Murdered by her Boyfriend in Lekki Lagos-Nigeria

She was murdered  yesterday in Lekki Lagos by her boy friend just because she didn’t tell him she was going to a Pool Party!

Parents, please insist on knowing the friends of your wards, there might be some character checks for which warnings are nessesary
This is too bad.

B-r-e-a-k-i-n-g N-e-w-s Al-Mustapha, Shofolahan to die by hanging

Embattled former Chief Security Officer, CSO, to late Head of State, General Sani Abacha, Major Hamzat Al-Mustapha and a protocol officer in the MKO Abiola campaign organisation, Alhaji Lateef Shofolahan, today, at the Lagos High Court sitting in Igbosere, were sentenced to death by hanging for  the conspiracy to murder and murder charge preferred against them.
Justice Mojisala Dada of Lagos High Court sitting in Igbosere delivered the judgment Monday afternoon.
Details later.

We'll attack Sokoto, Boko Haram warns Sultan, Tambuwal, others

Boko Haram, yesterday, alleged that security agents have arrested “many” of its members in Sokoto and called for their immediate release.
He however, urged senior citizens in Sokoto and other neighbouring states to intervene in order to avert the replication of what he described as “the big attack in Kano State.”
Qaqa, who spoke to journalists on phone yesterday said: “This is an open letter to the emir of Sokoto (Sultan of Sokoto) Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar 111, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Alhaji Aminu Tambuwal and the Acting Governor of Sokoto State.
“Before we visited Kano, we wrote open letter to senior citizens there on the imperative of releasing our members but nobody cares to talk. Indeed, we sent three warnings to Kano before we strike,” Qaqa said.

File photo: Boko Haram mulitiple attacks in Kano

“What happened in Kano will be inevitable in Sokoto unless you (Sultan and others) intervene and ensure the immediate and unconditional release of our members who were specifically arrested in the city of Sokoto on Thursday,” Qaqa said.

A rescue worker inspects the burnt-out wreckage of cars and motorcycles destroyed by multiple explosions and armed assailants in the Marhaba area in Kano. AFP.

Qaqa faulted the call for dialogue by President Goodluck Jonathan. “There is gross inconsistency in all the proclamations of the Nigerian leader. Our members are being trailed and killed on one hand, and on the other hand, some people are telling us to surrender our arms and come out. This is impossible,” he said.

BOKO HARAM STRIKES AGAIN, KILLS 24 IN ZAMFARA..

Suspected members of the Boko Haram sect are believed to have gunned down almost two dozen locals in Zamfara state on their way home from a weekly market in Katsina state.

Some of the bodies were totally incinerated, shocking residents and officials in the community. The traders killed were mostly from Birnin magaji village and the attack happened close to Shamussalle in Zamfara state.

A top security source who pleaded for anonymity confirmed the event to SaharaReporters. “They killed them and also burnt them, we are in the hospital now and it is just unfortunate. We are trailing them in the bush.
(The killers) did not demand for a penny from them, which mean they are not armed robbers. They just opened fire on (the villagers) and killed them and also burnt them to ashes.”

Apart from shooting at all sides of the vehicle carrying over twenty locals, the gunmen burnt the whole persons to death along with their belongings, according to the official.

Meanwhile, the Commissioner of Information, Malam Ibrahim Mohammed was in tears when contacted by SaharaReporters. The victims are said to have hailed from his same town. One of his associates at the hospital confirmed the incident.

State Governor Alhaji Abdulaziz Yari is said to be travelling abroad, and all calls are being put through to Deputy Governor Ibrahim Wakkala Muhammad, who is now acting for the governor. Calls were not returned regarding the killings

INEC Proposed N59b for 2015 elections

Speaking before the House of Representatives Committee on Electoral Matters, the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Attahiru Jega, demanded the sum of N59 billion for the conduction of free and fair elections in 2015, as well as bye-elections this year.
“The N59 billion we requested is the comfort level that will help us get prepared for 2015, but the envelope of N47.3 billion won’t serve. It is difficult to sacrifice the aspirations of Nigerians for free, fair and credible elections if we do not do our job well,” Jega said.
“In order to improve the electoral process, we have to make a lot of investment in facilities and infrastructure towards 2015 and to do this, we have to go back to the N59 billion. We are worried that if adequate preparations are not made, the possible bye-elections may not be possible.”
Citing some of what the money would be used for, he said that 70 million voters cards at a cost of N 129/card and a total cost of over N9 billion would be required, while 120,000 card readers would be required for the 120,000 polling booths across the country.
Speaking, the Chairman of the Committee on Electoral Matters, Jerry Manwe, said: “There is the need to improve on the gains of the 2011 elections and if not properly funded in good time, INEC may not be able to live to expectations of Nigerians in 2015.”

BOKO HARAM: LEAVE THE NORTH NOW-S/EAST LEADERS TELL IGBOS

For first time since the killings of Igbos in Northern Nigeria by the Islamist Boko Haram, South East leaders rose from a meeting at the weekend urging all Igbos in the North to return home immediately.

The meeting under the auspices of Igbo Elders Forum held at the GRA residence of later Dim Chukwuemeka Ojukwu noted with anger, the spate of killings and bombing of Igbo sons and daughters in the North by the Boko Haram sect.
The Igbo Elders said although, Igbo men who wish to stay back in the North to protect their various investments can do so.

Newly crowned Eze Igbo Gburugburu and leader of the Movement for the Actualisation of the Sovereign State of Biafra, MASSOB, Chief Ralph Uwazurike, said, “We are calling for immediate return of Igbo wives and children so that their safety can be assured here in the East.
 The Igbo nation is once again facing an intending refugee crisis and our people are being forced to flee their homes and places of work.”

He said settlement centers have been set up in the South East zones for all Igbos who have been displaced as a result of the activities of Boko Haram.

“While we urge churches to accommodate Igbo refugees, we will no longer fold our arms and watch Igbo people buried in mass graves,” he added.
However, another meeting of South-East political leaders, comprising the Secretary to Federal Government, Senator Pius Anyim, the five governors, National Assembly members, former governors and former lawmakers, among others, have condemned the spate of killings in the country, especially as it affects Igbos.

A communiqué of a prolonged meeting on Saturday read, “We are angry and condemn the spate of killings going on in the country, especially as it affects Ndigbo.

We however commend the efforts of the Federal Government in containing the situation. We have set up a committee to monitor the developments as it unfolds.”

Other dignitaries at the South-East political leaders meeting included former vice-president, Alex Ekwueme; Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu; Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Emeka Ihedioha; Senators Chris Ngige and Uche Chukwumerije.

Others were Ralph Uwaechue, Emeka Anyaoku, Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu, Emeka Wogu, Barth Nnaji, Tim Menakaya and Igwe Alfred Achebe.

Omotola rocks the world of widows

The adage that says who feels it knows it, was aptly put to test when screen queen and musician Omotola Jalade-Ekeinde brought succour to some widows in Lagos.
Her mother having been a widow before she passed away ten years ago, Omotsexy as the actor cum musician is more popularly known knows what they go through and with her large heart; she offered to come to the aid of some widows in Lagos.

Omotola

The event tagged “The 20 Widows Makeover” was her way of encouraging widows, who have worked hard to keep the home front in order despite the demise of their spouses. It also aimed at pampering these women and helping them boost their confidence and self esteem.
The widows were given  first class treatment and beauty regime which comprises a total makeover starting with facials and massage by Upmobile Fresh Look Spa and celebrity choice H and H spa. Next they had their hair treated  by celebrity hair stylist Ugo at Make Me, and made up by House of Tara, The pampering session was followed by a shopping spree with clothes from Every woman boutique and finally a photo shoot session with international and celebrities favorite photographer Kelechi Amadi Obi.
Speaking about the programme, Omotola said “I’ve always wanted to do something I wished had been done for my mother when she was alive. If you give these women money, they would spend it on their kids. I didn’t know I was going to loose her so soon, she was a very beautiful woman, but because of all her struggles, she neglected her personal needs, she didn’t get to enjoy all these things like going to the spa and going shopping

I fell in love with my hubby after he offered his jacket – Kween

This irrepressible diva who began her singing career  in 1999 with the Zuma Rock Band in Sheraton Hotel in Abuja, went solo in November 2001 with the release of her first single ‘Oluronbi’ which featured Fuji Star Pasuma Wonder.
 With her lingual dynamism comes the advantage of singing in English, Yoruba and Igbo as well as the Nigerian Pidgin English.
 The release of her third single ‘Jebele’ in June 2007, resulted in a giant leap and this attracted  Soundcity Music Video Award for Best Female Video 2008 as well as ‘Best Highlife Music Video’ at Nigerian Music Video Awards (NMVA) 2008.
Prior to the NMVA Award, the single ‘Jebele’ was nominated for Best Picture, Best Edited Video, Best Overall Music Video, Best Picture and Best highlife, a testimony of its exceptional quality.
In this interview with Saturday Vanguard, Kween opens up on her love life and how the simple gesture of offering his jacket on a night she was cold at an event and more was all it took for her husband to win her heart. She also shares her frustration and experience in today’s music industry.
With two new videos ‘Playa’ and ‘Gold Digger’ rocking the industry, the Umuahia, Abia State- born Kween also talkes about her new album titled Kweendoncom.
Enjoy!
I’m surprised! You are so homely and really acting the mother…
Yes. That’s what I am. I’m a mom, wife, career woman, sister and a friend to my husband and to my family.
You are even talking about dinner…

Kween -I was in the Choir in the local Church back in Abeokuta where I grew up

Yes, I make breakfast, lunch and dinner. I enjoy cooking.
So you don’t let other persons get into the kitchen?
I don’t have a house help.
Why?
I enjoy doing things myself . I’m very domesticated and when I was growing up, we didn’t have house helps. We always did things ourselves and I’m used to that. And the situation is still within what I can manage. So I don’t see the need for house helps.
So how do you cope with being a mother and an artiste?
If you see me out there, that’s because you’ve never had an opportunity of seeing me elsewhere, like in my environment or what I’m doing. At home , I do everything I ought to do in the house.
And being a celebrity doesn’t affect your relationship with people?
It doesn’t. I’m just me and not two separate people. So what you see outside is still what you’d see inside.
Your husband must very lucky to have you?
We’re both lucky to find each other.
How did he do it?
It was nothing supernatural, it was just meant to be. That we’d meet, fall in love and get married.
What  did he say to you the first time you met?
(Laughs). He said all kind of things some of which I can’t really remember. But I think the major thing I can hold on to is that we were seated on a table together at an event and I was cold. He took off his jacket and gave it to me.
Where did that happen?
Here in Nigeria.
And you’d never met before?
That was the first time he met me. We sat on the same table and he noticed I was cold and he offered me his jacket
And what did you say to him?
I thanked him.
Did you take the jacket home?
No, I didn’t take it home. I gave it back
And he took your number?
No, we didn’t exchange numbers but we met again at different times
So when it clicked, what did he say to you?
He was just being nice the first day and our parts crossed so many times afterwards.
What was the most important thing you found interesting in him?
He’s very humble, kind and a great guy who’s got a good aura around him.
And he never complained about your kind of person and profession?
No. He knows I’m a good person. And he’s found goodness in me.
Did he find it difficult getting to understand the kind of person you are?
Well, it’s a man’s job to chase, so he played that part.
Did you give him any hard time?
I never thought it would end up this way. Of course, I gave him a hard time.
And there was nobody in your life at the time he came?
No there was no one.
What did he say to you on your first date?
I don’t remember
So how does your family react whenever they see you on T.V?
I guess they like it and it makes them happy. They usually call each other and they all watch me.
Your father and uncle were strict persons. How were they able to handle all those sexiness on T.V?
Sexiness doesn’t hurt because I’m working and it’s my career to be on T.V and off T.V. There’s nothing wrong with that. I don’t have to be what my uncle or father were because I have my part in life
Does music run in your family?
It runs in the family. But unfortunately it was practised only in Church. No one ever took it outside that circle.
And you were involved in the Church thing too?
Yes, I was. I was in the Choir in the local Church back in Abeokuta where I grew up.
So when did you start music professionally?
When I left high school, I joined a band called the The Zuma Rocks Band and that’s where I turned professional. I was with the band for four years and it got to a point where I knew I had to fall out and step up my game.
Before you went professional, you must have had an experience as a singer… 
Not much, I must confess. From the Church, I remember that I used to be very crazy about Toni Braxton. I knew all her songs and used to pretend to be her. I used to go to the parks with my sister and we would sing and record some of her songs.  So, that’s how it started and gradually my love for music just grew.
I kept writing songs and went to the studio to record and produce the songs. It was after that I went to Abuja.
And while I was there, I was doing more of foreign songs. But I didn’t see it taking me anywhere because I needed to be original. And that’s when I sat back and decided to follow another part. And the result of that little research is my style of music which I call traditional soul music.
How many people helped you in building up your career?
So many people have been very supportive in my career. All of them have given me their support
You dropped a single before leaving Nigeria…
Yes, it was Oluronbi. It was my first single which I featured Pasuma
It was a hit but you didn’t follow up on that
No, it’s not as if I didn’t want to follow up. It’s just that things happen in your life and you never know when it’ll come and you’ll have to go with the flow. So I travelled just shortly after that song
So what happened in your life?
Great things happened
And you disappeared from the scene for a while?
It wasn’t as if I disappeared. It was just a case of being somewhere else. You may say I relocated for  a while.
You went to London. And what were you doing to survive?
Yes I went to London and was doing some personal things which gave me enough funds to live and survive on for the period of time I spent there.
And you ran into J.J.C?
Oh yes. I met them at a studio in England. I met J.J.C, D’banj, Don Jazzy, Dr.Sid and Weird M.C.
Music brings you together wherever you find yourself. And you meet people who do the same thing. So I’d found my way to the studio because had recommended the place. So, it was a great union
Were you signed on to JJC’s Backbone records?
No I wasn’t but I worked with them extensively
I preformed and recorded with them and when they came home the first time to Nigeria, I was part of the team.
And what happened after that…?
No it was never my intention to get signed on to their label. I was just cool with providing back up support for the group and doing one or two other things with them.
 And it took a while before you came out with Come With Me?
That song was not recorded for any label. It was done on my private label. I worked with them on the project  and the song was co-produced by J.J.C and Don Jazzy.
It was your first ever album?
Yes. That was my first ever album
And it took a very long time before it was finally released?
Yes, it took too long
And now your second album has also taken a long time…?
It’s taking me this long because of motherhood, beside, I suffered one or two setbacks
What were the challenges?
One  of the challenges is that here in Nigeria, the structures aren’t in place. And before now, it was very difficult for female artistes to survive. We didn’t have same opportunities like our male counterparts.
We worked and try so hard but we get pushed off in the end, so it was really frustrating.
Another challenge was finance and this came at the later part of my career. The fees of producers were so high and one had to pay before work started. I had to go back and work for more money so I could pay a producer to help bring out my works.
And sometimes, you have great songs but you’re not given shows and the platform to exhibit your talents. People would rather want you to do free shows. And at a point, I wanted to give up.
But then, whenever you go out, you meet people who say they love your work and even the kids love to sing your songs. In spite of the challenges, I told myself that I can do it. So I kept pushing and the result is what you have been listening to, my kind of music.
So you have a new job in the market right now?
Yes and its a 14 track album plus two remixed versions off my hit single Jebele.
Are you signed on to a label now?
I’m doing it on my own because the structures are not still not in place. I’m financing myself and pushing it all alone. It’s really hectic.
The two videos you have on air must have cost you a lot of money?
They did cost me a lot of money and swept clean my account. The last video Player, shot by Clarence Peters. I had like 10 dancers and prior to the recording, we were rehearsing everyday for more than two weeks. I had to pay rehearsals fees, designer costumes, make up kits and all of that. It was really expensive shooting that video.
So how do you go about with marketing the album since you don’t have a label?
It’s crazy. I’m working with Obaino records in Alaba market. All he does is just produce the album and when people want to buy, they go to him and we share the money. He is not really helping push the album especially in the area of publicity. I am handling all of that myself.

Columnist Marks and Spencer get their teeth into Rihanna’s holiday style

 

Rihanna's fierece beachside look in a We Are Handsome swimsuit Photo: BIG PICTURES

We'd never have dreamed of putting the words Rihanna and Marks & Spencer in the same sentence, but that's exactly what's happening here.

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• Rihanna to front new fashion TV show

When an email from the M&S press office landed in our inboxes this afternoon, we could hardly believe our eyes: it talked of a directional, leopard-print swimming costume that on close inspection bears more than a passing resemblance to the We Are Handsome one Rihanna made waves in (excuse the pun) while on holiday in her native Barbados.
See Rihanna's holiday wardrobe
At £35, the M&S cossie costs a fraction of the £180 price tag carried by We Are Handsome's covetable styles. While Rihanna's was emblazoned with a fierce panther face, the high street version is adorned with a ferocious image of a leopard, and comes with adjustable, criss-cross straps across the back. Let us also not forget that Rihanna accessorised hers with tonnes of rock attitude, while the M&S model (below) has more of the shy, girl-next-door about her, but hey, we're not fussy.
German actress Diane Kruger was seen in the same swimsuit, while Victoria's Secret model Miranda Kerr has also championed the brand, which hails from her native Australia.

Don Jazzy confesses some Nigerians are not ready for change

Music producer Don Jazzy, declared his regrets over voting for Goodluck Jonathan. During the on-going strike against the removal of fuel subsidy he said, "I hardly regret decisions I make. That my one vote added to put the current government in power is one decision I regret with all my heart."
He went further, "What I do not know is if the man we all voted for deceived us knowing that he would turn out like this or he is not the one leading us. May God help us."
He cleared the allegations made by rapper Eedris Abdulkareem who fingered Mo'Hits star-D’banj, amongst other artistes as collecting money from the Goodluck Jonathan campaigned just before the 2011 April Polls.
"God knows that government has not given Mohits any penny like I have always told you. I am boldly putting it out here for anybody to contest.
We all voted for President Jonathan because at the time, we thought and believed he would be the one to move the country forward. My conscience is clear," Don Jazzy concluded.
Without a single statement from Don Jazzy all through the NLC/TUC peaceful protest in the country, he returned to twitter today as organised labour unions announced the suspension of the strike to shed light on the recent turn out of events.
He said, "If only you have an idea what I have been through for saying I regret my vote alone. If they snipe me now the best you all can do is put up avatars and say RIP, then what next?
Will you feed the multitude depending on me? The God that we serve sees all what happens behind close doors. One day they will all be exposed."

Eminem Lil Wayne Announce 2012 World Tour, No Love for US?

Wow, we haven’t had this big of news in the live rap game since the Watch the Throne tour was announced way back in July. It is becoming a trend now for the tier 1 rappers to do massive joint tours. Eminem first did this with Jay-Z with the Home & Home Tour in 2010. I was at the first night of the Home & Home Tour at Yankee Stadium and it was amazing. I expect nothing less when Eminem joins the “best rapper alive”, Lil Wayne, for a world tour in 2012.
You’ve heard them together before on Drake’s Forever and then Weezy’s Drop The World and most recently, Eminem’s No Love from the Recovery Album. We can expect them to perform these tracks together, but beyond that it is only speculation. When I saw Em in NYC he played a perfect mixture of old and new tracks, pop and non-pop tracks.
Tour dates have not been announced yet, but sign-up below to stay in the know as soon as information is available.

Beyonce’s New Baby Creates a Marketing Dream for Boston Based Event Company, Blue Ivy

Mega-celebrity Beyonce gave birth to a healthy baby girl named Blue Ivy just two days ago. Since then every major news outlet and entertainment focused site has covered the baby’s birth. There has also been an enormous jump in search activity for the string “Blue Ivy,” and one Boston based event planning company is taking advantage of that, in a big way.
Boston based Blue Ivy Events has been inundated with calls, emails and social media activity over the last few days, due to the same name. “We were popular before, but this brought us to a new level,” said founder Veronica Alexandra over the phone. “Everyone is calling to see if we are going to be doing her birthday or any other events, my phone has literally not stopped ringing,” added Alexandra.
So far today, Alexandra told me that she has done more interviews with media outlets than she can keep track of. She has already talked with TMZ, Kiss 108, CNN, Ryan Seacrest and more. “The outreach has really been incredible and we are just so excited to see the opportunities that are now in front of us. This is a game-changer,” said Alexandra.
Being such a unique name, Blue Ivy, I did ask what she thought of Beyone naming her new daugher that. “The name took me six months to come up with and represents the most important thing in my life, my baby, my career, so to have Beyonce name her daughter, the most important thing in her life that, is truly amazing.”
Blue Ivy is not currently planning any special promotions for baby Blue Ivy, but they are now completely booked for the entire year and trying to figure out other ways to take advantage of this incredible opportunity.

Nigerian Idol Season II premieres

The audience were entertained with a sneak preview of the second season of the reality show

The exclusive show-premiere screening of the first episode of music reality show, Nigerian Idol season II, took place at the Genesis Deluxe Cinema.
The very dramatic 90 minute premiere showed a special sneak preview of what will be expected from the show; rib-cracking auditions and on spot raw talents. It also explored what the past season’s winner and finalists have been up to.
Project Manager, Tiwa Medubi said: “Certainly it’s a big deal and purposefully so, and we want people to get some of that Idol excitement. We also wanted to do something different and cutting edge. After all, this is Nigerian Idol.”
Season I winner, Yeka Onka, performed her debut single, ‘Follow you’ at the cocktail after party where Idol Judge, Charly boy was seen dressed in a pin-striped suit tucked into almost knee high boots.
Nigerian Idol season II kicks off on TV stations on December 4 and will run till April, when a new winner will be announced.

Anyaoku makes case for national conference

FORMER Secretary General of the Commonwealth, Chief Emeka Anyaoku, yesterday made a strong case for  urgent convocation of a Sovereign National Conference to discuss Nigeria‘s issues, even as he highlighted benefits of a united Nigeria.
Anyaoku spoke as chairman at the 41st convocation lecture of the University of Nigeria delivered by former President Chief Olusegun Obasanjo.
He spoke against the backdrop of bombings in major cities of Northern Nigeria by Boko Haram and what he described as the “growing fissiparous tendencies” in the country.
Anyaoku said: “We must never forget the advantages offered by the demography of Nigeria. There are advantages for development of the self and actualisation of the collective.”
He warned about the seriousness of current developments, especially continuing threat to the security of the citizenry and integrity of the state.”
These developments, Anyaoku stressed, have brought “added urgency to the need for a national conference of the representatives of the people of Nigeria to discuss the root challenges to the cohesion and unity of Nigeria.
Chief Anyaoku also urged leaders in the Northern part of the country “to recognise the agony and anger of relatives of victims of the bombings” by Boko Haram in all parts of the country.
He recommended that leaders of Northern Nigeria should convene a meeting with the Federal Government to address the challenge posed by Boko Haram to the security and well-being of Nigeria.
The diplomat also had words of consolation for Chief Olusegun Obasanjo who he disclosed as his friend and in-law.
According to him, the controversies around the two-time President of Nigeria are not unusual.
“It is a common phenomenon all over the world that national leaders become subject of controversy in their nations in the first 10 years after leaving office. Chief Obasanjo fits the pattern.”
In the case of Obasanjo, however, Anyaoku submitted that in time to come, dispassionate chroniclers of the history of Nigeria would “judge as truly outstanding the contributions of Chief Olusegun Obasanjo to our  still faltering steps towards building the Nigeria of our dreams.”
Anayaoku was paying his second visit to the University of Nigeria in three months. He said he was enamoured of the institution because “this university believes so much in original research in areas that aid our national development.’
The 41st convocation of the University of Nigeria holds on Friday, January 27 and Saturday, January 28 at the Margaret Ekpo Convocation Arena in Nsukka

NLC Website Is Hacked By NaijaHactivists For Sabotaging #OcuppyNigeria

Anonymous Internet hacker group-NaijaCyberHacktivists-has defaced the website of the Nigeria Labour congress (NLC) with messages labeling two key labour leaders as traitors.

The group brought down the website early today  to protest the action of the TUC and the NLC in sabotaging the recent #OccupyNigeria mass protests that had reached an advanced stage.

The group uploaded photos of some victims of police brutality who were killed during the two week standoff marked by tense street demonstrations, strikes and several acts of civil disobedience by Nigerians across the globe.

Breaking news: Supreme Court sacks Bayelsa, Adamawa, Sokoto, C/River, Kogi govs

The Supreme Court has in a judgement delivered, Friday morning, sacked the five governors of Bayelsa, Adamawa, Sokoto, C/River, Kogi state from their respective office.

Bomb blast at luxury bus park: 2 injured

At least two persons were, yesterday, injured in Kano after a locally made Improvised Explosive Device (IED) went off at a luxury bus park, situated at New Road in Sabon-Gari, Kano.

The Daily Sun gathered that the explosion, which caused a minor mishap around the Lagos Line area of the park, sparked off in-between two East-bound luxury vehicles, namely Gobison Motors and God Loves Ezenwata Motors. The impact of the explosion shattered the glass of one of the luxury buses that was in the park.
The spark went off as passengers, mostly southerners fleeing the state on account of the Boko Haram tragedy, went in the morning to buy their tickets and get their items loaded ahead of their journey.
The two persons, whose names could not be identified as at press time, were rushed to a nearby private clinic for medical attention, said witnesses. But a police source, who begged anonymity, said only one person was injured in the blast.

The explosion immediately threw the Sabon-Gari Quarters, a predominantly non-native community, into confusion, resulting in a brief stampede that saw traders and market people hurriedly closing their shops and speedily dashing to their respective homes.
A team of soldiers as well as operatives of the Bomb Disposal Unit of the Nigeria Police were immediately invited to the scene of the incident. They, in turn, cordoned off the whole area and asked all the passengers and luxury vehicles to vacate the park while they searched for possible more explosives.

The Daily Sun was told that the explosive was hidden in a bag by its owners, adding that the bag was among the items meant to be loaded in the bus. At least, one person was arrested by the officers at the scene while there were indications that the officers might have defused other explosives within the park. A laptop was also retrieved from the scene of the incident and taken away by the police.

There has been no official comment so far. Police Public Relations Officer, ASP Magaji Majiya declined comment on the matter when the Daily Sun contacted him, saying he had not been briefed on the matter.

Why Some Nigerians Living Abroad Do Not Want to Come Back

More Nigerians come home to visit every year between December 15 and January 15, than at any other period in the year. I would estimate the number to be between 250,000 and half-a-million who arrive in the country by road, by sea, and by air – with the majority making the pilgrimage from Britain, Canada, and the United States. Increasingly, a greater number are coming in from Southern Africa and from the West African sub-region.
For many Nigerians, especially those living in the west, this is about the only time they can get time-off from their busy and scheduled life. And so, they treasure such times: to visit their homeland, to reconnect with friends and families; and to bask in the familiar. If you have been away for a while, there is this joy, this euphoric feeling that washes over you as you step on the grounds of your ancestors. Things may have changed for good or for bad, or for worse; still, there is this happiness that envelops you.
You need not say it, and no one need tell you, you just know it – you know this is your home. This is where you belong, the country where your umbilical cord was lovingly cut. Depending on how long you’ve been gone or how your experiences were abroad, you may even shed a tear. Tear of joy. At the very least, your eyes well up. And your heart may even skip a beat or two. It is always nice to come back home.
For many, the trip serves as a dry run to see if indeed it is time to finally relocate. Even though migration is part of the human experience, it is also one of the most painful of all experiences. But the degree of pain may depend on several factors: why they migrated; their failures and accomplishments; their general experiences abroad; the duration of their sojourn; and what may be waiting for them once they return home.
There was a time when the end goal of most émigrés was to return home once their mission was accomplished. Data may show that 80 per cent or more of Nigerians who left for Europe and for North America between 1952 and 1972, returned home. Data may also show that the number of returnees began to decline in 1976/77, and alarmingly by 1985. Between 1990 and 2005, some 90 per cent knew they were not returning to that “messed up country” any time soon.
Today, that number is about 98 per cent. Nigerians are moving to countries they otherwise wouldn’t consider. They are “checking out” to God-forsaken and far-flung places. It didn’t matter if these places are war zones, famine-ridden places, or places that were as cold or as hot as hell. Anywhere but Nigeria! Some even brave the hostility of the Sahara Desert just to get to Europe.
Many Nigerians living in the US would love to settle down in Nigeria. But many just talk and dream of returning home without actually implementing their plans. For some, it may not be a good time to move if the kids are still in primary or secondary school. This seems to be one of the discouraging factors especially if you consider the state of the Nigerian educational system.

There may also be a debate between husband and wife: one partner may want to return, but the other opposes it. And so it becomes a question of timing. You may also have other considerations, i.e. the number of years before retirement or before social security payments kicks in; if there are home mortgages to be made; what will be your source of income in Nigeria; do you have a permanent home; can you readily adjust your attitude to fit the Nigerian setting?

But really, many Nigerians living abroad have nothing to return home to; and on the average, it takes the typical Nigerian (in the US) 15-30 years to finally relocate. As they contemplate returning home, many will wonder if they will ever measure up to friends and family members who did not leave the country. And once they get home, many would be amazed to see friends and family who are now in positions of authority and have more money in their accounts than the returnee. After all these years in the US, I can barely get by. And so, in some ways, I envy my friends who never left. Nonetheless, I do not regret leaving Nigeria.
Every year I hear about Nigerians who returned home to success. Yet, I hear many more stories that may discourage even the bravest and the most gifted – Nigerians who return home and then run back to the US after a year or two (with horrible personal experiences in tow): tales of insecurity, non-functioning infrastructure, and of a weak and collapsing state. You hear tales of private and public violence (armed robbers, cults and gang activities, kidnappings and assassinations).
But above all else, it is the simple things that make life wonderful and joyous and meaningful and which are in short supply that’s the most deciding factor for many Nigerians. And, especially for me. For instance, do I want a cheeseburger with bacon or with mushrooms? Or both. Is there hot water in my shower or not? Or for that matter, is the tap running? And if I feel a sharp pain in my chest, would I or my loved ones be able to summon medical help?
And if I feel aggrieved, would I be able to seek redress in the court of law? In other words, choice and freedom! The freedom to choose or to refuse to choose. To be able to propagate my liberal and progressive views; to think for myself and be allowed independent actions so long as I am not violating properly constituted laws. I love Nigeria. And I want back in. But the space is just too limiting and tasking for me and for many others.

We ‘ll dialogue with Boko Haram if… — Jonathan

President Goodluck Jonathan  has said that the federal government will dialogue with the violent  Islamic sect, Boko Haram if the members would identify themselves and state clearly their demands as a basis for talks, while acknowledging that military confrontation alone will not end their insurgency.
This is the third time the Nigerian authorities are asking the sect for a dialogue. The first time was in June when  Police  in Maiduguri called on an extremist Islamic sect  to declare a ceasefire and come to a dialogue.
Also, on Tuesday,  January 3, 2012, Security Adviser to the President, General Andrew Azazi said Nigerian security services were considering making contact with moderate members  of the Islamic sect Boko Haram via “back channels”, even though explicit talks were officially ruled out.
The sect killed more than 500 people last year and more than 250 in the first weeks of 2012 in gun and bomb attacks in the country, Human Rights Watch said this week. Coordinated attacks in the northern city of Kano killed 186 people on Friday in its most deadly strike to date, prompting Jonathan to visit surviving victims.
Speaking  with Reuters in Abuja yesterday on Boko Haram, President Jonathan said, “If they clearly identify themselves now and say this is the reason we are resisting, this is the reason  we are confronting government or this is the reason we destroy some innocent people and their properties … then there will be a basis for dialogue.
“We will dialogue, let us know your problems and we will solve your problems but if they don’t identify themselves, who will you dialogue with?”
He cautioned that the Boko Haram crisis would be much harder to resolve than the Delta conflict, which was largely defused in 2009 under an amnesty he helped broker. That was because the Islamist militants do not have a clear public figurehead or negotiable aims, he said.
“If anybody invited Osama bin Laden (to talks), he wouldn’t have appeared … Boko Haram, if you invite them, they will not come. They operate without a face, they operate without a clear identity, so it is difficult to interface with such a group.
“That is the greatest difference between Boko Haram … and the Niger Delta issue,” he said.
Boko Haram was formed in 2003 in Maiduguri. It launched an uprising against the government in 2009 that security forces crushed in days of fighting with the sect that killed around 800 people.
The sect’s leader Mohammed Yusuf was captured and died in police custody during those battles, triggering vows of revenge from surviving members of the sect which they now seem to be honouring in increasingly lethal attacks on security forces and authority figures.
Azazi had also told  international media earlier this month that  Nigerian security services were considering making contact with moderate members of Boko Haram via “back channels”.
Speaking a day after emergency meetings with President Goodluck Jonathan and top security officials in response to a spate of deadly Christmas Day bombings by the sect, National Security Adviser General Owoye Andrew Azazi told Reuters officials were looking at broadening efforts beyond pure security measures — including addressing northern economic grievances.
“Even if government has a policy saying that there’s no negotiation, that you can’t reach out to Boko Haram, intelligence must find a way,” Azazi said in an interview.
“I don’t think it’s everybody (in Boko Haram) who believes in the level of violence … That’s why you could have other channels for discussion … It’s something we could pursue.”
Azazi declined to comment on whether contact with moderate members of Boko Haram had already been made.
“From our perspective, you try back channels. And when you are trying back channels, that’s not when the president will come and announce to the whole of Nigeria that ‘I’m talking to mister A or mister B,’” he said.
Azazi’s comments signal an apparent shift from treating Boko Haram purely as a security issue that needs to be tackled militarily. Jonathan has been criticised for ignoring political avenues that might heal the north-south rift partly underpinning the conflict.
Azazi ruled out explicit negotiations of the type that ended the conflict in the oil-rich Niger Delta last year, because the leadership of the radical sect was so secretive.
“For now, Boko Haram is an invisible enemy. You don’t have an identifiable person you can talk to,” he said. By contrast, in the Niger Delta conflict, “at any time the government wanted a meeting, he rang them and said we’ll come and talk. But nobody has come out openly and said ‘we’re Boko Haram’.”
In June last year, even though the Borno police boss did not mention Boko Haram by name, he confirmed to AFP that his call to Boko Haram was “a peace overture specifically aimed at members of Boko Haram sect.
“The doors for dialogue and constructive criticism with the (Borno) state government remain open,” said the statement.

FCT Residents live in Panic

Like the popular book, “No Longer at Ease”, written by the renowned novelist, Prof. Chinua Achebe, strong indications have emerged that the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) has become a shadow of its former self.
Besides the fear of possible attack from members of the Islamic sect, residents of the territory now have to contend with various security checks on the roads and at government establishments.
At the Defence Headquarters in Area 8, the double-lane roads that enclave the head office of the Nigeria Armed Forces were all cordoned off, leaving the motorists and passers-by at the mercy of other alternatives to their various destinations.
A passer-by, Lawal Suleiman, who spoke to our correspondent, yesterday, described the present situation in Nigeria as worrisome.
According to Suleiman, “Nigeria is in a big trouble if the situation has now turned to this! You can imagine that the terrorist attack in the country is becoming so frightening even to the military officers in which they try to block every where in order to protect themselves. So, tell me, what will ordinary Nigerians do?”
The National Assembly entrance at the Three Arms Zone was not left out. Motorists, who were going into the complex, were subjected to checks and scrutiny, causing a long queue of vehicles at both sides of the roads reaching the Shehu Shagari Way.
Barrister Fatai Abdullahi, whose office is located at Garki 11 but was at National Assembly for business, said the security check “is unbearable”.
“Nigerians are being subjected to excruciating pains coupled with the fear of terrorism in the country. I have been at this point for over 30 minutes now in the name of security checks. Is this how we will now be living in Nigeria?” he asked.
A check at the State Security Service Headquarters along Aso Drive in the FCT also showed that one of the roads across the office was barricaded, while armed and stern-looking guards were positioned at strategic places.
Again, at the Divisional Police Headquarters in Wuse Zone 3, the two ends of the Herbert Macaulay Way was blocked despite the busy nature of the road.
A police officer, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said the dimension of the terrorist attacks in some parts of the north called for caution.
On the inconvenience the road blockage is causing the commuters, the officer simply said: “You know prevention is better than cure.”

Come out and talk"-GEJ urges Boko Haram

President Goodluck Jonathan challenged the violent Islamist Boko Haram sect on Thursday to identify themselves and state clearly their demands as a basis for talks, while acknowledging that military confrontation alone will not end their insurgency.
In an interview with Reuters at the presidential villa in the capital Abuja, Jonathan also said there was no doubt that Boko Haram had links with other jihadist groups outside Nigeria.
The sect killed more than 500 people last year and more than 250 in the first weeks of 2012 in gun and bomb attacks in Africa's top oil producer, Human Rights Watch said this week. Coordinated attacks in the northern city of Kano killed 186 people on Friday in its most deadly strike to date, prompting Jonathan to visit surviving victims.
"If they clearly identify themselves now and say this is the reason why we are resisting, this is the reason why we are confronting government or this is the reason why we destroy some innocent people and their properties ... then there will be a basis for dialogue," said Jonathan.
"We will dialogue, let us know your problems and we will solve your problem but if they don't identify themselves, who will you dialogue with?"
Jonathan, who won an election last year that observers said was Nigeria's cleanest since the end of military rule in 1999, has been criticised for dealing with the insurgency in the north using purely military means.
But in this interview he made clear there was a need to bring development to the remote, semi-arid corners of the country where high youth unemployment has provided easy recruits for extremists.
"Military confrontation alone will not eliminate terror attacks," he said, adding that an "enabling environment for young people to find jobs," was also needed.
"Our commitment is to make sure our irrigation programmes are all revitalised so most of these young people are engaged in productive agriculture and ... will not be free for them to recruit," Jonathan said in an ornate diplomatic meeting room adorned with pictures of Nigeria's heads of state since independence in 1960.
Wearing a dark grey kaftan and his trademark fedora hat, the former zoology lecturer and governor of Bayelsa state in the oil rich southeastern Niger Delta cautioned that the Boko Haram crisis would be much harder to resolve than the Delta conflict, which was largely defused in 2009 under an amnesty he helped broker.
That was because the Islamist militants do not have a clear public figurehead or negotiable aims, he said.
"If anybody invited Osama bin Laden (to talks), he wouldn't have appeared ... Boko Haram, if you invite them, they will not come. They operate without a face, they operate without a clear identity, so it is difficult to interface with such a group."
"That is the greatest difference between Boko Haram ... and the Niger Delta issue," he said.
Boko Haram was formed in 2003 in the remote, northeastern city of Maiduguri. It launched an uprising against the government in 2009 that security forces crushed in days of fighting with the sect that killed around 800 people.
The sect's leader Mohammed Yusuf was captured and died in police custody during those battles, triggering vows of revenge from surviving members of the sect which they now seem to be honouring in increasingly lethal attacks on security forces and authority figures.
Jonathan added he was confident that a final version of a long delayed bill aiming to completely overhaul the oil industry would be put before the national assembly by the end of February.

NOA Introduces Programmes For Volunteers

The National Orientation Agency (NOA) has introduced new programmes that would engage Nigerians as volunteers in transforming the nation.
The Director General of the agency, Micheal Omeri, made this known during an oversight visit by the House of Representatives committee on information and national orientation to his office in Abuja.
Omeri, acknowledging that the expectations of Nigerians from the agency was high, promised to strive hard to discharge his responsibilities appropriately towards achieving the aims and objectives of the agency.
In his remarks, the chairman of the house committee, Umaru Jibril, said the committee’s visit was to conduct the 2011 budget performance review and other matters, in fulfilment of its oversight function regarding ministries, departments and agencies under the Ministry of Information.
Micheal Omeri was, last Monday, appointed the new Director-General of NOA by President Goodluck Jonathan, replacing Idi Faruk who has held the position for a very long time.

FEC Approves N26.6 Billion For Contracts

The Federal Executive Council (FEC), on Wednesday, approved approximately N26.6billion for the award of contract for various projects in different sectors.
Amongst these were the purchase of two 45 seater ferries by the National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA), the automation of the operations of the Citizenship and Business Department, Ministry of Interior on a Public Private Partnership (PPP) model.
The Minister of Information, Labaran Maku, who briefed journalists after the weekly FEC meeting which was presided over by President Goodluck Jonathan, said government approved the sum of N168.4 million for the purchase of the two 45-seater ferries for the transportation of Nigerians.
According to Maku, "The provision of the ferries will promote waterways transportation, boost economic activities and reduce pressure on other modes such as road transportation."
He added that the project was expected to create 23 job opportunities for professionals and non-professionals during the operation of the ferries, while many job opportunities will be created indirectly when the ferries are fully operational.
The contract was awarded in favour of Messrs Karflex Fisheries limited in the sum of N168,455,700.00 only, inclusive of all taxes with a delivery period of six months.
Expatiating on the reason behind government's decision to procure the ferries, Maku said: "Council took a major decision to make operational the lower River Niger, of which dredging has been completed. As you all know, since the 1960s every administration in Nigeria had planned to dredge the lower Niger to faciltate the movement of goods and persons through the lower Niger upto the north of the country but these plans had remained in the pipeline until the advent of the Yar'Adua/Goodluck Administration".
"So, in order not to allow the Niger to remain fallow after dredging, Council approved the purchase of two fast moving ferries to ply the Niger right from Ontisha-Warri-Lokoja, carrying passengers. These ferries would be jointly managed by government and the private sector as part of government efforts to bring down the cost of transportation in the country."
In order to improve the efficiency and for optimal service delivery of the Department, Council approved the Automation of the Citizenship and Business Department of the Ministry of Interior on a PPP using BOT model, in favor of Messrs Anchor Dataware Solutions for an initial concession period of five years, in the sum of N455,550,743.87.
The proposed automation programme comprises of the documentation and re-engineering of the Departmental business processes, development of web portal software and revenue collection systems, set up of Local Area Network and Internet connectivity, delivery and deployment o hardware peripherals, provision of training/capacity building and provision of maintenance and support services.
Maku said, when completed, the project is expected to improve the functionality and service delivery of the department through increased operational effectiveness, improved revenue collection and reduced transactional costs, faster response times, reduction in wastage and elimination of endemic fraud.
FEC also approved the award of contract for the first stage of development of the Phase II of Kagini District I, Abuja North Phase IV of the FCT Masterplan which was awarded in December 2010 but could not be completed due to lack of fund.
The continuation of the project could create employment for numerous indigenous professionals, artisans and unskilled labour.

Ice Prince team up with Jamaican artiste Gyptian

2011 saw a number of collaborations between Nigerian entertainers and their foreign counterparts. Chocolate City’s Ice Prince has now joined the list with his recent hook-up with Jamaican dancehall/Reggae act Gyptian.
Ice Prince seized the opportunity to work with Gyptian who flew into the country for a quick performance at the recently concluded Calabar Festival on Friday, December 30, 2011.
The acts recorded a remix to ‘Magician’, a single off Ice Prince’s debut record ‘Everybody Likes Ice Prince’.
‘We’ve been in talks with Gyptian before he flew in but they meeting in person just accelerated things. They have recorded a song but will be releasing it later’, Nanle, Ice Prince’s manager Nanle revealed that a video for the remix has already been shot. It was directed by Clarence Peters.
2011 was busy for the ‘superstar’ rapper; he released his debut album and performed in a quite a number of African countries and the UK.
Gyptian is credited with the monster calypso smash hit song ‘Hold yuh‘ and is signed to New York-based VP Records.
Other international collaborations that have taken place in recent times include ‘Mr Endowed remix’ by D’banj and Snoop Dogg, ‘Don’t dull remix’ by Wizkid and Akon, ‘Boogie down’ by Naeto C and HHP, ‘The way you are (remix) by Darey and Chamillionaire, and ‘Good time’ by J Martins and Cabo Snoop.-culled from NET

Nollywood actor Sam Dede Appointed as DG of Tourism in Rivers State

One of Nollywood’s finest actors and university lecturer, Sam Dede, has been appointed the Director General, Rivers State Tourism Development Agency by the Rivers State Govt. He got the appointment on the 18th of January 2012.

Mohammed Dikko Abubakar is Now Acting IGP,

Muhammmed Dikko ABUBAKAR, Assistant Inspector General of Police, joined the Nigeria Police Force, NPF, as a Cadet Inspector on August 1, 1979. An indigene of Zamfara State, he has meritoriously served the Force and his country in many capacities.
Important positions he has held in the Force include; Assistant Commissioner of Police, State Criminal Investigations Departement, Sokoto Police Command; Assistant Commissioner of Police, Federal Operations, Force Head Quarters, Lagos; and, Assistant Commissioner of Police, Airport Police Command, Murtala Mohammed International Airport (MMIA), Lagos.
He is a principled and operations-minded officer with deep understanding of modern policing strategies and ethics. A committed crime fighter with keen eyes for details, he has also served as Deputy Commissioner of Police (Administration), Lagos State Police Command.

Muhammmed Dikko ABUBAKAR, Acting Inspector General of Police

On his elevation to the position of Commissioner of Police, he served as a substantive Commissioner of Police in charge of several Police Commands across the Federation. Some of these are Plateau, Abia, Kwara, Kano, Airport and Lagos State Police Commands.
An amiable and intelligent officer, he was later promoted to the rank of Assistant Inspector General of Police and he subsequently became the Assistant Inspector General of Police  in- charge of Zone 2 comprising Lagos and Ogun States. He was also the AIG Zone 5, Benin comprising of Edo, Delta, and Bayelsa states. He was later posted to Zone 6 comprising Cross River, Akwa Ibom, Rivers and Ebonyi states. He is currently AIG in charge of Zone 12 Bauchi State.
He is a detribalized Nigerian. Born May 5th, 1960, he is happily married with children. MD as  he is popularly called, is a member of the prestigious National Institute of Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPSS). He has undergone several professional training locally and internationally; some of which include:
*Intermediate Command Course –Jos;
*Senior Command Course – Jos;
*General Detective Course – Metropolitan Police, West Hendon, England;
*General Security Course – Israel;
*General Security Course – FBI, USA;
* International Security – England;
*General Detective Course – Scotland Yard.
*He is an active member of International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP), a fellow of the Chartered Institute of Economics (FCE) and a holder of the prestigious Police Medal (NPM).

Girl Born Without Limbs in Bauchi

BAUCHI—A baby, girl, without hands and legs, has been born in Sandigalua village in Zaki Government Area of Bauchi State. The baby, named Fatima, was born to the family of Ahmadu Didda, a peasant farmer and wife, Rukaiyya, on January 13.
Fatima’s father, Didda, however, expressed gratitude to God for giving them the child, describing her as a beautiful baby. Didda said Fatima was delivered at home and that both the mother and the baby are healthy.
Father’s plea
He said: “This is a gift from God. But it won’t be easy for us to raise Fatima because without legs and hands, she needs special care and attention. We feel sorry for her but with assistance from government and individuals I know that she will live a good life.”
The couple, however, appealed to both government and well-meaning individuals to come to their aid in order to care for the child.

Fatima Didda

Also, in a special appeal, a blind man who is the Chairman of Physically-Challenged People in Sakwa, Mr. Abdullahi Gindi, said: ‘’It is the duty of society to ensure that Fatima is not discriminated against as a result of her condition.
“She (Fatima) needs to be assisted. We are grateful that she was born a healthy child. She sulks normally and so we need to protect her.
’’But her parents are poor and that is why we are calling for assistance so that Fatima would live.”
Doctor’s opinion
A medical practitioner, Dr. Cletus Eze, has said that a woman can have a deformed baby if she takes certain drugs at the early stages of her pregnancy.
Dr. Eze, who spoke in a telephone interview with Vanguard, lamented that Nigeria was one of the few countries in the world where even a university graduate would buy drugs from the shelf and swallow them without even reading the leaflets accompanying such drugs.
According to him, a woman can give birth to a deformed child like Fatima if she takes drugs like flagyl within the first three months of her pregnancy.
Self-medication
He said: ‘’Nigeria is the only country where people buy drugs from non-professionals and administer same on themselves. There must be laws to regulate some of these bad practices because of the harmful effects of certain drugs.
“The mother of Fatima must have taken certain drugs, which she would not even remember having taken at the early stages or within the first three months of her pregnancy.
’’The worst thing is that she might not even be able to sue anybody, because such drugs were not prescribed by qualified people and she must have forgotten the particular drugs she took or where she bought them.
“The authorities must continue to educate the citizens on the bad effects of self medication,” he added.

Power Supply: NIPP Upgrades PHCN FDacilities

As part of efforts aimed at boosting power supply, the National Independent Power project (NIPP) has commenced upgrading and repair of Power Holding Company of Nigeria Plc’s (PHCN)Ojo Business District 30 MVA T2 transformers to 60 MVA.
The Senior Manager (Public Affairs), Mrs. BukolaOlufemi said NIPP is also replacing the Oil Circuit Breaker (OCB) with SF6 Breaker.
She noted that the upgrading/repairs will result to heavy load shedding from January 20th to February 28th 2012 and appeal to its customers to be patients as the current work being done will improve power supply in the affected areas. The affected areas includeVolkswagen, Agric, Ojo, Alaba, Iba, Okoko, Shibiri, Ajangbadi, Ilogbo, Afromedia and environs.
According to the pioneer Business Manager of Ojo Business District,Engr. L.M Adesina, the upgrading is part of the ongoing National Independent Power Project(NIPP) to improve power supply.
He also added that the Management of Eko Electricity Distribution Company felt the need for the company to be close to its customers hence the creation of Ojo Business District.
Reporting complaints
He noted that the district is poised to serve customers in the aforementioned areas and advised customers to report any complaint to the district office at Isashi (Badagry Express Way).
(Abuja) President, Dr. Goodluck Jonathan has appointed a new helmsman, Engr. KenethAchugbu, to drive the Rural Electrification Agenda (REA) of his administration.
Engr. KenethAchugbu, is a Coren-registered engineer and a member of the Nigerian Society of Engineers who has been coordinating the activities of the organization for the past one year.
He is also a member of both the America-based Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers (IEEE) and the London-based Institute of Electrical Engineers (IEE), joined the National Electric Power Authority (NEPA) in 1985.
His work experience traverses generation, transmission, distribution and other support functions at NEPA, the PHCN, and the parent Ministry of Power. He was serving as principal manager in the Rural Electrification Department of NEPA at the formal creation of the Rural Electrification Agency in 2006. He transferred his services to the new Agency in the same position.
Engr. Achugbuexpressed his deep appreciation to President Goodluck Jonathan for his appointment and to the Minister of Power, Prof. Bart Nnaji, for his nomination.
“It is an important responsibility and I shall not let them down,” he vowed.
The new helmsman also says that for now, the Agency shall pursue and meet a three-fold objective:Ensure that all ongoing projects are completed; ?Embark on renewable energy sources for rural electrificationand?Develop a rural electrification Master plan for the country
Engr. Achugbu obtained a B.Sc. degree in Electrical/Electronic Engineering from the University of Lagos, Akoka in 1987. In addition to a PGD and MBA from the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, he also has a second master degree in his core discipline – Electrical and Electronics Engineering – from the University of Lagos.
He joined the services of the defunct NEPA in 1985 from the Federal Polytechnic, IlaroOgun State, where he taught Electrical/Electronic engineering students for almost three years.
REA was established in 2006 following the passage into law of the Electric Power Sector Reform Act 2005, to carry out electrification in the rural areas of Nigeria both with grid and off-grid mode of electrification.

IG of Police Hafiz Ringim Resigns

The Inspector General of police, Hafiz Ringim, this morning tendered his resignation letter to the federal govt. Six DIGs also resigned. The new acting IG of police is M.D Abubakar, former Lagos State commissioner of police.

PRESIDENT GOODLUCK JONATHAN WITH OUTGOING AMBASSADOR OF ISLAMIC REPUBLIC OF IRAN TO NIGERIA

PRESIDENT GOODLUCK JONATHAN WITH OUTGOING AMBASSADOR OF ISLAMIC REPUBLIC OF IRAN TO NIGERIA, AMB. HUSSEIN MOLLA ADMIRING A PAINTING PRESENTED BY THE AMBASSADOR TO THE PRESIDENT DURING HIS FAREWELL VISIT TO THE STATE HOUSE, ABUJA TODAY THURSDAY.

BOMB BLAST KILLS 20 POLICEMEN IN KANO

Another bomb blast has been reported in Kano in the early hour of Tuesday at headquarters of the Mobile Police Squadron N0. 9 Kano.
 The blast, which was reported to have claimed 20 policemen including a DPO, took place at about 4.00am of Tuesday.
 But Deputy Force Public Relations officer (DFPRO) of the Nigeria Police Oluyemi Ajayi in a telephone chat denied that it was a bomb blast.
 He however said it was a sporadic shoot but that he has not been briefed on the number of casualty involved in the incident.
 He however referred Pointblanknews.com to contact the State police spokesman for further information.
 But all efforts made to reach the PPRO on phone proved abortive, as his cell phone was unreachable.

JTF Arrests 10 Boko Haram Suspects

Suspects arrested in connection with Tuesday's attack in Maiduguri

The Joint Task Force (JTF) on “Operation Restore Order”in Borno, says 10 suspected members of the Boko Haram sect have been arrested after Tuesday's attack in Maiduguri.
It will be recalled that the Islamist sect attacked a JTF location in Ajilari, Maiduguri, injuring a soldier.
The JTF Field Commander, Col. Victor Ebhaleme, saidthat the suspects were arrested after a vigorous search by the military.
“They attacked the JTF location using guerrilla tactics, but we pursued them and cordoned off the entire place in search of the killers. We arrested 10 suspects at the end of the search.''
He said the suspects would be properly screened by the JTF to determine their involvement or otherwise in the attack.

Call Your People to Order, S-East Senators tell Northern Govs, Monarchs

ABUJA—WORRIED  by the killings of Nigerians, especially Igbo, in some Northern parts of the country, South-East Senators, Wednesday, urged Northern governors and traditional rulers to call to order their subjects and educate them on the need to respect the sanctity of human life.
The Senators also called on governors from the north to come out and condemn the killings as well as take appropriate steps to prevent further escalation of what they termed “senseless killings.”
In a statement by the 13 Senators from the South-East geo-political zone, the Senators said: “The Federal Government should wake up to its responsibility of protecting lives and property of all Nigerians wherever they may live.

Cross Section of Abians during a peaceful pProtest against the killings of Igbos in the North and their support for the removal of oil subsidy in Umuahia.

“The state governors and leaders of the affected Northern states should openly condemn these killings and take appropriate steps to prevent further escalation of these senseless killings.
“In this regard, we urge the traditional rulers to call their subjects to order and emphasise the need to respect the sanctity of human life.”
Commend FG on compensation
They also commended the Senate for urging the Federal Government to work out appropriate compensations for victims of these killings, especially victims of the bombing of the Catholic Church at Madalla, Niger State; killings in Mubi, Adamawa State, and Gombe, Yobe and other locations.
They said: “We urge security agencies to give priority to threatened groups, especially the Igbo, in the Northern part of the country, since they appear to be a targetted group in the recent spate of killings.
“We condemn the deafening silence of  members of the human rights community and urge them to speak up on these killings.”
Signatories
Senators who signed the statement include: Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu, PDP, Enugu West; Senators Nkechi Nwaogu, PDP, Abia North; Enyinnaya Abaribe, PDP, Abia Central; Chris Ngige, ACN, Anambra Central; Matthew Ifeanyi Nwagwu, PDP, Imo North; Sunday Ogbuoji, PDP, Ebonyi South and Hope Uzodinma, PDP, Imo West.
Others are Senators Uche Chukwumerije, PDP Abia South; Chris Anyanwu, APGA, Imo; Ayogu Eze, PDP, Enugu North; Chris Nwankwo, PDP, Ebonyi North; Paulinus Nwagu, PDP, Ebonyi Central and Gilbert Nnaji, PDP, Enugu East.

Labour Suspends Strikes

Talks with FG to continue while petrol sells for N97 per litre

Article | January 16, 2012 - 1:43pm

The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) have suspended the ongoing strike over the removal of the fuel subsidy.
Earlier today, the Federal Government had announced that the price of petrol would be pegged at N97 per litre, instead of the N141 announced on January 1.
Following that, Labour urged Nigerians to stay at home, suspending the protests but not the strike. However, the leaders of both union, at about 1pm, announced the suspension of the strike.
Labour will continue to hold talks with the Federal Government, they said, urging Nigerians to "remain steadfast".

Soldiers occupy the streets of Lagos this morning.

 

Soldiers have occupied the streets of Lagos...from Ojuelegba to Ikorodu Rd to Ojota, many parts of Ikeja and Lagos Island. They are everywhere. In a democracy? SMH!

Text of Jonathan’s broadcast announcing new fuel price @7:00am

PRESIDENTIAL ADDRESS ON THE  IMPLEMENTATION OF THE DEREGULATION POLICY IN THE DOWNSTREAM SECTOR OF THE PETROLEUM INDUSTRY, SUNDAY, JANUARY 15, 2012
________________________________________________
Dear Compatriots,
1.    This is the second time in two weeks I will address you on the deregulation of the downstream petroleum sector. In the last seven days, the nation has witnessed a disruption of economic activities.  Although, the economic imperatives for the policy have been well articulated by government, the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) went ahead to declare a nationwide strike.
2.    There was also near-breakdown of law and order in certain parts of the country as a result of the activities of some persons or groups of persons who took advantage of the situation to further their narrow interests by engaging in acts of intimidation, harassment and outright subversion of the Nigerian state. I express my sympathy to those who were adversely affected by the protests.
3.    At the inception of the deregulation policy, Government had set up the Justice Alfa Belgore Committee to liaise with Labour and other stakeholders to address likely grey areas in the policy, but despite all our efforts, Labour refused the option of dialogue and also disobeyed a restraining order of the National Industrial Court of Nigeria.

President Jonathan.

4.    However, following the intervention of the Leadership of the National Assembly, and other well-meaning Nigerians, Labour accepted to meet with government, but this yielded no tangible result.
5.    It has become clear to government and all well-meaning Nigerians that other interests beyond the implementation of the deregulation policy have hijacked the protest. This has prevented an objective assessment and consideration of all the contending issues for which dialogue was initiated by government. These same interests seek to promote discord, anarchy, and insecurity to the detriment of public peace.
6.    Government appreciates that the implementation of the deregulation policy would cause initial hardships and commends Nigerians who have put forth suggestions and credible alternatives in this regard. Government also salutes Nigerians who by and large, conducted themselves peacefully while expressing their grievances. Let me assure you that government will continue to respect the people’s right to express themselves within the confines of the law and in accordance with the dictates of our democratic space.
7.    Government will continue to pursue full deregulation of the downstream petroleum sector. However, given the hardships being suffered by Nigerians, and after due consideration and consultations with state governors and the leadership of the National Assembly, government has approved the reduction of the pump price of petrol to N97 per litre. The Petroleum Products Pricing Regulatory Agency (PPPRA) has been directed to ensure compliance with this new pump price.
8.    Government is working hard to reduce recurrent expenditure in line with current realities and to cut down on the cost of governance. In the meantime, government has commenced the implementation of the Subsidy Reinvestment and Empowerment projects: including the Federal Government- assisted mass transit programme which is already in place, and job creation for the youth.
9.     Furthermore, the legal and regulatory regime for the petroleum industry will be reviewed to address accountability issues and current lapses in the Industry. In this regard, the Petroleum Industry Bill will be given accelerated attention. The report of the forensic audit carried out on the NNPC is being studied with a view to implementing the recommendations and sanctioning proven acts of corruption in the industry.
10.   Let me assure Nigerians that this administration is irrevocably committed to tackling corruption in the petroleum industry as well as other sectors of the economy. Consequently, all those found to have contributed one way or the other to the economic adversity of the country will be dealt with in accordance with the law.
11.    My dear compatriots, I urge you to show understanding for the imperatives of the adjustment in the pump price of petrol and give government your full support to ensure its successful implementation. I further appeal to Nigerians to go back to work and go about their normal duties as government has made adequate arrangements for the protection of life and property throughout the federation.
12.  Government will not condone brazen acts of criminality and subversion. As President, I have sworn to uphold the unity, peace and order of the Nigerian State and by the grace of God, I intend to fully and effectively discharge that responsibility.  Let me add that we are desirous of further engagements with Labour. I urge our Labour leaders to call off their strike, and go back to work.
13.    Nigeria belongs to all of us and we must collectively safeguard its unity.
14.                       Thank you. God bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
GOODLUCK EBELE JONATHAN, GCFR
President,
Federal Republic of Nigeria