A’Ibom witchcraft panel summons cleric

A PRESBYTER with Methodist Church in Esit Eket Council Area of Akwa Ibom State, Rev. Moses Ekereobong, has appeared before the witchcraft commission of inquiry set up by the state government with the mandate to make recommendations on the witchcraft syndrome and child abuse.

Rev. Ekereobong appeared before the six-man panel headed by Justice Abraham Joseph over his alleged involvement in the stigmatisation of a child as a witch.

Testifying before the commission, Rev. Ekereobong said he was invited by the police over the incident but denied any involvement.

“I was invited by the police but I know nothing about the said stigmatisation or brutalisation of a child by one of my members. When I got to the station, I saw the child and the wound inflicted on her was still fresh.

“So I asked the father who inflicted the wounds on the child and who called her a witch because in the Methodist Church of Nigeria, it is not our practice but the man has not given me a reasonable answer up

till now. We all frowned at the matter because it is against our policy”, he said.

According Justice Joseph, a memorandum before the panel alleged that Okon Abia, a parent and member of the pastor’s church and the pastor, allegedly brutalised and stigmatised a child who was later abandoned.

Abia has been summoned to appear before the commission to throw more light on the allegations.

Meanwhile, the panel adjourned hearing on the memorandum submitted by Rev. Helen Ukpabio and Liberty Gospel Ministries till yesterday following a request by her counsel, Mr. Victor Ukutt.

No fewer than 55 witnesses have so far appeared before the panel.

Guardian Newspaper

Buhari shuts down Kaduna

•Defends regime as Head of State
•Vows to resist rigging

KADUNA, the headquarters of the defunct Northern Region, literally came to a standstill yesterday as supporters of the flag bearer of the Congress for Progressive Change (CPC), Major-General Muhammadu Buhari (rtd), took over the entire city, causing unprecedented traffic jam.
The massive turn out of supporters of the Daura-born retired General created fears among residents as CPC members, mainly youths, forced Buhari’s posters on motorists in the metropolis and environs.
At the Murtala Square, venue of Buhari’s flag-off of North-West presidential campaign, billboards of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) presidential candidate, Dr. Goodluck Jonathan and his running mate, Namadi Sambo, were pulled down

Due to the huge crowd, some supporters passed out while others sustained injuries.
Pick-pockets had a free day just as commercial motorcycle riders with Buhari’s posters went on acrobatic display to the admiration of all on major streets of the city.
Motorists had to pass through the Western Bye Pass, popularly known as Nnamdi Azikiwe Way, to the heart of the metropolis as the entire city witnessed serious traffic snarl.
Buhari, who addressed the mammoth crowd in Hausa, said that the CPC was ready to slug it out with the ruling PDP in the April general election, insisting that rigging would be resisted.
The former Head of State between 1983 and 1985 described the crowd as unprecedented, just as he noted that it was destiny that threw him up to serve as a military ruler before he was toppled by his Army chief, General Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida (rtd).
Speaking further, he said that he accepted all challenges and responsibilities as Head of State then, pointing out that whatever role he played as leader or member of government, “all my decisions and actions are always guided by a clear conscience.”
He urged Nigerians to make the right choice in April, saying that the way things are in the country today, “We are today facing an uncertain future in an uncertain world. It is vital Nigerians make the right choice about who would look after them in the next four years.”
Buhari added: “I am standing here today as the presidential candidate of the Congress for Progressive Change. I consider myself to be on a rescue mission. Never before have we seen such bad leadership in our national life. The country’s life is literally falling apart on all fronts on security, in education, on the economy, in healthcare system and youth employment. Many critical observers have begun to list Nigeria among the failed states of the 21st century.”
The former military ruler asked Nigerians to use their conscience in deciding the forthcoming election as, according to him, the PDP-led administration has not only brought an untold hardship on Nigerians but “we are internationally recognised for corruption, inefficiency, business uncertainty and infrastructural decay.
“For 12 years, the PDP government has failed to tackle all these problems in spite of the resources at their disposal. We can and we must reverse these trends. The first step is for Nigerians to vote PDP out. They are finished. They have passed their sell-by date, “ he added.
The former All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP) presidential candidate said that if PDP hoped to rule the country for the next 60 to 200 years “as they claimed, then, Nigerians are in trouble.”
He said: “Why should our economy be left to operate on individual power generating sets? If their aspiration to govern Nigeria for the next 60 to 200 years is pure, why are they unable to guarantee something as fundamental and basic as security of life and property?”
Stressing further on why Nigerians should vote out the PDP government, Buhari asked rhetorically:”Where was the PDP-led government when what started as occasional incidents of kidnapping degenerated to the embarrassing dimension of an incorporated evil business? Does it matter to this administration that insecurity has compelled many potential foreign investors to drop Nigeria from their list?
“Should we continue to vote the same people who have presided over the decline in quality of life in Nigeria for the last 12 years?
“Shamefully, these people are openly canvassing a desire to rule Nigeria for 60 to 200 years. Nigerians must reject these political zoo keepers and stop them in their tracks now. During the last 12 years, they have almost transformed Nigeria into the proverbial animal farm where sycophants dominate both the airwaves and print media.
“Given the current state of affairs in the country, Nigerians have the legitimate right to ask the following questions: where was the government when this great country of ours took a nose-dive on many critical sectors? Why does this government run from pillar to post, looking helpless as it beats about the bush on the fundamental issue of resolving electric power supply challenge of the country?
“I submit that in the affairs of man, it is only God that can determine history and ordain destiny. In my own case, it is destiny that threw me up to serve as the Head of State of this great country at that particular moment of our national history.
“I would say, with all humility, that I dutifully accepted all the challenges and responsibilities of Head of State and Government. Whatever role I played, whether as leader or member of government, all my decisions and actions were always guided by a clear conscience. I was always guided by an agreement with my colleagues and members of my executive council, which always enabled me to try to avoid impropriety, dishonesty, corruption and other forms of abuse of office and power.
“My conscience constantly guided me to treat everyone and every group in the country with fairness and equity. That is why I can stand before Nigerians here today and hold my head high, knowing that I am ever ready to face any scrutiny or answer any question regarding my past performance as a public figure. I am always ready to give account of my past records to the Nigerian people.”

Compass Newspaper

April polls: INEC drops Andy Uba

 

Andy Uba

Sun Newspaper

Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has removed, on the order of the court, the names of Andy Uba and company as the Anambra State National Assembly candidates of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the state. The order of the court was a major victory for the party against the INEC.

Expectant party faithful milling around the INEC headquarters went wild in jubilation when the order was served on the commission and accepted by the commission officials.

The PDP and the INEC had engaged in cross-fire over the politics of acceptance and rejection of the Anambra State list by the commission as the party wrote the electoral commission accusing it of flouting electoral law by accepting the list of candidates from the state chapters of its party instead of the national secretariat, and unwarranted substitution of candidates without the party’s knowledge.

Officials from the PDP national secretariat were at the INEC office yesterday brandishing a fresh order by Anambra High Court, presided over by Justice D.O.C. Amaechina vacating its earlier order granted on January 27, restraining the INEC from accepting and recognising candidates, including Nicholas Ukachukwu, Mrs. Marjore Okadigbo produced at the primaries conducted by Senator Joseph Waku. In what the excited PDP members described as the triumph of democracy, Justice Amaechina while granting the order in the suit No A/19/2011 held that the plaintif, Ken Emeakayi, lacked the locus standi to institute the suit ab nitio.

“In view of the findings on the plaintiff’s lack of locus standi, which goes to the jurisdiction of this court, it is unnecessary for this court to decide or determine other issues raised in this suit. “For the avoidance of doubt, all the interim and or interlocutory orders previously made by this court in this case, on January 27, pursuant to the motion on notice dated January 19 and filed on January 20, hereby ceases to operate or have effect forthwith as this court lacked the jurisdiction or competence to make them ab nitio.

“This suit must be and is hereby struck out on grounds of incompetence or lack of jurisdiction arising from the plaintiff’s lack of locus standi aforementioned.” PDP had, in a letter by its national legal adviser, written the INEC accusing it for not contacting the party, while pretending to be obeying court orders, to collect candidates’ lists from the state party chapters against the rules thus causing confusion within the party.
INEC had also replied that all it was doing was to obey court orders as they come and that if another order directing otherwise come, it would obey.

Duncan Mighty – I don’t give a shot (OFFICIAL VIDEO)





MUSIC VIDEO :Charly Boy ft. Dr Alban $ Dekumzy – SHAYO PLENTY.

HAVE YOUR SAY………

For me ,its coooool,from the godfather himself

VIDEO: Kefee,Sapele Water

I love you KEFEE. This a good follow up.

this christian song get as e be oh

Solid from my girl Kefee. Wo ru nor. Nice one!

Like Kokoroko ,this song is going places.No be Sapele water o

I love this song!!! Kefee you to funny oooo. shine eye like person when chop meeting money?hahahahaahaha…….lwkm­do

did she just say akpeteshie??

EMPRESS NJAMAH: TIMAYA WAS VIOLENT, MY MOTHER WOULD HAVE DIED PREMATURELY IF I HAD MARRIED HIM!

Timaya ‘s former Girlfriend, Actress Empress Njamah is speaking out for the first time on their Controversial Relationship…

Empress claims that Timaya was Violent and that her Mum would have died Prematurely if She had Married the Musician…, She claims she has never slept in a man’s house even Timaya’s
peep the interview below….

Empress Njamah’s name is synonymous with controversies. Despite this, she has held her head high and walked tall. In this interview with ’Nonye Ben-Nwankwo, the actress talks about her career and her relationship with her ex-boyfriend and singer, Timaya

We learn you are now a make-up artiste. How did you find yourself in this field?

I’ve been doing this for a long time. I don’t have an office yet because I do a lot of things, so I really want to be sure of what I want to open an office for. The bridal make-up comes up almost every weekend. From one job, I get another job and I get another job from that one. Bridal make-up has been very okay.

You are into interior décor as well…

I do that as well. I just finished working on a hotel in Calabar. It took me almost three months to complete the job.

But how did you come into this line? We thought acting was your love?

I don’t like being idle; I’m always up and doing. I like to venture into a lot of things. I like to do new things. Acting is obviously in me. Acting is beautiful; it pays. But I just like to venture into a lot of things. But I love everything I do.

But didn’t you feel bad that you are no longer acting in movies like most of your contemporaries?

I really don’t have a problem with that. Acting is not what you can retire from. Acting is always there for any good actor. I just finished a job, which would be premiered in the US and Canada. I would rather be into one beautiful big project, where you can demonstrate your talent. I don’t want to continue doing this home video thing; I want to do movies. I’m not a square peg in a round hole. Most people who know me also know I’m good, I’m okay. I’ve three scripts right now. Each time I get scripts, my brothers and I talk about them.

Some people might say you went off the screen because the scripts weren’t coming any longer.

Not at all! It is not true. I was in Germany for about five months. I was also in the UK for some period of time doing some things I don’t want to talk about right now. I’ve been okay with what I’ve been doing. I shot a movie late last year. I was in Owerri. Mike Ezuruonye was also in the movie. I did the movie because it was so challenging. We rehearsed with real guns in the movie. It is not the usual kind of movie we are used to everyday.

Tell us what it is like being in a family of actors.

It is just like asking me how it is being in a family of doctors. There is nothing wrong with acting or engineering. It is fun and interesting. It is something we can all sit down and talk about. It helps to have a brother who does the same thing that you do. We learn from each other.

How did your mother take it back then when three of her children decided to go into the movies?

She took it like most other mothers would have taken it. But I just can’t stop thanking my family. My mum has been encouraging. Sometimes exposure matters a lot. My father wasn’t in support of it at the beginning. But with the help of my mother, we were able to make him understand that this was my dream.

My father watched my first movie from the beginning to the end. He didn’t say a word that night; I was scared. I couldn’t sleep. My father was very strict. In the morning, he came to my room and told me the movie was okay. He advised me on how the industry was going to be. And in fact, what he said was what I eventually saw. He told me I was going to get bad publicity; people would live my life for me and all that. There is nothing I do that will not be in the papers.

Was it because your late father told you about what you are going to face in this industry that made you develop thick skin over the things that had been said and written about you?

I would say so. I saw it coming; I was told about it. My brothers were in it before me. We read stuff about them and we would come home and laugh about them. If my father hadn’t prepared my mind and if my brothers weren’t in the industry, I probably would have broken down since.

So you have not broken down with all the scandals?

At some time, I broke down. No matter what you have been told even before you got into the industry, some things they say about you would really make you break down.

Could it be that the negative publicity affected your career?

The truth of the matter is that whether you do anything or not, people will definitely talk about you. But if you are not important, people will not talk about you. If you believe in yourself and you know that what they are saying is not what or who you are, you know where you are going and you put your knees on the ground and ask the good Lord to direct you, there is no way you will not prosper. If you know the family you come from and what you stand for, you will go places. God has always answered me. I don’t have to build mansions, but I am very comfortable. I can do anything I want to do in any country I go to. A lot of people crave that kind of opportunity. I don’t live a pretentious life. I don’t have friends. I just hold on to God. Ever since I have been in a good relationship with my God, it has been okay for me.

We learnt you are dating one Lagos big boy who even sponsored your birthday bash last year.

Oh. You mean Dandooku? I can still call him now and put him on speaker phone and ask him if he is my boyfriend so you know the truth. When I read that story, I called him up and told him I’ve made him a star overnight. I say this and God is my witness: no man has ever sponsored my birthday. I don’t go to clubs; I’m allergic to cigarette. My birthday is November 17. But from the 10th, people were already calling me and asking me the venue of the bash. My party is really very big because a lot of celebrities usually attend. It is more like a carnival. No man has ever sponsored it. I always look forward to my birthday. I get to meet people and have fun.

So why did people say he sponsored the party?

I don’t know. But as I was about to cut my cake last year, he sprayed some bills on me. I was shocked to hear he sponsored my birthday. Dan is my friend. He is also a friend to so many celebrities.

Who then are you dating?

Christ! It is not about who I am dating. To me, I don’t think it is right to go to the papers and say who I am dating and the next minute, the relationship is off. It is sad. Men can do it and go away with it. I’ll not do something like that. The important thing is when I give you my wedding invitation.

Timaya said one of his greatest regrets was having you as his girlfriend. Did you hurt him that much for him to have said that?

Ah! Empress! Seriously, I told myself that I wasn’t going to talk about this in the papers because I’ve learnt a lot. I’ve learnt that being good is not really a good thing in this country. Trying to help people is not a good thing too. Whatever you do, people will try to criticise you. I’ve always been a good person. Apart from the fact that people are not blind, apart from the fact that people are not dumb to know the truth, I don’t have to go to the papers to justify what happened in that relationship. But I’ve been in the spotlight before he ever thought of getting there. People have always known me for being nice. I hate proud people; so, I will not boast about things I did for people. It is so glaring who should really go to the papers and say the relationship was a mistake. I don’t want to criticise anybody. I don’t want to talk about it. I still give God the glory. Without events, there won’t be history. It has made me not to trust people or live my life for them.

We learnt you wanted to sue him.

We had a case recently and people said I sued Timaya for an X amount of money. Obviously, money is not my problem. I started making money long before Timaya ever thought of seeing millions. I just did what I had to do. Let me give you a hint. We had some issues and I basically avoided this same person for close to two years. I had my reasons. He was somebody I was close to for a period of time and I know what he can or can’t do. So, I avoided him. I will just say that Timaya was obsessed with me. He saw me driving at a particular time, he overtook me, stopped in front of me, pulled me off my car and beat me up. I did what I had to do. I had to go to the police and report the case with the pictures of my face swollen and all of that. I took the case very far. I had two lawyers. But for the love of Christ, I had to let the case go. I’ve been in this business for a long time. If I go to the papers, people might say Empress wants attention. How can I crave attention when I’ve had it for so long? He went to the papers and he got talking and talking and I was reading and laughing. I didn’t say a word all through that period. The fear of God and maturity had to come in. Many journalists called me to get my comments. I always told them I didn’t want to comment on the issue.

But would you, like him, say you regret the relationship?

It is obvious. I would have used that period of time to better other people’s lives or concentrate on my job or my family. But I was living my life for people who didn’t deserve it. If I had listened to one of his new tracks before I dropped that case, I don’t think I would have dropped the case. I may preach about Christ and love, but I’m human. There are things that you should just let go. Can you imagine the arrogance? Music is not meant for you to come out and brag about what you don’t have. I respect Tuface a lot. He sings songs that make meaning. He is not bragging about what he is not and you can learn through his music. His music is inspiring. If you have a problem with someone, face the problem. Do you have to sing about it? Why not do something that people can embrace, something that can go farther than this country? Why would you waste your time and go to the studio only to come out singing about an actress? Empress was something he regretted yet he sang with my name. Empress was somebody you regretted, yet you used my brothers’ names in your song. E dey pepper you for bodi so much. It is because I’m or I was so important in his life. You regret Empress yet you gave me a ring? Please! It is high time we stopped talking trash. I might have said I don’t want to talk about this but right now, I don’t think I would mind having one on one debate with him. But then, I’m too much for such. It is obvious who should regret the relationship. It is obvious who should be thankful. In life, when you achieve something you never believed you will achieve, it is like a blow to them.

How did you feel when he beat you up?

How else would a battered woman feel? You will feel angry and frustrated. At that point, a lot of things will go through your mind. This is not what I want to talk about in the papers. It is not a good thing for any female. I’m going to do a movie on people who hit women. It is not something I want to rush into. I want to do it right.

How come your brothers kept quiet if you said he beat you up?

My brothers didn’t keep quiet. They were not brought up to be brutal. A lot of friends wanted to fight for me. A lot of musicians were on my side. One of my brothers wanted to be confrontational. But I told them that two people can’t be mad at the same time. The way we were trained is obviously different from the way some other people were trained. My brothers will always respect my feelings. John is a triple black belter. He doesn’t even need to fight. He will just hit you one place and you will die. He is one of the best in karate and you know these people are trained not to get angry. He is calm.

Would you have married Timaya?

I would have made my mother the saddest woman on the face of this earth if I’d married Timaya. I would have sent my mother to an early grave. She is the best thing that has ever happened to me. She is my happiness. My mother has never advised me wrongly and she has never advised me to be involved in anything evil. If I had moved out of my family house, I would have been wayward. But when you are under the umbrella of a good parent, you will hardly go astray. If I try to go astray, my mum will put me on the right track since I’m still living under her roof. If I had wanted to rent my own flat, I would have rented over 100 flats. 

But we thought you moved into Timaya’s house?

I didn’t move into that house, I got that house. Please, I don’t want to talk about it. Let’s just leave that side. When I said I lived my life for some people, you should understand what I’m saying. I never moved into any man’s house. I’ve never done that and I will never do that

OLD SCHOOL:Check out Actress Uche Iwuji!

 By Nigeria Films.Com

Shocked?…you are definitely not alone!

Probably spurred on by the commotion caused by the Wande Coal nude pictures,someone with wicked intentions  circulated this picture of the actress on facebook.

This looks like a younger Uche Iwuji and despite what the one who circulated this pictures wanted  everyone else to think that the  picture is great!…..really nice tits!

Malaysia charges second ex-minister over scandal

(AFP)

KUALA LUMPUR — Malaysian authorities on Monday charged a second former minister over a multi-billion-dollar cost overrun at a free-trade zone which has become one of the nation’s biggest financial scandals.

The Port Klang Free Trade Zone, a 1,000-acre (405-hectare) commercial and industrial project south of Kuala Lumpur, was initially estimated to cost 1.82 billion ringgit ($596 million).

However the tab is now expected to balloon to 12.5 billion ringgit, in a major embarrassment for the government, which is tipped to call elections this year.

Former transport minister Chan Kong Choy was charged in the Session Court on three counts of cheating in relation to the establishment of the trade zone project, the official news agency Bernama said.

Chan, who faces five years in jail if found guilty, was freed on a 1.0-million-ringgit bail and the case will return to court on March 31. He pleaded not guilty.

The former minister, who quit politics in 2008, was a senior figure in the Malaysian Chinese Association, the second-biggest party in the ruling coalition which has been in power for half a century.

Last July, another former transport minister, Ling Liong Sik, was charged with misleading the government into buying a piece of land within the zone at a cost of 720 million ringgit.

Ling, who was Chan’s predecessor, pleaded not guilty to the charge. The former port chief, O.C. Phang, is also among the clutch of high-profile figures to be felled by the scandal.

A report by the Port Klang Free Trade Zone’s external auditors has indicated the venture will be loss-making until 2029 because of the cost of paying its debts and will only break even in 2051.

Prime Minister Najib Razak has set up a taskforce to look into the affair and pledged his administration would not hinder the investigation.

Najib came to power in 2009 with a pledge to tackle corruption which is endemic in Malaysian politics and society, and a key factor behind the government’s disastrous performance in 2008 elections.

Ramon Navaratnam, the former president of Transparency International Malaysia, welcomed the charges against Chan, saying the public expected more strident action in the battle against corruption.

“It is a positive step forward. The recent fall in domestic and foreign investments can be attributed to the investors’ concern about the state of corruption in Malaysia,” he said.

“That is why this move may signal the government is serious about battling corruption.”

I’ll defeat Akunyili, Okonkwo, boasts Ngige

(Compass Newspaper)

Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) senatorial candidate for Anambra Central District, Dr. Chris Ngige, has declared that other candidates from the district, including the candidate of the All Progressive Grand Alliance, (APGA) and former Information Minister, Prof. Dora Akunyili, were no match for him.
Other contenders include the incumbent senator from the zone, Senator Annie Okonkwo, who is contesting on the platform of the Accord Party (AP).
Speaking at a press conference, yesterday, in Abuja, the former Anambra State governor, said he joined the senatorial race to ensure effective and credible representation for Ndigbo and his home state.
Ngige pointed out that the incumbent governor, Mr. Peter Obi and Akunyili hail from the same village, in Agulu, stressing that the people of his senatorial district would not accept a situation where a governor and a senator would emerge from one village in a senatorial district made up of seven local government areas.
He also hinted that the ACN may have decided on the choice of a running mate for its presidential candidate, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, denying he was ever considered for the slot.
“The party, at the moment, has a name for the position (running mate), but has not concluded talks on the individual yet,” Ngige stated.
Meanwhile, Governor Peter Obi has charged the indigenes to vote for credible and articulate candidates capable of giving the state quality representation in the national and state assemblies.
Obi gave the charge at the flag-off of the Anambra Central Zonal Campaign of APGA, at Ogidi, in Idemili Local Government Area of the state.
He said effective representation of the state at the national assembly was necessary for the state to take a prime position in national affairs.

THE LATEST INTERVIEW WITH IMO STATE GOVERNOR IKEDI OHAKIM

 

There is hardly any governor who does not have critics or opponents. Yours appear to be more pronounced. Why is this so?

I am not sure about my opponents being more pronounced than what obtains in other states. But for the sake of arguments, let us agree that I have been the subject of greater attacks than some other governors. I would say the answer is simple: my performance in office in the face of this virulent opposition is unparalleled. I have weathered the storm and done right by the people of Imo. We have taken the state from the level of hopelessness in terms of service delivery in which we met it, to the level where, for once, since Sam Mbakwe, Ndi Imo can claim to have a government at their service. So, naturally, the case of our opponents is more difficult to make and they resort to shouting louder and louder to get themselves heard. If you go through some of the things they say when they say anything, you would search in vain for substance. The only regret I have is that the media often swallow their bait and publish unverifiable things said by this people instead of asking them serious questions. But that said, we are not bothered by the noise in the media because such noise is already drowned in the praises we receive from our people. And our heads are so buried in the work for which the people of Imo have engaged us that we hear of these critics or their criticisms when the media draw our attention to it.

So, what are the real things that you would say have distinguished your administration?

It was my dream right from the moment I was given the honour of leading our people to run an entrepreneurial, ideas-driven and visionary administration. I planned that roads for roads sake, water project for its own sake or electricity for its own sake or infrastructure for their own sake would not help Imo. All must be connected in a master plan for development that would make imo the best state in Nigeria and Ndi Imo the best served by their government. Hence, even in the face of scores of litigations against the will of the people, we were neither deterred nor derailed from pursuing the vision of A NEW FACE OF IMO.

This is a vision that goes beyond the nut and bolts of buildings, roads, water schemes and so on but one that speaks to the human capital development in tandem with infrastructural development. Our people are very enterprising and the enabling environment is being created for them to realise their full potentials. We have built infrastructure and we are still building. We are building human capacity not only to utilise these infrastructure but also to sustain them. Some of the things may not look obvious today but the future, so near, when Imo would be the India within Nigeria in terms of industrial development driven by our investment in infrastructure and human capital would bear us out. To talk about the immediate however, I make bold to say that within the meagre resources at our disposal, we have put Imo on the path to sustainable development. In just under one year, our clean and green programme returned Owerri as the cleanest state capital in the country, a pronouncement made by the federal government itself. Just a few days ago, a rating by one of the major national dailies alluded to the fact that we have succeeded in keeping Owerri clean always. It was also within the first 100 days that we tackled the problem of the educational sector head on by establishing in every local government area a model classroom block. We have gone ahead to establish the Imo Children Education Fund (ICEF) to the tune of 50 billion naira in our effort to find a lasting solution to the problem of infrastructure in the schools. As I talk to you now, every primary school in the state has at least one classroom block under rehabilitation. And of course, we handed over 44 secondary schools back to their original missionary owners.

You must have also heard that in the area of road construction, we have built more roads than all the previous administrations put together. Work is on-going on the 150 kilometre interconnectivity Imo free way that cuts across 19 local governments and 500 communities. Work has also reached at an advanced stage on the 9 Kilometre Inner Ring Road with three flyovers.

We have addressed the problem of unemployment through various means especially through massive infrastructural development. But by far the most visible as you have heard is the 10, 000 job programme which has been quite successful.

Our approach to the problem of unemployment is long term and that is why we have embarked on mega projects that will yield massive job opportunities. For example, the Wonder Lake Project is expected to create over 20, 000 jobs in the first phase. It is also because we want to create opportunities for our people and bring development to our state that we decided, as a matter of deliberate policy, to engage the federal government. That way, we have succeeded in hooking Imo back to the national grid. The result is that in three years, we have been able to attract to the state projects worth nearly N300 billion.

The opposition to your second term bid is quite formidable in spite of your efforts. How are you getting around this?

Please remove the description of my opponents as formidable. They are not formidable. They are only noise makers because they have access to the media. The other day, one of the governorship candidates referred to another as an “incredible optimist”. They know themselves. They know they do not have a good grasp of issues in the state. I am not going into this election because I just want a second term. I have been asked by Ndi Imo to return to complete the work we started four years ago. If I had failed them in this first term, all the traditional rulers, community leaders, age grade members, opinion leaders, market men and women and the generality of our people would not be asking me to run. And believe me, if I was ever convinced in my mind that I did not do right by the people of Imo in the past four years and also do not have the fire in my belly to go complete the job, I will not be running. That is me, Ikedi Ohakim, for you. I am not one of those with ambition for its own sake. This state is too important and our people are too precious to be used to build a CV as some of our opponents want to do. The destiny of our people is assured in God and the Almighty would not fold His arms and allow such a destiny to be truncated by those who want power for its own sake. When we say that Imo is in the hands of God, it is not mere slogan. I genuinely believe it. I live it. The people of Imo are living it. I am not saying I alone am qualified to be governor. So many people are. But at His own time, God has chosen me as the handmaiden to fulfil His destiny for Imo. I have accepted the honour with humility and total submission to God’s will. I have stayed faithful to my commitment to our people and I am promising them more of what we have done these past four years.

 If things are as good as you have painted, why would those who were with you before be so vociferous in opposition against you?

The people you are talking about are alone in their quests. The people of Imo are almost oblivious of their persons and of course any plan they may claim to have. So, the noise you hear from them is just for a purpose: to get attention. They have no policy positions to articulate, no plan for the people’s welfare and no plan for the progress of Imo. One of them said he was going to do free education for all at all levels. Our people laughed as they asked him what the plan is and he could not outline it. Empty deceit! But the people are no fools. Talking is the easiest thing to do.

I have nothing against those who are in opposition. They are the ones who have problems with the prosperity and well-being of Ndi Imo as being championed by this administration. God, in turn, has kept my administration like a rock in their selfish, raging storm. We have continued to inspire hope in our people. With words and our deeds, we have shown the people of Imo that not a single one of them, young or old, is insignificant. Each man, woman, boy or girl, born of this land is a part of this government and has a right to a good life. I have refused to do things the old way by sitting down at a table with a few to share the people’s resources because I have sworn to do the greatest good for the greatest number. I have deliberately and consciously chosen to make the resources of Imo work for Imo so that the potentials of a people may be fulfilled. I plead guilty to an unusual passion for Imo. I plead guilty to refusal to do business as usual. I plead guilty to creating a level-playing ground for all children of Imo. I plead guilty to insisting on openness, transparency and accountability. I plead guilty to refusing to hand over the resources of Imo to just a few in gratitude for what they were in the past. I plead guilty to saying to those have-been that the glory of Ndi imo is more important than the ego of a few men. I have called on them to join hands with me but they have refused. I will continue to tell them however that they are not in opposition to me or my government but they are in opposition to the progress of Imo. Of course, they have failed.

Your opponents are not impressed by your performance so far, your view to the contrary notwithstanding, what exactly is new that you would offer Imo now?

First and foremost, you are making a mistake by placing so much emphasis on my own views or the views of the people you refer to as my opponents. These people constitute a very small percentage of the Imo populace. Leave my view and that of this small percentage and go take the views of the people of Imo who are the best judge of who their true servants are. Because it is politics, the people you refer to opposition will never acknowledge that anything has been done. But go out there to ask the people who appreciate. I tell you; the greatest thing going for us is that the people would always compare us with what was on ground before we came. It is not talking in absolute terms. The question is: How was Imo before we came and how is it now? As they would say, the difference is clear.

We met a state capital that was land-marked with mountains of hazardous wastes; we met a state over burdened by deplorable condition and complete absence of physical infrastructures, unmotorable roads and dysfunctional water schemes, dilapidated educational and health institution as well as moribund industries. We met a demoralized and ageing civil service with average age of 50 years with over 1500 teachers and civil servants including fake doctors. We met a chaotic transport system in our state capital dominated by Okada with its attendant insecurity and health hazards to our youths. Today, Imo has one of the best public transport systems. There is now order. You go to our hospitals you no longer see young men with their legs hung up and their future completely ruined as a result of motorcycle accident. The fact is, Imo is far much better today than we met it. And I challenge all those who say otherwise to a debate.    

As for the next four years, I already articulated some of our plans at the Imo Stakeholders Forum on January 4,2011 in a speech I titled ON THE THRESHOLD OF A GREAT FUTURE. Our vision is to build an economy for the state. So, the next four years will see us pursue projects that will have regenerative capacity especially in terms of creating job opportunities. Apart from the wonder lake resort project, we will complete our refinery and petrochemical project which will, of course, have massive multiplier effects.   

We are conscious of the needs of our people. We are not just in government; we are in the service of our people. I have chosen to govern with the best interest of our people at heart and I have deliberately gone round to identify these interests, their needs, hopes and aspirations. So, we are in the genuine service of Imo, not just in government. The result has been a purposeful government in the past four years. And this is the same mission that I am going to carry out in the next term.

Man Sends $200,000 To His Fake Facebook Girlfriend (SMH!)

By Kingsley N’Mezi.

Say hello to the latest online scam.

Just when people started to come around to the idea that they could not—and would not—become multimillionaires by winning a lottery online or helping a Nigerian prince to transport money into the U.S., a new online scam has apparently popped up and claimed one of its first victims. It seems crazy (because, well, it is crazy!) but a man from Illinois was recently duped out of $200,000 by someone posing as his girlfriend on Facebook. And the crazier part is that it wasn’t actually the first time he’d sent her money, either. He’d also wired smaller amounts of cash to bank accounts in the U.S., England, Malaysia and—yes—even Nigeria over the course of the last two months.

In fact, the only reason he actually caught on to the whole scam is because he went to police in Illinois after he did not hear from the “woman” for several days and feared she had been kidnapped in London. After doing some very light investigative work, police concluded that the man’s Facebook girlfriend was nothing more than a fraud. And the ID that she had provided to him when he asked for it prior to wiring the $200K? Well, that was a fraudulent document as well. Surprise, surprise.

So, how can you avoid getting defrauded out of thousands of dollars like this man? For starters, DON’T SEND MONEY TO PEOPLE YOU MEET OVER THE INTERNET. It sounds so simple, yet every year, thousands of people do it. They literally give away their money or fall for scams that seem so painfully obvious once they find out the truth. If you are thinking about sending money to someone, run the idea by someone else first. There’s a good chance a fresh perspective might help you sort things out and understand them more clearly. But, above all, realize that scams like this exist and that people who will dupe you out of your hard-earned money are out there.

It’s too late for this poor guy. But before a Facebook fraud finds you and tries to dig into your pockets, understand that scams like this one are literally one of the oldest tricks in the book. So if that person on the other side of a friend request doesn’t look familiar, hit “Deny” and keep it moving. It could be one of the best—and most cost-efficient—decisions you’ve ever made.

Basically, say hello to the Internet’s new online scam. And then say no to it.

 http://technolog.msnbc.msn.com/_news/2011/02/27/6148187-man-forks-over-200000-to-fake-online-love

 

Nigerian Footballer arrested with cocaine in India

(IANS) A Nigerian national, who used to play club football in his country, was held in the national capital with three gm of cocaine worth Rs.1.25 lakh, police said Friday. ’Ekene Okeke, who hails from Lagos in Nigeria, was held from Shalimar Bagh in north Delhi Wednesday night and three grams of cocaine worth around Rs.1.25 lakh was found on him,’ said Deputy Commissioner of Police Arun Kampani.

 

The Special Cell of Delhi Police arrested the Nigerian national for his alleged involvement in smuggling and peddling cocaine in Delhi. The accused, identified as Ekene Okeke (26), hails from Lagos. He was apprehended at Shalimar Bagh on the night of February 23, said police. 

 

The arrest came following investigation into an input that a few Nigerians were involved in supplying cocaine to clients, especially in hotels and discotheques. Okeke told police that he had come to deliver cocaine to a person on the directions of his boss, who is also a Nigerian national and is known as Prince, said a police officer. 

 

‘Following a tip-off that few Nigerians were supplying cocaine in the capital, especially in hotels and discotheques, we laid a trap and apprehended him,’ said Kampani.

During investigation, Okeke told the police that he had come to deliver cocaine on the directions of his boss, who is another Nigerian known as ‘prince’ in drug trade.

Okeke had also played for football club SUBA of Lagos.He first came to India in 2008 and met ‘prince’ who lured him into smuggling.

‘In 2008, he returned to Nigeria but came back in 2011 with an aim to make quick money through drugs,’ said the police officer. 

“Prince is very cautious while communicating with his associates and clients, and does business with clients only after proper verification or with those referred by known persons from the circle of drug users,” the police officer said. 

Okeke is a well-known football player in Nigeria, and has played for a reputed football club in Lagos, police said. On his first visit to India in 2008 Okeke met Prince, who lured the former to work for him. Okeke had gone back to Nigeria in that year, but the lure of making a quick buck by supplying drugs prompted him to come to India again this year.

When will they give Ohakim his dues?

By PINI JASON

On page 22 of Thisday of 1 February 2011, Mr. Chuks Okocha began a very interesting article titled PDP: Resolving the Anambra Logjam thus: “The choice of Governor Ikedi Ohakim of Imo State to head a presidential committee to resolve the impasse over the National Assembly primaries of the Peoples democratic Party (PDP) in Anambra State could not have come to many as a surprise.

First, Imo Sate, which Chief Ikedi Ohakim presides over, is the only state in the South East geopolitical zone in which the PDP recorded near hitch-free party primaries from the State House of Assembly to the governorship primary elections.”

“Barring the setback being experienced in the on-going voters registration exercise, the situation in Imo shows that the state is ready for the 2011 general election, even if it were held tomorrow
“This might come as a surprise to observers because a few months ago, there was concern that the state would erupt in a conflagration of uncommon dimension during the party primaries, especially within the ruling PDP. But the story turned out to be different. At the end of the primaries held last month, officials of both the PDP and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) returned to Abuja with positive reports on the leadership of the party in the state”.

I must say that the few who would be surprised by Ohakim’s global recognition are those who are not following his transformation agenda anchored on the New Face of Imo, those who have been listening to the rabble rousers in Imo, and those opponents who live in denial. I am sure the opposition in Imo went berserk after reading Mr. Okocha. That has been their problem and source of colossal failure: they resent the truth and delight in a career of lies, mudslinging, forgery, character assassination and point-and-kill joint salacious stories, no matter how scurrilous. The pity of it all is that the opposition in Imo now believes its own lies. Right now, the opposition has no meaningful agenda for Imo State, but it has bags full of lies and vituperations.

Of course, the opposition in Imo State, made up of the Alliance of ego-driven politicians with exaggerated self importance, is deaf or has not been listening to Governor Ohakim. The Governor has survived his traducers because he thinks way ahead of their ploys.

They said he could not ban okada in Owerri municipality and get away with it. He did it and heavens did not fall. Today the former okada riders are Ohakim’s best friends! They said he could not employ 10,000 new graduates because the vacancies did not exist and the fund is not there to pay them. He did it. Today the same people who said Ohakim cannot pay 10,000 graduates are offering Imo people free education at all levels! Who now is the joker? (By the way, my good friend in Ekiti, Governor Kayode Fayemi is offering 50,000 jobs!)

When he came into office, Ohakim declared a paradigm shift and insisted that it would not be business as usual. His mantra was business unusual! They either did not understand him or did not believe him. He said he would dismantle the arrogant cabal of godfathers, and they probably said “who is this boy talking?” Meanwhile, they were going to Abuja with their cache of forged papers and bag of lies to deceive Dr. Okwesilieze Nwodo, former Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). They almost misled him into dashing them the PDP Executive in Imo for making the loudest noise! But Ohakim insisted on Congress. And when INEC ordered a congress in Imo, among other States, the Alliance was rejected by Imo people.

Ohakim, from day one, insisted that votes will count in every election in Imo. Before “internal democracy” became a singsong nationwide, Ohakim had gone miles ahead to make it an element of his transformation agenda under the New Face of Imo. The Governor insisted that there would be no more writing of results in a big man’s parlour or imposition of candidates from above. We all know the upheavals that followed Local Government Elections in some states that dared to hold it. But because the 7 August 2010 Local Government election in Imo was transparent and free of imposition, the state was tranquil after the election. The exception, of course was the Alliance of yesterday men still living in Jurassic Park who condemned an election won by their own party!

The same was the case during the recent primaries. Unfortunately, those who were deceiving the people in Abuja about their popularity and how they invented and owned the PDP in Imo State, could not even wait to test their popularity among their people. They tucked their tails between their legs and ran in different directions, looking for other party platforms. If the Alliance of confusionists was not driven by selfish motives, why did all the members not flow into the same party?

Nigerians must ask certain salient questions before they swallow certain lies. It is not often that a politician who loses in a primary in a dominant party in a state is so popular to win a general election on the platform of a non-existent party in that State. This is very important, because elections are not won on the pages of the newspaper. Posters do not translate to valid votes. Abuse of persons has limited electoral value. Propaganda cannot win against facts.

Nigerians must critically examine the claims of some politicians. These paper tigers with dubious political weight are the very ones who will rush to Tribunals to tie down the winner or make strident noise about being rigged out. To such losers, an election is never free and fair. Ohakim has transformed electoral process in Imo State. In Imo state the votes count! Things are never going to be the same again for riggers and those who go to Tribunal with forged “faint” and “illegible” evidence.

•Jason writes from Anambra