Francis Uzoho Joins Anorthosis Famagusta On Loan

Nigeria first-choice goalkeeper Francis Uzoho has joined Cypriot club, Anorthosis Famagusta on a six-month loan deal from Spanish LaLiga side, Deportivo La Coruna.

The Russia 2018 World Cup goalkeeper had to cut short his loan to Spanish second division side Elche to join the Cyprus outfit shortly before the January transfer deadline.

The former U-17 rose to prominent after couples of good performances for his parent club Deportivo in the Spanish La Liga last since and had since went on loan at the second division to continue his development.

Uzoho, however, is optimistic that the move will benefit him as he have the chance of playing regularly in order to be in good shape for the summer African Cup of Nations in Egypt.

Anorthosis who previously had Super Eagles right back Shehu Abdullahi on their payroll are sixth on the table with 27 points from 18 matches.

BRILA

Soyinka Who Saw Buhari As The Lesser Evil In 2015 Is Seeing Atiku To Be As Bad As Buhari Today

Nobel laureate, Prof. Wole Soyinka, on Thursday, vowed not to vote the presidential candidates of the ruling All Progressives Congress and the opposition Peoples Democratic Party in this month’s elections.

He described the two political parties as worthy of absolute rejection.

The playwright spoke in Lagos at the 2019 Citizen Forum titled, ‘Civic Choice in a Time of Judicial Penkelemes.’

Other speakers at the event were human rights lawyers, Mr Femi Falana (SAN), Femi Aborisade and President, Women Arise for Change Initiative, Dr. Joe Okei-Odumakin.

Soyinka said, “For the avoidance of doubt, let me make my position quite clear; I don’t want any ambiguity. I, Wole Soyinka, will not be voting for either of the two so-called contesting (political) parties. I find both of them worthy of absolute rejection for a number of reasons which I wouldn’t go into. I am not interested in comparative assessment. It is too late for that.

“My position is that it is time for a totally new direction. Obviously, I am not the only one, otherwise there will not be so many opposition parties wanting to take over the reins of government. There are things that have been going on quietly in the background to try and change the direction of this nation in a very positive way and to make the public understand that they do not have to be enslaved permanently to the old, discredited order.”

He said it had happened before in other societies when a dark horse emerged and thumped political juggernauts and others in spite of their capacity for violence and treachery.

He noted that there were hijackers and those who tried to take over genuine movement for reform.

Soyinka added, “To the extent that right now, we have third force here, third force there. Whereas the third force expression was by one of the genuine opposition movements that is usually the professional hijackers that disrupted that particular kind of approach which is one of the reasons by the way why up till now the consensus candidate has not taken place simply because this reprobate hijacked the very notion of a third force. We know the background to it.

“All that matters is that an alternative emerges eventually and we in the Citizen Forum will back that alternative. We hope that the alternative will correspond through the individual we have identified as perhaps the best candidate of the lot.”

He recalled that successive governments had tried to hamstring the judiciary in many ways, stating that there was hardly any government in Nigeria dating back to the first republic that did not attempt to muzzle the judiciary in some ways.

He said, “Methods differ. That is all. Oh! Sorry there are one or two exceptions. I would say that one former head of state was an exception. He never tampered with the judiciary. All he did was to ignore them completely, including their decisions. And of course, he locked up individuals without trials people like the new Are Ona Kakanfo for months.”

On her part, Okei-Odumakin said the suspension of the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Walter Onnoghen, by President Muhammadu Buhari was a nullity.

She said, “If the rule of law is not obeyed, governors can wake up one day and do whatever they like. Finding an alternative to the rule of law is creating penkelemes.’’

Also, Falana who faulted the ex parte order used in removing Onnoghen, urged Nigerians to be mindful of the dangerous precedent where the Nigerian Bar Association would be mobilising for someone charged with serious graft and giving a dangerous impression that the person was a freedom fighter.

The lawyer further said “self-appointed defenders of the people” like Senate President Bukola Saraki set dangerous precedents in their former political posts.

In his speech, Aborisade said the CJN’s suspension was not a fight against corruption but an agenda to intimidate the judiciary in the coming elections.

Copyright PUNCH.

Emery Signs Suarez From Barcelona

Spain international Denis Suarez is joining us from Barcelona on loan for the remainder of the season.

The 25-year-old attacking midfielder is reunited with our head coach Unai Emery. He spent the 2014/15 season on loan with Sevilla, where he was part of the squad which won the 2015 Europa League.

Unai said: “We are very happy that Denis Suarez is joining us. He is a player we know well and I have worked with him at Sevilla. He brings us quality and options in many different attacking positions, so he’ll be able to help the team.”

The loan deal is subject to the completion of regulatory processes.

 Source: Arsenal Twitter handle

Hoodlums Attack Jimi Agbaje In Lagos

Hoodlums on Thursday attacked the campaign convoy of the Peoples Democratic Party governorship candidate in Lagos State, Mr Jimi Agbaje at Iba in Ojo, west of Lagos.

A News Agency of Nigeria political correspondent reports that the convoy had just left the palace of the Oniba of Iba, Oba Goriola Oseni when it came under ferocious attack.

The PDP governorship candidate had gone to the monarch to inform him of his plan to hold his campaign rally in the area later in the day before the incident.

As the convoy was driving out, hoodlums, numbering about 40, chased and threw stones at Agbaje’s vehicles.

This Ogun Man Raped His Daughter Despite Having 3 Wives To Satisfy Him Sexually

Man with three wives rapes daughter in Ogun.

The Ogun State Police Command, on Wednesday, announced that its operatives had arrested a 45-year-old man, Idowu Owolabi, for allegedly raping his 21-year-old daughter.

Owolabi, who has three wives, was accused of having carnal knowledge of his daughter since last year.

-Punch

Buhari Doles Out N91billion From Oil Proceeds For Establishment Of Grazing Reserves

Nigerian Government Approves N91billion For Grazing Reserves
The plan, according to government, is expected to gulp about N91billion in investments, while a profit of N2trillion is expected over the 10-year period.

The Nigerian government has initiated a 10-year National Livestock Transformation Plan (NLTP) as part of efforts to address clashes between herdsmen and farmers.

The plan, according to government, is expected to gulp about N91billion in investments, while a profit of N2trillion is expected over the 10-year period.

The first phase of the plan will take care of grazing reserves in each of the seven pilot states of Adamawa, Benue, Kaduna, Nasarawa, Plateau, Taraba, and Zamfara which have been affected by herdsmen/farmers clashes, with four ranches (small, intermediate, medium and large) in each grazing reserve.

According to the plan as reported by Daily Trust newspaper, ranchers and rearers will be encouraged to bring their cattle to a fattening site wherein the cattle will be fed so as to boost average weight from 200-250 kg to 450-500kg.

If done, livestock farmers are expected to recoup N350,000 per cow at the selling rate of N900 per kilogramme.

According to the plan, “funding would be provided to cover the cost of fattening. Once cattle are enrolled in the programme, the asset owner will sign an agreement with the lender to allow for all cattle to be sold at specified weight range.

“Upon sale, lender deducts the cost of fattening from realized value, and cattle owner keeps the remainder of profit, minimizing risk and upfront investment."

Sahara Reporters

I Will Do Anything Humanly Possible To Save Our Democracy, Obasanjo Vows

Former President Olusegun Obasanjo says he will do “everything humanly possible” to save Nigeria’s democracy.

Speaking during the launch of “Politics as Dashed Hopes in Nigeria”, written by Auwala Anwar, his former special assistant on federal capital territory administration (FCTA), in Abuja on Thursday, the former president said the world is watching how Nigeria will handle upcoming elections.

He also called on Nigerians to guard the nation’s democracy ahead of the general election.

“If we cherish democracy, we will all guard and protect our democracy. And that I believe is the main purpose of the book,” he said.

“I am in despair; our hope lies in democracy and good governance as one of the hallmarks of free fair and credible election.

“As for me, I will do everything humanly possible to safeguard democracy, with good governance for Nigeria and for all Nigerians.”

He added that he is happy most Nigerians are “rising up to their duties and responsibilities in guidance of our democracy.”

“Remember that if you stand aloof when evil is being perpetrated, you become an accomplice in the perpetuation of the evil,” he said.

‘QUALITY OF NIGERIAN POLITICIANS DETERIORATING’

Obasanjo said he agrees “the quality of politicians (in Nigeria) is deteriorating.”

“I also agree that money has become an unnecessary important aspect of our politics. And that the elites are not putting their act together,” he said.

“(But) I believe we have one thing that joins us together which is Nigeria’s nationality. I believe strongly that Nigeria should not be divided.”

Anwar, the author, said the book gives an insight into the activities of the Congress for Progressive Change (CPC) (which President  Muhammadu Buhari co-founded) started as “an article in a newspaper.”

“When the CPC went into crisis. There were committees set up … we created a code of conduct because we believed the principal problem of the CPC was indiscipline,” he said.

“It was not a normal political party. There were various segments including the owners, labourers and workers, and the slaves.

TheCable

Nigeria To Develop Para Sports

First vice-president of the newly inaugurated Nigeria Paralympic committee
DCP Anderson Bankole has revealed plans to help develop Nigeria’s Para sports sphere of dominance beyond two sports so as to increase Nigeria’s medal chances in international para-sports competitions.

Bankole speaking in a chat with www.brila.net said Nigeria’s para-athletes have been a source of major medal hopefuls for Nigeria, hence the need to expand Nigeria’s medal capabilities by ensuring that other para-sports Federations witness remarkable growth.

Nigeria’s para power athletes emerged as the overall medal winner at the just concluded International Para Powerlifters championship in Lagos with 20 Gold, 15 Silver and 7 Bronze.

BRILA

I Need A Man In My Life, I'm Done Dating Nigerian Men, Yvonne Nelson Declares

Ghanaian actress, Yvonne Nelson has promised never to date another Nigerian man after he relationship with Nigerian singer Iyanya failed.

The actress who finally opened up that she has broken up with her baby daddy, Jamie Roberts, made this known on a cooking show hosted by Yvonne Okoro, Dining with cooks and braggarts.

Yvonne Nelson stated that a post which she shared on social media stating that she needs a man was not responded to because people thought she was joking.

“You mean my post? No! No! No one reached out to me…maybe they don’t believe me. It is what it is. I am looking for one. In fact get me one in Ghana,” Yvonne Nelson said.

She went on to state that she is done with Nigerian men.

“As for Nigerian men I am done,” Yvonne Nelson added.

Yabaleft

Justice Abdul Aboki Refuses To Grant Olisa Metuh's Travel Request

The Appeal Court on Wednesday dismissed an application by a former spokesperson of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Olisa Metuh, on the refusal of the trial judge, Okon Abang, of the Abuja Division of the Federal High Court to allow him to travel abroad for medical treatment.

The appellate court, in a ruling on Wednesday, said the request and application brought by Mr Metuh and filed before it has “no substance”.

Mr Metuh is facing a seven-count charge before the high court for alleged diversion of N400 million from the office of the former National Security Adviser, Sambo Dasuki.

A travel request

The former PDP spokesperson had applied to be allowed to seek medical attention in the United Kingdom, lamenting that he has lost sensation in his lower limbs.

Mr Metuh said he was suffering from a spinal cord-related ailment.

His lawyer, Emeka Etiaba, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, told the court that Mr Metuh’s health had deteriorated badly, a situation he said would require urgent medical attention from his doctors in London.

He tendered as an exhibit, a letter from one Adrian T. H. Kasey, a Neurosurgeon at Wellington Hospital in London, which he said emphasised the need for Mr Metuh to be treated urgently.

Mr Metuh predicated his application on section 33(5) and 6(b) of the 1999 Constitution.

However, the trial judge, Okon Abang, turned down the request, insisting that the former PDP spokesperson failed to persuade the court that he was indeed suffering from a life-threatening ailment as he claimed.

Application not granted

But, a three-man panel ruling at the Appeal Court led by Abdul Aboki, a judge, said what the appellant had filed through his counsel has nothing in it.

“There is nothing before this court, no substance in the application filed by the appellant, the court is urged to dismiss the appellant’s application,” Mr Aboki said.

Similarly, the judge also dismissed an application bordering on the transfer of the case from the trial judge, based on bias.

According to Mr Aboki, “there is nothing before this court that shows that the trial court is biased.

“The appeal is without substance and is hereby dismissed.”

In his appeal marked CA/A/451C/2018, Mr Metuh said the trial judge “manifested obvious bias” against him by failing to exercise his discretion judicially and judiciously when he dismissed his application based on “imaginary facts”.

He told the appellate court that Mr Abang’s decision occasioned a grave miscarriage of justice against him.

He also complained that Mr Abang erred in law and misdirected the court by dismissing his application on unfounded claims that he has been employing delay tactics to frustrate proceedings.

He insisted that all the adjournments that were granted in the matter, were in accordance with provisions of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act and after due consideration of all the facts of the matter.

The appellant further complained that Mr Abang strayed from the application before the court, and accused him of acting a script, using illness to frustrate early conclusion of the trial and of having a hidden agenda.

Premium Times

Rohr Promotes Flying Eagles Players To Super Eagles

Flying Eagles goalkeeper Wale Oremade says the team was inspired by the presence of Super Eagles head Coach, Gernot Rohr, in their camp before the team’s departure to Niger.

Nigeria’s U20 men’s team will participate in the 2019 Africa U20 Cup of Nations and the players have been assured that standout performers at the competition will be handed senior team invites, by Rohr.

Wale, who is one of three goalkeepers selected by Coach Paul Aigbogun in told brila.net on the eve of their departure that the German urged the team to also play as a team and ensure they help Nigeria qualify for the FIFA U20 World Cup in Poland.

BRILA

Hotel Staff Kill Owner, Manager In Lagos

The owner of Etashol Hotel and Suites, located on Budland Street in the Ojodu Berger area of Lagos State, Mrs Abimbola Olusola, and the manager, Tunji Omikunle, have been murdered.

PUNCH Metro gathered that the deceased were drugged, tied up and strangled by a gang that included some workers at the hotel.

Olusola, who had lived in London, the United Kingdom, for 35 years, was said to have returned to Nigeria recently and opened the hotel for business in March 2018.

Our correspondent learnt that the 56-year-old had issues with some of the workers, who allegedly defrauded the hotel of millions of naira.

Two of the workers were reportedly sacked after the police were invited to look into the matter.



555 5' 

FEATURED
Hotel workers kill London returnee-owner, manager in Lagos
Published
January 31, 2019
Samson Folarin

The owner of Etashol Hotel and Suites, located on Budland Street in the Ojodu Berger area of Lagos State, Mrs Abimbola Olusola, and the manager, Tunji Omikunle, have been murdered.

PUNCH Metro gathered that the deceased were drugged, tied up and strangled by a gang that included some workers at the hotel.


Olusola, who had lived in London, the United Kingdom, for 35 years, was said to have returned to Nigeria recently and opened the hotel for business in March 2018.

Our correspondent learnt that the 56-year-old had issues with some of the workers, who allegedly defrauded the hotel of millions of naira.

Two of the workers were reportedly sacked after the police were invited to look into the matter.


Last week Thursday, a gang said to have consisted some of the sacked workers and some still in the employment of the hotel, allegedly conspired among themselves and drugged Olusola and Tunji.

They allegedly deactivated the Closed Circuit Television cameras on the premises, dragged the manager into a toilet, where his hands and feet were tied.

Our correspondent learnt that Tunji was strangled, after which the suspects proceeded to Olusola’s room and strangled her too.

Relatives of the deceased told our correspondent that the suspects fled the hotel, as family members met the lifeless bodies of the victims in the hotel.

The case was reported at the Ojodu Abiodun Police Station.




555 5' 

FEATURED
Hotel workers kill London returnee-owner, manager in Lagos
Published
January 31, 2019
Samson Folarin

The owner of Etashol Hotel and Suites, located on Budland Street in the Ojodu Berger area of Lagos State, Mrs Abimbola Olusola, and the manager, Tunji Omikunle, have been murdered.

PUNCH Metro gathered that the deceased were drugged, tied up and strangled by a gang that included some workers at the hotel.


Olusola, who had lived in London, the United Kingdom, for 35 years, was said to have returned to Nigeria recently and opened the hotel for business in March 2018.

Our correspondent learnt that the 56-year-old had issues with some of the workers, who allegedly defrauded the hotel of millions of naira.

Two of the workers were reportedly sacked after the police were invited to look into the matter.


Last week Thursday, a gang said to have consisted some of the sacked workers and some still in the employment of the hotel, allegedly conspired among themselves and drugged Olusola and Tunji.

They allegedly deactivated the Closed Circuit Television cameras on the premises, dragged the manager into a toilet, where his hands and feet were tied.

Our correspondent learnt that Tunji was strangled, after which the suspects proceeded to Olusola’s room and strangled her too.

Relatives of the deceased told our correspondent that the suspects fled the hotel, as family members met the lifeless bodies of the victims in the hotel.

The case was reported at the Ojodu Abiodun Police Station.


A family member of the late businesswoman, who asked not to be named, said Olusola was planning to lease out the hotel and return to London when tragedy struck.

She said, “The incident happened on Thursday night cum Friday morning. I was called that my sister had been murdered by the boys working for her in the hotel.

Punch

Unlike Buhari, Atiku Admits He Would Concede Defeat If He Loses

Atiku Abubakar, the presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, has said he would concede defeat if he loses the 2019 elections, provided the exercise is adjudged free and fair.

Mr Abubakar said he has conceded defeat when he lost before and does not see why this should be an outlier.

Mr Abubakar appeared on ‘TheCandidates’ a televised town hall hosted by journalist Kadaria Ahmed on NTA Wednesday night. Peter Obi, his running mate appeared with him.

Mr Abubakar is the main challenger to President Muhammadu Buhari at the presidential elections scheduled for February 16.

The opposition candidate’s response appeared starkly different from the one offered by Mr Buhari when he was asked the same question when he appeared on an earlier instalment of the programme earlier this month.

Ms Ahmed asked Mr Buhari whether he would concede, but rather than say categorically whether or not he would, the president gave a response that was widely deemed non-committal.

Although he made reference to his previous presidential election losses, he insisted those happened because he was cheated, and not because citizens did not vote for him

Premium Times

Arsenal Close To Sealing Carrasco Deal

Arsenal have reportedly turned to Yannick Carrasco as they look for a new wide man after being frustrated in their bid to sign Ivan Perisic from Inter Milan.

According to Sky in Italy, the Gunners are in talks with Dalian Yifang about Carrasco, who moved to the Chinese Super League club from Atletico Madrid in February 2018.

Arsenal looked well set to sign Perisic after the Croatian handed in a transfer request at Inter.

But the clubs reached an impasse as Inter wanted to sell the 29-year-old permanently, whereas Arsenal where only willing to sign him in the summer after an initial loan period, per Libero.

His move to China came after he fell out of favour under Atletico manager Diego Simeone, and he returned seven goals and five assists in 25 appearances in his debut Chinese Super League season.

Carrasco mainly operates on the left flank, although he can also play as a striker.

He would arguably be a more risky signing than Perisic, who has proved his quality in previous stops in Germany and on the international stage.

Many Arsenal fans will likely be skeptical if the Gunners sign a player who has been plying his trade in China.

But there is a precedent for players returning to Europe after a stint in the Chinese Super League and excelling. The most notable example would be Axel Witsel, who has been crucial for Bundesliga leaders Borussia Dortmund this season after joining from Tianjin Quanjian in August.

Brila

Campaign Gimmick? EFCC Finally Charges Babachir To Court

The charges were filed at a high court in the federal capital territory (FCT).

Charged alongside Lawal were Hamidu David Lawal; Sulaiman Abubakar; Apeh Monday; Rholavision Engineering Limited and Josmon Technologies Limited.

The development comes one week after Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo said President Muhammadu Buhari had prevailed on anti-corruption agencies to prepare criminal charges against Lawal, who was accused of misappropriating money meant for the displaced victims of insurgency.

Buhari had sacked Lawal on October 31, 2017, following his indictment by a senate committee which investigated how millions of emergency funds were unaccounted for.

The president also sacked Ayodele Oke, former director-general of the National Intelligence Agency (NIA), over huge sums of money was found in an apartment in Ikoyi, Lagos in April 2017.

More to follow…

TheCable

Tonye Cole Leads Armed Thugs To Beat Up Port Harcourt NBA Chairman

Sacked Rivers State APC Governorship Candidate, Mr Tonye Cole and the sacked Factional Rivers State APC South-East Senatorial District, Oji Ngofa on Wednesday led armed thugs  to invade the premises of the Court of Appeal, Port Harcourt Division, where they beat the Port Harcourt NBA  Chairman , Mr Sylvester Adaka to a pulp.

The Factional Rivers State APC thugs in company of Cole and Ngofa also manhandled  several lawyers on ground to enforce the NBA order for legal practitioners  to boycott courts for two days.

The lawyers were in court over the directive of the NBA for all lawyers to boycott  courts over the illegal  removal of the CJN by outgoing President Muhammadu Buhari.

On Wednesday, officials of the Port Harcourt Branch of the NBA moved from court to court to enforce the NBA order.  On sighting them, the APC leaders unleashed their thugs and disrupted the process.

Inside the court, five of APC matters were listed for mention. In one of the matters, the APC sought for stay of execution on the judgment of Justice Kolawole Omotosho of the Federal High Court, Port Harcourt.

Lawyer to Senator Magnus Abe and others, Henry Bello asked the court to adjourn the matter in view of the NBA order to lawyers over the illegal removal of the CJN  .

Counsel to PDP, Chief Godwin Obla (SAN) also urged the court to adjourn the matter due to the directive of the NBA.

Presiding Judge, Justice Gumel said he would not respect the NBA Directive. It was at this point that the Port Harcourt NBA officials  attempted to explain the need for adjournment to the court, before they were dragged out by Cole's thugs and beaten up in the presence of the Sacked Rivers State APC Governorship Candidate.

Pro-Ambode Protesters Storm Lagos House Of Assembly

A group of protesters on Wednesday stormed the Lagos State House of Assembly to protest against the planned impeachment of the state Governor, Akinwunmi Ambode.

The men and women, who carried banners with inscriptions of their agitations, said the removal of Ambode would disrupt the peaceful conduct of the general elections.

They asked the lawmakers to allow the governor complete his tenure.

The Assembly had accused the governor of gross misconduct and illegally spending from the 2019 budget, which had yet to be approved.

They had given the governor seven days to defend the allegations or risk impeachment.

Police vans were mounted at the entrance to the Assembly on Wednesday, as the protesters stood outside, singing solidarity songs.

Punch

Two Feared Dead As Tanker Explodes In Lagos

A tanker laden with fuel exploded along the Lagos-Badagry Expressway on Wednesday, killing two and causing traffic gridlock.

Several vehicles were reportedly burnt in the inferno.

The truck which was heading to an undisclosed petrol station reportedly fell in the early hours of Wednesday at Barracks Bus Stop.

Details shortly

The Nation 

Vote Me For President, Vote Candidates Of Your Choice In Other Elections, Buhari To Imo APC

President Muhammadu Buhari on Tuesday urged the people of Imo State to vote for candidates of their choice.

Buhari spoke at the All Progressives Congress’ presidential campaign rally held at the Dan Anyiam Stadium in Owerri, the state capital.

He countered the party’s National Chairman, Adams Oshiomhole, who had earlier asked the APC members to vote for the party’s governorship candidate, Hope Uzodinma.

“You can vote for whosoever you want. Do not allow intra or inter-party affairs stop you from voting for the candidates of your choice,” Buhari said.

Oshiomhole had earlier boasted that the APC did not need the support of the Action Alliance to deliver votes for Buhari in the state.

“Let me make it clear that the APC is not in alliance with any party. We have the power to deliver the President.

“You should vote for Uzodinma as our governorship candidate. Don’t be deceived by anybody. The APC will win in Imo State,” he said.

Punch

People Of The World Talk A Lot, Please Leave Me Alone, Celine Dion Cries Out

Iconic singer, Celine Dion has been forced to reply those criticizing her ‘slimmer figure including addressing her latest style of fashion and her relationship with her ‘handsome toyboy’ Pepe Munoz.

The 50-year-old Canadian singer spoke with The Sun in a recent interview and told her critics to leave her alone.

She said: ‘If I like it, I don’t want to talk about it. Don’t bother. Don’t take a picture. If you like it, I’ll be there. If you don’t, leave me alone.’

On her style of fashion, she said: ‘It [an interest in fashion] has always been part of me, but the way we used to work before was maybe more conservative.

‘If now I have an opportunity to wear haute couture and the things that make me feel beautiful, strong, fearless, feminine attractive… even if it was just for me. You cannot please everyone all of the time.’

Also addressing her relationship with her ‘handsome toyboy’ Pepe Munoz, a Spanish backing dancer, the mother of three who lost her husband Rene Angelil to Cancer and the age of 73 said:

She said: ‘Yeah, there’s another man in my life, but not THE man in my life. We bonded right away as friends, it evolved… but let’s not mix everything.

Here is what Celine Dion has to say about those criticising her slimmer figure as she finally addresses relationship with her

‘I don’t mind (the reports) because he’s handsome and he’s my best friend. When I say I am single, please leave me alone.’

‘We’re best friends. Of course, we hug and hold hands and go out, so people see that. I mean, he’s giving me his hand to go out.’

YabaLeft

Nigeria In Hard Times Under Buhari, We Need To pray - Sultan Of Sokoto

Sultan says Nigeria in hard times, urges Muslims to pray
Published
January 30, 2019
Godwin Isenyo, Kaduna

The leadership of the Jama’atu Nasril Islam headed by the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Abubakar Sa’ad lll, on Tuesday cautioned Nigerian politicians against making hate speech ahead of the general elections.

The religious group also called on the Muslim community to pray for hitch-free elections in the country.

The JNI Secretary-General, Dr Khalid Aliyu, in a statement on behalf of the Sultan, noted that the country had fallen into hard times and required prayers of all Muslims.

JNI said, “Therefore, to Muslims, Du’a (prayers) is paramount in all circumstances of our lives, most especially in trying times like what we are witnessing daily in Nigeria today as a result of political permutations resulting in grave uncertainties towards the forthcoming 2019 general elections commencing in February.

“The call for prayer has inexorably become necessary because nothing is as honourable before Allah as prayer. For whoever to whom the door of prayer is open will have his prayers answered.

“Thus, Jama’atu Nasril Islam, under the leadership of His Eminence, Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar, CFR, mni, the Sultan of Sokoto and President-General, JNI, uses this medium to call on the Nigerian Muslim Ummah to engage in fervent prayers considering the fact that the 2019 general elections are around the corner.

“This call has become imperative bearing in mind that as Muslims, supplications to Allah, the Almighty, is the nucleus of worship, and there is nothing that is dearer to Allah than invocation. It is also the most honourable thing before Him, the Most High, and a surest way to obtaining requests put before Him.

“Hence, Muslims are implored to frequently engage in Du’a, especially for the seemingly palpable fear and anxiety from some quarters towards a resentful-free 2019 general elections.”

Punch

Sanusi Mohammed Expels Esther Edet For Not Reciting National Anthem

A Nigerian female athlete Esther Edet has been expelled from the ongoing 19th Nigerian Colleges of Education Games (NICEGA) at the Federal College of Education, Obudu, Cross River State for not reciting the Nigeria national anthem.

“All participants must obey the rules and play by them. Any athlete who goes contrary to the regulations of the Games will be shown the way out. And that is why I am expelling this participant for her attitude and disposition when the national anthem was playing,” NICEGA president, Sanusi Mohammed said after expelling Edet.

Mohammed said such an attitude would not be permitted in a national sporting event.

He noted that Edet’s expulsion from the competition “will serve as a deterrent to others to always obey the rules of the game.”

The Provost, Federal College of Education, Obudu, James Ejue, urged the athletes to abide by the rules.

“If you are a disciplined sportsman or woman, you must be a disciplined person who abhors violence, cheating, drug abuse and cultism. In this competition, there must be winners and losers,” Ejue said.

Nigeria’s education minister Adamu Adamu, who was represented by the vice chancellor of the University of Calabar, Prof. Zana Akpagu, said sports have always served as a tool for national unity.

“Sports from ancient times has always provided the right atmosphere through which people of all races, colours and tribes gather together to foster friendship, peace and unity as well as boost their economy because of the massive economic activities it generates,” Adamu said.

Guardian

Poor Family Marry Off Their Underage Daughter To Mentally Deranged Old Man From A Rich Family

A Facebook user with the name Chibuzor Ikeh has alleged that a sick man from a rich family married an underage girl from a poor family.

She wrote

This is totally bad.
I never knew that this kind nonsense is still happening in Igboland.
This girl is too small for this kind of rubbish. In fact this is uncalled for.

This man in the picture carrying this girl on his leg is by name Izuchukwu Igwilo from the well known very rich Igwilo family in Ozubulu Anambra State. The man himself "Izuchukwu" is mentally unbalance. He is suffering from demented brain. He is not normal and at the same time he is a drunkard, and he will be at least 56 years old. Now his family wants to marry a wife for him and they got this small girl for him. A 16 years old girl, This girl is from a very poor family... POVERTY IS A VERY BIG BASTARD ...,

The family of this small girl did not waste time to hand over their daughter to Izu's family just because the Igwilo family are very rich. This girl is under age for Heaven sake.

This is completely evil. Yes a big evil because Izu will not be the one to be servicing this girl because he can not do anything. This girl will turn to a sex slave to that family and the community ( Everybody will just be collecting their own share)
Devil shame on you.

I know that they brainwashed this girls family that the girl will take care of Izu's large share of land's and other properties, but that will not make them to destroy this little girls future.

I Go To Bed And Wake Up Thinking About Nigerians And Not My Cows - Buhari

The president stated this on Monday at the closing ceremony of a workshop on voter education organised by the All Progressives Congress directorate of election planning and monitoring.

Buhari said his administration has no free money to give to everybody but it will continue to provide infrastructural facilities to all parts of the country with the meager resources available.

President Buhari pledged that the APC-led administration will continue to build more roads, rail lines and provide more power for speedy transformation of the country.

He, therefore, charged participants of the workshop to convince ordinary voters on the need to vote APC in the forthcoming election.

Buhari said: “Please try and convince our ordinary voters for the sacrifice they are making that as far as this system is concerned we are all the same because I have one vote each.

“Let them feel they are important enough as Nigerian citizens. Therefore, we need their support and cooperation, let them come and vote for us.

“We don’t have money to give everybody. We will use the money for the provision of infrastructure – we will try and do your roads, we will try and do the rail and we will improve on power.

“I assure you that I go to bed and wake up thinking about Nigerians and Nigeria not my cows.”

President Buhari, who expressed optimism that the APC would emerge victorious in the general election, said the results of the recent bye-elections conducted in Edo, Ondo, Osun and Ekiti had further boosted his morale.

He said: “The bye-elections in Kogi and Rivers were disastrous under the former party leadership as people were killed, properties lost and I as the President was very uncomfortable and unhappy.

“But the elections in Edo and Ondo partially resuscitated my morale because we won those elections.

“And then of course, subsequently we have virtually been winning all bye-elections – Ekiti and Osun and so on.

“This is done not because merely we are in power but because we decided to rebuild the party from bottom upwards so that people that represent the party and members of the party at each constituency will know whom they would trust for nomination as their representatives at local, state and federal levels.

“These are not there by accident. We sat and planned them at the hierarchy of the party and I’m very pleased you are here representing all the constituencies in the country.

“We have no other interest than to serve this country and to serve our people.”

TheCable

Despite Anti Corruption Noise, Nigeria Is Still Corrupt As Before, Transparency International Says In New Report

Nigeria is still perceived as a country deep in corruption without clear policies to address the menace, Transparency International said on Tuesday.

The anti-corruption campaigner released its 2018 Corruptions Perceptions Index (CPI) Tuesday, finding Nigeria has “neither improved nor progressed in the perception of corruption in the public administration in 2018.”

The Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre (CISLAC), Transparency International Chapter in Nigeria, said in a Tuesday morning statement to PREMIUM TIMES that “Nigeria scored 27 out of 100 points in the 2018 CPI, maintaining the same score as in the 2017 CPI.”

In the country comparison, Nigeria ranks 144 out of 180 countries this year as opposed to 148 out of 180 countries in the 2017 CPI, the group added. Nigeria is thus still perceived as highly corrupt, and although the ranking shows that Nigeria moved up four (4) places, it only means that four other countries have scored worse while Nigeria stagnated.

The Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI) aggregates data from a number of different sources that provide perceptions by the business community and country experts of the level of corruption in the public sector.

The report may receive another knock from the Nigerian government, which often castigated past reports of the organisation. President Muhammadu Buhari dismissed the 2017 findings of Transparency International, suggesting that the group’s findings were politically-motivated to deface his administration.

The president said his administration has done creditably well in stamping out corruption in the country, especially through its much publicised anti-corruption drive that has seen several politicians associated with the last administration of Goodluck Jonathan arrested.

Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, however, took a different approach to the 2017 report, which was released in February 2018, saying the government had taken it in good faith and would work to improve on its corruption perception by adopting some of the recommendations.

Transparency International, however, rejected allegations of bias in compiling its report, saying it follows strict aggregation standards which had earned it tremendous credibility amongst countries across the world in its 25 years.

In the case of Nigeria, the composite score consists of sources which include:

1. African Development Bank Perception Survey,

2. Bertelsmann Foundation Transformation Index,

3. Economist Intelligence Unit Country Ratings,

4. PRS International Country Risk Guide,

5. World Bank Corruption Perception Assessment,

6. the World Economic Forum Executive Opinion Survey;

7. World Justice Project Rule of Law Index and

8. Varieties of Democracy Project.

“All are impartial, well-respected, statistically significant and evidence-based sources,” the group said.

Transparency International in its 2017 report identified public procurement fraud as constituting a large chunk of corruption in public service and recommended immediate constitution of public procurement council as one of the ways to address the menace.

Some top administration officials responded by promising to establish the council promptly as recommended by the Public Procurement Act 2007. Over a year on, however, the council has not been constituted, and procurement remained enmeshed in suspected fraud.

In December 2017, shortly before Transparency International published its report, PREMIUM TIMES reported that Mr Buhari has followed his predecessors in violating the procurement law by failing to constitute the council and allowing non-transparent contracts to pass through.

The presidency, in a statement by Garba Shehu, replied at the time, claiming the committee was being constituted and would kick off within weeks, a claim that turned out false.

Transparency International’s Nigerian arm, CISLAC, strongly believed that eliminating corruption from public service would propel Nigeria’s economic standing amongst the rest of the world.

In its latest statement, CISLAC repeated some of its past antidotes for corruption as follows:

– Strengthening the institutions responsible for maintaining checks and balances over political power, and ensuring their ability to operate without intimidation.

– Closing the implementation gap between anti-corruption legislation, practice and enforcement.

– Supporting civil society organisations which enhance political engagement and public oversight over government spending, particularly at the state and local level.

– Supporting a free and independent media, ensuring the safety of journalists and their ability to work without intimidation or harassment.

Premium Times

Ojukwu Was A Failed Hero Who Led His People To Death, Says El-Rufai's Son

Bashir, son of Governor Nasir el-Rufai of Kaduna State, says the leader of the defunct Biafran Republic, Dim Chukwuemeka Ojukwu, was a failed hero.

Bashir said this in a Twitter post while reacting to a comment by one of his followers.

The governor’s son had said Enugu State was the homeland of Ojukwu instead of Nnewi in  Anambra State

However, when his error was brought to his notice, rather than apologising, Bashir said, “Knowing your failed hero’s homeland that plunged misguided idiots into a civil war and ran away is not my concern. You do your research and find out his hometown.

“I could care less for the man. And he will forever remain a dent in our history.”


When the follower reacted by saying Ojukwu would remain greater than Governor el-Rufai, who kneels down to greet the President and others, Bashir said Ojukwu was a fearful man who ran away when the Nigerian forces were closing in on him.

He added, “Don’t cry please. Your hero was a failure that ran away when he saw imminent defeat. Get out of here.”

 The governor, like his son, is not new to controversy.

El-Rufai last week said over 60 per cent of Christians in Southern Kaduna would not vote for him and this was one of the reasons he decided to pick a Muslim running mate.

He also made a mockery of a photograph of President Goodluck Jonathan kneeling down to pray on a pilgrimage in Jerusalem in 2013.

The governor has also been criticised many times by the Christian Association of Nigeria,  especially when he made some remarks about Jesus Christ,  which many found appalling in January 2013.

The sarcastic post, which many Nigerians, especially Christians, took offence at,  was directed at defending a former Education minister, Mrs Oby Ezekwesili, and attacking the  Minister of Information, Labaran Maku; Special Assistant to the President on Public Affairs Dr Doyin Okupe; and Presidential Adviser on Media and Publicity, Dr Reuben Abati.

He wrote, “If Jesus criticises Jonathan’s government, Maku, Abati or Okupe will say that he slept with Mary Magdalene.

Punch

A Wolf In Sheep Clothing

 Agbada Changeth Not Khaki Uniform, By Ken Tadaferua

It is a long, long road for Nigeria. The wolf in sheep clothing is still a wolf. The tin hat who removes khaki uniform for civilian agbada is still a tin hat.

The philosopher, George Santayana enunciated the evergreen truism: “Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it.” Many a Nigerian seem never to remember the past. It is a penchant that results in horrible consequences.

Nigeria’s political history is replete with coup-plotting army generals who exploit corruption and seeming frustration with court and legal processes as justification for truncating democracy and contriving legitimacy for dictatorships that they impose on the country. Again and again, each dictatorship delivers worse corruption, impunity and terrible governance. Yet, some citizens, blind to these lessons of history, applaud the disdainful truncating of democratic processes, till this day.

To put this in perspective, let’s look at excerpts of two speeches made 25 years apart, by army generals – Ibrahim Babangida on June 12, 1993 and Muhammadu Buhari on January 25, 2019. Get the full speeches and take note of the generals’ references to corruption and impatience with court processes. Yet, the irony is that they exploit contrived court rulings to murder democracy. Read and ponder:

* Excerpts from the speech by General Ibrahim Badamosi Babangida on June 12, 1993 to annul the 1993 presidential election won by Chief MKO Abiola:

“It is against the foregoing background that the administration became highly concerned when these political conflicts and breaches were carried to the court. It must be acknowledged that the performance of the judiciary on this occasion was less than satisfactory. The judiciary has been the bastion of the hopes and liberties of our citizens.

“It was under this circumstance that the National Defence and Security Council decided that it is in the supreme interest of law and order, political stability and peace that the presidential election be annulled.”


“Therefore, when it became clear that the courts had become intimidated and subjected to the manipulation of the political process, and vested interests, then the entire political system was in clear danger. This administration could not continue to watch the various high courts carry on their long drawn out processes and contradictory decisions, while the nation slides into chaos.

“It was under this circumstance that the National Defence and Security Council decided that it is in the supreme interest of law and order, political stability and peace that the presidential election be annulled.”

* Excerpts from the speech by General Muhammadu Buhari on January 25, 2019 to suspend the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Walter Onnoghen, head of one of the three arms of government:

“Instead, the nation has been treated to the sordid spectacle of a judicial game of wits in which the chief justice of Nigeria and his legal team have made nonsense of the efforts of the Code of Conduct Tribunal to hear the allegation on merit and conclude the trial as quickly as possible considering the nature of the times in which we live.

“It is against this background that I have received the Order of the Code of Conduct Tribunal directing me to suspend the chief justice pending final determination of the cases against him. It also explains why I am not only complying immediately, but with some degree of relief for the battered sensibilities of ordinary Nigerians whose patience must have become severely over-taxed by these anomalies.

“In line with this administration’s avowed respect for the rule of law, I have wholeheartedly obeyed the Order of the Code of Conduct Tribunal dated 23rd January 2019.”


“In line with this administration’s avowed respect for the rule of law, I have wholeheartedly obeyed the Order of the Code of Conduct Tribunal dated 23rd January 2019.

“Accordingly, I hereby suspend the Honourable Mr. Justice Walter Nkanu Samuel Onnoghen, GCON as the Chief Justice of Nigeria pending final determination of the case against him at the Code of Conduct Tribunal.”

Note that both the supposed court order which annulled the 1993 presidential election and Code of Conduct Tribunal order that suspended the CJN were not given in open court but were concoctions brewed and obtained under the sulfuric stench of judicial banditry. Worse, Danladi Umar, the CCT chairman who ordered the suspension, is himself facing corruption charges in court for receiving bribes.

It is a long, long road for Nigeria. The wolf in sheep clothing is still a wolf. The tin hat who removes khaki uniform for civilian agbada is still a tin hat.

Ken Tadaferua is a media and marketing communications consultant. Twitter: @ktadaferua

Premium Times

Iwobi Was At Davido's Music Concert With His Girlfriend Two Days After Arsenal Crashed Out Of FA Cup

Super Eagles and Arsenal forward, Alex Iwobi, was one of top celebrities who graced Nigeria music superstar Davido sold out concert at O2 arena in London few after his club got eliminated from the English FA Cup.

Iwobi, who saw 64 minutes action in Gunners’s 3-1 defeat to inform Manchester United on Friday was spotted at the 02 arena alongside his younger sister enjoying every bit of the concert.

Chuka Iwobi, Father of the Arsenal superstar shared the picture of his son along with pop star at back stage .

“Alex and Younger Sister – Chilling at the Davido Concert in London.” Chuka Iwobi captioned the pictures.

Iwobi wasn’t the only top star to attend the show , Hollywood star Idris Elba and Super Model Naomi Campbell was also present.

Iwobi is enjoying his best run of games with Arsenal this season as he has benefited from Unai Emery rotation policy of the forward.

Arsenal are currently fifth on English Premier League log, will be welcoming Cardiff City on Tuesday night.

BRILA

Sisters Please Don't Listen To Men, I was Used And Dumped By Men - Nollywood Feminist

Curvy Nollywood actress, Uche Ogbodo has shared how she was used and dumped by men when she was a bit younger in a new interview with Inside Nollywood.

Uche Ogbodo shares

According to her, ten years ago, she was an innocent young girl that was easily manipulated – she was desperate for love and her desperation got her used and dumped.

In her own words,

About 10 years ago, I was that innocent young woman who was misunderstood by everyone. I was desperate for love but was used, played, broken and shattered at some point. But today I stand tall. I know who I am and what I want. I have found self-love and fulfillment and I am no longer desperate for nothing. I give love as much as I have. I’ve finally found myself.

To the young ones out there, you have permission to walk away from anything that doesn’t feel right. Trust your instincts and listen to your inner voice. It’s trying to protect you. Create in your mind a vision of what you want and never take your eyes away from it, then the universe will cooperate with you.

YabaLeft

Despite Campaigning For Somebody He Called A Madman, Lagos Lawmakers Move To Impeach Ambode

The Lagos State House of Assembly on Monday threatened to impeach Governor Akinwunmi Ambode for allegedly spending funds which were not appropriated for.

The Assembly subsequently asked Ambode to appear before it within one week over the 2019 budget, which has caused disagreement between the two arms of government.

Ambode had sent the 2019 budget to the House in December against the tradition of laying the budget before the House.

The Speaker of the House, Mudashiru Obasa, told the lawmakers that it was important to give the governor a fair hearing over the issue.

He said the governor’s action was in violation of the constitution.

Obasa said, “The attorney general, finance commissioner and commissioner for budget and economic planning that ought to have advised the governor did not do so.

Punch

Don't Pass New Minimum Wage Bill, Gov Yari Begs NASS

The Zamfara State Governor, Abubakar Yari, has warned the National Assembly against passing a new National Minimum Wage that would be difficult for states to pay.

Mr Yari, who is the Chairman, Nigerian Governors Forum, issued the warning in an interview with journalists on the sidelines of the public hearing on new National Minimum Wage bill on Monday in Abuja.

The News Agency of Nigeria, (NAN) recalls that the organised labour leaders had rejected the approved N27,000 by the National Council of State, demanding N30,000 as a new minimum wage.

Reacting to the demand of organised labour, Mr Yari said that the demand for N30,000 as the new minimum was not realistic.

According to him, only Lagos State can afford that N30,000 as minimum wage, not even Rivers can pay that much.

He said that leaders must tell themselves the truth and not pass figures that would be difficult to implement in the field.

Premium Times

6 Disturbing Findings About Buhari's CJN

There Are Things You Need To Know. Our Aim ls To inform. Now , Pay Attention.

This is ur New CJN, Mohammed Tanko.

Do You Know He ls A Sharia Judge ?? He Has PhD ln Sharia Law. This Means That He Has No Business ln Constitutional Law Which Governs The Nigerian State. That aside.

Do You Know The lmposed CJN Mohammed Tanko, Did Not Publicly Declare His Assets Before His Swearing-ln [ l Stand To Be Corrected]. Till Now, Nobody Talks About That. That Aside.

Do You Know That Justice Salami Was Removed By Previous Administration Following a Duly Processed Recommendations By The NJC [To Those Making Reference To Salami]

Do You Know That The NJC and The Two-Third Majority ln The Senate Are The Two Bodies Who Has Power To Remove The CJN ??

Do You Know There Are Three Judges Presiding Over CCT? Only One Of them Named Dan Umar Recommended The Removal of The Former CJN. When Did One Person Among Three Become The Majority ??

Do You Know The CCT Judge, Dan Umar , That Recommended Onnoghen's Removal Has A Pending Case Of Bribery  With EFCC To The Tune Of Over One Hundred Million Naira? Yet , lnstead Of Being Removed By The Buhari-led Govt That Claims To Fight Corruption, The Same Judge ls The One Recommending Other Judges' Removal.

Nigerians, How Do We Reconcile All This??

The Republican News

Breaking: Tribunal Affirms Fayemi's Election

Election Tribunal sitting in Abuja has unanimously struck out the case of the Peoples Democratic Party Governorship candidate in Ekiti State, Olusola Eleka and upheld Dr Kayode Fayemi of the APC as a duly elected governor of the state.

Details soon.

Fomer Governor, Dariye Makes APC Campaign Council List Right From Prison

The All Progressives Congress (APC) has appointed a former governor of Plateau State, Joshua Dariye, as a member of the campaign council for the re-election of Governor Simon Lalong.

Mr Dariye is currently serving a jail term at the Kuje prison over graft. He was in June 2018 sentenced to 14 years in prison by an Abuja high court for stealing Plateau funds while in office. The court of appeal in Abuja subsequently reduced the jail term to 10 years.

Mr Dariye, representing Plateau central in the Senate, was jailed after being found guilty of diverting N1.7 billion state ecological fund when he was governor between 1999 and 2007.

Curious Appointment

The appointment of Mr Dariye was announced in a statement issued by the Plateau State Commissioner for Information and Communication, Yakubu Dati.

It is not clear how Mr Dariye who is in jail is expected to campaign for the re-election of Mr Lalong ahead of the March 2 governorship polls.

Despite his conviction, the former governor is still influential in the Plateau State politics, especially in the central senatorial district.

Meanwhile, Mark Longyn, a special assistant on media to the governor spoke on the reason for the appointment.

“There’s actually nothing wrong in the party’s inclusion of former Governor Dariye’s name in the list. For one, Dariye has appealed his conviction and who knows if the Supreme Court would upturn the judgment of the lower court tomorrow and free him to join in the campaign?” he said.

“Besides, politics is local and the former governor remains a great political asset in Plateau State today. Even while in custody, Dariye has a right to appeal his conviction, which he has exercised, and is eagerly awaiting its positive outcome. Don’t forget that his seat in the National Assembly is still intact for same reason,” he added.

He said Mr Dariye’s political influence remains unmatched by any former governor of the state alive today.

“You see, If Dariye were to contest any elective position in Plateau State against any opponent today he would win with a landslide.

“It is on record in this country that Senator Iyiola Omisore and ex-Abia Governor Orji won elections while in custody. People should understand that the hullabaloo over the inclusion of Dariye’s name is simply the handiwork of opposition elements seeking to make a mountain out of an anthill,” Mr Longyn added.

Premium Times

Amina Zakari Will Not Have Anything To Do With Collation, INEC Boss Reassures Obasanjo, International Community

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has excluded its National Commissioners, including the widely criticized Amina Zakari, from the collation of presidential poll results.

The commission also revealed its plans to provide unrestricted access to accredited observers, civil society organisations and the media into the situation room.

The electoral umpire made the decision to show its commitment to a transparent election. However, the move is not unconnected with the stiff opposition the commision received for appointing Amina Zakari as part of the collation panel.

Opposition parties and CSOs claimed Zakari, being a relative to the President, is bound to be compromised.

A source close to INEC authorities said the Resident Electoral Commissioners have no business with collation of results.

The source said: “No National Commissioner is in charge of collation of presidential poll results. It is true that there is what is called Collation Centre but it is separate from the Collation Secretariat, which is responsible for the collation of results.

”No National Commissioner will be appointed into the Secretariat Committee. So, Hajiya Amina Zakari or any National Commissioner does not have anything to do with the collation of results.”

“Related to the Collation Centre is our Situation Room. The international observers and other stakeholders want us to open up the Situation Room.

”The commission met on Saturday and decided that we will grant visitation rights to accredited observers, civil society organisations and the media.

”Observers might not be allowed to see all things but they can come in and out of the Situation Room. The greatest thing INEC has done with this is openness.”

Also speaking on the preparations for the the general elections, the source said: “Our plans are on course, we are happy with the speed.

”We are almost through with the engagement of ad hoc staff. In most cases, we recruit from the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) but the irony is that we do not have enough corps members.

“We will recruit students in final year or penultimate year in the universities where there is shortfall. We have established portals for the recruitment of ad hoc staff and as at Saturday, one million (1m) Nigerians have applied.”

The source also allayed fears that Card Readers can either be cloned or pre-loaded.

“It is impossible to compromise Card Readers or pre-load the cards. We have enhanced the cards, we have increased the memory of every card and we have increased the capacity of the battery of each card,” he added.

”Nobody on the field can tamper with any card reader because you have to break the seal.

Meanwhile, in less than 20 days to the general elections, INEC is still grappling with 639 court cases, arising from party primaries.

Following Police Officers Refusal, Nigerian Govt Sends Women To Fight Boko Haram

The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has deployed airwomen and female air officers, known as Women of War, for military operations in the North-east.

The female military personnel, according to Chief of Air Staff, Sadique Abubakar, are actively involved in the on-going counter-insurgency operation with special forces against Boko Haram terrorists and other criminal elements.

Mr Abubakar, an air marshal, told PRNigeria that NAF is a gender-sensitive service that encourages its personnel to explore their potentials without inhibition in the armed forces.

The Air Force Chief said: “We call them Women of War as they are well trained to engage in combat and combat support operations for peace, security and national development.

“The female personnel like their male counterparts, help in neutralising insurgents during air strike missions, while also providing tactical supports for the ground troops.

“Some of our airwomen and female officers are regular combatants who have completed specialised training at home and abroad. Some of them regularly fly Beechcraft, a special fighter plane used for gathering intelligence, carrying out surveillance and reconnaissance.

“In the last few months, they courageously flew our aircraft across North-eastern states, especially in Borno and the fringe of Lake Chad to detect and strike at insurgents’ locations. They fly sometimes between four to six hours on the ISR platform.

“The Women of War have continued to showcase their professional capacity as fearless and courageous military personnel as pilots, loadmasters, aircraft maintenance engineers, aerospace engineers, armament specialists, squad leaders, combatants, loadmasters, Military police, and air traffic controllers among others.”

Premium Times

3 Dead, 7 Retired Judges Make Buhari's CJN Election Tribunal List

Lawyers in Uyo, the Akwa Ibom State capital have cautioned Nigerians against the danger of appointing dead and retired judges into the nation’s election petition tribunal.

The group of concerned lawyers who declined being identified faulted the list of the recently sworn in 250  trubunal members as parading over 10 names of dead and retired judges.

Though admitting that this would not be the first time the Buhari-led government has displayed this level of “cluelessness and carelesness in handling sensitive issues concerning Nigeria”, they described a posthumous appointment of anyone for such sensitive role in the country as burying Nigeria alive.

It will be recalled that the new acting Chief Justice of Nigeria, Tanko Mohammed on Saturday, January 26 swore in 250 members of the election tribunals at the Supreme Court Complex in Abuja.

This has continued to generate heated criticism by both members of the legal community and social media users who pointed to some Nigerians who have long been dead and buried, but have posthumously made the list.

One of the lawyers, who spoke to our correspondent on condition of anonymity, said that up to ten judges in the list were dead.

He identified some of the late appointees to include Justice Edemekong Edemekong whose name appeared as number 58 on the list and declared that the late Justice died since 2013.

Another Justice Chukwu from Ebonyi State and number 53 on the list, who was formerly of the Federal High Court is also said to have been long dead.

The lawyer’s revelation also indicated that Justice Stephen Okon, a retired Chief Judge of Akwa Ibom State and justice Okoyo Essang (number 56), a retired justice of the High Court in Akwa Ibom State, both made the list.

Independent

Boko Haram Easily Overruns Military Base In Borno

Boko Haram jihadists attacked two military bases in Borno Sate, near the border with Cameroon, injuring six soldiers, two military sources told AFP on Sunday.

The attacks were the latest against military targets in the region with security becoming a major campaign issue ahead of presidential and legislative elections next month.

Early on Sunday, troops fought off an attack by fighters believed to be from the Abubakar Shekau faction of Boko Haram in the town of Pulka along the border with Cameroon.

“The terrorists attacked around 1:15 am (0015 GMT) and soldiers engaged them in a 30-minute fight, forcing them to withdraw,” a military officer said in an account confirmed by another officer.

The fighters’ intention was to attack and loot the town after overrunning the base, said the officer, who asked not to be identified because he was not authorised to speak to the media.

Punch

You Are A Pathological Liar, Hypocrite, Timi Dakolo Blasts Osinbajo

Nigerian singer Timi Dakolo has blasted Osinbajo who he claimed is not speaking out on the current alleged breach of constitutional rights of Nigerians despite being a top pastor at one Nigeria’s largest churches.

Dakolo took to his Instagram page to remind the Vice President of Daniel in the Bible who spoke fearlessly to the authorities despite being a part of them.

He wrote;

1.  Thought you knew the law.

2. Pastor sir,what has Happened to you ?

3. Pastor pastor,I thought you are an orator? Why are you not speaking? Why are you not speaking the truth?

4. Pastor pastor, remember Daniel in the bible.He spoke the truth fearlessly.

5. Pastor pastor,Are you still God’s mouth piece in the corridor of Power?!

YabaLeft

Onnoghen: You Can't Tell Me How To Rule Nigeria, Buhari Replies Western Powers

Garba Shehu, senior special assistant to the president on media and publicity, says the federal government will not accept foreign interference in the nation’s affairs.

Shehu said this hours after the US, UK and EU reacted to the suspension of Walter Onnoghen, chief justice of Nigeria (CJN) by President Muhammadu Buhari.

In separate statements, the countries said the action of Buhari could have effect on the general election.

But  Shehu said the Buhari administration is against actions capable of creating apprehension, distrust among citizens or undermining the transparency and acceptability of outcomes of the nation’s electoral process.

“Nigeria reserves the right to be insulated from suggestions and or interference with respect to wholly internal affairs and commends international laws, customs and norms that mandate and require nations and the comity to respect this prerogative to all,” he said.

“Nigeria is confident of its electoral processes and her preparation for the imminent elections and the federal government has supported the independent electoral umpire in both its independence and resources needed to accomplish our desire and insistence on free and fair elections.”

Shehu said the federal government welcomes the prevailing keen interest and partnerships for successful elections and a peaceful Nigeria.

He added that the government had ensured the independence of all organs, institutions and arms of government to “perform their functions in a manner that is transparent, and not lacking in integrity whether institutionally or by persons within such institutions or organs.’’

“Although the question of foreign interference, whether state sponsored, promoted or otherwise has dominated recent elections and outcomes globally, the federal government assures citizens and the global community that it will fiercely and assiduously promote the will and the right of Nigerians to choose and elect their leaders without pressure or assistance from persons or entities that are not constitutionally empowered to participate in the process,’’ he said.

He reiterated the readiness of the nation’s security forces to confront any plan or attempt to interfere with or disrupt the process whether by “elements within or from outside the country”.

TheCable