News, Events and People.

  We Paid Bandits N400m To Allow Us Farm In Birnin Gwari ― Community Leader   A member of the Birnin Emirate in Kaduna State, Danmasani Birnin Gwari, Zubairu Abdulra’uf has lamented that bandits had for over two years, imposed tax on the Birni-Gwari farmers. Speaking in an interview with newsmen in Kaduna on Thursday, he affirmed, “N200 million was paid to bandits in Randegi district alone.” He continued, “When you talk of Birni-Gwari Local Government as a whole, it’s between N300 million to N400 million paid to these bandits.” According to the former Managing Director of Kaduna State Media Corporation, “there are three stages of paying these types of taxes to these bandits. “You have to pay pre-season and mid-season when the crops are about to start yeilding. You will pay these bandits because they will not allow you to have access to your farm. “Then, at the end of the season when you are harvesting, you will give these bandits money before you access your farm. “And when you access

  Nigerian pilgrim Aisha Ahmed dies in Saudi File photo: Hajj pilgrims boarding a plane Hajiya Aisha Ahmed, one of the Nigerian pilgrims in Medina, Saudi Arabia, has reportedly passed away. Her death was announced by Alhaji Idris Al-Makura, the Executive Secretary, Nasarawa State Muslim Pilgrim Welfare Board on Wednesday. Confirming the sad event, Al-Makura noted that the deceased, who hailed from Keffi Local Government Area of Nasarawa state, died after a brief illness. According to him, she had no record of ailment before departing from Nigeria. “The deceased had no medical history at the time of departure to the Holy Land, and we are together in Medina. Some of the pilgrims took ill two days ago. “She was first taken to the National Hajj Commission’s Hospital in Makkah and later transferred to the King Abdulaziz Hospital, where she passed on. The family was duly informed of the death. “We sent the family a video recording of the process of her death confirmation, to the funeral rite

  Protests intensify in Ghana over economic hardship Protests over economic hardship and rising inflation in Ghana have reached second day as people in their hundreds thronged the streets to express their displeasure over the country’s situation. The demonstration, according to reports, was a two-day protest led by local lobby group “Arise Ghana,” intended to denounce the economic hardships. Meanwhile, there was a clash between the Police in Accra and hundreds of demonstrators, who had stepped out of the approved route for the protesters. Police fired teargas, rubber bullets and hot water to disperse an angry crowd, who had veered off the stipulated routes for the protest, according to Arise Ghana. The police claimed they were forced to use teargas and water cannons to restore order after demonstrators threw stones and burnt tyres on the road. In a statement, the police said twelve officers were reported injured while some police vehicles were damaged, adding that protesters failed to

  Lagos rewards teachers with 13 new cars As Sanwo-Olu inaugurates first modular school in Nigeria Thirteen teachers and school administrators were on Wednesday honoured with brand new cars and other prizes, as Lagos State marked the 2021 Annual Teachers’ Merit Award. The lucky winners were Adenike Ojo, Adeola Adefemi, Bolanle Alamu, Fausat Adegeye, Folashade Oyedeji, Lukman Agbabiaka and Michael Ayoola. Others were Olubukola Dosumu, Olusegun Muftau, Oluseyi Amao, Omolayo Fadayomi, Soji Megbowon and Yahya Adesokan. Speaking on the occasion, Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu said the teaching profession and education were critical to the society to be left in the lurch. “Today has been an eventful day for me and the state. Earlier today, we inaugurated the Vetland Junior International School, Agege which is the first modular, digitized school in the country. Our focus on education is in line with our belief that education is the fulcrum that would ensure a better society. Today’s event is to

  IK OGBONNA BAGS DOCTORATE DEGREE IK Ogbo  Nollywood actor IK Ogbonna has received a doctorate (Honorary) degree in Leadership and Development. The actor shared the news via his Instagram account with a photograph of him holding the degree. He captioned the photo, “Introducing Dr (Hon) IKECHUKWU MITCHEL OGBONNA. Thanks to the governing council of INSTITUT SUPERIEUR DE TECHNOLOGIES ET DE MANAGEMENT (ISTM UNIVERSITY) for conferring on me Doctorate (Honorary) Degree of Arts in Leadership and Development,” IK Ogbonna’s degree comes in light of Nollywood actress Hilda Dokubo receiving a Doctorate Degree of Arts in Leadership and development from the prestigious Institut Superieur of Technologies Et De Management, joining the league of other celebrities with doctorate degrees a few weeks ago

  Kidapped Kaduna train passenger shot in captivity A kaduna bound train One of the passengers of the Kaduna-bound train that was attacked by terrorists in March has been shot in captivity. Daily Trust  reported that a negotiator with terrorists disclosed the shooting of a passenger named Mohammed Al’amin. “I can confirm to you that the said passenger has been shot and the information is credible,” Tukur Mamu, a publisher negotiating with terrorists said. Terrorists in March detonated explosives on the Abuja-Kaduna train and opened fire on about 970 passengers on board. The Kaduna-bound train derailed after explosives believed to be planted on the rail track went off close to Rigasa area of the state. The 6:00 p.m. train, which took off from Idu Train Station at the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja, hit the explosive device about 30 minutes to Rigasa train station in Kaduna at a point between Katari and Rijana community. Some passengers were shot dead while many others were kidna

  God has not told me to support Atiku, we’re with Wike, says Ortom Samuel Ortom Benue State Governor, Samuel Ortom, said he has not received direction from God to support the presidential candidate the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) Atiku Abubakar for the 2023 elections. Ortom made this statement during an interview with Arise Tv on Wednesday. “I am praying. I have gone into hibernation. I am fasting and praying. So in the end, if God directs me that I should support Atiku, why should I not do it? After all, he’s my party member,” Ortom said. Ortom added that he had expected Atiku to have chosen Rivers State governor, Nyesom Wike, as his running mate instead of Ifeanyi Okowa, Delta state governor. Ortom also declared his support for Governor Wike and urged Atiku to talk to the Rivers State governor. “But I am waiting for him (Atiku) to do more. I expect him to reach out to Wike, who came second in the presidential primary,” Ortom said. Wike contested and lost the PDP presidential tic

  Sex crimes: Singer R. Kelly sentenced to 30 years in prison R. Kelly Embattled R&B singer, R. Kelly, was sentenced to 30 years in prison Wednesday for recruiting and trapping teenagers and women for sex. Judge Ann Donnelly handed down the term in the Brooklyn federal court nearly a year after the 55-year-old Kelly was convicted by a New York jury. “The verdict is in: R. Kelly has been sentenced to 30 years,” the US attorney’s office for the Eastern District of New York said in a tweet. The prosecutors had urged the court to put the “I Believe I Can Fly” artist behind bars for at least 25 years, saying he still “poses a serious danger to the public.” In September, the fallen superstar was found guilty on all nine charges he faced, including the most serious of racketeering. “His actions were brazen, manipulative, controlling and coercive. He has shown no remorse or respect for the law,” prosecutors wrote in their sentencing memo. Kelly’s lawyers called for a lighter sentence with

  Abuja inmate bags Second Class Upper degree from NOUN An inmate of the Nigerian Correctional Service in Kuje Custodial Centre, Mr Chinwendu Heart, graduated with a Second Class Upper degree in Theological Studies from the National Open University of Nigeria. This was contained in a statement issued by the Public Relations Officer, Federal Capital Territory Command, Mr Chukwuedo Humphrey, on Wednesday, in Abuja. Humphrey quoted the Librarian, NOUN, Dr Angela Okpala, who presented the certificate on Tuesday as encouraging the graduate to be a good ambassador of the university as well as the correctional service. Speaking, Mr Ibrahim Shehu, the officer in charge of Kuje Custodial Centre said that the inmate had shown an exemplary character over time. “The inmate has always been diligent with his studies and also lived an exemplary life in custody,” he said. Shehu enjoined other inmates to cease the opportunity of the free education from NOUN and improve themselves, adding that education

  Rivers police arraign professor for alleged sexual assault Rivers State Police Command, yesterday, arraigned Professor David Ogbonna, of Rivers State University on allegations of unlawful and sexual assault of a female student.     Ogbonna was arraigned before Chief Magistrate Menenen Poromon of Rivers State Magistrate’s court. The charge read: “You Professor David Ogbonna on May 16, 2022 at Rivers State University campus, Oruwokwo in Obio/Akpor Magisterial District, but triable in Port Harcourt Magisterial District, did unlawfully and indecently assault a female, 29 by inserting your manhood into her vagina, and thereby committed an offence punishable under section 360 of the criminal code CAP 37 Vol.11 of laws of Rivers State, Nigeria 1999.”    The accused, however, pleaded not guilty to the charge. Following his plea, the defence counsel, Higher King, however, urged the court to grant the defendant bail on self recognition, considering his status in society.     But Emi Jim George

Teenage apprentice disappears after four months in Lagos, family panics A 17-year-old boy, Chinonso Orji, has gone missing after leaving home for his place of work at Ogba, in the Ikeja area of Lagos State. Related post: https://www.edoborsblog.com/2022/06/he-appeared-okay-before-suicide-says_27.html It was gathered that Chinonso, an indigene of Okoko, in the Bende Local Government Area of Abia State, left home around 9am on Thursday, June 25, 2022. His elder sister, Mercy, said he was last seen at a shop where he went to buy food. She said, “He relocated to Lagos towards the end of February. I brought him here to learn clothing business in a boutique. He’s learning how to buy and sell wares at the boutique. He left the house around 9am on Thursday for the boutique. He was wearing a yellow shirt and jean trousers. He’s five feet and two inches tall.  “I reported the case at the Pen Cinema Police Station, Agege, where they promised us that announcements would be made on television and r

  Why we directed citizens to acquire guns – Matawalle Gov. Bello Matawalle of of Zamfara State Gov. Bello Matawalle of Zamfara State has said that the state government relied on an extant legislation to direct residents to acquire weapons to defend themselves. This is contained in a statement issued by Jamilu Magaji, the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, and made available to newsmen on Tuesday.M Related post: https://www.edoborsblog.com/2022/06/zamfara-govt-directs-residents-to-buy.html Magaji stated that the governor made the remark while inaugurating some security committees in Gusau. The statement explained that the governor’s directive was part of the administration’s efforts to tackle protracted security challenges in the state. It added that the State Government was aware of the misgivings expressed in some quarters regarding the new measure. It noted that the measure was meant “to encourage the communities suffering almost daily from the inhuman aggressions from the bandi

  2023: Court rejects motion seeking to disqualify Tinubu, Atiku Tinubu and Atiku A Federal High Court, Abuja, on Tuesday, refused to grant a motion, seeking an order compelling Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) from accepting Bola Tinubu as the All Progressives Congress (APC)’s candidate for the 2023 presidential election. Related posts:  https://www.edoborsblog.com/2022/06/bola-tinubu-graduated-with-honours.html https://www.edoborsblog.com/2022/06/2023-tinubu-says-i-am-still-sesrching.html The court also declined to grant the prayer, asking INEC from recognising Atiku Abubakar as the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP)’s presidential candidate for the next year’s poll. Justice Inyang Ekwo, in a ruling, rather ordered the plaintiffs; Incorporated Trustees of Rights for All International (RAI) and Northern Nigerian Youth Democrats (NNYD) to put all the defendants on notice. Justice Ekwo, who refused to grant prayers one, two and three in the ex-parte motion marked: FHC/ABJ/CS

Tinubu's running mate Masari: All my school certificates missing in transit Ibrahim Kabiru Masari Ibrahim Kabiru Masari, running mate to APC presidential candidate, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, has told the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) that his original school certificates are missing. Popular posts: https://www.edoborsblog.com/2022/06/nollywood-star-odunlade-adekola-gets.html https://www.edoborsblog.com/2022/06/justice-tanko-muhammad-resigns-as-chief.html Masari in his submission to INEC deposed to an affidavit on the loss of his primary and secondary schools certificates. He however said that he attended Masari Primary school, Katsina State between 1972-78. He also obtained a Grade 2 Certificate from Katsina Teachers College in 1982 and a Higher Certificate in 1995. According to his sworn affidavit, he lost the certificates in January 2021, while on transit within Wuse, Area FCT, Abuja. He also said that all efforts made to trace the items proved abortive. The affidavit

  Native doctor’s attire: Court declines hearing lawyer’s case Justice Tijani Ringim of a Federal High Court in Lagos on Monday refused to hear two cases of a human right lawyer, Malcolm Omihrhobo, who adorned himself in a lawyer’s gown with ‘native doctor’ attire to court. The lawyer also appeared bare footed with cowries tied on his two legs. His wig had two long feathers, with cowries in his two hands and tied a red wrapper, while he wore his lawyer’s gown on it. The human right lawyer, who appeared before Justice Ringim, was greeted with resistance by some lawyers who disagreed with his appearance before the court in such dressing; arguing that he could not be heard as he was not properly dressed as a lawyer before the court. Omihrhobo, who had on Thursday caused a stir at the Supreme Court in Abuja for appearing in court the same way, said it would be a violation of his right if he was not heard; noting that the rules could not be above the nation’s constitution. He said, “My Lord