Two use magical ring to gang rape 19-yr-old student

IBADAN —TWO young men have been remanded in Agodi Prison by an Ibadan Magistrate Court for allegedly using a magical ring to abduct and gang-rape a 19-year-old secondary school girl in Ibadan.
The two suspects, according to a police source, were charged with conspiracy, rape and stealing of a Blackberry phone belonging to the victim.
The rape victim said she closed from school at Wofun Iyana Church, and was accosted by the suspects who insisted she should follow them to their residence. But, when she refused, one of them allegedly used a magical ring to hit her on the chest and she was unconscious.
“There is a boy who was not my boy friend. He was a student in that school about two years ago. His name is Biola. He had wanted to date me several times which I politely turned down. Just last Wednesday, when I closed from school, Biola came to me in company of two unidentified boys and said his mum wanted to see me.
“‘I asked him what led to the invitation by his mum. I then told him I would not go. Then, one of the two other guys who had a ring on his hand hit me on the chest and I was unconscious. They took me to the residence of one of the two boys and raped me.
“Before raping me, they gave me alcoholic drink and after the crime had been committed, they gave me ‘covenant water’ threatening me that I would die if I told anybody of the act.”
A top policeman who claimed anonymity because he was not instructed to speak, confirmed the story, saying: “On May 15 at 0815 hours, one Adekola living on Akanbi Street, Molade area of Ibadan reported that his younger sister and a secondary school student went to school and did not return home. All efforts to trace her proved abortive.
“Then about 23:00hours, an unanimous caller called through the victim’s GSM number and identified himself as kidnapper and demanded N6,000. The DCO led other policemen and the victim was rescued.”
She was unconscious and was rushed to a nearby hospital. She later narrated how she was kidnapped and gang-raped by three persons. Two arrests have been made while the third suspect is still at large. The two suspects have been charged to court.”

Why 16,000 JAMB results were cancelled – Minister

ABUJA — Minister of Education, Prof. Ruquayyatu Rufa’i, has explained that 16,000 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination, UTME, results were cancelled by the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board, JAMB, because of examination malpractices by the candidates.
Rufa’i spoke through Mr. Julius Ameh, yesterday, in Abuja, during the presentation of the Teachers’ Guide for the teaching of the National Values Curriculum, NVC,  in Basic Education, which was funded by the Independent Corrupt Practices and other Related Offences Commission, ICPC.
She said: ”We shall be resolute in our decisions as there shall be no sacred cows. Nobody, no matter how highly placed, will be allowed to get away with the breach of the law or perpetration of corruption and evil in our colleges and tertiary institutions.”
The minister said the inclusion of the guide into the numerous literature available in the education sector, especially on corruption and value orientation, was an indication of the premium which the administration placed on education and transparency in the conduct of government business.
She said: “It is also an eloquent testimony of the present administration’s determination to heal the wounds of the past quickly, put the ugly past behind and use the new NVC to stretch hands of fellowship to aggrieved Nigerians for complete reconciliation.
“The Nigerian child must be encouraged and taught that integrity pays.”
His self respect must be restored and his growth process rewarded through  mentoring and parental care.”
” she added.
Chairman of ICPC, Ekpo Nta, in his address, said that the NVC was applicable at all levels of education and was designed to expose the Nigerian child to a value-based curriculum that incorporates ethical values into academic studies from the early years to adulthood.
“The curriculum has been infused into subjects and courses at basic, post-basic and teacher-education levels. It has also been infused into the curriculum of mass literacy and non-formal education,” he said.
Nta further pointed out the need for teachers to be trained and properly oriented on the methodology and behavioural imperatives for imparting such values.
“We therefore, request commissioners for education and chairmen of SUBEB  to order for more copies of the teachers’ guide such that every school in the basic education system in each state is given enough copies for the use of teachers,” he added.
The Executive Secretary of National Educational Research Development Council, NERDC, Prof. Godwill Obioma, explained that the NVC as approved by the National Council on Education, NCE,  in 2004 was to educate young Nigerians on their duties, rights as well as obligations to themselves and the society.
He added that ICPC and NERDC developed the Teachers’ Guide to assist teachers as implementers of the NVC, to acquire the knowledge as well as serve as a source of materials for the teaching of the new ideas.
“The Teachers’ Guide is expected to make the implementation of the NVC easier for teachers. It is meant to serve as a resource material for the effective implementation of the NVC,” Obioma further said.

NAFDAC seizes $250,000 contaminated bread improver

PORT HARCOURT — AN ESTIMATED $250,000.00 worth of contaminated bread improver (Edlen Dough Conditioner) imported from the USA has been confiscated at the Onne Port in Rivers State by the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control, NAFDAC.
NAFDAC head of Ports Inspection Directorate in Port Harcourt, Dr. Musa Umar, said the product loaded in 10 containers was first suspected by NAFDAC officials at the port in January while thorough examination on April 16 and re-examined in the presence of the importer, clearing agent and manufacturer were done on  May 2.
He said findings in the series of investigations confirmed that the product imported by Dorcas-Jedi Investment Nigeria Ltd had already deteriorated and unfit for human consumption by the degree to which the product’s integrity had been compromised.
“Some cartons were soaked and there were evidence of bloated cans and products spilling on to the boxes. Full examination was attempted for all the 10 containers but no product with acceptable physical attributes was seen,” Umar said.
He said the economic loss for the end users (bread bakers) would have been enormous if the product was allowed to enter the market as its utility value had been lost.
A representative of the product’s importer, Dr. Ottih Ezuma attributed its spoilage to long delay from the shipping company that shipped it from Savannah Sea Port in Atlanta, Georgia, USA.
Customs Area II Command Controller, Magaji Mohammed, who handed the products over to NAFDAC said his command had likewise handed over to NAFDAC 426 bottles of naturelite children’s multivitamin discovered to have expired.
The spoilt products still in custody at government warehouse, Onne Port are to be destroyed by NAFDAC Enforcement Unit after necessary official documentation.

May 29 – Awaiting Dividends

NIGERIANS and their democracy are unique. If elsewhere people delight in the capacities of their government to deepen their liberties, broaden opportunities, our democracy is delivered as structures, visible and tangible. We call them dividends of democracy.
The lure of dividends, a throw back to the days when the economy supported companies making the returns to shareholders, has created an array of expectations. People expect democracy to translate to instant wellbeing. Politicians egg them on in the desires for a better life, which they paint in rosy strokes, but often do not deliver.
Where people expect employment, health services, rural development, education, governments point to peace and unity (currently eluding many parts) as dividends of democracy. Dividends of democracy manifest in renovated schools, repainted hospitals, more vehicles for the judiciary and security agencies. They are celebrated as if their impacts would in a wave wipe out the deep-seated issues distracting the country.
One of them is the tendency to deny the people their rights to choose, especially their leaders. Choice as a foundation of democracy is reflected in the importance and regularity of elections. The decisions about leaders must be made in fairer setting and in ways that produce leaders whose acceptability derives from the processes.
Equating physical developments with dividends of democracy could result in dissipating the more important aspects of democracy and by extension accepting any form of rule, as long as it builds better roads and bridges. Democracy is deeper. May 29 and the liberties it has brought since 1999 are reminders of the possibilities of democratic governance.
Democracy awards us vast liberties which our Constitution enunciates. We must expand our peoples’ rights to life, to ownership of property, to participation in the economy and most importantly, their participation in politics. The rights to security of lives and property are facing challenges; they should be tackled more decisively.
Rights have prospered or withered in various measures in the past 14 years. Nigerians like to be heard, they have been talking. Is anyone listening?  More people are agitating for more States or local governments. Others want re-structuring, to award the States more powers.  Would Nigerians be free to live wherever they wish? Democracy should induce more economic competition among Nigeria’s federating units and improve lives. Would the current review of the Constitution address these?
Democracy is about the people. The consistent exclusion of the people in decisions about them is undemocratic. It is at the centre of the agitations that question the relevance of democracy and minimises people’s stake in Nigeria.
May 29 can be saved from being a ritual when our governments are about the people and for the people.

Energy: FG announces preferred bidders for Kaduna, Afam

-  Abuja
The National Council on Privatization, (NCP), chaired by the Vice President Namadi Sambo, yesterday announced a list of successful bidders that crossed the evaluation stage for both Kaduna Distribution Company (DISCO) and Afam Generation Company (GENCO).
Briefing state House correspondents at the end of fourth meeting of the NCP, the Chairman of NCP’s Technical Committee, Atedo Peterside, said the successful companies would now move on to a commercial bidding process that would be televised nationwide.
For Kaduna, seven out of 11 bidders were successful and were invited to the financial bid opening stage. The pre-qualified bidders included Axis Power Distribution Ltd, Nahco Consortium, Incar Power Ltd, Aiteo Consortium, LEDA Consortium, Northwest Power Ltd and Copperbelt Consortium. For Afam, four bidders crossed the evaluation stage out of nine.
The successful bidders were listed as Primeniza Energy Ltd, Televas Group, Forby Energy Ltd and TES Power Ltd. Peterside also noted that for any bidder to qualify for the commercial bidding stage, it had to score 75 percent.
He, however, added that even after yesterday’s announcement, the committee would continue due diligence to further cross check the information provided by the successful bidders.
“We still have to do continuing due diligence to check the accuracy of information at our disposal. Even if we announce these preferred bidders today, if we find any of the information to be false or misleading, we can still disqualify them,” he emphasized.
The NCP also announced that three firms had been short listed to participate in a mini financial bid process for a guided liquidation of NITEL.

We’re still on a journey –Comments by Nigerians

14 years after Nigeria’s transition into a democratic dispensation, many citizens still believe that it is not yet uhuru, as the country is still grappling with insecurity, unemployment and lack of infrastructure. CHINELO OBOGO went to the streets to get the views of Nigerians on their assessment of the country’s democracy and the way forward.
Prince Mbah, Businessman
It’s been a journey but we cannot say it’s a destination yet. In the course of the journey, we have had our bumps and difficulties. The only thing we can say we have achieved is the smooth stability of the transition. We have transmitted from one successive democratic government to another. So far, our democracy can be said to be stable, going by the way we have gone from one successive government to another without military intervention and that is what we can say we have achieved so far.
But on the flip side, the country has been turned to an abattoir in the last three years with the carnage, going on in the North, kidnappings in the South and the East and armed robbery in the West. If this can be described as democracy, we have not had it yet. Before we used to sleep with one eye closed but now we are sleeping with both eyes open, no thanks to insecurity.
Aaron Ikegulu, Student
We have not had any gain in democracy yet because the country is ridden with bad governance, infrastructural decay, monumental and institutional corruption. It is a huge problem. Democracy should be more than just handing over from one government to another. So far, what we have had is leadership ineptitude. Our roads have continued to remain death traps; the standard of our education has lowered considerably and power supply has almost collapsed. The gap between the governed and the governors is widening every minute of the day. The difference between the military and democracy is just the uniform. The only plus we have now is the freedom of speech, which this democracy affords us. People can now give their opinions without being harassed. I believe that we will still get there because we are not there yet. After all, Rome was not built in a day.
Mike Ikeazu, Engineer
We have to thank God for the peace of the country. Events of the past years would have caused the breakup of this country but God in His infinite mercy has kept us. There have been a few positives despite the insecurity challenges; we have continued to forge on as a country. This is the first time that the country would go from one transition to another. In the past, we would find the military, ruling for many years but from what we have now, it is obvious that democracy has come to stay.
The government has a lot to do because today, the cost of living is so high that people now live under bridges. There is no policy on housing, the power sector still remains epileptic, the government has to look into it because if there is stability in the power sector, we will have many small scale industries and a lot of people would be self employed. If the government can stabilise the power sector, a lot of people would be employed and the economy would be better for it.
When I was a student at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, we were usually fed by the school and before we even graduated, companies used to come to our school to source for the best students. But all that is gone now. Democracy should improve the lives of the people and not worsen it. Ironically, the military, which Nigerians fought were the responsible for some of the lasting infrastructure like roads that we still have. In those days, you could travel from lagos to the East and you would arrive in a few hours because the roads were good.
Then, night journey was the vogue. But now, when you want to travel from Lagos to the North by road, you are most likely to spend two days. However, the worst civilian rule is better than the military because we now have our freedom. But the government still has a lot to do if they are sincere. As far as I am concerned, since 1999, we have been going round in circles without serious infrastructural and economic development but I believe things can get better if our leaders are sincere enough.
Ngozi Nwoye, Nurse
How can you talk about democracy when people are not employed? Every day, we churn out graduates, yet there are no jobs for them to do. It is not all about celebrating Democracy Day but what have we achieved? I know of someone, who lost his wife and baby because he could not afford a medical bill of N3,000. The other day, we heard of a couple that lost their triplets because of N4,000 medical bill they could not afford. Many people today do not have access to free medical care and that is why the maternal mortality rate is very high.
We are all witnesses to how a lot of Nigerians now go to countries like India to receive treatment. So, why can’t we develop our own health care system? Why should India be better than we? Is there anything that they have that we do not have? It is very unfortunate that we are still having these problems. I do not know where these things started from but I know that our infrastructure was better during the military regime than it is now I know that there is money in this country but it is circulating among a few people. Today, there is a thin line between the government and the people. Democracy should be the government for the people but today we are having a government by the few and for a few.
Amara Chukwumezie,  Student
Our democracy is not perfect but I still prefer it to the military. It is true that most of our infrastructure like the roads, railway, airports, etc. were done during the military but we did not have the freedom that we have now and that is why I still prefer the democracy that we have now. However, we still have a long way to go because things seem not to get better. As a student, I have observed our lowering standards of education and it is very worrisome.
>>>sunnews

IG orders AIGs, CPs to beef up security as regards to Democracy Day

ABUJA—The Inspector General of Police, Mohammed Abubakar, has directed Assistant Inspectors General of Police, AIGs, and Commissioners of Police, CPs, in the country to ensure a secure, peaceful and hitch-free anniversary by carrying out effective and efficient deployment of police personnel.
He has further directed the AIG Border Patrol to ensure that the nation’s borders are effectively manned to prevent any cross-border crime. The AIG Air-Wing has also been directed to provide aerial patrol for the FCT and other States.
His words, “to ensure a secure, peaceful and hitch-free nation-wide anniversary, the IGP has directed AIGs and Commissioners of Police to ensure an effective and efficient deployment of operational manpower and tools at the disposal of their respective commands”.
A statement by CSP Frank Mba, Force Spokesman said, “the IG while saluting the courage and gallantry of officers and men of the Force in protecting the nation’s thriving democracy, charged police personnel to continue to subordinate themselves to civil authority and give maximum respect to the fundamental rights of the citizenry.
“He advises officers to remain politically neutral and steer clear of partisan politics in line with the professional ethics of the Force. He warns that officers found meddling in local politics within or outside their areas of jurisdiction will be appropriately sanctioned.
“The IG equally pledges the unalloyed loyalty of the Nigeria Police Force to the Government and people of Nigeria,” promising that the “Force will continue to do everything within its power and available resources, including partnering with relevant stakeholders, to effectively discharge its constitutional and statutory responsibilities of securing lives and property of Nigerians, even in the face of current security challenges and the huge price involved.
“He restates the commitment of the current Police Administration to reposition the Force for greater efficiency, and calls for the cooperation of citizens”.
Meanwhile, Police Affairs Minister, Navy Capt. Caleb Olubolade (rtd) charged Nigerians to see the success of democracy in the last 14 years as proof that there is light at the end of the tunnel, especially as it concerns the security situation in the country.
Olubolade said “The nation has passed through a very dark tunnel in the past few years as a result of the activities of undesirable elements bent on destroying the laudable dreams of the nation’s founders, by unleashing terrorist and other violent activities on a-once-peaceful and united nation”.
He however implored Nigerians to see the light at the end of the dark tunnel as exemplified in the improved and continually improving security situation brought about by the joint efforts of the security services and the cooperation of well-meaning citizens.
He assured the nation of the preparedness of the officers and men of the Nigeria Police Force to continue to discharge their duties to the nation in spite of recent drawbacks, especially recent loss of some officers while on active service which he describes as a price the Force has continued to pay over time in protecting lives and property.
He also commended President Jonathan on his courage and display of a high sense of responsibility and responsiveness with the recent declaration of State of Emergency in the volatile areas of the country which has proved decisive and successful as the affected areas have been mainly secured by the security forces.
Olubolade, sasid, “the least expected of Nigerians is to give unqualified support to the President in his determined effort to secure the nation and provide good leadership.
He also charged the citizens to assist the Police and other security agencies by providing information on the activities of people of doubtful character living amongst them.
Furthermore, he congratulated President Jonathan and Nigerians on the laudable achievements recorded in the past two years, especially in the Police Reform Program being driven by the Ministry and assures that with continued support by Nigerians, the expected dividends of good governance would surely be delivered.

My next script is a gay movie, there’s a big market for the type of fims I do – Nollywood Actress Afrocandy

In a bare-it-all interview with PUNCH Newspapers, controversial actress Judith Opara-Mazagwu, spoke about her newest work, Destructive Instinct, which had landed her in the media mainstream and what her future plans are.
Excerpts:
Any special reason you chose the name, AfroCandy?
I chose the name because guys call me ‘Eye Candy’. And I figured, if I’m an eye candy and I’m African, I should be an AfroCandy.
Did you do a boob job or are your breasts natural?
No, I did not do any boob job. My boobs are all mine, naturally made and given to me by my creator.
Why did you go into pornographic movies?
I’m not into pornography. I’ll say this over and over. The fact that I chose to make romance and sex scenes in my movies real should not make me a porn star. Now tell me, would you call the actors that play assassin and killer roles in movies murderers because they play such roles? Why are eyebrows being raised over this my movie? Or, is it because it has to do with sex, which is supposed to be a way of life? I find that to be sexist honestly. You can call me daring, brave, bold and beautiful. And I will like you to tell me what you call movies like ‘Basic Instinct, ‘I spit on your grave’ and the likes of them. And I’ll also like you to tell me what you may call actors like Sharon Stone, Hally Berry and co for taking similar roles in those movies before I can answer you directly.
Is there a market for pornographic movies in Nigeria?
Yes, there’s definitely a big market for my kind of movies in Nigeria and Africa as a whole, judging from the responses, requests and orders I have received so far. You already know your people, they will criticise in public but go behind to buy it and hide in their bedrooms to watch it. I’m not worried about the censors board, we got that locked down.
Have you settled issues with the guy who acted in your movie, ‘Destructive Instinct,’ and wanted to pull out?
Yes, we have settled the matter and are moving on.
What was the contract like?
I wouldn’t want to go into the details; but the bottom line is, the case has been closed and we are on to the next one.
Was the guy aware that he was going to feature in a porn movie?
Yes, he was. And again, not a porn movie, but he knew he was going to get naked in the movie and he willingly did it.
Why did he want to pull out?
It’s a long story and I think I already addressed that already in one of my interviews.
How do you deal with advances from men?
I don’t deal with that at all.
What is your impression about gays?
My impression about them is, they are mostly adults, they know what is right and what is wrong and choose to do what is best for them. I guess they know what they want and what they want to do with their lives. So it’s normal.
Would you act in a gay movie?
Yes, I will. Matter of fact, I have a script for that and I guess that doesn’t make me gay now, right?
Which part of your body turns guys on the most?
Ha ha ha…thats’a very funny question, but how would I even know that? I guess you should conduct a wide search for that and maybe ask the guys for that.
Uche Ogbodo has reportedly turned down your offer to feature in a porn movie. Who will you invite to replace her?
I never even spoke to her yet, only made an announcement for an up and coming production. But I have worked with bigger and better actors and will always do; so that’s not important now.
How many films have you acted in and produced so far?
As many as possible.
Where are you from? What is your educational background?
I am from Imo State in Nigeria. As per education, I am a graduate with two associate degrees in office administration and computer science; a Bachelor’s degree in business management and a graduate in medical billing and coding. I’m also getting ready to go back to school to study law.
Have Cossy Orjiakor and Anita Joseph accepted your offer?
I wouldn’t like to disclose that, but I’ll keep you posted.
How do your daughters feel about your roles in porn movies?
I may be their mother because I brought them into the world. I may have the privilege to raise them up to adult age. But you know, I cannot tell them what to do or follow at a certain age. Besides, they are Americans who have their own minds. If they graduate from college and decide to follow my footsteps, it’s their own calling. If I can predict, they wouldn’t want to do what I do because they have better opportunities and better futures than mine. All I do now is to secure a better future for them so they don’t have to go through what I went through in my life time. Mind you, I tell my daughters everything I do. I even told them about this project, the nature of it, but I could not show them because they are not up to 18 yet. I just had to prepare them in case they run into it on the Internet, they won’t be shocked. So don’t worry about my daughters, they are the best children any mother could ever ask for and I thank God for the gift.

The readiness of Nigeria’s U20 team for next month’s World Cup in Turkey will be tested today by defending Toulon International Tournament champions Mexico.

Kick-off: 4.30 p.m.
The readiness of Nigeria’s U20 team for next month’s World Cup in Turkey will be tested today by defending Toulon International Tournament champions Mexico.
open their campaign at the Stade Perruc Hyeres in France by 5.30pm, which is 4.30 Nigerian time.
This will be Nigeria’s first outing at the 46-year-old tournament and the Flying Eagles will use it to prepare for the World Cup in Turkey.
Six of the 10 teams at this year’s competition will feature at the U20 World Cup, namely Nigeria, Portugal, Colombia, France,
United States of America, and South Korea.
“We have a good team who have been responding to training. We will see how much they have learnt thus far,” said the Flying Eagles German assistant coach Jurgen Press.
Cote d’Ivoire have been the only African winners of this tournament, when they won it three years ago.
Mexico and Nigeria last clashed at U20 level two years ago when the CONCACAF giants defeated the Flying Eagles 4-1 in another invitational tournament in Panama preparatory to the 2011 U20 World Cup in Colombia.
Six-time African champions Nigeria will line up several players like U17 international defender Wilfred Ndidi, Switzerland-based goalkeeper Sebastian Osigwe and new Olympiacos of Greece midfielder Michael Olaitan, who are pressing to make the final 21-man squad for Turkey 2013.
Enugu Rangers striker Alhaji Gero is expected to put behind the death of his younger brother this week as he aims to guarantee his place in the party to Turkey following the emergence of Dolphins striker Samuel Eduok as an attacking option for the team.
Mexico are handled by the experienced Sergio Almaguer and will parade FC Dallas of USA goalkeeper Sanchez Alcaraz along with players drawn from several of the country’s top clubs like Pachuca, Monterrey, Atlas and Cruz Azul.
To qualify for the 2013 World Cup, Mexico won five matches, scored 15 goals and conceded only a goal to emerge undisputed CONCACAF cham-pions.
Meanwhile, Organi-sers announced no fewer than 1512 full internationals have passed through this annual competition and they include the likes of David Beckham, Frank Lampard (England), Mascherano (Argentina), Kaka (Brazil), Oman Biyk (Cameroon), James Rodrigues (Colombia), Kolo Toure, Didier Zokora (Cote d’Ivoire) as well as Lilian Thuram, Didier Deschamps and Nicolas Anelka (France).
It has proved to be veritable ground for clubs and scouts across the world to watch first-hand promising prospects in top-class action.

Kwara poly shut over students protest

Authorities of Kwara State Polytechnic, Ilorin Tuesday closed the institution following renewed protest by the students of the institution over alleged shooting of their colleague by the police.
The students angered by the shooting of their colleague by the police around post office area of Ilorin Monday morning while  going to school for lectures, had begun protest which has paralysed activities in the state capital since Monday .
Their resumed protest Today took  hundreds of the students to A division police station, Taiwo, Unity and other parts of the state capital.
Anti riot police officers were also sighted around those areas to prevent the protesters from tampering with government and private properties as well as to ensure that it was not hijacked by hoodlums.
The rector of the polytechnic, Alh Moshood Elelu in a statement said it became necessary for the institution to close because of the development and directed the students to return to their parents and guardians.
According to the statement, students would be duly informed of the time of resumption whenever its appropriate. The school management however, maintained that the said student – victim of police gun shot, one Mr Dayo was not dead but responding to treatment in a hospital.
Meanwhile, the Kwara state government has described the alleged shooting of Dayo by the police as very unfortunate and  appealed to the students to be calm and avoid taking laws into their hands.
In a statement by the Secretary to the State Government, Alh Isiaka Gold described as unfortunate the reported injury of a student by men of the Nigeria Police and assured the students that the state police command has commenced disciplinary proceedings against the officer at the centre of the incident and would take action to forestall a re-occurrence of the sad incident.
Gold said that while government recognises the students’ right to peaceful protest, the full weight of the law will be brought to bear on anyone apprehended for breaking the law under any guise and urged parents not to allow their wards to be used for any acts of criminality.
The Secretary to the State Government called on the students to return to their various homes pending the reopening of the Polytechnic for academic activities.

Brymo leaves Choc-city label

The walk out on Chocolate City record label by it’s artists is not over yet. Barely one month after Jesse Jagz left the label following undisclosed reason, another super talented artist, Brymo has left the label.

Initially there had been reported denial from Choc-City insisting Brymo remains an artist with them; a situation now refuted by Brymo.

It’s true, I have left Choc City he tweets. The record label is yet to respond to this development.

Brymo

12 missing after Chevron-contracted tug sinks

LAGOS (AFP) – A tugboat contracted by oil giant Chevron has sunk off the coast of Nigeria, leaving 12 sailors missing, an official said on Tuesday.
“I can confirm the incident. It was on Sunday morning,” said Corrie van Kessel, a spokeswoman for Sea Trucks Group, which owns West African Ventures Limited, operator of the vessel.
“12 crew members … There is a big rescue operation in progress at the moment,” she added, specifying the 12 missing were the vessel’s entire crew.
She could not confirm the nationalities of the sailors aboard the Jascon 4, which sank off southern Nigeria’s Escravos, the site of a Chevron oil terminal.
Nigeria is Africa’s biggest oil producer, with Chevron among the major operators in the country.
Van Kessel said it was not yet clear what caused the accident. The vessel had been involved in towing operations for a tanker, she said.
A Nigerian navy spokesman did not immediately respond to phone calls.
US-based Chevron issued a statement confirming the tug had sunk, but referred all questions on the crew to West African Ventures Limited.
Chevron said the vessel “capsized and sank early in the morning of May 26 while supporting a tanker loading at SBM 3, a loading point 30 kilometres (18 miles) offshore in the Escravos area of Delta state, Nigeria.
“Initial reports indicated that heavy ocean swells caused the Jascon 4 to capsize while performing tension tow operations of the tanker at SBM 3.
“Emergency response has commenced, including search and rescue operation with surface vessels, helicopters and divers.”
Chevron gave no further information on the cause of the accident.
Nigeria’s treacherous and busy offshore waters see regular incidents, including accidents as well as pirate attacks and kidnappings.
An inferno at a Chevron natural gas well off Nigeria that began in January 2012 and which killed two people and sparked fears of serious environmental damage stopped burning only in March 2012.

UK murder: Adebowale leaves hospital, now in custody

LONDON (AFP) – One of the two main suspects in the brutal murder of a British soldier by Islamic extremists near his London barracks was discharged from hospital and taken into police custody on Tuesday.
Michael Adebowale, 22, faces questioning over the soldier’s murder as well as the attempted murder of a police officer, the Metropolitan Police said.
Adebowale and his fellow suspect in the killing of soldier Lee Rigby, Michael Adebolajo, 28, were shot and injured by police at the scene near the barracks in Woolwich on Wednesday.
They have been under police guard in hospital.
Both men are believed to be known to the security services.
Adebowale and Adebolajo are Muslim converts from Nigerian Christian families.

Mercedes recalls 6,000 cars over airbag problem

BERLIN (AFP) – Mercedes-Benz is recalling about 6,000 cars of its new A-class because of a possible flaw in the cover of the passenger-side airbag unit, the German luxury auto maker said Tuesday.
“The airbag expands, but not the way we want it to,” said the spokesman. The affected models were produced between June and December 2012.
The spokesman was not immediately able to give a figure for affected cars sold outside Germany, but said it would be low since the affected models only hit the market last September.
The car owners had already been contacted, said the spokesman, adding that the inspection would take 15 minutes and a possible free repair about three and a half hours.
The online version of “auto motor und sport” magazine, which first reported the recall, said the affected models were the A180 CDI, A200 CDI, A220 CDI, A180, A200 and A250.

Flour Mills GM, Accountant and Store Keeper docked over N20m theft

Three former top management staff of the Katsina Flour Mills Limited were Tuesday dragged before Justice Abdullahi Yusuf of the Katsina State High Court and slammed with a three-count charge of misappropriation of public funds and criminal breach of trust.
The three men- Abdulmalik Ibrahim, Darda’u Idris Safana and Hassan Hashimu, who served as General Manager, Accountant and Store Keeper respectively, were docked by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission for allegedly conspiring and embezzling the sum of N19, 667,187 from the coffers of the company between 2011 and 2012.
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Boko Haram claims victories over military

KANO  (AFP) – The leader of Islamist extremist group Boko Haram claims in a video obtained by AFP on Tuesday that Nigerian soldiers have retreated during an ongoing military offensive and insurgents have sustained little damage.
The video marks the first public comments from Boko Haram leader Abubakar Shekau since the start of a sweeping offensive by the Nigerian army on May 15 and also includes a call for foreign Islamists to join the fight in Nigeria.

A video grab made on March 21, 2013 from a video distributed to reporters by purported intermediaries of the Islamist group linked to Al-Qaeda, Boko Haram, shows the suspected leader of the Nigerian Islamist group linked to Al-Qaeda, Boko Haram, Imam Abu Muhammad Ibn Muhammad Abubakar Ash Shekawi, also known as Abubakar Shekau, at an undisclosed location in Nigeria. AFP

Shekau’s whereabouts cannot be determined in the video, in which he is shown seated while dressed in camouflage with a turban, an AK-47 at his side.
His comments contradict statements from the military, which has claimed major successes during the offensive, including the destruction of Boko Haram camps and dozens of arrests.
It has been impossible to verify the claims of either side independently, with the military having cut mobile phone service in much of the country’s northeast and access to remote locations restricted.
“Since we started this ongoing war which they call state of emergency … in some instances soldiers who faced us turned and ran,” Shekau said in the hour-long video.
He claimed Nigerian forces “threw down their arms in flight.”
He called on like-minded Islamists in countries including Afghanistan, Pakistan and Iraq to join the fight to create an Islamic state in Nigeria.
“We call to us our brethren in these countries I mentioned. Oh! Our brethren, come to us,” he said in the video, which alternates between Arabic and the Hausa language spoken across northern Nigeria.
The video later purports to show vehicles and weapons seized from Nigerian soldiers.
Shekau, designated a global terrorist by the United States last year, repeats earlier statements that Boko Haram “will not stop the kidnap of your women and children until you set free our women and children, and our brethren.”
He also says Boko Haram’s goal is either the creation of an Islamic state or “martyrdom”.
The video was delivered to AFP though an intermediary in a manner similar to previous Boko Haram messages. The images of Shekau in the video are consistent with those previously released.
Nigeria launched the offensive against Boko Haram after President Goodluck Jonathan declared a state of emergency in three states in the country’s northeast, the Islamist insurgents’ stronghold.
Several thousand troops were deployed and fighter jets hit alleged Boko Haram camps.
On May 20, the military said it had re-established control in five remote areas of the northeast where Islamist insurgents had seized territory.
It had also claimed the arrests of 120 suspected insurgents.
The military’s latest statement says 25 insurgents were arrested and three killed during operations at the weekend, including one identified as “Abba” included on a most-wanted list. One soldier was also killed, it said.
“Troops of the special forces have intercepted messages sent to fleeing insurgents urging them not to give up but fight to the end,” the statement said.
“The attempt by some of them to heed the call was foiled during the weekend as they were trailed to some settlements and towns towards the border where they plan to regroup.”
Last week, the military also said it had freed three women and six children abducted by Boko Haram.
Nigeria’s government has also pledged to release certain suspects held in connection with the insurgency as a peace gesture, including all women and children.
Boko Haram has waged its insurgency since 2009, with an estimated 3,600 people left dead, including killings by the security forces.
The group has pushed for the creation of an Islamic state in Africa’s most populous nation and largest oil producer, though its demands have repeatedly shifted.
It is believed to include various factions with differing aims.
Nigeria’s military has come under heavy criticism over its response to Boko Haram, including allegations of extra-judicial killings, arbitrary arrests and unlawful detentions.
>>>vanguard

I Don’t Need Goodluck Jonathan’s Money – Azeezat

Since the announcement of President Goodluck Jonathan’s $200 million Entertainment Intervention Fund in 2010, many entertainers have lamented the hardship involved in accessing the money.
While many have claimed that nobody in the industry has taken a bite from the ‘cake’, few have claimed otherwise.
Many industry stakeholders have termed the fund ‘invisible’ money, which was only announced to woo entertainers into getting people to vote for President Jonathan in the 2011 Presidential elections.
From those in the music industry to those in the movie world, the story has been the same. Same goes for comedians, who have even lost hope in the fund.
In a recent interview, the self-acclaimed Queen of Love, Azeezat, said she is not interested in getting a share from the President’s largesse to the creative industry in Nigeria. While Her response to our question on whether she is interested in the money was, “not at all.”
The fund was announced by Mr President to help improve the creative industry in Nigeria through grants in form of loans. The President said that the gesture was made because of the impact the entertainment industry in Nigeria has created in terms of job creation and for the purpose of boosting the country’s economy.
>>>naijamayor

Very Hot Photos Of Beverly Osu, Nigerians Representative At Big Brother Africa 2013

Beverly Osu is a model from Lagos. She describes herself as ‘smart, sexy, humble, loyal and crazy’. One of her favourite qualities is her sense of humour. In other people, she values ‘consistency, cleanliness, truth and humility’ and dislikes unkept promises, lies and pretence.
Beverley says that viewers can expect ‘a total packaged African young diva to command the right qualities and characteristics of a blunt, sexy go-getter’. She doesn’t really have any role models, choosing rather to take unique attributes from different people. Asked who has influenced her life most, Beverley says “who I want to influence me all depends on the situation at hand’.
She has made several appearances in many Nigerian music videos including Ice Prince’s ‘Oleku‘, 2shotz’ ‘Damn!‘, and many others. Beverly is reported to have been in a relationship with 2shotz a few years ago.

N6.5billion fraud: EFCC moves against ex-Gov Sylva’s wife

ABUJA – The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, Tuesday, said it has gathered sufficient evidence to warrant the prosecution of wife of former Governor of Bayelsa State, Mrs. Alayingi Sylva, on allegations of corruption.
The anti-graft agency made the disclosure on a day the embattled erstwhile governor, Timipre Sylva, begged the Abuja Division of the Federal High Court to grant him leave to accompany his wife to the United Kingdom to enable her to undertake a surgical operation.
Sylva who was recently granted administrated bail by the EFCC after he was re-arrested in his Abuja residence over his alleged complicity in a fresh allegation bothering on misappropriation and illegal diversion of public funds whilst he was in power, yesterday, told the high court that Cromwell Hospital in London has already scheduled his wife for an operation on May 31.
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