22 Christian groups kick, say Sokoto Sultan can’t declare public holiday on Sept 12th

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiN7ZHsy_OXlb1_3Zf8wnlpP81MLr7LQn1us_zKop686_XoHBaypvuRKaAmgn2d_hfPdiQi5QpMVtvThImBDuJoGLKB8MpOg8Yt7FSZTLYIiN8T4HUBV52bXXhHHQZnOWd-22pBZDlWIfw/s1600/Sultan-of-Sokoto-Alhaji-Muhammad-Saad-Abubakar-III-1000x500.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiN7ZHsy_OXlb1_3Zf8wnlpP81MLr7LQn1us_zKop686_XoHBaypvuRKaAmgn2d_hfPdiQi5QpMVtvThImBDuJoGLKB8MpOg8Yt7FSZTLYIiN8T4HUBV52bXXhHHQZnOWd-22pBZDlWIfw/s640/Sultan-of-Sokoto-Alhaji-Muhammad-Saad-Abubakar-III-1000x500.jpg" width="640" /></a></div> <br /> A coalition of 22 Christian groups in Nigeria led by National Christian Elders Forum (NCEF), yesterday, said the declaration of September 12 as public holiday in commemoration of Eid-El-Kabir celebration by the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar III, was the height of impunity.<br /> <br /> <a id="more" name="more"></a><br /> <br /> A similar incident took place in July 2016, when Christian organisations criticised the extension of public holiday by the Federal Government over the non-sighting of the moon by the Sultan. A statement issued by the chairman of NCEF, Mr. Solomon Asemota (SAN), on behalf of the coalition and obtained by journalists in Abuja, said it was “very improper for the head of the Islamic faith in Nigeria to announce, declare, or extend public holidays.” The statement entitled: ‘Is the Federal Government Abdicating Its Responsibility?’, reads:<br /> <br /> “We unequivocally wish to state that it is very improper for the head of the Islamic faith in Nigeria to announce, declare, or extend Public Holidays. “This is the function of the Federal Government and need not be abdicated. This kind of anomalous development has not been taking place in Nigeria until the advent of the Buhari Administration which has gone to great lengths to deepen religious divide and tension in Nigeria. “Again, we have no objection whatsoever to the Muslim Public Holiday but our concern is that in a secular society as enshrined in Section 10 of the Constitution, the responsibility of declaring or announcing a religious Public Holiday is vested in the Federal Government and such responsibility is sacrosanct.<br /> <br /> “We are not unaware of various manipulations and acts of impunity to transform Nigeria from a Liberal Democratic society to an Islamic Theocratic State. As we stated in our previous paper, the full membership of Nigeria in OIC, in 1986, by the Babangida Military Administration is tantamount to making Nigeria an Islamic state. “The nation is yet to resolve this unilateral imposition of one religion over the nation by an individual. We also conclude that the present distress in the nation, occasioned by religious intolerance and insurgency, from the development of Boko Haram to the evolving of fanatical Muslim assailants, like the Fulani herdsmen, derive from this unilateral and improper decision of the Babangida Administration.<br /> <br /> “Even the sponsors and actors of the membership of Nigeria in OIC in 1986 were aware of the illegality of their action and as such, kept it out of public knowledge for 10 years until 1996 when Sultan Dasuki confirmed to the Pope that Nigeria was a full member of the OIC. “We wish to remind the present Administration that religion is a very sensitive and emotional aspect of Nigerians. The wisdom of the founding fathers of this nation to adopt Liberal Democracy as national ideology to accommodate all the divergent groups in the nation cannot be faulted.<br /> <br /> “Any attempt to distort that delicate balance in the Nigerian society shall produce nothing but destruction and devastation as the nation is currently witnessing. There is still time for religious extremists to desist before they push Nigeria off the brink of the precipice.”

Latest-News 22 Christian groups kick, say Sokoto Sultan can’t declare public holiday on Sept 12th

A coalition of 22 Christian groups in Nigeria led by National Christian Elders Forum (NCEF), yesterday, said the declaration of September ...

Read more »

Militants hide under regional agitation to commit crimes – DHQ

<br /> <table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"> <tbody> <tr> <td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSoc-t3yjvYEsHgpMcWOMarmBuISbNuxRmlfu2CULH9HRGQ_1S3BdpYiHQCcB8cZs6dirLbYROHynNPo_IIr7ncICDBJ_tQbsd94NGxeXc1FUtwdna4whDUI7ESeJUxaY2bHEGbl3L0dk/s1600/Rabe-Abubakar+dhq.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSoc-t3yjvYEsHgpMcWOMarmBuISbNuxRmlfu2CULH9HRGQ_1S3BdpYiHQCcB8cZs6dirLbYROHynNPo_IIr7ncICDBJ_tQbsd94NGxeXc1FUtwdna4whDUI7ESeJUxaY2bHEGbl3L0dk/s320/Rabe-Abubakar+dhq.jpg" width="303" /></a></td> </tr> <tr> <td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small; text-align: start;">Gen. Rabe Abubakar</span></td> </tr> </tbody> </table> <br /> The Defence Headquarters has raised the alarm that new militant groups sprouting up in the Niger Delta are hiding under the cover of regional agitation to commit heinous acts in the region.<br /> <br /> <a id="more" name="more"></a><br /> <br /> The Acting Director, Defence Information, Brig. Gen. Rabe Abubakar, said this in a statement on Tuesday.<br /> <br /> He also advised law abiding Nigerians to ignore the order by the Niger Delta Greenland Justice Mandate to people living near oil and gas facilities to vacate the places.<br /> <br /> Abubakar said the new militant group, NDGJM, which claimed responsibility for the blowing up of the NNPC pipeline had warned residents to vacate the area to avoid being caught in the coming attacks.<br /> <br /> He stressed that nobody or group had the power to force residents to relocate from any part of the country for whatever reason.<br /> <br /> Abubakar expressed regrets that some groups were still carrying out destructive acts in spite of the peace moves by the Federal Government.<br /> <br /> He said the military would remain focused and committed to the provision of adequate security to lives and property in the country.<br /> <br /> He said, “The Defence Headquarters wishes to alert the general public of the disturbing spate with which various militant groups are springing up in the Niger Delta with each of them hiding under regional agitation to commit all manners of crimes and atrocities.<br /> <br /> “The latest being the Niger Delta Greenland Justice Mandate that claimed responsibility for blowing up NNPC oil pipelines few days ago. The same group has come out again, demanding residents living near oil and gas infrastructure to vacate their homes to avoid being caught in its next attacks.”

Latest-News Militants hide under regional agitation to commit crimes – DHQ

Gen. Rabe Abubakar The Defence Headquarters has raised the alarm that new militant groups sprouting up in the Niger Delta are hi...

Read more »

John Kerry didn’t meet Muslims alone – US

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguhbgAEVMGFX4rSoT5Dn6KkavEVtq4dE1svQzpHPFI1EIXBalzIkSoCeiOGI3s0kQJO5fTXlzF5kLjMcc71JzdUNJ9aUgCPv6c4l-0rmRTp0UCdcMq8cT2lMfPckcBmv-O2ME93rI6poE/s640/kerry+buhari1.jpg" width="640" /></div> <br /> <br /> The United States government has said it cannot give a specific date when Nigeria’s stolen money stashed abroad will be returned to the country.<br /> <br /> <a id="more" name="more"></a><br /> <br /> It also dismissed claims that the US Secretary of State, John Kerry, during his last visit to the country met with only Muslim leaders.<br /> <br /> This was stated by the US Embassy in Nigeria, following an inquiry by our correspondent concerning a $300m loot Kerry promised would be returned to Nigeria.<br /> <br /> According to the Deputy Public Affairs Officer at the US Consulate General in Lagos, Frank Sellin, recovering the $300m and other assets stolen from Nigeria will not be easy.<br /> <br /> “In regard to asset recovery, the United States has and will continue to support Nigeria’s efforts to recover assets stolen from the Nigerian people. As you know, investigation of complex international money laundering and corruption, including the identification and recovery of assets, can be challenging and time- consuming, particularly when legal challenges and numerous banks and jurisdictions are involved,” Sellin told our correspondent.<br /> <br /> Because the processes or asset recovery are complex and involve litigation in different jurisdictions, he said the US “cannot provide a precise timeline on recovery of assets.”<br /> <br /> He, however, noted that the recovery required cooperation between Nigerian and foreign security agencies.<br /> <br /> Concerning the allegation of CAN, Sellin said, “In Sokoto, Secretary Kerry met with both Christian and Muslim leaders to discuss religious tolerance and ways to counter violent extremism affecting all Nigerians. The Embassy is in communication with CAN to clarify the media reports and any misunderstandings.”

Latest-News John Kerry didn’t meet Muslims alone – US

The United States government has said it cannot give a specific date when Nigeria’s stolen money stashed abroad will be returned to the c...

Read more »

APC blasts Fayose over alleged lies at media chat

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="250" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdyGpZJohcsBkFARo91eV7ehlDleX1KAHMQauyKBOE1DqnwhQmFlqadzTelHAFOOBWfzDLMDXXjxhngBIxLw4QvQvKB2YW18VY0l0HLMIn2EwKRzygF0pFprrr8Oscu0MJtF5JNZIaHCw/s400/fayose+apc+2.jpg" width="400" /></div> Ekiti State All Progressives Congress (APC) has accused Governor Ayo Fayose of feeding the people with lies while appearing on his monthly media chat on Monday, describing him as a “shameless liar”.<br /> <br /> <a id="more" name="more"></a><br /> <br /> The party was reacting to Fayose’s claim during the media chat, “Meet Your Governor”, where he claimed that no member of the opposition was attacked or killed since his assumption of office on October 16, 2014.<br /> <br /> The opposition took a strong exception to Fayose’s claim that he built all the structures in the Ado Ekiti Government House, maintaining that his predecessors – Otunba Adeniyi Adebayo, Chief Segun Oni and Dr. Kayode Fayemi – also erected structures there.<br /> <br /> In a statement yesterday, APC Publicity Secretary, Taiwo Olatunbosun, explained that most of the structures Fayose claimed to have built were forcefully acquired from their original owners, who are in the opposition, in continuation of the governor’s alleged vendetta war against opposition members.<br /> <br /> The APC asked the governor to stop lying and face the reality of public hostility against him over non-performance, lies, alleged fraud and deliberately refusing to pay workers’ salary.<br /> <br /> Olatunbosun added that the recent humiliation of the governor by teachers as they booed him as seen on television nationwide was a verdict for a governor that made “lies, deceit and greed a deliberate policy of his government”.<br /> <br /> Describing Fayose as “unconscionable liar for saying that no member of the opposition was attacked since he assumed office in October 2014,  Olatunbosun listed instances of attacks on the opposition.<br /> <br /> He said the governor only pulled the brakes after President Muhammadu Buhari was inaugurated in May 2015.<br /> <br /> Olatunbosun said: “What of the shootings in Igbemo by Fayose’s thugs for more than three hours with pellets falling on the palace roof and  shooting at Ife Arowosoge’s house at around the same time that the 19 APC Assembly members were not allowed to sit by the governor’s thugs?<br /> <br /> “What of  our members that received machete cuts by his thugs for wearing APC vests or the shooting in front of CNPP chairman’s house at Egbewa or the APC members he clamped into jail for crimes they didn’t commit?<br /> <br /> “What of the several shootings and burning of APC secretariat, where offices and vehicles, including mine, were destroyed and are still kept in police stations as exhibits or the attack on our members in front of Bisi Egbeyemi’s house with the latter’s truck vandalised?<br /> <br /> “What of the forceful seizure of vehicles belonging to Fayemi’s commissioners and aides or the forceful eviction of Fayemi’s aides and Commissioners from their houses at Irewolede Estate until the court stopped him?<br /> <br /> “What is the governor doing with his thugs quartered in the Government House over which we have written many petitions to the security agencies and the National Human Right Commission?”<br /> <br /> Other victims, according to Olatunbosun, include Oluwole Jinadu, who was allegedly dealt machete cuts in Aisegba- Ekiti by PDP thugs on the eve of Presidential election, the same period that Oluwafemi was attacked in Ado Ekiti.<br /> <br /> According to him, APC former state lawmaker, Segun Erinle’s house was teargassed and his aged mother nearly died of teargas fumes on the eve of State Assembly election in 2015, even as the late Gbenga Olofin was similarly attacked during his senatorial campaign in Igede-Ekiti, among several similar attacks across the state.<br /> <br /> Olatunbosun wondered whether Fayose was referring to another Ekiti State with the aforementioned cases of attacks.

Latest-News APC blasts Fayose over alleged lies at media chat

Ekiti State All Progressives Congress (APC) has accused Governor Ayo Fayose of feeding the people with lies while appearing on his monthly ...

Read more »

Lagos Assembly okays N500 Billion for infrastructure

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGlfKJ2g5hIxmQ15yMPsNEnn8oGaZ5T6M28_apOGRZGu1It5EU22O3pcTwxIUy_tok7kLLRJjytIu3OhKJnprccaRtff0gVt-77XPzvSnUeOVBjyg-fASrt2CpC040bcCVhWwcep8HEZ0/s400/ambode+ne.jpg" width="400" /></div> Lagos State House of Assembly has approved N500billion bond for the state government spanning between this year and 2019.<br /> <a id="more" name="more"></a><br /> <br /> Presenting a report during plenary yesterday, the chairman of an adhoc committee set-up by the House on the matter, Hon. Oluyinka Ogundimu informed the House that the bond was necessary for the development of the state and  would be repaid through a 23 per cent of the state internally generated revenue (IGR).<br /> <br /> He added that all necessary plans are being made to ensure that the money is judiciously spent for the purpose it was meant for.<br /> <br /> In his contribution, Chairman of the House Committee on Budget and Economic Planning, Hon. Rotimi Olowo said Lagos is the future of Nigeria and that the bond would assist in the infrastructural development of the state.<br /> <br /> “If the bond is geared towards development, it will open Lagos State to other  parts of the world and generate more employment for the people.<br /> <br /> “We have enough to take care of the bond. By 2019, Nigeria would be out of recession and Lagos would be better for it,” he said.<br /> <br /> Also speaking, Hon. Gbolahan. Yishawu said that Lagos has always been at the forefront of development and that the bond is meant to increase spending and develop the state.<br /> <br /> The request was also supported by other lawmakers including Hon. Jude Idimogu, Hon. Olanrewaju Ogunyemi, the Deputy Speaker of the House, Hon. Wasiu Sanni Eshinlokun amongst others.<br /> <br /> The Speaker, Hon. Mudashiru Obasa reiterated the fact that the bond would help develop the state and ensure adequate infrastructural development of the state.

Latest-News Lagos Assembly okays N500 Billion for infrastructure

Lagos State House of Assembly has approved N500billion bond for the state government spanning between this year and 2019. Presenting a r...

Read more »

Man kills daughter in Ekiti after impregnating her

<br /> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTXfeapbFymrGnOvXzJAqrCneO_ckog3c4PkVtkjaBZadIjw1MNcnfYd97hnzEHsOVyW03LWLnuuPt1pniNb6Qs7jYZzQZPZ1bMNNoHYRaI-Z1SFl_kJGBJDxYGA5kioaF4qdZRpyCFaw/s1600/ekiti-map.gif" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTXfeapbFymrGnOvXzJAqrCneO_ckog3c4PkVtkjaBZadIjw1MNcnfYd97hnzEHsOVyW03LWLnuuPt1pniNb6Qs7jYZzQZPZ1bMNNoHYRaI-Z1SFl_kJGBJDxYGA5kioaF4qdZRpyCFaw/s320/ekiti-map.gif" width="320" /></a>Why should a 50-year-old father murdered his daughter after impregnating the 14-year-old girl?<br /> <br /> This is a question the people of Emure Ekiti, headquarters of Emure Local Government Area in Ekiti State are still looking for an answer.<br /> <br /> <a id="more" name="more"></a><br /> <br /> The suspect, identified as William, who hails from Ile Onisa Quarters, was said to have slept with his daughter, threatening to kill her, if she told anybody about the incest.<br /> <br /> Sources in Emure told reporters yesterday that the mother of the girl had separated from the suspect, following irreconcilable differences.<br /> <br /> The mother was said to have left with the younger siblings and the deceased remained with her father.<br /> <br /> She was said to be responsible for cooking for her father and taking care of the home following the departure of the mother.<br /> <br /> The protruding belly of the deceased was said to have turned William to an object of ridicule in the community as locals said the late girl was never known to have any boyfriend in her lifetime nor was she promiscuous.<br /> <br /> William was caught on Sunday at a spot where he was allegedly digging the grave to secretly bury the daughter after allegedly strangling her to death.<br /> <br /> He was reportedly taken to the town’s palace where the chiefs were said to have advised the angry residents not to take the law into their hands.<br /> <br /> The body of the deceased was said to have been deposited in a mortuary as the controversy rages in the town.<br /> <br /> An Emure resident, who gave her name as Anike, claimed that William in a bid to cover up the crime of serial rape of his daughter took her to his farm located in Aba Iso area of the community and allegedly strangled her to death with the unborn baby.<br /> <br /> Anike said: “We are sure Williams killed his pregnant girl so as to cover up his crime because the girl’s pregnancy was already becoming very conspicuous and everyone knew that it was her father, who slept with her.”<br /> <br /> Another resident, Omodele said: “It took us a while before we were able to apprehend William and drag him to the Oba’s palace.”<br /> <br /> Contacted, police spokesman Alberto Adeyemi said the matter had not been reported to the state police command headquarters.

Latest-News Man kills daughter in Ekiti after impregnating her

Why should a 50-year-old father murdered his daughter after impregnating the 14-year-old girl? This is a question the people of Emure Eki...

Read more »

IN PICTURES: Mark Zuckerberg, ICT Minister Osinbajo, others at Aso Villa Demo Day

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi52cAqDRdUu5db8brArA6hU678PU189Hysdh81HhHkpeyWZosLHFnWa8UrKedNFBXuQtOiZ253yrpB4r4ywyqfO7CnOki0yRmX9DzoYjwgrwhG8nLM-mFNoVXhwP2FXzR1dLU7XYNbab4/s1600/za3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="358" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi52cAqDRdUu5db8brArA6hU678PU189Hysdh81HhHkpeyWZosLHFnWa8UrKedNFBXuQtOiZ253yrpB4r4ywyqfO7CnOki0yRmX9DzoYjwgrwhG8nLM-mFNoVXhwP2FXzR1dLU7XYNbab4/s640/za3.jpg" width="640" /></a></div> Mark Zuckerberg of Facebook was today spotted in the company of ICT Minister, Adebayo, Vice President Yemi Osinbajo and others at Aso Villa Demo Day.<br /> <br /> <a id="more" name="more"></a><br /> <br /> This is coming after speculations that the Facebook founder snubbed the Nigerian government.<br /> <br /> See photos:<br /> <br /> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWrVz2tXgist97P3BgPKVy-bJtL15TTmM6MFqq8Py_gl7e_R_fUcVJotZqE8bFB6k1GrAcMOdAC4Qf2lJam5qmj-IT0H9P1LjDx8c9_BGIPBNS9wtHGzHJN3lg3drcT97AP0AeZpgo6-o/s1600/za1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="381" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWrVz2tXgist97P3BgPKVy-bJtL15TTmM6MFqq8Py_gl7e_R_fUcVJotZqE8bFB6k1GrAcMOdAC4Qf2lJam5qmj-IT0H9P1LjDx8c9_BGIPBNS9wtHGzHJN3lg3drcT97AP0AeZpgo6-o/s400/za1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div> <br /> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiDJMsDiVoWQLIR3lvPxnzjDV4F0Ju04h6a-f4sG7VNdCEjLSESflkltwTRSW4QVLVMOk3rae35IqvgYgax9fT-ggDt51JnRAxpBia_sloAyGtwUdHj7yMSEnBxaLzyHNXmRGRbkGvkCQ/s1600/za2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="382" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiDJMsDiVoWQLIR3lvPxnzjDV4F0Ju04h6a-f4sG7VNdCEjLSESflkltwTRSW4QVLVMOk3rae35IqvgYgax9fT-ggDt51JnRAxpBia_sloAyGtwUdHj7yMSEnBxaLzyHNXmRGRbkGvkCQ/s400/za2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div> <br /> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi52cAqDRdUu5db8brArA6hU678PU189Hysdh81HhHkpeyWZosLHFnWa8UrKedNFBXuQtOiZ253yrpB4r4ywyqfO7CnOki0yRmX9DzoYjwgrwhG8nLM-mFNoVXhwP2FXzR1dLU7XYNbab4/s1600/za3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="223" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi52cAqDRdUu5db8brArA6hU678PU189Hysdh81HhHkpeyWZosLHFnWa8UrKedNFBXuQtOiZ253yrpB4r4ywyqfO7CnOki0yRmX9DzoYjwgrwhG8nLM-mFNoVXhwP2FXzR1dLU7XYNbab4/s400/za3.jpg" width="400" /></a></div> <br />

Latest-News IN PICTURES: Mark Zuckerberg, ICT Minister Osinbajo, others at Aso Villa Demo Day

Mark Zuckerberg of Facebook was today spotted in the company of ICT Minister, Adebayo, Vice President Yemi Osinbajo and others at Aso Vill...

Read more »