Kennymykel

“You are not my father”, that was the last statement from Olounde, a medical student in England, who returned home to bury his father, Elesin Oba, but found out that he was still alive. Olounde, full of disappointment, committed suicide to fill the void left by his father as a result of his reluctance to fulfil age-long tradition. The tradition demands that Elesin Oba must commit suicide before the burial of the late Alaafin of Oyo in order for his (Elesin) spirit to clear the way for the transition of the monarch and forestall imminent danger on the community. Upon direct confrontation with his imminent death, Elesin displayed human frailty, demanding vain desires, resulting to his arrest by Mr Pilking, the British Colonial Administrator. The Elesin later took his own life in captivity after being presented with the corpse of his first son (Olounde) by the reactive natives. All these played out on Sunday night in Lagos at the command performance of one of Nob

Antonio Conte hailed a newly-focused Diego Costa as “one of the best strikers in the world” after the Spaniard’s match-winning strike at Middlesbrough fired Chelsea to the top of the Premier League table. Costa scored the only goal of the game at the Riverside, pouncing after a first-half corner rebounded inside the six-yard box, and now tops the Premier League goalscoring charts with 10 goals from 12 games. Perhaps just as significantly, he has not been booked since the middle of September, and whereas post-match discussions would once focus on a perceived lack of discipline and a penchant for arguing with officials, it is now Costa’s football that is doing the talking. “Diego is always important, not only for today,” said Conte. “He is our point of reference in attacking. He is impressive in the way he is finding his goals, and it is important to continue this way because we need his goals. “Is he focused just on his football? It is important to have this qu

A drama played out at the Abia State Police Command headquarters in Umuahia when some suspected cultists accused one another of owning a gun. The suspects, four in number, literally divided themselves into two groups, with each group insisting that the gun in question belonged to the other team. The suspects were two kinsmen, Okoye Simon and Charles Okeke, who are from Anambra State and other were roommates, Udu John and Aigbemen Eromoselem, all students of a private polytechnic in Aba, Abia State. Simon claimed John handed over his bag to him, saying, “The day we were writing our final examination in school, John gave me his bag to hold for him. Okeke who saw him give me the bag, rushed in immediately and persuaded me to open the bag to be sure of its content; but I said I would not open the bag. “He asked me to report to the security officers that the bag belonged to John because he was suspecting something. When we went to the security man in front of the ex

Few days to the governorship election in Ondo State, the factional candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party for the election, Mr. Eyitayo Jegede (SAN), has reassured his supporters across the state that he will contest and win the election after getting justice from the appellate court. Jegede’s appeal is still pending at the Abuja Court of Appeal which has adjourned its sitting on the case indefinitely. The PDP factional candidate is challenging the judgment of the High Court which ordered the Independent National Electoral Commission to replace his name with that of Jimoh Ibrahim as the candidate of the PDP for the November 26 governorship poll. He (Jegede) belongs to the Ahmed Makarfi’s faction while Ibrahim is from the Ali Modu Sheriff’s faction of the PDP in the state. Addressing his supporters in Akure, the state capital after returning from Abuja on Saturday, the immediate former Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice in Ondo State said they should

President Muhammadu Buhari has appealed to the people of the Niger Delta to embrace peace and focus on agriculture for sustainable economic development and wealth creation. Buhari urged them to take advantage of the huge potential in agriculture and stop the destruction of oil and gas pipelines which only served to destroy the country’s ecosystem and economy. The President, represented by the Minister of State for Agriculture and Rural Development, Senator Heineken Lokpobiri, made the appeal on Saturday at the 20th anniversary of the Nigerian Agip Oil Company’s Green River Project Farmers’ Day in Yenagoa, the Bayelsa State capital. Buhari said, “I wish to acknowledge the unrelenting efforts of the Nigerian Agip Oil Company,  which, in its bid to prove that oil production and agriculture can coexist,  has for the past 29 years supported its host communities to focus on agriculture through the GRP,  a corporate social responsibility initiative, which has resulte

Few days to the governorship election in Ondo State, the factional candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party for the election, Mr. Eyitayo Jegede (SAN), has reassured his supporters across the state that he will contest and win the election after getting justice from the appellate court. Jegede’s appeal is still pending at the Abuja Court of Appeal which has adjourned its sitting on the case indefinitely. The PDP factional candidate is challenging the judgment of the High Court which ordered the Independent National Electoral Commission to replace his name with that of Jimoh Ibrahim as the candidate of the PDP for the November 26 governorship poll. He (Jegede) belongs to the Ahmed Makarfi’s faction while Ibrahim is from the Ali Modu Sheriff’s faction of the PDP in the state. Addressing his supporters in Akure, the state capital after returning from Abuja on Saturday, the immediate former Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice in Ondo State said they shou

Wayne Rooney slammed the response to his late-night antics on England duty as “disgraceful” and vowed not to be consigned to the international scrapheap over the incident. Rooney was widely criticised earlier this week after photographs in a tabloid newspaper showed the England captain looking the worse for wear during a reported drinking binge at the team hotel last weekend. The 31-year-old, who was wearing his England training kit at the time, was reported to have been up until the early hours last Sunday at a wedding in The Grove hotel, leading the forward to “unreservedly” apologise to interim boss Gareth Southgate, the Football Association and young fans. FA chief executive Martin Glenn has promised a “proper investigation as to what went on” and the England squad will be banned from nights out between matches while on international duty. There has also been speculation that Southgate, who reportedly asked Rooney to tone down his behaviour in the hotel, might

The Vice-Chancellor of the Lagos State University, Prof. Olanrewaju Fagbohun, says the institution released 16,000 results and certificates between January and November to graduates. Fagbohun said at the News Agency of Nigeria Forum in Lagos that there were backlog of results and certificates yet to be issued. He said that the institution had challenges of certificates and results issuance due some logistic reasons but assured that all those were in the past. He said, “In relation to the backlog, the Lagos State University has challenges in terms of that. “But what did we do this time around? We introduced a task force, particularly for the External School System. “That was where it was really very rampant; that people will finish (their studies), they were not getting results, they were not getting certificates. “And we had a task force to work on it aggressively and every Monday we have review meetings. “And that is why you will see that between January and

The Inspector-General of Police, Mr. Idris Ibrahim, on Tuesday justified the killing of some Shiites members by policemen in Kano on Monday. Ibrahim spoke with State House correspondents shortly after attending the launch of the 2017 Armed Forces Remembrance Emblem and Appeal Fund at the Presidential Villa, Abuja. About 15 Shiite members and one policeman were said to have lost their lives during the clash between the members of the sect and the police. The clash was also said to have left no fewer than four policemen and 10 Shiite members injured. When asked why policemen would resort to killing people while quelling protests, Ibrahim said his men were confronted by protesters who were armed to the teeth. He said rather than condemning police action, Nigerians should sympathise with the policemen who were killed by those he described as miscreants. “I agree with what you said (that Nigerians should not be killed while quelling riot) but when you have Nigerians

No fewer than seven residents of Otodo Gbame, an Egun community in the Lekki Phase 1 area of Lagos State, are missing after a clash between the residents and some Yoruba youths, alleged to be land grabbers. Our correspondent learnt that on Saturday, three corpses of residents, believed to have jumped into a river during the crisis, floated as residents also claimed that a total of 11 persons had lost their lives in the clash. PUNCH Metro was told that the missing residents were Akuwayon Mawewang, Jeremiah Abode, Babajide Jinu, Hunu Agonbabo, Tenseme Fofeyon, Auyiho Mawugi and Temidire Aishat. Nine of the corpses recovered by residents from a river in the community were identified as Babajide Tosihun, Mfinrinfo Esinfo, Sosu Abosede, a pregnant woman, Bose Alade, one John, Thoto Avonba, Sesinu Ahiaboji, Hosu Wejede and Mawuyon Oviawe. Our correspondent had reported on Thursday that no fewer than 200 structures were burnt in the community during a clash between s

The National Bureau of Statistics on Monday released the Consumer Price Index which measures inflation rate with the index rising from 17.9 per cent in September to 18.3 per cent in October. The bureau in the report attributed the increase in inflation rate to pressures recorded in some sub-index such as housing, electricity, gas, water, lubricants for personal transport and education. It explained that while the prices of food items such as bread, cereals, fish and meat also recorded significant increases, that of fruit items moderated during the period. The report reads in part, “The CPI which measures inflation increased by 18.3 per cent (year-on-year) in October 2016, 0.48 percent points higher from the rate recorded in September. “Increases were recorded across almost all major divisions which contribute to the headline index. Communication and restaurants and hotels recorded the slowest pace of growth in October, growing at 5.7 per cent and 9.4 per cen

Port Harcourt – Ex-Green Eagles winger, Adokiye Amiesimaka, says Nigeria`s chances of qualifying for the 2018 World cup looks brighter with the 3-1 win over Algeria. Amiesimaka, former team manager, Sharks football club of Port Harcourt, made the assertion on Saturday shortly after the Nigeria/Algeria match played at the Godswill Akpabio stadium, Uyo. Nigeria Super Eagles in training Nigeria Super Eagles in training “ I watched the game and I am very impressed with the outcome. Congratulations Super Eagles, congratulations Nigeria.  “The Algerians were not bad. They played in a rather tentative manner in the first 15 minutes, but we were on top of the game most of the time and the score line was reflective of that,” he said. Amiesimaka said the Eagles attack was good while the defence needed to be worked on for future matches. “ I suggest that Gernot Rohr, Super Eagles Manager, still need to work on the defence. The attack is okay; they were coordinated and did a good job. “ Our ch

Around 1,400 migrants were on Saturday rescued in the Mediterranean, as thousands of people continue to risk the dangerous crossing despite the arrival of winter. The migrants were onboard seven different vessels including six rubber dinghies, said the Italian coastguard, which coordinated the rescue operations. One of the boats, whose passengers were rescued by a ship operated by the charity Doctors Without Borders (MSF), was crammed with 800 people including nearly two dozen children, the aid group said. The charities SOS Mediterranee, Migrant Offshore Aid Station and Jugend Rettet also took part in the rescues.  Since the start of November — when attempts to cross the Mediterranean tend to drop as the winter chill sets in — nearly 5,400 migrants have landed in Italy, hoping to start new lives in Europe. This compares to slightly over 3,200 for the whole of November last year. More than 4,000 men, women and children have died in the Mediterranean this year, a

Victor Moses scored twice while Chelsea teammate John Obi Mikel was also on target as Nigeria downed Algeria 3-1 to stay on course for the World Cup finals on Saturday. Nigeria have a perfect six points from two games in Group B, four ahead of Cameroon who drew 1-1 at home to Zambia. The Nigerians took the game to their opponents and were rewarded after 25 minutes when Moses was released by Mikel to fire past Algeria goalkeeper Rais M’Bolhi. The Super Eagles doubled their lead three minutes from the interval when Mikel controlled the ball at the top of the box and after a moment of hesitation, drilled it beyond the Algerian keeper. Algeria pulled a goal back in the 67th minute, when Nabil Bentaleb smashed home an unstoppable shot from distance. Man of the match Moses then put the game beyond the north Africans in stoppage time, when he smashed home off a low cross by substitute Ahmed Musa. The outcome could have been a lot different had the visitors made th

A top aide to President-elect Donald Trump on Thursday refused to rule out prosecuting Democrat Hillary Clinton or investigating the foundation run by former president Bill Clinton. Ex-New York mayor Rudy Giuliani, a likely member of the incoming president’s cabinet, told CNN that it was a “tough decision” on whether a special prosecutor should be appointed to look into possible illegal Clinton activities, as Trump threatened to do on the campaign trail. “It’s been a tradition in our politics to put things behind us. On the other hand you have to look at how bad was it?” he said.

The Minister of Power, Works and Housing, Mr Raji Fashola, on Thursday said the Federal Government would not revoke the privatisation of the nation’s power sector. Fashola made the assertion at the 5 th European Union (EU)-Nigeria Business Forum with the theme: “Harnessing Nigeria’s Potential for Economic Growth” in Lagos. “The Federal Government will respect and uphold the contract it has been committed to and inherited from the past administration. “I am not in charge of power sector to revoke the privatisation agreement signed three years ago,” the minister said.  According to him, the government has nothing to gain from sending investors in the power sector parking, following calls from some quarters asking for revocation of privatisation of the sector. “If those calling for revisiting of the privatisation of the power sector meant to say improving the governance, performance and efficiency, then, I am here for that. “If revisiting it will mean that Distributio

The Senate has screened President Muhammadu Buhari’s nominees as Justices of the Supreme Court. The Senate Committee on Judiciary, Human Rights and Legal Matters screened the two judges on Wednesday. The justices screened by the Senator David Umaru-led committee were Justice Sidi Dauda Bage (North-Central) and Justice Paul Adamu Galinje (North-East).  Based on the recommendation of the National Judiciary Council in conformity with Section 231 Subsection 2 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), the President forwarded the names of the judges to the Senate for confirmation as Supreme Court Justices. A statement from the office of the Senior Special Assistant to the President on National Assembly Matters (Senate), Senator Ita Enang, quoted him as saying the nominees had fulfilled the necessary requirements to appear before the Senate committee. He expressed optimism that the President’s request would receive the usual expeditious attention and consideration of the

The United States of America, has offered to assist Nigeria in improving her disaster management capabilities. The US Bilateral Affairs Officer, US Embassy in Abuja, Major Chidi  Adighije, said this in an interview with journalists at a one-day seminar on Disaster Response and Emergency Management organised by the US Embassy in conjunction with the Ministry of Interior in Abuja on Wednesday. He said the major objective of the seminar was to educate the Nigerian emergency agencies on how disaster management is done in the US, while also discussing how to improve strategies to meet the local situation. Adighije said, “In the US, we have several agencies that are involved when it comes to disaster management and preparedness which is quite similar to what Nigeria has, however implementation might be different. “If there are any gaps, we hope this seminar will bring that to light and we will see where we can facilitate in bridging those gaps. “It’s the believe of the US Emba

Members of the South East Caucus in the Senate on Wednesday met with President Muhammadu Buhari on the challenges facing the zone. They were led to the meeting which was held inside the President’s office at the Presidential Villa, Abuja by the Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu; and the caucus’ chairman, Eyinnaya Abaribe. Ekeremadu later told State House correspondents that issues raised during the meeting included the issue of the Indigenous People of Biafra, lopsided appointments and general infrastructure in the zone. He said the discussion was cordial and the President promised the delegation to look into the issues raised. He said, “For us from the South East, we believe that dialogue is better than any other form of engagement. “So we decided to visit the President and present to him some of the concerns of the South East including the issues of roads and general infrastructure. “We also discussed the issue of security with him and of course the i

Kaduna Electricity Distribution Company on Wednesday said it would establish a $250 million meter manufacturing plant in Kaduna. It’s Managing Director, Mr Garba Haruna made the disclosure at the flag-off of the distribution of 20,000 free smart electricity meters to customers in Kaduna State. Haruna said the plant would enhance availability of electricity meters in the company’s franchise states of Kaduna, Kebbi, Zamfara and Sokoto. He said that already, a site had been secured and work would soon begin to setup the plant. According to him, the target is to meet the company’s target of distributing 500,000 meters to its customers in the next five years He said local production of the meters would add value to electricity distribution in the country. “This will also reduce the cost of importing some of the components for producing the meters for our franchise states and the country. “This will also creat more employment opportunities for graduates and other

Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump brandished starkly different visions of America as they headed into a fierce final weekend of campaigning, one celebrating hope as the other bashed corruption. Trump doubled down on his attacks on Clinton as a product of a venal and incompetent establishment, while Clinton headlined an optimistic concert spectacular featuring superstar singer Beyonce. Forecasts based on polling averages still give the 69-year-old Democrat an edge over the 70-year-old Republican property mogul ahead of Tuesday’s vote. But Trump has been buoyed by signs that he is closing the gap in the key swing states that will decide who secures an electoral college win. So both headed Friday to the American rustbelt, where blue-collar voters that were once reliable Democrats may be tempted by Trump’s protectionist promise to repatriate jobs from Mexico and China. Clinton’s campaign brought her to Cleveland, Ohio, a state that fellow Democrat President Barac

A Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Femi Falana, said if President Muhammadu Buhari was serious about fighting corruption, he [Buhari] would not mortgage the future of the country by seeking a $29.9bn loan. Ever since the economy fell into recession primarily as a result of a significant drop in oil prices, the Federal Government has been looking for ways to get the economy back on track, including its recent application for a $29.9bn loan from external sources. Though the Senate rejected the loan application on Tuesday, the Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, said the President would resubmit the request to borrow the money. However, Falana said Buhari should stop chasing after the loan, but rather engage in an aggressive recovery of looted funds stashed away in foreign banks by past military rulers in the country. The lawyer said this at a symposium tagged: “X-raying 50 years of military intervention in Nigeria’s politics”, organised by the

President Muhammadu Buhari on Friday met behind closed door with the President of the Senate, Dr. Bukola Saraki. He also met with a former Kano State Governor, Senator Rabiu Kwankwaso. Buhari met with the two senators separately in his office shortly after they joined him for Jumat prayers at the main mosque inside the Presidential Villa, Abuja. Saraki was accompanied to the President’s office by Senator Danjuma Goje. The Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Mahmud Mohammed, also attended the Friday prayers but left immediately after the prayers ended. Saraki later told State House correspondents that it would not be right to politicise the matter by reducing the issues surrounding the Federal Government’s loan request to the relationship between the executive and the legislative. He said, “I came here to pray. I have finished praying and I just had a general felicitation with the President. It did not go beyond that. “We should not look at that (the loan requ

A former comptroller of Immigration, Akindoye Akinyemi, 79, tells ’NONYE BEN-NWANKWO about his life experiences So many people may not know that you are closer to 80 than 70, what is the secret of your agile looks? It is just the grace of God. If God gives you a vision, he gives you the energy and the potential to back it up. The truth of the matter is I am stronger now than when I was in the service. I work longer hours now. My day usually starts at 3.30am and I don’t get weak. So I think it is God that gives me the strength. And for the past nine years, this has been my routine. God has been so faithful; He provides energy, strength and vitality. I don’t even know what they call headache. If I am fagged out, I just sleep and after one or two hours of sleep, I would recuperate. Did you become a strong Christian because your father was one? My father had a very strong influence over me in every way. The time my father took Christianity to our area was the dark age

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency has arrested four drug couriers at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, while attempting to export narcotics with a total weight of 8.8kg to different countries. One of the suspects, Aniebue Nnamma (50), a clothier at the Aswani Market Lagos, inserted eleven wraps of cocaine weighing 460g in his anus. A statement by the NDLEA spokesperson, Mr. Mitchell Ofoyeju, said a second suspect, Nzube Chukwudi (37) from Anambra State, who was travelling on a Ghanaian passport with the name, Sokpe Zubbye, ingested 955g of cocaine. Both Nnamma and Chukwudi were travelling to China, a country with a law that prescribes a death penalty for drug traffickers. A 38-year-old musical instrument trader at the Alaba International Market, Lagos, Ugwuezumba Arinze, was apprehended with 2.130kg of methamphetamine, which he ingested. He was on his way to Indonesia. The NDLEA said the fourth suspect, Obinna Obi (30), an aluminium f