Robbers Steal Anti-Retroviral Drugs From Ministry Of Health's Warehouse In Benin!

Regular and uninterrupted supply of antiretroviral drugs to people living with HIV/AIDS in Edo State is now under threat following an attack on the warehouse of the state ministry of health by persons suspected to be armed robbers who broke into the stores over the weekend and carted away with the medical supplies worth millions of naira.

The robbery attack on the warehouse, located on Medical Stores Road, Uselu, Benin City, left one of the two security guards on duty dead.

The security guard, whose name and identity could not be ascertained at the time of going to press, was said to have been killed for not co-operating with the robbers.

The permanent secretary in the ministry of health, Peter Ugbodaga, during his on-the-spot assessment visit to the stores in the company of other directors in the ministry to ascertain the extent of the robbery, condemned the incident, especially the killing of one of the security guards on duty. He expressed his displeasure over the robbery attack.

In a telephone interview Mr Ugbodaga said the state government had only recently embarked on the renovation of the warehouse in batches.

He charged the police authorities to "carry out a thorough investigation into the robbery attack because someone who did not know the place in and out could not have gone there to steal." Mr Ugbodaga thereafter directed the Chief Store Officer to take inventory of the stocks left in the store so as to ascertain exactly what was stolen.

Loss of value

Investigations revealed that the medical warehouse is an extension of Edo Pharmaceutical Company constructed by the military administration of Samuel Ogbemudia in 1972.

According to Godwin Erahon, who served on the board of directors between 1992 and 1993, at its peak, the company produced pharmaceutical products, cotton wool and drips at the Medical Store Road factory. Batteries were also produced at its Sapele Road factory.

The company was however privatised, with the exception of the warehouse, by the military government immediately after John Oyegun was removed from office. Mr Erahon alleged that the warehouses were also vandalised during the administration of former governor, Lucky Igbinedion.

The robbery incident has since been reported at the Okhoro police station. However, the Edo State police command spokesperson, Peter Ogboi, could not be reached by phone for comments on the robbery incident.

Source:
234Next

Twelve Women Including Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala Make Jonathan’s Ministerial List!

There will be at least 12 female ministers in the new federal cabinet, following the finalization of the first batch of ministerial appointees. A copy of the list of names for the first batch made available to NEXT shows that almost a third of the new ministers will be women.

The list includes names of some returning and newly appointed ministers from all the different states and geopolitical zones.

For the first time, some names on the list have been designated with some recommended portfolios, however many will still have no idea what job they are being considered for.

Diezani Alison-Madueke, who is set to make a controversial return to the executive council, is likely to retain the petroleum portfolio. Bello Haliru Mohammed, another controversial figure is in line to be handed the highly sensitive defence portfolio. Ruqqayatu Rufai and Mohammed Bello Adoke will retain the education and justice portfolios respectively.

NEXT had exclusively reported that Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala would be given her old job as finance minister but with many added responsibilities and powers to drive economic reform. Olusegun Aganga, the immediate past finance minister, returns to the cabinet but will be considered for minister of commerce.

Names and designation

Other designated ministers include: Emeka Nwogu, Abia; Bala Mohammed (FCT) and Mohammed Pateh, Bauchi (Health), Mrs Allison-Madueke, Bayelsa (Petroleum); Godsday Orubebe, Delta; Onyebuchi Chukwu, Ebonyi; Caleb Olubaolade, Ekiti; Shamsudeen Usman from Kano (National Planning); Olusegun Aganga, Lagos; Labaran Maku, Nasarawa (Information) and Obadiah Ando, Taraba.

Others on the list include Zainab Maina, the chairman of the Nomadic Education council, Adamawa; Ita Okon Bassey-Ewa, Akwa Ibom; Stella Oduah, Anambra; Abba Moro, Benue; Samuel Loraer Ortom, the national auditor of the PDP, Benue; Bukar Tijjani, Borno; Martina Odom, Cross River and Mike Onolememen, Edo.

Others are Barth Nnaji, who was former special adviser to the president on power, Enugu (Power); Idris Umar, Gombe; Biola Viola Onwuliri, Imo; Abiba Isah Dutse, Jigawa; Yusuf Abubakar, Kaduna; Mohaeed Musa Saada, Katsina; Bello Haliru Mohammed, Kebbi (Defence); Bolaji Abdullahi, Kwara; Zainab Ibrahim Kuchi, Niger; Gbenga Ashiru, Ogun; Akinwunmi Adesina, Ogun; Omobola Johnson Olubushol, Ondo; Olushola Obada, Osun; Jumoke Akinjide, Oyo; and Jonah Madugu, Plateau.

Also on the list are Tonye Cole, Rivers (Works); Yusuf Suleiman, Sokoto (Transport); Yerima Lawan Ngama, Yobe; Bashir Yuguda, Zamfara and Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala from Abia.

Although the Senate is likely to move ministerial screening to the top of its agenda when it resumes tomorrow, it is not yet clear when President Goodluck Jonathan, who has been under tremendous pressure from both individuals and political parties alike, will approve the final list and forward it to the National Assembly.

Source:
234Next

Meet The Most Beautiful Girl In Nigeria 2011!

The Most beautiful girl in Nigeria took place yesterday the 25th of June, 2011 with Sylvia Nduka emerging as the winner of the 24th Edition of Most Beautiful Girl In Nigeria 2011.
Miss Sylvia Nduka who is an undergraduate at the University of Lagos studying Accounting was crowned winner and she hails from Anambra State.

Miss Taraba, Miss Lagos,Miss Gombe, Miss Enugu and Miss Bayelsa made it to the final list before Miss Taraba emerged as winner.

She wins a brand new Hyundai car with the 3 million Naira cash prize. She also gets to represent Nigeria in the Miss World Contest in London in November.

Miss Photogenic went to Miss Ondo,
Miss Amity – the most ambiable and friendly contestant (voted by the contestants)-Miss Ebonyi
Best Traditional custume- Miss Taraba
MGBN Model-Miss Kogi
Face of select pro- Miss Abia
Miss Adamawa won Miss Lacasera.

Yvonne Nelson Finally Apologizes To Film Regulatory Council!

After all the razzle-dazzle that has rocked the beautiful lanky Ghanian actress Yvonne Nelson about her fight with her country girl Jackie and her subsequent ban.
Yvonne has finally written a letter of apology to the Ghana Film Regulatory Council.

YVONNE NELSON
P.O. BOX 303
DANSOMAN-ACCRA
14TH JUNE, 2011

THE PRESIDENT
FILM REGULATORY COUNCIL
ACCRA

Dear Sir,
LETTER OF APOLOGY

I write to express my sincerest apology to Alhaji Abdul Salam Mumuni, members and executives of FIPAG and the entire film community for the misunderstanding that occurred between me and Alhaji Salam Mumuni during shooting in October last year.

I render an unqualified apology for any embarrassment that my conduct might have caused anybody. I promise such a behavior will not repeat itself again.I hope my apology will be considered.

Yours faithfully,
………………………….
YVONNE NELSON

CC:
FIPAG
FIDAG
ALHAJI SALAM MUMUNI ​

Kate Moss ‘wants her £500K nuptials to outdo royal wedding’!

Six years ago, she was caught on camera inhaling cocaine, which led to the loss of many of her modelling contracts and a brief spell in rehab.

But soon 'cocaine Kate', who is as of today estimated to be worth 20million pounds, made a comeback by bagging 18 top modelling contracts and became busier than ever.

And now, Kate Moss who is set to marry her rocker fiance Jamie Hince next Friday in a 500,000-pounds three-day extravaganza, is said to be determined it will be a bash no one will ever forget.

Already billed by some locals as 'Moss-stock', the 37-year-old has told friends she wants her wedding to outdo the other Kate's and be 'Glastonbury meets the Ritz'!*Humm*

An unlikely Bridezilla, Moss is said to have become so stressed about her nuptials that she has had to see a 'relaxation therapist', and last week was in tears at her best friend Sadie Frost's birthday party.

"She wants this to be a party that no one will ever forget, and is putting herself under unbelievable strain," said one friend

Why The Absence Of Documentaries On Nigerian Televisions!

Wow...I will never forget how we used to sit around my father's television, way back then awaiting any and every documentary that will be shown on our local TV stations.

It is so amazing and quite disheartening too that documentary films, shot either on celluloid or video, have literarily disappeared from the screens of Nigeria-based television stations.

This is another example of the chronic Nigerian situation in which the rapid expansion of 'facilities' unexplainably and invariably translates into the scarcity of essential 'commodities.'

As I write this, in a situation where crude oil production has increased and, there are at least three refineries and many thousands of 'filling stations' across the country, we are at the mercy of a crippling kerosene shortage, causing hardship to households and an expanded indigenous aviation industry.

Time was, leading up to the real 'golden' age of television in Nigeria in the early and mid-eighties, when we had the Nigerian Television Authority network (viewed by up to 30 million people daily) and sub-stations in most state capitals. There was an excellent menu of daily programmes on TV that included an assortment of documentary programmes.

One would have thought, logically, that the opening-up of the electronic broadcasting sector under Babangida - which allowed for the participatory presence of a multitude of state government as well as private television and radio stations - would have been accompanied by a flourishing volume of a variety of television programmes including documentaries.

Commercialisation

Alas, the opening-up was accompanied by a devastating commercialisation policy which ensured that both the NTA and the new generation of state government and private TV stations opted for the line of easy financial resistance.

They drastically changed their programming from a rich menu of diverse programmes to essentially predictable 'cash-cow' fare, almost entirely sponsored, except for news broadcasts.

There is cultural and creative evidence that those who by design, rather than by merit, were chosen to run the NTA, were limited and prejudiced by their personal preferences, not to protect the preservation of documentary programmes. In the case of a particular head of TV, a renowned drama buff, there was a disproportionate proliferation of entertainment shows.

And, by this example, the trend was established for the new private stations to set store with entertainment programmes. These, by the power of their commercial sponsorship, have now become the huge chunk of TV programming on NTA and other fifty-odd TV stations in Nigeria today.

TV is about information

Those who are now acclaimed as the 'fathers' of TV in Nigeria, including the engineer, heads of NTA, definitely lost the plot on rich and balanced programming way before the mid-eighties when they failed to realise that news and current affairs aside, TV is about information.

Ideally, there should be a variety of documentaries in a higher proportion than entertainment. It is this proper mix and blend of information and entertainment that has created the 'new' concept of infotainment in mass communication. This explains why predominantly all-news TV stations like CNN, BBC World, and Aljazeera also feature documentaries and entertainment.

Three decades on, the multitude of Nigerian television stations really have nothing exciting to offer (apart from the obvious government-slanted news) than talk shows, phone-in-programmes, sponsored dance-and-music competition show, Nollywood movies, loads of religious slots, and the now in-thing, voyeur reality.

Relay stations

Where are all the documentary programmes on Nigerian television? Gone with the wind of commercialisation, one would say.

One is tempted to conclude that the state governments and private individuals who set up TV stations and chains in Nigeria, deliberately or ignorantly forgot the hard facts that TV is definitely capital intensive and very much about a rich programming menu.

Yes, with available lower-level technology, it is now possible to set up 'cheap' small TV stations, for use on campus to provide hands-on experience for mass communications students. And the vast majority of stations masquerading as TV stations in Nigeria can best be categorised as 'relay stations'.

It is very humbling to note that while many so-called TV stations in Nigeria have less than six cameras (VHS cameras in many cases), CNN used as many as 1000 state-of-the-art HD cameras to cover just the Democratic Party Convention to choose their presidential candidate.

The case for the prominent return of documentaries of varying lengths and on various subjects, on Nigerian TV screens cannot be overflogged. They make for excellent fillers between programmes as well as legitimate programmes with their own time belt. Music videos, usually sponsored, have now become fillers on most Nigerian TV stations.

Unfortunately, the rapid proliferation of radio stations in Nigeria has also resulted in the decline of content quality and variety on radio.

They hardly offer programmes like radio drama, book reviews, specialist women and children's programmes, and radio documentaries.

We need documentaries on both Nigerian TV and Radio. They are akin to features in the print media. They inform and educate and, God knows that we all need to be educated on a whole lot of things about and in Nigeria.

Back in the day

In 1984 alone, NTA Network's Documentary Unit, to which I was a consultant, produced many documentaries as diverse as Command and Staff College, Jaji, and Aladja Steel Mill, which were screened to great appreciation.

Then there was C.Y. Okonkwo's series on Agriculture (including NIFOR), Mansur Macaulay as cameraman. It was therefore no surprise that some decades after, Okonkwo's body of documentaries won him an award at the West African Documentary Festival in Accra.

And as far back as 1974, the Rivers State Council for Arts and Culture produced a series of documentaries on various aspect of culture.

Nigeria has an excellent tradition of producing very good documentary films. There are many 'younger' filmmakers who are carrying on this noble tradition. The federal and regional film units have an amazing treasure of documentaties on various aspects of Nigeria that ought to be aired on TV.

Unfortunately, the political ideologues who wanted to rebrand Nigeria did not have the wisdom to realise that documentaries will effectively freshen up Nigeria's image abroad!

We need to tell our own visual stories; both good and ugly, for our own consumption as well for the world's.

Film your own

We grumble about BBC's documentary on the challenges of building a megacity like Lagos.

Recently, Aljazeera aired its own documentary, Streets of Lagos. Much the same, with visual emphasis on Makoko, street trading, and a slap-in-the-face shot of a scavenger waving a huge Nigerian flag in the middle of a rubbish-dump mountain. A few hours after the bomb attack on the Force Headquarters, Abuja, Aljazeera aired a quasi-documentary on Boko Haram.

The inability and reluctance of Nigerian TV stations to air many documentaries are down to twin reasons. A lack of a budget for documentaries tied to the reality of not wanting to pay well for independently-produced documentaries and, a lack of the creative foresight that most TV programmes other than the News are farmed out or sourced from independent producers.

Luckily, the Film Institute in Jos and Mass Communications departments in Nigerian tertiary institutions are yearly producing the needed manpower.

Depending on corporate and social documentaries for which the sponsors pay air-time cannot compensate for the relative dearth of a spectrum of documentaries Nigerian TV stations should screen daily.

To a great extent, it is their social responsibility.

Source:
234Next

Shekarau Fingered In Alleged N6bn Scam!

Talking about Corruption in Nigeria and the various titles given to missing money like "Reciprocal Arrangement"*I'm serious here*... The Kano State Government has uncovered another financial impropriety, amounting to N6.99 billion, allegedly perpetrated by the last regime of former Governor Ibrahim Shekarau. 

A statement issued by the Senior Special Assistant on Press and Public Relations, Malam Umar Sa'ad Tudunwada and made available to yesterday in Kano, said the former administration withdrew the said amount within a period 28 months from the account of the Special Services Directorate. 

The statement further said, the Kano State Ministry of Finance in a report it submitted to the State Executive Council, revealed that records of the withdrawals indicate that the money was used for 'Reciprocal Arrangement'.*What the hell is that?* 

According to Tudunwada, the report by the Ministry of Finance also shows that the said money was removed through repeated withdrawals of large sums of money from banks. 

He said "there is no explanation as to what "reciprocal arrangement" meant as it is no known in the standard financial regulations." 

In a swift reaction, the spokesman of the former governor, Malam Sule Ya'u Sule in a telephone chat with Sunday Nation, dismissed the allegation, saying: "It is their normal characteristic of trying to paint the past administration in bad light." 

Sule said: "This is not their first time of castigating Shekarau administration. They did it by mentioning hotel bills, loans and liabilities. 

"That is their stock-in-trade, and we are not surprised, because we are prepared to hear more of these frivolous allegations. 

"They are not ready to face the task of governance of meeting the yearnings and aspirations of the people. They are only out for vengeance." 

Source:
The Nation

Why Will An Oba (KING) Rape A Young Girl?

Some people can be very randy irrespective of the exalted position they find themselves or better still stumble upon.

Talking of been RANDY the Alowa of Ilowa in Obokun area of Osun State Oba Adebukola Alli,  who is standing trial before a magistrate court in Osogbo for allegedly raping a 23-year-old member of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) who served in his domain  was Friday placed on house arrest by the court.

Chief Magistrate Adewunmi Makanjuola also ordered that Oba Alowa's travel documents be submitted to the court with immediate effect.

The traditional ruler who came to court in his green Rav 4 Toyota car was accompanied by his wife, pastor and driver. Instead of standing in the dock, the monarch claimed that he had no stamina to stand up because of the state of his health. He then lay on a bench inside the court.

At the Court, Oba Adebukola displayed a sphygmometer (device for checking blood pressure) which was attached to his left arm. To verify the monarch's  health claim, the magistrate stood up and advanced to Oba Adebukola where he was.

The wife of the monarch was seen weeping profusely as the magistrate cross examined her in the court. The woman told the magistrate that the traditional ruler had developed high blood pressure and that he was gasping for breath when he was removed from hospital on the order of the court.

Counsel to the accused monarch, Victor Okpara, presented another medical report signed by one Doctor A.A. Adeyanju from Gold Cross Medical Clinic, a private hospital located at 36, Adeoyo, Ondo road in Ibadan, capital of Oyo state, where the monarch has been receiving medical treatment shortly after he was discharged from University College Hospital (UCH), Ibadan on 10th June.

According to Okpara, "there are grounds of medical incapability which prevented the Oba from coming to court on the previous sittings and it's not intentional. It is true that the charge is a serious, heinous and hideous offence but it's only the living that can stand trial and the doctor has said in the report that not until 21st of July, 2011, the Oba will not be fit".

The prosecutor, a senior state counsel, Olufemi Adedokun, disagreed with the report presented by the defence counsel, stressing that the medical reports are now conflicting. Adedokun told the court that the traditional ruler was discharged from UCH on a sound state of health and urged the court to discountenance all the medical reports. The case has been adjourned till Friday, July 1.

Why Mother Of "7 Miracle Babies In One Year" Was Arrested And Detained By Police!

Very popular*Still gaining popularity* and overnight celebrity Mama: Precious Donatus Ogbonna, the woman who claimed to have given birth to seven babies in one year was yesterday detained by the police in Owerri, Imo State. The seven kids have been taken to a motherless babies
home in the town.

Mrs. Ogbonna had earlier told reported that her husband had abandoned their home and disclaimed the paternity of the babies.
She said: "He has not come home. He abandoned me and claims that he is not the father of the babies but I know only DNA test can convince him and bring him back."
Mr. Ogbonna has been avoiding the press and will not give his side of the story.
A close friend of the controversial woman, Mrs. Evan-Ibeh Florence, who earlier hinted us said that she was instrumental to her friend's(Mrs Ogbonna) visit to Lagos some weeks back which marked the beginning of her ordeal.
She said she did not know that bringing her to the public glare through the press would create problem for her friend, adding: "I never knew it would turn out this way for her, all I wanted was to get assistance from good spirited Nigerians for her through the press."

Meanwhile, Mrs. Ibe said that a DNA test has already been conducted and that the result was being awaited. She said that a popular TV presenter in Lagos was instrumental to carrying out the test, adding that the result would be ready soon to vindicate her friend.
Mrs. Ibe said: "I just hope the result comes soon to prove her story because I know she couldn't have stolen the babies. They did the test some weeks ago and we are still expecting the result from South Africa.
"They did it for six babies about three weeks ago, the seventh baby was done recently because they did not bring along the birth certificate with them initially."

Kate Middleton Poses In Recycled Outfit For The Official Tour Portrait

Looks like the Duchess of Cambridge has taken the idea of using recycled outfits too seriously as official portraits of the newly-wedded couple show Kate wearing the same dress she wore before the royal wedding.

Kate wore the Amanda Wakeley blue suit in April when she and Prince William visited the Witton Country Park in Darwen. Complementing her blue dress in the royal portrait was William's matching coloured suit.

The official portrait was taken to mark the couple's royal tour to Canada and California. The photograph shows the Duke and the Duchess standing close together in the garden of Clarence House.

From June 30 to July 8, 2011, the Royal Couple will visit eight cities during their tour of Canada. After that, they will visit Los Angeles and the surrounding areas in the US from July 8 to July 10 before returning back.

Church Bans Chieftaincy Titles, Wedding for Pregnant Women, Others!

I was taken aback when the news filtered into my ears that the Diocese of Amichi, Anglican Communion, has banned new couples from celebrating church wedding before their traditional engagement.*A practice I never admired though*

Couples in Igboland*not peculiar to the Igbo's because I see a lot in my hometown* often fixed both church and traditional weddings on the same day to save cost. But the Bishop of the Diocese in Anambra State, Rt. Rev. Ephraim Ikeakor, disagreed with the arrangement, and banned the practise.* I endorse!*



Bishop Ikeakor, also banned its members from collecting goods on credit*Oops* on behalf of the church during harvest ceremonies as well as shooting of dane guns during burial and funeral rites.

He said: "It is becoming almost a tradition for church members to come early in the morning for church wedding and, thereafter, in the evening go for traditional marriage ceremony. This is unacceptable in this Diocese.*Like I said earlier, I concur!*

On Pregnancy And Childbirth

"We have also observed with shame and dismay the ungodly practise of conducting weddings for pregnant ladies in our churches.*Which has stylishly taken a rampant acceptances in almost all churches* This is both unChristian and un-Anglican.*Humm*

"We will no longer allow the un regenerate members of our church to set some unwholesome precedence and standard in the Church.*I think I love this part*

"In as much as we thank God for the gift of pregnancy, we ought not to put the cart before the horse."*Gbam!*


Source:
Allafrica

Police And Soldiers Clash In Lagos Again!

*Some of us have not wiped away the tears from our eyes as a result of the recent killing resulting from the Police/Soldier Badagry war and now this, please my tears reserve is drying up....*

Only yesterday Police officers and Soldiers clashed at Obanikoro, along the Ikorodu expressway in Lagos throwing the area into panic.

No deaths were recorded *Sigh* and no shots were fired in the crisis that lasted about two hours, but three officers of the Nigerian Army and a suspected police officer reportedly suffered injuries after being beaten up in the resulting fracas.*We can deal with that*

How The Wahala Started:

According to eyewitnesses, trouble started around 8a.m. when police officers and state agency officials attached to the State Task Force, numbering about 30, tried to impound a car, belonging to an officer of the Nigerian Army.

The army officer was reportedly caught by the Task Force for taking the BRT lane, traditionally reserved for BRT and LAGBUS mass transit vehicles only, and was beaten up for refusing to let his car be towed off.

An eyewitness, who identified himself as Dominic said another army officer, who had tried to interfere, was also beaten and locked up in the truck (Black Maria) brought by the Task Force unit.

"Everything was like straight from the movies," he said. "They (Task Force) stopped him for taking the BRT lane. They tried to tow his vehicle away with their truck but he resisted, so they beat him up seriously till he was unconscious. They were kicking and pulling and just beating him. They also beat another soldier that was passing on a motorcycle after he challenged them."

Another eyewitness, who requested anonymity, said the situation got worse when soldiers stopping to have a look at the thrashing, grew in number.

After reaching a sizable number, the soldiers reportedly came to their colleagues' defence by fighting back.

He said, "The police started retreating when the number of soldiers reached about eight; the soldiers charged and caught one of the officers attached to the unit, who was not in uniform, but in a black T-shirt and a black pair of trousers."

Eyewitnesses said other members of the Task Force unit, who had already retreated only watched their colleague being beaten by the soldiers, from about 50 metres away.

"The soldiers beat the officer not in uniform till he was unconscious; they just kept on beating him and his people were only watching from afar," said an eyewitness, Akeem Olusa.

All the while, the soldier initially beaten up by the officers attached to the State Task Force had been revived, and had taken a seat on a kerb by the road.

Mr Olusa said the soldiers later fled the scene after suspecting that the Brigadier Commander, 9th Brigade of the Nigeria Army, Ikeja, Sanusi Muazu, was on his way, to quell the crisis.

This also paved way for the Task Force officers to pull away their colleague and flee the scene.

Police and Army REACTS

This followed an incident that played out about four weeks ago in Badagry, where suspected soldiers attacked and killed three police officers, including Salihu Samuel, a chief superintendent of police and the divisional police officer of Badagry Police station.

The state police spokesperson, Samuel Jinadu, denied any connection with the Badagry killings, adding that no death was recorded. Also speaking on the issue, Mr Muazu, described the situation as unfortunate, stressing that the police and army still maintain a good relationship.

Mr Muazu confirmed that he had had the soldier arrested, and blamed the soldier for taking the BRT lane. He further said the Task Force unit was right to have stopped the soldier, adding that disciplinary actions would follow.

Mr Muazu took the opportunity to warn all operatives of the armed forces to desist from flouting the rules of the state.

Source:
234next

Jamaican Singer: Buju Banton Sentenced To 10Years Imprisonment!

See you Banton in the next decade*I'm waving my hands* Yeah... that's it: the rate at which some of our favourite artists are shipped into prisons these days is becoming alarming. Only recently the Grammy-Award winning reggae star Buju Banton on Thursday was ordered to serve 10 years and one month in federal prison for a conviction of cocaine trafficking.*you see what I'm saying*
The sentence could have been minimum of 15 years had U.S. District Judge James Moody not granted a defense motion to dismiss a firearm charge because the singer did not have a gun during the crime, and the judge said Banton could not have known another conspirator had the weapon. Banton, whose real name is Mark Myrie, did not speak at his sentencing hearing. He blew a kiss to his supporters *what manner of supporters??* in the courtroom as he was being led away, and a woman said, "We love you, Buju!"The wildly popular Jamaican singer released a statement, read by his attorney, David Oscar Markus, after the sentencing, thanking his fans for their support and pledging to move forward: "The days that lie ahead are filled with despair, but I have courage and grace and am hopeful. And that is sufficient to carry me through."A jury in February found Banton, 38, guilty of conspiracy to possess with the intent to distribute cocaine, possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug-trafficking offense and using a telephone to facilitate a drug-trafficking offense.
The singer's career will continue, Markus said. "We're looking forward to him winning more Grammys.*obviously behind bars* He'll have a life again. SMH.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY To Our Royal Father: The Oba Of Benin!!!!!

A Big Hearty Cheers to the Benin Monarch:
The Oba of Benin, Omo N'Oba N'Edo Uku Akpolokpolo, Oba Erediauwa.

It is my sincere pleasure to
convey warm BIRTHDAY wishes and
congratulations from obehiokoawo.blogspot.com staff, crew and family to the our royal father the Oba of Benin.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY SIR!!!!

Omo N'Oba, is the Oba or king of the Edo people, and formerly the Benin Kingdom from 1180 until 1897. 'Oba' means king or ruler. The Edo or Benin homeland (not to be confused with the modern day country of the Republic of Benin).
*Feel free to leave a congratulatory message, thanks*

Panic Rocks Kaduna Over Boko Haram's Bomb Threat!

There was tension in Kaduna State following a threat by suspected Islamic sect, Boko Haram members to bomb Kaduna in the coming days.

But the police public relations officer, Kaduna command, Aminu Lawan, said the command is on top of the situation and would do everything possible to prevent any bomb attack in the state.

"We are collaborating with other stakeholders, because this kind of issue is not going to be a one-man affair or a one business. It's going to be a collective responsibility of all stakeholders. We have community and religious leaders and we have different organisations.

"These organisations have roles to play in nipping this type of incidence in the bud. Everybody has a specific role to play so that we can be able to handle the situation that we are in," he explained.

Mr Aminu who explained that apart from the normal routine patrol and surveillance by security agencies, people should also be vigilant and have the level of alertness to report any suspicious object or movement to the police.

According to him, the anti-bomb special squad of the Nigeria Police is very much at alert to respond to any emergency situation.

The sect declared: "We are ready for the Nigerian state, after the training of our commandos in Somalia, northern states such as Plateau, Kaduna, Taraba, Benue, should watch out for us especially in Kaduna." The sect in an online statement, however warned all civilians to avoid military formations especially the police, stating that "we are stepping up our attacks in the coming weeks in all northern states. The failed assassination attempt on the Inspector General of Police will not deter us as we are going to attack the entire northern parts of the country including Abuja. People should, therefore, avoid crowded places and gatherings," the statement warned.

Security alert

The group claimed that its mission is to make the country ungovernable until all their members detained illegally by the police are released. They said they would revenge the unjust killing of their leaders and members by security agents.

Meanwhile, security was tight at the headquarters of the Kaduna police command yesterday as all the vehicles going into the premises were screened by anti-bomb police men as part of security measures to avert any breach of the peace.

The same was seen at the headquarters of the Nigerian Prisons located along Independence Way where members of the Operation Yaki security outfit positioned about six vehicles around the prison.

The tight security came on the heels of information of an impending jail break by the sect whose members are currently detained at the prison.

Also, security has been beefed up at the Sir Kasim Ibrahim House, the official residence of the state governor, Patrick Yakowa. A combined team of Mobile Police and soldiers are now guarding the main entrance to the Government House including all the major roads leading to the state's seat of power.

EMBARRASSING: ACTRESS INI EDO AND OGE OKOYE FIGHT AT MOVIE LOCATION!

INI EDO AND OGE OKOYE


Report at our disposal reveals that Ini Edo and Oge Okoye engaged in fisticuffs at a location in Festac Town, Lagos.

According to source, the fight started after Ini allegedly accused her erstwhile best friend Oge,of "eyeing" her husband,an allegation we learnt,did not go down well with Oge following which the girls went physical on each other, leading to the cancellation of shoot at the Festac Town.

Adams Oshiomhole Denies Impregnating Lady!

GOVERNOR Adams Oshiomhole of Edo State yesterday justified the appointment of the immediate past Head of Service of the state, Dr. Simon Imuekemhe.
The governor used the opportunity to deny the rumour making the rounds in the state that he impregnated a lady.

Speaking at the swearing-in ceremony of the SSG in Benin, the state capital, Oshiomhole said: the rumour that he impregnated an Uromi lady was designed to dent his image, describing it as malicious.

He said: "There are rumours making the rounds that I had impregnated a lady from Uromi and that I was going marry her. I like to state that it is all rumours. We shall not be deterred in our resolve to institute good governance in Edo State."

He also thanked the people of the state and his associates for attending his daughter, Dr. Winnie's wedding last week.

FREE EDUCATION: Okorocha Of Imo State Orders Refund Of School Fees!

Governor Rochas Okorocha of Imo State has ordered the refund of school fees to students in the current school year. Giving the directives over the weekend, the governor stated that, unlike the former directive, he wanted the free education already declared to commence from May 29, 2011, the day he was sworn in as the 14th executive governor of the state.

Okorocha, who made these remarks while receiving in audience some federal legislators at Government House, Owerri, reiterated that education was compulsory in the state and that non-compliance attracts relevant punishment for parents and guardians.

Congratulating the Deputy Speaker, Emeka Ihedioha for his victory, Okorocha insisted that his administration was about the general good of the state and not party affiliations and called on all elected public officers to shun party differences and pursue common goals in the state.

He revealed that he would convene a forum for both those that won and lost in the 2011 elections to seek common front to reduce distractions through unnecessary court cases.

The governor reminded the federal legislators of their primary role in addressing certain issues in their constituencies, including road construction, erosion menace, second Niger bridge, among others. He also said  their performance and connection with their respective constituencies would ensure their continuity in rendering quality legislative service to the people.

Okorocha maintained that the federal legislators must sustain peace and unity of the Nigerian state through close cooperation, irrespective of the geographical divisions of the country, asserting that he was a firm believer in "one Nigeria".

Task force denies recovering 20 bodies in Onitsha!

OFFICIALS of Anambra State Task Force on Markets and Park, yesterday, denied recovering 20 bodies from a tunnel near one of the MTN masts at Upper Iweka Road in Onitsha.

Contrary to media reports on the matter, the task force said it found only two bodies in the area.

The officials, who spoke on conditions of anony-mity, also said there was no report of any rape at the time they got to the tunnel. They added that what happened was that they received a report the previous day that dead bodies were lying there, but that when they got there, they found the two bodies.

One of the officials said: "We have been getting reports that hoodlums use the tunnel as a haven. So, on Friday morning, we decided to cut the grass that had overgrown the tunnel and we got some people to assist us.

"As we cut the grass and approached the tunnel, we heard some footsteps running in the tunnel. So we decided to go inside the tunnel.

"Unknown to us, the tunnel has an outlet at the other end after the bridge. Before we could get to that end, they had escaped.

"However, we saw a man with an injured person and when we asked what he was doing at the end of the tunnel, he could not give us a reasonable answer and we handed him over to the Police."

TRAGEDY: 4 NYSC Members, 42 Others Die In Enugu And Ibadan Auto Crashes!

TRAGEDY struck in Enugu and Oyo states yesterday as 46 persons died in separate auto accidents. The accident in Enugu which occurred at Egede village on Ninth Mile-Nsukka Highway were a commuter bus belonging to Peace Mass Transit with number plate BENUE -  XB 504 TKP  and another bus owned by Enugu State Transport Company, ENTRACO, with number plate ENUGU – XL 812 UWN each conveying 15 passengers.

The accident claimed 28 passengers and the drivers. Among the deceased were four discharged members of the National Youth Service Corps, NYSC, who were returning to their homes after the national service.

Two persons who were seriously injured and went into coma were rescued by officials of the Federal Road Safety Commission, FRSC, who rushed them to a hospital at Ninth Mile.



The accident in Enugu

The Peace Mass Transit bus marked 2258 was conveying passengers from Enugu to Nsukka and was said to be overtaking another vehicle when he collided with oncoming ENTRACO bus.

Several travelling bags belonging to the  passengers littered the road as the FRSC rescue team and sympathizers discovered four NYSC discharge certificates in the luggage.

The FRSC Sector Commander in Delta State, Commander Lukas Ikpi who got to the scene of the  accident while travelling on the road said he immediately alerted his men at the Enugu Sector Command who rushed to the scene for rescue operation.

Senator Ayogu Eze, representing Enugu North Senatorial District, who was returning to Enugu with some journalists after a function at Igboetiti local government area met the FRSC officials removing the mangled corpses trapped in the smashed vehicles.

Deputy Governor of Enugu State, Mr Sunday Onyebuchi and Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Water Resources,  Dr Godknows Igali, the State Chairman of PDP, Engr. Vita Abba, who also attended the flag off of the N2.57 billion Adada River Dam at Igboetiti council also witnessed the accident and expressed shock at the number of casualties.

18 die in Ibadan auto crash

At the Ibadan accident, 18 people were said to have died after a commercial bus fell off a bridge at Soka Bus Stop, Oluyole Local Government area of the city.

Among those who lost their lives in the unfortunate accident were two children whose ages ranged between three  and five. There were only three survivors.

The commercial bus with number plate JIGAWA XB 633 DUT which was Lagos bound took off from Kano State and on getting to Ibadan, involved in an accident.

According to an eye witness, the accident happened around 7.00 am along Lagos-Ibadan expressway.

A survivor who identified himself as Ahmadu, said since they left Kano, the trip was hitch-free until they got to Ibadan.
Since they all came from different places, he could not identify any of the deceased whose corpses have been deposited at the mortuaries of the Adeoyo General Hospital, University College Hospital while others are receiving treatment in another hospital.

Men of the Federal Road Safety Corps, FRSC, and Oyo State Police Command were busy rescuing some of the survivors and taking them to the hospital.

The state FRSC Sector Commander, Mr. Godwin Ogagaoghene confirmed the accident saying reckless driving must have been responsible for the accident.

Source:
Vanguard