A former Super Eagles player, Justice Christopher has died in a hotel.
The forty-year-old made his debut for the Super Eagles in 2001 with 11 appearances.
He participated at the 2002 FIFA World Cup, featuring in all Nigeria’s three games before elimination.
According to reports, Christopher collapsed in his hotel room in Gwolshe, off Tudunwada Ring Road in Plateau State.
He had reportedly been diagnosed with high blood pressure.
Christopher played for Katsina United, Sharks F.C., Bendel Insurance, Antwerp (Belgium) between 2001–02; Levski Sofia (Bulgaria) between 2002-2004, Trelleborgs FF (Sweden) in 2004, Alania Vladikavkaz in Russia and Herfølge Boldklub in Denmark in 2005 and 2006 respectively.
More than 13 soldiers have been killed by bandits in Zuru Emirate of Kebbi State, northwest Nigeria.
Society gazette reports that the incident on Tuesday follows Sunday evening’s bloodbath in the same area where the terrorists killed 63 members of the volunteer security group popularly known as Yan-Sa-Kai.
Details of this attack on soldiers is still sketchy, but this newspaper scooped that the bandits were fleeing from military airstrikes in neighbouring Niger State.
At least 63 vigilantes from five communities of Kebbi State were confirmed dead after bandits ambushed them Sunday evening.
Traditional rulers of two of the affected communities told BBC Hausa that the vigilantes were ambushed while chasing the bandits who had attacked the communities.
But additional sources from Sakaba Local Government Area of the state said the number of casualties was higher.
Remains of the victims who were killed in the wee hours of Monday have since been buried amid tears and condemnation.
The president of the United States, Joe Biden on Wednesday boasted that his Russian counterpart, Vladimir Putin, will never subdue Ukraine following a military operation in the country which began on February 24 and has left about 570 persons dead according to the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, OCHA.
Biden, however admitted that a portion of the Ukrainian territory may come under Putin’s full control but not the entire country.
“This much is already clear: Ukraine will never be a victory for Putin. Putin may be able to take a city — but he will never be able to hold the country,” he stated in a Twitter post.
Biden’s comment is apparently on the stiff economic sanctions imposed on Russia by the US, Western Allies and the European Union, EU including the United Kingdom.
But Putin had already waved them aside insisting that his directive in Ukraine was “going as planned”.
After Russia’s military seized a nuclear plant in Ukraine (Zaporizhzhia) last week, Maria Zakharova, Russian Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman, is now accusing the US of concealing biological weapons in Ukraine.
“We can conclude that components of biological weapons were being developed in Ukrainian laboratories in direct proximity to Russian territory,” she stated on Tuesday.
But Ukraine’s Energy Minister, Herman Halushchenko, alleged that Russia positioned 500 soldiers inside the nuclear plant for the purpose of spreading propaganda.
While presidents on various sides keeps apportioning blames, civilians have been displaced.
“2 million people have now fled. Unless the war is stopped, the same will be true for many more,” the UN refugee agency tweeted on Wednesday.
The Office of the Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator (ERC), told the United Nations Security Council, recently that the death toll on Ukrainian territory is about 570.
“After 13 days of intense fighting, civilian casualties continue to mount across the country. Between 4 a.m. on 24 February and midnight on 7 March, the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) reports at least 1,335 civilian casualties, including 474 killed, although the actual number of civilian casualties is likely much higher. OHCHR reports 545 casualties in Donetska and Luhanska oblasts (72 killed and 337 injured in Government-controlled areas, GCA, and 24 killed and 112 injured in non-Government-controlled areas, NGCA) and 790 civilian casualties in other regions of Ukraine,” it stated in a statement on Tuesday.
Thirteen governors elected on the platform of the All Progressive Congress (APC) are set on a collision course with their remaining counterparts in the party as they insist that Yobe State Governor, Mai mala Buni retains his role as the Chairman of the party’s Caretaker Extraordinary Convention Planning Committee (CECPC).
The governors also threatened to abandon the broom party, if the decision taken at the National Executive Council of APC in 2020 that Buni should head the party until the national convention is held, is not respected by President Muhammad Buhari and other members of the Progressive Governors Forum (PGF).
Internal wrangling in the party came to a boil on Monday with a faction of the APC governors claiming that President Muhammadu Buhari has named Niger State Governor, Abubakar Sani Bello as Buni’s replacement to head the CECPC.
Our reporter gathered that the 13 governors, who met in Abuja Monday night, contemplated leaving the APC for another political party as their future would be uncertain in their current party if what they described as “the ongoing illegality is allowed to stand”.
Another option on the table, which is being seriously weighed by the Governors is teaming up with the opposition People Democratic Party (PDP) as three of them defected to the APC from PDP.
The governors are reportedly upset with the way their colleagues in the “cabal” are belittling them in the decision-making of the party after first losing out on the fixing of a date for APC’s national convention and are now facing further humiliation with the attempted imposition of Governor Abubakar Bello of Niger State, as the CECPC chairman.
One of the Governors from the northeast geo-political zone protested that, “The cabal formed by our other colleagues has suffocated the life out of APC. The party has been reduced to the equivalent of a drug-dealing gang where decisions are now based on who can manipulate President (Muhammadu) Buhari better.
“Even if APC governors were constituted into a kind of electoral college to make decisions for the party, which is not the case, there is no way seven is greater than thirteen. When you have only seven governors forcing their decision on thirteen governors of equal jurisdiction then you know there is a problem.
“So, what we are saying is that we are ready for them. We are not saying that Mai mala Buni should not stop being the Chairman of CECPC, but our point is that there must be due process. There is the proper way to go about it, not some character sneaking to the President to snitch in the dark of the night and then come out throwing the President’s name around.
“If they want us to fall out with them as fellow APC Governors then we are ready. But this thing about being dictatorial must stop. It is a democracy, and the APC must run as a democracy. Or else there is no example we are showing anybody as leaders”.
Meanwhile, the 13 governors had their various Attorneys General write legal opinions on the illegality of what happened at the party’s secretariat on Monday.
Though Governor Bello has maintained that he was only acting as Chairman, since Buni was yet to return from his Dubia medical leave.
But with the inauguration of state chapter’s chairmen and reception of zoning committee report by Bello on Monday, pundits pointed to the fact that he was playing a script written by the seven governors, on behalf of Buhari.
The Presidency is yet to make any official statement on the status of Governor Bello and the fate of Buni.
The Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu on Tuesday revealed that the Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) that the late Oluwabamishe Ayanwole boarded doesn’t have an in-built camera.
The Lagos State Governor made the revelation while briefing newsmen at the Mobolaji Johnson Arena in Onikan to commemorate International Women’s Day.
According to him, the particular bus is one of the locally-built ones brought in to augment those imported for the BRT service.
Governor Sanwo-Olu however assured that justice will be done on the matter and those responsible for the death of the 22-year-old fashion designer will pay for their actions.
“There were inbuilt cameras and trackers in buses procured abroad for BRT operations. But those acquired locally to shore up the BRT fleet did not have cameras.
“The particular bus in which the slain victim rode was one of the buses locally supplied,” a statement signed by Sanwo-Olu’s spokesman, Gboyega Akosile, read.
Meanwhile, the driver of the bus, Omininikoron Nice, which Bamise boarded on February 26 has since been arrested and is in police custody.
The Lagos State Police Command said Nice was arrested in a hideout in Ogun State.
The Commissioner of Police, Abiodun Alabi, made this known on Monday during a parade of the suspect at the command headquarters.
Alabi stated that Andrew was arrested by the Department of State Services, DSS, shortly after the lifeless body of Bamise was found and identified.
The police boss stated that Bamise’s corpse was found lying on the Carter Bridge by Ogogoro community in the Lagos Island area of the state.
The Buhari-led federal government has approved the allocation of houses for 22 Super Eagles team members which was promised to them by General Sani Abacha in 1994.
Twenty-eight years after the promise was made by Abacha, Buhari has decided to fulfill it.
The president, represented by the Minister of State for Science, Technology, and Innovation, Mr. Muhammed Abdullahi, stated this at Lafia, Nasarawa State, during the commissioning of the completed homes under the administration’s National Housing Programme initiative.
Abdullahi explained that the completion of the housing projects was the fulfillment of the promise of change made by the Buhari administration.
He praised Nasarawa State, for providing the land for the project, maintaining that the housing projects provided contracts for the Micro, Small, and Medium businessmen and women who provided employment for people through the engagement of skilled and unskilled workers thereby unleashing a value chain of economic activities that have made a positive impact on the lives of ordinary Nigerians.
He said: ‘These are some of the people our country remains committed to moving towards prosperity and away from poverty and we are already reaching them by providing opportunities for employment for those who were hitherto unemployed.’
The First lady of Akwa Ibom State, Martha Udom Emmanuel on Tuesday advised Nigerian women to boycott the 2023 general elections if their demands are not accepted.
Society gazette reports that the first lady made this known while addressing protesters of gender imbalance in Nigeria’s political sphere, at the gate of the National Assembly in Abuja during the celebration of the 2022 International Women Day.
In her remarks, Mrs Udom Emmanuel said: “With my colleagues and all the women in Nigeria, we join our voice to say No Bad Governance .all we are asking for, is to give us 35% of party leadership. We are not asking much.
“We are asking the men that are meant to sign the bill to do it. We are not second class citizens; we are first class citizens as the men are.
“We have waited for them under rain and sun for them to recommit the bill and together as women we must get what we are here for.”
International Women’s Day (March 8) is a global day celebrating the social, economic, cultural, and political achievements of women. The day also marks a call to action for accelerating women’s equality.
Former Senator Ademola Adeleke was on Tuesday declared winner of the governorship primary election of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Osun State.
Adeleke who is an uncle to Music star, Davido, is set to represent the PDP in the keenly contested guber elections against the incumbent governor, Gboyega Oyetola of the All Progressives Congress, APC.
The governorship election is scheduled to hold on July 16.
The Primaries held at the 10,000 capacity Oshogbo stadium was also contested by Dotun Babayemi. POLITICS NIGERIA recalls that Adeleke emerged the flagbearer of the party in 2018 but lost to Oyetola.
Justice Must Be Done On Bamise Ayanwole’s Case – Speaker Obasa, Lawmakers
The Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Mudashiru Obasa, on Tuesday promised that the legislative arm of the State Government must ensure justice in the case of the alleged murder of Bamise Ayanwole.
Obasa said this while addressing some protesters who stormed the House to urge the lawmakers to act on the case of the victim.
The 22-year-old was reportedly killed inside a Bus Rapid Transit vehicle on her way from the Lekki area of the State recently.
The protesters, who came to the Assembly with the immediate elder sister of the deceased, said it was painful that such an incident happened. They also called for more efforts by the government to ensure the security of lives and property.
Obasa, who said he and his colleagues were very concerned about the incident, sympathised with the family and friends of the victim.
While urging Nigerians not to preempt the police which is investigating the case, he said the House would continue to follow up to ensure justice is served appropriately.
“The erroneous belief that it would be swept under the carpet is unnecessary. The driver has been arrested and is in custody.
“We are watching and must ensure justice is done on the case. The Governor has spoken about it and I just want to appeal that we work together to get justice.
“We will do everything to make sure that justice is served. Justice must be served. And everybody in Lagos must be protected,” he told the protesters.
Earlier during plenary, the Speaker urged Nigeria, its citizens and leaders to use the opportunity of the International Women’s Day to address whatever is lacking in the push for equity for women.
Commending women for their resilience and importance, Obasa, however, expressed sadness that the women have become victims of heinous crimes.
“As a government, we must look inward to see the areas that are beneficial to the women. Women have become victims of violence and other crimes. What have we done for the emancipation of our women? How much of our women have we lost during child birth?
“We must encourage our women to be successful and live better,” he said.
He charged all the committees of the House to work for the benefit of women in the State.
Eromosele Ebhomele
Chief Press Secretary to the Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly.
Photos 1-3: Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Mudashiru Obasa, with his colleagues addressing protesters and relations of Bamise Ayanwole.
Lanre Teriba bill for American Tour …To perform at ICCS Summit
For his unfailing talent and consistency, handsome gospel artist, Lanre Teriba who is better known Atorise, ranks among the high profile and long-standing gospel singers around. Aside release of albums, ceaseless weekly engagements, one other factor that has made the popular singer remained relevant, is knowing how to keep up with his fans around the world and that explains why he embarks on foreign tour annually.
Meanwhile, as the new year progresses, the Ogun state versatile singer is already in a mood to embark on a tour of the United State of America. The tour that will be kicking off May is tagged, Breakthrough. The tour is designed to make him perform across 21 cities in the United States of America.
The tour kicks off in May as Teriba headlines events in Houston, Texas to celebrate Memorial Day weekend. The award winning musician will continue to spread gospel of his music at the Summer 2022 African Pop-Up Festival in New York taking place from the 25th – 26th of June.
The Summer 2022 African Pop-Up Festival is one of several annual festivals including the African Restaurant Week “Food & Music” Festival produced by Akin Akinsanya in celebration of African music, food and culture across America.
Various promoters in America have also booked him to perform at concerts in Indianapolis, Minneapolis, Chicago, Dallas, Miami, Philadelphia and many more cities.
Speaking on the tour, Teriba said he’s excited about the tour as he revealed he eagerly looks forward to commence the tour as he can’t wait to see his teeming fans in America.
“I must confess I am so happy about this particular tour. Of course, it is not my first time of doing my thing in the States but I am particularly happy the world is healing and opening up after the pandemic that practically brought the world to a halt. My heart genuinely goes out to lives that were lost during that period, but at the end, we still have to give glory to God for everything. That is why I look forward to seeing my fans throughout America like never before”. Lanre said.
“ I can also promise this tour is going to be a totally new experience”. He concluded.
It is anticipated that this tour will be record breaking amongst Nigerian musicians as Teriba will be among other international Gospel artists to perform at the International Cultural & Music Convention – ICMC night at the ICCS SUMMIT in Washington DC from the 26th of August – 28th of August hosted by All Christian Network.
On another note, amiable Teriba who has made several appearances as an actor in a number of movies, is currently up to a new thing. Although, details of the whole thing are still being jealously guided but it was learnt Lanre just wrapped up from a movie location where he was for some time. It was also learnt his role in the movie would definitely redefine him as an actor when the effort is finally released.
