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Rights Activist Wants Govt To Ban The Wearing Of Hijabs In A Bid To Control Terrorists Attacks

Mohammed Useni
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Rights Activist Wants Govt To Ban The Wearing Of Hijabs In A Bid To Control Terrorists Attacks

A human rights activist in Sapele, Delta State, Mr James Idoghor, has called on the Federal Government to ban the wearing of veils across the country, noting that hoodlums were perpetrating crimes with them.

Idogho, who expressed concern over the inability of the Federal Government to find the over 200 missing Chibok girls, and the continuous killings and unleashing of mayhem on innocent citizens, particularly in northern parts of the country, said, “Most of the perpetrators of the heinous crimes usually wear veils to disguise their gender and motives.”

Adding that, “No democratic country will tolerate any religious norm that has turned dangerous to the precious lives of her citizenry. This government should not pay deaf ears to the cries of her citizens. People are dying in their dozens by the day. The wearing of veils must be stopped.”

End In Fuel Scarcity? Kachikwu Assures That Outstanding Payment For Petroleum Marketers Begins Next Week

Mohammed Useni
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End In Fuel Scarcity? Kachikwu Assures That Outstanding Payment For Petroleum Marketers Begins Next Week

The Minister of State for Petroleum, Dr. Ibe Kachikwu, has assured petroleum marketers that outstanding payment for products imported would be made next week.

Dr. Kachikwu spoke after a tour of service stations and depots in Lagos on Tuesday.

He was accompanied by the Managing Director of Pipelines and Product Marketing Company and Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR) officials.

The Minister said there was enough petrol to dispense and wondered why cases of scarcity persisted.

Dr. Kachikwu, however, admitted that there was a shortfall in supply, as a lot of marketers were not bringing in products because they were owed subsidy money.

He said that the money would be paid to the marketers before the end of next week and appealed to Nigerians to stop any form of panic buying, as the available product would go round.

“We have enough product to last us through December. We are bringing in more intervention products and we are doing everything that we can to bring in more products that are actually more than required by the nation by December.

“People should stop panic buying.

“DPR is going to do their work and enforce the rules,” he stressed.

Dr. Kachikwu said that the government was looking at what to do with strategic reserves.

“How do we have enough products in reserves so that these sought of situations do not arise? No country in the world deserves to have this kind of disruption in their day-to-day activities because of product.

“Our refineries which haven’t worked so far, we are working. I have been told that Port Harcourt and Kaduna, subject to us being able to deal with the pipeline issue, may be able to come back before the end of December and help,” the Minister said, emphasising that he had given a 90-day ultimatum to the refineries managers to begin operations.

Sheikh Zakzaky Knows Those That Attacked Shiite Procession & It Was Not B’Haram As Claimed

Mohammed Useni
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Sheikh Zakzaky Knows Those That Attacked Shiite Procession & It Was Not B’Haram As Claimed

Leader of the Islamic Movement in Nigeria, Sheikh Ibrahim Zakzaky, has said that those behind the Friday attack on the group are known to him.

A statement by Ibrahim Usman, said Zakzaky spoke at the end of Nahjul Balagha study session held at Hussainiyyah Baqiyyatullah, Zaria on Monday.

The statement quoted Zakzaky as saying, “We know the names of the contractors and those contracted to commit the massacre; their identities are not hidden. Therefore, we cannot be cowed by an imaginary Boko Haram tale; let them tell it to the fools and ignorant. They should know that they are dealing with people with foresight, wisdom and intelligence, and above all, the real religion.”

“I refute the claim on the Kano Friday attack as the attack was manipulated to make the public believe that certain faceless group named Boko Haram were behind it. There is nothing like a suicide bomber; they tortured and drugged unsuspecting captives and made them carry the explosives which they detonated,” he said.

He further stated: “The announcement by the Department of State Service (DSS) that there would be attacks on mosques and churches by female insurgents has given them away; how did they know about it and where it will happen? It clearly means they are accomplices to the atrocity.

The perpetrators of Kano bomb attack were the same people that seven years ago in broad daylight attacked Ashura procession and killed people in Potiskum. They also killed 34 people during Quds Day procession in Zaria in 2014.

In most cases, these killers carry out the offensive under the watchful eyes of security operatives, sometimes escorted by tinted glass vehicles. Last year, bombs were buried along routes of the trek, while similar episode was planned to be repeated this time around.

The mass massacre of Muslims has become a vogue across the world. Who is carrying out senseless killings in Yemen, Syria, Iraq, Afghanistan and Lebanon? They are the same people carrying out attacks here and we know them and we cannot be cowed.”

Calabar Monorail Now Ready For Commissioning, Functional Before Carnival, Says Ayade

Mohammed Useni
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Calabar Monorail Now Ready For Commissioning, Functional Before Carnival, Says Ayade

Cross River State Governor, Professor Ben Ayade, has disclosed that the Calabar monorail which is under construction will be inaugurate and operational before the famous Carnival Calabar which holds on December 28.

The governor, who stated this when he inspected ongoing work at the facility assured that the monorail would be ready and become operational before the carnival day on December 28.

Ayade said upon completion, the Calabar monorail would be the first in sub-Saharan Africa, adding that it is expected to breathe a new life and increase footfalls into Tinapa Business Resort as well as bring about additional spinoff to the economy of the state.
According to the governor, “This monorail should be working, latest by December 20. That is the commitment we have received from the contractor handling the project.”

Stressing that the monorail is a confluence between the Calabar International Convention Centre (CICC) and Tinapa Business Resort, Ayade said: “Owing to the vagaries that have attended the effective functioning of Tinapa, resulting from institutional and regulatory framework, my predecessor, Governor Liyel Imoke, in his wisdom, decided to conceptualise a way to bring both CICC and Tinapa together.

“So, what we are doing essentially is to sustain that vision of breathing a new life into Tinapa, create additional value into the city landscape. Having understood the concept of an international conference centre, going from your hotel room to the conference centre on a monorail, we need something that would complement the monorail, the convention centre and the Tinapa. It is for that singular reason that we have conceptualized a brand new and exotic city to be known as Calas Vegas. It is a concept we got from Thailand and it has already been designed.”

Offering further insight into the new city, the governor allowed: The idea is to conceal a wonderful villa with a yacht system in the thick forest surrounding Tinapa. There will also be a flotilla restaurant that will seat to 30 to 40 people. It is a specially designed lifestyle yacht restaurant. The beauty of this concept is that there is something to keep you busy while you are in Tinapa. It was the absence of these facilities that have created a business lull in Tinapa and rendered it near moribund.”

Ayade further stated that “we do not want our tourists to be bored, which is why we are thinking of breathing a new oxygen into Tinapa by introducing the yacht system which is a mobile flotilla along with the monorail to make both conferencing and shopping enjoyable. It is going to be the first of such restaurant around here.”

Dasuki: Buhari Seeking Vengeance With Corruption Fight – Says Fayose

Mohammed Useni
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Dasuki: Buhari Seeking Vengeance With Corruption Fight – Says Fayose

Ekiti State Governor, Mr Ayodele Fayose has described the arrest yesterday, of the immediate past National Security Adviser (NSA), Col Sambo Dasuki (rtd) by men of the Department of State Services (DSS), as continuation of President Mohammadu Buhari’s regime of vengeance,

saying “disobeying court order and later arresting and detaining the same person the court ordered to be allowed to travel abroad for medicare is the peak of dictatorship.”

Governor Fayose, who reiterated his support for the fight against corruption, maintained that it must be done within the ambit of the
law and must not be used to seek vengeance.

He declared support for Dasuki’s demand for an open trial as against the federal government’s demand for a secret trial.

In a statement issued in Ado-Ekiti today his Special Assistant on Public Communications and New Media, Lere Olayinka, Governor Fayose
said “after flagrantly disobeying court orders, whatever that is done or said by the Buhari-led government concerning Sambo Dasuki will
appear vindictive and it remains to be seen how a government that refused to obey the court will now charge Dasuki to the same court.”

He called for caution on the information being giving by the federal government to the public on its anti-corruption, saying trying people
in the media as being done by the federal government was dangerous to democracy and rule of law.

The governor said; “Again, is it the duty of the DSS to investigate fraud? If Dasuki committed fraud as being alleged, why not let the
appropriate government agency handle his matter? Why first torturing him emotionally with the DSS siege on his house?

“My position is that, since the federal government said report of its panel indicted Dasuki, why arresting and detaining him? Why not charge
him to court so that he can also accept quilt or defend himself?”

INEC, APC In Dilemma As Faleke Remains Unwilling Running mate Ahead Of Kogi Polls

Mohammed Useni
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INEC, APC In Dilemma As Faleke Remains Unwilling Running mate Ahead Of Kogi Polls

The refusal of the All Progressives Congress, APC’s, erstwhile deputy governorship candidate in the last election in Kogi State, Mr. James Faleke, to be the running mate to the new candidate, Yahaya Bello, in this weekend’s governorship supplementary election has put his party and the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, in a quandary.

Vanguard learnt that Faleke’s name as at last night was still penned down as the APC’s deputy governorship candidate despite his repudiation of his nomination as running mate to Yahaya Bello.

Vanguard learnt that INEC was procedurally incapable of acting on the letter submitted by Faleke to withdraw himself from the supplementary election as running mate to Bello, indicating that his name is still penned as running mate to Bello.

Faleke had on Tuesday written INEC demanding the removal of his name as the running mate to Alhaji Yahaya Bello in this Saturday’s supplementary election.

Having earlier written the commission and consequently filed a case at a Federal High Court, Abuja requesting to be declared as governor-elect, Faleke had also rejected the option of being Mr Bello’s running mate.

Checks revealed that Faleke’s second letter to the commission is defective on the grounds that only his party has the locus standi to present such letter to INEC.

Section 35 of the 2010 Electoral Act(as amended) states that: “A candidate may withdraw his candidature by notice in writing signed by him and delivered by himself to the political party that nominated him for the election and the political party shall convey such withdrawal to the commission not later than 45 days to the election.”

Aside from the 45-day timeline which has elapsed, the APC as at press time was said to have continued mounting pressure on Faleke to withdraw his threat to quit the party.

Kylie Jenner’s Bare Booty Pictured In A Wheelchair For Interview Magazine

Mohammed Useni
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Kylie Jenner’s Bare Booty Pictured In A Wheelchair For Interview Magazine

Kylie Jenner’s bare booty and risqué ensembles cover Interview magazine .

The 18-year-old reality star poses in the handicap device wearing some S&M-type clothing and accessories, looking almost mannequin-like as she stares off into space.

Another photo shows her raising her leg provocatively.

Obafemi Awolowo University Closed Indefinitely

Mohammed Useni
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Obafemi Awolowo University Closed Indefinitely

The Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile Ife, Osun State, has been closed down indefinitely, following continued protests by students.

The students were protesting alleged poor living condition in their halls of residence.

However, the university’s Public Relations Officer, Abiodun Olanrewaju, refuted the claim that the institution had been shut down.

He said the authorities only gave the students a mid-semester break.

For two days that the protest lasted, many students and workers were stranded as there was heavy traffic at the institution’s main gate.

According to the students, epileptic power and poor water supply had made the campus not conducive for learning.

Thousands Of Pro-Biafra Protesters Shutdown The Commercial Cities Of Onitsha-Owerri Expressway

Mohammed Useni
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Thousands Of Pro-Biafra Protesters Shutdown The Commercial Cities Of Onitsha-Owerri Expressway

Some pro-Biafra protesters, seeking the actualisation of Biafra nation, have blocked the Onitsha-Owerri expressway in eastern Nigeria, truncating business activities in one of the nation’s major commercial cities, Onitsha

According to an eyewitness, the protesters, who were agitating for the release of their leader, Nnamdi Kanu, have shown no sign of ending the siege which had lasted for more than six hours, leaving commuters and motorists stranded.

Mr Kanu is standing trial on a three-count charge of criminal conspiracy, intimidation and belonging to an unlawful society which he has pleaded not guilty to.

His trial on Tuesday was stalled due to the absence of the judge.?? Though soldiers are reported to be at the scene of the protest, they have allegedly made no attempt to disperse the crowd, saying that their presence is merely to ensure the protest does not degenerate to violence.

One of the protesters told Channels Television that they would not leave the road.

“As you can see, people are gathered.

“We are not happy and we are determined to stay here for more than three days until they release our director, Nnamdi Kanu, the person the DSS is holding hostage.

“They have to release him, if they don’t, we will not leave this place,” the protester said.

While they protest, commuters lament the man-hour wasted, as some said they had been in a particular spot for more than six hours.

Security agencies had issued warnings to the protesters, urging them to end the protest or face the full wrath of the law.

Despite these warnings the group has continued to hold protests in different cities in the South-east and south-south.

The Police Commissioner in Anambra State, Hosea Karma, said that the police had been on ground to ensure that the protesters do not violate the law.

He told Channels Television in a telephone interview that the Indigenous People of Biafra came out in their numbers all over from other south-eastern states.

About 4,000 protesters gathered demanding for the Biafra nation and the release of Mr Kanu.

“We have tried to appeal to them.

“As much as they say they are exercising their freedom of association, movement and speech, they should realise that where their freedom stops is where the freedom of other law abiding citizens of the state starts.

“They should realise that they have no right to block the express way.

“They have actually not blocked the express-way. But the problem is that they are there in about four to five thousand in number.

“What the security agencies have done since morning is to try and control them in a manner that they don’t block the road.

“But because of their large number, members of the public were apprehensive and many of them abandoned their vehicles on the highway jam-packing the highway.

“Because owners of the vehicle have abandoned their vehicle on the highway, what we are trying to do now is to try and tow the vehicle off the road so that the road users will continue to use the road,” Mr Karma, said.

“Buhari’s Govt Tailored To Decimate Opposition” – PDP Condemns The Arrest Of Raymond Dokpesi

Mohammed Useni
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“Buhari’s Govt Tailored To Decimate Opposition” – PDP Condemns The Arrest Of Raymond Dokpesi

The leadership of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP has condemned in very strong terms, the arrest of Chairman of Daar Communication, Chief Raymond Dokpesi, describing it as political persecution, just as it said that it was a military style of pronouncement of guilt that was used against him.

According to PDP in a statement signed Tuesday by its National Publicity Secretary, Chief Olisa Metuh, the party noted that the All Progressives Congress, APC led government was after Dokpesi because of his romance and relationship with the PDP.

Metuh said, “The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) condemns in its entirety, the arrest of media mogul, High Chief Raymond Dokpesi and other opposition elements by the APC-led Federal Government.”

Metuh who raised alarm of moves to arrest and harass notable members of PDP, said, “The party also alerted that it has been made aware that more notable PDP leaders have similarly been listed for arrest over unproven allegations pursuant to the plot by the APC to cow and silence opposition in the country.

“The military style of pronouncement of guilt on Chief Dokpesi before any fair hearing, betrays the fact that he is a victim of political persecution and mob trial by the APC government because of his association with the PDP.

“While the PDP is not against the war against corruption, we insist that the crusade must be carried out within the limits of the law and not as a guise to persecute and torture opposition elements in the country.

“Our fear is that with the pronouncement of guilt even without being giving the opportunity within his rights as a citizen to state his own side of the story, the President Buhari-led government is sidestepping the laws to ensure that Chief Dokpesi does not get justice in the court, a plot which they want to extend to other PDP leaders.

“The PDP therefore demands an open and public trial of all those arrested so that all issues and charges against them as well as their defence therein would also be in the public domain. We demand a proper investigation and lawful prosecution instead of the reprehensible resort to outright political persecution, which can only have a place in a military regime.

“We also note that this development may not be unconnected with the planned onslaught against the media, following its commitment in holding this dictatorial regime accountable since it took office.

“Finally, we call on the international community and rights bodies worldwide to note the growing impunity and gross violation of human rights by the President Muhammadu Buhari-led government tailored to decimate the opposition and cow the media in Nigeria.”

Nigerians Expect You To Do More Than You Did As Head of State – Maitama Sule Tells Buhari

Mohammed Useni
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Nigerians Expect You To Do More Than You Did As Head of State – Maitama Sule Tells Buhari

A former Federal Commissioner of Public Complaints, Maitama Sule, has observed that Nigerians currently expect more from the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari than they got from his government while he was a military Head of State from 1983 to 1985.

The former federal commissioner, who served in 1976, advised that the fight against corruption by the present government must be seen to be yielding positive impacts, since Nigerians have high hopes in the President.

Speaking at the 8th Annual Forum of the Laureates of the Nigerian National Order of Merit on Tuesday in Abuja, he said, “When Buhari was the military Head of State, he was able to do three or four things. He was able instill discipline in the society. He was able to fight corruption, among other things. But this time around, we expect Muhammadu Buhari to do more than that. He did it before; he can do it now and even more.”
The elder statesman noted the present government must not fail to deliver on its promises, insisting that if anything should go wrong, the country’s leaders would be held responsible.

“If anything goes wrong, it is the leadership. If our leaders are corrupt, if they are immodest or indisciplined, so will their followers be. But I have hope. With the present administration, I am beginning to see the light at the end of the tunnel,” he said.

Sule, who advocated the creation of a ministry of national guidance, noted that the ministry would carry out all necessary reorientation programmes for Nigerians, educate local and international citizens on the customs and traditions in the country and project the nation’s image in the best light globally.

 

Okowa Derides Oil Theft As Navy Meet In Delta To Examine Maritime Challenges

Mohammed Useni
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Okowa Derides Oil Theft As Navy Meet In Delta To Examine Maritime Challenges

By Chris Nomjov

Delta State Governor, Ifeanyi Okowa, has condemned the operations of pipeline vandals, illegal bunkerers and those engaged in oil theft and in Nigeria.

Sen. Okowa was speaking at the 2015 Nigerian Navy retreat in Asaba, the Delta State’s capital, remarked that such activities portend grave danger to the country’s economy.

He said the activities of crude oil thieves also posed serious threats to the ecology of the Niger-Delta region and the family economy of those who depended on fisheries for their livelihood and sustenance.

The former lawmaker decried that Delta State had continued to lose huge revenues to oil thieves and pipeline vandals with severe consequences on the depleted resources of the state.

In his speech, the Chief of Defence Staff, General Abayomi Olonisakin, urged senior officers and ratings of the Navy to be alive to their responsibility at all times.

Although, the Chief of the Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Ibok Ibas, admitted the challenges being faced by the Navy, he expressed optimism that his men would surmount the challenges as they arise.

The Chief of Policy and Plans of the Nigerian Navy, Rear Admiral Johnson Olutoyin, also said the two day retreat would among other areas, examine the emerging maritime security challenges and the Navy’s approach to solving them, attitudinal change and discipline of personnel as well as the inter-agency cooperation among the nation’s security forces.

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