Anambra State News Update : Are you aware of it ?

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Oliseh: I hate Okocha

BY TONY UBANI

Super Eagles coach Sunday Oliseh has finally laid to rest rumours that he does not see eye-to-eye with his former assistant in the Eagles Austin Jay-Jay Okocha when he said; ‘’yes, I hate Jay-Jay’’.

A reporter had asked him to clear the air on rumours that he does not see or stay in the same room with the former playmaker of the Super Eagles.

The hall was like a graveyard when he made the pronouncement. He looked round and explained further. “I hate Okocha because anytime we play Tennis, he beats me. We played at the weekend at Sheraton Hotel and he defeated me’’.

He made light of the rumour that started after he was appointed coach of the senior national team. Many still believe that Okocha stabbed Oliseh in the back when he accepted the captaincy of the Eagles to the 2002 World Cup. ‘’We’re the best of friends and we played Tennis at the weekend’’, he emphasised.

Okocha is currently the Chairman of Delta State Football Association and Chairman of NFF’s Study Group. Speaking on the Eagles, Oliseh said that he was going to make the Eagles to play team football combined with individual talents.

‘’If you remember our victories in 1994 and 1996, it was based on individual talents. But we do not have such individual talents again. What we need to do is to play collectively. That is what obtains in Germany and Spain. It’s a lot of hardwork. We’re here to do our best’’, he added.

Working long hours may increase stroke risk – Researchers

London – Researchers yesterday, revealed that working 55 hours or more per week, might be associated with greater risk of stroke and developing coronary heart disease, compared with working a standard 35 to 40 hours. 

The study led by researchers from University College London, was published in the journal The Lancet. Prof. Mika Kivimaki, who led the study, said they did a systematic review and meta-analysis of published studies and unpublished individual-level data examining the effects of longer working hours on cardiovascular disease.

He said the analysis of data from 25 studies involving 603,838 men and women from Europe, U.S. and Australia, were followed for an average of eight and a half years. Kivimaki said in the final analysis they found a 13 per cent increased risk of incident coronary heart disease, in people working 55 hours, or more per week, compared with those putting in a normal 35 to 40 hour week.

He said further that there was another analysis of data from 17 studies involving 528,908 men and women who were followed up for an average of 7.2 years. Kivimaki said in this researchers found a 1.3 times higher risk of stroke in individuals working 55 hours or more a week compared with those working standard hours.

He said most importantly, the researchers found that the longer people worked, the higher their chances of a stroke. “For example, compared with people who worked standard hours, those working between 41 and 48 hours had a 10 per cent higher risk of stroke, and those working 49 to 54 hours had a 27 per cent increased risk of stroke. “We fully investigated the association between working hours and cardiovascular disease risk with greater precision than has previously been possible,” he said.

Kivimaki said the researchers discovered that increasing health-risk behaviours, such as physical inactivity and high alcohol consumption, as well as repetitive triggering of the stress response, might increase the risk of stroke. He stressed that the causal mechanisms of these relationships need to be better understood. (Xinhua/NAN)

Ban Ki-Moon begins two-day visit to Nigeria

Abuja – The UN Secretary-General, Mr Ban Ki-Moon, is scheduled to begin a two-day official visit to Nigeria on Sunday. Ban is expected, to among others, meet with President Muhammadu Buhari at Aso Rock Villa on Monday. 

An itinerary released by the UN Information Centre, Lagos said. during the visit, Ban is also scheduled to hold talks with state governors on Sunday. The dialogue with the governors, the itinerary showed, will hold under the theme: `Pathways to a New Nigeria – the Role of Sub-national Governments.’

The programme also showed that the UN scribe will lay a wreath in memory of persons who died at the UN House bombingb in 2012 as part of activities to mark the 4th anniversary of the unfortunate incident. Ban would later in the day have a lunch with members of the business community.

The lunch time conversation will be on: `The role of Nigeria business and the economy in implementing the Sustainable Development Goals and addressing climate change”.

He is also billed to take part in series of activities, including a visit to immunization centres and a dialogue on democracy, human rights and countering violent extremism, before departing Nigeria later on Monday.

Obasanjo backs Buhari in Boko Haram ultimatum

Abeokuta – Former President Olusegun Obasanjo, has commended President Muhammadu Buhari for given ultimatum to the service chiefs to end the Boko Haram insurgency by November. 

Obasanjo gave the commendation on Saturday in Abeokuta while addressing officials of the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), who paid him a courtesy visit at his hilltop residence. He described Buhari’s decision as “right and timely.’’ “Buhari took the right decision by telling the military to end the Boko Haram insurgency by November. “It is not good to just leave everything open-ended; it is a strategy in the military to set target for any operation.
“
This will enable those concerned to work hard. “Having a target is necessary. Even if that target is not met, the people concerned will have something to work with,” he said. Obasanjo, who also pledged support for Buhari’s administration, pointed out that “no system of government can be compared with democracy”. “I will work for the success of this current dispensation because there is no alternative to democracy,” he said.

The former president, who noted that Nigeria had started to witness positive changes since the inception of the new administration, called for support for the government. “Nigeria in the last two and half months under the current dispensation has started witnessing positive changes. “We thank God that we have such a leader that is helping us to translate our dreams to reality. “We must give unalloyed support to him,” he said. Earlier in his remarks, the leader of the students’ body, Oluwatosin Ogunkuade, said that their visit was informed by the contributions of Obasanjo to the development of Nigeria. “Your fatherly contributions to the development of Nigeria are noticeable and we have come to encourage you not to relent. (NAN)

Police arrest two masquerades for stealing N57,000

The Police in Nsukka on Saturday arrested two men in masquerade costume in Ovoko Community, Nsukka LGA, Enugu State, for allegedly beating up a passenger on a commercial motorcycle and robbing him of N57,000.

The incident happened on the Nsukka/Oballo-Afor highway. A police source said policemen moved to the scene when the victim, Mr. Chinonso Ezewaji, reported the matter to Nsukka Police Area command and the two men were arrested. “The escorts of the masquerade however ran away. “There were eight masquerades.

They blocked the Nsukka/Obollo-Afor road and harassed people. “The two arrested masquerades however denied collecting the N57,000 from Ezewaji but claimed they know the person who collected the money from the victim. “When we searched one of the arrested masquerade, we saw Indian hemp in his pocket,” the police source said.

When contacted, Public Relations Officer, Enugu State Police Command, Mr. Ebere Amarizu, confirmed the incident, saying investigation had commenced on the matter.

He urged communities to regulate and monitor those who wear masquerade costumes, adding that some of them used the opportunity to harass, intimidate and rob innocent members of the public. “The Police are not against the people practising their tradition and culture but community leaders must know the character of people they allow to wear costumes of masquerade in the name of culture.

“A masquerade has no right to mount road block on busy highways where motorists, motorcyclists and other road users move on daily basis. “The police have commenced investigation and will get to the root of this matter as issues of masquerade disturbing people have become a recurring decimal,” Amarizu said.

The victim, Ezewaji, a trader, who deals on clothing materials, told the News Agency of Nigeria he was on his way from Nsukka to Obollo-Afor to see his mother when the masquerade stopped the motorcycle he was riding on.

“They beat me, searched me and collected N57,000. “When they left, I ran into the bush and when I discovered they have gone some distance, I came out and went to the police to report.

The two masquerades identified themselves as Kenchukwu Eze, a carpenter, and Ejiofor Eze, a brick-layer. They, however, denied the allegation that they stole money from Ezewaji They claimed that their colleague, Chima Mamah, stole the money. Eze, however, admitted that the police saw Indian hemp in his pocket, saying it was the leftover of what they smoked before coming out. “If the police release me, I will not wear masquerade costume, nor smoke Indian hemp again,” he pleaded.

Oliseh reshuffles home-based team ahead of match with Tanzania

Super Eagles Head Coach, Sunday Oliseh, on Saturday made adjustments to the home-based team in preparation for the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against the Taifa Stars of Tanzania.

According to a statement on the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) website, the team is also preparing for the Sept. 8 international friendly against Niger Republic. “Nigeria will travel to Dar es Salaam to face Tanzania on Sept. 5 to consolidate her winning start. “This has necessitated the early camping arrangement for the Super Eagles players based at home.

“Three days after the Tanzania clash, the Eagles will face Niger Republic in Port Harcourt,’’ the statement read. Oliseh, after an intensive opening week of training in Abuja, reshuffled the team as a result of injuries. He said this was in line with his weekend proclamation to work together with U-23 Team Head Coach, Samson Siasia, to ensure success.

“ The preparations have moved into a higher level after players were released on Friday to play for their clubs in the weekend’s Glo/NPFL fixtures. “I had to reshuffle the team for different reasons mainly owing to injuries and the All-Africa Games assignment of the U23 team.

“For this reason, seven new players have been called up,’’ he said. The Head Coach directed that the new players report to the Bolton White Hotels and Apartments in Abuja on Monday, while the other players were retained. According to Oliseh, two players, David Obiazo and Nelson Ogbonnaya, both of Heartland FC, were released from camp owing to injuries.

He said Oghenekaro Etebo (Warri Wolves) and Kingsley Sokari (Enyimba) were allowed to join the All-Africa Games-bound U-23 team also in camp. Heartland’s Bright Ejike and Warri Wolves’ Lordson Ichull were also released alongside U-23 Team captain, Azubuike Okechukwu, who has since signed for a club in Turkey.

As replacements, Paul Onobi and Dayo Ojo (Sunshine Stars), Godwin Obaje (Wikki Tourists), Bature Yaro (Nasarawa United) and Abdulrazak Abdul (Enyimba FC) have been called up. Other players called up are Austin Obaroakpo (Abia Warriors) and Okiemute Odah (Warri Wolves).

Welcome address by Gov. Willie Obiano during the South East/Delta State Security Conference

Welcome Address by the Governor of Anambra State, Chief Willie Obiano during the Regional Security Conference of the South East and Delta States in the Governor’s Lodge, Amawbia, on August 22nd, 2015. 

 By Ifeanyi Aniagoh

Protocol

 Ladies and gentlemen, on behalf of the good people of Anambra State, I welcome you to this historic conference. With the greatest sense of humility, I receive you with open hands and an open heart. First, I must congratulate all my brothers, the governors of the South East and Delta who assumed office almost three months ago.

I have followed your programmes from your first day in office and I can boldly say that there is hope for our people. I have no doubt whatsoever that you will justify the great confidence our people have placed in you with a masterful performance. My brother, Governor Rochas Okorocha who has been there earlier than all of us, I congratulate you too on your second coming.

I have no doubt that you will finish strong! Igbo bu Igbo, ekenem unu! Ladies and gentlemen, this may well be our finest hour as a people… the turning point in our march to greatness that must tip the scale of progress in favour of our people. I say this with every sense of responsibility because, recent experience has shown that living in an increasingly dangerous world, the only panacea for economic growth and development is a safe and secure environment.

Gov. Obiano delivering his welcome address.

Our World

 Ladies and gentlemen, our world has never been an easy place to live in. Through the ages, humanity has always been blighted by one concern or the other. Sadly, most of mankind’s greatest anxieties were caused by man’s own hands. I speak of the Trans-Atlantic Slave trade, I speak of Apartheid South Africa, I speak of the World Wars and finally I speak of the present climate of fear, brought upon us by terrorists. To bring the matter closer home, I also speak of our home grown headaches – Boko Haram, kidnapping, violent armed robbery, child trafficking and other petty crimes that rob us of a deserved peace of min Speaking about mankind’s never-ending struggle for a better world, the great French philosopher, Jean-Jacques Rousseau, the author of The Social Contract, observed in 1762 that “man is born free, and everywhere, he is in chains.” Ladies and gentlemen, man is in a different kind of chain today. Although we have made steady progress from the era of the divine monarchies of Europe that inspired Rousseau’s timeless quote, to modern democracy with its many freedoms, our chains are no less heavy than they were. Strangely, from pre-history to the many wonders of science we have today, man remains the sole architect of his own fears!

The Peculiar Challenges of the South East & Delta

Years of ferocious assaults on cities and communities in the South East and Delta by successive robbery gangs and kidnap cells have driven meaningful investments away and stifled the economic growth of the region. In Anambra State in particular, we have experienced waves of gang rules in the commercial city of Onitsha that were so dominant that constituted authorities felt helpless under their brutal onslaught. The story is very much the same across the states in the region and Delta State. It may vary in degrees from one state to another but this region has had a most troubling crime history for far too long. The time has come to wipe this dark history away! Ladies and gentlemen, we have assembled here today to interrogate our circumstances; to ask ourselves hard questions and to set for ourselves a common agenda. The pertinent question we must ask ourselves is how long? How long shall the South East and Delta State and other contiguous states bear the brunt of brazen criminality and meaningless brigandage? How long shall our people’s well known enterprising spirit be driven away to nourish distant lands while our homeland wallows in squalor? How long shall we continue to fall to the barrel of a gun pointed at us by our own brothers, friends and kinsmen who are caught up in violent crimes?

 The Anambra Story

Ladies and gentlemen, the economic survival of our people depends on how well we answer these questions. In Anambra State, we have made bold efforts to answer these questions. We have fought and won the war against crime and criminality. We have driven kidnappers, armed robbers and drug barons out of our cities and communities. With the sustained efforts of Operation Kpochapu, Operation Sheba and other tactical initiatives, with the committed vigilance of the officers and men of the Anambra State Police Command and the solid support of the Nigerian Army, the Navy and the Department of State Security, we have cleansed Anambra State of criminals. With the tremendous support of the Vigilante Groups under the professional care of the retired former Commissioner of Police in Delta State, we have routed kidnappers and armed robbers from Anambra State. We have freed our social and economic space for businesses to thrive along with leisure. We have cleaned up the state and flung open our doors to investors, attracting substantial investments to the tune of $2.4bn in the past 17 months. All around Anambra, there is a new sense of freedom among our people. But our freedom cannot be complete until our neighbours begin to experience a new atmosphere of liberty. Recent experience has shown that a security threat in one location is a security threat to the surrounding regions. So, our freedom over crime will remain incomplete, so long as the armed robbers and kidnappers we drive away from Anambra State can find safety anywhere in this region. Fellow Nigerians, our recent experience has shown that any meaningful effort to address security threats will miss the target if it does not involve an entire region or an economic block. There are so many instances where contiguous states that are blighted by a common security threat have pulled expertise and resources together to overcome it. For instance, Nigeria is currently working together with Cameroun, Niger and Chad to overcome the threat posed by Boko Haram in the North East. We must therefore work together to overcome the challenge of insecurity in our region.

Winning Together

 Fellow Nigerians, we must fight this war together, win it together and enjoy the economic and social benefits of victory together. We cannot afford the consequences of a prolonged failure in this regard in an emerging Nigeria with clearly demarcated regional economic blocks. From the concentration of businesses in specific locations in the country that, it is saddening to see that 55 years after independence, Nigeria has yet to make the expected leap out of the regional economies of the pre-and- post-independence era. It is indeed disheartening to note that our national economic planning has left some regions scratching for survival while others are in full bloom. But there is no time to indulge in unproductive excuses or ring our hands in blame. If we cast a look backwards to where we are coming from, we shall remember that we have overcome greater adversities in our march to the present day. We shall also remember that any economic setback we have suffered as a people will take only time and planning to overcome. Indeed, we shall be better than our fathers. And the time to make that happen is now!

An Eastern Economic Agenda

Ladies and gentlemen, I must not fail to remind us that the time has come to set an Eastern Economic Agenda. The shrinking of spaces for migrant people across the country calls for a robust economic and social agenda that will make our people less vulnerable to increasing hostilities around the world. There is a strident call by History on every leader from this region which we cannot ignore. Posterity looks onto us to build a befitting economy for the South East and Delta State. And for us to even contemplate anything of that magnitude, we must first find a lasting solution to insecurity in the region. This all important Conference is therefore an economic call to arms. We must all rise to wage a successful war on insecurity as a precursor to economic prosperity and greater fulfilment. Brothers and sisters, as we settle down to the business of the day, I would like to remind you that in the words of the great Nelson Mandela, “it always seems impossible until it’s done.”

 Thank you

Willie Obiano

Governor

Presidency abolishes office of First Lady

•Plans office of wife of president but without govt funding
•Mrs. Buhari yet to be assigned any role

 By Levinus Nwabughiogu

THE presidency has said that official portfolio was yet to be assigned to Aisha, the wife of president Muhammadu Buhari, overruling what hitherto was known as “First Lady’s office”. Apparently renaming it “Office of the Wife of the President”, the presidency however stated that Mrs. Buhari would, for now, be saddled with women and youth related issues in the country. Aisha Buhari The Presidency was reacting to allegations in some Nigerian media that the wife of President Muhammadu Buhari has moved into the First Lady’s office in the Aso Villa.

Describing the allegation as totally false and fictitious, the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Mallam Garba Shehu said that even though there was absolutely nothing wrong with Mrs. Buhari making use of the office space reserved for the First Lady, she had not done so in her capacity. Shehu stated that under president Buhari, the office shall be completely different from what obtained in the past, saying that the era of the First Ladies issuing oil wells and licenses was gone. “President Buhari promised that there would be a clear difference between the role played by his wife during his tenure and that played by many previous First Ladies.

“All that ostentation, ubiquitous and arrogance we have come to expect from the office are over and done with. Change has come. “The ideal platform from which she will be useful to Nigeria’s women and children is still being thought out. Once this has been concluded on, Mrs. Buhari’s role will become clearer to all Nigerians. There will be nothing shady or hidden about it. There will be no access to public funds. It will be purely private and voluntary”, he said.

The presidential spokesman recalled that the time Mrs. Buhari had to make use of the office was at the beginning of the present administration. He added that the meeting during which she hosted the wives of governors was held in a section of the Villa’s banquet hall, not in the First Lady’s office. “Her only visit to that office was at the point of the take-over of the Villa by the incoming administration.

 “Out of respect to Mrs. Buhari, the Sierra-Leonian First Lady, Mrs. SiaKoroma recently surrendered her position of head of Africa’s First Ladies to Mrs. Buhari, inviting her to take up the same seat which Mrs. Jonathan hurriedly handed over a few weeks to the handover of her husband’s government to President Buhari. Again, all these things are currently under consideration and no decision has been arrived at presently,” Shehu said.

Source : Vanguard

Governorship Tribunal: Ugwuanyi’s triumph, victory for the people – Ekweremadu

The Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Ike Ekweremadu, has congratulated the Governor of Enugu State, Rt. Hon. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, on his victory at the Enugu State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal on Friday, describing it as victory for the people of the State.

Reacting to the verdict, he stressed that it is a reaffirmation of the overwhelming popularity of the Governor and the strength of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in Enugu State in particular and the South East in general.

Senator Ekweremadu further observed that the decision of the Tribunal did not come as a surprise to the people of Enugu State and realistic political pundits around the country because Enugu State remained an indisputable stronghold of the PDP. He added: “Some petitions are sheer fulfillment of all political righteousness.

The volume of Ugwanyi’s goodwill and popularity among the political class and the masses as a governorship aspirant, candidate, and now an incumbent governor is unprecedented. So, we made the right choice and what the Tribunal has just done is to confirm that our choice was fairly, freely, and credibly made in compliance with the electoral laws.

“More important, although the Governor Ugwuanyi administration is still too young, but looking at the political peace he has brought to the State as well as his policy directions and several cardinal steps by his government towards living up to his campaign promises, one can confidently say that he has so far justified the confidence reposed in him because a job well begun is half done”.

Court stops Senate from summoning Nation’s editor, reporter

A Federal High Court sitting in Lagos, yesterday, restrained the National Assembly from compelling The Nation’s Editor, Gbenga Omotoso and a correspondent of the newspaper house, Imam Bello to appear before the Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges and Public Petitions over a story published by the medium.

Trial judge, Justice Mohammed Yunusa granted the order following an ex-parte application moved by the applicants’ counsel, Mr Wahab Shittu. Applicants in the suit are Vintage Press Limited (publisher of The Nation), Omotoso and Bello, the while the National Assembly and the Senate are the respondents.

The Senate had, in an August 4 letter, invited Omotoso and Bello to appear before it over the story: Motion: 22 APC Northern senators ‘working against Buhari.’ The Senate wrote another letter on August 11, threatening to invoke Section 89 (1) (D) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) to compel the applicants’ appearance.

Justice Yunusa restrained the respondents, whether by themselves, their members, committees or agents from summoning or directing the appearance of the applicants or any of their agents before any Senate Committee.

The court barred the lawmakers from requesting the applicants to produce any papers, notes or other documents in respect of the story. The judge also restrained the respondents from issuing a warrant to compel the applicants’ attendance before the Senate Committee set up to investigate the publication.

The order, according to the court is to remain in force pending the hearing and determination of the applicants’ motion on notice.

Hotel manager accused of stealing guest’s $7,500

Lagos—An acting manager of a Lagos hotel, Ogbu Christopher, was yesterday brought before an Ebute Meta Chief Magistrate’s Court sitting at Oyingbo, over alleged theft of $7,500 belonging to a guest, who lodged at the hotel. 

The defendant, a 37-year-old, manager with ARC Reception Hotel, located at Ago Palace Way, Okota, Lagos, was alleged to have committed the said offence on April 10, at about 4p.m The prosecutor, Inspector Cousin Adams, alleged that the defendant broke into the hotel room, where one of the guests, Peter Ibeano, had lodged and took the said money.

He told the court that the defendant committed the offence when the guest saw off a visitor. He was arraigned on a three-count charge of burglary, intent to steal and stealing.

Magistrate Helen Omisore granted the defendant N500,000 bail, with two sureties in like sum and ordered that the sureties’ means of livelihood and residential addresses be verified by the court’s prosecutor, adding that the sureties must furnish the court with three years tax payable to Lagos State government. The matter was adjourned till September 7.

 Source: Vanguard

Old Anambra speaker, Enemchukwu dies at 75

The speaker of the old Anambra State House of Assembly during the second republic, Chief Ifeanyichukwu Enemchukwu has passed on. 

He was 75 years old. Enemchukwu, who held the title of Oba of Oba in Idemili South local government area, was the speaker of the old Anambra State, comprising the present Anambra and Enugu states and some parts of Ebonyi State between 1979 and 1983.

The speaker of the state House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Mrs. Rita Maduagwu read a letter from the Enemchukwu family on the floor of the House after which a minute silence was observed in his honour.

The lawmakers also held a special session in his honour, with most of the legislators describing the late Enemchukwu as a lawmaker whose contributions during the second republic helped to shape the country’s democracy.

They also called for the immortalization of the former speaker by the state government.

Why Buhari suspended NIS boss, Parradang – Femi Adesina

By Ikenna Asomba

The Special Adviser on Media and Publicity to the President, Mr. Femi Adesina, on Friday, clarified that President Muhammadu Buhari suspended the Comptroller-General, Nigeria Immigration Services (NIS), David Parradang, for unauthorized recruitment into the Service.

 Adesina, who replied Vanguard’s enquiry in a Short Message Service (SMS), dispelled insinuations in some quarters that Parradang was suspended because an ISIS chief, Ahmed Al Assir, got entry visa at the Nigerian embassy in Lebanon to visit Nigeria.

He said: “The suspension of Comptroller-General, Nigeria Immigration Services (NIS), David Parradang, today (Friday), was not connected to the probe of how the ISIS chief got the Nigerian visa but for unauthorized recruitment into the Immigration Service.” Recall that Parradang was appointed into office in June 2013 for a four-year tenure.

He was also indicted in the recruitment scandal which led to the death of at least 19 job seekers across Nigeria, during a nationwide recruitment test conducted by the NIS, on Saturday, March 16, 2014. Millions of job seekers who reportedly paid the sum of N1,000 as application fee, had thronged venues of the exercise, mostly stadia.

Earlier, a statement signed by the Director of Press, Federal Ministry of Interior, Mr Yusuf Isiaka Alhaji, on behalf of the permanent secretary of the ministry, and made available to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Friday in Abuja, said the Federal Government had suspended from office the Comptroller-General of Immigration, Mr. Parradang, with immediate effect.

The statement said the Deputy Comptroller-General of Immigration, Mr Martin Kure Abeshi, has been directed to take over the affairs of the office. Abeshi is the most senior officer after Parradang, the statement added.

Source: Vanguard

About 200 houses submerged as flood hits Makurdi town

Parts of Makurdi, the Benue State capital was, Friday, hit by a major disaster following over four hours of torrential downpour which submerged about 200 houses and huts and also swept away property and valuables of residents, worth millions of Naira.

The latest incident which has taken its toll on residents was the second major flood disaster in the state capital, in the last four weeks. The hardest hit areas included the Wurukum roundabout and railway crossing, Wurukum market, Judges quarters on Gboko road, Logo and Angwa Jukum which were completely taken over by flood water Also affected was the personal residence of the Second Republic Governor of the state, late Aper Aku, Benue State University (BSU), Living Faith and Dunamis churches, Steam fast and houses on Daniel Amokachi avenue were all submerged in water.

Shops and stalls at the popular Wurukum market were also not spared as most of them were filled with water, while traders battled hard to save whatever they could from the flood. Reacting to the unfortunate development, the state Commissioner of Water Resources and Environment, Nicholas Wende, lamented that the state would need about N100 billion to stem the flood menace in the state.

He said the state government had submitted a request to the federal government for intervention adding that the government was expecting the federal government to also assist in dredging River Benue as a permanent solution. Wende explained that the state government had constituted a committee to identify flood prone areas with a view to taking measures to control the disaster.

Reminder: Excessive Flooding Between September and October in Anambra State

Governor Willie Obiano has called on media houses in the state to use their medium to educate Ndi Anambra especially those living in riverine areas on the possibility of another flooding experience in the state and the measures to take to avoid loss of innocent lives and damage to property.

Chief Obiano who was speaking while presenting two 14-seater IVM buses to the Nigeria Television Authority, Awka and Onitsha respectively said that the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NIMET) has predicted that Anambra State was likely to experience excessive flooding between the months of September and October this year particularly in the riverine communities of the state.

The Governor stated that in anticipation of the flood, the State Government has embarked on the preparation of camps in different locations of the state to accommodate those who are likely to be displaced by the flood.

He stressed the need for residents of the state to begin to take proactive measures to stem the tide of flooding or where necessary relocate to the upland to avoid being caught unawares by the flood if the predictions eventually came true.

Chief Obiano described information as key to any meaningful development. According to him, without information, an organization would be lifeless and dumb.

He said that because information is critical, it’s dissemination becomes even more critical in mobilizing the citizenry to participate in governance.

The Anambra Chief executive lauded the media for the invaluable role they play in governance adding that without the information which media houses generate on government policy initiatives and programmes and the feedback from the people, most governments would be operating in the dark in terms of service delivery to the people.

This, the Governor said, would have been detrimental to the overall development effort of those entrusted with leadership positions. Governor Obiano called on the television stations to make effective use of the vehicles in the discharge of their statutory responsibilities.

Dr. Mrs Uju Nwogu
Hon. Commissioner for Information, Culture and Tourism

I think I can handle everyday sex – Adediwura (18+)

My first meeting with Adediwura Adesegha almost got off on a wrong footing because both of us somewhat had our heads below water. But before we could really had a go at each other, we found a click somewhere and hit it off on a good note.

It was then I realised this ebony beauty is something special. Even though I got off without being scratched she still managed to leave me with bitter after-taste; “ You are free to write whatsoever you deemed fit, I laugh over news,” she sternly told me.

Long story short – I met this Yoruba Nollywood damsel, in her late thirties, who would rather shoot prisoners than take them in and we got talking, on any issue under the sun.

She’s a graduate of English from Lagos State University and has been acting since 2008. Her friends and fans call her the Blackgold on account of a role she played out at a point in her career.

Like I said before, she doesn’t take prisoners, and when we got talking about sex and what it could mean to her getting landed with a guy that has all the manly qualities without the drive to satisfy a woman in bed. she wouldn’t hold anything back, she let me have it all.

“My lifestyle doesn’t revolve around any man, if you can’t satisfy me in bed, I will let you know you cannot satisfy me .We will find a way out. Is it not about making love? I will tell you this is the way I want you to do it. Give it to me this way

 I am an adult, I see no reason why I should shy away from that if I really think he is okay enough for me,” she said “Sex is a free style, it depends on one’s opinion.

If you are an adult why shouldn’t you have it? It has to do with the individual. It is not something to be discussed generally. My own view about sex is enjoying yourself. If I feel like having it, I will. If I don’t feel like,then I keep myself.

I can decide to have it Monday to Friday, if I have the strength and if the man is there for me. I think my power can condone everyday sex.It depends on what I want at that moment,” she added.

But as a heavily frontally endowed woman, Adediwura believes her huge boobs are not the biggest in Nollywood, she believes there are others who are ahead of her in line. “I will put myself in category C or may be category B. I have people who are in the category A like Ronke Oshodi Oke or Foluke Daramola,” she said

(Note: look out for her full interview on Saturday Jan’ 24th)

14 die in Ebonyi road accident

Afikpo (Ebonyi)-

The Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC), on Sunday confirmed the death of 14 persons in an auto crash that occurred on Saturday at Amasiri Secondary School junction, along Afikpo-Okigwe road in Ebonyi.

Mr Roland Ogbuke, Afikpo Unit Commander of FRSC , told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) that the accident involved an articulated vehicle and a 14-seater bus.

According to him, the bus was conveying members of the Assemblies of God Church, Isu in Ohaoazara Local Government Area, who were returning from a burial. “We received a distress call on Saturday and immediately mobilised my rescue officers to the scene of the incident.

“We are not sure of the cause of the accident, but an eye witness told us that the articulated vehicle was trying to dodge a heap of sand on the road and ended up hitting the oncoming vehicle. “The impact of the hit by the articulated vehicle threw the bus to a tree some metres away from the road and squeezed it into some zero shape that mangled bodies of the occupants.

“We had to mobilise a nearby quarry company which used its heavy duty machine to cut the tree and the bus, in order to evacuate the mangled bodies of the passengers,” he said. Ogbuke remarked that the crushed passengers were mostly women, adding that their relatives and church members, who were in other vehicles, helped FRSC officers in the evacuation process. “The police in particular, assisted the FRSC in evacuating the bodies to the Mater Misericordae Hospital, Afikpo,’’ he said.

Borno sets condition for B’Haram negotiation with FG

BY NDAHI MARAMA, MAIDUGURI

Borno State Deputy Governor, Alhaji Zannah Umar Mustapha has Sunday described the speculated pleas by the Boko Haram in the media to negotiate with the Federal Government as an accepted welcome idea, on the condition that the Islamist militants be fully “committed to laying down their arms for peace” in the North East sub-region of Nigeria.

Mustapha set the conditions for negotiations yesterday to newsmen in Yola, the Adamawa state capital, while returning from the Burnt Bricks of Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) camp that accommodates over 3, 000 returning Borno indigenes from Cameroon Republic.

Mustapha, who was accompanied by the Director-General of the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), Alhaji Sani Sidi to Mubi, said that he also heard and learnt of the speculated pleas in the media by Boko Haram for negotiations with federal government. His words: “I heard and read from the media of the said pleas for negotiations by the insurgents, but sincerely speaking I do not know its source; no authenticity of the speculation.

The insurgents are tired and they want true and sincere negotiations, it is left to the Federal Government to accept or reject their advances, depending on the genuineness of their approach to this incessant insane massive killings and bombings in Nigeria including schools, markets and hospitals.” Mustapha; while addressing the returnees camped in Mubi South said that 3, 488 have so far returned to Nigeria via Mubi a border town to Cameroon.

He said they had been refugees in Cameroon after the the Boko Haram attacks in Gambouru and Ngala communities of Borno state. “The Borno state government will identify with the plights of these returnees,” pledged Mustapha, adding that the returning refugees would be evacuated from Adamawa after they must have been thoroughly screened by Immigration and Military personnel at the Sahuda entry border post. He said meanwhile; they would be temporarily camped at Fufure and Malkohi designated camps in Adamawa State where they would be searched and screened by security agencies.

Osinbajo - Buhari not selective in anti-graft war

DAUD OLATUNJI 

Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osinbanjo, yesterday, said the anti -corruption crusade of the President Muhammadu Buhari- led administration was not selective, but, a concerted effort to reduce corruption and secure the future of the country. 

Osinbajo stated this in an interview with newsmen at the funeral of Elizabeth Adesola Mamora, mother of Senator Olorunimbe Mamora, held at the First Baptist Church, Ijebu-Ife, Ogun State.

He faulted those accusing the Buhari administration of targetting only the former appointees of former President Goodluck Jonathan. He said, “It is not about a probe of a past government, that’s not what this is about. We are talking about our future, we are saying that we must put in place a clear strategy going forward.

“It is not just about ensuring that people are made to pay for looting the treasury, our system of justice must be fair to ensure that anybody who does anything that is wrong is brought to account. “We can’t allow impunity to continue. So it is not about the previous government, its about any form of impunity.”

In recent weeks, critics of the All Progressives Congress-led government had accused the Presidency of using the Department of Security Service and Economic and Financial Crimes Commission to witch hunt those in the opposition to score political points.

Osinbajo, however, said the position of the critics was far from the truth and that they lacked “proper understanding of the concept the present administration is deploying to make people account for their deeds while in office.”

He said the anti corruption move was a genuine programme aimed at sanitising the country from corruption. While delivering his sermon, the leader of the Baptist Church in Ogun State, Dr. Segun Jaiyesimi, challenged political leaders to make positive change while in office.

I paid N60,000 to escape from police cell — Serial robbery suspect

By Dayo Johnson, Akure

His arrest, escape from police cell and re-arrest is generating controversy. Wasiu Saka, 30, was a notorious car robber in Ondo State and his mode of operation was to apply as a driver to un-suspecting employers and, after securing employment, abscond with their cars.

After stealing cars from his employers in Lagos State, Saka will drive to Akungba-Akoko, his home town in Ondo State, to show off that he had ‘arrived’ and live big after which he would sell the car at a ridiculous price and return to Lagos for another car theft operation.

He was arrested by detectives from the Ondo State Police Command last month with a Toyota Hiace bus marked, Lagos JJJ 94XD. After interrogation, he reportedly confessed to have stolen the bus from a Good Samaritan who, after listening to his story that he has a family in Ondo State and had been jobless for months and desperately in need of a job to feed his family members, employed him as a driver.

Police sources hinted that Saka had stolen no fewer than four vehicles, including a vehicle belonging to a notable company in Lagos. After his arrest on June 21, he, however, miraculously escaped from police cell in the night of the second day after the arrest.

His escape caused a stir as the police authorities queried the officers in charge of his case and a standing order was given to smoke him out from his hideout. The suspect was re-arrested after a manhunt for him yielded result in Akungba-Akoko area.

Upon re-arrest, Saka allegedly confessed that his escape from police cell was made possible with help from some policemen, and that after paying them relocated to Ile-Ife, Osun State to avoid the prying eyes of police detectives. He alleged that those who aided his escape from police cell also taught him what to do to avoid re-arrest. Saka alleged that while the police were searching for him, he was in touch with his accomplices from his hideout.

In Ile-Ife, Saka said he continued with his robbery business because, according to him, that was the only business he knew how to do. He stated that he secured a driving job with one Mrs Rosemary Omotosho whom she took to church on Sunday, July 26, in her Toyota car marked Lagos LSR 68 DH.
Speaking exclusively with Sunday Vanguard after he was paraded by the Ondo State Police Command, alongside 36 other suspected criminals terrorizing the state, the suspect Saka said after he dropped his employer in church he fled with the car only to inform her that the vehicle had been stolen. He said that because Omotosho is rich, he wanted to extort her before selling the car and bolting away.

Five days later, he called her again that some people had recovered the car in Ibadan but were demanding for N35, 000 before they could bring back the car to her. The employer, according to him, immediately sent a recharge voucher of N10,000 to him to pay.

According to him, he informed the boss that the people insisted that the car would not be released until the balance was paid. As this went on, he said he relocated to Akungba-Akoko with the car. Police source said Saka was re-arrested in a beer parlour.

It was gathered that it was while he was being interrogated for the previous alleged crimes that his activities in Ife came to light .However, during interrogation, the suspect alleged that he was able to escape from police cell after settling some policemen with N60,000.

“When I was told that I would be taken to court and may be remanded in Olokuta Prison, I discussed with some policemen on how they could assist me”,he was quoted as saying. “ I later paid them N60, 000 and they facilitated my escape from cell and I fled to Ile-Ife. Saka described the police allegation that he escaped from cell as unfair, saying he paid his way through.

But two policemen, who reportedly witnessed the interview, were said to have shouted him down, describing him as a chronic liar and notorious car robber who spoke from both sides of the mouth. They queried how the same policemen he was accusing of aiding his escape were the ones that re-arrested him.

According to them, the suspect was a drowning man looking for those to pull down and blackmail. However, the state Police Commissioner, Isaac Eke, and the policemen did not say how Saka escaped from police cell but only interested in his re-arrest. Eke, while speaking on the 37 suspected criminal arrested in July, said the suspect was in the habit of stealing his employers vehicles in Lagos and driving them to Akungba-Akoko to sell only to return to Lagos to look for another driving job and would repeat the same thing to un-suspecting car owners.

Flood submerges over 150 houses in Makurdi

BY PETER DURU, Makurdi

A six hour downpour yesterday left many parts of Makurdi, the Benue state capital, flooded with close to 150 houses submerged in the late night rain that lasted till the early hours of Friday.

Among the areas badly hit by the flood were Demekpe, Wadata Rice mill, Agboughoul village, Mobile Barrack, Achusa village and Logo areas of the town.

The flood which submerged several houses in the affected areas also swept away property of many families who were seen battling to save whatever they could rescue from the flood waters.

Saturday Vanguard discovered in most of the areas visited, that the devastation was occasioned by blocked drainages and non availability of proper drainages in some of the affected communities.

One of the victims of the devastation, in Rice Mill area and a father of three, James Ojudu,told Saturday Vanguard that the flood took them by surprise, stressing, “we were actually not prepared for this, because we’ve not had serious rainfall in Makurdi since this year.

Saturday Vanguard recalls that a few weeks back, the Permanent Secretary in the state Ministry of Water Resources and Environment, Engr. Nathaniel Alaaga had disclosed in a radio programme monitored in Makurdi, that the state government had put measures in place to avert possible flooding of parts of the state in the event of any heavy downpour.

The development has however left many families worried especially with the warning by the National Emergency Management Agency, NEMA, of an impending release of water from excess water from Ladgo dam by the Cameroonian authorities which my affect states and communities along River Benue.

 Vanguard

Indian villagers kill five for ‘witchcraft’

Villagers in a rural part of eastern India have killed five women whom they accused of practising witchcraft, police said Saturday.

Police in eastern Jharkhand state said a group of assailants dragged the women out of their huts and beat them to death at around midnight Friday in their village, some 30 kilometres (20 miles) from state capital Ranchi.

“A group (of villagers) dragged the women out and beat them to death with sticks, accusing them of practising witchcraft,” Ranchi deputy police chief Arun Kumar Singh told AFP by phone.

Singh added that 24 villagers have been arrested over the killings of the women, who were mostly aged between 45 and 50. Belief in witchcraft and the occult remains widespread in some impoverished areas of India. In some cases women are stripped naked as punishment, burnt alive or driven from their homes and killed.

Some states including Jharkhand have introduced special laws to try to curb crimes against people accused of witchcraft. Jharkhand Chief Minister Raghubar Das condemned the latest killings in a statement on Saturday, urging society to “ponder over it”. “In the age of knowledge, this incident is sorrowful”.

PDP crisis: I am the target – Metuh

•Says he didn’t work against Jonathan

NATIONAL Publicity Secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Chief Olisa Metuh, said, yesterday, that he is the target of some elements within and outside the party because of his readiness to lead a strong opposition against the All Progressives Congress, APC, led government.

 Metuh, who described the accusation that he worked against the re-election of former President Goodluck Jonathan as laughable, vowed that no amount of campaign against him and attack on his person would cow him out of his statutory function as the mouthpiece of the PDP.

He claimed to be fully aware of the challenges that come with his new role of providing firm, issue-based opposition, just as he decried the resort to dirty politics by those he described as anti-PDP forces, instead of focusing on issues, adding that their actions were not only shameful, but also a despicable act of cowardice.

A statement yesterday by his Media Assistant, Richard Ihediwa, noted the incessant and unnecessary attacks on Metuh, targeted to cow him out as the mouthpiece of the PDP. “For the avoidance of doubt, we wish to place on record that at no time did the National Publicity Secretary receive any money or monies from the immediate past President, Dr. Goodluck Jonathan, before, during or after the 2015 campaigns for media and publicity functions or for any other reason whatsoever.

Shocking News ! Hackers broadcast porn on TV screens at Brazil bus depot

Hackers infiltrated the travel information video screens at a Brazilian bus station and replaced arrival and departure times with hard-core porn. 

The sex footage ran for 15 minutes Friday evening at the Boqueirao station in the southern city of Curitiba.

The depot was packed with travelers at the time. The police cyber crime unit has been notified and is trying to trace the hacker or hackers, the municipal transport company said.

A Curitiba city hall official told AFP the company with the contract to operate the screens has also been notified and told it must improve its security.

Social media lit up with screen grabs of the pornography and jokes about the hack.

With a population of around two million, Curitiba is the capital of Parana state and one of the largest cities in southern Brazil.

JAMB: 32,000 candidates to write Unilag’s post-UTME

Lagos – More than 32,000 candidates will write the 2015 post-Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) into the University of Lagos, according to the institution’s Deputy Registrar (Information), Mr Olagoke Oke. 

The examination is scheduled to hold from Aug. 12 to Aug. 14. Oke told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Saturday that the figure was close to four times the 9,000 that was initially posted to the institution by the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB).

NAN reports that JAMB in collaboration with some public universities had agreed to raise the bar of the cut-off marks of their institutions from 200 to 250 for the various courses.

The development had generated an outrage among candidates, their parents and other stakeholders, who called on Federal Government to intervene. The decision was later reversed after consultations between the Prof. Dibu Ojerinde-led JAMB and the Federal Government.

Oke said:“I want to say that all logistics toward a smooth conduct of this examination are fully in place. “We have always been ready for situations like this and have always got it right. . “Before now, we were hoping to put logistics in place for the initial 9,000 candidates, but with the reversal of the decision, we now have to re-adjust and I want to say that we are fully prepared.

“All our computers and its accessories, the backups, alternative power supply as well as adequate personnel that will conduct the examination are all ready.’’ The deputy registrar said the university was compelled to extend the exercise to three days because of the large number of candidates seeking admission into the institution.

He, however, advised candidates to arrive early at the examination centres for a hitch-free exercise.

(NAN)

Lagos pastor in divorce mess: He steals church funds says wife

•He is cruel, steals church funds – Wife
•‘I am tired of her quarrels, lack of respect for me, ministry, family’

By Damilola Igbedion The pastor in-charge, Pentecostal Power and Authority Ministry Worldwide, Mr Kayode Oladoyinbo, and his wife, Christian, are locked in a bitter divorce battle after 11 years of marriage.

The union is blessed with three children, aged 11, 9 and 6, respectively. Asking an Ojo, Lagos Customary Court to dissolve the marriage, Christian accused her husband of frequent beatings, cruelty, illegal summoning and arrests, lack of care and stealing of the church funds as reasons she wants a divorce.

Accepting the divorce claim instituted by his wife, Kayode said he was fed up with the marriage, accusing the wife of wickedness. According to the pastor, the wife, sometime in 2009 poured kerosene on him with the aim of setting him ablaze, before he managed to escape. He said, at another occasion, the petitioner attempted to kill him with a knife, saying he took the weapon and fled to safety.

On another occasion, Kayode claimed the wife threatened to burn down the church and kill him in the process. He alleged that this prompted his reporting the matter to the Morogbo Police Division, saying she was subsequently arrested.

He revealed that under interrogation by the police, the wife confessed that she actually threatened to attack the church, but that she was not serious about it. The wife, however, pleaded with the court to stop the husband from intimidating, embarrassing and molesting her, and asked that she is granted the custody of the children of the marriage.

Counsel to Kayode, Mr. Ademola Adedayo, narrated to the court efforts to settle the matter between the couple, saying the efforts proved abortive due to the petitioner, Christian, who remained intransigent. However, when the Court President, Chief Joesph Ogunmola, asked the parties their final say on the marriage, the wife said she wanted the marriage saved, but her husband insisted that, having come this far, he would want the marriage dissolved. “I want this divorce. I am tired of my wife, her constant quarrels and lack of respect for me, my ministry and my family”, he said.

Post UTME: We don’t want to be unfair to candidates – OAU

…As 27, 000 writes the exam...

Over 27,000 applicants seeking admission to Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile-Ife, on Saturday wrote the post-Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME).

The Public Relations Officer of OAU, Mr Abiodun Olanrewaju, who spoke in Ile-Ife on Saturday, said the candidates include secondary school leavers and direct entry students.

Olanrewaju said that the students that qualified for OAU post-UTME were the ones who scored 200 and above in JAMB exams and took OAU as their first choice.

He said that many candidates with distinctions from their various schools applied for the admission and in order to be fair to all, screening exercise should be carried out. “We have so many candidates that applied for direct entry admission and just to fulfill exam righteousness, they need to be screened.

“We don’t want to be unfair to any and for us to be justified; admission screening would allow us to have the real competent ones,” he said. One of the candidates, Aanu-Oluwapo Adeyemi, who applied for Law, told NAN that she would love to be admitted in OAU for her studies.

Adeyemi said that she believed that the school would mould her and give her excellent academic expectations. Mrs Lynda Echebima, a parent from Port-Harcourt, who brought her daughter for post-UTME, expressed satisfaction on the conduct of the exam, stressing that it was well organised.

“From what I’ve seen so far, it is not so far from the impression I have about OAU, I hope that the students will get their deserved marks,” she said. In the same vein, Mr Olusegun Adetayo, another parent from Lagos State told NAN that he liked the conduct of the exam because the management made students to realise that they meant business.

Adetayo urged the management to maintain the discipline, expressing the belief that the marking would commence immediately and within 24 hours or less the results would be out. (NAN)

Couples should have sex as often as possible’

Big, bold and beautiful aptly describes Bimbo Thomas, the famed ‘Nikky’ in the popular Yoruba blockbuster film ‘Omo Ghetto’ produced by Funke Akindele. 

She is remembered in the film as a street urchin who would stop at nothing in getting what she wants. But in real life, Bimbo is nothing like ‘Nikky’ the character she portrayed so well.

She is an easy-going person who would bedazzle you with her smiles and courteous manners. The voluptuous beauty spoke with one of our reporters recently and she let us into her world, a world no one has ever travelled. She talked sex, life and relationships.

Courteous as she is, the Chief Executive Officer of Bimbally Wine Store is as direct and down-to-earth as any frank person could get. “I’ve always had guys crushing on me, but I never dated any of them.

However I had my first kiss in secondary school few weeks to my final exams. As for my first relationship, it was with a guy called Kumi and we had been friends for a long time before that” she says while narrating her love story She explains she doesn’t jump into relationships even when all the signs are there.

She wouldn’t even allow a guy to peck her unless they have been together for a while. “I’ll act as if I can’t read between the lines. I won’t even peck an ordinary friend; it’s that bad”.

She may be slow in getting in the mood but once she does, it appears she loves going straight into the groove as she posits when asked how often couples should have sex.”As often as possible. Maybe four times in a week. If time permits, and we’re not far apart.

APGA Youth Vanguard wishes Gov. Obiano happy 60th Anniversary.

A Well Deserved 60th Birthday Congratulatory Message To An Accomplished Leader Worthy of Outright Emulation, His Excellency, Chief Willie M. Obiano, Akpokuodike Global ( Executive Governor, Anambra State, Nigeria)- 08/08/2015 

His Excellency, To God be the glory Sir ! Birthday celebration is a new starting point of a new age, a fresh beginning, and a time to pursue new endeavors with new goals. Move forward with confidence and courage. You’re a very special person to the entire people of Anambra and Nigeria at large. Count the age, not the wrinkles you have. Count the blessings and wonderful experiences you’ve had, not the mistakes made. Forget the past; look forward to the future, for the best things are yet to come. May beauty and happiness surround you, not only on your special day, but always.

Anambrarians envisaged in you, a complete man who has tireless vision and who I personally sighted a great zeal to develop and make his state have some positive attributes with what is obtainable in western countries of the world.

Our amiable Governor has so much tried to fulfill his numerous promises to people of the state ever since he assumed that office. With his midas touch, our great state is acclaimed to be one of the safest states in the country because of the fierce war Governor Obiano waged on kidnappers, armed robbers and other criminal elements cum social vices in the state. Operation Kpochapu is at work and Anambra people no longer have sleepless night.

Photo: Gov. Obiano

.

 His Excellency, Sir, I can vividly still recall one of your inaugural speeches on March 17th, 2014: “Fellow Anambrarians, your clamour for a capital city that fully reflects the essence of our people will be addressed by my administration. We shall re-design and remodel Awka to meet the structural and aesthetic requirements of a 21st Century city that we can all be proud of. We shall also faithfully implement the master plans for Onitsha and Nnewi.” As record may attest to it, today, Awka the highly neglected capital city of Anambra state has kicked off the journey of becoming indeed, a modernised state capital. The heavy construction going on along Awka-Onitsha Expressway is standing the governor very tall in the state.

The governor did tell Anambrarians on March 17th, 2014: “My administration shall launch Anambra into a new economic phase through what I call the FOUR PILLARS of Development. They include – Aggressive Mechanised Agriculture – We shall engage in a serious production of cassava, maize and rice where we have a comparative advantage. In addition, we will re-train, re-equip and organise our farmers into cooperatives to enable them share resources and attract funding from donor agencies and financial institutions. These efforts will lead to massive increase in food production in the medium to long term and the emergence of agro-based industries in the area of storage, processing, manufacturing and packaging. That will create a lot of jobs for our people.

Now, Obiano can stand tall before his party men, as he, unlike his predecessor, has carried the party along. He has also shown love for the workforce of the state with the increment he made to their salary and the buses he provided to ease their movement to and from office.

Akpokuodike Global, words alone are not enough to express how happy the entire members of APGA YOUTH VANGUARD are as you are celebrating another year of your life today ! Our wish for you on your birthday is that you are, and will always be, happy and healthy !

May God in his interminable kind attributes bless your new age abundantly through Christ Jesus Our Lord, Amen.

••• Happy Birthday Anambra No 1 Citizen
••• Happy Birthday Akpokuodike Global
••• Happy Birthday Our Indefatigable Leader
••• Happy Birthday The New Face of APGA
••• Happy Birthday To A True Democrat
••• Happy Birthday To A Great Political Icon
••• Happy Birthday Papa Anambra
••• Happy Birthday To Renowned Administrator
••• Happy Birthday To An Accomplished Banker
••• Happy Birthday To A First Class Auditor
••• Happy Birthday Our BoT Leader

Signed :
APGA YOUTH VANGUARD
 +2348039260270

Taboo ! Hunchback’s burial causes panic, apprehension in Kwara

Fear has gripped residents of Omu-Aran in Kwara following the reported burial of one Femi, a hunchback, who died in a motor accident on Aug. 3. According to claims, by the tradition, it is a taboo to bury a person with hunchback in the community. 

The corpse of such person must rather be hanged on a tree otherwise an evil will befall the community. Femi and four others died when an 18-seater bus they were travelling with, from Omu-Aran to Lagos, had an accident.

Although, relatives of the deceased had refused to speak on the rumour of Femi’s burial, already apprehensive residents now hang Jatropha leaves, locally called Lapalapa, on the entrance to their houses, to ward-off calamity.

One of the residents, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said the relatives might have buried the deceased secretly to safeguard the body from ritualists. “You know there are many traditions and ancient beliefs in this part of the world.

“I think it is the fear that such body might be used for ritual purpose that forced the relatives to have a rethink and decided otherwise.” Pastor David Omorinoye, the Chairman, Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) Irepodun Local Government, said that prayers remained the key to every unpleasant situation.

According to Omorinoye, people should refrain from ungodly acts that could lead to the derailment of their faith in God.

Alhaji Abdul Azeez Adeniyi, Chief Olupona of Omu-Aran, urged the residents to always pray for the stability and progress of the community rather than spreading unwarranted rumours. “As far as Islam is concerned such belief is fictitious and without any basis. “We should rather devote our time to seek the face of Allah through constant prayers for the growth, progress and development of our communities,” he said.

NAFDAC discovers illegal factory loaded with expired canned food at Trade Fair

The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), on Thursday said it had uncovered an illegal factory within the Trade Fair Complex in Lagos loaded with various expired canned food. 

The agency’s Spokesman, Mr Anslem Okonkwor, disclosed this in a statement that the discovery was sequel to a special raid and enforcement operation in some markets in the metropolis by officers of the Investigation and Enforcement Directorate of the agency.

It said that the expired canned food were worth millions of naira, adding that a 24-year-old man, Victor Okeke had been arrested in connection with the expired products. “The factory, which was originally a one-room shop was used to stock, re-validate and distribute expired products, particularly, food condiments.

“Some of the expired products discovered in the unhygienic factory included expired Maggi sauce with manufacturing date of 15/08/2011 and expiry date of 15/08/2014.

“Other products included Amoy Dark Soy Sauce, Costa Corned Beef and Exeter Corned Beef among others. “For the Costa Corned Beef, whether expired or not, the 24-year -old suspect, changed their labels to Exeter Corned Beef,’’ it said.

The statement also said that the suspect revealed that changing their labels was to attract patronage to the Costa corned beef because it was a faster moving brand than the name Costa in the market. It said that Mr Shaba Mohammed, the leader of the NAFDAC team, who addressed journalists shortly after the exercise, revealed that the agency had been on the trail of the alleged owner of the factory following intelligence report on his activities in the market.

Mohammed, an Assistant Director, Enforcement Operations, had also revealed that the suspect, who also claimed to be the managing director of the factory, was caught re-validating the expiry dates of Maggi Arome sauce and Amoy Soy sauce. “These products were smuggled into the country from Ghana and the expiry dates of 2014 shifted to August 2016,’’ he said.

According to him, the products expired since August 15, 2014. “We have arrested the suspect and also evacuated the remaining products in the illegal factory. We are also charging him for counterfeiting. Some of the products were not registered by NAFDAC. “What we found on ground here cannot be consumed.

We saw two drums filled with ordinary water which he uses to immerse the products and the labels will remove without any traces and are replaced with re-validated labels,’’ Mohammed was quoted as saying. He lamented that most of the re-validated products had been pushed into the market for unsuspecting consumers to buy.

“Consuming such products could lead to terminal diseases such as liver and kidney diseases which are currently on the rise in the country. “The sauces are sodium-based products that could lead to hypertension if consumed,’’ Mohammed was quoted as saying. He said that the suspect would be arraigned in court where the products evacuated would be used as exhibits against him. “Every single thing that is here is dangerous to human health,” the statement claimed. Recall that the agency in its determination to ensure stringent punishment for counterfeiters is currently reviewing its laws with a view to making convicted counterfeiters of drug and food products spend the rest of their lives in jail. The Director-General of NAFDAC, Dr Paul Orhii, had declared that the current law, which stipulated a fine of N500, 000 or 15-year jail term upon conviction, was inadequate. According to Orhii, the new law will also make counterfeiting a non bail-able offence, adding that a whistleblower clause was also included in the new proposal.

Kidnappers on the run as Nyesom Wike signs anti-kidnapping law

Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Ezenwo Wike has declared that the new anti-kidnapping law passed by the State Assembly will help in checking the rising wave of the ugly crime in the state.

He spoke on Friday when he gave his assent to the bills on: 1) Rivers State Kenule Beeson Saro-Wiwa Polytechnic, Bori ( Amendment) Law, 2015. (2) Rivers State Kidnap (Prohibition) Amendment Law, 2015 (3) Rivers State Traditional Rulers Law No.4 of 2015 passed by the Rivers State House of Assembly.

He said with the law becoming operational, criminals convicted for kidnapping and accessories to kidnap will forfeit their assets, funds and proceeds from kidnap. He said : “I am happy to assent to this anti-kidnapping bill as it will help the security agencies in their fight against kidnappers and their sponsors”.

On the Rivers State Kenule Beeson Saro-Wiwa Polytechnic, Bori ( Amendment) Law, 2015, Governor Wike said the renaming of the school became necessary because of the contributions of the law Saro-Wiwa to the development of the state.

He said that the third bill he assented to titled, ‘Rivers State Traditional Rulers Law No.4 of 2015′ is aimed at returning dignity and respect to the traditional institutions. The governor said that there was no reason why the State Traditional Institution should be politicised. Governor Wike commended the State Assembly for always putting the interest of the state first in their consideration of bills.

Presenting the three laws to the governor for assent, Majority Leader of the Rivers State House of Assembly, Mr Martins Amaehule said that the three laws are vital to the good governance of the state. Speaker of the House, Mr Ikunyi Ibani assured the people of the state that the Assembly will continue to partner with the Executive for the development of the state.

Oops ! Bulletproof bra saves woman from stray bullet

The metal part of a bra saved a female tourist from suffering greater injury when she was hit by a stray piece of ammunition during a hunt in northern Germany, police reported Friday. 

The 41year-old woman from North Rhine-Westphalia was cycling through a rape field in the north-eastern state of Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania with a male companion when she suddenly felt pain.

“According to our enquiries so far, she was hit by an object in the breast area,” a police spokesman in the port of Wismar said. A wild boar hunt was taking place in the area at the time of the accident.

The woman from the city of Guetersloh suffered only bruising. A piece of ammunition was found on the bra’s metal wire.

Police were questioning one of the hunters on suspicion of bodily injury caused by negligence. A local newspaper reported the incident on Friday, saying that it took place on Sunday.

The hunt was stopped and the hunter’s rifle was seized. It is possible that a piece of shot ricocheted during the hunt.

A dead young boar was also found during the investigation after the incident.

See Gobe ! Court remands man for allegedly raping 12-year-old sister-in-law in Ogun

An Abeokuta Chief Magistrates’ Court on Friday remanded a 28-year-old man, Azeez Abdullahi, in prison for allegedly raping his 12-year-old sister-in-law. 

 The Chief Magistrate, Mr Anthony Araba, denied the accused bail and ordered that he should be remanded in Oba Prisons near Abeokuta pending advice from the State Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP).

The prosecutor, Insp. Sunday Eigbejiale had told the court that the accused committed the offence sometime in May at 14, Omowe St., Saraki, Adigbe in Ogun capital.

He said the accused had unlawful carnal knowledge of his 12-year-old sister-in-law. “My lord, the victim was raped by the accused and she is presently hospitalised.” Eigbejiale said the offence contravened Section 218 of the Criminal Law of Ogun, 2006.

Counsel to the accused, Mr Babatunde Omirin, urged the court to grant him bail on liberal terms, saying “he will not jump bail.’’ The case was adjourned to Sept. 11 for hearing.

Source : Vanguard

SHOCKING : Court remands student for jilting girlfriend

A Mararaba Upper Area Court, on Friday ordered the remand of a 28-year-old student, Gimba Emen for allegedly jilting his girlfriend.

The prosecutor, Sgt. Samuel Okoro, told the court that Jessica Ibrahim, a girlfriend to the accused, reported the matter at the Sani Abacha Road Police Station, Mararaba, on Aug. 4 at about 11:30 a.m

Okoro said that sometimes in Jan. 4, the accused who resides at Mararaba, approached Jessica for a relationship to which she accepted. He alleged that the accused deceived and deceitfully induced the complainant, who is not lawfully married to him, to believe that he will marry her.

“The accused cohabited with Jessica and had sexual intercourse with her which resulted into pregnancy. “He drove her out of the house without providing for her needs,’’ Okoro alleged.

According to him, the complainant is carrying a seven-month-old pregnancy. Okoro said that the offence committed by the accused contravened Section 383 of the Penal Code.

Section 383 prescribes a three-year jail term as penalty for offenders. Emen, however, denied committing the offence. He told the court that he had relationship with Jessica, but that it was in the past.

The prosecutor objected to the bail of the accused, adding that he is trying to deny his responsibility. The Presiding Judge, Mr Vincent Gwehemba, ordered that the accused be remanded in Keffi Prison until the next adjourned date.

He adjourned the case till Aug.17 for further mention.

Eagles rise in FIFA ranking

Nigeria Super Eagles have made a positive progress in their bid to return to the elite ladder of global football as they have moved up four places in the world.

 According to the August edition of ranking released by World football ruling body FIFA, yesterday, Eagles rose up four spots to occupy the 53rd position, away from the July ranking that saw them drop 14 places to the 57th position.

However, the former African Champions, still remain 10th in the continent , behind Algeria, Cote d’Ivoire, Ghana , Tunisia and others. Meanwhile, there was a change in this month’s ranking among the top three, with, Belgium (2nd, up 1) swapping places with Germany (3rd, down 1) behind leaders Argentina.

A little below them, Chile (10th, up 1) had entered the top ten at the expense of the Netherlands (12th, down 7). The loss of points by Germany and the Netherlands was due to the devaluation of last year’s FIFA World Cup™ matches.

 Further down the global ladder, the CONCACAF Gold Cup finalists had made good ground: Mexico (26th, up 14), winners of the trophy for the tenth time, had risen 14 places, while this year’s surprise package, Jamaica (55th, up 21), is now just outside the top 50 following a sizeable 21-spot leap.

In addition to the above teams, Albania (22nd, up 14), Malawi (98th, up 10), Sierra Leone (104th, up 7), Mauritania (113rd, up 15), Swaziland (132nd, up 6), Guam (146th, up 8) and Guyana (152nd, up 7) all went up by more than five places in August.

The following teams have achieved their highest-ever position: Wales (9th, up 1), Austria (14th, up 1), Slovakia (14th, up 1), Albania (22nd, up 14), Congo (43rd, up 4) and Guam (146th, up 8).

As the Cape Verde Islands (50th, up 2) and the Republic of Ireland (50th, up 2) are in joint-50th, there are currently 51 teams in the top 50, a group that now includes Israel (47th, up 4) in place of Japan (56th, down 6) and Serbia (66th, down 23).

 Consequently, the breakdown of teams in the top 50 per confederation now looks as follows: UEFA: 31 (up 1); CONMEBOL: 8 (unchanged); CAF: 8 (up 1); CONCACAF: 3 (unchanged); AFC: 1 (down 1); OFC: 0 (unchanged). Of the 29 international ‘A’ matches taken into account for this month’s FIFA Ranking, 26 were CONCACAF Gold Cup matches and the remaining three were friendlies.

 The next FIFA/Coca-Cola World Ranking will be published on 3 September 2015.

El-Rufai closes government banks accounts, maintains only CBN

From Noah Ebije, Kaduna

Kaduna State Governor, Malam Nasir El-Rufai has closed all government accounts with commercial banks to maintain aTreasury Single Account (TSA) framework with the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) effective September 1st , 2015.

This was contained in a statement signed by his media aide, Samuel Aruwan, and made available to newsmen yesterday. The statement said: “The Kaduna State Government on Thursday announced its decision to commence implementation of the Treasury Single Account (TSA) framework by 1 September 2015.

“As part of the process of attaining this goal, all banks that maintain the accounts of the government have been put on notice to close them and remit the balances to the Central Bank of Nigeria which will host the state’s TSA.”

It added that the governor gave the directives at a meeting with officials of all the banks hosting the state government’s many revenue and expenditure accounts. The meeting was also attended by the Kaduna State Branch Controller of the CBN.

According to the statement, Malam El-Rufai explained that after the establishment of the TSA, the state government would open specified sub-accounts with the CBN and the commercial banks. The banks present assured the governor that within five working days of receiving the formal instructions from the state government, they would close the accounts and remit the balances to the TSA.

While thanking the banks for their continued support, Governor El-Rufai assured them that a future session will be organized to explain to the banks how the new TSA and the sub-accounts will work.

Ogun CP orders ritualists to be shot on sight

Disturbed by the rising cases of ritualism in Ogun State, the Commissioner of Police, Abdulmajid Ali, yesterday ordered his men to shoot on sight any suspect.

He gave this order while parading 23 suspected cultists, kidnappers, armed robbers and ritualists at the command headquarters, Eleweran, Abeokuta.

Ali said the crime rate had become alarming, adding that it had become imperative for all stakeholders to wake up to their responsibilities and make the state free from the nefarious activities of criminals. Ali said, “criminal activities are becoming alarming everyday in the state and drastic action has to be taken.

Ritualists’ are killing people. We won’t tolerate that. When you see them in action, they should shoot on sight. When you see them perpetrating the act, bring them down.

Once you find any policeman that is not discharging his duty correctly, please report such. The CP also disclosed that a suspect had been arraigned over the killing of 85-year-old market leader in Ijebu-Ode, Alhaja Elewuju, promising that a suspect who kidnapped a 20-month-old boy, Emmanuel Ogundele, about 12 days ago at the christening of a baby in Abeokuta, would soon be arrested.

I won’t die alone, kidnap suspect sings

By Chidi Nkwopara OWERRI—

A kidnap suspect, Linus Nlemadim, from Egbelu Obube in Owerri North Local Government Area of Imo State, shocked his captors yesterday when he expressed readiness to reel out the names of his colleagues in crime.

Nlemadim was allegedly arrested in connection with the recent kidnap of one Eziopara Ben Anyanwu, an American-based indigene of the same autonomous community.

Vanguard gathered from a source that the suspect, who made the promise soon after his arrest, vowed that he would not die alone. “The suspect said he was ready to mention the names of members of the gang that were involved ing the crime, and that there was no way he would die alone,” the source recounted.

The source also said that the suspect hinged his position on the fact since his associates, who were earlier arrested, had leaked their secret, he would not keep quiet and die alone. He said: “True to his threat, the suspect released the name of another colleague of his.

This led to the arrest of his accomplice from Ngor Okpala Local Government Area. “I believe they will be telling the police all they know about the alleged crime.” A community leader told Vanguard that the two suspects, who linked Linus Nlemadim to the deal, were natives of Upe and Umunam in Ngor Okpala Local Government Area.

The source said one of the kidnappers was caught when he went to Umuovum, Ulakwo to sell an i-Pad they stole. “The man, who indicated interest in buying the gadget unlocked the equipment, saw the images of the kidnapped Ben Anyanwu and quickly brought the police into the picture,” the source said.

 Source: Vangaurd

Breaking News: Over 1,800 intending lawyers fail bar exams

ABUJA – The Council of Legal Education, yesterday, released the results of the Bar final examinations it conducted in April and May, 2015 which a total of 1805 candidates failed out of 5588 that sat for the exams.

The Council, in a statement it issued in Abuja yesterday, disclosed that whereas only four candidates made First Class, a total number of 109 candidates made Second Class Upper.

The two exams participated by a total number of 5588 law school students, recorded 64.8% failure‎. Giving a breakdown of the results, the Director General of the Nigerian ‎Law School, Mr. O. A. Onadeko, revealed that a total number of 2,736 students participated in the Bar final resit examinations for the 2014/2015 school year.

Lawyers Out of a total number ‎of 1,648 students that were declared successful at the exams, 98 students secured conditional pass, while a total of 990 students failed. ‎The April results according to the law school DG translates to 60% pass, 3.6% conditional pass and 36.2% failure. Similarly, the May 2015 Bar Final examinations for Regular Students which had a total of 2, 852 candidates, recorded 815 failure, with four candidates graded in First Class.

Names of the four First Class candidates ‎were given as Sani Fatima Bombom from the Abuja campus of the law school, Mbonu Genevieve Chinyeaka (Lagos Campus), Olowu Adetutu Abisoye (‎Lagos) and Abajuo Reason Emma from the Enugu Campus.

A total of 109 candidates made Second Class Upper, 418 were graded in Second Class Lower category, 1,422 got Pass, while 83 others secured Conditional Pass. Onadeko said the May 2015 Bar Final Examinations results translated to 68.5% Pass, ‎2.9% Conditional Pass and 28.6% failure. “The call to the Bar ceremonies for the successful candidates will hold from October 20 to 22 , 2015, in Abuja‎”, he added.

Former Director-General of the school, Chief Kayode Jegede, SAN, who was the longest serving DG had at a point raised an alarm over the falling standard of legal education in the country. Successive DGs of the institution had expressed similar concern over the declining standard and high failure rates being recorded in the bar exams.

However, a further breakdown of the results revealed that the candidates who had earlier failed the exams in the 2014-2015 session recorded the higher number of failure after resit.

The poor performance of candidates in this category in past bars exams has been attributed to their failure to attend tutorial classes preparatory to their resist exams. Instead, some of the affected students preferred to read on their own rather than attend the school’s organised compulsory tutorials for resit candidates.

Breaking News: Tribunal admits N15m bribe exhibits against Yobe REC

ABUJA — Details of two bank accounts of the Resident Electoral Commissioner, REC, of Yobe State, Mr. Abu Zarma, which showed that N15 million was lodged into his accounts few days before the April 11 election, has been admitted into evidence by the Governorship Election Petition Tribunal in the state.

Two officials of Diamond Bank Plc and Zenith Bank Plc, tendered the exhibits before the tribunal currently conducting its proceedings in Abuja. The bankers were subpoenaed to appear before the tribunal as witnesses in the petition filed by the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, and its governorship candidate in the state, Alhaji Adamu Waziri.

The PDP and its candidate are praying the tribunal to annul the election of Governor Ibrahim Gaidam of the All Progressives Congress, APC. The petitioners alleged that the election that produced Gaidam was marred by several electoral malpractices and substantial non-compliance to the Electoral Act.

The PDP insisted that it could prove that the REC for the state, Zarma, was paid N15m bribe by the APC candidate, governor Gaidam. Sequel to an application by the petitioners, the Justice Mojisola Dada-led tribunal summoned the banks to adduce proof of the cash lodgements, which it has admitted into evidence.

Among the exhibits tendered and admitted by the tribunal were documents of Diamond and Zenith Banks, including account statements, photocopies of tellers used for the lodgements of the funds and account opening forms, all bearing Zarma’s name. Joined as respondents to the petition before the tribunal are Gaidam, APC, the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, the REC of Yobe State and Assistant Superintendent of Police, Zakari Deba (Aide-de-Camp to Gaidam).

The petitioners alleged that the Aide-de-Camp to Gaidam, Deba, paid N8 million into the Diamond Bank account of Zarma and N7 million into his Zenith Bank account on the same day. The transactions were said to have been perfected on April 8, 2015, three days before the governorship election. The Diamond Bank official from Damaturu Branch, Mr. Bamaji Kukawa, told the tribunal that the REC only had about N28,000 in his account prior to April 8 when the sum of N8 million was lodged into his account with the bank.

Led into evidence by counsel to the petitioners, Mr. Abiodun Owonikoko, SAN, Kukawa said: “Before the April 8, 2015 entry, the bank account had N28,143.60k,” He identified Aide-de-Camp to the governor, Deba, as the person that deposited the money. However, the witness told the court that the money was in April 13, two days after the election, withdrawn from the account in favour of Saleh & Hanif Company.

He said N25,011.45 was left as balance on the account as of the end of the period covered by the statement of the account. Likewise, the Head of Operation, Damaturu Branch of Zenith Bank, Mr. Umar Alkali, in his own testimony, told the tribunal that N7m was also deposited in Zarma’s account with the bank on April 8.

He added that as of the end of the period covered by the statement of account, the account was left with the balance of N1,345,503.38. Meanwhile, lawyers to the respondents did not oppose the tendering of the exhibits into evidence by the tribunal. They however indicated their readiness to contest the relevance of the exhibits to the subject matter of the petition before the tribunal, in their final written addresses.

Counsel to the governor and the APC, however, cross examined the witnesses with a view to ascertaining if any of the bank documents tendered before the tribunal, had the office of the REC of Yobe State as the owner of the said bank accounts. The further queried whether the photograph of a depositor lodging money into an account is required to be captured before carrying out such transaction. Both witnesses answered “no” to the two questions.