Graaphic photos: Bayelsa women burnt to death at Ahoada

On Saturday February 14th, about 9 or 20 (depends on which version you believe) women from Bayelsa State were burnt to death in a multiple vehicle accident at Ahoada, in Bayelsa after visiting First Lady Dame Patience Jonathan. (Read here). I now have very graphic photos from the scene. See after the cut *viewer discretion advised*

source:lindaikejiblogs

Photos of Obasanjo publicly tearing his PDP membership card

Oh dear! Obasanjo had an aide or an associate tear his PDP membership card at a press conference in Abeokuta this morning where he also announced his exit from the party. He said he'll stay away from party politics and remain non-partisan. See more photos after the cut...

 Photo credit: Abiodun Onafuye/PM News

I INTENTIONALLY INFECT MY WIFE WITH HIV – HANKS ANUKU

Nollywood actor, Hanks Anuku has been tested positive to HIV. Hanks told Pulse Ghana that he left Nigeria on April 2011 to Zambia where he took part in various plays on teaching about HIV and AIDS without his wife and two kids for six month, and ended up sleeping with 80 women.
According to Hanks, “Life in Zambia was heaven on earth because we could enjoy life, moving in all places but I was missing my family. During that time I had quite a number of se.xual activities and I slept with different women. When I came back home I never took care of the family. I started drinking life a fish and became an irresponsible husband leaving the entire burden to my wife”
Hanks said he intentionally infected his wife,  “I got tested while I was in Zambia after one of my girlfriends advised me about her pregnancy. She had gone for pregnancy tests and during that time she was tested for HIV and the results was shocking, she was positive. She forced me to get tested but I could not come to terms with the results. After I got tested I came back to Zimbabwe and I kept quiet about the issue. I never told my wife about the issue. I infected her but I regret. I later on received some counseling and it went well”
“During my peak of popularity I had s.ex with approximately 80 women, within Harare and Zambia. In 2002 it was so amazing to be on TV. I abused the fame. To make matters worse I lacked counseling and I failed to handle it properly, leaving me in this mud. I am now a born again Christian with UFIC under the guidance of Prophet Emmanuel Makandiwa.”

2015 Presidential Election Ballot Papers Found In London (photos)

Culled from SaharaReporters.

Ballots meant for the Nigerian presidential election were found yesterday at the premises of a local printer in the Essex area of London.

Their sources said the sensitive election materials, which ought to have arrived in Nigeria earlier in the week, were unsecured at the premises of Panther Printing Services in London. SaharaReporters was able to confirm that a Nigerian firm named Cemoz International Limited had been contracted to
print some ballot papers for the 2015 presidential elections.

A spokesman for the Independent National Electoral Commission, Kayode Idowu, confirmed to SaharaReporters that Cemoz International Limited was one of the firms awarded the contract to print ballot papers.

It appears that, upon getting the contract, Cemoz went shopping for printers in London to print the ballot papers and then contracted these other printers to serially number the ballot papers. Although the ballot papers for the presidential elections for several southwest states were seen lying around the premises of the printing company in Essex, a staff at the company, speaking to a correspondent of SaharaReporters, said the firm only had the contract to print some of the ballot papers for Jigawa State.

Thinking that their correspondent worked for Cemoz, the representative of the Essex-based company asked if SR could give them more jobs, adding that their company had mastered how to print ballot papers.

SaharaReporters later obtained a bill of lading showing that Cemoz planned to ship the ballot papers to Nigeria a few hours before February 14th, the day initially set aside for the presidential election. INEC subsequently postponed the election for six weeks.

Valetine day tragedy: Fatal Accident involving a Couple Returning from Club (photos)

Oh no!#Valentine tragedy... After a major turn up in the club, a fatal accident occurred this morning along Festac Link Road. The driver has been rushed to the hospital but the lady at the passengers seat, presumed to be his boo died immediately. An eyewitness, Ogbonnaya Merije, confirmed this.

See more photos below:
  

Wife of Bayelsa SSG and 19 other women perish In auto accident after visiting Patience Jonathan

Shortly after paying the Nigerian first lady, Dame Patience Jonathan a visit on the 13th of February, about 20 women from Bayelsa State were reportedly burnt to death in a multiple vehicle accident.

It was learnt that the women paid a solidarity visit to the first lady in Okirika where they spent two days.

The accident occurred at Ahoada, in Rivers State and involved a Toyota Sienna car, an SUV and a bus with the inscription, Peoples Democratic Party Women Initiative.
An eyewitness told The Nation Newspaper that, “the affected women were traveling in the bus which went up in flames. They were burnt to ashes. Only one of the women was rescued.”
The Bayelsa State Sector Commander, Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC), Mr. Vincent Jack confirmed the accident.
He, however, said only nine persons burnt to death, two died without being burnt while many others were rushed to Madonna Clinic in the area.

Sad! ISIS Fighters Kill 21 Egyptians For Being Christians (Photos)

A video released last night has showed how ISIS fighters murdered 21 Egyptians for being Christians. The ISIS fighters were dressed head to toe in black marching the captives, all wearing orange jumpsuits, to a beach were they were all executed.

The 21 men, murdered because of their Christian faith, can be seen being forced onto their knees (in the photo above) before they were finally beheaded by the militants standing behind them.

Egyptian government has however vowed last night to avenge the bloodshed and to seek retribution from the killers. See a photo of how they marched them to the beach for execution after the cut.

Obasanjo reportedly tears PDP membership card in public

Former President Olusegun Obasanjo, has reportedly dumped PDP and allegedly tore his PDP membership card in public. Punch, TVC and other media outlets are reporting this but details are still sketchy. This is coming after many verbal and written attacks between himself and the presidency in recent times. Details later...

Pics: 2 cars, trailer ladened with arms, ammunitions and explosives reportedly intercepted in Maiduguri

According to twitter user A.S Aruwa, two cars loaded with arms, ammunitions and explosives were intercepted along airport road in Maiduguri, Borno state this morning. APC Presidential campaign is billed to hold in the state today. Angry youths set one of the cars ablaze.

 

 

 

Imo State Commissioner killed on sunday afternoon.15th febuary

Report from Owerri Imo State has it that the Commissioner to the state House of Assembly Service Commission, Hon. Tobby Onyekele has just been assassinated by some unknown gunmen

The Remains of Hon. Tobby Onyekele in pool of his blood

THE VICTIM’S CAR AT THE SCENE OF THE CRIME

He was killed at the MRS filling station, Ugwu-Orji along Okigwe road, Owerri. Hon. Tobby Onyekele, who served during the Ohakim administration as a local government chairman, has been assassinated by unknown gunmen.
Before his gruesome murder this afternoon, Onyekele was the Commissioner to the House of Assembly Service Commission, Hon. Tobby Onyekele, was an indigene of Ihitte Uboma.

13-Year Old Attendant Set Ablaze By Boss Over N1500 Dies In Hospital

A 13-year-old bar attendant, Ezekiel Emmanuel, who was set ablaze by his boss (the bar manager) for allegedly stealing his N1500 has died in the hospital where he has been receiving treatment, for the severe burns. Ezekiel died exactly 7 days after the incident. The bar manager, Mr Bidemi Shittu is allegedly still on the run. If you missed the story, see it here. May his soul rest in peace. Poor boy!

Wickedness! Bar Manager Sets 13-Year Old Attendant On Fire For Allegedly Stealing His N1500

The Ogun State Police Command is presently searching for a bar manager, Mr. Bidemi Shittu, who allegedly poured petrol on his 13-year-old attendant, Ezekiel Emmanuel, and set him ablaze.

It was gathered that the manager took the action because the teenager reportedly stole N1,500 from him. The incident happened in the Akoka area of Ibafo, Ogun State, on Monday, February 9.

A Punch correspondent gathered that the runaway suspect, Bidemi, who is married with children, was the manager of Golden Fingers Bar in the area, while Emmanuel was one of his attendants.

Our correspondent learnt that Bidemi, who had accused Emmanuel of theft on Sunday, allegedly tied the teenager’s hands and feet in a room in his bar till Monday, waiting for him to admit the offence.

It was gathered that on Monday, at about 11.30pm, Bidemi brought Emmanuel out to the front of the bar, poured petrol on the boy and set fire on him.

Our correspondent learnt that some residents, who were out at the time, rescued the victim.

They were said to have rushed Emmanuel to a private hospital in the area where he was initially treated before he was referred to the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital, Ikeja, Lagos, the following day.

Punch Metro learnt that the matter was reported to the Ibafo Police Division, and the policemen sealed off the bar.

However, it was gathered that the suspect, Bidemi, fled before he could be arrested.

When our correspondent got to the area on Thursday, Emmanuel’s uncle, Mr. Toyin Olayemi, said the boy was rejected by four different hospitals before he was eventually taken to LASUTH.

He said, “Emmanuel’s father is not around. He went to his hometown in Ekiti because he fell ill. On Tuesday morning when they told me about Emmanuel. I rushed to the private hospital and I saw him on the bed, severely burnt from head to abdomen.

“He was working on part-time basis in the bar, although Bidemi did not pay him any salary. Emmanuel is also learning generator repair at a workshop. I was told that the manager accused him of stealing N1,500.

“Despite pleas from neighbours that they would repay him, he waited till everyone had gone to sleep and brought out the boy and burnt his body.

“The private hospital asked us to take him away the following day. We went to about four government hospitals which rejected him before we came to LASUTH.

“Since that Tuesday, they have not allowed us to see him. They said he was still under observation. The suspect too has run away. We learnt that a policeman in the Ibafo division tipped Bidemi off to evade arrest.”

When our correspondent visited the suspect’s father, Pa Shittu, he told PUNCH Metro that the most important thing was for the victim to get well.

He said, “My wife went to check the boy in the hospital. The doctors did not allow her to see him, but they told her that he was responding to treatment. I have spent about N150,000 on his treatment.

“I have not seen Bidemi. I don’t know his whereabouts. He has refused to pick my calls. The most important thing is for the child to get well.”

When our correspondent got to the private hospital in Ibafo where Emmanuel was initially treated, the doctor said he ensured that he was in a stable condition before he was transferred.

The Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Muyiwa Adejobi, confirmed the incident.

He added that the police were intensifying efforts to arrest the suspect.

He said, “The suspect poured petrol on the boy for stealing.

He maltreated him, tied his hands and feet, and set him on fire. The boy is still in the hospital and the suspect is presently at large.

“But the police will arrest the suspect.

“This act is not only criminal, but also barbaric. We are intensifying efforts to get him and we will.”

ADDRESS OF HIS EXCELLENCY, MR. BABATUNDE RAJI FASHOLA, SAN TO LAGOSIANS ON THE COMMENCEMENT OF THE ISSUANCE OF PERMANENT VOTERS CARD IN LAGOS BY INDEPENDENT NATIONAL ELECTORAL COMMISSION

 
Dear Lagosians,
I am delighted to address you today because as you might by now be aware, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has announced the commencement of the process of issuance of Permanent Voters Card in Lagos.
This means that the process for elections has started.
Yes, election is a process, starting from voters’ registration, to balloting, to announcement of results and to election petition and swearing in of elected persons.
So for the avoidance of any doubt, elections have started.
This process has taken place once every 4 years in Nigeria and this is the 5th (fifth) time that it will take place.
In order for our democracy to be truly representative, it must be participatory, which means that everybody who is 18 years old from today is eligible to vote in the next election.
However, participation imposes a duty on all of us, if we must have a say in the election.
The first duty is to register as a voter, to be eligible to vote on balloting day next year.
This is the time when we must take that civic duty very seriously by making the sacrifice, by finding the time, by making the effort to ensure that our names are still on the Voters’ Register, if we voted or registered at the last election.
If you fall into this category, you must do whatever it takes to go to the polling centre where you registered or voted, to collect your Permanent Voters Card.
If you do this, then you are ready to vote on balloting day next year.
No business, no job, no obligation that you have can be more important than dedicating one day to collect your Permanent Voters Card so that nobody will impersonate you and use your card.
Once you have done this and collected your card then you are ready. On balloting day it will be too late to do so.
This obligation has become very important because of the reports emanating from INEC at a press briefing by the Resident Electoral Commissioner in Lagos that the number of voters in Lagos is now 4,800,000 (Four Million, Eight Hundred Thousand).
This is strange, it is surprising and I believe INEC owes the people of Lagos a lot of answers and very quickly too.
At the conclusion of voters registration exercise before the 2011 elections, the number of registered voters in Lagos as announced by INEC itself was 6,247,845 (Six Million, Two Hundred and Forty Seven Thousand, Eight Hundred and Forty Five).
This was an exercise conducted by INEC. This was an exercise where INEC boasted to Nigerian that it has secured an Automatic Fingerprint Identification System (AFIS) to ensure the credibility of the Voters Register.
INEC must explain to us how…..voters disappeared from among 1,447,845 (One Million, Four Hundred and Forty Seven Thousand, Eight Hundred and Forty Five) to leave Lagos with only 4,800,000 (Four Million, Eight Hundred Thousand) registered voters.
INEC has itself attempted to ascribe the disappearance of 1,447,845 (One Million, Four Hundred and Forty Seven Thousand, Eight Hundred and Forty Five) registered voters on its register in Lagos to what it calls “consolidation”; “Business Rule” and AFIS.
Lagosians demand to know what these terms mean, are they provided for in the Electoral Act?
Are they plans to disenfranchise Lagosians from exercising their rights to choose their own representatives?
Are they part of a plan to confer an undue-advantage in the next elections to any person or to frustrate the choice of Lagosians as we have seen in other states?
Let me assert very clearly and categorically that our Government will vigorously stand on the side of every eligible and previously registered voter to have their name back on the Voters Register compiled in 2011 unless INEC can show legitimate reasons why this should not be so.
For those of our residents who did not register at the last election, or who were not 18 years old at the time but who have now reached that age and who want to register, the first phase of this exercise which is to issue voters card from 7th-9th of November 2014 is not for you, because a Voter’s Card is only produced from a previously existing register.
Please note that those of you who fall into the category of persons who have never registered or who were registered and cannot find their names, will have the opportunity to register for the first time, or to re-register in the second phase which is for continuous voters registration starting from 12th November to 17th November 2014.
After the issuance of Permanent Voters Card for those who registered at the last election or who voted, then INEC will start a process of continuous voters’ registration.
This will happen in the second phase of the programme announced by INEC.
So for now, for 3 days, from Friday the 7th day of November 2014 to Sunday the 9th day of 2014, I urge all residents, registered in Lagos to make time to go to their registration or voting centres to collect their Permanent Voters Card.
It is your right and it is free.
When that exercise of collection of Voters’ Card is completed as Phase I, the exercise for registering new voters and those whose names are not found on the register even though they registered before, will commence on Wednesday the 12th day November 2014 and end on Monday the 17th day November 2014.
I urge employers of labour to be flexible and accommodating to allow workers to close early on Friday the 7th of November, 2014. It is all for our collective good.
As for public servants, I hereby declare the Friday the 7th of November, 2014 shall be a work free day in order to enable workers carry out this civic duty and exercise their civic rights.
Again, I urge all employers in the private sector to consider and approve any similar flexibility that gives this opportunity to their employees.
The prosperity and the brighter rewarding future that we all seek; for ourselves and our children over the next four years, will be determined by what we do in the next few days.
The time that we sacrifice over these few days cannot be too much a price to secure a better future over 4 years and beyond.
I wish you all very well as we take these decisive steps towards strengthening our democracy, giving a voice to our people and rebuilding our nation.
God bless you all.
Long Live Lagos State and long live the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
Eko o ni baje!

Babatunde Fashola, SAN
Governor of Lagos State

BREAKING: President Jonathan Declares Office Of The First Lady Vacant

If feelers from Aso Rock is anything to go by, then it appears all is not well with the First Family. This is coming as reports from our state house correspondent made us aware that the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, might have joined the teaming population that is not happy with his wife, dame Patience Jonathan.
Our investigations revealed that president Jonathan after subsequently cautioning his wife about her overbearing attitude in politics related issues, which has led to creating more political enemies for him and probably making his re-election bid more taxing has decided to make the office of the first lady vacant.
The reports cited the First lady’s role in the forthcoming elections in her home state, Rivers State, where she has endorsed her anointed PDP candidate and have vouched to ensure he is the next Governor after Gov. Rotimi Amaechi, without consulting with the Echelons of the Party. A state where some people believe PDP has lost her onetime stronghold to APC, partly due to the first lady’s unnecessary interference. Others include her taking up an unnecessary permanent Secretary appointment in Bayelsa state ministry of education, an office she has resigned from recently due to political differences with the state Governor, in addition to repeatedly making contrary statement from the position of the presidency and her husband’s party PDP.
It is worthy of Note, that the office of the first lady is not recognized by the constitution of the federal republic of Nigeria, but it has now become a norm for budgetary allocations, appointment of several aides and running of electoral campaigns in form of PET projects amongst others to be functions of a first lady.
However, it could be recalled that during former president Obasanjo’s tenor as president, after the painful and untimely death of our dear first lady, Stella Obasanjo, OBJ went on to complete his remaining two years in office without a first lady. A feat previously done by Shehu Shagari and General Buhari.
As at the time of this report, we cannot confirm if this move to remove power, withdraw aides and return Patience”mama P” to just his house wife, is related to the initial reports from the state house that disclosed President Jonathan’s plan of getting married to a second wife come 2015 elections. As usual we promise to keep you informed, even as we hope this alienation of first lady, patience Jonathan is in the best interest of the country and as we wait to see if the APC will try to woo her as they normally do.

BREAKING: First Lady Patience Jonathan Defects To APC

Politics they say is an intriguing game, The people’s Democratic Party and the presidency has been put into a state of quagmire, This is coming as the First Lady, Dame Patience Jonathan against all odds have pitched tent with the main opposition party the All Progressive Congress(APC).
FNN state house correspondent reports that this surprising twist in the electoral calculations in the country could be as a result of the unfolding plot of President Jonathan to declare the office of the first lady vacant.
As it appears, mama P cannot work with the PDP to ensure the success of her husband in the forthcoming elections and not be the first lady, hence she was reported saying “First family is not by force, let us all go to Otuoke and live together happily.”
Further investigations revealed that the First Lady has loads of supporters across the Nation, especially women groups because she has been able to use her office to influence the government into implementation of about 30% women in governance, even though it is widely considered that this support, especially amongst the masses is as a result of the bags of rice, salt, garri, oil etc that mama P has tirelessly distributed to women nationwide.
Some of the women supporting the recent actions of the first lady stated that “mama P is tired of hearing rumours about her husband, the other day it was Alison Madueke, tomorrow it is Lott J, now we are hearing he wants to marry a second wife from the North, As if that’s not bad enough, he now wants to sack her from first lady. All this didn’t happen when they were in Otuoke, so let them quietly return there, if Aso Rock is the problem.” a woman leader of the PDP stated.
Even as most people are concerned about the politicking involved in this, some are viewing this development from a different angle; that Patience Jonathan is giving all glory to the Lord for safely sustaining herself and her husband to almost the end of their first tenor in office, especially with the Boko Haram menance and do not want to extend it any further, in order not to give room for any evil thing to happen to herself or her husband. Probably thinking about some of the previous First Families in recent times.
Meanwhile the APC national leadership as iterated that the party is open to all Nigerians, especially those that has seen the ills of PDP and resigned from a PDP led government, probably referring to the recent resignation of Mrs Patience Jonathan from her position as Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Education, Bayelsa state.
As at the time of this report, it hasn’t been confirmed if Patience Jonathan has been able to make peace with the leader of the APC in her home state, Governor Rotimi Amaechi, but since Nigerian politics is of individual interest rather than public service, we won’t be surprised to see Amaechi and Patience Jonathan reconcile, especially as they both want the same thing now, which is for President Jonathan and PDP to lose the presidential elections come 2015.

Still on NYSC’s N4, 000, By Ubong Ekott

The National Youth Service Corps, NYSC, recently announced a new fee for intending corps members, with a stipulation that newly enlisted graduates pay N4, 000 for online call-up letters in what the agency has termed “computerised mobilisation”. That novel process, enabled by a private firm, SIDMACH Technologies Nigeria Limited, in a Public Private Partnership, PPP, no doubt will eliminate the rigour of travel to schools for letters, a point duly highlighted by Anthony Ani, NYSC’s director, Corps Mobilisation.
The NYSC’s explanation—most recently by its director general, Johnson Olawumi — that the payment is optional, has not turned off a wave of criticisms from Nigerians who understandably view the policy exploitative. Widespread concerns have found fillip in the agency’s conflicting explanations on what purpose the new charge will exactly serve.
While Mr. Ani and the DG said the amount defrays the cost of printing the call-up letters, Olubunmi Aderibigbe, NYSC’s director, Press and Public Relation, told Nigerians the amount would enhance the “operation and provision of infrastructural facilities in all NYSC camps and its 37 secretariats and offices in the 774 local governments nationwide”.
The decision to computerize the mobilization procedure, a supposedly simple process tangled for years by needless bureaucracy, should no doubt be encouraged. Yet, as promising as it appears, a N4, 000 price tag pricks not a few in a country where poverty remains prevalent and income is fleeting and difficult to come by. The claim by the NYSC that the policy will remove the risk in travelling long distances for call-up letters, is scrappy at best. This is so because corps members will still be saddled with traveling even longer and more perilous distances to their orientation camps across the country.
If military and paramilitary interns are not billed to maintain their training camps, why should NYSC members be asked to do so? And, speaking of infrastructure at the camps, what exactly does that entail? The NYSC has also claimed the money would be used in providing internet access at the camps. Great idea! But at what cost would that be relative to the charge per corps member. For an agency with capital budget outlay less than a single percent of its entire spending plan, NYSC should seek innovative ways to raise more funding if it ever finds vital programmes to pursue. It should refrain from imposing irrelevant charges on young graduates and their suffering sponsors.
In a nation where scandals compete to outflank another, there is a likelihood of promoters of this policy holding back for criticisms to abate only to forge on. What is clear regardless, is that NYSC will find no justification for this new drive, not even its so-called Public Private Partnership. The idea of PPP in Nigeria, as with other innovative models-gone-awry, has become a bogus cover for dubious government officials who attempt to trump common sense when caught in questionable deals. Suffice here is the fatal Immigration recruitment overseen early this year by the Interior Minister, Patrick Abba Moro. As it became clear, Mr. Moro singlehandedly engineered the tragically flawed process of employing more than half a million unemployed Nigerians by charging each applicant a thousand naira each even when he knew there were no jobs to offer. The minister claimed PPP with a company called Drexel Nigeria Limited. The company pocketed nearly a billion naira while at least 15 of the applicants died in avoidable stampedes across the country.
Mr. Moro has remained a key cabinet member despite the outrage that followed. Worse, he has been accused in a recent PREMIUM TIMES’ report of conniving with a private firm, Greater Washington Limited, in a phoney National Passport delivery service designed to defraud unsuspecting passport applicants. Again, the minister rehashed the well-known theme of “cutting edge technology and Public Private Partnership”.
The investigations by the House of Representatives into this new fee, is welcome. The House should clearly establish the essence of the N4, 000. Overall, whatever new plans there is should not disregard the primary aim of the NYSC created in 1973 by the Gowon regime, which was to promote cultural exchange and inter-ethnic reintegration after the civil war. If the agency has outlived this purpose, let its establishment law be reviewed.
A new NYSC should present young graduates yet another opportunity to skim off some value and marketable skill for themselves after passing through a scruffy university system. Instead of expecting pecuniary gains, NYSC should seek to complement the formal education system by helping in transforming youth in their care into entrepreneurs instead of job seekers.

FASHOLA SWITCHES ON 11.8 KILOMETRE PUBLIC LIGHTING ON IKORODU ROAD, MURTALA MOHAMMED WAY, YABA

 Appeals to residents to take ownership and protect the public asset for the benefit of all
Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babatunde Fashola SAN, Monday evening switched on an 11.8 kilometre stretch of public lighting covering from Ikorodu Road to Iddo via Jibowu and Murtala Mohammed Way, Yaba even as he appealed to residents to take ownership of the asset.
The project, which consists of 11.8 kilometres of public lighting, is broken into two sections with one section consisting of 1.2 kilometres from Ikorodu Road to Jibowu while the second consists of 10.6 kilometres on Murtala Mohammed Way (from Jibowu to Iddo). It brings to a total of 410 kilometres of roads so far lit up in the City by the Government in the last three years.
In his remarks shortly after performing the ceremony, Governor Fashola also appealed to motorists who ply the roads to obey the State’s Traffic laws especially by not driving against traffic saying by driving against traffic they not only endanger their lives but those of other road users.
The Governor, who said the switching on ceremony marked the end of the construction work in the area, added, however, that it also marks the commencement of maintenance works to make sure that the road stays in good state of repair.
He appealed particularly to communities around the project area including churches, schools, Railway Compound as well as others who pass through the roads to treat the infrastructure as a public asset adding, “It belongs to you”.
“The lighting, I believe, will help this place on a daily basis. At nights, it will make security better, it will also improve the night economy in this community”, the Governor said.
Aside providing jobs for a total of 89 people made up of 56 technicians, 12 painters, 10 welders, eight engineers and three supervisors, the project has increased the amount of functioning public lighting within the State to 410 kilometres while it signifies Government’s continued commitment to light up the City ‘Pole to Pole’.
Other major highways that have benefited from the Public Lighting project in the last three years include Gbagada Expressway, Carter Bridge, Iju Road, Ahmadu Bello Way, Marina Road (Badagry) and Alhaji Masha ( Surulere), among others.
Earlier, in her welcome address, the General Manager of Lagos State Electricity Board, Mrs. Damilola Ogunbiyi, thanked Governor Fashola and the Ministry of Works and Infrastructure as well as the State’s Electricity Board for their roles in bringing the project to a successful conclusion adding that the lighting has connected Ikorodu Road all the way to Iddo.
Present at the colourful ceremony were Commissioner for Energy and Mineral Resources, Engineer Taofeek Tijani, his Finance counterpart, Mr. Ayo Gbeleyi, Special Adviser on Works and Infrastructure, Engineer Ganiyu Johnson, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources, Mrs. Iyabo Obasa and a member of the State House of Assembly, Hon. Rotimi Emmanuel Olowo among other top Government functionaries.

Why Jonathan May Win Again In 2015

Now it is official; the worst kept secret in Nigeria has finally been confirmed. Dr Goodluck Ebele Azikiwe Jonathan is going to contest the 2015 Presidential Election. He has obviously accepted the honour of being nominated as the sole Presidential Candidate of the PDP. Apparently this has been a very difficult decision for Mr Jonathan. Having received endorsements from many important stakeholders, Mr President still put the interests of Nigeria above his personal ambition. The maturity with which he handled his declaration and the timing is very commendable and should be seen as the hallmark of a Statesman. As was announced by the Dr Haliru Bello led Presidential declaration Committee, President Jonathan will officially make the much anticipated declaration on the 11th of November 2014.
Sentiments aside, a great majority of Nigerians believe that Mr. Jonathan has performed creditably well under very difficult circumstances as to deserve another shot at the Presidency. One good turn deserves another. It is evident that Mr. Jonathan has exhibited great leadership and statesmanship so far. There are many reasons Jonathan should continue, but because of the limited space available to me I have narrowed my reasons to a few.
My first reason is that Nigeria has recorded remarkable economic growth under President Jonathan. Only a few Months ago, Nigeria overtook South Africa as the Continent’s largest economy after it overhauled its gross domestic product data for the first time in more than two decades.
According to verifiable figures for 2013, released by Nigeria’s statistics bureau, Nigeria’s GDP hit $503bn (£307bn) – nearly double previous estimates and well ahead of South Africa at around $350bn.
This pushed Nigeria up 12 places to become the 24th largest economy in the world – at par with Poland and Belgium and ahead of Argentina, Austria and Iran. This is a huge achievement. For the past two decades, South Africa remained the largest economy in Africa. This development was not achieved overnight. It was a result of the direct dynamic approach of the President in terms of greater investment in entrepreneurship and private sector participation.
The anticipated resultant effect of this is the attraction of more foreign investment to Nigeria. It is also a development that would motivate local investors to invest in Nigeria. The Diasporas also have been boosted by this development so in the coming Months Nigeria would receive greater local and international attention in terms of investment.
My second reason is that President Jonathan has recorded significant improvements in the power sector, backed up with greater roads and infrastructural development. The bold privatization of the defunct NEPA paved way for improved power supply in Nigeria. Most Nigerians can confirm that although we do not have power supply round the clock, however there has been a commendable improvement. There has been also greater road rehabilitation in Nigeria like the Lagos-Benin Road, the ongoing second Niger Bridge etc. President Jonathan has also commenced the mega railway project that has the capacity of linking our important Cities through functional and affordable railway system. This government has also commissioned many new schools especially in the North of Nigeria aimed at bringing education to the door steps of the commoners.
Thirdly this administration has pursued a robust foreign policy since inception. Nigeria which previously lagged behind in the comity of nations, has now assumed her rightful position as a leader in the international community. The recent successful hosting of the World economic summit is a testament to this. Nigeria under President Jonathan has been a dynamic force in Africa and beyond. Nigeria has been leading the peacemaking initiatives in the West African sub region, with our troops deployed in Mali, Liberia and beyond. Nigeria’s partnerships with our international allies like the UK, US and France have deepened and improved under the Jonathan led administration.
The number four reason is the need for continuity and stability in our democracy. Having made tremendous progress as discussed above, there is an important need for continuity in order to sustain these achievements. In developing Countries, change of governments usually comes with drastic change of policies and reckless abandonment of ongoing projects. We cannot afford to start afresh all over again. What is needed is a sustained initiative and a planned change of government after another four years. Furthermore having a new government with new projects and policies may cause confusion and instability, and if not well handled may scare away investors. Other democratic institutions like the Judiciary and Legislature are also growing and maturing under the Jonathan led administration. This is largely due to the independence and freehand accorded other institutions by the President. The President believes in the doctrine of the separation of powers in deeds and words and as such never interferes with other arms of government.
Similarly the Jonathan led administration has contributed immensely to the political development of Nigeria and has strengthened democratic institutions. Due to the respect and independence he accords other Organs of Government, there has been increased development and efficiency in the functioning of these other institutions, especially the Legislature, The Judiciary and the INEC. The usual rift between the Executive and the Legislature as was seen in fourth Republic, has been reasonably erased because of the positive attitude of the President. Also the President has enjoyed a good working relationship with the Vice President because he doesn’t undermine the office and the person of the Vice President, quite unlike the Cat and Mouse relationship that existed between the President and the Vice President in the previous dispensation. Also to further strengthen our democratic governance the President successfully convened the National Conference which has concluded deliberations and made some important recommendations. Unlike the previous Conference which hit the rock because of the widespread belief that there was a hidden agenda of tenure elongation (3rd term) underneath it, this Conference was given a freehand by the President and there was no personal interest of the President that was inserted in the recommendations. The recommendations are presently awaiting Parliamentary approval.
Furthermore, another important reason Jonathan should continue is that he is a democrat in all ramifications. He has a history of zero violence and aggression since he began his political career. Those who know Jonathan very well can confirm that he totally abhors violence in any shape or form. Even some elements of the opposition can attest to the democratic disposition of the President. President Jonathan’s tolerance of the opposition is unprecedented in the annals of Nigeria. The history of Nigerian politics since independence has been associated with brutal suppression of the opposition. Going down memory lane, in the first republic, the leader of the opposition, the much respected Chief Obafemi Awolowo and his supporters were harassed and imprisoned, obviously to suppress and cripple the opposition. Many neutral observers saw this as a form of political persecution. In the second republic, this dangerous trend continued. The ruling NPN was not liberal at all. The Party attempted to monopolize power in Nigeria through intimidation and harassment of opponents. The attempt to capture all States by all means including the Ondo State Gubernatorial election “victory” of 1983 which caused uproar in Ondo state, contributed significantly to the demise of the second republic. The fourth republic witnessed the worst brutality and suppression of the opposition, accompanied by widespread politically motivated assassinations, some unresolved till date. The climax was in 2004 in Anambra State where a sitting governor was abducted, allegedly on the orders of the NAVIGATOR. But today, members of the opposition can sleep with two eyes closed, thanks to the liberality of the President. The President has a non violent body language which connotes peace. Today many opponents throw personal abuses and insults at the President without facing any consequences. Many African leaders wouldn’t take personal insults and abuses from the opposition or anybody for that matter. In the recent past this would have been unthinkable. Those critics who think the President is weak should realize that it takes strength of character to absorb insults and abuses without negative reactions. To his credit, there has been no politically motivated assassinations till date. Friends and Foes agree that Mr. President cannot “hurt” a fly. Similarly the President has supervised fairer elections than his predecessors. Many States today are controlled by the opposition. In fact it is on record that opposition parties have won more elections under President Jonathan than under all previous dispensations put together. This can be attributed to the democratic inclination of the President. It is now possible for opposition parties to win Elections in Nigeria because the President usually provides a level playing field for all Parties and Contestants, and does not interfere with the Constitutional duties of INEC. This is the first time we have a President ready to bend over backwards to accommodate the opposition, who is not power drunk and who continuously displays humility, magnanimity and forgiveness. He has reasonably erased the do or die politics of the past.
Again, victory for Jonathan is victory for the Common Man. Jonathan can be said to be the first Commoner from a humble beginning to emerge President. The political elites have dominated politics in Nigeria from time immemorial. It doesn’t matter if they are from the North or South, Christians or Muslims. The elites had always been in power in Nigeria. Jonathan emergence was an act of God which no mortal envisaged. Therefore ordinary and working class Nigerians must ensure that the elites do not bully Jonathan out of office. At the moment the elites have united with the sole purpose of recapturing power for themselves and their descendants. By their antecedents we shall know them. They are using sensitive issues like insurgency and insecurity to blackmail the President. Some of these self acclaimed Statesmen have refused to condemn Boko Haram and its barbarity. But they are very quick to condemn the President with the intention of making political gains out of tragic events. Posterity will judge them. Mr. Jonathan is doing well under extremely difficult circumstances. He does not believe in the ODI style. He believes in cautious, humane and intelligence led operations. Nigerians should not be fooled by the antics of these desperate folks. No single godfather owns Nigeria. Nigeria belongs to us all. Therefore we are all equal stakeholders and the will of the majority must prevail.
Similarly Jonathan is the first minority to be elected President. Therefore Jonathan represents hope for the down trodden and minorities in Nigeria. From independence the major ethnic groups dominated politics in Nigeria. It was unimaginable then to have a minority as President. Today we have a minority as President on a platter of gold. Added to this is that the South-South region where Jonathan comes from accounts for over 90% of the resources Nigeria has been using to run for over four decades now. Strangely Jonathan is the first President from this region. It would be a good idea to allow Jonathan govern Nigeria with our support. Jonathan can do better with our support and cooperation. Those opposed to his ambition based on the so called unwritten agreement should realize that Nigeria and her Constitution are greater than any parochial arrangements. Unless we see the transcript of the said agreement we cannot take it on board. In any case our Constitution supersedes every other narrow consideration.
Moreover another four years of Jonathan would mark the beginning of the end of the era of godfatherism in Nigerian politics. The so called godfathers in our national political life have held Nigeria to ransom, without rhyme or reason. They place unrealistic and unreasonable demands on the incumbents. The first battle Jonathan fought was to liberate himself from his so called godfather which he has successfully and bravely done. The next four years would give the President the opportunity to level all inequalities and provide a level playing field for all Nigerians, to enable eligible candidates contest and win elections without depending on godfathers.
Another important reason we should re-elect President is because of the lack of a credible alternative. Opposition in Nigeria has weakened due to the absence of a defined ideology. We have seen members of the opposition jump from party to party without any ideological framework. The only constant feature is the lust for power. As a result we do not have a formidable opposition that can make a difference politically.
The recent merger of several Political Parties to form the All Progressive Congress (APC) was received warmly with great expectations. At last the vibrant opposition has arrived! So we thought! How wrong we were! Most Nigerians expected a strong opposition that would mobilize Nigerians behind them. We expected an opposition devoid of pettiness and cheap blackmail. We expected an opposition that would be defined by principles and ideals. We expected an opposition that would present a clear cut, well defined, and practicable alternative to the present. We expected a credible opposition based on principles. To say the APC dashed our hopes is an understatement. APC missed the opportunity to stand out as the new national umbrella. All we hear is ” Give us Power”. But what are you going to do differently? What are your plans? Nigerians need to know what agenda you have before they give you power. The PDP has been in power since 1999. As expected some Nigerians have some reservations on the performance of PDP. This is not unexpected considering the fact that the Party has been in power for fifteen years now. But the pertinent question is, what will APC do differently? APC has refused to tell Nigerians what they have in stock for us. Instead they are over driven by the lust for power without a defined agenda. Mere criticizing the incumbent without proffering solutions is grossly inadequate. What Nigerians are waiting to hear is the action plan of APC. Does any Nigerian know how the opposition would tackle this insurgency? Does anyone know their plans to create jobs? Does anyone know their plans to fight corruption? What about Education, Power, Healthcare? The list is endless. If the opposition wants to be taken seriously by Nigerians, first it needs to go back to the drawing board and define the agenda. Then communicate the agenda to Nigerians and allow Nigerians to decide who governs them in a free and fair election. At the moment the present opposition style of chasing shadows leaving the substance behind has played to the advantage of the incumbent. It is either the opposition steps up the game by addressing issues, not personalities, or forget the 2015 Elections. As long as the opposition continues to chase shadows, the incumbent would have an easy ride come 2015.
Finally Nigeria should re-elect President Jonathan because of the present circumstances of security challenges, which the President is working hard to contain and defeat. Put differently, the Country is in a state of war with terrorists, and we cannot change the Commander-in-Chief in the middle of the war. The military under the leadership of President Jonathan has worked so hard to contain the insurgents especially in the North East , recently the military has recorded huge victories against the terrorists. The most reasonable option for the President is to sustain the initiative until total victory is attained. In fact it would be morally wrong for Mr. Jonathan to abandon Ship halfway down the sail without achieving total victory against the terrorists. We should therefore rally round the President in solidarity and defeat the terrorists. The prevailing opinion in Nigeria and the Diaspora is that President Jonathan should hang on and fight these insurgents to the very end. He richly deserves a second term in office in order to sustain this patriotic revolution he started.
God bless Nigeria.

Ebube Essien-Garricks Explains How She Spent the N64million Mtn Aeroplane cash prize

Rather than have the plane she actually won, Gladys had chosen the N64million cash prize which instantly changed her life and status. Fast forward to today, 2 years later, YNaija caught up with the mega millionaire to find out what she has been up to since the win. Excerpts:

• How the ‘win’ was celebrated:

It was really an amazing thing that happened to me, I’m yet to get over the excitement. Not any one can be lucky like I was and I am still very grateful to God. My family threw me a party to celebrate but it was an in-house thing, it wasn’t an elaborate one, just private family celebration. We didn’t invite outsiders to avoid being kidnapped, lol.

• You have been off the radar, why is that?

Yes and that’s because I am presently studying business information system in Malaysia. I left Nigeria in May, 2013.

• Why Malaysia?

Actually I wanted to go to Georgia but my ticket wasn’t ready by then, so I settled for here and I really like it here anyway.

• But you were already studying at the Rivers State College of Health Science and Technology

Yes but I had to quit, I couldn’t go back to complete my studies because the whole winning incident made me popular in school, everyone would point at me, try to be friends with me and all….. I was known all over which the school and I had to leave for security reasons, I didn’t feel safe.

• After paying your tithe offering, what was the first thing you bought from the money?

I let it breath fresh air in the bank, then I bought lots of land…I didn’t acquire houses or cars because that is not the main thing for now, moreover I’m not available to look over them so I settled for lands, it’s a safer investment. I would acquire the other properties with time.

• And your parents?

I have settled my parents and I am taking good care of them but let me point out that we were doing okay even before I won the money; we had our own family house before then too. 

• You didn’t go shopping at all…get new stuffs, change your wardrobe?

Yes I did. I changed my wardrobe, bought new stuffs for me and my family but I’m not a shopping freak.

• What has changed about you since the win?

Nothing much. I am still the humble me, the person I used to be. The money doesn’t make me misbehave because God detests the proud.

• You once said you will buy machines, work for yourself and be an employer of labour, have you fulfilled this yet?

Not really, plans change, and I am not in that field any more as I am studying something else now but if God permits, then it will be done.

• Let’s talk about your love life. After you won the money, you said you had lots of toasters

Hahahaha it gave me headache. They all came because of the money you know…many of them got my contact from my sisters, they would call me to make empty promises, one of them even went as far as saying he’ll build a big house for my mum and also take me abroad, imagine! They went as far as calling to ask my parents if I am married…but it’s all good now, since I relocated here, everything has died down. I am now in a relationship and I will get married in due season.

• Would you return to Nigeria after your studies or settle fully in Malaysia?

I will only visit. I am working on being an international business woman, but don’t ask me what I intend supplying, lol.

• So have you exhausted all the N64 million?

Haba, no not really, I still have some left

• Any advise to the Nigerian youths?

Youths should be patient and wait for their time, God’s time is the best, thank you!

Zambian President Dies In UK

The number one citizen of Zambia, President Michael Sata has died. He died last night at London's King Edward VII hospital where he has been receiving treatment for an undisclosed ailment. Zambian Government  confirmed the incident today. Sata was 77.

Happy birthday to one of the survivals of sosoliso plane crash: Kechi Okwuchi

Beautiful Kechi Okwuchi is one of the only two survivors of the Sosoliso plane crash that occurred in December 2005. It's been almost 9 years since the accident and even though it's not been easy, Kechi is living her life and loving it through the mercy of God! Today, she marks a milestone, she's 25 year old! Happy birthday, Kechi. Wishing you many more beautiful years ahead.

Kechi's life changed forever in 2005 when she just 16. She and 60 other schoolmates from Loyola Jesuit College, a boarding high school in Abuja, boarded a Sosoliso plane headed to Port Harcourt for the Christmas holiday...but 20 minutes to landing, something went terrible wrong. The plane crashed and Kechi lost all her friends. She survived but was badly burnt. But that hasn't stopped her from living. She's a senior at the University of St. Thomas, a private Catholic college in Houston, Texas, USA. Happy, birthday once again Kechi. Keep inspiring!