2019: Seventh Day Adventist church sues INEC and FG over elections that fall on Saturdays

Members of the Seventh Day Adventist Church in Rivers State have dragged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Federal Government and the Attorney General of the Federation to court over the continuous holding of elections on Saturdays.

The applicants in the matter, Chief Emeka Anyabelem, Elder Asonye Onwudebe, Felix Minikwu andChinedu Omesurum, said conducting elections on Saturday amounts to the violation of their rights to worship and disenfranchisement of other members of their church.  

In the suit, PHC/2836/2018, the applicants prayed the court to declare that holding elections on Saturday, the worship day for the denomination, is a violation of the Seventh Day Adventist Church members rights.  

The suit read in part:

“A declaration that the applicants’ known day of worship being Saturday, they are entitled to their freedom of religion and worship on Saturdays unhindered or by any means, whatsoever, under the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as amended).  

A declaration that the fixing/scheduling of the 2019 presidential and National Assembly elections on Saturday, February 16, 2019, and the governorship and state Assembly elections/Federal Capital Territory (FCT) council elections on Saturday, March 2, by the first respondent, in concert with the second and third respondents, constitute a violation of the applicants’ fundamental rights to freedom of religion.”  

The applicants said their rights being violated are guaranteed under Section 38 of the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999, and Article 8 of the African Charter on Human and People’s (Enforcement and Ratification) Act, Cap A9.  

The applicants further prayed the court to make an order of injunction restraining the third defendants, INEC, from conducting the 2019 election as scheduled or scheduling any other elections on Saturday.

Poem of the day- Tomorrow and always by Gideon Nwaikwu

Floating wisp of the morning cloud. ,
shady crisp of a brightening day. ,
Will it shine today?
Will i shine today?

:;

Sunbeams i pray, thou divine dust!
make bright my destined path today. ,
as you shall shine today,
make me shine today.

:;

ever fervent!   Brightest summer sun!
Naught can eclipse thy radiant burn!
i pray you shine today. ,
Tomorrow and alway

Senator Adeleke Arraigned For Exam Malpractice And Granted Bail

The police on Wednesday arraigned the Peoples Democratic Party’s governorship candidate in the September 22, 2018 election in Osun State, Senator Ademola Adeleke, and four others, on charges of examination malpractices.

The defendants were arraigned before Justice I.E Ekwo of the Federal High Court in Abuja, where they all pleaded not guilty to the four counts preferred against them.


The rest of the defendants alongside whom Adeleke was arraigned were, Sikiru Adeleke; the principal of Ojo-Aro Community Grammar School, Alhaji Aregbesola Muftau; the registrar of the school, Gbadamosi Ojo; and a teacher in the school, Dare Samuel Olutope.


The prosecution accused the five defendants of committing the offence of examination malpractices by fraudulently, through impersonation, registering Adeleke and another Sikiru Adeleke, as students of Ojo-Aro Community Grammar School, in Ojo-Aro in Osun State, for the National Examination Council’s June/July 2017 Senior School Certificate Examination in February 2017.

Decked in a grey coloured attire with a cap, Adeleke was already seated in the courtroom before the judge commenced sitting at about 9.07am.


Shortly after the defendants took their pleas, on Wednesday, three of them, including Adeleke, who had filed their separate bail applications ahead of the arraignment, were granted bail.


Considering Adeleke’s status as a serving senator, the judge granted bail to him based on self-recognition but with a directive that he must enter into a bond to assure the court that he would always be present in court for his trial.


The judge also directed him to deposit his passport with the registrar of the court and must not travel out of the country without the permission of the court.


The two others were granted bail in the sum of N2m each with one surety each who must be a “responsible” citizen and owner of landed property in Abuja. They too are to deposit their passports with the court’s registry and are not to travel out of the country without the court’s permission.

Following a request from the prosecuting counsel, Lough, Justice Ekwo adjourned the matter till December 17, 18 and 19 for the commencement of trial.
From punch

Guess who is visiting Nigeria.

American Model, Blac Chyna has announced that she’d be in Abuja, the Capital territory of Nigeria on the 24th of of November!

She announced that she’ll be in Nigeria for the first time at the end of this month.

Describing Nigeria as ‘motherland’, she wrote, ‘Hello Nigeria!!! I’m visiting the motherland finally to party with you in Abuja’.

Meet Kanye West Handsome Son

Kanye West Handsome Son "Saint"

This is what your heart looks like when it is completely drained of blood. 

Army receives large cargo of ammunition

The Nigerian Army has received a "large consignment" of ammunition.

The consignment arrived Nigeria via an air shipment on Tuesday.

According to a statement by the military, the ammunition would "enhance its operational capabilities".

News of the shipment's arrival was announced via a tweet that read: Nigerian Army Receives Large Consignment of Ammunition: The NIgerian Army has received a shipment of various ammunition to further enhance its operational capabilities and combat efficiency".

UNILAG microbiology student commits suicide over failed courses

According to a new report, a student of Microbiology, Niyi from the University of Lagos allegedly committed suicide because he had failed some of his courses.

The student has been identified simply as Niyi by one of his friends who was devastated by the news, while paying tribute to him, acknowledged that ‘school’ doesn’t necessarily determine your life and so, it’s not worth your life.

The friend wrote,

    Mehn…today cannot get better…RIP Niyi…you were my boy in FIFA…its sad to know another mic student committed suicide….y’all are failing to understand that it’s not by all this school…school doesn’t determine your life…God will judge those behind these because y’all have kids too…Rest in peace brother….Till we meet again I love you but God loves you most…Microbiology is not worth your life …speak up…mehn I’m sad af

microbiology student commits suicide

A twitter user, Temitope with the handle, @Israerll wrote: “This is the second time a student from the department of microbiology in UNILAG is committing suicide in a space of 3 years. Something isn’t right”

Another user, @theFURST1 wrote on twitter; Try as much as possible to talk to your friends always, everybody seems to act okay but they really are not. Depression is real, they just need spill their mind to. This microbiolgy Unilag student just commuted suicide. R.I.P NIYI

Will Crush Buhari And Atiku – Female Presdential candidate Oby Ezekwesili says

The presidential candidate of the Allied Congress Party of Nigeria, ACPN, Oby Ezekwesili has revealed how she would use her campaign strategies to defeat President Muhammadu Buhari and the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar.

The former Minister of Education explained that she intends to leverage on her being the most qualified of all the candidates and most ready for the presidential job to defeat other contestants.

The co-converner of the BringBackOurGirls, BBOG, group said this during a press conference in Lagos, yesterday.

The activist also stated that both Buhari and Atiku were similar and not different because “Buhari’s All Progressive Congress (APC) and Atiku’s Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) are Siamese twins of failure and destruction.”

She said: “There is no lesser evil in ‘BuTiku; BuTiku’ are members of the same party. Attempting to choose between these two is like asking one to choose between death by poison or death by gunshot. God forbid. We cannot reject one oppressor and hand over to another oppressor. We do not love bondage. We do not enjoy suffering; God in heaven forbid.

“I just laugh when I hear some people say our citizens’ movement will split opposition votes. But the PDP is not in opposition to the APC. The candidate of the PDP has over the past 14 years gone from PDP to AC, AC to PDP, PDP to APC and now back to PDP. These people are brothers and sisters of iniquity and impoverishment, merchants of failure and disappointment.

“Don’t believe that 419! They are both part of a political ruling class that has held us bound, manipulated and diminished us for decades. Now they are auditioning to extend their streak of failure for another four years? God really forbid!

“The real opponent that the Nigerian people have in 2019 is this old political order that takes and takes and takes, and never replenishes anything.”

Rotimi Amaechi And Others Escape Arik Air Crash

The minister of transportation, Rotimi Amaechi,and other Arik air passengers had a horrifying experience on a flight from Port-Harcourt to Lagos.
This is a first hand Narrative of one of the Passengers.








The Passenger says...


''No place for argument! We left port Harcourt at about 22:00, experienced some turbulence while descending into Lagos, the pilot said there was storm passing through WA this period, and that it was a rare occurrence. At about 23:30, he made the first attempt to land, I sat by the window so I could see a bit more, the plane was close to touching the ground, when a sudden wind came from the side and took over the plane, pilot aborted the landing, with the plane shaking from side to side due to the wind force, and the engines crying from very high RPM, he made his way back up. People shouted, cried, prayed, and there I was forming cool guy.


My colleague siting behind said "Ibimina, that was a close call" Mr cool guy was there quite saying we will land soon, soon turned into over 2 hours of the pilot struggling to control the plane, people passing out, prayers turning into receive my soul...


But just before the failed first attempt of five attempts, the Lord asked me to pray because it will be worse, I felt it was my many documentaries on "moments before disaster" getting the better of me. For more than two hours, we died many deaths, I thought about my wife and my son, as tears dripped down my face(I just started crying again).



A thought came to me to say my final prayers, the pilot was finding it difficult to steady the plane for over an hour, then I asked myself why did He ask me to pray, if I will still die, so I refused to pray any prayer of "receive my soul" I began to shout Tamunodein!!!!(the peace of God) which happens to be my son's name, I said the storms obeyed You, they will obey you again today, I refuse to die like this!


I speak your peace and declare that You provide a window for this plane to land, by the sixth attempt HE gave us a window and we landed at about 01:02am today. The air hostes at some point started shouting, "people, call upon God, we will survive, raise your praises God is able to do it"



I can't write all that happened, but when we got off the plane, someone from the control room met us and said we went off the radar more than three times. My colleague went to the curpit to thank the pilot, and he told him, he had flown over 50 planes and has never seen this before.


They gathered today to end us, but the Lord sent HIS angels, and Rebuked them.

A thousand tongues truly won't be enough... The Lord spared our lives.


May God bless the pilot of Arik Air flight W3745 from PH - LOS, to all those that survived with me, including the minister of transport, we owe Him our lives. He is a great deliverer!!!


By Grend Miebaka ibimina and Oraye St. Franklyn

Man files a suit against Buhari and INEC

Itse De files a lawsuit against Buhari and INEC. In his Facebook post he wrote.



 Like I promised on Friday, I have filed a suit against Buhari and INEC before the Federal High Court, Lagos to challenge Buhari's qualification to stand for the 2019 Presidential Election. For this reason, I shall speak less of this matter since it's already before the Court. I believe in the Nigerian judiciary and hopeful the court will end this debate once and for all.


Attached is part of the Court process containing the reliefs sought.

Real Madrid Sacks Lopetegui And Announce His Replacement

Real Madrid has confirmed that the club has agreed to terminate the contract of head coach, Julen Lopetegui, after just 14 games

Lopetegui’s dismissal comes 24 hours after Real were humiliated 5-1 by Barcelona at the Nou Camp.

A club statement read: “Real Madrid’s board met today and agreed to end contract linking coach Julen Lopetegui with club.

“This decision taken to change dynamic in which first team finds itself, when all the objectives for the season are still achievable.”

The Santiago Bernabeu side also announced that former midfielder and Real Madrid Castilla manager, Santiago Solari, will take temporary charge of the club from tomorrow.
dailypost

Another aide to Governor Udom Emmanuel has resigned his appointment with the Akwa Ibom State Government.

   


The aide, Anthony Usoro, a senior special assistant to the governor on demographic planning, resigned on October 25.

He did not state his reason for leaving the government.

Mr Usoro, in his resignation letter, thanked the governor for giving him the opportunity to serve in the administration.

He is the seventh among the aides that have so far resigned from Mr Emmanuel’s administration.

Most of the aides left the administration after Godswill Akpabio, an influential senator and former governor of the state, fell out with Governor Emmanuel and defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the opposition All Progressives Congress (APC).

Another of the governor’s aide, Anietie Ebe, who resigned in September because of “lack of basic work tools”, had told PREMIUM TIMES that more people would likely abandon the administration before the 2019 general elections.

“A lot more other aides of the governor are agitating to leave. They are only hanging on to get their salary and would likely leave towards the end of the governor’s tenure.

“A lot of them have hope in the salary, you know how difficult things are,” said Mr Ebe, who was working as a special assistant on project investments and industries.

Governor Emmanuel is seeking re-election for a second term in 2019.

His main challenger is the APC’s candidate, Nsima Ekere, who is the managing director of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC).

Political analysts in the state have predicted a tough battle between Governor Emmanuel and Mr Ekere in the forthcoming election.

50 REASONS OBASANJO ENDORSED GOV UDOM EMMANUEL FOR SECOND TEAM by Aniekeme Finbarr

As Nigeria's longest serving leader, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo on Sunday declared support for Governor Udom Emmanuel. In his words, "God is a God of Continuity. Since he created the world. I always say to myself and to my family, If something is good, keep it. Children of God, you have a good product in your hand and if I have a good product in my hand, I will not change it, I will keep it. Governor Udom Emmanuel is a good product, let's have him for continuity."

 Here are 50 reasons to buttress Obasanjo's call for continuity

1. In less than 4 years, Governor Udom Emmanuel of Akwa Ibom State has delivered good governance, life touching projects, peace, political cohesion, rededicated the state to God and managed a depressing recession.

2. Statistics shows that Akwa Ibom is second on the table of the few states in Nigeria that attract foreign investors. The industrialization agenda is blooming with the Jubilee Syringe Manufacturing Factory, the largest on the continent and the Metering Solutions Factory, 9 other industries are running.

3. The Jubilee Syringe Factory was Commissioned by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo on September 23,2017 produces One million syringes daily. The syringe Factory currently employs at least 100 Akwa Ibom people, who were trained in Turkey with just five experts working there. Currently, more Akwa Ibom youths are abroad undergoing training and will return to boost the manpower needs of the company, as the factory looks to expand in future...Amazed by this development, Vice President Osinbajo, who is of the APC said Governor Udom Emmanuel is a clever Governor.

4. Gov Emmanuel has  procured & distributed free text books & other educational materials; pay subventions to public primary & secondary schools; pays over N600 million WAEC fees for our children in public secondary schools annually.

5. Governor Emmanuel has upgraded the Akwa Ibom State College of Arts & Science, Nung Ukim, Ikono to a College of Science and Technology. As well as provide significant support for the establishment of the Nigerian Navy School in Oruk Anam and Army School in Etinan.

6. As we speak there are Local Government Areas that have not known road construction in the last ten years, some since they were born. They now have completed or ongoing road projects.

The people of Itie Ikpe, Nkana Itie Ikpe, Ikpe Ikot Nkon, Obotme, Ukpakon, Edem Urua, Ikwueme, Okpoto, Ikpanya in Akwa Ibom State did not dream that in their lifetime, they will have a tarred road take them home. Since they were born, the Ikpe Ikot Nkon - Obotme - Arochukwu road is the first tarred road in the axis.

Our brothers in Abia State are so happy, from Amuvi, Asaga, Obinkita, Ibom, Ututu to Ihechiowa, the story is the same, there is a tarred road now linking Akwa Ibom to Abia State.

The 14.1km Ikpe Ikot Nkon - Obot Mme - Arochukwu road in Ini Local Government Area is almost completed and the people of Arochukwu in Abia State have already offered a chieftaincy title to honour Governor Udom Emmanuel in appreciation of the road, which ends at the boundary between the two states. He politely declined...AMEM?

7. Work is on-going in the following projects: the 11,00 hectares coconut plantation; and 16,000 hectares cassava plantation in 15 LGA’s. Youths numbering 450 have been trained in cocoa maintenance, shedding and pruning and they are using these skills to grow cocoa all over the state. We have also subsidized fertilizers and we have given oil palm & cocoa seedlings to farmers all over the State. Other projects include the Akwa Prime Hatchery, which produces 10,000 day old chicks weekly, the cultivation of over 100 hectares of rice, and the Free Improved Corn seed distribution program for farmers.

8. Akwa United football Club, for the first time in over twenty years of her existence was inspired to fourth position on the National League table under the Udom Emmanuel led administration.

9. Akwa United played her maiden international tournament, the CAF Confederations Cup following the Dakkada philosophy the new management of the club put together by Governor Udom Emmanuel imbibed.

10. Akwa United won her first ever major trophy in 2016 after Governor Udom Emmanuel repositioned the club carting away the FA Cup. Akwa United made history by winning the maiden Aiteo Cup in 2017 is currently playing Continental football this year 2018 at the well maintained Godswill Akpabio international stadium.

11. The second Akwa Ibom Youths Sports  Festival just started after the very successful maiden edition where all Secondary schools are expected to participate giving a window for talent hunt. Over 10,000 kids playing in more than 20 sports.

12. Eket Stadium is currently under construction in fulfillment of Governor Emmanuel's campaign pledge. The artificial Turf and all modern fittings needed to build the Eket Stadium and revamp the Uyo Township Stadium have been delivered and received by the State government.

13. Governor Emmanuel has built a sports complex at West Itam Secondary school opposite the NNPC Mega station along Uyo Ikot Ekpene Road. 9 more to go.

14. The female team of Akwa Ibom State, Ibom Angels made it to the FA Cup final and finished second twice, which is tremendous improvement on her past records.

15. There is a revival of our football supporters culture as more and more enthusiasts are trooping to the stadium to watch live matches since Governor Emmanuel took over.

Governor Udom Emmanuel is working and achieving so much success in developing our sports sector in less than three years.

16. Governor Udom Emmaniel is currently undertaking the construction of over 50  roads in the Uyo metropolis and environs.

Akpaube Close, Akpa Ube Lane off IBB Avenue, Ekperi Close by Akpaube, Idak Ukpa Street, off Aka Etinan Road, Afaha Atai village crescent road, in lbesikpo Asutan Local Government Area, Vision close in Nsukara Offot, Udotong Ubo Lane, Akparen Street, Nung Atai Street leading to Christian Secondary Commercial School, Ibiono Lane, Unit D line in Ewet Housing Estate, Ediye Samuel Street, off Edet Akpan Avenue, 12.Akpan Ndem Street by Ewet Housing Estate, Unit G Line in Ewet Housing Estate, Eden Udo Close, roads around Atan Offot from Aka Etinan to the back of the State Secretariat and another spur to Goodluck Jonathan Boulevard, Ring roads 2 now wear a new look.

17. Information Drive was completed and commissioned, Cornelia Corneli College Uyo were constructed and commissioned, the Nsikak Eduok Avenue by Oron road, Edet Akpan Avenue intersection flooding has been conquered as Governor Udom Emmanuel completed an underground tunnel from Edet Akpan Avenue through Udo Udoma Avenue linking it to the Tropicana drainage, down into Obot idim Ibesikpo stream as the outfall.

18. The construction of the 3.5km Ring Road 2 project is also ongoing extending from the dead end of Udo Udoma Avenue across Aka community through Afaha Offot to link up Abak Road. You should know that road.

19. Two days after taking his oath of office to Governor Udom Emmanuel paid a visit to the 78 years old Premier St. Luke's Hospital Anua. As a dividend of that working visit, a New Administrative Storey building block named after Dr Ann Ward was built and Commissioned by Governor Udom Emmanuel.

20. Two other buildings were completely renovated including the Gynecology block and the Male block. Internal roads in the Anua hospital were tarred and the perimeter fence renovated. All these achieved in a record 70 days in office.

21. The Etinan General Hospital has been completely rehabilitated, upgraded, and equipped with modern hi tech  health care facilities.

22. The Ikono General Hospital has been overhauled, refurbished, repositioned and upgraded for efficient secondary Healthcare delivery.

23. The Ituk Mbang General Hospital has been remodeled and upgraded courtesy of Governor Udom Emmanuel.

24. Considerable medical supplies and consumables were distributed to General hospitals including Immanuel Hospital Eket.

25. The 4.6km School of Arts and Science Road Nung Ukim Ikono has been completed with side drains and is ready for commissioning. The Gully Erosion that threatened to completely destroy the major access road linking Ikono and Ini has been arrested by the Udom Emmanuel administration.

26. The 19.3km Anua Mbak Ishiet road in Uruan traversing 7 villages including, Anua, Ifa Ikot Okpon, Mbak, Ikot Otoinye, Ekim Enen, Adadia, and Ishiet is progressing and the 4.0km Mbiatok - Ekritam - Mbiaya Uruan road, criss crossing Ita Uruan, Ikpa and Mbiakong villages is steadily advancing.

27. The 8.5km Nduetong - Oku Ibiaku Uruan - Ekritam road with spur to Ini Uruan, that passes through the Uyo City Polytechnic to Planet FM 101. 1 premises is in the works.

28. No Governor in the current class can stand shoulder-to - shoulder with Governor Udom Emmanuel for roads constructed amidst the terrible economic recession Nigeria is enmeshed in. Governor Emmanuel's administration is currently building five dualized roads to completely link up the entire State.

29. The dual carriage  20km Ekom Iman - Etinan road traversing Ikot Oku Ikono - Asuna, Ishiet Erong, Etinan Urban to the roundabout by Etinan Institute. Then the next stretch of 29.0km Etinan - Ndon Eyo road, also dualized, extending through Ekpene Ukpa, Efa, Mbioto, Ikot Oku Ekanem, Awa, Mkpok to Ndon Eyo.

30. The dualization of the 14.5km Uyo - Oron Road (Airport Road - Okopedi Oron - Oron Road by East West Road) cutting across Ekpene Ukim, Ikot Asua, Ikot Etieidung, Nung Atai Eta, and Okopedi Okobo in Nsit Atai and Okobo Local Government Areas.

31. The 13.5km Okopedi Okobo - Oron Road proceeding from Nung Atai Eta, Itak, Uyatie, Edeghi Awa Ikpi, Otti Oro and Uya Oro villages in Okobo and Oron Local Government Areas.

32. The 23. 5km Eket-Etinan Road with three bridges is progressing and cuts across Etinan Urban, Afaha Nsit, Ndiya, Itreto, Okon Eket, to Eket Urban by Okpongkong Bridge.

33. The 19.5km Eket ibeno road which opened up access from Marina Junction Eket to Edebok, Esit Urua, Mkpanak and Ukpenekang  villages which has been commissioned by Governor Udom Emmanuel.

34. Governor Udom Emmanuel is also continuing the inherited dualization of the 25 km Uyo - Ikot Ekpene Road and is determined to complete it.

35. Obot Akara and Oruk Anam Local and Areas just got their first first major Roads in decades. The 6.4km Nto Edino - Ekwere Azu Road linking Mbiaso and Nto Edino villages to Ekwere Azu border community of Abia State has been commissioned. Two bridges to replace the collapsed ancient of days bridge on that road is complete. Trade, Commerce and social interactions between the two States is now in full trot.

36. The construction of 42. 195km Ikot Ekaide - Ikot Okoro - Ikot Ibiritam - Ekeffe - Ikot Akpan Afaha Road sections 1&2, linking Oruk Anam to Ukanafun and the East West Road is on course.

37. Another 28km Abak Nsekhe - Ikot Akpa Nkuk - Ikot Etim - Ikot Ikara joining up to Ikot Ibiritam, also in Oruk Anam has been awarded and work has begun on that road giving Oruk Anam a sense of inclusion and belonging.

 38. Emmanuel has continued to give premium coverage for Education, even in the face of the harsh economy, facilitating the advent of three new Secondary Schools in the State.

The Nigerian Navy Military school (NNMS), Ikot Ntuen, Oruk Anam Local Government Area is set for commissioning.

The newly established Army Command Science Secondary School in Efa, Etinan Local Government Area, which was refurbished and equipped to replace  the Salvation Army Secondary School.

The Model Girls Secondary School, Ikot Ekang, Abak Local Government Area which Governor Emmanuel commissioned and which has since commenced operation.

39. There is also the Obio Akpa campus of the Akwa Ibom State University, in Oruk Anam, where six major projects commissioned by the governor include: a Digital Language Library, a commercial farm palm oil mill, a commercial farm feeds mill, vegetable screen house, Ultra Modern Mass Communication Studios and a magnificent Arts Theatre.

40. The entire stretch of internal and access roads in the Obio Akpa campus are under construction complete with side drains.

41. The College of Education, Afaha Nsit, Nsit Ibom Local Government is recording a massive face lift, as access roads are done. Governor Emmanuel is committed to creating a conducive atmosphere for learning by boosting infrastructure in the tertiary institutions.

42. The ultra modern Administrative Block in Akwa Ibom State University, Ikot Akpaden was commissioned by Governor Udom Emmanuel and the construction of internal and access Roads have commenced in the Permanent site of AKSU in Mkpat Enin

43. The University of Uyo just got her first Arts Gallery building courtesy of the first family to honour the memory of Late Prince Bernard Sampson Idiong and Professor Stella Idiong, parents of Her Excellency, Mrs Martha Udom Emmanuel.

44. The Udom Emmanuel administration has sustained the free and compulsory education from Pre Primary to Senior Secondary 3, and undertakes payment of Senior Secondary Certificate Examination, SSCE, fees and running into hundreds of millions for all indigent students.

45. As part of the State’s people-oriented programme free eye care and treatment programme was carried out across the State, in conjunction with MTN Foundation at Ibom Hall. At that programme, 15,350 people were screened for various eye diseases, 1,150 eye surgeries performed, and 2,000 eye glasses distributed free of charge. This program was carried out through FEYReP, the signature programme of the governor’s wife, Mrs. Martha Udom Emmanuel.

46. In pursuit of animal protein sufficiency Akwa Prime Hatchery with a capacity to deliver 540,000 day old chick per month was constructed and is still producing.

47. Salaries of government workers are paid within a month and government is touching every sector in many remarkable ways.

48. Akwa Ibom is a peaceful state. The Governor been committed to peace building, banning all cults, pulling out militants from the buses and investing the security of the state.

49. In less than 4 years , over 10 factories have birthed in Akwa Ibom State for the first time since state creation.

50. Traders have billions of naira as revolving loan to boost businesses, entrepreneurship and stimulate economic growth.

There are several more reasons why Akwa Ibom people agree that indeed Governor Udom Emmanuel should continue the good work till 2023.

We are learning the ‘Shaku Shaku’ dance steps for our campaign – Osinbajo

Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo, on Sunday in Abuja, jocularly said he was learning the Shaku Shaku dance steps for campaigns ahead of the 2019 general elections.

Osinbajo reveals

Shaku Shaku is a popular and contemporary dance style common among young Nigerians.

Osinbajo, who was the Chairman and Special Guest of Honour at the launch of Five Fascinating Books written by Funmilayo Braithwaite, in Abuja on Sunday, said a friend of his recently polled large number of votes just by dancing.

According to him, nobody knows what will work in Nigerian politics.

The News Agency of Nigeria reports that the books — The Path of Fate, Echoes of Yesteryears, Politicrisis, The Golden Rules and Bonds of Destiny – were unveiled at Transcorp Hilton Hotel.

The vice-president said that he believed that reading the books would provide resolutions to a lot of the questions that were raised in the lives of Nigerians and in the lives of children.

He said: “And hopefully, we will be able to find resolution to some of the questions raised in our political lives as well; I know that is one of the reason Alhaji Shittu Kabir, Chairman, Advanced Peoples Democratic Party is here.

“As matter of fact, for those of us who are politicians, when you see `Politicrisis’; especially as elections approach, you might think there is a formula somewhere.

“Kabir and I and are the opposite sides but we are here to learn; I was saying the other day that politics in Nigeria is becoming very exciting; you never know what works.

“I can never forget my dear friend in one of the states who just danced his way through the campaigns; all he did was dance; he did nothing else but dance and he won 250,000 votes.

“So myself and Kabir are now learning Shaku Shaku; we have to learn; who knows what will win.’’

Breaking :A Lion Air Boeing 737 passenger plane with 188 people on board has come down after taking off from the Indonesian capital, Jakarta.

Flight JT-610 was on a scheduled flight to Pangkal Pinang, the main city in the Bangka Belitung Islands.

It lost contact with ground control a few minutes after take-off, and was last tracked crossing the sea - it is unclear if there are any survivors.

The plane was a Boeing 737 MAX 8, a brand new type of aircraft.


Flight JT-610 took off from Jakarta at 06:20 local time on Monday morning (23:30 GMT on Sunday). After a short flight, it was due to arrive in Pangkal Pinang an hour later.

At a news conference, officials said it had been carrying 178 adults, 1 infant and two babies, as well as two pilots and five cabin crew.

The head of Indonesia's disaster agency, Sutopo Purwo Nugroho, has tweeted images which he said showed debris and personal belongings that came from the aircraft.
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He also shared a video he said had been taken from a tugboat off Karawang, just east of Jakarta, which appeared to show debris floating in the water.
Map showing Jakarta and Pangkal Pinang

Yusuf Latif, a spokesman for the national search and rescue agency told reporters: "It has been confirmed that it has crashed."

Airline Chief executive Edward Sirait earlier told Reuters: "We cannot give any comment at this moment. We are trying to collect all the information and data."
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The aircraft was reported to be a Boeing 737 MAX 8, a model only in use since 2016. Flight tracking website Flightradar24 said the aircraft had only been delivered to Lion Air in August.

Aviation consultant Gerry Soejatman told the BBC the MAX 8 had been experiencing problems since it was introduced, including problems maintaining a level flight.
Image copyright AFP Lion Air flight 904 in the sea off Bali in 2013
Image caption This Lion Air plane landed in the sea off Bali in 2013, but all passengers and crew survived

Indonesia, a vast archipelago, is heavily reliant on air travel, but many of its airlines have a poor safety record.

Lion Air is a budget airline based in the country.

In 2013, Lion Air flight 904 crashed into the sea on landing at Bali's Ngurah Rai International Airport. All 108 people on board survived . In 2004, a Lion Air flight 538 from Jakarta crashed and broke up on landing at Solo City, killing 25 people. 
Source:BBC. UK

The Super Eagles jersey worn by Mikel Obi during 2018 World Cup has been added to the FIFA museum collection

The FIFA museum located in Zürich, Switzerland has just announced that the jersey worn by Mikel Obi at Nigeria's 2-0 victory at the Volgograd Arena at the 2018 World Cup has been added to its collection.



Below is how they announced it

    Argentina couldn't claim three points against hardy newcomers, Iceland, but the @NG_Supereagles did - and they did it in style. The jersey worn by @Mikel_John_Obi at Nigeria's 2-0 victory at the Volgograd Arena at the 2018 World Cup has been added to the FIFA Museum collection

Leicester City Owner's Helicopter Crashes After Taking Off From Stadium

The Leicester City owner's helicopter has crashed in a car park outside the club's ground as it left the stadium following a Premier League match.






Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha was in the helicopter when it came down at about 20:30 BST on Saturday, a source close to the family has told the BBC.

One witness said he saw Leicester player Kasper Schmeichel run out of the stadium towards the scene of the crash.

It is not known how many other people were on board the helicopter.
Leicester had drawn 1-1 against West Ham United at the King Power Stadium.

The game kicked off at 17:30 and finished about one hour before the helicopter took off.
Under Mr Srivaddhanaprabha's ownership, Leicester City won the Premier League in 2016, having started the season as 5,000/1 outsiders.
from bbc

'Fashola should stop slandering Jonathan and focus on helping Buhari look for his WAEC Certificate' - Reno Omokr

Below is a piece by Reno Omokri

I am surprised that rather than help his principal, Muhammadu Buhari, look for his invisible school certificate, that has allegedly been ‘kidnapped’ by the military, Tunde Raji Fashola, the minister of darkness, persists in slandering Dr. Goodluck Jonathan by saying that he only conceded the 2015 elections due to the impending recession.

Nothing can be further from the truth, and Fashola, as a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, ought to know that. First of all, there was no ‘impending recession’ at any time when Dr. Jonathan was President of Nigeria.

What was on the horizon, was economic boom as evidenced by CNNMoney which projected Nigeria as the third fastest growing economy in the world in 2015.

It did not end there. Under the Jonathan administration, Nigeria was a magnet for investment and was the number one destination for foreign direct investment in Africa as rated by the Geneva-based United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (Unctad). Today, Nigeria is not even included in the top 10 in Africa.

Former President Jonathan handed over a robust economy to President Buhari on May 29, 2015, with a single digit inflation rate (it is now double digit), a Transparency International Corruption Perception Index ranking of 136 (it is now 148, the worst in Nigeria’s history), a Petrol Pump Price of ?87 (it is now ?145) and a Naira valued at ?199 to $1 (it is now ?365 to $1).

In fact, the economic situation under President Jonathan was much better than it is today that Gallup polls rated Nigeria under Jonathan as the 'happiest nation on earth". In contrast, today, the World Economic Forum rates Nigeria as the world headquarters for extreme poverty!

The fact, which Mr. Fashola knows very well, is that Nigeria’s first recession in 25 years occurred under President Buhari because he took six months before appointing his cabinet. And even when he appointed his cabinet, he appointed inept certificate forgers to handle a sensitive ministry like the finance ministry, which had hitherto been professionally handled by the world renowned Dr. Mrs. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala.

Furthermore, the utterances by Mr. Fashola’s principal, whenever he left the country, served to demarket the economy and trigger capital flight. If President Buhari was not telling the world that all Nigerians were corrupt, except him, he was telling them that Nigerian youths are lazy.

Statements like that triggered the loss of confidence in the Nigerian economy under Buhari, and indirectly led to the recession.

I will like to also remind Mr. Fashola that on July 12, 2014, he said “the only way you and I will have electricity in this country is to vote out the PDP.” Mr. Fashola is fond of denying his own statements and we will like to remind him that he cannot deny this one because it was caught on tape.

Incidentally, the Peoples Democratic Party is no longer in office at the Federal Government and Mr. Fashola has been minister of power for over three years, yet the power situation has not improved.

Rather than bury his head in shame, Raji Fashola continues to dance naked in the market and blame Dr. Jonathan for what he and his bad gang caused.

Poem of the day : I thought i had you by Gideon Nwaikwu

------I thought i had you

Image by Lexonart

:;

i thought i had you.
Winged enchanting creature ,
I sadly never knew. ,,
It was a facade picture. ,

:;

,
Cold ash of a smoldered flame.,
You seemed now in my palms.,
Slipping slowly through my hands.
within  each tighter clasp.,

:;

Finest face and finer smiles.,
Were golden dimples dwell..,
With skin of surple that truely spell.,
The rage of afric' sun!

:;

I thought i had you. ,
You were my favorite woe.,,
Like flirty bird you flapped and flew.,
To greener tree i know!

:;

Fair things with wings don't  last or stay.,
they fleet like flimsy dreams
And paste sad goodbyes on the sky. ,
And fade to lovelier realms

:;

I thought i had you.,
When smiles alone spoke in  tongues of love. ,
Your giggles were so true. ,,
That the evening moon will crawl so low .,
To join our evening idlings by the hill.

:;

a thousand questions ,sweet things ask.,
of why i should let  you  go,
i shake my  head in dying dream
why sweet things loved you soo.,

:;

But i had you once!  Or.,
I thought i had you.,
And cherished you a thousand times before..,
The birth of  morning dew.

:;

But i wish like i never wished afor .,
That matimas wind should sweep  apart.,
The things that binds us more. ,
And Quench  the facile sweetness of  my heart. ,

:;

I thought i had you,
But now with a loosen grip.,
I never knew,  i never knew,
'Twas a forlorn trip!   

:;

You are the burning desert dust! 
You are the shivering sea sand!
Hot tears of tattered trust!
Is shed upon the ground!

:;
Because i thought i once  had you .,
But now adieu!  adieu!

  G(nwaikwu)

photos from Lagos fashion.

Here are photographs from Lagos fashion week shots by Akwa Ibom State born documentary photographer Mayor Otu.

‘I won’t play politics with Akwa Ibom’s development’ Udom Emmanuel

Udom Emmanuel, banker-turned politician and governor of Akwa Ibom State, may not be good in self-advertisement. But, observers believe that he has many achievements to show for his almost three and half years in office. It appears the governor is not distracted by the politics of second term, especially the criticisms by the opposition. He has intensified efforts in the implementation of his policies and programmes ahead of next year’s elections.

As the oil-rich state prepares for the poll, the governor’s fate will be determined by his performance. Apart from presiding over a peaceful state, Emmanuel has made a mark through prudent spending. He has tried to fight the infrastructure battle by converting the state into a huge construction site. More importantly, he is turning Akwa Ibom into “a wonder of industrialisation and investment”.

The overview of the score card shows that the governor has awarded 110 road contracts. The roads cover 1,700 kilometres and 47 bridges. Many of them have been completed. Some of the projects are still on-going. Since health is wealth, the state government has taken concerted efforts to revamp the health care system. The flagship of its health sector is the Ibom Specialist Hospital, which is being completed by the administration. Apart from the priority attention that is being given to industrialisation, government has defended education through free, compulsory and qualitative education. In many parts of the states, there is a 24-hour electricity supply, courtesy of the four new sub-stations built by the state government.

“I am not playing politics with the development of the state. Our development efforts cut across the local government and senatorial districts. Ours is not a government of ethnicity,” said the governor, who also acknowledged the constraints. “Our projects are of high quality. But, the speed of delivery may have been slow due to financial challenges,” Emmanuel added.

In his employment generation drive, the governor has revived the Peacock Paints that has been moribund for many years. The provision of a conducive environment has yielded an inflow of direct domestic investment. Last year, the largest syringe company in Africa, the Jubilee Syringe factory, and the Electric Digital Metering Solution manufacturing factory were established. Also, the Fertilizer Blending Plant and the Flour Mill sprang up. In addition, a pencil factory and a toothpick factory came on board. Plans are underway to set up flour mills and coconut refinery, in addition to the plastic manufacturing company that has started operations.

Ufot Ebong, the governor’s aide on Technical Matters spoke with reporters on the success of the industrialization drive. There is an arrangement to train indigenes to acquire skills needed to work in the industries that are springing up, he said. Under the Akwa Ibom Enterprise Employment scheme (AKEES), more than 20,000 youths were trained in the last three years. Justifying the establishment of the Employment and Skill Acquisition Centres, Ebong said they were meant to promote the spirit of enterprise among the people. No fewer than 317,000 people engaged in small and medium enterprises are captured; over 3,000 were trained on ICT and many are employed in the agricultural sector for planting and nurturing of vegetables, tomatoes and other crops in commercial quantities.

A good foundation is being laid for the manufacturing sector. Akwa Ibom now has factories; cottage industries; for tooth picks, pencils, fibre glass doors and roofing sheets, and a brick making. “An artisan school is underway,” Ebong added. Also, Works Commissioner Ephraim Inyang-Eyen, said: “We are creating a class of artisans, instead of importing plumbers, bricklayers and carpenters from Togo and other neighbouring countries.”

Emmanuel’s policies are investor-driven. At Oku-Aback, Abak, few kilometres from Uyo, fertilizer blending operations have kicked off in Greenwell Technologies. In addition, the company engages in cocoa and coconut blending. Company officials explained that the incentives were from the government, which provided the land, warehouse, improved electricity and good road networks.

At the Jubilee Syringes (JSM), which commenced operations in September 2016, its Managing Director, Zubeyie Gulabi, an engineer, said the factory has capacity to produce 400 million syringes per year.

The governor described the “Metering Solutions,” the factory established for meeting the meter needs as a huge success. “We talk about electricity and we don’t talk about metering. We are trying to bridge the gap, Emmanuel added. The Chief Executive Officer, Tolulope Ogunkolade, said the factory commenced operations on July 15,last year. Apart from manufacturing meters, plastic enclosures for metres are also made. About 200,000 pre-paid meters have been delivered to the Port Harcourt Distribution Company. No fewer than 10 employees of the company are currently in China for training. Thanking the state government for its incentives, Ogunkolade said: “The government has been fantastic in terms of infrastructural support. The government also facilitated electricity supply. The intervention of the government has also led to improved company/community relations.”

Road construction is critical to industrialization. Thus, the Emmanuel administration is intensifying its efforts in completing the road projects, which cut across the three senatorial districts. The road designs include some flyovers and roundabouts. Of importance are the 25 kilometre dualised Uyo/Ikot-Ekpene Road, the 20 kilometre Ikot-Oku Ikone Road, the 29 kilometre Etinam-Ndoneyo Road  and other inter-town roads. Owing to its water-lodged terrain, road construction is expensive in Akwa Ibom. Many of the projects are also delayed due to the demand for compensation for demolition.

The Works Commissioner lamented that, once government announced an intention to build new roads, some indigenes will start erecting new houses on the road, in the expectation that the structures will be demolished and compensation will be paid to them for demolition. He also accused the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) of playing politics with its projects in the state, stressing that instead of teeming up with the state government for development, the commission has deepened rivalry.

On road project stagnation, Inyang-Eyen said: “Court cases often arose over proposed demolition. We had to convince the owners. We had 189 cases. We needed to have peace to be able to construct the road. The governor never intended to abandon any road project. But, some owners were using private valuers to cause problems.” On maintenance, he said the roads, which are built to specifications, are expected to last for 15 years, adding that the ministry has always insisted on quality jobs.

For the Eket-Ibeno Road Project, the governor had to raise facility from the United bank for Africa (UBA) for implementation. Eket has the longest roundabout in the state. Work has also started on the 12 lanes of dualised Eket-Abeno Road, leading to the 18 metre-Ibom Deep Sea Port. Explaining the huge investment, Inyang-Eyen said: “We want to be different from Lagos by providing roads so that we will not have another Apapa scenario along the sea port. We want to prevent traffic snarl. Before December, we will intensify efforts in doing the road. Already,m we are filling the sand and building bridges on the 5.5 kilometre road Already, nine kilometer has been sand filled. It will be commercialized. Tolls will be collected and the money collected will be used for maintaining the road.”

In Eket, there is a mini-stadium under construction. It is almost at the finishing level. On the size of the stadium, Emmanuel said it was built to guarantee minimum maintenance cost. Indeed, Akwa Ibom is becoming a state of sports and sports laurels. There is a plan to establish a sport centre in each of the 10 federal constituencies. The sport centres are to be built within the secondary school premises.

Information Commissioner Charles Udoh, who lauded the initiative, said the goal is to boost sports development. He also said the governor is defending education as a priority. Over 500 schools have been renovated, he said, adding: “We run free and compulsory education. People come from neighbouring states to attend our public schools. If we train our children and leave the children of our neighbours alone, they will later come to harm our children. We pay N600 million yearly as WAEC fees. We also focus on the recruitment of quality teachers.”

In the health sector, the government is up and doing. “We maintain one General Hospital in each of the 10 federal constituencies,” said Udoh, adding that they are equipped with qualifies personal and high grade equipment and drugs. The Health Commissioner, Dr. Dominic Ukpomo, who conducted reporters round the General Hospital, Ikono, said the hospital receive patients from Akwa Ibom and other neighbouring states. “Unfortunately, it was neglected and taken over by grass. It was bad; it was not functional. But, it is now refurbished; digitalized. We got our supplies from “Project Cure,” a donation to states, and we enjoy exceptions from the Federal Government. We are planning for a School of Nursing and Midwifery here.”`

The Ibom Specialist Hospital, Uyo,  is first of its kind in Africa. It was established by former Governor Godswill Akpabio. It is now being completed by Emmanuel, who has attracted a team of medical personnel from Canada, led by Dr. Harrison, to manage it. When Health Minister Prof. Isaac Adewole visited the hospital, he said it will reduce the penchant for medical tourism abroad. Ukpomo, who conducted reporters round the premises along with the ICT expert, Joyce Ofili, recalled that a brain surgery was recently carried out on a medical doctor in the hospital.

Many equipment make the hospital to stand out. The health commissioner listed the as  the CTI Scan (640), tele-radiography equipment that is very rare, breast scanning machine, medical glass tank, incinerator for medical waste, six temporary dialysis unit, proposed 60 dialysis units, automated laboratory and chemistry machine. “There is also a facility for kidney transfer and transplant,” Ukpomo said.

The Akwa Ibom Airport in Uyo also underscores a huge investment in the aviation sector by the state government. The airport was powered by generators for 12 years. A whopping N25 million was spent monthly for fueling the generators, apart from other expenses on maintenance.  Now, two big transformers-12 megawatts each- are erected outside to guarantee regular electricity supply. In addition, 22 compact transformers are installed at the airport.

The Commissioner for Special Duties and Aviation Development, Akan Okon, said the airport was built by the state government to boost the economy of the state. Recently, Emmanuel built a Commercial Building at the airport. But, Okon complained that the burden of maintaining the airport rests on the state government, although aviation is in the exclusive list. “We pay FAAN and other agencies. There is no concession from the Federal Government,” said the commissioner, who asked for support for the state government for maintenance.

Emmanuel said the obvious constraints notwithstanding, he will forge ahead in delivering dividends of democracy to the over six million population of indigenes and residents. He promised to sustain the industrialisation drive, saying that it has put Akwa Ibom ahead of other states. He spoke briefly on the 26,000 coconut plantations, which he believed, will yield income for the state in the future. He promised to sustain the youth sports festival for talent hunt. The governor said education will be defended, adding that the quality of teachers will not be compromised. Emmanuel noted that education infrastructural development has led to an upsurge in school enrolment. “We will continue to have free and compulsory education at primary and secondary levels. We will also have education monitors to enhance quality of teaching and learning,” he added.

He chided the NDDC for being an adversary, instead of a partner in progress. In his view, the commission is unfair to the state in its approach. He warned against playing politics with the development of the state, saying that it is counter-productive.

Emmanuel reflected on the preparations for next year’s elections, urging those spoiling for war to have a re-think. “We should ask them: where are their children. They keep their children abroad and use children of the poor as thugs,” he fumed.

Urging security agencies not to sleep on guard, the governor said: “Some people are sewing fake army and police uniforms. If your intention is to serve, why do you want to kill the people you want to serve?” Exuding confidence, he said in 2019, the people will know the difference between a servant-leader and a camouflage. “When you are at the verge of a rescue mission, enemies will arise,” added.

Asked to comment on the anticipated battle between President Muhammamadu Buhari of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the candidate of his party, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), during the 2019 election, Emmanuel said: “I don’t know any party than the PDP.”

News headlines and funny replies by Dr Rudolf Okonkwo

Here are some stories making headline news across Nigerian newspapers this last week.

1.     No Cash, No bread, No KFC in Zimbabwe. You have to feel bad for Zimbabwe. The more things change, the more they remain the same. I mean, if it gets to KFC, then, it is finished.

2.     Women get half of Ethiopia Minister job, including First Female Defence Minister. I know. The prime minister said that he did that because women were less corrupt. When Diezani Alison Madueke heard it, she said, “I told you.”

3.     Buhari to migrants : Stay at home, Nigeria will be better. This Buhari sef. He talks anyhow. Trust Nigerians. They gave it back to him. Next time you have ear infection, one Nigerian told him, stay at home. Nigerian hospitals will be better. Nonsense!

4.     Petrol Subsidy to Exceed $3.85bn Estimate, Says Report. Hahaha.... what did Buhari call oil subsidy when he was a candidate? A sheer fraud and corruption. Oil subsidy is sheer fraud and corruption. Nonsense!

5.     Boy 'Runs Mad' After Taking Cannabis, Tramadol & Monkey Tail In Owerri. Wait oooo. I know Igbo. I know tramadol. But which one is monkey tail? It is hard to catch up with children of nowadays.

Photos of Floyd Mayweather luxurious Mansion.

 Here are photos of Floyd Mayweather's incredible new $10million mansion in Las Vegas desert.

The Flamboyant retired boxer shared videos of his new property, a 1.41-acre estate which feature the mansion itself, complete with 11 bedrooms and 14 bathrooms, a column-lined porte-cochere entrance, heated floors and an elevator.

Mayweather also has a gym, a huge wine cellar and two guest houses to show for his money, as well as indoor and outdoor pools, a pool house and a vineyard.

Culled from Lindaikejisblog.com

Nigerian Army uncovers shallow grave where corpse of the missing general was buried and exhumed

The Nigerian Army has uncovered a shallow grave where suspected hoodlums had initially buried the corpse of its former Chief of Administration, Maj. Gen. Mohammed Idris Alkali (retd). 



The shallow grave, the Army said, was in ‘No Man’s Land,’ and had been identified by four different suspects at different times of arrest.  The General Officer Commanding 3 Armoured Division in Rukuba Barracks, Maj. Gen. Benson Akinroluyo, at a press conference, claimed that the suspects took troops on the search-and-rescue operation to the spot where the corpse of the missing officer was allegedly exhumed and reburied in a yet-to-be-identified place. 



According to him, perpetrators of the act shared the belongings of the missing officer after he was abducted.  Alkali, who was said to have disappeared in questionable circumstances, was said to have retired a few weeks before he was declared missing on Monday, September 3, 2018, a day after gunmen swooped on Dura-Du District and killed about 13 persons.



    Gentlemen of the press, ladies and gentlemen, having pumped the water from the abandoned mining pit for 2 weeks or thereabout despite protests by women attributing all kinds of mythical affliction that would befall their husbands and children, the following were recovered:

    a. On 21 September 2018, recovery of a door of a white bus.

    b. On 29 September 2018, a black Toyota Corolla Car with registration number KWARA MUN 670 AA, a customized T-Shirt with Nigerian Army Logo and the General’s name inscribed on it, as well as a pair of canvass shoe belonging to the deceased senior officer.

    c. On 2 October 2018, a white Toyota LiteAce bus with registration number PLATEAU RYM 307 XA, which was reported missing with the driver on 24 June 2018 and a red Rover car with registration number BAUCHI AG 645 TRR which was allegedly reported to have been buried along with the occupants on 31 January 2013.

    You will have the opportunity to interact with the families of the owners of the Toyota LiteAce Bus and Rover car immediately after this press briefing.

    On 29 September 2018, when the general’s black Toyota Corolla car was recovered from the abandoned mining pit, those involved and those not involved in the killing of the senior officer held a meeting to relocate his corpse away from the community. This is because of the inherent danger it would attract to the community. Consequently, a 10 man team was constituted to relocate his corpse earlier buried in a shallow grave within the community to elsewhere. A specialist in preservation of corpse was contracted. The specialist assisted in exhuming his corpse from the shallow grave to elsewhere. Only few trusted members of the community knew where his corpse was relocated to. The specialist is currently in our custody. Again, this is an attempt to cover up the heinous crime committed by the community. There exist other evidence and indicators that pointed to the fact that those who were involved in the killing of the senior officer are being supported and backed by community leaders within the Dura-Du District. In recent times, they have been staging press conferences and writing petitions in order to smear the image of the Division in particular and the Nigerian Army in general. This Division will not yield to the antics or blackmail by those who have committed this dastardly crime. Therefore, the following people at large have been declared wanted by the relevant authority based on their degree of culpability in the killing of the senior officer:

    a. Da Chuwang Samuel ( aka MORINHO). He is 28 years old and a panel beater by profession. He hails from Doi Du village area of Jos South Local Government Area of Plateau State. He was believed to be the master mind in the assault and killing of Major General Idris Alkali.

    b. Mr Nyam Samuel (aka SOFT TOUCH). He is 25 years old and a panel beater by profession as well as younger brother of “Morinho”. He was believed to have been involved in the assault and killing of the senior officer.

    c. Mr Pam Gyang Dung ( aka BOSS). He hails from Latya 2 Doi Du Village in Jos South Local Government Area of Plateau State. His profession is farming and mining. He is also the Mai Anguwa of Latya 2. “Boss” who is 53 years old is a friend to “Morinho”. He was also believed to be involved in the killing of Major General Idris Alkali.

    d. Mr Mathew Wrang (aka AMESCO). He is 27 years old. In addition, one locally made pistol was recovered from his house during cordon and search operation.

    e. Mr Moses Gyang (aka BOSS). He is Pam Gyang Dung, aka “Boss” son. He is 25 years old.

    f. Mr Timothy Chuan. He is 26 years old. He is a tipper driver and also a sand vendor by profession. He was identified to have driven the senior officer’s car to Dura village and subsequently pushed it into the abandoned mining pit filled with water.

    g. Da Yakubu Rap. He is 52 years old and the district head of Dura village. He co - chaired the meeting held to relocate the corpse of the senior officer from a shallow grave to elsewhere immediately his car was found in the abandoned mining pit filled with water.

    h. Mr Chuwang Istifanus Pwajok Stephen (aka TIFA). He is 46 years old and a surveyor/business man by profession. He participated in the meeting held to relocate the corpse of the senior officer from a shallow grave to elsewhere after his car was found in the abandoned mining pit filled with water.

    Please note that 4 different sources not known to each other at various times took us to the opened shallow grave where the senior officer was earlier buried but subsequently removed. Furthermore, sniffer dogs that have been cultured with the personal effects of the senior officer led us to the same opened shallow grave. That was the only grave we were led to by different people and sniffer dogs. We did not go to any other grave as the operation was carried out based on credible intelligence. Like I always say, the cordon and search operation is intelligence driven and that is why the operation has been conducted in line with international best practices and respect for human rights. This further explains why the Division did not clamp down on the entire community. Only the perpetrators are being targeted.