There are 180 cult groups in Nigeria, says a non-governmental organization (NGO)-Peace on Campus Initiative (PCI).
The group said the figure was obtained by its intelligent unit in each zone, state and Local Government Area (LGAS).
Presenting the findings to the Special Adviser to the President on Ethics and Values, Mrs. Sarah Jibril, in Abuja, the PCI National Coordinator, Oliver Ajibo lamented that 317 deaths were recorded between August 15, 2003 and September 14, 2004.
He warned that dangers were awaiting the country "if this cankerworm is not stamped out."
"It is time to take a radical and proactive approach to eliminate cultism in our society. Cultism breeds robbery, rape, drug abuse, terrorism, kidnap and all forms of social vices. Cultists are the most corrupt in our society; inhuman, selfish and deadly, persons that promote ultimate promote evil.
News credit: The Nation
"The battle against cuts across, from the top to the grassroots, homes, offices, churches, mosques, schools etc. the fore, collaborative approach will be more result oriented in getting rid of these social vices in Nigeria," he added.
Ajibo said the organization has written four books on dangers of cultism which are useful to students, especially the new intakes.
Stating that the PCI has achieved successes in University of Uyo, Akwa Ibom state and some polytechnics, he appealed to other states and Federal Governments to partner with the group to tackle the menace of cultism, adding that the NGO had been on self-financing.
Responding, Mrs. Jibril promised to send a memo to President Goodluck Jonathan and affected ministers to solve the problem of cultism.
Tuesday, 29 May 2012
Monday, 28 May 2012
Justin Bieber wanted for questioning after allegedly 'roughing up' a photographer during a date with Selena Gomez
Sheriff's Lt. Robert Wiard says the photographer in question called 911 on Sunday and complained of pain to his chest.
Wiard said the scuffle happened when the photographer tried to snap pictures of Bieber and his girlfriend Selena Gomez, after they walked out of a theater at The Commons at Calabasas today.
Wiard says the photographer was taken to a hospital where he was treated and released.
He says Bieber and Gomez left before deputies arrived, so investigators want to talk to him to get his side of the story.
During the altercation, the Boyfriend singer appeared to grow angry at photographers snapping him and Selena.
He then appeared to lose his temper and was reportedly involved in the altercation.
TMZ claims that the paparazzo filed a police report, and alleges that according to law enforcement sources the police are investigating the incident as misdemeanour criminal battery.
While Justin failed to keep calm during the altercation, Selena made up for his shortcomings.
The 19-year-old was seen helping Justin retrieve his baseball cap and one of his high top trainers after they flew off during the incident.
She also appeared to be saying some soothing words to her beau as she chatted to him while tenderly stroking his arm to calm him down.
However the level-headed starlet did look a little concerned during the ordeal.
Meanwhile, Justin had a face like thunder as he put his shoe back on while being comforted by his girlfriend.
The pop star then walked away with his head in his hands seeming somewhat embarrassed at his behaviour.
No going back on review of electricity tariff - FG•Says June 1 take-off date stands •It’s unacceptable - NLC
THERE are strong indications that the proposed review of the electricity tariff will become effective on June 1 as planned despite strong opposition from labour unions.
The Trade Union Congress (TUC) had last week opposed the proposed review by insisting that power generation must improve before the new tariff can become effective.
The Federal Government has insisted that the new tariff will take effect as planned in order to make the sector very competitive. The Minister for Power, Professor Bart Nnaji, stated that the country needs to do things differently in order to get different results. He stated this at a town hall meeting in Lagos at the weekend.
According to Nnaji, “we are reviewing electricity tariff in accordance with the Electric Power Sector Reform (EPSR) Act 2005, which empowers NERC to review upward or downward as the case may be, to ensure that we have competitive tariff that will protect the interest of all stakeholders, both the consumers and the producers of power.
“The new tariff structure, effective June 1, will make the rural dwellers and the urban poor to pay lesser. They will be paying N4 per kilowatt as against N7 per kilowatt they are paying before. We are introducing cross subsidisation where the rich will be subsidising the poor, as being practised all over the world.”
A check by the Nigerian Tribune revealed that some Nigerians favoured the review of the tariff which, according to them, was not competitive at present, while others argued that the proposed review would have been embraced if it came at a time when power generation was improved.
According to a statement credited to Mr Sam Amadi, on the website of NERC: “when the first Multi Year Tariff Order (MYTO) prices were calculated in 2008, when MYTO was introduced, it was found that the cost-reflective tariffs were significantly higher than the non-cost-reflective tariffs that Nigerians had become used to.
The new tariff would cause what is known as price shock, which would have negative social and political consequences.”
A source within NERC, who preferred anonymity, told the Nigerian Tribune on Sunday that “March, April and May are not the ideal months to review the tariff, because of the drought season, in which water level is always low.
“At present, Shiroro hydro plant is shut down, due to lack of water supply, while Kainji power plant is producing below half capacity, due to drop in water supply.
“There is nothing anybody can do to this until July, when the wet season would have peaked. Reviewing the tariff is a necessity, but it is coming at a wrong time.”
Justifying the necessity of reviewing the electricity tariff, the source said “Nigerian tariff is not competitive; it is the cheapest in Africa and we all know that electricity is not cheap. Let’s us forget about the idea of getting everything cheap. If we want quality service, then we pay for it.
“Look at telecoms industry, competition has crashed the price when compared to what we used to pay when it came 10 years ago, but the service is improving day by day. If we don’t support the review, we will blame the minister of power for non-performance.”
However, the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN) has said it was in support of the review, considering how much it spent on power generation.
According to the chairman, electronics and electrical sectoral group, MAN, Mr Reginald Odia, “MAN spends N72.6 billion annually on diesel to power its generating sets, while N120 million is being paid monthly as electricity bill.”
He argued that if the increase in tariff would result in improved power supply, it would boost the country’s economy.”
The national vice-president, Nigerian Chambers of Commerce, Industries, Mines and Agriculture (NACCIMA), Alhaji Ahmad Rabi’u, said Nigerians would pay the new tariff if power supply was stable and sustainable.
“If we pay the proposed tariff, where will the money go? If you tell me where it will go, then I will encourage the hike and I will be encouraged to pay it,” he said.
June 1 date unacceptable —NLC
The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has reaffirmed its opposition to moves by the Federal Government to increase energy tariff by June 1, saying at the weekend that the increase is unacceptable.
In a communiqué issued after its National Administrative Council (NAC) meeting in Abuja, the congress said it would not welcome any increase in tariff when it had not been established that electricity supply had improved considerably.
However, the NLC commended the decision of the presidency to prosecute those found culpable in the probe on oil subsidy regime in the country by the House of Representatives.
President of NLC, Abdulwaheed Omar, who signed the communiqué, said the congress had resolved to oppose the electricity tariff increase.
Omar said “it also resolved to oppose any increase in energy tariff without improved power supply, while it calls on all affiliate unions to continue the demand for the holistic restructuring of the downstream petroleum sector, through building of the new refineries and self sufficiency in products supply.”
The NLC president also said the congress remained steadfast in the struggle for total implementation of the new minimum wage in all the states of the federation and called on the affiliates to remain steadfast.
“The assurance by President Goodluck Jonathan that there will be no sacred cows in the investigation and prosecution of the corruption in the downstream sector of the oil industry is laudable and deserves commendation,” he said.
Comrade Omar said Nigerians are eagerly looking forward to a thorough and diligent prosecution by the Attorney-General and the security agencies in order to disabuse the minds of the watching public and to ensure that the process is not a hollow ritual.
News credit: Tribune
The Trade Union Congress (TUC) had last week opposed the proposed review by insisting that power generation must improve before the new tariff can become effective.
The Federal Government has insisted that the new tariff will take effect as planned in order to make the sector very competitive. The Minister for Power, Professor Bart Nnaji, stated that the country needs to do things differently in order to get different results. He stated this at a town hall meeting in Lagos at the weekend.
According to Nnaji, “we are reviewing electricity tariff in accordance with the Electric Power Sector Reform (EPSR) Act 2005, which empowers NERC to review upward or downward as the case may be, to ensure that we have competitive tariff that will protect the interest of all stakeholders, both the consumers and the producers of power.
“The new tariff structure, effective June 1, will make the rural dwellers and the urban poor to pay lesser. They will be paying N4 per kilowatt as against N7 per kilowatt they are paying before. We are introducing cross subsidisation where the rich will be subsidising the poor, as being practised all over the world.”
A check by the Nigerian Tribune revealed that some Nigerians favoured the review of the tariff which, according to them, was not competitive at present, while others argued that the proposed review would have been embraced if it came at a time when power generation was improved.
According to a statement credited to Mr Sam Amadi, on the website of NERC: “when the first Multi Year Tariff Order (MYTO) prices were calculated in 2008, when MYTO was introduced, it was found that the cost-reflective tariffs were significantly higher than the non-cost-reflective tariffs that Nigerians had become used to.
The new tariff would cause what is known as price shock, which would have negative social and political consequences.”
A source within NERC, who preferred anonymity, told the Nigerian Tribune on Sunday that “March, April and May are not the ideal months to review the tariff, because of the drought season, in which water level is always low.
“At present, Shiroro hydro plant is shut down, due to lack of water supply, while Kainji power plant is producing below half capacity, due to drop in water supply.
“There is nothing anybody can do to this until July, when the wet season would have peaked. Reviewing the tariff is a necessity, but it is coming at a wrong time.”
Justifying the necessity of reviewing the electricity tariff, the source said “Nigerian tariff is not competitive; it is the cheapest in Africa and we all know that electricity is not cheap. Let’s us forget about the idea of getting everything cheap. If we want quality service, then we pay for it.
“Look at telecoms industry, competition has crashed the price when compared to what we used to pay when it came 10 years ago, but the service is improving day by day. If we don’t support the review, we will blame the minister of power for non-performance.”
However, the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN) has said it was in support of the review, considering how much it spent on power generation.
According to the chairman, electronics and electrical sectoral group, MAN, Mr Reginald Odia, “MAN spends N72.6 billion annually on diesel to power its generating sets, while N120 million is being paid monthly as electricity bill.”
He argued that if the increase in tariff would result in improved power supply, it would boost the country’s economy.”
The national vice-president, Nigerian Chambers of Commerce, Industries, Mines and Agriculture (NACCIMA), Alhaji Ahmad Rabi’u, said Nigerians would pay the new tariff if power supply was stable and sustainable.
“If we pay the proposed tariff, where will the money go? If you tell me where it will go, then I will encourage the hike and I will be encouraged to pay it,” he said.
June 1 date unacceptable —NLC
The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has reaffirmed its opposition to moves by the Federal Government to increase energy tariff by June 1, saying at the weekend that the increase is unacceptable.
In a communiqué issued after its National Administrative Council (NAC) meeting in Abuja, the congress said it would not welcome any increase in tariff when it had not been established that electricity supply had improved considerably.
However, the NLC commended the decision of the presidency to prosecute those found culpable in the probe on oil subsidy regime in the country by the House of Representatives.
President of NLC, Abdulwaheed Omar, who signed the communiqué, said the congress had resolved to oppose the electricity tariff increase.
Omar said “it also resolved to oppose any increase in energy tariff without improved power supply, while it calls on all affiliate unions to continue the demand for the holistic restructuring of the downstream petroleum sector, through building of the new refineries and self sufficiency in products supply.”
The NLC president also said the congress remained steadfast in the struggle for total implementation of the new minimum wage in all the states of the federation and called on the affiliates to remain steadfast.
“The assurance by President Goodluck Jonathan that there will be no sacred cows in the investigation and prosecution of the corruption in the downstream sector of the oil industry is laudable and deserves commendation,” he said.
Comrade Omar said Nigerians are eagerly looking forward to a thorough and diligent prosecution by the Attorney-General and the security agencies in order to disabuse the minds of the watching public and to ensure that the process is not a hollow ritual.
News credit: Tribune
Police arrest 5 students with charms, alcohol
ABEOKUTA – Ogun, Ondo and Lagos states, yesterday, marked the Children’s Day with funfare and policy statements from their governors.
In Abeokuta, men of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, NSCDC, arrested no fewer than five secondary schools students at M.K.O. Abiola Stadium, the venue of the Children’s Day Celebration, for being in possession of charms and intoxicated drinks.
The arrest came after Governor Ibikunle Amosun had warned students to shun any anti-social activities but to be upright in all their undertakings.
Amosun, while addressing the students, admonished them to begin the writing of their own history, so that their tomorrow could be asured.
He said: “As leaders of tomorrow, you must strive to be upright in all your undertakings. You should cultivate the virtues of discipline, decency, seriousness of purpose, focus, and respect for constituted authority and appreciation of dignity of labour.”
Also, Governor Olusegun Mimiko said one of the notable achievements of his government is the enthronement of peace and order in the state under which the children can be trained to actualise their potentials.
Speaking at the Gani Fawehinmi Freedom Arcade, Akure, venue of the celebration, Gov. Mimiko said, “children of Ondo State are being exposed to a culture of peace, security, healthy, modern and clean environment as opposed to the ambience of insecurity, intolerance and violence of the era gone by.”
During the Children’s Day parade and rally at the Police College Parade Ground, GRA, Ikeja, the Lagos State Government announced the introduction of inclusive schools for the physically- challenged students in the state which is aimed at reducing the number of out-of-school-children and also giving them a sense of belonging.
Gov. Babatunde Fashola: “There are 31 of such inclusive schools carved out of existing schools in the state and children should be their brother’s keepers by helping the physically- challenged in their schools.”
Meantime, the Lagos State Universal Basic Education Board, has flagged off the registration of compulsory free nursery/universal basic education for the 2012/13 school year.
Pointing out that the exercise will help reduce the number of OOSC in the state, SUBEB Board Secretary, Mrs. Titi Oluseye, said plans had been concluded to introduce the free mid-day meals so as to keep registered children in schools.
News credit: Vanguard
In Abeokuta, men of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, NSCDC, arrested no fewer than five secondary schools students at M.K.O. Abiola Stadium, the venue of the Children’s Day Celebration, for being in possession of charms and intoxicated drinks.
The arrest came after Governor Ibikunle Amosun had warned students to shun any anti-social activities but to be upright in all their undertakings.
Amosun, while addressing the students, admonished them to begin the writing of their own history, so that their tomorrow could be asured.
He said: “As leaders of tomorrow, you must strive to be upright in all your undertakings. You should cultivate the virtues of discipline, decency, seriousness of purpose, focus, and respect for constituted authority and appreciation of dignity of labour.”
Also, Governor Olusegun Mimiko said one of the notable achievements of his government is the enthronement of peace and order in the state under which the children can be trained to actualise their potentials.
Speaking at the Gani Fawehinmi Freedom Arcade, Akure, venue of the celebration, Gov. Mimiko said, “children of Ondo State are being exposed to a culture of peace, security, healthy, modern and clean environment as opposed to the ambience of insecurity, intolerance and violence of the era gone by.”
During the Children’s Day parade and rally at the Police College Parade Ground, GRA, Ikeja, the Lagos State Government announced the introduction of inclusive schools for the physically- challenged students in the state which is aimed at reducing the number of out-of-school-children and also giving them a sense of belonging.
Gov. Babatunde Fashola: “There are 31 of such inclusive schools carved out of existing schools in the state and children should be their brother’s keepers by helping the physically- challenged in their schools.”
Meantime, the Lagos State Universal Basic Education Board, has flagged off the registration of compulsory free nursery/universal basic education for the 2012/13 school year.
Pointing out that the exercise will help reduce the number of OOSC in the state, SUBEB Board Secretary, Mrs. Titi Oluseye, said plans had been concluded to introduce the free mid-day meals so as to keep registered children in schools.
News credit: Vanguard
FUNKE AKINDELE’S WHITE WEDDING
Nollywood actress Funke Akindele tied the knot with the love of her life Kehinde Adeola Oloyede popularly called Kenny Almaroof at The Haven event center, GRA Ikeja, Lagos on Saturday, May 26, 2012.
The event was broken down into three parts – a traditional marriage ceremony, a white wedding ceremony and a grand reception which all took place in the same venue.
We bring you some glam photos from the white wedding…
OSAZE WEDS LONDON BASED FIANCÉE, SARAH MICHAEL
Russian born Nigerian striker Osaze Peter Odemwinge has officially tied the knot with his London based fiancée, Sarah Michael.
The couple were wed at Castle Ashby, in Northampton, England on Saturday, May 26, 2012, a week earlier than the initial June 2 date, to the surprise of many.
Odemwinge was left out of the Super Eagles Nation’s cup qualifier against Namibia on June 3, 2012, on the basis of his supposed wedding
The lovers initially postponed their wedding from May 19, 2012, due to the Champions League final, as Sarah’s dad, a Manchester City fan, said if his team got to the final, he’d be in Munich.
Thenet
Saturday, 26 May 2012
Terry G out with See Groove
For those of his fans who are wondering where the Akpako master has been all this while, worry no more, as he’s now out with a new single titled, See Groove.
Unlike the regular Terry’s style of hot and fast beats, he goes with a more hip-hop thing, a move capable of sending his fans asking for more.
As the title suggests, See Groove opens with a grooving beat accompanied with the sound of a jingled bell.
Terry then comes in with his usual ‘razz’- slangy lines while a background voice repeats the ‘nah nah nah’ rhyme.
“…baby girl show me that you’re beautiful…who get this big y*sh…oya baby wyn am o…oya ka lo tunle se…baby show me ur ginger style”, it goes on and on.
In all, it’s a club banger , produced by the Terry’s House of Ginger.
How adultery led woman to early grave
If Sekinat Emiola had known that an extra-marital affair she was was having with Asimiyu Ayantayo who lives at Oke Aremo Ibadan could lead to her death, she needed nobody to warn her to exercise some restraint.
She left her four children with a message that after she finished her business at Eleyele, she would have a stop over in the residence of Asimiyu before coming back home.
Unknown to her, she was saying the last farewell to her children. She never knew that all the dreams she had at the beginning of the year would crash like a pack of cards.
*Kausarat Sekinatu : Daughter of the victim
At Eleyele state police headquarters, all her former friends when she was alive could not stand by her. It was not that they hated her but it was because of the stench that was oozing out of her severed head and two hands. No thanks to her ‘lover’ who thought it was not necessary she lived so far he can have his way.
All sympathisers who thronged the police headquarters had to cover their nostrils so that they would not inhale the odour that had taken over the entire spacious premises. A policeman nearly betrayed his emotion when he saw the gory picture of the severed head of late Sekinat.
One of the children of the slain woman, Kausarat Sekinatu who had the guts to see the head of her once-loving mum was stunned to speechlessness with the horror before her. She never imagined that another mortal man could display such a level of wickedness. Unfortunately, all these could not revive her mother whose remains were packed into a bag.
The two suspects including a vulcanizer looked unperturbed. One of them who was said to be the prime suspect, perhaps, underestimated the evil he was alleged to have done as he was covering his nose and spitting intermittently as a result of the odour.
When asked how he committed the heinous act, the suspect confessed that Sekinat was his concubine and that they have been in a love affair for quite some time but he denied killing her. He said that on that fateful day, Sekinat came to visit him at Oke Aremo and they had sexual intercourse. But, after the intercourse, the woman died. “I knew that she had been laced with a killer charm popularly called Magun in Yorubaland and that any man who had sex with her would die.
I contacted magun on her during love-making. She wanted to summersault but I prevented her. Then, she started foaming after the act and fell down from the chair and died. I then decided to cut off her head and her two hands so that nobody would recognize her. I then sent this man to buy a nylon bag for me so that I could put the body there.
“At night, this man, Isiaka Akanbi helped me put sack on my head and we went and buried it at the cemetery. But the head and the two hands, I buried at the backyard of my house”.
The second suspect, Akanbi said, “He just sent for me and gave me N400 to buy a sack for him. He is a big brother in the neighbourhood. I went and returned with both the sack and N70 balance. I didn’t know what he wanted to do with the sack.
The following morning, he asked me to enter into a covenant. I asked him why we needed to go into a covenant and he said he wanted to show me the mystery of the world. I was surprised. He then asked me to drink the concoction he brought and I declined.
Then, he asked me to taste it with the tip of my tongue which I did. He asked me to follow him to his house and I did. After a brief conversation, he asked me to come and see something. When I saw it, I screamed! Then he said: “You are seeing the mystery of the world.
Make sure you tell nobody. Otherwise, you will die. I said that police must hear this and he said I would die. Then, he took me to the graveyard, dug a shallow grave and buried the parts. I knew the woman very well. I knew them as lovers.”
How the bubble burst.
Saturday Vanguard gathered that a boy living in the same house with the suspect heard the cry of that woman. In curiosity, he peeped through the keyhole of the door and saw the man using a cutlass to severe the head of the woman.
The boy went unnoticed. After, he was discussing with his mates that the suspect was heartless as he saw him cutting the head of the woman. Incidentally, a security man was standing close by and arrested the boy that he should lead him to where he saw the suspect. He was immediately arrested.
The daughter of the deceased, Kausara told Saturday Vanguard that she did not know the whereabouts of her mother. But, it was her brother that called her only to discover that their mum had been killed.
The brother of the deceased, Mutiu Emiola, a mechanic at Lagos called on the security agents to ensure that the life of the suspect was not spared.
He said, “On that day, my sister told one of her children that she was going to the market at Eleyele because she sells ewedu(vegetable) and that on her way she would detour to the house of Asimiyu. She did not come back home. And on that Thursday, Asimiyu told one of his children that he wanted to travel to Ijebu but did not disclose what he wanted to do there. We looked for my sister for two days not knowing she had been killed.
The police commissioner in the state, Mr. Tambari Mohammed, insisted that Ayantayo killed the deceased, but the suspect claimed that he beheaded her after she fell down from a chair and died.
But, to prove that he was hiding some facts, he gave another reason saying he killed her to save his own life because somebody has to die once magun is at work.
Whatever is done to the suspects for the murderous act, the bottom line is that Sekinat is dead and can never come back to life again.
News credit: Vanguard
American Idol Favourite Phillip Phillips to Undergo Kidney Surgery
Phillip Phillips is stepping up to take care of his health.
E! News has learned that the American Idol finalist will undergo kidney surgery in Georgia after completing publicity duties following tonight's season finale, addressing a pressing health concern that has plagued him throughout the season.
But what could this mean for the upcoming American Idol tour this summer?
Phillips, who is squaring off against Jessica Sanchez for the Idol crown, scored big at last night's show with his rowdy, rollicking rendition of Billy Joel 's "Movin' Out."
Win or lose, he is slated to do a press tour in New York City following tonight's season-capping results show, and will then return home to Georgia for the surgery.
E! News has exclusively confirmed that, depending on his recovery, he may miss one or two dates at the start of the American Idol tour this summer.
The soulful crooner, who suffers from kidney problems, was rushed to the hospital in early March after experiencing severe abdominal pains. His doctor has reportedly advised surgery, which he's so far put off to complete his run to the potential grand prize.
E! News
ELTON JOHN DISCHARGED FROM HOSPITAL
Sir Elton John, was on Thursday, May 24, 2012, discharged from the Cedars-Sinai Hospital in Los Angeles, where he has been receiving medication for his respiratory infection.
The 65-year-old singer-composer, was diagnosed with a respiratory infection and placed on antibiotics, and warned against stressful activities.
We gather this has now led to the cancellation of several proposed tours, including four concerts set for Memorial Day weekend in Las Vegas.
‘It feels strange not to be able to perform these ‘Million Dollar Piano’ concerts at the Colosseum’ he said. ‘I love performing the show and I will be thrilled when we return to the Colosseum in October to complete the 11 concerts‘, he concluded with an apology to his fans.
However, the Grammy award winner still plans to continue his tour in Europe this summer, starting with Germany on Friday, June 1, 2012.
Originally named Reginald Kenneth Dwight, the singer has won four Brit Awards, an Academy Award (for ‘Can You Feel the Love Tonight?’ from 1994’s The Lion King), a Golden Globe Award, and a Tony Award.
He was also inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1994, and made a Knight in 1998, in recognition of his musical and charity work.
Cheryl Cole’s wardrobe malfunction at film premiere
Cheryl Cole came unstuck at a glitzy film premiere on Tuesday night when her stick-on bra came free and popped out of her dress.
The Geordie singer seemed oblivious to her wardrobe malfunction as she carried on smiling in her floor-length cream and white Victoria Beckham gown.
Cheryl, 28, takes on her first acting role in the film – appearing as a judge in a celebrity dance-off competition.
The former X Factor judge said: “This is a big night for me.
“It’s nice to bring the film back to my country. I’d love to be offered more acting.”
Cameron Diaz said of Cheryl: “She’s talented, and she’s so lovely and I think of course this is the beginning of many (films) for her.
“I’m sure she can do whatever she wants to.
“She really did us a huge favour by coming in and letting us sequester her for a couple of days and take her out to an old abandoned warehouse in Atlanta and make her act for us.”
The Girls Aloud star carried a Sergio Rossi bag and wore Giuseppe Zanotti shoes at the BFI Imax cinema premiere on London’s Southbank.
Pope appoints Martins to succeed Okogie
His Holiness, Pope Benedict XVI, on Friday appointed Most Rev. Alfred Adewale Martins as the new Archbishop of the Lagos Diocese.
He replaces His Eminence, Anthon Cardinal Anthony Okogie, who retired, having attained the canonical age of 75.
The News Agency of Nigeria reported that until his appointment, Martins was the Bishop of Abeokuta Diocese.
Pope Benedict XVI, however, appointed Okogie as the Apostolic Administrator of the Archdiocese of Lagos until the installation of the newly appointed archbishop.
Martins was born on June 1, 1959 and was ordained a priest on Sept. 18, 1983.
He was appointed Bishop of Abeokuta Diocese on Oct. 24, 1997 and ordained as bishop of the diocese on Jan. 24, 1998.
Okogie, who retired on Friday, was born in Lagos on June 16, 1936 and ordained a priest on Dec. 11, 1966. He was appointed Auxiliary Bishop of Oyo on June 5, 1971 and ordained bishop on Aug. 29 of the same year.
He was appointed Archbishop of Lagos Diocese on April 13, 1973 and elevated to Cardinal on Oct. 21, 2003.
He was installed Cardinal Priest of Blessed Virgin Mary of Mt. Carmel of Mostacciano on May 22, 2004.
Punch
ONYEKA SHUNS COSON APPOINTMENT, CALLS ELECTIONS A COUP
Few weeks ago, Nigerian singer Onyeka Onwenu was appointed as a member of the newly inaugurated Copyright Society of Nigeria (COSON) advisory board. We’ve now been told the singer turned politician has openly rejected the appointment.
The veteran musician was appointed alongside with Sir Victor Uwaifo, Dan Maraya Jos, Onyeka Onwenu, Laolu Akins, Sunny Neji, Toju Ejueyitchie, Ben Ofoeze, Ossy Affason and Dayo Ogunyemi, at the second annual general meeting of the association held on Tuesday, May 8, 2012, at Eko FM hall, Agidingbi, Lagos.
According to her, ‘I received with consternation the news that I have been appointed as a member of COSON Advisory Board. I was never contacted or informed by COSON directly until this appointment was announced on the pages of newspapers’.
She also added, ‘The idea of an Advisory Council is that of Tony Okoroji. He raised it at the last COSON General Meeting, right before the pre-determined election of a new board. It was not a decision of the old board and certainly not the new one which is made up of people who will rubber stamp his decision’.
‘Ordinarily, if properly canvassed with a sincere purpose, an Advisory Council for COSON would not be a bad idea’, Onyeka said, according to The Vanguard.
She continues ‘As it is, the move was made to ameliorate the impact of the coup, the schemes and shenanigans that characterised the last board elections; where people like Chief Ebenezer Obey, Laolu Akins, Toju Ejueyitchie, Charlimo, Sikiru Agbola and myself, all who are on the board as sticklers for due process, were schemed out by a well selected list of voters, most of whom had proxies. Well, we are not fooled, I hereby reject my appointment’, she concluded.
News credit: Thenet
Robbers blow up bank in Ekiti, kill seven
Armed robbers struck in Ilasa-Ekiti, Ekiti East Local Government Area of Ekiti State on Thursday, killing no fewer than seven persons as they invaded a branch of First Bank Plc in the town.
Residents told journalists that three policemen were among the seven persons killed during the robbery, which left the town deserted while the operation lasted.
One of the felled policemen was said to be on guard at the bank, while the remaining two were killed at the police station near the bank.
Our correspondent gathered on Friday that the robbers blew up the bank’s security doors with an explosive device to gain entrance to the banking hall.
Residents told journalists that the robbers, on arriving at the bank, sprayed bullets at the security doors, but could not enter the bank until they threw dynamite at it.
SATURDAY PUNCH learnt the operation, which lasted for close to an hour, was successful as the robbers carted away an undisclosed amount of money.
The state Police Public Relations Officer, Mr. Victor Babayemi, when contacted, declined to comment on the incident.
He, however, told our correspondent that the Deputy Commissioner of Police would issue a statement on the incident.
Following the incident, it was observed that the two branches of the First Bank in Ado-Ekiti, the state capital, did not open for business on Friday until about 10 am.
A similar robbery incident happened at the main branch of the bank in Ado-Ekiti on May 30, 2011. Five persons were killed, while seven others were injured.
News credit: Punch
Residents told journalists that three policemen were among the seven persons killed during the robbery, which left the town deserted while the operation lasted.
One of the felled policemen was said to be on guard at the bank, while the remaining two were killed at the police station near the bank.
Our correspondent gathered on Friday that the robbers blew up the bank’s security doors with an explosive device to gain entrance to the banking hall.
Residents told journalists that the robbers, on arriving at the bank, sprayed bullets at the security doors, but could not enter the bank until they threw dynamite at it.
SATURDAY PUNCH learnt the operation, which lasted for close to an hour, was successful as the robbers carted away an undisclosed amount of money.
The state Police Public Relations Officer, Mr. Victor Babayemi, when contacted, declined to comment on the incident.
He, however, told our correspondent that the Deputy Commissioner of Police would issue a statement on the incident.
Following the incident, it was observed that the two branches of the First Bank in Ado-Ekiti, the state capital, did not open for business on Friday until about 10 am.
A similar robbery incident happened at the main branch of the bank in Ado-Ekiti on May 30, 2011. Five persons were killed, while seven others were injured.
News credit: Punch
Okogie retires as Archbishop of Lagos
A new Archbishop has been named for the Catholic Archdiocese of Lagos. He is the former bishop of the Diocese of Abeokuta, Alfred Adewale-Martins.
Adewale-Martins is taking over from Cardinal Anthony Olubunmi Okogie, who is retiring.
The elevation of Rev. Bishop Adewale-Martins was announced by Pope Benedict (XVI) in Rome yesterday.
A statement by the Catholic Bishop Conference of Nigeria (CBN) said: “His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI has today, Friday 25th May, 2012, appointed as Archbishop of Lagos, His Lordship, Most Rev Alfred Adewale Martins. He replaces His Eminence, Anthony Cardinal Okogie who retired, having attained the canonical age of 75. Until his appointment, Bishop Alfred Martins was the Bishop of Abeokuta Diocese.
“At the same time, the Pope appointed His Eminence Anthony Cardinal Okogie as the Apostolic Administrator of the Archdiocese of Lagos until the installation of the newly appointed Archbishop.”
Bishop Adewale-Martins was born in Abeokuta on January 1, 1959. He was ordained Priest in September 1983. In October 1997, he was appointed Bishop of Abeokuta and was ordained on January 24, 1998.
The date for the installation of the Archbishop is yet to be announced.
Anthony Olubunmi Okogie (born 16 June 1936) is a Nigerian Cardinal Priest and formerly Archbishop of Lagos in the Roman Catholic Church.
Cardinal Okogie on the other hand was born in Lagos to a royal family of Uromi in Edo State on June 16, 1936. He holds a licentiate in sacred theology and had planned to study in Rome but was called to Nigeria where he was a pastoral assistant at the Holy Cross Cathedral. He was drafted into the Nigerian Army and served there as a chaplain. After another period of service at Holy Cross Cathedral, he was an instructor at King’s College.
In 1971, he was ordained titular Bishop of Mascula and Auxiliary of Oyo and was named an Archbishop in 1973. As Archbishop, Okogie was the President of the Christian Association of Nigeria, and from 1994 to 2000, headed the Bishops’ Conference of Nigeria.
He was proclaimed Cardinal by Pope John Paul II in the consistory of 21 October 2003, and holds the title of Cardinal Priest of Santa Maria del Monte Carmelo a Mostacciano (or in English, Blessed Virgin Mary of Mt. Carmel of Mostacciano). During his cardinalate, Okogie was one of the cardinal electors who participated in the 2005 papal conclave that selected Pope Benedict XVI.
News credit: The Nation
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