6,000 Borno Refugees Seek Shelter in Niger

Diffa, Niger Republic — Over 6,000 Nigerians fleeing the military onslaughts against Boko Haram insurgents in northern Borno State have crossed over into Niger Republic's Diffa province.

They have taken shelter in Bosso, a local government area in Diffa, three kilometers across the border from Mallam-Fatori village in Abadam local government area of Borno state.
The refugees told a Daily Trust reporter who was in Bosso at the weekend that they fled from Tumbun-Dabina, Dankatsina, Karaka, Dogon-Marya, Mallam-Fatori and Tumbun-Danjuma villages of Abadam LGA of Borno State. Others are from Kukawa, Mobar and Guzamala villages.
Villagers began fleeing into Niger Republic soon after the start of a military operation in the wake of the proclamation of state of emergency in Borno, Yobe and Adamawa states two weeks ago, the refugees said.
A Niger Republic local official told Daily Trust they have conducted a census of the Nigerian refugees and that over 6,000 of them have been registered.
"According our statistics, over 6,000 Nigerians have crossed over to Bosso town within two weeks. Although we have not provided them with a specific camp, we have directed our people to accommodate them in their respective houses," said Bako Mammadou, chairman of the Bosso Local Government in Diffa State.
Investigation by our reporter revealed that the refugees cross into Niger through the various feeder roads, generally on foot. Others, especially youths, ride on motorbikes.
Daily Trust also gathered that the influx into Niger was caused by tensions in Borno state, which has been the hotbed of Boko Haram violence in the past years.
One of the refugees, Yunusa Ali, said: "There was massive influx of Nigerians into Niger Republic last Saturday when two fighter jets operated on the Nigeria/Niger borders.
"The security personnel are still pursuing the insurgents in some villages in Abadam local government of Borno state. There are still bombings by the fighter jets in the suspected stronghold of the insurgents. On Saturday, two fighter jets bombed some villages around Tumbin-Dabino, Dankatsina and Karaka."
Another refugee, Halima Abdullahi, said, "We trekked from Mallam-Fatori to Bosso to save our lives and our children. We don't know what will happen to us if we stay there because last Friday some insurgents killed a policeman and other persons in Mallam-Fatori and that was why we left the area for safety."
She added: "We have abandoned our belongings there. Women and children have suffered a lot but we have no option but to leave the place because we have heard about the experiences of the Baga community and we don't want to fall victims of the angry military men."
Another refugee Muhammad Ibrahim told Daily "my mother asked me to leave Mallam-Fatori the very day the policeman was killed. We learnt that the deceased was a CIB officer. Many people have vacated the village and relocated to Bosso in Niger."
"We came here on motorcycle and we are going back today (yesterday) because we have to go back and meet with our parents and other members of our family. If there is peace in the village we will stay but if there is tension we will return to Bosso with our family," he said.
Daily Trust observed that the refugees are being accommodated by residents. They were scattered in Duwani, Mairi-Unguwar-Sarki, Unguwar-Mahauta and Balagama quarters in Bosso town.
Our reporter also observed that between 50 and 60 people are squatting in a house. While women and children sleep inside the houses, men on the other hand spend the nights in the open outside.
At Gidan Adamu Mai-wanki some refugees said they will not go back to Mallam-Fatori until normalcy returns to the area.
Alhaji Alasan Abubakar, 65, told Daily Trust he came into Bosso nine days ago. "I migrated together with my wife and nine children. We have abandoned our belongings at Mallam-Fatori and we are not planning to go back for now," he said. "We are searching for a house to rent here in Bosso. We are happy that the people of Bosso have received us warmly and they are friendly. We will stay here for now. We have started looking for a way to enrol our children into schools because our brothers who came here earlier have done so," he added.
Speaking to Daily Trust, chairman of Bosso Local Government of Diffa state, Alhaji Bako Mammadou, said: "We have decided to receive the migrants from Nigeria because they are our brothers and sisters. Our government has assisted them and it will render more assistance to them provided they will live in peace with their hosts.
"When the number of migrants increased last week, we informed the state government about the possible shortage of water that might arise and the government directed the water department to provide adequate water to Bosso. Already the new water scheme has been commissioned and water is now available in Bosso.
"We have also invited the Red Cross to assist the migrants. The have assisted them with food and other household needs. About 1,500 people were so far assisted. Each family received 75 kg of rice, 25kg of beans, 10 liters of groundnut oil, two mats, two wax, cooking pots, blanket and plates."

Ogun Pardons Erring University Students

In response to appeals by traditional rulers, prominent indigenes, parents and students, the Ogun State Government in collaboration with the governing Council of the Olabisi Onabanjo University (OOU), Ago-Iwoye, have decided to intercede on behalf of the students affected by a recent directive over the regularisation of their records with the National Universities Commission (NUC) and the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB).
In a statement by the Ogun State Government signed by the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Taiwo Adeoluwa an appeal was made to the University Senate to grant amnesty for the last time to all students with matriculation numbers but have not registered for several years to update their registration status within one week.
It also directed the Senate to organize a special examination for those that might have missed part of the on-going examination.
“In view of the appeal, government hereby directs as follows: All students affected must pay all their backlog of fees within seven days of this announcement; All fresh students who still wish to take up admission for 2012/2013 but fail to meet matriculation deadline must also pay all their fees within the period. These set of students will swear to the matriculation oath at a special ceremony; All stale students without full fees should apply and take a leave of absence,” the statement said.
The government also directed the university authorities to waive the penalty fees that ought to be paid by the affected students.
It however advised all students to adhere strictly to this last deadline and obey all regulations of the university or cease to be students of the school.
It pointed out that any student whose status is rejected by the NUC may also lose his studentship while also advising students to make sure they are captured in the current student audit being carried out by the commission or otherwise cease to be a student of OOU.
It is hoped that all affected students will take advantage of this last window of opportunity to regularise their studentship.
Government notes that with this development, all categories of matriculated and authenticated students have been accommodated.

SHOCK: Unwanted Newborn Baby Flushed Down the Toilet, Gets Rescued (PHOTOS)

Firefighters in eastern China have rescued an abandoned newborn baby boy lodged in a sewage pipe. The infant was stuck in a pipe directly beneath a toilet commode, state television reported, in a case which has sparked anger on social media sites. There are frequent reports in Chinese media of babies being abandoned, often shortly after birth.

The problem is attributed variously to young mothers unaware they were pregnant, the birth of an unwanted girl in a society which puts greater value on boys or China's strict family planning rules.
In the latest case, the infant was found in the sewage pipe in a residential building in Jinhua in the wealthy coastal province of Zhejiang on Saturday afternoon.
The harrowing discovery came after residents reported the sound of a baby crying, state television said late on Monday. The pipe was just four inches wide in diameter, the China Daily newspaper said. Firefighters had to remove the pipe and take it to a nearby hospital, where doctors carefully cut around it to rescue the baby boy inside, the report said.




His arms had been pinned to his side, and when the confines of the pipe had been delicately prised away, he let out a long wail - much to the relief of doctors who were battling against the clock to rescue him.

South Korea Shuts More Nuclear Reactors Over Fake Certificates

South Korea said on Tuesday it was suspending the operations of two nuclear power reactors and extended a shutdown of a third to replace cables that were supplied using fake certificates, threatening power shortages in Asia’s fourth-biggest economy.
The government warned there could be “unprecedented” electricity shortages and rolling blackouts this summer due to the nuclear shutdowns. South Korea previously halted the operations of some of its 23 reactors last November after a scandal emerged over parts being supplied using fake documents.
The Asian country is heavily dependent on oil, gas and coal imports, but usually gets about a third of its electricity from nuclear power generation.
“This is a separate case from the last investigation,” said Kim Kyun-seop, president & CEO of Korea Hydro and Nuclear Power Co Ltd, which runs nuclear reactors in South Korea and is owned by state-run utility Korea Electric Power Corp.
The new case relates to forged documents on cables worth 6 billion won ($5.35 million) provided in 2008, Kim and energy ministry officials said, declining to identify the cable producers.
The reactors, which each have a capacity of 1,000 megawatts (MW), would remain closed for about four months, the government said.
Of the three reactors, two are in Kori, about 320 km southeast of the capital Seoul, and one is in Wolsong, about 280 km from Seoul, the Nuclear Safety and Security Commission said.
A fourth newly built nuclear power reactor, also in Wolsong, which is waiting for operational approval, would also have its cable replaced, the statement added.
The emergence of a new scandal will be damaging for authorities and South Korean President Park Geun-hye pledged at a cabinet meeting a thorough investigation.
The energy ministry said it would ask the international nuclear safety evaluation body Tuv Sud to include the latest case in a review of safety at all reactors, which started this week.
Unprecedented Power Shortage
The nuclear problems could increase the risk of power shortages in the hot Korean summer when power demand is seasonally high for air conditioning.
The energy ministry warned the worst shortages could occur in August, and it would consider various measures including rolling blackouts and spreading out holidays to curb demand.
“We expect unprecedented supply shortage this summer as we have to meet power demand while three reactors are halted,” said Han Jin-hyun, Vice Minister for Trade, Industry and Energy.
He added power saving measures would be unveiled this Friday.
The energy ministry sees power supply this summer at about 77,000 MW, less than 80,000 MW projected before the closure and short of demand projection of 79,000 MW.
Last year, South Korea was forced to take power saving measures to avoid blackouts after it closed two reactors to replace parts supplied with fake certificates and extended the shutdown of another reactor where microscopic cracks were found.

South Korea Shuts More Nuclear Reactors Over Fake Certificates

South Korea said on Tuesday it was suspending the operations of two nuclear power reactors and extended a shutdown of a third to replace cables that were supplied using fake certificates, threatening power shortages in Asia’s fourth-biggest economy.
The government warned there could be “unprecedented” electricity shortages and rolling blackouts this summer due to the nuclear shutdowns. South Korea previously halted the operations of some of its 23 reactors last November after a scandal emerged over parts being supplied using fake documents.
The Asian country is heavily dependent on oil, gas and coal imports, but usually gets about a third of its electricity from nuclear power generation.
“This is a separate case from the last investigation,” said Kim Kyun-seop, president & CEO of Korea Hydro and Nuclear Power Co Ltd, which runs nuclear reactors in South Korea and is owned by state-run utility Korea Electric Power Corp.
The new case relates to forged documents on cables worth 6 billion won ($5.35 million) provided in 2008, Kim and energy ministry officials said, declining to identify the cable producers.
The reactors, which each have a capacity of 1,000 megawatts (MW), would remain closed for about four months, the government said.
Of the three reactors, two are in Kori, about 320 km southeast of the capital Seoul, and one is in Wolsong, about 280 km from Seoul, the Nuclear Safety and Security Commission said.
A fourth newly built nuclear power reactor, also in Wolsong, which is waiting for operational approval, would also have its cable replaced, the statement added.
The emergence of a new scandal will be damaging for authorities and South Korean President Park Geun-hye pledged at a cabinet meeting a thorough investigation.
The energy ministry said it would ask the international nuclear safety evaluation body Tuv Sud to include the latest case in a review of safety at all reactors, which started this week.
Unprecedented Power Shortage
The nuclear problems could increase the risk of power shortages in the hot Korean summer when power demand is seasonally high for air conditioning.
The energy ministry warned the worst shortages could occur in August, and it would consider various measures including rolling blackouts and spreading out holidays to curb demand.
“We expect unprecedented supply shortage this summer as we have to meet power demand while three reactors are halted,” said Han Jin-hyun, Vice Minister for Trade, Industry and Energy.
He added power saving measures would be unveiled this Friday.
The energy ministry sees power supply this summer at about 77,000 MW, less than 80,000 MW projected before the closure and short of demand projection of 79,000 MW.
Last year, South Korea was forced to take power saving measures to avoid blackouts after it closed two reactors to replace parts supplied with fake certificates and extended the shutdown of another reactor where microscopic cracks were found.

VIDEO: Fan Slaps Beyonce's Bottom At Show

The 31-year-old singer was performing her hit single "Irreplaceable" at The Forum in Copenhagen, touching the hands of fans as she sang. As Beyonce turned during the performance, one fan within arm's length took the opportunity to slap Beyonce's blue bedazzled bodysuit-clad butt -- take a look in the video below.

Unsurprisingly, Bey was less-than-pleased by the action, telling the man, "I will have you escorted out right now, alright?"
Beyonce is in the midst of her Mrs. Carter Show World Tour, a set of shows that has been rife with drama. The Destiny's Child alum canceled tour dates on account of doctor's orders, and immediately took to her website to pen an apology to fans. The alleged health problems sparked rumors of Beyonce carrying her second child. Bey's husband Jay-Z shot the rumors down in an email to Hot 97.
Beyonce is scheduled to continue her Mrs. Carter Show World Tour throughout the summer, hitting cities across the globe before wrapping at Brooklyn's Barclays Center on Aug. 5. The singer appears on Kelly Rowland's "You've Changed" alongside fellow Destiny Child bandmate Michelle Williams

Most Corrupt Civil Servants are not Aware of Crime - says Finance Minister

Most corrupt civil servants in Nigeria claimed not to be aware that certain procedural practices in the course of their work constitute corruption, the Coordinating Minister for the Economy and Minister of Finance, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, has disclosed 

She said this in Abuja, while making a contribution during a stakeholders’ meeting on System Study and Review of Personnel Cost of Ministries, Department and Agencies (MDAs), put together by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC).

According to Ms Okonjo-Iweala, the Nigerian state was working hard to ensure a reduction in government expenditure in order to release more money for infrastructural development.

Represented by her Permanent Secretary, Mr. Danladi Kifesi, the minister noted that ignorance of the right procedures in governance would never be a sound excuse. Furthermore, the civil servants need to get acquainted with the correct workings of government so as not to breach the existing laws, she added.

The ICPC chairman, Ekpo Nta, stated earlier, said the outcome of an ICPC 2011 System Study and Review identified a “poor or deliberate misunderstanding of the provisions of extant rules guiding the management of the personnel costs.”

He said based on the Review, the Commission issued a circular in December 2012 requesting all MDAs to return all balances in their personnel votes to government. Mr Nta added that the Commission was verifying levels of compliance, and that infractions would be addressed according to exiting laws. While stating that the functions of ICPC did not conflict with that of the Auditor-General of the Federation, Mr Nta added that the Commission was currently studying the recommendations of the annual report of the Auditor-General for investigation of criminal breaches for necessary action.

PHOTOS: 40 Pounds Wild Big Eel Was Caught In China

Nothing is too strange in the world! Recently, a Huzhou Changxing citizen caught a giant eel weighing about 36 pounds, China.
The eel’s length is about 1.5 meters. After the eel was caught, someone offered $1,613 for it. But the owner decided that it's a low price for such an amazing find.

SHOCKING PHOTOS: 19-Year-Old Girl Jumps From Third Floor Window After Finding Out Her Boyfriend Is Married

A Chinese teenager who jumped from a third-floor window in a suicide bid after learning that her boyfriend is married was saved by a giant pillow.

The 19-year-old Chinese woman threatened to launch herself from the building after discovering her partner had a wife and a ten year old child.
She clambered out onto a metal pole and threatened to jump.

Despite attempts to talk her down from the ledge in an apartment block in Hangzhou, capital of eastern China's Zhejiang Province, she thew herself from the block.

But meanwhile firefighters had set up a massive air cushion below and the woman landed safely, escaping uninjured.

It is unclear whether the woman has intended to reach the pillow or if she had launched a genuine attempt on her life.

The air cushion measures roughly 6 metres by 7.5 metres and 2.75 metres high, and is capable of absorbing the shock of a body falling from 10 floors.
From June 2005 to May 2012 an average of 17 emergency incidents a month across China required cushions, which can be inflated in a minute.

Investigation: How Terrorism in Nigeria is Funded

Some methods adopted by foreign sponsors of Boko Haram to launder money to the terrorist group have been uncovered, LEADERSHIP can authoritatively report.

This development is coming on the heels of revelations by Major-General Garba Wahab, the general officer commanding (GOC), 1 Mechanised Division, Nigerian Army, that officers of the division have arrested an orange seller in Kaduna who allegedly spied for the group: his bank account had witnessed transactions of over N600million in just three months.
Initially, foreign groups, through agents in Nigeria, sent money through the normal banking channels and these funds can come classified as aid to support religion, humanitarian causes and any other excuse not frowned at by the laws of the land.
But with searchlights beamed on money transfers, and considering that one cannot just stroll into a foreign airport with a large cache of money, funds abroad where "turned" into goods which are sent here and re-converted into cash bigger than the original.
A source who sought anonymity because of the sensitive nature of the matter confided that "because of the risk involved with banks where large movements of cash can be noticed, monitored and reported to relevant bodies, the foreign sponsorship is in handsets and accessories and torchlights here".
The source, who said that the shipped goods are mainly cheap and from countries like Dubai and China, explained that what the groups are after is the high and fast turnover from the sales.
The source said, "Now, look at the number of people selling these things... as decoys. And you will know how much they remit to where they are supposed to remit to".
Musa Abdullahi, a resident of Potiskum in Yobe State, says he knows some youths who suddenly became rich when they started this business. He gave an instance of a boy who was killed by some terrorists in front of his family house.
Abdullahi said it was later found out that the group "opened the shop for the boy with the understanding that he would be getting supplies while he made an agreed remittance, but the boy later wanted to walk out and he was killed". Abdullahi said the boy became relatively rich within three months, "which is not normal, considering the type of business and its little profit margin".
According to investigations, the business, to the decoys, is lucrative and risks associated generally with highly profitable businesses are lacking.
A businessman in Kano (name and shop number withheld) disclosed to our reporters how he was recruited and how profitable the business is: "My shop was destroyed in the Farm Centre attack of 20th January, last year, by the Boko Haram and thus I lost everything," said the man.
With nobody to come to his aid and family demands weighing him down, what to him was "succour by providence" came to him in the form of a businessman based in Abuja.
"Without capital," he continued, "the Good Samaritan supplies me with these GSM accessories, rechargeable torchlights, table lamps, etc, which I sell."
On how he balances the supplier, he reveals that the supplier does not collect the proceeds but that he (the seller) keeps 20 per cent of it while he gives 80 per cent to somebody else "who disturbs me with calls if on the agreed date he does not see alert from his bankers".
When the Emir Kano, His Royal Highness Alhaji Ado Bayero, was attacked on January 19, this year, a wheelbarrow pusher who ostensibly was selling these products called "kayan loki" barricaded the road and detonated an improvised explosive device (IED) as a signal for the gunmen to start shooting.
In many of their attacks, witnesses have seen how guns and ammunition were taken out of wheelbarrows and placed at strategic locations by the gunmen. Even though these products are sold by wheelbarrow pushers, some do so in kiosks.
Some people who have taken pains to study Boko Haram said that such businesses were key in oiling their day-to-day activities and upkeep of members while they attacked banks when they needed fast, big cash.
At times, according to the observers, moneys from sales remitted to individuals are withdrawn and remitted to various cells of the group in various towns.
Recently, Kabiru Sokoto, a Boko Haram kingpin who is facing charges at an Abuja high court, confessed to receiving, as his share, N500, 000 from a N40m fund sent to his group, which even caused a split among the members.
Senate approves emergency rule in Adamawa, Borno, Yobe
Meanwhile, the Senate yesterday unanimously approved President Goodluck Jonathan's declaration of a state of emergency in the three states of Adamawa, Borno and Yobe with a caveat that federal troops deployed to the affected states be issued a proper code of conduct to avoid innocent civilian population getting caught in the middle of the conflict.
Rising from a closed-door executive session which lasted over an hour, Senate president David Mark declared that the military option was not the final solution to end the insurgency which has pitted the federal government with Islamist extremists in many parts of northern Nigeria. Mark proposed a "carrot and stick policy" to ensure that the insurgency is brought to a logical conclusion as quickly as possible.
Mark had earlier read at plenary a letter from Jonathan seeking legislative approval for the state of emergency earlier declared in the three states.
100 out of 109 senators attended the closed-door executive session. Section 305 (2) and (6) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) provides that such proclamation (emergency rule) by the president and commander-in-chief must be endorsed by two-thirds majority of the Senate, which translates to 72 of the 109 members of the senators in plenary. Mark said the nine senators who were absent were out on "essential duties".
Again, Mark emphasised that all democratic structures in the affected states must be left in place and allowed to operate fully and actively during the period of emergency rule. The Senate president stated that elected state officials must be involved in all efforts by the federal government to end the insurgency.
Mark said: "In the closed session, we extensively discussed some of the issues we think are very important to this proclamation of state of emergency. We want to emphasis emphatically that all democratic structures must be left in place and they must be allowed to operate fully and actively and they must also be involved in all the efforts that the federal government is putting up to bring this ugly situation to an end. We would also like to emphasise that the armed forces are issued a proper code of conduct where they should be humane and benevolent and make sure that all citizens are treated with utmost respect so that they do not lose their respect as human beings.
Reps approves amended proclamation of emergency rule
Having received the copies of the gazetted proclamation of state of emergency in Borno, Yobe and Adamawa states from President Jonathan, the House of Representatives yesterday considered, approved and adopted the details of the proclamation with amendments.
The changes made to the document by the lawmakers yesterday after a 4-hour closed-door session include the compensation of victims of terrorist attacks in the states on or before declaration of the state of emergency.
Presiding over the session, speaker of the House Hon Aminu Tambuwal said the House also resolved to specify that the funding of the military intervention would be approved by the National Assembly.
More

Usmanu Danfodiyo University Closed As Students Protest

The Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto was on Tuesday forced to be closed indefinitely by the management over protest by students.
The decision to close the University, according to its Vice Chancellor, Prof. Riskuwa Arabu Shehu during a press briefing at the institution, followed students’ protest against the lack of 24 hours of electricity in the University.
“A group of students came to the residential houses of the University at around 8.30pm and forced open the gate to VC’s house. They were shouting all sorts of slogans against non supply of 24 hours electricity,” Prof. Shehu said.
“The development came as a surprise to us because we can’t guarantee 24 hours supply of electricity. This is a nationwide problem about which even the leadership is battling,” he continued.
On the University’s efforts to ensure relative power supply, the VC said, “In every 18 to 20 days, we buy 22,000 litres of diesel. The last purchase before the protest was brought in by 7pm on 26th May. More so, we supplied four tankers of water from the town, but these efforts were not appreciated by the students.”
He said that it was against the rules of the University to demonstrate at nite, even to residential quarters. “It is with pain that we took the decision to close the University indefinitely. We will set up a committee to investigate the incident and nobody found to have a hand in it will be spared,” Prof. Shehu added.

Police Arrest 53 Cultists In Abeokuta On Their Way To Perform Night Rituals

The Ogun State police command  said on Tuesday  that it has dislodged  no fewer than 53 student cultists of Federal University of Agriculture Abeokuta,while on their way  to the venue of a nocturnal ritual ceremony in Abeokuta.
It was gathered that the state branch of the National Association of Seadogs, popularly called Pyrates’ Confraternity, hinted  the police who  laid an ambush for the suspected student cultists at about 11:30pm last Friday around Lafenwa/Rounda area of the state capital.
Confirming the development, the Command’s Public Relations Officer, Muyiwa Adejobi said that the police received information that some suspected student cultists were planning to hold a ceremony in a suburb of the state capital.
Adejobi, however said that suspected student cultists ran away on sighting the police patrol team deployed in the area.
“They are not a social club. The police will not allow any anti-social group or organization to operate in the state. If anybody is caught, he would be made to face the full wrawth of the law,” Adejobi said.
However, a  source told our correspondent that the suspected student cultists were however said to have left their vehicles as well as other items and fled in different directions on sighting the police patrol team deployed to apprehend them.
The source said that, some of the items recovered from the fleeing suspected student cultists included coolers filled with already prepared food and assorted drinks meant for the ceremony.
It was gathered that the  student cultists  allegedly who  took off from Obantoko area, few kilometers from FUNAAB were also said to be driving towards the venue of the initiation ceremony in a convoy of about 50 vehicles when the police patrol team accosted them.
Also, the President of NAS in Abeokuta, Mr. Yemi Akintunde warned students not to allow themselves to be deceived into joining any cult group.
Akintunde stressed that the Pyrates’ Confraternity which he described as a humanitarian and charitable organization has since the 1980s ceased to exist on the campuses of higher institutions across the country.
“Anyone interested in joining NAS must have graduated from school and is also required to have participated in and have the certificate of the National Youth Service Corps. The Pyrates’ Confraternity does not exist on the campus of any higher institution in Nigeria,” he said.

Cook Arrested For Stealing N21.9m From His Master

A professional cook, Celestine Emmanuel, who allegedly stole cash and property valued at N21.9 million, on Tuesday appeared at a Yaba Magistrates’ Court in Lagos.
Mr. Emmanuel, 29, who resides in Uyo, Akwa Ibom, is facing charges of conspiracy and stealing.
The prosecutor, Felix Ifijen, told the court that the accused stole gold jewellery, shoes, wrist-watches, camcorders, cameras, designer sunglasses and cash.
Mr. Ifijen alleged that the valuables were stolen on August 11, 2012 and November 7, 2012, from Anne Rumbolo and Taiwo Abalaka respectively, his two previous employers.
He alleged that the offences were committed at No.1 Zoran Court, and Plot 6, T.F. Kuboye Road, Oniru Estate, Lekki, Lagos.
“Emmanuel was employed on Aug. 1, 2012, by Abalaka. He worked for 10 days after which he disappeared with her belongings, including gold jewellery, cameras, camcorders and cash valued at N1.6 million.
“The accused was later employed by Rumbolo on Nov 1, 2012 after which he stole her property, including gold jewellery, shoes, cameras, sunglasses and cash valued at N20,269,000,” Mr. Ifijen further alleged.
He said the offence contravened Sections 278 and 285 of the Criminal Code of Lagos State, 2011.
The accused, however, pleaded not guilty.
Section 285 provides that any person who steals any property is guilty of felony and liable, if no other punishment is provided, to three years imprisonment.
The Magistrate, Philip Ojo, granted the accused bail for N2 million with two sureties in like sum.
Mr. Ojo adjourned the case to June 5 for mention.

Man Arrested For Stealing N2,000

A 23-year-old man identified as Adeolu Somorin has been arrested in Abeokuta, Ogun State, for stealing N2, 000.
The suspect, whose arrest was effected by the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, NSCDC, committed the crime at the Moshood Abiola International Stadium, Abeokuta.
Mr. Somorin and an accomplice, identified simply as Lati, allegedly attacked and robbed a student of the Reverend Kuti Memorial Grammar School at the stadium.
The two hoodlums who took their heels after they were chased by officials of the civil defence.
While Mr. Somorin was nabbed, his accomplice escaped.
In his statement at the office of the civil defence, Mr. Somorin confessed to the crime but accused his missing accomplice of instigating it. He added that his accomplice absconded with the stolen money.
The Public Relations Officer of the NSCDC in Abeokuta, Kareem Olanrewaju, confirmed the robbery and subsequent arrest of Mr. Somorin.
Mr. Olarenwaju stated that the civil defence will carry out a preliminary investigation into the alleged crime before transferring the suspect to the appropriate agency for further investigations and possible trial.

N6.5billion Fraud: EFCC Moves Against Ex-Gov Sylva’s Wife

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, Tuesday, said it has gathered sufficient evidence to warrant the prosecution of wife of former Governor of Bayelsa State, Mrs. Alayingi Sylva, on allegations of corruption.

The anti-graft agency made the disclosure on a day the embattled erstwhile governor, Timipre Sylva, begged the Abuja Division of the Federal High Court to grant him leave to accompany his wife to the United Kingdom to enable her to undertake a surgical operation.

Sylva who was recently granted administrated bail by the EFCC after he was re-arrested in his Abuja residence over his alleged complicity in a fresh allegation bothering on misappropriation and illegal diversion of public funds whilst he was in power, yesterday, told the high court that Cromwell Hospital in London has already scheduled his wife for an operation on May 31.

More to follow…

Why Premature Ejaculation Isn't Really A Bad Thing

Don't be disappointed when a man finishes really early in bed -- it's a compliment to you, claims Tyrese Gibson.

When the actor and model appeared on Chelsea Lately on May 22nd to promote his upcoming film "Fast & Furious 6," the conversation turned to what constitutes good sex. He told host Chelsea Handler:
“Well, see, [women] got this thing about minute men. And so, when you’re a minute man, women get mad. But it’s actually a compliment because if you’re in the bed for like 45 minutes and nothing is happening, you should get your life together.”
Do you agree?

Mother Kept Mentally Ill Son Shackled in Home-made Cage for More Than a Decade

A mother has spoken of her torment after being forced to keep her mentally ill son shackled in a home-made cage for more than a decade: Wang Muxiang, 74, locked away her schizophrenic son Wu Yuanhong after he murdered a 13-year-old boy in his village in China in 2001.

Wu was released from jail a year later as authorities ruled that his illness meant he was not legally responsible for his actions.

But his mother feared he would kill again so caged him in an empty room in the family home.

Heart-rending images now show 42-year-old Wu sitting on blankets in the narrow enclosure with his feet shackled to a heavy chain and wearing only a T-shirt and underwear.

He is given three meals a day by his mother, who gives him a pan when he needs to go to the toilet.

After he was released from jail, he was chained up but repeatedly escaped and scared residents as he walked around Lijiachong village near Ruichang, south east China.

His mother asked local blacksmiths to weld a cage but they refused, fearing that Wu might attack them if he escaped. So Mrs Wang was forced to do it herself.

She said: "My son may be insane, and beat someone to death, but he's still my son.

"To use my own hands to place him in a cage was very hard to take, like being stabbed with a knife.

"Every time I delivered food, I would sit at his cage and cry. Now my tears are dried up."

Many mentally ill people in China go without proper treatment due to a lack of resources and qualified professionals, particularly in rural areas.

There were only around 20,000 psychiatrists to serve the country's population of 1.35billion, according to the country’s Ministry of Health in 2010. 

12 Missing After Chevron’s Tug Boat Sinks

A tugboat contracted by oil giant Chevron has sunk off the coast of Nigeria, leaving 12 sailors missing, an official said on Tuesday.

“I can confirm the incident. It was on Sunday morning,” said Corrie van Kessel, a spokeswoman for Sea Trucks Group, which owns West African Ventures Limited, operator of the vessel.

“12 crew members … There is a big rescue operation in progress at the moment,” she added, specifying the 12 missing were the vessel’s entire crew.

She could not confirm the nationalities of the sailors aboard the Jascon 4, which sank some 15 nautical miles off southern

Nigeria’s Escravos, the site of a Chevron oil terminal.

Nigeria is Africa’s biggest oil producer, with Chevron among the major operators in the country.

Van Kessel said it was not yet clear what caused the accident. The vessel had been involved in towing operations for a tanker, she said.

Our Votes Must Count In 2015 – Amaechi

 

Rivers State Governor and recently re-elected Chairman of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum, Rt. Hon. Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi has declared that the people’s votes must count in the choice of who becomes governor of the state in 2015.

Addressing an inter-party summit with the theme “Cohesive inter-party relations as a panacea for peace and sustainable development in Rivers State”, in Port Harcourt, the state capital on Tuesday, Governor Amaechi noted that any government which could not attribute its victory to the people’s votes would not be responsible to the people.

He said government at all levels become transparent and accountable only when they fear they could be voted out for poor performance.

Amaechi said: “Indeed, it is only the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) that has the guts to suspend a governor without a reason. I leave them to God and to you (the people).... We must come together to defend Rivers State.  It’s not about me, I have served eight years as Speaker, nearly six years as Governor.  Even if I am removed tomorrow, I am satisfied that this state, this country and history will recognize and remember me."

“If there is no history that I have made, the one God has helped me to make is the one that I stood out and fought for my right and became a governor.  You voted on my behalf and the Supreme Court confirmed that when you people were voting, you were voting for me.  But you also need to make your own history and that history is that let Abuja know that you can stand for your right, whether you belong to PDP or APC or any other party."

“If you listen to me yesterday (Monday) when I was addressing Rivers youths, I told them ‘all those from 18 and above should please get up’ and they got up.  I asked them to sit down, they did and I asked again, ‘all those that have voters’ card should please get up’ and a lot of them did and I said we shall punish irresponsible politicians with our cards.  So what I expect from all of you whether you belong to APC, CPC, where ever you belong to, start now to mobilize the state for one man, one vote.  We will not allow them intimidate us with police or anything. Instead, we shall intimidate them with our votes”, Amaechi said.

Again, he said: “Any government formed without the people’s votes cannot be responsible to the people. The only way government or governors or presidents or whoever can stop corruption, can stop mal-administration is when that government is put in place by you (the people) and they know that if they don’t govern well, you (the people) will vote them out.  So your first demand should be that all governments must be responsible enough to allow for a free and fair election”.

Keynote Speaker and Chairman of the Senate Committee on Petroleum Downstream, Senator Magnus Abe urged politicians in the state to preserve and not destroy Rivers State by their actions.

He lamented the lack of participatory democracy among political parties and the sole desire by parties to acquire and retain political power for selfish interests.

Abe said, “In Nigeria, the evolution of our party politics has been less than satisfactory. I say this because our country today is deeply divided along ethnic, religious and cultural lines. The main challenge facing our country has been the development of national political parties that will promote issue and idea-based contest for power. In other words, the contest for power will be a contest of ideas. The parties in Nigeria have evolved into vehicles strictly for the acquisition and retention of political power. In this evolution, our political parties have lost one of the key attributes of participatory democracy, that leadership should be a contest not of persons but of ideas”.

On his part, the chairman of the occasion and retired Justice of the Supreme Court, Justice Karibi Whyte, urged political parties to believe and mean well for the country they serve.

He tasked politicians to uphold the truth and justify and accept fairness: “I believe truth must be upheld, fairness must be justified and accepted and those who think that it is enough to conspire against truth have to be exposed”.

He advised political office holders to be patriotic and work for the common good of the people who voted them to power: “We are talking about governor, the office of the governor. We admire the governor, Rt. Hon. Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi because of his performance. We follow him because of his performance, we’ll do everything to ensure that he succeeds and the institution still carries on”.

He criticized those plotting against the Rivers State Governor, Chibuike Amaechi, calling them conspirators with a destructive motive: “the group which as all of us know, they are all conspirators. The conspiracy runs foul when it is directed towards a wrong motive. When it is a conspiracy which is destructive, which is oppressive and which makes it difficult for the common man to admire what is going on, then there is a foreboding of anarchy”.

UK Murder: Adebowale Leaves Hospital, Now In Custody

One of the two main suspects in the brutal murder of a British soldier by Islamic extremists near his London barracks was discharged from hospital and taken into police custody on Tuesday.
Michael Adebowale, 22, faces questioning over the soldier’s murder as well as the attempted murder of a police officer, the Metropolitan Police said.
Adebowale and his fellow suspect in the killing of soldier Lee Rigby, Michael Adebolajo, 28, were shot and injured by police at the scene near the barracks in Woolwich on Wednesday.
They have been under police guard in hospital.
Both men are believed to be known to the security services.
Adebowale and Adebolajo are Muslim converts from Nigerian Christian families

Flour Mills GM, Accountant And Store Keeper Arrested Over N20m Theft

Three former top management staff of the Katsina Flour Mills Limited were Tuesday dragged before Justice Abdullahi Yusuf of the Katsina State High Court and slammed with a three-count charge of misappropriation of public funds and criminal breach of trust.
The three men- Abdulmalik Ibrahim, Darda’u Idris Safana and Hassan Hashimu, who served as General Manager, Accountant and Store Keeper respectively, were docked by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission for allegedly conspiring and embezzling the sum of N19, 667,187 from the coffers of the company between 2011 and 2012.

Jang Apologises to Nigerians over NGF Election Crisis

The governor of Plateau State, Jonah Jang, who claims to be the Chairman of the Nigeria Governor Forum (NGF), has apologised to Nigerians over some of the issues raised at the forum’s last election.

Mr. Jang, while receiving the members of the Executive Council of North Central zone of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), led by Yusuf Ayitogo, who paid him a solidarity visit over his claimed election victory at forum, said that his leadership will correct the mistakes of the past while efforts are on to reconcile all aggrieved members of the forum.

Governor Jang also assured that the forum will work out a permanent structure in choosing its leadership without rancour by reverting to the original constitution that does not allow for a second term in office.

Leader of the delegation and vice chairman of PDP in north central zone, Yusuf Ayitogo affirm the ability of Governor Jang in reconciling all aggrieved members and urge other governors to give the Jang-led chairmanship of the forum the opportunity to reorganise the forum.

In a related development, Governor Jang, during the democracy day celebration urged Nigerians to appreciate the nation’s path to greatness as evidence by the developmental strides in terms of infrastructural provision and wealth creation witnessed across the country and congratulate the nation’s leadership for steering the ship to safer zones, he however advice that we must all work for the success of democracy.

Jang Apologises to Nigerians over NGF Election Crisis

28 May, 2013
Politics

• 
  
• 
  
• 

The governor of Plateau State, Jonah Jang, who claims to be the Chairman of the Nigeria Governor Forum (NGF), has apologised to Nigerians over some of the issues raised at the forum’s last election.

Mr. Jang, while receiving the members of the Executive Council of North Central zone of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), led by Yusuf Ayitogo, who paid him a solidarity visit over his claimed election victory at forum, said that his leadership will correct the mistakes of the past while efforts are on to reconcile all aggrieved members of the forum.

Governor Jang also assured that the forum will work out a permanent structure in choosing its leadership without rancour by reverting to the original constitution that does not allow for a second term in office.

Leader of the delegation and vice chairman of PDP in north central zone, Yusuf Ayitogo affirm the ability of Governor Jang in reconciling all aggrieved members and urge other governors to give the Jang-led chairmanship of the forum the opportunity to reorganise the forum.

In a related development, Governor Jang, during the democracy day celebration urged Nigerians to appreciate the nation’s path to greatness as evidence by the developmental strides in terms of infrastructural provision and wealth creation witnessed across the country and congratulate the nation’s leadership for steering the ship to safer zones, he however advice that we must all work for the success of democracy.

UN Backs Cassava as Future Global Crop

Rome: Cassava has huge potential and could turn from "a poor people's food into a 21st century crop" if grown according to a new environmentally-friendly farming model, the UN food agency said on Tuesday.

The Rome-based Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) said in a report that global cassava output has increased by 60 percent since 2000 and that yields could be boosted by up to 400 percent.
Cassava has "huge potential", the FAO said. The trick is to use the 'Save and Grow' approach that does away with the use of heavy chemical inputs, and minimises soil disturbance caused by traditional tilling methods such as ploughing.
The approach encourages mixed cropping and crop rotation and does away with chemical pesticides.
Trials in Vietnam saw farmers increase production from 8.5 tonnes to 36 tonnes, the FAO said.
Cassava has also yielded "spectacular results" in the Democratic Republic of Congo and Colombia.
The FAO stressed its nutritional value, with roots rich in carbohydrates and leaves containing protein, iron, calcium and vitamins A and C.
Other parts of the plant could be used as animal feed, with evidence showing livestock fed with cassava had good disease resistance.
It said increased demand was partly explained by high cereal prices since cassava is often used as an alternative to wheat or maize.
"With Save and Grow developing countries can thus avoid the risks of unsustainable intensification while realising cassava's potential for producing higher yields, alleviating hunger and rural poverty," the report said.

Armed Pirates Attack Oil Products Tanker, Kidnap Crew

Armed pirates attacked an oil products tanker off the coast of Nigeria in West Africa and abducted an unknown number of crew, security sources said on Tuesday.
Increasing piracy in the Gulf of Guinea region, which includes Africa's No. 1 oil producer Nigeria and is a significant source of cocoa and metals for world markets, is jacking up costs for shipping firms operating there.
The Nigerian-flagged MT Matrix was boarded by gunmen in the early hours of Saturday around 40 nautical miles off the coast of oil-producing Bayelsa state, two security sources said, in a stretch of water often targeted by pirates in recent months.
There were 12 Pakistani and five Nigerian crew aboard the vessel when it was attacked, one of the sources said.
A spokesman for ship operator Val Oil Trading, who declined to give his name, confirmed there had been an "incident", without giving further details.
Last month there were two attacks in the Gulf of Guinea where foreigners were kidnapped and released a few weeks later. Security sources believe ransoms were paid - an increasingly lucrative business for criminal gangs.
International navies have not launched counter-piracy missions in the Gulf of Guinea, leaving the many vessels that anchor off Nigeria vulnerable to attack.
On the other, eastern side of Africa, piracy that was once a scourge off the coast of Somalia has been largely brought under control by international naval patrols and the stationing of armed guards aboard merchant vessels.

Two Igbo Businessmen Killed In Kano

Unidentified gunmen have shot and killed two Igbo businessmen in Kano, northwest Nigeria. The victims were identified as Ibe Ugwuanyi, 30, and Eke Osita Joseph, 35.
Spokesman of Kano state Police Command, Magaji Majia who confirmed the incident to said preliminary investigation indicate that the duo might have been killed as a result of conflict arising from a business transaction, adding that investigations are still ongoing to ascertain the real cause of their death.
“Investigation into the incident is in top gear. We do not want to make hasty conclusions, but from what we have so far, it may not be a terrorist attack. We believe it could be from a business deal.
“The Police Command in Kano urges residents to remain calm and cooperate with the police in fighting crime and criminal activities. I assure you that in no distant time, we shall apprehend the perpetrators,”
Osita and Ibe, both indigenes of Nsukka in Enugu state before their death were dealing in electronics before their death.
Their assailants had stormed Osita’s electronics shop at Baban Layi in Kurna Asabe area of Kano city and shot the two young men at close range.
“All we heard were sounds of guns at about 7:30 p.m. last Friday and everyone around took to his heels. The police later arrived and took away the bodies. I cannot say exactly why they were killed, but the incident remains a big shock to us living around here because the deceased were not troublesome,” said a resident.
It was gathered that Ibe whose vulcanizing business was located on Ibadan Road, Sabon Gari had gone to Baban Layi to visit his kinsman, Osita, for a private discussion when the gunmen stormed the shop and shot severally at them, making sure they were dead before escaping.
“Two gunmen from nowhere stormed the shop while they were both discussing and watching movies and opened fire on both Ibe and Osita, killing them instantly and escaping from the scene,” an eyewitness said.
According to the eyewitness, “Ibe was shot on the forehead, while Osita was shot on the chest.”
The bodies of the duo have been taken to Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital Mortuary for autopsy.

PHOTOS: Sarah Ofili, Vector, Ketchup Join Terry Da Rapman In New Video Shoot

Last weekend, Terry da Rapman shot the video for his new single ‘Testing 1,2‘ somewhere in Ikeja, Lagos.
The video featured cameos from ex-girlfriend model Sarah Ofili, Vector, Ketchup, DJ Kaywise and others.
‘Testing 1,2′ will be released in a few weeks time…

Armed Rebels Massacre Entire Population of Christian Village

Armed rebels attacked a village in Syria's Western province of Homs and slaughtered all its Christian residents on Monday.

The armed rebels affiliated to the Free Syrian Army (FSA) raided the Christian-populated al-Duvair village in Reef (outskirts of) Homs near the border with Lebanon today and massacred all its civilian residents, including women and children.
The Syrian army, however, intervened and killed tens of terrorists during heavy clashes which are still going on in al-Duvair village.
The armed rebels' attack and crimes in al-Duvair village came after they sustained heavy defeats in al-Qusseir city which has almost been set free by the Syrian army except for a few districts.
Syria has been experiencing unrest since March 2011 with organized attacks by well-armed gangs against Syrian police forces and border guards being reported across the country.
Hundreds of people, including members of the security forces, have been killed, when some protest rallies turned into armed clashes.
The government blames outlaws, saboteurs, and armed terrorist groups for the deaths, stressing that the unrest is being orchestrated from abroad.
In October 2011, calm was almost restored in the Arab state after President Assad started a reform initiative in the country, but Israel, the US and its Arab allies sought hard to bring the country into chaos through any possible means.
Tel Aviv, Washington and some Arab capitals have been staging various plots to topple President Bashar al-Assad, who is well known in the world for his anti-Israeli stances.

Deaf, Dumb Bus Driver Arrested

A deaf and dumb commuter bus driver has been arrested at Apongbon area of Lagos, Southwest Nigeria for driving on BRT lane.
Officials of the Lagos State Taskforce on Environmental and Special Offences (Enforcement) Unit arrested the 33-year old driver, Sunday Ogunola on Monday with passengers in his bus who were unaware that he was deaf and dumb.
The driver is also married to a deaf and dumb woman and has two kids and is also pregnant.
At the time of his arrest, Ogunola was driving a Volkswagen faragon bus painted in the state’s colour, with registration XW 724 EKY. The culprit has been driving since 1999 and has no valid driver’s licence.
On questioning, he said he normally plies the Ajah-Lekki-CMS-Eko Hotel route and that he had once been arrested on BRT lane in the past and was let off the hook after he pleaded.
Taskforce Chairman, Bayo Sulaiman said he was shocked that the driver could not hear or speak when asked questions, saying that he constituted serious danger to life and safety of passengers.
He lamented that despite his predicament, he drove on the BRT lane, which was why he was arrested initially, adding that he has been driving for a long time.” “When we asked him questions, he could reply us.
He cannot even hear or speak but he can write. We don’t expect him to be driving other people.
He cannot even come up with a valid driver’s licence.
“He is liable for his action. He was arrested with passengers in his bus on BRT lane.
We are going to look for the owner of the vehicle and charge him to court. We are holding him back here so that we can get the owner of the bus,” Sulaiman said.

‘It Is True, I Have Left Chocolate City’, Brymo Voices Out On Twitter

The on-going controversy circling around BrymO‘s alleged departure from powerhouse record labelChocolate City continues as the artiste has voiced out, claiming he has left the label.
A few minutes ago, BrymO announced on Twitter ‘It is true, I have left chocolate city‘, confirming rumours that surfaced this week that he had left the label.

But following an exclusive report from NET over the issue, BrymO might just be a barking dog that won’t bite anytime soon.
The label and his manager Samuel Lolo clearly state that the ‘hook master’ is still signed to them and therefore can’t walk out of their deal.
‘He still has three years and two albums to deliver, that’s what his contract says‘, a rep from Choc City says.
The case is quite reminiscent of Wizkid’s contractual issues with his label EME. The artiste had also rebelled against the Banky W-led label and even went as far as starting off his own label Star Boy Entertainment but he’s eventually returned to EME.

Nokia, Blackberry, Samsung or Lenovo - Which Phone Would You Prefer?

Abuja - Agbaje Olushola stares longingly at the Samsung Galaxy S4 and Tecno N7 smartphones on display in the Banex Plaza technology market in Abuja.
The 32-year-old engineer already owns three handsets, yet said he is prepared to pay 100,000 naira to 150,000 naira for a smartphone to add to his collection.
"I'm a phone freak," said Olushola, clutching a BlackBerry in his left hand while a black Nokia Oyj N73 peeps out of his jeans pocket.
"If you don't have those smartphones you look less trendy in society."
Soon Olushola, whose second Nokia - an N900 - is charging in his car, will be spoiled for choice as Microsoft and China's Lenovo try to grab a slice of a market already occupied by BlackBerry, Samsung Electronics and Tecno Telecom.
Both will introduce devices to a country where the number of smartphone users is expected to increase to more than 35 million in 2017 from 5.6 million at the end of last year, according to research by Informa Telecoms & Media.
Nigeria, Africa's most populous country with more than 160 million people, is projected to grow its economy by 7.2 percent this year, above the 5.6 percent average for sub-Saharan Africa, according to the International Monetary Fund.
Mobile phone companies see it as a particularly attractive market because many Nigerians own more than one device, allowing them to take advantage of cheap tariff deals and overcome patchy network coverage.
Data Subscriptions
MTN, the largest mobile phone operator in Nigeria with 51.3 million subscribers at the end of March, increased revenue from data services in the country by about 64 percent in the first quarter partly because of increased use of smartphones, according to Brett Goschen, chief executive officer of the company's Nigerian unit.
MTN shares declined 0.9 percent to 180.39 rand by 9:40 a.m. in Johannesburg, paring its gains this year to 1.7 percent.
"The biggest driver is the devices, particularly the smartphones," which appeal to those who need to access the Internet at work, Goschen said in an interview in Lagos, the commercial capital.
"Once he can do that and use applications on smartphones that really drives the data usage, that’s really where the increase is coming from."
More

King Of The South Beef: Yung6ix Disses Cyrus Tha Virus

Cyrus tha Virus and Yung6ix

One thing you can’t take away from Hip-Hop is the battle – right from the very beginnings of the culture which originated from the Bronx in New York, it has always existed right down to the creeks of the Delta region in Nigeria.
Over the years in Nigerian Hip-Hop, we’ve seen a lot of beef between rap artistes. This time, it’s more than just Hip-Hop. It’s between two rappers who are from the South South region of Nigeria.
Yung6ix has officially dissed Cyrus tha Virus, calling him out on a track ‘N***s fear‘ which he was featured on by veteran rapper Pherowshuz. The cut was released just last night (May 27, 2013).
On his verse Yung6ix rhymes ‘Something like new clothes these haters want to try us/never wanted me in their system virus/only one Cyrus that I know, Miley Cyrus’.
Apparently Yung6ix (who hails from Warri, Delta State and is signed to Storm Records) was reacting to a Cyrus tha Virus interview with urban blog PopOffCentral in February 2103 where he stated Yung6ix could not be called the ‘King of the South’ because he did not have the pedigree to be called so.
‘Yung 6ix ain’t the king of the south. Period. He doesn’t have the pedigree to call himself that; He doesn’t have the character and fiber to call himself that and when he sleeps at night he himself knows that‘, Cyrus tha Virus said; adding: ‘I will not disrespect Yung 6ix, the day he drops a magnum opus or has accumulated a body of work that points to the fact that he’s king…..I will proclaim it myself: “Yung 6ix is King of the south”, but for now, he ain’t …make we die that matter‘.
The whole issue started when heavyweight rapper M.I co-signed and tagged Yung6ix as the ’King of the South‘ on his Illegal Music 2 mixtape in 2012. M.I has constantly referred to Yung6ix as king, and as expected it hasn’t gone down well with a lot of South South rappers
A few other rappers from the South have weighed on the matter…
Veteran PH rapper M-Trill tells NET; ‘Everybody can make a claim, it’s fine. But can someone from the middle belt come to the South to crown a king? We know who’s working the grounds in the creeks‘.
Benin-based rapper Mo’Fame seems to be more concerned about everybody making money off the game;‘It’s fine, lets get this money, let’s put in more work. I’ll support all of us from here’.
Cyrus tha Virus is an experienced Hip-Hop artiste who hit the scene with the heavy single ‘1000 Naira‘ back in 2006 and followed with a debut album ‘The Infection‘. He was nominated in the ‘Next Rated Category‘ at The Headies in 2007. He is considered one of the most influential rappers from the South.
Responding to the diss he told NET: ‘Since it dropped on May 27, I’d say ‘Happy Children’s day to everybody‘.
Yung6ix makes the cream of the crop when talking about gifted new school rappers. He garnered attention after freestlying over Ice Prince’s ‘Oleku’ in 2010. He subsequently signed to a joint record deal with 411 Entertainment and Storm Records before parting ways with the former. When questioned about the diss he says ‘When Phero called me up and I heard the beat with the Nas sample, that’s just what came to my mind. It’s no diss, I just said the Cyrus I know is Miley Cyrus‘.
6ix says he’s almost done with his debut album ’6ix O Clock’ and will definitely be releasing it this year.

Yung6ix and M.I: it was the veteran rapper who first christened Yung6ix as the ‘King of the South’

‘Grand Design’ by the Party to Impeach Amaechi - Shuaibu

A public affairs analyst and a member of the ruling People’s Democratic Party, Phrank Shuaibu, has said that there is a ‘grand design’ by the party to impeach Governor Chibuike Amaechi of Rivers state ‘the same way they did to (former Governor) Dariye’.
In an interview for Channels Television’s breakfast programme, MrShuaibu described the party’s decision to suspend Mr Amaechi as 'reckless', alleging that the party is acting out a prepared 'script'.
Mr Shuaibu also disclosed that the embattled governor was not given fair hearing before being suspended because he could not fulfill a request by the leadership of the party.
The National Working Committee (NWC) of the PDP, on Monday, suspended Governor Amaechi, as a member of the party over the crisis rocking the state chapter of the party.
Former Governor of Plateau State, Joshua Dariye was impeached in 2006 after being accused of corruption.

NDLEA Drags Student To Court For Smoking Indian Hemp

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, has dragged one Jude Ugwu, a post graduate student of the Enugu State University of Science and Technology (ESUT), to the Federal High Court sitting in Enugu for hemp smoking.
The counsel to the plaintiff, Mr Uzoamaka Anigwe, said Ugwu was caught by the operatives of the NDLEA smoking Indian hemp around the Okpara Square axis in Independence Layout while standing alone.
Anigwe said that when he was sighted by a patrol team of the NDLEA, the accused made to run away.
“Luck ran out on him when he was tracked down by the patrol team. The point that my learned colleague was canvassing as regards to the accused waiting for paper materials for his post graduate studies is baseless and a calculated attempt to deceive the court in granting him justice.
“We are here with some Indian hemp recovered from him when he was caught. I will be glad if this honorable court can convict him to serve as a deterrent to our youths who have decided to engage in drug abuse instead of being useful to themselves,” he said.
The counsel to the accused, Mr Francis Ajagu, said his client was arrested on March 30, 2012 where he was waiting for his cousin, Mr Emeka Ike, to collect some paper materials from him for his assignment.
“My client was never caught with Indian hemp and neither was he caught smoking Indian hemp.
“It was surprising that before the arrival of Mr Emeka Ike who was supposed to hand over the materials to him, the operatives of NDLEA have whisked my client away to their office without listening to his own side of the story.
“Here with me is Mr Emeka Ike who my client was waiting for; he is here before this honorable court to testify on the alleged accusation of Indian hemp smoking.
“It will be a victory for the Nigerian judiciary and the rule of law if my client can be discharged as soon as possible,” he said.
Justice D.V. Agishi said the court had listened to the arguments and adjourned the case till Aug. 2 for further hearing and cross examination.

Cost Of Justice In Nigeria Outrageous – Falana

Lagos lawyer, Mr. Femi Falana, SAN, has described the cost of justice in the country as outrageous, saying that such exorbitant fees had shut the poor out of the justice system.
Falana also described the development as unfortunate as according to him, the judiciary was no longer the last hope of the common man in Nigeria.
Falana, spoke weekend while delivering a lecture during the launch of the Annual Law Journal of the Law Students’ Society, University of Ilorin, Kwara State.
The lecture was in honour of Mrs. Folake Solanke, the first female Senior Advocate of Nigeria, SAN, in the country.
The lecture was entitled: “The Anti-Corruption War in the Nigerian Judiciary: How Far? How Well?” He noted that apart from the fact that the common man was economically disabled from having a field day in court, the constitution, also ousted the jurisdiction of the court to adjudicate on the provisions of the Fundamental Objectives and Directive Principle of State Policy which have guaranteed the socio-economic rights of the Nigerian people.
“No doubt, the judiciary has contributed to the protection of political and civil rights, but as such rights are meaningless to the majority of the poor disadvantaged citizens, the courts should use their judicial powers to defend and promote socio-economic rights,” he said.
He, however, challenged Nigerian judges to emulate their Indian counterparts, by making socio-economic rights justifiable through judicial activism.

Stephan El Shaarawy Has Been Ruled Out of Italy Friendly Against San Marino

Italy striker Stephan El Shaarawy has been ruled out of Friday's friendly with San Marino.

The AC Milan star sustained a minor ankle problem in training on Monday and will not be risked in Bologna, and is instead targeting a place in the side for next week's World Cup qualifier against the Czech Republic.
Italy team chief medical officer Enrico Castellacci told www.figc.it: "As expected tests did not show any major problems so we hope for a speedy recovery.
"We will decide together on when to reintegrate him back in the squad because we have some very important objectives. The goal is a full recovery for the match in Prague."
El Shaarawy's club team-mate Mario Balotelli could feature on Friday after Castellacci reported a small muscle strain in the back was "nothing to worry about".