No One Should Contest Against Ambode In 2019, No Lagosian Should Bother To Even Declare Ambition For The Next Six Years, Oba Akiolu Of Lagos Issues Stern Warning

The Oba of Lagos, Oba Rilwan Akiolu, on Thursday said he had directed all governorship aspirants in the state not to contest the 2019 election against the incumbent governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode, and his deputy, Dr. Oluranti Adebule.

The monarch provided justification for his directive, which he said, was founded on Ambode’s unprecedented performance in government under two years even when other states of the federation were experiencing intractable economic meltdown.

The monarch disclosed this at the 21st convocation of Lagos State University (LASU) at the institution’s auditorium, Ojo, insisting that there was no vacancy in Ikeja House in 2019.

The convocation was attended by LASU Chancellor, Justice Adesola Oguntade; Chairman of LASU Governing Council, Prof. Adebayo Ninalowo; Vice-Chancellor of LASU, Prof. Olanrewaju Fagbohun; and members of the State Executive Council among others.

Former Executive Secretary of the National Universities Commission (NUC), Prof. Peter Okebukola, foremost industrialist, Sir Adebutu Kessington and the richest black woman in the world, Mrs. Folorunsho Alakija, were presented honourary awards.

But speaking at the convocation, Akiolu explained his preference for Ambode in 2019, revealing how one of the governorship candidates in the 2015 contest recently ran into him, greeted him and alleged that the monarch truncated his governorship aspiration.

He said: “Few days ago, one of the aspirants greeted me. After greeting, he alleged that I halted his ambition. No one should come out in 2019 and declare his ambition.

“The only way to avoid not wasting their money is to support Ambode and his deputy to rule Lagos for the next six years. That was why about nine months to the 2015 governorship election, I said Ambode would be the next governor whether they vote or not.

“But all of them doubted me. I often pray before and after leaving the bed. That is one of few things I learnt from the late father of Prof. Peter Oke-Bukola, who served as my cadet officer then. Even though he was much older than I am, he was very humble.

“The prayer has helped me a lot. The state of Nigeria indicates the type of police it gets. As a police officer, I served for 32 years. That is why I can confidently say I never collected money from anyone before performing my duties as a law enforcement officer.”

While addressing the gathering, Ambode revealed plans by his administration to build a 6,000-bed hostel within LASU main campus, Ojo in partnership with the private sector to improve on the learning experience in the institution.
The governor promised that the state government would continue “to invest in infrastructure in tertiary institutions in the state including LASU to make them emerge as great citadels of learning and pride of all”.

Ambode charged them to build on the ranking of the institution as the best state university in Nigeria to become one of the best five universities in the country by 2020.

He, therefore, urged the management of the institution “to work assiduously to make LASU emerge as the preferred university of choice by 2025. I made a commitment at the 20th convocation that we would invest massively here.
“I also promised that we would upgrade its status to that obtainable anywhere around the world provided all stakeholders can ensure that peace reigns on campus. One of the results of that is the accreditation of this institution’s School of Dentistry; the only state university to have an accredited School of Dentistry.

“We will continue to invest in physical and social infrastructure in this university. We have many projects nearing completion and these legacy projects when completed will no doubt change the entire overview of the landscape of the university. One of these projects is a PPP arrangement to deliver a 6,000-bed hostel for LASU.” -THISDAY

Nigerian man who poisoned food in a restaurant that left 2 dead and over 46 hospitalized caught by police

Nigerian man who poisoned food in a restaurant that left 2 dead and over 46 hospitalized caught by police

The Cross River State Police command has arrested one Mr. Paul Nchui who allegedly poisoned food in a restaurant that has left 2 people dead and over 46 hospitalized in Oboso community of Mbube in Ogoja local government area of the state.

The State Police Public Relations Officer, Irene Ugbo who confirmed the arrest said that the 35 year-old suspect from Oboso, the affected community in Ogoja Local Government area of the state has confessed to the crime.

No fewer than 46 people are currently hospitalized after eating the poisoned food. The food vendor and her husband, Mr. Edidi died immediately after eating food from their restaurant on Friday, March 24th.

The incident raised serious tension in the state as many suspected that it was an outbreak of Ebola, Lassa or some strange ailment. Confirming the incident, Health Commissioner, Dr. Inyang Asibong said all the affected cases are from a food vendor in Oboso and was actually food poisoning.

"She (the food vendor) and her husband died on Friday following onset of symptoms" Dr. Inyang said, adding that 40 people are currently admitted in General Hospital, Ogoja, while 4 in a private hospital. A statement issued by the police said: 

 "Mr. Paul Nchui, a suspect who poisoned a restaurant of a food vendor in Oboso community in Ogoja has been arrested. The suspect is in our custody and has confessed to the crime. He will soon be charged to court".

The reason for the suspect’s action was not confirmed by the Police at news time but it is speculated in the state that the suspect has confessed that he poisoned the restaurant to punish the community for the treatment meted on him.

According to a source, “The suspect has confessed that he poisoned the restaurant to punish the entire community because of the ill treatment they meted on him.

Lobatan! See wedding banner of man set to marry two brides on same day

Lobatan! See wedding banner of man set to marry two brides on same day

A wedding banner has gone viral and it's not because of how cute the couple look, but because It involves a man getting married to two women at once. In fact, these ones can't be called couple again because they are more than two. 

One bride looks excited, the other doesn't look happy at all. Their wedding is in two days time and it will take place in Isoko south, Delta state.

Another 159 stranded Nigerians repatriated from Libya

Another 159 stranded Nigerians repatriated from Libya

Libyan authorities on Thursday flew a total of 159 Nigerian migrants stranded in Libya, in the second voluntary repatriation operation. This comes after 162 stranded Nigerians whose bid were to travel to Europe from Libya were all flown back to Nigeria last month. The Nigerians, pictured in tracksuits and sneakers, were driven to the airport near the Libyan capital in two buses. 

'I wish I could go to Europe but I can’t,' said a woman called Faith, carrying a baby in her arms.

'I’m happy to be going home,' said another Nigerian woman.

Speaking to AFP at Mitiga airport, Badreddine Ben Hamed, head of Libya’s anti-illegal immigration force, said the Libyan government 'In coordination with the IOM (International Organization for Migration), we are repatriating 159 Nigerians, including three infants.

The returnees arrived the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos at about 6pm on a chartered Nouvel Air aircraft. They were received at the Hajj Camp by NEMA officials and other agencies who carried out various exercises to facilitate their integration into the Nigerian society before being aided to their respective destinations.

Addressing newsmen, Dr Onimode Bandele, Director, Search and Rescue, NEMA, said various agencies were on ground to welcome the returnees to their fatherland.

"We have three medical cases on board; one is paralysis, the other one is a psychiatric problem, while the third is a minor injury which has been taken care of with the effort of the IOM doctors and the Port Health Authority" he said.

Omg! See two Nigerian ladies fighting violently in public

Omg! See two Nigerian ladies fighting violently in public

A crazy set of pics is trending and it is about two ladies pictured fighting seriously in public. Things got so tough that they stripped themselves, with many watching and laughing at them...

Nollywood scriptwriter suddenly dies after receiving phone call from home

Nollywood scriptwriter suddenly dies after receiving phone call from home

Nollywood script writer, director & producer Chike Bryan Nnamani, a father of five, has died after he received a call from home while on his way to work, suddenly developed a stroke and died hours later after he was admitted at Lagos State University Teaching hospital.Read more after cut...

Chike Bryan’s colleague narrated what happened. Here’s his story:
I never knew we could be close; never expected to weep for a friend who turned out to be a buddy. A guy who held no grudge, malice or hate in his good heart against another.
Today, he’s no more. His bit is done here on earth. I will always remember him.

A guy I have worked so closely with in almost 10 months. Suddenly he disappear from my life. Death, O death, why?

He woke up this morning hale and hearty. He had breakfast at a friend’s and was on his way to the office. As he was driving down in the friend’s car he received phone call from
home about some happenings, there he lost his cool.
Afterwards, the friend asked him to calm down no matter what but it was too late. My buddy, the one I call CBN, his initials, suddenly developed stroke, throwing up non stop in the friend’s car.

Praying fervently for him, our friend made a turn and drove on neck break speed to his house where he picked his wife and rushed him to the hospital where he was admitted but later referred to to LASUTH in Ikeja.

On getting to LASUTH, the wife was told the hospital could not admit him for lack of bed space. For almost 5 hours my buddy was hanging on to dear life without treatment. How callous can some medical personnel be! An emergency case was treated with so much nonchalance.

So much grief, sorrow, and tears in his home. CBN left behind a young wife and 5 lovely kids. I pray God to give the family the fortitude to bear this irreparable loss.

A Chelsea fan or better still, a lover of good football who doesn’t spare Arsenal and it’s gaffer when they slip in any match. A pal who has tried severally to convert me into being a member of the ‘blues’ family. So this great guy won’t be there to yab me week in week out about my dear own Arsenal.

Perpetual light shine upon him O’ Lord.
I shall truly miss you CBN. Sleep in the bosom of the Lord.Adieu Chike Bryan Nnamani

Fayose To Buhari:“Since You Went To London, There Was No Killing In Nigeria But Now You Are Back The Troubles Are Back"

“Ekiti State governor, Ayodele Fayose has stated that ever since President Buhri left Nigeria for his 59 days medical vacation in London there was a total calm in every part of Nigeria but since he returned back the troubles are back, killings everywhere. Read more after cut...
Fayose said this In a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Idowu Adelusi, the governor said Buhari must stop political appointees and government officials from endangering Nigeria’s democracy through their actions. He mentioned the refusal of Comptroller-General of Customs, Hameed Ali to wear uniform. He said, “Governance has been reduced to a theatre of the absurd.

These appointees of yours are needlessly and embarrassingly flexing muscles and are heating up the polity; they appear to be having fun and regaling themselves at the expense of the nation. The economy has collapsed and the people are suffering. There is hunger and anger never before witnessed in the land.

“Yet, Presidential appointees are preoccupied with trivialities and inanities. Wearing of uniform has suddenly become a Supreme Court matter. Why a man who will not wear uniform went to take a uniformed job beggars belief. How someone who has so little respect and scanty regard for an organisation like the Nigeria Customs Service should be made to head the same organisation must baffle right-thinking Nigerians.”

““In other societies where people have a sense of decency and decorum, people with such irreconcilable differences would honourably resign their position. “And where a government finds itself unable to effectively govern, as we appear to have here on our hands, it behoves the head of that government to do the needful. “Mr. President, let it not be said that you have lost grip of your government.

Nigerians are beginning to believe, as a statement of fact, your wife’s allegation that a cabal has taken over your government. Your defence that your wife belongs to “the other room” now rings hollow in the ears of Nigerians. “The saying is that he who appoints can also disappoint. Your appointees are your creation and it is an aberration when they become greater and more powerful than you. Mr. President, the tail is wagging the dog right now. You must take effective and firm action to reverse this ugly and unwholesome trend.

“I am also the head of a government and I know how it works. The ‘consortium of presidents’ around you, as Nigerians now derisively refer to those ‘powerful’ and larger-than-life appointees of yours who take delight in riding roughshod over the polity and desecrating the hallowed chambers of justice, must be cut to size. If you need help, Nigerians are ready to queue behind you on this issue to put an end to your appointees’ shenanigans.”


““Mr. President, I, Ayo Fayose, volunteer to help you in this regard. As a state governor, I cannot brook a tenth of what you are taking from your appointees. None of my appointees can disrespect and disparage the Ekiti State House of Assembly like your appointees are doing to the National Assembly.

“Did you listen to what a distinguished Senator of the Federal Republic said this week on the floor of the red chamber; that for the 59 days that you were away on medical leave in London, your appointees were gentle and behaved themselves and there were no killings in any part of the country by rampaging herdsmen; but now you are back and the troubles are back with us again? We all prayed for your quick recovery and swift return to office. Must we now regret doing so?” He added that Nigerians are already losing patience with the government.

Update! The Pressure that pushed Lagos doctor into suicide

*Colleagues recall his last day at work
Fresh insights have emerged as to why Allwell Orji, a 35-year-old medical doctor with the Papa Ajao branch of Mount Sinai Hospital, decided to take his own life by jumping into the lagoon in Lagos last Sunday.

A close associate of the deceased doctor told The Nation that he (Orji) once confided in him that he was fed up with life and “wanted to end it all.”

He said: “We were close and we often discussed about his life. He was a brilliant young man and he liked helping people. He was in the habit of taking part in free medical outreaches and he loved to study.

“Despite his condition, he was still studying further. He ought to be rounding off his post-graduate studies which would have enabled him to become a consultant,” the young associate said.

Although it was gathered that the deceased medical practitioner was a sickle cell anaemia carrier, the associate, who pleaded not to be named, said the deceased doctor sometimes had moments of mental instability.

The young man added: “Sometimes it happened like a convulsion, and it even embarrassed him at his place of work while he was busy with a patient. Although the family did their best to manage the situation, there were times when he and some members of the family exchanged words because they taunted him for acting abnormally.

“His frustration heightened when his father died about four years ago and some family members believed the burden of his health condition contributed to the father’s death. These were some of the reasons he told me at that time that he wanted to end it all, but I tried to encourage him with the word of God”.

The close ally also said that the late doctor’s mother had tried to get him a wife but it did not work out. He said the mum, a wealthy woman who owns a number of vehicles, also hired a driver for the doctor as a way of monitoring his movement to prevent him from taking his own life since he had exhibited such tendencies.

“The jeep (SUV) he was riding belongs to the mother and she also got him a driver to take him around. The mother tried to arrange marriage for him at a time but it did not work. The deceased’s younger brother is already married and his sister is also a medical doctor,” the source said.

When one of our correspondents visited the Odunukan residence of the deceased on Thursday evening, a sober atmosphere pervaded the entire street. One of the residents, who identified himself simply as Mr. Oluwole, recalled that Oluwole had attempted suicide about four years earlier, adding that he saw Dr. Orji walking past the Saturday before his death.

Oluwole said: “We were here four years ago when he wanted to jump from the top of the storey building owned by his family. His family members do not relate with other people in the neigbourhood, and it was the same thing with the late doctor. I often saw him walking on the streets bespectacled on days he was not on call at the hospital. He walked like someone who was thinking too much.”

Oluwole also believed that things could have turned out differently if the deceased doctor’s family had not changed his driver.

He said: “It won’t be out of place to describe him as a recluse. He was not on the social media, neither did he engage in any social activity.

“I believe things would have turned out differently if the family did not change his former driver. The former driver would have suspected and could have tried to stop him once he ordered him to stop on the bridge. I am not sure his new driver was well briefed on his medical condition.”

Colleagues recall last day at work
It was just like any other Friday when the late Orji resumed work at the branch of Mount Sinai Hospital on Ojekunle Road, Papa Ajao, Mushin, on March 17. The storey building housing the hospital overlooks the dual carriage road that is popular for the spill-over of heavy commercial activities from the nearby Ladipo Market. Although it is sandwiched by two very close buildings, Mount Sinai Hospital wears a bright colour that makes it easily noticeable.

It was here that Orji reported last for duty as a medical doctor before he gave it all up two days later on a bright Sunday afternoon. He was said to have stopped his driver on the Third Mainland Bridge, got out of the vehicle and jumped into the Lagos lagoon.

A colleague of the deceased, who did not want to be named, said that Orji’s last day at work was like every other.

He said: “He was cheerful on that day and attended to patients in his usual cheerful manner. There was no slightest indication that something was amiss or anything to indicate that he was depressed or bothered by something. If there was any sign, it was not obvious at all. If there was anything amiss, that would be his personal life which, of course, we couldn’t have been part of,” the colleague said.

A nurse at the hospital, who fought back tears as she spoke, also described the deceased Orji as a cheerful individual. “Everybody here will miss him. He was a jovial person. He loved his work. He was someone we enjoyed working with. That Friday was his last day at work here,” she added.

One of the doctors, who appeared shocked by the incident, referred our correspondent to the Communications Manager at the Surulere branch of the hospital. “It is the Communications Manager who has the mandate to say anything about the late Orji. I am sure that the hospital will communicate an official position about the incident in due course,” the doctor said.

At the Surulere branch of the hospital in Lagos, however, the Communications Manager was not available to speak with reporters. But an official of the hospital who would not disclose his name said that while he shared the sense of loss, he would not answer questions concerning Orji’s personal life.

He said: “As for his official life here, I can tell you that he didn’t show any sign that he had any issue whatsoever. He was at work on the Friday before the incident. He was a likeable fellow, cheerful, had a good working relationship with his colleagues and he was well remunerated. If he had personal problems, I wouldn’t know. It didn’t show.”

A psychologist, Dr. Okonkwo Leo, said, "Suicide also could be caused by hearing voices, hallucination. What I can advise at this point is that in whatever ways we can, we should help people who seem depressed. Give them more ears, listen to them, talk to them and encourage them. Deep depression needs to be treated too.”

I Was Introduced To Crime By Those Who Duped Me

I Was Introduced To Crime By Those Who Duped Me

A fraudster paraded by Abia State Police Command has confessed that he was once a victim of fraud, adding that the people that defrauded him later introduced him to the crime.

The suspect identified as Nwokacha Lucky and his accomplice Rekiyat Sunday were arrested on Owerri by Kaduna Street in Umuahia, the state capital following a distress call put across to police operatives at the Central Police Station, Umuahia.

It was learnt that Lucky and Rekiyat were members of a 419 syndicate, who specialised in picking unsuspecting passengers to unknown destinations to defraud and rob them of their belongings.

The state's Commissioner of Police, Adeleye Oyebade, who paraded the suspects at the Command headquarters in Umuahia, told Southern City News that the hoodlums were intercepted by the mob while attempting to pick an unsuspecting victim in the state capital.

He said the suspects had confessed to the crime, while their victims had surfaced and identified them.

He added that one Volkswagen Vento saloon car with Registration No. PBT 422 DT was recovered from the suspects and added that investigation was still ongoing to fish out other members of the syndicate.

Responding to questions from our correspondent, Lucky said he became a fraudster over two years ago after he was duped by some members of the syndicate while embarking on a journey.

He said, “I was duped by some fraudsters while on a journey. Later, I saw one of them and identified him. When I wanted to report him to the police, he asked me to calm down and told me to join them in the business in order to recover my money. That was why I joined them. But I had not been lucky with this business before my arrest.”

On her part, Rekiyat said her duty was to sit in the car, adding that after an unsuspecting passenger entered the car, she would introduce a discussion about certain amount of money she allegedly took away from her master, which she would want all the passengers to share with her.

The widow, who claims the death of her husband led her into the nefarious act, said, “If the passenger we want to dupe develops interest in sharing the money with us, one of us will suggest that we should visit a pastor who will pray for the money before we share it.

“When we get to the pastor’s house, he will then tell us to bring money to pay him before he will pray for the money. At that point, we will tell our victim to bring his/her money, phones and other belongings for us to sell and raise the money to pay for the prayer.”

NDLEA Arrests Drug Dealers With N183m Cannabis

NDLEA Arrests Drug Dealers With N183m Cannabis

The Edo State Command of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency has arrested two suspected cannabis barons while also seizing 18,294kg of cannabis with an estimated street value of N183m.

One of the suspects, a Bauchi-based suspected cannabis dealer, Mohammed Mustapha was apprehended at Uzebba, Owan West Local Government Area of Edo State where he was facilitating the shipment of 7,272kg of cannabis to Bauchi State.

According to the spokesperson for the agency, another 3,072kg of cannabis was traced to the warehouse of another suspected dealer, Lucky Akele at Uzebba. About 7,950kg of cannabis with few bags of cement used as cover inside a Dangote cement truck were intercepted at Enweh area of the state. The truck driver, Zegiru Amadu, said the shipment was destined for Maiduguri, Borno State.


The Edo State commander of the NDLEA, Wakawa Buba, said that the 18,294kg of cannabis were seized in three operations.

 “All the cases are under investigation and the suspects will soon be charged to court for unlawful possession and dealing in cannabis. They risk a minimum of fifteen years sentence if found guilty,” Wakawa said.

The Dangote trailer driver in his statement said he was given N1.3m to transport the cannabis to Maiduguri, Borno State.

Amadu claimed that poverty pushed him to take the money and agree to the deal.

Commending the officers involved in the operations, NDLEA Chairman, Col. Muhammad Abdallah (retd.) described the seizure as a necessary step in reducing drugs from circulation.

Abdallah said, “The NDLEA will continue to work assiduously by consolidating on the gains recorded in the fight against insurgency.

“Over 15 tons of cannabis would have been taken to the North East if not for the timely interception. Several crimes are perpetrated under the influence of drugs like cannabis and the agency will not rest until the problem of cannabis cultivation, trafficking and use is drastically reduced.”