EASTER MESSAGE : FULL TEXT OF EASTER MESSAGE BY BISHOP MATTHEW HASSAN KUKAH (Bishop of Sokoto Catholic Diocese) ... "Amnesty, Repentance, Forgiveness And Reconciliation"

Although the Church in her wisdom gives us 40 day’s notice ahead of Easter, we often have our minds fixed more on the mundane plans for the social calendar of the holiday period. Yet, these 40 days are meant to be days of sober reflection, meditation and prayer, with the joys of Easter being the climax. The spirit of the risen Christ, the assurance of our own resurrection and its joy are, in reality, supposed to be the reward for the penitential period.

Sadly, for us as Christians today, the Lenten season has become a rather routine and perfunctory period that we simply walk through. Christians tend to try to explain to their Muslim brothers and sisters that Lent is their equivalent of the Muslim Ramadan.

For Catholics, Lent is seen as the season for the Stations of the Cross, recitation of the Holy Rosary being regular at Masses and devotions during this period. The loss of a clear regime of penitential activities that should regulate our lives has left our people with no clear tools to rejuvenate and navigate through life.

So much has happened since we welcomed the Lenten season on Ash Wednesday. The resignation of Pope Benedict XV1 stunned the world, remained the focus on the international and national media for most parts of this holy season. The emergence of Pope Francis shows very clearly that movement of the finger of God in the history of His Church and lend credence to the belief that the spirit is indeed at work.

Our own dear nation, Nigeria, permanently mired in controversy and threatening to drown in the morally polluted waters of corruption, continues to spin around in one spot. Of recent, the dominant theme in national discussion has been the theme of amnesty for members of Boko Haram on a cross section of Nigerians. Although, we have focused on amnesty as politics, I will like to look at the issues of amnesty and how it is a challenge to us as Christians.

Sadly, for a society with a very poor record of robust intellectual engagement and debate over crucial issues of national importance, it is little wonder that the debate over the theme of amnesty has thrown up the shades of extremisms and fundamentalisms that foreclose meaningful debate and discussions in Nigeria. Naturally, the demagogues have continued to apply extremist language, arguing more from the stomach than the head and thus generating more heat than light.

Rather than look at the issues of amnesty in the light of the past, present and future of the nation, we have focused more on how they fit the survivalist instincts of the president and his ruling party. As usual, selfish interests overtake national interests and survival. Sadly, as it is with Nigeria, the truth gets lost in the cracks of deceit, lies, and prejudice.

Despite the ubiquity of Chapels, Chaplaincies, Prayer warriors, Prayer Vigils, Pilgrimages and all the paraphernalia of spirituality in our nation, it is doubtful that this show of religiosity has had any commensurate and measurable impact on the quality of our lives. Seduced by power, and given the fact that religion has now become big business and a basis for survival, political and economic wolves have donned the sheep’s clothing of religion.

Clearly, the debate about the word ‘amnesty’, found its way from Greek through Latin to public use in the 16h century. The focus of its usage has tended to be more in the political realm especially in relation to ending belligerence by rebels and combatants or political prisoners or other forms of criminality. Thus, at the heart of the discussion about amnesty is the need to weigh public interest, the commonwealth, balancing the larger gains and benefits for the common good versus the irritation, instability, anger, physical or psychological injury incurred by the belligerent elements who may have caused pain and injury to the larger society.
We are concerned here with the moral dimension of amnesty as a true test or measure of the depth of our faith and whether its consideration and application override mere political posturing. Here, the challenge is how our faith squares or impacts on our decisions. On the political or spiritual sphere, the question is, are we Christians who are politicians, or are we politicians who are Christians? Where we stand here has substantial impact on the decisions we make. If we are politicians who just happen to be Christians, then it means that when certain Christian principles are challenged in the course of our public life, we temporarily suspend our faith and give reign to the political expediency of the moment.

For example, a politician or an electoral officer knows it is morally wrong to steal an election or manipulate the results of an election. However, for reasons of political loyalty, or having accepted a bribe, he/she decides to rationalize this perversion of a moral obligation on the altar of political or economic benefit ‘this is the only chance for our man to get into power, or this is the only chance for me to pay my children’s fees or build my own house!’. Here, this is a politician who is accidentally himself a Christian. On the other hand, a person who weighs the convictions of his faith and decides to act according to his conscience, stand by the truth and say, ‘No’. He is a Christian who happens to be a politician.

Thus, is our discussion about amnesty motivated by our political convictions or our convictions as Christians who know the mind of Christ? If, as we say, amnesty is about forgetting, forgiving as a means of reconciliation and healing, what did Jesus have to say about these to Christians? Here, contrary to what the political choristers are saying, it is not about what a President has to say or what all these will do to his political survival. It is about what choices a Christian should make considering the mind of Christ and not his Party’s manifesto.

I believe that the President ventured into this debate too early without enough homework and allowing the systems to exhaust the options. In other words, after weighing the pros and cons, it would have been important to ask, what would Christ enjoin me to do in these circumstances to prodigal children? This would require prayers and deep reflections. Here, the Bible and not the PDP’s manifesto should be a guide and indeed, deep moral convictions would lead to truth. The truth would set a leader free and whether his people are Christians or even unbelievers, truth is eternal. Thus, even if this presents a leader with a temporary political set back, the end, founded on truth, will justify him/her.

It will be a terrible mistake to think that the moral convictions of a leader should have no bearing on public policy. A leader should approach public policy with the sense of his conviction as long as these are in keeping with the ground rules of engagement, namely the constitution and his conscience. It is hardly ever the case that these convictions can be in serious conflict with the spirit of a democratic constitution, except perhaps in their application.

Therefore, on the issue of amnesty, a Christian should be guided by the words of the prophet Isaiah who speaks about the invitational, unfathomable and boundless nature of God’s forgiveness when he says: Come now, let us reason together, says the Lord: though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red like crimson, they shall become like wool (Isaiah 1: 18). The Psalmist enjoins us: The Lord is merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast Love. He will not always chide, nor will he keep his anger forever. He does not deal with us according to our sins, nor repay us according to our iniquities. For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is his steadfast Love toward those who fear him; as far as the east is from the west, so far does he remove our transgressions from us (Ps 103: 8-12. If we understand that it is God who first forgives us, then we must leave the doors of forgiveness forever open, seeing the sinner with the beckoning eyes of one who is lost and whose return is a restoration for the larger society.

It is significant that when His apostles begged Him to teach them how to pray, Jesus presented forgiveness as a basic condition for genuine prayer as we see in the ‘Lord’s Prayer’. Jesus tied our search for forgiveness from God to the commitment to forgiveness on our part. For if you forgive others their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you (Mt 6:14). Anxious to be on the side of God, Peter asked Jesus how many times must one be sinned against before revenge is accepted. He even proposed seven times as a proposal. But Jesus let him know that even keeping records was an exercise in futility (Matt 18:21).

In His own words, Jesus said: But I say to you that everyone who is angry with his brother will be liable to judgment; whoever insults his brother will be liable to the council; and whoever says, ‘You fool!’ will be liable to the hell of fire. So if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your gift there before the altar and go. First be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift (Matt 5: 22-4). Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice. Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you (Eph 4: 31-2)

For the Christian, we are enjoined to note that the greater the forgiveness, the greater the Love. Jesus said: He who is forgiven little, Loves little (Lk 7: 47-8).

Whereas many religions acknowledge Love as an attribute of God, Christianity actually does not see Love merely as an attribute. It is God Himself that is Love (1 Jn 4:8). Indeed, this Love is the fashion statement of every Christian because St Paul enjoins Christians thus: Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and be Loved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. And above all these put on Love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony (Col 3: 12-14)

Without Love, there can be no reconciliation and without reconciliation, life is both nasty, brutish and a broken shell. The redemptive power of Jesus Christ has offered us a completely new way of seeing life from the view of God rather than the circumstances around us. In the process of this reconciliation, God does not keep record of our sins as Isaiah has reminded us. St Paul again reminds us: All this is from God, who through Christ reconciled us to himself and gave us the ministry of reconciliation; that is, in Christ God was reconciling the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and entrusting to us the message of reconciliation (2 Cor 5:18-9). Every Christian, no matter the position is an apostle of Reconciliation.

This Love is characterized by sacrifice and gratuitousness. It is not hinged on what the other does, it does not count the cost and that is why St. Paul calls Love the greatest gift (1 Cor 13). It is amazing that this Love, when it attains perfection, drives out bitterness and fear (1 Jn 1:18). This Love is the hallmark, the badge, the identity card and indeed, the ‘DNA’ of all true Christians. By this shall all men know that you are my disciples if you Love one another (Jn 13:35)

Jesus did not cajole, exhort, plead, lull, or seek to entice Christians to Love. He gives an order, a command to be obeyed. This means that without Love, we cannot call ourselves Christians. This is my command; Love one another as I have loved you (Jn 15:12). Jesus did not only speak of Love, He lived and died for Love. This is at the heart of what we are celebrating at this period. As Christians, we are called to participate in the reconstruction of the world. Jesus Himself has offered us a template and that is His own life. It has to remain the mirror, the prism through which we must see life in its entirety. Even if a Christian lives alone among a billion people of another faith, the light entrusted to him or her is never put off by fear or intolerance. It must shine amidst joy, sorrow or persecution.

To return to the theme of amnesty, as I have noted, we have sadly turned it into a political football and have drained it of its moral content. No matter the crimes committed by members of Boko Haram, those of them who are Nigerians have not lost their membership of our community.

The processes of how an amnesty can be achieved are complex and they are a science of sorts. No one receives amnesty for nothing without surrendering something in return, that is, renouncing their moral perfidy. A sense of remorse, an assurance that one will get a hearing, that a prodigal son might even be considered for the role of a servant by a benevolent father all these are conditions that we must create as we search for the lost sheep. The return of the prodigal son would have been of no use had his father not been waiting and when he decided to return, he sough a much lower role for himself (Lk 15:11-32).

If Christians were just a group of people who merely defend themselves, then we are not better than a tribal union. If we turn Christianity into a religion that merely defends itself, then we are living in a prison and can never grow. St Thomas Aquinas assures us that were we to withhold this precious gift of the Love of God from anyone on grounds of their status, faith, gender, for any reason whatsoever, we would not be worthy of the name, Christian. Clearly, this message, then as now, is a revolution, it is senseless, and people who preach this kind of message do not deserve a hearing. Indeed, there is no reason why they should not be flogged, in prison or even killed. That is what we have just re-enacted as evidence that the foolishness of God is wiser than human wisdom

Many Christians have been tempted to use the persecution of Boko Haram, the destruction of our Churches and the brutal murders of our fellow citizens as a justification for rejection of amnesty. But every true believer must understand that these sufferings, these trials are not outside the mind of God and His plans for our faith. The challenge is for us to remain faithful and steadfast so as not to be swayed by the dictates and exigencies of the moment.

Persecution has been the hallmark of Christianity. International data suggests that from the death of Christ till date, some 70 million Christians have given their lives for Christ. Indeed, before the persecution of Christians in China after 1949, there were only 1.2million Christians in China. When persecution of Christians became a state policy, Christians bore the lashes and today, there are almost 100 million Christians in China. This is why the Psalmist tells us to remember that: Even if the earth trembles and mountains should fall into the sea, our faith will not be shaken (Ps 46:2) Prophet Habakkuk said that even if the stall of the pastoralists stands empty of cattle and all their crops vanish, he will trust in the Lord (Hab 3:17). After all, through the mouth of the Prophet Isaiah God says: My word will not return to me empty without accomplishing that for which it was sent (Isaiah 55:11).

To reject amnesty is to place oneself at the same level as these miscreants. Their destruction on our nation is not near the devastation of apartheid in South Africa. Yet, under President Mandela, Archbishop Tutu had to offer amnesty to leap frog the reconciliation process. To paraphrase the Yoruba adage, the hand that gives amnesty is on top of the hand that receives. An offer of amnesty is not the same as a declaration of amnesty. An offer of amnesty brings the penitent to the table as a first step. Amnesty is a process not a destination. The offer of amnesty will not solve all our problems, but it will bring us closer to a new dawn. May the spirit of the risen Christ guide us and restore wholeness to our dear country.

UPDATE ON TODAY'S KANO BOMB EXPLOSION : Military: Soldiers attack north Nigerian home believed to harbor Islamic extremists; 14 killed

KANO, Nigeria — Nigeria’s military says soldiers have attacked a home believed to harbor Islamic extremists, an assault that killed 14 people.
Capt. Ikedichi Iweha told journalists Sunday that soldiers attacked the home in the northern city of Kano after a car fled a military checkpoint. Iweha said soldiers found weapons and a car loaded with explosives inside the home, which was later demolished.
Iweha said soldiers killed 14 suspected extremists, while offering no details about soldiers being injured in the assault. The Associated Press could not immediately independently verify how many people died in the attack. Nigeria’s military often downplays its own casualties and refers to all those killed as terrorists, though human rights groups and lawyers say soldiers routinely kill civilians in their campaign against extremists.
ASSOCIATED PRESS

DOES SHE LOOK BETTER NOW? : Photo: Nollywood Actress Ini Edo Has Lost A LOT Of Weight

WHAT'S THIS GUY TRYING TO PROVE? : “I have had all shapes, sizes and colours of women” – Uti Nwachukwu confesses… there’s more (READ INTERVIEW HERE)

Until Big Brother Africa reality television show in 2008, Uti Nwachukwu was little known in the entertainment world. In fact, it was the show that brought him into national consciousness after participating in that year’s edition. Though, he failed to win, in 2010 he had a second shot at the reality show and came out tops, carting home a whopping $200, 000. Today, Uti has gone beyond Big Brother as he is making impact in acting, modeling and music. In 2011, he won an award at the NMVA for the video of his rock song. He has also won a couple of other awards including Nigerian Entertainment Person of The Year 2011.
At almost 6 feet, Uti definitely has an imposing personality. This, coupled with his good looks and trim figure, make him stand out in the crowd. But ever since he embraced the limelight in 2008, it’s been a case of hopping from one controversy to the other. However, the Big Brother star has shrugged off all the distractions and marched on determined to take his career to the next level.
Jealous lover
Single and dashing, Uti declares that he is not only a jealous lover; he also wouldn’t compromise certain standards when it comes to choosing a life partner. So, seeing himself as extremely jealous and possessive, Uti’s prayer to God is to give him the grace to be able to shun jealousy and possessiveness.
He says: “I am an extremely jealous guy but I am praying to God to make me less jealous and less possessive. I believe that if you find somebody that’s for you, that person should be for you only. I’m a bit extreme because my lover must focus on only me. Now that’s a bit difficult and that’s why I say I am a very difficult person to be with. Perhaps, I’m very demanding when it comes to relationships.
“Apart from being a jealous lover I also expect you to give back to me what I am giving you. I expect 100 per cent attention and care and nothing less. So, it’s going to be hard but I know God gave me this standard in order to connect me with the exact person he has created for me.”
Stardom and women
With success comes women and Uti is not an exception. How is he handling the attention from women? Uti confesses that he gets a lot of attention from women but because he had a good Christian upbringing, he is able to handle it.
“I grew up around many women so it’s nothing special,” he discloses. “I have been getting a lot of attention right from when I was a kid. Even in school, I was a very cute kid and I had women all around me so it’s nothing special. The attention doesn’t make me out of character; I am not lost in the whole thing.
“I guess like they say, ‘God knows why he did not give lions horns’ because there are some people who would have this level of fame and would be swamped by women, sleeping with everything that comes in skirts but I am not like that.”
But then, on a more serious note, Uti says: “I see the female attention I get as appreciation for what I do and what God has made me to become and so it never gets to my head. I attribute it to maturity because fame did not come when I was a teenager but at 27 when I had seen and done it all. By then I had already done all the ‘doables’. I used to be very adventurous; I have had all shapes, sizes and colours of women, so for me, the fame came at the right time with the right discipline. I am not carried away.”


Life in Ughelli
According to Uti, who describes himself as a ‘Deltan to the core’, his formative years were spent in Ughelli and Sapele in Delta State. Back in the day, his father who died of prostrate cancer in 2010 while he was still in the Big Brother House was a staff of Delta Glass. So, as a child, Uti had all he wanted.
“I grew up in Ughelli, Uloho Avenue to be precise,” Uti says going down memory lane, “growing up in Ughelli was really great. When I think of it now I get nostalgic. I had a very sweet childhood. My dad worked at Delta Glass and it was a quiet life. Most of the time, I was in-doors watching TV. It gives me this sense of humility because there was no big city life to make you live a fake life, so we were all real to each other.”
Prankster
As a child, the dreadlock wearing Uti was a prankster who was never short of mischievous ideas. He played pranks on everybody including his uncles and aunties. Recounting those years, he says: “I was very mischievous and inquisitive. I was that kind of kid who could incite my peers. I could say ‘let’s dash across the road while a car is coming’ and I’ll convince my peers and they will join me. I liked breaking the rules at home and when my siblings said ‘mum and dad will not be happy’ I would retort ‘are they here right now?’ I was a renegade, very mischievous and I loved to prank people; I was a prankster. I played pranks on my aunties and uncles. There was a time I locked my aunty in the store and ran away with the key.”
Despite success and fame, Uti insists that he is still in touch with that little boy who grew up in Ughelli and Sapele and who dreamt to be a star. “I remember where I come from,” he says with emphasis, pointing a finger at his well groomed locks “and that’s why I have not let this fame get to my head. It’s all petty and vane. One minute you’re there and the next you’re out. And the reason why that happens is that many people forget who they are and where they are coming from so easily when they find success, and before you know it, they are blown away. So for me, I am still in touch with that boy. He makes me appreciate what I have and inspires me to work harder.”
Nollywood & music
Following his success in 2010, his career took a new turn as he started getting movie roles and doing music colabos. Big Brother had finally unlocked the doors of success for the Delta State indigene.
Though, he insists that his music is not commercial, it’s finally paying off. He won an award for Best Alternative Video at the NMVA in 2011. Says Uti: “My music is not commercial in Nigeria because I am a rock artiste. I won an award for my video at NMVA 2011. It was for Best Alternative Video. I had top contenders there but I won because everything I do I believe in doing right and besides, I have wonderful fans who made sure they voted and I won. I am still going to make a full rock album after my own fashion. We have a rock crowd in Nigeria, I am sure they will love it.”
Sweet mother
Uti is full of gratitude to his mother who he describes as the woman who calmed him down and gave him a whole new perspective to life. He says his mum is the reason he has a kind heart. Hear him: “She is a sweet mum and a widow now. I grew up with this fierce attitude towards life but my mum gave me the reason to slow down. She was always the voice of reason. She made me have this kind heart that I have right now. Because of her I am kind towards people and animals. I don’t believe in revenge and vendettas. My mother is a very kind woman and the exact opposite of my dad who was a go-getter and very sanguine.
“She complemented my dad. She is such an amazing mother. I talk to her every time. We are on the phone always. When she is around I am always with her. I love my mum to death; she is the reason why there is a humane side of me.”
Beverley Naya & I
Is it really true that Uti and Beverley Naya are having an affair? What really is the situation? Uti regards me for a while as ‘I-was-expecting-this’ smile breaks across his face. “Beverley…Beverley is my friend. She has even told the world that we are not dating. If we were dating, we would tell you people. But the truth is that I am a very personal person so even if I am dating her I won’t tell you. But just the same we have come out to say that we are not dating. Do I like her? Of course, she is a beautiful woman. Which man with blood running in his veins will not love a Beverley Naya. Are we dating? No. Are we close? Yes. And if anything can come out of it, it will be beautiful but for now nothing is happening. I think she is a sweet girl. She reminds me of one of my sisters. She had a good up bringing. She is very ambitious and hard working; she is poised for the top.”
Marriage
Uti is good looking, successful and upwardly mobile. When is he going to tie the knot? He responds thus: “I don’t know. I guess when ever God says I am going to get married I will get married. You will know when it is time but I haven’t met anyone that will make me say ‘I want to spend the rest of my life with you.’ I have met people that made me feel comfortable here and now but when you look at it from the long-term perspective I am not moved yet.”
Then he adds confidently: “When I meet my wife I will know. I am extremely selective and my standards are sometimes unrealistically high. With the kind of mother and sisters I have, I don’t have a choice but to set my standards high. My sisters have made wonderful wives so it’s only right that I don’t settle for less. Though, I am very free and grounded, my standards are still very high. And it’s often my fault because I am not the easiest person to be with. You have to have a lot of patience and tolerance. Like I said, she has to be very patient, she has to give me all the attention. If I care about you I need your 100 percent attention.”

LAGOS BOMB THREAT : We’re ready for war ... Fredrick Fasehun (OPC)

As security agencies battle with the reported plot by Boko Haram to bomb Lagos, Nigeria’s economic nerve centre, the Oodua Peoples Congress (OPC) has once again served notice that it would go to war should the dreaded sect make good its threat. The Yoruba group said that an attack on Lagos is akin to calling for war, and warned the Islamist sect to steer clear of the ‘Centre of Excellence.’
Elder statesman and founder of the OPC, Dr Fredrick Fasehun who handed down the warning in an exclusive interview with Sunday Sun, was emphatic that people of the South West would stop at nothing to resist the sect’s planned violent infiltration of Lagos. He said that people of the zone would carry out reprisal attacks in the event of bombing Lagos, the hub of the nation’s economic activities. “Boko Haram has no business in Lagos but if they attempt to bomb Lagos, they are calling for war and in warfare, reprisal is right.
What I can assure you is that if they come, we will not run into the bush. We will do everything possible to discourage the sect from coming to our own part of the country”, he said. Dr Fasehun who described members of Boko Haram as faceless, said people of the South West would beam their searchlight on the known sponsors of the sect if Lagos was attacked, insisting that the sect should not extend its activities to the South West. “If the sect bombs Lagos, the main sponsors of their activities would pay dearly for it”, he said. He, however, expressed doubts over the authenticity of the reported plot by the sect even though he was quick to add that no information is unimportant in issues of security.
Also reacting to the alleged plot, the National Coordinator of Ijaw Monitoring Group (IMG), Comrade Joe Evah, urged the Presidency to prevail on security chiefs in the country to sit up. He decried the rising insecurity of lives and property in the nation and warned that any attempt to bomb Lagos would completely cut off Nigeria from the international community. “There is no more security in Nigeria. Security chiefs should be made to tell Nigerians how Boko Haram members were allowed to enter Lagos. I remember that there was a report sometime, that the sect wanted to bomb Third Mainland bridge. We hope the security agencies are working”, he said.
He observed that Lagos State governor, Babatunde Fashola, has not come out with his government’s stand on the arrest of some alleged Boko Haram suspects in Badia, Ijora. He wondered why Governor Fashola had not visited Badia long after many suspects were arrested in the area. Evah expressed worries that gunmen recently invaded the Murtala Muhammed Airport, Lagos, saying that no investor would like to settle in a country with such levels of insecurity. But Senator Musiliu Obanikoro saw the threat as the handiwork of All Progressives Congress (APC). “You know the genesis of Boko Haram; it was a creation of ANPP in Borno State, to oppress and suppress people for electoral reasons. “Now, it has become a cancer. It has eaten Borno, Yobe and even almost all of the North. In fact, the whole of the North is already devastated. No local or foreign investor will go there.
“It is about spreading to the South. So, I want to appeal to Boko Haram that they should not bring it to Lagos. They should sheathe their swords. Enough is enough. We don’t want war in Nigeria. If a bomb explodes somewhere, there is tendency for people to retaliate. “I also want to implore our people to be more vigilant. What happened in Ijora was a good example of being vigilant in your neighbourhood. If it were in the North, nobody would talk”, he said. The threat to bomb Lagos reverberated in Abuja on Wednesday when Service Chiefs briefed the Senate on the spate of insecurity in the country. Led by the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), Admiral Sa’ad Ola Ibrahim, Lt. Gen Azubuike Ihejirika (Army) Vice Admiral Dele Ezeoba (Navy), Air Marshal Alex Badeh (Air Force), and Mr. Ita Ekpeyong of the State Security Services (SSS), briefed the Senate behind closed doors.
The briefing took about five and a half hours. It would be recalled that the SSS had, last month, arrested a middle-aged man allegedly responsible for recruiting and training would-be members of the Boko Haram sect in the South-West, with emphasis on Lagos and its environs. The suspect, who was said to have connections with Iranian terrorist groups, and mandated to establish cells for the group in the zone, was reported to have succeeded in recruiting some followers before he was apprehended, along with four others, who were later paraded before newsmen.
Thursday’s operation at the Ijora Badia, in Lagos Mainland was said to be part of efforts being made by the SSS in conjunction with other security agencies, to checkmate the activities of the sect from spreading to the South-West because of its political, social and economic implications on the country in general. Meanwhile, the suspect identified as a Chadian, and another member of the sect nabbed in the raid, are undergoing interrogation.

BIG, BOLD AND SEXY? : Men harass me ‘cos I’m big and sexy ... Actress Eniola Badmus AKA Gbogbo BIG GIRLS. (Interview)

 

Big and sexy, Eniola Badmus, popularly known as Gbogbo Bigz Girls, came into the limelight in Funke Akindele’s film, Jenifa. And since then, she has not looked back.
In this interview with The Entertainer, she talked about her career and other issues. Excerpts:
How did you come into acting?
I have been around since 1999, I just walked into an audition centre and I was chosen.
How has it been?
It’s been a whole lot of challenges because at first it was not easy, but we glorify the name of the Lord.
What are you doing presently?
Currently, I am working on my profile, to look inwards and move into the corporate world, do some corporate shows or probably get an endorsement.
You shot into the limelight with the bad girl character in the films, jenifa and Omo Gheto; are you that bad a person?
No, I am a very simple person, I m a cool babe.
You once told me that after your university you just walked into an audition session and got a role, were you harassed sexually as being claimed by some people?
There is no industry where there is no sexual harassment because if it did not happen to you, you will not have the gut to say ‘wow! I have come a long way’.
So, it happened to you?
Obviously, It happened to me so there is no big deal about it. The fact remains that I must be harassed sexually because I am sexy and big and I know it. So, it’s bound to happen to anybody but the way you handle it matters.
How sexy are you?
That’s personal. I don’t want to go into that.
Where did you grow up?
My growing up was good and wonderful. I have wonderful parents who wanted the best for me that’s why I studied up to Masters degree level.
As a sexy person, how do you cope with male admirers?
I am very, very comfortable with guys because I have a lot of them as friends. I like to be in the midst of guys, I love them.
How is your love life, are you into any relationship?
My love life is cool and my relationship is private too.
How was your first sexual experience?
Aha, that is still private.
Do you enjoy sex?
That is rotten; I can’t talk about that too.
What do you like most about your body?
I like myself, I like my body, at times I think I’m the only person created like this because I’m not only big, I’m also sexy.
When are you getting married?
Soon, very soon because I am in my 30s and I only need just three years to have my two babies.
Which part of your body do you protect more?
I protect every part of my body because my body is a temple of God, which must not be exposed.
Do you use a special bra?
So, you want to know my bra size? Okay, I will tell you. I wear 38 Triple D.
Which colour of bra do you prefer?
No, no, I won’t answer that, that is too confidential.
How do you relate with the opposite sex?
I relate with them normally.
Which project are you working on right now?
I am working, working, working. My fans should just keep their fingers crossed.
What bad things have you done that you regret?
I have done bad, bad, bad things even worse but now I am a changed person

ISN'T SHE SEXY? : What Is Wrong With This Ayo Mogaji's Picture?

E NO EASY AT ALL : Finding A Wife Is So Difficult You Just Have To Leave It To God ,,,, Mikel Obi (INTERVIEW)

Recent rumour that Chelsea midfielder Mikel Obi was going to walk down the aisle with model Sandra Okagbue was dispelled by them both, but the Nigerian international has opened up to sports journalsit Kayode Tijani that finding a wife is very difficult, and now he’s leaving it in God’s hand.
“I know, normal people don’t go through what I am going through now when it concerns finding a Wife to marry, normal people don’t at all. Believe me it’s so so difficult, very difficult, it’s so so difficult you just have to leave it to God.
“To find someone who truly loves you, there might be someone who really loves me truly for who I am but I may not be aware but maybe you don’t know but you may think she’s one of those people who love you for who you are or what you have, because of your money, but maybe she’s there for you, you never know, you get so confused, now I have decided I will just leave it to God to decide who I get married to.”

Mikel also spoke on his rumoured five Bentleys.

“One thing is I really don’t go into the Nigerian papers, not like I don’t care but he called me, my agent called me, he was in Nigeria and he said to me there’s rumors that I have Bentleys, I am like what, five Bentleys? What am I going to do with five Bentleys? They are all same cars. Five Bentleys, I might have five different colors of them.

“I think it boils down to when you are doing really well, when things are going well for you, you become what people don’t expect you to become, what people don’t expect you to achieve, you know there’s always going to be rumors flying here and there., it all depends on how well you manage yourself though, you curtail yourself from things that are not right for you. I want to play this game for a very long time. I love Chelsea, and I will like to finish my Career here at Chelsea but it depends on what happens, who comes and goes, that’s football, we shall see what the future holds.
Mikel says he disagrees with those who call him the new Jay Jay Okocha as he pointed out that as a great a player as Okocha was, they are two different people.
“When I was coming into the national team, they say, oh, there’s a new Jay Jay Okocha and I say to them there’s going to be only one Jay Jay Okocha and there’s always going to be only one Mikel Obi.

(SAD PHOTOS) TRAGEDY : 83 workers buried alive as landslide measuring nearly TWO MILLION CUBIC METRES sweeps through Tibetan gold mine. Huge mass of mud and rocks engulfed mine site in Tibetan village of Gyam, Maizhokunggar county. Bodies of two workers have already been found and 3,000 are fighting to find the rest using diggers and sniffer dogs. Workers were thought to have been sleeping in tents, with reports that a 'natural disaster' promoted landslide. 83-workers-buried-alive-landslide-measuring-nearly-TWO-SQUARE-MILES-sweeps-Tibetan-gold-mine... MAIL UK

Rescuers are desperately scouring a gold mine to locate the bodies of 83 miners who were engulfed in two million cubic metres of mud and rocks after a landslide in Tibet.
The bodies of two workers have already been recovered after the huge mass of debris swept through the mine, covering an area of 1.5 square miles.
More than 3,000 rescue workers were rushed to the scene in the mountainous Tibetan village of Gyam, Maizhokunggar county, agonisingly searching for more than 24 hours using diggers and sniffer dogs.

Mass: Around two million cubic metres of mud and rocks swept through the mine in Gyama, a village in Maizhokunggar county,Tibet, on Friday morning

Devastation: Firefighters carry the body of one worker to an ambulance

Struggle: Two bodies have been found after more than 36 hours since the incident, but rescuers are trying to locate the other 81 mine workers trapped

Wreck: A digger was mangled after the huge landslide at the site run by Huatailong Mining Development, a subsidiary of the China National Gold Group Corporation

One body was found at 5:35 p.m., nearly 36 hours after the landslide buried the workers, who were believed to have been sleeping in their tents.
The rescuers were hampered when snow began to fall on Saturday afternoon, according to China's official Xinhua News Agency.
The miners had been working for Huatailong Mining Development, a subsidiary of the China National Gold Group Corporation, a state-owned enterprise and the country's largest gold producer.
State media said that two of the buried workers are Tibetans and that two are women.
Chinese President Xi Jinping, who was on an official trip to Congo, and Premier Li Keqiang ordered authorities to 'spare no efforts' in their rescue work, state media reported.
Chinese President Xi Jinping, who was on an official trip to Congo, and Premier Li Keqiang ordered authorities to "spare no efforts" in their rescue work, state media have reported.
The incident at the mine - located around 45 miles east of Lhasa, the regional capita - immediately sparked debate about the safety of extensive mining activity on the Tibetan plateau.

Search: A team of 3,000 rescue workers has been sen to the area, using diggers, bulldozers and sniffer dogs in an attempt to finds the workers

into the darkness: The search is expected to continue into the night

Investigation: Officials in Beijing said the cause of the disaster is yet to be fully investigated, although state media said the mudslide was caused by a 'natural disaster'

Others took to social media to question whether the state-run excavation was excessive, but the comments were soon blocked by censors.
Officials in Beijing said the cause of the disaster is yet to be fully investigated, although state media said the mudslide was caused by a 'natural disaster'.
Btan Tundop, a Tibetan resident, writing about the mining company's dominance of the area, said: 'The entire Maizhokunggar has been taken over by China National Gold Group. Local Tibetans say the county and the village might as well be called Huatailong'
Tibetan writer Tsering Woeser, who has been following the mining development in Gyama and surrounding areas since 2007, said China's powerful and resource-hungry state-owned companies had ravaged the landscape.

Censored: Some locals took to social media to question whether the state-run excavation was excessive, but the comments were soon blocked by censors

Working hard: Rescuers work at the accident site as the sun begins to set

'Unchecked mining has polluted water, sickened animals and humans, dislocated herdsmen and now caused a massive mudslide,' Woeser wrote on her blog.
The Chinese government has been encouraging development of mining and other industries in isolated Tibet as a way to promote its economic growth and raise living standards.
The region has abundant deposits of copper, chromium, bauxite and other precious minerals and metals, and is a hub for industrial development.
Tibet remains among China's poorest regions despite producing a large share of its minerals.

Overpowered: A photograph reveals the extent to which the mass of rocks engulfed the area

Operation: State media reported that two Tibetans and two women were among those trapped

The incident at the mine - located around 45 miles east of Lhasa, the regional capita - immediately sparked debate about the safety of extensive mining activity on the Tibetan plateau

Tough work: Rescuers searching for survivors at the site

AND THE BEAT GOES ON : Patience Jonathan flown abroad for treatment — Report ,,,, No No No, She is abroad attending to her foster mother who is sick ,,, Her Press Secretary

There are indications that the wife of President Goodluck Jonathan, Patience, has been flown abroad for medical treatment in an undisclosed German hospital.

Unconfirmed reports had it that the First Lady’s health might have relapsed, thereby necessitating her going abroad to receive fresh medical attention.

Mrs. Jonathan was conspicuously absent at a Good Friday service held at the Aso Villa Chapel on Friday although her husband attended with his mother, Eunice.

The President is currently in Lagos for the Easter break without his wife.

Her last public appearance was in France where she received a Global Women Leader for Peace Award 2013.

Our correspondent learnt that she returned to the country briefly after the event before embarking on a fresh trip.

But unlike the trip to France, a presidency source who pleaded anonymity, said Mrs. Jonathan did not embark on the current trip with her full entourage.

When contacted on the telephone, Mrs. Jonathan’s spokesman, Mr. Ayo Osinlu, confirmed that the First Lady was not in the country.

Osinlu however denied reports that Mrs. Jonathan is abroad for medical attention.

He said she was abroad attending to her foster mother who is sick. However, he did not disclose the country where the First Lady is attending to the ailing woman.

But investigations by our correspondent showed that Mrs. Jonathan may be in Germany.

It was further learnt that she is expected back in the country this week.

The source however could not say exactly when she will be back.

An online news medium, SaharaReporters, had reported on Saturday that Mrs. Jonathan  was sick again and was shuttling between Spain and Germany in search of treatment.

The report quoted a source as saying the First Lady was also contemplating receiving medical treatment from a United States hospital.

Mrs. Jonathan disappeared from the country for several weeks last year to attend to her failing health.

During the period, both the Presidency and Osinlu denied that the First Lady was receiving treatment abroad for an undisclosed ailment.

Specifically, Osinlu said Mrs. Jonathan was vacating abroad after the rigour of hosting a conference of African First Ladies.

But during a special thanksgiving service held in her honour recently at the Aso Villa Chapel, the First Lady admitted that she was sick and “died” for a week.

THAT POORLY THOUGHT OUT PRESIDENTIAL PARDON : We won’t extradite Alamieyeseigha .... Fed Govt.

The Federal Government on Friday told SUNDAY PUNCH that it would  not extradite a former governor of Bayelsa State, Diepreye Alamieyeseigha, to the United Kingdom to face money laundering charges.

 While reacting to a statement by the British High Commissioner to Nigeria, Andrew Pocock, the FG accused the envoy of challenging the sovereignty of the country.

The President Goodluck Jonathan-led administration stated that it was not willing to extradite Alamieyeseigha because the British government did not go through ‘appropriate channels.’

An highly-placed government official who pleaded anonymity because he was not authorised to speak on the matter said, “The UK cannot dictate to us. The government is not willing to extradite the former governor because of what they (UK) are saying on the pages of newspapers.”

Also, SUNDAY PUNCH learnt that the UK request to extradite Alamieyeseigha predated President Goodluck Jonathan administration.

Pocock was reported on Thursday to have said Alamieyeseigha, who recently got state pardon for his criminal conviction in Nigeria, still has an outstanding case of money laundering to answer to in the UK.

He said the UK government would not give up until Alamieyeseigha was brought to justice.

According to the envoy,  the UK had asked the Attorney-General and Minister of Justice for Alamieyeseigha’s extradition and was still awaiting his position on the issue when Jonathan announced the state pardon.

He had said, “The former governor skipped bail in the UK on a charge of money laundering and returned to Nigeria. So, he has an outstanding charge in the UK, which is there for him to answer.

“We have already discussed it and the Nigerian government knows our views. But we would like to see him return and answer charge in the UK.

“I am very sure we asked in the past. But I am not sure we got a formal response. So, we are still waiting for a formal response from the Nigerian government.”

But a government spokesperson, who pleaded anonymity, told our correspondent that the request which Pocock talked about was an old one that was made shortly after the former governor returned to Nigeria.

When asked why the present administration refused to take action on an old request, he said, “The request is an old one. It was not made under this administration, you can check the date. The request predates this administration.

“I am sure the request must have been made in 2005/2006 when the events happened. That surely was before the inception of this administration.

“In any case, it is inappropriate for the envoy to be addressing issues such as this on the pages of newspapers. There are established diplomatic channels to address such issues because diplomacy has its own rules.

“What is expected of a foreign diplomat in another country is to go through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs if he has such an observation to make.

“A diplomat is not expected to behave in a manner suggesting that he is interfering in the internal affairs of his host country. Diplomacy on the pages of newspapers is odd, it is almost like joining a protest movement.

“He is expected to go through the proper diplomatic channels. Reacting on the pages of newspapers amount to challenging the sovereignty of the country and meddlesomeness in the affairs of the country.

“The action also amounts to carrying placards and joining protest against the host country.”

When contacted, the Chief Press Secretary to the Minister of Justice and Attorney General of the Federation, Mr. Ambrose Momoh, said he was not aware of the UK request.

Momoh also said the minister, Mohammed Adoke, was not in town, and as a result, he could not immediately reach the AGF to get his (AGF’s) official position on the matter.

Similarly, the spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Mr. Ogbole Ahmedu-Ode, said he was not aware of the request.

“All I can tell you is that normally, such request is routed through the foreign affairs ministry.

“All communication between foreign missions accredited to the country is through the ministry. For example, if an ambassador wants to visit the president or any minister, he writes the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for clearance. The same thing applies to correspondence.

 “Anything short of this is a breach of diplomatic procedure,” he added.

Meanwhile, the National Publicity Secretary, Action Congress of Nigeria, Lai Mohammed, has warned the Federal Government against endangering its ties with other countries. He said Nigeria might be ostracised in the comity of nations if government did so.

Mohammed said, “We live in a global world and there’s inter-relationship between countries. Without commenting on the rightness or wrongness of the recent pardon of Alamieyeseigha, we warn the government not to jeopardise the interest of Nigerians because of any man.

“There is supposed to be cooperation among various countries on issues such as terrorism, money laundering, drug trafficking, etc. To that extent, the government is not correct to say that the UK demand is an attempt to meddle in the internal affairs of the country.”

Also, the National Publicity Secretary, Congress for Progressive Change, Rotimi Fashakin, said Jonathan would be playing with fire, if he attempted to shield Alamieyeseigha.

He argued that Alamieyeseigha committed an offence in Britain and jumped bail to avoid prosecution.

He said, “It is within international law; Nigeria is a signatory to an international treaty. It is not about Britain meddling in Nigeria’s internal affairs, no. The UK has the right under a known international law to request that Nigeria extradites him. The judicial process of his trial has not been concluded.”

Similarly, the Executive Chairman, Coalition Against Corrupt Leaders, Debo Adeniran, said the Nigerian government shields corrupt leaders.

He said, “President Jonathan had declared that Alamieyeseigha is his benefactor. So, he has to protect him by all means.

“Nigeria has not been respecting the Mutual Legal Assistance Treaty it signed with the UK. That is why it could not give enough evidence against James Ibori, when the UK requested Nigeria to confirm that he was  wanted for criminal activities. The Nigerian government is practically and openly protecting corrupt leaders.”

Alamieyeseigha, then a serving governor, escaped from the custody of the British authorities when he fled back to Nigeria in September, 2005.

The pardon granted Alamieyeseigha by Jonathan had also led to a diplomatic row between Nigeria and the United States with the latter threatening to sanction Nigeria for Jonathan’s action.

JUST BREAKING : Patience Jonathan Sick Again, In Europe For Treatment ... Sahara Reporters

Mrs. Patience Jonathan receiving the award in Paris

 

By SaharaReporters, New York

SaharaReporters has learned that Nigeria's First Lady, Patience Jonathan, is sick again and is shuttling between Spain and Germany in search of treatment. A source also told SaharaReporters that the First Lady was also contemplating receiving medical treatment from a US hospital.
Mrs. Jonathan’s renewed health woes have accounted for her absence from several official events in Abuja and her home state of Bayelsa State over the last few days. A few days ago, Mrs. Jonathan made a quiet exit from Abuja en route to France where she was to allegedly receive some unspecified award. However, a source within the Presidency told SaharaReporters that Mrs. Jonathan’s trip to France was a ploy to enable her to shop for new doctors in Europe for her deteriorating health.
A source disclosed that she left France for Spain. The same source disclosed that the First Lady was considering being moved to a US hospital today. However, a source in the US who is close to the First Family told SaharaReporters that he was “not heard from the first lady regarding her trip to the US.”
Ayo Osinlu, a spokesman of the First Lady, told SaharaReporters that Mrs. Jonathan was in Europe in order to care for an ailing elderly woman who helped raise the First Lady. He failed to disclose the specific European nation where Mrs. Jonathan’s foster mother is hospitalized.
During Mrs. Jonathan’s first extended medical sojourn in Germany, Mr. Osinlu had misled reporters by declaring that the First Lady was merely vacationing abroad after what he described as a series of grueling official functions, including the hosting of a conference of African First Ladies.
Mrs. Jonathan was noticeably absent from a Friday church service organized at the presidential villa yesterday as part of Easter celebrations. She was also missing at another key event where  her Africa First Ladies Peace Mission donated relief material to the war-torn country of Mali. An aide of the First Lady reported that a minister, Ms. Jumoke Akinjide, represented Mrs. Jonathan at the event where relief material was donated to Mali.
During the church service at the Presidential Villa, President Jonathan was flanked by his elderly mother, Eunice Jonathan, as well as Petroleum Minister Diezani Alison-Madueke and Ndudi Elumelu, a member of the House of Representatives indicted for corruption in power sector projects. Mrs. Alison-Madueke, who has been romantically linked to Mr. Jonathan, wore a large diamond ring at the church service.
One of the last times Mrs. Jonathan was seen in public was on her return from an official visit to Cote d’Ivoire on March 2, 2013. She later made a brief visit to Lagos where she attended a dinner organized for Nollywood stars. Afterwards, she was sighted in Paris where she received the “Global Women Leader for Peace Award 2013.” Since receiving the award on March 17, the First Lady has not been seen in any official photos released from the Presidency.
Her trip to Paris coincided with her husband’s official visit to Equatorial Guinea. Mr. Jonathan was accompanied on that official visit by two female ministers, Stella Oduah of Aviation and Ms. Diezani of Petroleum.
A source in Abuja said Mrs. Jonathan had not been seen in public for close to a week and half, including during a breakfast meeting with the members of the House of Representatives led by Leo Ogor on March 21, 2013.
A few weeks ago, Mrs. Jonathan was at the center of an obscene event where she loquaciously celebrated her ostensible “resurrection from the dead” after dying for more than a week. Some 5,000 guests attended the event at the villa which was televised live, with Pastor Oritsejafor presiding. At the event, Mrs. Jonathan claimed to have undergone several surgeries during her medical sojourn in Germany. The extended medical visit, which was first reported by Saharareporters, cost Nigeria close to 5 million Euros in medical expenses. Mrs. Jonathan’s aides had initially passed off her medical trip as a vacation. On her return from Germany, Mrs. Jonathan had also denied ever going for medical treatment.
Saharareporters contacted several presidential aides seeking information about Mrs. Jonathan’s whereabouts, but they failed to return our reporters’ phone calls and text messages.

IMAGE LAUNDERING ALA PRESIDENTIAL PARDON STYLE. ALAMIYESEIGHA HITS BACK : Why Alamieyeseigha Was Made Antigraft Scapegoat ...BY SAVANNAH EXPRESS

History has Vindicated chief DSP Alamieyeseigha fondly called the olotu of olotus by his Ijaw kinsmen.finally he has been freed of the ex-convict toga hanged on his neck.
Chief DSP Travails emanated from the former president of Nigeria,chief olusegun obasanjo who hates DSP Alamieyeseigha with passion.
DSP Alamieyeseigha sins against obasanjo was simply based on his vocal outburst on issues that pertains the body polity of Nigeria.
Nigerians seems to forget the third term Agenda of the former president,DSP Alamieyeseigha was one of the vocal leaders then to condemn president obasanjo”s 3rd term Agenda.
DSP Alamieyeseigha was also anionnted to be the vice presidential candidate to Atiku Abubakar who wanted to take over from obasanjo in 2007.
The politics of 3rd term Agenda dislocated several political permutation of the nation ,that almost stabilized then.
Without any skeleton in his cupboard DSP Alamieyeseigha after his tummy tuck operation in Germany decided to flew into London for a rest.former vice president Atiku Abubakar who had intelligent security reports on the wicked plot to plant pounds in his luggage to tarnish his hard earned reputation called DSP Alams, to put off travelling to London rather should return straight to Nigeria for the rest due to the looming danger.
He Ignored that wise counsel and complained that the operation wire is still on him,he was in terrible pains.he also got a call from the commander in chief to know his whereabout.he disclosed his flight to the commander in chief innocently,he was an innocent lamb taking to the slaughter,eventually he arrived London without knowing that he has been set up.
The metropolitan police London,following a tip off surrounded DSP Alamieyeseigha and entourage and discovered pounds sterling really planted in his luggages,as soon as he argued that one out,his accusers brought fresh charges upon charges against him.
Such charges are owning houses in London,operating foreign Bank Account etc.
Most houses DSP Alamieyeseigha owned in London was Acquired before he became Governor.
DSP Alamieyeseigha was one of the rich Nigerians known before the birth of this third republic democracy.He was one of the rich Nigerians that funded former president olusegun obasanjo campaign in 1999.
On noticing the clandestine moves to truncate his Mandate he left London to Bayelsa to quell the pseudo allegations against his person.not really Jumping bail as posited.
DSP Alamieyeseigha planned to go back to London to conclude his pending cases,not until he was Impeached and dumped in the prison.
The united kingdom requested for an extradiction the Nigerian government rejected it.fears because the truth will unravell itself,Nigerians could see the hidden truth that he is being persecuted because of politics.
Nuhu Ribadu planted a pseudo story lies Against Alamieyeseigha that he disguised as a woman and entered the country.DSP Alamieyeseigha did not enter the country as a woman,rather he came through Ghana in a Jet owned by a distinguished senator of the Federal republic from Heathrow Airport London,as soon as the Jet Landed Murtala Mohammed International Airport Lagos the security operatives alerted the commander-in-chief who expressed shock,because he enjoys immunity they conspired Just as the chief priest and elders in Isreal conspired against the Lord Jesus to sponsor lies on disguise as a woman.
The fall of Alamieyeseigha the Governor General of Izon Nation was masterminded by former Governor of Rivers state sir.peter odili who recruited numerous spiritualists, militants in Alliance with the former commander-in-chief to pull him down.
DSP Alamieyeseigha Developed Bayelsa state when it was a one road state.he built house of Assembly quarters,commissioners quarters,Teaching Hospital numerous roads etc.
He empowered his people,he restored the dignity of the Ijaw man who was made a punchy bag by the Nigerias Majority tribes.How come he looted the state when the entire Niger Delta enjoys 13percent Derivation courtesy of Alamieyeseigha.
He was cajoled to say plea bargain.he was dehumanized reduced his fundamental rights stolen.the pardon is long overdue,the pardon is necessary and in the right direction.
Today those necessary evil that masterminded his down fall are no longer relevant in Nigeria.such persons are former Impeached Deputy Governor of Bayelsa state Ebifomowei Ebebi The Bayelsa speaker that sold out like judas Iscariot and Impeached DSP,sir,peter odili out of favour and relevance in politics,immediate past Inspector General Ringim who is currently on exile in london.etc.
president Jonathan then was not part of the wicked plot,he has shown gratitude to his erstwhile Boss.what Mr.president did is scriptural.PONTIUS PILATE has power on clemency between barnabas and Jesus who do you want?clemency (pardon) is a prerogative of mercy enshrined in the constitution he has exercised it for Good.
DSP Alamieyeseigha is a detribalised Nigerian if he gets any appointment he will always deliver.he is a leader a man of Vision.
Anti graft war have not succeeded in Nigeria.since Independence over 75 Trillion is lost to corruption Why Should Alamieyeseigha be made a scapegoat?if proponents of antigraft war are sincere they should conduct a free and fair election where likes of Buhari could win.he has the formular to eradicate corruption.rigging election is the most wicked corruption.
INEC staff all over the federation should be investigated check out their ostentatious living.Nigerians should focus on how to rid INEC of corrupt officers.Nigerians should call for full autonomy of INEC from the executive rather than focussing on Alamieyeseigha. Courtesy.SAVANNA EXPRESS.
email.savannanigeria@hotmail.com

THAT POORLY THOUGHT OUT PRESIDENTIAL PARDON : Britain writes FG, requests ex-convict Alamieyeseigha’s extradition to London

 

By Paulinus Aidoghie
The United Kingdom has said that it has not given up on its efforts to extradite former Bayelsa State governor, Diepreye Alamieyeseigha, back to Britain to face trial, the Sun Newspaper is reporting today.
The UK said it had already contacted the Federal Government requesting Mr. Alamieyeseigha’s extradition, and was awaiting a response to the request.
The British High Commissioner to Nigeria, Andrew Pocock, told the paper in an exclusive interview that the former governor, who recently got state pardon from his criminal conviction in Nigeria, still has an outstanding case of money laundering to answer to in the UK and that the UK government will not give up until Mr. Alamieyeseigha is brought to justice.
Mr. Alamieyeseigha, then a serving governor, made a dramatic escape from the custody of the British authorities when he fled back to Nigeria from detention in September 2005. He would later be convicted on similar money laundering charges on July 26, 2007 in Nigeria after he was impeached as governor.
Although his recent state pardon by President Goodluck Jonathan hit the UK authorities as a rude shock, Mr. Pocock dismissed insinuations that London was planning to sanction Nigeria over the matter. According to him, “that is not the way we do things”.
The High Commissioner also revealed that UK had earlier requested for Alamieyeseigha’s extradition, but did not get any response.
Mr. Pocock said the UK had asked the Attorney General and Minister for Justice for Alamieyeseigha’s extradition and was still awaiting his position on the issue when President Goodluck Jonathan all of a sudden announced he has been extricated of all wrong doing via the state clemency.
The move to pardon him even when the application for his extradition to Britain was still pending was like daring the applying nation that feels strongly that Alamieyeseigha has a case to answer in their country.
According to Mr. Pocock, “The former governor skipped bail in the UK on a charge of money laundering and returned to Nigeria. So, he has an outstanding charge in the UK, which is there for him to answer.
“We have already discussed it and the Nigerian government knows our views. But we would like to see him return and answer charge in the UK.”
On UK’s past and present efforts to see that Alamieyeseigha is extradited to the UK, Mr. Pocock said: “Yes. I think we asked in the past. I am very sure we asked in the past. But I am not sure we got a formal response. So, we are still waiting for a formal response from the Nigerian government.
“We have asked the Attorney General. He will have to tell us what his position is on extradition. I haven’t had a reply yet, but we still wait for it,” the British envoy added.
SOURCE: The Sun

PRESIDENT JONATHN'S EASTER MESSAGE TO NIGERIANS : President Jonathan’s 2013 Easter Message to the Nation ... FULL TEXT OF MESSAGE

Dear Compatriots,
I greet and felicitate with you all as we celebrate Easter which commemorates the resurrection of our Lord, Jesus Christ after his redemptive self-sacrifice for the eternal salvation of mankind.
Irrespective of our religion or faith, all holidays provide us with a fresh opportunity to establish stronger bonds with our family, friends and all those around us for more enduring, harmonious and beneficial relationships.
As we celebrate this year’s Easter therefore, I urge all Nigerians to rededicate themselves to living in peace and oneness with all members of their communities no matter their ethnicity, religious beliefs or places of origin.
By now, it ought to be an accepted fact amongst us that our immense potential for greatness in the comity of nations derives in the main from our collective strength as a country of close to 170 million people and the acclaimed richness of our diverse human resources and natural endowments.
It follows, therefore, that to successfully achieve our vision of becoming one of the most dominant nations on the global stage in the shortest possible time, we must stay together as a people and continue to effectively resist by all possible means, the evil machinations of global terrorists and their misguided domestic accomplices who seek to provoke turmoil, hatred and harmful divisions among us.
I assure all Nigerians that our security agencies, armed forces and I will continue to fully discharge our constitutional responsibilities for protecting the unity and territorial integrity of this country with all the powers and forces at our disposal.
We must have peace, security and stability to effectively implement our agenda for national transformation in all parts of the country and we shall continue to work ceaselessly to re-establish the prerequisite conditions for nationwide progress and development.
For your part, dear countrymen and women, I urge you to continue to exhibit restraint and understanding in the face of seeming provocations. Those who mindlessly and indiscriminately attack churches, schools, health workers, motor-parks, banks and ordinary road users must be seen as they truly are: the brainwashed pawns of international terrorism.
They do not represent any true religion or section of the country and we must never play into their hands by succumbing to their nefarious ploys to incite religious, ethnic hatred and division among us.
It is my hope and prayer that as we celebrate the glorious resurrection of our Saviour, Jesus Christ, his lessons of self-sacrifice, brotherly love, placing others before self, tolerance, obedience, respect for lawful authorities, dutifulness, diligence, honesty, justice and fairness to all will take firmer root in our beloved country and help us to overcome present challenges and build the more peaceful, secure, united, progressive and prosperous nation of our dreams.
I wish you all happy Easter celebrations.
Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, GCFR
President,
Federal Republic of Nigeria
March 30, 2013

AMAZING. HOW DID HE GET THIS FAR? : KWAM1 celebrates the birth of his 38th child in America ... I DOFF MY HAT FOR THIS MAN. 38 CHILDREN NO BE SMALL THING O!

Yes! KWAM1 has 38 children, but according to Stella DIMOKOKORKUS of Encomium Magazine,
King wasiu Ayinde Marshal A.k.a Kwam1 and his baby mama Titi Masha (ex mistress of gbenga islander who was kwam1?s biggest spender.gbenga was advised by his friend kwam1 to dump titi and the rest is history)just Christened their daughter in a lavish ceremony in far away Chicago
The chicago party is the 3rd since the baby was born,Titi had the baby in February and on the eight day after she brought her baby to bed she celebrated in a big style and baby daddy Wasiu also had a lavish party in Ijebu.
The baby girl is Titis second child and King Wasiu’s 38th child.
Another party is billed to hold when Titi returns to Lagos and She has chosen aso ebi for 25k…scramble for aso.ebi is presently on.
The beautiful baby was christened Fathia Whitney Anjolaoluwa on Saturday march 22,2013.
Congrats to Kwam1

HOW DID NIGERIA END UP WITH THESE LILLY LIVERED MEN AS GENERALS? : Abdulsalami Abubakar wants amnesty for Boko Haram .... Mtscheeeeeeeeeeeew. Yeye de smell.

Former Head of State, General Abdulsalami Abubakar has added his voice in agreement with other northern leaders who are of the views that the only solution to the Boko Haram insurgency is amnesty.
According to him, “Anything that can bring peace in the country to the people needs to be studied, to see the merit and demerit of such an action.
“Yes there are a lot of people for and against Boko Haram; we should situate our position to the people who are getting the brunt of all these activities.
“People are made homeless; they are made orphans; they are widows; so, if amnesty to these people will bring peace and bring succour to our country, why not?”

The former Military General said this at the African Union,AU secretariat in New York, United States at an event where the AU High Level Implementation Panel (AUHIP) on Sudan and South Sudan briefed envoys within the continent on the progress made by the panel so far.
Abubakar called on Nigerian politicians to be more broad-minded and truthful and provide services to the people.
“The problem we are having right now is the problem of development, but it is very sad it’s happening.
“But I believe this is an issue that we can overcome if all Nigerians unite to ensure that we fight the cankerworm bedevilling our country.
“There is no country in the world that has not got any problem the way it plays its democracy. It is a matter of learning and doing the right thing,” Abubakar said.

SO THER IS FAKE ALOMO? : NAFDAC arrests brothers, impounds N25m fake ‘Alomo Bitters’

The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control has arrested two brothers, Henry and Ekene Ezeani for the illegal manufacture and sale of fake alcoholic beverage, “The Prince Alomo-Bitters.”

Operatives of the agency in Lagos impounded N25m worth of the product during the raid.

A statement by NAFDAC’s spokesperson in the state, Anslem Okonkwor, said the suspects were part of a syndicate that specialised in producing fake brands of beverages, which had been under the agency’s surveillance.

“A team of NAFDAC officials led by Mr. Joseph Asikpo apprehended them while they were producing the fake products in their residence at 140, Ojora Royal Compound, Coker Village in Lagos,” Okonkwor said.

It was learnt that Ekene had been arrested in 2012 for a similar offence but was released on bail.

Henry was said to have admitted to being the owner of the business.

Okonkwor said, “He said he learnt wine production from a company in South Africa, where he had worked before he was deported in 2011.

“His excuse was that he needed money to establish a proper wine producing company of his own.”

The Director of Enforcement, NAFDAC, Mr. Garba Macdonald, told journalists that his officers had been on the trail of the suspects since the presence of the fake products was reported in markets across Lagos.

TENANTS EJECTION TRAGEDY : Policeman Beats Tenant To A Coma With Hammer (SEE PHOTO HERE)

A photographer with the Eti-Osa Local Government, Lagos was allegedly beaten to a coma by a policeman during a demolition exercise in Ikoyi area of the state Bolaji Madamidola learnt that the victim, Bolaji Madamidola, is an occupant of a building which formerly belonged to a former Managing Director of Oceanic Bank plc, Cecilia Ibru.
It was learnt the building had been acquired by Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria and sold off to another individual.
Our correspondent gathered on March 6, 2013, some policemen stormed the building to eject the occupants of the building.
It was in a bid to salvage some of his properties that Madamidola was allegedly beaten up by one of the policemen.
The lawyer to the occupants of the building, Okwarauba Nastor, said the policemen were shooting indiscriminately in a bid to scare off the occupants of the building.
He said the victim did not provoke the policemen but only attempted to evacuate some of his properties when one of the policemen hit him with a sledge hammer.
He said, “The policemen came with guns and started shooting into the air sporadically so that all the occupants of the building will run away. He (Madamidola), on hearing that the policemen were ejecting them (tenants), he rushed back to the house.
“As he ran into his apartment to salvage some of his things, one of the policemen later identified as Sergeant Raimi Aliyu, picked up a sledge hammer and struck the victim with it, causing him to faint immediately.”
It was learnt that the policemen, who thought Madamidola had given up the ghost, immediately fled the scene.
Sympathisers were said to have rushed the victim to about four hospitals in the area where he was rejected. He was later taken to St. Nicholas Hospital, Lagos Island.
A friend of the victim, who craved anonymity, said Madamidola was still in critical condition and due to the severity Madamidola’s condition, he would need at least N1m before proper treatment could begin.
The lawyer said it was unfortunate that AMCON would authorize such a demolition even though the matter was still in court.
He said, “This is not the first time that the occupants of the building will be threatened with eviction. In April 2011, the same policemen attached to the company wanted to eject them but we took the matter to court because the tenants have been paying rent to AMCON.
“The matter is still in court and that is why I’m surprised that such a thing could happen.”
It was however learnt that AMCON had promised to offset part of the hospital bill.
When contacted on the telephone, the AMCON spokesman, Mr. Kayode Lambo, denied that the victim was beaten up by a policeman, adding that he only got injured after he slipped and fell.
Lambo said the occupants of the house no longer had the right to live in the house since it had been relinquished by Ibru after her conviction in 2010.
He said, “The property has been sold and the tenants there no longer pay rent. When the policemen went to the house, one of the tenants slipped and fell and sustained a minor injury. We took him to St. Nicholas Hospital and he is fine.
“There is no case pending in court because the property was acquired legally by AMCON.”
When contacted on the telephone, the spokesperson for the state police command, Ngozi Braide, said she would call back but was yet to do so as at press time.


source punch

THESE OYIBO WOMEN SEF? : Woman who thought she was suffering from stomach cramps goes to hospital... and GIVES BIRTH seven hours later ...Daily Mail UK

A woman who went to hospital with stomach pains was stunned to discover she was 35 weeks pregnant and in labour.

Hannah Froud, 22, gave birth to her daughter Jessica just seven hours after doctors said her stomach cramps were actually labour pains.

The financial administrator from Chaddesden, Derbyshire, first started complaining of stomach ache on February 8 but the pain continued through the weekend.

On Monday, her work colleagues convinced her to visit the London Road Community Hospital in Derby.

She arrived at 10am and went through a series of checks and tests before eventually being given a pregnancy test.

To her utter shock, doctors told her she was in labour.

A nurse called Ms Froud’s boyfriend, 26-year-old Chris Bennett, to tell him to come to the centre to see her.
Mr Bennett, who works as a joiner, went to the hospital and transported Ms Froud to the Royal Derby Hospital, where she gave birth at 5pm.

Ms Froud said: ‘I wasn't bothered about taking the pregnancy test. They said it was routine for women complaining of stomach ache so I just went along with it.

Baby Jessica was born at 5pm, just seven hours after her mother learned she was pregnant

 
‘Not long after that, they told me I was pregnant. I was completely speechless.

‘The nurse didn't tell Chris the news over the phone, but he was just as shocked as me when he did find out. I remember him having to have a sit down.

‘It was so strange - everything just happened. One minute I had stomach ache, the next I was being told I was having a baby.'
So unprepared were Jessica's parents for her arrival, the hospital had to give the couple some baby clothes for her.
And despite the drama of a surprise birth, baby Jessica is perfectly healthy, according to Ms Froud.

 

 

The hospital had to give the new parents some clothes for Jessica as they were unprepared for her arrival

 
She said: ‘She's a lovely little girl. Her sleeping is not a problem because she only wakes up once a night and we will certainly settle for that.

‘Things don't seem to have changed that much. I just no longer have to go work and I have a baby to bring up.

‘We can't wait for her to grow up and start playing with toys. At the moment all she seems to do is sleep.’

dailymail.co.uk

LAGOS BOKO HARAM THREAT : Police warn S/West churches over Boko Haram •‘Don’t allow phone-charging inside church buildings’

FOLLOWING the discovery of bombs in a building in Lagos State and reports of likely invasion of the South-West region by suspected Boko Haram members, the police have deployed crack teams of policemen to patrol worship centres during and after the Easter service in the region.
Indeed, police commands in all the states in the zone have stepped up surveillance around worship centres while churches and communities have been asked to be vigilant.
Specifically, worshippers were advised not to allow anyone to charge phones or any electronic device in churches during church service.
In Ogun State, a team of heavily armed policemen was sighted at the Christ Anglican Church, Ogere Remo, during the Good Friday service. The officers told the sexton as well as some youths of the church to be on the lookout for strangers who might disguise as worshippers to execute terrorist attacks on their church.
The policemen exchanged phone numbers with the youth and told them to call their hotlines if they suspected any strange occurrence, adding that the current security situation in the country calls for increased vigilance on the part of all.
“In case you see anybody who is not a member of your church, kindly query such person. Also, if anybody says he or she wants to come and charge his or her phone and you know very well that the person is not your member, politely turn the person back. Don’t allow anyone plug any unfamiliar device in your church,” one of the policemen told them.
The same policemen were also later sighted at the Ogere Central Mosque, close to the former tollgate on the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, where they combed the vicinity during the Friday prayer service.
In a chat, the Divisional Police Officer, Ogere divisional headquarters, John Oluwole told Saturday Tribune that the patrol was as a result of the directive from the Force Headquarters, communicated to the divisions and police formations through the state command.
He added that his men had also begun the patrol of churches during vigils – all in efforts to avoid being caught unawares by suicide bombers and unscrupulous individuals.
Ogun State Police Public Relation Officer, Mr. Muyiwa Adejobi, who would not confirm the police warning to churches, however, said “the Ogun State Police Command has adopted a security method to ensure that peace reigns supreme in this state. We are working with all sectors to ensure that there is peace in this state.”
Also, the Osun State Commissioner of Police, Mrs. Dorothy Gimba, said the state command had stepped up surveillance and deployed more policemen to ensure effective security of life and property during the Easter period.
Speaking with Saturday Tribune in a telephone interview, the commissioner said no stone would be left unturned to guarantee a hitch-free Easter celebration in the state.
Mrs. Gimba said the state command would intensify its mobile patrol throughout the state, and work round the clock to ensure peace and tranquillity in the state.
“As usual, we will increase our surveillance, through patrols and explore intelligence reports to nip in the bud any act of criminality, while we will also deploy more men to strengthen the security in Osogbo, the state capital, and other communities.
“As expected, there will be more influx of eminent personalities into the state from Abuja, Lagos and other cities, and as such, we are ready as always to make sure that the security here is not breached. I can assure you that we are up to the task to discharge our duties and responsibilities efficiently, as far as the security of the state is concerned.”
In Lagos State, since police recovered bombs and AK-47 rifles in Ijora area of the state, the state command has continued to conduct raids on hideouts suspected to be operational bases of terrorists in the state; but it has insisted that such actions were just routine exercises.
Ninety two people from Chad, Mali, Republic of Niger and the northern part of Nigeria were arrested, while many of them have been deported by the Lagos State command of the Nigeria Immigration Service
Saturday Tribune gathered that the state police command has directed all area commanders and DPOs to properly monitor all religious institutions and public places.
“Policemen have been directed to ensure surveillance and routine patrol around places like churches, shopping malls and market places during the Easter celebrations,” a police source told Saturday Tribune.
In Oyo State, the police on Friday went round the state capital, Ibadan, and other towns with heavily armed anti-crime operatives and Armoured Personnel Carriers (APCs) on a ‘show of force,’ as a way of sending warning signals to criminals.
When the Saturday Tribune called the Deputy Commissioner in charge of administration, Mr Clement Adoda, he confirmed the development, saying that it was to show that the police were prepared repel any criminal acts.
He added that all DPOs had been instructed to remain at their duty posts and to make their offices their homes for the Easter period.
“We are trying to replicate what we did during the Christmas and New Year festivities,” he disclosed further.
On measures being taken against terrorism, Mr Adoda said the fight against terrorism is an intelligence war and not the type fought on the pages of newspapers.
“We have put in place measures but we cannot disclose them. We will go by intelligence gathering and community policing, working hand-in-hand with other security agencies and different strata of the society.
“We have heard what happened in Lagos; we have studied it and we have drafted our own strategies to suit our purpose in the state,” the deputy commissioner stated further.
He revealed that the command’s strategy paid off on Thursday with the interception of a vehicle that was snatched within the capital, in less than 30 minutes after the robbery.
Adoda added that another vehicle which was snatched in another state and was being taken across Oyo State was also recovered at the Ibadan end tollgate, along Lagos-Ibadan Expressway on Friday, while two suspects were arrested.
Tribune