‘Saraki didn’t sponsor thugs to beat up observers at Kwara court’

Bamikole Omishore, special assistant on new media to Senate President Bukola Saraki, says his principal did not sponsor thugs to beat up observers at a high court in Kwara state.
 
On Wednesday, there was pandemonium at the court when some thugs unleashed violence on people who came to observe proceedings in the libel case between the senate president and Omoyele Sowore, publisher of Sahara Reporters.

The court had asked Sowore to pay Saraki N4 billion for allegedly defaming him. But the activist is seeking a vacation of the order.

Sowore gave his own account of what transpired at the court on his Facebook page, alleging that thugs hired by the senate president attacked his lawyers and supporters.

But in a statement sent to TheCable on Wednesday, Omishore denied the allegation.

“It is absolutely false that supporters of the senate president attacked anyone. It is on the record that Sowore has been making frantic efforts to instigate people against Saraki,” he said.

“Sowore posted on his Facebook page a few days ago begging people to come to court in Kwara state to his defence which failed, that must have been why he paid two people to disrupt the court proceedings.

“I was informed that two individuals were apprehended in Ilorin Kwara state at the premises of the court for trying to cause a fracas, during questioning they mentioned that they were paid by Omoyele Sowore of Sahara Reporters.

“Since the judge ruled against Sahara Reporters to pay damages of N4 billion, Sowore has been running from pillar to post to intimidate everyone including members of the judiciary. But the time has come for that to stop and we are determined to follow this to the letter.‎”

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Adeosun: Even FG contractors evade tax

 
 
Kemi Adeosun, minister of finance, says less than 20% of contractors paid by the federal government and its agencies state the income received in their tax returns.

Adeosun, who made this known in a statement released on Wednesday, said the lapse was discovered following the sampling exercise carried out by the ministry of finance.

She said the federal government has started reviewing the tax compliance records of contractors who have received payments from the federal government and its agencies in the last seven years.

“It was a matter of concern that those who earned money directly from government, which is both traceable and verifiable, still failed to pay the correct taxes thereon,” she said.

She also gave the assurance that the new multi-agency, data-driven approach will make it easier for tax authorities to cross check information provided in tax declarations to ensure that the correct taxes are paid.

According to the statement, the ministry of finance and office of the accountant general of the federation are now compiling records of all payments exceeding N100m made in the last seven years including details of the beneficiary bank accounts.

The statement also said that “all agencies have 30 days to return the information on payments made, and accounting officers are required to certify the accuracy of the data supplied. Deliberate omission or manipulation of data by accounting officers will attract sanction”.

According to the statement, a database project called Project Light House, which would build comprehensive profiles of tax payers using bank verification numbers, foreign exchange allocations, land registry records and information obtained from foreign governments, has commenced.
The data will be used to crosscheck information provided to tax authorities.

The minister said the Muhammadu Buhari-led administration is committed to improving tax compliance as this is related to efforts being made to reduce dependence on oil.

She encouraged companies to take advantage of the concessions provided by the voluntary assets and income declaration scheme.


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Melaye: I must repent

 
Dino Melaye, senator representing Kogi west senatorial district, says, Nigerian leaders, including himself, must repent and deal sincerely with hunger and poverty in the country.

Melaye said this in a tweet on Wednesday.

“Hunger and poverty have no political party, hunger and poverty have no religion. To have brought people to discuss on the line of APC or PDP is not correct because the poor PDP man and the poor APC can all go to the same market.”

This comes less than a week after he listed himself among the elite who have failed Nigeria and her teeming youth.

“Unfortunately, we the leaders, myself inclusive, have failed this nation and have failed the younger generation — myself inclusive. The reason why we are where we are today is because there is a disconnect between leadership and followership,” Melaye had said at a symposium organised by The Osasu Show Symposium.

“Apart from militocracy, politics is responsible for poverty and hunger in Nigeria.”


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Mark Zuckerberg And Wife Welcomes Second Daughter, Named Her August

Facebook co-founder Mark Zuckerberg and wife Priscilla Chan on Monday welcomed their second daughter whom they named ‘August’.

In usual practice, Zuckerberg announced the birth of August on Facebook, saying they hope “she doesn’t grow up too fast”.

“Priscilla and I are so happy to welcome our daughter August,” he said adding that they “wrote her a letter about the world we hope she grows up in”.

The letter reads:

“Dear August,

Welcome to the world! Your mom and I are so excited to see who you will become.
When your sister was born, we wrote a letter about the world we hoped she and now you will grow up in — a world with better education, fewer diseases, stronger communities, and greater equality.

We wrote that with all the advances in science and technology, your generation should live dramatically better lives than ours, and we have a responsibility to do our part to make that happen. Even though headlines often focus on what’s wrong, we still believe these positive trends will win out. We’re optimists about your generation and the future.

But rather than write about growing up, we want to talk about childhood. The world can be a serious place. That’s why it’s important to make time to go outside and play.
You will be busy when you’re older, so I hope you take time to smell all the flowers and put all the leaves you want in your bucket now.

I hope you read your favorite Dr. Seuss books so many times you start inventing your own stories about the Vipper of Vipp. I hope you ride the carousel with Max until you’ve tamed every color horse. I hope you run as many laps around our living room and yard as you want. And then I hope you take a lot of naps. I hope you’re a great sleeper. And I hope even in your dreams you can feel how much we love you.

Childhood is magical. You only get to be a child once, so don’t spend it worrying too much about the future. You’ve got us for that, and we’ll do everything we possibly can to make sure the world is a better place for you and all children in your generation.
August, we love you so much and we’re so excited to go on this adventure with you. We wish you a life of joy, love and the same hope you give us.”


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Adekunle Gold: Why I cannot make disposable music

Despite the prevalence and success of ‘disposable’ (commercial) music in the music industry, Adekunle Gold says he’s not ready to hop aboard that bandwagon.

The singer says although “there is that pressure” to make music that will possibly expand his fan base, he constantly reminds himself of why he got into “this business”.

Gold says he’s keen on making “timeless music” that will remain evergreen for as long as possible.
“My goal is not to make disposable music, I want to make timeless music. Constantly I remind myself. I feel like I can write any type of song but will it last me for a decade or a century,” he said in a YouTube Interview.

The singer also narrated how he came about the name ‘Gold’ in 2008.

He said: “I was in church one day and during a sermon, this guy said ‘you can’t substitute rice for gold’. He said it three times and I just knew there and then that this is my name.”

The singer, who wrote Orente for his collaborator/rumoured flame Simi, said one of the downsides of being an entertainer is getting misquoted often.

“I am misquoted almost all the time. You say one thing, someone says another,” he said.
Fame, Adekunle Gold said, has deprived him of his privacy and ability to stay closeted – as he’d love to.
“For some of us that don’t like attention, your privacy is almost gone. It’s okay. I’m not complaining, I’m just saying,” said the singer who was a graphic artiste for YBNL before getting signed by Olamide.


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Man fined $4k for saying Dr Dre will marry S’Korea’s ex-first lady

For spreading rumors about an “unlikely romance” between hip-hop mogul Dr Dre and 95-year-old South Korea’s ex-first lady, an unnamed man has been fined $4,000.

The man, 72, had said the rapper, who owns Aftermath Entertainment, was due to marry Lee Hee-Ho.

He had alleged that the marriage was intended to launder funds which belonged to the late former president, Kim Dae Jung.

Hee-Ho is an influential figure in South Korea. She was the first lady of South Korea from 1988 to 2003.

According to BBC, a Seoul district court ruled on Friday that Lee “violated the honor of the deceased and the bereaved”.

Lee Eun-hee, a judge in the court, said the rumor was baseless.

“The rumour about the slush fund and the marriage between Lee and Dr Dre is groundless,” Eun-hee was quoted as saying.

“It’s unclear, however, whether anyone ever fell for the news of the unlikely romance.”

Asides from being one of the world’s influential music stars, Dr Dre is known for the sale of Beats Electronics – makers of his party headphones, Beats by Dre – to Apple in 2015 for $3bn.
Dr Dre co-owns Beats by Dre with music mogul Jimmy Iovine.
 
The rapper-producer is married to Nicole Threatt, and they have two children together.


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Nollywood actor dies after battle with diabetes

Obi Madubogwo, a Nollywood actor, has died after battling chronic complications of diabetes.

Madubogwo was said to have died Monday evening after he came down with a fever and was subsequently rushed to the hospital, Vanguard reports.

A veteran producer, Chidi Nwokeabia, was quoted to have confirmed Madubogwo’s death.
“Obi is dead, We just spoke to the wife. He developed fever yesterday, went to the hospital this morning, had complications and died. The family will be taking the corpse home tomorrow,” he was quoted as saying.

Emeka Rollas, the new president of the Actors Guild of Nigeria, was also reported to have confirmed Madubogwo’s death.

“It’s sad that after receiving Oni’s congratulatory message on the telephone, he didn’t live to see me face to face and thereafter meet the reforms we are about bringing to AGN with this new excos.

“Obi was part of this dream to see that I become the President of the Guild. Last year, I chaired the event organized by his Saving Life for Africa Diabetes Foundation.

“We talked about how I would use AGN to help drive his foundation if become president of the guild. This is another sad day for Nollywood. May his soul rest in peace.”

Madubogwo was popular for starring in ‘King of Musanga’, ‘Passion of my blood’, and ‘Mothers-in-Law’.


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Dino Melaye Enjoys Himself At Nottinghill Carnival: PHOTOS

Dino Melaye, lawmaker representing Kogi east senatorial district, is taking time to unwind since the upper chamber of the national assembly is on recess.

Photographs of the lawmaker with his children on holiday trips have been circulated on social media.
This time around, pictures of him participating in the Nottinghill Carnival, an annual event in London, have been made public.

 

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How i met Kanye West --- ‘I spent weeks trying to reach him: D'Banj

Singer Dapo ‘D’banj’ Oyebanjo has revealed details of his music partnership with American rapper-producer Kanye West and his G.O.O.D Music record label.

In an interview with Ebro Darden on Apple Music’s Beats 1, D’banj said after running into Kanye by chance in Dubai, he emailed him for “two straight weeks” before they could meet up in New York.
He said Kanye was the “first person to ever take notice [of Afrobeat, AfroPop, African sound] and do something about it”.

Describing his meeting with Kanye in 2010, he said: “I had a concert in Dubai and on my way out of Dubai when we got to the airport I was with my entourage, I came out and the steward came running to me with a plaque saying Mr. Kanye West. So they thought I was Kanye.

After that incident, he told his crew to keep an eye out for Kanye. He continued: “So we’re checking into first class and then saw him with a hoodie. He’s there with his bodyguard. Then before I knew it one of my teammates, one of them ran to him and said “Yo, Mr. Kanye I have the biggest artist from Africa. African Michael Jackson. Let him play you the record.”

D’banj said Kanye listened to two records, and said: “This sound is the new sound”, after which he asked him to meet up in New York.

“I want to do the same thing I did with Estelle. Same thing I did with John Legend. I want to do with you,” the singer quoted Kanye as saying.

“So we flew straight to New York and we’re here in this wonderful city in 2011. We were here for two weeks. I was trying to reach Kanye for two weeks.

“For two weeks straight we waited to no avail and we sent an email that said, ‘I have to got to LA to shoot the Snoop Dogg’s video. On my way back if its possible I would like to see you’ and then we got an email that same night saying, ‘Mr. Kanye West will see you at the address below’. When I got there the whole family was there too you know. Everybody from G.O.O.D. Music. And Kanye said you have to listen to this guy and then he played all the records and we didn’t have Oliver Twist then.

After releasing ‘Oliver Twist,’ D’banj said he wrote another e-mail to Kanye West, saying, “there’s this song I recorded even though our deal is not done yet can I release it in the U.K. and Europe and when we’re done we’ll release it in America and Kanye was kind enough to say I’m in London come through and he heard the song.

“He said, ‘When are you shooting the video?’ I said, ‘I will shoot it now if you are going to be in the video. Just tell me you will be in the video. I will shoot it now’.

D’banj said when Kanye gave him his word that he would show up with the G.O.O.D Music crew for the video shoot, he “immediately broke the bank” to make the video.

The singer however said Oliver Twist was never released in the US.

“Kanye surprised me and they came and I became history and everything blew up, but the song never released in the states,” he added.


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Nigerian dancer’s attempt to break world record fails

Few days ago, dancer Joshua Usoro set out to break the world record for ‘Longest Dance Marathon by an Individual’ but on Monday afternoon, his attempt ended abruptly.

Blaming “unforeseen circumstances”, Usoro who sought to enter into the Guinness Book of World Records says he will give it another shot in the future.

The 25-year-old graduate of Covenant University was attempting to break the record currently held by Kalamandalam Hemaleth.

The Indian set the record in 2010 record after dancing for 123 hours and 15 minutes in a session tagged ‘Mohiniyattam’. It took her six days to set the record.

Usoro was only able to achieve a dance marathon of 63 hrs 15 minutes.

“We are deeply sorry for the late post on updates #JasonGWR. We announce the stop to the attempt of longest dance marathon by an individual due to unforeseen circumstance. To all of our sponsors and supporters, we really appreciate the indulgence,” a statement by his management read.

Usoro, while thanking everyone who supported him, said, “I am so happy and sincerely grateful, the love was unbelievable. I did this for passion and to inspire someone to push beyond despite fear or doubt, give a shot. Life is beautiful and it’s an honor to have shared such a wonderful experience with you all.

“Just want to say a big thank you to all my partners for the love and support, my team and to everyone. Will attempt it again. I love you so much. I am very much healthy and resting.”

Usoro’s dance marathon, which held at the Circle Mall in Lekki, Lagos, was attended by ace dancer Kafayat Shafau, who popped in to show him support on the third day.


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I’m still childless; 8 years After I had an abortion because of my white wedding…

Photo credit: Google

“I found out I was pregnant when it was four months away from our wedding day. The discovery was devastating. Abortion became the only option for me. 

The wedding invitation cards had been printed and dispatched. The hall had been rented and paid for.
I and my fiancé had been planning our wedding and attending pre-marital counselling in church. Part of the requirement for the eligibility for a church wedding included a negative pregnancy test which would have been carried out at about a week from the wedding date.

I decided to abort the pregnancy. It was devastating but I had to do it, partly because I am the only daughter of my parents and they had always dreamt of organizing a massive white wedding for me. I couldn’t bear to disappoint her and a host of other aunties who had already invested in our ‘Aso-ebi’.
It was the hardest decision of my life and it tears me apart every day.  I thought I would get pregnant again immediately after the wedding, but it is eight years after I walked down the aisle and I am still trying to conceive. I am now a shadow of former boisterous self. I have been living with deep regret and shame over my past action. I wish God could find a place in his heart to forgive me”.

The story of Stella (not real name) represents a percentage of women who are struggling with their emotions after an abortion. Many women and men alike experience complex emotions, whether the decision for abortion was for the right medical reasons or for other reasons.

Abortion and infertility
Having an abortion won’t usually affect your chances of becoming pregnant and having normal pregnancies in the future. There is however a risk to your fertility and future pregnancies if you develop a womb infection that isn’t treated promptly. In rare cases, multiple dilations and curettages (the cleaning out of the uterus, also known as D& C) can cause scarring at the top of the cervix or uterus.

Other causes leading to infertility after an abortion has been attributed to the perforation of the uterus, incompetent cervix, pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) which can increase the risk of ectopic pregnancy, where an egg implants itself outside of the womb. A procedure called hysteroscopy can be used to investigate and correct this problems.

History of the white wedding gown
A church wedding is not compulsory! In a recent expose by renowned Family Life coach, Praise Fowowe he reveals that the white wedding gown doesn’t signify purity. “It was a concept that became popular in 1840, when Victoria wore a white gown to incorporate some lace she prized. The picture went viral and many opted for it afterwards”. The veiling of the bride originated from the idea that she must be hidden from evil spirits lest she becomes vulnerable to enchantments. “So the wedding veil was to scare of spirits”.

The wedding reception originally held at the bride’s home for the couple to receive their community and the family’s financial standing often dictated the style and magnitude of the reception.

Unresolved grief
While a previous abortion may affect your chances of getting pregnant or sustaining one, it is more important to rid yourself of guilt. Many of the complex emotions women are left to cope with after abortion and delayed conception, begins as soon as a woman learns or suspect she is pregnant. Confusion, fear, guilt, shame, isolation, anxiety usually sets in the case of an unplanned pregnancy.

Loss
Grieving is a natural human process and it is important that we allow ourselves and others to feel grief after a loss  just like any experience of loss, the emotions after an abortion will differ from person to person. You can deal with the loss in a much more positive and useful way by representing it in a meaningful way. Grief and loss are emotions, just like anger and fear are emotions.   We can feel grief and loss after losing a loved one, a relationship break-up, or a job.

Guilt
Some women experience Post Abortion Stress syndrome (PASS). Those affected can find themselves experiencing a common set of physical or emotional issues after experiencing momentary relief. Abortion is also often accompanied by complex feelings of guilt if they feel it has compromised their spiritual, ethical or political beliefs. In this cases, guilt can be resolved by forgiving oneself and seeking forgiveness from God or a spiritual higher power. You may need to talk to someone about it to help you move through the process.

Shame
Many are afraid of sharing their physical and emotional experiences due to the fear and shame of political and religious backlash.  Shame is a more prevalent emotion that can be felt depending on one’s religion. “Shame is something we feel based on our perception that others think we could or should have done differently”.

Isolation
The fear of judgment and feeling alone can cause many women who are dealing with guilt, loss and even infertility after an abortion to remain quiet. It is a disenfranchised grief and loss that the society does not validate. People do not also feel the need to grief the loss because it was their choice or because of the stigma associated with the act.

Please know that it’s part of your story and you have every right to experience every emotion that comes with it. While this is not a way of validating your action, it is seeking a greater release that helps you move on to be all that you were destined to be in life. The emotions of guilt and shame is crippling. Consider opening up to a professional counselor or therapist, while also seeking a support system.

 Source: TheCable

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Melaye: I have failed this nation.

Dino Melaye, senator representing Kogi west senatorial district, has included himself among the political elite who have failed Nigeria and her teeming youth.

Speaking at The Osasu Show Symposium in Abuja on Friday, Melaye said politics being played by the elite is responsible for poverty and hunger in Nigeria, and both ills have no political party.

Melaye, who spoke as one of the panelists at the symposium, themed ‘The new economy and its impact on less priviledge citizens’, advised government to build public trust to curb societal ills.

“When you speak the truth, you die, when you lie, you die; so it is better to speak the truth and die. I may sound very unpopular but I will speak the truth. Apart from militocracy, politics is responsible for poverty and hunger in Nigeria,” Melaye said.

“Unfortunately, we the leaders, myself inclusive, have failed this nation and have failed the younger generation — myself inclusive. The reason why we are where we are today is because there is a disconnect between leadership and followership.

“As I speak to you, the problem why we are where we are is because of trust. There is no trust between the governed and those governing.

“Once there is no trust between the followership and the leadership, it will definitely have a negative concomitant effect on the economy, and every other facet of our national life.”

Melaye added that the ills facing Nigeria have no political party, and must be tackled by everyone.
“Hunger and poverty have no political party, hunger and poverty have no religion. To have brought people to discuss on the line of APC or PDP is not correct, because the poor PDP man and the poor APC man all go to the same market,” he said.

“What we should fix is democracy; democracy is government of the people, by the people and for the people. What we have is greediocracy; government of the greedy by the greedy, for the greedy.

“We the leaders want to win elections at all cost, so we spend money to win elections. The followership also is greedy, they accept money to vote. So, head or tail, there is a need for attitudinal change and this is affecting everything.”

“Today, we are talking about the recovery of our economy, we are talking about poverty and how to fight it. The only way to fight poverty is for we leaders to build trust among the people.

“How do you build trust? Today, if there is a policy statement banning the use of generators everywhere including the villa, when there is no light or electricity in Aso Rock, there should be no electricity in Nyanya.

“When there is no light in Lugbe, there should be no light anywhere; the citizens will develop confidence.

“When I was a member of the house of reps, I moved a motion that sons and daughters of all political office holders, or all politically exposed persons, from councillors to president should attend public school, that motion was not seconded; it died.

“If the son of the governor, senator is attending public schools, he will fix the school. So the issue of poverty is self-created. I want to call on us, everyone; leadership, followership, that especially the elites in this country; the Amaechi of this world, the Dinos of this world, the Igbinedions of this world, the Iboris of this world, we must take care of the poor.”

MELAYE: KIDNAPPING IS THE RE-DISTRIBUTION OF ILL-GOTTEN WEALTH

“If we don’t take of the poor, a time will come when the poor will take care of themselves, and how are they going to take care of themselves? It is already happening. There was no kidnapping before, today, kidnapping, from my own poor, myopic definition is redistribution of ill-gotten wealth,” Melaye added.

L-R: Obong Victor Attah, former governor of Akwa Ibom state; Osasu, and Dakuku Peterside, NIMASA MD at the symposium

“People now are afraid. People from the southeast, who normally will buy a big jeep and go home, these days take Abuja taxi. People no longer call Sunny Ade to come and perform at programmes because you call him today, tomorrow your brother, your sister, your mother will be kidnapped.
“So the rich is already paying for the inadequacies of their actions, so we must as a matter of urgent national importantce create attitudinal change.

“When I was growing up as a child, houses had no fences, even in the GRAs. The situation got deteriorated, we started building houses with tall fences. Where I see tall fences as a child was either a Zoo or a prison yard.

“The situation got bad we started using broken bottles as barriers on our fences. It deteriorated, we started using barbed wires, today, it is electric fence. From beware of dogs, now we have beware of lions, beware of snakes.

“There is a need for amelioration, and that amelioration is that we must build public trust, public trust will end hnger, public trust will create jobs, and this agitation today for Biafra is as a result of hunger and unemployment, take care of that, there will be no agitation.”


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Game of Thrones season finale breaks audience record

The season seven finale of American fantasy television series, Game of Thrones, was watched by a total of 16.5 million viewers.

The live broadcast alone, which was aired on Sunday night, was seen by 12.1 million viewers, making it the most-watched episode in series history.

According to Nielsen data, the figure was a series record in ratings.

The total viewership figure includes those who viewed the episode as it aired or on the same night on HBO Go or HBO Now.

The 12.1 million viewers who tuned in on television represent a 36% increase from season six finale, which was watched by 8.9 million viewers.

According to HBO, Sunday night’s record audience is 13% more than the previous episode which was released two weeks earlier.

The first episode of season seven had also set a premiere record with 10.1 million viewers tuning in.
Game of Thrones, based on ‘A Song of Ice and Fire’ by George R.R. Martin, is perhaps the most successful series on American television.

Its popularity hasn’t come without plenty downsides.

Hackers had recently demanded a ransom of $7.5 million from HBO to stop leaking stolen episodes of the show.

In a ransome note, the hackers had urged HBO to pay the ransom or have sensitive company data posted online.
A similar situation had occurred in previous seasons of Game of Thrones.


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Something dreadful is happening at Ibadan abattoir

 

 Ibadan, the capital of Oyo state, is a large metropolitan community with a rich historical heritage and considerable socioeconomic appreciation. It is the third largest city in Nigeria with an estimated area of 3000 kilometers and a growing population of about 3 million people. The city has a predominant Yoruba population, with a generous mix of migrated residents from other tribes and parts of the country. In an almost equal proportion, Muslims and Christians co-exist peacefully.
In the heart of Ibadan lies Bodija, a highly commercial and high-brow residential district with an adjoining food and resource market. The Bodija market, which is widely regarded as one of the biggest markets in Oyo, also houses a notable slum community and the controversial Bodija Abattoir (also widely known as one of the most active and thriving abattoirs in the country).
Much like in most parts of Nigeria, meat remains a delicacy irrespective of socioeconomic status, religion, and tribe. And especially for Ibadan indigenes and residents, the love for meat remains constant as it forms a major part of their daily diet. Correspondingly, this city is especially acclaimed for its ‘bukas’ and ‘amala joints’ – which are local restaurants that serve indigenous foods like amala, eba, and iyan accompanied with the local soups and large portions of beef, goat meat and offal. These bukas are particularly interesting because even though a majority of them exist in run-down shacks with highly questionable food hygiene and little or no health inspection, they are still largely patronised by all and sundry – irrespective of socioeconomic status.
Ogunfe, eran, inu-eran, fuku, edo, okan, isi-ewu, roundabout and others – all products of cattle and goat meat are largely consumed by residents of Ibadan and are delicacies that visitors to Ibadan often look forward to consuming. Furthermore, in most Ibadan households, meat is a constant presence in meals. In fact, it is said to be either a sign of disrespect or of abject poverty for an Ibadan indigene or resident not to have meat on his/her plate when served – a great demonstration of the appreciation for meat there.
For the millions of meat consumers in Ibadan and its vicinity, hundreds of thousands of them get their meat source from the controversial Bodija abattoir community. The abattoir/market/slum community is in Bodija, a two-minute drive away from the University of Ibadan.
It is an astonishing paradox to discover that Bodija abattoir is most likely the most dilapidated, unsanitary, and notorious abattoir in Nigeria. Upon entering the abattoir, you would be hit with the glaring evidence of a failed and a broken-down system. The abattoir, which was established since 1986, is still in use till today without any renovation. Due to constant over-use by an overcrowded population of at least 500 workers daily, the infrastructure and housing expectedly remain in a run-down, dilapidated state.

 BLOOD, FAECES, FILTH

Any visitor to the abattoir would be quick to notice the terrible state of environmental squalor and chaos in every direction. Now, as expected, the business of slaughtering animals and processing meat in the abattoir always generates a huge amount of biological waste. This biological waste includes large amounts of blood, animal faeces, ingesta (from the animal’s intestines), body fluids and inedible animal by-products. For the Bodija abattoir, instead of a proper and sanitary waste management system, this waste is scattered in huge piles and heavy splatters around and in the abattoir buildings; even right where the animals are being butchered and where the meat is being “cleaned”.
After the usual routine of slaughtering the animal and “cleaning” the meat, any attempt at washing off the waste and dirt usually means just directing the pile of waste into the run-off gutters in the abattoir building. Unfortunately, the gutters are constantly blocked due to poor maintenance, and with a large number of animals slaughtered daily, this pile of fecal and biological waste continues to fill up and block the gutters. In this case, it is not surprising and equally disgusting to see huge flies feasting and worms breeding in it. Even more shocking is seeing butchers and meat sellers “washing” their meat and offal (which will be for sale) in the waterlogged areas of the gutters.
Another confounding issue at the Bodija Abattoir is the complete lack of meat inspection officers. Now, the core duties of meat inspection officers include the following;

• To inspect every animal brought into the abattoir for slaughter,
• To verify the animals as suitable for slaughter and processing into meat and,
• To ensure that every meat and offal retrieved from the slaughtered animals is duly inspected and verified as suitable for sale for public consumption.

This means that in a functional working abattoir environment, any animal or meat that the meat inspection officer does not approve for slaughter or for sale is condemned and should be appropriately disposed of and destroyed. However, at the Bodija Abattoir, there has been no functional meat inspection officer for more than two years. First, there are just about 10 employed meat inspection officers, a very few number assigned to cater to a population of over 500 butchers. Secondly, there has always been a constant face-off between the meat inspection officers and the butchers because condemnation of a butcher’s meat means a loss of money (on the butcher’s part) without any government compensation. These confrontations sometimes get violent with the inspector’s life in danger. Therefore, many inspectors might rather choose to be diplomatic and less forceful to protect both their lives and their jobs.

Furthermore, there is a big issue stemming from a purported relocation of the Bodija abattoir to another assigned location. According to informed sources, a new modernised abattoir was built in 2014 with a location on the outskirts of Ibadan. It was built through a public-private partnership and was expected to host the abattoir workers and meat inspection officers after being compulsorily relocated.

However, till date, the Bodija abattoir workers have blatantly refused to relocate despite face-offs and attempts at forceful evacuation by the government with the police. Various reports from the abattoir workers indicate that they do not trust government motives as they believe the government intends to rip them off financially with exorbitant tariffs at the new location. More so, they also feel left out and believed they should have been consulted in the plans for establishment of the new abattoir since they are also stakeholders.

No meat inspection in more than 2 years!
Other contrary opinions state that the whole situation has been highly politicized to the detriment of the abattoir workers and the population of meat consumers. The meat inspection officers have since relocated their offices to the new abattoir but with no abattoir activity or operation to oversee. Therefore this apparent gridlock between the abattoir workers and the government has resulted in no meat inspection being carried out for more than 2 years now.

‘KILLING THE DEAD’ AND OTHER UNSCRUPULOUS BEHAVIOURS

Furthermore, there is the great issue of unscrupulous meat processing activities and unhealthy behavior that is paramount among the abattoir workers. These activities include the following; slaughtering of animals that are dead or near death or with apparent diseases or sickness for meat, to sell for public consumption.



This animal was rushed into the abattoir in a near-death, sick and highly emaciated state, and quickly slaughtered. The meat will be sold for public consumption. In an ideal situation, it is an abomination to slaughter such an animal but there are no meat inspection officers to stop this. Even if a meat inspection officer was available, the butchers would probably start a fight to resist the carcass being condemned.
Highly diseased offal (kidneys) from diseased and sick animals. As expected of the butchers, this offal would still be sold to the public for consumption as there is no meat inspection officer to stop them.

Washing of meat inside dirty, fecal or bloody water

This is the goat section. These women can be seen washing their slaughtered goat and meat (for ogunfe) with murky filthy waters from the run-off gutters. This meat will be sold for public consumption. Also notice that they are standing and “washing from inside the gutters without boots, gloves or any form of protective clothing.

• Human urination and defecation around and in the abattoir run-off gutters;
• Hawking edible foodstuff and eating within the slaughter area.

Food sellers and hawkers located right in the filthy abattoir environment with flies buzzing around

• Indiscriminate dumping of refuse, fecal and biological waste as discussed earlier

Selling of dead fetus from slaughtered cows, ewes and sows.
These are dead fetuses gotten from an ewe (female goat) and cow (female cattle) respectively. These are commonly sold for suya – another popular Nigerian delicacy). In an ideal abattoir environment, it is illegal and unethical to slaughter pregnant cows, ewes and sow for meat, not to mention the sale of dead fetus.
In addition, the abattoir is located within a large slum community of about 5,000 people which lacks basic infrastructure and hosts an additional number of unscrupulous activities and developmental issues such as illiteracy, prostitution, drug abuse, fights and disputes, poor health, mental illness, extreme poverty, with the associated culture of begging. All these perpetuate a failed system with very poor meat hygiene and a calamitous public health situation.

Dead fetuses from an ewe (female goat

‘CATTLE SNIFFING INDIAN HEMP’

Another noteworthy issue is the total lack of orderliness and decorum that makes the working abattoir environment very prone to injuries and accidents. The abattoir is usually bustling with an overcrowded population of workers going about their daily activities and swinging machetes, knives, and other sharp and dangerous instruments without any protective clothing. With the lack of organized and defined space to accommodate the high number of abattoir workers and their animals, any and every space can be utilized. The word ‘Ago’ which is a warning to “move out of the way” is frequently heard. Unheeding to that call may lead to being shoved to the floor of filth, or a remarkable injury or a quick hit by some angry bull/cow being taken to slaughter. There are also reports that for an added macho show, some butchers sniff their cattle with Indian hemp (igbo) which charges the bulls/cows as they are driven into the abattoir area for slaughter. As expected, anyone who stands in the way of such a bull/cow is in a precarious position indeed. So, in this environment of chaos and danger where no one wears protective clothing, it is not surprising to find frequent incidents of remarkable injuries, slips, falls and with the scars to show for it. And though experience has taught most abattoir workers how to meander through swinging machetes, stabbing knives and angry bulls and cows taken to slaughter, working in the Bodija abattoir remains a dangerous and injury-prone working environment.

WATER SCARCITY

Another major issue at the abattoir is inadequate and inconsistent potable water supply. Naturally, an abattoir greatly needs a generous and constant supply of potable water because of the constant generation of high volumes of biological waste. But in this case, the Bodija abattoir is far from the ideal. There is no direct supply of water into the various buildings, and until recently, the abattoir workers fetched water from dug wells which were in highly unsanitary conditions – with shocking reports that for some reason, people defecate in the wells.  So presently, the abattoir gets its water supply from an installed borehole that was eventually donated by the state government after much dialogue. However, as there is no electricity in the abattoir, water can only be pumped using an electric generator. It is important to note that even with the advent of the borehole, the unsanitary environmental issues remain the same.  Therefore, in frequent cases of a failing generator or technical issues with the pumping machine when water supply is very limited, the situation of poor sanitation, poor environmental hygiene and indiscriminate waste disposal gets even worse.

These dreadful and shocking conditions in the Bodija Abattoir where meat is produced elicits a variety of questions that beg for answers. And this is even more of a precarious situation since most of us Nigerians consume meat as a major source of protein. The Bodija Abattoir in Ibadan is just one of the many examples of the highly filthy and unhealthy states of the abattoirs and slaughterhouses around the country and in our individual environment.

Source: TheCable

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Schools, airports, offices shut as Hurricane cripples Houston

Schools, airports and office buildings in Houston, a city in the US state of Texas, were ordered shut on Monday as scores of roads turned into rivers and chest-high water filled neighborhoods in the low-lying city.

This is as a result of Tropical Storm Harvey, the most powerful hurricane to hit Texas in more than 50 years.

Flooding paralysed the country’s fourth biggest city, forcing thousands to flee surrounding counties and swollen rivers to levels not seen in centuries.

Harvey, first hit land late on Friday and has killed at least two people.

It has since stayed around Texas’ Gulf of Mexico Coast where it is forecast to remain for several more days, drenching parts with a year’s worth of rain in the span of a week.

Torrential rain also hit areas more than 150 miles (240 km) away, swelling rivers upstream and causing a surge that was heading toward the Houston area.

Authorities ordered more than 50,000 people to leave parts of Fort Bend County, about 35 miles (55 km) southwest of Houston as the Brazos River was set to crest at a record high of 59 feet (18 m) this week, 14 feet above its flood stage.

Brazos County Judge Robert Hebert told reporters the forecast crest represents a high not seen in at least 800 years.

“What we’re seeing is the most devastating flood event in Houston’s recorded history,” said Steve Bowen, chief meteorologist at reinsurance firm Aon Benfield.

Total precipitation could reach 50 inches (127 cm) in some coastal areas of Texas by the end of the week, or the average rainfall for an entire year, forecasters said. Nearly 24 inches fell in a span of 24 hours in Baytown, a city home to major refineries about 30 miles east of Houston, the National Weather Service said early on Monday.

“Water started flooding our house and by last night we were unable to leave,” said Maria Davila, one of about 1,000 people in a makeshift shelter at Houston’s sprawling convention center.

Dallas will set up a “mega shelter” it its convention center to house 5,000 evacuees, the city said in a statement.

President Donald Trump plans to go to Texas on Tuesday to survey damage from the storm, a White House spokeswoman said on Sunday.

Trump, facing the first big US natural disaster since he took office in January, signed a disaster proclamation on Friday, triggering federal relief efforts.

Greg Abbott, Texas governor, said he plans to add 1,000 more National Guard personnel to the flood battle.

Harvey is expected to produce an additional 15 inches to 25 inches of rain through Friday in the upper Texas coast and into southwestern Louisiana, the National Hurricane Center said.

The center of Harvey was 96 miles (154 km) southwest of Houston on Monday morning and forecast to arc slowly toward the city through Wednesday.

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‘They are raping us’: Ycee goes on Twitter rant, blasts Sony Music executive

Two months shy of the one-year anniversary of his distribution deal with Sony Music Entertainment, ‘Juice’ singer Ycee appears to have gotten out of the partnership less than what he expected.

Ycee – real name Oludemilade Martin Alejo – took to Twitter on Tuesday evening to criticise Michael Ugwu, general manager, Sony Music West Africa.

The livid singer accused Ugwu of milking artistes of their sweat, saying, “Ever wondered why these execs running digital sharing companies live like they signed all the artistes? Cos they eating everyone’s [money]”.

In another tweet, Ycee asked Ugwu, “How’s business? Booming? You milked anyone new lately?”
He also lumped Freeme Digital, an online music distribution service, into his firing line.

“Oh and don’t forget @freemedigital. More like slavery digital. No wonder yall always smiling in that office,” he wrote.

Ycee lamented that many artistes and stakeholders in the music industry were aware that they are being scammed by the music distribution companies, yet remain mute.

According to the ‘Jagaban’ singer, the distribution companies are “raping” artistes.

“Funny how we all know these niggaz ain’t straight and we just keep quiet… meanwhile they raping us in silence,” he wrote.

“Don’t even know how this dream started and you just wanna reap completely of mans hardwork and sweat? God forbid.”

After Ycee penned the distribution deal with Sony in 2016, Ugwu had said: “Ycee is the future of Hip Hop in Africa and will be front and centre of SME West Africa’s strategy as we take Africa to the World.”

Ycee, who would go on to release the hugely successful ‘Juice’, released his first EP, ‘The First Wave’, under Sony Music.


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Who Wants to be a Millionaire returns two months after going off air,‘

Who Wants to be a Millionaire, popular TV game show, has announced an imminent return – two months after MTN pulled out as a sponsor.

The show which went off the air in June will return on September 3, according to the organisers.

“We are pleased to inform the general public that the popular family quiz program ‘Who Wants To Be A Millionaire? Nigeria’ will return to TV on the 3rd of September 2017,” said a statement released on Tuesday.

“New season, new sponsors, whooping cash prizes to be won. Don’t miss any of the episodes.”

Airopay, the new sponsors of Who Wants To Be A Millionaire, is a global international payments operator which “offers a secure, fast and inexpensive way to send and receive money via bank accounts and mobile wallets”.

In a message posted on social media, Ultimia Studios welcomed Airopay on board, saying: “We look forward to a great partnership with your team. #Signed&Sealed.”

Who Wants to be a Millionaire, popular TV game show, will be going on hiatus in Nigeria after telecommunications company MTN reportedly pulled out as a sponsor.

Announcing the temporary break on June 25, Frank Edoho, the show’s host of 13 years, had said MTN “pulled out”.

“Sadly, we are going on a break cos our sponsor pulled out. But we thank @MTNNG for being with us all these years. Please thank them for us,” he had tweeted.

It is yet to be known if Edoho will continue as the host of the game show.

Who Wants to be a Millionaire began airing on Nigerian television in 2004.


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FG: Igbo quit notice: Those guilty will be punished

The federal government says an investigation is still ongoing into the quit notice issued to the Igbo by the Arewa youth, and that whoever is found guilty will eventually be brought to book.

On June 6, some northern youth groups led by Arewa Consultative Forum had asked the Igbo to leave the region within three months. The groups also threatened to take over the property of the Igbo in the north.

But they withdrew the ultimatum last Thursday, a few days after President Muhammadu Buhari declared that Nigerians were free to live anywhere in the country.

Speaking at a press conference in Abuja on Tuesday, Abubakar Malami, minister of justice and attorney-general of the federation, said the investigation into the matter is not time-bound.

“The way the government works is that a lot of considerations naturally come into play. One is investigation, which is not time-bound; two, security consideration; three, expeditious determination and consideration of public interest,” he said.

“But one thing that is certain is that the government is ever alive to its responsibilities and whoever is found wanting, regardless of the length of time, will definitely be brought to book.

“That is the way it works. I assure you that the government will, within the context of its responsibilities, work to ensure good governance, justice, peace and fairness in the nation.”

Malami’s explanation came on the same day some United Nations human rights experts called for the prosecution of those behind the quit notice.

Abdulrahman Dambazau, minister of interior, had on August 12 said the Arewa youthhad denied making any inciting comment.

“They (the youth) later claimed the media quoted them out of context. I am very much aware that the DSS invited all of them, held a meeting with them to which they made a statement to the effect that what was reported in the media was not what they said,” the minister had said.


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US agrees to sell $593m warplanes to Nigeria

The US has sold warplanes and weapons worth $593m to Nigeria.

According to Reuters, the Pentagon notified the US Congress on Monday of the sale to Nigeria of 12 Super Tucano A-29 planes and weapons.

The Super Tucano A-29, an agile, propeller-driven plane with reconnaissance and surveillance as well as attack capabilities, is made by Brazil’s Embrae

The news agency said the move was announced by the Pentagon’s defense security cooperation agency.

The US had placed an embargo on arms sale to Nigeria owing to allegations of gross human right abuses against the military.

In 2014, the government of Barack Obama turned down entreaties by former President Goodluck Jonathan for the sale of arms needed to fight insurgency.

The US government couched its decision on the Leahy Law which prohibits the sale of weapons to countries with records of human rights abuses.

Critics also opposed the decision of administration of President Donald Trump to sell arms to Nigeria.

Writing in War on The Rocks, an online policy discussion platform, Matthew Page, a former top expert of the US state department, accused the President Muhammadu Buhari government of violating human rights and misplacing his priorities.

He also alleged that the Nigeria air force officer who went to the US to negotiate the contract in July 2015 “has since been charged with corruption”.

Page wrote: “The Department of Defense will soon notify Congress it plans to sell 12 A-29 Super Tucano light attack aircraft to Nigeria. Both countries hope that the propeller-driven warplanes — tailored for counterinsurgency operations — will bolster Nigerian efforts to combat Boko Haram, one of the world’s deadliest terrorist groups. U.S. policymakers also want the sale to be a visible symbol of their strong desire to do more to help Nigeria combat terrorism.

“Unfortunately, the sale will be a Pyrrhic victory for five reasons: It is way too expensive, it undermines U.S. corruption policy, it overlooks recent human rights abuses, it won’t help Nigeria fight the Boko Haram of tomorrow, and it won’t foster closer defense cooperation.”

According to Page, who co-authored a forthcoming book, ‘Nigeria: What Everyone Needs to Know’, the country should be encouraged to buy a squadron of Brazilian-American turbo-props which are “way cheaper”.

In November 2016, Amnesty International, human rights watchdog, released a report alleging extra-judicial killing of 150 pro-Biafra protesters by the army.

The organisation had also condemned the killing of more than 300 Shiites by soldiers in Kaduna in December 2015, and it called for a probe of the killings.

The army had set up a panel of inquiry, comprising its members, to probe the allegations. But it cleared itself of any wrongdoing.

However, following agitations by the human rights groups over the composition of the panel, the government set up an independent panel to investigate the allegations.

The panel is yet to conclude its assignment.


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‘How Hong Kong benefited from tunnel project Gowon’s regime frustrated in Lagos’

Ishola Oluwa, a retired judge of Lagos state high court, has spoken on how Hong Kong benefited from a project which the regime of Yakubu Gowon, former military head of state, allegedly frustrated in Lagos state.

Gowon presided over the country between 1966 and 1975.

In an interview with TheCable, Oluwa said an underground road tunnel designed to connect Agege to Tafawa Balewa Square (TBS) in Lagos was prevented from seeing the light of the day.

He said the foreign firm which was to execute the project later constructed a tunnel in Hong Kong, an autonomous territory and former British colony in southeastern China.

Oluwa said he decided to speak on the issue at this point in time because he wants Akinwunmi Ambode, governor of the state, to reconsider the project.

“When General Yakubu Gowon was the head of state between 1966 and 1975, the former chief justice of Nigeria, Justice Adetokunbo Ademola (now late) invited me and two others for a meeting at Metropolitan Club in Lagos where we met with two white men from England who told us their company was interested in building Underground Tunnel from Agege to Race Course (Tafewa Balewa Square),” he said.

“The project was to be executed solely by the foreign company after which they would run it for some years and hand it over to the government.

“The matter was then discussed with the then head of state for permission for the commencement of the project. General Gowon said he needed time to discuss the project with members of the federal cabinet.

Gowon and some members of his cabinet

“After the discussion, members of the federal cabinet rejected the project and the white men left the country in annoyance. It was later discovered that the rejection was on account of ethnicity, politics and another sensitive factor which I don’t want to mention in public.

“Similar project was later to be executed by the same company in Hong Kong and they are better for it till today.”

He advised Ambode to reconsider the project, saying if executed, it would go a long way in bringing succor to the people as far as connectivity is concerned.

“I strongly think that the Lagos state government under very transformational and innovative Governor, Mr Akinwunmi Ambode should reconsider pursuing the project,” said.

“I know that such a project, if pursued with the characteristic innovative passion of the Governor Ambode Administration, will go a long way in solving some of the connectivity issues the State is grappling with, and also provide jobs for the mass of the people.”


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Floods In Houston: PHOTOS

Houston, the fourth most populous city in the US, is currently battling with flood. Many have been rendered homeless, while offices have remained closed.

Rescue operation ongoing in the disaster created by Hurricane Harvey.

  

Olori Wuraola: My marriage to Ooni is over; but I never cheated on him

Olori Wuraola Ogunwusi has announced that her marriage to Adeyeye Ogunwusi, the Ooni of Ife, is over.

The queen who has reverted to her maiden name Zaynab-Otiti Obanor says she was never unfaithful to the monarch despite reports suggesting so.

In a statement posted on Instagram on Wednesday, she wrote: “We have got to stop this culture of shaming and vilifying women with false stories of infidelity & nefarious behavior. The spreading of false information (through “sources” afraid to be identified) is the mark of cowards and a cover up for guilty parties to justify their horrific actions.

“There is absolutely no truth to the media circulated lies of infidelity and infertility- on my end. What I can confirm, is that the Ooni and I are no more.

“I inhale love & exhale gratitude. My journey continues as a Humanitarian aiding women and victims of domestic violence & abuse with the United Nations. No matter how much time you’ve invested, no matter the use of media to silence & manipulate, no matter the circumstance, slander, embarrassment, threats and lies: Get out and seek immediate help!

“We’ve seen this movie before. Women being dragged in the press & blamed for everything under the sun. This behavior is unacceptable. I urge those involved to be mindful of their actions for the eyes of our Almighty God are always watching. The seeds of slander is a cancer that harvests to eat away the souls of the planter.”

“{The throne is sacred and the attempts to tarnish the name of a Queen, in defense or on behalf of a silent King makes all involved look terrible. Remain dignified in all you do. It’s not the end of the world, but the start of a new chapter and you must turn the page with grace. The world is watching.

“As I bid adieu to this chapter, my wish to you all is to step into your lives – boldly & fearlessly, the way God intended and live not just by words, but through example. The best chapter in our lives is the one we are writing now. Thank you for your love and support.”

The statement was signed with “Her Highness, Zaynab Otiti Obanor”.

The royal union lasted only 17 months.


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Why we’re yet to recover $15m arms funds seized by South Africa: FG

The federal government says it is yet to retrieve the $15m arms funds the South African government seized from the administration of ex-President Goodluck Jonathan due to “multiplicity of diplomatic engagement”.

On September 5, South African authorities seized $9.3m cash belonging to the Nigerian government before seizing another $5.7m about one month later, claiming both funds were intended for the illegal purchase of arms.

Speaking at a press conference in Abuja on Tuesday, Abubakar Malami, minister of justice and attorney-general of the federation (AGF), said diplomatic intricacies and the long process involved has been a major cause of delay in retrieving the fund.

He said such hitches also account for why the government was yet to record much success in efforts aimed at repatriating looted funds.

“As it relates to the money in South Africa and other countries, my reaction to recovery generally is that it is a process; a process involving mostly nations whose legal systems differ,” he said.
“The process in respect of diplomatic consideration equally plays a key role over and above international convention and best practices.

“So, when multiplicity of legal systems is in issue, multiplicity of diplomatic engagement is in contention, delay is naturally bound to set in.

“But, one thing I want to state categorically is that the government is doing whatever is possible to ensure the recovery of monies that relate to Nigeria in all jurisdictions and not necessarily limited to South Africa.”

Malami’s claims notwithstanding, the South African government had confirmed at that time that  Nigeria had received the seized funds.

Although the purported arms deal that led to the seizure was speculated to be illegal, Sambo Dasuki, then national security adviser, maintained that thye transactions were legal.


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South Korea drops bombs on border with North Korea in show of ‘overwhelming force

South Korea has just dropped eight heavy bombs near the border with North Korea.

According to Yonhap news agency, the bombing was to show off the country’s ‘overwhelming force’ after Pyongyang’s launching of a ballistic missile over the north of Japan.

South Korean President Moon Jae-in ordered the strike, by four F-15K fighter-bombers, at a firing range in the east of the country to ‘display a strong capability to punish’ North Korea, should it decide to attack.

 All eight bombs hit their targets at a testing ground on South Korean soil, officials said.

The MK-84 multi-purpose bomb weighs 2,000lb, and can penetrate 11 metres of earth and 11 feet of concrete.

North Korea sparked international fear and outrage by testing an immediate-range ballistic missile that was big enough to carry a nuclear warhead. The missile flew over Japan’s northern Hokkaido island.

Japan’s prime minister Shinzo Abe condemned the test as an ‘unprecedented, serious and grave threat’, adding: ‘We will do our utmost to protect people’s lives.’

The launch apparently came from Sunan, where Pyongyang’s airport is located, meaning that it’s likely the missile was fired from an airport runway.

Japan’s J-Alert warning signal told everyone in the area to seek shelter in a ‘sturdy building or basement’.

The missile then broke into three pieces and fell into the waters off Hokkaido.

Tensions have been rising between Pyongyang and the US-South Korea coalition.

South Korea and the US have been carrying out joint war games close to the border with North Korea, leaving Kim Jong-un paranoid that they are preparing for an invasion.