Barcelona appoint Martino as new head coach

The Blaugrana have moved swiftly to replace Tito Vilanova following his exit on health grounds by naming the Argentine as his replacement for the next two seasons

 

Barcelona have confirmed they have appointed Gerardo Martino as the club's new head coach on a two-year deal. The Camp Nou side were rocked by the departure of Tito Vilanova last week after he resigned from his position as a result of his need to undergo further treatment in his recovery from a cancer relapse. A number of names, including Celta Vigo boss Luis Enrique, had since been linked with the vacant post, but the former Newell's Old Boys coach emerged the stand-out candidate after he was given vocal backing from Lionel Messi. "Barcelona have reached an agreement to sign Gerardo Martino as the new first team coach for the next two seasons," a Barca statement reads. "The agreement is still pending the drafting and signing of his contract. The schedule for his trip to Barcelona, signature of his contract and official presentation will be announced in the next few hours." Martino, 50, has never coached in Europe, but was named South American Coach of the Year in 2007 for his work with the Paraguay national team, before winning the league title with Newell's last season and reaching the semi-finals of the Copa Libertadores. 'Tata' Martino becomes the fourth Argentine coach in Barcelona's history after Roque Olsen, Helenio Herrera and Cesar Luis Menotti.

Arsenal prepare €40m Suarez bid

Arsene Wenger's main focus has now switched to the controversial Liverpool forward, as the Gunners continue to struggle to agree a fee with Real Madrid for Gonzalo Higuain

 

Arsenal are preparing a €40.7 million offer for wantaway Liverpool striker Luis Suarez. The Gunners will make a concerted push to sign the Uruguay international after contacting the Merseyside club last week about his availability. There were reports on Monday that Arsenal had made a €34.9m bid for Suarez but the the north London outfit are ready to pay up to €40.7m for the Reds attacker. It is understood that Arsene Wenger has switched his main focus to capturing Suarez because Arsenal are still struggling to agree a fee with Real Madrid for Gonzalo Higuain. The Gunners do not anticipate making any signings before they depart for their pre-season tour of Asia on Thursday, but they are actively trying recruit a marquee striker. Suarez is regarded by Wenger as an upgrade on Higuain, who came close to joining Arsenal at the end of last week after they made an improved offer of €26.9m. However, Madrid are holding out for €29.7m for the Argentine, and, although Arsenal's interest in Higuain is still alive and a deal has not been ruled out, Wenger has decided to explore other elite options. With the biggest transfer kitty in Arsenal's history available to him this summer, the Frenchman sanctioned the shock move for Suarez last week. The Gunners' enquiry was met with a 'hands-off' warning by Liverpool, who are fighting to hold on to a player who has spoken frequently this summer of his interest in a move, most specifically to Real Madrid. Arsenal will now make a concerted push for Suarez after learning from the Uruguayan's camp that he is interested in a move to the Emirates as he pursues his ambition of playing Champions League football next season. In an interview given to the Uruguayan radio station Sport 890 on Tuesday, Suarez claimed that "two or three clubs" want to sign him and that he values interest from Arsenal. He laughed off reported interest from Chelsea but admitted he is prepared to interrupt a holiday in his native Uruguay should a potential transfer develop. "Are there any concrete options? No, so far there hasn't been any. There are two or three clubs who I think are willing and the club knows that. "I have to present myself on the July 21 with Liverpool for their tour of Australia but no one knows what could happen. I've already said what I have to say, and initially I have to be there on July 21 but maybe a phone call one day can change all your plans. "For now everything is going well. I am very calm but initially I am meant to present myself on July 21 but, like I said, no one knows what can happen." There is understood to be a clause in Suarez’s contract that allows him to ask for permission to speak to other clubs if they make a €46.5m offer. However, Liverpool are believed to want €58m for their prize asset. Intriguingly, Suarez’s stance on wishing to leave England has appeared to have softened in the wake of the interest from Arsenal and the absence of an official move from Madrid. "I have to value that; despite everything that's happened, [English] clubs still value players for what they can do on the field," he said. "That makes me think that I can come back and do well over there. It's good that the English clubs still want me." Wenger plans to use a warchest of up to €116m to make at least two marquee signings this summer, most likely in the striker and central midfield positions.

Napoli agree €37m fee with Real Madrid for Higuain

The Serie A club are negotiating personal terms with the Argentine's camp after settling a price with the Spanish giants, who had priced Arsenal out of a move

 

Napoli have agreed a €37 million fee with Real Madrid for Gonzalo Higuain. The Serie A club have had a fresh bid for the Argentine accepted by the Spanish club and Napoli are now trying to convince the player to move to the San Paolo. Personal terms are yet to be agreed, with Higuain's insistence on retaining his image rights providing a something of a stumbling block. Higuain has two years remaining on a Nike deal worth around €1.8m per year but Napoli would prefer to take control of his image rights and pay him a more lucrative salary. The forward earns a relatively modest €75,000-a-week at Madrid and Napoli are believed to have offered him a deal in line with the €116,000-a-week starting salary he had agreed with Arsenal. The Gunners had agreed personal terms with Higuain but a transfer to the Emirates Stadium stalled because Madrid were holding out for a bigger offer than the €27m submitted by the Londoners. Arsene Wenger subsequently switched his attention to capturing Luis Suarez from Liverpool after learning the Uruguayan was interested in a move to the Emirates. Wenger is still believed to be monitoring Higuain’s situation but plans to bring him to Arsenal are on the backburner as the Frenchman attempts to land Suarez for £40m-plus in a deal that would smash the club transfer record. Arsenal will not attempt to match Napoli's bid but could come back into the running for Higuain's signature if he rejects a move to the Serie A club. New manager Rafael Benitez targeted Higuain for the vacant senior centre-forward role in the team after selling Edinson Cavani for €63m to Paris Saint-Germain last week. Although Madrid have claimed Higuain is not for sale, it is understood the Spanish club are now ready to offload the forward, who has spent six years at the Santiago Bernabeu. 

Husband Demands Refund Of N80k Bride Price

A husband, Zaiyanu Muhammad of Ibadan Street in Kaduna, has urged the Magajin Gari Sharia Court to recover the N80,000 bride price and other expenses he paid before he married Saliha Abdulsalam. He told the court that the request became necessary because Saliha left the matrimonial home two weeks after marrying him. “I married Saliha on January 13 but she came to my house on January 27.” According to him, when he married Saliha, her parents pleaded with him to give them time to prepare dowry for her before moving into the matrimonial home. “But in spite of the N80,000 I gave her, she came to my house with nothing,” said Mohammed. Muhammad added that he had not seen Saliha since then until they met in the court on July 22. “Since she is not interested in the marriage, she should return my bride price. I used every possible means to see her back in my house but to no avail.” Saliha, however, denied the allegation. She told the court that two days into their marriage, Muhammad told her mother that he was not interested in the marriage any longer. “He asked me to leave his house, which I did and left for Giwa Local Government Area in Kaduna state and later to Abuja,” she said. According to Saliha, she is ready to go back to his house “because I still love him.” The Khadi, Ibrahim Mohammed, said they should go and settle their differences since Saliha had agreed to return to the complainant’s house. Mohammed adjourned the case till 1 August for report of settlement or continuation of hearing.

School Guard Rapes Student Inside Classroom

A civil engineering graduate from Delta State University, Abraka in Delta State, southsouth Nigeria, who lost his job and was newly employed as a security guard in a private school at Ijegun area of Lagos State, southwest Nigeria, has been remanded in prison custody for allegedly raping a student of the school inside the school premises. It was alleged that the 30-year old security guard, Emeka  Nwabunwane, lured the 18-year old student (name withheld)  to a classroom in the school and raped her when she went to the school to attend a tutorial class in preparation for her Joint Admissions And Matriculation Board, JAMB, examination. The girl told P.M.NEWS how she was raped by the Delta-State born suspect; an incident which she claimed has affected her physical and mental wellbeing. She said when she entered the school premises on the day of the incident, Nwabunwane called her and she went to meet him in the classroom because she knew him as one of the security guards in the school and thought he wanted to discuss an issue with her. She alleged that immediately she entered the classroom, he locked the door and pulled off his trousers and started to beat her into submission. She said when she tried to resist him, he tore her pants, threw her on the floor and started to rape her. She said in the process, the suspect tore her private part and she started bleeding profusely. The victim said she raised an alarm inside the classroom, but nobody came to rescue her.

The girl said it was after he had raped her and she ran outside naked and started scraeming for help that the residents of the area came to her rescue. The girl said by then she was bleeding profusely and when some of the residents saw the blood, they immediately caught Nwabunwane and handed him over to the police at Isheri Oshun Division. The victim said she was still in shock and always gets frightened whenever she remembers how she was raped by the suspect. She said since the incident happened, she has been having severe pains in her private part and going to hospital for treatment. Nwabnwane admitted that he took the girl to the classroom and attempted to have sex with her but stopped when he discovered that she was menstruating. The suspect claimed that it was when he left the girl that she ran out and started shouting for help and claiming that he raped her. The security guard who was reportedly working in a private company before he was sacked and got the security job at the school, explained that when the incident happened, he made several attempts to settle the matter with the family of the victim. The suspect said before they could finalise the settlement, he was brought to court. He said he has learnt his lesson and was praying that the matter will be settled amicably. When the suspect was arraigned in court, he pleaded not guilty. The prosecutor, Mr Adeleye Adeleke, objected to his bail on the ground that the offence he committed was a serious offence that attracts life imprisonment. He therefore argued that the suspect may likely jump bail to escape justice. However, the presiding Magistrate, Mr. P. E. Nwaka granted the suspect bail in the sum of N150,000 with three sureties in like sum. The court also ordered that the sureties must have evidence of  tax payment for three years. The matter was adjourned till 21 October while the suspect was remanded in prison custody pending when he will fulfill his bail conditions.

List Of Senators Who Voted In Favour To Legalize Underage Marriage In Nigeria

We now know how senators voted on the constitution amendment bill which caused an uproar in the senate on Tuesday.

The part up for ammendment relates to persons qualifies to renounce Nigerian citizenship. The constitution in Section 29 says anyone of age can do so. Section 29(4) (b) says that ” any woman who is married shall be deemed to be of full age.” It means that even a child if married can be seen to be of full age and as such can renounce citizenship. The committee proposed that that provision be deleted. When it was put to vote, 2/3 of members present voted for it which meant it was deleted. 2 Senator Yerima had kicked and mobilised his fellow Muslims in the Senate which was threatening to cause confusion. Despite the senate president, David Mark insisting that it could no longer be revisited as it had been voted upon, Yerima continued his objection. Due to the sensitive nature, Mark had to call for another vote. At this point the Senators who were in favour of this clause could no longer muster 2/3 of the votes that will retain Section 29, Clause 4 (b). Senators still voted 60 votes to 35 votes for the clause to be deleted, but it did not satisfy the 2/3 requirement and so, according to the senate version, “any woman who is married shall be deemed to be of full age.” Thanks to Sen. Babafemi Ojudu (Ekiti Central, ACN), we have the full list of the senators who voted NO) The senators who voted NO, that are those who did not want the clause deleted, include the following:

1. Sen. Abdulmumin M. Hassan (Jigawa South West, PDP)
2. Sen. Abdullahi Danladi (Jigawa North West, PDP)
3. Sen. Adamu Abdullahi (Nasarawa West, PDP)
4. Sen. Ahmed Barata (Adamawa South, PDP)
5. Sen. Akinyelure Ayo (Ondo Central, Labour Party)
6. Sen. Alkali Saidu A. (Gombe North, PDP)
7. Sen. Bagudu Abubakar A. (Kebbi Central, PDP)
8. Sen. Dahiru Umaru (Sokoto South, PDP)
9. Sen. Galaudu Isa (Kebbi North, PDP)
10. Sen. Garba Gamawa (Bauchi North, PDP)
11. Sen. Danjuma Goje Mohammed (Gombe Central, PDP)
12. Sen. Gobir Ibrahim (Sokoto East, PDP)
13. Sen. Gumba Adamu Ibrahim (Bauchi South, PDP)
14. Sen. Hadi Sirika (Katsina North, CPC)
15. Sen. Ibrahim Bukar Abba (Yobe East, ANPP)
16. Sen. Jajere Alkali (Yobe South, ANPP)
17. Sen. Jibrilla Mohammed (Adamawa North, PDP)
18. Sen. Kabiru Gaya (Kano South, ANPP)
19. Sen. Lafiagi Mohammed (Kwara North, PDP)
20. Sen. Lawan Ahmad (Yobe North, ANPP)
21. Sen. Maccido Mohammed (Sokoto North, PDP)
22. Sen. Musa Ibrahim (Niger North, CPC)
23. Sen. Ndume Mohammed Ali (Borno South, PDP)
24. Sen. Sadiq A. Yaradua (Katsina Central, CPC)
25. Sen. Saleh Mohammed (Kaduna Central, CPC)
26. Sen. Tukur Bello (Adamawa Central, PDP)
27. Sen. Ugbesia Odion (Edo Central, PDP)
28. Sen. Umar Abubakar (Taraba Central, PDP)
29. Sen. Usman Abdulaziz (Jigawa North East, PDP)
30. Sen. Ya’au Sahabi (Zamfara North, PDP)
31. Sen. Zannah Ahmed (Borno Central, PDP)
32. Sen. Ahmad Rufai Sani (Zamfara West, ANPP)
33. Sen. Ahmad Abdul Ningi (Bauchi Central, PDP)
34. Sen. Bello Hayatu Gwano (Kano North, PDP)
35. Sen. Ibrahim Abu (Katsina South, CPC)

Some senators did not register to vote, while some abstained. 

After the second voting, Yerima tried to get up to thank the Senate Present and his colleagues in an attempt to claim victory, he was shouted down and booed.

Here are the photos of the list:

Activists Blames Patience Jonathan’s Mother’s Death On Jonathan’s Failure In Governance

A human rights lawyer based in Port Harcourt, Ken Atswete, has blamed the poor state of the East/West road for the death of the mother of Patience, the wife President Goodluck Jonathan.  He said despite the strident cries that this major road that links the oil rich Niger Delta is in a deplorable condition, it is taking the Federal Government so long to fix the road. “Governor Amaechi was publicly abused by Godsday Orubube last year for crying out that the Federal Government has neglected the road. He was vilified for speaking out,” Atswete said, adding that President Jonathan’s failure in governance has led to the death of his mother-in-law, Charity. Reacting this morning, after news of the President’s wife’s mother went viral, Atswete noted that President Jonathan flies from Port Harcourt Airport to Yenagoa by helicopter to avoid the bad road. He said that for over two years commuters have preferred to take the Omagwa International Airport-Elele-  Omerelu road close to the Imo State boundary dualised by Governor Amaechi’s administration, to avoid East/West road, which has become a death trap. No official statement has been released on the death of the First Lady’s mother as the Rivers State Governor, Rotimi Amaechi and Mrs Ibim Semenitari, the Commissioner for Information and Communication, are out of the country.

PHOTOS: Rihanna Completely Exposes Her B00bs In This Shocking Dress

NANS Gives Jonathan 14-Days Ultimatum To Resolve Rivers Crisis • Fingers First Lady, CP Mbu

The National Association of Nigeria Students (NANS) yesterday fingered President Goodluck Jonathan in the ongoing political fracas in Rivers State and gave him a 14-day ultimatum to resolve the crisis or risks having the body paralyze the socio-economic and political activities of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT). It also described Mr. Jonathan’s earlier denial of involvement in the crisis as false. According to the umbrella body for students in Nigeria’s higher institutions: “President Goodluck Jonathan must stop distancing himself from the matter because, whether he likes it or not, he is vicariously involved in it. The direct involvement of the First Lady in the matter, which she publicly admitted to when 16 Bishops from the South-South paid her a visit at the Presidential Villa last week, implies Mr. President’s tacit involvement in it. Therefore, Mr. President cannot continue to feign ignorance or indifference in this sensitive matter.” NANS, who made this stance known in a statement in Abuja by its Acting Senate President, Comrade John Shima, mandated the President and the Federal Government to resolve the crisis. If the FG fails to resolve the crisis, NANS said it “shall be left with no option than to convene its next Senate Meeting at Port Harcourt, where it shall take a more decisive position and action on the Rivers State crisis. “For the benefit of foresight, the action may include taking over the city of Abuja and paralysing all economic, social and political activities in the nation’s capital.” NANS demanded that “adequate security is provided for the Rivers State House of Assembly, so that the legislators can return to work. If that is done, then the majority will have their way and progress will be made, which is the true beauty of democracy.” NANS called for “the immediate redeployment of the Rivers State Commissioner of Police (CP) Mr. Mbu Joseph Mbu, who from every indication has gone political. “Since he has clearly shown that he cannot work harmoniously with the governor, then the CP should be redeployed immediately from the state. NANS hereby declares a 14-day ultimatum to the Federal Government of Nigeria and all its relevant organs to resolve the crisis in Rivers State.” The statement added: “The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), in keeping up with its traditional obligations as the bastion of democracy and vanguard of the oppressed and downtrodden, hereby condemns in its entirety, the show of ignominy unfolding in Rivers State, which culminated in the ferocious disruption of proceedings at the State’s House of Assembly on Tuesday 9th July, 2013. “We are, however, not oblivious of the fact that the festering crisis in the state has its roots in the acrimonious quest by the First Lady, Dame Patience Jonathan, to practically dictate to the ‘obstinate’ Executive Governor of Rivers State, His Excellency, Rt. Hon. Rotimi Amaechi, how he should run certain affairs in Rivers State. “Even though President Goodluck Jonathan can also not be said to be inculpable in the matter, he is also a member of the PDP and from the neighbouring Bayelsa State. So, we actually hope that the PDP would use its internal mechanisms to bring this lingering problem to end. “We must bear in mind that the situation in Rivers State depicts a huge threat to the security of the state and, by extrapolation, the entire nation. The Executive Governor of Rivers State, Rt. Hon. Rotimi Amaechi, has since made public, his own feelings of insecurity. There were reports last week of the deployment of policemen to the Rivers State Government House and the Rivers State Liaison Office in Abuja respectively, without the knowledge and approval of the state governor. That action by the police authorities is highly condemnable. “Mr. President should not forget that his cardinal responsibility to the state and its citizens is the provision of security for human lives and properties. This includes the lives of state governors and other high-profile individuals. Governor Amaechi has publicly declared that he is not comfortable with the Commissioner of Police in Rivers State, Mr. Mbu Joseph Mbu. We wonder why the Inspector-General of Police is reluctant to redeploy Mr. Mbu from the state. Mbu clearly gave a clue in an interview with a national television station that he works at cross-purposes with Governor Amaechi. “The President’s thumbprint is firmly embedded in the ongoing crisis in Rivers State”, the statement insisted.

NLC Threatens To Join ASUU Strike

As the strike by the Academic Staff Union of Universities, ASUU lingers, the Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, has threatened to join the Union in solidarity strike if the Federal Government failed to address its demands. Speaking at the opening ceremony of the “2013 Rain School” in Uyo, NLC President, Abdulwaheed Omar urged the Federal Government to honour the agreement.

“We call on the Federal Government to have meaningful dialogue with ASUU with a view to implementing the agreement. “The state governments should equally obey the law and pay minimum wage to teachers and the local government workers as well as the 27.5 per cent teacher’s enhanced salaries. “Should these strikes persist, workers of Nigeria will not hesitate to join them in solidarity,” he stressed. According to Omar, the modules of the rain school were designed to train members of affiliate unions and state councils of the NLC. “This is in order to equip them with necessary skills to empower and protect their rights at workplace.” Omar said that the theme of the 2013 Rain School was imperative due to the obvious violation of workers’ rights in the workplace and in the larger society. Also speaking at the ceremony, Chairman, Akwa Ibom State NLC, Mr Unyime Usoro, commended the leadership of the NLC for keeping to its promise on making Uyo the permanent host of the school. “On our own part, we intend to ensure that the standards set five years ago that led to the permanent hosting right is not lowered,” he said. “It is significant to note that the government of Akwa Ibom has graciously approved the building of the permanent block for Rain Schools here in Uyo to gather for the training needs of the union leaders across the nation”.

2015: Jonathan’ll Lose If He Continues To Play ‘god’ In The Affairs Of PDP, Rivers Crisis – LP

The political crisis in Rivers State and the alleged involvement of the presidency in the sordid episode has received knocks from the Labour Party in Edo State, which warned that President Goodluck Jonathan will suffer defeat in the 2015 presidential election, “if he continues to play god by chasing the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP ticket by all means.” The Deputy Chairman of the party in the state, Mr Patrick Eholor, who made this known yesterday, also decried the return to regional politics as the 2015 presidential election approaches. Mr. Elohor reminded the country’s politicians that the Army was watching developments closely warning that if democracy must survive, they must avoid a replay of what happened in Egypt from happening in Nigeria by playing according to the rules. The state LP chairman, who was speaking with newsmen in Benin City, “When President Jonathan was being denied of the opportunity to take over from Late President Yar ‘Adua   on account of the ill health of the late President,  I was the first to approach a court  to get an order of mandamus because I had a lot of respect for Jonathan, that he should be declared the President. “He was made President by an act of God, but now that he is fighting to be President by all means, God will disappoint him, particularly when he has done nothing to help this country; if you ask me today to score Mr President, I will probably score him 2 over 10. He has failed completely to tackle corruption. It will interest you to know that Mr President will rather travel with Mr. Femi Otedola to China, a man, who bribed a lawmaker during the subsidy saga.”

18 Passengers Burnt To Death In Auto Crash Along Benin-Lagos Expressway

18 people were burnt to death in an auto crash at the Benin-Lagos expressway, yesterday. 

A Toyota Hiace bus and a truck loaded with gravel were involved in a head-on collusion, killing 18 passengers along the Benin-Lagos express road. The incident which occurred near Okada, Ovia North-East Local Government Area of Edo State, led to a serious gridlock as passengers and drivers made frantic effort to save the life of the victims. Confirming the accident, Edo State Sector Commander of Federal Road Safety Commission, FRSC, Mr. Kenneth Nwaegbe, said 18 persons were roasted alive, while two other children survived the accident. Among the dead were said to be 15 adults and two kids. The driver of the truck also died in the accident, according to a source. The FRSC sector commander said the commercial bus belonging to Peace Mass Transit left Onitsha in Anambra State for Lagos via Benin when an oncoming truck had a head-on collision on a side of the road under construction. “What happened was that the Mark truck was carrying gravel and was coming from Ore to Benin when one of its tyres burst and it lost control. “The Toyota bus was going from Benin to Lagos when the two collided. The dead were removed from the wreckage with axes through the assistance of a team of rescue operation. “The team was made up of officials of FRSC from the Tollgate Unit Command, policemen drafted from Okada town and sympathisers some of who were passengers travelling either from Lagos to the Eastern part of the country or those going to Lagos and other parts of the Western part,” Nwaegbe said.

Rivers Crisis Has Made Nigeria A Laughing Stock, Says Oritsejafor

National President of the Christian Association of Nigeria, Pastor Ayo Oritsejafor on Sunday described the crisis in the Rivers State House of Assembly as shameful and uncivilised. He said the fracas in the House of Assembly negated the principle of democracy, saying politicians must play the game to promote democratic values in the country. Oritsejafor made this known on Sunday in an interview with journalists in Kaduna. The Senior Pastor and founder of Word of Life Bible Church in Warri, Delta State, noted that the political crisis in Rivers had made Nigeria a laughing stock in  the comity of world; insisting that such an attitude could not promote deomcracy. He then appealed to the warring parties in the crisis in to sheathe their sword to allow for a peaceful resolution of the crisis. Oritsejafor expressed dismay that those involved in the crisis were Christians adding that it was not in the character of a good Christian to behave in such manner “I feel terrible about happenings in Rivers State. I feel terrible for many reasons. I feel terrible because it is making Nigeria a laughing stock to the world” he stated. “I feel terrible because it is happening in the part of the country where I come from. I feel terrible because many of the actors are supposed to be Christians. “I feel sad, because those involved in these things ought not to get themselves involved in these kinds of things at all”, the CAN president stressed.

‘Don’t Drag My Name Into Politics’, TB Joshua Screams In Reaction To Al-Mustapha’s Freedom

Senior Prophet and founder of Synagogue Church of All Nations (SCOAN), Prophet T.B Joshua, has refuted reports that he facilitated the release of Major Hamza Al-Mustapha from prison, saying he should not be dragged into the issue of politics. The report also claims that President Goodluck Jonathan was told by the highly sought after Prophet, that if he wants to win re-election in 2015, he should ensure the release of the former Chief Security Officer to the late Head of State, General Sani Abacha, who was initially condemned to death by a Lagos High Court as well as bring back former Delta State governor, James Onanefe Ibori, who is serving time as guest of the Queen of England – behind bars – for corruption and money laundering. In a statement seen on the official Facebook page for his ministries, TB Joshua said, “My attention has been drawn to an online article headlined ‘Pastor T.B. Joshua Revealed As Man Behind Al-Mustapha’s Release’ written by Sahara Reporters. “This article is from the enemy. They should not drag me into the issue of politics. If I was ever to go to Aso Rock, I would go publicly. I have already told you how I met Al-Mustapha. Don’t put words in my mouth. I explained that I got to know him many years ago when a petition was addressed to General Bamaiyi who was the then Chairman of the NDLEA. I spent nine days with them for investigation and they found the whole thing to be a fabrication. “From there, I was taken to see the president where I met Mustapha. I was able to reveal to them who I am by telling them what was to come as a prophet. I told him that he would spend several years in prison and would be finally released which no one else had ever told him. That is why you saw him coming here as his first port of call. Where there is no vision, people perish.” The ‘Man of God’ decried the attempt to attach political undertones to Al-Mustapha’s visit to him immediately after his release from Kirikiri prisons just as he denied ever suggesting that Mr. Jonathan’s political fortunes at the 2015 presidential elections is tied to the freedom of former Governor Ibori. “Count me out of the politics of hatred”, TB Joshua concluded.

Police Corporal, Who Knocked Down Woman, Baby While Driving Against Traffic’ll Face The Music – CP

The Police Corporal, who last month knocked down a woman and her baby while driving against traffic in Lagos State, would not be shielded from justice, says Lagos Police Commissioner, Umar Manko. It would be recalled that the corporal, identified simply as Friday, allegedly drove against traffic on June 23^rd along the Apapa-Oshodi Expressway and knocked down a teacher, Mrs. Taskirat Anjolaiya and her baby, Ammarah in the process. Friday was reportedly trying to drive an unidentified woman with affiliation to the Divisional Police Officer, FESTAC Police Division, Ibrahim Zango, to the airport to catch her flight when the unfortunate incident happened. The police corporal was reported to have immediately transferred the woman from his car (a police patrol van) to a taxi cab while he rushed his victims to the Lagos University Teaching Hospital, where doctors confirmed that the mother of three sustained a pelvic fracture, facial bruises, and brain injury while the baby, Ammarah, also suffered deep facial cuts and a broken jaw. The family said they had spent over N500, 000 on treatment. But while speaking with newsmen on Monday, Manko said the incident was regrettable. On whether compensation would be given to the family, he said, “We will see what we can do for her (Taskirat) on compassionate grounds because the DPO and the corporal were not on official assignment when the incident occurred, it was a private affair.” The police boss, however, said investigations were ongoing as news of the incident only got to his ears recently. He said since driving against traffic was against the state’s traffic law, the policeman would face bear the consequences. “The corporal was brought to my office and has written a statement. The DPO has also been asked to give an official statement on the issue. By the time we are through, everyone will get his own portion of justice,” he said. However, the victim’s husband, identified as Sulaiman, insisted that the police as an institution, had a case to answer since it was a police vehicle that was used in committing the act. “The fact remains that it was a policeman driving an official police vehicle that knocked down my wife and child,” he said.

Soyinka Fires Another Salvo At The First Lady, Says If She Refuses To Learn, She Must Be Educated

Despite his seeming old age at 79, Africa’s first Nobel Laureate in Literature, Prof. Wole Soyinka, still believes he has the strength to stand up to those he perceives to use their public office to oppress others in Nigeria. He was speaking on the backdrop of his recent public spat with President Goodluck Jonathan’s wife, Dame Patience Jonathan. And though the afternoon open-door lecture series tagged “WS79 – Memoirs of Our Future: An Audience with Prof. Wole Soyinka,” was supposed to be a commemoration of his birthday, the renowned thespian quickly delved into familiar terrain as he touched on the subject of the First Lady, her alleged interference in the affairs of Rivers State and abuse of power. While fielding questions from a member of the audience at the event which held at the African Centre in Covent Garden, London on Saturday, Prof. Soyinka said he was not afraid to call the First Lady to order and also enlighten her if she cannot take a cue from how first ladies in other climes behave. “People said I call her a domestic appendage, what’s the problem with that? What’s the problem with Madam Shepopotamus?” Shedding more light on the lingering political crisis in Rivers State, Soyinka revealed: “What happened in Rivers began long ago, before five decided that five was greater than 27. If we don’t move in support of the truth at certain mathematics, we shouldn’t be surprised if the next mathematics anomaly takes place at our doorstep.” He added: “We move when there’s interference, when all roads are closed – for hours – because she’s going to her hairdresser.” He warned that if members of the civil society remain indifferent to the abuse of office perpetrated by the president’s wife in states where she has visited, then Nigerians should not be surprised when a curfew is imposed the next time she is visiting their state. The Nobel Laureate called on Mrs. Jonathan to borrow a leaf from Michelle, President Barack Obama’s wife, stating: “We ask unelected people to look around and see how the Mrs. Michelle Obamas of the world are conducting themselves,” adding, however, that if the Dames of this world do not learn, “we must educate them.” Responding to a question if he was a friend of the embattled governor of Rivers State, Mr. Rotimi Amaechi, Soyinka replied: “That Amaechi is my friend is not an allegation,” because he would be friends with anyone who has been given the mandate of the people through the electoral process. He stressed that he would not shy away from identifying with public office holders if they are fulfilling their obligations and responsibilities of governance. “To say the Governor of Rivers is my close friend is like saying Kayode Fayemi or Dr. Babangida Aliyu or Governor Ibikunle Amosun or even the Second Republic Governor, Mohammed Shugaba, in Shagari’s administration, is my friend”, he stated. However, Prof. Soyinka made it clear that “it’s not a matter of friendship,” but defence of democracy and truth, noting that he would not be afraid to switch loyalty if the people he once praised change their ways and start oppressing the same people who elected them.

Breaking News: Patience Jonathan’s mother dies in fatal motor accident

There was anxiety in Port Harcourt on Monday as news of the death of Mrs. Iwari-Oba, the mother of the wife of President Goodluck Jonathan, Patience,  spread in the Rivers State capital.

The mother of Mrs. Jonathan was said to have been involved in a ghastly motor accident along Elele Road in Rivers State. It was gathered that the woman, who is from Okrika Local Government Area, was on her way to Bayelsa State when the accident happened. Unconfirmed report indicated that her corpse was taken to Kpaiyama Mortuary by a team of policemen and a member representing Ogu Bolo State Constituency, Mr. Evans Bipi, who is a relative to the deceased. Though, the police and the Federal Road Safety Commission in the state could not confirm the incident, an aide to Bipi said the First Lady’s mother died in a road accident, which occurred at about 4pm. Bipi’s aide, Mr. Fred Itobo, told The PUNCH that the President’s wife’s mother was involved in the accident while she was on her way to Bayelsa State. “Yes! She was involved in an accident and she died. Her body has been taken to a mortuary. Bipi was among those who took her body to the mortuary,” Itobo said. When contacted, the State Director of FRSC, Dr. Kayode Olagunju, declined comment on the matter, saying, “I cannot say anything on this matter now until I get full details.” Though effort to get reactions from the State Police Public Relations Officer, Mrs. Angela Agabe, proved futile, she had already told a journalist on the telephone that she had not been briefed on such crash.