Kola-Bo:From America with evergreen reggae

Mercy Lank

Kola-Bo:From America with evergreen reggae Nigerian/American born reggae cum dance-hall artist, Ighobaro Amamayaevbo better known as Kola-Bo is a rare breed. At a time when many African entertainers saw America as the land flowing with milk and honey, the melting pot of showbiz, Kola-Bo held on to his motherland. This is despite his strong affinity with the land that dubbed God’s Own Country. He was born and raised in America, yet Kola-Bo prefers to ply his musical trade in Africa. As a student of the University of Phoenix where he is studying Health Management and Information, the beefy young man merely shuttles between Nigeria and America to meet up with his academic and other challenges there where his parents and siblings currently reside. Kola-Bo ‘’Not much is known about me here because I’ve been in America ovr the years going to school and pursuing my musical career there. I have a very strong fan base in Texas and New York. But I decided to come home because this is where everything is. America does not show much respect African artistes because we are not from there; so they expect you to go back to Africa,” he started. That, however, does not mean that African acts are not there. ‘’We have the talents in America who are doing their best but they are not known here. Unfortunately, it’s also not easy to return home and hit it big because some people here only want to exploit and dump you. For me, I’ve made up my mind that I must succeed in my country.” Kola-Bo who left for US during the week, added before his departure that his mission is to restore Africanheritage musically. ‘’We have gone astray, our heritage has been taken away from us and it is time to rejuvenate and revive ourselves.”Ighobaro who hails from Edo State, said that he started music in 2009 in America, returned to Nigeria in 2012 and alongside his twin brother started a music company, Osaze Music Artistry. On why he plays reggae music (real dance hall), he explained that he grew up listening to the genre of music albeit I’ve done other brands, my stronghold is reggae. I don’t also want to play something that will for three months and fizzle out, mine is evergreen that can last for decades.”Kola-Bo has just dropped his debut album entitled ‘’Revival”, an effort that truly establishes him as a born, dedicated and focused talent destined to attain greater heights in music. ‘’What makes me unique is my ability to express myself in a very subconscious way. I don’t have to think about it, it just comes naturally. I wrote the song ‘’Revival” at the time when Africa was boiling and under siege in 2014. We must not always use guns to settle our scores but words, to make the world a better place

Read More

Asari Dokubo tells Osinbajo Stop visiting Ijaw land

Mercy Lank of America seven years to kill

Asari Dokubo tells Osinbajo Stop visiting Ijaw land, Asari Dokubo tells Osinbajo ON APRIL 1, 20175:30 AMIN NEWSCOMMENTS By Perez Brisibe Alhaji Mujahid Dokubo-Asari is the leader of the Niger Delta Peoples Salvation Force, NDPSF, and one of the arrowheads in the struggle to redress perceived injustice in the Niger Delta. In this interview with Saturday Vanguard, he asserts that other ethnic nationalities in the Niger Delta have climbed on the back of the Ijaw to benefit from the struggles waged by Ijaw groups and person. He also appraised the President Muhammadu Buhari administration and explains his stand on the recent overtures of Vice President Yemi Osinbajo to stakeholders in the Niger Delta. Conflict in the Niger Delta I do not believe that there is conflict between the Niger Delta as a whole and the Nigeria state, but rather, it is between the Ijaw and the Nigerian state. Let us not say it is with the Niger Delta because when Ijaw people fight and die, a lot of these individuals come and claim benefit. When benefits come, they come out, but when Ijaw are fighting and dying, they sit in their houses and call us all sorts of names. We have never gone to their territory to look for their problem, we are in our land and doing what we think is right for ourselves. Asari Dokubo & Vice President Yemi Osinbajo If the Urhobo are not concerned by what is happening to their people, they do not have the right to abuse us because we have not gone to Urhobo land to go and disturb them, neither have we gone to Isoko land to disturb them. So when benefits come from these struggles, they should not also poke nose and become meddlesome. Why we rejected the Federal Government Amnesty For instance, government bribed people with what they call amnesty, some of us who were in the forefront said we would not take amnesty, we would not allow criminality to be attached to our names because we have not committed any crime, we did what was just and we refused to take amnesty. But you see, somebody in Benin, who did nothing and who does not have oil or anything claiming that the Niger Delta amnesty was meant for Ijaw people – which Benin man, Urhobo man or Ogoni man carried gun? Why should they benefit from the suffering of the Ijaw people? They call it Niger Delta struggle; personally, I was in the forefront of these agitations with bullet wounds on my body, I went to prison. I have never had a criminal conviction anywhere. I was well brought up, went to the best schools and I chose the path of my people. I have suffered and have been detained 74 times without conviction so when benefit comes, let these people stay in their respective places and leave the benefits for others. I did not take amnesty, so whatever concerns amnesty does not concern me. No need for Osinbajo to be visiting Ijaw land This jamboree by the vice president is funny. Are they our overlords or are we being colonized that they are coming to visit here and there? Don’t they know what is right? The oil belongs to us; it does not belong to Nigeria. Ijaw oil belongs to us. If Itsekiri say their oil belongs to Nigeria, that is their business and if Urhobo say same of their oil, that is also their business and same applies to others. But we, Ijaw, are saying that Ijaw oil belongs to Ijaw, they should leave our oil alone. God put the oil there for us to develop ourselves, so there is no need for any Yoruba man called Osinbajo to be perambulating Ijaw land. What is he perambulating about for in the Niger Delta? Don’t they know what is right? Okay, in trying to be good neighbours to others and share with them, are they the ones that would decide for us the percentage that we would give to them? Their groundnut, did they share their groundnut or give it to us? Which road was built in Ijaw land with groundnut money or with revenue gotten from cocoa? So the thing is that this jamboree should stop, they know what is right and they should leave what is ours for us because they do not have the right to give it to us. That is the issue at stake and people are not addressing these issues as it should be addressed. So for me, they are only postponing the doomsday, they should do what is right because the oil of Ijaw people belong to them. Appraisal of Buhari-led government Is there anything to appraise in the Buhari led government? What is there to appraise? Can you multiply zero? If you multiply zero, what would it give you? From N200 a dollar during the time of former President Goodluck Jonathan, which was the highest, to a roving price of N450 per dollar to salary not being paid for months in all the states, this is a zero government and there is nothing to appraise. That President left and the people are not allowed to know the reason their president left? That fuel price was increased from N87 per litre when Goodluck left office to N145, what is there to appraise? You can’t multiply zero by zero because if you do, what you get is zero, so this is a zero government. I never said there would be war if Jonathan lost Did anyone hear me say that? If there is nothing in the Niger Delta as they claim, why are they perambulating here? Watch that video where I was quoted to have made such statements properly and tell me where I was quoted to have said so. What I actually said was that if Goodluck win and they attack us, we would fight back, that was the statement we made, else, if there is peace in the region, why the perambulation?

Read More

BIAFRA: BREXIT VERSUS BIAFREXIT: A Call To Save Biafrans from extinction

Mercy Lank of America seven years to kill

BIAFRA: BREXIT VERSUS BIAFREXIT: A Call To Save Biafrans from extinction

By Ebere Okolie For Family Writers The British government and her citizens in 2016, voted to quit or exit from the European Union through a well organized referendum (Ballot Box) .The British citizen campaigned vigorously to leave-EU or to remain in-EU, the result of the vote was overwhelmingly in favour of Britain leaving EU. BREXIT was the acronym used as a tag for Britain's exit from the EU which also gave rise to the launching of "BIAFREXIT" by the Indigenous People Of Biafra- IPOB led by Nnamdi Kanu as a tag for Biafran's exit from Nigeria. The British citizens took a decision to opt out from EU on the premises that they need to take back their country, in that, the policies of the EU was not in their favour and that they need to be in control of their borders because they believe in the freedom of people to live in a free world. Similarly, the Biafran people should also be allowed to determine their future through a well organized and Internationally monitored or supervised referendum which will give rise to the re-birth of a sovereign state of Biafra to avert imminent calamity and to also save humanity in this part of the world. Then, the question is why can't the Nigerian government create such enabling environment for Biafrans to take back their land, decide their future and as well control their resources and destiny? Why are Biafrans being gunned down on a daily bases on the streets of Biafraland whenever they want their voices to be heard either by conducting rallies, demonstrations or peaceful protests? The Nigerian murderous and bloodthirsty government has constantly preferred killing Biafra activists than bringing them to a round-table for a potent dialogue which will lead to the mapping out of modus operandi on how referendum will be conducted. The British government led by Mrs. Theresa May has recently triggered Article 50 of the Lisbon Treaty for Britain's official exit from the European Union. While the British PM Theresa May invoked the Article 50 of the Lisbon Treaty, it is rather hypocritical for the same British government to feign ignorance of the rising demand for the freedom and total exit of Biafra from Nigeria. In 1914 the British government through Lugard amalgamated the Northern and Southern protectorate which is the present day Nigeria. In Africa, the British government has continued to expand their colonies through indirect rule and enslavement of the indigenous population while extorting and siphoning of their natural resources for the betterment of her collective existence. The British government has maintained that they are supporting the territorial integrity of Nigeria, hence, the self-determination of Biafra cannot be allowed, is this not a ploy for the British to continue to enslave Biafrans in Nigeria and as such be taking away the resources bestowed in Biafra land. It is essential to quickly remind the British of the ceding of Bakassi peninsula a part of Southern or coastal region of Biafra to Cameron. The British government should as a matter of fairness and justice to the Nigerian state, start working towards bringing back Bakassi peninsula to be part of Nigeria so as to be able to justify their believe and stance on the so-called territorial integrity of Nigeria. As far as amalgamation is concerned there will always be quest for self-determination which will lead to dismemberment of man-made of countries with invariably entrapped people who do not have same culture, religion, ethnicity, language and above all lives miles away from each other devoid of peaceful co-existence. Biafrans have been killed and murdered indiscriminately by the British sponsored Nigerian government through her terror Army, sending Biafran men, women and children to the great beyond simply because they seek freedom. The British citizens lives and voted in a relatively organized and conducive environment before, during and after Brexit; while the Biafrans continued to campaign for the release of the IPOB leader from detention and the freedom of Biafra, the Nigerian government has constantly flaunted court orders for his unconditional release and her military operatives persistently committed extra- judicial killing and forceful disappearance of Biafra activists. It is an established fact that the British government is an accomplice to these crimes. The time is right for the British government to eschew pride and support the legitimate freedom and total dismantling of the Nigerian state. Nnamdi Kanu who doubles as both the British and Nigerian citizen have remained in prison while the British government through her High Commission to Nigeria has been criss-crossing Aso Rock and Biafraland lobbying opinion molders and political bigwigs either to remain mute or support the oppressive “One Nigeria” The recent attack on Britons, the imminent invasion by the Islamic fundamentalist and the total collapse of Britain will spell doom and Britain as a matter of sanctity of human life should support Biafrexit by enforcing the Nigerian government to create enabling environment for referendum which will usher in the re-birth of the Nation of Biafra for the sake of humanity. The denial of the Biafrans to restoring their dignity and identity by the British /Nigeria is an affront to the decency and justice the Biafran people seeks. The use of iron fist to quench the insatiable quest for Biafra restoration by IPOB will hit a hard rock because IPOB is ever formidable, tenacious and committed to restoring Biafra.

Read More

GREAT NEWS:WELCOME TO ANOTHER DONATION PLATFORM SPINCASH

Mercy Lank of America seven years to kill

Welcome to 💸💸 ​SPIN CASH​💸💸 Where time♂⌚ and money💵 is fully utilized. Here, your investment is doubled within 2-6hours. The packages include: 💵 2k to get 4k 💵 3k to get 6k 💵 4k to get 8k 💵 5k to get 10k 💵 10k to get 20k *​HOW TO PARTICIPATE​* Willing and ready participants should pH in this format: Bank account name+account number+bank name+phone number+amount e.g Peter Jackson+0123456789+access bank+08163284851+10k. Failure to pay within 4hrs will lead to removal. The pH and Gh list is uploaded every 6hrs, so you don't need to stay online always. Join 💸💸 ​SPIN CASH​💸💸 Now @: https://chat.whatsapp.com/1BdD99tJPIu2rMHUo4b8FFAnd be sure to spin back double of your money because our administrators are trustworthy and committed. *Criteria* 🎗You must have a Mobile banking for quick transfer. 🎗Your must be a serious minded person. *Rules and regulations* 🎗Do not comment or post anything whatsoever on Spincash platform unless you want to PH or Confirm someone that paid you else instant removal. Forward your testimonies and other discussions to Spincash Forum. Thus only Admins post/announcement is meant to be seen on the platform. 🎗Private message the admin for complaints/questions. 🎗Questions should be asked with manners 🎗No advert else instant removal. 🎗NB: The only person to ask for payment confirmation is the participant that was paid, not the participant that made the payment. Ask for payment confirmation in this format : ''I am (GH name) i have received the payment of (amount) from (PH name). Example: I am Emeka Obi, i have received the payment of #20k from Ada Uche. ">Join Spincash platform here 👇👇👇👇👇 ">

Read More

Breaking news:Tension as traditional rulers, as over 200 others join MASSOB in Enugu

Mercy Lank of America seven years to kill

The leadership of Movement for the Actualization of the Sovereign State of Biafra, MASSOB, has revealed that some traditional rulers have joined up in the pro-Biafra struggle.

Leader of the MASSOB-Biafran Independence Movement, BIM, in Enugu North zone, Chief James Omeke, while speaking to the press, during the mobilization and sensitization of the new members from Igbo Etiti, revealed that their numbers are rising daily.

Chief Omeke said that the new members were taught that non-violence would earn them their sovereignty.

Omeke further explained that the regional administrator of Igbo Etiti, Jude Elugwu with other members traveled the entire Igbo Etiti to sensitize people and recruit new members.
He said, “We see the recent mobilization and sensitization of people of Igbo Etiti region as very successful as we now have in our fold traditional rulers and about 200 new committed members enlisted into MASSOB-BIM.

“I cannot reveal the identity of the traditional rulers because it is not in my power to do so. Our national leader, Chief Ralph Uwazuruike will do that when the time is ripe.
“We told them that our national leader, Chief Ralph Uwazuruike had taken the matter up to the level of United Nations (UN), intimating them of his plans to carve out Biafra from Nigeria.

“The mobilization of new members witnessed a large turnout of people from twelve villages. We conscientised our new members on why MASSOB-BIM remained non -confrontational, we told them how we intend to actualize Biafra without a single gunshot.

“Our message to them is Biafra, our weapon, is non-violence.”

Read More

Akpabio:opposed motion to compel Buhari to Release Nnamdi kanu, Dasuki

Mercy Lank of America seven years to kill

A group of senators pushing for the release of detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra,(IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu and former National Security Adviser Sambo Dasuki may have concluded arrangements to invoke relevant Senate rules to compel the Attorney General of the Federation, Mallam Abubakar Malami to effect immediate release of the duo. Leader of the concerned senators, Chief Mao Ohuabunwa, has already drawn the attention of the Senate to the continued detention Kanu and Dasuki despite court orders asking the Federal Government to free them. Senator Godswill Akpabio, had opposed Ohuabunwa’s motion to free Kanu and Dasuki, on the ground that it was out of order for Ohuabunwa to introduce the motion especially when it had nothing to do with the debate on the appearance of Comptroller General of Customs, Col. Hameed Ali in uniform. Ohuabunwa asked the Senate to prevail on the Attorney General of the Federation to advice President Muhammadu Buhari to free both Kanu and Dasuki the same way he (Malami) advised the Customs boss to ignore Senate invitation. The Abia North senator told journalists in Abuja that the continued detention of the IPOB leader and the former NSA despite court orders asking the Federal Government to free them was a gross violation of the fundamental human rights of the duo . He said that some concerned senators who he is privileged to lead have decided to join other Nigerian leaders in asking for the release of Kanu and Dasuki. Ohuabunwa said ” I still stand by my prayers last week on the floor of the Senate that the Attorney General of the Federation should advice the president to release Kanu and Dasuki the same way he advised the Customs boss to ignore Senate invitation on the ground that the matter was in court” He said that the continued detention of Kanu and Dasuki amounted to disobedience of court orders. Ohuabunwa said that he was already discussing the matter with some senators to formally draw the attention of the Senate to the long detention of the duo. “We should have respect for rule of law and I support the call for the immediate release of Kanu and Dasuki. Read more: http://www.otimestv.com/2017/03/how-senator-akpabio-opposed-motion-to.html#ixzz4ctALQgd2 Follow us: @OrientalTimes on Twitter | otimestv on Facebook A group of senators pushing for the release of detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra,(IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu and former National Security Adviser Sambo Dasuki may have concluded arrangements to invoke relevant Senate rules to compel the Attorney General of the Federation, Mallam Abubakar Malami to effect immediate release of the duo. Leader of the concerned senators, Chief Mao Ohuabunwa, has already drawn the attention of the Senate to the continued detention Kanu and Dasuki despite court orders asking the Federal Government to free them. Senator Godswill Akpabio, had opposed Ohuabunwa’s motion to free Kanu and Dasuki, on the ground that it was out of order for Ohuabunwa to introduce the motion especially when it had nothing to do with the debate on the appearance of Comptroller General of Customs, Col. Hameed Ali in uniform. Ohuabunwa asked the Senate to prevail on the Attorney General of the Federation to advice President Muhammadu Buhari to free both Kanu and Dasuki the same way he (Malami) advised the Customs boss to ignore Senate invitation. The Abia North senator told journalists in Abuja that the continued detention of the IPOB leader and the former NSA despite court orders asking the Federal Government to free them was a gross violation of the fundamental human rights of the duo . He said that some concerned senators who he is privileged to lead have decided to join other Nigerian leaders in asking for the release of Kanu and Dasuki. Ohuabunwa said ” I still stand by my prayers last week on the floor of the Senate that the Attorney General of the Federation should advice the president to release Kanu and Dasuki the same way he advised the Customs boss to ignore Senate invitation on the ground that the matter was in court” He said that the continued detention of Kanu and Dasuki amounted to disobedience of court orders. Ohuabunwa said that he was already discussing the matter with some senators to formally draw the attention of the Senate to the long detention of the duo. “We should have respect for rule of law and I support the call for the immediate release of Kanu and Dasuki.

Read More

Photos: Gov. Ambode, Tinubu at Commissioning of Aboru-Abesan link bridge adjourning roads & Health Care Centre in Alimosho LG

Mercy Lank of America seven years to kill

Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode; Speaker, Lagos State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Mudashiru Obasa; Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu; Deputy Governor, Dr. (Mrs) Oluranti Adebule; Osun State Governor, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola; Senator Olamilekan Adeola Solomon during the commissioning of the newly built Aboru-Abesan Link Bridge and adjourning roads in Church Street, Giwa Street, Victor Fagbemi Road, Ogunfayo Road, Ogundare Street, Salami Kazeem Street in Alimosho Local Government, Lagos, on Wednesday, March 29,

Read More

wow!!!! another best paying donation platform

Mercy Lank of America seven years to kill

The is is a sponsored post. Not endorsed by LIB On this platform, you become eligible to receive donation from 2 members, immediately your donation is confirmed, you get double of your donation in less than 2 hours. www.donate9ja.com Launching time: 8:00AM Friday 31st March 2017. You can cycle several times a day, with no limit. Our packages start from N10k, N20K, N50K and N100k, so there is room for everyone to earn There is direct contact with Admin, so you dont have to worry about timing and being attended to. Join us today and make your weekend the best you ever had. visit www.donate9ja.com

Read More

Flynn ready to testify for immunity

Mercy Lank
of America seven years to kill

Former National Security Adviser Michael Flynn is willing to testify before federal and congressional investigators in their ongoing probe into Russian meddling in the US elections, but only if he is granted immunity, his lawyer said Thursday. "Gen. Flynn certainly has a story to tell, and he very much wants to tell it, should the circumstances permit. ... No reasonable person, who has the benefit of advice from counsel, would submit to questioning in such a highly politicized, witch-hunt environment without assurances against unfair prosecution," Robert Kelner, Flynn's lawyer, said in a statement late Thursday. The Wall Street Journal first reported Thursday that Flynn was in talks to try to get a promise of immunity, but that nobody had agreed to his terms yet. However, aides to the House intelligence committee said they have not received any requests from Flynn yet. A spokesperson for the Senate intelligence committee declined comment Thursday evening. The White House had no comment on the report Thursday night. Flynn was forced to resign as one of Trump's closest advisers after it came out that he had misled Vice President Mike Pence about his communications with Russian ambassador to the US Sergey Kislyak. Three former Trump aides who are at the center of the federal investigation into Russia's interference in the US elections have already come forward and said they would testify freely -- without the promise of immunity. Former campaign chairman Paul Manafort, former adviser Roger Stone and former foreign policy adviser Carter Page all said, via their lawyers, last week that they were ready to come before House and Senate investigators. House investigators have been discussing bringing Flynn in for weeks now, but they have also expressed concerns that Flynn would plead the Fifth Amendment if forced to testify. Democrats, meanwhile, quickly shot around a comment Flynn made last year on MSNBC, that "when you are given immunity, that means you probably committed a crime."

Read More

Buhari 'll still travel to London for medicals-presidency

Mercy Lank

THE Presidency last night said it was not in the know of any sudden change of mind by President Muhammadu Buhari to travel back to London for another round of medical check-up. President Muhammadu Buhari The reaction was prompted by some reports that Buhari, who had upon his return from London on a medical vacation barely three weeks ago, said he would not go back for further treatment but would rather import doctors to treat him in Abuja. Speaking through the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Mallam Garba Shehu, the Presidency said the news of the President not going back was false. He, however, did not specify the date of Buhari’s proposed return to the United Kingdom. Only on Wednesday, the federal government said that it would not disclose the medical bills of the President. “It is false news. We are not aware of the reported advance movements. The last time the President spoke about this, he said he would return to his doctors after some time. We are not aware that this has changed,” Shehu said. Social was yesterday awashed with information that the Presidency had chosen to bring to the country the President’s doctors to stave off his travelling to the UK for continuation of his treatment.

Read More

Skill acquisition: Delta trains 47 youths in tiling, POP design

Mercy Lank Skill acquisition: Delta trains 47 youths in tiling, POP design ASABA—Delta State Government has distributed starter packs to 47 youths trained on tiling and POP design under its Skill Training and Entrepreneur Programme, STEP, to kick off their own businesses. Items presented to the tilers include non-repayable Fireman Sumec Generator 2900, filing machine, manual tile cutter, pinches eight inches amongst other tools, a micro-credit of N120,000 and N10,000 monthly stipends for three months. The POP trainees each got one filing machine, one generator, Fireman Sumec 2900, one cutting machine, hand saw, 18 inches range, big plum, screwing pan, big hammer and other tools in addition to micro- credit of N120,000 and N10,000 monthly stipends for three months. Presenting the starter packs to the beneficiaries in Asaba, Governor Ifeanyi Okowa restated his administration’s commitment to youths empowerment through the various entrepreneurship initiatives. Okowa, who was represented by the Commissioner for Commerce and Industry, Mrs. Mary Iyasere, told the STEP graduates to remain focused in their determination to make a good living for themselves. Earlier, the state Chief Job Creation Officer, Prof. Eric Eboh, said that 25 beneficiaries were trained on POP design while 22 persons were trained on tilling, urging the beneficiaries to be good ambassadors of the state so as to justify the purpose for which the programme was established.

Read More

Meningitis: NCDC confirms 109 deaths in 5 states, as cases hit 1,966

Mercy Lank Meningitis: NCDC confirms 109 deaths in 5 states, as cases hit 1,966 — The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control, NCDC, has confirmed the outbreak of Cerebro Spinal Meningitis, CSM, in five states with 109 deaths. Chief Executive Officer of the centre, Dr Chikwe Ihekweazu, who disclosed this in Abuja, yesterday, said 1,966 suspected cases had been recorded, while 109 had been confirmed dead since the outbreak of the disease in the country in February. He said the centre had deployed a response team to the affected states to vaccinate the residents and control further spread of CSM. According to him, Zamfara has the highest number of confirmed cases of 44, followed by Katsina with 32, Sokoto, 19; Kebbi 10 and Niger, four. He also said there was an inter-agency response supporting the states to contain the outbreak through the primary mode of vaccination. However, Ihekweazu explained that a new strand of meningitis called Stereotype C has emerged in place of the previous known type Stereotype A, which had disappeared. He regretted that there was not yet commercially available vaccine for this new Stereotype C meningitis. Death toll rises to five in Abuja Meanwhile, the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Primary Health Care Development Board, yesterday, confirmed the death of yet another person due to Cerebrospinal Meningitis in the territory. The News Agency of Nigeria, NAN, reported on Wednesday that the board recorded four deaths on Tuesday in Durumi area of Abuja Municipal Area Council, AMA C. Executive Secretary of the board, Rilwanu Mohammed, told NAN in an interview in Abuja that another death from the disease occurred in Dakwa, a border village of Bwari Area Council and Niger state on Wednesday. He said: “The four suspected cases we have were all in Durumi I and II in AMAC while one confirmed case of a child happened yesterday (Wednesday) in Dakwa of Bwari area council.” “The four that died in Durumi showed all signs of meningitis but there was an autopsy carried out in the one at Dakwa and was confirmed to be meningitis at the University of Abuja Teaching hospital, Gwagwalada. “We have so far immunised all residents of Durumi that are within the ages of one year and 29 years and we are going to condone off Dakwa area today (Thursday) for a similar vaccination,” he said. According to him, the board had so far immunised 65,000 residents as against 70,000 targeted for vaccination against meningitis in FCT. He said that since the disease broke out in Zamfara, Sokoto and Niger states, the board intensified effort to curtail its spread in the territory. The Secretary disclosed that the board focused on Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) and barracks for the vaccination exercise because of their vulnerability. Mohammed advised residents to avoid crowded places and ensure crossed ventilation in their homes to prevent the spread of disease.

Read More

Japan to finance $4.6bn Metro Manila subway

Mercy Lank of America seven years to kill

MANILA -- Japan expects to sign a financing agreement to build Metro Manila's first underground mass transit line to help decongest the gridlocked Philippine capital. The Philippines-Japan Joint Committee on Infrastructure Development and Economic Cooperation met in Tokyo earlier this week and agreed to "work closely" together on possible projects. Socioeconomic Planning Secretary Ernesto Pernia revealed separately that the bilateral discussions covered 14 projects, including the central section of the Metro Manila subway project. The 25.3km line will run from Quezon City in northern Metro Manila to Taguig City in the east. The project's estimated cost is 230 billion pesos ($4.6 billion), and this will come in the form of official development assistance from Japan. Feasibility studies should be completed in September in time for the agreement to be signed when Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and President Rodrigo Duterte meet in November at the 31st ASEAN Summit and Related Meetings in Pampanga, central Luzon. Other projects in prospect include a commuter line from Metro Manila to southern Luzon, and a high-speed train from the capital to Clark International Airport and Clark Green City in Pampanga. The projects will cost an estimated $2.7 billion and $1.9 billion respectively. "These are intended to disperse the development away from Metro Manila, which is already suffering from congestion and economies of agglomeration," Pernia said. The projects will be funded from a 1 trillion yen ($9 billion) financial package Abe first announced during his visit to the Philippines in January. Duterte has promised to increase infrastructure spending during his term, and to decongest the capital and distribute economic growth more equitably in rural areas. This year, he has earmarked 860.7 billion pesos ($17 billion) for spending, which is around 5.4% of gross domestic product. Duterte's six-year tenure runs to 2022. He envisages it as "the golden age" of Philippine infrastructure, and is tapping regional support for his investment initiatives. On Mar. 7, the Philippines and China agreed to resume official economic dialogue after a five-year hiatus caused by their territorial dispute in the South China Sea. Duterte has made a sustained effort to salve bilateral relations with China since he entered office in June 2016.

Read More

DRC opposition calls 'ghost town' protest as crisis grows

Mercy Lank of America seven years to kill

Kinshasa - The Democratic Republic of Congo's opposition have called for a stay-home stoppage for Monday to force President Joseph Kabila to implement a deal on sharing power. In a statement issued on Wednesday, an umbrella group of opposition parties said they would stage a "ghost town" operation bringing cities to a standstill across the country. The alliance, called Rassemblement ("Rally"), condemned "the chaos" that it said had been caused by Kabila's failure to implement a power-sharing deal signed on December 31. Kabila first took power in 2001 to replace his assassinated father as war ravaged the country. His unwillingness to step down and enable elections at the end of his constitutional mandate last year led to protests in which at least 17 people were killed. Under a deal brokered by the country's influential Roman Catholic bishops, Kabila was allowed to stay in office until late 2017 in tandem with a transitional body and a new premier, who will be drawn from opposition ranks. But talks on implementing the accord appear to have broken down, and violence has flared in the vast, volatile country. Last week, 39 police were killed in an ambush by rebels in the remote central region of Kasai in an ambush by rebels. In a separate incident, two foreign UN experts, one American and the other Swedish, were killed in the same region. The UN, European Union, African Union and the International Organisation of La Francophonie - the French-speaking equivalent of the Commonwealth - on Tuesday called for an opposition figure to be named premier in line with December 31 agreement. "A step forward of this kind will help the country's stabilisation process, the restoration of public order... and the holding of elections as scheduled," they said. The opposition coalition was formed around Etienne Tshisekedi, a veteran foe of successive Kinshasa regimes who died in Brussels in February, aged 84

Read More

Exclusive: South Africa's Zuma considers stepping down early in deal to oust Gordhan

Mercy Lank of America seven years to kill

Zuma is considering offering to step down next year, at least 12 months before his term as South African president ends, under a deal with opponents in his ruling party that would see Finance Minister Pravin Gordhan leave office now, two senior party sources said.

Zuma is due to be replaced as leader of the African National Congress (ANC) at a party conference in December after serving his allocated two terms, but was expected to remain the country's president until elections in 2019. His spokesman did not respond to several calls for comment.

Zuma's offer would allow him a dignified exit as there remains a possibility he could be removed by the ANC before next year. Who becomes the next leader of the ANC is key for Zuma given he could yet face corruption charges, analysts say.

His offer appears intended as a way out of an impasse over the country's leadership within the divided ANC, but may not be enough to satisfy opponents of Zuma, who want the president out early anyway and urgently want Gordhan to stay.

The South African Communist Party, an ally of the ANC, also said it objected to Zuma's plan to sack Gordhan.

The main opposition leader, Mmusi Maimane of the Democratic Alliance, announced plans to bring a motion of no confidence against Zuma in parliament after his intention to fire Gordhan was confirmed.

There is precedent for an ANC leader to leave the presidency early. Thabo Mbeki was removed by the ANC as South African president in 2008 after his time as party leader ended at the close of the previous year.

Splits in the ANC deepened this week after Zuma ordered Gordhan to return from an investor roadshow in Britain, raising expectations of a cabinet reshuffle that markets fear will include the finance minister's removal. Gordhan is viewed favorably by investors and the rand fell sharply when he was ordered home.

After Zuma's offer to go was reported, the rand extended gains and was 1.32 percent stronger at 12.88 to the U.S. dollar by late Thursday morning.

"Zuma's early departure after December conference is on the table. It's being discussed," one of the sources said. "He could be forcibly removed so it makes sense for him to go on his own terms."

Zuma's opponents have become increasingly vocal, and agreeing to stand aside early could help prevent a permanent split in the former liberation movement of Nelson Mandela, which last year suffered its worst result in local elections since it swept to power with the end of apartheid in 1994.

Some senior members of the ANC are pushing for Zuma's departure now, applying pressure on him to find a compromise.

JAMB:No going back from Computer Based Test

Mercy Lank The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board, JAMB Thursday refuted the publication that it has canceled the Computer Based Testing, CBT, adding that the introduction of 8 keys was to enable candidates who are not computer literate answer examination questions effortlessly. The Director of Information, JAMB, Dr Fabian Benjamin who spoke with Vanguard said:”There is no going back from the Computer Based Testing, CBT.” According to him, the clarification became necessary following the misleading caption in the front page of yesterday ‘s Nation Newspaper that “JAMB dumps CBT, adopt eight keys” He said: ” The headline was not only misleading but capable of causing panic, distortion and confusion in the minds of Nigerians particularly the candidates planing to take the UTME examination of a well conceived CBT examination which the Board was consolidating on the gains and feat recorded.”

Read More

20 inmates free from kano prison

Mercy Lank acting chief Judge of Kano State, Justice Nura Sagir, has freed 20 inmates from Central Prison located in Kurmawa. The judge freed the inmates while on a visit to the prison where he rolled out the parole of mercy in consonance with the provision of the Criminal Custody Act. The Kano State Command of the Nigeria Prison Service had listed 107 inmates on the proposed parole list as part of efforts to decongest the central prison facility. Those released were inmates alleged to be involved in minor offences, alongside those inmates held under custody for four years and above without being subjected to trial before a competent court of jurisdiction. The CJ, who was accompanied by stakeholders in the judiciary, made use of his powers by also referring delayed cases for accelerated hearing. He also ordered that other matters be also aligned for procedural prosecution. Decrying the problem of prison congestion, Mr Sagir pledged that a quarterly visit to prison facilities in the state would commence with a view to addressing the challenges associated with prison congestion. The chief judge therefore called on police, Nigeria Bar Association, Nigeria Prison Service and the bench to liaise and pursue speedy trial of cases in the interest of serving justice. He charged the freed detainees to be of good behavior, and urged the public to integrate them into the society. The comptroller, Kano State Command of the Nigeria Prison Service, Aliyu Achor, lamented that prison facilities in the state were being overstretched. According to him, Kano Central Prison currently accommodates to over 2,000 inmates, of which 1,500 were on Awaiting Trial Moment, ATM.

Read More

GHANA:Central bank governor resigns

Mercy Lank Governor of Ghana’s central bank, Abdul-Nashiru Issahaku has resigned. This was made known to journalists by anonymous source. According to sources within the central bank, the governor who officially started his four-year term around September last year tendered his resignation on Wednesday citing personal reasons. Although the governors of the central bank have been insulated against political risk through an amended Bank of Ghana Act which assures them the security of tenure, speculations have been rife immediately after the December election that the current government would like the governor to leave office so they could appoint a replacement. Issahaku was first appointed by former president John Mahama in April 2016 in an acting position when Henry Wampah tendered his resignation six months before the end of his tenure. Mahama was defeated at the polls by current president, Nana Akufo-Addo who won the election by 53 per cent. Sources within the central bank also named former head of the research department at the bank, Ernest Addison now with the African Development Bank as one of the front-runners to occupy the Bank of Ghana chair. The outgoing governor held his last Monetary Policy Committee press briefing on Monday, where he announced a 200 basis point reduction in the bank’s benchmark policy rate from 25.5 per cent to 23.5 per cent. ON MARCH 30, 20172:31 PMIN FINANCE, NEWSCOMMENTS Governor of Ghana’s central bank, Abdul-Nashiru Issahaku has resigned. This was made known to journalists by anonymous source. According to sources within the central bank, the governor who officially started his four-year term around September last year tendered his resignation on Wednesday citing personal reasons. Although the governors of the central bank have been insulated against political risk through an amended Bank of Ghana Act which assures them the security of tenure, speculations have been rife immediately after the December election that the current government would like the governor to leave office so they could appoint a replacement. Issahaku was first appointed by former president John Mahama in April 2016 in an acting position when Henry Wampah tendered his resignation six months before the end of his tenure. Mahama was defeated at the polls by current president, Nana Akufo-Addo who won the election by 53 per cent. Sources within the central bank also named former head of the research department at the bank, Ernest Addison now with the African Development Bank as one of the front-runners to occupy the Bank of Ghana chair. The outgoing governor held his last Monetary Policy Committee press briefing on Monday, where he announced a 200 basis point reduction in the bank’s benchmark policy rate from 25.5 per cent to 23.5 per cent.

Read More

Cristiano Ronaldo is known for being exceptionally handsome. A bronze bust commemorating him is ... not.

Mercy Lank of America seven years to kill

Read More

CBN grants licence to Development Bank of Nigeria

Mercy Lank of America seven years to kill

he Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has granted Development Bank of Nigeria (DBN) operational licence.

Read More

Revealed: How Nigeria Is Turning Into Islamic Country

Mercy Lank Revealed: How Nigeria Is T

his video has exposed the northern Nigeria agenda to implement full sharia law in Nigeria, irrespective of your religious or ethnic background. The case of Nnamdi Kanu is opening up hidden agenda against non Muslims in Nigeria in the current government. Find out more by watching and sharing. If you love this video why not subscribe to our Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC6DLDbez3xSumcU0VkSoR5Q For constant Biafra News Update

Read More

Ohanaeze Rejects Igbo Presidency, Questions the rationals of Killing IPOB activists & Continuous Detention of Nnamdi Kanu

Mercy Lank

of America seven years to kill President General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Chief John Nnia Nwodo has declared that the struggle for restructuring of Nigeria is more important than the agitation for Igbo presidency in 2019. Chief Nwodo spoke during a dinner organised in his honour by Old Sigmites, Lagos chapter, a club founded in 1950 at the University of Ibadan. The Igbo leader also objected to the killing of unarmed members of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and the Movement for the Actualisation of the Sovereign State of Biafra (MASSOB). He wondered why the youths, who were clearly not happy with the unfair treatment being meted out to them in a country that is supposed to be theirs, were brutally killed. Insisting that the youths did not warrant being killed, Nwodo also berated the Federal Government over continuous detention of IPOB’s leader, Nnamdi Kanu. “The agitation for Igbo presidency in 2019 is a non issue as far as I am concerned. As the president of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, I am apolitical, I am not a member of any political party. “This is an issue for political parties, it has nothing to do with me. The issue of power rotation among regions is not new, it is some how aligned with the doctrine of federal character which is in our constitution. “No party has called for nomination. I don’t think agitation for Igbo presidency is important now; what Nigerians are asking for is restructuring of the country to be a true federation. It cannot continue to be a federation in name, the political lexicography for federation is an independent federal unit. “The moment you have independent federal unit, being state or regions and they have control over the resources they produce, they will contribute on agreed proportion to the Federation. The question of who is president and where he comes from will die down. It is going to be a matter of who is competent. “MASSOB and IPOB organisations, no matter how divided they appear in public, are basically motivated by the same sense of outrage and bitterness. Our young men and women can no longer tolerate a second class status in their own country,” he said. Other regional leaders present on the occasion and also championing the cause of restructuring the nation are Niger Delta elder statesman, Chief Edwin Clark and a Yoruba leader, Chief Ayo Adebanjo. Chief Clark, who did not also hide his feeling on the issue of restructuring, said the current situation of the country is not a legacy left behind by people who fought for the independence of Nigeria. “As President Muhammadu Buhari used to say, if we don’t kill corruption, corruption will kill us, but, I am saying, if we don’t restructure, restructure will kill us,” Chief Adebanjo also aligned himself to the submission of his co leaders, he said the country was sitting on a time bomb, if the issue of restructuring was not addressed. In his address, the president of Old Sigmites, Lagos, Dr. Faye Iketubosin said the association honoured Nwodo for his outstanding contributions to the society and for his current position in Igboland.

Read More

NNAMDI KANU: THE ONLY TRUE FACE OF BIAFRA RESTORATION

Mercy Lank
of America seven years to kill

By Ebere Okolie For Family Writers Rising from a meeting organized and chaired by Chief Dr Ikedife and Chief Achuzie, who was represented by his personal assistant recently held at Nnewi in Anambra State of Biafra, were 50 pro-Biafra groups, who jointly resolved and agreed that Nnamdi Kanu, the indefatigable leader of IPOB should be accorded the only true face of the restoration of Biafra as reported by Nigerian media houses. The leader of Indigenous People Of Biafra, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu is presently held by the Nigerian government at Kuje prison albeit illegally. According to these groups, Nnamdi Kanu is paying a big price in making sure that the people of Biafra are freed. Nnamdi Kanu has shown that he is the only trusted strong force to be reckoned with as regards to Biafra restoration. Nnamdi Kanu as the leading figurehead and the leader of the mass movement ( IPOB ), has won the heart of millions of Biafrans as he is gallantly fighting for the total emancipation of all Biafran territories, questioning the power that be (the Nigeria government ) on the injustices being constantly meted out on Biafrans. He has remained resolute and courageous on the quest in restoring the sovereignty of Biafra despite all intimidation of the Nigeria government and their cohorts. The said 50 pro Biafra groups have drummed up support, rallied and queued themselves behind Nnamdi Kanu, while urging other faceless groups to borrow a leaf from them and support Kanu as he has been found worthy of championing the struggle for Biafra restoration. Meanwhile, the Biafran people, Nigerians and many international observers were amazed and were also held spellbound when the self-acclaimed leader of BZM ( Biafra Zionist Movement ) Mr. Ben Onwuka, who in less than 24hrs of being released from prison where he was unlawfully detained for 3 years without arraignment in any Nigerian court for invading a radio station at Enugu to declare Biafra as a sovereign state; mounted pulpit while addressing the ladies and gentlemen of the press and said that Nnamdi Kanu is not the leader of the Biafran people and has been toeing a wrong path in the pursuit of Biafra restoration mission. Similarly, he ignorantly said that protests, demonstrations and rallies organized by IPOB leadership cannot be used to restore Biafra and therefore he ( Mr Onwuka ) will declare Biafra as a sovereign state on the 15th of March 2017 as widely reported by Nigerian media. The said day has come and gone and Biafra remained undeclared by Mr Ben. The likes of Mr. Ben Onwuka has been urged by these groups to eschew their pride and join forces with Nnamdi Kanu and IPOB as they prove to be trusted and the leading face of the Biafra restoration project. Another disturbing development was an article fraudulently masterminded and authored by one Mr Churchill Okonkwo who blatantly lied and blackmailed Prof. Charles Soludo as saying that Prof Soludo is the new leading face of Biafra restoration, as published by one of the most Nigeria notorious brown envelope media outlet, Sahara Reporters, which was blogged widely by other media houses. Mr. Churchill stated that Prof. Soludo opined that he will restore Biafra half way and has challenged IPOB and MASSOB to form a formidable political party as a front to restoring Biafra through the ballot box. After the release and publication of that disgraceful article, a disclaimer was expressly issued to debunk all the shenanigans spewed and concocted by Mr. Churchill Okonkwo which he spilled out as the opinion of Prof. Charles Soludo. According to intellectuals and elites, Nnamdi Kanu is no longer seen as a person or an individual, rather he now represent justice, freedom and the entirety of the Biafra nation and beyond. Nnamdi Kanu has been seen as an institution and also as the only one that is able to question the illegality and legitimacy of the Nigerian state. He has also questioned the constant butchering of Biafrans in the British empire known as Nigeria. It is important to note that for a people to be called a nation, there must be something organic about the existence of such group of people and as such, Nigeria as a mere geographical expression was created by the British government through Lord Lugard and his wife Flora Shaw just to expand the business interest of the Colonial forces. Biafra, Arewa and Oduduwa presently joined together into One Nigeria have three extremely divergent cultures that cannot co-exist together. Therefore, It is now time to dismantle this Lugardian Emirate called Nigeria because as long as these three nations stay together, they cannot co-exist and as such there will be uphill and bloodshed. All the clans that make up Biafra share the same culture and has been co-existing for ages without rancor. Biafra is a definition of oppressed and aggrieved people. A people that has been marginalized, disenfranchised, killed, maimed and strangulated economically, politically and mentally and above all has paid immensely with their own blood. Biafra can be seen as a young woman that her cloths was ripped off and paraded naked on the streets and at the market square and until she wears her cloth and the perpetrators of the atrocious crime brought to book and made to face justice she will continue to be a thorn on the conscience of humanity and the world at large. The Biafra genocide which gave rise to the organization of the event tagged "Biafra Genocide Exhibition" recently organized by IPOB and held in Spain is a case in point. Nnamdi Kanu is fighting for Biafrans both the living and the dead even those that were gruesomely murdered by the Nigeria/British in 1967-1970. Nnamdi Kanu as the only true face of the Biafra struggle will be vindicated sooner or later and posterity will forever remember him as he is gradually writing his name in the world book of greatest people. The Biafran people will forever remain grateful to God for the gift of Nnamdi Kanu to deliver them from the shackles of injustice and servitude orchestrated by the Nigerian/British governments. The unlawful incarceration of Nnamdi Kanu by the Nigerian government is the unlawful incarceration of people of good conscience around the world. Nnamdi Kanu is a political prisoner and a prisoner of conscience and should be released unconditionally. The denial of Nnamdi Kanu and Biafra freedom is tantamount to denying the very essence of her collective existence.

Read More

SENATE DRAWS BATTLE LINE WITH BUHARI

Mercy Lank

yesterday gave President Muhammadu Buhari the marching order to relieve the acting chairman of the Economic of America seven years to kill and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Mr. Ibrahim Magu of his job. The sabre-rattling Senators vowed not to consider or confirm the 27 names of Resident Electoral Commissioners (RECs), if Buhari failed to respect the outcome of their decision to sack the anti-graft boss. To prove that it is prepared to walk its talk, the Red Chamber announced the suspension of confirmatory hearing on the REC nominees for two weeks to enable the senate president, Dr. Bukola Saraki “discuss” with the executive. Buhari had forwarded the list of REC nominees to the Red Chamber last week for confirmation. For the second time, Magu was rejected two weeks ago by the Senate on account of a damning report from the Department of State Services (DSS). At plenary yesterday, the Senators said it was wrong of Buhari to continue to keep Magu in an acting capacity, despite their resolution that he should be outrightly replaced. But the presidency reacted yesterday through Senator Ita Enang, the president’s Special Adviser on National Assembly Matters, saying it would respect the decision of the lawmakers and toe the path of dialogue. “We will not question the power of the senators to take decision on how they want to conduct nomination hearings. We will not go fighting with them,” Enang told an online medium. But he declined to say if the president would replace Magu, saying he will “not go into specifics.” Adopting a motion sponsored by Peter Nwaoboshi from Delta State, the Senate directed its president to within two weeks, convey its position about the non-replacement of Magu to Buhari and report back to allow it take further legislative actions on the matter. Deputy Senate Leader, Bala Ibn Na’Allah, had in a separate motion urged the Senate to consider the nomination of the REC designate in accordance with sections 14 (3)(a) of the Third Schedule of the constitution, as amended. Reacting, Nwaoboshi drew the attention to what he called the disgraceful manner in which Senate’s decision against Magu was being treated by the President. He specifically expressed disappointment with remarks made by the chairman of the Presidential Advisory Committee on Anti-Corruption, Prof. Itse Sagay that the president could ignore the decision of the Senate and continue to keep Magu in an acting capacity. The senator said the REC nominees be sent back to the President. “Prof. Itse Sagay went to the press and said that the Senate merely confirms. “This is not expected of somebody who had lectured constitutional law in the university and a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, and of course, chairman of such a big body to say that the legislature merely confirms and that the legislature has no power. “Here we are again, being given a list to confirm and we will merely confirm. Look at the list. We have eight of them out of 27 that are for reappointment. That means they are acting already. They are already working. Prof. Sagay will state again Section 171 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria even if we do not confirm them. He will say they should continue to fight. They are telling Mr. President to disregard and disrespect the institution of the legislature. “Let us not take such a precedence. We cannot destroy our democracy because certain persons feel that it is only their belief or what they want that will happen in this country. This country does not belong to them. This country belongs to the Nigerian people. The Nigerian people have elected us. They have given the power to look into those names sent to us for confirmation and to look into their credentials. “We could have ignored it, but for somebody of that status, we will not. My position on this matter is that since our confirmation is merely a formality, let us suspend it until we know whether we have the power as given to us by the constitution to look into confirmation matters or any other status,” he said. “We cannot keep confirming names or turning down names of nominees of Mr. President only for them to be put in a basket. These persons cannot keep acting even when we have turned them down because as it is now, they are acting and their names have been sent in for confirmation and we do not know what has happened in the case of the EFCC. “Specifically speaking, is he acting today? If the President knew that he was not going to honour our refusal or rejection of his nominee, he should not have sent his name in the first place which would have meant an outright violation of the law establishing EFCC and of course the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria(1999) as amended.” However, Adamu Aliero, disagreed as he urged his colleagues to look beyond the failings of the executive and confirm the nominees in the interest of the forthcoming general elections. Meanwhile, Saraki, has again alleged that unnamed persons were blackmailing the Senate, even as he said the Red Chamber would not be intimidated. The Senate also vowed to protect its integrity, by doing whatever it would take to ensure that it was not taken for granted, while discharging its Constitutional responsibilities. The Senate, which made the position known after an hour and 30 minutes closed-door session, said it took the decision, following series of coordinated attacks against it by external forces. President of the Senate, Senator Saraki, who made the disclosure, did not give details or identity of the external forces. Saraki said: “The Senate in a closed session, discussed the various attacks on the National Assembly, especially on the Senate, for performing its constitutional duties. “And the Senate resolved to defend the integrity of the Senate against such attacks and will not be intimidated from carrying our constitutional duties at all times.” The Senate’s position, may not be unconnected to its recent face-off with key members of the executive, particularly the Comptroller-General of Nigerian Customs Service (NCS), Col. Hameed Ali (retd) and the Secretary to Government of the Federation (SGF), Mr David Babachir Lawal.

Read More

DEFENCE MINISTER: BOKO HARAM LEADER SHEKAU IS ALIVE

Mercy Lank of America seven years to kill

Minister of Defence Minister, Brig. Gen. Mansur Dan-Ali (retd.) disclosed to newsmen, yesterday, that Boko Haram leader, Abubakar Shekau, is alive. The Nigerian Army hadboasted severally of having killed Shekau. Regardless, Dan-Ali said Shekau is hiding in Sambisa forest in Borno and has been disguising with masks, to evade arrest. He, however, said the military is hot on his trail and, and assured that, just as it took the United States
Osama Bin Laden, Shekau will soon be captured. President Muhammadu Buhari had, on December 24, 2016, announced the military had succeeded in liberating Sambisa forest, one of Boko Haram’s hideouts. The army had briefed him on how the Boko Haram’s stronghold in Sambisa, now known as Camp Zero, was captured. But, Shekau, in a video posted shortly after, said he and his members were safe and had not been flushed out of anywhere. The Boko Haram leader urged the Federal Government to stop telling lies to the public in the 25-minute video. However, speaking to State House Correspondents, after briefing the president on the security situation in the country, yesterday, Dan-Ali insisted the notorious religious sect has been degraded. “If you have been to Sambisa, you will know that we have dominated the whole stronghold where they (Boko Haram) used to be. Camp Zero, where their spiritual headquarters used to be was destroyed and is now occupied by our armed forces. “I believe it’s just a matter of time; it took America about seven to 10 years to get Bin Laden, so we will get Shekau as soon as possible,” the minister assured. Asked why it’s been difficult arresting Shekau, the minister replied: “The spiritual headquarters has been ransacked and vandalised; he (Shekau) is on the run and may be hiding in one of the enclaves in Sambisa forest. We are using the place as a training area and, soon, the army engineers will open the roads. We shall be patrolling and ransacking that forest for the whereabouts of Shekau. “Let me tell you, categorically, these insurgents have a way of wearing masks; there may be many Shekaus, but, we are looking for the real one. He has been using mask to give the impression that he has been killed, so, we will relax, but, we will not relax until we find him.” Dan-Ali also told newsmen his discussion with president Buhari was mainly on security and added that he is impressed with the performance of the armed forces, so far. He also said the issue of how to return Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) to their homes, so they can resume normal businesses, was also discussed “The security situation is something you cannot get 100 percent, and remember that Nigeria has been having turbulences for a very long time. We are trying to manage it and we are trying to make it solvable so Nigerians will have peace and tranquillity to do their normal businesses. “The more effort we put in, the more Nigeria gets safer. We are doing our best and we have also requested for more, in terms of equipment, and I can categorically tell you that the Nigeria Armed forces have turned to professional armed forces.” He also said the last time the armed forces had training on small arms competition was almost 11 years ago. On whether government will join Borno in declaring December 22 celebration day, the minister replied: “It is a local celebration for the capture of Camp Zero because, hitherto, they were never at rest when they are encircled by insurgents. So, I believe they have the right to celebrate.”

Read More

Bishop kukah:I didn't collect money from Jonathan

Mercy Lank

Bishop of Sokoto, Mathew Hassan Kukah has criticised the perception that he was close to former President Goodluck Jonathan for what he could get. “Despite my friendship with Jonathan over a long time, we never discussed a penny, we never discussed one dollar; we never exchanged a penny, and we never exchanged a dollar,” Kukah said. In an interview in the current edition of The Interview, Kukah said those who thought they could smear him by warming up to President Muhammadu Buhari were responsible for fantasising his relationship with Jonathan. “Suddenly, journalists whom I knew were writing, hoping they would be given positions (by Buhari), and all those who were abusing me, have gone full cycle,” he said. He continued: “Those who should be ashamed of themselves are those who took money from Jonathan, tons of it, and buried under the table; they have decided to change course in the middle of the race. Those are the people you should be talking about.” In a statement, the Managing Director/Editor-In-Chief of The Interview, Azu Ishiekwene said: “This is Kukah with his gloves off. Anti-Kukahs of every stripe have their match in this issue.” The clergyman revealed that, “certain people in PDP” have been telling him that Jonathan should have had a long-drawn-out exit, like the disgraced Gambian President Yahaya Jammeh.

Read More

Ex-gov Attah Nigeria'll break up unless. ........,

Mercy Lank

governor of Akwa Ibom State and co-chairman of Pan Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF), Obong Victor Attah, has warned that Nigeria may break up unless fiscal federalism is instituted. Attah, who spoke on a private radio station in Uyo, the state capital, yesterday, said the only respite Nigeria has against its imminent disintegration would be to return to fiscal federalism as that remains the only solution to myriad of socio-economic problems besetting the nation. “Under a fiscal regime, as it were in the days of the regions, states, would contribute 50 percent of their resources to the central government and use 50 percent for development of their territories, such that multiplier effects would douse 90 percent of tensions in the country.” Attah, who was governor between 1999 and 2017, said Nigeria would have achieved more significant development if true fiscal federalism had been put in place, instead of what is obtained at the moment. The former chairman of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum dismissed arguments that majority of states in Nigeria are not viable and pointed out that if fiscal federalism was in place, the states would look inwards, to develop their inherent potential, instead of allowing sleaze and corruption by governors to slow down the tempo of development in their respective states. Known for his fight for resource control while in office, Obong Attah equally advocated adoption of two party system in Nigeria. According to him, political parties in Nigeria should look inwards, with a view to identifying parties with similar ideologies to merge. “Two major political parties are good for this country, so that when one is not doing well, the people should have a choice to vote the other,” Attah argued. He urged the people to defend their votes by always demanding from their governors how tax payers monies were being appropriated. Commending the Federal Government for “a lot of things Buhari is doing, and one of them is this fight against corruption,” as well as routing Boko Haram, Attah, however, said the same zeal was not deployed to tackle the menace of herdsmen decimating farmlands, raping and killing people at will.

Read More

WOW!!!! Church In The U.S Decorated With Biafran Flag and Colours (Photos)

Mercy Lank

A Church In The U.S Decorated With Biafran Flag and Colours (Photos) Wow!! A Church in the United States of America decorated with Biafra apparel and colours..

Read More

ELDERS OF SOUTH -SOUTH AND SOUTH -EAST DEMANDING RELEASE OF NNAMDI KANU

Mercy Lank

unity in Biafra against all the propaganda by the Nigerian media. Listen to these titled men speak in their own dialect and unequivocally demanding the release of Nnamdi Kanu of IPOB from the Nigerian Kuje prisons in Abuja. They re-affirmed their unfledged support for Biafra restoration project. The so called South South and South East are now UNITED and will take Nigeria by storm.

Read More

DON'T REVOKE OIL/GAS TRAINING PROGRAMME -EX-MILITANTS BEG FG

Mercy Lank

ex-militants beg FG ON MARCH 28, 20174:43 AMIN NEWSCOMMENTS WARRI— FORMER Niger Delta agitators undergoing training in oil and gas at the Petroleum Training Institute, PTI, Effurun, Delta State, under the sponsorship of the Presidential Amnesty Programme, PAP, have appealed to the Federal Government not to terminate the programme. The ex militants drawn from Delta, Rivers, Akwa-Ibom, Edo and Ondo states, under the aegis of Coalition of Oil and Gas Students, COGS, in an SOS signed by Isaac Duduke and seven others, said they have been at home, instead of school for many months because of the inability of government to pay the contractor/vendor of their programme. Oil pipeline The students demanded that “a standard oil and gas training of the nature and scope approved for us, spanning an average of one year and eight months, of which we have spent only two months.” They specifically urged the Coordinator of PAP, Brig General Paul Boroh (retd.), who they alleged, had almost concluded plans to cancel the oil and gas training programme to jettison the thought. They lamented: “We began the training on December 19, 2015 and were sent home after one week in school for lack of funds as explained by the contractor/vendor, Broadequip. We remained out of school for about five months before we resumed on June 6, 2016, but were again asked to proceed on vacation for one week in August, 2016. This was just barely after two months of studying the introductory theoretical aspects of oil and gas. “Sadly, about eight months after, we have not resumed, all those in charge keep saying there is no money. We heard that the federal government in its avowed commitment to the PAP and the Niger Delta, of which oil and gas is pivotal, has released N5bn for the continuity of the oil and gas training programme and other programmes for ex-militants in the Niger Delta. While we thank the federal government for this kind gesture, we shall be very delighted to be back at school.”

Read More

ALARM:HERDSMEN PLANS TO ATTACK 15 COMMUNITIES IN ANAMBRA STATE

Mercy Lank

FIFTEEN communities in Orumba South local government of Anambra State have raised alarm over alleged menace of herdsmen in the area. Prince Chukwudi Ugochukwu, a spokesman for the communities, who spoke when some officials of the state government visited the area, regretted that the herdsmen allowed their cows to be grazing freely in their farms , thereby destroying the crops. He alleged that some women were also raped in the process, adding that the affected women failed to speak out because of the stigma associated with rape, especially the ones carried out by Fulani herdsmen. He said: “All the communities in this area are under the threat of the herdsmen and all our farmlands have been devastated by the herdsmen” “Our women had wanted to demonstrate over the ordeal they are passing through, but they were restrained. Even the youths had planned a reprisal attack, but we see it as attracting a serious problem that might escalate .” According to him, it was only the state government that could handle the matter perfectly . He called for Governor Willie Obiano’s urgent attention to their complaints. Senior Special Assistant to Governor Obiano on Internally Generated Revenue (IGR), Mr. Uchenna Okafor, who led the officials assured the communities that their demands and complaints would receive the express attention of the governor.

Read More

BREAKING NEWS:THE LARGEST MOSQUE IN EUROPE WAS BURNING DOWN TODAY IN SOUTH LONDON

Mercy Lank

 in western Europe
Seventy firefighters in south London are battling an enormous blaze which engulfed western Europe’s largest mosque.
Ten fire engines were dispatched to deal with the fire at the Baitful Futuh mosque in Morden, which started burning around midday.
A man has been taken to hospital for smoke inhalation, but community leaders have said they do not believe anybody else was affected. The cause of the blaze is not yet known.
Huge effort: 70 firefighters were deployed to tackle the enormous blaze on Saturday afternoon


Before: The Baitul Futuh can be seen here in a file photo from 2003. One man caught up in the blaze is is hospital with smoke inhalation

Before: The Baitul Futuh can be seen here in a file photo from 2003. One man caught up in the blaze is is hospital with smoke inhalation


Shocked onlookers gathered opposite the mosque, watching a dark plume of smoke billowing out of the building’s roof before they were ushered behind a police cordon. The fire was reported by a member of the public just after midday.
The enormous building sits on a 5.2acre site and can hold 10,500 people. At the time of the fire, however, only a handful of worshippers were inside, and were quickly evacuated. Nobody was at prayer when the fire broke out.
The huge effort to control the fire involved the police, ambulance services and the large fire brigade presence. The firefighting operation shut down the A24 and traffic was tailed back for miles as a result.
As of 6pm, the London Fire Brigade said they had contained the fire to administrative buildings and halls around the main mosque, which was not directly affected by the fire – though it was engulfed by smoke. Shortly afterwards they declared the fire ‘under control’.

Read More

OKOROCHA: ‘BUHARI MAKING NNAMDI KANU A HERO OUT OF NOTHING

Mercy Lank

Okorocha, the governor of Imo State, has called for the release of the detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, Nnamdi Kanu.

He made the call in an exclusive interview with Sunday Sun. However, the governor was dismissive about Kanu’s advocacy and importance saying that the continued detention of the Biafra secessionist activist was “making a hero out of nothing”.

The Imo governor also spoke on his reservations about the Biafra struggle and more or less said that current advocacy groups were ineffective.

“On the issue of Kanu and IPOB, I have a different opinion altogether and I think it has been over- dramatised and over pursued, we will just find out that it has not given us any key result,” the governor told the newspaper.

“See, approach is key in life and how you look at things. I think what we must do as Igbo is to let the federal government see the reasons to release Kanu because keeping Kanu there is making him a hero out of nothing.”

“He should be released. Since he made inciting statements, he has not killed, he is not found guilty, he should be released. And even what he did is not just an order or threat to government; all that he is charged with, is he guilty of it? Has he done anything wrong?

“So, we must let the government understand that Kanu is not worth the trouble being attached to him. It is something that we the leaders can go to the president and say, give us this boy, we will guarantee his good behaviour. Bring him out.

“But the approach is key. I think very soon now I will ensure that a meeting of Igbo leaders is convened. This is where leadership is called for. We will go and meet President Buhari and we will kindly request for his release and that he has learnt enough lesson in the prison.”

Governor Okorocha also chastised Nnamdi Kanu for his heated rhetoric and complained that Kanu insulted everybody including Igbo leaders and said that such behaviour is “youthful exuberance”.

“Because he didn’t even spare anybody; we have to let him know he wasn’t only talking about the Federal Government and Biafra. He was castigating and insulting all the Igbo leaders,” the governor continued.

“When such a person who even castigated his own is in prison, why should it be a big deal? Why don’t we look at it differently and see it as youthful exuberance rather than putting him there and he is creating a bit of tension and what should not worth it.”

He also revealed that he had been meditating with the key officials in the federal government to secure Nnamdi Kanu’s release from prison. However, he cautioned again the use of language by IPOB saying that they were not the only ethnic group seeking separation from Nigeria.

“And Nigerians love creating ethnic colourations and making things big. I have discussed with some key federal government authorities that they need to remove him from the prison and stop this case so that everybody will be free and IPOB will be free,” Okorocha said.

“But I must also have said that IPOB in their agitation, there is nothing wrong with the agitation, but the language of the agitation is different.

“You see, when you are talking about sovereignty, that doesn’t sound well with any sovereign nation. But they are doing the same thing that the Egbesus are doing, the Oduduwas are doing, the Niger Delta people are doing, but the language is different.

“I mean there is nothing wrong if you make all the noise in the world for people to recognize you, it is part of democracy.

“But when you say you want to be sovereign, you want to be on your own, that’s when it becomes an issue. It creates unnecessary hatred for Ndigbo. Yet you want to be free and the Igbo are talking about Igbo presidency, how does the two work? So, these are some of the things we”

Read More