The operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS) today (Monday) manhandled and dragged Omoyele Sowore out of the courtroom of a federal high court in Abuja.
The rash and harsh action of the secret police was to prevent the rights activist from speaking with journalists present in the courtroom.

Sowore had told the journalists that Nigerians should remain resolute and speak truth to power, adding that Nigerians should not allow selfish leaders to mortgage their lives.

But suddenly, the armed DSS operatives dragged Sowore, preventing from granting an interview to the journalists.
As he was dragged out the courtroom, Sowore was heard saying, "Revolution now! Revolution now!"

He was eventually dragged out through the back door of the courtroom.

Don Silas Don Silas



Arsenal playmaker, Mesut Ozil could leave the club for Barcelona in next year’s January transfer window.

According to Sportsmole, the La Liga champions are willing to sign the former Germany international on a loan basis with an option to buy him at the end of the 2019/2020 season.


The newspaper reports that Ozil could serve a replacement for forward, Ousmane Dembele at the Camp Nou, with Barcelona manager, Ernesto Valverde reportedly ready to sell the Frenchman due to his attitude at the club.

Ozil has fallen out of favour at Emirates since manager, Unai Emery took over from Arsene Wenger.

The 30-year-old only made just 24 Premier League appearances for the Gunners last season.


Ozil, a former Real Madrid star, has not been regular for Arsenal so far this campaign.

He will hope to feature for Arsenal when they take on Manchester United in the Premier League on Monday night at Old Trafford.

Popular Nigerian lawyer and human rights activist, Femi Falana (SAN) has penned an interesting piece on how Nigerians can curb the excesses of SARS operatives. It’s a must read!



During the colonial era, the police force was set up to oppress and intimidate the Nigerian people, coerce and extort taxes from them and prevent them from challenging the ruthless exploitation of the human and natural resources of the country by the British colonial regime. For instance, not less than 55 women were brutally killed by the colonial police during the Aba women’s peaceful marches against excessive taxation in 1929. Twenty years later, 21 Enugu coal miners were also killed by the police while protesting against the slave wages paid by the colonial regime.

Similarly, many workers who embarked on strikes to press for improved conditions of service were mowed down in other parts of the colony. In a grand cover up of the serious criminal and racist attacks, the colonial regime never prosecuted the policemen who committed such egregious human rights abuse.



Although Nigeria became politically independent in 1960 the local ruling class did not change the orientation and structure of the police. Professor Claude Ake once observed rather poignantly that “At independence, the form and function of the State in Africa did not change much. State power remained essentially the same, immense, arbitrary, often violent, always threatening.” The situation has the remained the same in post colonial Africa where the police force has remained an integral part of the violent state apparatus. In Nigeria, members of the Nigeria Police Force have continued to behave like an army of occupation by subjecting citizens to harassment and brutalization without any sanction whatsoever.

Militarization of SARS

The Special Anti Robbery Squad (SARS) is a typical offshoot of the colonial police. No doubt, the SARS has acquired notoriety for unleashing violence on the people but its operations are not markedly different from those of the other departments of the Nigeria Police Force and other law enforcement agencies operating in the country. It is pertinent to recall that the SARS was established by the defunct military junta after the civil war to combat the menace of armed robbery. The outfit was set up based on the erroneous belief of former military dictators that armed robbery and other violent crimes could not be contained by armed police personnel. Even though the SARS was constituted by military and police personnel, majority of the members were soldiers. Regrettably, the situation has not changed under the current democratic dispensation.

Since its emergence in the maintenance of law and order in the country the SARS has always operated like a military task force which engages in the reckless brutalization of armed robbery suspects and other “bloody civilians” who are accused of committing all manners of offences. All complaints of the excesses of the SARS have been treated with disdain by successive military and police authorities. So, the officials of the security outfit operate above the law and have since specialized in the horrendous brutalization of the civilian populace.

Upon the restoration of civilian rule in 1999, the demand of the human rights community for the disbandment of the SARS was discountenanced by the federal government. As there was no demilitarization of the society at the end of military rule the SARS was left intact by the various state governments. It ought to be pointed out that apart from the payment of the salaries of the operatives of the SARS by the federal government the task force is fully funded by all the state governments. But despite such funding of the operations of SARS, the state governments have failed to monitor the operations of SARS and halt the harassment and intimidation of law abiding citizens by the paramilitary outfit.

The campaign for abolition of SARS

Notwithstanding that the federal and state attorneys-general are in charge of criminal prosecution in the country the SARS has been allowed to engage in illegal media parade and extrajudicial execution of armed robbery and kidnap suspects. Before the recent popular agitations, several complaints of the illegal arrest, detention and brutalization of suspects and innocent citizens by the SARS were ignored by governments. Owing to the failure of governments to sanction erring operatives of the SARS the impunity of the security outfit has been institutionalised. Having been left in the lurch by governments, many victims of police brutality and other aggrieved citizens have been compelled to join the popular agitation for the abolition of the SARS.

In fact, in responding to the campaign for the abolition of the SARS the authorities of the Nigeria Police Force have made it abundantly clear that the security outfit has come to stay. The official response is not surprising in view of the fact that the neo-colonial State has virtually lost the monopoly of violence to armed gangs in all the states of the federation. In the circumstance, the Nigerian people have no other alternative than to organize themselves and prevent the SARS and other fascist law enforcement agencies from further brutalizing them. In this regard, the organizers of the #ENDSARS campaign deserve commendation for forcing the Inspector General of police, Mr. Ibrahim Idris to embark on the reform of the SARS.

Before now, the police headquarters had a penchant for defending the illegal operations of the SARS. For instance, in 2009, the London based Amnesty International published a comprehensive book on the illegal killings of a number of suspects and other persons by the SARS in some states of the federation. Although the serious allegations of the gross human rights abuse contained in the book were not denied, the police authorities claimed that the publication was designed to expose the federal government to ridicule before the international community!

In 2014, I received many complaints pertaining to alleged disappearances of scores of armed robbery suspects in police custody. In the course of investigating the complaints our law firm found that not less than 532 armed robbery and kidnap suspects were arrested, detained and paraded at crowded press conferences addressed by police commissioners in all the states of the federation. To my utter dismay, majority of the suspects were illegally executed by the operatives of the SARS! My call for a public inquiry into the secret executions of the suspects was ignored by the federal government. But in my private discussions with senior police officers I was informed that in the recent past, a number of notorious armed robbery suspects who were arraigned in court and admitted to bail pending trial had turned round to kill some of the SARS operatives who arrested them. Hence, the resort to the extra judicial execution of armed robbery and kidnap suspects by SARS operatives with the connivance of authorities of the Nigeria Police Force!

Thus, even though armed robbery suspects are regularly paraded by police chiefs majority of them are no longer charged before criminal courts in any part of the country. Hence, when Chukwudume Onwamadike (a.k.a. Evans) was arrested in Lagos last year I had to warn the Inspector-General of Police to ensure that the suspect was not killed while attempting to escape from custody. I also called on the Attorney-General of Lagos State, Adeniji Kazeem Esq. to personally monitor the investigation and prosecution of the suspect. Apart from the alleged notorious kidnapper only a handful of other armed robbery suspects are currently standing trial in Lagos state!

The danger of the resort to self help by the police is that many suspects who are paraded and killed by the SARS were not involved in armed robbery or any criminal offence whatsoever. There are instances when some operatives of the SARS in Lagos state had broken ranks and turned round to advise family members and friends of detained armed robbery suspects to contact our law firm. In such situations we have intervened to frustrate the planned extra judicial execution of such suspects by the SARS. Invariably, they have been charged with armed robbery in the Lagos High Court.

I have noted that in a bid to prevent the courts from indicting the operatives of the SARS for extrajudicial executions, criminal suspects are now shot in the back to give the impression that they were killed while trying to escape from custody! Others are said to have been killed during “shoot out” with the operatives of the SARS. Instead of resorting to such jungle justice I have advised police authorities to request the judiciary to review the granting of bail to armed robbery and kidnap suspects. Whenever the proof of evidence discloses a prima facie case of armed robbery and kidnapping against suspects the courts ought to deny bail and speed up the trial.

While it is commendable that police authorities have resolved to sanction the operatives of the SARS who infringe on the human rights of the Nigerian people they must ensure that all indicted police officers are prosecuted and made to pay part of the damages awarded by the courts to victims of police brutality. This must be complimented by the determination of the federal and state Attorneys-General to give fiat to victims of police brutality to enforce judgment debts awarded by the courts against the Nigeria Police Force. Furthermore, members of the armed forces should be removed from the SARS since it is the constitutional responsibility of the Police to maintain law and order in a democratic society.

At the same time, the police personnel in the reconstituted SARS should be well trained, well motivated and well equipped to deal with dangerous crimes in the society. In addition, the teaching of basic human rights ought to be made compulsory in the police academy and similar institutions. With the recent enactment of the Anti-Terror Act, 2017 by the national assembly the relations and friends of any suspect killed in police custody should press charges against the culprits. Where the identity of the culprits is not disclosed an inquest should be conducted to identify them with a view to prosecuting them. The government should also be made to pay compensation to the family members of suspects who are killed illegally in police custody.

Using the law to curb the excesses of SARS

Over the years, many victims of police brutality have had to approach the courts for legal redress. Majority of the cases succeeded as the courts awarded damages running to hundreds of millions of Naira to the victims of police brutality. But such damages have not been paid to victims as the judgments cannot be enforced against the Police without the fiat of the Attorney-General in line with the provision of section 84 of the Sheriffs and Civil Process Act. Not only are such damages not paid to the victims of police brutality the individual operatives of the SARS indicted by the courts for human rights abuse have also been treated like sacred cows by the authorities of the police and the armed forces. In fact, there have been reports of many indicted police and armed forces personnel who have been rewarded with promotions and appointments. Thus, the efforts of the courts to halt the impunity of the police have not had any positive effect on the society.

However, it is germane to draw the attention of the Nigerian people to the provisions of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act, 2015 which if implemented, can put an end to the atrocities of the SARS and other law enforcement agencies. For instance, the law has banned the police from subjecting criminal suspects to torture or degrading or inhuman treatment. To prevent the torture that is usually meted out to suspects the law has enjoined the authorities to provide facilities for video recording of confessional statements made by suspects during investigation. If bail is refused by the Police a suspect is at liberty to apply to a High Court since every suspect in custody is entitled to bail unless there are cogent reasons why bail should be refused. As a police officer is not competent to admit a murder suspect to bail the application shall be made to the High Court.

The law has also prohibited the Police from dabbling into debt recovery and other civil matters. The arrest of any person by the police in lieu of a criminal suspect has also been banned. Most importantly, the fundamental right of suspects to consult their lawyers before making statements has been recognized and protected. If a suspect is indigent and is unable to hire a lawyer the Government shall engage one for him/her. If any person is not going to be arraigned in a competent court within the maximum period of 24 or 48 hours prescribed by the Constitution the Police shall obtain a remand order from a Magistrate Court. Legal advice in respect of any offence shall be made available not later than 2 weeks after the receipt of a case file by the office of the Attorney-General.

Furthermore, the law requires the Inspector-General of Police to compile the list of arrests made quarterly and enter same in the Central Criminal Registry while the Attorney-General of the Federation shall have a manual and electronic database of all arrests made in the country. An officer in charge of a police station or any other detention centre shall, on the last working day of every month, report to the nearest Magistrate the cases of all suspects arrested without warrant, whether the suspects have been admitted to bail or not. Upon the receipt of the reports the Magistrate shall forward them to the Criminal Justice Monitoring Committee which shall analyse the reports and advise the Attorney-General of the Federation as to the trends of arrests, bail and related matters.

The law has also empowered the Chief Judge of every State to designate Chief Magistrates or senior Magistrates who shall, at least every month, conduct an inspection of police stations and other places of detention within their territorial jurisdiction. During such visitations, the magistrates may order that suspects be admitted to bail or arraigned in competent courts. Based on our law firm’s request, the Chief Judges of Lagos state and the Federal Capital Territory have designated some Magistrates to conduct such visitation. Therefore, the recent announcement of the inspector-General of Police, Mr. Idris to allow the media representatives to inspect detention facilities of the SARS is not a favour.

It ought to be pointed out that victims of human rights abuse have the right to file an application in a high court in the state where the violation has occurred or may occur. Even the dependants or representatives of any suspect killed in police custody or in any other detention centre may file a civil claim in a high court for damages payable by the Nigeria Police Force or any other authority or person. However, indigent citizens who cannot afford the services of legal practitioners to secure the enforcement of their abused fundamental rights have the right to request the Legal Aid Council to provide legal representation for them. In the alternative, victims of human rights abuse have the right to lodge a complaint or submit a petition to the National Human Rights Commission or the Office of the Public Defender or Non-Governmental human rights bodies including the Nigerian Bar Association.

Convinced that police brutality cannot end in an atmosphere of impunity, I am compelled to call on the National Assembly to repeal section 84 of the Sheriff and Civil Process Act which provides that a judgment creditor cannot garnishee the accounts of a public institution without seeking and obtaining the fiat of Attorneys-General. The colonial legacy cannot be justified under section 287 of the Constitution which stipulates that the decisions of the High Court, Court of Appeal and the Supreme Court shall be enforced by all authorities and persons in Nigeria. If the judgment shall be enforced by all persons and authorities why should a judgment creditor seek the leave to enforce a judgment that is binding on the Attorney-General and the government? Happily, the Supreme Court has recently ruled that it is against the rules of natural justice to expect the Attorney-General who has been defeated in court to turn round and grant leave for to the judgment creditor to garnish the account of the government.

Finally, since the human rights community and individual civil rights advocates alone cannot successfully protect the people from the increasing wave of human rights abuse by security forces in the country it is high time that the victims of human rights abuse were mobilized to defend themselves. Therefore, the human rights community should immediately embark on massive enlightenment programmes to empower the people to challenge the infringement of the fundamental rights guaranteed by the Constitution and the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights Act.

About the Author:

Femi Falana is a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, and human rights activist. He contested and lost the governorship election of Ekiti State in 2007 on the platform of National Conscience Party, a party he served as National Chairman in 2011.

Many Nigerians are confused as to the video trending online where the Anambra state governor Chief Willie Obiano said that it was agreed that herdsmen will pay 500,000 Naira to the family of anyone they kill, and the people of Anambra State will also pay the same amount to the herdsmen if they kill any of them.

I think the public needs a better explanation as to what the governor meant in that speech.


Human life whether Fulani, farmer or indigenes cannot be placed at a mere 500,000 naira worth.

Murder is a serious criminal matter, and it is only the court and not a governor that can place sentence or fine to a suspect.

Murder should be viewed as a serious abomination and whoever that kills must face justice through the court with a huge consequence.

I don’t know which law empowers the governor to arrive at that conclusion of 500,000 Naira murder of either a herder or a farmer in the state.

I think the media handle of the state govt should do the needful.

SOURCE: Akelicious.net

By Adeola Bakare
Beauty Uguoere, the mother of a former Super Eagles striker and coach, Samson Siasia, has recounted her ordeal in the hands of kidnappers.

She was freed two months after she was abducted in her country home in Adoni community, Sagbama Local Government Area of Bayelsa State.

Speaking to reporters, Mrs. Uguoere said does not know why kidnappers continue to abduct her.

She was first kidnapped in November 2015, before she was released 12 days after.
“I don’t know why they keep kidnapping me. Only God knows. I was at my house when they came to kidnap me. They took me to the place. They took care of me.
“I was sick and they bought the drugs. They cooked (food) and gave to me (to eat).
“They didn’t beat me. There were days that there was no food. Those days they drank garri and gave me garri to drink too.

“Sometimes, they cooked soup, prepare garri and we ate. But on Sunday, they told me we had stayed for too long and they were tired of our problem.
“They carried us on a flying boat and dropped us in a village. I don’t know the name of the village.

“They carried us to their chairman’s place. I don’t even know the man. They called Seifa and Seifa came.
“They built a small house and use tarpaulin to cover the top. That was where they kept us,” she said.

Siasia’s mother, however, added, “As I am talking to you, I am not well. Before they took me I was not well. I want to go to the hospital.”

The sitting of the Bayelsa State House of Assembly ended abruptly on Monday as irate youths numbering over hundreds the security storm the complex shooting sporadically distrupting the sitting.

The shootings began when the Speaker was about to enter the chambers after a heated three hours closed door meeting with members.


In the ensuing melee, the mace was removed by unidentified persons as the lawmakers and journalists scamper for safety.

There was tension around the Assembly complex in the build up to the sitting where the Speaker was expected to resign or face impeachment in an event he fails to resign.

Contrary to negative opinions expressed in certain quarters, Nigeria, at 59, has not failed, Cross River Governor Ben Ayade has said.

Ayade made the remark while fielding questions from State House Correspondents after a closed door meeting with Chief of Staff to the President, Abba Kyari, at the weekend.

According to him, “Nigeria has made progress; we must not only look at where we have failed; as a nation, we have made progress at 59. America is over 250 years; Britain is over 250 years; we are just 59. At 59, we have GSM; at 59, we have better communication, at 59, we have medical services.

“It is not always right to look at the negative aspects alone; yes, there is room for improvement; yes, we might not have done as well, but as the leader of black people, the whole world looks unto Nigeria; but we must come together to make the progress we so desire. So, I believe that as we turn into the ceremonial 60 that is coming, we need to swagger, roll out our drums and have positive comments; healthy discussions, use social media for positive intent just to bring value.”

Ayade added, “I just want to tell Nigerians that they should share from the extrapolated sociological philosophy of Albeit Einstein, the theory of relativity—that when you are in the same coordinate with an object in motion, your velocity turns to zero; when you sit in an aircraft moving at 800km per hour, for you sitting on the aircraft, your velocity is zero because you are stationary but indeed you are moving at 800km per hour.”

On why he was at the presidential Villa, Ayade said: “I am the Governor of Cross River State and as a sub-national, from time to time, you must indeed come to the Villa to consult; that is the way to go and that’s why I am here.

“Basically, it is about governance; it is about Cross River State; it is about our projects, the Bakassi Deep Sea Port and of course, the Super Highway.”

Tech giants, Microsoft and the Cross River State Government have entered into a partnership to establish an ICT/Data Academy in Calabar, the state capital.
This development is a boost to the efforts of Governor Ben Ayade to make Calabar the first smart city in Nigeria.

Speaking in his office at the end of a technical session with representatives of Microsoft, Ayade said the partnership will define the roadmap for the digital transformation of the state.

"Let me thank Microsoft for the partnership. It is a demonstration of confidence in Cross River to start a digital transformation of the first African city that will be the first smart city", the governor said

He explained that key objectives of the partnership was to  create opportunities for young men and women of the state and to develope an ICT paradigm, a data management academy to teach and educate them on data management, particularly on the proposed ICT platform.

The governor opined that through the Microsoft/Cross River partnership, digital transformation objectives will be achieved for young Africans using the platform to market their talent and products.
His words: "By aggregating and introducing an academy, young Cross Riverians, Nigerians and indeed Africans as a whole will be properly trained on ICT.

“The partnership will lead to generation of knowledge, content and wealth, thereby reducing poverty and improving the value of mankind which is the whole essence of human endeavor"

According to Sir Ayade, Cross River was fully ready for the ICT project noting that experts were expected in the state soon.
"In the next few weeks, the state will have a pool of scientists deployed to conduct interviews with stakeholders and also do a verification and site assessment with the view to establishing a  location point and other infrastructure and auxiliary facilities that would be required for the kickoff

"As first step, the state will be sending a team of 10 young ICT Engineers to join them in Turkey as first set of trainees who will be trainers upon return to Nigeria.”
In his remarks, Mr Osmen Ulukuz, Microsoft's Security Director, Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA) Regional said that the digital transformation that Cross River has already began will train students and young Africans on data management using the proposed academy.
He said given the various indexes,  the state stands out among other states of the federation.

According to him, Microsoft was pleased to reach the continent (Africa) using Cross River State.

High point of the meeting was the inspection of a proposed site for the academy by the governor and the team from Microsoft.

Daniels Igoni , Yenagoa

The Bayelsa State Police Command on Sunday confirmed the release of Mrs . Beauty Ogere Siasia , the abducted mother of former Nigerian coach Samson Siasia .
A member of the Siasia family, Eworikumo Siasia , also confirmed to our correspondent that the 80 - year -old Madam Siasia had been freed and she is at home with family members at their Odoni country home in Sagbama Local Government Area .

The Police Public Relations Officer, Mr . Asinim Butswat , a Superintendent of Police , said the police command would issue an official statement later.

Details later.

guardian.ng

Wah gwaan bredrin, everyting ire? Ever heard the word “red eboe” in Jamaica? Your suspicion is true. “Red eboe” was used to refer to the Igbo slaves in Jamaica because of their light skin.

Jamaica witnessed the influx of the Igbo race between 1790 and 1809, a time when the British had just passed the Abolition of the Slave Trade Act. The modern Igbo race dwelt in the Bight of Biafra in Nigeria. It was from here that the Igbos who were kidnapped and sold as slaves by the Europeans were taken to work on plantations.

Cane cutters in Jamaica. | Photo National Maritime Museum

While it is known that Virginia was the destination point of most slave ships from the Bight of Biafra, the majority of the slave ships from the Bight of Biafra that delivered the slaves to the Caribbean Islands landed in Jamaica.



Cultural Influence
Jamaica’s history cannot be discussed without mentioning the influence of the Igbos. The Igbos influenced the culture, music, the pouring of libation, the “eboe” style, idioms, language and way of life of the Jamaicans. While a large number of the Jamaican Patois is from the Akan language of modern-day Ghana, the Igbos, due to their inability to speak the language, the introduced some of their words which have now become infused into the Jamaican Patois. Some of these words include:



Unu – You people

Ima osu (Jamaica)  Imu oso (Igbo) – to hiss by sucking your teeth

Akara (Jamaica) Akàrà (Igbo/Yoruba) – bean cake

Soso (Jamaica) Sọsọ (Igbo) – only

Their yam festival, the Jonkonnu (A masquerade festival attributed to Njoku Ji (yam -spirit cult), Okonko and Ekpe masquerades”, was arguably introduced by the Igbos. Most of the Igbo/Akan -concentrated areas are found in the northwestern and southern sections of Jamaica. Some of these are Maroon Village, formerly known as Cudjoe’s Town (Trelawny Town), Montego Bay and St. Ann’s Bay. In Maroon, there are some songs called “Ibo”. The Jamaicans are akin to the ways of the Igbos such that it is not uncommon to see Jamaicans watch Igbo Nollywood films.

The Igbos showed themselves to be an organised sect. This is evident in slave owner Matthew Lewis’s confession after he noted that there was a time he “went down to the negro-houses to hear the whole body of Eboes lodge a complaint against one of the book-keepers”.

Exemplary Courage
Out of these people came individuals who left a mark in that period. A popular example is the author Olaudah Equiano who was very instrumental in maintaining law and order among the Igbos in Jamaica during the 1776 Mosquito Shore Scheme. He is also regarded as being one of the campaigners of the abolition of slave trade.

Anaeso, later rechristened Archibald Monteith, is another example. He wrote a popular autobiography of his kidnap from his homeland to Jamaica where he was converted to Christianity. Also, one of Canadian journalist Malcolm Gladwell’s ancestors is of Igbo origin and gave rise to the mixed-race Ford family.

Rebels
Known for their pride, the Igbos are said to have unwritten rules that even the slave owners were made to abide by. This maintenance of “unwritten rules of the plantation” arguably gave rise to the Obeah magic (the use of a Dibia in ‘predicting the future and manufacturing charms’).

The Igbo slaves were also popular for committing suicide as they believed it would return their spirits back to their homeland. This suicide was what made most slave traders sceptical of having them as slaves.

When they could no longer bear the slavery, 250 Igbo men in Saint Elizabeth’s Parish conspired to kill every white man in the land in what is now known as the 1815 Igbo conspiracy. The following year, that is 1816, another revolt tagged the Black River rebellion plot was uncovered after a novelist Matthew Gregory “Monk” Lewis took a recording of their song:

Oh me good friend, Mr Wilberforce, make we free!
God Almighty thank ye! God Almighty thank ye!
God Almighty, make we free!
Buckra in this country no make we free:
What Negro for to do? What Negro for to do?
Take force by force! Take force by force!
ALL
To be sure! to be sure! to be sure!
These two events massively contributed to the Abolition of the Slave Trade Act.

Temitope Alabi

A Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG) pastor has been murdered.

According to reports, the pastor was stabbed to death during a church vigil.
Vanguard reports that the sad incident happened at about 3 am on Saturday at the church which is located on Danjuma Street, off Odili Road in Port Harcourt, the state capital.

A source in the neighbourhood who spoke with journalists said; “The man came through the gates at that ungodly time, stabbed the gateman with a knife he was holding, brushed through the congregation to the altar, stabbed the pastor and walked out with impunity.”

Rivers police spokesman, Nnamdi Omoni, while confirming the incident said that “the command is aware” of the incident adding that investigation has begun to arrest and prosecute the suspected killer.

Ishola Oludare Ishola Oludare


A comment credited to Senator Oluremi Tinubu, representing Lagos Central Senatorial District and wife of former Gov., Bola Tinubu of Lagos State, that lazy Lagos youths are always in her house for free money has sparked criticisms on social media.

DAILY POST reported Tinubu as saying that youths of today are lazy and not ready to work.


According to her, most of the youths in Lagos would come to her husband’s house, claiming “they want to enjoy Asiwaju’s money.”

She, expressed displeasure that “most of these youths don’t want to work”, adding that, “the moment you give them work to do, they fall sick.”

Sen. Tinubu added that youths of nowadays are interested in making quick money, “but they don’t want to work before making the money.”


She added that, “our youths are very rude because they want to be like all those people abroad.”

Nigerian youths have since reacted on Twitter, describing the statement as unbecoming of a third-term Senator like Oluremi Tinubu.

According to them, Tinubu would not have made the comment during election periods, saying “Lagos youths are now used and dumped.”


Here are some of the comments:

@ayemojubar: It is a must to feed a tied goat. You tie them with impoverishment and thuggery, you need to feed them either by going to them or by them coming to you. Same mindset that is the foundational bedrock of APC – impoverish them and make the little you do seem like a favour.

@NkayStory: Well she is clearly referring to her husband’s supporters as well as her’s.
Only lazy, unproductive Youths and Adults support these Bourdillon duo politically. True to type, insults are all they have for their rudderless supporters whom they now consider a nuisance till 2023.


@aitemeji1: No b lie some naija youths like free food/free money while some prefer hustling on their own bt remember u 2 went round 2 beg 4 their votes.

@Qdpaper: When Lagos youths knew Remi tinubu’s husband own the key to central bank and bullion van they will come collect their own share. 😂😂😂

@seguntoms: If there is job for them, they wouldn’t have time to watch her news.


@Renzel2210: This woman has been in the senate since God knows when… Yet Lagos people be forming over-wokeness.

@IgbaAnacha: @RemiTinubu that’s a reason to think they know their common wealth found it’s way to your husband’s purse.

@Edoborjohnsonw1: Madam, you can always help some few serious one’s among them, by asking them if they are graduate or high school dropout, u will be Amazed that some of them can be motivated to start up something or u help them gain employment, instead of labelling them LAZY.


@sunnyg303: You made them lazy. If they are gainfully employed, you won’t be able to use them during electioneering campaigns, hence, you give them crumbs so that they will always check back. All Nigerian politicians are ***

@Drmuzoic: When you have a bank branch in your house that requires bullion van nko? Biko share the money for boys.

@ChegweEzenwa: The same people you systematically made lazy by dishing out ill gotten wealth to for their loyalty. I’m sure that if it had been time for elections, you wouldn’t have uttered this.


@abayomikola: If she talk am, them go still vote for am… Those lazy youths are very hungry.

@ojasankara: Until 2023 then they’ll change from Lazy Lagos youths to “My people”

@aderosco1: I don’t believe she said that. She knows the implication.

@anthonymaduka5: What mumu implications? where was the implication when bullion vans drove into her husband’s compound….when they worship them like gods how can there be implications?

@coolgson: No implication, she knows a senseless slave has no provocation.

@ogechime1: But I think the fame enjoyed by Tinubu is because he settles boys. Why are the boys now become lazy?

@Umar_Goroma: Statement like this never comes up during the build up to election 😂🤭

@mamadcadonis: When Buhari said lazy Nigerian youths, he was referring to Lagos Youths. 😂😂

@oladejo_amusat: Not free money but their own share of constituents allowance.

@SamuelMbagwu: Carry on, madam nothing dey happen. 1k plus one packet of noodles, in 2023, can erase any trash said about Lagosians.

@ajulu_charles: Show us your pay slip even that of your husband. Give way let’s check how both of you started the journey of hard work. Kettle calling pot black. It’s good for you guys hanging around politicians instead of the reverse. The hunger never come o.

@KomolafeSola: I don’t blame her, I blame the stupid lazy youth that help her in becoming the senator she is today

@edoborjohnsonw1: If you are not giving them,they won’t be coming back for more.

@OrmormhilaE: Why can’t you use your influence as a woman to make him build schools, hospitals, reinaries, power and roads for Nigerians, but, you are here lamenting about what you closed your eyes to speak about.

@chiukeujioke: What a disgraceful comment to make

Dear Media: Do Not Celebrate Trump’s Impeachment Proceedings. It is a Sad and Sober Affair
COLBY HALL

Recent revelations of alleged malfeasance by President Donald Trump in his dealings with Ukraine have presented a serious existential threat to his presidency, more so than any that have come before.
By any measure, the Trump administration is currently spiraling.

Depending on the cable news outlet you’re watching, you can often find evidence of a hidden glee in the current and intense news cycle. The German word “schadenfreude” comes to mind, which loosely means finding joy or pleasure derived from another person’s misfortune.

On other networks, you might see a barely-contained — if strained — triumphalism at the hoped-for political advantage to be gained by Trump during the proceedings. Maybe call it “schadenFox?”

There are good reasons to take serious issue with the Trump way of doing business on a myriad of levels, but we should all be mindful of just how grave this situation is for our country.

As Thomas Paine famously opened The American Crisis, “THESE are the times that try men’s souls: The summer soldier and the sunshine patriot will, in this crisis, shrink from the service of his country but he that stands it NOW, deserves the love and thanks of man and woman.”

It is a fool’s errand to compare cable news personalities with the brave Revolutionary War soldiers who volunteered to risk their lives, but the necessary patriotic sentiment is absolutely relevant and an important reminder.

Impeachment proceedings on a sitting U. S. president is a gravely sober affair, and not the time for barely-hidden smiles and swallowed guffaws. The nation of cable news viewers needs leadership from the media on how to see this less as a partisan game, and instead of a very serious affair in which everyone has lost something.

I am old enough to remember Richard Nixon’s resignation and my memory is still clear as a bell. On vacation in Dillon Lake, Colorado, my parents called my sister in to watch the historic moments of Nixon exiting the White House, giving that iconic double V sign.

What I remember most, however, was how sad my parents were, which surprised me since we had a bumper sticker on the back of our Country Squire station wagon that read “Don’t Blame Me, I Voted for McGovern.”

After Nixon left the White House, my father immediately removed the sticker from the car, as my mother explained to me that it was now inappropriate. That was not the time for political gamesmanship. It was time to act as a united set of beliefs and political persuasions, not as victors.

The media has dramatically evolved from not just the Nixon episode, but also from President Bill Clinton’s impeachment. Though to be fair, the seedlings of partisan coverage sprang up during Clinton, but what we have now is a rainforest by comparison.

While once there were boring reports, high on journalistic standards, we now consume a product that is a dizzying combination of opinionated analysis and panel discussion, none of which feels the need to abide by accepted journalistic standards. It’s not news, but an entertainment product packaged to feel like news.

It is in this context that we need to remind ourselves that impeachment proceedings against the president of the United States are nothing to celebrate, regardless of our individual politics. It is a sad and sober affair, and regardless of your political opinion, an appropriate tone is critical.
And those in the cable news business that overlook the very serious issues threatening to take down Trump, and instead focus on alleged media bias and not even half-baked conspiracies? Well, your approach is a different sort of joke, and you need to get serious as well.

Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi set an exemplary tone during a Friday morning interview with Morning Joe . She revealed that she prays for the country and for the president, and that “this is a very sad time for our country. Impeachment is as serious as congressional responsibilities can be.”

There are many reasons for any critical thinker to see that removing President Trump in a fair and bipartisan manner is justified.  But to celebrate that process as though your team scored a touchdown doesn’t help a bitterly divided nation heal. It only makes matters worse.

And the pendulum always swings both ways.

modernghana.com

Anarchy is defined as a state of society without government or law. Today, what used to be the country called Nigeria is totally devoid of law and order and descended into the abyss of anarchy.

The world condemned the actions of the feudalist so-called Fulani ruling class when they sacked Chief Justice Walter Onnoghen to impose one of theirs ahead of the 2019 elections, but we paused to react.



Again and again the feudal barbarians in charge have desecrated the sanctity of the judicial arm, standing in contempt of court, disregarding pronouncements by our Judges. Repeatedly these anarchists flaunt court orders, rendering our courts useless and there has been no implication and we the Yoruba nation have paused to react.

Again, without regard for law and order, the feudalists continue to pardon terrorists and killers of their tribe or inkling, granting them amnesty and reward after they kill and rape our people. Yet we paused to react. Whereas when kidnappers like Evans operate in Yoruba, Niger Delta or Igbo land, we arrest them and deal with them according to the law. The same is not obtained in the other land where cows rule and killers reign. "Give up your ancestral land or be buried under it," they openly threatened us. We have yet remained in bondage to them, fighting to remain ruled by these barbarians. Mad people whose soldiers kill police to free kidnappers.



Without reason, Babangida denied MKO Abiola, a Muslim Yoruba man from ruling Nigeria for no other reason than his heritage, Till date, no reason has officially been given and those accused of killing even Abiola's wife have never been held to account and today Babangida is a lord in their land. We have tolerated and persevered.

These are a lawless and God-less people who allow the abandonment of millions of their children to a life of shame, begging for bread and bed. Due to them, today Nigeria is scourged with the most out-of-school and abandoned, beggar 'Almajiri' children in the entire world and the most poor in the entire world, all in their region, and we the compassionate Yoruba nation have remained bound to them and bound to the curse of God on them.

Nigeria continues to lose billions to corruption and theft as these semi literates continue to wreck the nation like drunkards, yet we the Yoruba nation have persevered, hoping hopelessly as the years wasted in regression.

Whereas our brothers abroad toil and repatriate $30 billion home every year, as much as our national budget, money that develops our economy, these lawless entitleds contribute nothing but steal our commonwealth and buy mansions in Dubai, and we the Odudua nation have been patient beyond reason.

While we have little sympathy for the Yoruba Vice President, a member and promoter of the anarchist and tyrannical terror regime, recently we have watched how among thieves there is no honor and after using this naive Yoruba man who nearly died while running helter-skelter disbursing Tradermoni in what has been called vote-buying to secure their re-election, they are disgracing and dumping him without regard for working while they feasted and went on medical tours. We are not one nation with these crazed feudalists.

Whereas in the southeast, we define ourselves apart from the over 4 million Igbo living in Cameroon and environs, and in the southwest, we separate ourselves from the Yoruba of Benin republic, it is noticed that in the lawless north, the people of Niger republic and other neighboring nations officially pour in through the borders with the full rights of Nigerians and Northern elite likewise walk across to involve those neighboring nations in Nigerian politics and give them money in terror negotiations. We have watched this patiently long enough.

These people we have tolerated living with are on record for killing a thousand youth in Kaduna with reckless abandon and burying them secretly in mass graves midnight, while many were alive. They have killed hundreds of our youth in Biafra land and again buried them in secret mass graves. Till date no empathy has been shown for the victims and their families. Yet we Yoruba people remained bound to these cursed bunch of vampires soaked in the blood of the innocent. Bound for too long.

Again as happened with Zakzaky, Dasuki and Nnamdi Kanu, these lawless barbarians with their half-wit Attorney General are standing before the world in contempt of court and refusing without reason to release one of our sons, in person of Crusader Omoyele Sowore, granted bail. They have placed themselves above the law and become a law unto their selves.

Where there is no law there is no state. And God and man grant us the right to self determination as embodied in Article I of the Charter of the United Nations.

We shall be a part of this madness no more. On this day, the 27th of September 2019, we the Yoruba nation within the confines of what used to be Nigeria, hereby declare our secession from the contraption that was Nigeria. We no longer remain a part of such a shambolic accursed shipwreck.

We announce this day our alignment with Biafra and our commitment to a joint struggle with our southern brothers towards emancipation from the calamity that was Nigeria.

This day, the 27th of September 2019, we severe our bondage with the north of Nigeria who have the lawless leadership they trust, voted for and stand behind. We liberate ourselves from this uninvited malunion.

Let it be known this day that in peaceful and considerate separation, we shall commit to provide the north of Nigeria as much as 40% of oil revenue from the southern shores for a period of 10 years to allow them develop their economy.

Whoever feels disenfranchised in the Nigeria which from this day is only the region beneath and in proximity of the Sahara, is free to travel down and join our alignment with the Biafra republic. We welcome all progressive brothers who see the future as we do and who can no longer suffocate their intelligence, hope, and aspirations under an inebriated, toxic backward bunch of terror associated lawless bandits who know only to steal, rape and kill and plunder our present and the future of our yet unborn.

Dear Yoruba brethren, the time has come. The time for our pride has come. Together with Biafra, we stand today, to forge our prestigious Yoruba Empire tomorrow. Join the revolution: #AlignedWithBiafra as we march #ForwardWithBiafra

Prince Lekan Abayomi 
for Coalition of Yoruba Nationals, CYN

Sowore was arrested in Lagos on August 3, 2019 by operatives of the DSS for calling on Nigerians to pour out to the streets to express their anger at the poor state of governance in the country.

Nigerian movie star and producer, Stella Damasus, has expressed disgust over how pro-democracy campaigner and Publisher of Sahara Reporters, Omoyele Sowore, is being treated by the government through the Department of State Services.

Damascus, who took to her Twitter handle earlier on Saturday to express her feelings, said, “Anyone who is not outraged about the way #Sowore has been treated does not know what democracy means.

“I still can't get over it.”

Sowore was arrested in Lagos on August 3, 2019 by operatives of the DSS for calling on Nigerians to pour out to the streets to express their anger at the poor state of governance in the country.

Earlier on Tuesday, a Federal High Court in Abuja ordered the DSS to release him on bail but despite that directive, the government is yet to free Sowore.

LET'S DIRECT/CONNECT CUSTOMERS TO YOUR BUSINESS.

By Adoga Michael Oyi

In line with The Eagles Voice Media mission in bringing latest information to public which includes but not restricted to helping business owners and customers locate their buyers and sellers respectively, the eagles voice blog has decided to embark on the following activities in making sure business owners stop complaining of lack of patronage and  customers complaining of location of their choice goods;

*1. The eagles voice media would embark on an advertising tour to indicated business owners (Optional to business owners).

*2. Will interview the business owners about his/her products

*3. Will report all activities about your business after visitation to your customers (according to your discretion)

*4. Will promote your business both on our globally viewed blog and on different social media platforms (twitter, Facebook, Instagram etc)

*5. Will direct customers that comes to us to your business location.

This activities is in line with our humanitarian services in making sure business owners get rid of their goods and make their desire profits.

NB paying advertising visit to your business location shall be according to your discretion (Optional).
Whereas, you may tell us about your business whether far or near and we would still do the needful.
Stop crying of lack of customers we are here to help you sell. Simply tell us about your business now.

This initiative covers all kinds of businesses.

Invite/talk to us today.

#Contact us @

#Email- adoga45@gmail.com

#Phone No. 07068340400 (WhatsApp line), 0812 509 5833.

#Facebook page: The Eagles Voice Blog https://www.facebook.com/eaglesvoiceblog/

#Facebook group: THE EAGLES VOICE BLOG

#Facebook Personal handle:  Adoga Michael Oyi. ( https://www.facebook.com/adogam ).

#Twitter: @Tev_media1, @AdogaMikeOyi.

#Instagram: @Tev_media1, @adoga_oyi.

#Our blog URL: www.Theeaglesvoice.com.

By Goddy Anyogo

The Dean of the the Faculty of Agriculture, Forestry and Wildlife Resources Management, University of Calabar, Prof. Ausaji A. Ayuk has commended a team from Pennsylvania State University (PSU), USA who were in his office to pay a courtesy visit recently.

According to Prof. Ayuk, their visit was timely and in sync with the thoughts and vision of the University administration with regards to positive linkages.

The Dean of Agric who commended the leader of the team for the great work they are doing and for deeming it fit to call before commencing the new phase of their study, observed that time is of the essence, as not too long after the last interface another session is already here.

"Things must be taken in their strides, and the Faculty is aware of the importance of value addition and is therefore, making the most of opportunities to be ahead", he said.
In an earlier remark,the leader of the team, Dr. Sagan Friant said that they were glad for the credible relationship with the Faculty and thought it apposite to visit the Dean on arrival before proceeding to the AFI mountains the next day to commence  their work.

It is worthy to note that the relationship has among other benefits made room for field exposure of graduate students and hands-on experience of international best practices in Wild life management.
Also in the team were; a post doctoral fellow, A graduate student from PSU and another graduate student from the Department of Forestry and Wildlife Resources Management, University of Calabar.

John Owen Nwachukwu John Owen Nwachukwu


Femi Fani-Kayode, a former Aviation Minister has sent his best wishes to the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, Nnamdi Kanu on the occasion of his birthday.

In a message his sent via his official Twitter handle, @realFFK, Fani-Kayode prayed God to grant the IPOB leader more years of victories


He also prayed that God may shame Kanu’s enemies and disarm his detractors.

Fani-Kayode said, “Happy birthday to my dear brother @MaziNnamdiKanu. May God grant you many more years of peace, joy, blessings, good health, prosperity and victories!

“May he shame your enemies and disarm your detractors. May you continue to go from strength to strength and wax strong in battle!”

One of the suspects arrested over the murder of the Commandant of the Armed Forces Command and Staff College Secondary School in Jaji, Navy Commander Oluyemisi Ogundana, allegedly planned the attack in a church.

The suspect from Kogi state identified as Bernard Simon, killed Ogundana after she removed him as the Parent Teacher Association (PTA) Secretary for alleged illegal practices. He was reportedly staying at a church at the time of the attack after being evicted from his apartment by his landlady who wasn't pleased with his behaviour.

“He is the General Secretary of the church and when his landlady sent him packing, he moved his things to the church. He was actually staying in the church at the time he planned and killed her. It is suspected that he killed her on Friday night.
“He tore her net to gain entry into the passage and then to her garage. It is suspected he ambushed her at the garage because that place is inner garage and a bit dark,” a source told The Nation.

Bernard returned to the deceased's apartment to steal her laptop, money and other valuables after disposing her mutilated body in a well near a church located in the cantonment with the help of his nephew Ibrahim Momoh. Some of the items were recovered from his wife who confessed to getting them from the arrested suspects.

“After they killed her, they went away with her car but the man came back to her apartment on Saturday and ransacked it. He was looking for the original vehicle documents to ease the sale but it seems he could not get it. Then, he went and got two soldiers to assure buyers that the vehicle was not stolen and it was genuine.

“The soldiers claimed that they did not know the vehicle belonged to the commander and that they did not know anything had happened to her. They have been arrested by the military police because what they did was even illegal,” another source said.

Mad Melon

BREAKING CREATIVE INDUSTRY NEWS

REST IN PEACE MAD MELON

Eternity is reality; hit maker of the DANFO DRIVERS duo has left for eternity.

I recall that in 2007 when the duo of Mountain Black and Mad Melon popularly known as DANFO DRIVERS were signed on by D and I music a befitting accommodation was provided at Magodo estate somewhere in Ketu on the Lagos mainland but Mad Melon who was until his death, madly in love with the street insisted that he couldn't leave Ajegunle where he grew up and made it from.

Mountain Black, with whom I lived as at the time tried to convince you but you resisted, at a point you were outraged and that brought about a serious argument and the rest today is history.

The Creative Industry has lost one of its best I must say. Our prayers in Cross River State Chapter of the Creative Industry Group CIG is that your maker forgives your sins so that your soul can rest with HIM. Mad Melon died in the early hours of Thursday 26th September 2019 at a health facility in Lagos after a brief ailment.

May GOD ALMIGHTY give us all the ability to bear the irreplaceable loss AMEN.

Adoga Michael Oyi,
Publicity Secretary
for: State coordinator,
Odama Groovydee Abednigo

TO GOD ALMIGHTY BE THE GLORY!

Cross River State Governor, Sir Ben Ayade has assured that the ongoing construction of a spaghetti flyover and other flyover bridges at Odukpani Junction will soon be completed.

The governor gave the assurance when he visited the construction site where major civil, mechanical and structural works are moving in rapid pace.

Speaking to newsmen, Governor Ayade reinstated his commitment to ensure the spaghetti flyover, the first of its kind in this part of the world, is delivered soon.
According to him, “the Spaghetti Flyover looks like something impossible because of the three floors of bridges crossing each other. Ordinarily that doesn't look like something Cross River could handle.

“Trust me, with the intellectual money everything is possible. So here we are at the site, the civil works going on perfectly well, the structural works, mechanical works going on also with same rapidity.”

The Governor also spoke about the superhighway and the deep seaport projects, which he believes hold the key to unlocking the economic potential of not just the state but the country as a whole.

While affirming his unflinching commitment to the actualisation of the projects, the governor reiterated his appeal to President Muhammadu Buhari, to grant the state a sovereign guarantee on the projects.

He disclosed that the first phase of the 275km Superhighway will be completed by the first quarter of next year.
This is just as he revealed that construction of bridges along the route have commenced. 

"Our commitment is that by quarter one of next year, phase one of the superhighway will be getting ready,” he disclosed.

CRoss River SUBEB chairman, Dr. Steve Odey guiding pupil through some lexis.

   
The Chairman, Cross River Universal Basic Education Board, SUBEB, Barr. Stephen Odey Ph D has flayed reports that Senator Ben Ayade, the governor of the state has given directives for the termination of appointment of one thousand primary school teachers.

Dr Odey said the governor gave approval for the recruitment of two thousand teachers and five hundred security men after he sent a memo to the governor and he went ahead to employ two thousand and twenty seven after due diligence and due process in view of the poor financial situation of the state.

He said at no time has the governor contemplated or given directives for any teacher to be sacked whether the newly employed ones or those who have been in the system before the employment of new ones.

“His Excellency approved four thousand teachers and we went through due process and employed two thousand and twenty seven teachers considering the poor financial situation of the state and they were payrolled and captured by the state civil service commission making them substantive workers in the state and nobody is talking of sacking them.”

He said the state has a total of fourteen thousand primary school teachers with a wage bill of eight hundreds and thirty million naira monthly and non is being owed any salary.

” Some people will be criticising the governor without considering the responsibilities he is shouldering. For instance these teachers are paid alongside other workers every month and he does not owe anybody. Is that in itself not an achievement? “.

The SUBEB Chairman said the state is operating three model secondary schools in the three senatorial district’s of the state and owing to demands by parents, the schools are now in senior secondary one and will continue to senior secondary three for the students to write the West African Schools Certificate Examination.

“Following the high educational standard in the model schools, parents said we should continue because if we send the students to others schools, the standard already inculcated in their children will not be maintained”.

FIVERR BEGINNERS CLASS

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- Getting  a master card to receive  payment
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This class is valued at ~36,000~ and we ll be selling seats to students and young urban Professionals of Calabar  at a flat rate of 5000 naira only.
0215867437 Gtb Babalobi Ilerioluwa C

On payment, text your name, and email address to 08184732157

Training is scheduled for 14th and 15th October 2019.

Suite 13, Lawrence Plaza 131 Goldie Street Calabar Powered by BRANTEGIST NIGERIA 🇳🇬

ALSO Bitcons Trading / Investment class is exclusive and valued at 10k taught on 2 Saturdays. Kindly be specific of you're signing up for this class alone or for both.

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On payment, kindly include this "Handler: Adoga M" in your confirmation text with your name and Email Address to 08184732157

INFORMATION TO HELP PLAN YOUR EVENT

The Cross River State Carnival Commission has scheduled the following dates for the Carnival Calabar Dry Run

1st Dry Run   20th October 2019

2nd Dry Run  17th November 2019

3rd Dry Run December 15th  2019

Time: 12 noon

Consequently the general public is advised by this notice to take note.

CREATIVE INDUSTRY NEWS

The Cross River State chapter of the Creative Industry Group 'CIG' has unveiled it's first project, a creative television show aimed at marketing the state as world class investment and tourism destination as well as promote indigenous acts.

The chapter coordinator, Odama Groovydee Abednigo stated that the project will complement the state government's resolve to industrialize the state and hoping to partner the government and individuals for production of the project.

Odama further took us into the making by presenting us a pilot in  video format.

Accordingly, the show is expected to air on various TV platforms premiering on the state owned broadcasting corporation.

The program titled:CROSS CITY TV SHOW features three (3) segments:
(1) Interviews with favorite celebrities
(2) Sites and Sounds of Cross River
(3) Top ten (10) National music videos/top three (3) Cross River acts.

Odama concluded by saying there are more interesting projects to embark upon.

TO GOD ALMIGHTY BE THE GLORY!

Adoga Michael Oyi,
Publicity Secretary.
Creative Industry Group CIG, Cross River chapter.

Tomori whose root is traced to Nigeria was born in Canada, he lives in England and his parents are from Nigeria, therefore, making him a citizen of three nationalities. 

Fikayo Tomori reveals he is ready to play for Nigeria

ByLawrence Solomon

Fikayo Tomori, one of Chelsea's wonder kids has revealed he is ready to play for Nigeria.

The Chelsea Academy graduate is a national of three countries and is eligible to play for any of them.

Tomori whose root is traced to Nigeria was born in Canada, he lives in England and his parents are from Nigeria, therefore, making him a citizen of three nationalities.

He said, “I am a citizen of all three (countries ) so we ’ ll see. I was born in Canada and lived there about seven or eight months old. My family is Nigerian, obviously, I live in England.

“It’ s nice to have that. I can’t play Under – 21 football anymore so the last international break I didn’t get called up to anyone. Next one maybe we’ll see,”

Tomori currently plays for England where he lives at the U-21 level.

During last year's Championship, Tomori played for derby County under the current Chelsea manager, Frank Lampard.

He, however, made it known that he has not committed his international future to any of the countries. 

by Chinyere Okoroafor

An Ibadan-based fashion designer, Esther Isaiah, on Wednesday accused her step-father, John Dickson, of raping her and sexually abusing her younger sister.
Testifying in a Mapo Customary Court in Ibadan, Isaiah, 20, also alleged that her step-father was responsible for her childlessness.

“Our step-father, started molesting me at age 12 and my younger sister, whenever we visit our mother in her matrimonial home.
“Whenever my mother is not at home, my step-father will threaten that he will kill me if I don’t allow him sleep with me. So, I allowed him in order to live.

“He raped me so many times. I never told my mother because I didn’t know what will happen, but, I told my friends.
“He also raped my younger sister. She told me that our step-father comes into the room where she sleeps with a mask and rapes her,” she said.

Earlier, Dickson who spoke through an interpreter said that he filed the divorce suit on grounds of abandonment.
He alleged that his wife, Mary, abandoned him for three years without any reason.
READ ALSO: Step-father defiles 7-month-old baby in Katsina

However, Mary countered her husband’s submission of abandonment when she described him as evil and an animal in human skin.

“It is true that I left Dickson’s home. He raped my daughter, one of the two children I had before I married him.
“The girl was afraid to tell me what my husband did to her and she stopped visiting me.

“In Cross River, where I am from, it is a taboo for a man to sleep with a step-daughter and her mother.
“Except a certain sacrifice is performed, the step-daughter might never conceive and the mother will die.

”I am currently sick and need urgent spiritual deliverance,” Mary said.
After listening to the testimonies, Chief Ademola Odunade, the court’s President, ordered all the parties concerned to ensure that they did the needful since it was a matter of life and death.
He held that Dickson might be charged for a felony.
The arbitrator adjourned the case till Oct. 15 for judgment.
(NAN)

United Nations (UN) affiliated organisations are set to hold Okpoma Day of Peace 2019 in Okpoma, headquarters of Yala Local Government Area, Cross River State.

The UN Affiliates include, Universal Peace Federation, Family Federation for World Peace and Unification, Youth and Students for Peace, Global Educators.

The event scheduled for Thursday, September 2016, is themed, "Building a peaceful Okpoma for All", holds at the World Peace Centre, Ochoku, Okpoma, Yala LGA, CRS.

According to the Secretary-General, Universal Peace Federation, Dr Raphael Ogar Oko, over 600 are expected to participate in the one day event.

Responding to enquiries ok the event, Dr Oko said, "This event is an outcome of the inaugural assembly of Okpoma Development Forum as well as the follow up Okpoma Teachers Professional Development workshop held recently at Okpoma.  We asked each village to bring 30 persons and we are expecting about 600 persons in all."

He added that other non classified groups are welcome as it is an open event.

The event, which promises to address the lingering security challenges and hopes to proffer lasting solutions to the relative peace in the communities. It will also feature celebration of peace and peace-related lectures from invested speakers.

John Owen Nwachukwu

Pastor Ken Akinmade of Christ Church, London, UK on Sunday said there is a concerted effort by some people in power to bring down Vice President Yemi Osinbajo.

He said that some of the people who were working frantically to drag the name and integrity of the Vice President in the mud were even people from his geo-political region, the Southwest.

Pastor Akinmade explained that they were deploying resources to fight the Vice President, stressing that, Nigerians must pray for the well being of the number two man.

He said he saw in a vision, some politicians gathering and in their midst were some journalists too.

“They were planning how they will disgrace the Vice President and ridicule him in the eyes on Nigerians using fake news.

“The Bible is very clear. Gather they shall gather but if their gathering is not of the Lord Almighty it will be destroyed and scattered. I enjoin all Nigerians to pray for the Vice President,” he said.

Pastor Akinmade said the story of the Vice President is not different from those of Mordecai and Daniel in the Bible who evil people schemed against but eventually fell for their own plot.

He urged Nigerians to be wary of any negative report or stories that are in the media about the Vice President.

“In the vision, I heard a voice saying where is their proof, where is their evidence, where is their proof.

“It was then I realized that there was no proof or evidence against him, it was then I saw that they had only gathered against God’s choosen to do him evil and in that instance I began to pray in the spirit.”

He warned the Vice President to be careful of those around him and those who are his friends especially politically and spiritually. He also warned him to be careful of some people from the Southwest.

“His biggest enemies are those from the South, mainly the Southwest. Those who he might think are his brothers and sisters are among those who have ganged up against him. They have seen his glory and they are trying everything humanly possible but they forget that man is not God.

He urged Nigerians to pray for the Vice President noting that the will of God cannot be truncated at all. “I do not know the Vice President personally but this is what I have to say to him, Sir, be very prayerful. You are a sheep in the midst of wolves.