit, catchment area and educational less advantage states, recent studies indicated that majority of the candidates are not qualified for admission for one reason or the other.
He said: “We have carried out studies and discovered that in recent time, some of the candidates that sat for the UTME don’t have their O’ Level results ready before the commencement of admissions, and even those that have their results ready don’t have the right combinations that is required for admissions into certain courses.
“It is unfortunate that in the past, JAMB would announce that so, so and so millions of candidates registered and sat for UTME. But at the end, you would discover that majority of them lack the basic requirements for admission. By the time JAMB weeds out these unqualified candidates, you will be left with either 600 or 700 candidates that are qualified.

SOURCE: THE SUN


BREAKING! Dino Melaye graduated with third class in Geography - ABU VC

The Senator representing Kogi West Central Dino Melaye on Monday, March 27, appeared before the Senate Committee on Ethics and Privileges over allegations that he did not graduate from the Ahamdu Bello University, Zaria.

Dino appeared before the committee alongside the vice chancellor of the university Ibrahim Garba.
At the hearing, Melaye admitted under oath that he graduated from the Ahmadu Bello University.
Although he did not state the year which he graduated, he told the committee that he officially changed his name from Daniel Melaye to Dino Melaye.
The controversial senator who have been in the media space since last week over a certificate forgery allegation against him by the Publisher of Sahara Reporters Omoyele Sowore said he is ready to tender an affidavit in that regards.
He also tendered an acceptance letter, an acceptance offer of admission and results from ABU Zaria.
He also tendered his final year project before the Senate committee.
The VC also admitted that Melaye graduated as Daniel Jonah Melaye with a third class in Geography in 2000.


One killed as herdsmen invade Prison Farm Centre in Benue

The Benue Prisons Service on Monday confirmed that herdsmen invaded its Jato-Aka Farm Centre and killed an inmate, one Tersoo Agidi.

ASP Stephen Nwanchor, Public Relations Officer, Benue Prisons Service, revealed this in Makurdi that the incident took place on Saturday at the farm centre.
Nwanchor said that the invasion was not a failed jail break attempt.

“This is a new farm centre established in January, 2017. The herdsmen invaded the place, destroyed property, shot and killed one Tersoo Agidi, an inmate.

“We have evacuated all the remaining inmates from the farm centre to Gboko, pending the outcome of the investigation.

“We are not taking anything for granted. My Controller of Prison is on top of the issue, and all relevant security operatives in the state have been notified,” Nwanchor said.

The PRO said the service was investigating the invasion to ascertain the remote cause, noting that no arrest had been made so far.

Nwanchor said the service had tightened security in and around all its facilities in the state, assuring that there was no cause for alarm.

SOURCE: VANGUARD


Saturday 25 March 2017

UNIBEN STUDENT DEDICATES A POEM TO HIS LECTURER WHOSE BIRTHDAY IS TODAY

Happy Birthday PA Wilfred


Experience's long serving pupil,
Breathing on and learning on.
Many Suns you've seen,
Many Moons you've sighted.

You've sired Amazing, Amazon Daughters,
Perhaps finest of Sons too.
Many Suns you've seen,
Many Moons you've sighted.

You've given out delicacies of knowledgeable meals,
Fed undergrads with endless legacy soups.
Many Suns you've seen,
Many Moons you've sighted.

The dark cap you've worn with pride,
Now the grey you wear walking tall.
Many Suns you've seen,
Many Moons you've sighted.

Many owe you an attitude of gratitude,
You've birthed 'Gullivers' in 'Lilliputian' multitudes.
Many Suns you've seen,
Many Moons you've sighted.

WRITTEN BY SAM DE POET



 Naira consolidates strength against dollar

Following Thursday’s foreign exchange (forex) wholesale auction, the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) yesterday concluded transactions on $100 million earlier offered at the interbank market to meet customers’ demands, out of which authorized dealers were only able to pick $81.347 million after an initial bid for $91 million.

Commenting on the offer, the Acting Director of Corporate Communications at the CBN, Isaac Okorafor, attributed the inability of authorized dealers to pick up the entire offer of the CBN to increasing dollar supply and sense of apprehension among dealers who anticipate a further crash in the rate of the dollar.

He reiterated the determination of the Bank to sustain its current interventions in the market. According to him, “those who doubt the capacity of the Bank to sustain the intervention in the forex market are beginning to have a change of mind”.

Meanwhile, reports gathered in Abuja and Lagos over the week indicate the Naira sustained its bullish ride against major currencies, especially the United States dollar, which exchanged at an average of $1/N385. This, no doubt, has triggered further apprehension among speculators, who anticipate further losses given the continued crash of the dollar.

With the Naira closing at N307 to the US dollar on Friday and the parallel market rate continuing to slide, the optimism of the CBN Governor, Godwin Emefiele to achieve the convergence of Forex rates between the Interbank and the BDCs markets appears to be in the horizon.

Forex speculators have also recorded further loss as naira appreciates strongly, a development that forced them to release hoarded currencies into the market.


Chimamanda Adichie makes 50 world leaders’ list

Award winning Nigerian author, Chimamanda Adichie, has been named amongst the 50 greatest world leaders in the 2017 Fortune magazine ranking.

The “Half of a Yellow Sun” writer was ranked number 42 on the list with Chicago Cubs baseball team president, Theo Epstein, occupying the number one position.

Business mogul, Jack Ma of AliBaba group of companies appears at number two and Catholic leader, Pope Francis, is in the third place for his social integration projects as a clergy.

Melinda Gates is number four in recognition of the impact of the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, which she co-chairs.

The list also features celebrated basketball player, LeBron James at 11, comedienne Samantha Bee at 19.

Colombian music superstar, Shakira is at 27 for her philanthropic work through her Pies Descalzos (Barefoot) school foundation.

Just outside of the top five is Ava DuVernay recognised for her directorial work in Academy Award winning film, Selma and her forthcoming Disney adaptation, A Wrinkle in Time.

Chance the Rapper checks in at number 46. The 23-year-old hip-hop star is commended for his willingness to remain an independent artist and release his music for free as well as his education philanthropy in his Illinois, Chicago hometown.

Adichie’s book ‘Americanah’ recently won the “One Book, One New York” campaign from the New York City Mayor’s Office of Media and Entertainment in partnership with BuzzFeed.

SOURCE: THE SUN


Thursday 23 March 2017

Herdsman rapes 70 years old widow in Ebonyi

The leader of the protesters, Florence Okoro, said the herdsman sneaked into the old widow’s house while she was preparing her evening meal and raped her.
Okoro, who added that the hands and legs of the old widow were broken in the process, appealed to the state government and security agencies to protect women.

Addressing the women, the state Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Chief Augustine Nwankwegu, condemned the rape of the widow and the destruction of farmlands by herdsmen.

Nwankwegu assured the protesters that the government would take action against the perpetrators of the crime.

He told them that Governor David Umahi had directed that the culprits be fished out and prosecuted.

The commissioner said, “The governor has heard this and asked me to look for a way to catch the man (rapist) so that he would be punished accordingly.

“We have gone to the police and they told us they were on the way to bring him (rapist) to Abakaliki. I’m promising you that by Monday, he would be arraigned in court. You will come and see him because what he has done is wrong.”

The Chief of Staff, Government House, Mr. Emmanuel Okorie, condemned the activities of the herdsmen in the area, saying, “It’s annoying that Fulani herdsmen, instead of taking care of their cattle, are touching you.  What is expected to be done for you to be happy, our governor will do it.”

SOURCE: THE PUNCH


5 dead, 40 injured in London terror attack

A knife-wielding man has gone on a deadly rampage in the heart of Britain's seat of power, ploughing a car into pedestrians on London's Westminster Bridge before fatally stabbing a police officer inside the gates of Parliament.
Five people were killed, including the assailant, and 40 others were injured in what Prime Minister Theresa May has condemned as a "sick and depraved terrorist attack."
Lawmakers, lords, staff and visitors were locked down after the man was shot by police within the perimeter of Parliament, just metres from entrances to the building itself and in the shadow of the iconic Big Ben clock tower.
A doctor who treated the wounded from the bridge said some had "catastrophic" injuries. Three police officers, several French teenagers on a school trip, two Romanian tourists, and five South Koreans were among the casualties.
Metropolitan Police counterterrorism chief Mark Rowley said unarmed policeman Keith Palmer, 48, three civilians and the attacker died. Forty others were injured.
Islamic extremism was suspected in the attack, Rowley said, adding that authorities believe they know the assailant's identity but would not reveal it while the investigation was ongoing.
The threat level for international terrorism in the UK was already listed at severe, meaning an attack was "highly likely."
Speaking outside 10 Downing St. after chairing a meeting of government's emergency committee, COBRA, May said that level would not change. She said attempts to defeat British values of democracy and freedom through terrorism would fail.
"Tomorrow morning, Parliament will meet as normal," she said. Londoners and visitors "will all move forward together, never giving in to terror and never allowing the voices of hate and evil to drive us apart."
US President Donald Trump was among world leaders offering condolences, and in Paris, the lights of the Eiffel Tower were to be dimmed in solidarity with London.
Wednesday was the anniversary of suicide bombings in the Brussels airport and subway that killed 32 people last year, and the latest events echoed recent vehicle attacks in Berlin and Nice, France.
Conservative lawmaker Tobias Ellwood, whose brother was killed in the Bali terror attack in 2002, performed first aid on the wounded police officer, who later died. About 10 yards away lay the assailant.
"I tried to stem the flow of blood and give mouth to mouth while waiting for the medics to arrive but I think he had lost too much blood," Ellwood said. "He had multiple wounds, under the arm and in the back."
The attack began early Wednesday afternoon as a driver in a grey SUV slammed into pedestrians on the bridge linking Parliament to the south bank of the River Thames.
Former Polish foreign minister Radek Sikorski was in a car crossing the bridge when he heard "something like a car hitting metal sheet" and then saw people lying on the pavement.
"I saw one person who gave no signs of life. One man was bleeding from his head. I saw five people who were at least seriously injured," Sikorski told Poland's TVN24.
Police said one injured woman was pulled from the river.
The car crashed into railings on the north side of the bridge, less than 200 metres from the entrance to Parliament. As people scattered in panic, witnesses saw a man holding a knife run toward the building.
"The whole crowd just surged around the corner by the gates just opposite Big Ben," said witness Rick Longley. "A guy came past my right shoulder with a big knife and just started plunging it into the policeman. I have never seen anything like that. I just can't believe what I just saw."
Daily Mail journalist Quentin Letts said a man in black attacked the police officer before being shot two or three times as he tried to storm into the building.
"As this attacker was running towards the entrance two plain-clothed guys with guns shouted at him what sounded like a warning, he ignored it and they shot two or three times and he fell," Letts told the BBC.
The attack unfolded near some of the city's most famous tourist sites, including the London Eye, a large Ferris wheel with pods that overlook the capital. It was halted after the attack, stranding visitors in the pods, with an aerial view of the attack scene.


Reps wade into Fanta, Sprite controversy

The House of Representatives has waded into the controversy surrounding alleged harmful effects of Fanta and Sprite when taken with Vitamin C.

The lawmakers resolved in yesterday’s plenary, presided by Speaker Yakubu Dogara, to constitute an Ad hoc committee to investigate the quality of products produced and distrusted by the Nigerian Bottling Company ( NBC) Limited.

The House also urged the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) to urgently investigate the chemical composition of carbonated drinks manufactured and sold in Nigeria.

The resolution of the House was based on a motion entitled: “Need to protect Nigerians from harmful effects of Fanta and Sprite produced by Nigerian Bottling Company”, sponsored by Rotimi Agunsoye.

The Federal Ministry of Health had, last Saturday, clarified government’s position on the matter, when it certified both drinks as safe for consumers.

The clarification came after a court judgement on the case filed by Fijabi Holdings and another versus the NBC and NAFDAC, joined as nominal parties.

The ministry, in a statement signed by the Director of Media and Public Relations, Akinola Boade, said investigations conducted by it showed that both benzoic acid and ascorbic acid (Vitamin C) are ingredients approved by the International Food Safety regulators and used in many food and beverage products around the world.

But, Agunsoye, in his lead debate on the motion, said Fanta and Sprite, produced by the NBC, contains 250 mg/kg as against the internationally accepted 150mg/kg, and added that the court ordered NBC to inscribe on both products that consumers cannot take them along with Vitamin C.

The lawmaker also disclosed NBC’s products were tested by Stockport Metropolitan Borough Council Trading Standard Department of Environment and Economy Directorate in the United Kingdom  and were discovered to be harmful for human consumption.

Speaking in support of the motion, Archibong Henry expressed displeasure that the NBC had explained in court, that the products which failed tests in the U.K. weren’t produced for export.

“What they are trying to say is that Nigerians are animals. Judging by Nigeria’s large population, you can imagine the huge amount of money NBC makes from sales, yet their response, was that the drinks were not to sold outside the country”, Archibong said.

A suggestion by Femi Fakeye, that the chamber order suspension of distribution of Fanta, Coke and Sprite until investigation is concluded was rejected.

However, Majority Leader, Femi Gbajabiamila said with the court ruling, the danger posed by consuming the beverages with Vitamin C has been proven.  Gbajabiamila restated his support for an investigation by the House.  “Nigerians should not be experimented with. Life is sacred and we have the mandate to protect people’s lives.”

Suggestion by a member Femi Fakeye that the House call for the suspension of the distribution of Fanta, Coke and Sprite until its investigation in concluded was rejected.

But the Minority Leader, Leo Ogor and another member Aminu Shehu Sagari called for caution, saying, the House should only take a position after the adhoc committee presents its report.

Shagrari noted that with the advent of the social media, a few products have been de-marketed through  unconfirmed stories on such products.

“Now, we have heard of plastic rice. So, we have to be careful and investigate and wait for whatever the committee comes up with”, he added.

However, Majority Leader, Femi Gbajabiamila opined that with the court ruling, the danger posed by consuming Fanta and Sprite with Vitamin C has been proven.

Gbajabiamila stated his support for an investigation by the House, saying, “Nigerians should not be experimented with. Life is sacred and we have the mandate to protect the lives of the people”.

SOURCE: THE SUN


Sunday 19 March 2017

Popular rapper is not dead. See proof

Please ignore the rumour by Official_exponews, Nairaland,MegaNews360 and the rest that Sarkodie is dead. The popular Ghanian rapper, Sarkodie wished one of his guys a happy birthday after the rumour that he was dead. I think it's high time these bloggers conducted a drastic research to confirm if an information is factual or not. It's wrong giving a wrong picture of one all in the name of getting traffic.


Saturday 11 March 2017

Power failure: Fashola gets 30-day ultimatum to revive power sector or resign

Perturbed by the lingering epileptic power supply in the country, particularly in the South East zone, the Campaign for Democracy, CD has given the Minister of Power, Works and Housing, Babatunde Fashola (SAN) up till 30 days from now to revive the ailing power sector or resign his appointment as a minister of the federal republic.
National Publicity Secretary of CD, Dede Uzor A. Uzor who gave the ultimatum in a press statement issued in Onitsha, Anambra state, yesterday, said Fashola has failed woefully to increase the megawatt from 4,320 where he met it since two years ago to till future.
CD noted that rather, Fashola allowed the megawatt to decrease to less than 1,000 at the moment, a situation which he said forced Nigerians to witness zero megawatt on January 30, this year with a total nationwide power blackout.
CD suggested that the federal government should detach Works and Housing ministries from the Power ministry and handed them over to another minister to oversee, to enable Fashola concentrate only on power which is presently the most important need of every average Nigerian.
CD also asked Fashola to make available pre-paid meters to all Nigerians, particularly in the South East region within that 30-day ultimatum period to assist in checkmating estimated and crazy bills on poverty-stricken Nigerians, so as to controvert United Nations, UN’s recent prediction that Yemen, Sudan, Nigeria, Syria and other countries would face acute food shortage in the near future.
SOURCE: VANGUARD


Friday 10 March 2017

Sex scandal: Apostle Suleiman gives Keyamo one week ultimatum to apologize

ABUJA – The General Overseer, Omega Fire Ministries, Apostle Johnson Suleiman has given the Lagos Based Lawyer, Festus Keyamo seven days to retract all defamatory allegations made against him.
Apostle Suleiman also demanded apology and N 1billion damaged from Keyamo for defaming him, threatening to drag him to the National Bar Association Disciplinary Committee if he (Keyamo) fails.
Vanguard had earlier reported that Keyamo in a petition to the Cleric and the Inspector General of Police had alleged the Man of God of amorous relationship with his client, Miss Stephanie Otobo, demanding N500 million.
However, the church and the father of the lady had defended the cleric, calling Keyamo and Miss Stephanie serial blackmailers.
In a letter written by Apostle Suleiman through his counsel, Osa Director, to Festus Keyamo, the cleric accused Keyamo of tarnishing his image and convicted him in a media trial.
The Letter titled: ‘Allegation of Professional Misconduct and Unethical Practices’, was dated 7th March, 2017.
It reads: “equel to our letter to you dated 6th March, 2017 we have observed with shock and dismay your deliberate and relentless efforts to malign and convict our client through media trial.
“By your relentless media campaign, you are conducting yourself in a manner inconsistent with S.1 of the Rules of Professional Conduct For Legal Practitioners 2007. Instead of gathering your facts and evidence before a court of competent jurisdiction for adjudication you have cleverly resorted to blackmail and intimidation of our client through the media-both traditional and social media.
“In short, you have threatened and indeed executed your threat of conjuring, manufacturing and synthesizing bogus and unverifiable exhibits in the social media and newspapers, all with a view to poison public opinion against our client and reduce his esteem and reputation in the eye of any reasonable man.
“Your attitude is also to ambush a fair trial while litigation is anticipated. This is contrary to S.33 of the Rules of Professional Conduct For Legal Practitioners 2007.
“In the Punch newspapers of Tuesday, March 7, 2017 Vol. 41 No 21,388 page 10, you were quoted in an interview threatening to “release more bullets.” You said your client under your supervision will be organizing a world press conference and “we will begin to release bullets.”
“Furthermore, you grossly and recklessly maligned our client, saying, “these men of God are not what they claim to be, we have a duty to protect the public. Many of them are fake and fraudsters. You will see the video very soon in the next few minutes.” True to your threat of trial publicity stunts, the video clips have flooded the socialmedia networks.
“We believe your conduct is inconsistent with the virtues and rules of conduct of the legal profession. It smacks of indiscipline and disdain for the judicial process.
“Therefore, we demand a retraction of all your press statements and an apology to be published in the major social media networks and Punch newspapers.
“Also, we demand a compensation of One Billion Naira for all the injuries inflicted on our client. We expect you to meet our demands within seven days from the date above written.
“TAKE NOTICE that we shall drag you before the Legal Practitioners Disciplinary Committee for infamous conduct, if you fail to do so.
SOURCE: VANGUARD


Naira appreciates to N455/$ as External reserves hit $30bn

Hopes of further appreciation of the naira brightened yesterday as the nation’s external reserve rose to $30 billion, the highest in 13 months.
Consequently, the external reserve has risen by $4.2 billion since the beginning of the year, and by $6.2 billion since October 19th, 2016 when it commenced its upward trend.
Meanwhile, the naira yesterday appreciated to N455 per dollar in the parallel market as the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) injected another $195 million into the foreifn exchange market. The apex bank sold $100 million in wholse forwards, $70 million to meet demand for personal and business travel allowance and $25 million to bureaux de change (BDCs).
President, Association of Bureaux De Change (ABCON), Alhaji Aminu Gwadabe, confirmed this development to Vanguard, saying  3,114 collected $8,000 each from the CBN yesterday.
The dollar supply prompted the parallel market exchange rate to drop to N455 per dollar from N465 per dollar on Monday, indicating N10 appreciation.
This development was in sharp contrast to the N17 depreciation suffered by the naira on Monday against the dollar, due to upsurge in demand by importers travelling to China.
Gwadabe expressed optimism that the naira will further appreciate in the coming week, based on expectation of increased dollar sales to BDCs by the CBN. He disclosed that the apex bank in furtherance of its intervention in the foreign exchange market has decided to increase weekly dollar sales to each BDCs to $15,000 from $8,000.
Since Monday February 20th 2017, when it announced new measures to boost dollar supply and forestall the declining fortunes of the naira in the parallel market, the CBN has intervened in the forex market six times as follows: Tuesday February 21st, $417 million; Thursday February 23rd, $231 million; Monday February 27th, $180 million; Friday March 3, $350 million, Monday March 6, N367 million; and on Tuesday with $100 million.
Acting Director, Corporate Communications Department, CBN, Isaac Okorafor, said  that the move by the intervention by the CBN  was to fund the commercial banks with enough forex to cater for the request of customers to meet personal travelling allowance (PTA), basic travelling allowance (BTA), medicals and tuition fees.
Commending the move, market analysts observe that it will further create problems for currency speculators who are yet to recover from the sudden appreciation of the Naira.
According to the former Economic Adviser to the President and Minister, National Planning Commission, Professor Ode Ojowu, “It appears this time around, the CBN has decided to become smarter than the market manipulators, by putting on its cap of authority to look beneath the market forces”
It will be recalled that the CBN, in February 2017, changed its forex rule supply to guarantee supply to both small and the big end-users. The policy has restored stability and bolstered market confidence which has ultimately boosted the value of the Naira.
Operators in the market have also commended the efforts of the CBN in ensuring the continuous appreciation of the naira. This they attributed to good policy and effective communication strategy, which has witnessed increased dollar supply to the market through a deliberate policy of the apex bank.

SOURCE: VANGUARD


Pro-Biafra agitators’ killings: Ohanaeze rejects Army’s probe panel

President General of the apex Igbo  organisation,  Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Chief John Nnia Nwodo has flayed the setting up of a panel by the Chief of Army Staff, Lt General T.Y. Buratai to investigate  the alleged killing of members of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and Movement for the Actualisation of the Sovereign State of Biafra (MASSOB) by troops of the Nigerian Army.

He said the army could not be  a judge in its case.

Nwodo,  in a two-page statement titled,  “Buratai, With Respect, You Cannot Be a Judge In Your Own Court” and signed by him,  stated that Buratai’s inquiry could not  stand the test of objectivity and therefore, its  outcome would not be acceptable to the umbrella body.

The Ohanaeze boss expressed regret that his ceaseless call for a judicial commission of inquiry on the army’s brutality fell on deaf ears until Amnesty International got involved.

“In Ezu River in Anambra State, 21 bodies floated for two months without anyone identifying them up till today.  Claims that they were MASSOB members hacked down by combined Police and Army personnel remain uninvestigated.

“In Aba, IPOB members were gunned down by soldiers for just gathering to hold a meeting.  No investigation was done.

“In Port Harcourt, IPOB claims 11 of their members were killed by soldiers.  I called for an inquiry, nothing happened.  Instead, further killings were done in Asaba.

Nwodo said Ohanaeze is not opposed to the Army chief carrying out an internal investigation,  but noted that “the findings of such an investigation will neither be acceptable to Ohanaeze nor stand the test of objectivity until it is subjected to an impartial body.  The basis of our rule of law is that you must not be a judge in your own court.”

Nwodo cautioned  that the Army chief was  exacerbating the mood of IPOB members by his threat that Nigeria cannot be divided in his lifetime, describing it as unnecessary.

In continuation of his tour, the President General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, Chief John Nwodo would on Sunday, meet with the chieftains of South West Ohanaeze Ndigbo  in Ado Ekiti, Ekiti  State.

According to Prince Nathaniel Uzomah,  president, Ohanaeze Ndigbo South West zone,  the deputy president general of Ohanaeze Ndigbo worldwide, Chief Hillary Opara and other national officers would be in the entourage of the president general.

Uzomah who is also the president of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Ekiti State said Nwodo and his entourage would also use the opportunity of the tour to pay courtesy visit to the governor of Ekiti State, Ayo Fayose and the Ewi of Ado Ekiti.

He said this is the first time that president general of Ohanaeze Ndigbo was coming to meet Igbo living in any other state in the South West outside Lagos and commended the new president general for choosing to make the difference.

He called all Igbo in the South West geo-political zone to troop out to give the august visitors  rousing a  welcome. In his contribution, the secretary of Ohanaeze Ndigbo South West zone, Chief Iheonunekwu George described the election of John Nwodo and his executive as a new dawn in Ohanaeze Ndigbo.

George who is also the president of Ohanaeze in Osun State said within two months of his election,Nwodo has begin to restore the image of the apex Igbo social cultural organization.

According to him ,Nwodo`s  visit to Ekiti is historic and a step in the right direction as it would give the Igbo living in the other states outside Lagos and Abuja sense of belonging.

Also contributing the publicity secretary of the organization ,Peter Anosike called on Ndigbo to give Nwodo and his executive total support .

According to him ,the Nwodo administration came on a board at a historic time and as such Igbo need to put their political and ideological differences  aside to enable Ndigbo recover their lost identity.

He said  since the new administration came on board ,it has shown in words and action that it is ready to take Ndigbo to the next level.

SOURCE: THE SUN


Tuesday 7 March 2017

Armed robber storm bank, load bundles of cash away as 3 people confirmed dead (photos)

- Armed robbers attacked a Bank in Akure killing security guards
- They also took away loads of cash in their vehicles

Armed Robbers have stormed a Skye Bank in Akure, Ondo state leading to the death of three persons as they escaped with loads of cash.

According to Sahara Reporters, the robbers stormed the bank at Ogbagi Akoko in the afternoon on Tuesday, March 7.

According to a source, the robbers scared customers by firing sporadically before getting away with money from the bank.

The robbers reportedly ordered customers to lay on the floor before getting access into the vault.

Three persons reportedly died in the attack including security officials.

The source said: “The armed robbers killed the security officers attached to Skye Bank because they refused to cooperate with them during the operation.

“They even slapped a local woman who acted stubborn to them and ransacked all the banking vaults where money was kept before running away.”


Another source claimed the robbers boldly loaded their stolen cash into their vehicle and sped off.

Femi Joseph who is the spokesperson of the Ondo state police command confirmed the incident.

He said: “I am still getting details of the event and I will get back to you.”


Monday 6 March 2017

BREAKING: Ex-PDP governor jailed for 5 years


A high court in Yola, the Adamawa state capital, has sentenced former state governor Barrister Bala James Ngillari to five years in jail without option of fine over corruption-related cases.

Leadership reports that the court, presided over by Justice Nathan Musa, handed down the sentence on Monday, March 6.

According to Premium Times, Justice Musa found Ngilari guilty of four charges and discharged him on one, which bordered on conspiracy, in the 75-minute long ruling.

The judge also discharged and acquitted former secretary to the state government Ibrahim Andrew Waliya and the Commissioner of Finance Sanda Jonathan Lamurde, who were second and third defendants in the case.
Ngilari, who was charged on September 21, 2016, will however have the choice of picking which prison to serve his sentence in.


Recall that Ngillari was arrested by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission and arraigned before the Adamawa state High Court on a 19-count charge case bordering on fraudulent award of contract worth over N167 million.
The former governor was also asked to provide one surety who must own a landed property in Yola, Adamawa state capital.


The surety, the court said, must submit an affidavit of mean to the court registrar before his release.

The court further adjourned the matter to Monday, October 10, for the commencement of trial.


Fayose to Buhari: Speak with me to prove you’re healthy. HE EVEN DROPPED HIS NUMBER

Ekiti State Governor, Ayo Fayose has said rather than shop for outsiders to speak with, to prove to Nigerians that he is hale and hearty, President Muhammadu Buhari should be encouraged to speak with him (Fayose), instead.

“I advise the president to speak with me for the purpose of convincing Nigerians that he is hale and hearty, instead of looking for people outside the country to convince Nigerians.”

In a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Idowu Adelusi, Fayose picked holes in statements that Buhari has spoken with the King of Morocco and President of the African Union (AU).

“If their problem is that they are looking for a credible person who can help them convince Nigerians that all is well with our president, Fayose is their best bet. Let the president speak with me. If I tell Nigerians that the president spoke with me, Nigerians will believe,” he said.

Nigerians, he added, are getting suspicious of the purported visits to Buhari in London as well as his orchestrated telephone conversations with international figures who Nigerians cannot trust to give a true and unbiased report about the president’s state of health.

“Since they are eager for the president to speak to people; believing in this way to convince Nigerians that the president is hale and hearty, let president Buhari talk to me. I can be reached on 08035024994. I am credible and Nigerians will believe me.

“They said he spoke to US President, Donald Trump; despite the hype, Nigerians were sceptical. Then, they said he spoke to the king of Morocco. Again, Nigerians were suspicious. Before we recovered from that, it is now the AU president that they said president Buhari spoke with.

“A president that can speak with outsiders should be able to whisper or wave to his own people.

“The people gave him the important platform of president on which he stands today and, therefore, presidential aides should stop giving the unhelpful impression that Buhari has no respect for the Nigerian electorate.”

SOURCE: VANGUARD


Sunday 5 March 2017

Check out the full list of AMVCA 2017 winners



The event which held at Eko Hotel and Suites, Victoria Island Lagos, was hosted by IK Osakioduwa and Minenhle ‘Minnie’ Dlamini.

From "76" to "Oloibiri," Rita Dominic and Sambasa Nzeribe, check out full list of winners;

Trailblazer Award

Somkele Idhalama

Best Make Up Artiste (Movies/TV series)

Oloibiri - Hakeem Onilogbo Ajibola, Perekeme Odon
Best Costume Designer

76 - Pat Egwurube


76 - Pat Nebo
Best Sound Editor (Movies/TV series)

Vaya
Best Picture Editor (Movie/TV series)

Oloibiri - Nnodim Chigozie, Paula Peterson
Best Lighthing Designer (Movies/TV series)

93 Days - Elliot Sewape
Best Cinematographer

Happiness is a Four Letter Word - Lance Gewer
Best Documentary

Alison
Best Short Film or Online Video

Cat Face


Deborah Anugwa - Hustle
Best Actor in an M-Net comedy series

Samuel Ajibola - "The Johnsons"
Best Actress in an M-Net original drama series

Meg Otanwa - "Hush"
Best Actor in an M-Net original drama series

David Jones David - "Hotel Majestic"
Best M-Net original comedy series

The Johnsons
Best M-Net original drama series

Tinsel
Best Indigenous Language TV series/movies (Swahili)

Zilizala
Best Indigenous Language TV series/movies (Hausa)

Yaki Da Zuciya
Best Indigenous Language TV series/movies (Yoruba)

Somwhere in The Dark - Abiodun Jimoh, Jumoke Odetola
Best Indigenous Language TV series/movies (Igbo)

Amoye-Bu-Onye
Best Soundtrack/ Original Score

The Encounter - Michael 'The Truth' Ogunlade
Best TV series

Jenifa's Diary
Best Writer

Vaya
Best Supporting Actress

Ebele Okaro - Four One Love
Best Supporting Actor In A Drama (Movie/TV series)

Rotimi Salami - Just Not Married
Best Actor in a Comedy

Imeh Umoh Bishop - The Boss is Mine
Best Movie East Africa

Kati Kati
Best Movie West Africa

Oloibiri
Best Movie South Africa

All About Love
Best Actress in a Drama (Movies/TV Series)

Rita Dominic - 76
Best Actor in  a Drama

Sambasa Nzeribe - Slow Country
Best Overall Movie

76
Naomba Niseme
Best Director

76 - Izu Ojukwu
Life Achievement Award

Chika Okpala


Friday 3 March 2017

Shocker: Fayose exposes Buhari's secret, proves that all pictures shown online are old pictures. See Video

See the video where Gov. Fayose proved that the pictures posted around that Buhari is in London are old pictures.
 https://youtu.be/SYT0OD-48_E 


Nigerians lost N18bn to MMM –NDIC

NO fewer than three million Nigerians have lost about N18 billion to the Phonzi scheme, popularly referred to as Mavrodi Mundial Movement (MMM), Nigerian Deposit Insurance Corporation (NDIC) has hinted.

The scheme, since it announced new guidelines for its operations in Nigeria late 2016, has not recorded new investor while the  existing ones have not been able to recoup their savings from the unlicenced fund managers.

Speaking at the 38th Kaduna International Trade Fair, yesterday, Managing Director of NDIC, Alhaji Umaru Ibrahim, who made the shocking revelation, said frequent usage of virtual currencies, such as Bitcoin, Ripples, Monero, Litecoin, Dogecoin and Onecoin as currencies for medium of exchange are Internet-based transactions and are not authorised by the CBN due to the risks involved in their operations.

Represented by the deputy director of Corporate Affairs, Alhaji Hadi Suleiman, Ibrahim regretted that despite repeated warnings by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and the corporation, Nigerians still get involved in shady transactions. He said anyone still involved in ponzi scheme “is on his own.”

He said with the advent of the cashless policy and the subsequent licensing of mobile money operators (MMOs) by the CBN, NDIC has extended deposit insurance cover to the subscribers of MMOs to the maximum limit of N500, 000 per subscriber per bank through it’s Pass-Through Deposit Insurance Framework.

“Phonzi scheme is the phenomenon of illegal fund managers, popularly called “Wonder Banks” which have continued to defraud unsuspecting members of the public of their hard earned money. This phenomenon has been a concern because despite our repeated warnings over the years,  some members of the public have continued to fall victims of their fraudulent practices.

“We would like to reiterate that these fund managers are illegal as they are neither licensed by the CBN to take deposits from members of the public nor are those who patronise them covered by the NDIC deposit insurance scheme.

“I want to also draw the attention of some cooperative society which often go beyond their primary mandate by accepting contributions from members that cooperative societies are only recognised to mobilise savings from their members,” he said.

While advising the general public on the dangers of keeping large sums of money at home or in market shops, he encouraged them to make use of banks around them. He said there are 978 licensed micro finance banks nationwide, out of which seven are spread across Kaduna state which they can comfortably patronise.

SOURCE: THE SUN


Wednesday 1 March 2017

Again Reno replies Amaechi: “Rotimi Amaechi: Leave Trash For LAWMA”

The inferno of verbal altercation between the Transport Minister, Rotimi Chibuike Amaechi through his aide, Mr. David Iyofor and the Ex-President Goodluck Jonathan’s aide Pastor Reno Omokri rages on as Omokri, in an article titled, “Rotimi Amaechi: Leave Trash For LAWMA,” replied Amaechi’s second letter which read, “Again Amaechi’s Aide Replies Reno: “You’re A Zookeeper; Answer My Questions, Don’t Write About Lions, Monkeys.” saying Amaechi must “Leave Trash For LAWMA.”
In the response, Omokri maintained that the Transport Minister did not answer the points he raised in his earlier article titled, “Reno To Amaechi: “You’re A Decorated Monkey Only Loyal To Your Stomach” wherein he(Reno) disproved with facts the allegations by Amaechi that the Goodluck Jonathan administration misappropriated funds meant for the country’s development.
Reno also said that instead of answering the questions he raised, where he proved the Minister wrong, Amaechi, however resorted to spewing trash, a proof that he(Amaechi) “is as irrelevant as the P in Psychology by spending his time making false allegations instead of fulfilling the mandate giving him to improve Nigeria’s transport infrastructure.”
Omokri who said that Amaechi’s duty post is the Lagos State Waste Management Authority, LAWMA, also said that he does not “react to trash which Amaechi is but instead, he leaves trash for LAWMA.”
Reno Omokri continued by saying that the Former Rivers state Governor and current Minister of Transport has no job and life outside the government, “which is why during the 2015 campaigns he was reduced to a driver to President Muhammadu Buhari and Malam Nasir Elrufai. How the people of Rivers state suffered to the extent that their Governor became a chauffeur.”
Read the full article:
“Again, Nigeria’s Minister of Transport, Rotimi Amaechi, has left the issues raised by my response to his fallacious interview to impugn my character in a vicious ad hominem attack on me. My response is as follows:
Why should I respond to the trash that Rotimi Amaechi has thrown at me? Out of the fullness of the heart a man speaks. He has trash within him so he always vomits trash.
I do not react to trash. I leave trash to LAWMA. Rotimi Amaechi, with his pot belly and ill fitting designer clothes, is trash. My dear minister, here is the address of Lagos State Waste Management Authority, LAWMA: No. 3 Iddo – Yard, Ijora Olopa, Lagos State. You can report for duty there since it is your natural habitat!
Rather than trash, I will prefer to respond to issues. The issues are very clear. Rotimi Amaechi falsely accused ex-President Goodluck Jonathan of pilfering $49.8 billion in his interview.
I proved that he lied. I proved that the maker of that allegation, the then Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Malam Sanusi Lamido Sanusi later withdrew it after he was faced with evidence of its falsity.
I proved that in February of 2014, the then CBN Governor wrote another letter to the Senate admitting that he did not know how much or if anything was unaccounted for saying (and I quote from Sanusi’s letter) it could be “$10.8 billion or $12 billion or $19 billion or $21 billion — we do not know at this point”.
I also proved that Rotimi Amaechi was being hypocritical when he accused the former President of not saving because he was the one who, as then Chairman of the Nigerian Governors Forum, insisted on September 21, 2012 that the saved funds in the Excess Crude Account be shared.
I proved that when former President Jonathan REFUSED to share the funds, Rotimi Amaechi led the NGF to sue the then Federal Government at the Supreme Court and got a judgment compelling the Jonathan administration to share the money saved in the Excess Crude Account.
As a result of these actions, the Jonathan administration was forced to pay the 36 states of the federation a total of N2.92 trillion from the Excess Crude Account by 2014. Using the value of the Naira at that time, that amount was just above $20 billion dollars. This was money that was to be saved.
Again Rotimi Amaechi proves that he is as irrelevant as the P in Psychology by spending his time making false allegations instead of fulfilling the mandate giving him to improve Nigeria’s transport infrastructure. Is he so jobless?
But I am not surprised. His masters already saw just how jobless he is which is why during the 2015 campaigns he was reduced to a driver to President Muhammadu Buhari and Malam Nasir Elrufai. How the people of Rivers state suffered to the extent that their Governor became a chauffeur.
You can take a donkey to the River but you cannot force it to drink and you can make Amaechi a minister but you cannot force him to act like a minister. His proper calling in life was perhaps to be a driver!
Rotimi Amaechi had no money to finish the mono rail in his state, but he had $500,000 to spend on a one day dinner for Professor Wole Soyinka by his own admission. Is that not proof that he likes food more than knowledge and development?
When he became governor of Rivers state in 2007, the state treasury was fat and his belly was lean, by the time he left in 2015, the state treasury was lean and his belly was fat. In fact, Rotimi Amaechi’s belly swapped destiny with his state’s treasury!
I have had a life before government. I worked at a bank, at Parliament, as VP of a political consulting firm and now I run my own profitable business. Does Rotimi Amaechi have a life outside government?
The only job that he has had outside government was a job as Peter Odili’s PA at Pamo Clinics and Hospitals, Port Harcourt. Thereafter, he rode on Odili’s coattails from one government post to the other. His only political skill being to betray one political godfather as soon as he finds a bigger one.
Government post is Rotimi Amaechi’s oxygen and this was what former President Olusegun Obasanjo saw when he stopped him from becoming Governor in 2007 because he knew that a man who cannot generate wealth in his private business is condemned to forever be a sycophantic political prostitute.
With the benefit of hindsight, we now see that President Obasanjo was right!
If Rotimi Amaechi wants to shut my mouth then I challenge him to go to Rumukwurushi Market in Port Harcourt without security and shout Sai Baba, Sai Amaechi. If he survives the encounter, I will forever leave him and his potbelly alone.
By Reno Omokri
Reno Omokri is the founder of the Mind of Christ Christian Center in California, author of Shunpiking: No Shortcuts to God and Why Jesus Wept and the host of Transformation with Reno Omokri.”

SOURCE: VANGUARD


We have no business with China if we can develop Made-in-Aba products - Osinbajo

Acting President Yemi Osinbajo asked Nigerians to support Made-in-Nigerian product
- Osinbajo said Nigeria would have no business patronizing China if the local industries located in Aba can be supported and developed.

on Nigerians to support Made-in-Nigeria goods and join hands to support and promote industries located in Aba.

Osinbanjo said if Aba industries can be supported and developed, Nigeria will have no business importing from China as the local industries will be able to sustain the economy.

Osinbajo said: “Aba was very strategic and important to the country in terms of manufacturing and production.”

Vanguard reports that Osinbajo made this statement while receiving a delegation of some top functionaries of Abia State Government, Aba businessmen and industrialists led by Governor Okezie Ikpeazu of Abia state and the Minister of Industry, Trade and Investments, Okey Enalemah at the Presidential Villa, Abuja on Tuesday, February 28.
While commending Governor Ikpeazu, Osinbajo said: “Nigeria has no business with China if all hands are on deck to develop Aba as a major industrial Base.”

Speaking after the Acting President, Governor Ikpeazu stated that “If Aba is giving the needed and adequate attention, which include infrastructural and human capacity development, it has the potential and capacity as the SME capital of Nigeria, to position Nigeria as truly the giant of Africa.

Our government is doing all we can do ensure the infrastructural turnaround of Aba, but we can’t do it alone, that is why we are thankful to the Federal Government for showing very strong interest in partnering with us to development Aba as the SME capital of our dear country-Nigeria.”


It is our collective resolve to promote goods and services made in Aba, and we will not relent in the campaign. We call on Federal Government and multinational companies and individuals to, not only join us in the campaigns, but to also patronize made-in-Aba goods.”

Meanwhile, the Minister of Labour and Employment, Chris Ngige, says he is an ardent patron of products made in Aba and all he is wearing are made locally.
The minister disclosed this in Umuahia on Monday, February 27, at the Federal Government’s town hall meeting and the launch of the national reorientation campaign, “Change Begins With Me’’ , in Abia.


Again Amaechi’s aide replies Reno: “You’re a zookeeper; answer my questions, don’t write about lions, monkeys”

The end is not yet heard about the verbal altercations between the Minister of Transport, Rotimi Chibuike Amaechi’s aide, Mr. David Iyofor and the Ex-President Goodluck Jonathan’s aide, Reno Omokri over the alleged maladministration of the past government as Amaechi’s aide has, in a second letter to Omokri, asked him to answer the questions he raised in his first epistle rather than being like “an excited new zookeeper…who childishly and unintelligibly writes about lions, monkeys, lizards and alligators in a manner sane people cannot fathom.”

In the second letter titled, “Before It Is Too Late: My Second Epistle To Bitter Wendell Smilin aka Reno Omokri,” Mr. Iyofor said he is deeply troubled by Reno’s state of mind especially at the “intensely bitter obsession with infinite sadness” he showed in his earlier reply to his first letter, saying “whoever spews that kind of garbage you wrote truly and urgently needs help, psychiatric and perhaps spiritual help.”

Recall that Omokri had in his reply article to Iyofor’s first letter said the Transport Minister, Rotimi Amaechi is “ a decorated monkey only loyal to his stomach.” He also said Amaechi is a “pot-bellied monkey” that perhaps will retire to Daura with President Muhammadu Buhari to become his house servant since he is not welcomed in his hometown in Rivers state.

Omokri was responding to Iyofor’s first epistle that said he(Omokri) is “like a mad man in the market square that points his fingers at sane people, calling them mad.,”
But in the second letter, Mr. Iyofor said The Transport Minister will not stoop to joining Reno Omokri in the exchange of verbal salvos and neither would he(Iyofor) will join him(Omokri) in exchanging derogatory words. He said, instead, he(Iyofor) is calling on Omokri’s family members, friends and well-wishers to urgently rescue him from “self-destructive voyage of hate, bitterness, anger and misplaced vengeance against Rotimi Amaechi, before it is too late.”
“My Dear Wendell Smilin aka Reno Omokri,
If you are astonished that I am writing you a second letter so soon, barely 24 hours after I lovingly admonished you in my first epistle to you, kindly pardon me. I do not mean to belabour you with this letter (its not like you have anything else to do with your life, anyway).
Your response early Tuesday morning to my first letter was so mortifying. It’s only pertinent I write you a second one. Again, I crave your indulgence and I would try not to take too much of your time.
Before I delve into the issues you raised, actually you didn’t raise any, all you did in that utterly disgusting piece you wrote was to attack, abuse, insult and call Minister of Transportation, Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi all sorts of denigrating names. And this is the crux of my worry for you, brother Wendell Smilin.
I am deeply troubled by your state of mind. You were intensely bitter and obsessed with infinite sadness. Your words were ominously dark, your thoughts deviously vengeful, replete with so much bile, unbelievable and unbridled anger as you displayed a debilitating self- destructive hate. I am afraid you may have completely lost it.
Whoever spews that kind of garbage you wrote truly and urgently needs help, psychiatric and perhaps spiritual help. It’s far more worrisome and urgent when that person is a duplicitous character with multiple identities, who boldly puts “pastor”, like a moniker in front of one of his multiple names. That piece was a clarion urgent call for help by Wendell Smilin aka Reno Omokri.
I took you on, exposed your lies, fake news and multiple fake personalities, but you left the issues and went after Amaechi who has always completely ignored your endless hateful and vengeful attacks on him. Yours is a classical case of been beaten by Mr. A but you left Mr. A to go after Mr. B who has always ignored you. I know you crave a fight with Rotimi Amaechi, for him to trade words with you; sorry to burst your bubble-that will never happen.
You avoided the issues I raised in my first letter and refused to respond to the questions I asked, but rather took the highway of the mundane and the ridiculous.
You wrote two paragraphs, yes two paragraphs on the clothes Amaechi wears as if Amaechi’s fashion style will answer the question of whether the then CBN(Central Bank of Nigeria) governor, the same Sanusi Lamido Sanusi that you faked documents to demonize, wrote a letter to your boss and idol, that $49 billion cannot be accounted for and so was missing from NNPC account and not paid to the federation account?
Come on! If you really think that Nigerians care more about how ill- fitting or well-fitting Amaechi’s clothes are, than their missing billons of dollars, then your problems are far more profound than I had ever imagined.
Like a buffoon, overly excited new zookeeper, you childishly and unintelligibly wrote about lions, monkeys, lizards and alligators but no sane person could fathom how that answers the question of why you created a fake document and circulated fake news that sought to portray our former Central Bank Governor, now Emir of Kano, Sanusi Lamido Sanusi as a sponsor of terrorism; shamelessly and callously using the name of your brother-In- law’s innocent young son, Wendell Simlin to demonize Sanusi?
Brother Wendell, was it because Sanusi had the guts and courage to write the letter of the missing $49 billion to your god and idol?

You gleefully wrote about Amaechi’s supposed potbelly and eating habits, but how does that answer the question of whether Amaechi lied when he said your god and idol did not save money in spite of the huge savings he inherited from previous administrations and was surreptitiously spending alone the money meant for Federal, States and Local Government Councils?

Was Amaechi lying when he said your principal’s administration refused to call NEC (National Economic Council) meetings for about two years, in contravention of the constitution, so that the central administration you were part of, can covertly continue to spend unilaterally, the money meant for the three tiers of government; and that was why State Governors took the Federal Government to court to share the proceeds from the Excess Crude Account(ECA)?

My dear Reno, regularly billions of our money in naira and other currencies are been recovered from operatives of your principal’s past administration; yet you want us to believe that Sanusi was wrong when he wrote that billions of Nigeria’s money was missing. You must really think we are all fools and daft.

You went on to say a whole lot of balderdash that were neither coherent nor made any sense. You blabbed continuously, throwing up and joining diverse and different items that are entirely unrelated. Severally, you presented alternative facts as facts and wrote fake news as news.

Significantly, all these were done in a very incoherent and disjointed manner, which tells a lot about the state of your mind. I do not intend to dignify baloney and contemptible behaviour by responding to them.


There is a saying in my village, when translated, literarily means one do not wait for his brother to remove clothes and run stark naked in the market before you acknowledge that he is going mad when the signs are all obvious. That incoherent tirade against Rotimi Amaechi by Wendell Smilin aka Reno Omokri is an obvious cry for help.

Family, friends and well-wishers (if you still have any) urgently need to rescue you from this self-destructive voyage of hate, bitterness, anger and misplaced vengeance against Rotimi Amaechi, before it is too late.”


Teacher donates kidney to pupil, saves her life

The teacher with her pupil at the hospital

A teacher in the US has saved the life of her 5-year-old pupil by donating one of her kidneys to save the child's life.

A US preschool teacher, Beth Battista, when she heard that her pupil was unable to find a suitable kidney donor after a long search happily offered hers.

She told the BBC: "I knew I just had to get tested rather than watch her suffer."

The surgery was successful and Beth the teacher and Lyla her pupil are now recovering after the successful transplant operation which happened on Wednesday, February 22.


Mrs Battista who has two children said that she heard about Lyla's condition from the young girls mother's Facebook page after her mother Dena Carreyn shared a Facebook post about the girl's desperate need for a living kidney donor.

She said after reading the post, she could not not ignore the suffering of the five-year-old child


About a year ago the little girl was diagnosed with microscopic polyangiitis (MPA), a rare autoimmune disorder which requires 12 hours of dialysis a day.


The teacher, Beth contacted the the UW Health Transplant Program in Wisconsin and, after undergoing two tests in July and August, it was found that she was a match with the girl.

It was especially amazing because it was a rare match. Beth needed to be the right blood group with few antibodies picked up from previous bouts of sickness. She also needed to have matching antigens with Lyla.


The operation which took place last week required surgeons to make four small incisions in her stomach in order to pull the kidney out, before taking it to Lyla, who was in a nearby hospital ward.


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Adhekoyibo Precious Oreva is a native of Delta State. She graduated from the University of Benin, where she studied mass communication.