Another church building collapses in Edo state

Barely a week after a building belonging to Christ Chosen Church of God collapsed in Edo state killing three people, another church building has collapsed in the state.

A building belonging to Liberty Power Bible Church a.k.a Power Palace at Asoro Slope, off Ekenwan Road in Benin city, Edo state, collapsed yesterday September 28th. 

According to reports, the incident happened shortly after members of the church left the building after the close of service. No life was lost.

The owner of the land where the church was being constructed, Ajor Sylvanus, told reporters that the building collapsed because it was not properly built...

“The storm that followed the rain was much but I have been complaining about the building structure. The pastor built the church like a fence, no pillar. The block is just ordinary sand. I have been telling him that no pillar would cause the building to collapse. The building fell on my building and damaged many things. I thanked God that nobody died. When the pastor came, he was concerned about the musical instrument in his church and thanked God that his church members were not around when the building fell. I had to call the police. The building has already cracked and I have been warning the pastor that the building will collapse.” he said

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10 Nigerian pilgrims die in Mecca

10 Nigerians who went to Saudi Arabia to perform the Islamic Hajj rites have died. Chairman of the National Hajj, Mr Aliyu Tanko, confirmed their deaths but didn't reveal the causes of their deaths. A source with the group said that some of the people who died had lingering health problems before embarking on Hajj while the harsh weather conditions affected others...

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Photos: GEJ honors Nigerian flag designer, puts him on lifetime salary

The man who designed the Nigeria flag, Pa Taiwo Akinkunmi was decorated as an Officer of the Order of the Federal Republic, OFR, by President Jonathan today September 29th, 55 years after designing the flag.

He wasn't only given an award today, president Jonathan also said he will be placed on a lifetime salary that must be in line with what any Senior Special Advisers earns. 

No other government before this government found Pa Akinkunmi worthy of a national award or a lifetime salary. So happy for him.

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Find Out How You Can Work Better & Smarter With an iPad

Are you a doctor? A lawyer? An engineer? A teacher, an artist, a sales executive? A banker, an airline pilot, an entrepreneur?

Whatever you do for a living, your work does not define you. Instead, you hold the power to define the way you work. And the way the world works is changing fast, thanks to the magic, convenience, and versatility of mobile technology.




With an iPad in your hands, connected by WiFi or 3G to the Internet, you can instantly access the emails, files, documents, and data you need to do your job.

You can manage your workday, take notes, record interviews and meetings, and run presentations using the powerful and elegantly designed KeyNote app, part of the Apple Creativity Suite that comes free with every iPad.


You can also choose from thousands of specialist apps, available on the App Store, that can enhance and transform the way you work in your chosen professional field.

More than ever, the iPad is everybody’s business.


And now you can take a close look at how the iPad can work for you, by signing up for a free “iPad in Business” training session at iStore Ikeja Mall this month.

The one-hour session will introduce you to great ways of integrating the iPad into your small to medium-sized business, and will cover activation and setup, configuration, and device management as well.


So pop into iStore Ikeja Mall , or visit http://myistore.com.ng/ to book for the training session or to find out more.

The world of work isn’t what it used to be, and it isn’t what it’s going to be, either.

It’s going to be even smarter, even more switched-on, even more geared to making life easier and more productive for you…whatever you do for a living!

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Cameroon military is claiming they killed BH leader Shekau, shares pic

The Cameroon military yesterday announced they have killed Boko Haram leader, Abubakar Shekau, in a statement released on their website. The statement was written in French (a language I don't understand...so I got the report from Cameroon Concord. See it below...
In a rare public show by the Cameroon army, photos of the Boko Haram leader Abubakar Shekau were made public alongside a statement claiming he was killed during a cross border raid deep inside Nigeria by the Cameroon military. A Cameroon military source who spoke to Cameroon Concord late last night, revealed that Abubakar Shekau was killed following an aerial bombardment of his hideout inside Nigeria. The Cameroon army has ever since yesterday been in serious combat against thousands of Boko Haram fighters trying to enter Cameroon via Fotokol from Gambaral Ngala in Nigeria.
Is that the same man though?

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Pres. Jonathan to decide whether he will rerun with VP Sambo- PDP

The National Publicity Secretary of the PDP, Olisa Metuh, says President Jonathan will be the one to determine if he would still like to run with his Vice, Namadi Sambo in the 2015 general elections.

Metuh said this at a press conference yesterday September 21st in Abuja. He also said that President Jonathan is yet to respond to the decision the party members took on Thursday September 18th where he was adopted as the sole Presidential candidate of the PDP
"The President is yet to communicate to the party or to the entire country because he is not only the President of the PDP, he is the President of Nigeria and I cannot inform you of decisions that have been taken in terms of what will happen because subjective opinions is not part of my job. I believed a lot of people are trying to speculate on Jonathan/Sambo ticket but why don’t we wait until when the President declares?
But I must inform that part of the reasons the PDP has not mentioned that, is because it is a winning team. What the President has done he has done it very well and he's the winning team. I believe that there is no need to magnify or attempt to import any difference between the President and the Vice President. They have worked so well. The Vice President has continued to be the second most loyal Vice President in the history of this country so I believe that he enjoys the confidence of the President. In the 2015 elections if the President accepts to run we will be able to take it to the next level.” Metuh said

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Photos: 10 members of Boko Haram surrender to Nigerian troops

10 Boko Haram members surrendered to Nigerian troops yesterday September 21st at Kawuri in Borno state, a day after five members surrendered. Many weapons were recovered from the terrorists 

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Katsina governor reportedly orders student detained for criticizing him on Facebook

A student of the National Open University of Nigeria, Abdulmalik Sa’idu, has been languishing in a police cell for over 20 days on the orders of the Governor of Katsina State, Ibrahim Shema, for posting details of an alleged fertilizer scam in the state on his Facebook wall, Premium Times reports
This was disclosed to Premium Times by Mr. Sa’idu’s family and lawyer. Abdulmalik was first invited to the Katsina Government House on August 28 by a phone caller who claimed he had a message for him. But when Abdulmalik arrived at the governor’s office, he was promptly arrested, handcuffed and taken to Batagarawa Police Station just outside the state capital, Katsina, and detained on the orders of Mr. Shema’s aide-de-camp, Shehu Koko, a Deputy Superintendent of Police, DSP.
According to his father, Maiyawo Sa’idu, while the young student was not charged with any offence, he was accused of cloning the governor’s phone number and using same to call the state Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affair, Sani Makana, with instructions that Mr. Makana deposit N3 million in his account. Mr. Sa’idu said his son was innocent. He said if indeed Abdulmalik cloned the governor’s number to dupe a commissioner he wouldn’t be tricked to come to the Government House to be arrested. “I think they are trying to frame him. I know my son cannot clone the governor’s number and call a commissioner to put three million into his account,” Mr. Saidu told PREMIUM TIMES.

He said Abdulmalik was arrested because he posted details of an alleged fertiliser scam by the governor on his Facebook page. Mr. Saidu said prior to his son’s illegal detention, some officials of the state government had warned his son to desist from criticising the governor on Facebook. On one occasion, the General Manager of Katsina State Road Maintenance Agency, Jamilu Umar, threatened to pay N2 million to thugs or policemen to kill Abdulmalik if he doesn’t stop criticising the governor publicly, Mr. Saidu said. Governor Shema’s Chief Press Secretary, Sani Malumfashi, rejected repeated calls made to his mobile phone after this reporter told him he was calling about Abdumalik’s case.

Mr. Sa’idu said he is worried about the wellbeing of his son after relatives were abruptly stopped from seeing him a week into his being detained. “For the first week they used to bring him out to me. He would eat in front of me and they would take him back to the cell but for more than 12 days now, we have not seen him. They told me that they have a directive from above not to bring him to me,” he said. “The DPO (Divisional Police Officer) told me they have a directive from the Government House not to bring him out for his family or anybody in Katsina to see him.”

Akin Ajayi, a Kaduna based lawyer, who is helping the family on the case, said the DPO of Batagarawa Police Station told him he had order from above not to release Abdulmalik on bail. “I spoke to the DPO of the Batagarawa Police Station and he said he cannot do anything because it was an order from above,” he said.

Mr. Ajayi said as a lawyer, the governor should realise that he was breaking the law by holding the boy beyond 48 hours on a “frivolous claim.” “The governor is a lawyer, his deputy is a lawyer and the attorney general is a lawyer and they all know that it is wrongful of them to arrest someone and keep him in detention for more than 48 hours on a frivolous claim that the boy cloned the governor’s number and wanted to collect N3 million and some other concocted allegations which are not proven. And they now kept the boy incommunicado. His family cannot reach him, and these days because of the security situation in the north, he could be killed,” he added. Mr. Ajayi warned that if Abdulmalik was not released he was going to send a petition to the National Human Rights Commission and the Inspector General of Police. The DPO of Batagarawa declined to talk to Premium Times after he was asked on whose orders Abdulmalik was being held beyond the 48 hours stipulated by law.

 The Police PRO, Abubakar Sadiq, also refused to return several calls after promising to find out the details of the case.

Culled from Premium Times

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Boko Haram: Shekau impersonator killed by Nigerian troops?

The Nigerian military may have recorded a major victory in the war against Boko Haram as the man suspected to be mimicking late Abubakar Shekau in recent videos from the sect, may have been killed during the September 17th battle in Konduga, Borno state.

A senior military source said "it is getting more certain that the terrorists' commander who has been mimicking Shekau in those videos is the one killed in Konduga on September 17."

Sources at the image making company of the Nigerian government, PRNigeria, say the death of the man believed to be the leader of the group is responsible for the scattering of the sect members in different independent locations in neighboring countries.


Security sources did not deny the suspicion but cautioned that "the process of confirming that the dead body we have is the same as that character who has been posing as Shekau is ongoing. He is definitely a prominent terrorist commander. I don't want to say anything about this yet please."

Another high ranking military source said that the resemblance between the man killed and the one seen in recent videos posted by the sect group is quite striking, citing his facial marks, beards and teeth as some of the striking resemblance features.

Military officers say the Defence Headquarters will address the nation after a full investigation of their latest discovery has been done.

Meanwhile the Defense headquarters say five members of the sect group surrendered their arms to the Nigerian troops yesterday, pleading for mercy. They said some captured members of the sect group are helping with useful information regarding future planned attacks by the sect.

Source: PR Nigeria

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8 Ebola awareness workers killed by villagers in Guinea

8 Ebola awareness workers including 3 journalists & 5 health workers were killed by angry villagers on Tuesday Sept. 16th in Wome village, same village where the Ebola virus broke out early this year.

The workers were killed while out creating awareness and distributing flyers about Ebola. According to reports, the villagers, who believe the Ebola outbreak is a fabricated story, began throwing rocks at the delegation who arrived to do disinfection work and educate people about how to prevent Ebola.

According to a journalist who escaped and later spoke to a radio station in Guinea, she said residents who have always rebuffed government's effort in containing the spread of the virus, gathered around them, first started by insulting them then the physical assault started. Overall, 8 people were killed.

Damantang Albert Camara, a government official who spoke on the incident said the bodies of the workers were dumped in the septic tank of a primary school in the village. Their bodies were found yesterday September 18th.  
"On Thursday, the eight bodies were found in the septic tank of the primary school in the village. Three of them had their throats slit. They had been killed in cold blood by the villagers" he said

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Man hangs himself live on Skype while online spectators watched

26 year old Russian man Serger Kirilov (pictured above) wanted to commit suicide and so he went on Skype and announced that he planned to commit suicide and said anyone who wanted to see it could link to him on Skype.

Shockingly, many people linked up to him and watched him hang himself without trying to stop him. One spectator even allegedly said 'a real man would have killed himself more quickly.' Another said 'If a man says he's going to do something, he needs to do it.' Only one person tried to stop him.

Russian police are now trying to trace all the people who watched the suicide through their internet service providers. A Russian police spokesman said 'It is beyond belief that people could watch this as a form of entertainment. We will be investigating everyone who watched this incident, especially those who urged him to carry it out who may be guilty of negligent homicide.'

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15 soldiers get 4yrs imprisonment for refusing to fight Boko Haram

15 Nigerian soldiers who refused orders from their superior to go to the war front and fight members of the insurgency group, Boko Haram in Adamawa state recently, were yesterday September 17th sentenced to 4 years imprisonment by a military court that sat at the 23rd Armoured Brigade in Yola in Adamawa state.

The sentenced soldiers who had been in detention for over three weeks were convicted on charges ranging from insubordination, dereliction of duty and refusal to undertake order assigned to them in the war against the sect members.

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Synagogue Church release statement on building collapse, says it was an attack

The Synagogue Church of all Nations has released an official statement via their Facebook page on the building collapse within their premises on Friday September 12th which has so far claimed over 77 lives. They say it was an attack on the church and in particular, their leader, T.B Joshua and have vowed to reveal the persons behind it. (they shared this pic purportedly showing an aircraft close to the building minutes before the building collapse) Find the statement below..
 Emmanuel – God is with us. 
The pain of one is the pain of all. It is indeed a sad and painful moment for the families and friends who have lost loved ones. It is equally so for us in The Synagogue, Church Of All Nations (The SCOAN), under the leadership of Prophet T.B. Joshua.

On Friday, September 12, 2014, at about 12:44pm, one of the buildings on The SCOAN property unexpectedly collapsed, tragically resulting in death and injury. Nigerians and citizens of other nations were affected. This incident was preceded by the appearance of a strange aircraft which flew very low over the building four times and then disappeared.
Since the day of this incident, The Synagogue, Church Of All Nations, its members and partners, have worked in collaboration with the Nigerian, South African and other nations’ authorities to ensure that survivors are rescued, attended to with the best medical treatment, cared for in the most humane and hospitable manner and reunited with their families, while those who passed on - martyrs of the Kingdom of God - are retrieved, identified and treated respectfully.
Amongst those we are working hand-in-hand with, are: The Federal Government of Nigeria, the Government of the Republic of South Africa, Lagos State Government, the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA),  the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA), the Lagos State Ministry of Health - doctors and nurses, the Standard Organization of Nigeria (SON), the Red Cross, the Nigeria Police Force and various Non-governmental and humanitarian organisations and construction and engineering corporations.
"It is very sad that inaccurate reports are coming from some quarters that we are not cooperating with the rescue teams and other agencies in collating information and providing assistance on the incident. Contrary to this, we want to categorically state that the church has provided assistance when and where required and continues to do so - good Christians are good citizens.  
We emphasise our commitment to cooperate with all relevant authorities in establishing the cause of the collapse of the building.  
The church views this tragedy as part of an attack on The Synagogue, Church Of All Nations and in particular, Prophet T.B. Joshua. In due course, God will reveal the perpetrators of this unfortunate tragedy.  
 "We wish to express our gratitude to all who continue to work tirelessly, show their solidarity and share their condolences in this grievous time, particularly all Government and non-Governmental bodies mentioned above, Diplomatic Missions, National and International media houses, society groups, traditional rulers, all concerned citizens and the residents of our local community, Ikotun-Egbe. We equally appreciate all members and partners of The SCOAN and Emmanuel TV, along with Christians and clergy worldwide for their prayers and support.
To all those who lost family members and loved ones, please accept our heart-felt commiserations. No one knows by the present sign or situation what the future holds. We must therefore live each day as if it were our last and leave tomorrow’s trouble for the One who bore our troubles on the cross. We thank God for the martyrs and we pray for the family members and loved ones left behind." 
For further information, please contact: +234-(0)-807-528-2495

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PDP adopt Pres. Jonathan as sole candidate for 2015 elections

Every politician looking to contest in next year's presidential election should join other parties as President Jonathan has just been chosen as PDP's sole candidate for the 2015 elections. Members of the National Executive Committee, NEC, of the party adopted him this afternoon during a meeting (which is still going on) at the party’s national headquarters in Abuja.

The President, VP Sambo, Senate President, and many PDP governors are at the meeting

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South African football coach arrested in Nigeria for drug trafficking

38 year old South African football coach, Steven Darlugar (pictured), was arrested by operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos for drug trafficking.

The married father of one was arrested during screening before boarding an Arik Air flight to South Africa. He is said to have neatly packaged the drugs which tested positive for methamphetamine in a compartment before it was discovered by officials.


When interrogated, Steven said he was promised $6,000 if he successfully trafficked the drug and that he ventured into the crime to support his family as the money he was making as a coach wasn't enough
“I am married with a child and have lived in South Africa for about a decade. I coach a team in South Africa. I have worked very hard to attain financial freedom, but have nothing in return. This is my first time of smuggling drugs. I was under financial pressure to cope with peers. A friend introduced me to drug trafficking as a way of making quick money. They promised to pay me $6,000 to take the bag containing the drugs to South Africa.”
NDLEA commander at the MMIA, Mr. Hamza Umar, said
“Steven was apprehended on his way to South Africa. He was found in possession of 1.54kg of substances that tested positive for methamphetamine. The drug was concealed in a false compartment of the suspect’s luggage.”
Source: Punch

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Photo: Newborn baby found in toilet pipe after young girl gives birth and runs

A young student in a university in China, who hid her pregnancy throughout, gave birth to a baby girl inside a toilet pipe, hoping the baby would flush down the pipe. Fortunately the pipe wasn't wide enough to take the baby down and so her body became wedged a short way down the pipe. The baby immediately started crying and the new mum fled. Fortunately, the baby's cries was loud enough to attract the attention of other students who immediately raised an alarm.

Firemen were called to the student dormitory in the city of Linyi in China's Shandong Province, and they immediately went to work to free the new born

But firemen couldn't free the child from above (pictured during the rescue mission). Fire Brigade spokesman Tao Fang told a local newspaper
"It was impossible to get the baby out from above. She had fallen into the toilet and gone down the pipes were she had got stuck between the third and fourth floors. We used an angle grinder to break open the pipeline on the third floor and we could then push the child up to colleagues on the fourth floor where she was handed to medics who were waiting to take her to hospital."
The police tracked down the child's mother who was a student living in the hotel and they took her to the hospita; and who was also taken to hospital. Police say they are waiting to question her before deciding what she might be charged with.

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High ranking Boko Haram member captured, 60 members killed by military

A high ranking member of terror group, Boko Haram, was yesterday September 17th captured by the military after a failed attempted attack on Konduga in Borno state. The sect members actually made a second attempt into Konduga after the military celebrated its victory against them yesterday afternoon. The captured terror leader is currently at a military facility where he is receiving treatment.

In a related development, one soldier was killed after an ambush was laid by the sect members in Benishek, Borno state. Four motorcycles were captured from the terror group after the attack. See the tweets after the cut...

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Soldiers kill 150 Boko Haram members during attack on Konduga

At least 150 Boko Haram members were killed yesterday September 12th after the Nigerian Military repeled after an attempted attack by the sect members on Konduga, a village said to be about 35 kilometres from Maiduguri in Borno State, in the early hours of yesterday.

According to a statement issued in Abuja yesterday by Col. T. Antigha of the Army Public Relations, the battle with sect members lasted three hour and four soldiers were injured during the attack. 
"At about 5.30 am today (Friday), Boko Haram terrorists launched a massive attack on Konduga town, about 35 kilometres from Maiduguri. After about three hours of fierce fighting, Nigerian troops routed the Boko Haram fighting force of over a hundred terrorists. Further to the staggering loss of men, Boko Haram also suffered extensive losses in equipment. Four Nigerian soldiers were wounded in action. The entire area is still being combed for terrorists who may have escaped with bullet wounds. Morale of troops remains very high.” the statement reads. Continue...
The Nigerian Army also said that photographs taken from the scene of the attack will be circulated once they finish processing them.

According to a military source at the 7 Division of the Nigerian Army in Maiduguri, three Hilux vans and one other Buffalo vehicle with mounted anti-aircraft guns, three general purpose machine guns and over 30 AK 47 rifles were recovered from the terrorists.

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Breaking news. Oscar Pistorius found guilty of manslaughter

Yesterday Oscar Pistorius was found not guilty of premeditated murder and second degree murder because according to the judge, his conduct after the shooting was 'inconsistent' with someone who intended to commit murder. But he has been found guilty of manslaughter this morning. The judge said he acted negligently when he fired shots into the toilet door. The question now is, will he be jailed for manslaughter?

*He was also found not guilty of the first firearm charge - (firing a gun through the roof of his car)
*He was found not guilty of the third firearm charge (unlawfully possessing 38 rounds of ammunition at his home without having a license).
*He was found guilty of the second firearm charge. He discharged a weapon in a public place, a restaurant called Tashas and asked his friend to take the blame. The judge says Oscar was sufficiently trained in the use of firearms, so should not have asked for a firearm in a public place

The judge said no one submitted that there was an intention to pull the trigger, but that does not absolve him of the crime of negligently handling a firearm. Will Oscar walk?

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Armed robbers write letter to streets in Palmgroove; say they are coming to raid (see letter)

Residents in some streets in the Palmgroove area of Lagos are currently living in fear after receiving a letter from armed robbers who said they are coming soon to raid them. (copy of the purported letter above). The letter which was sent to five different streets on Saturday September 6th, reads in part;
"Beware of the coming! Be on the look out in this area. Property owners are coming anytime from now. The gate men you have are not our problem. Our problem is how many resources do you have for us? August visitor must visit whether you like it or not. So expect August visitor when you did not expect. Surely August visitor shall visit just like the second coming of Jesus. It is turn by turn."
In the last line of the letter which is not clear, the armed robbers listed names of the street they plan to attack. They are Oseni street, Nkanna street, Odogbolu street, Ibiwoye Oba and Bode Thomas street.

Some residents in the area immediately contacted police and they sent some of their men to guard the streets for a few hours yesterday. The residents say they are so scared.

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WHO has commended Lagos State Governor Fashola for the sterling leadership he showed in the containment of the Ebola Virus Disease.

Global acknowledgement of the sterling leadership shown by the Lagos State Government and Governor Babatunde Fashola, SAN in the containment of the Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) in the country came from no less a body than the World Health Organisation (WHO) on Thursday.

Global acknowledgement  of the sterling leadership shown by the Lagos State Government and Governor  Babatunde Fashola, SAN in the containment of the Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) in the country came from no less a body than the World Health Organisation (WHO) on Thursday.

Speaking during a courtesy call on the Governor at the State House, Ikeja, the WHO Country Director, Dr Rui Vana Gaz said he and his team had come to transmit the compliment and high recognition of the top hierarchy of the WHO to the State Government for the excellent leadership the Governor provided in containing the Ebola Virus Disease.

He stated that the world body was happy with the way the State established the Isolation Ward with the necessary support and that the WHO also offered its support by deploying its staffs to support the Isolation Centre and supplying Personal Protective Equipment (PPEs) and resource mobilization.

While re-echoing the view of Governor Fashola at some of the meetings held on the EVD about some missed opportunities which aided the importation of the disease, Dr Gaz said Nigeria must avoid any form of complacency to ensure that there is no other case.

He also called for support from the media and other stakeholders on sustained sensitization of the citizenry about the Ebola Virus Disease adding that recent research showed that a sizeable number of people who came into a treatment centre never knew anything about what Ebola Virus Disease is.

He also urged the State to ensure that the schools in the state are fully prepared with the parents being sensitized on what they should do concerning the personal hygiene of the children before the schools are re-opened.

While responding, Governor Fashola said the state would not be complacent about the gains made in containing the spread of the Ebola Virus Disease.

According to the Governor, there is no room for complacency in the state because as long as some parts of the West African sub-region still have cases of Ebola and with the ECOWAS protocol guaranteeing free movement, the Nigerian nation and Lagos state still stands at a risk.

He added that what this calls for is the putting in place of an enlarged capacity to contain such outbreaks in the future while also using the opportunity to make improved sanitation a way of life for the average resident of the State.

“Until all our brothers in the West African sub-region gain effective control against the spread of Ebola Virus Disease, we are still very much at risk and we intend to internalize the lessons learnt from the Ebola Virus issue for tomorrow”, he stated .

The Governor while responding to a remark by the WHO Country Representative that Lagos must ensure that the schools are fully prepared before being re-opened informed that coincidentally he and members of the State Executive Council present came to receive the WHO team from a special session of the Council meeting convened to determine the issue of resumption date for schools in the light of current realities.

He stressed that the meeting would assess the risk level involved concerning the pupils and preparations in terms of educating the school teachers themselves about safeguarding the children.

Governor Fashola explained that the question of whether a particular selected date of resumption should become sacrosanct should not arise but should rather be determined by scientific realities.

He said Lagos State on its part would take cognizance of all the factors that are involved before taking a decision on the resumption of schools in the state, affirming that if the risks involved are considered very high, the State may not reopen the schools.

He added that the State Government would continue to reach out to the World Health Organization in terms of provision of further training beyond Ebola Virus Disease to the health personnel in the State.

He said for example, the Primary Health Care Centre officials need to be exposed to modern techniques and trainings as they provide the first line of defence against any form of infection and disease.

The Governor received the WHO team along with some members of the State Executive Council including the Deputy Governor, Hon (Mrs) Adejoke Orelope- Adefulire, Secretary to the State Government, Dr (Mrs) Ranti Adebule, Commissioner for Health, Dr Jide Idris, Special Adviser on Public Health, Dr (Mrs) Yewande Adeshina, Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Mr Lateef Raji and Permanent Secretaries, Ministry of Health, Dr Modele Oshunkiyesi and the Primary Health Care Board, Dr Kayode Oguntimehin while the WHO Country Director was also accompanied by top officials of the organisation.

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BREAKING NEWS:- Obasanjo’s Son Adeboye Shot By Boko Haram In Baza -

Boko Haram has recently attacked a platoon headed by  son of ex president Olusegun Obasanjo shooting him and killing 24 soldiers in his command
Adeboye Obasanjo is said to be an army engineer, was a Lieutenant Colonel at the 3rd Division in Jos, Plateau State was shot in the legs as of the time of this report is said to be on his way to the hospital.

The platoon was fighting Boko Haram militants in Baza and lost 24 soldiers in the fight.

As of right now, Obasanjo is said to be in Singapore, having a business trip.

Adeboye had gotten married in 9 February 2008 in Abeokuta,Ogun State to former miss Daisy Nyada at a town wedding , the wedding was then rumoured to have cost the Obasanjo’s about a billion naira to host.

General Obasanjo had important guests like then Governor Gbenga Daniel,Oba Adekunle Aromolaran,Senator David Mark and Olagunsoye Oyinlola attended.

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EBOLA: NUT, TUC reject Sept. 22 resumption date, ask FG to ignore pressure from school proprietors

Nigeria Union of Teachers, NUT; Trade Union Congress of Nigeria, TUC,  have kicked against the September 22, resumption date for primary and secondary schools amidst the nation’s battle to contain the scourge of the deadly Ebola Virus Disease, EVD. Also the House of Representatives has asked its Committee on Education to meet with the Federal Ministry of Education on the u-turn made by the latter on the resumption date for schools in the country. The Ministry had earlier fixed resumption for October 13, but later brought it back to September 22 after alleged pressure from some powerful school proprietors, according to report from Vanguard TUC, yesterday, specifically called on the federal government, to ignore pressure allegedly from private school owners, declaring that it could not agree less with the health professionals and other concerned Nigerians who had advised that resumption date of schools be extended until further notice after losing some experienced health workers and other innocent citizens TUC in a statement by its President and Secretary General, Bobboi Bala Kaigama and Musa Lawal respectively, said “Prior to the EVD outbreak there was the insecurity challenge which has so far remained unabated, even though it has claimed thousands of lives and displaced indigenes of the whole of North-east. In fact, as it stands now even if the crisis ends today billion of naira would be required to reconstruct and rehabilitate people who have lost their property and loved ones to the dreaded sect.”

Similarly, NUT speaking through its President, Mr. Michael Alogba, faulted Federal Government’s decision  to allow school to resume on September 22, saying, “Students should not resume until there is no single case of Ebola in the country.” Alogba said He added that “The Federal Government has done really well in combating the scourge but I would have expected them to stick to the October 13 resumption date because we are still at a point where we are worried about the outbreak in Rivers State and the spread to other states.” He noted that government should have remained more combative in dealing with this issue instead of succumbing to the pressure of powerful school proprietors, arguing that “for our children to go back to school while EVD cases are still being recorded in different states, government should post health officers to different states to keep the states under surveillance. How many schools have complied with the measures which are supposed to be in place before resumption? How many have the adequate number of equipment or trained personnel?” he queried.

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Presidency orders removal of ‘offensive’ #BringBackJonathan2015 signs

President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan has directed that the #BringBackJonathan2015 signs and banners around Abuja which he and many Nigerians find offensive and repugnant  be brought down immediately. A statement by the President’s Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Dr Reuben Abati, Wednesday, said: “President Jonathan wholly shares the widely expressed view that the signs which were put up without his knowledge or approval are a highly insensitive parody of the #BringBackOurGirls hash tag.
While President Jonathan appreciates the enthusiastic show of support for his administration  by a broad range of stakeholders, he condemns the #Bring Back Jonathan 2015 signs which appear to make light of the very serious national and global concern for the abducted Chibok girls. “The President assures all Nigerians and the international community that his administration remains fully engaged with efforts to rescue the abducted girls and that he will not knowingly promote any actions that will fly in the face of the seriousness of their plight and the anguish of their families.”

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Senate President restates commitment to creation of additional states

Abuja – The Senate President, Sen. David Mark, on Wednesday restated his commitment to ensure that the quest for creation of additional states in the country was brought to a logical conclusion.
This is contained in a statement signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr Paul Mumeh, in Abuja.
The senate president made the remarks while receiving four members of the House of Representatives and nine local government chairmen from Benue.
It stated that the president’s desire for creation of additional states was due to call by some Nigerians to correct some imbalances that existed in state creation, to give Nigerians a sense of belonging.
“Even if it takes my last breadth, I want to pursue the creation of state. I will put in my last breadth to ensure the creation of Apa State for my people,” it stated.
Responding to calls on him to contest the 2015 senatorial seat, Mark said he would make his intention known as soon as the guidelines for the elections were released.
“I am a loyal, faithful and dedicated party man. I will only make my intention known when the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) releases the guidelines and programme for the elections,” the statement noted.
Mark urged the people to remain steadfast and loyal to the PDP because there were good reasons to remain in the party.
He, however, cautioned aspirants to political offices to base their campaigns on issues that would positively impact on the citizenry, instead of engaging in mudslinging or character assassination.
The leader of the delegation, Sunday Ojo, said the visit was necessitated by pressure from citizens from Benue South Senatorial District to compel Mark to contest 2015 senatorial seat .
Ojo, who is the Chairman of Ogbadibo Local Government Area of Benue, stressed that the Idoma community had no better candidate than Sen. Mark.
He noted the achievements the senate president’s representation had brought to the people of the zone.
Ojo noted that Mark’s achievements on roads, healthcare, scholarship and rehabilitation of schools, including National Open University Complex and JAMB Centre were welcome.
Also the Chairman, Ado Local Government Area, Alex Ogaba, commended the senate president for the stability he brought to Nigerian politics.
Ogaba, who is the Chairman of Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON), Benue South, said all the tiers of government were working harmoniously for the good of the citizenry.
He assured that the people of the zone would do everything possible to re-elect the senate president.
Speaking on behalf of the members from the House of Representatives from Benue South, Hassan Saleh said the Idoma people were ready to return Sen. Mark unopposed in 2015.

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Bill Gates offers Nigeria, other countries N8billion to fight Ebola

The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation has announced it will be donating $50million (N8billion) to support the efforts of Nigeria and other West African countries hit by the Ebola Virus outbreak in containing the spread of the deadly virus.

Announcing this in a statement issued today September 10th, the foundation said the money will be immediately released to the United Nations agencies and international organizations that are involved in the Ebola fight to enable them and national governments purchase needed supplies and scale up emergency operations. Continue...



Th foundation also announced the immediate release of an additional $2million to the various Centres for Disease Control and Prevention to support incident management, treatment, and health care system strengthening during this epidemic.

The foundation also pledged to work with private and public organizations to facilitate the speedy development of therapies, vaccines, and diagnostics that could be effective in treating patients and preventing further transmission of the disease.

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The Lagos State Govt says schools in the state may not resume on September 22 as directed by the Federal Government.

The Lagos State Government on Tuesday said it was yet to take a position on the recent directive by the Federal Government that schools across the country should resume on September 22.

The Lagos State Government on Tuesday said it was yet to take a position on the recent directive by the Federal Government that schools across the country should resume on September 22.
Dr. Jide Idris, the state Commissioner for Health, made the statement in Ikeja while addressing newsmen on the  Ebola Virus Disease in the state.
Idris said the issue was before the  State Executive Council and that government would soon make a pronouncement on whether schools in the state would resume on the date or not.
The Federal Government recently reversed resumption date of schools nationwide to September 22 from the earlier date of October 13 as part of measures to contain the Ebola virus.
Mallam Ibrahim Shekarau, the Minister of Education, while announcing the reversal in Abuja, said the government shifted the date backwards as the virus had been significantly contained.
The decision has since attracted criticisms from the Nigeria Medical Association and other stakeholders who argued that surveillance of the disease was still ongoing and schools were not safe yet.
Idris said that although the directive was from the Federal Government, the decision on whether schools in state would comply would be made by state government.
He said: “On the resumption date of schools, we in Lagos have not taken a position yet.
“The state government would soon come out whether schools would resume on the date fixed by the Federal Government or not.”
The commissioner said that although government was not yet definite on the resumption of schools, it was already putting in place measures to check the threats of the virus in schools.
Idris said government had met schools proprietors, school heads and teachers on what they should do to eliminate the Ebola threat in their respective schools.
He added that the government was also providing pipe-borne water to schools and constructing toilet facilities to enhance sanitation of schools.
The commissioner advised parents not to allow their sick children to go school as  keeping away sick children and taking them to the hospital would help contain the disease.
He said: “Like we have always said, somebody with the Ebola virus will be too weak to play around.
“We advise parents not to take their sick children to schools as keeping away sick children will help contain the virus.”
The commissioner urged residents to partner with the state government in completely eliminating the Ebola threat in the state.
Idris urged residents to report suspected cases of Ebola virus to the appropriate authorities  for government`s intervention.
Idris also advised residents against the consumption of monkeys, bats and other animals that had been proven to be sources of the virus.
The commissioner said the threat of the virus would be reduced if people complied with government`s safety instructions in burying their dead persons.
Idris said so far the virus had claimed five lives in the state and that the state government was doing its best to make the state Ebola free.

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Please send your children, wards to school – Presidency appeals to Fulani Herdsmen

The Presidency has appealed to Fulani herdsmen in the country to send their children to school to enable their wards compete with other Nigerians in the future.

The Political Adviser to President Goodluck Jonathan, Prof. Rufai Alkali said this in Abuja on Tuesday while receiving in audience the National Executives and Elders of the Myetti Allah Socio-cultural Organisation of Nigeria who paid him a visit, according to report from The Punch

Alkali stressed the need for the herdsmen to take the issue of education of their children and wards very serious, saying that the present administration had invested heavily more than any administration on education.

He said because of this, the herdsmen should make good use of the what he described as a rear opportunity to their advantage .

He said, “Very important is the issue of education. You should get your children and yourselves educated. Education is the foundation of civilisation and remains the best tool for liberation.

“It can make a lot of difference in your relationships and how you rear your cattle. If you have Doctors, engineers and educated people, you can improve tremendously. What this means is that Transformation should start in our own homes.”

also asked them to live in peace with their host communities. Alkali said this was necessary as the nation prepares for the 2015 general election.

He added that they should run away from all forms of conflict that could mar the peaceful conduct of the general elections

According to him, “I call on you, the Myetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association and your associates to exercise even greater patience in handling conflicts with your host communities.

“Government is concerned that if there is anything, the best thing is not to retaliate but to follow government channels of laying down complaints and seeking for redress.

“Since we don’t have enough sedentary cattle management process, but mainly normadic, we also plead with farmers to work closely with you just the way we want you to equally exercise patience with them all our people who are either Housa Fulani or Tiv, you are all friends, please leave in peace.

“Since you say you have a large heart, continue having that large heart.”

On their desire support for President Jonathan to contest next year’s election, Alkali said, “If you say you want to support Mr. President, please, obtain your voter cards and hold it jealously, even more than you hold your cows and during elections, you come out and vote for Mr. President and the PDP.

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Ebola: Doctors reject September 22 schools resumption date

The Nigerian Medical Association, NMA, has rejected the Monday September 22nd resumption directive given by FG to all Primary and Secondary schools due to the Ebola outbreak in Nigeria.
The NMA speaking through its National Publicity Secretary, Dr Olawunmi Layaki, said they expect all schools to remain closed until December or early next year when all Ebola suspects under surveillance have been cleared and certified free of the virus. 
"We are not happy with this decision on the resumption of schools. Schools should be shut till the last suspected case or patient is certified free of the virus. We can shift the resumption date till next year or in the next three months if that is the time it will take. 
Government should have enough time to follow the standard procedure for containing   the virus. Parents have no reason to be   in a hurry because if Ebola should enter any school, it will assume another dimension. Children cannot survive isolation like adults. Nigeria is peculiar because of her large population and we should be pragmatic and proactive. It   will not augur well for the country if we have another outbreak due to carelessness.” it said
In the same vein, the chairman of the Lagos state chapter of the association, Dr Tope Ojo said most public schools lack basic hygienic facilities and this would expose the students to easy spread of the virus.
"It would not have cost the Federal Government anything to have waited till those under surveillance have completed the 21 days in all the states where they are being monitored. The government knows that it takes a longer time for children to get used to the idea of hygiene and sanitation. They are even more vulnerable because they would play with each other whether they are sick or not. How many children know that they should use hand sanitizers or avoid contact with anybody that has fever? Waiting till October when at least the situations in Rivers and Lagos states would have been conclusively managed is another safety measure the government should have taken. These kids are not studying to get a degree, so we are sure it would not have affected schools’ curricula.” he said

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EFCC declares Bauchi gubernatorial aspirant wanted for $500k scam

Find the EFCC Press release below
A gubernatorial aspirant in Bauchi State, Abdulahi Usman Adamu, alias Dan China (pictured on the left), has been declared wanted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC. The politician cum miner is wanted by the anti-graft agency for allegedly obtaining the sum of $500,000 USD (Five Hundred Thousand United States Dollars) from a Chinese Company, Shengjia International (HK) Limited, by false pretence. The suspect allegedly obtained the sum from the Chinese firm as part payment for the supply of 3000MT of Lead Ore, a contract he failed to execute. Continue...

Following a petition by the Economic and Commercial Counsellor’s Office of the Embassy of the People’s Republic of China, the EFCC invited the suspect for questioning but he failed to honour the invitation. The suspect is currently on the run as efforts to track him, including several visits to his home in Narabi, Bauchi, proved futile.
Consequently, the Commission enjoins any one with useful information on his whereabouts to contact its head office inWuse 2, Abuja or zonal offices in Gombe, Kano, Enugu, Port Harcourt and Lagos; or the nearest police station.
His last known address is No. 1 Sabon Gari, Narabi, in Toro Local Government Area of Bauchi state.
In the same vein, a banker, Godswill Oyegwa Oyoyou pictured right, an Information Technology staff of a new generation bank is also wanted by the EFCC in a case of fraud involving N6.28billion. Godswill allegedly conspired with some scammers and obtained the sum of N6.28Billion (Six Billion and Twenty-Eight Million Naira) from his bank after hacking into the bank’s database. The 38-year- old is from Isoko South local government area of Delta State.

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Nigeria Will Have The Highest Number Of Child Brides In 2050- UNICEF -

According to UNICEF’s latest report, Nigeria will have the highest number of child brides by year 2050 with the way underage girls are married off.

“In Africa, Nigeria is expected to have the largest absolute number of child brides. The country has seen a decline in child marriage of about one per cent per year over the past three decades. At this pace, the total number of child brides is expected to double by 2050,” the report stated.

In Mauritania and Nigeria, more than half of adolescent girls aged 15 to 19, who are currently married, have husbands who are 10 or more years older than they are.

They are often married off to considerably older men. And sadly, more than 700 million women alive today were married before their 18th birthday.

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Gospel singer, Lara George marks 10th year wedding anniversary Read more at

Gospel singer, Lara George, is celebrating her 10th wedding anniversary in spectacular way. The top Notched singer whose Wedding anniversary was yesterday got married to her husband, Gbenga George in 2004. She announced the good news yesterday on her Facebook page. To mark her anniversary Lara released a song titled ‘Love Nwantintin’ which is dedicated to her 10 years of being married.
‘IT’S FINALLY HERE! The most beautiful love song ever made! Presenting to you, and to mark my 10th year wedding anniversary which is today, 4th of September 2014, please enjoy the brand new song and video- LOVE NWANTINTIN.’

Lara Gorge is one of the leading Nigerian gospel singers who started her professional career when she released her first single; ‘Ijoba Orun’. She later met some other singers who came together and formed a Music Band; Kush. Kush got numerous international awards and record deals and was famous for the track “Let’s live together”. Lara’s latest song ‘Dansakire is currently ruling the airwaves. Congratulations to the singer and her husband.

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Man stabs roommate for being too loud during sex

A man in San Antonio, Texas faces felony charges for allegedly stabbing his roommate numerous times for making too much noise while having sex. Antonio Flores Narcisso, 42, was arrested Tuesday and charged with burglary of a habitation with the intent to commit felony force for the attack that allegedly happened on May 8. The roommate was celebrating his 35th birthday by having sex with two women. According to the arrest warrant, Narcisso kicked down the roommate’s door to complain about the boisterous cries of passion, MySanAntonio.com reports.
When the roommate yelled at Narcisso to get out of the room, the suspect allegedly grabbed a kitchen knife and proceeded to stab the alleged victim numerous times in the head, back and hands, CBS Houston reports. The roommate was taken to a local hospital and treated for non-life threatening injuries, according to the Sun News Network. Although both of the women were able to identify Narcisso by name from a photo lineup the night the alleged attack took place, he was only charged this week, according to KENS5.com. He is currently in the Bexar County jail. – HuffingtonPost

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Vice chairman of the Sun Newspapers, Dimgba Igwe dies at 58

Veteran journalist and vice chairman of the Sun Newspapers, Dimgba Igwe has died. He died today from injuries he sustained in an accident.

The associate publisher of Entertainment weekly magazine was knocked down this morning by a car while jogging near his home in the Okota area of Lagos. He was rushed to the hospital where he later died. He was just 58 years old.

Dimgba alongside his best best friend Mike Awoyinfa, pioneered the now rested Weekend Concord newspaper and The Sun Newspaper. He was also the Assistant General overseer of Evangel Pentecostal Church‎, Lagos.‎ May his soul rest in peace...amen.

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See Photos: Is Kcee’s House The Most Beautiful Among Nigerian Musicians?

Kcee knows he has a beautiful house and he never stops showing it off. After spending so much millions on a particular house, Kcee sees no reason why he shouldn’t show it off.

Amazingly, his fans on instagram have not been complaining about the show off, but instead tell him to show them more, and most of them even say they dream of visiting the ‘FiveStarMansion’ as Kcee calls it most of the time.

Check out part of the house, the outside view, its environs, all below, and you might just agree Kcee is one of the artistes that has the best homes in Nigeria.

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Schools may resume mid-September – Health Minister

The decision to postpone  resumption of primary and secondary schools across the nation till October 13 was reversed  yesterday, Wednesday, by the Federal Government. Speaking during a briefing after the Federal Executive Council meeting presided by President Goodluck Jonathan on Wednesday, the Minister of Health, Prof. Onyebuchi Chukwu, indicated that schools resumption date might be moved back to September. The Education Minister,  Ibrahim Shekarau, had earlier on August 26 announced the October 13 resumption date as a precautionary step against the spread of Ebola virus Chukwu said experts’ opinion had indicated that “students could safely resume from mid-September.” The minister said specific resumption date would be announced after a meeting between the Minister of Education, states’ Commissioners of Education and other stakeholders involved in the earlier postponement of the resumption date to October 13. “The Minister of Education was directed by council to convene an emergency meeting with all states commissioners of Education in order to agree on when schools can resume nationwide,” he said.
At the briefing with the Health minister were the Ministers of Information, Labaran Maku; Transport, Umar Idris; National Planning, Abubakar Suleiman, and Power (State), Mohammed Wakil. Chukwu, who also gave a weekly report to the Council on the Ebola Virus Disease outbreak, said that there were currently 296 contacts under surveillance in the country. The minister, who refuted insinuations that 60 Ebola contacts were missing in Port Harcourt, said of the 296 contacts actually under surveillance in the entire country, 255 of them were in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, and the remaining 41 in Lagos State. He explained that investigations had proved rumoured outbreak of the disease in Abuja and Calabar to be negative. He added that Enugu was completely free from the disease, saying that the nurse who initially escaped surveillance in Lagos to meet her husband in Enugu had also tested negative to the disease. He said the member of ECOWAS staff, Olu-Ibukun Koye, who jumped surveillance and took the virus to Port Harcourt, had developed strong anti-bodies against the virus and as such could not infect others with it. He said it could not yet be determined if Koye would be prosecuted or not.

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NIGERIA 2015: Atiku to declare presidential ambition Sept 24

Former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar, is set to declare his 2015 presidential ambition on the platform of the All Progressives Congress, APC, Wednesday, September 24, 2014, according to reports from Punch. Sources say as part of the preparations for the announcement, several venues were being considered for the declaration.
Some of these venues include the Eagles Square, Sheraton Hotel, Hilton Hotel, Yar’Adua Centre and the National Stadium. It was also gathered that some of his staff were sent on retreat last week on how to handle the declaration and the campaign that would follow. Atiku is expected to battle for the party’s sole ticket with the likes of a former Head of State, Maj. Gen. Muhammadu Buhari (retd.), and Kano State Governor, Rabiu Kwankwaso.

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