2013 Hajj: Zamfara drops 366 intending Pilgrims

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The Zamfara Government on Wednesday announced that it would drop 366 intending pilgrims to the 2013 Hajj in Saudi Arabia. The Deputy Governor and Chairman of the state Task Force Committee on Hajj, Malam Ibrahim Wakkala, stated this in Gusau after the committee’s meeting. He told newsmen that the reduction was a result of the 20 per cent cut in the number of pilgrims performing this year’s Hajj by the Saudi Authorities. Wakkala said the situation would bring down the number of Zamfara pilgrims from 4,088 to 3, 712. He disclosed that over 5000 intending pilgrims had registered with the committee and that a total of 4,441 had paid their fares for the trip to Saudi Arabia. The deputy governor assured that those performing the Hajj for the first time would be given priority, while those that missed the chance to travel would be given high consideration in 2014. Wakkala said that the state government had made adequate arrangements for the success of this year’s pilgrimage.

Bishop Nwabueze Nabbed For molesting And Impregnating 15-Year Old Girl

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Chairman of All Bishops in Rivers State, Bishop Chibuike Nwabueze, was arrested and paraded yesterday [Jul. 2] by the state Police Command for molesting and impregnating a 15-year old girl.
Also paraded was a fake doctor, Kazeem Abimbola, who was held for allegedly conducting an abortion on the victim, on the directives of the bishop.

The Bishop, who confessed to the crime before newsmen, said he was hypnotised, adding that he was set up. He denied molesting the underage girl, but admitted that she removed her clothes after he finished praying for her in the office and before he could shout ‘the blood of Jesus’, he was already all over the girl.

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Governor Amaechi Escapes Death As Suspicious Vehicle Rams Into His Convoy

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The Rivers State Governor Rt. Hon. Rotimi Amaechi early this evening miraculously escaped unhurt as a suspicious vehicle rammed into his convoy along Igwuruta road on the Governor’s way to the Port Harcourt International Airport.

According to eyewitness account, the accident was caused by the intrusion of a Toyota Avensis with registration number AAA 767 AQ that rammed into the Governor’s convoy from the opposite side of the dual carriageway, just after the C4I Security Post along the Port Harcourt International Airport Road.

Dotcom Warns New Zealand Against Illegal Spying

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Megaupload founder Kim Dotcom flew into Wellington on Wednesday (July 3) in his private helicopter to attend New Zealand parliament’s intelligence and security committee hearing chaired by Prime Minister John Key.

It placed Dotcom face-to-face with the leader for the first time since his arrest during a dramatic raid on Dotcom’s home outside Auckland in January 2012.

As ongoing revelations of U.S. spying shed more light on a secretive, Washington-led intelligence-sharing alliance, the victim of illegal spying by member nation New Zealand warned against following the United States into “the dark ages of spying”.

100 Years After, Lokoja Still Asleep!

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With barely some months away from to the celebration of Nigeria Centenary and as Lokoja, the administrative capital in the amalgamation of Northern Protectorate and Southern Protectorate to form Nigeria in 1914, one wonders what is and has happens to Lokoja in 100 years after?

It behooves a visitor to Lokoja, to ask, is this the same city that Lord Fredrick Lugard presides over Nigeria as the Governor-General? It definitely left a sour taste in most visitors and first time visitors to Lokoja, describe as a Confluence city, with famous historical sites and captivating hill, one would have thought Lokoja would have become a tourists destination, attracting visitor and tourists across the planet. 

Mount Patti, Lord Fredrick Lugard's residence, office and tomb remains a historical sites and monuments, yet untapped by both the state government and investors. Lokoja metropolis remains lifeless at 10:00pm. Making phone calls in Lokoja remains a mirage, as Internet Cafes remain scattered and exhortation. A recent drive around Lokoja portray the city as " A City Asleep After 10:00pm!" as Nigeria first administrative capital, one thing you cannot take away from Lokoja is the various drinking joints scattered across the city center, note of worthy is Crowther Memorial road, the road hosts; NUJ State Secretariat, Old Lord Fredrick Lugard [opposite Lokoja Township Stadium], National Commissions for Museum and Monuments. 

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World Bank Approves ₦48,000,000,000 ($300,000,000) To Boost Farming In Nigeria

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The World Bank, yesterday, said it has approved credit facilities of $300 million for Nigeria to boost farming output and food security.  A $200 million loan will go to small-holder farmers organised in clusters in six of the country’s 36 states for producers of rice, cassava, sorghum and other staples, the World Bank said.

Another $100 million will be used to improve crop yields, promote market access and better management.  Nigeria is the world’s second-largest importer of rice and sub-Saharan Africa’s biggest wheat and sugar buyer. President Goodluck Jonathan’s government plans to stop rice imports, now costing 1 billion naira a day ($6.2 million), by 2015.

Hidden microphone found in London embassy - Ecuador

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A hidden microphone was found in Ecuador's embassy in London, where WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange is holed up, Ecuador's foreign minister said. Ricardo Patino said the origin of the bug would be revealed Wednesday and explanations demanded of the country involved.

He did not elaborate.The bug was found in a routine search ahead of his visit to London on June 16, he told reporters.The microphone was found in the office of the ambassador Ana Alban.

Patino said he was not insinuating that the bug was linked to the saga surrounding fugitive US intelligence leaker Edward Snowden, who has applied for asylum in Ecuador.

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Human head transplants may Soon become a Reality

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Transplantation of one head to another could be very possible in the future, as according to Dr. Sergio Canavero, technical barriers can be defeated. More recently, the doctor, who is part of the Turin Advanced Neuromodulation Group, pointed out that head transplants were done in a successful manner on animals since the 1970s.

Issues that have come to surface with the experimental procedure done on animals, was the inability to remove their spinal cords to a new body. As a result, this left them paralyzed. Dr. Canavero states that advances in connecting spinal cords which are cut surgically, means doing such a transplants should be technically possible in humans.

“The greatest technical hurdle to [a head transplant] is of course the reconnection of the donor’s (D)’s and recipients (R)’s spinal cords. It is my contention that the technology only now exists for such linkage…. [S]everal up to now hopeless medical connections might benefit from such a procedure,” Canavero wrote down in his paper.

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Family files criminal charges against Mandela grandson over graves

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South African police confirmed on Tuesday that criminal charges had been filed against Mandla Mandela, Nelson Mandela's grandson, over allegations of "tampering with a grave."

The case is part of a wider question of where Nelson Mandela will be buried when he dies.

The criminal charges add to an ongoing civil suit being waged between Mandla, a member of parliament, and 16 family members.

The network of relatives accuse him of moving the remains of three of Nelson Mandela's children from a cemetery in Qunu village to the town of Mvezo, in the rural Eastern Cape province.

Nelson Mandela was born in Mvezo and Mandla is the head of the tradtional council there.

"Members of the family have opened the case," said Eastern Cape police spokesman Mzukisi Fatyela.

"The docket will be sent to the senior public prosecutor for further investigation."

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Lagos Court Awards N5.5 Million Against Oladipo Diya for Unlawful Assault, Battery

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A Lagos State High Court yesterday awarded N5.5 million in damages against General Oladipo Diya in a suit filed by one Oluwatosin Onamade alleging assault and battery by Mr. Diya, who was once the second-in-command during the military dictatorship of the late General Sani Abacha.

In a ruling that took more than two hours to deliver, Justice Opeyemi Oke ruled that Mr. Diya was guilty of assault and unlawful seizure of the claimant’s property. The assault took place in 2008 while the claimant, Mr. Onamade, who was at the time the funeral director at LOTAD Mortuary Services owned by Mr. Diya, was in a contract renegotiation process with the former military honcho. Mr. Onamade told the court that Mr. Diya and other defendants brutalized him. Apart from Mr. Diya, other defendants in the lawsuit included Dele Obakoya, Emmanuel Ilori and Dele Oyesanya, all accomplices in the assault.

In 2010, Mr. Onomade had also accused Mr. Diya of trading in human parts through his LOTAD Mortuary firm.

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Donald Trump Insults Africa, Thinks Africa is a country Just like Rick Ross!! Choi

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On Sunday, U.S President Barack Obama, who is currently touring Africa on a state visit, pledged $7 billion to support the building of reliable electric power grids in sub-Saharan Africa.

As Forbes contributor William Pentland correctly pointed out, two-thirds of Africa’s 1 billion population lack access to a stable supply of electricity. Obama’s plan, called “Power Africa,” entails investing American funds to change that, initially focusing on key markets such as Nigeria, Tanzania, Kenya, Uganda and Liberia.

On hearing the announcement, American billionaire real estate mogul Donald Trump took to Twitter and tweeted – “Every penny of the $7 billion going to Africa as per Obama will be stolen – corruption is rampant!” Prior to that, Trump had tweeted that Obama’s trip to Africa was a total waste of taxpayer’s money.
You May also Read -  Lobatan: Rick Ross Calls Africa A country

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Obama in Africa: is US hard power a match for China's 'soft power'? (Question Of The Day)

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The U.S. President Barack Obama has wound up his week-long tour of three African countries. On Monday, he pledged a new U.S. economic partnership with Africa. Still, many observers doubt that the visit dubbed as coming "too late" and yielding "too little" will become a major factor in America's scramble with China for influence on what has been ragearded in the West as "forgotten continent" for too long.

On his final stop in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, Barack Obama focused on Africa's need for energy. Reuters reports that Washington plans a $7 billion initiative to help tackle Africa's crippling lack of electrical power.

Besides that, the U.S. President pledged that the U.S. wanted to help Africa without being simply a provider of aid. "Ultimately, the goal here is for Africa to build Africa for Africans," he told a news conference.

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£3,000 UK Visa Bond, Insult to Nigeria – Oba of Lagos

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Oba Rilwan Akiolu, Oba of Lagos, has described the £3000 visa bondbeing proposed by the United Kingdom’s Home Office for Nigerians wishing to enter the UK as an insult to Nigerians. Akiolu who spoke at an event where Peter Carter, deputy British High Commissioner, was present, berated the decision of the British government, saying the move was also an insult on Nigeria as a country.

The monarch said “Nigerians do not welcome the idea and the government of the United Kingdom (UK) should do something urgently to reverse the decision.” The British envoy in a swift reaction, said the decision was meant to checkmate high risk applicants adding that media report over the matter had caused a lot of upset.

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ASUU Embarks on a Total and Indefinite Nation-wide Strike from 1st July.

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The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has commenced indefinite strike  nationwide  today,  national president of ASUU, Dr Nasir Isa Fagge has said.

He made this declaration, Monday, at the University of Lagos (UNILAG) after their NEC meeting held at Olabisi Onabanjo University, Ago Iwoye, Ogun State.

Speaking to news men, he said: “We are embarking on indefinite strike nation wide because the Federal Government reneged in the Memorandum of Understanding MoU  signed with ASUU in 2009 to pay lecturers their earn allowance.”

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US To spend $46 billion On Building fence and military equipment to tighten US-Mexican security border

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The US Senate approved $46 billion border security package on new military equipment, additional fencing and other security needs to tighten the US-Mexican security border. Some see this measure as a new opportunity for defense contractors who suffer from the US withdrawal from Afghanistan, while Mexico complaints that these measures are counterproductive and will not “contribute to the development of the competitive region that both countries seek to promote”.

Six Northrop Grumman airborne radar systems that cost $9.3 million each, 15 Sikorsky Black Hawk helicopters that average more than $17 million apiece, eight AS-350 models Black Hawk helicopters with digital cockpit, eight light enforcement helicopters made by American Eurocopter that sell for about $3 million each, 17 UH-1N helicopters made by Bell Helicopter, 4,595 unattended ground sensors, 104 radiation isotope identification devices, 53 fiber-optic tank inspection scopes, four new drones, on top of 10 unmanned aircraft that the Border Patrol already owns, are on the US Border Patrol’s wish list, according to the Washington Post.

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11 Burnt To Death In Ibadan Auto Accident.

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Eleven people were burnt to death in an accident at the Macmillan area, few metres before Soka Bus Stop, on Ibadan/Lagos Expressway, Ibadan.  The occupants of the Mazda bus, a commercial vehicle, were coming from Ogido in Ogun State and heading to Beere in Ibadan, to attend a Wolimat programme of a family member.

It was also gathered that most of the occupants were dressed in a uniformed ankara for the occasion. The propeller of the bus, according to the eyewitness, pulled out on the motion and hit the fuel tank, catching flame in the process.

The driver of the bus, in an attempt to save the situation, veered off the road and hit a hip of sand by the side of the road.
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Why It Is profitable to stealing From Churches - Robbery suspect

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Anti-robbery policemen attached to Oko-Oba division have arrested a 32-year-old man who allegedly specialised in bugling churches around Oko-Oba area of Lagos.  The suspect identified as Sannu Umaru was reportedly caught in the act inside one of the Pentecostal churches in Oko-Oba, weekend.

Umaru who claimed to be son of a retired army personnel, told policemen during interrogation that he preferred stealing from churches because of the security lapses.  Preliminary investigation, according to police sources, revealed that Umaru was allegedly involved in some robbery incidents in churches around the area. Before his arrest, he allegedly bugled a church where he made away with some musical instruments.

According to Police sources, “on that fateful night, he scaled the fence of the church and went to where the musical instruments were. As he was about carrying the piano valued close to half a million naira, one of the instruments fell down and attracted the night guards who went for him.

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MESSAGE TO WOMEN: 4 List of Things you should do if your husband is cheating On You

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Married women need to understand that whether or not their husband cheats is out of their control. The most that they can do is to cultivate the relationship with their husband, be the best person that they can be and know how to handle themselves if an affair does happen.

Seek Support
Discovering your spouse's infidelity can bring on a range of powerful emotions. Few people are equipped to deal with the heartache and devastation on their own. Seek out family and friends who can be supportive and nonjudgmental during this period. If you do not have a built-in support network, turn to your priest, minister or licensed therapist to help.

Talking about your feelings often helps to clarify the situation and put the affair into perspective. Before you can move on in whatever direction you choose to take, you must first fully understand that what happened is not your fault. In fact, it is possible that the affair had everything to do with your spouse and nothing at all to do with you.

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2 Unilag Students Dead, 3 Others seriously Injured After Fatal Car Accident

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Dont drink while driving and dont drive while drinking! 5 students of the University of Lagos were reportedly involved in a fatal accident on Sunday night which resulted in the loss of 2 lives.  The 2 students who lost their lives have been identified as Adelowotan Oluwafunmilayo, a 200L Student Of Quantity Surveying and Eniola, a 400 level student of Mass Communication.  May their souls rest in perfect peace. 

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SHOCKING: Chaos As Robbers Escape Court After Death Sentence, Judge Pick Race

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It was a chaotic scene on Monday at the Asaba High Court In Delta, when two armed0robbers escaped from the court immediately the judge sentenced them to death.

The men, who were found guilty of conspiracy and armed robbery were eventually re-arrested by two prison guards.  According to some court officials, immediately the judge announced the sentence, one of them, known as Elvis Agbofodo escaped and ran into a nearby church where the prison guard found him and shot him in the leg to keep him immobilized.

The other convict, Frank Okedema, ran in a different direction before he was apprehended by another prison guard with the aid of residents of the area.  Court proceedings were reportedly disrupted by the escape attempt as this caused the prison guards to start shooting sporadically. The judge, court officials, lawyers and other persons in the area ran for their lives to avoid being hit by flying bullets.