John Odigie-Oyegun's daughter weds in Lagos (photos)

The Chairman of APC, John Odigie-Oyegun, gave his daughter, Eniyemamwen's hand in marriage to Umaso Eketu, a Flying officer, at a church wedding which took place at the Arch bishop Vining Memorial Church Cathedral yesterday January 30th. The reception took place  at the Haven‎ Event Centre. Some of the guests at the wedding were Senate President Bukola Saraki, Ogun state governor Ibikunle Amosun, Minister of Science and Technology Ogbonnaya Onu, APC Chieftain Bisi Akande, Senator Dino Melaye and others.

Reverend father Mbaka leaves for his new parish

Reverend Father Ejike Camillus Mbaka yesterday relocated to his new duty post at Our Lady Parish, Umuchigbo, Njinike accompanied by hundreds of his parishioners admirers and well wishers.

He was recently transferred from Christ the King parish, GRA, Enugu where he had, over the years, built a cult like fellowship on the strength of precision of most of his prophecies and miracles recorded during prayer sessions at his Adoration Centre .

Mbaka prophesised the emergence of President Muhammadu Buhari ahead of last election and also warned him last month of a plot to kill him.

His followers believe his transfer is a punishment.

Mbaka himself said yesterday that his posting is a witch hunt.

As early as 7am yesterday, a crowd had started forming at the Christ the King (CKP) GRA, Enugu preparatory for the movement.

Several lorry loads, buses and cars filled with people lined the streets as he made his way to Emene.

Band groups dished out music to which people were dancing.

Some were overcome by emotion that they broke down in tears.

Social and economic activities along the major streets came to a temporary halt.

The journey lasted about four hours.

It was a triumphal exit sort of.Mbaka addressed the crowd and said: “I know we are going to suffer between now and a few months to come. I am going to suffer and suffer. I know that.

“I’m going to suffer because I have no place to put my head. I am going to suffer because I have no place to keep the Adoration Ministry’s assets.

“I know I’m going to suffer. Fortunately, it is going to happen in the month of lent. So, I am going to use my exit here as a Lenten observance but Jesus said it all in John 16:20 to his apostles that you will be sorrowful and the world will be rejoicing but very soon I will turn your sorrow to joy.

“But for now I know you are going to suffer. The Adoration Ministry is passing through suffering right now even though I’ve accepted that is the will of God. Is the will of God through suffering? It is a mega suffering

“The quantum of the assets of the Adoration Ministry is the only thing I am bothered about for now.

“Where am I going to keep them? I am going to stay in one small room that has only one small bed, one small table, little toilet and bathroom. So where am I going to keep all the adoration assets?

“My clothing and books I can keep in the car or somebody’s house but where will I keep these assets that I have given to the Catholic church of Enugu?

“But I say may God take the glory and whoever that has offended me, I have forgiven.

“I won’t fight anybody or even dream of battling anybody. If anybody allows the devil to use him, the same that advised you to make a mistake will laugh at you when you cry over the error. The baby is born, there is no going back.

“We are moving out. We have been doing it and we will do it again. Moses was going out with a rod in his hand, Mbaka is moving out with his Bible and this nobody can take away from me.”

Decrying what he described as “attempt by some persons to politicise the church”, by feeding the Bishop falsely, he declared: “I am giving God the glory and I welcome the church’s choice and action with absolute acceptance and obedience.

“So there is no negation to what God has approved and what the church suggested. Nobody should see me as a recalcitrant priest. I am not.

“I have taken an oath of obedience and I stand on it. I pray God to bless all of you who in one way or the other have supported the work of God here and those who have sincerely allowed God to use him or her for the work we did here all these years.

“God will bless the people of God here and reward you according

to your labour. The parish is not going to collapse; the church will continue to grow.”

He likened his posting to Njinike to the journey of the Israelites out of Egypt.

His words: “God has planned a future and hope out of disaster and where I am going. He will go before me to level mountains.

“The Bible says that He will deliver me from all evil; He will keep my going out and coming in both now and forever… I am praying that God will keep his church and my fellow adorers so that our journey to Umuchigbo will be a journeyof Israelites out of Egypt.

“Some of them were grumbling leaving Egyptian soil because they were having the phobia for the unknown but

I am telling you people as a courageous leader, do not be afraid.

“We are moving and in not distant time, you people are going to smile.”

Dad arrested for taking daughters phone as punishment

When Ronald Jackson found a text he thought was rude and inappropriate on his then-12-year-old daughter’s phone in September 2013, he took the cell away. But the child’s mother, Michelle Steppe, got mad at his action and she called the police.

WFAA reported that the 36-year-old, who hails from Grande Prairie, Texas, had been charged with theft of property of at least $50 but under $500 after confiscating his daughter’s iPhone 4 when he found an inappropriate text in September 2013.

 

Shortly thereafter, Jackson recieved a citation for the “theft,” a Class C misdemeanor. Jackson was then offered a plea deal in January 2014 if he returned the phone, attained legal representation, and requested a jury trial.

That’s when the city attorney’s office refiled the case with a harsher offense, a Class B misdemeanor, punishable to up to six months in jail and a $2,000 fine.

 

After a warrant was placed on him, Jackson was arrested and taken into custody in April 2015, but managed to post the $1,500 bail to avoid incarceration during his trial.

Eventually, the judge ordered for Jackson to be found not guilty, citing insufficient evidence to continue the case.

Jackson described the ordeal to CBSDFW:

“I was being a parent. You know, a child does something wrong, you teach them what’s right. You tell them what they did wrong and you give them a punishment to show that they shouldn’t be doing that.”

The teen’s mother, Michelle Steppe, told the court on Monday that she called police the day that Jackson took the phone, and that they went to Jackson’s home and asked for the iPhone back, but Jackson refused.

Jackson defended his actions to WFFA:

“At that point, I decided the police don’t interfere with my ability to parent my daughter.”

But Steppe felt she was justified, as she told WFAA:

“You can’t take someone’s property, regardless if you’re a parent or not.”

Jackson reportedly was not a part of his daughter’s life until she was seven years old, but following the incident, he told CBSDFW that he “can’t ever have a relationship with them again.”

 

He was offered a plea deal in January 2014 if he would return the phone. Instead, Jackson hired an attorney and requested a jury trial.

The case moved to Dallas County and, unbeknownst to Jackson, a warrant was issued for his arrest. The police showed up at his door around 2 a.m. in April 2015, and Jackson was handcuffed and taken to jail.

“It made no sense to me for them to show up and make a big deal out of something that was a small thing,” Jackson said. “I couldn’t believe they would go to this extent for a cellphone. It didn’t seem right.” He posted $1,500 bail and was released after a night in jail.

“I’ve never seen anything like it,” John Cook, one of Jackson’s defense attorneys, told KHOU Wednesday. “You would think we were on the Jerry Springer Show.”

After just a two-day trial in which Jackson’s daughter, now 15, testified Dallas County Criminal Court Judge Lisa Green ordered the jury to find Jackson not guilty, citing insufficient evidence to prove a theft charge.

 

Steppe disagrees with the verdict. “Even if you purchase something with your own money and have a receipt, it’s not yours,” she said. “Someone can take it from you.”

 

He is now filing a Federal complaint of civil rights violation due to the way he was treated by police and the city attorney’s office. WFAA reports that Michelle Steppe’s fiance is an officer with the Grande Prairie police force.

Lady dies of Lassa fever in Lagos

A 27 year old lady died from Lassa fever in Lagos on Tuesday January 26th. ‎Confirming her death, the Lagos state Commissioner for Health, Jide Idris, said the lady died of the disease at the Ijede General Hospital. She is said to have traveled to Lagos from Edo state on January 2nd and had been down with a fever.

"The lady had received care in one private hospital and three churches before she was referred to Ijede General Hospital with fever. She died few hours of admission. We confirmed that she died of Lassa fever on Tuesday. The remains of the patient have been kept in the morgue in leak proof body bag. She is to be buried after due consultation with her family. So far, Lagos State has recorded 20 suspected cases of Lassa fever since the outbreak of the disease. As of now, 14 suspected cases tested negative, while four cases were confirmed positive of Lassa fever. The results of two suspected cases are pending. The ministry has listed 537 contacts of the confirmed cases and 534 of the contacts are currently being monitored.”‎he said

This will be the second Lassa fever death in Lagos. A 51 year old man who also traveled to Lagos from Edo state died of the disease last week.

Lagos places residents on red alert over the Lassa fever outbreak

The Lagos State Government on Wednesday said it was doing everything possible to defeat the deadly Lassa fever like it did during the outbreak of Ebola virus, just as it urged residents of the state to be on red alert by embracing personal and environmental hygiene.
The government also advised residents to block all holes in their homes through which rats could gain entrance, and also refrain from eating rat meat as well as any food already contaminated with urine, saliva and faeces of infected rat.

While briefing journalists on the update of the Lassa fever cases in the State, Commissioner for Health, Dr. Jide Idris, confirmed that so far, the state has recorded 20 suspected cases, out of which 14 tested negative, while 4 cases were confirmed positive.

Idris, who addressed the media alongside the Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Mr. Steve Ayorinde and the Special Adviser to the Governor on Primary Healthcare, Dr. Olufemi Onanuga, said three results were still being awaited, while 537 contacts have so far been listed, out of which 534 were currently being monitored.

He disclosed that the last confirmed case was a 27-year-old lady who travelled to Edo state on December 24, 2015 and returned to Lagos on January 2, 2016.

The Commissioner said the lady, who reportedly travelled for burial of her relative, became ill on January 14, 2016 and received care in one private hospital and three churches before she was referred on January 23, 2016 to Ijede General Hospital with fever, vomiting, diarrhea and body weakness.

He added that the patient eventually died within few hours of admission, while the case was confirmed as Lassa fever on January 26, 2016.

The remains of the diseased, according to Idris, has been kept in the morgue in leak proof body bag, while she would be buried after due consultation with her family.Out of that case alone, the Commissioner said 90 persons have so far been listed as contacts as at January 26, 2016, while contact tracing is currently on-going.

Giving information on the disease, Idris said: “Members of the public are being sensitized to note that Lassa fever can be contacted through: ingestion of foods and drinks contaminated by the saliva, urine and faeces of infected rats; catching and preparing infected rats as food; inhaling tiny particles in the air contaminated with infected rat urine or droppings, and direct contact with a sick person’s blood or body fluids, through mucous membranes like eyes, nose or mouth.”

While assuring that Lagos State under the leadership of Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode would continue to provide quality, affordable and accessible healthcare to the people towards achieving universal healthcare to all, the Commissioner assured that the government would overcome Lassa fever just as it defeated Ebola virus disease.

Besides, the Commissioner urged residents to maintain basic environmental sanitation, including proper disposal of refuse and avoiding open defecation. He further asked the residents to embrace regular hand washing with soap and water, and maintain high level of personal hygiene as well as adequate nutrition.

While advocating early report of suspected cases, the Commissioner also urged health workers adhere strictly to infection control measures, while mortuary personnel must wear elbow-length gloves, face mask, gowns and other personal protective equipment while attending to remains of dead patients.SIGNED
HABIB ARUNA
CHIEF PRESS SECRETARY
JANUARY 27, 2016

Sweden intends to expel up to 80,000 migrants

Sweden intends to expel up to 80,000 migrants who arrived in 2015 and whose application for asylum has been rejected, Interior Minister Anders Ygeman said Wednesday.

"We are talking about 60,000 people but the number could climb to 80,000," the minister was quoted as saying by Swedish media, adding that the government had asked the police and authorities in charge of migrants to organise their expulsion.

The proposed measure was announced as Europe struggles to deal with a crisis that has seen tens of thousands of migrants arrive on Greek beaches, with the passengers -- mostly fleeing conflict in Syria, Iraq and Afghanistan -- undeterred by cold wintry conditions.
 

The UN says more than 46,000 people have arrived in Greece so far this year, with more than 170 people killed making the dangerous crossing.
 

Ygeman said the expulsions, normally carried out using commercial flights, would have to be done using specially chartered aircraft, given the large numbers, staggered over several years.

Sweden, which is home to 9.8 million people, is one of the European Union countries that has taken in the largest number of refugees in relation to its population. Sweden accepted more than 160,000 asylum seekers last year.
 

But the number of migrant arrivals has dropped dramatically since Sweden enacted systematic photo ID checks on travellers on January 4.

Swedish officials on Tuesday called for greater security at overcrowded asylum centres a day after the fatal stabbing of an employee at a refugee centre for unaccompanied youths.

The alleged attacker was a young male residing at a centre for youngsters aged 14 to 17 in Molndal near Gothenburg on Sweden's west coast.

The employee was 22-year-old Alexandra Mezher, according to Swedish media reports, whose family was originally from Lebanon. A motive for the attack was not immediately clear.

Her death has led to questions about overcrowded conditions inside some centres, with too few adults and employees to take care of children, many traumatised by war.
 

In neighbouring Denmark, meanwhile, the government this week approved legislation to seize the valuables of refugees in the hope of limiting the flow of migrants.

AFP

Nurse who faked cancer and pocketed $25k in donations arrested

Police arrested a Georgia medical professional who they say for years duped kind-hearted loved ones and strangers into thinking she had Stage IV ovarian cancer to walk away with at least $25,000 in donations, free trips and gifts.

Mary Bennett, 29, spoke of her battle with cancer on social media for years, writing about the things she still wanted to cross off her “bucket list” and thanking friends for their generosity as they donated to her cause, the Forsyth County Sheriff's office told INSIDE EDITION.

 

The licensed practical nurse's ambitions to live life to the fullest inspired those around Bennett, who officials said was treated to a wide range of experiences financed through fundraisers and gifts.

Trips and experiences included skydiving, a trip to New Orleans, a hot air balloon ride and a trip to Houston, Texas for a supposed medical treatment made possible by a local fundraiser that brought in $4,000, officials said.

“I just wanted to tell you all, thank you! I am so very appreciative for the donations and the orders that people have placed… It's certainly hard going thru cancer at any age. But for this to be the 2nd time in my short 27 years has certainly made me wiser and humbled,” Bennett wrote on a Facebook page created to raise funds for her cause.

Bennett, whose Twitter bio noted she was “a nurse... I’m also an Ovarian Cancer Survivor!” claimed to have been diagnosed with Stage III ovarian cancer in 2013. She wrote on Facebook that she was laid off from her job in August of that year and was struggling to pay her bills.

“I can promise that once I'm better I will pay forward your kind acts through my career as a nurse and through donations,” she wrote. “Again thank you all so much! It truly means the world to me!”

But Bennett had never been diagnosed with cancer, according to officials and that there was no record of her receiving treatment anywhere.

“Her family was completely in the dark. She would go to these doctors and her family would take her, but no one ever actually went in with her. She was not actually having procedures,” Deputy Epifanio Rodriguez with the Forsyth County Sheriff’s Office said. 

At one point, Bennett allegedly claimed the cancer had spread to her brain and to her brainstem, he said. She allegedly said that she needed to undergo a special Gamma Knife procedure at the cancer hospital  MD Anderson to battle the four tumors found. 

"She went to the extreme and shaved her head, put bandages on her head," Rodriguez said. 

She explained away the lack of scars from such procedures by saying "It was a miracle,".

Bennett was charged with misdemeanor theft by taking and felony first-degree forgery, according to reports.

She was hit with the latter charge after she allegedly provided investigators with forged letters from Emory Winship Cancer Institute to prove that she was a patient receiving treatment. 

"We found out it was a fraudulent signature," Rodriguez said. "Not only were told 'we never treated her,' but also 'we have no idea who Mary Bennett' is."

Rodriguez said the misdemeanor theft charge could be upgraded to a felony if investigators find more people with proof that they were allegedly victimized by Bennett. 

"We've had about a dozen (additional) people call us saying that they were victims," he said. "There's evidence that she was doing this since 2010," he continued. "In the State of Georgia, that is a crime. You cannot deceive people into getting funds from them. It is a crime."

Senator Shehu Sani distributes 100,000 transistor radios to members of his constituent

Senator Shehu Sani representing Kaduna Central in the senate, distributed 100,000 transistor radios to members of his constituents in Kaduna state yesterday January 24th. According to him, the transistor radios will help raise the political consciousness of the people. He said; 

15 people including a DPO killed in fresh attack by Boko Haram in Adamawa state

No fewer than 15 people including the Deputy Police officer of Viniklang Police Division, were killed in separate attacks by suspected Boko Haram members in six villages in Girei Local Government of Adamawa State over the weekend. According to residents of one of the villages, the sect members stormed their homes in the middle of the night while they were sleeping and started killing people.

FG removes subsidy on kerosene, product now sells for N83

The Federal Government has officially removed subsidy payment for kerosene products. According to the new pricing template for House Hold Kerosene released by the Petroleum Products Pricing Regulatory Agency PPPRA on Saturday January 23rd, Kerosene which was sold at N50 per litre, will now be sold at N83 per litre.

EFCC files 22 fresh charges against Tompolo over alleged N22.7bn fraud

Eight days after a judge ordered the arrest of former Niger Delta militant leader Tompolo over his refusal to appear in court on a 40-count charge of alleged N34bn fraud earlier filed against him and nine others, the EFCC on Friday January 22nd, filed 22 fresh charges at the Federal High court Abuja, against the ex-Niger Delta militant leader and 12 others over allegations of stealing, advanced fee fraud and money laundering to the tune of N22,765,900,000.

The anti-graft agency has listed 25 witnesses that are to testify against Tompolo in the fresh charges.

They include seven EFCC investigators, officials of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency, officials of the Ministry of Transport, Ministry of Lands, Housing and Urban Development, officials of the Bureau of Public Procurement, officials of four commercial banks including Access Bank, First Bank, Zenith Bank Plc and United Bank for Africa Plc. No judge has been assigned the case yet.

'How my Naija husband saved me from my mum' - Kenyan woman writes

Found this interesting story on Nairobi News. Read below...

"I am one of those people who say they got pregnant by accident. I got pregnant at 19 just in my second year of university. I didn’t expect to get pregnant because I took the necessary precautions. From the beginning I wasn’t sure in my mind whether I should keep the baby. The father had already denied me.

Celine Dion at her husband's visitation...touches his face in his open casket (photos)

Grieving Celine Dion was seen crying as she and others paid their final respect to her late husband, RenéAngélil at open casket visitation at Notre-Dame Basilica in Montreal yesterday Thursday Jan. 21st. Angélil died of throat cancer at the age of 73 on Jan. 14. Celine Dion announced that a national funeral for Angélil will be held today at the basilica and will be televised. More pics after the cut..

Nigerian man arraigned before Dubai court for attempting to withdraw Dh500,000 from another man's bank account

An unemployed Nigerian man was arraigned before Dubai Criminal Court on Monday, January 18, for trying to withdraw more than Dh500,000 from another man’s bank account using an Emirates ID card that the account holder had lost.

The ID card belonged to a man from Kenya who had lost his wallet in March last year. Two months laterthe Nigerian was contacted by a friend who had found the Kenyan man’s wallet. He asked the Nigerian to visit the bank on Khalid bin Al Waleed Road in Dubai, use the ID card to pose as the Kenyan and withdraw Dh580,000 from his account. 

Bizarre story! Fake pastor caught in Umuohia (photos)

The news crew of Vision Africa Radio station in Umuohia physically visited, saw, interviewed and witnessed the confession of a man alleged to be a fake pastor. Read the story they shared on their Facebook page below...

One suspected fake prophet, Steven Maduabuchi from Afaraukwu Umuahia yesterday evening ran into trouble when some youths from Umuika Okwu Olokoro caught him while trying to bury an object alleged to be charm within the village square. The suspect who claim to be thirty years old said that he sells necklaces at Lagos and explained when asked, that his motive was to organize an outreach in the Olokoro village next week.

A woman gave birth to a baby on the street. My Experience.

I got to my place of work early as usual (6.45am) entering my school I saw a woman lying down flat by the 11rd junction, Festac ,and I took a closer look at her and I saw that she was a pregnant mad woman. I left her and went straight into the compound.

Ten minutes later I came out to see if she had gone but behold the poor woman was groaning in pain. I had to move close to her, though my heart was beating so fast. I noticed that the woman was in terrible labour pains and the contractions hits every 10mins.

Senate receives letter for the corrected version of 2016 budget from the presidency

The Senate has received a letter from President Buhari, stating that some adjustments were made to the 2016 budget presented to it on December 22nd. The letter which was read before the house by Senate President Bukola Saraki this morning reads in part ‪

Photos: Buhari meets with Nigerians in Abu Dhabi

President Buhari met with Nigerians in Abu Dhabi today. Fashola was also in attendance. See more photos after the cut...

Olisah Metuh arrives in court for his bail hearing in handcuffs (photos)

National Publicity Secretary of PDP, Olisa Metuh arrived in court today for his bail hearing in handcuffs. Metuh was arraigned on a 7-count charge of corruption and money laundering. More photos after the cut...

Lagos Prophet sets member ablaze in church.

A woman simply identified as Madam Bosede was burnt beyond recognition after a prophet in her church, the Celestial Church of Christ (CCC) on Unity Street in Abule-Egba in Lagos, set her ablaze while trying to show that he was a true man of God during his sermon last Sunday January 17th.

Lassa fever kills two in Plateau as Delta state records first case

Two people lost their lives after they contracted the now prevalent Lassa fever in Plateau state. The State commissioner for Health, Dr. Kuden Kamshak who confirmed the death of the two victims yesterday January 18th, said they died at the Jos University Teaching Hospital (JUTH) where they were being treated. This brings to three the number of people that have died from the disease in Plateau state.

The State Commissioner says the government and the World Health Organization are working towards containing the virus

“The state with support from the World Health Organisation (WHO) is working round the clock to contain the spread of the virus”.

Meanwhile a 65 year old woman has been diagnosed with the deadly fever in Delta state. The unidentified woman who is from Ifiogwari village, Ayamelunu, Anambra state, is said to have come to Asaba for treatment after a suffering prolonged fever. She was first admitted at St. Joseph’s Hospital, from where she was referred to Federal Medical Centre, Asaba when her conditioned worsened. The case was confirmed at the virology laboratory, Specialist Hospital, Irrua, Edo State.

Lassa fever is a viral disease transmitted by infected rats. The rats spread the disease by contaminating food or water in any dirty environment. Infected persons spread the disease when their body fluids such as blood, feces, urine, sperm and vomit come in contact with others. Some signs and symptoms of Lassa fever infection include cold and fever, sore throat, headache, pains in different parts of the body, nausea, cough, diarrhea and general sense of being unwell.

Tanzanian President bans miniskirts in bid to curb the spread of HIV/Aids

Tanzanian president John Pombe Magufuli has reportedly banned the wearing of miniskirts in the country saying he believes the garments, along with short dresses, encourage the spread of HIV/Aids.

Tanzania Cultural Development Director Herman Mwansoko said all Tanzanian women have three months within which to "get rid of miniskirts for replacement with decent garments."

8 year old girl allegedly married off to mature man in Zaria

These photos were shared on Twitter yesterday but honestly i dont believe this but if its true, the parents should be docked i swear. The guy is supposedly named Baba Ahmed and on Sunday Jan. 17th, he paid the bride price of this 8 year old girl in Zaria, Kaduna.

Photos: Ambode, Ita-Giwa, Daisy Danjuma, others attend billionaire businessman, Rasaq Okoya's 76th birthday party

Billionaire businessman, Rasaq Okoya turned 76 last week Tuesday January 12th. He had a lavish party at his palatial estate in Lagos over the weekend which was attended by dignitaries including Lagos state governor Akinwunmi Ambode, Senator Florence Ita Giwa, Senator Daisy Danjuma, Abba Folawiyo and others. See more photos after the cut...

Catholic priest bars priests from officiating at flamboyant burials

The Catholic Bishop of Awka Diocese, Most Revd. Paulinus Ezeokafor, has asked all priests under his diocese to stop officiating at Flamboyant burial ceremonies otherwise they will be sanctioned.
 Reverend Ezeokafor who gave the order while speaking to some Catholic priest in Anambra state yesterday January 17th, said the move is to help Nigerians stop unnecessary expenditure during funerals. He advised those from Southern Nigeria to emulate the Northern Nigerian Muslims who bury their loved ones with little or no fan-fair. He said the new directive involves no sharing of souvenirs as well as moderate cooking of food.

4 killed in bomb blast inside a mosque in Cameroon

At least 4 people were killed in a suicide bomb blast that happened inside a mosque in Ngue Tchewe, a village in Far North Region in Cameroon today January 18th. The suicide bomber believed to be a teenage boy, attacked the mosque while the Muslim faithfuls were saying their early morning prayer. No group has claimed responsibility for the attack but it is believed that Boko Haram is responsible.

I did not attempt tearing or swallowing the statement i made to EFCC - Metuh

Embattled National Publicity Secretary of the PDP, Olisa Metuh, has denied reports that he tore his confessional papers and attempted to swallow them after interrogation by the EFCC on January 12th. Metuh denied the report when he was speaking with some PDP members who paid him a visit at Kuje prison over the weekend.

"They said I ate paper. I did not eat any paper. I don’t know where they got that from. As a matter of fact, the last contact I had with those people was the next day after I was arrested when I told them to charge me to court."he said

Photos: Ooni of Ife visits Alaafin of Oyo...first time an Ooni will visit an Alaafin since 1937

History was made yesterday Sunday January 17th when the new Ooni of Ife, Oba Enitan Adeyeye Ogunwusi, Ojaja II paid an unexpected visit to the Alaafin Of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Olayiwola Adeyemi who was celebrating his 45th coronation anniversary on the throne. It was the first time in 79 years that an Ooni of Ife will visit an Alaafin of Oyo, following a cold war of supremacy said to have been in existence between the (previous) two monarchs for over 7 decades. The last time a reigning Ooni of Ife visited an Alaafin was in 1937.

Oba Ogunwusi while speaking at the thanksgiving service said though he was not invited, he had to make an effort to come so as to end the war and foster unity within the Yorubas both home and abroad.

“I am here today, though not invited, but as the Arole Oduduwa, the onus is on me to felicitate with all sons and daughters wherever they are and to show my solidarity for them.

Celine Dion's brother dies of cancer days after her husband died.

Celine Dion has suffered another family tragedy: Her brother Daniel Dion has died of cancer, days after her husband René Angélil succumbed to the same ailment.

The Canadian pop singer's rep confirmed the news to E! News on Saturday, hours after it was revealed Daniel suffered from cancer of the throat, tongue and brain and did not have long to live. He was one of Celine's 13 siblings.

Their sister Claudette had recently told Le Journal de Montréal that family members, including their mother, had flocked to his bedside.

The newspaper quoted the family as saying that Daniel passed away at 5 a.m. on Saturday. "He was ready and he no longer suffers," Claudette told Le Journal de Montréal. "It was serene."

Missing budget from the senate is a reflection of indiscipline -Bis Akande

Former National Chairman of the APC, Bisi Akande says report of the missing 2016 budget from the Senate is a reflection of the indiscipline that produced the current leadership of the Senate. Akande stated this while speaking at his residence at a ceremony leading to his 77th birthday on January 23rd.
“Nigeria’s budget is a huge document and one wonders how such document of that size could be missing in the senate. The development is fallout of indiscipline that brought the current leadership of the Senate into the position and as you know, that was not the choice of our party” he said

Lasser fever: 2 die in Ondo State, 30 people quarantined

Two people have died in Ondo state following an outbreak of Lassa fever in the stat. 30 people who had contact with the victims when alive, have been quarantined in order to curtail any further spread.
The state Commissioner for Health, Dayo Adeyanju, and a team of health workers had since Wednesday been moving across the local governments of the state to raise awareness on the disease and educate residents on measures to check the outbreak. 

Sambo Dasuki son's house sealec by the EFCC

A house purportedly belonging to the son of the immediate past National Security Adviser, Sambo Dasuki, was today sealed by the EFCC.

Metuh reportedly tears statement he made to EFCC

According to a report by Premium Times , embattled spokesperson of PDP today tore a statement he voluntarily made to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission regarding his alleged involvement in the $2.1billion arms fraud when he was arrested on January 5th. The report states that the antigraft agency had approached Metuh who has being in their custody, to sign the statement when he tore it and tried to swallow the paper.
 “Rather than sign the document, Metuh on realising the weight of his confession, seized the documents and proceeded to tear them,” a source at EFCC said 
According to another source at EFCC, his attempt to tear the very sensitive document was an offence “The tearing of statement is tantamount to willful destruction of government property and it is a serious offence. ‎Also the fact that he obstructed operatives from performing their job is also a criminal offence. We will explore the possibility of filling a separate charge against him at the Federal Capital Territory High Court.”‎.

Armed robbers caught around Fadeyi bus stop today.

Four suspected armed robbers who robbed a woman were this afternoon apprehended at Fadeyi bus stop. They were apparently beaten and later handed over to the police.

  
Photo credit: (@Crysmee9

Oga BUBU said NIgerians should hold N/Assembly responsible for the missing budget. Just negodi!

Presidency reacts to missing budget, says Nigerians should hold N/Assembly responsibleSenior Special Assistant to President Buhari on Media and Publicity, Shehu Garba has asked Nigerians to direct all their questions about the missing soft and hard copies of the 2016 budget to the National Assembly. According to Garba, nobody can withdraw the budget from the National Assembly except President Buhari.

Senator Ali Ndume had announced to his colleagues during plenary today that the budget was missing.
"Nobody, except the president, can withdraw the budget. As far as we know, he (the president) has not done that. The copies in their hundreds have been delivered to both chambers of the National Assembly. By tradition, once the budget is submitted, it ceases to be our property. Enquiries as to where it is should be directed to the appropriate quarters", Shehu said.

Davido, Baby mamas and other stores by Reuben Abati

Very interesting article by Reuben Abati. Read below...
“What a relief, my friend!”“What are you relieved about?”“It is this David Adeleke and Sophia Momodu soap opera”.“I tell you. It is a perfect subject for a good home video. But what is your own?”“No. Nothing. I am just relieved that the parties involved have agreed to let peace reign”“This will be about the third time I would hear of that matter being resolved.”“Well, I think the Momodus and the Adelekes should just spare us. They should not forget there is a child involved. They have suddenly made Imade Adeleke, the most famous victim of Baby Mama-Baby Papa palaver in Nigeria. Both Davido and Sophia and their supporters’ clubs should please protect the baby, and not make her a poster child for that kind of subject.”“But me, I am enjoying the story oh.”“Of course, too many sadists in our land enjoy other people’s misery.”“But really, it is a simple matter. ““If it were that simple, the drama wouldn’t be so entertaining. ““What Davido wants, Davido gets. His father is rich. He is a famous musician. Davido says he wants custody of his daughter.”“By taking her away from her mother by force, and giving her to his half-sister, and threatening to travel out of the country with the baby for medicals, without the mother’s knowledge or consent? A seven-month old baby, abducted at two months?”“He gave reasons for that. He is talking about the biological mother taking cannabis and risking his daughter’s life”“Cannabis?”“Yes. Igbo”“You seriously mean marijuana?”“Yes, gbana as in Indian hemp. And Davido provided a medical report to confirm his claim.”“You saw the medical report. You are sure it is genuine? Because I understand Sophia Momodu’s lawyers have written the lab to produce the original report of proof of drug abuse.”“This their matter sef.”“That’s why it is the child that is most important.  I don’t like the way they have turned the young girl into a trophy to be fought over in a blood sport. We are in the age of the internet. Twenty years from today, someone could print out these funny details from the internet memory bank. A father, grandfather and a half-sister fighting a mother and her family over a baby and making sordid claims: It is not a fight that can be easily won.”“I hear Davido says the Momodus cannot force him. He may even release a special song to make his position clear: No be by force.”“Nobody is forcing him and his family to marry Sophia Momodu. They are just saying custody should be mutually agreed upon.”“And he and his family are saying they want their daughter properly brought up. They too have a point. You should not take sides.”“Ok. He is talking about Marijuana. When he was head over heels in love with the Momodu girl, he didn’t smell marijuana? I am sure if he was given Marijuana before he was allowed to inhale, he would willingly exhale?“He insists he was just 21 years old. And that he was seduced by a full-grown woman who took advantage of his youth and innocence.”“Innocence, indeed. Was he raped? Did he not have a relationship with her, and did he not showcase her everywhere? He was 21. If he could be tricked at 21, then he should live with the consequences. ““You are taking sides. I know why. You are Dele Momodu’s friend.”“I am making uncommon sense. I am saying why is Davido asking for Sophia Momodu’s birth certificate after the fact? When the thing dey sweet them, they no dey remember say na the thing wey fowl chop, him go shit.”“But you can’t force any man to marry a woman.  Why the girl too go carry belle for him junior brother? She suppose know say Davido sef him na pikin. You no see as him papa they follow am, make dem no carry big yansh, big chest, fine face, cheat him son for Lagos”“Him try well, well. But Davido, your boy, him no sabi use rubber?”“That girl look like person wey go gree rubber?”“You dey craze” “My own is that fathers should just keep an eye on their sons and daughters. Let mothers also keep an eye on their daughters.  To avoid stories that break the heart like this one, fine girls should just know that you can’t detain any man with a baby.  Er beg.”“The values of the younger generation are different.”“Some strict parents will still never have allowed this to happen.”“Some of these children are beyond control.”“But we all suffer for it. This is why Ghanaian ladies insist that Nigerian men are unreliable. They say they use and dump women.”“They say they…?”“That’s what I hear.”“They or we?”“They.”“You mean you have tried the Ghanaian market too? Tell your brother something about ECOWAS romance?”“You are an incurable gossip. Ashawo, somebody.”“But talking seriously, it won’t be fair to condemn Nigerian men. I think this is a thing about Nigerian musicians.  Those people too like women. Young women, old women oh…any woman. Even the women musicians sef, any man wey stand well… fiam”“That is more important to them than their art? No wonder many of them sing such trashy songs”“There is even one of them who has seven children from five women or so.  And there is one they call Whizkid”“Superkid?”“Whatever. But there is this kid musician who also has a child from an older woman. There is this joke that when his parents heard, they quickly took charge of the situation, by telling the Baby Mama that while they would accept the baby, everyone could see that the Baby father is himself still a baby, too young to take care of another baby, not to talk of a grown woman. They pleaded that no woman should pakurumo..ko…”“ Nice joke. I laughed. Him sef na pikin, he never grow finish to take care of pikin. The girl fled.”“That’s why I say it is a simple matter. Davido should have consulted his seniors in this matter. That one that has seven children from five women did it so well, today all his Baby Mamas married or single, are friends.”“Wow. That’s a real Baba of the matter. Who is he?”“I can’t mention his name. He is happily married now to one of the Baby Mamas. I don’t want to be accused of disrespecting another man’s wife.”“Let Davido and Sophia just make peace for their daughter’s sake. And when the matter is settled, Davido knows where to go for tutorials if he really wants to fish in this type of troubled waters.” “But our musicians sha. They can fight?” “Who again is fighting?”“Olamide and Don Jazzy.”“That face-off over awards at The Headies event? But they have apologized”“No. You don’t get the point. Why should artistes or producers or label owners fight over awards? What I have seen is that our young artistes are obsessed with awards. They seem to be more interested in being given a plaque than developing their real work. It is this same problem with Nollywood actors. Any small award is treated as if it is the Nobel Prize.”“I see that too. It is the Grammy award disease.”“No true artist should work with an eye on winning a plaque. The best award is the acceptance of the market place, not by a group of biased judges. If you are good as an artist, you are good, nobody can take that away from you.”“Quite true. But it helps to have some plaques on the wall, I must say.”“How many of those musicians who were called the best new acts on the block in the 80s and early 90s are still making any impact today? When a work of art is good, it will be evergreen; when an artist is good, his talent will endure.”      “Some of these new kids are great though. World-class talents. In the last few years, there has been an explosion of real talent.”“I want to hear more about talent.  Great art.  Not drama kings and queens, not Baby Mamas and Lab Reports.”  “You are just old-fashioned. Controversy is part of art. Life itself is about controversy. Controversy produces great art. In the world of artists, all things work out as raw material.”“That’s why people insist artists are mad.”“But it is not only artists that generate or attract controversy. Politicians do.”“I know. Controversy is the soul of politics, but here it produces stress and oftentimes, tragedy.” “I’ll give you one example.”“Which is?”“In Oyo State, Governor Abiola Ajimobi is trying to embarrass the Olubadan in Council by trying to determine how existing vacancies within the hierarchy are filled. He is introducing INEC guidelines to Ibadan Chieftaincy affairs!”“How can he possibly do that?”“He is asking for certificates of mental, physical and marital fitness before Ladoja and Balogun can fill the Otun Olubadan and Osi Olubadan vacancies.”“Marital fitness?”“When people ask for physical fitness, don’t you know it is all encompassing?”“All that is politics. I am sure it will be amicably resolved.  Ajimobi is smart enough to know that you don’t fight the traditional institution. Governors will come and go, the Olubadan is the owner of Ibadan”“Don’t tell me. Go and tell Ajimobi”“Don’t worry. He knows.  He just dey make body. Body language, they call it.” “But what is happening in Bayelsa is not body language oh. When the people of Southern Ijaw go to the polls tomorrow to determine who will be the next Governor of Bayelsa state, they won’t be joking; the state will be at war.”“May be not real war; let’s say blood sport.”“You are speaking grammar. I just hope the election won’t be inconclusive again.”“It is a combat for political supremacy.”  “Put it like this: the outcome may determine the future of Bayelsa state.”“No. Put it like this: the outcome will determine the future of the PDP.”“You are quibbling.”“Dickson is core Ijaw. Timipre Sylva is Nembe.”“I don’t get it.”“The mind of the core Ijaw voter will make the difference. We pray for peace.”“I have an idea now. Yes. All things being equal.”   “That’s politics for you.”“But there are other forces.”“That’s why there is so much at stake, and a question of where the stakeholders stand.”“I know. Stakeholders matter. They have just allowed MTN to buy Visafone.”“Really? Is that a reward for the fine MTN is supposed to pay?”“It is a business transaction, nothing about government.”“Everything is about government. Has MTN paid its fine, before being allowed to take over a home-grown company?”“We should study what happened. Why do Nigerians get licenses and approvals, run a business for a while and then sell to foreign interests? HiTV. Now Visafone. ”“One glaring failure of local content!”“Look, let’s discuss that after MTN must have paid the fine.”   “I hear they have sacked 2, 000 Nigerian workers at Visafone, already. They have taken over.”“What?”“Oh, yes.”“Oh no”

Davido, Baby mamas and other stores by Reuben Abati

Very interesting article by Reuben Abati. Read below...
“What a relief, my friend!”“What are you relieved about?”“It is this David Adeleke and Sophia Momodu soap opera”.“I tell you. It is a perfect subject for a good home video. But what is your own?”“No. Nothing. I am just relieved that the parties involved have agreed to let peace reign”“This will be about the third time I would hear of that matter being resolved.”“Well, I think the Momodus and the Adelekes should just spare us. They should not forget there is a child involved. They have suddenly made Imade Adeleke, the most famous victim of Baby Mama-Baby Papa palaver in Nigeria. Both Davido and Sophia and their supporters’ clubs should please protect the baby, and not make her a poster child for that kind of subject.”“But me, I am enjoying the story oh.”“Of course, too many sadists in our land enjoy other people’s misery.”“But really, it is a simple matter. ““If it were that simple, the drama wouldn’t be so entertaining. ““What Davido wants, Davido gets. His father is rich. He is a famous musician. Davido says he wants custody of his daughter.”“By taking her away from her mother by force, and giving her to his half-sister, and threatening to travel out of the country with the baby for medicals, without the mother’s knowledge or consent? A seven-month old baby, abducted at two months?”“He gave reasons for that. He is talking about the biological mother taking cannabis and risking his daughter’s life”“Cannabis?”“Yes. Igbo”“You seriously mean marijuana?”“Yes, gbana as in Indian hemp. And Davido provided a medical report to confirm his claim.”“You saw the medical report. You are sure it is genuine? Because I understand Sophia Momodu’s lawyers have written the lab to produce the original report of proof of drug abuse.”“This their matter sef.”“That’s why it is the child that is most important.  I don’t like the way they have turned the young girl into a trophy to be fought over in a blood sport. We are in the age of the internet. Twenty years from today, someone could print out these funny details from the internet memory bank. A father, grandfather and a half-sister fighting a mother and her family over a baby and making sordid claims: It is not a fight that can be easily won.”“I hear Davido says the Momodus cannot force him. He may even release a special song to make his position clear: No be by force.”“Nobody is forcing him and his family to marry Sophia Momodu. They are just saying custody should be mutually agreed upon.”“And he and his family are saying they want their daughter properly brought up. They too have a point. You should not take sides.”“Ok. He is talking about Marijuana. When he was head over heels in love with the Momodu girl, he didn’t smell marijuana? I am sure if he was given Marijuana before he was allowed to inhale, he would willingly exhale?“He insists he was just 21 years old. And that he was seduced by a full-grown woman who took advantage of his youth and innocence.”“Innocence, indeed. Was he raped? Did he not have a relationship with her, and did he not showcase her everywhere? He was 21. If he could be tricked at 21, then he should live with the consequences. ““You are taking sides. I know why. You are Dele Momodu’s friend.”“I am making uncommon sense. I am saying why is Davido asking for Sophia Momodu’s birth certificate after the fact? When the thing dey sweet them, they no dey remember say na the thing wey fowl chop, him go shit.”“But you can’t force any man to marry a woman.  Why the girl too go carry belle for him junior brother? She suppose know say Davido sef him na pikin. You no see as him papa they follow am, make dem no carry big yansh, big chest, fine face, cheat him son for Lagos”“Him try well, well. But Davido, your boy, him no sabi use rubber?”“That girl look like person wey go gree rubber?”“You dey craze” “My own is that fathers should just keep an eye on their sons and daughters. Let mothers also keep an eye on their daughters.  To avoid stories that break the heart like this one, fine girls should just know that you can’t detain any man with a baby.  Er beg.”“The values of the younger generation are different.”“Some strict parents will still never have allowed this to happen.”“Some of these children are beyond control.”“But we all suffer for it. This is why Ghanaian ladies insist that Nigerian men are unreliable. They say they use and dump women.”“They say they…?”“That’s what I hear.”“They or we?”“They.”“You mean you have tried the Ghanaian market too? Tell your brother something about ECOWAS romance?”“You are an incurable gossip. Ashawo, somebody.”“But talking seriously, it won’t be fair to condemn Nigerian men. I think this is a thing about Nigerian musicians.  Those people too like women. Young women, old women oh…any woman. Even the women musicians sef, any man wey stand well… fiam”“That is more important to them than their art? No wonder many of them sing such trashy songs”“There is even one of them who has seven children from five women or so.  And there is one they call Whizkid”“Superkid?”“Whatever. But there is this kid musician who also has a child from an older woman. There is this joke that when his parents heard, they quickly took charge of the situation, by telling the Baby Mama that while they would accept the baby, everyone could see that the Baby father is himself still a baby, too young to take care of another baby, not to talk of a grown woman. They pleaded that no woman should pakurumo..ko…”“ Nice joke. I laughed. Him sef na pikin, he never grow finish to take care of pikin. The girl fled.”“That’s why I say it is a simple matter. Davido should have consulted his seniors in this matter. That one that has seven children from five women did it so well, today all his Baby Mamas married or single, are friends.”“Wow. That’s a real Baba of the matter. Who is he?”“I can’t mention his name. He is happily married now to one of the Baby Mamas. I don’t want to be accused of disrespecting another man’s wife.”“Let Davido and Sophia just make peace for their daughter’s sake. And when the matter is settled, Davido knows where to go for tutorials if he really wants to fish in this type of troubled waters.” “But our musicians sha. They can fight?” “Who again is fighting?”“Olamide and Don Jazzy.”“That face-off over awards at The Headies event? But they have apologized”“No. You don’t get the point. Why should artistes or producers or label owners fight over awards? What I have seen is that our young artistes are obsessed with awards. They seem to be more interested in being given a plaque than developing their real work. It is this same problem with Nollywood actors. Any small award is treated as if it is the Nobel Prize.”“I see that too. It is the Grammy award disease.”“No true artist should work with an eye on winning a plaque. The best award is the acceptance of the market place, not by a group of biased judges. If you are good as an artist, you are good, nobody can take that away from you.”“Quite true. But it helps to have some plaques on the wall, I must say.”“How many of those musicians who were called the best new acts on the block in the 80s and early 90s are still making any impact today? When a work of art is good, it will be evergreen; when an artist is good, his talent will endure.”      “Some of these new kids are great though. World-class talents. In the last few years, there has been an explosion of real talent.”“I want to hear more about talent.  Great art.  Not drama kings and queens, not Baby Mamas and Lab Reports.”  “You are just old-fashioned. Controversy is part of art. Life itself is about controversy. Controversy produces great art. In the world of artists, all things work out as raw material.”“That’s why people insist artists are mad.”“But it is not only artists that generate or attract controversy. Politicians do.”“I know. Controversy is the soul of politics, but here it produces stress and oftentimes, tragedy.” “I’ll give you one example.”“Which is?”“In Oyo State, Governor Abiola Ajimobi is trying to embarrass the Olubadan in Council by trying to determine how existing vacancies within the hierarchy are filled. He is introducing INEC guidelines to Ibadan Chieftaincy affairs!”“How can he possibly do that?”“He is asking for certificates of mental, physical and marital fitness before Ladoja and Balogun can fill the Otun Olubadan and Osi Olubadan vacancies.”“Marital fitness?”“When people ask for physical fitness, don’t you know it is all encompassing?”“All that is politics. I am sure it will be amicably resolved.  Ajimobi is smart enough to know that you don’t fight the traditional institution. Governors will come and go, the Olubadan is the owner of Ibadan”“Don’t tell me. Go and tell Ajimobi”“Don’t worry. He knows.  He just dey make body. Body language, they call it.” “But what is happening in Bayelsa is not body language oh. When the people of Southern Ijaw go to the polls tomorrow to determine who will be the next Governor of Bayelsa state, they won’t be joking; the state will be at war.”“May be not real war; let’s say blood sport.”“You are speaking grammar. I just hope the election won’t be inconclusive again.”“It is a combat for political supremacy.”  “Put it like this: the outcome may determine the future of Bayelsa state.”“No. Put it like this: the outcome will determine the future of the PDP.”“You are quibbling.”“Dickson is core Ijaw. Timipre Sylva is Nembe.”“I don’t get it.”“The mind of the core Ijaw voter will make the difference. We pray for peace.”“I have an idea now. Yes. All things being equal.”   “That’s politics for you.”“But there are other forces.”“That’s why there is so much at stake, and a question of where the stakeholders stand.”“I know. Stakeholders matter. They have just allowed MTN to buy Visafone.”“Really? Is that a reward for the fine MTN is supposed to pay?”“It is a business transaction, nothing about government.”“Everything is about government. Has MTN paid its fine, before being allowed to take over a home-grown company?”“We should study what happened. Why do Nigerians get licenses and approvals, run a business for a while and then sell to foreign interests? HiTV. Now Visafone. ”“One glaring failure of local content!”“Look, let’s discuss that after MTN must have paid the fine.”   “I hear they have sacked 2, 000 Nigerian workers at Visafone, already. They have taken over.”“What?”“Oh, yes.”“Oh no”