Godwin Etakibuebu: This Nigerian Democracy Is Really Going Crazy

Events of the last few months are throwing interpretation of democracy to another level. It is no more what the great philosophers from the ancient Greece meant it to be. For them, the Greeks, it is government of the people for the people by the people.
This application has no meaning in the Nigerian context. Even at what Ibrahim Babangida called “home grown democracy” during his wasteful experimentation with the project called Nigerian for over seven years, the meaning of democracy as we see it today remains a bitter and useless version what the Army Four-Star General from Minna in NigerState practised.
Starting from a selfish and wicked structure called Nigeria Governors Forum, which is a demonic entity for the sole selfish survival of members to the annihilation of the unprotected citizens of this failed nation, one would see the handwriting that the meaning of democracy is being reinvented.
Before then even, there is evidence of total failure in the practise of our democracy. For example, the late law guru , Gani Fawehinmi, fought a major battle, using the instrumentality of the law, to put an end to a major illegality going by the name of the “office of the first lady”, at both federal and states levels. Gani won that battle, l think, but the operators of Nigeria “care no damn” about it.
Gani is gone to rest with his creator, the office of First Lady and, maybe “First Widows”, remains. The present incumbent of that office in Nigeria, Dame Patience Jonathan, just this year, has the unrestrained audacity to include a N4 billion project under the sub-heading “office of the First Lady”, in the Nigerian National Budget sent to the National Assembly by the Presidency. Can we see the democracy of “care no damn”?
Talking about “care no damn” about any issue, President Goodluck Jonathan was to promote it to a household name when he told television viewers [all over the world that NTA covers] that he “care no damn” on declaration of his assets.
For President Jonathan, it was a “moral issue but not legal”, which brings an interpretation that our President do not mind being morally bankrupt while legally okay. His conclusion reminds me of the maverick politician from Oguta in ImoState, Francis Arthur Nzeribe. It was he who made the statement many years ago that “what a millionaire minds is legality and not morality”.
What, therefore, is the difference between Nzeribe, the creator of that nefarious and unregistered Association of Better Nigerians [we cannot forget so easily how that Association truncated the "freest and fairest democratic election" ever held in this country which eventually led to the death of the winner of that election, MKO Abiola] and President Jonathan, who could not draw the line between his “legal and moral” obligations to Nigerians, the people he is elected to lead?
He ought to have known, as a scientist with PhD degree, that a man who is morally bankrupt is not qualified to lead people democratically because democracy will ever remain a legal structure. That is Nigeria’s democracy for us on the other hand.
Let us welcome this Peoples Democratic Party – new face of old and new – roforofo [in honour of Fela Anikulapo-Kuti's memory] battle. Can we define the meaning of democracy from this free for all “chop and quench” battle of the titans? Are there some Nigerians, still, who did not know that the reason for this fight to finish between the “old” and the “new” PDP is for our money?
There is no way that the creator of heaven and earth, who equally created Nigeria with its wealth, which these dealers parading themselves as leaders, are carting away to their private bank accounts, will not call them to judgement. Yes, my prayer will be in agreement with the President of the Senate, David Mark, when he was talking about the thieves of the Pension Reform Fund. He said that “may God put them in the hottest part of hell”– Amen.
The “family” affair of the PDP is coming together again; both the old and the new, after our common wealth had changed hands, some foreign bank accounts of some individuals had gotten a boost, some earnings from crude oil sales had been mismanaged, part of the never audited security vote had collapsed into “securing pockets of some individual politicians” and many other calamities against 90 percent of the 150 million Nigerians. Eh! God will fight for us and defend us – the hopelessly oppressed citizens of this country that presently have no comforter!
Is this not a democracy that has gone crazy? Think of it. Please, do.

Mr Godwin Etakibuebu, a current affairs commentator, wrote from Lagos#
courtesy - http://naijaobserver.wordpress.com/
 

FG To Spend N971bn On Fuel Subsidy In 2013

The Federal Government has said it will spend a total of N971bn to subsidise petroleum product consumption this year.
The amount is, however, N21bn higher than what was expended on fuel subsidy last year.
The government announced this on Monday as it released fresh N46.76bn for the payment of subsidy claims to 30 oil marketers.
The amount brings the total payments made under the fuel subsidy regime in the 2013 fiscal period to N287.35bn.
The Minister of Finance, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, confirmed the payment in a statement issued by her Special Adviser (Communications), Mr. Paul Nwabuikwu.
She said, “In 2011, there was a huge public outcry. As a result, this administration has worked hard to clean up the process of subsidy payments. In response, the ministry set up the Aig-Imoukhuede committee, which investigated the subsidy payments. The committee was later elevated to a presidential committee by Mr. President.
“We also hired new auditors and we put in place different checks and balances. As a result, last year, we brought the subsidy payment down to about N950bn, and we expect that this year, we will pay about N971bn.
“I believe this is a huge achievement for which the Jonathan administration deserves some credit, something that should make Nigerians proud of their government.”
According to the statement, 11 oil marketers were paid N17.29bn subsidy for petrol imported into the country in April, while the remaining 19 were paid N29.46bn for May imports.
Okonjo-Iweala said, “In furtherance of President Goodluck Jonathan administration’s commitment to transparency and accountability in the management of fuel subsidy payments, the Federal Ministry of Finance has released the sum of N46.764bn as the latest payment to oil marketers, whose claims have successfully gone through the verification process.
“This means that, so far in 2013, a total of N287.351bn has been paid in verified claims to verified marketers.”
She said the prudent management of the subsidy regime had enabled the Federal Government to reduced public spending on petroleum product subsidy from N2.2tn in 2011 to N971bn last year.
This, she added, represented a reduction of about N1.2tn or 56 per cent.
The statement also quoted Okonjo-Iweala to have said that the Federal Government would continue to block loopholes in the fuel subsidy regime, adding that only marketers with genuine claims would be paid.
Some of the marketers that got their subsidy claims are AITEO Energy Resources Limited, Conoil Plc, DEE Jones Petroleum and Gas Limited, Forte Oil Plc, Gulf Treasures Limited, Integrated Oil and Gas Limited, Mobil Oil Nigeria Plc and NIPCO Plc.

Contesting For a Second Term Is Not illegal – President Jonathan

President Goodluck Jonathan has said the country’s Constitution gives him the opportunity just like any other Nigerian, the chance to vie for second term in office either as elected president or governor.
He spoke on Sunday midnight during a meeting with Nigerian Professionals in New York, United States.
Jonathan, who is yet to publicly declare his ambition on the 2015 presidential election, believed that the administration should be more concerned with delivering dividends of democracy to Nigerians.
Stressing that the interest of the nation is greater than that of any individual, he urged those fanning the ember of disintegration in the country to refrain it.
He also urged the political class in the country to drop the idea of do or die approach in politics and allow him to concentrate on his core mandate of governance.
The President said that Nigerians hold the power to vote out anybody they are not comfortable with during elections.
According to him, political leaders in the country must be mindful of what they say or do in order not to undermine the sovereignty of Nigeria.
Jonathan said, “Already we have a constitution that makes provision for maximum of eight years for anyone who wants to become a president or a governor. There is no president or governor that all citizens vote for but at the end of the election if somebody emerges you must allow the person to work.
“If you love your country, you would want your country to work. That does not mean that you will not vote against the person if you don’t like the way he works but you must allow him to work.
“No matter how you feel about the political situation, consider the interest of your country first before yourself. If you are struggling to enter a house you must not put dynamite to destroy the house. By the time you get there, there will be no house for you to stay.
“So first and foremost we must collectively build our country. Don’t bother about who is there now because power is transient, very temporary.”
On corruption, he said “So many people are saying we are not doing well in fighting corruption and before you say that, there must be a parameter for judging us. What are the yardsticks they are using to judge us?”


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How To Choose A Wedding Suit

      

''An inexpensive but impeccably cut suit will look like a million bucks. The same can’t be said for a pricey, ill-fitting one.''

Guys, let’s face it: When it comes to weddings, it’s all about her. From the rehearsal dinner to the reception to the exotic honeymoon locale, we’ve got little say. And then, of course, there’s the dress -- perhaps the only thing anyone cares about. After all, even if the salmon is bland, the bridesmaids are drunk and the band plays "Sweet Caroline" a few too many times, everyone will look back and think about that dress. So what’s in it for us? In short, not much unless you select your suit wisely and squeeze it for all it’s worth. Lucky for you, we know just how to do that.

Choosing Your Wedding Suit: What You Should Know

Purchase - don’t rent
Most men go the rent-a-tux route. And we wouldn’t totally blame you for it either, considering that you probably plan on wearing the darn thing for just a few hours. But this isn’t your high school prom. So you can scrounge for your scrapbook or take our word for it: rented suits never fit properly and always look cheap. Not to mention the fact that someone else (in fact, many someone elses) wore it on their special day. Break the mold and buy.

Quit the corporate culture
You should look like you’re getting married, not giving a PowerPoint presentation. Suiting up in something new rather than a rental or boardroom leftover is a first step, but it’s far from the only thing that will keep you out of the office. Go black, three piece, and shell out somewhat more than you may be used to. We guarantee it’ll pay off.
Say something with the fit
You may be tempted to break out the bells and whistles. This day, after all, is only supposed to come around once. But despite your best instincts, your energy and hard earned money is better spent on tailoring. An inexpensive but impeccably cut suit will look like a million bucks. The same can’t be said for a pricey, ill-fitting one.



Form follows fabric
A tailor’s nip and tuck can only go so far. Without a fine fabric to lay the foundation, it’s tough to construct a winning wedding suit. A slouchy, shapeless blend will leave you looking, well, slouchy and shapeless. A weighty wool, on the other hand, will do just the opposite.

How To Wear Your Wedding Suit Post-Wedding

Funny thing is, with all the fabrics and fits, picking your suit often takes longer than the time you’ll actually spend wearing it. But, as promised, there are a few things you can do to maximize mileage. Here are some ways to make sure the suit you choose can be worn well after your wedding day is over. Ditch the vest
Sure, it’s the easiest way to switch up a three piece, and you’ll gain a new weekday work suit in the process. We just recommend reserving it for special days when you need to play boss and bust balls. Pair it with a red, purple or light-blue knit tie from Drake’s London. The knit will lighten up the mood, but it’s really the color that counts. Remember: The suit is already black, and you don’t want to look like you’re going to a wedding again, or worse, a funeral.
 


Add the vest
While your workweek may be saturated with suits, we’re willing to bet your weekend is of the jeans and tee variety. Throw on the vest with slim-cut, dark denim (like this indigo resin rinse from J Brand), a solid white V-neck from Uniqlo and sleek black sneakers by Lanvin. Just make sure to keep the vest open and the shirt fitted but not skin tight. Otherwise, you’ll come off like you’re trying too hard.






Jerry-rig the jacket
Take the jacket and use it as a blazer. Yeah, yeah, we know you’ve heard this one before. But take note: The jacket should be trim and tailored enough to survive on its own. It’s a rule that will help you find the right fit for your wedding suit and one that lends itself nicely to the tailored cut of Joe’s Brixton blue jeans and a Hugo Boss spread-collar button down long after the big day is over. For those extra special nights out, feel free to slip on that vest with the Tie Bar’s classic black skinny tie and a pair of patent leather lace-ups from Ferragamo. Fly the trousers solo
Using the trousers with your regular run-of-the-mill button down for business-casual climes is fine by us. But you could really stretch your investment by pairing the pants with a crisp, un-tucked polo (we’re partial to this three-button pima pique from Theory) and some cool kicks like Tods’ iconic driver in red suede.

In the end, all eyes will definitely be on her dress. But there’s no harm in stealing a few glances for yourself on that day and those blissful years beyond.

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Pregnant Woman Killed, Others Injured As Building Collapses In Enugu

A four-bedroom bungalow, built on the hilly Ologo settlement in Enugu North Local Government Area of Enugu State, collapsed Sunday night, killing a pregnant woman and injuring her husband and another tenant.
The woman, Mrs. Chinasa Chukwuka, and her husband were in their room, when part of the hill behind their house collapsed during a downpour and pulled the house down.



An eyewitness said that the woman died before she could be rescued from the rubble, while her husband, Emeka, was successfully pulled out, but fainted thereafter. He was rushed to a nearby hospital.
Their neighbours, Mr. Cyril Jaja, who occupy two rooms in the same house with his son, however, sustained a minor injury, but all their belongings were destroyed.#

Read More...

FG To Spend N971bn On Fuel Subsidy In 2013

The Federal Government has said it will spend a total of N971bn to subsidise petroleum product consumption this year.
The amount is, however, N21bn higher than what was expended on fuel subsidy last year.
The government announced this on Monday as it released fresh N46.76bn for the payment of subsidy claims to 30 oil marketers.
The amount brings the total payments made under the fuel subsidy regime in the 2013 fiscal period to N287.35bn.
The Minister of Finance, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, confirmed the payment in a statement issued by her Special Adviser (Communications), Mr. Paul Nwabuikwu.
She said, “In 2011, there was a huge public outcry. As a result, this administration has worked hard to clean up the process of subsidy payments. In response, the ministry set up the Aig-Imoukhuede committee, which investigated the subsidy payments. The committee was later elevated to a presidential committee by Mr. President.
“We also hired new auditors and we put in place different checks and balances. As a result, last year, we brought the subsidy payment down to about N950bn, and we expect that this year, we will pay about N971bn.
“I believe this is a huge achievement for which the Jonathan administration deserves some credit, something that should make Nigerians proud of their government.”
According to the statement, 11 oil marketers were paid N17.29bn subsidy for petrol imported into the country in April, while the remaining 19 were paid N29.46bn for May imports.
Okonjo-Iweala said, “In furtherance of President Goodluck Jonathan administration’s commitment to transparency and accountability in the management of fuel subsidy payments, the Federal Ministry of Finance has released the sum of N46.764bn as the latest payment to oil marketers, whose claims have successfully gone through the verification process.
“This means that, so far in 2013, a total of N287.351bn has been paid in verified claims to verified marketers.”

Read More... 

Gombe Police Arrest 2 Men For Raping Teenage Boys

Gombe State Police Command says it has arrested two persons suspected of homosexuality and another for rape.
Police Public Relations Officer of the Command, Mr. Fwaje Atajiri, made this known yesterday in Gombe.
Atajiri said that a 25-year-old suspected homosexual of Dubai by-pass Gombe had, on September 15, lured a seven-year-old boy to an uncompleted building, threatened him with a knife and raped him.
According to him, an old man notified the police after querying the boy, whom he met walking in pains after the rape.
The police spokesman said the suspect was immediately arrested and after interrogation allegedly confessed to have committed the offence.

 Read More...

“I Wanted To Use Human Parts For Money Ritual”, Man Caught With 2 Hands Confesses

The quest for wealth has sent many into taking desperate steps as residents of Masfala area of Ibadan, Oyo State were shocked to their marrow on Tuesday, September 17, when a polythene bag containing human parts was discovered in an uncompleted building by policemen who stormed the area at noon.
They were further amazed when the culprit turned out to be an herbalist, Abideen Raheem (35), who lives in a building very close to where the human parts were found. The parts were two hands cut from the wrists down.
The suspect is currently helping homicide detectives at the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID), Iyaganku, in their investigations into the case.
Crime Reports gathered that information about the presence of the body parts in the neighbourhood first got to Operation Burst operatives. They were joined by detectives from Ogbere police station, and when confronted with the body parts, Raheem confessed that he was the one who put them in the polythene bag but claimed that he took them from a dead body he found at Ibadan Toll Gate area.
When detectives went to the spot he claimed to have seen the dead body, no carcass was found, an indication that the suspect was economical with the truth.
Raheem however opened up at the CID during interrogation, confessing that he removed the hands and head from a corpse in a grave at Muslim cemetery at Aba Onde area on Monday September 9 and hid them beside the cemetery. He revealed that he went back a week after, precisely on September 16 to take the hands while he still kept the head there.

read more...

Alaba Trader Nabbed For Kidnapping

 The Lagos State Police Command says it has smashed a kidnapping syndicate in the Okokomaiko area of the state.
Police authorities gave the names of the suspects as, Azuoma Nwabugoh, Chimobi Onuoha, Moses Okoh, Nwachukwu Nwandike and Michael Arinze.
PUNCH Metro learnt that the suspects were arrested after policemen attached to Ilemba Hausa Division recovered a vehicle belonging to a kidnap victim, Obinna Okpara.
It was learnt that after kidnapping the victim, the suspects allegedly sold the car to one Michael Arinze.
Police Public Relations Officer, Ngozi Braide, told PUNCH Metro that Arinze led police to the kidnappers.
She said, “On August 8, 2013, around 8.45pm, one Obinna Okpara was kidnapped in front of his house at Awka, Anambra State. He was released on September 9, 2013 after a ransom was paid.
“His vehicle was, however, traced to the house of one Michael Arinze at Etegbin Road, Ajangbadi, Lagos. Upon interrogation, Arinze said he bought the vehicle from one of the suspects.
“He said the vehicle, a black Toyota RAV4 with registration number, ABN 42 AA, was sold to him for N800,000, adding that he paid N50,000 as down payment.”
“The Divisional Police Officer, Ilemba Hausa, SP Ekpashere Ibe, sent his men to the houses of each of the suspects, who are all residing in the Okokomaiko area.”
The suspects, it was learnt, had been transferred to the Special Anti-Robbery Squad, Ikeja.

read MORE...

Oyo State Governor, Abiola Ajimobi, Sacks All Commissioners, Advisers

The Oyo State Governor, Abiola Ajimobi, has sacked all his commissioners, assistants, and advisers. He announced the dissolution of his cabinet moments ago.
According to a statement issued by the Director, Cabinet, Mr. Dotun Omokemi, the decision was taken after the state executive council meeting held on Monday.
In the statement, Governor Ajimobi said there was the need to inject fresh blood into the administration, in the quest to serve the state better.
The governor thanked the commissioners and Special Advisers who made up the executive council for their contributions so far and asked them to hand over to the Permanent Secretaries in their various ministries.

You’re Encouraging Corruption Too, Nigerians Tell President Jonathan

Nigerians reacted on Wednesday to a report alleging that President Goodluck Jonathan accused the citizens of encouraging corruption in the country.
While declaring open the 54th annual conference of the Nigerian Economic Society in Abuja on Tuesday, the President had reportedly said that if Nigerians did not “reward corrupt practices” through their actions, those involved would have no need to continue.
Responding to the statement on the social media, many Nigerians applauded Jonathan’s position and then, cautioned him against putting the blame for corruption entirely on them.
The respondents said the President, through his inability to lead by example, had failed to provide a lasting solution to corruption.
Some of those who disapproved of Jonathan’s statement said he goofed by casting the first stone.
They went on to accuse him of promoting corruption by granting state pardon to a former Governor of Bayelsa State, Diepreye Alamieyeseigha, who had been convicted on charges of corruption.
A respondent on punchng.com, Yemy, said Jonathan had demonstrated his tacit support for corrupt Nigerians by granting pardon to Alamieyeseigha.
The reader said, “No doubt that President Goodluck Jonathan is spot on. However, he who comes to equity must come with clean hands. GEJ seems to me a bad advertisement of the product he wants to sell. How would you describe the pardon granted Alamieyeseigha? Is that not rewarding corruption?”
A Facebook user, Prince Oyelola Timothy-Adesanya, argued that since the President inadvertently gave a pass mark to his former boss, who was indicted for corruption by a competent court, he was not morally fit to lecture other Nigerians on the need to shun corrupt individuals.
“Hello Mr. President, it seems you don’t know who stands on the wheel chair of corruption. The case study is Alamieyeseigha and the public fund of Bayelsa State. Don’t forget your office gave him a pass mark for the wrong doing? Oga Jonathan, who is deceiving who?” Timothy-Adesanya said.
Another respondent on nairaland.com, Batman, noted that since the President encouraged corruption through his actions, he was not in a vantage position to cry foul.
Batman wrote, “He (Jonathan) encourages corruption. So what do you expect everyone under him to do? Why is he the leader? Doesn’t he know he is the number one person that should serve as an example? A body always goes where the head tells it to go.
“The moment he (Jonathan) stops waving and smiling sheepishly and takes a tough stance against corruption in high places, see if the chain reaction won’t transmit to the grassroots.”
But, just as Jonathan urged Nigerians to “frown on people who come up with what they are not supposed to have” with a view to checking corruption, a Facebook user, Bam Olugbenga-Odugbesan, asked, “When your mother (Eunice), a dependant for that matter, donates multimillion naira block of hostels to the Federal University, Otuoke, Bayelsa State and you applaud her without asking where she got the money from, is that not corruption?’’
Meanwhile, Jonathan was also rebuked for stating that he would not reveal the identities of those engaged in corrupt practices in both the private and public sectors citing concerns that he could be “attacked.”
The statement was described by many people as the President’s own way of admitting that he is afraid of fighting corruption.
They hinged their argument on the fact that since he has the state apparatus at his disposal, he should not hesitate to wield such powers rather than express the fear of being “attacked.”
“Jonathan, you are the number one citizen of Nigeria and the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces. Are you scared of some individuals and groups in the public and private sectors?
“If you can’t mention their names and punish them, then you are encouraging them with a pat on the back,’’ another Nigerian, Okafor Nolly, said on Facebook.
One Abiodun Johnson also noted, “He doesn’t have to name names. He could easily arrest and prosecute them. But he is afraid of being attacked! Nigeria is in trouble.’’
However, one Tony Are on punchng.com disagreed with Nolly saying, “If the President should mention names. Many of us will say he is attacking his enemies because of his 2015 ambition. Now he is saying nothing and you still call him names.” -Punch

Nigerian Wins World Muslim Beauty Pageant

(AFP) – A Nigerian woman tearfully prayed and recited Koranic verses as she won a beauty pageant exclusively for Muslim women in the Indonesian capital Wednesday, a riposte to the Miss World contest that has sparked hardline anger.
The 20 finalists, who were all required to wear headscarves, put on a glittering show for the final of Muslimah World, strolling up and down a catwalk in elaborately embroidered dresses and stilettos.

 

The newly crowned the Muslimah World 2013 Obabiyi Aishah Ajibola (C) of Nigeria speaks to audience during the Muslimah World competition in Jakarta on September 18, 2013. The finale of a beauty pageant exclusively for Muslim women was set to take place in the Indonesian capital on September 18, in a riposte to the Miss World contest in Bali that has drawn fierce opposition from Islamic radicals. AFP PHOTO

But the contestants from six countries were covered from head to foot, and as well as beauty they were judged on how well they recited Koranic verses and their views on Islam in the modern world.
After a show in front of an audience of mainly religious scholars and devout Muslims, a panel of judges picked Obabiyi Aishah Ajibola from Nigeria as the winner.
While the event in a Jakarta shopping mall paled in comparison to Miss World on the resort island of Bali, in which scores of contestants are competing, Ajibola was nevertheless overwhelmed.
Upon hearing her name, the 21-year-old knelt down and prayed, then wept as she recited a Koranic verse.
She said it was “thanks to almighty Allah” that she had won the contest. She received 25 million rupiah ($2,200) and trips to Mecca and India as prizes.
Ajibola told AFP before the final that the event “was not really about competition”.
“We’re just trying to show the world that Islam is beautiful,” she said.
Organisers said the pageant challenged the idea of beauty put forward by the British-run Miss World pageant, and also showed that opposition to the event could be expressed non-violently.
Eka Shanti, who founded the pageant three years ago after losing her job as a TV news anchor for refusing to remove her headscarf, bills the contest as “Islam’s answer to Miss World”.
“This year we deliberately held our event just before the Miss World final to show that there are alternative role models for Muslim women,” she told AFP.
“But it’s about more than Miss World. Muslim women are increasingly working in the entertainment industry in a sexually explicit way, and they become role models, which is a concern.”
Hosted by Dewi Sandra, an Indonesian actress and pop star who recently hung up her racy dresses for a headscarf, the pageant featured both Muslim and pop music performances, including one about modesty, a trait the judges sought in the winner.
The pageant, which also featured bright Indonesian Islamic designer wear, is a starkly different way of protesting Miss World than the approach taken by Islamic radicals.
Snowballing protest movement
Thousands have taken to the streets in Indonesia in recent weeks to protest Miss World, denouncing the contest as “pornography” and burning effigies of the organisers.
Despite a pledge by Miss World organisers to drop the famous bikini round, radical anger was not appeased and the protest movement snowballed.
The government eventually bowed to pressure and ordered the whole pageant be moved to the Hindu-majority island of Bali, where it opened on September 8.
Later rounds and the September 28 final were to be held in and around Jakarta, where there is considerable hardline influence.
But there are still fears that extremists may target the event — the US, British and Australian embassies in Jakarta have warned their nationals in recent days of the potential for radical attacks.
More than 500 contestants competed in online rounds to get to the Muslimah World final in Indonesia, one of which involved the contenders comparing stories of how they came to wear the headscarf.
The contest was first held in 2011 under a different name and was only open to Indonesians, Shanti said, but after the media began comparing it to Miss World, it was rebranded as a Muslim alternative to the world-famous pageant.
Because of its popularity, organisers accepted foreign contestants this year for the first time, with Iran, Malaysia, Bangladesh, Brunei, Nigeria and Indonesia represented.

Wife Sues Husband For Allegedly Impregnating Their Pastor’s Daughter

A housewife, Mrs Tosin Adekunle, 28, on Wednesday sued her husband, Tope Adekunle, for divorce at a customary court in Ado-Ekiti, over allegations of adultery, battering, lack of affection and neglect of their two children.
She told the court that her husband had also failed to perform his conjugal responsibilities.
Tosin said that Tope had beaten her to point of death and had thrown her belongings out of their matrimonial home.
She alleged that her husband impregnated their pastor’s daughter.
According to her, she can no longer bear the negative attitude of her estranged husband.
However, Tope did not show up in court to defend himself on the allegations.
The President of the court, Mr Joseph Ogunsemi, adjourned the case to Nov. 4 for further hearing.

Two Chinese Men Arraigned In Court For Attempting To Rape Nigerian Girl

Two chinese men, Chen Gang, 47 and Zhao Weidong, 31, have been arraigned at the Ebute Meta Magistrate’s Court, Lagos State, for allegedly conspiring to rape a 20-year-old Nigerian lady, Oluchi Chukwuemeka.
The incident was said to have happened at Railway Compound in the Ebute Meta area of Lagos.
The men were said to be employees of a popular Chiense construction firm, China Civil Engineering Construction Company.
Our correspondent learnt that Chen Gang was the chief cook of the company, while Chukwuemeka was his assistant.
He was said to have made several sexual overtures to the girl who ignored them.
When the pressures became much, Chukwuemeka was said to have reported the harassment to the policemen guarding the company.
Things came to a head on the night of September 15, 2013, when Chukwuemeka, who was on a salary of N24,000 per month, was allegedly lured into the store by Gang.
As the victim entered the store, thinking she was being sent on a genuine assignment, she was said to have been followed by the defendant.
He allegedly locked the door and began to forcefully unbutton the 20-year-old dress and pull down her trousers.
The girl, however, began shouting, which drew the attention of people nearby, including the policemen.
The second defendant, Weidong, was said to have rushed to the store and seized the girl’s phone. He allegedly dumped it in the toilet.
One of the policemen, however, ran after him and recovered the phone in the water closet.
Both men were arrested and arraigned on Wednesday on seven counts of attempted rape, sexual harassment, indecent assault, perversion of justice and willful damage of Chukwuemeka’s handset.
The charge read in part, “That you, Chen Gang, on the 15th day of September, 2013, at about 8pm at China Civil Engineering Constructing Company, Federal Road, Railway Compound, Ebute Meta, Lagos, in the Lagos Magisterial District, did attempt to rape one Oluchi Chukwuemeka.
“That you, Chen Gang, on the same date, place and time, in the aforesaid Magisterial District, did sexually harassed one Oluchi Chukwuemeka by struggling with her in an attempt to have unlawful carnal knowledge of her.
“That you, Zhao Weidong, on the same date, time and place in the aforesaid magisterial district did willfully destroy a Nokia-200 handset by throwing it into the toilet, property of one Oluchi Chukwuemeka.”
The prosecutor, Inspector Moses Uaedmuvbo, said the offences were punishable under Sections 260, 262, 134(2), 170, 91, 97, 348 of the Criminal Code Law of Lagos State, Nigeria, 2011.
Gang and Weidong pleaded not guilty.
The defence counsel, Fidelis Osordi, pleaded that the accused be granted bail in liberal terms.
The magistrate, Mrs. M.O Tanimola, admitted the defendants to bail in the sum of 100,000 with two responsible sureties who must be gainfully employed with evidence of tax payment. The matter was adjourned till October 17.
As of the time our correspondent left the court, the defendants were still in police custody, while a Black Maria had been brought to convey them to the Ikoyi Prison.

2 cars containing 6bodies that sank a decade apart are found in a lake after 40 years

They had lain undiscovered under an Oklahoma lake for fifty years. And now the discovery of two rusting vintage cars containing five bodies has reignited the mystery of how three teenagers and one man and his friends vanished more than four decades ago. One of the cases is believed to be connected to the disappearance of Jimmy Allen Williams (top right), Thomas Michael Rios, (top left), and Leah Gail Johnson, (bottom right), all went missing after going for a drive in Jimmy's blue 1969 Camaro on November 20, 1970. 

Dive teams were at Foss Lake conducting training with sonar when they came upon the vehicles last week. They went back and did a scheduled dive yesterday and when they pulled the cars out of the water, they found human bones.

 




The discovery of two rusting vintage cars containing six bodies has reignited the mystery of how three teenagers and three other people vanished more than four decades ago. 

Highway patrol officers testing their sonar equipment Foss Lake near Elk City, Oklahoma on Friday stumbled upon the rusting 1969 Camaro and a Chevrolet dating back to the 1950s. 

Inside the Camaro were three bodies believed to be of local teenagers who vanished after going out for a drive in 1970. Inside the Chevrolet were three more bodies – thought to be a 69-year-old man and his two friends who went missing in the state in the late 1950s or early 1960s.

Police say the Camaro matches the vehicle associated with the three missing teenagers who disappeared on November 10 1970. They say they have confirmed the identity of at least one of the victims however details are yet to be released.

Authorities have not formally identified all of the remains belong to but the local paper has made a clear connection between the discovered Camaro and the teens.


 

 

 


The latest reports by local station KFOR states that one of the victims in the car thought to have belonged to the teenager has been identified but they are waiting to notify all of the relatives of the victims involved before releasing any names. 

Jimmy Allen Williams 16, Thomas Michael Rios, 18, and Leah Gail Johnson, 18, all went missing after going for a drive in Jimmy’s blue 1969 Camaro on November 20, 1970. 


They are still listed as missing persons and were thought to have been headed to a football game in nearby Elk City but also could have detoured to go hunting at Foss Lake.
 Local woman Kim Carmichael was a friend of the Camaro's owner, 16-year-old Jimmy Williams.
She told Oklahoma's Newsnine.com: 'I just remember how devastated everybody was
'We lived in a little town ... Nothing like that ever happened in Sayre.

At the time of the disappearance, Ms Carmichael's father was the undersheriff in nearby Beckham County where the teens were last seen.  He died in 2003 never knowing what happened.
Ms Carmichael added: 'He said there was nothing ... There were no leads, no nothing. He said it was just like they vanished into thin air.'I can't imagine what [Williams'] family was going through if I could see what my dad was going through.'

Oklahoma Highway Patrol said they are hoping the discovery will offer some relief to families who may have gone decades wondering where a missing loved one was.
  
Source: UK Daily Mail.

 

My Husband Uses My Menstrual Pads For Ritual, Wife Tells Court

A housewife, Mrs Iyabo Odewunmi, has told an Osogbo Customary Court in Osun State to dissolve her 10-year-old marriage to her husband, Ojo, over his habit of using her menstrual pads for ritual purposes.
Iyabo, while complaining that her husband was a threat to her life and that of her children, said “I noticed that my menstrual pads had been missing as well as my bras and pants.
When I complained to my husband, he said nothing. He later promised to buy me new pants and bras.”
She accused her husband of being diabolical, adding, “my husband has been behaving in a mysterious way in the last few months and I see this as a threat to my life and that of my children.”
In his response, Ojo informed the court that his wife lied against him because she was looking for flimsy excuses to abandon the marriage.
However, President of the court, Mrs Temilade Agboola, advised the couple to find means of resolving their dispute rather than dissolve the marriage and adjourned the case to November 5, 2013 for judgment.

Olamide,Vector & Kayswitch Shut Down Ibadan For Hennessy Artistry

 

Ibadan witnessed one of the biggest parties of the year last weekend as the Hennessy Artistry 2013 club tour stormed Ibadan.

To kick off the day, supporting acts, Kay Switch and Vector paid a visit to the Beat FM studio in Ibadan where they had a fun session with Beat FM OAP, Tripple X.

Then later moved to popular nightclub, E-Bevande where lovers of Hennessy and music fans came to witness the first ever Hennessy Artistry Club Tour. With great performances from Vector, Kay Switch and Olamide, fans could not get enough of the fun and excitement as they sang along to their favourite songs from the artistes.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Drunken Soldier Kills 3 In Cross River

 

A drunk soldier (names withheld) attached to a Brigadier in Ogoja, Cross River State, last Sunday, killed three persons and shattered his own legs, when he drove his Honda Accord car recklessly.

Sources said the military man took his girlfriend (names withheld) to Okuku, the town close to brigade for the Yala new festival celebration and allegedly got drunk.
He decided to return to the barracks located a kilometre away against the advice of his host.
A source said: “He was drunk and we advised him to allow someone drive the car to the barracks but he refused.
“It was while he was speeding back that he hit an Okada (commercial motorcycle) and the car ran into a tree, killing the two boys on the Okada and his girlfriend.”
The woman, a mother of two, was said to have lost her husband, a soldier, to the Boko Haram violence in Maidu-guri, Borno State. in 2010.
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Prophet allegedly takes N4.7m to avert client’s death

A prophet, Ademole Bankole, has been taken before an Ebute Meta Magistrate’s Court for allegedly conspiring with some other people who are at large, to defraud one Tosin Jacob of N4.7m.

The sum was said to be the payment for donkeys, spiritual water, clothes, and other items that would avert the untimely death of Jacob and his family members.

Our correspondent learnt that the complainant was lured by his friend, one Ade Eso-Emi. He allegedly told Jacob that a prophet had seen a negative vision concerning him and his family during an intense prayer.

He was told that death was hovering round him and his family and if nothing was done about it within a certain period, the whole family would be wiped out.

The complainant was said to have believed his friend and became jittery. He was taken to see the prophet.

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Company executives, advertiser in N1.4bn scam

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission has uncovered a N1.4bn scam allegedly perpetrated by former top executives of Sosaco Nigeria Limited, marketers of Jago Milk Powder and Jino Tomato Paste.

According to the EFCC, the former Managing Director of the company, Satish Vasudevan; the former Financial Director, Sridhar Ganesa; and the former Marketing Director, Janak Saravan; conspired with two media consulting firms to defraud the company.

PUNCH Metro learnt that the indicted media consulting firms, Fairgate Marketing and Communications Limited  and Bethel Marketing and Communications Limited are owned by one Yusuf Bakare, who had been arrested by the commission.

The EFCC Head of Operations, Iliyasu Kwarbai, told our correspondent that the scam was perpetrated  between January 2011 and June 2012.

He said, “We discovered that Bakare, who runs the two media consulting firms, had approached Sosaco to offer his services. He subsequently entered into a contract with the management to handle the promotion of four products of the company – Gino Tomato Paste, Pomo Tomato Paste, Jago Powder Milk and Jago Delight for N1,372,285,294.

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Student Impregnates, Kills 17yr Old Girlfriend In Zamfara

26-year-old student of health technology has been arrested by the police in Zamfara State for allegedly abducting, impregnating and killing a 17-year-old girl, Bela’u.
The suspect, Bello was arrested following the death of the girl after he took her to the Federal Medical Centre (FMC), Gusau, in an effort to stop excess bleeding by the victim, resulting from alleged attempt to abort a five-month-old pregnancy.
Bello,who is a student of the state School of Health Technology, Tsafe, admitted that he had sexual relationship with the deceased for more than two years and she became pregnant for him.
It was gathered that the suspect bought some drugs from a patent medicine store, which he wrongly administered on the girl in order to abort the pregnancy. It was further revealed that shortly after the administration of the drugs, she started bleeding and vomiting in Bello’s room and was later taken to hospital.

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Ethiopia game won’t be easy, Akanni warns Eagles

Former international, Waidi Akanni, has warned the Super Eagles not to celebrate yet until they beat the Walya Antelopes of Ethiopia in their 2014 World Cup qualifying playoff next month.

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Nigeria, who were seeded by CAF in the draw on Monday, got what many pundits described as “an easy draw” after being pitted against Ethiopia. But Akanni, a former Lagos FA chairman, said the first leg, scheduled for Addis Ababa, may not be as easy as it appears on paper.

Nigeria beat Ethiopia 2-0 in their last meeting at the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations in South Africa, but before then the Walya Antelopes had held the Super Eagles to a 2-2 draw in an AFCON qualifier in Addis Ababa in 2011.

“Ethiopia look easy on paper but Nigeria’s victory depends on the preparation coach Stephen Keshi has with the team. The preparation will determine if we’ll go past Ethiopia. I’m convinced we can beat them if the Super Eagles are disciplined by reporting for camping early and building team spirit among the players,” Akanni said.

“Playing against the Walya Antelopes in Ethiopia will not be easy, but the last game in Addis Ababa had a few dramatic turns which were responsible for the draw. I’m sure Keshi has identified the errors and we hope they won’t come up again at this crucial stage.

Nigerians encourage corruption – Jonathan

President Goodluck Jonathan  has lamented  that in spite of institutional reforms aimed at fighting corrupt practices, Nigerians, through their actions encourage graft.

He also said both the  public and private sectors were involved in corruption but stated that he would not give out their names “so that  I won’t be attacked.”

The President  spoke while declaring open the 54th annual conference of the Nigerian Economic Society in Abuja on Tuesday.

The conference, which has as its theme, “Institutions, institutional reforms and economic development,” is the single largest gathering of economists in the country.

Jonathan argued that if Nigerians did not “reward corrupt practices” through their actions,  those  involved in them would have no need to continue.

He said, “I want a society where all of us will frown upon people who come up with what they are not supposed to have.

“(If) a young man who just started a job and within six months or a year comes up with a car of N7m to N15m and you clap for him, then you are rewarding corruption.

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Nigeria’s Unemployment Rate Hits 22% -World Bank

Nigeria’s Unemployment Rate Hits 22% -World Bank

 

The World Bank has put the unemployment rate in Nigeria at 22 per cent while the youth unemployment rate is 38 per cent.
The Team Leader and representative of World Bank Country representative, Professor Foluso Okunmadewa, made the disclosure at the Youth Employment and Social Support Operation (YESSO) organised by Subsidy Reinvestment Programme (SURE-P), in Abuja.
Decrying the high percentage of youth unemployment, he said the country should do something about this as Nigeria’s youth hold the key to achieving Vision 20:2020, adding that 15 to 35-year olds account for close to 60 per cent of Nigeria’s population.
Noting that this figure is about 30 per cent of the workforce of Nigeria’s population, he added that approximately four million Nigerians entered into the labour market annually.

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PDP: Reps exchange blows over rebel governors visit

Fighting erupted in  the House of Representatives on Tuesday when   seven governors loyal to the New Peoples Democratic Party visited  the House in Abuja.

A member of the House  from Bayelsa State, Mr. Henry Ofongo, was punched and shoved repeatedly by his colleagues for daring to  oppose  the visit. His  jacket  was pulled off  by some members.

Most of the members who crowded Ofongo, were from Kano State, including Mr. Aminu Suleiman, Mr. Baballe Murktar, Mr. Ali Madakaki and Mr. Ado Dogoa.

Mr. Dakuku Peterside and Andrew Uchendu, both from Rivers State, also shoved Ofongo, preventing him from moving close to the high table.

In the ensuing fracas, other members , who were in solidarity with Ofongo, attempted to throw chairs.

One of the lawmakers, who lifted a chair but was prevented from throwing it, was Mr. Ini Udoka from Akwa Ibom State.

Mr. Emmanuel Okon, also from Akwa Ibom State, joined the fighting on the side of Ofongo.

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Amaechi’s NGF calls for Okonjo-Iweala’s resignation

Members of the Nigerian Governors’ Forum have called on the Minister of Finance, who is also the Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, to resign her appointment if she knew she would not be able to adhere strictly with the Appropriation Act 2013.

They said the non-compliance with the revenue projections of the Federal Government 2013 Budget was also a direct breach of the provisions of the Appropriation Act, 2013.

These decisions were part of the resolutions of the Governor Rotimi Amaechi-led NGF, which met in Abuja on Tuesday evening.

States which were represented by their governors at the  meeting were those of Rivers, Niger, Kwara, Osun, Ekiti, Ogun, Adamawa, Oyo,  Lagos, Sokoto, Jigawa, Kano and Zamfara while deputy governors  of Edo, Borno and Nasarawa states represented their governors.

The governors also called for the immediate dissolution of the Economic Management Team.

More on Amaechi's NGF calls... 

More Nigerian girls pose nude to trend on Twitter

Nude pictures are beginning to dominate the Nigerian Twitter space as the act is fast becoming fashionable among young ladies.

One of the objectives ladies who engage in this act seek to achieve is to break into trending topics on the social service and ultimately build a huge Twitter following and gain cheap popularity.

Ladies who have made this act a hobby employ hashtags to string together these obscene pictures to get them easily noticeable by other Twitter users. For instance, some of them use hashtags such as #boobsmonday, #boobsfriday and post their nude photographs.

Other girls equally interested are lured into posting their own nude pictures on the social site by employing the use of the hashtags for the day — such as #boobstuesday on a Tuesday, which make their nude pictures travel fast and go viral.

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WARNING: Poor People Are Not Wanted In Lagos Megacity

Lagos is now going to be a megacity. Under the able leadership of Governor Babatunde Fashola, the apostle of good governance, Lagos is undergoing a major makeover. The Atlantic Ocean will be banished, to be replaced by Eko Atlantic; a shimmering new 3.5- mile island built literally on the water behind a “great wall of Lagos.” Greenery has suddenly appeared in Lagos, displacing the concrete jungle. There are now parks with manicured lawns. There are now tree-lined roads. Pot-holes are now being tarred. Sidewalks are now provided for pedestrians.
*Eko o ni baje   In the middle of this transformation, a new immigration department has been opened in Lagos. “Illegal aliens” are being expelled and are shipped back to their homelands in the dead of night. New visitors may have to obtain visas to come here.

All this makes it imperative to determine who exactly is the Lagosian? Who is entitled to enjoy the new amenities that Governor Fashola and his team of dedicated public-servants are bringing to Lagos? Accordingly, a battle royal has emerged for the rightful ownership of Lagos. Some are insisting Lagos is no man’s land.
Others are discovering Lagos as their fatherland. But there is no question that the government has already determined the precise identity of the true Lagosian.


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Ibori Hid Assets In Oando -British Prosecutor •He Is An Insignificant Shareholder -Oando

Convicted former Delta State Governor, Chief James Ibori, hid some of his assets in an indigenous integrated oil company, Oando Plc, according to a British prosecutor.
The prosecutor was quoted by Reuters in a report on Monday as saying that the former governor, who is serving a 13-year jail term in the United Kingdom for fraud and money-laundering, hid some of his assets in the oil firm; adding that money passed from Oando’s accounts into Ibori’s Swiss accounts.
Ibori had in February 2012 pleaded guilty to 10 counts of fraud and money-laundering worth £50m.
Prosecutor Sasha Wass was quoted as telling the court that she would be presenting evidence that Ibori had “asserted ownership of a large part” of Oando, Nigeria’s biggest home-grown oil firm, which is listed in Lagos, Johannesburg and Toronto.
“The Crown will assert that Oando is a company where James Ibori has hidden assets,” Wass said, giving no further details.
One of the biggest embezzlement cases seen in Britain, the successful prosecution of Ibori was also a rare example of a senior Nigerian politician being held to account for the corruption that blights Africa’s most populous country.
At the time of Ibori’s sentencing in April 2012, Judge Anthony Pitts said the £50m that he had admitted to stealing might be a “ludicrously low” fraction of his total booty, which could be more than £200m.
The confiscation hearing will shed further light on the scale of Ibori’s wealth and determine whether he emerges from jail impoverished or still in possession of a large enough fortune to regain a position of influence in Nigeria.

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Rivers PDP: Wike Gives Amaechi Condition For Peace

The supervising Minister of Education, Nyesom Wike, on Sunday gave the Rivers State Governor Rotimi Amaechi a condition for peace and before the structure of the Peoples Democratic Party could be returned to the governor.
Wike said if Amaechi desired the state PDP structure the governor should hand over his office to Mr. Celestine Omehia, who was at the helm of affairs in the state before the October 2007 court ruling, which removed him from office.
The minister spoke during the inauguration of the chapter executives of the Grassroots Development Initiative in the Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni Local Government Area.
He maintained that the state PDP was ready to hand over its structure to the governor if he was ready to surrender his position to Omehia.
Wike said, “As far as the PDP structure in Rivers State is concerned, nobody gave us any PDP structure. We fought for our mandate and we won in court.
“If they say that they should take the structure from us after the court had given judgment, therefore, the PDP should also take the governorship in 2007 and return it to the man who was serving as governor at that time.
“Our own condition is this: we will surrender the party structure since he says he will no longer obey court judgement. He should also surrender the court judgement of 2007. If you (Amaechi) do that, then we would also surrender the court judgment that brought Felix Obuah.
“We are telling the PDP national leadership that our own condition is this; we are willing to make peace. We are willing to surrender the party structure, if he (Amaechi) would also surrender that mandate that the court gave in 2007. He should give it back to the man who had that mandate.”
Reacting, the Chief of Staff, Government House, Port Harcourt, Chief Tony Okocha, described Wike’s condition to Amaechi as unreasonable, maintaining that the current situation in the state had nothing to do with the position of the governor.
Okocha pointed out that rather than come to the state to campaign for President Jonathan and abuse Amaechi, the minister should face the challenges facing the nation’s educational sector and bring in ideas that could improve the sector.
He stated that Wike had shown that the only way he could sustain his position as a minister was to continue to attack Amaechi, whom he (Wike) perceived to be Jonathan’s enemy.
Okocha said, “What he is portraying is the saying that my enemy’s enemy is my friend. Let him bring good ideas to the educational sector. The only thing he is doing to sustain his stay in the ministry is to continue to abuse Amaechi.
“Wike is just a beneficiary of undeserved goodwill. He should be able to tell the people what the President has done while campaigning for him here in Rivers State and stop abusing Amaechi who has done so much for him.”

http://naijaobserver.wordpress.com/2013/09/17/rivers-pdp-wike-gives-amaechi-condition-for-peace/