Newly completed school hall in Osun state due for commissioning on Friday collapses

Thursday, July 10, 2014

A newly completed hall built by the Osun State government inside Ejigbo High School in Ejigbo, Osun state has collapsed. The building collapsed around 6am yesterday July 9th as workers were putting finishing touches to it in order to meet up with the Friday date for the commissioning.

The Police Public Relations Officer for Osun state, Mrs. Folasade Odoro, said the school building collapsed following a heavy wind on Wednesday morning. Two people were injured. Continue...

Osun State governor, Rauf Aregbesola, reacted to the incident via a statement he released through his media aide, Mr. Semiu Okanlawon.

"The Government of the State of Osun regrets to inform members of the public about the suspect incidence of the collapse of the main hall of the newly completed ultra-modern Ejigbo High School.

“Information at the disposal of the government indicates that the main hall which had been completed along with other classrooms of the school came down at about 6am Wednesday after a loud bang.

“As a responsible government, it is too early for us to say what the exact cause of the collapse is until we have full investigations and advice of professionals.

“However, it must be stated here that all necessary quality assurance tests were carried out to ensure structural durability and integrity of the project.

“Engineers from the Osun Ministry of Works and engineers from the Structural Engineering section of the Nigerian Society of Engineers have been dispatched to the site to establish the real cause of this unfortunate incident.”

LIB 

#WorldCup: Ivory Coast goalkeeper, Barry caught on camera eating grass

I stumbled on this this morning and I can't help but think that this is the reason whites see Africans as animals. The reason the say our evolution is still incomplete.

Continue to find what the reason for this post...

At the World Cup so far, we’ve seen players taking bites out of other players, and now, players taking bites out of the pitch.

Yep, Ivory Coast goalkeeper Boubacar Barry apparently likes chewing on some turf during matches, after being spotted eating grass during the clash with Greece.

The African side eventually lost the match 2-1, dumping them out of the World Cup, but cameras panned towards goalie Barry when Swansea striker Wilfried Bony scored.

He celebrated with a mad jump in from of the camera behind his goal, before opening his mouth to scream to the viewers at home.

Boubacar Barry… WHAT ARE YOU DOING?! (Picture: BBC)

It was then where we all spotted a nasty chunk of turf, stuck between his gums.

FIFA Emergency Committee suspends Nigeria Football Federation

Wednesday, July 09, 2014

© Getty Images

The FIFA Emergency Committee has decided today, 9 July 2014, to suspend the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) with immediate effect, on account of government interference. Article 13, par. 1 and article 17, par. 1 of the FIFA Statutes oblige member associations to manage their affairs independently and with no influence from third parties.

The decision follows a letter sent by FIFA to the NFF on 4 July 2014, in which it expressed its great concern after the NFF was served with court proceedings and consequently an order preventing the president of the NFF, the NFF Executive Committee members and the NFF Congress from running the affairs of Nigerian football was granted by a High Court of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

The said court order compelled the Nigerian Minister of Sports to appoint a senior member of the civil service to manage the NFF until the matter was heard in court, without giving any date for such a hearing. The authorities then appointed a person who decided to convene an extraordinary general assembly on 5 July 2014. This extraordinary general assembly was convened in violation of the NFF statutes.

Originally, an elective congress had been planned by the NFF to take place on 26 August 2014.

The suspension will be lifted once the court actions have been withdrawn and the properly elected NFF Executive Committee, the NFF general assembly and the NFF administration are able to work without any interference in their affairs.

As a result of this decision, no team from Nigeria of any sort (including clubs) can have any international sporting contact (art. 14 par. 3 of the FIFA Statutes). During the period of suspension, the NFF may not be represented in any regional, continental or international competitions, including at club level, or in friendly matches. The most immediate effect is that Nigeria will not be entitled to participate in the upcoming FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup (5-24 August 2014) should the suspension not be lifted by 15 July 2014.

In addition, neither the NFF nor any of its members or officials may benefit from any FIFA or CAF development programmes, courses or training during the suspension period.

FIFA.com

Super Eagles coach, Keshi demands N10 million-a-month salary

The Big Boss, Stephen Keshi, wants his salary doubled else he takes a long walk.

Following the expiration of his contract, Nigerian Super Eagles coach, Stephen Keshi has told the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) he would only consider a return as gaffer if his wage is doubled from N5m to N10m per month

Keshi, who earlier announced that his contract as the head coach of the Super Eagles had expired reportedly told President Goodluck Jonathan that he will renew his contract if he can be paid double of what he presently earns.

He was said to have made the demand when he met President Jonathan at the Aso Rock Villa in Abuja, after the team’s arrival from the world tournament in Brazil. Keshi also demanded for upfront payment of his salary and for the federation to reinstate his former assistant, Sylvanus Okpala.

Keshi also asked for full autonomy in his team selection decision and preparations, saying he doesn’t want to work with the technical committee anymore. The President reportedly assured him that his demands will be considered as soon as possible.

However, reports have it that the NFF had earlier proposed a new deal of seven million naira per month for Keshi.

Manchester United unveil new Chevrolet branded kit

Manchester United have unveiled their new kit, which is their first new kit since their record breaking new kit deal with American car manufacturer Chevrolet.

According to reports from Squawka, the deal with the US car giants runs from this season until 2021 and is reportedly worth a staggering £357 million over the course of the deal. That equates to £44.75 million – or in one and a half Marouane Fellaini’s – this year, with a 2% rise each year until the deal’s conclusion.

Chevrolet’s sponsorship brings to an end the deal that had previous seen AON branded on the front of United’s shirts, who in turn had taken over from AIG in the period after the conclusion of the Old Trafford side’s long-term deal with electronics giant Sharp.

United will be hoping for more success in their new kit than last seasons, with new boss Louis van Gaal rebuilding a new side to mount an assault on the Premier League title. Ander Herrera and Luke Shaw have both signed for Man United, with further signings expected ahead of the new season.

Chevrolet is the fifth official shirt sponsor the club has had in 136 years and United will wear the shirts for the first time when they meet LA Galaxy on July 23.

I'm not dating Clarence Peters - Chidinma

From alleged romance with Soundcity’s VJ Adams to  NURTW boss, MC Oluomo’s secret affair…. the young singer has surely been linked with quite a number of men.

Chidinma, 23, was spotted with Clarence Peters at the MAMAs held in South Africa, the duo were seen holding hands at Durban Mall, South Africa.

They also walked to the MAMAs red carpet holding each other’s hands and sat side by side during the event, engendering the rumours that the singer and video director are dating.

The Award-winning songstress  has dismissed reports that she’s dating Peters, saying the rumours are untrue.

In a recent chat with ENCOMIUM Weekly she claimed there was no iota of truth in the allegation.   
“The story is not true. Funny enough, he is not the only man I was alleged to be dating.” She said.

#WorldCup2014: Romelu Lukaku cannot believe the scoreline in Belo Horizonte

Chelsea striker Romelu Lukaku has shown his shock at the ease of Germany's World Cup semi final win over Brazil with a cheeky photo on Twitter(external)and the message: "Oooh myyyy goood."

Terrorism in Abia: 2 Imams, 5 Muslim Leaders Arrested As Soldiers Continue Investigation

Tuesday, July 08, 2014

The search for suspects in the Abia bomb discovery, yesterday continued as Soldiers raided the Aba Central Mosque on Mosque Street at about 2.00 am.

The deputy chairman of the Muslim community in Aba, Alhaji Musa Iheakaram revealed that the armoured men came with about seven Hilux vans and searched the Mosque for bombs they believe was brought into the place of worship.

He said that the military men also arrested the Chief Imam, Alhaji Idris Bashir; his deputy, Mallam Bello Maija-a and one unlucky youth corps member who taught in a school at the Mosque,

Iheakaram also revealed that the same men had earlier raided Uratta Onion market in Aba and arrested their chairman and secretary Alhaji Ibrahim Bargi and Alhaji Sanni Jos  and also took the Yam market chairman Ariaria Junction.

Iheakaram said: “At about 2am, one of my brothers, Alhaji Bala Daura called to inform me about the raid by soldiers from yet-to-be-identified barracks, but before I could rush to the mosque, the soldiers had taken the Chief Imam, his deputy and a corps member away.

“They didn’t end at the Aba Central Mosque. Another information reaching me now is that they equally went to the onions market at Uratta market, searched everywhere in the mosque; they didn’t see that Imam. They took the phones of our brothers that were in that market at about 3a.m. after they left Aba Central Mosque and went away with the chairman of the onion market and his secretary.

“We also learnt that they went to the yam market, where they equally searched and were unable to get anything. They however, went away with the chairman of the yam sellers. The Sarki of Ogbor Hill was also picked by the soldiers when they carried out a similar operation in that zone.”

He explained that the soldier had taken some bags which had chemicals used by students in the Mosque for their practical study, and begged the soldiers to free his brethren taken as there was no reason for the arrests.

The Public Relations Officer of the 14 Brigade of the Nigerian army, Ohafia and the Ngwa High School FOB Commander have failed to give a statement on the arrests.

Nigeria military kill 53 Boko Haram members after a daring attack on military base

Sunday, July 06, 2014

The Nigerian military released a statement today stating that they killed over 50 terrorists yesterday after a daring attack on a military base in Damboa, Borno state. Find the statement signed by military spokesperson Major General Chris Olukolade below...

Over 50 terrorists died as troops repelled a daring attack on troops’ locations in Damboa, Borno State yesterday night.  The terrorists had stormed the troops’ bases and police locations while most of the troops were out on patrol of surrounding villages.

A total of 5 soldiers and a senior officer were also killed while repelling the attack. A cordon and search of the locality is ongoing, while the bodies of the fallen soldiers have been recovered and deposited in the military morgue. The wounded are also receiving treatment in the military medical facility.

In another development, troops on patrol around Baga area have recovered explosives and rifles concealed in a truck loaded with fish and other commodities. Four suspects have been taken into custody in connection with the incident.

At Konduga also in Borno State, a suicide bomber in a Golf car yesterday crashed into a checkpoint killing himself, a policeman and 3 Vigilante Youth members.
  
Major General, Chris OLUKOLADE
Director Defence Information

Jay Z and Beyonce cut ties with Kanye West and Kim Kardashian?

It looks like the Carters feel the Wests are bad for their image! Sources claim Jay Z and Beyonce have cut all contact with Kanye West and refuse to let Blue Ivy have a play-date with North West… 

From OK Magazine 

An insider tells OK! that Jay Z and Beyonce have ceased all contact with pal Kanye West and his bride Kim Kardashian, who had spent the last two years pushing to get closer to the stars.

“When the rappers were on tour, Beyonce was forced to sit with Kim at shows and hang with her after, and she put up with it through gritted teeth,” says the source.

Now the newlyweds have even been spending more time at their New York apartment, just two blocks away from Jay and Beyonce’s home there, in a bid to get North to Bond with Blue Ivy. However, the insider says the superstars are fed up with being associated with the Kardashian brand.
“Bey and Jay feel like they’ve been dragged through the mud with all the drama surrounding their absence at the Kimye wedding,” says the source, adding that Jay has actually been moving away from his former BFF for some time. “Jay made it clear to Kanye that he doesn’t approve of the choices he's making in his personal life and it will end in disaster for his career.”

Adokiye Apologizes To Women For Offering Her ‘Virginity’ To Boko Haram In Exchange For The Chibok Girls

Saturday, July 05, 2014

Adokiye is the news again, sigh! Well this time she has come out to apologize to women for her demand for Boko Haram to take her virginity, saying she was’nt advocating rape and was merely being her brother’s keeper.

According to her, people should not have a misconception about my request to the dreaded Sect, because whatever it is those kids are going through, since we cannot see them, it should be thrown to me instead and allow them be freed.

“Don’t get me wrong, I am not promoting r-pe or pleading to be r-ped as what some people are making the situation seem like a joke but whatever it is they are going through, because we cannot see them, I would say should be thrown to me instead and allow them be freed,” she noted.

“I want to use this opportunity to apologise to all the women around the world who have gotten my fight twisted for some reasons or the other to see this as not only a selfless service to humanity but to fall back to the biblical times where Jesus urged us to be our brothers keeper and love others as we love ourselves,” she begged.

She went on further to encourage girls to keep their chastity as it was a precious gift.

“Maidenhood has its own spiritual benefit. A lot of girls that are virgins think virginity is not worth keeping probably because they are being mocked and called names, a lot of people say virtue, is lack of opportunity. So I am using this great opportunity to let the world know that if you are a girl and a virgin, oh you have a precious gift.

“Make sure you end it up with a man who knows your worth, a man who knows what it means to have a pure lady. It is not a thing to be shameful about at all. Be proud,” she said.

Vacate Your Homes or Face Total Annihilation, Boko Haram Tells Chibok Indigenes

More troubles seem to be coming for the indigenes of Chibok in Borno State following a new round of threat by members of the Boko Haram sect.

According to a group known as Kibaku Area Development Association, an umbrella body of Chibok indigenes, the sect has issued a fresh notice asking the Chibok indigenes to quit the community or face mass attack from them.

The Chairman of the Chibok nation, Dr. Pogu Bitrus who spoke at a press conference in Abuja said that residents of Kautikari and Kaya town had received what the Boko Haram sect termed final notice to attack the towns again and ordered the residents to vacate the village or face total annihilation on their next visit.

This latest notice is coming few days after the sect attacked four villages in Chibok following an earlier notice informing the communities that it will visit them.

Half of a Yellow Sun movie approved

The National Film and Video Censors Board (NFVCB), has approved 77 movies including the controversial screen adaptation of Chimamanda Adichie’s book, Half of A Yellow Sun, directed by Biyi Bandele.

According to the Board’s Corporate Affairs representative, Caesar Kagho, the film which stars Academy Awards nominee, Chiwetel Ejiofor, Hollywood star, Thandie Newton and A list Nollywood actors, has been approved for viewership in Nigeria and rated “18?.

According to Channels Television, Mr Kagho said, “All approved movies fulfilled the regulatory conditions stipulated by the NFVCB,”.

This approval is coming days after producers of the movie enlisted it for online viewing in the United States of America.

Other exhibition movies approved to show in cinemas include: Edge of Tomorrow (18), Tokarev(18), Maleficent(15),  Vampire Academy(18), Blended(15), Dead Drop(18), 22 Jump Street(18), Holiday A Soldier is never off Duty(18), Finding Fela (18), How to Train your Dragon(18), Under the Skin(18), The Fault in our Stars(18), Half of a Yellow Sun(18), Million Dollar Arm(12) and Transformers: Age of Extinction(18).

FIFA Threatens to Ban Nigeria From International Football

Friday, July 04, 2014

The President of football governing body Sepp Blatter FIFA has warned that Nigeria is at risk of getting an international ban due to direct government interference with the country’s football. This came up after a court sacked the football federation’s executive committee.

Nigerian sports minister  Tammy Danagogo yesterday appointed Mr Lawrence Katiken as administrator of of Nigeria Football Federation (NFF).

Danagogo acted after a high court sitting in Plateau State granted an injunction stopping elected NFF president Aminu Maigari, his executive committee and the NFF congress from office, which implys a direct interference by government in football, which is against FIFA’s regulation.

Nigerian Troops arrest 3 female undercover operatives of Boko Haram

The Nigerian army have released a statement stating that they have arrested 3 women who worked as undercover operatives for Boko Haram. Find the statement below...

In the aftermath of the failed suicide bombing attempt on a military facility by a female terrorist who blew herself up in Gombe recently, troops have arrested three suspected female terrorists who have been secretly recruiting ladies into the female wing of the terrorists group. The suspects, Hafsat Usman Bako, Zainab Idris and Aisha Abubakar were intercepted while travelling to Madagali from where they were to transit to the forest to reunite with their cohorts. Continue...

 Investigations revealed that the suspects, led by Hafsat Bako, have the mission to recruit members into the female wing as well as conduct espionage for the group. Hafsat’s link with the terrorists group had earlier been a subject of investigation in 2012, when security agents on a manhunt for one Usman Bako, her husband who was identified as a terrorist, stormed their residence in Jimeta.  This resulted in the discovery of an AK 47 rifle and 2 loaded magazines.   Though Usman Bako later died in an encounter with troops in Sokoto where he had relocated to continue his terrorist activities, Hafsat continued with the terror group specializing in surreptitious recruitment of members into their fold. 
The arrested trio suspects were luring ladies especially widows and young girls by enticing them with male suitors who are mainly members of their terror group for marriage. Before their arrest, they were on a mission to take additional briefing from the leadership of the terror group.The trio has been operating together as members of the intelligence team of the group.   Their arrest has yielded information still being verified by security agencies.

Colonel ONYEMA NWACHUKWU
for Director Defence Information

Confab endorses creation of Aba, Ijebu, 16 other states, proposes Presidency rotation

Members of the ongoing National Conference holding in Abuja yesterday July 3rd while deliberating on the report of the committee on political restructuring and forms of Government in Nigeria, endorsed the creation of 18 new states to add to the existing 36 states. They also endorsed the rotation of the Presidency between the North and South and other Geo-political zones in the country.

The members suggested the creation of a state for the South-East geopolitical zone which has only 5 states in order to bring the number to 6 which is the number of states of other zones, apart from the North -West, which has seven. Continue...


Some of the proposed states approved by the Confab are Apa from Benue State, Kainji from Kebbi, Katagum from Bauchi, Savannah from Borno, Amana from Adamawa, Gurara from Kaduna, Ghari from Kano, Etiti from South East, Aba from Abia, Adada from Enugu, Njaba-Anim from Anambra and Imo,  Anioma from Delta State, Orashi from Rivers State, Ogoja from Cross River State, IJebu from Ogun State and New Oyo State from the present Oyo State.

The Conference is to later determine the names of the remaining two other states and their capitals, which are to be created in the South-South and South West zones. If approved by the Presidency, the number of states in the Country would now be 54.

The conference members also voted for the rotation of the Presidency between the North and South and also between the geo-political zones. They also voted against the immediate swearing-in of a Vice President into the office of the President should a sitting President die in office or be impeached.

They proposed that a Vice President should be sworn in as Acting President for 90days within which a fresh election for a new President should be held. 

The delegates also agreed that the old national anthem, “Nigeria we hail thee…” should be replaced with the current one.

Super Eagles return on Friday

Tuesday, July 01, 2014

Members of the Super Eagles are expected to return to Nigeria on Friday after their ouster from the Mundial.


However, not all the 23 players will return with the team to the country, as some of them have already gone to join their clubsides for pre-season preparations.


Team Administrator, Dayo Enebi Achor, said all logistics have been put in place for those who will not return with the team to Nigeria and those who are returning home for a hitch free trip.

Loud explosion heard in Ile-Ife, Osun state

Pandemonium broke today at More area of Ile-Ife, Osun state after a loud explosion erupted from a 'dynamite' planted by unknown people within the area.

The state Police Commissioner, Ibrahim Maishanu, while confirming the incident, stated that the explosive was a dynamite and not a bomb as earlier speculated by residents of the area. He said other dynamites planted in the area were also detonated by police anti bomb squad who arrived the scene immediately. He stated there was no casualty from the explosion and no property was destroyed.

"It was a dynamite of a low calibre and it was placed in an area where it cannot hurt anyone or damage property. When the first one exploded, police bomb unit went to the site and the second one was found at the same location and it was detonated by our anti-bomb squad,” Mr. Maishanu said.

Media aide to the state governor, Semiu Okanlawon, who also confirmed the incident, said that the explosive was planted close to the family home of the state's commissioner for tourism, Shikiru Ayedun.

PHOTO: Scene of the bomb blast at Maiduguri market today

Here are some photos from the scene of the bomb blast that occurred earlier today at a market in Maiduguri, Borno state...



Photo Credit: Sahara Reporters

Boko Haram: Bomb goes off at Maiduguri market this morning

A bomb exploded at a busy market in Maiduguri, Borno state, this morning July 1. Eye-witnesses say the bomb went off around 8am this morning at the busy market near a Power Holding building.

The number of casualty is expected to be high because of how crowded the area is.

A Borno state government official confirmed the blast to Sahara Reporters, saying the causality number is very high but stated that security agencies are working to secure the area and rescue victims.

Today's bombing would be the first major bombing by Boko Haram since the beginning of Ramadan.

LIB