Seun Egbegbe spends 20th month in prison,to appear in court today

For failure to meet the N5m bail granted him by the Federal High Court in Lagos, Nollywood film-maker, Olajide Kazeem, better known as Seun Egbegbe, has so far spent about 20 months in prison custody.

The Lagos socialist has been kept away since February 10, 2017, after he was arraigned by the police for alleged serial frauds involving N39, 098,100, $90,000 and £12,550.


Prior to that,he was nabbed and beaten in Computer Village for trying to make away with 8 iPhones without paying.
The police alleged that Egbegbe fraudulently obtained the money from no fewer than 40 Bureau De Change operators in Lagos over a period of two years – 2015 to 2017,The Punch reports.

























He was said to have allegedly swindled the BDC operators by falsely representing to them that he had naira to change into foreign currencies and vice versa.
Egbegbe, alongside one Oyekan Ayomide, was first arraigned on February 10, 2017 before Justice Oluremi Oguntoyinbo, on 36 counts bordering on advance fee fraud.
They, however, pleaded not guilty.

On February 24, 2017, Justice Oguntoyinbo granted each of them N5m bail with two sureties in like sum.
The judge said one of the sureties must be a civil servant on at least Level 16 and must own a landed property in Lagos State.
The surety, the court said, must deposit the Certificate of Occupancy of the landed property in the custody of the court.
Both sureties were to swear to affidavit of means while their addresses were to be verified by the court registrar.
Justice Oguntoyinbo ordered that the defendants should be remanded in the prison custody until they meet the bail conditions.

About 20 months after the bail was granted, Egbegbe, who was known for lavish spending, has, however, remained in the Ikoyi Prison custody, as he has not been able to meet the bail conditions.

The case was last heard on November 1, 2018 and it is billed to resume on Monday (today) for continuation of trial.

BREAKING: ASUU Commences Indefinite Nationwide Strike

The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has ordered its members across the country to commence an indefinite strike action.
The announcement was made after a meeting of leaders of the union on Sunday at the Federal University of Technology, Akure, Ondo state.
The National President of ASUU, Professor Abiodun Ogunyemi, revealed that the union took the decision due to the poor funding of universities in the country.
He stressed that the strike will be indefinite and total.

10-year UK visa ban for fraudulent applicants:Arkwright

Paul Arkwright, outgoing UK High Commissioner in Nigeria: says 10 year visa ban awaits fraudulent applicants

The outgoing British High Commissioner to Nigeria. Mr Paul Arkwright said a 10-year visa ban will be slammed on Nigerians who present forged documents to back their applications.
“I know there is a feeling in Nigeria that we refuse visas more often than we accept them. That is not the case.
“We are not trying to keep Nigerians out but it is important Nigerians stick to the rules when they are there in the same way that you in Nigeria would expect British people to obey the rules here.
Sadly, there are a few Nigerians who provide forged documents. We know when a document is forged and that is an automatic 10-year ban.”
According to the envoy, Nigerians are welcome in the UK, as some Nigerians living there are making very serious contributions to the British economy and other sectors.
He said that the British High Commission received about 80, 000 visa applications annually, adding that about 70 per cent of those applications were successful.
He said that 90 per cent of visa applications were from students wanting to study in the UK.
Arkwright further advised those seeking visas to apply “in good time’’ and also ensure they had the required documents ready.
He stressed that it was important for an applicant to have sufficient funds in their bank accounts which should have been in the account for a minimum of 28 days.
The British High Commissioner noted that the visa application was an online process and the High Commission was “working hard to streamline the process’’.

The 19 suspects arrested in connection with the disappearance and death of General Idris Alkali

The Plateau Police Command has presented 19 suspects in connection with the disappearance and death of Maj. Gen. Idris Alkali (rtd) and said investigations have not ended.
DSP Terna Tyopev, the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) of the State Police Command presented the suspects to journalists on Sunday in Jos.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Alkali was declared missing on Sept. 3. He had left Abuja and was on his way to Bauchi, via Jos. He never reached his destination.
On Sept. 29, his car and other personal effects were found in a pond in Dura-Du community of Jos South Local Government Area of the state.
On October 31, the body of Alkali was found in an abandoned Well at Gushwet in Shen community of Jos South LGA and was buried by the military on Nov. 3 in Abuja.
According to Tyopev, the 19 suspects paraded include the 13 earlier handed over to the police command by the military, while the remaining six were among the eight the police declared wanted in connection with the crime.
He said two among the eight suspects declared wanted are still at large.
“On Oct. 17, the military handed over 13 suspects to us in connection with the disappearance and death of Maj. Gen. Idris Alkali (rtd).
“After a painstaking interrogation on Oct. 21 we also declared eight suspects wanted. Six out of the eight reported themselves to the police, but two are at large.
“So, the 19 suspects paraded today consist of the 13 handed over to us, and the six that reported themselves to us, ” he said.
The PPRO said the suspects were interrogated and found to have strong links with the crime, adding that they would be charged to court as soon as investigations are concluded.
He said efforts are being intensified to ensure the two remaining suspects are arrested

PDP alleges that APC is secretly offering money to buy PVCs from Benue IDPs.

The Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in Benue State said it has uncovered plot by the All Progressives Congress, APC, to buy Permanent Voters Cards, PVCs, from victims of herdsmen crisis in the state currently taking refuge in Internally Displaced Persons, IDPs, camps.

The party in a statement through its Publicity Secretary, Bemgba Iortyom, said credible intelligence at its disposal indicated that the APC was targeting to manipulate and rig the coming 2019 general election in the state.

Part of the statement read,”this rigging scheme was launched by the party on the day it staged a decamping ceremony inside the Internally Displaced Persons IDPs camp at Daudu.

“To have staged a decamping ceremony inside an IDPs camp alone was a record showing of moral depravity and conscienceless desperation, yet APC went a step further down the path of infamy with their agents secretly offering monies ranging between N5,000 and N10,000 to displaced persons at the camp in exchange for their PVCs while the charade of a decamping ceremony lasted.

“The scheme has since then continued by the opposition party in the state with their agents going about secretly to IDPs camps and as well to residences housing those victims of herdsmen attacks offering to them various sums of money in exchange for their PVCs.

“This development is not only obnoxious and nefarious but targeted to undermine the very institution of democracy which stands as the most prized asset Nigerians have next to the corporate entity of the country.

“Moreover, this scheme amounts to wickedly rubbing salt into the injuries of Benue IDPs who are suffering today because the APC controlled federal government failed to protect them from the swords, knives and bullets of Fulani herdsmen who have for years killed, maimed and plundered our land at will and unchallenged.

“We, therefore, call on the good people of Benue State to rise up and condemn in the strongest possible terms this dastardly scheme by APC, and we urge all internally displaced persons to shun the devilish offer to sell their PVCs to the same party that has been responsible for their plight.

“Furthermore, we challenge security agencies to launch their own investigations into this matter and bring the perpetrators to book to safeguard and preserve our priceless institution of democracy, in the best interest of the Nigerian nation.”Reacting, the Benue state APC Director of Publicity, Mr. Peterhut Apeh, said, “the allegation is all false and life propaganda. They are running from pillar to post with propaganda because they do not have what to campaign with hence this story.”

Buhari will win in 2019, says US Institute

President Buhari

The United States Institute of Peace (USIP) has predicted that President Muhammadu Buhari will win the 2019 election.
The organisation made this known in a report it released on the forthcoming general election saying its report is based on its interactions with Nigerians from different sectors.

USIP said though many Nigerians feel that the current administration has not met their expectations, this is not likely to cost the All Progressives Congress (APC) government its hold on power.

“Many Nigerians feel their hopes have not been met. Some respondents suggest the electorate is sufficiently disappointed that voter apathy will be greater in 2019 than in 2015, with the unifying narrative of change that helped elect the APC in 2015 much less compelling as a factor in mobilising the electorate, and perceptions that another defeat of the presidential incumbent is less likely to happen in 2019,” the report read.

Comparing the 2015 elections to the forthcoming one, the report said there is a greater chance of the occurrence of election violence, listing Adamawa, Anambra, Ekiti, Kaduna, Kano, Lagos, Plateau, Rivers as the eight of 36 states with greater risks of election violence.

While it stated that it is up to the combined efforts of political parties, security agencies and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to curb violence in the election, it said the greater work lies with the electoral body.

“Important shifts in Nigeria’s political and security context have occurred since the 2015 elections, presenting both evolving, and new, risks to the 2019 elections,” it read.

“Of all the state’s institutions, most respondents felt that peaceful elections in 2019 are contingent on the performance of Nigeria’s INEC.

“Given the relative success of the 2015 elections, they felt that INEC ought to be able to deliver credible elections again in 2019. They feared, however, that any regression from the level of performance achieved in 2015 could lead to violence because some would view the failings not as a result of incompetence but as deliberate attempts to frustrate the will of the voters.

“INEC should at least match the standards it set in 2015, and any regression could set the stage for violence.

“Yet, while the potential for election violence exists, there are signs of hope. Some states have developed successful election conflict-mitigation practices. In the short amount of time remaining, INEC and the police should undertake a number of key reforms,” it said.

“The United States, along with other international supporters of the electoral process, should also intensify their efforts to reinforce the work of these key Nigerian institutions.

“Beyond institutional support, rather than apply a conventional approach to electoral violence mitigation, donor programming should adapt to Nigeria’s current context, political shifts, and opportunities, and be sufficiently flexible to respond to the risks distinct in each of Nigeria’s states.

“In advance of the election, international diplomatic efforts to preempt electoral violence need to be intensified. Regional and international actors should convey their expectations that political parties effectively address their internal disputes, and be ready to put on notice politicians responsible for escalating these disputes.”

*Reported by Thewillnigeria.com

Benue Tragedy ! ! Police Launch Full Investigation As Woman Kills Husband, Three Kids, Self.

A Police investigation has being launched  into the tragedy that took place in Makurdi where a wife killed her husband ,her 3 kids and killed herself.

“The woman,Mrs Rachael Adetsav allegedly killed her husband  Mr Nicholas Adetsav, a staff of Makurdi Local Government Council, and his children on Friday night in Makurdi also killed herself.

“From information available to us, the woman has been having issues with her husband which might have culminated into this,” Mr Moses Yamu, the command’s spokesman, told newsmen Saturday in Makurdi.

Yamu said that the couple, who lived at Vandeikya street, were both staff of Makurdi Local Government Council.

“They have been having issues; just yesterday(Friday), the woman was seen with a pestle trying to smash her husband’s car. No one knows the cause of their frequent fights.”

He said that Police personnel sent to the house found the man foaming in the mouth, the three kids already dead, while the woman, also dead, was found holding a knife in her hands.

“The incident happened around 8:30 p.m. on Friday; from what we have gathered, the couple fight on daily basis,” he said.

Yamu said that investigation had begun toward determining the reasons for the actions, while the corpses had been deposited at the St. Theresa’s Catholic Hospital, Makurdi.

When ChannelsTv visited their home,many sympathizes where seen around there.Neighbors and co-workers said Mrs Adetsav was a very violent woman. One of the neigbours who spoke to FabmimiBlog on the phone had this to say ...

 This couple lives in a rented apartment with other neighbours. The woman locked up everybody inside and the neighbours could not gain access into their room. At first the neighbours taught that it was one of their routine squabbles the usually have at home. Later, thé madam appeared outside with a pestle smashing the Golf 3 thé husband usés. It was then neighbours sensed more danger and started calling thé husband relations and the police. This time around the late Wife entered back to room and murdered herself cleansing thé whole family. No outsider was involved.

An anonymous reader also called to confirm that Rachael stabbed his brother sometime last year over a small misunderstanding she had with his wife,the case is still in court,he also confirmed that the woman was a violent and paranoid woman who maltreated her family without looking back. 

Credit:ChannelsTv Reports.

Unknown gunmen kill young man who just completed his madatory NYSC program (Photos)

Unknown gunmen have killed a young man along two others in Benue state, the young man had just passed out of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC).

The young man identified as Ochoche Dickson Iduh who just completed his madatory NYSC program and served in Plateau state, met his untimely death yesterday where he went to show his discharged letter to his both parents in the city of Otukpo, Benue state.

It was gathered that the deceased among the batch B stream 2 Corps members.

According to reports, the young graduate from Apa local government area of Benue State holds a Higher Hational Diploma (HND) in Business Administration from the famous Benue State Polytechnic, Ugbokolo.

University Don commits suicide at UniAgric Makurdi.

Professor Frank Onyezili of the Biological Sciences Department in the Federal University of Agriculture in Makurdi (FUAM) has allegedly committed suicide
Correspondents present gathered that the late Onyezili took his own life at the weekend by drinking a substance suspected to be poison after leaving behind a suicide note.
It was learnt that the deceased’s decision to end his own life might not be unconnected with depression and loneliness which he was believed to have suffered lately because his family (wife and children) are said to be living abroad.
A colleague of the deceased who wouldn’t want his name on print, alleged that the family of Onyezili had abandoned him and that could have been the reason he decided to end it all.
The Director of Protocol and Information of the university, Mrs Roseline Waku, confirmed the incident but said she was not privy to the information contained in the suicide note.
When contacted, the Police Spokesman of the Benue Command, DSP Moses Joel Yamu, said he was yet to get the detail of the incident at the time of this report.

--Daily Trust

#Justice4Ochanya: Youths stage 500-man protest in Abuja to honour of 13-yr-old girl raped to death by lecturer and son

As reactions continue to trail the circumstances surrounding the death of a 13-year-old Elizabeth Ochanya Ogbaje, some youths from Benue State have planned to stage a peaceful protest to demand justice for the late teenager.

Ochanya had battled Vesicovaginal fistula (VVF) and other health complications at the Benue State University Teaching Hospital, Makurdi after being severely abused by a one Andrew Ogboja, Head of Department, Catering and Hotel Management at the Benue State Polytechnic, Ugbokolo, Benue State, and his son, Victor Inalegwu Ogboja, a final year student of Animal Production at the Federal University of Agriculture, Makurdi.









The duo consistently molested little Ochanya since she was 9 to age 13, took turns every night on her, according to reports. 
Molested and sodomized Ochanya in her condition couldn't recognize anyone and her eyes remained closed. During the weekend, she lost the battle and took her last breath. 
Irked by the ugly and sad development, some youths have decided to stage a 500-man protest over the incident.
Headlining the peace protest, the Councilor Representing Eke Ward, Hon Dan Atayi, said “the 500 march in honour of the deceased and alleged rape victim Ochanya by a lecturer of Benue state polytechnic Ugbokolo and his son, would hold in FCT on Tuesday, 23/10/2018 to National Human Rights Commission, Ministry Of Women Affairs, Ministry of Justice, Police Headquarters and NAPTIP.”
He called on all Benue sons and daughters as well as well-meaning Nigerians, particularly the women folks to join the protest so the culprits would be forced to face the law. 
Adding his voice, a renowned activist, Felix said, “We must register our grievance with the world and relevant agencies that this evil act must not go unpunished.
“The protest is suggested and scheduled to hold in Abuja in a world stage and extended to Benue State of November during the court hearing.”
Also adding her voice, human rights activist and blogger, Mimi Atedze, insisted that the perpetrators must be brought to book without delay. 
She said, “The serial rapists must be punished for this act...the Child's Right Law 2003  states clearly that "Nobody  should engage in any unlawful sexual intercourse with a child"  #JusticeForOchanya.

Atiku to supporters: there will be insults,falsehoods, threats and innuendo but you must ignore

Atiku Abubakar, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) presidential candidate for the 2019 general elections has uged his supporters to conduct themselves respectfully.

Atiku, who will be locking horn with the incumbent President, Muhammadu Buhari and other candidates such as Oby Ezekwesili, Kingsley Moghalu and others, begged his supporters to endure the insults and blackmails and focus on the task.

In a statement on Sunday, the presidential candidate said his supporters must speak with facts rather than insults.

See statement below

For everyone who supports me, I ask you to conduct yourself respectfully, even with people who do not agree with you.

There will be insults, falsehoods, threats and innuendo. Ignore them and stay focused on the task of rebuilding Nigeria.

Instead of insults, speak with facts. Let us all work together to get Nigeria working again.

“Men go into relationship for money” – Actress Ini Edo

Nollywood actress Ini Edo has dropped a bombshell about what now motivates men to go into relationship.

She made the revelation while expressing concerns over the rate at which men of nowadays jump from one relationship to another for financial gains.

In a recent interview with TheSun, the actress said while young girls engage in one trade or the other for survival, some men move from one woman to the other for money.

In her words:

“Men of these days are not what they used to be. But the issues are not addressed. Nobody is talking about it. Ironically, prostitution has reduced drastically.

Young girls now go into different kinds of small-scale businesses like makeup, hair dressing and creams making. They now hustle more to make a living but I can’t say the same thing for men. I’m sorry but that’s the truth.

For some men, their job is to move around from one woman to another for money. It’s like a full time job for them and nobody is addressing the issue. Don’t get me wrong, not all men do it, but some of them.”

Nigerian lady’s finger set to be amputated over wedding ring

A Nigerian Facebook user, took to the platform to raise an alarm over moves to amputate a Nigerian lady’s finger because of her wedding ring.

Andre Udoh who asked for suggestions on how to remove the wedding ring, disclosed that the ring is refusing to come off and the finger is getting swollen each day. He wrote;

VERY URGENT PLEASEThis lady’s wedding finger is about to be amputated any moment from now. The wedding ring refuse to come off and the finger is swelling everyday. Any suggestions to remove it?


This is coming after it was reported, that doctors have found that it is very difficult to cut titanium rings off the finger of a patient in an emergency. Whereas traditional gold or silver can be easily snipped away if a finger is swollen or a surgeon needs access to the whole hand, titanium is too hard for conventional equipment.
Surgeons at Sheffield’s Northern General Hospital warn of the problem today in the Emergency Medicine Journal. Andrej Salibi and Andrew Morritt, of the hospital’s plastic surgery department, wrote:
‘Titanium rings are becoming popular because of their strength, durability, low weight and hypoallergenicity.
‘Rings made of gold or silver are easily removed with basic ring cutters; in contrast, titanium rings require specialist cutting equipment such as dental saws, drills or diamond tipped saws.
‘These techniques can take up to 15 min to divide the ring, can burn the underlying skin, require an assistant to provide irrigation and may not be available within all hospitals at all times.’
If not dealt with promptly, constriction from a ring can cut off the blood supply and the tissue can die. In some cases a patient may even lose a finger.

Gov. Fayemi dissolves Board of Ekiti agencies, parastatals

The Governor of Ekiti State, Dr Kayode Fayemi has ordered the immediate dissolution of the boards of government agencies, parastatals and corporations in the state.

He consequently directed chairmen of the boards of the affected agencies to hand over to the most senior officer in their respective agencies.
This was contained in a statement issued Friday by the Secretary to the State Government, Hon Biodun Oyebanji, who clarified that the dissolution however does not affect the statutory boards.
“Government appreciates members of these boards for the services they have rendered to the state.
“Composition of new boards will be announced at a later date,” the statement disclosed.

Ooni of Ife gives reasons why he married a prophetess as she crosses over blood

The palace of the Ooni of Ife, Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, has given reason why the king picked Olori Moronke Naomi Silekunola Ogunwusi.
There was great joyousness at Ile-Ife, Osun State yesterday as the Ooni received his new wife at the palace, a day after he marked his 44th birthday.






The palace said he married the woman because of the spiritual strength she will bring to the kingdom and the fear of God in her.
According to a statement issued to DAILY POST by the Director, Media and Public Affairs of the palace, Comrade Moses Olafare, confirms Naomi as the Ooni’s new wife.






He also revealed that the marriage rights were done privately in Akure, Ondo State and she was later received at the Ooni’s palace.

“Her Majesty, Olori Moronke Naomi Silekunola Ogunwusi is the new Yeyeluwa Oodua.

“Necessary rites fully performed,” the statement read.






And as part of the ceremony, Olori Prophetess Naomi had to cross a spill of blood as one of the rites she had to performed as she moved into her husband, the Ooni of Ife’s palace last night.

Taxify,Linda Ikeji,Others nominated for the 2018 SME Annual SME Economy Conference /Award.

With a great passion for creating a vibrant SME economy in Nigeria and Africa while also recognising those who have made great achievements in the SME sector, braving it a most challenging business environment, Emvirtue, the organisers of the SME Economy Conference and Awards has announced ongoing plans on the third edition of the project which would be taking place on the 27th of October 2018 at the Ace Olivia Hall, Lagos City Mall, Onikan Lagos, Nigeria.
As his Excellency the governor of Lagos State, Mr Akinwunmi Ambode rightly puts it, “There is need to engage successful entrepreneurs as well as mentors and trainers, financial institutions and industry partners to promote effective implementation of the Entrepreneurship Development Agenda, through voluntary sharing of experiences and lessons learned”. This is why SME Economy Africa will recognize businesses and personalities and leaders who are contributing to the growth of SME Economy in Nigeria.








According to Mr Emmanuel Ezima, CEO of Emvirtue, the conference will provide opportunities to network, share knowledge on policies, industry trends and business strategies. There will also be discussions on the many ways the Government can promote growth and efficiency in the SME sector. He hinted that after a successful conference, the award night hosted on the same day will recognize outstanding SME businesses as well as government leaders, agencies and the private sector that are creating opportunities for SMEs.
On the SME Economy Distinguished Public Servant of the year, award category will be presented to a public servant who has shown excellence, commitment, passion and support for the growth of entrepreneurs in Nigeria through engagement with SMEs across the board. The nominees have been revealed to be Gov. Akinwunmi Ambode, Gov. Nasir El-Rufai, Gov. Ifayin Uguayin, Gov. Samuel Ortom and Gov. Nyesom Wike.
Other nominees include Linda Ikeji, Toju Foyeh, Yomi Casual, Instagram Jagaban, Chef Fregz, Oshewa Beauty, Bibyonce, Farm Konnect, Taxify, Adron Homes, Landwey, and so on.
Small businesses need the support they can get to push through tough economic times as well as expand and create innovations that will drive the continent. There are businesses out there struggling to get funded and this project will be the critical knowledge sharing platform, networking and engaging opportunity for all

Comic Actor Okon And Wife Celebrate 5th Wedding Anniversary Today.

Actor and comedian, Ime Bishop Umoh aka Okon, and his lovely wife Idara are celebrating their 5^thwedding anniverasary  today. The comedian, Okon who got his nickname from his role as Okon in a movie called Okon Lagos, shared the news on IG,saying:

”This day, 5 years ago I made a choice of a partner to walk the rest of my life with. It was not to be ALL a rosy and smooth a walk in the park but so far with every inch of a step I make, I look back in satisfaction that I got this right. Thank you Jesus. Thank you my Deputy @mrs_imebishop ?? Happy Wedding Anniversary to us ?? #okonlagos#okonrepublic #iyammi #chisos#wosappen”.

And his beautiful wife wrote:

Love is patient, Love is kind, and above all True love never fails, even with some hiccups and turbulence,God still see us through.
Our blessings are uncountable,our lives God still sustained, Our love He build it everyday.
Today I say thank you Jesus for another beautiful year of love, happiness, good health,understanding,and financial breakthrough.
Happy wedding anniversary to Us @okonlagos Love you till eternity

Throwback Photos Of Ooni Of Ife’s New Wife, Prophetess Naomi

The Ooni of Ife’s very young and new wife, Prophetess/Evangelist Naomi appears to have started her work in the ministry quite early.

Here are photos of her preaching when she was much younger.

 The 25-year-old prophetess is the Founder/President of En-Heralds, an interdenominational ministry based in Akure, Ondo state.

She started public ministry at the age of eighteen and became a full time evangelist in October 2011.

Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi Akande is a Nigerian monarch. He has been serving as the traditional ruler, or Ooni, of the Yoruba kingdom of Ile-Ife since 2015

Why We Prefer Fairly-used/Okrika Underwears – Nigerian Women

The business of fairly-used female underwear now enjoy high patronage among the womenfolk in Umuahia, Abia, the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports.

The dealers of the materials locally called “okrika’’, are also recording high traffic of customers daily from neighbouring communities to the state capital.

Some of the women, mainly middle-aged, who shoved themselves around to enable them pick their choice of the underwear at Isi Gate Market, Umuahia, told NAN that they preferred the “okrika’’, especially pants, to new ones.

One of them, who made selections of different colours and designs, said she and most women now preferred the fairly-used underwear often imported from abroad.

Asked if she was not ashamed being seen buying the materials, the lady who pleaded anonymity, queried why she should be ashamed of her choice of underwear.

“Ashamed of what? Ashamed of something good? Ask this seller, l am her very good customer. As a matter of fact, she always alerts me whenever she has new consignment. The fairly-used underwear is durable.

“I don’t just buy them because they are cheap, but because they are of good quality.

“I usually buy the sexy ones and I feel very comfortable whenever I wear it. My husband usually tells me they are good on me, too,” she said.

A male passer-by, who spoke to NAN on the issue, on condition of anonymity, attributed the high patronage of the second-hand pants and other briefs to the nation’s bad economy.

“It is not only underwear that our women scramble for, they buy all sorts of fairly used wears. Anytime I pass this place I see them gather round the sellers, picking all manner of used clothes.

“I think this goes a long way to tell how bad our economy is. Nigeria is a dumping ground for all kinds of used products from America, Europe, Asia and other continents”.

But, a lady, who gave her name as Mary, said she did not like the idea of using fairly-used underwear. “I personally don’t like it. I don’t like the ones I saw.

“In fact, I don’t like it for health reasons. One is capable of contracting an infection through this. This is underwear, not outer wears.

“I don’t even know the health status of the person that wore it before now. The body of a woman is very exposed.

“So, why should I buy disease for myself just because I want cheap or so-called quality underwear; I prefer new ones for health reasons,” she said.

In her reaction, one of the sellers of the second-hand pants, dismissed the health hazard fear, saying that the new ones had more health risk “because of the chemicals applied on them’’.

She said: “Okrika (fairly-used) pants are durable and their prices are affordable, too. They don’t have any health risk provided they are soaked and washed in hot water.

“By the way, it is not all that are fairly-used. Those ones that have labels on them are not fairly-used, they are clearance sales (clothes that are out of season).’’

She said that she made a living from the sales as she enjoyed high patronage from women. “This is the only business that I do. I know how much profit I make daily,” she stated.

However, Dr Ifeyinwa Uma-Kalu, Principal Medical Officer I at the Abia Government House Clinic, said that fairly-used underwear could have dangerous health implications, if not properly treated.

According to her, if the underwear has been used by people that are ill, people that have one skin infection or the other and the buyer doesn’t treat it well, it could be a medium to contact infection.

“Common ones among them are fungi infections. So, a lady can be affected with a fungi infection called genital warts. It is advisable to treat the underwear properly, either with hot water or disinfectants, before use,” she said.

FG begs Labour to accept N24,000 new Minimum wage

Wabara and Ngige

The Federal Government has begged the Organised Labour to accept the new minimum wage proposal, considering the capacity and ability of the government and the private sector to pay.

Minister of Labour and Employment, Sen. Chris Ngige, made the call when he received the new Director-General of Nigeria Employers Consultative Association (NECA), Mr Timothy Olawale, on a visit to his office on Friday in Abuja.

Ngige had a few days ago, while labour leaders were threatening to call out workers on a full strike over the minimum wage issue, announced that the Federal Government had offered N24, 000 to the workers.

But, the workers’ leaders countered, saying that N30, 000 was the amount agreed on by the tripartite-partner committee saddled with the responsibility.

The minister told the NECA DG that it was imperative for organised labour to accept the proposed figure instead of the N30, 000 in line with social dialogue and the overall interest of the nation.

He appealed to NECA to weigh its influence on the organisers labour to accede to the new wage offer mutually agreeable to all the social partners.

According to him, Nigeria cannot afford rounds of labour crisis in this country, so it is imperative for organised labour to accept the new national minimum wage figure.

“We need to arrive at a figure which the employers can afford to pay as an employee cannot fix a figure for the employer.

“Rather, it must be based on collective bargaining and mutual agreement by the tripartite partners.

“It is not a function of moving motions or voting at the National Tripartite Negotiation Committee to insist that the figure must be as the organised labour appears to make it look.

“There is, therefore, absolutely no need to heat up the polity,” he said.

He noted that the government’s proposed new wage was based on critical facts and indices incapable of causing disequilibrium in the economy or upturning the national social order.

The minister further charged the new NECA boss to exceed the impressive record of his predecessor, reminding him that he had “enormous task ahead of you’’.

“The need for the establishment of more NECA offices across the country cannot be over-emphasised so that more employers’ associations can register with you.

“This is in line with the focus of our labour administration as well as in tandem with the economic policies of the present administration.

“The numerous private sector employers who are informal need to be brought on board the formalized private sector employers’ body,’’ he said.

Ngige urged NECA to ensure that private sector employers who were its members and those not yet registered but were defaulting in payment of the existing national minimum wage of N18, 000 complied with the law.

He also commended the efforts of the immediate past D G of the association, Mr Olusegun Oshinowo, for contributing immensely to industrial peace and harmony in the private sector.

He lauded him for ensuring that Nigeria was brought back to the Governing Board of the International Labour Organisation (ILO)’s employer section.

Earlier, Oshinowo had said that his successor was the best man to take over the mantle of the leadership of the association.

He noted that since the formation of the group, a DG was for the first time sourced from the organisation.

Oshinowo commended the minister for his open-door policy in spite of opposing positions they had had on issues in the past.
On his part, Olawale, also lauded Ngige for the privilege of the visit and promised to live up to expectation.