BlackBox Nigeria

-Okanlawon Taiwo
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Motorists plying Acme and Chemiron junction/Wempco road have once again appealed to the Lagos state commissioner for works, Kadir Hamzat, to send his men to fix these roads that are in very bad shape.

Our correspondent gathered that these vital access roads in the industrial estate have been neglected for long time.

"We have been appealing to the state government for months about this roads, but nothing has been done about it", one motorist told our reporter.
Another mechanic who has workshop at Acme road said "There are too many gaping potholes that are very widening into craters. They heed urgent attention as unsuspecting motorists frequently run into the potholes at night and end up with damaged tyres.

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-Taiwo Okanlawon

The United states government has condemned Monday's suicide bomb attack at a government boarding school in Potiskum, Yobe, which killed dozens of students and wounded others.
A statement issued by the U.S. embassy in Abuja condemned the terror attacks on civilians in North East Nigeria.

The attacks occurred in Ashura in Potiskum in Yobe, Gombe, Malam Fatori in Borno and Azare in Bauchi State.

The Embassy in its stament said that "while final numbers are not known, scores of persons have been killed or injured in these attacks.

"The U.S. offers its sincere sympathy to the injured and to the families of the murdered.

"We urge the government of Nigeria to investigate these and other attacks to bring the perpetrators to justice.''

It strengthen U.S. commitment to support the people of Northern Nigeria in their struggle to stop the evil works of Boko Haram.

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-Taiwo Okanlawon

The El-Rufai Campaign Organisation has mocked PDP and what it described as its pathetic government in Kaduna State after the PDP accused Malam Nasir El-Rufai of funding one of their gubernatorial aspirants while also alleging that El-Rufai is not an indigene of Kaduna State.

The PDP in their "cheap blackmail", said El-Rufai is from Katsina State.

In a statement signed by Mohammed Musa Soba, Directorate of Media, El-Rufai Campaign Organisation debunked the rumour describing it as cheap propaganda.

"They are exposing themselves badly enough as masters of division, pettiness and falsehood", the statement indicated.

He stated that PDP governments are well-known as specialists in separating people along faultlines, be they ethnic, religious and regional, and they are unrelenting in setting so-called settlers against indigenes.

"Having been stung by his critique of their poor performance in Kaduna State, they decided on a ridiculous way to stem the negative assessments".

The statement also revealed Mallam El-Rufai's family and educational background in the Kaduna state.

"We shall not dignify their backwardness but to set the record straight, Malam Nasir El-Rufai was born to Malam Ahmad Rufai, from Zaria. His oldest brother, Air Vice Marshall Ali Rufai (rtd), enlisted in the Nigerian armed forces as an indigene of Zaria. Another older brother, Bashir El-Rufai, had a long career in the federal public service as an indigene of Kaduna State. All three El-Rufai brothers are listed in the Who is Who of Zazzau Emirate, a compendium of renowned sons and daughters of Zaria. Alhaji Nuhu Bamalli, the first Zaria indigene to be appointed a federal minister, was an uncle to El-Rufai's father, and was a well-respected Magajin Garin Zazzau.
"When El-Rufai served as DG of the BPE and as Minister of the FCT, there was no question of his status as a Kaduna man. Prior to public service, El-Rufai had established his fledgling Quantity Surveying firm in Kaduna since 1982, after completing primary, secondary and university education within the state. Now that his bid to serve as Kaduna governor is gathering momentum, they shame themselves anew", the statement added.

El-Rufai is offering a positive alternative to the people of Kaduna State. And the people find it credible, because he is a man that has made a success of every public office he has held. He is engaging with and mobilising the people of Kaduna State for a mighty effort of change. And that is a most worthy focus.

President Goodluck Jonathan on Wednesday formally unveiled the new N100 commemorative notes at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

The short ceremony which was initially scheduled for last Wednesday did not hold then because of the President's journey to Burkina Faso.

Vice President Namadi Sambo and the CBN Governor, Godwin Emefiele, joined the President to unveil the notes during the weekly Federal. Executive. Council (FEC) meeting.‎

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As President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan declared his interest to re-contest yesterday, one of the highlights of the day was the performance of super star, Naeto C who surprisingly performed with a live band.

Naeto who is revered for his combination of academic pursuits and music remixed his 2010 hit single 10/10 to the delight of all present to describe the president's performance in office since being elected in 2011.
Naeto in a delivery backed by female acts rhetorically asked "Education, Security, Job Creation...etc" to which his back-up responded 10/10(Ten over Ten).

It would be recalled that Naetochukwu Chikwe is the son of former Aviation Minister and PDP National Woman leader Dr. Kema Chikwe.

In 2002, he won the Caine Prize for African Writing for short stories with “Discovering Home". His debut book, a memoir entitled One Day I Will Write About This Place, was published in 2011. In April 2014, Time magazine included Wainaina in its annual TIME 100 as one of the "Most Influential People in the World.

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The atmosphere of the Ebute Meta Chief Magistrate's Court was tense on Tuesday when a former Commissioner for Rural Development and a governorship aspirant of the All Progressives Congress, Tola Kasali, 62, was arraigned for murder.

Arraigned with him were the Special Adviser to the Lagos State Governor on Politics and Legislative Matters, Musiliu Folami, 64, and Kasali's Chief Security Officer, Tobun Abiodun, 38.

The court was filled with party loyalists, supporters and family members of the accused persons, as many others stood outside the court.

They were arraigned on four counts bordering on murder and unlawful possession of firearms.

The police said the men conspired to kill one Musiliu Lamidi on November 9, 2014, around 2pm at Eko Tourism Hotel, Akodo, in the Ibeju-Lekki area of the state.

The police added that they were found in possession of a pump-action gun, with number 6381, without a valid licence issued by the appropriate authorities.

The corpse of the deceased was said to have been found on the premises of one of the defendants.

The offences were said to be punishable under sections 231, 221 and 409 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2011 and Section 27 (b)(1) of the Firearms Act, Cap 28 Laws of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 2011.

Their pleas were not taken by the court for the offences.

However, a senior state counsel, Femi Adamson, who came from the Office of the Attorney General of the Federation, invoked a section of the law to take over prosecution from the police.

He said, "I am a senior state counsel and I want to take over the prosecution of this case. This is pursuant to Section 211 (1b), (2) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, as amended."

The leader of the police team from the legal department of the State Criminal Investigation Department, Godwin Osuyi, said it was not right for the case to be taken from the police since the police had only sought to remand the defendants in custody pending legal advice.

Osuyi, after agreeing to step aside, said, "Before I step aside, I wish to state that they were brought before this court for remand. They have not been formally charged."

But the court ruled that since the case belonged to the state, it could take charge of it at any time.

The state prosecutor, Adamson, thereafter applied for the remand of the three defendants in custody, citing Section 264(1) of the Administration of Criminal Justice Law of Lagos State, 2011.

However, the leader of the seven-man defence team, Taiwo Ajala, opposed the application for remand.

According to him, there were no allegations before the court, but mere rumours, which should be struck out.

He said, "So far, what are before your honour are not charges, but mere rumours, which have no place in a court of law. These rumours have been elevated to the point of allegations.

"To raise rumours to allegations, one would have expected the prosecution to depose to an oath so that the court can look into it. But this is missing.

"Accordingly, I apply that the defendants be granted bail. Jurisprudentially, the reason behind remand is if the court is not sure that the defendants will attend court proceedings from time to time.

"I crave the indulgence of this court to the social standing and circumstances of the defendants. The first is currently the special adviser to this government. The second has a lot of prefixes to his name. He was a former Commissioner for Rural Development. His impacts are felt on our roads. He was also a former Commissioner for Special Duties, while the third defendant had, at different times been a chief security officer of the state. They are all known by reputation."

Ajala said if the defendants were not granted bail, it would affect the running of the government and the residents of the state.

After making his submissions, the prosecutor said he was not objecting to bail.

"With all due respect, bail is at the discretion of the court and the court is guided by principles. I have come to realise that these are people serving the government of the day in different capacities," he said.

The Chief Magistrate, Tunbosun Abolarinwa, in his ruling, expressed disappointment in the prosecution for not being able to support the remand application brought before the court.

He said, "What is before the court is a remand application, but the police who brought it have not been able to support same. This is probably why the defence counsel referred to the charges as mere rumours.

"If their movement is restrained, it will bring serious discomfort to them and people associated with them and will be a disservice to the society. This court sees them as people who should uphold the law of the land and the orders of this honourable court.

"This court has confidence in their ability to show up in court.

"The reasons for remand brought by the prosecutions are not reliable and cannot sustain the charges."

Abolarinwa granted the defendants bail on "self recognition" and ordered the prosecution to verify their addresses and places of work.

The matter was adjourned till December 11, 2014 pending legal advice from the Directorate of Public Prosecutions.

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There is a looming war between the family of Idibia Ije and the Amafu community in Okpokwu LGA of Benue State as the villagers had vowed to hold Tuface and his siblings hostage for refusing to complete his house in the village.

In fact, Tuface's mum, Mrs. Rose Idibia narrowly escaped death on Thursday night after she was attacked by her husband's kinsmen for not allowing Tuface to complete his house in the village.

DailyPost exclusively gathered that problem started after Mr. Idibia breathed his last in faraway India and the family invited the four children to inform them of what to do.

It was learnt that one of the conditions given by the Idibia family was for Tuface to build a befitting house where his father would be laid to rest, since he is the star among them.

It was also gathered that the immediate family members pleaded with the children to grade the road leading to Amufu, their home town from Ojapo for easy access during the burial.

Tuface, it was learnt agreed and promised to do as they had demanded.

To keep to his promise, the singer sent in some money and the building project and the upgrading of the road kick started almost immediately.

This development made all residents to go ballistic as several prayers and encomiums were poured on their proud son, Innocent, popularly known as Tuface.

It was gathered that some farmers, whose crops were close to the roads were asked to uproot their crops to enable the project move freely; this they did with all enthusiasm and without grudges.

However, along the line, the projects suddenly stopped, leaving the people, including Tuface's uncles in the dark.

When Tuface was contacted, he told them he no longer had money to continue the project and that he would continue after his father's burial.

This irked his kinsmen, who vowed never to lay the deceased to rest until Tuface fulfilled his promise.

Those who were not satisfied with Tuface's excuse embarked on investigation and discovered that it was his mum, Rose that allegedly stopped him from completing the project.

"The mum told him not to waste his money on any building, that he would not come home anytime to stay there; that his uncles would only take over the house once he completes it", an indigene who craved anonymity told this reporter.

Several efforts to convince Tuface to continue the project hit the rocks, prompting the people to take the revenge on him and his mum as soon as they returned with the corpse.

DailyPost observed that as soon as the corpse touched down in Amufu and the widow alighted, youths in the area began to jeer her.

Others were seen throwing stones and sticks at her, calling her all sort of names depicting a wicked person.

Some mockingly called her 'Obu Michael' (Michael's husband) while others said she must pay for the crops they uprooted.

She was sneaked into a room by her colleagues from Cherryfield College, Jikwoyi where she serves as Vice Principal.

Not yet done, when the pal bearers tried to take the casket inside, the youths again revolted that the corpse should be kept outside.

The women in the village also insisted that a hut should be built for the widow, Mrs. Idibia since her husband had no house in the village.

This protest lasted for hours before it was brought under control by elders in the village.

While this lasted, Tuface stayed glued inside his car with two of his kids, Isabella and Olivia, with security men fully on guard as the youths vowed to beat him up for listening to his mum.

When the Priest in charge of St. Camel Catholic Church, Ojapo invited Mrs. Idibia to explain her own side of the story, she blasted her in-laws for being heartless by calling on a child, who is mourning to come and build a house in the village.

According to a visibly angry Mrs. Idibia, who hails from Ogege, Amafu's next door neighbour, it was unfair that the people were accusing her of stopping her son from building in his own town.

She explained that if she were against the project, she wouldn't had allowed Tuface to start in the first place.

"Is it not wickedness that you would call on someone who is mourning his father to come and start a building project? When my husband died, they informed my son to come and build ten bed room flat. He accepted and promised to do so, with the hope that a hug amount of money was coming his way. The building project started almost immediately but stopped along the line because of finance. So, when they called to complain that money was no longer coming, I called Tuface and he said because of the Ebola issue, the money he was expecting could not come, that they should hold on till after the burial. But his uncles refused, insisting that the burial would not hold until Tuface completed the house.

"When we finally came home with the corpse on Thursday, they began to boo me. Some wanted to kill me by throwing stones and sticks at me, that I stopped Tuface my son from building in his village", she explained amidst tears.

The cleric in his reponse told Mrs. Idibia that the people were not wrong for demanding for a house, but that they went too far by jeering and hulling stones at her.

He, however, pleaded with the Idibias to exercise patience until after the burial since the children won't run away.

Pa. Idibia was finally laid to rest but the community is insisting that Tuface must complete the building or he would remain in the village.

A villager told our reporter that Tuface, the second son of Mr. Idibia, was almost beaten by some youths the last time he came to the village for his grand mother's burial, for abandoning his people.

It was learnt that Tuface refused to invite any of his star friends because of the humiliation he always faced in his home town.

Only his manager, Efe Omoregbe and few bouncers came for the burial.

However, a Rev. Father, who would not want his name in print, lambasted the Amufu community for being so wicked by forcing a man to build a house.

"I have never seen where someone is being forced to build a house in his village. Do they know his statement of account? Is it because Tuface is popular? Is he a politician, why are they forcing him to grade the community road? Is he the local government chairman? They better stop this nonsense. This kind of culture is total rubish and must be stopped", he warned.

Another resident flayed Tuface for listening to his mum by not completing the projects.

"See, let the truth be told, I am ashamed. Imagine Tubaba of all people facing this kind of humiliation. How much will it cost him to build a house here in the village? I am sure he has houses outside the state. That to me is not fair. Go to Otukpa and see the mansion TerryG built there. His parents are not in the village but he did so in case of tomorrow.

"You can see that the shame could not allow him bring his friends to the village. May God help him", the resident who also pleaded anonymity told DailyPost in Okpoga.

When DailyPost contacted Tuface's manager, Efe Omoregbe, he denied knowledge of the development.

"Bros, I don't know what you are talking about", he said.

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The bomb that exploded on the Assembly ground of the Government Senior Science Secondary School, Potiskum that claimed the lives of at least 48 students and injured scores of others on Monday was detonated by an unknown suicide bomber who sneaked into the school dressed like a student, witnesses said.

An obviously traumatised teacher who managed to speak with LEADERSHIP on phone, but wished not to be named because of his safety, said the bomb went off from the bag of a young boy who walked up to the assembly ground after an unidentified car dropped him off at the gate of the school at about 7:30am.

The sources said the suicide bomber was dressed in white shirt and black trousers which is the official dressing code for all senior students, and that he was hanging a heavy schoolbag on his shoulder.

"Many of us sighted him as he was dropped off by the car and watched how he confidently walked up to the assembly ground pretending to be one of the students", said the teacher. "But unfortunately, he was immediately spotted by one of the duty teachers who noticed his odd appearance amongst other students, by carrying a bag to the assembly ground, even though the school is a boarding school".

"The teacher on duty called his attention, asking him why he had to bring his bag to the assembly ground, but the bomber remained silent, ignoring the teacher. His attitude towards the teacher drew the attention of other students who milled around him to find out who he was. The teacher then moved closer to him, thinking he might be a new student on transfer since most of the students could not recognise him".

The source said the teacher and some of the senior prefects who were not pleased with the rudeness of the fake student who continued to ignore the teacher, decided to force him to kneel down.

"It was during the process of asking him to observe the punishment of kneeling down that the explosive in the bag went off and unfortunately killed many of the students including the teacher who had inched closer to the scene to see what was happening".

The source added that he survived because he did not go closer to the scene, thinking it was one of those usually rude students that the teacher was dealing with.

"I thank God that I am alive; but the deafening sound of the bomb affected my auditory system for several hours", added the source. "Even from the distance that I stood before the blast, I found myself sprawling on the ground after the blast; that made me believe that the blast might have come from a huge explosive device".

LEADERSHIP had also been informed that all the 72 injured students had since been referred to the Federal Medical Centre in Azare, Bauchi State, where the state governor, Alhaji Ibrahim Gaidam promised to foot all their medical bills.

All schools within and around Potiskum town have been closed by the state government indefinitely.

Meanwhile, the Emir of Fika, Dr Muhammadu Ibn Abali Muhammadu Idrissa has summoned an emergency meeting of all the district heads, ward heads and village heads under his domain at his palace where they brainstormed on how to tackle or avert similar attacks by the Boko Haram.

The Emir of Fika who is also the chairman of Yobe state Council of Chiefs expressed his deep concern about the continuous attacks and lost of lives as result of the Boko haram insurgency.

In a brief address to the gathering of over 30 title holders, the Emir whohad also managed to survive similar suicide bomb attack by suspected Boko Haram insurgents in August 2012, said he was indeed disturbed with multiple explosions in Potiskum town within one week.

"It is unfortunate and saddening that our young school children were murdered while learning for their future. I therefore urge all of you to monitor the behaviours of your children, relatives, neighbours and tenants", he said.

Anyone asking to rent a house as tenant in your neighbourhood must be thoroughly interrogated so that criminals would not hide in your midsts; you are expected to report to the security agencies any suspicious movements in your domains.

The Emir reminded the chiefs that security of their communities must be a collective responsibility of all and the only means practicable to achieve the return of peace to the state, besides prayers.
LEADERSHIP

David Moyes has returned to football with Spanish strugglers Real Sociedad following his disastrous 10-month spell as Manchester United manager, the Basque club announced late on Monday.

"Real Sociedad have reached an agreement with David Moyes to be the coach of the first team until June 30, 2016," Sociedad said in a statement published on their website.

Moyes, 51, was sacked in April after less than a season in charge of United as they failed to qualify for the Champions League for the first time since 1995.

The Scot enjoyed a broadly successful 11-year spell at Everton prior to taking the job at Old Trafford, although he has yet to win a major trophy as a coach.
Sociedad have been looking for a new coach since Jagoba Arrasate was sacked last weekend after just one win in their opening 10 league games.

Australia midfielder Tim Cahill, one of Moyes's most successful signings at Everton, welcomed the news, writing on Twitter: "Great to see David Moyes back in the game @RealSociedad. Was only a matter of time."‎

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PDP Governors on Tuesday told President Goodluck Jonathan that the road to 2015 would not be smooth for him and the party.

However, they said they were of the opinion that the party will still win the presidential election and majority of the Governorship seats in the country. The Governors lamented the state chief executives who were elected on the platform of the party but has been lost to the opposition.

The Chairman, PDP Governors' Forum and Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Chief Godswill Akpabio said this on behalf of his colleagues at the Eagle square, Abuja during the formal declaration of President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan to run for second term in office.

The Akwa Ibom governor was preceeded by speeches from ‎representatives of the six geo-political zones in the country. Attahiru Bafarawa spoke on behalf of the North Central while former Senate President, Ken Nnamani represented the South East zone. The people of the South West was represented by elder statesman Chief Olabode George.

The country's vice President, Arch Namadi Sambo also had great words about his boss urging him to declare his intention to contest once again for the highest position in the country.