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Re: This is for Guys who need Ladies for Serious relationship in Naija by Stooi76(m) : 4:05 am On Feb 01

I need a serious lady, she must be educated so we can communicate well. My no 08165038200.thanks

Re: Why some men prefer prostitutes over having girlfriends. by Stooi76(m) : 10:00 pm On Feb 01

That's true. But with prostitute sexually transmitted disease is high.

Re: I need a caring,loving,nice,cute guy for a serious relationship. by Stooi76(m) : 10:04 pm On Feb 01

You better face your studies, and don't let a guy distract you. Jambite

Fayose to participate in mass protest by Stooi76(m) : 10:40 pm On Feb 01

Ekiti State governor, Ayodele Fayose, on Monday said he will be partaking in the upcoming nationwide protest led by Innocent ‘Tuface’ Idibia.


In a post on his Twitter handle shortly after 10:00 p.m., Mr. Fayose said the organisers have his full backing to launch the protest which they said will be “massive”.
“To organisers of Feb. 5 “Enough is Enough” National Protest, you have my total support and I will be part of the protest,” the governor said.
Mr. Fayose is the latest public figure to queue behind the organisers of the demonstration, which is expected to hold simultaneously in different cities across the country.
Mr. Idibia, while announcing the protest last week, said the Buhari administration’s rudderlessness has left too many Nigerians languishing in poverty with little to be hopeful for about the future.
The police said they have been duly informed about the protest and will provide security for all participants, although the government called for patience and understanding amongst Nigerians.

Diplomat defied White House warning, criticize travel bans by Stooi76(m) : 12:17 am On Feb 02

[i][/i]WASHINGTON (AP) — Hundreds of American diplomats defied a White House warning on Tuesday, sending a memo to the State Department's leadership that criticizes President Donald Trump's temporary travel ban on citizens from seven Muslim-majority countries. It is believed to be one of the most popularly supported statements of dissent in the department's history.

A State Department official said the cable was received just a day after White House spokesman Sean Spicer suggested those disagreeing with Trump's new policy should resign. The official did not have an exact number of signatories, but said more than 800 indicated they would sign after drafts of the cable circulated over the weekend. The official wasn't authorized to discuss the matter publicly and demanded anonymity.

The document argues that the executive order Trump signed last week runs counter to American values and will fuel anti-American sentiment around the world.

"A policy which closes our doors to over 200 million legitimate travelers in the hopes of preventing a small number of travelers who intend to harm Americans from using the visa system to enter the United States will not achieve its aim of making our country safer," the diplomats wrote in the so-called "dissent cable."

"This ban stands in opposition to the core American and constitutional values that we, as federal employees, took an oath to uphold," a draft of the cable said. The final version wasn't immediately available.

Dissent channel cables are a mechanism for U.S. diplomats to register disagreement internally about U.S. policies. It was established during the Vietnam War and was most recently used by diplomats to criticize the Obama administration's approach to Syria. In that case, former Secretary of State John Kerry met with signers of the cable to discuss their concerns.

Trump's secretary of state nominee Rex Tillerson is still awaiting Senate confirmation and it was unclear how we would respond to the memo.

In response to reports of the cable Monday, Spicer said of the diplomats: "They should either get with the program or they can go."

He dismissed the criticism from what he called "career bureaucrats." While he later said Trump appreciates the work of public servants, Spicer said they should respect the desires of the American people and the importance Trump places on protecting the country.

"If somebody has a problem with that agenda, that does call into question whether they should continue in that post or not," Spicer said. "This is about the safety of America."

Signers of dissent cables are supposed to be protected from retribution from superiors.

The department, along with other agencies entrusted with implementing Trump's order, has been confused about the details, offering several contradictory instructions to embassies and consulates on how it plans to do so.

As word of the executive order began to circulate last week, diplomats at some embassies began to prioritize visa applications from citizens of countries they suspected might be affected, according to officials.

On Friday, before the order was signed, workers at one embassy dumped bins of hundreds of approved passports on the floor to pull those from the affected countries and affix visas in them, officials said. That effort stopped when the order was signed, they said.

United Kingdom deports 83 Nigerians by Stooi76(m) : 12:26 am On Feb 02

No fewer than 83 Nigerians are expected to arrive in the country on Wednesday [i][/i]following their deportation from the United Kingdom.
The spokesperson for the National Emergency Management Agency, South-West Zone, Ibrahim Farinloye, said the deportees were expected to be in the country at 5am.

He explained that they would arrive through the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Ikeja, adding that officials of the agency and other government workers were expected to receive them.

Farinloye said the prisoners would complete their jail terms in Nigeria.

He said, “We were informed that 83 Nigerians would be deported from the United Kingdom on Wednesday morning. Some of the people affected are those who haven’t completed their prison sentences. They would be taken to Nigerian prisons to complete their terms. Although we cannot tell the various offences, we believe others could be drug-related and immigration problems.

“We expect that when they arrive in the country, we would be able to know the real reason for their deportation. The aircraft is expected to arrive in the country at 5am at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport.”

Rivers CP dies, IG mourns by Stooi76(m) : 12:40 am On Feb 02

The Commissioner of Police, Rivers State Police Command, Mobolaji Odesanya, has died at the Sterling Hospital, Ahmedabad-Gujarat in India after a battle with kidney disease.

Odesanya passed away at the age of 56, a statement on Tuesday in Abuja by the Force Public Relations Officer, Moshood Jimoh, stated.

The statement said the Inspector-General of Police, Ibrahim Idris, expressed sadness over the demise and condoled with the family of the late CP, the government and people of Ogun State.

It added that a condolence register had been opened at the reception of the Force Headquarters and the Rivers State Police Command headquarters, Port Harcourt, for the personnel of the force and members of the public to register their condolence messages.

Burial arrangements, it said, would be announced after consultation with the family.

It stated, “The Inspector-General of Police and his management team, on behalf of the entire officers and men of the Nigeria Police Force, wish to commiserate with the Odesanya family of Ikenne, Ogun State, the government and the good people of Ogun State on the passage unto glory of their illustrious son, CP Francis Mobolaji Odesanya.

“May his gentle soul rest in perfect peace and the good Lord grant his family and the government and good people of Ogun State the fortitude to bear this irreparable loss.”

Meanwhile, there was a discomforting silence at the Rivers State Police Command as the news of Odesanya’s death was broken to the officers and men of the command.

It was gathered that Odesanya was the 37th Commissioner of Police in Rivers State.

Odesanya took over from Mr. Foluso Adebanjo in July, 2016, when the latter was promoted to the rank of Deputy Inspector-General of Police in charge of Information and Communication Technology at the Force Headquarters, Abuja.

It was learnt that the state CP was hale and hearty until December, 2016, when he took ill and was flown abroad. Police personnel described Odesanya’s demise as a painful one to the command, adding that the CP was a “nice and easy-going man” that was interested in the welfare of everybody.

The policeman, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said Odesanya transformed the command less than a year after he took over as the number one police officer in the command.

“We will miss him a lot. He was a professional police officer. He was one man who was not interested in politics, but was dedicated to his job. Within a few months, he has been able to transform the police,” the police source stated.

Another policeman, who was apparently shaken by the news of the CP’s death, said the command would not forget the good deeds of the deceased, describing Odesanya as a “true professional.”

The state Police Public Relations Officer, Mr. Nnamdi Omoni, however, told one of our correspondents that he could not speak on the CP’s death, adding that the Force Headquarters would issue a statement on the development.

Odesanya was born in Lagos and hailed from Irolu in the Ikenne Local Government Area of Ogun State.

Odesanya enlisted into the Force on February 2, 1986, as a cadet assistant superintendent of police and rose through the ranks to the position of Commissioner of Police.

As an Area Commander for Area G in Ogba, Lagos State, Odesanya, in 2010, personally led an operation that helped to dislodge a group of armed robbers, who attacked Wema Bank, Dopemu, where some of the hoodlums were shot dead while others were arrested.

He also served as Deputy Commissioner of Police, Department of Operations, and that of Finance and Administration in Rivers State before he was promoted and posted as the CP in the state on J

Re: Fayose to participate in mass protest by Stooi76(m) : 2:01 am On Feb 02

Kemi96: Thank you for this information. I just featured it
welcome

Arms cash, Obanikoro returns 30 million by Stooi76(m) : 5:31 pm On Feb 02

A former Minister of State for Defence, Senator Musiliu Obanikoro, has returned a fresh sum of N30m to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, with a promise to pay a balance of N417m.
The ex-minister, who returned to Nigeria in October 2016, after spending about 15 months in the United States, was accused of receiving N4.7bn from the Office of the National Security Adviser under the leadership of Col. Sambo Dasuki (retd.).
Obanikoro had said in his statement of oath at the EFCC that after receiving the money in 2014, he gave N1.219bn to the then governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party in Ekiti State, Mr. Ayodele Fayose, while N1.3bn was given to the PDP governorship candidate in Osun State, Senator Iyiola Omisore.
He also confessed to giving Fayose a separate $5.377m at Spotless Hotel in Ekiti State in the presence of party stalwarts, including the then PDP state secretary, Mr. Tope Aluko.
Obanikoro was said to have kept about N785m for himself, which he allegedly spent while campaigning ahead of the PDP governorship primary in Lagos State, which Mr. Jimi Agbaje won.
However, the EFCC asked him to return about N584m, out of which he has returned N167m.
At the Federal High Court in Abuja, presided over by Justice Nnamdi Dimgba, Mr. Alade Sunday, a manager at Zenith Bank, narrated how Obanikoro delivered about N1.219bn to Fayose’s aide, Abiodun Agbele, for onward transmission to Fayose.
He had added that it took the cashiers about 10 days to count all the money.
Sunday had said Obanikoro flew the cash to Akure airport and the money was loaded onto bullion vans.
“When we got to the airport, we waited for some minutes before the aircraft arrived. When the aircraft offloaded its passengers, one of them appeared to me to be Senator Musiliu Obanikoro and the other one appeared to be his ADC, Adewale.
“Agbele walked up to them and had a discussion with them. Thereafter, he signalled to me to bring the van. Bags loaded with cash were loaded into the van and Obanikoro’s ADC, I and Agbele drove back to the bank,” he had stated.

Why do women hide there age by Stooi76(m) : 5:59 pm On Feb 02

IN modern societies it is often seen as impolite or outright lack of disrespect to ask a woman of her age. On their own part, women themselves, – well…, most of them – do not want to mention their age for different reasons. Naturally women seek eternal beauty and youth which, practically speaking, is not possible. Women to all intent and purposes link age with eligibility for marriage such that a woman in her early thirties and still single may not want to disclose her age apparently for fear of being found out to be out of the game of courtship.

This is not to mention cases of age falsification very common within the civil service where people die just after their retirement when they are actually over 70 years old, while ‘officially’ they were only 62.

However this is not to say that there are women who are not ready to disclose their age. Some even look much younger than their age, a compliment most women would love to hear.

A dental-surgeon assistant, Adeshina Adebisi while speaking on the issue said: “This is common among we females, but deep down I think it is because we want to feel secure. Sometimes if I am in good mood I am eager to tell people my age and if I am not, I would attempt to decline doing so. I cannot even tell my colleagues at work my actual age. I remember a colleague asked me some month ago, “Bisi, how old are you? I was like hope no problem, what do you want to use my age for?

“It depends on what each person wants to use the age for. If the person is still working, or is yet to marry, she may be hiding it or reducing it. I, personally, right from my youth, I don’t play with my age, even when I apply for a job as a civil servant. I was 23 as of then and thank God now, I am above 50 years.”

Mrs Online, a civil servant is of the view that a woman lifestyle can however reduce the signs of ageing. This, she says is possible If she monitors her food intake, exercises regularly, avoids direct contact with the sun for long hours and avoid smoking and alcohol.

“The reason for age-hiding might be based on something related to relationship, if I was older than a guy and I love him, I would not want to let him go because I was older than him. I will have to reduce my age so as to make the relationship work out. At work, most employers do have specified age for consideration for employment and if you are desperate about the job, the option there is to reduce your age. Apart from that I think women have this innate desire to be appreciated and admired and in order to feel loved, they hide their age,” she said.

A student, Miss oluwatosin ayoola, is of the opinion that women even take risks to look younger.

“Women even go to the extent of spending a lot of money on cosmetics and anti-ageing products to appear younger than their actual age. Older women want to appear as attractive as when they were younger so that they can make men twirl at their appearance, especially when they are single and older.

“That is not sufficient for some women, as they spend needless money undergoing plastic surgery, from bre*st implants to nose lifts, cheeks filled out, pumping their lips and their obliterating their wrinkles using minimally invasive cosmetic procedures.

“It is important to mention that, lying about age is not restricted to women but it is a ‘Nigerian thing’. It is also practiced by the men, especially to secure employment. In other climes it could be women but in Nigeria it is both sexes.

“Women around the globe attach importance to being young and beautiful because of men. Men appreciate women that are young and beautiful than women that are older. The fact is that beauty goes in tandem with youthfulness and so even when women are getting older, they prefer to live in denial and still want to feel they are young and beautiful so they conceal their age.

“It is the same reason why they go for dresses that make them appear younger than their real age and buy all manner of cosmetics and undergo plastic

Do not eat Suya without vegetables by Stooi76(m) : 6:09 pm On Feb 02

Consumers of barbecued beef popularly called “Suya” have been advised to always ensure that generous portions of onions, cabbage, tomatoes and other vegetables were eaten along with it.

Suya is generally made with skewered beef, ram or chicken. Innards such as kidney, liver and tripe are also used.

The thinly sliced meat is marinated in various spices which include peanut cake, salt, vegetable oil and other flavourings, and then barbecued.

Ngozi Nnam, Professor of Community and Public Health Nutrition at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, gave the advice in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja, on Monday.

Nnam said there was a link between its consumption and increased risk of cancer, noting that consumption of suya garnished with onions and other vegetables had a strong cancer-lowering effect.

“Eating Suya can actually cause cancer. This comes from the reaction of meat and the smoke during Suya preparation which results in a toxic compound that can cause cancer.

“Smoking of the meat is what causes cancer. Some metabolites from food can cause cancer.

“What is important is to eat a lot of fruits and vegetables to increase antioxidants in the body.

“The antioxidants can neutralise or react with the toxic metabolite from food to prevent cancer,’’ she said.

According to her, Suya is good to eat with onions and cabbage because they react with the toxic substance produced by smoke to prevent cancer.

“It is good to eat Suya with onions and other fruits and vegetables.’’

The nutritionist, however, urged Nigerians to consume more of fish than beef.

She said the major benefit of eating beef was that it provided needed protein for the individual.

“It is however healthier to eat fish than meat because some fish e.g srumbia fish contain omega 6 fatty acid which is good for the body.

“Omega 6 fatty acid is also very good for infants because it is required for proper brain development.’’

In addition, she warned against the consumption of smoked fish, saying “again the problem with smoked fish is the toxic substance produced by the smoke.

“If we can grill it, it will be better than smoking it,’’ she advised.

Nnam, who is also the president of Nutrition Society of Nigeria, said the National Policy on Food and Nutrition had been implemented across the country.

“The National Policy on Food and Nutrition was launched during the Nutrition Week in September 2016 by the Wife of the President, Mrs Aisha Buhari.

“After the launch, the policy has been domesticated and being implemented in different states of the federation,’’ she said.

“The Ministry of Budget and National Planning is overseeing this activity with state nutrition officers,’’ she said.

The policy seeks to improve the nutritional status of all Nigerians, with particular emphasis on the most vulnerable groups including children, women, and the elderly.

Students running for their lives as University of Ilorin main library caught Fire by Stooi76(m) : 2:26 pm On Feb 03

Earlier today 2nd of February 2016,we got reports from student of university of ilorin UNILORIN kwara state of Nigeria that there was an electronic threats on the school library,, on getting ther,we met the students running and shouting.University of ilorin main library is a three story building with a basement(underground) with just a single exit and nothing like emergency exit.student came outside and left their bags and property inside the library, some students even left their phone just to get outside the library


we interviewed a witness and he said this;
i have a test today by 2pm so i decided to stay in the library for a very quick revision,it was less than 30 minutes when i got there that i heard a woman shouting EVERYBODY LEAVE!EVERYONE SHOULD LEAVE NOW!! before we know whats happening,people were already rushing, feeling so scared,Although some of us still remain calm trying to find out what went wrong ,we suddenly felt a vibration as the whole library was shaking ,it started from the first floor Nd was moving towards the last floor. The most important thing was that the school authority were able to control the indecent and the library was reopened again around 2pm.there was no report of anyone injured in the incident.

How to Revive and Save a Wet Phone. by Stooi76(m) : 2:32 pm On Feb 03

Phones usually slip out of our hands or pockets dropping on the ground, wet floor or even in a bowl of water from time to time or you could decide to jump in the pool forgetting that your mobile phone is still in your pocket.
There is still hope that the phone is not totally damaged. Try out these tips immediately you remove the phone from water, it wouldn’t cost you a dime.

Check out the well tested steps to salvage such accidents below:
1. Do not turn back on your phone right away (keep it off until you know it’s totally dry or if phone is still on immediately take off the battery).

2. Remove all peripherals from the device (back cover, case, battery, headphones and any other removable gadget).

3. Use a vacuum to drain moisture from the device (Try to get as much of the water out of it as possible).

4. Use a substance with a high affinity for drawing out moisture (An inexpensive option is to place the phone in a bowl or bag of uncooked rice or desiccant “usually found with new shoes” for at least 24hrs or just cover the phone in towels).

If the above steps fail, kindly refer to a professional phone repair with a history of success around you.

Seun Egbegbe Arrested Again For Trying To Dupe Mallam In Lagos. by Stooi76(m) : 3:02 pm On Feb 03

Toyin Aimakhu's ex-boyfriend, Seun Egbegbe is in the news for the wrong reasons again. According to reports and a video being shared online at this moment, Egbegbe was caught trying to rip off an unsuspecting mallam of the sum of 10 million naira today, while pretending to be a medical doctor at Gbagada General hospital.

This is surely getting out of hand as this will be the 2nd occurrence in less than 6 months. Something should be done about this guy before he ends up being lynched as he seems to be getting lucky.

He might surely run out of luck next time and besides, is he not supposed to be under investigation? Is February not the date slated for his next court appearance. This guy is surely sniffing the prison gradually and that is if he ever escapes that this time around. Official statement from the Lagos State Police Command stated the
Arrest Of Notorious Fraudsters

Today at about 1300hrs one Seun Karim aka Egbegbe and one Ayo Oyekan disguised as the MD of Gbagada general hospital and the other as a patient. They lured one Alhaji Isa Adamu and Abdullahi Haruna both bureau de change members , from different location that they needed 9000dollars and 3000pounds. The unsuspecting victims brought same to the suspects at the hospital where they collected the said amount and attempted to escape with the money.

The victims raised alarm and subsequently the suspect were arrested by the policemen attached to the hospital.
Further to the arrest of the fraudsters many members of bureau de change are trooping to the office with similar complaint against the suspects .

Case is under investigation.

Gov.Okorocha hits Obiano hard by Stooi76(m) : 3:34 pm On Feb 03

Governor Rochas Okorocha of Imo State has challenged his Anambra counterpart, Chief Willie Obiano to publish his fabled achievements, not insults, to avail the people opportunity to judge who has performed more as a governor of their respective states.

Okorocha and his Anambra State counterpart, Obiano have been engaged in verbal war following a statement by the Imo governor that three South East governors would soon join the All Progressives Congress (APC).

In a statement by Okorocha’s Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Sam Onwuemeodo, the governor noted that within 48 hours, Obiano, had engaged his Imo state counterpart in an unwarranted and unprovoked media attacks.

“The first attack was when he took on the Imo governor, over his claim that two governors in the South-East would soon join APC. Obiano said the Imo governor was not what a good leader should be.

“To us in Imo, we saw that statement as callous, especially when it was from a governor. And we had no option than to react to it to prove that such careless statement was uncalled for.

“We, then, challenged Obiano to publish his achievements in Anambra for four years and let Okorocha publish his own achievements in Imo for five years since leadership is all about service to God and humanity.

“Instead of doing that, Obiano used the opportunity he would have appropriated to display his achievements in Anambra if any, to call Governor Okorocha names, which is neither here nor there. We still maintain our challenge on Obiano to publish his achievements as governor in Anambra and let Okorocha, also, do same.

“Again, with the way Obiano has talked, both in the first and second attacks, it is easy to conclude that the Anambra governor was not the one talking, but “S.O”, which he fancies a lot.

“Governor Okorocha has never lived overseas. He has lived all his life in this country. His wealth and popularity are all products of hard work and Gods’ grace.

“It is an enviable record that a man of his status has never been associated with any corrupt practice in this country, either by an individual or by a group.

“Leveraging on his hard earned popularity, Okorocha defeated an incumbent governor in 2011 on the platform of APGA that had no structure before he came on board and with the incumbent then enjoying massive federal might.

“In 2015, he joined the merger from a zone that could be regarded as the “headquarters” of the PDP. He resisted all the storms, including the federal might that was deployed against him, and was elected for second term. They could only give him the name “Alhaji in Douglas House.”

“Obiano is a governor. Okorocha is a governor. Let them begin the contest by publishing their achievements in their respective states for Nigerians to see…”

In his reaction, Obiano said he was so busy with issues of governance, providing qualitative service and abundant democracy dividends and has no spare time for unnecessary politically motivated distractions.

A statement signed by his Senior Special Assistant on Media, Strategic Communication and Legislative Matters, Prince Oliver Okpala, noted that the governor’s top priority now is making life more meaningful to Anambra people not minding the current recession.

“Leveraging on his hard earned popularity, Okorocha defeated an incumbent governor in 2011 on the platform of APGA that had no structure before he came on board and with the incumbent then enjoying massive federal might.

“In 2015, he joined the merger from a zone that could be regarded as the “headqu arters” of the PDP. He resisted all the storms including the federal might that was deployed against him and was elected for second term. They could only give him the name “Alhaji in Douglas House.”

“Obiano is a governor. Okorocha is a governor. Let them begin the contest by publishing their achievements in their respective states for Nigerians to see. It is not a noise-making venture or name-calling enterprise.

“Anambra State has remained as Obiano met it.

Navy intercept N420bn crude oil by Stooi76(m) : 3:39 pm On Feb 03

The Nigerian Navy said it confiscated crude oil and diesel worth N420 billion in 2016 from suspected crude oil thieves and saboteurs in the country’s oil producing region

Chief of the Naval Staff (CNS), Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas, who made the revelation while presenting the navy’s operational scorecard for 2016 to members of the House of Representatives, said the specific quantity of crude oil and diesel seized, stood at 810,725 and 1,078 metric tons respectively. The naval chief revealed that the force destroyed 181 illegal refineries, 263 wooden boats, 38 barges, 139 Geepee tanks and 148 pumping machines in 2016.

He said 784 suspects were arrested while 22 crude vessels, 53 wooden boats, 145 outboard engines, 135 speedboats, 27 tankers and 2,974 drums were seized from the crude oil thieves.

Admiral Ibas further revealed that the force recovered 468 weapons and 1,659 ammunition from the suspected economic saboteurs in 2016.

A statement from the force’s spokesman, Navy Captain Suleiman Dahun further revealed that the Chief of Naval Staff told the legislators that the force confiscated 210 storage tanks, 47 vehicles, 15 motorcycles, 4,753 jerry cans, 27 power generating sets, 224 surface tanks, 24 hoses, 17 welding machines and 33 vessels, reiterating that the feat was despite the reduction in overhead with only N2.5 billion released out of about N3.4 billion appropriated in 2016.

The statement quoted Admiral Ibas as saying out of the N56.463 billion appropriated for personnel cost in 2016, N49.656 billion was released, while N205.879 million was generated as Internally Generated Revenue and remitted to government via the Treasury Single Account (TSA). As for 2017, he said the Nigerian Navy plans to expend about N26.446 billion on capital projects with the priority areas listed as fleet renewal, operational infrastructure upgrade, operational logistics procurement, capacity development and personnel welfare.

Earlier, Chairman, House Committee on Navy, Abdulsamad Dasuki commended the Nigerian Navy for performing credibly well, despite insufficient funding and other operational challenges, promising that the committee would ensure adequate allocation of fund for the maintenance and fuelling of Nigerian Navy platforms.

The chairman however, observed that an estimated N3 trillion ($10 billion) was lost in revenue due to Nigerian Navy’s inability to carry out statutory duties, reiterating that the Navy’s budgetary allocations must be realistic.

Meanwhile, Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike, has lauded the Nigerian Navy for being apolitical, saying the security agency has always acted professionally.

Wike also commended the Naval high command for tracking down the state Commercial Fishing Trawler, which, he said, would boost the revenue base of the state.

The governor, who spoke when he received the Flag Officer Commanding (FOC), Eastern Naval Command, Rear Admiral James Oluwole and the Commander of the Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS) Pathfinder, Commodore I. N. Kayoda, said, unlike other security agencies, the Nigerian Navy had concentrated on the promotion of security, rather than promotion of political interests.

He said: “The Nigerian Navy has lived above board. They have refused to be dragged into politics. We have had rerun elections in the state, but I have had no reason to complain about the conduct of naval personnel.”

He assured the Naval high command of the support of his administration in terms of provision of logistics to fight crime.

The governor said the gunboats being purchased for the Nigerian Navy by the state government would be released to the security agency. He charged the Navy to ensure that the gunboats when delivered, should be used strictly for the protection of Rivers waters.

He said: “We are always willing to support security agencies. Nobody will tolerate crime as it hinders development.”

Earlier, Rear Admiral Oluwole disclosed that the Navy had tracked down the fishing trawler of the state, p

Industrialists blast FG over food prices task force by Stooi76(m) : 3:55 pm On Feb 03

Prominent Nigerians including renowned economists, elder statesman and industrialist yesterday slammed the Federal Government for raising a task force on food prices.However, others backed the government over the proposed hike on Value Added Tax (VAT) on luxury items.it was the decision of the Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting chaired by Acting President Yemi Osinbajo in Abuja on Wednesday.
Firing the first salvo against the task force yesteray, the Founder, Center for Values and Leadership, Prof Pat Utomi, said the decision to set up a committee to tackle food prices was a foolish one.
‘‘The subject matter does not interest me at all. Though, I don’t have the terms of reference, but if it is about price control, it is the most foolish thing to do at this moment,’’ he said.
On his part, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Financial Derivatives Limited, Mr. Bismarck Rewane, said food prices are determined by market forces and not committees, adding that, if committees could bring down prices, the country won’t have inflation in the first place.‘Those things are totally irrelevant at this time. The committee will achieve nothing because it is a total waste of time. The important thing is about policies. It is policies that will bring down prices of food. Committees will take sitting allowance and achieve nothing,’’ he cautioned
Reacting to the development, elder statesman, Tanko Yakassai said it is a fire brigade approach which may work in the short-term.
He advised that rather than carry out an action that may not have positive long lasting effects, the government should roll out a well-articulated programme that would address the issue.
He said: “I pray it would help, but I see it as a fire brigade approach. It can only work for a short time after which we shall go back to square one.
Another contributor, the spokesperson for Yoruba social-cultural group, Afenifere, Yinka Odumakin, said rather than constitute a task force, what the government must do is to get its fiscal policies right and everything would fall into place.
He said: “Are they going to send soldiers into the streets to force people to sell goods lower than the price which they bought them? I do not understand what the job of the task force would be. What is the task force going to do? Are they going to flog people to fall in line like they did in 1894? If Nigerians are looking for the definition of cluelessness, they have found it in this administration.”
Also reacting, National President, All Farmers Association of Nigeria (AFAN), Ibrahim Kabiru, said food price control mechanism has no place in Nigeria or in any society. He noted that government cannot tell anybody what and how much they sell what they produce.
“But the decision to set up a panel to ensure food security is very good and it is a very welcome development.
“If it is the task force that will ensure food security, which is to maximise production of food so that it will become affordable to people and probably with that, the prices will be affected because you do not need to spend foreign exchange to import food, which is very good, and it is timely.”
Meanwhile, Managing Director of Universal Quest/Coordinator, Community of Agricultural Stakeholders of Nigeria (CASON), Sotonye Anga, commended the Federal Government for taking the decision, saying there could be no better time than now because what Nigerians want to see right now is that they want to see food on their table at affordable price.
Commenting on the proposed VAT hike to 10 per cent on luxury goods, the President, National Association of Small Scale Industrialists (NASSI), Ezekiel Essien, said it was necessary for the government to j3rk up the taxes paid on ostentatious articles as they only benefit the very rich, who are less than 20 percent of the nation’s population.
On the task force, the NASSI President said government should closely monitor members of the committee to drive the directive, as such policiesare vulnerable to abuse.
For the President, Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN), Frank Jacobs, the move to crash food prices was welcome as findings show food meant for certain places don’t get there. The food materials end up diverted or something and as such, such goods become very expensive in certain places. So, if the government plans to address that, it is a welcome development”, he said.
Supporting increased VAT for luxury goods, the president of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Mr Ayuba Wabba, explained that the principle of taxation world over is to make the rich subsidise for the poor. He lamented that before now, the reverse had been the case in Nigeria.
“Beyond that, government should make sure that people pay their appropriate taxes on the wealth they accumulate; including multi-nationals, businesses, politicians and influential Nigerians. Presently, it is only the workers that pay their appropriate tax like Pay As You Earn (PAYE)”, he said.
With regards to the task force on food prices, Wabba said while NLC waits for details from government, it was important to ensure everything is done to encourage the farmer.
Also commenting on the matter, an Abuja-based Development Economist, Tochukwu Okorie picked holes in government’s plan to force down food prices using committees.
According to him, prices of goods are determined by market forces only, adding that any attempt to use executive fiat would lead to hoarding.
That is an attempt to go back to 1984 where government used the military to break into people’s shops and warehouses to sell goods at giveaway prices. We saw the implication. There was massive hoarding. That will likely repeat itself. When goods are available, prices will come down. That’s competition,” he said.
A development economist, Mr Odilim Enwegbara, queried: “How did someone in his right frame of mind conceive this in the first place? How did this government after rigorous debate (if there was any), decide that this can work?As far as I am concerned, it’s just an effort in futility. Or how does the government want to pursue its enforcement?“I think that what government ought to do is to ensure that farmers are provided with all the incentives,” he said.

Ondo assembly, One house two speakers by Stooi76(m) : 4:06 pm On Feb 03

It is certainly not the best of time for Mrs. Jumoke Akindele and Hon. Fatai Olotu, the Speaker and Deputy Speaker of the Ondo State House of Assembly, who were sacked recently by some of their colleagues.

Their sack, followed allegation of corruption against them. Impeachment may not be a strange thing to Mrs. Akindele as she was impeached in March 2016 by 19 out of the 26 members of the House of Assembly over alleged highhandedness, fraud and corrupt activities. But she was later returned to her seat, following the intervention of the state governor, Dr Olusegun Mimiko, who reportedly pleaded with members of the House, to reconsider their position.

Akindele went through what could be described as the most turbulent period of her life at the time, as she was prevented from presiding over the affairs of the House, and her office was locked up by the members who impeached her. She was humiliated, embarrassed and harassed by her colleagues, many of who are members of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

However, Mrs. Akindele survived the trial and she was reinstated by the entire members of the Assembly. Since then, she had remained in control of the House until recently when she was again caught unawares by some members of the House, who again impeached her. Only 12 members signed her impeachment notice, and the 12 men went ahead to appoint a factional Speaker for the House, in the person of Hon. Malachi Coker, thereby making Ondo Assembly, the Assembly parading two Speakers, for now.

Expectedly, the two factions meet at the House of Assembly complex, though under a rancorous and acrimonious atmosphere. As at press time, the House of Assembly complex has been surrounded by security agents since the crisis broke out, to prevent any breakdown of law and order.

So far, Daily Sun investigations reveal, Akindele has majority of the members on her side, but the strong determination of the 12 members to take over the leadership of the House has been a source of serious concern to the state government and the Akindele’s faction in particular. For over five days, the House could not sit to deliberate on matters before it, as a result of the leadership crisis. The development has also prevented the governor from presenting the 2017 budget as Mimiko, who is alleged to be in support of Mrs. Akindele’s faction was prevented from exercising his duties by the Coker’s faction, thereby causing serious tension in the state for some days. Trouble was said to have started for Mrs. Akindele when she allegedly ordered the paymaster of the House of Assembly, Mr. Majekodunmi Adesina to withdraw a sum of #15Million to execute some projects in the House, which was said to have been provided for in the state’s budget. But the paymaster was caught with the money and was not allowed to explain the source of the money, as some members of the House hurriedly called for impeachment of Akindele. The ‘rebel’ lawmakers whose membership cut across the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and All Progressives Congress (APC) reportedly caught the paymaster of the Assembly, Mr. Adesina with a ghana-must-go bag containing the money at the premises of the Assembly complex.

When asked about the owner of the money, Adesina was quoted to have said that the Speaker allegedly ordered him to take the money to her residence. The lawmakers were furious about the development and convene a meeting on the floor of the House to take a punitive action against the Speaker and her deputy. After suspending the Principal Officers, the ‘rebel’ lawmakers appointed Mr. Malachi Coker representing Ilaje 1 Constituency, Mr. Ayodele Arowele from Owo 1 Constituency and Olamide George, representing Akure North Constituency as the Speaker, Deputy Speaker and Majority Leader, respectively in acting capacity. As if that was not enough, the lawmakers convened a plenary and asked Mrs. Akindele and Olotu to handover the properties of the Assembly in their possessions. Since then, the two leaderships have continued to pilot the affairs of the once viable and united House.

Police, Mimiko fail to broker truce

Efforts by the Police and Governor Mimiko could not help the situation, as the Coker’s faction was hell-bent at taking over the leadership of the House, just as they have kept the mace from the Akindele’s faction, a development which prompted the Police to quiz the deputy speaker of the faction, Mr Ayo Arowele and some other members of the faction.However, Mrs. Akindele told Daily Sun that she was not desperate to remain as the Speaker of the House, saying that she was already preparing to resign before the purported impeachment. The embattled Speaker said her intention to resign was due to the fact that the geo-political configuration of the state has changed with the emergence of Mr. Rotimi Akeredolu (SAN) from the North District and his deputy, Mr Agboola Ajayi from the south senatorial district where she also hails from.

“I was in Lagos on Friday January 27, when I got a call that some members, about 12 of them had allegedly removed the leadership of the House comprising myself as Speaker, the Deputy Speaker and the Majority Leader on the puerile and baseless claim of fraud or financial impropriety.

“I wish to place on record that though I am the signatory to the schedule, I am not a signatory to the cheques of the House. I did sign the schedule in line with the budget passed by the House so that I do not hold up the business of the House in the likely event that I do not return from my journey early enough. I did not speak with the Clerk and I most certainly did not speak with the Director of Finance and Administration (DFA) on the issue of cheques or any other matter at all. I did not ask the paymaster, Mr. Makanjuola Adesina, who was unfortunately brutalized by some of my colleagues to bring any fund to my house. The paymaster is the lawful custodian of all unspent funds of the House and he was only acting in his official capacity. As such, I wish to emphatically place it on record that the funds in question are meant for some projects in the House as passed in the Budget and approved by the approving authority. “However, I wish to state that the primary reason for the entire problem is because certain elements of the PDP caucus seem more interested in proving their loyalty to the incoming administration in Ondo state, instead of their own party and are actively working hand in hand with their APC counterparts to destabilize what would have been one of the most peaceful transitions ever. They are desirous of becoming Speaker and Deputy Speaker at all cost and are therefore playing to the gallery to show the incoming government that they are disenchanted with the outgoing governor, imagining that the erudite and insightful Senior Advocate of Nigeria would not see through them in the colors that they truly are.

“I was actually set to resign because the geopolitical configuration of the state had changed since the emergence of the Governor from the North and the Deputy Governor from the South. We are a people with an age long tradition that demands that the Speaker must of necessity emerge from the Central district of Ondo State. I have chosen to sustain this position, in spite of my willingness to resign because I owe it to all Speakers and all law abiding people in Nigeria who are naturally worried of the dangerous precedent that may be created if fraud, forgery and forceful takeover of this nature is allowed to prevail.

It is disheartening that some of my honorable colleagues forged the signatures of five members to make up their list. The members whose signatures were forged have strenuously asserted that their signatures were forged and have stood with the leadership of the House since the unfolding of this sad chapter in the annals of the history of our state.

“In the Ondo State House of Assembly, the purported removal of the leadership of the House by less than 18 members is a nullity that cannot stand,” she declares.

Why presidency should be zone to South East by Stooi76(m) : 4:14 pm On Feb 03

A lawyer gave his opinion :What in your opinion can make the South-East region actualize its ambitious dream of having the presidency zoned to it?
Let me first of all correct that erroneous impression. The quest is not an ambitious one. For me, it is an insult to the Igbo race to classify as ‘ambitious’, the aspiration of a highly educated, industrious and patriotic people in this country, who want to serve and make Nigeria great. Now, to your question, note that the country was under democratic rule from 1979-1983.Recall that Alhaji Shehu Shagari who is from North -West (Hausa/Fulani) ruled from October 1, 1979- December 31, 1983 and Chief Olusegun Obasanjo from the South-West (Yoruba) from May 29, 1999-May 29, 2007. Late Mallam Umaru Yar’dua from the North-West (Hausa/Fulani) ruled from May 29, 2007- May 5, 2010 and Dr. Goodluck Ebele Jonathan from South- South (Minority) ruled from May 5, 2010 – May 29, 2015. Now President Muhammadu Buhari from North-West (Hausa/Fulani), May 29, 2015 to date is on the saddle. From the foregoing, you can see that no Igbo man has tested the Presidency and Nigeria is built on a tripod; i.e. Igbo, Hausa and Yoruba. So how can it now be referred to as an ambitious cause for the Igbo to aspire for the Presidency? From the above analogy, does the South-East not have the moral and political justification to demand for the Nigerian Presidency to be zoned to it in 2019?

As a lawyer, you know that one of the tenets of democracy is that it is the people who decide who governs them. Does your agitation for an Igbo Presidency in 2019 not tantamount to an imposition on the people?

I know that the bedrock of democracy is the constitution. That is why the constitution is always suspended whenever there is a military takeover. My argument is based on the constitution of the Federal republic of Nigeria which states inter alia: ‘for the purpose of promoting the good government and welfare of all persons in our country on the principles of freedom, equity and justice and for the purpose of consolidating the unity of our people’. Now, we are talking about the consolidation of the unity of the country. Remember that it is about 47 years after the civil war where it was declared that ‘NO VICTOR, NO VANQUISHED’. Also, the constitution provides for federal character representation which confirms that the country is made up of components of regions. Is it therefore, morally/legally and politically wrong for one of these components that have never controlled the center since after the civil war to demand for its rights? I totally agree that you cannot impose leadership on the citizenry under democracy but the constitution specifically defines how a President can emerge. One, being that he must be sponsored by a political party. Therefore, if the major political parties in the country zone the presidency to the South- East and at the end of the day, the person wins the votes of Nigerians; will you call it an imposition? In the event a person from another zone emerges from any of the several political parties and win the election the Igbo people will take it in good faith knowing that the Igbo probably did not put their house in order.
Don’t you think the South -East lacks the political cohesion to take a shot at the Presidency?
That is not a problem. An average Igbo man knows how to overcome challenges. That is why there are several agitations going and many associations springing up for the sole purpose of unifying the South-East towards a common cause. For instance, the Ohanaeze Nd’Igbo, the apex South-East organisation has been energized and this goes to tell you that the Igbo people know when and how to act when the card is up.
Will your agitation not conflict with the agitation by the Movement for the Sovereign State of Biafra (MOSSOB) and Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) for the creation of the Biafran State?
I believe that the agitation for MOSSOB and IPOB is borne out of the frustration that since after the civil war, the region is still being seen as a conquered region while a diplomatic term ‘marginalization’ is being used instead, as an excuse for the agitation. Most people erroneously term this as economic marginalization but to me, it is political marginalization, so the antidote, is to comply with the constitutional provision that the unity of this country should always be consolidated. I believe the so-called stake holders of the Nigerian state should take this into consideration and work towards zoning the presidency to the South-East in 2019.

How feasible is your agitation considering that the incumbent President is entitled to run for a second term which runs till 2023?

I agree with you that the incumbent President has the moral and legitimate right to run for a second term but if you recall, a term was used to bridge a gap in our democratic circle which is ‘Doctrine of Necessity.’ This term can still be applied as an excuse for the political parties to zone the presidency to the South-East. The President has tried because looking at the state of the nation, you will understand that the cause of the economic downturn is about 50percent natural, and the rest man- made. I sincerely commend President Muhammadu Buhari for holding the country together. We, the Igbo people will appeal to his conscience to make it possible for an Igbo to take over from him. Just imagine the accolades he will receive if he (President Muhammadu Buhari) who played an active role in the civil war, hands over power to an Igbo man. His name will be written in Gold as a father to the New Nigerian state. Let’s look at it from the angle that should he decide to seek re-election and another northerner defeats him, won’t that person have every right to remain in office till 2027? With respect to any body with a contrary opinion, I believe it will be wrong if the South -East is not given a due advantage to go for Presidency in 2019.

NPFL: NFF slams N4m fine on Rangers by Stooi76(m) : 4:18 pm On Feb 03

The Nigeria Football Federation Disciplinary Committee has slammed a N4m fine on Rangers International of Enugu.

This heavy punishment is coming barely three weeks after the League Management Company (LMC), fined the Nigeria Professional Football League champions N2.7m.

The committee , which sat in Abuja yesterday, came down heavily on the Flying Antelopes for crowd disturbance and misconduct during a league match against Abia Warriors on January 21, 2016.

The committee after considerations of the available facts contained in a written submission by Match Commissioner and Refreee’s reports, concluded that Rangers should pay the sum of N750,000 for their failure to ensure restriction of unauthorized persons from restricted areas.

“That for encroachment and throwing of objects towards the field of play at the end of the match by the fans and supporters of Rangers FC, in breach of Rule B13.18, Rangers shall pay a fine of N1m

For conducts capable of bringing the League to disrepute attempted assault at hauling of missiles at the match officials, Rangers International shall pay a fine of Five Hundred Thousand Naira only (N500,000.00);

In pursuant to Rule C12, that Rangers shall pay a fine of N500,000, being compensation of N250,000 each to the injured Match Commissioner and Mobile Police Officer.

The Committee further fined Rangers the sum of N1m, being cost for the Committee sitting in line with Rule E1 which states that “where an appeal or election for hearing pursuant to a notice in form 16 fails or is found to have been frivolous, such party may be liable to such additional sanction as deemed fit in the circumstances”.

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