tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-63853458125556590422024-03-19T03:14:25.568-07:00Noibi Abiodun - My Blog!You are here for News Update, Vacancies, Sports, Gist & Adverts!Abiodun Noibihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14554460540237762114noreply@blogger.comBlogger95125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6385345812555659042.post-25328830896229354092013-04-10T10:22:00.000-07:002013-04-10T10:22:12.289-07:00Glo Double Your Recharge Promotion<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<h3 class=" hidefocus" id="yui_3_7_2_1_1365613731464_2127" tabindex="-1">
Glo Double Your Recharge Promotion. (Recharge with e-TopUP) </h3>
Glo
Nigeria has introduced “recharge for Double” promotion to reward
Globacom customers with 100% bonus on EVERY recharge made from N100 and
above. It is a timeless promo as customer gets rewarded INSTANTLY any
time, any day s/he recharges from N100 and above.<br /><br />The new promo
is being introduced to reward loyal customers with double value for
every recharge (physical or E-Top up) made on the Glo mobile network
from N100 and above. If you recharge N500, you get guaranteed reward of
additional N500 to the N500 value of the recharge amount.<br /><br />The
FREE airtime can be used to make onnet calls ONLY i.e Glo to Glo calls.
The bonus has same day validity i.e the bonus expires on the day you
receive it.<br /><br />Your promo account will be depleted first if you make
onnet calls. Your main account will be the one to be depleted if use
your line for other things such as onnet SMS, offnet and IDD SMS and
calls.<br /><br />To buy e-TopUP, log on to www.mysmsnaija.com , at the top
left corner of the website, click on the desired link of airtime request
then follow the on-screen instruction to make pmt online.<br /><br />Forward
your transaction ID, ur name, amt paid and e-mail with your Glo phone
no: i.e: 5162e1e3a1a48-noibi abiodun-N5,000
-noibitheprofessor@yahoo.com-08056000000 to info@mysmsnaija.com after successful transaction message prompt and your airtime will be credited.<br /><br />Call Noibi on 08080477012 or 08056206907 fr more info!<br /><br /><br />How do I know my Glo promo account balance?<br /><br />==> Dial #124# and press 5 when the prompt message appears.<br /><br />NOTE: The promotional offer will run from 8th April till 31st May 2013.<br />Have a blessed day ahead.<br /><br />Info from: Mysmsnaija!<br />www.mysmsnaija.com<br />08080477012</div>
Abiodun Noibihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14554460540237762114noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6385345812555659042.post-28605259247726212762013-04-10T10:14:00.001-07:002013-04-10T10:14:46.402-07:00Glo Double Your Recharge Promotion. (Recharge with e-TopUP)<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<h3 class=" hidefocus" id="yui_3_7_2_1_1365613731464_2127" tabindex="-1">
Glo Double Your Recharge Promotion. (Recharge with e-TopUP! </h3>
Glo
Nigeria has introduced “recharge for Double” promotion to reward
Globacom customers with 100% bonus on EVERY recharge made from N100 and
above. It is a timeless promo as customer gets rewarded INSTANTLY any
time, any day s/he recharges from N100 and above.<br /><br />The new promo
is being introduced to reward loyal customers with double value for
every recharge (physical or E-Top up) made on the Glo mobile network
from N100 and above. If you recharge N500, you get guaranteed reward of
additional N500 to the N500 value of the recharge amount.<br /><br />The
FREE airtime can be used to make onnet calls ONLY i.e Glo to Glo calls.
The bonus has same day validity i.e the bonus expires on the day you
receive it.<br /><br />Your promo account will be depleted first if you make
onnet calls. Your main account will be the one to be depleted if use
your line for other things such as onnet SMS, offnet and IDD SMS and
calls.<br /><br />To buy e-TopUP, log on to www.mysmsnaija.com , at the top
left corner of the website, click on the desired link (see links sample
here: - <a href="https://voguepay.com/?bnlink=1365432533-x0" id="yui_3_7_2_1_1365613731464_2237" target="_blank">https://voguepay.com/?bnlink=1365432533-x0</a>)of airtime request then follow the on-screen instruction to make pmt online.<br /><br />Forward your transaction ID, ur name, amt paid and e-mail with your Glo phone no: i.e: 5162e1e3a1a48-noibi abiodun-N5,<a href="mailto:000-noibitheprofessor@yahoo.com">000-noibitheprofessor@yahoo.com</a>-08056000000 to <a href="mailto:info@mysmsnaija.com" id="yui_3_7_2_1_1365613731464_2238">info@mysmsnaija.com</a> after successful transaction message prompt and your airtime will be credited.<br /><br />Call Noibi on 08080477012 or 08056206907 fr more info!<br /><br /><br />How do I know my Glo promo account balance?<br /><br />==> Dial #124# and press 5 when the prompt message appears.<br /><br />NOTE: The promotional offer will run from 8th April till 31st May 2013.<br />Have a blessed day ahead.<br /><br />Info from: Mysmsnaija!<br />www.mysmsnaija.com<br />08080477012</div>
Abiodun Noibihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14554460540237762114noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6385345812555659042.post-26136854025517246192013-03-26T05:33:00.000-07:002013-03-26T05:33:12.012-07:00Aero: Travellers face bleak Easter over flight shortage<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<h1 class="entry-title">
Aero: Travellers face bleak Easter over flight shortage</h1>
<div class="post-info">
<span class="date published time" title="2013-03-26T00:00:19+00:00"></span><span class="post-comments"><a href="http://www.punchng.com/news/aero-travellers-face-bleak-easter-over-flight-shortage/#comments"><span class="dsq-postid" rel="99115 http://www.punchng.com/?p=99115"></span></a></span> </div>
<div class="story-featured-image" style="width: 368px;">
<img alt="Travellers at the air-port" class="attachment-bigstoryimage" height="225" src="http://punch.iwayafricanigeri.netdna-cdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/Travellers-at-the-air-port-360x225.jpg" width="360" /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Intending
air travellers within the country during the Easter holiday period may
be in for a tough time because of a looming scarcity of flights to
different destinations following the suspension of operations by
Aerocontractors Airlines, the second largest domestic airline by
passenger traffic.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Internal labour crises have left Aero
grounded for almost two weeks. The airline’s management is battling
almost 1,300 employees over alleged poor condition of service among
other related issues.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
The development has had an adverse
effect on domestic air travel, which is currently dominated by Arik Air
and Aero, in terms of large route network.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Already, passengers are facing hard
times getting seats on the South-South and South-East routes operated by
only Aero and Arik. Destinations on these routes are Benin, Calabar,
Uyo, Owerri and Enugu.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Other domestic carriers such as Dana
Air, IRS Airlines, Medview Airlines and Chanchagi Airlines operate from
Lagos to Abuja and a few cities in the North.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Medview operates flights to only one South-South destination, Port Harcourt.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Findings by our correspondent on Monday
revealed that intending passengers to the South-South and South-East
regions were not getting seats easily on the available flights.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Our correspondent observed at the Lagos
airport that majority of the intending passengers were forced to book
for flights two days ahead, a departure from the former situation where
they would get to the airport before buying tickets on their travel
days.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Further findings revealed that
passengers at Benin, Uyo, Calabar, Enugu and Owerri airports were also
scrambling to get tickets. It was learnt that majority of them had been
forced to postpone their flights.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Also, passengers flying to Accra in
Ghana are also having hard times getting seats as the route, prior to
the current crisis, was operated by both Arik and Aero.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
The development has made airfares to
start going up. Already, flights from Lagos to any of the South-East and
South-South states, which used to cost a little less than N30,000, now
go for about N35,000.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Also, return ticket between Lagos and
Accra, which used to go for between N50,000 and N70,000, now go for
between N90,000 and N100,000.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
This is coming just as the hope of Aero
resuming operations before the Easter holidays appears bleak, thereby
threatening the hope of several passengers who had booked Aero flights
online for the Easter season before the crisis.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Efforts to get the airline’s management to comment on the fate of such passengers did not yield results.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
The Aero spokesman said the managing director was not available to comment on what the fate of such passengers would be.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
But the Assistant General Secretary,
Airline Operators of Nigeria, Alhaji Mohammed Tukur, said it was high
time the government intervened in the labour crisis in Aero through the
Minister of Labour.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
He also alleged that some business
interests were sponsoring the crises in the aviation sector, and that
the government needed to investigate the various crises that had
befallen the airlines.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Tukur said, “It is a very unfortunate
situation at Aero at the moment. If you look at the way things are
going, there are plans by some powerful interests to frustrate some
airlines. Some people are benefiting from the crises in the sector. I
only pity our brothers flying from overseas and Lagos to celebrate the
Easter in the East and South-South.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
“My advice is for the existing airlines
to add frequencies to the South-South and South East routes so that they
can help evacuate passengers during the Easter. I don’t see Aero coming
back soon. I don’t know why the Aero management allowed this to happen
to them.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
“Some airlines benefited from bail-out
but they are not flying today. I mean, some airlines got bail-out funds
and closed shop. These are issues the government needs to look into
because jobs have been lost.”</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
The Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority
said it had intervened in the crisis in Aero and discussions were
ongoing with the management of the airline. It, however, refused to
comment on the fate of intending passengers who had bought Aero’s
tickets for the Easter season.</div>
</div>
Abiodun Noibihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14554460540237762114noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6385345812555659042.post-7922770367618564452013-03-26T05:26:00.002-07:002013-03-26T05:26:52.808-07:00INEC may register mega opposition party as APC<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<h1 class="entry-title">
INEC may register mega opposition party as APC</h1>
<div class="post-info">
<span class="date published time" title="2013-03-26T00:00:15+00:00"></span><span class="post-comments"><a href="http://www.punchng.com/news/inec-may-register-mega-opposition-party-as-apc/#comments"><span class="dsq-postid" rel="99209 http://www.punchng.com/?p=99209"></span></a></span> </div>
<div class="story-featured-image" style="width: 368px;">
<img alt="INEC Chairman, Professor Attahiru Jega" class="attachment-bigstoryimage" height="240" src="http://punch.iwayafricanigeri.netdna-cdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/INEC-Chairman-Professor-Attahiru-Jega-360x270.jpg" width="320" /><div class="featured-image-caption">
INEC Chairman, Professor Attahiru Jega</div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
The
opposition coalition party, All Progressives Congress, on Monday ‘won’
its first victory with the Independent National Electoral Commission
refusing to register the African Peoples Congress, thus creating an
opportunity for the coalition platform to register its preferred
acronym, APC.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
The INEC said promoters of the African
Peoples Congress failed to meet the requirements for the registration of
parties and that the association breached Section 222 (a) of the 1999
Federal Constitution, as amended.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
The Commission’s Director of
Information, Emmanuel Umenger, confirmed that a letter signed by INEC’s
Secretary, Alhaji Abdullahi Kaugama, refusing the association
registration had been sent to the promoters.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
A copy of the letter, obtained by our
correspondent, read, “The Commission has observed that your association
is in breach of Section 222 (a) of the Constitution of the Federal
Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended) which stipulates as follows:</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
“No association by whatever name called
shall function as a political party unless; the names and addresses of
its national officers are registered with the Independent National
Electoral Commission; a close observation of your submitted form PA 1
established that it does not contain the addresses of your national
officers as stipulated in the provisions above.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
“Consequently, the commission shall not register the proposed African Peoples Congress (APC) as a political party.”</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
The All Progressives Congress, formed by
four opposition political parties – Action Congress of Nigeria,
Congress for Progressive Change, All Nigeria Peoples Party and a faction
of the All Progressives Grand Alliance – had in January announced the
name of their new party and chose the acronym, APC.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
But before the opposition parties could
file their papers before INEC, two other associations – African Peoples
Congress and All Patriotic Citizens –had submitted applications choosing
APC as their acronym too.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
But while the All Patriotic Citizens
agreed to a change of name to avoid unpleasantness of similar acronym,
the African Peoples Congress had remained adamant.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
The All Progressives Congress, with an
avowed mission to dislodge the ruling Peoples Democratic Party from
power, had accused the PDP of sponsoring the African Peoples Congress in
order to spoil the show for the opposition.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Curiously, the Protem Chairman of the
African Peoples Congress, Chief Onyinye Ikeagwuonu, had last Thursday
flaunted before journalists a copy of the same letter Umenger confirmed
was sent to the association on Monday, alleging that “dark forces”
within INEC had perfected the plan to deny his association registration.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Umenger had earlier on Monday said the letter shown to journalists by Ikeagwuonu was not authentic because it was not signed.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
He later confirmed the content of the letter as the same as the one sent to the rejected association.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
He told our correspondent, “Yes, I am in
receipt of a letter similar in content with the one you said was duly
signed by INEC’s Secretary, Alhaji Abdullahi Kaugama, and it has been
delivered to the addressee (African Peoples Congress) and one Michael
Ogani signed and collected the letter and dated it March 25, 2013.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
“The content is what you read to me
earlier. The point of departure as I spoke with you before now was that
the letter you had was not signed and because it was not signed, we
could not ascertain its authenticity and because of that I declined to
speak on it. But as soon as it came to my table, I felt that it was
necessary to call you and inform you that I am in receipt of a letter
and its content; the letter has spoken.”</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Reacting to the development on Monday,
Ikeagwuonu said the refusal to register his association was a rape on
democracy and threatened to challenge the decision in court.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
He said, “The requirements of the laws
have been complied with and we must forewarn that any trick against our
registration shall be resisted as even the same Electoral Act which
empowers INEC to register or not to register political parties equally
gives us power to challenge the decision of INEC at the Federal High
Court, up to Supreme Court where our constitutionally compliant
application to register shall be upheld by the law court.”</div>
</div>
Abiodun Noibihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14554460540237762114noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6385345812555659042.post-60198282134982682172013-03-26T05:23:00.004-07:002013-03-26T05:23:54.305-07:00Ex-Zambian president arrested over Nigerian oil deal<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<h1 class="entry-title">
Ex-Zambian president arrested over Nigerian oil deal</h1>
<div class="post-info">
<span class="date published time" title="2013-03-26T00:00:24+00:00"></span><span class="post-comments"><a href="http://www.punchng.com/news/ex-zambian-president-arrested-over-nigerian-oil-deal/#comments"><span class="dsq-postid" rel="99193 http://www.punchng.com/?p=99193"></span></a></span> </div>
<div class="story-featured-image" style="width: 368px;">
<img alt="Zambian-ex-president-Rupiah-Banda" class="attachment-bigstoryimage" height="225" src="http://punch.iwayafricanigeri.netdna-cdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/Zambian-ex-president-Rupiah-Banda--360x225.jpg" width="360" /><div class="featured-image-caption">
Zambian-ex-president-Rupiah-Banda</div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Former
Zambian president, Mr. Rupiah Banda, was arrested on Monday by the
country’s law enforcement agents over allegations of corruption and
abuse of office, following a crude oil import deal with Nigeria.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Banda, according to an online news agency, <i>hotnaijanews.com</i>, was also alleged to have misappropriated about $11m during his three-year reign as President of the country.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
The country’s authorities are accusing him of procuring oil which did not benefit the country.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
He was said to have imported crude oil
from Nigeria without actual deliveries, despite the fact that the funds
were deposited into the bank account of his son.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Banda, who was released from police
custody and is due to appear in court on Tuesday, however, said the
moves against him are politically motivated.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
He was questioned for close to three hours after his arrest related to the oil deal Monday before he was released on bail.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Banda denies the charges, and his lawyers claim the arrest is an attempt by current President Michael Sata to silence him.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
After his release, Banda appeared before
his supporters and told them to remain calm, reassuring them he would
win his case in court.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Earlier this month, parliament lifted
Banda’s presidential immunity, clearing the way for him to be prosecuted
for several corruption and abuse of office charges.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Banda lost to President Michael Sata in
2011 elections. The new government has been pursuing the corruption
investigations against the former leader and his political allies.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Banda, born 13 February 1937, was President of Zambia from 2008 to 2011.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
During the Presidency of Kenneth Kaunda,
Banda held important diplomatic posts and was active in politics as a
member of the United National Independence Party. Years later, he was
appointed as Vice-President by President Levy Mwanawasa in October 2006,
following the latter’s re-election.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
He took over Mwanawasa’s presidential
responsibilities after Mwanawasa suffered a stroke in June 2008, and
following Mwanawasa’s death in August 2008, he became acting President.
As the candidate of the governing Movement for Multiparty Democracy, he
narrowly won the October 2008 presidential election, according to
official results.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Opposition leader Michael Sata defeated
Banda in the September 2011 presidential election, and Sata accordingly
succeeded Banda as President on September 23, 2011.</div>
</div>
Abiodun Noibihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14554460540237762114noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6385345812555659042.post-60598358738794561662013-03-25T12:00:00.001-07:002013-03-25T12:00:36.001-07:00Browse With MTN BIS With Modem On Computer Without VPN<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div id="yui_3_7_2_1_1364214705993_15302" style="margin: 1em 0 3px 0;">
Want To Browse With MTN BIS With Modem On Computer Without VPN? Try this settings
</div>
<div id="yui_3_7_2_1_1364214705993_15085" style="color: #555555; font-family: Georgia, Helvetica, Arial, Sans-Serif; font-size: 13px; font-size: 13px; line-height: 140%; margin: 9px 0 3px 0;">
<span id="yui_3_7_2_1_1364214705993_15337"></span></div>
<br />
If your Glo Blackberry subscription has stopped working on your computer and tablets or you just want an alternative to the Airtel BIS trick you are using to browse on your PC, you can now browse on your computer using MTN BIS <u id="yui_3_7_2_1_1364214705993_15333">without even using any VPN software</u>. You don't need <b>Spotflux</b>, <b>PDproxy</b>, <b>DroidVPN</b> or any third party software whatsoever.<br />
<a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=6385345812555659042" name="more" rel="nofollow"></a><br />
<br />
<br />
To get started, you have to subscribe to <b>MTN BIS</b>. You can use any phone to subscribe.<br />
<br />
==> text <b>BBCWEEK</b> to <b id="yui_3_7_2_1_1364214705993_15340">21600</b> for weekly plan (costs <b>N500</b>) or text <b>BBC</b> to <b>21600</b> for monthly plan (costs <b>N1500</b>)<br />
<br />
Once you have successfuly been subscribed to the MTN BIS, you will have
to create a new profile on your 3G modem using the settings below:<br />
<br />
==> Connection Name: <b id="yui_3_7_2_1_1364214705993_15341">MTN BIS</b><br />
==> APN : <b>blackberry.net</b><br />
==> Username: <b>web</b><br />
==> Password: <b>web</b><br />
<br />
Save the settings and connect to the internet using the new profile.<br />
<br />
That's all.<br />
<br />
I hope it works for you.<br />
<br />
<b><u>NOTE</u></b>: This might stop working any moment from now. So, enjoy till it lasts.</div>
Abiodun Noibihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14554460540237762114noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6385345812555659042.post-65144691737174249792013-01-12T00:52:00.004-08:002013-01-12T00:52:39.619-08:00<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<h1 class="entry-title">
A’Ibom police in search of more arms factories</h1>
<div class="post-info">
<span class="date published time" title="2013-01-12T00:00:27+00:00"><br /></span><span class="post-comments"><a href="http://www.punchng.com/feature/crime-digest/aibom-police-in-search-of-more-arms-factories/#comments"></a></span> </div>
<div class="story-featured-image" style="width: 368px;">
<img alt="Arms and ammunitions" class="attachment-bigstoryimage" height="225" src="http://assets.punchng.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/Arms-and-ammunitions-360x225.jpg" width="360" /><div class="featured-image-caption">
Arms and ammunitions<br /><small><em> | credits: </em></small></div>
</div>
<div align="justify">
The
police in Akwa Ibom are still in search of more arms factories, a few
weeks after the discovery of a 30-year old gun factory in Ikono Local
Government Area of the state.</div>
<div align="justify">
The police, which described the last incident as very
unfortunate and dangerous, said it had commenced vigorous searches
across the state to uncover such illegal factories.</div>
<div align="justify">
In an interview with CRIME DIGEST in Uyo on Tuesday,
the state Police Public Relations Officer, Mr. Etim Dickson, said the
police were yet to discover any new locally-made gun factory after the
last one in Ikono LGA, where single-barrel wooden guns were being made.</div>
<div align="justify">
The state Commissioner of Police, Mr. Umar Gwadabe,
said the factory contained gun making machines and some ammunition which
had already been seized.</div>
<div align="justify">
He noted that the intelligence report would help the
command in mopping up ilegal arms in the area, adding that
investigations are on-going and expected to lead to the arrest of more
collaborators.</div>
</div>
Abiodun Noibihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14554460540237762114noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6385345812555659042.post-49409030085782756552013-01-12T00:51:00.006-08:002013-01-12T00:51:55.702-08:00Paying the price of convenience<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<h1 class="entry-title">
<span style="font-size: small;">Paying the price of convenience</span></h1>
<div class="post-info">
<span class="date published time" title="2013-01-12T00:00:04+00:00"></span><span class="post-comments"><a href="http://www.punchng.com/business/paying-the-price-of-convenience/#comments"></a></span> </div>
<div class="story-featured-image" style="width: 368px;">
<img alt="Mall" class="attachment-bigstoryimage" height="239" src="http://assets.punchng.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/Mall-360x239.jpg" width="360" /></div>
<div align="justify">
<br /></div>
The emergence of shopping malls in key urban centres and
neighbourhoods in recent times seems to be redefining shopping
experience in Nigeria. But this is fast becoming a mixed bag for
shoppers and retail shop operators, <b>SIMON EJEMBI</b> reports<br />
<div align="justify">
<br /></div>
Many years ago, shopping amounted to a stressful exercise for Ebere Agina.<br />
<div align="justify">
“You have to be prepared to be pushed or shoved, when
you go to the market. And if you are unlucky your money could get
stolen,” she recalls.</div>
<div align="justify">
She still has that experience, but only once in a while; when she goes to the market for some specific items or variety.</div>
<div align="justify">
Most times, she patronises one of the shopping malls that have been built in different parts of Lagos over the last few years.</div>
<div align="justify">
Apart from being a ‘way more’ convenient place to shop, the malls offer her quality products.</div>
<div align="justify">
“Surprisingly, the prices of items in the shopping
malls are sometimes cheaper than those of similar items in the
(traditional) markets. Maybe it is because some of the shops in the
malls get their goods straight from the manufacturers,” Agina, who
patronises Shoprite in Surulere and Mr. Price, adds.</div>
<div align="justify">
In the last five to seven years, the number of
shopping malls in Lagos – and the country as a whole – has been on the
rise. In Lagos, for instance, from Lekki to Victoria Island, Ikeja to
Surulere, residents now have alternatives to the traditional markets.</div>
<div align="justify">
It is a development that many shoppers commend, for making the shopping experience more convenient and organised.</div>
<div align="justify">
For Prince Lee, a lawyer, the attraction is original items.</div>
<div align="justify">
“I get original stuff from Shoprite, just like when I
travel abroad. But it has also affected my finance; ordinarily if I
spent N40, 000 a month before, I now spend about N80, 000 because I shop
randomly. That could be considered a negative aspect of it,” he says.</div>
<div align="justify">
Another shopper, Mrs. Yinka Oyeleyin, says while she
appreciates the convenience the shopping malls offer, she visits them
only for specific items. She, however, avoids the malls on Saturdays
because they can be as crowded as traditional markets on such days.
Oyeleyin says it will take up to 50 more shopping malls to ease the
congestion the malls presently witness at the weekend.</div>
<div align="justify">
But as more people throng the malls, it is not all positive.</div>
<div align="justify">
“There is no difference between the shopping malls and Idumota (market),” Femi Jones says, while describing his experience.</div>
<div align="justify">
He adds, “In both places where you buy goods you are
harassed for money from the moment you park your car. There is no
difference for me.”</div>
<div align="justify">
The Managing Director, Lagos State Chambers of
Commerce and Industry, says while the malls have raised the bar in terms
of retailing, there is a flip side –they are stifling smaller retail
outlets.</div>
<div align="justify">
“They have raised the bar for supermarket chains in Nigeria; people have a standard that they can look up to,” he says.</div>
<div align="justify">
“The flip side is that many of our local retail shops
will be adversely affected. So we are likely to see significant loss of
jobs in the retail sector, particularly around each of these shopping
malls.”</div>
<div align="justify">
Yusuf adds that from reports reaching him, some shops around the malls are already going out of business.</div>
<div align="justify">
While he says the positives of the shopping malls
outweigh the negatives, he stresses that the negatives still give cause
for concern.</div>
<div align="justify">
“The retail sales sector is a major employer of
labour in Nigeria, so if you have a situation where the presence of this
shopping mall is now affecting them, especially at a time when we are
talking about unemployment and so on, it is something that should give
concern,” he explains.</div>
<div align="justify">
Emeka Chimeze, who runs a boutique in Ketu, says the
emergence of the malls has not affected his business because there is no
mall nearby. But the case is not the same for his brother who owns a
boutique in Ogba, close to a new shopping mall.</div>
<div align="justify">
“He has been crying that the mall is killing his
business,” he said. When asked about the chances his brother may have of
moving his business into the mall, Chimeze said it would cost nothing
less than N5m to rent a shop in the mall.</div>
<div align="justify">
But Lee says the emergence of the shopping malls will
affect smaller shops mainly because they do not sell original goods,
which, according to him, is what people want.</div>
<div align="justify">
A pharmacist, Mr. Finbarr T, who works in a pharmacy
at the Ikeja Shopping Mall, says that while the shopping malls are
better organised and attract many customers, his shop does not have a
big edge over others in traditional set ups.</div>
<div align="justify">
“I think what matters is the location,” he said. “For
instance there is a pharmacy near Allen Roundabout in Ikeja, and
because there are a lot of companies there, it gets a lot of customers.</div>
<div align="justify">
Mrs. Seun Awolola, who admits that the malls were
likely to affect smaller business, particularly those close to the
malls, says the impact will increase over time.</div>
<div align="justify">
She adds that as soon as the shopping centres start
selling everything that can be purchased in the traditional market at a
similar price, she and many others like herself will have no reason to
go to the traditional markets any more.</div>
<div align="justify">
She adds, “When this happens, there will be nothing anyone can do about it”.</div>
<div align="justify">
But Muda believes some form of regulation might help now.</div>
<div align="justify">
“We can check their spread. There has to be a way of
regulating them. So that in a city they don’t capture all the retail
markets – because we have to keep our people employed,” he insists.</div>
<div align="justify">
However, the trend being witnessed in the country at
the moment is only just beginning, according to a report on retail
investment – released last year.</div>
<div align="justify">
The report, “Redefining Retail Investment”, which was
published by Jones Lang Lasalle, a multinational financial and
professional services company specialising in real estate, shows that
the emergence of these shopping centres is likely to redefine retail
investment, a development that will not only pose greater threat to
small retail outlets but will see shopping centres dot the landscape.</div>
<div align="justify">
In the report, Nigeria, alongside Venezuela,
Bangladesh, Algeria, Pakistan, Iraq and Manyar, is ranked in the
frontier markets, which is rated ‘opaque’ in the transparency index for
2012,, while South Africa is ranked, alongside Italy, Spain, and the
UAE, in the transitional market – which is rated ‘transparent’ on the
index.</div>
<div align="justify">
In the frontier market, to which Nigeria belongs, the
report says, “organised retailing is at an early stage of evolution and
the retail infrastructure is still poorly developed. The number of
modern shopping centres is very limited.</div>
<div align="justify">
“Substantial market opportunities come in tandem with
the major challenges that are associated with difficult operating
environments, low real estate transparency and high political/economic
risk.”</div>
<div align="justify">
According to the report, the emergence of these malls is partly driven by the inexorable growth of the urban middle classes.</div>
<div align="justify">
With regards to the future of shopping centres and
retail investment in Sub-Saharan Africa, the report predicts that South
African investors or developers in partnership with retailers are likely
to accelerate their move across the continent.</div>
As this happens, it adds, “The focus will be on Nigeria, the region’s
largest consumer market, oil-rich Angola, Ghana and Mozambique, and
some of the more stable markets in Southern and Eastern Africa.”</div>
Abiodun Noibihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14554460540237762114noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6385345812555659042.post-12827892456754301812013-01-12T00:50:00.001-08:002013-01-12T00:50:20.721-08:00Music is my drug, sex my therapy – Fatai Rolling Dollar<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<h1 class="entry-title">
<span style="font-size: small;">Music is my drug, sex my therapy – Fatai Rolling Dollar</span></h1>
<div class="post-info">
<span class="date published time" title="2013-01-12T00:00:14+00:00"><br /></span><span class="post-comments"><a href="http://www.punchng.com/entertainment/life-beat/music-is-my-drug-sex-my-therapy-fatai-rolling-dollar/#comments"></a></span> </div>
<div class="story-featured-image" style="width: 368px;">
<img alt="Fatai Rolling Dollar" class="attachment-bigstoryimage" height="251" src="http://assets.punchng.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/Fatai-Rolling-Dollar-360x251.jpg" width="360" /><div class="featured-image-caption">
Fatai Rolling Dollar<br /><small><em> | credits: </em></small></div>
</div>
<div align="justify">
Fatai
Olagunju, aka Rolling Dollar, is a reporter’s delight any day. One hour
with him and he would have taken you through three decades of West
African music.</div>
<div align="justify">
One day, during a meeting with LIFE & BEAT in a
popular eatery in Lagos, while he sipped from a glass of orange juice,
the celebrated highlife musician unveiled a few closely guarded secrets.</div>
<div align="justify">
“My father was the first man to drive from Nigeria to
Gold Coast (now known as Ghana) in 1929. I got the name ’Rolling Dollar
’ in my school days in the early 1930s. I used to be in the school
football team. Whenever we were about to play football, I would go to
the pitch with some dimes (American) in my pocket. My sister regularly
gave them to me. It was her way of motivating me to face my studies.</div>
<div align="justify">
“I always spent the money on food during break time.
Every time my teammates saw me with the money, they would said to me
‘Fatai, bring your dollar, let us roll it. Head or tail?’ That was how I
got the name and it has stuck since then,” the seasoned musician said.</div>
<div align="justify">
When conversation shifted to the source of his
incredible energy at 85 years, he simply smiled and said, “I have only
God to thank for this. I have no special health programme or
prescription that I follow. I don’t take herbs or special drugs to give
me energy. I am natural and that is why I can sit here and tell you it
is God’s grace. But I don’t abuse food or drinks. I free my mind from
worries. The things that I cannot change, I hand them over to God. He
created me, He knows my beginning and ending, as well as my strength and
weaknesses.”</div>
<div align="justify">
One thing gives this spritely artiste joy, though:
the fact that providence had used well-meaning Nigerians to lift him
from poverty in his old age.</div>
<div align="justify">
“There is this prayer in Yoruba, which says, ’Kaale
so mi ju owuro lo’ (Let my old age be prosperous). In my years of need, I
used to say that prayer. Now everything has come to pass. I suffered a
lot, but God used Asiwaju Bola Tinubu to elevate me and change my
status. I am immensely indebted to this great man called Tinubu. God
used him to turn my defeat to victory. Here I am today smiling. My name
is everywhere again,” he said, smiling broadly.</div>
<div align="justify">
Interestingly, the old man confessed that he is hooked on sex.</div>
<div align="justify">
“My weakness is sex. Music is my drug and sex is my
therapy. Even at my age I cannot stop having sex. My youngest wife knows
this. I am strong and very agile in that department and sex has never
weighed me down. If anything, it helps me to release tension. Mind you, I
am not recommending it for anybody because what is good for my system
might not be healthy for you,” he said.</div>
</div>
Abiodun Noibihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14554460540237762114noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6385345812555659042.post-80219005362808020102013-01-12T00:48:00.003-08:002013-01-12T00:48:45.039-08:00No regret dating a junior colleague –Toyin Aimakhu<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<h1 class="entry-title">
<span style="font-size: small;">No regret dating a junior colleague –Toyin Aimakhu</span></h1>
<div class="post-info">
<span class="date published time" title="2013-01-12T00:00:19+00:00"><br /></span><span class="post-comments"><a href="http://www.punchng.com/feature/encounter/no-regret-dating-a-junior-colleague-toyin-aimakhu/#comments"></a></span> </div>
<div class="story-featured-image" style="width: 174px;">
<img alt="Toyin Aimakhu" class="attachment-bigstoryimage" src="http://assets.punchng.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/Toyin-Aimakhu-.jpg" /><div class="featured-image-caption">
Toyin Aimakhu</div>
</div>
<div align="left" style="text-align: justify;">
Popular
Yoruba actress, Toyin Aimakhu, delves into her issues about her life,
romance, scandals, Nollywood and more. She spoke with <b>Ademola Olonilua</b></div>
<div align="left" style="text-align: justify;">
How I cope with advances from men</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
I get advances from men a lot. I cannot
count how many times they hit on me. Some of them walk up to me with
lame pick up lines. There was a day I used a picture of me and Bimbo
Akintola on my BlackBerry. She is my friend and a role model. We were at
a movie location and I took a picture with her. I used it as my
BlackBerry display picture and someone sent a message asking if that was
Bimbo Akintola. I replied the person saying she isn’t the one, that it
was Iya Rainbow. There was another time someone came up to me and said
he likes me. I said thank you and he said I should guess what. I asked
and he said he really does not watch Yoruba movies. I told the person
that I don’t act Yoruba movies, that I dance for Fela. He was shocked
and said but I act Yoruba movies. I replied the man saying that I
thought he does not watch Yoruba movies. I am not a harsh or aggressive
person; everybody knows that all I do is act in Yoruba movies. I am a
very nice and friendly person and I know that without my fans I am
nothing. I have been able to cope with men because right from my
childhood, most of my friends have been guys. I feel safe around them. I
am a plain person; the thing with guys is that when you have an issue
with them, they clear it immediately unlike women who keep talking about
it all the time. When you are doing a great job, the opposite sex would
definitely always come after you. I am used to it. Thank God, my man is
an actor and a model, so he understands. Even when men don’t look at
me, I tell him that nobody is noticing me and he teases me that it is
because I am not fine again. Then we laugh it off.</div>
<div align="justify" style="text-align: justify;">
The part of my body I consider as my best asset</div>
<div align="justify" style="text-align: justify;">
I love every part of my
body but if I am to choose I would say probably my breasts. My smile and
my lips are also good features of my body.</div>
<div align="justify" style="text-align: justify;">
How I became an actress</div>
<div align="justify" style="text-align: justify;">
I never wanted to become
an actress. I wanted to be a physiotherapist. I love attending to
people, taking care of them. I did my HND in Marketing; I have a Degree
in Philosophy from Olabisi Onabanjo University. My late brother, Mutab
Aimakhu, had a friend, and the friend had an uncle who happened to be
Aina Kushoro. Bukky Wright wanted to shoot a student movie and they
needed someone to help them in University of Ibadan. Kushoro called me
and told me that he needed me to help an actress. I asked who the
actress was and he said that it was Bukky Wright. I was excited because
everybody was going to see me with her. When she came around I was
staring at her, I was telling everybody that I was with my aunty. She
wanted to park her car and I offered to help her though I looked small
and skinny; she did not believe I could drive. They had an audition and I
was just watching. I liked her so I went to get her food and we sat
together. I asked her why the people were not getting it right and she
said that acting is not easy. I told her that there was nothing to it.
She asked if I could act and I told her yes. We were just playing. She
told me to go on stage. The person that directed it was Tope Idowu. I
went on stage, they said I should act some scenarios for them which I
did and they said I did very well. Everybody present there gave me a
resounding ovation but I didn’t see it as anything. I was not interested
in acting professionally. They started shooting and had some problems
so they had to go to Ife. Bukky Wright forgot something in Ibadan and
asked me to help her bring it to Ife. When I got there, she was upset
and I asked her why she was down. She said that an actress they were
expecting had not shown up. She asked if I could play the part but I was
reluctant. I later played the part and was good at it. Back then, it
was part of my fashion style to put a dot on the right side of my upper
lip. The director of Jenifa, Muyideen Sasiliu, was the continuity guy on
set. He approached me and said he needed me for something. He said he
wanted to shoot a movie and he needed someone that would play Rachael
Oniga’s part as a young person. He asked if the dot on my upper lip was
natural and I said it was. When finished Bukky Wright’s film, she gave
me money and I was surprised. Because of my background I was really
shocked because I did not know someone could make money through talent.
Then I came to Lagos. My journey to Lagos was like a joke; when I told
my mother, she was very surprised and worried for me because I hadn’t
been to Lagos before. I was born and bred in Ibadan. When I got to
Lagos, everybody was just complimenting me, saying I am beautiful. They
kept asking if I could drive because back then not many people could
drive. When I acted people commended me and when I was done, I got paid.
I went to Bukky Wright and she liked me. I visited her from time to
time. Then she became my boss. That was how I started acting.</div>
<div align="justify" style="text-align: justify;">
My parents’ reaction to my acting career</div>
<div align="justify" style="text-align: justify;">
There is something about
my family. Then when I just got in the industry I had problems with
some people. They felt I was rude. It is not that I am rude. The way I
was brought up, in my house they allow us to express ourselves freely.
Even with my father, you have the right to express yourself. That was my
upbringing. You can talk; you do not have to be scared of anybody. My
parents would listen to you talk; they would not make you afraid of them
by threatening you with punishment. They wanted us to be bold and this
upbringing really worked for me. We do not lie in my house because we
were trained in a Christian way. My parents would never choose what you
are to do. They would let you do what you want so that even when you run
into problems you would be able to stand on your own. My parents are
old; initially my mother was scared but she went to some pastors and
they prayed for me. My mother said the only thing she wants from me is
that I should not forget where I come from and I should not do what I am
not supposed to do. I promised her that I wouldn’t and if I do, I will
die. She said that I will not die but live to testify to the goodness of
God in my life. I will never serve God and money. My dad is a simple
man; he lets you do what you want to do. Initially they did not support
it but with time they changed their minds. Ever since I got their full
support I have seen changes in my life.</div>
<div align="justify" style="text-align: justify;">
The stigma against actresses</div>
<div align="justify" style="text-align: justify;">
People see actresses as
being wayward but it happens with young girls everywhere. But because we
are known faces people tend to check our every move. I feel we are
meant to be role models. I will not blame anybody; we are all from
different backgrounds and have different mentality. <i>Actresses don’t fight over men</i>.
Once they know you are an actress, they are ready to tarnish your
image. Actress don’t fight over men. I do not have anything against
people that date married men but I have never dated a married man and I
would never do such. Because I am crazy in films people tend to have a
wrong perception of me. I do not have tattoos, I do not use make-up
except I am on set or I am going for an event. I have never dated a
married man. My first boyfriend was Lekan, he is a young guy. I had
another relationship with Niyi Solanke; then my ex-boyfriend, Kunle
Soyombo who went to the press and told people I cheated on him. There is
something about me; I pray a lot, I always want my fans to be proud of
me. I love them and do not want to disappoint them. Kunle got married
recently and I am with Niyi. To God be the glory, I am engaged. My
husband proposed to me on a ferry. I love him and appreciate him. People
see some actresses as wayward because of the way they place themselves.
I am sure that a lot of people would not describe the likes of my boss,
Bukky Wright, or Funke Akindele, Iyabo Ojo as wayward. The few bad eggs
are the ones spoiling the names of the good ones. We have a lot of
wonderful people in the industry. When you sit down and look at the
people that are the bad eggs, they are not in the industry to act.</div>
<div align="justify" style="text-align: justify;">
Strained relationship between English and Yoruba speaking artistes</div>
<div align="justify" style="text-align: justify;">
I do not know about
anybody degrading anyone because no one can do that to me. If you mock
me I retaliate. You cannot degrade me because I am a graduate. A lot of
people complain about it. I have a lot of friends among them and we talk
regularly. I have been invited to act several English speaking movies. I
was invited to act in Blackberry Babes, but I was not around. When I
was called I was not around because I was shooting Femi Adebayo’s movie
and I explained to them. It is a personal thing. Sometimes when I see
some people act as such, I would complain but I would later keep quiet
because I do not want to be insulted. It is the way you package
yourself, the way you talk to people but there is no way anybody can
downgrade me because I do not downgrade people. I do not disrespect
people so nobody can disrespect me. If you do not want to talk with me, I
would stay at home.</div>
<div align="justify" style="text-align: justify;">
The money scandal I was involved in last year</div>
<div align="justify" style="text-align: justify;">
My car was stolen from a
friend of mine in September 2012. She wanted to drop someone with my
car and it was stolen in the process. I am a public figure and from time
to time, people give us gifts. I was shooting a movie and a friend
walked up to me that a guy wanted to take us out because it was his
birthday. I declined because I have a man and I cannot go out. The next
day, Ibrahim, the man came and said he likes my movie and I thanked him.
He said his father is an Islamic cleric and I asked him to tell his dad
to keep praying for us. He said that he heard my car was stolen and
offered to help. I accepted his offer to help, people give us money as
well. I would never receive a gift for sex. The Bible says my body is
the temple of the lord. I would never, ever do such. It was a big issue
that later involved my husband. If I had done such, I would have been in
big trouble. How would I have told him? My husband would faint, he
would have been so disappointed. I am a lady and not married yet, it is
normal for men to make passes at me but he knows I am from a Christian
home. He is a good Christian and I am from a Christian home. If he hears
such, he is going to faint. Ibrahim gave me N750,000 cash. He actually
wanted to buy me a car; I wish he actually bought me a car so when the
issue came up I would have just given him his car back. The guy’s father
is a wonderful man. He spoke to me like a daughter and told me that the
money was meant for someone else before his son took it. it was a gift,
I did not steal it, I did not beg for it; but because he is a father
and the way he spoke to me I listened. Ibrahim has an uncle, Agbana, who
was also nice; Ibrahim too was nice, when he gave me the money, it was
useful and I used it for something. I returned the money, but I still
have about N200,000 to return.</div>
<div align="justify" style="text-align: justify;">
About my previous relationship</div>
<div align="justify" style="text-align: justify;">
The reason why I kept
quiet all this while is because I am a lover girl. I fall in love; I
love love. It is a sweet and wonderful experience. It is a beautiful
thing. I have been waiting for this opportunity and I want my fans to
sit down and think. I have never dated a married man, I am not a child.
They can count the people I have dated and it is about four or five
guys, including Niyi. Thank God I am engaged now. I fall in love and I
do not know how to hide the person I am in love with. Once you ask me
out and I say yes, I want to get married to you. It means I am in love
with you; however most of these guys do not have the same intention. I
have learnt that God’s time is the best. I had been walking around like a
fool; meanwhile God had packaged Mr. Niyi Johnson for me. If I had
married someone else apart from Niyi Johnson I would not be a happy
woman. Now I met my better half and I love him. I do not even know the
girl my former boyfriend is married to. He took my car; the Honda is
actually my car. He was a guy I was in love with. I know Kunle is a
funny person but there is something about me, even when they tell me you
are not a good person, I want to deal with you. A lot of people have
the wrong impression about me. I am a professional; because I act on
screen, I act well and want to make it real. When you meet me, you
realize it is just on screen. This has made me to always give people the
benefit of doubt. So when people tell me about a person, I try to find
out who the person really is. I bought the car for about N3 million. He
was my man and he gave me N1 million. I just had to let it go because I
was shocked and he was someone I loved. I found out and I just kept
quiet about it. There was a time Kunle was in South Africa. The guy he
went to meet was shopping while Kunle was at home. The guy tried calling
him but couldn’t reach him so he called me instead. When he called me,
he asked if it was boy or girl because he wanted to buy baby things to
send to me. I was surprised because I was not pregnant. I was
speechless; I called Kunle and told him what his friend said, that he
wanted to buy baby things. He said that I should not mind his friend,
that he wanted to buy it for one of his aunties who had a baby boy. I am
smart but I kept quiet and took my mind off it. We did not have a
fight, he just came to me to say that he wanted to attend a meeting and
he took my car, because it was the latest Honda. I said okay and that
was all, he stopped picking my calls. I sent him a text message, telling
him to keep the car. I serve a living God; the next thing I saw was
that he granted interviews saying that I was cheating on him. I went on a
day’s fasting, and for 24 hours I was crying to God. I said that
anything bad must not happen to anybody but let the people, my fans know
the truth. And the truth came out. He had a wedding less than three
months after we broke up. It was not even up to three months and the
girl was about six months pregnant. We had spent Christmas and New Year
together; he went to South Africa in November. I was the one that did
the South African visa for him. He came back; my friend went to pick him
up at the airport. We were together in the house, we had a New Year’s
party, a lot of people were at the party. That means the girl had been
pregnant all along and he had been playing me. He got back from South
Africa and did not buy me a single top. My friends were surprised and
asked why he did not buy anything for me, but I told them that he did
not buy anything for me because he said he was broke. Meanwhile, people
said they saw someone at the airport who came to pick things for him.
God has a way of doing things. I wish him well; he was a wonderful guy
too. I wish him well in life.</div>
<div align="justify" style="text-align: justify;">
Me and my man</div>
<div align="justify" style="text-align: justify;">
When you ask me about
Niyi I feel like flying. I love him, he is my joy, and my friends make
jest of me a lot with him. If I want to eat I call him; if he wants to
do anything he calls me. We talk all the time. Niyi is my junior
colleague but three years older than I am. I saw him in a movie and I
was impressed by his acting. As seniors in the industry, when we see
upcoming acts we make our observations. There is a tradition in the
Yoruba movie industry, even if you are a 50-year-old person and I am
20-years-old but I got to the industry before you, you give me my
respect. That is Yoruba, culture. I am 29-years-old. By looking at him I
knew he was older than me. He wanted to talk to me but I was not
interested because he is my junior colleague. Fortunately, Funke
Akindele called me for a job, Oro omo. On getting to the set, he played
my boyfriend. I would not lie, I liked him. When I saw him on set he
came to me and said he is playing my boyfriend, I did not sound excited
about it. I kept my cool. I asked him to walk me to my car, he was
talking to me and I know he liked me, he took pictures with me. On set
we were supposed to kiss, he had opened his mouth but I did not indulge
him. When they stole my car, it gave everybody a reason to talk with me.
He started talking to me and I was impressed by his intelligence. I
told him I had seen him in Tinsel and he does a lot of soaps. His
command of English is beautiful and that attracted me more to him. I saw
a book with him and I loved it because I also love reading books. When
he told me he likes me and wanted to date me I asked if he was on cheap
drugs. He just sent me a text, ‘I did my findings and I am three years
older than you, I know you don’t date for money and you don’t do married
men. I love you’. I was like who is this and I disregarded the text. We
later became friends and on my birthday, we were the only ones in the
sitting room, people were outside. He told me he wanted to use the
toilet so I had to take him, as we were going; he just dragged me to
himself and kissed me. I could not resist him. He confessed to me that
he liked his movies. On December 31, 2012, we were coming from Moji
Olaiya’s movie location. He told me to allow them take the car away,
giving several excuses. He told us to take a ferry, and on the ferry he
proposed. That was the sweetest thing that could ever happen to a woman.
He asked and I said yes. I told him that he should have told me so I
would have hired people to shout yes on my behalf. We came back and
there was a cab waiting for us.</div>
<div align="justify" style="text-align: justify;">
My current project</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
I just shot Alacada part 2, we are
taking it to the cinema. On January 22, I am going to start another
movie; it has to do with autism. I am playing the part of a girl with
autism. Her father has autism, it is a heredity problem; I inherited it
from my father but mine is a worse case. My father used to be very rich
and my mother married him for his money. Everything went bad and she
left us. It was just my father and I. I had a best friend who happened
to be an imbecile. However, my character has a talent, she can drum very
well. She thinks like a child, she has the brain of a six-year-old
although she is about 30 years. She has a gift, she can drum real good,
later she becomes famous.</div>
</div>
Abiodun Noibihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14554460540237762114noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6385345812555659042.post-62009991244371030582013-01-12T00:47:00.001-08:002013-01-12T00:47:11.824-08:00Shocker: Illegal drug factories flourish in Nigeria<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<h1 class="entry-title">
<span style="font-size: small;">Shocker: Illegal drug factories flourish in Nigeria</span></h1>
<div class="post-info">
<span class="date published time" title="2013-01-12T00:00:32+00:00"></span><span class="post-comments"><a href="http://www.punchng.com/feature/crime-digest/shocker-illegal-drug-factories-flourish-in-nigeria/#comments"></a></span> </div>
<div class="story-featured-image" style="width: 368px;">
<img alt="NDLEA officials with a suspect at an illegal drug factory in Nnewi, Anambra" class="attachment-bigstoryimage" height="225" src="http://assets.punchng.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/Illegal-drug-factories-360x225.jpg" width="360" /><div class="featured-image-caption">
NDLEA officials with a suspect at an illegal drug factory in Nnewi, Anambra<br /><small><em> | credits: </em></small></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
A
little known problem steadily creeping into the Nigerian society is the
rising number of factories where metamphetamie is produced.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
The white, odourless and bitter drug
easily dissolves in water or alcohol. It can be taken orally,
intravenously or by smoking and snorting.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
In street parlance, the drug is known as
as ‘paya’ or ‘meth’. It became popular among Nigerian drug users for its
capacity to enhance sexual performance and for its medical property as a
pain killer.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
For some time, meth was imported into the
country by drug barons perpetually on the lookout for quick profits.
They began to distribute the drug in capsules known as D10 and addicts
found it easy to purchase it over the counter. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Meth is commonly used by wrestlers and
touts locally. Along the line, drug addicts found other substitutes for
meth; ephedrine and procaine powder.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
In 2010, Meth became central to the
Federal Government’s campaign to rid the country of narcotics after the
National Drug Law Enforcement Agency observed an outward flow of the
drug from Nigeria to Western and Asian countries. This was the warning
bell that foretold the possibility of illegal meth factories flourishing
within the country.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Earlier in 2005, the United Nations
Office on Drugs and Crime had raised the alarm over illegal meth
factories in Nigeria and West Africa. According to a report published by
the agency in 2011, there was an increase in the demand for the drug in
Asia. Some countries in South East Asia were said to have reported a
250 per cent increase in meth-related arrests between 2004 and 2009.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
The Japanese authorities had observed an
increase in the number of people trafficking in the narcotic from Africa
to Japan. Nigeria was listed as a source country in West Africa
alongside Benin, Cameroun and Senegal.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Clearly, drug trafficking syndicates had
expanded their network to include the production of meth. A UNODC 2012
reports lists an increase in the smuggling of meth to Asian countries,
such as Japan and Korea.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
NDLEA reports from 2010 till date for
meth seizures at the Murtala Mohammed International Airport, indicates
that from the 83 arrests made, 62 of the suspects were heading to
various Asian countries. While 38 were travelling to Malaysia, while
seven were heading to India and Japan respectively.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Four of the suspects were heading to Thailand and two others were going to Bangladesh.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Indeed, more worrisome is the fact that
foreigners have infiltrated the drug scene in Nigeria. Within a two-year
period, a total of 284.583kg of meth were seized by the NDLEA; the
largest seizure being 50kg of Ephredine that was destined for
Mozambique.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
The Chairman and Chief Executive of the
NDLEA, Ahmadu Giade, explained the trend to CRIME DIGEST. He said, “All
over the world, the war on narcotics is tightening and drug barons are
on the lookout for cheaper and easier alternatives that can provide the
same euphoric effect as cocaine and heroin. Meth quickly became this
alternative as it can be produced in laboratories; now it is in high
demand in Europe.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
“However, the snag is that there are very
few persons globally who have the expertise to produce meth. That is
why Nigerian drug syndicates are sourcing the expertise of foreigners to
help establish meth laboratories. If Nigerians should master the art of
producing meth locally, the health and environment implications would
be disastrous.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
“From our reports, the preferred
destination for meth traffickers in Nigeria is Asia and the reason is
that in most Asian countries, the penalty for drug trafficking is death.
This has raised the price of hard drugs in Asia because of the risk
involved in trafficking. As a result, it is more profitable for drug
traffickers to ply their trade in Asia than in other Western nations.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
“Every drug baron trades in the drug,
which is certain to turn in the most profit. Currently, meth is the most
profitable drug. A kilogramme of cocaine sells for N3m but goes for
N12m at its peak. Meth on the other hand, sells for N12m/N15m per
kilogramme on a good day.”</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Unfortunately for the Nigerian
government, drug syndicates in the country have turned their attention
to this development and have begun the production of meth locally in the
country. Between June 2011 and December. 2012, the NDLEA reportedly
discovered five meth factories in the country. While four of the illegal
factories were found in Lagos, one was discovered in Anambra. The first
discovery was actually made in a place known as Monkey Village in the
Iba area of Lagos.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Nearly all the factories, except the one
found in Anambra, were sited in developing areas, thereby making it easy
for the traffickers to carry out their operations undisturbed.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
“All the meth factories in Lagos were
sited in areas that still had many undeveloped plots. This makes it easy
for the traffickers to work undisturbed because they usually don’t like
to interact with their neighbours. Drug syndicates are unaware of the
health hazards of meth production.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
“At the Nanka meth factory in Nnewi, the
suspect was using an underground apartment in his family home as his
lab. The environmental and health consequences are endless; gases that
are released from the production of meth are deadly, if inhaled. For
every pound of meth produced, five to six pounds of waste products are
generated. They can also cause skin cancer if exposed to the human skin.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
“Then there is the matter of the solid
waste that is released after meth has been produced. Some of the
suspects had drilled holes into their fence through which they disposed
of this waste on empty parcels of land near their homes. This waste
kills everything around it; the soil and grass. Now if that waste
percolates into the ground, it can equally pollute the ground water.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
“ In one of the arrests we made, meth was
already in production at the lab before we arrived. The workers in the
lab were not even adequately protected; they were unaware of the danger
they were in.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
“Nigeria does not have the expertise to
clean up a meth factory; we had to enlist the help of foreign
counterparts to do this. Without proper clean up and disposal, toxic
waste from the meth production process can remain present and active for
years. Unsuspecting victims who live in dwellings formerly used as drug
labs are among those at greatest risk because the vapours released
during production are absorbed by the wall and floor surfaces,” Giade
said.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Between June 2011 and December 2012, four
foreigners were allegedly arrested by the NDLEA in connection with the
production of meth in Nigeria. They were three Bolivians and a
Colombian.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
The Colombian, Gonzelo Osorio, was said
to have been responsible for the establishment of three meth
laboratories. A specialist, Osorio was reportedly contracted by a drug
syndicate in Nigeria and paid $38,000 weekly to establish these
candlestine laboratories. He had left Nigeria in December 2011 and
returned on May 30, 2012 with a false identity as a citizen of Paraguay
by the name Baez Benitez Milan.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Before his arrest, Osorio was said to
have established a meth lab at Majek in Ibeju Lekki Local Government
Area of Lagos State and another at Nanka village in Nnewi area of
Anambra State. He was in the process of setting up a third lab before
his arrest. Six more suspects, all Nigerians were also arrested
alongside Osorio. They are Gabriel Obi, Anthony Ebi, Olisa
Onyebuchukwu, Mickey Ezeokoli, Solomon Ogbonna and Chidi Alexandra
Efeagwazi.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Earlier in 2012, three Bolivians named
Yerko Dorado, Ruben Jorge and Hugo Moreno were reportedly arrested in
connection with an illegal meth lab at satellite Town, Lagos. NDLEA
operatives recovered 41.150kg of ephedrine, 4.8kg of methamphetamine,
other chemicals and sundry gadgets from the lab. Another suspect was
also reportedly apprehended in Lagos for using his residence for a solo
production of methamphetamine. Wanted by the agency for their connection
with the Bolivians are two Nigerians – Solomon Uzoka and Basil Uzoka.</div>
</div>
Abiodun Noibihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14554460540237762114noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6385345812555659042.post-76552677481952688172013-01-12T00:45:00.003-08:002013-01-12T00:45:32.228-08:002014: Fayemi donates vehicles to ACN leaders<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<h1 class="entry-title">
<span style="font-size: small;">2014: Fayemi donates vehicles to ACN leaders</span></h1>
<div class="post-info">
<span class="date published time" title="2013-01-12T00:00:24+00:00"></span><span class="post-comments"><a href="http://www.punchng.com/news/2014-fayemi-donates-vehicles-to-acn-leaders/#comments"></a></span> </div>
<div class="story-featured-image" style="width: 368px;">
<img alt="Ekiti State Governor, Kayode Fayemi" class="attachment-bigstoryimage" height="225" src="http://assets.punchng.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/Ekiti-State-Governor-Kayode-Fayemi-360x225.jpg" width="360" /><div class="featured-image-caption">
Ekiti State Governor, Kayode Fayemi<br /><small><em> | credits: </em></small></div>
</div>
<div align="justify" style="text-align: justify;">
Governor
Kayode Fayemi of Ekiti State on Friday donated some buses to the youth
and women’s wings of the Action Congress of Nigeria in the state, in a
move that suggests that he might be strategising ahead of the 2014
governorship election.</div>
<div align="justify" style="text-align: justify;">
The governor made the
donation at the ACN secretariat on Ajilosun Street in Ado-Ekiti, capital
of the state, after meeting with the executive of the party led by the
chairman, Chief Jide Awe.</div>
<div align="justify" style="text-align: justify;">
Fayemi advised the
leaders of the party to stand up and defend his administration by
enlightening the people of the state on the reason why the government
was implementing its policies.</div>
<div align="justify" style="text-align: justify;">
The leaders of the ACN
in the state, led by former Governor Niyi Adebayo, Speaker of the House
of Assembly, Dr. Adewale Omirin and the party chairman, have endorsed
Fayemi for a second term in office.</div>
<div align="justify" style="text-align: justify;">
The governor was
endorsed on December 30 at the residence of Adebayo in Iyin-Ekiti, even
as a member of the House of Representatives from the town, Mr. Opeyemi
Bamidele, was rumoured to be nursing an ambition to run for governor in
2014.</div>
<div align="justify" style="text-align: justify;">
Sources close to
Bamidele told journalists that he would contest in 2014. But Fayemi and
Bamidele have yet to declare their intention publicly.</div>
<div align="justify" style="text-align: justify;">
Earlier Awe said the endorsement of Fayemi by the party’s leadership was based on performance and well earned by the latter.</div>
<div align="justify" style="text-align: justify;">
Commenting on the recent
dissolution of his cabinet, the governor said that there was nothing
wrong in his action, adding that the time was already ripe for a review.</div>
<div align="justify" style="text-align: justify;">
He said that he would consult widely before reconstituting the cabinet.</div>
<div align="justify" style="text-align: justify;">
Also Fayemi dismissed
the rumour that his deputy, Mrs. Funmilayo Olayinka had resigned her
appointment, while denying that he was ferried out of the country in an
air ambulance.</div>
<div align="justify" style="text-align: justify;">
He described Ekiti as
the number one rumour mill in Africa, saying that rumour-peddling must
be discouraged in order to give room for more development in the state.</div>
<div align="justify" style="text-align: justify;">
“We are about to enter a
season of politics. It is the duty of the party’s leaders to defend the
decisions of the government. They shouldn’t be the ones telling the
people in the communities that he/she doesn’t know what is happening in
the government,” he said.</div>
</div>
Abiodun Noibihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14554460540237762114noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6385345812555659042.post-81185445833164787482013-01-12T00:34:00.005-08:002013-01-12T00:34:47.105-08:00N750m scandal: Soludo granted bail, passport seized<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<h1 class="entry-title">
<span style="font-size: small;">N750m scandal: Soludo granted bail, passport seized</span></h1>
<div class="post-info">
<span class="date published time" title="2013-01-12T00:00:31+00:00"></span><span class="post-comments"><a href="http://www.punchng.com/news/n750m-scandal-soludo-granted-bail-passport-seized/#comments"></a></span> </div>
<div class="story-featured-image" style="width: 368px;">
<img alt="Former CBN Governor, Professor Charles Soludo" class="attachment-bigstoryimage" height="225" src="http://assets.punchng.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/Prof-Charles-Soludo-360x225.jpg" width="360" /><div class="featured-image-caption">
Former CBN Governor, Professor Charles Soludo<br /><small><em> | credits: File copy</em></small></div>
</div>
<div align="justify">
A former Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Prof. Charles Soludo, who was arrested on Thursday, has been granted bail.</div>
<div align="justify">
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission picked
him up over alleged complicity in the Australian polymer banknotes
bribery scandal estimated at over N750m.</div>
<div align="justify">
He was said to have been allowed to go home having been grilled for several hours by the commission’s team of investigators.</div>
<div align="justify">
A source in EFCC told <i>Saturday PUNCH</i> that
Soludo was asked to drop his diplomatic passport and to produce two
sureties who must be senior federal civil servants not below the level
of permanent secretaries or directors.</div>
<div align="justify">
The source said, “The former CBN governor was
eventually allowed to go yesterday (Thursday) night. I think he left
around that time you people left.</div>
<div align="justify">
“He was waiting for journalists to go and immediately
you people left, he sneaked out. But that is not the end because he is
also expected back for further interrogation.</div>
<div align="justify">
“I don’t have much details on the other 12 ex-staff
members of the CBN and the Nigerian Security Printing and Minting
Company, who were linked with the scandal; it is not as if the suspects
are here. But a number of them have been questioned over time and they
are from NSPMC and CBN, they are not in our station at the moment.”</div>
<div align="justify">
Several efforts to get the confirmation of Soludo’s
release from the spokesperson for the EFCC, Wilson Uwujaren, were
unsuccessful as he did not answer his telephone calls.</div>
<div align="justify">
When our correspondent called back later, his two telephone lines were switched off.</div>
<div align="justify">
Soludo arrived at the EFCC headquarters at about 2 pm
on Thursday from his Abuja residence and immediately faced a team of
operatives who quizzed him for several hours to ascertain his level of
complicity in the scandal.</div>
</div>
Abiodun Noibihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14554460540237762114noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6385345812555659042.post-6561279184417768722013-01-12T00:33:00.007-08:002013-01-12T00:33:55.022-08:00<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<h1 class="entry-title">
I didn’t dump my guitarist –KSA</h1>
<div class="post-info">
<span class="date published time" title="2013-01-12T00:22:46+00:00"></span><span class="post-comments"><a href="http://www.punchng.com/news/i-didnt-dump-my-guitarist-ksa/#comments"></a></span> </div>
<div class="story-featured-image" style="width: 265px;">
<img alt="King Sunny Ade" class="attachment-bigstoryimage" height="280" src="http://assets.punchng.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/King-Sunny-Ade.jpg" width="257" /></div>
<div align="justify">
Juju
maestro, King Sunny Ade, has denied an allegation that his former
guitarist, Fatoke Abiodun, who was recently arrested by the National
Drug Law Enforcement Agency, was unceremoniously retired.</div>
<div align="justify">
Abiodun, who was allegedly caught with 1.575kg of
cocaine, had claimed he didn’t get any severance money from KSA when he
was retired in 2007 after playing with the musician for 30 years.</div>
<div align="justify">
Abiodun had said he “faced the bitter side of life,”
without the severance money. As such, he had no choice but to get
involved in the crime.</div>
<div align="justify">
However, KSA has said his former guitarist was not a
member of staff of his company but just a member of his band, who was
not entitled to a severance pay.</div>
<div align="justify">
“I pay salaries to the members of staff of my
company. As for my band members, we share money based on what we make at
every show where we perform. I would first of all, remove the money for
taxes, equipment we used and other stuff connected to the performance.
Thereafter, the remaining money is shared among all of us.</div>
<div align="justify">
“Before now, I advised my band members that we should
have a common purse, where we should leave money for welfare. But they
refused and insisted that everything should be shared.</div>
<div align="justify">
“If he and the others had agreed to my advice then,
he wouldn’t have had any reason to say he didn’t get any severance
allowance,” the musician said.</div>
<div align="justify">
On why he retired Abiodun, KSA says he changes his band members every three years in order to be current and follow the trend.</div>
<div align="justify">
“But he worked for me for 30 years. Those who have
even worked for me for two years are so well off now. How can he say he
didn’t have anything after 30 years? Are those there now complaining?</div>
<div align="justify">
“And to set the records straight, I didn’t sack him,
he left on his own. We came back from an international show and he told
me he wanted to start his own band and said I should assist him.</div>
<div align="justify">
“Before I knew what was happening, he went to Ibadan
with my guitar without my knowledge in order to start his own band. I
told him to return my guitar and when he didn’t, I had to involve the
police. That was how he left,” KSA added.</div>
<div align="justify">
He said he had not seen Abiodun since he left his band in 2007.</div>
<div align="justify">
“Anybody who is involved in any crime has it in him.
It is not proper for anybody to say that it was a condition that led him
to a crime. He was among those in the high category in my band. It is
surprising that he claimed he had nothing. I have never seen or heard
from him since he left my band.</div>
<div align="justify">
“In the 30 years he worked for me, he never exhibited
such criminal attitude. I am always concerned about the people
travelling with me. I make sure we all travel light and get whatever we
need for the performance in the country we are going.</div>
<div align="justify">
“I have never seen cocaine. I don’t smoke, I don’t
drink and we are always checked thoroughly at the airport here and at
the airport over there,” he said.</div>
</div>
Abiodun Noibihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14554460540237762114noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6385345812555659042.post-69933660856947843802013-01-12T00:33:00.001-08:002013-01-12T00:33:11.546-08:00Churches should pay tax –Cleric<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<h1 class="entry-title">
<span style="font-size: small;">Churches should pay tax –Cleric</span></h1>
<div class="post-info">
<span class="date published time" title="2013-01-12T00:24:57+00:00"></span><span class="post-comments"><a href="http://www.punchng.com/news/churches-should-pay-tax-cleric/#comments"></a></span> </div>
<div align="justify" style="text-align: justify;">
Founder,
International Church Growth Ministry, Dr. Francis Akin-John, has said
the call made recently by Mr. Femi Falana that churches should pay tax
to the government is justified.</div>
<div align="justify" style="text-align: justify;">
Falana had made the call following the controversy generated by the acquisition of private jets by some Nigerian pastors.</div>
<div align="justify" style="text-align: justify;">
Akin-John said the
impression the public had about the church as a very rich entity made
the human rights lawyer to make such call.</div>
<div align="justify" style="text-align: justify;">
He told <i>Saturday PUNCH </i>in
an interview that many Nigerians had the impression that the churches
were rich based on the ostentatious lifestyles of their leaders.</div>
<div align="justify" style="text-align: justify;">
He said, “Some people
have argued that buying a new aircraft is like buying a new car. But I
disagree. Those who are buying aircraft today, I don’t have any quarrel
with that; it is their right. But they are sending the wrong signal to
the body of Christ and the society.</div>
<div align="justify" style="text-align: justify;">
“The society is getting a wrong impression of the church due to the ostentatious lifestyles of some church leaders.</div>
<div align="justify" style="text-align: justify;">
“Some people said the
aircraft is a tool of evangelism but in a country where there is abject
poverty; where majority don’t have what to eat, would God provide a tool
that would cost you about N850m to buy and N250m every month to
maintain?</div>
<div align="justify" style="text-align: justify;">
“People say they are
using it for evangelism, is there an airstrip in every community? I am
an insider; let me tell you the truth, people who invite pastors who fly
personal jets are made to bear the costs.”</div>
<div align="justify" style="text-align: justify;">
Akin-John said he had
reports of pastors who demanded from those who invited them to foot
their travel expenses, including fuelling their aircraft.</div>
<div align="justify" style="text-align: justify;">
He said the money used
to buy such aircraft was not usually from the church. According to him,
the pastors get the money from their personal private businesses.</div>
<div align="justify" style="text-align: justify;">
He said, “That is why I
agree with what Femi Falana said that the church should pay tax. In a
country where we have a responsible government, the source of wealth of
these people must be scrutinised. “I don’t believe the church should pay
taxes to the government because the church is a partner in progress
with the government.</div>
<div align="justify" style="text-align: justify;">
“But when the church is
involved in private businesses such as mining, oil and gas, it should be
taxed. Even when it is involved in universities and schools where fees
are paid, it should be taxed. Those businesses should be taxed because
that is where those people get the money.</div>
<div align="justify" style="text-align: justify;">
“There is no church that
can buy and maintain an aircraft from tithes. Most of the funds come
from the personal businesses of their leaders or the money given to them
as gifts.</div>
<div align="justify" style="text-align: justify;">
“It breaks my heart when
people say the church is making a lot of money, it is not true. When
you look closely, such money does not come from the church but from the
private businesses of the church leaders.”</div>
</div>
Abiodun Noibihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14554460540237762114noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6385345812555659042.post-7465199162892813192013-01-12T00:32:00.001-08:002013-01-12T00:32:13.545-08:00Policeman shoots tout at Lagos airport •Gunmen kill one in Onitsha<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<h1 class="entry-title">
<span style="font-size: small;">Policeman shoots tout at Lagos airport •Gunmen kill one in Onitsha</span></h1>
<div class="post-info">
<span class="date published time" title="2013-01-12T00:28:35+00:00"></span><span class="post-comments"><a href="http://www.punchng.com/news/policeman-shoots-tout-at-lagos-airport-%e2%80%a2gunmen-kill-one-in-onitsha/#comments"></a></span> </div>
<div class="story-featured-image" style="width: 328px;">
<img alt="Commissioner of Police, Lagos State Command, Mr. Umaru Manko" class="attachment-bigstoryimage" height="233" src="http://assets.punchng.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/Commissioner-of-Police-Lagos-State-Command-Mr.-Umaru-Manko.jpg" width="320" /><div class="featured-image-caption">
Commissioner of Police, Lagos State Command, Mr. Umaru Manko<br /><small><em> | credits: </em></small></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
A
police corporal shot a suspected tout on Thursday night for refusing to
give him N500 at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
The policeman, whose identity is yet to
be released by the Airport Command of the Nigerian Police Force, was
said to have been shot in the stomach at the public car park of the
MMIA.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
The money was said to have been given to
the suspected tout by a passenger whom he had assisted to push his
baggage trolley from the arrival terminal to the car park.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Eyewitnesses said the intestines of the
suspected tout spilled out from the gunshot wound and he was rushed to
Beesam Hospital, near the airport, by security operatives. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<i>Saturday PUNCH</i> learnt that
Aviation Security officials of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria
immediately alerted the airport police command and the corporal was
subsequently arrested.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
The General Manager, Corporate Communications, FAAN, Mr. Yakubu Dati, confirmed the development. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
But said it could not be confirmed if the victim was dead or not.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
“The man was shot by a policeman. He has
been rushed to the hospital. The policeman has been arrested. You know,
as it is with anything involving a bullet, only a medical doctor can
confirm now if the person was dead,” Dati said.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
The Commissioner of Police, Airport
Command, Mr. Olatunji CaulCrick, also confirmed the development. He said
that the circumstances surrounding the shooting was still being
investigated, adding that the suspected tout were responding to
treatment.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
CaulCrick said, “The matter is being
investigated. The man that was shot is a suspected tout. We have
arrested the policeman who shot him. He will explain the circumstances
that led him to shoot the man. There are guides and procedures for using
firearms. We don’t know if the man in question exhibited some threats.”</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Unconfirmed reports said the corporal
was invited to the car park by a woman who had complained that some
touts were harassing her.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
The policeman, who was identified by
airport officials as Mr. Emmanuel Agabi, was said to have followed the
woman to the car park where he met some of the touts that had prevented
the woman from moving her car.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Agabi was said to have asked the woman to move her car in the presence of the touts and she offered him N500 in return.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Unconfirmed reports said the policeman did not accept the money from the woman.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
After the woman had left, the touts, led
by one Chuks, allegedly challenged Agabi for stopping them from
collecting money from the woman. The situation, it was learnt, forced
the latter to shoot Chuks in the stomach.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
As at 6 pm on Friday, unconfirmed reports said the gunshot victim was still alive. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Meanwhile, suspected armed robbers
operating on a motorcycle shot and killed an unidentified man and
injured another in Onitsha on Friday.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
The gunmen were said to have trailed
their victims, who were in a commercial tricycle, to Upper New Market
Road, where they opened fire on them, killing one on the spot while
another sustained serious injuries.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Eyewitnesses said the assailants sped off immediately they hit their victims without collecting anything from them.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
“Maybe because policemen from Central
Police Station were coming after them, but the only thing I know is that
the other man that died was shot at a close range and he died
instantly,” a source said.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
However, the Divisional Police Officer
in charge of the Central Police Station in Onitsha, Mr. Tope Fasugba,
led a team of policemen to the scene of the shooting and gave the
suspects a chase but failed to apprehend them.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Fasugba said his men could not shoot at
the fleeing gunmen in order to avoid a situation where innocent persons
could be hit by stray bullets.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
“Our hands were tied because Onitsha is
highly populated and innocent people could be hurt. That was why they
escaped when we went after them. They moved faster with the help of
commercial motorcycles and were able to escape. But we shall get them,”
he said.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
The DPO said the motive for the killing was yet unknown, adding that the police would be on their trail.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
He said the injured victim of the
attack was taken to a hospital for treatment, while the body of the
deceased was deposited at a mortuary.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
</div>
Abiodun Noibihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14554460540237762114noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6385345812555659042.post-20054927431044511672013-01-12T00:30:00.002-08:002013-01-12T00:30:23.713-08:00Follow due process, ASUU tells UNIBEN lecturer<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<h1 class="entry-title">
<span style="font-size: small;">Follow due process, ASUU tells UNIBEN lecturer</span></h1>
<div class="post-info">
<span class="date published time" title="2013-01-12T00:38:39+00:00"></span><span class="post-comments"><a href="http://www.punchng.com/news/follow-due-process-asuu-tells-uniben-lecturer/#comments"></a></span> </div>
<div class="story-featured-image" style="width: 368px;">
<img alt="Prof. Isaiah Ibeh" class="attachment-bigstoryimage" height="270" src="http://assets.punchng.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/Prof-Isaiah-Ibeh-360x270.jpg" width="360" /><div class="featured-image-caption">
Prof. Isaiah Ibeh<br /><small><em> | credits: pmnewsnigeria.com</em></small></div>
</div>
<div align="justify">
The
Academic Staff Union of Universities on Friday advised Prof. Isaiah
Ibeh of the University of Benin to follow due process in authenticating
his self-acclaimed cure for HIV/AIDS.</div>
<div align="justify">
ASUU President, Dr. Nasir Fagge, stated this in a telephone interview with <i>Saturday PUNCH.</i></div>
<div align="justify">
He explained that the university system was
structured in a way that discoveries pass through a rigorous process
before they are conferred with the patent of the university in question.</div>
<div align="justify">
Fagge said this in a telephone interview with <i>Saturday PUNCH</i> in Abuja on Friday.</div>
<div align="justify">
He noted that universities had research and academic
development committees saddled with the responsibility of verifying
claims before they are passed on to the senate where final decisions are
taken.</div>
<div align="justify">
He said, “The university has a research committee and
an academic development committee. When a discovery is made, it passes
through these committees to the university senate; where after a
rigorous process of verification, the university can decide whether or
not to confer its patent on it.</div>
<div align="justify">
“However, an individual has the prime right to his
discovery. It does not mean that he or she cannot explore other ways to
patent the discovery.</div>
<div align="justify">
“The important thing is that the university has a
procedure and if a lecturer makes a discovery, he is expected to follow
this procedure.</div>
</div>
Abiodun Noibihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14554460540237762114noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6385345812555659042.post-783224972291496982013-01-11T03:58:00.001-08:002013-01-11T03:58:02.892-08:00‘Why Nigeria may lose war against same-sex marriage’<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<h1 class="entry-title">
<span style="font-size: small;">‘Why Nigeria may lose war against same-sex marriage’</span></h1>
<div class="post-info">
<span class="date published time" title="2013-01-11T00:00:02+00:00"></span><span class="post-comments"><a href="http://www.punchng.com/news/why-nigeria-may-lose-war-against-same-sex-marriage/#comments"></a></span> </div>
<div class="story-featured-image" style="width: 368px;">
<img alt="Senate President, David Mark" class="attachment-bigstoryimage" height="228" src="http://assets.punchng.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/Senate-President-David-Mark-360x228.gif" width="360" /><div class="featured-image-caption">
Senate President, David Mark<br /><small><em> | credits: </em></small></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
The
Forum for Justice and Human Rights Defence said on Thursday that unless
sections 37 and 43 of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of
Nigeria were amended, the country would not win the war against same-sex
marriage.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
The National Coordinator of the group,
Mr. Oghenejabor Ikimi, also described as “myopic, misconceived and
unfounded,” the statement credited to the Senate President, Mr. David
Mark, that the bill on prohibition of same sex marriage was
irreversible.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Ikimi, who spoke to our correspondent in
Yenagoa, said the provisions of the proposed law against same-sex
marriage were inconsistent with sections 37 and 43 of the constitution.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
He said, “We state without fear or favour
that unless the provisions of sections 37 and 43, which guarantee the
right to private and family life and the right to freedom from
discrimination are specifically amended to exclude cases of same-sex
marriage, the effect of the proposed law by Section 1 sub section 3 of
the 1999 Constitution would remain void abinitio (from the beginning).”</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
He also reminded the lawmakers that
Nigeria was a signatory to the African Charter on Human and Peoples
Rights, which guarantees the sexual freedom of individuals.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Ikimi explained that as a member of the United Nations, Nigeria had sworn not to approve any bill against same-sex marriage.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
He said, “As a responsible and responsive
human rights organisation devoid of any gay affiliation, we owe it a
duty to inform our legislators and the Nigerian public of Nigeria’s
commitment as a member country to the United Nations to eliminate all
existing legislation, if any, that discriminates, based on gender and
sexual orientation and to also take measures to recognise and protect
the rights of sexual and gender minorities.”</div>
</div>
Abiodun Noibihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14554460540237762114noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6385345812555659042.post-86225323974278379492013-01-11T03:57:00.003-08:002013-01-11T03:57:26.046-08:00Oshiomhole wants DIG sacked over Oyerinde’s death probe<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<h1 class="entry-title">
<span style="font-size: small;">Oshiomhole wants DIG sacked over Oyerinde’s death probe</span></h1>
<div class="post-info">
<span class="date published time" title="2013-01-11T00:02:08+00:00"></span><span class="post-comments"><a href="http://www.punchng.com/news/oshiomhole-wants-dig-sacked-over-oyerindes-death-probe/#comments"></a></span> </div>
<div class="story-featured-image" style="width: 368px;">
<img alt="Edo State Governor Comrade Adams Oshiomhole" class="attachment-bigstoryimage" height="225" src="http://assets.punchng.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/Edo-State-Governor-Comrade-Adams-Oshiomhole1-360x225.jpg" width="360" /><div class="featured-image-caption">
Edo State Governor Comrade Adams Oshiomhole<br /><small><em> | credits: </em></small></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Edo
State Governor Adams Oshiomhole on Thursday in Abuja called for the
dismissal of the Deputy Inspector-General of Police, Peter Gana, who
supervised the investigation into the murder of his private secretary,
Olaitan Oyerinde.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Oshiomhole alleged that the DIG was
shielding the real killers and urged President Goodluck Jonathan to
intervene in the matter.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
He said the State Security Service
apprehended Oyerinde’s suspected killers while the police arrested and
detained an innocent civil rights activist, Rev. David Ugolor, for two
months without trial in disobedience of a court order.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
The governor, who canvassed for the
scraping of the Police Affairs ministry on the grounds that it
politicises the Force, noted that with a functional Police Service
Commission, the country would not need a ministry in charge of police
affairs.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
The governor said this while delivering a
key note address at the inauguration of a Code of Conduct for officers
and men of the Nigeria Police, Vice-President, Namadi Sambo represented
President Goodluck Jonathan.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Oshiomhole said, “I am aggrieved; I am
aggrieved over the murder of my private secretary and the way in which
it was trivialised.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
“I am saying it knowing that the Vice
President is here. My secretary was murdered in cold blood and you
dispatched a DIG to supervise that investigation; a DIG is a
sufficiently senior officer. They came to Benin and they did what Fela
(Ransome-Kuti) would have called police magic.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
“At the end, they went for a civil rights activist and charged him for the offence of murder.”</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Oshiomhole alleged that the DIG
conspired with other officers involved in the investigation to shield
the killers of Oyerinde, saying they were no longer fit to wear police
uniform.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
He added, “The DIG Force CID has a case
to answer; it is either he is guilty of conspiracy to murder or is
guilty of conspiracy to shield murderers or both. In which case he
cannot wear his police uniform, he must be dismissed.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
“The Deputy Commissioner of Police that
he used claimed that they had done a thorough job. He has no business
wearing police uniform because by my judgment, in his own narrative, he
is a criminal.”</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
The governor lamented that one of the
problems of Nigeria, including the police and even the civil service
was the culture of impunity where people do things wrongly and got away
with it.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
In his response, the Inspector-General
of Police, Mohammed Abubakar, said the case was still under
investigation and assured the governor that the outcome of the probe
would be made public.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Jonathan charged officers and men of the
Nigeria Police Force to exhibit the finest ideals of professionalism in
the discharge of their duties, and directed the IG to furnish him with
details of assessment of police conduct on a quarterly basis.</div>
</div>
Abiodun Noibihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14554460540237762114noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6385345812555659042.post-3016584173689431582013-01-11T03:56:00.009-08:002013-01-11T03:56:55.103-08:00Return toxic waste containers to UK – FG<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<h1 class="entry-title">
<span style="font-size: small;">Return toxic waste containers to UK – FG</span></h1>
<div class="post-info">
<span class="date published time" title="2013-01-11T00:12:26+00:00"></span><span class="post-comments"><a href="http://www.punchng.com/news/return-toxic-waste-containers-to-uk-fg/#comments"></a></span> </div>
<div class="story-featured-image" style="width: 278px;">
<img alt="Director General of the agency, Dr. Ngeri Benebo" class="attachment-bigstoryimage" height="270" src="http://assets.punchng.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/Ngeri-Benebo.jpg" width="270" /><div class="featured-image-caption">
Director General of the agency, Dr. Ngeri Benebo<br /><small><em> | credits: File copy</em></small></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Federal Government has ordered that the toxic waste containers on board <i>MV Marivia Monrovia</i> be returned to the port of origin in the United Kingdom.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
The Director-General of National
Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency, Dr. Ngeri
Benebo, made this known to the <i>News Agency of Nigeria </i>on Thursday.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<i>NAN</i> reports that the Nigeria
Customs Service and NESREA intercepted the ship with Liberian flag,
which berthed at the Tin-Can Island Port on Wednesday.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
The names of the importers are Messrs Moronuk David and Bonik Investment.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Some containers in the 23, 652-tonnage
ship were laden with used televisions, computers, Central Processing
Units, DVDs, microwaves, pressing irons and stereos.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Benebo said returning the consignment to
the UK was in conformity with the provisions of Harmful Wastes Act,
promulgated after the Koko waste saga.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
She said, “We are sending the e-wastes back to the port of origin.’’</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
She said the agency was going to work
according to the Nigerian laws on the matter, adding that the vessel
owners would be sanctioned in line with the laws of the land.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
The director-general said, “The captain
wanted to deceive Nigerians. When he realised that there was a red alert
on the containers, he lied that they were not destined for Nigeria and
that they were for another country, which was false.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
“I conferred with the
Comptroller-General of Customs, who said that once it is manifested as
Nigeria, the containers must be dropped and inspected in Nigeria,’’</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
She noted that officials of the
Nigerian Ports Authority, Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety
Agency, the Customs Service and other security agencies, as directed by
the comptroller-general, carried out the inspection of the containers.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Benebo, who said her agency acted on a tip off, noted that Nigeria would not be a dumping ground.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
In 1988, a shipment of over 3,500 tonnes
of toxic wastes from Italy was abandoned in Koko Port, a coastal
community in Delta State.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Also in April 2010, the NCS detained a Maersk Line vessel, <i>MV Nashiville,</i>
laden with toxic wastes, lead batteries classified as Basel code A1180
and broken televisions, while in June of the same year, it detained a
ship, <i>Mv Gumel,</i> in Lagos port for bringing eight containers with materials suspected to be toxic wastes.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
In October 2010, a vessel, <i>MV Vera D,</i>
carrying three containers of toxic black and white televisions, was
detained at the Tin-Can Port, Lagos. The toxic-laden containers were
returned to the United States.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Last December, NESREA impounded four containers of used electronics described as “e-wastes” in Apapa port.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
</div>
Abiodun Noibihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14554460540237762114noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6385345812555659042.post-49074443497042609782013-01-11T03:56:00.003-08:002013-01-11T03:56:18.236-08:00Ondo lawyer arraigned for alleged murder<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<h1 class="entry-title">
<span style="font-size: small;">Ondo lawyer arraigned for alleged murder</span></h1>
<div class="post-info">
<span class="date published time" title="2013-01-11T00:17:52+00:00"></span><span class="post-comments"><a href="http://www.punchng.com/news/ondo-lawyer-arraigned-for-alleged-murder/#comments"></a></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
A
legal practitioner, Mr. Busayo Oroyo, was on Thursday arraigned before a
Chief Magistrate Court in Akure for allegedly killing a 25-year-old
man, Orioye Oyetakin.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
The police arrested Oroyo last week for allegedly conspiring with others at large to kill Oyetakin.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
The deceased was the son of Mr. Adeleke
Oyetakin, who has been named the Olikan of Itikan in Ilaje Local
Government Area of Ondo State.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
The three counts preferred against the
legal practitioner stated that he, with some others, and on December 27,
2012 conspired to commit felony to wit murder of Oyetakin in
Ode-Etikan.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
The accused was also said to have attacked and inflicted injuries on Ademola Ikudehunbu on the same day.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Police prosecutor, Bamidele Okota, who
prayed for adjournment in the matter, said there was a need to send the
case file to the Ministry of Justice for advice and for further
investigation.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
He also asked that the accused be remanded in custody pending the arrival of the advice of the Director of Public Prosecution.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
However, counsel for the accused, Mr.
Olusanmi Tobase, opposed the application, saying the issue at stake
bordered on accused person’s liberty.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Tobase told the court that a High Court
in Akure had in pursuant to an application under the fundamental rights
enforcement procedure granted bail to Oroyo.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
He said, “In the hierarchy, the magistrate court is enjoined to give full effect to an order of a higher court.”</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Tobase, who tendered the order of the
court, the motion on notice and the warrant of release, therefore, said
the lower court could not remand the accused in prison having been
granted bail by a higher court.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Chief Magistrate A. Akintoye, in his
ruling, however, said since the court lacked jurisdiction over the first
count of the charge and the High Court had given the accused person
bail, he could not object to his bail.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
He granted the application that the case
file be taken to the DPP and that the parties should return to the High
Court to seek clarification on the bail.</div>
</div>
Abiodun Noibihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14554460540237762114noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6385345812555659042.post-24550332699846857362013-01-11T03:55:00.007-08:002013-01-11T03:55:48.193-08:00Opposition party merger will produce better govt – Shekarau<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<h1 class="entry-title">
<span style="font-size: small;">Opposition party merger will produce better govt – Shekarau</span></h1>
<div class="post-info">
<span class="date published time" title="2013-01-11T00:28:26+00:00"></span><span class="post-comments"><a href="http://www.punchng.com/news/opposition-party-merger-will-produce-better-govt-shekarau/#comments"></a></span> </div>
<div class="story-featured-image" style="width: 368px;">
<img alt="Former Governor of Kano State and National Chairman, Rebuilding and Interparty Contact Committee, Mallam Ibrahim Shekarau" class="attachment-bigstoryimage" height="234" src="http://assets.punchng.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/Former-Governor-of-Kano-State-Mallam-Ibrahim-Shekarau-360x234.jpg" width="360" /><div class="featured-image-caption">
Former Governor of Kano State and National Chairman, Rebuilding and Interparty Contact Committee, Mallam Ibrahim Shekarau<br /><small><em> | credits: </em></small></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
The
presidential candidate for the All Nigeria Peoples Party in the 2011
elections, Mallam Ibrahim Shekarau, on Thursday expressed the hope that
the merger of opposition political parties in the country would produce a
viable alternative to the Peoples Democratic Party’s dominance in the
country.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Shekarau spoke on the topic ‘National
rebuilding, inter-party committee on merger plans’ at the South-West
meeting of the party in Ibadan.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
The former governor of Kano State said,
“The ongoing merger talks among opposition parties in the country is
necessary. With this, there is the hope that Nigeria will succeed.”</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
According to him, the three leading
opposition parties – Action Congress of Nigeria, the Congress for
Progressive Change and the All Nigerian Peoples Party – are already
discussing the merger plans.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Shekarau, who is the Chairman of the
inter-party Committee, pointed out that the proposed merger was not just
aimed at dislodging the PDP, but to create a party that could offer
good governance.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
The PDP, he said, lacked the ability to deliver good governance.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
He said, “This idea is not about merging
to dislodge the PDP, but to provide good governance. We just don’t want
to dislodge the PDP; it is about its policies and programmes.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
“For instance, former President Olusegun
Obasanjo introduced the National Economic Empowerment Development
Strategy and forced the states to adopt it. But Yar’Adua, his successor,
abandoned it and started the seven-point agenda.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
“Again, Goodluck Jonathan, who is also a
PDP member, jettisoned that and introduced the Transformation Agenda.
The merger is about dislodging people who do not understand Nigeria,
people who are inconsistent and people who run disjointed programmes and
policies.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
“So, what we are going to have is a new
party, programmes and a new identity. It is a serious matter. We will
agree on a common focus.”</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
The former governor hinted that the
three leading opposition parties were at an advanced stage in their
discussions, stressing that the merger would work.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
According to him, happenings on the political scene since independence are mere alliances.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
He added, “This is a true merger that
will see current parties fused into a new party that will be a solid
platform to win the elections.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
“Now we are looking backward and we have
seen that there is a reason why God put us together as a nation. Now,
people are clamouring for change. We have resolved to work with any
credible party.”</div>
</div>
Abiodun Noibihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14554460540237762114noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6385345812555659042.post-82647025131013396322013-01-11T03:55:00.002-08:002013-01-11T03:55:14.971-08:00Ndigbo urges President to address S’East roads, power<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<h1 class="entry-title">
<span style="font-size: small;">Ndigbo urges President to address S’East roads, power</span></h1>
<div class="post-info">
<span class="date published time" title="2013-01-11T00:29:53+00:00"></span><span class="post-comments"><a href="http://www.punchng.com/news/ndigbo-urges-president-to-address-seast-roads-power/#comments"></a></span> </div>
<div class="story-featured-image" style="width: 368px;">
<img alt="President Goodluck Jonathan" class="attachment-bigstoryimage" height="225" src="http://assets.punchng.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/President-Goodluck-Jonathan1-360x225.jpg" width="360" /><div class="featured-image-caption">
President Goodluck Jonathan<br /><small><em> | credits: </em></small></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Members
of a South-East socio-cultural organisation, Ndigbo Lagos, on Thursday
met with President Goodluck Jonathan to discuss issues of grave concern
to the region in particular and the nation in general.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
They called on the Federal Government to
take urgent steps in addressing what they called “the scandalous state
of roads” in the region.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
They also asked the President to give adequate attention to power and railway in the country.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
A former Chairman of the Economic Summit
Group, Prof. Anya Anya, who spoke with State House correspondents on
behalf of the group, described the meeting as a successful one.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
He said, “First, we had concerns over
Aba Power Projects. I must say that it had been a very good meeting with
Mr. President. He and his legal team sorted out what the concerns were.
We had his assurance that not only the rule of law, but the agreements
entered into would be respected.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
“We also discussed other issues
regarding the development of the South-East and indeed the whole of the
South-East, South -South corridor up to Maiduguri.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
“We talked about railways, we talked
about the scandalous state of roads, we talked about the issue of power;
it was a good meeting.”</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
On power, Anya said the group requested that there should be no further modifications to the plan for the Aba Power Project.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
He said it would be wrong to be tampering with the project, which, according to him, was about to be completed.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
He said Jonathan had given the group an assurance on the matter and the members were satisfied.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Anya stressed the need for a better
information management on the part of the Federal Government in order to
keep Nigerians abreast of steps being taken to better their lots.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
He said, “If Nigerians get to know the
responsiveness of Mr. President to issues like this, maybe people will
recognise that, perhaps, a lot is being done.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
“There is need for a lot more flow of information between we, the governed, and those who govern us.”</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
When asked whether issues bordering on politics featured in the meeting, Anya said the group was apolitical.</div>
</div>
Abiodun Noibihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14554460540237762114noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6385345812555659042.post-56045954928360957822013-01-11T03:54:00.006-08:002013-01-11T03:54:43.087-08:00Kano receives school donation in Abuja over insecurity<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<h1 class="entry-title">
<span style="font-size: small;">Kano receives school donation in Abuja over insecurity</span></h1>
<div class="post-info">
<span class="date published time" title="2013-01-11T00:38:55+00:00"></span><span class="post-comments"><a href="http://www.punchng.com/news/kano-receives-school-donation-in-abuja-over-insecurity/#comments"></a></span> </div>
<div class="story-featured-image" style="width: 368px;">
<img alt="Minister of State for Education, Chief Nyesom Wike" class="attachment-bigstoryimage" height="228" src="http://assets.punchng.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/Minister-of-State-for-Education-Chief-Nyesom-Wike-360x228.jpg" width="360" /><div class="featured-image-caption">
Minister of State for Education, Chief Nyesom Wike<br /><small><em> | credits: </em></small></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
A ceremony to hand over the 317 schools built by the Japanese government to Kano State took place in Abuja on Thursday.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
However, our correspondent learnt that
the ceremony, which was scheduled for Kano, suffered postponements
due to fear of terror attacks, forcing the state government to opt for
Abuja.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Kano is one of the northern cities where suspected Boko Haram members have carried out bomb and gun attacks.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
However, the ceremony took place at the
Federal Ministry of Education with Minister of State for Education
Nyesom Wike; Japanese Ambassador to Nigeria, Ryuichi Shoji;
representatives of Kano State Governor Rabiu Kwankwaso; and Minister
of National Planning Shamsudeen Usman in attendance.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
The schools were constructed by Japanese
International Cooperation Agency in conjunction with the Universal
Basic Education Commission.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Although no official reason was given
for the shift in venue, sources confirmed that security fears
informed the decision.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
A Kano official said, “We tried to get
them to Kano, assuring them (Japanese) that we will provide security
but they were not convinced. So, we had to come here (Abuja) because
we are dealing with a foreign nation.”</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
The Japanese envoy said there were
“some security threats” during the construction of the schools. He said
the projects were done with the support of Kano State Universal Basic
Education Board.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Wike commended the Japanese government
for supporting Nigerian education, calling on other international
partners to contribute their quota to the development of the sector.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
He said, “We must commend the government and people of Japan for their support for our education sector.”</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
The Japanese government signed a
bilateral agreement with Federal Government in June 2010 to provide
infrastructural development and technical support to Nigeria.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
A total of N2.31bn was spent by the
Japanese government on providing 317 schools in 33 schools with toilet
facilities and furniture in Kano under the phase 11 of the project.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Giving the details of the project, the
acting Executive Secretary, Universal Basic Education Commission, Prof.
Charles Onocha, said a total of 6,940 pieces of two-seater furniture,
272 toilets, 317 blackboards, and 317 notice boards were provided for
the 33 schools.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
</div>
Abiodun Noibihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14554460540237762114noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6385345812555659042.post-89144048178936349092013-01-11T03:54:00.002-08:002013-01-11T03:54:11.722-08:00Delta opposes FG’s affidavit on Ibori’s $15m bribe<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<h1 class="entry-title">
<span style="font-size: small;">Delta opposes FG’s affidavit on Ibori’s $15m bribe</span></h1>
<div class="post-info">
<span class="date published time" title="2013-01-11T00:41:04+00:00"></span><span class="post-comments"><a href="http://www.punchng.com/news/delta-opposes-fgs-affidavit-on-iboris-15m-bribe/#comments"></a></span> </div>
<div class="story-featured-image" style="width: 368px;">
<img alt="James Ibori." class="attachment-bigstoryimage" height="225" src="http://assets.punchng.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/Chief-James-Ibori-360x225.jpg" width="360" /><div class="featured-image-caption">
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>James Ibori.</b></span></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Delta
State Government on Thursday opposed the Federal Government’s
application seeking an extension of time to file another affidavit in
the controversial $15m cash allegedly received as bribe by the Economic
and Financial Crimes Commission from former Governor James Ibori.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
The state had last December 11, at the
Federal High Court, Abuja, asked for time to respond to the Federal
Government’s application for extension of time to file the fresh
affidavit.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
At the resumed hearing of the matter on
Thursday, counsel for the EFCC, which is claiming the cash on behalf of
the Federal Government, Mr. Rotimi Jacobs (SAN), prayed the court
presided over by Justice Gabriel Kolawole, to grant the application in
line with Order 48, Rule 4 of the FHC.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Jacobs informed the court that the
Federal Government was unable to file the application within the
stipulated time because of the heavy workload of counsel in the matter.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
He further argued that granting the application would promote the principle of fair hearing.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
But Delta State Attorney-General and
Commissioner for Justice, Chief Charles Ajuyah (SAN), opposed the
application, saying the applicant’s claim that workload was responsible
for its inability to file the application on time was not tenable.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Ajuyah said, “The claim that heavy
workload was responsible for the late filing of the application does not
explain anything. Whose duty? Whose workload? To allow such a filing
to go on endlessly is against public policy.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
“Section 36 of the Constitution does not afford a party an endless right to keep on filing processes.”</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
However, Kolawole, while adjourning
ruling on the application to January 28, frowned on the parties’ wasting
of time on interlocutory applications.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
The court on July 24, 2012, granted an interim order forfeiting the $15m to the Federal Government.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
The money has been with the Central Bank of Nigeria as an unclaimed property since August 2007.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Justifying its move to claim the cash,
the Federal Government said, “If left untouched and unspent in the
strong room since April 2007, it may eventually be destroyed, defaced,
mutilated and become useless.”</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Giving the interim order, Kolawole had
prayed anyone who was interested in the property to appear before the
court to show cause within 14 days why the final order of forfeiture
should not be made in favour of the Federal Government.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Following this, the Delta State Government applied to claim the $15m.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
A technician, Mr. Olalekan Bayode,
represented by a United Kingdom-based lawyer, Mr. Femi Aina, had
attempted to claim the cash, asking the court to deny the Federal and
Delta State governments ownership of the money.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
</div>
Abiodun Noibihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14554460540237762114noreply@blogger.com0