DevelopmentNewsOnline: January 2015

Friday, 30 January 2015

APC's withdrawal from Presidential debate is saving Buhari from shame— Okupe

The Senior Special Assistant to President Goodluck Jonathan on Public Affairs, Doyin Okupe has taken a swipe at the presidential candidate of the All Progressive Party, APC, Gen. Muhammadu Buhari and his party for boycotting the presidential debate organised by the Nigeria Election Debate Group (NEDG).
Okupe said APC boycotted the debate to save Buhari from shame, as he does not have record of performance, education and eloquency needed for a debate to match President Goodluck Jonathan of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP.
He made this known on his twitter page. “If APC didn’t withdraw from the debate they would have been silly. Their candidate has no record of
performance. Neither is he educated nor eloquent”.

Suspected Niger Delta militants on Friday raided fishing communities of Ikot Etuk Idung, Ute Antai and Ute Bramah in Mbo Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State, carting away valuables and raping their female victims.

A boat operator, Mr. David Bassey, told our correspondent in Ibaka, Mbo LGA on Monday that the militants, apart from raping the married women, also stole clothes, money and fish in the houses where they assaulted the women.

According to him, some militants, who have taken residences in Ikot Etuk Idung, attacked both passengers’ and fishing boats.

He explained that on Friday, the militants attacked a boat belonging to Ukap Peter, which was heading for Atabong.

Gay marriage busted in Kano

Kano Hisbah Command has scuttled ‘wedding’ of two men in their twenties and detained the groom.
The Commander, Hisbah Sharia Guard, Sheik Aminu Daurawa told reporters in Kano that the bride in the illegal union was at large.
Daurawa, while parading the suspected groom, Faruk Maiduguri alongside fourteen others that were at the venue of the botched event, said that the Sharia Corp acted on intelligence report.
Daurawa revealed that operatives of the Hisbah swooped on the men at a recreational resort in Dawakin Kudu local government area.

PHOTOS: Ex-militant bathes former girlfriend with acid

An accidental meeting between 24-year-old hair stylist, Miss Juliet Osimen from Esan West Local Government Area, Edo State, and Austin, a native of Emu-Unoh, Ndokwa West Area, Delta State, in Warri, glued them together. Barely three years into the affair, Austin, shattered the promising life of his lover with a cruel acid bath.
Today, after battling to survive with a year-long intensive care at the University of Benin Teaching Hospital, UBTH, Benin, Edo State, Juliet still requires over N5 million lifeline for a medical trip to Indian, as she struggles to pick up the pieces of her devastated life.
… in the beginning
According to Vanguard Juliet met Austin while working at a fast food centre in the Niger Cat neighbourhood of Ekpan, Delta State, where her father, Pastor Sunday Osimen, farmer and Head at the Mountain of God’s Grace Ministry in the area, also owns a modest home.
Recalling the good times, Juliet said:
“Austin was very generous in the relationship and often granted most of the requests I made. As a result, I hardly hesitated when he started making proposals for marriage and coming close to my family.

Unknown persons behead 85 year-old in Benin

An 85 year-old community leader in Arougba village, in Oredo local government area of Benin metropolis, Goodluck Uwumahongie, has been beheaded by unknown persons, over alleged land tussle.
Police sources confirmed that the killers left with the victim’s head. The assailants were said to have shot late octogenarian before they chopped off his head. He was said to have been alone at his in-law’s residence at Irhirhi village when the attackers struck.
It was gathered that the victim had fled to Irhirhi, following the crisis that trailed the alleged land tussle at Aruogba, where many houses were burnt and three persons killed.
Fifty-five year-old widow of the victim, Julie, said she received the news of the murder of her husband at about 5:30am
She confirmed that her husband’s death was not unconnected with the crisis surrounding the community land.

Worshippers flee as mad man invades church in Lagos

It was pandemonium when a ‘mad man’ dressed in swaddled in multi-coloured fabrics saun-tered in the worship centre of Glory Chapel of the Redeem-ed Christian Church of God, RCCG, Agbelekale, Abule Egba, Lagos, last Sunday sending choristers, members of the church scampering in every direction seeking safe haven.
The middle-aged man bran-dishing a heavy stone in his right hand and a tiny piece of freshly sawed piece of wood from a nearby carpenter’s workshop was said to have walked out of the church almost immediately but made a return bid, this time with ferocious campaign just as the parish pastor, Pastor Ladi Akinsanya was telling the congregants about a special guest minister.
Vanguard reports that,the entry of the ‘mad man’ interrupted the announcement as worshippers made for any and every escape route out of the church. Sensing the mood of the church, a middle-aged man simply identified as Baba Dominion was said to have taken a bold step and grabbed the ‘mad man’ from behind creating an opportunity for another to disarm him.

Mob beats 61-year old gay suspect in Lagos

A 61-year-old suspected gay, identified simply as Salisu, escaped death in Apapa area of Lagos State, when an angry mob descended on him.
The man was said to have offered a 13-year-old boy N500 near Anjorin market about 6pm on Sunday. He allegedly started to rub the boy’s private part when two men caught him.
It was alleged by eye witnesses that the gay was rubbing the boy’s private part beside Anjorin market when two men saw him and raised an alarm. Other men around joined and gave him the beating of his life. The man said it was the devil that pushed him into the act. He claimed that was the first time he would attempt such.

A man identified as Ezebu Joseph allegedly killed himself earlier today around 8am by jumping into the Lagos lagoon.
According to an eyewitness, the deceased stopped a moving bus on Third Mainland bridge and
jumped into the lagoon.Eyewitness went ahead to say that Joseph forcefully opened the door of a moving bus and asked the driver to stop before surprising everyone in the vehicle by jumping into the lagoon.

Controversial cleric and shepherd of Celestial Church of Christ, Elisha Parish, Prophet Marcus Korede Oluwatosin Tibetan has predicted the disgrace of President Goodluck Jonathan in 2015.

In an interview with ENCOMIUM Weekly, Tibetan gave more alarming prophetic revelations, while insisting there would be no bloodshed in the land.

Sir, there is so much anxiety in the political landscape and 2015 is already pregnant with fears, as a seer and an anointed prophet of God, what should we expect in 2015?

God said in the book of Genesis Chapter 1, ‘Let there be light and there was light’. It is the people’s voice that will prevail. God does have any special thing for 2015 but the more I stop telling you lies, that is when we will know peace in our house. The country has no middle class and only low class, the levelers and the people up there who have the long spoons. When they stop digging their long spoons into the federal purse, then we can have a peaceful 2015. But if this fraud is not stopped, the people will be in danger.

Former military president, Gen Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida has said that he endorses all the presidential candidates.
Babangida made this known yesterday in a CHANNELS Television talk show programme, Straight Talk where he said all the candidates have shown passion for the unity of the country.
Asked by the programme presenter, Kadaria Ahmed if he actually endorsed President Goodluck Jonathan as was reported in the media, Babangida said he actually alluded to it. “I did allude to that, I said I found him as someone who has a very strong belief about the unity of this country.
“Those of us who fought the civil war, I still carry a bullet here as a permanent reminder in me, anything that talks about Nigeria’s unity, I get impassioned about it.

Stakeholders brainstorm on how to improve secondary education

As part of efforts to improve innovation and practice in secondary education in Nigeria, Results for Development Institute (R4D) and The Education Partnership Centre (TEP Centre) recently held a convening of stakeholders in the secondary education.

Held under the auspices of the Partnership to Strengthen Innovation and Practice in Secondary Education (PSIPSE), a funder collaborative that seeks to increase secondary education access and improve learning outcomes especially for girls and marginalized populations, the event brought together stakeholders and decision-makers engaged in the secondary education space in Nigeria to share knowledge and experiences, discuss best practices and innovation and encourage peer-to-peer collaboration.

The aim of PSIPSE is to accelerate innovation in secondary education programming, research, and development in selected countries. It is led by a group of private donors and donor advisors, including ELMA Philanthropies, Human Dignity Foundation, Intel Foundation, the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation, MasterCard Foundation, and an anonymous donor.

Speaking through a press release signed by the Public Relations Officer, Utibe Henshaw, technical sessions at the event held at Eko Hotels and Suites, focused on sharing knowledge on monitoring and evaluation, translating research into policy, strengthening the design of secondary education research, scaling projects and engaging policy makers.

Addressing the challenges facing access to quality secondary education for girls and marginalised youth, Ms Kemi Williams, Keynote Speaker and Team Leader Human Development, DfID Nigeria,stated that the solution to removing barriers requires a comprehensive understanding of how these barriers interrelate, and a holistic approach to addressing them.

The Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Education, Dr. MacJohn Nwaobiala, who was also at the event emphasized that education is a collective responsibility and that approaches which strengthen government and private sector collaboration can help improve the education system.

On her part, Dr. Modupe Adefeso-Olateju, Managing Director of TEP Centre noted that well-designed and strategic public-private partnerships can address challenges which affect access, quality and equity in the Nigerian education education.

In her remarks, Mrs. Fola Laoye, board member of Results for Development Institute (R4D) and Chairman Hygiea Nigeria, said that for the country to be truly competitive in a global economy, there is need to return to a merit-driven system. She also commended PSIPSE grant recipients for commitment to designing and implementing innovative secondary education projects.

NDLEA arrests 53-year-old woman, 12 others for drug trafficking

Operatives of the Bayelsa State Command of National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) last weekend announced that its operatives have arrested a 53–year-old woman, Madam Sinoroba John, and 12 others over alleged possession and sale of 20.9 kg of Cannabis Sativa and other illicit drugs in the state. Also arrested by the men of the NDLEA are, one Ebi Famoh, Onyebuchi Umenze, Madam Sinoroba John, Erekefe Okparate, Benedict uju and Odiu Benjamin. The Bayelsa State Commander, NDLEA, Mr. Frank Hanachor, while confirming the development through a statement sent to LEADERSHIP via email, said the arrest of the suspects were effected at various locations in the state.

Osinbajo has 5,000 churches, don't vote for Buhari - Sambo tells Northerners

At the Presidential campaign rally of GEJ/Sambo in Jigawa state on January 21st, 2015, in the presence of President Jonathan, Vice President Namadi Sambo stated in Hausa: "Buhari ya dauko pastor a matsayin mataimakinsa kunsan coci nawa yake dashi? Yanada coci 5000, don haka karku zabesu." The translation is - "Buhari has selected a pastor as his running mate, do you know how many churches he has? He has 5000 churches, so based on that, don't vote for them".

Sambo used religious sentiments in his attempt to divide the country and incite Muslims against Christians. Sambo also said at the rally that the PDP is the most Islamic Party in Nigeria because nobody can be more Muslim than him. He said that his name is Namadi which is a derivative of Namadina, meaning someone from the Medina in Saudi Arabia. At the Rally in Jigawa State Sambo also stated that he goes for the Hajj every year.

In his determination to whip up religious sentiments and divisions, the vp stated at the Jigawa state rally that all the security chiefs in the Jonathan administration are Muslims and based on that, those alleging that Jonathan is supportive of Boko Haram are not being fair. He mentioned the names of some key ministers in the Jonathan administration including Defence Minister, Aliyu Gusau, NSA, Sambo Dasuki, Inspector General of Police, Abba whom he emphasized are all Muslims. He also mentioned all the Muslim ministers from Kano, including Aminu Wali, Foreign Affairs Minister and Shekarau, Minister of Education.

News Headlines for January 26

Punch
Environmentalists identify poor funding as bane of research
Report highlights potential property hotspots in emerging markets
NAHB predicts robust new home sales
Fraudsters hijack Ogun Homeowners' Charter
Mutual Benefits explains housing development efforts
Lagos not frustrating insurance monitoring ' NIA
Improving public confidence in insurance through complaint centres
BoI plans technology fund for SMEs
UK should stay in EU ' Cohn
Nigeria should compete well with other countries ' Surveyor
UBA boss sees no significant naira devaluation
Experts to discuss housing, infrastructure at UNILAG forum
AfDB, MasterCard seek inclusive growth in Africa
Yuguda's revelations on Bauchi attack shock Presidency, PDP
Our set took Hausa paper in 1961
I'm not a foreigner ' Buhari's wife
Niger PDP denies defection report
Ogun council workers threaten strike
APC sues NCC for fund-raising portal shutdown
Jega summons RECs over PVCs

Vanguard
Suspected ritualists kill teen girls in Ondo
Bankole moves political structure to Ogun LP
May 29 handover date sacrosanct ' Jonathan
Jonathan's rally: FCT minister, not APC masterminded Bauchi attack ' Yuguda
Jonathan's achievements verifiable 'PDP
Promoters of election violence ineligible for American visas 'John Kerry
I'll create 1m jobs in S-East, exploiting coal for power generation, export'Buhari
I won't disappoint you, Ogboru assures Itsekiri nation
Jonathan woos business leaders in Lagos
$16bn EPZ Project: Jonathan seeks new date for ground breaking
Rigging ' PVC, Card Reader To Rescue
2015: Nigeria needs change 'Latinwo
Jonathan's men: The stoning and stormy story of Isa and Bala
SDP: The third leg in S-West politics
High cost of doing business worries SMEs
Banks' capitalisation inadequate to finance oil and gas industry
We have robust rules to protect retail investors ' Onyema
Youth unemployment in Nigeria up to 50% 'Mckinsey & co
Oil price slump: Firms might lay off workers 'Expert
LASG not frustrating insurance monitoring ' NIA
Investor Community should not panic, says Oduoza
OPIC budgets N5.2bn on housing development
New York, world's top real estate market

The Nation
U.S. to Jonathan, Buhari: Feb. elections must go on
Troops repel Boko Harams attack on Maiduguri
Poll shift: Anxiety as NSA invites parties, service chiefs, INEC
What I told Kerry, by Jonathan
Jonathan calls for prayers at Winners Chapel
Police: Buharis head teacher not dead
Fashola to Lagosians: eschew violence
Maiduguri attack: Shettima commends military
The town Monguno
Federal Governments economic team weak, selfish
Investors gain N259b on 21,044 deals
Six-wheel Brabus makes debut
Religion and safe driving skills
CWG wins Wincors ATM award
Aiico, IFC in N3.4b convertible loan deal
UBA assures investors on naira stability
NDIC cuts insurance premium for banks
Schneider urges local manufacture of oil, gas equipment
Siting of NIPPs not political, says Power Ministry
Seplat gets new deadline on Afren acquisition
Fuel price cut
Too many cooks
Peace accord and its question marks
Femo, what next
Ahmed, Ajibola, Omotoso battle for Kwara Govt House
Olejeme drums support for Jonathan
Vote for credible candidates, Abatemi-Usman urges Nigerians
Adelekes an embodiment of humility, says Timi

Saturday, 24 January 2015

Man carries dead mum to bank to withdraw money

David Vanzo possibly brought his dead mom with him to the bank and made withdrawal in her name.

A man allegedly took his dead mum's body to a bank in a wheel chair and deceitfully withdrew her money.

David Vanzo is being investigated for "elderly neglect and financial exploitation" of his mum, Caryl Vanzo, following the alleged incident.

It has been alleged that Davido Vanzo withdrew $850 from his mum's account and police are investigating whether he brought his mum already dead to withdraw her month from Wells Fargo in Plymouth, Minnesota.

David Vanzo called 911 on Monday, January 5 to report his mum's death seven hours after he withdrew the money.

The Nigerian born British graduate who got popular and also a job when he stood in a railway station handing out his CV has returned to the same spot to recruit workers for his new company.

The Nigerian, Alfred Ajani, who made news for standing in a London Waterloo Station with his a placard bearing his CV and an appeal to be hired for a job, has returned to the same spot to recruit workers to the company that employed him.

Company CEOs were left impressed by the tenacity of the 22-year-old when he stood at the train station with a large placard which read "Marketing Graduate (BA Hons 2:1 Coventry Uni) - Ask for a CV."

He received many job offers that day and ended up being employed by a recruitment firm. Two weeks after his job-seeking stunt, he took a role with recruitment consultancyThe Asoria Group, which are based just one hundred yards from the station.

Ini Edo has started dating again months after she got separated from her husband.

Just a couple of days ago, reports emerged on social media that the Nollywood Actress, Ini Edo who recently divorced her husband is now in a relationship with a young upcoming actor, Mike Godson.

The report went viral after few intimate pictures and selfies of the beautiful actress and the actor pictured together on bed found its way onto Blogs.

The alleged affair between Mike Godson and Ini Edo came months after the actress announced that she was divorcing her husband, Phillip Ehiagwina of 6 years.

Actor proves there's nothing wrong enjoying a delicious traditional meal in a simple neighborhood even as a superstar

Ghanaian superstar John Dumelo is spotted eating the famous Kenkey traditional meal in a local joint in Jamestown, Accra, yesterday afternoon.

The actor posted a photo of him licking his fingers and enjoying a well-cooked kenkey dish while rocking simple clean white t-shirt and a pair of knee-length jeans at a rural-looking neighborhood.

He captioned his picture:

'I don’t have a voter’s card', Fashola says

Lagos State Governor, Babatunde Fashola has said that he does not have a Permanent Voters Card (PVC).

Fashola stated this yesterday, during the All Progressives Congress(APC) governorship rally in the Ajeromi Local Government Area of the state.

The governor also said that many eligible voters in the country were yet to get their PVCs while urging the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to ensure prompt distribution.

"I have tried many times but I have not been able to get my PVC. Even the Sultan of Sokoto is yet to collect his PVC. I have been fighting them because of the shoddy way the voters registration went on in Lagos. I know that many people have not been able to get theirs, but I urge people not to relent," he said.

Two separate fires burn down six hostels at FGGC Kazaure

Two separate fire incidents have left six hostels at the FGGC Kazaure, totally destroyed. No life as lost but students lost their properties in the inferno.

Students of Federal Government Girls College (FGGC), Kazaure, are counting their losses after six of their hostels were destroyed in two mysterious fire incidents.

According to the Commandant of the Jigawa state Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Mr Muhammad Gidado, the hostels were completely destroyed in the inferno.

Gidado told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) that the first fire happened on Wednesday at 9 a.m. while the students were attending classes while a second happened the next day around 3 a.m.

According to documents gathered by Nigeria Entertainment Today (NET), D'banj will be appearing in court this January over the reported debt mess case.

The Pop star is currently finalising plans for his 10 anniversary celebration, with a major party planned on January 31, 2015, but will have to deal with the request by the court to attend a hearing.

Reports had emerged in November 2014, that a top oil and gas industry player, Henry Ojogho, alleged that D'banj obtained a loan of over N60m from him in January 2013 and has not paid back the said sum despite signing an undertaking to do so.

But the reports were denied by a representative of D'banj who refused to disclose his name.

A recent report just hours ago has it that there has been a fatal accident this there was a fatal accident at Ketu, Lagos, when a truck carrying a container fell on a commercial 'Fanagon' bus, leaving many of the passengers dead while others sustained severe injuries.

INEC assures Nigerians of election date

The head of Nigeria's electoral body on Friday maintained that elections set for next month will still take place, despite concerns about whether voter cards will be distributed in time.

Nigeria's national security adviser, Sambo Dasuki, told a conference in London on Thursday that the February 14 poll should be delayed to ensure that registered voters received their cards.

But the chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Attahiru Jega, said there had been no discussion on postponement.

Asked whether the presidential and parliamentary vote will still take place as planned, he told delegates at a meeting in Abuja: "I have said so.

"I have said everything we are doing, including the challenges of the distribution of Permanent Voters Card, we believe is something we can address long before February 14.

"We issued (the) election timetable for February 14 almost a year ago‎ and we have been very busy working to implement that timetable to the letter."

Principal gets death threats for releasing Buhari’s results

Principal, Government College, Katsina, Mallam Isyaku Bello, has been receiving death threats barely 24 hours after releasing Gen. Muhammadu Buhari's 1961 West African School Certificate (WASC) results.

The source of the threats could not be ascertained last night.

The principal was summoned by his employers, the Katsina State Ministry of Education, in connection with the release of the results, sources close to Mallam Bello said last night.

The embattled principal was said to have explained that he needed to defend the integrity of the college (formerly Provincial Secondary School, Katsina) and not Gen. Buhari.

Bello made distress calls to his friends and relatives, The Nation learnt.

One source said: "Some forces were unhappy with the issuance of results to Gen. Buhari and they have been threatening the principal. They have been calling him names, abusing him. Some were actually threatening to deal with him.

"They told the principal that he ought to have left Buhari to his fate instead of releasing his results.

"Faced with pressure, the principal has reached out to friends and relatives on the threats.

HIV/AIDS drugs to be manufactured in Nigeria

Dr Bilali Camara, UNAIDS Country Director, said yesterday that four companies will commence production of anti-retroviral drugs in Nigeria.

Camara, who is also the UNAIDS Focal Point for ECOWAS, disclosed in an interview with newsmen in Abuja. He said the local production of anti-retroviral drugs would enable people access treatment at a cheaper rate. He added that it will also help those on life treatment, stressing that people live on treatment for 15 to 30 years.

"We have commenced negotiations with four pharmaceutical companies; the companies have been certified by the World Health Organisation (WHO) for the general manufacturing practices," he said. The official said WHO would assist to conduct the prequalification processes, "and as soon as that is concluded they will commence the production of the anti-retroviral drugs in Nigeria''.

Camara said many West and Central African states would benefit from the production, because nobody is producing the drugs in this region.

Gentlemen of the Press, yesterday, 21st of January, 2014, the presidential candidate of the All Progressive Congress, Gen Muhammadu Buhari addressed a Press Conference where he attempted to explain the series of controversies surrounding his academic qualifications especially the Secondary School Certificate.

Again, the APC candidate, rather than provide a conclusive proof that he possesses this minimum qualification, went into a session of blame game and shifting of what ordinarily ought to be his personal responsibility as he said and I quote "I have formally requested my old school, Provisional Secondary School Katsina, which is now known as Government College, Katsina, to make available the Schools copy of the result of the Cambridge West African Schools Certificate."

It is unfortunate that the more Gen Buhari tries to extricate himself from the crisis, the more he stumbles into a new phase in the unfolding narrative of his obvious complicity in a matter that borders on perjury and which has called his avowed integrity to question.

The police in Bauchi yesterday confirmed 14 persons were killed in an accident involving the convoy of Gombe State Governor Dakwambo.

Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) DSP Haruna Mohammed, in a statement said the accident occurred about 7 pm yesterday along Bauchi/Gombe Federal highway in Alkareri LGA. Mohammed said three Hummer buses and a motorcycle were gutted by fire.

These reports on Dbanj being cash-strapped keeps persisting...Here is another new report by Encomium magazine

IT has again emerged that pop star, D'Banj is allegedly broke. ENCOMIUM Weekly's highly reliable sources have confirmed, claiming that the A-list artiste now finds it difficult to pay his staff.

We were told that some of his personal staff are grumbling over unpaid salaries even as many have called it quits with his team.

"D'Banj and some of his workers are at loggerheads over unpaid salaries. Chu-Chu and Moses have already been withdrawn from his management for now. Things are no longer at ease with the Koko master."

Late last year, news filtered into town that the millionaire artiste might be sued for a debt of over $240,000! A technology company, MindHub Technologies headed by one Henry Ojogho claimed he is even owing the company yet another N15 million.

Google's executive chairman Eric Schmidt has predicted the end of the Internet .

Speaking at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, he was asked for his prediction on the future of the Web. He explained, according to Hollywood Reporter.....

'I will answer very simply that the Internet will disappear,''There will be so many IP addresses…so many devices, sensors, things that you are wearing, things that you are interacting with that you won't even sense it.

The Lagos State Police Command has arrested eight suspected members of a trans-border robbery gang, among them a 59-year-old man, who confessed to have carried out robbery operations in Benin Republic, Mali, among other countries within West Africa. The gang's recent operation was reportedly carried out in a bank in Porto Novo, Benin Republic, where over N100 million was carted away.

Recovered from the suspects were two AK-47 rifles, 11 AK-47 loaded magazines and their operational vehicle, a Toyota Sienna bus, which has an inbuilt compartment where weapons are kept.

Briefing newsmen on the arrest yesterday, Lagos State Police Commissioner, Kayode Aderanti, said:

"On December 15, 2014, at about11:30p.m., I received information about some deadly trans-border armed robbers in Iba, Festac and Igando areas and immediately directed the Officer in-Charge of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad, Abba Kyari, to go after them.

APC supporter killed, another shot in Lagos

An All Progressives Congress, APC supporter in the Agege area of Lagos State, Mr. Eyitayo Peters aka Abona, lost his life on Thursday after being shot in the face on Orile Road.

Our correspondent, who was also in the area during the time of the shooting, learnt that another APC supporter, Lanre Ogunjimi, was shot in the waist on the same road but was rushed to a nearby hospital where he was immediately taken into the theatre for surgery.

PUNCH Metro learnt that the incident was caused by a feud between supporters of Mr. Oluyinka Ogundinmu of the APC and Mr. Oluniyi Raheem of the Peoples Democratic Party.

It was learnt that both Ogundinmu and Raheem are contesting the House of Assembly Agege Constituency 2 seat.

The two groups, it was learnt, had been engaged in a show of force following allegations of removal of posters.

However, it was learnt that on Thursday, trouble started at the Methodist Primary School, Tabon Tabon, where agents of the Independent National Electoral Commission were distributing Permanent Voter Cards.

The Buhari Campaign Co-ordinator for Ondo State, Mr. Ife Oyedele, has alleged that the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP in the state is plotting to organise youths to attack the convoy of Buhari tomorrow.

Oyedele, at a conference organised by the Muhammadu Buhari Legacy Foundation, an NGO rallying support for Buhari, in Akure on Thursday, said the PDP plot was to serve as retaliation for the attack on the convoy of President Goodluck Jonathan in Katsina on Tuesday.

He said, "The PDP is organising thugs to stone our convoy on Saturday. They are recruiting thugs that will be throwing stones at General Buhari, just to give the impression that he is not loved by the people of the state.

Ahead of the presidential election which is to hold on February 14, President Goodluck Jonathan has narrated some achievements he has made since he assumed office promising to do more.

"My dear friends on Facebook, in the following days and weeks, I would be reporting back to you on what I have done with the mandate you gave me four years ago. In many ways, I see you as a special constituency of mine because of the love and support you have shown me on this page since I came on Facebook on the 28th of June 2010," he posted on his Facebook page.

"The Average Life Expectancy in Nigeria was 47 years in 2010. Five years down the line, working together, we have succeeded in increasing Nigeria's Average Life Expectancy to 54 years as at today and climbing. And the government I head will not rest on its oars in improving all our health indices to make sure that Nigerians not only live longer lives, but that we live better quality lives.

Jobless youth killed while struggling for campaign money

A 25-year-old man, Kingsley Ughala, has been shot dead while struggling to share the money dashed out by a politician after a rally of the All Progressives Congress in Lagos State.

The incident happened on Friday afternoon in the Gbagada area of the state.

PUNCH Metro learnt that Kingsley had followed the APC to a rally and returned with some group of boys who later besieged the campaign office of the APC governorship candidate, Akinwunmi Ambode, for "settlement."

Our correspondent was told that after money was given out to the men, trouble started when a particular group wanted to pocket the largesse.

In the ensuing scuffle, the Imo State indigene was shot dead.

His corpse was said to have been deposited at the Gbagada General Hospital mortuary.

It was learnt that the police, had however arrested a suspect, Abayomi Ayeni.

A resident of the area, Jegede Johnson, said the victim was killed around 4pm.

Gen Muhammadu Buhari, was a brilliant student who loved playing soccer during his time as a student of Government College Katsina, according to a former IGP and Court of Appeal President who were his classmates.

Two prominent former classmates of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Presidential candidate, Gen Muhammadu Buhari, have described him as "a brilliant student" during his days as a student of the Government College, formerly Provincial Secondary School, Katsina.

In an interview with Leadership newspapers, a former President of the Court of Appeal (PCA), Justice Umaru Abdullahi and a former Inspector General of Police, AlhajiIbrahim Coomassie, shed light on Bukhari's academic history amidst the raging certificate controversy.

Justice Abdullahi, who said he was Buhari's classmate from primary to secondary school, described the retired general as a brilliant student.

"I, Buhari and some others had the best results during our final examinations in secondary school back then," Abdullahi said.

The Lagos State Government has ordered President Goodluck Jonathan's campaign groups, including the Transformation Ambassadors of Nigeria, to remove the President's campaign materials illegally mounted on street lamp posts in the state.

The Managing Director, Lagos State Signage and Advertising Agency, George Noah, said if those concerned failed to heed the order, the agency's enforcement team would remove them in line with the enabling law.

Noah spoke in Ikeja, Lagos on Wednesday, saying LASAA, due to certain developments in electioneering campaigns, had decided to tell the public about the impunity and illegality that "posed immeasurable and long term damage to those who erect, operate and maintain billboards in the state".

Noah said, "In the last 48 hours, two advertisers in the outdoor sector had terminated multi-million naira contracts with outdoor agencies registered by LASAA to operate in the state."

He stated that the contracts were terminated as a result of parallel and illegal mounting of Jonathan's campaign materials on posts paid for by the advertisers.

Nigerian Association of Road Transport Owners, NARTO, has said that they have issued an ultimatum to the government over some unresolved issues affecting their operations saying if it isn't addressed the union will go on strike.

NARTO is the central platform for all owners of the trucks and tankers used in conveying petroleum products from Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC, depots to filling stations across the country.

The national president of the association, Kassim Bataiya, said a letter dated January 15, 2015 has already been sent to the Petroleum Equalisation Fund, PEF to warn them that it would be compelled to boycott all its activities if the grievances of its members were not resolved within ten days.

According to Mr. Bataiya, the services to be affected include loading and transportation of petroleum products from tank farms and depots throughout the country.

Buhari is qualified to contest– Lawyer

A constitutional lawyer, Tunji Abayomi, on Wednesday in Abuja said that Muhammadu Buhari, the All Progressives Party, APC, presidential candidate, had fulfilled the constitutional requirements to contest for the office of President.

Mr. Abayomi, who stated this in an interview said the logic of Section 131(d) of the Nigerian 1999 Constitution focused not on certificates but on educational level.

Mr. Abayomi further argued that it was constitutionally "trivial and definitely unwarranted" for anybody to insist that Mr. Buhari must produce his certificates.

He contended that the argument by some lawyers that Mr. Buhari must produce his School Certificate was based on ignorance of the provisions of the 1999 constitution.

"The 1999 constitution as amended is superior to the provisions of the 2010 Electoral Act as amended.

In a bid to discourage Nigerians from voting Gen Muhammed Buhari, the All Progressive Congress, APC presidential aspirant, Governor of Ekiti State, Ayo Fayose has placed another controversial advert in a newspaper.

In the advert, Fayose brings up the issue of Buhari's age comparing him with younger leaders of the country.

Bird flu now in seven states – FG

The Federal government says the highly transmittable avian influenza viral disease also known as Bird flu has spread to five more states asides Lagos and Kaduna where the first cases were recorded in Nigeria. The states with the latest cases of the disease in poultry animals include Ogun, Delta, Rivers, Edo and Plateau states.

Speaking at a press conference today in Abuja, the Minister of Agriculture, Akinwunmi Adeshina said 15 commercial farms and 9 live bird Markets have been affected by the disease in the five states.

He stated that the disease has not reached an epidemic state in Nigeria and that everything is being done to contain its spread in the country.

The presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress in the February election, Maj. Gen Muhammadu Buhari(retd.), has said the campaign by his opponents regarding the status of his secondary school education, is borne out of mischief.

Speaking in Kano on Wednesday on the controversy, which has suggested that Buhari might not have sat the West African School Certificate Examination as he claimed, having failed to tender the results, the APC flag bearer said he sat the Cambridge University/WASCE in 1961 and graduated in Second Division.

Buhari, a former Head of State, said, "I attended Provincial Secondary School, Katsina, now Government College, Katsina, and sat the University of Cambridge/WASCE in 1961, the year we graduated, alongside (now the late) Shehu Musa Yar'Adua (Chief of Staff, Supreme Headquarters under Gen Olusegun Obasanjo as Head of State) and Justice Umaru Abdullahi, a former President of Court of Appeal . My examination number is 8280002."

He added that he had requested his old school, Government College, Katsina, to make available his result.

The Boko Haram Islamist sect on Tuesday claimed responsibility for the attack on a multinational military base in Baga, Borno State, during which about 2,000 people were killed on January 3, this year.

The sect leader, Abubakar Shekau, in a new video onYou tube also taunted Presidents Paul Biya of Cameroon, Mahamadou Issoufou of Niger and Idris Deby of Chad.

He also expressed disdain for President Goodluck Jonathan, and the presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress in the February 14 presidential election, Maj. Gen. Muhammadu Buhari (retd.), describing them as infidels.

Shekau, who spoke in Hausa said, "Jonathan, you are in trouble. And Buhari, do you think he is a true Muslim? He's an infidel."

The insurgents, who invaded Baga early this year, razed many buildings and homes in the week that followed, shooting civilians as they tried to flee, witnesses said.

Premium Times has exclusively obtained the secondary school certificate examination results of Gen. Buhari from the Government College, formerly Provincial Secondary School, Katsina, where he graduated from in 1961.

According to report, Major Hamza Al Mustapha who was the Chief Security Officer of Gen. Sani Abacha, former Nigeria military head of state from November 1993 to his death in June 1998 has narrated how the General died.

"Contrary to insinuations, speculations and sad rumours initiated by some sections of the society, I maintain that the sudden collapse of the health system of the late Head of State started previous day (Sunday, 7th June, 1998) right from the Abuja International Airport immediately after one of the white security operatives or personnel who accompanied President Yasser Arafat of Palestine shook hands with him (General Abacha) I had noticed the change in the countenance of the late Commander-in-Chief and informed the Aide-de-Camp, Lt. Col. Abdallah, accordingly. He, however, advised that we keep a close watch on the Head of State.

The man who people see as the self-proclaimed "Lion" who "tamed" Governor Rotimi Amaechi and supervised so much drama in Rivers that Professor Wole Soyinka reserved for him a special place in opprobrium.

Well, the Police High Command has redeployed Assistant Inspector General of Police, Mbu Joseph Mbu, as well as 27 other AIGs.

The directive for redeployment was issued by the Inspector General of Police, Suleiman Abba, on Tuesday, January 20.

Mbu's redeployment will see him move from Police Zone 7, Federal Capital Territory, FCT and neighbouring states, to Zone 2, Lagos, ahead of the general elections.

Man arrested for stealing eight goats

The Nigeria Security and Civil Defense Corps (NSCDC) Tuesday arrested a 30-year-old man for allegedly stealing eight goats, in Jigawa.

According to NAN, the state NSCDC Commandant, Muhammad Gidado claimed that the suspect, who is a resident of Azarawa village in Babura Local Government area of the state, stole the goats from Achiya village in the same local government area but was apprehended in Aujara village of Jahun Local Government.

He was then arrested after he failed to give satisfactory explanation of the origin of the goats.

Y.naija

WAEC insists only Buhari can request for result verification

The West African Examinations Council, WAEC, has said that General Muhammadu Buhari can apply to the examination body for the verification of his results. It said such verification can only be forwarded to the institution specified by the candidate.

WAEC Deputy Director, Public Affairs, Lagos, Mr. Yusuf Ari in a telephone conversation with Vanguard Wednesday said, "No individual has the legal right to approach WAEC for the verification of another person's result except the owner of the result."

He explained that the constitutional right vested on the Freedom of Information law does not include invasion of privacy adding, "The certificate in question belongs to Muhammadu Buhari and he alone has the right to apply for verification.

News Headlines for Jan 21

Punch

US arrest two Yemenis over alleged murder plot

Sudan opposition to boycott national dialogue

Obama vows to hunt down terrorists

Police chief sentenced for Guatemala war role

NIM pledges commitment to youth empowerment

NDE charges women to create jobs

Kwara workers' unions allay fears of retrenchment

German union demands 5.5% wage increase

Hope for local parts makers as ANAMMCO resurrects

FAAN expands MMIA terminal

Flight delay: Discovery Air to compensate passengers

Kwara promises aviation college two aircraft

CBN rules out further devaluation of naira

Govt provides guidelines for power purchase agreements

Elections: NBC punishes 35 broadcast stations

FG targets N504bn annually from textile exports

FG owes us N250bn, say oil marketers

One of Nigeria's most controversial Nigerian entertainers, Charly Boy, has opened up on the faith he practices.

The veteran singer/songwriter, in a new message, says he is not a religious person, but still believes in "Jesus and Christianity".

Charly Boy also hinted on his leaning towards the Buddhism, saying Buddha shares similar characteristics with Jesus Christ.

See the full message released by the singer, regarding faith, Christians and religion:

"No, I no dey suck human blood, I no be general overseer for illuminati, I no dey Ogboni or for cult, e don doooooooo. You People no go kill me with laugh for Naija. The way eyes dey red now, you go think say Apollo catch dem. Many guys dey write me say dem wan join illuminati, Cheai, there is Godoooo.

I dey sure say the church buildings wey dey Nigeria pass our population. So called men of God wey dey town don dey assume the proportion of China. All looking for their next Mugu. Una no see me joor.

Abductors free Chinese national

A Chinese national working with China Civil Engineering Construction Company (CCECC) in Kaduna State, who was abducted last week by unknown gunmen has been released. The Chinense national who was working at the company's station in Jere, Kagarko Local Government Area, was kidnapped by un gunmen in Koro-Ija while supervising ongoing work on the Kaduna-Abuja standard gauge railway tracks. The source said the gunmen requested a huge sum of money as ransom.

'Work Out' fitness star Greg Plitt, who died two days ago was filming a commercial for a protein shake when he was struck by a commuter train, tragically ending his life at age 37. Greg Plitt, 37, literally lived life on the edge during his career as a renowned fitness instructor, known for pulling dangerous stunts. Greg's life sadly ended on Jan.

18 when he was hit by a Metrolink train in Burbank, Calif., while filming an ad to sell sports drinks.

Keshi should go for a refresher course – Ladipo

President general of the Nigerian Football Supporters Club, Dr. Raufu Ladipo has advised out of contract Super Eagles coach, Stephen Keshi to enroll for a refresher course with a top European club.

Ladipo told Sports Vanguard in Abuja that after spending about three months in a top European club Keshi would become a better coach. The supporters club boss added that no matter how good the former Hawks of Togo handler is now, a trip abroad would enhance his knowledge of the game.

Nollywood actors pay tribute Muna Obiekwe

Despite the little confusion over the death of Nollywood bad boy actor, Muna Obiekwe, there have been an outpouring of emotions after the death was confirmed Sunday, with many actors and actresses describing his passing as painful.

Muna Obiekwe, who had been battling kidney failure, died about 4:30pm Sunday at an unnamed hospital in Festac, Lagos, after he collapsed and was rushed to the hospital.

Speaking with PREMIUM TIMES on phone, the president of the Actor Guild of Nigeria, Ibinabo Fiberesima, said the late Muna was a very private person which is responsible for the little information about his health status.

"Muna was a fanstatic person but he was just a very private person, that's all I can say for now," Ibinabo told our reporter.

iEntertainment's investigation into the death of late Nollywood actor, Muna Obiekwe reveals quite a number of saddening yet traumatising details of his life and circumstances that lead to his death including:

Muna Ibekwe: Death of a cat with nine lives!

…Muna was scared of the press

…Drank heavily despite doctor's warning

…How KOK, Mama G, Vera Kanu and Ejiro Okurame tried to save him

…What you don't know about him

…How he never got to reach out to Ibinabo Fiberesima despite a desire to do so

Before the death of popular Nollywood actor, Muna Ibekwe on Sunday, January 18, he had been described as a cat with nine lives. Many around him were confident that he would survive the ailment just has he had always survived the life-threatening situations around him. As we all are aware now, the fair-skinned actor who has been described as 'very nice' didn't survive. Muna is gone, gone to be with the winds but not without a story, a story that he shielded from the public, the story he kept behind the camera while he basked in the euphoria of stardom and 'light, action, cut!