Red Carpet Glam! Nicole Kidman, Miranda Lambert, Carrie Underwood & More Attend 48th Annual Country Music Association Awards

A Pakistani policeman killed a man in custody after the inmate allegedly made blasphemous comments, officials said on Thursday, days after a Christian couple accused of the same crime was killed.

Tufail Haidar was arrested in Gujrat, a city in Punjab, for making derogatory remarks about the companions of Prophet Mohammed.

He continued to make insulting comments, enraging assistant sub-inspector Faraz Naveed, according to Rana Shahid from the Civil Lines Police Station, where Haidar was detained.

Shadid said that the officer struck Haidar on the neck with an axe on Thursday, killing him.

However, police arrested Naveed.

Shadid said that the gruesome attack came two days after a Christian couple was first beaten and then burned to death near Lahore for alleged blasphemy.

Report says a charge of blasphemy is considered highly serious in Pakistan.

It added that an elderly British man with mental illness, sentenced to death for blasphemy, was shot by a prison guard in September and wounded.

Punjab Governor, Salman Taseer, was killed by his police guard in 2011 for allegedly criticizing the blasphemy laws which were introduced by military ruler Ziaul Haq in 1980s.

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Yay! Eva Alordiah Announces Release Date for Debut Album Titled ‘1960’

Exciting news for all Eva Alordiah fans!

One of the few female rappers in the Nigerian music industry, Eva Alordiah, has announced the release date for her much awaited debut album titled ‘1960’

The album is set to drop January 14th 2015, but while the fans await the release of 1960, the talented female rapper dishes a self-titled extended play album to be released November 20th, 2014.

Her 1960 album features collaborations with Darey Art Alade, Femi Kuti, Yemi Alade, Olamide, Sarkodie and Sir Dauda.

The album will be co-produced by Tintin and Gray Jon’z.

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Man kills girlfriend and uploads photos of her body on the internet

33 year old David Kalac strangled his live-in girlfriend 30 year old mother of 4 Amber Lynn Schraw, and posted photos of her body to 4chan. David killed Amber either on Monday night or Tuesday morning at their home in Washington and posted three grisly photos of her lying dead on a bed with what appeared to be strangulation marks on her neck to 4chan on Tuesday afternoon, writing

"Turns out its way harder to strangle someone to death than it looks in the movies. She fought so Damn hard." Then he wrote again when people doubted the story "Check the news for port orchard Washington in a few hours,”  then he wrote that Amber son's “will be home from school soon. He’ll find her, then call the cops. I just wanted to share the pics before they find me.”

35 minutes later, Amber's body was found by her teenage son, who called his father who then called the police. David, who fled the house after committing the murder, turned himself in to police on Wednesday night in Oregon, and is said to be cooperating with investigators. He has been charged with second degree murder.

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Pics: The magnificent IBOM Stadium in Uyo set to launch tomorrow

The beautiful city of Uyo is the perfect setting for the opening of a new chapter in the history of sports in Nigeria. Come tomorrow Nov. 7, the Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Godwin Akpabio, will lead the government and people of Akwa Ibom state in opening the Akwa Ibom International Stadium aptly nicknamed the Nest of Champions. See the amazing photos after the cut...

The truly amazing sporting edifice is an Olympic Sized stadium is a 30,000 capacity ultra modern complex that is already regarded as the best in the West African region and compared with South Africa’s Soccer city.

Modelled after the Allianz Arena in Germany, the home ground of reigning German Champions Bayern Munich, the Stadium boasts 4 -tier, covered, seating terrace,  all-natural grass, high-tech floodlights and security cameras, 36 emergency exits, bullet proof VVIP and VIP along with other ultra-modern facilities.

The stadium will be opened with a friendly match between long time rivals, Super Eagles of Nigeria and Black Stars of Ghana on Friday, November 7 at 3pm, with notable dignitaries from all over in attendance.

Posted by expdonaloaded.blogspot.com

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Awww, the love between these two...(photo)

2face and Annie Idibia sleep in each other's arms on a road trip to Benue state today....

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Solange witnesses Kelly Rowland giving birth

Beyonce's sister Solange Knowles shared the news that she was in the delivery room when Kelly Rowland gave birth to her son, Titan, in a heartfelt congratulations to Kelly on social media.

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Pics: Empress Njamah shows 'serious enjoyment' on board a plane

If you look at the pics, you will agree with me that it's serious enjoyment...lol. The actress shared photos of herself 'jaiyeing' in her business class seat on board a plane. Enjoy yaself jor! See more pics after the cut...

 

 

Posted by expdonaloaded

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Insecurity: Resign, Tinubu tells Jonathan

ILORIN – Thousands of supporters, sympathizers,leaders and chieftains of the All Progressives Congress, APC Wday stormed the expansive Metropolitan square along Asa Dam road, Ilorin venue of the public declaration of Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed for second term in office,where among others the embattled Speaker of the House of Representatives,

Hon Aminu Tambuwal called on President Goodluck Jonathan to resign from office because of poor leadership or face the consequence of the angry electorates that will vote him out with the Peolpes Democratic Party in 2015 election so that there can be peace in Nigeria. Also, the former governor of Lagos state and a leader of the party Asiwaju Ahmed Bola Tinubu who was boisterous and energetic throughout the ceremony explained to the mammoth crowd in vernacular language why they needed to vote for the leadership of his party and vote out President Goodluck Jonathan and PDP in 2015 general elections. Former Vice President and presidential aspirant of All Progressives Congress (APC), Atiku Abubakar and national leader of APC, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu at the declaration of rally of Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed in Ilorin, Kwara State on Wednesday. Former Vice President and presidential aspirant of All Progressives Congress (APC), Atiku Abubakar and national leader of APC, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu at the declaration of rally of Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed in Ilorin, Kwara State on Wednesday. Majority of the presidential aspirants, namely Alh Atiku Abubakar, General Muhammadu Buhari, Alh Rabiu kwankwaso and former minister of FCT Mallam El Rufai were all in attendant. Also governor of Kano state and other governors of the APC states, namely Governors Aliu Wamako of Sokoto, Adams Oshiomole of Edo, Rochas Okorocha of Imo, Rotimi Amaechi of Rivers and representatives from Osun Ogun and Oyo states among others were all present. The host governor, Abdulfatah Ahmed and the leader of the party in Kwara state, Senator Bukola Saraki also took their turn to justify the reasons for granting second term to the incumbent governor and why they defected to APC . Senator Bukola Saraki said he endorsed the governor for second term because of his impressive performance and loyalty and urged the people of Kwara not to be deceived and intimidated by the power of presidency and members of PDP in the state he described as artificial politicians who come around only during election period. The Speaker, Aminu Tambuwal while addressing the APC supporters said, ‘’In Kwara state your political history is very rich. You have had the foundation of the political struggle of this state laid by our late leader, Dr Olusola Saraki. This structure that is being sustained by God Almighty who has always delivered Kwara to the right place.’’ ‘’ I believe that this time around there will not be anything different. With the support of the people of the state APC shall form 100 percent the government in the state from the local council to state Assembly and to the government house. Eventually and ultimately the state has always been providing leadership in the politics of this country.’’he stressed. When it comes to presidential elections, the Speaker said,’’ I am sure that the state will provide such leadership to the extent that we shall deliver this country to the government at the centre to APC’’. ‘’By voting APC at the centre you will be voting for prosperity and eradication of poverty. What we are witnessing today in Nigeria is not governance, but mis-governance. We are witnessing a system that does not have the interest of the people of this country at heart.I call on President Jonathan to resign from office because of all these misgovernance and the untold hardship Nigerians are presently passing through.If he fails to do that it is therefore incumbent on us as a people to turn en-masse and vote out Goodluck Ebele Jonathan come 2015. That will bring peace, progress and development of Nigeria’’Tambuwal said. The former governor of Lagos state, Asiwaju Ahmed Bola Tinubu told the APC members in Kwara,’’ Let me forget the protocol, because you are the votes. You are the people who must vote. We bring the greetings and respect of Lagos, Oyo, Osun, Ogun, Ekiti, Edo, Rivers, Akwa Ibom and the entire APC states in Nigeria.’’ ‘’What I want to beg of you is to be ready to defend for change. The race has started again. We have endorsed Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed for second term in office as he has performed creditably well just like his predecessor, Senator Bukola Saraki’’. Referring the government of PDP, he said, ’’The thieves that daily steal your money. They have not given you any job; they cannot create jobs and they are starving states of funds to pay workers salaries. The best thing to do is to sweep them away through broom revolution. APC is a party of the masses.’’ ‘’I saw the sea of refuges and the lies coming from Jonathan’s administration. They have exhibited failure, lack of capacity, vision, creativity; the lie of yesterday is what they repeat today and it is what they will repeat tomorrow. They are lying to you. They are lying about the security; toying about the security of this country. I don’t have time to explain the logic of their lies.’’ ‘’But if you control the armed forces and you are the Commander-in-Chief of the armed of the federal republic, why should any part of this country be under occupation? And you give us excuses every day. In any civilized country Jonathan should resigned. But if he will not resign he should wait for our broom we will sweep them.’’ ‘’It now behooves you to begin a house to house campaign that this is a party of the masses. You had not seen Bukola and myself mounting the same podium campaigning for the same party before this time. This is a new beginning. This is a time of good things and tidings from us. We have brought good luck and commonsense revolution’’he said.. ‘’Now it is time to apply commonsense revolution and it is about your lives. It is about your education, your jobs and about the security of this country. We stay together since independence and we will remain together. Any affecting any section of this country affects all of us.’’ ‘’I will come back. This is just the endorsement of Governor Ahmed; that he will be re-elected by the grace of God with the support of you people here and those outside there. The unemployment situation will be conquered by this administration of APC. We have the vision for the security of th e lives of our children.’’he stressed. Governor Adams Oshiomole of Edo state in his remark who said he was impressed by the notable achievements of Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed hence his personal attendance also poured encomiums on the political legacies of the late sage Dr Abubakar Olusola Saraki which has continued to provide good leadership to the state even till now. The governor of Rivers state,Mr Rotimi Amaechi said,this is the time to say the truth,the other party PDP is a party of liars,they are not truthful.When some has done well,you say thank you,we have come to say thank you’’ ’’On the day of election,don’t allow PDP to rig you,they will bring soldier,and police, don’t allow them to intimidate you.They are stealing our money,they took it to South Africa,its time to fund our military to overrun these terroristst’’he said. The former vice president, Alh Atiku Abubakar in his remark said,’’I was a foundation member of the current dispensation in kwara state,I wish Oloye were here alive today,we should make sure we sustain the legacy Oloye left behind by making sure that Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed is returned’’ Governor Ahmed in his address said,’’I pay homage to my predecessors for laying the foundation for a flourishing Kwara State that we upscaled through Shared Prosperity. Our state is much better than we met it and is growing everyday. Today, before all of you, I make bold to say we have essentially fulfilled our covenant and in the process strengthened your faith in governance.’’ After enumerating his numerous achievements the governor said,’’, I humbly and formally declare my intention to run for a second term in office so that I can do more for our state and its people. By the grace of God and with your mandate, we intend to accelerate the development of our state when re-elected for a second term....

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INEC must explain to us how 1,447,845 voter registration cards disappeared – Fashola

LAGOS—Governor Babatunde Fashola of Lagos State, yesterday, described the 4.8 million registered voters figure for Lagos State by the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, as questionable even as the electoral body is set to distribute Permanent Voters’ Cards, PVCs, to that number of people in the State starting from Friday, November 7 to 9, 2014,

The Resident Electoral Commissioner of INEC in the state, Dr. Adekunle Ogunmola, had on October 29, announced the commission’s decision. Anambra Supplementary Election: INEC Chairman Prof. Attahiru Jega addressing pressmen , announcing November 30 for Supplementary election at Anambra State while National Commissioner Lawrence Nwuruku looks on in Abuja. Photo by Gbemiga Olamikan. INEC Chairman Prof. Attahiru Jega Fashola also described the figure as an attempt to disenfranchise majority of Lagos electorate in the forthcoming 2015 general elections as it showed a shortfall of 1,447,845 to the previously released 6,247,845 registered voters announced by INEC in the registration exercise before the 2011 elections. Meantime, the governor has declared Friday, November 7, 2014, a work-free day for public servants to enable them participate in the first day of the PVCs distribution, which is a working day out of the three days earmarked for collection by INEC. The governor made the remarks in a special state-wide broadcast to residents on the commencement of the issuance of PVCs by INEC in the state, held at the State House, Marina, Lagos. Fashola noted that with the commencement of the process of issuance of PVCs in Lagos, the process for elections has therefore, started saying, election is a process, starting from voters’ registration, to balloting, to announcement of results and to election petition and swearing in of elected persons. “So for the avoidance of any doubt, elections have started,” he said. According to the governor; “This obligation has become very important because of the reports emanating from INEC at a press briefing by the Resident Electoral Commissioner in Lagos that the number of voters in Lagos is now 4,800,000. “This is strange, it is surprising and I believe INEC owes the people of Lagos a lot of answers and very quickly too. “INEC must explain to us how 1,447,845 voter registration cards disappeared to leave Lagos with only 4,800,000 registered voters. “INEC has itself attempted to ascribe the disappearance of 1,447,845 registered voters on its register in Lagos to what it calls “consolidation”; “Business Rule” and AFIS.” “Lagosians demand to know what these terms mean. Are they provided for in the Electoral Act? “Are they INEC’s plans to disenfranchise Lagosians from exercising their rights to choose their own representatives? “Are they part of a plan to confer an undue-advantage in the next elections to any person or to frustrate the choice of Lagosians as we have seen in other states?,” asked the governor. 

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Naira nosedives as anxiety grips investors over falling crude price

Reflecting increased apprehension among foreign investors over the impact of falling crude oil prices on the nation’s external reserves and the value of the naira, prices of stocks at the Nigerian Stock Exchange yesterday declined further thus over taking Zimbabwe as Africa’s worst performing market this year.

1000-naira-notes Meanwhile, the naira yesterday depreciated by 135 kobo at the interbank foreign exchange, as the interbank foreign exchange rate rose to N167.35 per dollar from N166 per dollar on Tuesday. Cumulatively, the naira has depreciated by 170 kobo this week at the interbank market. The depreciation of the naira was occasioned by increased demand for foreign exchange courtesy of foreign investors divesting from the nation stock market and bond market. At the stock market, the Nigerian Stock Exchange, NSE All Share Index had dropped for a 10th day market trading, leading to a loss of 13 percent in 2014. Specifically, the NSE Index slid 2.1 percent to 35,958.38, the lowest since September 2013, as 50 stocks retreated, seven rose and 138 were unchanged. The gauge is the world’s fifth-worst performer this year after benchmarks in countries including Russia, Portugal, Greece and Austria. The naira weakened 0.8 percent to 167.25 per dollar. Banks were among the main losers. FCMB Group Plc declined 9.5 percent, the most in more than two years. Union Bank Nigeria Plc, in which Bob Diamond’s Atlas Mara Co-Nvest Ltd. (ATMA) has a stake of about 30 percent, fell 9.2 percent to its lowest level since September 2012. Banks suffered because of tighter central bank regulations, which have forced some to raise capital, and investors’ concerns about their exposure to oil companies, Seun Olanipekun, an analyst at Investment One Financial Services Ltd., had said. “The central bank’s measures have restricted the revenue streams of banks,” said Olanipekun. “And the loan exposure to the oil and gas sector is pretty high for most of the banks.” Zimbabwe’s benchmark gauge is down 11.7 percent. External reserve falls by $38.3bn Meanwhile, the nation’s external reserve continued to fall, declining by $339 million in the first three days of this month. From $38.763 billion on October 29th, the external reserve had fallen to $38.324 billion on November 3rd. Cumulatively, the external reserve fell by $757 million in October, representing the biggest decline since it started rising in June. By extension, the external reserve has declined by $5.51 billion or 11.8 percent in 2014. The persistent decline in the external reserve is occasioned by increased foreign exchange sales by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) in order to defend the naira. Last month, the apex bank sold $3 billion through the bi-weekly RDAS sessions. As a result the apex bank had sold $29.1 billion in 2014. OPEC basket price falls to 4 Years low Meanwhile crude the decline in crude oil price persisted yesterday, with OPEC members’ average crude price falling below $80 for the first time in four years as Saudi Arabia and other members of the group supplying 40 percent of the world’s oil maintained output amid slowing demand growth. The OPEC basket, the best measure of what the oil exporters earn per barrel, fell to $78.67 yesterday, the group said by e-mail today. That’s the lowest since October 22, 2010, according to data compiled by Bloomberg. U.S. oil production rose to the highest in at least 31 years amid slowing global demand, helping drive crude into a bear market last month. The largest producers in the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries reduced prices rather than cut output, with Saudi Arabia, Iraq and Iran offering the biggest discounts to buyers in Asia this month since at least 2009. The group will meet in Vienna on Nov. 27 to discuss whether to cut output to support prices. “Saudi Arabia seems to have other aims than protecting the price,” Carsten Fritsch, an analyst at Commerzbank AG in Frankfurt, said by e-mail. “The Saudis’ attitude might only change if the other members agree to contribute to a cut, the likelihood of which is slim at best.” Brent futures, the world’s most actively traded crude contract, fell as much as 1.4 percent to $81.63 a barrel in London today. The December contract traded at $82.14 a barrel at 11:28 a.m. You might also like...

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Kalu: A distraction in Abia PDP?

Not long ago, a bunch of dis­gruntled, famished and mis­guided rascally scallywags under the aegis of “PDP Youth Wing Abia State” sent a boy­ish open letter to the Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Al­haji Adamu Mu’azu, which was enti­tled “Orji Uzor Kalu:

The distraction we don’t need in Abia PDP.” I giggle at this kind of inebriate juvenility!


I would have headlined this inter­vention “Kalu: A distraction indeed,” but had to settle for the above title to avoid needless misconceptions that could arise from some readers’ cerebral laziness and for the benefit of headline scanners. At the risk of intellectual sophistry, ‘distraction’ could be negative or positive, depending on the level of one’s vocabulary capacity, etymologi­cal appreciation and contextualisation. Having underscored this, it is certain that Kalu is positively a distraction to these boys’ benefactors’ shenanigans in the state! Otherwise, how can any sane person in his right frame of mind, without any memory loss (amnesia) declare that Kalu, a founding member and foundational financier of the ruling party, is a distraction in Abia PDP in the negative sense? Even Abia PDP elders, patriots and other members of the oligarchy in the state know full well that this erroneousness is falsehood in its brazen blatancy!
The Abia youth messengers are like computer systems, which, when fed with garbage, inevitably produce garbage too – there cannot be any sensibility in such applicative results. It is even worse when these unemployed, unemployable and easily pliable youths do not have minds of their own and are essentially concerned with survivalist instincts and other allied stomach infra­structural issues. In the manipulatively asphyxiating circumstance, any political jobbing is worth more than their while! Just finance and egg them on and they are ready to break coconuts with their heads or even snuff out their own lives for a bowl of messy porridge suffused with condiments from slush funds and loot.
After needlessly and wastefully toast­ing to the ‘divine mandate’ and revo­lutionary credentials of Alhaji Mu’azu in the kindergarten full-page adverto­rial, published in THE NATION ON SUNDAY of September 14, 2014, Page 66, the first juvenile umbrage goes thus: “We did tell you among things (sic) that we do not want ORJI UZOR KALU re­admitted into Abia Chapter of the Party. Apart from the collateral damage his re-entry (sic) may cause the Party, we are aware that his readmittance (sic) would (sic) reintroduce politics of division in Abia, which was the most prominent trait of his years in Abia PDP.”
The nursery blunders apart, admis­sion or readmission of political party members is not the function of the office of the chairman. Those who sent these ignorant chaps should have let them know the guidelines concerning these associational basics. How will Kalu’s fundamental return to the party cause any ‘collateral damage’? There is need for specificity in these matters – not just drunken blanket petitions and specious probabilities (“may cause”). These children need to be civilised: In politics, there will always be disagree­ments, agreements, alignments, realign­ments, defections, garrulity, antago­nisms, gobbledygook, combativeness, rancour, reunions, friendships, unity and divisions, enmities, altercations, misquotations, squabbles, pugilism, rambunctiousness, betrayals, treachery, fixations, suspicions, distrusts, fisticuffs, backbiting, backstabbing, ingratitude, hatred, love, denials, rebuttals, fatalities, fatalistic tendencies and other innumer­able untoward and unwholesome mani­festations. Overall, there are no perma­nent friends, but fixed/stock interests. Therefore, to childishly say or fear that Kalu’s inevitable comeback to the PDP family has the potentialities of ignit­ing or reigniting any of these domestic elements of our brand of democracy is to advertise shallowness! One of my sons in primary 5 about to sit his com­mon entrance examination knows these Nigerian political drawbacks like a mature adult. They will always be there, whether Kalu returns or not.
The misbegotten youth also talked about Kalu “reintroducing politics of division in Abia.” I will not expend my precious time on this non-issue, except to call the attention of these boys to a full-page advertisement in major na­tional newspapers of October 30, 2014, including DAILY SUN (Page 9), by Abia Senators Caucus of the National Assembly, Abuja, entitled: “Petition Against Illegal Congress/Primary Elec­tion Committee in Abia State.” Is this exemplar a creation of Kalu? Where then lies the phony unity? The scales are belatedly falling off the eyes of our representatives and they are beginning to see clearly the truck-loads of lies, deception and dubiousness.
Another gangster deceit by the youth wing: “The Youths (unnecessary capi­talisation and ‘youths’ or ‘the youth’) were (no longer?) insistent in (on) their rejection of the admittance (no, re-admittance) of Orji Uzor Kalu.” Are these boys members of the PDP NEC and NWC to dogmatically prescribe entry, exit and re-entry parameters in the party? In a sane society, can these characters look Kalu in the face for whatever reason? I can understand the leadership grouse about Kalu in the state, but where do I place these boys in the entire scheme of politicking and intrigues? Are they equally detractors of Kalu and over what? Even if anyone sends you to commit patricide, must you do it no matter the recompense?
Yet another deviancy from the boys under reference: “Orji Uzor Kalu seems (a demonstrative uncertainty!) to have fraternised with those who are in op­position with (against) PDP more than any person living or dead. There are ominous signs (suspicious realm!) ev­erywhere that PDP’s political enemies are his friends.” Who are these political neophytes and kindergartners? Pre-eminently, Kalu is a nationally known pan-Nigerian with friends and associ­ates across all the country’s six geopo­litical zones: He is at home in all places. No apologies for this. In any case, these messengers should be educated on the norms of democracy to wit that there are no more associational Berlin Walls or ideological rigidities/obstinacies in politics globally. The current trend is that it is a thin line between one party and the other. What matter most are the people – not the platforms. And this explains why the Constitution allows defections and political party mergers. In fact, if there was independent candi­dacy, Kalu would be in the forefront.
These boys also quoted the per­sonal opinion of my friend, Ochereome Nnanna, which contradicts Section 36 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) on freedom of association in morbid support of their ludicrous advertorial. No columnist has the right or freedom to challenge/question or misinterpret any part of the Constitution no matter the grounds or subject. The moment we allow this kind of subjective effrontery and journalistic rascality, the society be­comes irredeemably endangered, if not doomed. If anyone is disenchanted with the laws of the land, there are cumber­some constitutional methodologies for amendments and reviews. Nothing else is acceptable!
The anaemic and wrong-headed advertorial signed by one Jerry Og­bonna, State Youth Leader, makes this last odious submission in upper case: “AN ORJI UZOR KALU IN ABIA PDP WOULD (will, you mean?) INTRO­DUCE AN UNNECESSARY DIS­TRACTION INIMICAL TO THE SUC­CESS OF ANY SERIOUS POLITICAL PARTY DETERMINED TO WIN ELECTIONS AND OFFER QUALITY LEADERSHIP.”
As I pointed out in the preface, Kalu’s distraction is necessary and contributory to the expansive fortunes of the PDP, which he co-founded and on which platform he seeks to serve as a senator after two terms of better leadership as governor of Abia State.
At the risk of overemphasis, Kalu is the only political asset in Nigeria that is grossly misunderstood, most misman­aged, rabidly maligned, viciously mud-slung and ruthlessly misperceived to the hilt! His political sagacity, candour, clout, envious entrepreneurship, local famousness and international popular­ity have combined to be his antithesis where his jealous hypercritics tread vanishingly!
In rounding off, my gladness, always, is that Kalu incontrovertibly has more inestimable political (and economic) value than all his opponents in Abia State PDP put together! The national leadership of the party is conscious and cautious of this irrevocable fact and un­impeachable point! And the rich history of the party’s early beginnings is not lost on them, too – the momentariness of wilful recreations and disruptive emer­gence of transient power drunks, who satiate in pre-occupational blame-game and buck-passing, arising from incapac­ity and incompetency notwithstanding!

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Cross River: Why I want to succeed Imoke, by Jedy-Agba

Prince Goddy Jedy-Agba, who until his voluntary retire­ment in July this year, was the Group General Manager, Crude Oil Exploration at the NNPC, is the highest employer of labour in Cross River State via his Agro-based consortium – Godilogo Farms. In this interview with select journalists, Agba, one of the strong contenders for the 2015 governorship position in Cross River State, bared his mind on why he wants to govern the state.

In the past seven years, Governor Liyel Imoke has been doing a good job governing our state but come May 29, 2015, he will handover the baton of leadership as our con­stitution demands. I want to be the recipient of the baton. This is not a decision I took lightly, but one that I arrived at after a careful and per­sistent consideration as well as the need for a servant-leader, who places people over politics and service above all else. I took the decision to run for governor of our state on the platform of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) after a great deal of thought. I consulted widely with my family, friends and close political associ­ates in Cross River State and nationwide. I am running for governor because I believe I can add value to the governance of a state I love so much. My love for the state and its people knows no limit. I love the diversity, the can-do spirit, the communal life of neighbour-helping-neighbour of the people and I believe in what Cross River State can be. And my passion to serve compels me once again to stand for what is right for all Cross Riverians, to make Cross River State what it can be. I offer myself as a Cross Riverian, who is concerned about the widespread unemployment that is destroying the very fabric of our society.


What is your assessment of Liyel Imoke’s government so far?
I will say fantastic. Let me remind you that, in this democratic order, we started with the Donald Duke government and the Duke government could be described as a govern­ment that has laid that irreversible foundation for growth and development in Cross River State. What we have witnessed right now with the present governor is that he has been able to consolidate and actualize the dream of the foundation of that growth and development. He has not faltered or wavered. He has been someone focused on the goals of the party and he has delivered. No matter what anybody has to say, he has performed.
What can you say about the rumour that governor Imoke is not disposed to you succeeding him?
Well, thank God you said it’s a rumour. I don’t dwell on rumours; neither do I interact with rumour mongers. I will answer in this form. Most people don’t even know how to assess relationships. They assess it from what they hear from rumor merchants and political jobbers. My people have an idiomatic way of expressing it, they say teeth and tongue fight but they are always still together.Though it is impossible for humans to exist without con­flict, Governor Liyel and I do not have issues on any subject for that matter. Let us even look at the interest and future of our people and then situate our relationship within it. So, you mean if for whatever reasons, Governor Liyel does not just like my face, he will stop the good people of Cross River from benefitting from my wealth of experience?
No. Not the Liyel that I know.He is a perfect gentleman and a man of honour and as far as I know him, he knows what is good for our state and we enjoy a very cordial relationship.
What makes you think that you will make a better successor for Imoke?
My belief is that before our party can decide on a person that will carry the flag of the PDP, it would have been unanimously agreed that such a person is sound and competent enough to be the candidate. Beyond that, I bring cognate experience that is not shared by any other aspirant in Cross River. I believe strongly that the years that I have worked and the experience that I have shared with the top management staff at the NNPC gives me that competitive edge to be able to continue to drive the vision of Cross River State. If it is in terms of character, if it is in terms of capability, I possess all the good qualities that you can find in anybody that will want to become the governor of Cross River State. It’s more about the people and it has to be a people person. I know that’s where my strength is. A people person is one that can be a good caretaker of the resources of the people. That’s why I see myself as the best aspirant that you can muster right now.
What is your vision for the people of Cross River State?
Like most Cross Riverians, I dream of a Cross River where those who want to work will find appropriate jobs and those who want to set up businesses can do so without bother­ing about the infrastructure that will enable them to succeed. I dream of a Cross River where our youths can look at us with hope and we see them as worthy future leaders. I dream of a Cross River where our tomorrow will always be better than yesterday. I dream of a Cross River where, where you come from and the languages you speak do not matter. I dream of a Cross River where the interest of all is paramount and not those of the few. I dream of a Cross River where you do not have to know a big man before you get what you deserve. I dream of a Cross River of equal opportunity and no discrimination.
What is your greatest fear?
Fear? No. I have since conquered the fear of failure, which is the most common for most people. Only those who dare, stand the chance of climbing the ladder of success. I am not afraid of failure because I have used the strength of courage to succeed thus far and in this new calling, we are going to succeed. There are many of us in the race. We are all qualified. We are all good men and women who mean well for our state. But I can do a better job of transforming our state and taking it to the next level of development. I need the support of everyone in the party to make this happen. I also believe that my candidacy will ensure easy victory for our party in the governorship election and help our dear presi­dent, Dr. Goodluck Ebele Jonathan achieve a landslide victory in the presidential election with higher voter turnout in Cross River state than he achieved in 2011. The truth is that, I am ready to take up the unfinished business of building a Cross River state of our dream which began in 1999.

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‘Jonathan deserves another term

A group, Peoples Patriotic and Con­cerned Citizens of Nigeria (PPCCN) has expressed support for the second term ambition of President Goodluck Jonathan.

The Non-Governmental Organ­isation, which said it was concerned with good governance said its mandate is also to set the wheel in motion to ensure that the South-east would produce the president in 2019. The group further said it was convinced that the immediate past governor of Anambra State, Mr. Peter Obi is the best man for the job come 2019.
In a recent chat with Daily Sun, president of the group, Chief Josiah Olumba, reeled out Jonathan’s achievements and insisted that he deserved another opportunity.
Do you think the present crop of leaders have fared well?
We are concerned with good gov­ernance. Our organization is not a political party. It is a kind of pressure group that has been in existence for decades now. Like I said, our prior­ity is on good governance. We are all concerned that during any political dispensation, only the best candidate is produced.
Often, we saddle ourselves in appealing to the electorate not to sell their consciences. To be critical and at the same time, be objective in their choice of candidacy for any political office. This is absolutely important. It is pertinent that they know the background of those whom they throw their votes to. This is absolutely possible because the politicians do not fall from the sky.
They are one of us. They live among us. Their people know them, know what they have been into or what they are into. Their integrity should speak for them.
Then, for the returning politi­cians, onus lies on the electorates to assess how well a local government Chairman faired in bringing good governance to their doorstep. The LG is the government closest to the people. And so, they should feel the pulse of the people in terms of their basic needs. And then, the people will in turn, feel their impact in de­riving the gains of voting in a leader.
The electorates should not shy away from this duty because they have the mandate in their hands. And so, the power is ours to elect a candidate of our choice. And this is what a lot of Nigerians do not know. We as a group, take time to scrutinize people who have been there. We assess what each politician was able to achieve while in office, to what extent he or she was able to positively transform the lives of those who voted him in; So that we work towards returning such a candidate to office or ensure he or she goes back to the roots.
This is why we are so much interested and often advised that everyone knows the antecedents of those who come out canvassing their votes. We are citizens of this country; we’re concerned over good things coming in. when good things come in, the lives of the citizens change for the better. So, this is our utmost goal and concern.
What are your expectations for 2015?
This forms the basis for which we believe that President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan is the best President we have ever had. And for some time to come, there may be none to equal his achievements. He has done well in the area of providing infrastructure. He has achieved so much in ensuring there are good motorable roads in almost every part of the country. In terms of power, he has done what successive adminis­trations could not achieve.
We are all witnesses to the fact that the very teething area of energy, Jonathan has scored high. It is on record that Nigeria and Nigerians have witnessed stability in the ever nagging matters affecting petrol. Not only has the country under President Jonathan witnessed peace and stability in fuel supply, prices of petroleum products have been equally stable.
In the North, even though those who vowed with their lives have been bent on frustrating Jonathan’s good governance, he is still achiev­ing milestones there. His govern­ment has greatly enhanced infra­structure and other social amenities there in the North. Electricity has been improved; Al-majiri schools have been provided in every nooks and cranny in the North.
Even in the face of the insurgence, the Jonathan government is not rest­ing in its oars at ensuring that stan­dard of schooling in the whole of the northern states are sustained. We can see how through the ministry of Finance, he has continued to pump money into the insurgence-raved schools in the North to ensure that students remained in school.
How well can you say Jona­than has fared in the wake of the insecurity in some parts of the country?
I’m happy he has not allowed the insecurity situation in the North to distract him. But, what we know is that the security challenges there is political. We can see that such is not happening in other regions. And the leaders there are not saying or doing anything to end the problem. They are not interested in ending the crisis as was the case in parts of the South. For instance, when kidnap­pers reigned supreme in Anambra, the people went and demolished the house of the kidnappers.
In Anambra, the government of T. A. Orji did not condone the assaults from the likes of Osisikankwu. In the South-South, the oil militants in that region were not spared. The Northern elders there are not showing enough concern over the insurgency in the North. So, terror­ism has thrived in the North because some certain elements are hell-bent that power returns to the North. But they fail to sthat power is of the Almighty God.
In the South East, he is working very hard to ensure that the Igbo race is not left out in the scheme of things. This has been the case with past governments. But President Jonathan has turned the whole thing around. If you have travelled on the Lagos-Ore-Benin expressway. You will better appreciate his govern­ment.
The second Niger Bridge is on now. In Anambra and Imo, he has completed the Onitsha-Owerri road which Obasanjo abandoned during his tenure. The road runs from Up­per Iweka in Anambra State to Ow­erri in Imo State. It’s a dual carriage way. Likewise, the one in Enugu is going on. His policies have greatly boosted agriculture. And the nation is gradually becoming self-sufficient in food production.
In fact, the President has done enough that qualifies him to contest in 2015. We can’t ask for more. And I’m happy that he is being endorsed by all. This is the desire of Peoples Patriotic and Concerned Citizens of Nigeria. And we pray to God to assist him; help him to achieve all what he wants to achieve before leaving office. Jonathan is the best President Nigeria has ever had.
He is highly patient. In terms of endurance, you can criticize him, you can condemn him; even, you can say anything against him or about him; he will keep quiet. I think this is why in spite of insurgency in the North, he has remained focused. And he has been the most tolerant of opposition parties. He is practicing real democracy. So we must give him support in everything he is doing to make sure he succeeds. He has already succeeded.
The reality of an Igbo President, how soon do you foresee it?
Obi has done well. He did well and excelled as the Governor of Anambra State. To qualify him with what he did in Anambra State is to simply say that he is an achiever. In fact, with his achievements as governor, he is the man standing tall to be the next president in 2019. His own development while in office did not just end in the townships. He went into the villages to develop and improve the lives of the people.
We have resolved that while working towards the re-election of Mr. President, we should also, work towards ensuring the actualization of the dream of the emergence of an Igbo President come 2019.
To this end, we have decided and have gotten plans in top gear to seek audience with Obi in no distant future. We have no doubt that he will gladly welcome the visit and our request. We as a group have got our acts together to go get him to schedule a meeting to this effect. PPCCN is very hopeful that we will get him to consent to our request to be the Igbo President who Jonathan will hand over to. It is a demand that we are making.

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Abia 2015: I won’t dump PDP –Wogu

Two governorship aspirants yesterday gave varied reac­tions to the ward congresses conducted in their respective states last weekend.

While former Minister of Labour and Productivity, and Abia State governorship as­pirant on Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) platform, Emeka Wogu expressed reservations over the ward congresses conducted in the state, the erstwhile Secretary to Akwa Ibom State Government and governorship aspirant, Udom Emmanuel, stated that the ex­ercise was transparent in his state.
Wogu, who spoke with newsmen shortly after sub­mitting his nomination form, however expressed confidence that the appeal panel consti­tuted by the party’s national working committee would dispassionately address issues raised by aggrieved aspirants in their individual petitions. He assured his supporters and party leaders that he would not dump the party.

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Security operatives whisk away ex-IPMAN deputy president

Security operatives in Abia State yes­terday invaded Michael Okpara Auditorium, venue of the third edition of Media Summit of Nigerian Union of Journalists, South- East Zone in Umuahia and whisked away a man, whose presence, they al­leged could cause breach of peace in the state.

The man, who was later identified as Elder Chinedu Okoronkwo, a former deputy national chairman of Indepen­dent Petroleum Marketers As­sociation of Nigeria (IPMAN) was among those selected for recognition by the union.
Following his arrest, the union suspended the pro­posed honours award on Elder Okoronkwo to avert break­down of law and order that had become imminent at the venue.
Checks revealed that Okoronkwo’s arrest was due to series of petitions written by the National Executive Committee of IPMAN and other Nigerians, who felt that his recognition by NUJ would amount to legitimising his claim as the national president of the association, when there was a court judgement against him to that effect.
The Chief of Staff to IP­MAN president, Chief Chin­edu Ukadike, praised the organisers of the summit for suspending the proposed award on Okoronkwo.

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Revolt: Jonathan, PDP extend olive branch, meet senators

Less than 24 hours after Senators on the platform of the Peoples Democrat­ic Party (PDP) threatened to shut down the economy and commence impeachment proceedings against Presi­dent Goodluck Jonathan, the party has called for a truce.

Checks by Daily Sun re­vealed that Jonathan called for a meeting with the PDP Senate caucus at the Presidential villa tonight. National Chairman of the PDP, Adamu Mu’azu, is expected to lead the party’s National Working Committee (NWC) to the meeting.
But a ranking Senator privy to the meeting said, “the meeting would only hold if the President returns to the country today (Tuesday). You know he’s away to Burkina Faso.”
The source said that as part of the rapprochement, some Senators would ask “for a cancellation of last Saturday’s PDP ward congresses, espe­cially where there are genuine complaints.”
It was also gathered that another olive branch from the Presidency is the payment of some of the senators’ allow­ances.
They’ve admitted that it was impossible to pay the quarterly allowance in full this time around,” a senator said.
Meanwhile, for the sec­ond day running, Senators convened at plenary and ad­journed after less than 20 min­utes in the chamber.
Before then, in his opening remarks yesterday’s plenary, Senate President, David Mark stated that as the chairman of the National Assembly, he could not pretend that all was well with the legislature, and promised to mediate in the crisis. “We are not to interfere in the internal affairs of each house.
“However, as chairman of the National Assembly, I can­not fold my arms or pretend that all is well about the cur­rent crisis.
“I am, therefore, going to do all I can to resolve the cur­rent impasse. Furthermore, the matter is already in a court of law; we cannot, therefore, discuss the issues here.
“I want to assure all of you that I will do the needful to protect and defend the legisla­ture at all costs,” he said.

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Ogun proposes N190bn budget for 2015

The Ogun State Gov­ernment yesterday said it would propose a N190 billion appro­priation bill for the 2015 fis­cal year.

The government said the amount proposed in the appro­priation bill for next year was a bit lesser than the N210 bil­lion budgeted for the current (2014) year due to a decline in federal allocation to the state.
The state Commissioner for Budget and Planning, Mrs. Oluwande Muoyo disclosed this in Abeokuta during the state’s Treasury Board meet­ing on the 2015 Budget.
Giving a breakdown of the proposed N190billion ap­propriation bill, Muoyo said N82.6 billion would be ex­pected to come from Internal­ly Generated Revenue(IGR) while N40 billion would come from federal allocation.
The commissioner further explained that while educa­tion would gulp 22 per cent of the budget, the health and agriculture sectors would be allocated 10 and five per cent, respectively.
Governor Ibikunle Amo­sun, in his speech on the oc­casion said his administration regarded education and health as social services, warning that these two key sectors should not be pressurised by anyone to generate income or make profit.
The governor however, noted that due to the hardship most states in the federation had been experiencing, espe­cially regarding how to meet their respective financial ob­ligations, the various minis­tries should be creative and work hard in their IGR drive so that workers’ salaries could be paid regularly.
He stated that the state was almost being run with income generated internally, adding that this situation had neces­sitated an improvement in its IGR-base so that it would not always have to wait for federal allocation before paying sala­ries or meeting other financial obligations.

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Revenge: 14-year-old jilted wife dumps ex-husband’s brother inside well

A 14-year-old jilted housewife, Nafida, has been arrested in Kano for the murder of the younger brother of her ex-husband, whom she allegedly threw inside a deep well.

Sources close to the police revealed that the case of culpable homicide taken over by the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) of the police, occurred last week in Dawanau, in Dawakin Tofa Local Government Area of the state
Daily Sun leant that the accused abducted the unsuspecting 10-year-old boy from Dawanau and took him to Dambatta from where she committed the dastardly act.
It was gathered that having accomplished her revenge mission, she used the phone of a friend to put a call to her former mother in- law, intimating her that she would never get back her son.
Nafida, said a source, had since confessed that she killed the boy as a pay back to her ex mother- in- law for encouraging her son to divorce her.
Police Public Relations Officer, A. S. P Magaji Majiya, told Daily Sun that upon the receipt of the case, the police immediately commenced investigation and traced the owner of the phone, who in turn led the police to the accused person:
“When the police from Dawaki Tofa Division, who were investigating the crime arrived Dambatta, they discovered that the members of the Dambatta community had previously briefed the ward head of the discovery of a strange corpse, who himself had reported the matter to the police station there.
“The police had taken the corpse to the morgue by this time and when the family was called upon to identify the corpse in the hospital, they found the mystery corpse to be that of the missing 10-year-old boy.”
Majiya confirmed that police investigation was ongoing, adding that the case would soon be charged to court by the police.

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PDP logo: Journalist demands N50m

The reporter, who gave the Peoples Demo­cratic Party (PDP) the umbrella as its sym­bol, Gboyega Amobonye, has demanded a copyright fee of N50million from the party, payable from its recent wind­fall of N3billion collected from political office seekers.

In a press statement, Gboye­ga Amobonye congratulated the party for realising the money but urged its leadership to use the opportunity to compensate him for his intellectual prop­erty which has been working wonders since its trial with the local government elections of December 5, 1998, as well as the governorship and state leg­islature elections of January 9, 1999, all of which were swept by the party.
He recalled that the first chairman of the PDP, the late Chief Solomon Lar, had, shortly after the three elections, commended him for providing the winning symbol, explaining that, “apart from being a shel­ter, an umbrella is a symbol of authority in the North.”
The veteran journalist, who had been calling for compen­sation by the party since 1998, said he had, in an open letter to President Goodluck Jonathan, published by The Sun on Sep­tember 15, 2014 appealed to  him to intervene as the leader of the PDP and father of the na­tion. Amobonye, a former Po­litical Editor with the defunct Concord Press Ltd, stated that he had on April 14, 2014, writ­ten a similar letter to the incum­bent National Chairman, Alhaji Adamu Mu’azu. He recalled an interview with a former Senate President, the late Dr. Chuba Okadigbo, published by Thisday on December 15, 2002 where he disclosed that the sym­bol of umbrella was given to the PDP by him (Amobonye).
Late Okadigbo was quoted to have said, “… the name, PDP, was suggested by me at the MU­SON Centre in Lagos, including the symbol. There was a certain Yoruba guy in the Concord, who wrote me a letter, which has this symbol of umbrella; I thought it was interesting, so, I read it out and it was adopted.”

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Boko Haram: Oritsejafor explodes

Miffed by continu­ous killing of Christians in the North East and the daring attacks launched by Boko Haram, the Presi­dent of the Christian As­sociation of Nigeria (CAN), Pastor Ayo Oritsejafor, yes­terday, warned that enough is enough.

Pastor Oritsejafor, who spoke extensively in Abuja during the National Executive Council meeting of CAN, said territories that had fallen under the control of Boko Haram, were predominantly populated by Christians. He emphasised that Christians were no longer safe in that part of the troubled country.
The CAN president re-echoed his earlier stance that Boko Haram was waging a religious war against Chris­tians. According to the fierce preacher, who has consistently been at the front-line in criti­cising the activities of Boko Haram, said the carnage in the North-East was unacceptable.
He said: “What is happen­ing in the North-East is unac­ceptable to us. Christians are the main victims. We are not saying that other people are not affected, but Christians are the ones affected more. All the places where Boko Haram has foisted their flags are domi­nated by Christians.
“They have taken over Mubi in Adamawa State, which is dominated by Chris­tians.
“Somebody will now tell me this is not religion. Who is fooling whom? Nigerians should accept that we have a problem.”

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2 abducted, houses razed, scores injured, as gunmen invade community

Suspected gunmen num­bering over 10 from Ko­ro-Koro community in Tai Local Government Area of Rivers State, yesterday, invaded Afam Ukwu communi­ty in Oyigbo Local Government Area, kidnapped two persons and burnt down buildings.

Daily Sun gathered that in the mayhem, scores of persons were macheted by the invaders, who stormed the community in the wee hours of yesterday.
Four buildings, including a church, were reportedly burnt down by the hoodlums.
A source said that the gunmen suspected to be on a reprisal, shot sporadically, attacked villagers be­fore setting houses ablaze.
According to the source, trouble started when a native of Tai claimed that he was assaulted in his farm by a native of Afam Ukwu, who re­ported the incident to his brother:
“This notorious cultist mobil­ised his group and invaded the community. They ransacked the community shooting sporadically. Many people sustained bullet and machete injuries.
“They burnt down four houses including a church, and abducted two persons. As I speak, the entire community is in disarray”.
He added that police had taken over the community, as residents lived in fear.
Chairman, Oyigbo LGA, Mr. David Onyegorom, who confirmed the incident said the residents of the community woke up to a sporadic shooting from their neighbouring Koro-Koro community.
He said the bandits destroyed four houses and injured many people, adding that those who sus­tained injuries had been taken to hospital for treatment. Also, he said security operatives had come in to restore normalcy.
Onyegorom said the invasion of the community was as a result of a minor dispute that could have been resolved peacefully.
Similarly, Chairman of Tai LGA, Monday Belli, was reported to have confirmed that the gunmen came from a community in his council.
Spokesperson of the state Police Command, Ahmad Muhammad, a Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP), confirmed the report. He said police responded immediately they got wind of the attack to re­store peace and order.

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Women more reliable in politics –Obasanjo

Former President Olusegun Obasanjo yesterday said wom­en in politics are more reliable than their male counterparts, hence they should be given more positions of authority to en­sure the nation’s growth.

Obasanjo made the observa­tion while receiving the leader­ship of Nigeria Association of Women Journalists (NAWOJ) in his hilltop residence in Abeokuta, Ogun State.
The women were there to present the association’s “Fa­ther of the Nation” award to Chief Obasanjo.
The former President said: “In politics, women are more reliable than men. When a woman says she’s with you, you can really take it that she is with you, but if a man tells you he is with you and you catch him in another meeting, he will tell you it is politics, it should not be so.
“When a politician’s words cannot be believed, then you are turning politics into anoth­er thing. A politician must be a man or woman of honour, that believes in morality.”
Obasanjo emphasized the need to play politics with de­cency, dignity and honour. He added that one of the best jour­nalists that ever served him was a woman, referring to the late Mrs Oluremi Oyo.

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Gov. Fashola Declares November 7th Work Free Day in Lagos for PVC Collection

Governor Babatunde Fashola of Lagos State on Wednesday declared November 7th as work free day for public servants in the state to enable them to collect their Permanent Voter Cards (PVC).

Fashola, in a state broadcast, said that: “November 7th shall be a work free day in order to enable workers to carry out this civic duty and exercise their civic rights”.

He appealed to residents to seize the opportunity to ensure they collect their PVCs and register at a polling unit close to their homes.

NAN reports that the collection of PVCs will begin in Lagos on Friday and will end on November 9th, while fresh registration will take place from November 13th to November 17th.

The governor also urged employers of labour in the state to be flexible and accommodating to allow workers to close early on Friday.

“It is all for our collective good,” he said.

Fashola also advised residents of 18 years and above to take advantage of INEC’s issuance of PVC in Lagos.

He said the collection of PVCs meant that the process for elections had started.

“Yes, election is a process, starting from voter’s registration to balloting, to announcement of results and to elections petitions and swearing-in of elected persons.

 “So, for the avoidance of any doubt, elections have started.

 “In order for our democracy to be truly representative, it must be participatory, which means that everybody who is 18 years old from today is eligible to vote in the next elections.

“However, participation imposes a duty on all of us, if we must have a say in the elections.

“The first duty is to register as a voter to be eligible to vote on balloting day next year.

“This is the time when we must take that civic duty very seriously by making the sacrifice by finding the time, by making the efforts to ensure that our names are still on the voters’ register”.

Fashola, however, decried the shortfall of about 1.5 million in the number of voters recorded for the state by INEC.

He said that this was an attempt by the electoral body to disenfranchise about 1.5 million voters, describing the action as strange.

The governor demanded an explanation from INEC on the reason about 6.3 million registered voters recorded for Lagos during 2011 elections could be reduced to 4.8 million names.

“This is strange; it is surprising and I believe INEC owes the people of Lagos State a lot of answers and very quickly too,” he said.

Leke Pitan, a former Commissioner for Health in Lagos, urged Lagos residents to troop out en-mass to collect their cards.

Pitan, who is also a governorship aspirant on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC), made the plea in a statement signed by his Press Secretary, Afolayan Adebiyi.

He urged them to avail themselves of the opportunity provided by INEC to exercise their franchise.

‘‘Your destiny lies in your hand and this time around, your voter’s card is your destiny.

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Ebola: Thousands in Sierra Leone Break Quarantine to Look for Food

International relief agencies have revealed that thousands of people in Sierra Leone are breaking Ebola quarantine to search for food, as aid deliveries have not been able to reach them.

To contain the spread of Ebola in the country, public health authorities have imposed restrictions on movement. However, this measure is affecting the transportation of food. As a result, food is becoming scarce, leading prices to increase exponentially to the extent that ordinary people are unable to afford it, Al Jazeera reports.

An aid worker stated that “…because services are not reaching quarantined neighborhoods, people who are being monitored for signs of Ebola — and should be staying at home — are venturing out to markets to look for food, potentially contaminating many others.”

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Photos: Navy Seal who killed Osama Bin Laden revealed

UK Daily Mail has revealed the identity of the Navy Seal who shot terror chief Osama bin Laden dead in the special force's most famous operation at Abbottobad, in Pakistan, on 2 May 2011. His name is Rob O'Neill, 38, (pictured above), a highly-decorated veteran who quit after 16 yrs service. 

O'Neil waived his anonymity recently and agreed to sit down with Fox News later this month to talk about his life and that operation that finally brought some peace to America and its allies.

 

In an exclusive interview with MailOnline Rob's father, Tom O'Neill, said he's not afraid that his son has gone public "People are asking if we are worried that ISIS will come and get us because Rob is going public. I say I'll paint a big target on my front door and say come and get us.'

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EFCC recovers $11billion stolen funds in 11 years

Since the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission,  EFCC came into existence in 2003, a total of 11 billion dollars has been recovered. 

This was disclosed by the Head of Media and Publicity of the EFCC, Mr. Wilson Uwujaren yesterday. He also said that the commission handled many cases involving advanced fee fraud (419), money laundering, contract scam, internet fraud and has recorded over 100 convictions.

 

The EFCC Spokesman made the comment while speaking at the Forum of Spokespersons of Security and Response Agencies organised by the I-Nigeria Initiative led by Mrs. Ada Apiaffi, in Abuja yesterday, November 5th.

He said; 

“As most of you are aware, the commission has the statutory responsibility for the investigation of all economic and financial crime. In the last eleven years we have been in operation, we have handled thousands of cases in these areas and I want to report that we have recorded over 100 convictions  as a result of our investigations. In terms of assets recovery, we have recovered assets of well over $11bn in 11 years and I think that is a record.” 

Mr Uwujaren said the EFCC had also created a new unit known as Combined Inter Agency Task Force section which will be responsible for  harnessing the potentials of international law enforcement partnership for the benefit of the commission and the nation at large.

He stated that the EFCC’s relationship with international law enforcement organisations and development partners trust the commission’s activities and this has resulted in a boost.

The EFCC Spokesman mentioned that the commission had not dropped the case against the impeached Governor of Adamawa State, Murtala Nyako; that investigation is still ongoing.

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Africa's Young Entrepreneurs & international investors to support & fund young Nigerian entrepreneurs

Are you a young entrepreneur? Are you between the ages of 18-45? Do you require smart business skills training? Does your business require funding? Do you lack capital to start your business?

Or do you have what it takes to move Africa forward?Africa¹s Young Entrepreneurs brings you, Nigeria Empowerment 2014. An initiative designed to develop young entrepreneurs in Nigeria. 

 

This programme is dedicated to identifying and empowering the next generation of Nigerian entrepreneurs who will shape their country¹s economic and political landscape.

 

 Our goal is to enhance a culture of self-reliance and job creation within the Nigerian economy.
Becoming a participant in this programme is your best opportunity to further your business and kick start your business idea. 
.All participants will also benefit from an opportunity to be placed on our Web Business Campaign (WBC), an online platform to showcase your business to thousands of investors across the globe. 
.All participants will receive a free business skills training and mentoring by A.Y.E which will include business plan and proposal coaching. 

 

.All participants will get a free webinar session with one of America's finest social media expert (Mandi Susman). 
.A.Y.E to solicit on behalf of every participant requiring international business expansion through their respective embassies 
.Free Associate membership for all attendees. 

.All participant will receive the A.Y.E business recognition certificate which will serve as endorsement to enhance and facilitate intra-trade amongst other members. 
.Free website for all participant to showcase their business or ideas to millions of web audience 
.Selected entrepreneurs will be granted funds to start up or boost their businesses 
 .And most of the innovative and viable business ideas will benefit from an all-expense paid trip to Ottawa Canada on a two-weeks business skills training programme.

 

 

 Registration is open from the 1st of September and closes on the 17th of
November 2014. Auditon will hold at the Lagos country club G.R.A ikeja Lagos
state from the 24th to the 29th of November 2014 from 8am - 5pm.

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Official photos from comedian Maleke's wedding

Comedian and Senior Special Adviser on Entertainment Matters to Edo State governor, Maleke Moye Idowu married the love of his life Cynthia on Saturday November 1st in Benin. Top entertainers like Daddy Showkey, Faze, I Go Die, I Go Save, Buchi, Gordons, Ogus Baba, Xaint Patrik, and many others were at the wedding. Edo state governor, Adams Oshiomhole  and other Edo state government dignitaries were also at the wedding. See photos after the cut...

 

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