Thursday 31 July 2014

NLC, TUC Begin Indefinite Strike In Benue

Gabriel-SuswamThe Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, and Trade Union Congress, TUC, in Benue, have ordered their members to embark on an indefinite strike with effect from July 31 if the state government fails to meet their demands.


This was disclosed in a communiqué jointly signed by the NLC Chairman, Simon Anchaver, and his TUC counterpart, Ordue Tartenger, in Makurdi after their meeting.


The two unions in the communiqué called on the Benue government to reverse the reduction of workers’ salaries or face the wrath of the workers.


The unions also expressed worry over the decision of government to unilaterally deduct salaries of workers in spite of the position of the organised labour that it would resist attempt to reduce workers’ salaries.


“The joint session observes with dismay the non-payment of minimum wage to pensioners and the non-implementation of 15 per cent and 2.5 per cent increment to pensioners. We also observe that primary school teachers are yet to enjoy the full implementation of the minimum wage, they should also be paid alongside with other workers”, the communiqué said.


The organised labour called on the state government to refund excess tax deduction from its members since 2011 and refund all deductions made in respect of the national housing funds.


“The three years leave and transport grant arrears owed our members by the state government must also be paid forthwith. The state government should address other issues affecting our members before the close of work on Wednesday or else we will embark on an indefinite strike July 31”, it said.


Gov. Gabriel Suswam ordered the deduction of all staff salaries in the state to enable the government implement the primary school teachers’ minimum wage. (NAN)




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Guber Poll: Jonathan, Sambo To Storm Osun For Omisore

FROM LEFT: GOV. ISA YUGUDA OF BAUCHI STATE; PDP NATIONAL CHAIRMAN ADAMU MUAZU; PRESIDENT GOODLUCK JONATHAN; SENATE PRESIDENT DAVID MARK AND GOV.IBRAHIM DANKWAMBO OF GOMBE, AT THE PDP RALLY IN BAUCHI ON SATURDAY (29/3/14).

FROM LEFT: GOV. ISA YUGUDA OF BAUCHI STATE; PDP NATIONAL CHAIRMAN ADAMU MUAZU; PRESIDENT GOODLUCK JONATHAN; SENATE PRESIDENT DAVID MARK AND GOV.IBRAHIM DANKWAMBO OF GOMBE, AT THE PDP RALLY IN BAUCHI ON SATURDAY (29/3/14).



The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Osun on Thursday said that all arrangements had been concluded to receive President Goodluck Jonathan in Osogbo on Saturday.


The Secretary of PDP in Osun, Mr. Bola Ajao, made this known when he addressed journalists in Osogbo.


Ajao said the President was coming to throw his weight behind Senator Iyiola Omisore’s bid to win the state governorship election.


The News Agency of Nigeria reports that the election holds August 9.


He said Jonathan would also use the visit to intimate the residents with his transformation agenda.


“The President’s passion for overall development is not hidden. Few days from now, residents will be at the poll to elect a governor to steer the ship of the state for another four years.


“The import of the President’s visit is not only to boost the candidature of the party’s governorship candidate but to further explain his transformation agenda to the people.


“A vote for the PDP is a vote for individual growth and collective emancipation through a one man one woman vote”, he said.


According to him, PDP leaders, including Vice-President Namadi Sambo, will accompany the president, who is also expected to visit the Ooni of Ife, Okunade Sijuade.


The president will address residents at the township stadium, Osogbo.


Mr. Omisore of the PDP is the main challenger to the incumbent governor, Rauf Aregbesola of the All Progressives Congress. (NAN)




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Bayelsa: Police Arrest Four In Connection With Kidnap Of Senator’s Mother

nigeria-police-logoFour suspects have been arrested by the police in Bayelsa State for their roles in the abduction of Madam Fiorentina, the 90-year-old mother of Senator Emmanuel Paulker.


It was learnt that some of the suspects had confessed to the crime and were helping security agencies to track the location of the kidnappers.


The state government on Thursday gave kudos to security agencies in the state, especially the police, for the prompt manner they responded to the incident.


Confirming the arrest of the suspects, the state Commissioner of Police, Mr. Hilary Opara, assured that the nonagenarian would soon be released.


Recall that the victim, who was first kidnapped in 2010, was on Wednesday morning again abducted by unknown gunmen at her residence in Opolo-Epie, Yenagoa.


The state Security Adviser, Lt. Col. Benard Kenebai (rtd), in a statement in Yenagoa, the Bayelsa State capital, also confirmed that the urgent response of the security agencies led to the arrest of the four suspects.


Kenebai on behalf of the government, assured security agencies of the needed support in their efforts to free the woman and arrest other suspects.


“One of the prime suspects arrested within minutes of the distress call and three others arrested less than six hours later, have all made very useful statements to the police and efforts are on to ensure the prompt and successful release of the victim”, he said.




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Okiro Congratulates Abba On Appointment As IG Of Police

Suleiman-AbbaThe Chairman of the Police Service Commission, Sir Mike Okiro, has congratulated the new Inspector-General of Police, Mr. Suleiman Abba on his appointment.


Until his appointment by President Goodluck Jonathan yesterday, Abba was the Assistant Inspector-General of Police in Charge of Zone 7, Abuja.


Okiro, a former Police IG, in a statement in Abuja on Thursday, advised the new police chief to rise up to the challenges of his new appointment.


He noted that as a tested officer who had held various Command positions in the Nigeria Police Force, he has no doubt that Abba would bring new perspectives in the search for solutions to the security threats confronting the nation.




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Council Boss Walked Out By Edo Lawmakers For ‘Improper Dressing’

EDO STATE HOUSE OF ASSEMBLY DURING PLENARY

EDO STATE HOUSE OF ASSEMBLY DURING PLENARY



Members of the Edo State House of Assembly on Wednesday walked out the Chairman of Ovia South West Local Government Area of the state, Morrison Okhuarobo, for improper dressing.


Morrison was at the lawmakers’ sitting to render account of his stewardship since he was sworn-in as council chairman.


He wore a fez cap and a combat khaki trousers and shirt on which the words: “Proudly Oshio Picki” were inscribed.


The council boss was about to begin his presentation when Hon. Johnson Oghuma drew the attention of his colleagues to Morrison’s dressing.


Oghuma said, “The governor is well respected across the world. He does not come here dressing in khaki. The governor respects this House and dress properly when coming here. He should go and dress properly.


“This dressing amount to disregard and misconduct. He must tender unreserved apology”.


Other lawmakers concurred and insisted that Morrison should leave the chamber despite pleas by Speaker Uyi Igbe to allow him present the report.


The council boss left and returned an hour later dressed in a suit.


He apologized to the lawmakers for his dress code and went ahead to make his presentation.




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Osun Denies N300bn Debt Profile

Osun State government yesterday denied owing N300 billion as alleged by opposition parties, saying the actual debt profile of the Governor Rauf Aregbesola-led administration was N38 billion.


The opposition parties’ candidates, particularly the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Senator Iyiola Omisore and Social Democratic Party (SDP), Elder Segun Akinwusi, the immediate past Head of Service in the state put the state debt at between N300bn and N400bn.


Commissioner for Finance, Budget Development and Economic Planning, Wale Bolorunduro, however said the figure represented the loans and bonds taken by the government and the money owed contractors handling various ongoing projects in the state, adding that the situation was not gloomy as the state was ranked among the five least indebted states in the country based on the record of the Debt Management Office (DMO), Abuja.




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8 Killed In Fresh Communal Clash In Taraba

Eight people, including a teenage girl were reportedly killed yesterday in a fresh communal clash between the Jukuns and Hausas in Ibi Local Government Area of Taraba State.


Also, no fewer than 40 houses, vehicles and other properties worth millions of naira were destroyed in the bloody clash which erupted at about 4.30a.m. but was later brought under control by a combined team of soldiers and police that were drafted to the area to maintain peace.


The clash is coming barely two months after a violent clash between the two warring groups claimed several lives and property thereby necessitating a permanent deployment of security men comprising the army and mobile policemen to the town to forestall future breakdown of peace in the community.


Confirming the incident, the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), ASP Joseph Kwaji told Thisday that trouble started in the town when a man (who was later identified by residents as Emmanuel) was attacked and robbed of N200,000 at about 5:30p.m. on Wednesday on his way from Wukari where he had gone to withdraw money for the treatment of his father.


“At about 5:30p.m. on Wednesday, a man from Ibi who went to Wukari to withdraw money for the treatment of his father who has been sick for sometime was attacked by unknown persons who robbed him of the N200,000 and collected his handset on his way coming back to Ibi.”


“And at about 4:30a.m. today (Thursday), Ibi residents were woken by the sounds of gunshots that rented the air as there were sporadic shootings in the town but the situation was promptly brought under control by security operatives including army personnel,” he said.


Kwaji, who attributed the success of security operatives in bringing the situation under control to the prompt and timely intervention of the security personnel, further revealed that 14 people had been arrested while two AK 47 riffles had also been recovered from the suspects.


The PPRO, who disclosed that the area was being closely monitored, however, declined to provide the casualty figures, saying the command was yet to receive any official casualty figure though residents insist that eight people were killed in the clash. [Thisday]

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Osun: PTA Gives Aregbesola 5-day Ultimatum To Reopen Boarding Schools

Parents of public secondary school students in Osun State, yesterday gave the government a five-day ultimatum to return boarding facilities to the schools where the facilities existed before the introduction of new education system by the present administration in the state.


The parents under the aegis of the Parents Teachers Association (PTA) threatened mass protest should the state government fail to return the boarding system before the end of the ultimatum.


Chairman of PTA in the state, Dr Ademola Ekundayo, who received protesting parents in his office in Osogbo, appealed for calm, saying their request would be channeled to the appropriate quarter.


The state government had in its Schools Reclassification Programme closed all the boarding facilities in public secondary schools in the state.


The parents however appeared uncomfortable with the new education system and called for a reversal of the system, urging the state government to return boarding system to public secondary schools in the state.




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Ex-militants Warn Against Termination Of Amnesty Programme

Termination of the Presidential Amnesty Programme in 2015 could trigger fresh crisis in the Niger Delta, ex-militants in the region have said.


Coordinator of the ex-militants under the third phase amnesty (Ebipa-Opre Ex-militants Forum), Mr. Ramsey Oyakemeagbegha, in a statement in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, said that the conditions which triggered militancy in the region had not been addressed.


“We are of the view and in support of our leader, Asari Dokubo’s suggestion that the amnesty should continue and not stop, as being rumoured, in 2015.


“Our people are still without portable water, no good education and functional health facilities.


“Pollution occasioned by the oil industry still continues and there is a multitude of unemployed youth in the land.


“Making 2015 the end of the Presidential Amnesty Programme, as being rumoured, could spell more trouble for our region and the country. An idle mind is the devil’s workshop. A stitch in time, they say, saves nine,” he warned.


The ex-militants also restated their resolve to support President Goodluck Jonathan, should he decide to contest the 2015 poll.




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APGA Chairman Denies $2m Bribery Allegation, Slams Okorocha

National Chairman of All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), Chief Victor Umeh has denied receiving $2 million from Imo State governor, Rochas Okorocha, to accept him back to the party.


Umeh spoke shortly after commissioning Abia State office of the party, saying he was not a politician to be purchased with money.


“Such things cannot be touted with my name any more. I have proved myself in Nigerian politics as somebody who can’t be purchased by anybody, no matter how much money you have.


“I am so focused and concerned on the affairs of this party and Igbo people and if you want to achieve that, you will not allow money to influence you.


“All the people who had contested elections in the party, nobody can say he bribed me. I don’t behave like that.”


He also noted that Governor Okorocha had been swallowed by his misadventure of leaving APGA in the first place.


He alleged that the governor had been sending emissaries to him to be allowed back to the party, but his request has been turned down as it was impossible.


“As for Okorocha, he has been swallowed by his misadventure and it is normal that he will be saying anything. Of course, he has been sending people to me that he will like to return, but you see him quickly refuting it.


“I said no, you did not behave well, we can’t entrust him with APGA again to do anything.


“If Imo people want him, it should be through APGA. I am very certain that they have rejected him, that is why he is running back to APGA to see if he can clean himself up. Let him stay.


“We have capable people that can rescue Imo State. He said he is on a rescue mission, but rather he imprisoned Imo State. We have capable people in Imo who will rescue Imo people, people with true Igbo spirit that is lacking in him.


“He is not somebody you can describe as a proud Igbo man. I know what we did to give Imo people governor through APGA so that Imo State will help Anambra State to get the rest of South East together for the good of our people.”


“After that strenuous effort, he threw it away and joined foreigners. So what are we going to do with him again? If you are in my position as chairman of APGA, what will you do, nothing.


“We are making very serious effort to win the election, and I am sure that we are going to win. We will win back Imo State and we shall hold him accountable for his misdeeds,” Umeh said.




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Suleiman Abba Confirmed As New Inspector General Of Police

President Goodluck Jonathan has approved the appointment of AIG Suleiman Abba as the new Inspector‑General of Police.


A statement by Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Dr. Reuben Abati, said AIG Abba, currently the Assistant Inspector‑General of Police in charge of Zone 7, comprising Abuja, Kaduna and Niger states, replaces the incumbent Inspector‑General of Police, IGP Mohammed Abubakar, who proceeds on statutory retirement today (yesterday) having completed 35 years in service.


“The incoming Inspector‑General, a lawyer, hails from Jigawa State and is an alumnus of the Nigerian Institute of Policy and Strategic Studies, NIPSS. Positions previously held by him in the Police include Assistant Commissioner of Police in charge of the Criminal Investigation Department, FCT Command, Deputy Force Secretary and Commissioner of Police, Rivers State. His appointment is with effect from today, August 1, 2014.”


The Chairman of the Police Service Commission, Sir Mike Mbama Okiro in a congratulatory message to the new IGP said it was a deserved appointment.


In a statement by Mr. Ferdinand Ekpe, Assistant Director, Information of the commission, Okiro advised him to rise up to the challenges of his new appointment, noting that as a tested officer who had held various Command positions in the Nigeria Police Force, he had no doubt he (Abba) would bring new perspectives in the search for solutions to the security threats confronting the nation.


Abba formerly served as the Deputy Force Secretary at Force headquarters and Deputy Commissioner of Police in charge of Kebbi State Police Command. He was also the Aide de Camp to Mrs. Mariam Abacha and was also once the officer in charge MOPOL 44 Abuja.




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Glasgow 2014: Okagbare Completes Commonwealth Games 100m/200m Doubles

Nigeria’s Blessing Okagbare successfully completed a Commonwealth Games sprint double after another dominant performance in the women’s 200m final at Hampden Park on Thursday.


The 25-year-old held her nerves to finish it down the line in 22.25secs, ahead of Team England’s pair of Jodie Williams and Bianca Williams, both ending up behind the African spring queen in a time of 22.50secs and 22.58secs respectively


The victory also saw her become the first African to clinch a Commonwealth Games sprint double.


It was always Okagbare’s race to win in the absence of Jamaica’s Kelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce, who will only be competing in the women’s relay events in Glasgow, and the Nigerian ensured there was no fairy tale disappointment on her way to a second gold medal.


Having qualified from last night’s heat and the semi-finals early Thursday night in 22.99secs and 22.43secs respectively, the 2013 World Championships bronze medalist ensured there was no deep in form and eventually made it two wins out of two.


Blessing Okagbare Completes Commonwealth Games Sprint Double. Image: BBC via Getty Image.

Blessing Okagbare Completes Commonwealth Games Sprint Double. Image: BBC via Getty Image.



While the Beijing Olympic bronze medalist shifted attention to the track at the 2014 Commonwealth Games, Team-mate Ese Brume, 19, won the women’s long-jump event in the absence of her hero.


Brume’s 6.56m jump was enough to help her clinch gold in the long jump final.


AndrewDick won silver in the men’s freestyle 86kg wrestling after losing the event’s final to Canada’s Tamerlan Aasagziev.


There were also bronze medals for team Nigeria’s Ifeoma Nwonye in the women’s 55kg freestyle wrestling, Amas Daniel in the men’s 61kg and Sampson Clark in the men’s 65kg freestyle wrestling events.


As at time of report, Team Nigeria has won 25 medals (8 gold, 6 silvers and 11 bronze) and are ranked 8th on the medal standings.




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Imam Murdered In China After Morning Prayers

The government-appointed head of China’s largest mosque has been murdered after conducting morning prayers, the local government in the far western region of Xinjiang has said.


State media report on Thursday that Jume Tahir, the Uighur imam of the 600-year-old Id Kah mosque in the city of Kashgar, was killed on Wednesday by “three thugs influenced by religious extremist ideology”, the Xinjiang state website Tianshan said.


Police launched an all-out investigation and shot dead two of the alleged assailants while capturing the other, Tianshan said. Tianshan added Tahir’s killing was “premeditated” and that the suspects intended to commit a “ruthless murder”.


Tahir was found dead in a pool of blood outside the mosque’s prayer house, US-based Radio Free Asia reported earlier on its website.


The death comes days after possibly one of the deadliest incidents in Xinjiang in years, where rebel Muslim Uighurs have been fighting for independence.


On Monday, the government said a gang armed with knives and axes killed or injured dozens of people in Shache county near eastern Xinjiang city of Kashgar. Police returned fire, with the death toll estimated to be as high as 200.


Neither Tahir’s murder nor Monday’s violence could be independently verified.


Tahir’s high-profile support for the government – the report referred to him as a “patriotic religious personage” – and his criticism of violence in Xinjiang likely made him a target or rebels.


The official reports identified the three suspects as Tuergong Tuerxun, Maimaiti Jiangremutila, and Nuermaimaiti Abidilimiti, the Chinese renderings of Uighur names.


The reports said the suspects attempted to resist arrest with knives and axes. The reports did not say which of the three were killed. [AFP]

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Sierra Leone Declares State Of Emergency Over Ebola Outbreak

Sierra Leone began quarantining areas of Ebola infection, as international health officials announced an international $100m plan to combat an epidemic which has already killed more than 700 people in West Africa.


Security forces set up quarantines on Thursday, hours after Sierra Leone’s President, Ernest Bai Koroma, ordered a state of emergency, cancelled a trip to the US and called a summit with regional leaders and the World Health Organisation on how to deal with the crisis.


“I hereby proclaim a state of public emergency to enable us take a more robust approach to deal with the Ebola outbreak,” he said in a speech late on Wednesday, adding that the measures would initially last between 60 and 90 days. “All centres of the disease will be quarantined,” he added.


Koroma said that the police and the military would restrict movement between affected areas, and would provide support to health officers and NGOs following a number of attacks on health workers by local communities.


Koroma also said that house-to-house searches would be implemented to trace Ebola victims and quarantine them.


He added that new protocols had been established for passengers arriving and departing Lungi airport outside Freetown.


In a statement, the WHO said the death toll from the outbreak of Ebola had risen to 729 after 57 deaths were reported between July 24 and 27 in Guinea, Liberia, Nigeria and Sierra Leone.


The WHO added that its $100m fund will be launched at a Friday meeting in Conakry, Guinea.


“The scale of the Ebola outbreak, and the persistent threat it poses, requires WHO and Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone to take the response to a new level,” the organisation said.


“This will require increased resources, in-country medical expertise, regional preparedness and coordination.”




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Governorship Election: Osun Slams FG For Deployment Of 5000 DSS Operatives

The Special Adviser to Osun State governor on Environment, Mr. Bola Ilori has blamed the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for the heavy presence of DSS operatives in the state.


Over 5,000 operatives of the Department of State Security (DSS) were said to have been deployed into the state in a bid to ensure a peaceful election, but the government of the state says the presence of the security operatives is a way to cause panic in the state.


“The deployment of security operatives to the state is normal if they are here to protect us. But, any arrest of any member of the APC in the state will be against the interest of democracy.”


He concluded that the development was an abuse of office by the federal government, while imploring the people of the state to remain calm.




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Secure Drilling Services Business Development Manager at Weatherford

Weatherford is one of the largest diversified upstream oilfield service companies in the world. Our global network includes more than 67,000 people, 1000 service bases, 87 manufacturing facilities, and 16 technology and training centers in more than 100 countries.


Job Title: Secure Drilling Services Business Development Manager


Ref Code: 42273

Location: Port Harcourt


Job Purpose



  • The MPD Business Development Manager has full Accountability for the Sales & Commercial process associated with all Secure Drilling product lines across the SSA Region.


Job Responsibilities



  • Coordinate with the Business Unit Manager on SDS opportunities.

  • Keep enquiry database up to date.

  • Develop and implement sales and marketing strategies for SDS work in conjunction with business unit and regional personnel. Develop marketing campaigns for the region and/ or specific areas as required.

  • Coordinate very closely with the Operations and Product Line department ensuring that they are kept informed on all major SDS tenders and proposals.

  • Organize regular product line presentations and other sales and marketing training events for the regions personnel in order to ensure that the key personnel become conversant with the product line and its target markets.

  • Establish and implement creditable business strategies in line with the product line and regional business.

  • Any other delegated responsibilities as instructed by Line Management within the timeframe specified in a safe and efficient manner to meet business requirements, provided the instruction is reasonable and you are capable and deemed competent to fulfil these.

  • Liaise with the Weatherford business development focal points and country management within the region with regards to all new SDS opportunities.

  • Develop and maintain, profiles on competitive companies and monitor their activity in the region. Keep the Business Unit Manager and relevant Weatherford Country Managers appraised accordingly. Coordinate with the Business Unit Manager on SDS opportunities.

  • Focal point for all SDS quotations / pricing requests and tenders required in the region.

  • Initiate contact and continuously network with potential customers.

  • Carry out market surveys and establish business opportunities to target. Quantify SDS potential with individual clients in the region, coordinate economic evaluations of potential projects

  • Ensure that SDS Sales & Marketing material is available in the region. Develop the material if required.


Qualifications required:



  • Educated to a degree level, preferably in an Engineering discipline


Experience and Skills required:



  • A minimum of 6 yrs experience is required.

  • Extensive experience in an Oil & gas role, preferably Drilling and Completions Operations.

  • Excellent Communication and Presentation Skills (Both Oral and Written).

  • Competency in Microsoft Office Products.

  • Experience in all Secure Drilling products and services.

  • Must demonstrate in-depth knowledge of drilling & production operations including rig systems.

  • Good Surface and Sub-Surface Understanding of Oil/Gas Field Development.


Click here to apply




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WHO: Ebola Death Toll Rises To 729

Fifty-seven more deaths from the Ebola epidemic spreading alarm in west Africa have pushed the overall fatality toll from the outbreak to 729, the World Health Organization said Thursday.


The 57 deaths were recorded between Thursday and Sunday last week in Guinea, Liberia, Nigeria and Sierra Leone, the UN health agency said in a statement.


It added that 122 new cases were detected over the four days, taking the total number of confirmed and likely infected cases to 1,323, AFP reported.




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Senior Field Engineer at Halliburton

Halliburton Energy Services Nigeria Limited – In the coming decades, energy resources will become increasingly difficult to find and access. As one of the world’s largest providers of products and services to the upstream energy industry, Halliburton serves the life cycle of the well.


Halliburton Founded in 1919, Halliburton is one of the world’s largest providers of products and services to the energy industry.


Halliburton is recruiting for the vacant position:


Job Title: Senior Field Engineer – MWD/LWD


Requisition: 00270879

Location: Port Harcourt NG


Job Description



  • Under broad supervision, provides on-site supervision of the Logging While Drilling (LWD) process including tool preparations, data acquisition, log generation and Quality Control (QC), and delivery of the services to the customer.

  • This is the lead position on most jobs and takes the lead to ensure all data presented to the customer is accurate, timely and meets the highest service quality standards possible.

  • Takes the lead to ensure that expected and needed data, including possible problems, are provided to the customer.

  • Takes the lead to provide technical consultation to all of Halliburton’s clients. These areas include mud hydraulics, Bottom Hole Assembly (BHA) planning, pore pressure analysis, formation evaluation, drilling tendencies, the mud system, and BHA dynamics.

  • This shall include all survey calculations, Log generation, basic geosteering services and data Quality Control (QC).

  • Ensures a daily LWD report is completed and copied to client’s offshore and onshore drilling teams and to the LWD Coordinator.

  • Where required, responsible for submitting an accurate daily cost for the LWD Services.

  • Assists in the evaluation of individual performance levels of onsite LWD personnel. Assists in training and development of junior offshore personnel.

  • Fosters teamwork among all personnel involved in the performance of the service.

  • Job role contributes directly to value creation.

  • Ensures the proper testing of all tools and equipment before, during, and after each job. Identify and correct operational problems to prevent or minimize service impact.

  • Ensures the accuracy and completeness of all required forms, databases (i.e., Service vouchers, lost/damaged equipment, radiation site survey, End of Job Customer Survey (EJCS) report, First Alert Database (FAD)/Correction, Prevention and Improvement (CPI)). Ensures that BHA’s are assembled as planned including correct make-up torque, doping and handling. Aware of client’s requirements regarding surveying procedures.

  • Leads the effort to interface with the Directional Driller (DD) to ensure BHA compatibility, planned operating parameters are within specification and correct tool face references are applied.

  • Participates in performance improvement initiatives as required by the Company.

  • Ensures all the equipment, personnel, and resources needed to perform the service is available.

  • Must be proficient in the use of LWD computer software and be able to provide advice and analysis to the client representative at the work site.


Requirement



  • Skills typically acquired through the completion of an undergraduate degree in Engineering, Science, Geology or other technical discipline, or equivalent drilling/rig experience.

  • Requires a mminimum of three years LWD experience and a minimum of one year experience as a Field Prof-LWD, II.

  • This is a field position. Promotes safety awareness and environmental consciousness, and complies with all applicable safety and environmental procedures and regulations.

  • Ensures compliance with Health, Safety, and Environmental (HSE) regulations and guidelines.

  • Promotes and takes an active part in quality improvement processes.

  • Must have successfully passed company tests or met task guideline requirements.

  • Must have met the minimum competency requirements for the Field Professional-LWD, II.

  • Ability to demonstrate technical aptitude to standards required.

  • Must possess good communication skills, arithmetic, data entry, and recording skills.

  • Able to provide service and interpretation on all tooling available in the country assigned.

  • Must possess relevant offshore certificates as required.


Click here to apply online




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Government Relations Director at SAP



SAP is the global market leader for business software and thus contributes a considerable part of the world’s economic power grid. At SAP you get your chance to put your ideas into action with maximum impact.


- Lead GR program development and strategy in alignment with MU

- Prepare and execute annual GR plans for Nigeria

- Build trusted relationships with key political decision-makers in the Nigeria

- Educate political decision-makers and influencers about SAP, enhance brand recognition and position SAP as a good corporate citizen in the Nigeria

- Advice local management on political risks and opportunities

- Build a political contact network in the Nigeria for SAP executives; provide training of local management on political issues

- Represent SAP in industry trade associations and political platforms

- Steer external lobbyists and GR agencies



EXPECTATIONS AND TASKS


Address Public Policy Risks

- Monitor/analyze public policy initiatives that could hamper SAP’s operations in Nigeria; focus issues: cloud computing, data protection, cyber security, taxation of the digital economy

- Develop lobbying strategies to mitigate those public policy risks

- Prepare SAP positions on public policy issues and communicate them to political decision-makers and influencers

- Build alliances with like-minded companies and stakeholders in support of SAP positions Provide business support

- Work with local management and sales team on business development strategy for key ministries and agencies in Nigeria

- Provide strategic advice to the business on how to position SAP solutions and enhance SAP value propositions to the government

- Position SAP in the political pre-tendering phase of public procurement

- Monitor/analyze government policies and programs that could create business opportunities for SAP

- Conduct mapping of key decision-makers and influencers in public procurement and develop strategies on how to develop relations with them

- Develop SAP briefings and messages to position SAP

- Positon SAP positions by using suitable channels (1:1 meetings, public events, via academic institutes, think tanks, trade associations, etc.) Drive thought leadership and SAP brand recognition

- Develop overall strategy and campaign on how to raise awareness of SAP among policy-makers

- Develop a thought GR leadership strategy for SAP in Nigeria; ie. how SAP can help to address societal and economic challenges in Nigeria

- Educate the government about SAP investments and operations in Nigeria

- Represent SAP at relevant political events and conferences

- Organize SAP events with political decision-makers

- Leverage existing global SAP programs (CSR, University Alliance, etc.)





Desired Skills and Experience



WORK EXPERIENCE


The successful candidate should have at least 10 years of experience as a government relations executive in the industry. Previous experiences and qualifications should include:


- Experiences and relationship building skills with political decision-makers and influencers

- Good knowledge of the IT industry and ability to quickly grasp technology issues

- Thorough understanding of public procurement processes

- Experience in appropriately advising senior-level corporate executives

- Understanding of international political issues and how a company can successfully face global challenges

- Experience in operating in a global public company environment, with the ability to effectively manage public scrutiny, crisis communications and media attention


EDUCATION AND QUALIFICATION / SKILLS AND COMPETENCIES


- Strong communication skills

- Good analytical thinking

- A keen sense of protocol and common practices in engagement with governments

- Clear reputation of ethical conduct

- Acute political sensitivity

- Reputation of being hands-on, hard-working and energetic

- Capability to be pro-active, able to develop new ideas and to offer opinions and judgments

- Ability to build relationships across the political spectrum

- Ability to work in global teams

- An undergraduate degree is required. An advanced or Master Degree is highly desirable



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FG Sensitizes Airport Workers On Dangers Of Ebola Virus

The Federal Government has begun a sensitization campaign for airport workers drawn from the Murtala Muhammed Airport (MMIA), Lagos and the Nnamdi Azikiwe International (NAIA), Abuja, on the dangers of the deadly Ebola virus.


General Manager Communication, Aviation, Mr. Yakubu Datti, said in a statement that the awareness drive by the Port Health officials, became expedient because of the dangers posed by the virus and how to prevent the spread of the virus in the work place, home and the community.


According to him, the sensitization campaign was carried out to complement other measures already put in place by Port Health at the country’s international airports to prevent the presence and spread of the virus.


Fears that the deadly virus might have found its way into Nigeria came following the death of an infected Liberian in Lagos. Authorities however, had since moved to ensure the virus does not spread in the country.




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Jonah Jang’s NGF Tasks New IG On Fearless Discharge Of Duties

The Nigeria Governors Forum led by Governor Jonah Jang of Plateau state has called on the newly appointed Inspector General of Police, Mr. Suleiman Abba to be fearless in the discharge of his duties.


The Forum, in a statement released in Abuja and signed by the Secretary, Osaro Onaiwu, the governors urged the new Inspector General to consider the peculiar security challenges facing Nigeria and see it as an opportunity for him to write his name in history by leading a successful fight against the forces of darkness plaguing the nation.


The statement further thanked the men and women of the Nigeria Police Force for their patriotic sacrifices in the fight against criminal elements and called on them to support the new IG in his efforts.




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Nigerians Spend N1.8bn On Sports Betting Daily – Report

About 60 million Nigerians between 18 and 40 years of age may be spending up to N1.8 billion on sports betting daily, investigation by the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reveals.


The investigation showed that they commit on the average N3,000 on sports betting daily.


Dotun Ajekigbe, a sport betting analyst, said that sport betting though risky was also rewarding.


Ajekigbe said that about 60 million Nigerians placed bets on different matches daily across the country.


He said that most unemployed youths have taken to online and other forms of sports betting to make a living.


According to him, from findings this group of people stake an average of N3,000 daily.


“Sport betting is gambling, not investing in bank shares.


“But almost everything in life is a gamble, more so with money matters. With gambling comes risks because it not 100 per cent guaranteed.


“However, you can dramatically reduce your risks by taking calculated risks only.


“When you take calculated risks, you base your decisions on sound research and evidence, not intuition.


“Sport betting is by chance. The better informed the player is, the better the chance he/she has of making money,” he said.


Mr Ambrose Obialor, who runs Yobo Viewing Centre, Lagos, says that some people bet between N2, 000, N10, 000 and above, depending on the individual.


He said that some people denied themselves of food after spending all they had on a bet.


Mr Afeez Adigun, an agent for 1960 Bet Company, Lagos, said that between 200 and 300 people visit his office to place bets on match days during football seasons. while about 150 people bet at off-seasons.


According to him, a betting company can generate up to N20 million monthly and use between N5 million and N7 million to meet winners obligations in terms of payment.


He also described sports’ betting as very risky but highly rewarding business.


A representative of another betting company, Betting World, who did not want his name mentioned, said that sport betting companies have employed about 50 youths in Lagos.


He also said that betting outlets were always filled with countless young people between ages 18 and 40 who come to place their bets.


The representative said that most people borrow as much as 10,000 for their daily stakes, stressing that some of them win, while others lose but returned for the next day’s betting.


He said that most people did not like to place bets on Nigerian matches because they were highly predictable.


Mr Lanre Gbajabiamila, Chief Executive Officer, Lagos State Lottery Board, said the lottery industry was very risky but also lucrative.


Gbajabiamila said that the board generated about N1 million in 2013 from about 11 sport betting companies in the state.


He added that more revenue could be generated with more investment to develop the industry.


“The state government has been making efforts to provide an enabling environment for the lottery industry but only 40 per cent of the industry had been tapped into.


“We urge the Federal Government to create a more enabling environment for operators in the industry to increase revenue and create jobs for youths.


“The major needs of the operators are improved electricity and internet provision to boost the business,” he said.


He restated the commitment of the board to rid the state of illegal lottery operators. [NAN]

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Ebola In Anambra? Govt Seals Hospital, Quarantines Staff

The discovery of a corpse of an indigene of Anambra State in Nkwelle Ezunaka, Oyi Council Area of the state has raised fears that the dreaded Ebola virus may have entered the state.


The corpse was said to have been brought in cargo into the town from Liberia and deposited in the morgue of one Apex hospital at the weekend by relatives of the deceased, who were said to be making arrangement for his burial ceremony.


In a move to forestall an outbreak, the Anambra state Government today (Thursday) sealed off the hospital and the mortuary and quarantined the workers and the in-patients on the suspicion that the corpse might be a victim of Ebola having been brought in a Cargo from Liberia, one of the countries in the West African sub-region prevalent with the Ebola virus.


Commissioner for Health, Dr. Josephat Akabuike said in Awka that the hospital was shut down when an informant from the community who suspected that the corpse must have been a victim of Ebola disease in Liberia informed the state government that a corpse was brought into the community from the West African Country.


According to him, the informant was aware of the effects of the Ebola disease in Liberia and as a matter of fact was responding to the announcements the state government had been making since the disease became public knowledge.




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Monarch Threatens To Sue Enugu Govt Over Dethronement

Suspended Chairman of Enugu West Traditional Rulers Council and Traditional Ruler of Amadim-Olo, Ezeagu council of Enugu State, His Majesty, Hayford Agana, has threatened to drag Enugu State government to court over the withdrawal of his certificate of recognition.


The monarch said he would demand N20 million as damages from the state government for the embarrassment caused him on account of the withdrawal of his certificate of recognition should the government fail to reverse same.


The state government in a letter by the Commissioner for Chieftaincy Matters, Pastor Emeka Abugu, had suspended the monarch over alleged refusal to hand over “assets of Enugu West Traditional Rulers Council, a Toyota Bus and sum of one million naira to the new executive, despite appeals from the council and Ministry.”


Abugu said in the letter that the suspension took effect from last month.

In a letter addressed to the Secretary to the State Government in which the monarch conveyed his intention to sue the government, he stated that the vehicle in question and the one million naira were personal gifts to him by the Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu.


Explaining that the bus was not the property of Enugu West Traditional Rulers Council, the monarch, who attached the receipts of purchase and other transactions concerning the bus, said it was in appreciation of his support to the Deputy Senate President.


He added that the one million naira which he (Ekweremadu) gave him on the day of delivery for maintenance was equally shared with other traditional rulers.


He narrated in the letter by his counsel, Peter Eze, that Governor Sullivan Chime had in 2013 convened a meeting of all recognised traditional rulers in the state, where he dissolved the zonal executives of the council and appointed new ones, adding that Igwe Samuel Uka was appointed to succeed him. [Vanguard]

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7 Temptations That Can Ruin Your Relationship

There are a few temptations that can ruin your relationship, no matter how much you love your man. Unfortunately, we sometimes have desires that lead to destruction and ruin even the strongest relationships. That’s why I decided to share this list of 7 temptations that can ruin your relationship that you need to be aware of.


1. Constant lying


When you did something that you know your boyfriend or husband wouldn’t approve of, it can be tempting to lie to him about it. While it can be easy to lie, your lies will haunt you down the road. If you really love each other, you should never be afraid to tell the truth, no matter how hard it can be. A strong relationship is never based on lies. Remember it.


2. Desire to cheat on your partner


One of the worst temptations that ruin your relationships is the desire to cheat on your partner. If you are in a long lasting relationship and you meet another man, everything can become so complicated. The only way to maintain your relationship strong is to refuse to give into that dangerous temptation, if you really love your partner.


3. Stealing your partner’s things


When you are in a long term-relationship and you are living together, it can be tempting to steal your partner’s clothes or cash without asking him. While many couples are okay with it, others are not comfortable. Your boyfriend/husband has the right to know what you take or how much money you take. Don’t take anything without his permission and you will avoid lots of fights.


4. Spending more time with friends


When you are in a very long-term relationship, you might get jealous of all of the parties and free time your friends (especially single ones) have. But, don’t allow the temptation of alone time to ruin your relationship. Don’t forget that you can spend time with your friends; you just need to discuss it with your partner and rearrange your schedule.


5. Putting no effort into your relationship


Once you have been together for a long time, you may feel so comfortable that you may stop putting effort into your relationship. While comfort is a great thing, it can be dangerous as well. No matter how long you’ve been together, you still have to put effort into your relationship to make it last.


6. Constant fights


When you are in a bad mood, it’s so easy to scream at your partner to let out your emotions, however, he could get hurt and it can lead to numerous fights. Don’t risk upsetting your partner, scream into a pillow if you are tempted to vent. It may sound funny, but it’s actually work. Never blame your sweetheart for problems that he didn’t cause. It’s one of the best ways to keep your relationship strong.


7. Taking your partner’s efforts for granted


Just because you can walk all over him, doesn’t mean you should do it. If he washes your clothes for you and makes you breakfast every single morning, let him know that his hard work is highly appreciated. Treat your partner with respect and don’t take his efforts for granted.


It can be hard to keep the relationship strong, especially if one of the partners put no effort into it. If you want your relationship to stay strong, make sure you don’t act on the aforementioned dangerous desires. There’s nothing wrong with you, if you have these desires, but just don’t act on them and ensure your partner doesn’t act on them as well. Which one of these desires is the most difficult for you to avoid succumbing to? Do you know any other temptations that can ruin a strong relationship?




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APC: Nasarawa Lawmakers Must Follow Impeachment To Logical Conclusion, Slams Jonathan For Impunity

Lai-Mohammed2304The All Progressives Congress (APC) has said President Goodluck Jonathan’s administration “scores first in the area of impunity”.


It also berated the present administration for its notoriety in acts of impunity.


The opposition party made these observations as part of its analysis of the ongoing impeachment saga playing out in Nasarawa State.


In a press statement issued in Abuja on Thursday by its national publicity secretary, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, APC lampooned the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) members of Nasarawa House of Assembly for demanding the dissolution of the seven-member panel inaugurated by the state’s Chief Judge to probe the allegations leveled against Governor Umaru Tanko Al-Makura.


The party described the action of the PDP-dominated Nasarawa assembly as unreasonable and unconstitutional, arguing that for the first time in the history of the nation’s democracy, the legislature was seeking to disband the investigative panel it directed the Chief Judge to set up.


It said that the demand by the lawmakers showed that they either had poor understanding of the constitution or they were blinded by their desperation to impeach Gov. Al-Makura.


“Either way, they have boxed themselves into a tight corner. Holding an illegal sitting in Abuja with a fake mace is as ridiculous as the demand by the lawmakers for the dissolution of the panel set up by the Chief Judge”, the party said.


”Section 188 (5) of the Constitution is clear: ‘Within seven days of the passing of a motion under the foregoing provisions of this section, the Chief Judge of the state shall, at the request of the speaker of the house of assembly, appoint a panel of seven persons who in his opinion are of unquestionable integrity, not being members of any public service, legislative house or political party, to investigate the allegation as provided in this section’.


“It is important to point out to the desperate lawmakers that the key words in that section is that the chief judge must appoint persons who in his opinion are of unquestionable integrity. At this juncture, it is neither the opinion of the speaker nor that of the legislators that counts; it is the opinion of the chief judge.


“Therefore, neither the speaker, the lawmakers nor the chief judge can dissolve the panel at this stage, and none of them can stop the impeachment process. Once the chief judge has appointed the panel under Section 188 (5), he becomes ‘functus officio’, that is he has no further powers on the matter. This is the situation of things at present and the lawmakers can only await the report of the panel”, the APC spokesman said.


APC said it was not surprised with the unwarranted and illegal call for the dissolution of the panel by the PDP members of the Nasarawa legislature, because that call fell within the realm of the runaway impunity for which the PDP and the Jonathan administration have become infamous.


“What the house is suffering from now is called boomerang. Against sound advice, it went ahead to initiate the impeachment process. Well, it must now follow it to its logical conclusion. The chief judge cannot be made to dissolve the seven-man panel because he simply lacks the power to so do”, APC added.




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Police Arrest Woman, Priest For Allegedly Killing Children In Delta

nigeria-police-logoThe Delta State Police Command has arrested a 25-year-old woman, Ese Oghenevwe, and her church priest, Austin Eduviere, following a report that the former’s two sons died after consuming a liquid substance given to her by the priest.


According to a press release issued on Wednesday evening, the Police at Abraka received information that the woman had killed her two children, Prayer Clement, nine months old, and Wisdom Clement, 2, by giving them a liquid substance to drink.


“Based on the information, detectives arrested the said Oghenevwe. The suspect revealed that the liquid substance was given to her by Eduviere of Triumphant World International Church Abraka for healing purposes as the Apostle claimed he had prayed over it”, the police release by the Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Celestina Kalu said.


According to the police spokesperson, the apostle disclosed that the said liquid substance was a mixture of water and salt which he sells to people at N1,850 for healing of various ailments after praying for them.


Meanwhile, the police said they arrested a carjacker and recovered a stolen vehicle on Wednesday.


The press release said, “Police patrol team from Abraka Division while on stop and search duty at Police station junction Abraka intercepted a Toyota Camry car, number plate, LSD 264 AC with two occupants.


“Immediately the vehicle stopped one of the suspects alighted and took to his heels while the other, later identified as one Akpos Omote ‘m’ was arrested. The suspect has confessed that they snatched the car from one Mrs. Jane Esegbe at Udu, in Udu LGA in Delta state.


“The said Toyota Camry has been recovered to the station, while efforts are on to apprehend the fleeing suspect”.




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Oshiomhole Inaugurates Boards Of Four State Agencies, Calls For Quality Service Delivery

Adams OshiomholeGovernor Adams Oshiomhole of Edo State, on Wednesday charged public servants in state-owned agencies to collaborate with their various units to render quality services to people of the state.


He gave the directive when he inaugurated four boards under the state ministries of environment, education and tourism in Benin City, with a charge to collaborate with Management of the agencies for optimum result.


The inaugurated boards include the Waste Management Board, headed by Mrs. Elizabeth Ighodaro; Technical and Vocational Education Board, led by Lady Tina Agbara; while the Tourism Board and Environmental Committee are chaired by Mrs. Jane Osagie and Comrade Murktar Yusuf Osagie respectively.


The governor called for synergy between the management and the board to achieve optimum results because the role of the latter was different from the role of the former.


“Management has responsibilities for day-to-day running under the guidelines that are formulated by the boards.


“In some cases, there are some enabling laws that set up these bodies and of course, whatever you want to do must be done in conformity with the provisions of the law”, the governor said.


Oshiomhole described the management team as seasoned professionals with responsibilities, special skills and knowledge to manage and ensure that the organization achieved its objectives.


He recalled that there had been friction in the past between members of both the management and board of state agencies in the course of their duties, adding that such tensions were “completely unnecessary”.


Oshiomhole said, “So I trust that you will all realise that regardless of your level, all of us here including myself are all working for the same principal, who are the people of Edo State.


“We are all accountable to the Edo People.


“In discharging your duties, ensure that you are adding value to the quality of life of Edo people because that is the bottom line.


“Of course you know that our Party is founded on the principles of popular participation.


“Other people may boast of their capacity to manipulate elections, we boast of our capacity to deliver on our mandate, deliver on public welfare and infrastructure”.




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Kidnapping: Rivers Police Begins Sensitization Campaign

Tunde-Ogunsakin-600x330The Rivers State Po­lice Command has reiterated its resolve to put an end to kidnapping in the state as it launches a “Stop kidnap­ping” campaign on Friday (tomorrow).


The state Commissioner of Police, Mr. Tunde Ogun­sakin, disclosed this yesterday while briefing journalists in Port Harcourt.


Ogunsakin said the com­mand had reduced the rate of abduction in the state, adding that the number of rescued victims had been overwhelming. He, however, expressed sadness at reported cases of kidnap, stressing that the crime must be nipped in the bud.


“The number of arrest we made and the number of vic­tims we have even rescued were overwhelming. Kid­napping is too bad, we don’t want a situation where any­body would be kidnapped. That is why we want to sen­sitise the people that kidnap­ping should stop.


“We want to ensure that kidnapping is stopped in Rivers State. We are not happy with all these cases of kidnap. People should be able to do their work freely without any hindrance”, he said.


The police boss also ad­vised members of the pub­lic to be wary of those they employ as house helps, citing a particular incident where a house­boy arranged for the abduc­tion of his boss. He said after rescuing the victim and the boy’s account was examined, millions of naira were found.


He advised: “Before you employ a houseboy, check the background very well”, adding that most kidnap cas­es were successful because of insider information.


Ogunsakin said the command had put security mechanisms in place, including the provi­sion of a dedicated telephone number to police stations in the state.


He explained that the dedi­cated number was to ensure that distress calls were re­sponded to promptly by the police, before the criminals would leave the scene.




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How Presidency Shared N22.4m To Chibok Parents, Girls

GEJ-ChibokChibok indigenes resident in the nation’s capital have denied knowledge of a N100 million presidential largesse allegedly given to a delegation of Chibok community from Borno State, when they visited President Goodluck Jonathan recently at the presidential villa, Abuja.


The Chibok indigenes, under the banner of Kibaku Area Development Association (KADA), Instead, claimed that the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Special Duties, Prof. Dan Adebiyi after the visit with the president, visited the hotel where they were accommodated and presented a token of N100,000 each to the escaped girls on behalf of the Presidency.


Out of the 122 parents that visited, KADA explained that Prof Adebiyi gave 61 parents N200,000 each and another 51 parents N100,000 each, while the remaining 10 parents were told that the money was finished.


According to KADA, they did not receive any cash amount from the presidency, neither did Prof. Adebiyi, who had been coordinating the visit on the side of the president, give them notice before sharing the largesse.


The association expressed regrets that the approach of sharing formula adopted by the presidency has brought reproach and dishonour to their community in the eyes of the general public, which has supported them since the abduction of the 200 girls of Government Secondary School, Chibok.


Speaking at a press brief, organised by the leadership of KADA and read by its spokesperson, Dauda Iliya said that the money causing the controversy back in Chibok was not the money given by the presidency, but the N1 million that was given to the parents by the member representing Chibok/Damboa/Gwoza Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, Hon. Biye Gumtha.


His words, “It is noteworthy that our primary goal is the safe return of the girls that are still in captivity. It is sad that we are losing sight of this to the allegation of sharing money. We therefore want the world to understand that we, KADA stands by our earlier position and did not demand, receive or handle any finances throughout the process of the visit.


“On the night of the 22nd July, 2014 at about midnight, the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Special Duties who had been co-ordinating the visit of the side of the Presidency, visited the hotel and told the 51 escaped girls who came that the President sent them a token of N100,000 each and accordingly gave them the said sum without prior discussion with any KADA official or any other person in the community.


“He equally gave the sum of N200,000 each to 61 parents out of the 122 parents that came on the visit. 51 parents were given N100,000 each on the basis that the money given to him was not enough to go round at N200,000. The remaining 10 parents were not given any amount of money.


“As for the money given to some parents back home in Chibok, it was the sum of N1,000,000.00 given to them by the Hon. Member of the House of Reps. Representing Chibok/Damboa/Gwoza Federal Constituency, which is the source of the alleged N7,000.00 given to parents in Chibok that were not part of the visit.


“While we acknowledge that any well intended support for our suffering population which has lost its means of livelihood since the events of April 14 and subsequent attacks could be welcome, however the approach that the Presidency adopted has brought reproach and dishonour to our community in the eyes of the public that has supported us since the abduction of our daughters.


“We hereby state categorically that no amount of money whatsoever was given to KADA leadership to share among the parents and escaped girls or for whatsoever reason and therefore the allegation is completely baseless, false and malicious.


“We clearly spelt out to the Presidency through the office of the Chief of Staff that we shall not be involved with any financial transaction whatsoever, including payment of transportation from Chibok to Yola, flight by air from Yola to Abuja, hotel accommodation and feeding in Abuja, and intra-city transportation while in Abuja.


“When the Presidency requested us to invite parents and escaped Chibok girls against 22nd July, 2014, we accepted the responsibility on the condition that we shall facilitate by way of contacting and mobilizing the parents and escaped girls thereby playing the sole role of facilitators”.


Meanwhile, PREMIUM TIMES has been informed by the president’s spokesman, Reuben Abati, that his principal had no hand in the disbursement of cash gifts to the visitors.


“The president did not give approval for money to be distributed to anybody”, Abati insisted, adding that “The president’s commitment is to get the girls safely back. This is not an occasion for blackmail. This is unknown to the president”.


In response to a question of whether it was possible for the president to host the distraught parents and the girls without giving them gifts, Mr. Abati said the president does not have to give gifts to visitors.


“If people are guests of the president, it is standard routine that the government will take care of logistics…” but he (president) did not give the directive that people should be bribed, he added.


On the next line of action following the controversy, Mr. Abati said “If the office of the president is being dragged into this, you can be sure it will be investigated”.




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7 Awkward Things You Do When You Have A Crush …

Beauty-spotlight-My-top-five-girl-crushes-1


You probably had or currently have a certain someone who you have ambiguous feelings for but won’t ever let him or her know about them, so instead you start doing things you do when you have a crush on someone, no matter how silly and irrational they may be. Don’t worry, we have all done it, but are just not willing to admit to it. I guess the infatuation just gets to us and we all end up doing the exact same things you do when you have a crush.


1. OVERANALYZE THEIR ACTIONS

You can’t really control the things you do when you have a crush on someone and sometimes it can drive us all insane. For example, the second you begin liking someone, you automatically start to read too much into their actions. You attempt to read their body language and search for any hidden messages whenever you have a conversation. And in the end you just give up, because with men you can never be too sure.


2. ACT DIFFERENT AROUND THEM

As much as you try to keep your cool when you are around them, your heart beats faster when they are close to you and sometimes all of the thinking in your head makes you act awkward. Plus, aside from that, you become more aware of your posture and overall appearance, so being around your crush is a lot of hard work


3. REGULARLY VISIT THEIR SOCIAL MEDIA

Once you express interest in someone, you become a master at stalking his or her social media. You try to get to know more about them as much as you can, so you go through their pictures and see your mutual friends. It’s a little creepy but hey, everyone does it!


4. EXPRESS INTEREST IN PEOPLE HE TALKS TO

Ever notice how the second you admit to liking that person, you analyze everyone he or she talks to? I mean, you can actually learn a lot about a person from his of her friends, especially their best friends! However, once your crush engages in a conversation with the opposite s*x, that’s when you begin to feel a little uncomfortable.


5. OVERANALYZE YOUR OWN ACTIONS

Aside from overanalyzing your crush’s actions, it is very typical to overanalyze your own. You want to reply in the proper manner that’s engaging and funny but a little flirty, and behave in a way that hints at something without coming on too strong, so it can get a little complicated. But just act like yourself and everything else will come easy!


6. CHECK OUT THEIR INTERESTS

If your crush tells you about his or her favorite show or band, it is natural to be curious about their interests. Plus if you want to spark a conversation, it is better to know what you are talking about. Maybe this is why we always do our homework and often engage in the same interests as our love interests.


7. CONSTANTLY CHECK YOUR PHONE

When you are texting your crush, you constantly check your phone even if it doesn’t buzz. When you finally receive a text, you agonize over every word, emoji and punctuation mark. And when conversation comes to an end, you scroll back and re-read it all over again! But who am I kidding, who doesn’t do that?


At the early stages of liking someone, you end up doing some really awkward and weird things. But in some really abnormal way, this is actually normal! What do you catch yourself doing when you have a crush on someone?


Source: allwomenstalk.com




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More Photos From Dr Sid and Simi’s Wedding


Lovely photos of the wedding. You can tell they are so much in love……










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Woman Strips Unclad To Hug Mandela Statue

AV_00038614-602x400


A woman has stri*ped Unclad in Nelson Mandela Square in Johannesburg and caressed a huge statue of the liberation hero as astonished bystanders looked on.



The young African woman first saluted the statue of the former president, who is revered for his role in defeating the racist apartheid system, before disrobing, witnesses said.



A picture posted on Twitter showed her Unclad and leaning her head against the knee of the statue in an upmarket area of South Africa’s commercial capital.



A waitress at a nearby restaurant told The Star newspaper that the woman’s actions, at around 4.00pm on a busy Monday, had caused a frenzy.



Male waiters got their orders wrong and a male customer was hit on the head by his wife for getting up to take a closer look, she said.



Nelson Mandela Square marketing manager Megan Meas said a security guard had asked the woman to put on her clothes, which she did before leaving the square without answering any questions.



‘This was an unauthorised incident conducted by a private citizen in her personal capacity on our property,’ Meas said.




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Man Wins $1 Million Lottery Prize For 2nd Time In 3 Months

robert-hamilton


An Indianapolis man has won two $1 million lottery prizes in the past three months.


Hoosier Lottery officials say Robert Hamilton won $1 million from a scratch-off ticket he bought last week at an Indianapolis convenience store. His other big winner came in April in western Indiana’s Jasonville while traveling to a conference.


Hamilton says he used his first prize to pay off debts, buy a home and invest in his business. He now plans to buy a motorcycle.


The lottery says Hamilton’s tickets are among eight top prizes for its $120 Million Cash Spectacular Scratch-off game. Lottery officials say the odds of winning a top prize from the game are one in 2.1 million.




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unclad Man Breaks Into Home, Takes Nap – Police

n-unclad-MAN-large


New Mexico man faces charges after authorities say a couple found him unclad and sleeping in their bed.


Investigators say 30-year-old Freddy Shelby of Albuquerque was arrested Sunday after the homeowners called police to report their unwanted mystery guest.


According to a criminal complaint, Shelby broke into the couple’s home through a window and grabbed a Sprite from the refrigerator before falling asleep in the master bedroom. Authorities say the homeowners found a disrobed Shelby in a deep sleep.


Officers arrived and called to the man, but he slept through it. Authorities say Shelby woke up only after an officer ripped the blankets off him.


Shelby told officers he thought he was at his girlfriend’s house.


He was charged with breaking and entering. It wasn’t immediately known if he had an attorney.




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Abdullahi, Ex-Sports Minister, Formally Declares For APC

bolaji_abdullahiA former Sports Minister, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, has said the All Progressives Congress (APC) has the solution to Nigeria’s political development and stability.


He, therefore, urged Nigerians to think carefully of the party they will cast their votes for in next year’s general elections.


Abdullahi, who publicly declared his membership of the APC yesterday in Ilorin, the Kwara State capital, said the opposition party is the only party that holds the key to Nigeria’s political future.


The former minister told reporters that he had become a card-carrying member of the APC and was now involved in partisan politics.


He urged Nigerian professionals, who desire a positive change in the affairs of the nation, to join the party.


The former minister said he discovered when he was in office as a commissioner in Kwara State and a minister at the federal level that professionals, especially journalists with commitment, can make changes happen when they are called upon to serve.


On the state of the nation, Abdullahi, a tested journalist said: “The question you should ask yourself is whether or not you are better off today than you were six years ago; whether or not the education your children receive today is better than what they six years ago and whether or not the health services available to you today are better than what was obtainable six years ago.


“So, if you conclude that they are better, then there is no need for you to change. But if, like many of us, you face the reality that they are not, then you will understand why we say that we need a change.


“I have served at the state and national levels and I am convinced now that I should be more involved in contributing to solving problems, not just writing about them (problems). That is why I am now a full member of the APC.


“Yes, I used to see myself as a technocrat. It was strategic because I needed to have an environment to perform the job I was given without necessarily becoming political or promoting myself. That’s because whether as a commissioner or minister, I was only there by the recommendation of my bosses. I needed to do the work assigned to me without failing.


“However, I also discovered that much as that gave me the opportunity to perform, the truth is that it became a limitation in some ways. This is because when the decisions are to be made, which would affect the people, technocrats are not allowed to be in such gatherings. They are only called upon to implement the decisions and, even in doing that, they have to be careful because it may affect the fortunes of the politician”.




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Aba Prayer Vigil Tragedy: Survivors Recount Experience

Night-Vigil-DisasterSurvivors of the carbon monoxide inhalation incident at a prayer vigil in Aba, Abia State, during the weekend have recounted their experiences.


The survivors are now recuperating at the Austin Graces and Goodness and Mercy Hospital on Okigwe Road, Aba.


Fifteen of the 16 people, who had gone for the prayers on Eziukwu Road on Friday, were found unconscious on Saturday, while one person died in the incident.


Uchechukwu Sylvester, one of the affected persons, narrated his experience in an interview from his hospital bed.


“It was Friday night and we went for tarry night at Eziukwu road. I can tell you that we started the prayers by 10 p.m.


“Within some hours, I don’t know what happened. I don’t know what kind of spirit that visited us; what we noticed was that some of us were falling to the ground.


“At a point, our coordinator took the microphone and rounded off the prayers after which he himself fell down to the ground.


“That was all I knew until I saw myself in this hospital on Sunday being fed by one of my brothers with rice,” he said.


He praised God for bringing them back to life.


Another victim, Mary Nwankwo, who suffered ear blockage in the incident, said she was getting better.


“My ear is opening little by little now. I thank God for saving us. I thank God for keeping us alive. May God who did it be praised”, she said.


Giving his own account of what happened, Kalu Ogbonnaya, a fashion designer, said that they were praising God during the prayer meeting and all of a sudden, one of them fell flat and did not move his body.


Soon, another person fell to the ground and others followed one by one but they never knew what was happening to them.


He, however, said that they suspected it was the Holy Spirit moving in their midst.


He said he soon became weak and fell down and wanted to vomit but could not, adding that that was all he knew until he woke up in the hospital the following day.


Mr. Ogbonnaya thanked God for saving their lives from perishing at an all-night prayer meeting.


(NAN)




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Ekiti: I Didn’t Create Additional Councils To Cause Fayose Problems, Says Fayemi

Kayode FayemiOutgoing Ekiti State Governor, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, has signed into law a bill creating additional council areas from the existing 16 local governments in the state.


At the signing of the bill yesterday, Fayemi also denied allegations in some quarters that his government created the new councils as a trap for the incoming Peoples Democratic Party-led administration of Mr. Ayo Fayose.


This is just as the matter of the newly created councils is being contested at an Ado Ekiti High Court by the PDP in the state.


According to Fayemi, he created the new councils in fulfilment of his administration’s electioneering promises to the people.


He added that his government would bridge all noticeable gaps in the policy for its expeditious and smooth take off before the expiration of his tenure on October 15, 2014.


He noted that the Assets’ Sharing Committee of the House had visited the affected local governments, adding that the reports are already before him.


“This is a promise fulfilled, following the yearnings of the people. These yearnings predated my coming into government in 2010. The first executive governor of this state, Otunba Niyi Adebayo, attempted this policy before the end of his tenure but never came to pass. Despite this, our people never stopped requesting for additional local governments for rapid development and for political independence. With this policy, we are not just making history but we are part of history. We have written our names in the book of history for taking this bold step. And I will do everything within the constitution for effective functioning of these councils before this administration comes to an end”, he said.


He added: “Soon, we will appoint transitional political functionaries that would begin the process of the existence of these councils for rapid development at the grassroots where the bulk of our people live”.


He dismissed PDP’s claim that the policy was a flagrant breach of the 1999 constitution, stressing that all extant constitutional provisions were complied with in arriving at the conclusion of the exercise.


Earlier, Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Adewale Omirin, said the legislature decided to key into the policy because of the enormous role the local government system plays in the lives of rural dwellers and overall development of the society.




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Why Insurgents Now Use Female Suicide Bombers – Mba

frank_mba_police_spokespersonThe Force Public Relations Officer, Frank Mba, on Wednesday in Abuja said international terror organisations use female suicide bombers in attacks because they are less suspicious.


Mr. Mba, who was answering questions at the National Information Centre, said the use of females in suicide attacks is not new.


“Established international terror organisations use female suicide bombers, the major reason is because women generally raise fewer suspicion, particularly when there are security layers.


“If you have been following the trend of terrorism worldwide, you will understand that the use of a female suicide bomber is not new.


“But, it is a new trend in our own part of the world”, he said.


The force spokesperson, however, said a new counter-terrorism strategy was being developed to address the new trend in the country.


“We are developing counter-terrorism strategies to deal with that.


“By our rules of engagement and by our culture too, male security operatives generally are not allowed to search females.


“You will see increase in female security personnel on roads and in other places where stop and search exercises are being carried out.


“Nigerians should be prepared to see more female police officers, bomb disposal experts, DSS operatives and soldiers in combat operations’’, he said.


Mr. Mba appealed to parents and Local Government authorities across the country to support efforts to stamp out street hawking by young girls, particularly among minors.


(NAN)




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I’m Not Related To Drowned Ijaw Youth – First Lady

First LadyThe First Lady, Dame (Dr) Patience Jonathan, has denied reports in a section of the media that she is related to one Christopher Awai, who reportedly drowned under suspicious circumstances at the swimming pool of an Abuja hotel.


Mrs Jonathan, in a statement yesterday by her spokesperson, Ayo Adewuyi, also denied that a woman mentioned in media reports as having petitioned the police on the death of Awai, is also not her younger sister.


“We also wish to state without any iota of equivocation that Madam Esther Ebiere Gbonkumor who was mentioned in the news reports as the immediate younger sister of the first lady is not in any way related to Dame (Dr) Patience Faka Jonathan.


“It’s an unfounded rumour which the first lady knows nothing about and we’ll like the public and well-meaning Nigerians to note for the purpose of accurate record and common good”, the statement said.


It would be recalled that Awai died during a party recently organised by Ijaw students of the University of Abuja.




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Pro-Jonathan Rallies Ill-Timed, Insensitive – ACF

jonathan ralliesThe pan-northern socio-cultural organization, Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF), on Wednesday described the mass movement of people from different parts of the country to Abuja for solidarity rally in support of President Goodluck Jonathan’s re-election bid, as a security threat to the nation.


The body also said such mass demonstrations by youths from certain sections of the country may portray them as insensitive to the plight of Nigerians, who have been under terrorist attacks and bomb blasts.


ACF in a statement signed by its National Publicity Secretary, Mohammed Ibrahim, said, “The movement of Nigerians to Abuja for such rallies may likely cause security breaches in the country.


“In as much as ACF is not against any peaceful rally or solidarity march by any group of persons in support of Mr. President or any cause, however, considering the insecurity in the country and in particular the northern region, where there have been spate of bomb blasts and attacks on innocent Nigerians.


“The ACF considered it as ill timed, ill-advised and a disregard to the feelings of other Nigerians affected by the security challenges.


“In view of this, ACF wishes to advise the authorities concerned to ensure that such solidarity demonstrations are properly guided to avoid any likely security breaches”.




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Wednesday 30 July 2014

Edo Speaker Declares House Member’s Seat Vacan For Defecting To PDP

Speaker of the Edo State House of Assembly, yesterday, declared the seat of the member representing Etsako West Constituency I, Mr. Abdulrazak Momoh, vacant for defecting to Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), from All Progressives Congress (APC).


The Speaker, Mr. Uyi Igbe, during plenary of the APC lawmakers at the Old Assembly complex in Government House, Benin, said the lawmaker’s defection did not follow due process.


According to him, section 109 (1g) of the 1999 Constitution as amended, empowers the Speaker to declare the seat of a lawmaker, upon defection to another party from the party he was elected, vacant.


He called on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to fill the vacant position within 90 days.


The 14 APC legislators loyal to Igbe have been at loggerheads with the nine PDP legislators out of which six were suspended for alleged misconduct.


Mr. Momoh, however, described the action as laughable, saying the move was to truncate the legal action instituted against APC legislators for allegedly forging his signature.


According to him, the Speaker once said in the media that he (Momoh) was not suspended because of a pending legal action he instituted against the House, adding “and the court restrained them from suspending and declaring my seat vacant. It is already a known fact that they do not obey court orders.


“What they have done in Government House is null and void because the Government House is not the designated place for legislative activities.


“To start with, there is a subsisting court order stopping the House from declaring seats vacant, suspending and stopping the remunerations of the defected lawmakers.




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Chibok Community Denies Receiving N100m From FG

Leadership of the Chibok community group, Kibaku Area Development Association, Abuja Chapter, has denied that it received the alleged N100 million incentive from the Presidency on account of the missing Chibok girls.


The group, in a statement by its spokesperson, Dauda Ilya, described the claim as “false, malicious and unfounded.”


The group explained that it only offered, as a community association that represented the Chibok people in Abuja, to facilitate the visit of parents of the abducted girls and 51 of the 57 that escaped.


It added that it helped make that visit possible despite their misgivings that it was a poor substitute to their expectation that Mr. President should have visited Chibok even before the visit of their people for a tragedy that is now 107 days old.


The group further explained the role of the association in facilitating the visit, sating it spelt out its responsibilities in facilitating the meeting of the Chibok girls and parents with President Jonathan and that there was never a point it demanded any financial compensation.


“When the Presidency requested us to invite parents and escaped Chibok girls against 22nd July, 2014, we accepted the responsibility on the condition that we shall facilitate by way of contacting and mobilising the parents and escaped girls, thereby playing the sole role of facilitators,” the group said.




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UK Not Sending Troops To Rescue Chibok Grls — Pocock

The British High Commissioner to Nigeria, Andrew Pocock has reiterated that the British Government’s offer of assistance to Nigeria in the rescue of the abducted Chibok girls does not involve deploying troops in Nigeria to assume any combat roles.


“What we are doing is bringing in some form of expertise, particularly in training and advisory roles and not combat roles,” he said.


Pocock stated this while speaking to newsmen, yesterday, on board HMS Iron Duke, a Royal Navy Warship on a working visit to Nigeria.


According to him, combat roles specifically is Nigeria’s responsibility.


“We are not bringing troops in any combat role. What the Prime Minister, David Cameron said six weeks ago in London is that we recognise the difficulties that Nigeria is facing with security at the moment. And that was in response to the invitation by President Jonathan for assistance. That is specifically Nigeria’s responsibility. We are not bringing troops to Nigeria. We are not doing what the French did in Mali; it’s a different scenario entirely,” he said.


Speaking on the HMS Iron Duke’s visit to Nigeria, Commanding Officer of the ship, Tom Tredary said it was inspired by the need for the Nigerian Navy and the British Navy to share information and experience in order to boost maritime security within the Gulf of Guinea and especially within the West African coast.


“Maritime security is a problem that affects all nations. So it’s important that security is given the required attention in order to reduce illegal activities at sea. It requires concerted efforts by all navies to do that. We think that we can share experiences we have had in combating piracy in the Indian Ocean and Somalia. This will help the Nigeria Navy to refine the techniques that they already use to try and bring a great deal of law and order in the Gulf of Guinea. We think that there is a lot that we can learn from each other because Nigerian Navy has a better understanding of activities around these waters and we have a great understanding of activities patrolling the Gulf of Guinea, so we can share experiences,” said Tredary.


HMS Iron Duke is Type 23 ‘Duke’ Class Frigate normally based in Portsmouth, UK. It is currently away on a six month operational deployment visiting a number of partner nations including Nigeria as well as ensuring security in the South Atlantic.


Whilst deployed, crew of Iron Duke will conduct a two‑day training for some officers of the Nigerian Navy, and in the process share knowledge and experience, all in a bid to aid development and promote security and stability in the waters off West Africa.




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We Will Provide Accurate Data On Boko Haram, Ebola Virus – NPC

The new Minister of National Planning Commission (NPC), Dr. Abubakar Sulaiman, has expressed determination to work hard towards providing the Federal Government with accurate data on Boko Haram, Ebola Virus disease within and outside the country to actualise its ongoing transformation agenda.


Sulaiman made the pledge during the official handing and taking over ceremony at the National Planning Commission, yesterday, in Abuja.


“I am from the academia, I know what it means to research, monitor and do surveillance, and this we will do to get the best out of us.


“We have to work hard to get accurate data not just on infrastructure and policy making, but also on Boko Haram and Ebola Virus within and outside Nigeria.


“We will do all we can to get accurate data on all these so that Nigeria can move forward. Where Nigeria is lacking, I will mobilise resources to bridge the gap. With the support of staff of NPC we will ensure we achieve accurate data for Nigeria within the time we have in office,” he said.


Speaking further, the minister said: “As the new minister of NPC, my predecessor had done so much, I don’t think we are lacking in the area of human resources and capacity. What we will do is to put all hands on deck to improve on what my predecessor had done.”




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Police Arrest Pastor, Woman In Delta As Sanctified Water Kills 2

Men of the Delta State Police Command have arrested a man, said to be a pastor, and a woman, for allegedly killing two children with a deadly substance sold by the pastor for N1,850.


In a press release, the Command spokesperson, DSP Celestina Kalu, said the suspects are in custody helping the police with relevant information.


“On July 25, at about 4.00 am, the Police at Abraka Police Station received information that a woman, Ese Oghenevwe (25), of Urhuoka quarters, Abraka had killed her two sons namely, Prayer Clement (9 months) and Wisdom Clement (2 years) by giving them a liquid substance to drink.


“Based on the information, detectives arrested the said Ese Oghenevwe. The suspect revealed that the substance was given to her by one Apostle Austin Eduviere of Triumphant World International Church, Abraka for healing purposes as the Apostle claimed he had prayed over it.


“Meanwhile, the said Apostle Austine Eduviere has also been arrested and he is helping the Police in their investigation. The suspect disclosed that the said substance was a mixture of water and salt which he sold to people for N1,850.00 for healing of various sicknesses after praying for them,” the statement read.




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