I Am Not Sure I Will Marry Again Actress Chika Ike

Actress Chika Ike recently moved into a big house in one of the rich neighbourhood in Lagos. She is now an independent women, at her young age.
See what Chika Ike said about her love life below…
I would not want to talk about the experience with early marriage and spousal abuse. When you get married, things happen along the line and you ask yourself if it is something you can take.
Everybody has their share of experience in marriage. I don’t like talking about it because I’m trying to get over it.
The next man I will marry? I am not sure I am going to get married but if I eventually do, I will just let go and allow God to guide me. But if it does not work out, happiness is all that matters. I cannot sacrifice my happiness for anybody.

How Life Has Turned For Pastor Chris Okotie's Estranged Wife

This ravishingly beautiful lady, Stephanie Henshaw, seemed to have struck gold when she married Pastor Chris Okotie at an elaborate twin ceremonies a few years ago. So in love were the duo that many thought it was too real to be true. He showered her with attention and gifts.

This remained the state of things of their love until things turned ugly...

Following their controversial break up, Pastor Okotie not only retrieved the car gifts he bought for her when the going was good, he stripped her of all other privileges she used to enjoy as his wife, since then, life has not been easy for Stephanie as she now struggle to get the least of things, you just can't believe even if I mention them. Sadly, the mother of three is almost a shadow of her old self.

And according to a Punch report, Stephanie, who is said to reside with her sister in Lagos, was sighted in a "not-so-posh" part of town recently riding in a taxi.

Ghanaian Football star Michael Essien weds his publicist in secret

Rumors have been circulating for months now that Ghanaian footballer and Chelsea star Michael Essien has wedded his publicist, Akosua Puni.

When reports first started circulating, both Essien and Akosua  ignored the stories and it was regarded as just mere rumors.
However,  it was awkward last week Friday when Akosua introduced herself as Mrs Akosua Puni Essien at a cocktail charity event – Game Of Hope – organized by Michael Essien.
Mrs. Essien Akosua was in charge of the event and everyone who worked with her referred to her as Mrs Essien; she is also the head of the Michael Essien Foundation.
Michael Essien and Akosua had a child together shortly after his relationship with Ghollywood star Nadia Buari ended a few years back, though the football star has never acknowledged being married and does not wear a ring.
Essien has three kids from two different women

AY Challenges Celebs To Stop Begging for Money for OJB and Give Their Money

Popular comedian, AY, has proved to be a man with heart of gold as he urged his fellow entertainers to stop the embarrassment of asking ordinary Nigerians to donate 'just' N15m for their colleague, OJB, who is down with Kidney failure.

Amaechi shuns Patience Jonathan’s Port Harcourt event

•L-R: Wife of the President, Mrs. Patience Jonathan; wife of Akwa Ibom State Governor, Mrs. Unoma Akpabio; and Zonal Coordinator, Women for Change and Development Initiative, Mrs. Toru Ofili, at the opening of South-South zonal office of WCDI in Port Harcourt...on Wednesday.

Rivers State Governor, Rotimi Amaechi, and his wife, Judith, on Wednesday shunned the inauguration of the South-South Zonal Secretariat of the Women for Change and Development Initiative by the wife of President Goodluck Jonathan, Patience.

Apart from the governor and his wife, other top officials of the Rivers State government also boycotted the occasion which was held in Port Harcourt, the capital city.

A source close to the President’s wife, who spoke at the event, said that the governor and his wife were invited for the opening  of the zonal secretariat of the W4CDI and the empowerment of over 1,000 women in the state.

The source said a letter of invitation for the occasion was specifically sent to the governor’s wife about seven days to the event, regretting that the state government deliberately shunned the event.

“We sent a letter of invitation for the governor and his wife across to the Government House in Port Harcourt one week to the event, but as you can see, no single government official was present at the occasion.

“The truth is that (the state) government deliberately refused to attend the event. Enough publicity was done for the occasion and besides, invitation was extended to the state government,” the source said.

But Amaechi’s wife said she was never invited.

The governor’s wife, who spoke through her Press Secretary, Dike Bekwele, denied knowledge of the event.

She argued that the governor would have sent a representative if  he was not in the state during the occasion, recalling that she attended the launching of the scheme in Rivers.

Bekwele said, “It is not correct for anybody to say that the governor’s wife was invited. The truth is that the organisers of the event did not invite the state government.

“In the past, the governor’s wife used to attend the occasion in Abuja or any part of the country. I think there is more to why they refused to invite the state government to the occasion.”

The scenario playing out in Port Harcourt, analysts would argue, was a mere extension to the well-known cold relationship between the President and the governor.

The Presidency was believed to be angry with Amaechi for his handling of the affairs of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum which both the Presidency and the Peoples Democratic Party considered inimical to the 2015 ambition of Jonathan.

Presidential aide, Ahmed Gulak, had sometime ago accused the Rivers State governor of running the NGF as a “trade union.”

Also, the PDP had reportedly barred Amaechi from contesting  second term as the chair of the NGF but the governor apparently ignored the directive and contested against Plateau State Governor Jonah Jang, seen as the Presidency’s candidate.

The NGF has since been factionalised with both Amaechi and Jang heading different camps.

But while the Presidency has recognised the Jang faction of the NGF, the PDP has since slammed a suspension on Amaechi for alleged anti-party activities.

 Meanwhile, Mrs. Jonathan, at the WCDI programme, charged Nigerian women to train their children and make them useful to the society.

Mrs Jonathan explained that it would be difficult for any society to enjoy any form of development without well-trained children, stressing that no nation could achieve its potential without peace.

The WCDI is one of the pet projects of Mrs Jonathan targeted at empowering women, widows and the less-privileged in the society.

She said the scheme was aimed at teaching women on how to be productive in order to assist their families and urged the women to make good use of the equipment given to them.

“I thank the women of Rivers State because since my stay here in the state, I have noticed that there is peace. It shows that Rivers women are doing a lot to train their children well.

“We need to train our children so that they will be useful to our communities, our local government areas, our states and Nigeria in general,” she said.

She said the administration of her husband had surpassed its predecessors in appointment of women, citing the headship of sectors like aviation, education and water resources by women as a testimony to her submission.

 “This is the first time in the history of Nigeria that a President is carrying the women along. In appointments, 13 women have so far been appointed in the Federal Executive Council,” she said.

The President’s wife, however, enjoined Nigerian women to be united so that they could bring the 35 per cent affirmative action into reality.

She distributed sewing machines; cassava, pepper and tomato grinding machines to women across the 23 local government areas of the state.

Tukur knows fate today as PDP NEC meets

 

National Chairman, Peoples Democratic Party, Alhaji Bamanga Tukur

Who  laughs  last in the  battle for the soul of the ruling Peoples Democratic Party?

An answer to this  will emerge at the party’s National Executive Committee meeting on Thursday (today) where governors loyal to Rivers State Governor,  Rotimi Amaechi, and those in the Jonah Jang  camp  will play prominent roles in determining  whether or not Bamanga Tukur will retain his job as PDP’s national chairman.

The Amaechi  group is allegedly pushing for Tukur’s removal while the Jang  faction  backed by  members of the party’s caucus, including the Chairman of the Board of Trustees, Chief Tony Anenih,  is bent on his (Tukur) retention in office.

Cracks in the PDP governors’ group  widened on May 24 when some defied a directive by the party’s national leadership to pick  Governor Jang of Plateau State as the Nigeria Governors’ Forum Chairman. They teamed up with  opposition governors to  ensure that Amaechi defeated his Plateau State counterpart in the poll.

An  embarassed PDP leadership,  backed by the Presidency,  had in its bid to whittle  the  influence of  the NGF, created its own  governors forum which is headed by Governor Godswill Akpabio of Akwa Ibom State.

The NEC meeting is expected  to deliberate  on and find solutions  to  the crises rocking the PDP. Many believe that the  fate of Tukur, whose leadership is being accused  of causing many of the problems in  the party would be determined at the forum.

The NEC has among others, the President, his deputy, the National Chairman of the party, Chairman and Secretary of the Board of Trustees; all other members of BOT,  the   President of the Senate, the Deputy President of the Senate, Speaker, Deputy Speaker,  all PDP governors, state chairmen and their deputies and many of the NWC  officials as members.

A confident Tukur had on Tuesday boasted that he would not resign and told those angling for his ouster that there was no vacancy in the PDP chairmanship.

He had said, “Chairman is there dam dam. The chairman is not only in office, he is (also) in power. In PDP, there is no vacancy in the national chairmanship.”

Investigations on Wednesday revealed that in spite of the PDP chairman’s confidence, the pro-Amaechi governors were  mobilising neutral  NEC  members to ensure that Tukur is booted out of office during the  meeting today.

It was learnt that the governors that want  Tukur to quit  included Sule Lamido (Jigawa); Aliyu Babangida (Niger);  Aliyu Wamakko (Sokoto);  and Murtala Nyako (Adamawa).

In the  Jang faction are  Godswill Akpabio(Akwa Ibom); Gabriel Suswan (Benue); Emmanuel Uduaghan (Delta); Liyel Imoke (Cross River); Mukhtar Yero( Kaduna); Idris Wada (Kogi); Isa Yuguda (Bauchi); Theodore  Orji (Abia);  and Silvan Chime (Enugu) .

The Amaechi group  is said  to have hinged its  decision on the argument that Tukur could not be absolved from most of the crises in the party.

They were said to have cited the suspension of Amaechi and Wamakko, which they described as high-handed.

 One of the party’s NWC members, who resigned on Wednesday, said  he was aware that some governors were pushing for Tukur to go.

He said that although eight members of the NWC resigned because of the report of the Independent National Electoral Commission, which faulted their elections, the governors felt the chairman must go too.

The former  NWC member said, “The pro-Amaechi group in the PDP wants the chairman to go because they believe that he is responsible for most of the crises rocking the party.”

It was, however, learnt that the pro-Jang group on Wednesday intensified efforts to save Tukur. It was  gathered that the group felt the motive of the anti-Tukur forces was selfish.

A top member of the party, who confided in one of  our correspondents, said that the Jang group believed that those calling for Tukur’s removal were after President Goodluck Jonathan.

He said,  “Their game plan is to push out Tukur and take control of the party ahead of the 2015 general elections. These are the people that do not want the President to contest in 2015.”

One of the pro-Jang governors, had after the national caucus meeting of the party  on Tuesday, said that Tukur would not be removed.

He had stated, “For our chairman, I believe strongly that there is no shaking. He is the national chairman.  I don’t see any problem with the  national chairman.”

However, on Wednesday the 14  governors who were part of the “gang of 16  ” behind  Jang during the NGF election , had advised   President Goodluck Jonathan  against the removal of Tukur.

 They were said to have  informed  Jonathan that  there was no way  he would be able to install his candidate   if there was a fresh national convention.

One of the governors, who spoke with one of  our correspondents on condition of anonymity, said they were able to convince the President that their colleagues who refused to vote for Jang as the chairman of the NGF despite the party’s directive, would also move against  his ( President) candidate at any convention.

“We told him not to trust the governors, especially now that they had come out as  his enemies  and enemies of the party,” the  governor said.

He  explained that  it was before the final agreement was reached on whether Tukur would go or not  that made  Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu, to say  that consultations were ongoing on  the   national chairman’s fate.

Meanwhile, the outgoing National Publicity Secretary of the PDP, Chief Olisa Metuh, has confirmed that he and seven other members of the National Working Committee  had resigned from office.

Metuh, who spoke with journalists in his office, said  their resignation letters  would  take effect from Thursday (today).

He said,“I want to inform you that I am resigning as the National Publicity Secretary with effect from Thursday,    June 20,  2013.

“This resignation is in the overall interest of the party and is being done to put a final stop to the controversies generated by the INEC report on the mode of my election as National Publicity Secretary.”

Actress Nkiru Silvanus Panics Over Imo State's Cabinet Reshuffle

The recent revelation by the Imo State governor, Anayo Rochas Okorocha to reshuffle his cabinet seems to have sent worries to Nollywood actress and screen diva, Nkiru Syvalnus who is the Special Assistant to the governor on Public Affairs.

Based on information reaching us from a reliable source, the star actress of “Cry For Help” would likely not be retained by the Imo state number one citizen in the upcoming cabinet reshuffle that will be sending most commissioners packing.

For the fair-skinned actress’ sin, it might have emanated from the news late last year before her kidnap following the Imo First Lady accusing her of having an illicit affair with her husband.

“After the First Lady accused her of having an affair with the governor, we discovered that things really got changed. Even, Nkiru whom she accused of not performing but because of the affair with her husband made it back after the last reshuffle. Now, another one is coming and I’m not sure if she will make it because of her poor performance and eyes that are already on her now,” a reliable source informed us.

Meanwhile, there are other side talks that Nkiru, during her stay in Lagos as Liaison Senior Officer, she performed below expectations; on this basis she was replaced. Hear what another source hinted us, “even the office she held before her position got swapped with another appointee, it could be said that the office is now booming. While under her reign nothing happened. Same thing with her current position, that was the same office that made influence before she came, right now nothing is happening.”

Mohits Split Destroyed My Wedding Plans - D'banj

Koko master, D'banj in a recent interview talks about his reason for being single.
D’banj revealed that he would have been married if he’s still with Mohits. He claims his split with Don Jazzy is the reason why he is still single today.
Hear him in his own words below;
“To tell you the truth, I would have been married if Mo’Hits had not broken up. The crisis really affected me and I had to start so many things afresh.
Just like my mentor 2Face Idibia, I will be married and have my own kids one day”

Eniola Badmus Fires Critics Over Her Big Shape-Anybody That Insults Me On Social Media, I Will Insult Back!

Cross over actress, Eniola Badmus is not finding it easy with critics who often lampoon her on social media about her plus size. Recently, she criticised those who made negative comments about her photo shoot and that has kind of generated a lot of hits.

She was asked why she had to go that hard on her fans over mere comments about her big shape and she said “People tend to underrate just to make you feel somehow or to intimidate you. That’s why I say, I don’t see intimidation. If anyone should come out and say ‘Eniola is big! She is that!’ For goodness sake, I like it like that. I’m okay.

Besides, my body shape is giving me money and I’m good. I’m living well. I’m healthy. I’m sure I’m healthier than some slim people. All of us can’t be slim. People should stop this body-shaming pinging. It’s not nice.”

The Gbogbo Bigz Girlz as she is fondly referred to, a name she got from the role she played in Funke Akindele’s movie, Jenifa, fired at those who make nasty comment on social media that “Even if you want to advise someone that it’s not nice, there is a way you can say it not by insulting people because you feel you can just write or talk anyhow on social media. No! Anybody that insults me on social media, I will insult back. Yes, because it doesn’t make one feel good.

In foreign countries, intimidation causes some people to commit suicide. When you are being intimidated, that’s when depression comes up. After depression, you go and die. Me, die because of what? No oh! This life is too sweet to die, because of words of some people. I’m okay.

If anyone doesn’t like me, they should keep a distance. The people that like me will forever be around me. I remember that I wrote, why use panadol for my headache? Every blog carried it that I said I know my stature is a big problem to some. But it’s the truth.

Among all of you that are insulting me that Eniola is too big I’m sure your mum is bigger than me. So why not concentrate on the one you have? I know one of your friends is bigger than me, or one of your sisters.

Most of the fat babes, the plus size people who watch me want to emulate me because I’m a celebrity. Whatever she does let’s do it. You get it? I know I’m a role model to some people.”

Lots of Rich Men Wants To Sleep With Me- Nollywood Biodun Okeowo

Biodun Okeowo. Photo: Facebook

Popular Yoruba Actress Biodun Okeowo known as Tolani Osirin says many rich men have tried to lure her with cash into sleeping with them, but she continues to turn them down.
‘I told the last person who tried it with me that if he has slept with other actresses in the movie industry, he should not try it with me because, even if I am hungry, I know what to do to put food on my table, I won’t resort to prostitution or doing runs. I am not bragging but I have proved it severally,’ she told a magazine.
The actress is a graduate of Communication Arts from Lagos State University and a mother of three children.

Yvonne Nelson Insults His Father by Sending Father's Day Message To Mother

In African setting, it’s clear insult to one’s father when a mother takes a role or glory of a father. This exactly is what the Ghanaian top actress, Yvonne Nelson, displayed when she sent a message meant for her father to her mother

Some of her fans who read that message said maybe it’s because she doesn't have a father any more, but people who know her too well said she has a father in Ghana but she has never been in good accord with her, reasons she sent a message meant for him to her mother.

The actress uploaded her mother’s photo (instead of father) on father's day and sent out a message, saying her mother has been her father (playing the role of both Dad and Mom).

Do you think her behaviour is as a result of her dad's irresponsibility?

Abuja Agog For 'Terry G Book Of Ginjah' Concert

It will be a celebration of good music and the ditching out of rib-cracking jokes when eccentric singer, Terry G holds his 'Terry G Book Of Ginjah' concert in Abuja, the FCT. On Friday, July 5, 2013, all roads lead to the ThisDay Dome in the FCT at 6pm with a red carpet.

The singer's Abuja fans will have a lot to savour at the concert as top stars are billed to thrill them with scintillating performances. They are expected to get undiluted performances from music stars and top comedians.

The event will be anchored by the duo of Uche Obodo (Nollywood actress) and AY (comedian). Charly Boy, Don Jazzy, Davido, Gordons, Ketchup, Kcee, Wande Coal, D'Prince, Dr Sid and Tiwa Savage are some of the stars expected at the concert.

Others are Eva, Solid Star, Skales, MC Triple White, Donna Diva, Samklef, Vector, Klint d Drunk, W4, Chuddy K, Reminisce, Jaywon, Morachi, Urch Baby, Slizzy E, Denrele, Ozzy Bosco, DJ Stramborella, DJ Adex, Agoha, MC Rolex, Fidel Baba, Mr P, Tekno and Badguys.

Nosebleed: Myths, causes and remedies

Nose Bleed

Bleeding through the nose is a condition that is common in young and adult. But sufferers have always employed a wrong tactic to stop it, writes MOTUNRAYO JOEL

Five-year-old Joy Azu’s mother was terrified when she noticed that her daughter was bleeding through the nose. She placed a pillow behind her head, slightly bending it backward. It worked as the flow slowly stopped but it took two years for little Azu to be free of the condition as it continued to re-occur because the pillow solution was ineffective.

Describing his fear when he noticed the flow of blood through his nose at seven, Iniobong Effiong, who is now a teenager, said the period was challenging and emotionally tasking for his parents.

His nosebleed lasted for more than a year and his mother had no idea of how to handle his condition.

“Because I was young, I had no idea of what was happening to me. I tried to blow it out but it got worse and my mother had little knowledge of its treatment. She later learnt that the safe position when it occurs is to push the head backward, using a soft object like a pillow to support the neck. It stopped after a year,” he said.

Apart from children, adults too experience nose bleeding.  At 37, Segun Olanrewaju still suffers bleeding through the nose.

He said, “I experienced it twice some months back. It started suddenly. I had gone out to work somewhere in Lagos without any strange feeling. But when I got back to my office, my nose started bleeding. The bleeding was so much. My shirt was stained with blood. My colleagues had to rush me to the hospital. My doctor said the bleeding was triggered by stress, I never knew that stress causes nosebleed.”

Olarenwaju, who said he was distressed with the condition, advised mothers not to allow their children place their heads on pillows. “I was advised by my doctor not to place my head on pillows as this would cause a backward flow of blood into the brain,”he said.

While she was pregnant, Mrs. Stella Nwosu, also  had nosebleed. Like many others, she had no idea how to stop it.

She said, “During my pregnancy months, I didn’t have discomforts such as vomiting, spitting or weakness. In fact, I was very strong, but the only thing I battled with was nosebleed. On several occasions, my nose would be bleeding profusely. It got to a point that I became so worried because I didn’t want anything to happen to my unborn child. When I complained to my doctor, he said there was nothing to worry about and that the condition was just part of pregnancy symptoms. I’m glad the condition didn’t get worse. It can be frightening; imagine seeing blood coming out of your nose. Anyone would be scared.”

These are just a few cases of both children and adults who have battled with nosebleed. But what exactly is nosebleed and what are its causes?

According to Medical News Today’s website, the medical term for nosebleed is epistaxis otherwise called nasal hemorrhage.

The website stated, “The human nose and those of many animals are rich in blood vessels. Because of the position of the nose – right in the middle of the face – and all its blood vessels, most of us will have had at least one nosebleed at some time during our lives.

Nosebleeds are seldom a cause for alarm but can be life threatening in rare cases. Spontaneous nosebleeds are fairly common, especially in children. When the mucous membrane (a mucus-secreting tissue) inside the nose dries, crusts, or cracks (the skin splits open) and is then picked, it is likely to bleed. Because the nose is full of blood vessels and is inconveniently situated in the middle of the face, any minor injury to the face can cause the nose to bleed profusely.

“Nosebleeds are also common in people taking anti-coagulants (blood-thinning medications, such as Aspirin), as well as in older people whose blood may take longer to clot. If the patient is taking anti-coagulants, has hypertension (high blood pressure), or a blood-clotting disorder, the bleeding may be harder to stop and could last over 20 minutes.”

Another website, Firstaid.webmd, explained that nosebleed is divided into two types, depending on whether the bleeding is coming from the anterior (front of the nose) or posterior (back of the nose).

It sates, “Anterior nosebleeds make up more than 90 per cent of all nosebleeds. The bleeding usually comes from a blood vessel at the very front part of the nose. Anterior nosebleeds are usually easy to control, either by measures that can be performed at home or by a doctor. Posterior nosebleeds are much less common than anterior nosebleeds. They tend to occur more often in elderly people. The bleeding usually comes from an artery in the back part of the nose. These nosebleeds are more complicated and usually require admission to the hospital and management by an otolaryngologist (an ear, nose, and throat specialist).

“In the US, one of every seven people will develop a nosebleed at some time. Nosebleeds tend to occur during winter months and in dry, cold climates. They can occur at any age but are most common in children aged two to 10 years and adults aged 50 to 80 years.”

A medical doctor, Dr. Shabi Abidemi, added that adults who suffer from nosebleed may have hypertension.

Speaking with our correspondent, he said, “Nosebleed in children could be as a result of trauma or tumour, but in adults, the likely cause is hypertension, especially when there is no injury in the nose. Nosebleed also occurs in people that have bleeding disorder, which is called haemophilia. This means when the blood doesn’t clot because of a deficiency.”

In children, Abidemi said nosebleed could be as a result of systemic illness, infection, tumour or metabolic disease. However, for children, he said the commonest cause is trauma.

“Children who pick their nose especially when the weather is dry may develop nosebleed. This is because the nose isn’t properly moisturised. When it starts bleeding, the commonest home remedy is for the mother to pinch the anterior part of the nose. This will apply pressure on the nose. Then, the child should be made to lean forward and not backwards. The mother could also apply an icepack on the bridge of the nose. These are just home remedies, if the bleeding persists, the child should be taken to the hospital immediately,” he said.

From a haematologist’s perspective, Dr. Tosin Adeyemo, said  a child or adult that suffers from nosebleed would require some tests to unravel the possible cause. “The cause of this condition can range from a vascular disorder or platelet disorder. However, this kind of problem requires a multidisciplinary approach with an ear, nose and throat surgeon, including a neurosurgeon. Once these specialists have performed their skilled tests on the individual, and they deem the person as being ok, then a haematologist can assist with further tests,” she said.

Adeyemo further said nosebleed can affect any age group and that it isn’t limited to children.

“Causes include excessive nose picking especially during a harsh and dry season, which will further aggravate the condition. But for more serious problems, like a vascular and or platelet disorder, the bleeding might be more intense or prolonged. The nosebleed can last for as long as the trigger persists.

“It can be treated based on what the primary problem is. For example, a nose picker should be discouraged from the act. For deeper problems such as the platelet disorder, the individual will benefit from replacement therapy. Once an individual has nosebleed, he or she should seek immediate medical attention so as not to aggravate the condition,”she said.

Navy nabs suspected pipeline vandal

Orok Okon

The patrol team of the Nigerian Navy Ship,NNS Victory, has arrested Orok Okon, member of a gang that specialised in oil pipeline vandalism.

Okon, 35, was arrested on Tuesday along the Calabar waterways in a wooden boat containing over 150 (200 litres) drums of Premium Motor Spirit, popularly called petrol.

The petrol was believed to have been siphoned from one of the pipelines conveying the product to the Calabar depot of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation.

Seven members of the gang were said to have narrowly escaped being apprehended by the team.

Commander, NNS Victory, Commodore James Oluwole, who paraded the suspect and the recovered products at the Calabar jetty, said the encounter took place around 2am.

Oluwole said on sighting the naval team, the suspected oil thieves, who were aboard the wooden boat laden with the stolen products, jumped overboard to escape.

 He added that one of the members was, however, outsmarted by the team as he made attempt to escape.

He said, “Close to the NNPC jetty around 2am, our team accosted a wooden boat containing over 150 drums of 200 litres each. Immediately the suspected vandals sighted us, they  jumped overboard to escape, but we were able to arrest one of them.”

The commander said the arrested vandal and the products would be handed over to the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps for further investigation and prosecution.

He explained that most oil vandals, unlike sea pirates, preferred to abandon their stolen products to escape than confronting military personnel in a gun duel.

Oluwole said the Navy was collaborating with the 13th Brigade of the Nigeria Army to ensure that pipeline vandals were chased away from the Calabar waterways.

The commander said the effort was part of the Chief of Naval Staff campaign against crude oil theft.

He noted that oil bunkerers and pipeline vandals had recent times taken advantage of the Calabar waterways because it used to be an easy route for them.

He added that in the last one year, many arrests and continuous parade of the waterways had kept them at bay.

The commander said the Navy would continue to protect the maritime domain which is the main stay of the nation’s economy.

Okon told journalists that there were eight members in his gang, adding that seven escaped through the water.

The suspect, who declined to disclose the source of the product, said they were conveying it to the Jebbs area of Calabar South before they encountered the naval officials.

Cultists kill NURTW secretary in Lagos

Monsuru, Financial Secretary of the National Union of Road Transports Workers in Mushin

Some suspected cult members, belonging to Black Axe have killed the Financial Secretary of the National Union of Road Transports Workers in Mushin.

PUNCH Metro learnt that the deceased, Taiye Monsuru, aka Sempe, was killed shortly after leaving his base at the old tollgate, Mushin on Friday.

A close friend of the deceased, who craved anonymity, said, “Taiye left his base at the old tollgate Mushin, where he  is the financial secretary of a unit. At about 9:30pm he left the toll gate at Mushin railway line on a motorcycle and headed for his home at 45 Adegboyega Street, Ilupeju.

“On getting to the junction of his house, he dismounted from the bike and about 10 men, who had been lurking around, accosted him and shot him repeatedly. After making sure he was dead, they all disappeared.”

According to the source, some cult members had called him on his telephone a day before the incident and had threatened to kill him for waging a war against Aye members.

The source said he was convinced that 35-year-old Monsuru was not a cultist but added that he had been having problems with them for a while.

He said, “A day before the incident Monsuru received a phone call where some cultists accused him of waging a war against the Aye boys. They asked him whether he could fight against the Aye boys on his own and threatened him

“For some time he had been having problems with the cultists who felt cheated in the scheme of things as they claimed they were not given juicy posts even though they deserved it. They wondered why Monsuru, who was not a cult member, would be made financial secretary.”

The friends named Monsuru’s killers as Lanre Pumping, 50 Cent, Wale Touch, SARS Adigun, among others.

The cult war in Somolu, Mushin, Akoka and Bariga seems to be a war without ending as cult members continue to kill on a weekly basis.

When contacted on the telephone, the spokesperson for the state police command, Ngozi Braide, said she would call back. However, as of the time of going to bed, she did not call back.

Immigration officer arrested for burning girl with iron 

Favour Emmanuel.

An official of the Nigeria Immigration Service, Kwara State Command, Mr. Yemi Afolayan, has been arrested for allegedly inflicting injuries  on a 12-year-old girl, Favour Emmanuel.

Afolayan was also said to have allegedly tied and beaten up Emmanuel before inflicting the injuries on her neck and foot.

Our correspondent learnt on Tuesday that Favour was under the guardianship of Afolayan and his wife, who is popularly known as Iya Beji.

Emmanuel, whose mother resides in Lagos, told PUNCH Metro in Ilorin that Afolayan had asked her to prepare a meal for the family.

She said while she was preparing the meal, Afolayan  felt  that it had taken a long time for it to be ready and became angry.

Emmanuel said, “He asked me to prepare rice.  While I was preparing it, he became angry that it had taken a long time for me to finish cooking the rice. He grabbed me, tied me up and used the hot iron to inflict injuries on my body.  It was really a very tormenting experience.”

It was also learnt that Afolayan’s arrest was sequel to a report to the state Ministry of Women Affairs by some concerned neighbours.

The Director of Child Development, Kwara State Ministry of Women Affairs, Mrs. Lucy Adeniyi, said  Favour sustained serious injuries on her neck and foot.

She added that the victim had been treated at the state Civil Service Hospital, Ilorin.

Our correspondent also learnt that Emmanuel was currently at the Children Reception Centre, Gaa Akanbi, Ilorin owned by the state government.

However, Afolayan, who is said to be a father of five, denied that he beat up and burned Emmanuel with hot iron.

He explained that he only scolded her, adding that she ran out of the house.  He stated that she might have sustained the injuries while running away from him.

He said, “The girl was only being naughty.  I am a father myself and I would not do that to any child. I wanted to scold her. Maybe when she was running out, she sustained the injuries but I didn’t burn her with a iron.”

But the state police command’s Police Public Relations Officer, Mr. Olufemi Fabode, said the police would ensure that the suspect was brought to justice.

The Commissioner for Women Affairs, Mrs. Comfort Afolayan, urged parents and guardians to treat their children and wards with love.

She said, “The child is in our custody. We are taking care of her and we will take her back to her family. The act is very horrible.  Such a treatment is not acceptable. This ministry will not relent on protecting the rights of children.”

APC leaders yet to agree on office sharing

APC Spokesman for the Merger Committee, Chief Tom Ikimi

There were indications in Abuja on Tuesday that leaders of the yet-to-be registered new political party, the All Progressives Congress, were yet to agree on the sharing formula for national offices in the party.

The Merger Committee of the three parties in the merger met in Abuja on Tuesday where the issue was again discussed.

Spokesman for the Merger Committee, Chief Tom Ikimi, said the matter was being addressed.

The three parties in the merger arrangement are the Action Congress of Nigeria; All Nigeria Peoples Party; and the Congress for Progressive Change.

Some members of the Democratic Peoples Party and the All Progressive Grand Alliance are also involved in the merger.

Our correspondent learnt that while both the ACN and the CPC had been allocated five slots each in the proposed Interim Management Committee of the APC, ANPP was allocated five positions.

In the IMC of the party, the ACN is producing the national chairman while the ANPP is producing the national secretary and CPC, treasurer.

Name of officers, who are to occupy these offices in the interim have been submitted to the Independent National Electoral Commission as demanded by the electoral body.

However, the Commission was said to have responded and demanded that the names of other officers of the proposed party be supplied as well.

This was said to have necessitated the meeting of the Ikimi-led committee in Abuja on Tuesday.

However, at the end of the meeting, no concrete decision was reached as representatives of the three parties were scheduled to meet with the caucus of their parties in Abuja on Tuesday night.

Ikimi, who spoke after the meeting, said, “We have reviewed the processes that are ongoing with regards to our registration and look into various issues in order to enable us to carry all the merging parties along.

“This night, there would be caucus meetings of the merging parties and so we have worked out various things which we want to take to the caucus meetings where we would meet with the leaders of our various parties to enable us finalise these matters.

“On interim officers, we have looked into the various issues to enable us carry all the merging parties along.

“We have some forms from INEC, asking for the names of interim officers. At the end of the meeting with our caucus, we should be able to resolve these matters.”

Meanwhile, CPC has said that the Peoples Democratic Party cannot stop governors who have indicated interest in joining the APC from doing so.

The party described the witch-hunting of some PDP governors for plotting to defect to the APC as ridiculous.

National Organising Secretary of the CPC, Alhaji Salihu Yusuf, said in a telephone interview with The PUNCHon Tuesday that Nigerians were in need of a change from the current situation in the country.

Yusuf argued that nothing was wrong for any governor to decide to move to another political party that would serve his objective, particularly as it concerned the development of the country.

B’Haram kills nine students, 13 fishermen in Borno

Boko Haram members

Suspected Islamist militants opened fire on a school in Maiduguri on Tuesday, killing nine students, witnesses and a medical worker said. This was the second  deadly attack on schools in three days.

An eyewitness, Ibrahim Mohammed, said he was taking exams in a classroom at Ansarudeen School when gunmen stormed the building and opened fire at random.

“I saw five students sitting for the exams killed on the spot. Four others were killed as they were entering the school premises,” he explained on the telephone, still shaking with fear.

In another attack on Monday, suspected extremists gunned down a group of fisherman on a river bank in Alau, located 20 kilometers outside Maiduguri.

It was believed that 13 fishermen were killed during the attack.

Most of the victims were relatives of people who have been arresting members of a radical Islamic sect known as Boko Haram.

“They said, ‘Your children brought this fate upon you; they are busy catching our members and handing them to soldiers to be killed’,” recalled one eyewitness, who spoke on condition of anonymity for fear of reprisals.

“They then shot them dead, and asked the remaining of us to run for our lives and take the message to the youth vigilante.”

Mortuary attendant, Alhaji Baba, at the State Specialists morgue in Maiduguri told Reuters he counted nine corpses brought in after the attack.

The military was not immediately available for comment.

Seven students, two teachers and two insurgents were killed when suspected Boko Haram militants attacked a school in  Damaturu on Sunday.

The two attacks have raised fears that a month-long offensive by government troops has merely pushed militants into hiding, from where they can still launch devastating operations.

In a separate attack, armed bandits attacked Kizera village in northwest Nigeria’s Zamfara state on Thursday, killing at least 32 people, local police chief Usman Gwary said.

Nine PDP govs voted for Amaechi – Lamido

 

Jigawa State Governor, Alh. Sule Lamido

Jigawa Sate Governor, Alhaji Sule Lamido, on Tuesday said nine Peoples Democratic Party governors voted for the incumbent chairman of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum, Mr. Rotimi Amaechi, at the June 4 election that later divided the forum.

Lamido gave a specific insight into what happened during the NGF election while speaking in an interview with the Hausa Service of the Voice of America monitored in Abuja, on Tuesday

Speaking specifically about the election of Ameachi as Chairman, NGF, Lamido said,

“I also voted for Ameachi. Look, in the PDP, myself, the governor of Kano, the governor of Niger, the governor of Kebbi, the governor of Sokoto, the governor of Kwara, the governor of Rivers, the governor of Adamawa, nine of us PDP governors voted for him.

“This election was for the NGF, not a candidate for the PDP; there is nothing to it.”

In a veiled reference to the consensus reached by the Northern Governor Forum to present Governor Jonah Jang as consensus candidate.

He said, “For one group to come and say ‘this is your leader, let’s present him to the nation’. Things are not done like that. People forget easily we are all reasonable people and the PDP was founded by reasonable people.”

Lamido also took a swipe at the party’s leadership over the suspension of Sokoto State Governor, Aliyu Wamakko.

While describing the suspension of Wamakko by the Bamanga Tukur-led National Working Committee as reckless, he said leaders needed to be circumspect in taking decisions.

He said, “Any reasonable politician, who has foresight, knows that doing anything that will cause trouble for party members or bring confusion, a leader should avoid it.

“The suspension of Wamakko was a mistake that shows a lack of leadership. Secondly, there was recklessness because what was his offence?

“The truth is Bamanga Tukur was defeated in Bauchi or was he not defeated during the zonal elections in Bauchi? He was defeated, not so?

“Myself, Wamakko, the governor of Kano and others came together and said what they (North East) did was wrong, so we will not agree; let us go for an election.

“The North East said its consensus candidate was Babayo. Bamanga Tukur was brought to us at the convention and we elected him, even from this, you have your answer (about the NGF election).”

NWC members beg Jonathan for appointments

President Goodluck Jonathan

Out-of-favour members of the National Working Committee of the Peoples Democratic Party on Tuesday night begged President Goodluck Jonathan to reward them with political appointments.

The eight members, expected to leave office on Thursday, appealed to the President for appointments since they had not completed their tenure as NWC members of the party.

They were elected at the party’s national convention which was held in Abuja in March 2012 and they were supposed to be in office for four years.

However, the report by the Independent National Electoral Commission, which queried the way they emerged through affirmation, was said to have been responsible for their being asked to resign.

The affected NWC members are the Deputy National Chairman, Dr. Sam Sam Jaja; National Organising Secretary, Abubakar Mustapha; National Youth Leader, Alhaji Garba Chima; Acting National Secretary, Solomon Onwe; Woman Leader, Kema Chikwe; National Legal Adviser, Victor Kwom; National Publicity Secretary, Olisa Metuh; andthe party’s National Treasurer, Bala Kaoje.

The President was said to have told them that their continued stay in office could be to the party’ disadvantage in the future as some people were already planning to capitalise on the report to challenge decisions taken by the affected officials in court.

At the Tuesday’ meeting, the President was said to have asked them to comply with his directive before any further discussion on their request.

A member of the NWC, who disclosed this to our correspondent on condition of anonymity, said he and his colleagues did not know what would happen concerning their appeal to the President.

He said the President refused to listen to their pleas that their case, which is pending in court, be allowed to be decided before leaving office.

“I think the mind of the President is made up. He insisted that we must resign first. We will comply,” he added.

Meanwhile, the party’s national mini convention has been slated for July 15, while the zonal congress would hold on July 13.

This decision was taken at the meeting the G.84 members had with the Chairman of the PDP Governors Forum, who is also the Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Chief Godswill Akpabio, in Abuja on Tuesday.

I won’t resign as PDP chairman –Tukur

National Chairman, Peoples Democratic Party, Alhaji Bamanga Tukur

The National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, Dr. Bamanga Tukur,  on Tuesday told those seeking his removal from office that his job was not vacant.

“Chairman is there dam! dam!  The chairman is not only in office, he is also in power. In PDP, there is no vacancy in the national chairmanship,”  he boasted to  State House correspondents after the party’s National Working Committee meeting with President Goodluck Jonathan in Abuja on Tuesday.

Ahead of the PDP National Executive Council meeting scheduled for Thursday, there had  been  reports that Tukur and other members of the NWC of the PDP had been directed by  Jonathan  to resign.

Tukur told the  State House correspondents   that he would not resign as the national chairman of the party because “we are here to run the PDP.”

“It is not true that I am resigning. Resign for what? It is not true at all. We will continue to run the PDP,”  he added, but went ahead to  confirm that eight members of the NWC whose elections  were faulted by the Independent National Electoral Commission would  resign.

 He said himself, the National Financial Secretary, the National Auditor and the National Secretary whose office is already vacant were not affected.

 Those who will resign, according to Tukur, are all the deputies, and all ex-officio members.

 He said, “The meeting with the President was about regularising the family of the PDP because there was INEC observation that some of the members of the NWC were  not properly elected;  so it has to be regularised.

“Those who have not been elected will resign and they will go back;  they will have the  opportunity to regularise.

“About eight people are affected. There are  people that are not affected, these are the National Chairman, the National Financial Secretary, National Auditor and of course the  National Secretary which is vacant now.

 “The other eight people, all the deputies, and ex-officials and the rest of them whose election in the convention was not voted for are affected.”

In preparing  for fresh elections for the affected party officials, Tukur said, “We are going to have party caucus tonight (Tuesday), we are going to have BOT tomorrow (Wednesday) and we are going to have our NEC on Thursday.”

Those who will resign  are  the National Publicity Secretary,   Olisa Metuh; Deputy National Chairman, Sam Jaja; National Organising Secretary, Abubakar Mustapha; Deputy National Organising Secretary, Okechukwu Nnadozie; Deputy National Publicity Secretary, Binta Goje; National Youth Leader, Garba Chiza; Deputy Youth Leader, Dennis Alonge Niyi; Deputy National Auditor, Umar Ibrahim; National Women Leader, Kema Chikwe; Deputy National Women Leader, Hannatu Ulam; Deputy National Treasurer, Claudus Inengas; and National Legal Adviser, Victor Gwom.

One  of our correspondents gathered  that in spite of Tukur’s insistence that he would not resign, some PDP governors, including Sule Lamido, were pushing for his removal.

A member of the NWC, who pleaded anonymity, said, “The governors and other leaders of the party that are against us are insisting that  all of us  must go. If he (Tukur) does not resign, they will boot him out on Thursday.”

But The PUNCH gathered  in Abuja  on Tuesday that  Tukur was not leaving anything to chance in order to retain his job. He was said to have asked some ‘friendly” governors of the party to lobby the President for him.

Investigations   showed that the governors, led by the Chairman of the PDP Governors’ Forum, Godswill Akpabio, had already commenced their “assignment.”

Tukur was said to have  told the  “friendly” governors that his removal would open the party to those he allegedly referred to as “anti-Jonathan forces.”  He was also said to have argued that if he was eventually humiliated out of office, it would be difficult for  the President   to get a replacement who would be loyal to him.

Apart from this, he  allegedly argued that since INEC  did not query his election, he should not be asked to leave with those whose elections were faulted by the electoral body.

His reason to keep his job also includes Ramandan, which he said might commence anytime from the middle of July.

If this happens, he reasons that it might be difficult to hold the party’s mid-term convention where new officers  are to be elected.

Another issue raised by him with the Akpabio-led lobby group was that the constitution of the party does not recognise a caretaker committee.

Already, Akpabio met with some members of NEC in Abuja on Tuesday, where he allegedly  persuaded them to support Tukur’s stay.

The meeting, which was held with a group called G.84 and  statutory members of NEC, was called at Tukur’s  instance.

When contacted, the Special Assistant to Tukur,  Oliver Okpala, declined to speak on the issue.

But the  Deputy President of the Senate, Ike Ekweremadu,   said leaders of the PDP  were  still consulting over the fate of  Tukur and other party executives whose jobs were on the line.

Ekweremadu spoke with State House correspondents after a meeting  Jonathan had with the leadership of the National Assembly on the crises in the party.

He said though the meeting was a routine one, it dealt specifically with  the party’s issues since the leaders were all members of the party.

“We are still consulting on the matter (resignation of party executives) in the evening (Tuesday), we are going to have a meeting of the national caucus of the party and look at all the options available to the party. This is part of the consultation so that by tomorrow (Wednesday) or later this evening (Tuesday), we will have a position of the PDP on this issue,” he said.

President of the Senate, David Mark; Speaker of the House of Representatives, Aminu Tambuwwal; and some other leaders of the National Assembly were absent at the meeting.

Asked if the  National Assembly which is dominated by the PDP  was  not worried  by  the   crises, he replied, “every family has their own issues, the PDP is not an exception.”

Also reacting to Tukur’s travails, a former National Vice-Chairman (North-West) of the PDP, Senator Danladi Sankara, said Tukur needed to go for sanity to return to the party.

“Our party is bigger than Bamanga Tukur. His tenure as national Chairman has been nothing but disaster for the party,”  he   told  one of our correspondents in Abuja  on Tuesday.

He explained that Tukur and members of his team had dragged the party’s reputation to its lowest ebb.

Meanwhile, the  Wadata Plaza  headquarters of the PDP in Abuja  has been in total darkness because of the inability of the party’s leadership to pay its bill.

A member of staff   said the party owes  supplier of diesel  about  N9.6m, which he said was accumulated in the last six months.

“We are owing the supplier the sum of N9.6m for the past six months and the supplier said there would be no more supply if we refuse to pay,” he added.