What Next For Tukur’s Faction?

Things appear to be falling apart in the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). The two factions led by Alhaji Bamanga Tukur and Alhaji Kawu Baraje have not achieved a truce.

Unless the grievances of those who stormed out of the Abuja convention are addressed, the centre may not hold again. To curtail the ugly trend, it appears the party’s leadership is making frantic steps to prevent further damage. But there is no positive result yet. There are some options that can be explored.
The first option is to dare the faction and expel the aggrived members for anti-party activities. Tukur’s faction is recognised by the electoral commission. It is not likely that INEC will recognise Baraje’s faction. But this option is dangerous. It means that the PDP will face the 2015 general elections as a party at half. Its influence in some sates controlled by the faction may drop.
Former President Olusegun Obasanjo had proposed a reconciliation meeting between the PDP National Working Committee (NWC) and the aggrieved faction. He said the elders will broker peace. Although the former President has not left the party, he is also an aggrieved party elder, whose supporters have been sidelined in the running of the party by Tukur.
The former Board of Trustees (BoT) chairman is not happy with the removal of his key supporters from the National Executive Committee (NEC). Although he was said to have held a closed door meeting with President Goodluck Jonathan on Sunday in Aso Rock, details were unknown. Observers contend that the PDP boxed itself into this logjam because it deviated from the vision of the founding fathers.
Many PDP elders have been sidelined, especially in the states, by the governors, who are the state leaders. In the past, party elders, including former Vice President Alex Ekweme and Gen. Ike Nwachukwu, headed the reconciliation panels set up by the party. The reports of the panels were never implemented. If another reconciliation committee headed by another party elder is set up, what is the assurance that the report will be implemented?
Party sources said that the road to peace may not be in sight for now. The utterances by the Presidency have been couched in belligerent tones, which suggest that those who have formed the faction would likely face sanction. Presidential Adviser on Political Matter, Ahmed Gulak, described the formation of new PDP as the height of irresponsibility.
He said, if the intension of the seven governors was to cause crisis in the party before dumping it, they would not succeed. He said: “As far as we are concerned, there is one PDP; we remain a united family. But, if your son or daughter decided to be a prodigal son or daughter, so be it. But we plead with them to be reasonable; to be law abiding and to know that nobody is above the law.”
The other option is to reinvigorate the crisis-resolution mechanism in the party. Already, the Reconciliation Committee headed by Bayelsa State Governor Seriake Dickson now has a bigger assignment. The staring point is to collate the grievances of the faction and make recommendations that would foster a win-win situation. The PDP Governors’ Forum Chairman, Governor Godswill Akpabio of Akwa Ibom State has reiterated the need for peace and dialogue. He said the only way the PDP can remain relevant is to unite.
But there must be conditions for unity. S He said: “Some of my colleagues and I have resolved to ensure reconciliation with all those that have grievances. I can tell you that there was a break in communication.” The option of a new convention cannot be ruled out. Since the modalities for selecting delegates and electing the national officers led to the bitter feud, the party can renegotiate with the faction on how to correct the mistakes that were committed at the recent convention.
The faction has demanded for Tukur’s resignation, saying that he is a divisive and destabilising factor. This is a delicate matter. The President is leaning on Tukur, who has backed his second term bid. It is certain that the factional members are opposed to the President’s second term. But, according to a source, if the President acceeds to the demand that Tukur should go, the faction will likely reel out more demanding conditions that may pull the rug off the feet of the President. There are individuals who have grudges against the party.
One of them is the former National Secretary, Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola, whose election was not voided by the INEC. If the party reinstates him as the secretary, he may retrace its steps. How to also resolve the crisis stirred by the governorship primaries in Anambra State is another issue. The faction has insisted that the party decided the primaries in favour of Mr. Tony Nwoye, to the detriment of Senator Andy Uba. There are other challenges. The faction has revisited the controversial Nigerian Governors’ Forum (NGF) and demanded that Governor Rotimi Amaechi of Rivers State should be recognised as the authentic chairman, instead of Plateau State Governor Jonah Jang.
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Keshi Is Going To Be A Legend - Green

Chairman of the Nigeria Football Federation Technical Committee, Christopher Green has said that Stephen Keshi will become not only Nigeria's best coach but one of the best in Africa if he puts his head down.

“We have been more than supportive of the coach and he knows it, but mischief makers will always concoct stories for (to cause, ed) fights between both parties.
“But I will say Keshi is on the right path and if he continues to work with the NFF blueprint, we have a man who can become the best ever in Nigeria and Africa’s history and an NFF board that will be unrivalled in years to come,” Green, a lawyer, said.
The Eagles were hosted to a sumptous dinner by son of the soil and NFF Technical Director, Dr. Emmanuel Ikpeme, who apologised for the late hosting.
He noted that his wife had been out of the country for a long while, but he was delighted that when she returned and he suggested the idea to Mrs Ikpeme, she bought it.
Training for the team intensifies today ahead of Saturday’s duel against the Flames of Malawi, whose FA Scribe is already in Calabar to assess the security and other concerns of the team ahead of the tie.
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Jose Mourinho Explains Romelu Lukaku And Victor Moses Exits

Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho says loan deals for Romelu Lukaku and Victor Moses were sanctioned to help the players in question.

Both Lukaku and Moses headed for Merseyside on transfer deadline day, with the former linking up with Everton and the latter Liverpool.

Mourinho claims it was in the best interests of all concerned for moves to be pushed through, with ongoing development dependent on regular football.
He was unable to guarantee playing time to Lukaku or Moses at Stamford Bridge, and both need minutes if they are to push on.
Mourinho hopes the issue of ins and outs at Chelsea can now be put to bed, with the Blues happy with the make-up of their squad on the back of a busy window.
The Portuguese coach told Chelsea TV: "I think it's time for everyone to stop talking about selling and buying players.
"There are always little things to do on the last day, people to leave. We have to think about the club, but we also have to think about what is best for the players individually.
"We decided Moses and Lukaku - two players we were more than happy to keep - that it's better for the club and the future of the players if they go on loan.
"With Lukaku, we have Fernando (Torres), (Samuel) Eto'o and Demba (Ba). Of course he would get playing time, but it's the choice of playing basically every weekend.
"He had lots of clubs and options, and we have to respect his decision."
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PHOTO: Hon Rotimi Makinde Broke After Lavish Wedding

Actor turned Politician, Hon. Rotimi Makinde who got married to his 23-year-old beauty queen, Oyebanke in a talk of the town celebration is said to be broke.
Penultimate weekend, Osun State was almost a sort of Mecca as many politicians and movie practitioners thronged the state for the wedding ceremony of House of Representatives member, Hon Rotimi Makinde and his new wife, Oyebanke.
The event took place in Ada town and for those who witnessed the wedding, guest were given five star treatments. There were assorted food and drinks served round to the invited guests. There were traces of class and style in the organisation of the event, considering that the bride is a beauty queen, who has a lot at stake and also to show to her friends and critics that she is now a wife of a federal lawmaker.
Banke, as Rotimi Makinde’s wife is fondly called by her friends, is said to be 23 years old, just about the same age with her husband’s first daughter. The lawmaker dumped his wife of many years shortly after getting to Abuja to make laws for Nigerians. Soon after, his relationship with the beauty queen became a public affair until they solidified it few days ago.
According to a source the Yoruba actor turned politician is now broke. The reason, as we were reliably informed, is not far-fetched.
We scooped that the wedding gulped a lot of money from Makinde’s savings. Some of the things used for the ceremony, we were also told, were allegedly taken on credit. Days after the wedding, we gathered that some of his creditors have allegedly been knocking on his door asking for their payments.
He’s also been allegedly harassed in his home town by those he’s owing and he has allegedly been told that he can’t leave the town for anywhere unless he pays the debt.
We also gathered that the alleged financial trouble started for Makinde during the burial of Tinubu’s mother. We were told by our source that the lawmaker allegedly went to borrow the sum of N50million from a bank and changed it into dollar notes and then allegedly begged Governor Rauf Aregbesola of Osun State to take him to Tinubu to present him the token as contribution for his mum’s burial.
This action, as our source said, reportedly took Aregbesola aback and asked Makinde why he was doing what wasn’t too necessary of him to do, but the Osun lawmaker reportedly insisted. We learnt that Makinde decided to use the money to water the ground for his second term ambition.
Nigeriafilms.com reliably learnt that Makinde’s father has many children and has allegedly not really helped them since his status as a House of Reps member.
Effort to reach the lawmaker on this story were unsuccessful as at press time.

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PHOTO: Davido Reacts to Forbes List of Africa’s Most Bankable Artists

Channel O and Forbes Africa presented the top 10 most bankable/richest artistes in Africa on the evening of Sunday, September 1, 2013.

The rating, based on endorsement value, popularity, show rates, sales, awards, YouTube views, appearance in newspapers, investment, social media presense, and so many other factors, has spread widely in the media during Monday.
However, the thing which many fans noticed: no Davido, and no Olamide in the list.
Davido reacted on Twitter first: see the tweets below:

What does “BALU” means???

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2face Idibia Introduced Awards to Support Young Nigerians

A Nigerian singer, song-writer and record producer, 2face Idibia, is initiating the “2face Peace Awards” to promote peace and support young Nigerians involved in peace projects in their communities.

Idibia revealed this while speaking to the newsmen in Lagos on September 3, 2013, Tuesday.
The Nigerian Star said that six winners would be selected for the awards.
According to him, the six categories are Women-led Peace Building, Youth Peace Building, and Peace building in the environment (for those having conflicts over resources).
Others award categories are Projects on urban violence and community peace building, the use of technology or Social Media for peace building and Mediation directed at reducing violence against women and girls.
2face also revealed the value of prize: N1million would be presented to each winner, along with opportunities to attend key global peace summits and exchange programmes in 2014.
He said that almost a quarter of the world lived in areas affected by military or civil conflicts.
However, 2face noted that there were young people who were busy building bridges across communities.
“These young people are mostly unnoticed but you will find them working hard in various places, educating people and helping to manage conflicts and promoting peace.
“They have become community leaders in peace building, reconciliation and post -conflict reconstruction, thereby establishing themselves as the next generation of leaders.
“As we march towards Nigeria’s centenary celebrations in 2014, more than anything else, we choose to celebrate these young unsung heroes, who are active in their communities, promoting peace.
“We want to celebrate them through the ‘2face Peace Awards”, Idibia concluded.

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Gambo Lawan To Replace Tukur

As President Goodluck Jonathan and elders of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) prepare to meet governors, who held a parallel convention at the weekend, it has been gathered that a party leader during the regime of the late General Sani Abacha, may take over the leadership of the ruling party 
in an acting capacity.

 

Following the crisis, which engulfed the PDP since Saturday, when seven governors and former vice president Atiku Abubakar led other aggrieved members to hold a meeting, where they appointed a chairman for their faction, PDP elders had set up a meeting, as one of the last- ditch effort to resolve the impasse.
The governors, made up of Chibuike Amaechi (Rivers), Babangida Aliyu (Niger), Abdulfatah Ahmed (Kwara), Murtala Nyako (Adamawa), Rabiu Kwankwaso (Kano), Sule Lamido (Jigawa) and Aliyu Wamakko (Sokoto), had rejected goings-on in the PDP, especially the way the party’s special national convention was conducted and therefore, announced a PDP faction.
Following the governors’ request that the National Chairman of the PDP, Alhaji Bamanga Tukur, should relinquish his position, among other demands, Alhaji Gambo Lawan, chairman of the Grassroots Democratic Party (GDP) during the Abacha administration, has been tipped to become the acting chairman of the party.
Sources revealed that the aggrieved governors, who enjoy the secret support of three former heads of state, would nominate Lawan in the meeting with party elders and if this gets the blessing of all, the former party chairman would oversee the affairs of the PDP, pending when another national convention would be organised for the selection of a substantive national chairman.
Gambo, from Borno State, who bidded for the PDP chair during the exercise that brought Tukur to office, is not privy to the plan for him to emerge as acting national chairman of the party, but those pushing for his nomination said he’s capable of restoring confidence in the party.
Sources however, revealed that for Gambo to be appointed acting national chairman, Tukur would be asked to resign his position, just as Dr. Okwesilieze Nwodo did in 2011 when he was embroiled in court case in his home state, Enugu.
It was gathered that Tukur’s resignation would be hinged on the court case instituted by the Abdullahi Kawu Baraje faction of the PDP, which demanded that he should be compelled to stop parading himself as national chairman of the party.
If the court grants the prayer of the Baraje faction, as it resumes sitting on September 9 and grants an injunction restraining Tukur from parading himself as chairman, he would be compelled by PDP elders to resign, the same way Nwodo was asked to go when an Enugu High Court made an order against him.
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UPDATE: Suntai Surrenders To Deputy At Last

Ailing Governor Danbaba Suntai of Taraba State yesterday surrendered to his deputy, Alhaji Garba Umar, to continue to hold forte pending when he would be medically fit to return to work.

The governor was involved in air mishap last year. The injury from the accident took him to Germany and the United States for medical attention.
He returned to the country, still ailing, on August 25.
The Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Presidential Committee set up to resolve the crisis brought by his return and determination to resume work, was headed by Senator Hope Uzodinma, who told reporters yesterday that Governor Suntai has allowed Alhaji Umar to continue to act for him as governor, until he is well enough to perform his functions.
Senator Uzodinma said Suntai has, however, said that there were some actions he would take with due consultation with him, and not to act arbitrarily. The stakeholders, he said,have unanimously agreed that Alhaji Umar should continue to act without any dissident voice, because they (stakeholders) were desirous of moving the state forward.
According to him,there was no crisis in Taraba, expressing the hope that there would not be, and that the committee  had met with the ailing governor, whom, he said was recuperating and that all and sundry should continue to pray for him to recover speedily.
Senator Uzodinma urged the media to continue to help democracy to flourish and not to be used to fan the embers of divisiveness in the polity. He said the press has a significant role to play in moving the nation forward.
The stakeholders comprised of the presidential committee, the National Assembly members from the state, legislators from the House of Assembly, elders and opinion leaders as well as PDP stalwarts from the state and national levels.
The Uzodinma committee arrived in Jalingo, the state capital and swung into action. On arrival at the airport around 12.46pm, he told journalists that they were in Jalingo to interact with their fellow PDP members.
Paying a courtesy call on Suntai, the members said they were in the state to ascertain the governor’s health and pray for his speedy recovery.
Although journalists were not officially allowed to go in along with the committee members, the few that had access to the governor, said that contrary to the assumption that Suntai had been speechless, confirmed that he actually expressed happiness for their visit and prayer.
The sources also confirmed that the ailing governor was able to identify persons, a development that was also contrary to the belief that he was not aware of his environment.
At the venue of the meeting held in the Government House were the Assembly leaders, Taraba lawmakers in the National Assembly, former commissioners, elders of the party and opinion leaders, Senator Uzodinma had appealed to the stakeholders to sheathe their  swords and proffer solution to the crisis at hand.
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Boko Haram Attacks To Continue

As security agencies are after Boko Haram remnants, incessant killings and bombing may continue for some times until it is finally wiped off.

Informed top security sources disclosed to the Nigerian Tribune that the Boko Haram attacks would continue unabated despite the demise of its top two officers because “there is no more central command”, even as the security operatives vow to arrest every one of them.
In the last few days, the sect has attacked some villages in Borno State, killing scores of people despite the victory of the military over them, including the killing of its two leaders, Abubakar Shekau and Bama Momodu.
According to security reports, some terrorists stormed some villages and killed not fewer than 50 people and this has been raising some questions over alleged victory claimed by the military over the sect.
However, it was gathered by the Nigerian Tribune from security sources that the Boko Haram insurgents have been defeated but desperately attacking innocent people in order to draw attention to themselves despite the defeat.
The top security source added that with the level of co-operation they are receiving from members of the public, such attacks would soon be over.
The top security  source added: “We are after every one of them, they will all be arrested and be made to face the stiff sanction of the law. What they are doing amount to treason.”
On the amnesty promised by President Goodluck Jonathan, the security source said: “That is the political solution and since they have rejected it, we would make sure none of them escape.”
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Barrack Obama Holds Talks Over Possible Missile Strike On Syria

US President Barack Obama was meeting top national security aides on Friday over possible missile strikes to punish Syria for its alleged use of chemical weapons in a deadly attack last week.

France gave its backing to the US plans after British lawmakers voted against any involvement in military action against Damascus and other close allies including Germany said they would not sign up.

The White House has signalled that Obama, guided by the “best interests” of the United States, was ready to go it alone on Syria after accusing President Bashar al-Assad’s regime of using chemical weapons against its own people.

But Russia, Syria’s most powerful ally, questioned US intelligence on the August 21 gas attacks and warned against any military strikes without UN backing.

In Damascus, UN experts carried out their final investigations into the attacks east of the capital that activists say killed more than 300 people, visiting a hospital where victims were reportedly being treated.

The team is due to leave the war-battered country Saturday and report back immediately to UN chief Ban Ki-moon, who has appealed to the West to allow time for their findings to be assessed.

Ban is due to meet ambassadors from the five UN Security Council permanent members at 1600 GMT, while US Secretary of State John Kerry will make a statement on the Syria crisis at 1630 GMT.

Faced with an impasse at the Security Council and the British parliament’s shock vote Thursday, Obama has been forced to look elsewhere for international partners.

While Germany and Canada ruled out joining any military strikes, French President Francois Hollande — whose country was a strident opponent of the US-led war on Iraq — said the British decision would not affect his government’s stance.

“France wants firm and proportionate action against the Damascus regime,” Hollande said in an interview with Le Monde newspaper.

US Defence Secretary Chuck Hagel said the White House was still seeking an “international coalition that will act together” against Assad’s regime.

The British government’s defeat in parliament came after the failure of an 11th-hour effort by British diplomats to win UN backing for action at a meeting of Security Council permanent members.

Gruesome pictures of some of the reported victims of the attacks, including children, shocked the world and piled on the pressure for a response that could draw a reluctant West into the vicious Syrian civil war.

But Russia and Iran, and even some US allies and respected commentators, have warned against any intervention, saying it risked sparking a wider conflict.

Divisions over Syria have further chilled the frosty relations between Washington and Moscow ahead of the G20 summit next week in Saint Petersburg, where pointedly there will be no face-to-face talks between Obama and Russian President Vladimir Putin.

US National Security Council spokeswoman Caitlin Hayden said Obama’s decision-making “will be guided by what is in the best interests of the United States”.

“He believes that there are core interests at stake for the United States and that countries who violate international norms regarding chemical weapons need to be held accountable.”

Earlier in the week, reports had suggested a Western strike was imminent, but questions have been raised about the quality of the intelligence linking Assad to the gas attack.

Syria’s Foreign Minister Walid Muallem reportedly told the UN chief that Damascus would reject any “partial” conclusions about the attack before full analyses are undertaken.

The military buildup was continuing in the region, with US warships armed with scores of cruise missiles converging on the eastern Mediterranean.

In Damascus the mood was heavy with fear and security forces were making preparations for possible air bombardments, pulling soldiers back from potential targets.

More than 100,000 people have died since the conflict erupted in March 2011 and two million are refugees, half of them children, according to the United Nations.

Some commentators have questioned the wisdom of Obama dragging the United States into another conflict after the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan — particularly as Al-Qaeda militants are among the rebels fighting the Assad regime.

Some members of the US Congress voiced support for limited surgical missile strikes, while urging transparency from the administration.

But an opinion poll released Friday said half of all Americans believe Obama should not intervene, and Italian Foreign Minister Emma Bonino said military strikes risked escalating the conflict into a “global conflagration”.

Syria’s main arms supplier Russia has blocked all attempts to toughen sanctions against Damascus or authorise outside force to punish or unseat the regime.

Putin’s chief foreign policy aide Uri Ushakov complained Friday that the US was not sharing its intelligence about the gas attacks and so “we do not believe it”.

And he said any military action that bypasses the Security Council “will deal a serious blow to the entire system of world order”.

Assad, whose regime strongly denies using chemical weapons and instead blames “terrorist” rebels, remains defiant.

“Syria will defend itself in the face of any aggression,” he said Thursday, vowing “victory” for his people.

Syria’s jittery neighbours have also taken steps to boost security, while several airlines have changed their times for flights into Beirut, with Lebanon always vulnerable to spillovers of the conflict in its larger neighbour.
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Would You Propose To Your Man? Boyfriend Shocks Girlfriend Who Proposed

Vicky, ready to tie the knot with her boyfriend Jon, pops the question to him with the help of family and friends, little did she know that he also had a surprise of his own planned.
Jon had proposed to his girlfriend of eight years, more than once before, but she’d never been ready for marriage. Vicky’s proposal was just so amazing.

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Wizkid Beats Davido

WizkId, Ayo Balogun has got every reason to beat his chest again, even going as far as calling everyone “broke” this time around with a bit of a smirk on his face is another feat that has been added to his mounting heap of honours and accomplishments.
Though the 24-year-old met a lot of big guns on the scene but it appears he is out-muscling them on the popularity contest by a long stretch. The twitter followers check reveals the  ‘Pakurumo’ crooner has followers totalling over 720,000 while next in line to him, D’Banj, Tuface Idibia and close rival Davido are a long shot away, with the closest person with followers less than 400,000 people.
For sometime now, leading social media, twitter has been the litmus test to measure popularity, especially among entertainers the world over. Lady Gaga got so big she felt she should have a social media of her own, hence ‘Little Monsters’ was born.

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Davido Flaunts His Customized Rolex Watch

The Skelewu crooner, Davido is currently in the US to perform some shows and of course attend his sister’s wedding holding this weekend in Miami and he decided to use the opportunity to put diamonds in his Rolex watch.
He shared this with the caption, Just put Diamonds on my rolly!!!You like?
If those are first grade diamonds thats gotta cost a whole lot… or dont’t you think so?
See photos below.

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Happy Birthday to Actor Ime “Bishop” Umoh

Ime Umoh is not a new face in the Nollywood indystry. While some people call him Bishop, others call him Okon Lagos. Born August 30, Bishop is from a polygamous home but is the first child of his mother.
He hails from Ikot Nsit Ibom Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State and graduated from the University of Uyo where he studied Philosophy.
After several appearances in movies, he had a breakthrough when he starred in Uyai.
Happy Birthday

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Civilian JTF Appeals for Monthly Allowances

Vigilantes popularly known as “Civilian JTF” have made an appeal to the Borno Government to facilitate the payment of monthly allowances to them to encourage their activities.

Some of the members told the newsmen in Maiduguri that the gesture would boost their morale in ensure security in the state.

A group member from Gidan-Dambe, Mr. Mallam Adam Shitu, said he had to combine his vulcanizing job with that of the vigilance service.

“Most often, I have to abandon my job to help in checking the activities of members of Boko Haram. But I must provide food to my family. Sometimes I have to beg friends or relatives to feed the family,” the vigilante said.

“I think it is time for the state government to consider providing us with stipends to remain vigil on the road. Being a member of the group requires a lot of dedication, which means an individual must always be available to take care of emergencies. This is difficult when you still have to look for food.”

Another vigilante from Ruwan Zafi, Mr. Mallam Usaini Uba, complained that hunger had chased many members away.

“At the beginning, we had large group of youths who are willing to work day and night, but as times goes on, they realized that they had to look for food.

“Most of them cannot afford to remain on the roads because they have families and other defendants to look after,” Mr. Uba.

Simon Peter, a member of the group in Jiddari Polo, commended the state government for assisting them with logistics.

“The state government has been very supportive to us, government has on many occasions assisted us by hiring vehicles to convey our members on special assignment.

“But we believe government can do more by introducing monthly allowances to our members to enable us survive.’”

Reacting, Governor Kashim Shettima, said the government was planning to engage members of the group.

“It is part of our post-conflict management strategy to create jobs in public works and in construction as well as train others in vocational skills and agriculture,” he said.

The governor said those with the capacity to further their education would be sponsored, while others with limited skills would be supported to enhance their skills. Shettima also said some of them would be employed as sanitation managers and neighborhood watchdogs, while others would be engaged in tree planting campaign.
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Fraud: EFCC Declares 3 Nnamani’s Aides Wanted

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, Thursday, declared three aides of the former Governor of Enugu State, Dr. Chimaroke Nnamani, wanted in connection with the stealing of the state’s funds worth N50 billion.

The three persons, a woman and two men, were declared wanted following the inability of the operatives of the commission to fish them out to answer questions on the roles they played in siphoning the huge sums of money belonging to the state.

A statement made available to Vanguard in Abuja on Thursday and signed by the Acting Head of Media of the commission, Mr. Wilson Uwujaren, gave the names of the wanted persons as Jude Benjamin Amanze, Chinelo Nwigwe and David Nwigwe
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NYAKO AT 70: Jonathan Blesses Him, Applauds His Accomplishments

President Goodluck Jonathan on Wednesday paid glowing tribute to, Gov. Murtala Nyako of Adamawa, who attained the age of 70 on Monday.

This is contained in a statement issued by Reuben Abati, the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, in Abuja.
Jonathan described Nyako’s life as "one of immense professional and political accomplishments".
He said that in a congratulatory letter to the governor that he joined the people of Adamawa and other well-wishers across the country in rejoicing with him as he attained the landmark age.
The president also prayed that God Almighty would grant him many more years of exemplary service to his state and country.
"I write on behalf of my family, the Government and people of the Federal Republic of Nigeria to rejoice with you as you mark your milestone 70th birthday anniversary.
"You have lived a life that has seen you reach the apex of your professional career as Chief of Naval Staff and Deputy Chief of Defence Staff, and acclaimed as one of our nation’s most accomplished successful farmers.
"Since 2007, a consummate political leader and governor of Adamawa State, there is great cause for you, members of your family, the people of Adamawa State, and your well wishers to thank Almighty Allah for His benevolence upon you.
"It is my prayer that He continues to bless you with robust health and many more years of happiness and fulfilling service,’’ Jonathan wrote.
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NLC To Mobilise Against Removal of Minimum Wage

The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has vowed to mobilise its members across the country against plan by the Senate to remove minimum wage from exclusive to concurrent list.
Addressing newsmen shortly after NLC congress on Thursday in Abuja, the president, Abdulwaheed Omar, said labour would do all within its power to ensure that the proposal did not scale through.
According to him, if the proposal scales through, it will plunge workers into untold hardship that will further affect the growth of the economy.

“The national executive council meeting in its meeting therefore resolved to mobilise its members across the country against the decision of the Senate,” he said.

He said the NLC had drawn up a number of measures to persuade the Senate to desist from carrying out its proposal.

Omar said that NLC had equally earmarked several activities that would be carried out after a  meeting of the National Executive Council of Trade Union Congress of Nigeria.

He said the NLC would also meet with relevant stakeholders, including some members of the Senate, the House of Representatives and state Houses of Assembly, among others.

The president further said that the provisions, as proposed by the Senate, excluded the private sector “which is also a bedrock of the economy’’.

“If such an amendment is allowed to go through, it means that tomorrow, Nigerian workers will wake up without any moderation.

“Their employers will determine what to pay them and since there is no legislation on ground, they won’t have anywhere to lay their complaints.

“It is not too late and we are still urging the Senate to listen to the voice of reason.

“ The putting of minimum wage in exclusive list is not an accident. It is a very carefully calculated thing in order to make sure that the most vulnerable group of workers are taken care of,” he said.

He said labour would continue to negotiate with well-meaning Nigerians, including members of the House of Representatives, who did not toe the line of the Senate, as well as state Houses of Assembly.

Omar said that congress also noted, with grave concern, the lingering ASUU strike. (NAN)
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African Nations Can Overcome Under Development – Jonathan

President Goodluck Jonathan said Thursday in Abuja that African nations must learn to manage their resources better if they wished to overcome poverty and underdevelopment.

Speaking at an audience with Pastor Chuck Pierce of Global Spheres International Church, President Jonathan said that in spite of current challenges, he was confident that African nations will achieve rapid development and progress if their governments and peoples make the right decisions and implement them.
“I believe that we can get to where other nations are if we do things rightly. If we put our acts together, we can take our rightful place in the comity of nations,” the President told the Corinth, Texas-based pastor who is hosting an international conference of his church in Abuja.
Thanking him for his interest in Nigeria and Africa, President Jonathan urged Pastor Pierce to continue to pray for the country and the continent.
Pastor Pierce thanked the President for receiving his delegation which included other church leaders from Nigeria and other African countries.
He told the President that he believed that this was an important time for Nigeria and assured him of the continued prayerful support of his global church.
READ MORE:  http://news.naij.com/45607.html

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Press Statement: Lingering ASUU Strike: A Festering Sore On The Nation's Conscience

The Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) views with deep concern and discontent the ongoing and indeed a recurring strike in our nation's ivory towers by the Academic Staff Unions of our Universities (ASUU) which has entered its 9th week without any sign of being resolved soon as parties in the crisis continue to trade blame and spoil for more actions on the matter.
We have watched with keen interest as the Dr. Nasir Issa Faggie-led ASUU declared a 3-day warning strike before it finally embarked on an indefinite strike action on July 1, 2013 towards ensuring that the Federal Government honoured the cardinal agreements reached with the University lecturers since 2009. According to ASUU, those agreements include: -
•Injection of proper funds to revitalize the Nigerian Universities
•Provision of Federal Government’s Assistance to state universities
•Progressive increase of annual budgetary allocation to education to 26% between 2009 and 2020, and Earned Allowances, Amendment and the Pension Retirement age of academics on the profession cadre from 65 to 70 years
•Establishment of the Pension Fund Administrator Governing Council
•Transfer of Federal Government’s landed properties to universities as the setting up of research and development units by companies operating in Nigeria as well as teaching and research equipment.
In essence, ASUU is simply asking the Federal Government for proper funding of the universities to bring them to the level to compete with world acclaimed and prestigious ones which the University of Ibadan (UI), the premier University once attained as one of the 10 best Universities in the world.
While the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Senator Pius Anyim led Government Team is insisting that Government cannot afford full adherence to those agreements, ASUU is insisting it cannot shift ground on any of the already agreed issues since according to it, necessary concessions were granted before those Agreements and Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) were reached with the Federal Government in 2009.
Though President Jonathan may not be the President then, since government is a continuum, the administration is duty bound to implement the signed agreements as he was also the second in command.
Against all the stated backdrop and considering the enormous toll incessant strikes have had on the nation’s university education system, which to say the least, has made the country’s best University today to rank only amongst the hinds 6,000 in the world while most of our graduates are simply ‘unemployable’, the nation’s scarce resources are routinely frittered away through unabated sleaze and in the face of endemic corruption at all levels of governance.
PENGASSAN joins millions of concerned Nigerians and groups to appeal to Suswam led Committee to sheath their sword by embracing dialogue as a means of finding a lasting solution to the recurring problem of under funding of the nation’s education. This is so as education remains a major plank for sustainable development and veritable means of rediscovering the dream of the founding fathers of the nation.
More worrisome for the majority of the talented youths whose sponsored can not afford a private or foreign school, and have rested all hope in the public schools now imagine the kind of future generation they are bound to build as they are turned out half-baked as a result of  irregular and sandwiched  session and curriculum.
PENGASSAN cannot but frowns at the degenerating Government habit of reneging on Agreements and Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) freely entered into. While Government feigns to be contending with financial challenges over ASUU' demans. We strongly advise Government to refocus  the nation's budget and expenditures to priorities areas which education stands out by using this strike events to declare a State of Emergency in the Education Sector with a view to finally securing it for better rewarding future of our youths.
READ MORE:  http://news.naij.com/45605.html

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PHOTOS: Check Out Actress Yvonne Okoro’s Sexy Pose In Glitz Africa Magazine

 

Ghollywood actress Yvonne Okoro is gracing the covers of Glitz Africa Magazine‘s latest issue and she looks so sexy and beautiful in her mini gown.

She is one hot movie star that cannot be ignored.
Isn’t she hot?

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God’s Favour & Hardwork Made ‘Limpopo’ A Huge Success – Kcee Confesses

Pop singer, KCEE ‘Mr Limpopo’ is finally enjoying super stardom and wealth all off one monster hit song titled ‘Limpopo’.
In 2002, KC Presh, which consists of two singers, emerged the debut winner of the Star Quest Music Talent Hunt Competition. Since then, they struggled to hit the mainstream, but this was not to be and they went their separate ways in 2011, when the centre could no longer hold for them as a singing duo.
But since then, only KCee has stolen the hearts of many music lovers even across Africa, but Presh has not been able to make much impact in the music industry.
After the release of ‘Okpekete’, KCee released ‘Limpopo’, which has now fetched him an endorsement deal with telecoms giants, MTN, and the deal is said to worth millions of naira.
The talented singer attributed his phenomenal success to God’s favour and hardwork. KCee stated that it was God’s grace that made his music accepted by the populace and made it what it is today.
“I will say my success has been by God’ favour, blessing hardwork and consistency, I am excited and appreciate the fact that people like what I have been doing for the past years,” KCee said.
Speaking on why he went solo, he said, “I think it was the right time for me to do my own thing as KCee and not as KC Presh.”

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SHOCKING PHOTOS: Female Journalist Takes Off Her Clothes While Interviewing Local Government Leader

 A Canadian radio host and newspaper columnist took off her top during an interview with her local mayor this week and continued asking him questions bare-chested.
Lori Welbourne, who hosts the radio show On The Rocks and writes a column for the Province newspaper, was talking to Walter Gray, mayor of Kelowna in British Columbia, about whether it was legal in the town for women to bare their breasts in public.
‘What if I went walking down the street topless?’ she asked in the recorded interview.

But before Gray could answer her question, Welbourne handed him her microphone and undid the strap on her dress, exposing her breasts.
‘What are you doing,’ he asked, to which she replied, ‘it’s really hot in here.’
After regaining his composure, Gray explained that while someone may be tempted to call the police there is little authorities could do because it is in fact entirely legal for a woman to be topless anywhere a man can be.
Welbourne’s stunt was in anticipation of Sunday’s Go Topless Day.
Public toplessness is not illegal anywhere in Canada unless it’s deemed to be indecent. It is also legal for women in a range of American states though plenty still outlaw.
‘So I can go topless here in Kelowna?’ Welbourne went on.
‘Well, evidently,’ Gray said. ‘I’m not suggesting you should do that but I don’t think you’d be committing any crime or breaking any bylaw.’
Groups of women turned out shirtless in cities including New York on August 25 to celebrate a women’s right to bare her breasts in public. The annual event was started in 2007.
Welbourne went on to ask the mayor whether he was aware we are all naked under our clothes and whether he had any piercing and he replied in good humor.

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BREAKING NEWS: Boko Haram Strikes Again: 3 Dead, 8 Injured in Borno

At least three people reported dead, while 8 more suffered knives/cutlass injuries when a group suspected Boko Haram sect members ambushed Bama Local Government Area of Borno state.
The incident according to sources took place over the weekend when the gunmen stormed some houses and resort to the use of knives and cutlasses, as using gunshots will attract the presence of security agencies and men of the vigilante youths, popularly addressed as “Civilian JTF”.
Bama is about 67 kilometres away from Maiduguri the state capital which is a stronghold of Boko Haram terrorists which had witnessed series of attacks and killings, the last episode was when some armed terrorists launched a coordinated attacks on Mobile Police Barracks and some military posts, which led to the death of several security agencies.
It would be recalled that on August 14, 2013, the death of second-in Command to the Boko Haram Leader, Momodu Bama, has been confirmed, while JTF remains silent of Abubakar Shekau’s death till date.

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Lawyer Sues Dame Jonathan

Nigeria’s First Lady, Dame Patience Jonathan, as well as the National Council of Women Societies, the State Security Services (SSS), and the Inspector General of Police were sued by one James Abah, an Abuja-based lawyer, for restricting and blocking traffic at the time of the Abuja Women Rally event.

In his suit, Mr. Abah, calling the Women Peace Rally a political campaign for the re-election of President Goodluck Jonathan, states it breached his and other Nigerians’ right of movement (as guaranteed by Section 41 of the Constitution).
On August 15, 2013, thousands of women gathered to celebrate peace and empowerment of Nigerian women. The event, which started from old parade ground and ended at the Eagle Square in Abuja, was organized by the National Council of Women Societies.
Mr. Abah says he was forced to trek from Wuse Market to his office at Zone 2, and also from Central Business District to Maitama as a result of the restrictions on major routes.
The lawyer has asked that the court grant an injunction restraining the accused from restricting movement of the respondent or Abuja residents within the country except within the circumstances as guaranteed by Section 41 (2) of the Nigerian constitution.
“I believe the 3rd and 4th respondents aided the 1st and 2nd respondent in conducting an unannounced barricade and restriction of major routes within the FCT. After waiting for about an hour in traffic as a result of the gridlock, I also saw agents of the 3rd and 4th respondents heavily armed, directing and restricting people from driving through the road linking Wuse Zone 2 to Wuse market,” Mr. Abah said
Mr. Abah also expects the court to order Mrs. Jonathan and the other accused to issue a written apology to Nigerians and the applicant in two national dailies.
This is not the first time a civil rights lawyer would challenge restriction of movement due to the activity of VIPs or associations linked to them.
In June 2012, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Femi Falana, demanded that the Minister of Aviation reveal the identity of a VIP whose movement had caused the partial closure of the Nnamdi Azikiwe Airport.
Mr. Falana, who was on board of an Arik flight W3 271 on the Abuja to Lagos route, recalled that the aircraft stayed in the air for an extra 30 minutes after it approached Lagos due to the closure of the airspace.
He also stated that he was reliably informed that the presence of a VIP had resulted in the restrictions of movement within the airport, causing the delay of his flight and thereby endangering the lives of over 150 passengers.

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STRIKE: ASUU Gives Up

The negotiations between the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) and the Federal Government collapsed again yesterday as the lecturers have pulled out of the Governor Gabriel Suswam-led Committee on Needs Assessment of Nigerian Universities.
In a letter detailing its reasons for withdrawing  from the committee, ASUU said that the committee had not made progress on the issues for which it was set up, adding it was not satisfied with the way the N100 billion raised by government to  rehabilitate structures in the universities was being managed.
Worse still, ASUU in the letter dated August 26 and signed by its National President, Dr. Nasir Isa Fagge, accused the Suswam committee of not being, clear on its plans for managing the funds. It cited the inclusion of a “Project Administration Fund,” even as it queried the manner which funds were allocated to universities slated to benefit from government’s intervention.
The letter stated that, “we have also noted albeit quizzically, that some N1.975 billion was allocated to the 62nd university called Project Admin Cost.
“We see no justification for allocating an amount more than what is allocated to four universities put together to a bogus Project Admin Cost”.  The striking lecturers who had earlier announced their withdrawal from negotiations with the government, said that until the activities of the Suswam committee are carried out transparently and its misgivings on the modus operandi of the committee are addressed, ASUU will not return to the committee.
“In view of the foregoing, ASUU will be unable to continue in the membership of the committee until the issues raised are properly addressed”, Fagge stated.

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WAR OF WORDS: J-Martins Denies Blasting Wizkid

The “Wizkid vs Broke fan” instagram warfare has been doing rounds for the last few days. After the story went viral that J Martins blasted Wizkid for calling a fan broke, Wizzy came out to express his disappointment at his colleague’s diss.
Well, J Martins has also come out to deny blasting Wizzy. See his tweet below.

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PHOTOS & VIDEO: KWAM 1′s Daughter, Honey B Shows Off Her Sexy Body On Stage

PHOTOS & VIDEO: KWAM 1′s Daughter, Honey B Shows Off Her Sexy Body On Stage

Upcoming singer Honey B, the daughter of Nigerian Fuji star King Wasiu Ayinde, Kwam 1 showed off her body in a racy outfit as she took to the stage to perform at the Notting Hill Carnival Nigerian corner.
Oyindamola Ayinde Marshall popularly known as Honey B, released her debut single, “UP Down” some months ago.

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