PROMINENT Ijaw elders and youth leaders in Warri went into hiding on Monday as soldiers embarked on the arrest of some known Ijaw youths that had links with known militants in the state.
The fully armed soldiers were sighted at a five-star hotel in Effurun, in search of known militants in the town and suspected commanders of Government Ekpomukpolo, the leader of the recently destroyed Camp 5 in Oporoza in Warri South-West Local Government Area of the state.
Former militant leader, Alhaji Mujahideen Dokubo-Asari, narrowly escaped arrest on Sunday at the hotel, where he organised an event, when undercover security agents stormed the place to allegedly effect his arrest.
Soldiers continued the bombardment of the riverside communities in Gbaramatu Kingdom in search of the remnants of Ekpomukpolo and his boys in the area in line with the directive by the Presidency to “fish him out, dead or alive.”
Monday’s onslaught led to the destruction of Iroko militants’ camp, located close to the former camp 5 in Oporoza at about 6.00 a.m. after a heavy gun batlle between the soldiers and hoodlums.
Co-ordinator of Joint Media Campaign Centre, Colonel Rabe Abubakar revealed that fierce resistance by the militants resulted in the gun-duel between the JTF’s troops and the miscreants, adding that this led “ to the killing of a majority of them, even as others fled with gunshot wounds. There was no casualty on JTF’s side.”
He disclosed that large quantity of arms and ammunition and other military accessories were recovered from the thick forest areas dump of the camp.
Security has been beefed around Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan of Delta State, following text messages being circulated and credited to Movement for the Emancipation of Niger Delta, alleging that he was behind the ordeal of Ijaw.
But Izon traditional rulers from the Ijaw communities in the state, in a communique read to journalists in Warri, did not only dissociate the governor from the crisis but also commended him for what they called his relentless effort and display of high sense of responsibility towards ensuring an amicable resolution of the crisis in Gbaramatu Kingdom.
While expressing deep shock and dismay at the destruction of life and property, the traditional rulers appealed to President Umaru Yar’Adua to put an end to the continued use of military force in the search for a workable solution to the problems in the waterways.
In a related development, there are indications that the ongoing assault on militants in Gbaramatu Kingdom by the troops of the Joint Task Force might be extended to the neighbouring Bayelsa State following security reports that some of the fleeing militants were converging on the state.
Security sources told the Nigerian Tribune that intelligence reports indicated that the remnants of militants dislodged from the various camps in Delta State were regrouping in Bayelsa State with the intention of dragging the crisis to the state.
“They realised that they have lost all their camps and suspected hideouts in Delta State because of our continued onslaught, so they have decided to regroup in Bayelsa State to further drag us to the area. We are ready for them, anywhere they are, we will get them,” the security source said.
Colonel Abubakar, confirmed the development. He said the “ JTF, through its credible source, has confirmed that the remnants from destroyed militants camps, are regrouping in Bayelsa State with the intention of unleashing terror on the innocent citizens in that area.”
In another development, the main militant group, the Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND) has asked Vice-President Goodluck Jonathan to quit his position over the continued bombardment of Ijaw communities by federal troops.
This is just as Ijaw National Congress (INC) has condemned the use of force to resolve the crisis in the region, calling for an immediate cessation of hostilities.
“Dr. Goodluck Jonathan has an opportunity to quit a government that has no iota of respect for him. If the president can snub him after the genocide over his people, then the post of vice-president is not worth it,” MEND spokesman Jomo Gbomo said in a statement issued on Monday.
The militants, Gbomo warned, had been ordered to block key waterway channels to oil industry vessels both for the export of crude and gas and importation of refined petroleum products.
Meanwhile, Action Congress (AC) chieftain, Prince Tonye Princewill, on Monday tendered his resignation as the Chairman of the Niger Delta sub-committee on the Federal Government’s Vision 2020 Technical Group over the killing and displacement of civilians in the current crisis in the Niger Delta.
Princewill said in a statement issued in Port Harcourt that the current fighting was an indictment of leadership of the President Umaru Yar’Adua and showed Presidency’s lack of interest and commitment to the Niger Delta issue.
He stated in his letter that military onslaught was not the best option as the Niger Delta Technical Committee, of which he was a member, had made recommendations and suggestions on how to address the Niger Delta problem.
Part of his resignation letter reads, “After reading and monitoring of the ongoing carnage perpetrated by the military of the Federal Government and with the obvious connivance of the Presidency against my people in the Niger Delta region and with pronounced lack of interest and commitment towards addressing the Niger Delta issue, I, Prince Tonye TJT Princewill, after due consultation with my family and political associates consider it wise to hereby tender my resignation letter as the Chairman of the Sub Committee on Niger Delta of FG Vision 2020.”
Meanwhile, the military high command on Monday told what it called the criminal elements in the Niger Delta that enough was enough and that it would fish them all out and bring them to book.
Defence spokesman, Colonel Chris Jemitola, who gave the warning at a media briefing on the current security situation in the Niger Delta, accused the militants of deliberate and repeated unprovoked attacks on Joint Task Force troops, and the sabotage of oil and gas facilities, kidnapping for ransom of people and killing of innocent citizens of the society, including children, clergy men and very old citizens.
The Director of Defence Information denied that no communities were razed down as collateral damage was kept to the barest minimum during the operation.
Tracing the genesis of the current onslaught against the militants, Jemitola said that last Wednesday members of the JTF “Operation Restore Hope” on routine escort duties around Chanomi creek were ambushed by a militant group leading to the unfortunate and painful loss of some military personnel.
According to him, prior to this an NNPC-chartered tanker CM Spirit had been hijacked with its foreign crew and some Nigerians on board.
He disclosed that the vessel was run aground by the militants who also stole some of the cargoes while the crew members were tortured leading to the death of some of them and the rest held hostage.
The Defence spokesman said that the JTF’s search and rescue team sent to free the hostages was attacked again by the militants, while the search led to the discovery of a large cache of illegal arms and ammunition used for acts of criminality.
He noted that at no time were members of the JTF the aggressors, adding, “in fact, the JTF is only allowed the use of force in self defence or where arrest of a criminal is being resisted; extra care is taken to reduce collateral damage to the barest.”
Colonel Jemitola said that Nigerians had also seen the kidnapping and harassment of site workers and contractors carrying out socio-economic development of the area.
“These are all acts of criminality that cannot be condoned by any government and no responsible military leadership will fold its arms and watch its personnel attacked and killed on official assignment by any criminal gangs hence the military was left with no choice than to go after these criminals in order to bring them to book.”
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Even as the Presidency appeared to have distanced itself from the ongoing air bombardment of some Ijaw communities in Delta State which has claimed hundreds of lives with thousands of surviving victims displaced, emerging facts indicated that the military aerial assault had indeed been planned more than one year ago, awaiting presidential nod.Hints from top security sources in Abuja revealed that President Umaru Yar’Adua had given approval to the military high command to implement the recommendations in a security and operational report on the Niger Delta, in which a former commander of the Joint Military Task Force [JTF] code-named ‘Operation Restore Hope’, Major General L.P.Ngubane, had emphatically requested the use of air raid.Then a Brigadier-General, Ngubane, who is currently the General Officer Commanding the 2 Division of the Nigerian Army, had in the security report dated July 2007, and addressed to the Chief of Defence Staff [CDS], stated that the aim of his brief was to avail the authorities with strategies for the stemming of militant activities in the troubled Niger Delta region.Citing terrain difficulties which he described as a ‘defenders haven’ as the main reason for recommending the use of military air operations, Ngubane had posited that the severity of hindrance the terrain offered to the Nigerian Army troops was directly proportional to the advantage it conferred on the militants. “The terrain of most parts of the Niger Delta is no doubt severely restricted to both infantry and armour. The situation is worse in the riverine communities which are interspersed with creeks,” he noted.“The advantage the terrain confers to the militants can be neutralized by combat air operations, using helicopter gun ships. Employment of fast patrol crafts can also assist troops to beach land safely and gradually wade through the creeks to seize objectives. However, the operation will be intensive in manpower and will also demand close air support, casualty evacuation and supply by air,” Ngubane recommended in the report tagged: ‘Strategies to stem out militant activities within the Joint Task Force Operation Restore Hope Area of Responsibility’.In assessing the equipment, arms and ammunition of the various militant groups, General Ngubane stated that every major militant camp possessed almost enough of weapons such as AK-47 rifles, GPMG, BMG, RPG 7, speedboats, gunboats, and anti-aircraft [only in Camp 5] just like an infantry unit of a regular army with sufficient personnel to counter any attack from the Nigerian military through land or sea.The army chief had also in his report, linked the heavy financial muscle and weaponry of the various militant groups to their alleged involvement in illegal oil bunkering activities, through which he claimed that a large part of the crude was given in exchange for arms and ammunition. Consequently, he recommended that the only way to curb the activities of the militants was for the Navy and the Nigerian Air Force to be given full approval to sink the ships used by the bunkering masters on the high sea.“The militants rake in so much money from this illegal activity which they also use in purchasing of arms, ammunition, speedboats and also sustain the militant activities. This constitutes serious threat to peace and security. Chasing the militants in the creeks to stop this unwholesome act is not only difficult, but hazardous. The illegal activity takes place in the hours of darkness in the depth of the creeks. In these hours of darkness, it is almost impossible for security agents to do anything meaningful,” Ngubane noted.In the security report, the erstwhile JTF boss further stated that: “In the Niger Delta, militant activities thrive most in the communities that buy into their illegal activities. For instance, in Okerenkoko, Oporoza and Kurukuruama, all in Gbaramatu kingdom, the traditional rulers and the communities are part and parcel of MEND and are very hostile to security agencies.”Incidentally, when the presidential seal was given for implementation of his recommendations more than one year after the report, Okerenkoko, Oporoza and Kurukuruama, were indeed, the first three communities bombed last Friday by no fewer than seven military fighter jets, allegedly killing scores of the inhabitants.Going by General Ngubane’s recommendations to the federal authorities, there are strong indications that besides about six communities where structures have already been reduced to rubble by massive air bombardment, more villages and towns are likely to suffer the same fate in the days ahead against the backdrop of fears by the military that the various militant groups enjoy brotherhood in the face of a common foe.Part of the report reads: “Militants enjoy camaraderie in the face of a common adversary. Also, their common goal and ethnic affinity ensure that they would easily be assimilated into other communities of the same ethnicity. Consequently, militants when attacked could easily relocate to other parts of the Niger Delta. It is therefore important that any offensive operation against militants should be conducted in the entire Niger Delta. The concurrent involvement of troops other than those of the JTF OP HR and JTF Op Flush-out 111, would be necessary. This may require that 4 and 13 Bdes as well as the ENC and WNC, would at least be at alert to ward off migration of the militants to other parts of the Niger Delta.“Offensive operations adopting either Option 1 or 2 would require the immediate deployment of one additional battalion to the operational area. This is important as troops already deployed are holding vital and key locations within the JTF Op HR AOR, and would be needed to continue to maintain their deployments. Additionally, the troops would be required for blockade operations while the additional troops would then be engaged in the striking operations.“In the advent of widespread destruction of oil industry’s facilities and other acts of sabotage and bombings, it would be necessary to induct 2 additional battalions into the operations area at 7 days notice. These 2 additional units would be able to carry out pursuit operations and the strengthening and tightening of security within the entire AOR until the insurgency is curtailed.”Apparently in line with the operational recommendations, Daily Sun reliably gathered that as at weekend, over 90 military gunboats had been placed in strategic positions around the waterways in Warri South West Local Government Area of Delta State where the bombings are ongoing for effective blockade of all entry and exit routes.Unconfirmed reports said besides about 20,000 persons who successfully fled to take refuge in some other safe villages and towns before the commencement of air raids on Friday, over 30,000 others are presently trapped in the mangrove forests as a result of the heavy military blockades. Reports also indicated that apart from the JTF troops, three battalions, including the 81 Battalion had been placed on standby to moved into the conquered communities.
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National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) yesterday arrested a 27-year old man, Nweke Chibuzo, suspected to have ingested cocaine worth N13 millionChibuzo who was arrested at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Lagos is a 9gerian trader based in Togo.The suspect was nabbed during the screening of KLM passengers to Amsterdam on Thursday last week.According to spokesman of NDLEA, Mitchell Ofoyeju, the suspect was detained and placed under observation when he tested positive for drug ingestion at the screening point.“As at Monday morning May 18, 2009 he had so far excreted 82 wraps of cocaine weighing 1.4 kilogrammes with an estimated street value of about N13 million in Lagos . The price of cocaine has witnessed an astronomical rise in the past two months.A kilogramme of cocaine that usually cost 3.5 million now sells between N8 and N10 million. Market forces like demand and supply as well as drug control efforts are some factors that affect prices of illicit drugs’, Ofoyeju said.When interrogated by NDLEA offcials, the suspect was said to have owned up to the crime, saying that he ingested 83 wraps of cocaine in a hotel and that his sponsors promised to pay him 2,500 Euros.Nweke said that the initial amount agreed upon was 3,000 Euros but his inability to swallow the 100 wraps of cocaine given to him made his sponsors to reduce the said amount by 500 Euros.Nweke who hails from Orizor village in Izah North Local Government Area of Ebonyi State said, ìI lost my mother few months after my birth and my father died seven years ago. After completing my primary school, I was unable to further my education due to lack of money. In fact I have sufferedî.Explaining why he indulged in drug trafficking, Nweke disclosed he agreed to traffic in narcotics Nweke when he met a prophet in Togo that told him to perform a befitting burial right for his parents so as to experience peace and prosperity.ìI swallowed 83 wraps of cocaine and they promised to pay me 2,500 Euros. I used to sell cloths and 9gerian films in Togo . The painful aspect is that I sold everything I had to raise 3,000 Euros for the trip. My intention was to search for greener pastures in Europe and do as the prophet directed. It was in the process of looking for somebody to accommodate me in Europe that I met a man that introduced me into cocaine business. I feel very disappointed. I am as good as deadî he lamented.NDLEA said the suspect would soon be charged to court.
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THE PLOTTED EXILE OF ADENUGA AS A RESULT OF ENVYThe problem that the billionaire Chairman of GLOBACOM, had with former President Olusegun Obasanjo was masterminded by Alhaji Aliko Dangote. And the cause was mere envy of the ever rising status of the siilent but meticulous multi-billionaire, MIKE ADENUGA.It all started when Adenuga acquired the old National Oil which he transformed to Conoil.Chemical Ali as Aliko was called went to town claiming that Adenuga used funds from Bureau of Public Enterprise.Same thing reared its ugly head when Adenuga acquired the second National Carrier Licence which enabled him to join the world mega business of telecommunication. He smeared the names of Adenuga and former vice president, Atiku Abubakar.He claimed that Atiku who oversaw the then Petroleum Trust Fund helped pay for the licence from the Fund's cover.This was the final straw that brokes the camels back of camaraderie between Atiku and his former boss Obasanjo.These incidents made the guru Adenuga is fondly called to go on voluntary exile.Adenuga's sin s according to Dangote's gospel is due to his unapproachability.He claimed that the guru was too arrogant, tacltum and always elusive to the extent that Adenuga could not be asked for favours like using his private jet because his own jet, a rickety 14 year old NS 125 old cargo which he bought from the Federal Government always breakdown constantly without notice and also because Adenuga is richer than him.The hatred for Adenuga got worse few years ago during one of the editions of Nduka Obiagbena's. This Day Awards.In that year's edition of the award despite the fact that the GLOBACOM boss was not present physically as against ALIKO who there live, Adenuga was the cynosure of all eyes as his representatives were busy collecting awards after another on his behalf whilst DANGOTE with all his pride and ego was just there looking at the glory of ADENUGA without a single award.Since then the attempt to ruin Adenuga started because he didn't want anybody to surpass him. To further humiliate Adenuga after he had succeeded in setting EFCC after him, 'CHEMICAL ALI' was always dramatisiing how Adenuga was behaving when he was to be arrested by EFCC operatives and during this time one will always see him holding white hhanderchief and waving it at the EFCC operatives which signals peace as Adenuga was pleading.
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The budget row between President Umaru Yar’Adua and the National Assembly deepened on Monday as the House of Representatives said that it would not drop any item from the Appropriation Act.Skip to next paragraphPhoto filePresident Umaru Yar’AduaIt argued that since the Act, which Yar’Adua signed on March 10, 2009, remained a law, it must be implemented to the letter.The House, however, noted that the President had the option of approaching the Supreme Court to seek for an interpretation of the powers of the Legislature to make input in budgets under the 1999 Constitution.The Chairman of the House Committee on Rules and Business, Mr. Ita Enang, who spoke with journalists in Abuja, said that the House was not comfortable with Yar’Adua’s complaints that he could not implement the budget.He said, “The notion that we made insertions in the budget is not correct; the President brought a budget to the House and we made our own input and passed it.“The budget as it is now is an Act of parliament; if there is the need for reviews, let him make such requests through laid down procedures.“On any issue that the Executive feels the legislature has no power to appropriate, let them go to the court for interpretation.”Enang added that it had come to the notice of the House that ministers and heads of agencies and departments were implementing only the projects initiated by the Executive while abandoning those introduced by lawmakers.He reminded the Executive that the difference between democracy and military regimes was the presence of the Legislature in the former to represent the views of the people.“The House believes that we are not to act as a rubber stamp for anything that comes from the Executive; if that is the case, then we have no business being here,” he stated.For allegedly engaging in “selective” implementation of projects in the budget, Enang said that the legislature expected the Attorney-General of the Federation, Mr. Michael Aondoakaa, to prosecute the affected ministers and heads of agencies for breaching an existing law.The Chairman of the House Committee on Public Petitions, Mr. C.I.D. Maduabum, who also spoke on the crisis, observed that the powers of the Legislature on appropriation “and several others” were spelt out in Section 80 of the constitution.One of the contentious areas in the budget is said to be the N60bn voted for constituency projects by lawmakers without prior discussions with the Executive.On Wednesday, Yar’Adua wrote the House, saying that his administration might not be able to implement the N3.1tn budget passed by the National Assembly.Yar’Adua’s initial budget was N2.91tn.The President cited declining crude oil production, the crisis in the Niger Delta and the attendant implications on revenue projections as some of the challenges in the way of the 2009 budget.He argued that while on the surface, a rise in crude oil price to over $50 per barrel, appeared to be a good development for Nigeria , the reality was that production had dropped to about 1.6mbpd from the projected target of 2.5mbpd.Yar’Adua had stated that projects inserted in the budget by the National Assembly had compounded the challenges of implementation and called for a review of the budget.One of his suggestions was to vire (move funds from one project to another) money to projects his administration considered vital to the attainment of the goals of the Seven Point Agenda.But, reacting to the letter, Enang explained that the House would debate it on Tuesday (today) to “determine the status of the legislature in the budget process.”“I can assure you that we are going to stand our ground; we have an Appropriation Act, let Mr. President implement it to the letter,” he insisted.Commenting on the bills passed by the House, he disclosed that 44 had been passed and a total of 166 introduced since May 2008.He added that 55 bills were either pending at committee levels or had passed the second reading at the House, while 17 others were awaiting consideration.
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Slave Trade Again an ode to Neegeria and the Exiles.
Once they came from Afar .And Stole us Away but now they are back and the chains are new.
By our Strength they built their cities, Powered their Technology and now they are in our world once more. Emerging Market they call it or emerging slave market .In a world where its babies are killed as soon as they are show cased.Their brains drained faster than a nightmare
A world where the liars are the hirers and the good becomes the bad.A world where hope remained a word and babies are fed with the milk of dogs and He screamed 'Alien Nation' where art thine citizens?
The Slave Trade has taken them
The best once more,The smartest,The fastest,The strongest, Deport the rest Throw them over board .The
Seas turn to blood a sight we are seeing once more.This time we goto meet our slave Masters all by ourselves .No hooks no chains Like Sheep led to slaughter.
They create their heroes to rule them while they encourage us to hang ours.Can a black man save the earth from drowning Yes o yes but not if the masters started the storm.We bomb our own people so we can fuel theirs .O yes we are good obedient slaves .Yes master.
They have amassed great thrones of power while their followers perfect the ways of hypocrisy.Atop their heavenly carriages they travel
bequeathing a false truth where it once lived.Even in their hearts, they cry for deliverance for themselves .Perfect ? no one is perfect ! says the Preacher.
Howbeit our Saviours never last ? How come Our Afreeca never shows a shining star ? Who is Dividing and Ruling us.Is it like the way it was when they enticed our leaders with gunpowder & schnaps to sell their kith & kin to Strangers ?
My son this is no place for strangers,nor for the unwise.The dawn tarries. Wait not for its light .For it has slipped un noticed behind the curtains of self.I I I me me me mine mine mine .For i shall hear no talk of thine nor mine .For my house an auction has become.
The fools sit behind and create a forum. My heart grows sad for what is a forum without a moderator ? What is a moderator without a purpose .What is a purspose without a meaning ?
Shall we continue to speak great words of talking .Shall the talkness in our lips one day subside ? Will our collective realise our strength . In numbers the ants make a city .In numbers we start logs.
CRY CRY CRY !
weep for the Nations now ! The tears of today are for the woes of tomorrow.They come strangley within our breasts they speak of a life that has ceased .Where the help shall rise from is out in the fields .
Where the bread will fall from ? will it not be from heaven .Not from the Ovens nor the fields where the corn is ripened and the workers thresh it with their fists.
I have seen a great nation stand together to do Evil. Behind one Man they gathered and the world witnessed a terror never seen before. Why does the Nation gladly stand behind the empires as it leads the whole of its Humanity
into a deep cavern within .I ask with fear .I see nothing only my brand new shiny chains.
Save Save !
Who will save our Nation ?
My name is your name and your name is mine, will it l take an eternity to put us back together while the chains of slavery grow shiner still ?.Not again O my country Neegeria
Not again O Afreeca
we want to truly be free.
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If after Odi the struggle could not be stopped by the might of the federal forces , what makes them think that they have a solution through the force of arms.Something tells me the restiveness is divinely ordained to change an unjust system that has exploited and degraded a people and their environment for too long. It must be understood that the so called criminal activities of the militants which some people are using as a weapon to denigrate the struggle is a derivative of the violence that was initially unleashed on the hapless Niger Deltans by the Federal Govt /oil companies for over 50 years.Action and reaction they say is equal and opposite. The 50 years cycle of exploitation has ushered in an era of retribution.IT WILL NOT GO AWAY AS EASILY AS SOME PEOPLE THINK.NIGERIA BECAREFULUntill we address the issue from a 360 degree view point holistically, we shall FAIL over and over again. We have to start with scrapping the the unjust and exploitative laws that have given impetus for some sections of the society to be marginalised.If Zimbabwean farmers can come to Kwara State to till the soil without hindrance or 87%/13% derivation formula permutations. What stops the bonafide land lord in the oil producing areas from dealing with the oil companies directly and paying what ever taxes that are due to the Federal Government. GREED is the problem.
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On its 8th anniversary, AFRUCA outlines its achievements promoting the rights and welfare of African children in the UK and in Africa
AFRUCA – Africans Unite Against Child Abuse was established in May 2001 to campaign against the abuse and exploitation of African children. Since then we have gained recognition as the premier charity working to promote the rights and welfare of African children in the UK.
“Many African children in the UK experience a multitude of challenges that affect their ability to flourish and grow. Our main focus has been to ensure we can work successfully with others to address those challenges for the benefit of our children” said Debbie Ariyo, AFRUCA Founder and Executive Director.
AFRUCA has played a leadership role in addressing the trafficking of African children to the UK and is known to be very active in this regard. Over the years, our work on child trafficking has imbibed a holistic approach, working with others to highlight the issue, influencing government policy through knowledge gained from working in the community as well as through the provision of direct support to victims. Since 2004, over 50 young people have directly benefitted from our work in this area. With new funding from Comic Relief, we are now able to expand the menu of support and assistance to reach more victims of trafficking in the London area.
AFRUCA is deeply concerned about the disproportionate number of African children who are experiencing abuse and harm and who are ending up in Local Authority care across the UK. Most children who are removed from their parents are due to allegations of culture-related child abuse and other practices harmful to children. In tackling this growing problem, AFRUCA has launched an England-wide prevention and early intervention project aiming to help improve the knowledge and understanding of African parents in Child Protection as well as the rules and regulations governing how children are brought up in the UK. With funding from the Big Lottery and the Government Department for Children and Families, this project operates in London, Manchester, Newcastle and Liverpool. So far, since June 2007, over 500 parents from a wide range of African backgrounds have benefited from our training programme across London alone.
In addition to working with parents to improve their parenting skills, AFRUCA also provides intensive support to families in crisis who are experiencing a breakdown in relationships. This area of work has enabled us to intervene successfully in over 50 families across London and the South East since June 2007. This element of our work has been boosted by our recent success in winning a tender from Thurrock Council in Essex to establish a Service Office offering a menu of support services for Black African families at risk in that area.
Aside working with families and within the community, AFRUCA is actively engaging with practitioners to help improve their knowledge and skills so they can intervene successfully when working with African families. In April 2007, we launched a National Training Programme for Practitioners working with African children across the UK by offering a menu of training courses to help broaden their knowledge and skills in intervening in and assessing families. So far over 400 practitioners have taken part in our training programme. Our knowledge and expertise in child protection work with African children is highly valued and respected by agencies and their workers across the country. This is evidenced by the level of demand for AFRUCA’s intervention and expert advice in case assessment. In 2008, AFRUCA was commissioned by Southwark Council to help review its child protection work with Black African families. Our work has helped to highlight key gaps in service provision which is now being addressed by the Council.
In recent years, there has been a lot of attention paid to the plight of children and young people accused as witches or as possessed by evil spirits. Many children across the UK suffer untold physical and emotional harm as a result of accusations of witchcraft. In 2007, AFRUCA launched a community consultation to gather views on whether branding children as witches should be a criminal offence. Majority of respondents supported our proposal for the criminalisation of child branding. Through our Safeguarding African Children Network, we continue to work with the relevant community and faith groups and other agencies to address this very important issue.
AFRUCA is very proud of our achievements in supporting African children and their families across the country, in helping to keep families together and in helping to support victims of trafficking. As we continue to expand our work across the UK, with a Regional Office in Manchester and a Service Office in Thurrock, Essex, it is our hope that we can continue to make a difference in the lives of African children in the UK and help to address the root causes of the problems they experience.
However, it is important to note that our intervention in the past eight years has not been limited to the UK. In partnership with Youth Alive, a children’s charity based in the North of Ghana, AFRUCA is also working to help meet the needs of over 300 street children each year in that country through the provision of access to education, training and health care. In Nigeria, we are working with partners in the East of the country to address the horrific problem of “baby factories”, a fertile ground for child trafficking and exploitation. On the issue of child trafficking itself, we are actively engaging with local groups to conduct advocacy campaigns. In 2004, AFRUCA held a series of awareness raising campaigns as well as an international conference in Lagos, Nigeria to highlight the growing number of Nigerian children trafficked to the UK and the need for urgent intervention. Based on our growing activities across the continent, AFRUCA is now seeking to develop a physical presence in Africa.
In celebrating our 8th year of supporting African children and promoting their safety and well-being, we wish to acknowledge the overwhelming goodwill and support we have received over the years from our various partners, including other African community organisations, government local authorities and other agencies, Safeguarding Boards, our funders and sponsors, other charities across the UK and in Africa and most importantly the children, young people and the families that make our work worthwhile.
From 22 to 26 June 2009, AFRUCA will hold a series of events in London and Manchester to celebrate its 8th anniversary. Please visit our website at www.afruca.org for further information.
For further enquiries please contact:
Debbie Ariyo
AFRUCA Director
Tel: 0844 660 8607
Email: info@afruca.org
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10 People killed, 50 houses burnt in Edo kingship tussleThe tussle over the 'Aidonogie' stool in South Ibie clan in Etsako West Local Government area of Edo State took a bloody turn over the week end as supporters of the two claimants engaged themselves in a fight that left no fewer than 10 persons dead and over 50 houses and many cars burnt.Although, the police confirmed only two persons dead in the two-day battle, Daily Independent gathered that the communal war was still raging last night with women, children and the aged relocating to neighbouring towns and villages.It will be recalled that a Benin High Court, presided over by Justice M. O Ighodaro, on Wednesday restrained Edo State Government from presenting the staff of office to Kelvin Aliyu Danesi on May 23 or any other day pending the determination of a motion on notice brought before it by counsel to the plaintiffs, Roland Otaru (SAN).Chief Shaibu Imogere, Prince Abu Umoru, and Prince Yesufu Umoru, plaintiffs in the suit, filed the action for themselves and on behalf of the Ogiator branch of Okhokho ruling house.Reports had it that despite the court order, the Aidonogie palace was still putting every arrangement in place for the governor to perform the ceremony on May 23 and this was said to have provoked supporters of the other factionReacting to the latest development, however, Danesi told newsmen that the crisis was fueled by the chairman of the Estako West Local council, Gani Audu.He insisted that Oshiomhole did not recognize him because they were friends, adding that successive regimes of Lucky Igbinedion who presented him with the staff of office and Prof. Osunbor have already recognized him as the ruler of the townBut the Vice-Chairman of the local government. Jimoh Omogbeni, denied the accusation, insisting that as the chief security officer of the council, the chairman was out to ensure that peace and order were maintained in the area.In another development, 17 persons were on Sunday killed on the Lagos-Benin Expressway when a Toyota Hiace commuter bus plunged into Aden River near Okada Town in Edo State.This is coming barely 48 hours after 60 persons were similarly roasted inside a luxury bus on Benin-Auchi-Abuja Expressway.Daily Independent gathered that the Benin bound vehicle which took off from Ojota Motor Park in Lagos had a head-on collision while struggling the with a truck belonging to a construction firm which was carrying out repairs on the road.The bus, said to be carrying 20 persons made up of 17 males, one female and two children, then lunged into the river.The three survivors in the accident were rushed to the University of Benin Teaching Hospital (UBTH).As at press time, officials of the Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC) were still busy trying to recover the bus from the river.Some of the recovered bdies were deposited at the UBTH mortuary.The luxury bus that claimed 60 lives on Friday, according to reports, was heading to Onitsha from Sokoto when it collided with a broken down tanker conveying diesel oil.
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By Seyi Odubanwo and Ekene Okoro, LagosLack of conducive environment for the emergence of credible personalities has been identified as responsible for the seeming lack of quality leadership in the country.Lagos State Governor, Babatunde Fashola, said deterioration in the country's value system was to blame for antisocial tendencies among Nigerians in the present dispensation.Fashola, who made the declaration on Thursday, at the re-launch of uniformed voluntary organisations and clubs in Lagos State public schools, at the Onikan Stadium, Lagos, noted that the re-introduction of clubs such as the Boys Scout, Red Cross, Sheriff Guards, and the Girls Guide, was to begin the process of "building leaders from the scratch by using tried but abandoned methods".Fashola, while charging the students of the various associations to be prepared to take up leadership roles in the nearest future, also noted that the quest for a new generation of leaders and those to exercise uncommon leadership quality has become a matter of global concern, adding that the situation has not been helped with the fact that role models, and institutions created by leaders of yesteryears, such as the United Nations in 1945 and the World Bank in 1946, are the only references available for dealing with the global problems."Ironically, across the world, the models that are being studied are leaders before our generation like Winston Churchill, Eisenhower, Abraham Lincoln, Mahatma Ghandi, Napoleon, Cyrus to mention a few", he said.Fashola also told the students that great Nigerian leaders, both past and present, living and dead, did not become great leaders by taking political office or by attending leadership training institutes, noting that they were leaders in their various professions first."This is the defining element of leadership, responsibility for self, responsibility for others and responsibility to a cause. Mandela, Awolowo, Bola Tinubu were responsible for themselves, so they took responsibility for others and for causes like the fight against apartheid, the enforcement of free education and the enthronement of democracy."This is what we expect from these young faces, who will lead our Police and Army in the not too distant future, people who will be our professors, doctors, teachers and professionals to train others".
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By Fidelis Soriwei, BeninThe carnage in the nation's roads continued again on Sunday as another accident resulted in the deaths of 18 passengers on Benin-Ore Road.The accident occurred a few days after the death of over 50 people in an auto accident involving a luxury bus and a tanker at the Benin-Auchi Road.Our correspondent gathered that an 18-seater Toyota Hiace vehicle in which the deceased passengers were travelling plunged into the Ovia River just after the Okada junction.According to an eyewitness account, efforts made by motorists and others to rescue the trapped passengers were unsuccessful as they lacked the capacity to drag the submerged bus out of the river.The Good Samaritans were said to have watched helplessly as the passengers were drowned inside the bus.The source added that nobody, including the driver, was able to escape from the vehicle at the time of filing this report.The Benin Zonal Commander of the Federal Road Safety Commission, Mr. Zakari Nda, confirmed the accident, saying that his men were already on a rescue mission.He did not, however, confirm the casualty figure of the accident, saying he had not been briefed by his commander on ground.Investigation revealed that the driver of the ill-fated vehicle was heading for Benin from the Ore when it plunged into the river.The accident is coming shortly after about 66 people died in two separate auto accidents on the Benin-Auchi Road last week.While 16 market women lost their lives in the first accident which occurred on the Benin-Auchi Road on their way to Onitsha, over 50 people were killed in the second accident involving a tanker and a luxury bus loaded with passengers from Sokoto to Onitsha on Friday.Nda, who confirmed both accidents, said that while it was difficult to give the exact number of those killed in the latter accident, 43 burnt corpses were given mass burial in Benin on Friday evening.Meanwhile, about 10 people were feared killed in South in Etsako West Local Government Area of Edo State over a lingering chieftaincy dispute in the community.Our correspondent gathered that several other people were injured in the resumed hostilities between two cousins - Messrs Kelvin Danesi and Obebe Umoru - over Aidonogie of South Ibie chieftaincy tussle.According to an eyewitness account, several houses and properties worth millions of naira were destroyed during the clash between the supporters of the two principal actors in the crisis.It was learnt that crisis had been on for over 10 years and had once been put under control through the intervention of eminent groups like the Ibie Peace Forum based in Lagos in 2007.The source said the resumed violence, which commenced in the evening of Saturday, continued Sunday and had not abated at the time of filing the report.Our correspondent could not also ascertain what actually led to the recent crisis, but a source disclosed that the group loyal to Umoru was angry about the plans being made to mark the 10th year anniversary of Danesi, who is recognised by the state government.Speaking in a telephone interview with our correspondent on Sunday, the Assistant Commissioner of Police in charge of Operations in the Edo State Police Command, Mr. Clement Adoda, said that the situation had been brought under control.He said that the command had drafted riot policemen and the men of the Police Area Command in Auchi to the community.
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War in Niger Delta: MEND threatens northerners in oil industry
Careful Mr President MEND may just be what will MEND 9geria for good .
This is sadness for a group that so far their activities have been laughable with respect to being called Terrorists or kidnappers.The escalation of this crises by threatning the northeners may spark another Controversial question as to who is pulling the shots .The FG,Shell or a 3rd party .
1.What does MEND Really want ?
2.Why would they sacrifice their lives for this ? (9gerians are not known to sacrifice their lives)
3.Why has this situation continued and exploded into a full scale war ?
Their story is one of sadness while we enjoy the scraps that fall off the oil runners .Their Lands and livelihood have been scandalized by oil spillage , lack of jobs and general disregard for their environmental right to land and freedom.
No one supports terrorism but no one supports injustice either .Bombing villages in 9geria ? Is that the way forward ? The FG has to come up with a solution that will stop the senseless killing of People who want their voices to be heard .People with rights to land to cultivate their farms and extract fish from their rivers.
A people that is cast into despair that the only solution they can come up with is to put their very lives at stake .This shows an embittered people with a troubled psche that has failed to identify with the rest of a Nation.A Nation where democracy and the rule of Law has been replaced with an ambient Dictatorship.
Who dares speak agains the Federal governtment.This is a strong Statement to Citizens that Resistance is Futile.Get with the program or die doing so.
Yardua as Govenrnor belied a man of letters , a man of peace a man of absolute incorruptions to the tune of billions left in the coffers of the state when he assumed office as President of our nation.
I am beginning to understand that this was a smokescreen .He kind of must have looked at it as a savings account .His peaceful mien has been re designed as NO president has carried out bombing attacks on its citizens since the Biafran War.Some one correct me if am wrong.
Remember Osama bin Laden He was small FRY until his friends The USA turned him into what he is now .
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Umbrella body of the militants in the Niger Delta, Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND), has sent out a chilling signal, threatening an impending attack on the Federal Government, and particularly, Northerners who occupy prominent positions in the oil industry.
"Our message to the Northern Sultans and Emirs is this: The period of exploiting the Niger Delta is coming to an end. It is not the birth right of your people to rule the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
"The war is just beginning and by the time it ends, Nigeria will practice true federalism such as fiscal federalism which will benefit the entire populace. Let your people brace themselves to develop their resources and such a bold change will be remembered," Jomo Gbomo, MEND's spokesman said in an electronic mail on Sunday.
The threat came a few hours after the Special Adviser to the Rivers State Governor on Budget, Austin Ngor, was kidnapped and moved to an unknown destination.
It was not clear what the demands of the kidnappers are, but the governor's Chief Press Secretary, Blessing Wikinaka, has warned them to free the man immediately as there was no just reason for his abduction.
Meanwhile, MEND two of the hostages in their custody killed "in the course of the war".
It said the remaining one has been relocated to an unnamed camp in Delta State.
MEND dared the security outfit, Joint Task Force (JTF), to destroy all its (MEND's) camps, which it said, were spread in many places across Niger Delta region.
The MEND's spokesman said, "The British hostage, Mr Matthew Maguire, has been relocated to Delta State and will be a guest of one of the camps there".
He added: "Nigerians should now brace up for the worst from the decisions of an incompetent leadership.
"The Niger Delta people who have endured injustice and genocide for over 50 years must be ready to fight for change as our destiny should not be in the hands of others but ourselves.
The group said it was embarrassed at the "performance of the Nigerian Armed Forces who performed like poorly trained amateurs by bombing indiscriminately into civilian communities using helicopter gunships and fighter jet planes.
"Civilians should have been allowed to leave the area before the attack. This simply has shown that the government is insensitive to the Niger Delta people.
"If the Army's mission was to also rescue the hostages, then that again was a botched and ridiculous attempt because the hostages were not at any immediate risk except for their temporary freedom.
"We regret to announce that two hostages have been killed by the indiscriminate shelling and two more are still in our custody.
"We are happy that all of them were not killed by the Army. The bodies of the dead men will be handed over to the Red Cross. MEND deeply regrets the avoidable deaths".
It denied claims that the Army captured a plane from one of its camps.
"If my memory serves me right, the plane in question is a toy remote controlled plane which can be purchased from any toy shop. It is rather shameful that they cannot distinguish the difference between a toy plane and a drone.
"As promised, we have begun nibbling again at the oil infrastructure. Already, two major trunk pipe and gas lines, which were recently repaired, have been blown up. This is just the tip of the series of attacks we plan to carry out.
"For the Nigerian government to declare victory, troops must be able to secure every inch of pipelines and eliminate the over 500 camps stretching from Ondo to Akwa Ibom.
"What the government has been successful in doing is committing genocide against the Ijaw communities whose offence, it seems, is discovering oil in their backyards," the group said.
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The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission has obtained a court order to freeze the accounts of the companies used for the contracts for which the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Power, Nicholas Ugbane, and nine others are being prosecuted. The order was obtained at the Federal High Court in Abuja through an ex parte application.The EFCC’s lawyer, Chief Godwin Obla, had argued the application while Justice Anwuli Chikere granted the freezing order.Also, an Abuja High Court had on Monday, remanded Ugbane, and his counterpart in the House of Representatives, Ndudi Elumelu and eight others at Kuje Prison, Abuja till June 4 when it would rule on their bail applications.The accused are standing trial for allegedly defrauding the Federal Government of N5.2bn.Also taken to Kuje were the Director-General of the Rural Electrification Agency, Samuel Gekpe, Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Power, Abdulahi Aliyu, Simon Nanle, Lawrence Orekoya, Abdulsalmad Jahun, Kayode Oyedeji, Igwe Paulinus and Jibo Mohammed.All the suspects had filed separate applications for bail which were argued on Monday by their lawyers.The accused had claimed that they were entitled to the constitutional presumption of innocence at the trial stage.Having listened to the argument of the parties Justice Adebukonla Banjoko said she had a tight case load and that the earliest date she could rule on the bail applications was June 4.She, however, said that if she was able to write her ruling earlier than June 4, she would communicate unto the parties.Her decision to adjourn the case till to June 4 left all the suspects dejected while their relatives who had come to court hoping that the suspects would be granted bail could not hide their disappointment.The wife of one of the suspects, Jibo Mohammed, who is also the deputy chairman of House Committee on Power, broke down in tears when her husband was being driven to Kuje prison. With her baby in her hand, she wept uncontrollably.Opposing the bail applications, the EFCC’s lawyer, Obla, said that the evidence against the suspects amounted to about 513 pages.He said, “The cheques used in effecting the withdrawals are serially displayed.“Statements of witnesses show the meetings between the accused persons.”He also argued that most of the offences for which the accused were charged were economic and financial crimes, and abuse of office which were species or derivatives of corruption.Obla told the court that there was a high tendency that the accused would tamper with investigations.According to him, the commission is still investigating other offences that have been committed by the suspects and that to release them on bail means that they will stifle further investigation.
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If one should start counting the many unresolved issues plaguing the Nigerian nation, space would not be enough to exhaust it. They ranged from political assassinations, to frauds by some of the past leaders and (especially) serving State Governors and Ministers of the Federal Republic. It also includes vindictiveness in the heart of our leaders and mundane things they do.Let us take few of them: The assassination of Dele Giwa; the assassination of Dikibo; the assassination of Rewane; the assassination of Bola Ige, etc; the allegation that Vice President Jonathan Goodluck retains native doctor Sobowei as his spiritual consultant; the same native doctor was paid N800million to influence Governor Akpabio who awarded him a N7billion road contract without due process; the Governor awarded Ibom Tropicana Centre at N33billion when it actually would have cost about N7billion as represented by Abuja Water Parks Resource that has more facilities, including a Golf Course; the loot by former IGP Tafa Balogun; etc.A governor’s brother went to US Embassy with N1billion in his submitted bank account statement for Visa and when the EFCC was called in, instead of taking advantage, decided to shield who the governor and his brother are; EFCC has refused to name those in Halliburton bribery scandal just as its Chairman has refused to name the first-term governor that bought N1billion estate in Abuja shortly after assuming office; she has also refused to name those governors that push and use drugs; etc.The Press should realize that we depend on them now and therefore should try to help inform the public properly.
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At least 200 militants have been killed in the recent clash with the Nigerian military in the oil rich southeast Delta State, security sources said on Friday.
"The militants gave a feeble resistance but cave in to the firepower of our boys, there is no doubt that about 200 of them must have died in the engagement," the sources said.
An all-out war broke out on Friday between militants and operatives of the Joint Task Force (JTF) taking a military action code-named Operation Restore Hope.
Security sources told 9jabook sources that the soldiers moved into Camp 5, the major base of militants in Delta State axis of the Niger Delta, by 10 a.m. local time and bombarded the place with shells from gunboats.
Soldiers also used artillery on the ground while the air force covering the operation headed by the new commander of the JTF, Sarkin Yaki Bello, who was at the JTF headquarters with his deputy Wuyep Rimtip when the militants launch an attack on Wednesday.
The operation began at Oporoza where there was little resistance to the military entry. Exchange of fire was reported after the militants moved to Camp 5.
"The battle was simple for our boys, they had been spoiling for action against that Tompolo and his boys in that camp who always claim they have more strength than them," the sources said.
After the Oporoza raid, the soldiers then moved to the nearby Kunukunuma and Okerenkoko, all around Chanomi creeks where the militants held sway.
The leader of Camp 5 militants is feared to be killed, but could not be verified.
The Management of Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC) has reportedly started evacuating their personnel from the troubled area while Chevron Nigeria Limited (CNL) restricted the movement of their workers within their facility.
With the battle going on, there was fear that residents in the region of Warri were caught up in the crossfire between the soldiers and militants in the town.
Rabe Abubakar, the spokesman for the military, said soldiers launched the operation to weed out the criminals that attacked their soldiers and hijacked two vessels in the area.
He said it was the responsibility of JTF to fish out the hoodlums that attacked their men.
Meanwhile, the Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta(MEND) said one of the hostages was killed by stray bullets from the Nigerian army who attacked an area they were being held in Delta state.
The hostage was a Filipino sailor seized from the boat, the MV Spirit, on Thursday morning, militants said.
The Nigerian military clashed with the MEND in southern Delta State on Wednesday morning.
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If you love real talent, you would love . She acts with extra grace. All you need do is watch her in The Rivals and Sweet Tomorrow, then you are hooked. She recently signed up with the Ope Banwo-led Stingomania to manage her affairs. This 31 year-old French graduate who has been married for 10 years spoke with SAMUEL OLATUNJI on what has kept her marriage and Nollywood.Why did you have to marry so early?I wonder! I just met the right person. You know what it is when you meet someone and you know that this is the man. It’s not that he was my first boyfriend; I just knew that he is the man. Again, I fell in love with the way he loved me. His love was overwhelming and when he proposed, I just said yes. He proposed to me after two weeks actually. I surprised myself by saying yes.Are you sure you did not rush into this?No, I did not rush into it. It’s been almost 10 years now and we have three beautiful children. I think the love is even getting stronger.You have three children and you look this stunning. How do you keep in shape?It’s hard work. I do a bit of dieting and fitness on the side. I know a lot about keeping fit.What kind of exercise do you do and what kind food do you eat?Six weeks after my last child in England, I used to leave my baby and go for one-hour power walk. I would be out there whether it was raining or snowing and in the evening I would go to the gym. And I would not touch cake even if my life depended on it. Even till now I don’t take sugary thing.Why all these hard work?My husband likes me like this.Your husband looks so gentle one would wonder if he is capable of handling you, or I’m I being deceived?No, you are not deceived, but he is also very strong. He knows when to accept something and when not to accept. Generally, he believes in what I do and he knows this is what makes me happy, so he would rather have a happy wife than an unhappy one. This is my life; I’m not going to do anything else.Weren’t you scared that marriage would slow you down?Talent has a lot to do with how you rise. I got into the industry when I was 17 or 18. I didn’t have to sleep with anybody to get there. I did three lead roles in one year. The films are Destined to die, Not my Will, and Campus Tail by Hilda Dokunbo. Since I wasn’t sleeping with them before, I don’t have to start now.How was it like on the set of Figurine by Kunle Afolayan?It was great. It is very different from what I’ve ever done. I’ve never seen the kind of equipment we used. The story is very different; it wasn’t your normal regular Nollywood story. We shot for a month and we all became like one family. We also had lots of cool locations.How was it like leaving your husband behind in Lagos for one month?My husband had to come once and spent about four days with me.When you spend a long time with people outside of your home, do you get to feel something emotional with them?There is no actor in Nollywood that is as tight as my husband. Why would I be tripping for a fellow actor? This is a job, you have to do what you have to do and go. I have friends among them. But that is as far as it goes. I don’t even think about it. Really, no one looks better than my husband.What’s been the most challenging role you’ve played?I think it is Sweet Tomorrow. I had to be in wheel chair. I fell so many times and I had bruises all over me. It wasn’t funny at all.Why is it taking you so long a time to breakthrough despite the fact that lots of people are saying you are so talented?I think everyone has his or her time. But a lot of my movies have not been released. So, you should watch out.How was life at UNIBEN and why didn’t you study Theatre Art?Funny enough, I’ve been acting since I was three. I’ve always loved entertainment and showbiz. I don’t think I have to study Theatre Art to be in the industry. There are so many people who did not study art in school, but they are great actors. I believe I have the talent, which was enough for me.Since global meltdown affected Nollywood, did it affect you?No, Nollywood is not the only thing I do. And for crying out loud, I have a husband that works.What does your husband do?He is an optometrist. That is different from optician. It is an optometrist who checks your eyes and determines whether you need to wear glasses or not.Is that why you are wearing contact lens?I have eye problem.Let’s talk about your deal with Stingomania. Don’t you think you are signing away your freedom?I think this would work because I’m not driven by money. If my management company is taking 20 per cent, I still have 80 per cent. I think that is a lot. The management company is getting me deals and things I couldn’t do on my own. If for instance I’m supposed to do two movies a year, I would probably be doing six with my management company. So, I’m making more money because of them. Stingomania will do a lot of things for me and will get me deals even outside of acting. And as per the freedom issue, the company doesn’t close a deal for you without discussing with you first. If I say I don’t want it, that’s it.So, the marketers will have to speak with your management company now, don’t you think that will get them pissed off?They won’t get pissed off because I’m a humble person. I think the way you present issue to people will determine how they react to it.What is your fan book all about?It is a place where my fans can interact with me directly. It is omoniobolifanbook.com. They can ask me any question on anything and I answer.What has kept your marriage going for 10 years?We just have to keep it fresh all the time and we keep the sex hot. I was ready for marriage and I told myself that once I get married I would stay married.How easy is it to break into Nollywood?It’s not easy, let me not lie about that. Some people are there and don’t want anybody to come up there, I don’t want to mention names. But if you have the talent and persistence, you will get there.Who is the most interesting actor you’ve worked with?I would say Ramsey Nouah because he is fun to work with. He is lively and always looking for what will make people happy.How old are you?I was 31 in April.Are you still going to make more kids?No. I’m done.At 31 you are done with kids, you seem to be doing everything early?I got married at 21 really. Honestly I didn’t think I would be married at 21. I just met the right person. Why wait again if I’ve met the right person? He would probably date me for a couple of years, get frustrated and move on to another person. And then I would have missed the right person. He wanted marriage and I wanted it too. Marriage has matured me. I’ve always been matured. I grew up before my time. His being with a good man has also helped me.Does he complain about your romantic roles?No. There was a scene in Figurine where I had to kiss someone. Everybody is talking about the picture on facebook. But what most people don’t know was that he was actually there when we were shooting the love scene in Osun.Why kiss somebody on set when you could fake it?It’s a job. There is nothing to it. There were about 20 people there, so you can’t really be moved emotionally. It is a job.What should your fans expect from you?They should expect the best. I’ll always give them the best, That is why I don’t do every movie that comes across my way, I chose my script. That is why I can confidently say that if you find me in a movie, it is really good.courtesy odili network
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It is only in Naija that a car crash kills as many people as a plane crash !Is it the roads killing people or the Drivers are bad drivers and are asking for death unusual for Naija or What does it really mean to have drivers license in naijaIT was yet another tragic yesterday, as no fewer than 70 persons were feared dead in an accident on the Okene-Auchi-Benin road.The burnt bodies were later given a mass burial with the assistance of the local council, Police and FRSC.The accident, which occurred shortly after the Irrua Specialist Teaching Hospital gate, involved a luxury bus said to be travelling from Sokoto to Port Harcourt.Eyewitness account said the bus rammed into a stationary truck, which apparently developed fault and had no caution sign on the road.we gathered that many of the dead victims were burnt beyond recognition while many of the survivors had severe burns.The Zonal Commander, Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC), Zakari Nda though did not confirm the number of dead victims, he said the accident was "very fatal."He confirmed that the accident involved a luxury bus fully loaded with passengers and that it ran into a stationary tanker.As at yesterday morning when contacted Nda, he said, "the bus is still burning. Survivors and dead cannot be ascertained now until the fire subsides. I am at the scene. Fire service has been contacted, it is a horrible scene," he said.Last Saturday, about 14 traders who were on their way to Onitsha lost their lives in Agbede bridge axis of the same road in Etsako West when their bus had a collision with a J5 bus.
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By the White House
Statement by the Press Secretary on Upcoming Travel by the President. The President is scheduled to travel to Moscow, Russia, July 6 to 8 at the invitation of President Medvedev.
The summit meeting will provide an opportunity for the United States and the Russian Federation to deepen engagement on reducing nuclear weapons, cooperating on non-proliferation, exploring ways to cooperate on missile defense, addressing mutual threats and security challenges, and expanding the ties between American and Russian society and business.
The President will then attend the G-8 Summit in L’Aquila,Italy, from July 8 to 10. The Summit and related meetings with world leaders from emerging and African economies will provide an opportunity for the United States to engage with its partners on a broad range of issues. The President will also chair a meeting of the Major Economies Forum on Energy and Climate while at L’Aquila.
The President and Mrs. Obama will visit Accra, Ghana, from July 10 to 11. While in Ghana, the President will discuss a range of bilateral and regional issues with Ghanaian President Mills. The President and Mrs. Obama look forward to strengthening the U.S. relationship with one of our most trusted partners in sub-Saharan Africa, and to highlighting the critical role that sound governance and civil society play in promoting lasting development.
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A minor was on Thursday sentenced to 12 strokes of the cane by an Abuja Magistrate’s Court for trespass and theft.The minor was convicted for trespassing into Okwuelle Block Industry belonging to one Christian Nnamdi of Karu Site, Abuja and stealing 10 litres of diesel worth N8,000The Police Prosecutor, PC Francis Udofia, told the court that the minor committed the offence on April 26 and that the item was recovered from him.The convict pleaded guilty to the charge and begged for leniency.“I stole the item because I was looking for money to pay my school fees. I don’t have anybody to take care of me; I am asking the court to forgive me.I am too young to go to prison,’’ the minor pleaded.Magistrate Samuel Idiareh, however, sentenced the convict to 12 strokes of the cane.“This is in view of the fact that the convict is shown to be a minor of 13 years old,’’ Idiareh said.
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