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Jose Mourinho Apologises To Chelsea Fans After Criticism

2014-11-22T15:20:00.001-08:00

Jose Mourinho has finally apologised to Chelsea fans for criticising the lack of atmosphere at Stamford Bridge. Mourinho launched an attack on his own fans after claiming Chelsea’s home games felt like they were ‘playing in an empty stadium’ 3 weeks ago after his team saw off QPR 2-1 Chelsea Fans were however unhappy with Mourinho’s comments and it prompted the Chelsea Supporters Trust to call for safe standing areas at the ground to improve the atmosphere. ‘It improved a lot,’ . ‘There is no comparison. I don’t want to speak again about it, for good and bad. They pay me to win matches, to coach, not to be critical of the crowd. I feel sorry with my comments from a couple of weeks ago. The difference was amazing.’ – Jose Mourinho said after the match against West Brom

NYPD Officer Shoots And Kills Unarmed Man In Brooklyn

2014-11-22T14:16:00.001-08:00

An unarmed 28 year old Brooklyn man was shot dead on Thursday night November 20th and police say it was just an 'unfortunate tragedy' because he wasn't targeted. The victim, Akai Gurley, (pictured above) had spent the evening at his girlfriend’s apartment inside the Louis Pink housing projects. The couple left the seventh floor apartment around 11:15 p.m. and tried to take an elevator down to the bottom floor. When the elevator wouldn’t work, they entered the stairwell." Two officers, meanwhile, were conducting a vertical patrol -- also known as a top to bottom patrol -- inside the building. Upon entering the "dark" stairwell on the eighth floor, Bratton said, Officer Peter Liang drew his gun and flashlight as a safety precaution. That's when Gurley and his girlfriend -- identified by the New York Daily News as Melissa Butler -- also entered the stairwell. At that moment, Liang fired one round from the eighth floor landing. Gurley, who was on the seventh floor landing, was struck in the chest. The wounded man and his girlfriend then ran down the stairs before Gurley collapsed on the fifth floor. Under instructions from a 911 operator, Butler then tried to administer first aid. Gurley was transported to Brookdale Hospital, where he was pronounced dead on arrival. New York City Police Commissioner William Bratton said that according to a preliminary investigation, "it appears this may have been an accidental discharge." Gurley "was not engaged in any criminal activity of any type. He didn’t do nothing wrong. He was just standing there and they shot him. He was an innocent man.” Bratton said. Liang, Bratton said, has been on the force less than 18 months and was on probationary assignment to the housing bureau. Liang and the other officer were taken to the hospital to be treated for tinnitus, which is a ringing noise inside the ears, often caused by gunfire. Bratton said he talked Friday morning to Brooklyn District Attorney Ken Thompson, who's investigating the incident. NYPD Internal Affairs is also investigating. Source: Huffington Post

Media Creating False Impression About Insurgency – Pres. Jonathan

2014-11-22T14:11:00.000-08:00

President Goodluck Jonathan on Friday in London said that the media was blowing the security situation in the north eastern part of the country out of proportion. This is contained in a statement issued by Reuben Abati, his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity. Jonathan said this at the opening of the meeting of Nigeria’s Honorary International Investment Council (HIIC). He said that the impression being created by sections of the media that the situation was worsening was not true. The president told the international community that the Federal Government was working very hard to curtail the ability of Boko Haram to capture and hold any Nigerian territory. He said the Armed Forces and security agencies were making steady gains in recovering areas recently taken by the sect. “We are improving on security. For about a week now there have been no reports of Boko Haram seizing more territory. Rather, we are steadily pushing them back. “The impression being created by sections of the media that the situation is worsening is not true. I can assure you that it will never get worse,’’ he said. The statement stated that Jonathan also seized the opportunity to call for greater support from the National Assembly to curb terrorism, insurgency and insecurity in the country. Jonathan also told members of the council headed by Baroness Lynda Chalker, why he decided to offer himself for re-election in the 2015 general elections. The president was quoted as saying that with four more years in office, he would be able to further consolidate the positive gains of national reforms initiated by his administration. This, according to him, will ensure that the reforms are taken to a point of irreversibility for the good of all Nigerians. “As you already know, I have indicated my willingness to carry on for another four years if I am given the opportunity. “This will enable us to carry forward some of the reforms we have been talking about,’’ he said. The president cited the expansion of transportation infrastructure, improvement of local content in Nigeria’s oil industry, more inclusive economic growth, job creation and national security, among others. According to the statement, all those are on the agenda of the meeting as some of the areas in which his administration still hopes to achieve further improvements. “We cannot move the economy forward without good infrastructure. We have been working very hard in that area. “We have improved our road network significantly. In the next three to four years, we should be able to resurface almost all federal roads in the country and begin new ones. “We are improving our airport terminals and aviation security. Reforms are also ongoing at our ports to drastically reduce the time required for import clearance formalities. “In the rail sector, we may require private sector funds to quicken the pace of development. Our goal is to link all state capitals by rail. “It may not be an objective that can be achieved by a single administration, but we want to lay a solid foundation that others can build on. “We are also promoting the increased of local content in our oil industry because that is the only way in which our people will benefit more from the industry. “With that they will begin to see themselves as true stakeholders who need to protect and help in the development of our oil and gas resources,” Jonathan said. He thanked Chalker and other members of the council for their valuable advice to the Federal Government over the years. “To be successful, leaders must take decisions based on adequate information and sound advice. “Having had the personal benefit of interacting with you all as vice president and president since 2007 has helped me a lot,” the president said. The meeting later went into a closed door session to receive briefings, updates and presentations from relevant ministers and council members, the statement stated.

Atiku Abubakar meets mother of late pres. Umaru Yar'Adua

2014-11-22T14:02:00.000-08:00

IGP Orders Probe of National Assembly Pandemonium Incident

2014-11-22T13:40:00.001-08:00

Members of the House of Representatives climbing the National Assembly gate during a fracas at the National Assembly in Abuja on Thursday. The pandemonium that 0ccurred last Thursday at the National Assembly when security operatives prevented Speaker of the House of Representatives, Aminu Tambuwal, and other lawmakers from entering the premises, is still a hot topic. NAN reports that the Inspector-General of Police, Malam Suleimam Abba, on Friday said the police authorities had opened investigation into the brawl that reportedly occurred between some policemen and members of the House of Representatives. Abba condemned the incident while speaking with the State House correspondents in Abuja after a closed-door meeting with Vice-President Namadi Sambo. ‘‘Investigations are going on and the press officer will address you later. Who did what and who didn’t do what will be heard later, subject to investigation. We just don’t talk anyhow,’’ said Abba. He dismissed the insinuation that the police attempted to prevent members of the House of Representatives from performing their legislative duties He, however, claimed that some people were seen obstructing policemen from performing their duties. ‘’Everybody has seen that somebody was even beating somebody; somebody was pushing a policeman from the car. Somebody was removing road blocks mounted by the police. We have never seen this kind of thing. So, we will talk to you later.’’ NAN recalls that some members of the House of Representatives on Thursday were seen jumping over the gate of the National Assembly which was locked on Thursday. Following the breakdown of law and order at the National Assembly, Senate President David Mark shut down the National Assembly till Tuesday.

Uganda Plans to Pass New Version of Anti-gay Law as “Christmas Present” for Ugandans

2014-11-22T13:32:00.000-08:00

Abdu-Latif Ssebagala, a Member of Ugandan Parliamentary Committee formed in September to draft a new version anti-gay law, said the drafters of a revised law wanted the parliament to pass it in time to be a “Christmas gift” for Ugandans. He said on Friday in Kampala that a new anti-gay law was coming after a controversial earlier version was quashed because of legal technicalities. Legislation passed by parliament almost a year ago, which would have punished gay sex with long prison terms, provoked a storm of international protest and led some donor countries to withhold aid. A constitutional court overturned the law in August. Ssebagala said it had finished the bill and was ready to present it to parliament for debate. “The draft is ready and we have strengthened the law, especially in areas of promotion and luring children,’’ he said. “Next week, we expect to meet the speaker to fix a date for the re-tabling to parliament,” he added. Ssebagala said the committee wanted it passed within weeks so that Ugandans “can celebrate it as a Christmas gift”. “The earlier version would have punished gay sex with long prison terms, including life sentences for “aggravated homosexuality,” he said. “The latter category included an HIV-positive person having gay sex or gay sex with anyone vulnerable, such as when the victim is disabled or a child in the perpetrator’s care,’’ he added. In August, President Yoweri Museveni, said he wanted the law amended to remove penalties for consenting adults. Ssebagala, however, said the new version still punished gay sex among consenting adults. In October, the president wrote in a newspaper that re-introducing the law risked triggering a trade boycott by the West. Analysts say Museveni was expected to run for re-election in 2016 and was walking a tightrope trying to appease his conservative domestic constituency, while wary of alienating donors who finance about 20 per cent of Uganda’s budget. Asia Russell, Uganda-based Director of International Policy at Health GAP, an HIV advocacy group, said the bill was inconsistent with fundamental freedoms and human rights. He insisted that accepting it would be a display of weakness rather than leadership. Like most of sub-Saharan Africa, Uganda is highly religious and socially conservative. Influential evangelical pastors have urged Ugandan legislators to reintroduce the law since it was quashed. Presidential Spokesman Tamale Mirundi said Museveni “is a democrat” and could not dictate to parliament what to do. “We’ll only know his views when the new law is passed and is sent to him for signing,” he said. The constitutional court overturned the earlier law on the grounds parliament had passed it without the required quorum. Photo Credit: Getty Images/Peter Macdiarmid

IG of Police denies arrest order on Hon. Aminu Tambuwal

2014-11-22T09:20:00.001-08:00

Below is a statement from the police...

The Inspector-General of Police, IGP Suleiman Abba CFR, NPOM, NPM, mni,has denied issuing any arrest order on any particular person involved in the attack on Policemen, or the disturbance of public peace, at the premises of the National Assembly, Abuja on Thursday, 20 November, 2014. Rather, it lies with the investigating Police Officers to determine who to invite, quiz and prosecute as the case may be.

In another vein, the Inspector-General of Police has condemned in very strong terms the unwarranted attack on Police Officers providing security at a political rally in Oke Ado area of Ibadan, Oyo State, during which one Police Inspector was shot dead and 5 others sustained grievous injuries.

While ordering a thorough investigation into the shooting incident and the attendant death of a service personnel, the Inspector-General of Police reiterated his warning to political actors to desist from the use of thugs in pursuing their agenda. The IGP reaffirmed the resolve and determination of the Nigeria Police to provide a safe and secure corridor for all political competitors, stressing that offenders of the Electoral Act will face the full wrath of the law.

Ag. CP EMMANUEL C. S. OJUKWU, psc

FORCE PUBLIC RELATIONS OFFICER

FORCE HEADQUARTERS

Kourtney Kardashian not impressed with sister Kim posing nude?

2014-11-22T03:35:00.001-08:00

That is what In touch is claiming. Khloe, Kris, Kylie and Kendall have publicly acknowledged Kim's nude photos for Paper magazine, praising it, but Kourtney is yet to do so and In Touch claims it's because she doesn't approve.

"Pregnant Kourtney thinks it wasn't right for Kim to take everything off - knowing daughter North will one day see the photos. She thinks it’s disgusting, especially since she is a mother now. She doesn’t understand why Kim would go completely nude knowing that one day little North is going to see it and think it’s alright to pose nude, too.” A source told In Touch

T.B Joshua asks court to stop coroner inquest investigating his church building collapse

2014-11-22T03:23:00.002-08:00

The founder of the Synagogue Church of All Nations, Prophet T.B. Joshua yesterday asked the Lagos state High Court in Ikeja to stop proceedings of the coroner inquest set up by the Lagos state govt to look into the circumstances that led to his church's building collapse on Sept. 12th which killed 116.

T.B Joshua, who filed the appeal through his counsel, Olalekan, Ojo, also asked the court to declare that his invitation to appear as a witness before the coroner was a breach of his right to fair hearing, as no case had been established against him before the coroner.

T.B Joshua who was supposed to appear before the coroner yesterday, through his counsel, asked the coroner to suspend proceedings pending the outcome of the case he just filed against it which is to be called up for hearing on December 3rd.

The coroner, Magistrate O.A. Komolafe however declined his request saying no one had served him court document to that effect.

Y'all need to watch this Beyonce's new video for 7/11...

2014-11-22T03:16:00.000-08:00

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k4YRWT_Aldo

Defence HQ discredits all stories of liberation of towns by some hunters

2014-11-21T14:10:00.001-08:00

The Nigeria military just released a statement discrediting all those stories you've read about hunters and local vigilantes helping to liberate towns captured by Boko Haram in the North East. They are basically saying they are the ones who did it...with some help of course. I believe them. Find their statement after the cut...

Misrepresenting the involvement of hunters in the counter-terrorism operations
All the flimsy and exaggerated claims of hunters’ exploits in the ongoing operations are simply intended to foster a mischievous campaign aimed at disparaging and depreciating the professional efforts of the Nigerian military at containing the terrorists especially in Adamawa.

It is obvious that the intention is to ridicule and discourage the military. We are not moved. While appreciating the effort of the hunters and citizens who have been supporting our troops in the onslaught, the military still remains in the vanguard of the mission to rid the nation of terrorists and their activities.

We will remain focused and utilize only well-meaning support and advice in the ongoing campaign to wipe out terrorists. Much as we are aware of the politicians who are promoting the campaign for whatever reasons, we will not be distracted by their antics.

The result of present efforts will soon manifest for the whole world to see and Nigerians and their military will not be diminished, as intended by those engaging in the campaign of calumny against the Nigerian military We however caution Nigerians not to allow themselves to be hoodwinked into danger by some false reports on so called liberation of certain areas by ‘hunters’ as we can only vouch for areas where the military has reported cleared of terrorists.

Beyonce opens up about parents divorce in new single, 'Ring Off'

2014-11-21T14:05:00.002-08:00

Looks like Beyonce's new single 'Ring Off' may have been more about her parent's marriage than about hers. You see the way the two girls cut their dad off from their lives? He wasn't even invited Solange's wedding. Looks like he really hurt their mum and the girls are siding with Mrs Knowles.

On the track, Beyonce sings;

Mama, I understand your many sleepless nights . When you sit and you think about Father.  Or how you tried to be the perfect wife/ You used to dress and fix your hair . Then you smiled through your tears . In the mirror you would stare . And say a prayer lLike, “I wish he said I’m beautiful . I wish it didn’t hurt at all.  I don’t know how I got here . I was once the one who had his heart”/Until you had enough then you took that ring off .

You took that ring off.  So tired of the lies and trying, fighting, crying.  Took that ring off . Oh, now the fun begins . Dust yourself off and you love again.  You found a new man now you shine and you’re fine . Like it’s my time, you took that ring off...

President Obama to grant legal status to 4.5m illegal US immigrants

2014-11-21T14:00:00.000-08:00

Yesterday, President Obama made a blockbuster announcement on immigration that got a lot of Americans divided. In his new plan, about 4.5 illegal immigrants in the US will now be able to get legal status and allowed to apply for work permits. This applies to only those who have no criminal records, have been in the US illegally for at least 5 years and are willing to pay their outstanding tax. The Republicans are angry though and call it "lawless amnesty". They believe it will encourage more people to arrive the US unlawfully.

"The action by the president yesterday will only encourage more people to come here illegally. It also punishes those who have obeyed the law and waited their turn." Republican Speaker of the House said today

But fortunately for Obama, he doesn't need the permission of congress to do this. It's called executive action - where a president can bypass the legislature, which he has done. Continue...

There are about 11 million undocumented immigrants in the US now and President Obama believes that a mass deportation of these people “would be both impossible and contrary to our character.”

He made the controversial announcement in an address from the White House yesterday Nov 20th You can read his full speech (It's quite a long one) culled from CNN, after the cut...

My fellow Americans, tonight, I'd like to talk with you about immigration.

For more than 200 years, our tradition of welcoming immigrants from around the world has given us a tremendous advantage over other nations. It's kept us youthful, dynamic, and entrepreneurial. It has shaped our character as a people with limitless possibilities -- people not trapped by our past, but able to remake ourselves as we choose.

But today, our immigration system is broken, and everybody knows it.

Families who enter our country the right way and play by the rules watch others flout the rules. Business owners who offer their workers good wages and benefits see the competition exploit undocumented immigrants by paying them far less. All of us take offense to anyone who reaps the rewards of living in America without taking on the responsibilities of living in America. And undocumented immigrants who desperately want to embrace those responsibilities see little option but to remain in the shadows, or risk their families being torn apart.

It's been this way for decades. And for decades, we haven't done much about it.

When I took office, I committed to fixing this broken immigration system. And I began by doing what I could to secure our borders. Today, we have more agents and technology deployed to secure our southern border than at any time in our history. And over the past six years, illegal border crossings have been cut by more than half. Although this summer, there was a brief spike in unaccompanied children being apprehended at our border, the number of such children is now actually lower than it's been in nearly two years. Overall, the number of people trying to cross our border illegally is at its lowest level since the 1970s. Those are the facts.

Meanwhile, I worked with Congress on a comprehensive fix, and last year, 68 Democrats, Republicans, and Independents came together to pass a bipartisan bill in the Senate. It wasn't perfect. It was a compromise, but it reflected common sense. It would have doubled the number of border patrol agents, while giving undocumented immigrants a pathway to citizenship if they paid a fine, started paying their taxes, and went to the back of the line. And independent experts said that it would help grow our economy and shrink our deficits.

Had the House of Representatives allowed that kind of a bill a simple yes-or-no vote, it would have passed with support from both parties, and today it would be the law. But for a year and a half now, Republican leaders in the House have refused to allow that simple vote.

Now, I continue to believe that the best way to solve this problem is by working together to pass that kind of common sense law. But until that happens, there are actions I have the legal authority to take as President -- the same kinds of actions taken by Democratic and Republican Presidents before me -- that will help make our immigration system more fair and more just.

Tonight, I am announcing those actions.

First, we'll build on our progress at the border with additional resources for our law enforcement personnel so that they can stem the flow of illegal crossings, and speed the return of those who do cross over.

Second, I will make it easier and faster for high-skilled immigrants, graduates, and entrepreneurs to stay and contribute to our economy, as so many business leaders have proposed.

Third, we'll take steps to deal responsibly with the millions of undocumented immigrants who already live in our country.

I want to say more about this third issue, because it generates the most passion and controversy. Even as we are a nation of immigrants, we are also a nation of laws. Undocumented workers broke our immigration laws, and I believe that they must be held accountable -- especially those who may be dangerous. That's why, over the past six years, deportations of criminals are up 80 percent. And that's why we're going to keep focusing enforcement resources on actual threats to our security. Felons, not families. Criminals, not children. Gang members, not a mother who's working hard to provide for her kids. We'll prioritize, just like law enforcement does every day.

But even as we focus on deporting criminals, the fact is, millions of immigrants -- in every state, of every race and nationality -- will still live here illegally. And let's be honest -- tracking down, rounding up, and deporting millions of people isn't realistic. Anyone who suggests otherwise isn't being straight with you. It's also not who we are as Americans. After all, most of these immigrants have been here a long time. They work hard, often in tough, low-paying jobs. They support their families. They worship at our churches. Many of their kids are American-born or spent most of their lives here, and their hopes, dreams, and patriotism are just like ours.

As my predecessor, President Bush, once put it: "They are a part of American life."

Now here's the thing: we expect people who live in this country to play by the rules. We expect that those who cut the line will not be unfairly rewarded. So we're going to offer the following deal: If you've been in America for more than five years; if you have children who are American citizens or legal residents; if you register, pass a criminal background check, and you're willing to pay your fair share of taxes -- you'll be able to apply to stay in this country temporarily, without fear of deportation. You can come out of the shadows and get right with the law.

That's what this deal is. Now let's be clear about what it isn't. This deal does not apply to anyone who has come to this country recently. It does not apply to anyone who might come to America illegally in the future. It does not grant citizenship, or the right to stay here permanently, or offer the same benefits that citizens receive -- only Congress can do that. All we're saying is we're not going to deport you.

I know some of the critics of this action call it amnesty. Well, it's not. Amnesty is the immigration system we have today -- millions of people who live here without paying their taxes or playing by the rules, while politicians use the issue to scare people and whip up votes at election time.

That's the real amnesty -- leaving this broken system the way it is. Mass amnesty would be unfair. Mass deportation would be both impossible and contrary to our character. What I'm describing is accountability -- a commonsense, middle ground approach: If you meet the criteria, you can come out of the shadows and get right with the law. If you're a criminal, you'll be deported. If you plan to enter the U.S. illegally, your chances of getting caught and sent back just went up.

The actions I'm taking are not only lawful, they're the kinds of actions taken by every single Republican President and every single Democratic President for the past half century. And to those Members of Congress who question my authority to make our immigration system work better, or question the wisdom of me acting where Congress has failed, I have one answer: Pass a bill. I want to work with both parties to pass a more permanent legislative solution. And the day I sign that bill into law, the actions I take will no longer be necessary. Meanwhile, don't let a disagreement over a single issue be a dealbreaker on every issue. That's not how our democracy works, and Congress certainly shouldn't shut down our government again just because we disagree on this. Americans are tired of gridlock. What our country needs from us right now is a common purpose -- a higher purpose.

Most Americans support the types of reforms I've talked about tonight. But I understand the disagreements held by many of you at home. Millions of us, myself included, go back generations in this country, with ancestors who put in the painstaking work to become citizens. So we don't like the notion that anyone might get a free pass to American citizenship. I know that some worry immigration will change the very fabric of who we are, or take our jobs, or stick it to middle-class families at a time when they already feel like they've gotten the raw end of the deal for over a decade. I hear these concerns. But that's not what these steps would do. Our history and the facts show that immigrants are a net plus for our economy and our society. And I believe it's important that all of us have this debate without impugning each other's character.

Because for all the back-and-forth of Washington, we have to remember that this debate is about something bigger. It's about who we are as a country, and who we want to be for future generations.

Are we a nation that tolerates the hypocrisy of a system where workers who pick our fruit and make our beds never have a chance to get right with the law? Or are we a nation that gives them a chance to make amends, take responsibility, and give their kids a better future?

Are we a nation that accepts the cruelty of ripping children from their parents' arms? Or are we a nation that values families, and works to keep them together?

Are we a nation that educates the world's best and brightest in our universities, only to send them home to create businesses in countries that compete against us? Or are we a nation that encourages them to stay and create jobs, businesses, and industries right here in America?

That's what this debate is all about. We need more than politics as usual when it comes to immigration; we need reasoned, thoughtful, compassionate debate that focuses on our hopes, not our fears.

I know the politics of this issue are tough. But let me tell you why I have come to feel so strongly about it. Over the past few years, I have seen the determination of immigrant fathers who worked two or three jobs, without taking a dime from the government, and at risk at any moment of losing it all, just to build a better life for their kids. I've seen the heartbreak and anxiety of children whose mothers might be taken away from them just because they didn't have the right papers. I've seen the courage of students who, except for the circumstances of their birth, are as American as Malia or Sasha; students who bravely come out as undocumented in hopes they could make a difference in a country they love. These people -- our neighbors, our classmates, our friends -- they did not come here in search of a free ride or an easy life. They came to work, and study, and serve in our military, and above all, contribute to America's success.

Tomorrow, I'll travel to Las Vegas and meet with some of these students, including a young woman named Astrid Silva. Astrid was brought to America when she was four years old. Her only possessions were a cross, her doll, and the frilly dress she had on. When she started school, she didn't speak any English. She caught up to the other kids by reading newspapers and watching PBS, and became a good student. Her father worked in landscaping. Her mother cleaned other people's homes. They wouldn't let Astrid apply to a technology magnet school for fear the paperwork would out her as an undocumented immigrant -- so she applied behind their back and got in. Still, she mostly lived in the shadows -- until her grandmother, who visited every year from Mexico, passed away, and she couldn't travel to the funeral without risk of being found out and deported. It was around that time she decided to begin advocating for herself and others like her, and today, Astrid Silva is a college student working on her third degree.

Are we a nation that kicks out a striving, hopeful immigrant like Astrid -- or are we a nation that finds a way to welcome her in?

Scripture tells us that we shall not oppress a stranger, for we know the heart of a stranger -- we were strangers once, too.

My fellow Americans, we are and always will be a nation of immigrants. We were strangers once, too. And whether our forebears were strangers who crossed the Atlantic, or the Pacific, or the Rio Grande, we are here only because this country welcomed them in, and taught them that to be an American is about something more than what we look like, or what our last names are, or how we worship. What makes us Americans is our shared commitment to an ideal -- that all of us are created equal, and all of us have the chance to make of our lives what we will.

That's the country our parents and grandparents and generations before them built for us. That's the tradition we must uphold. That's the legacy we must leave for those who are yet to come.
Thank you, God bless you, and God bless this country we love.

Assembly crisis: Reps insist on I-G appearing in person

2014-11-21T08:56:00.002-08:00

Abuja – The House of Representatives Committee on Police Affairs on Friday insisted that Mr Suleiman Abba, the Inspector General of Police, must appear in person before the committee to explain Thursday’s police action.

The committee had summoned Abba over the takeover of the National Assembly by armed policemen which led to Thursday’s confusion.

Acting Police IG Sulaiman Abba

The committee declined audience to Mr Sotonye Wakama, a Deputy Inspector General of Police in charge of Operations.

Abba had in a letter with reference CB:3380/IGP.SEC/ABJ/VOL8/806 and addressed to the Chairman of the committee, Rep. Usman Kumo (Gombe –PDP) explained his absence.

The letter reads: “Due to exigency of duty, the Inspector General of Police will not be able to appear before the house.

“Meanwhile, he has directed the deputy inspector general of police, operations to represent him.”

The letter was signed by Mr Austin Iwar, a Principal Staff Officer and Commissioner of Police.

In his reaction, Kumo insisted that Abba should appear in person before the committee on Nov. 26.

He said that Abba’s presence would be required to give explanations to the chaotic situation recorded in the National Assembly on Thursday.

“The constitution empowers the house, through its committees, to summon anybody to appear before it.

“It is in view of this that the committee is fixing this hearing for Nov. 26 at 2 p.m. for the I-G to appear for this interactive, question and answer session,’’ Kumo said. (NAN)

Delta EPZ project crisis: Tompolo denies any involvement, blames Uduaghan, Keyamo

2014-11-20T13:12:00.000-08:00

Ex-militant Ekpemupolo, (alias Tompolo) has denied any involvement in the $16 billion Export Processing Zone (EPZ) project crisis rocking Delta State. In a bid to clear himself of any wrong doing, Tompolo released a statement today where he accused the current Delta state governor, Emmanuel Uduaghan and his predecessor, Jame Ibori of trying to use the project to collect the land belonging to his people, the Ijaws of Gbaramatu kingdom.

He also accused human rights lawyer, Festus Keyamo of being used to blackmail his person. See the long statement after the cut...

RE: DELTA EPZ AND MATTERS ARISING
MY TAKE IS ON JUSTICE, EQUITY AND FAIRNESS
So much has been said about the $16 Billion Export Processing Zone (EPZ) which is meant to galvanize Nigeria’s economic growth through adequate gas processing and supply, using our dear Delta State as the hub. For one, I am happy as a Deltan that this laudable project is being planned and nurtured in my time, especially on the heels of our fight for the need by government to industrialize and enhance our economic well-being in the oil-rich Niger Delta Region.

Nonetheless, I am not persuaded by the nebulous and loudly-echoed ‘economic and industrial gains’ slogan being orchestrated by some forces hiding under the EPZ Project to re-launch a back-door move for the acquisition of lands belonging to the people of Gbaramatu Kingdom in Warri South-West Local Government Area of Delta State. In this regard, I stand on the side of my people as I have always done, to ensure that the voice of reason was raised and heard by the powers that be. As a peace-loving Kingdom, the people of Gbaramatu had used all civil and legal means to ensure that justice was done by the federal government by not going ahead with the planned ground-breaking ceremony in the face of clear injustice, unfairness and inequity.

As a result, many insinuations and perverted comments have been made by both interested and rented parties to the effect that ethnic colourations have been brought to the fore by linking the justifiable postponement of the ground-breaking to President Goodluck Jonathan’s ‘soft-spot’ for the Ijaws of Gbaramatu Kingdom.

It should be noted however, that the struggle of the people Gbaramatu Kingdom for both political and economic rights pre-dates the Jonathan Presidency. History is replete with courses of events as far as the struggle of the oppressed people of Gbaramatu Kingdom is concerned. It is no longer news to all that our Itsekiri neighbours, using all advantages of being in government and power since the time of former governor, Chief James Ibori(whose mother is Itsekiri) as well as the incumbent governor, Dr Emmanuel Uduaghan(also an Itsekiri) who both as commissioner and later Secretary to State Government under Ibori, cannot insulate himself from the calculated attempt by the government-backed Itsekiri’s attempts to enslave Gbaramatu Kingdom.

It should therefore be placed on record that if the belief of the people of Gbaramatu Kingdom in their just and fair struggle saw them through thick and thin since the time of Ibori till date, the same spirit still lives on; and such does not need the ‘soft spot’ of a Nigerian President of Ijaw extraction to take the people to their rightful place. It was (still) this belief in a just and fair struggle that in spite of glaring attempts by both Ibori (then) and Uduaughan (now) to exterminate the Gbaramatu Kingdom to the advantage of their kinsmen, I made conscious efforts to respect the institution they represent. In essence, I refrained from abusing their persons as some Itsekiri leaders have mindlessly done in the case of the postponement of the ground-breaking ceremony by the President.

Perhaps, it is unfortunate to note that all those Itsekiri leaders, especially Pa J.O. Ayomike who betrayed uncontrollable and misplaced sentiments by abusing the person of the president and calling for his resignation would have achieved better things and indeed, much development would have come to their impoverished Itsekiri villages if such energy was deployed to ginger their son, who is now governor, to bring development to their areas. The Ayomikes of this world should rather be expressing worry and bury their heads in shame that the over 12 years of their sons in government and power in Delta State are more of curses than blessings to their people. The case of those vilifying President Jonathan is that of bottled-up anger and transferred aggression ordinarily targeted at those who looked the other way in the face of the sufferings of their people to a man who tried to do justice by listening to all sides of an issue.

What Does Festus Keyamo Want?
This question has become imperative in view of the rented roles the Lagos-based Lawyer has played in the last couple of weeks in the affairs of the state especially as they relate to the people of Gbaramatu Kingdom in Warri South-West Local Government Area of Delta State. Before now, I had seen Keyamo as a young promising lawyer whose passion to fight oppression was unquenchable. I see him as a brother and friend because there is still time for him to stratify rented and commercialized struggle from passionate human and civil rights crusade.

As a matter of fact, Keyamo’s continuous linkage with me to purported attempts close crime is unacceptable to me. At best, Keyamo knows too well that those whose flair for injustice I fight against, those who have been severally linked to murders in Delta State who today are his latter-day friends, are not men of conscience. As a human rights lawyer (as claimed by Keyamo), his efforts to unearth the killers of Onokpite Ogbe were applauded by many, including me. I was even tempted to disbelieve others when accusations of ‘unpalatable practices’ trailed Keyamo’s sudden u-turn to abandon the Onokpite’s case. But today, I have no reason to disbelieve such against the backdrop of Keyamo’s role in the orchestrated EPZ Crisis. In the face of Keyamo’s sudden u-turn in character, it is absurd to ask him if would have not have done what I did on behalf of my people should he find himself in my shoes. I therefore find very curious Keyamo’s attempt to demonize me especially when it is obvious that since I willingly embraced the Federal Government Amnesty offer, I have selflessly, at high risks too, contributed to the enhancement of peace and security in the entire Niger-Delta Region. I will therefore urge Keyamo to be on the side of truth and justice rather than being on the side of injustice because conscience is an open wound, only the truth can heal it.

Conclusion:
My appeal to all men of conscience is to ensure that justice and fairness are made the cornerstone of human existence. Where these do not exist, it will be difficult for society to make progress. The case of the plight of the people of Gbaramatu Kingdom in Warri South-West Local Government Area of Delta is clear and unambiguous. The precepts for injustice and ingredients of inequality are daily being planted by those who find themselves in positions of authority and influence, especially in Delta State.

It should therefore be known that those who deliberately drag the name of President Jonathan into this blackmail game are doing this to perpetuate injustice. This is the crux of the matter. But little do they know that the struggle has been an age-long one, predating the president’s ascendancy to office and through the will of God, my people have been forging ahead. In the same vein, the struggle might also post-date President Jonathan unless the issues of injustice that have continually set the Gbaramatu and Itsekiri ethnic nationalities against each are permanently resolved. The Gabramatu people cannot be intimidated by any resort to blackmail, using ethnic cards. Similarly, I will not succumb to any cheap blackmail aimed at weakening my resolve to fight for my people because this is a matter of conscience and posterity. I shall not waiver even in the face of threat and intimidation of all sorts until justice is done.

Thanks and God bless,
SIGNED:
HIGH CHIEF GOVERNMENT EKPEMUPOLO

Police fire teargas at Tambuwal, lawmakers ahead of key vote

2014-11-20T09:05:00.001-08:00

Nigerian police fired teargas inside the parliament complex on Thursday, apparently trying to block opposition lawmakers, including the speaker of the lower house, from entering the building for a key security vote.

Members of the House of Representatives had been scheduled to vote on a government request to extend emergency rule in the northeast region hit hardest by Boko Haram militants.

The opposition has said it was against the move, and political tensions have been ratcheted up ahead of elections scheduled for February.

Senate President David Mark, a ruling party stalwart, ordered the immediate closure of both chambers over the incident.

The focus of the police aggression appeared to be lower house speaker Aminu Tambuwal, whose defection to the opposition last month outraged the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

The PDP has tried to remove Tambuwal from the speaker’s chair and stripped him of his security detail.

– Lawmakers scale fence –

Tambuwal arrived at parliament at about 10:00 am (0900 GMT) before the vote on the state of emergency extension, his spokesman Imam Imam told AFP.

President Goodluck Jonathan has said the extension is needed to sustain the military offensive against Boko Haram.

Lawmakers at the National Assembly Thursday.

But the main opposition All Progressives Congress (APC) has described the strategy as a complete failure, noting the huge Islamist gains since emergency rule was first imposed in May 2013.

Imam said Tambuwal was moving in a convoy with more than 40 other lawmakers, which police repeatedly tried to stop as they approached the main gate of parliament.

The convoy pressed through several police barricades before officers locked the gate that leads into the parliament complex, he added.

Lawmakers began pushing aggressively on the bars to force their way through, with police looking on from the other side, footage on the private Channels television station showed.

Several scaled the gate and then walked with Tambuwal towards the legislative building, the footage showed.

“As soon as we got (to parliament), they insisted he will not enter the chamber,” Imam told AFP.

“It was in that midst of confusion that they now used the tear gas on the speaker” and other lawmakers, he added.

An AFP correspondent said the main lobby outside the lower house chamber was filled with tear gas, with bystanders choking as they tried to find their way outside.

– Parliament suspended –

Senate president Mark described the chaos as “a very unfortunate incident” and closed both chambers of the National Assembly until Tuesday, meaning Jonathan’s emergency rule extension will not be approved this week.

Police spokesman Emmanuel Ojukwu told AFP that police officers were not involved in the incident but that claim was not consistent with witness reports and video footage.

The PDP, which has controlled the government since democracy was restored in 1999, has found itself in uncharted waters in recent months following a wave of lawmaker defections to the APC.

While the PDP currently holds fragile majorities in both chambers, the situation has been in flux throughout the year.

The defection of Tambuwal was seen as blow to Jonathan, who had previously relied on a compliant lower house.

The speaker had been mulling a possible bid for the presidency on the APC ticket at next year’s elections but declined earlier this week.

Human rights lawyer Jiti Ogunye said Thursday’s fracas recalled the years after Nigeria’s independence from Britain in 1960, when a divided civilian government was ultimately overthrown by the military.

“We are in a state of anarchy,” he said. “This is how sad our democracy has turned.”

China firm signs $12 bn deal to build Nigerian railway

2014-11-20T09:01:00.000-08:00

A state-owned Chinese company has signed a $12 billion agreement to build a railway along Nigeria’s coast that it billed as China’s single largest overseas contract, state media said Thursday.

China Railway Construction Corp. Ltd. (CRCC) signed the official construction contract with the Nigerian government on Wednesday in Abuja, the Xinhua news agency said.

The Nigerian railway will stretch for 1,402 kilometres (871 miles) along the coast, linking Lagos, the financial capital of Africa’s largest economy and leading oil producer, and Calabar in the east, according to the report.

The $11.97 billion deal marks China’s largest single overseas contract project so far, it said, citing CRCC.

The news came two weeks after Mexico cancelled a $3.75 billion bullet train deal only days after it was signed with a Chinese-led consortium headed by CRCC — the sole bidder — reportedly due to concerns about transparency.

CRCC chairman Meng Fengchao said the Nigeria project will adopt Chinese technological standards and lead to $4 billion-worth of Chinese exports of construction machinery, trains, steel products and other equipment, Xinhua said.

It will create up to 200,000 local jobs during the construction and a further 30,000 positions once the line is operational, he said.

“It is a mutually beneficial project,” Meng was quoted by Xinhua as saying.

Trains will travel at a maximum speed of 120 kilometres per hour on the link, the report added.

China has dramatically stepped up its presence on the African continent in recent decades as it seeks more resources and new markets for its economy.

Trade between China and Nigeria totalled $13.6 billion last year.

Chinese Premier Li Keqiang promised more investment and more Chinese technical expertise during a visit earlier this year.

Some politicians don’t deserve Immunity- Jonathan.

2014-11-20T08:58:00.001-08:00

President Goodluck Jonathan has said that given the treasonable utterances of some politicians who are protected by constitutional immunity, they have proven that they are not deserving of such immunity.

He spoke Thursday when the Bayelsa State governor, Seriake Dickson led traditional rulers fro the state to pay homage to the president on his birthday.

According to President Jonathan, the clamour by some Nigerians for the removal of the immunity clause may have been informed by the abuse of such protection by some politicians.

PRESIDENT GOODLUCK JONATHAN (M) CUTTING HIS 57TH BIRTHDAY CAKE IN ABUJA ON THURSDAY (20/11/14).

The president said: “This country must continue and we will not give up to blackmail by anybody. we will do our best and Nigeria must survive these temporary setbacks like Boko Haram and other security challenges.

“If there are people making statements, threatening the survival of this country, especially some people who probably have constitutional immunity and are abusing that privilege, that is why some Nigerians are saying that immunity clause be removed because some people don’t merit it, since they abuse it. Some people are making remarks that are more or less treasonable, don’t be worried, nobody can upturn this country” he said.

The president said though there are challenges in the country, it is a normal process in the development of a nation and Nigeria will overcome.

“As a nation we have our challenges. yes, it is rough. other nations have passed through such rough roads too. I always said that I don’t know whether the State of Isreal has ever known peace for one day, but they are moving, they are developing. go to America today, most of the millionaires are Jews, but they are always fighting to survive.
“that we have challenges should not be misconstrued that the country will come to an end. We will surely overcome those challenges and this country must move, this country must unite” he said

While commending the Bayelsa delegation for identifying with him and pledging their support, President Jonathan said it has boosted his confidence that his immediate constituency is behind him.

“This is the first of its kind, and that shows that as a human being you come from somewhere and your people appreciate you and come around you, it helps others also to notice that you have people that you were sent to serve the rest of the country.

“So today I’m here to serve Nigeria and you are here to support me, to identify with me as my people . If I’m here to serve this country and back home you don’t give me this support, of course definitely people will not take me serious, they will say even his people have rejected him, so I thank you today for coming, for gathering our royal fathers from all the kingdoms in Bayelsa State to come in this manner, I remain most grateful for all of you” the president said.

Governor Dickson who presented a birthday card on behalf of the delegation assured the President that the people of the state were strongly behind his administration.

The Bayelsa state governor said contrary to impression being created outside, The people of the state remain at peace with themselves and other parts of the country.

7 yr old girl's mouth suddenly swells up - you won't believe what the dentist found

2014-11-20T08:46:00.001-08:00

Days after a 7 year old girl in New Delhi complained of severe mouth pain, her parents took her to the dentist to find out what was wrong - what they found inside the girl's mouth, astounded everyone, including the dentist.

The dentist found 202 teeth hidden inside the little girl's gum. According to a report by New Delhi Standard, X-rays showed the girl had suffered from compound odontoma - a complex tumour composed of normal dental tissues that have grown in an irregular way.

"It was shocking to see such complex situation in the minor's mouth. Normally we see a few abnormal teeth-like structures in such patients; 202 of them inside the mouth of a seven-year-old is shocking, and our prime task was to get rid of it." said the doctor who performed the two hour surgery to remove the extra teeth.

The surgery was successful and the little girl has been able to chew and is now leading a normal lif

David Mark shuts down National Assembly till November 25th

2014-11-20T08:35:00.000-08:00

Senate President, David Mark has ordered the shut down of the National Assembly till Tuesday next week, November 25th, following this morning's chaos in which the Speaker of the House of Reps, Aminu Tambuwal, and other law makers were allegedly tear gassed and prevented from entering the Assembly complex. Mark announced this moments ago at the Senate plenary session.

The IG of police has also been ordered to appear before the House to explain what happened today. Meanwhile the House of Reps have adjourned till December 3rd.

Nigeria police explain why they invaded the National Assembly today

2014-11-20T08:25:00.001-08:00

The Nigeria Police have released a statement explaining why they sent police officers to the National Assembly this morning, preventing Tambuwal and other lawmakers from gaining access into the Assembly ground. Find the statement below...

Following an intelligence report of a likely invasion of the House of Representatives by hoodlums and thugs, the Nigeria Police Force promptly deployed its personnel to the premises to prevent a breakdown of law and order.

Consequently, the Police condoned the area and began screening of all members and visitors alike.

In the course of this lawful exercise, Alh. Aminu Tambuwal CFR, arrived the venue with a motley crowd, who broke the cordon, assaulted the Police and evaded due process and the Police had the duty to restore order and normalcy, using lawful means

The IGP seizes this medium to warn all political actors and their followers to respect constituted authority and due process and to desist from the use of thugs to pursue their agenda.

The Nigeria Police shall continually apply all lawful means to prevent a breakdown of law and order in all segments of the society and shall apply the full weight of the law on any political actor who violates the peace and security of the nation.

Ag. CP EMMANUEL C. S. OJUKWU, psc

FORCE PUBLIC RELATIONS OFFICER

FORCE HEADQUARTERS

Even Wyclef is sad for us

2014-11-19T13:52:00.000-08:00

Bill Cosby Netflix show postponed after Janice Dickinson’s sexual assault allegations 0

2014-11-19T13:38:00.000-08:00

As expected, Netflix late Tuesday said it would postpone a Bill Cosby special to stream later this month.

“At this time we are postponing the launch of the new stand-up comedy special Bill Cosby 77,” which was to have arrived Nov. 27. The move comes in the wake of yet another allegation (Janice Dickinson, a model and TV host, who told “ET” the assault on her took place in 1982.)

The move was absolutely expected — the Cosby camp canceled a scheduled appearance on “Late Show with David Letterman” that was to have happened Wednesday night, while reports seem to indicate that the decision to cancel or postpone the Netflix special was a mutual one.

The TV press is now holding a death watch on Cosby’s planned comedy for NBC, which has declined to comment (although I reliably heard in the wake of last week’s Meme social media fiasco that it remained on track.)

NBC appears to have a couple of options at this point: Wait for the firestorm to die down, then quietly pull the plug; or simply confirm that it is ending the program. Both options certainly hold risks — including financial (unclear at this point whether the sitcom, which was to arrived next year, was a “put pilot” deal, meaning NBC was obligated to air it, or pay a penalty in the event that it does not.)

Bill Cosby — as if this needs to even be spelled out — holds a unique position in NBC history: He was the first African-American actor to effectively break the “color barrier” in prime time, when he starred as colead on hit series “I Spy” with Robert Culp in the late ’60s; and of course, “The Cosby Show” catapulted NBC’s Thursday lineup to a leadership position that it held for well over a decade. His Saturday morning presence was equally indelible: “Fat Albert and the Cosby Kids” was one of NBC’s greatest animated successes, and remains in the minds of many millions, a very happy memory.

Thus to cancel a Cosby series holds — in no small measure — a degree of symbolism and even emotion for the network (and networks aren’t exactly beholden to either). He has been, quite simply, one of television’s most beloved and bankable stars over nearly 50 years. Cosby’s current travails — not to mention the pain others have been speaking of in recent weeks — has been a tragedy. NBC almost certainly is aware that anything it does or says at this point will or could compound that.

Nevertheless, the show — which was to have starred Mike O’Malley, and has been described as a multigenerational comedy — is almost certainly and effectively dead. All that remains is the news release confirming the end.

FEC approves N273m for Abuja rail

2014-11-19T13:30:00.001-08:00

The Federal Executive Council meeting presided over by President Goodluck Jonathan has approved the sum of N272, 737, 710.00 for the award of contract for the feasibility study and conceptual design of Lots 4, 5, and 6 of the Abuja Rail Mass transit network for the Federal Capital Territory.

There is a provision of N280,000, 000.00 in the 2014 FCT Statutory ‎Appropriation for the project.

The projects upon completion in 12 months time will reduce traffic congestion, shorten journeys distances and reduce pressure on existing public transport services.

The project will also provide employment opportunities to about 5,000 skilled and unskilled workers while about 4,500 skilled workers will be engaged in the direct operation of the system on completion.

The ‎overseeing Minister of Information Nurudeen Mohammed alongside the FCT Minister, Bala Mohammed said, the FCT Rail Mass Transit system is designed primarily as mover of people within and between the satellite towns and the different phases of the city.

He said the Abuja rail system will be integrated with the planned national rail network.

Nigeria fails to qualify for the 2015 African Nations Cup

2014-11-19T13:25:00.001-08:00

Sad day for Nigerian football. We drew with South Africa this evening 2-2 but it wasn't enough to get us to Equatorial Guinea 2015. And we are supposed to be the defending champion.