Will Jonathan go to Sambisa forest?

ITis indeed pertinent to ask if President Goodluck Jonathan, the armed forces over which he presides as Commander-in-Chief, and other security agencies, will go after the terrorists that abducted more than 200 teenage girls into their hideout in Sambisa Forest, in Borno State.

That question can be posed in another way: Can President Goodluck Jonathan go into Sambisa Forest? The point is that the question of willingness is closely allied to that of capability. But before one goes on to look at the issue of capability, it is important first to settle that of willingness because that is at the very heart of President Jonathan’s administration’s strategy towards prosecuting our own battle against terror.

President Goodluck Jonathan’

From the very beginning when the terror insurgents resurfaced during his administration, President Jonathan had showed himself incapable of rising to the challenge. He lacked the will to take on the terrorists and failed to exercise the power invested in him as president to bring the terrorists to their knee. He was all too tentative, in turns weak and vacillating on what to do.

Even though what he needed to do was clear –crush the rising revolt with one firm and determined blow and thereafter take the initiative from the terrorists- he was clearly unprepared for it. More so, as the Northern oligarchy that lost the election that brought him into office were yet breathing fire and speaking from both sides of the mouth about the dangers posed by the terrorists. It’s no wonder today that he is effusive in his gratitude and showering of praise on

Edo APC crisis: Ize-Iyamu, Jonathan, Anenih in secret meeting.

Aggrieved chieftains of Edo State chapter of All Progressives Congress, APC, yesterday, met with President Goodluck Jonathan.

Led by former South-South Vice Chairman and leader of APC in the state, Chief Ize- Iyamu, the APC leaders, drawn from the three senatorial districts, met briefly with the President at the Presidential Villa, where they were said to have consulted with the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, national leader.

A source at the meeting rebuffed claims that they went to negotiate their defection to the PDP.

“It has not come to divorce yet,” one of the leaders present at the meeting told Vanguard.

The aggrieved APC leaders met with the Chairman, Board of Trustees, BoT, of the PDP, Chief Tony Anenih.

Chief Anenih was said to have entertained them, informing them that they were not new to him having worked closely with them in the past before their

Nigerians’ll never support removal of fuel subsidy — ASUU.

IBADAN–THE Academic Staff Union of Universities, ASUU said yesterday that Nigerians would never embrace any attempt by the Federal Government to remove fuel subsidy.

The academic union spoke through its national treasurer, Dr Ademola Aremu.

Speaking in a lecture entitled, “Clamour for fuel subsidy removal: In whose interest?”, at the pre-May Day lecture organised by journalists in Oyo State, he said government would not curry the favour of the union until knotty issues surrounding the petroleum industry were resolved.

According to him, subsidy could not be removed from fuel without tackling other policies and socio-economic issues which could re-ignite the faith of Nigerians in their leaders.

He said, “The starting point of this would be the removal of corruption which has become second nature to oil business in Nigeria, albeit a general characteristic of the

N10bn jet scandal: Court denies stopping Madueke’s probe.

ABUJA — Justice Ahmed Mohammed of the Federal High Court in Abuja, yesterday, denied granting an interim injunction that stopped the Public Accounts Committee, PAC, of the House of Representatives from investigating the Minister of Petroleum Resources, Mrs. Diezani Alison-Madueke, over allegation that she spent N10billion on chartered private jets.

Minister of Petroleum Resources, Alison-Madueke

This was even as the embattled Minister and the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC, yesterday, told the court that they never served such restraining order on either the House of Reps or the Hon. Solomon Olamilekan led probe Committee.

It will be recalled that the House Committee had suspended its original plans to commence investigation into the matter last Monday, saying it was served with a copy of a restraining order from the High Court.
The restraining order was said to have emanated from a suit with reference number FHC/ABJ/CS/295/2014 which was entered before the Federal High Court on April 11, 2014, by both the Minister and the NNPC.

However, at the resumed sitting on the matter yesterday, the

57-yr-old vice principal defiles 12-yr-old student

ADO EKITI — A 57-year-old vice -principal of a school, Mr. Taiwo Ajayi, has been caught defiling a 12-year-old student of his school.

According to a police statement in Ado Ekiti, yesterday, Ajayi was said to have allegedly committed the offence inside his office at Saint Mary’s Girls Grammar School, Ikole Ekiti.

According to the police image maker, Mr Victor Babayemi, one of the staff in the  school had reported the matter to the police after suspecting the  movement of the young girl (names withheld) inside the vice principal’s office.

According to Babayemi, “the witness became apprehensive when the student, after spending a considerable time in the VP’s office, did not come out.

“The witness went near the door and discovered it was bolted from behind, she knocked and the movements, sounds and subsequent demeanor of both the suspect and the victim gave them away.”

According to the police image maker, investigation revealed that the suspect had a similar case in the past which was not reported and added that the victim also admitted that the suspect had carnal knowledge of her on his table.

“The report of a medical examination confirmed that the victim’s hymen is not intact,” Babayemi said

Ajayi was, however, said to have denied the allegation

“With the evidence against him, he will soon be arraigned in court for defilement,” according to the police.

Why Jonathan sacked Political Adviser, Gulak

President Goodluck Jonathan, yesterday, sacked his Political Adviser, Alhaji Ahmed Gulak, in an unceremonious manner.

*Gulak

Sources told Vanguard that Gulak’s sacking might not be unconnected with his undue meddling in the affairs of some People’s Democratic Party, PDP, states.

However, Gulak told Vanguard that his leaving the government had nothing to do with the face-off with the Governor of Akwa Ibom State, and Chairman of PDP Governor’s Forum, Chief Godswill Akpabio.

He said that he left the presidency to join the governorship race in Adamawa State, saying “indigenes of Adamawa State are fed up with the misgovernment of Admiral Murtala Nyako, whose accomplishments in office has been very negligible and controversial.”

He said the people of Adamawa have been urging him “to come and contest and the need to give his people the type of leadership that they

Another terrorist group linked with Boko Haram discovered.

Another suspected terrorist Islamic sect with link to the Boko Haram sect has been uncovered in Bida, Niger State.
Already, the state government has set up a two-man committee with the mandate to identify the sect members and flush them out of the state.

State governor, Dr. Babangida Aliyu, who made this known in Minna, the state capital yesterday, said the government had already set up a committee to investigate the activities of the suspects and report back to him within three days to enable government take an urgent step on the matter.

This was even as gunmen suspected to be Boko Haram terrorists attacked Kubla Village in Madagali Local Government area of Adamawa State killing eight people and burning two churches, among other private houses.
Some residents of the affected village who fled the area said that they were attacked by the terrorists on Monday night.
Some residents of the affected village who fled the area said that they were

ABDUCTED SCHOOL GIRLS: FG pleads with parents for time.

By Emma Ovuakporie, Joseph Erunke, Johnbosco Agbakwuru & Ndahi  Marama
ABUJA—The Federal Government, yesterday, made a passionate appeal to parents of 234 female students of a secondary school in Chibok, Borno State, who were abducted by Boko Haram terrorists, to give it more time for rescue operation even as four more girls were said to have escaped from the terrorists’ den.

The government appeal came on a day the Senate called for full scale military campaign against the insurgents, just as the House of Representatives summoned the Chief of Defence Staff and all the Service Chiefs to appear before it and explain how the abducted girls would be rescued.

One of the lucky abducted students in Chibok who was later rescued and being handed over by her parents at school premises on Monday. Photo by Ndahi Maiduguri.

Also, the senator representing Borno North, Ahmed Zanna claimed, yesterday, that he informed the military as the terrorists were moving the girls from one place to the other but the military failed to act on time.

Parents protest at National Assembly

Minister of Women Affairs, Hajia Zainab Maina, while addressing the parents of the abducted girls, who stormed the National Assembly to protest what they described as the insensitivity of the Federal Government to their plight since the abduction of the girls, said concerted efforts were being made by the security forces to secure their release.

The aggrieved parents in black attires and armed with

Nigeria turned upside down by Security operatives.

SOME of our brothers have turned the country upside down. Fear stalks citizens like long lazy shadows. Abuja, in particular, is as nervous as a virgin.

If it’s not Boko Haram today, then it’s herdsmen who also happen to be experts in directing helicopter drop-offs and are equally smooth in their use of semi-automatic weapons. I suspect most of their sponsors have lost control of the boys. The violence seems to have taken on a life of its own and co-ordinating its stoppage is proving damn near impossible at the moment.

It has become too painful to hear about the regular, unchecked and unnecessary loss of lives. The abduction of the young girls from a secondary school in Borno State and their unimaginable fate is simply too depressing. We have finally confirmed our membership of that exclusive but ignoble club of mad primitive countries where repression seem their only raison d’être.

I mean, look at the North East. Boko Haram is close to shutting down education and social life there. And you cannot find a decent party to attend there anymore. This was why Jonathan had to boogie-woogie in the relative comfort of the North West last week.

Easter Sunday was a burst for most churches in Abuja. Pentecostal pastors were especially unhappy. Private jets and four-wheel drives on order would have to wait a little longer. Continuing fuel shortage and the Nyanyan bomb blast mean that most motorists don’t go anywhere in their own vehicle. Comprehensive vehicular insurance is a tricky

Alleged N10bn jet scam probe: We’re still studying order restraining us-Reps.

By Emman Ovuakporie
ABUJA-HOUSE of Representatives yesterday through its Spokesman, Zakari Mohammed said the House was still studying an order  restraining them from continuing the probe of an alleged N10billion jet charter services scam by Minister of Petroleum Resources, Deziani Alison-Madueke.

Mohammed while briefing journalists alongside Public Accounts Committee Chairman, Adeola Olamilekan  said, “we are still studying the order to know the next line of action to take on the issue”.

Mrs Deziani Alison-Madueke

“Today the office of the Speaker was sent an order restraining us from continuing with the probe slated for today, Monday”.

“Nigerians should also know that one of the primary responsibilities of lawmakers is to fight corruption and we are not deterred about this”.

Also the House went back on its words that members of its committee on public accounts presently investigating the minister of petroleum resources, Allison-Madueke were under threat to back down on its investigation.

Olamilekan who reacted on whether members of his committee were under pressure said,”there was no time we were under any pressure to do anything”.

It would be recalled that the  media was awash two weeks ago that

Celestial church members storm court over demolition.

IBADAN — HUNDREDS of members of Celestial Church of Christ, Onala Parish, Ibadan, yesterday, stormed the Oyo State High Court, Ibadan over a suit filed against the Oyo State governor, Senator Abiola Ajimobi, over demolition of their church.

The Board of Trustees of the church and Evangelist Kolawole Olakanmi are claimants in the suit.

Before adjourning the case, which was stalled due to the absence of the defence counsel to the state government, Justice Olusegun Olagunju wondered why the counsel did not appear before the court.

Counsel to the claimants, Mr. Ade Fajemiroye, had told the court that the plaintiffs had complied with the directive of the court by filing all the relevant documents and that the information was contained in forms 17 and 18 including issues for determination at the pre-trial conference.

Fajemiroye said Mrs. Sotolu was in court in last adjourned day and she too had complied with the court directive.

It would be recalled that the demolition of the church was done despite the earlier court injunction.

After the demolition of the exercise, the Shepherd and nine other members of the church were later arrested and taken to the Secretariat Police Station.

Speaking with newsmen after the case was adjourned, Olakanmi said: “I showed them the copy of the court injunction, but their leader told me that the order was from the governor.

Why I did not report Obiano’s alleged double registration to police- Ngige.

AWKA – The governorship candidate  of All Progressives Congress,  APC, in last year’s Anambra State governorship election,  Senator Chris Ngige yesterday told the governorship election tribunal sitting in Awka that he did not report the alleged multiple voter’s registration by Governor Willie Obiano to the police because his political party was already handling the matter.

Testifying under cross examination by the counsel to INEC, Chief Adegboyega Awomolo, SAN, during the resumed sitting of the tribunal,  Ngige also said that he did not know if the voter’s card used by Obiano when he voted was forged,  adding that it is the responsibility of the Independent National Electoral Commission,  INEC,  to determine such.

“I did not go to the police because my party has gone to court asking for an order or mandamus against Obiano”, he said.

Asked if he is aware that the process of voter registration enables somebody who registered in Lagos, for instance, to transfer his voting right  to another state,  the APC candidate said he was.
Ngige returned to the witness box to continue his evidence after  the Court of Appeal sitting in Enugu  restored some paragraphs in his petition challenging the declaration of Chief Willie Obiano as the winner of last year’s election.

He tendered an extract of the INEC voter register for Lagos State showing the

Amaka Igwe, renowned Nollywood Movie Producer is Dead.

Amaka Igwe, one of Nigeria’s foremost film producers, writer, director and a leading player in the motion picture industry, is dead.

This is contained in a statement issued on Tuesday in Lagos by The Nigerian Entertainment (NET).

The statement said that Amaka died on Monday night in Enugu after a brief ill health.

Confirming the death to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Tuesday in Abuja, Mr Agility Onwurah, Chairman, Actors Guild of Nigeria (AGN), Abuja Chapter, said Amaka’s demise was a big blow to the Nollywood industry.

“Amaka had gone to Enugu in company of her husband for a pre-production preparation for a new Igbo soap when the sad incident occurred.

“She suffered asthmatic attack and was immediately rushed to a hospital, but died before getting there.

“Amaka is survived by her husband of 21 years, Charles Igwe, three children, and an aged mother, “the statement said.

Born Amaka Isaac-Ene, the deceased was an accomplished writer, producer, director, entrepreneur and teacher.

She founded the BoB TV Expo, and was the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Top Radio 90.9 FM, Amaka Igwe Studios, and the newly-launched Q Entertainment Networks.

The statement described Amaka as a visionary,

The shame of Murtala Nyako

SOMETIME in September 2006, I was in the Aso Drive, Abuja residence of Prof. Jibril Aminu, the Senator representing Adamawa Central in the Senate, conducting an interview for his biography. It was a sunny Friday morning. The interview was disrupted by the arrival of an important guest.

When this rather frail looking elderly gentleman was ushered into the study where we were sitting, I saw he was a vaguely familiar figure, wearing a grey-tinged beard.

Governor Murtala Nyako

“I am sure you know Admiral Nyako”, our host said, holding Nyako’s hand, “and in sha Allah the next governor of Adamawa State”. I was shocked. In the first place, Prof had equally given me the name of a different person for the same post.

Perhaps, it did not work out between them? In the second place, why Admiral Murtala Hamman-YeroNyako (GCON, CFR, rcds, D.(Agric), a man who had been military governor, member of the Supreme Military Council and Chief of Naval Staff? Was he also being exhumed from retirement just like Obasanjo? Well, I never knew he was also into partisan politics.

It turned out that he was not. He had gone big time into mango farming. In fact, he was widely known as Baban Mangwaro in the Yola locality where he operates his farms. Nyako was

Call for suspension of political structures in Yobe, Adamawa unconstitutional – Governors.

Damaturu – Governors Ibrahim Gaidam and Murtala Nyako of Yobe and Adamawa, respectively, on Monday said the call for the suspension of political structures in the two states through declaration of total emergency contravened Nigeria’s constitution.

This is contained in a statement jointly issued in Damaturu by spokesmen of Yobe and Adamawa state governors, Abdullahi Bego and Ahmad Sajoh, respectively.

The statement described the calls as “provocative, diversionary and totally out of sync with democratic norms and values”.

It described the call for the suspension of political structures in the states by some prominent Nigerians as a betrayal of democracy.

It said those calling for total declaration of state of emergency in the affected states should understand the meaning of the provisions of section 305 of the 1999 Constitution, which gives the President the power to declare a state of emergency in all or parts of the country.

The governors said the the security challenges had never led to a breakdown in governance in the three states or resulted in dangerous power struggle among politicians.

“The governors have always responded by doing what is needed to be done to protect the life and property of the people by supporting the security agencies on the ground morally, financially and logistically.

“The governors reaffirm their determination to continue to mobilise available resources and to partner with stakeholders to ensure the restoration of peace and security in the region.”

The statement called on the Presidency to disregard the undemocratic calls and concentrate on improving security in the states and country. (NAN).

How Ribadu was poisoned – OBASANJO

Erstwhile chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu was once poisoned in the course of his duties as anti-corruption czar, former President Olusegun Obasanjo has revealed.

Obasanjo, who spoke at an international forum on 3rd Tana High Level Forum on Security in Africa in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, yesterday, also disclosed that Ribadu created enemies for him because of the ruthlessness with which he carried out his responsibilities of tackling corruption in Nigeria.

Obasanjo, who spoke from the floor following a presentation on Illicit Financial Flow and Governance of Natural Resources made by Ribadu, affirmed that he had known from experience that the fight against corruption attracts a lot of enemies.

Former EFCC Chairman, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu

The former President declared that he has no fear of anyone still living in Nigeria, adding “it is rather them that fear me.”

Saying that Ribadu took on a lot of highly connected persons in his fight against corruption, Obasanjo said that the former anti-corruption chief was once poisoned, causing

37 former PDP Reps to present impeachment motion against Jonathan.

ABUJA — THE battle for political supremacy in the House of Representatives is set to be rekindled with the plan by 37 former members of Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, to present an impeachment motion against President Goodluck Jonathan.

The legislators, who are allegedly acting in concert with their governors who defected with them to All Progressives Congress, APC, are also following up their plans with a high profile sensitisation campaign against alleged misdeeds of the administration.

*President Goodluck Jonathan

The plan to present the impeachment motion Vanguard learnt is, however, being seriously opposed by Speaker Aminu Tambuwal and some PDP loyalists in the House who have warned the 37 members that the plan could worsen their precarious position.

The impeachment notice, which has been articulated into 30 points according to sources in the camp of the legislators, is a narrative of alleged misdeeds of the

Memo to NSGF: Resign now, group tells Nyako

ABUJA- A group under the aegis, Save Adamawa State Movement, SASM, yesterday took a swipe at Governor Murtala Nyako of Adamawa asking him to as a matter of urgency resign for writing a letter to the Northern Governors Forum, accusing the Federal Government of embarking on what he termed a full-fledged genocide in the North.

Members of the SASM said that right thinking members of Adamawa State felt highly insulted with ‘the school boy manner’ Governor Nyako was made to read his so called memo, just to prove to him that nobody shared his views on the insurgency or the allegations of genocide he leveled against President Jonathan.

In a communiqué at the end of the Movement’s meeting in Abuja which ended in the early hours of yesterday, the SASM, the group noted that it has become imperative for the governor to resign now especially against the backdrop that he was indicted by the expanded national security meeting that took place last week, which it noted has brought shame to the Adamawa State.

In the communiqué which was signed by its National President, Engr. Stephen Albert, the group called on President Goodluck Jonathan to sack Governors of

Lagos bans use of Mini-skirt, other attires

Lagos State Government has banned all forms of dresses that expose breasts, coves and other sensitive parts of the female body, saying “they are indecent.”

This was contained in a circular issued by the State Head of Service, Mrs. Josephine Williams to entire Ministries, Departments and Agencies, MDAs, dated February 7, 2014.

Vanguard gathered that the decision was taken as a result of worsening cases of indecent dressing among the state government female public servants.

The circular however urged all Directors of Finance and Administration, DFAs, to immediately move against indecent dressing .

The circular, with the reference number CIR/HOS/14/Vol.1/022, said similar directive was issued through the HOS in 2005 in a circular number 113 mandating public servants to dress properly and decently to the office and official functions portray the good image of the state government.

The government in the circular warned that it

Sen. Yarima, 29 others charged with attempted murder, robbery.

A Zamfara High Court, sitting in Gusau, on Thursday adjourned a case of armed robbery and attempted murder preferred against Sen. Ahmed Yarima  and 29 others to  April 8.

Yarima, a former governor of Zamfara, was arraigned in the court by the Inspector-General of Police on an eight-count charge of armed robbery, conspiracy and attempt to commit murder, among others.

Yarima appeared before Justice Bello Gummi of the High Court along with the 29 co-accused persons.

However, the lead defence counsel, Mr Muhammad Katu, observed the prosecution should have cited the charges on separate sheets of paper to avoid duplication and complications.

This forced the judge to adjourn the sitting for about three hours.

On return,  Gummi ruled that the case was properly filed and ordered for the continuation of the case.

Both the  prosecution and defence counsel, Mr Oloye Torugbene and  Katu, respectively, however, applied  for an adjournment.

The judge adjourned the case to April 8 when the pleas of the accused would be taken by the court.

News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports  that Yarima was arraigned in the court by the IGP, following petitions by a serving member of the House of Representatives, representing Gusau/Tsafe Federal Constituency, Ibrahim Shehu.

The senator was alleged to have conspired with other accused persons to kill the Shehu on the Aug. 22, 2013.

The complainant  also alleged that during the attack on him, the sum of N10 million was removed from his car. (NAN)

Syria’s Assad to stand again for president

(AFP) – Syria’s President Bashar al-Assad has registered to stand in next month’s presidential election, which he is widely expected to win, parliament speaker Mohammed al-Lahham said on Monday.

“I, citizen Bashar Hafez al-Assad, wish to present my candidacy for the post of president of the republic,” said a letter read in parliament by Lahham.

The June 3 vote will be held despite a raging war that began after a massive government crackdown on peaceful anti-government protests that flared in March 2011.

The conflict is estimated to have killed more than 150,000 people, and large swathes of Syrian territory are now beyond the control of the government.

Assad, whose term expires on July 17, is expected to sail to victory against his competitors.

So far, six other hopefuls have announced their candidacy, most of them largely unknown.

A posting on the presidency’s official Facebook page quoted Assad as calling on supporters of different candidates to express themselves through the ballot box.

“Those who wish to express their joy and support for any candidate for the presidency should do so in a responsible, patriotic way, first, and secondly, through the ballot box in a timely fashion,” he said.

“I call on all Syrian citizens to refrain from firing in the air in joy, whatever the occasion might be, especially as Syria will be having its first election in modern history,” he added.

Assad became president after his father Hafez died in 2000 and will be competing in the first multi-candidate elections for the post, after a constitutional amendment did away with a referendum system.

Electoral rules prevent those who have lived outside Syria for the past decade from competing, effectively ruling out participation by the opposition-in-exile.

The Syrian opposition and much of the international community has condemned the government’s plan to hold the vote, with Washington saying it would be a “parody” of democracy.

One dies, several injured in Lagos cult clash over girlfriend.

LAGOS — A 33-year-old man has been killed during a feud between two cult groups around Iba new site.

Trouble, as gathered, started on Monday, April 14, at about 8pm, between two cult groups from Aratomi and Chemist, after a cult member  from Aratomi reportedly snatched a female lover from a member of the other group.

This unfortunately led to a battle that lasted several hours resulting in the death of a man simply identified as Hamburger, while several others were injured.

Vanguard gathered at the scene of the incident that for the timely intervention of policemen from the Ojo Police division it would have degenerated.

One of the victims, who was attacked with machete and an axe on his head and body, was rushed to the Igando General Hospital where he died yesterday from loss of blood.

According to a police source, who preferred annonimity, “already, 11 suspects have been arrested in connection with the killing and have been taken to Panti.”

Account of victim’s brother

According to the victim’s brother; “My younger brother was returning from work on Monday when he was attacked. There were deep cuts on his head, spinal cord and legs. We took him to the hospital where he died.

“He is my younger brother, he is not a cultist, he spent 10 years with me as an apprentice learning tiling and recently he had his freedom.”

Northern governors condole with Sambo over brother’s death.

Minna – The Northern States Governors’ Forum (NSGF) has condoled with Vice President Namadi Sambo over the death of his younger brother, Capt. Yusuf Sambo.

In a condolence message, the NSGF Chairman, Gov. Babangida Aliyu of Niger, on Monday said: “We feel and share in your grief. Take heart.”

Capt. Yusuf, who was the immediate younger brother to the vice president, died on Sunday on the Bill Clinton drive Airport Road Abuja, in a car accident.

The forum said that the best tribute the vice president could pay to the memory of the departed was for him to continue to touch more lives positively.

The forum said although Capt. Yusuf’s death was untimely, life was not about how long people lived but how people impacted positively on the environment around them.

The forum emphasised the deceased brought change to his immediate family and the aviation industry where he worked as a pilot for many years.

The statement prayed God to give

You must step on toes to save Nigeria, Yoruba Forum tells Jonathan.

Angered by the atrocities being committed by the Boko Haram insurgents in parts of the North, the Yoruba Unity Forum, YUF, has made a strong case for President Goodluck Jonathan to step on powerful toes in a bid to defeat the terrorists and save Nigeria from the brink.

The Treasurer of the YUF, Hon. Salvador Adegoke Moshood, who made the call in an exclusive interview in Abuja on Sunday, said that it was imperative for the government of President Jonathan to be firm in dealing with the insurgents.

According to Moshood, the government cannot win the war against the terrorists by taking a simplistic approach towards the malevolent elements and hoping that they would change for the better.

The politician, who is also a delegate to the ongoing National Conference on the platform of Socio-political and Ethnic Nationalities from Lagos State, said that Jonathan must keep political interest aside and tackle the insurgents for the overall interest of the nation.

According to him, Jonathan would win even more votes in the north and the other parts of the country by taking a drastic and firm action to bring an end to the menace being posed to the nation by the Boko Haram terrorists.

The former lawmaker asked President Jonathan not

At 26, I refused to be intimidated by the Ooni, old monarchs – The Awujale, Oba Sikiru Adetona @ 80.

Oba Sikiru Kayode Adetona, Ogbagba II, the Awujale of Ijebu land, will become an octogenarian on  May 10. The Ijebu paramount ruler is also commemorating his 54th anniversary of ascension to the throne.

In this interview with EMMANUEL AJIBULU at his palace in Ijebu-Ode, Ogun State, the monarch expressed gratitude to God for keeping him alive, hale and hearty on the throne. He assured  that the creation of  Ijebu State is realistic in his life time.

Narrating the story of Ijebu land, he pointed that it was one of the provinces of the old Western Region. Adetona’s 80th birthday is being planned to span a week. The highlights of the celebration are  a colloquium on Ijebu, a coffee table book presentation on the monarch and awards ceremony, paying of homage to the Awujale by Ijebu obas, chiefs, sons and daughters and awards ceremony by Ijebu Professional Excellence Foundation, and a football match between Arsenal fans, among others.
Excerpts:

Since your ascension to the throne at age 26, what would you describe as your happiest moment and what will you say is your greatest regret?
First and foremost, I give thanks to God for keeping me alive to witness this glorious moment of my life. (Laughs). I can’t recall any sad moment since my ascension to this throne and can’t think of any event that can be called happiest moment in my life; it’s quite an age, even seeing you now, I am happy. (Laughs again).

At that young age of 26, how were you able to cope at the Western Region Council of Obas where you had many members who were older than you, especially

Queen Máxima has her butt grabbed by Fred de Graaf mayor.Video

controversy looms over the grabbing of maxima butt by the mayor, some says its was by accident some say he was was just taking advantage of her, what is your take on this?

according to dutch tv they did not know who placed the video on youtube.

Fulani herdsmen are no killers, they are victims — Jubril Aminu.

Jubril Muhammad Aminu, a professor of cardiology, was the Nigerian Ambassador to the USA between 1999 and 2003. Aminu was elected senator representing Adamawa Central senatorial district in 2003.

Jubril Aminu

Prior to the ambassadorial posting in 1999, he had held office as Federal Minister of Education and Federal  Minister of Petroleum and Mineral Resources (1989 and 1992). As Petroleum Minister, he was President of the African Petroleum Producers Association (1991) and President of the OPEC Conference between 1991 and1992.

In this interview, Aminu blames the face-off between Fulani herdsmen and host communities in many parts of the country on government. He also says unless government fights Boko Haram as if in a war, insurgency in the country will not abate.  Aminu is also a delegate to the on-going National Conference.  Excerpts:

By Levinus Nwabughiogu

Can you tell me the story of Fulani herdsmen?
The Fulani story is a tragic paradox because when we talk about the Fulani as a group, people tell you about the Fulani rule in Sokoto Empire and  sub empires like

M&M: The two most dangerous men in Nigeria

By Dele Sobowale

“A very great part of the mischief that vexes this world arises from words.”

Edmund Burke, 1729-1797, (VANGUARD BOOK OF QUOTATIONS p281).

One American politician once said that every political party, sooner or later, develops its “lunatic fringe” – people who carry the advocacy for the political party to the most dangerous extremes. Nigeria has not reached there yet. But, we are getting too damn close for comfort. And two men, one belonging to the Peoples’ Democratic Party, PDP, and the other a member of the All Progressive Congress, APC, are driving us “hell for leather” to the brink of political madness.

Surprisingly, they are both lawyers. Each is the spokesman for his own political party in the exalted position of National Publicity Secretary. I will soon return to those facts. They are both young enough to still learn; but old enough to have grown up kids – who one hopes read the stuff they dish out virtually everyday to the entire world. Let me start with the world community which is at our door-step; thanks to internet, iPads and other forms of ICT.

Everything said by “exalted” officials of political parties or governments is now heard instantly around the world. It is not even safe to whisper on account of microphones built into some of these gadgets. But, our dangerous and dandy duo, don’t even whisper. They yell out the most explosive stuff at the top of their lungs – like people possessed. They actually and earnestly intend the entire world to hear those potentially destructive things they utter.

Dear readers, forgive me for keeping

Why I parted ways with Ngige, by Rep Odedo

Hon. Charles Odedo, a member of House of Representatives representing Idemili Federal Constituency, Anambra State, in this interview, explains why he parted ways with his mentor, Senator Chris Ngige. He says he is returning to the PDP from where he joined the defunct ACNand contested election into parliament. Odedo also speaks on his chances in the 2015 polls which he aspires to contest.

Why did you dump APC?
I resigned from the APC because I feel my ambition to return to the House of Representatives may not be realized in that party. I have fallen out of favour with Sen. Chris Ngige.  Ngige gave me the opportunity to return to the House of Representatives in this 7th Assembly; so when I noticed that the relationship was not as good as it used to be, I knew it was time to go.

He is my leader; I will not stay in his party to fight because he gave me a chance when nobody wanted me. I will rather go away quietly. I have fallen out of favour; I am no longer his favourite. I want to use this opportunity to thank Ngige for giving me that opportunity. I am most  grateful.

My ambition to return to the House of Representatives is very popular among Idemili people some  elite want to frustrate the will of the people. Only Idemili people can decide my fate.

You are seen as one of the foot soldiers of  Ngige in Anambra. Don’t you think that your resignation would affect the senator’s political career in the 2015 elections?
Not at all. I do not think  my exit will affect his political career in 2015. Mind you, before my entry into politics in 2005, the senator was already a governor. Remember

This Woman Allegedly Turned into a Bird & Landed in a Gutter in Lagos (Photos)

Earlier on today, around 9am, this woman pictured above, who allegedly confessed to being a witch, was rescued from a gutter she was trapped in around Abalti Barracks, Ojuelegba in Surulere, Lagos.

According to reports, a passerby had noticed someone stretching out her hand from a very small hole in a 6ft deep gutter just in front of the Army Barracks and calling out for help. The passerby quickly ran into the Army barracks to get help.

Within minutes, a crowd gathered with people saying all sort of things about the lady inside the gutter and how she got trapped in it. Some said she's a witch, that she went for her meeting transformed as a
bird. Only to end up in the covered gutter after she fell uncontrollably as a bird from the sky. That it was inside the drainage she now transformed back into her human form. Some others said she was on her way

How Former Edo Governor, Igbinedion, Lost N3.3 billion To Venezuelan Conmen [Part 1] - PREMIUM TIMES

Posted: Apr, 27 2014, 3:04AM

Posted by siteadmin

caption: Former Governor of Edo State, Lucky Igbinedion

By Nicholas Ibekwe

Nemesis may have finally caught up with ex-convict and former Governor of Edo State, Lucky Igbinedion, as he has lost over N3.3 billion to Venezuelan fraudsters, in a deal that bears all the marks of a classic 419 scam, PREMIUM TIMES can authoritatively reveal.
Court documents seen by PREMIUM TIMES also suggest that Mr. Igbinedion may be insolvent, as two US-based law firms have walked away from a $600 million lawsuit he instituted against the alleged mastermind and the Venezuelan state owned oil company, Petroleos De Venezuela S.A (PDVSA), over his inability to pay retainer as low as  N627,000.00 ($3,800.00).
Mr. Igbinedion plundered Edo State treasury for the eight years he was governor. He escaped jail after he reached a controversial plea bargain agreement with the Farida Waziri-led Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, which dropped all but one of the 191 charges of corruption and money laundering against him.
In 2008, a Federal High Court in Enugu sentenced him to six months in prison with the option of a N3.5 million fine. The controversial plea bargain agreement he reached with the EFCC also required that he return N500 million and three of the houses he acquired with stolen public funds to the Federal Government.
But it’s not yet Uhuru for Mr. Igbinedion as the Court of Appeal in Benin ruled on April 9, 2014 that he has a case to answer over a fresh 66-count money laundering and financial impropriety suit brought against him by the EFCC. A Federal High Court had ruled in 2011 that it would amount to double jeopardy and abuse of court process to try him again after the plea bargain he entered with the EFCC.
He has been accused of stealing over N3 billion from

Man shot dead hours after son’s wedding

ASABA—TRAGEDY struck, weekend, at Owa‑Oyibu in Ika North‑East Local Government Area of Delta State when an elderly man was shot dead few hours after his son’s wedding.

State Police Public Relations Officer, PPRO, Celestina Kalu, confirmed the incident and gave the name of the deceased as Ifeanyi Okonkwo.

According to her, “it is confirmed that an elderly man whose name is Ifeanyi Okonkwo of Aliohen, Owa‑Oyibu was shot dead by unknown persons on the night of April 19, 2014.”

According to the report, his son got married on that Saturday and left with money, the gift items and his wife to Agbor, his base, only to hear that his father was shot.

The PPRO further said that the corpse had been deposited at the mortuary while investigations has begun.

Meantime, the state police command said apart from pockets of minor cases, the command witnessed a peaceful Easter celebration.

The PPRO said: “The success can be attributed to better strategies put in place by the crime -busting Commissioner of Police, Mr. Ikechukwu Aduba, the hardworking officers and men of the command and moreover, the support of members of the public.

“We planned and with our daily 24-hour patrol and intelligence gathering, we were able to nip some crimes in the bud.”