Olufunke Bucknor, the only sibling to late OAP, Tosyn Bucknor has once
again shared a very emotional post on the death of her
sister. Yesterday, she confrmed that Tosyn died due to complications
from sickle cell, 'my heart is heavy, but in all things we give thanks
to God. My darling sister and besto Tosyn passed away last night due to
complications from sickle cell' she wrote. In her post today, Funke
said, 'my only sibling , my only aburo. You told me to live my best life
jare and go to where the love is. We had great plans oh, some of which
we made and discussed'. See the full post below....Hey you, Who will
send me those WhatsApp messages and voicenotes now to tell me that the
internet never forgets or that I shouldn't have written this or I should
delete or archive that post . Who will order me to bring takeaway for
them now? Who will introduce me to new music now ( though your love for
alternative music i didnt get oh lollll) Or even reach me new
dancesteps? The real contradiction, my only sibling , my only aburo. You
told me to live my best life jare and go to where the love is. We had
great plans oh , some of which we made and discussed at this lunch an
overdue one at that I didn't shed one tear when my dad passed away but
this one is hard oh ah it's hardThe post 'I
didn't shed one tear when my dad passed away but this one is hard oh,
ah it's hard' - Funke Bucknor's emotional post on Tosyn's death.'I didn't shed one tear when my dad passed away but this one is hard oh, ah it's hard' - Funke Bucknor's emotional post on Tosyn's death
Olufunke Bucknor, the only sibling to late OAP, Tosyn Bucknor has once
again shared a very emotional post on the death of her
sister. Yesterday, she confrmed that Tosyn died due to complications
from sickle cell, 'my heart is heavy, but in all things we give thanks
to God. My darling sister and besto Tosyn passed away last night due to
complications from sickle cell' she wrote. In her post today, Funke
said, 'my only sibling , my only aburo. You told me to live my best life
jare and go to where the love is. We had great plans oh, some of which
we made and discussed'. See the full post below....Hey you, Who will
send me those WhatsApp messages and voicenotes now to tell me that the
internet never forgets or that I shouldn't have written this or I should
delete or archive that post . Who will order me to bring takeaway for
them now? Who will introduce me to new music now ( though your love for
alternative music i didnt get oh lollll) Or even reach me new
dancesteps? The real contradiction, my only sibling , my only aburo. You
told me to live my best life jare and go to where the love is. We had
great plans oh , some of which we made and discussed at this lunch an
overdue one at that I didn't shed one tear when my dad passed away but
this one is hard oh ah it's hardThe post 'I
didn't shed one tear when my dad passed away but this one is hard oh,
ah it's hard' - Funke Bucknor's emotional post on Tosyn's death.Goodluck Jonathan reveals those behind his defeat In 2015, accuses Obama of meddling in the election
Former Pesident Goodluck Jonathan, has revealed those behind his defeat
in the 2015 presidential election.In his newly released book, titled:
“My Transition Hours” which is being launched today Tuesday November
20th to commemorate his 61st birthday, Jonathan stated that former
governors of his Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), who defected to the
then opposition All Progressive Congress (APC) because they were
“blinded by ambition” and a barrage of “fake news,” cost him his bid to
be reelected for a second term in office.“This time around, there were
governors who were rounding off their eight years tenure and were
blinded by ambition,” he wrote about his re-election bid in 2015 having
been overwhelmingly voted for in the 2011 election. Some governors
wanted to be Vice President whilst others strived to be the President.
If I contested none could realise his ambition. This muffled implosion
would fully manifest in the buildup to the 2015, which each ship-jumper
calculating how much he or she would take from the PDP or the most
opportune moment to cause maximum damage and based on that, plot their
exit.“As they jumped ship in preparation for the 2015 elections, only
very few of this lots, if any at all, bothered about what the PDP did or
did not do in terms of delivering our campaign promises. Their
opposition to my re-election was principally driven by personal
ambition. They therefore played up the issue of where I come from and
the faith, I professed to fuel their burning ambition. My performance
mattered quite little, if it mattered at all,” he wrote.The Former
president said that in a twist of fate, most of the governors and other
prominent members of the former ruling party who plotted against him are
now being victimised in the APC.The Former president in his book,
accused ex-US President, Barack Obama, of interfering in Nigeria’s 2015
presidential election. According to Jonathan, Obama during the heat of
the election, sent his secretary of state, John Kerry, and made a video
broadcast to Nigerians in ways designed to influence the outcome of the
election against him. He described the actions of Obama as
“humiliating”.“I can recall that President Obama sent his Secretary of
State to Nigeria, a sovereign nation, to protest the rescheduling of the
election. John Kerry arrived in Nigeria on Sunday January 25, 2015 and
said ‘it’s imperative that these elections happen on time as scheduled’.
How can the US Secretary of State know what is more important for
Nigeria than Nigeria’s own government? How could they have expected us
to conduct elections when Boko Haram controlled part of the North East
and were killing and maiming Nigerians? Not even the assurance of the
sanctity of the May 29, 2015 handover date could calm them down. In
Nigeria, the constitution is very clear. No President can extend his
tenure by one day.“On March 23, 2015, President Obama himself took the
unusual step of releasing a video message directly to Nigerians all but
telling them how to vote. In that video, Obama urged Nigerians to open
the ‘next chapter’ by their votes. Those who understood subliminal
language deciphered that he was prodding the electorate to vote for the
opposition to form a new government. The message was so condescending,
it was as if Nigerians did not know what to do and needed an Obama to
direct them.“In his message, he said ‘all Nigerians must be able to cast
their votes without intimidation or fear,’ yet his government was
vehemently and publicly against the postponement of the elections to
enable our military defeat Boko Haram and prevent them from intimidating
voters. This was the height of hypocrisy!” The post Goodluck Jonathan reveals those behind his defeat In 2015, accuses Obama of meddling in the election.Gunmen kidnap traditional ruler in Plateau State
Gunmen suspected to be kidnappers have abducted the traditional ruler of
Long Dorok Chiefdom in Shendam Local Government Area of Plateau State,
David Isa.According to reports, the gunmen numbering over ten stormed
Isa’s house on Monday night and whisked him away while shooting at
random.The post Gunmen kidnap traditional ruler in Plateau State.
Sexy mama! Another photo below
The post Photos: Ministry of Women Affairs rescues mentally challenged pregnant teenager from the street
A few days ago a heavily pregnant mentally challenged teenager was
rescued from the street. The teenager was spotted roaming around Enugu -
Agidi junction Amawbia, Awka Capital Territory by the state
commissioner for Children and Women Affairs, Ndidi Mezue, and she
immediately mandated the evacuation team to evacuate the young lady. 
The
team swung to action and rescued the scantily clad young lady. She was
then taken to Community Children Home Awka where arrangement has been
made for a psychiatrist to commence evaluation of her mental state and
subsequent rehabilitation as she awaits her due date of delivery.
Efforts to locate her family has already commenced. 
The post Photos: Ministry of Women Affairs rescues mentally challenged pregnant teenager from the street 25-year-old Nigerian man arrested in Italy for beating another Nigerian man into coma
A 25-year-old Nigerian man on Monday was arrested in Modena Italy for
allegedly slapping and seriously injuring a 32-year-old man on November
9. The victim, who is also from Nigeria, reported severe brain damage
and is in a coma at the hospital of Baggiovara. The suspect was
identified thanks to surveillance cameras at the scene of the attack,
investigators said. He has been living in Italy since 2015 and was
granted a residency permit for humanitarian reasons. The suspect had
applied for asylum in Gubbio and had worked at a factory near Modena
until three months ago but was currently jobless and homeless,
investigative sources said. Source: Ansa EnglishThe post 25-year-old Nigerian man arrested in Italy for beating another Nigerian man into coma.N2.2bn Fraud: EFCC presents four witnesses against Ex-Ekiti governor, Ayo Fayose
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on Monday, November
19th, opened its case against a former governor of Ekiti State, Ayodele
Fayose, who is being prosecuted for an alleged N2.2bn fraud before
Justice Mojisola Olatoregun of the Federal High Court sitting in Ikoyi,
Lagos . Fayose was arraigned alongside his company, Spotless Investment
Limited, on October 22, 2018 on an 11-count charge bordering on fraud
and money laundering to the tune of N2.2bn. The former governor is
facing trial in connection with N1.299bn and $5.3m out of the N4.65bn
slush funds allegedly shared by the Office of the National Security
Adviser, NSA, through a former Minister of State for Defence, Musiliu
Obanikoro.Fayose pleaded not guilty to the charges preferred against him
and was granted bail in the sum of N50m with one surety in like sum.
The Judge had adjourned to Monday, November 19, 2018 for the
commencement of trial.
In
the course of the sitting, a prosecution witness, Lawrence Akande, told
the court that one Abiodun Agbele informed him sometime in June 2014
that he had about N1.2 billion cash lodgement to make in Akure,Ondo
State.Akande, an employee of Zenith Bank Plc in charge of South West
comprising Ogun, Oyo and Osun States, further told the court that he
subsequently received a call from the first defendant in respect of the
same issue earlier discussed with him by Agbele."Since the lodgement was
in Akure, I had to call my colleague there to follow up on it. This is
all I know about it, " he added.When asked if he knew about the company,
Spotless Investment Limited, Akande, who was led in evidence by the
prosecution counsel, Rotimi Jacobs, SAN, stated that it was one of his
bank's customers at the Dugbe branch.
When
he was shown the account opening document of Spotless Nigeria Limited,
De Privateer Limited and Still Earth Limited as well as account document
of the first defendant, the witness confirmed the documents. They were
tendered and admitted in evidence as exhibita A-D by the court.When
asked where the account of the first defendant was domiciled, he said: "
It is not domiciled within my domain. "But from the documents before me
here, I can see Apapa", he said.Asked to state if the People's
Democratic Party, PDP, maintained an account with his bank, the witness
said so many parties, including PDP, had accounts with his bank.Under
cross-examination by counsel to the first defendant, Kanu Agabi, SAN,
the witness told the court that he made statements to the EFCC on June
6, 2016. He, however, said that he did not mention the first defendant
in his earlier statement. "I only mentioned him in my subsequent
statements to the EFCC ," he added.
When
the defence counsel told him that his evidence was based on what he was
told by his colleague, whom he said handled the transactions in Akure,
he responded that “I was told how the cash was processed.”He also stated
that he had sought patronage by the first defendant for opening of
government account with his bank in line with his responsibility of
looking for deposits.During cross-examination by counsel to the second
defendant, Olalekan Ojo, SAN, Akande confirmed to the court that a
person who is not a signatory to an account cannot make withdrawals from
such account."There are withdrawal limits in every account and where
withdrawals are to be made above the stipulated limits, it is reported
to the Nigeria Financial Intelligence Unit (NFIU) to investigate such
transaction," he further stated.When asked if his bank ever lodged any
report of suspicious transactions on the various company accounts, he
said: “We had no reason to do so."Also, when asked if he told the EFCC
that before the account opening of De Privateer, the sum of N200 million
was lodged in the account, he answered in the affirmative.When asked if
he was aware that the PDP organised a fund raiser before the election
and that political parties do organise fund raising, the witness said, "
It is not impossible. But I don’t know."Akande, who confirmed that he
had not had any dealing with the account of the second defendant, also
told the court that the CCTV installed in the bank usually captures
customers making lodgements in the bank, except it is faulty.A second
prosecution witness, Abiodun Oshodi, who is the Zonal Head of the bank
covering South West 2 comprising Ondo, Kwara and Ekiti, recalled some
developments in 2014 in relation to the case, saying, "I received a call
from my colleague (Akande) that Agbele would be coming to make some
lodgments and that I should organise a bullion van. I waited for Agbele
who arrived with one Sadiku and some escorts. Senator Musiliu Obanikoro,
the then Minister of State for Defence, and his aide, also accompanied
them. As soon as the aircraft arrived, I moved with the bullion van
towards the plane to evacuate the money."The total sum amounted to N1.2
billion. They were lodged into accounts supplied by Agbele. Others
include Spotless Nigeria Limited, De Privateer Limited as well as
personal account of former governor, Fayose. Some cash were taken to
Ado-Ekiti."When asked to look at the deposits in the account of Spotless
Limited from June 17 to Aug 4, 2014, Oshodi, who also supervises all
branches in the three localities, told the court that there was a
lodgment of N100 million on June 17. On June 23, there was a cash
lodgement of N49 milion. On June 24, there was a cash lodgement of
N200,000 while on August 4, there was a cash lodgement of N40
million."On same August 4, there were also cash lodgements in the sums
of N35 million, N35 million, N24 million, N20 million and N14 million
respectively," he added.The witness told the court that Agbele made the
deposit on June 17.He, however, said that from the statement before him,
the depositor's name on August 4 was given as Ayo.A third prosecution
witness, Olaitan Fajuyitan, a banker in Diamond Bank, told the court
about the involvement of the bank in the transaction, saying , "We
received payment instructions on June 16, 2014 to pay cash of N1.2bn. We
then moved the funds to CITS account. On the same process on June 17,
2014, we paid N200 millon."The account details, account statement and
instructions were tendered and admitted as exhibit E.He confirmed to
court that the money was legitimate, since it was received from the
Office of the National Security Adviser NSA, through the Central Bank of
Nigeria, CBN.PW3 mentioned the beneficiaries of disbursement funds as:
Santuraki Bello( N200m); Yusuf Ulama (N120m); Chmenun Injoku( N250m);
Josaha Moses( N250m); Abubaka Sodiq Zanna (N200m) and Franklin Tolani
(N150m), respectively.Also, the fourth prosecution witness, PW4, Damola
Otuyemo, Head, Cash in Transit in Service, Diamond Bank, said his duties
involved evacuating cash from a bank that has surplus and supplying
banks that do not have enough.He said on June 16, 2014, his Director,
Premier Oiwoh, informed him that they needed to pay a sum of N1.2bn cash
to a customer, and that he should get the cash ready.He said because
the beneficiaries were not available to pay the cash to, he was told by
his Director to move the cash to the airport.He said: "We had to contact
a company that operates bullion vans and moved the cash to the Muritala
Muhammed Airport, Ikeja, Lagos ."On getting to the Airport, we could
not have access to enter. So, my Director spoke to Gbolahan Obanikoro,
who was described as the person that could help us to proccess the pass.
He did and we then entered. After, this Musilu Obanikoro was phoned and
the cash was handed over to him. Obanikoro told me not to evacute the
cash because it had to be loaded in aircraft", he saidGiving further
evidence, he said: " The whole cash was moved into the aircraft and they
left the airport."We did not see the six beneficiaries. We released the
cash to Mr Musilu Obanikoro, having been identified by my Director. It
was Obanikoro who signed for the money. On June 17, 2014, my Director
called me and instructed that I pay a sum of N200m to Malik Bauchi. He
said we should waive identification."But because the amount was too
much, we did not waive the identification, and the money was paid to
Obanikoro. They used a cash bag called "jumbo bags" to pack N1.2bn and
Ghana- must-go bags to pack N200m. The cash was handed over to Musliu
Obanikoro".Justice Olatoregun adjourned the matter to January 21 and 28,
2019 for continuation of trial. The post N2.2bn Fraud: EFCC presents four witnesses against Ex-Ekiti governor, Ayo Fayose.Dad arrested after his 6-year-old daughter killed her baby brother by strangling him with a seat belt
A Texas father of two has been charged with child abandonment after his
six-year-old daughter strangled her one-year-old brother with a seat
belt.According to court documents filed on Friday, 26-year-old Adrian
Dreshaun Middleton from Houston left his two children in his car
unattended and went shopping at a store for more than an hour.Mail
Online reported that Middleton turned himself in at the Baytown Police
Department around 3 p.m over the May 20 incident. He told law
enforcement he gave the youngsters snacks and water, turned on the air
conditioning and played a movie before leaving them alone in the vehicle
for only 30 to 45 minutes.
However,
surveillance cameras showed he was gone between 10.45am and 12.15pm and
also didn't check on them after he claimed to have checked on the
children through a store window and thought they were fine. Middleton
told deputies when he got back to his car, he put the shopping bags in
the trunk and realized his daughter was crying. He said his daughter
told him she had to use the restroom and that she did something bad.When
he looked inside the car he saw his son was unconscious with the
seatbelt wrapped around him. Middleton then called 911 and began CPR on
the boy until paramedics arrived.According to the report, the child was
taken to Texas Children's Hospital where he was pronounced dead.His
6-year-old daughter also told an investigator she was playing with her
brother, and when she stopped playing, he started crying. She said she
became angry and wrapped the seatbelt around the baby. The girl said he
stopped crying, and she thought he was sleeping, but he was
dead.Prosecutors claim Middleton put his son at 'an unreasonable risk of
harm, namely, and a reasonable person would have believed that such
circumstances would place the Complainant in imminent danger of death,
bodily injury, physical impairment and mental impairment'.Licensed
Professional Counselor Bill Prasad says a 6-year-old child does not have
the mental capacity to truly understand their actions, so cannot be
blamed."Six-years-old (is) too young to be held accountable for this,”
Prasad said. "As adults, we have trouble in those situations. A
6-year-old has virtually no impulse control. So you really cannot trust a
6-year-old in that situation to be able to restrain his or herself and
make a good decision.”Prasad cautions most children are not able to make
those kinds of decisions until much later, therefore should not be
given that kind of responsibility until their teens."13 years of age,
with supervision, with training, with access to emergency services, with
a history of having made some good decisions and for a limited amount
of time, maybe an hour or two at the most," Prasad said.The post Dad arrested after his 6-year-old daughter killed her baby brother by strangling him with a seat belt.17-year-old actress, Titobiloluwa Segun-Banjo is missing (photos)
17-year-old actress, Tito Segun-Banjo, has been declared missing by her
family.In an interview with LIB, Tito's mum, Wemimo Segun-Banjo, said
her daughter who featured in Omoni Oboli's Wives on Strike, the
Revolution, left their home in Ipaja, Lagos state on Saturday November
17th to run some errands for her dad and has since not returned
home.Efforts to reach her has failed as her phone is currently switched
off''She left the house on Saturday to run errands for her dad and has
since not returned home. I have tried reaching her but her number is not
responding. I am afraid. Tito is a very bright girl whoknows my number
by heart and would have reached out to me using someone's number if
everything is okay. I am afraid'' the mum saidTito's mum says the case
has been reported to the police in Alagolo, Ipaja. She said the police
officers have asked them to pay some money before they can start
investigating the matter.Mrs Segun-Banjo says Tito just completed her
secondary school and is presently processing her admission into the
Obafemi Awolowo University to study Theater Arts.Anyone with useful
information should call 08023920474 or contact the nearest police
station. 
The post 17-year-old actress, Titobiloluwa Segun-Banjo is missing (photos).Prison decongestion: FG to grant presidential pardons to drug peddlers, fraudsters
On Monday, the Federal Government said presidential pardons would be
granted to drug peddlers, persons convicted of obtaining money under
false pretences and certain categories of prisoners who have shown
remorse while in confinement, to decongest prisons in the country.
Speaking during his visit to prisons in the North-East and
North-Central zones, vice-chairman of the Presidential Advisory
Committee on Prerogative of Mercy, William Alo, who is also the
Permanent Secretary, Special Duties in the Office of Secretary to the
Government of the Federation, said President Buhari was empowered by his
statutory responsibilities and backed by Section 175 of the 1999
Constitution (as amended) to accept, reject and grant pardons to
inmates of Nigerian prisons. He said, “Presidential pardons will be
granted to inmates who committed federal offences such as drug peddling,
vandalisation of public property, obtaining by tricks, otherwise known
as 419, and other related offences, if proved that they are remorseful
of their actions and meet the committee criteria.” Also speaking while
hosting Alo and his team, the Chief Judge of Plateau State, Pius
Damulak, called on the committee to review the cases of prison inmates
with compassion as many of them are serving terms as a result of poverty
and their inability to pay fines imposed as options.The post Prison decongestion: FG to grant presidential pardons to drug peddlers, fraudsters.'You won't be forgotten' - Nigerians mourn Tosyn Bucknor who died at 37
On Tuesday, Nigerians woke up to the news of Tosyn Bucknor's
death. Tosyn was a popular radio presenter, MC and worked with Top
Radio, Inspiration FM and many others. She was reportedly found dead,
last night, by her husband of 3 years, Aurelien Boyer, when he arrived
home from work. The cause of death isn’t known for now, but the Unilag
graduate was born with sickle cell anaemia. See all the reactions to her
death below...This is heart breaking. What's the need of working
tirelessly and just turn dust one day living our loved one's broken?You
won't be forgotten Tosyn Bucknor pic.twitter.com/98PFxPejOl— Enugu
shoemaker (@genius_walker) November 20, 2018RIP Tosyn Bucknor... This is
very shocking and sad to me... You were such a wonderful soul.. Those
beautiful mornings on Top Radio, i called in several times to hear your
voice and win your prizes.. Rest on Tbucks.. God bless your soul.— DOTUN
(@am_dotman) November 20, 2018Nah! I’m going back to bed. Tosyn Bucknor
CANNOT be dead. She can’t be!— . (@xi_iii_) November 20, 2018I would
listened to Top radio every morning until she leftRIP tosyn bucknor—
Poco loco (@seun__oj) November 20, 2018Aw Shit. RIP Tosyn Bucknor. Life
isn’t fair. Such a sad way to die.Melancholy is in the air.
pic.twitter.com/aPHuvxwVFO— (@The_Nifemi) November 20, 2018Tosyn
Bucknor! This hurts, again. But I’m glad I met you. One of the very few
media personalities in Nigeria that I looked up to. Her humility humbles
you. She was an Icon but very accessible and willing to help. We have
lost a gem. Rest is peace, Tosyn. Just rest. pic.twitter.com/Stz4jDdahs—
Elsie Godwin (@ELSiEiSY) November 20, 2018RIP Tosyn Bucknor. God rest
your soul.— Babanla (@biolakazeem) November 20, 2018Tosyn Bucknor dead?
GOD!!! This is not the rite news for me. May God Almighty grant all her
loved ones fortitude to bear this loss. RIP to an angel n Area Mama
pic.twitter.com/LR38qjXWhS— K-SOLO (@OBAKSOLO) November 20, 2018RIP
Tosyn Bucknor— W (@Kingwole) November 20, 2018This can't be true. I
became a radio fan because of Tosyn Bucknor.She was so full of life and
super amazing. Tosyn Bucknor — Oluwafemi Anthony (@RealSOK_) November
20, 2018To think I still saw Tosyn Bucknor last month. This is not a
palatable news for me. May God Almighty grand all her loved ones
fortitude to bear this great loss. RIP to an angel
pic.twitter.com/fjWjPIln6n— Bhadmus Hakeem (@Bhadoosky) November 20,
2018Woke up to the sad news of Tosyn Bucknor's demise. Life really is
not fair. How good people leave us untimely. Rest on, Icon. — Wale
Adetona (@iSlimfit) November 20, 2018Very sad news on my timeline this
morning. Still not clear about the circumstances but... Rest in peace
Tosyn Bucknor. May God Almighty strengthen the loved ones you left
behind.— Amara Nwankpa (@Nwankpa_A) November 20, 2018Listening to the
Radio every morning became a routine because of her TOSYN BUCKNORDamn
the way she said areaaaaaa back then....Rest Easy!— The Royal One
(@OmobaFeyrey) November 20, 2018I emailed Tosyn Bucknor sometime in 2016
and wrote her name as ‘Tosin’. She was so gracious in her response but
noted that she’d rather be addressed as ‘Tosyn’. Then it stuck. The
world has lost a gem. #RIPTosynBucknor— Tolu 'Yeni (@tsmolzz) November
20, 2018I woke up to terrible news. Rip Tosyn Bucknor. The one time I
met you at the station was enough to know you’re a good person and you
still recognized my talent afterwards on inspiration fm’s ig. A great
OAP will be missed. This one pain me ohhh— #DownByReilC
(@kingreilthe1st) November 20, 2018Didn't know her personally but its
sad to lose anyone let alone someone that affected so many.Rest in peace
Tosyn Bucknor. My thoughts go out to the family and her loved ones.—
Yubby (@YubbyNduonofit) November 20, 2018Tosyn Bucknor is dead.AreaMama
is dead.GuguruMorning is dead.R.I.P T-BuckYour legacy and your angelic
voice live on. pic.twitter.com/MJonHtV2Yk— E.T.H...Aina™ (@ETH_Aaina)
November 20, 2018The post 'You won't be forgotten' - Nigerians mourn Tosyn Bucknor who died at 37.OAP Tosyn Bucknor dies at 37
This is very shocking. OAP, Tosyn Bucknor has died. According to
reports, Tosyn who got married to her German beau, Aurelien Boyer, three
years ago, was found dead at her home by her husband last night Monday
November 19th when he returned from work.She was 37 years old.Tosyn was
born with sickle cell anaemia.May her soul rest in peace, Amen. The post
OAP Tosyn Bucknor dies at 37.Presidency reacts as Atiku condemns Service chiefs attending President Buhari's campaign kickoff
Senior Special Assistant to President Buari on Media and Publicity,
Shehu Garba, has reacted to the criticism that has trailed the service
chiefs who attended the campaign kickoff of President Buhari on Sunday
November 18th at the presidential villa. Service chiefs present at the
event were Gabriel Olonisakin, chief of defence staff, Abubakar Sadiq,
chief of air staff, and Ibok-Ete Ibas, chief of naval staff. The
spokesperson of the Atiku Campaign Organization, Segun Sowunmi, in an
interview with Punch, said the presence of the service chiefs showed
that Buhari as the commander-in-chief had compromised the heads of the
military agencies.“The problem with the security agencies is that they
have not fully defined who they should be loyal to. The concern is that
the commander-in-chief has some sort of relationship with them but when
they elevate that relationship to a point where they begin to attend
political events at the launch of the campaign of a political party,
everybody must be scared. This is because it portends a very dangerous
development which is that they have now got themselves involved in
politics to the point that they are now the cheerleaders of another
political party.“I hope when we want to unveil our own political
document in a public forum and if we invite them, they would be
reasonable enough to attend since they now attend political events. We
want to advise them to be removed from politics so that the opposition
can feel safe. I am quite disappointed in President Buhari for exposing
the military to such a compromise and we call on the international
community to take note” he saidReacting to Sowunmi's comment, Garba
Shehu in a statement released, said the service chiefs had thought the
event was non-political and left even before President Buhari arrived
the venue for the declaration. The statement read“They were mistaken in
their assumption that this was a non-political event, to showcase the
achievements of the administration, the success of which they are part.
Hardly were they seated than did the Minister of Defence, retired
Brig-Gen. Mansur Dan-Ali ask them to leave as this was a political
gathering. They quickly left, even before the arrival of the President
and for the event to get underway. The fuss over this is therefore
absolutely unnecessary.” The post Presidency reacts as Atiku condemns Service chiefs attending President Buhari's campaign kickoff.CAN asked to sanction members, pastors fueling insecurity through hate speeches in Nigeria
The leadership of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) has been asked to sanction its members fueling insecurity through hate speeches and unguarded comments in the country.
Christians Without Border, a religious group, which made the call on Tuesday, said the idea of promoting hate speeches from the pulpit was fast becoming a normal trend among ordained Messengers of God these days, a development it said was now worrisome.
CWB also chided the leadership of CAN for maintaining undignified silence; by failing to caution its members and Pastors who are in the habit of promoting hate speeches and making provocative statements from sacred altars.
“Not even an ordinary condemnatory statement has been issued by CAN to denounce such hate sermons,” Elder Simon Ainoko, the President lamented at a press conference on Tuesday.
Elder Ainoko said the group was also uncomfortable with the recent demand for the removal of service chiefs by the leadership of CAN led by its National President, Rev. Samson Ayokunle during a visit to President Muhammadu Buhari at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.
He bemoaned that the current leadership of the Christian body was gradually deviating from the dream of the founding fathers of the association who were apolitical.
It, therefore, charged the body to sanction any member of pastor caught making inflammatory comments that could unsettle the peace of the nation.
His words, “The Concerned Christian Forum is uncomfortable with some of the issues raised with Mr. President at the visit by the CAN leadership. By our interpretation, some of the views canvassed by CAN have partisan flavour, which we have reason to believe is unhealthy for the Body of Christ.
“CAN is expected to be neutral and impartial on the affairs of Nigeria, especially sensitive issues. We suffered greatly in recent history, when the immediate past leadership of CAN dragged the Body of Christ into partisan politics. One of the repercussions was that the Roman Catholic Church, one of the major blocs, suspended its membership of CAN because of the apparent embarrassment the partisan indulgence caused Christians in Nigeria. We cannot afford a relapse into this era of disunity and lack of cohesion within the Body of Christ, hence the need for caution.
“We do not think, it is appropriate for CAN to dabble into how Mr. President should appoint his security chiefs or how long they should serve in that capacity. It appreciated the efforts of the Security Chiefs in curtailing the menace of Boko Haram terrorism and other insurgencies.
“For CAN to posture in a manner indicative of indicting the Presidency on such crisis especially in states like Adamawa, Plateau, Benue, Taraba, Kaduna and Zamfara states depreciates the dignity they ought to embody. CAN’s utterances and comments on such sensitive issues should be more of supporting government to enthrone peace and unity.
“In the year 2017 alone some Pastors and CAN members stood on the sacred altars of their churches and spewed hate speeches’, directing their members to go out and kill Fulani herdsmen at sight. A few examples will illustrate us better and how CAN is failing us.
“Apostle Johnson Suleiman of Omega Fire Ministries Worldwide, boasted of directing his congregants during the service of Sunday, January 15th, 2017 that “I have told them in the church here, that any Fulani herdsman that just entered by mistake, Kill him, Kill Him. Cut his head. If they are busy killing Christians and nothing is happening, we will kill them and nothing will happen,” and the video went viral on social media.
“And also last year, a Senior pastor with Mountain of Liberation and Miracle Ministries, Mr. Chris Okafor, said this during a church service, “Enough is enough, no Christian must be killed anymore, if you want to kill one Christian, we are going to reply, we will defend ourselves”
“So, we advise the Body of Christ to be more circumspect in their utterances, least, they be misconstrued as extending support to forces against the progress of Nigeria.”
2019: I will pay workers N50,000 minimum wage if elected – Gbenga Olawepo
The Presidential flagbearer of the People’s Trust Party, Gbenga Hashim Olawepo has stated that he will implement the sum of N50,000 as minimum wage for Nigeria wnorkers within one year in office, if elected.
Speaking at a presidential interactive session in Abuja on Monday, he said, Nigeria has enough resources to pay all workers the said amount if the national leadership was committed to the welfare of Nigerians.
He described past political leaders as parasites who were out to satisfy their selfish interest rather than getting interested in Nigerians after cornering their votes.
He said, the APC and PDP Presidential candidates were the same who possess low educational qualifications, saying both lacked basic knowledge of how a bogus economy like Nigeria works in the 21st century.
“What is the difference between the so-called WAEC certificate and a Diploma that has no foundation? “, he queried.
He lamented that none of the presidential candidates has record of business successes, hence, it was difficult for them to initiate business strategies for the nation to yield increased revenue.
He said candidates of the APC and the PDP have been in government and were used to spending government money. A situation he posited, was counterproductive to a nation that needs someone that will take it to the next level.
The presidential candidate stressed that he will have zero tolerance for the killing of any citizen irrespective of tribe or religion, saying his administration will punish murderers.
“My administration will punish killers severely and stop killing of Nigerians for any reason. That is the only way killings can stop.
“Moreso, the anti-corruption battle of this government is faulty. You have to pay a living wage so that nobody will collect bribe at the gate.”
It would be recalled that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) officially opened the window of campaign for all Presidential candidates on Saturday.
Eid-el-Maulud: FRSC deploys 460 special, regular marshals to Cross River roads
The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Cross River State Command has deployed 460 special and regular marshals to control vehicular traffic in the roads in Cross River State.
Speaking with DAILY POST on phone in Calabar on Tuesday, the Cross River State Sector Commander, Chidi Nkwonta, said the Command has so far not recorded any serious human and vehicular clash.
He said the command deployed 300 special marshals and 160 regular marshals across the state to maintain strict observations of traffic rules as well as to prevent vehicular clash.
“I may not know off head the number of our men deployed on our roads because the Special Marshals are involve and you know they have units throughout the state.
“But I can comfortably tell you that we have 300 Special Marshals who are on the roads now to complement with about 160 Regular Marshall in the State, we have 6 effectively Patrol vehicles and one Ambulance out there,” he said.
According to him, the traffic density is usually very high especially during this period, so the FRSC can’t afford to be off the road, not minding that the security situation is a bit tight so the men have to be on the road.
“We did the Mecca rally for the launch of ember months campaign, that was to sensitize the entire state on the ember months and this includes the celebration we are having today, we mobilized all the stakeholders in the state and everybody is fully aware that activities have move to the road and they have to be cautious.
“Starting from September, we make massive deployment of our men to the high way, if you check the road now you would see our men everywhere, throughout the length and width of Cross River State, from Calabar up to Odukpani, up to Ugep, going forward to Ikom and then to Ogoja, then Yahe axis.
“And in the Southern angle up to Itu and coming down this way, toward Bakassi angle, Special Marshal and the Regular Marshal are in these roads including Ikang axis.
“With massive sensitization carried out by us, we have been able to reach out to everybody and we are out in the roads to make sure that there is no infraction and confident that we shall have clash free celebration up to Christmas period,” Nkwonta stated.
Consequently, on troubled areas like the Abi local government area, the Sector Commander said “We have a Command in Itighidi that covers the whole of Abi axis up to Ebony State, so they are working with the people of the communities and we monitoring the situation because that is the route to the Eastern part of the country to Enugu, Ebonyi and other States”.
2019 presidency: How Buhari is different from Atiku on restructuring – BCO
The Buhari/Osinbajo Campaign Organization has said that President Muhammadu Buhari will not be cunning and deceitful to Nigerians when it comes to the issue of restructuring.
According to the group, this has been the case with the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar.
The group said Atiku already knows he does not have the powers to single-handedly restructure the country.
The campaign group noted further that Buhari does not oppose any move by the National Assembly to carry out constitutional amendments for true federalism.
It stated this in the Campaign manual that serves as a basic guide for the 2019 elections released in Abuja.
According to the group, “The President himself is not a cunning and deceitful character like some other candidate, who knows he does not have the powers to singlehandedly restructure the country through constitutional amendments and would engage in giving a time-frame within which the country would be restructured.
“Sometimes in 2017, the APC set up a committee headed by Mallam Nasir el-Rufai, the governor of Kaduna state to make far reaching recommendations on restructuring.
“That Committee submitted its report early in 2018. In all his public outings throughout the years, the Vice President has advocated for restructuring and true federalism.
“The President has never indicated he would oppose any move by the National Assembly to carry out constitutional amendments to fully reflect true federalism.”
The group added, “As President and Vice President, President (Olusegun) Obasanjo and Alhaji Atiku Abubakar granted themselves university licences and were building their universities whilst ASUU (Academic Staff Union of Universities) was on strike severally at that period.
“The privatisation programme of the OBJ/Atiku Government was fraught with fraud as most of the deals ended in fiasco. Some of them were NITEL, ALSCON, etc.
“The OBJ/Atiku Government denied Lagos State of its funds for more than two years until it left power in 2007 because of political differences. And this was done despite an order of Supreme Court compelling the Federal Government to release the said funds.
“The OBJ/Atiku Government conducted some of the worst elections in our history which was the 2003 and 2007 elections where results were simply written. Hence, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, on the 3rd of September, 2018, publicly expressed his regret for not taking Lagos from Tinubu in 2003 because Tinubu was his friend.
“Despite all the recent grandstanding on restructuring, the candidate of the main opposition as Vice President never for once used his position to push for restructuring.
“There is no record of any Public lecture or open or secret memo he wrote to his boss or anyone, advocating for restructuring in any form. Instead, he was busy trying to restructure PDP throughout that period to take it over.
“At one time or the other the President has had cause to order the investigation of close aides accused of corrupt practices. Those that were found wanting have been removed from office.
:“The President does not interfere in the work of law enforcement agencies. In many cases, it takes time for people to be investigated and charged to court.
“No one has ever provided any verifiable evidence of corruption against the President or Vice President unlike in previous governments. The integrity of the President is not in doubt as expressed by various individuals, including heads of other governments, who have spoken on the character of the President.”
‘Salvation is personal’ – Tonto Dikeh tells Patience Ozokwor
Nollywood actress, Tonto Dikeh, has disagreed with her colleague, Patience Ozokwor over claims that a born-again Christian must change their ‘worldly wardrobe’ if they’ve truly repented.
Patience Ozokwor in a recent interview spoke about the importance of changing one’s wardrobe after they had given their lives to Christ.
“The church is separate from the world. Let us know who you are. If you have repented and you have not changed your wardrobe, you still have a long way to go,” she said.
Reacting to this, however, Tonto Dikeh in the comment section disagree with her stating that changing your wardrobe as a sign of repentance was a local way of viewing Christianity as salvation is personal.
“With all due respect mama, biko run your race, salvation is personal and it’s not sin in the bible.
“It’s this local way of viewing Christianity that actually corrupts the house of God with polluted message.
“Too much love for you mama but ya WRONG, If anyone decides to serve God in Rags, designer’s, hair or no hair knock yourselves out.
26-year-old prophetess’ son remanded in prison for raping 9-year-old girl in Ondo
A 26-year-old man, Friday Akinlaja who was reported to have allegedly raped a nine-year-old girl (name withheld) in Akure, the Ondo state capital has been remanded at the Olokuta Medium Prison.
Akinlaja, who is the son of a popular Prophetess of a Pentecostal Church in Akure, committed the offence in Oda area of the state capital.
He was said to have been nabbed by the men of the Ondo State Police Command after the crime was reported by neighbours which subsequently culminated in his arraignment in court on Monday, for sexually abusing the minor.
The culprit who was dragged before Magistrate Olanipekun Mayomi, with a one-count charge of rape and defilement of the minor, blamed the devil for his crime.
He was also accused to have handed the sum of ‘N110’ to the nine-year-old after committing the crime.
Dr. Thomas-Wilson Ikubese, a medical practitioner who was the first to break the news on his social media page accused the suspect of taking advantage of the poor status of her parents to defile the little girl.
“The man decided to take advantage of the little girl because of the poor status of her parents.
“The poor girl was yet to have her meal all day as 8 pm (on the day of the incident) and the man came visiting.
“The man came visiting when her mum had gone out to look for money to feed her children.
“He then decided that the girl should follow him so he could buy her some bread and Ankara, only to rape the poor girl and give her a pantry of N110.
“A sum which she couldn’t even make use of again because of the pains and anguish had taken over,” he said.
Meanwhile, some lawyers from the state chapter of the Nigeria Bar Association, NBA, have volunteered to make representation for the minor and her parents in order to get justice.
Also, two social media activists, Oluyemi Fashion and Oluwatoyin Adegbenro and Oluyemi Fashipe who both joined their voices to the growing number of those who have condemned the crime, vowed to ensure that the little girl and her family get justice.
“We will ensure that all apparatus are used to fight for justice for this young girl and never shall we encourage this type of physical assault, molestation and attack on our ladies” they said.
What we’ll do in 2019 – Police
Mr Dibal Yakadi, Commissioner of Police, Niger, on Tuesday assured that the Force will be neutral during the 2019 election.
He, however, urged politicians to adhere strictly to the electoral laws during the ongoing electioneering campaigns in the state.
Yakadi told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Minna, that the command had mapped out concrete security measures to ensure peaceful implementation of the electoral process.
“All parties and their candidates vying for various political positions in the forthcoming general elections must be law abiding in carrying out their campaigns
“We will provide a level-playing ground for all candidates as they embark on their electioneering campaigns but will not tolerate the use of dangerous weapons during the exercise,” he said.
The Commissioner enjoined leaders of various political parties to prevail on their supporters to avoid acts capable of causing disaffection among residents and breakdown of law and order.
According to him, the police will arrest and charge to court any politician or supporter caught perpetrating violence.
He said that the police would not fold their hands and watch any person or group of youths carrying arms during and after the campaigns.
