SABINEWS MORNING NEWS UPDATE JANUARY 14, 2018
Gov Ortom slams Buhari, Osinbajo, NSA, IGP; says they ignored warnings of attack (Vanguard)
Governor Samuel Ortom of Benue State, yesterday, told senators that prior to the crisis that engulfed the state, which led to the killings by Fulani Herdsmen, President Muhammadu Buhari, Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, the National Security Adviser, Babagana Monguno, and Inspector General of Police, Ibrahim Idris, all ignored several warnings of the planned attack on Logo and Guma communities in the state. The governor, while lamenting the brutal killing of his people, told the senators that when he got the information of the planned seige by Fulani herdsmen on targeted communities in Benue State, said he immediately wrote a letter to the Vice President, Yemi Osinbajo, who was acting on behalf of President Buhari, who was away for medical treatment in London. Read more
Umeh wins Anambra Central Senatorial Rerun (ThisDay)
The candidate of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), Chief Victor Umeh, has been returned as the winner of the Saturday, January 13 rerun election for Anambra Central senatorial zone. Umeh, who was declared winner at 2:30am on Sunday morning, polled 64,879 votes to defeat 13 other candidates in the election. The returning officer for the election, Prof. Charles Esemone, a Deputy Vice Chancellor at Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, who announced the result said, “Chief Sir Victor Umeh, having polled the highest number of votes and satisfying the law, is hereby returned elected.” Read more
Aare Onakakanfo, Gani Adams, vows: I will protect Yorubaland (Vanguard)
Aare Onakakanfo, Gani Adams, has promised to use his office to bring about unity in Yorubaland and build bridges across Nigeria. He also vowed to protect the territories in South-West against external aggression. This came as the ancient town of Oyo stood still for the better part of yesterday as the 15th Generalissimo of Yorubaland was installed by the paramount ruler of Oyo, the Alaafin, Oba Lamidi Olayiwola Adeyemi. The installation of Adams came 20 years after the death of Chief MKO Abiola, the last holder of the title. Read more
Oyo stands still as Ajimobi, 300 Yoruba Monarchs, others grace New Kakanfo Installation (ThisDay)
History was made on Saturday in the ancient town of Oyo Alaafin in Oyo state, as the state Governor Abiola Ajimobi, about 300 monarchs across Yoruba-land, Kogi, Delta, Edo states and Benin Republic converged to witness the installation of the new and 15th Aare Ona Kakanfo (Yoruba Generalissimo), Otunba Gani Adams by the Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi III. Adams, the National Coordinator of the Oodua People’s Congress succeeds late business mogul, Chief M.K.O. Abiola who died in detention 20 years ago. Yesterday’s ceremony climaxed the three-day rites for the installation. Read more
You condone graft, Nigerians tell executive, legislature over $25 Billion NNPC contract scam (Guardian)
The Centre for Social Justice (CENSOJ) has accused the executive and the legislative arms of government of condoning corruption in the country, citing the lull in the probe into the alleged Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) $25 billion contract. Besides, the Institute for Fiscal Studies of Nigeria (IFSN) has stated that the country may be forced to wait endlessly for the outcome of the probe. In the wake of the alleged contract scam at the NNPC, both chambers of the National Assembly set up ad hoc committees to investigate the allegations as raised by the Minister of State for Petroleum, Dr. Ibe Kachikwu. Both ad hoc committees have since gone cold. Read more
Power generation hits 4,327MW despite gas pipeline fire (Punch)
Power generation in Nigeria increased by 1,100 megawatts in four days despite last Thursday’s fire incident that affected the Escravos-Lagos Pipeline supplying gas to some power plants. While the nation’s current transmission capacity was put at 7,000MW, network operational capacity stood at 5,500MW. Total electricity generation stood at 4,327MW as of 6am last Thursday, January 11, compared to 3,227.9MW last Sunday, when 12 power plants were idle. Read more
Buratai warns army officers to steer clear of politics (Nation)
The Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Tukur Buratai, yesterday warned officers and soldiers of the Army to steer clear of politics. Represented by the Commander, Infantry Corps, Maj.-Gen. Lamidi Adeosun, Buratai said his men should “leave politics to the politicians and concentrate on your chosen career.” The warning came at the graduation ceremony of officers who underwent a Regimentation and Leadership training of the 64 RC and SSC 44 course at the 20 Infantry Battalion, Serti in Taraba State. Read more
Benue: Soldiers deployed as Hausa youths protest (Nation)
Soldiers last night, took over the streets of Makurdi, the Benue State capital, a few hours after the quick intervention of the police averted what could have sparked a fresh mayhem in the state. The state had, only 48 hours earlier, buried 73 victims of herdsmen killings. The deployment of the soldiers was ordered by the State Security Council after reviewing the situation in the state. Read more
Nigerians groan as petrol sells at N180, N200 per litre across states (Tribune)
A new price index for petrol may have emerged across the country, as a litre of the product now ranges between N180 and N250 a litre in most states and the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja. The seeming new template is against the official seal of N145 a litre, which has been a source of disagreement between the authorities of the Nigerian national Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) and a majority of the independent marketers, who operate the bulk of the retail outlets across the country. Read more
2019: BUHARI, DON’T RUN – Mbazulike Amechi, First Republic Minister tells President (SUN)
Nigeria is witnessing Killings here and there. What can you say about this?
I wouldn’t call it total failure of the present administration. But there are things I can’t understand myself, as it were. In the Southern Nigeria, when there is a problem, the Army is used to quell the problem, like one in the Rivers State. There were killings, the military and State Security Service (SSS) had a joint operation and were said to have arrested a few people who were said to be responsible for the killings. Read more
17-Year-old Boko Haram captive now bound for US University, tells her story of fear to fame (Leadership)
Amina Ali Nkeki was calm as she recalled her two years of torment while held captive by Boko Haram terrorists. She was 17 when she and 274 other girls were abducted from a school in Chibok in northeastern Nigeria in 2014. “They came in the night. They shot sporadically into the air. They gathered us together. They threatened to kill us if we didn’t do what they said. They quarrelled among themselves. At the end, they decided to take us away,” Nkeki said. She was sexually assaulted and faced other abuse at the hands of the Islamic State-linked militants before she managed to escape last year. “I never thought I would live to see another day,” she said. “That I am alive today is a miracle.” Read more
Access Bank/Lagos City marathon: Ambode tasks commissioners on successful outing (Vanguard)
With less than a month to the 2018 Access Bank/Lagos City Marathon, Lagos State governor, Akinwummi Ambode has mandated his lieutenants to give maximum cooperation to the organisers of the event. The governor is said to be impressed with the success rate of the race, which is in its third edition. He has implored the organising committee to do more, to ensure that higher standard are set as Lagos is aiming to join in the big league of marathon races. “The governor, is pleased with what we have been doing with the race. Read more
Cattle grazing crisis calls for national dialogue – General Jemibewon (SUN)
As one of those who fought to keep this country united, how do you feel watching the present state of insecurity, especially the recent killings in Rivers, Kaduna and Benue states?
All these things are political. It is just part of the problems of Nigeria. Other nations also have their own problems. So, hopefully, with time, we will learn to live peacefully. Read more
Nigeria deserves a mashal plan – Ashimolowo (SUN)
What New Year message do you have for Nigeria?
Well, we celebrate the government of Muhammadu Buhari and it’s obvious that he is a man who is very forthright, a man who wants to see that good things will prevail for the people, righteousness will prevail and there is an equi-distribution of the wealth of the nation. Unfortunately, it does not seem so on ground but my counsel to the government will be to do all they can. Infact where possible to declare a Marshal plan not for North East Development Commission (NEDC) and Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC). Read more
Men can’t stop toasting me – Kiki, Jenifa’s Dairy (Punch)
Like most women, the dream of actress, Lota Chukwu, aka Kiki in Jenifa’s Dairy, is to be a size 10. Though she is not out of shape, the fear that she could grow fat someday made her take a bold step. Speaking with Sunday Scoop, Kiki stated that she started yoga at a point in her life when she was struggling to shed some weight. She said, “I enjoy yoga because it helps me to stay in shape and it also helps to relax my mind. I exercise a lot and I also pay attention to what I consume, when and how I consume such food.” Read more
I’ll marry Seyi Edun soon —Adeniyi Johnson (Tribune)
It is no more news that since his marriage to actress, Toyin Aimahku now Toyin Abraham, crashed irredeemably some years back, actor, Adeniyi Johnson has found solace in the arms of Seyi Edun, a popular face in the Yoruba-speaking movie. Johnson and Edun were seen together a couple of times, not too long after his crashed marriage, but the loverbirds at different times denied that there was more to their closeness as they both claimed that there was nothing other than being colleagues. Read more
Mercy Johnson: My marriage is fine (Tribune)
Days back, there were fears that Mercy Johnson’s marriage may have crashed after news emerged that the actress, who doubles as the Senior Special Assistant on Entertainment, Arts and Culture to Kogi State governor, reportedly deleted the pictures of herself and hubby on Instagram. Unconfirmed reports had it that the actress, whose marriage has produced three children, was struggling to keep hold of her marriage and was said to have called it quits with her husband. Read more
I don’t like handsome men – Yvonne Okoro (Vanguard)
While it is every woman’s dream to settle with a good looking gentleman as a lifetime partner, Ghanaian actress and producer, Yvonne Okoro has revealed that good looks isn’t her catch. Born Chinyere Yvonne Okoro, the award-winning actress explained that she is not the type of woman who would easily fall for a guy’s looks and thinking otherwise about her will be erroneous. Replying a Twitter follower on her page, praying for her and Yvonne Nelson to get handsome men as husbands, Yvonne Okoro replied to correct that notion about her. Read more
Gunmen kill 10 in Kaduna, violent protest claims 2 in Benue (ThisDay)
Gunmen suspected to be herdsmen, saturday, attacked two villages in Birnin Gwari Local government area of Kaduna state, killing 10 people. Several others were said to have sustained injuries from gunshots and were rushed to the General Hospital in the area. The attacks were said to have occurred in Dangaji and Ungwan Gajere villages on Friday night and lasted till Saturday. The gunmen were said to have burnt down houses as the villagers fled for their lives. Read more
TAJUDEEN AJIDE: From soccer pitch to political field (Nation)
Simply put, Hon. Tajudeen Ajide, current chairman of Surulere Local Government, is a fine mix of two subjects: football and politics. Born to a grassroots politician father, Ajide showed strong leadership quality on the streets of Surulere, where he was born and bred. Popularly known as ‘Sportcity’, Surulere is home to two major stadia in Nigeria’s commercial city of Lagos and these provided opportunities for youngsters like Tajudeen Ajide to flourish in football, the most popular game in Nigeria. Read more
Yusuf: Super Eagles’ll go far in CHAN (Nation)
Away on international duties at the African Nations Championship otherwise known as CHAN in Morocco, Super Eagles’ coach, Salisu Yusuf would apparently missed his domestic chores on the home front. Days before flying out for the tournament, Yusuf said he was very much involved with everyday tasks in the recess of his home once out of the pitch, insisting he’s a thoroughbred Hausa man. “I have been coaching since 2002;It’s part of my life,” stated Yusuf who clocked 56 on January 10. Read more
GEORGIA OBOH: Rise and rise of golf’s golden Girl (Nation)
Recalling how her romance with golf began, Oboh said: “My parents began playing golf when I was four years old; I started taking lessons when I was six. A few months later, I began competing at a local and regional level (in rain, wind or cold almost every weekend in the UK). Starting with the British Junior Golf tour at seven, I was given the handicap of 36. “But it all really took off when I was named junior golfer of the year in 2008 by the BJGT and also that year I watched the British Ladies Open with my parents and got a ball from the then ladies number-one player Lorena Ochoa. I really got motivated that day to be the best player that I can be in the sport.” Read more
Kroos says Madrid must focus on qualifying for Champions League (Fourfourtwo)
Toni Kroos insisted Real Madrid have to focus on finishing fourth in LaLiga and qualifying for the Champions League following Saturday’s shock loss to Villarreal. Madrid conceded with three minutes remaining as Villarreal upstaged the struggling Spanish and European champions 1-0 at the Santiago Bernabeu. The result left Madrid fourth and 16 points adrift of leaders Barcelona, who could extend that advantage to 19 with victory at Real Sociedad on Sunday, and only a point ahead of fifth-placed Villarreal. Read more
Why Peugeot’s 5008 is like José Mourinho’s subs’ bench (Independent)
You know, or have heard, José Mourinho, I’m sure. The Manchester United manager can talk a lot of codswallop and the football he has overseen has been dire. But something he said recently makes real sense of, and puts context around, this week’s review car. He was explaining why a certain player wasn’t on the substitutes’ bench. He outlined how he needed a back-up keeper, midfielder, defender and forward so that as many eventualities as possible were covered should injury strike or circumstances demand. So there was no room for yer man. Read more
Top U.S. diplomat for refugees to leave post (Reuters)
The U.S. diplomat in charge of refugee issues plans to leave his post within days, becoming the third senior U.S. official to depart or be re-assigned from refugee work in recent weeks. Simon Henshaw, the acting assistant secretary of the State Department’s Bureau of Population, Refugees and Migration, told colleagues in the refugee sector in an e-mail seen by Reuters that he will be leaving the bureau at the end of next week.Read more
Chile slams World Bank amid charges of political bias (Nytimes)
Chile’s outgoing president, Michelle Bachelet, criticized the World Bank on Saturday after an economist said that her country’s poor showing in an influential survey of global business conditions may actually have reflected a political bias against her left-leaning government.The outcry came after the bank’s chief economist, Paul Romer, told The Wall Street Journal in an interview on Friday that while Chile’s ranking has fallen in the bank’s yearly “Doing Business” report, which investors watch closely, “business conditions did not get worse in Chile” during the Bachelet era. Read more
H&M stores in South Africa trashed by protesters after ‘racist’ ad (Guardian)
South African police have cleared protesters who were trashing outlets of Swedish clothing giant H&M in Johannesburg over a controversial advertisement of a black child. A photo on the company’s online website of a black boy wearing a green hoodie with the inscription “coolest monkey in the jungle” had triggered outrage on social media and among observers worldwide. The company has pulled the photograph but the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) – a radical group set up by the expelled head of the youth wing of the ruling African National Congress – organised protests at several H&M outlets in and around Johannesburg. There were also protests outside a store in Cape Town. Read more
Cult Mexican horror radio show The Hairy Hand ends (BBC)
A cult Mexican horror radio programme called “The Hairy Hand” has ended after 22 years on air. It could be heard from 22:00 until midnight every weeknight and was a favourite among overnight taxi drivers and late-shift workers. The format was simple. Listeners would call in to tell disturbing stories of supernatural experiences to a receptive and believing presenter. In its early years the show gained huge audiences in Mexico and abroad. Its first presenter, Juan Ramón Sáenz, died seven years ago of a heart attack, aged only 48. Read more
Death toll rises to 19 in California mudslides, 5 still missing (Reuters)
The death toll from mudslides that devastated parts of California’s scenic Santa Barbara County rose to 19 on Saturday amid a massive influx of emergency crews searching for five people still missing. One missing person was found alive on Saturday but chances were dwindling fast that more survivors could still be located from the torrent of mud and debris that struck on Tuesday, said Santa Barbara County Sheriff Bill Brown. Read more
