P-SQUARE ACQUIRE MANSION WORTH ABOUT 458MILLION NAIRA IN SAN FRANCISCO

AN ADAGE SAYS "YOU SHALL REAP WHAT YOU SOW". Psquare is not an exception to this saying as the talented twins from the southern part of the country just cant stop acquiring properties every blessed day. Yes they have sow hardwork now guess what they are reaping wealth. read full details and view pictures below

The 31-year-old posted photos of the property on Instagram, helping baby mama Lola Omotayo with the cooking and having fun with the kids.

No official word yet from the acts or their label.

Real estate companies in San Francisco told NET, that the estimated property value for the house is $2,750,000 (N434,500,000). The US housing system supports mortgage system payment.

We’re told Okoye will (give or take) be paying about $12, 323 (N1.95m) a month.

YES ITS TRU PRODUCERS DO WOO ACTRESSES-DORIS SIMEON

You might be wondering why i decide to stick with news coming from the nollywood angle today, don't mind me pals just want to spice you up with juicy entertainment news from the ever growing movie world. But don't forget the slogan is strictly information and entertainmentttttttt

Now to the secret revealed by doris simeon concerning movie producers wooing actress kindly read details below. She even talked about how she meet daniel her former husband

 She is one of the old faces, I mean, for her to have spent 12 years in the industry shows that she has really come of age. But Doris, mother of one, will not hide from revealing the intrigues behind the producers and actresses before making a complete film.

photoShe was recently asked if she has ever being wooed before by any producer and she said, ”It happens but it all depends on how you present and carry yourself as well as how you take your job. Some people are desperate and they would do anything just to get whatever role they want but I’m not the desperate type.

I believe so much in my talent and God. I’m one of those that believe that whatever is mine would always come to me and whatever is not mine won’t come to me. To me it’s like asking me for something and if I can’t offer it or don’t want to offer it, I simply say no. No one would force you, you would always be asked to see how desperate you are and if you say no, no one would force you. No one would rape you if you refuse it, so it’s about your mindset and how you present yourself.’’

On marriage, she explained how she met her estranged husband, Daniel, “funny enough, when I met him, I just came back from a job and I was called up by the location manager. I didn’t want to do the job but she was on my neck and wanted me to do the job for the producer and because she told me that majority of the crew were from English movies,

I decided to do it because I’ve heard a lot about these people being arrogant and all that. I wanted to see how they were but unfortunately, every member of the crew irrespective of their native tongue was friendly that I kept wondering where the perceived arrogance went.

They were so accommodating and that changed my perception about a lot of these colleagues. So, it was on that set that I met him because he was the producer and director of the movie which was Omo Jaiye Jaiye. He would walk up to me and greet me and he was always friendly like others and on that location, we all didn’t want to go and we became friends. From there, marriage and a child and later a break up.”

SEX IS GOOD

I KNEW WHEN YOU READ THE TITLE AT FIRST YOU MIGHT THINK THE STATEMENT IS CREDITED TO HUZAYNBOLT BUT DO WAIT, AS I REVEAL WHO ACTUALLY SAID IT>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

YES IT IS ONE EVER DAZZLING NOLLYWOOD ACTRESS NAMED BIODUN OKEOWO DURING AN INTERVIEW. READ FULL DETAILS BELOW



Apart from featuring in many films, she has also made her mark as a producer  with seven films to her credit.

On December 15, 2012 she premiered her much talked about movie, Omo Butty (Pampered Child), where she brought Fuji musician, Wasia Alabi, popularly known as Pasuma to thrill the guests.

Unfortunately, her action was misinterpreted, as she is romantically linked to the Fuji star. In this exclusive interview, she opens up on her relationship with Pasuma. She also talks about her career, her lifestyle, marriage and sex .

Enjoy:

How did your journey into the movie industry begin?

I started acting as far back as 2006. I started training with the Ray Eyiwunmi Organisation and since then, I have been on my own.

What made you choose acting as a career?

Acting has been an integral part of my being.I have always loved the practitioners in the movie industry. Even when I was very young, I was part of the drama group in my Church. It was from there, I started sharpening my talent in acting. The Eyiwunmi Organisation later became the platform through which I launched myself into the movie world and so far, I thank God for my humble achievements. Besides, What I studied in school had a bit of theatrical touch.

I studied Communication Arts from Lagos State University and I guess that helped in some ways.

So far, would you say, acting has been good to you?

Yes, acting has been good to me. It has opened doors for me. It has also brought favour to me in some quarters.

They say, there are caucuses in the Yoruba  movie industry such as the Odunfa caucus, The Abeokuta crew and the rest. Which one of these groups do you belong to?

Like I said before, I  emerged from the  Ray Eyiwunmi Organisatiom. But now, I’m a freelance actress.

What movie gave you, your  break?

“Tolani Osinrin” gave me my break and  I was happy playing a major role for the first time in my own movie.

Which  movie has been most challenging to you and why?

I’ve not been challenged theatrically. But I’m looking forward to having one.

Why are you not featuring in English?

I’m not afraid of delving into the  English sector but the thing is, I’ve not been invited or given the opportunity but if the opportunity surfaces I’ll gladly accept. At my level now, you don’t expect me to be begging for a role, do you?

What do you consider before taking up a role or accepting a script and have you ever had to reject a script and why?

Yes, first and foremost I look at the  storyline. Second, the plot and third, the  director.  Yep, I’ve rejected scripts. I reject scripts that are not well baked and perfectly detailed. That is why I don’t feature in anyhow movies. I’ve made such mistakes in the  past and it really affected me. But Glory be to God that brought me back on my feet. So now I don’t just act all movies.

I scrutinise scripts very well before taking them on.

What are the challenges of being an actress and a producer at the same time?

When I talk about films I have featured in, I have lost count but on my own I have  produced seven movies. Starting with ‘Tolani Oshirin’, ‘Okanjua’, ‘Oke Irapada’  and others. Producing one movie in a year, it’s so tasking being an actress and a producer at the same time. Because you have to deal with several different issues at the same time.

Combining the  two, means one needs to contend with monetary issues and good interpretation  of roles,to make the production a successful one.

Which of your movies has been most successful and why?

Oh, it is very hard for me to say because all the films produced by me are good but if I have to really stick my neck out I’ll give it to ‘Ife Nsiere’ (Love is Crazy) but I truly believe my best is yet to come.  I  think people love ‘Ife N Siere’ because it deals with contemporary  issue of lesbianism.

What inspired your doing ‘Ife Nsiere (Love is Crazy)’ and what is your response to some criticising the film as being a little bit raw?

I got the  inspiration to write Ife Nsiere’ because lesbianism has become the  order of the  day which is fast gaining ground to the  detriment of this generation. My aim really is  to preach against this Sodomic act and also to tell people that not all that glitters is gold. The movie is not raw. And if viewers believe so, we did it to pass the message clearly and because acting is make-believe, we have to make  it real and believable.

I want people to know that there’s no profit in lesbianism. I want to also fault this common saying that love is crazy; love’s not crazy, neither is it blind. I want people to also know that marriage is meant to be preserved. House wives shouldn’t just jump to conclusion when, maybe, they see lipstick stains on their husband’s clothes and think that he’s had something to do with another woman.

What are you working on now and what is the story?

Presently, I’ve just shot ‘Omo Butty(Pampered Child)’ and it has even been premiered and is making tour of cinemas right now and it is expected to remain a big hit throughout the first part of 2013.

I will be going on location soon to shoot another movie to be called  ‘Ore (Friends)’. ‘Omo Butty’ is about a spoilt child.

Are you in any relationship and are you considering getting married?

Yes, I am in a very serious relationship leading to marriage in the most quiet way.

What would make you marry a man now, what do you really want in a man after two kids?

Because there’s no glory for a queen who’s got no king. Our society doesn’t accept an unmarried woman as a responsible woman. God knows his plan for me and what’s the  best for me in terms of the  type of man to marry.

I am a woman and every woman needs a man to be complete.

What’s your idea of sex generally? As a beautiful woman you must be getting so much pressure?

Sex is good, and it should only be done between married people because sex is an oath. Its not something that should be done with numerous partners or done for the  fun of it. It is like marriage, sacred and pure.

As for the pressure, may be temptations will come your way but it is left to the woman to control herself and be who she really wants to be without compromising her beliefs.

There is a whisper of a gist that something of a hot romance is brewing between you and Pasuma?

Where did that emanate from? It is laughable. I laugh because people are it again. Pasuma is a brother, a friend, and a very nice person to me too.

Pasuma knows my man very well so where did this unscrupulous rumour emanate from that I’m dating him. Can’t people see closeness in different sexes and see it as platonic only? Local mentality is what I’m seeing in such rumour.

Please rumour peddlers should go and  find jobs  to do.

What is sexiest about Biodun Okeowo?

Well, being sexy means different things to different people. But I think my shape, especially my hips are the sexiest part of my body.

Is it true that most actresses are flirts and this is largely responsible for their not being able to hold on to  marriages?

Well, I cant speak for others. But Biodun Sofuyi Okeowo is not a flirt. That, I can stand tall to say anywhere.

MUST READ! HOW LABOUR BETRAY NIGERIA MASSES

THIS ARTICLE WAS WRITTEN BY ONE COMRADE X. BUT AS AT NOW THE REAL IDENTITY OF THE SO-CALLED X IS STILL UNRAVELED. READ FULL ARTICLE BELOW, AND REMEMBER TO PLS ASSIST US IN SOLVING FOR XXXXXXXXXXXXXX



 was uncomfortable the moment I received the Mail above. Who wouldn’t be? In the heat of the Occupy Nigeria protests along with the NLC strike, we were being summoned to Abuja for a meeting. Equally unnerving is the announcement that the Airspace would be temporarily opened to facilitate the meeting.
When a Viable Union meets a Recalcitrant Government, something’s got to give. Until the January 2012 watershed, Nigerians had become used to the Oshiomole-esque kind of strike, and the pattern had become predictable. The Government announces an increment, NLC demands a ‘status quo or nothing’ and all of a sudden, pulls a volte face and goes into negotiations.

The Obasanjo government had, between 1999-2007, hiked the pump price successively from N20 to N 30 (June 1, 2000), amidst mass action, came down to N 25, and eventually bent further to N 22, on June 13 the same year. On January 1, 2002, Obasanjo increased the petrol pump price from N 22 to N 26 , and on June 23, 2003, just after he was sworn-in for his second term as president, Obasanjo again increased the fuel price to N34 and then to N40.Obasanjo’s administration actually hiked the price of fuel seven times with the last one on May 27, 2007, two days to his exit from office, when he raised it from N65 to N70.

The Yar Adua administration was burdened with the unpleasant task of negotiating an ‘inherited’ decision with the Labour Union, and reversed the N70 pump price to N65. Intense negotiations however continued on the deregulation of the downstream sector.

The Oil and Gas Unions, PENGASSAN and NUPENG gave a conditional support for deregulation; that the ‘government must provide the necessary succour and palliative measures to assuage the impact of import-driven deregulation within the set timeframe’

PENGASSAN also provided a further condition, that the ‘Original PIB, as drafted by the Rilwanu Lukman Oil and Gas Sector Implementation Committee (OGIC) be implemented’. The Petroleum Industry Bill, as originally drafted, was to eventually end Government interference in the Oil and Gas Sector, and eventually provide a framework for the growth of the Oil Industry and end the inherent Corruption spawned from a Subsidized Market that was import driven.

The Goodluck Jonathan administration, amidst a façade of intense consultation, would spin a notorious surprise on January 1, 2012 with a 117% increment from N65 to N141.
For the first time in the history of pump price hike, protests sprang from a Rag-Tag team of Youths while Labour was still sprawling from lethargy. The Occupy Nigeria logo and T-Shirts sprang up and spates of peaceful demonstrations commenced.
Eventually, the NLC/TUC would announce an ‘Indefinite Strike Action’ commencing January 9, 2012.
Consequently, PENGASSAN issued the directive below to members:

January 8, 2012
To All Branches, Zones and CWC members

RE: STRIKE DIRECTIVE
This is to inform all members of the CWC, Zonal & Branch Executive Committee that the indefinite strike action scheduled from Monday January 9, 2012 in protest against Government approach to Subsidy Removal will go on as directed.
The strike Monitoring Teams at all levels shall ensure that essential services are maintained while all our members are strongly advised to stay at home.
The strike monitoring teams shall go round to assess compliance and give reports through the Team Leaders.

The National Secretariat shall give all information and directive on further development.

Aluta Continua!! Victoria Asserta!!

At this time, I had joined the ‘Rag-Tag Team’. Setting out to Ojota in the wee hours of January 9th 2012 did not come without apprehensions. Parents who saw the horrors of the June 12 agitations did not want their children involved in any struggle. Moreover, Nigerians had begun to see protests as ‘NLC declared Public Holidays’ at the end of each Strike, pump prices never get reverted to status quo ante. I went, anyway, and before my eyes, I saw the gathering grow to a record ground-breaking watershed that sent strong signals to the Jonathan administration. Not so many Nigerians would realise the level of fear the Ojota Rallies generated in the heart of government, and even Labour Leaders.

For the next five days, I’d set out to Ojota, and by evening, hold meetings and plot strategies for the next day.

NLC’s decision to go into negotiations with the Government in spite of the earlier stance of ‘Revert first, we discuss later’ sent the first distress signal for the heavy blow that would be dealt the Occupy Nigeria movement.

The Save Nigeria Group (SNG) switched the strategy and methodology of protests in Nigeria. Until January 9th, Nigerian protests had been limited to Tyre burnings, and long marches. No one had ever thought gathering in one spot could make such an impact. SNG was however, not alone. Loose coalitions emerged all over, with Ikoyi spinning a great surprise, Corporate Moguls, Celebrities, Medical Directors, amongst others joined the throng. No one would forget Ali Baba’s Truck in a hurry.
For me, the high-point was seeing Muhammed Fawehinmi, the Son of the late human-rights activist/legal luminary, Chief Gani Fawehinmi coming for the Rally in his Wheelchair.

There however, remained a grey-area/loop-hole the Government would cash into: The Convener of the Save Nigeria Group was the running mate of General Buhari in the 2011 elections. This normally would mean nothing in a sane society where freedom of speech/association is sacrosanct. Unfortunately, in a Winner-Takes-All society like ours, IT IS A CRIME TO BE IN THE OPPOSITION! The ballot is meant to be the bullet that kills your Freedom of Speech!


It is worthy of note, however, that when the Late Chief Gani Fawehinmi became silent shortly after running for Presidency under the flag of his National Conscience Party, the general populace appealed to him not to be quiet. But then, that’s another musing for another day.
Against this backdrop, I found the Abuja summons unnerving and initially resolved not to go. What if the meeting turned out to be a ‘Settlement Meeting’?

My good friend, Gbenga Sesan as well as others in the ‘Rag-Tag team’ asked me a question: ‘If you do not go, how would you know what happened?’ At that point, I made up my mind to go, and ensure I cover my Transportation expenses myself. That would be another obstacle, considering the Strike and the draining out of most ATM machines at that time. Gbenga facilitated my ticket fare to Abuja and I got some personal funds on standby for my return.

By Saturday, January 14th 2012, I had met with other PENGASSAN members and we headed for Abuja. We had arrived at the Hotel venue before it all became clear: All Labour Leaders from NLC/TUC had been summoned to Abuja! As a matter of fact, in a ‘We know where you live’ manner, we were lodged in the same hotel wing. This was coming on the heels of the directive issued by PENGASSAN to commence a Systematic Shutdown from midnight of that same Saturday the 14th January, 2012.

The Hotel was a hub of events, from Reporters nodding off on chairs clutching their Panasonic to Union leaders split into several camps, from those sympathetic to GEJ to those who had been part of the Ojota and Abuja rallies and wanted nothing but a total showdown. Apparently fed up with the NLC/TUC leadership insisting on the fact that they were accountable to various NEC (National Executive Council) members, they had been told to summon us all to Abuja. I would later discover upon checking out of the Hotel that all Hotel Bills (Lodging and Feeding) were on NLC/TUC account; that was huge, considering the number of Unions and Leaders.

A lot of Nigerians might not know this, but NUPENG and PENGASSAN were/are still licking the wounds sustained in the 1994 June 12 actualization struggle. Pascal Bafyau of the NLC had betrayed NUPENG/PENGASSAN when the Oil Workers’ Union went ahead with the Shutdown. Pascal Bafyau (NLC) walked free while Frank Kokori (NUPENG) and Milton Dabibi (PENGASSAN) went to jail and remained in Prison Custody without trial till June 16th 1998, a week after the death of General Abacha.
The likes of Asari Dokubo had been making personal calls to threaten the Leadership of the Oil Workers’ Union.

In spite of all these, PENGASSAN NEC meeting held that evening in the Hotel. Tribal/Political sentiments were rife at the onset, ‘nothing must happen to Jonathan’, ‘the day you kill a madman, na im you go know say e get family’ ‘we should not be used by these Politicians, is it Bakare that did not even win a Local government?’ In essence, those who went to negotiate directly with Government had claimed that the Lagos struggle had been ‘hijacked by Politicians’ .Comrade Peter Esele himself had said ‘We’ve lost Lagos (to Politicians), we’d have lost Abuja too, but we were there to make sure the Politicians did not hijack it’.
The PENGASSAN Chairman presided over the PENGASSAN meeting. Along the line, we were addressed by one of the 1994 PENGASSAN detainees, who reminded us that Posterity will judge whatever decision we made that night. He reminded us that although neither himself, Kokori nor others who went to jail in the heat of the struggle had anything physical to show for their struggle, they had a clear conscience about the decision they made. He, however, advised should we opt for the systematic shutdown; we should make sure we had all returned to the safety of our bases before a total shutdown.

Eventually, a unanimous decision was made to go ahead with the Systematic shutdown. Truth is, a total shutdown would invariably throw the Nation into darkness, among other things. For the Old Oil Wells, it would take a sizeable time span to get the Wells back to Optimum Production. In essence, a shutdown is an economic Coup d’etat; that was why Kokori and Dabibi back then were held for ‘treason’.

We sang our Solidarity Song, unsure what would befall us all with the decision, but with the calm assurance that Posterity would judge us for good….while the Communiqué was being edited for print, Comrade Peter Esele came to chat with us. He told us how scared the Government had become and how a Minister was even begging that the Union accepts even a marginal increase to N67 so that the President won’t be seen as weak.

Unknown to us all, the NLC Chairman had gone on Air to pull the greatest Coup on PENGASSAN. He had announced on our behalf that we were not shutting down. Funny how you are in a meeting and made a decision, only to hear a contrary thing on the Social Media who had access to TV that was to cover our Meeting!

The Ghost of 1994 had come calling; we left the Hotel in haste the following morning, my family and friends worrying about my safety. By Sunday, we were back at our bases without a clue how it all changed. I was still in a haze when Omar and Esele came on air. I’d have sworn I saw Omar dictating to Esele what they would tell Nigerians before Esele lowered the Mic from his mouth. Soldiers had been deployed to crush Ojota, and Labour was announcing to Nigerians that from a vantage point of victory, she preferred to Kiss Defeat (Kiss the Feet). That was a Mystery I could not understand, even as an eye witness.

I never recovered…I hope I do someday.

Comrade X is the Pen Name of the author was uncomfortable the moment I received the Mail above. Who wouldn’t be? In the heat of the Occupy Nigeria protests along with the NLC strike, we were being summoned to Abuja for a meeting. Equally unnerving is the announcement that the Airspace would be temporarily opened to facilitate the meeting.
When a Viable Union meets a Recalcitrant Government, something’s got to give. Until the January 2012 watershed, Nigerians had become used to the Oshiomole-esque kind of strike, and the pattern had become predictable. The Government announces an increment, NLC demands a ‘status quo or nothing’ and all of a sudden, pulls a volte face and goes into negotiations.

The Obasanjo government had, between 1999-2007, hiked the pump price successively from N20 to N 30 (June 1, 2000), amidst mass action, came down to N 25, and eventually bent further to N 22, on June 13 the same year. On January 1, 2002, Obasanjo increased the petrol pump price from N 22 to N 26 , and on June 23, 2003, just after he was sworn-in for his second term as president, Obasanjo again increased the fuel price to N34 and then to N40.Obasanjo’s administration actually hiked the price of fuel seven times with the last one on May 27, 2007, two days to his exit from office, when he raised it from N65 to N70.

The Yar Adua administration was burdened with the unpleasant task of negotiating an ‘inherited’ decision with the Labour Union, and reversed the N70 pump price to N65. Intense negotiations however continued on the deregulation of the downstream sector.

The Oil and Gas Unions, PENGASSAN and NUPENG gave a conditional support for deregulation; that the ‘government must provide the necessary succour and palliative measures to assuage the impact of import-driven deregulation within the set timeframe’

PENGASSAN also provided a further condition, that the ‘Original PIB, as drafted by the Rilwanu Lukman Oil and Gas Sector Implementation Committee (OGIC) be implemented’. The Petroleum Industry Bill, as originally drafted, was to eventually end Government interference in the Oil and Gas Sector, and eventually provide a framework for the growth of the Oil Industry and end the inherent Corruption spawned from a Subsidized Market that was import driven.

The Goodluck Jonathan administration, amidst a façade of intense consultation, would spin a notorious surprise on January 1, 2012 with a 117% increment from N65 to N141.
For the first time in the history of pump price hike, protests sprang from a Rag-Tag team of Youths while Labour was still sprawling from lethargy. The Occupy Nigeria logo and T-Shirts sprang up and spates of peaceful demonstrations commenced.
Eventually, the NLC/TUC would announce an ‘Indefinite Strike Action’ commencing January 9, 2012.
Consequently, PENGASSAN issued the directive below to members:

January 8, 2012
To All Branches, Zones and CWC members

RE: STRIKE DIRECTIVE
This is to inform all members of the CWC, Zonal & Branch Executive Committee that the indefinite strike action scheduled from Monday January 9, 2012 in protest against Government approach to Subsidy Removal will go on as directed.
The strike Monitoring Teams at all levels shall ensure that essential services are maintained while all our members are strongly advised to stay at home.
The strike monitoring teams shall go round to assess compliance and give reports through the Team Leaders.

The National Secretariat shall give all information and directive on further development.

Aluta Continua!! Victoria Asserta!!

At this time, I had joined the ‘Rag-Tag Team’. Setting out to Ojota in the wee hours of January 9th 2012 did not come without apprehensions. Parents who saw the horrors of the June 12 agitations did not want their children involved in any struggle. Moreover, Nigerians had begun to see protests as ‘NLC declared Public Holidays’ at the end of each Strike, pump prices never get reverted to status quo ante. I went, anyway, and before my eyes, I saw the gathering grow to a record ground-breaking watershed that sent strong signals to the Jonathan administration. Not so many Nigerians would realise the level of fear the Ojota Rallies generated in the heart of government, and even Labour Leaders.

For the next five days, I’d set out to Ojota, and by evening, hold meetings and plot strategies for the next day.

NLC’s decision to go into negotiations with the Government in spite of the earlier stance of ‘Revert first, we discuss later’ sent the first distress signal for the heavy blow that would be dealt the Occupy Nigeria movement.

The Save Nigeria Group (SNG) switched the strategy and methodology of protests in Nigeria. Until January 9th, Nigerian protests had been limited to Tyre burnings, and long marches. No one had ever thought gathering in one spot could make such an impact. SNG was however, not alone. Loose coalitions emerged all over, with Ikoyi spinning a great surprise, Corporate Moguls, Celebrities, Medical Directors, amongst others joined the throng. No one would forget Ali Baba’s Truck in a hurry.
For me, the high-point was seeing Muhammed Fawehinmi, the Son of the late human-rights activist/legal luminary, Chief Gani Fawehinmi coming for the Rally in his Wheelchair.

There however, remained a grey-area/loop-hole the Government would cash into: The Convener of the Save Nigeria Group was the running mate of General Buhari in the 2011 elections. This normally would mean nothing in a sane society where freedom of speech/association is sacrosanct. Unfortunately, in a Winner-Takes-All society like ours, IT IS A CRIME TO BE IN THE OPPOSITION! The ballot is meant to be the bullet that kills your Freedom of Speech!


It is worthy of note, however, that when the Late Chief Gani Fawehinmi became silent shortly after running for Presidency under the flag of his National Conscience Party, the general populace appealed to him not to be quiet. But then, that’s another musing for another day.
Against this backdrop, I found the Abuja summons unnerving and initially resolved not to go. What if the meeting turned out to be a ‘Settlement Meeting’?

My good friend, Gbenga Sesan as well as others in the ‘Rag-Tag team’ asked me a question: ‘If you do not go, how would you know what happened?’ At that point, I made up my mind to go, and ensure I cover my Transportation expenses myself. That would be another obstacle, considering the Strike and the draining out of most ATM machines at that time. Gbenga facilitated my ticket fare to Abuja and I got some personal funds on standby for my return.

By Saturday, January 14th 2012, I had met with other PENGASSAN members and we headed for Abuja. We had arrived at the Hotel venue before it all became clear: All Labour Leaders from NLC/TUC had been summoned to Abuja! As a matter of fact, in a ‘We know where you live’ manner, we were lodged in the same hotel wing. This was coming on the heels of the directive issued by PENGASSAN to commence a Systematic Shutdown from midnight of that same Saturday the 14th January, 2012.

The Hotel was a hub of events, from Reporters nodding off on chairs clutching their Panasonic to Union leaders split into several camps, from those sympathetic to GEJ to those who had been part of the Ojota and Abuja rallies and wanted nothing but a total showdown. Apparently fed up with the NLC/TUC leadership insisting on the fact that they were accountable to various NEC (National Executive Council) members, they had been told to summon us all to Abuja. I would later discover upon checking out of the Hotel that all Hotel Bills (Lodging and Feeding) were on NLC/TUC account; that was huge, considering the number of Unions and Leaders.

A lot of Nigerians might not know this, but NUPENG and PENGASSAN were/are still licking the wounds sustained in the 1994 June 12 actualization struggle. Pascal Bafyau of the NLC had betrayed NUPENG/PENGASSAN when the Oil Workers’ Union went ahead with the Shutdown. Pascal Bafyau (NLC) walked free while Frank Kokori (NUPENG) and Milton Dabibi (PENGASSAN) went to jail and remained in Prison Custody without trial till June 16th 1998, a week after the death of General Abacha.
The likes of Asari Dokubo had been making personal calls to threaten the Leadership of the Oil Workers’ Union.

In spite of all these, PENGASSAN NEC meeting held that evening in the Hotel. Tribal/Political sentiments were rife at the onset, ‘nothing must happen to Jonathan’, ‘the day you kill a madman, na im you go know say e get family’ ‘we should not be used by these Politicians, is it Bakare that did not even win a Local government?’ In essence, those who went to negotiate directly with Government had claimed that the Lagos struggle had been ‘hijacked by Politicians’ .Comrade Peter Esele himself had said ‘We’ve lost Lagos (to Politicians), we’d have lost Abuja too, but we were there to make sure the Politicians did not hijack it’.
The PENGASSAN Chairman presided over the PENGASSAN meeting. Along the line, we were addressed by one of the 1994 PENGASSAN detainees, who reminded us that Posterity will judge whatever decision we made that night. He reminded us that although neither himself, Kokori nor others who went to jail in the heat of the struggle had anything physical to show for their struggle, they had a clear conscience about the decision they made. He, however, advised should we opt for the systematic shutdown; we should make sure we had all returned to the safety of our bases before a total shutdown.

Eventually, a unanimous decision was made to go ahead with the Systematic shutdown. Truth is, a total shutdown would invariably throw the Nation into darkness, among other things. For the Old Oil Wells, it would take a sizeable time span to get the Wells back to Optimum Production. In essence, a shutdown is an economic Coup d’etat; that was why Kokori and Dabibi back then were held for ‘treason’.

We sang our Solidarity Song, unsure what would befall us all with the decision, but with the calm assurance that Posterity would judge us for good….while the Communiqué was being edited for print, Comrade Peter Esele came to chat with us. He told us how scared the Government had become and how a Minister was even begging that the Union accepts even a marginal increase to N67 so that the President won’t be seen as weak.

Unknown to us all, the NLC Chairman had gone on Air to pull the greatest Coup on PENGASSAN. He had announced on our behalf that we were not shutting down. Funny how you are in a meeting and made a decision, only to hear a contrary thing on the Social Media who had access to TV that was to cover our Meeting!

The Ghost of 1994 had come calling; we left the Hotel in haste the following morning, my family and friends worrying about my safety. By Sunday, we were back at our bases without a clue how it all changed. I was still in a haze when Omar and Esele came on air. I’d have sworn I saw Omar dictating to Esele what they would tell Nigerians before Esele lowered the Mic from his mouth. Soldiers had been deployed to crush Ojota, and Labour was announcing to Nigerians that from a vantage point of victory, she preferred to Kiss Defeat (Kiss the Feet). That was a Mystery I could not understand, even as an eye witness.

I never recovered…I hope I do someday.

Comrade X is the Pen Name of the author was uncomfortable the moment I received the Mail above. Who wouldn’t be? In the heat of the Occupy Nigeria protests along with the NLC strike, we were being summoned to Abuja for a meeting. Equally unnerving is the announcement that the Airspace would be temporarily opened to facilitate the meeting.
When a Viable Union meets a Recalcitrant Government, something’s got to give. Until the January 2012 watershed, Nigerians had become used to the Oshiomole-esque kind of strike, and the pattern had become predictable. The Government announces an increment, NLC demands a ‘status quo or nothing’ and all of a sudden, pulls a volte face and goes into negotiations.

The Obasanjo government had, between 1999-2007, hiked the pump price successively from N20 to N 30 (June 1, 2000), amidst mass action, came down to N 25, and eventually bent further to N 22, on June 13 the same year. On January 1, 2002, Obasanjo increased the petrol pump price from N 22 to N 26 , and on June 23, 2003, just after he was sworn-in for his second term as president, Obasanjo again increased the fuel price to N34 and then to N40.Obasanjo’s administration actually hiked the price of fuel seven times with the last one on May 27, 2007, two days to his exit from office, when he raised it from N65 to N70.

The Yar Adua administration was burdened with the unpleasant task of negotiating an ‘inherited’ decision with the Labour Union, and reversed the N70 pump price to N65. Intense negotiations however continued on the deregulation of the downstream sector.

The Oil and Gas Unions, PENGASSAN and NUPENG gave a conditional support for deregulation; that the ‘government must provide the necessary succour and palliative measures to assuage the impact of import-driven deregulation within the set timeframe’

PENGASSAN also provided a further condition, that the ‘Original PIB, as drafted by the Rilwanu Lukman Oil and Gas Sector Implementation Committee (OGIC) be implemented’. The Petroleum Industry Bill, as originally drafted, was to eventually end Government interference in the Oil and Gas Sector, and eventually provide a framework for the growth of the Oil Industry and end the inherent Corruption spawned from a Subsidized Market that was import driven.

The Goodluck Jonathan administration, amidst a façade of intense consultation, would spin a notorious surprise on January 1, 2012 with a 117% increment from N65 to N141.
For the first time in the history of pump price hike, protests sprang from a Rag-Tag team of Youths while Labour was still sprawling from lethargy. The Occupy Nigeria logo and T-Shirts sprang up and spates of peaceful demonstrations commenced.
Eventually, the NLC/TUC would announce an ‘Indefinite Strike Action’ commencing January 9, 2012.
Consequently, PENGASSAN issued the directive below to members:

January 8, 2012
To All Branches, Zones and CWC members

RE: STRIKE DIRECTIVE
This is to inform all members of the CWC, Zonal & Branch Executive Committee that the indefinite strike action scheduled from Monday January 9, 2012 in protest against Government approach to Subsidy Removal will go on as directed.
The strike Monitoring Teams at all levels shall ensure that essential services are maintained while all our members are strongly advised to stay at home.
The strike monitoring teams shall go round to assess compliance and give reports through the Team Leaders.

The National Secretariat shall give all information and directive on further development.

Aluta Continua!! Victoria Asserta!!

At this time, I had joined the ‘Rag-Tag Team’. Setting out to Ojota in the wee hours of January 9th 2012 did not come without apprehensions. Parents who saw the horrors of the June 12 agitations did not want their children involved in any struggle. Moreover, Nigerians had begun to see protests as ‘NLC declared Public Holidays’ at the end of each Strike, pump prices never get reverted to status quo ante. I went, anyway, and before my eyes, I saw the gathering grow to a record ground-breaking watershed that sent strong signals to the Jonathan administration. Not so many Nigerians would realise the level of fear the Ojota Rallies generated in the heart of government, and even Labour Leaders.

For the next five days, I’d set out to Ojota, and by evening, hold meetings and plot strategies for the next day.

NLC’s decision to go into negotiations with the Government in spite of the earlier stance of ‘Revert first, we discuss later’ sent the first distress signal for the heavy blow that would be dealt the Occupy Nigeria movement.

The Save Nigeria Group (SNG) switched the strategy and methodology of protests in Nigeria. Until January 9th, Nigerian protests had been limited to Tyre burnings, and long marches. No one had ever thought gathering in one spot could make such an impact. SNG was however, not alone. Loose coalitions emerged all over, with Ikoyi spinning a great surprise, Corporate Moguls, Celebrities, Medical Directors, amongst others joined the throng. No one would forget Ali Baba’s Truck in a hurry.
For me, the high-point was seeing Muhammed Fawehinmi, the Son of the late human-rights activist/legal luminary, Chief Gani Fawehinmi coming for the Rally in his Wheelchair.

There however, remained a grey-area/loop-hole the Government would cash into: The Convener of the Save Nigeria Group was the running mate of General Buhari in the 2011 elections. This normally would mean nothing in a sane society where freedom of speech/association is sacrosanct. Unfortunately, in a Winner-Takes-All society like ours, IT IS A CRIME TO BE IN THE OPPOSITION! The ballot is meant to be the bullet that kills your Freedom of Speech!


It is worthy of note, however, that when the Late Chief Gani Fawehinmi became silent shortly after running for Presidency under the flag of his National Conscience Party, the general populace appealed to him not to be quiet. But then, that’s another musing for another day.
Against this backdrop, I found the Abuja summons unnerving and initially resolved not to go. What if the meeting turned out to be a ‘Settlement Meeting’?

My good friend, Gbenga Sesan as well as others in the ‘Rag-Tag team’ asked me a question: ‘If you do not go, how would you know what happened?’ At that point, I made up my mind to go, and ensure I cover my Transportation expenses myself. That would be another obstacle, considering the Strike and the draining out of most ATM machines at that time. Gbenga facilitated my ticket fare to Abuja and I got some personal funds on standby for my return.

By Saturday, January 14th 2012, I had met with other PENGASSAN members and we headed for Abuja. We had arrived at the Hotel venue before it all became clear: All Labour Leaders from NLC/TUC had been summoned to Abuja! As a matter of fact, in a ‘We know where you live’ manner, we were lodged in the same hotel wing. This was coming on the heels of the directive issued by PENGASSAN to commence a Systematic Shutdown from midnight of that same Saturday the 14th January, 2012.

The Hotel was a hub of events, from Reporters nodding off on chairs clutching their Panasonic to Union leaders split into several camps, from those sympathetic to GEJ to those who had been part of the Ojota and Abuja rallies and wanted nothing but a total showdown. Apparently fed up with the NLC/TUC leadership insisting on the fact that they were accountable to various NEC (National Executive Council) members, they had been told to summon us all to Abuja. I would later discover upon checking out of the Hotel that all Hotel Bills (Lodging and Feeding) were on NLC/TUC account; that was huge, considering the number of Unions and Leaders.

A lot of Nigerians might not know this, but NUPENG and PENGASSAN were/are still licking the wounds sustained in the 1994 June 12 actualization struggle. Pascal Bafyau of the NLC had betrayed NUPENG/PENGASSAN when the Oil Workers’ Union went ahead with the Shutdown. Pascal Bafyau (NLC) walked free while Frank Kokori (NUPENG) and Milton Dabibi (PENGASSAN) went to jail and remained in Prison Custody without trial till June 16th 1998, a week after the death of General Abacha.
The likes of Asari Dokubo had been making personal calls to threaten the Leadership of the Oil Workers’ Union.

In spite of all these, PENGASSAN NEC meeting held that evening in the Hotel. Tribal/Political sentiments were rife at the onset, ‘nothing must happen to Jonathan’, ‘the day you kill a madman, na im you go know say e get family’ ‘we should not be used by these Politicians, is it Bakare that did not even win a Local government?’ In essence, those who went to negotiate directly with Government had claimed that the Lagos struggle had been ‘hijacked by Politicians’ .Comrade Peter Esele himself had said ‘We’ve lost Lagos (to Politicians), we’d have lost Abuja too, but we were there to make sure the Politicians did not hijack it’.
The PENGASSAN Chairman presided over the PENGASSAN meeting. Along the line, we were addressed by one of the 1994 PENGASSAN detainees, who reminded us that Posterity will judge whatever decision we made that night. He reminded us that although neither himself, Kokori nor others who went to jail in the heat of the struggle had anything physical to show for their struggle, they had a clear conscience about the decision they made. He, however, advised should we opt for the systematic shutdown; we should make sure we had all returned to the safety of our bases before a total shutdown.

Eventually, a unanimous decision was made to go ahead with the Systematic shutdown. Truth is, a total shutdown would invariably throw the Nation into darkness, among other things. For the Old Oil Wells, it would take a sizeable time span to get the Wells back to Optimum Production. In essence, a shutdown is an economic Coup d’etat; that was why Kokori and Dabibi back then were held for ‘treason’.

We sang our Solidarity Song, unsure what would befall us all with the decision, but with the calm assurance that Posterity would judge us for good….while the Communiqué was being edited for print, Comrade Peter Esele came to chat with us. He told us how scared the Government had become and how a Minister was even begging that the Union accepts even a marginal increase to N67 so that the President won’t be seen as weak.

Unknown to us all, the NLC Chairman had gone on Air to pull the greatest Coup on PENGASSAN. He had announced on our behalf that we were not shutting down. Funny how you are in a meeting and made a decision, only to hear a contrary thing on the Social Media who had access to TV that was to cover our Meeting!

The Ghost of 1994 had come calling; we left the Hotel in haste the following morning, my family and friends worrying about my safety. By Sunday, we were back at our bases without a clue how it all changed. I was still in a haze when Omar and Esele came on air. I’d have sworn I saw Omar dictating to Esele what they would tell Nigerians before Esele lowered the Mic from his mouth. Soldiers had been deployed to crush Ojota, and Labour was announcing to Nigerians that from a vantage point of victory, she preferred to Kiss Defeat (Kiss the Feet). That was a Mystery I could not understand, even as an eye witness.

I never recovered…I hope I do someday.

Comrade X is the Pen Name of the author




 

PIERCE MORGAN APPROACH TO ARMS POSSESION MIGHT BE RIGHT READ DETAILS

As student opens fire at california high school. At least one student was shot when a classmate opened fire at a high school in California on Thursday.

The shooting occurred in the science building at Taft Union High School in Taft, Calif., at approximately 9 a.m. local time, a Kern County Sheriff's official told Yahoo News.

The suspected shooter—a 16-year-old male student at the school—did not show up for the start of first period, police say. He entered the school with a 12-gauge shotgun and interrupted his first-period class, shooting one student police say he was targeting.

The victim, also 16, was airlifted to Kern Medical Center in Bakersfield, Calif., with a shotgun wound to the upper right chest. He's in critical but stable condition.

The gunman then called a second student's name in the 28-person class and fired again, but missed, Kern County Sheriff Donny Youngblood said. A teacher and a campus supervisor engaged the shooter in conversation inside the classroom, school officials said, and were able to persuade him to put down the shotgun. The shooter was then taken into police custody.

The teacher was treated at the scene for a pellet wound to the head. (It's unclear whether the wound was from birdshot, Youngblood said.) Another student who was near the shotgun when it was fired was taken to a local hospital, where she was treated for hearing loss.

During a press briefing outside the school on Thursday afternoon, reporters asked police whether the suspected shooter had been suspended from school last year for carrying what parents told them was a "hit list." Police would not confirm those reports.

According to the school's website, "two campus supervisors and a Kern County Sheriff monitor the campus before, during, and after school." But officials said the armed officer who is normally on campus was "snowed in" and not on duty at the time of the shooting. About 1,000 students attend the high school.

ABC's Kero-Bakersfield affiliate said it received calls from students who were hiding in closets inside the school, located about 120 miles north of Los Angeles.

The school was evacuated while sheriff and fire personnel conducted room-to-room searches. One student told the network that he was in another building participating in an "active shooter drill" when the shooting occurred.

The school was featured in the 1986 film "The Best of Times" starring Robin Williams and Kurt Russell. Friday's classes have been canceled.

The shootings come less than a month after 26 people, including 20 children, were killed at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Conn., in one of the worst school shootings in U.S. history. The massacre led to calls for reforms to the country's gun laws.

On Thursday, Vice President Joe Biden, appointed to lead a task force to reduce U.S. gun violence, was scheduled to meet with members of the National Rifle Association in Washington to discuss gun control.

INDIANA BOY MISSING SINCE '94 FOUND

A boy who went missing in Indiana nearly 20 years ago has been found alive, well and married in Minnesota.

Richard Wayne Landers Jr. was abducted by his grandparents on July 29, 1994, according to state police.

The then-five-year-old was considered "missing and endangered" when he disappeared in Wolcottville, Ind.

Warrants were issued for Richard and Ruth Landers, but charges were dropped in 2008 after police could find no trace of either the boy or his grandparents.

But Landers' parents continued to search for their son, police said in a release Thursday.

Landers' stepfather gave detectives the boy's Social Security card last October, and detectives found a man, who turned out to be the missing boy, using the number in Long Prairie, Minn.

The grandparents, who are from his father's side, are living in Browerville, Minn., under aliases but admitted their identities to police and verified that the 24-year-old man is Landers.

GOSH- RITUALISTS MUTILATE BODY OF 3-YR OLD GIRL

The sight of the mutilated body of a three-year-old girl,  Aliya Usman, killed by suspected  ritualists, yesterday, threw residents of Ile Onigboro, Ita Elefun, Ita Ogunbo, Ilorin West Local Government Area of Kwara State, into deep mourning.

The bereaved family had earlier lost the immediate younger brother of the deceased to a strange illness about 10 months ago, making the death more pathetic.

When Vanguard visited the scene, the severed head of the victim was spotted at a refuse dump covered with a polythene bag while the remains of her badly mutilated body was deposited at a newly constructed soak-away pit.

Most of her body parts and organs were missing, and sympathisers rained curses on the callous and heartless killers.

Also, a red piece of cloth with a syringe carefully wrapped inside was found close to the severed head, lending credence to the assumption that her abductors drugged her before carrying out the dastardly act.

Narrating the incident, which occurred Tuesday, mother of the deceased, Aminat Usman,  who wept profusely, described the death as a rude shock, adding that  the family had lost the immediate younger brother of Aliya, AbdulSamad to strange illness about 10 months ago.

Amina said on that fateful day, when she woke up, she had hurriedly boiled rice for the family as Aliya didn’t eat her supper the previous day, adding that after she had eaten, she  plaited hair, after which she was dressed in one of her beautiful clothes.

“However, I never knew that I was preparing her for the final journey home,” she added.

The deceased’s mother, a petty trader at Adabata, who relocated to Ilorin with her husband on the prompting of their parents to fully care for the children,  said she became suspicious when the father, Tajudeen Usman, a driver,  who plies the Ilorin-Lagos route at Sawmill garage enquired after the deceased at 12p.m. on the said day.

“I told him that she should be with the other children at her grand-father’s place. When I didn’t see her at the time I expected, I became very suspicious because this was very unusual of her.

“But after frantic search for her yielded no fruit up till about 7p.m., I became very apprehensive. At that moment, I felt cold. It was the shout from the search team later the next morning, at 6a.m. that threw the neighbourhood into agony.”

2 ARRESTED FOR BEATING WOMAN TO DEATH

Two suspects, Mr. Ifedayo Alatise and Mr. John Okoro, who allegedly beat a 50-year-old woman to death last Saturday in Idanre, Ondo State, have been arrested by the police.

The Police Public Relations Officer in the state, Mr. Aremu Adeniran, who confirmed the arrest, also explained that the suspects had been transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department for discreet investigation.

He said one Jollin Akinbowa reported at the Idanre Police Station around 9:30am on Sunday that his mother, Dupe Akinbowa, was beaten into a coma by some people around 11:30pm on Saturday.

 “The incident happened at Sabo area, Alade-Idanre when some boys beat up my 50-year-old mother during which she became unconscious and was rushed to the state hospital, Alade-Idanre for medical attention,” Jollin said.

 He said the deceased later died while on admission at the hospital.

 “Some policemen had visited the scene of the crime and reported that the deceased sustained head injury and bruises on her hands and chest,” the PPRO said.

 He added that photographs were taken and that the corpse had been deposited at the hospital’s mortuary for autopsy. Jail might be their final abode

GUESS WHAT! PRESIDENT GOODLUCK MAY SPEND 7YRS IN PRISON AFTER TENURE. READ DETAILS

Respected for the accuracy of his predictions, Prophet Marcus Tibetan who is widely referred to as the Nostradamus of our time predicts that ten Ministers in the cabinet of President Goodluck Jonathan would be dropped this year for being ineffective and incompetent.

President Goodluck Jonathan, says the prophet, should pray against losing loved ones in this year 2013.

These are some of the predictions of Prophet Marcus Tibetan, the Parish Head of Celestial Church of Christ, Elisha Parish, for the year 2013.

The President should pray very hard against a situation that would arise and make him spend at least seven years in jail after his tenure as President of Nigeria.

‘Four members of the House of Representatives will die this year and there will be two major air disasters in the months of May and June 2013!’

He further predicts that the Senate President, David Mark, should begin to wind up and prepare for his exit from politics as disgrace is imminent.

The Vice President, Namadi Sambo, should forget any ambition of being the Vice President of Nigeria again after this first term. Bamanga Tukur may be the last PDP Chairman as the party would suffer a lot of crises and setbacks in 2013.

Former President Olusegun Obasanjo needs to do more for the Yoruba race in particular and Nigeria in general. He should perform the assignment of putting the Yoruba race in the forefront with zeal as this could be his last assignment.

Prophet Marcus Tibetan’s earth shaking predictions for the year 2013 are presently being compiled into a book which will be in circulation within the first quarter of the year. The Prophet who is loved and respected in his native town of Ode-Aye has visited more than eighty countries.

His mastery of the Bible can be seen in his in exhaustive quotations from the Holy book.

The man of God is able to cure chronic diseases and ailments such as sickle cell anaemia and diabetes, amongst others.

COURT JAILS TRUCK DRIVER FOR DRIVING AGAINST TRAFFIC

The Lagos State Special  Court has sentenced a trailer driver to three months imprisonment for driving against the flow of traffic.

The 33-year-old driver, Sagir Abubakar,was arrested on September 18, 2012.

Abubakar, who is from Yobe State, was arrested by the state Taskforce on Environmental and Special (Enforcement) Unit while driving against the traffic on the Third Mainland Bridge.

The Taskforce Chairman, Superintendent Bayo Sulaiman, had said, “Driving against the traffic is rampant in the Lagos metropolis.

“This practice violates the provision of the state traffic law.”

He said punishment for the offence was one-year imprisonment for a first-time offender and three years imprisonment for subsequent offences,  including seizure of the vehicle.

Abubakar was first arraigned on September 20 but his case was adjourned on his request.   

On Wednesday, Abubakar pleaded guilty and asked for leniency.

His charge sheet read, “That you, Sagir Abubakar, on September 18, 2012, at about 12.40 pm on the Third Mainland Bridge, Lagos State, drove a trailer with registration number XB 323 FKA driving same against oncoming traffic and committed an offence contrary to section 7(b), Lagos Road Traffic Law 2012 and punishable under section 7 (b)(1) of same law.”

The Magistrate, Yetunde Pinhero, subsequently sentenced him to three months imprisonment with an option of N100, 000 fine.

Abubakar was also sent to the state  Drivers’ Institute for seven days driving training and re-certification.

The convict was, however, taken to Badagry Prison because he was unable to raise the N100,000 fine option. if you cant obey lagos rule then start packing your load.

OMG- 21-YR OLD DAMSEL DUMPS BABY IN PIT LATRINE

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the residents, who were attracted by the cry of the baby, had to break the latrine to remove the baby girl allegedly delivered by a 21-year-old student.

The suspected mother, an unmarried secondary school student, allegedly induced the delivery of her seven-month-old pregnancy and threw it away. The suspect, however, ran out of luck when one Miss Rifkatu John, who runs a beer parlour, went to use the latrine and heard the cry of the baby.

“I was preparing for business around 8 a.m. when I suddenly became pressed but when I stooped to ease myself, I was startled by the cry of a baby.

“After paying close attention, I discovered that the sound was coming from inside the pit latrine, so I quickly drew the attention of some youths who broke the pit and brought out the child.

Mrs. Martina Lucious, a retired nurse, who was at the scene, said the baby was brought out with maggots all over it. ``In fact, some maggots were coming out from her mouth, ears, nose and navel.

“In seeking to find out who was the mother, we asked around to find out if there was any pregnant girl or woman around the area.

“After a thorough investigation, we gathered that Blessing was seen coming out of the pit latrine at 7 a.m. with blood stains on her wrapper. ``We traced her and asked her if it was her baby but she initially denied and only confessed after some boys dealt her some slaps.

“She confessed it was her baby but again lied that she dumped the baby in the pit latrine because the infant came out already dead.

“But since the baby was still alive, we rushed her to the Manchok Primary Health Care Centre for medical attention, while Blessing was taken to the police station,’’ Lucious said.

Mrs Batholomena Abba, a senior community health extension worker at Manchok Primary Health Care centre, confirmed receiving the baby at the centre.

"The baby was brought in with maggots in her mouth, ear, nose and umbilical cord. We were terrified but we did our best to clean her up before the police arrived. “When the police came, we advised them to take the child to a medical doctor for proper medical attention because the situation was precarious,’’ Abba saqid.

The police took the infant to the Rural Hospital, Kaura, where the medical officer, Dr. Mercy Ationg, told NAN that the child was brought in dead. ``There was no way a premature birth of seven months could have survived such ordeal,’’ Ationg told NAN.

She said the child had ingested a lot of toxic substances in the latrine. `"Seven months and in a toilet! It will be a miracle if the baby survived,’’ the doctor said.

Ationg said that the only information she extracted from the mother was that she took paracetamol tablets after she felt a slight headache.

``Apparently she took something to get rid of the baby but since she was not ready to talk, I gave her some injections to make her a bit stronger before handing her back to the police,’’ she said.

Ationg expressed anger over the incident and said the situation could have been prevented if sexually active young girls had some knowledge of family planning methods.

``We have always advocated family planning and I believe it is the only way to avoid unwanted pregnancies,’’ she said.

Efforts to reach Mr Ibrahim Gora, the Divisional Police Officer of Kaura Police Division, proved abortive as he was said to have travelled out.

However, a senior police officer, who preferred anonymity, confirmed the incident and arrest of the suspect. He told NAN that the suspect would soon be charged to court.

Meanwhile, Pastor Mapunu Yohanna, Senior Pastor, Evangelical Church, Winning All (ECWA), Biniki, described the act as "shameful and barbaric.’’

"It is sad, really. We have many families married for years but without a baby but here is a young woman killing her own child,’’ he said. Yohanna advised against such behaviour, pointing out that killing an innocent child was a sin that would attract the wrath of God. 

22 yr old Wiz-Kid now a proud owner of a house

The 22-year-old let the cat out of the bag on micro-blogging site Twitter yesterday, saying; ‘New house! Thank u lord!!‘

Actress Omoni Oboli replied him with a congratulatory message,’congrats dear. God bless ur hustle! Stay winning!‘

A very close friend of his confirmed the news, although the location and property value is currently unknown.

In other news, Wizzy will be staging an appreciation concert today at the New Afrika Shrine, Ikeja, Lagos. Attendance is free, So dont bother asking me ow much is da ticket okayyyyyyyyyyyyy

DISASTER IN IMO AS PREGNANT WOMAN AND DAUGHTER BURNT TO DEATH

A mysterious fire, which engulfed a house in Ubachima, Awo Omamma, Oru East Local Gouncil Area of Imo State, has consumed a pregnant woman and her two-year-old daughter.

It was not clear how the fire started but two conflicting accounts were peddled by villagers as the cause of the inferno when Vanguard visited the scene of the ugly incident.

The first account had it that the pregnant woman, Mrs. Nkechi Amajuoyi, her husband, Benedict, and their daughter, were cooling off outside the house until it became very chilly for the woman and her little daughter.

Those behind the account equally reasoned that because there was no public power supply in the community on the  fateful night, the woman lit the family’s lantern and headed for their living room.

They opined that the late woman was unaware that petrol was dripping from her husband’s parked motorcycle inside the house, adding that it caught fire immediately she entered the room.

Another school of thought believed that the woman had successfully gone to bed and slept but along the line, fire from the lantern spread to other materials in the room.

Speaking to journalists, bereaved Benedict Amajuoyi said he was a native of Awa, Oguta Local Government Area of the state and a staff of Consolidated Breweries, Awo Omamma.

He affirmed amidst, tears that he returned from work at about 8pm, had his supper and decided to take a rest on a bench outside the house but was woken up by shouts of his name that probably came from his dying wife.

Amajuoyi said he ran to the room where his wife and daughter were sleeping and only found out that there was nothing he could do as the inferno had covered everywhere.

SCHOKER: MAN CAUGHT KILLING 4-MONTH OLD SON FOR RITUAL

The people of Egbe village in Yagba West local government area of Kogi State are battling to come to terms with the reality that a father could killed his son for ritual purpose in a their community, something which has not been witnessed in their living memory.

photoThe villagers woke up on January 1, 2013 to discover that one of them, Hosea Folorunso, allegedly killed his four months old son, Sunday Folorunso, in mysterious circumstance
Daily Trust learnt that the herbalist allegedly killed the baby at night, dug a shallow grave in his compound and buried the corpse to conceal the crime.

Kogi State commissioner of police, Alhaji Mohammed Musa Katsina, confirmed the arrest of Folorunso, saying that he had confessed to carrying out the act in the course of investigation.

Residents of the area were not willing to speak to journalists, but one of them who identified himself as Ajayi Michael said the news came as a rude shock to them that a father could kill his child while others were in the church praying to witness the arrival of the New Year.

He said on the fateful day, many residents of the village went to Church to usher in the New Year and returned very late, saying that at about 5:30 am, they heard unusual wailing from the herbalist’s home. When people rushed to find out what was happening, he said, they were told that the herbalist’s four months old baby had died. Therefore people were surprised when police came to arrest him for allegedly killing his own son.

“We have been neighbours for about 15 years, but because he is a herbalist and I am a Christian, we live miles apart. I don’t really know much about him and what happened,” Mr Michale said.

Besides, some other residents who refused to speak on record said they believed the man must have done it for ritual purposes.

Parading the suspect in Lokoja last Friday, the state police commissioner, Alhaji Mohammed Musa Katsina, said the suspect who is a herbalist in Egbe killed a four months old baby for rituals on December 31st, 2012 when people were at the church praying to usher in the New Year.

According to him, the suspect who hails from Egbe in Yagba west local government area of Kogi state, at about the hours of 11:55 pm on the fateful day, quietly took the baby (Sunday Folorunso) who was deep asleep with the mother outside the house and killed him in a gruesome manner.

“The suspect having killed the baby dug a shallow grave in his compound and hurriedly buried the corpse so that people would not know that he killed his own son,” the commissioner said.

Katsina said the suspect was arrested by the police squad in Egbe following intelligence report and brought to the police headquarters for interrogation. He said after investigation, the suspect confessed to have committed the acts.

Katsina added that the suspect led the police to where he buried the corpse and exhumed it. He said an autopsy was being carried out by a renown pathologist at the Federal Medical Centre to ascertain the cause of the death, and that the suspect would be charged to court after investigations are concluded.

“I can only describe the situation as a season of madness because the baby is an innocent and defenceless human being who can neither hurt nor provoke anybody,” he said.

Katsina called on members of the public not to hoard information from the police as they are determined to get to the root of the gruesome mother of the baby by his father.

The suspect, Folorunso, who spoke to journalists at the police headquarters in Lokoja gave unbelievable account of how his son died.
He said: “I asked my wife to prepare food before I return to the house and she told me she was going out to buy something with the eldest son. When I came back, I met her sitting down with our daughter so I said ‘you are sitting there when I asked you to go and cook for me?’ So I picked up a broom and wanted to beat her.

“The woman took to her heels with the girl and I got annoyed and took the four months old baby and asked her to come and pick him since she was running away. As I held the baby, he turned into a cat and I immediately threw the cat on the ground and it turned to the baby again and when I went there to carry the baby, I discovered that the baby was dead.”

When the baby was exhumed our reporter observed that red ribbons were tied round his hand.

Meanwhile, the liaison officer 1 of Yagba West local government area, Mr Tunji Aro who spoke to journalists wondered why a father could kill his child for whatever reason.

Aro assured the community that adequate security measures were being put in place to forestall a re-occurrence of such crime and urged them to be law abiding and always pursue legitimate means of livelihood.

He called on the people to be prayerful and always report to the police any unpleasant behaviour, saying that if useful information had not been given to the police, the herbalist could not have been arrested for such action.

TWO WOMEN BAG THREE YEAR JAIL TERM EACH FOR OIL THEFTING

The convict who were prosecuted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, were found guilty of the two count charge preferred against them and convicted accordingly. The court sentenced them to a three-year jail term on each count with an option of three hundred thousand naira (N300, 000) fine.

The two accused persons illegally conveyed one hundred and thirty six plastic drums of petroleum products in a truck with registration number XN 789 EGU at Egbidi, Isoko Local Government Area of Delta State in 2009 without a license and thereby committed an offence contrary to section 3(6) of the Miscellaneous Offences Act Cap. M17, laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2007 and punishable under section 1(17) of the same act.

Helen Itemba and Aladini Johnny Money were arrested in May, 2009 by operatives of the Delta State Command of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), along with a truck containing one hundred and thirty six plastic drums of petroleum products driven by one John Ufo and his co-travellers: Emmanuel Itemba, Oluchukwu Olomu, and Okwuosa Onyedika.  They were handed over to the EFCC for investigation and prosecution.

One of the charge that sent them to jail reads: “that you Helen Itemba, Aladini Money, and others at large on or about the 4th May, 2009 at Bomadi Water side, Bomadi in Delta State within the Jurisdiction of this Honorable Court did conspire with one another to commit felony wit dealing in petroleum products contrary to section 3(6) of the miscellaneous offences Act CAP, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2007 and punishable under section 1(17) of the same Act”. SOURCE NAIJ.COM

AT LAST JERRY OKOSUN IS SET FREE FROM PRISON

One of the sons of late music icon Sunny Okosun has been released from jail after being arrested over his alleged involvement in the kidnap of Nkiru Sylvanus and Kenneth Okolie.

Jerry Okosun, who also works for the Imo State government as Director General of Student Affairs, was released January 5th after spending 11 days in police cell in Owerri with other suspected kidnappers.

Jerry was arrested on Christmas Day because for some weird reason, the kidnappers contacted him to negotiate the release of Nkiru Sylvanus. Jerry acted as a middle man for Nkiru's family, the Imo State government and the kidnappers. He was the one that negotiated the N8 million ransom that was eventually paid to secure Nkiru Sylvanus and Kenneth Okolie's release.

After their release, the Imo State Government Chief of Staff ordered Jerry's arrest because they claimed to have found some incriminating text messages on his phone connecting him to the crime...and also because Jerry had been insisting on the government paying N15million as ransom. Jerry says he's innocent.

VLADMIR PUTIN CALL FOR RELEASE OF RUSSIAN SAILORS IN NIGERIA

Nigerian authorities intercepted a ship and arrested its Russian crew on October 23 last year after they found several guns and around 8,500 rounds of ammunition aboard.

The Russian Foreign Ministry said the sailors were facing a court case initiated “under false pretexts” and that Nigeria broke a promise given to Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov that the men would return to Russia before the New Year.

“We expect that this time around the Nigerian partners will stick to their word and release the Russian sailors in the nearest time without additional conditions and further delays,” Reuters quoted the ministry as saying in a statement on Wednesday.

The sailors, who were kept in navy custody since their arrest in October, were handed over to the police on Monday.

“On Monday, we handed over the crew to the police as we have completed preliminary investigations,” Lieutenant Commander Jerry Omodara, spokesman for the Western Naval Command, said by telephone. “The ship and the weapons are still in our custody.”

The Moran Security Group, the Russian company that owns the confiscated vessel, called the accusations “groundless” and urged Nigeria to release the sailors.

EFCC Nabs Imo State Commissioner of Finance, Accountant General

EFCC Nabs Imo State Commissioner of Finance, Accountant General

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) today arrested two Imo government officials for fraud related charges.

The agency interrogators are currently quizzing the Imo state commissioner of finance, Deacon, Okafor Chike John and the accountant general of the state, Eche Ezenna  George.

The two officials are currently in the Abuja office of the EFCC.

It is unclear how the agency effected the arrest of the two officials however, a source at the EFCC office in Abuja involved in the investigations said their arrest is linked to  various capital market transactions dating back to the Ikedi Ohakim leadership in the state

AGAIN- FIRE DISASTER AT ALAFIN OF OYO PALACE

 If fire happens to be a human then i would say it does not have respect for the elders, first it gutted the house of former president Chief Olusegun Obasanjo now a whole Monarch of Oyo State.

The palace of the Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi has been gutted by fire. The inferno razed down about 21 rooms of the ancient palace.

According to the Media Assistant of the monarch, Alhaji Azeez Fehintola, the fire started around 6am Wednesday and razed uncontrollably before the arrival of fire fighters one hour later.

Immediately I got here and saw the extent of the damage done to the palace by this early morning conflagration, I could not but break down into tears.

The fire, which broke out from electrical surge, started around 6 a.m and was contained after about three hours.

“The fire-fighters came at some minutes past seven and battled it till it was finally put out. Every part of the affected apartments were completely razed.

It was a really sad day for the ayabas because many of their property were destroyed. They keep their monies in the palace, Plasma television, jewellery, clothes, bags and many other valuables yet to be ascertained”, he said.

Mostly affected parts are the flats of Princess Folasade (Iyaa Meta), Princess Rukayat, and Princess Abibat.

It was gathered that some undisclosed amount of money was burnt.

Besides, some rooms known as Ile Ori, Ile Ifa where artifacts are stored, plasma television, clothes, shoes, jewellery and bags were destroyed by the raging fire.

Though no life was lost nor anyone injured, queens wore forlorn looks.

The monarch did not grant any interview as he was not in the mood to entertain any questions.

He remained indoors and refused to show up.

It was learnt that electrical surge from the Power Holding Company of Nigeria ignited the inferno.

The fire fighters who later put out the fire said they could only confirm the incident but could not say what led to it.

BRAZILIAN PROSTITUTES START LEARNING ENGLISH AHEAD 2014 WORLD CUP

IT SEEMS THEY ARE TAKING AFTER THEIR AFRICAN COUNTER PART AS REPORT HAVE IT THAT NIGERIAN PROSTITUTES ALSO START LEARNING ENGLISH AHEAD OF NATIONS CUP FINAL.

In Brazil, where prostitution is legal, sex workers in the city of Belo Horizonte are preparing for the upcoming soccer World Cup next year by signing up to learn English to better communicate with visitors from abroad.
Prostitutes in one of Brazil's biggest cities are beginning to sign up for free English classes ahead of this year's Confederations Cup and the 2014 World Cup
Cida Vieira, president of the Association of Prostitutes in the city of Belo Horizonte, said Tuesday that 20 have already signed up for the courses and she expects at least 300 of the group's 4,000 members to follow suit. The association is organizing the classes and seeking volunteer teachers.
"I don't think we will have problems persuading English teachers to provide services for free," she said. "We already have several volunteer psychologists and doctors helping us."
She said classes are expected to begin in March and last up to eight months.
"It will be important for the girls who will be able to use English to let their clients know what they are charging and learn about what turns them on," Vieira said by telephone.
"And for the same reasons we are also thinking of offering free French and Italian classes," she added.
Prostitution is legal in Brazil. CULLED FROM www.naijapals.com

BREAKING NEWS- TIN-CAN ISLAND ON FIRE AS SHIP CATCHES FIRE

NEMA officials say a ship caught fire after exploding at the Tin Can Island port in Apapa area of Lagos, causing great fear across the metropolis.

Report have it that  MRS tank farm is responsible.

Details of casualties are not yet known as well as the extent of damage.

However, reports said the explosion shook buildings as far as Ikoyi and Victoria Island.

VAN-PERSIE AGAINST LUIZ SUAREZ IN WEEKEND SHOWDOWN

RVP as popularly called by football lovers and Luis Suarez's tussle at the top of the Premier League goalscoring charts continues at Old Trafford on Sunday as leaders Manchester United take on Liverpool in one of the season's most keenly-anticipated fixtures.

Neither player can stop scoring but while the superlatives have rained down on 16-goal Dutchman Van Persie, Suarez's 15 have more often than not been accompanied with pantomime-villain antics that polarise opinion on the Uruguayan.

Last weekend proved a typical scenario as the FA Cup briefly took centre stage after a barrage of holiday Premier League action which left United seven points clear of title rivals Manchester City, who face Arsenal on Sunday.

Van Persie's last-gasp equaliser against West Ham United had purists salivating but 24 hours later Suarez's integrity was called into question after he got away with a blatant handball to score his side's second goal against minor-league Mansfield.

While van Persie has proved to be worth every penny of the 24 million pounds ($38.49 million) United paid Arsenal for his services, Suarez's contribution to a Liverpool side finally flourishing under Brendan Rodgers after a terrible start is perhaps even more impressive.

He has worked tirelessly as a lone striker for most of the campaign and while his antics and reputation for diving mean the snipers will always be aiming for him, he is establishing himself as the latest idol on Liverpool's famous Kop.

At least the 160th league clash between the fierce north west rivals looks like being spared the controversial build-up which has marred their most recent meetings.

The focus before and during United's 2-1 victory at Liverpool in September was on concerns about crowd behaviour in the wake of the publication of a report into the Hillsborough disaster that claimed 96 Liverpool fans and spawned several sickening songs from United fans.

Last February at Old Trafford the match was overshadowed by the continuing racism row between the clubs following Suarez's eight-match ban for calling United's Patrice Evra "negro" - a situation inflamed by Suarez's refusal to shake hands with the Frenchman before kickoff.

United manager Alex Ferguson labelled Suarez "a disgrace" at the time but on Sunday he will be more concerned with making sure his leaky defence keeps the south American quiet.

Suarez, who has admirably led the Liverpool attack alone this season now has Daniel Sturridge for company after he joined from Chelsea.

Both scored against Mansfield although how to pair them successfully could pose a challenge to Rodgers who has hinted that Suarez may be moved to a wider position.

"When he played at Ajax he played in behind as a number 10, in between the lines, and he played as a reverse winger from the left side so he wasn't quite out wide - he was tucked in round the corner," Rodgers said this week.

"Wherever he plays he will make the same movements and he will find the space because he is a world class player."

Both United and Liverpool have scored 11 goals in their last four league matches with United showing no sign of missing Wayne Rooney who is still a major doubt for Sunday with a knee injury.

Manchester City will be hoping Liverpool can do them a favour although three points against Arsenal at the Emirates will be a tall order for Roberto Mancini's side especially as midfield powerhouse Yaya Toure is preparing for the African Cup of Nations with Ivory Coast.

City lost 1-0 at Arsenal in April last year when Mario Balotelli was sent off, although they recovered from what seemed like a knockout blow for their title hopes to surge past United in the most dramatic ever finish to a Premier League season.

Balotelli was involved in a training ground bust-up with Mancini last week and although the two volatile Italians appear to have made up, it would be a surprise if Balotelli earns himself a starting slot in north London.

Arsenal are playing catch-up in the battle for a top-four place having fallen four points behind fourth-placed Chelsea.

After scoring twice on his debut in the FA Cup at Southampton last week Demba Ba could make his first league start for Chelsea as they try to penetrate Stoke City's rock-like defence on Saturday.
Third-placed Tottenham Hotspur can move to within three points of Manchester City if they win at bottom club Queens Park Rangers on Saturday although they will be up against former manager Harry Redknapp as he continues his latest Houdini act following their 1-0 win at Chelsea last week.

FULL ANALYSIS OF MATCH BETWEEN CHELSEA AND SWANSEA

 Michu and Graham give Swansea 2-0 win

* European champions Chelsea beaten in first leg (Adds detail)

LONDON, Jan 9 (Reuters) - Swansea City inflicted the second shock home defeat in eight days on Chelsea, goals from Michu and Danny Graham giving the Welsh club a 2-0 win in their Capital One (League) Cup semi-final first leg on Wednesday.

Michael Laudrup's Swansea, playing in their first major semi-final for 49 years, weathered an early storm from the European champions before scoring against the run of play in the 39th minute.

Branislav Ivanovic blundered after receiving a pass from goalkeeper Ross Turnbull and Jonathan De Guzman robbed the Chelsea defender on the edge of the box before setting up Michu for a curling left-foot finish.

It was the Spaniard's 16th goal of the season in all competitions and substitute Graham delivered a sucker-punch second goal near the end.

"Winning an away game against the European champions is obviously very special," Laudrup told Sky Sports.

"We knew it would be a very difficult game, we had to defend a lot more than we are used to. They had a lot more possession than we had."

Chelsea, who also lost 1-0 at home to Premier League bottom club Queens Park Rangers last Wednesday, started well against Swansea but paid a heavy price for poor finishing.

Juan Mata and Ramires shot weakly when well placed while Gary Cahill headed narrowly over from a corner.

ACROBATIC SAVE

Swansea then struck completely against the run of play through Michu before Ivanovic tried to make amends for his error when his rasping 20-metre shot was saved acrobatically by Gerhard Tremmel.

The home fans became agitated in the second half as four-times League Cup winners Chelsea struggled to create clear-cut openings, calling for substitutes Frank Lampard and Demba Ba to come on.

Lampard replaced Ramires in the 70th minute and new signing Ba went on for a completely ineffective Fernando Torres 11 minutes later.

Swansea then delivered a second goal in stoppage time when substitute Graham latched on to a short Ivanovic back pass and rounded Turnbull before sliding the ball into an empty net.

Ba, bought from Newcastle United last week, had the ball in the net in the closing stages but it was chalked off.

"We had chances, the team had chances and we have to take our chances," Chelsea's interim manager Rafael Benitez said.

"It's a Cup competition and we can score goals, if we score a goal everything will change," he added in reference to the second leg.

Swansea captain Ashley Williams, named man of the match for a towering display in defence, said: "The second goal gives us little bit of a cushion but we know they are going to come at us with everything at our place.

"I said to the guys before that this was the game of our lives. We are halfway there...and if we do get to the final at Wembley it will be massive for everyone."

It was the second surprise result in successive days in the League Cup, fourth tier Bradford City having beaten Premier League Aston Villa 3-1 in their first leg on Tuesday.

Both second legs are in two weeks' time
CULLED FROM YAHOO