Three suspected fraudsters arrested in Kebbi

The Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), in Kebbi, on Friday, arrested three suspected fraudsters, who specialized in defrauding public along Kangiwa – Niger Republic border in Kangiwa Local Government Area of the state.

The Public Relations Officer of the corps, DSP, Bamaiyi Ribah, made this known to newsmen in Birnin Kebbi on Friday.

He said that the incident happened in Amogoro market in Kangiwa Local government area on Nov. 28.

“There was an incident that happened in a market called Amogoro, in Kangiwa LGA, where three suspected fraudsters who specialized in defrauding public along Kangiwa to Niger Republic border.

“The suspects were nabbed after a message had been sent across agencies that one Abubakar Dan-Rabi, from Bunza Local Government Area of the state had been defrauded by a syndicate of fraudsters.

“Luck run out of them and they were apprehended by the Anti- Vandal Scout heads by DC, Sani Anaruwa, of the NSCDC after they carted away with over N300,000 plus from the victim,” NAN quoted him as saying.

Ribah added that the suspects would be taken to court with charges of fraudulent activities and dealings in fake currency.

“The suspects are: Aliyu Abbas, Babangida Shuaibu and Khalil Adamu,all between 40 and 45 years of age; two are from Funtua Local Government Area in Katsina State while Adamu is from Adamawa State but living in Funtua LGA,” Ribah said.

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Ljungberg Takes Over Arsenal, As Emery sacked

Arsenal have confirmed the sacking of head coach Unai Emery after 18 months at the helm and have placed assistant Freddie Ljungberg in charge on a temporary basis.

Emery took over from the long-serving Arsene Wenger in May 2018 and went on to lead the Gunners to the Europa League final last term, ultimately losing out to Premier League rivals  Chelsea .

Fortune hasn’t the favoured the Gunners of late, however, with the club sitting eighth in the English top-flight and they are now without a win in seven matches in all competitions, forcing the board’s hand to make a change in the dugout following Thursday’s 2-1 home defeat by Eintracht Frankfurt

A report by the club’s official website  word “We announce today that the decision has been taken to part company with our head coach Unai Emery and his coaching team.

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Emery sacked by Arsenal

Reaction and analysis as Unai Emery is sacked as Arsenal head coach.

Arsenal goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez has apologised to Unai Emery and says the players are to blame for his departure.

Club director Josh Kroenke said: “Our most sincere thanks go to Unai and his colleagues who were unrelenting in their efforts to get the club back to competing at the level we all expect and demand. We wish Unai and his team nothing but future success.”

Man falls onto train tracks while looking at his phone

A man who was distracted by his phone fell onto train tracks in Buenos Aires.

The unnamed Argentinian man, 49, didn’t notice he was nearing the edge of the train platform because he was engrossed in his phone on November 13. He fell directly onto the tracks.

Fortunately for him, passers by came to his rescue and pulled him back onto the platform, where he was given help by emergency services.

It happened on the Aguero stop of the D line in Buenos Aires. He was wearing an orthopedic brace when he fell onto the rail tracks. The man refused to be taken to the hospital for medical evaluation.

The police released the video to warn mobile phone users to be more careful.

Watch the video via: 

https://youtu.be/tG2EUjn5gas

Offa Poly fresh graduates killed in accident while on their way for NYSC orientation camp

A tragic incident occurred yesterday November 28 along Kano road as some graduates of the Federal Polytechnic Offa, Kwara State died in a horrific car accident. 

The fresh graduates were reportedly on their way to participate in the National Youth Service Corps orientation exercise when the sad incident occurred. Some victims of the accident have been confirmed dead while others are critically injured. 

Facebook user Baiyeri Oluwafemi who shared a photo from the accident scene wrote; 

Graduands of Offa Poly posted to Kano for NYSC involved in an accident. Some in Coma, some dead. May those dead rest in peace and may God grant those in coma a speedy recovery

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What You Need to Know about the movie: MAJEMU EGBON

The movie Majemu Egbon is a suspense filled 2019/2020 Nollywood movie by the popular London based life coach, Titi Aboyade Cole.

Majemu Egbon (Sister's Convenant) is set to hit the screen tomorrow 29th November, 2019, in London.

The movie which featured veteran Nollywood stars like: Antar Laniyan, Saidi Balogun, Ayo Adesanya, Regina Chukwu, Arike Adeyanju, Osmond Gbadebo and introducing Layiwola Onabanjo.

The movie which references the Nigerian parents especially the role a mother plays within the family.

The movie focused on a boy spoilt by his mum against the father’s advice.

He was brought home from diaspora with the hope of calming things down for him.

The spice came when his sister made a covenant that turned things around for all.

A Podium Films Production, written and produced by Titilola Aboyade-Cole

Drug abuse: FCT resident doctors take campaign to Wuse market

Resident doctors in Federal Capital Territory (FCT) have  embarked on campaign at Wuse market, Abuja, to educate traders and shoppers on the dangers of drug abuse.

The campaign was led by Dr Roland Aigbovo, the President, Association of Resident Doctors, FCT, as part of activities to mark the association’s Health Week.

He said that many people resort to substance abuse to ease off stress, adding that “people now take refuge in drugs to cover up stress, believing that once someone is high, he or she will forget their problems.

According to him, global burden of mental health disorder is projected to reach 15 per cent by the year 2020.

“This had resulted in suicide, a lot of people had taken their lives as a result of drug abuse.

“You will agree with me that suicide is alien to African culture, we are not used to taking our lives no matter the stress, unfortunately, things are changing.

“The medical profession is not left out of this menace because this year alone, between January and June, close to four doctors took their lives.

“If those that have been trained to provide people with healthcare become patients to the extent of taking their lives, it is a source of huge concern.”

He said that the residents doctors embarked on the campaign to draw government and public attention to mental health issues. (NAN)

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Knocks for hate-speech as activists march on Assembly

The Senate will not stand down the Hate-Speech bill and the Social Media bill in spite of mounting opposition against them.

Lawmakers would have the opportunity of the public hearing to express their reservations.

They promised that the interest of Nigerians will be taken into consideration in passing the bills.

On Wednesday, a group of protesters at the National Assembly told the ninth Senate to “shut down” the “obnoxious bills”.

Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), elder statesman Chief Afe Babalola and John Cardinal Onaiyekan also took hard position against the bills.

The regulation of social media bill titled: “A Bill for an Act to make provisions for the protection from internet falsehood and manipulations and for related matters, 2019,” sponsored by Senator Mohammed Sani Musa (Niger East), has scaled second reading in Senate.

The anti-hate-speech bill titled: “National Commission for the Prohibition of Hate Speeches (Establishment, etc) Bill, 2019”, sponsored by Senate Deputy Chief Whip Aliyu Sabi Abdullahi, initially listed death by hanging for offenders.

But the senator has said that the clause would be expunged before further consideration of the bill.

Two senators – Uba Sani and Oseni Yakubu – addressed the Coalition of Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) protesters on behalf of Senate President Ahmed Lawan.

They assured that bills would not be passed should they be rejected by Nigerians at the public hearing.

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Lagos to register churches, mosques in 2020, give reasons

The Lagos State Government says plans are on to register religious houses in 2020, to ensure sanity in the state.

The Commissioner, Ministry of Home Affairs, Mrs Uzamat Akinbile-Yussuf, made this known on Tuesday in Alausa, Ikeja, during a Stakeholders Meeting with the Nigeria Inter-religious Council (NIREC).

She said that having a database of all religious bodies in the state would enable ease of reference, as well as ensure effective communication.

“We need to know our number, then we can know what we need, we can know where we belong, we can know what we are doing.

“So, we are coming up with the registration forms and we need your cooperation as religious bodies that represent us at the local government level.

“We will ensure that we have it on a platform that will be automated, then you can do it anywhere, it is not compulsory that you come to Alausa for the registration,” the commissioner said.

She said that once the platform was ready, religious bodies would be trained on how to use it for registration and at no cost.

Akinbile-Yussuf explained that the purpose was to have easy access to Churches and Mosques in order for them to benefit from government programmes.

She said that the Ministry of Home Affairs would collaborate with the Ministry of the Environment and Water Resources through the Lagos State Environmental Protection Agency (LASEPA), to eradicate noise pollution emanating from places of worship.

The official noted that Lagos could only be a 21st Century economy if there was a good environment devoid of noise pollution.

“We want to charge NIREC officials to ensure that they promote good environment by addressing all complaints by communities over noise pollution,” she said.

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Bobrisky will be incurably sick if he doesn’t change his ways – Rivers Prophetess Warns, Drops Prophecy

A Rivers state prophetess, Dr Blessing Chidinma Prince has warned Bobrisky to change his ways, claiming she has a message from God for him.

According to her, if Bobrisky does not change his ways, he will be visited with an incurable sickness.

The prophetess made this known on Facebook, warning her prophecy on Buhari winning the election came to pass, and so people that know Bob should take this seriously!

“Prophecy! Prophecy!! Prophecy!!! That was how I got a message from God during the 2018 election, many hated me because of that, but at last it came to pass. Any person that can reach Bobrisky should tell him the Lord is asking him to repent and change from his abominable ways, else sooner than later he would be incurablly sick. Thus says the Lord from Prophetess Dr Blessing Chidinma Prince, Mummy B Oyigbo Rivers State Nigeria.

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Impeachment: 16 PDP lawmakers pass vote of confidence on Dickson

At least 16 out of the 19 members of the Bayelsa State House of Assembly elected on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) have passed a vote of confidence in the state Governor, Seriake Dickson.

The PDP lawmakers, who dominate the House, were said to have met the governor at the Government House Yenagoa to reaffirm their loyalty to him following an alleged move by the House to begin impeachment proceedings against the governor.

The 16 PDP lawmakers, who reportedly met behind closed doors with Dickson, dispelled the impeachment reports and said they were solidly behind the governor.

It was learnt that PDP lawmakers, who were absent at the meeting, were members representing Southern Ijaw Constitution 1, Felix Bonny Ayah; Ogbia Constituency 1, Mitema Obordor and Ekeremor Constituency 3, Michael Ogbere.

The Speaker of the House, Monday Obolo-Bobou, who led the lawmakers to the meeting said that the Assembly had enjoyed unbroken stability and cohesion for almost eight years under the leadership of Dickson.

The Speaker also denied speculation that some members were planning to defect from the PDP to other political parties.

He said the House of Assembly had robust partnership for almost eight years working with the executive arm of government led by Dickson in the development of the state.

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15,000 to watch Joshua, Ruiz bout

The purpose-built venue for Anthony Joshua’s rematch with Andy Ruiz Jr in Saudi Arabia is close to completion.

Work on the 15,000-seat Diriyah Arena only began two months before the fight, which is on December 7.

Briton Joshua is seeking to regain the WBA, IBF and WBO heavyweight titles after June’s shock defeat by Ruiz in New York.

“The arena and site are utterly breathtaking. We can’t wait,” said promoter Eddie Hearn.

Joshua visited the venue after landing in Saudi Arabia on Saturday.

The Diriyah Arena was built by 175 staff and incorporates 295 tonnes of steel. It will take a month to deconstruct after the bout, with 95 percent of the material being reused to stage other events. Saudi Arabia was chosen to host the match ahead of rival proposals from Cardiff’s Principality Stadium and Dubai. The country hosted British boxer Amir Khan’s win over Billy Dib in July and Callum Smith’s success over George Groves in the World Boxing Super Series final in September 2018.

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Battle against Meningitis

In August 12, Nigeria introduced the Meningitis “A” Conjugate Vaccine into the routine Expanded Programme on Immunisation (EPI) schedule. Findings revealed that Meningitis ‘A’ remains a major global challenge and 25 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) fall within the meningitis belt; putting 26 percent of the Nigerian population at risk. According to a research conducted in April, 2017 which is in the public domain, findings also showed that reported cases of Meningitis is 32, and of that number, 12 people had died.

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Abuja: FCTA lists areas keke operators must avoid

The FCT Administration says it has begun the enforcement of restriction of tricycle operations within the federal capital city.

The Chief Press Secretary to the FCT Minister, Anthony Ogunleye, in a statement on Monday in Abuja said the enforcement teams comprising of various security agencies had been stationed at strategic locations to enforce the restrictions.

“The Federal Capital Territory Administration wishes to inform the public particularly operators and riders of tricycles popularly known as Keke Napep, that under the road traffic regulations of the FCT, they are not permitted to ride on the Abuja City Center expressways,” the statement said.

He mentioned the expressways to include Ahmadu Bello Way, Nnamdi Azikiwe Expressway, Yakubu Gowon Crescent, Abdulsalami Abubakar Way, Obafemi Awolowo Way, Oladipo Diya Way and other major roads in the city.

“However, they are allowed to operate in the Area Councils and Satellite Towns such as Nyanya, Kurudu, Orozo, Karshi, Bwari, Kubwa, Lugbe, Gwagwalada, Kwali, Abaji as well as inside the estates within the city.

“The Keke operators are therefore advised to limit their operations to areas where they are restricted to and avoid areas where they are not allowed to operate.

“Security agencies have been directed to arrest and impound all violators of this restriction order,” he said.

Mr Ogunleye said the restriction of tricycle operations within the FCC was a component of the Safe, Functional and Efficient Traffic Management Policy of the FCTA recently launched by the FCT Minister, Muhammad Musa Bello.

Read more at https://www.sagagist.com.ng/2019/11/abuja-fcta-lists-areas-keke-operators.html#Bib9yDXlFY25eALE.99

PRESIDENT TRUMP TO PARDON TWO TURKEYS

A pair of turkeys named Bread and Butter, that will be pardoned by President Donald Trump, were checked into their room at the Willard Intercontinental Hotel in Washington, DC on Monday night, while awaiting the ceremony later this week ahead of the Thanksgiving holiday.

According to wiki, traditionally, the President of the United States is presented with a live domestic turkey by the National Turkey Federation, usually males of the Broad Breasted White variety.

The early years also included a joint presentation with the Poultry and Egg National Board.

The ceremony dates back to the 1940s, with presidents occasionally sparing the bird presented to them.

During the Presidency of George H. W. Bush, it became a tradition for the president to issue a mock “pardon” to the turkey, sparing the turkey’s life.

This year’s Thanksgiving holds on Thursday, November 28.

See the AFP photos by Saul Loeb

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Newspaper Headlines

Make social media firms accountable, group tells NAssembly

Experts to examine role of digital payments in AfCFTA

ICTs contribution to GDP rises to 11.34%

N1tn constituency projects: Probe not a witch-hunt, says ICPC

The First Ladys problematic speech: A few take-aways

Reps demand 50% of elective positions for women

APC to review Dicksons appointments in Bayelsa

Kogi/Bayelsa: Party chairmen indict security agencies

Yari protests non-payment of N10m monthly allowance

I inherited a state in ruins, says Ihedioha

UNABUJA VC to deliver UNILORIN alumni lecture

Ekiti varsity VC seeks adequate funding for education sector

Stakeholders seek end to child marriage, abuse

Inadequate facility causing Kano high maternal mortality

Beach Soccer WCup: Whipping boys Nigeria face Brazil

Fans kick against LMCs pardon for Ali, Julius

Lottery can become Nigerias cash cow, says minister

Diaspora remittance

Letter to the Senate President

LASG promises increased budget for health sector

AAU honours Ighalo, Bash Ali

Solving Nigerias housing deficit

Im Africas best keeper, boasts Nnadozie

Money laundering: Court adjourns trial of Lebanese, accomplice

Nigerian children learning under trees

Management of low blood levels

Conservationists raise the alarm over Okomu park

Digital culture or digital economy

You have verbal diarrhea – Dino Melaye slams Adams Oshiomhole

Senator Dino Melaye has responded to the All Progressives Congress, Adams Oshiomhole claim of him and other lawmakers who decamped to the People's Democratic Party (PDP) alongside former Senate President Bukola Saraki being punished by the electorates for being disloyal. 

The PDP's Senatorial candidate who slammed Oshiomhole for saying he is 20,000 feet below ground level and may not win the rerun election for Kogi West Senatorial district, stated that the former Governor of Edo state is suffering from “verbal diarrhoea" and cannot determine the outcome of the supplementary election to be conducted by the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC. 

Dino Melaye who got featured on Channels Television said “The verbal diarrhea by the Chairman of APC boasting that 16 of us left the APC and I am the only one standing and in a matter of days, he said I will leave the Senate; I want to say that is human verdict but there is a God verdict. “My seat will not be vacant, I will continue to be a senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria by the grace of God in the next four years. “I won that election and we have our pink copies of all our unit results. These have been tabulated and clearly, I won that election and Smart Adeyemi, in his good conscience, knows that I won that election.” 

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Police rescue three children from child stealing syndicate in Anambra state and reunite two with their parents

Police detectives in Anambra state have rescued three children from a child-stealing syndicate in Anambra state and two female suspects who run the illegal trade have been arrested.

Recall that on Friday, November 22, at about 1:30pm, following intelligence report, police detectives in Anambra State arrested two female suspects at Nkpor in Idemili North LGA of the State.

Preliminary investigation by Police detectives attached to Otoucha Division revealed that two of the children were allegedly stolen from Enuguwu Aguleri in Anambra East LGA by one Ani Chisom, a female aged 28 years, from Amuri in Nkanu-East LGA of Enugu State, and Afamefuna Udodili, a 32-year-old woman from Orodo in mbaitolu LGA of Imo State.

The Anambra State Police Command made a public announcement following their discovery and parents of the two kids from Enugu Aguleri came and identified their daughters.They also revealed their real names as Confidence Ejike, aged 5 years, and Blessing Ejike, aged 7 months old.

The case is under investigation after which the suspects will be charged to court, SP Haruna Mohammed, PPRO Anambra State Police Command, revealed in a statement.

The Commissioner of Police CP John B.Abang,  has urged parents and guardians to monitor their children and caution them against following strangers.The CP further enjoined the public to report any suspicious persons to the nearest Police Station or call Police emergency number 07039194332 for prompt action.

Horrible state of Government Girls Science College in Niger state (photo)

Photos shared online have drawn attention to the shocking state of Government Girls Science College, Agaie, in Niger state.

The girls' only college is in such a state of ruin that people are wondering how the students are able to cope under such conditions and still be expected to do well academically.

The photos show the sad state of the hostel where the girls sleep. The roof is already caving in, leaving parts of the dormitory open to the elements.

The rooms are in such a bad state that students have to strategically place buckets to catch rainwater that drops into the dormitory from the leaking roof.

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Reps okay compulsory genotype test for intending couples

The House of Representatives has okayed compulsory genotype tests for intending couples as part of measures to prevent sickle cell disease.

The House charged government registries, churches and mosques with demanding the tests before joining persons as husband and wife.

This is part of the resolutions passed by the lawmakers at the plenary on Thursday when they unanimously adopted a motion moved by Mr Umar Sarki, titled ‘Call on the Federal Ministry of Health to develop an efficient system for management of sickle cell disease in Nigeria.’

Adopting the motion, the House called on the Federal Ministry of Health to introduce free and compulsory new-born screening programme, which will include screening for sickle cell disease in all hospitals in Nigeria

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No going back on social media regulation, says FG

The Federal Government says it will not rescind its decision to regulate social media.

The Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed, said this on Thursday during a courtesy call on him by the Guild of Corporate Online Publishers in Abuja.

Mohammed said, “Let me say, straight on, that the intense debate  that has been generated by our announcement is a welcome development.

“The fear of stifling free speech or muzzling the media is totally unfounded. We have no such plan. As we speak, people are on the social media criticizing the administration. We have no problem with that.

“But our concern has to do with the abuse of the social media by those who are bent on spreading fake news and hate speech, and the dangers inherent in that for our national peace and unity. No responsible government will sit by and allow fake news and hate speech to dominate its media space because of the capacity of this menace to exploit our national fault lines to set us against each other and trigger a national conflagration.”

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Ronaldo’s ‘hairstylist’ stabbed to death

A celebrity hairstylist identified as Cristiano Ronaldo’s crimper has been stabbed to death in a Swiss hotel room.

Ricardo Marques Ferreira has been named as the murder victim whose body was found by a cleaner at a business hotel in Zurich’s Albisrieden neighbourhood on Friday.

Portugal’s leading tabloid Correio da Manha on Sunday linked him to the former Real Madrid and Man United star, describing him as “Cristiano Ronaldo ’s hairstylist.”

Woman reveals the shocking thing she found in her zobo drink after drinking it

A woman took to Twitter to share photos of what she found in her bottle of zobo drink after she was done drinking it.  @ibidunnonso found a wall gecko inside her zobo drink but it was too late at the time because she had consumed all of it before she noticed the reptile.

Sharing the photo of the gecko in the empty container of zobo, the twitter user wrote: "So today I legit drank my zobo till this point then I saw a wall gecko in my drink Pleaseeeeeee guys learn to check what you are drinking, pour it into a transparent cup before drinking. Please stay safe." #podiuminternational #podiumradiotv #podiumgist #podiumblog

Payment of minimum wage non-negotiable – labour tells governors

Twitter user @SheLovesrtemis this morning shared the disturbing story of an 18-year-old girl who was allegedly gang-raped in Ikotun, a densely populated suburb in Lagos state. According to the twitter user, the victim has been quiet since the unfortunate incident. She is seeking for advice on how to handle the incident so the culprits can be brought to book. 

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Payment of minimum wage non-negotiable – labour tells governors

The organised labour has sent a note of warning to governors, saying that there is no excuse for any of the states to refuse payment of minimum wage.

Mr Emmanuel Ugboaja, General-Secretary of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), made this known while fielding questions from journalists on Sunday in Lagos.

He said some of the leaders “ride in private jet, so they can pay.” Ugboaja also appealed to state Houses of Assembly to identify with workers by compelling governors to pay the new minimum wage.

The Nigeria Governors’ Forum had said that the state governors would not pay beyond their individual capacities.

However, the NLC scribe insisted that there was no basis for the governors to complain about payment of the N30,000 minimum wage.

He said: “It is criminal to say you cannot pay the new minimum wage. “Some of these leaders ride in private jet, so they can pay.’’ He said that the organised labour was in support of the return of the Labour Advisory Council, which would help to mediate between government and workers.

He urged the Federal Government to take action against employers who would not pay the new wage.

President Muhammadu Buhari signed the N30,000 minimum wage law on April 18. After that, labour and the government debated heavily on the consequential adjustment on workers’ salaries.

On Oct. 18, both parties agreed on 23.2 percentage increase for workers on grade level 07 and 20 percent for those on grade level 08, while 19 percent would be received by workers on grade level 09, sixteen percent for those from levels 10 to 14 and 14 percent for grade levels 15 to 17.

Boko Haram scare: Don’t dare to invade South-West, OPC, Agbekoya warn sect

Some Yoruba socio-political groups comprising Afenifere, Agbekoya and the Oodua Peoples Congress on Saturday warned the violent sect, Boko Haram, to reconsider its alleged plan to attack Yorubaland.

Their warning came on the heels of a viral letter stating that Boko Haram members planned to attack commercial banks in Ondo State; one of the six states in the South-West, on November 1.

Evil spirits have made the government house in Anambra State their abode - Governor Obiano

Prof. Solo Chukwubelu, secretary to the Anambra state government, who spoke on behalf of Governor Willie Obiano at an Anglican Prayer rally in the capital, said evil spirits have made the government house in Awka their abode.

He did not indicate which rooms they occupy, but pleaded with Bishop of Ogbaru, Rev. Prosper Amah, who presided over the Prayer Rally to pray for the ejection of the evil spirits permanently, to allow government focus in providing service to the people. “In the government House, the evil spirits come and go. We urge the church to pray hard to let them leave the government for good” Chukwubelu said. 

The prayer rally with the theme “The Righteous shall Flourish like Palm Tree”, was held at the Dr. Alex Ekwueme Square, under the auspices of the Province of the Niger, Anglican Prayer Rally of Anambra State (APRAS) 2019. 

Rev. Amah, in his sermon had said there are evil spirits in the society and also in the Government House, that come and go. However, the Archbishop, Province of Niger and Bishop, Dioceses of Awka, the Most Rev. Alexander Ibezim, put the evil spirits in human garb and declared that the evil spirits in the Government House are actually human beings. 

He urged the governor to deal decisively with them to leave the State House. “The government should fight evil spirits in the State house, while the church will fight those outside the Government House,” he said.

Commercial Bus currently on Fire at Cara Bridge (Photos)

President Buhari leaves Saudi Arabia for UK on 2-week private visit

President Buhari on Saturday, November 2nd departed Makkah via Abdulaziz International Airport Jeddah for Unitted Kingdom after he successfully performed the Lesser Hajj.

The Nigerian leader left Makkah for Jeddah at about 1.30pm (local time) while his presidential aircraft took-off for London at exactly 3.05pm. 

President Buhari was accompanied on the Saudi trip by Governors Atiku Bagudu of Kebbi, Prof. Babagana Zulum of Borno and Aminu Masari of Katsina. The governors and other members of the entourage departed Jeddah for Abuja as President Buhari only travelled with very few of his aides to London.

Chinese man born with nine toes undergoes surgery to cut off four of them

21-year-old Chinese man simply known as Ajun has undergone surgery to correct a birth deformity that left him with nine toes on his left foot. 

Smaller digits sprouted out between his normal-sized toes in odd places. And he also lacked a big toe, instead having two smaller toes in a 'v' shape. 

He spent his childhood avoiding any social interaction and was too embarrassed to ask a girl on a date. 

Describing his tough schooldays, Ajun said: 'I stopped wearing sandals outside since my third year of primary school. 

'I've never had a girlfriend because I'm so imperfect. I never thought I'd find anyone who wants to be with me.'

Usually, people born with such deformities have the extra digits surgically removed during childhood but Ajun's superstitious parents did not want him to have the toes removed because a fortune teller told them they were a good omen.

He suffered for so long with the condition because of his parents' stubborn belief that it was a 'gift from the heavens'.  

Ajun said: 'They were superstitious, so they didn't deal with it. They thought if it really looked too bad, I could just cover it with my shoes.'

Ajun was however determined to rid himself of the extra toes once he reached adulthood.

American man murders Nigerian woman he met on dating site because she refused to marry him

Antonio Wilson, a 38-year-old man from Georgia, America, has been arrested for the alleged murder of Fabiola Thomas, 39, because she refused to marry him. 

Thomas' roommate discovered her body in the bathtub at the Atlanta Newtown Apartments and alerted police. She was taken to a hospital, where she was pronounced dead. 

According to local police, Thomas and Wilson met on the dating app, Plenty of Fish. Police spokesman Sean Thompson said the killing was in connection to Thomas rejecting the idea of them getting married. 

A warrant indicates Wilson planned to give Thomas an engagement ring, but Thomas said she didn’t want him coming to her house.

Police could not release any details of how Thomas was murdered, but stated that her body had signs of trauma.

EFCC to prosecute doctors who issue fake medical report to suspects on trial

EFCC says it is set to prosecute medical doctors who issue fake medical reports to those undergoing trial for financial crimes.  

The acting chairman of the commission, Ibrahim Magu, disclosed this, on Friday, during an interactive session with anti-corruption stakeholders and journalists at the EFCC headquarters in Abuja.

Magu also said many of these fake medical reports issued by doctors actually frustrate pending cases in court.

“We will extend our investigation to doctors who gives fake medical reports to individuals who are facing different kinds of corruption cases. so we put them on the spot. Some would win Senate and present serial medical results that they cannot appear in court. Some would be brought to the courtroom on a stretcher”.

”Many of these fake medical reports are actually the reasons why many of our cases in court are overstretched and go on for years endlessly,” Magu explained.

Many corruption cases in recent years have been stalled over alleged ailments suffered by the suspects, many of whom the judges have been forced to grant permission to seek medical treatment, usually overseas.  The judges usually act on medical reports presented in court by the 

EFCC says it is set to prosecute medical doctors who issue fake medical reports to those undergoing trial for financial crimes.  

Bullion vans: Magu shuns question on Tinubu petition

The acting Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, Mr. Ibrahim Magu, on Friday refused to answer a question regarding a petition submitted against All Progressives Congress chieftain, Bola Tinubu.

Magu, who held a press conference in Abuja, had lamented the high rate of corruption in the country especially among the youths who perpetrate internet fraud.

The EFCC boss had also stated that any non-governmental organisations operating in the North-East were being used for money laundering.

CSP Dolapo Badmus weighs in on Naira Maley's statement that "having big booty is better than having a Masters degree"

Chief Superintendent of Police, Dolapo Badmus has weighed in on Naira Marley's controversial statement that "having big booty is better than having a Masters degree".

The rapper made this statement on Twitter.

Reacting to it, CSP Dolapo Badmus wrote: 

So having a big body part is now better than having Educational or vocational qualifications?(like seriously?) I still cant get over this! I'm saying it again, we need to restore sanity to our system and stop tolerating public nuisance!

Its mediocracy for anyone to applaud an obviously delinquent and unproductive dead duck (deemed a bad influence) hiding under the guise of making music, obnoxious music for that matter.

My advice to younger ones: let no one confuse you. To have a good body part is great.......but to have educational or vocational qualification is more important! Infact its non negotiable! Your body part cannot give you sustainable existence only good educational or vocational qualification will do...be guided!

#podiuminternational #podiumradiotv #podiumblog #podiumgist 

Nigerian Navy arrests five vandals, recovers 3,400 litres of 'stolen petrol

The Nigerian Navy operatives attached to the Forward Operating Base (FOB) on Thursday, October 31st arrested five suspected pipeline vandals with 136 jerry cans laden with Premium Motor Spirit (PMS).  

The suspects; Oseni Noah, Toyin Hunsa, Rasheed Amish, Kamoru Ishau and Ibrahim Ojogbele, were arrested and handed over to officials of the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC). They were nabbed along Badagry creeks by naval personnel attached to the FOB, Badagry, while they were conveying the suspected stolen products on a wooden boat towards Benin Republic.

The Commander FOB Badagry, Capt. Tamuno Senibo, said that the suspects were intercepted by a navy boat on routine patrol. He said that the boat has 136 jerry cans of 25 litres capacity of suspected PMS.

“The estimated volume of this product is about 3,400 litres, while the boat and out board engines remained seized. It is believed that the product was stolen from one of NNPC pipelines that runs from Atlas Cove, in Apapa to Ejigbo and Mosimi depots in Lagos and Ogun States.

“It is very important to state that the Atlas Cove is very strategic to the country for its refined reception of petroleum product and distribution to other NNPC depots in Ore, Shagamu and within the western part of the country. Consequently, the facility has become very attractive to vandals who go there to steal the product and pirates alike,’’ he said.

He said the arrest represented a very important achievement of the navy’s constitutional mandate and a set back to the logistic requirements of the criminals.

“The Base will continue to dominate the nation’s waterways in order to prevent the theft of our common wealth. The product is believed to have been collected from a vandalised pipeline. The suspects will be handed over to officials of NSCDC for custody and further investigation,’’ he added.

The Assistant Superintendent, NSCDC, Anyebe Benjamin, commended the navy for its effort in combating crime around the country’s waterways.  He also commended the navy for its sustained war against vandals, and also assured that thorough investigation would be conducted and appropriate actions taken.