Thursday 31 July 2014

Stephen Keshi Debunks Reports About Being Offered N7m Contract

While the recent reports provide the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) offered Stephen Keshi N7 million monthly for coaching the Super Eagles, the Big Boss says nobody spoke with him about that sum.

Photo: Stephen Keshi
It was yesterday allegedly discovered that Keshi was “willing to continue” as the Eagles’ head coach with the improved financial conditions of the renewed contract.

However according to FCNaija.com, when contacted in the USA for confirmation, the former Togo and Mali boss debunked the reports saying:

“No! I have not discussed anything with anybody! I left Nigeria before the Sallah break. I didn’t speak with any of the committee members before I left and I haven’t spoken with any of them on the matter since then. It was only Deji Tinubu who said they want me to continue and I said fine; let them bring up their offer that I may see. That’s it. I don’t know where they came up with N7 million offer from. I am not aware of that.”

Numerous controversies and speculations have been recently surrounding the relationship saga between the NFF and the team’s ex-captain.

The immediate reports after the Eagles’ knock-out of the 2014 FIFA World Cup indicated that he did not intend to stay with the Nigerian team any longer, however later the NFF officials were said to have expressed their interest in continuing cooperation with the coach, who lead the squad to 2013 AFCON victory and to 1/8 of the 2014 Mundial. Various sources provided information on the new versions of the contract with Keshi. Still, the official confirmation on the final deal is yet expected.

Mourinho: Lukaku Did Not Want To Fight For Place

Jose Mourinho has said that Belgium’s young talent Romelu Lukaku lacked motivation to play for the blues.

Lukaku just completed his €35 million move to Everton and was unveiled as an Everton striker this wednessday.

Mourinho said: “The thinking was, first of all, the fact that Romelu was always very clear with us that in his mentality and his approach he was not highly motivated to come to a competitive situation at Chelsea”.

Messi Gets Over World Cup Heartache In Italy

More than two weeks since the 2014 FIFA World Cup ended in Brazil, the Most Valuable Player of the football showpiece, Lionel Messi, has been getting over his World Cup final heartache with a sun-soaked holiday in Italy.

Messi’s Argentina side were defeated in the final match in Brazil by Germany courtesy of Mario Gotze solitary extra-time winner to send the South Americans home empty handed.
* Messi

* Messi
According to Dailymail report, the 27-year-old looked to banish the World Cup woe as he and his girlfriend Antonella Roccuzzo, joined by friends, have been relaxing and soaking up the sun on their luxury vessel off the shores of Ponza, in Italy.

It was gathered that when newsmen showed up at the couple’s yacht, they turned up the heat and flashed quite a bit of flesh during their time on the water.

The Barcelona forward proudly put his washboard abs on display as he relaxed on the deck in just a pair of little white swimming shorts. Cut...

UK Not Sending Troop To Rescue Kidnapped Schoolgirls - Ambassador

Contrary to the expectations of many Nigerians, the United Kingdom, UK, has finally come out to state that its not considering sending troops to Nigeria to rescue the more than 200 schoolgirls kidnapped by the Islamists group, Boko Haram, in Chibok, Borno state.

This piece of information was disclosed on Wednesday, 30 July, 2014, by the British High Commissioner to Nigeria, Andrew Pocock, while speaking to newsmen on board HMS Iron Duke, a Royal Navy Warship on a working visit to Nigeria.

According to the ambassador, the British Government’s offer of assistance to Nigeria in the rescue of the abducted Chibok girls does not involve deploying troops in Nigeria to assume any combat roles.

* UK ambassador in Nigeria, Pocock
“What we are doing is bringing in some form of expertise, particularly in training and advisory roles and not combat roles,” he said.

Photo: Obafemi Martins Strolls With Son

Nigerian footballer, Obafemi Martins was spotted taking a stroll with his youngest son.

Obafemi Martins strolling with son
The football star and his girlfriend, Abigual Barwuah, the elder sister of Italian football star Mario Balotelli welcomed their baby boy sometime in October 2013 in Italy.

This is Obafemi’s 3rd child but his first with Abigail, who he has been dating since 2012.
Obafemi Akinwunmi Martins is a Nigerian footballer who plays as a forward for Seattle Sounders FC and the Nigeria national team.

He was born on 28 October, 1984.

He was recently named among the Major League Soccer All-Stars
who will play former German league champions, Bayern Munich.

We Were Not Given N100m In Aso Rock, Chibok Parents Cry Out

Contrary to earlier reports, the parents of the schoolgirls kidnapped by the Boko Haram insurgents in Chibok, Borno state have denied allegation of collecting N100 million as a gift from the presidency when they visited President Goodluck Jonathan on 22 July, 2014.

It would be recalled that it was reported in the media that the presidency doled out a huge sum of N100m to the parents when they held a meeting with Jonathan recently.
Since the reports emerged, many Nigerians have called the parents of the Chibok girls names for collecting such amount of money from the presidency while their children are still with kidnappers.

Only on Tuesday, the coordinator of the #BringBackOurGirls campaign, Oby Ezekwesili went on her twitter handle to condemn the presidency for giving out such money to the parents and some of the schoolgirls that escaped from the Boko Haram insurgents when they visited the Aso Rock in Abuja.

* Some of the escaped Chibok schoolgirls arriving Aso Rock in Abuja
But in a statement released on Wednesday, 30 July, 2014, the leadership of the Kibaku Area Development Association (KADA), the group that represented the Chibok people in Abuja, denied knowledge of a reported N100 million presidential gift to the delegation that visited President Jonathan.

The group explained that the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Special Duties, Prof. Dan Adebiyi, after the Aso Rock meeting, visited the hotel in the night and told the girls that the presidency had sent them a token of N100,000 each.

These oyibo reporters can like to report anything they like...lol. Just two months after Kanye spent millions of dollars to marry the woman he's obviously obsessed with, insiders claim he is now reluctant to have a second baby with her

Sources tell Radar Online,

“Kim has made no secret for her desire to get pregnant right away with another baby. However, Kanye is resisting because he is going to be going on a world wide tour after the release of his upcoming album. The couple doesn’t even have their own house to live in! It’s just too much chaos for Kanye to handle.”

What’s more, “It doesn’t help that the couple have been fighting a lot ever since they got married,” the source continued. “Kanye can’t understand Kim’s love of just lounging around for days at a time.”

Raunchy pics: Zoe Saldana poses nude for Women's Health mag

Before she got pregnant, actress Zoe Saldana posed completely nude for Women's Health magazine. See the naked pic after the cut...

President Jonathan today officially launched and obtained the new 64-page e-passport. According to presidential spokesperson, Reuben Abati;

"The new 64-pg e-passport helps frequent travelers, it's gender friendly, forestalls identity theft, cheaper for the aged and low income earners, conforms with international best practices."

"Cost of new e-passport for below 18yrs and 60 years and above is N8,750; change of name as a result of marriage or divorce is also N8,750

"The existing e-passport is 32pp; new one is 64pp but it is strictly for frequent travelers. Please note, it does not invalidate the 32 pp"

Jamaican sprinter Usain Bolt has denied saying the Commonwealth Games are 'a bit sh*t' after he was quoted by The Times newspaper as saying it during an interview with one of its sports reporters.

After Usain went on twitter to deny making the comments, the newspaper today published the full transcript of their conversation with him, saying they stand by their story 100%. Read the conversation after the cut...

A 10 year old girl strapped with an explosive belt was on July 29th discovered by security forces in company of two other people, a man and an 18 year old girl, while traveling along a road in Katsina state.

The DG of the National Information Center, Mr Mike Omeri said this while briefing news men at the National Information Center;

"Security forces on Tuesday, July 29, at about 10pm along Zaria Road, Tudun Wada of Funtua Metropolis, arrested three suspects believed to be members of the Boko Haram sect. The three suspects consisted a male named Iliya Haliru, and two females – Zainab Musa, 18, and Hadiza Musa, 10. The three suspects were arrested in a Honda CRV. When they were directed to disembark for security check, 10-year-old Hadiza was discovered to have been strapped with an explosive belt. And immediately, Iliya and Zainab made attempt to escape with the car but were later blocked by other concerned Nigerians and subsequently arrested. The police successfully unstrapped the explosive.”

He appealed to parents to monitor their wards so they do not get initiated into such evil acts.

We didn't receive N100m from Presidency - Chibok community says

Speaking with journalists yesterday at the daily sit out of the Abuja #bringbackourgirls campaign, a leader of the Kibaku Area Development Association of the Chibok community, Dauda Iliya said contrary to media reports, they didn't receive N100m from the presidency. He said only N200,000 was handed to some of the parents.

"On July 22nd at about midnight, the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Special duties who has been coordinating the visit from the side of the presidency visited the hotel and told the 51 escaped girls who came that the Presidency sent them a token of a N100, 000 each and accordingly gave them the said money without even a prior knowledge or discussion of any other person in the community that was around the vicinity of the hotel. The Senior special assistant equally gave the sum of N200,000 each to 61 parents out of the 122 that came on the visit. 61 parents were given N100,000 each on the basis that the money given to them was not enough to go round at the agreed amount of N200,000 each. The remaining parents were not given any money at all" he said

Landlady’s children cut tenant’s private part

A young man identified as Yinka Offehin is currently battling for his life at a private hospital in Lagos after the children of his landlady, named Damilola Olaleye & Solomon Olowogbemi, allegedly attacked him cutting off his scrotum, Punch reports

The alleged attack took place at Popoola Street, off Abaranje Road in the Ikotun area of Lagos and was said to have happened as Offehun was sleeping with his family in his room. The tenant was said to have attacked by the landlady's children over a disagreement he had with their mother, who'd asked him to vacate her compound immediately

Narrating what led to the unfortunate incident, Yinka's wife, Bisi Offehin said...continue...

Actress Stella Damasus and a few friends yesterday threw a pre-birthday private dinner for movie producer and director, Daniel Adenimokan. Daniel turns a year older today. See more pics after the cut...

How adorable is the little cutie? Singer Muma Gee and her actor husband Prince Eke have shared new pics of their adorable three months old twins. They have been christened Ceasar and Cleopatra. The couple dedicated their babies this past weekend. See more pics after the cut...

The singer posted the pic above on her Facebook page and wrote

"Happy Anniversary to the love of my life @therealswizzz !!! And to make it even sweeter we've been blessed with another angel on the way!!! You make me happier than I have ever known! Here's to many many more years of the best parts of life!!!

Tuface Idibia Spotted With Juliet Ibrahim In Dallas (PHOTOS)

Nigerian musician, Innocent Idibia, popularly known as Tuface, and Ghanaian actress, Juliet Ibrahim, were recently spotted together in Dallas.

Both of them had gone to take part in African Muzik Magazine Awards AFRIMMA, which held last week.
Tuface and Juliet took photos together, looking happy and playful.
Tuface and Juliet Ibrahim

Juliet Ibrahim with Tuface Idibia
The photos have sparked reactions from fans on social media, who are insinuating there is some kind of ‘chemistry’ between the duo.

Juliet is one of Ghana’s leading actresses and star of hit movies such as Reloaded and Foreplay.
The fair-skinned actress who recently divorced her husband, revealed that she is single and not searching for any relationship.

Meanwhile, there were reports that Juliet started a serious relationship with Nigerian model/actor IK Ogbonna right after her marriage collapsed but they broke up and IK had reportedly took to social media to beg for forgiveness.

Tuface is happily married to Annie and their marriage is blessed with two daughters, Isabell and Olivia. They got married on March 23, 2013 in Dubai.

Tuface has five other kids from two different women. Two sons from Sunmbo Ajaba Adeoye now married to General Overseer of Royal Christian Centre, Pastor David Olatunde Adeoye. While three from Pedro.

15-Yr-Old Japanese Girl Beheads Classmate And Chops Off Her Hand

A Japanese teenage girl has been arrested over strangling and then beheading her classmate.

Photo: Aiwa Matsuko
Apart from that the suspect was said to have chopped off the victim’s hand, Daily Mail reports.
Police detained the 15-year-old in her high school apartment which was all soaked in blood with the dead body of Aiwa Matsuko found lying on the bed.

The suspect allegedly stabbed Matsuko 10 times with some blunt object, then strangled her and cut off the body parts.

The alarm was raised when the victim’s parents reported to the police that their daughter had not returned home from her friend’s place, while they knew she had planned to leave it around 7pm.

According to the local police, the suspect confessed to the crime without having explained her motives yet.
Media characterize the murder as one of the most brutal killings in Japan in the recent years.

11-Year-Old Burnt Herself To Avoid Marriage

An 11-year-old girl doused herself in petrol and set herself ablaze to avoid an arranged marriage to a man more than 20 years her senior.

After Mashid Rezai, from northern Iran, recovered from her burns in hospital, her own father beat her heavily as she ‘shamed’ her family.

Now 36, she remains terribly scarred and was forced to flee to London to escape her father. Her mother was her father’s fourth wife. “He didn’t have children with his other wives. My mother told me that all three of his previous wives ran away because he beat them,” Rezai explained.

“I remember once he tied my hands and feet with rope to a piece of wood and he and my mother beat me with another piece of wood,” Mashid, who is too ashamed of her scars to be photographed, said.
Growing up in a remote village, Mashid had a friend named Zainab. She was 9 years of age when she was asked for by a much older man. Desperate to escape the marriage being forced upon her, Zainab burnt herself.

Less than a year after her friend’s suicide, Mashid’s father announced that she too had been found a husband – despite the fact his daughter was just 11.

Photo: 11-Year-Old Burnt Herself To Avoid Marriage

Mashid Rezai’s hands

Desperate to avoid marriage and with her friend Zainab’s example in mind, Mashid ran into the kitchen, took out a bottle of paraffin, doused herself in the contents and set herself ablaze.

We Stopped Impeachment Process Against Jonathan For Peace – Senator

Edo North Senatorial District, senator at the National Assembly, Domingo Obende, has come out and revealed that the senate had stopped impeachment moves against President Goodluck Jonathan in the interest of security.

He was speaking at his home town in Igarra in Akoko-Edo Local Government Area of the Edo State and revealed his anger at the use of power by the PDP-controlled FG to pressure the opposition.
He said that red chamber decided to stop plans to impeach the president after Jonathan had “committed an impeachable offence”, in order to avoid national crisis.

He said: “What are we even talking about? Who is saying that the President himself has not committed an impeachable offence?

“That is what the National Assembly ought to be looking at, but because of stability. And the leaderships of the two chambers of the National Assembly are mature in the way they are handling the issues, and we look at Nigeria as an entity that must be salvaged.
“And, of course, the whole of African nations are looking at us as the giant of Africa.
“Are we going to be a giant in rascality?”

Two Policemen Stabbed By A Mad Man In Lagos

A mad man reportedly stabbed two policemen, yesterday, in Alakija area of Lagos state as they tried to evict another mad woman from the premises of a Redeemed Christian Church of God in the area.

An eyewitness who spoke to Daily Sun said the insane woman was standing in front of the church when the policemen deployed to the area tried to drive away from the premises.
madman stabbed policemen

The mad man bundled up in the van
The mad man who was observing what was going on, went to confront the policemen. The policemen were said to have abandoned the woman and started beating the mad man with their batons.

“Suddenly, the madman brought out a broken bottle from his bag and stabbed the two policemen, who were later rushed to Navy Town Hospital by church members and onlookers,” the eyewitness said.

When other policemen attached to the church got information that their colleagues had been stabbed by a mad man, they went in search of him and eventually found him at Alakija bus-stop.

They were said to have surrounded him and overpowered him. They tied him up with a rope and drove away with him in their van, to the church for interrogation.

Wednesday 30 July 2014

New pics from Dr Sid and Simi Osomo's traditional wedding

Such a beautiful couple. See more pics after the cut...

Former All Progressives Congress member and, Chief Femi Fani-Kayode, has once again told the APC to come out clean and explain their alleged relationship with insurgency group, Boko Haram.

Photo: Northern APC Members Are Sponsoring Boko Haram - Fani-Kayode

He told these to Reporters at Osogbo, Osun State capital, after a Peoples Democratic Party rally in the state yesterday and said that the APC were trying to controvert him, few months ago.

Kayode went on to say that the northern members of the APC were behind Boko Haram, he said: “The APC in the North is the political wing of Boko Haram in the northern part of Nigeria. This, I have said before and no one among them was bold enough to challenge me. I will continue to say it again and again. The northern elements in the APC have to explain to all Nigerians why some of their leaders in the North support, encourage and defend Boko Haram members.

Tonto Wears The Same Cloth In New Photo With Maid

Controversial actress and singer, Tonto Dikeh, who is known for her outwardness on social media platforms has done it again.

The 29 year old actress whose love for tattoos is indescribable has shared a photo of herself and her maid in the same attire looking ravishing. It could be recalled that this is the second time Tonto will be showcasing her domestic help in a good way, although many were of the opinion that she ought not to have used the word “maid” to describe the growing girl when she first posted her picture.

Tonto and maid

Ogun state Governor, Ibikunle Amosun, has said that the act of politicians using rice and other gift materials during election periods is wrong and unjust.

Photo: Buying Votes With Gifts Is Wrong - Amosun Goes Hard on Ekiti

The governor did not mention any particurlar names, but said that people should not use gifts to buy votes as its just preying on the weaknesses of the public.

Amosun was speaking with reporters after the Eid-l-fitr prayer at Lantoro prayer ground in Abeokuta, the state capital and said: “I have said it severally and I am saying it again that governance should not be reduced to what we call ‘Amala politics’. People must come in with genuine plans, with focus, with vision because without it we cannot develop.

The breathtaking photos from the wedding ceremony of the son of Senior Pastor of Kingsway International Christian Centre, London (KICC) Matthew Ashimolowo are out.

Nigerian Table Tennis Player Strips To Celebrate Bronze At Commonwealth Games 2014

Team Nigeria on Monday went totally insane after they won third place at table tennis at the 2014 Glasgow Commonwealth Games.

It all went down when Nigerias’ Ojo Onalopop (ranked 488th in the world) beat India’s Kamal Achanta (ranked 50th in the world) to seal a bronze medal for the Nigerian team.

The team was so happy that their emotions began to overflow… and then the pants came off.

It was a tragic day for the people of Akanyin street, Shibibiri Rd, Ilemba in Ojo, Ajamgbadi area of Lagos yesterday morning as one of the residents of the area was found with his head deep down in a well.

The man who was later recognized as a resident of the area was said to have been in the well for quite a while as many of the tenants who are early users of water had fetched from the well for various purposes before the corpse was noticed to be in the uncovered well.

President Goodluck Jonathan is expected to appoint a new Inspector General of Police to replace Mohammed Abubakar, whose tenure will end on Thursday, July 31.

Suleiman Abba

The outgoing Abubakar, who is expected to complete his 35 years in service on the aforementioned date was appointed the 16th indigenous IGP in January 2012, after taking over from Abubakar Ringim.

Tribune reports that the President may announce the new IGP after the Federal Executive Council (FEC) today (Wednesday).

A source within the presidency who made this known, also revealed that the five contestants that were screened for the position comprised two DIGs and three AIGs.

The United States government said that the Federal Government of Nigeria has failed in its fight against terrorism.

Nigerian President, Goodluck Jonathan (left), American Presiden, Barrack Obama (right)

Nigerian President, Goodluck Jonathan (left) and American President, Barrack Obama (right)

In the US International Religious Report for 2013, released on 28 July, secretary of state John F. Kerry strongly criticized the Goodluck Jonathan-led administration for being too slow to prevent and react to the communal or religious-based violence. Also one of the reasons for such connivance in the country was named poorly equipped and trained security forces responsible for suppression of extremist groups in the north.

Ebola In Lagos: Victim Patrick Sawyer Was An American

Patrick Sawyer, the 40-year-old Ebola victim, from Liberia who sparked fears of the ‘Ebola’ outbreak in Lagos, was an American citizen.

Patrick was planning to return home to Coon Rapids, Minnesota, to be reunited with his family for two of his daughters’ birthdays in August but unfortunately he died Friday, July 25 in a Lagos hospital after becoming noticeably ill on a flight from Liberia in West Africa, where the worst ever outbreak of Ebola is gathering pace, to the city of Lagos.

Sawyer, who worked for the Liberian Finance Ministry married his wife Decontee in December 2008, in Coon Rapids. Though they are originally from Liberia, they both hold US citizenship.

Patrick Sawyer & wife, Decontee

Back home in Minnesota, 34-year-old Decontee who is devastated over the death of her husband in an interview with the Pioneer Press, said: "I have three daughters who will never get to know their father.

Meet a 114 kilogram woman who can not imagine her life without… pole dancing!

"Walking into a class for the first time was nerve wracking but when the music started…"

The mother of two, LuAyne Brown, whose weight is slightly more than a centner, has been wowing people around the world with her moves and curvy shapes. The former cheerleader, who goes by the stage name Lulu, hopes to turn her hobby into a favourite full-time job in her native Hanover in Maryland, USA.

EBOLA: Senior Government Officials Under Observation In Liberia

The Liberian finance ministry has announced that it has placed several of its senior officials under observation for three weeks after a top ministry official died from the Ebola virus.

It would be recalled that a Liberian businessman, Patrick Sawyer, was on official business in Nigeria last week when it was discovered that he was carrying the deadly disease.

According to a statement released by an official of the ministry on Tuesday, 29 July, 2014, “all senior officials coming in direct or indirect contact with Mr Sawyer have been placed on the prescribed 21 days observatory surveillance.”

Also, the Liberian Football Association LFA announced on Tuesday that it has suspended all activities in the country as a measure to prevent the spread of the Ebola virus.

LFA had decided “to cease operations of football activities considering that football matches are contact sports and Ebola is spread through body contacts with an infected person,” LFA chief Musa Bility said in a statement.

Arif Ibrahim Tambe whose height is only 106 centimeters finally found his love and even started a family, in Pune, in the west of India.

"If you marry me you will have to do everything for me."

One day Arif, who had already got used to the idea of living alone, met Ameena Ahmed, in a shop and immediately fall in love with her. 21-year-old Ameena is 61cm taller than her lover and Arif was worried she would eventually reject him when she realised the full extent of his care needs.

Lagos State Government today revealed that they have been quarantined by the health department after being exposed to the late Patrick Sawyer, the Liberian citizen who passed away in Lagos due to the Ebola virus.

An unfortunate Ebola victim being taken to the morgue

The Lagos State health commissioner, Dr. Jide Idris, revealed this today during a press briefing with journalists. At the meeting, officials of the Federal Ministry of Health were also present.

Idris went on and stated that the quarantine was to make sure that the virus is controlled and doesn’t spread to other residents of the large state.

He said: “So far a total of 59 contacts have been registered consisting 44 hospital contacts, 38 healthcare workers and six laboratory staff.

Nasir El-Rufai Loses Son To The Cold Hands Of Death

Former Minister of Federal Capital Territory, Mallam Nasir El-Rufai, has just gone on his Facebook page and announced the sudden death of his son, Hamza El-Rufai, in a car crash.

Hamza El-Rufai. Photo credit – Facebook

A deeply saddened Nasir wrote: “From Allah we came and to Him we shall return. Please join our family in praying for the repose of the soul of my son Hamza El-Rufai who died this morning in a motor accident in Abuja.”

The former governor of Lagos State, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, and some All Progressives Congress (APC) chieftains on Sunday paid a courtesy visit to the former military head of state General Muhammadu Buhari over alleged assassination attempt on his life.

Tinubu, Buhari and Akande

Leadership reports that Tinubu, who was accompanied by the former interim national chairman Chief Bisi Akande as well as the party’s national publicity secretary Alhaji Lai Mohammed during the visitation discussed some national issues at the Kaduna residence of Buhari.

It was reported that their discussions which lasted for about one hour was held behind closed doors.

Tinubu was reported to have declined to speak with journalists after the visit/meeting, but shook hands with them (newsmen) and departed Kaduna State.

Nigerian Singer, Dr Sid Marries His Sweetheart (PHOTOS)

Nigerian singer, Sidney Esiri, a.k.a Dr Sid, the son of late veteran actor, Justus Esiri, is now a married man. Dr Sid married his sweetheart, Simi Osomo, today, July 27, in a traditional wedding at the Ark Event center.
Check out some photos from the traditional wedding below:

Centre: Groom, Dr Sid
It would be recalled Dr Sid proposed to the love of his life, Simi Osomo last year in Venice, Italy.
See more photos from the event:

Premature Baby Girl Whose Mother Died In Airstrike Delivered By C-section

An unborn Palestinian baby girl whose mother died in an Israeli airstrike was saved by doctors.
The girl who was named after her mother, Shayma Shiekh al-Eidnow
The premature baby girl was delivered from her dead mother’s womb by emergency caesarean section.
It was gathered that the girl’s mother did not survive an Israeli airstrike that took place exactly when Muslims in Palestine started celebrating the Eid al-Fitr holiday marking the end of the fasting month of Ramadan.

FRSC Makes U-Turn Over New Number Plates

Contrary to earlier reports, the Federal Road Safety Commission, FRSC, has said it has no plan to begin the enforcement of the new number plates on August 1, 2014.

It would be recalled that the Lagos State Sector Commander of FRSC, Chidi Nkwonta, had insisted that the FRSC had decided to go ahead with the enforcement of the new number plates and drivers’ license following a June 30 judgment by the Anambra State High Court.

He said: “This new judgment made it very clear that as from August 1, FRSC should impound. So, Nigerians must discountenance that first misleading judgment and take this one because we are going to continue enforcement as from Aug. 1, 2014. We never asked anybody to stop (processing licences). Anybody who stopped ab initio stopped at his own peril. Neither did the court ask anybody to stop, that judgment never said anybody should stop.

“So anybody who did so did it at his own risk and the deadline was supposed to be June 30. Now we have extended it to August 1, because we needed to go on appeal on the other matter. But right now, there is another judgment which says we can go on. So, while we are still waiting for the appeal we are going to go on with this other judgment.”

According to a statement released on Sunday, 27 July, 2014, the FRSC said that it had suspended its earlier decision to enforce the new number plates following a court judgment against it.

“Contrary to media reports, the Federal Road Safety Corps wishes to reiterate that it has not fixed a deadline for a nationwide enforcement of the new number vehicle number plate and driver’s license,” the FRSC said in the statement.

“This is coming on the heels of inundated media reports and on-line publications of a proposed plan by the FRSC to commence a nationwide clamp down on vehicle owners/ motorists from 1st August, 2014 for non-compliance with the directive on the new vehicle number plate and driver’s license,” it added.

FRSC said that it had decided to abide by the decision of the Joint Tax Board, JTB, an umbrella body of State Chairmen of Boards of Internal Revenue, statutorily mandated to determine road taxes including prices of number plates and driver’s license.
“For the avoidance of doubt, the Corps wishes to state that it still stands on the earlier resolve to defer enforcement of the new number plate and driver’s license following the suspension of the 30th June 2014 deadline for a change to the enhanced motor vehicle number plate by the Joint Tax Board,” the FRSC said.

“The Board had decided after its 129th meeting held on 23rd and 24th April, 2014, at the Headquarters of Edo State Internal Revenue Services in Benin that:
a. ‘In the light of the Court judgment against the FRSC, the Board decided to suspend the 30th June, 2014 deadline earlier announced for a change to enhanced Motor Vehicle Number Plate and the Driver’s License pending the outcome of the appeal by the FRSC”

b. ‘The States Internal Revenue Service, the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) and the Vehicle Inspection Offices (VIOs) have been encouraged to put all necessary logistics in place to improve Motor Vehicle registration and issuance of Driver’s License in order to build a comprehensive database.’

“In the light of the above, the Corps wishes to reiterate an earlier directive to its Commanding Officers to defer enforcement on the deadline, in keeping with the JTB suspension and the court ruling pending the determination of the appeal.
“Motorists are however urged to renew their driver’s and vehicle licenses as they expire in line with extant provisions of the law,” the statement added.
Two federal high court judgments had ruled against the Commission’s plan to enforce the new number plates describing it as illegal and unconstitutional.

PHOTO: For Refusing To Bribe Policeman With N200, I Was Sentenced To Death

Calistus Ike who was sentenced to death in 1989 over his refusal to pay N200 bribe to the policeman that investigated an allegation against him has recounted his over 23 years experience in prison.

Calistus Ike
Luck however shone on Calistus who had spent seven years as an awaiting trial inmate and another 16 years on the death row, as a France- based human right group, Avocats Sans Frontieres, ASFF, also known as ‘Lawyers Without Borders France’, intervened and he was pardoned by the Edo state government and his release was approved from prison.

Prior to 1989, Calistus Ike, the first son and bread winner of his family at that time had dreamt of becoming a very successful business man had unfortunately had all his dreams quashed.
He narrated his ordeal to Vanguard: “The unfortunate thing is that some of the people I left in prison did not even have a case-file. Some of them had stayed as awaiting-trial inmates for more than 10 years. It happened to me in the year 1989. I was resident in Benin, the Edo state capital. There was a man that lived in the same compound with me. His wife had stomach problem and he asked me to lead him to somewhere to collect a root(herbal medicine) for his wife.”

Don’t Give Up On Nigeria – Tinubu

Former Governor of Lagos State and a leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Asiwaju Bola Tinubu o Monday, July 28 urged muslim faithfuls to continue pray for unity of the country.

Bola Ahmed Tinubu
Tinubu who also uged muslims to imbibe the lessons learnt during the holy month of Ramadan made the call in his Sallah message to Muslims in the country.
He said: “We must not give up on Nigeria particularly in the face of our current security and political challenges. We shall overcome if we all remain steadfast in our patriotism and prayers.
“We must at all times imbibe the spirit of unity, no matter our religious or political affiliation or ethnic grouping. Nigeria belongs to us all and all must come together to defend our togetherness.

Governor Okorocha gives shoot-at-sight order for cultists in Imo state

A bit harsh, or you approve? In a bid to tackle the increasing spate of cult activities in the state, the Imo state Governor, Rochas Okorocha yesterday, July 25th gave a shoot-at-sight order for cultists to security operatives attached to Ohaji Egbema LGA where 6 people were killed during a clash between two rival cult groups known as Day-Gbam and Day-Well. Lol. See name of cults.

The governor gave the directive when he paid a visit to the troubled local government area, plagued with cult activities, where residents are said to be living in constant fear.

The governor inaugurated an Anti-Cult Task Force, which comprises of the Army, Police, SSS and the Imo Security Network, and gave them an order to shoot cult members at sight. The anti-cult task force will be deployed to troubled areas in the state to search for and move into cultists’ dens as part of measures to improve security situation in the State.

“I Don’t Think Omisore Will Win”- PDP's Ekiti Gov-elect Fayose

With the August 9th Osun governorship election coming soon, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) are trying to gather all their top stakeholders in the region to help carry the momentum from Ekiti election to Osun.

Fayose
PDP had taken Ekiti from APC in the the recently held gubernatorial election, where Ayo Fayose came out victorious over the current governor Kayode Fayemi.

However Fayose is not sure his Party’s candidate Iyiola Omisore, can repeat the dance and get PDP the ticket.

In a recent interview with Progress 100.5FM in Ekiti, Fayose reportedly said: “I can’t see Omisore winning the poll. I don’t think he can win but I wish him good luck.”

With this recent statement, critics have now interpreted it as a cold war between Fayose and the PDP caniddate, Omisore.

PDP’s Iyiola Omisore is running against the Osun state governor, Rauf Aregbesola and needs all the help his party can provide him.

Meanwhile Fayose has been on a victory lap tour between major states in the west but has avoided going to Osun to help and trump up local support for his party’s flag bearer.

Lionel Messi On Holiday With Loved Ones

One of our-time and all-time greatest footballers Lionel Messi was pictured having a casual holiday with his loved ones.

Photo: Lionel Messi on holiday
Barcelona forward is relaxing with his girlfriend Antonella Roccuzzo and their 20-month-old son Thiago on board of the luxury yacht, Daily Mail reports.
Being among the world top highest paid footballers, the Argentinian can afford it and seems to have emotionally recovered after his team’s loss in the final of 2014 FIFA World Cup.

It would be recalled that Barcelona’s number 10 was expected to lead his team to the victory in the last tournament game against Germany. However, Messi’s magic didn’t work, and the match ended up in 1-0 win by the Europeans.

CAN Expresses Regret Over Kaduna, Kano Explosions, Denounces Their Executors

Reacting to the recent explosions that rocked the cities of Kaduna and Kano on Wednesday and Thursday respectively, the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) released a statement condemning the attacks and their executors.

The President of CAN, Pastor Ayo Oritsejafor
The President of CAN, Pastor Ayo Oritsejafor, on behalf of the whole association has expressed sadness and regret over the attacks that claimed lives of innocent Nigerians. The statement reads in part as follows,
“CAN received, with shock and dismay, the sad news of bomb explosions in Kaduna and Kano states in which many lives were lost with others injured and property worth huge sums destroyed. The attack, coming almost at the climax of the holy month of Ramadan, is a clear indication of the perpetrators’ inclination to evil and disregard for the true God and all that are linked to Him. CAN condemns in strong terms the continuation of attacks targeted at high profile Nigerians and revered clerics, who hitherto should be the moral compass for society’s transformation.