Nigeria: Shettima Holds Emergency Security Meeting Over Borno Blasts

Maiduguri — Borno State Governor Kashim Shettima yesterday summoned officials of all markets, motor parks, shopping complexes, football fields and other places of public gatherings in Maiduguri, for an emergency security meeting scheduled for today with heads of security agencies and the civilian JTF.

The meeting, which is expected to take place at the Government House in Maiduguri, was in response to the twin suicide attacks at the Maiduguri Monday market yesterday morning which resulted in the death of one and 18 others sustaining injuries.

Governor Shettima visited the scene of the suicide attacks around the market and was at the accident and emergency ward of the Maiduguri Specialist Hospital where he met each of the survivors out of which three were undergoing emergency surgery at the hospital theater.

The suicide attacks were carried out by two suspected female suicide bombers in two close spots, both outside the Monday Market Maiduguri before 10:00am, said the Borno State Commissioner of Police, Damien Chukwu who received Shettima at the scene. The CP said one person died with 18 persons injured.

"Tomorrow, we will be having an emergency security meeting involving management of all the markets, motor parks, shopping centers, football fields and other attack prone areas and the we will invite the Civilian JTF and of course our security officials so that we cross pollinate ideas and come up with some new measures that will strengthen our existing security structure around markets," Shettima said.

The Boko Haram insurgents had repeatedly targeted the Maiduguri Monday market using persons who conceal bombs and pretend to be buyers, targeting traders and customers before blowing themselves up.

Maiduguri — Borno State Governor Kashim Shettima yesterday summoned officials of all markets, motor parks, shopping complexes, football fields and other places of public gatherings in Maiduguri, for an emergency security meeting scheduled for today with heads of security agencies and the civilian JTF.

The meeting, which is expected to take place at the Government House in Maiduguri, was in response to the twin suicide attacks at the Maiduguri Monday market yesterday morning which resulted in the death of one and 18 others sustaining injuries.

Governor Shettima visited the scene of the suicide attacks around the market and was at the accident and emergency ward of the Maiduguri Specialist Hospital where he met each of the survivors out of which three were undergoing emergency surgery at the hospital theater.

The suicide attacks were carried out by two suspected female suicide bombers in two close spots, both outside the Monday Market Maiduguri before 10:00am, said the Borno State Commissioner of Police, Damien Chukwu who received Shettima at the scene. The CP said one person died with 18 persons injured.

"Tomorrow, we will be having an emergency security meeting involving management of all the markets, motor parks, shopping centers, football fields and other attack prone areas and the we will invite the Civilian JTF and of course our security officials so that we cross pollinate ideas and come up with some new measures that will strengthen our existing security structure around markets," Shettima said.

The Boko Haram insurgents had repeatedly targeted the Maiduguri Monday market using persons who conceal bombs and pretend to be buyers, targeting traders and customers before blowing themselves up.

 

Nigeria: Two Chinese Arrested for Operating Fake Embassy in Lagos

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Lagos — Operatives of the Rapid Response Squad (RRS) of Lagos State Police Command, weekend arrested two Chinese for operating a fake embassy in Lagos.

The team led by RRS Commander, ACP Olatunji Disu, also arrested two Nigerian collaborators.

The operatives clamped down on the fake embassy after many members of the public were swindled of huge sums of money. The fake embassy is situated inside a hotel, Golden Point and Suite, on Duduyemi Street in Ejigbo.

Those arrested were identified as 47-year-old Liu Honyang and 49-year-old, Sun Xinai (both Chinese) and their Nigerian collaborators: 47-year-old Oriyomi Olawale and 25-year-old Desmond Chinedu.

After the arrest, some of their victims showed up at the RRS's headquarters, recounting how they were duped respectively, hence their deportation from Trinidad and Tobago.

One of the victims, Adekunle Adefuye, said, "I met these people through one of their agents, Dorcas Slyver. She is a daughter to my brother's pastor in Abeokuta. I told her my intentions to travel to United States of America. Then she told me to come to Lagos that she could procure the American visa for me.

"On getting to Lagos, she took me to these Chinese where I was told that I should go to Trinidad and Tobago. They persuaded me to go to Trinidad and Tobago, that it was easier to secure employment with at least 3,000 dollars as salary.

"Initially, I insisted that I preferred America. But they brainwashed me into agreeing to go to Trinidad and Tobago. It was at this point I was told that I would pay N1.3 million for the whole process, including visa processing and flight fare. The payment was made in instalment. N376,000 for Visa, ticket N850,000, accommodation N39,000 and Visa Fee N33,000, which I obliged and paid all the monies into Dorcas' GTB Accounts: 0130671906."

He revealed that he and another person were rounded up immediately they got to Trinidad and Tobago by the country's immigration officers for coming into the country with fake visas and then deported back to Nigeria after a 48-hour detention.

2017 budget’ll end Nigeria’s economic woes – Buhari

ABUJA—President Muhammadu Buhari last night expressed optimism that the proposed 2017 budget would not end the current economic recession facing Nigeria but would also shoot the country into economic prosperity. President Muhammadu Buhari presides over October 12 ,2016 Federal Executive Council meeting. He also enjoined Nigerians not to be deterred by the reality of the “temporary challenges” but should be strengthened by them. The encouragement were the highlights of the president’s address to Nigerians on the occasion of 2016 Eid-el-maulud celebrations today. Meanwhile, the president who wished Nigerians especially muslims a happy Eid-el-maulud celebration is billed to lay the budget estimates before a joint session of the National Assembly on Wednesday. The address read in full: “Dear Compatriots, again the calendar of life has brought us into another period of celebration, and deep reflection. Celebration, because we are marking the birth of Prophet Mohammed (Peace Be Upon Him), and deep reflection, because it is another opportunity of pausing, taking a deep breath and reflecting on the current realities before us. “First of all, I wish all Muslims a happy and memorable celebration of the birth of the great Prophet, through whose teachings, particularly on peaceful living, tolerance, sobriety, generosity, sacrifice and honesty, and wisdom, the nation has gained immensely in building a harmonious and prosperous society. “The universal truths of the Prophet’s values remain unchanged. “Against all odds, we have used these pillars of strength in securing a just and fair society, and our efforts are beginning to yield dividends in curbing terrorism, corruption and other crimes that devalue our humanity. “The reality of the temporary challenges should not undermine our hope, reverse our collective will to succeed, or divide us; rather it should remind us of why we need to stay together, fight together and succeed together. “As we look forward to 2017 with hope and huge expectations, let me assure you that with collective dedication and hard work, we will overcome the mountain of economic difficulties, and return our country to the path of prosperity.”

Uyo church building collapse: Governor Udom Emmanuel orders arrest of contractors, engineers

Akwa Ibom State Governor, Udom Emmanuel, has ordered the immediate arrest of the contractors and engineers, that constructed the Reigners Bible Church, which collapsed in Uyo on Saturday.

The Governor and his Deputy were attending the ordination service of Bishop Akan Weeks, when the building came down. He, however, escaped death.

One of Emmanuel’s personal assistants on media, Mr. Aniekeme Finbarr, told CNN’s Becky Anderson, that his principal gave the order on Sunday.

“They should be made to answer certain questions so that the state would be able to get to the root cause of the matter,” the Governor was quoted as saying.

Senate President, Dr. Bukola Saraki, has also called for a probe into the circumstances surrounding the tragedy.

In a statement released by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Yusuph Olaniyonu, he commiserated with the people of Akwa Ibom.

Saraki also called for “urgent and thorough investigation to determine both the remote and immediate causes of the building collapse.

“I believe that such an investigation, if sincerely done, will help us to guard against unnecessary waste of lives, injuries and damage to property in the future. My heart goes out to all the victims, the Christian community in Akwa Ibom State and the entire people of the state.”

Pastor Resurrects 3-Year-Old Boy Allegedly Confirmed Dead By Doctors

The news of a South African pastor, Prophet Shepherd Bushiri, bringing a dead boy back to life is making the rounds on the social media.

The boy, believed to be 3 years old was said to have been confirmed dead by a doctor.

The father of the ‘dead’ boy stormed the altar with him, raising his hands and shaking him without response

He walked round the church with the boy during a service at the Enlightened Christian Gathering Church in Pretoria.

He was seen falling to the floor with his lifeless son as church workers supported him.

The congregation held their hands out towards the boy and prayed.

Bushiri was seen spraying an ointment they called ‘anointing oil Lion of Judah’ on the boy, who later regained consciousness.

The doctor who reportedly confirmed him dead said, “This child was unresponsive, no heartbeat, but with the administration of the Lion of Judah, this baby is back to life.”

 

Book Haram leader warns Trump

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Boko Haram leader warns Trump ‘war has just begun’

November 14, 2016

    

Boko Haram

The leader of the jihadist group Boko Haram has reacted to the election of Donald Trump to the White House with a warning that “the war has just begun” against the West.

“Do not be overwhelmed by people like Donald Trump and the global coalition fighting our brethren in Iraq, Syria, Afghanistan and everywhere,” Abubakar Shekau said in an audio message posted on YouTube late Sunday.

“We remain steadfast on our faith and we will not stop,” he said in the hour-long message. “To us, the war has just begun.”

Boko Haram is waging a seven-year-old uprising against the Nigerian state that has claimed more than 20,000 lives, with the insurgency spilling over the West African nation’s borders into neighbouring states.

Boko Haram, which last year pledged allegiance to the Islamic State group, has been in the grip of a power struggle since late last year.

The IS high command said in August that Shekau had been replaced as leader by Abu Musab al-Barnawi, the 22-year-old son of Boko Haram’s founder Mohammed Yusuf.

Shekau claims he is still in charge, however, as rival factions vie for control.

During a visit to Nigeria in August, US Secretary of State John Kerry congratulated the government for reclaiming swathes of territory and releasing thousands of hostages from Boko Haram, while warning against the use of excessive force to fight extremists

I won’t collect salary – Trump

November 14, 2016

US President-elect Donald Trump / AFP PHOTO / MOLLY RILEY

Republican billionaire Donald Trump said in an interview broadcast Sunday he would forgo the $400,000 salary that comes with the US president’s job.

“I’m not going to take the salary. I’m not taking it,” he told CBS’s “60 minutes,” confirming a promise he made in a campaign video in September.

“I think I have to by law take $1, so I’ll take $1 a year,” he added

AMERICAN HAVE NOTHING TO FEAR SAYS TRUMP

President-elect Donald Trump has vowed to move aggressively on a conservative agenda in filling Supreme Court vacancies, cracking down on immigration and cutting taxes, but also sought to reassure worried Americans they have nothing to fear from his presidency.

Setting aside the strident tone of his campaign, the 70-year-old assumed a gentler manner in his first television interview since his shock election, saying he was “saddened” by reports of harassment of Muslims and Hispanics, and telling the perpetrators: “Stop It.”

The interview with CBS’s “60 Minutes,” which was taped Friday and aired in full Sunday, offered Trump an opportunity to reintroduce himself after an ugly, name-calling campaign and surprise victory that sparked protests in cities across the United States.

“I just don’t think they know me,” the billionaire real estate mogul said at one point, of the thousands of protesters who have massed in streets below his Trump Tower headquarters with signs that read “Not our president.”

Told that many Americans are scared of his presidency, Trump said: “Don’t be afraid. We are going to bring our country back.”

– Conservative agenda –

Millions were expected to tune in to Trump’s interview for clues on how the billionaire will govern, and how far he intends to convert his slogans into policy.

Trump earlier Sunday named anti-establishment firebrand Steve Bannon his top strategist and senior Republican Reince Priebus his White House chief of staff, blending pragmatism with a rabble-rousing edge in the first appointments of his new administration.

On the issues, however, Trump made it clear he intends to aggressively push a right-wing agenda, pledging to name justices to the Supreme Court who are against abortion and for gun rights.

“The judges will be pro-life,” Trump told CBS. “In terms of the whole gun situation,” he added, “they’re going to be very pro-Second Amendment.”

He will have an immediate opportunity to fill a vacancy on the court left by the death of arch conservative justice Antonin Scalia. President Barack Obama’s attempt to fill the seat was blocked by the Republican-controlled Senate.

On immigration, Trump reaffirmed his signature campaign pledge to build a wall on the border with Mexico, although he conceded parts of it may be just a fence.

And he said as many as three million undocumented immigrants with criminal records would be deported or incarcerated.

“What we are going to do is get the people that are criminal and have criminal records, gang members, drug dealers,” he said.

“We have a lot of these people, probably two million, it could be even three million, we are getting them out of our country or we are going to incarcerate,” he said.

– Conciliatory notes –

He left the door open, however, on the fate of the millions of other immigrants in the country illegally.

“After the border is secured and after everything gets normalized, we’re going to make a determination on the people that you’re talking about who are terrific people,” he said.

Immigration, he said, was one of three top legislative priorities he has discussed with House Speaker Paul Ryan, the others being action to undo Obama’s signature health care reform and a bill to cut taxes and simplify the tax code.

Trump had previously indicated he would keep some aspects of Obamacare, including a ban on insurance companies denying coverage for pre-existing conditions.

There were other conciliatory notes as well.

He signaled that he would not seek to overturn the legalization of same-sex marriage in the United States.

“It’s law. It was settled in the Supreme Court. I mean it’s done,” Trump said when asked if he supports marriage equality. “And I’m — I’m fine with that,” he added.

He also confirmed he would forgo the $400,000 salary that comes with the office of US president.

“I’m not going to take the salary. I’m not taking it,” he said. “I think I have to by law take $1, so I’ll take $1 a year,” he added.

– Conspiracy-mongering –

The choice of Bannon and Priebus as Trump’s first high-level appointments suggest he intends for his new administration to preserve the populist edge that won him the White House, tempered by political pragmatism.

Priebus, head of the Republican National Committee, is a seasoned political operative with close ties to Ryan, the House speaker.

But Bannon, the campaign chairman in the final months of the Trump campaign, is CEO of the right-wing, conspiracy-mongering Breitbart News website known for withering attacks on the Republican elite.

It has railed against everything from women who seek abortions to Muslim immigrants, and once told females facing internet harassment to “go back to bridge tournaments, or wellness workshops, or swapping apple crumble recipes” and stop “screwing up the internet for men.”

In the “60 Minutes” interview, Trump made no promises to tone down his own rhetoric as president.

“I don’t want to be just a little nice monotone character,” he said.

Trump was joined by his wife and adult children including Ivanka who was named to Trump’s transition team but rules out joining his administration.

“There’re a lot of things that I feel deeply, strongly about,” she said, naming wage equality, childcare and more opportunities for women. “But not in a formal administrative capacity.”

AFP

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TODDLER DIES IN ATTACK IN CHURCH

November 14, 2016

    

A Indonesian toddler died Monday from injuries sustained in a suspected extremist attack on a church, with a group of militants who support the Islamic State group detained over the assault.

Two-year-old Intan Olivia Marbun was among four small children hurt when an attacker wearing a T-shirt with the word “jihad” on it threw Molotov cocktails at the place of worship on Borneo island from a motorbike on Sunday.

The youngsters, aged between two and four, had been playing in the car park of the church in the city of Samarinda at the time of the attack.

Local police spokesman Fajar Setiawan told AFP Marbun suffered extensive burn injuries and respiratory problems, adding: “Unfortunately the doctors could not save the victim… she died early this morning.”

The other children suffered less serious injuries and were still being treated in hospital but would likely be discharged soon, the spokesman said.

Police arrested the suspected attacker, an Islamist militant previously jailed over a parcel bomb plot in 2011, shortly after the assault.

On Monday they detained five more people as part of their investigation, with national police chief Tito Karnavian describing them as “old players” who also had links to the 2011 plot.

All those detained — including the attacker — were allegedly part of the Jamaah Ansharut Daulah group, a local militant outfit that supports IS.

“Their aim is to incite violence, I urge people to remain calm,” said Karnavian.

Sunday’s attack was just the latest on a church in recent months. In August, an Indonesian teenager who was obsessed with IS stabbed a priest in a church in the city of Medan on Sumatra island and tried to detonate a homemade bomb.

Indonesia, which has the world’s biggest Muslim population, has long struggled with Islamic militancy and suffered a string of extremist attacks in the 2000s, including the 2002 Bali bombings that left 202 people dead.

A sustained crackdown had weakened the most dangerous networks but IS has proved a potent new rallying cry for the country’s radicals.

A suicide bombing and gun attack in the Indonesian capital Jakarta in January, claimed by IS, killed four attackers and four civilians.

Religious minorities have also increasingly come under attack in recent times as the influence of hardliners has grown, with Christians, Buddhists and Muslim minorities targeted.

D’Banj Allegedly Gets Married Secretly In Lagos + See Photos Of The Pretty Bride

D'banji and Lineo

Reports making the rounds  have it that Nigeria’s Kokomaster, D’Banj has secretly married his sweetheart, Didi Lineo Kilgrow on Saturday, July 2nd 2016 in a private wedding at a registry in Lagos.This according to an exclusive by Stella Dimoko Korkus blog

Lineo fondly called Didi is the step sister of MTV Base Africa‘s ‘The Bigger Friday Show’co-host Samantha Walsh.

SDK reports that the small get-together was an intimate registry wedding with only about 25 people in attendance. D’Banj and Lineo are said to have carried out their traditional  wedding in June at the bride’s hometown in Jos.

The guests were cajoled into thinking they were attending a birthday party for D’Banj’s father only to get to the venue and realize that it was a wedding in which things were kept extremely ‘hush-hush’.

Sources disclose that Lineo and the Emergency singer started dating in 2015 and D’Banj popped the question about four months ago. Lineo has been described as a“very nice girl,very humble,very down to earth and blew away the Kokomaster’s heart” by D’banj’s close friends.

BREAKING: Customers Panic As CBN Takes Over Skye Bank, Sacks Directors

There was panic among customers of Skye Bank following news that the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has taken over the Board and management of the bank.

The Central Bank Governor, Mr. Godwin Emefiele, who announced the take-over at a news conference, which was held at the CBN head office in Lagos, said the bank had failed to meet the regulator’s minimum key liquidity and capital adequacy ratios.

Emefiele said the apex bank had appointed a new board and management for the bank following the resignation of the Chairman, Chief Tunde Ayeni, and Management Director/Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Timothy Oguntayo.

He said the bank’s outgoing board and management had consistently failed to turn the fortunes of the bank around despite consistent warnings from the CBN.

In place of the outgoing board and management, Emefiele said the CBN had appointed Alhaji MK Ahmad as the new chairman, while Mr. Tokunbo Abiru is the new MD/CEO.

The governor said the CBN had removed and replaced all the non-executive directors and two longest-serving directors of Skye Bank.

The CBN boss urged shareholders and customers of the bank to remain calm, stressing that the bank was not in distress.

“I maintain that Skye Bank is not in distress. We have only taken this unavoidable decision to ensure that depositors’ funds are not eroded,” he said.

[PHOTOS] Diezani’s Billionaire Ally, Jide Omokore Arraigned By EFCC

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), today, arraigned Jide Omokore, an oil magnate and ally of Former Minister of Petroleum, Diezani Alison- Madueke, at the Federal High Court Abuja on money laundering charges.

He was arraigned alongside Andrew Yakubu, a former Group Managing Director of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC before Justice Binta Nyako on four counts of Money Laundering.

Other defendants to the charge are: Victor Briggs, Abiye Membere, David Mbanefo, Atlantic Energy Brass Development Limited and Atlantic Energy Drilling Concepts Limited.

They pleaded not guilty.

Stella Oduah Reacts To Allegations That She Stashed N2.5bn In Her Housemaid’s Account

stella Oduah

Former minister of Aviation, Stella Oduah, has reacted to reports that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) was on her trail for allegedly stashing nearly N2.5 billion in a bank account she set up using the identity of her domestic aide.

Oduah who said on Monday that she received the reports while relaxing in her country home in Anambra State, challenged those who published the allegations to publish proofs that substantiate her guilt.

In a statement, signed by Francisca Onyeisi, head of communications, the former minister said that if the reports were true, she would have been arrested long before now, especially at a time when the EFCC is “freezing accounts and going after opposition governors who enjoy same level of immunity as the president.”

Oduah, urged his supporters and the general public to ignore the reports, saying she had “made a mark in oil and gas and Agricultural businesses before joining politics.”

Sahara Reporters, had on Sunday reported EFCC sources as revealing to it how Oduah used the name and pictures of the unnamed maid to set up the account.

Sahara Reporters quoted one of the EFCC source as saying, “Senator Oduah apparently opened the account with her housemaid’s name, image, and details without the housemaid knowing about it”.

The said account, the report claims, was still active as at last week.

Oduah was removed from office in February 2014 after she was found to have received armoured BMW cars, worth N255million, from an agency she supervised.

EFCC Traces Illegal Transfer Of N216m From CBN To Fake Account

THE Economic and Financial and Crimes Commission (EFCC) is currently investigating the successful transfer of N216.66 million by a syndicate from the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) account of the Federal Inland Revenue Services (FIRS) into an illegal account opened in the name of a company using the Awolowo Road, Ikoyi, Lagos branch of a new generation bank.

In addition to probing the account, EFCC will also investigate the role of the Police High Command in the matter.

According to reports, the real owner of the Ibadan based company, Citadel Concepts Limited, whose company name was used to open the illegal account, sent a petition to the Police which was treated lightly before he forwarded a petition to the office of Vice President, Professor Yemi Osibanjo who directed EFCC Chairman, Ibrahim Magu, to look into the matter.

A source at the commission confirmed that several people connected with the opening and operation of the account have been interrogated, even though investigation is ongoing.

Another source said many officials of these organisations were quizzed while forensic analysis of specimen of signatures used in opening the account has been carried out.

The role of the police in an earlier petition to the office of the Inspector General of Police is also under scrutiny as a result of allegations made against the police in the cause of investigations by the commission.

For instance, part of the document submitted to the EFFC for investigation was to unravel why the police declined requests for the release of the case file to the Lagos State Directorate of Public Prosecution and the trial of the petitioner for false information under the penal code.

The anti graft agency would also unravel how far the police has gone in the arrest and interrogation of some highly placed people mentioned in the petition sent to it.
(Daily Sun)

N4.9bn Fraud: Court Grants Fani-Kayode, Nenadi Usman N250m Bail

Federal High Court in Lagos has granted bail in the sum of N250m to former spokesperson of the PDP Presidential campaign organization, Femi Fani-Kayode.

Fani-Kayode, who is being tried by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission for an alleged fraud of N4.9bn, was granted bail by Justice Muslim Hassam.

Former Minister of Finance, Nenadi Usman and one Danjuma Yusuf were also granted bail in like sum

Part of the bail conditions requires them to provide two sureties in like sum and they must be land property owners.

The judge also ordered them to deposit their passport in the custody of the court pending the outcome of the case and ruled that sureties must present evidence of tax clearance in the state.

Vanguard’s report saved us from shame —Detained mother of triplets

By Esther Onyegbula


                              Mother (left) and the surviving babies
 LAGOS—Mrs Gloria Okore,  the woman detained for seven weeks by Bessylva Hospital and Maternity Home, Agege, following her inability to settle a debt of N35,000 after being delivered of triplets, has thanked Nigerians for coming to her rescue by paying the outstanding bills. Mother (left) and the surviving babies. She said after harassing her, the hospital authorities said she was foolish to tell Vanguard that her debt was N35,000; that she should have said it was N200,000. However, contacted, the hopsital’s Medical Director, Ngozi Nwachukwu, said Mrs Okore was being ungrateful. She said as soon as the balance of their bill was off set, every other donation was given to the couple, including the N500,000 donated by Mutilinks Computer Services. Meanwhile, speaking with Vanguard yesterday, in their one-room apartment at Aluminum village, Dopemu, Lagos, Gloria said: “I am happy that Nigerians came to our rescue after the publication of my story by Vanguard. My prayer is that every one that contributed will never be put to shame.” Narrating how God used the publication in Vanguard to bring respite to her family, Gloria said: “Early on Wednesday morning, while we were still cleaning the babies, the Medical Director of the hospital came into the ward and said we should move to another ward that had a small bed because she had a new patient. “I pleaded with her but she refused and dragged us out. People gathered and began to beg her; I was crying, unknown to me that God was sending help. “She said we do not have helper and that we will pay every dime before she would allow us leave the hospital. That was before she found out that Vanguard had written a story about our plight. She became furious that Vanguard published the story, saying that we rubbished the hospital in the media. Donors arrive “She said I am a foolish illiterate for telling Vanguard that the bill was N35,000 instead of increasing it to N200,000 so that people would contribute more. “Immediately after, as God would have it, a man who read the story in Vanguard came to the hospital and went to the Medical Director’s office to verify and paid N32,000 cash. I thanked him. The next set of people were from the Ministry of Women Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, WAPA, in Alausa, who went to the Medical Director’s office to discuss with her before coming to the ward to see me. “They said they were sent to verify the situation and that they would get back to us. Later a woman and three others came. I suspected they were from an NGO. After speaking with the Medical Director, they presented a cheque of N35,000 to her in respect of the bill. They took pictures with the babies and I before leaving. “Another man came to the hospital, claiming that his elder brother, who lives in Abuja, read our story in Vanguard and sent a cheque to us. I explained everything to him. He collected my husband’s details before going to see the Medical Director, who also gave him her bank details. “Eventually, he paid N32,000 to the Medical Director’s bank account and N25,000 to our account.” Controversies over monies Mrs. Gloria Okore said later in the evening, the Medical Director, Ngozi Nwachukwu, came to the ward and said the cheque the NGO gave to her was invalid as she could not cash the cheque. She added: “Before we left the hospital, a woman came to the hospital and transferred N10,000 to the hospital’s bank account before discovering that the outstanding bill had been cleared. “When she discovered that she asked the Medical Director to give me the money for the upkeep of the babies. Yet she denied that she received any payment. Even when the lady in question sent transaction details.” A donor’s experience Speaking to Vanguard yesterday, Merit Oloruntobi, who transferred the said N10,000 to Blessylva’s Access Bank account, said: “I do not know these people from anywhere. I read the story and it touched me. “On my way back from work at about 6p.m., I went to the hospital. After discussing with the Medical Director, I transferred N10,000 via POS at about 7:12p.m. I later discovered through the mother of the babies that other people had paid the outstanding balance. So I told the Director to withdraw the money and give it to them. “Surprisingly, when I called them to find out if they had collected the money, they said the Director said the money did not reflect in her account. Even when I called her, she said the same thing.” Hospital reacts Reacting to the allegations, Ngozi Nwachukwu, the Medical Director, said: “Gloria and her husband never gave me any money; it was people, who read the story, that came to the hospital. “I never detained them.  Immediately the outstanding balance of N67,000 was completed, I discharged them and gave them the receipt. “Some people from Mutilinks Computer Services came to the hospital and paid N500,000 for her. I took the person to her and they gave her the money. “As for Merit’s donation, it is in my account. I told them that it is part of the bills, but if they want I can refund the N10,000. “Concerning the cheque that some people gave to me, it is still here with me. I have not even cleared it. When I got to the bank, they said I have to pay it into my account and that after three days I can withdraw it. When I came back from the bank, I told Gloria. “The money from everybody that came to assist them in the hospital, I gave them. Why does this lady want to spoil my name after all I did for them?” Vanguard then called Gloria, who confirmed that some people came and gave her N500,000. She claimed it escaped her while she was telling Vanguard about the donations earlier. Equally, when Vanguard got back to Merit later, she said the Medical Director had confirmed that she finally received alert for the N10,000 transaction. Meanwhile, WAPA’s Director, Mrs Fadiro, said plans were on to take the surviving babies to a government hospital for adequate medical care and treatment. 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ComedyTrash 10 Cars You Should Avoid Buying Carophile   by Taboola Sponsored Links  FEMI AJASA View all posts by Femi Ajasa → PREVIOUS POST Gov poll: Why Ondo is ripe for a youthful leader- Adeyeye, aspirant You might also like Photos: Ladies go braless as NURTW boss, Oluomo marks birthday Rio 2016: We're training with ‘bare hands’ Herbalist with 48 wives, 200 children in trouble IPOB RALLY FALLOUT: ‘I haven't seen my husband since he received a strange call’ FG planning to arrest APC leaders — Tinubu Breaking: Buhari appoints ex Brexit: Companies turn from UK to African countries Ejine Okoroafor shames Nicki Minaj’s cleavage Recommended by Disclaimer Comments expressed here do not reflect the opinions of vanguard newspapers or any employee thereof. 3 comments Sign in182 people listening     + Follow Share Post comment as... Newest | Oldest Akin Malaolu 4 hours ago The poor would always have truthful hearts in any predicaments and help from all shades, shapes and tribes would come in. The owners of the hospital must wear human faces after the experience I hope. Let our love flow Like a mountain stream Let our love fly Like a butterfly In Nigeria FlagShareLikeReply Edafejoshua 4 hours ago Habaaaa.....Some persons can become slave cos of little money...This is other people's money,yet,see the reactions... God help us FlagShareLikeReply dangotecementp1 6 hours ago Buy DANG0TE 3XCEMENT at PROMO PRICE 1000 naira For buyers above 100 bags and Rice 7500 for buyers above 20 bags for more info call the sales manager Mr. MUSA on 07034191937, Delivery can be made to all parts of Nigeria. FlagShareLikeReply 

Dead day-old baby evokes curses in Ekiti

By Rotimi Ojomoyela The saying, different strokes for different folks, couldn’t have been more apt to describe the scene at the popular canal in Irona road, Ado-Ekiti, the Ekiti state capital, on Saturday, June 25, 2016, as people besieged the canal to have a glimpse of a day old, lifeless baby boy with his placenta still strapped to his body, dumped in the canal. •A large crowd at the canal. Inset: The dead dumped baby in the canal There was outpouring of emotions over the discovery as 








sympathetic residents and passers-by berated the culprit for being heartless, while others prayed for the baby’s gentle soul to rest in peace. Some of the passers-by, who took photo shots of the baby,  cursed and expressed concern over the action of the mother of the child, describing the incident as an act of wickedness on her part. Interestingly, the canal in which the baby was dumped is close to a community, named Okebola, that has gained notoriety for diverse immoral and unlawful activities which range from prostitution, thuggery, idleness and armed robbery among others. Who did it? It was gathered that the baby was dropped inside the huge canal at dawn by an unknown person as traders around the area said they didn’t notice it until early in the morning. “The unfortunate baby must have been dropped inside the canal by its assailant very early this morning because we didn’t notice it yesterday night until we closed from shop”, a trader, who didn’t want her name in print, said. Speculating that any of the sex workers whose brothels are close to the area, might be responsible for the child’s tragedy, a commercial motorcyclist, Mufu Ayeni, said, “that baby was very unlucky. It had died before the police came to the spot. All these Ashawo (commercial sex workers) are responsible for committing this kind of atrocity. It is one of them that would do this. If you examine the baby very well. It was still smeared with blood which showed that it was dumped inside the canal immediately after it was delivered. “One thing we cannot claim is whether the baby had died before it was dumped inside the canal or after the deed was done. But whoever has done this is surely a wicked person.“ Besides, Ayeni lamented that “nobody knows what this baby will become tomorrow. Even the woman that did this does not know the consequences of her action. In a situation where some women are going to God to bless them with a child, here another gave birth to such a handsome baby boy and dumped him inside the river. What a sad situation.” The incident caused heavy traffic along the busy Ijigbo/Irona market road as a crowd, vehicles and commercial motorcyclists, who besideged the scene caused serious traffic gridlock. Police evacuates dead baby Confirming the tragic development, Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Mr. Alberto Adeyemi, said that the baby’s corpse has been deposited at the state mortuary while investigations on the matter have started. In his words, “when the reports came to us that a day old baby was dumped inside a canal in the area, we swiftly sent a rescue team to the spot. Our men found the baby dead inside the canal and they have evacuated its body and have taken it to the Ekiti State University Teaching Hospital’ mortuary.   We have also begun investigations into the development.”