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Monday, 23 December 2013
.
This iridescent dress will make you the life of the party and maybe
bring an opportunity to be spoken to by your C-Suite bosses.
! You can go with the flow, radiating all the happiness and delight that comes with Love…
Expanded Terminal opens at Lagos airport.
Passengers flying through the Murtala Muhammed
International Airport, Lagos to other parts of the
world were giving a pleasant Xmas surprise with
the opening of the new departure/screening points
of the terminal at about 6.00 am on Saturday,
December 21, 2013.
The extended Departure Hall feature 5 nos state –
of-the-art screening machines and 2 nos Body
Scanner at each of the wings in addition 30 nos
new immigration counters. A distinguishing feature
of the new screening machines is the ability to
detect explosive materials and potential threat
items real time with the lowest rate of false alarm.
The introduction of 30 nos new immigration
counters as against the previous 9 nos has taken
passenger facilitation to another level.
The extended Departure consists of 14 check-in
counters, seven hand-luggage X-ray machines and
eight walk-through body scanners at the E finger.
The facility is equipped with 11 toilet facilities for
both male and female passengers, as well as
disabled persons. The new extension comes with
commercial offerings. These duty free shops will
afford passengers the opportunity for last minute
shopping, refreshments and other conveniences in
line with global standards and recommended
practices.
The improvements in physical extension of the
passenger handling area is by one and a-half times
or 150 per cent more than its previous size. Three
new hi-tech conveyor systems have also been
installed in this new section since early this year.
Already, this has been easing the experience of
passengers who now enjoy faster processing of
their luggage and personal effects. The new
conveyor systems can process the luggage of a
1,000 passengers per hour. Passenger processing is
now faster and the congestion has been eradicated
in line with the Aviation Road map initiated by the
Honourable Minister of Aviation, Princess Stella
Oduah.
The ongoing remodeling has led to an expansion of
about 25% as against the former operational area,
in expectation of the expected passenger growth.
The new facility is part of the strategy by the
President Jonathan Goodluck to make Murtala
Mohammed International Airport, the preferred
regional hub in the West African sub- region.
The Managing Director of FAAN, Mr George Uriesi,
who personally supervised the operation expressed
appreciation to Immigration, Customs and other
security organisations for their support.
Warring world yet to heed message of Jesus
When the baby Jesus was born in Bethlehem, the old story goes, he
was born into danger. The three wise men from the east had come to
Jerusalem, asking, “Where is he that is born King of the Jews? For we
have seen his star in the east, and are come to worship him.”
When King Herod heard this, he was troubled. Herod, an early historian wrote, was “the most cruel tyrant that ever ascended to a throne.” When Herod heard of this “King of the Jews,” this potential rival, he summoned the priests and scribes and demanded that they tell him where the baby would be born. “In Bethlehem of Judea,” they replied, “for thus it is written by the prophet.” So the canny Herod told the wise men, “Go and search diligently for the young child; and when ye have found him, bring me word again, that I may come and worship him.”
The three wise men followed the star until it stood over the place where the baby lay. When they saw the infant with his mother, Mary, they fell to their knees and worshiped him, and gave him gifts of gold and frankincense and myrrh. But they did not take word back to the king. God had warned them in a dream not to follow Herod’s command, so they returned to their own country another way.
Then, the story goes, an angel appeared to Mary’s husband, Joseph, and said, “Arise, and take the young child and his mother, and flee into Egypt.” Joseph heeded the warning. Herod’s plan was foiled. He was angry. He sent men to kill all the children aged 2 years and younger that could be found in and around Bethlehem. But the baby Jesus was safe.
*
On this Christmas day, even as the Cold War ends and the threat of nuclear horror recedes, the rumble of war machines almost drowns out the pealing of the bells. A military force that will soon exceed 400,000 Americans is amassing in the region of Jesus’ birth, awaiting word from President Bush on when to go to war.
War and rumors of war. It has always been so. Jesus lived and died in a world of senseless slaughter. The news of his birth brought a massacre of innocent children. He was executed by civil authorities on a false charge soon after his 30th birthday. The message he brought to the children of God was to work to change this warring world, to be radical seekers of peace. Love your enemy. Bless those who curse you. When you are slapped on one cheek, turn the other. Do good to those who hate you. Remember, the peacemakers shall be called the children of God.
Today America, draped in the trappings of Christianity, commemorates the birth of Jesus. Americans praise Him, honor Him. Our leaders invoke His name. But few Americans follow Him to the extent of practicing the most radical of His teachings. Turn the other cheek? Bless those who curse you? Be realistic. That may be good theology, but it’s bad politics. No nation could survive that way. Bullies respect power. The way to keep the peace is to be ready to fight.
So this Christmas season, while choirs sing of peace on Earth, our president talks of kicking ass. America prepares for war, praising Jesus but practicing realism.
*
Jesus’ ministry lasted only three years. His followers were mostly humble, unlearned folk of the region of his birth. Many of his apostles, his message-bearers, died horrible deaths – Paul beheaded, Barnabas flayed alive, Peter and James crucified.
Yet within 15 years after the crucifixion there was a noticeable Christian presence in Rome. Within 300 years Rome would be ruled by a Christian emperor. Within 2,000 years Christianity would be the most powerful religious force on Earth. It would seem to require a miracle to, as an ancient prophet said, “guide our feet into the way of peace.” But if you believe the old story, you know today is, after all, the celebration of a miracle.
When King Herod heard this, he was troubled. Herod, an early historian wrote, was “the most cruel tyrant that ever ascended to a throne.” When Herod heard of this “King of the Jews,” this potential rival, he summoned the priests and scribes and demanded that they tell him where the baby would be born. “In Bethlehem of Judea,” they replied, “for thus it is written by the prophet.” So the canny Herod told the wise men, “Go and search diligently for the young child; and when ye have found him, bring me word again, that I may come and worship him.”
The three wise men followed the star until it stood over the place where the baby lay. When they saw the infant with his mother, Mary, they fell to their knees and worshiped him, and gave him gifts of gold and frankincense and myrrh. But they did not take word back to the king. God had warned them in a dream not to follow Herod’s command, so they returned to their own country another way.
Then, the story goes, an angel appeared to Mary’s husband, Joseph, and said, “Arise, and take the young child and his mother, and flee into Egypt.” Joseph heeded the warning. Herod’s plan was foiled. He was angry. He sent men to kill all the children aged 2 years and younger that could be found in and around Bethlehem. But the baby Jesus was safe.
*
On this Christmas day, even as the Cold War ends and the threat of nuclear horror recedes, the rumble of war machines almost drowns out the pealing of the bells. A military force that will soon exceed 400,000 Americans is amassing in the region of Jesus’ birth, awaiting word from President Bush on when to go to war.
War and rumors of war. It has always been so. Jesus lived and died in a world of senseless slaughter. The news of his birth brought a massacre of innocent children. He was executed by civil authorities on a false charge soon after his 30th birthday. The message he brought to the children of God was to work to change this warring world, to be radical seekers of peace. Love your enemy. Bless those who curse you. When you are slapped on one cheek, turn the other. Do good to those who hate you. Remember, the peacemakers shall be called the children of God.
Today America, draped in the trappings of Christianity, commemorates the birth of Jesus. Americans praise Him, honor Him. Our leaders invoke His name. But few Americans follow Him to the extent of practicing the most radical of His teachings. Turn the other cheek? Bless those who curse you? Be realistic. That may be good theology, but it’s bad politics. No nation could survive that way. Bullies respect power. The way to keep the peace is to be ready to fight.
So this Christmas season, while choirs sing of peace on Earth, our president talks of kicking ass. America prepares for war, praising Jesus but practicing realism.
*
Jesus’ ministry lasted only three years. His followers were mostly humble, unlearned folk of the region of his birth. Many of his apostles, his message-bearers, died horrible deaths – Paul beheaded, Barnabas flayed alive, Peter and James crucified.
Yet within 15 years after the crucifixion there was a noticeable Christian presence in Rome. Within 300 years Rome would be ruled by a Christian emperor. Within 2,000 years Christianity would be the most powerful religious force on Earth. It would seem to require a miracle to, as an ancient prophet said, “guide our feet into the way of peace.” But if you believe the old story, you know today is, after all, the celebration of a miracle.
Navy hands over 1,646 suspected oil thieves for prosecution
As
part of the campaign against the theft of the nation oil resources, the
authorities of the Nigerian Navy have handed over 1,646 suspected oil
thieves to the police, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission and
the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps for prosecution.
The Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Dele Ezeoba, who disclosed
this at the inauguration of the Chief of Naval Staff Strategic Guidance
‘02’ in Abuja said the suspects were arrested between October 12 and
September 13, 2013.
Ezeoba also said operatives of the Navy also destroyed 1,556
illegal refineries, 1443 wooden boats and 69, 606 auxiliary equipment
during the period.
The Navy Chief added that the service rescued two vessels -MV Crow
and MT Norte- which were carrying 17,000 metric tonnes of gasoline as of
the time they were hijacked by the pirates.
He said the efforts of the Navy had resulted in a drastic reduction
of the incidents of piracy and oil theft in the nation’s maritime
domain.
He added that the Navy responded effectively to most of the alerts
it received on piracy and sea robbery and was investigating others.
Experts evaluate HIV/AIDS management in Nigeria
She said that despite concerted efforts put in place globally, the most deadly part of the scourge is the discrimination and stigmatization, adding that the only way to reduce this killer disease is to continuously engage in creative research and at the same having save and protected sex.
The CMD said this on Monday during a seminar organized by the Nigerian Institute of Medical Research, NIMR, Yaba, Lagos to commemorated the World AIDS day and to reflect on the impact of HIV/AIDS on all the regions of the world and every segment of society including women, youth and children and for stakeholders to come together to review the progress achieved so far and reflect on the collective efforts to mobilize resources for the response in Nigeria.
According to Jinadu, who is also the chair person of the seminar, despite the many challenges, trends are improving and areas in need of sustained efforts are testing, treatment and prevention. The target is what has been identified as the three zeros; zero deaths related to HIV/AIDS, zero new infections and zero discrimination.
“One of the key areas the government has continued to beam it searchlight on is the area creative research to come out with more ways to depress and manage HIV/AIDS in the country. Nigeria has made steady progress in combating HIV/AIDS since the Abuja Declaration in 2001. HIV prevalence has declined by about 25 per cent in the last 10 years to 4.1 per cent. The number of persons living with HIV who now access lifesaving treatment has risen by about 97 per cent in the last 10 years – with 500,000 persons now on antiretroviral drugs mostly through the assistance of our development partners.”
Also, the Head of Department, Heamatology, Lagos University Teaching Hospital, LUTH, Dr. Sulaiman Akanmu, while speaking on the future of HIV/AIDS during his lecture noted that Nigeria as over the years tried to bring the transmission of HIV/AIDS down, and has been recorded to have singlehandedly managed the scourge in the country through series of test and medical researches.
He noted that as at 1991, the prevalence of the HIV/AIDS was less than one percent, and in 2003, it was 5.8 percent, while today, it has dropped from that to 4.1 percent.
On the progress of the antiviral treatment program in the country, he was of the view that the anti viral treatment program in Nigeria is indeed on course in the country and the government, during the Olusegun Obasanjo regime, has been proactive in it’s ways to treat 10,000 adults and 5,000 children living with HIV/AIDS in the country with just nine treatment centers then, but the achievement has increased from nine to 300 all over the country, that is an achievement.
“When you have a successful treatment program, you will largely reduce the transmission of the disease in the general public, and it has been calculated that for one person treated, there is the tendency that it will reduce further transmission to others”
While Nigeria continued to record success in it campaign against HIV/AIDS, more than two million Nigerians have access to HIV counselling and testing annually. HIV prevalence among young people in Nigeria is also gradually declining.
“I am aware that HIV services are now available to more Nigerians than it was in 2001 and that services are currently being taken to rural communities through the Primary Health Care system,” he noted.
Meanwhile, Dr. Oni Idigbe, who represented the Director General of the NIMR, Dr. Innocent Ujah, was of the view that NIMR has quickly became one of the prime sites for comprehensive HIV care, treatment and support as a result of dedication and commitment of staff.
Idigbe said that a level progress has been achieved in the fight against HIV/AIDS, but the global economic downturn and consequent donor fatigue was impacting negatively on ongoing efforts.
He stressed the need for to scale up services to ensure that all infected persons are identified and enrolled into care and that all who are eligible for ARVs are getting them regularly and consistently.
Friday, 13 December 2013
Abia Distributes 202 Cars To Youths
In continuation of its Youth Empowerment
Programme, the Abia State Government has
given out 202 different brands of vehicles to
Abia youths for the fourth phase of the
programme.
This brings to 700, the total number of vehicles
so far given out by the government to the
youths since the inception of the programme
about a year ago.
Speaking while handing over the vehicles to
beneficiaries at the Michael Okpara Auditorium,
Umuahia, the Commissioner for Local
Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Chief
Emma Nwabuko explained that the programme
was designed to better the lots of youths in the
state.
Nwabuko also explained that the vehicles
which were branded and registered by the
government were always given free of charge.
According to him, the gesture was not only to
make Abia youths gainfully employed but to be
useful to themselves and the society.
In his remarks, the Special Adviser to the
Governor on Youth Affairs and Development,
Prince Maduka Uwadi asked the beneficiaries
not to use the vehicles for commercial
purposes, resell or deface them, warning that
any person caught going against the guidelines
would have his vehicle withdrawn.
Uwadi announced that the fifth batch of the
exercise would hold before the end of
December.
Meanwhile, two prominent Abia indigenes have
donated 20 vehicles to the scheme. in support
of Abia State Government’s-owned Ochendo
Youths Empowerment Programme headed Mr
Chinedu Orji.
The vehicles were donated by Friday Nwosu,
who gave five Sienna vehicles and Chief Uche
Ogah of Masters Energy, who gave 15 Passat
cars.
Senate probes alleged missing $49.8 billion
*Missing fund must not be swept under carpet–APC senators warn
*Insist “we ‘ll follow probe to the latter
he Nigerian Senate at plenary on Wednesday, directed its finance commitee to commence a full-scale probe into the alleged missing $49.8 billion from the nation’s treasury. Senate also mandated the committee to conclude its findings and report back to it in less than seven days.
Senate directive followed a Point Of Order 42 of the Senate standing rules raised under Matter of Urgent National Importance by Senator Olubunmi Adetunbi (APC Ekiti North), not only to draw the attention of the upper legislative chamber to the allegation but request that it carry out an indebt probe of the missing fund.
The alleged missing fund is said to be the value of crude oil export and proceeds from the Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC, expected to be lodged in the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN.
Senator Adetunbi who is the Vice Chairman, Senate Committee on Planning and Budgeting, at the plenary, said: “There has been a raging debate on the issue of missing money from the coffers of the Federal Government of Nigeria. Today, all papers carried the report on $49.8 billion that has not been remitted to the federation account.”
Adetumbi explained further that the nation’s apex bank, the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, had written on the account from January 2012 to July 2013, urging the Senate to carry out a holistic investigation on the matter.
“Mr President, as a parliament, this is a very grave issue. The parliament owes a duty or responsibility to the public to ensure that we get to the bottom of this issue for purposes of public information and for purposes of integrity of this parliament, because appropriation and revenue is the major responsibility of this parliament,” he said.
Senate President, David Mark, who presided over the session where the issue came up, said the matter cannot be instantly treated because according to him, there was no detailed information before the Senate yet. Besides, he said the allegation which Senator Adetunbi was relying on was a newspaper report just as he said he had earlier in a meeting with the senator on the issue, promised that the Senate Committee on Finance would handle the matter.
“You have come under Order 42, you know what you showed to me was the newspaper report and I also told you that on the basis of that, since you don’t have all the details, that I will refer it to the committee and the committee will get all the details and bring their report here.
“You know that was my discussion with you. So, this new dimension of a letter coming from Central Bank was not discussed with me. But whatever it is, I think rather that because we don’t have the details at this point, we cannot go into any further detailed discussion.
“So, I will refer it to the committee on finance. I am just saying what you have discussed with me and that is what I am going to do, because the newspaper is what you brought to me, so you will lay the newspaper on the table and then I will refer the matter to the committee. I want the details, ”he said.
Mark’s position that the issue be handled by the committee on finance attracted resistance from some members of the All Progressives Congress, APC, who suggested that rather than the committee on finance, the issue be directed to the Senate Committee on Public Account. But Mark stood his ground, saying: “Please, there is no expenditure involved yet. This is money that we have not found, so there is no public account yet. The public account will come in when the money is spent. But whatever it is, please lay it on the table before we see who values it.”
Mark directed the Deputy Senate Committee on Finance, Joshua Dariye (LP Plateau Central) to ensure that the report gets back to Senate in less than seven days. “I will refer this to the finance committee and I want it back within seven days but I will want it in the earliest possible days because this is a matter that requires urgent attention,” he said.
Meanwhile, the All Progressives Congress, APC senators have warned that the probe must not be swept under the carpet even as they assured that they would follow the probe to logical end. The senators, led by Senate Minority Leader, George Akume, at a press Conference shortly after plenary, said there was no cause to doubt the authenticity of the alleged missing fund, because according, the report came from a very authentic source.
“We have been told and we have every cause to believe that this money is missing. This document is coming from the Central Bank of Nigeria. It is an authentic source,” Senator Akume who read a prepared speech before newsmen said.
He added: “This matter cannot be swept under the carpet. We are determined to follow it to the fullest and we want you to join us in doing so. One of our responsibilities is to as much as possible identify with the people by ensuring that those of us who are charged with higher responsibility conform with very high standard expected of people in public office.
“We have invited you on an issue which is very grave and central to good governance in our country. You are already aware of the missing $49billion. Now this money is the value of crude oil export and proceeds from the NNPC. Section 162 is very clear on where federally collected revenue are supposed to be lodged. For clarity and emphasis I quote this section.
“We have every cause to believe that this money is missing. This document here is from the Central Bank of Nigeria. This is a very authentic source. It is a very authentic document. The issue is who actually authorized the lodging of this money elsewhere if at the money is not missing then who gave authorization for opening of this account where these monies are paid contrary to section 162 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria?”.
A MUST READ STORY OF AN AFRICAN ARMED ROBBER AND HIS PENALTY.
‘Doctor’
Ishola Oyenusi is a name etched in the history of Nigeria as one of the
most violent armed robbers, a criminal who unleashed boundless terror
on many Nigerians. But who was he and what did he do that his name was
associated with so much notoriety?
The Nigerian Civil War had just ended in 1970 but by the early 1970s, a stone-hearted armed robber, Ishola Oyenusi (he called himself Dr. Oyenusi even if he never finished the secondary school), was terrorising all of Lagos, Nigeria’s largest commercial centre. Before one tale of his daring exploits died down, another one had sprung up. Oyenusi was no ordinary pilferer, this snitcher was downright wicked and had all the self-confidence in the world to go with it. And you know something? He was quite romantic and chivalrous. There was a story of how he snatched his first car on Herbert Macaulay Road in Yaba, Lagos. Why? His girlfriend was broke. He eventually sold the car for N400 but the sad part was that in the process of stealing the car, the poor owner was shot dead. He actually snatched the first car he saw on the road. Such was the ferocious nature of his audacity. Oyenusi’s arrogance was also legendary. In 1970, he was arrested and handcuffed by a police officer. As the policeman was ordering him around, Oyenusi blasted him and thundered: ‘People like you don’t talk to me like that when I am armed. I gun them down.’ Hmmm, but that was not all. Oyenusi was so feared that when the famed movie director, Chief Eddie Ugbomah made a film titledThe Rise and Fall of Dr. Oyenusiin 1977,there was no one bold enough to come forward to act the role of the armed robber because they feared his members would show themshege.Ugbomah had no other option but to act the role himself with the feature film depicting the senseless violence of armed robberies and the absolutely atrocious manner by which lives of innocent Nigerians were snuffed out. But there was one interesting thing that happened: a medical doctor by the name of Dr. Oyenusi was so mad at the film producer that he headed for the court trying to stop the shooting of the movie. Actually, Ugbomah was threatened. He received a letter from thieves who invaded and looted his provision store, carting away all they could. In the letter, they promised to return his goods if he would only stop shooting the film in which he exposed the support received by the armed robbers from their ‘godfathers’ and even high-ranking officers in the Nigerian Armed Forces. The stubborn Ugbomah called their bluff and went ahead with the 16mm-flick (kindly send us a clip of this film if you have one). Ugbomah would later produce many other films such asDeath of a Black President(1983),Esan (Nemesis), The MaskandVengeance of the Cultin 1985.Death of a Black Presidentwas about the assassination of General Murtala Muhammed(read all about him here>>> http://www.abiyamo.com /murtala-muhammed-nigerias- most-popular-leader/ In the 1970s, Oyenusi was no doubt the uncrowned emperor of Nigerian robbers and he is described as the ‘first celebrated armed robber in Nigeria’. He is regarded by some as the pioneer of conventional armed robbery in Nigeria. When Oyenusi reigned at the height of his regal confidence, he declared: ‘The bullet has no power.‘ As at that time, armed robbers were condemned to death and thousands joyfully came out to ‘enjoy’ the grisly public executions before the firing squad on the pristine beaches of Lagos. Although Nigeria no longer has very ‘famous’ bandits and thieves like Anini (at the age of 26, Lawrence Nomayagbon Anini was the most notorious robber in Nigeria), Babatunde Folorunsho, Monday Osunbor, Shina Rambo, Buraimoh Jimoh, Oyenusi, ‘Mighty Joe’, ‘Captain Blood’ and George Iyamu (a former Deputy Superintendent of Police who was Anini’s collaborator), armed robbery is nonetheless a major problem in the nation. THE END In March 1971, Oyenusi was nabbed by the Nigerian Police after he organized a robbery in which $28,000 (value as at that time) was stolen. They killed a police constable in the process. Although the first public execution of robbers had taken place in April 1971, that of Oyenusi and his criminal allies was a special case and the Lagos government took time to prepare the grounds at the Bar Beach. By 8.am, officials were already at the execution arena to check the whole place just to ensure that everything went on ‘well’. A combined team of police officers and soldiers struggled to contain the surging crowd of thousands of excited spectators. At about 9.15 am, a team of Lagos City Council workers came to the execution arena with empty mock coffins which they calmly laid behind the execution stand. Obviously, they were there to make fun of a man who had sent so much terror into their hearts. About half an hour later, eight robbers were led to the execution stand…  |
HIS EXECUTION DAY
On the day of Oyenusi’s execution, over 30,000 Nigerians trooped to the famous Bar Beach (armed robberies were quite rare then and when it happened, it was the gist of the town for months so the considerably high level of the people’s curiosity can be appreciated). While some in the crowd jeered and booed Oyenusi and his Gang of Seven, some of his friends and family members present could not hold back their tears. But for most of the witnesses, it was good riddance to bad nonsense. As for Oyenusi, he was smiling, smiling to the last but the agony on his face too was unmistakable. But just few minutes before his body was riddled with hot-leaded bullets from stern-faced soldiers of the Nigerian Army, he finally confessed saying: ‘I am dying for the offence I have committed.‘ Two army trucks and a black van conveyed them to the firing spot. Oyenusi was in the black van. In seconds, three soldiers flew out of the army trucks and proceeded to the black van inside which was Nigeria’s most dreaded armed robber. The soldiers came to a screeching halt and stood at attention by the van. All of a sudden, one of them let out a shrill command! The door was flung open and slowly, Oyenusi appeared from within the darkness of theBlack Maria.As if the heavens were in concert, dark clouds had formed over the Bar Beach. He was cloaked in a dark long-sleeved shirt and his hands were tied behind his back. He spotted a pair of dark loafers and his trousers were wrinkled. Sweating profusely, he kept throwing fast glances around as if he was looking for someone as he surveyed the crowd who had thronged the beach to simply see him die. As the soldiers grabbed and tied him to the pole, he was still scanning through the crowd. One of the giggling spectators in the crowd whispered to the next ‘Who is he looking for?‘. Smartly, seven soldiers formed a lethal line in front of Oyenusi. A soldier let out a fierce command to the sharpshooters. All of them took aim at Oyenusi. The next voice reverberated all over Nigeria: ‘Fire!’ Like an electrocuted being, his body shook vigorously as he slumped and went limp around the pole that held his remains. For a man who said bullets had no power to penetrate his skin, he slumped in seconds, surrendering to the high-velocity missiles directed at his mortal vessel. His fragile human body could not withstand the pitiless hail of gunfire, amplified by the metallic drums behind them. Some of the robbers refused the final blessings from the priest while some of them look clearly frightened as the soldiers aimed at them. The basic human instinct of survival betrayed their emotions. Some others shouted their protests and defiance to the last as live cameras of the journalists sent the gory details to those at home watching the spectacle on their black-white television sets. However, Oyenusi, who confessed that he joined the armed robbery business in 1959, was not to die alone. He was to end his journey on earth with six of his other gang members whom he had led to their last robbery at the WAHUM factory at Ikeja, Lagos on the 27th March, 1971.  |
These Include
CREDITS: COLIN PANTALL -Joel Amamieye -Ambrose Nwokobia -Stephen Ndubuokwu -Philip Ogbolumain -Joseph Osamedike -Ademola Adegbitan Amamlaye was a former Personnel Manager at WAHUM where they robbed while Nwokobia was the gateman at the same place. During the robbery, they killed a police constable named Mr. Nwi. An eighth man, Isaac Ekwunife was also executed for robbing a man of a car in Surulere, Lagos in early 1971. Oyenusi is seen to the extreme right, all tied up. CREDITS: COLIN PANTALL. By the time the guns stopped vomitting the bullets, Oyenusi and his cohorts were dead bringing to a total of 70 armed robbers executed after the Nigerian Civil War ended in 1970. As hinted earlier, death by firing squad was the order of the day as at that time. Following Oyenusi’s execution, the Information Officer stationed at the Nigerian Embassy in Washington DC, Femi Davis was interviewed on the matter. He said: It is the law to shoot persons convicted of armed robbery, that is the robbery with armed violence. The law was passed last year by the Federal Government because we wanted to make it tough for criminals who began preying upon villages and people on the highway looking for easy money. Oyenusi, the man also known as ‘Dr. Rob-and-Kill’ and his gang met their brutal end at the hands of a 14-man firing squad on the serene Victoria Island of Lagos. According to one of his defence lawyers who visited him while in jail, Oyenusi was imprisoned for the first time when he was 21. He then escaped and was imprisoned again. He escaped AGAIN and was imprisoned AGAIN. He escaped about eight times and then he decided to become an armed robber and that gave him the cloak of invincibility for some time. According to Ebenezer Babatope, former Minister of Transport in his book,The Struggle for Power in Nigeria,Oyenusi told journalists minutes before his death that he would never have become an armed robber if his parents were rich enough to sustain him in the secondary school. He also confessed to taking part in ten major robberies and murders over a period of six years (Africa Research Bulletin, Blackwell, 1971). Nigerians now travel with fear (some families have even banned night travels) and move with trepidation while the security forces are either too demoralized, outnumbered (which serious nation of 170 million on earth will be policed by 370,000 police officers, does that make any ‘zenze’? Russia with about 143 million people has almost one million police officers equipped with armed helicopters, A-91 rifles, Makarov and Grach pistols, armoured vehicles, police buses, carbines, vans, all-terrain vehicles (where are those ALGON police jeeps Obasanjo bought?)) or under-armed to launch any reasonable counterattack or simply join ranks with the lawbreakers. Hopefully, a time will come when Nigeria will be rid of this vermin called armed robbery (and yeah, pen robbery too). Trivia: The military government of General Yakubu Gowon approved the public executions of armed robbers. During his regime, the trend of armed robbery was becoming disturbing, a decree was passed, robbers faced the Armed Robbery Tribunal and were promptly shot.   |
Here's
an Article i found in Commondreams.org it was first publish on Monday
June 4,2001 in the Minneapolis Star Tribune and i think i should share
it here
Those Who Praise Public Executions Haven't Seen Oneto be continued... |
Again, I watched as the soldiers bound my friend to the stick, just as they had Oyenusi in 1973. Max turned and looked at me standing barely 10 feet away from him. I didn't know what to do. I wished I could free him. As if he could read my mind, with both hands in handcuffs, he waved at me, telling me not to worry. |
Terry G’s Leather Pant Tears On Stage
Does it mean throughout his performance all your eyes were glued to was his ummm...#clearsthroat#
Read More »
An Old Picture Of Funke Akindele, Iyabo Ojo & Doris Simeon
Funke actually posted this picture online and captioned it, “#backwheniwasbroke"
Look at how they all look like mgbeke here! Things have really changed for them oooo.
Look at how they all look like mgbeke here! Things have really changed for them oooo.
Teenage Fani-Kayode And His Girlfriend In Kelly College UK
This
is a picture of Chief Femi Fani Kayode and his british college girl
friend Susan Hunt in Kelly College, UK. Femi oh..already had it in him right from.back in the days!
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Ways To Earn Good Income As A Nigerian Student
Many Nigerian students wonder what they can do to augment the income their parents/guardians hand them every semester as they rush to school
Scholarship/Bursary Awards
If you’re a first year student in any Nigerian University it’s always wise to draw up a list of scholarship awards available to Nigerian Students just when you gained admission into whatever institution of higher learning you’re at the reason being that from year 2 many Nigerian students are no longer eligible for some of these scholarship awards. The amount awarded as bursary or scholarships could range from N50,000 to N150,000 per annum depending on who is giving the award.
Freelance Article Writing
If you can write well especially articles then during your spare time you could make some cool money for yourself writing for freelance article websites such as odesk and elance. Visit their websites, register, create a portfolio of articles, a professional profile and start writing your way to some cool cash. The money is usually paid via western Union.
Blogging
Are the likes of Linda Ikeji, Omojuwa Japheth, Jide Ogunsanya and Laila Ikeji not enough reason to take to blogging? These people are Nigerians living in Nigeria and making good income from a part time activity as blogging. You actually need less than 4 hours a day to do serious blogging but warning though it’s not an easy road to travel but brace yourself if you’re serious.
Teaching/Tutorials
There are many secondary school leavers who want to gain admission into the University but don’t have someone knowledgeable enough to teach them. Here’s what you can do, arrange for some serious fellow students like you to organize tutorial classes and charge them peanuts. You’ll get a mad rush if they know you teach well but charge little. You can even organize tutorial classes for University students for courses where there’s mass failure or students have difficulty passing.
Freelance Marketing
If you’re not always busy you could use your spare time to help businesses look for customers. There people who pay for referring leads to them or actual buyers who make a purchase for something they’re selling. Good examples of what to market on freelance basis include; Apartments, land, cars and industrial machinery but you have to learn the ropes here and be patient because one good deal could put a lot of money in your pocket.
Thursday, 31 October 2013
Desperate Housewives Coming To Lagos
Popular American television comedy drama-mystery series, Desperate Housewives is to get an African remake.
According to Nigerian network EbonyLife, they have joined forces with Disney to give the award winning show an African adaptation.
The show is reportedly still in the development stages and is scheduled for a 2014 debut on the channel which reaches 44 countries on the African continent.
According to ebonylifetv.com, the show will feature a pan-African cast and will be set in Lagos, Nigeria, where it will also be shot.
"We are going to give the stories an African flavor. We will localize it, because there's nothing that the West has that Africa doesn't have: we love, we fight, we kiss, we make up. We like all the good things in life. There's good and there's evil globally," Mo Abudu, CEO and Executive Chairman of EbonyLife TV was quoted saying.
The original US show, which starred big names such as Teri Hatcher, Felicity Huffman, Marcia Cross and Eva Longoria aired for 8 seasons between 2004 and 2012 and managed to win numerous industry awards.
The Disney Desperate Housewives remakes have reportedly proved very popular in countries like Turkey, Colombia, and Brazil and Nigeria hopes to follow suit.
EBONY LIFE
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