31 Dec 2014

2015: The hurdles before Isiaka and Ogun PDP

After a lot of horse trading, the national leadership of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) endorsed Mr. Gboyega Nasir Isiaka, as the governorship candidate for the Ogun State chapter of the party after about three weeks of his election at the primary.

The fact that the national leadership of the party did not allow the result of the primary to be announced for a couple of weeks proved that there was a lot of issues that needed to be addressed, to avoid re-occurrence of their 2011 experience.

In Rivers State, the politics of zoning and dichotomy is currently causing uproar within the state’s PDP. The issue is still causing much controversy even after the party’s governorship primary. Observers feel the scenario might bring sharp divide into the party towards next year’s general elections.

Chief Sergeant Chidi Awuse, a PDP chieftain, unarguably, is an encyclopedia of Rivers politics. He has been actively involved in the state’s politics right from the Social Democratic Party (SDP) and National Republican Convention (NRC) era when the military regime of Gen. Ibrahim Babangida introduced diarchy. Since then, there was hardly any dispensation Awuse did not contest for the governorship position on diverse political platforms. In his radical approach to become governor of the state right from the time of old Rivers, Awuse might have arguably pioneered the controversial upland and riverine dichotomy. So, the issue of Rivers dichotomy is a stuff he knows well.

•The year ending today was dotted with ugly spots for the capital city.

The whistle is blowing for the exit of 2014. Just like yesterday, it started with high hopes, expectations, fears and anxiety. And fast enough, the 365 days have crawled slowly to the last point.

A retrospect on the year is what the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) would hardly recall in joy. It was a year the nation’s capital bled profusely and would always remember with pains.

Abuja Metro’s flashback on the journey of the year brings back the bitter reality of what a year should really not be next time. It has been an interesting year for the wrong reasons. While major political events dominated the landscape during the period under review, insecurity too assumed a worrisome dimension. Beyond three major bomb blasts that rocked strategic places in the territory, there were other under-reported criminal activities in the territory.

For the people of Nkalagu, Nkalaha, Amazu, Umuhuali, Obegu, Egedegede communities in Ishielu Local Government Area of Ebonyi State, this is a period of temporary relief.

The rainy season makes their heart beat fast because of the deplorable state of their roads.

During the rainy season they had cried out to the Federal Government to rescue them from the pitiable, deplorable, and horrible federal road in their communities

As the year is gradually rolling to an end, the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Enugu State Command, has advocated the use of bicycles as a means of transport to help reduce accidents on the roads.

The commission which made this appeal in its spread of the ‘gospel of ember months’ to the people of Enugu, also urged them to drive with utmost caution, ‘not just to be alive but to save life’.

Supreme Council of the Elders of the Indigenous People of Biafra yesterday organized a unity congress in Owerri aimed at bringing all pro-Biafra groups including the Movement for the Actualization of the Sovereign State of Biafra (MASSOB) and its splinter groups under one umbrella to quicken the struggle for self determination.

As Nigerians prepare to enter the year 2015, former Lagos State governor and All Progressives Congress (APC) National Leader, Senator Bola Tinubu, has called for vigilance.

In a New Year message, Tinubu stated that as the nation prepares for the 2015 general election, vigilance is the price the citizens must pay for their democratic rights and liberties.

He noted that it behooves on the citizens to either vote for continuity of the present order in the country or for a change.

People friendly telecom operator, Globacom has donated food items worth millions of naira to charity organisations in the country in the spirit of end of year festivities.

The items comprising of edibles and essentials for children were delivered by senior staff of the company to several charity homes in different locations across the country, including Lagos, Ibadan, Benin, Enugu, Abuja and Port Harcourt.

Ekiti State Police Command has arrested a two-man robbery gang, who attacked a section of the state capital, Ado Ekiti on Christmas eve.

The command said the arrest was made possible because of the watertight security put in place to ensure a crime-free situation at yuletide.

THE All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ekiti State has petitioned the National Security Adviser (NSA) to President Goodluck Jonathan, Sambo Dasuki, calling his attention to a sudden increase in security threats in Ekiti State shortly after Governor Ayodele Fayose was declared winner of the June 21, 2014 governorship election.

The World Health Organization, on Monday morning, declared Nigeria Ebola-free after 42-day period with no new cases in the country.

Today marks three months after widespread fear that Ebola virus could spread through Nigeria, Africa’s most populous nation.

The WHO declaration is premised on the fact that Nigeria has not had a confirmed case of Ebola for 42 days or two incubation periods of 21 days, just as it did for Senegal on Friday, the AFP said.

The World Health Organization (WHO) Country Representative, Dr Ruiz Vaz, had, at meeting in Abuja in October 9, said WHO will confirm Nigeria Ebola-free after a 42-day follow-up.

LP has a winning team –Alao-Akala

A former Governor of Oyo State, Adebayo Alao-Akala, who is the governorship candidate of the Labour Party in the state, said on Monday that the 2015 elections in the state would be a turning point for his new party.

Alao-Akala left the Peoples Democratic Party to join LP on the day PDP’s primary was held in Ibadan.

‎Speaking in Ibadan during the inauguration of LP’s campaign committee, the former governor said he was confident that LP had assembled a winning team, with Sharafadeen Alli, being his running mate.

He added that rather than discussing individuals, the campaign team would dwell purely on issues, and devoid of violence.

The 30-man committee is headed by Dr. Kola Balogun, the younger brother of the Ibadan High Chief and chief of the PDP, Chief Lekan Balogun.

A former commissioner during the tenure of former governor Lam Adesina, Caleb Oyaniyi, is the secretary of the campaign committee while former chairman of the defunct All Nigeria Peoples Party, Razak Folorunso, will serve as Head of Media and Publicity.

Former Oyo State governor and Labour Party flag bearer in the 2015 governorship election, Otunba Adebayo Alao-Akala, yesterday rolled out his 13-point agenda aimed at alleviating the sufferings of the people of the state.

After weeks of bitter political wrangling, a former Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission [EFCC], Nuhu Ribadu, and Governor Bala Ngilari of Adamawa State have buried their differences and agreed to work together in the interest of their troubled state.

The re-deployment of the Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) in Osun State, Rufus Oluwatoyin Akeju to Oyo State has been rejected by a coalition of political parties.

The membership of the political parties protested Akeju’s re-deployment to Oyo at the state headquarters of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Parliament Road, Ibadan on Monday.

I don’t publicize my sexuality': Soul singer, J’odie talks sex, virginity & self-control in new interview

African woman, Joy Odiete, also known as J’odie has been off the social scene for a while now but it’s all because she has been cooking up something.

With her hit song ‘Kuchi Kuchi’ which rocked the Nigerian airwaves some years back, Jodie has proved to be a soulful singer with a personality that exudes freshness and originality.

In this interview with YNaija.com, she opens up on growing up, music, love and sex life, and more.
Enjoy.

Food Review: Five Guys Burgers, Trafford Centre

When it was first announced that American burger giant Five Guys was opening in Manchester, I had lots of devotees “OMG-ing” at me, telling me how it serves up “the best burger EVER” and lots of other OTT superlatives.

But when I headed on the opening day at the Trafford Centre, back in April, I admit I was a little underwhelmed by it all, felt it was a bit expensive for what is essentially a fast food joint, and I certainly didn’t feel the need for an OMG.

With shopping trips calling me back to the mall over the festive period, though, I decided it was the perfect time to return and cast a critical eye over the diner at the front of The Orient food court.

As soon as we arrived, at the open plan entrance with red and white checked branding, we received the friendliest of welcomes from a front of house gentlemen.

Be warned, this shortlist has the potential to send you into cuteness overload.

Chester Zoo has compiled an adorable collection of 10 baby animals that were born at the animal attraction during 2014.

From penguin chicks to newborn zebras, to the birth of the zoo’s first ever warthogs, take a look at Chester Zoo’s top 10 babies of the year.

When Christmas dinner is over and you still have half a turkey left to eat you might be wondering what to do with the meat.

Well we have some ideas for you...

Turkey and stuffing sandwich

Flickr/ zeema999

The best part of Christmas for many. Nothing quite beats enjoying a cold turkey and stuffing sandwich in front of a TV on boxing day.

Turkey curry

The classic leftover turkey meal. Simply make up a curry using your favourite sauce and veg.

However the tip is to make sure you add the turkey right at the end so it does not go all stringy.

Coronation turkey

A twist on a classic British chicken dish.

Mix curry spices into mayonnaise, add chopped fresh coriander and lime juice then mix chopped meat into mayonnaise.

Eat on pitta or naan bread with shredded lettuce.

Turkey pie

Start by making a simple white sauce, which is 100g butter, 100g flour and 500ml of milk mixed together until creamy. Shred up the turkey, add that in, as well as a load of crispy bacon bits.

You can also add some shredded leeks, then season it all well, then simply put some puff pastry on top, pop it in the oven and bake for 25 minutes.

Turkey stir fry

Stir-fry sliced green pepper, carrot, onion, and mange tout in a woke for a few minutes until cooked.

Add strips of turkey and continue cooking until reheated. Add a sauce of your choice, including sweet and sour, hoisin or sweet chili, heat through and serve.

Turkey soup

Flickr/ Cheryl

Break up the turkey carcass and place in a large pan filled with water and season with salt, pepper, and a bay leaf.

Heat to boiling over high heat; reduce heat to low, cover and simmer for 90 minutes.

Skim off residue from the top and remove the bones and bay leaf, but leave in any meat.

Continue to cook for 30 minutes and stir in some leftover turkey, chopped onion and carrot.

Simmer for 25 minutes and serve.

Turkey fajitas

The fajita is a firm family favourite on dinner tables across the country.

Simply replace the usual chicken or beef filling with turkey. You can use it cold or reheat it by frying it with with some Cajun spice, chopped onion, green pepper, chilli and garlic.

Serve with flour tortillas, tomato salsa, shredded lettuce, sour cream and guacamole.

Creamy turkey pasta

Melt 100g of butter in a saucepan and stir in 60g of flour. Mix in 700m of chicken or turkey stock and 500ml of milk.

Cook and stir until it begins to boil. Stir in 175g of Parmesan cheese (cheddar will do) and remove from hear.

Mix in leftover turkey strips and cooked pasta or spaghetti and serve.

Turkey salad with dried tomatoes

Simply tear off some of the leftover turkey and cut into strips.

Then add some salad leaves, sundried tomatoes and spring onion. For the dressing mix a good glub of olive oil with the juice of a lemon, a dash of rice vinegar, teaspoon of wholegrain mustard and honey and season to taste.

Turkey chili con carne

Fry off the turkey with an onion and pour in two cups of water.

Mix in a can of tomatoes and another of kidney beans with a tablespoon of minced garlic.

Season with chili powder, paprika, oregano, cayenne pepper, cumin, salt, and pepper.

Bring it all to the boil and reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 30 minutes.

Top Ten celebrity fashion moments of 2014

It’s been a year of showstopping glamour on Manchester’s social scene, with the city’s soap stars, WAGs and fashionistas pulling out all the stops with their red carpet ballgowns and night out dresses.

Here, we pick out our top ten fashion moments of 2014 – and you can also vote for your favourite look at the bottom of this article.

Leah with two-year-old Caleb and her adoptive parents Debbie and Andrew

A young woman who was abandoned as a baby has issued a fresh appeal for help to find her birth mother as she celebrates her 20th birthday tomorrow.

Leah, whose surname we have been asked not to use, was left in a toilet cubicle at Wythenshawe Hospital on December 29, 1994.

Nobody came forward after an appeal in the M.E.N. earlier this month, but the determined nursing student refuses to give up hope.

Leah, who has a two-year-old son, Caleb, said: “It would mean the absolute world to hear from her. It’s 20 years ago and I just hope she’d be thinking of me.

Family of seven rescued from house fire in Rochdale

Three children, their parents, two grandparents, and a puppy were all asleep at the time the blaze broke out at the house on Manchester Road in Rochdale in the early hours of this morning

A family was rescued from their home by firefighters on Manchester Road, Castleton

A family of seven and their pet dog were rescued by firefighters after a blaze ripped through their house in Rochdale.

Chelsea midfielder Cesc Fabregas was left frustrated after being booked for diving during yesterday’s 1-1 draw at Southampton.

The former Arsenal and Barcelona player believes that he was fouled in the penalty area by Saints defender Matt Targett and that it should have been a penalty.

Instead, referee Anthony Taylor booked Fabregas for diving, which the Spaniard puts down to “a bad day at the office” for the referee.

Mourinho rages over anti-Chelsea 'campaign'

Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho says a "campaign" against his side is to blame for four of his players picking up bookings for diving this season.

Cesc Fabregas became the latest Blues player to see yellow for simulation in Sunday's 1-1 draw at Southampton, though it appeared he had been tripped by Saints left-back Matt Targett.

Former Head of State and chieftain of the opposition All Progressives Congress, APC, General Muhammadu Buhari, yesterday, x-rayed current political developments in the country and concluded that Nigeria was headed for the brink.

He, therefore, appealed to President Goodluck Jonathan to “pull Nigeria back from the brink”.

Highlighting some of the developments which informed his conclusion in a statement issued, yesterday, in Kaduna, General Buhari said that in his capacity as an elder statesman, he had spoken to President Jonathan in private over the issues but it has not yielded positive results. He added that history will not be kind to him (Buhari) if he sat back while things turned bad in the country.

After being accused of sleeping with two sisters in a news report that went viral in 2013, Nollywood actor, Desmond Elliot kept silent on the matter until recently, when he reacted to the issue. He stated in an interview that nothing of such happened, stating that the girls in question were just wards under his care.

A local television station in Nigeria captures the moment a second bomb ripped through a bustling bus terminal and market frequented by thousands of people in Nigeria’s central city of Jos.

At least 118 people were killed and dozens more injured when two car bombs exploded at a busy bus terminal and market in Nigeria’s central city of Jos on Tuesday.

The second blast, which was captured on camera by a local television station, came half an hour after the first, killing some of the rescue workers who had rushed to the scene.

Huge plumes of black smoke could be seen rising from the fires that, according to emergency crews, were still burning some eight hours later.

There was no immediate claim of responsibility for the attacks.

28 Dec 2014

Sacked Oyo Commissioner Remanded in Prison For Fraud!

Honourable Kazeem Adedeji, a former Commissioner for Trade, Investment and Cooperatives was on Thursday remanded in prison custody by a Federal High Court sitting in Lagos.

The former Commissioner and two others; Yinka Fatoki and Kolawole Adewole are to be remanded at the Kirikiri Prisons till 8 October when their bail application will be heard.

The 3 are facing a six-count charge bordering on conspiracy and fraud.

The second phase of the distribution of Permanent Voters Card (PVC) exercise in Oyo State by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) comes up this weekend, Friday to Sunday (Oct.24 to 26,2014), the Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), Nasir Ayilara, has said.

The Governor of Oyo State, Senator Abiola Ajimobi on Tuesday announced the portfolios of the newly appointed Commissioners and Advisers.

It was contained in a statement signed by the Special Assistant on Media to the governor, Mr. Wale Sadeeq, that four of the commissioners who were reappointed into the cabinet, Messrs Adebayo Ojo, Muyiwa Gbadegesin, Zacheus Adedeji Adelabu and Princess Adetutu Adeyemi-Aigbe would retain their portfolios as Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Commissioner of Health, Finance and Culture and Tourism respectively, while Princess Oyefunke Oworu, who was Special Adviser Trade and Investmentwill take charge of the ministry of Trade, Cooperatives and Investments.

Nigerian military warns politicians against inciting soldiers to mutiny

Director of Defence Information, Chris Olukolade

In view of the series of insinuations, allegations and false claims being made by certain activists and politicians on the legal and disciplinary process in the Nigerian military, the Defence Headquarters finds it necessary to call on politicians to avoid using the forum or medium of their political campaigns to incite or endorse acts of indiscipline in the nation’s military establishments. This call has become necessary as the trend got to another level on Tuesday when a prominent politician declared that “The soldiers have the right to protest for the Federal Government’s failure to fully equip them”.

54-year-old emerges best graduating student at NOUN

A 54-year-old businessman and father of three, Mr. Nyia Sunday, has emerged the overall best graduating student of the the National Open University of Nigeria.

Sunday, who hails from Enugu State, obtained a Bachelor of Science degree in Peace and Conflict Resolution Studies from the university, as revealed at the institution’s convocation held last Saturday in Lagos.

Obasanjo is a very brilliant student – NOUN Supervisor

Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has been described as a very brilliant student by his supervisor at the National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN), were he is currently doing his PhD.

The supervisor, Professor Deji Ayegboyin of the Department of Religion Studies, University of Ibadan (UI), who tutored Chief Obasanjo on how to go about his PhD programme and thesis which focuses on “Liberation Theology” said he was impressed with Obasanjo’s academic disposition.

Chief Obasanjo enrolled for PhD programme in Theology at NOUN in September this year with Prof. Ayegboyin as one of his supervisors.

Olusegun Obasanjo former Nigerian President

Olusegun Obasanjo former Nigerian President

Obasanjo described the supervisors as being of immense benefits to his academic pursuit and used the medium to call on Nigerians to learn more about God for them to know Him and serve and worship Him better.

NURSING AND MIDWIFERY COUNCIL OF NIGERIA

NURSING AND MIDWIFERY COUNCIL OF NIGERIAThe Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria is a category B parastatal of the Federal Ministry of Health established by Decree No. 89, 1979 now known as Nursing and Midwifery (Registration etc) act. Cap. N143, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004. The Council is a body Corporate with perpetual succession and a common seal.

Nigeria’s-Ambassador-to-the-United-States,-Prof.-Ade-Adefuye

LEADERSHIP’s United States Bureau Chief, ABIODUN OLUWAROTIMI, writes on the possible political and diplomatic implications that the recent federal government’s termination of the US military training of the Nigerian Army could have on both nations

The federal government had three weeks ago terminated a contract it gave to military trainers from the United States. These trainings were to ensure that a battalion of the Nigerian Army was trained on how to combat insurgency in Nigeria. Well, the US has also stopped buying Nigeria’s oil. Accusations and counter accusations have been widely reported from both governments in its aftermath. Monitors predict that this could lead to a diplomatic rows between both nations, predictions both countries have dispelled.

Tunji-Olaopa-0511.jpg - Tunji-Olaopa-0511.jpg

I have been asked to choose a topic for reflection as my 55th birthday gift to the enlarging constituency of reform of the public sector. The tone of the title I have chosen would appear rhetorical and even somewhat provocative especially given the evidence of the short, medium and long-term reform interventions that have littered, especially, the evolutionary path of the Nigerian Civil Service (NCS) since 1954. To ask whether the NCS is irreformable could therefore be seen, and rightly so, as casting some form of doubt on Nigeria’s past reform efforts.

The simplest composition to write about Nigeria is to do a narrative about the person of President Olusegun Obasanjo. It is instructive that this man goes by many identities. He could also pass for Pastor Obasanjo or letter writer Matthew. It is difficult to pin him down. But I have made a discovery. He is best suited to the character of Nanga the politician in A Man of the People by Chinua Achebe,

7 'Dumpster Puppies' nursed back to health by Nevada shelter

Seven puppies that were left for dead in a California dumpster fully recovered and found homes for life, thanks to a Nevada shelter whose staff rallied to save their lives.

The 2-day-old orphaned animals, nicknamed the "Dumpster Puppies," remained attached to their umbilical cords when they were found on Oct. 29 in Susanville, California. Staff from the Pet Network Humane Society in Incline Village, Nevada, drove at least two hours each way to try to save them after receiving a call from a California shelter.

SIKIRATU SINDODO ROMANCES US BASED PROMOTER, TOLAD PROMOTIONS

Chicago based show promoter, Tolad Promotions ha been identified to be the sole facilitator of the new move the Nollywood actress, Sikiratu Sindodo is set to release, Wurawunmi. Sources who hinted us of this development said that for months now, Sikiratu and Tolad have been sighted in some cities in the United States of America doing what’s up together on a movie they were said to be doing together.

According to reports gathered by Nigeriafilms.com, some angry US fans have alleged Banky W and his EME team of defrauding them of their hard earn money over the sudden cancellation of EME US tour that should have been held in California in August.

As we gathered, after Banky W cancelled his show in July 2011, efforts by some fans, who had earlier bought ticket for the show, to get refund of their money or get the show rescheduled as promised by EME has been successful.

Nollywood actress Tonto Dike and Stella Dimoko of Encomium Magazine trades very harsh words in an interview recently. The interview was hilarious as Tonto dike did her best to match up with Stella.

Read and enjoy.

Stella: You shot the movie, My Life, My Damage, with Uche Jombo; we are yet to see the movie but it is alleged that the drug addict role you played in the movie is your true life character.

According to reports, the head pastor of Household of God told Christian leaders who went to see him that he will reveal what his wife did to him to make him end their marriage, sometime next year.

Pastor Okotie has now shunned counsels and pleas by other pastors who have repeatedly called him or visited his church. He is not telling anyone what his ex-wife did to him nor ready to give out details of the past event now but will reveal all next year.

What do you think about this new development? Do you think as a man of God, he should keep private things private or he should go ahead with this move? Please Share your thought with me

Gambo Sawaba, Funmilayo Ransome-Kuti and Margareth Ekpo

CBN to introduce N5, 000 note; to redesign N5, N10, N20 as coins

The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) on Thursday announced that it is going to introduce N5,000 note into the system.

The faces of three prominent Nigerian female activists are to be used on the new note. They are those of late politician and social mobiliser, Margaret Ekpo (1914 – 2006); late politician and activist Hajia Gambo Sawaba (1933 – 2001) and late politician and women’s right activist Funmilayo Kuti (1900 -1978).

Discussing The 5,000 Naira Note Controversy

Recently, Sanusi Lamido Sanusi, the Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) announced that the apex bank will be commissioning a new 5,000 Naira note featuring 3 not-so famous Nigerian women from different ethnic groups. There was even a talk that it should have featured the picture of late Dim Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu.

Saharareporters has just confirmed that President Goodluck Jonathan has officially suspended a plan to introduce N5,000 currency note in Nigeria.

A senior aide of Mr. Jonathan disclosed the policy reversal to Saharareporters in telephone conversation.

Girl Exposed By The Man She Slept With Night After|Photos

A guy by the name Lawaldoski Lawa posted the photos of this girl on his facebook wall few days ago with this caption “baby you are very stup’id to have sent me this”

Source told me that the girl on the picture pass the night at his house and the guy had to remove the nu de photos from his wall after he started receiving different kind of comments.

When the Internet first came to the continent of African society, most people were very pleased with it because it reduced stress of communication.

It served many people for chatting, sending mails and even business. As the time passed many ladies discovered that they could use the internet to find a chat friend or a life partner.Some girls have greatly benefited just by using the internet to find their dream marriages or relationhsips. Others have fallen into traps in the West and wish they would never have known what the internet was. This is the case of one Cameroonian, Elvire Axelle Tchamakoua.