Pope Francis has lamented what he called the “inhuman” attacks on a string of Paris venues which left at least 128 people dead, saying: “I am shaken, I don’t understand these things, done by human beings.
Francis, who reacted to the attacks said he was “shaken,” adding… There cannot be justification, religious or human. It’s inhuman.”
An emotional pontiff said during a telephone interview with TG2000 television added: “I am with all those with suffer, and with France, which I love so much.”
Earlier, Vatican spokesman Federico Lombardi addressed concerns about safety for pilgrims heading to Rome for the “Holy Year of Mercy,” designated by the Pope, which is due to start on November 8.
Millions of Christians are expected to travel to the Holy See.
“These murderers, possessed by a crazed hatred, are justly called terrorists because they want to spread terror,” Lombadi said. “If we let ourselves be scared, they will have attained their main objective,” he said, calling on followers to show “courage and resist the temptation of fear.” [myad]
Nigeria’s former Minister of Petroleum Resources, Mrs. Diezani Alison-Madueke, has expressed disappointment in the former governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Sanusi Lamido Sanusi, now Emir of Kano, for declaring that $20 billion was missing from the nation’s treasury.
Madueke, who is recuperating from a surgery in London and reacting to the allegation that she stole Nigerian money when she was minister, said: “If there is one issue I must pursue in this world it is the biggest lie of this money. How can $20billion disappear just like that? Where did it disappear to? Is it possible that such an amount would not be traceable? This is more painful coming from someone I considered a good friend who should appreciate the gravity of such allegation. I challenge anyone to come forward with facts showing that I stole government or public money. I’ve never stolen Nigeria’s money…”
The former minister who spoke in an interview with The Boss newspaper, insisted that she was never involved in any financial impropriety during her tenure as minister.
“Rather, I worked hard to halt the rampant business of round-tripping. When I brought in Reginald Stanley to clean up the place, I requested for a list of the defaulters. There were about 92 of them and I made sure we sanctioned them. You can imagine the threat to my life but I was ready to defend the economic interests of my country. In fact, we were able to reduce the oil subsidy by about half. No one has applauded our effort.
“There were those who said the then Governor of Central Bank must have been angry at me because of the way the Presidency treated him. In all honesty, he was being blocked from seeing the President by some of Oga’s people (presidential aides) but it had nothing to do with me. I was the one who even told Oga about the development and Oga said he would meet him in London on one of his trips. Unfortunately my boss fell ill and was rushed to King Edward Hospital and the meeting was aborted.”
“Sanusi and I had been friends. There was no way I would have done anything bad to him. He even came to my house to inform me about his interest in heading the African Development Bank and we discussed for about two hours. I promised to support him and I spoke to Oga about it. We were together on the Reconciliation Committee that looked into the accounts of NNPC. Yes there were gaps but not on the alarming scale being circulated. Markafi (former Governor of Kaduna State) did a thorough job. You know he is a very sound accountant.”
What about the allegations that she owns choice properties everywhere?
“It is so sad that anyone could say such about me. Let me say something to you, I live with my husband in the same house we’ve lived since we married in 1999. Ask anyone who knows us. Our house in Abuja was bought in 2007 by my husband and as an architect and lover of interior décor I did it up to our own taste. It is not over the top because I have good taste and appreciate bargains. I shop in regular shops like B & Q to do up all the places where I live. Anyone who tells you I have houses anywhere should feel free to publish them. That was how they said I bought an expensive property in Vienna. I went to court and I won the case. I never saw the house before except in picture. The house I stay in London is rented. As a woman I love to look good. Some of my dresses and jewelleries are often dumped on me by those I buy from and I pay them when I can” [myad]
Nigeria army has assured the people in the western part of the country not to lose sleep over the news making the rounds that members of the dreaded Boko Haram are planning to launch attacks in the region.
“The Armed Forces is using this medium to appeal to the good citizens of Nigeria, particularly in the western part of the country not to lose sleep over the unfounded and fictitious reports and to go about their normal and legitimate businesses as the Defence Head Quarter and other security agencies are monitoring the situation with all seriousness.”
A statement issued by Colonel Rabe Abubakar, Acting Director Defence Information said there is no truth whatsoever in the stories in some section of the media that Boko Haram was planning to attack some south western states of the country, adding that the story was not only baseless but lacks substance in its entirety, hence should be disregarded.
“Of more worrisome is the claim that the terrorists have infiltrated the western states. The military and other security agencies have made tremendous successes in degrading and decimating the terrorists who are now in disarray having lost their centre of gravity, camps and their source of logistics. It would be unthinkable to raise these unfounded rumours of Boko Haram terrorist planning attack in not only the west but any other part of the country for that matter.
“The coordination and synergy between the military and other security services which led to the arrest of some ring leaders of the terrorists in some states is instructive to their incapability to wage any coordinated attack.
“However, the general public is requested to always be wary of suspicious individuals or groups in their localities and to report such to security agencies for prompt action as this war is Nigeria versus Boko Haram terrorists hence requires collective contribution of all Nigerians for timely ending of this terrorism.” [myad]
Nollywood actress, Christabel Egbenya, has accused her colleagues of thriving on gossips which is why she said that she cannot make friends them.
The actress, who came into limelight with her role in the movie, ‘Room 202’, said what some of them do when they are not on location is to hang around and gossip about others which according to her, ‘is not nice.’
Christabel also lamented that hanging around journalists tend to bring one down and certain things which are not true will be said about a person.
“In the industry, when you start having a lot of friends, it brings you down, your name will get damaged and gossips will be flying.
“Gossip is the in-thing in Nollywood, apart from acting; so I like to stay on my own, when it’s time to work, we go and work. When I don’t have a job, I go back to my house and think of other things to do.”
She added that as an actress, she plans to get married some day and have a good home and as such, will not like her name to be dragged into the mud.
“If I have money and want to chill somewhere, I do that. I don’t really have time for all those coming together with other actors, sit down and gossip, because I have a future outside the industry. I plan to get married one day and have children.
“So, I like to protect my image, I don’t want all those dirty things,” she said, stating that she tries to avoid a lot of things.”
A Catholic Priest in Enugu, Rev. Fr. Ejike Mbaka, has described those agitating and protesting for a Biafra nation as “evil.” Mbaka who spoke today in Enugu during a sermon at his weekly Adoration Ministry asked youths in the South East and South South to go back to their business as the protest could lead to their death. “Locking up your shops and disrupting economic activities will not add any naira to your pocket. “Whatever grievance you have could be resolved through dialogue.” Father Mbaka lambasted those leaders that were behind the agitation and protests, saying that they should use their children for the struggle. Mbaka commended President Muhammadu Buhari for appointing ministers from the zone and assigning them with good portfolios. “President Buhari’s action has proven that the South East has not been marginalized. I would have reacted if no minister emerged from the zone.” He said that the five states in the zone had minister each as prescribed by the Nigerian constitution as well as other key security and protocol officers that serve under the president and his wife. The reverend father attributed the recent free health screening initiative by the Wife of the President, Hajia Aisha Buhari, in Enugu to her love for the people of the region. He blamed the Igbo leaders for not living up to the expectations of the people in the area, adding that past governors and National Assembly members failed woefully in discharging their mandates. “President Buhari is not the cause of poor roads, unemployment and other decay infrastructures in the South East. We should blame our leaders. Most of the roads had been awarded, but our leaders squandered the fund. Even the university teaching hospital in Enugu is a no-go-area and our leaders are not concerned about it.” Mbaka called on the new Minister of Labour and Employment, Dr. Chris Ngige, to use his office to employ youths in the zone, adding that it would stop what he called another Boko Haram in the South East, if not curtailed. He praised Buhari’s war against corruption, saying that it had enthroned due process and sanity in governance. The cleric, however, urged Nigerians to be patient with the President as he had good plans for the country. [myad]
There are indications that the Nigerian Army is headed to sambisa forest, the strong-hold of the Boko Haram for the final push to flush out the terrorists.
Confirming the move to newsmen today, the Theatre Commander of Operation Lafiya Dole, Major General Yusha’u Abubakar, said: “As I am talking to you, almost the entire troops in the theatre are moving towards the Boko Haram den.
The army has promised to meet the December deadline to wipe out the insurgency in the Northeast given by President Muhammadu Buhari.
General Abubakar stressed that Sambisa forest appears to be the last known den of the insurgents. [myad]
The Borno State Command of Department of State Services (DSS) has announced the capture of a suspected high profile Boko Haram leader, Danladi Abdullahi at Moduganari area of Maiduguri metropolis.
A statement by Acting Director Army Public Relations, Colonel Sani Kukasheka confirming the arrest said: “although he is still being investigated, it has been positively established that he is suspect number 26 on the list of the declared suspected Boko Haram terrorists issued by the Nigerian Army last month.”
He said that the arrest as a fallout of the release of a poster containing photographs of 100 suspected Boko Haram terrorists .
Army headquarters said that security agencies and the public have since the release of the poster, intensified search for the wanted Boko Haram terrorists.
Colonel Usman said: “The Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Tukur Yusuf Buratai, personally wishes to commend the DSS, especially Borno State Command, for this singular act, resilience and continued support and cooperation in the fight against terrorism and insurgency. The DSS has over times proven to be dependable and partners in the quest for a secured Nigeria.
“We would also like to reiterate that the fight against this security menace is a collective responsibility, therefore, we shall continue to solicit for public’s support, cooperation and understanding as we finally quench the remaining dying embers of the Boko Haram terrorists in our country. We should all be more vigilant and security conscious to enable us all enjoy a better and more secure Nigeria.” [myad]
I remember when I was in Ikeja, Lagos working for Thisday newspaper. That time, around 1998, there was no mobile telephone. What was in vogue then was table phone, though a negligible number of privileged Nigerians had what was called cellular phones. I remember when I visited a well-established office around Apapa and met a handsome young man behind a sizeable table, with two phones on top of the table. I remember when a call came to one of the phones, the handsome young man picked it, placed it on his ear and before you could say hi, the handsome young man had fallen on his stomach, prostrating and answering yes sir, yes sir more than a dozen times before the next line of conversation. I remember that when the ‘frightening’ phone call ended, the handsome young man was sweating profusely. He sat back on his chair, panting as if he had just climbed zuma rock in absolute haste. I remember when I asked him who was that that called him on the phone and he told me it was his oga, meaning, Managing Director. On many other occasions, I had witnessed the display of unquestionable respect, and even worship of elders, ‘ogas’ and parents by Yoruba people across Nigeria. I had always admired such culture. In my own way, I had tried to imitate them, because, my belief always has been that a small prayer by elder for the younger one has a way of imprinting in the spiritual realm. But I have been seized by surprise and disbelief lately seeing and hearing the way young Yoruba people are openly insulting and cursing their elders and even parents. For instance, the Ekiti state governor, Ayodele Fayose, by all standards, a young man, has been in the news lately, insulting former President of Nigeria, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, the Olowu of Owu in Ogun state. Of course, when Fayose was disrespectful to Muhammadu Buhari before and during the last campaign, I was not so surprised because, I thought, after all, he did not owe Buhari respect because he was a bloody Fulani man. That was even with my reservation that he, Fayose was missing out something very vital, also in the spiritual realm.
But, for Fayose to throw caution and even the well-respected culture of the Yoruba race into the air in the name of politics and things of this world by constantly abusing Obasanjo is one of the strange things happening at the turn of this century. As a matter of fact, Obasanjo is old enough to born Fayose as a son; meaning that Fayose, by not feeling the guilt of abusing Obasanjo in whatever circumstance, can as well abuse his father. And abusing one’s father amounts to inviting the wrath of the ancestors, and of course, God. For God sake, where is that undiluted respect Yoruba were well-known for? Has wealth, power and other things of this world swept it away, like whirlwind? Or is the world coming to an end? [myad]
Osun State Government has commenced the redistribution of the Computer Tablet otherwise known as Opon-Imo to all the Senior Secondary School (SSS) 3 students across the 30 local government councils of the state.
The distribution of the computer tablet kicked off at Adventist High School, Ede where the beneficiaries collected the electronic device one after the other on the assembly.
It is expected that 29,000 electronic device would be distributed to pupils across the state.
The Permanent Secretary, Osun State Ministry of Education, Mr. Lawrence Oyeniran performed the second phase distribution of the tablet of knowledge with a charge to the principals and beneficiaries to use the device for the purpose it was meant.
While noting that the device was glorious to education sector in the state, Oyeniran congratulated the pupils saying that the device was part of the efforts of the administration in the state to enhance the standard of education in the state.
He warned that the state government will sanction any of the beneficiaries that misuse the device or spoilt it adding that any misuse will attract a fine of N50,000. He noted that the sanction is backed with legislation from the state assembly so as to discourage it misuse.
The Permanent Secretary hinted that the state government has spent over N500million annually on external examinations including WASC and NECO since the advent of the current administration urging the pupils to study well for success in their education.
The Principal Adventist High School 1, Mr. Anthony Ojo expressed appreciation to the state government for the device assuring that teachers would ensure that they are used properly. He assured that teachers would monitor the device
The senior prefect of the Adventist High School 1 and 2, Ebenezer Adeniji commended the state government for returning the pride and honour to the public schools. The move which he said has made students from private schools to look at them with envy.
“We are exceptionally grateful to receive modern device of this status from the government despite the fact that education is free and we do not pay school fees. Our colleagues in private schools that we used to look up to in term of higher educational standard now look at us with envy. [myad]
President Muhammadu Buhari has joined the rest of the world in condemning last Friday’s coordinated attacks in Paris, France, describing it as dastardly.
A statement by the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Mr. Femi Adesina said the president received the news of the attack with great shock and profound sadness.
Buhari condemned the “dastardly and heinous terrorist attacks on innocent civilians in Paris.”
Terror group, Islamic State had issued a statement claiming responsibility for the attacks.
President Buhari expressed sympathy to President Francois Hollande and the people France on behalf of the government and people of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, even as he extended sincere condolences to the families, relatives and friends of the unfortunate victims of the callous attacks.
He then condemned the barbaric attacks which he said constituted an unacceptable affront to all human values and civilized norms.
“As a country which has borne the terrible human cost of terrorist attacks, Nigeria stands in full solidarity with the government and people of France as they mourn those who have sadly lost their lives in the attack on Paris,”
Buhari called on all peace-loving nations of the world to intensify ongoing multilateral cooperation and collaborative actions aimed at bringing the scourge of international terrorism to a speedy end for the benefit of all nations. [myad]
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Nollywood actress, Christabel Egbenya, has accused her colleagues of thriving on gossips which is why she said that she cannot make friends them.
