ROWDY SESSIONS: Disorder in Senate During Discussions on Rivers Crisis

The Senate had supported the traditions of rowdy sessions, as tempers rose during discussions of the ongoing crisis in Rivers State.
The unhealthy incident occurred on January 22, 2014, Wednesday, when the upper chamber was considering a motion entitled: “Recent Shooting and Disruption of Political Rally in Port Harcourt, Rivers State” sponsored by Senator Wilson Ake (Rivers West) and 47 others.
Senator Alkali Jajere (Yobe South) sprang from his seat to protest alleged abusive comment directed at Senator Ahmed Lawan by Senator James Manager (Delta South).
Sen. Jajere was said to have been infuriated by alleged unprintable remarks Sen. Manager made against Sen. Lawan.
Yobe South Senator further demanded apology from Sen. Manager and insisted that proceedings at the chamber could only resume when Sen. Manager apologised to Sen. Lawan.
Senate plenary was disrupted for more than 10 minutes, as some of the Senators made efforts to calm Sen. Jajere, who charged furiously at Sen. Manager.
The Senate President, David Mark, watched with disbelief as voices rose, while some Senators promptly formed a ring around Sen. Manager, apparently, to ward off any possible attack on him.
A group of Senators reminded Sen. Manager that the proceeding of the Senate were live on TV, and therefore, convinced him to apologise to Sen. Lawan.
The Delta South lawmaker left his seat shook hand and embraced Lawan.
After the incident David Mark reminded his colleagues that all of them “cannot be telling people dialogue, dialogue and then… fight.”
“Tempers rose just now, I hope it does not rise again. We have to be careful about the situation in Rivers State,” he added.
The Senate further decided to invite the Inspector General of Police, Abubakar Mohammed, to brief it and give a situation report of the current situation in Rivers State.
It would be recalled that on January 21, 2014, Tuesday, the House of Representatives was embroiled in uproar as the All Progressives Congress (APC) members in the House claimed majority during debates on Rivers crisis

UNBELIEVABLE: Imo PDP Raises Alarm over Importation of Alleged Boko Haram Members by Okorocha

The leadership of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Imo State raised the alarm that Governor Owelle Rochas Okorocha has allegedly imported suspected Boko Haram members into the state with the aim of eliminating his political opponents and causing breakdown of law and order.
George Egu, PDP Secretary in Imo State, made this statement at a press conference in Owerri on January 21, 2014, Tuesday.
He claimed that three truck-loads of young men arrived to the capital city of Imo state on January 15 and were kept at the premises of the Imo College of Advanced Professional Studies (CAPS).
“Our party has facts to believe that these men confessed to be Muslims from the Northern states of Kaduna, Kano and Kastina and were about 30 in number”, PDP Secretary said.
Mr. Egu expressed concern that the alleged Boko Haram members have been brought to the state in less than 24 hours before the arrival of the Governor from the United States.
The PDP also expressed fear that the presence of the suspected fundamentalists is “targeted at known political opponents of the state government and breaching the peace”.
Therefore, Mr. Egu urged the police and other security agencies in the state to be on alert.
However, a spokesperson to Governor Okorocha, Mr. Sam Onwuemedu, debunked all the allegations, describing them as false.
He said it was ridiculous for members of the PDP to claim that they saw Boko Haram members and did not arrest or report them to the police:
“The Federal Government is looking for Boko Haram suspects and if members of the PDP have seen them, they should alert the Government.”

Jonathan names 12 new ministerial nominees

President Goodluck Jonathan on Tuesday forwarded the names of 12 new ministerial nominees to the Senate for consideration and confirmation.
Jonathan in a letter read by Senate President David Mark at plenary in Abuja said the nominations were in accordance with Section147 (2) of the Constitution.
The nominees are – ex-National Security Adviser, General Aliu Mohammed Gusau (Zamfara State), Nigerian Ambassador to Ghana, Senator Musiliu Obanikoro (Lagos), Hon. Mohammed Wakil (Borno), Abduljelili Oyewale Adesiyan (Osun), Ambassador Aminu Wali (Kano), Mrs. Hadjia Jemila Salik (Kano) and Mrs. Akon Etim Eyakenyi (Akwa Ibom).
Others are – Laurencia Labaran Mallam (Kaduna), Dr. Tamuno W. Danagogo (Rivers), Asabe Asmau Ahmed (Niger), Mr. Boni Haruna (Adamawa) and Dr. Khaliru Alhassan (Sokoto).
Also on Tuesday, Jonathan presented the names of the newly appointed Chief of Defence Staff and Service Chiefs for confirmation.
They are the Chief of Defence Staff, Air Marshall Alex Badeh, Chief of Army Staff, Major General Kenneth Minimah, Chief of Naval Staff, Rear Admiral Usman Jibrin and Chief of Air Staff, Air Vice Marshall Adesola Amosu.
Jonathan said: “I write to forward, in compliance with the provisions of Section 18(1) of the Armed Forces Act, Cap. A.20 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004, the names of the under listed for the kind confirmation of the Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria for appointment as Chief of Defence Staff, and Service Chiefs of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.”
It would be recalled that this is the first time appointments into the military hierarchy are being subjected to Senate’s confirmation.
A Federal High Court had ruled that it was illegal for the Chief of Defence Staff and other Service Chiefs to be appointed by the President without Senate’s confirmation.
The case was instituted by Lagos lawyer, Festus Keyamo

Community Urges Lagos Police Boss To Probe Death Of Constable’s Wife

The sudden death of a middle-aged woman, Faith Adakole, wife of a Police Constable, Daniel Adakole, attached to Mopol 23, Lagos, is currently stirring controversy among residents of Agokome Village, in Badagry area of Lagos State, as they accused the husband of allegedly beating his wife to death.
Some residents, under the aegis of Concerned Citizens of Agokome Village, Badagry, have written a petition to the Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Umar Manko, asking him to launch an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the death of the woman, who is a native of Adoka, in Otukpo Local Government Area of Benue State.
They alleged that, PC Adakole, a native of Edumoga in Okpowu Local Government Area of Benue State, has been in the habit of beating his wife for long, but he ran into trouble on January 9,2014, when his wife gave up the ghost few hours after another beating.
In the petition which was signed by one Mr. Badalola Awogi Amosu, the residents urged Manko not to allow a cover up of the matter as the Police Constable is capable of doing such. According to the petition, “We the Concerned Citizens of Agokome Village opposite Badagry wish in pains to write to the Commissioner of Police of the murder of late Mrs. Faith Adakole by her husband PC Daniel Adakole attached to Mopol 23 PMF Sqd Lion Building Lagos.
“That on January 9, 2014 in the evening time. We don’t know the actual time the incident occurred. One of their neighbours heard shouts and screams from PC Daniel Adakole’s apartment so she went into the room and she met the deceased crying and saying my husband has killed me. The neighbour asked two of their children, Wisdom and Destiny Adakole, who she met in the room with their mother, what was happening and the children said their father hit their mother in her stomach and pushed her to the bathroom before she started crying for help. PC Daniel Adakole rushed her to a nearby chemist when he knew that he could no longer control the situation and was advised by the chemist, to take her to the general hospital Badagry for further treatment. The next day, at about 3am the woman died.
“Sir, PC Daniel Adakole, has also ordered his senior son Wisdom Adakole not to talk to anybody about the cause of the death of their mother. But the second son by name Destiny can give details of the death of their mother.
“Sir, as we went further to inquire, one Cpl Sebastine Okwrudo, who serves at Morogbo Divisional Police Headquarters, Lagos, went to the scene and he can also testify on what he saw at the scene.
“Sir, PC Daniel Adakole is from Edumoga in Okpowu LGA of Benue State while the late wife Mrs. Faith Adakole is from Adoka in Otukpo LGA of Benue State. Sebastine may not like to open up because they are from the same village.
“We were told that the corpse will be taken down to Benue State the home town of the deceased on coming week for burial. Sir, if quick action is not taken, there is likelihood that the murderer will boot away. He is already noticing that people have known the role he played in the death of the wife.
“Sir, no day of the week that this man will not beat his late wife, it has become a weekly routine that he must beat the woman and we always advised him against his action. He will threaten us that we should know that he is a Mopol man and he always moves with gun into the house, so we are all afraid not to be killed or shot with his gun.
“Furthermore, we were reliably informed that he is due for promotion course. Also he has some Senior Police Officers and army Officers and some very Senior Civil Servants even from the area with the Minister of Interior so that is our fear now, if justice can be done because of the influential people behind him. Also we learnt that his unit Commander is from Idoma too, in case of any cover-up.
“Sir, we count on you that we will not be disappointed to wade into this case so that justice should be done, also the doctor’s report will determine the cause of death.” It stated.
When Vanguard Crime Alert contacted PC Adakole for comments through a phone number attached to the petition, he threatened to kill this reporter for accusing him of killing his wife. He also insisted that this reporter must visit him at Badagry if he wants to get his own side of the story. “You must come to Badagry with a copy of the petition and you must produce the man who signed the petition.
“If you don’t come to Badagry with that petition, I will trace you through your phone number and when I track you I will make sure I send you to your grave. You can come to Badagry with soldiers and policemen, if you think you are not safe but I can not meet with you in any other place, even at the State Command Headquarters Ikeja,” he threatened.

NUJ Condemns Attacks On Journalists In Rivers

The Rivers State council of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) has condemned violent attacks on journalists covering the state and warned that it might consider the withdrawal of services of its members if the trend continues.
This came in reaction to the attacks on journalists working for Channels Television at the botched rally of Save Rivers Movement (SRM) in Bori, headquarters of Khana Local Government Area of the state last Sunday.
Rising from an emergency meeting of the state executive council yesterday, the union released a nine-point communiqué expressing concern over the political situation in the state and the increasing attacks on journalist covering the state.
The communiqué, signed by Chairman of the state council of the NUJ, Mr. Opaka Dokubo, and the Secretary, Stanley Job Stanley, noted that journalists were not interested parties in the political crisis currently rocking the state, but were merely carrying out their professional duties.
“We condemn the attack on journalists working with Channels Television on Sunday, January 19, 2014, at Bori, headquarters of Khana Local Government Area of Rivers State, during the botched Save Rivers Movement rally.
“We recall similar attacks on journalists working with TV Continental, Sun Newspapers, RSTV, Rhythm 93.7 FM, among others.
“We find this situation unacceptable and urge political parties, groups and their followers to engage in their activities and leave journalists alone to practise their chosen profession.”
The union also condemned the involvement of policemen and other security agents in the violence against journalists and innocent people in the state.
“We also condemn a situation where policemen and other security agents attack journalists or even stand-by and watch while journalists are being attacked by hoodlums.
“We call on the police and other security agencies to ensure the safety of lives and property of all Nigerians in Rivers State, irrespective of their political affiliations.
“We also call on the police and other security agencies to ensure the protection of journalists operating in the state, in the discharge of their professional responsibilities.”
The NUJ therefore warned that if the attacks were not stopped and the safety of journalists guaranteed in the state, it would withdraw the services of its members in the state.
“We wish to warn that should these incessant attacks continue on journalists in Rivers State, the state council of the NUJ shall take appropriate steps, including the withdrawal of our services”.

3 Feared Dead, Several Missing As Tiv, Fulani Herdsmen Clash In Benue

A clash that erupted, Sunday morning, between Fulani herdsmen and Tiv natives in Adeke village, about 4 km from Maakurdi, Benue State, has led to the death of three persons, while several others were declared missing.
Crisis had weekend broken out in Adeke, after suspected Tiv youths allegedly killed over 30 cows belonging to some herdsmen residing in the area, leading to the break down of peace in the community.
It was learnt that the herdsmen who had lived in a settlement within the community had since the commencement of the crisis evacuated their children and wives to neighbouring Nasarawa State preparatory to a major onslaught.
A clash that erupted, Sunday morning, between Fulani herdsmen and Tiv natives in Adeke village, about 4 km from Maakurdi, Benue State, has led to the death of three persons, while several others were declared missing.
Crisis had weekend broken out in Adeke, after suspected Tiv youths allegedly killed over 30 cows belonging to some herdsmen residing in the area, leading to the break down of peace in the community.
It was learnt that the herdsmen who had lived in a settlement within the community had since the commencement of the crisis evacuated their children and wives to neighbouring Nasarawa State preparatory to a major onslaught.
Schools, shops and other business outlets as well as the mammy market near the mobile police barracks in the area also remained closed.
A mobile police officer who spoke to Vanguard on grounds of anonymity, said: “There is palpable tension in the entire community. Three persons have lost their lives in this crisis and many are still missing. No one is sure of the next move of the herdsmen, that is why most families have deserted their homes.”
Reacting to the development, the lawmaker representing Makurdi South constituency at the State House of Assembly, Mr. Benjamin Adanyi said: “With what we see happening in Adeke, I would not be surprised if the Fulani mercenaries decide to match into the heart of Makurdi town in the coming days.
“I strongly believe this could be an orchestrated plan by the caliphate to annihilate smaller communities and extend its influence over them.”
Also speaking, Benue state Chairman, Christian Association of Nigeria, CAN, Archbishop Yiman Orkwar said: “A jihad has been declared on Benue State and the Federal Government seems unperturbed and people are being killed by people who have no regards for human lives.”
Contacted, the Police Public Relations Officer, Deputy Superintendent Daniel Ezeala said security had been beefed up in the community to forestal further crisis.
Schools, shops and other business outlets as well as the mammy market near the mobile police barracks in the area also remained closed.
A mobile police officer who spoke to Vanguard on grounds of anonymity, said: “There is palpable tension in the entire community. Three persons have lost their lives in this crisis and many are still missing. No one is sure of the next move of the herdsmen, that is why most families have deserted their homes.”
Reacting to the development, the lawmaker representing Makurdi South constituency at the State House of Assembly, Mr. Benjamin Adanyi said: “With what we see happening in Adeke, I would not be surprised if the Fulani mercenaries decide to match into the heart of Makurdi town in the coming days.
“I strongly believe this could be an orchestrated plan by the caliphate to annihilate smaller communities and extend its influence over them.”
Also speaking, Benue state Chairman, Christian Association of Nigeria, CAN, Archbishop Yiman Orkwar said: “A jihad has been declared on Benue State and the Federal Government seems unperturbed and people are being killed by people who have no regards for human lives.”
Contacted, the Police Public Relations Officer, Deputy Superintendent Daniel Ezeala said security had been beefed up in the community to forestal further crisis.

In 2014, I Caution You Against Provocative Utterances – Senate President Mark

In his welcoming speech to colleagues at the first plenary since Christmas and New Year’s break, Senate President David Mark urged them not to be used as mere tools of factional politics but to uphold the primacy of the interest of Nigeria and the welfare of the people.

He noted that, driven by personal selfish ambitions, politicians tend to overheat the polity thus undermining governance. He warned his fellow lawmakers against provocative utterances, urgin them to exhibit maturity in their approach to national issues.
“As we resume today, we will soon realize that it is not only our legislative responsibilities that will task our wisdom. Pervasive political tension arising from festering political disputes continues to engage the larger polity.
“Across the nation, governance appears to have been sacrificed on the altar of desperate political manoeuvres and feverish permutations aimed at out-flanking one another ahead of the 2015 elections.
“Blinded by unclad ambition, the political class has so painfully forgotten the lessons of our national history, and has once again allowed the collision of vaulting personal ambitions to overheat the polity and undermine governance,” Mr. Mark said.
“Coming at a time when our nation is still transiting amid tremendous strains and enormous social and economic challenges, the emphasis on primordial politics at the expense of governance is irresponsible, and even dangerous.
“I have said this several times, and even at the risk of sounding like a broken record, let me once again caution against provocative utterances.”
The Senate president lamented attacks on Senators Magnus Abe, Ali Ndume, and Gbenga Obadara in different parts of Nigeria and assured that he had instituted probes into the cases.

VIDEO: Yoruba Women Disgracing Themselves At A London Bus Station

Watch video Yoruba Women Disgracing Themselves At A London Bus Station

Kate Henshaw Narrowly Escapes Death

Nollywood actress, Kate Henshaw  took to her twitter page to thank God for sparing her life after she narrowly escaped an auto accident with a BRT Bus in Lagos yesterday, in Anthony area of the state.
The actress tweeted "Hmmmm...God protect us! Almost crushed by a BRT Bus D027 along Anthony! Wonder if they receive any driving lessons or just let loose!!!
See some of her fans' response to her tweet below

Why Mohammadu Buhari CAN NEVER BE President of The Federal Republic Of Nigeria

On Friday, 23rd August, 1985, the military government of Major-General Mohammadu Buhari decided to place me under arrest. My crime was that I wrote, among others, an article entitled "Counter-trading Nigeria's Future" in the National Concord, exposing the government's scam of diverting public funds into private coffers through barter-trade with Brazil.

A man by the name of Benson Norman was sent from the State Security Services (SSS) to my office to get me. Not finding me, he left a note that I must present myself unfailingly at the SSS office at 15 Awolowo Road, Ikoyi Lagos the next Monday morning.
However, on Sunday, 25th August, 1985, Lateef Aminu came first thing in the morning to my house to inform me that the government of Buhari/Idiagbon had been overthrown. For this reason, I am fond of telling people that God brought about a change of government in Nigeria just because of me.
Coup-plotter
Under the Buhari/Idiagbon regime, once you ended up at 15 Awolowo Road, you may never be heard of again. Decree Number 2 of 1984 empowered Tunde Idiagbon to arrest and detain anybody indefinitely without trial and without legal reprieve. After Buhari was overthrown, Mohammadu Gambo opened the prison doors of 15 Awolowo Road on public television, revealing people in various stages of undress and malnutrition that had been kept in the dungeons without trial by Buhari's hound-dogs.
As self-imposed Head of State, Buhari had no regard for human rights. Immediately he seized power, he announced that he would "tamper with" the press. Soon, the infamous Decree Number 4 was promulgated which made even the publication of the truth a punishable offence. Under this cover, Buhari jailed innocent journalists, including Tunde Thompson and Nduka Irabo. He abolished civil liberties, promulgated retroactive decrees enabling him to kill Nigerians through jungle justice, proscribed civil society organizations and professional groups and exercised "absolute" power.
This same Buhari would now have us believe that he has gone through some metamorphosis and has become a democrat. I am sure you will forgive me if people like me don't believe him. Buhari is not, has never been, and will never be, a democrat. Only in Nigeria would a man with his track record, who came to power through a military coup that illegally overthrew a democratic government, now be acclaimed as a democrat. It is on record that Buhari's military regime is the only one in Nigeria's history that failed to promulgate a programme for return to civilian rule.
Facts and fiction
So what exactly qualifies Buhari as a democrat today? Precious little! There is nothing democratic about forming and joining political parties just in order to be the presidential candidate. Little wonder then that Buhari's parties have a short shelf-life. Buhari would like to be Nigeria's head of state once again. He can no longer achieve this through the barrel of a gun. The only route now open to him is through the democratic process. That is the reason he now conveniently fashions himself as a democrat. It is merely a means to an end; no more, no less.
Buhari's reputation as an anti-corruption crusader is also a myth. As head of state, he did not make any dent in Nigerian corruption. All we got was a cosmetic "war against indiscipline." The counter-trade scam happened under his watch. Rather than deal with it, he sent his hound-dogs after nonentities like me who dared to expose it. That scam was no different, in scope and scale, from the petroleum subsidy and other corruption scandals that have since plagued Nigeria. The Petroleum Trust Fund (PTF) that Buhari headed under Abacha was also a citadel of corruption. While Buhari himself might not have enriched himself, his cronies and those who worked under him did so handsomely.
On three different occasions, Buhari has run for the presidency. On three different occasions he has failed. That should really be enough. If, as seems likely, he were to run for the presidency a fourth time in 2015, there is no question that he would fail yet again. Try as he might again and again, Mohammadu Buhari can never be President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

My Ideal Man Must Be Handsome –Singer, Niyola

First Lady of Empire Mate Entertainment (EME), Eniola Akinbo popularly known as Niyola in a recent interview reveals her ideal man.

In her words
I’m not in a relationship and I don’t like the phrase Mr Right. Any man that I would get involved with has to possess certain basic qualities. I have a strong personality so, my man must be confident. Any man who lacks self-confidence will not be able to live with a strong woman. He must also have the fear of God. This is very important and he must be intelligent. It also helps if he is good looking. Attraction is important in a relationship.
On being séxy
I have always been self-aware. I am a woman and have always been conscious of my body and the effect it has on the opposite séx. I am me and being séxy is innate. It is not something I do on purpose, it’s like breathing. I don’t know for a fact if it has helped increase my acceptability or made me marketable. I want to believe my music does all that for me.