Twelve persons, on Wednesday morning, died in an accident that occurred at the Benin bypass on the Benin-Sapele expressway.
The accident was said to have occurred when an articulated vehicle with the number plate XA 905 BBJ rammed into a Volkswagen car marked FUG 833 AA and a Toyota Hiace bus marked BEN 621 YY.
Corpses littered the road as motorists and sympathisers made efforts to rescue sone victims who were trapped in the car and the bus.
Some of the victims were said to have died either on their way to the hospital or minutes after their arrival at the hospital.
The accident was confirmed by the Edo State Sector Commander of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Mr. Oluwasusi Familoni.
He, however, said that eight people died in the accident
He added that the injured victims of the accident were first rushed to a private hospital in Benin, while the bodies of the dead were taken to a morgue.
Wednesday, 20 January 2016
A Dozen Life Lost As Trailer Rams Into Vehicle In Edo, Nigeria - Oscarnaija.
A Dozen Life Lost As Trailer Rams Into Vehicle In Edo, Nigeria - Oscarnaija.
Twelve persons, on Wednesday morning, died in an accident that occurred at the Benin bypass on the Benin-Sapele expressway.
The accident was said to have occurred when an articulated vehicle with the number plate XA 905 BBJ rammed into a Volkswagen car marked FUG 833 AA and a Toyota Hiace bus marked BEN 621 YY.
Corpses littered the road as motorists and sympathisers made efforts to rescue sone victims who were trapped in the car and the bus.
Some of the victims were said to have died either on their way to the hospital or minutes after their arrival at the hospital.
The accident was confirmed by the Edo State Sector Commander of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Mr. Oluwasusi Familoni.
He, however, said that eight people died in the accident
He added that the injured victims of the accident were first rushed to a private hospital in Benin, while the bodies of the dead were taken to a morgue.
Twelve persons, on Wednesday morning, died in an accident that occurred at the Benin bypass on the Benin-Sapele expressway.
The accident was said to have occurred when an articulated vehicle with the number plate XA 905 BBJ rammed into a Volkswagen car marked FUG 833 AA and a Toyota Hiace bus marked BEN 621 YY.
Corpses littered the road as motorists and sympathisers made efforts to rescue sone victims who were trapped in the car and the bus.
Some of the victims were said to have died either on their way to the hospital or minutes after their arrival at the hospital.
The accident was confirmed by the Edo State Sector Commander of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Mr. Oluwasusi Familoni.
He, however, said that eight people died in the accident
He added that the injured victims of the accident were first rushed to a private hospital in Benin, while the bodies of the dead were taken to a morgue.
Social Media Impacted Positively On Our Operations In 2015 – FRSC Boss, Oyeyemi - Oscarnaija.
Social Media Impacted Positively On Our Operations In 2015 – FRSC Boss, oyeyemi
Social Media Impacted Positively On Our Operations In 2015 – FRSC Boss, oyeyemi
The Corps Marshal of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) Boboye Oyeyemi has announced the agenda for the FRSC’s 2016 operational activities, saying 2015 was quite eventful and the Corps was determined to sustain the tempo of its activities in the new year. He made this known today while speaking at the press conference for the review of the special end of year operations organised by the FRSC and agenda for this year.
According to him, in a press release by Bisi Kazeem, Head, Media Relations and Strategy, FRSC, the 2015 special end of year operations which led to massive deployment of FRSC’s operational logistics and personnel at the various identified black spots witnessed huge vehicular movements, but regretted the increased fatalities recorded as compared to previous years, saying this called for urgent review of the Corps’ operational strategies for the yuletide operations in the commitment to make the roads safer in the new year.
.
Oyeyemi noted with satisfaction the increase in the number of callers to the FRSC through its toll-free number 122, stating that an average of about 31 road traffic related interactions were made within the period. This he said, was 11% higher in the previous exercise, adding that Instagram, Twitter and facebook recorded increases of 9%, 19% and 31%. “It is equally significant to note that the Social Media was significantly active during the operations,” he stated.
“It was observed that of all interactions, 77% were from citizens of between the ages of 19 and 49,” he added.
The Corps Marshal further noted that the improved interaction that the Corps had with members of the public, particularly the youths and middle aged was a welcome development that shows increasing level of ownership of road safety by all. “It also shows a veritable window through which the Corps will continue to leverage on its activities in continuously achieving its goals,” he further stated..
On the use of Mobile Court during the operations, the Corps Marshal disclosed that a total of 2,257 offenders were arraigned, while 2,025 of them, representing 89.7% were given different convictions with 7 of the offenders representing 0.3% serving prison terms, while 225 representing 10% were discharged. “The Mobile Court activities showed that number of people arraigned increased by 4%, while convictions with option of fines also increased by 2.5% and imprisonment level rose by 85.7%, over the records of 2014,” Oyeyemi stated.
While recognising the achievements made by the Corps in the operations, the Corps Marshal attributed the success recorded within the period to the general commitment of the relevant stakeholders including members of the security agencies particularly, the Nigerian Air Force which made its Helicopter available for aerial surveillance operations. Oyeyemi listed the 2016 strategic goals of the FRSC to include Improved fleet operations and sustainable stakeholders’ consultation; Collaboration with states on improved road safety administration and Improved enforcement and public education.
“At this juncture, let me appreciate all our stakeholders for standing firmly with us in the campaigns to make the roads safer,” he further stated.
Operation Sanity: Driving Safely into 2016,” which was the theme of the 2015 special end of year operations by the FRSC was flagged off by Governor Willie Obiano of Anambra state on 18 September 2016 at Onitsha, Anambra state.
Social Media Impacted Positively On Our Operations In 2015 – FRSC Boss, oyeyemi
The Corps Marshal of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) Boboye Oyeyemi has announced the agenda for the FRSC’s 2016 operational activities, saying 2015 was quite eventful and the Corps was determined to sustain the tempo of its activities in the new year. He made this known today while speaking at the press conference for the review of the special end of year operations organised by the FRSC and agenda for this year.
According to him, in a press release by Bisi Kazeem, Head, Media Relations and Strategy, FRSC, the 2015 special end of year operations which led to massive deployment of FRSC’s operational logistics and personnel at the various identified black spots witnessed huge vehicular movements, but regretted the increased fatalities recorded as compared to previous years, saying this called for urgent review of the Corps’ operational strategies for the yuletide operations in the commitment to make the roads safer in the new year.
.
Oyeyemi noted with satisfaction the increase in the number of callers to the FRSC through its toll-free number 122, stating that an average of about 31 road traffic related interactions were made within the period. This he said, was 11% higher in the previous exercise, adding that Instagram, Twitter and facebook recorded increases of 9%, 19% and 31%. “It is equally significant to note that the Social Media was significantly active during the operations,” he stated.
“It was observed that of all interactions, 77% were from citizens of between the ages of 19 and 49,” he added.
The Corps Marshal further noted that the improved interaction that the Corps had with members of the public, particularly the youths and middle aged was a welcome development that shows increasing level of ownership of road safety by all. “It also shows a veritable window through which the Corps will continue to leverage on its activities in continuously achieving its goals,” he further stated..
On the use of Mobile Court during the operations, the Corps Marshal disclosed that a total of 2,257 offenders were arraigned, while 2,025 of them, representing 89.7% were given different convictions with 7 of the offenders representing 0.3% serving prison terms, while 225 representing 10% were discharged. “The Mobile Court activities showed that number of people arraigned increased by 4%, while convictions with option of fines also increased by 2.5% and imprisonment level rose by 85.7%, over the records of 2014,” Oyeyemi stated.
While recognising the achievements made by the Corps in the operations, the Corps Marshal attributed the success recorded within the period to the general commitment of the relevant stakeholders including members of the security agencies particularly, the Nigerian Air Force which made its Helicopter available for aerial surveillance operations. Oyeyemi listed the 2016 strategic goals of the FRSC to include Improved fleet operations and sustainable stakeholders’ consultation; Collaboration with states on improved road safety administration and Improved enforcement and public education.
“At this juncture, let me appreciate all our stakeholders for standing firmly with us in the campaigns to make the roads safer,” he further stated.
Operation Sanity: Driving Safely into 2016,” which was the theme of the 2015 special end of year operations by the FRSC was flagged off by Governor Willie Obiano of Anambra state on 18 September 2016 at Onitsha, Anambra state.
Popular Meat Market in Ebonyi State Razed By Fire – Photos - Oscarnaija
Popular Meat Market in Ebonyi State Razed By Fire – Photos.
Property worth Millions of Naira in the late hours of Wednesday were destroyed as fire razed some shops at the popular meat market Abakaliki Ebonyi state.
However, the cause of the fire outbreak and reports on damages are yet to be known , Photos below.
Ebonyi People’s Comments On Social Media About the Tragedy.
What a sad night for some traders in Abakaliki Ebonyi state…
Heavy fire outbreak in d major market….[meat market..)…..so painful. – Angela Ijeoma Asaga
Abakaliki in Ebonyi state,Abakaliki Meat market is on fire this night, God help us oh,am very very sad because people things has damage, – Florence Aniedi
Am very sad now,part of Ebonyi state meat market is on fire so many things are damage,@Ai Abakaliki city – Florence Aniedi
Property worth Millions of Naira in the late hours of Wednesday were destroyed as fire razed some shops at the popular meat market Abakaliki Ebonyi state.
However, the cause of the fire outbreak and reports on damages are yet to be known , Photos below.
Ebonyi People’s Comments On Social Media About the Tragedy.
What a sad night for some traders in Abakaliki Ebonyi state…
Heavy fire outbreak in d major market….[meat market..)…..so painful. – Angela Ijeoma Asaga
Abakaliki in Ebonyi state,Abakaliki Meat market is on fire this night, God help us oh,am very very sad because people things has damage, – Florence Aniedi
Am very sad now,part of Ebonyi state meat market is on fire so many things are damage,@Ai Abakaliki city – Florence Aniedi
Famous Trekker Abubakar Duduwale Visits Governor Of Bauchi State – Photos Famous Trekker Abubakar Duduwale Visits Governor Of Bauchi State - Photos 3
Famous Trekker Abubakar Duduwale Visits Governor Of Bauchi State – Photos
Governor MA Abubakar of Bauchi State who was represented by the Chief of Staff Government House, Bauchi Arc. Audu Sule Katagum today received the famous trekker Mr Abubakar Duduwale.
Mr Duduwale, who hails from Ganye Adamawa State, started trekking from his hometown and is on his way to Lagos when he paid a visit to the Governor. He stated that the main aim of his trek is to spread world peace. He also stated that his trek will not end in Lagos as he intends to go beyond Nigerian borders.
In his remark, Arc Audu Sule Katagum expressed his support for Mr Duduwale and also prayed for him.
Dangote , Bill Gates , Nasir El-Rufai And Others At Routine Immunization Meeting – Photos - OscarNaija
Dangote , Bill Gates , Nasir El-Rufai And Others At Routine Immunization Meeting – Photos
The founder of Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, Mr Bill and Ms Melinda Gates and that of Dangote Foundation, Alhaji Aliko Dangote have commended the Bauchi State Government for its provision of 16 percent allocation to the health sector in the 2016 budget, above what was agreed on in the Abuja Declaration 2001.
The State got this commendation Wednesday in Kaduna while reviewing the 2015 routine immunisation exercises in Bauchi and Kano states and the extension of the programme by another one year.
Narrating the People in the Photos:
His Excellency the Governor of Kaduna State Malam Nasir El-Rufai host Bill Gates, Aliko Dangode, US Ambassador to Nigeria, Governors of Borno, Yobe, Sokoto, Kano and Bauchi State, Minister of State; Health, Sultan of Sokoto, Emir of Kano, Shehu of Borno, Emir of Dass, representative of Emir of Zazzau, Mai Damaturu, Commissioners of Health from Kano, Bauchi, Sokoto, Borno and Yobe State, other important donor agencies and development partners at Kaduna State Government House for official signing of an MoU between Kaduna State Government, Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation and Dangote Foundation on Routine Immunization.
The founder of Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, Mr Bill and Ms Melinda Gates and that of Dangote Foundation, Alhaji Aliko Dangote have commended the Bauchi State Government for its provision of 16 percent allocation to the health sector in the 2016 budget, above what was agreed on in the Abuja Declaration 2001.
The State got this commendation Wednesday in Kaduna while reviewing the 2015 routine immunisation exercises in Bauchi and Kano states and the extension of the programme by another one year.
Narrating the People in the Photos:
His Excellency the Governor of Kaduna State Malam Nasir El-Rufai host Bill Gates, Aliko Dangode, US Ambassador to Nigeria, Governors of Borno, Yobe, Sokoto, Kano and Bauchi State, Minister of State; Health, Sultan of Sokoto, Emir of Kano, Shehu of Borno, Emir of Dass, representative of Emir of Zazzau, Mai Damaturu, Commissioners of Health from Kano, Bauchi, Sokoto, Borno and Yobe State, other important donor agencies and development partners at Kaduna State Government House for official signing of an MoU between Kaduna State Government, Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation and Dangote Foundation on Routine Immunization.
Rotimi Amaechi Pictured With Qin Jian Of China, during his courtesy visit – Today
Rotimi Amaechi Pictured With Qin Jian Of China, during his courtesy visit – Today
From the Photo below, Nigeria’s Minister of Transportation, Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi, in a handshake with the Chinese Chargé d’Affaires Qin Jian, during his courtesy visit to the Ministry of Transportation, Abuja.
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YBNL Artiste Lil Kesh Now Owns A Recording Studio (Pictured)
YBNL Artiste Lil Kesh Now Owns A Recording Studio (Pictured)
YBNL artiste Lil Kesh who just released a single #Ibile is the owner of a new recording studio.
He announced the new achievement on social media to his fans saying; From being a studio rat to owning my own.
Lil Kesh was involved in a controversy earlier this year when Olamide slammed the Headies award for not giving him the award for the Next Rated category. The award show got disrupted following the statement as Mavin boss Donjazzy and Olamide battled it out (though Donjazzy never responded publicly).
All that has been put behind the artistes involved and everyone is moving on to greater things. Congratulations to Lil Kesh on his achievement.
YBNL artiste Lil Kesh who just released a single #Ibile is the owner of a new recording studio.
He announced the new achievement on social media to his fans saying; From being a studio rat to owning my own.
Lil Kesh was involved in a controversy earlier this year when Olamide slammed the Headies award for not giving him the award for the Next Rated category. The award show got disrupted following the statement as Mavin boss Donjazzy and Olamide battled it out (though Donjazzy never responded publicly).
All that has been put behind the artistes involved and everyone is moving on to greater things. Congratulations to Lil Kesh on his achievement.
Woman Refuses To Remove Hijab For MTN Registration (pics) - OscarNaija
Woman Refuses To Remove Hijab For MTN Registration (pics) -
A mild drama played out at an MTN registration outlet in Abuja when a certain Muslim woman refused to remove her ‘hijab’ to complete her SIM registration process.
DAILY POST reports that following the fine imposed on MTN by the Nigerian Communications Commission, NCC, for having about 5 million unregistered SIMs in its network, it started another round of SIM cards registration in the country to meet up with the January deadline.
At the Garki II, Lagos street MTN outlet, a Yoruba-speaking Muslim woman covered with hijab, refused security search at the entrance to the registration centre.
DAILY POST gathered that the Muslim woman said she will not unveil herself before she will gain access into an office ‘in her own country.’
A police officer, who was acting on instructions to check every customer before they gained access into the office, told DAILY POST that, “This woman is a suspect.
“How can you come to a public place dressed like this and you expect to gain access into an office that is not yours?
“No one knows what she has under her veil.
She may be carrying a bomb, who knows?
“This is the reason why we insisted on searching her and she claimed she is a Minister’s wife,” the officer told DAILY POST.
Meanwhile, the purported Minister’s wife gained access into the office through the intervention of one of the MTN staff who identified herself simply as Zainab.
Zainab, the front desk Manager, said the unidentified woman asked to be privately attended to as she cannot unveil herself in public.
According to her, “The woman asked me to register her in a private room because she cannot remove her veil. I told her it is not in any way possible and after pleading, I asked her, “what if I want to take your photo during the registration?”
Zainab said the supposed Minister’s wife also declined and asked for the registration to be done without her snap shot. She said the woman later asked that she sought permission from her husband before she can unveil her face for the registration process to be completed.
A mild drama played out at an MTN registration outlet in Abuja when a certain Muslim woman refused to remove her ‘hijab’ to complete her SIM registration process.
DAILY POST reports that following the fine imposed on MTN by the Nigerian Communications Commission, NCC, for having about 5 million unregistered SIMs in its network, it started another round of SIM cards registration in the country to meet up with the January deadline.
At the Garki II, Lagos street MTN outlet, a Yoruba-speaking Muslim woman covered with hijab, refused security search at the entrance to the registration centre.
DAILY POST gathered that the Muslim woman said she will not unveil herself before she will gain access into an office ‘in her own country.’
A police officer, who was acting on instructions to check every customer before they gained access into the office, told DAILY POST that, “This woman is a suspect.
“How can you come to a public place dressed like this and you expect to gain access into an office that is not yours?
“No one knows what she has under her veil.
She may be carrying a bomb, who knows?
“This is the reason why we insisted on searching her and she claimed she is a Minister’s wife,” the officer told DAILY POST.
Meanwhile, the purported Minister’s wife gained access into the office through the intervention of one of the MTN staff who identified herself simply as Zainab.
Zainab, the front desk Manager, said the unidentified woman asked to be privately attended to as she cannot unveil herself in public.
According to her, “The woman asked me to register her in a private room because she cannot remove her veil. I told her it is not in any way possible and after pleading, I asked her, “what if I want to take your photo during the registration?”
Zainab said the supposed Minister’s wife also declined and asked for the registration to be done without her snap shot. She said the woman later asked that she sought permission from her husband before she can unveil her face for the registration process to be completed.
Benin Wedding: Twin Sisters Marry On The Same Day (photos) - Events -
Benin Wedding: Twin Sisters Marry On The Same Day (photos) - Events -
These beautiful twin sisters got married in Benin last December and they rocked the same dress, shoes, accessories etc.
See more photos below:
These beautiful twin sisters got married in Benin last December and they rocked the same dress, shoes, accessories etc.
See more photos below:
Pastor E.A Adeboye Visits Uyo Capital Of Akwa Ibom State
Pastor E.A Adeboye Visits Uyo Capital Of Akwa Ibom State
;In Uyo Capital Of Akwa Ibom State in Nigeria, January 20th 2016 , The General Overseer of The Redeemed Christian Church of God arrives Uyo. Pastor Enoch Adeboye is being received by Akwa Ibom State top government functionaries with respect to Gov Udom Emmanuel , Pastor E.A Adeboye will be ministering today by 5pm at Uyo township stadium(old stadium) At RCCG Region 14 Special Holy Ghost service. Theme: Divine Visitation. We are earnestly waiting to receive you. Don’t miss this moment of divine blessing. God bless you.
See Comments Of People On Social Media About the Man of God. Why is Pastor Adeboye visiting men (Governor) whose elections were marred by massive irregularities? Don’t we have IDPs he visit? Don’t we have lassa fever patients he can heal at hospitals? Why always politicians?******copied**** – Itseme Somi Enike
;In Uyo Capital Of Akwa Ibom State in Nigeria, January 20th 2016 , The General Overseer of The Redeemed Christian Church of God arrives Uyo. Pastor Enoch Adeboye is being received by Akwa Ibom State top government functionaries with respect to Gov Udom Emmanuel , Pastor E.A Adeboye will be ministering today by 5pm at Uyo township stadium(old stadium) At RCCG Region 14 Special Holy Ghost service. Theme: Divine Visitation. We are earnestly waiting to receive you. Don’t miss this moment of divine blessing. God bless you.
See Comments Of People On Social Media About the Man of God. Why is Pastor Adeboye visiting men (Governor) whose elections were marred by massive irregularities? Don’t we have IDPs he visit? Don’t we have lassa fever patients he can heal at hospitals? Why always politicians?******copied**** – Itseme Somi Enike
Baby dies in biscuit carton in Akwa Ibom – Graphic Photo
Baby dies in biscuit carton in Akwa Ibom – Graphic Photo.
A baby girl, dressed and abandoned by her mother in a biscuit carton near Eco Bank, along Ikot Ekpene Road, Uyo, died after hours of battling for survival.
The baby, who was said to have been abandoned by her mother at about 11:30pm on Friday, died around 11:58am on Saturday after many hours of crying for help.
A resident of the area, Mr. Okon Isaac, told our correspondent that the baby became pale after a long period of crying for her mum’s comfort before passing out.
Baby dies in biscuit carton in Akwa Ibom - Graphic Photo
Isaac said he wanted to check if Total Filling Station along Ikot Ekpene Road, Uyo had begun to sell fuel when he heard a baby cry near the refuse bin, dressed neatly and dumped in the biscuit carton.
According to him, he was perplexed and had to suspend buying fuel and kept watch over the baby since 5:47am thinking that the mother might change her mind and come back for the baby.
He stated that the baby’s cry from the carton drew the attention of a large number of people.
Isaac added that people were scared to touch the baby to avoid being accused by the police of trying to steal or kidnap the baby.
“I have been here since 5:47am. I wanted to buy fuel from Total, which only sells the product when available between the hours of 4 and 6:20am. After this time, they stop selling pretending not to have the product.
Kogi : We will stand with James Faleke Say Guber Aspirant, 250 Top-Kabbabunu Stakeholders. - Politics - OscarNaija
Kogi : We will stand with James Faleke Say Guber Aspirant, 250 Top-Kabbabunu Stakeholders.
A two-time governorship aspirant Engineer George Olumoroti and at least 250 stakeholders of All Progressives Congress in Kabba/Bunu Local Government Area of Kogi State converged at the banquet hall of Ajike Hotel and Tower in Kabba over the weekend to deliberate the ongoing political imbroglio in Kogi State.
The stakeholders which comprises of party leaders, elders, local government executive members, ward executive members and key players in the party in Kabba/Bunu.
In a communiqué was issued and signed by the stakeholders and made available to News Men, the party stakeholders reiterated their resolve to support the Audu/Faleke ticket.
Welcoming the stakeholders, Engineer George Olumoroti who was the convener of the meeting commended the people for their steadfastness and doggedness to remain committed to the efforts of liberating the state from misrule, underdevelopment and shackles of oppression.”
“We labored with our late leader Prince Abubakar Audu when nobody gave us a chance including the person illegally declared by INEC, yet God on our side and we won, not without so much commitment and sacrifice from all of us,” he said.
He tasked the people not to be discouraged at the recalcitrant attitude of some so called leaders and elders who have suddenly turned against themselves, noting that they should redoubled their efforts, be prayerful, focused and continue to be committed to the struggle.
Olumoroti urged the stakeholders to learn from the experiences of Martin Luther King and Nelson Mandela that freedom doesn’t come on the platter of gold, noting that his confident that the judiciary will do justice and vindicate Audu/Faleke mandate that was freely given by Kogites on the November 21, 2015.
The chairman of the meeting who doubled as the chairman Elder’s Forum of APC in the Local Government, Dr. Peter Olorunfemi urged the stakeholders not to jump at the temporary gain of the Yahaya Bello victory, noting that the judiciary are up to the task at ensuring victory for Audu/Faleke Mandate in no distance time.
He said the national leadership of the party in collaboration with electoral umpire deliberately caused disaffection among the peace loving people of Kogi State, stressing that the people at the grassroots are not the cause of the ugly situation, calling them not to fight anyone on the issue rather they should be prayerful and committed to the realization of the sacred mandate given to Audu/Faleke.
While Barrister Femi Mokikan and Barrister Obamero were at the meeting to throw more light on the legal implication of the logjam that has hitherto thrown the state into legal conundrum.
Barrister Mokikan said the governorship election held on the November 21 in Kogi State and as documented and announced by INEC, the Audu/Faleke joint ticket has fulfilled all constitutional requirement to be declared the winner of the election, adding that the strange inconclusiveness introduced by the electoral umpire actually call for questioning.
He said since the judgment of the courts will not be written in the presidency or at the party secretariat, he urged the stakeholders to be calm and wait patiently for the decision of the reputable judges.
Mokikan said the moment late Prince Abubakar Audu nominated Hon. James Faleke as his running mate, it become legal and according to the constitution, they are to swim and sink together for the purpose of the election, noting that people who are saying Faleke did not go through the primary doesn’t know the law.
While Barrister Obamero said since it is a lacuna in the constitution, lawyers are bound to have divergent opinions and views on the political logjam, urging the people to continue to have faith in the judiciary that they will do justice to the logjam.
While the coordinator of the Local Government Executives, Mr. Funsho Famodile said that what happen in the Balyesa election recently has further strengthen the struggle of Audu/Faleke Mandate, noting that the different votes in between the two leading parties is lower than the votes cancelled which was the bases they declared Kogi Election inconclusive.
He said if Dickson Seriake of Balyesa can be declare winner of the election, then Audu/Faleke Mandate should also be declare winner of Kogi election.
Other speakers at the meeting tasked the people to remain resolute on Audu/Faleke Mandate, describing some recalcitrant leaders who claimed to have been speaking on behalf of the APC Kabba/Bunu as self serving personalities describing their actions as not in tandem with that of the entire stakeholders of the party in the area.
According to the communiqué, the stakeholders agreed to be steadfast and committed to the realization of Audu/Faleke Mandate, encouraged Hon. James Faleke to pursue the case in court believing that God will
grant him favour.
They described the action of Ola Odano group who claimed to be talking on behalf of the party in the LGA “Kabba/Bunu APC dumps Faleke, for Bello” adding that Ola Odano and group never held any meeting anywhere
within the Local Government.
It is also good to note that Ola Odano and group purported documents was only signed by 9 individuals comparing to over 250 key stakeholders that held their meeting at a disclose location within the ambience of Kabba/Bunu headquarter.
The stakeholders in Kabba/Bunu APC frowned at the call made by Ola Odula group who were purportedly acting on behalf of the Kabba/Bunu chapter of the All Progressives Congress, (APC) that electorates and
people of Kabba/Bunu should rally round the supplementary governor–elect, Alhaji Yahaya Bello of the APC, describing the call as baseless.
They noted that the Ola Odano and his group were only speaking for themselves and not for the party in the Local Government Area.
Chief James Olumudi, Barrister Kabiru Fadile, Hon. Durosimi Meseko sent their goodwill messages.
Highlight of the meeting was the rendering of a song, “on your mandate we shall stand”.
By: Muhammad Ahmad
A two-time governorship aspirant Engineer George Olumoroti and at least 250 stakeholders of All Progressives Congress in Kabba/Bunu Local Government Area of Kogi State converged at the banquet hall of Ajike Hotel and Tower in Kabba over the weekend to deliberate the ongoing political imbroglio in Kogi State.
The stakeholders which comprises of party leaders, elders, local government executive members, ward executive members and key players in the party in Kabba/Bunu.
In a communiqué was issued and signed by the stakeholders and made available to News Men, the party stakeholders reiterated their resolve to support the Audu/Faleke ticket.
Welcoming the stakeholders, Engineer George Olumoroti who was the convener of the meeting commended the people for their steadfastness and doggedness to remain committed to the efforts of liberating the state from misrule, underdevelopment and shackles of oppression.”
“We labored with our late leader Prince Abubakar Audu when nobody gave us a chance including the person illegally declared by INEC, yet God on our side and we won, not without so much commitment and sacrifice from all of us,” he said.
He tasked the people not to be discouraged at the recalcitrant attitude of some so called leaders and elders who have suddenly turned against themselves, noting that they should redoubled their efforts, be prayerful, focused and continue to be committed to the struggle.
Olumoroti urged the stakeholders to learn from the experiences of Martin Luther King and Nelson Mandela that freedom doesn’t come on the platter of gold, noting that his confident that the judiciary will do justice and vindicate Audu/Faleke mandate that was freely given by Kogites on the November 21, 2015.
The chairman of the meeting who doubled as the chairman Elder’s Forum of APC in the Local Government, Dr. Peter Olorunfemi urged the stakeholders not to jump at the temporary gain of the Yahaya Bello victory, noting that the judiciary are up to the task at ensuring victory for Audu/Faleke Mandate in no distance time.
He said the national leadership of the party in collaboration with electoral umpire deliberately caused disaffection among the peace loving people of Kogi State, stressing that the people at the grassroots are not the cause of the ugly situation, calling them not to fight anyone on the issue rather they should be prayerful and committed to the realization of the sacred mandate given to Audu/Faleke.
While Barrister Femi Mokikan and Barrister Obamero were at the meeting to throw more light on the legal implication of the logjam that has hitherto thrown the state into legal conundrum.
Barrister Mokikan said the governorship election held on the November 21 in Kogi State and as documented and announced by INEC, the Audu/Faleke joint ticket has fulfilled all constitutional requirement to be declared the winner of the election, adding that the strange inconclusiveness introduced by the electoral umpire actually call for questioning.
He said since the judgment of the courts will not be written in the presidency or at the party secretariat, he urged the stakeholders to be calm and wait patiently for the decision of the reputable judges.
Mokikan said the moment late Prince Abubakar Audu nominated Hon. James Faleke as his running mate, it become legal and according to the constitution, they are to swim and sink together for the purpose of the election, noting that people who are saying Faleke did not go through the primary doesn’t know the law.
While Barrister Obamero said since it is a lacuna in the constitution, lawyers are bound to have divergent opinions and views on the political logjam, urging the people to continue to have faith in the judiciary that they will do justice to the logjam.
While the coordinator of the Local Government Executives, Mr. Funsho Famodile said that what happen in the Balyesa election recently has further strengthen the struggle of Audu/Faleke Mandate, noting that the different votes in between the two leading parties is lower than the votes cancelled which was the bases they declared Kogi Election inconclusive.
He said if Dickson Seriake of Balyesa can be declare winner of the election, then Audu/Faleke Mandate should also be declare winner of Kogi election.
Other speakers at the meeting tasked the people to remain resolute on Audu/Faleke Mandate, describing some recalcitrant leaders who claimed to have been speaking on behalf of the APC Kabba/Bunu as self serving personalities describing their actions as not in tandem with that of the entire stakeholders of the party in the area.
According to the communiqué, the stakeholders agreed to be steadfast and committed to the realization of Audu/Faleke Mandate, encouraged Hon. James Faleke to pursue the case in court believing that God will
grant him favour.
They described the action of Ola Odano group who claimed to be talking on behalf of the party in the LGA “Kabba/Bunu APC dumps Faleke, for Bello” adding that Ola Odano and group never held any meeting anywhere
within the Local Government.
It is also good to note that Ola Odano and group purported documents was only signed by 9 individuals comparing to over 250 key stakeholders that held their meeting at a disclose location within the ambience of Kabba/Bunu headquarter.
The stakeholders in Kabba/Bunu APC frowned at the call made by Ola Odula group who were purportedly acting on behalf of the Kabba/Bunu chapter of the All Progressives Congress, (APC) that electorates and
people of Kabba/Bunu should rally round the supplementary governor–elect, Alhaji Yahaya Bello of the APC, describing the call as baseless.
They noted that the Ola Odano and his group were only speaking for themselves and not for the party in the Local Government Area.
Chief James Olumudi, Barrister Kabiru Fadile, Hon. Durosimi Meseko sent their goodwill messages.
Highlight of the meeting was the rendering of a song, “on your mandate we shall stand”.
By: Muhammad Ahmad
Court Orders DSS To Take Nnamdi Kanu To Prison
Court Orders DSS To Take Nnamdi Kanu To Prison John Tsoho, justice of the federal high court, Abuja, has ordered that Nnamdi Kanu be remanded in Kuje prison pending his trial for treason. Tsoho, the judge, gave the order after listening to Mohammed Diri, counsel to the Department of State Services (DSS), and Chuks Muoma (SAN), counsel to Kanu. Muoma had argued that the accused person be remanded in prison custody away from the cell of the DSS. He said that his client had been kept incommunicado in the custody of the DSS for three months. He therefore asked the court to send the accused person to prison so that his family could have access to him. Diri, however, prayed the court to keep Kanu in the custody of the DSS for security reasons. But the judge ruled that the defendant be kept in the custody of the Nigeria Prison Service, Kuje. Kanu arrived at the court a few minutes past 9am looking unkempt. On December 23, 2015, he had refused to take his plea before Ahmed Mohammed, justice of the federal high court, Abuja, citing lack of confidence in the court. This was after Adeniyi Ademola, another justice of the federal high court, Abuja, ordered the DSS to release him unconditionally, and after a chief magistrate court discharged and acquitted of charges of criminal intimidation and ownership of unlawful society.
Biafra: Arrested Pro-biafra Protesters Charged To Court In Enugu.
Biafra: Arrested Pro-biafra Protesters Charged To Court In Enugu
The Enugu State police command, on Tuesday, stated that the pro-Biafra protesters arrested in Enugu have been charged to court for unlawful assembly.
A statement by the police spokesman, Ebere Amaraizu, said the pro-Biafra protesters were assembling at the Naira Triangle area of the state, on Monday night.
Amaraizu said: ”This attracted attention of the officers and men of the command and following the failure of the said persons to disperse after being so requested by the police.”
A number were arrested in the process while others fled.
The arrested persons include Nwangwu Friday m of 26 years, Chekwube Eneta m 28 years, Chigozie Mba 29 years, Isaiah Ogazi m 28 years, Onyekachukwu Uzoma 43 years, Onyemalu Princewill m 26 years, Israel Ani 18 years and Ugwuobu Kelechi 24 years.
Investigations disclosed that many of them were from other states but were hired to be in Enugu for unlawful assembly and processions.
However, the command promptly charged suspects to magistrate court 111 Enugu East in charge Number CME 121C/2016 on 19/1/16 for the offences as mentioned above.
Meanwhile, when the case was called up and counts of the charge read to the accused persons, they pleaded not guilty and were remanded in prison custody while the case is adjourned to February 10.
The command will leave no stone is left unturned in ensuring that Enugu state remains peaceful.
How Jim Nwobodo abandons Anglican Church – Bishop Matthew Hassan Kukah How Jim Nwobodo abandons Anglican Church - Bishop Matthew Hassan Kukah
How Jim Nwobodo abandons Anglican Church – Bishop Matthew Hassan Kukah
SERMON by bishop Matthew Hassan Kukah AT THE HOLY GHOST CATHEDRAL, ENUGU, ON THE OCCASION OF THE THANKSGIVING OF CHIEF JIM NWOBODO ON JANUARY 10th, 2015.
When I saw two missed calls from Jim Nwobodo over a week ago, I decided to return the call immediately. He sounded quite excited when he answered the call and then went straight to the point. I have good news for you, he said. I have decided to join the Catholic Church and I want to specially invite you to be at the Mass in Enugu on January 10th. I congratulated him and said I would check with my Diary to see if I had a window. I used the chance to first call the Bishop of Enugu, His Lordship, Bishop Onaga to intimate him of the invitation. He too sounded quite excited and went on to tell me some of the good things that Chief Nwobodo had done for the Catholic Church during his tenure as Governor of Anambra State. He added his voice to the invitation and by the time we had ended, he asked if I could take the Sermon for the day.
How Jim Nwobodo abandons Anglican Church - Bishop Matthew Hassan Kukah
Two days later, I again saw two missed calls or so from His Eminence, Antony Cardinal Okogie, the emeritus Archbishop of Lagos. I returned his call immediately. After the pleasantries, he confirmed enthusiastically that Chief Nwobodo had also invited him. He said despite his health, he would see if he can make the trip. Two days ago, I again saw two missed calls from him. I returned the call and he said he did not think his health would permit him to make the trip. Please, he said, try and go there to support him and also use the opportunity to represent me too. Cardinal Onaiyekan also said he had been invited but he could not make it. A combination of these star studded invitations left me little room to manouvre and that is why I am here.
Understandably, this Cathedral is having one of the biggest crowds it has ever had barring either priestly ordinations or Sisters making their final vows. Many people would be tempted to wonder why a simple event of this nature should attract so much attention. Well, I recall what happened in Kano some time in the 80s when most of the prominent Muslims across Nigeria trooped to Kano to formally receive Chief Nzeribe who was alleged to have converted to Islam. Those who remember will recall that the huge crowd finally dispersed because Chief Nzeribe finally did not show up!
Our presence here will naturally elicit curiosity among friends and foes. There are former and current political and business associates, family friends, school mates and so on. Whatever may be your reasons for being here, we are glad that the Nwobodo family has brought us here to rejoice with them. We are gathered not to judge for as Pope Francis has warned us: Human beings, whenever they judge, look no further than the surface while the father looks into the very depth of the soul. How much harm words do when they are motivated by jealousy and envy. To speak ill of others puts them in bad light, undermines their reputation and leaves them prey to whims of gossip. As pastors, we judge no one who approaches God’s door of Mercy to which we are mere gatekeepers. So I am here to encourage Chief Nwobodo to kneel before God and in the words of the publican say, Lord, be merciful to me a sinner (Lk.18:13).
Please do not be mistaken. We are not here to celebrate what for some might be a big catch. We are not celebrating a victory, nor should anyone feel a sense of loss or defeat. The Catholic Church has not gone out fishing to find Chief Nwobodo. To the extent that we are all Christians, children of God, his decision to come to the Catholic Church is at best a return home. I say return home for reasons that all of us who are Christians already know.
I do not need to bore you, but at least we know that before 1517, every Christian was Catholic. As such, today we know that:
If you are Lutheran the your Church was founded by Fr Martin Luther in Germany in 1517
If you are Menonite, your Church was founded by Grebel, Mantz and Blaurock, in 1525
If you are Anglican, then your Church was founded by King Henry XIII in 1534
If you are a Presbyterian, then your Church was founded by John Knox in 1560
If you are a Congregationalist, then your Church was founded by Robert Brown, in Holland in 1583
If you are Baptist, then your Church was founded by John Smith in Amsterdam, in 1606
If you are a Methodist, then your Church was founded by John Murray in New Jersey, in 1770
If you are a Mormon or Latter Day Saint, then your church was founded by Joseph Smith in New York, in 1829
If you are a Seven Day Adventist, your Church was founded by William Miller in 1831
If you are Salvation Army, then know that your Church was founded by William Booth in 1865
If you are Jehovah Witness, then know that your Church was founded by Charles Russell in 1872
Here at home, if you are Redeemed Christian Church of God, then you know that you were founded in 1952 by Josiah Akindayomi
If you are a member of Deeper Life Bible Church, then you were founded by Pastor William Kumuyi in Lagos in 1973
If you are Mountain of Fire, then you were founded by Dr. Daniel Olukoya in 1989. We can go on and on.
I am listing this not to denigrate anyone but just to set the records straight. The Catholic Church has remained where it has been since Christ instituted the Eucharist, called the Last Supper. We continue to do over and over what He commanded when He uttered those holy words over the bread and cup, take and eat, take and drink and ordered them to do this in His Memory until He comes again (Mt. 26:26). So, we were founded by Jesus Christ, beginning with that gathering at Pentecost (Acts 2:1) over two thousand years ago led by 266 successors of the Chair of St. Peter. That is who we are and what we represent.
We must give thanks and praise to God our Father Almighty for the gift of the Holy Spirit which has inspired and continues to inspire thousands of men and women to give glory to His name. it is not in our place to judge anyone except that we both as Christians or citizens have a duty to listen to St. John who has enjoined us not to believe everyone who claims to be guided by the spirit. John calls on us to; test every spirit to see if they are from God because many false prophets have gone into the world (1 Jn. 4:1).
There is no gainsaying that a highly criminalized and fraudulent society has continued to answer the calls of various kinds of spirits and prophets who produce prophesies to suit the social, economic and political fraud of the moment. In a dysfunctional society such as ours, where the corruption of the moment his produced a culture of relativity, we now have a society whose moral compass is constantly shifting to adjust to the expectations of the moment.
The Nigerian economy and political systems are merely paying lip service to international norms of scientific conduct and relations. Economic prosperity or political processes and outcomes are neither the result of sound economic policies but the magic of spiritual entrepreneurs who prey the political landscape prowling on the unwary with the greed of lions looking for whom to devour (1 Pet 5:8). It is not clear whether winners of elections should praise and trust the efficacy of Electoral machinery or the efficacy of prophets and prayer warriors.
This moral ambiguity has placed religion under scrutiny. What impact has Christianity made in our society? If the illiterate men that Jesus called and finally handed His Gospel to were able to take it to the ends of the earth, how come we are seemingly unable to make the world feel the impact of Christianity? Jesus told His successors to take the Gospel to the ends of the earth, but warned them to drop all earthly means of support and power: Carry no clothes, money, sandals and so on ( Lk. 9:3, 10:4). Today, it seems the burden of wealth, power and position have become obstacles to the impact of Christianity. On a day like this, we must seek to return to the true message of our Lord and Saviour.
Since the election of Pope Francis, the 266th Pontiff on March 13th, 2013, the entire world has had to sit up and see the Catholic Church completely differently. A Church that had been vilified and become morally demoralized has suddenly leapt into public life, re-igniting the world with curiosity, enthusiasm and excitement among non-Catholics, non-Christians and non-believers. Today the Catholic Church is enjoying a re-awakening and vitality that was unthinkable barely four years ago. Indeed, on January 4, this year, Deepak Chopra wrote an article which was published on the Yahoo website titled, Will Pope Francis become a Holy Man for the world? The article from a non-Christian was a song of praise for how Pope Francis has brought freshness and simplicity into the Catholic Church leading to a new awakening around the world. Chief Nwobodo has responded to this new voice and all we can say is: This is the Lord’s doing, we rejoice and it is marvelous in our eyes (Ps 118: 23, Mk. 12:11).
In confronting these realities, Pope Francis has literally set out to re-awaken our consciousness of our understanding of the faith itself and our challenge as evangelisers. He was barely six months a Pope when he published his Apostolic Exhortation titled, Evangelii Gaudium, the Joy of the Gospel on November 24th, 2014. Central to his message has been the need to re-enkindle the spirit of the joys of the good news brought to us by our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. He called on Christians not to behave or look like men and women coming back from a funeral but to become joyful. He called on priests not to turn the confessional into torture chambers where penitents experience psychological crisis and pain instead of the liberating message of Christ our Redeemer.
Indeed, Pope Francis in the same Document warned Christians of six types of robberies that they must look out against. In order not to be robbed of the joy of the gospel, the Pope enjoins Christians to imbibe the fragrance of the Gospel. Then, he proceeded to warn Christians against being robbed of the Joy of Evangelisation, joy of Hope, joy of a sense of Community, joy of the Gospel, joy of fraternal love, and joy of Missionary vigour. It is against this background that the Holy Father enjoined Consecrated Men and Women to wake up the world to the realities of the joys of being a Christian today.
Another key component of the preoccupation of Pope Francis has been the message of what I will call the Gospel of Mercy. At a time when Nigeria is writhen in the pain and convulsion of corruption, a disease that has ravaged every artery of our body, we must hear this message. Today our disfigured country is paying the price for the affliction of corruption. We now have a country that is more divided than almost at any time in our history, a society largely socially and culturally disoriented, a country where a substantial percentage of office holders are far less competent and motivated towards doing good, than those they lead, a country whose growth has been arrested and stunted. We are paying for the years and years of outrageous and gargantuan corruption perpetuated by the insatiable and irresponsible appetite of its elite. Today, with wide oceans of inequality between public officers and the rest of Nigeria, violence and anger are the identity cards carried by the victims.
Our leaders say that we cannot develop in an environment of violence and instability. What they fail to accept is that the violence in society is the reaction of the victims. The Pope said: The poor and the poorer peoples are accused of violence, yet without equal opportunities the different forms of aggression and conflict will find a fertile terrain for growth and eventually explode. When a society – whether local, national or global – is willing to leave a part of itself on the fringes, no political programmes or resources spent on law enforcement or surveillance systems can indefinitely guarantee tranquility.
I want to appeal to the Igbo political and religious elite to close ranks and take charge of the future of the people of this area. Please learn from the mistakes of the elites elsewhere when politics was allowed to trump the urgent task of community building. You must take charge and by negotiation and using back room channels, improve on the quality of the sound of the music produced by your Youth. Do not ignore them but in patience, process and improve on the quality of their sound. You enjoy ethnic, moral and cultural harmony to a large degree since you loosely speak one tongue and are predominantly Christians.
So, as St. Paul said to the Colossians, Let the message of Christ in all its riches fill your hearts, use it to teach and admonish one another (Col 3:16). You have lessons from the tragedy of the war and you have lessons from within and outside Nigeria of allowing youth frustration and restiveness to gestate. There is a saying in Hausa: If you see your brother’s beard on fire, put water on your own. Let men and women of courage become peacemakers. The time is now and the place to start is here. May the Lord inspire you.
We Catholics, nay Christians, must turn our Religion into a force for good. Today, neo-paganism and Voodooism have combined to poison the message of Christianity. It is a tragedy that while calling themselves Christians, many of our political and economic elite continue to traverse the length and breathe of Nigeria seeking for prophets, priests, to compel God to answer their wishes. The central message of Christ was not miracles or prophesies or even healings, at least not in the dramatic way we now see them as they are calculated to call attention the powerful men of God. While our so called men of God are putting out posters and selling all kinds of dubious wares, they must ask how this compares with Jesus simply went about doing good, Jesus who went into hiding when they were about to take him and make him King by force(Acts 10:30, Jn. 6:15).
My dear friends, brothers and sisters, this gathering should remind us of the need to remake a broken world such as ours. It is a time for us to recall the father of love and compassion. We are being called by a Merciful God who does not keep record of our sins but asks us to forgive seventy times seven times (Mt. 18:22), the one who overlooked the scandalous lives of men and women unacceptable to society but welcomed by him as in the call of Matthew(Mt. 9:9, or Zacheus, Lk.19:1ff, ate with sinners(Mt. 9:11, or allowed the woman with a bad name and reputation to anoint him and kiss his feet (Lk. 7: 36ff).
The challenge for us Christians is to ask how we allowed Mercy to slip out of the grammar of Christianity. How did raw power and the quest for vengeance take centre stage in the daily grammar of our lives as we have today? We hear such sayings as Do me I do you, God no go vex, Return to Sender, Holy Ghost fire, all as metaphors for vengeance and the quest for afflictions of our enemies, all in sharp contrast to what Jesus Himself has taught us. We Christians can and must change our world. Again, Pope Francis has said, Do not fall into the terrible trap of thinking that life depends on money and power.
So on this day of the baptism of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, may the Lord of mercy let His blessing come down upon us. To our friend and brother Chief Nwobodo, we commit you and your entire family to God asking for mercy, forgiveness and reconciliation. We thank the Anglican Church for nurturing you all these years. Those who think that their loss is our gain are mistaken. We are not building empires or playing politics. We are working in the Lord’s vineyard as His servants. We have a duty to show the light to the rest of our society. So, there is neither room for sulking nor triumphalism, let us close ranks as leaders of Christ’s faithful.
We should thank Patricia, his wife whose dutiful commitment to the Church must have served as an inspiration both to her husband and children. God bless your family. In the end, we are a family of God’s children and doing His work in faithfulness defies the boundaries of our denominations. So, in prayer, let us close ranks. May God bless the people of Enugu State, and Nigeria as a whole.
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