Bolanle Raheem: Osinbajo Reaches Out To Husband, Family

 Vice President Yemi Osinbajo has contacted and consoled the husband and family of Mrs Bolanle Raheem, who was killed by a policeman on Christmas day in Lagos.

Recall that Bolanle, who was pregnant, was fatally shot on December 25 by a police officer attached to the Ajiwe Police Division in the Ajah area of the state.

Osinbajo contacted the husband and family on December 28 to condole and pray with them, even though aides said he has been away on vacation since Christmas Day when he preached at the Aso Villa Chapel.

The murder of Raheem on Christmas Day sparked reactions from Nigerians from different walks of life.

Osinbajo who made the call from his vacation, also assured the bereaved family of justice and prayed God to give them the fortitude to bear the loss.

NAN reports that the late Raheem was a member of the Olive Parish of the RCCG in Ikoyi, where Osinbajo was a pastor up until 2015 when he took office as Vice President.

Christian APC Members Pick Holes In Party’s Muslim-Muslim Ticket

 A Christian Support Group of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Tafawa Balewa, Dass and Bogoro Councils of Bauchi State has faulted endorsement of the Muslim-Muslim ticket of the party’s presidential candidate, Bola Tinubu.

The group insisted that though its members remain loyal to the party, they would not support APC’s same-faith ticket, because according to them, a “Muslim-Muslim marriage” didn’t work for Tinubu.

Chairman of the group, Mallam Yakubu Garba, while addressing a press conference in Tafawa Balewa at the weekend, said the group would not go against the position of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) and the former Speaker of the House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara, who warned against voting for a Muslim-Muslim ticket.

Garba noted: “Those Christians who endorsed Tinubu said their decision was because of the achievements of Asiwaju Bola Tinubu (Jagaban) as a former governor of Lagos State. So, we ask them, was Jagaban’s government, then, a same-faith ticket?

“If it is his achievements in Lagos that has solely become his selling point, why does he need a Muslim-Muslim ticket to sell his candidacy? Why must he jeopardise the peace, justice, inclusivity and stability of a fragile Nigeria to achieve his presidential ambition?

“If Jagaban so much believes in the Muslim-Muslim ticket, why didn’t he practise it in Lagos State? There has never been a same-faith ticket in the history of Lagos State. If Jagaban believes in Islam, to the extent of proving it by a Muslim-Muslim ticket, why didn’t he practise it in marriage? Muslim-Muslim ticket seems impossible in Tinubu’s family, is it in Nigeria that it will work?”

He said Dogara’s decision to support Atiku Abubakar of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) is a justification of the fact that “he (Dogara) is not a religious bigot.”

Garba added: “He represents peace, justice and inclusiveness. And that is in line with our religious teachings. Therefore, we, the 95 per cent Christians of his constituency, are solidly behind him and behind CAN, and will never support a same-faith ticket.

APC: Tinubu Didn't Visit Obasanjo For Endorsement. It Was A Peace Mission

 The All Progressives Congress, APC, said the visit of its presidential candidate, Bola Tinubu to former President Olusegun Obasanjo sometime last year in August was for diplomatic reason.

This was disclosed on Monday by the spokesman for the Tinubu/Shettima PCC, Kehinde Bamgbetan while featuring on the Channels Television’s Sunrise Daily.

Recall that Obasanjo had, in a New Year message to Nigerians, endorsed Obi, amongst other presidential candidates for the 2023 election, citing a track record of ability and performance.
The former president also said age and physical and mental disposition favour Obi more than other frontline candidates.

Reacting to the endorsement, Atiku Abubakar, the presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, said Obasanjo’s endorsement does not reflect the wishes of most Nigerians.
Atiku spoke on Sunday through the spokesperson for his Presidential Campaign Council.

His counterpart, APC’a Bola Tinubu said the endorsement of Obi by Obasanjo was worthless.
Tinubu said Obasanjo lacked any political goodwill or leverage in Nigeria to make Obi win the presidential election.

But while defending its candidate’s previous visit to Obasanjo, APC said it was for show of peace.
“That is what you call diplomacy with elder statesmen. It’s a normal diplomatic move that will show that you’re not out to fight anybody, Bamgbetan said.

I Didn’t Want To Die – Teni Explains Reason For Her Weight Loss

 Popular Nigerian singer, Teniola Apata (a.k.a. Teni) has explained the reason behind her dramatic weight loss, IGBERETV reports.

In December, 2022, Teni surprised her fans when she shared photos of her weight loss. The plus-size singer revealed that she lost 75 pounds without surgery.

Taking to her Instagram handle on Sunday, she shared a video with a song she composed, showing her weight loss journey, and explaining reason for her weight loss.

In the video, ‘Uyo meyo’ crooner said she feared for her health. Teni said she didn’t want to die.

She said;

“I realised you only have one life. Me, I don’t want to die. If you need inspiration, look at me.

“Impossible is nothing!! Happy new year 23.”

DJ Killed For Refusing To Play Song At Club

 A 27-year-old disc jockey (DJ) based in Kilifi county, Kenya, has reportedly died after being allegedly assaulted while at work at a local hotel, IGBERETV reports.

Salim Moriasi alias DJ Goodie's family alleged that he was killed on Christmas Day at about 1:00 am after a scuffle at the County Lux Comfort Hotel in Marikanani.

The late entertainer's family spokesperson George Abuga said he died from injuries he sustained after he failed to play a song requested by some of the revelers.

The DJ was rushed to Mariakani Sub-county Hospital where he succumbed while receiving treatment.

Abuga said an autopsy conducted at the Coast General Hospital mortuary revealed that the deceased died of cardiorespiratory arrest and severe head injury.

He said; 

“I attended the postmortem. The damage on the body indicated that it was by a combat person." 

Asides from alleging that DJ Goodie's employer attempted to interfere with investigations into the incident, the family also accused the club's management of booking the deceased as an unknown patient at the Mariakani Sub-county Hospital even though he's worked for them for six years.

The hospital, in its report, said persons who booked DJ Goodie at the hospital reported that he fell down flight stairs.

Abuga added; 

“The murder was grievous, and the same club claims its long-time worker was an unknown Kenyan male. Our son was brutally murdered in cold blood by known people, and clips are circulating all over, and so far, nobody is in custody.

“Those who took him to the hospital told the doctor that he was a drunkard found lying on the floor. However, the doctor looked at him and recommended a CT scan. We call upon the police to move swiftly and arrest the killers.” 

Kaloleni Sub County Police Commander Alexander Makau who confirmed the incident, said an investigation into the alleged murder is ongoing.

Makau also said the police has retrieved CCTV footage from the entertainment joint for analysis.

He added; 

“The postmortem report has confirmed the murder of the deceased. We are up to the task to ensure we bring all the culprits on board for legal action.

"We were waiting for the family to bury their kin then we swing into action."

Adeleke’s Wife Showers Gifts On First Baby Of 2023 In Osun

 Osun state has been presented gifts by the wife of Governor Ademola Adeleke, Erelu Ngozi Adeleke.

The baby, a male delivered at the State Hospital, Asubiaro, Osogbo, at about 4.03a.m on Sunday morning (today) weighed 3.7kg at birth

Represented by her media aide, Mrs Adenike Adeleke, the governor’s wife, said she is passionate about the welfare of children and has come to present the gifts to encourage and support the baby’s parents in his care.

She admonished parents to take good care of their children and inculcate good cultural values in them saying the government of her husband is for the betterment of the people of the state, including children.

She said when the new government of her husband settles in, more gesture would be extended to children too in the scheme of their operations.

She, however, prayed for all parents on the admission at the hospital.

“I want to charge parents on the need to take good care of their children and instill in them good cultural behaviour for them to be a good ambassadors of the state.

Speaking with journalists about the baby, Nurse Bosede Temilde, the Asst. Chief Nursing Officer, said the baby (a boy) was delivered at about 4.03a.m on Sunday morning (today).

Temilade added that the baby was given birth to, through Cesarean Section (SC) after the mother had difficulty in birthing him naturally.

She said the baby weighed 3.7kg after birth and that the baby is healthy and that the baby and his mother were both doing fine.

Appreciating the wife of the governor, the baby’s mother, Mrs Kikelomo Olayinka, said it was God that saw her through the delivery and thanked Mrs Adeleke for the gift items.

Olayinka said she has promised to add one of the governor’s names to the name she will christen her son, and that she would be giving her son the name Adeleke.

CityMirrorNews reports that the gift items presented to the baby of the year included , baby diapers, baby soaps, cloths and N100,000 cash.

Wike: I Sponsored And Removed Secondus As PDP National Chairman

 Rivers State governor, Nyesom Wike, has taken on Uche Secondus, the former National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), who claimed that he is his benefactor, and said it is a lie.

POLITICS NIGERIA reports that speaking on Friday at the Eneka Road Roundabout, the venue of the flag-off ceremony for the construction of Eneka -Igbo Etche Road dualisation project, Wike stated that at no point in his political career did Secondus sponsor him to any political office except that he accompanied him on some lobbying trips.

The Rivers governor insisted that he is rather the benefactor to Secondus because against fierce opposition and rejection from the likes of Sule Lamido, Austin Opara, Abiye Sekibo, Celestine Omehia, and Lee Maeba, he sponsored him to become the national chairman of PDP and removed him later when he wanted to make his nephew governor of Rivers State.

“You wanted to be national chairman first to impose your nephew or your cousin as you may call him to become governorship candidate of PDP in Rivers State. I said not here, it won’t work. We had to kick out first and we did, and you are out,” Wike said.

Wike listed Pastor Paulinus Nsirim, Senator John Mbata and the Dr. Odili’s families as sponsors at various times of his political dreams.

Furthermore, the governor stated that Secondus was awarded several contracts worth about N50 billion in Rivers State and had been paid a total sum of N43.9 billion, but he has never completed any of the projects and can also not account for money received.