14 Year Old Zuriel Oduwole Meets With US Secretary Of State, John Kerry (Photos)

14 year old Nigerian-America filmmaker and writer, Zuriel Oduwole has met with the  US Secretary of State, John Kerry.

Zuriel Oduwole is popular for her education advocacy campaign and for being the youngest filmmaker to have a self-produced and self-edited work among other achievements.
Sharing photos from her visit, Zuriel wrote,

"Met John Kerry - US Secretary of State. Happy New year to you all and hope you had a Merry and Safe Christmas. I am just so very, very thankful to the LORD for where he is taking me and what he wants to do in the lives of the youth of this world today. I just met with the US Secretary of State, John Kerry in his office in Washington DC. Some of you might think so, you've already met 23 World Leaders and recently spoke at the UN. This is very different. Secretary Kerry's decisions affects the whole worlds foreign and economic policy. And next to President Obama, he is the most visible member of the US Government leadership. The whole world knows who he is. What's so cool is we talked about Girls Education, and all the State Department has done the last 4 years on this serious topic. Like me, he believes if all people in a society are included, especially Girls and Women, then that society does much better. I believe that so much. That's another reason I am teaching young children some basic film making skills, so they can add to their society's development. We all can do something very small, to empower others, or encourage others. I truly believe so"

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Two Lost Their Lives While Several Injured In Fatal Motor Accident In Ore, Ondo State (Photos)

Two persons were killed and several injured in a fatal accident in Ore, Ondo State on Thursday, January 12th. One of the deceased has been identified as Nduka Ojiji Emeogo Okonkwo from Umudara Ebe ukpor Nnewi south LGA. Another occupant is said to be in a coma.

According to eyewitness, the Sienna driver, conveying the victims to Lagos, who was on a very high speed wanted to overtake a truck from the right side without knowing that another Bedford truck loaded with timber was approaching so closely.

Uncontrollably, he quickly forced his own car in between the two trucks, which led to the bigger truck smashing the Sienna from the back, killing the two occupants behind the driver immediately. All other occupants in the vehicle were badly injured, two were said to be in coma. A friend, who shared the sad news on Facebook wrote:

"What a tragedy? Our dearly beloved brother Nduka Ojiji Emeogo Okonkwo from Umudara Ebe ukpor Nnewi south LGA left home to Lagos early morning yesterday Thursday 12th January 2017 with two of his close relations also from Umudara, and a friend that visited him for a burial that took place in his compound yesterday".  

"But barely 4 hours after he left home from his compound in Umudara Ebe a very bad news that he died in a motor accident in Ore ondo state while the other 2 sustained injury and their friend still unconscious". 

"He boarded Orizu motor at Nnewi. What a pathetic story. All the relatives that came for condolence in his house are back in the same place where friend and family are waiting for his body to be brought back home for internment , possibly today".

"As we wait for The arrival of his body back home. We can only say, may his soul rest in peace. As at the time of writing this the body is still in ore waiting for police clearance". 

"Burial ceremony of nwada took place yesterday in the same compound. To Ojiji Okonkwo and entire Umudara people we say take heart."

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Sokoto Govt Approves N32m For 100 Couples (Mass Wedding)

The sum of N32 milion has been approved by the Sokoto state government  for the conduct of mass wedding for 100 couples in the state.‎

The beneficiaries are to be drawn from the 23 local government areas of Sokoto.

State commissioner for Religious Affairs, Alhaji Mani Maishinko katami disclosed  this at the inauguration of the state committee for Islamic Marriage Mediation.

He explained that gesture  was part of the measures towards assisting less privileged members in the state.

‎

Katami  tasked members of the committee  to ensure  justice and fairness in the discharge of their assignment.

He said Islamic scholars were selected serve as members of the committee to avoid  political interest in the screening of the prospective couple.‎

The  committee which has Mallam Aliyu Kofar Rini‎ as Chairman has two weeks within which to screen all ‎prospective couples  in 23 local government areas.

Members of the committee were also drawn  from the Ministry,  Sultanate Council and FOMWAN among others.

In a remark, Kofar Rini lauded  the state government for the move‎ and pledged ‎commitment to the success of the assignment.

Commercial Driver Sold Murdered UNIOSUN Student For N10,000

The Department of State Security Service (DSS), Osun State Command, said it has arrested a herbalist and a commercial driver  for allegedly kidnapping and killing a 400 Level Science Education student of Osun State University, Osogbo, Adebisi Rofiat Damilola.

The driver, Elijah Oyebode confessed that the herbalist identified as Jelili, also known Ifa, gave him the assignment to bring a young lady and get N10,000 as reward.

Elijah said the victim boarded his vehicle from Ipetu-Ijesa to Osogbo while returning from the Ipetu-Ijesa campus of UNIOSUN.

Rofiat who left Ipetu-Ijesa for Osogbo on December 22nd, 2016 got missing along the way and her corpse was found on the roadside along Ikirun/Iragbiji road few days later. Elijah who spoke with Daily Trust in Yoruba language, said:

"I took her (Rofiat) from Ipetu-Ijesa. There were other passengers in my vehicle that day. The girl matched the specification that Ifa (herbalist) gave me. Ifa said I should bring a lady that had never had a child. 

"When I saw the student, I was sure that she had not given birth to a child. Ifa had given me a charm to hypnotise any lady that I want to bring. He said once I put the charm in my pocket, I only need to have body contact with the lady and she would be hypnotised. The charm was already in my pocket when I saw the lady and I ensured that my body touched her. From there, she didn’t know anything again.

"After dropping other passengers at the various destinations, I took the lady to Ifa at his house in Ikirun and he received her and gave me N10,000. I pitied the lady when I was leaving because I knew she would not come out alive.”

On his part, the herbalist said the driver was telling lie and that Elijah was just his contract driver that he used occasionally.

A top DSS official said there was incriminatory evidence against the herbalist, saying that Ifa was not saying the truth.

The Commissioner of police in the state, Mr Fimihan Adeoye, who confirmed the arrest said a joint team of DSS and policemen are investigation the matter.


Source of the update: Daily Trust

President Buhari Arrives Gambia To Continue His Role As Mediator In The Country's Political Crisis (Photos)

President Buhari arrived Banjul, the capital of Gambia, today to continue his role as the chief mediator in the political crisis in Gambia. Shortly after arriving the country, he met with President Yahya Jammeh and will also meet with the President-elect, Adama Barrow to continue his dialogue towards finding lasting solution to the crisis.

The incumbent president has said he will not vacate office for the president-elect Adama Narrow, whom he lost to in the country's presidential election in December last year.

President Buhari is joined by President Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf of Liberia and Chairperson of the Authority of ECOWAS Heads of State and Government, President Ernest Koroma of Sierra Leone, and the immediate past President of Ghana, John Mahama

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Breaking: MMM Sets New Limit On Payments To Be Made

Nigeria's number one money doubling scheme, MMM Nigeria opened a day earlier than the scheduled time which ought to have been January 14.

However MMM has stated that it will set an internal output limits for payments to its subscribers.

The statement explained that only a limited amount will be paid per day, which invariably means subscribers to the system might not get payment as at when due.

" We're going to make gradual paybacks by setting internal output limits. In other words, we will only pay a certain amount per day. Please, be prepared to wait for a couple of days. We are certain things will then calm down, and the System operation will return to normal" the statement reads.

The management explained that this is due to the fact that " it's obvious that panic will reign in the first few days after the re-opening of the System. We’re likely to be deluged by GH-requests."

In December 2016, the management froze confirmed accounts while blaming the Nigeria Government and the mass media.

According to MMM announcement they opted to open a day earlier  because of " the hysteria raised by the authorities and the mass media around MMM."

See Lagos State Commissioner Of Police On The Road Attending To Traffic Issues (Photos)

The commissioner was spotted this afternoon on the streets of Lagos attending to traffic issues...


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Illegal Immigrants Escape From Police Custody In South Africa

South African Police Service is presently hunting for a group of illegal immigrants that escaped from the Department of Home Affairs transport vehicle. The illegal immigrants reportedly escaped custody at the Mooi River Toll Plaza in KwaZulu-Natal Midlands this morning.

Police spokesperson, Lieutenant Colonel Thulani Zwane confirmed the story, saying the prisoners ‘were being transferred by Home Affairs officials from Ladysmith to Pietermaritzburg.

‘The scene is still active and we are gathering information.'

An eyewitness, who was at the scene, was also quoted to have said: ‘They broke the door open and then scattered into traffic. As they made their escape, shots were fired but all the commotion caused a multi-vehicle pile-up. 

'The prisoners then ran into Bruntville -an informal settlement that lies adjacent to the toll plaza and now, there is a search for them. The problem is that the prisoners were dressed in civilian clothing so they are hard to spot.’

However, the number of the illegal immigrants that escaped is yet to be confirmed but sources say it’s not fewer than nine of them are at large.

Source: Buzz SA

Fake Soldier Who Terrorises Agege Community HAs Been Arrested In Lagos

The Lagos state police command apprehended a man, Benjamin, who terrorises residents of Agege while wearing the Nigerian Army uniform and hiding under the cover of the force.

Benjamin was arrested following complaints made by residents of Agege, Lagos. Police responded to the complaint to discover that Benjamin not only wears the army uniform to extort from citizens but he also engages in an illegal motorcycle trade in which he steals motorcycles and resells them.

Speaking to LIB, Benjamin, who is a father of two, confessed to the crimes and disclosed the price at which he sold some of the motorcycles.

“I sold one for fifty thousand Naira. I sold another one for seventy thousand Naira and another one for seventy-three thousand. The highest one I sold is ninety thousand Naira.” Benjamin said.

He also insisted that he had not stolen more than four motorcycles. When asked if his wife who lives with him was aware of his activities he said she knew nothing about it and denied ever wearing the army uniform.

However, the police sergeant, Egede West, who spoke with LIB countered his claims and said that he has, not just the army uniform, but also different uniforms belonging to various agencies.

“He has been terrorising and intimidating people with the uniform in the community where he stays at Agege and the community members, having observed him and his nefarious activities, informed the police. We went there and discovered that the information was true. He has uniforms, assorted uniforms, military and other agency uniforms which he uses to operate. We arrested him and he made statement and confessed to other activities, including stealing of motorcycles, snatching of different things, not only within Lagos but even in other states.” Sergeant West said.

IG says Police will sanction Any Officer Who Deviated From The Norms Of The Force.

The Inspector-General of Police (I-G), Mr Ibrahim Idris, has said that the police management would not hesitate to sanction any policeman, who deviated from the norms of the force.

Idris, who gave this warning on the occasion of the decoration of newly promoted officers in Abuja on Friday, said the measure would serve as a deterrent to others.

The promoted officers are: the Acting Commissioners of Police; Don Awunah, the force spokesman,  

Bello Ahmed as well as Afiz Inuwa and Garba Umar.

Others are the Acting Deputy Commissioners of Police, Abuh Sani, ACP Adamu Bakori, ACP 

Kolo Yusuf, ACP Abba Kyari and SP Abdulkareem Abdullahi.

He said that the promotion was one of the motivational incentives to honour officers, who had distinguished themselves in their various duty posts.

“I implore you to wear your new ranks with a deep sense of commitment to duty, responsibility and humility,” he said.

He added that the promotion was a launchpad for greater challenges and efforts to accomplish organisational goals.

Idris directed departmental heads, zonal and state commands, formations and units to reactivate the reward system within their powers to deserving officers.

The IG said that tremendous successes were recorded in technical support as well as fighting corruption and professional misconduct in the force.

“These achievements are a result of the collective efforts of these senior officers, whose devotion and conduct have been exemplary.

“These successes were facilitated courtesy of an effective administrative structure at the force headquarters,” he said.

Speaking on behalf of the officers, Ahmed promised that they would redouble their efforts in discharging their responsibilities.

“We shall continue to do our best as we discharge our responsibilities.

“I assure you that we will not let you and the nation down, we will match our words with action,” he said.

He noted that policing business was tasking and demanding.

PDP Party No Longer Exists In Lagos - Igbokwe Says

The Publicity Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Lagos State, Joe Igbokwe has said that the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) no longer exists in the state.

Igbokwe also told the Lagos PDP to stop making noise about local government elections in the state.

The Lagos APC spokesman made the comments during an interview with Vanguard.

Excerpts below:

Why has council elections not been conducted in Lagos State?

For PDP, they don’t conduct local government elections. I know a PDP State that has not conducted local government elections in the last 16 years. Lagos State has been conducting elections since the advent of the Fourth Republic. I do not know why the PDP will be sounding as if something is happening somewhere or as if they have anything to offer.

By the way, do we still have PDP in Lagos? They are no longer in existence and so, why the noise about local government elections as if they have anything to offer. They sound as if they can win one local government area, if elections are condcuted.

But the PDP boasts that your party is jittery…

(Cuts in) Jittery of what? PDP is no longer in Lagos, they are no longer in Nigeria. They are no longer in existence. We are in firm control and we are coming from a background of performance of so many years. So, why should we be jittery? The truth of the matter is that the PDP whether they are in existence in Lagos or not, are not the ones that would force us into elections.

We need to prepare, we need to put structures in place, we are creating new polling units. There are so many things to be done, but be rest assured that the elections will be conducted. The PDP cannot force us to conducted local government elections.

Tiwa Savage SHINES In New Photos

Shining baby. Hardly will you know she is/was going through a stumbling marriage.

Nollywood Actor Kanayo. O. Kanayo Returns Back To School

Multiple award winning Nollywood actor, Kanayo .O. Kanayo has gone back to school to continue his education. The actor, who resumed classes at the University of Abuja, made the announcement on his Instagram yesterday.

 "Hello People, For the love of you, I owe you the notice that I have resumed classes in school, the University of Abuja. Just finished with morning lecture, Law of Evidence, and on standby for Equity 2-4pm.  #overandout.

Mc Galaxy Gives N1million Cash To Emmanuel Ugolee (So Nice Of Him)

Music star Mc Galaxy visited media personality Emmanuel Ugolee at the hospital this afternoon where he gave him N1million cash as his contribution to Emmanuel's treatment. The TV host has been battling Kidney disease for years now and needs N50million for a transplant

If you want to also donate, please donate to Emmanuel Ugolee - Zenith Bank - 1002786554 

U.S sending 4000 troops & 2400 military equipment to Europe is a threat to our security- Russia says

Russia has revealed that the U.S government's decision to send 4000 troops and military vehicles/equipments to Poland and Germany is a threat to Russia's interests and security.
 

Early this week, the U.S deployed 4000 troops and 2,400 pieces of military equipment that included tanks, armored fighting vehicles, artillery, trucks and containers to Russia's European borders in Germany and Poland, an action U.S Military described as a clear 'warning to Russia', to prevent them from showing military superiority to 'smaller' European nations just like they did Ukraine.

Kremlin has now revealed that the increase of military presence of it's neighbors by the U.S, that's not even a European country is a threat to Russia's well-being.

"We see it as a threat to us. This is an action that threatens our interests, our security, moreover, this is a third nation (apart from Russia and Poland) that is increasing its military presence near our borders in Europe, and it's not even a European nation.' Kremlin spokesman Dmitri Peskov told journalists on a conference call on Thursday. 

"One thousand or ten thousand -- we're talking about the increase of military presence. There's nothing to add."

Peskov also reiterated there should be more mutual respect between Russia and the US. 

"President Putin with his actions and his statements has clearly and undoubtedly showed his readiness to respect our partners, but this respect can only be mutual, it cannot be unilateral.That's why, of course, there should be more mutual respect in Russia-US ties, from our viewpoint, much more." 

"At least, Mr. Trump was talking about his readiness to have a dialogue. It does not mean a readiness to agree with each other on everything, that's what Moscow does not expect, but a dialogue is what we should hope for in search of many complicated situations.''

The 4000 U.S Troops sent to Poland and Germany represent the biggest deployment of American forces in Europe since the cold war.

Super Eagles & Chelsea’s Victor Moses Hails Coach Antonio Conte For 'Best Year In His Career'

Nigeria/ Chelsea winger Victor Moses has heaped praise on Chelsea coach Antonio Conte for transforming his playing style this season, saying he never believed he could play the wing-back role, and that with every match he feels better and more confident at the position. Chelsea have been on a winning run, using Conte's preferred 3-4-3/3-5-2 formation where Moses has excelled as a wing back despite losing recently to Tottenham.

Moses has been one of the players to benefit the most from the tactical set-up.

‘I’ve never dreamed of playing in this position in my life, but I’m enjoying it and I think it’s probably one of the best positions to be honest. The more games I’m playing there, the more I’m improving,’ Moses said.

‘I’ve never played this formation before but I’m getting used to it and I feel I’m getting better and better with every game. 

‘I’m delighted with the way we’re playing, not just me but the whole team, with the formation the manager has brought. He’s played the game and he knows how to organise his players. 

‘Last year was one of the best in my career and I’m delighted with that and it’s thanks to the manager who gave me the opportunity to go out there and express myself. He gave me that chance, I grabbed it and now I want to keep enjoying my football.

Rivers United FC Gets Jersey Sponsorship Deal Of N10m As They Bid For Champions League Football

Rivers State owned football club, Rivers United FC, who won the Super Four tournament and will represent Nigeria in the CAF Champions league this season have announced that they've received a new shirt sponsorship deal worth N10m from Eunisell Nigeria Limited. The company, which majors in Oil and Gas, made the N10m shirt sponsorship donation on Thursday during the club's Jersey Unveiling ceremony in Lagos. Managing Director of Eunisell, Chika Ekenga, said:

"We are extremely pleased with Rivers United for their achievement this past season. Their fans have been fantastic and I hope they can be rewarded with the league title this new season, "  

"We are encouraged by the good performance of Rivers United and in keeping faith with our promise to stay with the club whether they fall or rise. We have renewed our shirt sponsorship agreement with them irrespective of the economic situation in  Nigeria. 

"We are confident that their recent success provides them a strong platform to become not just the winners of the NPFL but continental champions."

Basketmouth Gets Knighted By The Queen Of England (photo)

This is wonderful..... Congrats BasketMouth. It's well deserved!! All hail Sir Bright Okpocha!

We Are Not Planning To Attack Gambia - Nigerian Army

The Nigerian Army released a statement denying a report by Premium Times that it was planning to send troops to Gambia to forcefully remove the incumbent President, Yahya Jammeh, who has refused to leave office despite losing in the Presidential election in December last year. Read the statement signed by Brigadier General Sani Kukasheka Usman, Director Army Public Relations, after the cut.

The attention of the Nigerian Army has been drawn to a publication by Premium Times online news medium titled "EXCLUSIVE: Nigeria raises troops for Gambia, ready to remove Yahya Jammeh".

This is not true.

Consequently, Nigerian Army wishes to disassociate itself from such false information that exists only in the figment of the imagination of the medium. There was no time or place Nigerian Army disclosed such information to the medium. If there is any, we challenge them to name the officer or soldier that gave them such information and when.

For the avoidance of doubt, Nigerian Army is not planning to attack any country.

It should be noted that such reckless and unprofessional conduct is not expected of any reputable and responsible news medium as it is inimical to national security.

The publication apart from being false in its entirety, it is unethical and capable of endangering the lives of Nigerians in diaspora.

The medium is please requested to always clarify such matters affecting national security and diplomatic issues that may endanger the safety and security of Nigerians abroad to avoid such misleading and embarrassing publication.

Fire Incident At A Male Hostel In Lagos State Model College, Epe (Photos)

There was a fire incident in the male hostel of Lagos State Model College, located at Igbonla, Epe. Pictured is a bungalow raised during the incident as Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (Lasema) check out the damage done.

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Souther Kaduna: You Are Hypocrites- CAN Tells Imams Calling For Their Arrest

Few dayas ago,  the Council of Imams and Ulama in Kaduna state, held a press conference where they called for the arrest of some Christian religious leaders including CAN President, over some of the comments he has made on the lingering Southern Kaduna crisis.

CAN in a statement released yesterday, described the Islamic clerics as hypocrites for turning blind eyes to the real issues that have continuously caused the crisis. The statement signed by the Secretary General of CAN,  Rev. Musa Asake reads in part;

“To CAN, this is a surprising shameless, unveiled criminal support for evil. While, the killings of children, women, aged and the most defenseless of Southern Kaduna natives and the destruction of entire communities was at its peak, no one knew that a group called Council of Imams and Ulama existed in Kaduna state".

When Church leaders under the banner of CAN kept praying for Southern Kaduna and other affected areas in the country, visiting traumatized communities and softly calling on government to do the needy, this Council of Imams was silent and invisible. In a press conference in Kaduna on November 7th 2016, Jema’a Foundation, Miyetti Allah and Mobgal Fulbe Development Association confirmed that Fulani and Hausa Muslims have been behind the ethnic cleansing and destruction of villages and houses of worship in Southern Kaduna. They claimed they had to do this to entrench their rights to practice Islam, alleging they were being marginalized in Southern Kaduna. Those who addressed the press were Abdullahi Hassan Mohammed, Ahmad M. Yandeh and Abdulhamid Musa. Again, on December 31, 2016, Dr. Ibrahim Abdullahi, the Assistant National Secretary of Miyetti Allah also echoed the same position that the Fulani were carrying out reprisal killings. In view of this glaring confession by all these Fulani men, is it not reprehensible, distasteful and vile that the Council of Imams and Ulama Kaduna State did not call for the arrest of these people who are in conspiracy with the murderers? With their position now, it is obvious that these Imams are part of the evil network desperately trying to decimate the Christian population of Southern Kaduna and the taking over of their lands by Islamist herdsmen terrorists. These are the Muslim clerics that encourage and inspire the jihad carried out by their foot soldiers. We have refused to keep silent as we are speaking up to government and telling the world the devilish plot against the Christian community in Southern Kaduna and other affected areas. While those they inspired through their wicked sermons to kill and conquer new territories for Islam are carrying out their instructions, they are now intimidating the victims with Gov. El-Rufai’s infamous position of “call for self-defense is hate speech. Our Lord Jesus Christ is exposing the enemies of His Kingdom one by one. For the records, the words and the way of life of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Saviour of the world before whom all knees shall bow, was never violent. CAN therefore, thrives under His inspiration and guidance. We can never call on a Christian to kill another human being. But we cannot tell a Christian to unjustly submit himself to murderers, his family wiped, his community taken over with crude violence so that a new community of herdsmen terrorists be established as it is happening now in Southern Kaduna, especially as government is not showing enough commitment to arresting the situation. CAN therefore, has no apology over what comment it has made on the religious cleansing in Southern Kaduna and other places in the country. It is clear fact that CAN has the more to lose with the continuance of these madness. Since May last year to date in Southern Kaduna alone, over 100 Christians have been killed; over 53 communities with their churches have been destroyed and not less than 16 villages have been conquered and are now being occupied by Fulani herdsmen terrorists".

Son Of Late Emir Of Kano, Sani Bayero And His Wife Welcome A New Baby (Photos)

Prince Sani Bayero, son of late Emir of Kano, Alhaji Dr. Abdullahi Ado Bayero and his wife Aysha have welcomed their first child together.
The baby girl was born yesterday at Netcare Linksfield Hospital, Johannesburg, South Africa. Also see a photo of Prince Sani vacationing in Dubai with his first wife last week.