THE GREAT ZIK OF AFRICA

The Rt. Hon. Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe, Owelle-Osowa-anya of Onitsha, and Zik of Africa was born on November 16, 1904 in Zungeru, Niger State into the family of Obededom Chukwuemeka Azikiwe and Racheal Chinwe Azikiwe. His father was a Government worker, a clerk, and his mother was a trader. He attended various schools in Nigeria, including CMS Central School, Onitsha (1911); Methodist Boys High School, Lagos (1915-18); Hope Waddell Institute, Calabar (1920-21). He was also a pupil teacher at St. Jude’s CMS Central School, Orafite, and CMS Central School, Onitsha (1919). He was a third class clerk with the Treasury Department, Lagos (1921). Residing all over Nigeria enabled him know how to speak the three main languages in Nigeria, Igbo, his mother tongue,Hausa, and Yoruba. After an unsuccessful attempt to stow away to America in 1924, his father saved some money, and gave him for his journey to America.

He left for the United States in the late 20s, as he put it, "in search of a Golden Fleece." While in the US, he worked as a dishwasher, coal miner, potato peeler, car wash attendant, elevator boy, kitchen hand, and waiter, to pay his way through college. He attended Storer College in West Virginia for two years (1925-1927). Due to financial difficulties, he left for Howard University, DC, where he was for two years (1927-1929). In 1929, he entered Lincoln University, PA. In 1930, he received his BA degree in Political Science. His classmates included Thurgood Marshal, the late Supreme Court Justices who left a mark in Americas Judicial system, and Langston Hughes, the late African American Poet. In summer 1930, he was admitted to Columbia University to read journalism, with a scholarship from the Phelp Stokes Fund. He obtained an MA degree in Religion and Philosophy at Lincoln University (1932). While still at Lincoln University, he was employed as a Graduate Assistant in summer 1930. In 1933, he concluded two Master’s degree programs, in Anthropology and Political Science at University of Pennsylvania, PA. He was appointed a full-time lecturer in Political Science in 1933. He taught ancient, medieval, modern and English history, as well as African history. While still pursuing his Master’s at Columbia University, he registered for the Doctor of Philosophy degree at the school. In 1934, his Ph.D. Thesis, “Liberian Diplomacy, 1847-1932” was published as “Liberia in World Politics.” Since his attendance at these schools, he has received many honorary degrees from them, including two from Lincoln University. After accomplishing his academic dreams, he knew it was time to go back to his homeland, to join in the fight to free Nigerians from the evil grasp of Britain, who was then our colonial masters.

He returned to Nigeria in the mid-30s and got involved in politics forming the NCNC party. He was a journalist, which translates, to his running a couple of newspapers of which The West African Pilot was the most prominent of them all. He was actively involved in Nigeria's fight for independence. His dream was finally realized on October 1, 1960 when Nigeria became an independent nation and he was sworn in as her first indigenous Governor-General and Commander-in Chief of the Federation. In 1963, Nigeria became a republic, and he was then made the First President. He was forced out of office in 1966 by a deadly coup that I believed destroyed everything that our founding fathers fought and stood for. He helped put an end to the slaughtering of innocent Igbo men and women, during Biafra. He was perceived as a coward and sell out, but anyone that knows him, knew that he never believed in violence, rather he believed that dialogue could solve any problem. He saw that Biafrans did not have a chance against the firepower of the Nigerian army, so he intervened. If he did not intervene, I wonder what would have become of the Biafrans. The Nigerian Army might have used the Biafran War as an excuse to wipe the Igbos off the surface of the Earth. We thank him for that, and I think that Igbos owe their existence to him.

He returned to politics in 1978, by founding the Nigerian Peoples Party (NPP). In 1979 and 1983 his bids for the presidency were unsuccessful, amidst suspicions of riggings. He retired from active politics and withdrew to his country home in Nsukka where he lived until May 11, 1996 when he passed away at the University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital. He was buried on November 16, 1996, at his country home in Onitsha. There were a lot of controversies surrounding his burial, but in the end he was buried with the respect and dignity he deserved. His burial period was the most peaceful time that I have ever experienced in Nigeria. Nigerians from all nooks and corners came to pay their last respect to the man who was known to all as The Great Zik of Africa. He may be gone, but his legacy lives on.

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He was inducted into the prestigious Agbalanze society as Nnayelugo in 1946. Then, in 1962, he became a second-rank red cap chief (Ndichie Okwa), as Oziziani Obi. In 1970, he was installed as Owelle-Osowa-Anya, making him a first-rank red cap chief (Ndichie Ume). In 1960, Queen Elizabeth II awarded him the title of Privy Councilor to the Queen of England. He was conferred with the highest national honor of Grand Commander of the Federal Republic (GCFR) by the Federal Republic of Nigeria, in 1980. He has received fourteen honorary degrees from Nigerian, American and Liberian Universities. They schools include Lincoln University, Storer College, Howard University, Michigan State University, University of Nigeria Nsukka, University of Lagos, Ahmadu Bello University, University of Ibadan, Nnamdi Azikiwe University Awka, and University of Liberia.

SPORTS – He was actively involved in sports at every stage of his life, and he was successful in a lot of events that he participated in. They include Welterweight Boxing Champion Storer College (1925-27); High Jump champion, Howard University Inter-Scholastic Games (1926); Gold Medallist in Cross Country, Storer College (1927); Back-stroke Swimming Champion and No.3 swimmer in Freestyle Relay team, Howard University (1928); Captain, Lincoln University Soccer Team (1930); Winner Two Miles Run, Central Inter-Collegiate Athletic Association Championships at Hampton Institute Virginia (1931); Bronze Medallist, Richmond Cross Country Marathon (1931); Gold Medallist in the 1,000 yards run, One Mile Run and Three Miles Run, Catedonian Games in Brooklyn, NY (1932); Silver Trophy winner in the Half Mile race, and Silver Cup winner in the One Mile Race, Democratic Field Day Championships, New Haven, Connecticut (1933); Runner-up(with G.K. Dorgu) at the Lagos Tennis Men’s Double Championships (Division B 1938); anchor man for the ZAC team which won the 50 yards Freestyle Relay at the Lagos Swimming Championships (1939); Won letters in athletics (Lincoln University) and cross country (Storer College and Lincoln University), swimming (Howard University), and soccer (Lincoln University); entered to compete in the Half-Mile Race and One-Mile run at the British Empire Games to represent Nigeria, but was rejected by the A.A.A of Great Britain on technical grounds (he dropped his English Christian name, “Benjamin”); and Founder (with M.R.B. Ottun) of the Zik’s Athletic Club to promote athletics, boxing, cricket, soccer, swimming and tennis in Nigeria.

POLITICS – During his lifetime, he held some political posts all over the world, especially our great country, Nigeria. They include Executive Committee Member of Mambili Party, Accra (1935-37); General Secretary of National Council of Nigerian and the Cameroons (1944-45); President of the NCNC (1946-60); Vice-President of the Nigerian National Democratic Party (1947-60); Member for Lagos in the Legislative Council of Nigeria (1947-51); Member for Lagos and Leader of the Opposition in the Western House of Assembly (1952-53) Member for Onitsha in the Eastern House of Assembly (1954-60); Minister of Internal Affairs (Jan.-Sept. 1954); Minister of Internal Affairs, Eastern Region (1954); Member of His Excellency Privy Council, Eastern Nigeria (1954-59); Primer of Eastern Nigeria (1954-59); President of the Senate of the Federation (Jan.-Nov. 1960); Governor-General and Commander-in-Chief of Nigeria (1960-63); President of the Republic of the Republic of Nigeria (1963-1966); and Chairman and Presidential candidate of the Nigeria People’s Party (1978-83). Professional World – He also made a name for himself in the professional world. He was a Third-class Clerk, Treasury Department, Lagos (1921-1924); Recruit, Gold Coast Police Force (Jul.-Sept. 1924); Solicitor Clerk to the late Mr. Justice Graham Paul at Calabar (Jan.-Aug.1925); Instructor in Political Science, Lincoln University (1931-34); University Correspondent for the Baltimore Afro-American (1928-34); General and Sports Correspondent for the Philadelphia Tribune (1928-34); Editor-in Chief of the West African Pilot (1937-45); Correspondent for the Associated Negro Press (1944-47); Correspondent for Reuters (1944-46); Managing Director of Zik’s Press Limited (printers and publishers of the West African Pilot (Lagos), Eastern Guardian (Port Harcourt), Nigerian Spokesman (Onitsha), Southern Nigeria Defender (Ibadan), Daily Comet (Kano), and Eastern Sentinel (Enugu); Managing Director of Comet Press Limited (1945-53); Chairman of West African Pilot Limited and the Associated Newspapers of Nigeria Limited and six other limited liability companies (1952-53); Chairman, Nigerian Real Estate Corporation Limited (1952-53); etc.

SOCIETIES AND ORGANIZATIONS - He was a member of many organizations or societies, including Anti-Slavery Society for the protection of Human Rights; Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity (Alpha Chapter and Mu Chapter); West African Students Union; Onitsha Improvement Union; Zik’s Athletic Club; Ekine Sekiapu Society of Buguma, Kalabari; St. John’s Lodge of England; Royal Economic Society; Royal Anthropological Institute; British Association for the Advancement of Science; American Society of International Law; American Anthropological Association; American Political Science Society; American Ethnological Society; Iwarefa, Reformed Ogboni Fraternity; Amateur Athletic Association of Nigeria; Nigerian Swimming Association, Nigerian Boxing Board of Control; Nigerian Cricket Association; Ibo State Union; and Nigerian Table Tennis Association; Nigeria Olympic Committee and British Empire and Commonwealth Games Association.

LITERARY WORKS - In his lifetime, he wrote a lot of books, poetry, and articles. His celebrated publications include Liberia in World Politics: Renascent Africa (1934); Political Blueprint for Nigeria (1943); Economic Reconstruction of Nigeria (1943); Zik: A Selection of the Speeches of Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe (1961); Assassination Story: True or False? (1946); “Essentials for Nigeria’s Survival.” (1965); “Before Us Lies The Open Grave” (1947); “The Future of Pan-Africanism” (1961); “The Realities of African Unity” (1965); “Origins of the Nigerian Civil War” (1969); I Believe in a One Nigeria (1969); Peace Proposals for Ending the Nigerian Civil War (1969); My Odyssey: An Autobiography (1970); Dialogue on a New Capital for Nigeria (1974); “Creation of More States in Nigeria, A Political Analysis” (1974); Democracy with Military Vigilance (1974); “Reorientation of Nigerian Ideologies: lecture on 9th December 1976, on eve of the launching of the UNN Endowment Fund” (1976); Our Struggle for Freedom; Onitsha Market Crisis (1976); Let Us Forgive Our Children, An appeal to the leaders and people of Onitsha during the market crisis (1976); A Collection of Poems (1977); Civil War Soliloquies: More Collection of Poems (1977); “Themes in African Social and Political Thought” (1978); Restoration of Nigerian Democracy (1978); Matchless Past Performance: My Reply to Chief Awolowo’s Challenge (1979); A Matter of Conscience (1979); Ideology for Nigeria: Capitalism, Socialism or Welfarism? (1980); “Breach of Trust by the NPN” (1983); and History Will Vindicate The Just (1983).

Culled from Reformed Ogboni  Franternity

NIGERIA A PERFECT EXAMPLE OF A FAILED STATE

On January 23^rd, 2014, I posted the above picture on my facebook page, to my surprise, I saw lots of comments and annoyance of Nigerians pointing to one direction; that is Nigeria is a failed state.

What is a failed state? According to the Fund for Peace, a failed state is a state perceived as having failed at some of the basic conditions and responsibilities of a sovereign government.

The concept of “state failure” focusing on three gaps mainly: Capacity, Security and Legitimacy. Any country or countries that is not able to provide these three, is in the process of failure.  Capacity, when state institutions lack the ability to effectively deliver basic goods and services to its population is a failed state. Security, when the state is unable to provide security to its population under the threat of armed groups is also a failed state. Lastly, Legitimacy, when a “significant portion of its political elites and society reject the rules regulating power and the accumulation and distribution of wealth is also and indices of a failed state.

Going by the concept of state failure, Nigeria as a country is a perfect example of a failed state. In term of capacity, Nigeria is found wanting in this direction, the government and leadership of our beloved country have failed the citizenry to effectively provide the basic goods and services to her teaming population. In term of security, Nigeria and Nigerians are under the threat of militia groups, Boko Haram, Cult groups, etc. On legitimacy, the records of all our political elite are not good to write home about, corruption is the order of the day, it is only in Nigeria that you will find a civil servant that earn a salary as a millionaire!!!   

Corruptions have eating deep into the leadership of the country to the extent that it will soon be promulgated into law! And anybody found wanting of been righteous will be executed. It will be recalled that on Tuesday, 29, October, 2013, in Abuja while declaring open the 54th annual conference of the Nigerian Economic Society (NES) with the theme, “Institutions, Institutional Reforms and Economic Development”. The President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Ebele Goodluck Jonathan, said: “When you talk about corruption, the private sector is involved; the public sector is involved; even the individuals including other societies, and I wouldn’t want to mention names so that I will not be attacked,”

The definition of a failed state according to the Fund for Peace is often used to characterize a state with the following characteristics: Loss of control of its territory, or of the monopoly on the legitimate use of physical force therein erosion of legitimate authority to make collective decisions, an inability to provide public services and inability to interact with other states as a full member of the international community.

Nigeria government is a ‘pady-pady ‘ government, the recent examples is the case of Stella Oduah, Nigeria Aviation minister who   enmeshed in a  N255million armoured cars scandal in which she was accused of compelling an agency under her supervision, the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority, NCAA, to buy her two exotic bullet cars at clearly inflated prices.

Common characteristics of a failing state include a central government so weak or ineffective that it has little practical control over much of its territory; non-provision of public services; widespread corruption and criminality; refugees and involuntary movement of populations; and sharp economic decline.

In Nigeria, the rich are getting richer, while the poor are getting poorer . It is only in Nigeria, you will see that only the children of elites, either serving government officials or ex-political this or that are at the top of the ladder. If you are not from a very influential figure in Nigeria, or well connected to corridors of power, forget about it; because your rise to affluence and power is attributed to parental, governmental or family influence.

 Typically, the term means that the state has been rendered ineffective and is not able to enforce its laws uniformly or provide basic goods and services to its citizens because of (variously) high crime rates, extreme political corruption, an impenetrable and ineffective bureaucracy, judicial ineffectiveness, military interference in politics, and cultural situations in which traditional leaders wield more power than the state over a certain area .

MARY KONYE FOUND GUILTY OF THROWING ACID ON HER FRIEND

Mary Konye, 21, a jealous young lady from London, who disguised in a Muslim veil to attack her supposed friend with an acid has been found guilty.

It was gathered that Ms Oni, was five minutes from her home in Dagenham, when Konye, wearing a niqab, threw the corrosive liquid at her. She was left with serious burns on her head, neck, arms, legs and body. She was scarred for life, and required skin graft surgery to cover the burns.

The jury at London's Snaresbrook Crown Court heard that, following the attack, Konye pretended to give Ms Oni a shoulder to cry on.

The court heard that the day after the attack, Konye sent a mobile phone message to her friend, who was in hospital receiving treatment, saying “OMG, I can't believe it.”

The victim burst into tears as she left the courtroom and was hugged by family and friends, said  “ I am glad that a truthful verdict had been reached”.

Mary Konye, who dressed in black, remained calm as the jury of eight men and four women returned unanimous their verdict.

Judge David Radford said: "I should make clear that, in my judgment, this is a case that will, in all likelihood, need a substantial custodial sentence.

However, Detective Chief Inspector Dave Whellams said it had been a “serious, horrible offence which required a degree of planning and calculation”.

He said: "Mary Konye has had to purchase, at some point, some sulphuric acid.

“She has prepared for this over a number of months, even years, all resulting from a trivial, insignificant argument that everybody has in their everyday lives."

He commended Ms Oni as "a very brave woman and one I have great sympathy for."

Chief Crown Prosecutor, Baljit Ubhey, also described the attack as "extremely brutal," said: "Konye has now been brought to justice and must face the full consequences of her appalling actions.

“I would to like praise Naomi's courage and dignity in giving evidence during this trial."

 Mary will be sentenced on 7 March

COMMONWEALTH OF ZION ASSEMBLY(COZA):A CHURCH OF SO MANY DISTRACTORS.

God let thy kingdom come; below was an observation by citizen CKG as culled  from  Laila blog. Enjoy the drama: COZA...The name sef sounds like one of those “short time” joints. .I mean, how will someone name his Church COZA?..COZA, if doubled, sounds coza coza (sharp sharp).
 

But that is not the issue; COZA has been in the news of late for the wrong reasons. Just like Kris Okotie’s Household of God’s Church, a particular Pastor in the Federal Capital Territory Abuja is also hitting the headlines. His Church has become a beehive of activities, attracting all the fine babes and upwardly mobile young men in Abuja.

Commonwealth of Zion Assembly (What a name) is located right in the Central Area of Abuja.
It is directly behind Nanet Suites .To be specific, the worship centre is at the Thisday Dome, owned by Media guru Nduka Obiagbena of Thisday Newspaper.

Recently the General overseer of the Church was involved a sexual scandal involving him and one of his
“lovely sister” sorry i mean Church member.
 The lady went on all cylinders to portray the “man of God” as a randy man who goes after anything on skirt. Infact she said, the Pastor has tasted the “ozone layer” of practically all the babes in the Church.
 Pastor Biodun as he is referred to is a smooth lovely young man in his 40s.His uniqueness and American style mode of worship is attracting the young and mighty in Abuja like ants after sugar.
Recently, he was said to have also acquired a Rolls Royce like his counterpart at Oregun.

With all these in mind, I made up my mind to hit COZA today for a worship of a lifetime.

My first disappointment on arriving Thisday Dome,COZA place of worship was that they have no parking space.
 No vehicle was allowed about 500 meters to the gate. All vehicles were parked far away from the Church. The road leading to the Church was barricaded by five different vehicles.

 Stationed at the beginning of the road were some fully armed soldiers and some other plain cloth security men.
 At the entrance to the compound proper was a bomb scanning machine (just like the ones at the airports or banks)..You were expected to empty all metals with you including car keys,phones and Ipads etc.

After walking through the scanning machine, you now walk into the main hall of Thisday Dome, where you are welcomed by some of the most beautiful babes I have seen in Abuja. They were all dressed in pink or is it yellow short gowns.
They have a smile for everyone, well chosen, spotless skin. Their smiles were infectious just like that lady in the Maclean television commercial.

I fancied one immediately, i clicked her an eye contact and she responded, but there were so many 'distracters' on ground that prevented me from going for the kill, but i marked her down, i will be back i told myself.
I wanted her to usher me inside the Church by herself but one overzealous one that didn’t catch my fancy jumped in front of me, wanting to shake my hands, but i ignored her and moved on.

The Church was already in full session when i arrived, it was testimony time. I met the last testimony by a lady who spoke about how she was healed after several months of illness.
And as is customary with me, within a second, i scanned the entire seats and made for one empty one beside one beautiful dame.
The usher wanted to move me somewhere else and i refused.

The lady naturally beckoned on me to join her..Smart babe i said to myself again..Haa, these COZA babes sabi catch man jare. I gave her a long smile which she replied with one of the best set of teeth i have ever seen in a long time.
 Babes dey Coza abeg, with these type of ladies, why won’t Pastor Biodun fall a victim. Their looks can seduce any holy creature. They were beautiful, smart, friendly, open handed, receptive and ready to compromise.

I settled down quickly and joined the flow of songs and clapping.
 As we sat down, i saw the lady, who i now realized was wearing a very very short mini skirt, was trying to use a white handkerchief to cover her open laps which she noticed i was glaring at continuously. She must have noticed that my gaze could penetrate a fully clothed body.

When she couldn’t stand it any longer, she politely asked me why i was gazing at her laps.
I told her there was no need covering such a lovely body with handkerchief, moreso since she has decided to come to church half covered, what’s the essence of covering them.

She smiled and told me - that what’s in vogue. That i am a bush man...
'Wowww, in vogue?' I asked her?..'Does Pastor Biodun support these type of dressing?!' i asked her. She said Pastor Biodun has nothing against any mode of dressing once you are comfortable with it.
 I asked her if she was comfortable with what she was wearing and she said yes. i then went for the kill - 'remove your handkerchief then and lets enjoy God’s creation'. She didn’t know what to say.
She asked me if i was a first timer to the Church and i said YES..Her smile broadens again and she let go the cover cloth.

COZA is a very beautiful Church. The choir made of both young men and women was awesome. They sang like kenery, the stage was well lighted. The hall was filled to capacity with an overflow.
 I was looking out for the controversial Pastor but he was nowhere to be found..The Church is on a 12 days prayer and fasting.

All the female workers in the Church were well selected, a true reflection of what the lady that accused the Pastor of Sexual harassment once stated.
 Their skirts were short but not too revealing. At a point, i was now asking myself why these modern day Pastors take so much delight in going for young female Church members. How come Pastor Kris Okotie and Pastor Biodun Fatoyinbo find these damsels very attractive that they easily forget the words of God.
 How come they take so much delight in having canal knowledge of the daughters of eve even if it means ruining their callings.

COZA is not the best of place to be, because the temptation is just too much. It seems all the beautiful babes in Abuja converged in that place to seek for things i don’t know.

When it was time for Sermon, a young man mounted the stage.
My disappointment was now complete, it's obvious today is not going to be my day.

He went on to announce that the Senior Pastor was not around for service today but that he will be back in the days ahead. He went ahead to preach on prosperity and joy of giving.
 According to him, Ecclesiates Chapter 10:19 stated that “Money Answereth Everything”, that with money you can get all the good things of life including cars, women etc..No wonder his Senior Pastor is in the news for the wrong reasons i muted.

He went on “this year all those of you that are looking for the fruits of the womb will become pregnant..All those who were into relationship last year will get married this year. All those that were disappointed in business will smile this year. blablabla.
 The preaching was the same. The audience was the difference.

I was told Pastor Biodun is a powerful dresser..He loves cars and women to pieces. He is also very generous. According to the lady that sat beside me, there is no way you will meet Pastor without melting and “falling for him” even if he doesn’t toast you. The guy fine die, she stated.

After service, i left quickly to look for that babe at the entrance.
 She was waiting for me already. I told her that as a new convert to the Church, i will need more personal home preaching to convince me to continue coming to Church.
 She was more than happy to oblige me. We exchanged numbers, to meet at our Chicken Nkwobi joint later this evening.

I look forward to that wonderful home bible study. I want to learn a thing or two or even try those stunts that Pastor Biodun Fatoyinbo is noted for with his female Church members.
 Who knows, i may be in for a good time in the presence of the Lord via COZA in the days and weeks ahead.

But I will not rest until i meet Pastor Biodun one on one. Till then, i rest my case. 

EJIGBO JUNGLE JUSTICE IS A CRIME AGAINST NATURE...STORY SO FAR

Sodomy has been broadly defined as a sexual "crime against nature"—a phrase echoed by then Chief Justice Warren Burger, a United State Supreme Court Judge in 1986. The crime committed by : Jibola, Tiri, Agbolere and Isiaka Waheed, a.k.a Baba Saida (Babaloja or market leader)’ was a crime against humanity and if they were found guilty, these guys must face the full scale of law of the land.

The victims of the Odua People’s Congress (OPC) vigilante group in Ejigbo area of Lagos whose video went viral in December were in Lagos earlier today to meet with the Lagos House of Assembly Adhoc committee led by the Majority leader. The victims include Nike Salami (age 12 and a JSS student), her mother Ajoke Agomah in the company of Ajoke’s husband and father of Juliana (third victim who died as an aftermath of the torture), Freeman Agomah, as well as their son Kehinde Agomah. Juliana Agomah (age 28) died two months after the February 2013 torture by OPC men for alleged stealing of pepper at Iyana-Ejigbo market in Lagos (case came to public knowledge when the video of the torture went viral in December 2013).

The OPC torturers have been named as Jibola, Tiri, Agbolere and Isiaka Waheed, a.k.a Baba Saida (Babaloja or market leader). Quoting Nike, aged 12 years: --‘’Before now some of the OPC men had made love advances at me but I always run away. ‘’--The OPC vigilantes are well known in the area for torture of persons alleged to have stolen and on one particular occasion, they killed a man. 

They drove us away when we gathered to watch them in the market. --My sister Juliana asked me to follow her to the market and we took N50 (Fifty Naira) pepper. But the OPC men said we stole baby clothes. --They stripped my sister, me and my mother naked, rub liquid pepper on our bodies and mix grinded pepper with Chelsea gin, put into a bottle and pour it into our private parts. They also inserted sticks into all our private parts while beating us.

Other Facts: The Babaloja insisted the victims’ family must pay a fine of N150, 000. After much pleading they accepted to receive N50, 000, out of which a deposit of N20, 000 was paid that day. It was after the payment that the now tortured and almost unconscious victims were taken away from the ‘torture chamber.

The victim’s brother Kehinde was later harassed by the OPC men into paying the balance shortly after. The torture lasted from about noon to evening of same day. After that the victims’ landlord was asked to evict them, their uncompleted building house demolished and they were chased out of the community same day.

 A very sick Juliana was then taken to Toppa near Badagry border where a nurse attended to her at home, in addition to traditional treatments. The two surviving females (Nike and mother) are yet to receive any form of treatment for the sodomy and brutal torture. The video that went viral is only just only a little peep of what actually transpired and the extent of the torture.

 The torturers were said to have stomped on the head of Juliana, hit her so much that she had blood oozing from her eyes and other parts of her body. She also had a big gash on one of her breasts. Juliana who worked at a restaurant earning N3, 000 (Three Thousand Naira per month or N100 daily) is survived by four children, the oldest being 10 years and the youngest been a toddler.

The family currently relocated out of Lagos and yet to be settled. Moves by civil society and well-meaning Nigerians in the country and United Kingdom, and being coordinated by Dr. Joe Odumakin of Women Arise, at providing relief for them, currently on. We look forward to the Ejigbo Local Government and Lagos State Government to see to their resettlement.

 Besides a transport fare by the House Leader of the Lagos State House of Assembly when they made an earlier appearance, no form of relief effort or assistance have been given them so far, either from Ejigbo LCDA or the Lagos State Government, not even to Juliana’s surviving kids.

 Latest intervention: --The Inspector –General of police has ordered the Special Anti-Robbery Squad to take over the case. --The Lagos House of Assembly Adhoc committee set to investigate the matter met with the victims earlier yesterday, (January 21). --The informant who provided valid information leading to the discovery of the family is to be awarded the N1, 000,000 ransom by the House in addition to N250, 000 (Two Hundred and Fifty Thousand Naira) addition sum by the committee chair and Lagos House Majority Leader, Hon. Ajibayo Adeyeye.

The informant’s intervention exposed the insincerity of government and the police and what appeared subtle moves to ‘kill’ the case considering ‘the untouchables’ interconnected with the torture saga i.e. The ‘principalities’ at Ejigbo community, by declaring that neither the victims nor the culprits ‘could be found’).

-The wide coverage by the media and civil society advocacy helped in making the case ‘undying’. -- Oliver Abbey, the police DPO of Ejigbo who earlier ‘parried’ the investigation has been transferred out of the area. --The Iyana-Ejigbo market has already being shut down at the order of the Iya-loja of Lagos while the culprits have been arrested awaiting a rraignment.

KOMLA DUMOR'S LAST FACEBOOK WORDS 'TOMORROW IS ANOTHER DAY' BUT 'TOMORROW NEVER COMES'

Komla Dumor’s last Facebook update culled from Linda Ikeji’s Blog:

‘’God has been v good to me.,last year I experienced a lot of illness ..my BP nearly gave me a stroke but I trod on..waking up at 2am and heading to work..exhausted sometimes..aching in my body a soul..mentally and emotionally drained ..but I kept going ..I smiled for the camera..I volunteered for extra shifts ..I showed respect to my colleagues from directors to the security guards..I took a lot of jealousy driven vicious insults and backstabbing from petty people without reply..I remain silent in my personal strife and misery..I kept smiling and pushing on to present better and to engage w my audience and increase my following.,long days and frustrating times..but I kept going..through the west gate mall coverage through the Mandela funeral..even when illness had me collapsing I delivered..today my boss the head of television called me for a 1 minute meeting..he said Komla we have decided to make you the anchor presenter for our coverage of the World Cup in Brazil ..we shook hands and I left..I looked to the sky and said thank you Lord for reminding me that you are on my side .the enemy will be scattered..Selah!Selah! Praise Him..tomorrow is another day.’’

A NIGERIAN PASTOR ARRESTED FOR PRINTING AND CIRCULATING FAKE CURRENCIES

 Reverend Godson Akubuiro,49, who is the general overseer of the Mountain of Breakthrough Deliverance Ministry also known as land of solution located at plot 7 Mountain of Breakthrough Avenue Koya Estate, Igbo Olomu, Agric, Ikorodu Lagos who claimed that he started the’ business ‘of  printing and circulating of fake Naira notes  in November 2012, had been arrested by security agents in Lagos.

‘’It is Satan, even Judas Iscariot is a good man to Jesus, when Satan reached him he fall; even Peter denied Jesus’ That was the submission of ‘Pastor’ or General Overseer’ However, he forgot to add that Jesus Christ resisted the temptation of the devil who was told that 'man must not live by bread alone'..

The state Director Security Service (SSS) Mr Mike Fubara told journalists that the major breakthrough came as a result of painstaking investigation for over four months which took the operatives of SSS to Ikorodu in Lagos ,where the clergyman, Reverend Godson Akubuiro, his children and his 15 man syndicate were all arrested.

NIGERIAN POLITICIANS ARE MISFIT AND JOBLESS .........SAYS JONATHAN

President Goodluck Jonathan described Nigerian Politician as misfits, and they are not supposed to be in politics but for lack of jobs to do.
According to him, some of the politicians lack a forgiving spirit, though they have no choice than to learn to forgive as they may find themselves having to work with those who wronged them in the past.

President Jonathan, who made this comment during the first church service of the Aso Rock Villa Chapel and post-national pilgrimage thanksgiving service, was reacting to the homily by Primate of the Anglican Church, Most Rev, Nicholas Okoh, who accused politicians of being very unforgiving.

The President said: “The chaplain accused us politicians that we do not forgive, or that some politicians don’t forgive. Apparently the Bible said this, but politicians are the people who forgive. Politicians are those who forgive because in politics, whether local politics or national, you don’t have permanent friends or permanent enemies, but permanent interests.

“If somebody is your enemy today and there is a change of interest and he becomes your friend, first of all, you have to forgive, otherwise you cannot have a friend that you can work with. But politics is just like some kind of trade. More than 50 per cent of us who are into politics are not supposed to be politicians.

“For example, in the profession of nursing and teaching, people with wicked heart and unforgiving spirit are not the kind of people who should be nurses or teachers, but we find them there. So most of us, who are in politics are not supposed to be there, but because we have no other thing to do. So, if you see a politician that cannot forgive, he is an impostor”, the president added.

The church service was attended by dignitaries including the First Lady, Dame Patience Jonathan, Executive Secretary of the Nigerian Christian Pilgrims Commission, NCPC, Mr. John-Kennedy Opara, Rep. Ndidi Elumelu, immediate past Chief of Army Staff, General Azubuike Ihejirika and the president’s mother, Madam Eunice Jonathan.

FLYING CAR WILL SOON BE ON SALE....RACE IS NOW ON IN NIGERIA

Terrafugia has announced its Transition design, which is part sedan, part private Jet, with two seats, four wheels and wings that fold up so it can be driven like a car, will be on sale in less than two years.

The Massachusetts-based firm has also unveiled plans for a TF-X model that will be small enough to fit in a garage, and won’t need a runway to take off.

Would you buy one? Yes, Nigerian money-bags are now in for another race of class-show. The era of Rage Rover, Bentley, American SUV’s will soon be over. At the same time the poor people in Nigeria are also in for harsh time because the government will care less for the infrastructural development.

Nigeria i hail thee.

ANTI-GAY PASTOR COMPLAINED ABOUT HOSTILITY AGAINST GAY PEOPLE IN NIGERIA

Anti-Gay Law crusader, Gay Pastor Rowland, Founder and Project Director of House Of Rainbow Fellowship , opened up on the law bans same sex marriage  in an open letter he wrote and the letter runs thus:

On January 7th, President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan signed the Same Sex Marriage Prohibition Bill 2013 into law. The law bans same sex marriage, and through its wording, also seeks to criminalise people, organisations and agencies who support homosexuality and those who do not immediately report any known homosexuals, or homosexual activities. Since January12th, when the announcement was made, the LGBT-community has been thrown into panic.

 There is chaos throughout Nigeria as we are grappling with keeping up with mass arbitrary arrest, humiliation, blackmail, extortion and police corruption in several ‘charge and bail’ cases. The hostility in Nigeria against gay people has reached epic proportions.

 In the East of Nigeria, many are fleeing their homes. One gay man, labelled “a leader of the homosexual” is on the run. His parents and brother were threatened with arrest if they don’t provide information about his whereabouts. In the same region, more than six people were arrested. In the West of the country, we can confirm that nearly ten people have been arrested and bailed.

The police have extorted funds from each victim at an average of between $120 to $300. Most of the people arrested were tortured and asked to provide additional details of other gays or lesbians. In the North of Nigeria, in Bauchi and Kano, there are two separate cases of arrests and harassment of gay people. Both areas are firmly under sharia law, which carries the death penalty.

In the wake of the passing of the anti gay laws, there is no doubt of the many calls, emails and online messages we have received, expressing fear, anger, anxiety and suicide attempts. This is a critical time for all LGBTI-people; a time when our ideals are being stretched and tested.

The Nigerian President and legislators have ignored the critical aspect of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, and passed into law a legislation that is unjust. In a BBC Radio program yesterday, I spoke out to condemn this law. 

However, a few of the speakers claimed that a research showed that 98% of Nigerians are happy and jubilant about this law, and based on their religious beliefs that homosexuality is “unafrican”, against religion and unnatural.

Nigeria like many African nations, has many issues and the oppression of LGBT-citizens is largely unwelcomed by an already marginalised group. We are now looking into our first priority intervention to help those displaced and or attacked. In view of the present situation in Nigeria, we are helping with emergency evacuation to safe homes around the country. The Initiative for Equal Rights (TIERs), a Human Rights Organisation in Nigeria, has now opened a 24hr support line for LGBT-people in Nigeria. We also continue to advise all LGBT-people to stay away from trouble, not pick unknown phone numbers and sign off gay dating websites. Reverend Jide Macaulay, Founder and Project Director of House Of Rainbow Fellowship. 

KOMLA DUMOR DIES @ 41 IN HIS LONDON HOME

Komla Dumor, BBC World News programme Focus On Africa , presenter is dead. BBC revealed that, the presenter died suddenly at his home today in London. The Ghana born presenter joined BBC in 2007.

Dumor, who married to Kwansema, with whom he had three children died of cardiac arrest on 18 January 2014 in his London home.

Dumor studied medicine but he changed course and graduated from the University of Ghana with a BSc. in Sociology and Psychology and from Harvard University with an MA in Public Administration

Ghana President, John Mahama , in his tribute on Twitter  wrote that ‘’Dumor was one of Ghana's "finest ambassadors" and "was a broadcaster of exceptional quality and Ghana's gift to the world."

WHO IS KOLA BOOF?

Who is Kola Boof? In her own words she answered it by saying:  ‘My birth name is Naima Bint Harith and I come from the Sudan, and the fact is, you can’t work for NBC, SONY Pictures and for publishers and not be a real identifiable person—I am Naima Bint Harith, an American citizen born in Sudan, adopted and raised in America, and that is who I am.’

 Kola Boof, is the author of several novels and poetry collections, including her controversial ‘The Sexy Part of the Bible,’ Flesh and the Devil, and Nile River Woman. Her writing has appeared in Harper’s and the story collection Politically Inspired. Her autobiography, Diary of a Lost Girl, was published in 2006. She has been interviewed by MSNBC, FOX News, and CNN; and has been featured in TV Guide, Time, the New York Post, and the New York Times. She lives in Southern California.

Kola Boof, who made her comment known about the Gay Right on her tweeter page on January 16 wrote ‘I'm not Gay....calling me Gay or Tranny or Lesbo will not stop me from voicing total contempt for African Anti-Gay Laws.’ In her previous interview she granted Bahiyah women Magazine, February 2007,she maintained that:‘’If you are proud to be an African and proud to black, as I am, then that matters, and yes, I’m in love with human beings who happen to be homosexual if that’s what you meant.  I love all human beings contrary to those who think I’m racist.  I make it a point to acknowledge the humanity and suffering of all human beings, including gay people in my work, and I always will.  Everyone who’s picked on, I fight for.’’

On spiritual ground, Kola said, ‘ I have powerfully spiritual best friends like Alicia Banks and Ajowa Ifetayo, and I would be dead without women like them holding me up. ‘

The drama queen , whom Nadeem Quttub, a former diplomat of the Sudanese government , alleged that Kola Boof was with Bin Laden "willingly" and miscarried their child in May 1996. But Kola Boof angrily said,"That's bullshit. I hate to admit I met him, because it's akin to saying you know Hitler, but I barely knew Bin Laden from 1996-98. When we met in Marrakesh in 1996, I was a starlet and he was trying to screw every female in town." 

On religion matters Kola Boof said, ‘While I love Mohammed and Jesus Christ’I reject all men's religions, not just Islam, but Christianity, Judaism and whatever else the men use for a whip.  I believe that Christianity trains black people, especially black women, to think like slaves, and I believe that Islam is mainly fueled by its hatred for women. As for feminism, I am a womanist more than I'm a feminist. I love cooking for men and making love with them’not just reproductive lovemaking but I like sex for the sake of freaking out with men. I value men and I don't necessarily want to adopt the man's role, but I do want to see women's humanity honored and respected. I do feel it's crucial that women's opinions be taken equally with men’s. But still’I have not been accepted by the American white feminist writers and activists, and frankly I don't care to be, so I am a womanist. I am feisty and I am given to womanish behavior.’

WASIU AYINDE MARSHAL'S BABY MAMAS DUMPED HIM FOR OTHER MEN.

JEMILAT OLOLADE ANIMASHAUN

Jemilat Ololade Animashaun, the former wife of King Wasiu Ayinde Marshal, K1 De Ultimate has re-married.  Jemilat's new husband is Taiwo Onijeseku, a businessman based in the United States.

The couple formalized their affair with a registry wedding at the Ikoyi Registry, Lagos, on Thursday, January, 2014.

According to close sources, another former mistress of Fuji czar, King Wasiu Ayinde Marshal, K1 De Ultimate, Jumoke Odofin,  is currently involved in a steaming love affair with Fayose. The affair was ignited a few months ago and it has been waxing stronger by the day. Jumoke is a regular sight at Fayose's palatial home in Magodo GRA. 

JUMOKE ODOFIN

MAJEMU AMERICA (AMERICA COVENANT) NOLLYWOOD NEW MOVIE PRODUCED BY OLA OGUNKOYA IS OUT........

What is your covenant with your God, with people, and with yourself? I remembered sometime ago while I had a chat with my friend Ola Ogunsanya about this epic project, he promised me then the film will be out soon and it’s going to be talk of the town.

Indeed, the much talked about film is now out, ‘MAJEMU AMERICA ’(AMERICA COVENANT) written and produced by Ola Ogunkoya.

The film was directed by: Said Balogun, Murphy Afolabi and Tai Balofin, featuring: Ola Ogunkoya, Eniola Badmus, Tai Balofin, Said Balogun, Razak Ajao (Araosan), Murphy Afolabi, Ranti Alore L'america, Funke Tanimola (Mercyflawless) and a host of others.

The movie was shot in Dallas Texas, New York City, and Lagos Nigeria.Happy viewing.

WITH IMMEDIATE EFFECT SYNDROM ....PRESIDENT JONATHAN APPOINTS NEW SERVICE CHIEFS

President Goodluck Jonathan really performed one of his function as the Commander-In-Chief of the Armed Forces for discharging his constitutional responsibility to make Nigeria and Nigerians safe. 

According to Twitter and Facebook posts by the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Dr. Reuben Abati, on Thursday,no reason was given for the changes.

However, the post read, “President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan in the exercise of the powers conferred on him by the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria approved the following changes in the nation’s Military High Command:

“Air Marshal Alex Badeh takes over from Admiral Ola Sa’ad Ibrahim as Chief of Defence Staff.

“Major-General Kenneth Tobiah Minimah takes over from Lt.-General Azubike Ihejirika as Chief of Army Staff.

“Rear Admiral Usman Jibrin takes over from Vice Admiral Dele Ezeoba as Chief of Naval Staff; and Air Vice Marshal Adesola Nunayon Amosu takes over from Air Marshal Badeh as Chief of Air Staff.

It was also gathered that the President has briefed the leadership of the National Assembly on the appointment of the new service chiefs and will, in keeping with the provisions of the law, request the National Assembly to formally confirm the appointments when it reconvenes.

NOLLYWOODS' YETUNDE AKILAPA THE BUGLAR...WHAT REALLY IS HER PROBLEM?

Nollywood actress, Yetunde Akilapa, has been arrested again for allegedly burgling a house at 16, Ibitayo Street, Magodo Phase 2, Lagos State, south-west, Nigeria. The talented actress who committed similar offence in February , 2013, at Somolu, Lagos Nigeria, following a complaint lodged by a complainant, accusing the actress of stealing the 100 pieces of master keys found on her.

According to the source,“The occupant forgot to take something to church and sent her sibling to take it only to find Akilapa inside their flat. When the actress was asked how she got into the apartment, she simply pushed the occupant’s sister aside and ran out of the apartment.”

A security guard in the estate who witnessed the alleged crime said:“I saw the pretty lady coming out of the house and I stopped her but she did not wait. She looked back and continued running. That was when I noticed that something was wrong with her.

“Immediately, I ran after her and started shouting ‘thief’, ‘thief’ but before I got to the gate, a mob had caught her. She was beaten and a bunch of keys was found in her bra before policemen were brought in to salvage the situation.”

To me, this beautiful poor lady has some serious spiritual problems, which need an urgent attention.