Farida Waziri A Liar- Nuhu Ribadu

Mr. Ribadu says it was saddening that after all the damage she inflicted on the operations and credibility of the EFCC, Mrs Waziri, could turn round to deride the commission.

A former Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, Nuhu Ribadu, has described his successor, Farida Waziri, as a liar in response to Mrs Waziri’s claim that Mr. Ribadu served under her.
Mr Ribadu, on Thursday, stepped into a controversy generated by a series of interviews conducted by the media unit of the EFCC with past and present government leaders and officials.
In one of the interviews, published in the commission’s magazine, Zero Tolerance, former President Olusegun Obasanjo questioned Mrs. Waziri’s qualification as head of the EFCC, and said her tenure severely reversed Nigeria’s gains in anti-corruption war under Mr. Ribadu.
The comments drew a fierce response from Mrs. Waziri who accused the former president of manipulating the EFCC with Mr. Ribadu as his tool, to seek a third term in office.
She defended her competence for the job by citing a string of academic and professional qualifications, amongst which she claimed to have supervised Mr. Ribadu and the current EFCC chairman, Ibrahim Lamorde, when they all served in the Nigeria Police.
“To further expose the height of mischief in the allegations,” she said of Mr. Obasanjo’s comments, “the past and present chairmen of the EFCC have both worked under me, yet someone can open his mouth to say I am not qualified to head the same agency.”
Mr. Ribadu denied those claims on Thursday, and labelled Mrs Waziri a “merchant of falsehood” who recycles “crooked statements to the point of cliché, in spite of attempts at clarifications.”

He said it was inappropriate for Mrs Waziri to claim he worked under her.

“This is a naked lie that she keeps flaunting to seek undue relevance and validate her own appointment. At no time in my career did I work under the same section or unit as her. In fact, contrary to Waziri’s claim that she “trained” me, it was I that actually lectured her and others, on fraud investigation and prosecution, when she was newly posted as Head of Special Fraud Unit, even though she was my senior in rank,” the former EFCC boss said in statement he personally signed.
“I was then the Head of Prosecution at the Tribunals under the leadership of Mr Sunday Ehindero, then CP Legal,” Mr. Ribadu said.
Mr. Ribadu also disputed another claim about being used to push Mr. Obasanjo’s third term.
He said it was evident that Mrs Waziri, who was nowhere near EFCC at the time, was ignorant of what transpired.

Mr. Ribadu said it was saddening that after all the damage inflicted on the operations and credibility of the EFCC by Mrs Waziri, she turned back to abuse the young men and women who had put in all their energy in cleaning up the country especially during that critical time, by dismissing their work and sacrifice.
“EFCC was not about Nuhu Ribadu. Rubbishing its work, therefore, is like insulting all the thousands of its operatives across the country who put their lives on the line to make Nigeria a better country. If Mrs Waziri has a personal score to settle with anybody, she should direct her attack at the person but not the organisation,” Mr. Ribadu said.
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Gunmen Armed With Bombs Invade Police Station In Kano

Gunmen armed with explosives and rocket-propelled grenades have attacked a police station in Kano killing two people on Thursday.

“The heavily armed gunmen headed to the police station and burnt it down using IEDs (improvised explosive devices) and RPGs before engaging our men in a shootout in which we lost two officers while a third sustained gunshot wounds,” Adamawa state police spokesman Mohammed Ibrahim revealed.
He said the attackers in cars and on motorcycles stormed Ga’anda village on Wednesday where they burnt down the police station with homemade bombs and grenades.
“Our officers were overpowered by the attackers who had superior firepower,” he said, adding that a police patrol vehicle was also burnt in the attack that lasted two hours.
Currently, no arrest have been made
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"We Are Winning War Against Terror" - Jonathan

The President reviewed yesterday the battle against terrorism and declared that it is being won.
Dr. Jonathan spoke at the Standing Committee meeting of the Bishops Conference of the Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion) at the Saint Peter’s Deanery, Yenagoa, capital of his home Bayelsa State.
He said his methods had improved security generally.
“Already, as a result of our ongoing action and methods, the security situation in the country is steadily improving. Again, the effect of the state of emergency in the Northeast has been tremendous and felt by all.
“From a society that was coping with uncertainty, we are now beginning to see a gradual return to normalcy in most part of the North and other parts of the country with different levels of certainty and predictability in our daily lives.
“I believe and I can say with all humility and gratitude to God that we are winning the war against terrorism. And by His grace, we will surely overcome terrorism and insecurity in our land,” the President told the clerics, who are praying for the release from captivity of Archbishop Ignatius Kattey of the Niger Delta Province. He was abducted last week.
The President assured them that the ArchBishop would soon be released.
Dr. Jonathn said: “More than winning the war, we are also winning space for peace and stability – the daily routine of worship, businesses, farming, schooling, social networking.
“We are a society of peace. No religion or culture preaches violence and mindless killing. The sorrow, blood and tears you have seen lately are not hallmarks of our country or any civilised society.
“We will continue to do our very best to ensure that all Nigerians will be able to live in peace in one strong, united and indivisible nation.”
The President also inaugurated the Anglican Church cable Network Nigeria (ACNN) at the meeting.
Bayelsa State Governor Seriake Dickson urged the Church to pray for the leaders and the nation.
He, particularly, urged them to pray for the President, saying that Jonathan had remained steadfast in his resolve to transform the country, despite many challenges.
“At a time when brothers have turned against brothers, the leaders of this country need prayers. Mr. President needs prayers. Continue to pray for the peace and stability of this country.
“We are living in trying times and one man in the midst of all these distractions, Mr. President is doing his best to give the country profound leadership”, he said.
Dickson praised the church for organising the event in the state, which he said was a testimony that peace and security had returned to Bayelsa.
He said his administration would continue to invest in protection of lives and property.
No fewer than 20 gunmen carrying sophisticated equipment including rocket-propelled grenades and improvised explosive devices, overpowered policemen on duty as they invaded a police station on Wednesday in Yola, Adamawa State.
Three policemen were killed and two others were wounded after the attack.
The attackers burnt down the police station. A police van was also burnt in another attack in Lale, in Gombi Local Government Area of the state.
Adamawa state police spokesperson Mohammed Ibrahim said yesterday that the no civilian casualties were reported.
Eyewitness said the attackers started shooting to scare people as they engaged the policemen on duty.
The Police said the gunmen escaped. Boko Haram has not accepted responsibility for the attack but the sect is strongly suspected to have carried out the attack.

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Nigerians Discuss Nollywood In Canada

Emotions heightened Sunday afternoon during a panel discussion on the Nigeria’s emerging film industry which took place at the makeshift filmmaker’s lounge in Hyatt Regency, in the ongoing Toronto International Film Festival, Canada.
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The festival witnessed one of the largest gathering of filmmakers, government officials and Nigerians in the Diaspora in recent times, who seized the opportunity of the official selection of Half of a Yellow Sun, a screen adaptation of Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie’s Orange Prize-winning novel of the same title to be a part of focus discussion set by the festival organizers. Tagged: ‘Nigeria beyond Nollywood’, the one hour panel, anchored by a professor of Film Studies at the Canada’s Capital Varsity; the Carleton University’s Mr. Aboubakar Sanogo, had filmmaker, Mahmood Ali- Balogun and the team of Half of a Yellow Sun, delivering on their experiences on the movie project.
The discussion, which was meant to explore the possibility of institutional support, high technology and new business approach to enhance Nollywood’s better global acceptability, soon, turned to an argument on whether or not the model employed by the producers of Half of a Yellow Sun was necessary for Nollywood.
Ali-Balogun differed with the subject of discussion when he noted that Nollywood remains the generic name for the Nigerian film industry, and that government’s orientation concerning support for the industry has changed; citing examples of the $200 million loan and N3 billion grant by the Federal Government for the entertainment industry in Nigeria.
But Yewande Sadiku, an investment banker with 17 years experience who raised the funds for Half of a Yellow Sun maintained that there are greater opportunities to be enjoyed by filmmakers if they are willing to get out of their comfort zones of producing mainly for the local market. She argued that the business of filmmaking will be respected if Nollywood filmmakers learn to leave the aspect of financing to experts.
“Half of a Yellow Sun project chose me because I have the skills that are relevant to get it going,” she said, noting however, that it was tough getting investors to fund the movies, but for her goodwill, popularity of the author and success of the book, which she said has sold more than a million copies and have been translated into 30 languages.
“If a book has to be written about the sourcing of finance for this movie, it would be titled ‘ How not to fund a film,’” she joked. Sadiku’s position was supported by co-panelists; Biyi Bandele, the movie director; Andrea Calderwood, the producer and Kisha Cameron-Dingle, a producer at Completion Films, a body known for funding of short films in Africa.
While some filmmakers praised the effort of Bank of Industry for supporting the movie and other projects brought to them by filmmakers, they feel that other government agencies need to do more by supporting the intervention policy of the feral government. Veteran filmmaker, Igwe Gabosky, did not mince words in attacking some agencies of government that he thinks do not have business being at the festival. He thinks the BoI has done well, by approving his loan of N300 million to setup distribution facilities for Nollywood.
He noted that without a proper distribution and exhibition structure, it would be foolhardy for any agency to invest in movies which have Nigeria as the major distribution window. Gabosky is in Toronto as member of a new organisation called Nigerian Entertainment Business Group (NEBG).
Other members of that group at the festival include retired banker and Nollywood enthusiast, Charles Igwe and President Association of Nollywood Core Producers, Alex Enyengao Other attendees include the Bank of Industry with Uche Nwuka and Promise George as the two delegates, National Film and Video Censors Board (NFVCB) with about 10 delegates, led by the Acting Director General, Ms Patricia Bala and the team from Africa International Film Festival (AFRIFF), comprising four delegates, led by founder of the festival, Chioma Udeh. Others are; Ugenyin Kalu, from Nigerian Export-Import (NEXIM) Bank, a staff of Unity Bank, filmmaker Lancelot Imasuen, journalists and some Canada-based Nigerian filmmakers.
Half of a Yellow Sun is Bamdele’s first feature film. The filmmaker who lives in the UK said he is motivated by the desire for Nigerians to tell their stories rather than have foreigners tell them from their perspective.
Set in 1960s Nigeria, the story follows the inter-twining lives of several characters before and during the Biafran War between 1967-1970: Ugwu, a thirteen-year-old village boy who was a houseboy for a university professor full of revolutionary zeal; Olanna, the warm, progressive and beautiful daughter of well-to-do city-dwellers; and Richard, a white English ex-patriot who falls in love with Olanna’s twin sister.
British Hollywood actors Thandie Newton and Chiwetel Ejiofor take on the lead roles of Olanna and the revolutionary Professor Odenigbo, with Anika Noni Rose as Olanna’s sister, Kainene and John Boyega as houseboy Ugwu. Joseph Mawle plays the English writer Richard while other notable actors in the cast include Genevieve Nnaji, Gloria Young, Zach Orji, Tina Mba and veteran Nigerian singer/actress, Onyeka Onwenu.
The original sound track for the movie was produced by Cobhams Asuquo and singer-songwriter Keziah Jones. Half of a Yellow Sun was shot at the Tinapa Film Studios in Calabar, Nigeria and in the United Kingdom.
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The New PDP (nPDP) And Their Chances

THE breakaway of a faction has lifted the whole power play in the PDP party to a new crescendo. The stake is upped and each one is fighting for its own survival.
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The way the situation is now, it is either going to be a zero sum game, where the winner takes all or the loser crashes. In the alternative, a much more subdued PDP will emerge. The situation is already creating orgasmic reactions from the opposition parties. How did things get to this sorry pass? The seed has been sown right from the time of Gen Olusegun Obasanjo as president of the country.
Arbitrariness was the order of the day. People were appointed and removed at the whims of those in authority. During Obasanjo’s tenure alone, the PDP had five chairmen of the party and five Senate presidents within eight years – indeed a world record. In the process, so many members were alienated. The same methods were used to impose Yar’Adua and Jonathan as president and vice president, respectively.
Many of them, including Atiku, left for other parties. The short span of Yar’Adua’s reign did not allow us to assess the extent he would have gone in the use of presidential powers but a few people like El- Rufai and Nuhu Ribadu got a taste of it. Jonathan came as a gentleman, ready to compromise with everybody, unfortunately, already aggrieved members, having learnt their lessons under Obasanjo, plotted to regain control of the PDP. Jonathan does not have the military background and ruthlessness of Obasanjo and in attempting to use Obasanjo’s strategies to make the party toe the line, he is finding great resistance.
That is the situation of the PDP. In a very simplistic manner, the problems of the PDP can be solved if all of the participants agree to subject themselves to a true democratic process, beginning from the state level. If the wishes of the PDP in terms of the majority are allowed to reign, then everybody can go to sleep. Unfortunately, this has not been possible –Anambra, Rivers, Adamawa – to mention but a few states, are still deadlocked on who their true representatives should be. Therefore, as the party cannot carry out genuine democratic elections within, the fight must go on.
The battle is now between Jonathan and Atiku’s faction. Will Atiku succeed? Why is he – Atiku- still insisting on being a member of the PDP? What does he stand to gain? Will it not be better for him and acolytes to go and form a party of their own instead of the roforofo fight they are staging? Or is the whole thing just a gimmick to gain control of the ruling party, as that is where the juice is? Time will tell. There is no need over-flogging the issue that President Jonathan and his political strategists mismanaged the affairs of the Rivers State crises. A simple sincere face- to-face discussion with Amaechi would have put the whole thing to rest. Allowing the interest of the President’s wife to interfere with the interest of the party was a big mistake.
Amaechi knows that his political survival is at stake if allowed to be bullied into submission; his political career will be over. He is, therefore, like a goat that has his back on the wall, he either wins it or lose everything. He has teamed up with the North whose politicians want the presidency to revert back to them. How will the PDP handle the issue of Amaechi? It is a sore thumb and must be delicately handled. It must be noted here that, if Amaechi is persuaded to revert back to Jonathan, the remaining governors will be from the North, it will then, become a North – South thing.
Can Amaechi be prised away from the group? Amaechi, from his antecedents, is a very good political strategist. How will the Jonathan group appease him? We are reading from the papers that the elders of the PDP are meeting to find a solution to the whole crises. Where were these elders all these while? Why did they allow the situation to get this far? Was it in their interest to allow the crises to degenerate to prove their importance to the party? If they have not found solutions to the party crises all these while, how can they do so now? Do they belong to factions in the PDP?
The elders will have to clarify their stand and unless they tackle these issues sincerely, no headway will come out of it. Basically, the whole thing is a chess game. According to a Chinese proverb: “No one walks out of his home without a purpose”. What do the rebellious governors want? Sule Lamido’s ambition to be president has been in the grapevine for some time now, prodded by his principal, Olusegun Obasanjo.
It got to a stage that Jonathan was addressing his state of the nation gathering at Abuja, while Lamido was organising a parallel function in his state. Indeed, it is inferred in some quarters that the money laundering charge against his son was an attempt to rein him in and discourage his presidential ambition. Governor Aliyu has never been tied to one position; he started this flirtation during the last presidential election. Today he is for Jonathan; tomorrow he is pursuing the interest of the opposition.
What manner of man will dine with Mr President tonight and tomorrow declare for a faction opposing him. What does Aliyu want? As we know, he has never been one of the PDP governors complaining of marginalisation; whose interest is he serving? He should take a stand and remain with it. Rabiu Kwankwaso also has not declared his grouse. Does he want to contest as a Northern presidential candidate or he is being loyal to Atiku Abubakar? The case of the Kwara State governor is understandable; anywhere Bukola Saraki pitches his tent, there will he be.
The EFCC has been hounding Saraki for some time now because of his role in the demise of the defunct Societe General Bank, he is fighting through the opposition faction. All the other governors are aligned one way or the other to the Northern presidency movement. What should Jonathan do? Is he capable of bringing discipline to the party? If he chooses to confront the opposition headlong, will such action not destroy the party? Seven state governors and a sizeable number of senators is a strong force that cannot be under-estimated. My take is that everyone should come to the table with a sincere motive for peace in the party.
From the actions of Atiku and his gang, the purpose is to regain control of the party mechanism like the PDM of yore. Controlling the party means being in charge of deciding candidates that will stand for the elections and invariably, if they win – control the government. If the Atiku gang are not satisfied with the running of the PDP like they claim, they should exit the party and not heat up the polity as a result. In fact, it will not be the first time that Atiku will leave the party, if he decides to do so now, he has been going and coming.
On the part of the President, he should – by all means – do everything possible to restore the confidence of the people. Imposition of candidates and the likes should be avoided. Sort out the Amaechi issue and for once, let us see the real Commander-in-Chief in him.
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PDP Is Far From Being 'Intact' - Baraje's Faction Elects NWC - UPDATED

News Peoples Democratic Party's Faction (PDP) led by Abubakar Baraje has elected a National Working Committee (NWC). This move seems to have refuted President Goodluck Jonathan's claims that the party was intact.
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The NWC has bee formed after the security siege and closure of the new faction's secretariat in Abuja on Saturday, September 7.
The information contains in a statement issued by the faction’s National Secretary, Olagunsoye Oyinlola. The 'new PDP' have ratified the election of its NWC members of at a meeting in Abuja.
“Despite the security siege at its national secretariat, the Abubakar Baraje-led Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has ratified the election of its national officers," the statement reads.
The list of members include Alhaji Abubakar Kawu Baraje, Chairman; Dr Sam Sam Jaja, Deputy National Chairman; Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola, National Secretary; Hon. Maode Umar Hiliya, Deputy National Secretary; Timi Frank, National Youth Leader; Hon Binta Koje, National woman leader; Mallam Nasir Issa, National Organising Secretary; Chief Eze Chukwuemeka Eze, National Publicity Secretary; Hon. Wadada, National Financial Secretary; Mallam Tanko Isiaku Gomna, National treasurer.
The positions of National Auditor and that of National Legal Adviser which are zoned to the South East and South West respectfully will be announced shortly, the statement added.
Premium Times reports that a visit to the national secretariat of the faction on Monday revealed that it has not been re-opened. It further informs that An Armoured Personnel Carrier (APC) with registration number NPF 5229 C was parked at the main entrance and about a dozen mobile policemen were seen stationed along the road leading to the secretariat.
An anonymous source of The Nation revealed that “The presidency is insisting on sanction against the rebellious members to serve as deterrent to others. “But the elders are of the opinion that the party should adopt no victor, no vanquished policy to move forward. “This demand for sanction will top the resumption of peace talks in Abuja when Obasanjo’s team reconvenes.”
It will be reminded, that the new faction chaired by Baraje and consisting of seven of the party’s 23 governors, has announced that it has taken over the party on Saturday, August 31. Since then struggles within the ruling parties have been escalating. One of the turns of the crisis was closure by the police of the the secretariat of the split faction on Saturday.
On Sunday, however, during a PDP post convention dinner in Presidential Villa in Abuja, President Jonathan assured "PDP is intact and will remain intact. Is only PDP that has not changed name or form.”
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Read What President Jonathan Has To Say On The Current PDP CRISIS

President Goodluck Jonathan has spoken about the current PDP crisis rocking the party.
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He assured Nigerians that the current political impasse in the ruling People’s Democratic Party (PDP) will soon become history as efforts are being intensified by elders to resolve it.

Jonathan gave the assurance at the Presidential villa on Monday.
It would be recalled that former vice president, Atiku Abubakar and seven other governors split from the president's PDP to form their own PDP faction.
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The Article of Faith: The Word of Paul Is Not the Word of God. Part 1

If God were to inspire a person to write a book, the words in that book would still be his/her words. They would not be the word of God.

Ask a Christian a question about Jesus, and he might answer with a quotation from Paul. But who tells us Paul speaks for Jesus? Why do we need Paul to speak for Jesus when Jesus speaks for himself? Why do we need Paul to speak for Jesus when Jesus himself warns us: “Be on your guard; I have told you everything ahead of time?” (Mark 13:23). If Jesus has told us all we need to know, why do we need someone else to add to, or subtract from, what he said?

Limitations of Scripture

The word of God is, and will forever be, with God. (John 1:1). God created all things with his word. He spoke his word to the patriarchs and the prophets of Israel. Then he sent his word to the world in the person of Jesus, his Son. The word of God now sits at the right hand of God from where he speaks into the hearts and minds of sons of God and judges all things. There is no scriptural basis whatsoever for concluding that this word of God is the same as the word of Paul.

Daniel says: “I, Daniel, understood from the scriptures, according to the word of the LORD given to Jeremiah the prophet, that the desolation of Jerusalem would last seventy years.” (Daniel 9:2). This shows that the scriptures are separate and distinct from the word of God. The scriptures are given by men. The word of God is given by God. The scriptures are written by men. The word of God is spoken by God.

Accordingly, Jesus points out that the word of God gives life: scriptures do not. He says to the Jews: “You search the scriptures, for in them you think you have eternal life; and these are they which testify of me. But you are not willing to come to me that you may have life.” (John 5:39-40).

Paul says: “All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness.” (2 Timothy 3:16). But this does not make the scriptures the word of God. There is a difference between what God says and what God inspires. If God were to inspire me to write a book, the words in my book would still be my words. They would not be the word of God. All that can be said is that my words were written by the inspiration of God. If God were to inspire me to do a painting, it would not thereby be the painting of God? It would still be my painting.

Second Peter

Contrary to popular perception, the writer of 2 Peter does Paul no favours. He says: “No prophecy of scripture is of any private interpretation, for prophecy never came by the will of man, but holy men of God spoke as they were moved by the Holy Spirit.” (2 Peter 1:20-21). However, Paul is not a prophet. 2 Peter does not classify Paul’s writing as prophecy but as “scripture.” Christians need to understand that the law and the prophets are the highest form of inspired Jewish writings. Other “writings” are considered of lower cadre.

2 Peter does not even acknowledge Paul as an apostle of Christ.  Instead, it pointedly refers to him as “Brother Paul.” It does not say Paul writes by the inspiration of the Holy Spirit. Instead, it says Paul writes: “according to the wisdom that God gave him.” (2 Peter 3:15). That is certainly not a high commendation. It actually means 2 Peter does not accept Paul’s writings as the word of God. At best, they are words of wisdom. I also write according to the wisdom God gave me. But that does not make my writings the word of God.

Moreover, the major concern of 2 Peter is that Paul’s letters are inclined to lead unstable believers astray. I share that concern. However, there is no danger in the word of God leading anybody astray. Nowhere in the scriptures are we counseled to be careful that the word of God might lead us astray. 2 Peter says some of Paul’s writings are “hard to understand.” Again, this immediately shows they cannot be the word of God. The word of God is not hard to understand. On the contrary, it “gives understanding to the simple.” (Psalm 119:130).

Word of Paul

When Paul wrote his letter to Timothy declaring the scriptures to be the inspiration of God, the New Testament bible was non-existent. Therefore, Paul’s epistles can surely not be included in his classification of the scriptures. In any case, Paul’s view of the Old Testament contradicts that of Jeremiah. Jeremiah insists the scribes tampered with the bible. He asks: “How can you say, ‘We are wise, for we have the law of the LORD,’ when actually the lying pen of the scribes has handled it falsely?” (Jeremiah 8:8).

Paul is the only writer in the bible who says his word is the word of God. He says to the Thessalonians: “When you received the word of God which you heard from us, you welcomed it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God.” (1 Thessalonians 2:13). This is one of the most deceitful things Paul ever said. In the bible, Paul mostly speaks for himself and about himself. Time and again, he presents himself as his own authority, ensuring that his words should not be mistaken for the word of God.

The word of God can only come from God. It cannot come from man. Paul is a man; therefore, he cannot speak the word of God. John the Baptist, whose heavenly calling Jesus authenticates, never claims he speaks the word of God. Instead he says: “He who comes from above is above all; he who is of the earth is earthly and speaks of the Earth. He who comes from heaven is above all.” (John 3:31). “He whom God has sent speaks the words of God, for God does not give the Spirit by measure.” (John 3:34).

John is talking here about Jesus and no one else. Only Jesus and the Holy Spirit are divinely authorised to speak the word of God on earth. They are the only two people who come from heaven. They also never speak their own words. They only speak God’s words.

Jesus says: “I have not spoken on my own authority; but the Father who sent me gave me a command, what I should say and what I should speak. And I know that his command is everlasting life. Therefore, whatever I speak, just as the Father has told me, so I speak.” (John 12:49-50). The same principle applies to the Holy Spirit. Jesus says: “He will guide you into all truth; for he will not speak on his own authority, but whatever he hears he will speak.” (John 16:13).

These principles have no applicability to Paul. Even by his own admission, Paul speaks his own words. He says: “What I speak, I speak not according to the Lord, but as it were, foolishly.” (2 Corinthians 11:17). But God does not speak foolishly.
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PDP Crisis: Tukur Loses Round One, Court Turns Down His Request

A Federal High Court sitting in Abuja on Friday turned down the request by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and its National Chairman, Alhaji Bamanga Tukur seeking to stop the Independent National Electoral Commission [INEC] from recognizing, dealing and relating with the Abubakar Kawu Baraje-led faction of the party as the national officers of the party.

Justice Elvis Chukwu also refused the prayer by the Tukur-led PDP to restrain the Baraje faction from parading themselves as national officers of the party and from operating or opening a parallel national, state, local Government Area and Ward Secretariat of the party pending the determination of the motion on notice for interlocutory injunction.
In addition, they also failed to stop the Baraje led faction of the party from interfering and continued interference with the duties and functions of the newly elected Executives of the party.
Rather than grant the exparte injunction, Justice Chukwu said the defenadants should be put on notice and adjourned the case to September 12, 2013 for accelerated hearing.
Ruling on the application, Justice Chukwu held, “although I’m not afraid of granting an exparte order especially when it borders on issues capable of creating anarchy, I owe a duty to maintain a balance. In the circumstance, what I want to do is to order that they be put on notice.
“Both parties are to maintain status quo ante bellum pending the hearing and determination of the motion on notice. The time for hearing all the processes in this suit is to be abridged to four days.”
The court, however, granted an order directing that the originating summons and all other processes in the suit be served on the defendants by substituted means by pasting the processes on the entrance gate of their residences.
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Kwara State Election Rigging Debacle: Buhari Intervenes

Former Head of State, Gen. Mohammadu Buhari has intervened in the controversy trailing last Saturday’s re-run election in Offa council of Kwara state, where the State independent electoral commission declared PDP winner after declaring APC winner.

He has  invited  the  purported Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) councillorship candidate, Mr. Afolabi Olawole who denounced his victory saying the All Progressives Congress (APC) won the election, not him alongside the presiding officer for the ward, Mr. Akin Oyetunji and Jimoh for a “golden handshake” through a letter written on behalf of the ex-Military leader to the duo by a group known as “The Buhari Vanguard”.

The duo had publicly declared that contrary to the declaration by the State Independent Electoral Commission (KWASIEC), the APC won in the ward.

The group in the letter said it had the approval of General Buhari to invite the duo for a private session with him for their “unprecedented show of courage in denouncing electoral heist in Offa”.
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PHOTOS: Omotola Makes Stylish Touch Down In London

Omotola Jalade-Ekeinde took time out from her Italian vacation with her family for an appearance in London. She will be making a guest appearance at the promotion of the Muyiwa Goes to Nollywood concert.

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Actress Steph-Nora Okere Breaks Down In Tears As She Buries Sister

Nollywood veteran actress, Steph-Nora Okere was reportedly in tears yesterday as she buried her sister in Imo State.
The beautiful former girlfriend of 'bad boy' actor, Jim Iyke was said to be uncontrollable as her sibling was finally laid to rest.
The lady named Emily died after a brief illness.
She gave up the ghost a day after Steph-Nora returned to Nigeria from the United States of America, where she went on vacation.
Emily died from a protracted diabetes.
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PHOTO: Genevieve Nnaji Arrives Toronto Flaunts $16,950 Hermès Birkin Bag, $9,800 Louis Vuitton Luggage Bags

Nollywood superstar Genevieve Nnaji arrived in Toronto, Canada yesterday for the 2013 Toronto International Film Festival, where the movie adaptation of Chimamanda Ngozi-Adichie‘s best selling book Half of a Yellow Sun will premiere on Sunday, 8th September 2013.
The actress was spotted rocki a $16,950 Hermès Birkin bag and three Louis Vuitton travel luggage bags with a combined retail price of $9,800.
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Wife Sends Intimate Message To Joseph Yobo On His Birthday

Super Eagles captain Joseph Yobo's wife, former Most Beautiful Girl in Nigeria 2008 Adaeze Yobo took to her instagram page a few hours ago to send a loving message to him on his birthday. Joseph was born September 6th 1980.
See what she wrote below...

"Happy birthday to my best friend, lover, husband, my baby daddy, my world! Your so special to me, am proud of who you are and what you've achieved and it doesnt stop here. Your still moving higher, there is no stopping you. You lay Gold as dust! Your like a tree planted by the river side.... Your life is a testimony! I love you more than words can tell, even more than I can show! !#Godlivesinyou #hehasjuststartedwithyou #kingingonanotherlevel #Happybirthdaybooboo
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Super Eagles captain Joseph Yobo's wife, former Most Beautiful Girl in Nigeria 2008 Adaeze Yobo took to her instagram page a few hours ago to send a loving message to him on his birthday. Joseph was born September 6th 1980.
See what she wrote below...

"Happy birthday to my best friend, lover, husband, my baby daddy, my world! Your so special to me, am proud of who you are and what you've achieved and it doesnt stop here. Your still moving higher, there is no stopping you. You lay Gold as dust! Your like a tree planted by the river side.... Your life is a testimony! I love you more than words can tell, even more than I can show! !#Godlivesinyou #hehasjuststartedwithyou #kingingonanotherlevel #Happybirthdaybooboo
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PHOTO: P-Square Strips On Stage At Their Show In Canada

At a P-Square concert in Calgary, Canada, the twin brothers gave the ladies a performance they won't be forgetting anytime soon. They even let the ladies who were screaming out loud touch them.

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PHOTO: Wande Coal Acquires E200 Mercedes Benz Car, Hands Over Keys To Manager

Four days after launching a 450GL 4matic Benz car, R&B sensation Wande Coal surprised his friend, and manager Nana Abbey with an E200 Kompressor Mercedes Benz.

He handed his manager the remote sensored keys to the car at the departure lounge of the Murtala Mohammed International Airport before boarding to leave for London where he is to shoot videos for his club banging new singles.

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Bandits Kill Three Policemen in Sokoto

Unknown bandits have reportedly gunned down three police officers in Tureta – Tureta Local Government Area of Sokoto State. The incident happened on September 4, 2013, Wednesday.

Mr. Al-Mustapha Sani, the Public Relations Officer (PRO) of the Sokoto State Police Command, confirmed the incident briefing the reporters in Sokoto on September 6, 2013, Friday.

“There was a report of an armed robbery by a gang of hoodlums from the neighbouring Zamfara, numbering between 15 and 30.

“They operated at Dorawa Village about three kilometres from Tureta town, the headquarters of the Local Government.

“Upon receiving information about the attack by the hoodlums who were on motorcycles, a combined team of police, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps and vigilantes was organised the following morning.

“The armed robbers who had fled into a forest, laid ambush at Kuruwa Village about 20 km away from Tureta town and there was a gun duel ensued,’’ he stated.

The PRO further informed that two of the police officers died on the spot while the third policemen passed away while being transported to the Tureta General Hospital.

Mr. Sani assured that the command was on top of the situation, adding that investigation on how to track the fleeing hoodlums had commenced.

“We are also collaborating with our colleagues in Zamfara with a view to trailing the hoodlums; however, no arrest has been made.

The PRO also addressed the people of the state asking to sustain their support for the police through supply of useful information and intelligent reports.

Mr. Ibrahim Dansarki, the chairman of the Local Government, said that one of the victims from Kano State had been buried in Sokoto according to Islamic rites.

“This was done in line with the directive from his family.

“The remains of the other victim from Tsafe in Zamfara and the Police constable from Jigawa had also been conveyed to their various families in their hometowns,” he said.

Mr. Dansarki also appealed to people of the area to report any suspected persons or movements to the police for appropriate action.

(NAN) 
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'New PDP' Reacts on Secretariat Seal Off

Officers of the Nigeria Police on the afternoon of September 7, 2013, Saturday, sealed off the office of the Abubakar Baraje led PDP faction, an action that has been described as the “height of impunity” by the group.

A statement issued by Olagunsoye Oyinlola, the National Secretary of the Baraje-led group, said security forces sealed off the office at Panama Street, Maitama, Abuja, on Saturday based on a non-existent court injunction which the Tukur faction claimed to have obtained on Friday.

“The whole world knows that Justice E. Chukwu of the Federal High Court, Abuja on Friday refused to grant Alhaji Bamanga Tukur’s application for an ex parte injunction against our party’s executive. The Judge asked parties to maintain the status quo. His judgement was a reinforcement of an early order of the Lagos High Court which also asked parties to maintain the status quo. Now, should Nigerians conclude that Tukur’s interpretation of status quo is this crude display of naked power and undisguised impunity?

“We are not at all surprised at this occurrence given the fact that Tukur issued a statement on Friday evening deliberately seeking to mislead the media and the public that Justice Chukwu granted him an injunction against us. We are happy that the ever vigilant Nigerian press ignored him and his falsehood. Now, he is not only wilfully disobeying the various courts which have made pronouncements on this matter, he is spicing up his love for impunity with this reckless misuse of state power by misleading the police.”

“We call for an immediate removal of the siege to our secretariat. We call on the Inspector General of police to order the immediate removal of his men from our office. Doing so, we believe, will serve the interest of justice, rule of law and democracy. Nigeria is a country ruled by law and not by might and force.”

“We hasten to say that if this move is aimed at breaking our spirit, that goal is definitely off the mark. We are determined to rescue our party from the lawlessness and crass arrogance that have defined the character of the Tukur leadership since inception. Our party needs that deliverance, its members deserve the change we have brought into it,” the statement said.

Secretary Oyinlola wondered why Tukur, who appeared before the party’s elders on September 6, 2013, Friday, ostensibly in search of peace, could, in less than 12 hours later, start another round of conflict. 
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The Super Eagles Are Only 180 Minutes Away from Brazil

Brilliant performance by the Super Eagles at UJ Esuene Stadium ensured confident 2-0 victory over the Flames from Malawi.

Emmanuel Emenike scored at the very end of the first half, min. 45+1.

The Liverpool newcomer Victor Moses hit like a sniper on minute 52, when a penalty chance has been given to the Eagles.

The disaster of Malawi continued, as on minute 53 Limbikani Mzava got his second yellow card in the match and was sent off the field.

The Eagles failed to score against 10-men Malawi, but were in total control and gained their place in the final qualifying round for Brazil 2014.

The Eagles will know their opponent after a draw in Cairo, Egypt, on 16th of September. 
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Breaking News: Police Seal Off Baraje Faction’s Secretariat (UPDATED)

The police have sealed off the secretariat of the split faction of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, led by Abubakar Baraje.

The faction, also known as the ‘New PDP’, has the support of seven state governors and the ex-Vice President Atiku Abubakar.

The office which has been shut down is located Plot 320, off Onyi River Crescent Maitama, Abuja.

According to witnesses, this afternoon Armoured Personnel Carrier and police Hilux vehicles were stationed around the building to prevent anyone from entering or leaving the building.

All the access roads leading to the building was cordoned off by the security operatives in uniform and in mufti. 

It was not possible to get any comments on the reason for the closure from the State police spokesman, Mr. Frank Mba, as he not pick calls to his phone.

See some of the photos from the area below:

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How I Was Tricked into an Adult Fim Production – Charles Inojie

Popular comic-actor, Charles Inojie is still wondering how he was tricked into featuring in that lewd film titled ‘Calabar Girl’ directed by Jerry Don Nwachukwu. The film was produced by Divine Ezeibekwe and banned immediately after it was released sometime in May, this year by the National Film and Video Censors Board.

Read the excerpts Charles’ interview where he speaks on this and many other experiences…

A Comic-Actor!

Do you know that I am not aware that I am a comedian? There are places I visit today and I tell people that I am not a regular comedian; someone you see and you start laughing or someone who is ever ready to act as a clown when the occasion does not call for it. I see myself as a very serious person. I see myself as a good actor.

If I do comedy roles well, it is only because that is where I have probably, been most tested and again not a function of any kind of training I had. Except that I probably just have it in me. I believe that my late grandmother had the strongest sense of humour that I ever found in anyone and I benefited generously from her talent. Maybe, I am one of those you would say are naturally gifted as humourist.

School of Hard Knocks

I hate it when I hear people say, I am self-made. There is no one on earth that is self made otherwise people like us are not supposed to be where we are today. When I picked my bag one morning and told my father I had secured admission into the University of Port Harcourt, the man only laughed at me. We were living in Ogun State then, and I hail from Edo State.

He said, ‘you did not try to gain admission into the now Ambrose Alli University, Ekpoma or University of Benin so that your financial challenges could be better curtailed. But now that you are going to UNIPORT, would help come your way?’.

In school, it was just me and my closest neighbour which is poverty. When I woke up in the morning, the first person that told me good morning was poverty. But I think God gave me a special grace. Beyond all these travails, there was always a point I wanted to get to, and that was to graduate from the university at the end of the day.

I graduated from the University in 1999, and in 2000, I was already on set with Lancelot Imasuen as an Assistant Director. I was part of the productions he did in the early 2000, such as Last Burial, Isakaba, August Meeting and many others. Therefore, I would say joining Nollywood was not as difficult as it has been for most of my colleagues. This is because I had someone who provided the platform for me to launch my acting career.

Beyond that, when I became a full-fledged director, I had the producers to contend with, who were always driven by the passion to expand their profit margin. I am a gift from God because in spite of all that I passed through, one happened to be one of the very few people who have enjoyed prime patronage and I thank God for His mercies.
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Iyanya Sets His Own Contest: $10,000 for the Best “She Can Get It” Dancer

The NEA 2013 Hottest Single of the Year Winner Iyanya Onoyom Mbuk decided to follow Davido's idea and initiate his own dancing contest.

The signer of $350,000 endorsement deal with Zinox Computers decided to allocate $10,000 off it to best-dancing fans.

Listen to the new ‘She Can Get It’ hit HERE.

The conditions of the competition can be learnt from Iyanya's tweets and are given below:

You can win 10k dollars, Zinox computer and an MTN 3month Internet

plan #download #shecangetit make ur

video #bestvideo will win #triplemg

— iyanya mbuk (@Iyanya) September 5, 2013

Upload video and mail link

to mademenmusicgroup2012@gmail.com win 10k dollars,Zinox com,MTN

Internet #download she can get it

— iyanya mbuk (@Iyanya) September 5, 2013

Make the best dance vidoe of my new song “she can get it”and win 10k dollars, Zinox computer and MTN data for 3months #goodluck

— iyanya mbuk (@Iyanya) September 5, 2013 
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EMBARRASSMENT: Lagos Commissioner Publicly Shamed, Driven Away At Gani's Memorial Event

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Lagos Commissioner for Public Transportation Mr. Kayode Opeifa, received the embarrassment of his life as he strayed into Gani Fawehinmi 'Night of Tributes' occasion organized to commemorate the late radical lawyer and advocate for the masses in Lagos.

Mr. Opeifa was publicly shamed, drenched with water and driven away with chants of "Ole-ole-ole-ole... " meaning "thief-thief-thief-thief" in adaptation of a popular international soccer fans' song.

As a way of defending his flatulent ego, Mr. Opeifa threatened he'd sue those pelting him with water. Although some of the organizers initially tried to quell indignations, but the participants soon took it against the organizers, alleging betrayal so that organizers soon disowned Mr. Opeifa, denied inviting him, declared that he intruded and asked him to go away.

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MBGN Anna Banner at Miss World 2013 Pageant in Indonesia - First PHOTOS Revealed

The 63rd edition of the annual Miss World beauty pageant, has officially begun as contestants from around the globe have started arriving in Indonesia, the host country for the 2013 contest.
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The finale will be held staged at Sentul International Convention Center, located on the outskirts of the Indonesia's capital city, Jakarta, on 28 September.

A record 131 contestants from different nationalities will compete for the coveted title at the pageant.

Before getting on stage for winning the crown on the final day’s event, the Miss World 2013 contestants will compete over the month for a number of distinct awards, including Beach Fashion, Top Model, Sports and Fitness, Beauty with a Purpose, Talent Competition and the World Fashion Designer Award.

The Most Beautiful Girl in Nigeria 2013, Anna Banner, has also arrived in Indonesia for the Beauty Pageant. She has already started chilling out with other contestants, making friends with them.

See the first photos of Anna Banner's Indonesia experience: 

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Breaking News: Archbishop Kattey of Niger Delta Kidnapped by Gunmen

Most Rev. Ignatius Ogboru Kattey, the Dean, Archbishop and Bishop of Niger Delta North Anglican Communion of Nigeria, was last night kidnapped by yet to be identified gunmen in Port Harcourt, capital of Rivers State.
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The incident happened on the night September 6, 2013, at about 11.30 p.m.

The clergyman, along with his wife, Beatrice was captured on Aleto bridge, Eleme in Eleme Local Government Area of Rivers State, but the wife was later found abandoned in their car.

The whereabouts of the archbishop remains unknown.

Sources said the Archbishop and the wife were driving to Port Harcourt late on Friday to beat the traffic restrictions Saturday morning, occasioned by the monthly environmental Sanitation. Unknown to them, the exercise would not hold because of the GCE-WAEC examination taking place today.

Rivers State has been experiencing a rising tide of insecurity since Police Commissioner, Mbu Joseph Mbu was posted to the state.

Just last week, Felix Igwe, Commissioner for Sports was shot by unidentified gunmen around Eleme Inter-Change, Eleme axis of Port Harcourt and he is receiving treatment.

In the hierarchy of the Anglican Communion, Archbishop Kattey who was made a Dean of Anglican Communion in Nigeria about a year ago, is next to the Primate, Most Rev. Nicholas Okoh.

Most Rev. Ignatius Crosby Ogborun Kattey (Justice of the Peace) was born in the small Nchia Town called Alode in Eleme Local Government Area of Rivers State on 23 August, 1948. His father was Chief Amos Kattey who was himself a devout Christian, church leader, produce merchant, trader, farmer and Government Recognized Second Class Traditional Ruler of Nchia Kingdom. His mother was Mrs. Margaret Ada Kattey.

He attended St. Paul’s Catholic School Obigbo (now Oyigbo) from 1954 to 1959. For his secondary education, he attended the National High School Aba and graduated with a Grade One in West African School Certificate Examination.

He had his university education at Ahmadu Bello University Zaria (beehive of Academic excellence) where he graduated in Mechanical Engineering in 1976.

Arch. Bishop Kattey was born-again in 1971 through the ministry of the Scripture Union. He is the Chairman, All Anglican Clergy Conference of the Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion) and also the Chairman of Christian Council of Nigeria, South South Area Council. 
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