The Alake of Egbaland, Oba Adedotun Gbadebo has called on Sunday Igboho to shelve plans of declaring an Independent Yoruba nation.
The first class Yoruba monarch said he opposes the declaration of Yoruba nation and South-West secession from Nigeria.
Oba Adedotun, a retired Brigadier-general, said Nigeria cannot afford to go through another civil war.
He stressed that no country in the world will be willing to have over 250 million Nigerians as refugees.
The monarch said Nigerians, irrespective of their tribe, political or religious afflictions, must work together for the greater good of the country.
The monarch said if Nigeria fails as a country, the entire black race has failed, insisting that Nigeria is better as a united nation than breaking it up.
“Nigerians, wherever we go in Nigeria, we must see ourselves as nationals of the same country, people of the same blood.
“We must work together to make Nigeria great because we must not fail, Nigeria must not fail, if Nigeria fails, the black race has failed and may it never happen”.
Governor Samuel Ortom of Benue State on Saturday morning narrowly escaped death after armed herders reportedly opened fire on his convoy at Tyo-Mu community in the outskirts of Makurdi town, along Makurdi-Gboko road.
At the time of this report, the Governor who is still in shock was being expected to address the media on the development.
A one storey building has been destroyed at Alapere area of Ketu, Lagos, Southwest Nigeria after a gas explosion rocked the building.
Officials of the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency, LASEMA, arrived the scene of the incident at No 44 Moses Street, Oshogun, Alapere, Lagos for rescue operation.
Director General, LASEMA, Dr. Femi Oke-Osanyintolu said on arrival at the scene, it was discovered that the storey building was in a state of collapse with several visible cracks on load bearing walls
He said initial investigation suggested that that a gas cylinder explosion triggered the incident.
Oke-Osanyintolu said no lives were lost, but added that a young female, two male children and an adult male were rescued.
The LAAEMA DG said the building has been damaged and that the agency was working with the Lagos State Building Control Agency, LASBCA and Ministry of physical planning on the incident.
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has insisted that none of the 74 parties deregistered last year would participate in the electoral process until the Supreme Court decides otherwise.
It said it would continue to recognise and allow only the 18 registered parties to nominate and contest elections in the country.
The commission, against the backdrop of legal suits filed against it by the 74 political parties, said on Friday, that its decision to strike them out remained intact until the Supreme Court decided otherwise.
“The Commission will continue to recognise and deal with only the 18 registered political parties pending the final resolution and determination of the various appeals filed and pending before the Supreme Court.
“Consequently, INEC will not monitor any purported primaries by any of the deregistered political parties and will not issue access code to or accept the list and particulars of candidates emanating from such primaries,” INEC spokesperson, Festus Okoye, said.
The commission in its February 6, 2020 announcement, hinged the cause for deregistration of the 74 parties on their failure to satisfy the requirements of the Fourth Alteration to the Constitutional Electoral Act 2010 (as amended).
”The Commission has determined that eighteen (18) political parties have fulfilled the requirements for an existence based on Section 225A of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) as follows,” the INEC Chairman, Mahmood Yakubu, said.
The declaration was challenged in court by followed by some of the affected political parties.
The Court of Appeal, in its June 2020 judgement, dismissed INEC decision and ordered the return of 22 political parties, a decision some of them insist permit them to hold primaries and field candidates in subsequent elections.
However, the commission in the new statement, argued that the verdict of the Court of Appeal in favour of the deregistered parties contradicts its other judgement “delivered in the case of National Unity Party (NUP) vs. INEC wherein the Court affirmed the powers of the Commission to deregister NUP and other political parties.”
Considering the conflict between the two judgements, the INEC further argued that “it is in the interest of the electoral process for both matters to be consolidated. The electoral process will be better served through a final resolution of the issues in the deregistration of political parties. It will also enable the commission to stand on firm grounds rather than pick and choose which between two conflicting decisions it should obey.”
Actress, Jaiye Kuti, has said that she was shocked when she heard the viral rumour that she was married to a popular fuji artiste, Wasiu Alabi, aka Pasuma.
Kuti made this known as a guest at Inspire Nigeria Summit, a virtual summit held to motivate young Nigerians.
Asked how she reacts to rumours being peddled about her, the actress said, “There was a time I shot a movie with Pasuma. We had a wedding (in the movie) and the pictures were out there. The next thing I saw in the press was that ‘Jaiye Kuti marries Pasuma’.
People did not even go to the body of the story to read what was actually there. They just saw the headline and concluded that I had really married Pasuma. When one wants to be great in life, people would say bad things about one. People could say things that could kill one instantly. The beauty of it is that one has one’s legs and one can keep going.
“People that are spreading rumours about one won’t grow. I have heard shocking stories about me. Some people said I gave birth to Mayowa and Temitope Kuti and their father was Pasuma. I don’t have the time to start explaining to everybody that we were only making a movie.
I don’t explain things to people. When they greet me, they tell me to extend greetings to Pasuma, and I tell them that I will. When last did I see Pasuma? He was paid to work and he left. Rumours are part of what we live on. It is part of what makes us what we are. One has to be strong to take it. It is like an arrow shot at one. One should not let it kill one; rather, one has to keep going.”
Kuti also stated that her husband had understanding and supportive despite her busy schedule. She added, “My husband has been so much of a blessing. I have been on locations for months.
I have been on the set of a TV series, ‘Borokini’ for seven months. We only come home on weekends. I come home on Saturdays and return Monday morning. I was away from the house for about seven months on that project.
My husband is such a wonderful man, who is very understanding. In relationships, love is not enough. Understanding is what makes a relationship work between a man and his wife; not love.
It is that understanding that has kept us going and kept our marriage intact. I have known my husband for 23 years and we have been married for over 20 years. We are still going strong. We are still friends because we understand each other.
Favour Anthony, a nurse working for Femi Fani-Kayode, Ex-minister of aviation, has quashed allegations of assaults and s.e.x.ual harassment against him by Anthonia Uchenna, his former domestic staff.
Uchenna, who previously worked as a nanny with the ex-minister, had earlier alleged that Fani-Kayode once ordered his bodyguards to strip and flog her.
In a now-viral video, the lady had also claimed that the ex-minister s.e.x.ually assaulted her, adding that he usually threatens to beat her up each time she complained.
The nanny had claimed that other domestic staff of the former minister had similar experiences which forced some of them to resign at the time.
But in her reaction, Anthony asked the public to disregard the allegations, noting that such were aimed at smearing the ex-minister’s reputation.
The family nurse also accused Precious Chikwendu, his principal’s estranged wife, of orchestrating such allegations against Fani-Kayode amid their ongoing face-off.
Anthony claimed that Uchenna was sacked from Fani-Kayode’s residence in 2019 for alleged theft. She also accused Uchenna of conniving with Chikwendu and five other former domestic staff against Fani-Kayode.
“My name is Pastor Favour Anthony, I am the Head nurse of Chief Fani-Kayode. I have been working with him and the children for four years, it has been brought to my attention that one Anthonia who was sacked in 2019 for stealing, has gone to the press and made a video in which she has told many lies against chief Fani-Kayode,” she said.
“Antonia is a liar and desperate for money and precious is using her, she claimed she was been owed salary this is not true, because she has signed for every salary that was her due and we have evidence of it, am the one in charge of it so I know, the staff are paid very well and they are paid on time, and chief Fani-Kayode never owes salary.
“I am surprised, that anybody or newspaper will publish this kind of thing, there are over 55 people working in chief Fani-Kayode House and there all ready to tell the truth and how precious Chikwendu was not just to the staff but also to the children and how she often beat them all.”
The family nurse said the fact that Uchenna neither reported the alleged incident to her nor the police since then showed she had an ulterior motive.
She added that about “15 nannies and nurses work under me and not one of them has ever complained about chief Fani-Kayode.”
Fani-Kayode and Chikwendu have been in a heated tussle for the custody of their four children since their marriage of seven years collapsed last year.
The former beauty queen had earlier alleged that Fani-Kayode abused her on numerous occasions while they were still together — a claim he dismissed.
American rapper, Diamonté Quiava Valentin Harper popularly known as Saweetie has confirmed she broke up with rapper boyfriend Quavo of Migos.
Saweetie and Quavo unfollowed each other on Instagram, which led to speculation by fans that the couple have indeed broken up.
However, Saweetie yesterday, March 19, took to her Twitter to confirm the news and to put a stop to the rumors that were circulating about her and her ex-boyfriend.
The “My Type” rapper in her tweet, hinted that Quavo cheated on her with another woman.
She wrote: “I’m single. I’ve endured too much betrayal and hurt behind the scenes for a false narrative to be circulating that degrades my character. Presents don’t band aid scars and the love isn’t real when the intimacy is given to other women”
I’m single. I’ve endured too much betrayal and hurt behind the scenes for a false narrative to be circulating that degrades my character. Presents don’t band aid scars and the love isn’t real when the intimacy is given to other women.
“I emotionally checked out a long time ago and have walked away with a deep sense of peace and freedom. Excited for this new chapter of elevation Folded hands,”she said in another tweet.
I emotionally checked out a long time ago and have walked away with a deep sense of peace and freedom. Excited for this new chapter of elevation 🙏🏽
Two suspected bandits, Abdullahi Danshoho and Illiyasu Salleh, have owned up to their roles in the kidnapping of two patients and a nurse at a hospital in Nasarawa State.
The suspects and their gang members at large reportedly invaded Kunwarke Clinic and Maternity in Lafia, Nasarawa State, sometime in November 2020 and abducted two patients and a nurse.
They were alleged to have collected N6m ransom before freeing their victims.
Danshoho and Salleh were arrested recently by operatives of the Inspector-General of Police Intelligence Response Team led by DCP Abba Kyari.
Married with four children, 25-year-old Danshoho stated that he was a truck driver but went into kidnapping because he was not making enough money from the job.
He said, “I finished my NCE (Nigeria Certificate of Education) in 2020 but I have yet to collect my results. I became a truck driver but things were difficult. I met my friend, Illiyasu (Salleh), sometime in September 2020 and he told me the easy way to make money. He told me that kidnapping was the only way out. He told me to look for people with money that we can kidnap.”
He said he had participated in five kidnap operations – the last being in December – including the abduction of his neighbour who refused to give him money.
He explained that he gave the man’s details to Illiyasu who arranged his abduction, adding that he got N100,000 share from a ransom paid.
Danshoho stated, “The second successful operation was arranged by Illiyasu. That clinic is where we normally go for treatment. My job was to confirm that the director of the hospital was around. On the day we struck, I was sure that he was in the hospital. Unfortunately, he managed to escape. That was why they decided to abduct patients.
“After some days, they gave me N100,000 as my share. I did not complain because they told me that the patients were farmers and the nurse was from a poor family. I later learnt that they collected N4m.
“A week later, I brought the third job. It was my friend and we used to hang out. I decided to kidnap him because I was sure that his parents could afford to pay for his release. They paid N1.5m and I got N100,000 as my share. It was when he returned home sick that I regretted my action. I used part of my proceeds to pay outstanding fees at the school so that I can get my certificate.”
Salleh, 24, said he was into cattle rearing and farming but quit because they did not fetch him enough income. He said he decided to go into kidnapping “because it is an easy way to make money.”
“The truth is that we don’t make much money from cattle rearing and one needs to stay with a cow for many months before it will be ready for use. Kidnapping gives quick money,” he stated.
Narrating how the kidnapping at the hospital was carried out, he said Danshoho, who is well known by the nurses, pretended as if he came for treatment of headache.
He said, “I was outside. My gang members, Maigari, Bodejo and others (at large) entered the clinic but did not see the director. It was like he heard the gunshot and escaped before they could reach him. Maigari then decided to abduct two patients and a nurse.
“After a ransom was paid, l got N200,000 and was angry. I threatened to expose them if they did not give me an extra share. I got additional N100,000 but I don’t know the actual amount that was collected.”
The annual military parade in central London for Queen Elizabeth II’s official birthday has been cancelled for a second year owing to the coronavirus pandemic, Buckingham Palace said on Friday.
The “Trooping the Colour” event in June normally features hundreds of personnel from Britain’s most prestigious regiments for a centuries-old spectacle of pageantry in front of thousands of spectators.
Last year, because of the health crisis, it was switched to a low-key celebration in the grounds of Windsor Castle west of London, and the palace said the same was likely again.
“Following consultation with government and other relevant parties it has been agreed that the Queen’s official birthday parade, also known as Trooping the Colour, will not go ahead this year in its traditional form in central London,” a statement read.
“Options for an alternative parade, in the quadrangle at Windsor Castle, are being considered.”
Elizabeth, 94, and her 99-year-old husband Prince Philip have for the past year been isolating at Windsor, as their age puts them in a high-risk category for coronavirus.
Philip, who turns 100 in June, this week returned to the castle after four weeks of treatment in two central London hospitals, including a heart procedure.
Last year was the first time that Windsor has staged an event to mark a sovereign’s official birthday since 1895, when a ceremony was held in honour of queen Victoria.
It marked Elizabeth’s first official public appearance since Britain went into lockdown in March.
She celebrated her actual 94th birthday on April 21 without the traditional gun salute, due to the lockdown.
The double birthday tradition was started by King George II in 1748, who wanted to have a summer celebration as his own birthday was October 30. The monarch’s official birthday normally occurs on the second Saturday in June.
No fewer than 13 persons have been killed while seven others were injured in series of bandits’ attacks on communities in Zangon Kataf, Kauru and Chikun local government areas of Kaduna State.
In one of the attacks on Kizachi village, Kauru LGA, 56 houses, 16 motorcycles and several barns were razed.
Kaduna State Commissioner of Internal Security and Home Affairs, Samuel Aruwan, confirmed the attacks in a statement yesterday, saying that seven people were injured in the attacks.
According to Aruwan, “thirteen people have been killed and seven others injured in series of attacks across communities in Zangon Kaaf, Kauru and Chikun local government areas.
“This was reported to the Kaduna State Government by the military under the auspices of Operation Safe Haven (OPSH).
“According to the report, armed bandits attacked one Irmiya Godwin and his brother as they returned from their farm in Gora Gan village of Zangon Kataf LGA. Irmiya Godwin was killed while his brother escaped.
“In another incident, armed bandits attacked Kizachi village of Kauru LGA and killed 10 persons, leaving four others injured. Fifty-six houses and 16 motorcycles were razed, with several barns also raided and burnt.
“Those killed are listed as: Esther Bulus, Maria Bulus (one-year-old daughter of Esther), Lami Bulus, Aliyu Bulus, Monday Joseph, Geje Abuba, Wakili Filibus, Yakubu Ali, Dije Waziri and Joseph Ibrahim
“The injured are: Cecilia Aku, Yakubu Idi, Godiya Saleh and Moses Adamu. They are receiving treatment in hospital.
“Furthermore, Masaka village in Chikun Local Government Area was attacked. One Duza Bamaiyi was killed and two other persons were injured. Troops mobilised to the location to eventually repel the attack.
“Similarly, armed bandits killed one Zakka Pada in Kurmin Kaduna of Chikun Local Government Area and left one Pada Dalle injured.
“Governor Nasir El-Rufai noted the report with sadness and prayed for the repose of the souls of the slain while sending condolences to their families.
“He wished the injured citizens quick recovery,” said the Security Commissioner.
Former senator who represented the Kogi West Senatorial District, Dino Melaye, has apologized to God for supporting President Muhammadu Buhari in 2015.
Melaye, speaking on Channels Television’s Politics Today on Friday, also described Buhari’s agenda as the “greatest scam that came out of Africa”.
The former lawmaker insisted the Buhari administration has failed Nigerians in all aspects from security to economy and infrastructure.
“I apologise to God Almighty who is the Supreme Controller of the universe and to Nigerians for supporting Buhari.
“The Buhari presidency in 2015 is the greatest scam that came out of Africa, because the subject matter Buhari is the greatest con that came out of Africa.
“How can one remain in a political party or support a president with what is happening today in Nigeria? How? So, I regret very seriously because we were scammed,” Melaye said.
Melaye, who lost his re-election to Smart Adeyemi in 2015, also said the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has better chances of winning the 2023 elections.
Nigerian footballer, Victor Moses has welcomed his 3rd child with his wife, Josephine.
The 30-year-old winger, who plays for Russian club Spartak Moscow on loan took to Instagram to announce the birth of his newborn child with an adorable photo of him.
The couple who got married in 2017, have two children, Brentley, a boy, and a daughter, Nyah.
Nineteen people, nine of them children, have died from food poisoning in Madagascar after eating a turtle, sources said Thursday.
Thirty-four people were hospitalised on Monday in Vatomandry, in the east of the island, after eating the protected species, the Health and Food Safety Control Agency said.
Ten of them died, it said.
Another nine people, all of them children, died at home after eating meat from the same turtle, region's governor said.
Health authorities have warned against eating turtles, as well two dozen species of fish, which feed on algae that can be toxic during the November-March hot season.
Dozens of food poisonings occur each year in coastal Madagascar and deaths are common.
We believe you! Lmao, some said he is also talking from experience.
British-Nigerian professional boxer, Anthony Joshua has accused men who get their cars washed and then get a hair cut same day of planning to cheat on their women.
The heavyweight boxing champion took to his Snapchat to hint women on this.
He said; “if your boyfriend gets a hair cut and his car cleaned the same day!!! He’s about to cheat.”
Some men while commenting however slammed him for exposing them,. lol.
A fan [miz__mofe] has dragged Nollywood actress, Oloruntimilehin Bukola aka Kiitan for dressing indecently has she turned a year older yesterday,
The fan had slammed Kiitan has she wore a black high slit dress for one of her shoots.
Slamming the actress, the fan said she thought she was one of the few decent ones in the movie industry and for her mind now, she don dress finish, She then warned the actress not to wear such again.
miz__mofe wrote; ''@kiitanbukola for ur mind now ,u don dress finish ?? That one name clothes?? I taught u were one of d decent lady in d industry😢 abeg no dey dress like this again😢but I still love u.''
An official of the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) was on Tuesday killed and another injured during a clash with commercial motorists at Anthony Bus Stop.
The deceased identified as Godwin Obasu was said to have been hit multiple times with machetes by rampaging commercial drivers protesting the seizure of a bus popularly known as Korogbe.
Another LASTMA official, Adeniyi Hakeem, who was with him, was in coma.
The two, according to LASTMA, were in mufti and on their way home when the angry motorists attacked them.
Spokesman for the agency said the motorists went berserk following the seizure of the bus.
