How we perfected rigged Ekiti state election inside hotel- Tope Aluko

Former PDP Secretary in Ekiti state, Tope Aluko, has shared more insight into how himself and others allegedly manipulated the state's June 21st 2014 governorship election in favor of Fayose. In an interview with ADABA 88.9 FM yesterday April 14th which was monitored by The Nation, Aluko said they perfected the plan to rig the election inside a hotel.

He said on the day of the election, sensitive materials of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), such as ballot papers and result sheets, were delivered to PDP chieftains to allow for the manipulation of the poll long before the first ballot was cast.

He alleged that the electoral materials were delivered through Akure Airport and taken to a hotel owned by Fayose’s Chief of Staff Dipo Anisulowo in Are-Ekiti, where the alleged manipulation was carried out.

He said the party got marginal success in the election because ballot papers were thumb-printed and result sheets filled by PDP members. The election whistle blower explained that Department of State Services (DSS) operatives, led by a woman officer, stormed Anisulowo’s hotel and arrested the PDP henchmen but they were released within three hours because “you know we (PDP) were in government at that time”.

According to Aluko, a lorry conveying some of the electoral materials was intercepted by soldiers led by the recently retired Brig.-Gen. Aliyu Momoh. “But the materials were later released after the officers received ‘order from above’.” He said the Fayose administration received the refund of the N5.2 billion spent on Ado-Ifaki highway by the Kayode Fayemi administration. Aluko said the governor initially denied but it was confirmed by former President Goodluck Jonathan during the PDP presidential campaign rally.

He further alleged that the money was diverted to the Ado-Ekiti flyover, following the outcry generated. “Ask him (Fayose) why did (former Works Commissioner) Kayode Oso flee? Finance Commissioner Toyin Ojo told DSS interrogators about the state’s finances, including the N5.2 billion refunded on theAdo-Ifaki Road carried out by Fayemi.

You will recall that the governor denied receiving the refund but Ojo’s revelation made him (Fayose) divert the money for the flyover.”

Reacting to a proposed prosecution threat on him by the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Owoseni Ajayi, Aluko said Ajayi is also liable for prosecution for his alleged role in an attack on the court.

“I pity Owoseni Ajayi who is saying that I should be prosecuted because he (Ajayi) was the one who ‘disrupted’ the delivery of a ruling by Justice Olusegun Ogunyemi. Owoseni told Fayose on phone that should the judge deliver the ruling on the perjury case, it would go against him and his planned swearing-in would be in jeopardy.”

He denied making any moves to reconcile with Ayo Fayose

“It was the governor and former Ekiti Assembly factional Speaker Dele Olugbemi who barged into a meeting I was holding with some PDP leaders. Olugbemi and Fayose barged into the meeting venue. Olugbemi is a liar. He had lied against Fayose. He lied against the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the PDP. He is working for the money and appointment he just received from Fayose. I did not create a scene at the venue because hefty men were stationed around and my wife was afraid of what could happen. The governor held my clothes that I should not talk when I wanted to talk. I feared for my wife who later disappeared from the scene and I did not know her whereabouts. They almost attacked me when I went to Channels Television but it was policemen led by the CP who saved me after being holed up there for about three hours. I played safe because of my wife and to avoid the scenario that played out when I went to Channels Television to grant my first interview.”

Aluko denied claims that his fight with Fayose is because he was not made Chief of Staff. He said:

“I am not doing this because I was denied appointment. I discovered that this man has no plans for Ekiti and I went to him that Oga, it’s almost a year in office now and we have not done anything for the people. Fayose replied me by saying ‘don’t worry, Ekiti people are easy to deceive because by the time you buy them ponmo (cow skin) and booli (roasted plantain), you have stolen their hearts’. It was there that our crisis started. The issue of Chief of Staff was secondary. Fayose derailed from our blueprint for the development of Ekiti. He cancelled the monthly allowances for the aged. He imposed taxes on primary school pupils, among his other anti-people policies but when I reminded him, he told me that Ekiti people are gullible. I need the prayer of Nigerians so that I will not fall prey to the evil machinations of those planning to kill me by all means because of the truth I told Nigerians.”

27-year-old woman leaps to her death from the 7th floor of a hotel in apparent suicide

A 27-year-old Thai woman, Saifon Korpon jumped to her death from the 7th floor of a hotel in Pattaya, Thailand on Wednesday April 13. According to local media, police were called to the Mercure Hotel on Soi 15, just off Second Rd, Pattaya, at 3am on Wednesday morning and found the deceased boyfriend Marc Denis sitting in tears close to the body of Miss Saifon.

She was pronounced dead at the scene by a medical examiner having suffered a fractured skull and broken limbs caused by the fall.

The 48-year-old Australian man has been detained by Pattaya police to assist with their investigation.

Mr Denis was taken into custody for questioning as he was unable to provide any information to investigators due to his emotional state.

The body has been sent for autopsy to determine the cause of death and the police investigation continues.

Source: S T Bangkok

Japan earthquake: 8-month-old baby pulled out alive from collapsed building

A video footage shows the moment an eight-month-old girl is pulled out alive from a collapsed building following a devastating earthquake in Japan. Rescue workers can be seen gently lifting the baby out of the rubble and then rushing her into a waiting ambulance and taken to hospital.

It was a moment of light relief for the country following the magnitude 6 tremor which killed at least nine people and injuring hundreds, local media said.
The tremor struck 7 miles east of the city of Kumamoto, according to the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS).
There was no tsunami warning before the earthquake and at least one person was killed after being crushed by a collapsing building. More than 400 people were taken to the hospital.
About 44,400 people had also been evacuated and more than 100 aftershocks had been recorded since the quake, which struck shortly before 9.30 pm local time.

Source: The Kyodo news agency

Lagos state government planning to build 4th Mainland Bridge

Read the press release below

Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode on Thursday said the State Government will formally sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), with investors for the construction of the proposed 4th Mainland Bridge before the end of May 2016. The Governor, who spoke at the First Quarter 2016 Town Hall Meeting, the third in the series, held at the Ikorodu Town Hall, Ikorodu, assured residents that once the MoU is signed, work would begin on the 4th Mainland Bridge, which according to him, would go a long way to boost the economy of Lagos East Senatorial District.
He said, “Many investors have shown interest in the actualization of our dream for the 4th Mainland Bridge which will run from Ajah to Ikorodu to Isawo and berth at Ojodu, Ikeja back to the Ibadan expressway. By the grace of God, we will sign an MoU and commence action before May 29”.

He said investors have equally shown interest in the redevelopment of the fish market to an international Fish Market and the redevelopment of inner roads in Epe and Ibeju-Lekki. Governor Ambode said the intention of his administration is to ensure that no part of the state is left undeveloped, expressing optimism that the Lagos East Senatorial District which used to be the economic hub of the state in the then Western Region will regain its position.

“Over the years, the economic activities have continually dwindled resulting in urban migration, underdevelopment and unemployment. It is with a view of revitalizing the economic activities of this zone that Government has identified the need for urgent intervention. “To this end, Government will be relocating the Mile 12 Market to Imota. Work on this will commence next week. Our vision is to make the East Senatorial Zone economically viable and liveable”, he said.

Responding to complaints on the menace of motorcycles, otherwise known as Okada in the State, Governor Ambode asked the people whether they would support a total ban on such mode of transportation in this age and time and in a city like Lagos, a question which was answered in the affirmative by majority of the stakeholders in the hall who raised their hands in support.

The Governor said: “I’m encouraged by this very transparent, credible, free and fair affirmation which I just got from the people. From the response, many of the people in this hall are in support of a total ban on Okada and since this is a government of the people, all the security agencies in Lagos including the Police, Task Force, LASTMA and others, to start with, are hereby directed to fully enforce the ban on Okada between Mile 12 and Ikorodu. “We will not tolerate Okada on the road and I hereby emphasize that there is no more Okada on Mile 12-Ikorodu Road.

Anyone caught flouting this directive will have their Okada impounded and we would prosecute such people as well before the court,” the Governor said. Speaking on the need for the youths in the state to key into the programmes lined up for them by his administration, Governor Ambode urged street urchins and youths involved in social vices such as cultism to lay down their arms assuring that they would be empowered to be gainfully and productively engaged.

He said the plan of his administration is that youths, artisans and entrepreneurs in each of the Senatorial districts and divisions in the State would be able to access at least N1billon between now and June, and use same for their greater economic prosperity, and by extension that of the State. Governor Ambode, who also responded to pleas by residents in Ikorodu on the need for the expansion and rehabilitation of the road network, assured that government will explore the Public Private Partnership (PPP) initiative to transform the Ikorodu-Imota-Agbowa-Itokin-Epe Road into a standard 8-lane Road.

He also directed the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources as well as the State Electricity Board to look at the possibilities of providing electricity for Igbo-Olomu community, a suburb in Ikorodu, which has been without light for over 10 years. Highlighting some of his administration’s strides in the last quarter, Governor Ambode said the State achieved major breakthrough in security, saying that since the launch of the N4.78 billion equipment, the state had won several battles against crime.

He said the quick response in the rescue of the kidnapped girls in Ikorodu and the quelling of the Mile 12 riot were testimonies of the effectiveness of the security system in Lagos. The Governor added that many criminals had so far been arrested since the launch of the security equipment, saying that he was ready to pay for information given that would lead to the arrest of hardened criminals.

“I am ready to pay monetary compensation for information on hardened criminals as we proceed to make Lagos crime-free. We are happy to report that crime rate has also reduced in the last three months,” he said. Governor Ambode also used the occasion to appeal to residents to continue to pay their taxes, take ownership of projects in their domain and support the government to achieve the policies and programmes aimed at ensuring a safe and prosperous Lagos.

SIGNED
HABIB ARUNA
CHIEF PRESS SECRETARY APRIL 14, 2016

Zimbabwean lady beaten and stripped by her married lover's wife & her friends

Hhahhaha...serves her right anyway..lol
A Zimbabwean lady identified as Sandra Chibanda, was beaten and stripped by a woman named Mai Jerry, and her friends, over her affair with her married boss, Gerald Nyamunetsi, who happened to be married to Mai. Read the rest of the story and photos of the beating after the cut..

According to H-Metro who shared photos of the beating which they obtained from an eyewitness, Mai in company of three of her friends, stormed her husband's office, confronted Sandra and demanded to know her relationship with Gerald who is the Transport Manager at a local transport firm near Highfields in Zimbabwe.

According to the story, Mai was very angry after finding out Sandra was sleeping with her husband because it was her mother who helped Sandra get a job at the same company where her husband works.

Armed with a pair of scissors and two bottles of beer, Mai and her Friends, entered the company and descended on Sandra. She initially denied that she was having an affair with Gerald but after much beating, Sandra confessed she has been dating Gerald for over a year and asked for forgiveness

While beating her, Mai said to Sandra

"Was it not my mother who helped you secure a job here? And this is how you pay her back by bedding her daughter’s husband.You made me bake cakes for your children using my hubby’s money making me appear a fool. Today I want to teach you a lesson. I want all the things that my husband bought you.”

The angry women cut Sandra's hair while her clothes were ripped apart. They fought with a male colleague who challenged them for stripping Sandra naked. Mai's husband who is the cause of the problem, was not at work when all the fighting took place.

Mai Jerry and her friends were later arrested and charged to court. While in court, Sandra confirmed she dated Gerald knowing he was a married man. Mai and her friends where mandated to pay US$50 fine each by April 22nd or face a 10 days jail term.

Zimbabwean lady beaten and stripped by her married lover's wife & her friends

Hhahhaha...serves her right anyway..lol
A Zimbabwean lady identified as Sandra Chibanda, was beaten and stripped by a woman named Mai Jerry, and her friends, over her affair with her married boss, Gerald Nyamunetsi, who happened to be married to Mai. Read the rest of the story and photos of the beating after the cut..

According to H-Metro who shared photos of the beating which they obtained from an eyewitness, Mai in company of three of her friends, stormed her husband's office, confronted Sandra and demanded to know her relationship with Gerald who is the Transport Manager at a local transport firm near Highfields in Zimbabwe.

According to the story, Mai was very angry after finding out Sandra was sleeping with her husband because it was her mother who helped Sandra get a job at the same company where her husband works.

Armed with a pair of scissors and two bottles of beer, Mai and her Friends, entered the company and descended on Sandra. She initially denied that she was having an affair with Gerald but after much beating, Sandra confessed she has been dating Gerald for over a year and asked for forgiveness

While beating her, Mai said to Sandra

"Was it not my mother who helped you secure a job here? And this is how you pay her back by bedding her daughter’s husband.You made me bake cakes for your children using my hubby’s money making me appear a fool. Today I want to teach you a lesson. I want all the things that my husband bought you.”

The angry women cut Sandra's hair while her clothes were ripped apart. They fought with a male colleague who challenged them for stripping Sandra naked. Mai's husband who is the cause of the problem, was not at work when all the fighting took place.

Mai Jerry and her friends were later arrested and charged to court. While in court, Sandra confirmed she dated Gerald knowing he was a married man. Mai and her friends where mandated to pay US$50 fine each by April 22nd or face a 10 days jail term.

Woman kidnapped her two children to get ransom from husband - Rivers State Police

On Tuesday April 12, Rivers State Police Command released photos of captured suspected criminals in the state. Among the suspects paraded was a woman identified as Mrs. Abigail Brown who kidnapped her two children to get ransom from her husband.

According to a statement issued by the Command on Wednesday, April 13, Mrs Brown and husband’s former driver, identified as ThankGod, connived to kidnap her two children, aged 2 and 10. The suspects then called the husband to pay a ransom in order to secure their release. Brown who had earlier denied the allegation against her, later but later confessed to the crime claiming she that "it was frustration that made her to commit the crime as she had no means of survival."

She claimed that her husband had abandoned her and the two children to suffer, adding that the kidnap was the only means of making some money from her husband. She had abducted her two children, and hid them in her sister’s place and was awaiting the ransom from the husband before she was apprehended by the police.

"I did it because of frustration. My husband abandoned me and my children. Since he left us and went away, I have been suffering with my children, and I know that he has money. I only did it to make him bring money for me to take care of the children we had together." she said.

Below is the full statement by the Command:

"The Rivers State Police Command has smashed a kidnapping gang that terrorizes Ohigha town in Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni Local Government. CP. Musa Kimo, the Rivers State Police Commissioner said this while addressing pressmen in Port Harcourt showcasing the achievements recorded by the command in crime fighting. The Commissioner of Police Who spoke through DSP. Ahmad Muhammad, the Command's police public relations officer said the suspects confessed to kidnapping of many innocent citizens in the area.

"Numerous raids carried out on suspected criminals' hideout across the state with many suspects arrested, while offensive weapons and other incriminating items recovered from them. One which is the recent arrest of Henry Ajie 'm' age 23 years, Bright Ajie 'm' age 22 years, Dadison Ogadima 'm' 22 years and Sampson Dibia 'm' 30 years all of Ohigha village in Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni Local Government. On interrogation, the suspects confessed being the gang that kidnapped Mrs. Igila Sunday after which they raped, strangulated and bury her corpse in a shallow grave."
"This same gang also confessed to have sometime kidnapped Pastor Chukwu Eke of the same Ohigha town and killed him for the simple reason that the victim disturbed them with preaching to repent an shun criminal activities."

Also paraded was a woman, Mrs. Abigail Brown, for kidnapping her two children to get ransom from her husband.

Brown and her husband’s former driver, identified simply as ThankGod, were said to have kidnapped Abigail’s two children and called the husband to pay a ransom to secure their release.

Brown initially denied the allegation against her, but later said the act was not intentional.
She said that it was frustration that made her to commit the crime, adding that she had no means of survival.

She claimed that her husband had abandoned her and the two children to suffer, adding that the kidnap was the only means of making some money from her husband.
It was gathered that the suspect had abducted her two children, aged two and 10 respectively, and hide them in her sister’s place.

She was said to be awaiting the ransom from the husband before she was apprehended by the police.
She said, “I did it because of frustration. My husband abandoned me and my children.
“Since he left us and went away, I have been suffering with my children, and I know that he has money.

“I only did it to make him bring money for me to take care of the children we had together.”
They confessed to have demanded N6m as ransom to secure the release of the two children.
She said, “I did not demand up to that amount, but I demanded money from my husband.”
ThankGod, the former driver to the woman’s husband, who accepted taking part in the act, said his former boss’ wife contacted him.

ThankGod said, “She called me to help her. She told me to take the two children to her sister’s place. That is how I got involved.
"She used me to act as the kidnapper of the two children before we were arrested. She lured me into it.”
Meanwhile, the Commissioner of Police said the command during the period under review has arrested 146 suspected kidnappers, cultist and armed robbers, adding that twenty six AK 47 rifles, other fifty assorted firearms and 537 different calibers of ammunition were recovered from the suspects.

The Commissioner of Police further sought for continued support of the members of the public to enable the police secure the state. He said I will never relent to continue to appeal to members of the public for a sustained partnership with the police to stamp out criminals from the state. Our doors shall always remain open to all. Keep calling the following police distress lines 08032003514, 08028915460, 08028915462 and 08160723892 to give timely and actionable information.

Gospel singer dies in hotel room after meeting a pastor she met on Facebook

Popular Edo female gospel singer, Mrs. Yvonne Omoarebokhae who met a pastor, Pastor Psalm Okpe of Fresh Oil Ministry on Facebook has been confirmed dead by the Police in Benin City, Edo State. Mrs Yvonne Omoarebokhae, was found dead in a hotel in Benoni, GRA in Benin after she met with the pastor.

According to her husband, Odion, his wife met Pastor Okpe on Facebook and after several months of chatting, the man of God invited his wife to perform at his programme which was to be held in Benin, Warri and Asaba. He confirmed that he knew about his wife chatting with the Pastor and the arrangements to meet at the said hotel.

He said his wife left for Warri on Thursday to perform at the program, and on Friday morning at about 10 am, she called to let him know that she would be home soon.

He said that at about 9:30p.m. on Friday, the police called him using his late wife's phone and asked him to report at Airport Road police station in Benin.

He said:

"I did not hear from her again until at about 9:30 pm, when the police used my wife’s phone to call and invited me to report at the Airport Road police station, where I waited for more than two hours at the police station until the police asked me to go home, but I insisted on knowing the whereabouts of my wife. “The DPO later told me that my wife was picked at a hotel in the GRA and rushed to the Benin Central Hospital where she was confirmed dead. “I am yet to see the corpse of my wife to know want happen and who is responsible for her death. We have a son that will be three-year old by June 25,”

The Edo State police commissioner, Chris Ezike, confirmed the death of the woman, adding that the pastor has been arrested and that the death is under investigation.

He said:

"The man is married and the woman is married. Not until a post mortem is conducted, we cannot conclude what happened. I have asked the matter to be transferred to the State CID.”

Source: Nigerian Tribune

Gospel singer dies in hotel room after meeting a pastor she met on Facebook

Popular Edo female gospel singer, Mrs. Yvonne Omoarebokhae who met a pastor, Pastor Psalm Okpe of Fresh Oil Ministry on Facebook has been confirmed dead by the Police in Benin City, Edo State. Mrs Yvonne Omoarebokhae, was found dead in a hotel in Benoni, GRA in Benin after she met with the pastor.

According to her husband, Odion, his wife met Pastor Okpe on Facebook and after several months of chatting, the man of God invited his wife to perform at his programme which was to be held in Benin, Warri and Asaba. He confirmed that he knew about his wife chatting with the Pastor and the arrangements to meet at the said hotel.
He said his wife left for Warri on Thursday to perform at the program, and on Friday morning at about 10 am, she called to let him know that she would be home soon.

He said that at about 9:30p.m. on Friday, the police called him using his late wife's phone and asked him to report at Airport Road police station in Benin.
He said:
"I did not hear from her again until at about 9:30 pm, when the police used my wife’s phone to call and invited me to report at the Airport Road police station, where I waited for more than two hours at the police station until the police asked me to go home, but I insisted on knowing the whereabouts of my wife. “The DPO later told me that my wife was picked at a hotel in the GRA and rushed to the Benin Central Hospital where she was confirmed dead. “I am yet to see the corpse of my wife to know want happen and who is responsible for her death. We have a son that will be three-year old by June 25,”
The Edo State police commissioner, Chris Ezike, confirmed the death of the woman, adding that the pastor has been arrested and that the death is under investigation.
He said:
"The man is married and the woman is married. Not until a post mortem is conducted, we cannot conclude what happened. I have asked the matter to be transferred to the State CID.”

Source: Nigerian Tribune

2016 budget crisis confirms my position that Buhari is clueless, incompetent - Fayose

The 2016 budget has developed some controversies over the few day and key individuals in power and opposition have had one or two to say about it and of course, Fayose is not left behind. Read his press statement below

Ekiti State Governor, Mr Ayo Fayose has described the raging controversies between the Presidency and the National Assembly over the 2016 Budget as a confirmation of his position that President Buhari was clueless and incompetent, saying; “Nigerians should expect more blunders like this until they send Buhari back to Daura in 2019.”
The governor, who said it was now obvious that the President and his All Progressives Congress (APC) only wanted power desperately without the wherewithal to govern, added that; “I warned Nigerians of the consequences of electing an octogenarian as president and with the international embarrassment that this budget crisis has become, I have been vindicated.”

According to a statement issued on Tuesday by his Special Assistant on Pubic Communications and New Media, Lere Olayinka, the governor said; “It is obvious that there is total disconnection between the President and his cabinet members as many of the ministers don’t even have access to him probably because the President spend most of his time resting as a result of his old age.”

He said; “The reality is that the President is challenged by age, exposure and ability. He did not read the budget proposal that he presented to the National Assembly and this should be a lesson for those who clamoured for a Buhari’s presidency that no man can give what he does not have.

“The question is; can a minister present supplementary budget to the National Assembly and can the National Assembly act on budget proposal submitted by a minister? “It is shameful that after blaming former President Goodluck Jonathan and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for close to one year, the presidency is now blaming the National Assembly for its inability to prepare a common budget.”

The governor commended the National Assembly for exposing the lies and hypocrisy of the presidency, saying it was shameful that President Buhari and his men could blame the National Assembly for their incompetence.

He called on the National Assembly not to succumb to blackmail and intimidation from the Presidency, saying that the way and manner the Presidency was going about blackmailing and intimidating other arms of government, especially the judiciary should worry lovers of democracy and good governance in the country.

The governor, who declared that Nigeria will no longer be ruled by octogenarians, said; “Nigerians must have now come to terms that I warned them that Buhari is too old to govern a country like Nigeria.”

Rivers PDP asks Amaechi not to resign over Lagos-Calabar rail project controversy

Really! Lol..this is somewhat hilarious. Read what PDP tells Amaechi over Lagos-Calabar rail project controversy below.

We believe it’s rather too early to begin to quarrel with Rotimi Amaechi or call for his resignation when he is yet to fix the Nigeria he promised would be changed by his new found love, the almighty APC in matter of months. Again, Amaechi remains our beloved son who said he single-handedly sponsored and made His Excellency, Muhammadu Buhari, President and he is yet to recoup the billions of Rivers money he invested into the project. Amaechi also said he planned to construct the controversial Lagos-Calabar rail line modernization project to empower the APC members in the South-South. This lofty dream will not be actualized if he resigns now. ‎Though the National Assembly members may feel hurt by Amaechi’s ingratitude after it had accepted to deliberate over the later included supplementary budget which he later went public to claim was contained in the original budget proposal, thereby portraying the federal lawmakers as partial and discriminatory, the main reason for Amaechi’s mischief was to create the impression that he has the interest of the South/South people at heart which is a fallacy. I am happy that Amaechi has carried his antics of setting brother against brother to the very Senate that screened and confirmed his ministerial appointment. I want the lawmakers to use same to reflect on all the submissions by not only the PDP, but also the people, the civil society and concerned citizens etc, before they went on to confirm his (Amaechi) appointment despite several allegations of corruption and breaches of the Rule of law by Amaechi. This is the kind of falsehood, mischief and misrepresentation we have been contending with, from Chibuike Amaechi which his allies and the All Progressives Congress, APC have continued to deny and good a thing, he is now exhibiting same character to his appointees and this is just the beginning. The issue is not whether or not Amaechi should resign as a minister or tender apology to the National Assembly, but this should serve as an eye opener and a pointer to the crisis he (Amaechi) instigated in Rivers State that brought about the panel of inquiry that indicted him of a myriad of alleged corrupt practices and fraudulent engagements while he served as governor in Rivers State for eight solid years. We have said it times without number that Amaechi cannot change his true colour under President Buhari and must remain a cog in the wheel of progress. His early resignation will hardly free the APC members and the unrepentant Amaechi apologists from the world of theories which is not good for the country. The taste of the pudding they say, is in the eating, while experience remains the best teacher. Please let Amaechi be!".

Woman Marries Her Mum's Best Female Friend And Then Something Shocking Happened!!

IN the most confusing news of the day, a 26-year-old woman has married her mum’s best friend Elaine Phillips, whose husband then proceeded to find love with her mother.

Husband Gary Butterworth amazingly gave the couple his blessing before finding love and happiness with Simone Manning, who is the mother of his ex-wife’s new partner, Elizabeth Manning.
Though Elizabeth Manning and Ms Philips, 38, had not previously been attracted to women, they say their connection was “electric” and that they are “blessed” to have found each other.



Elizabeth was even more thrilled when her mum got together with Ms Phillip’s
former husband, saying it felt like a perfect fit: “Our family might be

unconventional but we're so supportive of each other and we have so much love to share,” she revealed in an interview with the Daily Mirror.

Football Match Held In Maiduguri For The First Time In Almost 4 Years

The city of Maiduguri witnessed the return of elite football for the first time in almost four years on Sunday, April 10, as El-Kanemi Warriors hosted Shooting Stars of Ibadan in the Borno state capital.

Ibrahim Mustapha opened scoring for the hosts in the 57th minute before Ohanachom made it two, one minute into stoppage time. El-Kanemi won the match 2 – 0.

However, El-Kanemi supporters turned out en masse to witness the return of football to the state which has been ravaged by Boko Haram activities.


The goalkeeper of Shooting Stars King Emmanuel Fabiyi explained to Naij.com that the city is now safe as residents are going about their normal life.

Text culled from SDK

DPO Beats Up Female Traffic Warden For Stopping Him

hmmm. Some weird stories you read in Naija
The Divisional Police Officer in charge of Ikenne Police Division, Ogun State, Mr. Patrick Onwu,on Monday allegedly beat up a female traffic warden for stopping his private vehicle at an intersection in Abeokuta.

The traffic warden, Anifat Bello, who was discharging her official duty at the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation junction, on the IBB Boulevard Way, had flagged down Onwu’s car as he approached the junction, which angered him.
The DPO, who was travelling inward Abeokuta on the Siun-Kopabe-Sagamu Expressway, veered into a nearby NNPC Filling Station, disobeying the traffic warden.

Onwu was said to be in mufti when he allegedly disobeyed the traffic rule. He was said to have driven into the filling station, parked and changed into a police uniform, and allegedly descended on the helpless traffic warden.
He was said to have left the woman with a swollen face.


Bello had received many honours for her dedication to duty.

It will be recalled that former President Olusegun Obasanjo had sometime during a courtesy visit to the state by the Inspector-General of Police, Solomon Arase, last year, recommended the traffic officer for promotion.

When contacted, the state Police Public Relations Officer, Olumuyiwa Adejobi, said the Commissioner of Police, Abdulmajid Ali, was unhappy about the incident and had directed that the matter be thoroughly investigated.

He said, “The woman traffic officer has reported the matter to the CP and he has directed that the matter be thoroughly investigated. The CP was not happy when the woman came with a swollen face.
“If the allegation is true, I am very sure the CP will know what to do.”

Punch report.

Marketers Say They Will Expose Those Behind Fuel Scarcity But Seek For Protection First

Association of Mega Filling Station Owners of Nigeria (AMFSON) has told the Minister of State for Petroleum, Dr Ibe Kachikwu, that if he would guarantee their safety, its members will expose those behind the fuel scarcity bedevilling the country.

Addressing a press conference in Kaduna, on Monday, the National Secretary of AMFSON, Kenneth Nwachukwu, disclosed that the inability of their members to access their fuel papers several months after depositing millions of naira for supply had contributed immensely to the current fuel crisis.


He said his members had, in recent past, resisted the urge to mention the saboteurs, even when the minister insisted we mentioned names.
However, Nwachukwu alleged that several trucks of fuel had been diverted into black markets by the perceived saboteurs at the detriment of mega stations owners and Nigerians in general.


He pointed out that it was to avoid something like fuel scarcity that the immediate past government established mega affiliate stations in order to cushion its negative effect on Nigerians.
He lamented that even with AMFSON, the situation persisted unabated, saying “the minister, who is also the Group Managing Director should address the plight of our members to help in ending the fuel crisis.”


He said: “The minister said we should mention names, but you know Nigerians, when you come out in public to mention names of the saboteurs, they can go after you, so it is something that if it is possible to do one on one with the minister and assure of our safety, we can tell him, there is nothing to be feared because we have evidence of how fuel is being diverted into the black markets.


“We have evidence of everything we are saying about this fuel crisis. The minister said we should mention names that if we mention names, the person will not last 24 hours. But it is not proper to mention names in public, we are giving information, it is left for the minister to go underground and work on the information and get to the root of what we are saying.
“This is corruption in the highest order. We are now crying out, we met twice with the minister and we told him that NNPC retail staff have refused to bring us into the mainstream of fuel distribution. But they can’t be the accused and the judges at the same time.Sometimes it is our names they use in bringing out that product, but it never got to us.

“When we met the minister for the first time, around October last year, we discovered that the NNPC Retail staff deceived him to embark on building new 800 filling stations, but it does not make sense to build 800 stations when the old ones on ground have not been serviced.
“So when we met him, we told him about our own plight, that these staff believe that NNPC Retail belongs to them, and not to the Nigerian people, they believe it is their birth right, these are staff that are earning salaries.
“We told the minister of our problem that these staff refused to work with us as an association, they prefer to work with us on individual basis, so that if you are dying as an individual, you can’t talk, and if you talk, they drive you out of the business "


Tribuneonline

Photos: Snake born with two heads found in the USA

A snake with two heads has been captured in the USA by 42 year old Jason Talbott, who found the snake living in the wild, before photographing it and taking it into captivity. Although it looks a bit beastly, the snake is harmless and Jason admitted that its bite would not be enough to break a human’s skin.

 Jason said: ‘It is estimated that it is 1 in 10,000 but it is hard to know a true number as they are wild and elusive animals and survival rate is very low.

‘I’m a massive fan of creepy crawlies and snakes – I’ve photographed hundreds of them and received a fair few bites along the way. Fortunately they were non-venomous ones.
‘The snake had been found by a few of my friends in the wild and when I heard about it, I jumped at the opportunity to get some photos.

‘What was funny about the snake was that the two-heads had different personalities. One of the heads was very aggressive and kept trying to bite at objects.
‘But the problem was, because they both shared the same body, the aggressive head needed the other one’s cooperation to move. It was quite funny to watch, really.’

Source: MetroUK

Fireworks disaster at Kerala Temple kills 106 people in South India

An explosion caused by fireworks during a religious festival at a temple in India yesterday killed about 106 people and hundreds more injured in the southern Indian state of Kerala according to reports.

P. T. Chacko, a spokesman for Chief Minister Oommen Chandy of Kerala, said that the fireworks display had been forbidden by officials in the coastal district of Kollam but that the temple festival organizers still used the fireworks anyway.

The explosions leveled several buildings, killing and injuring people according to a television interview by Fire officer at the scene, K.Hari Kumar. “Fragments of the building with huge pieces of burnt crackers were flying all over, “We all started scrambling for a safe place,” Mr. Rajendran, a 36 yar old local mason. The official statement said 75 bodies have been identified and 84 post-mortems had been conducted.

Source: Time of India

Senator Gbenga Ashafa reacts to reports of non-inclusion of Lagos-Calabar rail project in 2016 budget

Remember the removal of the Lagos-Calabar rail project by the senate.. Well, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Land Transport, Gbenga Ashafa, has reacted to the reports. According to Ashafa, the project was never included in the original budget presented to the senate by President Buhari but was however included in a supplementary budget brought to the Senate by the Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi. Read his statement below

I have carefully followed the news items making the rounds in relation to the budget presented to the National Assembly and what was defended by the Ministry of Transport before the Senate Committee on Land Transport which I have the privilege of chairing.
The focal points of controversy seem to be the Lagos to Calabar railway modernisation projects and the completion of the Idu - Kaduna rail line.

I confirm that the Lagos to Calabar rail line was not in the original document that was presented to the National Assembly by the Executive. However subsequently at the budget defense session before the Senate Committee on Land Transport, the Hon. Minister for Transport, Rotimi Amaechi, did inform the committee of the omission of the Lagos to Calabar rail modernisation project and indeed sent a supplementary copy of the ministry's budget to the committee which contained the said project.
The minister noted that the amount needed for the counterpart funding for both the Lagos to Kano and Lagos to Calabar rail modernisation projects was in the sum of 120 Billion Naira, being 60 Billion Naira per project.

While the committee did not completely agree with all the changes made in the subsequent document, being fully aware of the critical importance of the rail sector to the development of our dear country, distinguished members of the Senate Committee on Land transport keyed into the laudable (Lagos to Calabar, rail modernisation) project and found ways of appropriating funds for the project without exceeding the envelope provided for the ministry.
In so doing, the committee observed that the Lagos to Kano rail rehabilitation project had been allocated the sum of N52 Billion Naira as against the sum of 60 billion which the Hon. Minister requested as counterpart funding while no allocation whatsoever was made for the Lagos to Calabar rail line.

Hence, the sum of 54 billion Naira that was discovered by the Senate Committee on Land Transport to be floating in the budget of the Ministry of Transportation as presented by the Executive was injected into augmenting the funds needed for counterpart funding of both projects (Lagos to Kano and Lagos to Calabar Rail modernisation), as at the time the committee defended its report before the senate committee on Appropriation. The Lagos to Calabar rail modernisation project was therefore included in the Senate Committee on Land Transports recommendation to the Senate Committee on Appropriations.

With regard to the Idu to Kaduna rail completion, the Senate Committee on Land Transport did not interfere with what was provided for in the budget as sent by the executive, being approximately 18 Billion Naira hence I am equally surprised to read on the pages of the newspapers that the amount allocated to the said project was reduced by 8 Billion Naira.
While I would have preferred to wait till Tuesday 12th April, 2016 when the National Assembly reconvenes in order to have the benefit of viewing the details of the budget that was conveyed to the executive as passed, I am compelled to place the facts in proper perspective as it relates to the activities of the Senate Committee on Land Transport.

Without prejudice to the considerations and powers of the Senate Committee on Appropriations with regard to the appropriations process, the foregoing is the true reflection of what transpired at the committee level with respect to the Land Transport sector of the Ministry of Transport.

Lai Mohammed apologizes To Nigerians over Fuel Scarcity, says FG is aware of hardship being faced

Minister of Information, Lai Mohammed has apologized to Nigerians over the lingering fuel scarcity being experienced. Speaking on Channels Television’s Sunday Politics, Lai said the FG empathizes with Nigerians and is doing everything possible to better the lives of Nigerians.

“I have said it on many fora that the government is keenly aware of the hardship and difficulties Nigerians have gone through in the last couple of weeks and we do empathize with them.
Not only do we empathize with them but we appreciate their perseverance and we have also been working round the clock to ensure that we are able to bring the situation back to normal. We empathize with Nigerians, we salute their courage and perseverance and I want to assure them that the change they voted for is real, that change will come and that all the challenges we are facing today are very temporary”he said
Text culled from LIB

Pendulum: Another desperate memo to President Buhari - by Dele Momodu

I've been going through some enormous report on our economic downfall over the months but it's seem more than 50% of Nigerian are yet to really understand what this implies or what this will bring on us in the nearest future if continued this way. However, Dele Momodu has this to say about it as culled from The Boss Newspaper. 

Your Excellency, Assalam Alaikum. It has been over six months since you graciously invited me to your office in Abuja. I must note once again that I was truly honoured and humbled by our one-on-one meeting. We spoke and interacted like two old buddies. What was more, I was all alone with you without a third party in the room. We spoke candidly and cracked jokes freely.

I remember presenting you with an advance copy of my forthcoming book and you even requested me to autograph it for you which I did with such pride and gratitude in me. We took loads of pictures before and after the meeting. I left you reassured in my belief that Nigeria is in safe hands.

Sir, a lot has happened since that meeting took place. In fact, so much water has passed under the bridge. Let me take you down memory lane a bit. You started contesting the Presidential election as far back as 2003. For three consecutive times, you lost and it seemed all hope had evaporated. In 2011, we were co-contestants.

I was driven to your house one night by Prince Lanre Tejuoso (now a Senator) who wanted me to tone down my criticism of you and opposition to your candidacy. I was totally disarmed by your humility and simplicity. You spoke softly and candidly. I felt you were too old to return to a post you left nearly 30 years ago but you were certain you still have so much in you to offer Nigeria.

The Jonathan government that won the election at that time was ushered in with so much hope and promise. After that election, you said that you would never seek elective office again. After three arduous attempts, you must have felt it was all a bloody waste of time seeking an opportunity to rebuild an irredeemable country that seemed determined to be plunged into the abyss by those you were convinced did not mean well for the country.

But the government that promised us fresh air soon lost its sail and floundered aimlessly. It wobbled and fumbled till it became obvious that something had to be done to avert a monumental catastrophe, the kind that you had foreseen. The situation became so bad that most of us were left with no choice but to see you as our only God-sent redeemer.

This was how the stone previously and repeatedly rejected by the builders suddenly transfigured into the much needed cornerstone. Your most caustic critics soon became your ardent fanatics. We were hypnotised and mesmerised by your new look.

You were repackaged as a reformed and born again democrat. We studiously ignored your military credentials and dictatorial proclivity. The young and old screamed your name from the rooftops. Many youths were ready to march for you and even die in the process.

The last time we witnessed such a phenomenon was in 1993 when Chief Moshood Abiola contested and won the June 12 Presidential election which was later annulled by your former colleagues in the army.

You and your political party enjoyed a whirlwind romance with Nigerians. The covenant was based on mutual trust and the hope that you had robust knowledge of Nigerian history as well as vast experience in governance. Your avowed integrity was the icing on the cake. We expected you to inspire us as a veritable example of honesty-personified. The election came and you won almost effortlessly. What mattered to us was for someone to liberate and remove us from the suffocating yoke of the PDP. You looked the perfect man to do it.

Of course, to whom much is given much is expected. The burden of proof and expectation hung around your neck like an albatross. Soon, it seemed Nigerians thought and assumed that they had voted for a magician and so expected miracles to happen instantaneously. Trouble started very early. You inherited a government with plummeting revenues as the crude oil which greased the economy had suffered a massive collapse in price thus emasculating our country’s fortune and reserves. In addition, just before you returned to power the outgoing government had twice devalued the Naira leaving you with a currency that was set for free fall. In short the Government that you assumed control of was one which was like a disaster waiting to happen.

Nigerians are generally impatient. We are action-packed and expect talismanic results. Unfortunately that has not happened and is not likely to happen soon no matter how hard you try. Sir, let me stop the introduction and go straight to the crux of the matter. While I do not want to sound like a doomsday prophet, I wish to alert you that there is fire on the mountain.

This is not a subtle or covert attempt to create any panic. As a war General, I’m certain you have enough liver to withstand shock. But what I wish to say without mincing words is that we are yielding grounds to the enemies. Hard core supporters of your campaign like me are being derided by those who feel you are not living up to expectations. I know your handlers are likely to dismiss this as crying wolf where there is none but please, don’t listen to them.

The situation is very critical and may even get out of hand if not carefully and delicately managed. You are going to be told the usual tales and rigmarole of how corruption is fighting back. Yes, perhaps corruption is fighting back truly but it is because you did not prepare adequately for the backlash. The style and manner of the war you are waging has not been novel. The approach has been a rehash of the Obasanjo era with Nuhu Ribadu in charge.

What would I have done differently if I were you? I would have traced and located the loot as much as possible before launching my attack. Surprise is one of the most effective weapons of war. And you are without doubt an accomplished General. It is only in Nigeria that investigators announce in advance who the next set of villains they are coming after will be. I would have gone to the courts to seek permission to freeze the looted funds.

Thereafter, I would have asked my operatives to show evidence of the identified perpetrators and located the looters and ask for their cooperation in gently signing the purloined money back to the State without hullabaloo. I will then exchange a grudging handshake and tell them to sin no more. Those who wish to be difficult would be treated like hardened criminals and the full weight of the law would descend powerfully on such recalcitrant fellows. I would have kept the promise you made prior to assumption of office of drawing the line after being sworn in on May 29 and punish any fresh acts of rascality and irresponsibility.

I will ensure there is a uniform treatment for all Nigerians, rich or poor, members of my party and others. I will avoid anything that would suggest I’m principally after my perceived enemies and opponents. I will not create tension and confusion within my own party and accept the verdict of the people in their collective wisdom or stupidity. A house divided against itself cannot stand, I read in the Holy Bible.

I would also make sure that as much as possible I would internalise the process and not wash the country’s dirty linen in public. Such tactics only tends to frighten away those who would assist us and make life unbearable for our citizens abroad. If we require assistance from other countries to repatriate our looted resources I would have engaged the leaders of those countries privately and sought their co-operation surreptitiously. I would have realised that even if they desired to assist my government they would be hampered by the rule of law enshrined in their respective jurisdictions and recourse would be required to the judicial process in those countries.

My silent approach to the recovery of the looted funds would also ensure that the expectations of the people of this country would not be unnecessarily heightened. The money Abacha pillaged is still being recovered in staccato and stuttering fashion almost 20 years after his death.

It is important for you to realise that corruption will fester and even explode when it is incubated in an economy approaching a comatose state as people seek to survive by all means possible.

I will therefore make the economy my utmost priority. Trust me Sir, as important as the war against corruption is wonderful, it pales into irrelevance and insignificance where hunger, deprivation, poverty, unemployment, poor education, ignorance, diseases, insecurity of lives and properties and other complications are concerned.

Many people are going to hail you for arresting the thieves but the same people will soon turn around to attack you when they can’t feel the effect of the war positively on their bodies and souls. In case you are shielded from reading the comments making the rounds, let me inform you Sir, that people are already saying they would rather have corruption back, out of the desperation and suffering they are going through. And these are not the so-called looters but the ordinary Nigerians.

Nothing illustrates this more poignantly than the video posted by Instablog9ja on Instagram and other social media platforms yesterday showing a man that looks like a taxi driver being interviewed. The man said he is so frustrated that he wants Nigeria to perish and all of us with it instantaneously. He wished that we all die simultaneously, at once and suddenly.

The clip has already gone viral globally. Therefore, if anyone tells you only the elites are grumbling, they are telling you a blatant lie, Sir.

The poor who were your best friends and biggest supporters appear totally confused, disillusioned and ostensibly tired of the endless excuses coming out of your Administrations spokespeople. I read somewhere that your foot-soldiers will soon embark on town hall meetings but I can assure you it won’t achieve anything. Why do you want to engage in campaign after election?

Some expert scammers would just collect money for these jamborees. Nigerians want positive change and not a cacophony of lies bandied at stage managed, hurriedly assembled meetings populated by sycophants and glory hunters. They are ready to sacrifice but not when they think things are going from bad to worse. There is so much to do but without an agile economy nothing tangible can be achieved. The economy itself cannot be fixed in an atmosphere of permanent strife.

One year will soon pass by next month and a second year shall begin. It is time to bite the bullet and take the economy head on. Forget about all distractions and concentrate on what really matters to the generality of our people. You will find out that once the economy is tamed all else will follow suit and the successes that you crave in your corruption crusade will start being manifested.

I pray you will hearken to my humble advice and concentrate your energy on resurrecting the economy instead of embarking on a war of attrition. You will be judged ultimately by the comfort you bring to your people and not the self-immolating pain you inflict on real and imaginary enemies.

May Allah grant you the wisdom of Nelson Mandela who chose the path of reconciliation and national rebirth above the tempting choice of prolonging the horror of racial segregation.

My warmest regards to you and yours always.

I remain yours sincerely.

You are an expired politician, Ekiti Assembly tells Olowoporoku

The Ekiti State House of Assembly has described the remarks by former Minister of Science and Technology, Dr Bode Olowoporoku, that the House has only one university graduate as member as not only spurious, but one that came from the mouth of an expired politician like the former Second Republic minister.
In a statement in Ado-Ekiti on Sunday by the Speaker, Rt. Hon. (Pastor) Kola Oluwawole, the Assembly said Olowoporoku, despite his academic prowess, was only known for rebellion and formenting trouble.Oluwawole, in the statement signed by his Special Assistant (Media), Stephen Gbadamosi, said the former senator had been confined to the dustbin of history in the state’s political firmament and that he was only seeking relevance.
"While we are not conceding to the thoughtless statement, let us assume it is true; how can there be only one graduate in an Assembly where you have a medical doctor, two seasoned journalists, a cleric, retired top civil servants, among others.
“The beauty of democracy is that these so-called illiterates were voted into office by the people of the state who had earlier rejected people like Olowoporoku.
"The same people recently took the invasion of their offices and the detention of a colleague to the court of public opinion and they impressed all. Olowoporoku never found his voice then. He is broke and he is a spent force. Olowoporoku is a rebel and he was among those who created the political chaos in 1983 in the old Ondo State.
"Those who know his background know that his sanity is questionable. Senility has already set in for him, but we don't want to help wash his dirty linen in public. He has spent his life in rebellion.
“The Assembly members he is castigating were voted into office by the people of Ekiti State, the same people who rejected him. He is probably broke and looking for relevance as well as somebody who will grease his palms," the statement read.The Speaker added that no amount of distraction would make supporters of Ayo Fayose to dump him, saying “he is a God’s project that no human can truncate. The authority of all elected officials, including Fayose, is from God Almighty. If Olowoporoku still wants to contest in an election at over 80 years, or he is sponsoring his son, he is welcome. We think he needs attention and he will get none.”

FG imposing more hardships on Nigeria with VAT increment - Fayose

Read the press statement below...
Ekiti State Governor, Mr Ayodele Fayose has said that the Federal Government was planning to impose more hardships on Nigerians by increasing Value Added Tax (VAT) from the current five per cent to 10 per cent, describing the move as insensitive to the plight of Nigerians who are suffering from the bad economic policies of the President Mohammadu Buhari led All Progressives Congress (APC) government.
Vice President Yemi Osinbajo had said on Thursday, in Lagos that the current five per cent VAT rate in the country was very low, and went on to add that the Federal Government would increase the taxpayer base this year. Reacting through his Special Assistant on Public Communications and New Media, Lere Olayinka, Governor Fayose said any increment in VAT or any other tax being paid by Nigerians at this time will further make life unbearable for the people.

“Nigerians are suffering and the little that they have, federal government is planning to take back through VAT increment, this is wickedness! “Under three months, electricity tariff was increased despite epileptic power supply, N50 stamp duty was imposed on bank customers for money received into their accounts via electronic transfer, cash and cheques; petrol is being sold for as high as N400 per litre and now they are talking about increasing VAT to 10 per cent, this is the height of insensitivity to the plight of Nigerians,” he said.

The governor, who lamented the increase in the cost of living of Nigerians, occasioned by the bad economic policies of the Federal Government, said “even recent figures from the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) revealed that prices of food have hit a record high and inflation is worsening.

“How can government be considering 100 per cent increment in VAT when businesses are folding up, prices of essential commodities have skyrocketed, millions of Nigerians are losing their jobs and those who are still employed are no longer getting paid regularly? “For even contemplating the increment of VAT at this difficult time shows that the Buhari-led government does not care about the welfare of the citizens and only God will save the poor masses from the hands of this government.”

Governor Fayose said rather than imposing more hardships on Nigerians, President Buhari should seek help from experts on how best to revive the country’s economy, adding that; “As at today, the Buhari-led government is yet to show that it has any clue to the revival of the economy.”

Leave Matter For Matthias By Reuben Abati

“I saw something yesterday. I thought it was a joke.”
“What happened?”
“Nigerians and their sense of humour; we always manage to squeeze laughter out of every situation, no matter how sad.”
“I don’t like the suspense. What is it?”
“I attended a wedding engagement ceremony.”
“And?”
“When the groom’s family was presenting gifts to the bride’s family, do you know what they did?”
“I am with you”

“They suddenly brought out two 50-litre jerry cans of fuel, which they presented to the bride’s father, with a declaration that they don’t want their in-law to go through any stress during this season of fuel scarcity”
“Correct in-laws!”
“We all burst into laughter. Even the bride’s father was almost sprawling on the floor with laughter. He quickly gave his daughter’s hand in marriage.”
“Trust Nigerians.”
“It turned out that the bridegroom’s father owns a petrol station. Talk of using what you have to get what you want.”
“Free fuel for life. No more fuel scarcity in that family. The bride chose well.  In this type of country, you have to marry wisely.”
“Don’t be ridiculous. Must people choose husbands because of fuel, something that should be taken for granted?
“Dey there. This fuel crisis is so serious at least two universities have had to shut down and send the students home.”
“I read the statement by the University of Lagos authorities. The university had to be closed due to the collapse of municipal services. No fuel. No light, and the students had become riotous.”
“That must be the first time in the entire world that a university would have to close down because there is no fuel in the country. Terrible indictment.”
“Well, that’s Nigeria for you. But I expect the students to show understanding. It is not the fault of the university authorities.”
“Hardship is difficult to understand. Many of the students had to trek from the campus to their various homes.”
“They should not complain, please.  It is called Trekking for Sai Baba. After the election last year, didn’t many of them trek for Sai Baba? They certainly didn’t know that was just a technical rehearsal and that serious trekking will soon come. Anybody wey no get fuel, make e trek.”
“I hear some people are even planning Occupy Nigeria protests.”
“Because of fuel scarcity?”
“Because a litre of fuel is now about N350 per litre.”
“They better don’t get themselves shot. Hen hen. If they think it is that kind of Occupy Nigeria that they tried with GEJ, let them go and try their luck this time around. You better tell that your stubborn brother not to go to Ojota to occupy anything oh, I don’t want to write a condolence message. What we need is not protests. That won’t bring fuel. What we need is a different kind of citizen action.”
“Which is?”
 “The truth is that some people are sabotaging Nigerians.  Independent marketers are hoarding fuel deliberately, so they can sell at a premium. And many of them are sadists. Even when they have fuel, have you not noticed that they usually sell from one pump? What stops them from selling from three or four pumps at the same time? But apparently, seeing a long queue, and people in agony makes some of them happy.”
“I even understand that some fuel station managers tell the pump attendants that they must deliver N50, 000 to them daily. That’s why when you buy fuel in many of these stations, the attendant tells you upfront that you will have to drop something.”
“And at the end, you don’t even get what you buy in full measure, because the meters have been tampered with.”
“Nigerians are their own problem. We like to inconvenience one another and yet we blame government all the time.”
“The people are the government. The ones in public office punish the people; those outside inflict pain on each other.  We are all guilty as members of a large community of sadists.”
“So, have you started your fuel business? The NNPC Mega Station of jerry cans of fuel that you talked about.”    
“I am still on it”
“You plan to start when fuel scarcity ends?”
“You think this thing will ever end? Look, do you know that it is actually a good business. I went to visit a friend the other day, and I told him I didn’t have fuel. He just made a phone call.  Before I knew it, somebody brought fuel in two big jerry cans.”
“Home delivery?”
“Yes. People are now doing home delivery of fuel as if they are delivering Pizza. N500 per litre. Some people collude with fuel station managers. They store fuel in jerry cans and they do home delivery if you are willing to pay.  I saw it with my two eyes.”
“By the time this fuel scarcity is over, some people will become billionaires. In my own case, when I was looking for fuel, my driver took me to a house where the gateman spoke to the landlord and they brought out fuel. It was as if I was in another world.  A small-scale business has developed around this fuel scarcity crisis, and while you and I are wailing, some people are hailing the change that has come.”
“All the people profiting from the people’s agony should be reported, arrested and publicly shamed as saboteurs.”
“That doesn’t require citizen action.”
“But the people must report sharp practices at fuel stations, and the illegal conversion of private homes to fuel dumps!”
“Who should they report to?”
“The Police. The Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR).”
“To do what?”
“To check meters at fuel stations, to arrest marketers who are punishing the people and making government look bad. There is a Weights and Measures law in this country for Heaven’s sake.”
“Police. DPR. You will just create another layer of fraud. You’d be surprised the officials that should enforce the law, will be bribed with fuel and cash.”
“Then such officials should also be reported.”
“I beg. Leave that matter for Matthias.  The last time I slept at a fuel station, I saw uniformed men asking for officer’s price.”
“Officer’s price, how?”
“Exactly what it says. Three guys came to the station. They flashed their identity cards or well, what looked like identity cards, and they said Oga sent them to buy fuel, and they wanted officer’s price.”
“Meaning?”
“Meaning they would not pay up to N200 or N350 per litre.”
“And the manager agreed?”
“Would he not agree? We were all there gawking as the officers loaded about twelve jerry cans into their vehicle and left the rest of us there.”
“And nobody protested?”
“Protest? Have you not heard about people who have been killed at fuel stations by officers?”
“The martyrs of fuel scarcity! I hope NNPC will remember to send condolence messages to the affected families.”
“Na NNPC kill them?”
“No be NNPC kill them?”
“Na NNPC pull the trigger? Small time now, you’d say NNPC also killed the man and his two children who stored fuel in their room and got engulfed in a fire accident.”
“No be NNPC kill them?”
“But what happened to the promised April 7?”
“Did I not tell you nothing will happen on April 7, and that it was wrong to put a date to the end of fuel scarcity.”
“Next month, then.”
“Or the month after.”
“Don’t be pessimistic.”
“Okay, until the right steps are taken.”
“Like succumbing to the blackmail of fuel importers?”
“No. Like throwing anybody who tries to sabotage Nigeria behind bars, be they pipeline vandals or greedy fuel importers looking for free cash, waivers and patronage.”
“I hear you. But for government to work, you must still allow some people small space to enjoy government.”
“Sorry. Nation-building is not about enjoying government. It is about service.”
“I hear you.”
“That’s why government officials have now been told that they cannot travel First Class.”
“I am not really sure anybody travels First Class in government.”
“Are you sure?”
“I think the highest level is business class.”
“Well, whatever. But really, the rule should be that every government official must travel Economy, if the ticket has to be paid for by government. Economy. And if you want to travel Upper Deck class, you pay from your pocket.”
“Economy?”
“Yes, economy.”
“That will amount to punishment. Even poor me, I don’t like economy. People yawn, snore, and open their mouths in your face, they talk too much, and some people in economy class are so crude, they actually fart and pollute the air.”
“But the plane will get to the same destination and everybody will come down and go their way.”
“We are talking comfort here.”
“If it is your money, no problem. But even when it is your money, I am always angry when I see people putting their children, babies that are under 10, in Business Class and First Class. Nigerians like to waste money. Some of those children will grow up and may never in their lives be able to travel so richly, so what happens to them?”
“You don’t have to curse other people’s children. One of the rules of capitalism is the freedom to make your money and spend it as you wish.”
“Some government officials spend government money to take their wives and children abroad and they put them in Business Class.”
“Such people should be sanctioned. But you know, everything failed long ago in the public sector.”
“I know. We all know.”
“And to save Nigeria is not an easy task.”
“I know. I know. But that does not mean some people should sleep on the job.”
“Like who and who?”
“All I know is that some Ministers are not just asleep, some of them are even snoring.”
“There is no budget yet”
“And that calls for snoring?”
“How?”
“Okay, name up to ten Ministers in Abuja.”
“Why should I know their names? Do they know me?”
“You see?”
“You know?”
“That’s right?”
“When you are given a job, you do it. You have to be seen to be doing the job. Going to Abuja to sleep and snore on the job? That is not service. That is disloyalty.”
“I have an idea. For a Minister to function, he or she needs to be empowered.  Empowerment. Very important.”
“I beg. Leave matter for Matthias.”
“I think you just picked up that slang. Everything Matthias. That was how one Matthias spoke roughly at a fuel station and he earned a swollen face for his effrontery. You better watch your mouth.”
“Leave matter for Matthias. Let’s discuss something else.”

Former cop tries to commit suicide after being found guilty of molesting a nine-year-old family member

A retired Georgia police officer, 58 year old Kelless Twohearts Lori, drank poison in court as soon as the guilty verdict was announced of him molesting a nine-year-old female family member.

He was found guilty of molesting the girl, who was a family member, between July 2011 and July 2012.

The victim was 9 when the abuse started and she was in court to testify against the former cop. He was already retired when he started abusing the child.

Lori drank the poison as soon as he was convicted of two counts of aggravated child molestation and two counts of child molestation but nobody noticed he had poisoned himself until he was taken from the court to DeKalb Jail, according to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution.


It was at the jail that deputies learned that Lory had consumed a poisonous liquid and they immediately rushed him to Grady Memorial Hospital.

Lori was treated for poison after he drank the unidentified liquid from an over-the-counter vitamin bottle on Thursday.

Lory, who was arrested in December of 2014, faces two life sentences plus 40 years and will be sentenced at a later date.


Source: Atlanta Journal-Constitution.

Report Says BH Allegedly Wants $50m To Fee Chibok Girls

The terror sect, Boko Haram, is asking for a ransom of nearly $50million from the Federal Government for the release of the 219 Chibok schoolgirls who were kidnapped by the insurgents two years ago, according to The Sunday Telegraph of London.

The paper said it gathered from sources close to the sect that the demand was made “during secret contacts with the government of President Muhammadu Buhari, who has said he is willing to negotiate for the girls’ freedom.”
The group’s leader, Abubakar Shekau, had previously demanded the release of jailed comrades in exchange for the girls.

A top security source said last night that there was no deal in place between government and the sect on the Chibok girls who were abducted on April 14, 2014.

The Bring Back Our Girls (BBOG) group which has been campaigning for the rescue of the girls has expressed frustration about government’s continued “rhetoric of lack of intelligence and other excuses” on their fate.

It said in a statement ahead of the second anniversary of the abduction that it expects more action than the rhetoric.
The Sunday Telegraph said in its report that Boko Haram made the ransom demand in a message to the Federal Government about three months ago.
It offered to exchange the girls for a ransom of N10b, the equivalent of around £36m.

The paper said, “The ransom demand has split the government,” said the source. “Some think it would be worth it just to resolve the Chibok situation, but others say it will simply allow Boko Haram to hire yet more insurgent recruits.”
It also said that a month after the ransom demand, Boko Haram secretly passed the government a new video tape showing 15 of the kidnapped girls.

It added:”The girls are asked what their Christian names are and what their new Muslim names are,” he said, referring to the “conversion” that Boko Haram forces Christian prisoners to undergo. “They are also asked if they have been raped or mistreated, but they say no – they look relaxed.”
It also said that an Australian clergyman and former Nigerian government advisor who spent four months in Nigeria in 2014 attempting to negotiate the girls’ freedom, Dr Stephen Davies claimed that during his visits to Nigeria in 2014, a Boko Haram commander gave him a grisly video showing what purported to be the human remains of some of the Chibok girls.
However, he had never passed it on because there was no proof that it was definitely them.

“There was nothing identifiable in the video, and without any proof that it was the girls, there was no way I was prepared to pass it to anguished relatives,” he said. “On the other hand, I can’t think of any other reason why the commander would have passed it to me.”
Contacted on the Telegraph story last night, a top security source said: “There is no ongoing deal with Boko Haram at any level. That claim by the sect or any other person is incorrect.
“President Muhammadu will not engage in any backdoor deal with the insurgents. The report was talking of the last three months in which Boko Haram had been severely decimated by the military.”
The Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Mallam Garba Shehu, who was also contacted responded from Addis Ababa on his way to China, saying : “I will find out from the appropriate security chiefs and get back to you.”
Meanwhile, the BBOG group wondered “how much longer must we wait” before the girls are brought back home.

Although, it acknowledged the heightened effort of the military to crush Boko Haram it said, quoting President Buhari: “We cannot claim to have defeated Boko Haram without rescuing the Chibok girls and all other innocent persons held hostage by the insurgents.”

Buhari To Return 2016 Budget To NASS

*Lagos-Calabar N60 billion coastal railway removed
*Idu-Kaduna rail line cut by N8.7 billion

*Major federal roads slashed
*Polio eradication, essential drugs for HIV/AIDS expunged
*Agric/water resources re-allocated to constituency projects.

President Muhammadu Buhari appears set to return the 2016 Budget to the National Assembly to rework because what the lawmakers sent to him on Thursday for assent, according to Presidency sources, fell below his expectations.

By implication, Buhari will not sign the Appropriation Bill into law, as earlier planned, before jetting out of the country this weekend to China for economic and business deals for Nigeria.

The sources confirmed to Sunday Vanguard that the President felt disappointed that provisions for major national projects and programmes that could turn around the economy were either outrightly removed or funds for them ridiculously slashed by the lawmakers.

It will be recalled that, in a bid to urgently assent to the bill, which was transmitted to him on Thursday, the Presidency had convened an emergency Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting on Friday where the document was distributed to Ministers to review as it affected their respective ministries, departments and agencies.
At the review meeting presided over by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, who is the Head of the Economic Team, it was discovered that many strategic projects were either removed or provisions made for them significantly slashed to the point that made a mockery of the projects.
Among the key projects removed from the budget by the lawmakers are the all-important Calabar-Lagos coastal rail line for which Buhari had made a provision of N60 billion in the 2016 estimates.

Incidentally, the railway project is one of the key issues taking Buhari to China.
While that was removed, the lawmakers left the Kano/Lagos railway project untouched but also went ahead to reduce the amount set aside for the completion of the Idu/Kaduna railway project, which has reached an advanced stage of completion, by N8.7 billion.

A top government official, who was privy to the fiscal document, summed the discoveries in the budget that shocked Buhari this way: “At the meeting, it was noticed that some very key aspects of the budget, which have to do with government’s core infrastructural focus, were removed. One of the projects is the subject of the President’s trip to China – the Lagos/ Calabar coastal railway project - for which a counterpart funding of N60bn was provided, but which was completely removed by the National Assembly.

“The executive is working on two major rail arteries, among other rail projects, to service the northern and eastern parts of the country – the Lagos/Kano line and the Calabar/Lagos line. While the Lagos-Kano provision was left untouched, the Calabar/ Lagos line was removed. The projects are to be funded jointly by governments of China and Nigeria. It is one of the main reasons for the President’s scheduled trip to China.

“Also, the amount proposed for the completion of the Idu/Kaduna rail project which has reached an advanced stage, was reduced by N8.7bn, a development which will make it difficult for the project to be completed”.
The source added that another fundamental area noticed in the document was the completion of on-going road projects.
It was learnt that while the executive had provided for the completion of all major road projects across the country, the National Assembly reduced the amounts provided and instead included new roads which studies have not even been conducted.

The source lamented: “The amounts provided by the National Assembly for the projects can neither complete the on-going road projects nor the new ones proposed. At the end of the year, no progress would have been made”.
According to the source, a top Presidency official, allocations for the purchase of essential drugs for major health campaigns like polio and AIDS for which the store is fast depleting, were removed and the amounts allocated to provision of ambulance, which the health ministry did not ask for.

“It was also observed that certain provisions made in the areas of agriculture and water resources to further the Federal Government’s diversification project were either removed or reduced while the funds were moved to provisions of rural health facilities and boreholes, for which provisions have been made elsewhere,” the official said.

“The President is desirous of signing the Bill into law so that implementation of the provisions could begin in earnest for the benefit of the people. That is why the moment he received the document on Thursday, a meeting was convened for Friday to immediately start work on it”, the source added.

Text credit: SDK

Mother Of 5 Found Dead In Hotel Room

A mother of five children was found dead in a hotel room in Apapa area of Lagos State, on Friday afternoon.

The woman identified as Mama Joy who runs a restaurant close to police dog section in Apapa was found dead in the hotel situated along Randle Road, Apapa.

The management of the hotel was said to have alerted the divisional police officer of Apapa police station, SP Rotimi Odutona, and he swiftly sent a team of policemen to the scene. LEADERSHIP gathered that the hotel staff had waited for the guest (s) in the room to check out after their time had expired but to no avail.


A source at the station disclosed that after several knocks without an answer they had to force the door of the room open. The staff were shocked to see one of their guests dead in the hotel room. SP Odutona was said to have invited the staff on duty to make statement.

The relations of the deceased and her children were also at Apapa police station, crying like babies. One of the police sergeants at the station said there was no visible injury on the corpse and her partner she allegedly came in with was nowhere to be found.

what a pity!

Minister Of Finance Kemi Adeosun Addresses Economic Issues

In addressing our current economic situation, Minister Of Finance Kemi Adeosun has this to say:
''WRITING this, my third article on the economy, I’m keenly aware that the question Nigerians want answered is: what is government doing to address our economic challenges?

The first thing to state is that there are no quick fixes, but our strategy is clear and the expected outcomes are pretty compelling. Our immediate economic imperative is to provide a Keynesian stimulus to reflate the economy. The 2016 focus is underpinned by a desire to radically reposition Nigeria’s economy. This administration believes very strongly that the previous direction was far from optimal. We are pursuing a fresh direction consistent with our belief in building a resilient economy.

The strategy itself is worth reiterating. The 2016 Budget is being debt funded and the borrowings are targeted at the financing of capital projects to address the infrastructure deficit, create jobs and build the platform for optimisation of the non-oil economy that will see Nigeria prosper.  To this end, we have commenced an aggressive programme of fiscal housekeeping: increasing revenues and reducing recurrent expenses. This will ensure that we move towards our objective of financing recurrent expenditure from revenue, rather than borrowing as obtained before now.


In addition, we have signalled through our financial decisions that we are moving away from oil. Government investment in oil will be limited. We are inviting private sector participation in the funding of cash calls for our Joint Ventures rather than tapping the Federation Account. This is guaranteed to improve our cash flow.  As I have stated previously, oil is important but oil is not enough. Therefore, if faced with an option to invest borrowed funds in our railways or power or fund oil cash calls, we will strategically fund non-oil. This is in the knowledge that there are private sector solutions to the funding needed for oil, but few sources other than government for investment in physical infrastructure.


The debate about whether Nigeria should borrow is well intentioned and cannot be dismissed without careful analysis, given our antecedents as a nation.  I am in agreement with those who argue that Nigeria should not borrow simply because its debt to GDP level is low enough to accommodate such borrowing. There must be a clear business case backed by justifiable benefits. I believe that Nigeria has such a case at the present time. Simply put, we need capital investment to grow our economy.

At 13% debt to GDP, we compare favourably with the threshold of 30% for developing economies. Our low debt to GDP ratio is not exactly a positive attainment because it is accompanied by critically low level of infrastructure investment. It is actually a false economy.  Low capital formation is a risk which, if uncorrected, hinders future economic growth and this is already evident.


Borrowing, as we propose, will increase debt to GDP to 16% and still leave us significantly lower than our peer group including Ghana at 70%, South Africa at 50% (2015) and Angola at 31% (2014). Appropriate levels of fiscal deficit have been used to grow many of the most successful global economies.


Economic  multiplier effect

As ours develops, our sources of revenue will grow, diversify, and become less susceptible to external shocks. Our need to borrow will reduce accordingly. It’s important to note that capital spending creates an asset, and this gives a return over time in the form of growth. Infrastructural projects such as rail and roads create jobs, generate taxes and stimulate further spending. This is the economic multiplier effect that capital spending brings. Therefore, while an increase in public spending may create a deficit in the short term, the resultant increase in productivity will lead to a higher rate of economic growth and greater tax revenues. According to the International Finance Corporation (IFC), for every one billion US dollars invested in infrastructure in developing economies, between 49,000 and 110,000 jobs are created.


Our borrowing policy will remain conservative and will see us access the lowest available funds, hence our decision to approach multilateral agencies in the first instance, for budget support at concessional rates as low as 1.5% per annum. We have also secured commitments from Export Credit Agencies that are tied to specific capital projects including key initiatives in power, transport and other infrastructure, and at semi-concessional rates. The balance will be sourced commercially to create a blended cost of capital that’s as low as possible. We are addressing the relatively high debt service to revenue ratio which saw 28.1% of our 2015 revenues devoted to debt.


This will be done through a systematic restructuring of inherited debt portfolio into a profile that is aligned with our medium term outlook as well as an increase in our revenues.
Borrowing is not our primary focus.  Increasing our Internally Generated Revenue is critical because it is sustainable; and because much of the funds collected went unremitted to Government – something we are tackling now.


Revenue collection  processes

Our Revenue Team holds daily revenue sessions with MDAs during which clear targets are set and agreed; monitoring and evaluation are continuous.  We are deploying cash-less revenue collection processes in our high earning agencies to ensure maximisation of our receipts. We are working through Treasury Single Account balances with a view to identifying monies that can potentially be used to fund the budget and reduce borrowing.


Other costly leakages are being blocked. We have completed a detailed review of tax and duty waivers and discovered that in some cases, Nigeria lost significant revenues and with limited benefits. We are set to begin consultations with stakeholders on a revised policy aligned with the best interests of Nigeria.
Furthermore, we are identifying funds that can be released from hitherto untapped sources, including idle and underutilised government assets that have commercial potential including real estate. To this end, Ministry of Finance Incorporated (MOFI) is to become a professionally operated Asset Manager, rather than a passive holder of government assets. It will be actively managed to ‘sweat’ Nigeria’s very valuable global asset portfolio. This will generate earnings and constitute additional budget funding.


Gradually and with the requisite safeguards, we will authorise the investment of part of the estimated N6Tn currently held in pension funds into key infrastructure that will provide workers with higher returns on their pension funds while enhancing capital formation and economic growth. Nigeria’s first ever Project Tied Infrastructure Bonds are being designed. These are novel structures that will see borrowings tied to specific revenue generating projects, bringing private sector financial discipline to the project structuring and delivery process, thereby improving value.


Our first quarter-planned release of N350Bn is ready and is sure to have significant impact, in addition to exploring opportunities to reduce contract prices. Our conditions for release of funds are clear and the mandate is a simple one: to define and agree the number of Nigerians to be engaged as a result of this funding. Priority will be given, without apology, to those creating jobs and opportunity for Nigerians. This level of investment, predominantly capital, exceeds the total capital spend for the whole of 2015 and the tempo will be sustained until the green shoots of recovery begin to appear.


John Maynard Keynes’ famous quote on fiscal stimulus – that when economies are depressed,“Government should pay one man to dig a hole and pay another to fill it back” – is an extreme example and suggests an economic benefit in seemingly pointless activity. In Nigeria’s case, the activity to be triggered will be a fully productive one. We will pay men and women to meet our critical needs in power, transport, housing, agriculture, solid minerals, health and education – and lay the foundation for a collective future that is more positive than our current situation may suggest.
One of Nigeria’s greatest strengths is the resilience of her people. Even beyond our shores it is widely acknowledged that if you can survive in Nigeria, you can thrive anywhere. Our ability to overcome obstacles and our ingenuity in exploiting opportunities, are legendary; our economic policy will ensure more of us succeed in creating wealth.

Sufficient diversity

There is sufficient diversity of opportunity which our capital investment can unlock. We will always celebrate the emergence of billionaires, of course, but we recognise that a thousand millionaires have greater fiscal impact.  Therefore, where the number of private jets was touted in the past as a measure of success, we will take pride in the number of people lifted out of poverty, and the number of new jobs created. The idea that Nigeria can succeed this time is, for some, unthinkable. But for those of us privileged to be part of this determinedly patriotic team led by President Muhammadu Buhari, it is and will be possible.


Mrs. Kemi Adeosun is the Honourable
Minister of Finance, Federal Republic of
Nigeria.


Text culled from Vanguard.

Man Rescued From Morro Rock After Proposing To Girlfriend

Some weird stories you hear and you wonder how come.. Well a man had to be rescued from Morro Rock on Thursday after climbing it to propose to his girlfriend.
Morro Bay State Park ranger Dale Kinney says the man — identified as Michael John Paul Banks, 27, of Fresno — climbed the southern side of the Rock after sunrise to propose to his girlfriend over the video-messaging app Facetime.
Banks attempted to climb down the precarious eastern side of the Rock and became stuck, Kinney said.

A CHP helicopter was dispatched to the Rock shortly after 8:30 a.m. The Morro Bay fire and police departments, as well as State Parks and Harbor Patrol, were on scene as well.

“It was a pretty amazing rescue on the part of the Fire Department,” Kinney said, because the helicopter had to fly close to the Rock to get a harness on the man. The man was safely returned to land after 9:30 a.m., with only a few scrapes and a misdemeanor citation for trespassing.

But the story does have a happy ending: Banks’ girlfriend said “yes.”


 The Tribune reportage.

▼ Saturday, 9 April 2016 FCT POLLS: Police Says No Movement Between 7am - 4pm Today...

The commissioner of Police, Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Wilson Inalegwu, has ordered the restriction of vehicular movement in the nation’s capital between 7 am- 4 pm on Saturday.(Today)

Anjuguri Manzah, FCT command spokesman, said the restriction was to allow for free and fair conduct of the rescheduled chairmanship and councillorship elections.

“This is part of the security measures adopted by the command to ensure safety and security during the elections,” Manzah said in a statement.

The statement said the restriction excluded vehicles on essential duty.

Manzah assured FCT residents that the command had strategically deployed personnel and logistics to provide adequate security during the poll.


He enjoined residents to be vigilant and cooperate with the police and other security agencies by reporting suspicious movements and activities.

Meet the woman with the longest legs in the US

26-year-old Lauren Williams stands at 6’4, and currently holds the record for the longest legs in United States of America. She  models for sportswear and fitness brands, and struts high fashion catwalks. She finds that being tall does have its advantages, especially as many fashion houses these days often seek the “long and lean” look on models. She told Daily Mail that she never thought she'd be made popular because of her looks but that she's grateful for it because it has its advantages.

Army's statement on the suicide bombers intercepted in Borno State

Yesterday, at about 4.00am troops of 101 Battalion of 7 Division received a tip off about impending attack in Maiduguri city by 4 suspected Boko Haram terrorists suicide bombers from Sambisa forest through Cashew Plantation.

The ever vigilant troops responded decisively by intercepting and neutralizing of the suspected terrorists at Madiyari village, while the third suicide bomber was intercepted and neutralized at Jimini-Bolori village. Unfortunately 3 of our soldiers sustained injuries in the process and they have been evacuated to the unit’s Regimental Aid Post (RAP), for treatment. The 2 unexploded Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) on the suicide bombers were safely detonated by a combined team of Nigeria Police and our Explosive Ordinance Device (EOD) experts. In a related development, the troops also arrested 3 suspected Boko Haram terrorists at Nwagafete village comprising 2 women and a 16 year old boy who were connected to suspected terrorists’ food vendors earlier arrested. Kindly disseminate the above information and the enclosed photographs to the public through your medium. Thank you for your kind cooperation.Colonel Sani Kukasheka Usman
Acting Director Army Public Relations