Welcome to Marlex's Blog: Manufacturing will grow if power sector reforms succeed – SIMS bosson

Welcome to Marlex's Blog: Manufacturing will grow if power sector reforms succeed – SIMS bosson

Okorocha advocates power devolutionon

November 10, 2014 By Chidi Nkwopara, Owerri GOVERNOR Rochas Okorocha of Imo State, weekend, advocated for what he termed “systematic devolution of power in Nigeria where the enormous power at the centre is decentralized to the state and local governments.” Okorocha, who spoke in Owerri, while addressing board members of the Nigerian Media Merit Award, NMMA, contended that it would help to create sustainable economic development at the grassroots. According to him, devolution of power was the solution to the alarming poverty in Nigeria, noting that the country’s political authority was highly concentrated on an individual solely determining the survival or death of millions of Nigerians.

Manufacturing will grow if power sector reforms succeed – SIMS bosson

November 10, 2014 By CHIOMA OBINNA As manufacturing companies in Nigeria continued to face challenges of poor power supply, the Managing Director and Chief Executive of SIMS Nigeria Limited, Chief Simeon Eyisi, has said that manufacturing will explode if the power sector reform agenda of President Goodluck Jonathan succeed. Eyisi in a chat shortly after the official opening of Samsung Premium Brand Shop in Lekki, Lagos posited that there are thousands of good reasons why high cost of electricity should fall drastically in the country. Eyisi who lamented the numerous challenges faced by manufacturing companies due to poor power supply said: “As with most enterprises operating in Nigeria, SIMS is bedevilled by the challenges in the environment, particularly epileptic power supply that compels companies to rely on diesel generators and the exorbitant cost of funds from the banks. He further noted that customs duty regime does not favour local assembly of products from CKD (completely knocked down) parts as against fully built units imported in ready-to-use format. Noting that current duty on CKDs was between 5 – 10 percent; Eyisi argued that if the government could increase this substantially, it would make more sense and encourage more local production of goods being imported at present. The immediate benefit if this, he said, will be increase in employment opportunities which will reduce social problems associated with unemployment. “The high rate of interest charged by banks on funds they extend to businesses is another major headache that has become a migraine that hamstrings the operations of the companies and discourages new investments. “Our two major challenges are energy and high interest rates. You cannot run manufacturing enterprise without electricity that is affordable. But we know that public power supply in Nigeria is a big headache. We have had to depend on running huge diesel generators to be able to produce. This makes the cost of production quite high and affects profitability. It does not allow companies here to compete with organisations that get funds at a cheaper rate. “When we borrow at 18 percent from the banks, you know that you cannot compete with someone who got facilities at single digit rate like 9 percent. If the government could look into this, it will help manufacturers greatly. That is one thing the Federal Government and the Bank of Industry should critically look at and ameliorate the burden of manufacturers.

Lagos plans mass protest over voter’s card distributionon

November 10, 2014 ifford Ndujihe, Olasunkanmi Akoni, Dapo Akinrefon, Charles Kumolu & Gbenga Oke LAGOS—FOR the third day running, the polity was awash with complaints over the unending hitches trailing the distribution of Permanent Voters Cards (PVCs) by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in some states of the country especially in Lagos. The main opposition All Progressives Congress (APC) and its National Leader, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, threatened to embark on a mass protest against what they called INEC’s “deliberate” plan to rig 2015 general polls for the presidency. The hiccups elicited mixed feelings from some prominent Nigerians. While many chided the electoral umpire for shoddy handling of the exercise, others said the commission was trying all it could to make the process better. Residents of Sebiotimo street, Agege, checking for their Permanent Voters Cards at ward 5, Agage Local Government in, Lagos state, yesterday [08-11-14]. Photo: Bunmi Azeez To cover lost grounds, Lagos INEC Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), Dr Adekunle Ogunmola, told Vanguard, the exercise will continue in the 11 local councils which cards are available today. In the 11 councils, he said there are 4611 polling units. And of this figure, he said 1072 polling units have severe problems. He advised those who could not find their names in the register to come out for the Continuous Voters Registration exercise on Wednesday. For the remaining nine local councils, which have 3861 polling units, the cards will be distributed between November 28 and 30. In these councils, he said 731 units have serious problems and the CVR will hold between December 3 and 8. According to him, INEC is making efforts to ensure that all eligible voters get their PVCs. Hitches are deliberate –Tinubu Senator Tinubu, who doubted INEC’s sincerity described the exercise as a “failure,” because field reports, personal experiences and observations from different parts of Lagos showed that the exercise “has failed and is unacceptable.” His words: “INEC is responsible for awarding contracts for the production of the cards to whomever. Do not forget that in 2011 we sympathized with the cry of (Professor Attahiru) Jega, apologizing to Nigerians on the presidential election result that was aborted because they failed to bring materials on time. Now they have enough time for four years to have learnt their lessons. This is deliberate as far as I and APC are concerned. Just as we merged to form a formidable opposition party, they (INEC) have merged with Jonathan to form a formidable rigging body.” Tinubu who vowed that the party would resist all plans by the presidency through INEC to disenfranchise the electorate, said the party would soon take to the streets to condemn the exercise and demand for a proper distribution exercise. It’s programmed to rig in PDP – APC Speaking in like manner, the APC alleged that the process was intentionally programmed to fail in order to disenfranchise voters in the 12 states with the highest number of voters. In a statement issued in Lagos, yesterday, by its National Publicity Secretary, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, the party said the fact that most of the 12 states in which the process has been largely botched in the past three days have the highest number of voters and are under the control of the APC point to a clear collusion between INEC and the (Peoples Democratic Party) PDP. It said most registered voters were unable to collect their PVCs because INEC engaged in a programmed incompetence to swing the elections in favour of the PDP, in what is a clear case of rigging at source. “There is no doubt that this programmed incompetence has emanated from just one source, the ICT unit of INEC, with the intent of sabotaging the PVC distribution process in key states, hence we are calling on INEC Chairman Attahiru Jega to institute an internal inquiry into the botched exercise with a view to fishing out the fifth columnists who are behind the sabotage, and meting out the necessary punishment to them.” The party said it is curious that most of the affected states (Kaduna, Kano, Edo, Plateau, Ogun, Imo, Borno, Rivers, Lagos, Nasarawa, Katsina, Niger) are either opposition strongholds or harbour the highest number of voters. INEC has uncovered APC’s rigging game plan –Lagos PDP Lagos State Chairman of the PDP, Mr Tunji Shelle reacted to the accusation levelled by the APC that INEC was collaborating with the Presidency to rig next year’s election in Lagos, saying: “This is the first time I am seeing the APC complaining, especially the governor. When they were allegedly doing multiple registration, they did not complain. Now that INEC has discovered their game plan by blocking all the loop holes of multiple registration, they are now crying foul. INEC has discovered this but the INEC is not trying to rig the elections neither will the president interfere with INEC. “I pray that INEC harmonises themselves to ensure that people get their PVCs. It was discovered that some people are hoarding the card but I think INEC should do something about it to ensure that people are not disenfranchised.” No registered voter has been de-listed in Lagos —INEC Reacting to the complaints and allegations, the INEC, in a statement by Mr. Kayode Robert Idowu (Chief Press Secretary to INEC Chairman) said no duly registered voter was de-listed in Lagos, noting that the commission was committed to ensuring that every properly registered voter got his / her Permanent Voter Card (PVC) for the 2015 general election. His words: “Contrary to allegations in some quarters, no duly registered person has been de-listed from the Register of Voters; neither will any be denied his/her PVC. This reassurance is against the backdrop of temporary challenges that have been experienced in the third phase of the distribution of PVCs in some states, which the Commission has been making vigorous efforts to re-mediate. “INEC has since Friday, November 7, been distributing PVCs to registered voters in nine states across the country under the third phase of the exercise. Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) is scheduled to hold in the same states from Wednesday, November 12 to Monday, November 17, 2014. Similar exercises have already been conducted in 24 other states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) under the first and the second phases of the programme. The Commission deferred the distribution of PVCs in four other states it had earlier listed for this third phase because the cards for those states have not been fully delivered by printers. “In particular, it is completely false that INEC has removed the records of 1.4 million persons from the Register of Voters compiled in 2011 in Lagos State. It is true that at the end of the 2011 general registration exercise, the Commission announced a figure of 6.1 million registrants in the state. But when that data was subjected to the Automated Fingerprints Identification System (AFIS) software, 82,892 multiple registrations were eliminated. Also, there was the technical challenge of loss of data and incomplete data affecting about one million records – mostly in 1,792 polling units that were identified and made public before the present exercise. That was why the Post-Business Rule figure for Lagos State (on the basis of which PVCs were printed) came down to about 4.6 million registrants. “For avoidance of doubt, a pre-acknowledged data loss and incomplete data of some registrants is not a ‘conspiracy’ issue as has been alleged by some notable persons. It is a back-end technical challenge that is far from sealing the fate of affected persons, and for which INEC has already put in place measures to ensure redress. The Commission has made provision for eligible persons for whom PVCs could not be printed due to data loss or defective data to come out from Wednesday, November 12th to Monday, November 17th, 2014 for their data to be recaptured during the CVR. In special consideration for the 1,792 polling units in Lagos State where the challenge of data loss is much pronounced, the CVR will take place at the polling unit level, as against the Registration Area (RA) level in other parts of the state.” Exercise should be extended — Residents Meanwhile, most of the residents who were yet to collect their PVCs have called for extension of the exercise for at least five more days to ensure that all eligible voters got their cards. Mr. Lekan Oshinade, who has collected his card narrated how he suffered to get the PVC: ‘’There was so much shoving and tossing around. The whole cards were not properly sorted. At least, the cards should have been arranged alphabetically for easy identification. A lot of people could not locate their cards. Without additional days the whole process will be a failure.” Mr Wole Oderinde, who is yet to collect his PVC in one of the polling centres in Ikeja told Vanguard: “I am yet to collect the PVC. When I got there, the INEC official could not find my PVC. I don’t think the three days will be enough to cover all the people, there is need for extension.” There is confidence deficit in INEC –Bugaje Commenting on the issue, Bugaje said: ‘’I am just worried. They have not come to my state. They postponed it. What is playing out has shown that INEC has not been too independent as it should be. What is happening shows that the commission has confidence deficit. They have to work hard and improve because people don’t trust them. It is important that they improve.’’ INEC must do the needful –Ikokwu Also speaking, Ikokwu, who urged the INEC to do needful and ensure that any Nigerian that is 18 years and above is not disenfranchized, also advised Lagos residents to ensure that they play active part in the 2015 polls. The first step to doing so, he said is by turning out en mass to collect their voters’ cards.’’ It should be made a daily exercise –Esele On his part, Esele said: ‘’I think no system is perfect. INEC is trying to make things better. What they are doing will make us know the actual number of voters at the end of the day. I believe INEC is also doing what they are doing to minimise rigging. If that is achieved, it will be good for our democracy that is developing. There is no perfect system, that is why they keep on improving. Where I have grouse with the process, is the number of days approved for it. That has not resulted into good results. For instance, the Lagos State government had to declare a public holiday to enable Lagosians participate. That leads to loss of manpower. I will suggest they make it a daily thing so that Nigerians can do it at their convenient time without challenges.’’ INEC should do more publicity — Adebanjo To Adebanjo, who has collected his PVC, “I think the problem with INEC is that they don’t seems to do enough publicity. Several people were not aware of the development and I learnt there were several complaints all over Lagos. I think the INEC needs to educate Nigerians more on this process.’’ INEC not ready –Ashafa Similarly, Senator Gbenga Ashafa (APC, Lagos East), the challenges showed that the electoral commission was never ready for the exercise, saying: “I want to use this medium to appeal to INEC to wake up to their constitutional responsibilities for the betterment of all citizens by making sure that nobody is disenfranchised for lack of PVCs in 2015 general elections.”

Jonathan meets aggrieved PDP senators

November 7, 2014 by Olalekan Adetayo

President Goodluck Jonathan on Thursday night met behind closed-doors with the aggrieved Peoples Democratic Party senators. The meeting was held inside the First Lady’s Conference Hall inside the Presidential Villa, Abuja. The meeting was not opened to journalists. The senators were said to have been led to the meeting by the President of the Senate, David Mark. Some PDP members of the House of Representatives and some state governors elected on the party’s platform were also said to have attended. Some members of the party’s National Working Committee led by the National Chairman, Alhaji Adamu Muazu, also attended. The senators had abruptly adjourned sittings to protest their alleged unfair treatment by Jonathan and the PDP during last Saturday’s ward congresses across the country. Six weeks ago I couldn't perform in bed. Click HERE to read my breakthroughHow a 29-yr-old Benin boy became a millionaire in 73 days from Watermelon business. Click Here to read his AMAZING story.ATTEND AFRICAN INTERNET BUSINESS SUMMIT IN LAGOS WITH 50% DISCOUNT Click Here

Uganda suspends 15 military officers over ‘sex crimes’

November 7, 2014 by Aljazeera

Uganda has suspended 15 of its senior military commanders over their conduct in Somalia, including allegations of sexual exploitation, the army said. The suspension on Thursday comes in the wake of a damning report by Human Rights Watch which has accused troops with the internationally funded African Union force in Somalia, AMISOM, of preying on vulnerable women and girls. “We are doing a general appraisal on performance of the force,” Uganda’s defence and army spokesman Paddy Ankunda told the AFP news agency. “It’s not sexual harassment alone,” he said, but added the concerns were “one aspect we are looking at”. “Those are allegations. We are investigating. Until the investigations are completed that’s when we will know their involvement [in sexual abuse], but for now they are suspended,” he said. The 22,000-strong AMISOM force comprises soldiers drawn from six nations, and has been fighting alongside Somali government troops against al-Shabab fighters since 2007. AMISOM donors include the United Nations, European Union, Britain and the United States. The Human Rights Watch report quoted several women as saying they had gone to the AMISOM camp seeking medicine for their sick babies, but were then forced to have sex. The vulnerable women largely came from camps in the capital Mogadishu, having fled rural Somalia during a devastating famine in 2011. African Union chief Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma has already ordered an investigation into the allegations, and the probe is due to be completed by November 30. The pan-African bloc, however, has also accused Human Rights Watch of being unfair and inaccurate, and of undermining peace efforts in the war-torn Horn of Africa nation. Six weeks ago I couldn't perform in bed. Click HERE to read my breakthroughHow a 29-yr-old Benin boy became a millionaire in 73 days from Watermelon business. Click Here to read his AMAZING story.ATTEND AFRICAN INTERNET BUSINESS SUMMIT IN LAGOS WITH 50% DISCOUNT Click Here

Soldiers kill 16 Yobe worshippers, cleric missing – Residents

Nigerian soldiers have reportedly killed 16 men in the country’s northeast just hours after they were arrested leaving a mosque, according to nurses at a hospital that received the bodies. Troops rounded up 17 people, including a Muslim religious leader, as they left morning prayers at a mosque on Wednesday from the Dogo Tebo area of Potiskum in Yobe state. Residents and hospital staff said the bodies of 16 men were found dead with bullet wounds. “All the bodies have gunshot wounds on them,” a nurse speaking on condition of anonymity said. Residents said the Muslim religious leader was not among the dead, and said they were “worried about what they could do to him”. Community leaders believe the 16 men were picked up and killed because all of them were from the Kanuri ethnic group that forms the bulk of Boko Haram’s membership. “We demand a probe into this unjustifiable murder,” said one community leader, adding “our fear is we don’t know what they will do next”. Human rights groups in Nigeria and abroad have previously accused the military of carrying out extra-judicial killings in the fight against Boko Haram. Amnesty International, the UK-based rights monitor, said in March that there was “credible evidence” that more than 600 people were summarily executed in the Borno state capital, Maiduguri, after a Boko Haram jail break. Concerns have also been expressed about atrocities perpetrated by vigilantes, who have assisted the military against Boko Haram. On Friday vigilantes in the Borno town of Biu said they and troops had decapitated 41 Boko Haram fighters who were planning a raid in the village of Sabon Gari, in the south of the state. Two residents said the heads were put on spikes and paraded through the town. “It was like hunters displaying their game after a hunting expedition,” Silas Buba, a resident, said. Human Rights Watch, the US-based rights monitor, said the alleged beheadings were consistent with the vigilantes’ recent conduct. Formed in 2002, Boko Haram is against Western education and has been battling the government in the country’s north and has repeatedly attacked schools, churches, mosques and markets as it seeks to impose a strict interpretation of Islam in territory it controls. More than 700,000 people have been displaced externally and internally as government forces try to hunt down Boko haram fighters, the UN refugee agency, UNHCR says.

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Breaking News: Another Bomb Blast In Gombe, More than 30 killed (Photos)

A bomb blast at the Central Parkin Cross, Gombe, Gombe state, has resulted in the death of “many people”, a senior StateSecurityService(SSS) official has confirmed to The Cable. He said the blast happened at about 9:30am. “They left the bomb inside one of the vehicles at the park”, he said. “The blast went off at about 9:30am. Up till now, we don’t know the number of people. But it is a very busy park, so many people will die in such a bomb blast.” He also said officials of the Nigerian army, the police (led by its commissioner) and National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) had arrived the scene to cordon it off and begin rescue operations. A NEMA official who spoke with TheCable from the scene of the blast said more than 30 people had died, as at the first count. “I have counted more than 30 dead bodies, but the death toll is likely to rise,” the official said, before asking for permission to continue with rescue operations.

Martins on MLS rich list

Seattle Sounders forward Obafemi Martins and former Aston Villa flop Michael Bradley are among a quartet of West Midlands old boys on the Major League Soccer richlist, Birmingham Mail reports. Ex-AstonVilla, Blues and Albion defender Liam Ridgewell and Robbie Keane, once of Wolves and Villa, are also ranked among the top 15 $1m-plus earners in the MLS. The salaries of the players in the United States’ leading soccer league were made public on Tuesday and included the wages of several familiar faces. Bradley, who had a lacklustre loan spell at Villa in 2011 under Gerard Houllier, is the third highest earner behind Kaka and Clint Dempsey. The Toronto FC midfielder and US international picks up $6.5m (around £4m) per year. Keane, of Los Angeles Galaxy, is seventh in the big money league, with an annual salary of $4.5m (roughly £2.75m). Martins, who was Birmingham’s match-winner at Wembley in February 2011, pockets $1.75m (just over £1m) per year playing for Seattle Sounders. Ridgewell is the latest West Midlands import to seek the latter part of fame and fortune across the pond. He now plays for Portland Timbers and trousers $1.2m (around £750,000) per year.

Senate to overrule INEC on new polling units

The Senate on Tuesday vowed to overrule the decision of the Independent National Electoral Commission to create additional polling units, if the agency failed to heed its advice to stop the exercise. The Chairman, Senate Committee on INEC, Senator Andy Uba, who stated this in an interview with journalists, said the idea behind the creation of additional units was good but the timing of the exercise was wrong. He said, “We have sent a letter to the INEC Chairman, Prof. Attahiru Jega, and we expressed our reservations over the planned creation of additional polling units across the country. “What he is doing is good but the timing is wrong. We are close to an election year and we have so many displaced people in the north-eastern part of the country. So, where will the INEC put the new polling units? “If they (INEC) continue with it (creation of new polling centres), we will pass a resolution to overrule it. It is simple. And once we pass our resolution, is he going to go ahead, saying that he doesn’t care? “There are consequences when you say you don’t care, that is what it is, but I know he (Jega) is a gentle man and he is a man that keeps to his words. We had a meeting and (we) had sent him a letter. “He should know that his integrity, from what people are saying, is at stake. However, that it is not our business. And I believe that there is nothing he has in mind against anybody or anything.” Uba, who explained that the exercise would go a long way to solve the problems which the electorate usually encounter at polling centres, however maintained that the grouse of his committee with INEC was the timing. He said, “There are over 4,000 registered voters in Wuse 2 in Abuja, for instance, and you know the inconvenience when 4,000 people are expected to queue up in line. It is not possible for all of them to be accredited before voting would start. Many people will come and would be turned back. “It (the exercise) is a good idea but the timing is wrong; that is all we are saying. Nobody is saying what they did was wrong. Some people are saying there is ulterior motive. There is no ulterior motive in it; that is not the issue. “INEC needs time to educate people to let them know that their names have been moved to a different polling unit, but it is a good idea because it will decongest these polling units. Five hundred names each, it makes things work faster. “When you come in, you will get accredited; then you will vote and go but when you have 4,000 names in a centre, that is a problem.” He nevertheless expressed confidence that the Electoral Act Amendment would be concluded as soon as the Senate resumes from its current Sallah break. He said, “We are working on it and I am sure the Deputy Senate President, who is the Chairman of that Joint Conference Committee, had said that by the time we come back, we should be able to finish what we are doing.” Meanwhile, the Senate on Tuesday confirmed the appointment of Mrs. Chinelo Anohu-Amazu and Mr. Ebenezer Foby as the Director-General and Commissioner of the National Pension Commission. The upper chamber had also confirmed the appointment of Capt.Mukhtar Usman as the Director-General of the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority.

N4,000 call-up fee for NYSC sparks anger

Despite the National Youth Service Corps’ explanation, many Nigerians still frown on the planned N4,000 call-up fee for prospective corps members, CHARLES ABAH reports The leadership of the National Association of Nigerian Students should know where the shoe pinches an average undergraduate. As the umbrella body of all students in the country, it understands the mood of the majority. Although many Nigerians frown on the divisions within NANS and the organisation’s mode of operations, with regard to romancing politicians and those in the corridors of power, there is still no denying its prime place as the heartbeat of student unionism in the country. Therefore, it is not surprising that the body is responding to issues concerning the students. The planned imposition of online registration fee on prospective corps members is one of such issues and the leadership of the association is currently kicking against it. The NYSC recently announced that the next batch of prospective corps members would access their call-up letters via the Internet by paying the sum of N4,000. According to the 41-year-old agency, the move is to guard against impersonation and to reduce the inconveniences as well as the dangers of travelling long distances to collect call-up letters. The NYSC, through its Director of Corps Mobilisation, Anthony Ani, says, “Before orientation, every prospective corps member has to pass through a long process, including travelling to collect call-up letters. Sometimes many corps members have died while travelling to get their call-up letters and, most times, school officials may not be there. “Coming to camp, you meet long queues during registration, while others bring fake call-up letters. Some prospective corps members change their dates of birth because they want to serve and get discharge certificates. Some institutions are admitting students without passing through the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board and enrolling them into unaccredited courses.” Dismissing the NYSC’s argument, the leadership of NANS describes the plan to introduce the fee as exploitative. Indeed, going by the participation of an average of 300, 000 corps members in the scheme annually, the NYSC will be laughing all the way to the bank with no less than N1.2bn every year. According to the South-West zone of NANS, the N4, 000 call-up charge is not only exploitative but criminal. Speaking through its South-West Public Relations Officer, Jeremiah Olatinwo, the student body says, “The clandestine and venal method of extortion by the management of the National Youth Service Corps has come to our notice. The mandatory youth service is a call for service to our nation; hence, there should not be price tag to obtaining the call-up letters. It must remain free. “Enforcement of a non-refundable fee of N4, 000 for NYSC call-up letters is barbaric and is nothing but a path strewn with thorns. NANS, therefore, demands that the fee be suspended.” Also, the National Association of Polytechnics Students has joined NANS to condemn the fee. The NAPS Senate President, Lukman Salaudeen, says the association has rejected the planned move to impose the fee on prospective corps members. The leadership of NAPS, he adds, met in Abuja last week to discuss the issue alongside other matters of national importance. He says, “NAPS Senate rejects the introduction of payment for printing call-up letters for prospective corps members by the NYSC authority. It, therefore, calls for the reversal of the policy with immediate effect.” Beyond students, many other Nigerians and groups are not comfortable with the NYSC’s planned move. For instance, the Education Rights Campaign says the initiative is condemnable, exploitative and unacceptable. The ERC, in a statement titled “Do not turn NYSC into a racket”, opposes the introduction of the fee and promises to persuade the leadership of the NYSC to reverse the “extortionate” policy. The group says, “The decision to commercialise the NYSC scheme is condemnable, exploitative and unacceptable. Charging N4, 000 for online registration is fraudulent. We respectfully call on the NYSC DG, Brig-Gen. Johnson Olawumi, not to turn the scheme into a racket. “The ERC opposes the N4, 000 charge and shall campaign to force the NYSC tops to reverse this extortionate policy. We demand that the NYSC provides the online registration free of charge. NYSC is supposed to be a platform for the youth to serve their country meritoriously. Asking people to first pay to serve their country is turning the idea of the NYSC scheme completely upside down from a meritorious service to a business venture. “The proponents of this extortionate scheme have laboured to justify it. The ERC is not against any effort to ease the process of mobilisation and collection of call-up letters by prospective corps members. We are in favour of every means to ease the burden of students, youths and workers. What we are against is an attempt to extort Nigerians. A cross-section of NYSC members “What the NYSC bureaucracies want to do is to use this to create an opportunity for themselves and their big business friends to fleece Nigerians and make some cool profit. It is the same sleazy racket in the Ministry of Interior, which saw the ministry and a private company raking in billions of naira from the travails of unemployed youths. It is in the nature of Nigeria’s ruling elite to use every progress to extract payment from already over-exploited Nigerians.” “Progress should mean easing of burden; not the other way round. More so, the technology to be deployed for the online registration and processing of call-up letters by prospective corps members is not something from heaven. The technology exists here in Nigeria. It is the same technology already used for online registration in schools and it is not beyond what the NYSC, which has an enormous annual budget, can provide at no extra cost. At this point in Nigeria, when the vast majority is wallowing in poverty and tens of thousands of youths are graduating without prospect of employment, it is the height of heartlessness for the NYSC to think up this fraudulent conspiracy in order to fleece Nigerians.” Although the Muslim Students’ Society of Nigeria, Lagos State commends the online registration initiative, it wonders why the fee is as high as N4,000. Like the ERC, the Muslim group says the move is not only exploitative but it also has no regard for human labour. The MSSN President, Kaamil Kalejaiye, in a statement condemning the fee, urges the NYSC not to betray the interest of Nigerian students for profit making. Kalejaiye notes, “This is another betrayal from our government. Why should someone who wants to go and serve his nation freely pay so much money? Where do they expect a student who has suffered so much in the decaying Nigeria universities and polytechnics to have such amount of money? The NYSC must realise that having finished a degree course does not mean that you have a job. So, where do you want the thousands of jobless Nigerian students to get N4, 000? If that charge is retained, then the authorities do not have regard for the human (corps members) labour, especially when they want to go and serve their fatherland.” For a youth pressure group, Advocate for Collective Transformation, also, there is no justification for the fee. The ACT, in a statement by its President, Tayo Fashogbon, and the National Secretary, Ifetoluwa Ajayi, says the fee negates the higher call to national duty. “We are surprised that an agency, such as the NYSC, that is not saddled with the responsibility of generating funds will be monetising its core duty to Nigerian graduates. We disagree with the justification for this and immediately call on the Minister for Youth Affairs and Chairman NYSC Governing board to stop this extra financial burden on these patriotic youths,” it concludes.

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Meet 6 more BBA Hotshot contestants, including Nigerian rep, Tayo

Nigeria: Tayo - Age: 28 (left) A 1.93m-tall model with a Higher National Diploma in Maritime Studies, Tayo, from Nigeria, certainly stands out in a crowd. He lists his favourite foods as Eba an Okra Soup mixed with fish stew, his favourite musicians as 2Face Idibia, Beautiful Nubia and D’Banj. Tayo says his favourite place in Nigeria is Oyo Town, his place of birth. ‘That’s my home, where I started life. It reminds me of who I am now and how far I’ve come in life,’ he says. He says the best thing about Africa is ‘culture and pride’ and that his favourite place outside of Nigeria is South Africa, which he calls his ‘home away from home’.     He entered Big Brother Hotshots because he believed in himself, and was also encouraged to enter by others. ‘I like to be seen and to be heard,’ he says. Tayo says he’s not willing to change who he is or disgrace his family and friends to impress viewers or his fellow Housemates. If Tayo wins the grand prize, he says he’ll, set up his life and give himself a life of luxury. 

Mozambique Trezagah Age: 31 Hip hop singer Trezagah studied Civil Engineering. He doesn’t have a favourite food, because he says he loves eating and ‘I eat everything! The classic Hardy Boys books are his favourite, while he enjoys the Discovery and National Geographic channels on TV because he likes to ‘watch crocodiles and sharks attacking’. Trezagah was inspired to enter Big Brother Hotshots by watching previous seasons. He is both happy and nervous at the thought of having the continent’s eyes on him.He says the best thing about Africa is ‘the culture each country preserves’ and says his favourite place in Mozambique is Yofo Beach. He likes the Caribbean Islands because he’s a great fan of nature. His role model is Jay-Z, ‘because he knows how to dress, how to be on stage, how to behave and has good business control’. His parents have played an incredibly influential role in his life because they always showed him what was right and what was wrong.

Malawi  Sipe Age: 24 Hairdresser Sipe is from Lilongwe and has an MSCE and ICM Hotel and Catering Management qualification. Her favourite foods are nshima with chicken and okra, pizza, Thai food and ‘a bit of Indian cuisine’. Her favourite TV shows include Keeping Up With The Kardashians, Say Yes To The Dress, How Do I Look?, Jerseylicious and Idols. Her favourite musicians are Beyonce, Brandy, Sam Smith and Zahara and her favourite actors are Idris Elba and Angelina Jolie. Sipe’s favourite place in her country is Lake Malawi, because it relaxes her. Her favourite place outside of Malawi is Paris. ‘It’s the most beautiful place in the world and I always imagine spending time on my honeymoon there,’ she says. ‘It’s the City of Love!’. She says the best things about Africa are the people, the landscape and the food. She lists Beyonce as her role model because ‘she’s hardworking and she makes it look so easy. I’d love to be like her’. Sipe’s Mom played a huge role in her life too. ‘She raised three children on her own and it hasn’t been easy for her, but she managed to see us through school. She’s a very strong woman,’ she says. 

Botswana Sheilla Age: 21 Sheilla is a student from Gaborone in Botswana, currently studying an AAT Diploma. She entered Big Brother Hotshots because she believes that ‘it’s a platform for people like me who were born for the spotlight. It puts us out there to succeed in our careers – in my case, my music career’. She’s excited that the whole continent will be watching her: ‘it is like interacting within the house with someone invisible, or a ghost, and the thought of what they think just gives you an adrenaline rush’. She says her best quality is that she analyses things before overreacting in certain situations. She likes people who are communicative because it helps her see what they think of her and how she should behave around them. She dislikes bossy people and ‘people with similar strands of personality to me’. She likes to eat prawns and rice, as well as pap and beef. Her favourite book is In The Meantime and her top TV shows include Big Brother Africa, Keeping Up With The Kardashians and How Do I look? She enjoys the music of Beyonce, K.O., AKA and Tamela Mann and says her favourite actors are Cameron Diaz and Dwayne Johnson. Her favourite films also include The Hunger Games, Wrong Turn, The Break of Dawn and Mean Girls. Sheilla’s favourite part of Botswana is the Makgadikgadi Salt Pans and says that the best thing about Africa is ‘the diverse but highly-principled cultures which Africans tend not to leave behind’. She says that Las Vegas is her favourite place outside of Africa, because ‘it is a crazy, forever jolly holiday destination.

Kenya  Sabina  Age: 28 Sabina is a TV & Media Personality from Mombasa. She has a Degree in Finance and is working on a post-graduate diploma in Humanitarian Studies and Diplomacy. She says she eats everything and ‘loves mixing stuff up and making food concoctions, she’s also a big fan of oxtail, avocado, fish. Her favourite books include Joyce Meyer’s The Confident Woman and Hinds Feet In High Places by Hanna Hunard. She has a long list of favourite TV shows: UpishiXtra, Gavana, Orange Is The New Black, Smurfs, Devious Maids, Long Island, Oprah’s Next Chapter and Masterclass. She entered Big Brother Hotshots to win the money and change her life, and the lives of others. ‘It’s something I’ve envisioned for a long time and it’ll give me a chance to show Africa that I’m a star,’ she says. ‘I can entertain, but I’m also a human with problems, just like anybody else. If she wins the money, she’ll leave it alone for a month beforebuying a house, spoil her family with a holiday, build her Grandmother a house,save towards her daughter’s education, support her adopted charities and invest in her business.

South Africa Samantha Age: 29 Self-employed former law student Samantha is from Potchefstroom in South Africa’s North West Province. She loves sushi and Indian food and her favourite TV shows include 2 Broke Girls and Person of Interest, and she likes the music of Taylor Swift, Rihanna, Davido and Drake. Her favourite films include Ica Age, Madagascar, The Perks of Being a Wallflower and This Is Forty, with Angelina Jolie her favourite actor because ‘she’s strong, yet feminine and an amazing actress’. Her favourite place in South Africa is Johannesburg, and she says the best thing about Africa is ‘the diversity of the people and the cultures’. Her favourite city outside the continent is Jerusalem, which she calls ‘a beautiful place’. Samantha says her sister is her role model, because ‘she’s inspired me to be so much more and has played a huge role in my life’ Samantha was inspired to enter Big Brother Hotshots, something she’s wanted to do for ‘a very long time’ because she finds cultures fascinating ‘and the thought of spending time with so many people from so many backgrounds is awesome. If she wins the grand prize, Samantha will help the orphanages she volunteers at and take her sisters on holiday, before investing the rest. She describes herself as ‘adventurous, random, witty, caring and honest’ – the final trait being her favourite. It’s also something she values in others, despising dishonesty and rude people

Joke Silva elated as she receives National Award on her birthday

Legengary actress Joke Silva flanked by her legendary husband Olu Jacobs and their son after she received her National Award today in Abuja. It's also her birthday today, so double celebrations and double congrats.

What is your dream for Nigeria?

Join millions of Nigerians all over the world in sharing your dream for Nigeria this Independence day with the hashtag #IDreamOfaNigeria. You can join the conversation on social media or drop by Lekki Phase 1 gate from 10am on October 1st and fill in your aspirations for Nigeria on a large chalkboard! Yes! An actual chalkboard! Now when last did you write on a chalkboard? Join the Revolution. Join the Conversation Now! #IDreamOfaNigeria There are so many Independence Day campaigns, but this one takes the cake! This campaign is brought to you by www.kaymu.com.ng

Beverly Osu releases hot new pics as she turns a year older

Former BBA contestant and video vixen Beverly Osu stuns in a new pictures styled by Abbyke Domina in South African and Ethiopian designs, as she turns a year older. See more pics after the cut

Music duo, KMG, releases Tha Take Over mixtape

The long awaited Mixtape, Tha Takeover is finally here! Popularly known as TTO, this is a Mixtape compilation from the group KMG which consists of Rapper Shinx and singer PrettyBoi Elliot.   The TTO is a compilation of 15 tracks which features acts such as 618, BaseOne, Vino Samari and other artists. Most tracks from the compilation were Mixed and Mastered by Ghanian producer Joe Deevans and Nigerian sound Engineer spyrtmix. This right here is a must grab folks. The Future of Nigeria Music never looked brighter. TTO! Download the mixtape after the cut...  

DOWNLOAD THE TTO MIXTAPE HERE: https://app.box.com/s/a426ln4nsof87gaqxj4n Follow on twitter @saintmarlex02

Photos from today's mayhem in Ekiti state

Here are some photos from the mayhem that happened in Ekiti state today. Hoodlums went on a rampage destroying property in the state, including the APC Secretariat. See more pics after the cut..

FG declares October 6th and 7th public holiday

The Federal government has declared Monday October 6th and Tuesday October 7th as public holidays to mark the Islamic celebration, Id-El-Kabir

Meet the two children saved by Clay & Lamboginny Living Project

14 year-old Aminu Alhaji and nine year-old Dorcas Oladuni are the first beneficiaries of the Clay-Lamboginny Living Project, which is aimed at facilitating surgeries for under privilege kids across Nigeria. Since a tragic accident on his way to purchase pure water for hawking in order to survive, Aminu Alhaji has been unable to pass urine with his private organs and has been at a ward of the General hospital Lagos for the pass two years. At a tender age, his life has been a challenging one with the loss of his parents and separation from his siblings during the Kaduna crisis. Aminu has been diagnosed with Urethral Lateralization Structure as the accident initially robbed him of his ability to excrete both feces and urine but due to the kindness of the hospital several operations had been carried out which restored his ability to pass feces but he currently has to carry a urine bag about as he cannot urinate and would need to undergo another urethral Structure Repair but has no one to foot his bills. The above picture of Dorcas Odunlami is really a sight for sorry eyes. She has her large intestines, which are bagged and taped, to her stomach. Her inability to pass feces through the right channel is as a result of Hirschproy disease. She has undergone several surgeries (colostomy, pull through surgery) and currently her mother is unable to afford any more medical procedure, which left her at the hospital since January 2014. These kids are two out of thousands of Nigerian Kids whose lives are rolling by before their eyes due to medical issues that can be easily paid for and carried out successfully in Nigeria. The Clay-Lamboginny Living Project will not only cover their medical bills, but the duo of Aminu and Dorcas have become the fortunate beneficiaries of the Clay- Lamboginny Scholarship award for two under-privileged kids. At 14, Aminu’s highest level of education was stopped at Primary 4 while Dorcas was in Primary 2 before her condition halted her schooling. With the support of the Welfare Department of the General Hospital, Lagos, Aminu will be placed at an orphanage and both kids will be given an opportunity after their surgeries to continue their education up to to the tertiary level. For Dorcas and Aminu the light of hope has come to shine on them, through the living Project. There is so much more that can be done, as investing in a child’s life is an investment into the future. Listen and download exclusively on LIB the new theme song below titled "Living by Clayy & Lamboginny" HULKSHARE link: http://www.hulkshare.com/2wptflgsieu8 #Living is produced by Don Adah. @clayy @lamboginny

'Dead' woman heard screaming from inside coffin after being buried alive

Cemetery workers raced to a newly-dug grave after they heard banging and muffled shouting an hour after a 45-year-old woman was buried. As they grabbed tools and anything they could find, they rushed to dig the grave up again after the woman woke up to find herself buried alive in a coffin. But tragically, the un-named woman died before her would-be rescuers could reach her inside the plot at a cemetery near Greece’s Thessaloniki. Now police are probing why the woman was pronounced dead by doctors treating her for cancer, only to be found alive. Her grieving family arranged her funeral at the graveyard in Peraia, a small town 16 miles south of Thessaloniki, Greece’s main city in the north. Shortly after the last relatives left the cemetery on Thursday, residents and a group of children playing outside reportedly heard a female voice shouting for help from inside the grave. They called the police, and began digging up the grave to save her but she had suffocated to death inside the coffin, it was reported. However, a doctor who was at the scene and examined the woman’s body, said she had been dead for hours and could not have been revived. Dr Chrissi Matsikoudi told Greek TV channel MEGA: "I just don’t believe it. We did several tests including one for heart failure on the body. It would have been impossible for someone in a state of rigor mortis to have been shouting and hitting the coffin like that.” A coroner is expected to examine the body. Meanwhile, relatives of the dead woman say they are considering filing a complaint against the doctors responsible for her treatment at the cancer clinic. Source: UK Mirror

Dear LIB readers: My wife's change of denomination is affecting our marriage

From a male LIB reader My wife and I got married as Catholics and we have been practicing the Catholic faith in all our ten years of marriage. All the love and peace we have enjoyed in our marriage is about to change as she recently found love in the Jehovah's witnesses doctrine where they do not celebrate birthdays, anniversaries, Christmas and other celebrations. S he now wants to force this new way of live on myself and our three children who have lived all there lives enjoying these celebrations. This new way of thinking is seriously affecting our marriage as she is trying to be forceful with our kids living according to her new found doctrine. It's not like her new found faith is bad but I would just respect it if she leaves me and my kids out of it.  I seriously want to save my marriage but I don't want her new belief to affect my children. How do I handle this situation?

Omotola says she has mixed feelings about her national award nom

Star actress Omotola Jalade Ekeinde is one of the 305 people who will receive national awards from the federal government on September 29th in Abuja. When asked about it on twitter this evening, Omotola said she has mixed feelings about it.

S’African victims’ relations vow to sue TB Joshua, LASG begin DNA identification test

Thanduxolo Doro and Mpho Molebatsi, two South Africans who both lost their sisters at the Synagogue building collapse on September 12th have vowed to drag pastor T.B.Joshua to court for what they describe as negligence on the part of the church for not allowing rescue workers help save the victims after the collapse as well as withholding information after the unfortunate incident. The South Africans who were guests on a BBC programme this week said they are calling on other family members to come forward so that they can unanimously press charges against T.B. Joshua "I understand that some families are afraid to take on someone who purports to be God’s messenger and I don’t blame them but I will do this. It is not that the building collapsed, rather what was done after the collapse. We didn’t get any news from the church. When I contacted them they wouldn’t tell me anything. We saw reports that emergency workers were denied access initially, access that could have saved lives. The actions of the church after the incident are very telling,” Doro, whose sister Vathiswa Madikiza died said Doro has since published an open letter in a South African daily calling on more families to come forward so they can all sue T.B. Joshua, "I need to do this for her. Even if I stand alone, I am determined to see that something is done" he said In a related development, the Lagos state government today announced the commencement of the DNA identification test of the 115 dead bodies brought out from the collapsed building. While announcing this, Commissioner for Health, Dr Jide Idris called on families who lost loved ones to come forward with DNA samples so that the bodies can be properly identified and released to them for proper burial. He said loved ones of the dead victims are to visit the Department of Forensic Medicine at the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital(LASUTH) from today to submit samples that could aid the forensic identification and DNA analysis of recovered bodies. He said only children, parents and siblings of the deceased are eligible to submit samples. The Lagos state government today September 26th also constituted a coroner inquest that will investigate the real reason the building collapsed. The Lagos state Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr Ade Ipaye in a statement said Magistrate O.A.Komolafe who headed the Dana Air crash case will be heading the coroner inquest.

Oh dear! British reality star Bobby Norris wears ballbag swimwear. 18+

A few months ago, Towie Star Bobby Norris and his former bofriend shocked millions of people when they went to the beach in a schlong or mankini. if you thought that was bad, then you should see what he wore to the beach during filming of his show in Ibiza this week. He's pretty much naked except for the silver thing attached to his manhood. He calls it the ball bag swimwear. See it after the cut...

Timaya's babymama says she can never love another man...

Never say never boo...but it's a good thing she feels that way about the father of her child. When Timaya, who is currently on tour in Holland shared the pic above of himself shopping for his baby mama, Barbara, an excited Barbara went on to the comment section to pledge her unending love for him, saying 'Trust me, I can never love another man.'  Go get your ring girl. See that after the cut

A stripper is claiming Chris Brown is the father of her 3 year old son

A popular Atlanta dancer/stripper named Reign is claiming Chris Brown is the father of her 3 year old son. The 32 year old woman, who used to work at popular club Doa, filed paperwork at Fulton County Court in Atlanta this week against Chris asking a judge to mandate him to take a paternity test. Chris has so far not reacted to the allegation...

Ekiti boils as hoodlums destroy APC office, Gov declares 7pm-7am curfew

There's a lot of craziness going on currently in Ekiti state. A day after an Ayo Fayose loyalist was shot dead by unknown gunmen, hoodlums went on a rampage destroying the campaign office of the state governor, Kayode Fayemi, as well as the APC secretariat. The thugs also destroyed properties belonging to other politicians. Today's chaos is believed to be an aftermath of the assassination of the former chairman of the Ekiti state NURTW, Mr Omalafe Aderiye. Above is a pic of Governor Fayemi's campaign office after it was razed. He has since declared a 7pm-7am curfew in the state to halt the crisis. Continue to read the full text of Governor Fayemi's broadcast in Ekiti today as he declared the curfew...   THE PEACE OF OUR LAND IS NOT NEGOTIABLE State Broadcast By His Excellency Dr. Kayode FAYEMI Governor, Ekiti State, following the Breach of Peace in the State Friday, September 26, 2014. In o kun o Ekiti Kete. It has become expedient that I address you today on account of dire happenings in the land of honour, Ekiti State. With tension mounting across the state, Ekiti has been the subject of alarming headlines in the news, following the tragic assault on the judiciary. On Monday, September 22, thugs acting on the incitement of an interested party, were involved in the sacrilegious sacking of the court while hearing on a political case was in progress. This happened in full glare of the law enforcement agents with inappropriate response. Clearly, these brigands exceeded the limits of acceptable behavior, even in the most liberal of democracies, and ventured into the realm of blatant criminality with this desecration of the hallowed chambers of the law. The fact that this assault did not meet with any strong deterring repercussions from the appropriate authorities further emboldened the miscreants. They subsequently attempted to prevent the Ekiti State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal from sitting, yesterday, Thursday, September 25. I am advised incontrovertibly that thugs acting on the command of Mr. Ayo Fayose, who was also present to lend his clout to the travesty, brazenly assaulted a senior judge and urged his thugs to beat him up and tear his clothes. The court premises was thrown into confusion and those present scurried away in search of safety and security. This was on the back of his specious allegation that the judiciary in the state is compromised and biased against him. And the answer to that was to resort to jungle justice and take the laws into his hands. This has led to the closure of the courts indefinitely due to the inability of the security agencies to guarantee the safety of lives and property in our temples of justice. With the entrenched atmosphere of impunity, violence in the state has escalated with the unfortunate loss of one life and the willful damage to several properties to arson by rampaging thugs. Since the beginning of this development on Monday, which is unprecedented in the recent history of our state, I have been in touch with the Heads of all Security Agencies at the State and Federal levels, urging them to act quickly and firmly in the interest of public law and order. It is worrisome that the slow and inadequate response has occasioned the avoidable escalation of violence in our dear state. Against this backdrop, it is understandable that not a few stakeholders have expressed concern about what the development portends for our dear state. The brazen contempt of our hallowed law courts and the use of violence and intimidation to obstruct the course of justice is a clear invitation to anarchy of the scale and texture that characterized Ekiti State some years ago. Ekiti Kete, are those years upon us again? Already, there is widespread anxiety about this development coming at a time the state is going through the transitioning out of one administration and the ushering in of a new one. This is a very delicate period that all stakeholders must work together to ensure Ekiti State comes out stronger for it. During periods of transition, vital partners in progress adopt a cautious posture, watching for the slightest portents of the possible discontinuity of the regime of peace and tranquility, amongst other factors that have made our state conducive for investors and development partners. We must not disrupt our very bright prospects for sustained development in our state. Considering the cases that have triggered the recent spate of violence are politically related, the political elite in our state from all disparate quarters must exercise caution. We must rescue our state from the precarious slippery slope that some have desperately pushed us to. We should not imperil the very people we seek to serve by resorting to violence and brigandage. One does not burn down his homestead to establish his claim of ownership or leadership. Most assuredly, the course of Justice can only be delayed, but can never be truncated. The independence of the Judiciary is an inviolable tenet of any democracy. Accordingly, I have this morning directed the Attorney General of the state to issue a legal advisory to the Chief Judge of the state and all the parties to the existing cases in the State High Court and the Ekiti State Governorship Elections Petitions Tribunal, on the desirability of seeking an alternative venue for the hearing of these cases outside Ekiti State. The State can no longer afford to witness the bizarre spectacle of the beating up of judicial officers and wanton intimidation of lawyers and court personnel. Now that the security agencies appear to be fully seized of the situation, I call on them not to relent in performing their constitutional role of protecting lives and property in our state. Administrations come and go; politics can be frenetic when the stakes are high; but by the grace of the Almighty God, our state remains for all time, therefore THE PEACE OF OUR LAND IS NOT NEGOTIABLE. Ekiti Kete, consistent with our history of unity and love, let us work together to make our state a garden of concord where our children and their children will dwell in peace and safety. Even in the pursuit of politics and justice, let us conduct ourselves as kinsmen, bound by a shared love for Ekitiland but differing only in the choice of instruments by which to accomplish the same goal. Let us then temper our competitive zeal with civility and empathy. Let us deal truthfully with our youth, who are so liable to be led astray by unbridled political fervour, by seeing them as our children rather than as conscripts or fodder for our objectives. Ekiti Kete, in order to forestall further descent into anarchy in our state, I am taking the very difficult decision to suspend the ‘Thank You’ tour which I’m undertaking as part of our transitioning-out formalities. Also, I have taken the decision to institute a dusk to dawn curfew in the state immediately. Accordingly, there would be no movement between the hours of 7.00 p.m. and 7.00 a.m. everyday till further notice. We urge the citizenry to be vigilant and provide the security agencies with details of suspicious activities that can undermine the peace in our state. Let us work together to stop the violence and brigandage that has brought about serious embarrassment to our state in the last few days. Let Peace Reign in the land of honour, Ekiti State. God bless Ekiti State. God bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria. Dr. Kayode Fayemi Governor, Ekiti State

BREAKING: ARMY HEADQUARTERS CONFIRMS SHEKAU HAS BEEN KILLED

The Defence Headquarters has confirmed that the self-acclaimed leader of the wicked Boko Haram sect, Mr. Mohammed Bashir, alias “Abubakar Shekau” had died in an encounter with troops in Konduga. The Director of Defence Information, Maj.-Gen. Chris Olukolade, confirmed the death of Shekau at a news conference in Abuja on Wednesday. I “In course of encounters, one Mohammed Bashir, who has been acting or posing as the deceased Abubakar Shekau, the eccentric character known as the leader of the group died. “Since the name Shekau has become a brand name for the terrorists’ leader, the Nigerian military remains resolute to serve justice to anyone who assumes that designation or title.” A new set of photos have confirmed the death of Shekea. See the photos below: General Olukolade said the same fate await all terrorists who sought “to violate the freedom and territory of Nigeria”. The defence spokesman said that the deceased Shekau was also known as “Abacha Abdullahi Geidam” and “Damasack”. Also, he said another 133 terrorists surrendered to Nigeria on Tuesday, bringing the total number to 148.

RunTown Releases new Pics from photo shoot in NYC

Chibok community doubts found girl is from Chibok, says she may be pregnant

The Force Public Relations officer, Emmanuel Ojukwu, yesterday September 25th announced that a young girl found at the Mubi area of Borno state on Wednesday September 24th was one of the missing Chibok girls but the National Chairman of the Chibok Association, Dr Pogu Bitrus, is not so sure it's true. Speaking with TheCable Nigeria, Dr Bitrus, said they are not sure the girl is from their community as her name is not on their list of the missing Chibok girls. He said a preliminary medical examination conducted in a clinic showed the girl was pregnant but a definitive conclusion on her pregnancy status will be carried out in a proper hospital to confirm "I was speaking Kibaku to her but she didn't respond. She was incoherent. She may be having mental issues as result of the trauma. When she was picked up, she was taken to a clinic, not a standard hospital where some test were carried out on her. From the test, it was said she is pregnant but that is still in the speculative domain because a qualified doctor has not confirmed she is pregnant. However we are still trying to establish if she is from Chibok because from our sources, the last name of the released girl does not tally with the surname of the person bearing the first name of the released girl captured in our records and whose father is a carpenter in Chibok so we are still trying to work out every detail" he said.