The Late Kaduna Governor Patrick Yakowa buried

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The remains of  the late governor of Kaduna state, Patrick Yakowa, were buried at his country home at Fada Kagoma today Thursday December 20th. President Jonathan led the Federal Government delegation to the burial. Yakowa died on Saturday, December 15, in a helicopter crash in Bayelsa state along with five others, including former National Security Adviser, General Andrew Azazi.

Updates: Nkiru Sylvanus and Kenneth Okolie released by kidnappers

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What a relief! And thanks for all your prayers. Actress Nkiru Sylvanus and ex-Mr Nigeria Kenneth Okolie have been freed by their kidnappers. Nkiru and Kenneth were released less than an hour ago in Owerri. The kidnappers blindfolded them and dropped them off at an unknown location where they were able to call friends to come pick them up. No details on whether they paid a ransom. Great news!

Séx-Starved Man Demands N1.2m Refund from Wife’s Parents

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Malam Mukailu Naibi of Keke Village, Kaduna, whose wife allegedly starved him of séx for two years, on Wednesday demanded N1. 2 million as compensation from the wife’s parents before an Abuja Area Court. Naibi, while testifying at the resumed hearing of the case, told the court that the amount, covered the bride price he paid before marrying Maryam, his wife.  He also told the court that the amount also covered the cost of damages done to the house after Maryam allegedly set the house on fire before fleeing to court to seek divorce.

Nkiru Slyvanus Updates: Police Arrest 16 Suspects

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Imo State Police Command yesterday said it has arrested 16 suspects in connection with the kidnapping of Nollywood actress and Special Assistant to the State Governor on Public Affairs, Nkiru Sylvanus.

The state Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Mr. Vitalis Onugu (DSP), disclosed that the suspects were arrested in a raid of suspected kidnappers’ dens in the forest, adding that they were already assisting the police in its investigation.

Meanwhile, the state government has directed security agencies to arrest any unauthorised person found using siren and vehicles with tinted glasses. Rising from a security council meeting, the state Governor, Owelle Rochas Okorocha, said the renewed war against unauthorised use of siren and tinted glasses was part of the stringent measures adopted by the council to checkmate crime in the state, especially during the Yuletide.

Also, members of the Actors Guild of Nigeria (AGN), Southeast Zone, demanded the immediate release of the actress. Members of the actors’ body, led by its National Vice President, Southeast, Ikechukwu Ezenagu, a legal practitioner, barricaded the entrance of Government House displaying placards with various inscriptions which include, “Southeast governors give Nollywood actors security,” “Insecurity is the bane of investment in the Southeast,” “Turn away from kidnapping and join Nollywood,” among others.

Source: Daily Sun Newspaper

Cameroonian Jailed For Texting 'I'm in love with you' To Another Man

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A Cameroon appeals court upheld a sentence against a man convicted of homosexuality for texting his male friend to say, "I'm very much in love with you."

Roger Mbede, a university student, was arrested in March last year after the man who received the message tipped off authorities, Human Rights Watch said. A court sentenced Mbede to three years in prison at the time after he was beaten to coerce a confession, according to the group. In July, after more than a year in detention, Mbede was released as his case went through the appeals process, the rights group said in a statement.The appeals court issued its ruling Monday.

We Politicians Exploit Religious, Ethnic Sentiments For Selfish Reasons- President Jonathan

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President Goodluck Jonathan has accused most Nigerian politicians of exploiting religious and ethnic sentiments to divide Nigerians for selfish reasons. The President said this during the weekly Executive Council of the Federation, FEC, meeting held on Wednesday. He said this while eulogising the late Governor of Kaduna State, Patrick Yakowa. The Council, Wednesday, honoured the victims of last Saturday’s helicopter crash by rescheduling all its memos slated for discussion to next year.

EFCC Declares Ex-Kogi Governor, Abubakar Audu, Wanted Over N4bn Fraud

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The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC has declared former governor of Kogi State, Abubakar Audu, wanted for offences bordering on conspiracy, stealing and misappropriation of public fund.

The action followed the failure of the Mr. Audu to respond to invitations by the anti- graft agency.

An attempt by the EFCC to arrest at the former governor at his 32, Sulaiman Barau Street, Asokoro, Abuja residence on December 11, 2012 failed as he allegedly evaded arrest.The former governor is alleged to have fraudulently enriched himself with over N4 billion of Kogi funds while he held sway as governor between 1999 and 2003.

Gov Sullivan Chime Has Heart Problem ––Insiders Expose Secret

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As the people of Enugu State continue to ask questions about the state of their governor, few aides and a serving Commissioner who are not happy with the ongoing deceit have disclosed that Governor Sullivan Chime underwent a heart surgery in the United States of America in 2005. This was two years before he contested the state governorship election in 2007. The insider sources said Dr. Chimaroke Nnamani, who was governor of Enugu State at the time, had financed the heart surgery and subsequent treatment. The aides, who craved anonymity so as not to be victimised, told the Punch that Nnamani gave Chime N7m for the surgery. 

“All Lives Are Equal” – Co-Pilot’s Family Laments Preferential Treatment For Yakowa, Azazi

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All fingers are equal but some are more equal than others. That is what aptly describes the mood of the family of Lt. Adeyemi Sowole, the co-pilot of the Navy helicopter which crashed on Saturday in Bayelsa State as they have expressed disappointment that authorities have only focussed their attention on the dignitaries that died on the flight, while ignoring their son. “All lives are equal. At this point, the right thing to do is for government to treat all the victims with respect and give them the same recognition. 

Niger State Governor, Aliyu Berates Those Celebrating Yakowa’s Death

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Governor Babangida Aliyu of Niger has chided those Nigerians reported to have celebrated the death of late Gov. Patrick Yakowa of Kaduna State, describing their action as “inhuman”.

Aliyu made the remark while receiving the Speaker of Niger House of Assembly, Alhaji Adamu Usman who led other members of the Assembly to pay a condolence visit on him.The visit on Aliyu was with regard to his position as chairman of the Northern Governors’ Forum.

South Korea Gets First Female President, Park Geun-Hye

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Park Geun-hye the daughter of the late dictator Park Chung-hee, has become South Korea’s first female president. Park, the 60-year-old leader of the conservative Saenuri Party, defeated 59-year-old liberal challenger Moon Jae-in — once jailed for opposing her father’s rule — by a margin of about 3.5%.  on Wednesday. “Park Geun-hye has made history. The keen contest that saw an unprecedented voter turnout of 75.8% can do any democracy proud,” Vishnu Prakash, Indian ambassador to South Korea, said after exit polls when a majority of the votes had been counted.

Air Mishap Averted On Ilorin-Lagos Route

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Smarting from the helicopter crash that claimed the lives of former Governor of Kaduna State, Patrick Yakowa, former National Security Adviser, General Andrew Azazi, and four others last Saturday in Bayelsa State, the nation would have witnessed yet another disaster but for providence, as an Overland Airways flight from Ilorin to Lagos suffered technical problems on take-off. A source told Vanguard that the flight, OJ 1188, had difficulties stabilising in the air as the landing gear failed to retract after take-off from Ilorin Airport, Sunday.

FG respond to fear of January 2013 fuel increase

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Lagos—President of the Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, Abdulwahed Omar, Tuesday assured Nigerians that the Federal Government would not increase the price of petrol in the New Year.Omar, who gave the assurance in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria, NAN, in Lagos, said already the masses were facing a lot of hardship, adding that government would not want to add to their sufferings.

A Man Helped His Wife Commit Suicide

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A man was charged with manslaughter in his wife's suicide because he showed the despondent woman how to fire a shotgun before leaving her alone in their upstate home to go hunting, authorities said Tuesday.

Kathie Skellie, 59, was found dead from a self-inflicted gunshot wound Saturday morning at the home she shared with her husband in New York, said Glens Falls Detective Sgt. Peter Casertino. Willard Skellie, 69, confessed to buying the 12-gauge shotgun, teaching his wife how to use it and leaving it loaded while he went hunting, authorities said. He told police she was despondent because of mental health problems, Casertino said.

Heavy Criticism From OBJ: Nigeria In A Toxic Situation

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Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has raised an alarm over the insecurity in the country and called on the present leaders to tackle it seriously.

Obasanjo who shared his thoughts on the state of the nation in an interview with Y! Magazine described the current situation in the country as toxic and called for a concerted effort to address it.

“We are in a situation in this country now, or if you like, in a state of insecurity. It’s a toxic situation. It does not matter how much blame on the leadership is unfair or unwarranted, the public won’t support the leader,” Obasanjo noted. He likened the situation in the country to a state of war, adding that there are many things wrong with the country.

"Presidential Aide Douglas Should Be Made To Replace Crashed Helicopter" - NDLF

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The Nigeria Democratic Liberty Forum (NDLF) has described as a “disgrace” the conduct of government officials in failing to distinguish between official duties and private events.

In a statement issued today, the group said it was appalled by the crass display of impunity by the Goodluck Jonathan administration in the deployment of federal government's military assets for private and social events to the extent that military equipment has become a perk of office.

“The prior use of similar chopper by President Goodluck Jonathan during the burial of his brother in Otueke and the use of a Naval chopper by Presidential aide-Mr Oronto Douglas for his father's burial which resulted in the loss of the Nigerian Navy helicopter is reprehensible,” NDLF said.

Ondo To ban Funeral Undertakers In Hospital Surroundings

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AKURE—ONDO State government has express- ed concern over the activities of coffin sellers and hearse operators within the vicinity of its hospitals across the state.Specifically, the Health Commissioner, Dr. Dayo Adeyanju said in Akure that the state government has concluded arrangements to promulgate a law banning such businesses within the hospitals. Adeyanju said the  government was greatly disturbed by the advertisement of death accessories to those who need encouragement to survive what brought them to the hospital in the first instance.

Helicopter Crash: “We Lack The Equipment To Investigate Cause” – SSS

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The spat of high profile assassinations and rampant kidnappings laying siege over the many regions of the federal republic of Nigeria may have found a suitable loophole to continue its siege over the country owing to the maladministration of resources earmarked to the security agencies of the nation.

Information available to 247ureports.com obtained through competent sources within the State Security Services [SSS] revealed that the helicopter crash is being treated as a probable sabotage by the investigators of the crash. As gathered, the SSS agent indicated that there is ample evidence pointing away from the incident being a mere natural accident.

Banks In Lagos Stop N100 Charge On Use Of ATMs

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Banks in Lagos have cancelled the N100 charge on customers’ use of Automated Teller Machines (ATMs) withdrawal from other banks.

NAN visit to some banks on Tuesday showed that the banks had since Monday complied with the new trend. This followed the Bankers Committee’s directive that the banks should stop charging N100 with effect from Dec. 17. Some customers in separate interviews with NAN said that they were happy with the development and expressed the hope that more positive developments would be made in the sector in 2013.Mr Kunle Adewale, an Information Technology expert and a customer with GTB, said that the development showed that customers would no longer suffer unwarranted banks’ charges.

VIDEO: Go After Corrupt Officers, United States Tells FG

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The United States has urged the federal government to show more commitment towards fighting corruption by exposing and prosecuting corrupt public officers.
This was the focus of an interactive session with journalists at the US Embassy in Abuja chaired by an International Narcotics Law Enforcement Officer, Diane Kohn.