A BRAZILIAN MAN ARRESTED TRYING TO BOARD PLANE WITH 27 SNAKES

A Brazilian man was arrested for trying to board a flight at Orlando International Airport while carrying 27 snakes that he'd wrapped in pantyhose and stashed away in inside stereo speakers, authorities said.

 

(Orange County Jail)Mateus Del Maso, Jr. checked the speakers as luggage, but they were inspected and the snakes hidden inside were discovered. The creatures never made it onto the aircraft.

Dal Maso purchased the serpents at the National Reptile Breeders Expo in Daytona Beach, Fla. He admitted he was going to carry the snakes - which he valued at about $10,000 - into Brazil and breed them for commercial purposes, a release from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service said.

He did not have the proper authorization to take the reptiles - one ball python, seven boa constrictors, and 19 color morph corn snakes - into Brazil.

Dal Maso pleaded guilty on Aug. 23 to attempting to smuggle the snakes. He served two days in Orange County Jail and was fined $6,000. He was also sentenced to one year of supervised release, and must report to a probation officer within 72 hours of his arrival if he ever returns to the U.S.

The snakes were taken to an undisclosed care facility.

The arrest came about as a result of a multi-agency law enforcement operation that's been dubbed "Operation Snake Pit." The program seeks to prevent the illegal shipping of reptiles.

A Chinese Man Risks Life, Posts Self To Girl Friend

A fun-loving boyfriend who decided to surprise his partner by posting her an unusual present – himself, escaped death by the whiskers as the joke went horribly wrong when the delivery was delayed and he almost suffocated to death.

Genie In A Box: Hu Seng curled up inside a large box and got a friend to help him tape it shut

Hu Seng, who lives in southern China, got a friend to tape him into a box, which he had paid a courier firm to deliver to his partner, Li Wang but as fate would have it, the unsuspecting couriers mixed up the address and instead of 30 minutes in the sealed box, Mr Seng was trapped inside for nearly three hours.

The unsuspecting couriers got lost on their way to his girlfriend’s office and Mr Seng was trapped in the sealed box

By the time the package had arrived at his girlfriend’s office – where a friend was waiting to record her surprise on camera – Mr Seng had passed out and had to be revived by paramedics.
‘I didn’t realise it would take so long,’ admitted Mr Seng. ‘I tried to make a hole in the cardboard but it was too thick and I didn’t want to spoil the surprise by shouting.’

Joke gone wrong: Mr Seng had been unable to bore an air-hole in the thick cardboard

A spokesman for the courier firm said: ‘If he’d told us what he was doing at the start we would not have taken the parcel. Even when we accept animals they have to go in special containers so they can breathe

Photos: A married bank manager sends her nude pictures to a secret lover

I must say that I am first of all shocked to the marrows that a married woman and career lady will be so careless as to send nudé pictures of herself to her lover, for whatever reason, it is the height of indiscretion and infidelity.

What drives married couples to become unfaithful in their relationship? Moreso, if you look at the pictures closely, you will notice that the background looks like that of an office. If the woman is eventually identified, what becomes of her job? Her reputation? Forget about her marriage- it’s past tense except her husband is from Mars.
Apparently, this is a case of a love tale gone sour. The details are sketchy as to who released the photos but it certainly is not the woman at the centre of the storm which leaves her alleged lover as suspect. There is no justification for any man no matter the offence to release nudé photos of his ertswhile lover or girlfriend to the general public. She sent it to you in confidence and with the belief that it is meant FYEs only. If you have such photos in your possession, soft or hard copy after break-up, why not permanently delete or shred it instead of playing childish and stupid by releasing it online or elsewhere? What if that were your mother, sister or niece?
Ladies, beware! Stop sending nudé pictures of yourself to your boyfriend, lover or even keeping same on your phone or computer because you never know who might see it and decide to ‘expose’ or blackmail you at the slightest opportunity. A word they say, is sufficient for the wise.
To continue to view pictures, viewer discretion is advised…
                         

18-Year Marriage Collapse Over Sex

Lagos  An Igando Customary Court in Lagos on Wednesday dissolved an 18-year-old marriage between a Muslim cleric and his wife over irreconcilable differences. The estranged husband, Lawal Temidire, 67, had on July 24 approached the court seeking the dissolution of the union over Risikat’s rejection of his sexual advances.
In his ruling, the President of the court, Mr T.A. Eko, said the marriage was dissolved since all efforts to reconcile the couple had failed.
“Since all efforts to resolve the couple have proved abortive, the court is left with no option than to grant the plaintiff his wish.
“The marriage between Lawal Temidire and Risikat Temidire is hereby dissolved.’’
Eko ordered the plaintiff to pay N50,000 to the estranged wife to enable her to relocate to a new apartment.
He urged both parties to keep the peace at all times, warning that anyone who breached the agreement would be dealt with.
Earlier, the husband had told the court that quarrels and fights had always preceded every advance he made to his former wife.
“We usually fight each time I want to sleep with her. She did not allow me to make love to her on many occasions.  I used to force her and I am sick and tired of this.
“I do not love her anymore. I want this marriage dissolved,’’ Temidire said.
Risikat, 50, a business woman, who denied the claims of her husband, urged the court to grant her husband’s request for the dissolution of the marriage.
The couple, who resided at No.3, Temidire St. in  Egan-Ikotun, a Lagos suburb, married in 1994 and had two children. (NAN)

Two Female Students Commit Suicide For Failing WAEC 3 Time!

The recently released results by the West African Examination Council (WAEC) have claimed lives in Delta State. Two female students that failed their exams yesterday allegedly committed suicide in Asaba, the state capital.



Reports said the students committed suicide after checking their result in the internet and discovered that it was unfavourable to them.
Sources said the victims had written the exams three times without passing their Maths and English Language, which led them to allegedly resolve to commit suicide.

Some persons who spoke to our correspondent on condition of anonymity confirmed that the students had struggled to gain admission into the University in the last few years without success.
Police sources at the “B” Division Asaba said the students were allegedly found dead in their various rooms after a search party that was conducted.

A 50 Year Old Widow Hanged Self in Ibadan

A 50-year-old widow, Juliana Oluwafemi, has committed suicide by hanging in Apata Elere area of Ibadan, Oyo State. It was learnt that Oluwafemi, popularly known as Iya Iyanu, was found hanging on a tree close to the Odo-Ona River, Apata on Monday. A youth leader in the community, Mr. Ayodele Obaro, who spoke with journalists on the issue, said the deceased was discovered around 8am by mechanics that had gone to the river banks to defecate. He said, “When I heard about the incident, I reported to a nearby church, Saint Paul’s Anglican Church and they later informed the police.” According to the younger sister of the deceased, Iya Subomi, Juliana was declared missing on Saturday after efforts to trace her whereabouts failed. She said, “She came to her son’s house at Odo-ona on Friday and was left at home by her son who went for a vigil. “However, by the time he came back on Saturday morning, he did not see his mother at home. “Her disappearance was suspicious, because she left the house without her shoes and phone.” Subomi added that someone informed her that a dead woman was found hanging on a tree by the river. She said after she was shocked to discover that the dead woman was her sister. Subomi said, “Her business was thriving and her children were doing well. I am also very sure that she was not in debt. I cannot say why she decided to take her own life.” Efforts to get comments from the police were abortive as the Police Public Relations Officer, Mrs. Bisi Inobanafor, could not be reached.

A Controversial Sticker

What is your view on this sticker (if it is real)?
I say if it is real because I have personally not seen it, though it has attracted lot of argument on the social media lately...

Who Killed Ojerinde?? AIG Laments Conflicting Reports

The Assistant Inspector-General of Police (AIG) in charge of Zone 5, Hashimu Salihu Argungu, Tuesday decried the contradicting reports among operatives of the State Security Service (SSS) and the police over the killing of Olaitan Oyerinde, the Principal Private Secretary to Governor Adams Oshiomhole of Edo State.

Argungu, who disclosed this during a visit to Edo State Council of the Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ) in Benin City, described the development as ‘unfortunate,’ adding that the two security agencies were “supposed to work together.”

He attributed the development to unhealthy rivalry among Nigerian security agencies or undue competition for credit.

The Zone 5 AIG said it was unfortunate that the two security agencies of government gave conflicting reports on a single matter.

“It is unfortunate that two agencies of government gave conflicting statements on one single issue. I call it unfortunate because of what I said that the criminal justice system is a system that works together.

“What I want you to understand here is if you look at the structure of the criminal justice system, who are the agencies, whether in uniform, whether civilian etc involved in the structure of the criminal justice system and also look at the broad issue of the system,” Argungu said.

He also likened the situation to human system, noting that if one part of the human system is rotten, it may likely affect the whole body. He therefore enjoined all security agencies to work hand in hand so that they can achieve common objective and common cause.

According to him, “In those days when we still young, both the SSS and the police work hand in hand towards a common goal, but now, something is wrong. We expect you to dig in and find out where the problem lies.”

He however called for the cooperation of the media practitioners, which he described as a bridge between the public and the police, especially in the discharge of their duties adding: “There is no how we can work without the cooperation of the press.”

“Stop disrespecting National anthem,” Anyim warns Ministries, MDAs, others

The Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Chief Anyim Pius Anyim yesterday urged all Ministries, Departments and Agencies to respect the nation’s anthem and stop using tattered national flags and Coat of Arms.
He also asked all the MDAs and their staff members to honour the country when the national anthem is being played.
Anyim, who gave the warning in a circular, which was obtained exclusively by our correspondent last night, said disrespect for national symbols is an offence against the state.
The circular said: “It has been observed that some Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) as well as public officials are not according the deserved respect to Nigerian National Symbols (Flag, Coat of Arms, National Anthem and the Pledge).
“It has therefore become necessary to re-emphasise that it is a civic responsibility of all citizens to show respect to all such National Symbols.
“All MDAs are accordingly reminded that the National Symbols are signal of Authority and Instruments of State that should be respected as acts of patriotism and national duty.
“For the avoidance of doubt, Section 5 of the Flag and Coat of Arms Ordinance No. 48 of 1960 stipulate that “any person who flies or exhibits the National Flag in a defaced or bad condition shall be guilty of an offence against this Ordinance”.
“Similarly, Chapter 2, Section 24 (a) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, as amended, enjoins all Nigerians to “respect the National Flag, the National Anthem and the National Pledge.
“The purpose of this Circular is, therefore to request all Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) to henceforth ensure that respect for the National Symbols are sustained and enhanced and to guard against inappropriate (a)Flying tattered/faded/defaced National Flags; (b) Hoisting and flying smaller sized National Flag along with bigger corporate flags; (c )Using the National Flag for trade adverts; (d) Hoisting and flying National Flag at the same height with non-National Flags; (e) Burying a deceased person with the National Flag except when duly entitled; (f) Inappropriate positioning of the Coat of Arms in offices; and (g) Lack of respect when the National Anthem is being played at officials functions
“All MDAs are further reminded that the National Orientation Agency (NOA) has enough standard National Flags modern fibre glass poles with accessories Coat-of-Arms and National Anthem to meet their demand. You are therefore, free to contact the agency.”

Source: Daily Post

Why Barth Nnaji Resigned

There were indications yesterday that the former Minister for Power, Barth Nnaji was forced to resign by President Goodluck Jonathan following the alleged conflict of interest between his office and the ongoing privatization of the power sector.
Nnaji, a Professor of Computer Integrated Manufacturing and Robotics, was stopped from achieving his aims of increase Nigeria power supply to 6,000MW by December in order to reduce the epileptic supply that has held Nigeria down, industrially.
It was gathered that the alleged abuse of office was in conflict with the Performance Contract Agreement which ministers signed last Wednesday and the Oath of Office to which they swore at inauguration.
It was further gathered that a company, Geometric Power, in which the former Minister allegedly has interest, was involved in the bids for the privatization of Afam Generation Company Limited and Enugu Distribution Company Limited.
Geometric Power is said to have a minority stake in the Eastern Electric Nigeria Limited, which submitted technical and financial bids for Enugu Distribution Company on July 31.
Also, one of the consortia bidding for Afam Power Plant, O and M Solutions of Pakistan, was once Geometric Power’s contractor.
It was also learnt that security reports allegedly implicated Nnaji, who sat transfixed in office as at 9.40pm.
According to a source, the ex-minister was in the middle of a meeting at about 4pm when he was summoned to the Presidential Villa by the President who told him to resign.
The source, a senior government official, said: “The ex-Minister and his officials in the Ministry of Power were holding a meeting at the Federal Ministry of Labour and Productivity with labour leaders on the exit package of disengaged PHCN workers when he   was summoned to the Villa.
“Oblivious of what fate that was awaiting him, Nnaji left instructions on how the negotiation should go.
“But when he got to the Villa, the President told him that reports of the National Council on Privatization (NCP) and security agencies indicated that he could not divorce his personal interest from official matters.”
The source claimed that the President wasted no time to tell Nnaji, “Go and turn in your letter of resignation.  I wish you the best.”
Another source said: “All attempts by Nnaji to justify the fact that he had left the board of Geometric proved abortive.”
Apparently, overwhelmed by the manner – sudden and shocking – of his resignation, Nnaji could not immediately break the news to the key directors in the ministry.
Another source added: “He remained in his office to tidy up his desk. We later went to him when we heard the news. He simply said: “it is true but I did my best. I had divorced myself from Geometric Power to serve this nation. My interest was put in a blind trust.”
Although Nnaji, who felt much concerned about his integrity, had wanted to address the media, the session was called off last night.
As at 9.40pm, he was still in the office, preparing his handover note.
It was in line with the resignation soft landing given to Nnaji that the Presidency issued a statement that he had resigned

‘Abuja not designed for common man’.... FCT Minister, Bala

THE Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister, Bala Mohammed, at the weekend stunned his audience when he disclosed that the Abuja Master Plan was not envisaged to accommodate the needs of the common man.
Mohammed spoke at the formal signing of the agreement for an Addendum of Variation of Scope Contract with the Chinese Civil Engineering Construction Company (CCECC) to facilitate the completion of the multi-billion naira Abuja Light Rail  Project, which commenced in 2006 but had been comatose since then due to lack of funds.
His words: “With all regrets,  Abuja initially did not capture the needs and aspiration of the common people and the middle level manpower that we have in terms of affordable housing.”
According to the minister, Abuja, the nation’s capital was designed to accommodate only a million people, but   that the territory now has a population of about four to five million people living in the area thereby putting pressure on available infrastructural facilities.
“Abuja has more than four to five million people living in a place where it is supposed to be inhabited with only about a million people at the moment,” he said.
The FCT minister, however, disclosed that the government was  poised  to provide infrastructural facilities at the satellite towns of the territory to give comfort to the middle class workforce that lives outside the city centre, and whose earnings may not afford them the  luxury of private and chauffeur-driven vehicles.
“At the end of the day we are going to reduce the pressure on our corridors by using the mass transit scheme to be provided by the Abuja Rail Project and the employment opportunity it will provide for the population.
“We are going to provide employment opportunities for over one million people. And you can see that when people come to Abuja they try to stay anyhow. I am sorry with all apology and regrets that Abuja initially did not capture the needs and aspiration of the common people and the middle level manpower that we have in terms of affordable housing,” he said.
But Mohammed assured that President Goodluck Jonathan had given the FCT administration the marching order to look inward and facilitate the provision of housing for the people in that category in order to address the numerous social impediments normally presented by them.

Source: The Guardian

Jungle Justice: In-laws Beat Varsity Worker To Death

The marriage of about three decades between Mr. and Mrs. John Odu did not only turn sour, but the in-laws of Odu have allegedly beaten him to death.The incident happened after a fight that between him and his wife in their bedroom at 23, Uduak-Obong Street, Off Edim Otop Street, Calabar, Cross River State, southsouth Nigeria.
P.M.NEWS learnt that the late John Odu, a purchasing officer at the University of Calabar, was married to Nancy who was his childhood friend since the early 80s.  They were blessed with two children, Tony, 21 and Nancy, 19.
Both Nancy and John are from Ntemante (near M T Mbu’s ancestral home) in Boki Local Government Area of Cross River State. But recently their relationship was characterized by regular quarrels in their house.
P.M.NEWS learnt the fights eventually turned tragic on the night of 17 August, 2012 when the two had a misunderstanding. Nancy was said to have grabbed the husband in the genitals and the man desperately made efforts to free himself from the vice grip to no avail and had to resort to biting off the woman’s nose before she would let go of the husband’s private part.
“We heard the man screaming and begging his wife to let go his genitals but she would not, so the man started crying and at a point, we heard the lady crying too. It was later we discovered that the man bit off the wife’s nostrils,” our source who resides in the adjoining building said.
According to her, after the fight, John took his wife to the University of Calabar Teaching Hospital, where the nostril was stitched and the woman placed on a bed to stay.
“The next day, John was with the woman in the hospital throughout the day and did not go to work. It was when he was returning from the hospital that some members of his wife’s family accosted him here on the road close to his house and beat him until he became unconscious. They left him there,” our source said.
She said when some neighbours tried to rush him to the hospital, the man died on the way. The University of Calabar was contacted and Odu’s corpse was taken to the school’s morgue at the Human Anatomy Department for preservation.
Mr. Effiong Enang, the Director of Stores in the university who is John’s immediate colleague said when he heard that the man was dead he contacted the bursar of the university “who is our head of unit and he asked me to confirm if it was true and I went there and it was true.”
A police source at the Airport Police station where the matter was fist reported said the case was transferred to the D4 Department at the Police Headquarters, Diamond Hill, after preliminary investigations.
At the police headquarters, a police source at the homicide unit (D4) said: “The family had taken some policemen to Abuja where we tried to locate the chief suspect who reportedly escaped there after the attack. But you know, like most criminals who are always at alert after committing a crime, he went into hiding when he heard the police were around looking for him. He can only run for now, we will certainly get him”.
The Police Public Relations Officer for the Cross River Police Command, DSP John Umoh confirmed the incident, adding that the suspect has been declared wanted.

Source: PM News

Buhari: IBB, OBJ, GEJ Brought Corruption Into The OIL Sector. IBB: You Too Are Corrupt...

Former Head of State Gen. Buhari (rtd)

 

 IBB

As the President Gudluck Jonathan was parrying the criticism of his administration at the Federal Capital Territory, former Head of State Gen. Muhammadu Buhari was railing at him in Kaduna, the North’s political headquarters.
The former presidential candidate of the Congress for Progressive Change (CPC) accused Jonathan, former President Olusegun Obasanjo and ex-military President Ibrahim Babangida of being behind the destruction of the oil industry, with its attendant effects on the welfare of the ordinary Nigerian.
Gen. Buhari spoke while receiving members of the CPC from Katsina, who paid him a Sallah homage.
But Dr. Jonathan rejected the dark tar with which his administration is painted. He said:  “Sometimes, even people who have held offices in government criticise me to the extent of personal abuses. Sometimes, I ask, ‘were there roads across the country and Jonathan brought flood to wipe out these roads?’ Or we had power and I brought hurricane to break down the entire infrastructure?
 “If they say Boko Haram is because of poverty; were there massive irrigation projects in the North where agriculture can thrive and massive farms and Jonathan brought drought to wipe out these farms? Under two years, is it possible? Well, time will tell. What I can tell Nigerians is that let those who criticise continue to criticise.
 “We will do our best and as we progress, Nigerians will know the truth and we’ll see that we are committed and will surely transform this country.” 
Jonathan assured that his critics would have the cause to praise him at the end of the life of his administration when his Transformation Agenda would have yielded the expected dividends.
 He said: “I think I am the most criticised President in the whole world, but I tell this noble audience that before I leave, I will also be the most praised president.
 “I have experienced that before in my governor journey in Bayelsa state. In fact, people who were close to me will tell you that even after the election, I told them that in my first 12 months, please cover your ears because you will hear all kinds of things. But as we progress, you will see (changes).
 “We are working very hard to stabilise power. We are working very hard to resurface our roads. We have security challenges, which we are also working very hard to bring to reasonable control.
 “It is not easy; we don’t have the magic wand, except the miracle worker that with the wave of the hand, probably will help to throw all these challenges away and prosperity will appear. But in pure governance issues, it takes time.”
The President said he promised to deliver free, fair and credible elections before the conduct of the 2011 general elections and the assessment of the polls by local and international observers was a testimony that he kept his promise.
 He said his administration had initiated policies that would ensure the country political, social and economic transformation.
 Jonathan said the Federal Government had proposed a new Anti-terrorism Bill 2012 to address the current security challenges in the country.
The President said he disagreed with the position of the NBA on the urgent need to create State Police to address the security challenges in the country.
According to him, Nigeria is not ripe for State Police because it can easily be abused by the governors, a development which, he said, can worsen the security situation.
He said the police became worse for it, when it introduced the policy of deploying men from the rank of Inspector downward to their states of origin.
Jonathan said his administration considered the NBA as a partner in progress and commended the association for choosing a topical theme for the conference.
The theme, “Nigeria as an Emerging Market: Redefining our Laws and Politics for Growth”, the President said, is in line with the public-private-partnership-oriented policy of his administration.
 He urged the association to review its rules of engagement which, he said, bar its officers from directly getting involved in day-to-day governance either in an advisory or participatory capacity.
The President said he had appointed the outgoing President of the NBA, Joseph Daudu (SAN), as Honorary Legal Adviser, but he (Daudu) declined the offer based on the association’s rules of engagement.
Jonathan said he was still willing to appoint the incoming president of the association to the position, if the rule could be reviewed.
Gen Buhari said the insincerity and corrupt nature of the nation’s leaders were responsible for the wave of insecurity in the country.
His guests from Katsina State were led by the member representing Funtua/Dandume Federal Constituency, Dr. Mansur Abdulkadir.
According to Gen. Buhari, the high level of corruption and the destruction of the petroleum industry began in the administration of Gen. Babangida. For the country to move forward, Nigerians must entrust its affairs to trusted leaders, he counselled.
The former Head of State noted that there was no country where impunity thrives like Nigeria, adding that corruption in the petroleum sector began during the era of Gen. Babangida, continued during that of ex-President Obasanjo and the administration of President Jonathan because, in his view,  they had the mindset to cheat the Nigerian masses.
He said: “The biggest challenge of Nigeria is for adequate security to be in place and ways in which we can protect the riches of this country and provide job opportunities for the youths in the country, so that we can build more industries as it was before.
“Inability of these industries to work has brought mistrust and corruption to Nigeria. Therefore, our leaders have to be sincere and lead with the fear of God and carry all along for Nigeria to be a better place.
“All leaders should stand and keep promises of the people. We cannot move forward, if things that are supposed to be put in place are not done. Like the money which was siphoned in the recent pension scam and the petroleum industry scam must all be brought back into the government’s coffer for good leadership.
“Therefore, all those that want the masses to vote and be voted for should go to the masses and get their mandate. The era of using money to bribe the masses or force to get political office is gone.
“A leader that wants to be a good leader must look at the needs of the people, the suffering and the humiliation and proffer solution to those problems and together we shall achieve greatness.”
Abdulkadir told Gen. Buhari that their mission was to wish him happy Eid-el-Fitr celebration and seek his blessing ahead of the local government election in Katsina State. 

IBB Responds, "I have your records"
A few hours after President Goodluck Jonathan and ex-Head of State, Gen. Muhammadu Buhari took a swipe at former  leaders, ex-Military President Ibrahim Babangida fired back.
He asked Dr. Jonathan to learn to accept criticisms and threatened to expose the “holier-than thou-attitude” of Gen. Buhari.
Gen. Babangida, who spoke through Prince Kassim Afegbua, his media adviser, reminded Gen. Buhari that those who live in glass houses should not throw stones.
He also advised Dr. Jonathan to look elsewhere, not him, if he is blaming past leaders that are criticising him.
Kassim said: “On President Jonathan, there is nothing wrong in criticism if it is constructive and in the interest of the country. Gen. Babangida is one unique former President who does not criticise a sitting President as a matter of courtesy.
“If President Jonathan is blaming past leaders, he should look elsewhere, certainly not IBB.
“On Gen. Buhari, it is not in IBB’s tradition to take up issues with his colleague former President. But for the purpose of record, we are conversant with Gen. Buhari’s so-called holier-than-thou attitude.
“He is a one-time Minister of Petroleum and we have good records of his tenure as minister.
“Secondly, he also presided over the Petroleum Trust Fund ( PTF) which records we also have.
“We challenge him to come out with clean hands in those two portfolios he headed. Or, we will help him to expose his. “records of performance during those periods.”
“Those who live in glass houses do not throw stones. Gen. Buhari should be properly guided. 

Obama Declares Nigeria As World’s Next Major Economic Giant

The President of the United States of America, Senator Barrack Obama has declared Nigeria as the world’s next economic success story.
Stressing that the discovery was one of the major reasons why his government is committed to helping the country build strong democratic institutions and as well remove constraints to trade and investment through the African Growth and Opportunity.
Making this declaration at the ongoing US-Nigeria Trade and Investment Forum, an event organised by the Nigerians in Diaspora Organisation (NIDOA) in Washington DC, yesterday, President Obama who was represented by Ambassador Eunice Reddick, a top official of the US Department, said that his country expanded opportunities for Nigeria to effectively access its neighbor’s market, and diversify its economy beyond a narrow reliance on natural resources as a result of the discovery that the West African nation will emerge as the world’ next economic giant.
“As we support these efforts, the Diaspora can play an important role in contributing to a strong, vibrant, and economically prosperous Nigeria” he noted.
President Obama pressed further that his country invests in Nigeria’s success because it recognizes Nigeria-s as a strategic center of gravity, stressing that the country’s success will as well be Africa’s success if the US can help Nigeria chart a secured, prosperous, and democratic course.
The US leader also make it known that his government will encourage Nigeria in the area of private investment in the power sector as well as other sectors to help seal the promise of growth and opportunity for all Nigerians.
He continued that the US government will also work to strengthen Nigeria’s agricultural sector, which employs nearly 70 percent of the country’s population, by encouraging improvements to infrastructure that would facilitate agricultural growth.
He also said that his government will help Nigeria to iberalize trade policies to foster regional trade, reform the customs system to bring it in line with global best practices, and as well encourage policy reforms to enable private investment in agriculture.
Speaking on the US-Nigeria Bi-National agreement, Obama said that the joint Commission has grown into a forum for frank, high-level concersations, in which both nations have seen substantial reforms and mutually reinforcing initiatives implemented in Nigeria.
His words: “Some key outcomes of the Binational Commission so far have been successful integration of civil society into the electoral process prior to the 2011 elections, sustained and elevated dialogue with energy sector officials on energy policy, reforms to increase investment, and agreement to support the development of a civil affairs training center in the coming year”
“Energy and Investment, the subject of one of the four working groups of the Binational Commission, is critical to Nigeria-s present and future”

Again, here are the faces of Cynthia Osokogu's killers!

From left : Nwabufor, Odera, Chukwunoso, Osita

A Magistrate’s Court in Yaba, Lagos Mainland yesterday ordered that four young men being held in connection with the murder of Cynthia Osokogu Udoka (25) be remanded in prison custody.
Magistrate P. A. Adekomaiya ordered that Okwumo Echezona Nwabufo (33), Ejike Ilechukwu Olisaeloka (23), Orji Osita (32) and Maduakor Chukwunonso (25) be remanded in Ikoyi  Prison, Lagos after an eight-count charge brought against them by the police was read to them.
The magistrate ordered that they should be held in prison, pending the advice of the state’s Director of Public Prosecution (DPP). He adjourned the matter till October 3 for mention.
Their plea was not taken. The magistrate only asked if they understood the charge after it was read to them. They answered “yes”.
They were charged with conspiracy, murder, armed robbery, rape, “unlawful administration of obnoxious substance” and “forceful administration of obnoxious substance” with a view to causing bodily harm.
By the charge, signed by Chukwu Agwu (Acting Superintendent of Police), the accused persons’ alleged offences are punishable under Sections 221, 231, 237, 241, 258, 295 and 409 of the “Criminal Law of Lagos State of Nigeria, 2011.”
In count one, they were alleged to have, between “2100 hours of July 21, 2012 and 12 hours of July 22, 2012 at room C1,  Cosmilla Hotel, Lakeview Estate, Amuwo Odofin, Festac Town, Lagos did conspire among yourselves to commit felony to wit: murder.”
In count two, they are accused unlawfully killing “Cynthia Osokogu Udoka ‘f’, aged 25 years by administering her with obnoxious substance known as Rohypnol Flunitrazepam tablets via a Ribena fruit juice drink, binding her hands with chain, padlock and cellotape her legs, neck and mouth with cellotape, giving her fist blows all over her body, giving her several human bites, tortured and strangled her to death.”
In count three, the four are accused of conspiring among themselves to commit felony to wit: Armed robbery. The Police, in count four, accused them of robbing Cynthia of her personal items while being armed with “obnoxious substances and other offensive weapons”.
Some of the items allegedly stolen from the late Cynthia include one Bold Five model of Blackberry handset, an international passport marked: A012493997 dated July 3, 2009; pairs of shoes, a hand bag, an artificial sex toy vibrator, a jewelry pack containing three wrist watches, four rings, three pairs of earrings, one pendant, one necklace, a hand chain (bangle)  and a single earring.
They were accused in count five of conspiring to rape the deceased. In count six, the accused were accused of unlawfully having sexual intercourse with the deceased without her consent.
In count seven, they were alleged to, with intent to facilitate the commission of felony, unlawfully administered an obnoxious substance known as Rohypnol Flunitrazepam tablets, purchased at Oxpharm Pharmacy, 32 Road, Festac Town, Lagos, on Cynthia Osokogu Udoka.”
They were, in count eight, alleged to have,”with intent to harm, did unlawfully cause an obnoxious substanceknown as Rohypnol Flunitrazepam tablets to be administered on Cynthia Osokogu Udoka against her consent and caused her grievous harm.”

Source: The Nation

Al-Qaeda Planning to Attack Nigeria, Ghana.

The international terrorist group, al-Qaeda, it has been gathered, are planning to attack Nigeria. The Deputy Force Public Relations Officer, Mr. Frank Mba, confirming the information, however noted that such threats were received in the past, and added that security agencies were determined to ensure the group’s plan did not succeed.
According Mba, the police are receiving immense support from developed countries that have counter- terrorism expertise. He said, “That al-Qaeda and similar groups want to attack some certain countries is not new. As security operatives, we treat information at our disposal with uttermost care. We test their veracity and analyse them… Here in Nigeria, we stop most of the domestic attacks before they take place. We defuse more bombs than they detonate. We save thousands of lives daily but we do this discretely and quietly.
He continues: “More than ever, we have so much support from the international community. We are getting help from both ECOWAS and western countries. We are doing our best with the resources we have and we will continue to do so… We have stepped up security everywhere but we won’t disclose how we are doing that and the specifics of our mechanisms… I want to assure Nigerians and the international community that government is irrevocably committed to its mandate of providing adequate security in the country.”
Reports of possible attacks on Ghana had also been gotten about two weeks ago, leading the country to beef up security at their Kotoka International Airport, Accra last Tuesday. Also, a Ghanaian newspaper, Daily guide, had reported:
“Nigeria, three others are said to be on the radar of the terrorist group. Ghana is also said to be on a hit list of an international terrorist group, leading to deployment of soldiers at the Kotoka International Airport, Accra.”
So far, it is yet unknown if the attacks would be launched by al-Qaeda in the Maghreb or the main terrorist organisation in the country.

Here is the beast that killed Cyntia!!

Finally we have the first face photos of the monsters that murdered the pretty Cynthia using facebook as a major tool, they were arraigned before a lagos court today, here is how PM news reported:

Quote

The suspects - Okwumo Echezona Nwabufor, 33, Ezike Ilechukwu Olisaeloka, 23, Orji Osita, 32, and Maduakor Chukwunonso, 25 were slammed with  an eight-count charge of murder, armed robbery, administering the late Cynthia with obnoxious substance known as Rohyenol via Ribena fruit drink, among  others.

According to the charge, the suspects also had unlawful sexual intercourse with the victim without her consent.

Their plea was not taken.

The court ordered that they should be remanded in prison custody and their file duplicated for DPP’s advice.

The matter was adjourned till 3 October, 2012.

Following the arrest and subsequent parade of  Olisaeloka and his cousin, Nwabufor, over the murder of Cynthia, three more ladies came forward, saying they were once victims of the alleged murderers.

The three women reportedly went to Festac Police Command to write a statement about how they were drugged, raped and robbed by the suspects now facing trial.

Togo women on sex strike against President Gnassingbe

Isabelle Ameganvi said holding the strike would ensure women's voices would be heard

Women in Togo have called a week-long sex strike, starting on Monday, to demand the president's resignation.

The ban has been called by opposition coalition Let's Save Togo, which groups together nine civil society groups and seven opposition parties and movements.
Opposition leader Isabelle Ameganvi said that sex could be a "weapon of the battle" to achieve political change.
The coalition wants President Faure Gnassingbe, whose family has held power for decades, to stand down.
"We have many means to oblige men to understand what women want in Togo," Ms Ameganvi, leader of the women's wing of the coalition, told the BBC.
She said she had been inspired by a similar strike by Liberian women in 2003, who used a sex strike to campaign for peace.
"If men refuse to hear our cries we will hold another demonstration that will be more powerful than a sex strike," she added.
'Like fasting'
Togo has been run by the same family for more than four decades.
President Faure Gnassingbe took power in 2005 following the death of his father, Gnassingbe Eyadema, who ruled Togo for 38 years. The president was re-elected in 2010.
The strike was announced at a rally on Saturday in Lome, attended by thousands of people.

The rally was held to protest against recent electoral reforms, which demonstrators say will make it easier for Mr Gnassingbe's party to win re-election in the parliamentary polls set for October.
Activists say that the strike will motivate men who are not involved in the political movement to pursue its goals, which include an end to the system allowing unlimited presidential terms.
Earlier this month, two anti-Gnassingbe protests were dispersed by police using tear gas and more than 100 people were arrested.
The sex strike was welcomed as a political tool by some women in Lome.
"It's a good thing for us women to observe this sex strike as long as our children are in jail now. I believe that by observing this, we will get them released," Abla Tamekloe told the Associated Press.
"For me, it's like fasting, and unless you fast, you will not get what you want from God."

Source: BBC World News

"I Enjoyed It"..... 11 year old sexually abused girl tells police.

An 11-year old girl who was a victim of sexual abuse (name withheld) stunned the police in Lagos State, southwest Nigeria, when she confessed that she enjoyed having sex with their neighbour, Adams Oliyide, who allegedly defiled her on many occasions. The victim told the police that she did not tell anyone, including her parents, because she enjoyed having sex with the suspect. The victim, who opened up to the police, when she was asked why she did not report the sexual assault to her parents, said whenever Oliyide invited her to his one room apartment, she always sneaked in and allowed him to have sex with her because she enjoyed it.
The incident happened in Iyana Ipaja Lagos State Southwest Nigeria. The suspect from Ogun State, Southwest Nigeria, used to sneak back home from work in the afternoon when the parents of the victim had gone to work to have carnal knowledge of the victim. It was alleged that after having sex with her, he would give her money to buy food, sweets or biscuits and warned her not to tell anybody. This went on for months until they were caught by their neighbour who raised an alarm and contacted the victim’s parents. When the suspect was arrested, he was taken to Oke Odo Police Division, where he allegedly confessed that he had sex with the girl on many occasions.
The victim also confessed to the police that the 20-year old suspect had sex with her on many occasions but did not to tell her parents because she loved him. But the police insisted that Oliyide committed rape because the victim was an under age.
He was therefore charged with rape at Ikeja Magistrate’s Court sitting in Abule Egba under Section 137 Of the Criminal Code Law of Lagos State of Nigeria 2011.  The suspect pleaded not guilty to the charge and the presiding magistrate, Mr. A.O. Komolafe, granted him bail in the sum of N100,000 with two sureties in like sum.
The court also ordered that one of the sureties must be a blood relation and the sureties must show evidence of payment of taxes.
The matter has been adjourned till 3 September, 2012.

How My Father Drugged Me And Raped Me.... Oluchi Tells Court

A 53-year-old trader, Nzewi Donatus is currently facing a two-count charge at the Ojo Magistrate court, Lagos, for having canal knowledge of his daughter, Oluchi Nzewi , 18, without her consent which is an offense under section 258 of the criminal laws of Lagos state .
He is also being charged for threatening to kill one Ngozi Emeka, for reporting him to the police which is punishable under section 56 of the criminal laws of Lagos state  Nigeria.
Donatus, a tenant at No. 11, Akoberu street by Cele bustop,  Ojo was reported to the police by Ngozi Emeka who is a friend to the deceased wife of Donatus after he, (Donatus) chased his daughter out of the house because she accused him of having sex with her.
Oluchi, who appeared before the court narrated her shocking side of the story.   She alleged that the father has been having canal knowledge of her for five years after the death of her mother.
“My father has been having sex with me whenever I am asleep and there is this drink he always forced me to drink before I sleep and when I wake up, I do noticed sperm all over my body.   When I asked him, he will deny it and warn me never to ask him such question.
On the 15th day of August when I woke up, I noticed such on my body again and this time, I was bold enough to ask him but when I did, he beat me up and sent me out of the house.   So, I went to one Ngozi for shelter and when I narrated my pains to her, she quickly ran to the police to file a report,” she lamented.
Crime Guard gathered from a reliable source that ever since his wife died,the suspect has been maltreating his daughter by even sitting with her at a bar taking alcoholic drinks.
He also allegedly chases away any male friend that comes visiting his daughter.  Some people who never knew his reasons for doing such thought he was preventing them from the corrupt society little did they  know that he was doing so for his own selfish interest.
Crime Guard also learnt that when he was invited to the police station, he never showed any remorse but instead he was disturbing and causing nuisance at the station. He also allegedly threatened to kill Ngozi Emeka for reporting “a case that did not concern her” to the police.
Another witness who pleaded anonymity also disclosed that he saw Donatus beating his daughter but when he tried interfering, he got the worst insult of his life. “When I heard Oluchi screaming for help, I ran to see if I could talk to his father.   But when I tried doing so, he gave me the worst insult of my life accusing me of having a secret affair with his daughter.   I got pissed off and had to leave so as to mind my business”.
When  the charges were read to him by the prosecutor, Supol Eze, he pleaded not guilty but the presiding Magistrate, Mrs  J.O.E Akhanamaya, rejected his bail and he was remanded  at kirikiri prison custody for further hearing of his case.

Some rich men in my church are dating my wife.... Pastor Oyedunn

A Customary Court in Ake, Abeokuta, in Ogun State became a theatre of some sort when a cleric, one Pastor Samuel Oyedotun, pleaded that his marriage to his wife be dissolved by the court.
What was however astonishing was the reason given by the cleric for his plea. Oyedun alleged that his wife Lydia, 37, was dating some rich men in his church, and that when he confronted her, she threatened to deal with him ruthlessly. The plaintiff said that all efforts to stop her from continuing in the habit proved abortive.
In regret, he said he wouldn‘t have got married to his wife, Lydia, if he knew the woman was not responsible. Oyedotun said his wife made him believe she was religious when they met, until after she bore two children for him and he discovered she indulged in drinking beer and was also adulterous. This was a source of serious concern to him, he said, noting that he hardly prayed as he used to do before they became husband and wife.
Meanwhile, although the 37-year-old woman denied the allegations leveled against her by the husband, she told the court she was ready to accept the divorce since her husband was adamant. She also pleaded that she be granted custody of the five children the marriage has produced, noting that she knew that the money Samuel would be making from the church would not be enough for the upkeep of the children. The case was adjourned for further hearing.

Prophet Who Allegedly Specializes In Annointing Private Parts Of Women Arrested

A 24-year old lady, Cynthia Nwanguma who was placed on a secrecy oath by a Lagos based self-styled prophet, Dennis Mmadu, not to disclose her ordeal to anyone or else she would die, has damned the consequences and recounted her ordeal in the hands of the fake prophet; because that’s what he is.
Cynthia alleged that Mmadu had unihibited sexual intercourse with her for seven days; pretending to be anointing her breasts and private part with oil. She added that the prophet also claimed they were having ‘holy’ sex while he engaged in unprotected sex with her whenever he felt like throughout the period. The sex was allegedly to ‘deliver’ Cynthia Nwanguma, a student nurse from barreness. She also claimed to have been defrauded by the prophet to the tune of N21,800.

35-year-old Prophet Mmadu, is now cooling his heels at Kirikiri Prison on the order of an Ejigbo Magistrateís Court where he is facing a four-count charge of obtaining money under false pretence, stealing and threat to life.
Mmadu from Imo State, met Cynthia at Igando, off LASU-Isheri road, Lagos, and he took her in his car marked TU 806 AAA to his house at 26, Oseni Street, New Oko-Oba, near Agege.
She said during one of their sex session Prophet Mmadu prophesied told her that she had a strange illness in her stomach that would make her barren throughout her life time.
She said he told her that she was lucky to have met him and promised to offer her spiritual healing so that she will not have problem looking for the fruit of the womb when she got married.
She said he showed her some women and men as those who have benefited from his spiritual powers. But she later discovered they were his accomplices. She said she was still in shock over what happened because she did not know what came over her.
She later discovered that she has been duped. After regaining herself, Cynthia demanded her money from Prophet Mmadu but he ignored her. She thus reported the incident to Igando police division.
Prophet Mmadu was subsequently arrested and interrogated. He was charged to court for fraud, stealing and assault.
The offence, the police said is contrary to Sections 36, 44, 312 and 409 of the Criminal code Laws of Lagos State of Nigeria, 2011. He pleaded not guilty. The presiding Magistrate, Mrs. M. B. Folami granted him bail in the sum of N50,000 with one surety in like sum.
The matter has been adjourned to 16 September, 2012 for further hearing. The prophet was however remanded in prison custody pending when he will meet the bail conditions