James Bond star Roger Moore is dead

James Bond star Roger Moore


British actor Roger Moore, who played the womanising superspy James Bond over two decades with a suave wit, died Tuesday aged 89, his children announced. “It is with a heavy heart that we must announce our loving father, Sir Roger Moore, has passed away today in Switzerland after a short but brave battle with cancer,” they said in a statement published on Twitter.

“We are all devastated,” Deborah, Geoffrey and Christian said, adding: “Thank you Pops for being you, and for being so very special to so many people.” Moore won fame as the smooth-talking adventurer Simon Templar in British television show “The Saint” in the 1960s, and also starred alongside Tony Curtis in “The Persuaders” in the 1970s.

 But it was not until 1973, at the age of 45, that he won the role that for many fans would come to define him, as Bond novelist Ian Fleming’s fictional secret agent. Moore made his debut as 007 in “Live and Let Die”, following it with six more films, only bowing out with 1985’s “A View to a Kill”, when he was 57. In later years Moore became known for his humanitarian work, notably through his activities as a UNICEF ambassador, helping raise funds for under-privileged children.
“With the passing of Sir Roger Moore, the world has lost one of its great champions for children – and the entire UNICEF family has lost a great friend,” the UN agency’s executive director Anthony Lake said.

Moore’s children said he considered the UNICEF work — for which he was given a knighthood in 2003 — his “greatest achievement”. “We know our own love and admiration will be magnified many times over, across the world, by people who knew him for his films, his television shows and his passionate work for UNICEF, which he considered to be his greatest achievement,” they said. “The affection our father felt whenever he walked on to a stage or in front of a camera buoyed him hugely and kept him busy working into his 90th year, through to his last appearance in November 2016 on stage at London’s Royal Festival Hall. “The capacity crowd cheered him on and off stage, shaking the very foundations of the building just a short distance from where he was born.”

They said their thoughts were with his fourth wife, Kristina, adding that there would be a private funeral in Monaco.

4 killed, church, others burnt as religious violence breaks out in Niger

 Abuja – Following the outbreak of religious violence in Pandogari, Rafi local government area of Niger state and the killing of a Christian, over alleged blasphemous comments about Prophet Mohammed on the social media, the Nigerian Army has imposed a dusk to dawn curfew in the town. A statement signed by Major NC Agwu, Assistant Director, Army Public Relations, said the curfew came into effect as rioters embarked on violence, looting shops and blocking the Lagos – Kaduna Road, a major artery connecting the northern and southern parts of the country. “Regrettably, one church, one house and a shop were burnt while 25 other shops were looted following the violence. Three other persons including personnel of the NSCDC also lost their lives” it said. Continuing it said, “Some arrests have been made in connection with the violence and the suspects handed over to the police. The military and other security agencies are currently embarking on confidence building patrols in all nooks and crannies of the town. Giving further details on the violence, Major Ugwu said, “At about 6pm on Sunday, 29 May 2016, one Mr. Methodus Chimaije Emmanuel, a 24 year old trader based in Pandogari, Rafi LGA of Niger State was attacked and killed by a mob in the town on allegation of posting a blasphemous statement about Prophet Muhammad on the social media. “Troops of 31 Artillery Brigade of 1 Division, Nigerian Army on operation MESA quickly intervened and restored law and order while a dusk to dawn curfew was imposed in the town. “Early Monday morning however, the rioters embarked on further violence, looting shops and blocking the Lagos – Kaduna Road, a major artery connecting the northern and southern parts of the country. “Again, troops in conjunction with the personnel of Nigeria Police and Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) took control of the situation to forestall escalation of violence and any threat to the peace in the town. “As part of the measures to de-escalate tensions and ensure a lasting peace in the town, the military is working with the Local Government Council authorities and community leaders, including the Kagara Emirate Council to pacify all aggrieved parties and build on the peace so far established. “However, while the military will continue with its current non-violent approach to maintaining peace in Pandogari town, it will not take kindly to any unscrupulous element who would attempt to visit violence on innocent and law abiding Nigerians. “The general public is therefore warned to abide by the conditions of the curfew so far emplaced. All law abiding citizens are enjoined to go about their legitimate businesses without any fear of intimidation. “They are to be rest assured that the security forces will remain fully present to guarantee their safety and security across the length and breadth of the town, within their rules of engagement.”  

The Buhari anniversary: We’ve never suffered like this before – Babatope

 Chief Ebenezer Babatope came to national renown as one of the closest disciples of the late sage, Chief Obafemi Awolowo, in the Second Republic when he served as Director of Organisation of defunct Unity Party of Nigeria, UPN. He eventually served as Minister of Transport in the Sanni Abacha administration and is currently a chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, and a member of the party’s Board of Trustees, BoT. In this interview, he assesses the first anniversary of the Muhammadu Buhari regime, saying that even while it is making it progress in some fronts, that the administration should dispense the milk of human kindness in some of its seemingly harsh policies.

  Babatope

Babatope also assesses the leadership issues in his party at the national and at the South-West regional levels, affirming that it is to everyone’s relief that Senator Modu Sheriff has been shown the exit as national chairman. He also scoffs at the assumptions that Senator Buruji Kashamu is the leader of the party in the South-West.

One year into the Buhari-led administration, what do you think has changed for Nigerians?

Well, Buhari has done well in his anti-corruption crusade, even though I am one of those who believe that he has been pursuing selective justice. We all know that he is one who has not stolen any money, but I want him to correct himself that there can not be selective justice in Nigeria. Second, we found that those who have been having the sledge hammer, are those who should have suffered such. Femi-Fani Kayode is one of them. I am not clear in my mind why they should pick Femi-Fani Kayode, he did his job as a spokesperson of the PDP during the campaign elections, he would not use stones to work. So, I want Buhari to change his style. Buhari has shown himself to be a man of probity and a man of integrity, but he should change his style so that Nigerians will stop suffering the way they are suffering now.
 You are requesting him to change his style, how?

He should address his mind to the plight of the common man; the common man in Nigeria is suffering. I am telling you authoritatively, there is hunger in town and it is difficult for those at the top to know what is happening. He should be told and I am sure they must have told him that Nigerians are suffering. He should direct his energy and integrity towards solving the plight of Nigerians because that suffering is too much. But some people would disagree with you arguing that the present harsh conditions were caused by your party, the PDP. Well, he should go ahead and establish his probe. I want to be honest with you, even though we are suffering; we have never encountered this kind of suffering before. This kind of suffering is a different one because every Nigerian is affected. They are asking us to pay N145 to buy a litre of petroleum, how many Nigerians can afford that? I agree with him on the removal of the oil subsidy; it is good and courageous for him to have done that. But to buy petrol for N145 is a crime against humanity and nobody will support that.

What will lead to peace in your party?

Senator Ali Modu Sheriff came in as a stranger to our party, and I told him that many of us never supported him.

 But given the separate court orders who do you think is the authentic national chairman of the PDP?

The authentic chairman of the party is the man the convention in Port Harcourt, picked, that is Senator Ahmed Markafi, who is to be supported by the other committee members so chosen. Makarfi is chairman because the convention is the highest organ in the land as regards to PDP. What it says is final. The convention met in Port Harcourt and appointed Markafi as chairman. Like I said, Sheriff has no business in our party, and we thank God that he has gone, and he is gone for good.

How will the issue of factions in some chapters of the party be resolved?

The caretaker committee of the party will deal with that because in 90 days’ time, we shall be meeting as a party at a convention that has the support of everybody. The caretaker will deal with that, and we are going to deal with all the anomalies.

Having said so, who do you think is the best person to reposition the party when the convention is held?

 We have been fighting for the chairmanship of the party to be returned to the Southwest. The chairman of the party should come from the Southwest because the Southwest has not produced the chairman of the party since the party came into existence. I am championing the case of Bode George because he has experience as a deputy national chairman of the party. That is why I believe that Bode George can lead the PDP. When Obasanjo was leaving office, they all proposed that Bode George should be made the chairman of the party, but Obasanjo used hanky-panky to stop that, but now, the coast is clear. He has the experience, and he will be able to counter the APC chairman. Don’t forget that Bode George and Buhari were in the military before; they will know how to handle themselves.

Do you think this is possible considering the fact that Senator Kashamu Buruji is making efforts at emerging the leader of the party in the Southwest?

(Laughs) I have nothing against Senator Buruji Kashamu, he is a young man, he has money, he has dollars, but if he wants to get to the top, he can do so, by ensuring that he recognises the elders.

Nobody fights with the elders and wins. He is a young man, what is he looking for? If he plays the game very well, why not? He has never said that to me, I wish him the best of luck, but he cannot be the leader of the elders, he cannot be a leader of yoruba land, he has to learn how to respect age, maturity and experience

 

Oshodi: Ambode moves to transform transport interchange into world-class CBD

When Richard Quest of Cable News Network (CNN), some years back, stood on the Oshodi bridge overlooking the chaotic state of the area and declared that such was all Lagos was all about, many rightly felt upset as there were several landmarks and beautiful places in the state that could stand tall amongst other mega cities across the world. To them, the western media had taken to the habit of showcasing the bad side of developing countries, while neglecting the good sides. But with the world class transport interchange coming up in Oshodi in the next 13 to 16 months courtesy of the Governor Akinwunmi Ambode-led administration, Lagosians and indeed Nigerians can raise their shoulders high and demand that the likes of Richard Quest return to the bridge by 2017 and correct the erroneous impression. According to statistics, Oshodi, which is the busiest transport interchange in West Africa, in its present state, currently accommodates about one million pedestrians daily with about 100,000 passengers daily accessing the 13 parks scattered within the area, while 76 per cent of the area is dedicated to transport and related activities, which led to serious traffic congestion and other environmental issues. (Watch video of the new Oshodi here) Considering the humongous statistics, one can imagine the impact which the regeneration of Oshodi will have not just on the economy, but on security as well as the environment. According to plans of government, the regeneration of Oshodi into a world class Central Business District (CBD), which is to commence on June 1, 2016, will feature the consolidation of all 13 city and interstate parks in Oshodi into three multi-story bus terminals. The three floors, which will be 30, 000 square metres for each terminal, will take care of the parking and passenger demand. Terminal One, running from Mosafejo Market Axis, would be for inter-state transport activities, while the Terminal Two and Three, running from the former Owonifari Market and Adjacent to NAFDAC respectively, will cater for intra-city transport activities. The terminals would have standard facilities including waiting area, loading bays, ticketing stands, driver lounge, parking areas, rest rooms, among others. It would also come with accessible walkways and pedestrian bridges and a state-of-the-art sky-walk to link all the three terminals, introduction of bus lanes, lay-bys, introduction of green parks to soften the environment and proper waste management strategy, fencing, street lighting and a dedicated security team for Oshodi including surveillance tower, CCTVs and the likes. The total area of the development of the Oshodi CBD master plan, which is about 70,000 square metres, will also accommodate shopping malls adjacent to the bus terminals. While speaking at a Stakeholders’ Forum put together by the Office of the Special Adviser on Urban Development, Governor Ambode said the project was in line with his administration’s determination to transform Oshodi into a world class CBD with business, travel and leisure activities conducted in a serene, secure, clean, orderly and hygienic environment. Speaking earlier at the forum, Special Adviser to the Governor on Urban Development, Mrs. Yetunde Onabule, said the concept of the regeneration plan is premised on a three pronged approach including Urban Renewal, Environmental Regeneration as well as Transformation and Security. Onabule said that the new Oshodi CBD would not only reduce crime in the area, but also go a long way to address the environmental nuisance locations and areas of confusion often associated with the area. She said the new plan would also boost intra-tourism by making the area a tourist destination and increase the economic value of the State, where business, travel and leisure activities would be conducted in a serene, secure, clean and orderly environment. “This plan would see the total rebranding of the Old Oshodi, thus turning Lagos into a befitting and an iconic international gateway to the rest of the world. It would also ensure an organised transport system that will ensure free flowing traffic,” she said. She further explained that the project is a Public Private Partnership (PPP) initiative between the Lagos State Government represented by Ibile Holdings, Translink Capital Development Limited and Planet Projects Limited. At the forum which was attended by traditional rulers, community leaders, market leaders and transport workers, the interchange won the instant acceptance of the stakeholders, but with a caveat that other fora of such should be organized to carry everybody along. The takeaway at the forum again necessitated another Stakeholders’’ Forum presided over by Governor Ambode, where he said the project, which is expected to gulp $70 million, would go a long way to depict the regeneration plan of the State, just as he said that the project would also totally remove all notorious activities associated with the area. Addressing the stakeholders, the Governor said: “I am so happy that we are working together on this project. What we are doing today is what we have been planning for long and our plan is to transform some notorious areas in the State to places like Victoria Island. Oshodi is known for all kinds of notorious activities and we want to totally do away with that belief and the best way to go about it is to give the people world class facility and make them to live better lives. “We want the people in Oshodi to be identified with good and not bad things all the time and that was what made us to decide that the kind of development going on in Victoria Island, Lekki and other places should take place in Oshodi as well. I mean, I find it very disturbing that our children in Oshodi would have to travel to Lekki or Ikeja to have access to good shopping mall. So, what we have decided is to regenerate Oshodi. “Now, if we say there are 13 Bus parks all scattered in Oshodi. Can we put these Bus parks in the same place? You know it is not possible for me to bring the drivers or the buses to Oshodi. It would still be the people who are currently operating there. But the plan is that those who are operating there now, we can make life more comfortable for them and they would still be the ones operating the buses. “The issue is that when we transform the terminals, what kind of buses should fit into the new look and that is why we are engaging all the stakeholders, especially the transport people. We can take away all these yellow buses and put these other buses but you will be the operators, and all we are only doing is to provide you with world class terminals that you would even be asking is this happening in my lifetime. So, instead of scattering ourselves all over, let all of us be in one very well organized and secured place,” Governor Ambode said. Among other plans, according to the Governor, is the provision of about 800 modern buses which would run 24/7 and would convey Lagosians to all parts of the State in a more comfortable arrangement. *Old Oshodi Speaking on the market, Governor Ambode said the new transport interchange would accommodate world class containerized shopping mall with recreation and entertainment facilities, while the existing market men and women in Oshodi would be the same people to be allocated with the shops. “I plead for your tolerance because eventually this whole thing is coming back to you but we must have achieved so much. You see, Oshodi is the entrance point from the international Airport and it create the image of where we want to go and once we are able to create that image, nobody will ever remember Oshodi in their head for anything bad. The only thing that would be left is for us to ensure that the road from Oshodi to international Airport meets international standard and by that, we would have regenerated that part of Lagos for good,” Governor Ambode said. Responding, Lagos State NURTW Chairman, Mr. Tajudeen Agbede, commended the governor for the initiative, and expressed the readiness of his members to support  government to make the project a reality. In the final analysis, if the project sees the light of day as expected, the present administration would have succeeded in transforming  one of the most notorious areas in the state into the cynosure of all eyes.

Simeone devastated at Champions League heartbreak

Atletico Madrid coach Diego Simeone lamented that losing a second Champions League final in three years was a “failure”, after seeing his side fall short against Real Madrid in a penalty shoot-out in Milan on Saturday. The 46-year-old Argentine also appeared to hint at a possible exit from the Vicente Calderon in the aftermath of the match, which Real won 5-3 on penalties after a 1-1 draw. “Do I have to continue with Atletico or is it the end of a cycle? I have to think about that,” Simeone mysteriously said. Simeone’s side were beaten by Real after extra time in Lisbon in 2014, and they pushed their city rivals even further but to no avail at the San Siro. Captain Sergio Ramos, as he did with a late equaliser two years ago, scored for Real, but Atletico hit back through substitute Yannick Carrasco despite a missed penalty from Antoine Griezmann. But Cristiano Ronaldo struck the winning spot-kick after Juanfran’s effort had come back off the post. “It puts a lot of years on you,” said Simeone. “Congratulations to Real Madrid -– once again they were superior to us, this time at penalties. “We started the game badly, then we got ourselves organised from the 20th minute. In the second half we could have equalised very quickly but our intention was clear. “What really hurts me is to see the hurt of the people who’ve paid to come here -– I feel a bit responsible that I wasn’t able to give them what they wanted. That’s what really hurts. “I feel responsible for the fans who have bought their tickets.” Atletico have still never lifted the European Cup, also losing the 1974 final to Bayern Munich in a replay.

 

Alleged Lagos killer husband collapses, hospitalised

50 – year-old man, Jafar Osiugie, who allegedly murdered his wife, on Friday night, has been rushedto hospital.


 Late Rose and husband

Sunday Vanguard learned that the suspect, arrested and taken to the Lagos State Criminal Investigation and Intelligence Department, began to act sickly and unable to stand without support before he collapsed, yesterday. He was allegedly taken to Falomo General Hospital, Ikoyi for treatment. Jafar was alleged to have slit the throat of his wife, Roselyn Solugie, at No 8 Araromi Street, Oshodi, Lagos. It was gathered that the corpse of Roselyn, who sold frozen foods at Ijora, was found early Friday. Accusing the husband of murdering their daughter, the family of the deceased vowed to seek justice. Denying the allegation, the brother of the suspect said Jafar was attacked by the same people who murdered his wife.

365 Days of Buhari: APC, The challenges of a ruling party

    The discomfort of leaders of the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC, to the recent increase in the prices of petrol aptly showed how the leaders of the country’s ruling party have changed their style.

. Chairman of APC



















Odigie-Oyegun at APC National Convention in Abuja. Photo by Gbemiga Olamikan. Just four years ago the party and its leaders were in the forefront of the opposition to the increase in fuel prices by the Goodluck Jonathan administration. However, this time around party leaders have been understandably mute, and where not, have even seemingly reversed their trenchant denunciations of the “fabled” subsidy in the pricing of petrol. However, on Friday, May 20 Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, leader of the APC took it upon himself to engage striking labour leaders to call off the strike action that was declared by a faction of the country’s labour movement against the price increase. Indeed, the reality of the weight of governance has caused remarkable alterations in the style of the APC. Undoubtedly, the most remarkable change that has affected the APC even if not conspicuously mentioned is the considerable reduction in the rhetoric of the former opposition party turned ruling party. As an opposition party, the party with its ever conspicuous spokesperson, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, had a comment on almost every issue of governance. But today, only few would notice that the APC presently does not even have a spokesperson. Since Mohammed transited into government as minister of information, culture, and tourism, his office as APC National Publicity Secretary has remained vacant. An attempt by his deputy, Mr. Timi Frank, to step into that position has been vehemently resisted by nearly every other member of the APC National Working Committee, NWC. Five years ago, the Action Congress of Nigeria, ACN, component of the APC played a fast one on the former ruling Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, when its members in the House of Representatives conspired with renegade members of the PDP to foist Aminu Tambuwal as Speaker of the House against the PDP’s zoning policy that Mulikat Adeola-Akande from the Southwest should take the office. Tambuwal came from the Northwest. The ACN had at that time celebrated the coup as a victory for democracy. Four years after the PDP paid back by collaborating with renegade APC members to foist the four presiding officers of the National Assembly, there has been no peace in the party. That coup in the National Assembly is at the centre of bad politics and could consume Senator Saraki causing collateral damage to the party. For the first time in the country’s democratic history, the head of one branch of government is on trial on the allegation of corruption. Critics of the administration say the Senate President was targeted because he disobeyed the party’s imperceptible directives. The PDP under President Olusegun Obasanjo also brought a Senate President to trial, but Adolphus Wabara had the grace to step down, a route Senator Saraki has refused to trudge and thereby putting the party through uncomfortable pressure. The trial and possible conviction of Saraki pose other serious challenges for the APC as a ruling party. Fears that the party would lose the office of Senate President should Saraki be convicted have repeatedly been echoed by PDP senators who with their numbers say they will team up with Saraki’s supporters in the APC to shame the ruling party. It is a possibility that could inevitably put much more pressures on the administration in pushing its legislative agenda. In fact, despite the seeming foibles of the Senate and House Committees on Appropriation during the just concluded budget exercise, the National Assembly was able to show how it could frustrate the administration using its constitutional control of the budget. The prospects for the APC as a ruling party are also not helped by the seeming austere postures of President Muhammadu Buhari. It is no news that party officials have silently bemoaned the lack of funds to run the party given the reluctance to fund it using government money. Another serious challenge that is quietly eating at the morale of party enthusiasts is what they claim as the infusion of PDP elements into the top hierarchy of the administration. That complaint came to light on May 10 during a public interactive session with ministers in Kaduna when one APC stakeholder in complaining about the delayed constitution of boards said that “APC is in government, but that PDP members were in power,” a euphemism to note the appointment of former PDP members in strategic positions of the APC government. The minister of state for petroleum, Mr. Ibe Kachukwu, who chose to answer nevertheless reassured the man telling him “that it is the work of people like you that brought us here” assuring him that soon the boards would be constituted and everyone happy. But how soon that will be and how the dissonance generated by the APC in government can turn to justifiable delirium is another thing.

Panic as soldiers shoot at random in Oporoza

File: A warship

              WARRI- SOLDIERS, who laid siege to Oporoza community, traditional headquarters of Gbaramatu kingdom, Warri South-West Local Government Area, Delta State, at 1.52 am, started shooting indiscriminately at about 8.44 am, causing more confusion in the riverine town.

Villagers, who ran into the forest on sighting them with gunboats were yet to return, as soldiers, who came in search of ex-militant leader, Government Ekpemupolo, alias Tompolo, and members of the Niger Delta Avengers,  have taken over the community.
Ijaw leader, Chief Godspower Gbenekama, told Vanguard on phone at about 9.00 am: “Soldiers have started shooting in Oporoza as I speak to you now, I do not know the casualty, but they are shooting right now, the whole town is in turmoil.”
His words: “I am crying on behalf of my people, we have been saying before now that we do not know what the military is looking for in Oporoza, they have come two times before now in the last few weeks. We said then that they were looking for excuse to start shooting, now they are shooting, we do not know what will happen after the shooting.”
National President of Ijaw People’s Development Initiative, Mr. Austin Ozobo, also raised the alarm that soldiers were shooting in Oporoza and called on the Federal Government to call the soldiers to order.
A villager, who called our reporter on phone, said: “The military is currently shooting randomly in Oporoza but we do not know whether it was aimed at anybody because we are still in the forest. We ran into the forest this morning.

 

 

 

Photos: Wike, Ubah, ex-Internationals, others honour Yobo in PH

         It was an evening of sports and entertainment at the Adokiye Amiesiamaka Stadium in Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital, as the state governor, Barr. Nyesom Wike; Chairman, Capital Oil and Gas Plc and President, FC Ifeanyi Ubah; football legends, Nollywood stars, stormed the state, in honour of former Captain of the Super Eagles, Joseph Phillip Yobo. The event was the Testimonial Match held in honour of Yobo, who brought his playing career to a close yesterday. Yobo was the captain of the Nigerian national team until his international football retirement in June 2014. Yobo is also Nigeria’s record appearance holder, having been capped 100 times and represented the Super Eagles at three separate FIFA World Cups and six Africa Cup of Nations tournaments. Dr. Ifeanyi Ubah played an active role in putting up the testimonial match in honour of Yobo. At the end of the hour-long encounter, Team Nigeria defeated Team World 5-4, in front of over 10,000 spectators. Emmanuel Emenike scored a hat-trick for Team Nigeria, which had the mercurial ex-International, Austin Jay Jay Okocha pulling the strings. Former Everton and Manchester United boss, David Moyes, took charge of Team World, that boasted stars like Samuel Eto’o, Stephen Appian and Sulley Muntari. See photos of the Testimonial match below:

 

Fulani herdsmen’ve taken over my home- Governor Ortom

 
A Fulani herdsman using AK47 in stead of the traditional stick
MAKURDI—Governor Samuel Ortom of Benue State, yesterday, disclosed that his country home has been sacked by Fulani mercenaries, who he said had killed over 50 of his kinsmen with over 200 hectares of his rice farm razed. He lamented that the incessant killings and destruction of lives and property in the Benue had created a 25 year retrogression of development in the state. The governor made this known when he received the All Progressives Congress, APC, Governors’ Forum, led by Governor Rochas Okorocha of Imo State, who paid him condolence visit over the invasion of Agatu and other parts of Benue by the herdsmen. According to him, “the mercenaries invaded my village, killed over 50 persons and destroyed over 200 hectares of my rice farm.
As I am sitting here, I have no ancestral home. They killed children, old men and women in my community. “The mercenaries come to Benue not just to graze but to steal, kill and destroy the livelihood of the agrarian people, after which they take possession of the land knowing full well that all we have here are our farms. “These attacks have brought a major setback to the people, especially with our declining revenue from the federal allocation, which was about N7 billion before I assumed office. But this month stood at N1.3 billion, while our monthly wage bill stands at close to N4 billion.”
 The governor lamented that even after President Muhammadu Buhari had directed that soldiers and mobile policemen should be deployed to the state, there had not been any reports of the arrest of people behind the crime. Ortom, who made case for setting up ranches in the country, said Benue people had lived peacefully with Fulani herdsmen until four years ago when the crisis started, stressing that the state had not known peace since then.

FG presents scorecard …says bad economy not excuse for failure On May 27, 20167:19 amIn News by adekunleComments 76 0 1 0 By Emmanuel Elebeke ABUJA—Three days to the first year anniversary of its Federal Government, yesterday, presented its mid-term scorecard for the past 12 months, saying the present economic challenges facing the country were not enough excuse for failure in fulfilling electoral promises.


  Lai Mohammed,

Presenting the scorecard yesterday, at a meeting with a team of ministers and the Broadcasting Organization of Nigerian, BON, in Abuja, the Minister of information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, said the administration had made giant strides in the three key areas of its campaign. The meeting, which had the ministers of the Federal Capital Territory, Power, Works and Housing, Labour and Employment and Trade and Investment in attendance, afforded the media the opportunity to engage in a robust engagement with key players in government. The minister who expressed optimism about the achievement of the present administration, insisted that the administration was on track and reeled out the achievements in three broad campaign areas. Insecurity: In tackling insecurity, Mohammed said the administration had succeeded in clipping the wings of Boko Haram in the past one year, to the point of insurgents having lost their capacity to carry out the kind of spectacular attacks for which they became infamous. Fight Against Corruption: On the fight against corruption, the minister maintained that the Buhari administration had demonstrated enough political will to tackle corruption that was winning war. For him, it was corruption that prolonged the war against Boko Haram and dispatched many soldiers and civilians to their early graves. His words: ‘today, the issue of corruption has become topical in national discourse and the corrupt are no longer able to flaunt their ill-gotten wealth with impunity, as they used to do. This is because the government has succeeded in sensitizing Nigerians to the cost of corruption to their lives. Economy In the face the present economic challenges, Mohammed said that government appreciated the great challenge facing it and decided to see opportunities rather than difficulties by working assiduously to diversify the nation’s economy away from oil. While these efforts are on, he also said that the administration equally decided to plug all financial loopholes through the Treasury Singles Account(TSA), into which trillions of Naira have accrued so far.

Children’s Day: Buhari assures on rights to education, good health, others

ABUJA—President Muhammadu Buhari has re-affirmed Nigeria’s commitment to the well-being of its children, reminding them that they had fundamental rights to quality and affordable education, good health and other basic necessities of life. The President, therefore, assured that good health and well-being of Nigerian children remained top priorities on his agenda. President Buhari gave the assurance in his message to the children on the occasion of 2016 Children’s Day celebration.

President Muhammadu Buhari

He stated that an allocation of N12.6 billion had been made in the 2016 budget for vaccines and programmes to prevent childhood killer diseases, such as polio, measles and yellow fever. He also stated that the school feeding programme articulated in the budget for children which, he said, would cost N93.1 billion, would ensure that more children went to school. He said: “I seize the opportunity of this year’s celebration, which comes just two days before the first anniversary of the present administration, to reassure our children and youth that we remain fully committed to fulfilling our promise of a better Nigeria for all of our people. “On this happy occasion for our children, I reaffirm my belief that it is the right of every Nigerian child to have access to quality and affordable education, as well as healthcare and other basic necessities for a good life, in a peaceful and secure environment. “The good health and well-being of Nigerian children remain top priorities on our agenda for national development and we have demonstrated our strong commitment in this regard with the allocation of N12.6 billion in the 2016 budget for vaccines and programmes to prevent childhood killer diseases, such as polio, measles and yellow fever. “Other measures in the 2016 budget, such as the school feeding programme for children at a cost of N93.1 billion, will ensure that more children go to school and enjoy the fun of learning and growing together with their peers. Meanwhile, as Nigeria celebrates Children’s Day today with the theme: “Protect the rights of the child in the face of violence and insecurity: End child marriage,” the United Nations Children’s Fund, UNICEF has called on the Federal Government to take actions and renew efforts towards ending all forms of violence against children. The call came as UNICEF records showed that more than 1.2 million children have been displaced in the North-East of the country. In a press statement to mark the Day, Representative, UNICEF Nigeria, Jean Gough, noted that the theme of the day helps to shed a much needed light on the unprecedented levels of violence against children in Nigeria in the recent past and present.“Despite the current economic and funding challenges facing our dear nation, my administration will continue to do all within its powers to achieve better living conditions and greater access to quality healthcare and education for all our youth.” The President expressed delight that one of the Chibok abducted schoolgirls, Amina Ali, had been rescued to join in the celebrations. He also vowed not to rest on his oars until Boko Haram was completely defeated. “It is a thing of joy that on this year’s Children’s Day, we can also celebrate the safe return of one of the Chibok girls, Amina Ali Nkeki, and many other abducted women and children who have been freed from the clutches of Boko Haram by our gallant troops. “I assure all Nigerians and friends of the country, once again, that my administration will not rest on its oars until the ungodly terrorist sect is totally eliminated from our country. According to Gough, “In the North East, we have witnessed, and continue to witness grave violations of children’s rights – killings, abductions, sexual violence and use in suicide bombings by Boko Haram.” Noting that out of the 1.2 million children more than half of them were below the age of 5, Gough added that children living away from the crisis in the North East are also at risk of violence.

50 million Nigerians lack access to water—Minister

 ABUJA—About 50 million Nigerians lack access to water, Engr. Suleiman Adamu, Water Resources Minister, has said. He, however, stated that his administration was projecting year 2030 as the period to supply water to all. Briefing Journalists in Abuja, after a private meeting with President Muhammadu Buhari at the Presidential Villa yesterday, Adamu hinted that his Ministry would at the National Council on Water Resources meeting next week unveil in detail a programme aimed at realizing total water supply, in line with the Sustainable Development Goals, SGDs, of the United Nations.


 
Nigerians queuing to fetch water from a tap.

He said: “I had my marching order on November 11, 2015, when I was sworn-in. What we are doing is just to fulfil the marching order. ‘’At the end of the day, we want to see water resources sector is doing what it is supposed to do. We have coverage of water supply and sanitation. ‘’We want to meet the SDG goals before 2030. We need to meet the target for open defecation by 2025 because we have subscribed to that. These are some of the targets. “For these programmes, we have projected some programmes for four years and others, five years up to the year 2030. “That is part of issue we are putting in the document we presented to the President. You know we subscribe to the millennium development goals by last year 2015. ‘’We are supposed to have achieved 75% coverage for water supply and a certain percent for sanitation. Unfortunately, we are not able to meet that. “We met the water supply by only 69% but we did very poorly in sanitation. So, this 69% means over 50million Nigerians still don’t have access to portable water and

Dangote contributes 53% of govt revenue in mineral resources sector On May 26, 20163:33 amIn Business, News by IkennaComments 37 0 38 0 By Gabriel Omoh An agency of the Federal Government, the Nigeria Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (NEITI), has revealed that Dangote Industries Limited generates more mineral resource revenue for the government than the rest
of the nation put together.

 Aliko Dangote

 In its reports made available to the press yesterday, Dangote Cement was responsible for 53 per cent of the government revenue, that is, N15.9 billion of the total N33.86 billion accrued that year to the Federal Government. The report revealed that 93 per cent of the total government revenues from solid minerals sector were from five companies: Dangote, WAPCO, Ashaka Cement, Unicem, CCNN and others. The report states that: “53 per cent of the country’s revenue from the solid minerals sector was paid by Dangote Cement Plc to the Federal Government.” NEITI says Nigeria has about 52 solid mineral resources across all states of the federation, with every state possessing at least two mineral resources. But of all 52, limestone was exploited more in 2013, than 51 others put together. Limestone, which is used for making cement, was responsible for 52 percent of solid mineral productions. Granite, Laterite, and sand were responsible for 27.8, 11.3 and 5.8 percent respectively. Forty-eight other minerals were responsible for only 3 percent of the country’s solid mineral productions. It would be recalled that Dangote Cement Plc has recently expanded its frontiers to Asia, by constructing a 3 million metric tons per annum (mmtpa), Cement Plant in Nepal, as part of its new investment of $4.34 billion into 10 African countries. Aliko Dangote, Chairman of Dangote Cement, who revealed this recently, assured Nigerians that, the country will no longer be used as a dumping ground, as the company, now has capacity to export more than 10 million metric tons of cement outside the country. Currently in 15 African countries, excluding Kenya, Niger and Mali, which are new projects. The company’s current total capacity stands at 48mmtpa, out of which Nigeria alone has the largest chunk of 29.3mmtpa. Chatting with newsmen recently, Aliko said: “We are not only building cement plants in Africa, we have gone far away to NEPAL to build a three-million metric tons cement plant capacity and by the time all these our new projects are completed in the next two years, Dangote cement will have more than 70 million capacity. “But we are not going to stop there, hopefully, by 2020, our targets is getting to somewhere around 100 million tons capacity. I can assure you categorically that Africa will not lack cement now and even in the future. Africa will be self -sufficient rather than be a dumping ground for other manufacturers of cement.”

Agatu Attack: IGP, Dambazau, DSS, herdsmen’s absence stalls Reps probe

                                   *We lost 984 persons, 29,974 displaced — TIV COMMUNITY
 ABUJA—THE absence of the Inspector General of Police, Solomon Arase; Minister of Interior, Abdulraman Dambazau; representatives of the Department of State Services, DSS; the Army and the Miyeti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria, MACBAN, yesterday stalled public hearing on the recent killing of over 984 persons and displacement of about 29,974 from 11 communities in Benue State.


 
It was only the representative of the Commandant General of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, NSCDC, out of all the security agencies invited to the public hearing by the House of Representatives on the alarming violent activities of herdsmen in Benue State and its consequences on the security of the nation that appeared at the public hearing. This came as the Tiv Community claimed that over 984 of its indigenes had been confirmed killed by Fulani herdsmen, and 29,974 persons displaced in about 10 local government areas of the state as well as about N40 billion worth of property lost in the past three years as a result of the attacks. But the absence of the major stakeholders in the public hearing at the Halliru Dauda Jika-led Committee, especially the security agencies made the committee to adjourn after hearing from the Tiv groups that attended the public hearing. Consequently, the Committee re-invited the IGP, the Minister of Interior and the herdsmen association to appear today (Thursday) for the continuation of the investigation and threatened to invoke all necessary laws and sanctions if the IGP, the minister and other invited stakeholders failed to appear. The Chairman of the Committee said the House would be left with no option than to invoke sections 88 and 89 of the constitution if the IGP, the Minister and heads of other relevant agencies failed to appear before 24 hours. The Chief Whip of the House who represented the Speaker, Yakubu Dogara, had frowned at what he described as the unserious attitude of some members of the executive treating the legislature with levity. In his presentation, President of Mdzough U Tiv, a socio-cultural organization of the Tiv people Chief Edward Ujege, said series of recent attacks on Agatu and other communities in Benue were well designed, planned and coordinated. Ujege, who recommended ranching of cattle as the best option to forestall clashes between herdsmen and farmers, said moves to establish grazing reserves was intended to take over Benue communities by the herdsmen. He said, “Each individual should obtain land in his or her community and establish his own ranch there so as to avoid land grabbing and its attendant problem. Invasion and occupation cannot be alternative mode of land acquisition in Nigeria; there are clearly defined processes of land acquisition both legally and customarily. Therefore, invaders should be flushed out of our land. It is the responsibility of the federal government to enshrine in the constitution to protect indigenous populations from internal and external aggressions.”

"Pastor"put his private part in my bum-bum, gave me N10.00- 7year-old girl

 A middle- aged trader at Alaba International Market, Ojo, Lagos, simply identified as Joseph, a.k.a Pastor is in Police net for allegedly raping his neighbour’s seven-year-old granddaughter (names withheld) at Mechanic Bus Stop, Ojo, Lagos. It was learned that the victim’s mother, Mrs Nene Oguchint, alongside her three children visited her sick father who lives in the same compound with the suspect at Number 19, Adeyanju (Civilian Barracks) three weeks ago. The victim was allegedly raped twice during this period by Joseph who is popularly called Pastor in the vicinity.

How the bubble burst.
Crime Alert gathered that the bubble burst after a teenager in the compound confided in the victim’s mother, Nene Oguchint, that Pastor had earlier defiled his 12-year-old brother, Collins. Shocked at the disclosure, the victim’s mother made further enquiries only to discover that her visiting daughter had fallen victim of the notorious serial rapist. Victim’s account The victim (names with held) told her bewildered mother that the first time pastor did it was the day she, together with her younger ones, went inside the Pastor’s room. “When we entered, he told my little sister Amaka to take my brother, Victor outside. When they went outside, Uncle asked me to sit on his laps, removed my pants and his trouser and started putting his private part inside my bum-bum. Later, white substance began to come out from it. After he finished, he gave her N10,00. The second time was in the afternoon; I was in the passage alone, so Uncle Joseph started calling me, in a low voice, to come in. I thought he wanted me to run some errand for him. So, I went inside his room and he did the same thing to me. After he finished, he gave me two sliced bread. Asked why she didn’t tell her mother, she said that Uncle threatened that he will kill her if she told anyone. How the bubble burst Mother of the victim, Nene Oguchint who spoke to Crime Alert on Thursday morning gave her own account of the incident. “I live in the East with my husband and children. I came to visit my sick father who lives in that compound on the 29th of April with my three young children. At about 6pm when I got home on Monday, I was washing clothes when one of my neighbour’s children, named Junior (14 years old) came to me and said that there was something that happened that he wanted to tell me. I asked him what, he said one of our neighbours, Joseph (a.k.a. Brother pastor) pleaded with his mother to allow his younger brother Collins, (12-years old) sleep in his room since his sister didn’t come back home that night.” According to him: “Ignorantly, my mother agreed and that night, my younger brother slept in his room. In the morning when Collins woke up, he complained to me that Pastor didn’t allow him to sleep in the night, as he kept touching his penis, kissing, and troubling him all through the night. He pulled his trouser and when he tried to shout, he closed his mouth.” Junior further explained that thrice the Pastor attempted to rape him and he told him off, as such he dislikes him.

Chinedu

She continued: “I asked Junior why he didn’t report to his mother, he said he didn’t because the Pastor is dating his mother and that his mother would not believe him. Still, I encouraged him to tell his mother which he did. Unfortunately when he did, the mother slapped him, asking how he would make such an allegation against Joseph the Pastor. While this was going on, two siblings from another tenant, Joel and Emma said that the same Pastor has done similar things to them, too. I asked them why they didn’t tell their mother when it happened, they said he threatened to kill them if they told anyone. “I was shocked so I called my daughter (names withheld) and asked her if she heard what Junior, Joel and Emma had said. She said yes. I asked her if the Pastor had done something like that to her, she started shivering and said; “Yes mummy, please don’t beat me.” I asked her how many times, she said twice. After she explained to me, I raised alarm. Then, the Pastor was already inside the house of one of the vicrtim’s mother, Mama Collins. I then confronted him. He didn’t say anything, it was Mummy Collins that was pleading with me to calm down and stop shouting and advised that I should not tell anyone. I told her that it was not possible, that there was no way I would sweep a case of defilement against my daughter under the carpet. I then called my husband who had travelled to the east. It was my husband that told me to report the case to the police, which I did on Tuesday morning because it was already late. When I got to Iyana-Isashi Police Station, the police officers were confused because the suspect had come to report the case to them the previous night. Alleged police complicity “The police took my daughter to a private hospital in Ali-Baba, Isashi, where a test was conducted and it was discovered that she has been sexually abused, recently. After attempts to persuade me to settle the case failed, the police officer in-charge of the case said that if I want the case to be charged to court, I should be ready to pay money for transportation to Badagry Magistrate’s court. Nene, mother of raped 7years-old girl

 “On Wednesday afternoon, the police officer in-charge of the case hurriedly took us to Badagry Magistrate’s court after he heard that human right groups were interested in the case. Unfortunately, we got there late and the case could not be heard because the court didn’t sit. They referred us to Ojo Magistrate’s court. I don’t understand how the police is handling the case any more as the IPO says I won’t be going to the court with my daughter. Since the incident took place, many of the suspect’s relatives including an Anglican priest, have been calling asking us to name our price, that they would pay anything for the case not to go to court. The suspect who was initially denying the allegation, later started begging me to forgive him and withdraw the case.” Lamenting, the victim’s father, Chinedu Oguchint, a trader, who came to Lagos because of the case on Wednesday, said: “ I want the case to be properly investigated and we want justice to be done. We are calling on the Commissioner of Police, Owoseni Fatai, Lagos State Government and the human right groups to intervene in this issue as the suspect’s relatives are attempting to cover the case up. “ Another drama While this was going on, another drama took place as parents of the victim alleged also that the Investigating Police Officer had forcibly taken their daughter to an Ikeja magistrate’s court where the case was to be heard. The mother said she was at the police station with the suspect when the police officer took her child and insisted that she should not follow them to court. According to her, “They left the police station without me. I traced them to the court in Ikeja, later.”

Mourinho set to fulfil United dream after van Gaal exit

Jose Mourinho
Jose Mourinho is on the verge of fulfilling his dream of managing Manchester United after Louis van Gaal’s troubled two-year reign at Old Trafford came to a bitter end. Van Gaal said he was “very disappointed” to be sacked on Monday just 48 hours after leading United to victory in the FA Cup final against Crystal Palace. Missing out on a lucrative Champions League place proved the final straw for the club’s United States-based owners, the Glazer family, and they didn’t let United’s first piece of silverware since the 2013 retirement of legendary boss Alex Ferguson stop them from wielding the axe. With van Gaal having cleared out his desk at United’s Carrington training ground after talks over a settlement for the final year of his three-year contract, which had been worth a reported £6.4 million per year ($9.2 million, 8.2 million euros), the path is clear for former Chelsea manager Mourinho to be confirmed as the new United boss on Tuesday. Mourinho was sacked by Chelsea in December after a miserable campaign marred by a series of rifts with the club’s star players that eventually became intolerable to owner Roman Abramovich as the team, champions just months earlier, languished near the relegation zone. Now the 53-year-old will hope to restore his reputation by restoring the sparkle to United’s own tarnished image. Mourinho’s agent Jorge Mendes is said to be arriving in Manchester on Tuesday to tie up a deal that has been widely reported in the British media, setting the stage for one of the sport’s most intriguing characters to at last manage United after a glittering career that so far features 21 major trophies, including three Premier League crowns and two Champions League titles. Former United goalkeeper Peter Schmeichel believes Mourinho is the right man to get the club back on track. “On the top of Mourinho’s list was always Manchester United, now he has the opportunity,” Schmeichel told the BBC. “Now they have a guy that is supposed to be the biggest manager in the world, the one that really could save Manchester United. “It has been a brave decision but one that is long overdue.” – Volatile – From the moment, Mourinho danced a jubilant jig down the Old Trafford touchline after a late goal from Costinha gave his Porto side the draw they needed to eliminate Alex Ferguson’s men from the 2004 Champions League, the colourful and controversial Portuguese has seemed destined to manage United. He thought his time had come when Ferguson retired, but concerns over his volatile nature prompted United to turn to the more conservative David Moyes instead. But with that move proving a disaster and van Gaal faring little better, United’s powerbrokers have decided to take a chance on Mourinho. Pictured strolling with his former Chelsea assistant Rui Faria while removal men took boxes away from his London home on Monday, Mourinho appeared the picture of contentment. But he is a far less convivial figure once the battle lines are drawn, both with opponents and even his own players. Having famously locked horns with the likes of Arsene Wenger and Rafael Benitez during his two spells with Chelsea, Mourinho will arrive at United just in time to resume hostilities with Pep Guardiola, who is about to leave Bayern Munich for his first taste of the Premier League as Manchester City boss. Mourinho, then in charge of Real Madrid, never wasted a chance to take a swipe at Barcelona manager Guardiola during their time in Spain. But it was Guardiola who had the better of it, with Mourinho winning just three of their 16 meetings. The duo will go head-to-head for the first time when United face City in the pre-season International Champions Cup in Beijing on July 25. By then, Mourinho will hope to have significantly improved an unbalanced and often lacklustre United squad. Paris Saint Germain forward Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Sporting Lisbon midfielder Joao Mario, Everton defender John Stones, Chelsea midfielder Nemanja Matic and Atletico Madrid forward Antoine Griezmann are reportedly among the names on his wanted list. But Mourinho, expected to bring Faria and goalkeeping coach Silvino Louro with him to Old Trafford, might also have to deal with scepticism from the United squad after a report that some senior players have already expressed concern the tactically conversative coach might prove too similar to van Gaal. Van Gaal’s dull tactics frustrated United fans, while the players were reportedly infuriated by his habit of staging video review sessions in which he would criticise their mistakes in front of the team. If he can rebuild the confidence of his squad and make United champions for the first time since 2013, Mourinho may regard it as his finest achievement yet.

 

Tutu’s daughter loses church licence after gay marriage

Desmond Tutu’s daughter has been forced to give up her duties as a priest in South Africa’s Anglican church after she married a woman, she told AFP on Tuesday. Reverend Canon Mpho Tutu-van Furth can no longer preside at Holy Communion, weddings, baptisms or funerals after handing in her licence because the church does not recognise gay marriage. She said her father, the retired archbishop and celebrated anti-apartheid campaigner, was “sad but not surprised” at the news. “The canon (law) of the South African Church states that marriage is between one man and one woman,” Tutu-van Furth said in an email. “After my marriage… the Bishop of Saldanha Bay was advised that he must revoke my licence. I offered to return my licence rather than require that he take it from me.” Mpho and Marceline Tutu-van Furth have been on honeymoon on the Indonesian island of Bali after holding a wedding party outside Cape Town earlier this month. Desmond Tutu, 84, who has been in frail health, attended the celebrations with his wife. He has previously spoken out in favour of gay marriage. Marceline Tutu-van Furth is a Amsterdam-based professor specialising in paediatric infections. The couple — who are both divorced and have children — officially tied the knot in the Netherlands in December. “My wife and I meet across almost every dimension of difference. Some of our differences are obvious; she is tall and white, I am black and vertically challenged,” Mpho told the South African City Press newspaper. “Ironically, coming from a past where difference was the instrument of division, it is our sameness that is now the cause of distress,” she said in a reference to apartheid. Same-sex marriage was legalised in South Africa in 2006

To prevent Sickle Cell Disease, know your genotype before marriage- Professor Michael Kehinde

Who has Sickle Cell Disease, SCD, and why are some people born with this disease? In the view of Professor of Medicine, Department of Medicine, College of Medicine, University of Lagos, CMUL, Professor Michael Kehinde, not less than 300,000 children are born with one form of SCD every year mostly, in sub-Saharan Africa, where malaria is common. Kehinde, a Specialist Physician and Clinical Haematologist who for more than two decades, headed the Clinical Haematology Unit at the Lagos University teaching Hospital, LUTH, says parents who fail to verify their genotype before they get married, are to be blamed when they produce children with SCD. •Professor Michael Kehinde

A child should know his or her genotype right from primary school. The genotype is the set of genes in the cells of every living organism which is responsible for a particular trait or characteristics. Last week, while presenting his Inaugural Lecture entitled: “Human Unique Blood Cells and Consequences”, at the Main Bowl of the University of Lagos, Akoka, Lagos, Kehinde observed that, Nigeria being the most populous black nation in the world, unfortunately, has the highest incidence of SCD in the world. “It is estimated that around 2 percent of new borns in Nigeria are affected by sickle cell anaemia giving a total of at least 150,000 affected children born every year in Nigeria alone. “Sickle Cell Disease causes approximately 8 percent of all infant deaths per year. The carrier of haemoglobin S frequency is between 10 to 40 percent with an average of 25 percent in Nigeria. That means the sickle cell trait carrier population is over 50 million. Thus, one person out of every four persons has HbS.” Overlooked epidemic: Further, Kehinde said if an inherited disorder can be described as an epidemic, then sickle cell anaemia in Nigerian would eminently qualify for that description. “So it is an epidemic that has been over looked. People should know their genotype long before they get married and not just before or after marriage, because once they are about to settle down, there is little that they can be told again to change their perception. They will run away from you and settle down somewhere else. Explaining that SCD is inherited and not acquired, the physician noted: “When AA marries AA, all their children will be AA. If AA marries AS, there is 50 percent chance that a child will be AA and 50 percent chance that a child will be AS.Fpr children that inherit the sickle haemoglobin gene from one parent and a normal gene from the other parent have sickle cell trait. People who have sickle cell trait usually have few, if any, symptoms and live normal lives.” Selection and consequences “When AA marries AA, all their children will be AA. If AA marries AS, there is 50 percent chance that a child will be AA and 50 percent chance that a child will be AS. When AS marries AS, there is 50 percent chance the child will be AS, 25 percent chance the child will be AA and 25 percent chance the child will be SS.” “If a couple with AA and SS genotypes marry, all of their children will be AS. When AS marries SS, it is 50 percent chance their child will be AS and 50 percent chance the child will be SS. When SS marries SS, all their children will be SS.” SCD body functioning The life journey of a person with SCD can be troublesome at times with occurrence of bone pains due to sickling and haemolysis so that the red cell lives only for about 30 days or less rather than for about 120 days (which is normal) as a result of prevailing unfavourable environment such as dehydration, infection, emotional stress, strenuous physical exercise, very cold weather, etc. The red blood cells are more fragile and more readily scavenged from the circulation, contributing to the chronic anaemia. Sometimes sickle cell crises occur spontaneously due to no identifiable risk factor. They have acute vasoocclusion events, chronic haemolytic anaemia and organ dysfunction due to repeated sickling episodes. Reduced flow and oxygen supply cause pain and lead to rapid destruction of blood cells. Wrong management: Sickle cell pain crisis is a medical emergency in Nigeria and when we assessed the management of SCD pain crises in adults by medical practitioners in Nigeria, in a cross sectional survey of 174 medical practitioners, we found that 70 to 80 percent of these doctors were giving appropriate strength of analgesics for appropriate severity in pain. “Thirty two of 163 would however not prescribe narcotic analgesics even in severe pain rises, for various reasons. However, 38 of 174 would give inadequate quantity of fluid and 18 of 124 will not give antibiotic even in the presence of markedly elevated white blood cell count. 45 of 90 will give antimalaria drugs routinely. Others will give antimalaria drugs only if there is fever. “None of the doctors will insist on a laboratory menstruation of malaria parasitaemia before giving anti-malaria drugs. Although, 70 to 80 percent of doctors manage pain crises appropriately, it would be desired that all doctors manage sickle cell pain crises appropriately. Management protocol To achieve this, a pain management protocol may be introduced in order to ensure that every sickle cell pain is properly and constantly managed. Survival: When we looked at our outpatient record in 1984, there were no patients older than 30 years of age. 31 years later, in 2015, 30 percent of patients with sickle cell disease were over 30 years. The oldest patient was over 60 years. This is as a result o the increased medical care and support instituted in our haematology unit. The main cause of poor survival of children with sickle disorder is lack of consistent coordinated care and follows up. On his part, the Chairman, Sickle Cell Foundation of Nigeria, Professor Olu Akinyanju, said with more funding for research, life can be more interesting for people living with SCD. He said as far back as 1972, American Congress passed the Sickle Cell Anaemia Act into law and put $250 million down to research on it. Every year they are putting almost about that same amount into it which has been helping in making life easier for sickle cell patients. But here in Nigeria what we allocated to the whole health budget is not even up to that amount. The level of awareness is still low. It is something that should be taught in schools. “We have a 65-year old in our Centre who donated a generator to the Centre recently. Our hope is to get more people to reach that age of 65, whether you are diabetic, hypertension, you should be able to have normal life expectancy. That is why we need research, regrettably, in Nigeria, research is not our culture, the reason is that Nigeria believes in immediate result, but research takes a long process.”

Pastor gives out 16 SUVs, 16 cars, millions of Naira to celebrate birthday

 Abuja – The Senior Pastor of Champions Royal Assembly, Kubwa, Abuja, Joshua Iginla on Sunday, gave out 32 cars out of which were 16 SUVs to celebrate his birthday. Iginla also gave out money running into several millions of naira to the aged, widows, orphanages and scholarships to orphans from nursery school to university. 

Bro Joshua Iginla 
Six Nollywood actors and actresses got Hummer jeep 3 series, Mercedes G-Wagon and Mercedes CLS 550. They include Jide Kosoko, Francis Duru, Alex Usifo, Ngozi Osondu, Thelma Nwosu and Sunday Omobolanle, popularly known as Babaluwe. Artisans got generators and cash gifts while the widows got deep freezers, rice and cash gifts ranging from N150,000 to N1.5 million. Treasure Orphanage Foundation, Nyanya, Divine Wound Orphanage, Kubwa and Christ Home Foundation, Kuje, got N1.5 million each and rice while some orphans in the homes were awarded scholarships from nursery to university. Iginla said he had 782 widows and orphans he caters for. “It doesn’t matter to me if I trek home as I have given even the car that I personally drive. “I can only drive one car and live in one house at a time. This understanding is what has taught me that when I die, others will inherit my assets. “The beauty of life is not in its duration but in its donation. I have not seen some of the beneficiaries before in my life or spoken to them. “I’m seeing many of them for the first time today. I am seeing Jide Kosoko for the first time”, he said. Iginla also said he gave cars to the Nollywood actors because many of them were poor but people erroneously think they were rich. According to him, the fruit of the Nollywood artistes were being reaped by pirates and challenged government to do something to arrest it. “The Nollywood actors and actresses are our ambassadors; they have projected the image of this country positively”, he said. Kosoko, who confirmed he was meeting Iginla for the first time, commended him for his philanthropy. Iginla had, in 2015, given 18 cars and millions of naira as birthday gifts to people to celebrate his birthday. (NAN)