My Christmas message. Short and brief!

May the blessings of the birth of Christ abide with you and
your families; bringing you good tidings, peace, joy,
prosperity and good health all year round. Wishing Merry
Christmas and prosperous a New Year.
My friends, as we celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ we
should be security conscious. Watch and pray, for the days
are evil. The enemy is like a roaring Lion seeking for whom
to devour. We shall not fall victims in Jesus name.
Don't over spend,
Don't over speed,
Don't over drink,
Don't over eat.
Enjoy yourself and stay out of trouble. Most importantly,
remember the children's school fees. God will help us.

Lagos State government allegedly deported 70 beggars to Kano.

The Lagos state government has allegedly deported 70
beggars back to Kano state after they were found loitering
the streets of Lagos. According to a local Hausa radio
program monitored by Sahara Reporters in Kano state, the
beggars most of whom are indigenes of Niger, Kaduna,
Kebbi, Jigawa Zamfara and Sokoto states, said they were
bundled from their begging points, held for several months
before they were deported to Kano recently.

Check out : Actress Empress Releases Sexy Christmas photos.

 Actress Empress Njama releases her Christmas photos

Sheikh Gumi: 2015 elections is not about religion. His family members are receiving threats calls from Gen Buhari supporters.

Popular Islamic cleric Sheikh, Dr.
Mahmud Gumi has said the 2015 general elections is not about religion.
Dr. Ahmad Abubakar Mahmud Gumi
He took to his facebook page to express his opinion on
the forthcoming elections. He said “Surely there is
religion in politics and politics in religion, however the
2015 PDP v APC is not about religion. It’s a time bomb
and God is not the author of mischief”.
He added that, “People like me who had been all along
critical about the government dear speak or express my
own personal opinion if it’s not in support of Gen.
Buhari. On must be bribed or a PDP agent. Just this
early morning around 2.30am my three male children
individually got threatening phone calls from a private
number whom are hausa speakers. Already a ‘cult’ is
formed.”
Gumi stressed that the most important priority is the
country’s peace and stability saying every Nigerian life
should be secured be it Muslim or Christian.
He stated that both parties have re-emphasized that the
2015 presidential contest is not a religious one and the
only ethical obligation on the clergy of both religions, is
to explain it to their congregations to avoid violence.
According to the Sheikh, “APC was ‘demonised’ by
elements in PDP as a Janjaweed party to the extent that
they were pushed to take a pastor instead of a nominal
Christian as their vice presidential candidate. This in turn
has nationally brought another dangerous innovation and
dimension into the dirty game of power struggle” .
He further said that “this democracy has been
unconstitutional raped repeatedly by the military mighty
and polls rigging, yet your civility, patience and prayers
had always been our only remedy and the strength of
our unity” .
However, Gumi said that Nigeria doesn’t need another
religious tainted war, Boko Haram has already tormented all.

My Wife is no cheat, Omotola' Husband. ...Both Omotola and hubby refuted cheating rumours. ..

 Omotola has this to say:  “People have insinuated all
kinds of things and read numerous meaning to what was
nothing but an innocuous picture taken of me and a
member of my new management team at the Grammys.
The picture was an innocent one, signifying nothing.
“I have been married to my husband for 15 years now,
and I say this loud and clear that I have never cheated
on him, and would never do so ever! Remember I said
in an interview I granted you in 2009, that yes, I have
been tempted numerous times to violate my marital
vows, but I have always resisted the temptation to do
anything that would bring dishonor to my marriage and
my children.
If I told you – as a popular actress – that we have not
been tempted, I would be lying to you. But should one
sacrifice all what one has built, nurtured and worked
hard to establish just because you want to indulge in
some ill-motivated affair? No. I don’t believe in that. I
count myself blessed to have married a perfect
gentleman, a man who has supported me throughout
my years in the industry, and is still there, as a rock of
Gibraltar. My husband is a rare find, and no amount of
temptation will ever make me cheat on him.
“So the notion or the rumor that my haters and nay-
sayers have spread to the effect that the guy at the
Grammys was my boyfriend, is ludicrous, to say the
least! If I wanted to cheat on my husband, would I do
that in the open? Would I advertise my boyfriend for
everyone to see and at such a public function? Just
analyze that logically – would that be a commonsensical
thing to do?
“This rumor is really a sick one and I’m offended. My
husband is my soul-mate and I will never soil or put that
trust in jeopardy – no matter what and the extent of the
temptation. It is not worth it.” (At this point, she
handed the phone to her husband).
It was obvious from the manner Mr. Ekeinde, pilot,
sounded, that he was pained and frustrated by all the
unfounded rumours about his wife’s glorious outing at
the Grammys

Ekeinde, Omotola's Husband:  “My brother, I am very proud of my wife’s
accomplishments and I join other well wishers and
millions of her fans to toast her success. I’m a little
surprised that instead of Nigerians celebrating her
appearance at the Grammys and her being the first
Nollywood star to walk the red carpet, they are busy
spreading tales and rumours that do not exist”’, he said.
“Truth be told, I was not angry with my wife when I saw
the picture. Why should I be? I know who I married,
how self-respecting she is and also the nature of her
industry. She is an actress for God’s sake, and it is not
out of place for actresses to appear in scenes that may
look a little out of place for a married person.
‘’The key thing is that my wife respects her marital
status, and in our 15-year-marriage, she has been the
best woman any man could aspire to have. In spite of
her stardom, at home, she is my wife. She cooks for
me, takes care of the home and, above all, is a great
mother to our lovely children.
“I sincerely would implore her fans not to buy into
rumours and speculations about her marital life, because
I, the husband, the one that is lucky to have her as my
wife, am so proud of her and I continue to thank God
for bringing her into my life. I could never have asked
for a better wife than her.”

KCee flaunts expensive Cars he acquired within the year.

 We all know that the Limpopo master — KCee, loves
to live the good life. He loves the flashy jewelry and
definitely the expensive fast cars.
KCee definitely had a good year and he has acquired
four solid cars within this period, including a Range
Rover and Mercedes Benz G-Wagon.
He shared the photos with the caption: “Thank you
God for all your blessings in 2014. He is not a late
God. He is able”

Photos below: –

PDP names Ahmadu Ali as Jonathan’s Campaign Director.

The national leadership of the ruling Peoples Democratic
Party may not appeal to members who defected from the
party as a result of the rancour that followed its just-
concluded primaries, The PUNCH has learnt.
The party has also named a former National Chairman of
the PDP, Dr. Ahmadu Ali, as the Director-General,
Goodluck Jonathan Presidential Campaign Organisation.
It was also learnt that the party had foreclosed talking to
those who moved to other political parties where they felt
they could achieve their political aspirations.
Among those who left were a former Governor of Oyo
State, Chief Bayo Alao-Akala, who is now a member of
the Labour Party; a former Minister of State for Industry,
Trade and Investment, Dr. Samuel Ortom (All Progressives
Congress); and a former National Chairman of the party,
Senator Bernabas Gemade.
Many other aggrieved members of the party, despite the
plea by President Goodluck Jonathan not to leave the
PDP, have also left the party as a result of the
controversial primaries.
The President had on Saturday appealed to them not to
leave, saying that the leadership of the party was working
hard to resolve the conflicts thrown up by primaries in
many states.
Despite this, the party said there was no mass exodus
among its members, adding that in politics, while some
were leaving a political party, others would be joining.
The National Secretary of the party, Prof. Wale Oladipo, in
answers to questions from our correspondent in Abuja on
Monday, said there was nothing to fear concerning those
who left the party.
He said, “There is no mass defection in the PDP. I’m
assuring you of that. In politics, you win some; you lose
some. That’s what we did in Oyo, Sokoto, Kwara and
other states.
“We are not shocked (by the defections). When the former
Governor of Adamawa State, Murtala Nyako, took our
mandate to another party, God gave it back to us
miraculously.
“In Kwara, when the governor and others took our
mandate to the opposition, God brought Dele Belgore and
others to us.
“In Sokoto, when the governor also took our mandate
away, God gave us Attahiru Bafarawa. The same thing is
happening in Oyo and other states where we are gaining
members.”
He said there was nothing to fear, adding that the national
leadership was ready to go ahead with the presidential
campaign.
Oladipo also confirmed the appointment of Ali as the
director-general of President Jonathan Campaign
Organisation.
On who is the actual governorship candidate of the party
in Ogun State, Oladipo, refused to be categorical on this.
He merely said that his party would meet the deadline set
by the Independent National Electoral Commission for the
submission of governorship candidates’ names by political
parties.
It will be recalled that the members of the National
Working Committee of the party had ordered the state
chapter of the party not to conduct the governorship
primary.
The directive was ignored as a faction of the party in the
state went ahead to elect Alhaji Gboyega Isiaka as its
governorship candidate. The action was being contested
by the other faction of the party in the state.
However, Oladipo said there was nothing to be worried
about on this.
He also said the issue of Anambra State, where three
different primaries were held at different locations, was not
an issue.
He said, “On Ogun State, INEC has set the 26th of this
month as the deadline for the submission of the list of
candidates for governorship and House of Assembly
members.
“Our party will beat that deadline. As for Anambra, we
organised primaries and the names of those who won have
been sent to INEC.”
Asked about the names of those who were sent, he said
he was sure that the commission would still publish them.

Chelsea beat stock 2 -0 last night to stay top of the EPL table. Hear what Jose Mourhino have to say after the the final whistle: ' More than three points'.

Final whistle verdict: More
than three points

Jose Mourinho had praise for the team after they
dug in to earn a valuable victory which ensures
we top the table at Christmas.
John Terry headed us in front just 90 seconds into a
physical encounter, and Chelsea rarely looked troubled
from that point onwards.
Eden Hazard was the subject of some tough challenges,
while Diego Costa was engaged in an engaging battle
with Stoke’s captain Ryan Shawcross, who was voted
his side’s man of the match.
Cesc Fabregas added a second to take the Blues beyond
reach, the Spaniard having been pushed higher up into a
No10 role with the excellent Nemanja Matic and John
Mikel Obi in holding midfield, with Mourinho explaining
the way the team approached the game...
‘ To win here we must play a very good game,’ he said.
‘We did it because we adapted well to their style of
play, when they had the ball. When we had the ball we
tried not to lose our identity and play our game.
‘To score in the beginning is important but not so much
in this stadium because they are always strong, the
crowd is behind them and the team is mentally strong.
They have good players, a good bench and Mark Hughes
can make changes because he has players for that. It
was a very difficult victory.
‘It’s a victory that means a bit more than the three
points, not just because it’s difficult but because to win
here you need to put more than just your quality in. The
players were together, they coped well with a difficult
style and were not afraid to have responsibility. Our
creative players were not afraid to assume the game and
create, our defensive players were very solid, so only
with a great team performance is it possible to be
successful against Stoke.’
On Eden Hazard ’s performance, having suffered a
hefty tackle from Phil Bardsley early on
‘He did a lot. We need that. Today we decided to play
Mikel and Matic so we lose one creative player. We had
that stability in the team, and left Fabregas, Willian and
Hazard the responsibility to create and they were not
afraid to do that. They put themselves in every situation
and I think the kid was fantastic.
‘It was a difficult fight for the kid, but also a difficult
match for Bardsley. He showed what he is, Bardsley was
injured an Eden a few minutes after being injured that
way, put the ball out. I wouldn’t do it for a guy who
kicked me a few minutes before! The kid is a fantastic
kid.’
On Bardsley’s tackle
‘From my position and in a flash, it looks for me a red
card, but I don’t know. What I know is that if it was a
bad tackle, it was the only one. The game was clean, it
was good. The game was aggressive but it was good.
The referee kept the game under control and the players
were fair. There were good fights, physicality, lots of
duels but the game was clean and if it was a red card it
was an isolated action.’
On Terry, who scored in his 15th successive season
‘He’s very dangerous at set-pieces. He’s a very good
player and in the air. When he is on the pitch he is
always a threat, but more importantly for me is the way
he is playing this season. When I came here last season
he was a bit in trouble, his career was a bit up and
down and not playing regularly for Chelsea.
‘Now in the last two years he is playing every game, and
for me the same level from 2004-2007 when I was here.
‘I think he adapts well to our training methodology, it’s a
good way for a person with his body type to feel sharp
and fast and in good condition. After that it’s happiness.
‘When you’re happy and confident it’s easier in any job.
He knows the way I trust him, and he feels confident and
happy and he’s playing very well.’
On the Christmas schedule, with this the first of four
games in 10 days
‘It’s very difficult. I have lots of respect for the players in
this country. The moment they play in this country I
respect them a lot.
‘At this moment the German guys are on the beach, the
Spanish guys are in the Maldives getting sun, and in this
country you play this day, Boxing Day, the 28th. There is
no Christmas, just football. And the supporters give their
respect because every match is sold out.’

Bloody Monday: Bombers Hit Gombe, Bauchi. Kill 30.

GOMBE—NO fewer than 20 people lost their lives with 25
others sustaining various degrees of injuries in yesterday’s
bomb blast at Dukku motor park in Gombe.
In like manner, 10 people were killed yesterday evening in
a blast that occurred at the ever-busy Central Market in
Bauchi with scores sustaining serious injuries.
Eyewitnesses said a female suicide bomber carried out the
act as a fully loaded bus was about to depart. The bomb
was planted near the bus, filled with passengers, said Mato
Yakubu of the National Orientation Agency.
We evacuated 20 dead bodies –Red Cross
Malam Abubakar Yakubu, Secretary of the Nigeria Red
Cross Society, Gombe State branch, told the News Agency
of Nigeria (NAN) in Gombe that members of the society
evacuated 20 identified dead bodies and deposited at the
Gombe Specialist Hospital mortuary.
He said the 18 that sustained injuries were admitted at the
specialist hospital and at the Musaba Clinic.
Abubakar Yakubu said his staff sent 20 body bags to the
scene and “they have all been exhausted. We are still
looking for more bodies in the carnage,” he told AFP.
BOMBING—Scene of the bomb blast at Dukku Motor Park
in Gombe where 20 people died and 25 sustained various
degrees of injuries, yesterday. Photo: NAN.
How a lady detonated the bomb –Witnesses
Malam Ibrahim Mamuda, an eye witness and driver at the
park, said the bomb exploded around 11 a.m. According
to him, the bomb exploded in a Volkswagen Sharon car
and before they realized what was happening, two cars
were also burnt.
His words: “We started seeing human parts and blood
everywhere, as you can see, there is blood everywhere.”
Malam Ibrahim Labibi, a commercial bus driver at the park,
said he saw a young woman who came along with a boy
and dropped her bag in the Volkswagen Sharon car.
“It was after she dropped the bag that the car exploded
and I myself counted about 21 dead bodies,” Labibi said.
Female bomber disguised as a passenger –Witness
Another eye witness told journalists that the female bomber
who disguised as a passenger took advantage of a fully
loaded bus which was departing for its destination.
The source added that she kept a bag filled with
explosives in a Volkswagen Sharon car, later left the scene
and detonated the explosives from a distance, killing
scores of people.
Those who died included hawkers while a couple of
vehicles were burnt in the fire that ensued.
19 persons died, 25 injured —Police
Police authorities in Gombe, capital of Gombe State said
19 persons died while 25 were critically injured. Confirming
the incident, the Police Public Relations Officer, PPRO, of
the state police command, DSP Fwaji Atajiri stated that the
area had been cordoned off, adding that those taken to
the state specialist hospital in the town were responding to
treatment.
Violence in the North-East is escalating ahead of the
February 14, 2015 general elections, with many concerned
that voting might be impossible in large parts of the region.
Gombe was hit by a triple bombing blamed on the
Islamists on October 31. The state shares a border with
Borno and Yobe, two of the states worst affected by Boko
Haram’s five-year insurgency which has cost more than
13,000 lives.
Boko Haram gunmen stormed Geidam in Yobe on Sunday,
setting fire to several buildings and forcing residents to flee
to the bush, witnesses said.
“They were chanting Allahu Akbar and firing shots and
throwing bombs,” said a resident, Adamu Shehu.
“We spent a night in the bush but from afar we could see
in the darkness flames and smoke coming from the town,”
he said. Geidam is the home town of Yobe’s Governor
Ibrahim Geidam and his home was also razed, witnesses
said.
The attackers rampaged late into the night and reportedly
faced no resistance from the military. While some people
fled, others locked themselves in houses that were later
torched and locals were going door-to-door to see if any
lives were lost.
“Our town is a mess,” said resident Brema Umar, who
reported that scores of people had fled overnight, many
towards Yobe’s capital, Damaturu, 180 kilometres (110
miles) to the north.
Details of attacks in the remote region often take several
days to emerge due to the poor mobile phone network.
10 die in Bauchi market blast
Vanguard gathered that the Bauchi market blast occurred a
few minutes before 6pm when people were preparing to
close for the day in a shop where the bomb was planted.
At the scene, tension was very high as security agents fired
gun shots to scare away angry youths who had started
pelting them with stones and other objects.
An eyewitness, who identified himself as Mu’azu Musa,
said that he saw charred bodies of victims as they were
being evacuated from the scene.
Musa, who said he was an Okada (commercial motorcycle)
rider and was by the roundabout near the market when the
blast occurred, said that he fell down from his motorcycle
when he saw the charred bodies of the victims, adding that
he lost consciousness as a result of the fall only to see
himself in the hospital.
Red Cross officials evacuated victims to the Trauma Centre
of the Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University Teaching
Hospital (ATBUTH).
Speaking with journalists at the hospital, the Deputy
Chairman, Medical Advisory Council (CMAC) of the
hospital, who is in charge of clinical matters, Dr. Saidu
Abubakar Kadas, stated that the actual figure of
thecasualties could not be ascertained yet as victims were
being brought in.
He, however, assured that the teaching hospital was in a
better position to handle the situation as most of its health
workers had been mobilised to attend to the victims.
Also speaking, the Chairman of the ATBUTH branch of the
Nigerian Union of Allied Health Professionals, Idris Ado, a
pharmacist, said that the incident was unfortunate and
regrettable.
According to him, the health workers who were currently
on strike had been directed to report for work tomorrow
(today) to take care of the victims.
It’s barbaric — Yuguda
Bauchi State Governor, Mallam Isa Yuguda, condemned
the bomb blast, describing it as an unfortunate and
barbaric incident aimed at disrupting the peace being
enjoyed in the state.
The governor, according to a press statement by his Chief
Press Secretary (CPS), Deacon Ishola Michael Adeyemi,
condemned the perpetrators of the heinous act, describing
them as cowards who were always happy to spill innocent
blood without any justification.
He, however, reassured the people of the state that his
administration would not relent in its efforts to ensure that
lives and property of law-abiding citizens were protected at
all cost, adding that the administration had always
collaborated with security agents to maintain peace and
peaceful coexistence among the diverse people of the
state.
I-G orders deployment of strike units, tasks AIGs, CPs on
visibility policing for Chirstmas
Meanwhile, the Inspector-General of Police, Mr Suleiman
Abba, has ordered a nationwide deployment of police
strike units for a water-tight security throughout the
Christmas and New Year celebrations.
This was contained in a statement issued by the Force
Spokesman, Mr Emmanuel Ojukwu, yesterday, in Abuja.
The affected units are Police Mobile Force, Special
Protection Unit, Counter-Terrorism Unit, Explosive
Ordinance Department, Dog Section and Mounted Troops.
Abba also ordered the police air wing to carry out air
surveillance patrols, while the Marine Police should ensure
a sustained patrol of all the water ways.
He directed all Zonal Assistant Inspectors-General of Police
and Commissioners of Police in charge of state commands
to put in place extended “police visibility and patrols.”
The IG enjoined them to do this taking into consideration
the peculiar security situation to enable them protect the
citizens as they celebrate.
Abba advised operators of public places such as hotels,
viewing and recreation centres to be vigilant and ensure
that they properly screen all visitors/users of their facilities
during the period.
“Members of the public are also urged to report any
suspicious movement in their areas to the police,” he
charged.
Police begin sale of admission forms
Meanwhile, the force has announced the commencement of
sales of forms for admission into its degree awarding
institution in Kano, the Police Academy, Wudil.
A statement signed by the force spokesman, Mr Emmanuel
Ojukwu, yesterday, said the sales of the forms began on
Nov. 12 and was expected to end on March 31, 2015.

Boko Haram releases video of sect killing civilians in a dormitory

Boko Haram at the weekend released a video
showing gunmen mowing down civilians lying face
down in a dormitory , and a leader saying they are
being killed because they are “ infidels ” or non-
believers .
There are so many bodies the gunmen have difficulty
stepping to reach bodies still twitching with life.
Most appear to be adult men.
“ We have made sure the floor of this hall is turned
red with blood , and this is how it is going to be in
all future attacks and arrests of infidels , ” the group
leader says in a message . “ From now , killing,
slaughtering , destructions and bombing will be our
religious duty anywhere we invade . ”
The video was released on Saturday , two days after
fleeing villagers reported that the extremists are
rounding up elderly people and killing them in two
schools in Gwoza , in northeast Nigeria .
The setting of the latest video appears to be a
school , a long dormitory furnished with bunk beds
which the leader says is in Bama , a town 40 miles
north of Gwoza . Students and schools are frequently
targeted by Boko Haram, which means “ Western
education is sinful ” in the Hausa language .
Previously , the militants had told residents of villages
and towns that they would kill only enemies and
wanted people to live peacefully in the area they
have dubbed an Islamic caliphate , a large swath
along Nigeria ’ s northeastern border with Cameroon
that they have controlled for more than three
months .
In the video , the leader notes that the prophet
Mohammed advised prisoners should be held, not
killed , but says “ we felt this is not the right time for
us to keep prisoners ; that is why we will continue to
see that the grounds are crimsoned with the flowing
blood of prisoners ” .
He says some of those killed may call themselves
Muslims , but are considered infidels by Boko Haram ,
a Sunni Jihadi group that imposes strict Shariah law .
Thousands of people have been killed and about 1 . 6
million driven from their homes in the five -year
insurgency that is spilling across borders into
Cameroon , Chad and Niger .
Last week , extremists killed 35 people and
kidnapped at least 185, fleeing residents
said Thursday of an attack near the town where
nearly 300 schoolgirls were taken hostage in April .
Last month, an official in Chibok said the extremists
forced thousands of residents to flee the town .
The attack on Gumburi happened one week ago ,
said a security official and a local government
officer , who insisted on anonymity because they
were not authorised to speak to the press . The news
took days to emerge because the militants have
destroyed communications towers in the area .
Gumburi is 12 miles from Chibok , the northeastern
town where extremists kidnapped 276 schoolgirls in
April . Dozens of the students escaped but 219
remain missing .

Again, 80 insurgents, 2 soldiers killed in Borno.

At least 80 Boko Haram insurgents and two soldiers lost
their lives when suspected members of the sect laid
ambush along the troubled Maiduguri- Damboa road.
The clash according to reliable sources occurred at the
weekend when some military personnel attached to 7
Division, Nigerian Army were on their way to Damboa, the
headquarters of Damboa Local Government area of Borno
State.
This attack is coming barely 48 hours when some troops
succeeded in killing 75 insurgents in a failed attempt to
attack engineers and electricians who were repairing the
vandalized transmission lines in a remote village of Komala
along the 185km Maiduguri- Damboa- Biu road.
The whole of Maiduguri and its environs had remained in a
total blackout following the vandalized power lines and this
was the third attempt by security forces and the staff of
PHCN to restore power to the city of Maiduguri but to no
avail.
The source said, “military personnel were on their way to
Damboa to provide security to the staff of Transmission
Company of Nigeria (TCN) who were in Damboa to repair
some destroyed electric cables along Maiduguri-Damboa
road but they were ambushed by insurgents leaving two
soldiers and over 80 terrorists dead over the weekend.
A security source who seeked anonimity told our
correspondent that “as the troops were moving towards
Damboa, one Boko Haram terrorist suddenly appeared on
the road with a female by his side both with AK47 rifles.
“As the troops approaches, the insurgents shot a Rocket
propelled Grenade (RPG) on one of the troops vehicles
killing two soldiers.”


Vanguard.

Naira Rain at Jonathan's Re-election fund raising. Raised over N21b.

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) last night
demonstrated why it is the largest political party in
Africa as its fund raising dinner towards President
Goodluck Jonathan’s re-election in 2015 generated
over N21 billion.
Donors at the fund raiser, which held at the Banquet
Hall of the Presidential Villa in Abuja, included
businessmen/women, multinational organizations, PDP
governors and individuals.
Mr. Tunde Ayeni, who was chairman of the event,
opened the set the ball rolling with a donation of N2
billionn on behalf of himself and unnamed friends
while a prominent businesswoman and friend of the
First Family, Hajiya Bola Shagaya and her friends
donated the sum of N5 billion.
The PDP Governors Forum donated N1.05billion.
Governor Isa Yuguda of Bauchi State, who spoke on
behalf of the governors, said 21 governors of the party
donated N50m each.
Some of the other donations on the night are: Oil and
Gas sector, N5bn; Transport and Aviation, N1bn; Food
and Agriculture, N500m; Power, N500m; Construction,
N310m; Road Construction, N250m; those in Real
Estate and Building donated N4bn; National
Automotive Association, N450m; Shelter Development
Limited, N250m; PDP Rivers State stakeholders,
N50million; Emzor Pharmaceuticals, N50m; the NDDC
governing board, N15m; auto sector, N450m and PDP
youth group, N50m.
Speaking at the occasion, Chairman of the fundraiser
committee and former Minister of Information, Prof.
Jerry Gana, who donated N5billion on behalf of
himself and his friends, warned that the 2015 general
elections would not be a walk over and urged the
party not to underestimate their opponents.
President Goodluck Jonathan in a brief remark thanked
the donors and pledged that the funds raised would be
judiciously utilised.
The National Chairman of the PDP, Adamu Mu’azu, in
his speech reiterated that “Power and glory come from
God” adding that “those who have won should involve
everybody in their campaigns in order to make them
family campaigns”.
Present at the event were Vice President Namadi
Sambo, Senate President David Mark, House of
Representatives Deputy Speaker Emeka Ihedioha, PDP
governors, Ministers and the Chairman, Board of
Trustees of the PDP, Chief Antony Anenih.
The huge donations, according to the Electoral Act,
contravenes the law. Section 221 of the 1999
Constitution prohibits a State Government from
contributing to the election expenses of any candidate
or aspirant.
The Electoral Act Section 91 (90 of the Code of
conduct for Political Parties and Elections limits
individual donations and contributions to a maximum
of N1m.
Also, the Electoral Act, Section 91, criminalizes
contravention of limitation on election expenses. A
presidential Candidate, who knowingly contravenes it,
is liable to a maximum fine of N1, 000,000.00 or
imprisonment for a period of 12 months or both.

Moringer leaves cure 300 diseases, Says Don.

Langtang (Plateau) – A Don, Prof. Zachariah Russom, says
Moringa leaves can cure more than 300 diseases.
Russom, who teaches at the University of Jos, said this
during a workshop for farmers in Langtang North, Plateau,
organised by the Centre for Biotechnology and Genetic
Engineering (CBGE) of the university.
He said that Nigeria was blessed with abundant agricultural
potentials and called on farmers to take the advantage to
grow more Moringa plant which he called “miracle plant”.
‘’Moringa is a wonder plant which has proved to be a cure
for more than 300 diseases in the world.
“Growing moringa plants is like growing multi vitamins at
your doorstep as science has proved that the leaves are
packed with incredible nutrition that can strengthen our
bodies and prevent many diseases.
He said the leaves contained huge quantities of protein,
vitamins C and A, and calcium.
The Chairman of Langtang North Local government, Mr
Nanmwan Godwin, represented by the council’s secretary,
Mr Richard Jateau, said the workshop was timely.
He said the workshop came at a time when Nigeria was
making frantic efforts diversify its economy owing to the
daunting challenges that the oil market was facing.
The Director of the Centre, Prof. Bashir Ajayi, said the aim
of the workshop was to expose farmers and people at the
grassroots to the usefulness of some of the plants they
were growing within their surroundings.

Vanguard.

APC appoints Amaechi Presidential campaign Director

The All Progressives Congress, APC, has named Gov.
Rotimi Amaechi of Rivers State as the Director-General
of the APC Presidential Campaign Organization, which
will drive the party’s efforts to win the 2015
presidential election.
In a statement issued in Lagos on Thursday by its
National Publicity Secretary, Lai Mohammed, the party
said the announcement followed the hugely successful
convention at which its presidential candidate, Gen.
Muhammadu Buhari, was democratically elected, and
the follow-up successful choice of his running mate,
Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, SAN.
It said Gov. Amaechi’s outstanding reputation as a man
of courage, principle, strength of character, decency
and love of country, as well as his administrative
prowess and organizational skills combined to fetch
him perhaps the most important task in the quest for
positive change in Nigeria.
APC thanked Nigerians for their support and prayers
toward the success of the convention, the emergence of
Gen. Buhari as the APC presidential candidate and the
choice of Prof. Osinbajo as his running mate.
The party said it believed it had lived to its promise to
Nigerians to ensure that the choice of its presidential
running mate would be made within the context of the
best democratic ideals, considering the enormously-
positive reactions from the general public to the choice
of Prof. Osinbajo.
“With a presidential candidate that has rekindled the
hopes of the citizenry and revived their belief in
democratic ideals, we believe we must also choose a
running mate that will complement the sterling
qualities of the presidential candidate. We must confess
that the choice was a tough one, considering the array
of eminently-qualified and outstanding candidates that
we had to choose from.
“Yes, we were spoilt for choice but, in the end, we
picked as running mate a man whose pedigree,
nationally, sub-regionally, regionally and globally,
attests to the fact that our party, the APC, is a
repository of high quality leadership materials, and
that our country, Nigeria, has no shortage of the very
best human resources,” it said.
APC said whether in the academic, legal or ecclesial
world, Prof. Osinbajo stands much taller than his
physical frame, and serves as a good accompaniment to
our presidential candidate, himself a man of such rare
sterling qualities that have stood the test of time,
qualities that are now so sorely lacking in our
country’s leadership.
“Our presidential running mate is an award-winning
professor of law, a legal luminary, a gentleman, a
much-sought-after public speaker, a tested
administrator, an author and a man of great
ecclesiastical standing.
“Educated in Nigeria and the UK, Prof. Osinbajo is a
Barrister and Solicitor of the Supreme Court of Nigeria,
who has served in many organizations and professional
bodies in Nigeria, West Africa, Africa and the United
Nations. He has authored or edited over a dozen
publications, has taught and practised law at the high
levels, and has served on the Editorial Boards of
learned publications and non-legal publications, in
addition to publishing many articles in learned
journals.
“Now that we have presented Nigerians with the best
possible choices for the exalted positions of President
and Vice President, we expect that citizens, who have
been yearning for quality leadership, will use their
voting power to put Nigeria firmly on the path of
greatness. A country seeking to be among the greats in
the comity of nations cannot afford to have a mediocre
leadership,” the party said.
Lai Mohammed
National Publicity Secretary
All Progressives Congress (APC)


Punch

2 sentenced to death for stealing Fowls in Osun.

OSOGBO—Justice Jide Falola of an Osun State High Court
sitting in Okuku has sentenced two robbers to death for
stealing fowls.
The convicts, Olowookere Segun and Morakinyo Sunday,
were found guilty of forcefully breaking into the house of
one Mr. Balogun Tope, a police officer attached to
Divisional Police headquarters, Okuku, in April 2010 and
carting away some of his belongings.
The convicts were charged with conspiracy, robbery and
stealing contrary to Section 6(b) and 1(2)(a) of Robbery
and Firearm (Special Provisions) Act, cap R 11 Laws of
Federation of Nigeria 2004 and Section (390)(1) Criminal
Code Law, Cap 34, Laws of Osun State, 2002.
The prosecution team, led by the state Solicitor-General,
Mrs Abiola Adewemimo, called six witnesses and tendered
several exhibits during the prosecution.
The prosecution told the court that on November 13, 2010,
men were sighted around Balogun’s home armed with
cutlass and a dane gun, and that while two of them were
arrested, others escaped.
The convicts were said to have confessed that they stole
the complainant’s fowls, adding that they had been in his
house before to steal.
Adewemimo said: “They also stated that they had earlier
robbed Alhaja Umani Oyewo in her house and stole
broilers, eggs and kegs of vegetable oil from the house.”
In his judgment, Justice Falola convicted them on only
three counts: to death for conspiracy; life sentence for
robbery, and three years imprisonment for stealing.
Justice Falola recommended that the governor can decide
to commute the death sentence to 10 years imprisonment,
considering the convicts’ ages.


Vanguard.

Boko Haram killed 33, , 100 in Borno.

Normalcy is said to have returned to Gumsuri Village in
Damboa Local Government Area of Borno State after
gunmen reportedly killed 33 and kidnapped about 100
people.
It was gathered that the attack occurred last Friday, but
the news made its way out after some of the survivors
made their way to Maiduguri, the State capital.
Those kidnapped are said to be mostly women and
children.
Although no one has claimed responsibility yet, the attack
bore the hallmarks of Boko Haram, which abducted more
than 200 women in April from a secondary school in
Chibok, 24 km (15 miles) from this latest attack.
Maina Chibok, who did not witness the attack but is from
Gumsuri and visited a family there shortly afterwards, told
Reuters that the insurgents came in pick-up trucks and
sprayed the town with bullets from AK-47s and machine
guns.
“They gathered the people, shot dead over 30 of them and
took away more than 100 women and children in two
open-top trucks.
“Burials of many of the victims had already taken place,
Chibok said.
A security source confirmed that more than 100 women
and children had been abducted and 35 people had been
killed, including the district head.
“They also burnt down a government medical centre,
houses and shops,” Chibok added.
A youth vigilante from the area called Aliyu Mamman also
told Reuters by telephone that there was no security
presence to stop the militants, who stayed in the town all
night before leaving.

Kadpoly shut down over threat of Boko Haram attack.

Authorities of the Kaduna Polytechnic on Thursday shut the
institution, following threat of attack by the outlawed
group, Boko Haram.
A competent source told our correspondent that after the
school authorities had met with the Governor Mukhtar Yero
and other stakeholders, they decided to close the
institution based on security reports of an imminent attack.
“They were advised that the school be closed. It was even
advised that people should not cluster in groups while on
campus,” the source said.
In a circular by the Registrar of the institution, Zayyanu
Kukasheka, the school asked students to immediately
proceed on the Christmas and New Year break and to
resume on January 5, 2015.
The circular titled ‘Closure of Academic Activities:
Chrismas and New Year,’ however, exempted fresh
students and National Diploma 1 students as well as the
staff from the the break.
The circular was also silent on the threat to peace and
security of the institution by the Boko Haram sect.
The source, who craved for anonymity because he was not
authorised to talk on the matter, said, “We have been
asked to proceed on the Christmas and New Year break
following security report that the school is one of the
targets of Boko Haram.
“As you can see, security is thorough here. Anybody
coming into the school is being stopped and searched.
Students from the campuses at Tudun-Wada, Barnawa and
Ungwan-Rimi were directed to leave.”

54 soldiers sentenced to death for Mutiny.

ABUJA—The General Court Martial sitting at the Army
Headquarters Garrison in Abuja yesterday sentenced 54
soldiers to death after finding them guilty of mutiny. 59
soldiers were on trial on a two-count charge of criminal
conspiracy to commit mutiny and mutiny.
Four of them were however acquitted.
While the judgment was going on, stern looking soldiers
posted at the entry gate into the Mogadishu Barracks,
turned back journalists saying they had instructions not to
allow the media into the barracks.
File: Court martial
An officer who was at the Court Martial however confirmed
that 54 of the 59 soldiers were sentenced to death. The 59
soldiers who were serving in the epicentre of the Boko
Haram insurgency in Borno state, allegedly refused lawful
orders by their commander to proceed on a mission to
clear out terrorists and secure a town for subsequent
military deployments.
All the soldiers had pleaded not guilty to the charges
levelled against them at the commencement of the trial last
October. The soldiers are the second batch of Nigerian
soldiers condemned to death by Nigerian Military courts for
mutiny.
The soldiers, attached to the 7 Division, Nigerian Army in
Maiduguri include two Corporals, Cpl, nine Lance
Corporals, LCpl and 49 Private soldiers. According to the
charge against them, they
conspired to commit mutiny against the authorities of the 7
Division on August 4, at the Mulai Primary School camp,
opposite AIT Maiduguri, Borno State.
The prosecutor, Captain J.E. Nwosu, told the military court
that the accused soldiers had on August 4, in Maiduguri,
refused to join the 111 Special Forces Battalion troops,
commanded by Timothy Opurum, a Lieutenant Colonel for
an operation.
Mr. Nwosu said the operation was meant to recapture
Delwa, Bulabulin and Damboa in Borno State from the
Boko Haram terrorists.
According to him, the offence is punishable under Section
52(1) (a) of the Armed Forces Act Cap A20 Laws of the
Federation of Nigeria, 2004.
The prosecution called the commander of the 111 Special
Forces, Lt.-Col. Opurum, as one of the witnesses. The
statement of the commander was admitted by the court
and marked Exhibit P1.
Mr. Opurum, in his testimony in October, said the Special
Forces were tasked with advancing to recapture Delwa to
clear the way for other battalions to pass through to
recapture Babulin and Damboa from the insurgents.
He said he took off for the operation with only four officers
and 29 soldiers as “tasked” after majority of the 174
soldiers in the unit refused to join the operation.
The witness said after he took charge of the Special
Forces, he addressed and assured them that they could
achieve the task given to them.
He, however, said the soldiers were “hesitant to partake in
the operation” in spite of the assurances.
Under cross examination by Femi Falana, who represented
the accused soldiers, Mr. Opurum said 47 of the soldiers
who initially refused, later re-joined the forces for another
operation.
Mr. Opurum said the 47 soldiers joined, after he called for
reinforcement, as they came under attack from terrorists,
who out-numbered them and had superior weapons.

Vanguard.

I was molested by a Catholic priest, while in secondary school- Lola Omotayo.

Lola Omotayo recently revealed at the Kinabuti
Dare2Dream Project in Lagos a secret part of her life
to help out young girls at the project.
Lola revealed that when she was in her secondary
school days, she was molested by a priest and she
could not tell anyone in her family.
She said that the situation repeated itself in a former
relationship before finally meeting Peter of P-Square
and then getting married.

Excerpts of her speech below…

“You shouldn’t let your past determine what your
destiny will be, we all have our past whether good or
bad or makes us unhappy, we all had a life that we
lived that we are not happy about, you shouldn’t let it
bother you from succeeding.
When I was a young girl in my early teens in high
school, I was molested by a catholic priest, i blamed
myself, i didn’t tell anyone because i was ashamed,
couldn’t tell anyone cos i felt everyone would blame
me, so i carried on the guilt and bitterness with me for
years. I was filled with hate and i became a angry
person, i was rebellious, i didn’t want to listen to
anybody…and because i wanted to be expelled from
school to avoid seeing this person, i would do so
many terrible things, everything around me was just so
negative, i felt i wasn’t good enough….
Anyway i moved on to the university, met the love of
my life and i’m like, okay this guy is cool, he loves
me…and then he started to abuse me….i was beaten
black and blue all the time, in front of friends, in
public and at a point i felt, you know what I am not
worthy enough, there is nothing about me that is nice,
nobody loves me but i hid this from my family….i felt
like a loser..so it was hard for me to focus..so one
day i woke up and said i am going to change my story
and i dumped that person, focus on my education and
decided to be serious and be something….i decided to
get a job and go to school full time in America…
I worked hard…my parents were sending me money
cos I didn’t tell them i was working but i was working
because i wanted to be independent…I didn’t want to
depend on any man or on my parents even though
they would have done anything for me…so i did all
sorts of job, i was a make up artiste, i worked in a
cafe, school library, i did so many things and i didn’t
realise that these jobs were building me up as a
person, building my resume, my confidence….people
began to like me because i was adding value to their
lives….at work i was excellent and so was i in school
and that built me as a strong woman…and at some
point, i sought counseling to get over my molestation
issues where i was made to see reasons why i wasn’t
at fault cos i was a child then…today I am
accomplished.
You can be whatever woman you want to be but you
have to believe in yourself, if they reject you today, it
doesn’t mean you should let your dreams die, you
have something unique about you.
Look at my husband, when i met him peeps were like
what are you doing with him, he has nothing but i
stood my ground and choose to stick with him cos he
had a dream. He and his twin brother did not let their
dream die, they worked hard..look at them today! I
stuck by him cos he had focus and drive and today i
am happy, i have a good life, we are happy and we
have got a beautiful family. No one can make you a
loser.”
Lola is married to Peter Okoye of the P-square fame,
they have two kids together.

Meet Captain Abimbola Jayeola, Nigerian’s first female Helicopter Captain! (photos )

History was made today when Captain Abimbola
Jayeola (Captain AB) became Nigeria’s first ever
female Helicopter Captain.
She flies the sikorsky S76 for Bristow helicopters Nigeria.