Now that I am a king, I will miss relating with my peer group in the open - 17 yr old Delta King grants first media interview

Teenager Chukwuka Noah, who was installed Obi (king) Akaeze I of Ubulu-Uku Kingdom in Aniocha South Local Government Area of Delta State after the murder of his father in January, has now granted his first media interview.

See excerpts below:

When exactly did you know that you would succeed your father as the king of Ubulu-Uku Kingdom?

Kingship is not like chieftaincy titles, it is ordained by the Almighty God. The time I would succeed my father, Obi Akaeze Edward Ofolue III, was not known to me until the unfortunate incident in which he was kidnapped and then murdered by gunmen in January. The subsequent ascension of my father’s throne was a decision from God and I appreciate Him for the decision.

Are you not afraid of suffering a similar fate?

My father’s death was shocking and I pray such will not come my way. The Almighty God will protect me and the people of Ubulu-Uku Kingdom. My father’s killing was shocking and I still ask why his killers were so heartless to him. I seek protection from the Almighty God and I am sure that He will protect me.

How did your mother and siblings prepare for your ascension to the throne?

With the support of God Almighty, my family members did their best. A lot of them also ensured that they embraced peace and joy for me to be on the throne.

Do your schoolmates and friends still relate with you the same way they did before you became king?

My relationship with my friends and schoolmates still remain the same. They are still my friends and schoolmates. The only difference now is that I am a king by the divine grace of God. They are aware of the present position of things and also know the honour a king deserves.

How do your family members relate with you now that you have become king?

They are my people and they relate with me well and as a king. I owe them a duty to recognise that they are my family members and as well, they know I am a king.

What would you miss most about your life now that you are a king?

Thank you. I am a very reserved person. I also have an unshaken belief and trust in God. I worship Him in reverence too. Now that I am a king, I will miss relating with my peer group in the open as I used to do in the United Kingdom. I used to visit my friends at will. I will also miss that. Notwithstanding, I intend to ask more questions, listen to my people and strive hard to better their lives. I will ensure I am better guided in order to give the best of my capacity.

Have you decided when to marry?

Well, things will follow one thing at a time. For now, my focus is on my studies in the United Kingdom. I am going to ask God to lead me when I want to do that.

Who are your role models?

My first role model is the Almighty God. Then, I see my parents as my guardian angels.

Why are they your role models?

I choose God first as my role model because He is the giver of life. He is the one that determines everything in life. For my parents, it is because of their honest and reserved nature and for being able to distinguish themselves from others.

What kind of legacy would you like to leave behind?

I will leave that for Almighty God to help me to achieve. I cannot do anything without His power and guidance. But as a desire, I honestly would want to be remembered as the best king who ruled his people with prosperity, fear of God and love.

What is your message to the people of your kingdom?

Well, considering the heart-rending incident in which my beloved father lost his life, I will try to take everything slowly. I will also want them to know that God is with our land. I am certain that God is with the people of Ubulu-Uku who are my wonderful people. God will continue to protect them and lead them right. He will grant them mercies and bless them with His uncommon grace to succeed.

I will carry on during this difficult period and protect the good people of Ubulu-Uku by seeking God’s intervention to lead me well.

I pray that God will never leave the people of Ubulu-Uku. He will give them the grace to succeed in the name of Jesus.

What is your real age?

I am 17 years old and not 15 years as widely stated.

What career do you intend to choose?

I had wanted to be a medical doctor but the unfortunate incident that led to the death of my father changed the process. When it was announced that my father had been killed, I had no choice than to heed the call to succeed him. It is painful that my father passed on in an inexplicable circumstance. But to the glory of God, I have succeeded him in ruling the Ubulu-Uku kingdom.

What do you think is going to happen to your studies now?

I am going back to the UK to continue my studies. My uncle has been appointed to stand in for me as the regent till I return. It is really historic for the people of Ubulu-Uku who I hold in trust as my people and I ask the Almighty God to see me through the period of my studies. I promise to do the will of my people. I also ask the Almighty God to support me and bless the people of Ubulu-Uku beyond their expectations. I also beseech Him to bless the Kingdom and make my reign peaceful.

Breaking: Sunday Oliseh resigns as Eagles coach

After several weeks of controversy between the Chief Coach of Nigeria's national team, Sunday Oliseh and his employers, the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), Oliseh, in the wee hours of Friday, announced his resignation as Chief Coach of the Super Eagles.

Oliseh had since changed his profile on the micro-blogging site to Ex-Chief Coach of the Super Eagles.

Recall that Oliseh, signed a three-year deal on July 15, 2015, succeeding Stephen Keshi, who was sacked at the start of July.

He spent barely eight months as Eagles chief coach.

Oliseh, earned 63 caps for Nigeria and helped the country win the 1994 Africa Cup of Nations and Olympic gold in 1996.

He became the fourth player from the class of 1994 to manage the Super Eagles after Austin Eguavoen, Samson Siasia and Keshi.

Details later...

Source: Vanguard

N780bn fine: MTN withdraws suit against NCC, pays N50bn from fine

Telecommunications company, MTN has withdrawn its suit against the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) and has paid N50 billion from the N780 billion fine, The Cable reports.

NCC, Nigeria's telecommunication regulatory body had fined MTN N1.04 trillion for failing to deactivate 5.1 million unregistered SIM cards. After much appeal, the fine was reduced to N780 billion. Unsatisfied with the reduction in the fine, MTN filed a suit against NCC on Dec. 31st 2015.

According to a statement by MTN, the sum of N50bn was paid to the federal government “as a gesture of good faith and commitment to continued efforts towards an amicable resolution”.

MTN Nigeria's CEO, Ferdi Moolman, while speaking on the new development, said

“This is a most encouraging development. It demonstrates a willingness and sincerity by both parties to work together towards a positive outcome. We are hopeful at this stage. Along with the authorities, it is clear that we are collectively committed to working towards a solution that is of mutual benefit to all parties. Our industry in Nigeria is an incredibly important example of the remarkable progress in ICT particularly as a much needed catalyst for socio-economic growth and development at this time.”

Source: LIB

Dollar scarcity: Parents of overseas students weep in banks

As dollar scarcity worsens in Nigeria, parents who have children schooling abroad have taken their frustrations to banks, with some of them weeping openly, as Saturday PUNCH observed.

Investigations by our correspondents revealed that the frustrations by some parents who cannot access forex to send to their children abroad have brought out their emotional sides, while affected students have been crying out for help in foreign lands.

When one of our correspondents visited some banks along Muritala Muhammed Way, Unity Road and Taiwo Road in Ilorin, the Kwara State capital, on Wednesday and Thursday, some bank customers, who were there to buy dollars, expressed disappointments at the scarcity of the currency.

One of the customers, Alhaja Salamatu Ajibola, who practically broke down in tears, lamented that the education of her two children schooling in the United States had been threatened by the development.

She added that her children had been going without food due to her inability to send them money for their upkeep.

Ajibola said that it had been difficult for her to send her children dollars for their personal and educational needs. She said she had visited one of the banks several times, hoping to send dollars to her children, only to be told that the currency was insufficient to meet customers’ demands.

Another tearful parent, who spoke to Saturday PUNCH on the condition of anonymity, in a first generation bank in Bauchi State, said it had become impossible for him to meet the financial needs of his children schooling abroad.

She said she was seeking other ways of sending money abroad due to the difficulty she was facing in getting dollars to send to her children.

“Our children abroad are crying and we parents are also crying,” she said.

“They are confused and we are also confused because we can’t send money to them and they can’t receive. They are in misery, hunger and depression.

“They can’t even feed well because they can’t get money for their upkeep.”

She, therefore, called on the government to “create an escape route so that children will not continue to suffer.”

Also, Mr. Jimoh Abdulganiyu, whose son is studying medicine in Ukraine, said he could not get dollars, even at the black market, to send to him.

Abdulganiyu said his son was given a warning letter by the school authorities over delay in payment of accommodation fees and he risks being asked to vacate the dormitory soon.

He expressed fears of the possibility of buying fake dollars because of the pressure of getting dollars, which has been pushing parents to the parallel market.

He said, “Sometimes, I would get to the bank by 6.40am, before the official opening hour, to stand a good chance of getting dollars through the Western Union or Money Gram.

“And this does not mean that I would automatically get the dollars, I still have to lobby before I could get it. Even at that, there is a limit to the amount I can get.”

One of our correspondents, who visited two commercial banks in the Sabo, Yaba area of Lagos on Thursday, observed that there were no dollars for sale. Sabo is a black market hub for forex activities in Lagos.

There, a 65-year-old man, Mr. Obafemi Solomon, who also expressed frustration with the situation, struggled to fight back tears as he narrated his ordeal.

Solomon said he was indebted to some of his friends in the United States, where his daughter was schooling.

Solomon said his friends had had to bail him out of the financial problem because he felt it was unwise to exchange naira for dollars at the present exchange rate.

He said, “What I am doing right now is to beg my friends who are in the US to help me pay for my daughter’s tuition. It does not make any sense to change naira for dollars and send to her. There is even no dollar to buy.”

A pensioner, Mr. Olu Ajibade, who resides in Ekiti, also shared his plight, saying things had not been this tough in the past four years that his son had been in Middlesex University, London.

Calling for the liberalisation of the foreign exchange market, Ajibade said, “Now we rely on the black market and the forex rate is very high. If you don’t go to them then you are left to face the bank and they have so many rules you have to oblige to before you can get money from them.

“You will have to fill so many forms, get a letter from the school and go through so many rigorous processes. With that, it is not even guaranteed that you would get money from them. Honestly, it is not easy at all. Unfortunately, there are no other alternatives. The black market that could have been an alternative is not properly funded. The truth is that if you want to buy £3,000 in the black market, they tell you that they don’t have more than £800. For instance, we needed to pay school fees of about £10,000 but all we could do was pay half because of the scarcity of foreign currency.”

A Nigerian student studying in a US university, Adebayo Kabiru, told Saturday PUNCH that he would have gone bankrupt if not for the menial jobs he was doing.

In a telephone interview with one of our correspondents, Kabiru said, “My parents have not been able to send me money since January. At a point, I got frustrated, but I had to do something. So now, I do some menial jobs to pay for my upkeep.”

Also, a student studying in Russia, who spoke with Saturday PUNCH, said she was about to be deported because her visa had expired and her parents could not send her money to renew it.

She said, “My father has been trying to send me money for the past two weeks for me to settle my visa problem and other things, but has been unable to do so. I am about to be deported and when that happens, I will lose the opportunity of rounding off my last session here in Russia.”

Simon Uwem, a student studying for his Master’s degree at a university in Indiana, US, revealed that Nigerian students abroad have been having rough times.

He said, “I have been able to survive because I have a research position in school and I get paid very well. I was hired by the school for the job. The truth is that if you are intelligent, you will survive.

“But it has been so tough for some students here. Asking your parents for $1,000 means they need to look for N400,000. Some students don’t even get to hear from their parents any longer. They have resorted to doing menial jobs or marrying Akata (American citizens) here.

“A professor recently spoke to me about getting more foreign students from Africa and I told him that finance had become a challenge even if such students get scholarships. A textbook here costs up to $200. It has been quite tough.”

Source: Punch

Murdered Obi Ofulue's 15 Year Old Son installed As King

A New Heart (King), Chukwuka Noah community, has been presented to the People of very Ubulu Kingdom in Aniocha South Local Government Area of Delta State.

Obi Akaeze I succeeded his father, late Obi Akaeze Edward Ofulue III who was kidnapped and subsequently murdered last month by gunmen.

The presentation of the 15-year-old King followed the fulfillment of different rites that culminated in his crowning as King by the kingmakers of Ubulu-Uku.

He was first presented to the members of the Royal family before the presentation to the coun­cil of elders at the palace.

The brief ceremony was attended by prominent citizens of the kingdom including the member representing Aniocha/Oshimili constituency at the Federal House of Representatives, Mrs. Ony­emaechi Mrakpor and the President-General of Ubulu-Uku Development Union, Comrade Jones

Ofunne.

Also in attendance was the chairman of Aniocha South council, Mr. Isaac Anwuzia, traditional chiefs and title holders in the kingdom, religious leaders, women, youths and other stakeholders of the agrarian community

Speaking on the significance of the ceremony, Secretary of the Palace, Barr. Joseph Obazei de­scribed it as “wonderful in our time.”

“This is a young man who was not even looking up to this position because his father was young and vibrant, unfortunately this bad event occurred.

“He has now been thrust upon the throne taking up the mantle of his late father. Ubulu-Uku people are very happy that somebody has taken up the throne because the king never dies.

“When it appears that there is no king, there is already a king. That is what has just happened.”Barr. Obazei told Saturday Sun that in Ubulu- Uku tradition, there were not too many rites to the installation of a new king.

“By our tradition, you can wake up in the morning and see the heir apparent sitting on the throne and issue orders which will be obeyed. That will show that something happened in the night and something has happened now.

“So this young man has taken over the stool of his father, and now he can begin to direct the town,” he explained.

On his part, the chairman of Aniocha South council, Mr. Anwuzia assured the new king and people of Ubulu-Uku of his administration’s un­flinching support, adding that measures were al­ready on to ensure the presentation of staff of of­fice by the state government.

Source: sunnewsonline

DELTA STATE DEPUTY GOVERNOR HIDES WANTED TOMPOLO FROM FG AND EFCC AS HE GIVES HIM HIS OFFICIAL VEHICLES TO CRUISE IN

As Nigerians especially the security agencies continue their search for billionaire militant, Mr Government Oweizide Ekpemupolo aka Tompolo, reliable information reaching Secret Reporters reveals that he’s tucked away in the home of a top Delta government official.

Our reliable source within the Deputy Governor’s offce, Mr Kingsley Otuaro confided in us that his boss is currently shielding Tompolo from the Nigeria government in his secured mansion in Asaba as well as his official lodge, which cannot be searched due to the immunity clause given to him as Deputy Governor. This is done secretly without even the State Governor, Ifeanyi Okowa knowledge confided the source.

The source who stumbled on the wanted repentant militant in the Deputy Governor’s office and subsequently his house in Asaba relayed how he moves about with top security agents.

Known to be an individual who is an extrovert, our sources who are familiar with his movement in Asaba revealed that whenever he wants to go to places within the state, he makes use of the Deputy Governor official vehicle with all security apparatus attached to the office, following him about.

Tompolo allegedly using the Deputy Governor’s convoy as captured

This we gathered is to deceive security agents that Otuaro is the one in the vehicle, when Tompolo is actually the one inside. Otuaro is driven in another unmarked vehicle with less security. The loyalty to Tompolo is not unconnected with the blood relation that exist between them, as well as the latter instrumental to his emergence as a DESOPADEC commissioner in Delta State, and sudden rise to wealth through illegal deals carried out as a lawyer for various maritime job.

Tompolo was declared wanted by the Federal Government, after failing to honor invitation by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and court orders for a 49 count charges which includes the diversion of N45.9 billion belonging to NIMASA.

His last address before the secret habour by the Deputy Governor was No 1, Chief Agbanu Street, DDPA Extension, Warri, Delta State.

Various calls placed to the Deputy Governor to react to the story before press time were not answered, neither was a text message sent to his mobile line replied, despite showing ‘delivered’

All rights reserved. No part of this publication on this platform should be copied, printed, broadcasted in whole or part without the express permission of Secrets Reporters.

Source: Secret Reporters

Buhari Appoints Ooni As UNN Chancellor

Yeeyyy we are so happy for Oba Enitan Ogunwusi and it’s like we received an award on our side, lol. Yaaay it’s pays to be a youth, an intelligent one and a man that loves PEACE. The Ooni of Ife, Oba Enitan Adeyeye Ogunwusi has emerged the youngest chancellor in Nigeria with the appointment of the monarch as the chancellor, University of Nigeria, Nsukka by President Mohammadu Buhari.

In a statement issued by Yera Moses Olafare, the director of media, Ooni’s palace, President Mohammadu Buhari was commended for recognising Ooni’s efforts to promote unity among Nigerians.

The statement said ” Ile Oodua is thankful to the people’s President Mohammadu Buhari of the Federal Republic of Nigeria for the appointment of Ooni, Oba Enitan Adeyeye Ogunwusi, as the chancellor, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, UNN” , saying the development would further enable the monarch to build more bridges of friendship especially across the Niger.

New Jersey: Gay Couple Discovers They Are In Fact Long Lost Twins

A New Jersey couple had the surprise of their life after a DNA test proved the lovers were in fact twin brothers. Both men were induced into going for DNA tests after friends and family members urged them to check out if they had any family ties due to their remarkable resemblance.

“We did the tests partly as a joke and to shut up some of our friends who were constantly teasing us about being cousins,” remarks Jason. “Never did I expect to learn we were in fact long lost twins” he admits, visibly disheartened by the news. “The man that I expected to spend my life with, my soul mate, is in fact my twin brother. I don’t know if I have to cry or to jump with joy,” he admits in tears.

Jason Osbourne and Alex Brown, who met two years ago during a modeling gig in New York, have since been inseparable.

Facing reality:

If Jason Osbourne believes the DNA testing has brought them a relatively good news, his twin brother Alex does not take it as lightly.

“Alex refuses to talk to me anymore, he even threatened to turn heterosexual over the whole affair, saying that he now wants a normal life like everyone else,” he acknowledged with sadness. “I told him we should cherish this news and celebrate the fact we have found each other again, but he doesn’t see it that way,” he told local reporters.

Separated at birth:

Both men were separated at birth and adopted in different families although they both were unaware of this fact until the DNA testing.

“It’s only when I confronted my parents that they finally admitted to the truth,” admits Jason Osbourne. “First I learn that my gay lover is my twin brother, now I learn I was adopted and that my parents have lied to me all my life. What a heck of way to celebrate my 25th birthday” he adds, visibly furious. “Sometimes I wish we had never gone for that DNA test,” he added.

Sexual relations between siblings are prohibited in the United States but the two brothers would not be prosecuted because of the particularities of this specific case, believe legal experts.

Man Diagnosed Of Cancer & Wanted As Much Sex As He Can Before He Dies, Claims The Sex Eventually Cured Him

A 55-year-old man from Louisiana who was diagnosed with terminal cancer and told he had only three months to live claims he has miraculously cured himself from his cancer by having as much sex as he could before he died.

The man’s brain shows no more sign of the brain tumor that threatened his life only months ago and has completely disappeared according to his DOCTOR, Dr. John Lee.

“I told my patient the progression of his brain tumor was extremely alarming and that at this rate, I expected his lifespan to be three months at the most but that he could possibly die any day or so. If a seizure occurred, he could fall into a comatose state and never come back,” he recalls.

“It is very uplifting, but also extremely intriguing to find my patient alive and well, with no significant sign of a tumor. I am a rational man, but this is clearly a blessing from God, there is no other explanation that comes to mind,” he told local reporters.

Dr. John Lee’s patient was given barely three months to live after being diagnosed at Baton Rouge’s General Medical Center with a large brain tumor six months ago

When Adam learned he had barely three months to live, he didn’t lose faith and did not despair.

“I’ve had a few tough breaks in my life,” he admits. “But every time life has sent me a jab, I always responded by an uppercut,” acknowledges the former amateur boxer.

“When I learned I had so little time on this Earth, I took out all my economies and bought myself a ticket for Thailand. For months, I partied hard as hell and had as much sex as I wanted,” he admits with no shame.

“For the next few months, I lived my life like a rock star. I indulged in all possible drugs I could get my hands on and drank beer every day from morning till dawn. I had a dozen girls living permanently with me, I had my own little harem, my own personal cook and butler, for a few months of my life, I lived like a king,” he recalls with nostalgia.

“Some days I felt like Johnny Depp in the movie Don Juan DeMarco, where he is in the harem and spends years having sex with hundreds of girls. I had sex like I breathed air. I tried every day to sleep with more and more women, but I was never able to beat my record of having sex 18 times in one day.”

Although the miraculous recovery is intriguing to most medical practitioners, Dr. Alan Bates believes the “extreme partying” might explain the disappearance of the tumor.

“It is possible that all the sex and drugs, which could have killed him, did in fact the opposite” explains Dr. Alan Bates, Head researcher at the New Orleans School of Medicine.

“Endorphins have been found to have a powerful effect on certain kinds of tumors. A prolonged rush of endorphins, through the practice of non-stop sexual intercourse for a period of months, as well as the use of different drugs could have rendered the brain tumor totally incapacitated,” he adds. “This is a fascinating case study that would benefit from being reproduced under laboratory conditions and could eventually help find alternative solutions to the treatment of cancer by the administration of endorphins to the body,” he acknowledges.

The retired plumber has officially taken back his position as a manager at a local Walgreens and says his near-death experience has permanently changed him for the best and given him a more positive attitude towards life.

Ghana bans goods from Nigeria, other countries

Ghana has prohibited some items from entry into its domain, following Nigeria’s foot steps that restricted 41 items from access to foreign exchange.

Ghana however has placed a ban on some goods from being imported into the country. Ghanaian Minister of Trade and Industry, Mr. Ekwow Spio-Garbrah stated yesterday that Ghana and Nigeria are said to account for some 68 per cent of the ECOWAS region’s Gross Domestic Product.

Nigeria accounts for almost 10 per cent of Ghana’s foreign trade volume, whereas Ghana is listed as the 9th largest trade partner to Nigeria.

Favourite investmenVanfu

In spite of the difficulties, Ghana remains Nigeria’s largest trade partner and favourite investment hub in the West Africa sub-region, as Ghana imports the largest share of all Nigerian oil exports in the West African sub-region.

While ‘bagged cement’ is on Nigeria’s prohibition list, Dangote Cement brings in and bags some 750,000 tonnes of cement a year for the Ghanaian market, and is expected to increase this to 1.5 million tonnes by end of this quarter. The Chief Executive Officer of Ghanaian Association of Ghana Industries stated that there should be a clear letter written to the Nigerians complaining about this, and then also try and use some diplomatic means to quickly resolve it,”

“If it does not work then we must also look at countervailing measures…it could be product targeting,” he said.

“If we also make it difficult for them to export, then we would have to find common ground,” Kate Quartey-Papafio, CEO of Reroy Cables argued.

Even for those who are able to export to Nigeria, you have to get different certificates for different customers and it takes a whole lot of time to get it.

It makes the whole thing so cumbersome. You are exporting the same thing but you have to go and get certificates for each of the customers,” she said.

Nigeria has used an “Import Prohibition List” to refuse certain goods entry into that country, including a host of pharmaceutical products. Also, the Managing Director of Intravenous Infusions Limited, a pharmaceutical company, Mr Richard Okrah noted that his company could have generated an additional 25% of export turnover from the Nigerian market.

“We have been making efforts through our agent in Nigeria to get us off this list. But it is becoming a very difficult job for us,” Richard Okrah told the B&FT by phone. The company, he said, currently produces close to 6million IV fluids of various sizes per year, and that: “We have the capacity to step this up to 15 million because we are installing a new semi-automated plan that should be up and running by the middle of April this year”.

He said his company faces no such restrictions from Burkina Faso, Cote D’Ivoire and other countries where it exports to.

Source: Vanguard

I Will Be President Till I Die – Africa’s Oldest President Insists, Refuses to Give Up Power

Robert Mugabe, the 92-year-old Zimbabwean President, on Thursday maintained that even though his party would choose a successor, he planned to contest the next election in 2018.

Mugabe, who would be 94 by 2018, insisted that he would still seek his last five-year term under a new constitution that would see him through to 99 years old.

He said with reference to the UN Chief, Ban Ki-moon statement calling on African leaders not to cling to power, Mugabe responded that he would continue “until God says ‘come’’.

Mugabe, who turned 92 on Sunday, said he had no intention of stepping down in spite being Africa’s oldest leader and the only president Zimbabwe has known since independence in 1980.

He said as the president he still remained in charge of day-to-day running of his government.

His wife, Grace Mugabe, a powerful figure in ZANU-PF in her own right, told party supporters that he was the only one who could keep Zimbabwe “intact and peaceful”.

She added that she would push him in a wheelbarrow to work if he was unable to walk.

Eldred Masunungure, a political science lecturer at the University of Zimbabwe, noted that from analysing the political situation, his political speeches, his political actions, it is increasingly becoming clear that he is gunning to be there for as long as he lives. He said in spite his old age, Mugabe remained the glue holding together his fractious ZANU-PF, which dominates the political scene.

Masunungure said the president enjoyed support from the military, an institution that has been a major pillar of his long rule.

SCIENTISTS OUT WITH NEW CONDOMS CALLED PANT CONDOMS

For those of you that worry about condoms coming off during sex, this might just be the best option for your partner. Scientists from Sweden have invented a condom called the pant condom which they say gives 100% protection against all STI’s and of course prevents unwanted pregnancy.See photo of a man wearing one below:

Do you think it’s a cool idea?

Man ‘beheads’ niece in Ondo

A 42-year-old man, Samuel Omosaba, has been arrested by the police for allegedly beheading his three-year-old niece on Tuesday at Ilepa quarters in Ikare-Akoko, Akoko North East Local Government Area of Ondo State.

The suspect, who is jobless and single, was said to have contacted an herbalist in Ipe-Akoko for blood money. He was told to look for a baby’s head.

It was gathered that the girl was always in her grandmother’s care, whenever her mother, Bunmi, a trader, was going to the market.

An eyewitness said: “On Tuesday, Bunmi took her daughter to her mother-in-law but met her husband’s elder brother at home. He promised to take care of the child, until her grandmother returns.

“On her return from the market, Bunmi met her daughter’s body in her brother-in-law’s room.

“The suspect ‘confessed’ to family members that he killed the girl. He was nearly lynched by aggrieved youths before the police rescued him.”

Police spokesman Femi Joseph said the matter had been transferred to the State Criminal Investigative Department (CID), Akure.

Arrest me? Stop playing with fire & withdraw troops from Niger Delta - Tompolo warns Buhari

      PARIS, FEBRUARY 17, 2016: (DGW) - Niger Delta ex-war lord, High Chief Government Ekpemupolo alias Tompolo has sounded another note of warning to President Muhammadu Buhari to stop playing with fire that will plunge the nation into armed conflict following the deployment of armed soldiers in the Niger Delta communities.

     He said the deployment of soldiers particularly in Gbamaratu community is annoying and urge the president to unconditionally withdraw soldiers from the region without further delay.

     A visibly angry Tompolo said if the soldiers deployed in the communities are there to effect his arrest, that is a sheer waste of time because it is a mission impossible that would escalate into conflict in the end.

    I have been doing legitimate business with the government over the years. I don’t know which law stipulates how to do business or otherwise. If the federal government has any issue with me, they should go through the due process.

     “You can’t send soldiers to destroy a community, arrest young men and rape women in the name of searching for Tompolo. If they claim that everybody in the Ijaw land is a criminal, does it also mean that everybody in the north is a member of Boko Haram?

      He urged President Buhari to heed the voice of reason now before the situation gets out of hand by withdrawing troops from Niger Delta communities who are reportedly committing atrocities in the area ranging from harassment, arresting of young men, raping of women in the communities and other crimes. This, he warned, is capable of creating tension and resulting in armed conflict.

A yet to be identified accident victim... (photos)

According to Irekhore Raymond, the woman was involved in an accident between Iruekpen and Ugbiyaya in Edo State on February 13. She is a staff of the Nigerian Law school in Yenagoa Bayelsa State. Anyone with useful information should respond as soon as possible.

Breaking: Buhari sacks NTA, FRCN, VON, NAN, NBC, NOA DGs

Heads of the six information-related parastatals under the Ministry of Information and Culture have been disengaged by the Federal Government.
Segun Adeyemi, the Special Adviser to the Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, said the minister announced the disengagement on Monday, during a meeting he held with the chief executives of the Nigeria Television Authority (NTA), Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria (FRCN), Voice of Nigeria (VON), News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), Nigerian Broadcasting Commission (NBC) and the National Orientation Agency (NOA).
Adeyemi said: "The minister directed the disengaged chief executives to hand over to the most senior officials in their various establishments.
“He thanked them for their service to the nation and wished them the best of luck in their future endeavours.
“The affected chief executives are the director-generals of NTA, Mr. Sola Omole; FRCN, Mr. Ladan Salihu; VON, Mr Sam Worlu; NOA, Mr. Mike Omeri; NBC, Mr. Emeka Mba and the Managing Director of NAN, Mr. Ima Niboro.”

Source: Vanguard

Victoria Kimani Says She Didn’t Know Future Would Become A Celebrity, She Regrets Turning Him Down

Chocolate City first lady, Victoria Kimani, has revealed how she felt after she turned down popular American artist, Future, who at a time asked her out for a date when he was barely a known face.

The Kenyan artiste in an interview with The Best Life TV, said she had since been living in regrets.

Kimani said, “He asked me out and I never gave him attention.

‘‘I never got his number, I never really gave him a chance, to really ‘holla’ at me.

“I felt really messed up about it later and like years later, he ended up being future.

“I regret not paying him attention and I feel so messed up for that because few years after then he became a celebrity.

Meanwhile, Future whose real names are Nayvadius DeMun Wilburn, is an American hip hop artist from Atlanta, Georgia who had been in and out of relationships with Ciara, a popular American singer who has a baby for him. Also, Future is alleged to have fathered four children from four different women.

-Daily Post

NORTH KOREA: NIGERIA BECOMING AN IMPERIALIST OUTPOST IN AFRICA

The Nigerian Government of President Buhari has warned the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea not to do anything that “can jeopardise peace in the Korean Peninsula and the world”.

The Nigerian government was reacting for the first time to last Sunday’s Ballistic Missile fired by the Northern Korea for its satellite program.

This is a further proof that the present Nigerian government is becoming a willing tool of Western imperialism. The question is what concerns Nigeria with the missile test of North Korea & will the same Nigerian government condemn the missile test of say US or UK?

The slavish Nigerian President Buhari thinks that by becoming a hunting dog of Western imperialism, he will derive benefit from that. The question is which tyrant from a third world country has ever benefited from Western imperialism? The greedy Western capitalists only uses people to facilitate their plunder, exploitation & domination, and dump them after they have outlived their usefulness to them.

Hosni Mubarak and Gaddafi are two African leaders who were destroyed when they romanced the West.

Since assuming the leadership of the Nigerian nation less than nine months ago, the Nigerian President Buhari has been galvanating from one Western capital to another, prostrating before them and saying things that will be pleasing to them. This rather desperate leader thinks by doing that these greedy bloodsucking capitalists will bring their billions to a Boko Haram infested country like Nigeria.

It is this worship of Western imperialism by the Nigerian President Buhari that drive him last week in UK to publicly declared that Nigerians are criminals. The man that is suppose to launder the image of Nigeria most has now become the biggest image destroyer of Nigeria. He thinks by publicly condemning Nigerians, his imperialist masters will be please with him & give him a pat on the back.

It is important that Nigeria maintain its non-alligned position, a position it has maintained since independence in 1960. Becoming a Western imperialism outpost in Africa at a time when Western powers are on the decline & other nations are emerging will be highly detrimental to the progress and development of Nigeria. All indicators points to the direction of China, Russia and Iran as the future of the world.

And Nigeria joining the Saudi camp which is an extension of Western imperialism can be seen in this light. Nigeria is a much bigger country than Saudi Arabia, President Buhari should not relegate Nigeria into a Banana Republic that will be licking the boots of the corrupt and despotic Saudi tyrant just like war-torn Somalia, Comoros and Sudan. There is nothing wrong with Nigeria having good relations with Saudi Arabia but such relations should be based on what will benefit Nigeria & not on what will destroy Nigeria like how the Saudi regime celebrated the brutal Zaria Massacre by the Nigerian Army that killed 1000+ defenseless & unarmed Shia Muslims.

Harun Elbinawi

elbinawi@yahoo.com

Elbinawi.wordpress.com

Missile Test: Nigeria Warns North Korea Not To Threaten World Peace

The Federal Government has warned the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea not to do anything that can jeopardise peace in the Korean Peninsula and the world.

The federal government was reacting for the first time to last Sunday’s Ballistic Missile fired by the Northern Korea, which has drawn global condemnation and threats from world powers.

In a statement made available in Abuja yesterday, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs warned the North Korean Government to abide by the United Nations Security Council Resolution 1718 which requires it to suspends all activities related to its ballistic missile programme.

The statement added that it would like the DPRK to fully comply with that UN resolution and desist from any act capable of jeopardising world peace.

The statement reads in part, “Nigeria supports the commitment of the United Nations Security Council in working towards a diplomatic and political solution leading to the full de-militarisation of the Korean Peninsula.

“While we reaffirm our support for the peaceful uses of nuclear energy and strong commitment to nuclear non-proliferation and disarmament, the Federal Government encourages DPRK to return to the 6-party talks.”

Our Ability To Absorb Immigrants Limited – German President

President of the Federal Republic of Germany, Joachim Gauck has urged ECOWAS to build better regional integrations and democratic systems that citizens can trust, saying that Germany’s ability to absorb immigrants is limited.

President Gauck stated this during his visit and address to the ECOWAS Commission in Abuja yesterday as part of his 4-day visit to Nigeria.

In his address, Gauck commended the efforts of the West African community in the development of the region, which he said successfully opened economic borders and ensured peaceful resolution of crises in Sierra Leone, Liberia, Mali and Guinea Bissau.

He said, “You recognized that you must pull your strength to enable West African economy flourish”.

Congratulating Nigeria on her democratic transition, Gauck emphasised that the population of youths in African cities represent economic power and innovation, saying that the development convinced Europeans that ‘Africa is a not a distance world’.

“People (of Lagos) are full of energy and ideas, my aim is to remind Germany and Europe of this ambitious side of Africa. But there are also other reports Germany and Europe follow with great concern … of terrorism, violence, inadequate healthcare, illiteracy, displacement … We are concerned that more and more people are forced to leave their homes. Millions of Africans are displaced … Many place their lives on unscrupulous people … and drown in the Mediterranean. About 2m people had to leave their homes to escape the attacks of the Boko Haram”.

“Europeans and Africans spoke in Valleta on how immigration could be managed. Let’s intensify this dialogue. Migration to Europe will not solve Africa’s fundamental development problems”.

Welcoming the German president, President of the ECOWAS Commission, Kadre Desire Ouedraogo while enumerating the achievements of the regional institution also identified the present challenges of the region.

“In addressing them our region can benefit from other experiences. We know how Germany tremendously contributed to the EU integration process,” he said.

Gauck advised that with right the political will, regional cooperation and zero tolerance of human rights violation, ECOWAS can build an economically viable economic West Africa. He said Germany will extend support where Africa (leaders) demonstrates the will to solve development issues, and develop the economic union between European Union and West African states.

Chinese man cuts off Nigerian worker ’s finger for failing to start Generator on time

A Chinese worker, identified as Njaga Chang, has cut off one of the right fingers of his Nigerian colleague at the Xin Xin Quarry in Akamkpa Local Government Area of Cross River State.

The 23-year-old Nigerian victim, Nsikak Tommy, was said to have incurred the wrath of the Chinese for failing to quickly turn on the generator at the quarry site.

Chang was said to have initially attacked Tommy with a water hose but later resorted to the use of machete when the victim took to his heels.

Narrating the incident to Southern City News on Sunday, an eyewitness, Ene Bassey, said the Chinese was quickly taken away to an unknown destination in Calabar after the incident happened.

“The incident happened at about 4.30 pm on Saturday. The Chinese man was angered by the Nigerian’s slow response when he was told to turn on a generator at the quarry. Chang had initially started with insults on the Nigerian, but later attacked Nsikak Tommy with a water hose.

“But as Tommy tried to escape from the assault, Chang chased him with a machete. He first deflated the tyres of Tommy’s motorcycle to prevent him from fleeing and tried to cut his head. Instinctively, Tommy raised his hand to block the cut aimed at his head. In the process, the machete cut off one of his fingers. He was left in a pool of blood as he cried for help. After the incident, owners of the Xin Xin Quarry, who also own two other quarries in Akamkpa known as Expanded and Fughou Quarries, rather than attend to the injured man, ferried the Chinese man to Calabar and had him hidden.

“It was Tommy’s fellow Nigerian workers at the quarry that managed to take him for treatment at the Bakor Medical Centre in Calabar,” Bassey said.

Southern City News learnt that the police in Akamkpa arrested and later released Chang on bail.

Confirming the arrest, the state Police Public Relations Officer, Mr. John Eluu, said he got confirmation from the Divisional Police Officer in charge of the Akamkpa division that Chang was arrested but released on bail after they had agreed to settle the matter.

Eluu said, “Yes, I got confirmation from the DPO that the Chinese national was arrested and taken to Akamkpa, but was later released on bail. They agreed to settle the matter amicably amongst themselves.”

Ooni Of Ife is Too Small to Oba Of Benin – Bini Palace Reacts

Following the statement credited to the Alake of Egbaland, Oba Adedotun Gbadebo that the Oba of Benin is the third in the ranking of kings in the old Western region, the Palace of the Oba of Benin has dismissed this as untrue.

The Esogban of Benin and Odionwere of the Kingdom (traditional head), Chief David Edebiri, said

the Ooni of Ife was a son of the Oba of Benin, and that the stool of the Oba of Benin could not be compared with that of any Yoruba King.

Esogban,who is third in command in the palace of the Oba of Benin, said: “We wanted to discard this report as something that was not necessary at all. We do not see how the Alake of Egbaland suddenly woke up to think that the Oba of Benin is also a Yoruba Oba. There is no basis for such classification; Oba of Benin has nothing to do with the Yoruba Obas. It is simply unnecessary, unless they simply want to stir up an unnecessary controversy.

“We are not in Yorubaland. To be frank, it is because many of them are not willing to come up with the truth, the word Oba is alien to Yoruba monarchy; it is not part of their title from time immemorial.

"For instance, the one they call the Oba of Lagos, these are recent adaptations. In the 50s, there was no Oba of Lagos, what we had was the Eleko of Eko. That is the title of the King there. In Ibadan, you have the Olu Ibadan. You come to Abeokuta, you have the Alake of Egbaland. You come to Oyo, you have the Alaafin of Oyo. In Ilesha, you have the Owa-Obokun of IIesha. So no Yoruba monarch had as part of his titles the word Oba except the Oba of Benin.

“That word Oba is indigenous to Benin. It is only in recent times you find everybody bearing Oba. When the Western Regional conference of traditional rulers took place in Benin City in 1942, go and check the attendance, there was no other monarch in the whole of the Western Region then that bore the title of Oba, except the Oba of Benin. So it is an unnecessary excursion, an unnecessary attempt to turn history upside down by the Alake by classifying the Oba of Benin as third in the hierarchy of kings. Our own traditional history says that the Ooni of Ife was a Benin Prince who wandered from here to Ife, settled there and became the ruler there. That is the position, if they don’t know, they should send people here; we will teach them. We will show them landmarks.

“So this is unnecessary misrepresentation of history. Maybe the Alake wanted to mention a different place and not Benin. The monarchical rulership in this part of the world started from Benin during the era of the Ogisos. It was the son of the last Ogiso, Owodo, that wandered from here to Ife and he became a ruler there, carrying everything about the Benin monarchical system to that place.

"There is no basis for such classification. The Ooni of Ife by historical facts, is a son of the Oba of Benin, so they are not in the same class. The Oba of Benin is the only one that answers Oba, the rest don’t. But today, we hear Oba here and there, they are all recent adaptations. I am saying categorically that the word Oba is indigenous to Benin and not to Yoruba nation.”

$2.1bn arms deal: EFCC picks up Jonathan’s ADC

Investigations into how about $2.1 billion was allocated for the procurement of arms for the nation’s armed forces to battle insurgency and terrorism in some parts of the country, with nothing to show, seems to be getting closer to the former president, Goodluck Jonathan.

Reports say operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC)

on Wednesday picked up Col. Ojogbane Adegbe, the former Aide-de-Camp to the former president, for questioning.

A source said that “He was picked up in Lagos on Wednesday and interrogated as part of the ongoing investigation on the $2.1 billion arms deal and will, all things being equal, be flown to Abuja today.”

Source: Ripples Nigeria

FG Seeks Secret Trial For Nnamdi Kanu

The Nigerian government has asked a Federal High Court in Abuja to conduct a secret trial to cross-examine witnesses in the ongoing case of alleged treasonable felony and other charges against leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, Nnamdi Kanu.

Counsel to the federal government, who is also the Director of Prosecution in the office of the Attorney General, Mohammed Diri, asked the court at the opening of session to permit the conduct of secret trial for the protection of witnesses.

But counsel to the first defendant, Chuks Muoma, opposed the application for secret trial, saying military personnel were already providing adequate security during the trial.

The court is however yet to rule on that. Mr. Kanu and two others, Benjamin Madubugwu and David Nwawuisi, are facing charges of alleged treason, maintaining unlawful society, possession of firearms, among others.

DSS Arrests Nigerian Student Recruiting Terrorists For ISIS

The Department of State Services said in Abuja on Tuesday that it had arrested a student of the Federal University of Technology, Minna, Abdussalam Yunusa, who was recruiting for the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria.

A statement issued by the spokesperson for the security agency, Mr. Tony Opuiyo, said that the suspect was arrested in Kano.

He said that the arrest of the suspect was sequel to available intelligence, which he said indicated the suspect’s terrorist antecedents and covert drive to indoctrinate and recruit susceptible youths in the country.

The statement said, “On January 17, 2016 one Abdussalam Yunusa, a recruiter for the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria was arrested in Kano.

“His arrest was sequel to available intelligence which indicated his terrorism antecedents and covert drive to indoctrinate and recruit susceptible youths in the country.”

Before his arrest, Opuiyo said that Yunusa had completed arrangements to embark on a journey to join an ISIS terrorist training camp in Libya, with other Nigerians whom he recruited for the group.

He gave the names of the recruited ones as Muhammed Rabi’u, Yahaya Jimoh and a female, Zainab Sunday.

He said that Yunusa was a 400-level undergraduate of the Federal University of Technology, Minna, Niger State, where he was studying for a degree in Information and Media Technology before his arrest.

He was alleged to be a member of an extremist cell, comprising one Ibrahim and Abubakar Ligali, whom he (Yunusa) revealed was currently undergoing terrorist training in Libya.

Yunusa was said to have listed a Republic of Niger national, Ibrahim Jihad, and one Aminu as other ISIS agents operating in Nigeria and West African.

The cell was said to be funded by one Abu-sa’ad Al Sudani, a media expert with the extremist group.

The statement said the group was funding terrorist activities through electronic money transfers.

Opuiyo added that the DSS had on January 17, 2016 in Daura, Katsina State, intercepted another budding extremist cell affiliated to the ISIS.

He said, “One Ibrahim Daura, Zaharadeen Salisu and five other elements of the proscribed extremist group, Ansaru, were arrested by the DSS.

“This group was discovered in an active stage as its members were already coordinating themselves for attacks in Katsina and Kano states.”

In the same vein, Opuiyo said that the DSS also made some arrests on January 22, 2016 when it apprehended Obansa Salami, Ejide Tijani aka Abu Uwaise II, Mohammed Rabiu aka Ubida II, Zainab Mohammed and Abdulqadir Ahmad, in Kano while migrating to Libya with their immediate families, including infants – in a bid to join the ISIS.

He said the members of the group were apprehended after a painstaking monitoring of their network and plans.

Also on January 29, 2016 the DSS arrested Mohammed Ndako in Kwara State, Opuiyo said.

Ndako was said to be a 17-year-old undergraduate of a tertiary institution in the Kwara State.

He was said to have been arrested following a report of his plans with one Abdulkadir Salisu Ahmad aka Daddy Tall, who is another student in Kano State, to carry out coordinated attacks on populated targets in Nigeria such as worship centres or recreation centres.

Source: Punch

United Arab Emirates Picks Woman As First Minister For Happiness

A woman will lead the United Arab Emirates' attempt to secure happiness for its citizens after being named the country's first ever minister of state for happiness.

Ohood Al Roumi's appointment to the position was announced on Wednesday via Twitter by Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the prime minister, ruler of Dubai and the vice president of the UAE.

"National happiness isn't a wish. Plans, projects, programmes, indices will inform the work of our ministries to achieve happiness," he wrote on his official Twitter page.

Al Roumi will also continue serving as the director-general of the prime minister's office, a position she currently holds.

Along with her roles in the UAE, the United Nations Foundation selected Al Roumi last year to be a member of its Global Entrepreneurship Council. She is the first Arab member of the body.

Court issues fresh arrest warrant on Tompolo, orders security agents to produce him in court

A Federal High Court sitting in Lagos, has issued a fresh warrant of arrest on former Niger Delta militancy leader, Government Ekpemupolo also known as Tompolo after he failed to appear in court today February 8th to take his plea on a 40-count charge of money laundering and fraud.

At the resumed hearing of the case, the presiding judge, Justice Ibrahim Buba said Tompolo had “refused to honour an invitation for investigation. A new order for his arrest is hereby given,” he said

He then adjourned the case till February 19th and ordered all the relevant security agencies to produce Mr. Ekpemupolo.

Tompolo and former Director General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency, NIMASA, Patrick Akpobolokemi, are accused of a multibillion naira fraud in NIMASA.

Man says he's willing to sue the Nigerian army on behalf of man beaten by Cadets

Did he say one billion dollars? This is about the man who was severely beaten by army cadets in Abuja in 2014. The video of the beating went viral last week. See more after the cut...

Etisalat Sues MTN Over Visafone Acquisition

Etisalat Nigeria has sued MTN Nigeria and Visafone Ltd, challenging MTN’s use of the 800megahertz (MHZ) spectrum following the acquisition of Visafone.

MTN sued the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) over the imposition of N780billion fine on it by the regulator for harbouring some 5.2million pre-registered subscriber identity module (SIM) cards on its network in

violation of extant rules.

Etisalat said it considered the action necessary to prevent the use of the spectrum by MTN at this time, as it will entrench the dominance of MTN in the retail data services market.

“You will recall that MTN Nigeria was declared dominant by the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) in 2013 and remains dominant in the wholesale leased line and retail voice markets.

“The use of the 800MHz spectrum to deploy broadband services ahead of its competitors, particularly those who prior to MTNs purchase of Visafone, held similar spectrum bands as MTN, will further entrench MTN’s

dominance in the Nigerian telecommunications sector,”

Etisalat said in a statement confirmed by its Head of Media, Chineze Amanfo, yesterday.

The telco said it had, in addition to the legal action and in line with Section 86 of the Nigerian Communications Act, 2003, engaged the NCC to understand the basis of its decision to approve the acquisition. “As you are aware, the matter is already in court as such, we are restrained from commenting further on the matter,” the telco added.

Source: The Nation

Man Who Was Battered By Nigerian Cadet Was On Channels TV This Morning...

''The guy that was battered by the cadets was on channels news this morning. In fact he wore the same shirt that he had on in the video. He said the cadet lady was the one that asked him to compliment her by force, only for her to twist it around before her colleagues. ....''

BY BV Sisi Eko

who else watched and can add more to this update?

A Dead Child Is Prayed Back To Life At The Liberation City Church...Again!

On Sunday, February 7, 2016, at the Mountain Miracle and Liberation Ministries, a.k.a Liberation City, a dead child was prayed back to life in a suspense-filled movie-like scenario.

The six-month old child said to have been ill for weeks was brought to the church by her parents for prayers. Unfortunately, the child gave up the ghost as soon as they arrived the church.

Her frantic parents eventually wept and pushed their way through to the podium where the man of God ministered to other people, and he immediately took the child from them and prayed fervently. Then he dropped the child on the altar and commanded her spirit to come back and the child moved!

The congregation exploded in tumultuous praise as the child continued to move and even later drank some water!

In August of last year as well, the same scenario played out in Kogi State, at the Chris Okafor World Outreach Ministries Crusade venue, in Lokoja. God used Dr Okafor to bring the child in question back to life!

By the grace of God, Dr. Chris Okafor is known for accurate prophecies and the unusual ability to proffer solution in every occasion.

WOW!!...Praise God!

SEE The Indian Girl Who Has Had One Thousand Giant Ants Removed From Her Ears

This is the 12-year-old girl who has had more than 1,000 giant ants removed from her ears after doctors find them nesting in her drum canal. Shreya Darji, from Deesa, in Gujarat, western India, has around ten live ants crawl out of her ears daily, her parents say. Shreya’s problem first started as an irritation in her ear in August last year, and when she visited her local hospital, doctors found the ants inside her ear canal.

So far, doctors have removed hundreds of ants, but despite trying ‘everything’ the problem persists and the ants continue to breed.  A video filmed with an endoscopic camera shows a doctor removing what appears to be dead ants from her ear. Her desperate parents say they have tried everything, from traditional medical aids to witch doctors, but the ants keep emerging from her ears. Dr Jawahar Talsania, 58, senior Ear, Nose and Throat (ENT) surgeon, in Gujarat, said: ‘We have conducted all possible scans on the child including an MRI and CT scan but they are all normal. We cannot find any abnormality in her ears.

‘She doesn’t experience any kind of pain – despite the ants biting her – and no damage has been found to the eardrums.

‘The family live a normal life and they have a healthy environment so we can’t even blame their living conditions. We’ve not seen anything like this in our medical history.’ Dr Jawahar explained that he has tried to even suffocate the ants with drops but they continue to breed. ‘We don’t believe the ants are laying eggs inside the ear as we’ve not spotted a queen ant inside. We are completely perplexed,’ he said, adding he has already used a camera inside the ear to check for an egg chamber.

Daily Mail

Prince Odi Okojie answers questions on his political ambition

Mercy Johnson's husband speaks on his political ambition. Read below...

Since the news hit the media that Edo State youth have resolved to have one of their own to represent them in the upcoming governorship election in Edo State and have called on me to come and represent them, I have been inundated by calls, messages, volunteers making themselves freely available, and independently sponsored publicity all encouraging me to come out (since my party in their wisdom, have zoned the deputy governorship ticket to my senatorial district- Edo central) and answer this call to serve my land and my people.

However, in the midst of this gazillion support and encouragement, a few persons mostly out of concern have wondered audibly “why would a vibrant and young man border to waste his time and money in politics?”

In response to this and many other questions – some I have privately answer- and because of those who don’t have the privilege of access to me, I have decided to provide these public answers:

“Why waste time and resources in politics?”

The vastness of the REAL CHANGE that is needed in my State and the energy it requires is too huge for the shoulders of old men alone. Most civilized nations know this and it is reflected in the ageof those who now lead them. If the youth does not have the audacity to step up and take their own responsibility, we will still be a third world 100 years from now. Our problem as a nation is that we have been led by the DREAM of the old generation whereas the VISION of the young has been missing. The VISION of how a state or a nation should be, lies with the youth and even the Bible clearly stated this - old men dream dreams, young me see vision. I am persuaded that my time and in fact my life would have been well spent if I succeed in channeling a new VISION for my beloved state and that is why I term it the audacity of hope.

“Why will a husband of a beautiful and successful actress want to contest?”

(Laughed) I am grateful for the life and family God has given me. Grateful for who my wife is and grateful to God that we are going to have many beautiful years ahead together. However, there are thousands of families out there where one square meal a day is a miracle. I have found out that no matter how much I and my wife give out, it is never just enough to cover everyone we would have loved to help. This is one of the reasons I accepted the call to serve because I believed there must be a better way to reach everybody and help them to help themselves.

“A concerned family member is worried for my safety?”

Even outside of politics, life is a risk. Even in the United States you see how people die now and then from gun shots. We cannot afford to continue living in fear and limit ourselves because of fear for our lives. Every time we step out of our homes, we take risk, politics is one of those risks as well.

“Another family friend is worried about the ‘insult’ I will get online and many are genuinely worried about what will happen if I don’t get my party’s nomination. And few of my wife’s online followers are concerned she might also be insulted or embarrassed?”

Greatness does not come without its own challenges. A child that is afraid to fall will never walk. Even my wife records the number of time she failed before the humble success she has now. Those who care enough about pursuing their vision have no time to consider ‘insult’ from the many ‘anonymous’ who hide behind phone or computer screen. My only question was whether it was a noble cause. And after consulting with wife (because she will be affected by my decision) and relevant stake holders, I decided to answer the call. Mind you, my personal resources are like a drop in the ocean in attempt to set off some youth to stand on their own. We must now use our common wealth for our common good.

ON THE YOUTHS OF EDO STATE

The youth constitute about 70% of the population of my State. We cannot continue to disenfranchise such huge mass in the administration of our state. The state belongs to them, virtually every political promise is made to the youth – jobs, economy revamp, education, etc., it is only logical to let them be a part of the class that will provide their own solution. You can’t claim to know how a shoe pitches when you are not in the shoe. I clearly identify with the call of the youth to have one of their own to represent them. And I will be ceasing the initiative.

We have to put energy and life back to our party and tell the teaming youth of the state why they should follow us again. And let them know that in us they will have access to their leaders because one of them is there. And these and many more reasons are the substratum on which my ‘Audacity of Hope’ is founded.

REACHING ME

In a matter of days, we shall open up channels to reach me online, but for now I can be reached via my Facebook Page.

Other channels shall be announced next week.

What an amazing transformation! Pastor rescues and rehabilitates a violent mad man (photos)

A Zimbabwean man of God, Prophet Walter Magaya won the hearts of many after he rescued a once violent mad man. Mkoma Garikai who has since regained his sanity and memory was brought to the church where he was delivered, cleaned up and rehabilitated. See the photos after the cut...

A statement by the Church said: "He has regained his memory to last episode when he was still sane and is giving out details of his life as he is still making coversation with the Servant of God. Prphet W. Magaya" Prophet Magaya also plans on buying him a house.