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Some repentant Niger Delta war lords today told President Goodluck Jonathan that they had no hands in the dual bombings that occurred last Friday near a parade to mark Nigeria’s 50 years of independence from colonial rule.

They also condemned the terrorist act and promised to assist security agencies in its bid to nail the perpetrators. Photos:GJ with Dokubo others,"Jomo Gbomo",Former Militants at conference#

The repentant leaders of the Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND) also told President Jonathan that Gbomo Jomo does not exist as a person explaining that it was just a name created which members used to create an email account and subsequently sign statements released to the mass media. It said anyone with access to the password of the email account could email a statement using it.

"MEND is not responsible. We have disarmed. We say to the world, these people claiming they are MEND are impersonating. It is a terrorist act. The people responsible for the act should be dealt with accordingly.

"Jomo Gbomo does not exist. If the person handling the media sector has a problem and another person takes over so far he has the password of the email he can use the name of Jomo Gbomo and cover up as Jomo Gbomo. So, there is nothing as Jomo Gbomo; he does not exist," Ebikabowe Victor Ben aka General Boyloaf told President Jonathan.

About 90 former gunmen on a solidarity visit met with Jonathan inside the Presidential Villa Press Briefing room.

Some of those in attendance included Chief Government Ekpomolo aka Tompolo; Alhaji Mujahidin Asari Dokubo; Ebikabowe Victor aka General Boyloaf; Chief Ateke Tom; Comrade Fara Dagogo; Shoot At Sight; Eberi Papa and Buster Ryme.

President Jonathan told his visitors that: "When this happened, the name of MEND was mentioned and I am happy that you are here because I am from there and I know all the actors and leadership of MEND. I am happy that you have told Nigerians and the rest of the world that it is not MEND that did it.

"I have to thank you again that you have brought the region to limelight. I want to plead with you that even though, like most programmes, we might have hitches, but I want to assure you that the government is actually committed and, by God’s grace most of these hitches will be resolved."

While thanking them for offering to assist government in bringing the perpetrators to judgment, the president said: "I want to thank you for coming to reassure us that you still stand by the spirit of amnesty and work with us. I want to pledge here that we will not disappoint you. We would even work harder to see that amnesty succeeds. We will work with you and men and women from the region."

President of Ijaw Youth Council (IYC) and head of the delegation Karomema Mabiye, told the gathering which also had Vice President Namadi Sambo that: "We recognise that we live in a political environment at this time and, all sorts of old tendencies will play out and that is why we regret the recent bomb blast that happened on the day all of us were beginning to believe in this country, putting our hearts and minds in making sure that a responsible leadership emerges from this political system. When that bomb blast came, it was a rude awakening, particularly when it affected ordinary Nigerians.

"We want to say it here and to the whole world that the act is condemnable and we unequivocally condemn that act. It is dastardly, it is irresponsible and it is morally reprehensible. We reject such incident and we say that the Niger Delta people are in no way in support of that kind of attitude.

Let it go from here and let it go to the entire world, particularly because we read in the media that it was MEND. All the leaders of MEND and all other organisations and we say that MEND was not responsible for that bomb blast. Our struggle is a responsible struggle; our struggle is a moral struggle; our struggle is struggle for fairness, justice and equity. And the political space that is opening is a new opportunity to engage and it is only when this political process disappoints us that we can then say our confidence has been betrayed.

"But we are sure that the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria has grown and understood the pains of the people of the Niger Delta and that alone gives us the confidence and courage to go after the opportunity that he provides for us and it is the we can address the issues bit by bit."

Making his contribution, Alhaji Asari Dokubo, founder of another group, The Niger Delta Peoples Volunteer Force (NDPVF) said: "We may have different political opinion, but that does not mean that we do not know our root. We are not going to sell our patrimony. The platform on which our organisation stands and all other leaders have all spoken in unity and one accord.

"We represent the people of Niger Delta. Our past leaders who have died in the process of this struggle, such as Ken Saro-Wiwa and others, will be turning in their graves that somebody who claims that he is part of us will do that which we have not done. We call on the government to investigate properly and fish out those involved and give out the most appropriate punishment. Let there be no leniency. Whoever is responsible for taking the lives of these innocent people. The action is condemnable. We have the rule of engagement in our organization; we do not kill innocent people; we do not kill women, children, nor kill even an unarmed soldier. We do not destroy properties; we do not pollute fishponds, or cut down economic tree; we do not destroy houses and communities. Anybody who is genuinely in this struggle knows that these are the laws that guide our struggle. It may sound stupid, but this is what we stand for and we will not depart from it."
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More details has emerged as to why the Director General of the IBB Campaign Organization, Chief Raymond Dokpesi was invited and detained by the state security services, earlier today. According to a top security source who elected anonymity,

Chief Dokpesi was arrested, following a revealing Short Message Service (SMS) text message sent to the phone of one of the suspects in police custody, asking “if Dokpesi has paid the balance”, and another SMS “inviting another suspect to a meeting at IBB Campaign office”..

Raymond Dokpesi a source revealed brings to seven the number suspects so far
arrested out of the nine on the wanted list of the police.

According to top security sources, Dokpesi was being detained for
questioning by the security agencies, following “a text message found in
the phone of one of the arrested suspects. The text message reads:
“have you collected the balance from Dokpesi?”

The source said, “this was said to have sent alarm signals across the
nation’s security apparatus, since the suspect concerned is considered to be
neck deep in the bombing plot.

“It became more dramatic when another text sent to another suspect in our
custody reads: ‘lets meet at IBB campaign office’, this led to what is
called security circles as ‘a high tech sting operation’ which in a matter
of hours, has netted a wider ring of suspects”.

It was also gathered that a suspect who never knew he was already under
surveillance confided in a friend via a text that
“na we do am…..meet me make I brief u”, is currently confessing more details to the security agencies.

According to our source, another suspect allegedly confessed that “in the last two weeks he bought a brand new Nissan Murano SUV from funds received from Dopkesi”.

The confession, according to the source, includes a directive from
Mr. Henry Okah that they should destabilize the government since Jonathan
“was not ready to put serious money on the table”.

However, just before press time sources within the IBB 2011 Campaign Organisation revealed that Chief Dokpesi has regained his freedom.
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President Goodluck Jonathan has said those behind the twin bomb attacks in Abuja which claimed about 16 lives during the 50th anniversary celebrations were terrorists sponsored from outside the country. He vowed that government would name and shame those involved.

The president said at a dinner held to commemorate the country's golden jubilee at Marina State House annex Lagos, over the weekend that the government was already on the trail of the perpetrators, and they will not go free.

Mr. Jonathan said, "a small terrorist group that resides outside Nigeria was sponsored to carry out the evil act. We are on their trail and will ensure that until they are arrested and brought to book, we will not rest. Government will no longer condone impunity and any culprit no matter how highly placed or connected will not go scot free."

It's a terrorist plot

The President who called for a minute's silence for those who lost their lives, again absolved the Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND) of any connection with the blast. He said the act was perpetrated by a terrorist group hiding under the umbrella of the movement.

According to him, "We have contacted other members of MEND and they say they know nothing about it. Anybody that hides under the umbrella of MEND to carry out those acts will soon be exposed."

However, MEND had in an earlier statement claimed responsibility and blamed security agents for the loss of lives. In the statement, it said, "The irresponsible attitude of the government security forces is to blame for the loss of lives. They were given five days prior notice which led to the harassment of Henry Okah on Thursday in South Africa." Mr. Okah's house in South Africa was first ransacked by INTERPOL on Thursday and South African security officials arrested him after the bombing, on Saturday.

At another event on Sunday at the National Christian Centre Abuja, Mr. Jonathan regretted that those who carried out the bombings did so at a time many were offering prayers for the nation. "It is the work of the devil, but the people will not die in vain. They have paid the supreme sacrifice to reveal the demons with beautiful names amongst us. We will unearth them," he promised.

He also thanked Nigerians for their orderliness and calm despite the explosions adding that it shows a new Nigeria.

"Nigerians have unanimously declared liberty on our land to move our nation forward. In this year, with the help of God we shall be liberated".

Transformation is coming

He restated his determination to drive the process of transformation by working at all levels and arms of government to reposition the economy.

The Senate President, David Mark, assured the federal government of the support of the National Assembly to ensure the prompt arrest of the perpetrators and ensure they get maximum punishment.

"Whatever may be the reason behind this, it is not acceptable. This is not time to forgive anybody behind this evil, we urge the federal government and we will assist them that the evil doers must get maximum sanction", he said..

Speaking on behalf of the 36 state governors, the Akwa Ibom State governor, Godswill Akpabio,

said they were prepared to support the leadership of Mr. Jonathan. He urged the president not to despair or get distracted by the "blackmail".

The representative of the business community and Chairman of the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria, Kola Jamodu, also noted that there has been a significant improvement in the economy because of the positive steps taken by the government. He appealed for more transparency and consistency in economic policies to move the nation forward.

He further asked for tax incentives for private investors who are setting up businesses in the villages and remote parts of the country to stem rural urban migration as well as develop the areas and create more employment.

Earlier, the Minister of Information and Communication, Dora Akunyili said the dinner was the final stage of the Nigeria@50 anniversary celebration and government decided to go ahead and hold it in honour of those killed in the blast rather than be cowed by the attacks.

The Aso villa chaplain Obioma Onwuzurumba condemned the attacks saying, "The enemy meant evil, but I know that God will turn what the enemy intended to be evil for the good of Nigeria. We are not daunted, we are not intimidated, we simply give thanks to God that the damages were curtailed."

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Ex-beauty queen and popular Nollywood actress, Ibinabo Fiberesima, who made headline last year after she was sentenced to five years imprisonment for manslaughter, following the death of a medical doctor, Mr. Suraj Giwa, is a changed woman.

Ibinabo Fiberesima


She has completely turned her life around, bidding farewell to alcohol, cigarettes and partying. The single mother of three is now a born again Christian and spreads the word of God at every opportunity.

Confirming her new faith to HVP on telephone, the actress-turned-preacher said she gave her life to Christ while she was serving her jail term at Kirikiri Maximum Prison.

Ibinabo, who was a former night club owner, said she took the bold step after she realised that the promises of man is fake and also given the need to build eternal peace within herself.

“I got born again when I was in prison. I discovered that the promises of man is fake. Yes, I’m spreading the word of God at every given opportunity. I visit schools in Port-Harcourt to talk to children about Christ. Each time I’m praying, I always ask God that whenever people see me, let them see the glory of God in me,” she muted.

The embattled actress allayed the fear that she would abandon her acting career for the work of God. “I will still be acting. Doing the work of God will not stop me from acting,” she said.

She advised other celebrities to learn to embrace Christ as the only way to find permanent peace in life.

Ibinabo Fiberesima was convicted of murder manslaughter and sentenced to seven years imprisonment by the Igbosere division of the Lagos Magistrate Court last year..

She was alleged to have killed a male medical doctor identified as Suraju Giwa while driving carelessly and under the influence of alcohol along Lekki/Epe Expressway in Lagos.

Ibinabo was said to have been seriously drunk while driving the vehicle ( a jeep) belonging to her erstwhile lover, Daniel Wilson, in which she was with some other girls.

Though the actress pleaded not guilty, the prosecution called five witnesses during the trial to prove its case, and all the five who, included two eye witnesses, gave detailed account of how the offence was committed, to the court.

The presiding magistrate, Mr. A.O. Isaac, thus held he was totally convinced that the actress committed the offence, having looked at the circumstances surrounding the matter as well as the account of the prosecution witnesses. He found her guilty as charged and convicted her accordingly.

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Silicon Valley:The sad truth about facebook

The people who run Facebook, the social-networking company, are furious about a new movie that takes lots of liberties in its depiction of how Facebook came into existence. They’re upset because much of The Social Network, which opens Oct. 1, is just completely made up. That’s fair enough. But to me, the really interesting thing about this movie is that while much of the tale is invented, the story tells a larger truth about Silicon Valley’s get-rich-quick culture and the kind of people—like Facebook’s 26-year-old founder and CEO, Mark Zuckerberg—who thrive in this environment..

The Valley used to be a place run by scientists and engineers, people like Robert Noyce, the Ph.D. physicist who helped invent the integrated circuit and cofounded Intel. The Valley, in those days, was focused on hard science and making things. At first there were semiconductors, which is how Silicon Valley got its name; then came computers and software. But now the Valley has become a casino, a place where smart kids arrive hoping to make an easy fortune building companies that seem, if not pointless, at least not as serious as, say, old-guard companies like HP, Intel, Cisco, and Apple.

Facebook lets you keep in touch with your friends; for this profound service to mankind it will generate about $1.5 billion in revenue this year by bombarding its 500 million members with ads. Twitter is a noisy circus of spats and celebrity watching, and its hapless founders still can’t figure out how to make money. That hasn’t stopped venture capitalists from funding dozens of companies that make little apps that work with Twitter, just as they’re also funding countless companies that make apps for Apple’s iPhone, and just as, a few years ago, they were all funding companies that made applications to run on Facebook. Zynga, the biggest of those Facebook app-makers, reportedly will rake in $500 million this year by getting people addicted to cheesy games like Farmville and Mafia Wars, then selling “virtual goods” to use inside the games.

Meanwhile, among some longtime techies, there’s a sense that something important has been lost.

“The old Silicon Valley was about solving really hard problems, making technical bets. But there’s no real technical bet being made with Facebook or Zynga,” says Nathan Myhrvold, the former chief technology officer at Microsoft who now runs an invention lab in Seattle. “Today almost everyone in the Valley will tell you there is too much ‘me-tooism,’ too much looking for a gold rush and not enough people who are looking to solve really hard problems.”

Sure, there are still entrepreneurs and investors chasing serious technology challenges in the Valley. And Myhrvold says he means no disrespect to Facebook and Zynga, which have had clever ideas and are making loads of money.

“What bothers me is the zillions of wannabes who will follow along, and the expectation that every company ought to be focused on doing really short-term, easy things to achieve giant paydays. I think that’s unrealistic, and it’s not healthy,” Myhrvold says.

His company, Intellectual Ventures, intentionally runs counter to the prevailing trend in Silicon Valley. The only problems it tries to solve are ones that seem overwhelmingly difficult. These include creating a new kind of nuclear reactor and developing technologies that could address climate change and eradicate malaria.
Face-to-Facebook Friend Feed: We talk to Facebook users (and self-proclaimed addicts) about how the social networking site fits into their lives

Myhrvold doesn’t have problems raising money. He made a fortune at Microsoft and is a close friend of Bill Gates. But he worries about “the unknown engineers and professors who have good ideas. Are those people going to get funded or will they be talked out of it and told they should do something like Zynga, because virtual goods is where it’s at these days?”

The risk is that by focusing an entire generation of bright young entrepreneurs on such silly things, we’ll fall behind in creating the fundamental building blocks of our economy. The transistor and the integrated circuit gave rise to the last half century of prosperity. But what comes next? “If we distract people with the lure of easy money, with making companies that don’t solve anything hard, we’re going to wind up derailing the thing that has been driving our economy,” Myhrvold says.

We’ve already fallen behind in areas like alternative energy, better batteries, and nanotechnology. Instead of racing to catch up, we’re buying seeds and garden gnomes on Facebook. This won’t end well.

Daniel Lyons is also the author of Options: The Secret Life of Steve Jobs and Dog Days: A Novel.


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The Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND) has apologised for causing the death of many people in the explosions which rocked the Federal capital yesterday.

In an email sent to journalists a moment ago, Jomo Gbomo, the spokesperson of the group, said the group "deeply regrets the avoidable loss of lives during our bomb attack in Abuja on Friday October 1, 2010. Our hearts go to the families of those killed who we know were sympathetic to our cause"..

The group said the failure of security forces to heed a warning it had given five days before the attack is responsible for the deaths

"The irresponsible attitude of the government security forces is to blame for the loss of lives. They were given 5 days prior notice which led to the harassment of Henry Okah on Thursday, September 30 in South Africa."

It also claimed that an hour before the attack, security forces were reminded of the impending violence but failed to act. It said the email received by journalists a few minutes before the explosions was sent only after the one to security agents.

"The security forces were also warned one full hour to the first bomb blast ahead of the general alert sent to the media and told to steer the public from all parked cars which was not done."

The group's claim of responsibility for the attacks is coming hours after President Goodluck Jonathan said they were not responsible and blamed the explosions on terrorists.

Mr. Jonathan told an ECOWAS gathering in Abuja today that ``What happened yesterday was a terrorist act and MEND was just used as a straw; MEND is not a terrorist group".

"The Niger Delta people are aware of the government's noble efforts to assuage the suffering and deprivation in that region," the President said.

"I am from the Niger Delta, my father's house is few metres from an oil-well, so nobody can claim to be a Niger Deltan than myself.

"It is erroneous to think that my people who have been agitating for good living will deliberately blow up the opportunity they have now".

In a related development, Henry Okah, an alleged leader of the militant group, was arrested by South African police today and is being questioned.

On Thursday, Interpol forces raided Mr Okah's home in South Africa but no action was taken against him. It is not clear yet if he will be charged following his latest arrest.

However, the group has exonerated him of involvement in Friday's bombings that killed at least 12 people and injured tens of others. "Okah has never been involved in any MEND operations but has always been blamed for every attack which is strange to us," the group said..

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It’s definitely not easy to predict how your girlfriend’s going to interpret your behavior. Most misunderstandings and arguments arise because one of you has grabbed the wrong end of the stick. If you’ve reacted melodramatically or done something that she has misunderstood, it’s not up to you to change. You can’t always help what she sees, after all. But you can prevent the onslaught of drama by taking note of some typical misconceptions so that you’re ahead of the game.

Here are some examples of what you do versus what she sees.
You forget to give her a key to your place
What you did: You’ve been working long hours and have had so much going on that getting her a key to your apartment just slipped your mind -- again.

What she sees: A hesitation to commit. In her mind it’s such a simple thing for you to give her a key that she fears your hesitation could be symptomatic of something more serious. For instance, maybe you just don’t have the balls to tell her you really don’t want her to move her toothbrush into your bathroom just yet.

What you should do: It’s time to figure out your emotions. Are there any real reasons, other than a memory slip, that explain you not getting her a key? Ask yourself if you really do want her gaining free access to your private space. If you do, then make getting the key a priority. If you are second-guessing yourself, clearly communicate with her why you’d rather not take that leap of commitment yet.
Cut off phone or text conversations
What you did: You’ve spoken for a while, but when you’re keen to end the conversation you warble off a “goodnight” and don’t think anything of pulling the plug on your talk. In fact, you might regularly end conversations first.

What she sees: She’s either boring you or you just don’t wish to take the time to nurture the relationship with communication.

What you should do: Explain to her that you’re not a big phone person and would prefer getting to speak to her face-to-face. That way, she won’t feel dissed. Ensure that you have really great conversations when you do see each other so she knows you’re interested in getting to know her.

Read on to find out how more of your innocent actions get misinterpreted..

Interact with an ex
What you did: You and your ex have been exchanging a few texts and organizing coffee catch-ups.

What she sees: A threat, possibly involving future infidelity. You have a history with the woman in question so your girlfriend can’t help but worry a romantic sequel is in the cards.

What you should do: Decide what your relationship with your ex is about and what you hope to gain from it. Often, misunderstandings occur because of lack of information, so define that interaction for yourself and then communicate it to your girlfriend. This will prevent her mind from incorrectly filling in blanks.
Talk about a female friend
What you did: It’s nothing major. In conversation, you casually mentioned something about Michelle from the office, or you talk about Lauren, one of your closest friends..

What she sees: You’re lusting over a friend that keeps coming up in conversation. Didn’t Oprah Winfrey call this “mentionitis?”

What you should do: Bite your tongue in the future. However, if you want to share something with your girlfriend, bear in mind it’s easy for misunderstandings to crop up unless you’re crystal clear concerning details. If you saw Lauren in a group setting, ensure you mention that crucial fact so your girlfriend’s mind doesn’t run circles around her.
Take a call in the other room
What you did: You couldn’t hear the person on the other side of the phone or you just thought it was less rude to take the call outside the restaurant.

What she sees: She thinks you could be hiding something and keeping secrets from her.

What you should do: Take calls in the room with her. Not only will she see that she has nothing to fear, but she will probably start wishing you would take them outside when you become too noisy.
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Abuja Bomb Blast: Ben Jessy (wanted)

Huhuonline.com can disclose that barely 72

hours after Abuja bomb explosions, the NigeriaPolice has confirmed the arrest of a suspect.But the identity of the arrested suspect was not disclosed for security reasons.

The police also declared two others, Chima Orlu and Ben Jessy, wanted over the bomb blasts.

The Force Public Relations Officer, ACP Emmanuel Ojukwu who made the disclosure in a statement in Abuja said forensic experts had already commenced analysis of over 100 vehicles trapped during the incidents.

He said 10 people were killed and 36 injured including 11 policemen.

He also claimed that the blasts completely destroyed six cars and damaged 18 others.Ojukwu said: “As you are already aware, two cars exploded before noon of 1stOctober, 2010, while the President, Commander-in-Chief was reviewing a colourful ceremony marking Nigeria ’s 50th Independence Anniversary.

“Both explosions occurred near a bridge adjacent to the Millennium Park , within a kilometre, East end of the Eagle Square .

.

“The ugly incident resulted in the death of 10 (ten) persons, while 36 (thirty-six) others, including 11 policemen were seriously injured. The blasts completely destroyed 6 (six) cars, damaged 18 (eighteen) others, and shattered the glasses of a hotel nearby. “The Nigeria Police deeply regrets the loss of innocent lives and the harm and damage done to the well being and property of fellow citizens. It is clear that the intention of the perpetrators of the evil act was to truncate Nigeria ’s celebration of half a century of her political freedom.

“Their motive was to cut short the joy of men and women of goodwill and to pour shame and contempt on our President and indeed the entire nation, in the very presence of dignitaries and eminent persons from around the world. “Certainly, these operators of an evil enterprise had targeted to commit mass murder of innocent children, young and old men and women, and members of the international community who had gathered to partake in our nation’s glorious moment.

bombblastsuspects.jpg

Abuja Bomb Blast: Chima Orlu (Wanted)

“To the glory of God, their act of wickedness was frustrated by the tight security put in place at the Eagle Square .

Police investigation has commenced in earnest. Forensic experts are already checking about a hundred vehicles trapped in the vicinity of the blasts to ascertain the make, composition and origin of the explosives. As soon as the forensic examination is over, the vehicles will be released to their owners and the roads re-opened to normal traffic.

“The Nigeria Police regrets the inconveniences caused owners of those trapped vehicles and the users of those roads.

“Also, an arrest has been made by the Police in connection with the incident. Police detectives are currently hunting for another two Nigerian citizens suspected to be the masterminds of the evil plot. Their names are: 1. CHIMA ORLU, (MALE) and 2. BEN JESSY (MALE) And I have attached their photographs for easier identification.

By this release, they are declared wanted by the Nigeria Police, and are hereby requested to come forward and clear their names. Any person who sees them or knows their whereabouts is requested to kindly report to the nearest Police Station anywhere in the Federation of Nigeria, or abroad, or call or send SMS to the following telephone numbers:1. 08033225-349; 2. 0806-2700-000 ; and 3. 0803-8305-707

“Finally, I wish to call on all citizens that the thought and act of bombing any part of this country amounts to a declaration of war against Nigeria . It is our collective duty to stop criminals from destroying our fatherland.

“All citizens are reminded that they are obliged by the constitution to assist law enforcement agencies in the maintenance of law and order. And it is indeed a punishable offence to conceal or hide the identity or whereabouts of a wanted person.”
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"Toni and I are separated and a divorce is already in the pipeline. We can never come together again. If people are being fed by wrong sources about the possibility of reconciling, they are hearing from me now that it is not possible. We can't come back." 9ice said in a recent interview.


He went further to reveal that he will never get married again, though he plans to have two or three more children. He already has one son, Zion, with his ex, Toni Payne.

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man beats wife to death over nothing!!!

A 42-year old man beat his wife to death following a disagreement. TOYOSI OGUNSEYE spoke with the suspect who says he cannot justify his action



The marriage of 10 years ended in just 10 minutes. Olushola Ojaelatan and his wife, Basirat Oluwatoyin, had been married for 10 years. They had three children out of which two are surviving.


The marriage was not Ojaelatan‘s first. The 42-year-old man was married for 10 years to another woman who left him after the union did not produce any child. Then he met Basirat who married him just after the first woman had left. Basirat‘s first child died a few months after birth, but she had two other children ages four and one respectively.



Neighbours at their No. 18/20, Laidi Street, Ofin, Ikorodu, Lagos, testified that the Ojaelatans‘ marriage had not been blissful. The landlord who pleaded anonymity said that he always had cause to settle the couple‘s differences. He said, ”I was always in their room settling one fight or the other. If the wife was not screaming, the husband would be shouting. I always told Basirat‘s husband that it was not everything his wife did that he should react to; but he never listened to me. Hardly did any week pass by that I did not have to placate either of them. Their trouble was just too much.”


One of the Ojaelatans‘ troubles that the landlord referred to occurred last Saturday. It was the last scuffle the husband would ever have with his wife. Ojaelatan, a carpenter, said that he returned from a night vigil in his church when his wife picked a quarrel with him. According to him, the woman was angry with him because he did not wait for her or the children when he was leaving the church. He said, ”She started shouting on top of her voice that I left her to bring our children home alone. Her grouse was that while she put one of the children on her back and held one, I did not bother to assist or wait for her after the service.”


Ojaelatan however said that Basirat, 32, had been nagging him for two days before then because he did not give her sufficient money, ”She started her trouble two days before that Saturday. I gave her the little money I had, but she kept complaining that it was not enough. I knew that she was preparing for another fight, so I decided to avoid her.”



The native of Ondo State however did not keep to his resolve to avoid his wife that Saturday. He said, ”I got home before her and our children and was lying down on the bed. She said that I would not sleep for leaving our children with her. Initially, I pleaded with her to let me sleep because we had another church service in the evening; but she did not listen. The next thing my wife did was to jump on the bed. She pulled my cloth and tore it into shreds. I can‘t lie against her.”


The father of two said that he couldn‘t bear it any longer at this stage, so he decided to beat her with his brown leather belt. As if dealing with an unruly child, he turned her face down and started to beat her on her bare back.



Ojaelatan said, ”Before she tore my shirt, she locked the door. I was very angry after she tore my shirt. So, I picked up my belt and started to beat her.”


Basirat‘s screams woke up the neighbours in the compound, including the landlord who ran to the couple‘s apartment. According to the landlord, he begged the couple to open the door and he met Basirat crying on top of her voice. He said, ”Basirat said that she was not going to leave her husband until he killed her. I managed to separate them and told my other tenants to take her out of the room while I admonished the husband.”


The landlord was still reprimanding Ojaelatan for beating his wife when someone shouted that Basirat, an auxiliary nurse, had fainted. Both the landlord and the lady‘s husband hurriedly went to the spot. When all efforts to resuscitate her failed, they rushed her to a nearby hospital but she died on the way.


Immediately, the neighbours reported the matter to the police. Then the reality of Ojaelatan‘s action dawned on him. He said, ”I still cannot believe that my wife is dead. I‘m shocked that she died over nothing. If you ask me what the cause of our quarrel was, I can‘t even say what exactly happened.”


That was not, however, the first time he would be beating her, “Even though we were always exchanging words, the last time I beat her was six years ago and I told myself that it will never happen again. I don‘t know what came over me.”



The spokesman of the Lagos State Police Command, Mr. Frank Mba, confirmed the incident and said, ”Basirat‘s cry for help was said to have alerted other tenants who reportedly discovered that the door was locked from inside, thereby preventing them from quickly saving her. Moments later, she became unconscious. She was rushed to the hospital where, unfortunately, she was confirmed dead. We have started our investigations and an autopsy will be carried out for us to know the cause of her death.”


Mba, a Superintendent of Police, added that the deceased had a caesarian operation less than a year ago. ”She gave birth via a caesarian section barely a year ago, and it is possible that she was yet to recover, health wise. But the autopsy will tell us what went wrong.”



The PPRO advised couples to shun domestic violence.

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Although economic issues seem to be the highest priority for most people as we lead up to the midterm elections, the debate over gay marriage is nonetheless hitting a turning point. Two recent polls were the first to find majority support for same-sex couples having marriage rights.

Gay marriage is legal in five states (Connecticut, Iowa, Massachusetts, Vermont and New Hampshire) and in Washington, D.C. But each of those states allowed the practice only after courts or legislatures stepped in. A popular vote on gay marriage has never resulted in legalizing the unions.

The battle for what pro-gay marriage activists call "marriage equality" has also made significant strides in court recently. In July, a judge in Massachusetts declared the Defense of Marriage Act, which Congress passed in 1996, unconstitutional. The act denies federal benefits to gay and lesbian couples that get married. Then in August, a federal judge in California ruled that a voter initiative called Proposition 8, which barred gay marriage in the state, also violated the Constitution..photolaff:George & Tony Bush now divorced

Both judges put a "stay" on their rulings, which is like putting them on hold. This means that gay married couples in Massachusetts don't receive legal benefits, and gay couples in California can't get married.

But marriage isn't the only area of gay rights where the courts have ruled in favor of gay activists lately. The debate over ending the military's "don't ask, don't tell" policy, which forbids gays and lesbians from serving openly, has come to the fore in a few venues and even gotten the attention of pop star Lady Gaga.

Last month, a federal judge in California declared the military's policy unconstitutional and may order the military to stop enforcing it any day now. A few weeks later, a judge in Washington ruled that a lesbian who had been discharged from the Air Force Reserve must be reinstated because her dismissal violated her constitutional rights.

Any one of those court cases could wind up at the U.S. Supreme Court.

Sandwiched between the two "don't ask, don't tell" rulings was a Senate vote on repealing the policy. It was voted down, but not before singer Lady Gaga appeared at a rally in Maine, home to two moderate GOP senators whose votes Democrats were courting. Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid has said he plans to bring the repeal vote again after the Nov. 2 elections. and a report on the effects of ending the policy is due to Defense Secretary Robert Gates on Dec. 1.

Amid all this activity, Ask America has been collecting people's thoughts on the issue. As of Sunday morning, more than 17,000 responses had come in, and the vote was split 50-50.

The question generated more than 1,200 comments. Yahoo! user lamme, who voted in favor of gay marriage, said, "If you don't believe gay marriage is right, then don't have one. Leave the gays who wish to marry alone. Can someone explain how gay marriage hurts the straight community?"

User Jen, who voted "No," commented: "I will tell you why I care; because it is ruining the family unit and the downfall of our civilization. Men and women have separate, distinct roles in life...they should be upheld."

People on both sides of the issue expressed one other opinion that comes up fairly often in the debate: that the government should just stay out of the marriage business altogether.

"The Constitution does not define marriage. All unions should be civil unions. Marriage is a religious ceremony," Chet Askew, who voted "Yes," said.

Terry voted "No" but said, "Marriage is defined as between a man and a woman. Plus, government should not be involved in this process period."

What do you think?
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Like in the movie Catch me if you can with Leonardo di Caprio

A Nigerian drug smuggler who duped authorities to get a job in New Zealand as a hospital psychiatrist came across as friendly and plausible, but secretive, acquaintances say.

Chidozie Emmanuel Onovo, 40, lived in Christchurch - next door to a
senior policeman - and worked for the Canterbury District Health Board
from January 2009 until August this year, after failing to disclose he
had been jailed in Britain in 1999 for importing 4.5kg of cannabis.

He has been a member of the Christchurch Skeptics in the Pub group,
which among its core activities studies "mechanisms of deception". Onovo
said the group offered "excellent opportunity to meet like-minded
people".

He had spoken of his desire to bring his wife and children over from
Ireland to live with him, but on Wednesday was jailed for 16 months for
failing to disclose his criminal past.

He obtained a visa to enter New Zealand in January 2009, then a work permit to get the job as a psychiatrist. It was not until August this year, after Onovo applied
for residency, that immigration checks found him out.

He had supplied forged reference letters saying he was working in the medical field in Nigeria over a period in which he was in jail in Britain.

Dawn Catherwood, whose daughter rents a townhouse to Onovo, had him over
for meals and found him to be plausible and a "really nice guy". He
paid his rent on time, but had recently terminated his lease and was
planning to go overseas..

Earlier this year he visited his wife and children in Ireland.

"He had lost a lot of weight since he had been in New Zealand - we
noticed that. And he was hoping to bring his family out here."

Often he was not at home when arranged meetings were meant to take
place, she said. "He's very secretive. He doesn't let anybody into his
flat."

Inspector Kieren Kortegast was a neighbour of Onovo, but said he only spoke to him a couple of times and rarely saw him.

He was surprised to hear of Onovo's deception.

Immigration New Zealand said it was their inquiries that revealed
Onovo's criminal past, while the health board said it went through the
required processes and routine checks before employing him and there
were no concerns about his competence.

The Medical Council said Onovo met all the registration requirements to
work in New Zealand and had references showing he was a good doctor.

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Summary:


In the United States, a new law proposal called The Combating Online Infringement and Counterfeits Act (COICA) was introduced last week, andthere will be a hearing in front of the Judiciary Committee thisThursday.

If passed, this law will allow the government, under the command of themedia companies, to censor the internet as they see fit, like China andIran do, with the difference that the sites they decide to censor willbe completely removed from the internet and not just in the US.

Please see the following article from the Huffington Post for more information.

Stop the Internet Blacklist

And if you are a US citizen, please take the time to sign this petition
DemandProgress.org - Petition to Stop the Internet Blacklist!


When it really matters to them, Congressmembers can come together -- with a panache and wry wit you didn't know they had. As banned books week gets underway, and President Obama admonishes oppressive regimes for their censorship of the Internet, a group of powerful Senators --Republicans and Democrats alike -- have signed onto a bill that wouldvastly expand the government's power to censor the Internet.

The Combating Online Infringement and Counterfeits Act(COICA) was introduced just one week ago, but it's greased and ready tomove, with a hearing in front of the Judiciary Committee this Thursday.If people don't speak out, US citizens could soon find themselvesjoining Iranians and Chinese in being blocked from accessing broadchunks of the public Internet...

Help us stop this bill in its tracks! Click here to sign our petition.

COICA creates two blacklists of Internet domain names. Courts could addsites to the first list; the Attorney General would have control overthe second. Internet service providers and others (everyone from Comcastto PayPal to Google AdSense) would be required to block any domains onthe first list. They would also receive immunity (and presumably thegood favor of the government) if they block domains on the second list.

The lists are for sites "dedicated to infringing activity," but that'sdefined very broadly -- any domain name where counterfeit goods orcopyrighted material are "central to the activity of the Internet site"could be blocked.

One example of what this means in practice: sites like YouTube could becensored in the US. Copyright holders like Viacom often arguecopyrighted material is central to the activity of YouTube, but undercurrent US law, YouTube is perfectly legal as long as they take downcopyrighted material when they're informed about it -- which is whyViacom lost to YouTube in court.

But if COICA passes, Viacom wouldn't even need to prove YouTube is doinganything illegal to get it shut down -- as long as they can persuadethe courts that enough other people are using it for copyright infringement, the whole site could be censored.

Perhaps even more disturbing: Even if Viacom couldn't get a court tocompel censorship of a YouTube or a similar site, the DOJ could put iton the second blacklist and encourage ISPs to block it even without acourt order. (ISPs have ample reason to abide the will of the powerfulDOJ, even if the law doesn't formally require them to do so.)

COICA's passage would be a tremendous blow to free speech on the Internet -- and likely a first step towards much broader onlinecensorship. Please help us fight back: The first step is signing our petition. We'll give you the tools to share it with your friends and call your Senator.

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Reading: James 3:1-13, 17


“Not many of you should become teachers, my brothers and sisters, for you know that we who teach will be judged with greater strictness. For all of us make many mistakes. Anyone who makes no mistakes in speaking is perfect, able to keep the whole body in check with a bridle. If we put bits into the mouths of horses to make them obey us, we guide their whole bodies. Or look at ships: though they are so large that it takes strong winds to drive them, yet they are guided by a very small rudder wherever the will of the pilot directs. So also the tongue is a small member, yet it boasts of great exploits.

“How great a forest is set ablaze by a small fire! And the tongue is a fire. The tongue is placed among our members as a world of iniquity; it stains the whole body, sets on fire the cycle of nature, and is itself set on fire by Hell. For every species of beast and bird, of reptile and sea creature, can be tamed and has been tamed by the human species, but no one can tame the tongue. With it we bless the Lord and Father, and with it we curse those who are made in the likeness of God. From the same mouth comes blessing and cursing. My brothers and sisters, this ought not to be so. Does a spring pour forth from the same opening both fresh and brackish water? Can a fig tree, my brothers and sisters, yield olives, or a grapevine figs? No more can salt water yield fresh. Who is wise and understanding among you… without a trace of partiality or hypocrisy?”

Sermon

You can always count on a good scandal. When I decided several months ago that I was going to preach on the subject of hypocrisy, I couldn’t help but wonder which scandal would surface for my use as a contemporary sermon illustration. They are many lets mention a few .1.Pastor Eddie long 2.Ted haggard ......

At this list and invisible is going to be me and you readers !

I think hypocrisy may be defined as such: hypocrisy is a kind of insincerity, a claiming to believe things that you do not really believe. Hypocrisy is a kind of dissonance between our public words and private actions, between what you say should be done and what you actually do. And more to the point, hypocrisy involves a kind of tangible benefit – in which one derives honor or prestige or gain by claiming to have principles that one does not actually have.

If there is a lesson that I want for you to take away from Church this morning, it is that you should be a bigger hypocrite, because hypocrisy is hip again. Actually, that is not the lesson I want you to take away. I’ll explain this later on.



Of course, there is no commandment against hypocrisy, exactly. Hypocrisy is not a sin; it is more of an accessory, an enhancement, a bonus. The poet Matthew Arnold famously quipped, "Hypocrisy is the tribute vice pays to virtue." What Arnold is saying is that while vice can exist anywhere, hypocrisy can only exist when vice exists amidst claims of virtue.

Claims of virtue invite hypocrisy. My favorite example of this is the author William Bennett. Bennett, as many of you know, wrote the "Book of Virtue." It was actually called the "Book of Virtues" and, checking in at an enormous 831 pages, it clearly had a lot to say about virtues. So, it was only fitting that the man who wrote the “book of virtues” would accumulate a reported eight million dollars in gambling losses. Now, Bennett is a wealthy man. After all, it was his many books instructing people in the practice of virtue, and condemning others for their moral shortcomings, that made Bill Bennett the type of guy who can easily afford to blow eight million dollars without having to worry about how he will feed his family. He was not gambling the milk money. And lots of people lose a million or two in the casinos: Pete Rose, Michael Jordan, Dennis Rodman, nameless business men in Armani suits... but Dennis Rodman’s autobiography is called “Bad as I want to be”, not "The Book of Virtues." Hypocrisy is the tribute vice pays to virtue.

So hypocrisy thrives amidst claims of virtue. So, it is only fitting that it would be found most pronounced among those who claim to be the most virtuous. It thrives amidst adulterous preachers like Jimmy Swaggart, and fraudulent and adulterous preachers like Jim Bakker, and preachers like Jerry Johnston, who had the nerve to preach to his flock about not cheating on their taxes while he himself was apparently over a year behind and ten thousand dollars in arrears on taxes he owed on his half-million dollar Johnson County home. He promptly paid up though; in fact he paid up on the very same day a reporter asked him about his unpaid taxes. (Now, if Jim Bakker or Jerry Johnston had been a little bit creative, they would have found a way to skip out on taxes legally, like Rick Warren did. From 1993-1995, Rev. Rick Warren paid not one single cent in income tax on his $80,000/year salary. He found a small loop hole for clergy and made it a big loop hole. And he got away with it. Of course, he had to win a Supreme Court case in the process, but that’s what you have to do when you’re doing God’s work.)

There are many Pastors in Nigeria doing the same today

Now, if my aim today were to instruct you not to be hypocrites, I could recommend two different courses of action. One course of action would be to tell you to be morally pure and ethically perfect. “Be ye perfect…” And, of course, you're not going to succeed, because who do think you are, Jesus? The other course of action, to perfectly safeguard you from ever being accused of hypocrisy, is to tell you to never make any sort of moral claim whatsoever, which doesn't of course mean that you need to live life full of vice. You might just as well live a life of model virtue, just don't say that's what you're doing and don't tell anybody else what to do either.

But, that's not why I'm here this morning. I'm not here to prescribe an antidote to hypocrisy, but to invite you to become hypocrites. Because hypocrisy is hip again, it's always been. Of course, that's not really what I'm going to do.

So, when I say the word "hypocrisy" to you, what do you think of? I would imagine that what you think of is something like the Jim Bakker's and Jimmy Swaggart's of the world. Or of the religious authorities we imagine Jesus rebuking for demonstrating showy piety but living lives of ethical shortcoming. I would imagine that you think of someone self-aggrandizing, arrogant, and holier-than-thou.

But I want to see if I can't suggest a different way of thinking about hypocrisy. What if we saw hypocrisy not as the emperor without any clothes, but something different. Unitarian Universalist Doug Muder, who is a political commentator and writer on culture, faith, and politics, writes, “[The Religious Right has] a fundamentally negative view of where the world is going. The Anti-Christ is coming. Armageddon is coming. Things are going to get really bad. And so, if Tom DeLay or Rush Limbaugh or Jimmy Swaggart get into trouble -- and they have -- that just shows how strong the winds of temptations are in this fallen society. It just shows how strong Satan is in these last days,it is that scandals, paradoxically, often have the effect of strengthening and confirming people’s allegiances to their own biases. If it is your enemy that who goes down in shame, it just goes to prove how right you were to have that enemy. And if it is your own hero is the one who succumbs, then imagine how much worse your enemy would succumb to that same temptation!

To paraphrase, “pointing out another’s vice has no ability to change them. Displaying your own virtue is the only thing that will change them.”

Thus, my invitation to you all to become hypocrites. Well, not actually. Thus, my invitation to you all to risk being hypocrites: My invitation to you to display virtue. To display liberal religious virtue. Because pointing out another’s vice has no ability to change them, but displaying your own virtue does.

A story from our tradition: the great Universalist minister Hosea Ballou was traveling along the road and got to talking salvation with a person traveling along the road with him. When Ballou admitted that he believed in Universal salvation and that there was no such thing as Hell, the traveler asked, “But if you do not believe in Hell, why do you not kill me and steal my horse.” Ballou’s response, “Because I am a Universalist the thought would never cross my mind.”

When I talk about this church, this faith in public, people will sometimes ask me, concerned, “Well, if you don’t all believe the same thing, then how do you get along?” “If there is no Hell, then what is the incentive to do good?” I say, we get along because we respect each other even though we do not all believe the same thing. We do good not for some future reward but because doing good is its own reward.



Because we do help people to live ethical, principled lives. In this congregation we have amazing families. We have astounding kindness, understanding, compassion. We have passionate commitment to causes that make the world a better place. Our teenagers grow into these fantastic human beings with ethics and vision. Our children are the ones at school who speak out when a racist epithet or homophobic insult is spoken; they are the ones sticking up for the kid getting picked on, befriending the kid who is left out. These are our values.

Doug Muder writes, “the personal is political again.” By this he means that the everyday ways we live our lives are an expression of our deepest values and that we should choose to be out-spoken about the role those values play in our lives. This means that the conduct of our everyday lives, the virtues we embrace, and demonstrate, and live-by, if articulated, are a source of influence and moral force. How we take care of each other is a source of influence and moral force. How we spend time together as a family is political again is a source of influence and moral force. How we volunteer and give and serve the community is a source of influence and moral force. How we face the tough stuff life throws at us, and get back up again, is a source of influence and moral force.

So, I invite you to risk being a hypocrite: as you live out our values in community, as you walk the walk of justice and mercy, inclusiveness and love, don’t be afraid to speak up and say, “These are my values. These are my morals. These are my virtues.”
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Is D'Banj losing steam?
  • THAT exactly will be what is going on in the minds of the Koko Master's fans regarding his latest work, Mr. Endowment. After almost three weeks of the song’s release, it has lacked the basic characteristics of D'Banj in popularity and acceptance. Unlike his previous songs like, Why Me, Igwe and others that became anthems of sort within few days of release, many still are not aware the multiple award winning star has a single out. With Wande Coal now the new toast in the Mo'Hits family and taking home five awards at the last Hip Hop World Award (HHWA) and D'Banj going home with none, music analysts are of the opinion that the Kokomaster might have worked in a hurry to no avail to regain his position within the scene.
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The 15 kids of Abayi International School, Aba, who were kidnapped on Monday regained their freedom on the early hours of Friday morning after a military task force stormed the hideout of their abductors to flush them out.

The children were later taken to the state government house in a military bus belonging to the task force, "'Operation Restore Hope" They were still in the school uniform they wore when they were kidnapped five days ago.

State governor Theodore Orji told the leader of the military force, Johnson A. O Ochaga, a brigadier, that he was happy to receive the 15 kids who have been subjected to untold ordeal alive and in good shape . He said they would be given appropriate medical attention.

The children were rescued by the Force at Ngwaiyiekwe, a community where the kidnappers had taken them to after they were abducted

on their way to school. The Force on Thusday stormed Ugwati and Ogwe primary schools, both in Ukwa west local government, which the kidnappers had converted to their camp for their nefarious activities. The kidnappers had sacked the people of the communities, who abandoned their houses which the hoodlums then occupy to keep their victims..

Mr Ochaga said the force's next task is to work to encourage the fleeing residents to return to their homes.

He said his force were in the state to assist the police, stressing that the operation was continuous exercise that will continue until the kidnappers were flushed out.

‘My day is made," Mr Orji said. "I was wondering how I would have been standing at the podium in the stadium taking the anniversary salute when my children were under the kidnappers custody.'

He who thanked the president, Goodluck Jonathan and the chief of Army Staff for sending the military on the rescue mission to Abia state to effect the release of the kids. He also said his wife had already cancelled the children's party that would have been part of the golden jubilee celebration.

He said the kidnappers were not human beings and must receive the reward of their evil act in this world.

"God will surely visit them with evil for keeping this children in the bush and denying the warmth of their homes and parental care."

Mr Orji warned the criminals to leave the state as there is no more hiding place for them to operate, even as he warned those sponsoring them that their names were being compiled and that they must at the appropriate time face the wrath of the law. He revealed that the abandoned Army barracks at Ohafia have been reactivated and taken over again by soldiers . He also said the state government has prepared Asa High School, in the centre of the kidnapping prone areas, as a camp for soldiers.

Big relief

Commending the presence of the military, he said they have made the difference in the long battle against kidnapping in the state and promised that the state would sustain the peace and appealed to those that had fled Aba and the environ to return and continue their life.

The Proprietor of the school, Chidi Ikonne, a professor of English at the University of Port Harcourt, said the rescue of the pupils was a very big relief as he had been under trauma since the hostage drama started. "We thank all those who made their release possible," he said.

Mr Ikonne said he established the school to help the poor, stating that about 40 % of the population of the school are on scholarship as part of his desire effort help the poor.

One of the parents of the kids, who said four of her children were among those rescued, thanked God for an end to her nightmares. "The five days have been hell on earth," she said, speaking on condition of anonymity.

The children who looked frail, worn out and unkempt, drew tears from the eyes of many people who came to the government house to see them

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As residents of Abia State and all Nigerians bask in the euphoria of the release of 15 pupils of a private school in Aba, six students have again been kidnapped in Abia State. The victims are students of Federal Government College, Ikot Ekpene, Akwa Ibom State.
It was gathered that the abducted students were going back to school when gunmen ambushed their bus at Ohanze, in Obingwa Local Government Area and took them hostage.

According to the driver of the students’ bus, whose identity could not be ascertained immediately, “when it appeared to the hoodlums that I hesitated to stop, they shot at me and one of the bullets hit my hand and I had to stop. They ordered me out of my vehicle at gunpoint and took the students along with it.”
The driver said the police at Umuobiakwa, in Eastern Ngwa, were alerted when the incident occured, but the matter was not followed up immediately. He said if the police had acted immediately, the abductors would have been tracked down.

Meanwhile, the kidnappers have asked for N2 million ransom. They also threatened to kill the students if their demand was not met and in reasonable time.
Parents of the affected students have appealed to the kidnappers to release their wards so that they would go back to school and resume academic work. They said they had no money to meet the ransom demand.
When contacted, the PPRO, Abia State Police Command, Mr. Geoffrey Ogbonna, confirmed the incident. He said that efforts were on to effect the release of the students...
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Mend Bombs Abuja Eleven feared dead

Breaking news

:After a raid by South African Police on Henry Okah's residence Medn issued a warning 30minutes about a bomb

No reports Confirmed yet !

Two car bombs detonated in Nigeria's capital Friday and a third explosion hit a venue where the president was celebrating the nation's 50th independence anniversary, leaving at least seven dead following a threat from the country's main militant group.

The explosions came after militants warned there was "nothing worth celebrating after 50 years of failure" in Africa's most populous nation, which is oil-rich but where most live on less than $1 a day.

Friday's attacks would be among the militants' boldest yet, striking in Nigeria's capital during an event with heavy security held hundreds of miles (kilometers) from the Niger Delta region where they are based.

A car bomb detonated just as a military formation began to march at Eagle Square, where President Goodluck Jonathan was on hand for the celebration.

Five minutes later, a second car bomb detonated, killing at least seven people, a police officer told an Associated Press reporter at the scene. At least one of the dead was a policeman, the officer said. The officer spoke on the condition of anonymity, as he was not authorized to speak to reporters.

Inside Eagle Square, an AP reporter saw a small explosive detonate before members of the military gathered there. A security agent was seen lying on the ground near that blast.

The 50th independence anniversary ceremony continued without interruption, though attendees clearly recognized something had gone wrong.


The Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta, the main militant group in Nigeria's oil-rich southern delta, had issued a threat to journalists Friday morning.

"For 50 years, the people of the Niger Delta have had their land and resources stolen from them," the statement read. "The constitution before independence which offered resource control was mutilated by illegal military governments and this injustice is yet to be addressed."

Upset by the spills and the region's unceasing poverty, militants in the delta have targeted pipelines, kidnapped petroleum company workers and fought government troops since 2006. That violence drastically subsided after a government-sponsored amnesty deal last year, which provided cash payoffs for fighters and the promise of job training. However, many ex-fighters now complain that the government has failed to fulfill its promises.


The militants have used car bombs before. In March, they detonated two car bombs near a government building in the Niger Delta where officials were discussing the amnesty deal, wounding two people in an attack heard live on television.

In April 2006, MEND claimed responsibility for attacks on an army barracks and an oil refinery during which two people were killed. It also detonated a car bomb outside a state governor's office in December 2006.

Nigeria, a member of OPEC, is one of the top crude oil suppliers to the U.S.





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Cameroon Blacklists T. B. Joshua

The Cameroonian government has blacklisted Prophet Temitope Balogun Joshua of the Synagogue Church of All Nations, saying that he is an agent of Satan hoodwinking unsuspecting members of the public with “diabolical miracles”.


•T.B. Joshua

Cameroon Foreign Affairs Minister, Mr. Henri Eyebe Ayissi, in an official communiqué he issued this week titled “The Devil Is In the House”, described T.B. Joshua as a “son of the devil” pretending to be “a man of God”.

The Minister warned hundreds of Cameroonians trooping to Lagos, South West Nigeria, for miracles in Joshua’s church, to desist from taking the trip or face the consequences as the country will not stand by them.


The communiqué written in French reads in part “The Ministry of Foreign Affairs warns those who by naivety or deception of Emmanuel TV’s captivating images, or even those who by hopelessness, envisage taking the pilgrimage to Pastor T.B. Joshua’s Synagogue Church Of All Nations in Lagos, that they will do so at their own risk.

“The Cameroonian Government warns these pilgrims that they will face the consequences alone. This is motivated by the painful and shameful fact that Cameroonian men and women, in search of deliverance and blessings, once in that church, find themselves in bestial and pitiable conditions.


“Women are raped; pilgrims dispossessed of their belongings by armed robbers and left to sleep in the streets at the mercy of gangs. Many cases of assassinations have even been recorded. And this is without other cases that are not recorded at the Cameroonian Embassy in Lagos with the victims too ashamed to narrate their infernal odysseys once they are out of Hell,” the Minister said.


The Minister said that while the bible asks us to be discreet with gifts and donations to the poor, T.B. Joshua is seen daily dolling out bags of rice to indigent people.

Cameroonian newspapers which published the communiqué this week tell tales of hundreds of Cameroonians who sold their properties or borrowed money in the hope of getting miracles in T.B. Joshua’s Church, only to be disappointed in Lagos.

The newspapers report that Joshua’s TV station has gained popularity in Cameroon and many people are tempted to take the trip and receive healings and sudden blessings.

It says that Joshua is now in many households in Cameroon and many people believe the flashy images they watch on television.


One newspaper writes in French “witnesses who come back from that pandemonium reveal that to secure an appointment with this Jesus-Christ-reincarnate, they had to spend 150, 000 FCFA (about N50, 000) and the amount keeps going up, depending on the treatment and the case.


“This has led to confusion and disillusionment from Cameroonians, who on their way to Damascus, now find themselves refugees at the Cameroonian Embassy in Lagos.”

The newspaper report says further: “There are many here in Cameroon, convinced of the power and the blessings of this “man of God”. However, they forget that Jesus Christ is in our hearts through faith and with our practice of the Ten Commandments and our relationship with one another. Before the publication of the communiqué by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the bible said over 2000 years ago, ‘And Jesus answered and said unto them, Take heed that no man deceives you. For many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many’.”


When contacted this morning, T.B. Joshua denied that he has been blacklisted in Cameroon.

He said that Cameroonians who come to his church only heard about him in Cameroon and started trooping to the church in Ikotun, with most of them without accommodation.

He said that had he been aware of their presence around his church, he would have provided accommodation for them. He invited P.M.NEWS to visit his church for detailed information over the matter.
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81% of Nigerians will vote next year

Eighty-one percent of eligible Nigerians are willing to vote in forthcoming elections, according to a poll released yesterday.

jpeg&STREAMOID=iXH8GAOYqbU8RsKLSQfdzy6SYeqqxXXqBcOgKOfTXxTBxz3DF6ftWImZ6FoKNZzFnW_PgxgftuECOcfJwS6Jtlp$r8Fy$6AAZ9zyPuHJ25T7a9GKDSxsGxtpmxP0VAUyHL6IDcZHtmM2t7xO$FHdJG95dFi6y2Uma3vSsvPpVyo-The poll, ‘Current Pulse of Nation’s Survey’, carried out on topical national issues, sampled 5000 respondents, aged 18 years and above, from across the country.

‘Current Pulse of Nation’s Survey’ is conducted by Research and Marketing Services (RMS), an affiliate of TNS Global, a market research company and Gallup International’s representative in the country.

Adeola Tejumola, the CEO of the company, during a press briefing to announce the statistics, said the polls was centred on the forthcoming general elections because it is the most topical issue as the country celebrates its 50th Independence Day Anniversary..

‘More Nigerians will vote next year’

Mr. Tejumola said the reason for the high figure could probably be attributed to the “one man, one vote campaign”, or INEC (Independent National Electoral Commission) administration suddenly improved, or just a reflection of the governance of the day.” “The challenges people raise concern for the most were the epileptic power supply, the increasing crime rate, coupled with the regular kidnapping going on, and corruption continues to rank high on the list,” he said. “For me, the fact that people are beginning to be aware that corruption is an issue, that they acknowledge that it does exist and the need to eradicate corruption in itself, is welcoming news.”

Another problem identified as major by the respondents, were low education quality and poor state of basic facilities.

Only 35 percent of the respondents were, however, confident that the forth coming elections will be free and fair, with half of the respondents expressing concerns about the success of the elections, in spite of the 81 percent willing to vote.

Aggrey Maposa, the company’s chief operating officer (COO), said the difference shows that people think the election process has improved, “though not yet perfect.” “Compared with the previous challenges that INEC used to have, people have seen improvements in the process of the elections. Even though, they understand that the process is not yet perfect, they are willing to vote and express their opinion,” he said.

‘Poor power is killing businesses’

Mr. Tejumola also said 81 percent of Nigeria’s eligible voters support President Goodluck Jonathan’s candidature in the race, noting that the polls was conducted before the presidential aspirants announced to run for office. “But it’s not just one-sided; if 81 percent are saying that President Jonathan should run, in the same report, 54 percent are saying they are not happy with the crime rate, 24 percent are saying that corruption is killing them, and 67 percent are saying that the epileptic power supply is killing their business,” he added.

The report also states that 63 percent of Nigerians will consider character in voting for a presidential candidate, while 33 percent would consider political affiliation. Thirty-one percent will consider political ideology and 27 percent will put the content of the manifesto ahead of other things. The poll also shows a slight popularity advantage for the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), going into the next elections, while Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) and All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP) had marginal drops in the number of respondents planning to vote for them.

Mr. Tejumola, however, advised presidential aspirants to consider Nigerians’ expectations going into the next elections. “Expectations of Nigerians include generation of employment opportunities, dependable electricity to drive national development, poverty eradication and free qualitative education, amongst others; a serious government would want to concentrate on doing these things for the people,” he said.

Mr. Tejumola also said the research was carried out by the company as “its Corporate Social Responsibility”, and promised that the company will continue to sample public opinion on “topical issues affecting the nation.”

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