REPLICATING THE GAINS OF THE 2015 GENERAL ELECTION IN NIGERIA IN THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT COUNCIL ELECTION IN BENUE STATE.....Richard Akaan

Elections afford people the opportunity to elect or decide on those who would lead them in governance. In deciding, they firmly take charge of their destiny. In Nigeria however, elections are usually marred by all kinds of irregularities, sometimes resulting in the emergence of candidates who do not represent the popular mandate. This problem is made worse by the insincerity, dishonesty, and corruption of the electoral umpire that has over the years made a mockery of the electoral process, as a mere opportunity of making wealth and building empires, while betraying the confidence reposed in it by the people.
Under the very nose of the electoral body, politicians turn their personal homes into polling units where multiple voting is done under the supervision of the agents of the electoral umpire, even as deliberate attempts are made to omit the names of rival groups from electoral register; some communities are prevented from voting by either late arrival of electoral materials and officers or destruction of electoral materials; figures of the election results are altered in favour of the highest bidder. In some cases, election results are canceled in a number of polling units in order to prevent certain candidates from winning. All these are the manifestations of the conspiracies of the electoral body and the politicians for their selfish interests.
Consequently, the leaders that emerge from this kangaroo process may lack vision, commitment, discipline and mental resourcefulness, even as they pre-occupy themselves with the pursuit of wealth and acquisition of power. Most of the political crisis we have had in Nigeria are linked to the disagreements among individuals or groups seeking power, groups holding power and groups in the process of losing power, compelled by their rapacity and avarice, corruption in high and low places, selfishness and cynicism. Public officials thus, appeared to have forgotten what selfless service meant.
For us in Benue State, the leaders that emerged through such trickery, the mumble-jumble process is no doubt responsible for the marathon deterioration in the quality of life of the people due to their inability to translate their vision to reality. As a result, the people have become frustrated, disappointed and disillusioned with their conditions life, even as they are badly hit by extreme poverty. This is made worse several months of non-payment of workers’ salaries, lack of people-oriented programs; non-payment of pensioners’ salaries; corruption; a jaundice economy; institutional and infrastructural decay; the deepening youth unemployment and unfulfilled promises of the leaderships.
Generally in Nigeria, what appeared as the redeeming quality of the people was defined by the commitment and determination of Professor Attahiru Jega, the former Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), who along with the people emerged with an injured identity and became disenchanted with the spoilt system. They collectively, therefore, resolved to change and redefine their destiny in the 2015 General Elections in Nigeria. This dream became a reality with the electoral innovations made by the electoral umpire like the use of Card Readers for accreditation of voters during the elections; the use of Permanent Voters’ Cards (PVCs); and above all, the integrity and commitment of the electoral umpire headed by Professor Jega.
Despite the efforts that were made to frustrate INEC’s commitment to credible, free and fair elections like objection to the use of the Card Readers when all arrangements had already being made for its use for accreditation of voters during the elections; and opposition to the use of Permanent Voters’ Cards (PVCs), which were authenticated against the Temporary Voters’ Cards (TVCs), the dogged commitment and determination of the INEC boss for credible and transparent elections rendered these sinister forces ineffective.
In the lee hours of 28th and 11th of March and April, 2015 for the Governorship and Presidential Elections respectively, the people trooped out of their homes, assembled themselves at the designated Polling Units with great enthusiasm and joy to exercise their civic rights. In spite of the minor hitches from the Card Readers, the people defied the rain and sun to queue up to vote for those who would lead them on the path to democracy and socio-economic and political progress. Through this process, Rtd. Gen. Muhammadu Buhari emerged at the national level as the peoples’ choice to lead the nation and its people as President. In Benue State, however, Samuel Ortom emerged the winner of the governorship election in the State. Like the President, the expectations of the people sequel to the inauguration of the governor-elect on 29th of May, 2015 were for the new leadership to redefine the State on the path of democratic consolidation and to offer the people a new lease of hope. Whether this promise has been fulfilled or not, remains to be seen as the administration unfolds in the time to come.
With Samuel Ortom’s determination to conduct credible and transparent elections to consolidate and reproduce based on the gains already recorded by the Attahiru Jega at the federal level, which also made possible for his victory (i.e. Samuel Ortom) in Benue State, the governor appointed and inaugurated members of the Benue State Independent Electoral Commission (BSIEC). In these appointments, analysts believe that high premium was attached to integrity and honesty in the appointment of Dr. John Tor Tsuwa (BSIEC Chairman) and the entire executive members of the Commission. For John Tor Tsuwa, the majority of Benue indigenes are of the opinion that, he is a man of timbre and caliber, and a man of integrity whose records of accomplishment have provided a veritable tool for his dependability and reliability. For this reason, out of several thousands of people, who would have wanted this responsibility, Tsuwa was God’s chosen. Thus, Ecclesiastes 9:11-12 explained that, “Again I looked throughout the earth and saw that the swiftest person does not always win the race, or the strongest man the battle, and those wise men are often poor, and skillful men are not necessarily famous; but it is all by chance, by happening to be at the right place at the right time.”
Dr. John Tor Tsuwa is therefore, God’s chosen one, a man of substance and a practical symbol of perseverance, a source of inspiration, an oasis of love and motivation, a man of uncommon ideas, wisdom and understanding, who was born from the family of late Tyoor Tsuwa Adaaku in Vandeikya Local Government Area. He is a PhD holder in Political Science, with specialization in Peace and Conflict Resolution from BSU Makurdi; Tsuwa also holds an M.Sc in International Relations and Strategic Studies. I can briefly say that, I am fortunate to have been one of the beneficiaries of his sound teachings in the Department of Political Science, BSU Makurdi.
Based on his precedence, Dr. John Tor Tsuwa could be trusted to deliver on the mandate of free and fair elections in Benue State, to replicate the gains recorded by Professor Attahiru Jega. However, like he said during his inaugural speech, he cannot do it alone, and that he needs the support of the people to deliver on this promise. It is therefore, the responsibility of all and sundry, including the government of Benue State to provide him and his team the requisite support that would help in the realization of this goal. It is also incumbent on all, especially the BSIEC Chairman to make it possible for it to be said that he was once here, by leaving lasting prints on the sand of time. May he be assured of God’s promise in Isaiah 60:20 that, “Your sun will never set again, and your moon will wane no more, the lord will be your everlasting light and your days of sorrow will end.” And then, at your ripe old age and at the fullness of time, he may look forward to an everlasting life and communion with the saints in the heavenly abode; and then he may say with a great feeling of nostalgia that, “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, and I have kept the faith” (Timothy, 4:7).
It is therefore, inappropriate for us, especially our leaders to concentrate all their resources and energy on the vain pursuit of power and wealth; may they lead us to the fear of God, as they commit themselves to the yearnings and aspirations of the people. May they not allow their decisions to have an adverse effect on the lives of the people. For us in Benue State, the expectations of the people is for the government of Dr. Samuel Ortom to re-establish hope in the minds of Benue people, adhering to the rule of law; political tolerance, peace and unity, and creating opportunities for the people to realize their potentials.
Long live Nigeria,
Long live Benue State,
Long live His Excellency, President Muhammadu Buhari,
Long live His Excellency, Governor Samuel Ortom,
Long live BSIEC Chairman, Dr. John Tor Tsuwa,
Long live the Youths of Benue State,
Long live believers in Democracy on whose ideals we continue to strive in this cold and cruel world.

AKAAN, RICHARD
MAKURDI

Call or send comments to: 08067348281/akaanrichards4real@yahoo.com

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Young lady commits suicide in Ajuwon Lagos by drinking Sniper insecticide

Tragedy struck in the Ajuwon area of Lagos State on Wednesday, May 17, at Bada Hospital at Bale road, when a young lady said to be in her late 20's committed suicide by drinking sniper insecticide.


The lady, identified as Patience Akpan, was said to have left her father's place that Wednesday afternoon before she was seen in another street within the area wringing in pains, with the sniper bottle still in her hands.


Her dad is said to be a driver who works with a bank on Ajuwon/Akute road.


According to an eyewitness, on the day of her suicide, Patience was seen on Oni Street around Ajuwon, on the floor, and in pains before she was rushed to the hospital where she later died.

She had lived in the area with her parents about 12 years ago but when her parents separated, she left with her mum, only to come back that Tuesday and committed suicide the next day.

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Court Orders Final Forfeiture Of N450M Found In Lagos Plaza To Nigerian Govt

Justice Rilwan Aikawa of the Federal High Court, Lagos, today ordered the formal forfeiture of N449,597,000 (about N450 million) found by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, in LEGICO Shopping mall, Victoria Island, Lagos to the Federal Government of Nigeria.

The EFCC had on April 8 said it uncovered a large sum of suspected laundered money to the tune of N448,850,000 in the Shopping Plaza.

Mr. Aikawa had on April 19 ordered an interim forfeiture of the said money uncovered by the commission.

The order came following a motion ex-parte filed by Rotimi Oyedepo, a prosecutor with the EFCC pursuant to Section 17 of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Fraud Related Offences Act No. 14, 2006.


Mr. Aikawa in his ruling last month, ordered anyone interested in the money to appear before him at the next adjourned date to show the reason why the money should not be permanently forfeited to the Federal Government.

The judge also directed the commission to publish in any national daily for anyone to show cause within 14 days why the order for the final forfeiture should not be granted.

However, in his motion on notice at the resumed hearing on Friday, Idris Mohammed, counsel to the EFCC urged the court to issue a final order forfeiting the total sum of N449,597,000 to the federal government.

Mr. Mohammed, said, “the sum is reasonably suspected to be proceeds of unlawful activity.”

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South Africa Deports 90 Nigerians

The South African government on Friday deported 90 Nigerians for committing immigration-related offenses.

DSP Joseph Alabi, the spokesman of the Lagos Airport Police Command confirmed the development to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos.

Alabi said the deportees, who are all men, landed at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos at about 3.30pm.

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Resign Now, BBOG’s Aisha Yesufu Tells Buhari

A co-convener of the Bring Back Our Girls (BBOG) group, Aisha Yesufu, has urged President Muhammadu Buhari to resign on health grounds. She advised the National Assembly to impeach the president if he fails to step down.

“We need to take our country back, let the president resign, if he can’t resign, let the National Assembly do the right thing and let’s have another president. It is not about President Buhari, it’s about Nigeria, and right now Nigeria is suffering and we cannot continue to allow this,” Ms. Yesufu said in a two-minute, 20 seconds video posted on her Twitter account today.

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Tonto Dikeh's silence over nanny’s accusation of abuse, lies 'literally speaks'

Rivers State-born Nollywood actress, Tonto Dikeh, has refused to comment on the latest allegation leveled against her by the estranged nanny of her son, Mrs. Mgbechi Enyinnaya, who said that she subjected her to all forms of emotional and psychological abuse while working for her.

In an interview with Punch, the 56-year-old woman accused Dikeh of telling lies against her while revealing that against what most people actually know and believe, it was the star actress who was, in fact, assaulting her husband, Olakunle Churchill, physically.



According to the Imo State native, she saw the other side of the light-complexioned actress in the period she lived with and took care of their son, King.

Enyinnaya’s stance follows a video posted on the internet recently showing her being questioned by the actress in company with others. In the clip that went viral, the distressed woman could be seen defending herself as the actress accused her of collaborating with others she claimed were out to smear her name by pretending to be sick and abandoned in the hospital.


The actress, in the video, also accused the nanny of not being appreciative of everything she had done for her, especially the regular monetary and clothing gifts she gave her for her children.

In a disclaimer posted on the Instagram page of her friend, Halima Abubakar, warning members of the public not to pay money into Enyinnaya’s account, Dikeh claimed to have done so much for the woman including taking her to at least 15 countries in under seven months on top of feeding her six times in a day – a claim the 56-year-old denied strongly.

While telling Saturday Beats that the video posted online by the actress was not the complete version of all that transpired between them on that day, the Imo native disclosed that only the part where she was being intimidated and not given a chance to speak was shown.

She said, “All that Tonto has said in that video and disclaimer are all lies. She is hiding the truth from the world because I have never collaborated with anybody to spoil her name. She is doing all these to get back at me because I refused to lie to her husband when she approached me to say that I saw him beating her when in fact she is the one that I had seen on several occasions raising her hands against him.

“If indeed she had taken me to 15 countries as claimed, let her show the world my passport and all the visas. She also said I ate six times a day while working for her, how possible is that? Am I a glutton for eating that much in a day and how has she been able to keep count of this?

“I have nothing against her, I am not just happy that after serving her diligently, she could treat me this way. It was through the help of a few kind people that I manage to find my way out of Abuja after she locked me outside with my things. I have no grudge against her; she should just stop telling lies against me.”

Calls and a text message put across to the actress’ mobile telephone number on Thursday by Saturday Beats weren’t responded to. This was four days after a similar message demanding her comments on the issue was sent to her by the reporter.

Even though a lady called back through another line and promised to react to the matter 20 minutes later after the message had been delivered to Dikeh’s number, there has been no response since that period.

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Ekiti state aborts Moji Olaiya’s burial in Canada, funeral moved to Nigeria

The burial of Nollywood actress, Moji Olaiya, earlier scheduled yesterday by 4pm (Friday, May 19, 2017) in Canada, was aborted at the last minute by Ekiti state government.

The remains of the 42 year old mother of two daughters who died of cardiac arrest following childbirth complications on Thursday, May 18, in Canada, will now be ferried to Nigeria for burial.

Insiders at the Magodo home of the actress (in Kosofe local council area of Lagos) revealed that the government of Ekiti volunteered to bankroll the shipment of the corpse to Nigeria.

Earlier, the family and her colleagues had agreed that Moji Olaiya should be buried in Canada as Islam enjoins (with deceased buried not later than the second day after death) at 4 pm yesterday.
But the plans changed with the intervention of Ekiti state (where the actress is from).


Her eldest daughter, Adunola, 18, had insisted that her mother’s corpse should be brought back to Nigeria. But she was persuaded to allow the Canada funeral yesterday.

Moji Olaiya’s Abuja based Alhaji husband and father of her two month old baby, who arrived Lagos two days back, also acceded to the Thursday burial.

But with Ekiti state intervention, all will await the corpse which will land here by the weekend…(Crdts: EncomiumNg)

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Lovely photos of former BBNaija housemate, TBoss at Sen. Dino Melaye's book launch in Abuja

The 2017 Big Brother Naija second runner up, Tokunbo Idowu popularly known as TBoss was among the distinguished guests at the the book launch of Senator Dino Melaye in Abuja on Monday. More photos after the cut.

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"Badeh paid his own companies over N157m for non existent contracts" - Witness tells court

A witness of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, Kenneth Uchechuchukwu Osokogu, today told Justice Okon Abang of the Federal High Court, Abuja, how the Defence Headquarters (DHQ) under Alex Badeh’s watch, made payments to the tune of N157million to companies linked to the former Chief of Defense Staff, CDS, for non-existent contracts.

Testifying as the prosecuting witness 18, Osokogu told the court that the money was paid to Iyalikam Nigeria Limited and Prince and Princess Multi-services Limited. 

Led in evidence by Rotimi Jacobs, SAN, Osokogu, whose schedule of duties include making payments as directed by the CDS and Director of Finance and Account, narrated how the DHQ received two letters from the EFCC on November 29, 2016, concerning investigating activities on Iyalikam, Prince and Princess Multi-services and the DHQ.

He said: “The first letter was asking for contract documents and all activities regarding the two companies and the defense headquarters. We searched our archives and could not find any document relating to contracts and direct purchase regarding DHQ and the two companies. I was directed to write back to the EFCC that we could not find anything, which I did through a letter dated December 9, 2016”.

He further told the court that the EFCC wrote back to DHQ, concerning the same companies, attaching two payment mandates evidencing money paid by the DHQ to the companies. According to him, there was no record of any contract documents with respect to the payment, but the payment mandates attached to the letter from the EFCC, were found in the files.

His words: “In January 2017, the EFCC wrote another letter, concerning same companies, and attaching two payment mandates, in which DHQ paid to those two companies in 2014 and 2015. We conducted further search and could not find any contract documents or memos that led to the payments. So we found the same payment mandates which came with the second letter from the EFCC, in our mandate files. I called my predecessor, asked him what led to the transaction, and he said that the payments were meant to furnish the Defense House in Lagos and Chief of Defense Staff guest house in Abuja.”

Asked what step he took thereafter, Osokogu said, “I informed my director and I was instructed to write back to the EFCC, informing the anti-graft agency that the contract documents, relating to the two companies, were not in our files”.

The two letters, which are the replies to the EFCC, dated December 9, 2016, and January 26, 2017, were tendered and admitted as Exhibits T108 and T109 respectively. When asked to look at exhibit T109 and tell the court how much was paid to Prince and Princess Multi-services Limited, the witness said that two payments of N45million and N45,422,500 were made to the firm between February 2 and February 9, 2015.

Osokogu was also asked to look at Exhibit T108 and disclose the payments made therein to which he said, “N30,636,000 was paid to Iyalikam, while Prince and Princess Multi-services Limited got N36million on June 13, 2014. He further told the court that, the purpose of the payments mentioned in T108 and T109 reads “operations”.

The statement of the PW18, dated March 22, 2017, which he volunteered to the EFCC was tendered and admitted as Exhibit T110.
Justice Abang, thereafter, adjourned to May 17, 2017, for the continuation of trial.

Badeh is standing trial alongside a firm, Iyalikam Nigeria Limited, on a 10-count charge bordering on money laundering, criminal breach of trust and corruption to the tune of N3.97billion.

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Graphic: Man left blinded in both eyes after he was attacked with acid in Anambra

The young man pictured above simply identified as Emmanuel, has been left blinded in both eyes after a member of his community identified as Wike Ugonna allegedly attacked him with acid during a land dispute at their village in Atani in Ogbaru local government area of Anambra State on May 10th.


According to reports, Emmanuel's family had approached Wike's family to use a part of a land they use for farming in their community but the Wike's family turned down their request. This created a friction between both families.

On the day of the attack, Emmanuel was said to be working on another person's farmland when Wike approached him and allegedly poured acid on him and also cut him with a machete. Wike is currently on the run.

See more photos of the victim in hospital, below...

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Wanted Senior Boko Haram Commander ‘Pepper’ Arrested

The Nigerian Army says it has arrested a top Boko Haram commander notorious for terror activities in Yobe State and environs.

A statement signed by Army spokesman, Brigadier General Sani Kukasheka Usman revealed that troops stationed at Forward Operation Base, Potiskum arrested the notorious Boko Haram commander in Yobe state.

The suspect, a 35-year-old man called Abubakar Adamu, popularly known as ‘Pepper’ was arrested around New Prison area, Potiskum, Potiskum local government area, Yobe state.


According to the statement, Adamu was arrested on Sunday, May 14 by the Troops of 233 Battalion, 27 Task Force Brigade, of the Nigerian army, assisted by local vigilantes.

Preliminary investigation shows that the suspected terrorist hailed from Yerimara village, Potiskum LGA and that he has participated in carrying out attacks and other terrorist activities in the northeast. An investigation is still ongoing.

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Oshiomhole’s Wife‎, 334 Foreign Nationals Get Nigerian Citizenship

A total of 335 foreign nationals were today in Abuja granted citizenship by the Federal Government after statutory clearance and due diligence by the relevant security agencies, and that included Mrs Lara Oshiomhole, wife of former Governor of Edo State. We say big congrats to her.

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HILARIOUS VIDEO: A Beauty Pageant Contestant Embarrassed Herself Publicly in Rivers State

A beauty pageant contestant representing Emohua Local Government in Rivers state has become the B.utt of jokes after she embarrassed herself during Miss Rivers state golden jubilee contest which held last night. During the question and answer section, the judges asked which is better: an arranged marriage or a love marriage and she answered arranged marriage. She went on to explain why she preferred arranged marriage and it’s one of the funniest things you will hear today…

“Why I preferred arranged marriage is that if you arrange your marriage….I preferred arranged marriage because if you arrange yourself before going into marriage definitely you’ll never face any trouble. And there will be nothing like a problem. But if you don’t prepare before going into marriage, you find yourself being tired of the marriage due to the country now, you love somebody and you go into marriage and tomorrow you find out the marriage not being strong because you went to the marriage because of love” .

WATCH THE VIDEO HERE

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Ikoyi Loot: FG Sacks NIA’s Director of Finance

A probe into the stray Osborne funds in Lagos has exposed another government official who was relieved of his duties.

A section of the Osborne, Ikoyi – Lagos

As the Presidential Committee investigating the source and ownership of the N15 billion discovered in an apartment at Osborne Towers, Ikoyi, Lagos State prepares to wind down, the saga has claimed another casualty as the Director of Finance of the Nigeria Intelligence Agency (NIA) Mr. Abubakar Dardisu has been relieved of his appointment.

Dardisu was said to have been removed by the National Security Adviser, (NSA) Major. Gen. Babagana Monguno (rtd) and replaced with a serving military officer.

According to a source within the agency, the replacement of Dardisu with a military officer is causing concern to the management of NIA.

The source explained that though the NIA management was not averse to the removal of Dardisu as Director of Finance his replacement with a military personnel appeared to have gone against the rules of the establishment.

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Former Miss USA winner and her beauty queen daughter vying for the same Miss USA crown look so alike, it's hard to tell them apart

Baylee Jensen won the title of Miss Utah USA 2017 and went on to contest at the 66th Miss USA pageant which held on Saturday night. Though she did not win the crown, she made history by becoming the first daughter of a former Miss USA to compete for the same title.


In spite of Baylee's loss, she is in the news because of the strong resemblance between her and her mother, Gretchen Polhemus, who won Miss USA in 1989.

Photos of mother and daughter together have emerged, causing everyone to talk about how much they look alike. It is almost hard to believe they are not identical twins.

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Shocking! Former PDP BOT Chair Anthony Anenih Lost Son

Eugene Anenih, the chief executive officer of Nova Finance and Securities Ltd. and son of former Peoples Democratic Party Board of Trustees Chairman Anthony Anenih is dead. He died today of a heart attack.

According to Sahara Reporters, he suffered the heart attack while playing lawn tennis at an undisclosed location.

Just three weeks ago, Mr. Anenih’s mother died and she is yet to be buried.

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Photos: Usain Bolt helps dig grave for late friend/Olympic silver medallist, Germaine Mason

Sprinter/100 meter and 200m world record holder, Usain Bolt was recently filmed in Portland, Jamaica helping to dig the grave for his late friend, Germaine Mason.

34-year-old Mason, who won a silver medal at the Beijing Olympics, died in a motorcycle accident in Jamaica on April 20.

He reportedly fell off of his bike on the Norman Manley highway in East Kingston while trying to swerve to avoid oncoming traffic, and died at the scene.

Mason had been friends with Bolt since 2002 and is set to be buried on May 21st.

More photos below...

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Dollar wedding, Nigerians will not seize to amaze me.....Augustine Lijam

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My mum is a staunch Christian while I’m an atheist – Joju Muse, Nollywood Actress

April Joju Muse is a Nollywood actress who studied Public Administration at Olabisi Onabanjo University, Ogun State. She was introduced to stardom when she emerged the 3rd runner-up in the Next Movie Star Reality TV show in 2012. The actress who has many blockbuster movies to her credit shared with us what it was like growing up with a strict mum.

Could you tell us a little about your mum?
My mum is a sweetheart. She is strict and like everybody, she has a good and a bad side but her good side overwhelms her bad side. If I start talking about my mum’s good side, I won’t leave here. She is an amazing person. She is a humanitarian and she cares about other people. She is a counselor and in her own way, she tries to affect the lives of people around her. My mum is a darling and she is always looking out for people. For her, family comes first before any other thing; even most times before she thinks about herself, she will consider outsiders first.
What’s the best advice she has ever given you?
Ha, she has given me so many and they have all impacted my life greatly. But the one she is always talking about is that I should never forget the daughter of who I am and where I come from. That in everything I do in life, I should always remember where I am coming from. Those advice linger in my head always.
Are you her favourite child?
I don’t know (laughs). Really, I don’t think so.
What did she tell you about boys as a teenager?
She said to me, if any boy touches you, you would get pregnant. You know the normal thing now, “If any man touches you, you should come and report to me” and believe me; she was ready to face the person.
Did you ever have to report anybody to her?
No, you know I grew up smart, because even if she didn’t explain what the touch meant, I knew what it was, because girls are usually smarter than boys. I already knew what she meant by that time and I knew she was referring to my private part. I knew she was talking about a man touching my vagina and you know that is just the thing.
Does she have a pet name for you?
Ha, my mum doesn’t have time for that one, she is an African mum. She doesn’t have pet name for me o! I think when I was much younger she used to call me Joju international because I used to reject a lot of things. If I didn’t want to eat eba, I won’t eat it back then, no matter what she did to make me eat it and so she came up with that name. But growing up, it’s either you ate the food she gave you or you go and sleep. My mum is strict.
How does she curb your excesses?
I am adult now.
Not now, when you were much younger, did she use the cane or she tongue-lashed you?
My mum used everything. She tongue-lashed me and she used the cane too. She believed that a child that is not good belongs to the mother and she tried to do her best in putting us on the right path. So, you just had to be good and you won’t even wait for her to beat you, because if she did, you were dead already. If you were living with my mum, your head has to be very sharp; you have to be really smart, because she already knew your motives. But if you were not very smart, you would keep getting caned when you get into trouble.
Your mum seems like the bad cop in the house right?
Well, she can be a good cop too but before she can be a good cop she would have already messed you up first. (Laughs). You see it’s better she messes up with you and covers you up. But my mum doesn’t even like covering her kids up when they get into trouble. Just like a typical Yoruba mum, she believes that a child who does wrong should be exposed so that everyone will come together to scold that child.
What is her favourite food?
I think it’s Ikokore.
Which of her delicacies do you enjoy most?
I enjoy all her meals. She is a great cook and I enjoy everything she cooks. Even when I eat outside I don’t get satisfied like when I get to eat my mummy’s food. So, I am always looking forward to her food. She bakes; you know we have days when she bakes for us. So, on those days, we didn’t eat cooked food just cakes and brownies or pancakes.
Is she a caterer?
No, she is not. She just loves experimenting and cooking different dishes.
Let’s talk about fashion; is your mum very fashionable?
Yes, she is, in her SU way, my mum is fashionable.
Your mum is a born again Christian?
Yes, she is. She is an SU but she still dresses well. So, in their way of life, she is very fashionable.
Your mum is a Christian and you recently declared you are an atheist. What is she saying about that?
Yes, I am an atheist and she is not saying anything about that. You know our paths are different, our ways of life are different and everything about us is different. You see all my life, I have never been a religious person and you know there is a point in someone’s life when you have to accept the reality about yourself. Just accept who you are.
So, she never asked you why?
Well, if she says she doesn’t know then she is just pretending. She had always known from the onset that I am not a religious person. I think there was even a time her pastor told her that “your daughter is the anti-Christ”. (Laughs). This particular statement was made over 10 years ago and I remember recently that when I came out as an atheist, I said this is the fulfillment of what that man said. I don’t believe in all that stuff, because I don’t think it makes sense waking up on a Sunday and going to church. You see, I think Sundays are days for rest.
But when you were younger she made sure you went to church with her?
We went almost went every day. It was so boring back then.
So, why did you change?
I have seen everything going on in life and so I just drew my conclusions. We just tried our hope on religion; let us try it on something else. Before religion who were you?
Who are you now Joju?
I am a humanitarian and I respect life. I don’t have to focus on religion, I just want to focus on being human and making an impact in the life of people around me. If you can make an impact then I think that is an accomplishment in life. So, I don’t think we need religion to do all that, we don’t need to build churches and so on, we should focus on the people.
Do you intend producing or directing movies in future?
Yes, in future I intend directing, because I have already started directing little projects. I see a future in directing and producing.
When you told your mum, you wanted to go into acting what was her reaction?
I didn’t tell her, I just did it and she found out on her own. She looked at me and said, “You don’t tell me things before you make your decisions” and I told her that sometimes you just have to make things happen first. She didn’t want it, because it was different from her life but it’s my life. Moreover, our destinies and paths are different; in as much as I am doing the right thing, there is no problem about that.

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Police arrest couple for allegedly selling daughter for N400, 000

The Cross River State Police Command, on Wednesday, said it had arrested a couple, [names withheld], for allegedly selling their six-year-old daughter for N400,000.

Presenting the couple before newsmen, the state Commissioner of Police, Mr. Hafiz Inuwa, said the suspects were arrested at Ikom Local Government Area of the state on April 26 following a tip-off.

According to Inuwa, the couple sold the child to enable them offset their house rent and open up a small provision shop.

On April 26, 2017, following a tip-off, our men arrested a couple, George-Sunday Udoh and his wife Victoria, for allegedly selling their daughter at the cost of N400,000.

“The suspects were arrested by our operatives attached to the Ikom division.

“The case has been transferred to State Criminal Investigation and Intelligence Department here in Calabar and investigation is ongoing,’’ he said.

The father of the child, however, denied selling the child in an interview.

“It is true that we don’t have money and things are very hard with me and my wife, but we did not sell our baby for N400,000,’’ he said.

The police boss also paraded 28 armed robbery suspects, cultists and others for various offences.

The commissioner said on May 2, officers attached to the Akamkpa local police division arrested five robbery suspects who allegedly broke into a corps members’ lodge at Government Secondary School, Akamkpa.

He said that the suspects carted away a laptop, handset and N3,800, adding that investigation into the case was ongoing.

“On May 3, we also arrested a security guard at Ekorinim area of Calabar Municipality for defiling the 11-year-old daughter of his boss.

“The case was reported by the mother of the girl,’’ he said.

The suspect said that he had a mutual agreement with the girl before he had sex with her.

“I did not defile nor rape her, we both agreed to have sex and I was arrested four days after the incident happened.

“I am sorry that I slept with my madam’s daughter, but I did not defile or raped her because we both agreed to have sex,’’ he said.

The Commissioner also paraded three armed robbery suspects suspected of snatching a Toyota Avalon car with registration number ANA 369 CK belonging to one Obi Joseph-Funmi on January 25, 2017.

He added that in all the cases, the police had recovered five locally made pistols, two vehicles, an ax, machetes, live cartridges, and other weapons. (NAN)

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Delta communal clash: Arogbo community declares indigene missing

Indigenes of Egbema/Arogbo communities in Warri North Local Government Area of Delta State, have declared a 39-year old fisherman, Pius Okito, missing after being allegedly shot and abducted by some unidentified gunmen suspected to be Aladja youths while on a fishing expedition along Ogbe-Ijoh boundary river near Warri.

Investigations revealed that the missing person and his co-fishermen were victims of mistaken identity by their attackers who took them as indigenes of Ogbe-Ijoh in Warri South-West Council area who had been involved in a protracted communal clash with their Aladja neighbour (Urhobo settlement) in Udu Local Government Area of the state.

In a statement signed by President General Arogbo Community in Warri, Chief Barrister Olowo, the people have expressed fears over the safety of their kinsman who had been declared missing for about four days and all effort to locate his whereabouts along the creeks of the Ogbe-Ijoh river had yielded no positive result.

According to the statement, “We wish to inform the general public that our son Pius Okito was shot and abducted by Aladja youths. He was shot and abducted while embarking on a fishing expedition with his friend Perela Pounah in a creek between Aladja and OgbeIjoh communities in Warri, Delta State on Sunday May 7, 2017”.

“They were catching fish with throwing net when Aladja fighters who came with a speed boat, attack them. They shot three gun shots and Pius Okito was shot and abducted while Perela Pounah narrowly escape dead”.

The statement read further that; “Pius Okiti hails from Polobobo( Isekelewu) Ijaw community in Egbema kingdom, Warri North LGA Delta State, While the survivor Perela Pounah hails from Opuba community in Arogbo kingdom Ese-edo LGA, Ondo state, but until his abduction both were living in Fenegbene community in Warri corner.

”It is pertinent to note that Pius Okito never hails from OgbeIjoh or Isaba communities. Egbema is not part of the war between Aladja and OgbeIjoh communities and there is no point our son be abducted or likely killed unnecessarily. Aladja people should produced our son. This is a clear sign that they are fighting Ijaw randomly”, the community demanded.

It stated that; “The case has been incidented in Warri Area command and Marine police, Warri, Delta State. A search team was led by Marine police, Warri to visit the scene of the incident on Monday 8th, may 2017 but neither the himself and the canoe was found ,only the throwing net was found. Egbema people are not lazy people and that our appeal for our son should not be treated with disdain and laxity”.

Continuing, the statement noted that; “Where ever he is being kept , he should be release in immediately effect. If they have kill him , they should tell us, for the fact that he has not been seen for about 3day since the incident, We are made to believe that he may have been killed”.

“But we want to equally assume that he is kept in their detention. It is our candid demand that he should be release without further delay. Whatever is his present condition in their custody, We want him live”.

“We are calling on Delta State government, all security agencies to prevail on Aladja community to produce our son if they are not fighting Ijaw randomly”, it concluded.

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APC Can Give Igbo Presidency – Odigie-Oyegun

The All Progressives Congress on Saturday vowed to bury the Peoples Democratic Party in the South-East. The APC National Chairman, Chief John Odigie Oyegun, who made the vow in Enugu, urged the people of the South-East to embrace the party, noting that the APC would guaranteetheir quest for an Igbo president.

Odigie-Oyegun spoke at a rally held to welcome former Enugu State Governor, Sullivan Chime, to the APC.
Chime, who served as the governor of Enugu State on the platform of the PDP from 2007 to 2015, formally registered as an APC member at the elaborate event, held at his ward in Udi-Abia, Udi Local Government Area of the state.
The event attracted several chieftains of the APC, including Sokoto State Governor, Aminu Tambuwal.

Addressing the crowd at the rally, Odigie-Oyegun spoke on the need for the South-East, which is seen as a PDP stronghold, to be part of the APC.

Noting that most of the prominent politicians in the zone were leaving the former ruling party, Odigie-Oyegun stressed that the APC would ‘finally’ bury PDP in the South-East.

He said, “We are going to finally bury the PDP in the eastern states. In the next election, who is going to be the governor of Enugu State? Which party can best ensure Igbo presidency? Is it not APC? No other party can ensure that. The people of the South-East are entitled to full participation in this country, and APC is committed and ready to provide the platform.

“For long, you (South-East) have been prevented from reaping the fruits of your labour. The time has come for you to reap the fruits of your labour. When I get back to Abuja now, I have a message for the national headquarters of our party – Enugu State is ready, the people of the South-East are ready. From the moment we won the last election, and seeing how skewed the country is, part of the plan was to ensure that the South-East returns to the mainstream of politics in this country.

Odigie-Oyegun dismissed a report that Chime’s move to APC was prompted by fears of possible prosecution by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission.

Also speaking at the event, Tambuwal stressed that APC was “ready to do business with the people of the South-East.”

Noting that Enugu State was the gateway to the South-East, Tambuwal pointed out that an accord between the then Eastern Region and the North led to the emergence of Alhaji Shehu Shagari as president in 1979.

Stressing the need for unity in the country, he said, “Chime is joining APC at a time when we are working hard to ensure that Nigeria remains a united country.”

Chime, in his address, thanked God for the opportunity to finally leave PDP. I thank God that I have finally left that wreckage of a once upon great party, PDP. We are postponing the burial date but the party is dead. You cannot be talking about politics and be taken seriously when you are in PDP.”

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Gunmen Raid,Abduct Nasarawa Lawmaker’s Mother, Sister, Demand N30m Ransom

Unknown gunmen on Saturday night, abducted the mother and sister of Mr. Kassim Mohammed-Kassim, member representing (APC) Akwanga South constituency at the Nasarawa state house of assembly.

The Police spokesman in the state, DSP Kennedy Idirisu confirmed the abduction to the News Agency of Nigeria on Sunday in Lafia.

According to Idirisu, the gunmen in their numbers, stormed the residence of the lawmaker at Moroa in Akwanga at about 8 pm and shot sporadically before whisking the two women away.


He said that the police was collaborating with the vigilante group in the area to locate the victims.

“As we speak, our men are already combing the areas in search of the victims and to apprehend the perpetrators,” Idirisu said.

He, however, appealed to members of the public to assist the police with useful information that could lead to the rescue of the women.

Meanwhile, a family source who preferred anonymity said the abductors have contacted the family and demanded a ransom of N30 million.

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World's Greatest Philanthropist. Meet The Super Rich And Generous

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Group urges FG to investigate alleged death threat on Wike

A group in Rivers State, Ekpeye Youths Congress (EYC), has urged the Federal Government to investigate the alleged plot by the Inspector General of Police, Idris Ibrahim, to kill the state governor, Chief Nyesom Wike.

Recall that Governor Wike, once again, alleged a plot by the Inspector General of Police to kill him. The governor also expressed concern that the appropriate authorities had never bothered to investigate this allegation.

Reacting to the development, Ekpeye Youth Congress, in a statement signed by its President General, Comrade Dan Igbudu, condemned the Federal Government for the ‘graveyard’ silence it had maintained over various allegations of threat to the governor’s life.

The group explained that security of citizens should be paramount to the government, and wondered why it chose not to investigate the governor’s allegation.

The congress described Governor Wike as, an illustrious son of Rivers State and a worthy son-in-law of Ekpeye and warned: “Wike will not be allowed to be humiliated by federal agencies, the way the former governor of Bayelsa State, Diepriye Alamieyeseigha was humiliated before his untimely death…

“The instigation of the federal agencies, against the Rivers State government is politically-motivated, and it is aimed at stifling him to submission and if possible, eliminate him because of his uncompromising stance.”

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Buhari’s health: Northern leaders accuse APC chiefs, associates of scheming to be VP

Northern leaders have accused some All Progressives Congress (APC) chieftains and associates of President Muhammadu Buhari of scheming to be vice president, in the belief that the president may not survive the ailment that has affected his performance in office.

For sometime now, the President has been out of public view, fuelling speculation that his health has worsened.

The Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF), during the week, warned those it said, were praying for the demise of the President.

Reacting to this development, prominent ACF leader, Senator Joseph Waku, chided those wishing President Buhari dead and warned that if they didn’t retrace their steps, the President may read their obituary. He accused some Buhari’s associates of scheming to be vice president.

He likened developments on the president’s health to what played out between Nigeria’s first President, Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe, on one hand and Dr. K. O. Mbadiwe and Chief R. B. K. Okafor on the other.

He said: “There was a day that Dr. K .O. Mbadiwe and Chief R. B. K. Okafor announced that Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe, the Owelle of Onitsha was dead, and they went ahead to set up a funeral committee. Zik, in his response, said his traditional title as, the Owelle of Onitsha forbade him from attending a funeral, otherwise, he would have attended the burial of these two people. And it came to pass, as these people died and Zik lived another 19 years.

“I’m not speaking for President Buhari, and I’m not casting aspersion on those who wished him to die, it is only God, who controls life. First, who in this world cannot be sick? You have a leader, a President that has fallen ill,. Rather than pray for him, because of your evil mind and because you are very deep in corruption that somebody has come to fight corruption or minimise it, then you are not happy with him. It is God that brought Buhari to power, let no human being say he brought Buhari to power. APC didn’t win election; it was Buhari who won. God has a purpose for Buhari to have become the president of this country, and the good Lord that we worship will see him through to finish his calling.”

Senator Waku said he was not bothered, but felt sorry for those who thought that they controlled life, noting that, “sometime, I wish I were not a Nigerian, because it is only in this country that your leader is sick and you sit down and pray for him to die. I cannot challenge God, otherwise I would have asked God why He made me a Nigerian. To those who do not like the truth, God will always take them away for the good of the country”.

He regretted that while Buhari, out his patriotism, often ignored doctors’ advice to continue to render services to this nation, some people sat to pray for him to die.

He prayed that the President would regain his health and work for the country as he had done in the past and would in future. He expressed dismay that some people, even in the President’s cabinet, were already allegedly issuing letters and sending messages to lobby for the yet-to-be vacant position of the vice president.

Stressing that God would enable President Buhari to accomplish his God-given assignment of cleaning up the country, Waku said: “America produces dollars, but no American has seen the volume of dollars that we are seeing here. If not for Buhari, who would have known that some people stocked dollars in their homes? Dollar is American currency, but there are more dollar cash in Nigeria than in America. If Buhari didn’t take over, Waku said, Nigeria would have gone bankrupt, rather than be in recession.”

He noted: “I’m sure in the homes of these people praying for him to die, several people have died, who were younger than Buhari. It is only God that gives life, as well as, takes life. This wishful thinking, God never answers such prayers. Some people who are not doctors have called for the National Assembly to declare the office of the President vacant. They don’t even know the procedure, but that is their feelings, rather than kneel down and pray for their leader or neighbour, we have this. It tells you how wicked some people are.”

In the same vein, President of the Arewa Youths Consultative Forum (AYCF), Alhaji Shettima Yerima, queried the ill will against the President all because of lust for power.

He said those angling to profit from the President ill health, apparently knew “it was going to come,” just as during the time of former President, Umaru Yar’Adua.

“They played the game and Nigerians went to sleep, but on this matter, we are very resolute and committed, and we are watching, and nothing must happen to President Buhari in the first place.

“If anything happens to him, we know those we are going to hold responsible, and they will pay dearly with their lives; they will never have peace in their lives, we know them and we are watching…As a result of his illness, people around him, the unforeseen powers within the corridors of power took advantage and caged him and hijacked the government.

They looted so much money and we know them, when the time comes, we will hold them responsible. Six people or less than six people cannot hold the country to ransom. The man got sick they refused to allow him to go for treatment. They capitalised on two things, age and sickness and we saw this coming and cried out.

“I’m praying that he gets strong to complete this term, and by 2019 we come up with a better option. Never again, will we allow these recycled people to make this country as their personal estate and go about doing all sorts of things”.

Also, former Commissioner of Police, Lagos State, Alhaji Abubakar Tsav, said it was not customary for any Nigerian or African to wish another dead.

His words: “Those wishing him dead are those who have interest in his position or those who think that they will benefit if someone else goes there. It is very ungodly.

It is very unfortunate, and ACF was apt in its warning to those wishing the President dead. Our lives are in the hands of God. Suppose you wish somebody dead, and the next morning you are dead, what do you say? Only God knows who will die first. You see somebody who is very sick and he is still alive, while somebody who is very healthy dies. It is all in the hands of God, let God do what He wants.”

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Be Computer Literate Or Resign – Ondo state gov.Tells Workers

The Ondo State Governor, Mr. Rotimi Akeredolu, has advised civil servants in the state to learn how to get training on the use of computers for better productivity.

Akeredolu said his administration would not tolerate computer illiteracy in the state civil service, saying it would better for the service if all the workers were computer literate. He, therefore, asked any worker that is not ready to comply with the use of computer to resign.

Akeredolu stated this during the inauguration of the Ondo State Integrated Financial Management Information System project in Akure, the state capital.


The event, held at the Cocoa Conference Hall of the governor’s office, had the state’s top senior civil servants in attendance.

According to the governor, the SIFMIS project would assist the state in generating more revenue internally and enhance good governance through the application of technology.

“SIFMIS will support capacity building efforts aimed at erecting an institutional framework for the public service in compliance with international best global practice,” Akeredolu said.

He urged the civil servants in the state to support and cooperate with the consultant that would train them on the implementation of the SIFMIS project.

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