Obasanjo: Proposed Pipeline Protection Commission is Avenue for 'Chop-chop'

Olusegun Obasanjo

The former President, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, has said the proposed Pipeline Protection Commission by the federal government to combat pipeline vandalism is unnecessary, saying it was an avenue “for chop-chop.”

Obasanjo said this yesterday in Abuja, during a thanksgiving service in commemoration of 50th birthday anniversary of former Minister of Education, Mrs. Obiageli Ezekwesili.

The former president also disagreed with the  former Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice, Chief Kanu Agabi (SAN),  on the need to setup an agency for national integration.

Obasanjo said the Nigerian constitution was based on principles that guarantees integration.

Agabi had earlier commended the Obasanjo administration for performing creditably well, except that the administration did not create an agency for national integration so as to foster the unity of various groups in the country.   

JTF: Boko Haram Resorts to Kidnapping to Raise Funds

Police Headquarters

The Joint Task Force (JTF) in Borno State, Operation Restore Order, Sunday revealed that members of the terrorist group, Boko Haram sect have resorted to kidnapping and ransom demand to finance their terror operations.

The revelation by JTF also came on a day it announced that it had recovered a snatched police bullet-proof patrol van from the sect, after it had attacked a police station and the Police Area Commander’s office on Nguru road.

Nigeria: Pirates Kidnap Five Crew from Ship

Nigerian Navy ship

Pirates have kidnapped five crew members from a cargo ship off Nigeria, a piracy watchdog and a security source said on Monday, part of a growing trend of attacks that are pushing up maritime insurance costs in the Gulf of Guinea.

The Antigua and Barbuda-flagged MV City of Xiamen container ship was attacked late on April 25 off the coast of oil-producing Bayelsa State, a security source said.

EXCLUSIVE: Police Rescue Kidnapped American International School Student from Forest

Lagos pro

...Arrest three suspects including driver

By Ezeobi Chiemelie
Policemen attached to Area A of the Lagos State Police Command have rescued the kidnapped student of American International School, 16-year-old Olufolabi Adeniji, who was abducted on his way to school two weeks ago. It was gathered that the victim who was kidnapped on Tuesday, April 16, was rescued by policemen attached to Ikoyi Police Division, from  a deep forest located in Ilaro, Ogun state.

Adeniji had been reported missing on that fateful day by members of staff of his parents, who raised an alarm that he was yet to report to school hours after he left home with the driver.  Their fears were heightened when during the  Initial search they found the jeep parked at the Palms, Lekki, with no sign of the victim or the driver, rather, only his school kits were in the car.

3 Years After Son's Death, Dagrin's Mother is Broke

It is embarrassing to say the least but the mother of the deceased rapper, Oladapo Olaonipekun alias Dagrin who trilled our ears when he was alive, is broke. As in, she is flat out broke. The woman has nothing doing too. Talk about pathetic.

How sad! Where are all the people that promised to see that the family do not suffer? Where? Life is indeed fleeting and you are remembered as long as you are relevant.

Tonto Dike Remembers Dagrin, Lays Wreath on Grave

Last week Monday, Tonto Dike surprised people when she laid a wreath on Late musician, Oladapo Olaonipekun alias Dagrin. He died three years ago after a fatal accident.

While other celebrities and entertainment stars showed love by putting up his picture on their blackberry dp's, the Poko and Hi crooner, went the extra mile by going to place a wreath on his grave. Couldn't have surprised me more cos  I'm not really sure they were friends when he was alive. Commendable though. Thumbs up Tonto.

2015, Jonathan and Speaker Tambuwal

The search in the North for a consensus candidate to challenge President Goodluck Jonathan in the 2015 presidential election may soon be over. Although Jonathan has not signified an intention to seek re-election, there is serious speculation that he will.

Multiple sources told SUNDAY PUNCH on Friday that the region’s powerbrokers are rooting for the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Aminu Tambuwal, to run for President.

Our correspondents gathered that some senior politicians in the opposition mega party, the All Progressives Congress, have made overtures to Tambuwal to dump the ruling Peoples Democratic Party and be the APC flag bearer in 2015.

Kano Govt spends N238m on mass wedding

The Kano State Government said on Saturday it spent N238 million on the third batch of mass wedding for 1,000 couples in the state. Gov. Rabiu Kwankwaso announced this at a reception in honour of the couples held at the Government House in Kano.

Finally, NJC Suspends Justice Talba Without Pay for One Year

Hon. Justice Abubakar Mahmud Talba                          

The National Judicial Council has suspended Hon. Justice Abubakar Mahmud Talba of the Abuja High Court from office for a period of twelve months without pay. The council also issued a serious warning against Justice Okechukwu Okeke of the Federal High Court.

According to THISDAY, Talba was suspended from office sequel to the findings by the council that he did not exercise his discretion judicially and judiciously with regard to the sentences he passed on Mr. John Yakubu Yusuf who was convicted for stealing N1.3 billion meant for payment of  pension and gratuities of  retired policemen.

NCAA Finally Grounds Amaechi's Aircraft

Governor  Rotimi Amaechi

                                

As the controversy rages over the alleged delay of Rivers State Governor Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi’s aircraft from taking off in Akure, the Ondo State capital on Friday, according to THISDAY, Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) Saturday grounded the governor’s plane, a Bombardier -BD  700-1A11(Global Express) aircraft, with registration number N565RS. NCAA claims the aircraft has expired clearance approval effective April 2, 2013.

The Director of Airworthiness Standards of the authority, Benedict Adeyileka, who announced the grounding of the plane, said the aircraft was operating illegally. "The controversial aircraft on the service of Governor Rotimi  Amaechi  is operating illegally in the country, as it lacks documentation to enable it operate here,” Adeyinka said.

SIMON KOLAWOLE: Militancy and the Politics of Hypocrisy

Simon Kolawole Live!: Email: simon.kolawole@thisdaylive.com

One phenomenon that, if you ask, should worry all of us is the way we debate national issues without applying the same principles across board. What we condemn in Lagos we condone in Lafia. What we praise in Lokoja we pooh-pooh in Yenagoa. What is sauce for the goose shouldn’t be poison for the gander. This lack of consistency, partly shaped by parochial and hypocritical mindsets, is always at the heart of fierce national debates that often generate tension in the land. It is a destructive tendency. It does not put our common interest at the centre of public engagement. Some issues are so clear cut that if we pursue consistent arguments, our positions should be predictable. But what do we see? We change positions in order to suit the desires of the mob or simply to promote prejudices and biases that have never got us anywhere.

KAFFY'S SHOCKER; My mum encouraged me to go into prostitution

So, while addressing some youths recently during a forum, Kaffy the dance queen reportdely said her mum encouraged her to foray into prostitution inorder to make ends meet.
As written by dailypost 'The dance guru added that she had to pay her way through school as she did not attend the conventional school that every other child attends.
 

EPL: Even Without Suarez, Liverpool Thrash Newcastle 6-0

Liverpool players celebrating

Liverpool barely missed the banned Luis Suarez with an emphatic win against relegation-threatened Newcastle. Daniel Agger's looping header and Jordan Henderson's cool finish in the first half set Liverpool on their way to their biggest victory of the season, reports the BBC.

Daniel Sturridge scored twice from close range before Fabio Borini poked in his first league goal for the Reds. Mathiew Debuchy saw red for clattering through Philippe Coutinho and Henderson curled in the subsequent free-kick.

Baga: DHQ Denies Soldiers' Arrest, as Senator Claims 228 Died

Director of Defence Information (DDI),  Brig-Gen. Chris Olukolade

The Defence Headquarters has denied media reports that it has set up panel and arrested several soldiers in connection with the recent incident where hundreds of civilians were alleged to have been killed in Baga border town of Borno State during a firefight between the Multinational Task Force (MTF) and members of the Boko Haram Islamic Sect.

Omojuwa, Bellanaija, Noble, Others Thrill at NIGERIAN Bloggers Fair

Mua with Omojuwa

Kudos to the initiative from Fidelity Bank, the first ever NIGERIAN BLOGGERS FAIR 2013, was established. The two-day fair saw notable bloggers including Japheth Omojuwa of omojuwa.com, Uche Pedro of Bellanaija.com, Noble Igwe of 360nobs.com and several others as speakers and they did a fantastic job. 

Faze: Tuface and I Dated Annie's Friends

So Faze recently confessed that back in the days when Annie and Tuface
were an item, they (faze and tuface) were also dating tow of Annie's friends. wow!

Hear him; 'I’ve known Annie for years and I think she’s perfect for him.
There were times she would sit under the tree, crying and asking me if 2face
 really loved her.

NET NG CONFERENCE

mua at the conference

Yes, finally, the maiden edition of the Nigerian Entertainment Conference
 took place yesterday at the Eko Hotel & Suites, with stars and major
players in the entertainment industry turning up for the event including D’banj,
 MI, K1 De Ultimate; Movie Makers, Amaka Igwe and Tunde Kelani;
Kunle Bakare, SOund Sultan, Weird MC, Don Jazzy,
Kenny Ogungbe and Dayo Adeneye, Nelson Brown;
 Femi Kuti, 2Face Idibia,  King Sunny Ade; Ali Baba, Mayor Akinpelu,
Femi Akintunde Johnson, Edi Lawani,  DJ, DJ Jimmy Jatt

KENNY BRANDMUSE; MTN vs ETISALAT : Who really Ported our Saka ?

 Well, as a Professional, I wouldn’t want to respond to the Saka menace going on in town but then I keep getting emails upon emails from students, clients, fans and friends. People keep asking me several questions; why on earth did Saka port?
 
Relatedly, I went for a Strategic meeting with the Executive Board Members of a renowned bank, and the story came up again. In fact, they played the commercial and applauded the sheer brilliance of MTN. I actually heard one of the Excos saying ‘I’m going to port immediately.’  So I asked them: what worked for you in the commercial? Majority of them said ‘we just love this Saka man’
 
There’s nothing as powerful as that cultural connection and that humanness factor we display as brands. As I watch from a distance the recent Saka phenomenon  I can only bow to this timeless advertising principle. Culture eats Strategy for breakfast.  Hats off.

Ferguson is Britain's Richest Club Manager

Sir Alex Ferguson is reportedly worth £34million

Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson has retained his position as the wealthiest football manager in Britain, according to a report to be published on Sunday. The fourth annual Sunday Times Sport Rich List, to be published in full on 28 April, says that Ferguson, who has just led United to Premier League title glory, is now worth £34m.

The list is based on identifiable wealth, which includes land, property, other assets such as art and racehorses, or significant shares in publicly quoted companies, but which excludes bank accounts, reports Sky Sports.

DELE MOMODU: A Toast As The Guru (Mike Adenuga) Clocks 60

Ladies and gentlemen, please join me as I raise a toast to an African icon, business titan, managerial wizard and philanthropic legend, Dr Michael Adeniyi Agbolade Isola Adenuga, as he clocks 60 on Monday, April 29, 2013. He has done more than enough to justify each of those adjectives. On a personal note and as a journalist, I’ve had the rare opportunity of following the incredible story of this extremely gifted man for the past 22 years, the reason I’m qualified to be a self-appointed toastmaster today.

It is difficult to imagine that Adenuga was already a wealthy, accomplished Man before he attained the age of 40. This obviously gave rise to all manner of speculations about his source of wealth and the perceived strength of those behind him. This riddle made me more determined to find out as much as possible about this man who seemed to have built an impregnable wall around himself and his activities. The more I dug into his life, the clearer I discovered that his talismanic weapon was no more than an almost manic addiction to work. He had a simple and straight forward mantra; no mountain is too difficult to climb. Dr. Adenuga’s success simply teaches the world about the virtues of hard work.

31 States to Experience Devastating Flood in 2013, Says Report

Flood menace                       

Apart from Ekiti, Enugu, Katsina, Imo, Abia States and Federal Capital Territory (FCT), all other states in Nigeria will experience a devastating flood this year. The states are Zamfara, Yobe, Sokoto, Rivers, Taraba, Plateau, Oyo, Ogun, Osun, Ondo, Niger, Nasarawa, Lagos, Kwara,  Kogi, Kebbi, Kano, Kaduna, Jigawa, Gombe, Edo, Ebonyi, Delta, Cross Rivers, Benue, Bayelsa, Bauchi, Anambra, Akwa Ibom, and Adamawa.

This was contained in 2013 Annual Flood Outlook (AFO) for Nigeria presented by the Director General, Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency (NIHSA), John Shamonda. Speaking after a three-day programme on the flood outlook, organised by the NIHSA, Shamonda, said efforts were being geared towards ensuring that the effect was less felt in these areas. The DG explained that 156 Local Government Areas would experience the devastating flood, while other areas might not be affected at all.

Boko haram was paid N500million to release kidnapped French family

Nigeria’s militant group, the Boko Haram was paid $3.15million, about N500 million before releasing a French family of seven, a Nigerian government report says. The BBC said the confidential report was seen by Reuters news agency.

The document did not say who paid the money. Both France and Cameroon deny paying a ransom while Nigeria has not commented on the issue. French news network i-tele reported Friday that a ransom of $7 million had been paid, suggesting either Cameroon President Paul Biya or GDF-Suez had paid it. The French family, including four children, were captured in Cameroon in February and freed last week.

Amaechi’s Plane in Dramatic Delay at Akure Airport

Governor Rotimi Amaechi                

The aircraft of Rivers State Governor, Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi was  Friday delayed for "about two hours" at the Akure Airport, Ondo State, for what the governor's aides termed "unclear reasons". The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Aminu Waziri Tambuwal and Amaechi were said to have flown in the latter's aircraft to the Akure Airport early in the day to attend the burial of the late deputy governor of Ekiti State, Mrs. Funmi Olayinka in Ado Ekiti.

Sources said when they returned to the airport on the way to Abuja and Port Harcourt, respectively at around 6.00pm, Amaechi’s aircraft was surprisingly refused clearance to fly out by the airport’s authorities while Tambuwal’s aircraft which had conveyed his aides got clearance.

Horrific Tanker Accident at UNIZIK JUNCTION Claims lives

It was a tragedy of all sorts this afternoon when a tanker fully loaded
with diesel lost control and crashed into the motor park at UNIZIK Junction.
 The accident claimed over 7 lives and left several others with varying degree
 of injuries.  It was gathered that most of the deceased were students who had
gone to Awka in preparation for the JAMB UTME exams tomorrow. This life sef

Jackie Appiah Denies Marital Ties to Bobby Obodo

The Ghanaian actress Jackie Appiah and Nigerian actor, Bobby Obodo were rumored to have been struck by cupid's arrow.  Jackie is already separated from her husband and she is rumoured to be dating Bobby Obodo. Here is a press statement from her people denying the story which has gone viral on the internet.

I find it necessary to comment on recent scurrilous, slanderous and preposterous social media reports on Jackie Appiah's alleged 'marriage' to Bobby Obodo. First of all, let me state here that Jackie Appiah is absolutely not getting married to Bobby Obodo and the two of them are just good friends.

How True? Jonathan awards $40million contract to monitor Internet communication by Nigerians

Here is a very important information from PREMIUM TIMES for the 47 million Nigerian Internet users. Big Brother, in the form of the Jonathan administration, is watching you, and your communication is no longer safe.

It is one of the most far-reaching policies ever designed in Nigeria’s history to invade the privacy of citizens. The Jonathan administration secretly, and in open violation of lawful contracting procedures, has awarded an Israeli firm, Elbit Systems, with headquarters in Haifa, a $40million contract to help it spy on citizens’ computers and Internet communications under the guise of intelligence gathering and national security.

If you get tattoos, so will we, Obama tells daughters

 US President Barack Obama has a unique strategy for keeping his daughters from getting tattoos: threatening to get the same design, along with his wife, and turning it into a family YouTube moment.

“What we’ve said to the girls is: ‘If you guys ever decide that you’re going to get a tattoo, then mommy and me will get the exact same tattoo, in the same place,” Obama explained on NBC’s “Today” show on Wednesday.

Employment Letters from the Grave

Chairman of FCSC, Mrs. Joan Ayo

The last has not been heard of the probe into bribe-for-job scandal being carried out in the Senate as it came to the surface  Wednesday that the employment letters of two beneficiaries of the scam – Mrs. Rose Odey and Idachaba Tijani – who allegedly paid over N250,000 to the Federal Civil Service Commission (FCSC) to secure jobs in federal ministries, were signed by a dead man.

Chairman of FCSC, Mrs. Joan Ayo, told the Joint Senate Committee on Federal Character and Inter-Governmental Affairs and Employment, Labour and Productivity that the two employment letters that the duo claimed they were given were actually “photocopies.”

Achebe's Body Arrives Nigeria May 21

Prof. Chinua Achebe

The remains of late novelist, poet and literary icon, Prof. Chinualumogu Achebe is expected to  arrive at the Nnamdi Azikwe International Airport, Abuja on Tuesday, May 21, 2013 ahead of its interment on Thursday, May 23, 2013, the burial committee has said.

Chairman of Achebe's  National Transition Committee Prof. Uzodinma Nwala revealed this Thursday in Abuja while announcing the one-week eventful transition programme in honour of the late author.

2011 Post Election Violence: Jonathan Approves N5.7 b to 9 States

President Goodluck Jonathan

President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan has approved the release of a total sum of N5,747,694,780.00 as assistance to nine states of the federation for direct disbursement to those who suffered losses of properties, means of livelihood and places of worship in the post-election violence of 2011.
In the same vein, the apex government said the families of the dead and the wounded during the crises have been identified and will be taken care of in due course.

SEGUN ADENIYI: Endgame in Massachusetts

The Verdict By Olusegun Adeniyi. Email, olusegun.adeniyi@thisdaylive.com

"Untilfurther notice, we will suspend all meetings related to the reunion. I will be back in touch later this morning. Please stay safe.” By the time that mail came in from Dr. Kathleen Molony at exactly 7am last Friday, I was already by the television, watching the unfolding drama. About 30 minutes earlier, an announcement had been made that the entire city of Boston and surrounding towns like Cambridge, Watertown etc. were on lockdown.

I arrived the US last Wednesday evening for a three-day “Fellows Alumni Reunion and Conference” of Harvard University’s Weatherhead Centre for International Affairs (WCFIA) where I had spent the 2010/11 academic session. The planning for the programme with the theme “Searching for Balance in an Unstable World” actually started two years ago and everybody had looked forward to it. However, in the days preceding the conference, there were apprehensions about whether it would still go ahead given the terror attack at the Boston Marathon last week Monday but the university authority decided it should.

Femi-Fani Kayode Admits to Cheating on his wife

While admitting to have cheated on his wife in times past, Femi Fani-Kayode
said, "I am not an angel. Like most married men  I have made mistakes in the
 past and I have let down my wife on a number of occasions. 

Yet despite that I never stopped loving her. I never considered the
possibility of leaving my wife though on many occasions she  almost left me.

Finally, Stella Damasus Responds to Marriage Rumour

Earlier, some blogs had reported that Stella Damasus and Daniel Ademinokan, Doris Simon's ex husband secretly got married sometime in February this year in New York, where they now live.

She further said last night April 24th, Daniel held a surprise 35th birthday party for Stella at a restaurant called 9ja Villa in Brooklyn, New York, adding that he also bought Stella a Range Rover yesterday as a birthday present!

Anyway, Stella Damasus has reacted to the report and here is what she has to say:

"I have been trending for the past two days now. Day one was about people wishing me well and praying for me on my birthday. Day two is now filled with gossip, scandals and all sorts, but that is as far as the so called journalists and bloggers are concerned. As far as I am concerned I had a blast on my birthday and I will not allow other human beings steal my joy regardless.

Kogi: Five Killed as Fulani Herdsmen, Youths Clash

Governor Idris Wada of Kogi State

At least five people lost their lives when violence broke out on Wednesday  between some youths and Fulani herdsmen in Egbe, Yagba West Local Government Council of Kogi State. According to an eye witness account, the violence broke when the Fulani herdsmen and their cattle strayed into the farm of a local farmer damaging the farm substantially.

EXCLUSIVE FEATURE: Tactical Drills for the Army

Soldiers during the range classification exercise of the 81 Division at Owode-Yewa, Ogun State

Chiemelie Ezeobi, who was part of the ongoing Range Classification Exercise of the 81 Division Headquarters of the Nigerian Army, which comprise all units and formations in Lagos and Ogun States, writes that the exercise was meant to improve personnel weapon handling and marksmanship

It was the booming sound of gunfire that woke Taoheed Ajayi from sleep penultimate Thursday, but the gunshots were far from his house.  A resident of Owode-Yewa in Yewa South Local Government Area of Ogun State, he had become accustomed to the annual ritual. “The soldiers are in training,” he said with a sense of familiarisation.

EXCLUSIVE: Bamigbetan's Kidnappers Absconded to Ghana-Lagos CP

Bamigbetan 

....CP Identifies three groups behind the recent kidnapping in the state

By Chiemelie Ezeobi

The Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Umar Manko, today disclosed that the reason why the kidnappers of the state Chairman, Ejigbo Local Council  Development Area (LCDA), Kehinde Bamigbetan, have not yet been captured was because they fled to Ghana, a neighbouring African country.

Ivanovic Bite: FA Slams 10-match Ban on Suarez

Liverpool striker Luis Suarez

Liverpool striker Luis Suarez has been banned for 10 games by the Football Association for biting Chelsea's Branislav Ivanovic. The incident happened during Sunday's 2-2 draw between the sides. The 26-year-old later apologised for biting the Chelsea defender and was fined by Liverpool on Monday.

The club, who have until Friday at 12:00 BST to appeal, said they were "shocked and disappointed" at the length of the suspension, reports the BBC.

Uruguay international Suarez had accepted the FA charge of violent conduct but claimed his ban should be three games, the standard punishment for violent conduct.

An FA statement read:  "A three-person independent regulatory commission today upheld the FA's claim that a suspension of three matches was clearly insufficient and the player will serve a further seven first-team matches in addition to the standard three. The suspension begins with immediate effect.

"The Liverpool forward had accepted a charge of violent conduct but had denied the FA's claim that the standard three-match sanction was insufficient for the offence.

"The incident was not seen by the match officials and has therefore been retrospectively reviewed.

"Suarez has until midday on Friday 26 April to appeal [against] the additional suspension, above the standard three matches."

The ban covers their final four games of this season, and the first six games of 2013-14.

Reds managing director Ian Ayre said: "Both the club and player are shocked and disappointed at the severity of today's independent regulatory commission decision.

"We await the written reasons tomorrow before making any further comment."

It is not the first time Suarez has been charged with such an offence. He was banned for seven games when he was at Ajax after biting PSV Eindhoven midfielder Otman Bakkal's shoulder during a match in November 2010.

During his time at Liverpool, he was also given an eight-match ban and £40,000 fine by the FA for racially abusing Manchester United left-back Patrice Evra in December 2011.

Suarez is on the six-man shortlist for the Professional Footballers' Association player of the year award and PFA chief executive Gordon Taylor earlier said: "It would be embarrassing if he is named player of the year but we have got to deal with it and make sure he is player of the year not just in a footballing sense but as a human being as well and we will be trying to do that."

Match of the Day host Gary Lineker said on Twitter:   "Very strong punishment. Vital now that FA are consistently strong on all issues eg racism, abusing refs etc. Also this ridiculous, if the ref saw it they can't punish retrospectively nonsense, has to be addressed!"

British Couple Jailed for Attempting to Smuggle Nigerian Baby into UK

A British couple – Simon and Gladys Heap from Oxford – have been convicted by a UK court for attempting to pass off a Nigerian baby as their biological child in a bid to smuggle it into the UK. The couple was sentenced to 12 months in prison, suspended for 12 months, and 250 hours of community service after pleading guilty on April 16, 2013.

Gladys aged 52 and her husband, 47, had entered Nigeria in July 2010 and had gone to the British High Commission in Lagos to apply for a British passport for the baby girl claiming Gladys had a baby just a few days after entering the country.

According to the British High Commission in Abuja, the staff at the High Commission were however suspicious.

"...DNA tests later confirmed that neither adult was related to the child. A birth certificate they had presented was also found to be fraudulent.  They flew home without the baby," the statement issued in Abuja yesterday said.

Although the statement was silent on how the couple came about the child, it implied that the child may have been purchased.

Following an investigation by a joint Border Force and Metropolitan Police Service (MPS), the couple was arrested and charged with facilitating a breach of immigration law.  They were sentenced by the Isleworth Crown Court.

The head of the Border Force at Heathrow, Mr. Marc Owen, described the case as shocking.  “Thanks to the close co-operation between Border Force, the Metropolitan Police and staff at the British High Commission they were stopped and we were able to bring them to justice,” he said.

The leader of the investigation team, Detective Inspector Kate Bridger, said the couple tried to circumvent the adoption system and deceive the authorities.

“A child should not be treated as a commodity to be bought and sold," she said, adding that the system is in place to protect children. The child has remained in Nigeria.

Heap, an expert on Nigeria, works with companies trying to forge international trade links. His wife is a nurse.

Heap has a BA in History from Cambridge University, an MA in African Studies from the University of London and a PhD in History from the University of Ibadan in Nigeria. He also studied History at Oxford University. 

He has previously worked as a researcher for child rights organisation, Plan International; a fellow at the University of Ibadan and is currently a senior researcher at the development agency Japan International Cooperation Agency.

Navy Launches Website on Crude Oil Theft

Nigerian Navy ship

The Nigerian Navy has launched a new website on crude oil theft and pipeline vandalism in order to create channel through which information on how to curb the menace would be passed across to the citizenry, relevant stakeholders and concerned authorities. This was contained in a statement signed Wednesday by the Director of Information, Nigerian Navy, Commodore Kabiru Aliyu.

Senate Opens Debate to Rename UNILAG Moshood Abiola University

Late MKO  Abiola

Barring any last minute hitches, the Senate will today commence the debate on the amendment of the University of Lagos Act, which provides for the establishment of the University of Lagos (UNILAG), to pave the way for the change of name of the institution to Moshood Abiola University, Lagos (MAULAG).

During the last Democracy Day celebration on May 29, President Goodluck Jonathan announced the decision of the federal government to rename UNILAG after the acclaimed winner of the June 12 1993 presidential election, the late MKO Abiola.

EXCLUSIVE: 15-year-Old Boy Drowns in Ikorodu River

Rescue efforts 

By Chiemelie Ezeobi

Weeks after the manager of Ikoyi Golf Club manager, Kolawole Ahmed and three others plunged into the Majidun River in Ikorodu, 15-year-old Fouad Feyisetan Owonifari, Tuesday drowned in yet another river in Ikorodu.

The deceased who was a student of Ikosi High School, Ketu, was said to have drowned at 10:30am at the Oniyanri River, Owode Village, Ikorodu. It was gathered that the deceased had gone to swim with his brother when the currents swept him away before help could come.

FEMI FANI-KAYODE: A People in Denial

Femi FANI-Kayode writes the nation’s handling of the Boko Haram menace is indicative of a people in denial

"Boko Haram has not committed any wrong to deserve amnesty. Surprisingly the Nigerian government is talking about granting us amnesty. What wrong have we done? On the contrary, it is we that should grant you (government) pardon"- Abubakar Shekau, the spokesman and leader of Boko Haram speaking to the French News Agency, AFP.

OLAWALE OLALEYE: An Unlearned President

President Goodluck Jonathan

Save for his politics, President Goodluck Jonathan has not deployed sufficient experience in the art of governance, writes Olawale Olaleye

At a time the Boko Haram insurgency became aggressive and crippling, all that President Goodluck Jonathan had said to the Nigerian people, at least to pacify them was that the act of terrorism had become a global threat and that it was probably the turn of Nigeria to have a dose of the bitter pills of terrorism.

191 Killed in Multinational Task Force, Boko Haram Clash

Defence Headquarters (DHQ)

•10,000 rendered homeless, 2,000 houses torched 

•Jonathan orders investigation into carnage  

•DHQ confirms 25 insurgents, one soldier dead

One hundred and ninety-one persons were feared dead, 10,000 others rendered homeless while 2,000 houses were destroyed at the weekend in Baga town, Borno State, after what could be termed the most deadly confrontation between Boko Haram and soldiers of Multinational Task Force (MTF) deployed in the area to rein in the sect.

Jonathan Appoints Waki, Second Female Member, into Boko Haram C’ttee

President Goodluck Jonathan

The inclusion of another member, Barrister Aisha Waki, into the Committee on Dialogue and Peaceful Resolution of Security Challenges in the North has been approved by President Goodluck Jonathan. The other female member in the hitherto 26-member committee is Hajiya Naja’atu Bala Mohammed, a prominent Kano politician of the opposition shade.

The current appointment may have been informed by the refusal of Dr Datti Ahmad, President-General of the Supreme Council for Sharia in Nigeria (SCSN) and Comrade Shehu Sani, an activist to participate in the committee.

Japan Warns China on Islands Landing

Chinese and Japanese surveillance ships are monitoring each other closely

Japan would respond with force if any attempt is made to land on disputed islands, PM Shinzo Abe has warned. His comments came as eight Chinese government ships sailed near East China Sea islands that both nations claim.

A flotilla of 10 fishing boats carrying Japanese activists was also reported to be in the area, as well as the Japanese coastguard. Abe was speaking in parliament hours after dozens of lawmakers visited a controversial war-linked shrine, reports the BBC.