Edo State Government Release : Governor Oshiomhole Survives Road Accident

Posted: Dec, 28 2013, 8:12AM

Gov. Adams Oshiomhole

Governor Adams Aliyu Oshiomhole survived a motor accident at Ewu Village along the ever-busy Benin-Auchi road in Edo State at about 9.45am Saturday, 28th December 2013 on his way back to Benin City from his Iyamho Village. The incident occurred at about 9.45am at Ewu, in Edo Central Senatorial District, when a Peugeot J5 Bus filled with tomatoes and plantains apparently lost control and rammed into the Governor’s Flag Car from the opposite direction before swerving into a roadside ditch.
Three vehicles in the Governor’s convoy were in front of the Governor’s Flag Car and had passed the Peugeot J5 Bus before it [J5 Bus] had direct impact with the Governor’s car, which had the Governor, his Aide-De-Camp [ADC] and his Driver as occupants. The Governor’s Car was badly affected but both occupants of the Peugeot J5 Bus and that of the Governor’s sustained no injuries.

The Peugeot J5 Bus was following a truck that was descending the Ewu Slope when it suddenly veered off into the Governor’s lane from the opposite direction and directly impacted on the Governor’s vehicle, apparently because of brake failure. The good story is that nobody sustained injuries in both vehicles. The Comrade Governor is hale and hearty, his ADC and other occupants of the Peugeot J5 are also in good condition.

The incident has been reported to the Divisional Police Station at Ewu for further investigation. This is to assure all good people of Edo State that there is no cause for alarm. Their loving Comrade Governor is fine, hale and hearty as well as other occupants of the other affected vehicle. The Comrade Governor is wishing everyone a prosperous new year ahead.
Signed
Prince Kassim Afegbua
Special Adviser, Media & Public Affairs.

Namadi Sambo’s Furniture, House Upgrade Gulp N2.1 Billion In Four Years-PREMIUM TIMES

Posted: Dec, 28 2013, 9:12AM

Vice President Namadi Sambo

By Ini Ekott

 Vice President Namadi Sambo is spending a fortune to furnish and upgrade his official residence and guest house, two projects costing N2.1 billion and lingering since his election alongside President Goodluck Jonathan in 2011.
In three years leading up to 2013, the government has spent a minimum of N300 million annually to furnish and upgrade the vice president’s residence and guest house, according to past and present federal budgets.
The biggest spending -N900 million- for the upgrade and furnishing was done in 2011.
That year alone, N500 million was channelled into acquiring, upgrading and furnishing the vice president’s guest house at Aguda House, while a separate N400 million was spent on purchasing some more furniture and extending the vice president’s lounge there.
In 2012, the government spent additional N437.1 million for the “upgrading and furnishing” of the same guest house, and squandered additional N112 million solely on “household equipment” for Mr. Sambo’s residence.
The installation of Uninterrupted Power Supply (UPS) facilities at the residence, was completed at a whopping N202 million.
This year, the vice president’s Aguda guest house and his residence were furnished at a relatively modest N75.7 million, while landscaping at the residence alone was done at N26 million.
A new guest house for Mr. Sambo, at Yakubu Gowon crescent, Asokoro, was also given N170.7 million worth of furniture.
It could not be immediately confirmed how much of the proposed works have been implemented after spending more than N2 billion, an amount enough to furnish at least 200 primary schools where pupils attend classes under tree shades and sit on bare floors.
Such school furnishings are estimated at an average N10 million per school in the federal budgets.
Used differently, the amount can provide water in at least 200 Nigerian communities, based on the same budgetary estimates of N10 million community water scheme.
Despite the huge funding already, the government has made new allocations for the project for 2014, with the likelihood of even more spending for the vice president’s furniture and upgrading coming in 2015.
If the National Assembly approves a new budget proposal submitted by President Jonathan, as it likely would since previous furniture allocations for Mr. Sambo were not blocked, then the government will spend an extra N123 million on Mr. Sambo’s new guest house at Yakubu Gowon crescent.
Taxpayers will also buy kitchen utensils worth N8 million for the vice president.
The total N2.1 billion for furnishing and upgrading is far ahead of government’s allocation for some key road projects within the same period.
The obscene allocations for Mr. Sambo’s home and guest houses follows a trend that has seen the government repeatedly channel more funds for the convenience of public office holders while key projects suffer.
While the government claims it was cutting the cost of governance to address dwindling revenues and mounting developmental needs, it has for years continued to direct scarce funds for the luxury of its officials, providing them with exotic cars, homes, and other perks while more than half of Nigerians live on less than a dollar per day.
The presidency is one of the biggest beneficiaries of that anomaly.
In 2012, the presidency budgeted N1 billion for feeding, and half a billion naira for cars for President Jonathan and Vice President Sambo.
The car purchase was suspended after public outrage following media reports.
Mr. Sambo’s office has become notorious for some of the administration’s most outlandish spending. The cars the vice president was to receive would have been his second set in two years, having already spent N323 million on cars in 2011.
Also in 2012, the Federal Capital Territory Administration raised an already outrageous N7 billion for the construction of a home for the vice president by adding extra N9 billion to make it N16 billion.
The National Assembly finally blocked that request.
The furnishing and upgrading for the vice president was also listed in 2010, but under relatively modest subheads. The extension of the VP lounge, proposed for N207 million in 2012, was N30 million in 2010.

Furniture/household items
Upgrade
Total
2011
Acquisition, upgrading & furnishing of VP’s guest house at AgudaN400 million


Extension of VP lounge at Aguda house + furnishing of Aguda houseN500 million


N900 million
2012
1.       Purchase of household equipment & materials for VP’s residence  N112 million

2.       Acquisition, upgrading & furnishing of VP’s guest house at Aguda
N230 million

3.       Extension of VP lounge at Aguda house + furnishing of Aguda houseN207.1 million

4.       Installation of UPS facilities at the Vice President’s residence
N202 million


N751.1 million
2013
1.       Furnishing of the new vice president’s guest house at 41 Yakubu Gowon crescent, AsokoroN170.7 million


2.       Furnishing of ancillary offices at Aguda house and new vice president’s residence
N75.7 million
3.       Landscaping of new VP’s residence    N25.9 million



Remodelling of the new Vice President’s guest house at #41 Yakubu Gowon Crescent AsokoroN120 million


N392.3 million
2014

1.       Remodelling of the new Vice President’s guest house at #41 Yakubu Gowon Crescent Asokoro N115 million


2.       Purchase of household and kitchen equipment for VP’s residenceN8 million
N123 million


 
Grand totalN2.17 billion

Despite Boko Haram, Yobe Council Polls Witness Large Turnout - PREMIUM TIMES

Posted: Dec, 28 2013, 2:12PM

Photo: Premium Times

Voters across Yobe on Saturday turned out in large numbers to cast their votes to elect chairmen and councillors of the 17 local government areas in the state.
A News Agency of Nigeria correspondent who visited some polling booths in the capital Damaturu as well as some local government areas reports that scores of people lined up at the various polling booths as early as 7 a.m. to accredit and cast their votes.
A correspondent, who also visited Bamari, Kalalawa, Ajeri, Gaidam and Bukarti towns, also reported large turnout of voters.
There was, however, heavy security presence in all the polling booths as well as major streets in Damaturu with a combined team of soldiers, police, civil defence corps and immigration officers watching over.
Shops and other businesses were closed while restriction on movement was imposed throughout the state from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Reports from other parts of the state also spoke of security build up to forestall any unforeseen circumstances.
Only 10 parties participated in the polls while the major opposition party in the state, the PDP, boycotted the election.
Speaking to journalists after casting his vote, the state Governor, Ibrahim Gaidam, said the conduct of the election had proved skeptics wrong on the security situation in the state.
He blamed “mischievous politicians’’ for raising false alarm of a possible breakdown of law of order in the state.
Yobe is one of the three states under emergency rule following the activities of the Boko Haram.
“We know what is going on here because we are here on the ground. We know the security situation in our state that is why we went ahead to conduct the election,” Mr. Gaidam said.
The governor said that from the reports he received, eligible voters cast their votes peacefully in all the 17 local government areas in the state.
“You can see we have gotten relative peace when I was coming here; I inspected about three areas and the elections were going on peacefully and I am sure we will conclude it safely.
“So, I think politicians should stop making noise since they are not on ground. We are the ones on the ground; anytime this kind of thing is happening, they should call us to give them the true positions of things on the ground,’’ Mr. Gaidam said.
Also speaking to journalists, a member of the House of Representatives, Goni Lawal, described the election as successful, adding that many people came out to cast their votes.
Mr. Lawal said that he went round about 10 local government areas to inspect the conduct of the polls and found that a large turnout of voters was recorded in the many areas.
Femi Bafunsho, Chairman Justice and Equity for All, an NGO, who was observing the conduct of the polls, said the turnout in most polling units was commendable.
The Chairman of the State Independent Electoral Commission, Hannatu Binyat, said that reports received from across the state indicate a peaceful conduct of the elections.
(NAN)

7 Ways to Get the Press Coverage You Want

1. Give us a Narrative

"My hangover-prevention pill keeps you from getting a hangover!" is not a story--it's an advertisement. As such, it's not interesting to a journalist (unless said journalist happens to be heading to Vegas for a bachelor party). Stories have a beginning, middle and end. They have tension. They have a personal element: "I used to wake up after a night out at the bars and think, I want to climb out of my own brain. Why hasn't anyone found a way to fix this?"

Identify an event that got the ball rolling on your business idea: "When I woke up with the worst headache of my life, and my friends just shook their heads and offered me aspirin, I realized that if I wanted someone to eradicate hangovers, that someone would have to be me."

Relat

The action comes next. That's the part of the story where the protagonist--that would be the business founder--struggles to reach his or her goal, navigating obstacles along the way. Maybe after you decided to create a hangover-prevention pill, you talked to scientists who told you it was impossible--that if hangovers were curable, someone would have done so already.

And of course, in a compelling story, the protagonist must change by the end. Training for a race can make a weak person strong. Raising a child can make an irresponsible person responsible. Think about the story of your business. How did it change you? Take us on your journey, beginning to end.

2. Make it New

Explain how your business is disruptive. Five-and-dime stores had been around for decades when the first Wal-Mart opened in 1962. Nothing new there. But the logistics Sam Walton used to expand into the largest retail chain in the world were novel: stores in small towns, not cities; warehouses nearby to keep shelves constantly stocked; discounts on not just specialty items but on all merchandise, including name brands. What is your version of those Waltonian innovations? You don't have to share all your secrets, nor should you oversell them.

3. Make it Weird

There's a great line in the not-so-great movie The Family Stone. A stoner film editor tells an uptight businesswoman, "You have a freak flag … you just don't fly it." Fly your freak flag! Tell us about your obsession with city rats, how trapping them and keeping them in cages in your bedroom inspired you to start a line of stylish pet carriers. Don't make us think you're a total crackpot (that is, don't send us an e-mail full of typos and Bible verses or, worse, a letter composed of words cut from magazines), but let us know you're not like everybody else.

4. Tug at Our Heartstrings

Did you open a bakery to woo a croissant-loving woman you were too afraid to chat up? That's way more interesting than telling us you graduated from a prestigious culinary school. Do 10 percent of your proceeds go to a charity? Tell us about your connection to that organization. But don't be maudlin or false--journalists are excellent BS detectors.

5. Make it Timely

When we pitch a story to a publication, the editor always wants to know, "Why this? Why now?" Help us answer those questions. In other words, a new headhunting company probably isn't worthy of a story. But what if it's a headhunting company that works only with people who have been laid off, inspired by the bleak rate of unemployment? Or maybe you've developed a product that eradicates mold.

Don't just send us a photo of it; arrange for a survivor of Hurricane Sandy to demonstrate its use in her home. Sometimes the best way to talk about your business is by telling a customer's story, as long as it's not overly simplistic or too good to be true.

6. Be Honest

Nobody wants to see the movie about a couple who simply meet, fall perfectly in love and live happily ever after. If an e-mail comes in from a business owner telling us nothing but how adventurous and successful and happy he is, it's a yawn and "delete." Tell us the truth. You could even give us a touch of TMI, so long as you keep the tone professional. Stories need struggle--that's what reporters are looking for. Be frank about the obstacles you're facing.

7. Go for Shock Value

Think again about that donut stunt. There is a grand tradition of hucksterism that draws attention to goods and services through quirky events. A prime example in recent years has been the jewel-encrusted "fantasy bra" by Victoria's Secret. Last year's version (the 17th) cost the company $2.5 million, but the amount of media attention generated by the bra's unveiling may well have been worth it. The point is, marketing can be fun. Ask the Freshpair company, which gains attention each year by holding National Underwear Day in New York's Times Square, using models who walk around in public wearing nothing but their product. When you pitch us, shock us a little.

How To Online marketing Creativity Press coverage Publicity stunts Solutions Center SC Branding

PHOTONEWS : SSS Parades Kidnappers Of Sokoto Businessman Abu Dankure

Posted: Dec, 25 2013, 5:12PM

Suspected kidnappers who abducted a Sokoto based businessman, Abu Dankure, paraded by State Security Service yesterday in Abuja.
 Alhaji Dankure died of heart attack less than one month after he was released by kidnappers.

Doctors Threaten Total Close Down Of Hospitals On January 6, 2014

NMA President Dr. Osahon Enabuele

The Nigeria Medical Association (NMA) has called on Nigerians from all backgrounds to appeal passionately to the government to do whatever is required to avert the full blown strike otherwise scheduled to begin on January 6, 2014.
In a statement signed by its president, Dr. Osahon Enabulele, the NMA recalled its emergency meeting in Minna on December 14, following which it directed all Medical and Dental Practitioners in Nigeria’s public health sector to embark on a five-day warning strike action December 18 to 22.
He noted that the short duration of the warning strike was adopted in deference to the yuletide season to precede a total strike action in the first month of the New Year.
Dr. Enabulele recalled that on September 2, the NMA had issued a 21-day ultimatum to the Federal Government in which the association highlighted several issues bordering on some health sector challenges including the absence of a regulatory environment for practice in the healthcare sector, workplace conditions, conditions of service, and funding of healthcare.

“It is most distressing to note that aside from the reconstitution and inauguration of the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria (MDCN) and other Health Regulatory Councils, none of the other issues contained in the ultimatum were given the deserved attention,” he said, pointing out that the NMA subsequently shifted its September ultimatum three times, four weeks apart, in the expectation the government would reciprocally respond and address the issues with a note of finality.



Full text of the statement:
- Press Release -
WHY NMA IS EMBARKING ON A 5-DAY WARNING STRIKE ACTION

Rising from its Emergency Delegates Meeting (EDM) at Minna, Niger State capital on Saturday December 14, 2013, the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) directed all Medical and Dental Practitioners in Nigeria’s Public health sector to embark on a 5-day warning strike action beginning from Wednesday 18th December to Sunday 22nd December, 2013.

This short duration of the warning strike action which was adopted in deference to the yuletide season, is to precede a total strike action in the first month of the new year (2014).

It is worthy to note that the NMA had on 2nd September, 2013 issued a 21day ultimatum to the Federal Government of Nigeria in which the Association highlighted several issues bordering on some health sector challenges, absence of a regulatory environment for practice in the healthcare sector, workplace conditions/conditions of service and funding of healthcare in Nigeria.

It is most distressing to note that aside from the reconstitution and inauguration of the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria (MDCN) and other Health Regulatory Councils, none of the other issues contained in the ultimatum were given the deserved attention.

In appreciation of the possible impact of withdrawal of services by medical and dental practitioners in Nigeria, the NMA shifted her ultimatum three times (3) with 4 weeks apart, hoping and praying hard for Government to reciprocally respond and address the issues brought before her with a note of finality.
WHAT ARE THESE ISSUES?
A) Serial injustices done to doctors, particularly during the harmonization of salary structures in 1998/99 by the Federal Government and failure to correct fundamental errors in the existing salary structure for doctors.
The gross failure of government to address the serial injustices done to doctors, has led to the unacceptable reduction in the income and allowances of doctors with each level of promotion gained by doctors. This strange phenomenon unknown to labour laws has over time contributed significantly to the high level of brain drain of highly qualified Nigerian trained medical and dental practitioners to other countries where their services are better appreciated.
More disheartening is the fact that as we try to get government to redress the previous injustices, further attempts are made to create more injustices and escalate the crisis.

Painfully, we can report that there are over 3500 Nigerian trained physicians actively practicing in the United Kingdom. Many more are in the United States of America and other nations of the world, and several are still leaving on a daily basis. This is partly due to this defect as well as the unavailability of functional equipment/tools in the workplace, unhealthy competition in the health sector and a conducive work environment.
It is for this reason that one Nigerian doctor attends to over 5000 patients, a doctor:patient ratio that is very far away from the real World Health Organization (WHO) prescription of one doctor to 600 patients. It is the resolve of the Association therefore to awaken government at all levels to address this demand.
Restating our understanding of the economic realities, we insist that Nigeria has all it takes to attract and retain the best medical work force in Nigeria rather than allowing our country to be drained of this very useful human resource.

 B) Funding of the healthcare sector and the health of Nigerians Improvement in Nigeria’s budgetary allocation to the health sector.

NMA advocates an improvement in the budgetary allocation to the health sector to meet up with the required minimum of 15% of Nigeria’s national budget. This is in line with the recommendation of the World Health Organization and the 2001 Abuja declaration of African Heads of Government.
In the event that the Nigerian government finds it difficult to move up from her average yearly budgetary allocation of 5-6% to health, the NMA advocates an irreducible minimum of 10% of Nigeria’s annual budget for the health sector.
Without this bold attempt at resuscitating an anaemic public health care financing system, our country’s hospitals would continue to groan in pains with over 70% of our citizens unable to have physical and financial access to them. Indeed, healthcare delivery will remain a scarce social service to more than 70% of our citizens.
Expansion of the Universal Health Coverage for all Nigerians by the provision of a minimum health package through a universal health fund.
Currently, Nigeria can only boast of a Universal Health Coverage of less than 6%, whereas less endowed countries like Rwanda, Kenya and Ghana boast of a Universal Health Coverage of over 60%. Nigeria has no excuse not to have a Universal Health Coverage of over 75%.
Most distressingly, we bemoan the slow pace of actualization of the National Health Bill whose provisions would guarantee a minimum basic package of healthcare for every Nigerian. If we, the custodians of healthcare delivery in Nigeria would not raise alarm over this, who will?
C)         Other Health sector Challenges, including the revitalization of health infrastructure at all levels, restoration of professionalism, e.t.c.
In the face of overt difficulties and sufferings, NMA is pained that it had to embark on this action at this point in time. The last time NMA declared a national strike was 6 years ago. It is therefore with the traditional signature tune of empathy that the strike has been given a human face.
The Association while restating her resolve to ensure the reversal of the afore-stated destructive trends in the health sector, calls on all Nigerians from all backgrounds to appeal passionately to government to do the needful to avert the full blown strike already scheduled to begin by 6 January 2013.
A stitch in time, though belated, can still save nine!
Dr. Osahon Enabulele
President, Nigerian Medical Association;
Vice President (WAR), Commonwealth Medical Association

Soyinka Warns Of Political Shipwreck As APC Leaders Court Obasanjo, Others

APC leaders with former President Olusegun Obasanjo

Nobel laureate Wole Soyinka has warned that Nigeria might be headed for a shipwreck as top officials of the All Progressives Congress (APC) visited former President Olusegun Obasanjo to court his support.
In a statement titled “SHIPWRECK AHEAD!” Mr. Soyinka warned that Nigeria would need urgent rescue operations if the APC wants to invite people like Mr. Obasanjo to serve as a navigator for the ship of state.
Part of Mr. Soyinka’s short statement read: “An APC-led group, we understand, has been paying courtesy visits to former Heads of States.” Then he asked: “Would it be correct to state that their purpose is captured in the following Mission Statement? ‘Tinubu added that the APC had resolved to rescue Nigeria, appealing to Obasanjo to lead the mission. We’re resolved and determined to rescue Nigeria. We want you as navigator,’ he said.”
Mr. Soyinka, who is one of the strongest critics of former President Obasanjo, then added: “If this attribution is correct, may I urge you, as an urgent public service, to advise families to begin the stockpiling of life-belts for the guaranteed crash. Don't forget to alert the coastguards—ECOWAS (Economic Community of West African States), AU (African Union), UNO (United Nations Organization) etc etc—to be on the alert for possible salvage operations.
Nigeria’s foremost living writer then wondered, “If General Sani Abacha were alive today, would he also have been on the ship's complement? As Captain perhaps?”
Mr. Obasanjo recently wrote a public letter criticizing President Goodluck Jonathan of deception and dishonesty, adding that the incumbent president was reneging on a commitment not to seek a third term in office. The former president’s Boston, Massachusetts-based first daughter, Iyabo Obasanjo, then wrote her own public letter to him, accusing her father of being a liar, hypocrite, megalomaniac and narcissist.

Obasanjo Says He Will Not Comment On Jonathan’s Letter

Former President Olusegun Obasanjo

Following yesterday’s publication of President Goodluck Jonathan’s response to his letter, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo said today he will be making no further comment on the matter.
A statement signed by his media aide, Tunde Oladunjoye, acknowledged receiving President Jonathan’s response, followed by several requests from local and international media for his reaction.
“Baba, as he already indicated in his December 2, 2013,  does not wish to make further comments beyond the contents of his last letter to Mr. President or react to the said letter/response from Dr. Goodluck Ebele Jonathan,” the statement said.
It quoted from page 14 of Obasanjo’s original letter to buttress that position.  The former president wrote, “I will maintain my serenity, because by this letter I have done my duty to you as I have always done, to your government, to the party, PDP, and to our country, Nigeria.”
In his response to Obasanjo, President Jonathan said he had directed the security agencies and requested the National Human Rights Commission to carry out a thorough investigation of the criminal allegations made by the former president, and to make their findings public.
It is unclear if Obasanjo intends to cooperate with that investigation and whether he has yet been contacted to testify, or what Mr. Jonathan intends to do should he refuse.
In Jonathan’s 14-page response to Obasanjo’s 18 pages, he said he only had time to respond to the most serious of the charges which question his sincerity, personal honour, and commitment to his oath of office.   Obasanjo, he said, did him grave injustice by accusing him of “deceit, deception, dishonesty, incompetence, clannishness, divisiveness and insincerity,” among others.
Mr. Jonathan described Obasanjo’s allegation that he may be training snipers to assassinate political opponents as “particularly incomprehensible.”   Denying that he has ever been associated with any form of political violence since his days as a Deputy Governor about eight years ago, he challenged Obasanjo to name the 1000 people he claimed to be on a political watch list.
In a press statement issued on December 16 by his spokesman, Reuben Abati, the president called Obasanjo greedy and indecent for making that allegation, asserting that he needs no snipers as his legitimacy comes from the people.
“Those who are alleging the existence of snipers should step forward and provide the evidence or shut up forever and go down in history as spineless cowards, driven by sheer greed and indecency.”

Iyabo Obasanjo Refuses To Deny Authorship Of Letter To Her Father

Iyabo Obasanjo

SaharaReporters has learned that former Senator Iyabo Obasanjo, the first daughter of President Olusegun Obasanjo, has refused to denounce or deny her authorship of a blistering letter in which she characterized her father, among other unflattering epithets, as a liar, hypocrite, manipulator and opportunist. A source close to Mr. Obasanjo told our correspondent that Ms. Obasanjo had so far defied pressures from friends and family to state that she was not the writer of the letter or that she did not share the views expressed in it.
SaharaReporters also discovered that Ms. Obasanjo, who currently resides in the State of Massachusetts, has refused to take phone calls from the press. Instead, she has only accepted calls from a select few people whose caller IDs she knows, according to a friend knowledgeable about her movement today.
The friend also disclosed that Ms. Obasanjo had virtually stopped taking calls on her cell phone, except from members of a small inner circle. Part of her plan was to thwart relatives and friends of her father who had been sent on a mission to convince her to dissociate herself from the content of the explosive letter in order to save her father’s image. Our source revealed that the former senator’s cell phone rang incessantly all day yesterday, but was hardly answered. Our correspondent ascertained that Ms. Obasanjo’s voice message box was full, making it impossible for callers to leave her any messages.
Since the letter was published yesterday, several blogs have claimed that Ms. Obasanjo had denied writing it, an assertion that SaharaReporters determined to be completely false.
Several sources at Vanguard newspaper told SaharaReporters that former President Obasanjo’s daughter spoke twice yesterday with editors of the paper and stood by her letter. One source added that the former senator also agreed to let the paper release a tape of her confirmation should the need arise.
Late yesterday, SaharaReporters contacted the Harvard University Advanced Leadership Initiative where Ms. Obasanjo is a fellow. Speaking to our reporter, John Kendzior, a director of the program, confirmed that Ms. Obasanjo was in Boston and enrolled in the program. He asked our correspondent to send an email to be forwarded to her for response. However, Ms. Obasanjo did not respond to an email we sent via the director. Nor did she respond to several text messages to her mobile phone.
The fallout between Mr. Obasanjo and his daughter is the latest in a long-running feud between the former president and several members of his immediate family. Several years ago, Gbenga, Mr. Obasanjo’s first son, made shocking claims in a divorce filing to the effect that his father slept with his estranged wife. The former president’s first wife, Oluremi Obasanjo, who is the mother of both Iyabo and Gbenga, also wrote a scathing tell-all memoir titled Bitter-Sweet: My Life With Obasanjo. In the book, Mrs. Obasanjo accused her former husband of physical and emotional assaults as well as philandering.
Former President Obasanjo has come under sharp attacks from aides of President Goodluck Jonathan after the former wrote an open letter accused Mr. Jonathan of deception, encouragement of corruption, and the undermining of Nigeria’s democracy.

Bleeding PDP Warns That Defection Of Members Is ‘Betrayal’

PDP chair, Bamanga Tukur

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has described Wednesday’s defection of 37 of its members in the House of Representatives, as ‘betrayal,’ warning that those members should know the implication of their actions.
The declaration is contained in a statement issued by the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Chief Olisa Metuh, at the end of a meeting of the National Woking Committee of the party in Abuja.
“The PDP condemns what is fast unfolding as a desperate attempt by selfish politicians to cause confusion in our body polity,” he said. “We wish to assure all our members and supporters nationwide that the PDP remains unshaken by the departure of Fifth Columnists. We shall undoubtedly emerge stronger and more cohesive after these events.”
He said that if the defection was confirmed to be true, it was “treacherous and a huge betrayal” not only of the PDP but of voters who worked hard for the election of the defectors on the platform of the PDP.
Quoting Section 68 (1) (g) of the constitution, Metuh stressed that the courts have declared that the PDP is ONE and is not bedeviled by any factions.
“Any member of the National or State Assemblies who therefore renounces his membership of a UNITED PDP must be ready to face the consequences of defection in line with provisions of the Constitution,” he said.
Despite the purported defection of some members, he noted that the party still maintains a comfortable majority in the House of Representatives, and urged members “to utilize their majority to strengthen the support for President Goodluck Jonathan’s Transformation Agenda and the only recognized National Leadership of the Party.”

Edo Court Judge Orders Police To Exhume Four Bodies In The Ute Police Murder Case

David Ugolor of ANEEJ spearheaded the fight to get justice for the Ute 4

A Coroner's Court Judge ordered the Edo and Nigerian State Police on Monday to exhume the bodies of four persons for examination by medical experts to ascertain the cause of death.
The four men will killed by Nigerian Police officers in the Edo State Command in the Ute Community on the Benin by-pass in November.   The police argued the four men were robbers.
The story was reported by SaharaReporters on December 7th 2013
Counsel for the deceased, Benjamin Iluobe Esq who, told reporters it was a landmark judgement, "The order was a proper one because we are tired of the arrogant use of power by the Nigerian Police on citizens.  They killed the Ute 4 to make the public believe they were fighting crime.  This is bad for a democratic society, and a flagrant violation of the right to life and a right to a fair hearing."
During the hearing, the Nigerian Police Prosecutor, Inspector Adah John requested more time for the police to prepare for the case.  The deceased counsel argued the police were served notices of summons but the human bodies were subject to decomposition, and that was the matter before the Judge.
The African Network for Environment and Economic Justice, Executive Director, Rev. David Ugolor told SaharaReporters, "We've been advocating for the end of extra-judicial killing with impunity by the Nigerian Police Force. It was confirmed in court the police didn't even obtain the necessary documentation to bury the so-called suspects, yet they hurriedly buried them."
"We urge Nigerians to join the struggle to sanitize the Nigerian Police; if this does not concern you today it will tomorrow when your household, friend or relation is affected."

OFFICIAL : ASUU Strike Ends

ASUU leaders and FG officials

By Saharareporters, New York

The Academic Staff Union of Nigerian Universities (ASUU) has officially suspended it five months old industrial action action starting from today.
The union took the decision  after a marathon meeting in Minna, Niger State.
The decision to end the protracted industrial action was taken after ASUU signed a new agreement with the federal government on December 11 2013.
ASUU President, Dr. Nasir Fagge told SaharaReporters shortly before commencing a press conference in Minna that ASUU has concluded its National Executive Council meeting and accordingly decided to suspend the strike.

School Teacher In Police Photograph Case Joined By Supporters In Lagos State Court; Court Fixes Hearing For February 2014

Mr. Abragandu Kan Nanya Aminu

Police charges

The Principal and staff from Supreme Education Foundation Schools were in Lagos State Magistrate Court today to support Mr. Abragandu Kan Nanya Aminu, accused by police of taking a photograph of a traffic warden.

Mr. Aminu is accused of photographing traffic warden inspector, Okpanachi Godwin, when he had positioned himself in front of a commercial bus to stop it moving on the Ikosi Junction of Ketu, Lagos State on November 19. 
A source said it looked like the warden was trying to extort the bus driver and as such was fearful that the photo will make it to the internet as several others that led to summary dismissal of police officers in recent time.
Police officers objected to the photograph, seized Aminu's mobile phone, arrested him and took him to prison where he was tortured.  Human rights groups petitioned the police for Aminu's release.
Police have charged Mr. Aminu of unlawful assault of a police officer, resisting and obstructing police officers in their duty, and breaching public peace.
Mr. Aminu told SaharaReporters he took the photograph to show to his students as an example of wrongful conduct for students in the School's traffic monitoring club.
His supporters told SaharaReporters Aminu wasn't taking the photograph for mischievous purposes despite the police having a reputation in Nigeria for extortion.
Lagos State Magistrates Court set the hearing for February 24th and 25th, 2014.

EFCC, Unhappy With El-Rufai Acquittal, To File Appeal

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission(EFCC), has decided that it will pursue an appeal in a higher court against last week’s decision of a Federal Capital Territory High Court in Abuja which acquitted a former Minister, Mallam Nasir el-Rufai.

In a statement, the commission expressed dismay at two separate court losses it suffered last Friday, the other being the Supreme Court acquittal of the former Chairman of the Nigerian Ports Authority, Chief Olabode Goerge and five others.

“Without going into the merit or otherwise of the Supreme court ruling, it is unfortunate that the apex court disagreed with the decision of the two lower courts—the Lagos High Court and the Court of Appeal—which upheld the conviction of the accused persons based on the evidence presented by the Commission,” the statement said.

“While this turn of event is saddening, the Commission as a law abiding institution always respected judicial pronouncements and this will be no different.”

It described the decision of Justice Sadiq Umar that the Commission failed to establish a prima facie case against El-Rufai as being “against the weight of the evidence” it had presented to the court.
 

Jonathan should resign - CNPP

I

The Conference of Nigerian Political Parties (CNPP) has called for President Goodluck Jonathan to resign.

Daily Post reports that the call for his resignation followed a letter sent to Jonathan by Chief Olusefun Obasanjo which advised him to leave his post.

According to the report, the Benue state chairman of the CNPP, Mr Baba Agan, said he agrees with Obasanjo.

"Obasanjo is absolutely correct about all the issues he raised and I urge the president to save his face and step aside because we have never had it this bad as a nation."

Agan, however, added that Obasanjo was not as innocent as the former president seems to think.

"Even though we appreciate Obasanjo for his bravery, we cannot also fail to point out that he is part of what this country is currently passing through.

"It was Obasanjo who pronounced President Jonathan as his son and thereafter imposed and fostered him on Nigerians, and what do we have today? This is certainly not what we hoped for," Daily Post reports.

Obasanjo Should Tread With Caution, Tukur Warns

Former President Olusegun Obasanjo

The embattled national chairman of the ruling Peoples Democratic Party, Bamanga Tukur, has called on the former chairman of the party’s Board of Trustees, Olusegun Obasanjo, to tread with caution. Mr. Tukur’s censure was issued in a statement issued by his spokesman in reaction to a fiery public letter by Mr. Obasanjo in which President Goodluck Jonathan was accused of acting against the interests of the PDP as well as engaging in other undemocratic acts.
Mr. Obasanjo, who was Nigeria’s president from 1999 to 2007, was instrumental in installing Mr. Jonathan in office.
Reacting to Mr. Obasanjo’s controversial letter, Mr. Tukur said it was wrong for the former president to insinuate in his letter that Mr. Jonathan was using Mr. Tukur to cause confusion in the increasingly fractious ruling party.
“For such a statement against the person of the national chairman of the PDP to come from Chief Obasanjo, a former head of state and president, is most unfortunate,” Mr. Tukur stated. He added: “Chief Obasanjo in his position as former president under the PDP platform should have known very well the constitution of the party, the party manifesto as it relates to the independence of the PDP National Working Committee.”
The PDP national chairman continued: “For [Mr. Obasanjo] to insinuate that the President is using the national chairman to cause multiple problems for the party doesn't in any way portray him as a true democrat.
“Chief Obasanjo is very much aware of the fact that Dr. Bamanga Tukur is a man of honor and proven integrity who shouldn't be portrayed as a stooge to anybody. It is well known to Chief Obasanjo that Dr. Bamanga Tukur is a man who acts according to the dictates of his conscience and conviction and in line with the party constitution and manifesto. Dr. Tukur as the national chairman and one of the founding fathers of the party can never allow his opinion or decisions to be teleguided by any external force as a principled administrator and seasoned politician.
“Chief Obasanjo's statement is certainly an attack on the personal integrity and credibility of Dr. Tukur as an outstanding statesman of international repute.”
Mr. Tukur’s statement concluded: “Chief Obasanjo is however advised to tread with caution over his personal attacks or vituperations against his fellow elder statesmen or those in exalted political positions in the country.”

Boss of faulty breast implant company gets four years

A TYCOON who made millions selling leaky breast implants filled with

Jean-Claude Mas was sentenced to fours years in prison and fined £62,000 [GETTY]

But Jean-Claude Mas walked free after lodging an appeal, meaning thousands of affected women now have to wait to discover if they will receive damages.

The 74-year-old meat and cognac salesman was convicted of fraud by a court in Marseille, France.

He was also fined £62,000. His company Poly Implant Prothese (PIP) was shut down and its products banned in 2010.

A German testing firm previously held liable to pay out was yesterday told it is also a victim of PIP.

Around 400,000 women worldwide received the rupture-prone implants, 47,000 of them in Britain.

Damages could run to millions. But it could be years before it is paid and there is no guarantee it will ever be. Many women need faulty implants removing.

Disappointed British victim Jan Spivey said after the hearing: “I thought he would be taken away.”

DAVID CAMEROON DEFENDS SELF

David Cameron defends selfie with Barack Obama and Danish PM at Nelson Mandela memorial

DAVID Cameron has today laughed off the controversial selfie taken at Nelson

David Cameron has defended himself over a selfie taken at the Mandela memorial with Barack Obama [MAIN - PA & TOP LEFT - EPA & BOTTOM RIGHT - AP]

An image of the Prime Minister, Barack Obama and Danish Prime Minister Helle Thorning-Schmidt – who is married to former Labour leader Neil Kinnock’s son Stephen - went viral on the social networking site yesterday.

Users of Twitter blasted the trio for the picture, with some calling it "moronic" and lacking "class".

Today, the Conservative leader defended himself, saying: “Perhaps in my defence, you should always remember that the television cameras are always on.

"But in my defence I would say that Nelson Mandela played an extraordinary role in his life and in his death in bringing people together.

"So of course when a member of the Kinnock family asked me for a photograph, I thought it was only polite to say yes."

Perhaps in my defence, you should always remember that the television cameras are always on

Prime Minister David Cameron

The picture was taken as more than 90 world leaders joined more than 100,000 South Africans to pay tribute and celebrate the life of Mr Mandela at the FNB Stadium in Soweto.

The photographer who took the picture said the trio were "simply acting like human beings".

Roberto Schmidt, who works for news agency AFP, said: "I took these photos totally spontaneously, without thinking about what impact they might have.

"At the time, I thought the world leaders were simply acting like human beings, like me and you. I doubt anyone could have remained totally stony-faced for the duration of the ceremony, while tens of thousands of people were celebrating in the stadium.

"For me, the behaviour of these leaders in snapping a selfie seems perfectly natural."

Barack Obama with Danish Prime Minister Helle Thorning-Schmidt at the Mandela memorial [REUTERS]

A Number 10 Downing Street spokesman was asked about whether Mr Cameron's actions were appropriate at a Westminster media briefing today.

The spokesman said: "I think what the PM would say about yesterday is it was very much a celebration of Nelson Mandela and his life and his achievements.

"I am sure many of us were watching the pictures from it and I think it did come across, and rightly so, as a marking and a celebration of Mr Mandela's life. You had plenty of words from the Prime Minister and leaders from around the world that attest to that."

Many took offence at the selfie with Twitter user James Armitage saying: "What selfish morons take a 'selfie' at a memorial service? Oh yeah that's right, Barack Obama and David Cameron."

Sarah McDermott sent a direct tweet to Mr Cameron which said: "You have precisely zero class or decorum."

However, a number of Twitter users defended the memorial service selife including Moya Arewa from Canada.

The user tweeted: "I don't think the Danish PM's selfie with Obama and Cameron is as disrespectful as everyone is making it seem."

LAGOS SHUTS DOWN CHURCHES OVER NOISE POLLUTION

Lagos State Government Shuts Down Seven Churches Over Noise Pollution

The Lagos State Government has shut down the Lord’s Chosen Charismatic Ministry and six other churches in Lagos, Southwest Nigeria over noise pollution.

Officials of the Lagos State Environmental Protection Agency, LASEPA stormed a branch of the Lord’s Chosen Church at 25 Omobola Street, Lawanson, Surulere area at the weekend and shut it down.

Other affected churches are Bible Church, FESTAC; The Chapter of Christ Church, Oregun, Ikeja; Assemblies of God Church, Ikeja; The Golden Gate Church, Ifako-Ijaiye and Seek and Save Ministry, Abule Egba.

The closure of the churches is coming after pre-sanction notices were given to the churches to abate the noise pollution emanating from their worship centres.

General Manager, LASEPA, Engr. Rasheed Shabi said the closure of the churches became imperative after several abatement notices issued to them were disregarded.

According to him, some of the churches even rebuffed meetings called by the agency on how to resolve the issue.

“The agency’s stance is clear on issue of noise pollution level permitted. This has been communicated to all worship centres in the state.

“The level of noise pollution allowed in the state is between 55 decibel during the day and 42 to 45 decibel at night,” he said.

Shabi said the state government was determined to reduce noise pollution in the state because of the anomalies and diseases related to it.

He enjoined worship centres in the state to comply with the state’s standard on noise, while suggesting the use of sound proof equipment by churches to reduce noise during their worship services.

Meanwhile, the large expanse of land in Ayobo where the temporary headquarters of Deeper Life Bible Church is situated may soon become a subject of litigation, as the Olalere Family has asked the church to vacate the land.

The over 150 acres of land covering Amule, Ayobo and Onikanga communities, currently accommodates the Deeper Life Bible Church main auditorium, the International Bible Training College and the proposed Anchor University owned by founder of the church, Pastor Williams Kumuyi.

Although Deeper Life Bible Church has been in possession of the land for over 30 years, the Olalere Family who now claim ownership of the land has declared the church as an illegal occupant and warned that the family may resort to court action to evict the church if it does not legalise its tenancy of the land.

The Olalere family in a letter to the church dated 7 February 2012 noted that by virtue of a 2010 court ruling by Justice Oyekan Abdullahi, the entire Ayobo community land belongs to them, and any occupant currently on the land must renegotiate their tenancy with the family.

When our reporter contacted the church over the development, secretary to the church, Pastor Jerry Asemota, said he was personally unaware of any letter to the church by the Olalere family.

He, however, said that only the legal department of the church could confirm receipt of such letters.

When asked about the Olalere family’s claim of ownership to the church land, he said: “I can assure you that we are not illegal occupants. We have been in possession of this land for 30 years and if the initial owners have problem among themselves, they should settle it amicably.”

man raped to death by his six wives

Uroko Onoja, Benue State Man Raped 

His fame and financial breakthrough pushed him into having up to six wives. His love for sex equally contributed to his patronage of the most beautiful girls in Ugbugbu Owukpa, Ogbadibo Local government area of Benue State where a man who was identified as Uroko Onoja was allegedly raped to death by his 6 jealous wives in the early hour of Tuesday.
Trouble started on tuesday morning, precisely 3 am when Uroko returned from Ochanja, a popular joint in the small community of Ugbugbu and headed to the room of his youngest wife. The other wives who according to the youngest wife, Odachi had a meeting before Uroko returned home invaded her room with knives and sticks, demanding that their husband have sex with all of them at once. Uroko who resisted their attack was overpowered by the women who ordered that the sex march begin with the youngest wife and to continue in that order to the top.
Our correspondent reported that Uroko stopped breathing when the fifth woman was making her way to the bed. “Suddenly, my husband stopped breathing, and they all ran out, still laughing, but when they saw that I could not resuscitate him, they all ran into the forest.
As at the time this report was filed, 2 of the wives have been arrested.

truck kills lastma official

Truck crushes LAWMA official to death

Truck crushes LAWMA official to death

An official of the Lagos State Waste Management Authority, identified only as Idowu, was crushed to death by a waste disposal truck on Tuesday.
It was learnt that the deceased and three others were in the truck, otherwise known as PSP, when it skidded off the Egbeda-Idimu Road and fell on its side.
It was learnt that three of the officials escaped unhurt but Idowu was not as lucky as the vehicle fell on him cutting him into two halves.
According to eyewitnesses, the accident was caused by commercial bus drivers who were driving recklessly around Car Wash Bus Stop.
An eyewitness, who identified himself only as Emmanuel, said, “The accident was caused by commercial bus drivers who stopped to pick passengers along the road at illegal bus stops around 7am. The real bus stop is the BRT one, but many commercial drivers usually ignore it.
“The PSP truck overturned as its driver tried to avoid ramming into two commercial buses filled with passengers. The commercial bus drivers were struggling to overtake each other at the bus stop to pick passengers.
“The deceased was caught under, with part of his body, from his chest, cut into half and buried under the truck.”
It was learnt that the buses that allegedly caused the accident, drove off immediately.
The accident, coupled with the early morning rush, caused a gridlock which stretched from the road to the Iyana Ipaja end of the Lagos-Abeokuta Expressway.
Many bystanders as well as colleagues of the victim were seen crying at the scene.
Around 11am, however, two cranes were brought to move the truck off the deceased’s body.
A LAWMA official, Mrs. Aminu-Odukoya, who is also a field supervisor said Idowu was one of the officials that collected refuse from residents whenever the PSP truck stopped at refuse points.
She said the truck had stopped briefly to pick bags of refuse shortly before the accident occurred.
Mr. Olakunle Agenjo, a LAWMA provost official, said Car Wash was an illegal bus stop.
He said, “This Car Wash is not a bus stop. This accident happened around 7am. The PSP truck stopped to pick refuse and was about to drive away. A commercial bus parked in its front, picking passengers, another one parked at the back of the truck, also picking passengers.
“Suddenly, as the truck was about to continue on its way, the commercial bus at the back, drove fast and attempted to overtake the one at the front. But the one at the front would not allow the driver. In the confusion, the truck would have run into them, but it would have led to the death of so many people, which was why the driver attempted to steer the truck over the culvert, but the truck overturned and our man turned with it and he was killed.”