A drug addict, Steven Jiya, has set his mother Comfort ablaze in Minna, the Niger State capital, after several failed attempts to kill her.
Comfort was a former Principal at the Maryam Babangida Science College Minna.
She owns a private school, where Steven is the manager.
It was learnt that Steve poured petrol on his mother while she was in the kitchen cooking in her residence behind the Total Filling Station in Durulsalam area of Kpakungu in Minna.
Nigerians have reacted to the report that Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) contacted AS Roma manager, Jose Mourinho, to take over as Super Eagles coach.
Naija News earlier reported that NFF President, Amaju Pinnick, had said the federation held talks with Mourinho and Serbian Mladen Krstajic in a bid to get a top-class coach for the national team.
Pinnick while speaking with sports journalists in Lagos said the National team would get a new coach within the next week or thereabout.
He further stated that Portuguese Jose Peseiro, a former Real Madrid assistant coach and FC Porto head coach, was on the three-man shortlist for the Eagles coaching job.
Reacting, Nigerians have taken to social media to express their views on the claim made by the NFF president.
Some Twitter users slammed Pinnick and the NFF members for embarking on a fruitless journey while others were unconcerned about the news.
Below are some of the reactions culled online:
@eebig6 wrote: “They met him to advise and refer someone for the Job. According to a rumour, Mourinho suggested Venezuela coach, his fellow Portuguese.”
@kingrichwise wrote: “This man Pinnick wan really take Nigerians do picnic Face with tears of joy
Can’t imagine what even come through his mind or the entire NFF to have to think of approaching Mourinho.
Scam process Police cars revolving light Nigerians should watch out.”
@MosesIbhas wrote: “Africans amazes me. You mean no one is qualified for the job within the nation? Mourinho didn’t wake up to be who he is today, opportunities were given him to prove his worth. If Oliseh failed don’t stop there try anoda retired super eagle and bring the best out him. Wat of JJ?”
@Mikkyoko wrote: “You wan see Crazy abi, Mourinho way no get joy when it comes to Money matter.”
@Teri4PF wrote: “You owed Rohr over 10 months salary. Na Mourinho wey don make over £130m through getting sacked una wan go collect? I laugh in football heritage.”
@Ruinin_football: “You sack Rorh for playing boring pragmatic football, and now you want to appoint another defensive manager.”
@Amaju18: “What are u meeting him for. Why do we reduce the crises of our football to coaches alone?”
@irigo_m wrote: “The way I burst into laughter. NFF is trying to be serious or trying to accomplish an impossible task?”
The Super Eagles of Nigeria interim head coach, Augustine Eguavoen, on Saturday named a 28-man squad for the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations.
Naija News reports that the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) disclosed the provisional list of players ahead of the tournament holding in Cameroon next month.
Among those called up are; Huesca’s Kelechi Nwakali, Union Berlin’s Taiwo Awoniyi, Almeria striker Sadiq Umar and in-form Watford forward Emmanuel Dennis all made the cut.
There is however no place for Venezia’s Tyronne Ebuehi in the Super Eagles squad.
Nigeria will tackle Egypt, Guinea-Bissau and Sudan in group D at the 2021 AFCON.
FULL SQUAD:
Goalkeepers:
Francis Uzoho (AC Omonia, Cyprus); John Noble (Enyimba FC); Daniel Akpeyi (Kaizer Chiefs, South Africa); Maduka Okoye (Sparta Rotterdam, The Netherlands)
Defenders:
Chidozie Awaziem (Alanyaspor FC, Turkey); Kenneth Omeruo (CD Leganes, Spain); Leon Balogun (Glasgow Rangers, Scotland); William Ekong (Watford FC, England); Olaoluwa Aina (Torino FC, Italy); Jamilu Collins (SC Padeborn 07, Germany); Abdullahi Shehu (AC Omonia, Cyprus); Zaidu Sanusi (FC Porto, Portugal); Olisa Ndah (Orlando Pirates, South Africa)
Midfielders:
Frank Onyeka (Brentford FC, England); Joseph Ayodele-Aribo (Glasgow Rangers, Scotland); Wilfred Ndidi (Leicester City, England); Chidera Ejuke (CSKA Moscow, Russia); Kelechi Nwakali (SD Huesca, Spain)
Forwards:
Ahmed Musa (Fatih Karagumruk, Turkey); Samuel Chukwueze (Villarreal FC, Spain); Victor Osimhen (Napoli FC, Italy); Moses Simon (FC Nantes, France); Sadiq Umar (UD Almeria, Spain); Taiwo Awoniyi (Union Berlin, Germany); Odion Jude Ighalo (Al-Shabab Riyadh, Saudi Arabia); Alex Iwobi (Everton FC, England); Kelechi Iheanacho (Leicester City, England); Emmanuel Dennis (Watford FC, England).
Director of Army Public Relations, Brigadier General Onyema Nwachukwu left; a corps member holding a ring as he knelt to ask the female soldier to marry him.
The family of a youth corper simply identified as Remi, who proposed to a female soldier, Private Sofiyat Akinlabi, at the National Youth Service Corps Orientation Camp in Yikpata, Kwara State, has said that the duo started their friendship three years ago in Abeokuta, Ogun State.
According to the family member, Remi and Akinlabi’s friendship started in Abeokuta over three years ago before the latter joined the military.
The Nigerian Army had detained Akinlabi on December 14, 2021, when viral video clips showed her accepting the marriage proposal of Remi at the camp in Yikpata, Kwara State.
The lovebirds had shared a hug and kiss to the delight of other corpers at the Mammy market.
The Director of Army Public Relations, Brigadier General Onyema Nwachukwu, told our correspondent that Akinlabi’s action amounted to taking advantage of her trainee, noting that the public would have been outraged and accused the Army of coercion had a male soldier proposed to a female corper during NYSC parade.
He said, “The female soldier in question violated the following rules of the NA: fraternisation while on official duty at the NYSC camp. That is, indulging in an amorous relationship with a trainee. Personnel must have served for three years before he/she can qualify for marriage.”
Speaking on the condition of anonymity because of the nature of the matter, the close family member of the corps member told Saturday PUNCH that they had lost each other’s contact, but was surprisingly brought together by fate at the NYSC camp late November.
He said, “They have known each other before they got to camp. They met in Abeokuta over three years ago before she joined the Army but lost contact sometimes ago. Meeting on NYSC camp was like a reunion.
“They have been friends all along and Remi thought it wise to seize the opportunity of their meeting again to propose to her. He had to walk up to her as a man and not worry about her new status as a soldier because she would eventually get married.
“He got the courage and proposed to her out with a ring which she accepted. The whole thing was totally a surprise to her.
“It happened after the passing out parade on December 14, 2021. She was at the Mammy Market pressing her phone, she was just on her own and she never knew something of such would happen.
“When he walked up to her, she was over joyous and dumfounded at the same time. She is a lady and her reactions were triggered by emotions. Like men, women are still emotional beings no matter who they are.
“Remi was not holding any phone and did not record the moment. He didn’t post anything on social media and she didn’t also post it on social media. It was the fellow corpers around that did the posting on social media.”
Asked why Remi preferred Akinlabi, who is a soldier, the family source said, “He can’t explain his love for her because they so connected emotionally when they met again and he believes it is true love.”
The NYSC Director-General, Brig.-Gen. Ibrahim Shuaibu, had during a briefing in Abuja on December 21, 2021, said though the scheme “encourage(s) them to inter-marry, we have never had a situation where a corps member will go and propose (to a soldier).”
He added that the Army won’t joke with its traditions.
‘Romantic soldier may be sentenced to one-month punishment after trial’
Asked whether the soldier has been released, an impeccable military source, who craved anonymity because he was not allowed to speak on the matter, told Saturday PUNCH that Akinlabi would be tried in line with extant military laws.
The military source said upon trial, Akinlabi might be sentence to one-month punishment.
He said, “She will go through summary trial because the offence she committed is not a grievous offence that will attract court-martial.
“During her trial, if she is able to prove that she was not the one who did that (posted on social media), they might overlook it but if she had not violated the military laws by fraternising with the corper, that wouldn’t have happened.”
According to the military official, there is a law guiding soldiers and officers when it comes to marriage.
He said, “There is an extant provision in the harmonised terms and conditions of service for soldiers, ratings and airmen. The provision has been there for years. If you are a soldier, whether male or female, you are not allowed to marry in the first three years of your service.
“It is a law and it is not contestable because the first three years of service, you will be engaged as a soldier, you cannot marry. The law is there and all recruits are told at the point of joining the Armed Forces.
“Also, no soldier is allowed to marry before joining the force. Some people conceal their marriage status, but if it is known, they will charge you for perjury.
“Even after three years in service and you want to marry, you must write to your commanding officer, informing him that you want to get married and the commanding officer will make some enquiries. ‘This officer, this soldier, how is his/her way of life? Is he or she ready for marriage? If she/he marries, hope the marriage will not distract him/her from his military works?’
“When the commanding officer is convinced, he will approve it and then the soldier or officer will start his or her process of getting married.
“If an officer wants to get married to a soldier, one of them must leave the service, but an officer can marry an officer and a soldier can marry a soldier; there is no problem in that. Aside from that, an officer or a soldier, whether male or female, can marry any decent civilian.”
Family appeals
Meanwhile, the family source, who said Remi had been very devastated since the arrest of his lover, begged the military to release Akinlabi.
“We appeal to the Nigerian Army to tamper justice with mercy and release her. She is a woman and she has emotions. We don’t want her to be dismissed; we want her to continue her job in the military,” the source said.
In a related development, civil society organisations, including the Women Empowerment & Legal Aid, chaired by Funmi Falana, have called on the Chief of Army Staff, Lt. General Farouk Yahaya, to respect the decision of Akinlabi to accept Remi’s proposal.
She argued that no male soldier had been punished for proposing to a love interest in public as seen on social media.
She, therefore, declared as illegal, the detention of Akinlabi.
Also, two petitions on Change.org platform by activists Deji Adeyanju of Concerned Nigerians and Omoyele Sowore of Revolution Now have attracted over 10,000 signatures.
The petitioners shared photos of male soldiers proposing to their love interests in uniform on Facebook and called for the release of Akinlabi.
Popular Celebrity designer and stylist, Toyin Lawani, has revealed that actress Toyin Abraham paid for the wedding dress of her colleague, Adebimpe Oyebade.
Lawani took to her Instagram page on Friday where she shared beautiful photos of the dress while appreciating Toyin Abraham.
Adebimpe got married to Nollywood actor, Adedimeji Lateef last Wednesday in a star-studded event in Lagos.
Talking about the dress, Lawani said, “@mo_bimpe Nikai wedding dress, designed by the fashion goddess via @elegantebytiannah styling courtesy of @toyin_abraham.
“I was just randomly discussing with her that I was making three dresses for Bimpe and I was so busy this time.”
“Next thing she said, ‘she’s my God Daughter o, let me pay for her wedding dress,’ and you know I charge millions.
“So, she did the transfer boom! and I made this masterpiece happen. Thanks, Toyin, you are a wonderful friend. Well, everyone say thank you to @toyin_abraham. God bless you.”
Activist and Publisher, Omoyele Sowore on Friday criticised former military president, General Ibrahim Babangida (rtd), for endorsing Vice President Prof. Yemi Osinbajo to contest for the office of president in the 2023 general elections.
POLITICS NIGERIA recalls that Babangida had on Thursday expressed his support for Osinbajo when a pressure group, Osinbajo Grassroots Organisation (OGO), paid him a courtesy visit at his Hilltop Residence in Minna, Niger State.
“I know the vice president very well. He is a good man. I have spoken with him a couple of times; he is a good person. We need a good man like Osinbajo at the helm of affairs of this country – someone people can learn from; someone people of goodwill share a common conviction with. He has this great passion for the country and I want other Nigerians to emulate his passion for the good of our country,” Babangida had said.
Reacting, staunch government critic, Sowore fired Nigeria’s past and present rulers.
“Retired, Sick and Tired Babangida “endorses” cowardly Baba Kekere Professor Yemi Osinbajo and he’s jumping all over the place. Why not ask IBB why he couldn’t even get to two PDP party primaries? Jokers!” he wrote on his verified Facebook page.
The federal government on Friday, announced that there will free train services from between December 24 and January 4, 2022.
The Nigeria Railway Corporation (NRC) Spokesperson, Mr. Mahmood Yakub, disclosed this in a statement.
The free train services are between the routes of Abuja-Kaduna , Lagos-Ibadan , Warri-Itakpe, Kano-Lagos; Minna-Kaduna and Aba-Port Harcourt.
The NRC Managing Director, Engr. Fidet Okhiria, urged Nigerians to maximize the opportunity while urging them to observe covid-19 protocol.
“The decision which was made in collaboration with the Ministry of Transportation, is to ease movement of citizens during the yuletide.
“This is to help ease the cost of transportation and enable citizens move easily enjoy the festive period.
“Passengers are, however, advised to ensure they obtain their tickets from appropriate quarters at no cost, to enable them gain access and enter the trains.
“All passengers are also enjoined to observe and obey COVID-19 rules by wearing of face mask, washing and sanitising of hands,” he said.
Nollywood veteran actor, Chiwetalu Agu who was arrested by the Department of State Service, DSS, for donning a Biafran outfit has unveiled his new rising sun outfit.
Naija News recalls that the 65-year-old actor was arrested in Upper Iweka Bridge by soldiers in October while carrying out a charity activity, for wearing a Biafra-themed outfit, in Onitsha, Anambra State.
He was, however, released but rearrested by the Department of State Services.
The actor who promised to make a new outfit of the rising sun was seen with a new attire with the inscription ‘Rising sun’.
It would be recalled that the comic actor revealed that the soldiers and DSS operatives treated him with respect while in detention.
He said: “It didn’t start well but God took control. I was only buying bread for the poor. Soldiers came in and started scattering things. They said they are calling me in the office but they did not tell me my offence. Because they did not tell me my offence, I refused to follow them.
“That drama that took place was important so that they will know that Igbo are here. That moment of Upper Iweka till the time we got to the army barracks close to Zik Mausoleum, to 82 Division of the Nigerian Army and to DSS office in Abuja, nobody touched me. They treated me with respect.
“Every officer wanted to be involved in the case so that they can have the opportunity to interact with Chinwetalu Agu.”
DSS released him following the intervention of the Actors Guild of Nigeria, AGN.
The loan is meant to ensure speedy completion of projects like the Lekki-Epe Expressway.
The approval was granted at a sitting presided over by the Speaker of the House, Rt. Hon. (Dr) Mudashiru Obasa, after a report on the loan request was laid and presented by the chairman of the House Committee on Finance, Hon. Rotimi Olowo.
Giving further information on the report, Hon. Olowo told his colleagues that the loan facility comes with an interest rate of five percent in the first two years and nine percent in subsequent years, with a two-year moratorium.
Many of the lawmakers who contributed to the debate supported that the facility be approved as it would further help the State sustain its mega-city status.
They commended the State Government for its proactiveness, saying that the loan will bring immense infrastructural benefits to Lagos.
They further said that the loan was favourable considering the conditions that come with it.
In his contribution, the chairman of the House Committee on Information, Hon. Setonji David, noted that the loan has a single-digit interest rate with a repayment period of 30 years.
He said the project for which the loan was being sought would drive sustainable economic growth and development in the State.
Speaker Obasa, after a voice vote of the lawmakers in support of the approval, directed the Acting Clerk of the House, Mr. Olalekan Onafeko, to send a clean copy of the approval to the Governor.
Meanwhile, Speaker Obasa has described Nigeria as a blessed nation loved by God in a message released by his media office in commemoration of the 2021 Christmas celebration.
Dr. Obasa urged Christians and other Nigerians to continue to replicate this love from God in their daily activities as love is what the country needs at this phase of its journey to greatness.
“Jesus Christ, the celebrated face of the Christians around the world, preached and taught love as one of the greatest commandments from God.
“If we think deeply, we will understand that love is an ultimate solution to the many challenges facing mankind.
“All the commandments that God handed man can be summarised into the need to love Him and love our neighbours.
“There is, therefore, no gainsaying that if we maintain our resolve, individually and collectively, to love one another as emphasised by Jesus, the world would be a better place,” the Speaker said.
While urging Christians not to relent in their prayers for Nigeria, he advised Lagosians and other citizens of the country to ensure a peaceful celebration, remain conscious of their environment and continue to adhere to COVID-19 rules.
Eromosele Ebhomele
Chief Press Secretary to the Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly.
Edith Onwuchekwa, director, legal and company secretary at Seplat, announced this in a corporate filing on Thursday.
This is coming a month after Bryant Orjiako, chairman of Seplat Energy Plc, said he will step down from his position in 2022.
Onwuchekwa said the board approved Avuru’s termination on Wednesday due to “breaches of the company’s corporate governance policies and his fiduciary duties”.
The statement further added that Platform Petroleum Limited, which operates as an integrated oil and gas production, processing, and marketing chain, would nominate a candidate that will serve in his stead.
“In line with Seplat Energy’s Memorandum and Articles of Association, Platform Petroleum Limited has been asked to nominate a candidate for his replacement on the board, and a further announcement will be made in due course,” the statement reads.
Austin Avuru had retired as founder and chief executive officer (CEO) of Seplat Petroleum Development Company Plc on July 31, 2020, but had remained on the board as a non-executive director.
He was the pioneer managing director of Seplat before he moved to become the CEO.
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