Until Your Car Spoils On The Road, You Will Never Value Agberos- Actress Etinosa

 Nigerian actress, Etinosa Ogbemudia has said that some touts popularly referred to as Agberos are so skilled and useful to the society, IGBERETV reports.

In a post she shared on her Instastories, the mum of one said that until a person's car develops a fault on the road, he or she can never value Agberos as some of them are so skilled and can help at that time. She said the government should rehabilitate them instead of using them as thugs.

Timipre Sylva Resigns As Nigeria’s Junior Petroleum Minister

 Timipre Sylva has resigned as the minister of state for petroleum to seek the ruling All Progressives Congress ticket in the upcoming governorship election in Bayelsa.

Mr Sylva tendered his resignation letter to President Muhammadu Buhari last week, but the details of the resignation were kept private until now, Reuters said on Thursday night.

Mr Sylva was appointed to the ministry in 2019 by Mr Buhari, who has kept the position of petroleum minister to himself.

Mr Sylva, 58, was Bayelsa governor from 2008 to 2012, when he failed to win reelection. He now seeks the APC’s ticket in Bayelsa to govern the oil-rich state for another term of four years. The election will hold on November 11, 2023.

Spokespersons for Mr Sylva and the State House did not immediately return requests seeking comments about the development late Thursday.

Armed Robbers Sentenced To 7 Years Imprisonment For Robbing Patience Jonathan

 A High Court sitting in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, has sentenced one Praise Gelson and Usman Garba to seven years imprisonment for breaking into the home of the wife of former President Goodluck Jonathan, Patience, to steal valuables worth millions of naira, IGBERETV reports.

Another defendant, Tamunoala Alatoru was convicted and sentenced to six months imprisonment for negligence to her duties.

In November 2022, the defendants were arraigned before the court on three counts of conspiracy, armed robbery and attempted murder of the former President’s wife. 

The trial judge, Justice Ebebeli, in his judgment, found Gelson and Garba, who were the first and third defendants, guilty of armed robbery and attempted murder, noting that the prosecution counsel proved his case beyond a reasonable doubt. Ebebeli also stated that the prosecution proved his case against Alatoru who was the second defendant, especially on negligence in her duties and therefore should be sentenced to six months imprisonment.

Mercy Chinwo Slams ₦2bn Lawsuit On Obidiz For Using Her Name In A Secular Music

 Gospel artist, Mercy Chinwo, has filed a suit against hip-hop artist Obidiz for defamation of character and unauthorized use of name and image.

Mercy Chinwo filed a case against Obidiz following his latest single release titled Mercy Chinwo.

The artist in the song cited an example of a wayward, club girl, and mentioned Mercy Chinwo in the phrase.

“She dey share me the cake, but she no want commit. Mercy Chinwo for church, but for club na Cardi B sef.”

The suit by the gospel artist said Obidiz made “Derogatory and defamatory use of the name and image of Mercy Chinwo in secular music audio and video” and issued a “Notice to cease and desist.”

According to the document, Obidiz is to desist from further use of Mercy Chinwo’s name and image.

He is also to take down the song, and promotional videos and make a public apology. Failure to comply with these demands may attract a fine of N2,000,000,000.

Obi-datti: Tinubu Petitions NBC, Wants Channels TV Sanctioned

 The President-Elect, Asíwájú Bola Tinubu has petitioned the National Broadcasting Commission NBC, urging it to sanction Channels Television for allegedly breaching the Nigerian Broadcasting Code.

“In line with Section 14.0.1 of the Nigerian Broadcasting Code 6th edition stating the duty of the National Broadcasting Commission to accept complaints from aggrieved persons, bodies or members of the public and investigate as well as apply sanctions where necessary, the All Progressives Congress Presidential Campaign Council hereby petitions the Commission on what it considers breaches by CHANNELS TV last week on its programme ‘Politics Today’ which airs daily at 7pm on weekdays”, Tinubu said in the petition dated 30th March, 2023.

In the petition signed by the Director, Media and Publicity, Mr Bayo Onanuga on behalf of the Special Adviser, Media, Public Affairs and Communications, APC Presidential Campaign Council, Tinubu accused the Labour Party LP Vice Presidential candidate Datti Baba-Ahmed of making several incendiary comments impugning the integrity of the 25 February 2023 Presidential elections.

Part of the petition reads; “He (Datti) said the Labour Party won the elections. This is a fallacy and not correct. According to the Code, a Broadcaster is liable when his guest is allowed to make a wild statement that is inaccurate and not based on fact. The only factual figures empirically collated as the final result is the one released by the Independent National Electoral Commission which placed Labour party as third.

“The guest on the programme in question Datti Baba -Ahmed said the President of the country Muhammadu Buhari should not swear in the President -elect because he did not score 25% vote in the FCT, being one of the prerequisites for being declared winner. This is a subversive statement since the matter is before the tribunal and is among the issues submitted in their petition to the courts for adjudication. Therefore until and unless the court rules otherwise, the status quo is the INEC position as declared in the final results

“The guest Datti Baba Ahmed’s comments about Labour Party winning the presidential vote undermines constituted authority given to INEC in the 1999 Constitution as the body vested with the powers to conduct and announce the results of national general elections in Nigeria. Any other figures will have to be certified by the tribunal as the authentic one

“Therefore Mr Datti’s comments that the INEC certificate of return issued to the President-elect is a “dud cheque” and is null and void is not only divisive, subversive but also inciting and inflammatory.

“The Code states in Section 3.8.1(b) that ‘A Broadcaster shall ensure that no programme contains anything which amounts to subversion of constituted authority or compromises the unity or corporate existence of Nigeria as a Sovereign state’.

“The statement by Mr Datti Baba-Ahmed later on the same programme that if ‘President Buhari should hand over to the President-elect Bola Ahmed Tinubu by May 29, that would be the end of democracy’ is another case of unguarded utterance.

“This is in breach of Section 5.3.3(b) which states that – ‘A Broadcaster shall avoid inflammatory and divisive matters in its provocative form in using political material’.
“Furthermore, Section 3.0.2.1 states that- ‘No Broadcaster shall encourage or incite to crime, lead to public disorder or hate, or repugnant to public feelings’ materials that cause disaffection.

“By denying the authenticity of the INEC Presidential election results Mr Datti is at liberty to seek for the voiding of the results, but until the court or tribunal upturns those results they remain the authentic results. Channels TV cannot encourage him to use its platform to create anarchy by disputing results on air without corroborating his facts.

“In asking the President not to swear in the President-elect he is subverting the Independent National Electoral Commission INEC’s constitutionally guaranteed authority.

“In using words like ‘handing over to the President-elect Bola Ahmed Tinubu will be the end of democracy’ he is not only promoting a threat but instigating a call to rebellion against the state. This is antithetical to the use of the media for social harmony and peaceful

“It is our considered opinion that the guest Datti Baba-Ahmed was not only provocative but also inciting the public and the Labour Party followers to delegitimise the outcome of the elections but also propagate resistance against the incoming dully elected administration. of Bola Ahmed-Tinubu and Kashim Shettima.

“We therefore urge the Commission to invoke the necessary sanctions on Channels TV for the breaches enumerated above”.

“i’m A Lesbian Witch, I Know I’m Going To Hell”- Temmie Ovwasa Asserts

 Controversial singer and social media personality, Temmie Ovwasa popularly known as YBNL Princess stirred reactions online after sharing a new video online.

The songstress posted a video of herself singing a worship song. The video caught the attention of many courtesy of her caption that read:

“Me having full blown worship session at midnight knowing fully well I am a lesbian going to hell.”

Furthermore, she wished for someone to start a queer church that suits her lifestyle.

In her words:

“Somebody should start a queer church for the culture, I need to live my praise and worship leader fantasies again and the straights would want me to stay committed, I just want an open relationship.”

Covenant University CBT Centre Denies Candidates Wearing Hijab From Writing Mock

 COVENANT UNIVERSITY CBT CENTRE DENIES CANDIDATES WEARING HIJAB FROM WRITING MOCK JAMB EXAMINATIONS

We at Hijab Rights Advocacy Initiative got a distress call this morning at 07:25 am from the father of a candidate Mr AA Olayode, that his daughter and several other candidates wearing Hijab were denied from entering Covenant University Ota, Ogun State, their CBT centre for the Mock Jamb examinations.

He stated that he tried to explain to the security guards that as a National Examination, candidates where posted there by the examination body and thus should be allowed to write their exams. 

The security guards inisited that the University being a Christian University does not permit Hijabs in their premises and as such the candidates could not enter. Some candidates removed their Hijabs inorder to gain entry, while Maryam the daughter of Mr Olayode and two others who did not remove their Hijab were denied entry. 

Hijab Rights Advocacy Initiative swung into action and contacted JAMB immediately. The Centre coordinator at Covenant University CBT centre was contacted and he joined the denied candidates at the gate and promptly let them in. 

The exam started at 7 am and the candidates were let in at 7:48am. As at the time if this report, we are not clear if candidates could eventually write their CBT exams after being denied entry for about an hour or if they'll be given extra time to complete same, given that this is a computerized exam which is automated. 

We at Hijab Rights Advocacy Initiative find it necessary to reiterate that the Freedom of Thought, Conscience and Religion is a fundamental right as guaranteed by the 1999 constitution as amended and the Hijab is a practical application of this right as ruled by the Supreme Court judgment of Asiyat Abdulkareem vs Lagos State Government. 

It is important that institutions that do not wish to conform to the JAMB guidelines on conduct of National Examinations should refrain from applying to be CBT centres as they are remunerated for performing this service. 
While we thank JAMB for acting promptly and avoiding a religious crises especially in this fragile period of our country, we ask that such erring centres be de-registered to and opportunity given to more deserving and law abiding ones. 

God bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria. 

Signed
Mutiat Orolu-Balogun 
Executive Director, 
Hijab Rights Advocacy Initiative 
30 March 2023

LASU Bread: Lagos State University Launches LASU Bread Bakery

 If universities have to resort to this to “increase IGR”, are they really worth the title? Universities are incentivised to conduct research and innovation that can extend beyond geographies. The mediocrity is painful. 

Accolades for the VC, Prof. Ibiyemi Olatunji-Bello, mni, as LASU Bakery opens for business. 
The bakery is part of her administration's drive to increase IGR. The LASU Bread will henceforth be the only bread on the university main campus, Ojo.

Mc Oluomo Bans Illegal Agbero Taxes In Part Of Lagos, Following Protest

 Musiliu Akinsaya (Mc Oluomo), chairman of the Lagos State Parks and Garages Association, has waded into the feud between commercial drivers and agberos (highway tax collectors who target commercial drivers) in the state.

One of the drivers told FIJ that Mc Oluomo had placed a ban on the illegal taxes levied by agberos.

“Mc Oluomo told us this afternoon when we held a meeting with him at the state council that no driver from Oshodi to Tollgate must be compelled to pay illegal agbero taxes anymore,” he told FIJ.

“We are only to buy two tickets in a day, after which we will not pay anything aside from loading fees.

“The normal ticket sold and approved by the Lagos State Park Management is just N800.

“He said those extra taxes imposed at Iyana Ipaja and Agbado Ijaiye were no longer valid. We can either buy our daily tickets in Oshodi or Tollgate, and either will be recognised.

“Afterwards, we will buy the council ticket and booking for security, which is about N500.”

He further stated that to soothe the aggrieved drivers, Akinsanya said they would no longer pay for tickets on Saturdays and Sundays.

“For weekend jobs, Mc Oluomo has mandated that no driver should be made to buy tickets on Saturdays and Sundays,” he said.

“The union should only compel us to buy tickets from Monday to Friday. We should be given the chance to take something home to our families.

“For those who were injured during the attack on protesting drivers, he donated N1 million. He said it should be used to treat those who were injured and those whose properties were stolen.

“I feel so happy. We are to resume work tomorrow with minimal agbero disturbances.

“There are no more unbearable taxes. All we have to pay in a day is a little below N2,500 compared to the N20,000 we paid previously.”


YOU ARE NOT THE ONLY ONES AFFECTED BY AGBEROS – CP

Meanwhile, while addressing the drivers on Thursday morning, Idowu Owohunwa, the Lagos State Commissioner of Police, stated that the agbero issue was not peculiar to the drivers.

“This issue does not affect you alone, even residents of the state are affected. We will be happy if you can select representatives to speak to the state council on your behalf,” he said.

“This is better than protesting on the streets where it could be hijacked by hoodlums.”

FIJ had reported how a protest against agbero taxes turned violent in Lagos. Policemen allegedly shot at protesters, while some agberos attacked them with machetes.

Ghanaian Tiktok Sensation Ahuofe Is Dead

 The Ghanaian Tik Tok sensation, Ahuofe Abrantie, popularly known as Tupac, is reportedly dead.

Ahoufe died in his apartment situated at Kumasi on Thursday.

Although the details of his death are still sketchy.

Confirming his death, popular Kumasi-rapper, Jay Bhad of Asakaa Boys fame shared a video of Ahuofe, with a cryptic caption reading, “Life too short, rest well Ahuofe, you gone (sic) be miss 4ever.

TV3 Ghana also confirmed the death of the Tik Tok sensation with his video and a cryptic caption that read, “Popular Ghanaian Tik Toker, Ahuofe reportedly dead.”

Ahuofe burst onto the stage as a TikToker some months ago and got many loving him.

His videos are always mimicking the personality of the late American rapper, Tupac Amaru Shakur.

PDP Reverses Suspension Of Shema, Fayose, Anyim, reverses referral of Ortom

 March 30, 2023

Press Statement 

PDP NWC Reviews Decision on Ortom, Shema, Anyim, Others

The National Working Committee (NWC) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) at its meeting today, Thursday, March 30, 2023 extensively discussed recent developments in the Party.

The NWC recognized the imperativeness of a total reconciliation among Party leaders and critical stakeholders for a more cohesive Party in the overall interest of our teeming members and Nigerians in general.

Consequent upon the above, the NWC reverses the referral of the Governor of Benue State, His Excellency, Dr. Samuel Ortom to the National Disciplinary Committee.

The NWC in the same vein reverses the suspension of the following underlisted members of our great Party:

1. H.E Ibrahim Shema (Katsina State)
2. Ayodele Fayose (Ekiti State)
3. Sen. Pius Anyim (Ebonyi State)
4. Prof. Dennis Ityavyar (Benue State) 
5. Dr. Aslam Aliyu (Zamfara State)

This decision is without prejudice to the powers of the NWC to take necessary disciplinary action against any member of the Party at any time pursuant to the provisions of the Constitution of the PDP (as amended in 2017).

The NWC charges all leaders, critical stakeholders and teeming members of our Party across the country to be guided by the provisions of the PDP Constitution (as amended in 2017) as well as the new spirit and necessity of reconciliation, unity and harmony in our Party at this critical time.

The PDP must remain focused as we continue to take every necessary action to recover the stolen mandate freely given by Nigerians to our Party and Presidential Candidate, Atiku Abubakar, on Saturday February 25, 2023, at the Presidential Election Petition Tribunal.

Signed:

Hon. Debo Ologunagba 
National Publicity Secretary