‘God has vindicated Saraki’ – Party Chieftain

A chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Timi Frank says Senate President Bukola Saraki has been vindicated by God.

Frank’s comment is sequel to Saraki’s victory at the Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT) on Wednesday, June 14, 2017.

The CCT dismissed Saraki’s case of false asset declaration following his no-case submission on May 4, 2017.

Frank said the ruling by the CCT chairman, Danladi Umar, that the prosecution team failed to prove the allegation against Saraki showed that "it was initially a mere political victimization engineered by a section of the ruling class."

Comrade Timi Frank

(Pulse)

While commending the tribunal for allowing justice to prevail, Frank said the judgement will make Saraki more focus in making laws that will positively impact on humanity.

   "Now that the case has been laid to rest, I call on our leaders to come together and form a united force for the sake of our party and the progress of Nigeria project,” he said.

Frank noted that the victory was not for Saraki alone but Nigerians at large.

He called on both the executive and legislative arms of government to work together to improve living standard of Nigerians.

Dino Melaye is not fit to be in the Senate – Kogi Governor says

The Governor said this while speaking with newsmen after meeting with Acting President Yemi Osinbajo.

The Governor of Kogi state, Yahaya Bello has said that Senator Dino Melaye is not fit to be in the Senate.

Bello also called on the Senate to make sure its members are made up of people with good character and integrity.

The Governor said this while speaking with newsmen after meeting with Acting President Yemi Osinbajo at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

“You see I would rather admonish Nigerians that when a child lacks proper parental care and home upbringing, he constitutes a social menace in the society. And if the society does not take steps to check and correct such a child, he can turn into criminal and take into criminality.

"Then it will be left to government to check such criminality. And if government does not, such a child can cause a serious embarrassment. That is what is happening in Kogi State.

    “Then talking of the Senate, let me rather admonish the Senate that it is an institution that is held on very high esteem and I think the Senate and indeed the National Assembly is made up of men of high caliber, high integrity and good character.

     “I think it is necessary that the wonderful house should as matter of urgency and as a matter of fact check any social deviant that exists within them before they could be adjudged birds of the same feather. I know they are not of the same feather.”

You will recall that Senator Dino Melaye accused the Kogi state Governor of planning to kill him.

NBC wants N96.8M compensation quashed in ex-Minister’s suit over daughter’s accident

On June 2, 2016, the Edo High Court granted a judgment in favour of Obanikoro and his co-applicants to the tune of N96.8 million.

The Nigerian Bottling Company (NBC) on Wednesday urged an Ikeja High Court to dismiss a garnishee order in respect of a N96.8m judgment in favour of a Minister of State for Defence,  Musiliu Obanikoro.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Obanikoro had in 2010 sued the NBC at an Edo High Court for damages over a fatal accident involving his daughter, Abidemi.

Obanikoro’s co-applicants in the suit are his daughter, Miss Abidemi Obanikoro, and Mrs Agnes Akele, the wife of his driver.

On May 13, 2007, Abidemi, her friend, Miss Ibukun Adeniyi, Obanikoro’s driver and a police orderly had set out from Lagos to Igbinedion University, Okada in Edo, Abidemi and Adeniyi’s school.

During their trip, a NBC vehicle which was alleged by the applicants to be driven recklessly crashed into the senator’s vehicle killing all occupants with the exception of Abidemi.

Abidemi, who was badly injured, was immediately flown to South Africa for life-saving medical treatment.

In 2010, Obanikoro sued the NBC for damages at the Edo High Court, Auchi because the accident occurred within its jurisdiction.

On June 2, 2016, the Edo High Court granted a judgment in favour of Obanikoro and his co-applicants to the tune of N96.8 million.

The court had ordered that N1.5million should be awarded to Obanikoro as expenses incurred on behalf of his late driver and police orderly.

It awarded 184,236.52 dollars (N76.69 million) as cost for medical expenses for Abidemi’s treatment in South Africa and 48,779.66 South African Rand (N1.07 million) for her hotel accommodation in South Africa.

The court also awarded N10 million to Akele for the pain and suffering over the death of her husband, the driver of the car.

Obanikoro’s daughter was also awarded N10 million as general damages for her pain and suffering while N500,000 was awarded as costs of the action.

NAN reports that although the NBC appealed the amount awarded in favour of the applicants, Obanikoro, through his lawyer, Mr Lawal Pedro, (SAN), had registered the judgment before the Lagos High Court because NBC’s headquarters is located in Lagos.

The one-time senator subsequently got a garnishee order from an Ikeja High Court against five banks where the NBC had accounts and the NBC appealed  the order.

During proceedings on Wednesday, counsel to the NBC, Mr Ademola Olawoye, in an application requested that the court should set aside the garnishee order as it lacked jurisdiction to hear the case.

He argued that any adjudication on the case should be stalled pending the outcome of the appeal at the Court of Appeal.

Olawoye argued that since an appeal had been filed in respect of the judgment delivered by Edo High Court, no other court could adjudicate on the matter.

Counsel to the applicants, Mr Lawal Pedro (SAN), however, told the court to disregard the argument of the NBC, noting that there was no evidence before the court that they had appealed the N96.8m judgment.

He drew the court’s attention the fact that the appeal form which was presented to the court by the NBC as proof that they had filed an appeal at a higher court had no official Court of Appeal stamp and appeal number.

“The order for stay of proceedings purportedly obtained by the judgment-debtor cannot prevent a garnishee proceeding.

“Garnishee actions are a separate proceedings and cannot be affected by stay of execution of the judgment obtained from the Edo High Court,” Pedro said.

Pedro urged the court to disregard the argument of the NBC and allow the garnishee order to be executed.

Justice Kazeem Alogba adjourned the case until July 11 for ruling.

Violence and war aren't going to do any good - Acting President

Osinbajo also advised that Nigerians should not tolerate hate speech as it sometimes kicks off what eventually becomes a full blown war.

Acting President, Yemi Osinbajo has said violence and war won't do any good to anyone drumming or chanting the songs of war and violence.

     "One thing is clear – violence and war are not going to do anyone any good. They are terrible and they mean no good. They are easy to start but near impossible to end," Osinbajo said while speaking with thought leaders from South Eastern Nigeria.

Continuing, he said: "In fact, history has shown us especially contemporary history that wars today hardly ever end. They just simply go on. Indeed, you’re all aware of the Igbo proverb that says that “aman who rushes into battle does not realize that battle entails death.”

"We are witnesses to the unspeakable devastation that war continues to inflict across the world. No one who has seen the horrors of war – even merely on television – would wish it on their worst enemy.  

"It is also clear that wars sometimes start, not with bullets, but with words. Hateful, incendiary speech, opening floodgates of blood. The tongue, like the pen, is often mightier than the sword – because it is what pushes the sword into action. When we throw words like stones in a marketplace we do not know who or what it will hit," he said.

Osinbajo also advised that Nigerians should not tolerate hate speech as it sometimes kicks off what eventually becomes a full blown war.

"Knowing this, under no conditions whatsoever should we tolerate or excuse or justify hate speech or hateful conduct of any kind, especially where such is illegal. Let me of course acknowledge that as part of living together in this space called Nigeria, misunderstandings and frustrations are inevitable. Because resources are limited there will always be a striving to get what is perceived as the best seat at the table.   All of that is normal and to be expected, especially in a democracy, like ours.

"A healthy democracy ought to be a theatre of energetic striving by all parties and stakeholders. But things should never descend to a level where mutual suspicions override the desire to live together in peace and harmony.  

   "Yesterday I made it clear, very clear that hate or divisive speech, or divisive behaviour, where it is illegal, will be met with the full force of the law. And I want to say it again today that let there be no doubt whatsoever of the resolve of government to ensure that no one will be allowed to get away with making speeches that can cause division especially violence.

"We will take very seriously any attempts to cause violence or to disrupt the peace of Nigeria and it will certainly not be tolerated.   And the reason why it cannot be tolerated is that the very many innocent men, women, children and the vulnerable amongst us deserves safety and security and our own emotions must not be allowed to run wild in such a way as to endanger the lives of so many. And I believe that all are clear that we’re resolute in our determination as government to protect every Nigerian, everywhere in the country.

Everywhere in this country, it is the primary duty of government to ensure the security of lives and property and we take that duty very seriously indeed.   We will do everything within our power to defend and uphold the terms of our constitution, which declares that we are one nation under God.   It also guarantees the free mobility of people, goods and services throughout the country, as well as full residence rights for every citizen in all and any parts of the land of their choice. It is also the aspiration of the Constitution to ensure a country in which, and I quote, “loyalty to the nation shall override sectional loyalties.” 

"And it is the responsibility of the Government to create the conditions for the attainment of these ideals. There is something that President Buhari is fond of saying, and he’s repeated it am sure so many of us have heard it: that without peace and security there can be no development. That the first obligation that we owe if we want to develop, is to ensure peace and security. We cannot develop a country that is not in the first place safe and secure for all people.

"For this reason we take extremely seriously our constitutional responsibilities as your government. Those responsibilities also include listening to, consulting, and engaging with you; giving every citizen and every part of the Federation a sense of belonging and significance. And that is why we are here today.   I expect that our conversations here today will be frank and constructive, open and that all our deliberations will go towards ensuring that our country is a better place, a more peaceful place to live in.

This is an important moment for all of us and for our country, and I hope that at the end of it we will all be satisfied that we have accomplished something significant not just for ourselves but for the future.   By the grace of God we will leave to coming generations a peaceful, secure and prosperous nation; a nation in which all citizens, regardless of their ethnic, religious affiliations, or their ages or gender will feel deep and enduring pride,"

Fake pharmacist, jailed for 5 years

An Ogudu Magistrates’ Court in Lagos on Thursday sentenced a 37-year- old pharmacy attendant, Chohwora Anthony, to five years imprisonment for impersonating a pharmacist.

The court pronounced the verdict after the accused pleaded guilty to impersonating Mr Makanjuola Mogbonjuola
Emmanuel, a pharmacist.
He forged the annual licence no. 681174 dated Sept. 14, 2012 to practice and also used it to look for jobs.
The convict, who resides at No. 5, Owodunni St., Ketu, on the outskirts of Lagos, was arraigned on a three-count charge bordering on false representation and forgery.
The Magistrate, Mrs O. Sule Amzat, before giving her judgment, had found out from the prosecutor that Chohwora had
sometime in January stolen a pharmacist’s certificate.
He started using the certificate bearing ‘Bola’, before he was caught and jailed.
Earlier, the prosecutor, Sgt. Lucky Ihiehie, told the court that Chohwora committed the offences on June 7 at Plot 18, Block A1,
Prince Adesoji Ajose St., Holy Fire Evangelical Ministry, Ogudu Express, Lagos.
Ihiehie said the complainant, Mrs Abiola Ozieh, the Chairman, Association of Community Pharmacists of Nigeria, Lagos State
Branch, reported the case at Ogudu Police Station.
“The convict, who has been parading himself as a pharmacist, came to her office during their executive meeting at Holy Fire Evangelical Ministry, Ogudu Express.
“He introduced himself as Pharmacist Makanjuola Mogbonjuola Emmanuel, and that he was looking for a job."
“It then dawned on the complainant that he is the fake pharmacist, who has been parading himself with different identities, duping people of huge sums of money,” Ihiehie said. (NAN)
The offences contravened Section  375 and 380 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State 2011.

Man in court for allegedly raping physically challenged girl

{Kokoye alleged that the complainant was sleeping in her apartment when Ubani forcefully entered her room and raped her.}

 

A 27-year-old man, Michael Ubani, who allegedly raped and stole from a 19-year-old physically challenged girl, was on Thursday remanded in Kirikiri Prison, Lagos.

The Magistrate, Mr M. A. Etti, who gave the ruling at an Apapa Magistrate Court, said the accused should remain in custody pending when his bail application would be considered.

The accused, who resides at Olodi Apapa area of Apapa, Lagos, pleaded not guilty to a three-count charge of rape, assault and stealing.

Earlier the prosecutor, Sgt. Olusegun Kokoye told the court that the accused committed the offences on June 5 at his residence.

Kokoye alleged that the complainant was sleeping in her apartment when Ubani forcefully entered her room and raped her.

“The complainant said that the accused dragged her to the floor and forcefully had carnal knowledge of her."

“She said that the accused also stole the N3,000 she kept in her wardrobe."

” The complainant said Ubani was apprehended by their neighbour who heard her screaming for help."

“The complainant reported the case to the police and Ubani was arrested and taken to the police station for further questioning,” he said.

The prosecutor said the offences contravened Sections 172, 287 and 260 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Section 260 prescribes a 14 -year jail term upon conviction for rape.

The case was adjourned till June 27, for mention.

Shame as man gets stuck inside married woman during sex

A married woman and her secret lover were given the disgrace of their lives after they got stuck together during sex.

It was a show of shame and public disgrace in a Kenyan region after a man got stuck inside a married woman during sex inside a hotel called Explor-Inn.

The Nairobi Daily reports that the married woman and her secret lover had gone to a hotel to have sex but after the tryst, the man could not withdraw his manhood from the woman's private part and after trying for a long time, they had to cry out and call the attention of the hotel staff.

play

When the hotel staff broke into the room, they too could not help the pair and had to call in outside help which further exposed them to public ridicule as many people gathered to watch the show of shame.

   The crowd that gathered brought out the couple into the street and placed them on a cart pushed along the street to a native doctor's shrine where they could be separated.

   According to witnesses, the husband of the woman must have placed a potent juju called 'Magun' (an African charm which is applied to punish adulterers) to check her infidelity.

US arrivals plunge from 6 countries hit

South Africans attack Nigerians, burn houses, church, cars (Photos)

 

The Nigerian community in South Africa is currently under attack in another xenophobic wave where their properties including homes, cars, shops and churches have been burnt down.

 

 

This much was made known by the President of Nigerian Union in that country, Ikechukwu Anyene, who posted on his Facebook page how some youths descended on Nigerian residents  in some parts of the country, looting shops, beating and destroying their property.

The incident, according to Anyene, happened on Saturday, February 18, 2017, when a church owned by a Nigerian pastor identified as Pastor Samson in Pretoria West was burnt down with the man of God beaten and injured.

play

“We began taking precautionary measures when the incident took place today. The attack in Pretoria West is purely xenophobic and criminal attack because they loot the shops and homes before burning them.

These attacks should not be allowed to continue because it is a big setback,” Anyene said.

Continuing, he said:

“As we speak, five buildings with Nigerian businesses, including a church have been looted and burned by South Africans.

One of the buildings is a mechanic garage with 28 cars under repairs, with other vital documents, were burned during the attack.

Also, the pastor of the church was wounded and is in the hospital receiving treatment.”

 

Anyene said the union had informed Nigerians in South Africa to be vigilant in the face of renewed xenophobic attacks and has called on the Nigerian government to persuade its South African counterpart to protect Nigerians in their country.

play

This is not the first time Nigerians have come under attack in South Africa as they have often been the targets of xenophobic attacks with South Africans insisting that Nigerians have constituted nuisances in their country with their criminal activities.

Nigerians get ultimatum to leave South Africa

Nigerians living in some parts of South Africa are under threat after indigenes gave them an ultimatum to leave the country.

   This much was made known by the Nigeria Union in South Africa in a message stating that two communities in the country have ordered Nigerians living there to quit their territories after accusing them of committing crimes and turning their women into prostitutes.

In the statement, the President of the Nigerian Union, Ikechukwu Anyene, said the Kuruman community in Northern Cape Province gave Nigerians until Thursday, June 15, 2017, to leave the place while the Klaafontein community, Extension 5, Johannesburg, also directed landlords not to renew the rent of Nigerians in the area.

Anyene said the grievances of the South Africans was that Nigerians were responsible for some social vices such as illicit drug trade and prostitution and they blame every crime in the country on Nigerians even when it was clear they were not committed by Nigerians.

Anyene narrated how a Ugandan man allegedly raped a girl in Kwazulu Natal Province and was described as a Nigerian in the media just to make it seem as if the man was a Nigerian.

“The Nigeria Union held series of meetings with the affected communities as well as police and local authorities on the recent threats to Nigerians.

We have also written reports on these incidents and sent to the Nigerian Mission and the South African police.

We recommended interventions before the June 15 deadline to the mission and we are waiting for their response. The union is worried that any incident involving non-South Africans are attributed to Nigerians. There have been sustained media propaganda against our people

   The union believes that the Early Warning Unit set up by Nigerian and South African governments has not been effective. We are yet to have any meeting with the ministers of the two countries met."

House Dem drafting articles of impeachment for Trump

A House Democrat will soon launch an official attempt to impeach President Trump.

Rep. Al Green, a Texas Democrat and member of the Congressional Black Caucus (CBC), is readying the articles of impeachment that mark the first official step in any congressional bid to remove a sitting president.

The articles have little chance of seeing the light of day in a House chamber controlled by Republicans, who have rallied behind Trump amid multiple investigations into ties between Russia and members of the president's inner circle. But Green's gambit highlights the growing apprehension many Democrats have towards the president, and it's sure to energize a liberal base that's sounded the impeachment alarm with increasing volume as the Russia saga has evolved.

Green's criticisms focus on Trump's firing of former FBI Director James Comey, who was leading the administration's probe into Russia's meddling in the 2016 elections. Trump had reportedly pressured Comey earlier in the year to drop the investigation into Michael Flynn, Trump's former national security advisor, who was fired after lying about the nature of his conversations with a Russian ambassador.

Comey's firing brought accusations, primarily from Democrats, that Trump may have obstructed an ongoing Justice Department investigation - an impeachable offense, in the eyes of Green.

"The facts are simple and indisputable. The President fired the FBI Director because the Director was investigating the President's campaign connections to Russian interference in the Presidential Election," Green said Tuesday evening in a statement. "This is obstruction of justice."

The episode will be front-and-center on Capitol Hill later this week. Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein, who was critical of Comey and had a hand in his firing, is set to appear Wednesday before the Senate Intelligence Committee. Comey himself is set to appear before the same panel the following day.

It's unclear when Green will officially introduce the articles he's currently drafting. It's also unclear if he'll have any co-sponsors, though Green has not been alone in his calls for impeaching Trump. (California Democratic Rep. Maxine Waters, another CBC member, has also beaten that drum).

A spokesman said Green will provide more details Wednesday afternoon, when he's scheduled a press briefing in the Capitol.

Green's effort comes even as Democratic leaders are treading much more lightly in their approach to the Russia-Trump saga. With Trump's approval rating underwater - and new details in the Russia probe emerging almost daily - party leaders sense an opportunity to make huge gains at the polls in 2018 and don't want to overplay their hand. They've tamped down any talk of impeachment, calling instead for the creation of an independent, 9/11-style commission to investigate the Russia inquiry.

"What I've said to members [is] the only thing that matters are the facts -- the facts and the law," House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) said Tuesday on CNN's "New Day" program, when asked about impeachment. "That's what [an] investigation will reveal to us."

Green has rejected that argument, contending that Trump's actions have already risen to a level demanding congressional intervention.

"This will remain obstruction of justice regardless of the findings of any investigation," he said.

"Obstruction of justice by the President is the problem," he added. "Impeachment by Congress is the solution."

Attackers bomb Iran parliament and mausoleum; at least 12 dead

 

Suicide bombers and gunmen attacked Iran's parliament and the Mausoleum of Ayatollah Khomeini in Tehran on Wednesday morning, killing at least 12 people in a twin assault at the heart of the Islamic Republic, Iranian officials and media said.

Islamic State claimed responsibility and released a video purporting to show gunmen inside the parliament building and one body, apparently dead, on the floor. The rare attacks were the first claimed by the hard-line Sunni Muslim militant group inside the tightly controlled Shi'ite Muslim country. Islamic State has regularly threatened Iran, one of the powers leading the fight against the militants’ forces in neighboring Iraq and, beyond that, Syria.

The raids took place at a particularly charged time, after Iran's main regional rival Saudi Arabia and other Sunni powers cut ties with Qatar on Monday, accusing it of backing Tehran and militant groups.

Attackers dressed as women burst through parliament's main entrance in central Tehran, deputy interior minister Mohammad Hossein Zolfaghari said, according to the semi-official Tasnim news agency. One of them detonated a suicide vest in the parliament, he said. About five hours after the first reports, Iranian news agencies said four people who had attacked parliament were dead and the incident was over.

At least 12 people were killed by the attackers, the head of Iran's emergency department, Pir-Hossein Kolivand, was quoted as saying by state broadcaster IRIB.

"I was inside the parliament when shooting happened. Everyone was shocked and scared. I saw two men shooting randomly," said one journalist at the scene, who asked not to be named.

Soon after the assault on parliament, another bomber detonated a suicide vest near the shrine of the Republic's revered founder, Ayatollah Khomeini, a few kilometers south of the city, Zolfaghari said, according to Tasnim. A second attacker was shot dead, he said.

The Intelligence Ministry said security forces had arrested another "terrorist team" planning a third attack, without giving further details.

"I was shopping and suddenly heard shooting," said housewife Maryam Saghari, 36, who lives near parliament. "People started to run away from the area. I was very scared. I don't want to live in fear," she told Reuters by telephone.

Sunni insurgency 

The raids on two of Iran’s most highly-protected sites will jolt both Iran’s recently re-elected President Hassan Rouhani, and his political rivals among the hardline clerics as well as the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), who are responsible for national security. Senior government officials have repeatedly described the their country as an "island of stability" in the past.

In an appeal to unity, Rouhani’s chief of staff, Hamid Aboutalebi, took to Twitter to praise the security services.

 

"If this attacks had happened in any other city in Europe or in the world, it would have left many casualties. Applause to the power and firmness of our revolutionary guards, basij, police and security forces," he wrote.

Two senior government officials, who asked not to be named, said the blasts might prompt a blame game and exacerbate political in-fighting.

"They (hard-liners) are very angry and will use every opportunity to grow in strength to isolate Rouhani," said one of the officials.

The other said the attacks, and speculation over who backed them, would push Iran toward "a harsher regional policy." The Intelligence Ministry called on people to be vigilant and report any suspicious movement.

Despite unconfirmed reports of a hostage situation, state television said parliament had resumed, and broadcast footage of what it said was the opening session proceeding normally.

"Some coward terrorists infiltrated one of the buildings of parliament. They were confronted. It was not a major issue. Our security forces have taken necessary steps," parliament speaker Ali Larijani said in an open session broadcast live by state TV.

Attacks are highly rare in Tehran and other major cities though two Sunni militant groups, Jaish al-Adl and Jundallah, have been waging a deadly insurgency, mostly in more remote areas, for almost a decade.

Iran's restive Sistan and Baluchestan province, in the southeast on the borders with Pakistan and Afghanistan, is home to the Balouch minority and has long been a hotbed of Sunni insurgents fighting the Shi'ite-led Islamic Republic.

Last year Iranian authorities said they had foiled a plot by Sunni militants to bomb targets in Tehran and other cities during the Muslim holy month of Ramadan. Islamic State has lambasted "heretic" Shi'ite Iran for helping the Syrian and Iraqi governments battle Islamic State, which considers Shi'ites to be infidels.

Trump names FBI director nominee

President Trump on Wednesday announced he will be nominating Christopher A. Wray to serve as the new FBI director.

"I will be nominating Christopher A. Wray, a man of impeccable credentials, to be the new Director of the FBI," the president tweeted Wednesday.

UK police seeking missing attack victim find body in river

   LONDON — Police searching for a French man who has been missing since the London Bridge attack say they have recovered a body from the River Thames.

The Metropolitan Police say the body was found Tuesday downstream from the bridge. The force says formal identification has not yet taken place, but Xavier Thomas' next of kin have been informed.

If confirmed, Thomas would be the eighth person killed in the vehicle and knife attack. Almost 50 were wounded.

Thomas, 45, was walking with his girlfriend over the bridge when the attack began on Saturday night.

Police said earlier that witness accounts suggested he might have been thrown into the river. Thomas' girlfriend was struck and seriously injured by the van.

Police early Wednesday arrested a 30-year-old man in east London in connection to the attack and are searching his home.

Two men are now in custody on suspicion of violating the Terrorism Act. They have not been identified or charged. All others who had been arrested have been released without facing charges.

London officials said a large part of the outer cordon of the crime scene had reopened. Borough Market, a popular gathering place, remains closed as more evidence is gathered.

The attack, and prior attacks in Manchester and near Parliament in London, have prompted Prime Minister Theresa May to call for tougher counterterrorism laws even if it means changing human rights protections.

Reaction to the attack has dominated the final days of campaigning before Thursday's general election, with opposition Labour Party leader Jeremy Corbyn and others criticizing May for cutting police numbers by roughly 20,000 during her tenure as home secretary.

In the Saturday night rampage, the attackers first drove a rented van into a crowd and then jumped out and randomly stabbed people they encountered.

Police killed all three attackers.

At least two of the men were known to British intelligence and law-enforcement officials, raising questions about whether anything could have been done to prevent the assault.

Police have named the attackers as Khurum Butt, 27, who had been known for his extremist views; 30-year-old Rachid Redouane, also known as Rachid Elkhdar; and Youssef Zaghba, a 22-year-old Italian national of Moroccan descent who was reportedly working in a London restaurant.

Italian authorities said Zaghba had been stopped and questioned in Italy but had not been charged with any crime. Italian officials said suspicions about him had been shared with British authorities.

Donald Trump calls for extra secruity measures after London attack

US. President , Donald Trump, has called on all security agencies in the country to be extra vigilant and what he termed “extra level of safety” following the multiple terrorist attacks in London on Saturday night.

Trump was briefed of the incident by the National Security Adviser, Herbert McMaster, according to the White House Press Secretary Sean Spicer.

 

 

The terror incidents reportedly left unconfirmed number of people dead and injured after van ploughs into pedestrians on London Bridge and Borough Market.

A third incident at Vauxhall, was, however said to be an isolated attack unconnected with the two other terror attacks.

Trump tweeted shortly after the attacks: “We need to be smart, vigilant and tough.

“We need the courts to give us back our rights.

“We need the Travel Ban as an extra level of safety!

“Whatever the United States can do to help out in London and the U. K., we will be there – WE ARE WITH YOU. GOD BLESS!”

The New York Police Department (NYPD) Counter-terrorism bureau said it was “deploying officers to heavily-travelled pedestrian locations across the city”.

NYPD spokesman Peter Donald said: “We’re monitoring the situation in London and we’re in touch with British authorities”.

NYPD said on its Twitter handle on that: “There are no specific, credible threats to NYC.

“Go about your Sat. night, NYPD cops are protecting you. Our prayers are with all in London”.

The U.S. Department of State also said: “We stand ready to provide all possible consular assistance should we become aware of any affected U.S. citizen.

“We strongly encourage U.S. citizens in the United Kingdom to directly contact concerned family members in the United States to advise them of  your safety”.

British Prime Minister Theresa May had earlier confirmed the attack as potential acts of terrorism.

“Following updates from police and security officials, I can confirm that the terrible incident in London is being treated as a potential act of terrorism.

“This is a fast moving investigation. I want to express my huge gratitude to the police and emergency services who are on the scene.

“Our thoughts are with all those who are caught up in this tragic event”.

US. President , Donald Trump, has called on all security agencies in the country to be extra vigilant and what he termed “extra level of safety” following the multiple terrorist attacks in London on Saturday night.

Trump was briefed of the incident by the National Security Adviser, Herbert McMaster, according to the White House Press Secretary Sean Spicer.

 

Donald Trump calls for extra secruity measures after London attack

“MY HUSBAND IS RECOVERING SO FAST, HE’S RETURNING BACK TO NIGERIA SOON” — AISHA BUHARI

The wife of the President of Nigeria, Mrs Aisha Buhari has declared on Saturday that her Husband, the president is recovering real well.

She assured the public that he is responding to treatment and would soon return to the country.

Aisha Buhari was a special guest at the 23rd Annual Ramadan Lecture of the Ansar-ud-deen Society of Nigeria (ADS) held in Abuja where she was represented by her Senior Special Assistant on Administration, Dr Hajo Sani.

 

President Muhammadu Buhari returned to the United Kingdom in May for what he described as follow-up medical checks a couple of months after returning from an extended vacation in London where he received medical attention.

Mrs Aisha Buhari, who left for London about 5 days ago, in the speech delivered on her behalf by Dr Sani said,

“My husband is recovering very fast. And very soon, he will return to the country to resume his official duties.”

“I thank Nigerians for their prayers for my husband. Please, do not relent in your prayers,” she added.

The Nation reports that the deputy speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon Yusuf Lasun who was equally present at the event, praised President Buhari for restoring sanity to governance in Nigeria.

Nigeria’s 5 Most Powerful Women Set To Take Over Power From Buhari In 2019

No doubt, the President Muhammadu Buhari administration has relegated women to the background, by not following the globally recognised 35 percent affirmation action.

As a result, Post-Nigeria has thoroughly investigated and discovered 5 female political heavy weights, who can sweep the President off his feet, with their intimidating records, if any of them indicates interest to run for the 2019 Presidency.

1. Folorunsho Alakija

She is a Nigerian businesswoman, who is the second richest African woman after Isabel Dos Santos, and also the third richest woman of African descent in the world.

She is a business tycoon involved in the fashion, oil and printing industries. She is the Group Managing Director of ‘The Rose of Sharon Group’, which consists of The Rose of Sharon Prints and Promotions Limited, and Digital Reality Prints Limited; and she is also the Executive Vice-Chairman of Famfa Oil Limited.

Alakija, is ranked by Forbes, as the richest woman in Nigeria, with an estimated net worth of $2.1 billion. As at 2015, she was listed as the Second Most Powerful Woman in Africa, after Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, and the 87th Most Powerful Woman in the World by Forbes.

2. Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala

Former Minister of Finance/Coordinating Minister for the Economy, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala

Prior to the administration of former President, Olusegun Obasanjo, in 1999, the Nigerian economy was lagging behind. Human development indicators were below average, compared to other developing countries. The country’s revenue was largely dependent on oil exports, and fiscal spending was high, making the economy very volatile.

Investors were also discouraged by the unfriendly business climate. The country solely relied on oil exports, as a means of generating revenue. Unemployment rate was high, while inflation was in double digits.

However, with the Economic Team of Okonjo-Iweala, the challenges were handled, making Nigeria the largest economy in Africa.

Okonjo-Iweala, was instrumental to securing debt pardon for Nigeria from the Paris Club, World Bank, and the IMF.

The international society has never failed to recognise and acknowledge Okonjo-Iweala’s efforts, and this is shown in the way she has been receiving awards on various international platforms, since she left office in 2015

3. Dr. Obiageli Ezekwesili

She is a Nigerian Chartered Accountant, a co-founder of Transparency International; serving as one of the pioneer Directors of the global anti-corruption body based in Berlin, Germany. She served as Minister of Solid Minerals, and then, as Minister of Education, during the second-term Presidency of Olusegun Obasanjo. She also has vast knowledge in Economics and Finance.

Ezekwesili, holds a Masters degree in International Law and Diplomacy, from the University of Lagos, as well as a Masters of Public Administration degree, from the Kennedy School of Government, Harvard University.

Ezekwesili, started off in the Obasanjo administration, as the pioneer Head of the Budget Monitoring and Price Intelligence Unit (Due Process Unit).

It was in this position, that she earned the sobriquet of “Madam Due Process”, for the outstanding work she led a team of professionals to do, in sanitizing public procurement, or contracting at the Federal level in Nigeria.

She was the architect of the Bureau for Public Procurement legislation, the NEITI legislation, and the new Minerals and Mining legislation, during her six and a half years stint in government.

Ezekwesili, was also instrumental to the start of the viral #BringBackOurGirls campaign on social media, which trended internationally.

 4. Maryam Abacha

She is the widow of Late General Sani Abacha, de-facto President of Nigeria from 1993 to 1998. During her husband’s tenure, she came in with a lot of class and beauty. Following her predecessor’s footsteps, Maryam Abacha, founded National Hospital Abuja, which was originally National Hospital for Women and Children.

The Women and Children Hospital in Sokoto, was also named after her, because of her contributions to family healthcare. She was born on March 4, 1947, in Kaduna, and launched the Family Support Programme during her days in office.

Maryam Abacha Women and Children’s Hospital, was founded by the former First Lady, as the first National Hospital, specifically for women and children.

She also set up the South-East VVF Center, located in Abakaliki, the largest city in Ebonyi State. The center was fully equipped with 100 beds, one Obstetrics and Gynecology Consultant, who was also a Fistula Surgeon, and four trained Fistula Nurses. Fistula Care Support to the South-East VVF Center began in January 2009.

5. Patience Jonathan

Patience Jonathan, is the immediate past First Lady of Nigeria, and the wife of former President, Goodluck Jonathan. She has served as a Permanent Secretary, in her native Bayelsa State.

Mrs Jonathan, has been recognised Locally, Nationally and Internationally for her philanthropic work, and political pragmatism.

Commenting, a Political Analyst said, “Although she was a funny being, who was all over the place, and granted us several comic moments… Mama Peace sounded like a no-nonsense lady, a strong and courageous achiever.

“She spoke bad English confidently and with grace.

“Her underground work was the reason why Jonathan stayed in Aso Rock till 2015. I voted Buhari, because change was/is needed, but Aisha Buhari can’t be as smart as Mama Peace”. He stressed.

Tinubu Weeps as Nigeria’s 5 Most Powerful Women Set To Take Over Power From Buhari In 2019

-End Of The Road As Obasanjo Shocks Nigerians, Speaks On Buhari’s Death And Other Heart Touching Issues

Former President, Olusegun Obasanjo, on Sunday, pleaded with Nigerian youths, not to wish President Muhammadu Buhari death, or any leader in the country.

This came as the social media has been awashed with the news of Buhari’s demise, as a result of an undisclosed illness, and very poor communication from the Presidency.

 

    Obasanjo who spoke on other sundry issues, stated that his “greatest fear about Nigeria” today, remained the “anger and frustration of the youths”, adding that, if not managed, it could lead to “youth explosion.”

   Obasanjo noted that when he left secondary school, he received letters of appointments from five establishments, and wondered whether any Nigerian University graduate could have such opportunities today.

“Don’t wish us dead, don’t wish us to disappear, because you will need us. You need us mentors and advisers, to mentor and prepare you for the future. You need our experience and assistance of some of us, to guide you through life.

“You should not lose hope, you should not feel frustrated. Wherever I go, they always ask me, what is my fear about Nigeria and Africa. And I said my greatest fear is youth anger, frustrations, and youth explosion, which have no bound.

“We have the Boko haram in the North, the MASSOB and IPOB in the South-East, the Militants in the Niger Delta, and the Oodua Peoples Congress in the South-West. All of these are expression of anger and frustrations.

“We have what it takes to be great as a nation, and we can’t transform this country without the youths. My greatest hope in this country, is also the youth. You the youth should work to help yourselves. You must be ready to pay the price for what you stand for”, Obasanjo said.

More latter.....