Yoruba ronu !!! South West Has Second Highest Number of Stunted Children In Nigeria - UNICEF

The United Nations Children Fund (UNICEF) has revealed that the south-west has the second highest number of stunted children in Nigeria.  

UNICEF Communication Officer, Blessing Ejiofor, speaking at a meeting on child nutrition in Ogun state attributed the high number of stunted children in the region to acute malnutrition.

She revealed that 19.4% of children in South West are stunted, which is only second to what is obtained in the North.

She said; “However, 19.4 per cent of children in South-West Nigeria are stunted. This figure is worse than the figure for the South-East and the south-south but better than the North as we would see during the presentations. This calls for more work by everyone – government and all of us.

“As agenda setters, we must do more to keep child nutrition conversations on the priority list of those that can act to reverse this ugly trend.

“UNICEF believes that journalists can help set the agenda for action against all forms of child malnutrition, be it severe acute malnutrition or stunting. This, the media can do by creating heightened awareness among leaders and citizens. The media remains UNICEF’s major ally as we work for every child, everywhere, to build a better world for everyone. - Sahara reporters

Future leaders ! JSS1 student, 56 others arrested during cult initiation

A 15-year-old pupil, Idris, has been arrested by the police in Lagos for allegedly belonging to the Aiye Confraternity.

Idris, a Junior Secondary School one pupil at a private school in the Orile area of the state, was paraded alongside 56 other suspected cult members at the Lagos State Police Command headquarters in Ikeja on Monday.

It was gathered that the suspects were apprehended over the weekend at Elemoro, in the Ajah area by the police and members of a vigilannte group in the community.

They were inside a bush, some distance away from Eleko Beach, Ajah, to perform initiation rites for new members, including Idris, when they were caught.

Two locally-made cut-to-size guns, three live cartridges and 22 expended cartridges were reportedly recovered from them.

Idris, narrating how he was initiated told Punch “a man in my community bought a drink for me. After we finished drinking, he asked me to follow him to Eleko Beach for a party. When we got there, they covered my face and took me inside a bush. They used an object to pierce my thumb and collected some blood.

“As we were about to leave around 4am on Thuursday, I heard gunshots and the police arrested us. I have not been told the name of the cult.”

He said the inscription, ‘Baba Bose,’ tattooed on his chest, was an expression of love for his girlfriend, identified as Bose.

Another suspect, Adedayo Obabiyi, 25, said he and his siblings had attended a birthday party at the beach and were returning home when some hoodlums attacked them.

“They collected our phones and ATM cards and blindfolded us. They took us to an unknown place. When we got there, I heard a lot of voices. They pierced our thumbs,” he added.

The state Commissioner of Police, Edgal Imohimi, parading them lamented the increasing rate of youths’ involvement in cultism.

The CP said, “Based on credible intelligence that members of the dreaded Aiye Confraternity were performing their initiation rites at a shrine in a thick forest in Abule Egbanu, in the Elemoro, Aja area of Lagos, the Divisional Police Officer, SP Mohammed Limawa, mobilised his men. The DPO received support from the undercover operatives of the Area J, Elemoro, and the men of the Anti-Cultism Unit of the command. Together, they stormed the area and arrested 57 members of the notorious Aiye Confraternity.

“Some of them were not in their right senses at the time of the arrest due to drug overdose. Items recovered from the suspects include two Suzuki mini buses with number plates, LND 893 XV and EPE 189 XV, respectively, one Volkswagen bus, one Mitsubishi space wagon marked, SMK 455 AL, and two Toyota Camry cars with number plates, BD 760 DH and LSD 506 EC.” - Daily Post

What herbalist did to woman to get her pregnant with twins

A herbalist, Raji Ibrahim, was on Tuesday arraign before an Ikeja Magistrates’ Court sitting in Lagos for allegedly defrauding a woman of N245,000 on the pretext of giving her herbal pregnancy medicine for a set of twins.

Raji, 48, who lives in Ewekoro, Ogun State, is facing 2-counts of fraud and stealing.

The police prosecutor, Sgt. Michael Unah told the court that the accused committed the offences on January 29 at 2.50p.m. at Ajegunle Bus Stop, Abule-Iroko, a community in Lagos-Ogun boundary, off Lagos-Abeokuta Expressway.

Unah said the accused allegedly collected N245,000 from the complainant (name withheld), with the promise to give her fertility herbal medicine for a set of twins.

“The accused fraudulently collected the sum of N245,000 from the complainant with a promise to give her medicine that will enable her to conceive and deliver a set of twins.”

The offences, according to the prosecutor, violated sections 287 and 314 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015 (Revised).

The accused, however, pleaded not guilty to the two counts.

In his ruling, the Magistrate, Mr. A. A. Fashola, granted the accused bail in the sum of N100,000, with one surety in like sum.

Fashola said the surety must be gainfully employed, with an evidence of three years’ tax payment.

Further hearing has been fixed for March 19. - Daily Post

Land of fraudsters !!! Ex- banker docked for alleged N733.9m fraud

The Lagos High Court sitting in Ikeja on Tuesday ordered that a former employee of Coronation Merchant Bank, Nsa Ayi, be remanded in Ikoyi Prisons over alleged N733,906,951.09 fraud.

Ayi was alleged to have fraudulently and unlawfully debited several customers with the bank to the tune of N733,906, 951.09.

Justice Mojisola Dada of Special Offences Court ordered Ayi to be remanded in Ikoyi Prisons following his arraignment by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

He was arraigned on a 10- count charge of conspiracy, fraud, and falsification of documents among others.

The prosecuting counsel, Nnemeka Omewa, alleged that the defendant on various dates between January 2014 and January 2017 fraudulently debited the bank’s customers using instructions purported to be issued by the bank to them.

He prayed the court to take the plea of the defendant.

However, Ayi, pleaded not guilty to the charges preferred against him by the EFCC following which the trial judge ordered that he be remanded in prison.

The EFCC had alleged that the defendant falsified account no 2990001176 belonging to a company, Ogunjemo E Mascot and debited it of N2,029,394 and one Ndubueze Caroline of N8,169,000.00 purporting the instructions to have been issued by the owners of the account.

“The defendant on another occasion  allegedly debited same account to the tune of N172,076,712.33 using an instruction which he purported to have been issued by same company,” the Commission stated. - The Nation

My presidential ambition intact – Duke

A former Governor of Cross River State, Mr Donald Duke, said on Tuesday he has not dropped his presidential ambition.

Duke stated this in a chat with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN).

He said the speculations that he has dropped the presidential aspiration were untrue.

The ex-governor said he has not officially declared for the presidency for strategic reasons.

“Sometime ago, I said I will run for the presidency of the country if the opportunity presented itself.

“Yes, my presidential ambition is still intact. I am only waiting for the opportunity to present itself to make the right move,’’ he said.

Asked on what platform he would run, since he was a member of former President Olusegun Obasanjo’s inspired “Coalition for Nigeria Movement (CNM),” he said it was too early to decide on the matter.

He, however, said he was still a member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

“I am still a member of the PDP, at the same time a member of the coalition which is not a political party.

“The coalition will definitely align with a political party to achieve its goals, otherwise it will make no sense.

“I can’t say yet the platform on which I will run if the opportunity presents itself. We are still watching and will take the right step at the right time,’’ he added.

On the abductions and killings in some parts of the country, Duke described the situation as disturbing.

He urged the relevant authorities to confront the problem head on for the peace and stability of the nation. - The Nation

Supreme Court takes case of death row inmate who forgot the crime

A month after halting his execution, the U.S. Supreme Court on Monday agreed to take up the case of an Alabama convicted murderer whose attorneys argue should be spared the death penalty because strokes have wiped out his memory of committing the crime.

The justices agreed to decide whether executing 67-year-old Vernon Madison, convicted of fatally shooting a police officer in 1985, would violate the U.S. Constitution's Eighth Amendment bar against cruel and unusual punishment.

The Supreme Court has previously imposed some limits on capital punishment relating to people with intellectual disabilities and mental illnesses.

Madison, who has spent decades on death row, has suffered several strokes in recent years, resulting in dementia and memory impairment, court papers said. He is legally blind, cannot walk on his own and speaks with a slur.

Alabama had previously appealed to the Supreme Court a federal appeals court ruling last year that Madison could not be put to death because his memory loss had left him unable to understand the connection between his crime and the punishment he is due to receive.

Last November, the justices ruled unanimously that Alabama could execute Madison, saying that Supreme Court precedent had not established "that a prisoner is incompetent to be executed because of a failure to remember his commission of the crime."

The case prompted liberal Justice Stephen Breyer, a death penalty critic, to write in a separate opinion that Madison's case illustrated "the unconscionably long periods of time that prisoners often spend on death row awaiting execution."

But on Jan. 25, the high court halted Madison's execution as it considered a request by his attorneys to reconsider the case.

His lawyers said that the state had failed to disclose that a court-appointed psychologist who evaluated Madison had a substance abuse problem and had been suspended from his practice for forging prescriptions, making his findings invalid.

They urged the justices to take the case to clarify whether the Constitution allows someone with dementia and cognitive decline to be executed.

Madison shot Julius Schulte, a police officer in Mobile, twice in the back of the head as Schulte supervised Madison's move out of his former girlfriend's house, according to court papers.

Madison, who is black, was sentenced to death in 1994 in his third trial after his first two convictions were thrown out on appeal for racial discrimination in jury selection and other prosecutorial misconduct. - Reuters

Land of looters !!! I Built My Hotel With Funds Diverted From Nigerian Maritime Agency - Ex-Acting Director General

A former Acting Director General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Calistus Obi, on Monday admitted that part of the N331million belonging to the agency which he was alleged to have diverted was used to build an hotel.

He made the revelation during his cross-examination at his on-going trial over the before Justice Mojisola Olatoregun of a Federal High Court in Lagos.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) had on April 12, 2016, arraigned Obi, alongside one, Alu Dismas, a former personal assistant to the immediate past DG of NIMASA, Patrick Akpobolokemi, and two firms, before the court on an 8-count charge of converting N331 million belonging to agency for personal use.

The two firms involved are:  Grand Pact Limited and Global Sea Investment.

While being cross-examined by the EFCC's lawyer, Rotimi Oyedepo, the witness, who was also a former NIMASA Executive Director, Maritime Labor and Cabotage Service, disclosed that he transferred part of the diverted money to a firm known as Seastroke International, which built an hotel for him in Asaba, Delta state.

He however claimed he has refunded the money when asked to do so by the EFCC.

"I used part of the money to build my hotel constructed by Seastroke International. But the money has since been refunded to the EFCC.

"The hotel is located somewhere in Asaba, Delta state. I can't recollect the address now. The building is completed and is already functioning. The title document of the hotel is being processed, but I have the Certificate of Occupancy (C of O) and I can produce it before the court", he said.

At this juncture, Obi's lawyer, Wale Akoni (SAN) expressed his disapproval of Oyedepo's questioning his client about the title document of the hotel.

He said: "My lord, I am opposed to this line of questioning by the prosecution's lawyer. The ownership of the hotel is not an issue in these proceedings. The prosecution is only trying to device means of seizing the title document through the back door".

In his response, EFCC's lawyer, Rotimi Oyedepo, urged the court to allow him continue with his enquiry about the hotel saying the witness had already admitted deploying part of the allegedly diverted money to building it.

"The witness has admitted that part of the funds allegedly diverted by him was used in building the hotel that is now functioning. At the end of this case, the law as it stands today empowers my lord to forfeit property acquired with proceeds of unlawful activity.

"Section 30 of the EFCC's Act empowers the court to forfeits proceeds of unlawful activity. I urge the court to allow us ask questions that will lead to the recovery of the title document so that it can form part of the court's record", Oyedepo said.

In a bench ruling, the court while dismissing Akoni's objections held that "the questions asked on the title document is in order and the issue of the EFCC trying to forcefully seize it does not arise".

Further hearing in the matter has been adjourned to March 7 by 12noon.

In the charge marked FHC/L/148C/16, the accused persons were said to have committed the offence on August 5, 2014.

They were said to have conspired to convert the said sum which is the property of NIMASA, and knowing same to be proceeds of stealing.

The offence is said to be contravention of  the provisions of Sections 15 and 18(a) of the Money Laundering Prohibition (Amendment)  Act, 2012. - Saharareporters

I’m ashamed Nigeria has no data on oil - Perm Sec.

The Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Petroleum Resources, Dr. Folasade Yemi-Esan, yesterday expressed concern over the non-availability of data on Nigeria oil sector in the country.

According to her, Nigerians have to go to the secretariat of the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries ( OPEC ) before getting data on Nigerian oil.

She said: “immediately after the minister’s speech last week, somebody stood up and said we didn’t have data source on Nigeria. And I was actually ashamed of myself and I think as we provide data for OPEC, we should address the question of churning credible data to be consumed in-country. It is a pity when students are looking for data we have to go to OPEC to get data about Nigeria.”

She spoke while declaring the OPEC data management training workshop open at the Petroleum Technology Development Fund ( PTDF ) in Abuja.

Yemi-Esan tasked the stakeholders in the workshop to work with the ministry to ensure that there is a generation and provision credible data that could help in planning and research purposes in the country. 

She noted that the ministry works with the Nigerian Liquified Natural Gas, the Central Bank of Nigeria, Debt Management Office, National Population Commission, Energy Commission of Nigeria, Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission and Indorama Nig Ltd in order to generate its data.

The Perm Sec, who noted that OPEC had commended the ministry on the last questionnaire it filled on data generation, stressed that “the format has changed slightly and we want to be sure that we are actually doing better. That is why we have this training.”

According to her, the ministry was expecting participants from Equatorial Guinea, and Gabon but they cancelled their trip at the last minute. 

Meanwhile, the Executive Secretary of the PTDF which hosted the event, Dr. Aliyu Gusau, noted that presently the organization relies heavily on member countries for accurate and timely data to effectively carry out its mandate.

He added that for the Fund, “this workshop offers an opportunity for the expression of our strategic objectives to engage more effectively key players of the oil and gas industry by making valuable contributions that will further enhance capacity building of personnel and operators in the industry.” 

Speaking, the Head, OPEC Data Management, Dr. Adedapo Odulaja all the activities of the organization is based on the data from member countries. 

He stressed that without data transparency the oil industry cannot thrive. He noted that there are legal and technical aspects of the data, and without capacity building on them there will be no achievements in the industry. 

He pointed out that the essence of the workshop was as a result of the need to make other agencies in the world compatible with the change in the questionnaire that was used for 20 years. 

He submitted  that “we will have to understand the connection between the old and the new one and that is why we are here today.”  - The Nation

Face of a fraudster !!! Stella Oduah in EFCC over N9.4bn alleged fraud

Stella Oduah, former minister of aviation, has been quizzed by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) over an N9.4bn alleged fraud during her tenure.

TheCable learnt that she arrived at the EFCC headquarters at 11am to honour a longstanding invitation.

The senator representing Anambra north was still being grilled as at 6pm, but it is not clear if she will spend the night at the anti-graft agency.

“She was invited over allegations ordering on abuse of office and money laundering. One of the allegations concerns fraud in the N9.4bn ISEC contract for security installations in some airports,” the source said.

Earlier in the month, Oduah issued a statement to deny the alleged diversion of funds under her watch as minister.

Oduah who was in charge of the aviation ministry from July 2011 to February 2014, maintained that all contracts awarded during her tenure followed due process.

“As minister of aviation, I committed myself to the service of my country to the very best of my ability and as it is widely acknowledged, my record and performance as the minister of aviation remain laudable and unbeatable,” he said.

“What we did in aviation was so far reaching that it had never been done before, it was so unprecedented.”

She said the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, was in such a bad shape, that even the restrooms were not usable.

“Most of the airports were worse than motor parks,” she said.

“We took them on and efficiently and in a very timely manner changed every single one of them: and we did not just change that, we changed the safety of the Nigerian airspace.

In 2013, Oduah was embroiled in car purchase allegations, when reports emerged that she had compelled the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) to procure the vehicles for her.

The purchase drew nationwide controversy, and activists like Femi Falana urged EFCC to conduct a thorough investigation with a view to prosecuting the former minister.

In response to a query by former President Goodluck Jonathan she said the procurement was duly provided for in the NCAA budget that year, which also adopted lease payments in installments over 36 months.- Cable Nigeria

Alaafin’s wife delivers twins

Nine days after delivery of female twin babies, another wife of the Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi 111, Monday gave birth to male twin babies.

Ayaba Memunat Omowumi Adeyemi Omoh 1, a senior wife of the monarch was the first to deliver the female twin babies, while the naming ceremony took place on Sunday.

At about eleven o clock on Monday morning, information reached the ancient palace that another wife, who had been pregnant for about nine months, Ayaba Badirat Olaitan Adeyemi Ola 1, also gave birth to male twin babies.

Ayaba Badiraf delivered the twins at a private hospital in the town.

Joy however knew no bounds to cross section of residents,  including palace aides,  friends a d relations who besieged the palace in torrents to felicitate with the royal father over what they referred to as “wonderful gifts” from God. - The Nation

Latest : Mamelodi Sundowns hint at Usain Bolt deal

South African side Mamelodi Sundowns have dropped a big hint that they have signed retired athletics star Usain Bolt.

The Jamaican tweeted on Sunday to confirm he had agreed a deal with a football team and would be making a further announcement at 0800GMT on Tuesday.

Sundowns retweeted Bolt's post and followed up on Monday with a major suggestion that they are the side the 31-year-old has joined.

"Football will never be the same. Find out tomorrow 8am GMT!" they posed on their official Twitter account, along with a picture of Bold at the club's training ground.

Bolt has regularly expressed a desire to carve out a career in football, having retired from sprinting following the world athletics championships in London last year.

The eight-time Olympic gold medallist has often said he would like to play for Manchester United, the club he supports, while he also recently offered his services to David Beckham's new Major League Soccer franchise, Futbol Miami.

Bolt is also due to take part in a trial with Borussia Dortmund in March. - Goal

AC Milan preparing for a 'battle' against Arsenal

 Milan boss Gennaro Gattuso insists that the Serie A side are already preparing for their ‘battle’ against Arsenal.

Speaking after Milan’s inspired 2-0 win away at Roma on Sunday night, as per a report from AS, Gattuso gave his views on the Europa League clash after there were some suggestions the Italians go into the game as favourites.

“Arsenal lost today, but we are not Manchester City. We’ve got to put our helmets on and go into battle.”

The Gunners were drawn against Milan after they saw off Swedish side Östersunds FK in the previous round.

Milan saw off Bulgarian club Ludogorets to secure the meeting with the Premier League side.

Gattuso’s men have been in inspired form since their former midfielder took charge and replaced Vincenzo Montella earlier this season.

After a disappointing first half of the season, there is now talk of a last-minute push for Champions League qualification under Gattuso.

Following a busy summer of transfers that saw the club overhaul almost their entire starting XI, Gattuso has reverted to the 4-3-3 that Milan enjoyed so much in the previous campaign.

The Rossoneri are now 12 games unbeaten in all competitions, a run spanning back to late December. - Read Sport

Transfer news : Chelsea rivalled by Barcelona for Toby Alderweireld

Chelsea have been linked with a move for Tottenham Hotspur defender Toby Alderweireld in recent weeks but are set to face a whole host of competition for the Belgian’s signature.

According to a report from the Independent, La Liga giants Barcelona are also keeping tabs on the defender’s situation with Spurs, with his contract talks appearing to have reached an impasse with the club.
Alderweireld has proven over the years that he is a hugely capable defender and has established himself as a crucial player for Spurs. However, it’s been claimed that Mauricio Pochettino’s club are unwilling to meet the former Atletico Madrid man’s wage demands.

Although Daniel Levy is reluctant to sell Alderweireld, and even more so to a Premier League rival, he could be forced into a decision. The player is claimed to have a release clause of £25m ahead of the 2019 summer transfer window, which may prompt the Spurs chairman into cutting his losses.

Alderweireld is sure to be courted by a number of clubs this summer if Spurs continue to refuse his financial demands. Manchester United are also being cited with interest in the ex-Southampton loanee.- Read Sport

It’s not about Buhari’s age… are the youth ready to lead? - Ibori

James Ibori, former governor of Delta state, says Nigerians should be more concerned with whether the youth are ready to lead, rather than a mere generational shift at the nation’s helm of affairs.

According to him, what the nation needs is courage and vision as “age has nothing to do with good leadership”.

A lot of Nigerians have been clamouring for a generational shift in the country’s leadership.

The ‘Not too young to run’ bill — which gives the youth the better chance to contest in elective positions — has also been passed at the national assembly.

In an article he wrote, Ibori said politics is a “game of ideas and numbers” and that the Nigerian youth needs to pay “the required price.”

He argued that the call for President Muhammadu Buhari not to seek re-election so as to pave way for a youth to lead the country is unjustified.

“The choice we face is not that of ‘paedarchy’ or ‘paedocracy’ versus gerontocracy,” he said.

“This age-related argument should not be aimed at Buhari. The constitution gives him the right to seek the presidency for two terms. The argument for and against him should be based on his record of achievement.

“The young ones need to make the necessary sacrifice, study the problems facing the society, master how to solve the problems of the various parts of the Nigerian federation.

“Has the youth trumped the old in behaviour, morality, leadership, integrity and frugality? How have our youth fared in the professions, the military and the civil service? Do they even hold out any hope for the nation?”

Ibori said unlike the Nigerian youth, some of the world’s leaders including France President Emmanuel Macron —who was 39 years old when he emerged — and former US president Barack Obama had something to offer before coming on board.

“The election of a Macron in France may have galvanised a section of Nigerians to think that the time is now, he said, adding: “Macron did not contest for office solely on the basis of being a ‘youth’; he ran in a national election based on concrete ideas.”

Citing the case of Chukwuma Nzeogwu — who was 28 years old when he oversaw January 15, 1966, coup, Ibori said “ironically, the problem of Nigeria has been caused, in large part, by exuberant young men who were at the helm of affairs in the first decade of the nation’s independence”. - Cable Nigeria

 

Terrorism : Fulani herdsman ‘kills’ boy in Kogi

A suspected Fulani herdsman at Guchidan village in Kupa district, Lokoja Local Government of Kogi State, has allegedly killed a 15-year-old boy.

The herdsman, Buba Ardo, with his two accomplices, Alo Ardo and Babuga Ardo, allegedly killed the boy and mutilated his body.

The deceased accompanied his elder brother, Abubakar Audu, to the farm for a trap game when they were ambushed by the herdsman.

The elder brother was said to have escaped

A source, Mahmud Abubakar, confirmed to The Nation that the suspect, Buba Ardo, was apprehended by residents, but his accomplices escaped.

He added that the motorcycle which the victim and his elder brother rode to the farm was set ablaze by the attackers.

The source said Buba Ardo was handed over to the district police.

“He confessed to killing the boy and the case was referred to ‘A’ Division, Lokoja.

“The boy has been buried in his town, Guchidan and the case has been transferred to Lokoja. We hope our hospitality will not be abused by the Fulani herdsmen.

“They complain that people tamper with their cows. The government should intervene before the incident results in crisis.” - The Nation

PHOTOS : Man weds two women same day in Abia

A man, identified as Master Ejindu, has wedded two women same day in a Pentecostal Church at the Agbala Amangudu, Abariba area of Abia State.

Ejindu tied the knot with the two women: Miss Oyediya and Ebere at the weekend.

This is not the first time a man is getting married to two wives the same time, DAILY POST had reported that a 30-year-old man, Isyaka Dahiru, had set tongues wagging after he married two women at the same time in Nasarawa State.

Also a 39-year-old man, Omamuzo Utomajiri from Uro-Irri, Isoko South LGA of Delta State, married his two wives traditionally on March 26th, saying he did so to ensure he is comfortable and does not need to look out for other women.

Ejindu wedded his two wives in the church on Sunday after their traditional wedding on Saturday in the presence of the three families. - Daily Post