It’s Unconstitutional: Rank of Senior Advocates

New Senior Advocates of Nigeria at the special session of the Supreme Court for their swearing in

James C. Ezike argues that the rank of Senior Advocate of Nigeria is not only unconstitutional but should be abolished if it cannot be reformed.

The story of the rank of “SENIOR ADVOCATE OF NIGERIA” is the story of MR. AMANKE OKAFOR, who was the Secretary General of the Nigeria Bar Association for as many years as Chief Rotimi Williams was its President. This was for at least 9 successive years. He was a highly respected Lagos lawyer in the 50’s and 60’s. During the crisis that led to the civil war, he returned to the “East”; to his home town, Awka, now the capital of Anambra State. He never returned to Lagos but stayed back at home at the behest of his people.

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Court Orders SSS to Apologise to El-Rufai for Detaining Him Illegally

Nasir el-Rufai

• Ex-minister  to get N2m as damages

Tobi Soniyi in Abuja

A Federal High Court sitting in Awka, Anambra State, has ordered the State Security Service (SSS) to apologise to former Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nasir el-Rufai, and to pay him N2 million as damages for unlawful detention.

A statement issued by Muyiwa Adekeye, a media aide to el-Rufai, said the former minister was on November 15 and 16, 2013, arrested and detained at the Finotel  Hotel in Awka during the last Anambra state governorship election.

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2015: INEC to Clamp Down on Early Campaigners

NEC Chairman, Attahiru Jega

Chuks Okocha

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) yesterday warned that it would henceforth take the necessary action against associations, corporate bodies, individuals, political parties, media or communication agencies, social media, candidates/aspirants who contravene the provisions of the 1999 Constitution and/or Electoral Act 2010 on public campaigns/rallies and processions.

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Boko Haram Torches Houses, Kills Undisclosed Number of People in Adamawa

Boko Haram insurgents

• Captured sect members seek asylum in Cameroun

Zacheaus Somorin  in Lagos and Daji Sani in Yola  with agency report

No fewer than 540 houses were completely destroyed in the villages of Kubi and Watu in Michika Local Government Area of Adamawa State by members of the Boko Haram sect in a fresh attack yesterday .

An eyewitness in one of the affected areas who confirmed the attacks to journalists, disclosed that the incident resulted in the wanton killing of an undisclosed number of innocent people in the two villages.

While narrating his ordeal, he said the insurgents overran the areas in the early hours of yesterday while they were still sleeping and went about burning houses with alacrity round their village

The eyewitness lamented that many of those killed were trapped in their homes, resulting in their being burnt to death.

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J Martins’ Career In Danger As Top Event Organisers Stops Calling Him For Shows

The career of High Life crooner, J Martins may be in danger as top events organizers have now ganged up to frustrate him. Research shows that J Martins as he’s known may suffer the consequences of his arrogant behavior as noted by many of his colleagues in the Nigerian entertainment industry.

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Wizkid And Davido Set To Battle For The 2014 Mobo Best African Act Award

The beef between Davido and Wizkid might just intensify as both of them have been nominated for the 2014 edition of the MOBO (Music Of Black Origin) awards category of ‘Best African Act’ alongside other hot Nigerian acts – Tiwa Savage, Yemi Alade and Dr Sid.
Also nominated are stars from other African countries, Fuse ODG, Dj Clock, Afrikan Boy, Mafikizolo and Mista Silva. Davido, who has won all the awards for the Best African act in 2014, has had a great year compared to Wizkid whose album was heavily criticized by fans.
The MOBO awards will hold at the SSE Arena, Wembley London on Wednesday, October 22, 2014.
Who Has The Upper Hand To Win This Award?
- See more at: http://www.naijaloaded.com.ng/2014/09/24/wizkid-davido-set-battle-2014-mobo-best-african-act-award/#sthash.sdz8G0Mt.dpuf

The beef between Davido and Wizkid might just intensify as both of them have been nominated for the 2014 edition of the MOBO (Music Of Black Origin) awards category of ‘Best African Act’ alongside other hot Nigerian acts – Tiwa Savage, Yemi Alade and Dr Sid.
Also nominated are stars from other African countries, Fuse ODG, Dj Clock, Afrikan Boy, Mafikizolo and Mista Silva. Davido, who has won all the awards for the Best African act in 2014, has had a great year compared to Wizkid whose album was heavily criticized by fans.
The MOBO awards will hold at the SSE Arena, Wembley London on Wednesday, October 22, 2014.
Who Has The Upper Hand To Win This Award?
- See more at: http://www.naijaloaded.com.ng/2014/09/24/wizkid-davido-set-battle-2014-mobo-best-african-act-award/#sthash.sdz8G0Mt.dpuf

The beef between Davido and Wizkid might just intensify as both of them have been nominated for the 2014 edition of the MOBO (Music Of Black Origin) awards category of ‘Best African Act’ alongside other hot Nigerian acts – Tiwa Savage, Yemi Alade and Dr Sid.

Also nominated are stars from other African countries, Fuse ODG, Dj Clock, Afrikan Boy, Mafikizolo and Mista Silva. Davido, who has won all the awards for the Best African act in 2014, has had a great year compared to Wizkid whose album was heavily criticized by fans.

The MOBO awards will hold at the SSE Arena, Wembley London on Wednesday, October 22, 2014.

Who Has The Upper Hand To Win This Award?

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Pop Stars Psquare Reportedly Denied Visa To Namibia Due To Ebola Scare -

According to reports, the Nigerian High Commissioner to Namibia has confirmed to that Pop star twins Psquare’s visa application to Namibia was rejected by the country’s High Commission in Nigeria….


y


Psquare’s forthcoming concert in Namibia just turned into a huge disappointment after the country’s immigration office allegedly refused to grant the popular music group visas.

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Zenit St Petersburg v AS Monaco: Preview

Zenit St Petersburg

AS Monaco

4:00 PM GMT

Game Details

• GameCast
• Lineups and Stats

Zenit St Petersburg boss Andre Villas-Boas has denied suggestions of a rift with Aleksandr Kerzhakov ahead of their Champions League clash with Monaco.
The striker was axed for Saturday's 0-0 draw with Spartak Moscow - the first points Zenit have dropped this season.

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Nigerian Army confirms Boko Haram Leader Shekau Is Dead

Untitled Nigerian Army confirms Boko Haram Leader Shekau Is Dead The Defence Headquarters has released a statement claiming to have killed a man posing as the leader of Boko Haram, Abubakar Shekau (or his impersonator) in an attack (both land and air) in Konduga Borno state between 12nd to 17th September.

Nigerian troops have been conducting coordinated air and land operations in furtherance of efforts at containing the terrorists in the North East part of the country.

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Works Minister Explains Delay on East-West Road

 

Minister of Works, Mike Onolememen

Adibe Emenyonu in Benin City

The Minister of Works, Mike Onolememen, has given an assurance that the East-West Road would be completed this year, just as he explained the reasons behind the delay in the road project.

The East-West Road is an expressway that cuts across five states in the South-south geo-political zone, namely Delta, Bayelsa, Rivers, Akwa Ibom and Cross Rivers and is expected to boost the socio-economic condition of the people of the affected states when completed.

Onolememen who disclosed this during an interactive meeting with journalists in Benin City, said unknown to many Nigerians, mobilisation for the project was not paid until 2008 despite the fact that it was awarded in 2006.

The works minister added that the project had reached 85 per cent completion, noting that youth militancy, difficult terrains and extended rainy season hampered the quick completion of the project.

He praised the transformation agenda of President Goodluck Jonathan in the transport sector, saying a research carried out by the Department of International Development of the United Kingdom showed that as at 2010, only about 4,000km out of 35,000km of roads owned by the federal government were in motorable condition, but three years after, about 25,000km of roads are now motorable.

According to the minister, the South-south, like other parts of the country, has benefited from President Jonathan’s transformation agenda abundantly.
He listed some of the projects of the federal government in the South-south as the Oil and Gas Polytechnic in Bonny Island, Rivers State; the National Institute of Construction Technology in Uromi, Edo State; the National Maritime University in Okerekenko, Delta State; and the Ibaka Deep Sea Port in Akwa Ibom State.

“In the power sector, Mr. President has completed the NIPP project at Ehor, Edo State, another two in Sapele and Gbaren, Delta State and another one at Omuku in Rivers State,” he stated.

He noted that the good performance of President Jonathan convinced the leadership of the PDP to offer him the right of first refusal to fly the flag of the party in the 2015 presidential election.

On whether he would join the Edo State governorship race in 2016, the minister said his focus was on delivering on his mandate, adding “it will be madness to start talking about governorship (race) when you don’t know what would happen tomorrow.”

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APC Presidential Ticket: Tinubu Still Holds the Key

Senator Ahmed Bola Tinubu

• 20,000 to vote in primary as party accuses Jonathan of politicising Chibok girls’ plight

Chuks Okocha and
Onyebuchi Ezigbo in Abuja  

As the contest for the ticket of the All Progressives Congress (APC) ahead of the 2015 presidential election gathers momentum, the South-west zone has emerged the “beautiful bride” who the aspirants must court if they must secure the ticket of the party to contest the poll, THISDAY can authoritatively report.

It was gathered from party sources that the emergence of the South-west zone as the beautiful bride stems from two reasons, the first being the immense influence a National Leader of the APC and former Lagos State Governor, Senator Bola Tinubu, still has on the zone.

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Polytechnics, Colleges of Education Workers Alert FG on Plans to Resume Strike

By Linda Eroke

Workers in the nation’s polytechnics and Colleges of Education have alerted the federal government of plans to resume its suspended strike following government refusal to resolve the issues that led to the eight-month-long strike it called off recently.

The General Secretary of Non-Academic Staff Union of Educational and Associated Institutions (NASU), Mr. Peters Adeyemi, who hinted of a looming industrial action at the National Executive Council (NEC) meeting of the union in Ilorin, Kwara State, lamented that government had not taken any concrete action to resolve the issues of industrial dispute 10 weeks after the suspension of the industrial action.

The eight-month strike embarked upon by the workers in Polytechnics and Colleges of Education was suspended on July 21 this year following the intervention by the Minister of Education, Malam Ibrahim Shekaru.

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Oshiomhole Urges NBA to Speak up against Illegal Deductions by FG from Federation Account

 
Governor Adams Oshiomhole

Adibe Emenyonu in Benin City

Governor Adams Oshiomhole of Edo State has said for democracy to grow in Nigeria, the Nigeria Bar Association (NBA) must find courage to speak up  against the many illegalities being perpetrated by the federal government.

Oshiomhole said the call became necessary because of the many illegal deductions perpetrated by the federal government from the federation account which has led to the pauperisation of the states.

The governor who spoke while playing host to Augustine Alegeh SAN, the newly elected President of the NBA in Government House Bening-City at the weekend, said the NBA must find courage to speak out not only on the rule of law but also on political issues without necessarily being partisan.

Oshiomhole said: “I like to comment on your advice to the obedience of court orders. Even on this, I ask you to confront the issues frontally.

“There is a Supreme Court judgment about the status of crude accounts. That account is illegal, having regards to sections of the constitution. The judgment of the Supreme Court was clear; you can’t keep a part of the federation account.

“Crude oil excess is unknown and even the concept of excess is dubious. How can you have excess at a time you are borrowing? That pronouncement is there and I want to hear the voice of the Bar on that, issue and you can compel the federal government to obey the Supreme Court. When you do that you can come back to us and ask us to do our part.”

Still talking about the violation, Oshiomhole said: “I have had to ask Chief Mike Ozehkome (SAN) to challenge the powers of the Auditor-General of the Federation and President Goodluck Jonathan to make deductions from the federation account because the constitution, as we understand it, is clear. All monies must first be distributed. Even the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON) has its money deducted from source. This is unknown to the constitution.

“ALGON is just like the Governor’s Forum. How much we pay and how we maintain the Governors’ Forum is the business of the governors. It will be ridiculous to ask the Accountant-General of the Federation to make deductions from the federation account to maintain the Governors’ Forum.” There are several such violations which the Bar must attack and speak on the side of the rule of law.

“I am sure you are aware that the federal government engages illegally in clear subversion of the letter and the spirit of the constitution, deducting money accruing to local government to give to contractors who have no contract with any of these local governments to build so-called Health Centres across the 774 local government areas in the country.”

He continued, “how can the federal government enter into a contract on behalf of local governments given the clear language of the constitution and the members of the Bar, senior advocates and the Attorney-General of the Federation are aiding and abetting the situation and we sit here helpless.

“So, I ask you to find the voice to tell the federal government to respect the constitution and to ask the various state Bars to watch out. While the state Bar must monitor what happens in the state, the national Bar must monitor what happens in the Villa.

“Today, Edo State Local Government Fund is been appropriated by the federal governments to pay dubious contractors and for contracts not done in Edo State. It is not only illegal, it is fraudulent and it is the height of corruption and abuse of office and the Bar should be loud and clear against this kind of abuse.”

On the Judicial Workers’ strike, Oshiomhole said, “What is the interest of workers in whether or not the head of courts gets their allocation whether as first charge or secondary charge. This has nothing to do with the salary of workers. Why should it be the headache of judiciary workers to go to court to ask the court to give an order that government should give money directly to heads of courts?

“It is not the business of trade unions to ask the courts to make pronouncements on how its employer’s gets funds for capital projects.

“Given the language and the provisions of the trade union acts and the labor act and trade dispute act, if court orders are disobeyed, assuming they were properly made in good faith, do unions have rights to enforce those orders particularly when it has nothing to do with their salaries and allowances? He asked.

Meanwhile, speaking on the crisis in the Edo State House of Assembly, Oshiomhole said, “The matter you have raised, I pray that you will carry out your own independent investigation. If the Edo Bar has not given you all the facts or the facts don’t appear comprehensive, it is to the extent that they have unwittingly made themselves parties to the case in a partisan manner.

He explained that the Assembly crisis is fuelled by the refusal of some lawmakers to obey valid court orders because they belong to a party which is ruling at the centre.

Earlier, the President of the Nigerian Bar Association, Mr. Augustine Alegeh, said he was in the Government House to present the new leadership of the NBA to the governor.

He said, “We believe strongly that democracy can only thrive when there is compliance with court orders. State governments should comply with court orders even when they are unpalatable. The proper thing to do is to appeal. I want to urge you Mr. Governor to ensure that Edo State is a leading light in obedience of court judgements. We also know that the situation that has arisen in Edo State is saddening, unfortunate and unconstitutional.
“A state cannot exist with two parallel legislatures and what we have read in our law is that the House of Assembly which was inaugurated at the inception is the valid House of Assembly.”

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Freed Chibok Girl in Military Custody in Abuja

 

Chibok girls

By Adebiyi Adedapo    

The Chairman of the Chibok community in Abuja, Mr. Tsambido Hosea Abana, has confirmed that the freed girl suspected to be one of the 219 schoolgirls, who have been held captive by Boko Haram since their abduction almost six months ago, has been transferred by the security agencies to Abuja.

The girl, who identified herself as Susan Ishaya was found in Mubi, Adamawa State last week, after she was abandoned by members of the sect.

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Air Strikes in Syria Hit Islamic State, al Qaeda-linked Nusra Front

 

(Reuters) - The United States and its partners carried out at least 50 air strikes on Islamic State targets in the Syrian provinces of Raqqa and Deir al-Zor on Tuesday, while the al Qaeda-linked Nusra Front was also hit by air strikes in northwest Syria, a group monitoring the war in Syria said.

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Nigeria Ranks 37th in 2014 Ibrahim Index of African Governance

 

By Adeola Akinremi

The 2014 Ibrahim Index of African Governance (IIAG), released on Monday, shows that Nigeria ranks 37th out of 52 African countries.

This appears an improvement from the 2013 ranking where the country took 41st position, but the Director of the IIAG at Mo Ibrahim Foundation, Elizabeth McGrath, told THISDAY in a telephone interview that the score was insignificant, because Nigeria deteriorated further in two of the four major categories of the index.

The four categories composed of safety and rule of law, participation and human rights, sustainable economic opportunity and human development are further divided into 14 subsections with 94 indicators.

According to McGrath, “Since 2009, Nigeria rank hasn’t changed much, it remains the same. Nigeria has over the past five years registered slight improvement in overall governance. It now ranks 37 after 52 countries we cover.

“It is interesting because this overall governance slight improvement marks different trend at the category level.  So we’ve seen that safety and rule of law has deteriorated in Nigeria by 6.6 score point. Human development has deteriorated slightly by 0.3 point. But for the counter balance, we have seen an improvement in sustainable economic opportunities at 3.8 and even bigger improvement in participation and human rights at 6.4”

In this year’s ranking Nigeria scored lower than the African average (51.5) and ranked 37th (out of 52) overall. Also, the country scored lower than the regional average for West Africa (52.2), ranking 12th (out of 15) in the region.

Mauritius repeated the feat it achieved last year topping the list as the best country in Africa with 81.7 score in the overall governance with Cape Verde, Botswana and South Africa in the second, third and fourth positions respectively.

In West Africa, Ghana and Senegal made it to the top ten scoring 68.2 and 64.3 to be ranked 7th and 9th positions respectively.

Benin Republic ranked 18th, Burkina Faso 21st, Gambia 23rd, Sierra Leone 25th, Mali 28th, Niger 29th, Liberia 31st, Togo 36th, Mauritania 39th, Cote d'Ivoire 40th, Guinea 42nd and Guinea Bissau 48th.

Somalia has appeared at position 52 to close the list of countries on the African continent.

A social commentator and livelihood right activist, Eze Onyekpere in a telephone conversation with THISDAY said the latest IIAG is a true affirmation of Nigeria’s governance status in Africa.

“Nigeria never ranks well. It’s is not a surprise if Nigeria doesn’t rank well. The competitive index we have had so far has shown we are not making progress. If you look at UNDP and others, the story has been the same. So this it is an affirmation,” he said.

However, Nigeria received a relatively high rank in public management sub-category as 18th country out of 52, but achieved a low rank becoming 44 out of 52 in the main category of safety and rule of law.

The Ibrahim Index of African Governance is an analysis by Mo Ibrahim Foundation aimed at improving the level of governance of African countries. The annual index provides a framework for citizens hold governments accountable, while helping governments to focus attention on creating prosperous nations by ensuring better delivery of goods and services, and favourable policy outcomes, across every country on the continent.

McGrath said: “It is an annual index which is calculated each year by Mo Ibrahim foundation suing data from 35 different organisations. So what we do is bring together data of 130 variables and we create essentially overall governance score for every single African country.  And that overall governance score is the average for the main category of governance found by the foundation. They are safety and rule of law, participation and human rights, Sustainable economic opportunities and Human development.

“What we found for the 2014 index is that is there is overall improvement in governance on the continent. But we have highlighted some shift on the overall governance level and governments everywhere on the continent need to remain vigilant with regards to performance.

“What we have done is looking at African governments’ performance over the past 10 years and we have seen the main drivers of the overall positive trend of gain.”

She added: “So when we looked at 2009 and 2013, progress has been driven jointly by participation in human rights and human development.

“Interestingly, the main driver of gain from 2005 and 2009 has been sustainable economic opportunities. So in the last five years, improvement in sustainable economic opportunities on the continent has dropped slightly.”

Explaining how to look at the index, McGrath said the index should be looked at as a cumulative data over five years with attention paid to the 2014 index.

“Every year we refine the structure of the index slightly. So we improve the indicators that we use and for us to do this, we have to refresh all of the data back to 2000.  So any comparison or rank with scores of ranks of any country should be done on 2014 index.

“Interestingly, the main driver of gain from 2005 and 2009 has been sustainable economic opportunity. So in the last five years, improvement in sustainable economic opportunities on the continent has dropped slightly.

“What is interesting about the trend in sustainable economic opportunities is that in contrast to an improvement of 3.4 score point between 2005 and 2009, the largest in any category in that five year period, sustainable economic opportunity has registered the opposite trend in the last five years with the deterioration of 0.2 score point.

“This reversal trend is shown in two of the four sub-categories. It is in public management and business environment. Also there has been slow pace of improvement on the continent in infrastructure and the rural sector,” she said.

She told THISDAY that countries in the bottom up ranking registered the largest improvements over the last five years, saying “Cote d'Ivoire, Guinea, and Niger have changed course from having the negative trajectory to becoming the biggest governance improvements on the continent and this progress is driven largely by participation in human rights.

“To counter that, we have also seen historic strong performance from countries such as Mauritius, Cape Verde, Seychelles, South Africa, and Botswana who are top five in the index but have shown deteriorations in at least one category over the past five years, even though they have improved in overall governance. This speaks to the fact that everyone has to remain vigilant. All countries should consider that governance requires ongoing commitment and improvement in governance even if you are at the top of the ranking.

“What is important is for everyone on the continent to remember that even though there are positive overall governance trend on the continent and in countries like Nigeria, there is need to slow down and look at the data, because it marks a mix message. Some areas of governance are improving and others are deteriorating and the government especially should be using the index to identify where they need to be improving and where resources need to be allocated.   The foundation very much advocates a balance approach to governance. Each of the four categories in the index should be equally focused on for balanced governance overall.”

Mo Ibrahim wrote in a forward to the report that “the 2014 Ibrahim Index of African Governance (IIAG) reveals discrepancies in governance performance between countries and within the four conceptual categories. More than ever, these discrepancies call for an Afro-realist approach, which tempers historical Afro-pessimism and current Afro-optimism. Anyone who wants a true grasp of African realities must reject the ‘one-size-fits-all’ attitude which reduces the continent geographically or governance conceptually, in favour of a more granular approach.”

The Ibrahim Index of African Governance published on Monday by the Mo Ibrahim Foundation, was established by the Sudanese philanthropist, Mo Ibrahim in 2006 to chart Africa's development progress.

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Shooting Stars Set to Unveil The Golden Book

Alhaji Farouk Alao

In line with the transformational agenda of the present government, Oyo State Commissioner for Youth and Sport, Alhaji Farouk Alao Arisekola, is set to unveil a book which is a compendium of the history of Shooting Stars together with the new jersey of the club to celebrates the club’s glorious return to the Nigerian Professional Football league.
Speaking to the author of the book, Mr. Ayodele Ademokoya, the commissioner commended the job and belief such project is what is needed to rebrand the club.

“We are glad the club is returning to the elite division almost immediately it was relegated last season and that is a plus to this administration which the government is ready to celebrate.
“I went through the book and I can authoritatively tell you that it represents the club and what we stand for which is pacesseting in all ramification as no  football club has its history so compiled the way we have done and this is the first of its kind in Nigeria,"the commissioner remarked.

Among the personalities present at the brief ceremony are, the acting Permanent Secretary of Youth and Sports, Mrs Bisi Adegoke, Special Adviser to the government on sport, Waidi Ekun and host of others.
The book which is of 12 chapters and 255 pages is title the 'Golden Book of Shooting Stars' (Volume 1) and took nine years to compile

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Ekiti Crisis: CNPP Writes CJN, Urges Relocation of Courts to Abuja

Mr. Ayodele Fayose

• Saraki, APC, others warn of danger ahead  Security foils reprisal

Yinka Kolawole in Osogbo and Hammed Shittu in Ilorin

More reactions yesterday trailed the attack on a sitting judge in Ekiti State by suspected supporters of the state Governor-elect, Mr. Ayodele Fayose, with the Conference of Nigerian Political Parties (CNPP) expressing anger over the incident.

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Ebola: Wali Cautions Against Stigmatising Citizens of Affected Countries

Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Aminu Bashir Wali

By Damilola Oyedele

The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Aminu Bashir Wali has cautioned against stigmatising citizens of countries that have been affected by the Ebola Virus Disease, rather to work with such countries to contain the spread of the disease.

He particularly cautioned against closures of national borders, flight bans, as such remain contrary to guidelines of the World Health Organisation in combating the spread of the virus.

He made this call, weekend, at a meeting of Foreign Ministers of Commonwealth Nations which held on the sidelines of the ongoing 69th UN General Assembly in New York.

Wali, who was represented by the Director of his office, Ambassador Sola Enikanolaiye added that discrimination was inconsistent with the values of the  Commonwealth.
Nigeria, he stressed, has successfully contained the spread of the disease, and has no single case of EVD presently.

Details to follow

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Neymar shining thanks to Messi connection

Barcelona head coach Luis Enrique was delighted that star player Lionel Messi could see out the 90 minutes against Granada.

Lionel Messi and Neymar are sharing the headlines after starring in the 6-0 win over Granada at the Camp Nou on Saturday, and rightly so. Despite the disproportionate criticism from a significant sector of the local media in the build-up to the game, Luis Enrique's team jumped on the pitch determined to show that their prior away draw at Malaga was only a temporary slip-up while adjusting to new mechanisms

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K9 Ft. Sound Sultan – Care About Us

K9 releases official video to ‘Care About Us’ which he features ‘Sound Sultan; On it.
 Watch & Download K9 Ft. Sound Sultan – Care About Us Below:


DOWNLOAD VIDEO

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K9 Ft. Sound Sultan – Care About Us

K9 releases official video to ‘Care About Us’ which he features ‘Sound Sultan; On it.

Watch & Download K9 Ft. Sound Sultan – Care About Us Below:-


DOWNLOAD VIDEO

K9 releases official video to ‘Care About Us’ which he features ‘Sound Sultan; On it.
Watch & Download K9 Ft. Sound Sultan – Care About Us Below:-
- See more at: http://www.naijaloaded.com.ng/2014/09/27/video-k9-ft-sound-sultan-care-us-2/#sthash.YDY19eD4.dpuf

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Patoranking – Happy Day

Fresh video drops from the rave of the moment  Foston music Dancehall star , Patoranking “Happy Day”, this is definitely another hot single for his fans . Watch the video as we await the offical release of the audio in a matter of hours. Directed by Jay “Vertex” Engmann.

Download Patoranking – Happy Day Video Above


DOWNLOAD VIDEO

Fresh video drops from the rave of the moment  Foston music Dancehall star , Patoranking “Happy Day”, this is definitely another hot single for his fans . Watch the video as we await the offical release of the audio in a matter of hours. Directed by Jay “Vertex” Engmann. - See more at: http://www.naijaloaded.com.ng/2014/09/27/video-patoranking-happy-day/#sthash.CEQJAdEa.dpufFresh video drops from the rave of the moment  Foston music Dancehall star , Patoranking “Happy Day”, this is definitely another hot single for his fans . Watch the video as we await the offical release of the audio in a matter of hours. Directed by Jay “Vertex” Engmann.

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[Music] Darlingtino – African Zanguza

Duruike Darlington Kelechi is a talented artist who’s stage name is Darlingtino. Darlingtino is a singer , a song writter and a model, Who hails from Imo State Nigeria. Here is a dope tune from darlingtino tittled African Zanguza. Produced by Petsol.

Listen & Download Darlingtino – African Zanguza

DOWNLOAD MP3

ruike Darlington Kelechi is a talented artist who’s stage name is Darlingtino. Darlingtino is a singer , a song writter and a model, Who hails from Imo State Nigeria. Here is a dope tune from darlingtino tittled African Zanguza. Produced by Petsol.
Listen & Download Darlingtino – African Zanguza
- See more at: http://www.naijaloaded.com.ng/2014/09/25/music-darlingtino-african-zanguza/#sthash.0M6vIJkE.dpuf

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[Music] Eva Alordiah Ft. Sir Dauda – War Coming

 

Off her forthcoming debut album, Eva Alordiah presents “War Coming“. A song that reminds us that above all else, we are at war with ourselves.

Produced by Tintin and featuring Sir Dauda, with backup vocals from Saeon, “War Coming” is a timely reminder – Stand for something or fall for everything.

Listen & Enjoy

DOWNLOAD 1 | DOWNLOAD 2

DOWNLOAD 1 | DOWNLOAD 2

DOWNLOAD 1 | DOWNLOAD 2

Off her forthcoming debut album, Eva Alordiah presents “War Coming“. A song that reminds us that above all else, we are at war with ourselves.
Produced by Tintin and featuring Sir Dauda, with backup vocals from Saeon, “War Coming” is a timely reminder – Stand for something or fall for everything.
Listen & Enjoy
- See more at: http://www.naijaloaded.com.ng/2014/09/25/music-eva-alordiah-ft-sir-dauda-war-coming/#sthash.gm4JuVYO.dpuf

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See What South African Youths Said About T.B Joshua – You Need To See

The youth league of the ruling African National Congress party ANC – have called on President Jacob Zuma not to issue a visa to the General Overseer of the Synagogue of All Nations, Pastor Temitope Joshua

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Organized crime rings are using brains, not brawn, to target small businesses and steal critical data. Protect your business by putting these 11 security measures into place.
Organized crime has always been known to be all about muscle…but even the bad guys have evolved. It seems organized crime syndicates have discovered that more money can be made in less time, with less hassle simply by employing brains over brawn.
As technology and technology skills have evolved, it’s become painfully easy to employ hackers to break into small businesses’ networks and seek out sensitive data and personal information.
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Business 9/27/2014 @ 8:00AM 120 views

Protecting your business's data from organized crime

Salesforce Contributor , Salesforce

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By Robert Siciliano
Organized crime rings are using brains, not brawn, to target small businesses and steal critical data. Protect your business by putting these 11 security measures into place.
Organized crime has always been known to be all about muscle…but even the bad guys have evolved. It seems organized crime syndicates have discovered that more money can be made in less time, with less hassle simply by employing brains over brawn.
As technology and technology skills have evolved, it’s become painfully easy to employ hackers to break into small businesses’ networks and seek out sensitive data and personal information.

Meet the members of your friendly neighborhood crime ring:

Programmers: skilled technicians who write and code viruses that target a business’s network PCs.
Carders: specialists in distributing and selling stolen card data and sometimes transferring data onto blank “white cards” then embossing them with foil in order to create exact clones.

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By ADE ALADE on September 27, 2014 · COVER

 • Party’s NEC fails to agree on how to choose presidential candidate
The presidential ambi­tion of two national leaders of the All Progressives Con­gress (APC), former Head of State, General Muhammadu Buhari and ex-Vice President Atiku Abubakar has begun to generate tension and division within the leadership of the leading opposition party.

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How we killed second Shekau -Military

 

 

By IKENNA EMEWU, ABUJA on September 24, 2014 · COVER

• 135 terrorists surrender

After some days of speculation and arguments over who actually killed the leader of Boko Haram, Shekau, the military high command has at last explained how the encounter that led to the killing of the kingpin terrorist happened

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Jonathan Promises Nigerians Credible Elections In 2015

 
The President gave the assurance in a statement issued on Wednesday, by the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Dr Reuben Abati, a copy obtained by NAN.

Speaking in New York, after different meetings with the United Nations Secretary-General, Ban Ki Moon, and the British Prime Minister, David Cameron, Jonathan reiterated his personal commitment to ensure the credibility of elections in Nigeria in order to further strengthen the country’s democratic institutions.

The president promised that international observers would be allowed to freely monitor the elections to make them free, fair and credible as his administration had earlier promised, noting that it was also a way to show the openness and transparency in the conduct of public affairs.

Jonathan, who commended Ki Moon and Cameron for their continued support towards Nigeria’s effort to halt terrorism and violent extremism in the country, and further stated that the Federal Government would welcome more assistance from Britain especially in the areas of intelligence sharing, anti-terrorism training and defence logistics.

Both leaders seized the opportunity of the meetings to commend Jonathan’s exemplary leadership on Nigeria’s successful effort to contain Ebola.

The President gave the assurance in a statement issued on Wednesday, by the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Dr Reuben Abati, a copy obtained by NAN.
Speaking in New York, after different meetings with the United Nations Secretary-General, Ban Ki Moon, and the British Prime Minister, David Cameron, Jonathan reiterated his personal commitment to ensure the credibility of elections in Nigeria in order to further strengthen the country’s democratic institutions.
The president promised that international observers would be allowed to freely monitor the elections to make them free, fair and credible as his administration had earlier promised, noting that it was also a way to show the openness and transparency in the conduct of public affairs.
Jonathan, who commended Ki Moon and Cameron for their continued support towards Nigeria’s effort to halt terrorism and violent extremism in the country, and further stated that the Federal Government would welcome more assistance from Britain especially in the areas of intelligence sharing, anti-terrorism training and defence logistics.
Both leaders seized the opportunity of the meetings to commend Jonathan’s exemplary leadership on Nigeria’s successful effort to contain Ebola.
- See more at: http://www.naijaloaded.com.ng/2014/09/25/jonathan-promises-nigerians-credible-elections-2015/#sthash.Vwp0z1u9.dpuf

The President gave the assurance in a statement issued on Wednesday, by the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Dr Reuben Abati, a copy obtained by NAN.
Speaking in New York, after different meetings with the United Nations Secretary-General, Ban Ki Moon, and the British Prime Minister, David Cameron, Jonathan reiterated his personal commitment to ensure the credibility of elections in Nigeria in order to further strengthen the country’s democratic institutions.
The president promised that international observers would be allowed to freely monitor the elections to make them free, fair and credible as his administration had earlier promised, noting that it was also a way to show the openness and transparency in the conduct of public affairs.
Jonathan, who commended Ki Moon and Cameron for their continued support towards Nigeria’s effort to halt terrorism and violent extremism in the country, and further stated that the Federal Government would welcome more assistance from Britain especially in the areas of intelligence sharing, anti-terrorism training and defence logistics.
Both leaders seized the opportunity of the meetings to commend Jonathan’s exemplary leadership on Nigeria’s successful effort to contain Ebola.
- See more at: http://www.naijaloaded.com.ng/2014/09/25/jonathan-promises-nigerians-credible-elections-2015/#sthash.Vwp0z1u9.dpuf

The President gave the assurance in a statement issued on Wednesday, by the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Dr Reuben Abati, a copy obtained by NAN.
Speaking in New York, after different meetings with the United Nations Secretary-General, Ban Ki Moon, and the British Prime Minister, David Cameron, Jonathan reiterated his personal commitment to ensure the credibility of elections in Nigeria in order to further strengthen the country’s democratic institutions.
The president promised that international observers would be allowed to freely monitor the elections to make them free, fair and credible as his administration had earlier promised, noting that it was also a way to show the openness and transparency in the conduct of public affairs.
Jonathan, who commended Ki Moon and Cameron for their continued support towards Nigeria’s effort to halt terrorism and violent extremism in the country, and further stated that the Federal Government would welcome more assistance from Britain especially in the areas of intelligence sharing, anti-terrorism training and defence logistics.
Both leaders seized the opportunity of the meetings to commend Jonathan’s exemplary leadership on Nigeria’s successful effort to contain Ebola.
- See more at: http://www.naijaloaded.com.ng/2014/09/25/jonathan-promises-nigerians-credible-elections-2015/#sthash.Vwp0z1u9.dpuf

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J Matins new born baby

Nigerian music producer and singer, J Martins welcomed his son baby Jason exactly two weeks ago.

The singer has released few pictures of him for us to see what he looks like and he also hopes he will grow up to become a football star. Jason is seen here in a Chelsea FC outfit

Nigerian music producer and singer, J Martins welcomed his son baby Jason exactly two weeks ago.

The singer has released few pictures of him for us to see what he looks like and he also hopes he will grow up to become a football star. Jason is seen here in a Chelsea FC outfit
 

Nigerian music producer and singer, J Martins welcomed his son baby Jason exactly two weeks ago.
The singer has released few pictures of him for us to see what he looks like and he also hopes he will grow up to become a football star. Jason is seen here in a Chelsea FC outfit
- See more at: http://www.naijaloaded.com.ng/2014/02/20/j-martins-shares-photos-2-week-old-baby/#sthash.o1YIxtgX.dpuf

Nigerian music producer and singer, J Martins welcomed his son baby Jason exactly two weeks ago.
The singer has released few pictures of him for us to see what he looks like and he also hopes he will grow up to become a football star. Jason is seen here in a Chelsea FC outfit
- See more at: http://www.naijaloaded.com.ng/2014/02/20/j-martins-shares-photos-2-week-old-baby/#sthash.o1YIxtgX.dpuf

Nigerian music producer and singer, J Martins welcomed his son baby Jason exactly two weeks ago.
The singer has released few pictures of him for us to see what he looks like and he also hopes he will grow up to become a football star. Jason is seen here in a Chelsea FC outfit
- See more at: http://www.naijaloaded.com.ng/2014/02/20/j-martins-shares-photos-2-week-old-baby/#sthash.o1YIxtgX.dpuf

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Senate Approves Jonathan’s $1 Billion Loan To Fight Boko Haram

• Infocenter
• September 25, 2014
• Naija News
• 6

The Senate has approved $1 billion dollar loan requested by President Goodluck Jonathan to tackle insecurity and terrorism in the country.
The approval, however, did not come easily as some lawmakers argued that President Jonathan breached the constitutionally laid down process of requesting for extra budgetary funds.
But the Chairman Senate Committee on Finance said President Jonathan is in full compliance of the law on this matter.
President Jonathan had written a letter asking the Senate in July to approve a $1 billion (about N165) loan for the fight against Boko Haram.
The President said he needed the cash to upgrade military equipment and for training as well as logistics for the Armed Forces.
This is in addition to N968.127 billion voted for defence in the 2014 budget by the Federal Government

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Flavor now dating Anna Banner

Star Singer Flavor has refused to accept Paternity to Ex Orange Drugs Beauty Queen Sandra’s Pregnancy, demanding for DNA.
yep! because he felt he’s not the only one shinning her congo, Sandra was rumoured  to be dating owner of Orange Drugs, the man practically changed her life, got her a big salon in Ajao estate, cars and a well furnished apartment.
not only him but some other bigger ogas at the top.

 

can you blame flavor for demanding a DNA before he accept the pregnancy?
meanwhile Flavor has been flaunting his new found love on instagram Ex MBGN 2013 Anna Banner.
we hear they are both crazy about each other. She is the Video Girl in his new single GOLIBE set to drop soon.
hmmmmm Flavor sha…lover boy.

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AUDIO+VIDEO : Wizkid – In My Bed (Teaser)

Wizkid drops the official video teaser to “In My Bed”, a track off his latest album, A.Y.O
DOWNLOAD AUDIODOWNLOAD VIDEO TEASER

DOWNLOAD AUDIO

DOWNLOAD VIDEO TEASER

DOWNLOAD AUDIO

DOWNLOAD VIDEO TEASER

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Exposing Boko Haram sponsors

 

By Our Reporter on September 14, 2014 · Editorial

Given the heinous crimes and atrocities it perpetrates daily, Boko Haram expectedly has the identities of its sponsors shrouded in secrecy. But, the world knows that the insurgent group did not drop from the skies. The current controversy on the identity of its sponsors is to be expected because it is now considered the most destructive and blood thirsty group in the world. Its barbarism, brutality and bestiality are competing with those of its counterpart in the Middle East, the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS).

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How co-tenant slaughtered our children

 

 

By TONY OSAUZO, BENIN on September 22, 2014 · National

… Benin couple on their horror after a neighbour slits their children’s throats, injuring the rest
For Oliver Udeh and his family, Wednesday, September 17, 2014, was like any other day. There was no premonition to suggest that a calamity of immeasurable pro­portion was about to befall the family of eight, made up of husband, wife and six children, consisting of four boys and two girls.
However, in the evening of that day, the unexpected happened. Their co-tenant, a 50-year old man, identified as Mike Okeze from Abia State, reportedly got hold of a machete and descended on Oliver’s children, hacking them down one after the other.
At the end of the attack, two of the children, Favour, three, and Destiny, nine months, both boys, laid dead. Two others, Gift, seven, and Goodness, five, had their nose and wrist, respectively cut off by the rampaging farmer, who later fled into a bush.
Narrating the tragedy that befell him, 30-year-old Oliver Udeh from Nsukka in Enugu State, who farms at Okha II community, along Benin – Sapele Road in Ikpoba-Okha Local Government Area of Edo State, said he was on a journey when a call came through that one man, called Mike Okeze, had killed two of his children and their bodies had been deposited at Stella Obasanjo Hospital, Benin, while the other two, who sustained serious injuries were at the University of Benin Teaching Hospital (UBTH).
“He wanted to kill my wife but my wife escaped to go and call neigbours. Before they came, Mike had fled into the bush. We are still looking for him,” he said.
“I did not have any quarrel with the man. But I learnt he complained that my children obstructed his way. My wife told me that he then proceeded to push one of them down. I think he didn’t like seeing my children. Because I traveled, he then had the opportunity to attack them and killed two,” Udeh said.
He is, therefore, asking government to give him justice in the matter and to assist him to settle the hospital bills of the other two, both of them girls, who are still receiving medical care in hospital, as he barely survives on subsistence farming.
In an encounter with Daily Sun, his wife, Chinyere, gave a blow by blow accountof how account of what transpired on the fateful day.
According to her: “Three days ago, my children were playing within the compound when our neigbour arrived and began to question why they ran past the front of his room. He then used a wheelbarrow to block the way.”
“I went to beg him to forgive the children but he said my husband and I were sending them to insult him. In a short while, he pounced on me and held me by the neck. Next, he seized a cutlass and pursued me, but I ran for my life.
“When he could not keep pace with me, he returned to a spot in the compound and sat down. Thinking that his anger had simmered down, I went to the kitchen to take care of my cooking but I didn’t know he had locked the doors, with my children inside. A little while later, I heard the children, screaming for help and there was no way I could get in. All my six children were inside at that time. While I was outside, he was busy dealing the children machete blows.
“While that encounter lasted, he killed two while the two grownups escaped though the window. He succeeded in killing my baby of nine months and the other, who was three years old. The dead were both boys,” she said.
She then pleaded for government assistance, saying: “I want government to find the man and kill him just as he killed my children; we are a poor family.”
Giving an insight into what led to the dastard act, she said: “He had a quarrel with my husband three years ago. What caused the quarrel was that he brought a chameleon from the farm and smoked it in my kitchen. My husband warned him about it, saying a chameleon was dangerous. So, my husband had to throw it away. Three days later, my children fell sick. Since then, he has been chasing my children around but we didn’t know he haboured such evil intention.
“When I realised that he was killing the children, I struggled to break into the room. But by the time I succeeded, part of the horror I saw was that he had sliced my baby’s throat; he had also cut my other son’s head. He cut off my girl’s wrist and sliced the girl’s nose. Thereafter, he escaped through the window and fled into the bush.
“We need help now. We don’t even have any money to pay for the x-ray or operation on the rest of the children, who are alive,” she said.
At the University of Benin Teaching Hospital, doctors described the condition of the two children on admission as “stable but critical.”
Spokesman of the Edo State Police Command, Noble Uwoh, a Deputy Superintendent of Police, said police were hunting for the fleeing murderer and would bring him to justice.

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NFF election: Umeh, Ogunjobi, others cleared

By GEORGE ALUO on September 25, 2014 · Sports

A clear picture of those gunning to lead the cri­sis ridden Nige­ria Football Federation (NFF) emerged last night with the clearance of sev­en presidential aspirants by the Barrister Samson Ebomhe-led electoral committee.
Those cleared are incum­bent vice president, Chief Mike Umeh; former vice president, Amanze Ucheg­bulam; former secretary general, Taiwo Ogunjobi; Dominic Iorfa; Shehu Dik­ko, Abba Yola and “home boy” in the elections, Pin­nick Amaju, who is the incumbent Chairman of Delta state FA.
A competent electoral committee source dis­closed last night to Daily Sunsports that unless there is a last minute protest, the seven aspirants will slug it out on September 30 in Warri.
“As at last night, we had no protests in our file, but the candidates would still have to wait until Friday (tomorrow) to know if they have scaled the final hurdle or not because we will sit on protests (if any) on Friday,” our source said.
The electoral committee source said the body was determined to do a thor­ough job to avoid anything that would disrupt the elec­tions, given the stern warn­ing handed the country by FIFA in her last letter to NFF on September 8.
FIFA had in the letter warned that Nigeria would be banned should anything go wrong with the elector­al process, a situation that can only be reviewed May next year during FIFA’s congress.
It would be noted that Super Eagles manager, Stephen Keshi early this week raised the alarm that his team may not play Su­dan should any court ac­tion derail the NFF elec­tion, even as he pleaded with the warring factions to sheathe their sword in the interest of Nigerian football.

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BARCELONA HELD BY MALAGA

The ESPN FC crew review the midweek La Liga picture following Barcelona's nil-nil draw with Malaga on Wednesday.

Barcelona were only able to draw 0-0 with Malaga at La Rosaleda in matchday five of La Liga. The Catalans enjoyed 67 percent of possession, created 10 goal-scoring chances and attempted five shots, but, shockingly, none of them were on target.
As usual, Barca managed to control the game but struggled to break their rival's defence on this occasion due to lack of speed in their final third. Luis Enrique's men were forced to dig deeper than in any other game since the Asturian took over as manager in the summer and, regrettably, didn't create as many clear chances as their opponents despite having an overwhelming share of possession

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By IBRAHIM AKANBI, IBADAN on September 25, 2014 · South-West Magazine

A woman, Hajiya Yaro, whose hus­band dragged before the Grade C Customary Court sitting in Omi-Adio over alleged extra-marital af­fair has told the court she did it in retaliation.
“He beats me and strips me naked whenev­er we fight. He also sees another woman and that was what prodded me to have affair in retalia­tion”, she explained.
Hajj Yaro her husband begged the court to dis­solve their marriage of 10 years, which he said no longer knew peace, as they could no longer un­derstand each other. “My wife is too troublesome such that we started fighting three months after our wedding”, Yaro, an Ibadan-based Engineer , told the court president, Chief Yekeen Salaudeen, penultimate Monday.
Consequent upon incessant conflicts, Hajiya now have two of their children in custody, leaving her husband with one.
Yaro, who resides at Olude Cable and Wire area of Ibadan with his wife and three children, told the court that ever since he married his wife, Hajiyat Yaro in 2004, they had always been having incessant conflicts. He said that Hajiyat engages in extra-marital affairs even when she knew he was aware of the flings.
Although, now pregnant, he said he wanted to divorce her, but pledged to take care of the unborn child and its mother till the time of delivery.
“I married her in 2004 without paying bride price, but three months after our wedding we started having serious mis­understandings that even made us fight in the public.
“She is so troublesome to the extent that she once stripped herself naked and rained curses on me in the public. She dates one Shina even when she knows I’m aware of it. Even my children once told me they’ve seen my wife kissing a man at her shop”, Yaro said. Hajiyat, while responding, said her husband stripped her naked during a fight in the public.
On being questioned by the jury, Yaro said his wife’s attitude pushed him to have another woman.
He, however, claimed that Hajiya as a housewife, had no right to take such deci­sion. Chief Salaudeen during the court process condemned the man for not pay­ing his wife’s bride price before taking her hand in marriage.
“This case of yours should serve as a lesson to other couples. I will advise all parents to teach their children morals and essential etiquettes of marriage”, he said.
He adjourned the case till September 1

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Chronicle critics offer entertainment suggestions

 

Photo By Asia Society Texas Center 

Jen Shyu will perform "Solo Rites: Seven Breaths" Friday at Asia Society Texas Center.

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everettevans
Theater
Suburban blues
Lisa D'Amour is one of the more interesting playwrights on the off-Broadway/avant-garde scene. Catastrophic Theatre is one of the more interesting alternative arts companies in the Southwest. So it stands to reason Catastrophic's Houston premiere of D'Amour's "Detroit," opening Friday, promises to be one of the more interesting plays of Houston's fall season. "Detroit" reflects on the American Dream through the lives of two suburban couples. Ben and Mary, facing economic uncertainty after Ben's recent firing, host a barbecue to welcome their slightly younger new neighbors, Kenny and Sharon, fresh from rehab and trying to get their lives on track. The get-together begins chummily, but quickly goes awry. Opens Friday; 8 p.m. Thursdays-Saturdays through Oct. 18; Catastrophic Theatre, 1119 I-10 E.; tickets are "pay what you can"; 713-522-2723, catastrophictheatre.com.
Andrew Dansby
Soul music
Old school
Lee Fields is an old-school soul singer who belts out tunes beautifully with grit and anguish that remind some of James Brown. Fields has been singing for more than 40 years, but he's been riding high since being rediscovered about 10 years ago. His new "Emma Jean" is his best album yet, with spirited backing by his band the Expressions. 8:30 p.m. Friday at House of Blues, 1204 Caroline; $17; 888-402-5837, hob.com.
Indie rock
The War on Drugs
Adam Granduciel's band the War on Drugs strikes an intriguing balance between indie rock and roots music. His voice is raspy, soulful and expressive, while the instrumentation is like a synthesized variation of Sonic Youth's gentler guitar workouts. The band's latest, "Lost in the Dream," is - true to its title - a lovely ethereal thing and one of the year's standout recordings. With Califone. 7 p.m. Saturdayat House of Blues, 1204 Caroline; $20-$25; 888-402-5837, hob.com.
Peace and magic
California duo Foxygen's debut album came with a lofty title, "We Are the 21st Century Ambassadors of Peace & Magic," and undeniably infectious songs that sounded contemporary, but with enough little references to acts like Bob Dylan and the Kinks to suggest a nicely curated classicism. The new " And Star Power" is forthcoming, with Jonathan Rado and Sam France expanding their 21st-century magic. 8 p.m. Sunday at Fitzgerald's, 2706 White Oak; $15-$19; 713-862-3838, fitzlivemusic.com.
Rock 'n' roll
Eye for hits
Forty years ago, Tom Petty led a band called Mudcrutch out to California, where it struck a radio-ready fusion of Southern roots music and California pop. After a name change to Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers, a river of hits began to flow. The group will pull from its deep songbook while also playing tunes from its strong new album "Hypnotic Eye." Steve Winwood opens. 7:30 p.m. Thursday at Toyota Center, 1510 Polk; $31.50-$101.50; 866-446-8849, houstontoyotacenter.com.
Movies
Fight and film
The Houston Film Critics Society is hosting Fincher Fest! a double feature of films directed by David Fincher. First up is "Fight Club," followed by "Seven." Proceeds will benefit the society, which hosts free screenings and its annual awards show at year's end. 5 p.m. Saturday at Alamo Drafthouse, 114 Vintage Park Blvd.; $7; 713-715-4707, drafthouse.com.
Molly Glentzer
Fine craft
Texas made
How'd she do that? Nancy Slagle's rubber and laser-cut necklace, Katherine Taylor's thick-glaze ceramics and Ryu-Hee Kim's topographic sculpture of copper and wood - are among more than 40 attention grabbers in "CraftTexas 2014," the eighth statewide biennial at Houston Center for Contemporary Craft. Visit with many of the artists and see the open studios of the center's resident artists 5:30-8 p.m. Friday; jurors present three merit awards at 6:30 p.m. Oh, and there's beer from Karbach Brewing Co. The show continues through Jan. 11; 4848 Main; 713-529-4848, crafthouston.org. FREE
Performance
A solo opera
Avant-garde jazz musician and dancer Jen Shyu takes her audience on an evocative journey through Thailand, China, East Timor, Indonesia, Korea and Vietnam in her one-woman performance "Solo Rites: Seven Breaths." Directed by Garin Nugroho with projected video and intriguing instruments, the solo opera was 10 years in the making, as Shyu traced the sounds of her ancestors across Asia to explore the melding of tradition and modernity. Meet the artist at 6:30 p.m., performance 7:30 p.m. Friday; Asia Society Texas Center, 1370 Southmore; $25; 713-496-9901, asiasociety.org/texas.
Eclectica
A bicycle opera
Take a spin through the East End on one of British sound artist Kaffe Matthews' Bicrophonic Sonic Bicycles. Matthews collaborated with the Houston group Nameless Sound and area residents and artists to create "La Ópera Bicicleta del Segundo Barrio," a collection of voices and music contained in speakers on bikes. The sounds change depending on where you go and how fast you pedal. The bikes debut 11 a.m.-dusk Saturday (part of Houston Arts Alliance's ongoing Transported & Renewed festival) at Ripley House Neighborhood Center; then they'll be available indefinitely. 4410 Navigation; 713-315-6400, namelesssound.org. FREE
Performance
Fringe Festival
From burlesque and circus to dramatic theater and thoughtful modern dance, plus music, film and visual art, the 2014 Houston Fringe Festival fills three venues through Sunday with shows that offer a glimpse of Houston's lively alternative arts scene. Among the best bets: Dance performances at the Barn, 2201 Preston, 6:30-10:30 p.m. Thursday and 6:30 p.m.-midnight Friday. Also, catch shows at Frenetic Theater, 5102 Navigation; and Super Happy Fun Land, 3801 Polk. $10 per show, $90 for a full pass; online or at the door; houstonfringefestival.org.
Art night
Open studios
Discover works by 180 artists during the Bi-Annual Art Opening at Winter, Spring and Silver Street Studios in the Washington Avenue Cultural District. Be sure to see Chadwick & Spector's "Museum Anatomy" at Winter Street: Laura Spector reinvents stolen (and still missing) paintings from famous museums onto a plaster cast of Chadwick Gray's body, then they photograph the sometimes creepy results. Some of the sculptures will be displayed for the first time along with photographs. Also, check out Bennie Flores Ansell's new installation "Migration Swarm" at Spring Street, involving an intricate pattern made with hundreds of film sprockets on pins. 6-9 p.m. Saturday; 2101 Winter, 1824 Spring and 2000 Edwards; 713-862-0082, springstreetstudios.info. FREE
Steven Brown
Classical
Genesis of the quartet
In the beginning, Joseph Haydn created the string quartet. So a program titled "The Birth of the String Quartet" has to start with him. The St. Lawrence String Quartet, known for the style and conviction it brings to works, launches Da Camera's season with one of the Austrian composer's most beloved creations: the "Emperor" Quartet. The musicians also will perform Ludwig van Beethoven's exuberant Quartet in C major from his "Rasumovsky" Quartets. 8 p.m. Saturday; Wortham Theater Center, 501 Texas; $30-$65; 713-524-5050

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