Fracas in Lagos Island as popular politician is killed

Political campaigns have begun and the first casualty has been recorded in the centre of Lagos politics, the Lagos Island. A popular local politician named Azeez Ashake was shot dead at close range in front of his house at Isale Eko on Saturday September 20th by suspected political thugs.

His son, Usman was also shot but is said to still be alive receiving treatment at an undisclosed hospital in Lagos Island. Azeez Ashake is said to be a strong leader of a particular political group in Lagos Island, and is said to be very influential. His killing caused a lot of chaos in Isale Eko over the weekend, where it's been reported that four people have so far been killed in retaliation for his death. Warning *Graphic pic when you continue*


The police tried over the weekend to restore peace to the area. Several policemen and police patrol vans were deployed to the area, but this didn't stop political thugs from fighting at intervals.

source: Linda Ikeji

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Photos: actress Chioma Toplis shows off body in sexy lingerie pics

The married mother of three who is in her 40s shared these photos on her Facebook page to show off her recent weight loss. See more pics after the cut...

 

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Robbers shoot pastor’s mouth for begging them not to rape daughter

The heartlessness of some armed robbers who not only steal from their victims, but also kill or maim them, was manifested recently when a gang of armed robbers attacked a pastor of  pentecostal church in Abeokuta, Ogun State and shot him in the mouth for daring to plead that his daughter should not be rap€d.



According to information gathered by Crime Reports, the gang members, including Sodiq Asimiyu (21) a.k.a. Nokia, Lekan a.k.a Goddey, Ayo a.k.a. AY, Seun Ojo a.k.a. Sepe, Kassim and Sunday, among others, assembled at a hemp joint at Ojupa area, Oke-Bode, Abeokuta, on May 31, 2014, from where they took off to a robbery operation, using two Bajaj motorcycles.

They succeeded in their moves when they came across a man driving his Nissan X-terra Sport Utility Vehicle, whom they dispossessed of his vehicle in front of State Hospital, Ijaye, Abeokuta.

Unsatisfied with the previous day’s loot, the gang took off again with the X-Terra vehicle at about 5a.m. on Sunday, June 1 and moved to Elite area, Idi-Aba, Abeokuta, where they blocked a car driven by a Reverend at about 5.50a.m. while on his way to church with his wife and daughter.

A police source further informed Crime Reports that the man was dispossessed of N150,000, a Samsung Galaxy tablet and HTC phone belonging to his daughter, among other items. Not satisfied, one of the armed robbers who eyed the cleric’s daughter with lust, ordered her to move away from her parents into the church, with the intention to $exually abuse her.

On sensing this, the Reverend was said to have pleaded with them to spare his daughter since he had surrendered all they wanted to them. In a fit of anger over the pleading, one of the gang members pulled the trigger of the gang’s gun and shot the man in the mouth. Not yet done, another member went to their operational vehicle, brought out a bottle of beer, opened it and poured the content on the man of God where he fell. They left afterwards.

Nemesis however caught up with Sodiq when he was arrested on September 11, 2014 when he reportedly came back to Abeokuta for another operation. He was caught with a cut-to-size single barrel gun put in a bag. Also arrested was one Tunde Egunjobi in whose house Sodiq was nabbed. Egunjobi was said to be the one releasing his motorcycle for robbery operation and had confessed to the police that he knew the gang members as armed robbers. Both are currently undergoing investigations at the Anti- Robbery section of the State Criminal Investigation Department, Eleweran, in Ogun State Police Command.

Below are the excerpts of interview with the two suspects:

Sodiq Asimiyu

This is the first I would be going for robbery with the gang. I started with the gang six months ago. Ayo a.k.a. AY introduced me to robbery. I met AY at Saidi’s hemp joint where I used to smoke marijuana. He asked me to follow him somewhere but I didn’t know we were going for robbery.
We went to Suraju a.k.a. Dajunja’s house at Oke-Bodea area of Abeokuta, from where the gang took off for robbery operation. I did not follow them that night but I knew they were going for robbery.
Early the following morning, we entered the vehicle and started moving round the town looking for a victim to rob.

Suddenly, I saw that AY who drove the vehicle blocked a vehicle by the side. We ordered the driver, his wife and daughter to lie down and dispossessed them of their belongings. Kassim shot the Reverend and Goddey opened a beer bottle and poured its content on him.
I was given N40,000 out of the N150,000 collected from our victim.

I returned to Lagos after the operation to continue my meat selling business. I came back to Abeokuta recently and was given a gun by one Mojeed who is a cultist. He told me that there was clash between him and other cult members over the presidency of the Eiye cult to which he belongs. He asked me to join him on a revenge mission. He put the gun in a bag which he gave me. I was also initiated into Eiye cult about four months ago.

What happened was that anytime I had nothing to do, I would borrow Tunde’s motorcycle and one guy called School Boy and I would use it to snatch bags and dispossess people of their belongings. I used to give Tunde returns. I have been smoking marijuana for a very long time. I cannot remember the exact number of years but it is not less than five years.

Tunde Egunjobi

I knew Sodiq and School Boy also at hemp joint where I used to smoke marijuana. I knew that they were robbers but I didn’t report them because we live within the same community. Sodiq was arrested in my house.

When contacted, the Ogun State Commissioner of Police, Mr. Ikemefuna Okoye, confirmed the story, saying that the two suspects would be charged to court after the completion of investigations.

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Collapsed church building: T.B Joshua to visit South Africa every month in memory of martyrs of faith(Read Condolence Speech)

Looks like T.B Joshua won't be addressing the bribery allegation against him any time soon..,Instead, he has put out a condolence message to all those who lost their lives in the unfortunate Synagogue building collapse.He calls them Martyrs of faith ,,,,
During his sunday church service today he said this below..


CONDOLENCE SPEECH - T.B. JOSHUA

"Church and viewers from all over the world, join me in observing one minute silence in memory of martyrs of faith. Bless their souls.Those who are affected in one way or the other and those who passed on to glory, their greatest desire is to see that the work of salvation they died and suffered for continues and to reach unreachable places.

For that, what they are coming here for should be taken to meet them in their country. Once in a month, I will be travelling to South Africa to meet people from South Africa and other nations who find South Africa easier to visit, in memory of martyrs of faith. South Africa, I mean, Southern Africa, I love you with the love of God.

"My ministration in South Africa will not be on Sundays so that people would have the opportunity to attend their respective churches. This kind of faith expressed by South Africans deserves this kind of blessing from God – satan is a liar.I have been your pastor, preaching to you. Now, it is your turn that you are preaching to me. Thank you for preaching to me. I received a lot of emails and text messages full of preaching, teaching, counseling from you. "It is your turn that you are giving back what you have received in terms of preaching, teaching and counseling. Thank you for understanding the time I am in.There is a time to give and a time to receive. There is a time to run and a time to slow awhile. There is a time to laugh and a time to cry. There is a time to be born and a time to die.

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Boko Haram to free 219 Chibok girls in swap deal

Source: The Nations
After much persuasion, Boko Haram has agreed to release the abducted 219 Chibok girls if the Federal Government will simultaneously set free its 18 key commanders.
The two parties have asked their representatives to go back to their leaders on the new swap deal proposal.
Prior to the latest agreement at the talks in Abuja, which was witnessed by some officials of the International Committee of the Red Cross(ICRC), Boko Haram had insisted on a piecemeal release of the girls, with priority given to 30 married Christians among them.
The Federal Government also offered to release six of the 18 sect leaders in detention.
The two sides maintained a parallel stand until they met again in Abuja at a session facilitated by the President, Civil Rights Congress (CRC),  Comrade Shehu Sani.
The sect said if the government attempted to secure the girls by force, it might lead to fatalities.
At the meeting, Boko Haram also maintained that it had the capacity to “engage the Federal Government for 45 years”.
It said the outcome of the talks would determine the end of the insurgency.
Some of those at the talks gave insights into the new dimension to the moves to free the Chibok girls, who were abducted from their hostel on April 15.
It was gathered that the session was attended by ICRC officials.
One of those who attended  said: “The sect shifted its position and agreed to release all the girls instead of 30 Christian married girls it had promised. But Boko Haram said it does not trust the government going by previous experience.
“If the government had respected previous talks, the Chibok girls were initially meant to be off the hook during the Eid-el Fitr festival. Again about two weeks ago, a delegation was already in Maiduguri until the swap deal was bungled.
“Some security agents only advised on the release of six out of the 18 leaders of the sect. They rated the rest 12 as dangerous.
“When the insurgents found out, they backtracked and demanded the release of the 18 leaders. The development paved the way for the latest talks in Abuja which involved the ICRC.”
“By the new arrangement, ICRC will pick up the girls and simultaneously hand over the detained 18 leaders to Boko Haram.
“The government also said it would not free the detained leaders of Boko Haram until all the girls were released.
Asked what was eventually agreed upon, another source at the session said: “We generally agreed that all the parties should go back to their leaders on the agreement reached. The government said no to piecemeal release of the girls and Boko Haram claimed that it will not have any business with the government until all the 18 leaders of the sect are freed.
“After the Eid-el-Kabir festival, the two parties will meet again on the terms to finalise the agreement or part ways.
“Before the meeting rose, Boko Haram representatives warned against the use of force to liberate the girls. It also made it clear that it had the “capacity to take on the Federal Government for the next 45 years.”
Responding to a question on whether the sect will end the insurgency or not, another source said: “The delegation from Boko Haram said the outcome of the latest round of talks will determine whether they should ceasefire or not.”

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What are the health benefits of watermelon?

Along with cantaloupe and honeydew, watermelons are a member of the botanical family Cucurbitaceae.

 

Nutritional breakdown

 

One cup of diced watermelon (152 grams) contains 43 calories, 0 grams of fat, 2 grams of sodium, 11 grams of carbohydrate (including 9 grams of sugar and 1 gram of fiber) and 1 gram of fiber. One cup of watermelon will provide 17% of vitamin A, 21% of vitamin C, 2% of iron and 1% of calcium needs for the day.
Watermelon also contains thiamin, riboflavin, niacin, vitamin B-6, folate, pantothenic acid, magnesium, phosphorus, potassium, zinc, copper, manganese, selenium, choline, lycopene and betaine. According to the National Watermelon Promotion Board, watermelon contains more lycopene than any other fruit or vegetable.
Despite being a great source of the above nutrients, watermelon is made up of 92% water.

Possible health benefits

Consuming fruits and vegetables of all kinds has long been associated with a reduced risk of many lifestyle-related health conditions. Many studies have suggested that increasing consumption of plant foods like watermelon decreases the risk of obesity and overall mortality, diabetes, heart disease and promotes a healthy complexion and hair, increased energy, overall lower weight.
Asthma prevention: The risks for developing asthma are lower in people who consume a high amount of certain nutrients. One of these nutrients is vitamin C, found in many fruits and vegetables including watermelon.
Blood pressure: A study published by the American Journal of Hypertension found that watermelon extract supplementation reduced ankle blood pressure, brachial blood pressure and carotid wave reflection in obese middle-aged adults with prehypertension or stage 1 hypertension and that watermelon extract improved arterial function.
Diets rich in lycopene may help protect against heart disease.
Cancer: As an excellent source of the strong antioxidant vitamin C as well as other antioxidants, watermelon can help combat the formation of free radicals known to cause cancer. Lycopene intake has been linked with a decreased risk of prostate cancer prevention in several studies.
Digestion and regularity: Watermelon, because of its water and fiber content, helps to prevent constipation and promote regularity for a healthy digestive tract.
Hydration: Made up of 92% water and full of important electrolytes, watermelon is a great snack to have on hand during the hot summer months to prevent dehydration.
Inflammation: Choline is a very important and versatile nutrient in watermelon that aids our bodies in sleep, muscle movement, learning and memory. Choline also helps to maintain the structure of cellular membranes, aids in the transmission of nerve impulses, assists in the absorption of fat and reduces chronic inflammation.¹
Muscle soreness: Watermelon and watermelon juice have been shown to reduce muscle soreness and improve recovery time following exercise in athletes. Researchers believe this is likely do to the amino acid L-citrulline contained in watermelon.
Skin: Watermelon is also great for your skin because it contains vitamin A, a nutrient required for sebum production that keeps hair moisturized. Vitamin A is also necessary for the growth of all bodily tissues, including skin and hair.
Adequate intake of vitamin C (one cup of watermelon provides 21% of daily needs) is also needed for the building and maintenance of collagen, which provides structure to skin and hair. Watermelon also contributes to overall hydration, which is vital for having healthy looking skin and hair.

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Boko Haram: Shekau impersonator killed by Nigerian troops?

The Nigerian military may have recorded a major victory in the war against Boko Haram as the man suspected to be mimicking late Abubakar Shekau in recent videos from the sect, may have been killed during the September 17th battle in Konduga, Borno state.

A senior military source said "it is getting more certain that the terrorists' commander who has been mimicking Shekau in those videos is the one killed in Konduga on September 17."

Sources at the image making company of the Nigerian government, PRNigeria, say the death of the man believed to be the leader of the group is responsible for the scattering of the sect members in different independent locations in neighboring countries.


Security sources did not deny the suspicion but cautioned that "the process of confirming that the dead body we have is the same as that character who has been posing as Shekau is ongoing. He is definitely a prominent terrorist commander. I don't want to say anything about this yet please."

Another high ranking military source said that the resemblance between the man killed and the one seen in recent videos posted by the sect group is quite striking, citing his facial marks, beards and teeth as some of the striking resemblance features.

Military officers say the Defence Headquarters will address the nation after a full investigation of their latest discovery has been done.

Meanwhile the Defense headquarters say five members of the sect group surrendered their arms to the Nigerian troops yesterday, pleading for mercy. They said some captured members of the sect group are helping with useful information regarding future planned attacks by the sect.

Source: PR Nigeria

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Dr Sid and his wife Simi Esiri are currently on a romantic vacation in Barbados and shared some photos online. Hmmm...   really romantic. .

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“THE PERMANENT HOUSE GIRLFRIEND”

Talking about Love and relationship

 

A friend of mine woke up with this message running ‘a track and field’ on his mind, too heavy in his heart that he couldn’t hold it in for another hour, "I don’t know who am destined to bless with this revelation today, I wish you could just pause a little bit, take a moment and read these words slowly at your own pace.

There was this friend I knew who was always getting beaten by her boyfriend, day and night, and so one day she decided to move out of his house, I was happy when I learnt she had moved out. For a week the neighborhood was peaceful and quiet, at least no one was hearing their voices, only to come home one day to find her back in his house, cooking afang soup with bomb shot in his kitchen, a man who is yet to pay a dime on your head?, I was so hurt to my bones, but then, that is the kind of price tags some women have gladly placed on themselves.

Without any atom of shame you pack your bags and move in with a man like you were moving into your father’s house, you cook his food, wash his boxers, clean his house, prepare his bath, run his errands, polish his shoes, scratch his back and even shave his buttocks, and at the end of the day the young man still has the right to decide whether or not you are fit for a companion. What arrant nonsense! Rendering wifely services to a boyfriend? Isn’t that like a semi-marriage without a certificate? Tell me why he should busy himself with the issues of marriage when he’s already enjoying the WIFELY benefits and services you are freely providing, are you MTN?
Yes get angry with me if you want, that is the idea anyway, am not revealing this so you can be cold, am writing this to provoke your spirit to anger, if what am saying is annoying you so much then let your anger cause you to pack your bags and leave his house, stop making yourself so cheap before a man who can only offer you crumbs and a few slices of bread, why hurry now for that which you will enjoy in its fullest later on? Oh! Because he bought one bottle of dry gin for your father it has now given you the right to pack yourself to his house? What is a bottle of dry gin that you cannot buy for your father? Is that your price? He bought one Buba for your mother last December and so what? Even if he bought a tortoise for all the elders in your village it still doesn’t give you the license to enslave yourself to him.

I ask you this questions today, why lower your standard? Why place a chicken-change price tag on your head? What respect and honor do you seek from a man whom you have already emptied yourself to? Have you forgotten who you are? Can you not remember that your price is “far above rubies?” one that cannot be bought nor traded? Now that he has seen every pimple on your backside what is so special about you?

Madam “permanent house girlfriend” please pack your bags and leave that house at once, you do not belong there! You are too precious to be measured on a scale of oranges!
“Oga landlord” please release that lady to go, she is not your wife, if you want wifely benefits go and marry her properly, or better still go to your village and hire a house girl, that bottle of dry gin you gave to her father 3yrs ago has expired, how many more years will you steal from her? DIARIS GOD O!"

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Politics: El-Rufai arrested

Former Minister of Federal Capital Territory, FCT and Chieftain of Congress for Progressive Change, CPC, Mallam Nasir El-Rufai has been arrested by the State Security Service, SSS.

Malam El-Rufai was arrested, Saturday morning, at the Nnamdi Aizikiwe International Airport, Abuja, on arrival from the United Kingdom.

He was said to have returned from a trip undertaken with CPC presidential candidate, Maj. General Muhammad Buhari and his running mate, Pastor Tunde Bakare, who were at the Chattam House in London, to make a formal presentation about the April polls which result they have rejected and are contesting at the Presidential Election Tribunal

El-Rufai has, recently, become extremely critical of the federal government.

Reacting to the arrest, former Minister of Aviation, Chief Femi Fani-Kayode, described the arrest as “a disgrace and monumental error” on the part of the federal government.

“Since when has it been a crime to be critical of government?”, he queried, adding, “I thought this was meant to be a democracy.  Those who speak out are not the one President Jonathan should be worried about.

“It is those that do not speak out but that bomb, maim and kill that his SSS should be hunting down.”

Fani-Kayode, insisted that the Jonathan administration cannot silence opposition, as according to him, to use force and intimidation against opposition would only multiply it.

He therefore called for the immediate release of the CPC chieftain.
https://www.facebook.com/pages/factnationblogspotcom/843562372331166?fref=ts

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Entertainment: AY turns club owner

https://www.facebook.com/pages/factnationblogspotcom/843562372331166?fref=ts

Ayo Makun, popularly known as AY, a prolific and successful standup comedian opens a luxurious Nightclub in the highbrow city of Lekki Phase1 to advance his entertainment business.

AYNamed MVP Lounge an acronym for Most Valuable Player, the club is billed as an exclusive Club house with bar, restaurant, game room, karaoke room, gold and diamond rooms with an all-purpose lounge occupying the penthouse floor of Omisson Emporium Mall situated at the heart of Lekki Phase 1.

According to AY in a chart with media, “The Friday opening event will be strictly on invitation, but will go on till Saturday and Sunday to accommodate the general public who may not find seats on that day.”

Ayo, who was in a high spirit said, it is a dream come true. “Now Lagosians, mover and shakers of entertainment industry including industry captains and tourists have got a place they can hang out to dine, wine and enjoy popular jokes from ace comedians with good music,” he said.

The club will be featuring Friday MVP Club Night, Saturday Nightlife and Sunday Karaoke and Comedy Shows for families and general public. “What we are doing different is the non-smoking club. This is to maintain the health and safety wellbeing of our members; hence we create a special smoking room to meet the need of smoking clubbers,” he said.

hmmm... ah envy this guy 

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Insurgency: Many killed as Boko Haram loots Borno market

Boko Haram gunmen stormed a crowded market in Nigeria’s restive northeastern state of Borno, killing several people and carting away food, witnesses said Saturday.

Dressed in military and police uniforms, dozens of insurgents attacked the town of Mainok, 56 kilometres outside Maiduguri, the state capital late Thursday, firing a rocket-propelled grenade and spraying the market with bullets.

The attackers also looted food which they loaded onto trucks abandoned by fleeing traders, witnesses said.

“They struck around 1:30pm (1230GMT) during peak hours by first firing a rocket-propelled grenade at the market before opening fire on traders”, Salman Lawan, a trader who witnessed the carnage told AFP.

“They killed several people in the attack but it is difficult to give a precise figure,” said Lawan who fled to Maiduguri following the attack.



Another trader Modu Kachalla, who gave a similar account, said the insurgents were looking for cash and food.

“They robbed traders of cash and loaded food  into trucks they seized at the market before fleeing into the bush,” he said.

“The market was full…when the Boko Haram gunmen attacked which explained the high casualties,” he said.

“The attackers killed many people at the market but it is difficult to give a toll because everybody fled to save their lives,” said Ibrahim Kolo, another witness.

Boko Haram, which has seized swathes of territory in Borno and in neighbouring Yobe and Adamawa states, has been running short of food in the areas they have taken, according to residents.

On Wednesday the insurgents ambushed a truck carrying grain to Maiduguri outside the nearby village of Ngamdu and looted it before setting it on fire, they said.

The news of the attack on the market was slow to emerge due to disruption in phone services in the region on Friday. Telecoms services were only restored on Saturday.

Mainok has suffered repeated attacks by Boko Haram, which wants to impose a hardline Islamic state in the mainly Muslim north.

In February scores were killed there and many homes destroyed by the extremists.

Their insurgency has claimed more than 10,000 lives since 2009 and left more than 700,000 homeless.
https://www.facebook.com/pages/factnationblogspotcom/843562372331166?fref=ts

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Sports: Toure wants to deliver Champions League to City fans

Ivory Coast star midfielder Yaya Toure tells the BBC on Saturday that he is fully committed to English champions Manchester City and wants above all to win the Champions League for them.

The 31-year-old — who has been an integral part of City’s domestic success since he signed from Barcelona for £24million ($39millionh) in 2010 — was responding to criticism of his below-par performance in Wednesday’s 1-0 defeat by German champions Bayern Munich in their opening Champions League group match.

Toure, who has never been one to hold back when he feels he has been slighted as he illustrated in May when he said City had shown him a lack of respect for not buying him a birthday cake, said the fans and not the pundits were the people he was interested in.

“I know the fans love me; they are always good to me,” said Toure, who won the 2009 Champions League with Barcelona.

“My target now is the Champions League. I want to win it for them.”

Toure, who last year agreed a four-year contract extension tying him to City until 2017, received the backing from club manager Manuel Pellegrini.

“Maybe he had a lot of personal problems with his brother,” said the Chilean referring to the death of his 28-year-old brother Ibrahim from cancer in June while he and another brother Kolo were at the World Cup finals.

“There are a lot of human things and maybe that is why he is not in his best performance at the moment.

“As a team, as a coach, as a club we must support him because he is a very important player, he makes a difference and I’m sure he will return to his best. But he is always being criticised.”

City’s success domestically has not been repeated on the European front as they have bowed out twice in the group stage and once in the last 16 in their three campaigns

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Sports: Suarez already a good signing, says Enrique

Barcelona boss Luis Enrique believes Luis Suarez has already proved his worth despite not having even played a competitive game since his £75 million move from Liverpool.

The Uruguayan will still be unavailable for over a month after receiving a four-month ban for biting Italian defender Giorgio Chiellini at the World Cup in June.

Suarez could make his debut in Enrique’s first El Clasico in charge of Barca away to Real Madrid on October 25.

And Enrique believes the 27-year-old’s attitude in training has already made him an important signing for the club.

“He is adapting and waiting for his opportunity. He is training as if he could play tomorrow and that was our objective.

“Already, even without playing, I think he is helping us and has been a good signing.”

Barca have started Enrique’s reign with four consecutive wins and four clean sheets for the first time in the club’s history.

However, the former Celta Vigo coach still received criticism for making nine changes as the Catalans struggled past APOEL Nicosia 1-0 to open their Champions League campaign on Wednesday.

There are likely to be another wave of changes for Sunday’s trip to bottom of the table Levante.

Enrique insisted he will continue to rotate his squad throughout the season and hinted even Lionel Messi wouldn’t be excluded from his changes from game to game.

“Over the course of the season I am going to need all my players. The priority just now is Levante and we will see where we are after that.

“Being without Messi would affect us like any other team. If he could play every minute he would, but I understand that is difficult.

“I will manage it as best I can, but always thinking about what is best for the team.

https://www.facebook.com/pages/factnationblogspotcom/843562372331166?fref=ts

Barcelona boss Luis Enrique believes Luis Suarez has already proved his worth despite not having even played a competitive game since his £75 million move from Liverpool.
The Uruguayan will still be unavailable for over a month after receiving a four-month ban for biting Italian defender Giorgio Chiellini at the World Cup in June.
Suarez could make his debut in Enrique’s first El Clasico in charge of Barca away to Real Madrid on October 25.
And Enrique believes the 27-year-old’s attitude in training has already made him an important signing for the club.
“He is adapting and waiting for his opportunity. He is training as if he could play tomorrow and that was our objective.
“Already, even without playing, I think he is helping us and has been a good signing.”
Barca have started Enrique’s reign with four consecutive wins and four clean sheets for the first time in the club’s history.
However, the former Celta Vigo coach still received criticism for making nine changes as the Catalans struggled past APOEL Nicosia 1-0 to open their Champions League campaign on Wednesday.
There are likely to be another wave of changes for Sunday’s trip to bottom of the table Levante.
Enrique insisted he will continue to rotate his squad throughout the season and hinted even Lionel Messi wouldn’t be excluded from his changes from game to game.
“Over the course of the season I am going to need all my players. The priority just now is Levante and we will see where we are after that.
“Being without Messi would affect us like any other team. If he could play every minute he would, but I understand that is difficult.
“I will manage it as best I can, but always thinking about what is best for the team.
- See more at: http://www.vanguardngr.com/2014/09/suarez-already-good-signing-says-enrique/#sthash.rFATy5bQ.dpu

Barcelona boss Luis Enrique believes Luis Suarez has already proved his worth despite not having even played a competitive game since his £75 million move from Liverpool.
The Uruguayan will still be unavailable for over a month after receiving a four-month ban for biting Italian defender Giorgio Chiellini at the World Cup in June.
Suarez could make his debut in Enrique’s first El Clasico in charge of Barca away to Real Madrid on October 25.
And Enrique believes the 27-year-old’s attitude in training has already made him an important signing for the club.
“He is adapting and waiting for his opportunity. He is training as if he could play tomorrow and that was our objective.
“Already, even without playing, I think he is helping us and has been a good signing.”
Barca have started Enrique’s reign with four consecutive wins and four clean sheets for the first time in the club’s history.
However, the former Celta Vigo coach still received criticism for making nine changes as the Catalans struggled past APOEL Nicosia 1-0 to open their Champions League campaign on Wednesday.
There are likely to be another wave of changes for Sunday’s trip to bottom of the table Levante.
Enrique insisted he will continue to rotate his squad throughout the season and hinted even Lionel Messi wouldn’t be excluded from his changes from game to game.
“Over the course of the season I am going to need all my players. The priority just now is Levante and we will see where we are after that.
“Being without Messi would affect us like any other team. If he could play every minute he would, but I understand that is difficult.
“I will manage it as best I can, but always thinking about what is best for the team.
- See more at: http://www.vanguardngr.com/2014/09/suarez-already-good-signing-says-enrique/#sthash.rFATy5bQ.dpuf

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Collapsed building: Jonathan visits Synagogue

President Goodluck Jonathan on Saturday visited the collapsed guesthouse at a mega-church in Lagos, promising to investigate the cause of the tragedy as the death toll hit 86, rescuers said Saturday.

“The president came to the church this morning to see things for himself. He met with Prophet T.B. Joshua and expressed his condolences to the bereaved families,” Ibrahim Farinloye of the National Emergency Management Agency told newsmen.

He said Jonathan promised to investigate the cause of the September 12 collapse of the guesthouse at Synagogue Church of All Nations (SCOAN) which left scores trapped in the debris.

Farinloye said the death toll now stood at 86 as against the previous figure of 84 after the various emergency teams involved in the operation had reconciled their figures.

“You are aware that several rescue teams at the state and federal levels were involved in the operations. We sat together and reconciled our figures which has now brought the death toll to 86. But those rescued still stands at 131,” he said.

Farinloye could not say if the new death toll included 84 South Africans who had been confirmed dead in the incident by the country’s high commissioner to Nigeria Lulu Mnguni.

It is believed that there were 349 South Africans visiting the popular church in the Ikotun district of the city at the time of the collapse.

The church’s leader Joshua, who has blamed the incident on sabotage, is one of Nigeria’s most well-known Pentecostal preachers and is referred to by followers across the world as “The Prophet” or “The Man of God”.

He claims to work miracles, including raising people from the dead and healing the sick, and foreseeing disasters.

The Lagos state government has accused the church of adding extra floors to the existing structure without approval.
https://www.facebook.com/pages/factnationblogspotcom/843562372331166?fref=ts

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Another Church Building Collapses In Edo (Real at the scene Photos)

One person has died under the rubble of a building that collapsed in Benin, Edo State capital, on Friday, 19 September, 2014.

According to the Nation report, the collapsed one-storey building located at 22, First Uzama Street, Off Oliha Quartres in Benin belongs to Christ Chosen Church of God. The incident occurred at about 12.45pm on Friday.

According to the Edo State Commissioner of Police, Foluso Adebanjo, one person has been confirmed dead while five others were rescued alive with injuries. He said there were however speculations that two more people were still be trapped in the rubbles.
It was gathered that the building, before it collapsed, served as offices to pastors in the church. However, the church management hired youths to demolish it because they wanted more space in the compound.

According to one of the workmen who survived, four out of nine people were inside the building when it collapsed.

“Some of us went out to eat because we were hungry. As we were eating, we saw many people rush to where we were coming from. We thought it was a fire outbreak. But when we got there, we discovered that the building has collapsed.
“We were nine in number but four of my colleagues were in the building before it collapsed. Two were brought out alive with injuries. One died and was brought out and two others are still under the building, dead,” the worker said.

Reportedly, officials of the church ran away after the building came down.

The residents blamed the church management for using young people to destroy the church instead of hiring a bulldozer.
The collapse of the building almost resulted in chaos as some angry youth vandalized and set ablaze a bus owned by the church in protest of the incident.

It would be recalled that a building at the Synagogue Church Of All Nations, SCOAN, in Ikotun area of Lagos also collapsed on Friday, 12 September, 2014.

According to the National Emergency Management Agency, NEMA, at least 80 people died from the collapsed building believed to be a guest house of the Synagogue Church.

Youths in the area, after rescuing those they could rescue, set the church bus on fire. They said they did it because the church should have hired bulldozer instead of endangering lives of the the youths.

   

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ASUU: FG Releases N30bn For Lecturers' Allowances

 The federal government Tuesday released the sum of N30 billion to the Ministry of Education for onward disbursement to the universities for the payment of earned allowances of the striking members of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU).

Benue State Governor, Mr. Gabriel Suswan, made this disclosure at a meeting with the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), at the state Governor's Lodge in Abuja, where he reiterated his appeal to the striking union to return to the classrooms in the interest of the future leaders of the country.
Suswan, who is also the chairman of the Needs Implementation Committee, said the money for the earned allowances was released yesterday afternoon.


The governor admitted that although there was delay in the commencement of the implementation of the existing agreements, the government had already addressed almost all of the demands of ASUU except on the allowances.

He described as 'unfair' comments allegedly made by ASUU leadership that the government was insincere and that the government disbursement of N100 billion for infrastructure needs of the institutions was done without consultations.


"ASUU participated in all the meetings where it was agreed to raise N100 billion, which has already been distributed to all the universities. In fact, the president of ASUU nominated one Dr. Baffa, who is very resourceful. He did all the work, and presented the criteria for distribution of the money which is based on the population of each university," he explained.


Suswan added that after the draft distribution was drawn up, he asked the union to go through the document for their satisfaction.
"Instead, they wrote me a letter accusing the committee of insincerity. The councils are the ones that would verify what we are owing, go and ask them. ASUU said no, that unless we put N92 billion on the table," he added.


The governor clarified that the government cannot hand over any money blindly unless it verified the need. This, he said, was necessary so that every university would be allocated the money it needed for the earned allowances.
On the N100 billion for infrastructure, which had already been disbursed to the schools, Suswan said the governing councils would be the ones to award the contracts, and not the Needs Implementation committee.


Suswan also alleged that the strike had assumed a political dimension. He appealed to all well-meaning Nigerians to work with the federal government to find a permanent solution to the incessant strikes, which held the danger of seeing to the production of mediocre graduates.


He also urged NANS not to embark on a protest as being canvassed in some quarters. Instead, he appealed to the union to urge ASUU to return to work.
"To raise N100 billion in two weeks is not an easy task. We are making efforts to ensure that this intervention is sustained beyond 2013," he said.


NANS President, Mr. Yinka Gbadebo, in an earlier address, expressed the intention of the students' body to embark on a protest either against the government or ASUU.
He also urged the government to consider the idea of interest-free loans for tertiary education students to ease the financial burden on those, who cannot easily pay for their education.


But as if goading the union to maintain its hard stance,the Forum for Justice and Human Rights Defence (fjhd) has given ASUU a pat on the back for its commitment in prosecuting the three-month old strike to compel the federal government to finally address the myriad of problems bedevilling the country's university education system.


The group said the action of ASUU was not unjustified while questioning the sincerity of the federal government "to meeting the said demands" despite the reported release of N130 billion to the governing councils of the different universities.
In a statement by its National Coordinator, Oghenejabor Ikimi, the group lamented that hindsight has not shown the government acting in a sincere manner that would cause it to be trusted by the ASUU leadership.


In the opinion of Ikimi, the leadership of ASUU should not shift ground on the strike issue until the government demonstrated its seriousness by signing a kind of undertaking to implement the reformatory recommendations of the academic union after the strike would have been called off.


The statement said: "Even if the federal government's intention in the above regard is sincere, it is our considered opinion that before ASUU calls off its strike action, it must ensure that the federal government as a matter of urgency, signs a workable document with the leadership of ASUU on how it intends to meet their demands bearing in mind that a similar agreement signed in 2009 between the federal government and ASUU has not been implemented by the Federal Government till date.


"The group believes that ASUU's demands are genuine and real as (the strike) is an attempt by ASUU to save our educational system from extinction. For instance, in a recent world assessment of universities where the list of the world's first 1,000 universities were published no Nigerian university was mentioned.
The group stressed that “our universities deserve better funding to be able to re-position and revitalise itself as citadels of learning before they can turn out graduates the nation can be proud of."


However, the Delta State University, Abraka (DELSU) chapter of ASUU has expressed appreciation to Nigerians "for the support availed ASUU so far in the struggle", saying it would not waver but remain resolute until victory was achieved.
In a statement signed by its chairman, Dr. Emmanuel Nwafor Mordi, the body also condemned what it called shoddy conduct recently of the university's Post-UTME, claiming that its organisation "fell short of minimum standards for DELSU examinations."
Meanwhile, the National Association of Philosophy Students (NAPS) has said the federal government’s inability to implement the 2009 agreement was a clear indication of its untrustworthy nature.


NAPS stated at a press briefing in Abuja yesterday, that the issues raised by ASUU, which had resulted in an indefinite nationwide strike were basically for the good of all Nigerian public institutions and as such should not be hard for the government to implement..
Its Chairman, Adeshina Lukman, said in his address, that the union and all other student bodies in the country were disturbed with the development and had giving the government an ultimatum to address the situation as soon as possible, failure of which, it would galvanise a mass protest against the government.


“It is no longer news that Nigerian universities are underfunded, Nigerian universities cannot be compared with any university in the world and this explains why there is brain-drain in the country,” the association lamented.

hApIaNsKi

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Sss Retures Stowaway teen Daniel Oikhena back to benin

For the first time since August 24 when he made a daring flight in the tyre compartment of an Arik Air flight from Benin to Lagos, Daniel Oikhena, saw his mother, Evelyn, at the State headquarters of the Directorate of the State Security Services (DSS).

Daniel, a Junior Secondary School (JSS) I pupil in Benin, Edo State capital, was released from DSS custody yesterday morning to officials of the Ministry of Women’s Affairs and Social Development.

Mrs. Oikhena was informed of the processes her son would go through and later asked to go to the ministry for further briefing.

It was gathered that the government planned to send Daniel to a correctional facility before being allowed to return to school. Several efforts to see him and his mother failed until information filtered in that Governor Adams Oshiomhole would meet with Daniel at 3:30pm.

Daniel’s celebrity status was tested yesterday as government officials left their offices to catch a glimpse of the stowaway kid.

He rode into the Government House in the same car with the DSS State Director, Bakori Tukur.

Reporters were barred from recording Daniel’s entry as he was taken inside through a back door.

Daniel’s father, Osaigbovo, made a surprise appearance at the Government House shortly after his son and wife were taken inside.

He was not invited to join the meeting.

Osaigbovo said he was a commercial bus driver and that he was told about the scholarship offer by his wife.

The father, who was accompanied by some of his relatives, denied allegations that they showed up because of the scholarship offer.

He said he has been taking care of his children contrary to the uncaring attitude of his wife.

Osaigbovo (44) said he had a problem with his wife to whom he had been married for the past 20 years.

He displayed a photograph of himself and two of his children during a family outing.

“I came to tell the world that I am Daniel’s father. His mother and I had a misunderstanding last year. I did not leave my home. I invited my wife to join me but she said where I was staying was too far and she decided to stay away. It is a lie that I have not been taking care of my four children. We are not divorced.”

On why he has been quiet about his son’s predicament, Osaigbovo said his wife asked him to calm down that she would take care of everything.

“I went with her to the police station but she said I should keep quiet.

“I was shocked when I heard the news. Initially, I thought my son was kidnapped but I thank God he is alive. I am here to make sure my son is really alive. I am not married to another woman. My wife refused to give my number to the DSS when they asked for it .

“My son likes movies. He is quiet and easy going.”

A volunteer group, De RAUFs, which had indicated interest in Daniel’s welfare was at the Government House.

Represented by Yinka Muyiwa, head of its legal team, De RAUFs said it came to Edo State to reaffirm the scholarship it earlier gave the lad to continue his education up to university level.

Muyiwa said: “The boy did not commit any offence and as such should not be detained any longer.

“The boy had to do what he did because the system failed him. There was no crime involved in what he did as far as we are concerned.”

na wah o...   the Good Bad & Ugly are all in Edo

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A great star has fallen from the photojournalistic firmament.

Iconic photographer, Peter Oyeyemi Obe, who brought the swampy gloom of the Nigerian civil war horror to public reality via his troubling and tense images, has passed on. He was 81, born 28 December 1932.

News of Mr. Obe’s passage came mid-day Sunday when his nephew, Taiwo Obe, the renowned editor and promoter of the famous professional social media site on LinkedIn, Everything journalism, tweeted, quoting family sources, that the ace cameraman had “died at his residence situated on 31 Alhaji Masha/Moronu Street, Surulere, Lagos, Nigeria” adding, “His first son, Femi, made the official announcement.”

The departed Mr. Obe influenced a whole generation of photojournalists on account of his adventurous and daring coverage of the 30-month Nigerian civil war in the seventies. A different genre of much younger professionals, not necessarily practicing in journalism, was also drawn by this iconoclasm, nurtured by a peculiar drive for intimacy with his subjects that were vividly realised through close-up, and wide-angle shots. Although his war photography was his signature call, he nevertheless worked across a varied landscape of photojournalism, from conflict coverage, through politics and civic life, to sports.

Working mostly in an age of black-and white photography, his peculiar drive ultimately defined an oeuvre of daunting, perhaps mysterious, and sometimes provocative image sense. He would barrel the lens menacingly towards his subjects in a probing hunt always seeking the zero-point of the subject where their soul resides. Thus, the striking individuality of his subjects, their restless search for identity and affirmation, put him ahead of peers in the exploration of the modern moments in Nigerian photography.

He was for years Chief photographer of the Daily Times but had a stint of freelance work for the Agence France Presse (AFP). The media and development group, Panos Institute, also kept some of his stocks in its London archives.

His coverage of the Nigerian civil war for the Daily Times resulted in a coffee-table book, “Civil War Pictures From Nigeria: A Decade of Crisis in Pictures.”

Mr. Taiwo Obe recorded early condolence messages of notable greats in the media showering tributes. Mr Lade Bonuola (aka Ladbone), pioneer editor and now executive consultant at The Guardian (Nigeria) wrote: “As chief cameraman of the Daily Times and I as the chief sub-editor, we worked very closely together. He never failed in supplying me terrific action photographs for the front page. Once I shouted ‘Exclusives’, I trusted he was on the way to the newsroom to supply page 1 photograph.”

Former Photo Editor at the defunct NEXT newspaper Mr Gbile Oshadipe, who currently teaches photojournalism at the Nigerian Institute of Journalism, said: “We’ve lost a pioneer in photojournalism at a time novices appropriate media space and pretend to be pros.”

Using the platform of Everythingjournalism on Linkedin, other editors have also been speaking on the passage of the Mr. Obe.

Mr. Lanre Idowu, editor at the defunct ThisWeek Magazine and Democrat newspaper, and one of the most attentive historians of contemporary Nigerian media practice, wrote: “A great star has fallen from the photojournalistic firmament. I remember one of his Civil War shots. It was a great shot of a soldier’s boot. Lying by the roadside, it raised questions on the whereabouts of its owner…his fate and how the boot got there.”

One time editor of the Vanguard newspaper, Ikeddy Isiguzo, testified on how Mr. Obe “became such an institution [and] that there was nobody he could not tell he wanted his shot. Indeed it would be considered an honour if he did.”

He recalled, “One of my most vivid memories of his photos is the one of Brigadier Shehu Musa Yar’Adua, Christian Chukwu and Sam Ojebode, captains of their teams, together at the centre of the National Stadium. 

He got them holding a ball, beaming best smiles, to douse a mounting tension as IICC-Rangers played in the first leg of the final of the 1977 Cup Winners Cup. 

Pa Obe still continued his art at a time many of his age had retired. He was truly a legend. I am not sure he even got a national honour.”

Iconoclastic writer, and journalist, Maxim Uzuato wrote: “Peter Obe the Great! They no longer make photo greats of your pedigree! Rest in the Lord, Pa!

Lighting up a sombre atmosphere, expressionist painter, writer, and former art editor at the defunct NEXT, Victor Ehikhamenor, who is himself a photographer, commented tersely but in brightness on his twitter handle @sozaboy that Mr. Obe “had a great eye.”

Mr. Obe’s Collection of photographs taken over the period from Independence in October 1960 through to the 30-month civil war represent some of the most honest if even biting records of Nigeria’s post independence history and narratives.

Hmmm

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Edo Girl taking the lead again

The belief that Nigeria remains a land generously endowed with the brightest and best brains in the world was once more reaffirmed on Wednesday, July 3, when Osarieme Anita Omonuwa bagged a First Class degree in Law at Reading University in the United Kingdom.

Miss Omonuwa, 20, who hails from Edo State in Nigeria, also received the 2012 prestigious “Chancellor's Award” of the university for her outstanding academic performance.
THISDAY learnt that Omonuwa has, by the exceptional academic feat, become the first black woman to win the Reading University Chancellor's Award.

The chancellor of the university, Sir John Madejski, on the occasion of the award presentation last Wednesday, described Omonuwa as “representative of our brightest and best students”.

Like a harbinger of her uncommon academic glory in law, she had three years earlier, in 2010, earned the Reading University Scholarship Award for academic excellence and won recognition as the overall best in the International Foundation Programme.

In 2012, Anita’s academic awards haul included the Clarks Legal Prize for the best performance in Part 2 Equity and Trust, presented by David Rintoul, Managing Partner, Clarks Legal LLP; Keith Wright Memorial Prize for best overall performance in Part 2; and Shoosmiths Prize for best overall performance in Part 2.

In May 2013, she was at Shoosmiths LLP, UK to do a day’s internship in the Employment Department and in June she stretched her internship drive into Construction Law. The latter experience enabled her to understand hardcore legal issues including the intricacies of construction contracts and the inevitable consequences of breaching agreed terms while at the Clarks Legal LLP.

All along, Anita has been the harvester of honours and awards. Anita, whose father, Mr. Omoruyi Augustine Omonuwa, is a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) and holder of national Honour, Order of the Federal Republic (OFR), said his daughter had shown great promise at a very tender age when in her kindergarten days at Our Lady of Apostles School, Airport Road, Benin-City, she finished as the best KG pupil and had a free uniform as a “motivational prize”. Anita also won the 2003 Bournvita Award for overall primary school performance at Our Lady's.

In addition, Anita won the 2008/2009 Certificate of Merit of the Igbinedion Education Centre in Benin-City as the over-all best graduating student in Accounting, English, Yoruba, Computer Science, Biology, Literature, Government, Economics, Foods and Nutrition.
Her excellence and eventual towering laurel in England is thus seen as the crowning of her intelligence and confirmation of her mental capacity.

What more can i say but to say am proud of her as a Benin girl 

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