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It was perhaps a special occasion for former vice president and APC Presidential hopeful, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar as he celebrated his birthday today while his wife; Jeniffer Jamila Abubakar was also called to the Nigerian Bar.

The elated Turaki Adamawa made the announcement earlier today as he posted the above picture online with the inscription...

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As the year gradually comes to an end, students of Lagos State University are not leaving any stone unturned to have the best of the season. Just last week, the Student Union successfully organized the annual Miss Lasu beauty pageant which saw a 200level science student emerge as the queen.

BlackBox has however been notified of the 2014 edition of the LASU Carnival which is in its second year. Speaking exclusively with BlackBox Nigeria, the organiser of the carnival and CEO Sway Entertainment, Nwauzor Chimezi Patrick who is in conjunction with the Student Union disclosed that this year's event would be coming up on 5th of December.

He revealed that the Lasu Carnival would involve the 10 faculties in the school who would have a parade in their unique costumes all over Ojo and end up at the Lasu Sport Centre for the grand finale.
He further disclosed that the faculty with the best costume and parade would be winning a fabulous cash prize.

The pre-carnival comes up this friday 28th of November as a procession to create an awareness moves across all the faculties in the school as well as the external campuses.

BlackBox Nigeria is a proud Media partner of the event.
Pictures from last year's carnival...

Now before you express shock that this writer has referred to the very honourable singer as being insane, it is simply implied that 9ice is Making A Difference...

The self acclaimed "Bashorun Gaa" won't stop amazing people as he further up the ante in his quest for the House of Representative under the platform of All Progressive Congress when he reportedly rode on a horse to submit his nomination form at the party secretariat.

Adigun Abolore Akande "9ice" is one of the many entertainers seeking elective position in the 2015 elections. The singer is seeking APC's nod to contest for the House of Representatives seat for Ogbomosho North/South/Orire Federal Constituency of Oyo State in the February general election of 2015.

The father of four was formally married to entrepreneur Toni Payne and has been rumoured to be engaged to ‎an event planner; Olasunkanmi.

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It is a sad moment for popular music sensations; Psquare as reports reaching BlackBoxNigeria has it that the duo yesterday lost their father to the cold hands of death.

Mazi Moses Okoye senior was reported to have visited a specialist in Lagos yesterday after which he gave up the ghost although details of what led to his death are still sketchy as the family hasn't come out with a statement.

However, the duo's publicist Bayo Adetu moments ago gave what can be referred as a confirmation after he posted "R.I.P. Mazi Moses Okoye".

Barely two years ago, the pop duo lost their mother; Mrs. Josephine Okoye and now their beloved father have gone on to join his wife.

The late couple together has six children which include PSquare(Peter and Paul), their elder brother; Jude (who is their manager and video director), Tony a former dancer who is revered to have taught the twins how to dance and two other who are not really known to the media.‎

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Countdown to the 2015 governorship election in Lagos State, the aspiration of Tayo Ayinde, one of the front-line aspirants of the All Progressives Congress, APC, got a major boost Weekend, as four renowned socio-political groups in the state have thrown their weight behind Ayinde, ahead of the party's primaries billed for December 4.

The groups- New Hope, NH; Asiwaju Youth Alliance, AYA; Progressives Movement, PM and Asiwaju For Life, AFL, known for their robust membership cutting across the entire 57 Local Government Areas and Local Council Development Areas in the state, gave Ayinde a morale booster by collapsing their structures, to Asiwaju-Ayinde For Life, AAFL.

Describing the governorship hopeful, as a bright and vibrant personality, who has the capacity, experience and knowledge required to take Lagos to the next level of development, Hon. Abraham Iroko, former Chairman, Badagry LGA and leader of one of the groups, noted that their decision to form an alliance is a collective one to be stronger and better to confront the tasks ahead of them.

Similarly, the President, Asiwaju For Life, Mrs. Ola Williams, pointed that her decision to collaborate with other groups to support the governorship ambition of Ayinde was owing to his political experience and clean records as a Senior Officer of State Security Service, adding that he knows and understands the party structures, as well as respects party leaders and members.

Meanwhile, Ayinde, who thanked members of the political groups, however affirmed that he will not disappoint Lagosians if elected governor, adding that unlike other pretenders to the plum seat, he was in the race because he was prepared.

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Federation Cup Champion, Enyimba international of Aba,Pepsi all-stars and Stationary Stores Fc of Lagos will get the opportunity to test the might on Spanish giant Barcelona in the 2014 edition of the COPA lagos on the 12th of December.

The Sand Eagles of Nigeria, winners of the last three editions of the COPA lagos battle European giant Switzerland,African powerhouse Ivory coast and west African rival Ghana For the 2014 COPA lagos bragging right.

The 2014 edition of the tournament also features four football clubs, namely Fc Barcelona of Spain, Stationary Stores fc Of Lagos, Enyimba Fc of Aba and Pepsi all-stars from the 12th to 14th of December.

BlackBox Nigeria can confirm that COPA lagos tickets ranging from two thousand regular to twenty thousand Naira for VIP will be available in all 1960 bets gaming centre from the 3rd of December 2014 and we promise to keep Soccer fans all over the country posted on new developments has the festival draws closer.

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Governor Theodore Orji, his wife, Mrs. Mercy Odochi Orji and his son, Engr. Chinedum Orji have all thrown in their hats into the ring to contest for various posts in Abia State. The governor will be running for Abia Central Senatorial District come 2015 which is made up of 7 local government areas. His son, Chinedum will also be contesting for Umuahia Central Constituency in the Abia State House of Assembly. He is also said to be doing everything possible to emerge as the Speaker of the Abia House of Assembly.

There are also strong indications that Abia State Governor's wife, Mrs Odochi Orji has concluded plans to pick the PDP nomination form to contest the Umuahia North/Umuahia South/ Ikwuano Federal House of Representatives seat in the 2015 elections. Her husband, Governor T. Orji also picked the Party's nomination form for Abia Central Senatorial Seat while her son, Chinedum Orji aka IKUKU also picked the form to contest the Umuahia Central State Constituency seat. Gov. T. Orji has also concluded plans to foist his annointed candidate Okezie Ikpeazu to take over from him as the governor of the state in 2015. Ikpeazu resigned his appointment as the Deputy Manager Abia State Environmental Protection Agency (ASEPA) on Oct. 10 and has since picked his nomination form for the guber race.‎

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Osun state chapter of Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, yesterday, queried what it called "bogus budget" for the inauguration of Osun state governor, Mr. Rauf Aregbesola for a second term.

Aregbesola and Omisore
Governor Aregbesola is due to be inaugurated for another term on Thursday, November 27, but the opposition party in a statement issued in Osogbo by Prince Diran Odeyemi, the party's spokesperson, said the budget of N700 million for the swearing-in ceremony "amid hunger by workers, who have not been paid salary in the last three months tells much about the kind of leaders holding the reigns in Osun at the moment."
The party reminded the governor on what he said in November, 2012, while addressing some bankers that "I can pay workers salary every 25th day of the month without monthly allocation from the federation account and I will not owe them a penny" but regretted that just two years after, the governor has found it hard paying workers, even when statutory allocations due to the state are still being given to him.
In another development, the Chairman, Osun State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Alhaji Ganiyu Olaoluwa has condemned the All Progressives Congress APC led government in the state for what it described as its lackadaisical attitude towards the plight of teachers in the state.‎

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As the 2015 general election approaches, tension now brews in Enugu North  Senatorial Zone, Enugu State between two biological brothers jostling for one political position, under the same party, to  represent Nsukka/ Igbo Eze South federal constituency in the House of Representative.
Saturday Vanguard gathered that the two are of one womb and natives of Echara in Nsukka local government area. One is Kenneth Okonkwo (a.k.a Andy), the famous Nollywood actor, while the other is Luke Okonkwo (a.k.a Aguma). The two were said to be  locking horns for the occupation of Nsukka /Igbo-Eze South federal constituency seat at the national House of Representative under People's Democratic Party (PDP).
According to investigation, Luke, who is Kenneth's younger brother, had first indicated interest to vie for the seat. He had sent out his campaign posters  earlier than Kenneth and other  contestants, who later advised Luke to step down for his elder brother, Kenneth,  for peace to reign in the the family.

Rumors are however rife at the University town of Nsukka over the feud between the two brothers. It may be of interest to know that their eldest brother, Peter Okonkwo (Ohamadike), had severally contested  the governorship election under different political  parties from 2007 without  success, and has now allegedly decided to take a shot at again in 2015 under the platform of APC.
In a telephone interview, the famous Nollywood actor, Kenneth Okwokwo, said there was no rift in their family over 2015 general elections, explaining that no other person in his family is running for election to the House of Representative apart from him.

Kenneth said he wants to change the face of the constituency for effective representation, pointing out that he will not speak for any other person from a different political party, but he remains the only one from his family that picked the PDP form for the House of Representatives for the 2015 general elections.

Mr. George Okonkwo, chairman, Nsukka Building Materials Union, who is also a brother to Kenneth and Luke, said that politics is all about interest in any given position. He confirmed it was Luke who first showed interest to contest for election into the House of representatives under PDP.

Later, Kenneth queued in for the same position under the same political party. According to George, Luke has to step down for his elder brother, Kenneth, not minding that he had distributed his posters for the 2015 race. "There is no problem in our family in connection with the way the two showed interests; we are bounded by one blood, one love and one interest.
Luke cannot battle for an elective position with his elder brother. The entire family supports the ambition of Kenneth to reposition honesty, accountability and transparency in Nsukka /Igbo Eze South Federal Constituency," he said.

A prominent politician in Nsukka, Mr. Festus Omeje, said the emergence of the two brothers from one political party sends danger signal which shows that all may not  be well in the PDP family.‎

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-Jide Ajani(Editor, Sunday Vanguard)
"Mr Governor, you are misbehaving".
Those were the words that forced Ayo Fayose to sink himself into a sofa.
That was in 2004.  He was then the governor of Ekiti State.  It was an informal meeting in the office of the then Managing Director of the News Agency of Nigeria, NAN.  There were just four of us – Akin Osuntokun, MD of NAN, Fayose; Segun Adeniyi, then Editor, ThisDay on Sunday; and I.  I was the Political Editor of Vanguard at the time.
It was meant to be an interactive session and we actually interacted.
"Mr. Governor, you are misbehaving", were my words in response to Fayose's patronizing comments about the position of Adeniyi on how he writes his column and the principles behind every article.

Fayose had tried to package Adeniyi, claiming that, as his friend, the editor would not take him on or be critical of him in his regular Thursday back page column.  To this, Adeniyi responded that his true friends know that friendship is just another currency in the realm of altruism; that he writes to uphold the truth and that when his friends misbehave, he writes about them in a very critical manner.
Looking a bit surprised by Adeniyi's retort, Fayose, the usually smart and fast talker, quickly said: "Okay, as your friend, I will not misbehave".
It was this claim by Fayose that he would not misbehave that made me jump at him in a split second: "Mr. Governor, you are misbehaving".
As if cold water had just been poured on him (in all honesty that was really a cold response), Fayose grabbed the arm-rest of the closest sofa to him and sank himself into it.
He then attempted to rationalize why he would always remain the essential Fayose, telling of his grass to grace story and the assault on his sensibilities by some leaders in the state who just could not come to terms with the fact that he was their governor.
A very touching story though, the reason for my response to him was that just a couple of months earlier, at another session, a few of his friends and some journalists had tried to appeal to him to tone down his seemingly over-charged disposition which was denying him of the necessary applause that should come his way in view of some strides he was making as governor – especially his appeal to the common man.  He was having some altercations with traditional rulers and he had been counseled to allow tempers cool. Barely hours after the session, Fayose jumped into another quarrel with yet another traditional ruler, further heightening tension in the state.  Prior to that meeting in Abuja that fateful afternoon, even Fayose himself knew that he had needlessly worked himself and his state into a frenzied situation.
But all these were in 2004.
Mind you, his sojourn ended in his impeachment as governor of Ekiti State. Whether the impeachment followed due process or not is for the courts to decide. But Fayose never challenged his impeachment in court, suggesting that he either agreed that he deserved to be impeached because of his serial acts of misbehavior; that he left everything in the hands of God Almighty; or that, perhaps, he was just fed up with the whole drama and wanted to walk away.
Whatever his reasons, he never challenged it.
Just 10years after, in a very rare fateful manner, Fayose has gotten a second chance as governor of the same Ekiti State.
Even before he was sworn-in, he had boasted severally that whatever he will do is what he will do.  Governor-elect speaking!
Yes, he has a right to do whatever he decides to do like all mortals – 'A man's got to do what a man's got to do'.
When the late great man of letters, Chinua Achebe, wrote his book, THERE WAS A COUNTRY, it was with a view to reflecting on years of waste, broken dreams and the ruins that is the nation Nigeria today.  From that title, we dare say, THERE WAS A GOVERNOR.
This piece would not concern itself with the enormous powers at his disposal as a state governor.
This piece would not also concern itself with all the accusations and counter accusations that are at best partisan and at worst trumped up.
What this piece would concern itself with, like all men of good conscience, is the madness – yes madness – that happened last week at the Ekiti State House of Assembly.
For a state that touts itself as 'FOUNTAIN OF KNOWLEDGE', happenings in the state lately suggest that knowledge has taken flight.  And in the absence of knowledge for which people suffer and perish, idiocy becomes the order of the day.
A Supreme Court judgment in 2006 had made it clear that the quorum for any legislative gathering refers to the quorum as reflected in the total number of elected members.
But because the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, leadership in the country had already set a template as was the case during the Nigeria Governors' Forum, NGF, election last year, that 16 was greater than 19, the PDP legislators in Ekiti State took misbehavior a notch higher, albeit, egregiously.
In an assembly of 26 members, seven of them, using the instrumentality of the Ekiti State Governor's Office as alleged by Speaker Adewale Omirin, were escorted to the assembly by IGP Ibrahim Abba's boys. The seven members voted and impeached the speaker and his deputy and elected their own Speaker.
One Samuel Ajibola, who defended the action of the members, explained that the seven members had more than enough to carry out what can best be described as a debauchery.
It is established that to impeach the Speaker, you need two third majority.  Ajibola said the entire seven members were in support of the impeachment of Omirin and, therefore, had more than the two third majority needed.
Meanwhile, a Supreme Court judgment given in the case between Rasheed Ladoja, then impeached governor of Oyo State, and the state House of Assembly and Alao Akala, had established that the quorum and two third majority stipulated by the Constitution referred to the quorum of the entire members of the assembly and the two third majority referred to the two third of the entire elected members and not just those at a sitting.  This is information which should constitute knowledge.
The Ekiti-7 ignored this and launched their expedition in misbehavior. If it had all started and ended there, with Fayose maintaining a dignified silence, excuses could still be made for him.

But on television, when asked to review the events regarding the impeachment, he endorsed it.
He welcomed the development and even said he has already recognized the 'new Speaker'.
He then added that he owed nobody any apologies.
This was 10 years after the charge, 'Mr. Governor, you are misbehaving'.
Most people don't get a second chance in life.  Fayose had gotten his.
More profound was the nature of his victory against all odds.
However, psychologists would need to burrow deep into the inner workings of the mind of a man whose actions almost always elicit public opprobrium and yet, he persists.

Fayose need not look further to understand that he runs the risk of running himself aground if he persists along this destructive path, if he pauses, and takes a look at the dwindling fortunes of Mario Ballotelli, a footballer.  It was Jose Maurinho, the Chelsea coach, who told a story of how delinquent conduct could ruin a footballer's potentials.  His team, Inter Milan, was playing a match and needed to win. He was already suffering the non-availability of some key players,  At half time, Maurinho called the very precocious and combustible Ballotelli to a corner and pleaded that he should avoid committing any foul having already received a Yellow Card – mind you, Milan was already a man down.  Once the second half commenced, just within five minutes, a rush of blood to the brain caused Ballotelli to commit a silly foul; he was carded and sent off.

According to Maurinho, "I could not believe it".
From that point, Ballotelli's career continued to dip.
Therefore, if Fayose's approach to governance, an approach that is at once rambunctious and sometimes shambolic, can be described as a form of defence mechanism against a real or perceived complex, his friends, associates and family members would need to calm him down and counsel that he should not sacrifice his natural grassroots connectivity potentials on the altar of rascality and a behavioral pattern that appears to be running on steroids.

A former Governor of Abia State, Chief Orji Kalu, has said he is no longer running for the Senate on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party.

The former governor has therefore asked the party to refund the N5.5m he paid for the nomination and expression of interest forms, which he paid thinking that he would contest the party's ticket for Abia North Senatorial District.

Kalu, in a letter to the PDP National Chairman, Alhaji Adamu Mu'azu, dated November 24, said he was withdrawing from the race because the Abia State Governor, Chief Theodore Orji, has allegedly concluded plans to hand-pick PDP aspirants in the state.

"Since I was not screened and neither did I go through any of the stipulated processes that lead to the emergence of candidates, I hereby also ask the party, as a measure of honour and good faith, to refund the nomination fees I paid. I will use the money to further empower my constituents in many other ways," he said in the letter.

He lamented that the governor allowed some high profile members of the party to resign from plum positions to contest for the PDP ticket, when he should have advised them to keep their positions since he already had aspirants he hand-picked to fly the PDP ticket.

He said, "Along the line, however, it became apparent that the Abia State Governor, Chief T.A Orji wants to hand-pick all candidates, both into executive and legislative position. He wants to choose his own successor, fill the 24 House of Assembly seats, the eight federal constituencies and the three senatorial seats.

"Governor Orji knew ahead of time that he had a candidate in mind but deliberately allowed eminent Abia citizens, like Dr. Alex Otti, the Group Managing Director of Diamond Bank, to resign from his lofty position, when he should have advised him to remain there.‎

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More offsprings of prominent Lagos politicians have continued to show interest in mainstream politics. As earlier reported by BlackBox Nigeria that while Musiliu Obanikoro is aspiring for Lagos Governor, his eldest son; Ibrahim is also seeking to represent the people of Eti-Osa at the Lagos State House of Assembly.

Ladi Ajomale

BlackBox Nigeria has further obtained that the son of opposition APC National Publicity Secretary, Alhaji Lai Mohammed; Jimi has also joined the Lagos Assembly race.

Also in the race is the son of former Minister of works, Chief Adeseye Ogunlewe.

Jimi Lai Mohammed, a lawyer by training and who is the Managing Director of Knightsbridge Dredging Limited is aspiring to represent Ikeja constituency 1 which is currently occupied by Lagos Speaker, Adeyemi Ikuforiji at the Assembly. He is expected to face the likes of gospel musician Kenny St. Best at the primaries.

‎It was also gathered that little known Moyosore Ogunlewe who studied Business Administration at the University of Lagos would be contesting for the LAHA sit to represent Kosofe Constituency 1.

Ibrahim Babajide Obanikoro

Ibra

Also, son of the APC chairman in Lagos state; Chief Henry Ajomale has also declared interest to represent Oshodi Isolo at the assembly. Ladi Ajomale who graduated from Lagos state University currently works with the state deputy governor, Mrs. Adejoke Orelope Adefulire.

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A fake female suicide bomber was taken into custody by the police in Kano yesterday, following a bomb scare.
An eyewitness told Vanguard that the incident occurred around 12.30p.m. when the police guard on duty at Kwali Police Division suspected a strange middle-aged woman in Burqa (veil) heading to the station.
The account had it that "the strange woman refused to stop for scrutiny, when ordered by the police guard at the security post."
The encounter at the security post drew the attention of armed personnel, who mobilized themselves and surrounded the strange woman for failing to comply with police order.
The account added that the strange woman said: "I am ready to die. But mark you, there are two others at large in the city."
A security source, who corroborated the eyewitness account, said: "We acted fast and got her sleeping with a substance fired at her.
"To our surprise, the woman had covered herself with used pomade containers and sundry harmless objects."
The security source told Vanguard that "preliminary investigation revealed that the strange women is mentally deranged, but would be confirmed by expert"
Contacted for confirmation, Kano State Police imagemaker, ASP Magaji Majia, sent an SMS saying, "I am sorry, I am out of the country."‎

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Reports have it that famous and wealthy talk show host, Oprah Winfrey, has just 12 more weeks left here on earth.
It was said that Oprah was given the shock of her life when a routine check up turned into her having less than four months to live following a stage 4 cancer diagnosis.

However she said, "I've made more money than I could spend in a life time, but I'm going to enjoy seeing what kind of dent I can put in $2 billion in 3 months".

In addition, sources claim that Oprah said she will spend half of her fortune making a few lucky fans dreams come true, donating the rest and while leaving something for her dog and Steadman.
And contrary to what people would expect, Oprah is not sad, claiming that she said, "why be sad when I can buy a small country, name it Oprah, and live forever."

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The Police in Lafia, Nasarawa State, has arrested one Mrs. Sandra Linus, for allegedly poisoning the nine-year-old daughter of her business partner due to disagreement from a business deal.

While parading the suspect, who resides near Angwan Police Station in Masaka area of the city, alongside other criminal suspects at the state Criminal Investigation Department, CID, in Lafia yesterday, Police Public Relation Officer, ASP Ugochukwu Theodore, said the suspect was arrested when information reached the officers and men of the Masaka Police station that one Miss. Nnanna Ogbonna, living near Chief palace in Masaka was reported kidnapped by an unknown persons.

The said Ogbonna Nnanna was later traced by Police to the house of one Miss Helen, a sister to the accused, Mrs. Sandra Linus, where the girl was found unconscious as she had been forced to drink sniper, an insecticide.
The victim, according to the police, was rushed to a nearby clinic for medical attention and was confirmed to have ingested a chemical substance, which resulted in her state of unconsciousness.
When interrogated, the suspect confessed that she administered the chemical substance on the girl because the father, who is her business partner, refused to remit to her N274,000, being money of a business deal they earlier agreed to share.
Police added that sister of the accused, Mrs. Ann Ndidi, in whose house the girl was found, was currently at large.

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A lecturer with Kogi State University, KSU, Anyigba, Associate Professor Justice Olurotimi Otitolaye, has been reported killed by cult members in the institution.

It was gathered that Professor Otitolaye, who had been championing war against examination malpractice in the institution, was abducted around Stadium Road, near the campus on Friday night, on his way to a supermarket.

His bullet-riddled body was found in the early of hours of Sunday at Ejule, which is about 8 kilometres away from the school.
The cultists were said to have fired sporadic shots into the air to scare away people living around the area before taking the lecturer to an unknown destination.

The murdered lecturer, simply called Otis, was a renowned agriculturist, who was a former pre-degree director and a lecturer in Faculty of Agriculture in the Department of Agric Economics and Extension at the university.
Otis, who was said to be a jovial, nice and well-respected person, also held a chieftaincy title from his home town, Kabba, headquarters of Kabba/Bunu Local Government Area of the state.
The body of the lecturer has been deposited at the university teaching hospital.

Some lecturers and students expressed shock over the incident, and decried the incessant killings in the institution.
They called on the management to take urgent steps to address the ugly trend.
When contacted, KSU Chairman of Academic Staff Union of Universities, ASUU, said the body had summoned an emergency meeting to look into the case of the murdered lecturer.

Meanwhile, a 400 level Mathematical Science student of the school, Jimoh Faruk, has also been killed by the cult group.
The student was killed, according to a source, around the dreaded Stadium Road on Saturday night.

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The wife of late Chief Obafemi Awolowo, Chief Mrs Hannah Idowu Dideolu Awolowo turns 99 today November 25th. The president yesterday released a statement wishing her happy celebrations..‎.

President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan heartily congratulates Chief (Mrs.) Hannah Dideolu Awolowo on the joyous occasion of her 99th birthday anniversary, tomorrow, Tuesday, November 25, 2014.
President Jonathan and his family join millions of admirers of the late nationalist, renowned political leader and sage, Chief Obafemi Awolowo in wishing his "Jewel of Inestimable Value" very happy birthday celebrations.
The President prays that God Almighty will grant Chief (Mrs.) Awolowo many more years of worthy service as the matriarch and moral compass of the great Awolowo political dynasty which continues to play a commendable role in national development and progress.
President Jonathan looks forward to personally participating in the celebration of Chief (Mrs.) Awolowo's landmark 100th birthday next year to honour the highly-revered spouse of one of Nigeria's famous founding fathers.
He prays that God Almighty who has blessed Chief (Mrs.) Awolowo with remarkable longevity will grant her continued good health and very memorable birthday celebrations.

Reuben Abati
Special Adviser to the President‎
(Media & Publicity)
November 24, 2014

On Wednesday the 12th of November 2014,  the Nigerian Federal Government introduced the new design on the N100 Naira note that will be officially issued on the 19th of December.
However, a group is calling an attention to the occultic symbol that looks like a Jewish Symbol on the new Nigerian Naira note.
In a press statement released by the Director of Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC), Prof Ishaq Akinlolu, the group expressed displeasure over the strange symbol on the note.
The statement reads;

"The Federal Government, on November 12, 2014 unveiled the new design for the N100 commemorative centenary banknote which will be officially issued on December 19.

However, the office of the Muslim Rights Concern has been inundated with calls for action on the Jewish symbol on the new note. Nigerian Muslims are complaining that the Arabic writing in Hausa language (the Ajami script) that read 'Naira Dari' (i.e. one hundred naira) on the N100 note has been removed and replaced with the Jewish symbol, the Star of David.
As a faith-based human rights organisation which believes in the dialogue option, MURIC is duty bound to articulate the demands of Nigerian Muslims, particularly on matters which have to do with imbalance in treatment of the adherents of the different religions governments (federal or state).
MURIC recalls that Arabic inscriptions which have always been on Nigerian currency since independence were unceremoniously removed in 2005 from N5, N10, N20 and N50 denominations. They remained on N100, N200, N500 and N1,000 denominations.

Nigerian Muslims regard the latest action, namely, the supplnting of Arabic with Jewish symbol from the new N100 as a continuation of the campaign of elimination by substitution against Arabic language and, by implication, against Nigerian Muslims.
It is well known that a large section of the Nigerian population use the Arabic Ajami and removing it from the new note will deprive millions of users of the Arabic Ajami of the ability to recognise, identify and use the new currency.
Furthermore, putting the Jewish symbol on the new N100 falls short of international standard, as currencies worldwide are designed to suit each nation's culture and history.
Where does the Jewish symbol fit in? Which Nigerian community speaks the Jewish language? The insertion of the Jewish symbol is, therefore, clannish and parochial. It is tainted with undisguised religious fanaticism.

There is nothing wrong for our president to like Israel as a nation, but it is another thing entirely to openly and brazenly promote Zionism at the highest office in this country when we are still struggling with the last vestiges of colonialism. Nigerian Muslims are becoming increasingly suspicious and very uncomfortable with the actions and inactions of President Jonathan.
Firstly, in spite of the preponderance of Muslims in the South West, he appointed no single Muslim as minister in the whole region for almost four years. Secondly, he marginalised Muslims in the deliberations which took place in the national conference by appointing a meagre 189 Muslims as against 303 Christians.

Thirdly, Mr President saturated the security system in Aso Rock with Israeli security operatives, a nation well known for its animosity towards Muslims. The supplanting of Arabic language with Jewish symbol is the fourth among Jonathan's anti-Muslim policies.
If once is happenstance, if twice is a coincidence and if the third time is enemy action, what do we call the fourth time? We are sick and tired of our president's hatred for us. He openly confronts Muslims and goads us to challenge him.

"But we will not be provoked. Neither shall we be intimidated by executive maladministration. As apostles of dialogue and advocates of peaceful coexistence, as tax-payers, voters and citizens of this country, we hereby ask President Jonathan to explain the Jewish symbol on Nigeria's money.

We also demand to know why the presidency could not employ security experts from neutral countries like Britain or France instead of Israel, which is a sworn enemy of Muslims. Mr President may also deem it fit to tell us if there is no correlation between the Israeli security experts in Aso Rock, the Israeli caught with Nigeria's N9.3 million arms money in South Africa and the Jewish symbol on the new N100 note.
Mr President sir, are you not gradually selling Nigeria to Israel? Are you sure this will not attract the wrath of Israel's enemies to our dear country? 

Can this also be partly responsible for the viciousness of the Boko Haram phenomenon?
Many Nigerians believe the symbol has nothing to do with Israel.
Nigerians on the social media are saying that the symbol look like Illuminati pyramid picture on the US dollar.‎