Hate speeches, threats may tear Nigeria apart – Lai Mohammed

Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, has appealed to traditional rulers to support the government in promoting peace and unity across the country.

This is coming amid rising cases of incendiary statements and hate speeches, which he warned were capable of tearing the nation apart.

The Minister, who made the remarks in Abuja on Friday when he received the Olowo of Owo, Oba Folagbade Olateru-Olagbegi III, on a courtesy visit to his office, said the phenomenon of fake news, disinformation and misinformation must also be checked to guard against any attempt to undermine the unity of the country.

“Hate speeches are being spewed out daily, with reckless abandon. Most people have forgotten how hate speeches helped to trigger genocide in Rwanda in 1994, killing about 800,000 people.
“When the hate speech phenomenon is added to the growing problem of fake news, disinformation and misinformation, we have a most incendiary mix that could undermine the unity, peace and security of any country.
“This is why I want to use the opportunity of this visit of His Royal Highness, the Olowo of Owo, Oba Folagbade Olateru-Olagbegi III, to appeal to our traditional institutions across the country to intervene urgently to douse the tension enveloping the land,” he said.
Mohammed said the traditional rulers have a huge role to play in keeping the country safe and keeping the people united, adding: ”They have always played this role, but we need them now more than ever.”

He also appealed to the media to always exercise a great deal of restraint in their reporting, so as not to aggravate the tension caused by the divisive tendencies, including hate speech.

“As I have always said, it is because we have a peaceful country that professionals, including journalists, can carry out their daily chores. It is therefore imperative for us all to be part of government’s efforts to make our country secure and peaceful and keep our people united”, he added.

He described Oba Olateru-Olagbegi III as an epitome of humility and simplicity, and promised to do everything within his power to bring to fruition the project to turn the Olowo’s Palace into a national monument, in appreciation of the historic contributions of the Olowo to the country’s development.

In his remarks, Oba Olateru-Olagbegi III said he was visiting the Federal Capital Territory for the first time under this administration, with a view to familiarizing himself with the leadership of the country, especially the Minister of Information and Culture, who is in charge of the nation’s cultural heritage.

Ondo First Lady, Betty Akeredolu, sweeps market

First Lady of Ondo State, Mrs. Betty Anyanwu-Akeredolu, led the executives and members of the non-governmental organisation, Breast Nigeria, Ondo State Chapter, on cancer awareness outreach at Oja Oba market, Akure.

The governor’s wife is a breast cancer survivor, and she has been using the platform of her exalted office to encourage women to do regular breast screening to ascertain their breasts’ help.

She says when breast cancer is detected early, treatment is possible and mortality can be reduced.

She led Ondo women to clean up the Oja Oba as parts of activities to drive awareness on breast cancer.

Referendum to recall Dino Malaye kicks off in Kogi West

The process to recall the senator representing the Kogi West Senatorial District of Kogi State, Senator Dino Malaye, kicked off in full Saturday in all the seven local government areas of the district with hundreds of constituents queuing to sign the referendum on his recall from the Nigerian Senate

PHOTOS: Alfa Caught With Human Head And V*gina

An Alfa, Rasheed Ajibade, who was caught with a fresh female head in Osun State recently, has explained that he planned to use the head and other body parts of the victims for money ritual after the ongoing Ramadan ends.

Ajibade, 38, an indigene of Ikirun in Ifelodun Local Government Area of Osun State was caught with a fresh human head and other body parts like hands, lungs, liver and blood, which was kept inside a bottle, was arrested by the police in Osogbo on Wednesday during a stop and search operation.

The Alfa said he was also a herbalist.

He was arrested in an SUV, which he said belonged to his elder brother.

The gory human parts were found inside a small sack he kept in the vehicle.

Speaking with journalists at the Osun State Police Command headquarters, the suspect said he was not the one who butchered the victim but his client, who wanted the money ritual.

Ajibade said the client, who is also an Alfa and specialised in healing mentally challenged persons, simply brought the human parts to him and left.

He stated that he had intended to preserve the human parts until after the Ramadan when he would be free to use the parts for the ritual.

He, however, said the client, who he identified simply as Olorungbebe did not want the kind of ritual, which would bring small amounts of money but the one which would banish poverty from his life.

He said, “I am an Alfa and a herbalist. There is a man, who is also an Alfa; he came to my place and told me that he wanted to do money ritual. I told him that getting the materials needed for the ritual would be difficult but he agreed to bring the materials by himself.

“So, the man came on Wednesday morning from Aagba town with the human parts for the ritual. The body parts he brought are fresh human head, hands, inner parts and vagina. I did not know that he would bring the materials that morning.

“I told him that we are in the Ramadan period and he should wait till after Ramadan before I could do it. This is my first time of doing this kind of money ritual although I do other ones but not this type.

“The man told me he wanted to do money ritual and I told him the difficulty in finding the materials and he told me that he would get them and he did. I am a Muslim and I’m fasting also even when he brought the human parts I told him that this is not the time for such ‘work’.

“The man told me the situations of things in his life and pleaded with me to help him to do it. He did not want the kind of money rituals, which would not bring huge amount of money. He wanted the kind of ritual which brings huge amount of money.”

The interview session with journalists abruptly ended when the policemen, who arrested him asked him to pour the content of the bag on the ground for everybody to see. Despite wearing nose masks, most police officers present and journalists started retching while few other actually threw up due to the stench which oozed out of the sack.

The head was still dripping blood but the liver and the lungs were already decaying.

The Commissioner of Police in the state, Mr. Finihan Adeoye, said the police would ensure that Olorungbebe was apprehended and the identity of the female victim was revealed.

Adeoye said, “We will surely arrest his partner. We want to know how he got those humans parts, where he got them from and the identity of the victim.”

PHOTOS: $150million OLAM Integrated Feedmill And Poultry In Kaduna State

Photos Showing The Infrastructure State Of The $150million OLAM Integrated Feedmill And Poultry In Kaduna State.

Ugandans on social media mock President Museveni for watering plants during heavy rainfall

Uganda's President Yoweri Museveni, who is not new to causing unnecessary drama in his country, was pictured on June 2, 2017, watering a plant during a heavy downpour for his insistence on Operation Wealth Creation and his exemplification of the Modern Drip Irrigation system in Uganda.
His bodyguards and others present at the event are also seen taking shelter under umbrellas as the unbothered President carry on in his business.
However, Ugandans on social media and others are presently having a laugh over the president's gesture and it's hilarious.

 

Pictures from Traditional marriage of Obasanjo's aide Atom Lim and Ashidoon in Vandeikya.

The wedding took place today 10 June 2017  at Ute in Vandeikya LG,Benue state.Lovely couple see more pictures.

How Social Activist, Barr Franc Utoo was arrested in Abuja.

Popular Benue born social activist, Barr. Franc Utoo was arrested  on Saturday, in the presence of his 2 kids, around Chambian Plaza in Gwarimpa-Abuja.

The unknown gunmen, who were said to be in mufti, apparently trailed Utoo from his house when he went out with the kids and house help to pick some groceries from the supermarket.

The abductors, however, were alleged to have told the house help that they had orders from some powerful politicians in Benue State Goverment and the State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC), to pick Barr. Utoo.

When contacted, a Police source in Makurdi, Benue State capital, who pleaded anonymity, confirmed the arrest of Utoo.

The source disclosed that the APC stalwart was being held by the Police Authority at the state command on the order of an APC chieftain, who complained that Barr. Utoo insulted him on facebook.

It will be recalled that, Barr. Franc Utoo contested for House of Representatives under the APC in 2015, but his name was allegedly substituted.

He has, consequently formed an opposing voice to what he described as “impunity”, in running the affairs of the party by the State Chairman, Yaro.

Utoo has also been a resounding voice against the government of Gov. Samuel Ortom.

In the wake of wanton destructions of lives and properties by the Fulani Mercenaries, Utoo was one of the formidable persons, who stood against open grazing and also led series of protests to the National Assembly.

Meanwhile, the Benue State Governor, Samuel Ortom has condemned the abduction of Barr. Franc Utoo.

The Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, through his social media handle, said, “the Samuel Ortom administration recognizes the fact that Franc is one of the courageous voices of reason who have spoken out against the invasion of Benue communities and killing of innocent people by herdsmen.

“Franc Utoo is one of those who have remained resolute in condemnation of the senseless killings and have supported the passage of the anti-grazing law.

“He is one of those who have risen in support of the present administration in its push for the ranching revolution of this country. This administration is not only proud of men like Utoo but also appreciates their selfless contributions for a safer Benue”.

The Governor described Utoo as a brave man and said his abduction was uncalled for.

“I join you and numerous friends of Franc Utoo to call for his immediate release.

“We can’t afford to have one of our bravest men held hostage at a time we need him most”, Ortom said.

Source DailyPost

NYSC members to get N100million loans

National Youths Service Corps (NYSC) members are to get N100million interest –free loan under the Skills Acquisition and Entrepreneurship Development unit of the scheme.
The loans are to be disbursed to the corps members by NYSC, Central Bank of Nigeria, Bank of Agriculture, Bank of Industry, Heritage Bank, and the NYSC Foundation.

NYSC Coordinator in Sokoto state, Musa Abubakar disclosed this Friday at the NYSC Cultural Carnival organized to boost peace, unity and integration of the nation.

He said the NYSC management had also signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in that direction.

The Coordinator explained that each of the benefitng corps members would be given a minimum of N3million and a maximum of N10 million.

Abubakar said the gesture was to enable the corps members establish small-scale enterprises and become employers of labour.

He expressed optimism that the gesture would help in reducing poverty, unemployment, restiveness and criminalities.

Dasukigate: Supreme Court orders Justice Abang to continue Metuh’s trial

The Supreme Court on Friday ordered Justice Okon Abang of a Federal High Court in Abuja to continue the hearing on charges of money laundering and fraud instituted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission against a former National Publicity Secretary of the Peoples Democratic Parties, Olisa Metuh.

A five-man bench of the apex court made the order in a unanimous ruling in which it dismissed Metuh’s application for an order of stay of proceedings of his trial before the Federal High Court.

The trial will now continue on June 19, a date fixed by Justice Abang to deliver some interlocutory rulings in the trial.

Abang had adjourned until June 19 to await the outcome of the Supreme Court’s ruling delivered on Friday.

Metuh’s application which was dismissed by the Supreme Court on Friday was anchored on his pending appeal before the court.

The appeal before the apex court is challenging an earlier ruling of the Court of Appeal which affirmed Justice Abang’s decision dismissing Metuh’s no-case submission.

Metuh had through his application for stay of proceedings, urged the Supreme Court to halt his trial before the Federal High Court pending the outcome of his appeal before the apex court on the no-case submission.

But the five-man bench of the apex court dismissed the application on Friday.

The lead ruling of the apex court dismissing Metuh’s application for a stay of proceedings was prepared by Justice Clara Ogunbiyi.

The summary of the ruling was, on Friday, read on behalf of Justice Ogunbiyi by Justice Ejembi Eko, who also agreed with the lead ruling.

It is selective justice for President Muhammadu Buhari to live Magu in office despite rejection by the Senate,”- Dino Melaye.

Senator representing Kogi West Senatorial district, Dino Melaye has faulted the Presidency for keeping the chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Ibrahim Magu despite his rejection by the Senate.

He described as selective justice that President Muhammadu Buhari refused to remove Magu who has been in acting capacity.

In his valedictory remark during the two years anniversary of the 8th Senate, the lawmaker wondered what Magu is still doing in office having failed confirmation in the Senate.

“Mr. President, distinguished colleagues, the Senate has in the last two years did a lot. But it is selective justice that President Muhammadu Buhari still left Magu in office,” he said.
 “Two weeks ago, I raised the issue of National Lottery Regulatory Commission and the DG apologized and left office based on the Senate decision. Why is Magu being kept?” he emphasised

He warned that the Senate would be resistant to all forms of persecution in the next two years, stating that there were obvious persecution of the Senate in the last two years.

Dino who was apparently referring to Senate President’s trial at the Code of Conduct Tribunal further issued strong warning that “the independence of Senate would not be allowed to be covered for any reason.”

Ghanaian player jailed, fined $28,000 for raping his wife

A Swedish court on Friday sentenced a Ghanaian football player in Sweden’s second division to two years in prison for raping and beating his wife.

After serving his sentence, 22-year-old Kwame Bonsu, who played for the Gefle IF club, will be expelled from the Scandinavian country where he has lived in since 2013, the Gavle District Court said.

Gefle on Friday said Bonsu was dismissed from the team with immediate effect.

He will also have to pay 245,000 kronor (at least 25,000 euros, $28,000) in compensation to his wife, who is a Swedish national.

He first met her in 2014 when he was playing in the southern Swedish city of Mjolby. They married the following year.

A few months after the wedding he signed a transfer to the town of Gavle, located about 300 kilometres (190 miles) away from Mjolby.

Bonsu’s wife had wanted him to stay to continue his studies.

The victim said the rape and beatings took place in the couple’s apartment during an evening in November 2015 when he had refused to let her out.

Bonsu repeatedly denied the charges, but testimony from his wife’s relatives led the court to believe the victim’s version of events.

How money from North was used to develop Igbo, Yoruba lands – Ango Abdullahi

The spokesperson of the Northern Elders Forum, NEF, Ango Abdullahi has alleged that resources from the North was used to develop other regions of Nigeria.

Abdullahi made the claim while berating people of the South for saying people of the North were cheating them in the area of resource control.

Speaking in Zaria on Friday, the NEF spokesperson said it was the money from the North that was used to construct Nigerian Railways, refineries and other facilities.

The former Vice Chancellor recalled that the tradition had remained during the colonial masters and nothing changed after they left the country.

He said, “These people always pretend that the North is cheating them, not minding the fact that Southern Nigeria was developed by resources from the North.

 “Please, look for a book written by Adamu Fika, the Waziri of Fika on Nigeria’s budget before and after independence.
“Each year, up to the time Nigeria gained its independence, none of the two regions was able to provide for itself.
“I mean none of the Western and Eastern regions had the money to effectively run the affairs of its region until they got financial support from the Northern region.
“First oil exploration was conducted using money from groundnut pyramid, cotton, hide and skin among other cash crops from Northern Nigeria.
“However, these people tend to forget all these goodies provided by the North towards ensuring the unity and corporate existence of Nigeria.
“They always look down on us, feeling like Northerners are parasites in this country.”

Eguavoen walks away from Sunshine Stars, cites referees attitude

Following a string of poor performances, Augustin Eguavoen, the Coach of Sunshine Stars FC of Akure, has unceremoniously quit his job in the Nigerian Professional Football League (NPFL).

Sunshine played five games with the former Nigerian Coach in charge, winning two and losing three.

They beat Rangers International of Enugu 2-0, lost 0-1 to Lobi Stars of Makurdi, defeated Enyimba International of Aba 1-0, and also lost 0-1 to 3SC of Ibadan and 1-2 to Plateau United of Jo

Eguavoen walks away from Sunshine Stars, cites referees attitude

Nigeria’s unity not negotiable - Senate

The Senate on Friday stated that Nigeria’s unity as a country is not negotiable. It vowed to move against those who are pushing for breakage of the country.

The lawmakers made their position known at the valedictory session marking the second anniversary of the 8th Senate.

In his remarks, Senator George Akume (Benue North-West) urged the Senate to take a firm stand against “irredentist movements” in different parts of the country.

“Whether it is Biafra, Arewa or those of Yorubaland, we must rise as a legislature to make a statement on what is happening. We will be failing as a major arm (of government) not to say something that will reassure the people. We are greater being together than going our separate ways,” he said.

Also, Senator Shehu Sani urged the Senate to take a firm decision on the growing regional agitations across the country.

He said, “In the words of J. F. Kennedy, in times of domestic crises men of goodwill and generosity should be able to come together irrespective of party and politics. I believe that this Senate has been able to do that. As far as I am concerned, the challenge before this Senate is what we can do to address the very important political, social and economic issues that affect our country.

“This Senate has passed through the first two years and the next two years will be more challenging. And the challenge before us is that this country is faced with the secessionist crisis from the southeastern part of Nigeria and sentiments from the North by anarchists and ultra-conservative nationalists.

“This Senate must make a clear statement that the unity of this country is cannot be compromised and we are determined to remain one and we must remain one. I think we should know that a nation united by force is vulnerable and a nation united by justice is impregnable.”

Any man beating his wife, should be medically examined, says Fayose

Ekiti State Governor, Mr Ayodele Fayose, has warned men to desist from poor treatment of women and urged husbands to take adequate care of their wives.

Fayose, who described women as the mirrors through which the society sees their husbands, said any man found beating up his wife, should be medically examined to ascertain the state of his mental health.

He stated this in Ado-Ekiti during an interactive session with primary school teachers and local government workers.

In a statement on Friday by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr Idowu Adelusi, the governor also likened women to a bed, saying a man would lie on the bed the way he had laid it.

The governor, who was not pleased with the shoes worn by some female participants, ordered his aides to bring shoes for them.

The governor helped the lucky women to‎ put on the shoes.

Fayose, who celebrated women in the state‎ in an unprecedented manner last March during the International Women’s Day, said women were a special breed that must be protected from domestic violence and human trafficking.

“Those who beat up their wives are only bringing curses on their heads. ‎A woman is a reflection of her husband and how her husband treats her. They are delicate and must be treated as such. Our administration has been consistent in implementing policies and programmes that are designed to make life better for them.

“Any good done to a woman is done to the whole family. We must accord them their due respect,” he said.

The governor also used the occasion to brief the people on the finances of the state.

He explained that state and local governments operate different accounts and that he would never tamper with local government account.

On the call that salaries of primary school teachers be taken from the purview of LG, Fayose said it

Photos from the naming ceremony of Bola Tinubu’s grand daughter in London

Former Lagos state governor and National APC leader, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu joined his son, Seyi and his beautiful wife, Layal, for the naming ceremony of his grand daughter,  Amira Titilayo Noella Rose Simisola Ashabi Tinubu, this morning in New Cavendish, London.

The couple welcomed their daughter in London on June 2nd. More photos below…

Dogara: House Introduced 1064 Bills, Addressed 610 Public Petitions In 2 Years

In a feat of legislative activism, the 8th Assembly introduced 1064 bills,  and addressed 610 Public Petitions in the last 2 years, Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon Yakubu Dogara, has said.

Giving an appraisal of the activities of the 8th Assembly under his leadership in the last 2 years, he stressed that this achievement surpassed those recorded by previous assemblies.

"In terms of core mandate of lawmaking, we have remained a bastion of legislativze activism. Indeed, members of the 8th House of Representatives are in keen competition with one another in fashioning out legislative solutions to myriad of problems facing the nation. That is why in all facets of law-making, we can comfortably and conveniently assert that we have broken all records," he said.

Relying on available statistics, he reeled out the figures as "total number of Bills introduced so far are 1064 out of which Executive Bills are 50, Senate Bills transmitted to the House – 21 and Private Members Bills – 993. A total of 126 Bills have been passed by the House and the others are at various stages in the legislative mill. 27 Bills have received Presidential assent and a lot more are in the pipeline.

Public Petitions received in the last two years are over 610 in number and the Committee on Public Petitions conducts Public Hearings on these petitions almost every week to ensure citizen access to the legislature.

Each of the achievements highlighted above is unsurpassed by any previous Assembly."
The Speaker also noted the sheer volume of the bills attests to the vibrancy of the House in its attempt to legislate on key areas of the national life at a very trying time, saying whereas it is immediately difficult to measure the impact of these Bills, a thorough examination of them shows the interest of the House in getting the economy out of the current recession that has affected both large and small businesses as well as families across Nigeria.

FG releases details of N516bn Paris club refund to states

Facts have emerged as to how the Federal Government allocated the first tranche of N516.38bn reimbursement made to the 36 states of the federation and the Federal Capital Territory from the Paris Club debt refund.

Based on the schedule of reimbursement which was released by the Federal Ministry of Finance on Friday in Abuja, five states got the highest amount of refund from the Federal Government.

The states are Rivers N34.92bn, Delta N27.6bn, Akwa Ibom N25.98bn, Bayelsa N24.89bn and Kano N21.7bn.

Analysis of the payment schedule showed that these five states got a total sum of N135.09bn representing 26.1 per cent of the entire amount refunded by the Federal Government to all the states.

This was followed by Lagos N16.74bn, Katsina N16.4bn, Kaduna N15.44bn, Borno N14.68bn, Jigawa N14.2bn, Imo N14.01bn, Niger N14.42bn, Bauchi N13.75bn, Sokoto N12.88bn and Osun N12.62bn.

Others are Cross River N12.15bn, Anambra N12.24bn, Edo N12.18bn, Kebbi N11.95bn, Kogi N11.05bn,Abia N11.43bn, Ogun N11.47bn, Plateau N11.28bn.

Similarly,  Yobe state got N10.82bn, Zamfara N10.88bn, Ebonyi N9.01bn, Ekiti N9.54bn, Enugu N10.7bn, Gombe N8.95bn, Nasarawa N9.1bn, Oyo N13.31bn while Kwara got N10.24bn.

The rest are Adamawa N10.25bn, Benue N13.7bn, Ondo N14.01bn, Taraba N9.32bn and Federal Capital Territory N1.36bn.

The statement signed by the Director of Information in the finance ministry, Salisu Dambatta, said the payments were made upon the approval of President Muhammadu Buhari on November 21 2016.

This is in partial settlement of long standing claims by state governments relating to over-deductions  from their Federation Account Allocation Committee allocation for external debt service arising between 1995 and 2002.

These debt service deductions are in respect of the Paris Club, London Club and Multilateral debts of the Federal government and states.

While Nigeria reached a final agreement for debt relief with the Paris Club in October 2005, some states according to the statement had already been overcharged.

It reads in part, “The funds were released to state government as part of the wider efforts to stimulate the economy and were specifically designed to support states in meeting salary and other obligations, thereby alleviating the challenges faced by workers.

“The releases were conditional upon a minimum of 50 per cent being applied to the payment of workers’ salaries and pensions. The Federal Ministry of Finance is reviewing the impact of these releases on the level of arrears owed by state governments.

“A detailed report is being compiled for presentation to the Acting President, Professor Yemi Osinbajo, as part of the process for approval for the release of any subsequent tranches.”

 

Obasanjo commissions School of Nursing & Midwifery.

Nigeria’s former President, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo today recommissioned the Schools of Nursing and Midwifery in Makurdi, Benue State, which the Governor Samuel Ortom adminsitration reconstructed.

He expressed excitement at the reopening of the schools saying it was callous and a sad commentary on those who allowed the institutions to lose accreditation for several years.

The former President noted that it was significant that he performed the recommissioning while he was in the state for a campaign for Zero Hunger, noting that good food and nutrition were the beginning of good health.

He charged the students to be committed to the Nursing and Midwifery professions stressing that they carried great responsibilities having to do with the saving of lives.
Chief Obasanjo noted that healing was a great part of the ministry of the Lord Jesus Christ and as such those who had such a responsibility were in good company.

He praised Governor Ortom for reconstructing and restoring accreditation to the schools and prayed that God would bless him and the state.

The Governor had explained that the institutions had lost accreditation for four years on account of dilapidation of infrastructure and equipment a situation which he reversed and obtained their reaccreditation.
The Governor stated that his administration reconstructed the two schools on account of their contribution to health care delivery in the state and beyond noting that graduates of the schools found ready employment upon the completion of their studies.
He stated that the School of Nursing resumed academic activities with 85 student nurses and 20 post basic students while that of Midwifery admitted 35 new students.