Saturday, 23 December 2017
Photos: Mass Communication student allegedly assaulted by Zonal commandant of NSCDC in Benue State
The Zonal Commandant of Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) Benue State Command, has been accused of assaulting a Mass Communication student of the University of Mkar Gboko.
According to Andy Cmo, the unnamed student was brutally beaten for covering news on the current fuel scarcity in Makurdi.
The incident happened at Total filling station Aliade road, Makurdi on Thursday, December 21.
Barca door open to Coutinho – Rakitic
Ivan Rakitic says Barcelona’ s players would be delighted if Philippe Coutinho were to join them from Liverpool , insisting their “ doors are open to good players ” , Skysports reports .
Coutinho has been heavily linked with a move to the Nou Camp, though Liverpool resisted Barcelona’ s advances in the summer , turning down a £ 113 m bid for the Brazilian.
The midfielder ’ s future remains uncertain , and Liverpool have not given their price for the 25 -year -old , despite reports in the Catalan press .
In an interview with Skysports, Barcelona midfielder Rakitic said a player of Coutinho’ s calibre joining the club would be “ perfect ” .
“ Every good player is welcome. So we have to say that the doors are open for every good player , and Coutinho is a good player . With all respect to his club Liverpool , and his fans , we would be really happy if he came,” Rakitic said.
Spanish football expert Guillem Balague previews Saturday ’s Clasico between Real Madrid and Barcelona at the Bernabeu.
“ But with all the respect if he stayed at Liverpool we would wish him all the luck in the world . We have to think about the players that are already here , I think we have a really good team.
“ We have to do it together . If there is an opportunity to do it with Coutinho , or another player , perfect. ”
Barcelona are 11 points ahead of Real Madrid going into Saturday’s Clasico .
Rakitic insists the game at the Bernabeu is not like a final , with Atletico Madrid and Valencia hot on their heels in the race for the Liga title .
“ We don’ t think of it like a final . Valencia are close to us, so are Atletico and Sevilla . It is very difficult to play in La Liga , it ’s not like four or five years ago with just two teams , you have to go at every game 100 per cent ,” Rakitic added .
“ You can ’t just say we ’ll get three points in all games and then wait for the Clasico , you have to prepare every game in the best way .
“ Of course we know that a lot of people in the world just wait for this game, and we want to finish the year in the best way , but if we get this win it is not done . There are a lot more big , hard games . It ’s step - by -step . ”
Iheanacho must keep improving – Leicester City boss
Leicester City manager Claude Puel has warned that Nigeria forward Kelechi Iheanacho must keep improving to stake his place at the club.
The Nigerian, who was bought in the summer from Manchester City for £ 25 m , has yet to live up to his price tag. He has scored just once since arriving from Manchester City .
Iheanacho ’s national teammate Wilfred Ndidi is a regular at the former English premier league champions since joining them from Belgian side Genk for £ 17 m in January.
The 21 -year -old Iheanacho has made only five EPL appearances for the Foxes this season and has yet to score any goal in the league – Iheanacho has started the five matches from the bench .
The 2013 UAE U - 17 World Cup Golden Ball winner was givenhis first start of the season against his former club in the League Cup quarter - final during the week .
He led the attack while Shinji Okazaki was behind him feeding him the passes . The coach however replaced him with Jamie Vardy in the second half , who threatened the City defence better than Iheanacho did .
But Puel praised Iheanacho ’ s display in the match , saying that with the player ’s youthfulness he believes he has the potential to improve.
Puel said he is willing to be patient to see the best of forward , insisting Iheanacho must improve to cement a regular place at the club .
“(Iheanacho ) tried , he shoots on target . He had a good opportunity in the first half . He gave his best . He ’ s a young player ; he needs to continue to work to improve , ” Puel told Leicester Mercury on Friday .
“ It was important to see him – to give him game-time . It was a good opportunity for him and other players .I was happy with the squad because it was a good level of quality on the pitch and it was a good response after our game against Crystal Palace . ”
Lack of playing time has hampered Iheanacho from replicating his scoring form at Manchester City at Leicester .
Iheanacho ’s record at Leicester stands at one goal in 393 minuteswhich is a long way shy of City average , which was one goal every 100 minutes .
Despite this , Puel appears to favour him ahead of other forwards in the team after Vardy and Okazaki . Other forwards such as Leo Ulloa, Islam Slimani and Iheanacho ’s fellow Nigerian Ahmed Musa, appear to be out of favour .
With the coach complaining of having too many forwards to deal with at the club , it is expected that Leicester will try to offload some of their attackers in January.
But the coach believes that Iheanacho is quite different from his other forwards , who are struggling to get regular playing time .
“ I have a good feeling with the squad . Kele, like others players, like Slimani , like Musa, they are different players . It ’s important for them and for the squad, ” Puel said.
“ We have a lot of players sometimes in the same position and it ’s difficult to manage this . It ’ s important to keep the positive attitude , for Kele it ’s the same thing.”
Meanwhile , Ndidi has been named in lists of the best footballers in 2017 compiled by Sky Sports.
Ndidi is ranked 65 th in the world by Skysports based on calculations using their ‘Power Rankings ’, while former PFA Player of the Year Riyad Mahrez is 71 st .
''Nigeria survived past abuses only by God’s grace'' President Buhari says
President Buhari says Nigeria survived its past abuses by past administrations only by the grace of God. President Buhari said this in a statement issued by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Femi Adesina.
“Some of the things I saw here were unbelievable. I still shudder and wonder how a country can survive under such abuses. It is only by an act of God that we survived,” he said.
According to the statement, President Buhari made the comments when he received his supporters under the auspices of the Governance Support Group at the Presidential Villa in Abuja, the nation’s capital.
He thanked the group for their love and support for his administration, even in the face of the challenges some of them went through.
“I can never forget your sacrifices and I am grateful for all. You never gave up when things were bleak, and we needed to survive. I can’t express my gratitude enough. In spite of the environment you found yourself, you kept believing and pushing. Some of you were really exposed to risks. My consolation is that you voluntarily threw in your lot with me. Some of you exposed yourself so much, and I knew it. I urge you to still stick to your principled ways of doing things and our country will be the better for it” he said
According to him, after losing in three elections and pursuing cases up to the Supreme Court, he learnt that ethnicity and religion had no place in Nigerian politics, but personal interests prevailed.
The Chairman of the Governance Support Group, Hon. Chukwuemeka Nwajiuba, commended the President for the bold initiatives in restoring security, tackling corruption, and setting the economy on a more predictable path.
Nwajiuba said the group would continue to support and advise the President on areas that needed more attention, which include engagement with party members and supporters, empowerment of Nigerians and the fight against kidnapping.
2019: We won’t adopt any presidential candidate, says LP
The Labour Party has ruled out the adoption of a presidential candidate from another political party ahead of the 2019 general elections , saying that it will present its own representative .
The party said it had been repositioned to take over the affairs of the country and lift it to enviable heights.
National Chairman of the party , Dr . Mike Omotosho , who made the disclosure while interacting with journalists , also faulted the $ 1 bn earmarked by the Federal Government to be withdrawn from the Excess Crude Account to fight Boko Haram insurgency in the North -East .
He said, “ We will not adopt a presidential candidate the way we have been doing in the past . We have an ideology that we are working with and we intend to build credible people .
“ We are not going to be a platform for defectors anymore . We are going to have credible candidates that will remain after election and build the party.
“ On the issue of the Federal Government earmarking $ 1 bn to be withdrawn from the Excess Crude Account to fight Book Haram insurgency in the North -East , we are concerned about the deployment of such a huge amount of money to just one area of the country .
New York man once thought to have the world's biggest penis brands the Mexican 'who has overtaken him' a cheat (See their sizes)
Jonah lost the gong for the planet's longest penis to Mexican Robert Esquivel Carbrera, 54, who cannot have sex because of the size of his manhood, measured at 18.9 inches.
Now, the New Yorker has branded his record breaker as 'disgusting' for cheating to gain extra length
According to him, his challenger is a fraud because he has been weighing his genitals down and stretching the foreskin to grow his penis.
Mr. Falcon told The Sun Online Mr Carbrera's was not 19 inches, saying he could have a normal sex life if he got circumsized.
'The man stretched his foreskin constantly, from what I understand, but it's normal underneath,' he said.
'I think it's ridiculous and he seems kind of desperate. No matter how big he is, it's not going to change the fact that I'm 13.5inches.
Meanwhile, Roberto Esquivel Cabrera, 54, from the northern town of Saltillo, who boast of 18.9inch manhood is said to have worked on it himself by stretching it using weights.
According to Mail Online, Mr. Carbrera has been officially registered as a disabled and he's now receiving government handouts, despite refusing to get a reduction because he hopes to find work in the American porn industry.
Below are a list of penis sizes of various animals.
Blue Whale: 96 inches
Elephant: 72 inches
Giraffe: 40 inches
Walrus: 25 inches
Roberto Cabrera: 18 inches
Pig: 18 inches
Argentine blue-bill lake duck: 17 inches
Average human: 5 inches
Chimpanzee: 3 inches
Gorilla: 1 inch
Ronaldo fit for Clasico
Real Madrid coach Zinedine Zidane insisted Cristiano Ronaldo is 100 percent fit for Saturday ’s huge El Clasico clash against Barcelona despite playing a limited role in training this week , AFP reports.
And the Frenchman urged Ronaldo to put his perceived desire for an improved contract from the European champions on the back burner to help Real get back into the La Liga title race .
“ He is 100 percent, he trained today and that is all that interests me ,” Zidane said on Friday .
Ronaldo , 32 , said he would like to retire at Real after scoring the winner in last weekend ’s Club World Cup final , but that decision depended on those that run the club .
The Portuguese star signed a new deal to 2021 with Real just over a year ago , but has since seen Neymar ’s move to Paris Saint Germain for a world record fee and a bumper new deal for Lionel Messi at Barcelona reportedly see them leapfrog Ronaldo as the world ’s best paid player.
“ Cristiano just has to think about what he has done , what he is doing and what he means to this club ,” added Zidane .
“ He deserves the full respect of the club and he has it . After the holidays we will talk about that for sure . At the moment the only important thing is the game tomorrow and for that he is 100 percent .”
Ronaldo only returned to full training on Friday after receiving some rough treatment from Brazilians Gremio last weekend . However , he has rediscovered top form in recent weeks with five goals in his last four outings .
Zidane ’s men trail Barca by 11 points in fourth place behind Atletico Madrid and Valencia, but they do have a game in hand on their rivals .
Real captain Sergio Ramos claimed this week his side are “ obliged to win more than ever ” given their deficit in the title race , but Zidane claimed tomorrow ’s result won ’t be definitive no matter what happens.
“ There is no anxiety . We need to think about playing a good match and not look at whether the difference is 11 , eight or 25 points, ” said Zidane . “ The only thing we can control is playing well tomorrow .”
Barca are undefeated in their last 24 games . However , they were beaten in both legs as Real romped to victory 5 - 1 on aggregate in the Spanish Super Cup in coach Ernesto Valverde ’ s first two games in charge back in August .
“ Logically the Bernabeu will support their team, but I think it will be a good game. ”
Marketers behind move to increase fuel price – PENGASSAN
The scarcity of Premium Motor Spirit, popularly known as petrol , is mainly because of its hoarding and diversion by oil marketers who are pushing for an increase in the price of the commodity , the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria has said.
It specifically stated that dealers under the aegis of the Major Oil Marketers Association of Nigeria , Depot and Petroleum Products Marketers Association , as well as the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria were all involved in the hoarding and diversion of the product , a development that further worsened the scarcity of the product across the country on Friday .
In an exclusive interview with one of our correspondents in Abuja , the National President , PENGASSAN , Francis Johnson , stated that it was wrong to attribute the scarcity being witnessed in most parts of the country to the recent threat by the association to embark on a strike .
He argued that petrol scarcity was mainly because of the push by oil marketers for an increase in the pump price of the commodity , but stressed that the association would not support such a move.
He said, “ And let me say it here that the oil marketers are complaining, they ’ve been looking for ways to increase fuel price .
But the labour unions, Trade Union Congress , Nigeria Labour Congress , Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers and PENGASSAN are the ones who still fight and say to the marketers that they can ’ t do that . All of the marketers , IPMAN , DAPPMA, MOMAN , etc, have been agitating for petrol price increase.
“ They give you so many reasons , they say dollar is not accessible, they say this , they say that , but we tell them ‘ no ’ , you can ’t do that . And so subtle hoarding begins to take place , they start looking for ways to force the government to increase price . That is the game. ”
Stressing that PENGASSAN had nothing to do with the fuel scarcity, Johnson said, “ Like I told you earlier, left to the marketers , PMS will be selling at N 500 per litre because they are there to make profits .
“ They say they don’t have access to crude oil , they lack access to dollars and that it is only the NNPC that is importing . We said go and import , but they said if they must do that , fuel should be increased to N 170 per litre . ”
Meanwhile , the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation also confirmed that there had been an alarming rate of products’ hoarding and diversion in the past three weeks , but refused to state the group of marketers involved in the act.
But in a swift reaction to the allegations against marketers , MOMAN stated that it would be tough to hoard products at the moment because the supply of PMS by the NNPC was grossly inadequate . DAPPMA also denied the allegations .
This is coming as thousands of commuters were on Friday stranded at various locations in Abuja , Lagos , Ibadan , Kaduna and other cities across the country due to the unavailability of petrol .
When contacted on the matter, the Executive Secretary, MOMAN , Obafemi Olawore, refuted the claims of products ’ diversion and hoarding by marketers , adding that it was not true that marketers were pushing for an increase in the pump price of PMS .
He argued that there was a serious supply gap , as the NNPC was not importing enough products to go round the country .
Olawore said, “ Nobody is hoarding . The truth is that you cannot hoard what you don ’t have. There is shortage in supply and NNPC knows that. So , who is increasing the price ? Nobody is talking of price increase. The truth is that the quantity of the product is not enough for the country. ”
When told that the NNPC also complained about hoarding and that the corporation said it had started supplying about 80 million litres of PMS daily in order to halt the scarcity, Olawore replied, “ Tell them (NNPC management ) it is not true ; tell them that that figure is not correct . They don’ t have that figure . They should tell us where the product is .
“ They don’ t have it . They should stop telling the public what is not true . The product is not available . The product is in short supply. They are the only ones importing . We are not importing .”
Similarly , the Executive Secretary of DAPPMA, Olufemi Adewole , denied the allegations , saying , “ I disagree with that because that is not true . ”
He , however , noted that government owed its members over N 800 bn , which he said was affecting their business .
When asked if his organisation was against any increase in fuel price , he said, “ Government is the sole importer because we cannot import and we cannot import because the landing cost is higher than the selling price . The government is telling us to bring in a product that its landing cost is about N 160 /N 170 and sell at N 145 , and we can ’t do it, so we are buying from the government because it can do that .
“ That is different from asking the government to deregulate the sector and let the forces of demand and supply take effect . That is what we are after that; it will determine the price . That means that there are times that the price will rise and there are times that it will drop . It doesn’ t mean that the price will rise and stay there.
“ Between eight and 12 weeks ago , we were selling below the recommended price in our depots because of competition amongst us . So I disagree with the allegation that we are the cause of problem .
“ Aside from that , marketers are being owed over N 800 bn and this money belongs to the banks , so they have stopped giving us loans until we pay back what we took . The Federal Executive Council approved the payment in June, passed it to the National Assembly but till today , the National Assembly has not approved it .
“ And because we have not been able to pay back the loans we took from the banks , they have stopped giving us loans to do business . If we get our money back , the banks will give us loans and we will continue to trade. But the government is holding on to our money and wants us to keep borrowing from the banks , but the banks are saying ‘no , we have given you the maximum we can give you.’”
But when contacted on the matter, the Group General Manager, Group Public Affairs Division , NNPC , Ndu Ughamadu, insisted that petroleum products were being hoarded .
He said, “ There have been many cases of hoarding , but I wouldn’ t know whether the intention is to jerk up the prices of products . However , there have been many cases of hoarding , just like the one we discovered in Kano where 140 trucks were diverted.
“ Some of your colleagues also called from Lagos asking me to confirm the hoarding and diversion of about 100 trucks of petrol , but I told them I could not confirm that because we didn ’t own the tank farm in question . Again , there is this filling station where we supplied eight trucks and within four hours , they shut down the place and said they had run out of stock . Now , how is that possible ?
“ So we have detected many cases of hoarding . If you look at consumption , it shot up from 30 million litres to 80 million litres within a space of three weeks .”
Efforts to reach the National President of IPMAN , Chinedu Okoronkwo , on the phone were not successful as he neither answered his calls nor replied a text message sent to him .
Sevilla sack cancer-stricken coach Berizzo
Sevilla sacked coach Eduardo Berizzo on Friday just a month after it was announced the Argentine is suffering from prostate cancer, the club said , citing poor results .
“ The Sevilla board … has taken the decision to sack the coach of the first team due to the bad form of the team,” Sevilla said in a statement, without making reference to Berizzo ’s illness .
News of Berizzo ’s condition was released just hours after Sevilla battled back from a 3 -0 half -time deficit against Liverpool to secure a famous 3 -3 draw that helped book their place in the last 16 of the Champions League , where they will face Manchester United .
The former Argentine international then missed four matches as he underwent surgery on a tumour with his assistant coach Ernesto Marcucci taking charge.
Marcucci ’s last match in charge was a 5 -0 thrashing by Real Madrid , but Berizzo ’s return to the bench has failed to inspire an upturn in fortunes as Sevilla were held 0 -0 at home by Levante a week ago before losing 3 -1 at Real Sociedad on Wednesday .
Defeat left Sevilla still just two points off the top four in fifth place , but fourth - placed Real Madrid have two games in hand , including Saturday’ s El Clasico against Barcelona.
“ The club has already begun talks to formalise the hiring of the new coach of Sevilla FC , who is expected to join when the staff return after the Christmas holidays,” added Sevilla’s statement.
The Andalusians aren ’t in action again until they face Cadiz in the first leg of their Copa del Rey last 16 tie on January 3 .
Kogi conducts exams for civil servants
The Kogi State Government has directed the Public Service Institute of Nigeria to conduct a promotional examination for eligible civil servants in the state.
PSIN Chief Executive Officer , Dr. Abdul -Ganiyu Obatoyinbo, who said this in a statement on Friday , added that the state government engaged the institute to sanitise its civil service through the introduction of a performance - based selection process.
Obatoyinbo said that the selection process was for directors waiting to become Permanent Secretaries , noting that the state had set a standard for the civil service.
He said , “ The Kogi State Government engaged the institute to conduct an examination and promotion exercise for eligible candidates because of our strides in capacity building to state governments, ministries, departments and agencies in the country .”
Kogi State Head of Service , Mrs . Deborah Ogunmola , said that the exercise was conducted in a transparent and credible manner, giving every civil servant an opportunity to showcase their ability .
Thursday, 21 December 2017
Many injured as car hits crowd in Melbourne
A car ploughed into a crowd in Australia ’ s second- largest city on Thursday , injuring at least a dozen people , some of them seriously , officials said .
Witnesses said people were thrown through the air after being hit by the vehicle , which did not appear to be trying to slow down as it “ mowed everybody down” .
Victoria state police said they had arrested the driver of the car after it “ collided with a number of pedestrians ” in downtown Melbourne at a busy intersection just after 4 .30 pm local time (0530 GMT ).
A second man was also arrested by police , who have not yet said whether they believe the driver was acting deliberately .
Paramedics were “ treating and transporting to hospital ” 13 people , with some seriously hurt , ambulance officials said.
Sky News Australia reported that a pre-school child with a head injury was taken to hospital in a serious condition .
Citing witnesses , Sky said a white Suzuki Grand Vitara with two men inside drove into the crowd , with no signs the vehicle made an effort to slow down.
In a tweet , police appealed to members of the public to upload any images they might have of the incident to a cloud address to help assist with their investigation.
A witness , named only as Sue , told Melbourne radio station 3 AW that she heard screams and saw “ people flying everywhere ” .
“ We could hear this noise , as we looked left , we saw this white car , it just mowed everybody down, ” she said .
“ People are flying everywhere . We heard thump , thump . People are running everywhere . ”
Another witness , John, told ABC Radio Melbourne that he saw a “ SUV coming at high speed ” .
“(I) really just heard the collision with people with bags and what must be shopping trolleys — and I hope not prams , ” he said.
“ I’ve really never seen anything like this before and I haven ’ t stopped shaking .”
The incident came months after a car mowed down pedestrians in Melbourne ’s busiest mall in January, killing six people .
The driver , whose case is still being heard in court , had been pursued by police prior to the rampage after he had allegedly stabbed his brother .
The Australian government in August unveiled a strategy aimed at preventing vehicle terror attacks carried out in crowded public places after deadly assaults in Barcelona, Nice and London .
The strategy , commissioned after 86 people were killed in the Nice truck attack last year , offered businesses and local governments a guide to assessing how vulnerable their sites are.
Suggested steps include deterrent options like fencing and closed circuit cameras , and delaying approaches such as trees and bollards to slow down vehicles.
Woman bathes maid with hot water over affair with husband
CELEBRITY news learnt that the victim , who hails from the Mbano Local Government Area of Imo State , lived with the couple at their home on Aunty Toyin Street, Kodeibo Estate , in the Isheri Oshun area of the Lagos State .
She was said to have been employed as a maid about six months ago by the Ezeofors , who hail from the Akokwa area of Imo State .
It was learnt that while Chigozie , a tyre dealer , sexually assaulted Blessing, the wife , Isioma , physically assaulted her for the least offences .
Matters were said to have come to a head on Sunday , when the woman returned from a trip and caught the husband caressing Blessing at their home .
She was alleged to have beaten the maid to a pulp before pouring hot water on her .
A Good Samaritan was said to have alerted policemen in the area to the incident , leading to the arrest of the couple.
The victim was subsequently taken to a hospital for treatment .
A police source said, “ Since she arrived at their house , it had been one assault after another . According to the victim, when she arrived, the man pretended to be interested in her welfare and asked if she was a virgin . She said when she told him that she was a virgin , he started touching her at every opportunity.
“ The girl said one day, he attempted to have sex with her, and when he saw that penetration was difficult , he started having anal sex with her. The girl said each time he tried to do it , she would feel pains . She said the man would sometimes keep at it until she screamed and he would quickly withdraw .
“ The victim told us that while the sexual assault persisted , she was helpless because she had nowhere to run to. She was a victim of trafficking . Her guardian had handed her over to the family and her salary was what they were using to send her to school . She is in Junior Secondary School three.”
The source said the woman had left the girl and her husband at home on Sunday, December 17 , and came back earlier than planned when she met the husband caressing Blessing.
“ The woman claimed that when she saw the husband with Blessing, she became angry and beat her up before pouring hot water on her, ” the source added .
The state Police Public Relations Officer , Chike Oti , confirmed the incident , adding that the campaign of the state Commissioner of Police , Edgal Imohimi , against abuse of the girl child , women and the juvenile , was yielding fruit .
Oti , a Superintendent of Police , said the couple were in police custody and would be charged with trafficking and sexual assault at the end of investigations .
He said , “ The case was reported at one of our divisions . The victim said she had suffered terribly in the hands of the couple, who delighted in dehumanising her regularly. She further revealed that her mistress, Isioma Ezeofor , beat her up at the slightest provocation , while her husband, Chigozie Ezeofor, sneaked up to her whenever his wife was away.
“ The exploitation came to a head when Mrs . Isioma Ezeofor ’s temper got the better of her and thus she emptied a kettle of hot water on the poor girl , scalding her in the process. Both husband and wife are being interrogated at the gender section of the Lagos State Police Command and would be charged to court at the end of investigation. ”
He said the state CP was encouraged that more victims of domestic and sexual abuses were speaking up .
Tuesday, 19 December 2017
WOMAN AND HER SONS KILL HUSBAND AND FATHER OVER SECOND WIFE! (GRAPHIC PHOTOS
Tragedy struck in Aguluzigbo on Anaocha LGA of Anambra State where a man was said murdered in cold blood by his wife and two sons.
According to a facebook user, Kingsley Pogba, the unidentified man incurred the wrath of his wife and sons ever since he brought in another woman who was pregnant for him into their home as a second wife.
Trouble started when the man was said to have given the second wife the sum of N20,000 for her upkeep, an action which infuriated the first wife and her sons.
According to sources, they waited till night and around 10:00pm, pounced on the man and killed him. They did not stop there bit proceeded to deal with the second wife by collecting the money from her and beat her to a point of coma where she collapsed and fainted.
Thinking she was dead, they hurriedly dug a shallow grave and buried the man but while this was happening in the backyard, the second wife regained her consciousness and staggered out of the house.
She was discovered he next morning heavily bruised and she narrated her ordeal to some of the residents round the area. They swung into action by going to the house and on inquiring about the man's whereabouts, the killer-wife and sons denied knowing where he was.
A search was done and the residents found the shallow grave behind the compound where the man was buried under a plantain tree.
Graphic Photo of Nigeria Man beaten by his wife for cheating
Nigeria Man and a father of two, name withdraw allegedly was beaten by his wife, following a little misunderstanding between them, over a side chick.
It was said that, the wife had some rumor about her husband having affair.
Coming home from work, the welcome the wife gave him was a quell which resulted to the picture below.
He was rush to the hospital by his neighbours, as at the point of this report, the wife is no where to be found.
Wish you quick recovery dear...
2017 African Player award: CAF drops Moses, lists Salah, Aubameyang
Super Eagles and Chelsea of England star, Victor Moses is no longer in contention for the prestigious African Footballer of the Year Award.
The Confederation of African Football (CAF),yesterday released the the top three nominees for all the categories with Moses’ name conspicuously missing from the list.
Egypt and Liverpool winger Mohamed Salah , Borussia Dortmund and Gabonese Star, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Senegal and Liverpool player Sadio Mane are the three players contesting for the award .
Salah favorite to clinch the title, was instrumental in Egypt’s successful campaign in the World Cup qualifiers, which saw the Pharaohs reach football’s most prestigious competition for the first time since 1990.
Last week he won the BBC African Footballer of the Year for 2017, beating his teammate Sadio Mane and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, who plays for Borussia Dortmund.
Former Arsenal and Liverpool striker Asisat Oshoala remains in the running for Women’s Player of the Year alongside Chrestina Kgatlana (South Africa & UWC Ladies) and Gabrielle Aboudi Onguene(Cameroon & CSKA Moscow).
Super Eagles manager Gernot Rohr is a finalist for the Coach of the Year, along with Hector Cuper (Egypt) and L’Hussein Amoutta (Wydad Athletic Club).
Nigeria’s Men’s National Team and U20 Women’s National Team have been shortlisted for National Team of the Year and Women’s National Team of the Year respectively.
The CAF 2017 African Player of the Year Awards Gala will be held in Accra on 4 January, 2018.
Ohanaeze Ndigbo Perpetuating Biafrans' Miseries - Nnamdi Kanu's IPOB Blows Hot
In a statement by IPOB's Media and Publicity Secretary, Comrade Emma Powerful, the Indigenous People of Biafra, accused the President of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Chief John Nwodo of destroying IPOB and its agitation.
The Nnamdi Kanu-led group also claim that Ohanaeze is perpetuating the misery of Biafrans and taking IPOB’s demand for referendum as a call for war.
The statement read: “We note with great sadness the public acknowledgement of President of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Chief John Nnia Nwodo’s effort to destroy the work of IPOB, thereby perpetuating the misery of Biafrans in the Nigeria Project.
“It is equally baffling to the global family of IPOB, especially those of Igbo extraction, that a highly educated and respected leader of Ohanaeze will publicly equate the demand for a referendum as a call for war.What this demonstrates is that Ohanaeze Ndigbo has fallen victim to the Federal Government’s sponsored propaganda and smear campaign that a demand for Biafra equals a demand for war.
“If that is the case, it is very unfortunate indeed coming from a supposedly enlightened people. A call for referendum is never a call for war.
“Those opposed to the idea of genuine freedom for Biafra were the people that brought war to Biafraland through Operation Python Dance not IPOB. From every indication, Chief Nwodo have confirmed that he was one of those that sanctioned the use of lethal force against unarmed, peaceful IPOB family members gathered at Kanu’s residence on the 11th and 14th of September 2017.
“The likes of Ohaneze Ndigbo should be defending the interest of movements like IPOB, fighting for the survival of all oppressed people within Nigeria, instead of conniving with the oppressor to unleash mayhem and death on their own.
“Chief Nwodo’s open acknowledgement during his speech at the National Stadium Surulere that he would sabotage Biafra again is a demonstration of highest level of cowardice which our oppressors will read as a sign of weakness at the heart of Igbo leadership.
“What he has succeeded in doing is to embolden Hausa and Fulani into believing that Igbos are their slaves.
Such uncharacteristic display of impotent leadership in the face of political, economic and social emasculation of an entire race should not be associated with anybody claiming to be the leader of Ndi-Igbo.
“Our promise to Chief Nwodo and his cohorts within and outside Ohaneze Ndigbo is this, not they or anybody else can stop or quench what is about to come in the name of Biafra. Our project is divine, our leadership fanatical, no man born of a woman can stop the restoration of Biafra.”
“We must remind all saboteurs that the day of reckoning is fast approaching and no amount of pleading on their behalf will save them. They have sowed the wind, they must reap the whirlwind. God did not create us to be slaves to Arewa North and we would never submit to slavery.”
Gunmen abduct Bayelsa monarch’s wife, school principal
Gunmen , suspected to be kidnappers , have abducted Mrs Tina Inegbagha , wife of Paramount ruler in Ayakoro Community in Ogbia Local Government Area of Bayelsa State , and Mr Egele Jack , the Principal of Government Craft Development Centre , Ayakoro. .
Mr Majesty Inegbagha, a member of the monarch’ s family , who confirmed the development to the
News Agency of Nigeria in Yenagoa on Tuesday , said that the incident took place on Dec. 16 .
According to him , the second victim of the abduction , Jack , hails from Ekeremor Local Government Area of the state.
Speaking at his palace on return from his trip, the Paramount Ruler , Righteous Inegbagha, appealed to the state government and security agencies to ensure his wife and the Principal were unconditionally released .
He also appealed to the kidnappers to set his wife free and prayed for her safe return .
The monarch said that from witnesses , the gunmen who numbered more than seven , came with a twin engine speed boat , three were armed with AK 47 rifles, while others carried machetes and other dangerous weapons .
“ The gunmen laid siege on the community for over two hours and carried out their nefarious activities – robbed and made away with cash and other valuables .
“ Efforts by residents to salvage the situation proved abortive as they were armless and were threatened to submission as the kidnappers brandished their weapons and threatened to shoot any resistant person ,” the monarch said.
Narrating his ordeal with the gunmen , Mr Ogidi Inegbagha, the first son of the monarch, said the gunmen broke through the window in spite of his shouts , only to be accosted with two guns pointed at him .
Ogidi said , “ They asked me , where is His Highness ? Where is his Highness ? I told them that he had traveled. Then they asked me where is he keeping his money ? And I told them I didn ’t know .
“ Hence they started beating me mercilessly with their guns and machetes . When my mother heard the noise , she came out through the parlour door not knowing that the residence was seized by kidnappers .
“ They asked us to lie down flat facing the floor at gunpoint and forced my mother to lead them to my father ’s private room where they searched and scattered documents looking for money .
“ They also carried along with them the generator belonging to the Doctor ’s Quarter kept at the Palace .
“ As they were going with my mother , I followed them but they threatened to shoot me if I didn ’ t go back while they took my mother to unknown destination .”
The Police Commissioner in the state , Mr Asuquo Amba , had in a response to a question on the incident during an interactive session with newsmen on the crime situation on Monday said that the incident was being investigated.
Amba said that following the recent upsurge in violent crimes in Bayelsa , the Inspector General of Police (I- G ), Ibrahim Idris, had sent a special squad to compliment the efforts of the Police Command in combating crime .
Reno Omokri compares the birthday celebrations of President Buhari and Atiku Abubakar
Posting the photos above on twitter, Reno wrote
'SPOT THE REAL LEADER Top picture: @Atiku celebrating his birthday with IDPs in Yola. Bottom picture: @MBuhari celebrating his birthday with Governors at Aso Rock'
Top Musician Robbed Over N3million at Gun Point After Returning to Nigeria for Christmas
Some dreaded gunmen have left a Nigerian musician-based abroad traumatized after he was reportedly robbed at a bank in Lagos.
A top Nigerian musician based abroad, Michael Edwin Etute popularly known as BCROSS has regretted coming back for the Christmas holidays after he was robbed at a bank in Lagos state, according to a report by PM Express.
The report revealed that the robbers collected N300,000 BCROSS withdrew from the bank and another 8,000 Euros (N3,397,939) he kept inside his vehicle and went home dejected.
The incident happened last week Thursday at the GTBank branch located at Akowonjo round about in Shasha area of Lagos. The police at Area M Command, Idimu has arrested the bank’s security man in connection with the robbery and detained him at the Command.
Edo State born musician confirmed the incident and said he was still in shock over what happened and demanded for thorough investigation in order to fish out the criminals. The embittered BCROSS narrated how the incident happened and suspected that it was the work of an insider in the bank who gave out the information about his transaction.
He explained that he had gone to the bank to withdraw the money and had contact with some staff of the bank including the arrested security guard. He said the staff asked him how much he wanted to withdraw and he told them before he withdrew the money.
He narrated that when he entered his car to go home, he observed that a vehicle that parked behind him in front of the bank was trailing him. He then decided to park to allow the suspects to move on. However, his decision did not work as the robbers moved to his car, forcefully opened the boot, stole the money and escaped.
He said that he reported the matter to the police and the key suspect who was the security man was arrested but later released on bail. He lamented that the security situation in the country has not really improved and advised that the government should do something about it otherwise it will continue to drive investors away from the country.
He also noted that the economic situation in the country had made it worse as many youths took to crime and added that it was the same situation that made him to travel abroad eight years ago.
However, police sources at the Command confirmed the incident and said the police has intensified efforts to arrest the culprits.
President Buhari extends the tenure of all Service Chiefs
President Buhari has approved the extension of the tenure of Nigeria’s service chiefs. The Minister of Defence, Mansur Dan-Ali, confirmed this in a statement released by his Public Relations Officer, Colonel Tukur Gusau. According to the Minister, President Buhari gave the approval after he carefully reviewed the ongoing military operations in the country.
“The President’s action came after having carefully reviewed the ongoing military operations across the nation, and the efforts of the Chief of Defence Staff and the Service Chiefs in the counter-insurgency operations in the North East, coupled with the security situation of the Niger Delta region,” the statement read.
Read the full statement below
EXTENSION OF TENURE OF SERVICE CHIEF OF DEFENCE STAFF AND SERVICE CHIEFS
1. The President and Commander in chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria His Excellency President Muhammadu Buhari GCFR, having carefully reviewed the on-going military operations across the nation and the efforts of the Chief of Defence staff and the Service chiefs in the counter insurgency operations in the North East coupled with the security situation of the Niger Delta region, has graciously approved the extension of tenure of service of General Abayomi Gabriel Olonisakin, the Chief of Defence Staff, Lieutenant General Tukur Yusufu Buratai Chief of Army Staff, Vice Admiral Ibok-EteIkwe Ibas, the Chief of Naval staff and Air Marshal Sadique Baba Abubakar, the Chief of Air staff.
2. This extension is pursuant of the powers conferred on the President and Commander in chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria by section 218 (1) and (2) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and section 09.06 of the Harmonised Terms and Conditions for Service for officers (2012) Revised.
3. The Honourable Minister of Defence Mansur Muhammad Dan-Ali therefore congratulate the Chief of Defence Staff and Service Chiefs for earning the confidence of the President, Commander in Chief of the Armed Force of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and the people of Nigeria leading to their extension of service.
4. You are please requested to disseminate this information through your medium.
TB Joshua gets Dominican Republic’s highest award
Honour reaffirms his authenticity , says Ojukwu
There is certainly no stopping the founder and spiritual head of The Synagogue Church of All Nations , Prophet Temitope Balogun Joshua ( TB Joshua ), in his avowed commitment to manifesting the Word of God, touching and changing lives all around the universe , says one of his ardent admirers , Mr . Jonas Maduabuchukwu Ojukwu , a Peace Ambassador .
Ojukwu , excited by the recent conferment of the Senate of the Dominican Republic ’ s highest award on Joshua , wants doubting Thomases to see the honour as further confirmation that the cleric is indeed a genuine man of God.
According to Ojukwu , who has benefited from the healing God had wrought on him through the instrumentality of the prophet ,so much does the foremost Nigerian clergyman stand out in his mission that nation after nation seem to be falling over one another to recognise this exceptional man. This is more so, he stated , as the awards by Dominican Republic are coming barely three months after Paraguay did the same thing in August with the nation ’ s highest honour given to Prophet Joshua
Ojukwu , who is a director at Innoson Group , indigenous manufacturers of motor vehicles and spares, had said in September that more recognition would come the way of the spiritual icon for his selfless and relentless pursuit of happiness for humanity .“ The world will stand up for those doggedly committed to doing God ’s will, and applaud ,” Ojukwu had said . “ So it is with senior prophets like Prophet TB Joshua … .”
Justifying this standpoint , he noted: “ As Prophet TB Joshua himself says , the best is yet to come. So , with the dogged spirit of the man of God and with what he keeps doing daily , committed to charitable works and praying for the welfare and good of all humanity , there is no doubt that more honours will follow .“ I pray that God continues to bless and strengthen him in the course of his mission of touching lives across the globe .”
The Dominican Republic ’s conferment of the awards on the cleric was made known at the end of the first session of the two- day crusade held at the Central Olympic Stadium, Felix Sanchez , located in the nation ’s capital of Santo Domingo, on Friday , November 24 , 2017 .The event had in attendance representatives of the governments of Russia, Spain, Brazil , Paraguay , and Haiti , among others .
Prophet Joshua ’s last crusade outside Nigeria , prior this , was in Paraguay , where he was decorated with the ‘ National Order of Merit ’, the nation ’s most prestigious honour , in August 2017 . He was in the news recently for his accurate prophecy of the removal of Zimbabwe’s President , Robert Mugabe , from office .
In the letters of conferment of the Congress awards , representatives of the Senate of the nation of Dominican Republic said the country ’s legislature resolved to confer the award on Prophet Joshua because of his tremendous contributions to the growth and development of humanity . In particular, they pointed at his relentless social work of charity to impoverished regions of the world , his large donations to help widows , orphans, the destitute, the elderly as well as the physically challenged .
Of utmost consideration by the Senate was the humanitarian work spearheaded by the cleric following the 2010 Haiti earthquake , alongside his assistance to India , Ghana and the Philippines when they were afflicted with various disasters .In addition , the Dominican Republic ’s Senate identified the unrelenting commitment of Prophet TB Joshua to promoting global peace as another major factor that informed the honour done to him by the island nation . They therefore made him the spiritual guide of their country .
Accepting the awards in the company of his wife , Evelyn, Prophet Joshua thanked the government and people of the Dominican Republic for the recognition accorded him . He promised that he would continue to pray for the country whch he considered his second home .“ I am very delighted ,” he said. “ I am also very grateful to the government and people of the Dominican Republic . I dedicate this award to the people of this country . I will continue to pray for you and I will ensure that this country is my second home .”
The crusade venue had a massive crowd of worshippers , including government officials, politicians and the entire strata of the human society . Many had travelled from far and wide to hear the cleric preach , pray and bless the sick, the troubled , the demon -possessed and all others in need .As a result , the seats in the stadium , which has 60 , 000 seating capacity , were filled with the large crowd spilling over to the playing arena where chairs had been arranged to accomodate more people .
In his message, taken from Romans 5 : 2 of the Holy Bible , Prophet Joshua called on his audience and listeners and viewers around the world to ensure that they seek the kingdom of God first . He also advised them to promote the happiness and joy of their neighbours .
Speaking on the vanity of materialism, he said : “ We live in a world where people measure their happiness with material possession. But this should not be so. You must measure your happiness by ensuring the happiness of others. This is the example that Jesus Christ has set for us . You can bless others with your smile, your money , your material possession or even other things . Put a smile on people ’s faces and you will be glad .”
Hours after arriving in the Caribbean island of the Dominican Republic , the Nigerian spiritual leader had met with the nation ’ s President , Danilo Medina . Pictures of the meeting at the Presidential Palace were published on the social media by the Dominican Presidency , alongside an official statement acknowledging Prophet Joshua , on his maiden visit to the nation .
The meeting came days before the eagerly anticipated crusade Prophet TB Joshua was scheduled to hold in the nation ’ s capital, Santo Domingo. “ The event will gather more than 50 , 000 people and will have the support of the evangelical community of the country, ” a press release from the presidency had stated .
According to the statement, the meeting between Prophet TB Joshua and the President was chaired by Bishop Elvis Medina , who serves as a link between the government and the Christian community in the Dominican Republic .The Nigerian cleric was welcomed to the country by large crowds and a military escort .
It was learnt that the video of his arrival , which was broadcast live on Facebook , went viral , reaching over 500 ,000 views under 24 hours .
The free- entry crusade held on November 24 and 25 , 2017 , was followed by a Pastor ’ s Conference on November 27 . Thrilled by the performances of Prophet TB Joshua and this latest recognition by a foreign country , the Dominican Republic , Ojukwu wants sceptics to see the honour as further proof that this cleric is indeed a genuine man of God.
He however acknowledges that for those who insist on disputing the credibility of Prophet TB Joshua , there was little that could be done since there would always be such cynics no matter how great the good a man of God has done .
According to Ojukwu , there is no great spiritual leader in the world that does not have antagonists in spite of their phenomenal accomplishments for which they are respected and loved worldwide.
Throwing more light on the activities of Prophet TB Joshua , Mr . Ojukwu explained that the man of God had been involved in assisting countless individuals, groups and countries experiencing unfortunate situations, including natural disasters .
Some other areas of the prophet ’s charity identified by Mr . Ojukwu are his aid to Nigerians stranded in Libya and who were undergoing terrible conditions , reconciling broken homes , providing food , shelter , educational institutions , and hospitals to the needy in different parts of the world .Ojukwu remarked that Prophet TB Joshua ’s philanthropy is such that if there were say ten men like him , poverty , hunger and disease would be drastically reduced .
Government bans mining at Okpella in Edo State over licence dispute
It ’s hearsay, says BUA
The Federal Government has banned lime stone mining activities in all disputed sites in Okpella, Edo State . This followed the dispute between Dangote Group and BUA group.
According to the state Governor , Godwin Obaseki , the ban became necessary to avert a break down of law and order in the area .He had during a meeting with leaders and elders of Okpella community at the Government House told the parties involved that the Federal Government ordered the ban because the matter was already in court .
He said : “ We are following the rule of law, which is that there is a dispute , it is not unusual to have disputes over assets , but there are laid down methods at resolving disputes of this nature . What we understand , as a government is that there is a dispute or claim between two parties over an existing mining right and the mining act of 2007 is quite clear . The Federal Ministry of Mines decides on how to award or issue leases .
“ In this particular case , there are multiple claims and they had all gone to court . We have a letter from the Federal Ministry of Mines and Power instructing that the party currently mining that particular site should vacate pending the outcome of the decision in court .
“ So the position of Edo State government today is that court orders must be obeyed , and also the Federal Government ´ s instruction should be obeyed, that mine should be shut until the outcome or the determination of the case in court . ”
Also , the spokesman and the lawyer of Okpella community , Ayuba Giwa , said : “ What we are saying in our response to the reference of the matter to the presidency is that we blame the Federal Ministry of Mines and Solid Minerals, which ought to be more prudent in granting mineral license. We implore all parties to abide by the rule of law, which includes that in 1994 , Okpella took this matter to the Federal High Court in Benin and judgment was given in its favour of Okpella .
But the Group Head , Corporate Communications at BUA , Mr . Otega Ogra , said in a statement last that : “ Our position on this matter remains very clear . Just as the Edo State government said in its statement, this is an issue that no state government has jurisdiction over , as it is a federal issue.
“ It is however interesting to note that the mine under contention , ML 2541 , has been claimed repeatedly by the Ministry of Mines and Dangote to be in Okene , Kogi State . Thus , we are curious and are at great loss as to why the governor of Edo State is closing down the mine which other parties outside his state are also laying claims to. ”
He added : “ The ministry had written to us prior to this and our response was published in our open letter to His Excellency , The President of the Federal Republic of Nigeri, Muhammadu Buhari , on December 4 , 2017 . This case remains in a competent court of jurisdiction , which had ordered all parties BUA , Dangote , Ministry of Mines and others, to maintain the status quo and we would continue to abide by the dictates of the court as a responsible corporate citizen.
“ We are however , yet to receive some form of official communication asking us to close our mining sites , ML 18912 and ML 18913 in the state. This alleged closing down report still remains in the territory of hearsay. We will respond accordingly when and if we get an official communication from the proper authorities .”
Fuel scarcity: Marketers blame supply shortfall, motorists groan
• PENGASSAN suspends strike , asks members to resume duty
Samuel Awoyinfa , ’Femi Asu , Okechukwu Nnodim and Ozioma Ubabukoh
As motorists and other users of Premium Motor Spirit ( petrol ) struggled to get the product at filling stations on Monday , oil marketers blamed the worsening fuel scarcity on supply shortfall , which they said had not been fixed.
Many filling stations were shut in Lagos and parts of Ogun State , while the few stations that had the product recorded long queues of desperate motorists that stretched for kilometres and spilled onto the roads, disrupting the flow of traffic .
Commuters were seen at many bus - stops struggling to get commercial vehicles to different destinations , even as transport operators increased the fares by as much as 100 per cent on most routes .
Motorists lamented that they had to spend many hours in queues for fuel , while some petrol seekers with jerry cans were seen complaining that they had to part with extra money to get the product .
In Lagos , many of the private depots in Apapa , where many marketers get petroleum products from for distribution to other states, did not have the PMS to load .
A motorist , Idris Akande , told one of our correspondents that he had to wake up very early in the morning to go to a filling station and had to queue for some hours before he could get the product, adding , “ The government needs to do something about the situation .”
A taxi driver at Berger , who identified himself simply as Mr . Peace , said , “ To get fuel now is not an easy task . The little fuel I have now will be used to convey passengers in the evening . I can ’ t go to filling stations to queue again ; the stress is just too much . If I am not able to buy fuel tomorrow , I will park my car at home .”
The Executive Secretary, Depot and Petroleum Products Marketers Association , Mr . Olufemi Adewole , said the supply shortfall had yet to disappear, adding that only a few of the body ’ s members had been programmed to load the product .
“ But until I see them receive products and trucking out , I can ’ t say that the situation has changed . We can only sell what we have. The NNPC can tell us when they will bring enough products to meet people ’s needs. One thing I know is that everybody is working round the clock , ” he added .
The National Operations Controller , Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria , Mr . Mike Osatuyi, said, “ The problem is that the import (of petrol ) is being handled almost 100 per cent by the NNPC because private importers have already backed out because the increase in crude price has made the landing cost to enter subsidy .
“ When crude price hit $ 59 per barrel was when you could not sell petrol again at N 145 per litre if you are importing on your own . It is only the government ( NNPC ) that is importing and can warehouse the subsidy .”
He also stated the nation ’s refineries that had not been functioning as expected had contributed to the current shortfall in the supply of petroleum products in the country.
Asked about the level of supply to IPMAN members , Osatuyi said , “ Our members buy from private depot and get supply from the PPMC /NNPC depots that are functioning; they also bridge from Port Harcourt , Lagos and Warri to other parts of the country . But now that there is a short supply, the bridging also has reduced . The supply to our members has reduced . ”
He expressed the association ’s readiness to cooperate with the NNPC to ensure an end to the scarcity soon.
A top official of a Lagos -based oil marketing company told our correspondent on condition of anonymity that their depot was not loading the PMS as they had run of stock since last week .
He said the vessel that came in on Friday night was still pumping as of Monday afternoon , with companies such as Total, Mobil , Conoil , Nipco and Aiteo receiving from it .
“ All the three jetties in Apapa – Petroleum Wharf Apapa , Bulk Oil Platform and New Oil Jetty – are all free ; there are no vessels there now . Until there are vessels on the ground to supply, what we are currently doing is just like scratching the surface ,” the official stated .
In Abuja and neighbouring states of Nasarawa and Kaduna , the queues for petrol persisted on Monday despite the assurances of the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Ibe Kachikwu , and the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation .
Long queues of motorists were seen in front of the few filling stations that dispensed petrol in Abuja , while many other outlets remained shut .
This is coming as the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria announced the suspension of its one- day industrial action .
While announcing the suspension of the strike , the General Secretary, PENGASSAN , Lumumba Okugbawa, said, “ On behalf of the National Executive Council of PENGASSAN, the Central Working Committee hereby suspends the nationwide strike with immediate effect and all members are to resume normal duties immediately .
“ We commend Nigerians for their understanding and continue to promise to act in a morally justified way that will enhance the dignity of labour and reduce unemployment in the country .”
Also , the NNPC asked motorists and other consumers not to engage in panic buying, a development which it said had prompted long queues in many petrol stations.
PENGASSAN had directed its members across the country to shut down operations from Monday , a development that worsened the chaotic situation in many filling stations in different parts of the country .
It was, however , gathered that the union agreed to end the strike on Monday after the intervention of the Department of State Services , the Minister of Labour and Employment , Chris Ngige, and Kachikwu.
The association ’s Public Relations Officer , Fortune Obi, told one of our correspondents that the union had to suspend the strike after it reached an amicable resolution with the management of Neconde Energy Limited .
PENGASSAN and Neconde had been embroiled in a crisis over allegation of anti-worker practices by the firm .
The union had alleged that the management of Neconde wrongly terminated the employment of some of its workers, and threatened to go on strike if the sacked workers were not recalled within 72 hours .
But Obi stated that the oil firm had agreed to meet the demands of the union, adding that the labour minister and the association agreed to work together to resolve alleged anti -union posture by other indigenous companies and marginal field operators.
Meanwhile , the NNPC spokesperson , Ndu Ughamadu, stated that relevant government agencies were consulted by the industry unions to arrive at an amicable resolution of issues over which there were threats of industrial action .
The corporation warned marketers not to hoard products as law enforcement agencies , working with industry regulators , had been detailed to take appropriate measures against any defaulter .
Meanwhile , the Department of Petroleum Resources on Monday sealed two filling stations in Abeokuta , Ogun State , for hoarding and under -dispensing petrol .
The DPR officials led by the Head of Operations , Abeokuta Field Office , Kasali Akinade , sealed World Oil filling station in Ibara over alleged hoarding , while a fuel pump at the MAAN IPC, Ita -Eko , was equally shut.
The DPR officials, who were accompanied by the operatives of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps , discovered that the World Oil attendants were not dispensing petrol .
The DPR team asked them why they were not dispensing the product , and they answered that the filling station had no product in its tanks .
Akinade , however , asked them to open the underground tanks to ascertain the attendants ’ claim. But the attendants said they could not open any of the tanks, because the manager was not around.
Suspecting that the attendants were pranking, Akinade ordered the sealing of the filling station.
When the team arrived at the MAAN IPC filling station, the attendants too were not dispensing fuel to motorists .
But when the underground tank was checked by the DPR team, it was discovered that 4 ,000 litres of PMS were hoarded in the tank.
Akinade instantly ordered the attendants to start dispensing the product . While dispensing , the team discovered that one of the pumps was under -dispensing and the DPR official ordered that it be shut down.
The team later visited another filling station, Arolat , at Olomore , but the filling station did not have petrol in stock .
Akinade later told reporters that the DPR officials embarked on the inspection following a tip -off that some filling stations were hoarding the product .
He wondered why some independent oil marketers , who own filling stations, were hell-bent on creating artificial scarcity of petrol .
Akinade urged members of the public to report sharp practices of filling station owners to the DPR ’s office .
He said, “ We got a tip -off that some filling stations were hoarding fuel and this is against the government’ s policy . Once the product is there, you ought to be selling . Some of them want to create artificial scarcity and that is not too good . This government has zero tolerance for such act of indiscipline .
“ Those filling stations that have been sealed ran afoul of the law , because some of them are under -dispensing , which means they are cheating the public. Every 10 litres that people buy , they are being short - changed by one litre . And some of them have fuel and they are not selling .
“ So , those that are sealed, until they are fined and penalised , they will not be reopened . My message to the public is this : I want to implore them to give us information. We are not spirit , we cannot be everywhere at the same time .
“ They should give us information about any filling station selling above the pump price . Come to our office at Ibara Housing Estate , Abeokuta . What we are doing is in the interest of the public. ”
Ekiti APC, Fayose fight over debt profile
The All Progressives Congress in Ekiti State and Governor Ayodele Fayose have disagreed over the state’s N 56 bn debt profile allegedly released by the Debt Management Office .
While the opposition APC said that the latest debt figures confirmed its position that Fayose was deliberately borrowing recklessly, the governor said “ there is no recent bulletin from the DMO website concerning debt owed by any state as claimed in the false report . ”
In a statement on Monday, the state APC Publicity Secretary, Taiwo Olatunbosun , accused the governor of spending the borrowed money on white elephant projects awarded to companies belonging to his cronies for personal benefits.
He berated the governor for allegedly always lying to the public , saying the latest revelation had put to rest his “ shameless lies in pursuit of fraudulent agenda for personal benefit while workers are unpaid for nine months. ”
Olatunbosun added , “ How can Fayose commit the state to so much debts , collect over three years allocations and other financial reliefs from the Federal Government , yet he is owing workers and pensioners for months?
“ He is taking advantage of every opportunity to criminally exploit the Ekiti people , many of whom are sick; others are dying while the governor and his family members are contractors executing inflated contracts .
“ Fayose will surely account and pay back every penny he and his family took from Ekiti coffers through his white elephant projects, and for the first time , he will know that Ekiti people are no fools that he calls them.”
However , the Ekiti State Government condemned the report that the state borrowed N 56 bn since Fayose assumed office and that a fresh N 25 bn loan was applied for .
In a press release on Monday, the Special Assistant to the Governor on Public Communications and New Media, Lere Olayinka , said , “ There is no recent bulletin from the DMO website concerning debt owed by any state as claimed in the false report . Nigerians , especially Ekiti people , can visit the DMO website for further clarification .
“ The only fresh loan taken by the government of Fayose was the N 10 bn grant from the Excess Crude Account, which was released to all states for capital projects , N 2 . 8 bn requested from the Wema Bank to pay the State Universal Basic Education Board counterpart fund out of which N 1 bn has been accessed and N 600 m for MDGs counterpart fund , which has been repaid .”
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