Kogi to pay one out of 22 months salary arrears

The organized Labour in Kogi State has suspended its seven week-old strike following government’s promise to pay workers one month salary out of the 22 months arrears being owed them.The decision to call off the strike was announced on Friday in Lokoja during an agreement signing ceremony between the state government and the organized Labour.

The Deputy Governor, Mr Simon Achuba led the government negotiating team while the Mr Onu Edoka, the state Chairman of the Nigeria Labour Congress ( NLC) led the Labour team.
The organized Labour had on Sept. 27 called out workers on indefinite strike to protest non-payment of their salary, allowances among other demands from the government.

The suspension of the strike was with immediate effect but workers will resume in their various offices on Monday, Nov. 13.
Edoka, in a brief remark, said that Labour decided to suspend the strike following an agreement with government on some of their demands.

He said that the two parties agreed to honour the agreement.
“The agreement was signed after much consultations by both parties to bring about lasting peace between the workers and government,” the statement said.

The agreement reads in part that the controversial ‘clock- in and out’ policy will be test run for three months after a which final decision on its desirability will be taken.

“That on no account would the machine be used to determine the payment of salaries to workers until the Committee of Government and Organized Labour adjudged the efficiency of the machine after the expiration of the three(3) months in February, 2018.

“That the payment of salary and pension to workers and pensioners respectively for the month of August 2017 would be full and comprehensive ,” they agreed.

The agreement also stated that pardoned and omitted staff as well as new retirees will be put on the payroll and paid their full month salary and pension respectively on or before Nov. 17.

“ All cases of arrears of salaries and pensions will be scheduled for payment as funds are available based on the understanding between Labour and Government,” agreement reads further.

Other highlights of the agreement shows that both Labour and government also agreed that the 2013 promotions be released immedtely while the process for promotions for 2014, 2015, 2016 and 2017 be put in place.

Achuba thanked the labour leaders for their understanding and said the government would continue to interface with them regularly.

He commended Gov. Yahaya Bello for providing the opportunity for the dispute to be resolved amicably.

Nigerian Ambassador to Russia Prof Ugba receives Super Eagles in Russia>PHOTOS

 

Nigerian Ambassador to the Russian ,Professor Steve Ugbah today received the Nigeria Super Eagles in Russia ,the team is in Russia for a  friendly March against Argentina. In preparation for World Cup 2018.Photo speaks
All the best Nigerian Super eagles.
  


photo credit Aoraan Festus

I will resume office on monday-Peace Corps boss informs Nigerian police.

Despite court order that the headquarters of the Peace Corps of Nigeria, (PCN) office be vacated by the Nigeria Police Force (NPF), the premises is still being occupied by policemen.

The National Commandant of PCN, Dickson Akoh has however vowed to resume at the headquarters of PCN on Monday following the court judgment.
A Federal High Court in Abuja last Thursday awarded N12.5m as damages against the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) and the Inspector General of Police over their violation of the rights of Akoh and some of its members.
Justice Gabriel Kolawole gave the award in a judgment on a fundamental right suit filed by Akoh and others.

Men of the NPF had on February 28 this year invaded the Abuja headquarters of the PCN during its commissioning, and arrested Akoh and 49 other members of the group, who were later detained.

Akoh and others later challenged their detention and the continued sealing of the PCN's headquarters building in Abuja by the police by filing the fundamental rights enforcement suit and claiming N2billion damages.

They listed the NPF, IGP, the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice, the National Security Adviser, the Department of State Services (DSS) and its Director-General as respondents.

In the judgment last Thursday, Justice Kolawole also ordered the police to immediately unseal the group's headquarters at 57, Iya Abubakar Crescent, Off Alex Ekwueme Way, Opposite Jabi Lake, Jabi, Abuja.

Speaking to newsmen on Saturday on the judgment and recent development, Akoh said Corps headquarters has not been vacated.

"This order was given last Thursday and it was supposed to take effect immediately. As far as law is concerned a court order is a public pronouncement and public document. As I am talking to you now police are still stealing the headquarters of the Peace Corps of Nigeria, (PCN). Their truck is still there. They should obey this court order to vacate the PCN headquarters.

"I think what the police is looking for is for us to revolt so that they can use it to justify their actions and look for another charges to hold us. In a country that practice ideal democracy, the Inspector General of Police is not following what the rule of law says. Our lawyers have told us to be patient. We have waited for this development since February 28, so waiting till Monday will not harm us."

‘Pay outstanding teachers’ salaries or face shutdown of schools’ – NUT to governors

The Nigerian Union of Teachers (NUT) has warned states owing teachers' salaries to pay up all outstanding salaries on or before end of December 2017 or face total shut down of all schools in those states.

Michael Alogba Olukoya, National President of the union, stated this yesterday in Abakaliki, the Ebonyi State capital, after the National Executive Council meeting of the union.
According to Olukoya, "The union totally condemns the inhuman treatment of teachers as is manifested in the unpaid arrears of salaries/pensions to teachers in Kogi, Benue and many other states ranging from 2-22 months, thus putting the teeming teachers in these states permanently in penury.

"The union has decided against the background of all these unhealthy and unacceptable developments that enough is enough. There is no more time for rhetoric. The time is now for teachers to take their destiny into their hands to salvage the deteriorating condition that they have been forced into.

"The National Executive Council of the Union has therefore resolved that the governments of all the affected states owing salaries and pensions of teachers should offset such debts before the end of the year 2017, failing which the union will be left with no other option than to shut down schools in all the affected states."

Lupita Nyong’o blasts UK magazine

Lupita Nyong’o on the cover of the magazine
Kenyan actress Lupita Nyong’o, who won an Oscar for her role in “12 Years a Slave”, on Friday complained her hair had been airbrushed out of the front cover of women’s magazine Grazia UK.
“I am disappointed that @GraziaUK invited me to be on their cover and then edited out and smoothed my hair to fit their notion of what beautiful hair looks like,” she said in a lengthy post on Instagram.
She said it was an “omission of what is my native heritage”, adding: “There is still a very long way to go to combat the unconscious prejudice against black women’s complexion, hair style and texture.”
She posted the original image, showing that her frizzy bob of hair had been removed and the rest smoothed out.
The actress said she had viewed being featured on a magazine cover as “an opportunity to show other dark, kinky-haired people, and particularly our children, that they are beautiful just the way they are”.
The magazine apologised for the airbrushing but blamed the photographer for the alterations.
“Grazia is committed to representing diversity throughout its pages and apologises unreservedly to Lupita Nyong’o,” the magazine said on Twitter.
Beyonce’s sister Solange Knowles last month criticised the London Evening Standard magazine for digitally removing her hair braids from its cover.
Knowles posted an original version of the image with the caption “dtmh” (don’t touch my hair).
Earlier this week, British Vogue unveiled its December cover which will be the first since Ghana-born Edward Enninful was named as editor in April.
Diversity will feature heavily and the cover model chosen is Adwoa Aboah, a British fashion model and feminist activist of British and Ghanaian descent.
Mayor of London Sadiq Khan, who is also interviewed in the magazine, said Enninful was “showing Britain at its diverse and creative best.”

Victor Moses Nominated For BBC African Player Of The Year

Victor Moses, Mo Salah, Sadio Mane, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Naby Keita have been nominated for the BBC African Footballer Of The Year 2017.
The players were nominated by a panel of African football experts and the winner will be chosen by the fans who can vote on the BBC website.
Former Nigeria and Barcelona star Emmanuel Amunike was one of the guests in the studio during the unveiling of the nominees.
The show was hosted by Nigerian BBC presenter Peter Okwoche and Mimosa Fawaz.

Go to www.bbc.com/africanfootball to vote for the BBC African Footballer Of The Year.

Amina Mohammed not under investigation, says ministry

Usman Jibril, minister of state for environment, says Amina Mohammed, the deputy secretary-general of the UN, is not being probed for an alleged illegal export of rosewood logs to China.
The Environmental Investigation Agency (EIA), a non-governmental organisation, claims that the former minister may have obtained personal benefits from signing thousands of allegedly backdated permits in January 2017.
According to the EIA, the said permits were used to clear the illegal exports.
EIA's report said over 1.4 million illegal rosewood logs from Nigeria, worth $300 million, were detained at the ports in China in 2016. The report said the logs were released following the presentation of CITES (the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora) certificates signed by Mohammed.
Reacting in a statement on Saturday, Jibril said while in office, Mohammed acted within the country's law and protocols of international environmental conventions.
He said the allegations — which Mohammed denied in an interview with TheCable — were baseless.
Jibril explained that all the CITES permits signed by the ex-minister were done in line with stringent guidance and procedures.
"The ministry of environment wishes to state unequivocally that the Ex-Minister is not under any probe whatsoever over any purported wrongdoing whether locally or internationally," the statement read.
"The attention of the federal ministry of environment has been drawn to reports being widely circulated in the Media alleging variously that the ex-minister of environment and now deputy secretary general of the United Nations, Mrs Amina Mohammed was allegedly involved in wood export racketeering to China.
"The report which contained, spurious and unsubstantiated allegations against the former minister, is a pure misrepresentation of facts, baseless and intended to smear not just Mrs Mohammed, but the Nigerian government.
"The ex-Minister acted within the ambit of the law of both the federal republic of Nigeria and the protocols of International environmental conventions while in office between November 2015 to February 2017.
"For clarity, the processes involved in issuing approvals for Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species in wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) are as follows; Potential exporters are required to apply to the ministry, inspection of factories and premises for compliance by wood experts, qualified exporters are issued letters of support invitation of the Ministry by the exporter for the stuffing of the containers, exporter applies for CITES permit and granting of approval.
"The ministry states clearly that all the CITES permits signed by the ex-minister was done in line with stringent guidance and procedures. Specifically, Rosewood (Kosso) is under CITES Appendix II which allows sustainable Trade to improve the livelihood of people in line with International best practices.
"For the records, the CITES permits signed by the ex-minister were in batches from August, 2016 to January, 2017.
"It is important to state that Mrs Amina J. Mohammed during her tenure as minister of environment carried out far reaching reforms in the environmental sector particularly in bringing rosewood from unguided trade of CITES appendix III to appendix II which sanitised the wood industry in Nigeria.
"In addition, she led the review of endangered species act, convention on international trade in wild fauna and flora and duly signed by the president of the federal republic of Nigeria, on 30th December, 2016."
Amid the allegations, Antonio Guterres, secretary-general of the UN, has expressed "full support" for Mohammed, saying he has confidence in her.
"She, the deputy secretary‑general, Amina Mohammed, of course, categorically rejects any allegations of fraud," Guterres was quoted as saying.

CAN releases details of issues raised, demands made to Buhari [Full text]

Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) on ​Saturday released full text of the speech its President, Rev Dr Samson Olasupo ​Ayokunle, read out when the group met President Muhammadu Buhari on Friday ​.
​ Ayokunle led a CAN delegation to a closed-door meeting with the president at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

Issues raised include withdrawal of Nigeria from religious organizations, issuance of certificate of occupancy to churches in the North, unpaid workers' salaries, breakdown of infrastructure in the nation, revival of Nigerian Inter-religious Council, unemployment and lopsidedness in appointments
​The speech made available ​to ​ DAILY POST by ​ Pastor​ Bayo Oladeji ​, spokesman to CAN president ​, reads:​
​" Your Excellency Sir, it was about two and a half years ago, precisely, July 2015 that we had the intention of paying this courtesy visit to you to congratulate you for becoming the President of our great country Nigeria. We however thank God that as Christian body in Nigeria, we are able to meet with you at last. So, what we intended to do then when we wrote to pay you courtesy visit, we are doing now by congratulating you for winning the election and for you to count on the Association to continue to pray for you for the Spirit of wisdom and understanding to be able to lead this country in the right direction until we get to our Promised land.
We wish to seize this opportunity as well to very much congratulate you for the miraculous recovery from sickness which took you away from the shores of Nigeria for many days. We as an Association took time to pray for you like other religious groups in this nation and we thank God that you are back alive. It was the love of Nigerians for you that kept all things intact while you were away and the able lieutenants that God gave to you who held the fort in your absence. May the affliction never arise again in the name of Jesus Christ our Lord and Saviour.

We want to advise you to manage your recovery well and take one step at a time. Delegation would be of help for you to totally recover and deliver the dividends of democracy to Nigerians.
Please allow us in this visit to pray for you because that is the major reason we are here today.
Recognition of Achievements
We want to appreciate you in the areas in which your administration is making giant strides since you came on board. The first of these is the recognition of corruption as a virus which has the potential of killing the nation if not stopped. Much more we salute your courage to confront it headlong as never done by any government in this nation before to the best of our knowledge and judgement. We do not want you to relent in doing this. The setbacks not withstanding, accomplishing the goal is the ultimate. However, we want you to fight corruption without fear or favour including those around you who may be like the 'mixed multitude' who went out of Egypt with the Israelites but were not Israelis. They caused harm along the way. Therefore, let there be no untouchable, hand those close to you that may be corrupt over to law enforcement agents as you have done to others for proper prosecution.

Secondly we want to commend you for your commitment to the flushing out of Boko Haram Islamic Fundamentalists from Nigeria. They had caused deep sorrow and damage to the nation especially many Christians, churches and facilities in the north ​-​ east in particular and the North in general.
We praise you for the empowerment of the military to do their work and the courage of the military and dedication to duty.
We on the other hand observe that the murderous Fulani Herdsmen who were previously allowed to ply their trade in many communities in Nigeria have become a menace to many communities. The Christian communities of Benue State, Southern Kaduna, Enugu and a host of others have been on the receiving side on this. Recently I went to a village called Ancha in Bassa Local Government of Plateau State where 21 Christians in a village were killed overnight by Fulani Herdsmen. My church in that village lost 20 members out of the 21 and we gave them mass burial. It was a gory sight to behold. The most painful and baffling thing about it was that after that attack, they came to the same area again and killed another 24 people with none of them arrested by the enforcement agents. What a complicity! Why are the Fulani herdsmen devastating communities without being arrested? Why are they not prosecuted? Why was the source of their ammunition not investigated? Why do they roam about with guns without being arrested? All these are begging for the quick attention of the President so that the people they are attacking also might not seek self defence which may lead to the breakdown of law and order in the nation.
Thirdly, we want to commend your administration for the recovery of some of the kidnapped Chibok girls after some years of incarceration by the insurgents in the north—east. We are pleading with you to intensify more efforts to recover the rest who may still be alive before their lives are completely messed up. Equally, we sent a special appeal to the government and the Inspector General of Police in particular to help us recover twenty Borno women that were kidnapped by Boko Haram while going to bury their relative who died outside Maiduguri. Up till now, we did not hear anything over the matter from the government neither was our letter acknowledged. We are renewing our appeal again for the recovery of those women who were all Christians.
In a nutshell, the following are the issues the Christian Association of Nigeria wants Mr. President to address without delay.
Withdrawal of Nigeria from Religious Organizations
We call on the Executive and Legislative arms of government to withdraw Nigeria from the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation and from other international religious bodies and treaties Nigeria signed with such religious organizations because it violates the secular state of the nation as enshrined in the constitution of Nigeria and further violates government's non-partisanship in religious matters as enshrined in the same constitution. The sanctity of the constitution must be kept for Nigeria to survive as one nation.
Issuance of Certificate of Occupancy to Churches in the North
We call on the Executive and the National Assembly to prevail on States in the North to issue Certificate of Occupancy to churches in the region. Many excuses are presently being given by State Governments in the North to deny Christians the right of building their own places of worship. Recently, Jigawa State Government pulled down some church structures under the guise that they did not have building permit. The truth of the matter as obtained from the chairman of CAN in the State was that the churches had applied for permission to build for not less than a year or more without any response. Do the Christians in the North not have the right to build their houses of worship and serve God without fear or favour? If Nigeria is one country, this type of religious discrimination must come to an end.
Lopsidedness in Appointments
CAN equally calls on this administration to address the lopsidedness in appointments done by this administration for both ethnic and religious balance for all of us to be able to do pilgrimage together as a nation. For example, the defence apparatus in this nation is skewed in favour of one religion. In the recently released statistics of appointments made by this administration so far by the Media Adviser to the President, there was apparent lopsidedness because while some States have over thirty people appointed, others do not have more than three. How can people from such States with three have the sense of belonging to this nation and this administration?
Unpaid Salaries and Allowances
and We declare the inability of the State Governments to pay workers' salaries and allowances as at when due as unacceptable and call on the Federal and State Governments to work together to address this as quick as possible. This would step the tide of crimes and suicide that are increasing all over the nation.
Breakdown of Infrastructure in the nation
We further urge your administration to address the breakdown of infrastructure in the nation such as road construction, provision of uninterrupted power supply and adequate funding of health facilities so as to stop the untimely death of our people and medical tourism abroad.
Unemployment Problem
We call on the Federal Government to declare a state of emergency on unemployment in the nation and to set up a machinery towards the provision of employment for graduates. It is a time bomb that could be devastating if not quickly attended to.
Criminal Activities and the need for more police
We observe that the criminal activities that are on the increase in the land should be addressed more squarely. The police should be more adequately equipped in policing the nation. More policemen at the same time should be recruited as the present number is too low to cope with the large population of the country.
Revival of NIREC
Finally, we request for the revival of the Nigerian Inter-religious Council, (NIREC) which in the past had fostered interaction and promoted religious harmony between Christian and Muslim leaders in the country whose meeting logistics were to be provided by the government. Government's position that there is no money to facilitate the convening of the meeting is not good enough. If there is no money to build peace, we believe that it would be more costly to prosecute war.
We thank Mr. President for creating time to listen to us and we hope that this type of parley would be taking place more regularly for the general good of our nation. We believe in one united Nigeria where there is justice, fairplay and mutual respect.
Thank you. ​"​

Lilian Afegbai Looks Stunning In Black For Birthday Shoot

Nollywood actress and producer Lilian Afegbai is a year older today! To celebrate her birthday the actress has shared new photos on her IG Page and she looks Stunning in Black.

See More photos below;

Governor Rochas Okorocha covers Media Room Hub’s November Issue

The Executive Governor of Imo State, Rochas Okorocha covers Media Room Hub Magazine’s November Issue.
In this, no holds barred interview with Media Room Hub, the governor speaks about life at 55, the many travails and triumphs throughout his life from surviving a plane crash to his childhood dreams of becoming President one day.


Read excerpts from the interview below:

On life at 55: My 55 years in this world bring a lot of memories of the past. Looking back, I can only say, to God be the glory, because, in 55 years, I have seen the good, the bad and the ugly sides of life. The bad is: I came from a very poor home, I wish I had come from a rich family but I didn’t. I grew up in Jos; that’s where I had my primary, secondary and university education. Then I got into business. From business to politics and that’s where I am today.

So, I thank God. The good side of it is that I have seen the mercy of God; coming from nothing to something. That for me is good. The ugly side of it is getting close touch with death and still being alive. If you remember the Nigerian Airways plane crash in Kaduna that claimed over 64 lives; I was on the plane when it crashed, I survived it. The Bellview plane crash that killed many people, same week former President Olusegun Obasanjo’s wife died in 2005; I had gotten my boarding pass, I walked up to the gate before I turned back.

On his childhood dream: One day, I was taking my father from Barkin Ladi village to Jos, that was when I was in school, I just bought a Mazda bus and I remembered telling my father on the way that I was going to be the President of Nigeria. And he said to me, ‘I know and I believe in you’. So, I’ve always dreamt of where I am going and I honestly didn’t see poverty as a clog in the wheel. Though poverty was biting hard, it just wasn’t tougher than my will to be who I want to be. So, I’ve always had tall ambitions from childhood.

On his ambition to become President: I’ve not dropped my ambition to become the president, I’m only respecting the gentleman called President Muhammadu Buhari whom I think has what it takes to change leadership in this country. And I’m waiting for his declaration, if he’s running, then I should support him.



On his plans for 2019: I have so many windows open in 2019 as I wait for Mr President to make his declaration, I want to be politically relevant and I have made the decision never to watch my country sink. This I would do without losing my foundation which is a huge challenge on its own.

If Buhari declares to run for the office again in 2019 I will support him because the man has a character to develop Nigeria. He has a thick skin that we need. We have a faulty foundation and I see Buhari as that man who can build the foundation that we need. But I don’t see him as someone who will build this nation with a fantastic finishing with nice furniture. He’s just going to build a solid foundation upon which success and prosperity for the land shall be accomplished. And that’s where people like me would come in.

Idoma People Honor Actress Ada Ameh With A Chieftaincy Title In Benue State (Photos)

Nollywood star actress and part of the cast of popular sitcom 'The Johnsons', Ada Ameh, was honored with a chieftaincy title in Benue State today.The excited actress who took to Instagram to share the news, wrote;
"Today I was crowned The Ochanya ku TV 1 Ki'Doma. Am so honoured by my people IDOMA.

MY RELATIONSHIP WITH NADIA BUARI WAS A REALITY SHOW - JIM IYKE

Jim Iyke while speaking about one of the ladies he has been linked with in the past, Nadia Buhari, the actor said that their relationship was mostly based on the reality television show he had five years ago, Jim Iyke Unscripted.

“My relationship with Nadia Buhari did not end up in a messy way and why I say this is because two people with an entertainment background met and there was a reality show, so we did the smartest thing any entertainer would do – we entertained the world. It is as simple as that. When the entertainment was done, we went back to our normal lives. So, for anybody that thinks anything extraordinary happened, it was just live television. I got what I wanted and that was the ratings. We both understood what we were getting into and we both got the mileage we wanted and we moved on in life with absolutely no grievances. Although we had something personal which also spanned into our professional world, people should not have thought it would amount to something serious. The ratings were the foremost in our minds and we got that; five years down the line people are still talking about it,” he said

SARS Personnel/Soldiers attached to the Minister of Transportation attack Governor Wike's convoy(PHOTOS)

The governor who was on project inspection was attacked at Nwanja Junction on Trans-Amadi Road.The SARs Personnel and Soldiers in the Minister's convoy hit down the Governor's Escort Rider and attacked the policemen in the pilot car.Mr Debewari , Aide -De- Camp, to the Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi, supervised the attack, which included damage of cameras held by journalists .Also part of the attack, was the Commander of Rivers SARS, Mr Akin Fakorede who received the Minister of Transportation at the Port Harcourt International Airport and accompanied on his trip.After the attack, the Rivers State Governor continued with his inspection of Projects.Governor Wike was not harmed, despite the attack.The Minister of Transportation had over 50 SARS Personnel , Soldiers and Mobile Policemen in his motorcade.

















Simeon Nwakaudu,Special Assistant to the Rivers State Governor, Electronic Media. 11th November, 2017.

THE LOVE OF MY LIFE LEFT ME BECAUSE I WASN'T READY FOR MARRIAGE - JIM IYKE

Nollywood’s ‘bad boy’, Jim Iyke, has been linked with several women but in a chat with Saturday Beats, the actor revealed that the best relationship he had with the love of his life never made it to the pages of the newspaper.

He said that although they were in love with each other, the relationship ended because the lady wanted marriage when he was not ready to settle down.

Iyke said, “Compatibility and love are not enough to tie the knot. I have been in love before and the truth is that one of my best relationships never made it to the pages of the newspaper. She was a girl from Barbados, she was a very special girl and we were together for one and a half years but I actually lost her. There was something she wanted me to do but I could not at that point in my life because I was a little bit too crazy, hung up on fame and indecisive about life.


“She decided to make a decision for both of us by insisting I put a ring on her fingers. She wanted me to make that move or move on so that I didn’t block the space for another man because I wasn’t ready. She moved on because she was that strong even though she suffered the consequence of not being with me for a while. By the time I realised that she was the love of my life and started backtracking, a more discerning man had taken over; that was what happened. By the time I got back, I realised she had another man and even though I wanted to find a backdoor into her heart, I was shocked to realise that the guy is a sharpshooter because she was already pregnant for him.” .

FATHER KILLS SON AFTER BEING FED-UP WITH TAKING CARE OF HIM

A Russian man killed his four-year-old son because he had grown tired of looking after him at home while his policewoman wife left for work.

Maxim Gorev, 34, and wife Yevgenia, from Nizhny Novogorod, southwest Russia, had been together for 13 years and seemed liked a perfect couple to many. The man was a stay-at home father, caring for their son Artem but had become increasingly frustrated following his wife’s promotion to the rank of detective. He did not wish to become a full-time parent but had been unable to find a steady job himself.

Over time, the couple’s arguments became more intense with the woman dividing her time between work and their child. It was after then that Gorev hatched his plan in the hope that his wife would start spending more time with him, Daily Mail UK, reports.

Picking the 4-year-old up from kindergarten, he sent her a chilling text message saying: ‘We have gone to die.’ Ignoring her calls, he then locked the child inside his car and connected a hose from the window to the exhaust pipe. When the boy eventually died, he sent his wife, who had not been allowed to leave work to find out what was happening, another message saying: ‘I have saved you from trouble.’

Returning home at the end of her shift, the worried mother found the apartment empty and called colleagues in to investigate. The child’s body was found the following day hidden amongst a pile of boxes near a garage close to their apartment. The husband, who has a criminal record for petty theft, was found hiding at his parents’ flat.

NIGERIAN POLICE REJECT RANKING AS WORST POLICE FORCE IN THE WORLD

The Nigeria Police Force has gunned down the latest ranking by The International Police Association and the Institute for Economics and Peace, that puts it at the bottom of the world police formations.

The 2016 World Internal Security and Police Index (WISPI) credited to the two organisations, rated the Nigerian police the worst in the world. The ranking measured the ability of the Police to address Internal Security Issues in 127 Countries in four key areas of Capacity, Process, Legitimacy and Outcomes.

The ranking showed that Nigeria under-performed on all four domains, with a score of 0.255.

But in a statement today, the NPF trashed the assessment as unempirical and instead proclaimed itself one of the best in the world.

“Nigeria Police Force is the best in UN Peace Keeping Operations, Best in Africa, One of the Best in the World. The Force rejects the report as unempirical and absolute falsehood, should be disregarded and discountenanced”, said the police in a preface to their statement of objection to the report .

“The Nigeria Police Force after a careful study of the report and the news items emanating from it, wishes to state categorically that the report is entirely misleading, a clear misrepresentation of facts and figures and essentially unempirical, considering the area of coverage of the report which was said to have been carried out in 2016 by the above mentioned associations.

“The report did not take into cognisance the significant improvement in the areas of Capacity Building, Training and Re-training of the entire personnel of the Force as provided for by the current Federal Government of Nigeria and other Foreign and Local NGOs which has greatly improved the efficiency and service delivery of the personnel of the Force throughout the country.

“It is pertinent to state that the instruments used to evaluate the performance of the Force vis-à-vis that of other countries is absolutely incorrect and grossly inadequate and therefore a plain distortion of facts and figures. The strength of about Three Hundred and Seventy Thousand (370,000) Police Personnel in the country stands at around One (1) Policeman to less than Six Hundred (600) people in a population estimates of One Hundred and Eighty Millions (180,000,000) Nigerians.

“It is equally significant to state that the current recruitment of additional Ten Thousand (10,000) Police Personnel into the Force by the Federal Government of Nigeria and the request by the Inspector General of Police to Government for approval of the recruitment of Thirty One Thousand (31,000) Police Personnel yearly for a period of 5years will definitely increase the strength of the Force to meet up with the UN ratio of One (1) Policeman to Four Hundred (400) citizens.

“Furthermore, in the UN Peace Keeping System, the Nigeria Police Force is rated as the best in UN Peace keeping operations in the world. This clearly shows that the Nigeria Police Force is not and cannot be the worst in the world under any known scientific yardstick or measuring instrument.

“Currently, the Nigeria Police Force is one of the only two African Delegates representing the whole of Africa continent on the executive committee of Interpol, a position the Force attained based on high performance, merit and sustained good track records.

“For avoidance of doubt, since the inception of the present Police administration in July 2016, the Inspector General of Police, IGP Ibrahim K. Idris NPM, mni, he has introduced and implemented diverse internal reforms aimed at improving capacity building and efficient service delivery of the personnel of the Force, which is yielding positive results in the standardisation of the capability of the Nigeria Police Force to deal with violent crimes and terrorism throughout the country. The establishment and take-off of a world class Terrorism Investigation Bureau for the Force with state-of-the-art equipment and technical support from foreign partners has greatly improved the capacity of the Force to deal with threats posed to internal security in this regard.

“However, it must be pointed out that the Nigeria Police Force sees the report as a clear demonstration of mischief, ignorance and calculated attempt to distort the feat being recorded by the Force in ensuring adequate security and safety of Nigerians. Nowhere in the report were references made to either the improved capacity or achievements recorded by the Nigeria Police Force across the country in the recent time, the Force therefore implores all Nigerians and international community to disregard the report as unfounded and misleading.”

FORMULA 1: MERCEDES BENZ TEAM MATES ROBBED AT GUN POINT IN BRAZIL

British motor racing star Lewis Hamilton on Saturday urged Formula One to improve security after armed robbers held up members of his Mercedes team outside the Brazilian Grand Prix circuit.

“Some of my team were held up at gunpoint last (Friday) night leaving the circuit here in Brazil. Gun shots fired, gun held at one’s head. This is so upsetting to hear,” the four-time world champion said on Twitter on Saturday.

“Please say a prayer for my guys who are here as professionals today even if shaken.

“This happens every single year here. F1 and the teams need to do more, there’s no excuse.”

A team spokesman confirmed that valuables were stolen but nobody was injured in the incident.

Hold-ups are a known risk for teams in Sao Paulo and around the Interlagos circuit.

Drivers have been travelling to and from their hotels with police escorts and in cars with bulletproof protection.

Britain’s Jenson Button was the victim of an attempted robbery in 2010, the year after he won the title with Brawn GP.

But the police driver smashed his way through traffic to escape when the gunmen were seen approaching.

Mechanics and other staff travel to and from the track by minibus and are advised against wearing branded team clothing away from the circuit.

A Mercedes team member was also robbed at gunpoint in Mexico last year while travelling by car from the airport to his hotel.

Mercedes have won both of this year’s championships for the fourth year in a row with Lewis Hamilton arriving in Brazil as a four-times world champion.

Sunday’s race is the penultimate round of the season.

'YOU ARE FAKE AND TWO FACED' EEDRIS REPLIES 2FACE

Expectedly, artiste, Eedris Abdulkareem, wasn’t going to keep quiet when Tuface Idibia called him out via his social media handle earlier in the week as he (Eedris) has blasted the singer, claiming he influenced Tuface’s growth in the industry.

Tuface had, in a series of tweets, responded to Eedris’ rants a few weeks ago, where he said Tuface should have helped his former label mate, Blackface, to rise again in the industry.

Tuface eventually replied Eedris by saying, “Dear Blackface and Idris. As na una sabi music pass, make una do the music and stop talking nonsense all the time. I’m too busy, so this is the only advice and response u’re gonna get from me. Una fit resume una nonsense rants.”

But in an exclusive chat with Saturday Beats, Eedris did not take such a remark lightly as he quickly reminded Tuface that he was the one who introduced him to Kenny Ogungbe of Kennis Records, the record label that shot him to prominence.

He described Tuface as a “fake person who is used to deceiving Nigerians.”

“Tuface is the definition of his name. He is a very fake person but you would think he is a good person. Life is not about competition but about doing the right thing when God gives you the power to do it. My problem with Tuface is this, if he tells you good morning, go and check the time. It was the same Tuface that took Nigerians on a ride; he told them that we should protest, he made so much noise but we all know how that ended. He knows exactly who sent him to do that and after everything, he backed out. So his name is Tuface but he should not call himself Tubaba, he should remain Tuface.

“Eddie Montana and Tony Tetuila are my brothers. We all started together as Remedies, so we have a story to talk about. Plantashun Boys and Remedies are a family, we all started together, we went on tours together and there are a lot of things that I saw which prompted me to do the song, Wackawickee MCs. The song was talking about my experience during the Rothman’s groove tour with the Plantashun Boys. Whether you like it or not, we all have a history together and I saw everything that happened. I came back to sing the song. In the song, I said that Tuface was the Plantashun while the rest are the boys but he should not let it get to his head. Today, God has blessed him but he is still competing with the guy that wrote most of his hit songs. Why isn’t he helping him and forget about the past? Is that what life is all about?

“The world will know about this in the songs that I will drop very soon. The only way he can become Tubaba is for him to become a good person and he should stop lying to Nigerians. He should go back to Blackface, show him love and forget about competition. That is what I am talking about. Besides that, I have no problem with Tuface. I am showing Tony and Eddie love the same way they show me love. I took Tuface to Kenny Ogungbe, he is a stupid boy. He should get it straight to his head, it is not about now. Nobody is competing with anybody. He should get his acts together. Also, we are different from each other, I am a responsible man. Even if he is a married man now, don’t forget he still has about seven ‘wives,’ so when he is talking, he should watch his mouth because we are different people. Tuface should understand that it is not about competition but speak the truth,” he said.

Eedris told Saturday Beats that he was not sorry for his choice of words; neither did he regret speaking the truth. He said that he was glad that his utterance had made people talk.

The singer said, “I am happy I said all the things that I said because it is very important you know where you are coming from and where you are going to. It is only you that can tell your story. They say that it is only when you are dead that people would talk about you, but it is not true. Speak for yourself so that when you are dead, people would not lie against you. The point is that Eedris Abdulkareem added value to the lives of Timaya and some other people. Even Tuface himself, I am the one who took him to Baba Keke for him to sign him under Kennis Music. You can ask Baba Keke. I am saying this because it is important that people know what is happening, so, you don’t need to start making unnecessary noise. We all make different choices in our lives and the choice I made is that I don’t want to kiss anybody’s ass to make money. I want to speak my mind and say what I have to say. I knew that after saying those things, they would not love or appreciate me but I decided to work hard and be successful. I don’t need to make billions, I just want to be comfortable and live a beautiful life, which is what I am doing and I am happy about it. I love my life and I am happy that they are all talking, this would make them wake up and start adding values to their songs and the people who buy their songs. We live in a very sad reality but I would keep on talking. Call me whatever you want to call me but I know that I have added value to the lives of people around me. I thank God that one of my boys, Rafioso, has already spoken; so I don’t need to talk to these people again. The most important thing is for Nigerians to know all these things. I am happy I have made my point.”

BLACKFACE TALKS ANYHOW WHEN HE TAKES ALCOHOL - RUGGEDMAN

Anyone who is familiar with popular musician, Michael Ugochukwu Stephens, fondly referred to as Ruggedman, will know that he is not one to shy away from a fight. So, it did not come as a shock to many when the rap artiste decided to clap back at his colleague, Blackface, who granted an interview where he said that the rapper had lost focus.

Blackface had said that Ruggedman broke into the entertainment industry through his hit song, ‘Ehen Ehen,’ where he addressed the issues of plagiarism but that ever since then, he had stopped talking about the problems that still persist till date.

Apparently, the comment did not go down well with Ruggedman, who penned an open letter to Blackface. In the letter, Ruggedman referred to Blackface as a ‘veteran up and coming artiste’ and ‘a town crier’ who only seems to complain and nag whenever he is faced with a camera.

In a chat with Saturday Beats, the rap artiste said that he would not take issues with Blackface. He further said that he was shocked that the singer mentioned his name in the interview.

Talking about the open letter, Ruggedman said, “The open letter I wrote to Blackface is actually the only thing I want to put out about the matter; I don’t want to take issues with him by talking about it endlessly. I received so many calls from people about this issue but I declined to talk about it any further. I don’t have any problem with him. The only time I spoke about him was when Tuface wanted to stage a protest but decided not to go through with it and he started talking about Tuface. He made statements like, ‘Is it an artiste that has women everywhere that would lead a protest?’ All I said was that he should relax because he was making it too obvious that he nursed a grudge against Tuface and he should let it go. Since then, we have been cool and I had even put his name as part of the performing artistes for a show that I want to do next year. We had spoken about it and he agreed to be a part of the show only for him to say unpleasant things about me in an interview.

“He said that after my hit song, ‘Ehen Ehen,’ there has been nothing from me. Even though the interviewer mentioned that I had other songs that did very well, he said that I had stopped preaching against people copying themselves in the industry. He said I should have continued the trend and I was amazed at the statement. He wants me to keep recycling concepts without evolving because that is what he has been doing and that is why I wrote what I wrote that every opportunity he gets to be in front of a camera, he keeps saying the same thing that they stole his song, ‘African Queen.’ He should go and sing another song. Like I said, I love his album, ‘Ghetto Child’, because he had some social conscious songs on the album.

“To me, calling my name in the interview was not necessary but as he has done so, I decided to answer him and this is the last time I would talk about it. I never had any issues with him; I guess it was the alcohol they gave him there that loosened his tongue and he began to talk anyhow.”

He threatened to stab me with scissors when I asked for feeding allowance — Woman

A woman, Omolara Oyeyemi has approached Oja Oba/Mapo Court C Customary Court Mapo, Ibadan, Oyo State, seeking for a separation from her husband, Abiodun Oyeyemi.

Opeyemi alleged that her husband abandoned his responsibility as husband and father and was always fighting him.
He thus pleaded with the court to dissolve their union and give her custody of their children
“I have assumed the role of breadwinner in the home because my husband is irresponsible.
“He dashes out of the home early in the morning when my children and I are still struggling to get out of bed and sneaks in in late in the night when we are already in bed.
“I can’t remember when last he gave us feeding allowance. Any time I stay up late to discuss the welfare of our children with him, he turns it into a fight. The last time I did, he nearly stabbed me with a scissors.
“He often descends on me with heavy blows and will refuse to open the door to our neighbours who have come to rescue me from his hands.
“I bought the electronics in the house because he refused to do so. Whenever he’s around, he will tune high the radio thereby disturbing our neighbours. Our neigbhours often complain about this but he has refused to change.
“I’m the one responsible for our children’s education because he has refused to train them. I go hungry often times in order to give our children the best.
My lord, I’m fed up with such a lifestyle, please separate us, “she told the court.
Abiodun did not accept to claim. According to him, he didn’t want their children to suffer.
‘My wife has said all that so as to be justified for leaving me.
“I have never for once shied away from my responsibilities. I’m committed to our marriage and my family,. That’s all I have to say.“
After listening to the duo, the court president, Chief Ademola Odunade adjourned the case till November 23 for further hearing.