I was arrested for being a Boko Haram leader – Asari Dokubo

A former President of  Ijaw Youth Council (IYC) and leader of the Niger Delta Peoples Volunteer Force (NDPVF), Alhaji Mujahid Dokubo-Asari, who was arrested last week in Republic of Benin, has accused those opposed to the second term ambition of President Goodluck Jonathan of masterminding his arrest.

Asari, who apparently betrayed emotion on arrival at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja,  Friday night, also said he was arrested and interrogated by Benin officials over an allegation from Nigeria that he is a leader of Boko Haram.

Speaking to journalists at the airport, he also described as lies the report that Jonathan sent a presidential jet to fly him into Nigeria from Benin.

His words: "Crisis is normal, it can also happen here in Nigeria, it can happen anywhere in the world. The people and government of Republic of Benin have no problem with me.
But if people alleged that somebody is a leader of Boko Haram, the government of that country will investigate the person.

"The allegation has much to do with 2015 because when you read comments on social media, you find out that people who are against President Goodluck Jonathan said they should vilify me, and make sure I die before 2015.

But they are not going to succeed. I am not going to die. I will be present in 2015, and I will do what I am going to do to ensure that Jonathan wins in 2015. There is nothing they can do about it. This is their last fight and it is so unfortunate that the way they are going with show how immature they are.

"I just arrived from Cotonou. I drove in my car from Cotonou to Lagos airport where I boarded a flight to Abuja. The report is not true. No presidential jet was sent to me.

"I do business in Cotonou, and I have been living in Cotonou since 2008. Politically, people who are in Nigeria are trying to fabricate lies, which are not variable, and send it to Republic of Benin government. So I was taken for interrogation and they found that the allegations were false, and I was promptly released with over 20 of my staff who were also taken in."

The former warlord, however, said his arrest was a blessing in disguise as he had an opportunity of meeting with officials of Benin after his interrogation. "I have met with the top and powerful people in Republic of Benin. Since I went to that country, I have never had any reason to meet with their government officials, but this crisis has made it possible for me to meet with all top government functionaries of the Republic of Benin. The crisis has raised my profile in that country."

Asked whether President Jonathan intervened to secure his release, he said: "It is not just only President Jonathan that intervened, Nigerians generally intervened. The number of people that came into Cotonou the day I was taken in, and the following day, were over one thousand."

ASUU Strike: Nigerian government’s ultimatum a joke – lecturers

The government announced the ultimatum on Monday.

Some university lecturers on Thursday said that the Federal Government directive on the reopening of Federal Universities, which also directed other members of staff to resume by Dec. 4 or be sacked, was a joke.

They spoke in separate telephone interviews with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos.

NAN reports that lecturers, under the aegis of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), had on July 1 started a 'comprehensive, total and indefinite' strike in public universities across the country.

The union members are protesting the non-implementation of some issues contained in an agreement it entered into with the Federal government in 2009.

Nyesom Wike, Supervising Minister of Education, however, earlier on Thursday, directed all Vice-Chancellors of Federal Universities to immediately reopen for academic and allied activities.

He also directed the Pro-Chancellors and Vice-Chancellors to ensure that members of staff who resumed for work were provided with the enabling environment for academic and allied activities.

The minister said that any academic staff who failed to resume on or before Dec. 4, automatically ceased to be a staff of the institution.
In his reaction to the directive, Oghenekaro Ogbinaka, Chairman, University of Lagos branch of ASUU, told NAN that the development was strange and laughable.

He said that this was so considering the fact that the union was yet to get back to the government, after their deliberations with President Goodluck Jonathan.

"Our reaction is simple. Let us just wait for the seven days to come around.

"What government has just done shows that they were not committed in the offer they made with the union that had the Trade Union Congress President and the Minister of Labour in attendance.

"We are not going to fall to that blackmail. Now, which one is better: government acceding to our demands or issuing out threats?

"Honestly, this whole thing ought to have been easily resolved, given the approach taken by President (Goodluck) Jonathan, but it is like we want to be taken for granted after all and it is unfair," he said.
Prof. Oyelowo Oyewo, immediate past Dean, Faculty of Law, University of Lagos, simply described the development as "a glorified joke and laughable''.

Oyewo noted that it was funny that one of the parties which had before now been holding dialogue would try to intimidate the other.

"I see this whole thing as a joke and I dare say it is not even worth my comments. We just keep our fingers crossed and watch. I still emphasise that such ultimatum is a display of insensitivity and a huge joke."

Also commenting on the government directive, Prof. Sat Obiyan, Head of Department of Political Science, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, said that the ultimatum was not the best approach to resolving the issue.

He, however, said that the threat might achieve some success because some lecturers would resume for fear of losing their jobs, but it would not end the crisis in the education sector.

Obiyan said however, that it was unfortunate that the strike was allowed to linger for so long.

"Nigerians are worried over the situation; the prolonged strike is not good for the education system in the country, but the Federal Government's approach now is not the best.

"What is required is little understanding by both parties to agree on something and end the strike without aggravating it.

"It is not a new thing for the Federal Government to threaten ASUU members with sack; it was done in 1996 by the late Sani Abacha.

"For the university system to work perfectly, you need all the personnel and not few lecturers on ground to teach," he said.

Obiyan urged the Federal Government to have a rethink and implement the agreement reached with the union.

He also urged ASUU to give the Presidency the benefit of doubt that the agreement would be implemented, given the President's intervention which saw him leading the government delegation at the last negotiation.

Also, Dr Yinka Ajala, Head, Department of Geography, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, said that the threat would ignite more problems in the education system.
Ajala said that threatening lecturers with sack should not be a weapon for the Federal Government.

He said that the ASUU executive was being careful with the agreement reached with the Federal Government before suspending the strike.

"What ASUU is asking for is not too much, they want government to show some commitment with the agreement.

"Government can only force few lecturers to resume but not all, even if the Vice-Chancellors open registers in the institutions.

"The sack threat is a tactic that will not work; it has been used by the military in the past, so it is not new to us.

"I do not think this is the way government should handle the strike, it will not solve the problem," he said.

The Coordinator of Education Right Campaign (ERC), Hassan Soweto, said that the ultimatum would only worsen the problem, noting that it was against the principle of public bargaining.

"What ASUU wants is some level of commitment from the Federal Government before it will suspend the strike.

"It is not right for the government to use force in a democracy," he said.

Meanwhile, Agbomeji Ibrahim, a student of Lagos State University, Ojo, urged the Federal Government not to be authoritative by giving lecturers one week to return to classes or face sack.

Ibrahim, who is a student unionist, said that there was a better approach to resolving the issue, rather than using a sack threat.
"In comradeship, we do not shift grounds due to threats.

"President Goodluck Jonathan is already on the verge of settling with the union; so, the present decision might slow down the process of the resolution," he said.

Ibrahim urged the Federal Government to be more sensitive in its decision and pleaded that ASUU should also have a rethink as the strike was old enough to be called off.

''The Federal Government must be careful, logical and realistic in its decision, because of the importance of the sector.

''Both the Government and ASUU need to accommodate each other on the negotiation table because both parties cannot get all their demands and must be ready to shift grounds, "Ibrahim said.

NAN reports that the President personally led the Federal Government negotiation team at the last meeting between both parties, where some agreements were made and the ASUU was to return to the government– after consulting with its members.0

(NAN)

APC storms INEC, demands cancellation of Anambra poll

The APC leaders were barred from entering the INEC office.

The leadership and supporters of the opposition All Progressives Congress, APC, Thursday stormed the national headquarters of the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, in a protest march to demand the cancellation of the November 16 governorship election in Anambra State.

The party had two weeks ago addressed a press conference, calling on the electoral umpire to cancel the entire election and order a fresh one. It said the supplementary election proposed by INEC was not recognised by the Electoral Act 2010 as amended.
The APC protesters who trekked from the party's office in Wuse 2 were prevented from gaining entrance into the commission's headquarters by armed soldiers, and police officers.

In their protest letter delivered by the National Chairman of APC, Bisi Akande, the party stated that INEC deliberately sabotaged the election in Anambra in order to appease the PDP and grant the candidate of the All Progressives Grand Alliance, APGA, victory through illegal means.

"The elections that were superintended over by your commission was grossly below any acceptable standard, whether local or international.

The deliberate tactic to prevent democracy and serve the two parties' interests, PDP and particularly APGA in this case cannot be democratic and in the voters' interest," the letter addressed to Mr. Jega said.

Apart from demanding the cancellation of the election, APC also asked INEC to discard the voters register used in the election, which it described as fake, adding that the commission should produce an authentic register that will not disenfranchise any voter and be published 30 days before any election can take place in Anambra state.

APC also asked for the suspension and prosecution of all officials of INEC who have ever been indicted for electoral perfidy to purge the commission of such compromised officials.

It also called for the immediate redeployment and investigation of the current Anambra Resident Electoral Commissioner, REC, Chukwuemeka Onukogu.

In his brief remarks, a national leader of the APC and former governor of Lagos State, Bola Tinubu, called on the Chairman of INEC, Attahiru Jega to resign for his failure to conduct a free and fair election in Nigeria.

Mr. Tinubu also chided the police officers who prevented the protesters from gaining entrance to INEC; saying the police had allowed itself to be turned into the armed squad of the ruling PDP.

"We allowed you today because we have already submitted our protest letter, but next time we would not allow any high handedness by the police," Mr. Tinubu said.

Among those who attended the protest march were the National Chairman of APC, Bisi Akande; former head of state, Muhammadu Buhari; former ANPP chairman, Ogbonnaya Onu; and some members of the National Assembly; Ahmed Sani, Ahmed Lawan, Abike Dabiri.

PREMIUM TIMES, however, noticed that while most of the protesters trekked all the way to INEC, the leaders of the party drove in their air condition SUVs and only got off and climbed unto the open van used at the venue of the presentation of the protest letter.

Mr. Jega said last week Wednesday that INEC would not cancel the Anambra election because there was no substantial evidence warranting such.

The INEC chairman also said those complaining about the election did not provide concrete evidence on why the election should be cancelled.

Presidency slams Amaechi, says he is pretending to be Rivers’ “messiah”

Governor Amaechi had accused Jonathan of "robbing" Rivers to pay Bayelsa.

The Presidency has debunked claims by the Rivers State Governor, Chibuike Amaechi that President Goodluck Jonathan was deploying oil revenues meant for the state to his (Jonathan) native Bayelsa State.

It said Mr. Amaechi was mischievously packaging a personal interest as group interest in his desperate move to justify his defection from the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, under which he was elected, to the All Progressives Congress, APC.

In what he described as "a classic case of robbing Peter to pay Paul," the governor, while explaining why he left the PDP for the opposition APC in a statement on Wednesday, alleged that the Jonathan-led federal government had been paying Bayelsa State the revenues due to Rivers State despite a decision reached that the monies derived from the disputed Soku oil well should remain in an escrow account till all matters were resolved.

Bayelsa State was excised from Rivers State in 1996. While Mr Jonathan hails from the former, his wife is an indigene of the latter.

Mr. Amaechi also noted that his administration had made several representations formally and informally on the matter while chiefs and elders from the state had held several meetings and protested the injustice to no avail, adding "as your governor entrusted to keep guard over your commonwealth, we could not keep quiet and allow this grave injustice."

Mr. Amaechi also revealed that apart from Bayelsa State, oil wells belonging to Rivers State had also been ceded to Akwa Ibom and Abia. According to him, even after the state got judgement that the oil wells were wrongly ceded to Akwa Ibom state and should be returned, only dry wells that were no longer producing oil were returned.

Mr. Amaechi listed other reasons why he left the PDP, on whose platform he was elected twice as governor and twice as a member of the State House of Assembly, to include lack of federal presence in Rivers State, refusal of the federal government to reimburse the state government the N103 billion it expended fixing federal roads and alleged discouragement of investments in the state.

But responding to the allegations in a telephone interview with PREMIUM TIMES, the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Reuben Abati, said Mr. Amaechi was merely pretending to be defending the interest of Rivers people to justify his defection to the APC.

Speaking specifically on the governor's allegation that Mr Jonathan was paying Bayelsa state revenues derived from the disputed Soku oil wells, Mr. Abati said Mr. Amaechi was engaging in blackmail, insisting that the president only acted as a peacemaker in the matter.

"That is a wrong allegation," he said. "I am sure he too knows that the matter is between Bayelsa and Rivers and that what the President did was to act as a peacemaker in the matter.

"To say that the president favours Baylesa is sheer blackmail. The president is the father of everybody. If he is going to APC that is fine, but for him to package a personal interest as group interest is utterly mischievous."

Mr. Abati explained that the matter was now before the National Boundary Commission, NBC, adding that the Commission would be willing to give details on that if contacted.
The president's spokesperson said Mr Amaechi was exaggerating his importance and pretending to be the messiah of Rivers people, wondering if those celebrating his exit from the ruling PDP were not indigenes of the state.

"Those who danced on the streets of Port Harcourt, carrying placards condemning him, are they not Rivers people?" he said.

"How can he now say he is protecting the interest of Rivers people? He is pretending to be a messiah. To package a personal desire in a messianic way is a show of insincerity.

"It amounts to exaggerating one's importance. Why is he bringing this up now? Anyway all I will like to say is that the President is a Rivers man as well as a Bayelsa man and he does not take sides on matters like this."

Mr. Amaechi and four other governors elected on the platform of the PDP, but who styled themselves G7 Governors, defected to the opposition APC on Tuesday alongside other leaders of the splinter New PDP.

The other governors who left the ruling party with him were Musa Kwankwaso (Kano), Murtala Nyako (Sokoto), Abdulfatah Ahmed (Kwara) and Aliyu Wamakko (Sokoto).

Mr. Wamakko was not in the country when the New PDP, to which all the governors belonged, formally sealed an alliance with the APC.
Two others, namely Sule Lamido (Jigawa) and Babangida Aliyu (Niger), said they would remain in the PDP.

Dbanj, Donjazzy reunite to make hit track with Wale

American rapper Wale Folarin, who is currently in Nigeria for a show organized by Johnny Walker, was in the studio with Don Jazzy and Dbanj cooking up beats for a collaborative track, according to Nigerian Entertainment Today.

Also in the Mavin studio with the ace producer were Olamide and Dbanj's younger brother K-Switch.

This is the first time in over 20 months since Don Jazzy and D'banj will be seen in the studio together, working.

FG gives ASUU one-week ultimatum to end strike

The Federal Government has issued a one week ultimatum to the Academic Staff Union of Universities, ASUU, to call off the ongoing strike.

The union has been on a five-month long strike since July 1, 2013 over government's refusal to implement the 2009 agreement both parties reached.

Acting Minister of Education, Nyesom Wike, briefed journalists Thursday morning in Abuja about the government's latest move to end the strike.

Wike said the government has also instructed Vice Chancellors of Universities to declare the jobs of the striking lecturers vacant as from Wednesday, December 4.

Recall that the Union, last week, at the end of the ASUU NEC meeting, resolved to take a definite position on the government's offer and the strike after meeting with President Goodluck Jonathan this week.

BREAKING NEWS: Nigerian government gives ASUU one week ultimatum to call off strike

ASUU has been on strike since July 1.

The Federal Government on Thursday gave the Academic Staff Union of Universities, ASUU, one week ultimatum to call off the ongoing strike.

The acting Minister of Education, Nyesom Wike, stated this while briefing journalists in Abuja.

ASUU has been on a nationwide strike since July 1, demanding the government implements a 2009 agreement it had with the union.


The lecturers had last week, at the end of the ASUU NEC meeting, resolved to take a definite position on the government's offer and the strike after meeting President Goodluck Jonathan this week.

The meeting is yet to hold.

G-7 governors dump PDP for APC

The New Peoples Democratic Party on Tuesday formally merged with the All Progressives Congress.


Also, the aggrieved seven governors of the PDP have joined the APC.


A statement to this effect was read by the National Chairman of the nPDP, Alhaji Kawu Baraje, after talks between the faction and APC leaders.


The statement was signed by the National Chairman of APC, Chief Bisi Akande and Baraje.


The statement reads: "A meeting of the leadership of APC and the New PDP met this morning at the residence of the Kano State Governor, Dr. Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, in Abuja.


"After exhaustive deliberations, the two parties agreed to merge in order to rescue our fledgling democracy."

Newly-wed Peter Okoye kisses female fan on stage in Tanzania

Psquare's Peter Okoye called out a beautiful fan on stage and kissed her at a concert in Tanzania.

He started with holding her left hand, pulling out his wrist watch and wearing it on her wrist and then
he embraced her passionately and voila, he kissed her.

See more photos:

Wife Of Late MKO Abiola, Doyin Arrested For Fraud

Former Managing Director of the defunct Concord Newspapers, Dr. Doyin Abiola has been arraigned before the Federal High Court, Lagos, for fraud.

A statement signed by Police Public Relations Officer DSP Ngozi Isintume-Agu said that the Financial Malpractices Investigation Unit (FMIU) of Special Fraud Unit (SFU) said that between 2006 and 2008, as a Director of the Integrated Microfinance Bank, Dr. Abiola granted to herself without collateral and approval from the Management, the sum of N26,611,246.48.

Dr. Abiola, of 42/46 Moshood Abiola Crescent, Ikeja, Lagos, and wife of the late Chief Moshood Abiola, is one of four Managing Directors or Directors of Integrated Microfinance Bank (IMFB) located at 6A Adeniyi Jones Avenue, Ikeja, who were arrested and charged by the SFU.

The others are Akinteye Simon Ademola, Dr. Jerry Orimovuohoma and Oladapo Bello.

The SFU said the four officials of IMFB unauthorized credit facilities to the tune of N327,566,000 to themselves and other related companies without collateral and that the loans are still outstanding. In the forensic investigation conducted by FMIU of SFU, the Directors were found wanting in the discharge of their duties while on the Board of Integrated Microfinance Bank (IMFB).

Ademola of Plot 7, block 90, Mobolaji Ogunde Crescent, Magodo GRA Phase 2, Lagos converted the sum of N131.176 million to his personal use without approval.

Orimovuohoma of 129B Oba Ladejobi Street, GRA, Ikeja granted unauthorized credit facility to the tune of N29,200,000.00 to himself without collateral.

Bello of 23/25 Ijora Causeway, Ijora, Lagos recklessly granted the sum of N3,200,000.00 to himself without collateral.

"The bank liquidity was greatly affected with the sum the directors took," the statement said. The case comes up at the Federal High Court on December 10.

ASUU agrees to suspend strike, states three conditions

According to reports from the Nigerian Eye, Nigerian university lecturers have agreed to end the five-month old strike, if the federal government says yes to three of it conditions.

These conditions will be made known to President Goodluck Jonathan today and if all parties come to agreement, the strike will be called off.

ASUU has forbidden its local chapters and zonal chairman from talking to the media, until the end of the session. But a source, who was part of the ASUU session, which was held at Mambayya House in Kano, revealed the conditions as:

•Commitment from the President that any review or reconsideration or renegotiation of the 2009 Agreement will not substantially affect the pact which is the cause of the ongoing strike;

•Immediate payment of all outstanding salary arrears and allowances of varsity teachers without victimization; and

•A written commitment from the President that the Federal Government will commit N225billion annually to the funding of universities for the next four years.
There is a fourth condition, which is said to be "personal" to ASUU.

The source said: "Our leaders are meeting with the President on Monday to table these conditions. Once the President accepts these three terms, the strike will be called off.

"In principle, members voted about 60-40 per cent to call off the strike, but they added a caveat – that ASUU leaders should extract a commitment (signed and sealed) from the President."

It became imperative for ASUU to makes these demands, as it became obvious that the FG wanted the 2009 Agreement to be renegotiated.

"If ASUU had accepted to renegotiate the entire Agreement , it means there will be no basis for the ongoing strike. The worst that can happen is either having the abridged version of the 2009 Agreement or a phased implementation of the document," the source added.

Gunmen attack Aviation Minister Oduah- Police

The minister was not in the car when the shots were allegedly fired.


The FCT Police Command on Monday in Abuja confirmed that gunmen fired shots at the car of the Minister of Aviation, Ms Stella Oduah in Abuja.


The spokesperson of the command, Altine Daniel, told the News Agency of Nigeria that the incident occurred at about 10 p.m. on Friday.
She added that the minister was not in the car when the incident took place.


Ms. Daniel, a Deputy Superintendent of Police, however, said that the incident was reported to the police on Monday at about 5:30 p.m.


According to her, some metal objects were found in the vehicle which do not look like the conventional bullet.


"The objects will be subjected to ballistic test," she said.


According to her, investigation into the incident has begun.


Also confirming the shooting, the Special Adviser to the minister, Joe Obi, said that the attack took place at the Ministers' Hill, Maitama in Abuja.


"Fortunately, the minister was not in the car at the time the attack took place.


"An official report has been made to the police and the police are currently investigating it," Mr. Obi said.


Mrs. Oduah has been in the news recently over her roles in the controversial inflated purchase of two bullet proof cars by the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority, NCAA, for N255 million; with many Nigerians calling for her sack and prosecution.


President Goodluck Jonathan on Sunday confirmed that he had received the report of a three-man committee set up to probe the role of the minister in the scandal.

(NAN)

WAEC laments impact of Boko Haram on examinations

Boko Haram has killed several students and teachers in the north east.

The West African Examinations Council (WAEC) says insecurity in some parts of the country, particularly in the North-East, has adversely affected the conduct of its examinations.

This is contained in a statement signed by the Deputy Director, Public Affairs of the council, Yusuf Ari, made available to the News Agency of Nigeria in Lagos on Monday.

The North, particularly the North Eastern part of Nigeria, has witnessed killings of thousands of people by the outlawed Boko Haram group. The group, which is opposed to western education, has also targeted schools, teachers, and students for specific attacks.

WAEC said insecurity formed part of reports discussed at the just concluded 56th Meeting of Nigeria Examinations Committee (NEC) that took place from November 12 – 14 in Lagos.

According to the statement, the council is worried by the disturbing trend and is doing all it can to ensure that the efforts of its management in safeguarding staff on duty during examinations reached the Presidency.

It said that the council had lost some staff to insurgents in some parts of the north during the conduct of the May/June West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE).

The statement also said members considered the increased use of cellphones by candidates during examinations and the need for necessary action.

"In view of this, the committee directed the council to make it mandatory for State Governments to procure serviceable metal detectors for public schools.

"Private schools are to procure same for their schools, so that the detectors could be used to prevent candidates from smuggling in mobile handsets into examination halls", it said.

According to the statement, the committee expressed concern about the dearth of teachers in the country and called on governments to urgently institute measures to address the problem.

It said that offering special incentives, in order to attract the youths to study education-based courses in universities, particularly Mathematics Education, was key.

The statement said that there was also the need for appreciable improvement in the reward system for teachers nationwide in order to motivate them to put in their best.

It said that the committee also implored state governments and the various stakeholders in the education sector to consciously strive to elevate the standard of education in the country.

According to the statement, there is an urgent need for governments to step up efforts in providing adequate infrastructure, manpower and teaching aids to facilitate proper teaching and learning.

The committee meets twice a year to consider matters related to the conduct of the May/June and November/December West African Senior School Certificate Examinations (WASSCE).

The NEC, which is the highest policy making organ of WAEC on examination-related matters in Nigeria, has membership comprising representatives of State Ministries of Education.

It also has representatives from the All Nigeria Confederation of Principals of Secondary Schools (ANCOPSS) and the Universities.
Others are the Registrar to Council, the Head of the Nigeria National Office and the Head of the Test Development Division.

The statement said the committee also considered special cases, clemency cases, late cases, restitution, petitions and cases referred for further investigation from previous examinations.

It said that the committee suggested the learning of grammatical rules of the English Language as well as other languages as remedies to excelling in its examinations.

(NAN)

Girl, 12, Commits Suicide in Ebonyi

A 12-year-old girl, Miss Chisom Okechukwu, has committed suicide, hanging herself at her family compound at Nnoche-Uduke Community in Okpoitumo in the Ikwo Local Government Area of Ebonyi.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Okechukwu, a primary five pupil at Nnoche-Uduke Primary School, was said to have left home on Saturday and was not seen until Sunday morning, hanging on a tree at the back of her compound.

Her dangling body was discovered by her younger sister, Ndidi, who was going to the toilet dug at the back of the compound.

An eye-wtness, who spoke on condition of anonymity, disclosed that Ndidi raised an alarm which attracted their parents and other members of the community who came and brought the body down.

Hundreds of sympathisers were seen trooping in and out of the compound, including her school mates who were visibly shocked by her sudden death.

The Ebonyi State Police Command Public Relations Officer, ASP Chris Anyanwu, confirmed the incident, saying that the matter was reported to the Police Division in Ikwo.

The girl's body has been deposited at the Onueke General Hospital Mortuary in the Ezza South Local Government Area for autopsy.

Peter Okoye skips honeymoon, travels to Tanzania for show

When Peter Okoye says 'No Days Off', he really means it!

A week after his grand wedding to Lola Omotayo, the Psquare Pop singer has travelled to Tanzania along with his brother for a concert with no signs of a honeymoon trip in sight so far.

The twins arrived in Dar es Salaam on November 22, 2013 and will be entertaining fans at the Leaders Club, Kinondoni.

ILLNESS: President Jonathan Expresses Appreciation, SEE What He Has To Say

President Goodluck Jonathan has expressed his appreciation to all Nigerians who conveyed their solidarity to him during his period of indisposition in London while attending a conference on attracting investment to Nigeria.

In a statement in London , Saturday, Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Dr Reuben Abati said the President also commended " the generality of the mainstream media whose coverage of the President's slight health challenge in London was mostly factual, objective, fair-minded and supportive".

He however condemned a section of online media who he described as "utterly irresponsible, deplorable, highly unprofessional and unethical antics of certain fringe elements operating in the nebulous sphere of cyberspace who persist in seizing every opportunity to unjustifiably malign and impugn the character and integrity of the elected leader of their country".

The statement reads:

"President Goodluck Jonathan thanks all patriotic and well-meaning Nigerians, including his supporters, friends and political associates who expressed and conveyed their sympathies and solidarity with him, through various means, following the announcement of his sudden indisposition while on a mission to attract greater investments to accelerate the growth of the Nigerian economy in keeping with his agenda for national transformation.

"The Presidency also commends the generality of the mainstream media whose coverage of the President's slight health challenge in London was mostly factual, objective, fair-minded and supportive.

"We however condemn the utterly irresponsible, deplorable, highly unprofessional and unethical antics of certain fringe elements operating in the nebulous sphere of cyberspace who persist in seizing every opportunity to unjustifiably malign and impugn the character and integrity of the elected leader of their country."

ASUU, University, Battle Over Resumption Date

The striking members of the Academic Staff Union of Universities, ASUU, Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba-Akoko chapter, Ondo State and the university authorities are on a collision course over a directive that the students should resume for lectures.

Gates to the nation's public universities have been shut in the last 144 days due to trade dispute between ASUU and the Federal Government

Registrar of the state-owned university, R. B. Olotu in a statement in Akure directed the students to resume on Monday, November 25 for the second semester 2012/2013 session.

But in a swift reaction, the ASUU Chapter of the university dissociated itself from the purported resumption of academic activities in the university.

The Chapter's chairperson, Busuyi Mekusi in a statement asked members to disregard the directive.

Mekusi said: "ASUU Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba Akoko Branch, wishes to dissociate itself from the purported resumption of academic activities in the university, as its members are still part of the ongoing national strike by the union.

"Members should, therefore, disregard any pull to abandon the struggle, and be steadfast until the present position is reviewed by NEC.

" The union also wants to make it abundantly clear that it would resist every tyrannical propensity to intimidate and harass its members."

The Registrar in his statement entitled: 'Resumption for the 2nd semester 2012/2013 session' directed all the students of university to resume.

"All the students of Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba Akoko, Ondo State, are hereby informed that academic activities of the second semester of 2012/2013 session truncated as a result of the ASUU national strike are to resume on Monday, 25th November, 2013 with the continuation of registration on the University portal (http://portal.aaua.edu.ng).

"Lectures are to start on Monday, 2nd December, 2013

It will be recalled that the Vice Chancellor of the University Prof. Femi Mimiko had about a month ago expressed worries over the continued closure of the university by Ondo State.

Prof. Mimiko threatened that he would recall the students if the four month old strike action was not suspended.

'I am already ripe for marriage' - Beverly Osu

Well Beverly sure can hear them.
This evening the young Ruby revealed to her fellow Housemates that she plans on getting hitched
next year, saying: "I am ripe for marriage". "But you are too young,"

Cleo tried to advise the 21 year old. But that piece of advice seemed to go in the one ear and out the other for the Nigerian. "I am tired of having boyfriend," she responded.

The fact that the sexy model is not currently engaged and has only recently taken up a relationship with, South African Housemate,  Angelo is not going to deter her one bit from her mission either.

When asked by her fellow Housemates what she would do if the South African does not want to
tie the know next year, she replied: "There are lots of other fish in the sea". Wowzer, this is a lady on a mission! "If likes it then he should have put a ring on it".

Those are the lyrics to the hit song by Beyoncé and it also seems to the life motto that Beverly is adopting.

What do you think; is Beverly serious about this whole marriage business?

SSS parades lecturer, four others for terrorism

The State Security Service on Wednesday in Abuja paraded a lecturer, Mohammed Yunus,  for operating a Boko Haram terror cell in the state.

Yunus, an assistant lecturer in Arabic and Islamic studies at the Kogi State University, Ayingba, operated a well-equipped terror cell had well trained instructors, armourer, head of operations, chief courier and foot soldiers, among others. The cell planned to launch attacks in the state and impose sharia law on citizens.

Yunus holds a Masters degree from the University of Jos and a Ph.D in Arabic and Islamic Studies from the Kogi State University in 2012

The SSS Deputy Director, Media and Public Relations, Marylyn Ogar, said the suspect had held several preaching sessions every last Saturday and Sunday of the month at Ethnosho Secondary School, Ojiolo, Dekina Local Government Area of Kogi State where he had about 80 followers.

She gave the names of other members of the terror group to include Umar, head of operations/instructor; Mustapha (aka Habib), armourer/Chief courier; Ismaila, a foot soldier and Ibrahim (aka one in town), who is also a foot soldier.

Ogar, further revealed that Yunus held another session every Friday at the Kogi State University mosque, Ayingba, where he had about 120 followers, adding that Yunus maintained extensive links with Boko Haram cells in Borno State where he referred some of his followers to for more training.

"In March 2013, he facilitated the trip of two of his adherents to Boko Haram's Sambisa Camp in Maiduguri, Bornu State where they received training in weapon handling. They are Mustapha Yusuf and Ismaila Abdulazeez who are now under arrest. They were able to escape and returned back to him in August 2013, following the military invasion of the camp," she said.

One of the suspects, Isah told newsmen that he was in company of Umar and Badulazeez on their way to Maiduguri, Borno State  for training when they were arrested at a mosque in Zuba, near Abuja.

Yunus denied being a Boko Haram member when questioned by journalists, but his claim was punctured by Yusuf, Abdulazeez  and Isah who insisted that he had been teaching them about Jihad and how to exploit it to instal Sharia in Kogi State.

"I don't have any link with Boko Haram, in fact I preached against them, that is why they have set me up. You can go to Jos and ask for my tapes, I preached against them. Islam doesn't support blood-shedding and I don't support it too," he said.

Culled from The Sun

Teacher flogs 4-year-old girl to death in Ondo

A four-year-old female pupil of Falaye Memorial Nursery and Primary School, Elizabeth Wanogha was allegedly beaten to death by her school teacher, Alade Adebayo in Ondo State, Vanguard reports.

The teacher, Adebayo was arrested by the Ondo State Police Command after the father of the pupil, Mr. Wanogha, reported the incident at the police station.

Adebayo, according to reports, had accused the deceased of being stubborn in class. He was said to have beaten the girl to a state of coma.

The father of the pupil said Elizabeth died from the injuries sustained after the teacher beat her into a state of coma for allegedly being recalcitrant.

Police said the teacher will remain in detention for further investigation.

Culled from Vanguard

Nigerian woman killed in Columbus by her neighbour

The body of 26-year-old Adaobi Michaella Obih was found yesterday Tuesday Nov. 19th at an apartment at Riverstone Apartments in Columbus, Indiana. Her death is being investigated as a homicide.

A spokesman for the Columbus Police Department said her neighbour, 36 year old Ryan Allen Klug,  (pictured above) is a person of interest in the case. Ryan also lived in the apartment complex but has gone missing since Adaobi's body was found.

The Columbus Police have not revealed how and why Adaobi was killed but they're currently seeking the public's help in locating Ryan Klug.

Adaobi was the first of two children and was pursuing her PHD in Electrical Engineering in Columbus.

Emmanuel Amuneke Slaps & Beat-up Iheanachos' American Football Agent

Assistant Golden Eaglets coach, Emmanuel Amuneke, on Monday evening assaulted a football agent, Henry Galliano, at the Rockview Hotel, Owerri, the Imo State capital.

According to PremiumTimes, the assault, which happened at about 6:00 p.m. happened because Golden Eaglets star, Kelechi Iheanacho, chose Galliano as his agent ahead of one recommended by Amuneke.

Galliano and his Nigerian partner, Solomon Oluwaseun, both said Amuneke invited them for a meeting before he got angry, saying that his (Amuneke's chosen) agent must be the one to handle Iheanacho's transfer.

Then when the agent, Galliano, tried to talk back, the coach slapped him and beat him up in the presence of over 25 people.

According to Galliano:

"I came to Nigeria to take Kelechi to his club. FC Porto and Manchester City are interested in him but Manchester City has a better package.
Amuneke called me names, beat me up and embarrassed me, he said it's impossible to just take his players," Galliano said while accusing Amuneke of racial statements.

Galliano, an American, said Amuneke ordered Iheanacho to follow him to Abuja and also threatened him; which made the boy to burst into tears and went away.

"Kelechi is nowhere to be found, he started crying after the threat was made against him, the small boy is afraid and I hope he will not lose hope. Amuneke said he will delay his ITC and deal with him, he called vulgar words, cursing the boys and the players," he said.

PREMIUM TIMES tried to speak to Iheanacho, but his phone was switched off.
His father, when contacted, declined comment.

Amuneke, when contacted on phone, an angry Amuneke confirmed that he slapped Galliano and even threatened to beat him up again whenever he sees him.
He, however, denied being involved in the player's possible transfer.

"Yes, of course I slapped him very well and I will do it again whenever I see him," Amuneke said.
"He is an idiot, useless white man, he wants to come and reap where he didn't sow. Kelechi is a nobody; yes, I said we helped him into the team, made him, moulded him into what he is today, he shouldn't allow anybody to fool him," the former winger said.

When asked the reason for his action and his rumoured roles in Kelechi and other players transfer business, Amuneke said,

"I care so much for my players, I am a coach. I'm not an agent but I just look out for the boys. He wants to come and sign a player just like that, he's an idiot, I will not allow him.
Because the boy's parents are poor and illiterate, he wants to use them. We are Nigerians and we're not foolish," he added.

Despite Amuneke's denial, the shady involvement of Nigerian coaches and football officials in the transfer of players to foreign clubs is something muted and known by close observers of Nigerian football.

A football website, Goal.com, recently revealed that Super Eagles midfielder, Sunday Mba's move to a French club, was scuttled because of the financial demands and involvement of Eagles coach, Stephen Keshi, and some officials of the NFF.
Mba had been unveiled by the French club, Bastia, before he was forced to return to Nigeria.

PREMIUM TIMES learnt that Iheanacho has signed an agent deal officially with Galliano with a copy of the agreement sent to the secretariat of the Nigeria Football Federation, NFF.

Did Paul Okoye attend His Brother's Wedding? Check the photos

Some of you have been asking if Paul attended his twin brother's wedding, and the answer is Yes! He was there, despite the fact that he's missing from all the pics we've seen so far. I guess he might have been too busy alot to take pics like others. More pics below;

Central Bank, ICPC, seek amendment to Dishonoured Cheques Act

The CBN said the contents of the Act are outdated.

The Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, the Independent Corrupt Practices and Related Offences Commission, ICPC, and other financial sector regulatory authorities on Wednesday called for support to ongoing efforts to amend the provisions of the old Dishonoured Cheques (Offences) Act 44 of 1977.

The amendment became necessary following observations that most of the provisions in the existing Act were no longer relevant to emerging issues in the financial sector.

The amendment of the provisions of the Act would ensure that the new provisions captured emerging trends of the offences, particularly as they relate to dud cheques offences, to discourage frauds in banking sector transactions in the country.

It is expected that the overhauled law would ensure that offenders get punished for infractions, while corrupt and criminal tendencies in the financial services sector were curtailed.

The Deputy Governor of the CBN, Corporate Services, Suleiman Barau, who spoke at the Stakeholders Workshop on Legislative and Regulatory Framework for Dishonoured Cheques in Nigeria, held in Abuja, said amending the old Act would restore confidence in the banking system.

Mr. Barau expressed confidence that the revised legislation would address all the shortcomings identified with the enforcement of the old law.

The Director of Legal Services, Simon Onoketu, said the Central Bank was fully committed to the ongoing efforts to amend the Act, going by statements by the Governor, Lamido Sanusi, and other guidelines issued on the matter in recent times.

Beyond the amendment of the legal instruments, he said there was also the bigger challenge of enforcement requiring an urgent consideration by stakeholders if the proposed amendment would be meaningful.

Specifically, Mr. Barau said the CBN was supporting the stakeholders' forum and other steps being taken to ensure amendment of the old legal instrument to help in restoring confidence in the banking system.

He said the expectation was that the gathering would sensitise the general public on the challenges dud cheques pose to the entire economy.
"The Central Bank wants as much as possible to have a system where dud cheques were discouraged to engender confidence in the banking system generally," he said.

The Chairman of the ICPC, Ekpo Nta, said the Commission had handled several cases involving the issuance of dud cheques adding that the surging rate of the crime had the potential of negatively affecting the inflow of Foreign Direct Investment, FDI, into the country.

Mr. Nta, who was represented by a Deputy Commissioner in the Commission, Adedayo Kayode, said the Commission expected the stakeholders to come up with recommendations that would help in tackling the menace of the corrupt act in the financial system as a means of fostering a corruption free society.

Photos: Lola Omotayo & Hubby Peter Okoye In Their 2nd Outfits For Their Wedding

Photos: Lola Omotayo & Hubby Peter Okoye In Their 2nd Outfits For Their Wedding

Rita Dominic sparkles in Lanre DaSilva Ajayi’s dress for movie premiere

Rita Dominic has been stepping out in quite a number of pieces by Nigerian designer, Lanre DaSilva Ajayi and she looked stunning in another piece by the designer for the 'Finding Mercy' Movie Première which was held at Tinapa, Cross River State on Friday, 15 November, 2013.

The dress which is part of the new collection showcased at the GTBank's Lagos Fashion & Design Week. There were two modeled versions of the dress and Rita Dominic wore a variation completed with silver pumps and her signature hair.

Culled from Onobello.com

French man escapes Boko Haram Hostage

A French engineer held hostage by Islamist extremists in northern Nigeria made a daring escape on a motorcycle taxi at the weekend while his captors were being attacked by the Nigerian army.

Francis Collomp, 63, is expected to return to Paris today after fleeing his kidnappers in Zaria, in northern Nigeria, on Saturday.

Mr Collomp, who was seized by an islamist group linked to Boko Haram last December, discovered that his room was unlocked while his captors were under siege by Nigerian soldiers. He ran into the street, flagged down a passing motorcycle  taxi and asked to be taken to the nearest police station.

President Francois Hollande, who spoke to Mr Collomp in the police station by telephone, confirmed the scape during a visit to Israel. "We are very happy for him," Mr Hollande said. "But we do not forget that we have (seven) other hostages around the world."

The French foreign minister, Laurent Fabius, flew to Nigeria yesterday to bring Mr Collomp home. The engineer was  kidnapped on his birthday, 19 December last year, when 30 men attacked his home in northern Nigeria, killing a security guard and a neighbour.

A Nigerian Police commissioner, Olufemi Adenaike, said yesterday  that Mr Collomp had been moved by his captors to Zaria three months ago.  "He escaped yesterday and boarded a commercial motorcycle taxi to the nearest police station," Mr Adenaike said. "We handed him over to the French embassy this morning."

French diplomatic sources said the escape occurred during a Nigerian army raid.  Boko Haram, the Islamist fundamentalist movement based in northern Nigeria, claimed responsibility for the kidnapping of a French  priest, father Georges Vandenbeusch, in Cameroon last Wednesday.

Four French mining engineers held by Islamist extremists in the Sahara since 2010 were freed last month amid rumours that the French government, or their company, Areva, had paid a large ransom. The other six French hostages are in Mali and Syria.

Culled from The Independent

Flavour is biggest winner at Nigerian Music Video Awards 2013

Flavour was the biggest winner at the Nigerian Music Video Awards which held on November 15, 2013.

The Highlife singer bagged four awards including the biggest award of the night – 'Video of the Year'.

Ice Prince beat Eedris Abdulkareem, Yung6ix and label mate Pryse to win the 'Best Afro Hiphop Video', newcomer Sean Tizzle won the 'Most Promising Act' while Clarence Peters was awarded the 'Best Video Director' of the year.

The audience were thrilled with performances from Waje, Ice Prince, Sean Tizzle, May D, Dammy krane and kid star Ozzybosco.

The show was hosted by Dayo Adeneye and Ireti Doyle.

Video of the Year 
Flavour – Ada Ada – Winner
Olamide – Duro Soke
Sound Sultan – Natural Something
D'Banj – Don't Tell Me Nonsense
Chidima – Emi Ni Baller

Best Afro Hip Hop Video
Ill Bliss – I Am Sorry
Splash – Church Agbasa
Olamide – Durosoke - Winner
MI – Chairman
Phyno – Man of the Year

Best Hip Hop Video
Eedris Abdulkareem – I Go Whooz You
Pryse – Eleto
Boogey – Sanctum
Ice Prince – VIP - Winner
Yung6ix – First Class

Best Afro Pop Video
D'banj – Don't Tell Me Nonsense
Sound Sultan – Natural Something
Goldie – Miliki
2face – Blood on the dance floor - Winner
Alabai – Ogbanje

Best Dance Hall/Reggae Video
Davido – All of you
Waje – I wish
Patoranking – Alubarika
Orezi – Rihana - Winner
Vector – Follow Me

Best Pop Extra Video
Chidima – Emi Ni Baller - Winner
Kcee – Limpopo
Solidstar – Skibo
Davido – Gobe
Harrysong – Im In Love (Remix)

Best Gospel Video
Ada – Bobo Me
Henrisoul – Blow My Mind
Amaray – Oke Mgbidi - Winner
Kefee – Celebrate
Solomon Lange – Yabo

Best R 'n' B Video
Jennifer – Ifunanya
Capital FEMI – Capital F.E.M.I
Pelli – The One
Nosa – Always Pray for You
Banky W – Yes/No - Winner

Best High Life Video
Flavour – Ada Ada - Winner
i-Mike – Adure
Wizboy – Halima
Dr. Victor Olaiya ft 2face – Baby Mi Da
Inyanya – Jombolo

Best Afro Beat Video
Starboy – Caro
Black Magic – Confam
Henry Knight – Shako
Burna Boy – Run My Race - Winner
MGabriel – Eruku Lau Lau

Best Contemporary Afro Music Video
Xproject – Azuka - Winner
Dammy Krane – Xteristics
Sheyman – Paper
Skales – Komole
Jaywon – Catch Me If You Can

Most popular Nigerian Music Video in Europe
Dizzy – Jekin Jekin
Tipsy – Tin Geh Geh
Moe Logo – Pangolo
Dola Billz – No Gocking
Spice Vision – Today na Today

Best Indigenous Concept
Tillaman – Ori Owo
MGabriel – Eruku Lau Lau
Flavour – Ada Ada - Winner
Shola Alyson – Ife

Best use of animation
DJ Sose – Obulu
Ketchy Dons – Closer n Closer
T-Sleek – Ma Wo mi

Best use of costumes
Flavour – Ada Ada - Winner
Dipp – Balance for Me
D'Prince – Goody Bag
Tiwa Savage – Without My Heart
May D – So Many Things

Best use of Choreography
Iyanya – Jombolo
Timaya – Ekoloma Demba
TIV – What's The Matter
Banky W – Yes/No
D'banj – Don't Tell Me Nonsense

Best Producer
EME Records
Marvin Records
Chocolate City
Kennis Music

Best Director
Clarence Peters - Winner
Squareball
Sesan
Mattmax

Most Promising Director
Unlimited LA
Matt Max - Winner
Tyson
Catalyst
Paul Gambit

Best Editor
Matt Max  for Don't tell me Nonesense by D'banj
Unlimited LA for Confam by Black Magic
Sesan for Sexy Mama by Iyanya
Clarence Peters for Durosoke by Olamide

Best Cinematography
Ajeh for Alubarika by Patoranking
Squareball for Church Agbasa by Splash
Matt Max for Don't Tell Me Nonsense by D'banj - Winner
Clarence Peters for Durosoke by Olamide - Winner
Mr. Moe Musa for So many thinz by May D

Best Use of Visual Effects
Iyanya – Sexy Mama
Sound Sultan – Natural Something - Winner
Ice Prince – VIP
Morell – Oxygen
Danas – My Melody

Best Video By A New Act
Sean Tizzle – Shole - Winner
Mystro – This Kain Love
Charas – Gbege
Sym19 – Fine Baby Girl
Outrageous – Am In The Mood

Best Soft Rock/Alternative Video
Black Magic – Repete - Winner
Dazzle Ra Amen – Chinekem
Ese Peters – Omote
Shola Allyson – Ife
Timi Dakolo – Great Nation

Best Music Video by a Minor
Choco Girl – Ayo
G Girl – Young Shall Grow
Mya K – My DJ
Ozzybosco – Tinini - Winner
Whitney Wonder – Africa Unite

Life Time Achievement Award – Pa Victor Olaiya

Culled from NET

Anambra Governorship Election LATEST: APC Issues Warning, First Results Come In, Two Shot For Ballot Box Snatching

First results of the 2013 Anambra Governorship Election just came in:

OGIDI TOWN HALL, IDEMILI NORTH, IN ANAMBRA STATE

Polling Unit 009

APC-58
PDP-22
APGA-23
LP-4

ACCORD-1
CPP-1
DPP-1
APA3
ACD-1
ACPN-1

Polling Unit 010, voting point 1

APGA-8
APC-39
PDP-14
PPA-3
APA-1
CPP-1
INVALID is 1

Polling Unit 010, voting point II

APC-13
PDP-4
APGA-4
PPA-1
INVALID 1

The story continues below

Meanwhile, reports reaching us indicate that two people have been shot in Amaenyi, Awka South Local Government Area. They were allegedly attempting to steal ballot boxes. We'll post the updates as soon as we get them.

In a related development, the All Progressives Congress (APC) has warned they will not accept the results of the ongoing governorship election in Anambra state unless the voting takes place in all local governments. Namely, in the APC's strongholds of Idemili North and South, as well as in Akwa South.

The party, in a statement by its Interim National Publicity Secretary, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, also accused the INEC for its apparently contrived "logistic nightmare". Thousands of voters were left unable to exercise their franchise, the party said, and demanded the immediate removal of the Resident Electoral Commissioner for Anambra, Prof. Chukwuemeka Onukogu.

APC said it was totally astonished to learn that INEC has confirmed that materials meant for Idemili North Local Government, which has 180,000 voters, have been hijacked, without saying who hijacked the ballot papers and why, and without explaining why the materials meant for APGA and PDP strongholds were not hijacked.

The party said equally astonishing is the fact that the voter's registers for Idemili South, the direct council of the APC candidate, Dr. Chris Ngige, did not contain the names of voters in the local government, despite the assurances by INEC Chairman Attahiru Jega.

Anambra guber election: Police deploy 8,000 officers

The citizens of Anambra state will decide who will be their next governor in a tightly contested election Saturday.

The major contenders to suceed outgoing governor, Peter Obi, are: Senator Chris Ngige (APC), Chief Willie Obiano (APGA), Tony Nwoye (PDP), and Ifeanyi Uba (Labour Party).

The election will take place at 4,608 polling units and 326 wards in 21 local government areas of the state.

The Inspector General of Police Mohammed Abubakar and three Assistant Inspectors-General of Poice will lead more than 8,000 police officers with 10 armoured carriers  to provide security during the election. The Nigerian military has also deployed fighter jets and armed navy boats to the state.

Ethiopia vow to defeat Eagles

Ethiopia coach Bishaw Sewnet has vowed his men will give whatever it takes to overturn a first-leg defeat when they take on Nigeria in their World Cup playoff billed for the UJ Esuene Stadium, Calabar, Cross River State southern Nigeria on Saturday.

Bishaw is in confident mood going into the encounter hoping to continue Ethiopia's surprising World Cup journey when they face the Super Eagles, who are the reigning African champion in the return leg, despite a 1-2 loss at home in mid-October.

While expressing optimism to upset Nigeria, Bishaw said: "This is the biggest match of my life. I want to win it. I'll fight to the maximum."

On whether there is any injury worry in his squad, Bishaw  said: "There's no problem in my squad. All of my players are fit and the mood in the camp is very high. Everybody is waiting for the kick-off whistle."

Nigeria won the first leg in Addis Ababa courtesy of a brace from Emanuel Emenike and the Eagles are clear favourites to book a place at next year's Mundial in Brazil, which would be their fifth appearance at a finals.

However, Sewnet is confident his side can come back.

"I'm 100 per cent confident of overturning the result. I'll only play for a win. Football involves a defeat and a win. That we were defeated in the first leg doesn't mean we'll be defeated in the second leg," he said.

"I've not finished the match. I've 90 minutes left to play. I'll fight for a 2-0 win or for a 2-1 to take it in to extra-time. So, I want to remind them that it's not over yet."

The first leg victory was Nigeria's fifth win over Ethiopia in eight encounters, and potentially the most crucial, boosting confidence for the fixture in Calabar.

"We will win for the country and qualify for the World Cup," vowed Liverpool forward Victor Moses, who this week made the shortlist for the BBC African Footballer of the Year award.

"We're not under pressure and so we will settle down, play our football and win," added Lokomotiv Moscow forward Obinna Nsofor.

Culled from PM News

US designates Boko Haram as terrorist group

The U.S. named Nigerian groups Boko Haram and Ansaru as terrorist organizations, after an escalating campaign of attacks against civilians by militants with suspected links to al-Qaeda.

The groups "have been responsible for thousands of deaths in northeast and central Nigeria," Lisa Monaco, President Barack Obama's counterterrorism and homeland security adviser, said in an e-mailed statement yesterday. The decision shows "our strong support for Nigeria's fight against terrorism and its efforts to address security challenges in the north."

President Goodluck Jonathan last week requested Nigerian Senate approval to extend emergency rule for another six months in three northeastern states of Africa's largest oil producer. It's part of a crackdown on Boko Haram Islamists who were taking over parts of the region, according to the government.

"We salute the U.S. government for partnering with the federal government," Minister of Justice Mohammed Adoke said. "This step will assist this nation to deal with these renegades."

Attacks by Boko Haram include a 2011 suicide bombing at the United Nations building in the Nigerian capital, Abuja. The State Department decision may raise the risk that U.S. interests in the country will be targeted.

The designation is significant because it directs U.S. law enforcement and regulatory agencies to block business and financial transactions with Boko Haram, which wants to impose Islamic law in northern Nigeria.

The move makes it a crime under U.S. law to provide "material support" to the group.

Culled from Bloomberg

Ethiopia arrive in Calabar for World Cup match

The Ethiopia contingent of 42 players and officials have arrived in Calabar ahead of Saturday's 2014 World Cup playoff against Nigeria.

"They arrived at about 1pm on Thursday," NFF's Emmanuel Ikpeme told KickOffNigeria. "They are lodged at Channel View hotel."

The Walya Antelopes were beaten 2-1 in Addis Ababa, thanks to an Emmanuel Emenike brace and will be looking to cause an upset when both teams file out on Saturday.

They will have an open training session on Thursday at the University of Calabar and a closed session at the U.J Esuene Stadium on Friday afternoon.

Culled from DailyPost

Patrick Obahiagbon's tribute to Festus Iyayi

Patrick Obahiagbon's tribute to Festus Iyayi, the ASUU ex president that died in auto accident.

"We have lost another stentorian voice in the rugged and pertinacious fight against retrograde and prebendal forces of political dystopia and social anomie.

"Such is the evanescence and will of the wisp of life. Its all vanitas vanitatum..."

David Did Not Kill Goliath, The Bible Is Not Infallible! - Femi Aribisala

One of the myths of Christianity is the infallibility of the bible. 

Quoting Paul, some Christians insist every word in the bible is "God-breathed." (2 Timothy 3:16). 

When you identify contradictions in the bible, they either refuse to acknowledge them or try to rationalise them away with highfalutin apologetics. 

However, these apologetics have not made the contradictions disappear. All they do is establish that these bible-fanatics are not committed to the truth.

Christians generally believe little David killed mighty Goliath, according to the "infallible" account of 1 Samuel 17:50-51. This feat is drummed into us from childhood. 
However, the same "infallible" bible also credits the killing of Goliath to Elhanan, one of David's mighty men. 
2 Samuel says:

There was another battle with the Philistines at Gob, and Elhanan son of Jair from Bethlehem killed Goliath from Gath." (2 Samuel 21:19
This record of Elhanan (as opposed to David) killing Goliath can be found in many bible translations but other bible translations of the same 2 Samuel 21:19 say Elhanan killed "the brother of Goliath." These translations include the King James Version (KJV); New King James Version (NKJV); The Living Bible (TLB); and New Living Translation (NLT).

Of the latter, the New King James Version is remarkably unreliable. 
As a matter of policy, King James sometimes adds its own words to bible verses, effectively doctoring their meaning. 

Although the translation says Elhanan slew "the brother of Goliath;" the words "the brother of" are written in italics, indicating that they do not appear in the original Hebrew text but were added at the discretion of NKJV translators. 

However, my purpose here is not just to demonstrate the fallibility of the bible. Bible-worshipping Christians will always reject that fact no matter what. 
My purpose is to determine if David killed Goliath. 

The question then arises as to which version are we going to believe?
Should we believe the classical position that David killed Goliath, or should we believe the equally biblical position that Elhanan killed Goliath?

For a number of reasons, the account stating that David killed Goliath is the less believable. 

It is in the tradition of kings and rulers to take credit for other people's achievements under their kingdom. David was no exception to this. 

Saul and David
The account of David killing Goliath is so full of contradictions that it is clear it is the fabricated version. 
One of the problems with the account has to do with the inability of bible-writers to determine precisely when David first met Saul.

We are told that when Saul transgressed against the Lord, God sent an evil spirit to trouble him. (1 Samuel 16:14). Someone then recommended to Saul that he should hire David to play the harp, offering the dubious thesis that soothing music is a demon-repellent. 

But then the man recommending David said something strange: he extolled David, a young teenager who was not even old enough to be in the army, as a man of war: 
I have seen a son of Jesse the Bethlehemite, who is skillful in playing, a mighty man of valor, a man of war." (1 Samuel 16:18

This description is a giveaway. It is obviously written after the fact. There is no basis for describing David, a youth keeping sheep, as "a mighty man of valour" and "a man of war." 

By all accounts, David was not even a man yet. On this recommendation, Saul sent word to Jesse, David's father, that his son should be seconded to him. 

However, David entered Saul's service not as a harp-playing musician, but as his armour-bearer, even though we are told later that Saul's armour was too heavy for David. (1 Samuel 17:38-39). 

Nevertheless, whenever Saul came under attack by the evil spirit, David would play a harp and the evil spirit would depart. Saul quickly took a liking to David, and he sent to his father a second time that David's secondment to him should become permanent. (1 Samuel 16:22).

However, when we get to the incident where David is alleged to have killed Goliath, we discover to our surprise that this same David, who was supposed to be Saul's armour-bearer/musician, had never met Saul before. 

In that contradictory account, David was just a young boy tending sheep. His father sent him to deliver lunch to his two brothers at the war-front. 

On arriving there, he found Goliath terrorizing everybody and offered to fight against him. 
He was then brought to Saul who, on meeting him for the very first time, said to him: 

"You are not able to go against this Philistine to fight with him; for you are a youth, and he a man of war from his youth." (1 Samuel 17:33).

However, in the earlier version, David was specifically introduced to Saul as "a man of war." 

Contrary to the earlier account where Saul sent emissaries to David's father twice, he now did not know who David's father was. 

Conclusion - The bible is a book written and compiled by men; and men are not infallible.