The National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Prince Uche Secondus, has congratulated the Zambian opposition leader, Hakainde Hichilema, on his deserving victory at the nation’s Presidential election.
The opposition leader, Hichilema, was pronounced winner by the country’s Electoral body after a landslide victory, with over a million votes more than the incumbent President Edgar Lungu.
Hichilema got his victory on the sixth attempt having presented himself in five previous Presidential elections in the country.
Reacting to Hichilema’s victory through a statement from his Media Office released, on Monday, in Abuja, Prince Secondus, the leader of the main opposition party in Nigeria said that ‘it’s a sweet victory that will help to deepen democracy in Africa.’
Prince Secondus praised the Zambian Electoral Commission and the Security Agencies in the country for allowing the will of the people to prevail.
He also commended the rare democratic posture of the defeated President in accepting defeat and promising a seamless transition to the opposition.
“This is how it should be, PDP did it in Nigeria in 2015 and stabilized our democracy.
The PDP leader noted that what differentiates African democracy and the rest of the World is in the conduct of elections pointing that once African countries start getting it right, sky will be their limit.
Finally, Prince Secondus called on other Africa countries to take a queue from the good news coming out of Zambian democracy.
Twenty-four hours after paying an inter-infirmary visit to his co-Londoner, co-APC founder, comrade and power-sharer, President Muhammadu Buhari came back last week to meet his Nigeria as dying as he left it.
Nigeria’s definition under him has remained sorrow, tears and blood. In his absence, unremitting mass murders continued casting very long shadows here and there and everywhere. Then he came back.
And, on Saturday, 25 travellers were killed in cold blood in Plateau. Beyond issuing a knock-kneed statement, what else has the president done to still the war? The old man spent 18 days and 18 nights in London in peace and comfort while the nation burned. Only powerful people who are in government and in power do that without counting the costs.
You and I, of course, know that the journey, his presence abroad and the absence at home were at no personal cost to him and all around him. The cost and the loss are for Nigeria to count.
While the president was away, a Commissioner was abducted in Niger State. The very day the President came back, the man got his freedom from the kidnappers. He spent just five days in captivity, paid no ransom and was not rescued by anyone. He said he was, just like that, freed miraculously by his abductors. He said it was divine intervention, that it was his God that freed him.
But before the president travelled, 134 students of an Islamic school in Tegina, in same Niger State, were abducted – and marched at gunpoint into the forest by bandits. That was on May 30, 2021 – seventy-eight days ago. They are still there in rain, in sunshine – like monkeys in the wild. Could it be that those children do not have God? That they are unworthy of divine intervention – unlike the powerful Commissioner who just found himself in freedom. Or why is no one, spiritual and temporal, interceding for the children?
The kids didn’t know that the president travelled, they still do not know that after 18 sunny days in Queen Elizabeth’s country, their parents’ beloved President is back. The President is not aware that 78 days and still counting, some parents have been weeping day and night, mourning children who are not dead.
While the president was away, the BBC, without permission, interviewed parents of the Tegina kids. One of them is Hadiza Hashim who had five children among the abducted kids. She said the two youngest, Walid and Rahama, who were just two and three years old were soon let go by the abductors because they were too fragile for the great trek into slavery.
But Hadiza said the kids three elder siblings, the eldest just 13 years old, were still in captivity. She told the BBC that her children were being forgotten because they were poor.
“People have ignored what has happened because they are the children of nobodies. If they were the children of somebody, they wouldn’t be left in the wilderness for weeks with no news. It wouldn’t be allowed,” Mrs Hashim said.
She was right, poverty has politics; the poor are not citizens. Think about the fact that the Commissioner spent just five days in captivity and Hadiza’s kids will soon mark their third month in Nigeria’s forest of a million demons.
Nigeria is a country of death. It breeds demons and pampers them. Just before the President came back, the Army said Boko Haram terrorists were surrendering in droves to Nigeria’s superior firepower. The army posted photographs of the surrendered; it showed them begging for mercy and for forgiveness. Felons who said western education was sin were shown holding placards with English inscriptions. One of the placards read: “Borno State remains the home of peace.” And I ask: Since when? Another read: “Nigerians, please forgive us.” Again, I ask: Who is fishing for mercy for terrorists?
By putting (or allowing) those placards in the hands of the terrorists, the Buhari Government is already setting itself up as complicit in the campaign of death. The President’s Government is carousing these people, it calls them repentant terrorists. The Government is talking of de-radicalising and reintegrating them. The President’s Nigeria wants to reintegrate the terrorists into a society where they murdered more than 350,000 and displaced over three million people in their 12 years of bloody campaign.
In 12 years, the insurgents murdered 13 district heads; they killed scores of ward heads across Borno State alone. Why is the government pursuing reintegration of these terrorists with unusual seriousness? When a regime makes the comfort of surrendered murderers a project, it invites more than furtive glances. Abuja and its agencies say they chose that route because they were sure it would lead to peace. But will there really be peace?
The President and his strange government sure know more than we do.
Mid-July, before the President travelled, the army announced the release of 1,009 cleared suspects to the civilian authorities for reintegration into the society. It is not funny. Their victims were shocked and are asking questions. Even the Shehu of Borno, Abubakar El-Kanemi, is leading traditional and religious leaders in Borno to say no to having murderers embedded in their homes. “It is easy to forgive for the destruction of many lives and property, but difficult to forget the wanton loss of lives in the various communities of my chiefdom. Many people were killed with their property destroyed for 12 years. And you people and the media expect us to forget and forgive the repentant terrorists?” the Shehu of Borno asked.
It is said that true repentance can atone for the worst of crimes but is that the case in this case? Or is it that what we have as government is Geoffrey Chaucer’s cynical Pardoner who “sells indulgences” and plies ecclesiastical forgiveness of unpardonable sins?
Igbo people say if the oracle that eats seven fold has not eaten seven fold, it won’t rest. Unless the demon of Boko Haram is fed blood which it is used to, it won’t stop hunting for the heads of innocent people to cut.
The bandits of the North West that were sensationally photographed for repentance, did they not go back to their kidnap-for-ransom vomit? Has our Government, with its armed forces, asked itself if it is really possible for mass murderers to suddenly have a sincere change of heart? How about Boko Haram’s mass-surrender being another phase in the terrorists’ plan to overwhelm the sub-region? The ones surrendering and smiling, will they not end up as the nuclei of diffused terror networks in far and near places?
The Republic of Ghana, for instance, is ringing the alarm bell already. Ghana’s National Peace Council (NPC) last week said it had credible intelligence that terrorists were targeting key coastal cities in West Africa. It listed our Lagos as one of them. Speaking in an interview with Starr News, the NPC’s Executive Secretary, Ali Anankpieng, said: “The terrorists have voiced their intention to reach coastal West Africa. It is one of their avowed aims. We’ve heard they want to be in cities like Accra, Cotonou, Lagos, Abidjan, et cetera. That is their aim because these are the economic centers in the coastal countries within West Africa. Lagos is the economic center of Nigeria. Accra is the economic center of Ghana. I think Cotonou is the same for Benin. If they are coming to Ghana from Burkina Faso, they can do that through our borders here in the Upper East Region as one of their routes…”
Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Muhammedu Buhari in London.
From which pool will these terror groups get their soldiers?
Katsina State Governor, Bello Masari, provides a frightening insight. He told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) at the weekend that ISWAP (Islamic State’s West Africa Province) was planning a ‘family’ base in Nigeria’s North West. He said: “We have infiltration from Niger Republic, and Mali which have very large ungoverned spaces and you know the problem in Libya has unleashed arms and ammunition on sub-Saharan Africa. And we have to accept that within these areas, Nigeria is the richest and an attraction for all forms of criminality and kidnapping. Even ISWAP will want to, at least, stay in the North West to institute family here…”
This casual comment from a State Governor should be very bad news for the Nigerian state. ISWAP that he coldly referenced has an unbounded capacity for mischief. The International Crisis Group, in a 2019 report, said ISWAP operates by filling gaps in governance and service delivery.
“Displacing ISWAP will not be easy. Although the group’s methods are often violent and coercive, it has established a largely symbiotic relationship with the Lake Chad area’s inhabitants. The group treats local Muslim civilians better than its parent organisation did, better than its rival faction, Jama’tu Ahlis Sunna Lidda’awati wal-Jihad (JAS), does now, and in some ways better than the Nigerian state and army have done since the insurgency began in 2009.
“It digs wells, polices cattle rustling, provides a modicum of health care and sometimes disciplines its own personnel whom it judges to have unacceptably abused civilians. In the communities it controls, its taxation is generally accepted by civilians, who credit it for creating an environment where they can do business and compare its governance favourably to that of the Nigerian state.” That is part of the report of the security group.
The world all around us is sick and sad. But our Buhari has renewed his own health in London and is back, very happy in Abuja. The President is back to attend to another very important state matter – the wedding of his son.
Shakespeare’s Julius Caesar said “what touches us ourself shall be last served.” Not all leaders do that – or can do that. But at least, if the affairs of state won’t be the first to be served, let it, for God’s sake, be on the to-do list. That is the job that pays the bill for the state weddings and the off-shore medical tours of the leader.
We, therefore, seek the president’s help in getting back home the poor, abducted kids in the forests of northern Nigeria. My people say the journey may be long and tortuous and the distance very far, but the slave certainly is not without a father.
Those abducted kids have dreams too and their poor parents want them to live and grow and also do weddings – like the president’s son. I also join the Shehu of Borno to beg our president to stop exchanging handshakes with ‘repentant’ terror and rupturing peace where fear is receding.
Olagunju, PhD. is a commentator on Current & National. He is a Columnist with the Nigerian Tribune
Putting aside political differences and party affliation, Ondo State Governor, Mr Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, SAN, joined numerous mourners to mourn Mr Adedayo Omolafe, a member House of Representatives, who died on Sunday.
Until his death Mr Omolafe a member of the People’s Democratic Party, (PDP) was a former Local Government Chairman and represented Akure North and South in the Green Chamber.
He was reported to have slumped at his Akure residence on Sunday and died before medical help could come.
A statement by the Governor’s Chief Press Secretary, Mr Richard Olabode, stated that the Governor received the news of the death of a Member of the House Representatives with a heavy heart and rude shock.
Describing the news of the death as devastating, Governor Akeredolu pointed out that the reality was too difficult to accept, considering that no news of illness was heard about the late lawmaker before his sudden death.
The Governor while recalling his interactions with Adedayo as one of the members of the Green Chamber from the Sunshine State, noted his candour and urbane character.
“Like every mortal, Expensive, as he was Popularly called, is gone in fulfillment of the mankind’s inescapable debt.
“It is painful that such a bright star is gone too soon. For our dear State, this is a big blow dealt by the ugly sting of death. It is a devastating tragedy.
“The late Adedayo was committed to the service of his people, having served as an elected Executive Chairman of Akure South Local Government Area in 2004 and subsequently achieving his desire to represent his people at the National Assembly.
“He was renowned for his generosity, touching lives and making people smile with his act of giving. Adedayo has a track record of service to his people. He was a grassroot politician. His death is a great loss to Akure kingdom and the State in general.
The Governor commiserated with the National Assembly, the people of Akure, and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the state.
“Even with a heavy heart, the Governor particularly condoles the immediate family of the deceased while urging them to take solace in the legacy of his good deeds, especially his philanthropic gestures while he was here.
“May the Almighty God grant him eternal rest and keep him in his bosom.”
The state PDP, in a statement by its spokesman, Mr Kenedy Peretei, said that “Everyone will die one day or another. But some departures are too much to bear. The sudden and tragic demise of Hon. Omolafe Adedayo, popularlly known as Expensive is difficult to accept, especially when he was not sick.
“Expensive had been a constant political star since he was elected as Executive Chairman of Akure South Local Government Area in 2004 under the platform of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
“He was the State Co-ordinator of Sure-P program under former President Goodluck Jonathan. His dream to represent Akure South/ Akure North Federal Constituency at the House of Representatives did not come to fruition since 2007.
“Now that he became elected in 2019, on the platform of PDP, the cold hand of death has extinguished this bright star at the middle of his tenure.
“The Peoples Democratic Party, Ondo State Chapter is pained. We cannot find the exact words to convey the extent of our grief.
“The exit of Expensive is a collosal and irreparable loss to our party in Akure Federal Constituency and the entire PDP in the State.
“Hon. Omolafe Adedayo is a household name in Akure. His footprints on the sands of time are indelible.
“Our party commiserates with his wife, children, and indeed the extended family. May God in His infinite mercies grant him bliss in the world beyond.”
After a long wait and several deliberations, President Muhammadu Buhari finally signed the Petroleum Industry Bill 2021 into law.
President Buhari who recently returned from an Educational Summit in United Kingdom, and working from home because he is on self quarantine, as required by the Presidential Steering Committee on COVID-19 assented to the Bill Monday August 16.
The ceremonial part of the new legislation will be done on Wednesday, after the days of mandatory isolation would have been fulfilled.
The Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Femi Adesina, made this disclosure.
The Petroleum Industry Act provides legal, governance, regulatory and fiscal framework for the Nigerian petroleum industry, the development of host communities, and related matters.
The Senate had passed the Bill on July 15, 2021, while the House of Representatives did same on July 16, thus ending a long wait since early 2000s, and notching another high for the Buhari administration.
Again, Bandits invaded Zamfara State College of Agriculture and Animal Science, Bukara, early Monday and abducted 15 students and four staff members. Two guards in the school and a Policeman were also killed.
However, hours later, Two staff members and a student escaped and returned, according to the College’s Deputy Provost.
The bandits, according to Police reports, who were in large numbers, came to the school at about midnight with intent to abduct large number of students and staff.
They were, however, confronted by Police Operatives, who were alerted and responded to the scene on time.
In a shoot out with the bandits, a Police Inspector and two civilian guards lost their lives while 15 students and four staff were abducted by the bandits.
A statement by the Command spokesman, Mohammed Shehu, in Gusau, explained that the State Commissioner of Police, Ayuba Elkana, accompanied by senior officers, visited the College following attack.
“The Police operatives, while on extensive bush combing at the surrounding areas, rescued three staff,who will be debriefed and medically examined before being reunited with their families.
‘The Commissioner of Police while at the school, held an emergency meeting where he assured the management and the relations of the victims that the Police Command in collaboration with other security agencies especially the Military are deploying various search and rescue strategies in order to ensure the safe rescue of the abducted students and staff.
“The CP further went round the school and assessed the existing security arrangements to enable more reinforcement be provided against further invasion.
“The Provost of the school while briefing the Commissioner of Police commended the resilience of the Police operatives for standing their ground despite the abduction of 15 students and four staff.”
In early July, as Taliban insurgents were seizing territory from government forces across Afghanistan, fighters from the group walked into the offices of Azizi Bank in the southern city of Kandahar and ordered nine women working there to leave.
The gunmen escorted them to their homes and told them not to return to their jobs. Instead, they explained that male relatives could take their place, according to three of the women involved and the bank’s manager.
“It’s really strange to not be allowed to get to work, but now this is what it is,” Noor Khatera, a 43-year-old woman who had worked in the accounts department of the bank told Reuters.
“I taught myself English and even learned how to operate a computer, but now I will have to look for a place where I can just work with more women around.”
The incident is an early sign that some of the rights won by Afghan women over the 20 years since the hardline Islamist militant movement was toppled could be reversed.
The Taliban have steadily overrun the country since U.S. troops began withdrawing in May and the insurgents entered the capital on Sunday.
When they last ruled Afghanistan from 1996 to 2001, women could not work, girls were not allowed to attend school and women had to cover their face and be accompanied by a male relative if they wanted to venture out of their homes.Women who broke the rules sometimes suffered humiliation and public beatings by the Taliban’s religious police under the group’s strict interpretation of Islamic law.
During hitherto fruitless talks over a political settlement in recent years, Taliban leaders made assurances to the West that women would enjoy equal rights in accordance with what was granted by Islam, including the ability to work and be educated.
‘THE WORLD SHOULD HELP US’
Two days after the episode at Azizi Bank, a similar scene played out at a branch of another Afghan lender, Bank Milli, in the western city of Herat, according to two female cashiers who witnessed it.
Three Taliban fighters carrying guns entered the branch, admonishing female employees for showing their faces in public. Women there quit, sending male relatives in their place.
Taliban spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid did not respond to a request for comment about the two incidents. Spokespeople for the two banks did not respond to requests for comment.
On the broader question of whether women would be allowed to work in banks in areas it controls, Mujahid added that no decision had yet been made.
“After the establishment of the Islamic system, it will be decided according to the law, and God willing, there will be no problems,” he said.
The United States and others Western powers fear that the Taliban will roll back many of the freedoms won by women.
Gains made in women’s right have been touted as one of the biggest accomplishments during the 20 years that U.S.-led forces have been deployed in Afghanistan, although they have mostly been made in urban centres.
Afghan women working in fields including journalism, healthcare and law enforcement have been killed in a wave of attacks since peace talks began last year between the Taliban and the U.S.-backed Afghan government.
The government blames most targeted killings on the Taliban, who deny carrying out assassinations.
“The Taliban will regress freedom at all levels and that is what we are fighting against,” an Afghan government spokesperson said.
“Women and children are suffering the most and our forces are trying to save democracy. The world should understand and help us.”
Scores of educated Afghan women took to social media to appeal for help and express their frustration.
“With every city collapsing, human bodies collapse, dreams collapse, history and future collapse, art and culture collapse, life and beauty collapse, our world collapses,” Rada Akbar wrote on Twitter. “Someone please stop this.”
The family of the gruesomely murdered Super TV CEO, Usifo Ataga is so angry with the Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Hakeem Odumosu, that they are accusing him of deliberately treating the heinous crime with indifference.
They say that the CP did not tell the family the day the suspects, including the prime suspect, Chidinma Ojukwu, were arraigned before a Yaba Magistrate Court. They accuse the CP of charging another person they finger as one of the prime suspects, Babalola Disu, of obstruction of justice instead of murder.
They are aghast that on the day of Chidinma’s arraignment, she was taken to the Court in a “pleasure” car, and driven to prisons still in a “pleasure” car, both times, without handcuffs.
They, also, revealed that Chidinma was living with his “Sugar daddy”, not her father, and wondered why the Police did not make that aspect public.
The family has, therefore, hired city lawyer, Dr Mike Ozekhome, SAN, to represent its interest, and see to it that all those involved in the heinous crime are brought to book.
Chidinma is cooling off in the Prison, following the ruling of the Magistrate Court which remanded the 300 Level Mass Communication Student of University of Lagos in custody on holden charges pending the advise of the Lagos State Director of Public Prosecution.
Hakeem Odumosu, Lagos State Police Commissioner
In a brief to Ozekhome, the family decried “the low level of professionalism exhibited so far by the Police in bringing to book and prosecuting professionally, the perpetrators of this heinous crime that led to Ataga’s unprovoked and cold blooded murder.”
The family said it was shocked that the prosecution of the prime suspect in Ataga’s murder, Chidinma, was arraigned at a Chief Magistrate Court, Yaba, without even being informed about the arraignment coming up.
It also revealed that one Babalola Disu, who was arraigned for allegedly preventing the Police from performing their duties and failing to report a crime to the Police, is “highly suspected to have carried out the murder”.
It premised its suspicion on information they received to the effect that Disu’s short rental apartment was directly opposite the apartment where Ataga was killed. The family narrated how the said Disu had asked that the carpenter of Air BnB should be called upon to fix his door, only for the carpenter to be told later that it was actually Usifo’s door that was broken.
The family had also accused Odumosu, of being complicit in bungling the case of Ataga’s murder through his lack of depth, thoroughness, and professionalism in his investigation of Ataga’s brutal murder.
Stressing further, the Ataga family decried the alleged comfortable movement to prison from court and from court back to the prison, of Chidinma in an Uber ride. The family queried why this was done without even handcuffs and without its being informed of the intending arraignment.
The family equally alleged that the man who had claimed to be Chidinma’s father, and who was, also, charged to the Magistrate’s Court for obstructing Police investigation, was actually not Chidinma’s biological father after all, but her “sugar daddy”. The family postulated that this means that the Police had deliberately lied to it.
The family made it clear that it suspects Disu of having a hand in Ataga’s murder and wondered why he was charged for mere obstruction of Police investigation and failure to report a crime, “thus being granted bail in the ridiculous term of one million Naira only and two sureties in like sum.”
According to the family, “To all other suspects involved in this dastardly act (except Chidinma who was ordered remanded ) , bail was granted by Chief Magistrate Adeola Adedayo, in the funny conditions of one million Naira each with two sureties in like sum.” The Ataga family said it could not understand “these over liberal bail terms in such a heinous crime of hideous and horrific murder.”
The family said it “views these acts by the Police as a slap on their face, the face of justice and a deliberate cover-up by the Police.”
The family asked Ozekhome’s Chambers, to take up the case “with all relevant authorities, to ensure that justice is manifestly done to the memory of late Usifo through a very professional prosecution of all those involved in this heinous crime, no matter how highly placed they may be.”
For over 17 months, fans were absent from the stands stadia in top European football leagues to cheer and rally round their favourite teams due to the Covid-19 Pandemic.
This affected most teams. The revenue dropped drastically, while some teams performed woefully and some beyond expectations.
As the 2021/2022 European Football Season commenced over the weekend, fans were welcomed back to the stands, cheering their teams to glory. The transfer market saw Players jumping ship to different Clubs across the continent, while some bolstered their squad for prospective silverware.
ENGLAND
In England, the defending Champion, Manchester City Football Club suffered a 1-0 loss to North London Club, Tottenham Hotspurs, courtesy of a Son Heung Min Strike to give Coach Pep Guardiola concerns about what the future has in stock this new season.
His £100 Million Acquisition Jack Grealish couldn’t bolster, at least, a draw for the Citizens as they just a shadow of themselves.
Their Manchester neighbour, Manchester United Football Club whitewashed Leeds United 5-1 with Bruno Fernandes scoring a hat-trick and Paul Pogba creating four assist in the rout.
Chelsea and Liverpool recorded a 3-0 victories over Crystal Palace and Newcomers, Norwich City respectively to send a signal to their rivals.
Arsenal started the season on a bad note, despite making three signings, including a £50 Million acquisition of Ben White from Brighton Hove and Albion Football Club, with a 2-0 defeat to newcomers and Premier League debutants, Brentford Football Club.
Leicester recorded a 1-0 win over Wolverhampton Wanderers at the King Power Stadium, while Iwobi made an assist as Coach Rafael Benitez got a 3-1 victory over Southampton in his new role as Everton Manager.
New comer Watford Football Club that has four Nigerians in his team that include: Emmanuel Dennis, William Troost Ekong, Etebo Oghenekaro and Isaac Success got a 3-2 win over Aston Villa with Super Eagles striker, Dennis scoring the opener for Watford.
SPAIN
In the Spanish La Liga, Barcelona Football Club started on a good note, putting the exit of their legendary player, Lionel Messi behind them, beating Real Sociedad 4-2 at Nou Camp.
A brace from Martin Braithwaite, Gerard Pique header and a fourth from Sergi Roberto salvaged the win for the Catalan giants.
New Real Madrid Coach, Carlo Ancelotti made a winning start for the Los Bloncos, with a 4-1 triumph over Deportivo Alaves football Club.
Karim Benzema scored a brace, with Nacho Fernandez and Vinicius Junior adding a goal each.
Defending Champion, Atletico Madrid, despite seeing two red cards in a fierce match against Celta Vigo, got a hard earned win.
A brace from Angel Correa gave Coach Diego Simeone side their first victory of the season, hoping to defend the title it won last season.
GERMANY
The German Bundesliga started with high expectations for defending Champions, Bayern Munich. But this wasn’t to be, as the Bavarians forced Borussia Monchengladbach to a 1-1 draw.
Andrea Plea gave the Borussia club side the lead, before last season’s highest goal scorer, Roman Lewandowski got the needed equalizer.
Erling Haaland of Borussia Dortmund have once again shown why he is one of the prolific striker in the world as he grabbed a brace in Dortmund’s 5-2 win over Eintracht Frankfurt.
Having scored two goals, he created two assist, Marco Reus, Thorgan Hazard and Reyna all registered their name in the scoring sheet.
Sadly for Leipzig, having sold their two best defender, Upamecano and Konate to Bayern Munich and Liverpool respectively, they lost 1-0 to Mainz in the opening season.
FRANCE
Lionel Messi started life with his Club, Paris Saint Germain, PSG, from the stands, as he was unveil to the fans at the Parc De Princes Stadium.
Kylian Mbappe got a brace, while Mauro Icardi and Julian Draxler scored as PSG defeated Strasbourg 4-2.
French League Champion last season, Lille Metropole suffered a 4-0 demolition at home to Nice, as their misfortune continues in the new season.
Also, Olympic Lyonnais suffered a 3-0 defeat in the hands of Angers, failing to register a win in the two weeks old French league of the new season.
Monaco wants left out of the bad start to the season, as it lost 1-0 to Lorient Football Club. The trio of Monaco, Lille and Lyon have failed to win any match this season in the league.
TURKEY
Nigeria Super Eagles Captain, Ahmed Musa started life with his new Club, Fatih Karagmakuk, with a win, scoring the much needed victory goals in a 3-2 win over Gazientep Football Club in the Turkey Super League.
Fenerbahce and Beskitas recorded wins in their first match, while Istanbul Bakasehkir recorded a home loss, while Hatayspor recorded a 1-1 draw with Alanyaspor.
“This is shocking and too much to bear. She called me last week and pleaded due to ill health not to remove her from the verification exercise I embarked on to ascertain true members of the Guild in Lagos.
“Yesterday morning, I got a call that she was dead. Though I am yet to visit the family, it is a great loss for us. I pray for the repose of her soul.May her soul rest in peace, Amen.”
These were the words of devastated and tear-laden voice of Emeka Rising Ibe, the President, Actors Guild of Nigeria, AGN, Lagos State Chapter, over the death of yet another Nollywood actress, Doris Chima.
This month, the Nollywood has lost five actors including Chima.
First it was Racheal Oniga, followed by Rich Oganiru, Stanley Okoro and yesterday Kunle Agboola died in Brooklyn, New York, United States of America.
Chima was said to have died of Cancer, having been diagnosed of cancer of the breast.
Her death comes less than 24-hours after the passing on of Agboola.
Business mogul, Femi Otedola has revealed how former military President Ibrahim Babangida gave former President Goodluck Jonathan the confidence to take over power from late President Umaru Yar’adua after the protracted illness of the late president which created political tension in the country between 2009 and 2010.
Yar’Adua, had at the time traveled out of the country to treat himself without handing over power to his deputy, Jonathan.
His long absence had left a power vacuum and sparked a constitutional crisis with pressure on Jonathan to take over power.
Amid the confusion that rocked the country then, Otedola said Babangida sent a message through him to President Jonathan “to seat on Yar’Adua’s Chair’ during the federal Executive Council, FEC meeting.
Otedola disclosed this in his yet to be released book
The Businessman said “Worried by the tension and uncertainty, I decided to do something on my own,” Otedola wrote.
“In the first week of February 2010, I went to Minna, Niger state, along with Hajia Bola Shagaya, to commiserate with General Ibrahim Babangida over the death of his wife, Maryam.
Jonathan Took Over From Yar’Adua
“At his Hilltop residence, we spoke on a wide range of issues, but I told him I needed to discuss an urgent and vital issue. He took me to his study, where two of us were alone. I told him that the state of the nation had been agitating my mind.
“Your Excellency, how can we get out of this logjam? The political heat is too much,” Otedola asked Babangida, in which the former military leader said “Femi, advise your friend that when he gets to the Council Chambers next week for the Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting, he should go and sit on Yar’Adua’s chair.”
After delivering the message to Jonathan, the former president asked Otedola ‘What do you think?’ to which the businessman told him ‘Be a man, Your Excellency. Go and sit on that chair!’
According to him Jonathan “looked at me for some time and responded that he would think about it.
“A week later, on Tuesday, February 9, the National Assembly adopted the famous ‘Doctrine of Necessity’ to make Dr Jonathan the Acting President pending the return of President Yar’Adua from his medical leave. Behind-the-scene moves by prominent Nigerians preceded this decision. The legislative resolution was unprecedented, but the nation had been tensed up, and the fault-lines so stoked that an unusual solution was needed to address the unique situation.
“With Jonathan now legally empowered to act as President, there remained the critical optics: would he stand-in for the President confidently and authoritatively? Or would he try to maintain a subdued outlook?
“The following day was the FEC meeting. As Dr Jonathan entered the Council Chamber, he made to sit on the chair of the Vice President—his usual seat.
“As the protocol officer pulled out the VP’s chair, Dr Jonathan marched towards the seat reserved for the President. And he sat on it! That was the moment Dr Goodluck Jonathan took control of power. By that act, he sent a strong signal to all Nigerians that he was now in charge. The same day, Jonathan even reshuffled the cabinet,” Otedola said.
