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The once very busy bush meat stalls at Doka village, Kaduna were empty last Tuesday. The only persons present were the bush meat sellers, about 12 of them, sitting with long faces, under a tent watching the mounts of smoked carcasses of all kinds of animals that had attracted the culinary desire of thousands, mostly travellers, each week. But all that seemed to have changed with the emergence of the Ebola virus in some parts of Nigeria.



The Doka bush meat market is the most popular in southern Kaduna, supplying families, hotels, restaurants and bars in adjoining towns and as far as Plateau and Nasarawa states as well as Abuja with smoked antelopes, primates, pythons, crocodiles, hares, porcupines, wild guinea fowls and even foxes among other animals.







The Ebola scare has since rattled Kaduna State to do away with meat from the animals, and the major victims are those involved in the business.



“I did not know the seriousness of the problem until I took my senior brother’s favourite meat to his home at GRA Unguwan Rimi sometimes last month”, said Dauda.

“His best bush meat is wild boa, roasted with salt and garlic. As usual, I rode on my motor bike for about one hour with the dried boa.”



“When the security guard saw me, he said he was going to inform my brother’s wife first if she would allow me to come in with the meat. That was very strange, because the house was as good as mine. The security guard came back and told me that madam said they had stopped eating bush meat and that my brother left instruction before he travelled out that no bush meat should be allowed into the house.

“The woman did not even have the respect of coming out to greet me, talk less of allowing me to have a cup of water and a meal.

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“I left humiliated and sad. Since then, things have been very bad.”

All the sellers, many who were also hunters, were eager to tell their stories and denied that their meat had any virus.



“The five of us who attend ECWA Church here suffer in the hands of our people. Some of them said that we could bring in a disease that would kill everyone in the village. That we should be stopped from hunting, or forced to stop coming to church and mix with people,” complained Emmanuel Bako, 45.

“Some are just jealous of our progress and are using this Ebola matter to destroy us.”

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“Look at us, why has none of us died?”, interrupted Andara Gom, 39.



“We kill these animals ourselves and prepare them.



]“The countries where you have Ebola, maybe it is white men that catch the animals and feed them. You know the white man like giving all kinds of injection and feelings to wild animals.”

According to their estimates, on weekends, they make an average of N300,000 while on week days, sales averaged N60,000.



But with the Ebola scare, they barely make N15,000 on weekends and N5,000 on week days.

All their wholesale buyers, according to the bush meat sellers, have canceled their orders, citing non-patronage of the meat in restaurants and bars.



That means hard times for hunters.



The Doka bushmeat market actually gets its supply from forest reserves of over 500,000 hectares that stretch from Kachia Local Government Area, LGA, in Kaduna state, to the borders with Plateau and Bauchi. It also includes an additional 30,000 grazing reserve in Kachia LGA, all restricted from hunting and logging.



“We have been unable to stop hunters and loggers in those reserves”, said a source at the Kaduna Ministry of Agriculture who asked not to be identified.



“The hunters had simply overpowered our poorly paid and equipped forest guards. The truth is that some of the guards were also involved in the illegal business.

“Maybe God is indirectly helping the depleting animal population to multiply,” he said.



via nigerianeye

Liverpool produced another fine performance over Tottenham to run out 3-0 winners at White Hart Lane as Mario Balotelli made his debut.





Raheem Sterling gave the visitors a eighth-minute lead before Steven Gerrard, from the penalty spot, and an impressive solo effort from Alberto Moreno sealed all three points.



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Policemen attached to the G.R.A Police Command, Bauchi State have arrested a reverend father and one other person for allegedly defrauding one Joel Sumi of #60,000.







The state police spokesperson, DSP Haruna Mohammed, disclosed this yesterday.

According Mohammed, the two suspects, who posed as fortune tellers, deceived their victim, and defrauded him.



He said, “The victim decided to seek prayers from the reverend father and the other person in order to solve his problems, but fell into the wrong hands as he was asked by the suspects to bring N60,000 before conducting the prayers”.



The PPRO said that the victim, who suddenly discovered he was duped, reported the matter to the police and the suspects were arrested.



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Rivers State Government has said three Ebola patients have been moved to the state’s quarantine centre at Oduoha in Emohua Local Government Area of the state.







The state’s Commissioner for Health, Dr. Samson Parker, made this known at a news conference in Port Harcourt on Sunday.



Parker said those taken to the treatment centre were a pharmacist at Sam Steel Hospital, doctor working with late Dr. Iyke Sam Enemuo and a nurse at Good Heart Hospital, where Enemuo allegedly died.



Sam Steel Hospital is owned by late Enemuo while he died at Good Heart Hospital.



However, he said the patients had not been confirmed, stressing that the government was awaiting the result of their tests by Sunday.



As for the wife of deceased doctor, the commissioner said Mrs. Enemuo, who tested positive for the virus was still stable in Lagos.



The commissioner said, “I have been telling you before now that almost 200 persons have been line-traced. Out of this number, we are still to be in touch with about 60 of them.



“But 50 high risk contacts have been identified. Because of stigma and the rest of them, these persons are not coming up, we are still on them.



“We have three patients at the treatment centre now. The pharmacist at Sam Steel Hospital, the doctor that was working with him and also a lady at Good Heart Hospital while Dr. Enemuo was there.”



It is not clear when the three patients were taken to the quarantine centre.



When our correspondent visited the centre on Saturday, he noticed that the centre was not ready.



He observed that reconstruction was going on at former Emohua Primary Health Centre which had been renamed as Ebola quarantine centre.

As of 11am on Saturday when our correspondent was leaving the quarantine centre, no single patient had been brought to the centre.



But the commissioner insisted the patients were taken to the centre after our correspondent had left.

Parker said, “I am briefing you now. Operations are by the minute. They are three now. They won’t let you in now. That place is restricted. Probably when you went there, there were none, but I am telling you now that I was there when they were brought in.”



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One youth was yesterday shot dead and several others wounded when mobile Policemen attached to the Police Anti-terrorist Squad opened fire on a funeral procession at Umuokoto, Umudibia Nekede Autonomous Community in Owerri West Local Government Area of Imo State.







The yet-to-be identified victim was taking part with over 30 other youths in the funeral procession when he was hit by a stray bullet.



The shooting of the people who were mostly youths, which occurred at about 9am on Friday, was described by eye- witnesses as “senseless and unwarranted killing.”



It was gathered that the youths who were coming back from the mortuary where they had gone to collect a corpse for burial, were just few kilometres to their destination when the trigger happy policemen met them.

According to an eyewitness account, “as the police were maneuvering to pass the procession, an argument ensued between them and the youths and in the process, one of the policemen, who appeared to be drunk, shot at the procession without warning, killing one person and injuring others before speeding off.



“When the youths regrouped and marched in protest to the anti-terrorist police station at Umuoma, a neighbouring community, the policemen started shooting sporadically at the youths injuring many of them.”

The source, who pleaded for anonymity, stated further that, “the youths came for the funeral, they were unarmed; they had not done anything to provoke the police before they were shot like common criminals.”

Narrating his ordeal at his hospital bed, one of the victims, identified as Okey Ekeocha, explained that the bullet hit the tarred road and bounced back hitting him in the arm and head.



He said, “as the argument was going on one of the policemen jumped out from the vehicle and opened fire, one of the bullets hit one of us and he fell down and hit his head on the road, while another bullet hit the tarred road and bounced back and hit me in the arm and head.



“Bullets were extracted from my right arm and head. The doctor advised that I undergo another X-ray to ensure there is no other bullet lodging in my body,” he said.



Confirming the incident, the state Police Public Relation Officer, DSP Andrew Enwerem said “what I know is that the youth blocked the way not allowing the anti-terrorist police to pass, quarrel ensued that led to two people being hospitalised.”



He said that normalcy was however restored when reinforcement was moved to the place. “But we are investigating to know the remote cause of the incident but I am not aware of any casualty.”



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Women in Anambra North senatorial zone, comprising Anambra East, Anambra West, Onitsha North, Onitsha South, Ayamelum, Oyi and Ogbaru Local Governments, yesterday, mounted pressure on the immediate past Aviation Minister, Princess Stella Oduah, to declare her interest in contesting the 2015 senatorial election in the zone.







In a communique issued in Awkuzu, Oyi Local Government Area of the state, shortly after the inaugural ceremony of their coordinators in support of the senatorial aspiration of Oduah, the women, numbering over 4,000 from the various local governments, adopted Oduah as their choice for the senatorial election in the zone.



They contended that Oduah deserved the position, based on her quality performance at the Aviation Ministry and as such should heed the voices of women from the zone to contest the 2015 senatorial election.



The women, who spoke through their Anambra East and Ogbaru Local Governments coordinators of Stella Oduah Campaign Organization, Mrs. Uju Ezuike and Mrs. Njideka Ezeigwe respectively, insisted that the former Aviation Minister should contest.



They added that Oduah’s antecedents and achievements as a minister were living testimonies of positive things to come if she is given the mandate to represent the zone in the National Assembly.



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Some powerful Nigerians are sabotaging the efforts of the Federal Government and other concerned citizens to ensure that the over 200 girls kidnapped by Boko Haram are set free.



This was disclosed by the President, Civil Rights Congress, Mr. Shehu Sani, in an interview with Punch newspaper recently.



Sani, who has been involved in efforts to get government and Boko Haram to discuss the fate of the girls in the past, said some powerful individuals, whom he refused to name, ensured that the talks derailed.





Sani’s disclosure came even as government had begun fresh talks with the group to secure the release of the girls.



Reports have claimed that the girls who were kidnapped from the Government Girls Secondary School, Chibok, Borno State, have been sighted in camps inside Sambisa Forest, in some border towns near Cameroon and in the Central African Republic.



Former President Olusegun Obasanjo; Sani; and a United Arab Emirates-based Nigerian freelance journalist, Ahmad Salkida, who had communication channels with Boko Haram, had offered to mediate between the government and the sect. But none of these efforts have yielded fruits.



There have been speculations that recently President Goodluck Jonathan and Obasanjo held a meeting to discuss how to negotiate the release of the girls.



Sani, who is one of the negotiators facilitating the current talks, confirmed that government and the sect had started another round of talks for the release of the girls. However, he expressed fears that the powerful Nigerians who sabotaged earlier talks might derail the ongoing talks if care was not taken.



“What I want to tell you is that something is being done about it but I’m not disposed to making it public. Most times, publicising these issues always lead to sabotage by those who do not want the girls freed. I will not mention the names of these Nigerians.



“However, I can tell you that real and genuine moves are going on, which I am a part of. The claim that the girls have been abandoned is not true. There are genuine efforts by government and some individuals, who are discreetly making efforts toward getting their (pupils’) safe return home.”



The human rights activist noted that the girls could only be freed either forcefully or through dialogue and negotiation.



He added that the foreign intervention sought by some Nigerians had not produced results.



The United States, the United Kingdom, France, China and Israel had offered to assist Nigeria in rescuing the school girls.



Both the US and the UK had sent security experts and technology to locate the abductees and secure their release. While the US claimed to have located the girls, France had specifically opposed negotiations with the sect.



Speaking on efforts made by these countries so far, Sani said, “I am not aware of any serious efforts made by any foreign country. I am not aware of what is happening on the side of the US forces. From the side of dialogue or negotiation, I have not seen any serious intervention or involvement of these countries.”



Similarly, the Convener, Coalition of Northern Politicians, Academics, Professionals and Businessmen, Dr. Junaid Mohammed, said some powerful forces had been frustrating efforts to free the girls



The Second Republic lawmaker said, “Powerful forces have proceeded to stall the negotiation over certain political gains.”



Confirming the negotiation plan, the President, Kibaku Youth Association of Nigeria (a community in Chibok Local Government Area), Mr. Moses Zakwa, told newsmen that the Federal Government engaged the services of an Australian negotiator.



He, however, said he was not aware if any Nigerian was engaged by the government for talks with the sect.



Zakwa said, “Some weeks ago, we understood that the Federal Government hired a private negotiator who has been working in regards to the release of the Chibok girls. Every person in Chibok and Borno State knows too well that a former governor of the state is the founder of Boko Haram. Everybody sees him like a semi-god that cannot be touched by any authority.”



Zakwa also revealed that the Chibok community had resolved to protect itself against further attacks from Boko Haram. He also dropped hints that the community might take the fight to the Islamic sect.



He said, “What I want to assure you is that the community and its indigenes are ready. We want to take the bull by the horn. Whatever it will cost us, we are fully ready to face members of Boko Haram. I want to assure you that an earthquake will soon happen and Nigerians will be happy with what we plan to do.”



However, the Chairman of the Board of Trustees, Pan Chibok Youths Association, Dr. Allen Manasseh, told our correspondent that he was not aware of any ongoing talks between the government and the sect.



He said, “I am not aware of any negotiation because I am not privy to that information yet. As I am speaking to you, I am in Chibok and I don’t know when negotiation started or how far they have gone with the negotiation. But if they have started negotiation with Boko Haram, then it is okay by us.”



Manasseh, however, expressed doubts about the Federal Government’s resolve to rescue the girls. While describing the ongoing efforts as belated, the Chibok youth leader said the government had had enough time to rescue the girls.



He said, “That is where my scepticism will come in because the girls in captivity are over a hundred and if the Federal Government is willing to negotiate with whoever is holding them captive, then it has taken too long for them to do that.”



The Northern Elders Forum had on August 11, 2014, given President Jonathan up to October to produce the schoolgirls or forget his 2015 presidential re-election bid.



An ex-Speaker of the Plateau State House of Assembly, Mr. Solomon Dalung, at a press briefing on behalf of the forum said the failure of the President to produce the Chibok girls and tackle other security challenges in the land, amounted to the forfeiture of his rights to ask for another mandate to lead Nigeria beyond 2015.



“In the light of our firm conviction that the insurgency and related security challenges pose threats to the 2015 elections and the survival of our nation, we strongly advise President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan to bring an end to the insurgency in all its manifestations and produce the Chibok girls before the end of October 2014,” Dalung stated.



But Jonathan had reacted through his Senior Special Assistant on Public Affairs, Dr. Doyin Okupe, saying he was already working on how to rescue the abducted girls.



“President Jonathan does not require any threat or ultimatum from any group of persons to be alive to his responsibilities to the Nigerian people,” Okupe had said.



Efforts to get the Presidency to confirm the said negotiation on Friday proved abortive.



Several calls made to the telephones of both the Senior Special Assistant to the President on the Public Affairs, Dr. Doyin Okupe, and the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Dr. Reuben Abati, were not picked. Also, they did not respond to a text message sent to them.



Last Monday, a United States-based journal, Foreign Policy, listed the girls’ rescue as one of the missions that had been “forgotten” by the US government.



According to the magazine, the rescue of the girls is one of ‘The Pentagon’s top five “forgotten missions.”’



In a report titled ‘Forgotten Mission,’ which was published on Monday, the journal said there was no end in sight for the US mission in Nigeria to free the schoolgirls.



The abduction had called global attention, especially through a social media campaign with the hash tag, #BringBackOurGirls.



Foreign Policy recalled that President Barack Obama’s administration had deployed manned and unmanned aircraft to find the girls.



“It also dispatched advisors from the State and Defence departments, as well as the FBI. In late May, 80 troops (were) deployed in Chad to support and maintain unarmed Predator drones providing the mission with surveillance,” Foreign Policy added.



The journal further said, “Approximately 60 girls have escaped but the rest remain missing. Other missions said to have been forgotten by the US government included the hunting down of Joseph Kony of the LRA in Central Africa; destruction of Syria’s chemical weapons; NATO air policing; and the US operations in Afghanistan.



via nigerianeye

Early morning rainfall in Niger State, yesterday, and apathy on the part of the electorate marred Niger East senatorial election especially in Minna, the state capital.







However, turnout was relative high in the other eight local government areas where the election held.

In Minna, INEC officials, including corps members, used as adhoc staff, were seen at their table with all the sensitive materials ready but with few voters coming out for accreditation.



In other local governments, voters defied the downpour to vote.

In Shiroro local government area, voters came out mostly in Kuta, headquarters of the local government, Gwada, and other villages.



Our correspondent gathered that many voters could not carry out their civic responsibility for lack of voter’s cards while others could not trace their names on the voters list displayed.



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With the launch of the new National electronic identity card scheme , there may not be a hiding place again for unscrupulous Nigerians engaging in identity theft and other criminal vices that have been threatening Nigeria’s national interests and growth



For one thing, the scheme which is expected to signal the start of Africa’s largest financial inclusion, according to keen observers, would end the regime of duplication of biometric data bases in the country.



Interestingly, by using the card as a payment tool, Nigerians can deposit funds, receive social benefits, save, or engage in many other financial transactions that are facilitated by electronic payments with the extra security assurance that biometric verification provides.

Jonathan-e-ID-CardHowever, upon completion of the pilot program, the Nigerian Identity Management Commission (NIMC), it was learnt was planning to introduce more than 100 million cards to Nigeria’s 167 million citizens.



In the pilot phase, however, the Nigerian Identity Management Commission (NIMC) will issue MasterCard-branded identity cards with electronic payments functionality to 13 million Nigerians.



This initiative is the largest rollout of a biometric-based verification card with an electronic payment solution in the country and by extension, the broadest financial inclusion program in Africa.



Accordingly, the eID card forms a key component of the Nigerian Identity Management System, deployed by NIMC as part of its mandate to create, maintain and operate the country’s first central National Identity Database and provide proof of identity to Nigerians 16 years and older.

With 13 applications, including MasterCard’s prepaid payment technology and Cryptovision’s biometric identification technology, the eID card is expected to provide millions of Nigerians with the security, convenience and reliability of electronic payments.



Speaking at the formal Launch of the Issuance Process for the National Electronic Identity Card (E-Id Card) in Abuja, President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, with optimism said that the new e-card era would address identity related theft and other criminal activities affecting socio-economic development of the country. According to him, the scheme would build a window to a social security benefit system, adding that it is a card every Nigerian should get.



Already, President Jonathan had received his National eID card, heralding the official launch of the eID pilot program.

“The regime of duplication of Biometric data bases must now have to give way to harmonization and unification with the e-ID scheme, which shall be the primary data base.



“Proliferation and duplication of efforts is neither cost effective, nor security-smart. It is important to remove obstacles that may impede the NIMC from the discharge of its constitutional functions and statutory obligations.



“The combination of intricate security features and other multiple functions in the e-ID Card, improving its functionality and versatility is also significant.



“Such high standard will help create economic and employment opportunities, consistent with our commitment to National Transformation,” he explained



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Ahead of the September 6 primary election of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, for the emergence of the party’s candidate for the October 11 gubernatorial election in Adamawa State, the party, yesterday, disqualified the acting governor, Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri, from contesting.





Addressing journalists after the nine hours screening exercise, Chairman of the PDP screening panel for Adamawa State and former Deputy Senate President, Senator Ibrahim Nasir Mantu, said that the panel, while relying on Section 191(2) of 1999 Constitution, the acting governor could contest because he was a child of circumstance, a midwife and not the woman carrying the baby.



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Of the 14 aspirants who appeared before the Mantu-led committee, only the acting governor was disqualified while the rest were cleared to participate in the PDP primary election.



The five- member panel was set up by the PDP National Working Committee, NWC, to screen the aspirants who purchased the expression of interest and nomination forms.



Besides Mantu, other members of the committee were former Senate Leader, Teslim Folarin; Amina Jambo; Mai Adamu Mustapha and Salisu Dabo, who was absent.



The screening started at 1.00 pm, an hour later than the 12 noon time earlier scheduled for its commencement, and closed at 8.30 pm.

Sensing what would happen, Fintiri stormed out of venue without taking questions from journalists like other aspirants.



Mantu, who noted that the Adamawa acting governor could not contest the election because it would go against the provision of Section 191, Sub section 2 of the Constitution of the country, said: “He (Fintiri) was not cleared because, as far as far as we are concerned, Section 191, Sub section 2 of the Constitution does not permit him to transform from acting capacity to a substantive governor.”



Those cleared by Mantu committee to go for the primary election are Dr. Umar Ardo; former Chairman, Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu; Senator Abubakar Girei; former Special Adviser to President Goodluck Jonathan on Political Matters, Alhaji Ahmed Gulak; Erstwhile Military Administrator of Lagos and Borno States, Brig. Gen. Mohammed Buba Marwa and former Minister of Statement Foreign Affairs, Dr. Aliyu Idi- Hong.

Others are the immediate past Executive Secretary, Universal Basic Education Commission, UBEC, Dr. Ahmed Modibbo Mohammed; Son of former PDP National Chairman, Awwal Bamanga Tukur; Marcus Natina Gundiri; James Shuiabu Barka; Jerry Kundusi; Engr. Brig. Gen. Aliyu A.V. Kama and Prof. Andrawus Sawa.

Present for the screening were the 14 aspirants who purchased the expression of interest and nomination forms.



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The battle for the presidential ticket of the All Progressive Congress (APC) is creating tension in Kano State where the supporters of Governor Rabiu Kwankwaso and those of former Head of State, Major General Muhammadu Buhari, have clashed.







The state House of Assembly, dominated by the APC, has broken into two camps, each supporting Kwankwaso and Buhari.



The governor and former Head of State are leading contenders for the APC presidential ticket.

Some members of the assembly, under the aegis of G34, had, late last week, endorsed Kwankwaso for the APC presidential ticket.



But signs that all was not well in the parliament emerged, yesterday, when a member of the group, Yusuf Abdullahi Atta, dissociated himself and some of his other colleagues from the endorsement, declaring support for Buhari.



Kano State Deputy Majority leader, Yusuf Suleiman Babangida, who disclosed the G 34 endorsement of the state governor, on Thursday, declared that the current security situation in the country requires a man with courageous disposition of Kwankwaso to handle. ‘’The security of state and it’s citizens which is the first obligation that the law of the land places upon leadership is deteriorating at all levels due to the collapse of the centre”, the lawmaker said.



Babangida, who played a prominent role in the election that brought Kwankwaso to power in 2011, stated, “We the lawmakers in Kano House of Assembly, 34 of us precisely, hereby propose our leader, Dr. Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, for the office of the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria”.

Babangida noted that his group’s conviction emanated from the fact that “Kwankwaso is eligible to occupy the office of the President,’’ saying, ‘’We therefore consider this aspiration as the taste of every progressive mind who has concerns over the state of the nation. “



In a sudden twist, yesterday, Atta, representing Fagge local government in the assembly, distanced himself and some of Buhari’s loyalists during a popular radio political programme “Kowane Gauta”.

The lawmaker, during the political programme aired by a private station declared that Babangida’s statement did not enjoy his support and urged Buhari loyalists to remain calm.



‘’For now, Kano has no candidate other than Gen. Buhari for presidency by 2015; anything short of this popular arrangements remain a deceit”, he said.



Atta, during the pay per second radio political programme, whose listeners cut across seven states in the North-west, affirmed that Kano would only consider any other option outside Buhari except he stepped down his ambition.



Buhari and Kwankwaso have large but disciplined and fanatical supporters in the state who are emotional about the 2015 presidential dream of their principals.



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A military operation is underway to reclaim Gwoza, Borno State from Boko Haram, a week after the sect proclaimed the district an Islamic Caliphate.



Five of the 27 policemen who went missing during the Boko Haram seizure of the town and the attack on the Nigeria Mobile Police Academy in Gwoza, have rejoined their units unhurt, it was learnt yesterday.







Expected to be liberated immediately from the terrorists are Gwoza and 14 surrounding villages.

The terrorists are understood to have blocked access roads to the town prompting the troops to launch what a security source described as “fierce attacks.”



“Some active military operations are ongoing but we will not talk until we have regained the town and other villages,” the source said yesterday



“All I can tell you is that Nigerian troops are capable. They did it in Congo, Liberia, Sierra Leone, Sudan, and other places. There is no basis for not dealing with the insurgents at home.

“We have launched fierce attacks both on land and in the air. We are prepared to reclaim Gwoza from the insurgents who have become tired of Sambisa Forest because the terrain has become marshy.”

Responding to a question, the source added: “Troops would have taken over Gwoza by now but the operation is tactical because we are sticking to the rules of engagement.



“We have discovered that the insurgents have been using most of their captives as human shield in launching attacks on troops and invasion of villages. But their antics cannot last.”



It was also gathered yesterday that five of the 27 policemen who went missing from the Nigeria Mobile Police Academy during the Boko Haram invasion of Gwoza have returned safely to their units.

The Police hierarchy was hopeful yesterday that the remaining 22 police trainees would rejoin their formations soon.



A source familiar with the development said: “Following the invasion of the Academy by the insurgents, some of the mobile policemen ran into the bush and they have been trying to find their path in the last few days.



“Do not forget that some of them are not used to the Gwoza terrain because they are not from the area. They also have to navigate their ways in such a manner that they will not fall victims of Boko Haram.

“Most often, those who survived Boko Haram attacks have been linking up with their different units through Adamawa State.”



When contacted, the Force Public Relations Officer, CP Emmanuel Ojukwu, said: “Five of the policemen have returned safely to their stations. Some may have gone back but yet to officially report.

“Let me assure you that we will recover the Academy in Gwoza from the insurgents, we are not giving in at all.”



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World soccer governing body, FIFA has urged Chris Giwa to stop parading himself as the Nigeria Football Federation president. A letter signed by FIFA secretary-general, Jerome Valcke gave Giwa and his backers up till midnight of Monday September 1 to vacate the NFF secretariat.



The letter addressed to NFF secretary-general Musa Amadu declared that FIFA will not recognize the election that brought Giwa and his executive committee to power. And if by Tuesday morning order was not restored to the NFF, Nigeria will face international sanctions.



“We understand from the sequence of events that the general assembly duly convened by the NFF Executive Committee could not start as planned because some NFF members, including the president, were being held by security forces for questioning.



“Finally, we have learnt that the persons who claim to have been duly elected during the so-called ‘elective general assembly’ have come to the NFF offices claiming to be the legitimate president and members of the NFF. It also appears the Ministry of Sports has recognised them.



“As a consequence, we will not recognise the outcome of the above mentioned elections and should there still be persons claiming to have been elected and occupying the NFF offices at midnight Monday 1 September 2014, we will bring the case to the appropriate Fifa body for sanctions, which may include suspension of the NFF.”



Nigeria was suspended in July after Aminu Maigari was impeached by the executive committee. However, that suspension was lifted on July 18 after a road-map was agreed upon concerning the elections billed for August 26. However, two factions emerged after security forces prevented Maigari, Amadu and Chris Green from participating.



The faction of the group led by Ephraim Chukwuemeka proposed September 4 for its election.



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Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Alhaji Adamu Muazu, has led some leaders of the party to former National Chairman, National Republican Convention, NRC, and immediate past Chieftain of the All Progressives Congress, APC, Chief Tom Ikimi, begging him to rejoin the party.



Muazu, who made the visit, Friday night, to the Abuja Maitama residence of Ikimi with the Chairman, PDP Board of Trustees, BoT, Chief Tony Anenih, and PDP deputy National Chairman, Prince Uche Uches Secondus, stressed that the visit was among others designed to finalize arrangements for his formal return, adding that the PDP was happy that Ikimi had decided to return to its fold.







The PDP boss described Ikimi as a highly organized and patriotic Nigerian who has the interest of the nation at heart, saying such attribute made it hard for him to be in a party like the APC. He said that PDP will immensely benefit from Ikimi’s “wealth of experience, strong political structure and massive followership across the country”.



Also speaking, Anenih commended Ikimi for his decision to dump the APC and return to PDP, stressing that it was in the overall interest of the nation.



Responding, Ikimi told his visitors that he had concluded plans to return to PDP and promised to bring value to the party by serving at any level.



He vowed to use his position and political structures especially in the South-south to ensure that the PDP emerged victorious in the 2015 general elections. “I look forward to bringing value to the PDP. I believe that my contributions will again be noteworthy. By my joining PDP, we are assured of victory not only in Edo State but in the entire South-south geo-political zone”, Ikimi said, noting that he was ready to serve the party in any capacity deemed appropriate by the leaders. Also at the meeting were Secretary of the PDP BoT, Senator Wali Jibril; a former FCT Minister, Dr. Aliyu Modibbo, as well as other political stakeholders from the South-south.



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Members of the Christ Embassy are divided over a divorce suit filed against the Senior Pastor of the church, Chris Oyakhilome, by wife, Anita, in a London court.



Oyakhilome is the President of the Believers’ Love World Incorporated, the registered name of the Christian ministry, while his wife is the Vice President.





Some members of the church on a Facebook page, ‘Where is Rev. Anita Oyakhilome,’ which is believed to have been opened by Anita’s fans, expressed differing opinions on the matter.



On Saturday, one of the church members, Ijeoma Olive Ehirim said, “I am a Christ Embassy member. I hate one thing there: How can a pastor be working together with a lady hand in hand, attending meetings and lodging in a hotel for days. My girlfriend travels with our branch pastor annually for PPCF which holds in Lagos. Only God knows.”



Sharing a similar view, Samantha Iwowo, described adultery as one of the grounds for divorce.



Iwowo said, “Pastor Chris Oyakhilome must have been discovered compromising his marital bed business. It is what it is. God says judgement will start from His house. ‘Touch not my anointed’ is God’s instruction regarding all His children, not an individual nicking, scheming, threatening monies off people’s purses and telling them that salvation is tied to tithes and that seed sowing is only money donation to the church/pastor’s coffers. One down, more to roll. Christ be praised.”



In her post, Chinyere Okechukwu-George, claimed to have left the church when she observed some irregularities.



“I and my family left Christ Embassy for our own good after worshiping there for three years plus and seeing all the things going on under the disguise of church. And I can comfortably say that for over a year now, we have had so much peace in our Christian lives. I don’t care how you view my comment but truth must be told.”



Joseph Osagiede, however, responded saying the Oyakhilomes were still together.



He said, “I have been in Christ Embassy for 12 years. All is totally well with thier marriage. All those wishing them to split and also those going about saying nasty things about the church, be careful.”



Faith Ebunoluwa Adetayo also said, “I have been in Christ Embassy since 1990s and I can authoritatively say some things: I have seen the power of God work, demonstrated in healings and many other things. I have seen how that Pastor Chris is less concerned about mistakes we make.



“He believes that these sins of the flesh will disappear, only if we listen to the word of God. Rather than condemning us, he speaks words of encouragement. And for your information, Pastor Anita is still very much in the ministry and she’s with her darling husband.”



Meanwhile, the Christ Embassy has kept mum on the divorce case.



A woman, who picked a phone call to the Nigerian office of the church on Saturday, said she had no information to give on the matter.



When asked to confirm if the divorce suit was true or not, she simply said, “I have no information to give on the matter.”



When another call was made to the church thorough another number, the respondent, who identified herself as Pastor Christabel, said the church had no information about the case.



“No, we have no information on the matter,” she said.



An online newspaper, The Cable, had reported on Friday that the divorce case, with Suit No FD14D01650, was filed on April 9, 2014 at the Divorce Section A, Central Family Court, First Avenue House, High Holborn, London, the United Kingdom, on Anita’s behalf by Attwaters Jameson Hill Solicitors.



Anita reportedly filed for dissolution of the marriage between her and her pastor husband, which produced two teenage daughters – Sharon and Charlyn – on the grounds of “unreasonable behaviour” and “adultery.”



via nigerianeye

Turkish Super Lig club, Fenerbahce, announced on Friday that they have released Nigeria defender Joseph Yobo.



Fenerbahce announced on their official website that due to restriction in the number of foreign players, the club and Yobo had to part ways.







Both parties mutually agreed to terminate their contract this week just on the eve of the start of the Turkish top flight this term.



Yobo is now expected to be honoured at Fenerbahce's opening game of the season against Karabukspor.



"Since the 2010-2011 season, Nigerian player Joseph Yobo successfully served Fenerbahce and the Football Federation of Turkey has brought about the restriction of foreign players as mandatory as of today so our paths (with Yobo is) separated.



"Fenerbahçe Sports Club Board of Directors on Sunday, 31 August, 2014 before a match will reward Joseph Yobo with a plaque of appreciation.



"Fenerbahce Sports Club, today, thank you for the contribution you have made, we wish you success in (your) future football career," stated Fenerbahce on their official website.



Yobo, first joined the Yellow Canaries, on a season-long loan spell in 2010 and returned the following year again from Everton on another season-long loan deal.



In August 2012, Yobo made his move to Fenerbahce permanent when he completed a three-year deal with the Turkish club after spending about a decade at Everton.



Last season, Yobo was farmed out on loan to English outfit Norwich City in the January transfer window, but the Canaries could not keep their status in the Barclays Premier League as they were relegated.



via nigerianeye

PARTICIPANTS AT THE TRANSFORMATION AMBASSADORS OF NIGERIA, SOUTH-SOUTH ZONAL RALLY IN PORT HARCOURT ON SATURDAY

via nigerianeye

A 16-month-old baby has died in a car in Switzerland, after one of the parents forgot to drop it off at the nursery on the way to work.





The baby was left in a company car park for several hours in La Chaux-de-Fonds near the French border, officials say.



“It was not until the end of the day… that they realised what had happened,” AFP news agency quotes local prosecutor Marc Remy as saying.



A criminal investigation into the accident has been launched.



Prosecutors told Swiss media that no further details would be released.



via nigerianeye

A former president, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo on Saturday blasted Liberian officials who connived with the late Liberian-American, Patrick Sawyer, who brought the deadly Ebola Virus Disease to Nigeria.



He said this singular misadventure has started to take its toll on the manpower and the economy of not only Nigeria but the West Africa sub-region.







Obasanjo said this while answering questions from guests at an event organised by the publisher of Inside Watch Africa magazine, Mr. Oluwaseyi Adegoke-Adeyemo, at the Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library, Abeokuta.



The programme was tagged ‘An afternoon with Obasanjo’.



He said, “It is devilish enough that Patrick Sawyer had to spread this, and indeed spread it to Nigeria in connivance with some authorities from his country. Because they knew he had it before he came to Nigeria.



“The EVD has started to take its toll on the country and the West African sub region. The toll is not only on the number of those that are ill or dead but on the economic of communities, country, region and sub-region.”



Obasanjo who said he had a meeting with the Ghanaian President, Mr. John Mahama, who’s also the chairman of the Economic Community of West African Countries, some weeks ago, said they discussed how to contain the spread of the deadly virus within the sub-region.



But he explained that while Mahama wanted the meeting of ministers of health meeting, he suggested that there was a limit the ministers could go and that a summit of the presidents in the sub-region would be better.



The former president who noted that EVD was not only a regional or sub-regional threat but a global one, called for a summit of where a national policy on the disease would be formulated.



Obasanjo also advocated the need to encourage the world pharmaceutical companies to carry on research on the virus and coming up with the needed vaccine to eliminate it.



He said, “Pharmaceutical companies in the country should be encourage to carry out research on the EVD and come up with vaccines to treat the deadly disease.



“Also, we have to be aggressive in taking precautionary measures. When you see your neighbour or someone who has unique symptoms not just of ordinary cold or fever, take him to the doctor, whether it is symptomatic of Ebola or ordinary malaria.



“We should not wait till some one has got incubated in it, just like Patrick Sawyer, who knew he had it and he deliberately spread it.”



He said he had spoken with the presidents of Liberia and Sierra Leone to “give them words of encouragement and support” on the scourge of Ebola in their countries.



via nigerianeye

Ahea of the 2015 general elections, the All Progressives Grand Alliance has offered automatic tickets to President Goodluck Jonathan and Chief Victor Umeh.



Governor Willie Obiano of Anambra State disclosed this on Saturday in Awka where a mega-rally was to urge Jonathan to seek re-election as President.







Obiano however said the party’s candidates for all other elective positions will be determined through primaries.



While Jonathan has the party’s presidential ticket, Umeh, APGA’s national chairman, will fly the party’s banner in the Anambra Central Senatorial election.



Umeh said APGA has gone into an accord with the Peoples Democratic Party to support Jonathan for the presidential election.



Former Anambra State Governor, Mr. Peter Obi, was absent at the rally. But Obiano said Obi got permission to travel to the United States to attend the World Igbo Congress.



Former Senate President Ken Nnamani and former PDP national women’s leader, Mrs. Josephine Anenih, presented solidarity messages at the rally.



via nigerianeye

At least 39 foreign nationals were ,yesterday, arrested by Police and Immigration officers in two hotels on Lagos Island.







It was gathered that they were arrested following a tip-off by some residents of the area over fears of the spread of Ebola virus disease.



Upon receiving the report, the Area Commander, Imohimi Edgal, an Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP), Area A Command, Lion Building, contacted Immigration and Health officials who stormed Benin Hotel and an unamed guest house, situated on Atere street and effected the arrest of the foreigners, 35 of whom are citizens of the Democratic Republic of Congo, while the rest are Sierra Leoneian nationals.



A police source said the Immigration officials will determine if the suspects are legally residing in the country while the Health officials will determine their health status. He also added that all the hotels in the area have been placed under surveillance.



It will be recalled that six (6) people have died from the Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) in the country. The total number of reported cases is fifteen(15) after the Liberian-American Patrick Sawyer flew into the country with the virus on July 20th and was admitted into a Lagos hospital.



via nigerianeye

The terrorist threat posed by Islamist extremists is as much a concern for countries in mainland Europe as it is for the UK, David Cameron has said.







The prime minister and Nick Clegg are expected to discuss plans for new measures to tackle the threat.



Their talks come after the UK’s terror threat level was raised to “severe” from “substantial” in response to the deepening conflict in Iraq and Syria.



Labour has called for more action to stop Britons being drawn to extremism.



Mr Cameron will make a Commons statement on Monday, proposing new powers to stop would-be terrorists travelling abroad.



He has urged European leaders in Brussels to take co-ordinated action to tackle the group calling itself Islamic State (IS), which has seized swathes of territory in Syria and Iraq.



Speaking before the meeting, he said: “Today in Brussels is an opportunity to talk with other EU leaders and to make sure we all co-ordinate to stop people travelling to Iraq and Syria to stop radicalisation, to confront extremism.”



He had previously said the “threat is growing” from Britons travelling to fight with IS, adding that there were “gaps in our armoury” that needed to be strengthened.



The new alert level rates the risk of an attack on the UK as “highly likely”, although Downing Street said there was no evidence to suggest one is “imminent”.



The rating is the second highest of five possible UK threat levels and is the highest since 2011.



Labour leader Ed Miliband has suggested the introduction of a “mandatory programme” of deradicalisation for people “drawn into the fringes of extremism”.



Writing in the Independent, he also urged the government to revisit the decision to scrap the control orders regime for terror suspects.



Talks between Mr Cameron and Mr Clegg, the deputy prime minster and Liberal Democrat leader, come after the Conservatives said they wanted to make it easier to seize the passports of would-be terrorists travelling abroad.



The home secretary already has the power – under the Royal Prerogative – to withhold a passport if it is in the public interest to stop somebody travelling.



via nigerianeye

Louis van Gaal is still searching for his first competitive win as Manchester United manager after a 0-0 draw at promoted Burnley in the Premier League on Saturday.



United’s record signing Angel di Maria, who at £59.7 million ($98 million, 75 million euros) cost more than Burnley have spent on transfer fees in their 132-year history, made a lively debut but went off after 69 minutes.







Sean Dyche’s underdogs, who cost only £5 million to assemble, nevertheless matched their more illustrious opponents — who had lost 4-0 at third-tier Milton Keynes Dons in the League Cup in mid-week — and went closest to scoring.

The visitors were fortunate not to be trailing as early as the third minute, when a free-kick conceded by Phil Jones on the edge of the area saw former United midfielder Dave Jones strike the bar.



An error soon after from Jonny Evans, one of the main culprits for the defeat at MK Dons, forced United goalkeeper David de Gea to improvise a save with his feet from the alert Danny Ings.

Di Maria showed the calibre of his passing with a fine ball from deep after 15 minutes that found Robin van Persie racing into the penalty area.



The United striker took the ball on his chest without stopping, but his shot was well parried at close range by outrushing goalkeeper Tom Heaton.



Di Maria was at the heart of United’s next foray, taking a pass from Wayne Rooney and cutting the ball into the area for Juan Mata, who tripped over as he attempted to shoot.



Burnley were by no means overawed by their neighbours, especially amid signs that United’s three-man defence have yet to come to terms with their new formation under Van Gaal.



- Young appeal dismissed -



One slack moment on 26 minutes allowed Jones a fierce snapshot from the edge of the area that De Gea was able to push over the bar only because it came straight at him.

Then Tyler Blackett, who had appeared to be adapting well, was caught out by Scott Arfield, who cut inside, only to see his low shot deflected for a fruitless corner.



United were also bereft of cohesion in attack, with a lack of understanding between van Persie and Mata diluting their threat, and their frustration boiled over when Darren Fletcher was booked for tugging back Ings by his shirt.



United, playing towards the end where their supporters stood, went close to taking the lead on 58 minutes when Rooney lobbed the ball into the penalty area and Ben Mee half-cleared the danger with a header.



The ball fell kindly to van Persie, but the Dutchman’s drilled shot was cleared off the line by Dean Marney. Two minutes later van Persie drifted a header a foot over the bar as the visitors belatedly flexed their muscles.



Burnley won a free-kick in a dangerous area when Blackett brought Ings down from behind and was shown a yellow card, but when the ball was served up for Matt Taylor on the edge of the penalty box, his tame effort posed no problem for De Gea.



Di Maria, who had needed treatment earlier, eventually made way for Anderson after an encouraging debut, while Danny Welbeck was also introduced by Van Gaal.



Taylor was not far off with a shot from a free-kick that whistled over the United bar and Rooney went even closer with a far-post header from a corner.

\

Ashley Young had a penalty appeal for handball against Burnley substitute Ashley Barnes waved away as United pushed in vain for a late winner.



via nigerianeye

A clinical double from Diego Costa helped Chelsea withstand a spirited Everton fightback and triumph in a nine-goal classic at Goodison Park.







Costa and Branislav Ivanovic struck inside three minutes to put Jose Mourinho's men in a commanding position but a flying Kevin Mirallas header brought the hosts back into contention before the interval.



A Seamus Coleman own goal on 67 minutes put Chelsea back in control before Nemanja Matic, Samuel Eto'o and Ramires struck within the space of four incredible minutes, but Costa netted again at the death as the Blues held on to preserve their 100 per cent start to the season.



via nigerianeye

We have all been asking for top quality Nigerian music videos to match the songs, and this video you are about to watch will definitely put a smile on your face.



X3M Music artist, Simi premieres the video for her single, Tiff. The video tells a story of girl who is a high end jewelry ‘tiff’ but is the love interest of a police officer who should be trying to stop her.



Top quality pictures and captivating storyline, you will be wondering if you are watching a movie shot in hollywood, or a Nigerian music video.



Director: Josh Clarke



Production: Zero Degrees



Enjoy below, and kindly share your thoughts...











via nigerianeye

World's best player, Cristiano Ronaldo has suggested that rival Lionel Messi didn’t deserve to win the World Cup Golden Ball award this summer after the Real Madrid star joked he would be sent to prison if he gave his real opinion.



Messi beat the likes of World Cup winner Thomas Muller and Colombia's James Rodriguez to the prestigious individual award after scoring four goals in Brazil and steering Argentina to the final, which they lost to Germany.







Argentina legend Maradona revealed that he thought Fifa’s decision to award Messi with the prize was based on commercial reasons, and Ronaldo has now hinted that the Barcelona star did not do enough during football's greatest competition to win the Golden Ball.



“If I said everything that I think, I would be in prison,” Ronaldo, who picked up Uefa's Player of the Year award this week, told TVI when asked about his thoughts on whether his Barca rival had earned the award.



“Everyone can see, make their own judgements, the people in the world of football are intelligent.



“It would be a very interesting question for him. I cannot be honest about it.”



Messi and Ronaldo's rivalry has been ever-present on and off the pitch for over half a decade now, with the Portuguese getting one over on the Argentine in the Ballon d'Or earlier this year after losing out on the accolade to the Barca forward for four consecutive years previously.



via nigerianeye

Arsenal playmaker Mesut Ozil has reacted to criticism of his performances by declaring that he is one of the world’s best number 10s, but is being played out of position.



Ozil, 25, joined Arsenal from Real Madrid a year ago in a club-record £42 million ($69.7 million, 31.1 million euros) transfer, but he shone only fitfully in his first season at the Emirates Stadium.







Nevertheless, he finished the season as an FA Cup-winner and then won the World Cup with Germany, and he believes that if he is yet to impose himself in the Premier League, it is because manager Arsene Wenger plays him on the left flank.



“I’m one of the best players in the world in that number 10 position. Fans, coaches, players and everyone knows that my best position is playmaker. It’s different playing on the left,” he told Saturday’s edition of the Daily Telegraph.



“When I was in Madrid, I often played on the right. I enjoyed that because I’m left-footed and I was able to cut inside to give assists and get shots on target. On the left, it’s more difficult.



“The opinions of fans are important to me and I’m happy they have such high expectations of me. I have high expectations of myself.”



Wenger had defended Ozil on Friday, comparing him to a virtuoso musician and claiming that his contributions to Arsenal’s attacking play were unfairly overlooked.



“People are very harsh on Ozil because he’s a player who is easy with his play,” said the Frenchman, ahead of his side’s trip to Leicester City on Sunday.



“When you watch his game back the next day, you think, ‘What a player.’ Everything he does is intelligent and the timing of absolutely everything he does is absolutely perfect.



“He’s like a guy who plays music with perfect timing. There aren’t many players like that.”

Despite his reservations about where he has been asked to play, Ozil said that he enjoyed working with Wenger.



“The whole club can be proud to have such a fantastic manager with so much experience, playing with style and doing so many great things for 18 years here,” he said.



“The boss has always blooded youngsters, and helped make them into some of the best players in the world. That’s also why I came here. I wanted to develop myself further.”



via nigerianeye

President Goodluck Jonathan and the National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, Alhaji Adamu Mu’azu were instrumental to the granting of waiver to Mallam Nuhu Ribadu by the PDP in Abuja on Friday.



With this, Ribadu is cleared to take part in the party’s September 6 governorship primary in Adamawa State if he and others are cleared by the screening panel on Saturday (today).



Also cleared to face the panel are Brig. Gen. Buba Marwa (retd.) and Mr. Marcus Gundiri, who also applied for the waiver.







The President and Mu’azu’s intervention was sequel to the plan by majority members of the National Working Committee of the party not to grant waiver to Ribadu, who just joined the party barely a week ago from the All Progressives Congress.



Investigations by our correspondent however showed that majority of the NWC members were favourably disposed to granting waiver to Marwa and Gundiri.



When the case was presented to the President on Wednesday and Thursday, he was said to have bought the argument that if the party’s leadership did not want waiver, there wouldn’t have been any reason to insert it in the PDP constitution.



Besides, it was also agreed at the meeting that the disqualification of Ribadu and others could send wrong signals to other people in the opposition party who might be planning to defect to the ruling party soon.



It was said that the meetings agreed that the disqualification would mean that the doors of the party had been closed against such people.



A source at the two meetings said that while the President did not direct them to grant waivers to those who applied, he was said to have tactically asked them to follow the party’s constitution in their decision.



Section 50 (9) of the PDP constitution says, “There shall be a minimum of two- year membership span for a member to be eligible to stand for election into any public office, unless the appropriate executive committee gives a waiver or rules to the contrary.”



With this, it was said to have been difficult for the NWC members who were hitherto divided on the issue, not to grant Ribadu the much-needed waiver.



A source, who was at the meeting said, “The President did not direct us to give the waiver, but he said we should follow the constitution. In that case, what do we do? We have to read the President’s body language even though he is not in any way favouring anyone.”



Apart from this, he said the President also said the NWC members should allow the most popular candidate to emerge at the primary, citing the case of Ekiti State where he said he refused to anoint any candidate to the amazement of some of those who contested the governorship primary of the party in the state.



Before granting the waiver, the members of the NWC met again in Abuja on Friday where they considered the report of a committee set up to examine the issue. The committee was headed by the National Organising Secretary, Alhaji Abubakar Mustapha. The committee was set up because of the inability of the members of the NWC to agree on the waiver, an action that also stalled the planned screening of the 14 aspirants which was originally scheduled for Thursday.



Briefing journalists after the Friday meeting, the National Publicity Secretary of the party, Chief Olisa Metuh, said all the members of the NWC unanimously cleared all aspirants who expressed interest in contesting in the primary.



He said, “After very careful and thorough consideration of all applications and the report of the Alhaji Abubakar Mustapha-led Adamawa State PDP Governorship Waiver Committee, the NWC was satisfied that all the aspirants met the requirements stipulated by the PDP constitution to participate in the process.



“Consequently, waiver has been granted to General Buba Marwa, Engr. Marcus Gundiri and Mallam Nuhu Ribadu to take part in the exercise.”



He said the nomination process, including screening of aspirants as well as the primary election would be conducted with utmost transparency and strict adherence to rules and the principles of justice, fairness and equity.



via nigerianeye

The Nigerian police college overrun by Boko Haram sect over a week ago has been converted into the base of the terrorist group, according to the Director, Catholic Social Communications, Maiduguri Diocese of the Catholic Church, Gideon Obasogie, who narrated the account of a survivor on Friday.



The clergyman in both telephone chat and e-mail to our correspondent, said, “I am sad, really sad to my bone marrows about this ugly development. The world must know the truth; people were captured and taken to the police training ground for serious training as combatants. It is now one of their strongest bases.







“The missing policemen have joined the Boko Haram instructors. The guys are multiplying in number, weaponry and geographical expansion.”



When asked how he got the knowledge of happenings in the captured police college, Obasogie revealed that he was briefed by a member of his church who was one of the policemen being held captive at the college by the group, but had managed to escape through the hills into Yola, Adamawa State capital.



The college is a riot police academy in Liman Kara, on the outskirts of Gwoza, a hilly town in Borno State, North-East Nigeria. It is one of only two riot police training colleges in Nigeria.



The Boko Haram insurgents had on Wednesday, August 21, 2014 attacked the Police Academy, Gwoza, Borno State, and seized not less than 200 assault rifles from the riot policemen on training.



It was learnt that the police authorities resumed the suspended training with the batch of 159 personnel from the Police Mobile Force only for them to be attacked a week into the exercise on Wednesday.



Investigations further revealed the insurgents did not encounter any strong resistance from the police personnel as the riot policemen were directed to keep all their guns at the armoury of the academy before Boko Haram attacked the academy and captured the armoury.



via nigerianeye

A young man said to be a member of a kidnap gang operating in Enugu State, Mr. Chukwuekezie Ofonago has shot his father dead.



The suspect now in police net admitted to have shot his father, Mr. George Ofonago with a double-barrel gun at a hideout where he was kept while demanding an undisclosed sum as ransom from his family.





The incident occurred at Abor village Enugu Inyi Community, Oji River Local Government Area of Enugu State.



According to the State Police Public Relations Officer, Mr. Ebere Amaraizu, operatives of the Homicide Section of the State Criminal and Investigations Department (SCID) of the state police command have already commenced full scale investigations into the incident.



He said that the deceased had suddenly disappeared from his home prompting his family members to raise an alarm.



The son was fingered to have been involved in his father’s disappearance in the course of the search.

“Following the sudden disappearance of the deceased, information got to the security operatives about the involvement of the son whom his family suspected reasonably to have played a suspicious role,” he said.



While the kidnappers continued to demand for ransom from their hideout, the son of the deceased was tracked down by the police.



He gave an insight on how he abducted the father and took him to where he allegedly shot him dead with a single barrel gun and buried him in a shallow grave.



Chukwuekezie confessed that it was not his wish to shoot the father but that he was under pressure from the father who had instructed him to shoot him to death.



In another development, one Uchenna Francis Nwozor who specialized in threatening members of the public with kidnap and demanding ransom within Oji River and its environs, has been arrested.

The suspect believed to have participated in kidnapping some persons in the past, according to the police spokesman, is now helping the operatives of the Anti Kidnap Unit in their investigations.



He had allegedly threatened to kidnap someone on phone if he fails to pay the sum of N5 million but he was later arrested by the police in Awka before he could execute his plan.



via nigerianeye

The Rivers State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Samson Parker, says the late Dr. Samuel Enemou, who treated Olu Koye, a Nigerian diplomat with the Economic Community of West African States, was aware that the diplomat was a carrier of the deadly Ebola virus.







The commissioner stated this during a press conference in Port Harcourt on Friday evening.



Parker said, “He had received the late Dr. Patrick Sawyer in Lagos. Upon developing the symptom, confided in a female colleague, called Lilian, who contacted the late Enemuo. It was after contact was established with Dr. Enemuo that Olu Koye flew to Port Harcourt to see him.



“To conceal his movement, Koye, who had been quarantined among other people for having primary contact with the late Dr. Sawyer, the Liberian-American who transmuted the Ebola virus into Nigeria, sneaked out of the isolation unit where he was being observed and took a flight to Port Harcourt and switched off his phone so that he could not be reached or traced should he answer a call.”



On arrival in Port Harcourt, he said Koye checked into Mandate Gardens, a local hotel in the Rumunokoro area in Obio/Akpor Local Government Area.



The hotel is within the Rumunokoro area where Dr. Enemuo’s private health facility, Sam Steel Clinic is located.



Parker added, “From what we have gathered so far, Dr. Enemuo, knowing that Koye was positive of the Ebola virus took some measures of precaution to protect himself while treating Koye.



“Knowing the enormity of what he was doing, Enemuo upon Koye’s departure for Lagos, poured bleach all over the room that Koye slept in order to sanitise the place.”



He said the deceased, after having developed the symptom, approached a colleague for treatment at Good Heart Hospital along Evo Road in G.R.A.



He said Enemuo did not tell the doctor that was treating him the truth, stressing that he merely told him that he had fever.



Parker said, “He lied. He did not tell the doctor that was treating him his full story. But the doctor, a nice and conscientious professional, suspected that Enemuo was either hiding something or was suffering from a strange ailment because he proved negative to malaria, fever and typhoid fever.



“To be sure of what he was doing, he spoke to other very experienced doctors about the strange case he was handling in his hospital.”



The commissioner said the doctor treating Enemuo even invited some his colleagues to come over to his hospital to study Enemuo’s medical history.



He said because the news of the Ebola virus was all everywhere, those he called were afraid to honour the invitation.



Parker added that none of them showed up at the hospital where Enemuo was being treated, stressing that Enemuo’s condition continued to deteriorate until he died after which body was taken to the University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital.



The commissioner also declared that the advent of the dreaded Ebola virus in the state was currently posing a challenge, saying the development was tantamount to a war time situation.



He said the Rivers State governor, Mr. Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi, had pledged to provide funds to enable the state to procure all relevant materials as well as the services of medical experts from Nigeria and abroad to contain the virus.



Parker also said 60 more people who had secondary contacts with Koye were quarantined last night, bringing the total so far to 100.



via nigerianeye

Babatunde Omidina known as Baba Suwe is a successful comedian better known for his exploits in Yoruba home videos. He is still arguably the most popular Yoruba comedian of his time. But Baba Suwe hasn’t been having it easy. After the much publicised crisis with National Drug Law Enforcement Agency,NDLEA, he lost his wife, Omoladun, who was almost always his soul-mate, even in films. Baba Suwe talked with Potpourri, opening up his heart on a number of issues, Excerpts:






When did you begin to act?

I started acting at 18 when I dropped out of secondary school, then I was in form four. I developed the passion when Baba Mero and his group came to Children boarding school in Osogbo to act. After watching them, I got drums and other musical instrument, picked some guys in my street like Mufitau Ilumoka, Sola Taiwo and a host of others and formed a theater group. And that was what metamorphosed into the brand ‘Baba Suwe’ today.



Are you saying you never went for any training?

No, I didn’t and I was not trained by anybody. I was born with the talent of putting smiles on faces, so I really did not need any training.

Your first show?

My first show was at Amuto playing ground, Lagos Island. Although it was a free show but I was so happy because it recorded a huge success.

What was your first movie?

I did not start with home videos rather I started with soap opera “Erin keke”. My first film was “Omo Lasan” by Mr Obalende. But the first film I produced was “Baoku” in the 90s.

Some people believe you over act some scenes. Your comment?

It is not my fault. Most times when I am on set, I make the director, film editor and a lot of others laugh that they forget to cut out the unnecessary parts. Some people have even confronted me that it is because I didn’t acquire any professional training is why I over act, but it is not true.

Tell us your background?

I am a special specie created by God. I hail from Igbgogbo, Ikorodu, Lagos State but born and bred on the Island. My father was an average Nigerian who was into trading of eye-glasses and my mother was a trader . I am the only child between my parents. My father had three wives. I dropped out of secondary school when I was in form four. Growing up for me was tough but fun. I enjoyed every bit of it because I was quite mischievous. As a teenage, I didn’t really know the importance of education but thank God, I am managing well. I am also a different person from what you see on the screen, a quiet and easy-going person.

As a child, who were you looking up to?

Then I wanted to be like Michael Jackson who was known all over the world but now I know better.

What has acting brought you.?

Acting has brought me many good things that I can not say here. I do not think I would have done well in any other field.

How have you been coping without a wife?

It has not been easy but life must go on. I believe whatever happens has been pre-ordained. The death of Omoladun was a great loss I cannot get over in this lifetime. She will remain my best companion. She understood me than any other person on planet earth. At times when we quarrel in the house, she would abuse me on set and that would mark the end of the issue.

Any plan of remarrying?

Yes . In fact pretty soon.

Who is the lucky bride?

You can’t know her for now. She is not an actress because I can’t marry an actress again.

Are you insinuating Omoladun was not a good wife?

No, I don’t mean anything of such. What I mean is that I cannot get someone like Omoladun among the actresses again. Her good acting skills is one of the reasons I loved her but I have decided to check else where for love.

After the death of Omoladun, your step daughter accused you of killing her mother?

That is mere rumour. She later came out to say she never said that. We were all staying in the same building. Omoladun was hypertensive for a long time and I did my best as a husband, a friend, and colleague to take adequate care of her. At a time she spent months at a hospital. The day the bad incident happened, I was about praying when I told my child to go wake Omoladun because we had an appointment. It was this child who ran out to call me and with the help of neighbors, we rushed her to the hospital. The doctor confirmed her death on arrival.

Has her death affected your career?

Not really. There are many people who can take her role but I miss her so much. After her death, I produced “Baba Jaiye” part two and it was a huge success.

Would you say many competitors like Baba Latin, Baba Ijesa etc have taken over from you?

No, Baba Latin and the rest can never render me useless. I have a good relationship with all of them especially Baba Latin. Everything in life is time.

Many people now believe you are not as funny as you used to, what is your comment?

That is never true. It is only people without eyes that will say that. It is my God-given talent that can never wear out.

How did you feel during the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency NDLEA crisis?

It was a tough time for me. I have been traveling for years and something like that never happened. It is a setup but I do not know the culprits till date. Even after two days of not excreting cocaine as expected, I was not left off the hook. Some even said I used charms but if that is true many herbalists in Nigeria should be billionaires. I spent more than nineteen days sleeping on a couch for something I know nothing about.

What were you going to do at Paris before you were detained?

I was suppose to meet the person who handles my family’s ticketing abroad. The man wanted my presence at the naming ceremony of his new child. On that same day, I went to Nigerian Aviation Handling Company NAHCO’S office to get my cameras as I traveled to America a month earlier to get filming equipment like cameras and generator before heading to the Airport. I was also to be Master of Ceremony there.

Now that your lawyer, Bamidele Aturu is dead, what is the next line of action?

I really don’t know what next to do but I believe his colleagues will not disappoint me.

Do you believe you deserve the 25 million naira compensation?

Yes I do. The crisis traveled so far that even if I use all the newspapers in Nigeria to say my own side of the story, some people will still not believe it. It almost killed me, tarnish my image and my career.



via nigerianeye