Justice Aiki Nullifies the Installation of 21 obas in Ibadan

Justice Olajumoke Aiki  of the Oyo State High Court has trashed the installation of 21 monarchs in Ibadan last August by Governor Abiola Ajimobi.

Photo: pmnews

The judge did this today by nullifying the process that led to the historic coronation:  the review of the 1957 Olubadan Chieftaincy Declaration and other Related Chieftaincies in Ibadan land by the Justice Akintunde Boade Review Commission.

In a ruling in Ibadan today, Aiki declared the review unconstitutional, illegal, null, void and of no effect, following a legal challenge by Rashidi Ladoja, a former governor, who would have been a beneficiary .

The commission had recommended, among others, the creation of many monarchs in Ibadan which led to the installation of 21 kings by the state Governor Abiola Ajimobi.

But the Osi Olubadan of Ibadan land, Rasheed Ladoja, challenged the composition and recommendations of the commission in court, joining Ajimobi as co-defendant.

While delivering judgment, Aiki held that wearing of beaded crowns is beyond the purview of sections 10, 12 and 25 of the Oyo State Chiefs Law, stating that Section 25 of the Chiefs Law could not be treated in isolation to the provisions of Parts Two and Three of the Chiefs Laws.

The court also said provisions of Parts Two and Three of the Chiefs Laws, particularly sections 10, 12 and 25, did not give power to the governor to review the Olubadan chieftaincy declaration, while also restraining the government from accepting and implementing the reports of the commission.

Also being challenged in court is the position of Olubadan Oba Saliu Adetunji himself.

The case filed  by Chief Adebayo Oyediji, will be heard on 12 February in Ibadan by Justice Moshood Abass.

Oyediji of Seriki chieftaincy line and three others, are challenging the installation of Adetunji by Gov. Abiola Ajimobi of Oyo State as the Olubadan of Ibadanland.

The other claimants in the suit were Chief Olalekan Fakunle, Chief Rasheed Abinupagun and Chief Gabriel Amao.

Source: NAN

Benue Buries the Dead Victims of Gun Toting Herdsmen

Gov. Samuel Ortom of Benue state has again rejected the suggestion that the state create Cattle Colony or Grazing Routes for herdsmen.

He said the suggestions were not acceptable to the Benue people.

Ortom stated this on Thursday in Makurdi in a service to mark the mass burial of the victims of the herdsmen invasion. He had stated this position on Wednesday at a stakeholders meeting attended by the Inspector General of Police. Idris Ibrahim.

On Thursday, he said since the state does not even have adequate land for farmers, it does not have the space to give herdsmen for grazing.

He insisted on ranching, saying “it is the best way to go and it is in conformity with global best practices”.

Ortom said that if the recent killings by herdsmen were meant to intimidate the state government to repeal the law, the herdsmen had failed woefully.

the coffins of the victims on arrival in Makurdi

He also blamed the killings of Benue indigenes on the silence of the Federal Government and others responsible for the security of lives and property, an accusation he also made on Wednesday.

Ortom lamented that if the Federal Government had acted on the reports he gave it concerning the threats of attacks by the Miyetti Allah Kautal Hore, the killings would have been averted.

He urged the Federal Government to arrest the leadership of the Miyetti Allah Kautal Hore because they had severally made incisive statements against the state.

He, therefore, stated that the recent killings were a pointer to the fact that they had threatened and executed their devilish threats.

He condoled the families of the slain victims and those that were injured as well as those that lost their property.

Also, the CAN Chairman, Rev. Akpen Leva, urged Benue citizens to unite irrespective of tribe, political and religious differences in order to tackle their enemies.

Leva described the attacks as a “genocide” that was targeted at exterminating the Tiv’s.

Former Military Governor, Katsina State, Gen. Lawrence Onoja (rtd) also described the attacks” a conspiracy against the indigenes” and said it would be resisted.

Also in a funeral eulogy, Sen. Joseph Waku, said the state has had enough of the senseless killings saying” enough is enough”.

The Tor Tiv, Prof James Ayatse alleged that the killings in the New Year attacks were signs of an ethnic cleansing agenda.

He said the persistent attacks on Benue communities were worrisome, especially since the federal government failed to prevent re-occurrence.

He said the herdsmen have attacked Benue 47 times in five years, attacks, he said were akin to an agenda of genocide.

 "I, therefore, call on the Federal Government to act swiftly by putting an end to this killing; this act of impunity must stop.”

He encouraged Gov Samuel Ortom to stand firm in his resolve to implement the anti-open grazing law, no matter the threats from the Miyetti Allah Kautal Hore.

The paramount ruler called for prayers for the dead and appealed to the media to report the carnage that had befallen the state.

An elder statesman and Second Republic Minister of Steel and Industry, Mr Paul Unongo, sounded a strong warning to the aggressors saying” enough is enough”.

He said the people of the state who fought in the civil war to sustain the unity of Nigeria, would not continue to allow invaders to kill and maim their people if the Federal Government failed to protect them.

“We are capable of raising a million people to defend our land if nothing is done to stop the killings. Enough of the killings.”

Earlier in his funeral oration, the Catholic Bishop of Gboko Diocese, Most Rev. Williams Avenya, prayed for the repose of the souls of the dead and called for prayers for the survivors of the attacks.

He regretted that despite the massive support the people gave to the APC at the federal level, all they could receive in return were the 73 corpses of their beloved ones murdered in cold blood.

Also in a speech, the Country Representative of the UN in Nigeria, Mr Martins Ejidike, said the world body would consider the request for humanitarian assistance to the 50,000-displaced people during the attacks.

He assured the UN would further discuss the details of the assistance with the Benue governor and prayed for peace in the state.

One of the survivors, Mr Akaater Azera, said that the herdsmen came in the night while they were asleep and started shooting sporadically.

According to him, when his wife came out, the gun toting men shot and killed her on the spot.

Azera added that when he ran out of the house, he was pursued, with machete cuts inflicted on his face and leg.

Source: NAN

UBA Revolutionises eBanking, Introduces Leo, Chat Banking Personality on Social Media Platforms

On 11th January 2018; Pan-African financial institution, United Bank for Africa (UBA), changed the face of e-banking with the introduction of Leo, the UBA Chat Banker who enables customers make use of their social media accounts to carry out key banking transactions.

At the official launch of Leo, UBA’s Chat Banker, which took place in Lagos on Thursday, customers of the bank were given a step by step demonstration on the novel way of delivering lifestyle and quality banking through the Facebook Messenger chat platform.

This is the first time that a financial institution in Africa has come up with this manner of solution to simplify the way customers transact. Something that has become necessary in today’s fast-paced world with demands for quick-time transactions and response.

With the launch of the Chat Banking, customers will be able to open new accounts, receive instant transaction notifications, check their balances on the go, transfer funds and airtime top up. They will also be able to confirm cheques, pay bills apply for loans, freeze accounts, request for mini statements, amongst other things.

At the occasion, the Group Managing Director, UBA, Mr. Kennedy Uzoka, said that the launch of Leo is part of initiatives aimed at putting the bank’s customers first with UBA continuously developing strategies aimed at easing transactions for the bank’s numerous users, while ensuring utmost safety of their transactions.

Mr. Uzoka said, “The formulation of this product, is consistent with the bank’s customer 1st philosophy, where we are doing things not the way we like, but focusing on what the customers want, where they want it, and in the exact platform they want it.’

“At UBA, we have been working with technology giants that have the global capacity to ensure not only seamless but also effortless banking for millions of our customers across Africa. We at UBA, have collaborated with Facebook to come up with this innovation that is capable of revolutionising the way banking is done in Africa,” he said. Uzoka noted that Leo will in the nearest future, show up on other social platforms and added that all it takes to enjoy the services is simply to have a Facebook account.

As he unveiled the character of Leo, Uzoka stated:  “Leo being an intelligent personality will give you feedback instantaneously as you transact your business on the platform. A solution that is from the customer’s standpoint and is easy to use by anyone’ 

Also speaking at the launch of Leo, the Group Head of Online Banking at UBA, Mr. Austine Abolusoro, who conducted a step by step demonstration on the working of  Leo, reitirated that Leo  is  not just a chat machine, but an artificial intelligence personality meant to address any type of banking concerns raised by customers.

“Leo is ready and waiting to help with most transactions and to deliver any form of banking services. 

Leo is operating a lifestyle banking platform on facebook messenger to assist with your transactions while chatting with your friends and business partners. The security with this platform is that for every transaction, an OTP (One Time Password) is generated to the phone number that is registered on your account.”

He explained that with Leo your banking needs become easy and simple.  As simple as chatting.

Senator Dino Melaye holds “Pirates of the Caribbean” Themed Birthday Party

Senator representing Kogi West district Dino Melaye recently celebrated his 44th birthday with a “Pirates of the Caribbean” themed party.

The party took place at the senator’s residence with comedian AY Makun, Nollywood actor Segun Arinze, Majek Fasek including family and friends in attendance.

Musicians Ras Kimono and Majek Fashek entertained the senator’s well-wishers at the event.

See below for more pictures:

Photo: dinomelaye

Iwobi Filmed At 3am Weed Smoking Party Hours Before Side Crashed Out Of FA Cup

Forward Alex Iwobi has been slammed after a video of him at an alleged drug-fuelled party hours before Arsenal’s shock FA Cup defeat emerged online.
A clip showed the 21-year-old dancing and screaming with a large group of revellers at about 2.37am on Saturday in a Soho flat.
The Snapchat video was captioned: “Shouldn’t Iwobi be sleeping?”
Nigerian international Iwobi started for the Gunners as they crashed out of the tournament following a 4-2 defeat to Championship outfit Nottingham Forest on Sunday.
A source told The Sun Online that the revellers had been refused entry at a club ahead of the third-round tie and rented an AirBnB.
Their partying kept residents up for hours and prompted one to complain.
The source said: “They were keeping everyone in the building awake.
“I was woken at 1am by chanting and singing and went to complain. There were laughing gas canisters all over the place and a strong smell of weed.
“They claimed they hadn’t been allowed into a club and that’s why they rented the flat.”
There was no suggestion Iwobi had used any substance at the party.
Fans panned Iwobi’s performance and have since blasted his attitude off the pitch after the video emerged online.
Jack Simmons said: “Disappointed with you mate, manager and fans put faith in you and this is what you give them in return? Time to step up.”
An Arsenal spokesman declined to provide a comment.



Culled from Eagle Online

“If you don’t understand something keep quiet” – Okorocha’s Sister Ogechi Ololo (Commissioner for Happiness and Couple’s Fulfillment)

The newly appointed Imo State Commissioner for Happiness and Couple’s Fulfillment Ogechi Ololo has responded to people querying her appointment.

Ogechi Ololo, on her Twitter, has expressed amazement at the outburst her appointment has gotten, stating -  “If you don’t understand something, keep quiet, read and research. Make good use of your senses.”  See below:

Inspector General of Police (IGP) Orders Restructuring of Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS)

Following the current trend in social media with demands for scrapping SARS using the hashtag #ENDSARS the Inspector General of Police (IGP) in a statement signed by the Police Public Relations Officer, Jimoh Moshood has ordered the restructuring of SARS across the nation and investigation into all allegations and complaints raised.

dailypost.ng

“The Inspector General of Police, IGP Ibrahim K. Idris worried with public interest and the need to reposition the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) for more efficiency and effective service delivery to all has directed the immediate re-organisation of the SARS nationwide and instant investigation into all the allegations, complaints and infractions levelled against the personnel of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad across the country by the IGP X-Squad of the Force,” the statement read in part.

The statement said further that, in the new arrangement, a Commissioner of Police is now the overall head of the Federal Anti-Robbery Squad nationwide under the Department of Operations, Force Headquarters Abuja.

“The Police Zonal Commands, State Commands and Divisions will continue to operate anti-crime units/sections, crime prevention and control squads and teams imperative to prevent and detect crimes and criminalities in their Area of Responsibilities, and other crack squads necessary to sustain law and order and protection of life and properties in their Area of responsibilities (AOR).

“Federal Anti-Robbery Squad (FSARS) will now exist and operate in the State and Zonal Commands under the Commissioner of Police (F-SARS) at the Force Headquarters.

“A Federal SARS Commander of a Rank of Chief Superintendent of Police (CSP) and not below Superintendent of Police (SP) will be in charge of FSARS in State and Zonal Commands across the Country. All Commissioners of Police have been directed by the Inspector General of Police to comply with this directive with immediate effect and warn their personnel not to pose as SARS operatives. The IGP X-Squad has been mandated to go round the Commands and Police Formations nationwide to ensure strict compliance and apprehend any erring police officer,” the statement read.

He, however, emphasised that the SARS have been doing very well in fighting violent crimes such as armed robbery, kidnappings and cattle rustling in the country in the recent time resulting in reduction of incidents of the mentioned violent crimes nationwide.

Aggrieved members of the public who have any complaint in the past or present of violation of their rights by any SARS personnel anywhere in the country are to report through any of the following channels for investigation and further actions.

Culled from ChannelsTV

Atiku Abubakar Quits APC (All Progressive Congress)

Former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar has officially resigned his membership of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

In a letter he wrote to the APC, Atiku said that the ethics for which he joined the APC had not been met, instead the party had backpedalled on all its promises.

He added that an attestation to his claim was buttressed in a letter written by a certain governor of the APC accusing the leadership of the party of frosty relationships with those who led the party to its 2015 victory.

Read the full text of the letter below:

On the 19th of December, 2013, I received members of the All Progressives Congress at my house in Abuja. They had come to appeal to me to join their party after my party, the Peoples Democratic Party, had become factionalized as a result of the special convention of August 31, 2013.

The fractionalization of the Peoples Democratic Party on August 31, 2013 had left me in a situation where I was, with several other loyal party members, in limbo, not knowing which of the parallel executives of the party was the legitimate leadership.

It was under this cloud that members of the APC made the appeal to me to join their party, with the promise that the injustices and failure to abide by its own constitution which had dogged the then PDP, would not be replicated in the APC and with the assurance that the vision other founding fathers and I had for the PDP could be actualized through the All Progressives Congress.

It was on the basis of this invitation and the assurances made to me that I, being party-less at that time, due to the fractionalization of my party, accepted on February 2, 2014, the hand of fellowship given to me by the All Progressives Congress.

On that day, I said “it is the struggle for democracy and constitutionalism and service to my country and my people that are driving my choice and my decision” to accept the invitation to join the All Progressives Congress.

Like you, I said that because I believed that we had finally seen the beginnings of the rebirth of the new Nigeria of our dreams which would work for all of us, old and young.

However, events of the intervening years have shown that like any other human and like many other Nigerians, I was fallible.

While other parties have purged themselves of the arbitrariness and unconstitutionality that led to fractionalization, the All Progressives Congress has adopted those same practices and even gone beyond them to institute a regime of a draconian clampdown on all forms of democracy within the party and the government it produced.

Only last year, a governor produced by the party wrote a secret memorandum to the president which ended up being leaked. In that memo,  he admitted that the All Progressives Congress had “not only failed to manage expectations of a populace that expected overnight ‘change’ but has failed to deliver even mundane matters of governance”.

Of the party itself, that same governor said “Mr. President, Sir Your relationship with the national leadership of the party, both the formal (NWC) and informal (Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, Atiku Abubakar, Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso), and former Governors of ANPP, PDP (that joined us) and ACN, is perceived by most observers to be at best frosty. Many of them are aggrieved due to what they consider total absence of consultations with them on your part and those you have assigned such duties.”

Since that memorandum was written up until today, nothing has been done to reverse the treatment meted out to those of us invited to join the All Progressives Congress on the strength of a promise that has proven to be false. If anything, those behaviours have actually worsened.

But more importantly, the party we put in place has failed and continues to fail our people, especially our young people. How can we have a federal cabinet without even one single youth.

A party that does not take the youth into account is a dying party. The future belongs to young people.

I admit that I and others who accepted the invitation to join the APC were eager to make positive changes for our country that we fell for a mirage. Can you blame us for wanting to put a speedy end to the sufferings of the masses of our people?

Be that as it may be, after due consultation with my God, my family, my supporters and the Nigerian people whom I meet in all walks of life, I, Atiku Abubakar, Waziri Adamawa, hereby tender my resignation from the All Progressives Congress while I take time to ponder my future.

May God bless you and may God bless Nigeria.

Atiku Abubakar

Pope given gold-rimmed Lamborghini Huracan worth £180,000 donates it Charity

Source: skynews

Pope Francis had just received the super car as a gift from Lamborghini, but rather than getting behind the wheel he immediately blessed the vehicle and signed its bonnet in Saint Peter's Square, Vatican City.

He then handed the car over to Sotheby's auctioneers who will sell it and donate the proceeds to charities helping victims of human trafficking, vulnerable women and children on the African continent, and Christians suffering persecution in Iraq.

The question here is how many priests, pastors, apostles, or bishops on the African continent can do this?

Cristiano Ronaldo Becomes Father for the Fourth Time

Cristiano Ronaldo – the Real Madrid star revealed on Sunday that he had become a father for the fourth time following the birth of a baby girl Alana Martina by his girlfriend Georgina Rodriguez.

“Alana Martina has just been born! Both Geo and Alana are doing great. We are all very happy,” as stated by the 32-year-old award-winning footballer on his Twitter page, However, Ronaldo is also the father of twins, Eva and Mateo, who were born in June.

Below is the picture of Christiano Ronaldo, Rodriguez, his seven-year-old son Cristiano Junior and the new arrival.

Super Eagles can beat Argentina – Salisu Yusuf, Super Eagles Assistant Coach

On Thursday, Salisu Yusuf, Assistant Coach of the Super Eagles said that Argentina can be beaten by the Nigerian players.

Yusuf spoke in Abuja ahead of the Nov. 14 friendly match against the former world champions in Russia.

The coach said that the Super Eagles can reverse the series of defeats suffered at the hands of the South Americans by beating them in Russia.

Yusuf revealed that Argentina’s track records would not be an advantage because the two teams would play the match based on their current form.

“My players are equal to the task anytime anywhere and we are not afraid of big names because big names no longer play football, but talent and determination are key to winning matches,’’ the coach said.

He assured Nigerians of an impressive outing against Argentina in the warm-up match aimed at boosting the morale of not only the players but their fans for World Cup.

The friendly match will be one in the series lined up to familiarise Nigerian players with the playing style of their likely opponents at the World Cup.

Source: NAN

Tim Godfrey Gave New Cars to 5 of His Crew Members

One of the famous Nigerian gospel artiste, Tim Godfrey decides to surprise his co singers, by presenting new cars to 5 of his crew members yesterday.

This was done to appreciate the crew members who have been with him for a decade.

Congrats to the beneficiaries

Singer Nikki Laoye, shared this on Instagram:

“5 cars in one day…    OMG!! My friend, Gospel Recording Artist, @timgodfreyworld is a baaaad guy.
With joy I took these pics as He Just gave out 2 Venzas and 3 Toyota Camrys to the long standing members of his Xtreme Crew band,most of whom have been working with him for over 10 years.
The band members are IBK @ibk_sings, Mairo @mairo_ochocho, Nana @nana_d_solomon, Blessyn @blessynokocha and SMJ @samuel_giveson.
Congratulations people of God, you totally deserve it.
Awesome sturrrrvs. It’s a great thing to bless people who have stood by you, I pray to do same..."

North Korea's foreign minister mocks Trump’s UN speech

Image: csis.org

North Korea’s Foreign Minister Ri Yong-ho has described U.S. President Donald Trump’s speech to the UN as “the sound of a barking dog” following a frosty relationship between his country and the United States (U.S.).

The crisis in the Korea Peninsula has been a major source of their soured relationship.

Speaking to the UN General Assembly on Wednesday, Mr Trump said he would “totally destroy” North Korea if it posed a threat to the U.S. or its allies.

Yong-ho’s comments were North Korea’s first official response to the speech.

The North has continued to develop its nuclear and weapons programmes, in defiance of a UN ban.

Yong-ho told reporters near the UN headquarters in New York: “There is a saying that goes: ‘Even when dogs bark, the parade goes on’.”

“If (Trump) was thinking about surprising us with the sound of a barking dog then he is clearly dreaming.”

Speaking about North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, Mr Trump had told the UN: “Rocket man is on a suicide mission for himself and his regime.”

When asked what he thought of Trump calling Kim “rocket man”, Yong-ho responded: “I feel sorry for his aides.”

Yong-ho is set to make a speech to the UN on Friday.

Separately, on Thursday South Korea said it would send fresh humanitarian aid to the North for the first time in nearly two years.

The unification ministry in Seoul plans to provide $8m (£6m) through UN programmes aimed at children, pregnant women and improving medical supplies.

The decision comes days after the UN approved new sanctions against Pyongyang, restricting oil imports and banning textile exports, an attempt to starve the North of fuel and income for its weapons programmes.

The UN sanctions came in response to the North’s latest nuclear test on Sept. 3.

Experts say North Korea has made surprisingly quick progress in its development of long-range missiles and nuclear weapons.

Source: BBC & NAN