Nigeria Beer Festival: 2baba surprises fan and Civian by appearing on Stage

Day 4 of the ongoing Nigeria Beer Festival took an exciting turn as legendary singer, 2baba thrilled fans with a surprise performance. It was indeed a night of celebration, music and merriment as lovers of Campari enjoyed the premium liqueur with their favourite beer brands. The highlight of the night was when singers Civian and Freedom from the Salt of the Earth band did a live performance of 2Baba’s song “Higher – Spiritual Healing”. The melodious voice of the female singer moved the Campari senator himself so much, he joined her on stage to perform. Fans could not contain their delight as they all danced and sang along. Civian was over-the-moon as she gushed about how singing on the same stage with the legendary musician was like a dream come true for her.

2Baba’s presence at the festival was courtesy the world renowned premium bitters and classic alcoholic drink, Campari. Also present at the festival to delight fans were Kellyhansome and Acetune.

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Restructuring: Some Norther State opt for united Nigeria

Kano, Katsina and Jigawa states on Thursday submitted their memoranda to the All Progressives Congress Committee on True Federalism at the APC zonal meeting in Kano, declaring their support for an indivisible Nigeria. In their separate presentations, representatives of the states stated that the unity of the country remained sacrosanct and non-negotiable and stressed that it would not be in the interest of any part of the country for the nation to disintegrate. The position of Kaduna State was however not presented as the state was not present to submit its memorandum. Ganduje, who was in support of equitable spread of infrastructure and balanced economic growth across the country, also advocated a stronger united nation. “The agitation for the restructuring of the country has raised dust of disunity, dissatisfaction and disaffection among Nigerians against a nation built in unity, peaceful co-existence and religion, as well as ethnic harmony. We hereby canvass for true federalism, devoid of discountenance of our corporate entity Nigeria,” Ganduje submitted. In his presentation, the Jigawa State Governor, Alhaji Muhammad Abubakar, who was represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Alhaji Adamu Abdulkadir, clamoured for the devolution of power. According to Abubakar, some key issues, including education and agriculture should be expunged from the exclusive list, thereby enabling states and local governments to manage their own affairs effectively. He expressed the state’s support for true federalism and the review of fiscal federalism, federal allocation and federal system of government. Governor Aminu Masari of Katsina State, in his contribution, aligned with the positions of the states in the zone that Nigeria required true federalism. “Of course, there are challenges confronting our corporate existence but the agitation for restructuring is attracting several dimensions and interpretations, which are not found in our constitution. “No doubt, there are fundamental issues that need to be re-evaluated but our major challenge is the constitution inherited from the military. Talking about restructuring, we must evaluate our constitution and our elite too must also be ready to stand for the truth and sincerity. As far as we are concerned, we believe in a strong Nigeria”. Masari noted. Earlier, the Chairman of the APC True Federalism Committee, Governor Simon Lalong of Plateau State, who was represented by the former governor of Enugu State, Mr. Sullivan Chime, hinted that issues to be deliberated on included devolution of power, fiscal federalism, local government autonomy, resource control, among others.Read more @

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Ghana beat Niger 2:0 Faces Nigeria in Wafu final

Ghana 2 Niger 0: Black Stars coast to Wafu final Ghana defeated Niger 2-0 in the semi-final of the 2017 Wafu Cup on Thursday to set up a rematch against Nigeria in the final. Goals from Kwame Kizito and Stephen Sarfo helped the Black Stars overcome the setback from their previous game to reignite hope of claiming the ultimate on Sunday. Niger made a remarkable start at the Cape Coast Sports Stadium, troubling the hosts in the opening 12 minutes but failed to make their possessions meaningful in front of goal, after Hainikore and Adebayor wasted the few chances that came their way. However, Ghana stirred into life and got their first shot on target by the 14 minute through Stephen Sarfo. Winful Cobbinah and Sarfo threatened Niger's defence on numerous occasions but the killer pass was missing. Ghana took the lead by the 32nd minute through Hearts of Oak striker Kwame Kizito, who was making his first start of the competition ahead of Felix Addo. The striker rose above his marker and headed home a corner-kick from Cobbinah to put the home side ahead. The Black Stars pushed to improve their lead before the break but Niger battled to prevent further havoc. Kizito could have claimed a double by the 52nd minute after he was played through by Gideon Waja but his effort was blocked by Niger goalkeeper. Maxwell Konadu introduced Kevin Andoh on the hour mark in place of Waja after the Wafa captain picked up an injury while the Menas coach brought on Garba Idrissa for Hinsa Issoufou. Sakou Dela connected Adebayor's pass, evaded his marker and dropped deep in Ghana area but his finish went wide. Coach Konadu shifted to a 4-5-1 formation after replacing Atinga with Ahmed Adams, leaving only Sarfo upfront. Ghana soon doubled their lead through Stephen Sarfo on 78th minute, when he claimed Emmanuel Lomotey's knock-down and squeezed a shot into the bottom-left corner from just inside the box. Cobbinah almost made it 3-0 by the 82nd minute with a curling effort just outside the box but his effort missed the target narrowly. Niger threw men forward to reduce the deficit and possibly snatch the equaliser, but Konadu's charges dominated the closing stages and could have punished their opponents further against the run of play if they had taken the chances that came their way. Ghana will play Nigeria in the final on Sunday at 18h00 GMT.

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Sports: Some NFL players want a month for social justice similar to 'Breast Cancer Awareness Month'

The national anthem protests have sparked plenty of conversation. Now, four of the NFL's top player-activists want to take things a step further. The memo, sent to the league in August, includes signatures from Philadelphia Eagles safety Malcolm Jenkins, Eagles wide receiver Torrey Smith, Seattle Seahawks defensive end Michael Bennett, and retired wide receiver Anquan Boldin, four of the NFL's most outspoken players on issues of racial inequality. The memo begins with a rundown of activities undertaken by their "Players Coalition," such as visits to poverty-stricken neighborhoods and meetings with law enforcement officials. Later, the players make specific requests of league commissioner Roger Goodell, including the idea to dedicate one month of the season to highlighting player activism and community engagement, something akin to the recent "Breast Cancer Awareness" initiative implemented by the NFL. Here's the paragraph in its entirety: "To counter the vast amount of press attention being referred to as the 'national anthem protests' versus the large amount of grass roots work that many players around the league have invested their time and resources, we would like to request a league wide initiative that would include a month dedicated to a campaign initiative and related events. Similarly to what the league already implements for breast cancer awareness, honoring military, etc, we would like November to serve as a month of Unity for individual teams to engage and impact the community in their market." The NFL's pushes for breast cancer awareness and military support have caused controversy in recent years. While some applaud the league for supporting worthwhile causes, others have criticized it for being proactive on some issues while ignoring others. Either way, it seems that this request was made with the aim of shedding a positive light on the wave of activism that has spread across the league. Currently, many fans are boycotting the league's broadcasts due to the increasingly common national anthem protests, but an entire month dedicated to exploring how these same players are affecting their communities could change some minds. The memo also includes a timeline for announcing the initiative prior to the 2017 season, though it seems those suggestions were ignored. It concludes with an outline of the players' vision for criminal justice reform, including bail reform, the elimination of mandatory minimum sentences, and ending the war on drugs. All four players who signed the memo have called for racial equality in the past. Jenkins and Bennett have engaged in national anthem protests, while Smith frequently speaks his mind in interviews and on social media. Boldin has spoken on Capitol Hill in support of criminal justice reform. You Read the entire memo from Yahoo sport

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KOGI STATE CIVIL SERVANT EMBARKED ON INDEFINITE STRIKE

The civil servants in Kogi State have embarked on indefinite strike as it pursues its demand before the state government. The organized Labour in Kogi State has directed workers in ministries, agencies and parastatals to commence an indefinite strike as from Friday, Sept. 22. The Chairman of the state chapter of the Trade Union Congress (TUC), Mr Ranti Ojo flanked by his Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), counterpart, Mr Onu Edoka gave the order while briefing newsmen in Lokoja On Thursday. He asked the workers to shun offices indefinitely until directed otherwise. He said that labor was forced to call out workers on strike because of refusal of government to invite them for negotiation over their demands. According to him, the strike is the only lifeline left for the workers to negotiate their survival in the hands of the administration of Gov. Yahaya Bello. Ojo directed the workers to ensure maximum compliance, saying that all government establishments, offices, facilities and institutions be shut down by workers. The organized Labour had on Sept. 13, issued a seven -day strike notice to the state government to meet its demands or risk industrial action by its members. In its reaction to the notice , the state government through the Director -General , media and publicity to the governor, Mr Kingsley Fanwo described the tone of the lanour’s notice as harsh and described signatories to the notice as unknown. The state Head of Service , Mrs Deborah Ogunmola made a last minute ditch to halt the strike when she called the Labour leaders for a meeting in her office on Sept. 21. The meeting, however, failed to stop the workers to declare a strike. The Labour is demanding among others , full payments of salary and allowances to workers being owed between two and 21 months arrears. The workers are also demanding payment of outstanding leave, yearly incremental allowances and reinstatement of workers unjustly treated during the recently concluded screening exercise. “Be prepared to stay at home till eternity if it takes government to eternity to meet our demands,” Ojo admonished the workers. The Labour lampooned the government for its poor attitude to workers’ welfare , saying that never in the history of the state has civil service records the massive hunger -induced deaths as being witnessed currently. “Workers and pensioners are going through trauma, anguish, pains, sickness, penury, truncation of children’s education, huge unsettled house rent/medical bills. We must rise against these now or never , he said. However, he said that , only workers under the umbrellas of NLC, TUC, and the Joint Public Service Negotiating Council will be marking on the strike while members of the National Union of Teachers , National Union of Local Government Employees and the Medical and Health Workers Union of Nigeria will join on Sept. 27. He urged workers to resist any form of threat, intimidation and blackmail from the state government , urging them to put on uncommon courage, perseverance and resoluteness to confront the bad situation. Ojo asked all civil servants and members of the public to pray in mosques and churches on Sept. 22 and Sept 24 to God to deliver the state from bad governance. The TUC, NOC and the Joint Public Service Negotiating Council will not budge until their demands are met by the government. “Our fidelity to this struggle is non-negotiable ,” the TUC Chairman said and accused the government of insincerity in its dealings with the workers all these years. The state President of the National Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE), Mr Tade Adyemi who was also present at the briefing said that teachers, local government workers and workers in the health sector will join the strike on Sept. 27. Adeyemi said that workers in the sectors issued a separate strike notice to the 21 local government councils in the state who were their employers. Mr Thomas Ayodele, the state NUT Chairman said that workers at the local government level were solidly in support and party to the strike declared by the TUC , NLC and the Joint Public Service Negotiating Council.

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FLOOD WRECKED HAVOC IN IMO STATE

A raging flood has taken over Imo State, wrecking serious havoc and forcing residents out of their homes. The many residents in Imo state, Thursday were forced out of their houses following heavy downpour, Vanguard reports. The rains which started ,Thursday, from 6am stopped around 2pm. Vanguard monitored some of the affected areas and observed that properties, vehicles as well as buildings had been submerged by the rains. The areas included, Uratta Toronto junction, World bank, Wethedral road, IMSU junction, Chukwuma Nwoha, Orji road. Others include Akwakuma/Amakohia road, Old Okigwe road, Amaraku roundabout in Isiala Mbano local government, Amakohia ubi road, Irete/Ndegwu road all in Owerri west local government among others. While surveying the areas affected, it was observed that poorly constructed drainages were said to be one of reasons the rains trapped citizens in their homes. One of such drainage is in the front of Imo government House. According to Mr. Ikechukwu Amadi, “Imo people should expect the worst because there is no standard drainage to channel the water. “Some of the ones you see are poorly constructed and could not last for two months. The government should please go and look for professionals to handle construction work in Imo state.”

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Africa Music Fest In New York photos speak

Fresh off the back of it’s epic sold out concert at London’s prestigious SSE Wembley Arena in May 2017 headlined by the likes of Davido, Tekno, Tiwa Savage and P-Square; and building on it’s two sold out shows in New York’s Barclays Centre and Houston’s Toyota Center in 2016, One Africa Music Fest, tagged #TheReturn, wowed the crowd with heated up performance from Africa’s biggest talented entertainers from Ghana, Tanzania, South Africa, Kenya . The OAMF #TheReturnNYC headliners included Sony Music’s Nigerian Pop star Tekno, Nigerian artistes P-Square, , Davido, 2Baba, Falz, Rock Nation’s Tiwa Savage, Soca/Dancehall musician Timaya, South African rap star Cassper Nyovest, Kenyan songstress Victoria Kimani, legendary South African DJ and producer DJ Maphorisa who is popularly known for producing the globally famous ‘one dance’ with drake and wizkid, Ghana’s Dancehall-Hiplife Artist Shatta Wale, Tanzanian artist Alikiba, Highlife legend Flavour, BET international official DJ; DJ Spinall and many more heated up the stage. American rapper, Wale also gave a surprise performance at the event shocking the audience.

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Moesha Boduong showcasing her body in stylish bikini outfit.

Moesha Boduong knows that she is hot and she never stops in showcasing her body on Instagram like she recently did in a stylish bikini outfit.

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The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) Suspend Strike

The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has suspended the five weeks old strike. It directed members to return to the classrooms with immediate effect. ASUU President Prof. Biodun Ogunyemi told reporters last night after a long meeting with the Federal Government delegation, led by Minister of Laboutr and Employment Dr. Chris Ngige, that they decided to conditionally suspend the strike in view of the timeline of October for the implementation of the signed agreement with the government. He said the union would not hesitate to resume the suspended action should the government renege on the newly signed agreement, which he called Memorandum of Action. He said the agreement is backed by a definite timeline for implementation. He warned that the government must not deliberately dishonour the agreement, adding that the continuous breach of signed agreement had been responsible for the constant strike in the universities. Ogunyemi said the new agreement with the government is based on mutual trust between the union and the government, adding that the trust of the union must be respected by the government. Dr. Ngige said all the grey areas had been sorted out and an agreement reached. He said both the government and the union agreed on several issues, assuring that the agreement reached would be implemented by the government in line with available resources. Areas of agreement include funding for revitalisation of public universities and the issue of Earned Academic Allowances, the issue of University Staff Schools and the implementation of the judgment of the National Industrial Court, National Universities Pension Management Company and guidelines for pension matters for professors.

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BREAKING NEWS: The Defence Headquarters has declared the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) a militant terrorist organisation

The Defence Headquarters has declared the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) a militant terrorist organisation. Director, Defence Information, Major-General John Enenche, in a statement on Friday, said parents should dissuade their wards from joining the group and that the Armed Forces will confront “all security challenges facing the country.’’ Enenche listed reasons for the declaration to include, the formation of a Biafra Secret Service, claimed formation of Biafra National Guard, unauthorised blocking of public access roads; extortion of money from innocent civilians at illegal roadblocks, and militant possession and use of weapons (stones, molotov cocktails, machetes and broken bottles among others) on a military patrol on September 10, 2017. “From the foregoing, the Armed Forces of Nigeria wishes to confirm to the general public that IPOB from all intent, plan and purpose as analysed, is a militant terrorist organisation,” it said. Based on the declaration, the army warned Nigerians against joining the group. “Therefore, parents and particularly unsuspecting residents of the South East and other Nigerians should advise their wards to desist from joining the group,” it said. “The Defence Headquarters restates its commitment to handling all the security challenges in the Country and further assures all Nigerians of the protection of lives and property.”

See full reasons for the declaration below: The Independent People of Biafra (IPOB) group which has posed to be a security challenge in the Country, has been metamorphosing from one stage to the other. After due professional analysis and recent developments, it has become expedient, to notify the general public that; the claim by IPOB actors that the organization is non-violent is not true. Hence, the need to bring to public awareness the true and current state of IPOB. In this regard, some of their actions, clandestinely and actively, that has been terrorising the general public among others include; The formation of a Biafra Secret Service. Claimed formation of Biafra National Guard. Unauthorised blocking of public access roads. Extortion of money from innocent civilians at illegal roadblocks. Militant possession and use of weapons (stones, Molotov cocktails, machetes and broken bottles among others) on a military patrol on 10 September 2017. Physical confrontation of troops by Nnamdi Kanu and other IPOB actors at a checkpoint on 11 September 2017 and also attempts to snatch their rifles. Attack by IPOB members, on a military checkpoint on 12 September 2017, at Isialangwa, where one IPOB actor attempted to snatch a female soldier’s rifle.

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Washington State High School Shooting: 1 Dead, 3 Injured

One student is dead and three others are injured after a shooting at Freeman High School in Rockford, Washington, on Wednesday morning. Three teenage students are being treated for serious injuries at Sacred Heart Medical Center, Spokane Fire Chief Brian Schaeffer told reporters outside the high school. Officials said that another victim, a student whose age has not been confirmed, was fatally shot in the head while trying to stop the suspect from carrying out the shooting. The suspect, a male student, is currently detained at the Spokane County Juvenile Detention Center. Spokane County Sheriff Ozzie Knezovich said in a press conference Wednesday afternoon that the suspect entered campus with two firearms and began shooting in a hallway on the second floor of the school. The suspect “came to school armed, entered the school, proceeded to take his weapons out. At that point, he attempted to fire one weapon ― it jammed,” Knezovich told reporters. “He went to his next weapon. A student walked up to him, engaged him, and that student was shot. That student did not survive.” Knezovich said the student who first approached the suspect “tried to walk up and tell him that this isn’t what you want to do.” The suspect went on to shoot three more students, all whom were taken to the hospital in serious condition, before a school staff member apprehended him. Our hearts are broken by the events at Freeman High School this morning. Spokane Mayor David Condon Cory Therman, a senior at the high school, told local news station KREM News 2 that she saw the suspect holding a gun in the hallway right before the shooting. “When I walked past him, he was just standing there with no expression,” Therman told the station. After she passed him, Therman said she heard three gunshots and ran away with other students. Another student, 14-year-old Elisa Vigil, told KREM News 2 that she saw a girl get shot in the back. Vigil said she crouched down, held hands and prayed with the girl. “He had his pistol. His face was completely passive. He shot someone in the head,” Vigil told The Spokesman-Review of the suspect. “I crouched down in the hall. I looked up and a girl screamed, ‘Help me, help me, help me.’ The hall was empty. She was shot in the back. I looked to my right, and there was a boy and he was shot in the head.” Three hundred students and faculty members in school at the time of the shooting will need to be interviewed, law enforcement officials told reporters. Freeman High School is a relatively small school with 327 students and 16 full-time teachers, according to The Spokesman-Review. Authorities have not yet released the suspect’s identity. Michael Harper, 15, told The Spokesman-Review that he was a close friend of the shooter. He described the suspect as “nice” and “weird” but said he “never really seemed like that person who had issues.” Harper also told the newspaper that the shooter had given his friends handwritten notes that indicated he was planning to do “something stupid.” “He made a note,” Harper told The Spokesman-Review. “I didn’t get mine, but my friends got theirs. I read one of my friends’ and it said he was going to do something stupid. He took it to a counselor.” The shooting prompted the Spokane Public School District to put all campuses on lockdown at around 10:30 a.m. local time. The lockdown was lifted almost an hour later. Shortly after the shooting, a junior at the high school tweeted a picture from nearby Freeman Elementary School, where many of the students had fled. In the photo, students can be seen crouched on the floor. A parent told KREM 2 News that elementary school students had been scheduled to use the high school facilities the morning of the shooting. In a statement, Spokane Mayor David Condon called the incident a “horrendous tragedy.” “Our hearts are broken by the events at Freeman High School this morning. This is a terrible day for the students, parents, teachers administrators and the rest of the close-knit community,” Condon said. “Our thoughts and prayers are with everyone affected by this horrendous tragedy. First responders in our region are one team. Spokane city employees were part of that team in the first moments and will be there for the Freeman community as it begins a long road to recovery.” Washington Gov. Jay Inslee (D) tweeted thanks to school staff and first responders and said that state agencies would be available for assistance.

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#UCL: MAN CITY BEAT FEYENOORD AT HOME, MADRID WINS, AND OTHER SCORES

The UEFA champions league Wednesday matches results and contrary to what might have been believed when the groups were fixed, Tottenham, in their first game with Borussia Dortmund, sent three goals into the net; with only one returned. Cristiano Ronaldo’s two goals and Sergio Ramos’ winner led Real Madrid to a 3-goal win. Manchester City also gave Feyenoord four goals all un-replied. Group E: Liverpool 2 – 2 Sevilla Maribor 1 – 1 Spartak Moscow Group F Feyenoord 0 – 4 Manchester City Shakhtar Donetsk 2 – 1 SSC Napoli Group G FC Porto 1 – 3 Besiktas RasenBallsport Leipzig 1 – 1 Monaco Group H Real Madrid 3 – 0 APOEL Nicosia Tottenham Hotspur 3 – 1 Borussia Dortmund

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A schoolteacher has been forced to unceremoniously quit her job after she was dramatically exposed as a p*rn star

A schoolteacher has been forced to unceremoniously quit her job after she was dramatically exposed as a p*rn star. Dr Robyn Jane Williams, a transgender teaching assistant was forced to quit her job after it emerged she led a secret double life as a p*rn star. According to The Sun UK, Dr Robyn Jane Williams, a learning support worker, is accused of appearing in smutty films and magazines while working for a top college. She was hauled before a fitness to practice hearing in Ewloe, North Wales, to answer three counts of unacceptable professional conduct yesterday. But she failed to turn up and the tribunal was adjourned indefinitely. In a blog post written before the hearing, Dr Williams, said: “Some time ago, I had to leave my previous job when a man outed me as a porn model to my employer. “I had never connected my two separate roles. I worked with adults and not children. “I had little choice, either I faced disciplinary action or left.” Dr Williams said she was “not complaining”, and the move meant she was able to live out her dream of running an event catering business. She added that “privacy will always be a problem” when working in the adult sex industry, but said she found the work “validating”. The charges include posing for photographs of a pornographic nature and knowing they were to appear in an adult magazine. The third allegation is that she appeared in a pornographic video. She was working at Grŵp Llandrillo Menai, an umbrella organisation which runs Wales' largest further education institutions with more than 34,000 students. The material is said to have been filmed at an unknown date before April 13, 2016. In a statement, a spokesman for Grŵp Llandrillo Menai said: “Dr Williams has not been employed by the grŵp since April 2016. “Grŵp Llandrillo Menai suspended the employee as soon as the allegations came to light and the matter was consequently reported to the EWC. “We are fully supporting the EWC in their investigation.”

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IPOB Strik Back: one policeman dead others injured and cars destroyed

Members of separatist group Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) yesterday killed a policeman during an early morning “surprise attack” on riot policemen at Oyigbo Junction in Port Harcourt. They took away the slain policeman’s gun, injured two other policemen and burnt down their patrol vehicle, the police said. It was the second day of their attack on policemen in the Rivers State capital. The attacks started following rumours that soldiers had killed members of the group in Abia State. Rivers State Commisioner of Police Zaki Ahmed, who confirmed the attack and killing, said in a statement: “The command was awaken with yet another attack incident today (yesterday) at about 12:10 am, when some members of IPOB regrouped and launched a surprise attack at mobile policemen stationed at Oyigbo Junction, killing a police sergeant identified as Steven Daniel, attached to Mopol 19, injuring two others and burning down their patrol vehicle. “Also, one sterling SMG riffle belonging to the deceased officer was taken away by the attackers. “They were, however, repelled by the police, about nine of them were arrested, bringing the total number of suspects arrested to 32. “They are helping us in investigation and will be due in court as soon as the investigation is concluded. “The situation has since been brought under control. People are now going about their lawful businesses. I can assure you that justice will be done in the circumstance. All those connected to this senseless carnage will be brought to justice. “We shall spare no efforts in dealing with any criminal element in the state.” Ahmed debunked the alleged attack on a mosque and businesses owned by northerners and said no other person, apart from the policeman, died. He said the expressway blocked by the agitators had been opened for smooth movememt. Recalling the attrocity committed by the group on Tuesday in Port Harcourt, CP Ahmed said ”members of IPOB, at about 2:00pm on Tuesday unlawfully blocked Port Harcourt /Aba expressway and attacked some residents. “The same group, without justification for their action, also attacked a police van from Nonwa Police Training School enroute Port Harcourt International Airport, and burnt the van to ashes. “The driver of the van, Inspector Emaikwu Ochochi, was badly injured and he is at present on admmision in a hospital. The attackers also carted away one AK47 riffle with 60 rounds of live ammunition and one Barretta pistol with eight rounds of live ammunition. “At the end of their rampage, many vehicles were damaged and scores burnt. The timely response of the police restored normalcy and brought the situation under control as adequate deployment was made to arrest the situation. “The mob was despersed with minimum force, thereby restoring law and order at the end of which 23 IPOB members were arrested.”

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Fear in Umuahia as soldiers laid siege to Nnamdi Kanu Home

There is palpable fear in Umuahia, the Abia State capital as some soldiers have laid siege to the Afaraukwu country home of the leader of the Indigenious People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, PUNCH reports. The soldiers arrived the community on Tuesday barely 48 hours after the clash between the Army and IPOB members on Sunday evening, which left three people injured. The soldiers returned with about 10 Armoured Carrier Vehicles and seven Hilux vans. The development has caused panic in the area, forcing shop owners to close immediately. Some of the soldiers also invaded the Abia State Council of the Nigeria Union of Journalists on Aba Road, Umuahia, and destroyed laptops and other valuables. According to journalists at the secretariat, the soldiers claimed they saw somebody taking photographs of them from the building. The Chairman of Council Mr. John Emejor has confirmed the incident. Emejor who expressed disappointment over the incidents said a National officer of the Union Ezeogo Bonny Okoro was slapped by one of the Soldiers. He said, “Our press centre was invaded by soldiers, two Journalists lost their IPads and phones, while a national leader in the office was attacked. “Our stand is that those involved in this attack on innocent Journalists should be fished out and punished in line with the constitution of the Country.” The Assistant Director, Army Public Relations, 14 Brigade, Major Oyegoke Gbadamosi, confirmed the incident. He said he had asked the chairman of the Council to send the photograph of the damaged office to him

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The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has seized 1,100 firearms at the Lagos port

The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has seized 1,100 firearms smuggled into the country at Tin-Can Island port, Lagos. Joseph Attah, customs spokesman, confirmed this to TheCable on Monday. Attah said the weapons – pump action rifles – were imported from Turkey. “We have seized 1,100 weapons at Lagos port. They came from Turkey,” he said. “Investigation has commenced. A customs officer, who is a suspect has been arrested. A clerk there (at the Tin-Can Island command) has been arrested as well.” On May 23, the customs announced the seizure of a cache of arms – 440 rifles – imported from Turkey in Lagos. In January, the service also disclosed that it seized 661 firearms on Apapa road, which were in truck headed for an unknown destination.

No further information has been given on the previous busts, but the customs spokesman told TheCable that the service concluded its investigation and handed its findings over to the Department of State Services (DSS). TheCable.ng could not reach the DSS for comments because the agency does not have a dedicated mobile line for communication.

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‘I almost went on exile’ says President Muhammadu Buhari

President Muhammadu Buhari has joked that he was already considering what country “to run to” but for the improved rainy seasons in the last two years. He spoke while receiving the National Council of Traditional Rulers led by the sultan of Sokoto Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar III at the presidential villa on Monday. “We are lucky that last year and this year the rainy season is good. If it were not good I must confide to you that I was considering which country to run to,” he said. “But God answered the prayers of many Nigerians the rainy season last year was good and this year with the report I’m getting is good. We thank God for that otherwise there would have been a lot of problems in this country.” This, he said, has led to good harvest and prevent famine in the country. He once again blamed the “mismanagement of national resources” over the years for the economic woes bedeviling Nigeria. He said that he will continue to pursue programmes and projects “to better the lives of Nigerians in all spheres of life”. Buhari further said all hands are on deck to completely secure Nigeria so as to develop it further.

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Ace Comedian Basketmouth named Pan African comedian of the year in South Africa

Nigerian comedian Bright Okpocha, a.k.a Basketmouth, has won the Pan African comedian of the year at the seventh South African Savanna Comics’ Choice Awards. The annual award ceremony, which took place on Saturday at Lyrics Theatre in Johannesburg, witnessed a convergence of top South African and African comedians. The Nigerian was nominated for the Pan African category alongside Salvado, Carl Joshua Ncube, Masapo, and Fernanbo Tafish. “Africa!! Your Pan African Comedian of the year is @Basketmouth 🇳🇬 #SavannaCCA Naija Stand Up!!! Congrats,” said a post on the official Instagram page of the Savanna Comics’ Choice Awards. Baskmouth said in response: “Thank you @comicschoice I truly appreciate this.” The Savanna Comics’ Choice Awards is the annual gathering of top players in the South African stand-up comedy industry. Handing out plaques in only eleven categories, the award is highly prestigious. Skhumba Hlophe was the biggest winner of the night, taking home comic of the year and flying Solo award. Loyiso Gola won the breakthrough award while Cyril Green was honoured with the lifetime achiever award. Mojak Lehoko took home the comic’s pen award ahead of Trevor Noah while Salesman walked away with the non-English award. The audience choice award went to Elton Mduduzi Ntuli while the newcomer award was won by Thabiso Mhlongo just as Ebenhaezer Dibakwane clinched the intermediate award. Basketmouth will be touring six cities in Canada in October for his flagship ‘Lords of The Ribs’ show.

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Nasir el-RufaiI says I wish oil would dry up so we could start thinking as humans

Nasir el-Rufai, Kaduna state governor, says he desires for Nigeria’s crude oil to get exhausted so the nation can start to seriously develop other revenue sources. Describing the revenue generated from oil as “easy money,” the governor said when the oil dries up, Nigeria will regain its “thinking initiative”. He made the statement on Saturday in Ibadan while speaking at the 2017 town hall meeting/founder’s day celebration in memory of Ojetunji Aboyade, a renowned economist. “Because Nigeria gets easy money from oil, the nation has lost its thinking initiative on how to develop other sources of revenue and diversify the economy,” he said. “We get easy money, we do not collect taxes and our taxes are six per cent of Gross Domestic Product; that is an average of 21per cent. We stop respecting the intellectuals that we have in our universities because we get easy money. “This is very sad, I wish the oil will dry up so that we can begin to use our brains because we have stopped using our brains and we have stopped respecting intellects because of easy money.” The governor lamented the country’s failure to plan for the future, and its inability to curb the ongoing brain drain. He said: “How can we promote a national subscription to meritocracy? How can we ensure that the imperative of reflecting federal character does not become the enemy of merit and quality of appointments? Today, we don’t plan. We don’t have national plan and if we don’t plan, we are planning to fail.

“Having suffered brain drain, how do we attract back our Diaspora and the brain-gain associated with it like the Chinese and Indians have witnessed? These are the questions a distributive mentality around easy oil revenues is dodging. “The earlier the oil dries up the better for our national ability to think, be innovative and respect intellect and academic achievement.”

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