The Edo State Government has begun the process of establishing mobile courts to try environmental sanitation offenders.

The Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Environment and Public Utilities, Maj. Lawrence Loye (retd.), who stated this at the inauguration of the state Technical Committee on Environmental Sanitation in Benin on Wednesday, said the state would no longer tolerate shoddy handling of environmental matters.

He said, “We are working on the introduction of mobile courts to address issues of environmental sanitation offences, where offenders will be tried in accordance with the law.

“The magistrate will be in the mobile court, we will move from street to street. We look forward to bringing environmental standard in the state to an acceptable level comparable with what is obtainable in other parts of the world. We want to see the cities neat and I promise all that it is not going to be business as usual.

“My advice is to encourage all to work as a team, build the structure of enforcement and address illegality associated with enforcement.

“No enforcement team will be allowed in any local government area without the supervision of the technical committee, to avoid cases of extortion and other untoward acts.

“For environmental sanitation, its either you are part of the team or outside of it. If you’re not part of the technical committee, you cannot enforce.”

The Secretary to the State Government, Prof. Julius Ihonvbere, expressed dismay at residents’ attitude towards environmental sanitation, “despite government’s huge investment” in the sector.

He said, “We have taken environmental issues very lightly in the state, and even during environmental sanitation, people just stay back at home and wait for time to elapse.”

 



The race for the successor of Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babatunde Fashola (SAN), after the expiration of his tenure in 2015 has begun as politicians serving in different capacities at the federal and state levels have started showing interest.

Prominent among the aspirants are Commissioner for Works and Infrastructure, Dr. Obafemi Hamzat; Senator Ganiyu Solomon, representing Lagos West Senatorial District; Senator Gbenga Ashafa, representing Lagos East Senatorial District; the Speaker of the state House of Assembly, Hon. Adeyemi Ikuforiji; and ex-Commissioner for Environment, Dr. Muiz Banire.

Other aspirants eyeing the seat include Minority Leader of the House of Representatives, Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila; Commissioner for Agriculture and Cooperatives; former Governor Bola Tinubu’s aide-de-camp, Mr. Gbolahan Lawal; past Accountant-General of the state, Mr. Akin Ambode and the Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr. Adeola Ipaye.

It was however gathered that the governorship position might be zoned to the Lagos East Senatorial Zone, bearing in mind that the incumbent governor hails from Lagos Central while his predecessor, Bola Tinubu is from Lagos West.

If the governorship slot is eventually zoned to Lagos East, as is being canvassed, the move will put paid to the governorship ambitions of Hamzat (Lagos West), Gbajabiamila (Lagos Central), Lawal (Lagos Central), Banire (Lagos West), and Solomon (Lagos West) as possible contenders, leaving Ashafa, Ambode and Ikuforiji, who is currently facing graft charges, in the race.

But in response to enquiries on contenders for the race, the state’s Chairman of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), Mr. Oladele Ajomale, said the party’s leaders “are not talking about the governorship election yet,” stating that the party was yet to deliberate on such issue.”

The chairman, however, expressed strong opposition to the principle of zoning, noting that the principle “is a Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) formula and not ACN’s. We do not believe in such ideas. We believe in picking the best.”

He said the next governor of the state could come from any part of the state, adding, “Our responsibility is to get the best and only the best will be good for the state.”

“Wherever the candidate comes from, it does not matter. It is only those that can perform that will emerge eventually.”

“It is not about zoning. Someone who cannot perform cannot govern the state. The state is too discriminatory for that. We always want the best. The only thing the state deserves is a quality candidate.”

“We cannot choose someone who will drag the party backwards. The next governor of the state must be someone who will shatter the records of the incumbent governor.”

“When the time comes, the right candidate will emerge. I have not seen anyone who is interested yet.”

On Solomon’s declaration to contest for the position, Ajomale explained that all qualified candidates “have the right to say what he or she want. But I am in the best position to tell the truth. The party is yet to decide who will be the next governor of the state. But when the time comes, we will do that.”

Enugu residents who waited anxiously Thursday for the return of Governor Sullivan Chime were disappointed as he failed to return to the State.

Also, journalists and government loyalists who had kept vigil at the Enugu International Airport left disappointed after waiting till 6 p.m in vain.

An airport source who spoke under anonymity said no other flight was being expected for the day.

Earlier in the day, it was celebration galore at many parts of the state, especially at Udi, hometown of the Governor.

However, both the Save Enugu Group, SEG, and the Conference of Nigeria Political Parties, CNPP, have issued statements thanking God for the Governor’s return.

The SEG said it was happy that Chime finally returned to the country after it issued ultimatum. The group said it was still demanding apology from government over the manner Chime’s absence was handled.

Chime reportedly arrived Abuja on Thursday morning after spending more than four months abroad.

 

National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Bamanga Tukur on Wednesday reacted to the merger by opposition parties in the country, saying the PDP will defeat the newly formed party come 2015.

Parties including the All Nigeria Peoples Party, Action Congress of Nigeria, Congress for Progressive Change, and the All Progressive Grand Alliance, yesterday announced that they have come under one roof to be known as All Progressive Congress, APC.

Speaking shortly after the inauguration, Tom Ikimi, who heads ACN’s merger committee said “At no time in our national life has radical change become more urgent”

“And to meet the challenge, we, the following political parties, namely ACN, ANPP, APGA and CPC have resolved to merge forthwith and become All Progressive Congress and offer to our beleaguered people a recipe for peace and prosperity.

“We resolve to form a political party committed to the principles of internal democracy, focused on serious issues of concern to our people, determined to bring corruption and insecurity to an end, determined to grow our economy and create jobs in their millions through education, housing, agriculture, industrial growth etc, and stop the increasing mood of despair and hopelessness among our people.”

“The resolution of these issues, the restoration of hope, the enthronement of true democratic values for peace, democracy and justice are those concerns which propel us.

“We believe that by these measures only shall we restore our dignity and position of pre-eminence in the comity of nations. This is our pledge.”

The other parties were represented by Annie Okonkwo (APGA), Garba Sadi (CPC), and Ibrahim Shekarau (ANPP).

But in his remark, Tukur said the ruling party would apply the talent of Argentine soccer superstar, Lionel Messi, in dealing with the new coalition.

His words: “If you go for a contest, you have the striker. You know Lionel Messi?,” he asked.

“PDP is Messi in that contest. We will dribble them like Messi. Tell them chairman said PDP is the Messi”

 



Newly-formed mega party, the All Progressive Congress, APC, will any moment from now announce the composition of its national executive members, Dailypost has learnt.

The four political parties that make up the new alliance are: Action Congress of Nigeria, Congress for Progressive Change, All Nigeria Peoples Party and All Progressive Grand Alliance.

It was gathered that the stakeholders of the new party met at a closed door meeting Thursday night, February 7, 2013 to discuss the issue.

Also on the agenda was sharing of principal offices between the four political parties. The four principal offices discussed were said to be: the office of the President, Vice President, Chairman of the new party and the Secretary to the Federal Government of Nigeria.

On the issue of Governorship elections, it was resolved to be handled State by State. The gubernatorial candidate will emerge from the party that is the most popular among the four units that formulate the new party.

For instance, where the ACN party is considered more dominant amongst the other parties in the State – the gubernatorial candidate will emerge from the ACN – and then the deputy governor would emerge from the other three less popular parties.
The stakeholders are expected to make a public announcement on which unit will produce the presidential candidate ahead of the 2015 general elections.

Abia state government says it is ready to partner with Thailand to explore bilateral investment opportunities between them.
Governor Theodore Orji stated this at the government house, Umuahia when he met with the Royal Thai commercial counselor in Nigeria, Mr.Boon Intiratana who paid him a courtesy visit with the Aba Chamber of Commerce, Mines and Agriculture (ACCIMA).
The governor advised the counselor to look round the state and ascertain areas of interest for investment.
According to him the state boasts of large human and material resources adding that apart from Lagos, Aba remains the commercial nerve centre of the country.
He described Igbos as very industrious and assured the counselor of adequate security of their investment in the state.
Chief Orji stated that Thailand is noted for rice production, which he said has helped in feeding Nigerians and pointed out that a major problem confronting Aba is power supply.
He however stated that the federal government is addressing the problem with the building of NIPP power plant in Aba which is being complemented by the Geometric power plant at Osisioma.
The governor used the forum to commend ACCIMA for the role it was playing in promoting trade and pledged to continue to assist the chamber.
In his speech, Mr Intiratana said the purpose of his visit was to see business and commercial opportunities that exist in Abia state and how to promote bilateral relationship between Nigeria and Thailand.
He said that his country is interested in agriculture especially rice production and food processing, electricity generation, tourism, as well as in construction and transportation and invited the governor to send a private mission to Thailand in May this year for an international food fair and the Nigeria – Thailand business forum.
Earlier, the president of ACCIMA, chief Eleanya Okoroji said ACCIMA is striving on its noble functions of attracting foreign investments to Abia state ,adding that the Thai commercial counselor is in Abia under their invitation to interact with business people as well as improve on the existing bilateral relationship between Abia state and Thailand.

Several weeks after 11 children, between the ages of five months and two years were abducted in Ishiagu, Ivo local government of Ebonyi State, their whereabouts remain unknown.
The children were reportedly abducted at Ishiagu, home town of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator Anyim Pius Anyim.
A reliable source in the community said the trend started December last year with the abduction of four children, adding that only recently six others were abducted, bringing the number to eleven.

DailyPost learnt that all the eleven children abducted are settlers in the community.
Already, the situation has taken another dimension as residents of Ishiagu are accusing the police in the state of complicity in the abduction.
Residents who alleged that policemen in Ishiagu divisional police station were aiding the kidnappers, said efforts they were making to stem the tide were being frustrated by the police in Ishiagu division.

When our correspondent visited the Mile 2 Area in Ishiagu where 2 year old Chiemere Emmanuel and eight month, Chidubem Emmanuel were abducted, their mothers Blessing and Nnenna respectively lamented that since the abduction of their children, nothing had been heard from either the police or from the government.
The youth leader of the community, Mr. Chijioke Njoku, who also spoke to DailyPost alleged that Ebonyi state government and in fact the council chairman of Ivo LGA were not torched by the development because the abducted children were not indigenes of Ishiagu.
He said: “It is no longer news that our children are being kidnapped, even on the 19th and 20th of December, 2012 in Ayaragu children were kidnapped.
On 29th of December, along this Afikpo-Okigwe Road, a woman who was coming back from Ayaragu area with her child was intercepted by gunmen, they pushed her and her child into a car; along the road, they pushed her out and took her child away. Till now the family has not seen the child”.
On the effort of the community, he said: “Two or three weeks ago we intercepted two vehicles- Jetta and Mercedes Benz; the Jetta over ran us while we seized the Mercedes Benz.
“When we stopped the occupants of the car, they even tried to fight us. One of them ran away living the driver of the car.
“The suspect was later handed over to the police, with the warning that they should not toy with the case. Painfully, nothing serious came out of that case”.
Continuing, he said: “We are appealing to the government to help us. Everyday we come to this place to keep night watch in an effort to see whether we can stop this abduction, but the police are not backing us”.
The Ebonyi State Police Public Relation Officer, (PPRO), DSP Sylvester Igbo who was contacted on phone, did not make any comment.

One of the traders in Gatankowa market, oke-odo, Lagos, Taofeeq Shobulo, is to serve six months prison terms, for allegedly urinating in a pot of soup and provoking breach of peace on the 17th of January.

The 38-year-old convict, who pleaded guilty to the charges, was sentenced on Tuesday by an Ojokoro Senior
Magistrates’ Court.

His prosecutor, Lugard Ahonle told the court that “Shobulo had asked the food vendor, Olayiwola Olayemisi, to sell food to him on credit which she refused because, according to her, the accused was fond of eating without paying.

“The accused later came back while the food vendor was not paying attention and urinated into her pot of soup,’’ he said.

The prosecutor noted that the offence contravened Sections 136 and 411 of the Criminal Code Laws of Lagos State.

Presiding over the case, the Magistrate K. O. Ogundare sentenced the trader to six moths imprisonment saying “having found you Taofeeq Shobulo, guilty, you are hereby sentenced to six-months imprisonment which will be served concurrently.”

Swansea will now face Bradford City in the Capital One Cup final, after they drew 0-0 with Chelsea at the Liberty Stadium on Wednesday night. The Welsh side had won 2-0 at Stamford Bridge and Rafa Benitez’s men needed to score twice to stand a chance.

It is their first major cup final in their 100-year history and they will now be slight favourites to lift the trophy at Wembley next month.

However, the talking point of a rather dull game, was Eden Hazard kicking out at a ball boy, ten minutes from time. He was immediately sent off by Chris Foy and is likely to face further sanctions from the FA.

The MTV Base VJ Search grand finale will take place this Friday, January 25^th at Don Jazzy’s club, POP, where the Mavins will be performing at the big showdown along with other performances. Don Jazzy will be hosting the finalists at the after party.

The 22-year-old EME superstar, Wizkid has announced that he will not be releasing any album this year.

He stated this on Tuesday evening while responding to messages from fans on the social media platform, Twitter.

However, he has promised to give his fans a new thing by releasing a mixtape in April.

He also confirmed that the video for his Azonto track would be released in some weeks away.

The video, he said would be shot in London by popular director Moe Musa.

He concluded by appreciating all the producers he had worked with, home and abroad, acknowledging that they brought out the best in him.
See his tweets below:



 



 



 

 

The National Orientation Agency (NOA) had declared on Tuesday that it would confer Citizens Responsibility Recognition (CRR) award on Kogi State Governor, Idris Wada for his preference of local treatment after he sustained a thigh fracture in a fatal accident last month.

Wada’s decision is a total contrast of the decisions of other leaders who were involved in a similar accident.

In a statement signed by NOA Director-General, Mike Omeri, the agency said the award was in line with the agency’s campaign to encourage Nigerians to patronise the country’s local health facilities.

Omeri appealed to all Nigerians to imbibe the culture of receiving treatments locally.

He noted that Wada’s action, which is worthy of emulation, was a vote of confidence on the capability of the country’s medical sector.

“We are delighted by your action, which will encourage more Nigerians to patronise our local health facilities.”

“l urge Nigerians to pray for the governor’s quick recovery after his surgery.”

The D-G also sympathized with the families of those who lost their loved ones in the unfortunate accident.

The Embassies of the United States, United Kingdom, Germany and Canada on Wednesday advised their citizens not to travel to Nigeria for fear of insecurity.

The fresh warnings came on the heels of the deployment of troops in northern Mali.

The countries fear attacks on Nigeria by Islamic terrorists, who are supporting the course of for the Malian rebels.

The Canadian embassy on its website described the country’s situation unpredictable, saying there was a high risk of terrorism, crime, inter- communal clashes, armed attacks and kidnappings.

“Increased threat of attacks and kidnappings Military clashes are occurring in Mali between armed rebels and government forces. Since January 11, 2013, the French military has been assisting the Malian government in efforts to repel these rebels.

“Terrorist groups in the region have declared their intention to increase attacks and kidnappings, targeting Westerners. Citizens of countries supporting the military intervention are at particular risk, but all travellers should exercise increased vigilance in the region.

“There is a high threat of domestic terrorism in the northern states of Gombe, Yobe, Borno, Kano and Kaduna, where the extremist group, Boko Haram, which often claims responsibility for terrorist attacks, is based.

“Boko Haram-related attacks have resulted in thousands of deaths and injuries. A state of emergency is in effect in some areas of Borno and Yobe states.

“There is a risk of foreign nationals being kidnapped in some northern states of Nigeria.”

The UK, on its website which was updated on January 13, 2013, and marked, “Still current” on 23 January, 2013, said, “We advise against all travel to: Borno State, Yobe State, Riverine areas of Delta, Bayelsa, Rivers, Akwa Ibom and Cross River states. Warri city, Kano city.

“We advise against ALL BUT ESSENTIAL travel to: Bauchi State, Jos city, Riyom and Barkin Ladi Local Government Areas in Plateau State, Gombe State, Mubi Town in Adamawa State and the area north of Mubi Town that borders Borno State.

“Non-riverine areas of Delta, Bayelsa, Rivers and Akwa Ibom states; Abia State, Kaduna City and Zaria City.

“There is a high threat from terrorism in Nigeria. Attacks could be indiscriminate, including government, security and educational institutions, international organisations as well as public venues and areas such as restaurants, bars, markets, hotels, shopping centres, places of worship and other areas frequented by expatriates, foreign tourists and business travellers.

“A number of attacks have taken place around religious and public holidays. There have been regular attacks on churches in northern Nigeria at times of worship. We cannot therefore rule out further attacks taking place. You should be particularly vigilant at these times and in these locations. You should avoid affected areas in the immediate aftermath of an attack.”

“Following French military intervention in Mali, there is a possibility of retaliatory attacks targeting Western interests in the region. We advise vigilance.”

The US Mission on its website, “The U.S. Diplomatic Mission to Nigeria encourages US citizens in Nigeria to remain vigilant in light of recent events in Mali and the potential for retaliatory actions towards westerners in the region.”

“There is currently no specific information on threats against US citizens in Nigeria. It is prudent to be aware of events occurring in other countries of the region.

“As a precaution, US citizens in Nigeria should exercise caution when in public areas, particularly areas frequented by westerners such as: hotels, nightclubs, and various forms of public transportation including ferries.”

It asked citizens to “stay tuned to media reports, be aware of your surroundings, and report suspicious activity or unattended packages to the police. As always, avoid demonstrations should you come upon them.”

Germany said, “Due to the military operation in Mali, also Germans in Nigeria have to act on the assumption of an increasing endangerment. Please take note of the updated travel advice of the German Foreign Office.”

 

Members of the Upper Chambers of the National Assembly, yesterday, vowed to probe the funds allocated to Police college and other institutions of training in the force.

The senate, however blamed itself for not carrying out a proper and efficient oversight function to detect the deplorable and appalling situation of the college and then raise an alarm, prior to the visit of President Goodluck Jonathan.

Answering questions from newsmen in Abuja on Monday, Chairman, Senate Committee on Public Accounts, Senator Ahmed Ibrahim Lawan, said the Senate had completed arrangement to summon the Police Service Commission to explain how funds appropriated to the college were utilised.

Lawan, however, said that the investigation of the committee would go beyond the Police College, Ikeja, with a view to finding a lasting solution to the rot in the entire system.

Lawan, who could not give the exact figures appropriated to the college, said: “I don’t have any figure off hand as to how much has been appropriated. But one thing is very certain and clear from the visit of Mr. President to the police college in Lagos that some agencies of government have not been living up to expectations.

“The public accounts committee has already taken some steps to ensure that the police authorities appear before the committee to explain the utilisation of the funds appropriated particularly to the college. But we are also expanding beyond the college because this is a sign that all is not okay with the police organisation.

“I want to hope that the rot will stop with the police college. But if in the course of our investigation we discover that it is more than the college and that some organisations within the police are facing the same thing, then we have to take very serious action.

“First, we have to determine whether the funds were adequate so that if the funds were not adequate, we will like to see how prudent, economically and efficiently the scarce resources were utilized. If, however, the funds were enough and someone failed to do his or her duty, we will surely recommend serious sanctions for whoever is responsible.”

The senator admitted that the National Assembly, particularly the Senate and House Committees on Police Affairs, would have detected the rot in the college, had the committees did their jobs well.

He said: ‘’These are people that are directly involved with them. So it is a responsibility that we share. But I believe that we are supposed to take the lead in the oversight process because this is our major work.

“We are supposed to be visiting institutions and organisations that have been appropriated public funds to ensure that the funds are utilised properly.

“So, this is an eye opener not only for the police affairs committees but for other committees. And the Senate President has consistently told us to ensure that we have oversight functions and programmes that would ensure that no public fund is put in another way or used in an imprudent manner.

“So I am sure that we would step up our oversight. And the President should do more of this kind of thing because if anything, it would give the trainees the impression and confidence that their leaders are really concerned with what happens with their training at institutions.”

Asked if the funds for the Police were enough, he said: “I always believe that efficiency, economy, prudence and effective utilisation of resources are more important than quantum of resources, because when we emphasise on having more funds neglecting the efficiency aspect of utilisation, we don’t achieve anything.

“Some organisations with good management could achieve more with little. It is not about the quantum of money but how strategically the funds are utilised and efficiency of utilisation.

“So I believe that we should be emphasizing efficiency, economy and prudence of funds in addition to appropriating more funds. We can also grow better environment for our organisations to function better. But I don’t think we should be limiting ourselves to quantum of funds.”

On whether the probe will be as holistic as that of Bureau for Public Enterprise, BPE, Lawan said: “We did not do BPE investigation as a Public Accounts Committee. You would recall that the BPE assignment was an ad hoc assignment.

“This police issue is a public account assignment. What we will do is narrow down appropriations over the year to the police and see how much has been utilised and to what the revelation will be.

“But I don’t think we will begin to investigate the police from 1999 till date. We will focus on the budget. You would recall that BPE was a total investigation and everything was involved. But with the police, I don’t think that is where we are going.

 

 


Lagos lawyer, Festus Keyamo has begun moves to personally prosecute House of Representatives member, Farouk Lawan and one Boniface Emenalo, an ally of Lawan, over bribery allegations by Femi Otedola.

The legislator allegedly accepted a gratification of $620,000 from the businessman during the House ad-hoc Committee probe on Fuel Subsidy, with a promise to give him (Otedola) a clean bill of health in the final report.

Keyamo in a letter to the Attorney-General of the Federation, Mohammed Adoke (SAN), said he gave a seven-day ultimatum to the Police to begin the prosecution, but that they claimed investigation into the matter was over and that Adoke’s office was yet to file charges against the suspects.

He said he was giving Adoke till Tuesday to know the next line of action.

He attached a proof of evidence to the letter, which he made available to The Nation, as well as a recording of a telephone conversation where Lawan was allegedly asking for gratification to doctor his report, and appealing to Otedola to keep it secret.

Keyamo wrote: “May I kindly request that, by virtue of Section 342 of the Criminal Procedure Act, Cap. C41, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004, you endorse on the charge whether, having seen the charge, you are prepared to prosecute Farouk Lawan and Boniface Emenalo for the counts in the charge or whether you have declined to prosecute at the public instance the counts in the said charge.

“The position of the law is that, before I commence private prosecution, you should be given the opportunity to prosecute or to decline to prosecute. This is what I have done by this letter.

“I will expect your reply by the close of official business on Tuesday, January 29, 2013, to enable me determine my next line of action.

“I sincerely hope you will make your decision one way or the other as any indecision on your part will amount to a refusal to act as held by the Supreme Court in the case of Chief Gani Fawehinmi V. Col. Halilu Akilu & Anor: In Re: Oduneye Reported In 1987 (4 NWLR) P. 67.

“In that case, it will be all-clear signal I require to file the Charge.”

The four-count charge prepared by Keyamo, to be filed at the Federal High Court, Abuja, reads:

“That you, Honourable Farouk Lawan and Boniface Emenalo, sometime between January and July 2012 in the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, within the jurisdiction of Federal High Court, conspired to corruptly demand and receive the sum of $3,000,000.00 (Three Million US Dollars) as gratification from Femi Otedola, and thereby committed the offence of Criminal Conspiracy contrary to Section 96 of the Penal Code Act, Laws of FCT and punishable under Section 97 the same Act.

“That you, Honourable Farouk Lawan and Boniface Emenalo, sometime between January and July 2012 in the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, within the jurisdiction of Federal High Court, corruptly asked for, receivedand obtained the sum of $620,000.00 (Six Hundred and Twenty Thousand US Dollars) as bribe from Femi Otedola, and thereby committed the offence of gratification by an Official contrary to Section 12(1)(a) of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act, Cap C31, LFN 2004 and punishable under the same section.

“That you, Honourable Farouk Lawan and Boniface Emenalo, sometime between January and July 2012 in the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, within the jurisdiction of Federal High Court, corruptly agreed to receive the sum of $3,000,000.00 (Three Million US Dollars) as gratification from Femi Otedola, and thereby committed the offence of Gratification by an Official contrary to Section 12(1)(b) of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act, Cap C31, LFN 2004 and punishable under the same section.

“That you, Honourable Farouk Lawan and Boniface Emenalo, sometime between January and June 2012 in the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, within the jurisdiction of Federal High Court, threatened one Femi Otedola with injury to his reputation and his companies, with intent to cause alarm to Femi Otedola and to cause Femi Otedola to give you a gratification of $3,000,000.00 (Three Million US Dollars) in order to avoid the said injury, and thereby committed the offence of Criminal Intimidation contrary to Section 396 of the Penal Code Act, Laws of FCT and punishable under Section 387 of the same Act.”

A sugarcane seller is presently on the run, for stabbing his 19-year-old customer, Umaru Abdulrahaman, to death on Wednesday morning in Wadata, Markudi town, Benue state.

Local media reported that the teenage customer, a resident of 20 Kano street, Wadata, was repeatedly stabbed in the chest by the sugarcane seller over monetary argument.

We reliably gathered that the argument began after the boy purchased a stick of sugarcane.

Eyewitnesses disclosed that “They were actually arguing over the balance that was suppose to be given to the murdered young man. All we heard was a sudden loud scream and the young man fell to the ground.”

By the time residents rushed to the scene, the young man was already dead.

“Blood was already gushing from his chest and we discovered that the young man was dead cold” a resident disclosed.

On realizing the depth of his action, the sugarcane seller immediately fled the scene of the incident.

The Senior Special Assistant to the Benue State Governor on Public Utilities, Mr. Gadaffi Asemanya, who visited the scene said

“Youth of the various sects had mobilized themselves and were about to unleash mayhem in the town when I arrived in the area. I had to plead with them and calmed them down before the arrival of security personnel.”

On confirming the incident, Benue State Police Public Relations Officer, Deputy Superintendent of Police, DSP, Daniel Ezeala noted that the police was on the look out for the culprit.

As the Africa Cup of Nations kicks off this weekend in South Africa, Super Eagles goalkeeper Vincent Enyeama, has vowed that if Nigeria wins the tournament, he will go half naked.

Enyeama, who is on loan at Maccabi Tel Aviv from Ligue 1 side Lille, is likely to be in between the posts for Stephen Keshi’s team, after Austine Ejide picked up a thigh injury.

“It will be a dream come true and I am certain I will strip to my shorts. Yes, let everyone hear it that I will strip to my shorts if we are champions,” the former Enyimba goalie said.

Beyond the continental fiesta, Enyeama is looking to keep playing till he is 40 years or more.

“I aim to keep playing until am 40 years old. If possible I wish to play till I am 42. I work hard and I am focused. I know that if I do as little as I did today (he spoke to supersport.com after the Super Eagles’ victory over Dutch side Sparta Rotterdam) in more matches then I can easily play that long.”

The stopper however said he takes each match as it comes, even as Nigeria awaits its first trophy in 19 years.

“Personally, I do not think we are looking at the trophy for now. We want to win the first game, then the next and then the one after that,” he said.

“Nigerians should have faith in us, believe the best of us and pray for us. It is not beyond our abilities to win the competition with God on our side.”

 

BBC’s African correspondent, Oluwashina Okeleji, has reported a blunder made by President Jacob Zuma, as his country prepares to host Africa.

The President reportedly said on national TV that “I hope the Africa Cup of Nations is won by an African team this time”.

Apparently, his media aides did not prep Zuma well for his Dame Patience moment, as the continental fiesta, is always competed for by African countries and is played on African soil.

The competition kicks off today with Zuma’s nation, South Africa squaring up against Cape Verde.

 

MTV Base has revealed the names of the three talented newcomers battling it out for fame and fortune in the MTV Base VJ Search competition.

Going head-to-head in the last stage of the channel’s search for a new MTV Base VJ, are 26 year old Ada Ogunkeya (@Folustorms), 25 year old Ehizojia Okoeguale (@SpecialSlim) and 22 year old Kemi Owatemi (@SsmallzZ).

The ultimate victor will win a contract with MTV Base worth 10 million naira plus a brand new car and other exciting prizes.

Lagos born Ada is an on-air personality at 92.3 Inspiration radio. A self-confessed “life enthusiast”, Ada’s Twitter page describes her as an “opinionated, impulsive giggle-bot, knowledge fiend, natural hair lover, dancer, and all round dude”. According to Ada, ‘I feel like I’ve been preparing for this moment my whole life – it feels right!”

Smart and witty Kemi (Dahlia to her friends) loves dancehall music and Rihanna in equal measure. The personal motto of this young novel-loving Capricorn is “Happiness is Key”, and she describes her personal style as “more denim than silk”.

Happy-go-lucky jobseeker and computer electronics graduate Ehiz, a.k.a “Special Slim”, is always the life and soul of the party. With a personal mantra that states “Be the best you can be because at the end of the day you can only answer for yourself”, old-skool funk fan Ehiz numbers Fela Kuti, Born Jamericans and LL Cool J among his favourite artists – and loves the colour red because it represents both love and danger!

Ada, Ehiz and Kemi were hand-picked by judges Banky W (@BankyW), Toolz (@ToolzO), Funke Akindele (@funkeakindele) and Tim Horwood (@timohorwood) after competing against thousands of applicants in the MTV Base VJ Search – Nigeria auditions in December. The winner will join Sizwe Dhlomo and Nomuzi Mabena on MTV Base’s in-house talent roster, presenting their own chart show on MTV Base (DStv Channel 322, STV & AIT).

The winner in the MTV Base VJ Search – Nigeria competition will be selected by the judges during the Grand Final in Lagos, on 25 January and revealed on MTV Base on Tuesday 29 January. MTV Base VJ Cynthia C-Von Okpala and MTV’s newest South Africa VJ, Nomuzi Mabena, will share emcee-ing duties at the gig, while celebrity artists Iyanya, Ice Prince and Burna Boy will be helping the 3 finalists to complete their final challenges.

You’ll be able to see Ada, Ehiz and Kemi showing off their stuff in the next two episodes of the MTV Base VJ Search – Nigeria, on MTV Base, DStv Channel 322 at 18:30 WAT on 22 & 29 January and on STV at 18:00 WAT on 24 & 31 January.