The National Universities Commission (NUC)
on Monday cautioned Nigerian students
against seeking admission in Houdegbe
North American University, Cotonou, Benin
Republic (HNAUB).
The NUC Deputy Director of Press, Malam
Ibrahim Yakassai, gave the warning in an
interview with the News Agency of Nigeria
(NAN) in Abuja.
According to him, the commission has a lot
of reservations for the university and has
made a lot of publications to alert Nigerians.
"In fact, we listed the university as an illegal
university in Nigeria. However, in Benin
Republic where it operates, it could be a
legal university, but we cannot vouch for its
quality.
"There are a lot of unethical practices in
HNAUB and we have the information.
Sometimes, students pursuing medical
programmes will come back to Nigeria for
clinical and other things.
"We have no right to say it is not a
recognised university since it is recognised
by the country it operates, but we do not
approve that university in Nigeria," he said.
The NUC spokesman said that there were
serious doubts about the quality of the
institution, therefore, NUC would not
recommend that parents should send their
children to that school.
He said that efforts made by NUC to visit the
school for fact findings were frustrated by
the HNAUB’s authorities.
Yakassai, however, said he could not
confirm if the institution was dominated by
students from Nigeria as being insinuated.
He added that Benin Republic had its
regulatory body for universities which
should monitor the activities of Houdegbe
University.
Friday, 15 May 2015
T.B Joshua Heals Crippled Man At Mexican Crusade
On May 8th and 9th, Prophet T.B Joshua held a
crusade at the Aztec Stadium in Mexico City that
was attended by over 100,000 people...and there
he 'healed' quite a number of people including this
man in a wheelchair. I don't know what his story
is but as soon as T.B Joshua prayed for him, he
got up from the wheelchair and praised God.
cc: lalasticlala ishilove emusmith virginfinder
Moving on. CeCe Winans, VaShawn Mitchell,
Alvin Slaughter were all at the crusade.
crusade at the Aztec Stadium in Mexico City that
was attended by over 100,000 people...and there
he 'healed' quite a number of people including this
man in a wheelchair. I don't know what his story
is but as soon as T.B Joshua prayed for him, he
got up from the wheelchair and praised God.
cc: lalasticlala ishilove emusmith virginfinder
Moving on. CeCe Winans, VaShawn Mitchell,
Alvin Slaughter were all at the crusade.
Soldiers Beat NYSC Member To Coma In Katsina NYSC Camp
Soldiers today's morning allegedly beat 3 Corps
members in Katsina NYSC camp mercilessly,with
one of the Corps members going unconscious.
According to a twitter user Mariam Otun who is
serving in Katsina,the Corps members are
planning to stage a protest in the streets of
Katsina.It should be recalled soldiers recently beat
a Corps member to coma in Nasarawa state.
members in Katsina NYSC camp mercilessly,with
one of the Corps members going unconscious.
According to a twitter user Mariam Otun who is
serving in Katsina,the Corps members are
planning to stage a protest in the streets of
Katsina.It should be recalled soldiers recently beat
a Corps member to coma in Nasarawa state.
Mad Woman Gives Birth To Twins In Public In Delta State
EKU — AN unidentified lunatic, a female, Wednesday, gave birth to a set of twins with assistance from female citizens at the busy Eku Junction in Ethiope East Local Government Area of Delta State. The twins are a boy and a girl.
It was gathered that the lunatic, who is a regular face in the community, normally solicited alms and sleeps at any available shelter within and around the community.
Recounting the delivery process, Beatrice Ejeta, a staff of Shepherd Care International Orphanage, said she was at home when the proprietor of the orphanage called her, and others, saying a mad woman at Eku junction was in labour.
She said: “I was initially worried if she would cooperate with us. But when I made a ‘come’ sign with my hand, she responded.
“With the assistance of some female shop owners around the junction, we were able to hold her still and I coordinated the delivery, with the male twin coming out leg first.
“We were delighted when the first baby came out, thinking that was all and released our grip on her only for us to notice that as she trekked to a nearby junction, another baby was coming out.
“Immediately, we ran back to her and delivered her of the second child which was a girl.”
A community source disclosed that nobody had claimed responsibility for her pregnancy, but that the babies were taken to Eku Baptist Government Hospital.
The Public Relations Officer of Eku Baptist Government Hospital, Mr. Sagay Tuoyo, confirmed the presence of the babies in the hospital, adding that though he had not been fully briefed on the matter, the hospital was equipped with facilities to handle the babies’ immediate demands and challenges.
No Sensitive Documents Lost In Federal Secretariat Fire — Education Minister
The Minister of State for Education, Viola Onwuliri, has said no sensitive document was burnt and offices in the building were not affected by Thursday’s fire incident at the Federal Secretariat.
She explained that the fire only affected the electrical cable channels.
“The offices and documents are intact,” Mrs. Onwuliri said. “The fire service chief has assured that everybody is safe.”
The fire started at about 1.40pm and affected the 3rd to 6th floor of phase three of the secretariat. The building housed the Federal Ministry of Education.
At the time of the incident, the Minister of Education, Ibrahim Shekarau, was having an interactive section with lrincipals of unity schools from across the country.
The meeting was stopped as the minister and other officials were evacuated from the building.
Cause of fire unknown
Five hours after the fire was put out, the Operational Commander for the Federal Fire service, Ime Eyo, told PREMIUM TIMES that investigations are still on going as to what led to the fire.
“By tomorrow, I will be able to tell you what caused the fire outburst,” Mr. Eyo said. “As at now investigations are still on-going.”
The fire service arrived the scene shortly after the fire started.
A cleaner who witnessed the explosion, said he was trying to relax when he heard a loud bang.
“I heard a loud sound and the light went off,” he said. “Just before I could check what went wrong, the whole place went dark. I was gasping for breath. I tried to put on my torch to see but it was so dark.”
He explained he had to use his discretion to find his way through the smoke and out of the building.
Mrs, Onwuliri asked the staff of the ministry not to panic. She said there was an assurance everything would be fine.
Malaysia Sentence Nigerian Female Student To Death For Drug Trafficking
Thirty-year-old Mary George Unazi, a Nigerian student was on Thursday sentenced to death by hanging after she was found guilty of trafficking 765.9g of metamphetamine. The female student was caught with the drug four years ago with the drug at the KL International Airport (KLIA) four years ago.
Judge Datuk Ghazali Cha while delivering his judgement said, the prosecution counsel has been able to prove its case against the private college Student beyond reasonable doubt. Judge Cha also said, the accused has not been able to prove that the bag in which the drug was found was not hers.
Thursday, 14 May 2015
Nigeria Army Imposes Curfew On Maiduguri Following Boko Haram Attack
The Nigeria army Thursday imposed a
dusk-to-dawn curfew on the restive
northeastern town of Maiduguri in the
aftermath of a Boko Haram attack on the
city, a military statement said.
“In view of the recent development within
Maiduguri metropolis a 24-hour curfew is
hereby imposed in the city,” army
spokesman Colonel Tanko Gusau said in the
statement.
“This is done to protect lives and properties
of innocent and law-abiding people of
Maiduguri,” capital of Borno state.
Boko Haram fighters launched an attack on
the city on Wednesday but were repelled
by Nigerian troops after intense clashes,
residents and the army have said.
Dozens of militants armed with heavy guns
and rocket-propelled grenades stormed the
northern outskirts of the city near Giwa
military base, shooting and firing explosives
indiscriminately, local witnesses told AFP.
The army said in a statement its soldiers
had fought off “a band of terrorists” and
that two bombs carried by female suicide
bombers were detonated ahead of the
attack.
There was no immediate information on
any casualties.
The assault was the first on Maiduguri after
a three-month lull following sweeping
offensives on Boko Haram strongholds by a
regional coalition of troops from Nigeria,
Niger, Chad and Cameroon.
Sources said the assailants had made
attempts to overrun a military facility, the 21
armoured brigade, which was attacked last
March 14.
The army said that the situation was now
under control
A member of the civilian vigilantes assisting
the Nigerian military in the fight against
Boko Haram said the attack could have been
a reprisal for the losses incurred by the
extremists in a Tuesday offensive on their
camp some 40 kilometres (25 miles)
outside the city.
“The attack was from all indication in
response to the huge casualties Boko
Haram suffered yesterday in the military
operation on their camp in Mafa area in
which some women and children were
rescued,” said the vigilante who asked not
to be named.
dusk-to-dawn curfew on the restive
northeastern town of Maiduguri in the
aftermath of a Boko Haram attack on the
city, a military statement said.
“In view of the recent development within
Maiduguri metropolis a 24-hour curfew is
hereby imposed in the city,” army
spokesman Colonel Tanko Gusau said in the
statement.
“This is done to protect lives and properties
of innocent and law-abiding people of
Maiduguri,” capital of Borno state.
Boko Haram fighters launched an attack on
the city on Wednesday but were repelled
by Nigerian troops after intense clashes,
residents and the army have said.
Dozens of militants armed with heavy guns
and rocket-propelled grenades stormed the
northern outskirts of the city near Giwa
military base, shooting and firing explosives
indiscriminately, local witnesses told AFP.
The army said in a statement its soldiers
had fought off “a band of terrorists” and
that two bombs carried by female suicide
bombers were detonated ahead of the
attack.
There was no immediate information on
any casualties.
The assault was the first on Maiduguri after
a three-month lull following sweeping
offensives on Boko Haram strongholds by a
regional coalition of troops from Nigeria,
Niger, Chad and Cameroon.
Sources said the assailants had made
attempts to overrun a military facility, the 21
armoured brigade, which was attacked last
March 14.
The army said that the situation was now
under control
A member of the civilian vigilantes assisting
the Nigerian military in the fight against
Boko Haram said the attack could have been
a reprisal for the losses incurred by the
extremists in a Tuesday offensive on their
camp some 40 kilometres (25 miles)
outside the city.
“The attack was from all indication in
response to the huge casualties Boko
Haram suffered yesterday in the military
operation on their camp in Mafa area in
which some women and children were
rescued,” said the vigilante who asked not
to be named.
APC Insists Jonathan, PDP Not Cooperating With Buhari Transition Committee
The All Progressives Congress, APC, has
insisted that the Jonathan Administration is
not cooperating with the party’s Transition
Committee, while describing the Peoples
Democratic Party’s spokesperson, Olisah
Metuh, as a man with an incurable disdain
for the truth.
”We say, with all sense of responsibility,
that as of today, May 14th 2015, just about
two weeks to the May 29th handover date,
no shred of information as to the status of
governance from any Ministry, Department
or Agency of government has been given
to our Transition Committee,” the party said
in a statement issued in Abuja on Thursday
by its National Publicity Secretary, Lai
Mohammed.
”If that qualifies, in Metuh’s lexicon, as
cooperation, then there is a problem
somewhere. We dare Metuh or anyone for
that matter, to controvert the fact that not a
line of handover note has been handed over
to our Transition Committee. Until then,
Metuh has egg on his face,” it said.
APC restated its earlier advice to Mr. Metuh
to urgently undertake a crash course in
how to be an opposition party
spokesperson so he won’t talk or write
himself into avoidable trouble in the days
ahead.
The party admonished the PDP
spokesperson to always cross-check the
information available to him in order to
separate rumours from facts, saying had he
done that, he would not have issued the
statement in which he tried to cast
aspersion on the APC by accusing it of
”fabricating lies” over the issue of the
Jonathan Administration’s non-cooperation
with the APC’s Transition Committee.
”Metuh decided to put his foot in his mouth
when he latched on to the statement made
by our Transition Committee Chairman,
forgetting that in making his statement, the
Chairman was only acting the statesman
that he is by not saying anything that will
put the federal government
in bad light.
”A discerning party spokesman, rather than
a rabble-rousing one, would have
understood the elder statesman’s stand for
what it is instead of using it as a peg to
issue a needless, hollow statement that puts
his party and government in bad light. We
had decided to allow sleeping dogs to lie,
but now that Metuh has stirred the hornet’s
nest, it is time to put out the facts for
Nigerians to judge.
”What happened was that, following the
request by our Transition Committee to
meet with them, they invited us to what
was the first formal meeting between both
Transition Committees. But the meeting
was a mere photo-op, as it yielded nothing
concrete as far as handover notes are
concerned.
”In fact, what we met at the so-called
meeting was far worse than what we had
thought. Whereas we had hoped to get
their handover notes on May 14th (the date
they had indicated to us informally), they
told us point blank that the notes won’t be
ready until May 24th. Because this date falls
on a Sunday, that means we won’t be
getting the handover notes until May 25th,
just four days before the May 29th
handover date ”How do they honestly
expect us to peruse thousands of pages of
handover notes, ask pertinent questions
and seek necessary clarifications within four
days? Because we want a smooth
transition,
we asked if we could meet with some of
the ministers pending the release of the
handover notes, but they said no. When
one of their members even suggested that
the whole process be fast-tracked, they did
not budge.
”Despite this set back, we decided not to put
the whole issue in the public domain, until
the babbling Metuh decided to look for
trouble, describing the deliberate
stonewalling by the Jonathan Administration
as cooperation,” it said.
APC assured Nigerians that whether or not
the Jonathan Administration cooperates
with it during the transition, the party will
live up to expectation by providing
purposeful governance.
insisted that the Jonathan Administration is
not cooperating with the party’s Transition
Committee, while describing the Peoples
Democratic Party’s spokesperson, Olisah
Metuh, as a man with an incurable disdain
for the truth.
”We say, with all sense of responsibility,
that as of today, May 14th 2015, just about
two weeks to the May 29th handover date,
no shred of information as to the status of
governance from any Ministry, Department
or Agency of government has been given
to our Transition Committee,” the party said
in a statement issued in Abuja on Thursday
by its National Publicity Secretary, Lai
Mohammed.
”If that qualifies, in Metuh’s lexicon, as
cooperation, then there is a problem
somewhere. We dare Metuh or anyone for
that matter, to controvert the fact that not a
line of handover note has been handed over
to our Transition Committee. Until then,
Metuh has egg on his face,” it said.
APC restated its earlier advice to Mr. Metuh
to urgently undertake a crash course in
how to be an opposition party
spokesperson so he won’t talk or write
himself into avoidable trouble in the days
ahead.
The party admonished the PDP
spokesperson to always cross-check the
information available to him in order to
separate rumours from facts, saying had he
done that, he would not have issued the
statement in which he tried to cast
aspersion on the APC by accusing it of
”fabricating lies” over the issue of the
Jonathan Administration’s non-cooperation
with the APC’s Transition Committee.
”Metuh decided to put his foot in his mouth
when he latched on to the statement made
by our Transition Committee Chairman,
forgetting that in making his statement, the
Chairman was only acting the statesman
that he is by not saying anything that will
put the federal government
in bad light.
”A discerning party spokesman, rather than
a rabble-rousing one, would have
understood the elder statesman’s stand for
what it is instead of using it as a peg to
issue a needless, hollow statement that puts
his party and government in bad light. We
had decided to allow sleeping dogs to lie,
but now that Metuh has stirred the hornet’s
nest, it is time to put out the facts for
Nigerians to judge.
”What happened was that, following the
request by our Transition Committee to
meet with them, they invited us to what
was the first formal meeting between both
Transition Committees. But the meeting
was a mere photo-op, as it yielded nothing
concrete as far as handover notes are
concerned.
”In fact, what we met at the so-called
meeting was far worse than what we had
thought. Whereas we had hoped to get
their handover notes on May 14th (the date
they had indicated to us informally), they
told us point blank that the notes won’t be
ready until May 24th. Because this date falls
on a Sunday, that means we won’t be
getting the handover notes until May 25th,
just four days before the May 29th
handover date ”How do they honestly
expect us to peruse thousands of pages of
handover notes, ask pertinent questions
and seek necessary clarifications within four
days? Because we want a smooth
transition,
we asked if we could meet with some of
the ministers pending the release of the
handover notes, but they said no. When
one of their members even suggested that
the whole process be fast-tracked, they did
not budge.
”Despite this set back, we decided not to put
the whole issue in the public domain, until
the babbling Metuh decided to look for
trouble, describing the deliberate
stonewalling by the Jonathan Administration
as cooperation,” it said.
APC assured Nigerians that whether or not
the Jonathan Administration cooperates
with it during the transition, the party will
live up to expectation by providing
purposeful governance.
3 Men Died After Consuming 'OGOGORO' In Ondo; Seller Flees!
Akure—DETECTIVES from Ondo State Police
Command are working round the clock to
unravel the mysterious death of three
persons after consuming a local gin,
popularly known as ogogoro at Oka Motor
Park in Ondo town, Ondo State.
This is coming as the state government said
last week that it had curtailed the outbreak
of a strange disease which caused the death
of 23 persons at Irele area of the state.
The government said the 23 who died at
Irele consumed poisonous ethanol and
banned the consumption of ogogoro
across the state.
Vanguard gathered that the deceased
persons in this latest incident included a
member of the National Union of Road
Transport Workers, NURTW, in the park, an
electrician and another person working in
the motor park.
It was learned that the three persons
consumed the local gin at the park and
immediately complained of stomach upset.
Other members of the union reportedly
applied local herbs to calm them down, but
they soon became unconscious.
An eyewitness said they died before they
could be rushed to a nearby hospital in the
town, adding that the deaths were
mysterious as other members of the union
usually drank the same ogogoro.
Seller flees
Vanguard gathered that the seller of the
ogogoro had fled the park for fear of arrest
by policemen, who reportedly stormed the
motor park to investigate the incident.
The eyewitness said consum-ption of
ogogoro at motor parks by members of
NURTW was a daily occurrence.
It was also gathered that the deceased had
been buried according to Muslim rites
without undergoing any autopsy to confirm
the real cause of their death.
Contacted, the police image maker, Wole
Ogodo, said: “When I called the DPO of the
Enuowa Police Division in Ondo, he said
nobody had reported the case at the police
station, that they too heard it as rumour in
the town.
“We have commenced investigation and
after the investigation we shall let the whole
world know what actually happened to the
said three persons.”
We ‘re in control— Health Commissioner
It would be recalled that the Health
Commissioner, Dr. Dayo Adeyanju, last
weekend said the state government has
successfully curtailed the ethanol poison at
Irele area of the state.
He said the sensitization efforts of
government had yielded results on the
consumption of the local gin.
The commissioner added that both National
Agency for Food and Drug Administration
and Control, NAFDAC, and SON had
intervened to standardize the brewing of the
local gin and regulate it’s production.
Adeyanju said: “Those that died as a result
of the consumption of the local gin are the
chronic drinkers, while those that just tasted
it have since regained their sights.”
According to him, a high concentration of
the ethanol poison was discovered in the
system of those that died as a result of its
consumption.
Adeyanju pointed out that the ban on the
consumption of ogogoro in the state still
subsists, while government would deal
decisively with those who flouted the
directive.
Command are working round the clock to
unravel the mysterious death of three
persons after consuming a local gin,
popularly known as ogogoro at Oka Motor
Park in Ondo town, Ondo State.
This is coming as the state government said
last week that it had curtailed the outbreak
of a strange disease which caused the death
of 23 persons at Irele area of the state.
The government said the 23 who died at
Irele consumed poisonous ethanol and
banned the consumption of ogogoro
across the state.
Vanguard gathered that the deceased
persons in this latest incident included a
member of the National Union of Road
Transport Workers, NURTW, in the park, an
electrician and another person working in
the motor park.
It was learned that the three persons
consumed the local gin at the park and
immediately complained of stomach upset.
Other members of the union reportedly
applied local herbs to calm them down, but
they soon became unconscious.
An eyewitness said they died before they
could be rushed to a nearby hospital in the
town, adding that the deaths were
mysterious as other members of the union
usually drank the same ogogoro.
Seller flees
Vanguard gathered that the seller of the
ogogoro had fled the park for fear of arrest
by policemen, who reportedly stormed the
motor park to investigate the incident.
The eyewitness said consum-ption of
ogogoro at motor parks by members of
NURTW was a daily occurrence.
It was also gathered that the deceased had
been buried according to Muslim rites
without undergoing any autopsy to confirm
the real cause of their death.
Contacted, the police image maker, Wole
Ogodo, said: “When I called the DPO of the
Enuowa Police Division in Ondo, he said
nobody had reported the case at the police
station, that they too heard it as rumour in
the town.
“We have commenced investigation and
after the investigation we shall let the whole
world know what actually happened to the
said three persons.”
We ‘re in control— Health Commissioner
It would be recalled that the Health
Commissioner, Dr. Dayo Adeyanju, last
weekend said the state government has
successfully curtailed the ethanol poison at
Irele area of the state.
He said the sensitization efforts of
government had yielded results on the
consumption of the local gin.
The commissioner added that both National
Agency for Food and Drug Administration
and Control, NAFDAC, and SON had
intervened to standardize the brewing of the
local gin and regulate it’s production.
Adeyanju said: “Those that died as a result
of the consumption of the local gin are the
chronic drinkers, while those that just tasted
it have since regained their sights.”
According to him, a high concentration of
the ethanol poison was discovered in the
system of those that died as a result of its
consumption.
Adeyanju pointed out that the ban on the
consumption of ogogoro in the state still
subsists, while government would deal
decisively with those who flouted the
directive.
33 Years Old Man In Court For molesting His 20 Years Old Neighbour In Lagos
A 33-year-old accounts officer, Stephen Itodo,
who allegedly molested his neighbour, was on
Tuesday arraigned in an Oshodi Magistrates’
Court, Lagos State.
Itodo, who resides at No. 18, Alhaji Shehu Close,
Oshodi, Lagos, is being tried for assault and rape.
The prosecutor, Corporal Kehinde Olatunde, told
the court that the accused committed the
offences on May 3 at his residence.
Olatunde said that the accused unlawfully
molested his neighbour without her consent.
"The accused forcefully had sexual intercourse
with his 20-year-old neighbour without her
permission," he told the court.
The prosecutor said: "The accused sent the
complainant on an errand to buy matches for
him.
"The accused went to call the complainant in her
room that he was not feeling fine that she should
help him to buy matches.
"When the complainant came with the matches,
she knocked on Itodo’s door, he told her to open
the door and bring it inside that he was too weak
to get up.
"Immediately the complainant opened the door
and stepped inside, the accused, who was hiding
behind the door, bolted it and dragged her to his
bed."
The prosecutor said that the complainant shouted
for help, but the accused overpowered her and
forcefully had sex with her.
The offences, Olatunde said, contravened
sections 258 and 261 of the Criminal Law of Lagos
State, 2011.
The accused, denied committing the offence, and
the magistrate, Akeem Fashola, granted him bail
in the sum of N200,000 with one surety in like
sum.
Fashola adjourned the case till June 8 for further
hearing.
Source: Tribune
who allegedly molested his neighbour, was on
Tuesday arraigned in an Oshodi Magistrates’
Court, Lagos State.
Itodo, who resides at No. 18, Alhaji Shehu Close,
Oshodi, Lagos, is being tried for assault and rape.
The prosecutor, Corporal Kehinde Olatunde, told
the court that the accused committed the
offences on May 3 at his residence.
Olatunde said that the accused unlawfully
molested his neighbour without her consent.
"The accused forcefully had sexual intercourse
with his 20-year-old neighbour without her
permission," he told the court.
The prosecutor said: "The accused sent the
complainant on an errand to buy matches for
him.
"The accused went to call the complainant in her
room that he was not feeling fine that she should
help him to buy matches.
"When the complainant came with the matches,
she knocked on Itodo’s door, he told her to open
the door and bring it inside that he was too weak
to get up.
"Immediately the complainant opened the door
and stepped inside, the accused, who was hiding
behind the door, bolted it and dragged her to his
bed."
The prosecutor said that the complainant shouted
for help, but the accused overpowered her and
forcefully had sex with her.
The offences, Olatunde said, contravened
sections 258 and 261 of the Criminal Law of Lagos
State, 2011.
The accused, denied committing the offence, and
the magistrate, Akeem Fashola, granted him bail
in the sum of N200,000 with one surety in like
sum.
Fashola adjourned the case till June 8 for further
hearing.
Source: Tribune
STRANGE! North Korea Publicly Executes Defense Chief For Dozing Off At An Event
North Korea has publicly executed the country's
defense minister after the regime accused him of
treason, according to South Korean news agency
Yonhap.
Hyon Yong Chol was killed by firing squad using
an anti-aircraft gun at a military school in front of
hundreds of people in Pyongyang around April
30, the agency reported, citing a media briefing
by the National Intelligence Service at its
headquarters in Seoul.
Hyon "was purged for lese majeste" because he
was seen "dozing off" during a military event and
"did not carry out Kim's instructions," the agency
said. It wasn't clear what instructions Hyon failed
to carry out.
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has been
accused of ordering the executions of as many as
15 top officials so far this year.
defense minister after the regime accused him of
treason, according to South Korean news agency
Yonhap.
Hyon Yong Chol was killed by firing squad using
an anti-aircraft gun at a military school in front of
hundreds of people in Pyongyang around April
30, the agency reported, citing a media briefing
by the National Intelligence Service at its
headquarters in Seoul.
Hyon "was purged for lese majeste" because he
was seen "dozing off" during a military event and
"did not carry out Kim's instructions," the agency
said. It wasn't clear what instructions Hyon failed
to carry out.
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has been
accused of ordering the executions of as many as
15 top officials so far this year.
Arrested By Police Over Mysterious Death Inside Church In Lagos
The police in Lagos have arrested the pastor of a
Pentecostal church, Popoola Oluwasomidotun,
for the death of one Waheed Majekodumi in the
Ipaja area of Lagos State.
PUNCH Metro learnt that the 32-year-old victim
was found dead in the church auditorium on
Thursday, last week, at the Peace Estate, Baruwa,
Ipaja.
It was learnt that the father of four had entered
the church on the fateful day, crying for help.
He was said to have suddenly collapsed on the
floor and died.
Policemen from the Ipaja division were said to
have been invited. They arrested the pastor and
another member of the church, Folashade Ebun.
Ebun said she was on the church premises when
the deceased entered the church.
The mother of three said the deceased, who lived
in the Abule area of Ipaja and worked in a block
moulding factory, had run into the church for
help.
She said, “That Thursday morning, I was
sweeping the church auditorium in readiness for
a programme. While sweeping, a man ran into
the church, crying for help.
"He was shouting 'pastor help me o, I will die o'. I
thought someone was chasing him, but I later
discovered he was alone.
"He fell to the ground and I quickly called the
pastor, who came in almost immediately.
"Sincerely, we have nothing to do with his death.
I have confidence in the God that we serve. He
will vindicate us."
Twenty-seven-year old Oluwasomidotun told
our correspondent he was preparing for a church
meeting when Ebun, who lives in the church,
called him.
He said, "I am the presiding pastor of the church
and I also live on the church premises. On that
day, I was preparing for a programme when I
heard Folashade (Ebun) shouting, ‘pastor, come
and help’.
“I ran into the church auditorium. I saw her
standing next to a man on the ground.
“She told me that the man ran into the church
calling for help, and that he suddenly slumped
and died.”
The pastor said the owner of the church later
advised him to report the incident to the police.
The policemen, who however suspected a foul
play, arrested both the pastor and Ebun.
The case was said to have been transferred to the
Department of Criminal Investigation, Yaba.
PUNCH Metro learnt that the victim had been
divorced for about seven years, and had lived
alone before the incident.
His uncle, Chief Idowu Animashaun, said he
learnt about the incident two days after it
happened.
He said, “Waheed lived a reckless life; that was
why I stopped him from coming to my house.”
His ex-wife, who gave her name simply as
Moshundat, said their marriage crashed due to
his lifestyle.
“I was married to Waheed for eight years and I
had four children for him.
“But in the later part of our marriage, he took to
drinking and leaving home for as long as two
months without asking how the children and I
were surviving.
“I don’t know who to suspect for his death,” she
said.
The Police Public Relations Officer, Lagos State
Command, Kenneth Nwosu, when contacted said
he would get back to our correspondent.
But he had yet to do so as of the time of filing this
report.
Pentecostal church, Popoola Oluwasomidotun,
for the death of one Waheed Majekodumi in the
Ipaja area of Lagos State.
PUNCH Metro learnt that the 32-year-old victim
was found dead in the church auditorium on
Thursday, last week, at the Peace Estate, Baruwa,
Ipaja.
It was learnt that the father of four had entered
the church on the fateful day, crying for help.
He was said to have suddenly collapsed on the
floor and died.
Policemen from the Ipaja division were said to
have been invited. They arrested the pastor and
another member of the church, Folashade Ebun.
Ebun said she was on the church premises when
the deceased entered the church.
The mother of three said the deceased, who lived
in the Abule area of Ipaja and worked in a block
moulding factory, had run into the church for
help.
She said, “That Thursday morning, I was
sweeping the church auditorium in readiness for
a programme. While sweeping, a man ran into
the church, crying for help.
"He was shouting 'pastor help me o, I will die o'. I
thought someone was chasing him, but I later
discovered he was alone.
"He fell to the ground and I quickly called the
pastor, who came in almost immediately.
"Sincerely, we have nothing to do with his death.
I have confidence in the God that we serve. He
will vindicate us."
Twenty-seven-year old Oluwasomidotun told
our correspondent he was preparing for a church
meeting when Ebun, who lives in the church,
called him.
He said, "I am the presiding pastor of the church
and I also live on the church premises. On that
day, I was preparing for a programme when I
heard Folashade (Ebun) shouting, ‘pastor, come
and help’.
“I ran into the church auditorium. I saw her
standing next to a man on the ground.
“She told me that the man ran into the church
calling for help, and that he suddenly slumped
and died.”
The pastor said the owner of the church later
advised him to report the incident to the police.
The policemen, who however suspected a foul
play, arrested both the pastor and Ebun.
The case was said to have been transferred to the
Department of Criminal Investigation, Yaba.
PUNCH Metro learnt that the victim had been
divorced for about seven years, and had lived
alone before the incident.
His uncle, Chief Idowu Animashaun, said he
learnt about the incident two days after it
happened.
He said, “Waheed lived a reckless life; that was
why I stopped him from coming to my house.”
His ex-wife, who gave her name simply as
Moshundat, said their marriage crashed due to
his lifestyle.
“I was married to Waheed for eight years and I
had four children for him.
“But in the later part of our marriage, he took to
drinking and leaving home for as long as two
months without asking how the children and I
were surviving.
“I don’t know who to suspect for his death,” she
said.
The Police Public Relations Officer, Lagos State
Command, Kenneth Nwosu, when contacted said
he would get back to our correspondent.
But he had yet to do so as of the time of filing this
report.
50 Years Old Woman Delivers Twins After 14 Years Of Childlessness
Mrs Roseline Akinsola, 50, on Monday delivered a
set of twins after 14 years of childlessness. The
News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that
Akinsola, who works at the Ekiti State Christian
Pilgrims Board, was full of praises to God for
answering her prayers.
The mother of two girls, who weighed 4.2kg and
2.3kg, advised other couples in need of children
not to lose hope. In an interview with NAN, she
expressed gratitude to God for giving her the
children after several years.
"I thank God for the new name he has given to
me; before, I was being called Iya Iyanu’’ without
a child, but today, my name has changed to
“Mummy Twins.’’ Many of my colleagues, friends
and neighbours mocked and sidelined me, but
because I stood firm on the words of God, He
answered my prayers. I thank my husband, who
inspite of the troubles and problems from family
members, friends, colleagues and neighbours still
believe in me and God.
He stood by me like a father in all ways and also
believed in God all through the crisis. I also thank
my siblings who stood by me in prayers for
years. Let me thank God for all those who stood
by me in prayers and encouraged me not to
desist from serving God. These children are
indeed signs that God never forgets his own
people who diligently seek him and believe in his
words, ” she said.
The father of the twins, Babatunde,49, also
expressed gratitude to God for the children.
"We fast, pray and cry unto God for the fruits of
the womb for years, but I am happy that today,
God has finally fulfilled his promise to my family.
I thank members of our church under the callings
of Pastor and Mrs David Ajileye for their prayers
and care for my family,’’ the happy father, who is
also a civil servant, said.
Ajileye, who is the General Overseer of the Way
of Life Bible Church, Ado-Ekiti, thanked God for
his blessings in the lives of the couple.
“We have known the couple for over 15 years
and they have been steadfast and faithful in
serving God inspite of the challenges they were
facing. For years, I and my wife have been
praying to God to give the couple the fruit of the
womb; I am so happy that the lord has answered
their prayers. The church witnessed a similar
miracle in 2013 when a couple, members of our
church delivered a set of twins, a boy and a girl
after 31 years of childlessness,’’ he said.
He advised the couple to teach and train the
children in the ways of the lord. NAN reports that
the mother and the twins were in good health as
at press time.
set of twins after 14 years of childlessness. The
News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that
Akinsola, who works at the Ekiti State Christian
Pilgrims Board, was full of praises to God for
answering her prayers.
The mother of two girls, who weighed 4.2kg and
2.3kg, advised other couples in need of children
not to lose hope. In an interview with NAN, she
expressed gratitude to God for giving her the
children after several years.
"I thank God for the new name he has given to
me; before, I was being called Iya Iyanu’’ without
a child, but today, my name has changed to
“Mummy Twins.’’ Many of my colleagues, friends
and neighbours mocked and sidelined me, but
because I stood firm on the words of God, He
answered my prayers. I thank my husband, who
inspite of the troubles and problems from family
members, friends, colleagues and neighbours still
believe in me and God.
He stood by me like a father in all ways and also
believed in God all through the crisis. I also thank
my siblings who stood by me in prayers for
years. Let me thank God for all those who stood
by me in prayers and encouraged me not to
desist from serving God. These children are
indeed signs that God never forgets his own
people who diligently seek him and believe in his
words, ” she said.
The father of the twins, Babatunde,49, also
expressed gratitude to God for the children.
"We fast, pray and cry unto God for the fruits of
the womb for years, but I am happy that today,
God has finally fulfilled his promise to my family.
I thank members of our church under the callings
of Pastor and Mrs David Ajileye for their prayers
and care for my family,’’ the happy father, who is
also a civil servant, said.
Ajileye, who is the General Overseer of the Way
of Life Bible Church, Ado-Ekiti, thanked God for
his blessings in the lives of the couple.
“We have known the couple for over 15 years
and they have been steadfast and faithful in
serving God inspite of the challenges they were
facing. For years, I and my wife have been
praying to God to give the couple the fruit of the
womb; I am so happy that the lord has answered
their prayers. The church witnessed a similar
miracle in 2013 when a couple, members of our
church delivered a set of twins, a boy and a girl
after 31 years of childlessness,’’ he said.
He advised the couple to teach and train the
children in the ways of the lord. NAN reports that
the mother and the twins were in good health as
at press time.
Top 5 Most Successful Football Club In Nigeria
1. Enyimba International Football club.
* Founded: 1976
* Nicknames: People's Elephants, Aba
Millionaires
* Base: Aba
* Owner: Abia State Government
GROUND
* Name: Enyimba International Stadium
* Capacity: 25,000
* Owner: Abia State Government
* Built: 1992
* Surface: Grass
NOTABLE PLAYERS
* Vincent Enyeama - Nigerian
* Stephen Worgu - Nigerian
* Valentine Nwabili - Nigerian
* Mfon Udoh - Nigerian
* Dele Aiyenugba - Nigerian
* Michael Eneramo - Nigerian
* David Tyavkase - Nigerian
* Rasheed Olabiyi - Nigerian
* Chinedu Udoji - Nigerian
* Isaac Oduro - Ghanian
* Victor Ezeji - Nigerian
* Emeka Nwanna - Nigerian
NOTABLE COACHES
* Kadiri Ikhana - Nigerian
* Felix Okey Emordi - Nigerian
* Michael Urukalo - Australian
* Kosta Papic - Croatian
* Maurice Cooreman - Belgian
* Augustine Eguaveon - Nigerian
* Daniel Amokachi - Nigerian
* Shuaibu Amodu - Nigerian
ACHIEVEMENTS
* League Titles: 6 (record win; shared with
Enugu Rangers fc)
* League Cup: 5
* Nigeria Super Cup: 4
* CAF Champions League: 2
* CAF Super Cup: 2
Total: 19 Official Trophies.
2. Shooting Stars Sport Club
* Former Names: WNDC, IICC.
* Founded: 1950
* Nicknames: 3SC, Oluyole Warriors,
Sooting.
* Base: Ibadan
* Owner: Oyo State Government
GROUNDS
Obafemi Awolowo Stadium
* Former Name: Liberty Stadium
* Capacity: 25,000
* Owner: Oyo State Government
* Built: 1960
* Surface: Grass
Lekan Salami Stadium
* Former Name: Adamasingba
* Stadium
* Capacity: 18,000
* Owner: Oyo State Governnment
* Built: 1985
* Surface: Grass
NOTABLE PLAYERS
* Segun Odegbami - Nigerian
* Rashidi Yekini - Nigerian
* Taiwo Ogunjobi - Nigerian
* Mutiu Adepoju - Nigerian
* Gbenga Okunowo - Nigerian
* Adegboyega Yusuf - Nigerian
* Femi Opabunmi - Nigerian
* Ike Shorunmu - Nigerian
* Abiodun Baruwa - Nigerian
* Felix Owolabi - Nigerian
* Moses Otolorin - Nigerian
* Kenedy Dappah - Ghanian
* Joe Appiah - Ghanian
* Ajibade Babalade - Nigerian
* Best Ogendengbe - Nigerian
* Sam Ojebode - Nigerian
NOTABLE COACHES
* Alan Hawkes - English
* Siegfried Bahner - German
* Festus Onigbinde - Nigerian
* Jossy Lad - Nigerian
* Franklin Howard - Nigerian
* Akintolu Idowu - Nigerian
ACHIEVEMENTS
* League Titles: 5
* League Cup: 8 (record wins)
* CAF Cup: 1
* UFOA Cup (now WACC cup): 1
* Africa Cup Winner's Cup: 1
Total: 16 Official Trophies
3. Enugu Rangers Football Club
* Founded: 1970
* Nickname: Flying Antelopes
* Base: Enugu
* Owner: Enugu State Government
GROUND
Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium
* Capacity: 22,000
* Owner: Enugu State Government
* Built: 1959
* Surface: Artificial Turf
NOTABLE PLAYERS
* Christian Chukwu - Nigerian
* Emmanuel Okala - Nigerian
* Christian Okpala - Nigerian
* Slyvanus Okpala - Nigerian
* Jay-Jay Okocha - Nigerian
* Emeka Ezeugo - Nigerian
* John Utaka - Nigerian
* Victor Ezeji - Nigerian
* John Utaka - Nigerian
* Adokiye Amiesimaka - Nigerian
* Festu Agu - Nigerian
* Aloysius Atuegbu - Nigerian
* Michael Emenalo - Nigerian
* Okey Isima - Nigerian
* Sunday Mba - Nigerian
* Osaguona Ighadalo - Nigerian
* Emmanuel Osuigwe - Nigerian
NOTABLE COACHES
* Kosta Papic - Croatian
* Roberto Diaz - Brazilian
* Janusz Kowalik - Polish
* Christian Chukwu - Nigerian
* Felix Okey Emordi - Nigerian
* John Obuh - Nigeria
ACHIEVEMENTS
* League Title: 6 (record win; shared with
Enyimba)
* League Cup: 5
* Nigeria Super Cup: 1
* Africa Cup Winners's Cup: 1
Total: 13 Official Trophies.
* Founded: 1976
* Nicknames: People's Elephants, Aba
Millionaires
* Base: Aba
* Owner: Abia State Government
GROUND
* Name: Enyimba International Stadium
* Capacity: 25,000
* Owner: Abia State Government
* Built: 1992
* Surface: Grass
NOTABLE PLAYERS
* Vincent Enyeama - Nigerian
* Stephen Worgu - Nigerian
* Valentine Nwabili - Nigerian
* Mfon Udoh - Nigerian
* Dele Aiyenugba - Nigerian
* Michael Eneramo - Nigerian
* David Tyavkase - Nigerian
* Rasheed Olabiyi - Nigerian
* Chinedu Udoji - Nigerian
* Isaac Oduro - Ghanian
* Victor Ezeji - Nigerian
* Emeka Nwanna - Nigerian
NOTABLE COACHES
* Kadiri Ikhana - Nigerian
* Felix Okey Emordi - Nigerian
* Michael Urukalo - Australian
* Kosta Papic - Croatian
* Maurice Cooreman - Belgian
* Augustine Eguaveon - Nigerian
* Daniel Amokachi - Nigerian
* Shuaibu Amodu - Nigerian
ACHIEVEMENTS
* League Titles: 6 (record win; shared with
Enugu Rangers fc)
* League Cup: 5
* Nigeria Super Cup: 4
* CAF Champions League: 2
* CAF Super Cup: 2
Total: 19 Official Trophies.
2. Shooting Stars Sport Club
* Former Names: WNDC, IICC.
* Founded: 1950
* Nicknames: 3SC, Oluyole Warriors,
Sooting.
* Base: Ibadan
* Owner: Oyo State Government
GROUNDS
Obafemi Awolowo Stadium
* Former Name: Liberty Stadium
* Capacity: 25,000
* Owner: Oyo State Government
* Built: 1960
* Surface: Grass
Lekan Salami Stadium
* Former Name: Adamasingba
* Stadium
* Capacity: 18,000
* Owner: Oyo State Governnment
* Built: 1985
* Surface: Grass
NOTABLE PLAYERS
* Segun Odegbami - Nigerian
* Rashidi Yekini - Nigerian
* Taiwo Ogunjobi - Nigerian
* Mutiu Adepoju - Nigerian
* Gbenga Okunowo - Nigerian
* Adegboyega Yusuf - Nigerian
* Femi Opabunmi - Nigerian
* Ike Shorunmu - Nigerian
* Abiodun Baruwa - Nigerian
* Felix Owolabi - Nigerian
* Moses Otolorin - Nigerian
* Kenedy Dappah - Ghanian
* Joe Appiah - Ghanian
* Ajibade Babalade - Nigerian
* Best Ogendengbe - Nigerian
* Sam Ojebode - Nigerian
NOTABLE COACHES
* Alan Hawkes - English
* Siegfried Bahner - German
* Festus Onigbinde - Nigerian
* Jossy Lad - Nigerian
* Franklin Howard - Nigerian
* Akintolu Idowu - Nigerian
ACHIEVEMENTS
* League Titles: 5
* League Cup: 8 (record wins)
* CAF Cup: 1
* UFOA Cup (now WACC cup): 1
* Africa Cup Winner's Cup: 1
Total: 16 Official Trophies
3. Enugu Rangers Football Club
* Founded: 1970
* Nickname: Flying Antelopes
* Base: Enugu
* Owner: Enugu State Government
GROUND
Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium
* Capacity: 22,000
* Owner: Enugu State Government
* Built: 1959
* Surface: Artificial Turf
NOTABLE PLAYERS
* Christian Chukwu - Nigerian
* Emmanuel Okala - Nigerian
* Christian Okpala - Nigerian
* Slyvanus Okpala - Nigerian
* Jay-Jay Okocha - Nigerian
* Emeka Ezeugo - Nigerian
* John Utaka - Nigerian
* Victor Ezeji - Nigerian
* John Utaka - Nigerian
* Adokiye Amiesimaka - Nigerian
* Festu Agu - Nigerian
* Aloysius Atuegbu - Nigerian
* Michael Emenalo - Nigerian
* Okey Isima - Nigerian
* Sunday Mba - Nigerian
* Osaguona Ighadalo - Nigerian
* Emmanuel Osuigwe - Nigerian
NOTABLE COACHES
* Kosta Papic - Croatian
* Roberto Diaz - Brazilian
* Janusz Kowalik - Polish
* Christian Chukwu - Nigerian
* Felix Okey Emordi - Nigerian
* John Obuh - Nigeria
ACHIEVEMENTS
* League Title: 6 (record win; shared with
Enyimba)
* League Cup: 5
* Nigeria Super Cup: 1
* Africa Cup Winners's Cup: 1
Total: 13 Official Trophies.
» Obasanjo Turns Down Pleas To Help Revive PDP «
EXCLUSIVE: Ex-President, Obasanjo, turns
down pleas to help revive PDP
Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has
rebuffed repeated pleas from concerned member
of the Peoples Democratic Party to help revive the
party following its defeat in the March 28
presidential election.
President Goodluck Jonathan, who flew the PDP
flag in the March 28 election, lost to his All
Progressives Congress challenger, Muhammadu
Buhari, a former military head of state.
The party, which has ruled Nigeria since the
return of democracy 16 years ago, also lost its
majority status in the National Assembly just as it
won a fewer number of states unlike in the past
election.
With the defeat, the ruling party will now take on
the opposition role as from May 29 when Mr.
Jonathan hands over power to Mr. Buhari.
Since the defeat, the party’s senior members
have been bickering with one another with some
demanding the exit of its National Chairman,
Adamu Mu’azu and other officers, who are
accused of working against the party during the
election.
Concerned about the future of the party, some of
its leaders have been reaching out to Mr.
Obasanjo to return to the party and help build it
ahead of future elections.
The former president had in February directed a
fellow PDP member and ward leader to openly
tear his party membership card at a forum in
Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital.
PREMIUM TIMES gathered that among those
persuading him to return to lead the party were
serving governors and federal lawmakers who
believed the party should play viable opposition in
the next dispensation.
Mr. Obasanjo’s close allies said the anxious party
men have been pressuring the former leader,
who was the first elected president on the party’s
platform, by either visiting him or through
telephone calls.
This newspaper learnt that the former president,
who was also the PDP leader and Chairman of its
Board of Trustees, has repeatedly rebuffed the
request to return to the party.
Sources close to him said at some point he told
those mounting pressure on him that rather than
returning to the party he would encourage viable
opposition from other standpoints.
“I’m done with party politics here on earth and in
heaven. Period,” Mr. Obasanjo was overheard
telling a PDP chieftain who telephoned him
recently to raise the matter.
Mr. Obasanjo was also said to have told some
people pressuring him that he could have
considered returning to the party had his
membership card not been publicly thorn before
the general elections.
He was quoted as saying his membership card
has been shredded and that “as it is now, a goat
has eaten up the pieces”.
Mr. Obasanjo confirmed to PREMIUM TIMES in a
telephone interview that he has been under
pressure to return to the PDP but vowed not to
do so.
“I’m not ready to discuss partisan politics because
I’m done with it,” he said.
After a meeting with Mr. Jonathan sometime in
February, the outgoing governor of Jigawa State,
Sule Lamido, had assured that the PDP would
beg Mr. Obasanjo to return to the party.
“When a father is angry with his children, the
children should beg him. Baba is more than a
party man. He is an icon, a national symbol and a
leader and inventor, a creator of all the institutions
today in Nigeria from the president to the
governors, who are his own sons, are all his
creations.”
“And so when a father is angry with his children,
we will only say we are sorry to him. But then,
we cannot be renounced for whatever it
is…….We might have made some mistakes, but
abandoning us is not the solution because the
country is first before anything else. So, he is our
Baba even up to the president.”
But Mr. Obasanjo told PREMIUM TIMES he has
foreclosed any possibility of returning to the PDP.
“I agree that Nigeria needs a strong and viable
opposition and I will continue to encourage that,”
the former President said. “I will continue to do
that even without belonging to a political party. I
have moved beyond party politics.”
down pleas to help revive PDP
Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has
rebuffed repeated pleas from concerned member
of the Peoples Democratic Party to help revive the
party following its defeat in the March 28
presidential election.
President Goodluck Jonathan, who flew the PDP
flag in the March 28 election, lost to his All
Progressives Congress challenger, Muhammadu
Buhari, a former military head of state.
The party, which has ruled Nigeria since the
return of democracy 16 years ago, also lost its
majority status in the National Assembly just as it
won a fewer number of states unlike in the past
election.
With the defeat, the ruling party will now take on
the opposition role as from May 29 when Mr.
Jonathan hands over power to Mr. Buhari.
Since the defeat, the party’s senior members
have been bickering with one another with some
demanding the exit of its National Chairman,
Adamu Mu’azu and other officers, who are
accused of working against the party during the
election.
Concerned about the future of the party, some of
its leaders have been reaching out to Mr.
Obasanjo to return to the party and help build it
ahead of future elections.
The former president had in February directed a
fellow PDP member and ward leader to openly
tear his party membership card at a forum in
Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital.
PREMIUM TIMES gathered that among those
persuading him to return to lead the party were
serving governors and federal lawmakers who
believed the party should play viable opposition in
the next dispensation.
Mr. Obasanjo’s close allies said the anxious party
men have been pressuring the former leader,
who was the first elected president on the party’s
platform, by either visiting him or through
telephone calls.
This newspaper learnt that the former president,
who was also the PDP leader and Chairman of its
Board of Trustees, has repeatedly rebuffed the
request to return to the party.
Sources close to him said at some point he told
those mounting pressure on him that rather than
returning to the party he would encourage viable
opposition from other standpoints.
“I’m done with party politics here on earth and in
heaven. Period,” Mr. Obasanjo was overheard
telling a PDP chieftain who telephoned him
recently to raise the matter.
Mr. Obasanjo was also said to have told some
people pressuring him that he could have
considered returning to the party had his
membership card not been publicly thorn before
the general elections.
He was quoted as saying his membership card
has been shredded and that “as it is now, a goat
has eaten up the pieces”.
Mr. Obasanjo confirmed to PREMIUM TIMES in a
telephone interview that he has been under
pressure to return to the PDP but vowed not to
do so.
“I’m not ready to discuss partisan politics because
I’m done with it,” he said.
After a meeting with Mr. Jonathan sometime in
February, the outgoing governor of Jigawa State,
Sule Lamido, had assured that the PDP would
beg Mr. Obasanjo to return to the party.
“When a father is angry with his children, the
children should beg him. Baba is more than a
party man. He is an icon, a national symbol and a
leader and inventor, a creator of all the institutions
today in Nigeria from the president to the
governors, who are his own sons, are all his
creations.”
“And so when a father is angry with his children,
we will only say we are sorry to him. But then,
we cannot be renounced for whatever it
is…….We might have made some mistakes, but
abandoning us is not the solution because the
country is first before anything else. So, he is our
Baba even up to the president.”
But Mr. Obasanjo told PREMIUM TIMES he has
foreclosed any possibility of returning to the PDP.
“I agree that Nigeria needs a strong and viable
opposition and I will continue to encourage that,”
the former President said. “I will continue to do
that even without belonging to a political party. I
have moved beyond party politics.”
Gunmen Snatch Channels TV Bus In Benin, Beat & Tie Up Driver
Some gunmen have snatched a 14-seat
staff vehicle belonging to Channels
Television in Benin, the Edo State capital.
It was gathered that the white Toyota Hiace
bus, with number plate APP 98 DC, was
snatched at gunpoint at about 9pm on
Tuesday at Omoruyi Street, off Lucky Way,
in Ikpoba Okha Local Government Area
of the state.
Our correspondent learnt that the gunmen,
numbering four, had trailed the vehicle with
a black Sports Utility Vehicle and seized it
shortly after it was used to convey the
Station Manager to his residence.
The driver of the bus was said to have been
tied up and beaten mercilessly by the
attackers before he was dumped at
Ogbemudia Farm, along Benin-Lagos road,
at about 10.30pm.
A staff member of the television station,
who confided in our correspondent, said
the driver of the bus was, however, able to
make contact with the management of the
station, through the assistance of some
local vigilantes in the area.
“There are four of them and they were well
armed. They came in a black jeep and
bundled the driver.
“They dumped him at Ogbemudia Farm
after beating him up. But we have reported
the incident at Oregbeni Police Division,” the
source said.
The Police Public Relations Officer, Stephen
Onwochei, said investigation had
commenced into the incident with a view to
recovering the vehicle and arresting the
perpetrators.
“We got a report about the vehicle this
morning and we are doing our investigation
to recover it,” Onwochei told our
correspondent on the telephone.
staff vehicle belonging to Channels
Television in Benin, the Edo State capital.
It was gathered that the white Toyota Hiace
bus, with number plate APP 98 DC, was
snatched at gunpoint at about 9pm on
Tuesday at Omoruyi Street, off Lucky Way,
in Ikpoba Okha Local Government Area
of the state.
Our correspondent learnt that the gunmen,
numbering four, had trailed the vehicle with
a black Sports Utility Vehicle and seized it
shortly after it was used to convey the
Station Manager to his residence.
The driver of the bus was said to have been
tied up and beaten mercilessly by the
attackers before he was dumped at
Ogbemudia Farm, along Benin-Lagos road,
at about 10.30pm.
A staff member of the television station,
who confided in our correspondent, said
the driver of the bus was, however, able to
make contact with the management of the
station, through the assistance of some
local vigilantes in the area.
“There are four of them and they were well
armed. They came in a black jeep and
bundled the driver.
“They dumped him at Ogbemudia Farm
after beating him up. But we have reported
the incident at Oregbeni Police Division,” the
source said.
The Police Public Relations Officer, Stephen
Onwochei, said investigation had
commenced into the incident with a view to
recovering the vehicle and arresting the
perpetrators.
“We got a report about the vehicle this
morning and we are doing our investigation
to recover it,” Onwochei told our
correspondent on the telephone.
Boko Haram Attacks Maiduguri
Members of the extremist group, Boko
Haram, have launched a fresh offensive on
Maiduguri, the capital of Borno State,
reports say.
The militants are pushing to enter the town,
sources said.
Residents who were obviously caught
unawares are said to be scrambling home
to safety.
The Hausa service of the BBC reports that
troops from the Nigerian army are
presently engaging the attackers.
The reports say the attackers came through
an area called “Cashew Plantain” which is
behind Gina Barracks, the headquarters of
the 7th Division of Nigerian army.
Details later…
Haram, have launched a fresh offensive on
Maiduguri, the capital of Borno State,
reports say.
The militants are pushing to enter the town,
sources said.
Residents who were obviously caught
unawares are said to be scrambling home
to safety.
The Hausa service of the BBC reports that
troops from the Nigerian army are
presently engaging the attackers.
The reports say the attackers came through
an area called “Cashew Plantain” which is
behind Gina Barracks, the headquarters of
the 7th Division of Nigerian army.
Details later…
Chuka Umunna Declares Intention To Run For Labour Leadership In UK
Jim Pickard, Chief Political Correspondent
Chuka Umunna has confirmed he will run for the
leadership of the Labour party, pitching himself as
a Blairite candidate.
The shadow business secretary is the second
person to say he will run, following Liz Kendall
the shadow social care minister.
Mr Umunna has said he wanted to build a “big
tent” of people from different backgrounds, races,
religions and economic circumstances.
He published a Facebook video on Tuesday
claiming the Labour party could return to power
by the next general election under the right
leadership. The video was shot in Swindon, the
Wiltshire town where the Conservatives launched
their election manifesto and which elected two of
the party’s MPs in last week’s general election.
“I think we can and we should be winning in
seats like Swindon,” he said.
Mr Umunna began his political career as a
member of Compass, a leftwing pressure group.
But the privately educated former City lawyer has
since shifted to a more Blairite position,
eschewing former leader Ed Miliband’s rhetoric
that businesses could be divided into predators
and producers.
As shadow business secretary, Mr Umunna has
spent the past few years trying to mend bridges
with business even as his leader was — in the
view of some executives — setting fire to them.
Despite having a limited number of allies among
Labour MPs, he should be able to reach the
requisite 35 — 15 per cent — to reach the ballot
“Some have actually suggested over the past few
days that somehow this is now a 10-year project
to get the Labour party back in office,” he said. “I
don’t think we can have any truck with that at all,
I think the Labour party can do it in five years.”
Mr Umunna, the bookmakers’ favourite for the
top job, was the first former shadow cabinet
member to criticise Labour’s election campaign
after the event.
In an interview on Sunday he said: “We cannot
have a message that anybody is too rich or too
poor to be a part of our party.” He also admitted
Labour was wrong to run a deficit in advance of
the financial crisis.
In recent days several Blairite figures, including
Lord Mandelson, have made the case for Labour
to return to the centre ground.
Lord Mandelson came close to backing Mr
Umunna, saying: “He’s got a bit of a way to go
but will get there.”
But Harriet Harman, acting leader, has called for
an end to blame and scapegoating and launched
a “fact-finding” mission into what went wrong.
Other likely candidates include Andy Burnham,
shadow health secretary, who is expected to win
the backing of the unions.
Tristram Hunt, shadow education secretary, and
Yvette Cooper, shadow home secretary, are also
expected to run.
Dan Jarvis, another Labour MP, ruled himself out
of the race on Monday.
Labour’s national executive committee will meet
this week to thrash out the rules of the contest
while the unions are racing to sign up “affiliated
supporters” who can take part in the voting.
Meanwhile, the repercussions of the party’s defeat
continued to reverberate in Scotland, where it lost
all but one of its 40 seats.
Alex Rowley, a member of the Scottish
Parliament, stepped down as the party’s
spokesman on local government in Holyrood in
protest at Jim Murphy’s continuation as Labour
leader in Scotland.
“We in Scotland need a strong relevant Labour
party and we will not achieve this under your
leadership,” he wrote in a letter to Mr Murphy.
Chuka Umunna has confirmed he will run for the
leadership of the Labour party, pitching himself as
a Blairite candidate.
The shadow business secretary is the second
person to say he will run, following Liz Kendall
the shadow social care minister.
Mr Umunna has said he wanted to build a “big
tent” of people from different backgrounds, races,
religions and economic circumstances.
He published a Facebook video on Tuesday
claiming the Labour party could return to power
by the next general election under the right
leadership. The video was shot in Swindon, the
Wiltshire town where the Conservatives launched
their election manifesto and which elected two of
the party’s MPs in last week’s general election.
“I think we can and we should be winning in
seats like Swindon,” he said.
Mr Umunna began his political career as a
member of Compass, a leftwing pressure group.
But the privately educated former City lawyer has
since shifted to a more Blairite position,
eschewing former leader Ed Miliband’s rhetoric
that businesses could be divided into predators
and producers.
As shadow business secretary, Mr Umunna has
spent the past few years trying to mend bridges
with business even as his leader was — in the
view of some executives — setting fire to them.
Despite having a limited number of allies among
Labour MPs, he should be able to reach the
requisite 35 — 15 per cent — to reach the ballot
“Some have actually suggested over the past few
days that somehow this is now a 10-year project
to get the Labour party back in office,” he said. “I
don’t think we can have any truck with that at all,
I think the Labour party can do it in five years.”
Mr Umunna, the bookmakers’ favourite for the
top job, was the first former shadow cabinet
member to criticise Labour’s election campaign
after the event.
In an interview on Sunday he said: “We cannot
have a message that anybody is too rich or too
poor to be a part of our party.” He also admitted
Labour was wrong to run a deficit in advance of
the financial crisis.
In recent days several Blairite figures, including
Lord Mandelson, have made the case for Labour
to return to the centre ground.
Lord Mandelson came close to backing Mr
Umunna, saying: “He’s got a bit of a way to go
but will get there.”
But Harriet Harman, acting leader, has called for
an end to blame and scapegoating and launched
a “fact-finding” mission into what went wrong.
Other likely candidates include Andy Burnham,
shadow health secretary, who is expected to win
the backing of the unions.
Tristram Hunt, shadow education secretary, and
Yvette Cooper, shadow home secretary, are also
expected to run.
Dan Jarvis, another Labour MP, ruled himself out
of the race on Monday.
Labour’s national executive committee will meet
this week to thrash out the rules of the contest
while the unions are racing to sign up “affiliated
supporters” who can take part in the voting.
Meanwhile, the repercussions of the party’s defeat
continued to reverberate in Scotland, where it lost
all but one of its 40 seats.
Alex Rowley, a member of the Scottish
Parliament, stepped down as the party’s
spokesman on local government in Holyrood in
protest at Jim Murphy’s continuation as Labour
leader in Scotland.
“We in Scotland need a strong relevant Labour
party and we will not achieve this under your
leadership,” he wrote in a letter to Mr Murphy.
I Was Given Only N50k From The Operation Says Lekki Robbery Suspect
A suspected member of the armed robbery gang
that attacked a bank in Lekki, Lagos in March this
year says he was given only N50,000 from the
operation that claimed the lives of three police
officers and a teenage street hawker. Ekelemo
Kuete.
The suspect, an Ondo state indigene, who is one
of the four arrested this week (all 4 pictured
below), said 15 of them went for the operation
and that he was the one that drove the speed
boat that took the robbers to the crime scene and
drove them after they had completed their
operation.
"We were 15 in number that went for that
operation and we used two speed boats. Five of
us stayed back in the boat at Lekki while the other
10 went inside the bank. When they killed the
policemen and two other civilians I queried them
but they didn’t listen. I am the speed boat driver
that took the armed robbery gang to Lekki on
March 12, 2015. I didn’t want to go, they forced
me, and after the operation, they gave me
N50,000. I have not gone for robbery operation
before now; I am into oil bunkering in Arepo
along Lagos Ibadan expressway, a community in
Ogun state. I know they were robbers when the
contracted me to use my speed boat to convey
them through the waterways to Lekki. I make
money from oil bunkering between N50,000-
N80,000 each time I go to work" he said.
that attacked a bank in Lekki, Lagos in March this
year says he was given only N50,000 from the
operation that claimed the lives of three police
officers and a teenage street hawker. Ekelemo
Kuete.
The suspect, an Ondo state indigene, who is one
of the four arrested this week (all 4 pictured
below), said 15 of them went for the operation
and that he was the one that drove the speed
boat that took the robbers to the crime scene and
drove them after they had completed their
operation.
"We were 15 in number that went for that
operation and we used two speed boats. Five of
us stayed back in the boat at Lekki while the other
10 went inside the bank. When they killed the
policemen and two other civilians I queried them
but they didn’t listen. I am the speed boat driver
that took the armed robbery gang to Lekki on
March 12, 2015. I didn’t want to go, they forced
me, and after the operation, they gave me
N50,000. I have not gone for robbery operation
before now; I am into oil bunkering in Arepo
along Lagos Ibadan expressway, a community in
Ogun state. I know they were robbers when the
contracted me to use my speed boat to convey
them through the waterways to Lekki. I make
money from oil bunkering between N50,000-
N80,000 each time I go to work" he said.
I Was Given Only N50k From The Operation Says Lekki Robbery Suspect
A suspected member of the armed robbery gang that attacked a bank in Lekki, Lagos in March this year says he was given only N50,000 from the operation that claimed the lives of three police officers and a teenage street hawker. Ekelemo Kuete.
The suspect, an Ondo state indigene, who is one of the four arrested this week (all 4 pictured below), said 15 of them went for the operation and that he was the one that drove the speed boat that took the robbers to the crime scene and drove them after they had completed their operation.
"We were 15 in number that went for that operation and we used two speed boats. Five of us stayed back in the boat at Lekki while the other 10 went inside the bank. When they killed the policemen and two other civilians I queried them but they didn’t listen. I am the speed boat driver that took the armed robbery gang to Lekki on March 12, 2015. I didn’t want to go, they forced me, and after the operation, they gave me N50,000. I have not gone for robbery operation before now; I am into oil bunkering in Arepo along Lagos Ibadan expressway, a community in Ogun state. I know they were robbers when the contracted me to use my speed boat to convey them through the waterways to Lekki. I make money from oil bunkering between N50,000- N80,000 each time I go to work" he said.
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