Nigerian And World News

Sunday, November 13

I wish I had my seven children from one woman – 2face Idibia

2face

One of the iconic figures of African music, Innocent Ujah Idibia, popularly called 2face, he would have preferred all his children were of one mother. He also added that going to school to get a University degree has not been ruled out in his life yet.

With seven children from three women including his wife Annie Idibia, 2face told The Punch, “It is really tough to talk about it. Honestly, when I look back and examine that aspect of my life, I wish it never happened.

“I wish all my kids came from one woman. I love my children and there is nothing I can do to change the situation.

“I have moved on and I am married to one of the women who bore me kids. I no longer dwell on that issue.”

He, however, said he is being the best of a father to his children since he has a soft spot for them.

“I am not the strict type because I have a soft spot for kids. As such, my children always get away with so many things when I am around.

“Their mothers are the ones who discipline them. I pamper my kids.”

He affirms that some of the kids are already exhibiting signs of taking up music as a career, adding that rather than dissuade them, he is prepared to give them the encouragement they need to succeed.

The African queen crooner said one of the things he strongly believes in is the fact that the sky is big enough for everyone to fly as there is adequate space.

“It is just like the millions of stars that you see in the sky at night.

“Notwithstanding their number, there would still be space for more stars to shine. That is life and nature at work, so there is space for all of us.

“I always say that nobody should think that he or she is luckier than everyone else in life because that is a farce.

“As an individual, do not think that there is no space for the next person to thrive. For me, that is how I see life.’’

Tuface, who dropped out of school many years ago, reiterates that in spite of his itinerary as an international musician, he still considers going back to earn a university degree.

He said, “Maybe I’d give it a thought once again. I am going to keep trying and I would never give up on education.’’

The ‘If na only me’ singer no musician was his role model, saying, “They are people from different professions and surprisingly music is not one of them.

I look up to many people and I do so for countless reasons.”

He said Senator Ben Murray-Bruce, veteran actor, Richard Mofe-Damijo and comedian, Ali Baba stand out for him.

According to 2Baba, “These are people who have remained on top of their game in their respective fields of endeavour and they are doing very well so I have tremendous respect for them.

“For instance, take a look at Ali Baba, he is a very humble man, yet he is on top of his game as a comedian and I always strive to do same.”

How I issued Buhari his WAEC certificate – Alex Ajayi

First graduate from Ado Ekiti, Ekiti State, and campaign director to the late Chief Obafemi Awolowo during the 1976 Presidential election, 86-year-old Alex Ajayi said he issued President Muhammadu Buhari, Sani Abacha and Ibrahim Babangida their WAEC certificates.

Speaking with the Punch, he recalled how his hard work as the Principal of Fiditi Grammar School, Oyo State, at age 26 in 1956, where he produced the first set of students in 1959, gave him a job in the West African Examinations Council.

He said, “With that level of achievements, I joined the West African Examination Council as a pioneer staff.

“I was the first substantive Nigerian Assistant Registrar. I took over the control of the examination from the University of Cambridge.

I took examiners to Cambridge for training across 10 years and trained them in Nigeria.

“I had the opportunity of issuing WAEC certificates to three former Heads of State: Buhari, Abacha and Babangida in the 60s.

“When I was in WAEC, I was put on the council of the University of Ife (now Obafemi Awolowo University) in 1966 by the national government of Aguiyi Ironsi.

“I was put on three important committees. The vice-chancellor and others were interested that I became a full staff of the university which I was not really keen about.

“But I finally accepted out of pressure. When I was serving on the council of the University of Ife, I was among the three-member committee selected by Chief Obafemi Awolowo as the first chancellor,” he said.

The projection that Asiwaju Bola Tinubu will break away from the All Progressives Congress is looking feasible as a grand rally in support of the chieftain was organised in Lagos.

Tinubu has received support after his position in the APC, a party he contributed to its emergence and success, was being relegated to the background.

It was reported that Tinubu was being left out of important decision making in the APC increasing speculation that he would leave the party.

Following the crises that engulfed the party in the Ondo gubernatorial primaries, Tinubu asked Chief John Odigie-Oyegun, the chairman of the party, to resign,

Governor Ayodele Fayose of Ekiti even asked the APC not to betray Tinubu as anyone would did would regret it.

The Punch shared pictures of a rally organised in Lagos on Saturday, November 12 in support of Tinubu.

See the photos below:

Russia 2018: Mikel, Moses nail Desert Foxes’ coffin in Uyo

Mikel Obi

The duo of Chelsea FC of England stars, Mikel Obi and Victor Moses, joined forces to help the Super Eagles of Nigeria beat their opponent from Algeria, the Desert Foxes in a four-goal thriller to give the Nigerian team a 3-1 victory in a 2018 World Cup African qualifier.

In form Victor Moses opened scoring for Nigeria in the 25th minute, he came back to score his brace for Nigeria, which was the team’s third goal in the last minutes of the tough encounter against a star-studded Algerian team.

Twenty minutes after the first goal, Mikel scored only his third ever international goal when he beat the offside trap after more defensive woes from Algeria to fire the ball past hapless Rais M’Bolhi in goal.

The World Cup 2018 qualifier which was played at the Nest of Champions Stadium in Uyo saw Nigeria go into the half time break with a 2-0 lead, thanks to goals from Moses and Mikel. Mikel was later substituted by Wilfred Ndidi.

Algeria, who had Leicester City duo Riyad Mahrez and Islam Slimani starting in attack, pulled one back through Spurs midfielder Nabil Bentaleb in the 67 minute, just when it seems like the Algerians will draw level, substitute Ahmed Musa, who replaced injured Kenneth Omeruo, broke free from the right before releasing a cross which was well controlled and coolly slotted home by Moses two minutes into time added on.

The 3-1 win means Nigeria are now four points clear at the top of the group B standings with six points from two games, after Cameroun were held to another draw, this time around a 1-1 draw against Zambia in Yaounde.

The Eagles next World Cup qualifier be against the Indomitable Lions of Cameroon next year August at the Nest of Champions and if the Eagles win that match, Nigeria would be good to pick the Russia 2018 World Cup ticket.

It was massive celebration here in Uyo after the match as Nigerian soccer fans dance openly in wide celebration.

I will create 200,000 jobs for Edo people in four years – Governor Obaseki

Obaseki

The newly sworn-in Governor of Edo State, Godwin Obaseki, has reiterated his resolve towards job creation, saying he would create 200,000 jobs for people of the state.

Recall that Obaseki, a member of the All Progressives Congress, APC, was sworn-in yesterday as the new governor of the state.

Speaking during his inauguration at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium, Benin, the new governor promised to consolidate on the legacies of the immediate past governor, Adams Oshiomhole.

Obaseki said his administration will put to shame those who have been criticising the APC and President Muhammadu Buhari of non-performance.

According to the new governor, “I wish to give glory to God for seeing us through a very peaceful election where the will of the people prevailed. I have the rare honour and I’m proud of being sworn in today barely a fortnight after His Royal Majesty, Omo N’oba N’edo uku, Akpolokpolo, Oba Ewuare 11, Oba of Benin, ascended the throne of Benin Kingdom.

“I am humbled and proud of succeeding a governor, who, in the last eight years, provided dedicated, fearless, inspired leadership that has transformed our great state in ways in which most people considered impossible. Taking the reins of office from my leader and mentor, Adams Oshiomhole, is an honour that I will always treasure. I will always respect and hold dear his love, confidence, counsel and inspiration.

“I want to thank you Comrade Governor in the presence of all and before the whole world for being the leader that you have been for the people of Edo. I want to assure you that as we take over today from where you stopped we have resolved to build on your legacy.

The responsibility of leading the march of Edo people to a greater tomorrow is mine, that of my deputy governor and that of the government I will be announcing shortly.

“Many of the fundamental major socio-economic development has been put in place by you Comrade Oshiomhole, we need to strengthen and expand the infrastructure that has been established so that we can have a foundation of which to build a new Edo State of our passionate dream.

“We will need to build and sustain a robust human intellectual, philosophical and even metaphysical infrastructure because, without them, it is virtually impossible to attain significant progress and derive the extraordinary value that we desire from our effort as we build a great Edo State.

To this end, during the campaign, I declared that my mission was to achieve prosperity for my people by progressing the work of those who came before me. That is the only way to shame those who have been critising the APC and President Buhari of non-performance.

“Today, as we begin our journey to build a new Edo State, I want to repeat and affirm that promise, I have pledged to create 200,000 jobs in the next four years. And we will achieve this by leveraging our comparative advantages and our key factor endowments in production and commerce. Our key factors will focus on commerce and agro business value chain, entrepreneurship, investment in industries and technical and vocational skills.

“We will also fill all vacancies in the civil service, optimize the job creation potential in infrastructural development. Agriculture is a major focus in our socio-economic programme because of its strategic importance in many areas, from food sufficiency to rural development, economic development, job creation and critical revenue generation. For us we will make agriculture as business.

Many Edo people will generate wealth by keying into our value chain develop of oil palm cassava, coach, grains, rubber, fruits and vegetables.

“We will support the growth of over twenty thousand micro small and medium enterprises, with further creation of over fifty thousand associated jobs in the next four years through access to low interest financing. We will utilize the advantage which we have in generating electricity in Edo State and our location as the heart beat of this country to attract industries.

“We will help local businesses particularly small and medium enterprises by creating the enabling environment for them to thrive. The Edo State government will establish a one stop shop center to provide incentives and support to make easier for our people to produce their goods and services. We will take education and development of the girl-child very very seriously.

“Some of the intervention skills that government will launch will be under the leadership of women with improved access to low interest financing. There will be renewed effort in technical and vocational education. ICT is a key component to achieving our objective. We want to make Edo a center of excellence on health care.

“Therefore we will partner international agencies to reposition our health care system. Those who contested against us also articulated ideas genuinely intended to transform the state and the condition of our people. We do not claim to have monopoly of what is good for Edo people, Edo State belongs to all of us irrespective of political affiliation.

“Our destiny is defined by a common purpose and any good leadership after a hard fought campaign, takes the trouble to gather all ideas that have been articulated by other parties and integrate them into the grand agenda of the transformation for our well-being.

We will continue to study these ideas and seek with diligence to select what they promise for our people and state and seek to integrate them to our agenda for our common good.”

Church cuts off brides hair, ruins make-up at wedding

The bride’s hair

– A bride in Lagos was made to cut off her hair extensions and clean her make-up on her wedding day

– This was because the church did not approve

– The photographer shared the story on Twitter

A beautiful bride was recently embarrassed in the church officiating her white wedding. The woman had walked in with a full face of make-up and flawless make-up and the church was not happy.

The photographer, LutosinGBELA shared the story on Twitter. He said the bride’s wedding bun was cut off and her eye brows were rubbed off as well.

See his posts below:

The bride was made to take off her hair extensions and eye-brows.

The bride was devastated

People were trying to console the bride

The husband waited whole the drama unfolded

The bride’s hair before it was cut off

The photographer said it happened in Mountain of Fire and Miracles Ministries (MFM), Fagba, Agege, Lagos today. We hope the bride still managed to have a nice wedding day.

Trump: I will destroy my American green card on my own terms — Soyinka

Wole Soyinka

Nobel laureate, Wole Soyinka, said on Saturday he still intends to destroy his green card, but won’t be railroaded into fulfilling the promise.

The professor said the media and online critics should let him make good his promise on his own terms and at his convenience, especially since he didn’t make the promise directly to them but under the semblance of his privacy.

“I have been asked several times – interestingly only by the foreign media, with the exception of The Interview – whether indeed I did make such a statement at any time, and whether I still intended to carry it out, and the answer remains a categorical ‘Yes’.”

Mr. Soyinka was reacting to a deluge of disparaging comments directed at him following the emergence of Donald Trump as the newly-elected President of the United States.

The attackers were hanging on a statement Mr. Soyinka made a few days before the American election in which he said he would destroy his green card should Mr. Trump emerge victorious in the election.

“The moment they announce his [Trump’s] victory, I will cut my green card myself and start packing up,” Mr. Soyinka told a gathering at Oxford University last week.

The attackers immediately bailed on the famous social critic, with some speculating that he had allegedly denied making the promise.

Mr. Soyinka first responded on Friday, telling The Interview newsmagazine that the public should watch out for his exit from the United States on or before January 20 when Mr. Trump is expected to be sworn in.

“Come January 20, 2017; watch my WOLEXIT! (Donald Trump will be sworn-in as the 45th President of the United States of America on Friday, January 20, 2017),” the Interview quoted Mr. Soyinka as saying.

On Saturday, Mr. Soyinka followed his remarks with a 4,000-word essay laced with his signature vocabularies to affirm his true position on the matter.

The professor described his online critics on the matter as noisome creatures and nattering nitwits.

Mr. Soyinka said many of those attacking him on the Internet would be more reluctant to do so if they really knew he had been negotiating his “relations with both peoples and nations” from his own sovereign entity which he named the “Autonomous Republic of Ijegba.”

He said destroying his documents to enter the United States was similar to measures he’d taking against different countries over the past decade.

Countries including China, Cuba, South Africa and even Australia have been no-go destinations for him due to their different transgressions towards him.

For instance, Mr. Soyinka said he declined going to Australia within the past 15 years because of a stringent visa application policy that the country had towards senior citizens, especially those above the age of 70.

“That application document was highly disrespectful of age and I wondered what kind of mentality had crafted it,” Mr. Soyinka said.

The alleged failure of Chinese government to show remorse for the deadly repression of Tiananmen Square protests in 1989 and frequent outbreak of xenophobic attacks in South Africa were the reasons the professor cited for staying away from those countries.

Although he admitted that tearing the green card might be physically exhausting, he, nonetheless, said he will embark on shredding it to fulfil his promise —but only at his convenience.

“But don’t get nervous, or start jumping for joy too soon – the Nigerian passport is just as tough to rip, physically, as is the green card.”

Finally, Mr. Soyinka said he failed to understand why people were so fixated about his decision to destroy a document that belongs to him.

“I simply fail to understand why this has gone beyond a flurry of public commentary and hilarious cartoons, and turned into a masturbatory for some, a vomitory for others, and an epileptic sanatorium for a self-reproducing number,” he said.

US blocks Nigeria from buying aircraft from Brazil

President Barack Obama

Strong indications have emerged that the United States has again blocked the Federal Government from acquiring fighter ground attack aircraft considered crucial in the ongoing campaign against Boko Haram in the North-East.

Investigations showed that the US has prevented the military from acquiring the A-29 Super Tucano light attack aircraft from Brazil.

A Presidency source said on Saturday that Nigeria and Brazil were almost striking a deal on the acquisition of the light attack aircraft when the US, which produced the aircraft, prevented the deal.

It was gathered that the leadership of the Armed Forces had taken a decision to replace the ailing Alpha jet platform of the Nigerian Air Force with the newer A-29 Super Tucano.
The source said that the Brazilians, who were initially enthusiastic about the deal, suddenly became reluctant.

The source added the US had told the Brazilians, who acquired 99 of the aircraft from the US firm, Embraer Defence System, that the aircraft deal be put on hold due to human rights issues involving the military.

The US had blocked the immediate past administration of Dr. Goodluck Jonathan from acquiring Boeing CH-47 Chinok helicopters from Israel in January 2015 purportedly due to human rights issues involving the military.

Like the case of the A-29 Super Tucano, the Boeing CH-47 Chinok helicopters were produced by US firms and could only be sold with approval by the Americans.

The latest development has dimmed indications that the US was relaxing the arms embargo on the country with the election of President Muhammadu Buhari in 2015.

US Congressman Darrel Isah had said shortly after a meeting with service chiefs and defence authorities in the country in August 2015 that the US had commenced the process of relaxing the embargo on military assistance to the country under the Leahy Law.

The Leahy Law prohibits the US defence sector from providing military assistance to countries involved in rights violations.

The source added that the US Government was not pleased with measures adopted against those accused of human rights abuse in the operational areas of the North-East.

The source said, “The issue of the arms embargo against the country by the US is still in force. The US is helping in the area of training; they also have some of their platforms like the C130 which is so crucial in the campaign and operations of the military.

“However, the surprising thing is that they have again prevented the country from acquiring A29, Super Tucano light attack aircraft from Brazil.

“The US sold the aircraft to the Brazilians but they gave a condition that they could only be resold to other countries with the consent of the US. This means that Brazil must seek the permission of the US to sell.

“The Brazilians were enthusiastic when they visited Nigeria and the impression we had was that they were ready to sell, provided the funds were available.

“Curiously, they later developed cold feet because America started quoting human rights issues to block the deal.

“The aircraft are unique because the plan was to use the A-29 Super Tucano, Fighter Ground Attack aircraft to replace the ailing Alpha jets.

“The Alpha jets are old now; the Alpha jets and the MI helicopter gunships are the two major platforms deployed in the North-East.”

However, it was said that the US had inspected some facilities of the NAF even though the deal was shrouded in uncertainty.

Our correspondent gathered that the prevailing arms blockade had again compelled the government to look in the direction of Asia and Eastern Europe for arms supply to fight Boko Haram.

It was learnt that the Federal Government had paid for 10 Super Mushak trainers from Pakistan expected to arrived the country by the first week of December 2016.

It was further learnt that plans had reached an advanced stage to bring in 12 MI 35M, one of the latest helicopter gunships from Russia.

It was gathered that pilots and technicians who were sent to Russia for training on the use of the sophisticated helicopters had completed training and had returned to the country to await the arrival of the equipment.

Although the military had not changed the plan to replace the Alpha jets with the A-29 attack helicopters, the government was said to be acquiring the MI35m in phases.

Source: Punch

Rivers re-run: Don’t behave like US Democrats, Wike is a small boy – Amaechi tells Ogonis

Former Governor of Rivers State and Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi has launched a retaliatory attack on his successor, Governor Nyesom Wike ahead of the December 10 rerun election in the State.

Amaechi on Saturday in Bile, Ogoni, at the campaign rally of his ally, Senator Magnus Abe, who is contesting the Rivers South-East Senatorial district, consistently referred to Governor Wike as a thug.

While charging All Progressives Congress, APC faithful in the state to come out en-mass and vote for candidates of the party in the December 10 election, Amaechi warned that no one should be intimidated by the threats of Wike.

He berated the Governor for resisting the planned arrest of judges in the State, adding that it was ‘ungubernatorial’ for a Governor to take such risks.

He also criticised Wike for allegedly empowering those he described as criminals, just as he singled out the appointment of Samuel Wonosike as the Local government Chairman of Ikwerre Local government area of the state.

Expressing confidence about the victory of Senator Abe, Amaechi enjoined supporters of the APC to mobilize themselves for victory in other Senatorial districts of the state.

Amaechi said, “Wike can never be God. He was a small boy under me.

“The battle is not in Ogoni at all. The battle is in the Ikwere axis, Kalabari and Ahoada axis, not here.

“He said he would deploy everything. Anything he wants to deploy, let him deploy, we will deploy our own.

“This is one place we don’t need to campaign. I won’t start to repeat the things we have done in Ogoni area, it’s not important. What is important is, I dare him to do the same things that I did here, including taking your children oversees. Instead of leaving them behind, he returned them to Nigeria. Poor innocent children.

“Don’t do like the Democrats who went to sleep, come out and vote. In the past elections, we took security for granted, but this time we will not take security for granted. If Wike likes, let him come out.

“At all the times he has come out, I said, does this man remember that he is a governor? It’s only a thug that can stand in front of the judge’s gate and be struggling with security men. Only a thug. A governor would go back to his house and call the president.

“When the DSS invaded the residential lodge of the Akwa-Ibom State government, the governor didn’t go to the gate.

“In all the fight I had with the federal government, with former President Jonathan, nobody saw me physically battling with the security.
“The only way to show him that he’s a thug is this election, because after this election, Wike will not come here again.

“How can you see a governor with murderers, giving them appointments everywhere? Ask the one in Ikwerre if he was arrested by the DSS for murder. Ask him. He was released by the pressure of government then. Now he’s back killing people everywhere.

“There will be a day that Wike will no longer be the governor, and he and his people will account for all the killing in Rivers State. That is why as a governor, I was careful with what I did in office, so that if you call me, I’d be able to answer.

“And I assure all of you, if anybody threatens you, please threaten back.”

Is This Modern Day Jonah? See The Huge Fish Coffin an Akwa Ibom Man Got Buried In Recently (Photos)

This huge fish is actually not a fish at all.

A man has been buried inside a very unusual kind of coffin in Akwa Ibom promoting a lot of stir in the area.

It is in fact, a coffin containing the remains of a late Akwa Ibom man.

According to Essien Ndueso, the Special Assistant to the Akwa-Ibom state Governor on Media, an Akwa-Ibom man opted to "swim to eternal glory' in the fish shaped casket.

Below is what he posted: