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Adewale Olupitan-Hassan, who died after being allegedly brutalised by soldiers attached to the Flag Staff House, Force Road, Lagos, has been buried.

Olupitan-Hassan’s younger brother, Adedotun, said he was still hoping that the Nigerian Army authorities would allow justice to prevail by fishing out the perpetrators.

The Iya Oge of Lagos, Chief Mrs Opral Benson, 77, has been made the honorary Consular General of Nigeria to her country of birth, Liberia.

The proprietor of the Opral Benson Beauty Institute and widow of Nigeria's first minister of information, late TOS Benson, received an official latter on the 7th of August from the minister of foreigner affairs.

The fashion Icon will operate from Lagos, which has been her base for many years, instead of moving to Abuja where most consuls are based.

The Winners Chapel General Overseer, who takes education very seriously, is building a mega secondary school facility located at Gowon Estate in the Alimosho local government area of Lagos State. The new building, which is nearing completion, is said to have over 100 classrooms. The Bishop has already established the Kingdom Heritage Model Schools in different cities in Nigeria for primary education, Faith Academy; a missionary full boarding secondary school, and Covenant University.

King Wasiu Ayinde Marshal's daughter, Oyindamola Ayinde Marshall, is a product of the Brits School for Performing Arts & Technology, UK. She is currently working on her first hip hop album. Her stage name is Honey B

bin a while since I visited, wot did I miss

Ben Murray Bruce's first son, Jonathan Murray Bruce, 31, on Saturday August 11th married his longtime Irish/Nigerian girlfriend, Irene Chilabakis, 24, in Berverly Hills, California. Jonathan and Irene already have a one year old daughter.

THE recent declaration of self-government by a faction of the Movement for the Survival of Ogoni People took many by surprise. CHUKWUDI AKASIKE reports this ominous development

FOR many years, the people of Ogoni have felt the pangs of injustice in diverse dimensions, especially through the slow but steady pollution of their land.

Oil spills, gas flaring and other environmental degrading factors have dealt a heavy blow on the flora and fauna of the area. Though the cry of the Ogoni has reached its height, not much has been done to assuage their feelings.

Perhaps the most trying period for the  people was when in 1995, Ken Saro-Wiwa and eight other activists from Ogoniland were killing by the Gen. Sani Abacha-led military junta.

Although, the natives have repeatedly demanded basic necessities of life from government and oil companies in the area, no one expected that they could declare self-government.

On August 2, 2012, the factional leader of the Movement for the Survival of Ogoni People, Dr. Goodluck Diigbo, did the unthinkable by declaring political autonomy for Ogoniland.

In his declaration, the outspoken Diigbo said he acted legitimately by reclaiming all the rights of the Ogoni. The leader of the splinter group was also said to have established a radio station known as ‘Ogoni Voice’ where he made the purported declaration of Ogoni independence.

“By this declaration of political autonomy, we, the Ogoni people, are determined to enforce the United Nations Declaration on Rights of Indigenous Peoples, without fear or retreat,” Diigbo stated.

According to him, self-government within Nigeria will bring “internal colonialism” to an end.

“The reason for the urgency of self-government for Ogoni is the concern that in the absence of a responsive government, the indigenous people of Ogoni will continue to suffer from historic injustices.

“In taking these measures, we are quite aware of the discomfort of about 56 local politicians that control local government politics in Ogoni. However, we care more about the 1.2 million people that have for too long been excluded,” Diigbo added.

He further said a transitional committee was already in place to facilitate dialogue and ensure peaceful transition within 30 days, while consultation with the national government and international community would begin without delay.

Diigbo’s declaration shook the entire Ogoniland.

But the excitement that came in the wake of Diigbo’s MOSOP declaration was dimmed by the reaction of what many agree to be the ‘main MOSOP’ led by the Chairman of the Provisional Council, Prof. Ben Naanen who immediately dismissed Diigbo’s pronouncement.

Naanen who expressed dismay at the declaration of Ogoni autonomy said, “At no time did the Ogoni people take any decision to establish a sovereign nationhood. The Ogoni Bill of Rights is clear about the aspiration of Ogoni people in Nigeria. The Ogoni want adequate representation in all the institutions of the Nigerian state as a matter of right. They want their economic, social and political rights to be protected in the Federal Republic of Nigeria. A people aspiring to sovereignty cannot also be asking for representation at the same time,” Naanen said in a statement sent to SUNDAY PUNCH via electronic mail.

Naanen called on the Federal Government to deal with the problem of poverty and marginalisation affecting the people of the area. According to him, the situation in Ogoniland is responsible for the support Diigbo enjoyed from his community.

The MOSOP leader argued that people like Diigbo would not be able to cause confusion in Ogoni if the Federal Government had shown commitment towards the development of the area.

“Diigbo is seeking relevance. He is playing to the gallery and some people listen to him because they are poor and unemployed,” he added.

Similarly, the state governor, Mr. Rotimi Amaechi, described Diigbo’s action as “treasonable felony.”

“Ogoni autonomy is not achievable. The man who declared Ogoni autonomy will run into the bush tomorrow morning. What Diigbo is doing is treasonable felony. You do not declare autonomy on the pages of newspapers and magazines or on radio and television,” Amaechi said.

The governor urged Nigerians to ignore the recent declaration by the MOSOP factional leader.

But an unyielding Diigbo disagreed with the governor’s description of his declaration.  

He said, “Issues pertaining to indigenous rights cannot be dabbled in by local or regional authorities that may be in conflict with indigenous rights, but rests on consultation with a nation state as Nigeria. I think Amaechi needs proper advice on international matters. It is also because of international instruments that citizens who want to live in an organised society are able to aspire to self-government, freedom and to organise and subordinate their rights. You cannot pick and choose certain aspects of civilisation and corruptly opt for permittivity as you deem fit.”

The flurry of reactions, which Diigbo assertion ignited, transcended Ogoni. A lawmaker representing Ikwerre/Emohua Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, Mr. Andrew Uchendu, expressed dissatisfaction over Diigbo’s declaration and urged the people of Ogoni to be wary of their utterances in order not to destroy the legacy of their past leaders.

Uchendu said he had a good relationship with past Ogoni leaders and that none of them, including the late Saro-Wiwa, who presented the Ogoni Bill of Rights, ever talked about sovereignty for the people.

The lawmaker, who is the Chairman, House Committee on Public Service, spoke of a letter written to him on December 1, 1994 by Saro-Wiwa when he (Uchendu) was in the Constituent Assembly.

The letter, according to Uchendu, was about the plight of the Ogoni people. “There was no declaration of sovereignty. Saro-Wiwa was more concerned with environmental degradation of Ogoniland and resource control,” he said.

Also, a lawyer and Chancellor of the International Society for Social Justice and Human Rights, Mr. Jackson Omenazu, attributed the declaration of self-government to the loss of faith in the Nigerian project.

Omenazu explained that Diigbo’s action should not come as a surprise to Nigerians because the absence of social and economic security could push any tribe to call for autonomy.

He warned that more tribes could follow the Diigbo example if nothing was done to reverse Nigerians’ diminishing faith in the country.

“The indices we see in the country today can make any tribe to think of pulling out of the project called Nigeria. If the situation continues like this, more sections of the country will call for self-government,” he cautioned.

Diigbo’s declaration re-enacts  the revolution that was led by late Major Isaac Adaka Boro, who declared independence of the Niger Delta on February 23, 1966, at Akaima in present day  Bayelsa State.

Boro’s revolt was crushed by federal troops within 12 days. It is yet not certain, how far Diigbo’s can go.

MIKE ODIEGWU writes that the passage of the Bayelsa State Flag, Coat of Arms and Anthem Bill 2012 has thrown up questions on its implications for Nigeria’s sovereignty

The Bayelsa State House of Assembly last Tuesday passed an executive bill granting the state the legal backing to formulate its anthem, hoist its flag and own its coat of arms. The bill entitled: Bayelsa State Flag, Coat of Arms and Anthem Bill 2012, was sponsored by the Leader of the House, Dr. Sam Akpe. The lawmakers unanimously passed the bill without much ado.

Akpe described the bill as timely and argued that it was in line with the moves by Governor Seriake Dickson, to restore and give the state a unique identity. “As Bayelsans, we have come of age to be proud of where we come from as the only homogeneous Ijaw state. The bill when signed into law will be awakening our pride and honour reflected by the flag with a colour that is peculiar to our identity as a people,” he had said.

There is no doubt that Dickson will soon sign the bill into law since it originated from his cabinet. A day before the bill was passed, the cabinet was in a meeting where the decision was taken to rebrand the state. Dickson and his aides ruled that it was high time the government repositioned the state to represent the interest of the balkanized Ijaw nation.

But before the bill gets the assent of the governor, politically conscious observers are concerned about the legality of the action of the government. Is this singular act not an affront to the sovereignty, constitutionality and independence of Nigeria? Is there a tacit plan for the Ijaws to seek for self-determination from the Nigeria state?

A constitutional lawyer and human rights activist, Mr. Oghenejabor Ikimi, says there is nothing improper in the action of the state government. Ikimi who is based in Warri, Delta State, postulates that there is no aspect of the constitution that forbids a state from owning its coat of arms, flag and anthem.

Describing it as a welcome development, Ikimi who is the convener of the Forum for Defence of Justice and Human Rights, implored other states to toe the same path.

He said, “Let me first and foremost congratulate the members of the Bayelsa House of Assembly for their wise decision to pass into law the executive bill for the state flag, state anthem and the state coat of arms and their courage in asserting their right as a state. We call on other states of the federation yet to have their own flag, anthem and coat of arms to borrow a leaf from Bayelsa State.

“The legal implication of the above law is that Bayelsa has truly come of age as a state within the Nigeria Federation. Under a federal system of government, component states are allowed to have their own flag, coat of arms and anthem except printing their own currency or owning their own armed forces.

“For instance, during state engagements instead of playing the national anthem, a state can play its own anthem or display its coat of arms and flag on state owned building and institutions. It is a welcome decision and the state has not run foul of the law.”

Also, the former state Chairman, Nigerian Bar Association, Mr. Stanley Damabide, argued that it was constitutional for a state to have its unique symbols. According to him, Cap 13 law of the Anthem, Coat of Arms and Flag Act of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, makes a provision for states within the federation to have theirs.

“Constitutionally, issues of flag and coat of arms are not in the exclusive list. It falls under the residual list and it means states can legislate on it. The action of the state is allowed by our laws and does not in any way contravene the federal law. Our law justifies states having their symbols and flags. It does not affect the substance and oneness of the Federal Republic of Nigeria”, he said.

Similarly, the state government says there is no ulterior motive in its decision. The Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Mr. Iworiso-Markson, maintains that it is borne out of the desire to propagate the culture, values and customs of the Ijaw nation and give the state a sense of identity. According to him, the emblems will be put to use immediately Dickson signs the bill into law.

“This decision also underscores government’s belief that this state, like any other state, is where the Ijaws, the fourth largest ethnic nationality, has as its home. Bayelsa is home to all Ijaws both at home and abroad.  The emblem therefore, will help to serve as a unifying force and rallying point for all our people. 

“It says a lot about the preservation of our culture, our essential values as a people and as a race.  These are the qualities that distinguish us and make us who we are – proud, great people of the Ijaw nation. There is therefore, a need to project our culture and uniqueness as a people. There is the need to preserve our values and pass them on as part of our heritage.

“More importantly, as a government, we view the decision to launch the state-own emblem, as critical to our development and it matches our drive to project Bayelsa as a world-class tourist destination, the new frontier for eco-tourism and an investment haven,” he adds.

He further argues that the development is not peculiar to the state, citing Lagos, Oyo, Osun, Ondo, Ogun and Ekiti states as examples. “The point must however, be made clear that the step taken by our government to announce the proposed launch of a state owned flag, anthem and coat of arms is not in any way different from what other states in the federation have done.

“It is common knowledge that virtually all the states in the southwestern region such as Lagos, Oyo, Osun, Ondo, Ogun and Ekiti states — have since launched theirs. The most recent was the North Central state of Kwara. In the South-South, Cross River and Rivers State are the only two states in the region that have embraced this noble concept. But none of these states elevated their quest for identity symbol like Bayelsa, which did it through legislation.

“We believe that Bayelsa being the only state that can be considered as the home state of the Ijaw race deserves to blaze this trail than any other state in the federation, given its uniqueness. This much is true because of the emphasis we place on the propagation of the Ijaw ideals and what we stand for as a people- the Ijaw ideology”, he maintains.

 The state chapter of the Action Congress of Nigeria however says the state of President Goodluck Jonathan has simply imitated what other ACN states did in the South-West. The party’s Publicity Secretary, Mr. Christopher Abarowei, said the move has further given credence to ACN as a pacesetter in the country.

 “It is a welcome development as far as it is not at variance with the constitution and it is not done to undermine national integration. If states like Lagos, Oyo, Ogun and Cross River can have coat of arms, flags and anthem without undermining national security, Bayelsans should be given an opportunity to express their identity,” he said.

Also supporting the move, Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Prof. Itse Sagay, said Bayelsa State as a unit of the Federation has the right to a level of autonomy and unique identity.

“I don’t see why not. We are a federation and each state has the right to a certain level of autonomy and identity. The flag, the anthem and the coat of arms are merely an implementation of that right. That does not stop the state from recognizing the national flag, which must fly everywhere,” he said.

BBA housemate Prezzo was appointed as an ambassador of the ONE campaign against hungerimmediately after the end of the reality show. But contrary to reports that he's getting $720k a year for the position and a diplomatic passport, the NGO has issued a statement clarifying that all the ambassadors that work with them do so on a voluntary basis. They do not pay a dime.

Prezzo was chosen after he won a competition in the BBA house to design t-shirts for the ONE campaign, which expressed ‘sustainable and smart agriculture means for Africa’s youth’. The t.shirts are currently being produced for ONE’s line of branded merchandise.

The self acclaimed living legend wants to play for his childhood dream club, Manchester United, as a footballer. He went to Man U last year for trials (pictured above with Alex Ferguson, who said Usain's inability to control the ball and his superstar status will make it difficult for Man U to sign him. 

Koko Master!! Bad Pass Tony Montana! Is that a leopard I see in that picture? Interesting… This was taken on the set of Naeto C’s Tony Montana Remix video shoot. If this is just one picture from the shoot, one can only imagine what the full video will look like.

On Friday August 10th, mother of 3 and banker with Stanbic IBTC, Yinka Johnson, was arrested by the police for allegedly crushing an official of the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority to death while driving against traffic along the Lekki Expressway. 

According to LASTMA, Yinka killed Hammed Balogun by driving recklessly while trying to evade arrest. But Yinka and her friends have denied the accusation, claiming Hammed was hit and killed by a Danfo driver that was also trying to avoid arrest.

Yinka Johnson is currently being detained in Panti Prison with her 2 month old baby. The police say they plan to charge her to court for the death of Hammed Balogun. 

After the cut, you will find LASTMA and Yinka Johnson's version of what happened on that Friday morning


LASTMA's version of event which they posted on their official site

A 33 year old Hammed Balogun a staff of the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) was this morning killed by a banker along Lekki-Ajah Expressway while carrying out his official assignment at his duty post at Mega City, Ajah area of Lagos. The driver whose identity was revealed by the Auto Inspector device as Yinka Johnson a staff of IBTC drove in a Green Landover Jeep SUV with registration Plate number CY 276 LSD against traffic from Mega chicken inward toll Plaza two (2) and was intercepted by three officials of LASTMA led by the Head of Operations, Mr Quayum Asafa for traffic violation.

In a drama like scene, Johnson started driving recklessly in other to escape contravention and in the process ran over the officer. The deceased was rushed down to Germaine Hospital where he later died as a result of injury sustained from the accident while the corpse was deposited at the Lagos State Teaching Hospital, Ikeja for autopsy.

Realising what she has done, she ran and escaped from the scene of the incident immediately into Ikota Estate, Ajah with the security men shutting the gate permanently. The situation became riotous as the security attached to the gate refused all entries to open the gate until the intervention of the Area Commander in charge of Area J, Mr Felix Uwamli who mobilized and called for backup before access could be gained into the Estate. The suspect was finally arrested and taken to Ajiwe Police station from where she was transferred to the Criminal Investigative Department, Panti for further interrogations.

Bola Ajao – PRO LASTMA

Now this is Yinka Johnson's version of what really happened

I was driving on Lekki-Epe Expressway trying to navigate to the other side of the road when I was accosted by a LASTMA official. The path I took was a one-way road but residents of Ikota Estate usually take it because of the ongoing road reconstruction on the alternative road. While I was discussing with the LASTMA official, a vehicle crushed another official a few metres away, causing commotion. I did not run from the crime scene as it was not far from my home but instead came down from my car and called my husband.

After the LASTMA officials drove my car away, I went to the police station with my husband to report the incident. When I got to the police station, the area commander immediately took over the case and took me to the office of the commissioner of police. I heard the state governor had already told him about the case.

When I narrated my ordeal to the CP, he did not believe my story. He immediately ordered that I should be taken to the SCID. I am the innocent person here, yet I am being made to pay for what I did not do.

Statement from a friend of Yinka Johnson

You might have heard the story going round about the Banker who allegedly killed a LASTMA official by knocking him down with her car.

Eye witnesses on the scene insist that the LASTMA official was in fact knocked down by a Danfo bus he was trying to accost AFTER he arrested the Banker for a traffic offence.

In fact, her car was about being towed as can be seen from the picture on the lastma website. You can also see from the picture posted there that the car was empty. How did she get back in, ram the towing vehicle and killed the LASTMA man?

LASTMA is trying to skew the story as murder and she is currently in detention. Please note that I have seen her car and it doesn’t have a single dent on it.

Kindly spread the word and encourage eye witnesses to come forward and give statements at Panti where she is being held.

She is a mother of 3 (including a 2mth old baby who is with her in detention). I know her personally.

Please note that the incident happened on Friday morning 10/08/2012 at Ikota, Lekki Express Way. She was on her way to work.

Please call 08037076890 if you have information or witnessed what actually happened. We need eye witnesses to counter their lies.

Some people have been calling me claiming they were eye witnesses...but I don't know what I'm supposed to do with the information because the police is convinced she's guilty. I just hope that the truth comes to light before an innocent woman (that is if she's really innocent) is put in prison for a crime she didn't commit.

The 33 year old British actress wife of Snow White director who had a brief affair with Kristen Stewart last month is planning to divorce him, according to People Magazine. Liberty Ross has allegedly hired a lawyer to start divorce proceedings and is also planning to move back to her homeland, the UK.

United States Secretary of State, Hillary Clinton, on Thursday said her country was prepared to help Nigeria fight the Boko Haram insurgency in parts of the North.

Clinton made the offer at a closed door meeting with President Goodluck Jonathan at the State House, Abuja.

Dressed in black pants and a red top, Clinton arrived State House, Abuja accompanied by Nigeria’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Gbenga Ashiru.

She arrived under tight security at 3.50p.m in a car marked 140 CMD.

She was immediately ushered into Jonathan’s office for the meeting.

Thereafter, she moved to an expanded 50-minute meeting with the National Security Council, comprising Jonathan (chairman), Vice-President Namadi Sambo (deputy chairman); Chief of Defence Staff; Minister of Interior; Minister of Defence; Minister of Foreign Affairs; National Security Adviser; Inspector-General of Police; and Director-General of the State Security Service.

The meeting discussed the rising security threats in Nigeria; the controversy over calls on Washington to designate Boko Haram as a terrorist group as well as Abuja’s reluctance to endorse the appeals; piracy in the Gulf of Guinea; and cooperation between Nigeria and the U.S on security.

During the meeting, she reportedly told her audience that her country was ready to help with forensics, tracking of suspects and “fusing” disparate strands of police and military intelligence.

She also urged the Nigerian government to create an “intelligence fusion cell,” to combine information from the military, spy services, police and other federal, state and local agencies, in combating the growing extremist violence in the country.

After the meeting, the security chiefs and the National Security Adviser, Col. Sambo Dasuki (retd.), left at 6.10p.m while Clinton left at 6.15p.m for the residence of the U.S Ambassador to Nigeria, Terrence McCulley.

She was scheduled to hold a meeting with Nigerian anti-corruption activists at the ambassador’s residence and depart for the U.S Embassy for a meeting with diplomatic staff.

She thereafter left for the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja and departed Abuja for Accra for a meeting with President John Mahama.

She will spend the night in Accra and attend the funeral of late Ghana President John Atta Mills on Friday.

Ahead of her arrival in Abuja, a senior U.S official on Clinton’s delegation told Reuters that she would proffer ideas on how to put down the Boko Haram insurgency.

He said, “We know all too well from our own experiences in both Iraq and Afghanistan what can happen if soldiers and police are not operating under appropriate authorities.

“We will encourage them not to use excessive force and to look at this as a law enforcement operation designed to catch perpetrators and bring them to justice.”

Power generation in Nigeria will hit highest ever power output of 4, 237MW tomorrow Monday 13th August 2012, according to the Minister of Power, Prof. Bart Nnaji. He said 4, 237MW is the highest power output ever generated and supplied in Nigeria to date and the power improvement will be maintained to meet international standards. According to him, the worst days are over! Resounding AMEN!

According to iROKO Tv, Nollywood actress – Mary Remmy and iROKOtv’s CEO & Founder – Jason Njoku have been engaged for the past 6 months. They sure kept that one quiet. This news was posted on iROKO Tv’s Facebook page earlier today. The couple reportedly met almost 2 years ago. 

Jason is iROKO Tv’s largest individual shareholder and was recently named by Forbes magazine as one of Ten Young African Millionaires to watch. Whether its old news or new, we’re happy for both of them

The final day of competition ended on Sunday August 12 in the London 2012 Summer Olympic Games with the day's conclusion of 15 medal round events, and in the end the United States managed to pull past China in the final days to lead in total medal standings as well as in gold medal standings.

In the final total medal standings, the United States led with 104 medals and China was second with 87 medals. Rounding out the top five were Russia, Great Britain, and Germany with 82, 65, and 44 respectively.

Meanwhile, in the final gold medal standings, the United States led with 46 medals and China was second with 38 medals. Rounding out the top five were Great Britain with 29, Russia with 24, and South Korea with 13.

In all, medals were awarded in 302 events and 85 countries earned at least one medal.

Click hereto see the full medal count.

Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, Pastor Enoch Adejare Adeboye, on Thursday disowned text messages advising people not to wear red, blue, pink or purple. In a Facebook post, Adeboye urged people to disregard the messages as they did not emanate from either him or the church. It reads, “Please inform all your friends and family members that I, Pastor E.A. Adeboye, did not send any message out informing you not to wear a particular colour and do not have any issues with whatever colour. “No message stating you should not wear a particular color was ever authorized by The Redemption Camp or my office. Please be mindful and careful of erroneous messages. “If you want a true change in your life be at The Redemption Camp, This Thursday at7 pm, Friday at 7 pm and Saturday at 7 pm. To ensure no one uses your blood for anything.”