HURRICANE SANDY: Ocean surge may hit Lagos in 7 days – LASG

FOLLOWING the devastating effects of Hurricane Sandy, currently ravaging some parts of the United States of America, the Lagos State Government has alerted residents of a possible ripple effect of the hurricane such as ocean surge on the state’s coastal areas within the next seven days.

The alert was given by the state Commissioner for Waterfront and Infrastructure Development, Prince Segun Oniru; Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Mr. Lateef Ibirogba as well as Special Adviser to the Governor on Environment, Mr. Taofeek Folami, at a joint media briefing in Alausa, Ikeja.

It would be recalled that an Ocean surge occurred on August 17 at Kuramo Beach, Victoria Island and claimed 15 lives.

However, a professor of climatology at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN), Professor RNC Anyadike, countered that Nigeria could not suffer any ripple effect from the hurricane.

Asked if Lagos could suffer ripple effects from Hurricane Sandy, Anyadike said: “It is not possible. We don’t have hurricanes in West Africa.

“Meanwhile, Hurricane Sandy has already hit land, it will soon dissipate. What kind of ripple effect are they talking about? Do you know how far we are from New York?

“The only thing we are likely to experience is heavy rainfall occasioned by climate change not hurricane.”

Oniru attributed the likely ripple effect of the Hurricane to the location of Lagos, lying parallel to the South America region.

His words: “We want to let Lagosians know what is going on, and what to expect, it is not to create panic, they should be careful around the ocean and lagoon. In the last five to six days, around the Caribbean, from Jamaica, Haiti, Cuba and Hurricane Sandy has hit the east coast of America.

“Normally, when such happens, and the magnitude of it hits that part of the world, we always have a ripple effect in Lagos and around the West Coast.

Also speaking, Ibirogba urged residents to be vigilant, assuring that the state government’s emergency response squad was on alert to manage any likely surge caused by the Hurricane.

Special Adviser on Environment, Folami however, warned residents to refrain from dumping refuse in drainages and canals.
Culled:Vanguardnews

Aero aborts flight after vigilant passenger raised hydraulic leakage alarm

Aero Contractors, one of the few airlines still flying the local routes in Nigeria, averted what could have resulted in another accident Monday after a vigilant passenger alerted the airline’s officials to a fluid leakage in the aircraft.

At about 2:30 pm Monday, the Aero aircraft was set to leave the Murtala Muhammed Airport, Lagos, when one of the passengers sitting close to the left wing of the craft spotted hydraulic leaking from one of the valves conveying gas to the part called ‘ailerons’ which connects the wings of the aircraft, ensuring stability during take-off and landing.

After the passenger alerted the members of the airplane’s crew, all passengers were asked to evacuate the plane.

The passengers in the flight – AJ 171, scheduled for Margaret Ekpo International Airport, Calabar, by 2.30 p.m. had to return to the airport’s departure lounge.

“All boarding formalities were completed and the aircraft door shut ready for take-off. The aircraft had actually been taxied through the run-way to the take-off point when, after about ten minutes, the pilot taxied it back to the hanger,” one of the passengers aboard the flight, wishing to remain anonymous, told PREMIUM TIMES.

“The flight crew was later to report to the passengers that the flight had to be delayed and aircraft taxied back to the hanger for minor repairs as safety precaution following reports of fuel leakage spotted from its left wing,” the source said.

Most of the affected passengers – families, workers and business people were returning from Lagos to Calabar after the long holiday declared by the Federal Government last week to commemorate the Moslem Eid-el-Kabir celebrations.

After all passengers were evacuated from the aircraft, they returned to the departure hall to wait for alternative arrangements by the airline’s management.

The passengers waited in despair for several hours till about 6 p.m. before they finally departed Lagos for their destination.

This is the second time in seven days that Aero Contractors has had to disrupt its operations over what it termed ‘minor technical faults’

On Wednesday, October 24, at about 11: 30, flight number AJ125 from to Abuja 12:15 was disrupted after a crew member announced that there was a minor technical issue with the aircraft’s engine.

Subsequently all passengers alighted the flight for “safety precaution”. It took about one hour for a replacement to convey the passengers.

The airlines’ consultant, Simon Tumba, who spoke with PREMIUM TIMES, tried to allay apprehensions. He attributed the delay to a minor technical fault which he said had to be fixed as a safety precaution.

“As I am talking to you, the flight is already airborne. It was a minor technical fault that had to be taken care of as a safety precaution in line with our company’s standard routine practice to ensure the safety of our passengers,” Mr. Tumba said.
Culled:Premiumtimes

Hajj: Nigerian pilgrims death toll reaches 21

The death toll of Nigerian pilgrims in Saudi Arabia has risen to 21 from 14, the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports.

 

NAN quotes the National Hajj Commission’s weekly public health bulletin “No one” dated Oct. 29, which showed that the male pilgrims had the highest mortality rate of 13.

 

The bulletin shows that Katsina State has the highest figure of four; Sokoto, three, Kano, Lagos, Zamfara and Ogun recorded two deaths each.

 

Oyo, Gombe, Yobe and the Nigerian armed forces recorded one death each.

 

It also stated that 53 patients had been referred to Saudi hospitals with 39 cases recorded in Medina, four in Jeddah and 10 in Mecca.

 

The bulletin states that 90 per cent of the patients had been discharged.

 

“So far, no single case of delivery has been reported, however, there are two cases of spontaneous abortion reported from Misfallah Clinic in Mecca by female pilgrims from Sokoto and Adamawa states, all mothers are in satisfactory conditions,’’ it added.

 

The bulletin shows that 7,496 Nigerian pilgrims have so far visited the six clinics being operated by the medical mission in Jeddah, Medina and Mecca, with common cold and hypertension topping the list of cases reported at the clinics.

 

It also highlighted the problems faced during the Arafat and Muna operations, blaming the Saudi authority’s poor response to distress calls and blocked road networks to evacuate sick pilgrims by security operatives.

 

“Late evacuation of refuse bins by Balidiya in state and VIP tents in some cases did not help improve our sanitation efforts,” it added.

Culled:NAN

Happy Times after “Dying” on the Pitch 7 Months Ago! First Photo from Congolese/British Footballer Fabrice Muamba’s Emotional Wedding

Just seven months ago, it was “game over” for Congolese/British Footballer Fabrice Muamba as he collapsed on the pitch during an FA Cup Quarter Final Match between his club Bolton Wanderers and Tottenham Hotspur.

 According to doctors who revived him, his heart stopped, therefore he was “technically dead for 78 minutes“.

Just a few days ago on Sunday 21st of October 2012, Fabrice tied the knot with his sweetheart and mother of his son, Shauna Magunda.

 

 The grand wedding which took place at Peckforton Castle in Cheshire featured celebrity footballers including Robin Van Persie with his wife Bouchra and Andy Cole.

 

 The couple’s son Joshua was the page boy while renowned footballer Thierry Henry was reportedly the best man.

 

According to the UK Telegraph, “Muamba proposed to Shauna on Valentine’s Day, a month before his cardiac arrest at White Hart Lane. Despite his recovery,- he was fitted with a pacemaker – he retired from the game in August.”

 

Miracles indeed do happen!

 

Photo Credit: Hello Magazine

Culled:Bellanaija

 

Third Mainland Bridge, Lagos to be Reopened Today – Tuesday 30th October, 2012.........Yipeeee

After 16weeks partial closure of the Third Mainland Bridge, Lagos, the Federal Government has announced that the bridge would be reopened today (Tuesday 30th October, 2012), one week ahead of the scheduled delivery date of November 6, 2012.

The bride had been partially closed since July 7 to enable the contractor, Messrs Boroni Prono and Company Limited, to replace eight expansion joints on the bridge for a contract sum of N1bn.

 

Photo credit:Simplysamad

 

Report says the Special Adviser to the Minister of Works on Media, Mr. Tony Ikpasaja, confirmed the reopening of the bridge in a telephone conversation with one of their newsmen yesterday.

 

He said the Minister of Works, Mr. Mike Onolememen, will open the rehabilitated bridge to motorists at a ceremony that will also have in attendance federal and Lagos State government officials and other stakeholders.

 

The reopening of the bridge will come as a welcome relief to motorists and commuters, who have had to connect Lagos Island, Victoria Island, Lekki, Ajah and Epe from different parts of the mainland through Western Avenue due to restriction of vehicular movement on the bridge from 12 noon to 12am, while opening for movement to the mainland within the same time.

 

Ofcourse,this will come as a relief to Lagosians as the past few weeks of the closure has been hell especially now that Motorcycles have been banned in some major roads in Lagos state.

Culled:Bellanaija

 

Driver on phone in fatal crash

An accident yesterday happened in Abeokuta, the Ogun state capital, after the driver of a Toyota Tundra, deep in a phone conversation, lost control, after suddenly slamming the brake at a speed breaker.

His car swerved to the oncoming lane, hitting a Nissan Primera car.

The accident which occurred at about 6 p.m Sunday in front of a government office on Oke-Mosan-Kobape-Sagamu expressway claimed four lives on the spot, official and eyewitnesses said.

The Toyota Tundra Jeep was marked , Lagos FC 787LND, and the Nissan Primera Lagos FZ 914 LSR.

The bodies of the victims were removed from wreckage after symphatisers used axes to cut through the car conveying the victims.

An eyewitness said the jeep was coming from Sagamu on high speed before it crossed over to the other lane and hit the car carrying six passengers.

It was learnt that the driver of the jeep was involved in a telephone conversation and suddenly stepped on the breaks when he got to a speed breaker.

“He suddenly applied brake but lost control and swerved to the other lane and rammed into the car,” the eyewitness said.

Officials of the Ogun State Rescue Team of Nigeria Security and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDS), Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC), Ogun State Traffic Compliance Agency (TRACE) were also at the scene.

The team leader of TRACE, Mr Oladele Badmos, corroborated the statements of the witness.
Badmos said information available revealed that the driver of the jeep was making a telephone call before he suddenly applied the brakes.

He said the corpses had been deposited at the morgue of the Federal Medical Centre, while the injured were receiving treatment at the same hospital.

The TARCE official advised motorists not to use cell phones, while in motion to avoid accident.
Culled:PM News

Man 62, allegedly defiles 10 year old step daughter

A 10-year old girl (name withheld) has accused her 62-year-old step father Mr. Alabi Ibrahim of habitually having carnal knowledge of her.

The primary six pupil disclosed this Sunday, lamenting that she had lost count on number of times her step father had intercourse with her at their residence at Opara Estate, Aiyetoro Road in Abeokuta.

Report says that the act was revealed when the girl ignorantly shared her experience with her siblings who then hinted her mother.

It was further learnt that the mother, Mrs. Adiat Ibrahim, subsequently reported her husband’s immorality to the police in Abeokuta.

The suspect, however, bolted when police detectives went after him in OnikolObo area.

Narrating her ordeal, the victim claimed that each time her step father had sex with her, he usually threatened to kill her if she told anybody about it.

She said; “Daddy always came to me when Mummy was not at home, and warned me not to tell anybody, so that I wouldn’t die”.

When contacted, Ogun State Police Public Relations Officer, Muyiwa Adejobi confirmed the incident.

He described the action of the man as barbaric, promising that the police will thoroughly investigate the matter towards possibly charging the suspect to court for defilement.

“The police totally condemn the act. He will not be spared. The man will be charged to court, after a thorough investigation,” Adejobi assured.
Culled:Vanguard news

Flood: Zamfara counts losses

The Zamfara Emergency Management Agency (ZEMA) says floods destroyed food and cash crops estimated at more than N1billion in seven local government areas of the state.

The agency's spokesperson, Alhaji Bello Na-Allah, said this in Gusau on Wednesday. According to him, the destruction occurred between August and October in Gummi, Shinkafi, Maradun, Gusau, Maru, Kauran Namoda and Anka local government areas.

He said that crops in nine farming communities were completely submerged or destroyed by the floods, listing the crops as maize, millet, sorghum, sugarcane, rice, cotton and soya-beans.

"The disaster had devastating effects on the people of the affected communities, who were left without food and shelter," Na-Allah said.

He said that for instance, in Gutsura Community in Gummi Local Government Area, farmers lost up to N300 million worth of crops, in addition to losing their houses.

According to the agency, the flooding was caused by the collapse of some earth dams in the area, which caused rivers to overflow their banks.

The director acknowledged the state government and National Emergency Management Agency for their quick response and provision of relief for affected communities.

The director said the agency was educating flood-prone communities to relocate from danger zones if the need arise. He said the state government had initiated awareness campaigns through the radio and television, to this end.

Na_Allah further said that ZEMA, in collaboration with traditional rulers, had consistently campaigned against people building on waterways.

"Gutsura, Jangeru and Birnin Yero communities in Gummi and Shinkafi local governments are among communities provided alternative places for relocation as part of the state government’s efforts to stem occurrences of future flood disasters," he said.
Culled:Dailytimesng

12 charged with robbing Lagos bank of N8m

Twelve men, who were charged with robbing Sterling Bank, Matori Branch, Lagos of N8 million, were on Wednesday remanded in Ikoyi Prisons.

The accused are Taiwo Aremu, 26; Muktar Eleduwe, 42; Lukeman Adekunle, 26; Kola Adenuga, 26; Ahmed Ajofoba, 24; and Saheed Olawunmi, 24.

Others are Idowu Adesola, 32; Waheed Shuiab, 38; Rasheed Anifowose, 22; Ahmed Adelakun, 28; Abdullahi Abdulkareem, 24; and Adedokun Yusuf, 24.

An Ikeja Magistrates’ Court, which gave the order, however, did not take the pleas of the accused.

Magistrate A.O. Akinde ruled that the court had no jurisdiction to try their case and ordered the accused to be remanded in prison, pending advice from the State Director of Public Prosecutions.

“I hereby order the accused to be remanded in prison, pending a legal advice from the Director of Public Prosecutions,” he said.

Earlier, the prosecutor, Chinalu Uwadione, told the court that the accused had on May 25 at 6.30p.m robbed Sterling Bank on Fatai Atere Way, Matori, of N8 million.

He said the accused, armed with pistols, also robbed some people of their valuables near Eco Bank in Okota area of the metropolis on Aug. 29.

“The accused, armed with four locally made pistols, robbed some people of their property including a laptop, blackberry phone, iPad phone and money, all valued at N159, 000, property of one Obinna Frederick,” Uwadione said.

He named others who were robbed of their belongings as Pauline Agokhaode, Aboh Dorcas, Samson Elisha, Taiwo Onibukola, Ogechi Ikeakaonwo and Nnenna Agunworgbo, valued at N538, 960.

The prosecutor alleged that the accused, who were arrested on September 26, also attempted to rob Sterling Bank a second time before they were apprehended.

Uwadione said the offences contravened Sections 1, 2, 4 and 5 of the Robbery and Firearms (special provisions) Act, Laws of the Federation 1990 (as amended).

Magistrate A.O. Akinde adjourned the case till December 13.
Culled:247nigerianewsupdate

Lagosians trek as okada ban, fuel scarcity bite harder

With the restriction of okadaon some routes and the worsening fuel scarcity in Lagos State, many Lagosians who were stranded trekked to their destinations on Wednesday.

Also, motorists were held up for hours following gridlock on most major roads. Lagos-Ibadan Expressway towards Seven-Up, Yaba, Iyana Ipaja, Ikorodu Road, Oshodi-Apapa Expressway, Lagos-Abeokuta Expressway, Oba Akran Avenue, Oba Ogunnusi Road in Ogba among others witnessed traffic snarl.

 

Report says that the gridlock was as a result of motorists struggling to buy fuel at some filling stations, ban on okada in some routes and Sallah rush.

 

At Oando filling station, Oba Akinjobi Way, Ikeja and at Total filling station in Ojota, where fuel was being dispensed, the queues took over a large part of the road causing gridlock.

 

Some motorists and commuters, who spoke with newsmen, also attributed the situation to the Lagos State Government new traffic laws.

 

They said the policy was not well thought out because it had only imposed hardship on the people.

“I really don’t know the purpose of a law. Is it to make the people suffer or to provide relief? a woman, who gave her name as Janet, said in Ogba.

 

Janet said she usually took okada as buses do not ply her route.

 

A motorist, Emmanuel Achub also said that he had to call his office that he would be late for work after being held in traffic for about two hours on the Apapa-Oshodi Expressway.

 

Another road user, Niyi Onanubi, said, “Higher fares, stranded commuters; these are what you get when a few people think they know what’s best for 18 million others.”

 

A university teacher, who declined to give his name, said the traffic snarl could be partly blamed on the forthcoming Sallah festival.

 

“I could not get to any office today (Wednesday) because of the gridlock. Apart from the fuel scarcity and ban on commercial motorcyclists, I think Sallah rush contributed to what people experienced on the roads,” he said.

 

Commercial bus drivers cashed in on the situation to hike their fares from between 50 to 100 per cent.

The transport fare for Ikeja-Yaba route increased from N120 to N200 while Ketu-Ikorodu was hiked from N100 to N200.

 

A Bar Beach-bound passenger, who identified himself simply as Cosmas, lamented the traffic situation in the state.

 

Cosmas said, “From CMS to Bar Beach/Eko Hotels, we used to pay N100 but now, drivers have increased it by 100 per cent. The most worrisome is that as short as the distance is, it will take you close to one and a half hours to get there because of gridlock.

 

“Okadas, which used to help us in such a situation, have been chased away. Government must rescind its decision in the interest of the people. We are suffering seriously and the situation cannot continue like this.”

 

A commuter, Jide Adeyemi, said the ban on okada had increased the number of people commuting by bus.

 

“Apart from the transport fare being too exorbitant the buses are not even available. I have been standing here waiting for a bus to convey me to my place of business for about an hour with no success,” he said.

 

But a commercial driver, John Sogo, said the hike in fares was as a result of petrol scarcity.

 

He said, “It’s not our fault. I woke up as early as 5am today (Wednesday) in search of fuel today and on getting to my turn after queuing up for hours, they told me that they had ran out of supply.

 

“I eventually bought 10 litres for N2, 000 from black marketers. In all fairness, we are left with no choice but to adjust the fares we charge.”

 

There was also much pressure on the Bus Rapid Transit services as passengers cramped onto the buses. Many would-be commuters were seen in long queues awaiting BRT buses.

Culled:247nigerianewsupdate/Punchng

Man Responsible For Arik Bomb Scare Released From Custody

The man responsible for Arik Air bomb scare has been released from police custody.

 

The man, identified as Aminu Galadima, is an interior decorator with a history of mental illness.

 

 Mr Galadima was released after investigators were satisfied that he had no intentions of blowing up the plane and also had no ties to any terrorist group. A statement from the SSS  issued yesterday is as follows...

"This is a brief highlight of the incident that occurred on the Arik Air flight from Maiduguri to Abuja.

On Friday, 19th October, 2012, Wife of the SSG to the Borno State Government, Hajia Yachilla JIDDA, travelled to Maiduguri in company of one Aminu S. GALADIMA, an interior decorator based in Abuja to do some interior decoration work. On arrival in Maiduguri, he was lodged at Greenland Hotel. During the course of his stay, he exhibited unusual behaviour by smashing a window, and ended up with lacerations on his hands.

The SSG was contacted, and in collaboration with the Hotel management, subject was taken to Atal Hospital, also in Maiduguri, where he received treatment. His family in Abuja was contacted and they gave confirmation that GALADIMA has been mentally unstable. In addition, his elder brother who lives in the UK was contacted and he requested that subject be returned to Abuja for medical attention.

On Sunday, 21st October, 2012, he was taken to the airport to be returned to Abuja, but missed the flight. However, the Airport management was informed of his state of health, and they advised that whenever his return is scheduled, the management should be notified. Unfortunately, when GALADIMA was taken to the Airport on 23rd October for his return trip, the management of the Airport was not informed, and 10 minutes into the flight, due to slight turbulence, his condition was triggered off. Meanwhile, GALADIMA is in the custody of security forces.

This clarification has become necessary to dispel the unfounded rumours concerning the flight".

Marilyn OGAR, msi
Deputy Director, Public Relations
Department of State Services
23rd October, 2012".

Culled:Lindaikeji'sblog

Police versus motorcyclists’ war claims first casualty

A commercial motorcyclist, whose name was given as Alagede, has been confirmed dead during a scuffle between police officers and motorcyclists in Alakoku, near the Lagos-Abeokuta Expressway, Lagos State, on Tuesday.

While some witnesses say the deceased was shot by a police officer when he resisted arrest, others claim the motorcyclist was crushed by a vehicle as he attempted to escape police arrest.

Commercial motorcyclists and security officials have been on the warpath since Monday when the state government began enforcement of its ban on motorcyclists plying 475 designated routes in the metropolis.

As at Tuesday, an estimated 3000 motorcycles have been seized and impounded at the Lagos State Taskforce on Environmental and Special Offences (Enforcement Unit).

Following the death of Alagede, residents of the area and other commercial motorcyclists stormed the Alakuko Police Station, threatening to burn it down. Scores of anti-riot police officers have been deployed to the scene.

Efforts to contact Ngozi Braide, the Lagos police spokesperson, were unsuccessful as at the time of publishing this story as calls and text messages sent to her mobile phone went unanswered.
Culled:Dailytimesnigeria

Robbers kill Currency Changer in Lagos

A Bureau De Change operator was shot dead yesterday evening at Alade Market, Allen Avenue, Ikeja, Lagos, southwest Nigeria, by armed robbers who carted away N4.5 million.(about $30,000).

The two robbers were said to be operating on a power bike.

The victim identified as Tijani Musa, was shot at about 4.30pm as he was on his way to the bank to deposit the money.

An eyewitness, who pleaded anonymity, said the robbers accosted the man and asked him to surrender the bag which contained the money to them.

He was said to have resisted and the robbers brought out a pistol and shot him at close range.

While escaping with their loot, the robbers fired more shots and a bystander was hit in the stomach, while another woman was hit in the leg.

Members of the police team (RRS) always deployed to Allen Roundabout reportedly fled the area when they heard the gunshots fired by the robbers.
Culled:PMNews

Bomb Scare On Arik Flight

There has been a bomb scare on an Arik Air flight from Maiduguri to Abuja but the Ministry of Aviation dismissed the incident as a hoax.

The ministry described as absolutely false rumours of arrest of a man carrying bomb which he unsuccessfully tried to set off inside an Arik Airline flight from Maiduguri to Abuja at Nnamdi Azikwe Airport on Tuesday.

In a press release signed by Joe Obi, her media aide, Princess Stella Oduah, the Minister of Aviation described the speculation as a “hoax” without any “iota of truth whatsoever” and a ” wicked rumour”.

Explaining what really happened, the ministry explained in the statement that a passenger identified as Aminu Galadima, an indigene of Minna, Niger state boarded a Maiduguri -Abuja bound Arik Air aircraft after going through all mandatory security screening.

The Ministry said nothing incriminating, no explosives or weapons whatsoever were found on him after he was screened.

The Ministry however said mid air the passenger began to act strangely, loudly screaming “Allah Akbar, Allah Akbar” (‘God is Great’).

“Fellow passengers, alarmed by this behaviour rushed to apprehend him.

“A thorough search by fellow passengers and crew members revealed nothing dangerous on him.

“The pilot immediately radioed Air Traffic Control and airport security operatives.

“The plane landed safely at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja at exactly 1253 hrs and the suspect was handed over to the SSS at about 1445 hrs where he is currently being interrogated,” Ministry of Aviation explained.

 The ministry added: “We wish to reassure the flying public of the continued focus of the Federal Ministry of Aviation on the safety and security of the nation’s airspace, while cautioning fellow Nigerians on the spreading of dangerous rumours. These rumours do not help to make our airspace either safer or more secure.”

Arik Air spokesperson, Mr. Banji Ola said in a statement that there was no bomb on board the plane.

“There is no iota of truth in the rumour making the rounds that a passenger attempted to bomb an Arik Air aircraft operating a flight from Maiduguri to Abuja today, Tuesday, October 23, 2012. To set the records straight, “a passenger on board flight W3 812 from Maiduguri to Abuja caused a scare when he started shouting Allah Akbar shortly before the aircraft landed at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja.

“The frightened passengers on board the flight became suspicious thinking the man was about to do something sinister.

“All the passengers on board the flight, including the man in question, had all gone through the normal security check at the Maiduguri International Airport and nothing incriminating was found on anyone.”

Ola said that when the aircraft landed in Abuja, another security check was conducted on the passenger and nothing incriminating was found on him.

“A further security search was conducted on the operating aircraft, a Boeing 737-700 NG (Next Generation) and no trace of bomb or explosives were found. The aircraft went back to service immediately,” Ola said.

He added: “Arik Air wishes to assure guests that all its flights undergo strict security checks and passengers have nothing to fear.”
Culled:PMNews

Soldiers chase away LASTMA over seizure of colleagues motorcyle

LIKE a Nollywood movie, armed soldiers, yesterday,stormed Ketu area axis of Ikorodu Road and allegedly went after men of the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority, LASTMA, for impounding a motorcycle belonging to one of their colleagues.

The rider of the motorcycle was alleged to have contravened the Lagos Road traffic law on restriction of routes to motorcycles.

This was sequel to the commencement of the state traffic law by the enforcement agencies, comprising Police, LASTMA, Federal Road Safety Commission, FRSC, special Taskforce and other law enforcers duly empowered to do so.

What later happened is left to our imaginations................
Culled:Vanguardnews

Lagos Assembly Considers Total Ban On Okada

The Lagos State House of Assembly has said it may be forced to pass a new law to totally ban motorcycles and the activities of commercial motorcycle riders, popularly called okada, in the state.

This followed a violent protest by some aggrieved operators of commercial motorcycle on Monday which resulted in the destruction of some government buses.

The House, through Speaker Adeyemi Ikuforji’s amendment to a motion brought before it by a member, Moshood Oshun, calling the attention of his colleagues to the protest, also called on the executive arm of the state government to wield more powers in the implementation of the law.

Ikuforiji, while handing down the amendment at the floor of the House, threatened: “the House should condemn the vandalism…they come from other countries and states where they have been banned.

“We should call on the state governor to mobilise all the security agencies not only to ensure the road traffic law is fully implemented, but also to protect lives and properties.

“If they don’t desist from this criminal act, the House would fully ban okada riders in the state.”

Ikuforiji’s amendment was prompted by the refusal of the Deputy Chief Whip of the House, Rotimi Abiru, to adopt a motion earlier moved by Oshun.

Abiru argued that the okada riders were not given adequate time to understand the law before the implementation commenced.

He said though the executive arm had engaged in sensitisation of stakeholders, this was not enough to begin the implementation.

Shutting him down, the Speaker said his argument was not relevant and asked him to sit down.

Abiru however refused to move the adoption.

In their contribution earlier, some of the lawmakers said the various protests were being sponsored by political enemies as well as okada merchants.

Deputy Speaker Taiwo Kolawole said the riot on Monday was sponsored by those selling motorcycles and that the current implementation of the law was enough enlightenment.

“Many of the riders do not speak Yoruba and can’t even speak English,” he said.

For Sanai Agunbiade, the House must expect more of such violence in the coming days and therefore must call for protection of government properties.

“When we study the constraints of the law, if there are any, it could be reviewed, but the law must be allowed to operate, it cannot be wished away like that because it is a law of the state,” he added.

Before the motion was amended by the Speaker, Oshun had said while moving it: “it is a law of the state and should be obeyed, until the law is either repealed or reviewed it must be obeyed.”
Culled:PM News

5 policemen, 2 others killed as robbers unleash mayhem on Ogun

—FIVE policemen and two civilians were yesterday feared dead after a 15-man armed robbery gang launched three separate attacks on Abeokuta and Ibafo in Obafemi Owode Local Government area of Ogun State.

Unspecified number of other persons were said to have sustained various degrees of injuries in the attacks said to have started Sunday night.

Vanguard gathered that the first robbery attack took place on Sunday around 8:30 p.m. at a filling station in Ibafo, which reportedly led to the death of two policemen while an undisclosed amount of money was carted away.

The gang members, according to an eye witness, were all in Mobile Police uniforms and said to have operated in a commando style, shooting sporadically into the air.

In the process, a 12- year old boy identified as Mubarak who was hawking sachet water and another yet- to- be identified, were hit by stray bullets.

Similarly, the same gang at 2:30 a.m. yesterday invaded an Apostolic Church located at Ijemo – Agbadu area of Abeokuta, killing three policemen including two Inspectors.

According to a source, the robbers on arrival at the church premises, reportedly lured a five-man police patrol team out of the station at Oke-Itoku and opened fire on the team of a Quick Response Squad, QRS, led by one of the Inspectors, killing three of them including the driver while two others were serious injured.

It was gathered that after their two successful operations, they allegedly went to a hotel on Abiola Way in Abeokuta where they reportedly raided the occupants before escaping.

Confirming the incidents, the Ogun State Police Public Relations Officer, Muyiwa Adejobi, told journalists that it was the same gang that operated at Ibafo that invaded Abeokuta.

He said “the gang had before the Ibafo and Abeokuta incidents snatched a SUV and attacked a hotel located at Abiola Way before heading to the Apostolic Church vicarage at Ijemo Agbadu area of the town where they killed the three policemen and injuring two others.”

According to Adejobi, the robbers were professionals who positioned themselves at different corners before the rescue team ran into their barricade, “Two of our Officers died instantly while another gave up the ghost on the way to the hospital.
Culled:247nigerianewsupdate

Oyedepo to establish another University next year: To be known as Crown University

Bishop David Oyedepo, chancellor of the Covenant university believes that the problems facing Nigeria today stem from illiterate leadership.

Oyedepo said this at the World Press Conference\Media Launch of the 10th Founders Day Anniversary at Covenant University, Otta, Ogun State.

The anniversary has the theme: “Celebrating a Decade of Scaling Visionary Heights’’.

“The value system has completely been eroded and we must all rise to the challenge.
“I remember in the good old days, parents were passionate about how they brought up their children by constantly reminding them of the need to uphold integrity and make it their watchword.

“Today, it is a different orientation and perception about how to live in the society as the same parents seem to be singing a different song by encouraging their children and wards to go all out and get things done, irrespective of how it is done,’’ he said.


Oyedepo said that the university would continue to ensure that it produced men and women who would contribute meaningfully to the development of the country’s economy.

He said that the next 10 years of the university would be more glorious than the first 10 years, adding that this called for more concerted efforts by all stakeholders to drive the institution’s vision.

The cleric said that he was currently working toward achieving the “Vision 2031’’ of the university’s mandate which was basically the establishment of more universities not only in the country but also in Africa.

“Our vision as a mission is to establish four more universities in Nigeria and others across Africa.
“We will also establish as many primary and secondary schools as possible in the country because we see education as a core of the organisation’s mandate.

“It is only through education that we can liberate ourselves as a nation and a race,’’ he said.

Oyedepo said that plans had been concluded to establish a new university in Calabar next year.

The chancellor said that the university would be known as “Crown University’’ and would specialise in maritime studies.

He said that research had shown that the country needed to explore this sector as not much had been achieved in that branch of education.

“We always strive to delve into areas that will drive the economy of this country and create employment for our youths as this also informed the reason for the establishment of Land Mark University in Kwara with emphasis on agriculture,’’ he said.

The chancellor said that he was happy that five out of the nine first class graduates that were awarded scholarship by the Federal Government to study abroad came from the university.

He claimed that the insecurity in Nigeria has become an issue with many faces. He added that the agenda in the north that has caused insecurity is channeled towards the 2015 general elections. “All the agenda in the north is sponsored towards 2015. It is illiterate elites that are behind this issue. We have a leadership challenge because where there’s no decisiveness there will be no control,” he said.

He opined that our nation is threatened by leaders who went are indirectly illiterate because they attended universities but lack the characteristics of leaders. “The value system of our country has collapsed and this starts with the adult in the family and our leaders at the top.”

He stated that our mindset must change from the home. “Family members now encourage their relatives to make the most of the position they find themselves. Our political system has been virused and only a spiritual influence can overturn it. From top to bottom.”

He is however optimistic of the future and believes that Nigeria will enjoy glory days soon. “We must pray because our country will be great again but I believe it is a spiritual solution that we need,” he explained.

He warned that the government must abstain from using political might to favour itself. I believe that this situation will come under control.

Covenant University had produced 293 postgraduate students since inception and enrolled 16,729 students.
Culled:247nigerianewsupdate
 

Meet the world's oldest dad............He is 96

He was first awarded the title at the age of 94 when he had his first born son. Now at 96, India’s Ramjit Raghav has become the world’s oldest father for the second time at the age of 96.

 

 

The pensioner and his 54 year-old wife, Shakuntala  who live in Haryana,31 miles northwest of Delhi welcomed another son Ranjit, early last month.

 

He told Daily Mail that doctors at the hospital did not believe he was the father. “They just laughed but they were very surprised.”

 

What makes his story even more interesting is his very active sex life and the fact that his wife also attests to it. According to his wife, he can make love like a 25 year-old man.

 

Ramjit admits that as proud as he is of having two healthy sons at his age and that his neighbours are jealous of his sex drive.

Raghav has now beaten his own record for being the world's oldest new dad, which he set two years ago when he and Shakuntala welcomed their first son together, Vikramajeet.

 Raghav credits his healthy sex drive at his advanced age for the two late-in-life children, and says it was all natural.

"I didn't take any performance enhancers … I just prayed to go to complete my family, either a boy or a girl," the nonagenarian said in an interview posted online".


Raghav told The Times of India that he remained a bachelor and was celibate throughout most of his life until he met Shakuntala 10 years ago.

"After staying together, we decided to extend our family and aspired for two sons. With God's grace, our wish has been fulfilled," Raghav said.




Raghav told The Times that he credits his vivacity to his diet and lifestyle. He says he has been a teetotaler and strict vegetarian his entire life.

The world's previous oldest dad was thought to be Indian farmer Nanu Ram Jog, who reportedly had his 21 st child at the age of  90.


Speaking with newsmen,his wife said she does not think her husband seems old, saying: 'He can make love like any 25-year-old man - even better because he can go on all night. And he's a wonderful father.' (Ooops)

Mr Raghav, who was a wrestler in his younger days and still works nine hours a day digging fields, is confident he will be around to see his offspring grow up, challenging reporters to come and see him in another ten years.

This is really interesting peeps!
Culled:Yahoo
Pix credit:Dailymail

No winner for the Mo Ibrahim Leadership Prize

The Ibrahim Prize for Achievement in African Leadership — the world’s biggest individual prize — was not awarded for a third time in four years as no suitable candidates were found.

At a press conference today in London, the Mo Ibrahim Foundation said it was not going to compromise on its standard of excellence in a leader.

The award, set up by Sudan-born telecoms tycoon Mo Ibrahim in 2006, carries a $5 million prize paid over 10 years and $200,000 annually for life from then on, with a further $200,000 per year available for 10 years for good causes backed by the winner.

The award goes to a democratically-elected African leader who has served their mandated term and left office in the last three years.

“You make your bed, you have to lie on it. If we said we’re going to have a prize for exceptional leadership, we have to stick to that. We are not going to compromise,” Ibrahim said.

“We are not just in the business of positive messages — we would lose our credibility.”

The Mo Ibrahim Foundation has awarded the annual prize only three times since it was established, plus two special awards given to South Africa’s Nelson Mandela and South African former archbishop Desmond Tutu.

The prize committee said they reviewed a number of eligible candidates “but none met the criteria needed to win this award”.

“The award is about excellence in leadership. In the first six years the prize committee has selected three very worthy laureates who continue to be an inspiration and whose examples, we hope, will be emulated.”

The inaugural prize went to former president Joaquim Chissano of Mozambique in 2007 and Botswana’s ex-president Festus Mogae won in 2008.

The prize was not awarded in the following two years. Former Cape Verde president Pedro Pires won the 2011 prize.

The London-based foundation also publishes the Ibrahim Index, ranking 52 African countries according to 88 indicators grouped under safety and the rule of law, participation and human rights, sustainable economic opportunity and human development.

There has been no change in its top five this year — with Mauritius topping the index with a score of 83 out of 100, ahead of Cape Verde (78), Botswana (77), Seychelles (73) and South Africa (71).
Somalia remained at the bottom with a score of seven, behind Democratic Republic of Congo (33), Chad (33), Eritrea (33) and the Central African Republic (34).

Ibrahim said that while there had been major improvements in some sectors, the continent’s main players were lagging behind.

“Between 2000 and 2011 there is a marked improvement in governance across Africa,” he said.
“The major improvements were in health, the rural sector, the economy. The interesting development was in gender. Gender has improved amazingly over the last 10-11 years. The highest improvement in any category in the index.”

However across the data, “the four main powerhouses in Africa — Egypt, Nigeria, South Africa and Kenya — appear to be really stuttering. They are not showing really convincing progress.
“East Africa is not doing that well. It has been over taken by west Africa in the category of sustainable economic development.

“In general, we see positive development in Africa. The economy is moving forward relentlessly. Education and health is improving, there is great development there. Gender issues are improving.
“We see, unfortunately, a little bit of decline in the issues of human rights and participation. Economic development does not give us a reason to be complacent about that.”
Culled:PMNewsnigeria

N2.5m For Injured LASTMA Men

The Lagos State Government has given N2.5 million as benefits to 23 officers of the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority, LASTMA, who sustained injuries in the course of performing their official duties.

Some of the LASTMA officers were either injured by street urchins or ran down by hit-and-run vehicles.

Chairman, LASTMA, Mr Young Arabamen, presented cash to the LASTMA officers at the agency’s headquarters, Oshodi, Lagos, southwest Nigeria, at the weekend.

“LASTMA officers are working under difficult situations. We should thank God that you are alive despite the hazardous nature of your job. Some people did not survive it, but the job must be done.

“You are rendering essential services to the public and you are entitled to free medical treatment; if you have spent some money in the hospital, it will be refunded to you. There is insurance package for you, for those injured,” he said.

Arabamen urged LASTMA officers to realise that they were rendering services to God and that they would surely be rewarded for such services, adding that “you should have an unlimited elasticity to bear the havoc associated with your job.”

He appealed to the officers to be patient with the public as the job at hand was so enormous that it could not be done by LASTMA officers alone.

“No human being can reward you for the service you are rendering. You have a divine job and your reward is in heaven but we will also reward you. The token given to you is a welfare package.

General Manager, LASTMA, Engr. Babatunde Edu said the package was just a token as insurance for injured LASTMA officers in the course of their duties, saying that the officers were more than ever ready to enforce the law.

The beneficiaries received cash gifts depending on the degree of injury.

One of the victims, Bolanle Taiwo said he was knocked down by a hit-and-run vehicle last year while on duty and that he was hospitalised, adding that “the mark is still in my body. When the incident happened, I went for an x-ray.”

Another beneficiary, Omotayo Olojede, 44, said he was also run down by a hit-and-run vehicle at Mile 12 area last year.

“I spent one month in the hospital as my leg was operated upon. In fact, they put bolts on the lower part of my leg. The bolts are still there. This is to straighten the leg,” he stated.
Culled:Pm News

Four farmers commit suicide over flood disaster in Kogi

Four farmers in Kogi State have committed suicide as a result of losses they incurred due to flood just as thousands of others have been displaced.

 President Goodluck Jonathan who disclosed this yesterday in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State capital while undertaking a tour of the areas affected by flood encouraged the Internally Displaced People, IDPs, in Bayelsa State not to give up hope, assuring that the Federal Government was committed to rehabilitating them.

He stated this in one of IDPs camps at Samson Siasia stadium, Yenagoa, Bayelsa State.

Speaking in Yenagoa, President Jonathan said, “In Kogi State, four farmers committed suicide because they borrowed money from the bank to buy seeds and flood came and destroyed it. So because they were scared they committed suicide. I was also in a place in Kogi, where a storey building was under water.

“People that are not in IDP are the people always struggling for relief materials. This flood is all over the world, Asia, Europe, I know that Nigeria flooding is bad. And when we have such disaster food is not the problem, do not make food your priority.

“If you eat once, thank God, I know that none of you would die of hunger here. Before the middle of November, the water would have receded.”
Culled:247nigerianewsupdate

Thugs beat teachers after Oba’s grand child flogged

Teachers of the Federal Government Girls Secondary School in Benin City, have threatened to down tools over an attack on some of them by some suspected thugs.

The suspected hoodlums invaded the school Monday and manhandled some teachers over the alleged flogging of a student in the school by one of the teachers.

The flogged student is said to be a granddaughter of the Benin Monarch, Oba Erediauwa.

She was allegedly injured on the hand after being flogged by the teacher.

Thugs who stormed the school the thereafter demanded to see the teacher that flogged the girl.

When their demand was not met, they resorted to manhandling the teachers around, including one of the Vice Principals.

State Chairman of TUC, Joe Aligbe who confirmed that the thugs were armed and threatened to return if the staff was not produced, said the flogging incident which took place two weeks ago was not reported to the school authorities.

“Our members are now afraid. We are here to appeal to them for calm. The principal is not aware. I know the Benin Monarch will not approve of this action,” he said.

Vice Principal, Special Duties, Mr. Ihiridan Harga said the school management team are new and was not aware of the flogging of a Benin Princess, adding: “The alleged offence was committed before we resume here. We were not aware of the flogging. They were many and led by two chiefs.”
“We didn’t even know the staff they claim that beat up the granddaughter of the Oba of Benin. They started beating up everybody. The principal invited the police and the police said they must get invitation by writing before they come. The police didn’t come.”

The Public Relations Officer to the Benin Palace, Robinson Osayamen said he was not aware of the incident.

He however confirmed receiving calls from journalists on the incident.
Culled:PM News

Fire guts 100 shops at Lagos plank market

Goods worth millions of naira were on yesterday destroyed when fire gutted no fewer than 100 shops and stalls at Oke Afa Plank Market, Ejigbo Road, Lagos.

It was learnt that the fire was caused by an electrical fault in one of the shops.

 

It was gathered that the fire caught the majority of the traders unawares as they were holding their weekly general meeting after observing the environmental cleaning exercise.

 

However, no casualty was recorded.

 

The fire caused gridlock on Ejigbo Road as one of the lanes was shut to traffic to prevent vehicles from catching fire.

 

One of the traders, Emmanuel Adeleke, said the rains that fell coupled with the quick intervention of the men of the Lagos State Fire Service prevented the whole market from being consumed.

 

He said, “As you can see, almost half of the market has been consumed. I called 112 emergency line when I suddenly saw smoke emanating from one of the stalls.

 

“But, due to the nature of the goods we trade in, the fire spread swiftly beyond our imagination. We are so saddened by this incident.”

 

Another trader, Taiwo Ige, whose shop was razed, said he could not at the moment quantify his loss.

 

He said, “I don’t have capital. What I do is to buy the planks on credit and pay the supplier after selling.

 

“All the goods in my shop were bought on credit and I don’t know how to go about getting the N900, 000 I owe my customer in Ore, Ondo State.”

 

A 40-year-old single mother, Yewande Otedola, lamented that said she had just stocked her shop with goods on Wednesday.

 

She said, “I don’t know where I would pick up the pieces of my life from. Goods worth over N1.6m were consumed and nothing was spared by the ravaging fire.

 

“The future looks uncertain for me because the microfinance bank where I went to take loan would soon be on my neck for repayment. Government should come to our aid and help mitigate these loses.”

 

The head of the association of machine operators in the market, Jide Ogunsola, said his members lost 10 industrial generators to the inferno.

 

He said, “We can’t estimate the extent of the damage for now as the incident just happened.

 

“But preliminary estimation shows that over 70 per cent our members were affected. We have lost various wood processing machines worth millions of naira to the ravaging inferno.”

 

Meanwhile, the General Manager, Lagos State Emergency Management Agency, Dr. Femi Oke-Osayintolu, in a text message confirmed that at least 100 shops and stalls were affected by the inferno.

 

He said the fire was probably caused by a spark in one of the shops stored with chemicals.

 

He said, “The incident occurred around 10:30am and we immediately rushed down to the scene along with firefighters.

 

“At least 100 shops were affected while properties and goods estimated at over N100m were consumed by the fire. Fortunately, no death was recorded and the fire has been put out completely.”

Culled:247nigerianewsupdate

Mother of twins jumps into river

A few days after she was delivered of a set of twins, a Nigerian woman, Shekinat Abdurazaq, 27, committed suicide when she jumped into the Osun River in Ede, Western Nigeria.

The suicide was committed in full glare at about 3.30 p.m. on the Osun River Bridge on the Oke Gada Road.

Report says said the woman, who hailed from Ede in Osun, delivered the twins 11 days ago.

Witnesses said before Shekinat jumped into the river, she reportedly prayed and gave alms to beggars around the bridge head.

One of the witnesses, who identified himself as Selia Mojeed, said people did not know that Abdurazaq wanted to commit suicide, else they would have prevented her from doing so.

Although efforts to speak with her husband failed, it was said that the woman had no outstanding problems with her spouse, family or neighbours before the incident.

Efforts by sympathisers and passersby to rescue the woman failed as she was said to have drowned immediately.

Shortly after the incident, her husband also attempted to jump into the river. He was prevented from doing so by bystanders.

The police later whisked away the deceased’s husband and placed him under safe custody at the Police “A” Division in Ede.

The state Police Public Relations Officer, Mrs Folasade Odoro, confirmed the incident.
Culled:PM News

Tanker Drivers Block Lagos/Ibadan Road

Vehicular movement was obstructed  earlier today on the busy Lagos/Ibadan expressway, Ogere-Remo axis in Ogun State, southwest Nigeria, as petroleum tanker drivers embarked on a protest by parking their trailers indiscriminately.

Report says  that a policeman this morning allegedly shot the tyre of a trailer belonging to Oando Petroleum with registration number XC 405 TUD and demobilised the vehicle.

Another report added that the trigger happy policeman escaped from the scene after the shooting. Our source said eyewitnesses suspected that the policeman allegedly demanded money from the trailer driver.

The tanker drivers in protest parked their vehicles and blocked the expressway on both sides.

At about noon, officials of the Federal Road Safety Commission, FRSC, the police, men of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps and officials of Remo North Council area arrived the scene and appealed to the tanker drivers to allow sanity to prevail.

As at press time, the gridlock on the Lagos-bound lanes had eased as vehicles can move but there was no movement on the Lagos-Ibadan bound lanes.

In order to achieve truce, policemen officials had agreed to replace the damaged tyre of the trailer while the tanker drivers decided to repark their trailers and make the expressway passable.

Meanwhile, okada operators from neighbouring Ogere Remo also made brisk business as they stormed the area to carry passengers who were stranded at the Ogere-Remo end of the expressway.
Culled:PM News

Total Closure Of 3rd M/Bridge Sunday

The Lagos State Government has said the Third Mainland Bridge will be closed totally to traffic on Sunday to allow for thorough repair works on the bridge.

.3rd Mainland bridge .

The government has advised motorists in the state to make use of alternative roads on Sunday as the bridge would undergo complete diversion of traffic from 6.00 am to 12 midnight.

Commissioner for Transportation, Kayode Opeifa, who disclosed this in Lagos, Southwest Nigeria, said that the complete diversion from the bridge was to allow the contractor, Borini Prono, to do the concrete casting of the expansion joints currently undergoing repair works on Oworonshoki-bound section.

According to him, the concrete casting and drying process required zero vibration, hence the diversion of vehicular traffic away from the bridge from Adeniji Adele to Oworonshoki end on Sunday.

He added that during the diversion, motorists inward Lagos Island and Ikeja would be restricted from having access to the bridge from 6.00 am to 12 midnight.

The commissioner who commended the perseverance of Lagosians since the commencement of the repair works on the 11.8 km bridge on 8 July, 2012, appealed to road users to bear with the government as the repair works and diversions would soon be over.

Opeifa urged motorists approaching from Lagos end to follow the diversion at Adeniji Adele Interchange to connect Carter Bridge, link Iddo interchange where they could easily connect Ikeja, Ojota, Ketu, Ikorodu, Agege, Lagos Ibadan expressway, Alimosho, Oshodi, Abule Egba, among others through Eko Bridge, Herbert Macaulay Road and Apapa-Oshodi Expressway.

The Commissioner added that those going to Lagos Island as usual would be diverted at Oworonshoki to connect Ikorodu Road (via Anthony interchange) to link either Jibowu to Muritala Mohammed Way to Iddo or continue to Eko Bridge through Funsho Williams Avenue or Agege Motor Road (via Oshodi Interchange) to link Moshalasi to either Jibowu to Muritala Mohammed Way to Iddo or continue to Eko Bridge through Funsho Williams Avenue or in the alternative use Apapa-Oshodi Expressway through Mile 2 to connect Ijora then Lagos Island. “Road users should adhere strictly to traffic rules and regulations during the remaining period for the completion of the repair works on Third Mainland Bridge.
Culled;PM News
 

IRS Awaits Report Over Damaged Plane

IRS Airline, whose plane was damaged on Wednesday after it collided with an abandoned truck on the Lagos airport taxiway,is awaiting a report from the Accident Investigation Bureau before it takes action, said Yemi Dada, IRS’ Managing Director.

The airline may seek compensation from the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria, FAAN, owners of the abandoned truck and managers of the taxiway, sources said.

“Following the incident on the apron, we will await the report of the Accident Investigation Bureau.

The AIB has completed its review of the incident and has recommended to the NCAA that we can go ahead to repair the aircraft

“This detailed AIB report will inform the next line of action and engagement between us and FAAN,” Dada said.

The wing of the Fokker-100 aircraft clipped the truck, impeding the passenger plane flight plans.
Dada in a statement on Wednesday explained that flight LVB 3306 hit the truck as it attempted to taxi out on a Lagos to Kano flight, with a transit stop at Abuja.

“The aircraft taxied out at 7:48 a.m. with 91 passengers. While taxing on the taxi way, the Captain observed a FAAN truck in a ditch.

There were no marshals around it neither was there any marking to indicate that it encroached into the taxi way. There was no notice to Air Men (NOTAM) issued to that effect as well,” Dada said.
Culled:PM News

20 cheat death as building collapses in Abeokuta

A two-storey building, located in front of the headquarters of Abeokuta South Local Government Area of Ogun State, collapsed today with no death or injuries.

About 20 occupants escaped unhurt after they vacated the building when it started making cracking sounds before its collapse.

The house had been marked for demolition by the government as one of the buildings to pave way for road construction and expansion in the area.

Speaking with reporters at the scene, a 60-year-old occupant who sells local gin and herbs, Risikatu Madojutimi, said it was the crack sound that saved her and other occupants of the house.

“The crack sound was a saving grace for us (occupants). We immediately started moving out. It was not up to a minute that we moved out that the house collapsed with a loud sound,” Mrs. Madojutimi said.

Another occupant, who sells cooked food in a shop on the ground floor and lost today’s product, Amuda Olowonyo, said she was inside her make-shift shop with some customers before the building collapsed.

Ms. Olowonyo lamented the loss of her produce to the collapse, saying “as you can see the food trapped inside, it’s a great loss.”

The Chairman of Abeokuta South Local Government Area, Lanre Edun, told reporters that the old age of the building, about 50- years-old, and heavy rains caused the collapse.

He said the local government quickly responded to the incident with the prompt invitation of the fire service and other rescue officials.

The council boss, who affirmed that no death was recorded during and after the collapse, said the council would bring down the whole structure.
Culled:Premium times

PHOTONEWS: Petrol Tanker Crashes, Blocks Abuja Road

 A tanker loaded with gasoline is alleged to be  lying on its back along Minister Hills–Mabushi highway in Abuja.

The tanker somersaulted last night as its driver lost control of the vehicle as he descended the hill. No casualty was recorded in the accident.

The tanker somersaulted two times and fell and then blocked part of the road.

The driver and other occupants of the tanker escaped unhurt.

However, this afternoon fuel began gushing out of the tanker posing serious danger to road users and residents in the city.

The accident has already caused a busy traffic snarl along Kubwa road this morning.

Policemen, Firefighters and Federal Road Safety officials were reportedly seen at the scene of the accident preventing the residents from scooping fuel and making an effort to safely discharge the content of the tanker.

A police officer on the scene said that they are making an effort to get Julius Berger construction company to vacate the tanker and move it from the way to end the blockade caused by it.

I just hope its been sorted out,because trust Nigerians,people might soon start scooping the content of the tanker if care is not taken.

It would be recalled that hundreds of Nigerians have died while scooping fuel in crashed tankers.

Culled:Saharareporters

 

Efik, S-Cameroon to form republic

THE Obong of Calabar and grand patriarch of Efik Kingdom, His Eminence Ekpo Abasi Otu says that the Efik were considering the invitation by the people of Southern Cameroon to form a republic as the Federal Government had sold their ancestral land to Cameroon.

The Obong, at the solemn assembly organised by the Efik Kingdom and the entire Bakassi people through the Save Bakassi Group, yesterday, in Calabar, Cross River State, after the Federal Government refused to file for a review of International Court of Justice, ICJ, verdict, said the people were weighing the options available to them.

Meanwhile, Governor Liyel Imoke of Cross River State, has, advised the people of Bakassi to remain calm, saying that the government and the elected representatives of the state were committed to the course and will continue to pursue it until it was redressed.

Governor Imoke, who gave the assurance, when the royal fathers and the people of Bakassi, led by the kingmakers of Efik Kingdom after a solemn assembly, went on a protest march to the governor’s office over Federal Government’s decision to hand over Bakassi to Cameroon, said that the challenge of Bakassi remained with the people and that it was a challenge that must be confronted.
Culled:Vanguard

Gambian President Claims to Cure 68 HIV Patients using Herbs

For many years, scientists and researchers across the world have been trying to find a cure for one of the world’s deadliest virus, the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV).

Although these scientists say there is yet no cure for HIV and AIDS, traditional medicine practitioners have made several claims to finding the cure.

One of them who is generating some buzz on the international scene is the Gambian President, Yahya Jammeh.

 

 

He claims to have cured 68 patients who had HIV/AIDS in varying degrees using his secret concoction of boiled herbs. In 2007, he first announced that he had found a natural remedy to cure AIDS, stirring anger among Western medical experts who claimed he was giving false hope to the sick.

 

 Rather, they have have said his treatment is alarming mainly because patients are required to cease their anti-retroviral drugs which makes them more prone to infection.

 

But the president said recently that he has cured the seventh batch of HIV/AIDS patients undergoing his herbal remedy since the treatments began five years ago.

 

Reuters reports that he said he wasn’t expecting people to praise him in a television broadcast: “Who am I to expect that everybody would praise me. Just as the Prophet Mohammed prevailed and established Islam (…)I also prevailed to cure HIV/AIDS to the point that 68 are being discharged today,” he said.

 

The Gambian President is not the first person claiming to have found the cure for HIV/AIDS through traditional medicine. However, no respected worldwide health organisation like the WHO has endorsed any of such traditional cures, and so, their claims remain shrouded in mystery as the scientists continue to search for a cure that the world would accept.

 

Personally,I think it is high time for a collaboration between International Health bodies as well as traditional medicine practioners,who knows,cures for terrible life threatening diseases especially HIV / AIDS might just be around the corner.

Culled:Bellanaija

 

Aircraft, truck collide at Lagos airport

A Kano-bound IRS Airlines plane departing the Lagos airport yesterday morning collided with an abandoned truck beside the taxiway, forcing the pilot to cancel the flight.

The wing of the Fokker-100 aircraft, it was learnt, collided with the truck which fell into a drainage on Tuesday.

The truck belongs to a Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria contractor.

The 91 passengers on board the flight were later disembarked and put in another plane which left for Kano three hours later.

A statement by the Managing Director of IRS, Mr. Yemi Dada, confirmed the incident.

The statement quoted Dada as saying “This morning our flight LVB 3306 taxied out on a Lagos to Kano flight with a transit stop at Abuja. The aircraft taxied out at 7:48am with 91 passengers. While taxing on the taxi way the Captain observed a FAAN truck in a ditch. There were no marshals around it neither was there any marking to indicate that it encroached into the taxi way. There was no Notice To Air Men (NOTAM) issued to that effect as well.”

He added, “The captain continued on his taxi and the wing tip hit a protrusion from the truck towards the rear of the truck. This made the captain request a return to ramp from the tower and also notify the tower of the incident and the danger posed by the truck.

“The passengers were disembarked and accommodated in another aircraft which departed Lagos at 10:15am. The incident has been reported to Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority and we await the clearance of the NCAA to effect repairs and return the aircraft to service.”

A FAAN statement also confirmed the incident.

A statement by the General Manager, Corporate Communications, Mr. Yakubu Datti, said, “At about 8.30 pm last night (October 9, 2012), a gully emptier with registration number XT 461 LSD on official assignment accidentally fell into a drainage in the taxiway ramp of GAT and could not be evacuated immediately.

“At about 7.30am of today, October 10, 2012 an IRS aircraft, Forkker 100 with registration number 5N SAT left the parking bay of MMA2 for the threshold of runway 18L of MMIA. The pilot Capt. D Kelly of IRS was informed by an Arik Pilot of an obstruction on the taxiway towards Runway 18L and he (Capt. D. Kelly) felt he could manoeuvre the obstacle by his own judgment but this failed because the tip of the wing of the aircraft collided with a section of the gully emptier at about 7.45 am.”

It added, “Capt. D Kelly did not stop but continued to taxi back to the boarding gate of MMA2 to discharge his passengers. No passenger or crew sustained injuries as a result of the incident. All the passengers were later transferred to another IRS flight to Abuja.

 Officials of the Accident Investigation Bureau and the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority were immediately invited to the scene of the incident for the on-the-spot assessment of the incident while engineers of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria were placed on stand-by to evacuate the stuck sewage tanker as soon as preliminary investigations by both AIB and NCAA were concluded.”
Culled: 247nigerianewsupdate

Protest in Lagos over ‘crazy’ PHCN bills

THE protest was peaceful, but that did not diminish the intensity of the feelings of residents of Ajeromi Ifelodun Local Council of Lagos State over what they described as ‘highly unusual’, ‘crazy’, ‘unacceptable’ ‘wicked’ bills being forced on them by Power Holdings Company of Nigeria, (PHCN).

Representatives of the residents marched to PHCN Head Office; Apapa to lodge a formal complaint over the bills, especially for August-September, which they said, was increased by between 200 per cent and 300 per cent.

In a petition signed by four members of the community, and a communiqué also issued and delivered to PHCN, the residents, while noting the improvement in supply of electricity, expressed dissatisfaction with August and September bills that went up astronomically.

“The Federal Government is yet to implement salary to N18,000.00 minimum wage, yet demands more from members of the public that are already starving. There is no doubt that with the current bill, an average Nigerian would continue to live under $1 per day, which heightens as well as reveals Nigerian’s poverty level.

“In the circumstance, we are demanding for the cancellation of the excess in these outrageous bills as stated above.

“We have also observed that your field workers no longer come with recording or billing cards according to usual practice when a card was always left under the meter to avoid abnormalities.

“We solicit that Pre-paid Meters be allocated to us in our Local Council, particularly Awodi Ora Estate to address this problem”

One of the signatories of the petition, Rev. Oke Michael wondered why the government should increase electricity tariff knowing full well that it has not been able to implement a minimum wage of N18,000.00.

“I believe without the approval of the President, this abnormal and inconsiderate increase would not have been implemented.

“One would have expected all those at the top who would not feel the pinch because of huge allowances they enjoy, to put themselves in the shoes of the overwhelming majority of Nigerians.
“Should people not eat again because of light or how would you want somebody living on N10, 000.00 or N7, 000.00 per month to cope with such increase?

“It is simply inhuman and inconsiderate on the part of the government, no matter the excuse they may want to give.

“Before, past governments that had consideration for the poor, placed electricity under ‘Corporation’ so that power would be affordable by both the rich and the poor with the government subsidising.
“This position had been eroded in the name of privatization which is nothing but inhuman,” he lamented.

Another representative of the residents, Saheed Kukoyi, wondered why the government did not first of all distribute Pre-paid Meters if truly it loves Nigerians.

“I see these outrageous bills as a deliberate move by the government to add more burden to Nigerians who are already languishing in penury

Addressing the protesters, the Senior Manager (Public Affairs) of PHCN, Segun Kosoko said the new tariff in operation was determined by the National Regulatory Commission to make PHCN, which the government wants to sell, more attractive to investors.

“You would observe that your light has been steady of recent. I want to tell you that that has been responsible for the hike in tariff due to increase in generation, transmission and distribution,” he said.
Culled:247nigerianewsupdate

Tooth scaling, polishing will prevent teeth falling off

 A dentist, Dr Olutola Eweka, says tooth scaling and polishing, twice a year, would prevent teeth falling off in old age.

Eweka, a consultant at Oral Medicine and Preventive Dentistry Department, Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH), made the statement in an interview in Lagos.

The dentist said that many Nigerians did not recognise the importance of oral hygiene to human life like other aspects of health.

She said that scaling and polishing would remove the stains from coffee, tea, cigarettes or red wine, and make it more difficult for plaque to stick to the teeth.

“In this part of the world, people do not take cognisance of their dental and oral hygiene like other health issues.

“Scaling and polishing are very important, at least twice in a year, for good dental hygiene because, it cleans above and below the gum line and tooth brush cannot clean the mouth completely.

“Regular scaling and polishing help to keep your teeth and gums healthy and prevents them from falling off when you are old,” she said.

Eweka added: ”It helps to stop the disease from getting worse and it helps you to eliminate the disease and bad breath.

“It will prevent periodontal diseases which caused damage to the gum.’’

She said that the process could also prevent malodor and remove food debris, calculus and plaque which tooth brush could not remove.

“Plaque is a soft, sticky substance that builds up on your teeth. It is mostly made up of bacteria which feed on sugar from food and drink producing acids.

“The acids attack the teeth by dissolving the minerals in the tooth surface and it can cause tooth decay and gum diseases.

“‘Calculus, formed by bacteria gathers by the teeth and it is harder to remove when you brush your teeth,” the dentist said.
Culled: Vanguard and (NAN)

Minister of Aviation Stella Oduah paddles canoe in her flooded village

The minister posted the photos on her Facebook page showing the state of her own village in Akili, Anambra State.

 The flood, which began in September after the Lagdo Dam in Northern Cameroon broke, has displaced over 50, 000 people and killed at least one hundred so far!

President Jonathan made an emergency broadcast this morning where he directed the release of billions of Naira to several flood-raved states in Nigeria. Aliko Dangote and others have also donated to flood victims











Culled:Lindaikeji'sblog
 

Traffic law: Lagos destroys 3,000 seized okadas

The Lagos State Government has commenced the process of crushing 3, 000 motorcycles, popularly called okada, impounded from their owners for violating traffic law.

Officials of the state Taskforce on Environmental and Special Offences (Enforcement) Unit on Tuesday dismantled the okadas at the task force yard in Alausa.

 

The Taskforce Chairman, Bayo Sulaiman, an Assistant Superintent of Police, said after the end of the dismantling exercise, the iron parts would be taken to the state Crushing Plant in Oshodi, where they would be crushed and recycled.

 

He said the action was to show that the government had stepped up its enforcement of the state traffic law, adding that the crushing of the okadas would serve as deterrent to other commercial motorcycle operators.

 

Sulaiman said, “These are okadas impounded since the new traffic law was signed into law.

 

 There are 3, 000 of them. Okada riders must obey our traffic law. They are fond of driving against traffic, on kerbs and several unauthorised places. The law has been passed and gazetted and there is no going back on its enforcement.

 

“We are dismantling the okadas now to separate the parts that are crushable from the ones that are not crushable. After this, we will take the crushable parts to Oshodi crushing plant, where they will be crushed and recycled.

 

The non-crushable parts will probably be auctioned, but not in the state.

 

“The Taskforce has not started enforcing the law fully. But this should serve as a warning to them because we won’t hesitate to impound any okada caught on the restricted roads in the state.”

 

Sulaiman, however, said there were no riders to be prosecuted because the owners of the 3, 000 okadas abandoned them on sighting law enforcement officials.

 

On Monday’s protest by some of the riders, Sulaiman said, “They have the right to protest, but the government will be firm in what it does. It does not in any way stop our job, those who intend not to obey the law, we are coming after them. The protest is a group action, but our arrests will be one after the other and we will be out there on a daily basis.”

 

According to him, the law has been passed and those who will not obey the law will be punished.

 

The task force boss, however, said the law’s compliance level was improving on a daily basis.

 He advised the riders to go to areas where their operations are not restricted.
Culled:247nigerianewsupdate

Repair work on Third Mainland Bridge to finish October

The current repair works on the Third Mainland Bridge in Lagos will be completed by the end of October, according to the company handling the rehabilitation, Borini Prono Nigeria Limited.

The repair works, which began in July, had been scheduled for completion on 6 November.

However, Mr Nastani Claudio, Borini Prono’s Manager, told visiting members of the House of Representatives Sub-Committee on Works  that only three of the eight joints were left to be fixed.
“We are now working on the last three joints,’’ Claudio told the lawmakers who were in Lagos for an on-the-spot assessment of works on the bridge and other projects.

The manager said that if the bridge was properly maintained after the current repairs, it would be all right for another 25 years.

Dr Rafiu Ibrahim, Ifelodun/Offa/Oyun Federal Constituency, Kwara, who led the team, told newsmen he was sure that the contractor would not disappoint the government.

“I want to take them by their words that they would deliver the project by the end of October, because only three joints are remaining,’’ he said.

Ibrahim identified funding as the major constraint to the quick completion of several road projects in the South West.
Culled:247nigerianewsupdate

 

More pictures from the Aluu killing.........viewer discretion strictly advised please.

Last week,four University of Port Harcourt students named Ugonna, Ilyod, Tekana and Chidiaka were  beaten to death by indegenes of Aluu community for allegedly stealing phones and laptops in an off campus hostel...
Reports also had it that the villagers took pictures and video recordings of the act and sent it out to people.

Initially I didn't want to post these pictures on my blog,but on a second thought,a question that has been going through my mind since these pictures went viral is,is jungle justice the best option for alleged criminal activities such as the ones these guys were accused of?

Below are some of the pictures once again...........Viewer discretion adviced please>>>













Pictures culled from Lindaikeji's blog