Justices of the Federal Appeal Court, Ibadan have declared the candidate of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), Rauf Aregbesola, winner of the 2007 governorship election in Osun State and ordered that he be sworn in as governor by 12 noon tomorrow.

The judgment brings to end the Peoples Democratic Party government headed by Olagunsoye Oyinlola, who the judges said have been governing the state illegally since 2007.

Following the declaration of Mr Oyinlola as winner of the 2007 election, Mr Aregbesola went to court to challenge the Independent National Electoral Commission's decision..

Prior to the judgement, the two sides had argued their briefs at the last sitting of the court on November 1 when the five-member appeal panel, led by Clara Ogunbiyi reserved judgement on the matter.

There is already wild jubilation across Osun State and civil servants are noticed closing their offices to go home for the weekend.

Governorship aspirant on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Babatunde Gbadamasi, has accused the Lagos State Governor Babatunde Fashola of implementing policies aimed more at impoverishing the people of the State than better

their lives. The aspirant, who is a real estate professional, accused the Governor of embarking on cheap publicity adding that he had not done much for the State apart milking the people to death. Gbadamasi, in an interview with Huhuonline.com correspondent, said with N18 billion generated monthly as revenue from the State and another N4 billion from the Federal Government, the Governor had no excuse for failing the people. “Now, my position is: with N18 billion IGR per month, with N4 billion per month federal allocation, there is a responsibility on the government to provide services. ..

“There is one argument put up by him and members of his executive and that is that there is so much pressure on the infrastructure of the State because of the huge population, but do you know that in other places this population would be regarded as an added advantage, because it means more people that are able to pay taxes once you can sort out the infrastructure and social services problem? These people are all milking us to death,” he said. Continuing with the accusation, he said: “If you want apply for physical planning permission today, apart from the physical planning fee you pay, there is a whole number of other fees you are forced to pay.

“In some cases, by the time you are through, you would have paid about three times the actual amount you paid for your plot of land. There is the infrastructure development charge, which is an undefined charge added arbitrarily in an ad hoc manner without a formula for its calculation. “Somebody just decides depending on how his mood takes him for that day and he says go and pay such amount to the State. It is clear that these people do not know their left from their right. They do not know what they are doing.

“We were in this State when Jakande was the governor, we were in this state when Mudashiru was governor, we were in this state when Mobolaji Johnson was governor and we saw how government ought to be run. It is not been run like that and this is supposed to be democracy.

“Tejuosho Market was deliberately burnt down by some people, in my opinion, who are keen to profit from other people’s calamity and we now see that they have built a massive edifice in its place and they are quoting unbelievable amount of money for the rent or sale of the shop, which they know the former residents could not afford.”

The PDP aspirant accused the State governor of hiding something from the people by not disclosing how it has spent money over the years. The government of Fashola is actually known for its secrecy on government spending. Gbadamasi explained that in the last 12 years, Lagosians have been in bondage and held hostage by a group of people and now need to be liberated by an opposition.

“Our roads in Lagos are in a parlous state. They are in a pathetic state and the reason is that the current governor has become so comfortable as the incumbent that he has decided that he has no responsibility to the people any more.

“He thinks he does not have to fix the roads and the drains or provide education and health care services to the people. All he needs to do is force people to paint their buildings and everybody would clap and say ‘hosanna, the governor has come. “Today in Lagos State , we are spending over 50 per cent of our lives in traffic daily. How can this augur well for trade? Despite all the noise in the media, I make bold to say the few roads that are motorable in the State today are federal roads.

You might want to criticize the fact that the Federal Government would not come all the way from Abuja to repair roads, but don’t forget that the federal government has given all authority to the State Governments to go ahead and repair federal roads in their domain and then go ahead to seek compensation which would be promptly paid. He tasked the people of the State to ensure the governor’s re-election bid is frustrated.

The “Teflon Don”, American rapper – Rick Ross is an exciting new addition to the MTV Africa Music Awards bill. The rapper along with Kenya’s P-Unit, South Africa’s Jozi and Nigeria’s Wande Coal will join previously announced performers DJ Arafat (Ivory Coast), 2Face (Nigeria), Daddy Owen (Kenya), Banky W (Nigeria), Fally Ipupa(DRC), Teargas (South Africa) and Cabo Snoop(Angola) on stage at the event.

This is Rick Ross’ first ever visit to Africa and we hear the rapper is very excited about the opportunity to perform here. Rick Ross is not just a performer but also a nominee as well. He is nominated in the Best International Category. Following the trend set by international nominees who performed at the MAMAs in prior years, it is safe to assume that Rick will be walking away with the award.

Rick Ross has been described by the New York Times as “one of rap’s most potent and creative forces”. The tattoo-loving, six-foot, larger-than-life rap figure first came to attention with “Hustlin”, his 2006 debut single. Influenced by artists like Luther Campbell and Notorious B.I.G, Ross, a.k.a. William Roberts, aimed to put Miami back in rap’s national spotlight and went on to do just that with his 2006 album “Port of Miami”, which went to number one on the Billboard album chart. Similar acclaim followed for “Trilla” (2007) and “Deeper Than Rap” (2009), while his 2010 album release “Teflon Don”, which debuted at number two on the US Billboard 200, has garnered critical acclaim for its emotional depth, cinematic production, sleek, synth-heavy beats, and rich soundscapes. Ross is nominated in the Best International category at the MAMA awards.

Making their first appearance at the MAMAs, Best Group contenders P-Unit are going head to head against Uganda’s Radio & Weasle, South Africa’s Teargas and multiple MAMA winners and Nigerian music phenomenon, P-Square. As well as performing at the 2010 show, former MAMA winners Jozi are also nominated in the Artist of the Year category, where they are pitched against 2FACE, P-Square and Fally Ipupa. Wande Coal faces a tough race in the Best Anglophone category, where Ghana’s Sarkodie, Kenya’s Daddy Owen and South Africa’s Biz Nuz are also in the running...

The MTV Africa Music Awards with Airtel takes place at the Eko Hotel & Suites in Lagos on Saturday 11 December 2010 and will broadcast on MTV base (DStv Channel 322), MTV platforms around the world and partner TV stations from 18 December 2010.

The MTV Africa Music Awards 2010 is sponsored by Airtel in association with MasterCard. Arik Air is the official airline partner of the MTV Africa Music Awards with Airtel...

John 3:7 and Football: The Story of Frank Hogan the Fanatic of Two FAITHS

A sign with the legend "John 3:7" is often seen at Gaelic games stadiums in Ireland. The sign refers to a verse

in the Gospel of John and has been displayed by fan Frank Hogan at matches for at least two decades. It featured in the national media in August 2009 following its disappearance: Hogan launched an extensive, and ultimately successful, media campaign for its return before the next match. During that brief disappearance, the sign's second, bookmakers offered odds as to where it might next reappear and Paddy Power offered to purchase a replacement. The sign is so recognisable that, according to Hogan, "everybody wants to steal it or buy it. People regard it as a trophy."^[1] However, this recognition would also make it difficult for anyone else to display the sign in the event of its theft.^[1]....

While Frank brought the sign to the GAA games, Shane O'Brien took it to various events around Ireland like the Rose of Tralee, Galway Races, Cork Jazz Festival etc.... After about 25 years of doing this he started recruiting a team to work with him on the streets at these festivals, and at weekends in Dublin. Some of this team also bring signs to GAA games which Frank can't make it to. Since 2008 this team has been spreading to other cities in Ireland and Britain. They just stand there on the streets with the signs ready to talk with anyone who stops to ask.

In June 2010, Frank was banned from displaying the sign in Croke Park. However stadium Peter McKenna said this was a mistake and Frank and the sign would be welcome in Croke Park any time ^[2]

ou see, even though this Nicodemus was a very religious man he didn’t know the true and only way to heaven. Jesus therefore told him that it was essential for him to be born again in order to go to heaven. A New Birth or a New Start is vital for all of us; without it no-one can see the Kingdom of God (heaven). So whether you are religious or not, Frank Hogan’s banner confronts you with the same crucial question, Surely you have felt the need for a new start in life. Perhaps you have come to realise that there is no real purpose, direction or meaning in your life? Perhaps you have tried some sort of religion but only found it to be a burdensome set of rules and regulations? Maybe you are still weighed down with fear and insecurity about your future destiny? Possibly you can remember many of those New Year resolutions that you have made and failed to keep.
I’m sure that you find that making any kind of new start is very difficult. You do your best to change things (e.g. in your family relationships), maybe you succeed for a short time, and then fall back into the old ways. As the poet Edward Young put it, “ At thirty a man suspects himself a fool; knows it at forty and reforms his plan; resolves; and re-resolves; then dies the same”.

Will you bring the banner of John 3:7 to your next Soccer "Church" Service

Nigeria’s Super Falcons yesterday continued their march to re-capture the title they lost in 2008 to Equatorial Guinea. The Falcons faced the Twiga Stars of Tanzania with a chance to cement top spot in the group. And it was another great performance from Perpetua Nkwocha as she confirmed the Nigerian team’s superiority and inched closer to achieving her target of scoring 15 goals in the championship.

The match was largely played in the half of the Twig Stars, who tried to defend their goal with two banks of five players but Nigeria was on the front foot as early as the first minute when Francisca Ordega was caught offside marginally. A minute later, Ordega went on another rampaging run down the left flank and earned a corner kick.

Two minutes later, Nkwocha crossed from the right with Ebere Orji lurking to score. It caused the goalkeeper to panic and palm the ball across the goal. A header from Ordega followed but it went wide.

The Falcons did not play with a lot of imagination and wide players were squeezing into the middle with Nkwocha dropping off the front to join a congested midfield.

Nkwocha’s sixth and seventh goals..

But they got the first goal in the 10th minute, when a cross by Ulunma Jerome was squeezed into goal from a tight angle to give the Falcons the lead. That was the sixth goal for master poacher, Nkwocha.

The match then sparked to life and in the 21st minute, Jerome’s cross cum shot hit the cross bar and out of play. The Tanzanian team were now really working hard to deny the Falcons any more scoring chances.

Nonetheless, Nkwocha scored the second goal of the match and her seventh in the 32nd minute when a defensive error involving Twiga Stars’ captain Sophie Mwaskili presented the Nigerian striker with a sight on goal - and she duly converted the chance.

The Twiga Stars tried to cut the lead with long range shots but Precious Dede easily gathered the efforts.

The first half should have ended with a third goal for the Falcons but Ordega was in an offside position when she took the ball off Orji’s toes after she had dribbled the keeper and was ready to score.

The second half was very disjointed with the Stars raising their game through Aisha Sada, who was changing from the right to the left flanks throughout the game.

The half witnessed another barrage of shots from distance with Sada hitting the cross bar in the 55th minute and Dede getting injured in the process of making the save. Gloria Akpa came on for Jerome and Desire Oparanozie came in for Nkwocha. The changes disrupted the Falcons game but the team finally scored the third goal in the 82nd minute when a spilled shot by the Tanzanian keeper was tapped in by Oparanozie - it was her first goal of the championship.

In yesterday’s other match, South Africa walloped the Malian team 4-0 to join the Falcons in the semi-finals. Their likely opponents will be defending champions, Equatorial Guinea and Cameroon, who have four points each in Group B.

The special assistant on public affairs to the 87 years old Anthony Enahoro, Olawale Okuniyi, has assured Nigerians that the elder statesman is alive and recuperating.

Mr. Enahoro's failing health created anxiety in the public domain on Monday.

"Chief Anthony Enahoro is still very much alive," Mr. Okuniyi said. He acknowledged that Mr. Enahoro, accompanied by his eldest son, Ken, was rushed to the University of Benin Teaching Hospital at about 1.30pm on Monday when his health deteriorated.

According to him, he is under close medical observations of his doctors at the UBTH.

"His health is currently stabilising in Benin, the Edo State capital, after an initial relapse occasioned by stress and old age," he said...

He explained that the statesman had been under close medical guidance for some time due to weakness associated with old age.

Mr. Okuniyi further expressed appreciation to well-wishers, associates, and the general public as well as the international community, on behalf of the Enahoro family, for their concern and prayers.

The son of late Chief MKO Abiola, Kola Abiola has lost his wife, Olayinka.

THEWILL gathered that Olayinka Abiola nee Williams slumped and died in Los Angeles, California on Saturday, October 16, 2010 while on vacation in the city.

Kola and family are in Los Angeles at this time and it is unclear if she has been laid to rest according to Muslim tradition.

Previously: The Kola Abiola family has been having its own share of bereavements

First, it was his teenage daughter, Labake, a product of his famed liaison with Yinka Onileere.

Before her death in London, she exhibited no signs of ill health.

Barely a year after her demise, Onileere‘s elder brother, Ladi Williams, also went to meet his maker in a similar fashion.

A few weeks ago, the clean-shaven Abiola was subjected to another mourning session.

His brother-in-law, Richard Ossom, recently passed away..

The 56-year-old Delta State man was the elder sibling of Victoria, Abiola‘s wife.

His remains have since been laid to rest.

Chorus (in bold):

There is a balm in Gilead

To make the wounded whole;

There is a balm in Gilead

To heal the sin-sick soul.

Some times I feel discouraged,

And think my work’s in vain,

But then the Holy Spirit

Revives my soul again.

(Chorus)

If you can’t preach like Peter,

If you can’t pray like Paul,

Just tell the love of Jesus,

And say He died for all..

(Chorus)

[edit]Alternate Lyrics

Lyrics are as follows:

Chorus (in bold):

There is a balm in Gilead, To make the wounded whole;

There is a balm in Gilead, To heal the sin-sick soul.

Some times I feel discouraged,

And think my work’s in vain,

But then the Holy Spirit

Revives my hope again.

(Chorus)

If you cannot sing like angels,

If you can’t preach like Paul,

You can tell the love of Jesus,

And say He died for all.

(Chorus)

There is a redeemer,
Jesus, God's own Son,
Precious Lamb of God, Messiah,
Holy One,

Jesus my redeemer,
Name above all names,
Precious Lamb of God, Messiah,
Oh, for sinners slain.

Thank you oh my father,
For giving us Your Son,
And leaving Your Spirit,
'Til the work on Earth is done.

When I stand in Glory,
I will see His face,
And there I'll serve my King forever,
In that Holy Place..

Thank you oh my father,
For giving us Your Son,
And leaving Your Spirit,
'Til the work on Earth is done.

There is a redeemer,
Jesus, God's own Son,
Precious Lamb of God, Messiah,
Holy One,

Thank you oh my father,
For giving us Your Son,
And leaving Your Spirit,
'Til the work on Earth is done.

And leaving Your Spirit,
'Till the work on Earth is done...

Kayode Fayemi has become the governor of Ekiti State three years after he launched a legal challenge to the declaration of INEC that Segun Oni won the state's 2007 governorship election.

Mr Oni was relieved of his job by the federal appeals court ruling this afternoon in Ilorin that his opponent and Action Congress governorship candidate in the 2007 election, Fayemi was the rightful winner of the election..

The court, ruling on a legal challenge to a rerun election held in the state last year, cancelled the result of voting in Ido Osi and Ifaki, saying these were concocted. The 8000 votes were then deducted from the PDP result - thus handing over victory to the Action Congress candidate.

The judges lampooned INEC and Police's handlings of the 2007 and 2009 elections in the state.

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.

closest associate from the north, Hassan Tukur, who appears to have gained his absolute confidence, may be covertly working against his ambition to become President. Our checks reveals that Hassan Tukur, who has been a friend to the President for a very long time and currently works as his principal secretary, may be a “Frenemy” (one who pretends to be a friend but is actually an enemy).

Mr. Tukur is a diplomat and technocrat par excellence. His friendship with President Jonathan dates back to pre-Aso Villa days. He was President Yar’Adua’s special assistant on Petroleum Resources. Tukur is assumed to be the president’s closest associate from the North and is alleged to have single-handedly picked most of the regime’s political appointees that were employed from the north by Goodluck Jonathan. According to sources who have had contact with him, Tukur does not hesitate to inform you that “he can get the President to do anything”, and really in most cases he delivers; a source added.

However, Hassan Tukur, Huhuonline.com learnt is torn between his loyalty to his boss and his kinsmen from the north, who are vehemently opposed to the President`s 2011 presidential ambition. To this end, Tukur is alleged to have asked the President not to contest the 2011 election. But his advice has not been heeded.

It should be recalled that in his inaugural speech, President Jonathan promised that “the war against corruption will be prosecuted more robustly,” and his aides, particularly Hassan Tukur, pencilled in the name of his bosom friend, Nuhu Ribadu, the country’s former anticorruption czar, to lead the war. Mr Ribadu was considered robust and effective in his position until he was forced out by Yar’Adua’s government.

Mr. Tukur was very instrumental in the return of Nuhu Ribadu, whom he had convinced the president to appoint as his special adviser on anti-corruption and other related matters, but as soon Nuhu returned to Nigeria, the goal posts began to move. Hassan Tukur began to lobby the President to appoint Nuhu Ribadu as vice president, which in itself was not a bad idea as Nuhu Ribadu was viewed as a man of impeccable character, capable bringing credibility to any government. But this was not to be.

However, Nuhu Ribadu and Hassan Tukur, Huhuonline.com gathered were looking beyond the vice presidential position, their eyes were set on the plum job of president. Had President Jonathan given in to the plot, the duo would have covertly disclosed his flaws by releasing embarrassing details of the President to the media, which could portray him as inexperienced and incompetent for the office of President..

Consequently, they would have blackmailed him into resigning and returning to Bayelsa. Nuhu Ribadu is very familiar with this type of operation. Recall that Nuhu Ribadu blackmailed Obasanjo into dropping Peter Odili as running mate to Umaru Yar`adua in 2007.

Having failed in their plot, Nuhu Ribadu abandoned the PDP, and joined AC, where he is a presidential aspirant; While Hassan Tukur stayed put on his job as principal secretary to the president, and is currently amassing stupendous wealth for himself under the guise of raising funds for the Goodluck Jonathan 2011 Presidential campaign. However, it remains to be seen if Hassan Tukur’s loyalty lies with the President or the Northern Oligarchy.

Huhuonline.com understands that the State Security Service has arrested Chief Raymond Dokpesi, the Director General of Ibrahim Babangida campaign organisation and Chairman of Daar Communication. He is currently undergoing interrogation at the

SSS office in Asokoro.Our checks reveals that Mr. Dokepsi`s arrest is linked to the bomb blast that rocked Abuja last week.

The state security service has kept a tight-lip about Chief Dokpesi arrest, but a statement from Senator Mahmud Kanti Bello, deputy director general of IBB 2011 campaign organisation confirmed his arrest.

Hear him:

“The Director General of the IBB 2011 Presidential Campaign Organization, High Chief Raymond Aleogho Dokpesi was invited Sunday, 3rd October, 2010 by the State Security Services [SSS] to report to their headquarters by 11am Monday, 4th October, 2010

“Between 11am and 5pm this evening Monday 4^th October, 2010, all telephone calls placed to him were unanswered. The Campaign Organization dispatched a high powered delegation comprising four directors of the Campaign Organization and his personal Lawyer to enquire as to his whereabouts. The delegation was denied access to High Chief Dr. Raymond Dokpesi and had to return to the Campaign office at about 6.50pm. No reason has been given whatsoever by the State Security Services for his invitation, and detention, neither is his whereabouts known”.

“High Chief Raymond Dokpesi is a well-respected and patriotic Nigerian who has continued to contribute selflessly to the growth, development and stability of the Nigerian nation”.

"The IBB 2011 CAMPAIGN ORGANISATION hereby condemns in the strongest terms the detention of its Director General and calls for his immediate release. We wish to draw the attention of local and international communities to the growing politics of intolerance, intimidation, coercion, persecution and harassment in spite of the avowed commitment to the rule of law by the present administration”. “We call on the security agencies of the country not to allow themselves to be used as tools to settle political scores particularly on simple intra-party conflict.

A statement by Ima Niboro, Special Adviser to the President on media, said the new national security adviser joined the Jonathan administration from a rich and illustrious career in the military. "Commissioned into the army as a military intelligence officer, he rose to the position of Director of Military Intelligence [DMI]".

"He was thereafter appointed as General Officer Commanding 1 Infantry Division, from where he was further appointed as Chief of Army Staff. Gen. Owoye Azazi rose to become the Chief of Defence Staff and retired meritoriously on the 28 of August, 2008,".

Babatunde Aliyu Fafunwa, former minister of education, died yesterday morning at the National Hospital, Abuja. He was aged 87.

According to a hospital official, he died a few minutes before 7am. Although the hospital staff refused to disclose the cause of death, it is believed that Mr. Fafunwa had fallen ill during a recent trip to Abuja, where he was expected to deliver a speech at the Open University.

Widely credited as introducing the 6-3-3-4 educational system in the country, the late Mr. Fafunwa was also the first Nigerian to receive a doctorate degree in Education. His teaching career began in 1961 at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka. Following the advent of the Civil War, he moved to Ife, and taught at the University of Ife (now Obafemi Awolowo University), where he remained until his retirement.

Innovative methodologies

He is accredited with introducing several innovative teaching methodologies during his days at Ife. It was his contemporary methods that brought him to national prominence when he served as an education minister for three years under Ibrahim Babangida..

President Goodluck Jonathan had last week blamed him for the failure of the 6-3-3-4 education system.

He is to be buried today according to Islamic rites. He is survived by his wife, Doris, four children, and several grand children.

Fasasi Gbagba, the president of Jama’atul Islamiyya Society, the Islamic sect to which Mr. Fafunwa belonged, said the members were awaiting the body from Abuja. He is to be buried at his residence on Victoria Island, Lagos, today.

The Ogun State government has described his death as the loss of a major pillar of the education sector who worked tirelessly throughout his lifetime for the enhancement and development of the sector.

“A great mentor and outstanding person of character has just left us,” said the cultural activist, Segun Olusola, adding, “His relationship cuts across the entire nation and though a very religious person, he never allowed religion to affect his relationship.”