Man nabbed with $188,858 to be sentenced Monday

A Nigerian Federal High Court sitting in Abuja will on Monday January 21, 2013 sentence one Abdulrasheed Ibrahim for attempting to smuggle $188,858 out of Nigeria . The accused person on Thursday January 17, 2013 pleaded guilty to the one count charge of money laundering preferred against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC.

Ibrahim was arrested on Wednesday November 7, 2012 as he prepared to board a Dubai , United Arab Emirates bound Ethiopia Airline.

A total of $188,858 (one hundred and eighty eight thousand, eight hundred and fifty eight United States Dollars) was found on him. He had declared the sum of forty five thousand USD ($45,000) but a search revealed additional $143, 858.Upon arraignment on Thursday January 17, 2013, the accused pleaded guilty to the charge.

The prosecuting counsel, Chioma Okongwu tendered evidence of a certified true copy of export currency tendering list along with the sum of US 188,858.00 and prayed the court to convict the accused accordingly.

The defense Counsel Abubakar Y. Ndakele raised no objection to the tendering of exhibit, marked 1,2,3,4 respectively.

The trial judge, Justice Adamu Bello adjourned the case to January 21, 2013 for sentencing.

The charge against the accused reads: "that you Abdulrasheed Ibrahim on or about the 7th of November 2012 at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja within the jurisdiction of the Federal High Court while transporting in cash the sum of US 188,858.00(One hundred and eighty eight thousand, eight hundred and fifty eight United States dollars)only from Nigeria to Dubai, United Arab Emirates falsely declared to the Nigerian Customs Service the sum of $45,000.00 (forty five thousand United State dollars) only instead of the said sum of US$188,858.00 as required under section 12 of the foreign exchange (monitoring and miscellaneous provisions) Act Cap. F34 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2004 and Section 2(3) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act, 2011 and thereby committed an offence punishable under section 2(5) of the money laundering (Prohibition) Act, 2011".

First time I had sex, I was raped – Foluke Daramola

 Why I am more into movie production than acting: I am a person that is very restless in nature. I have been acting for over 18 years. I feel that it is becoming monotonous for me; doing the same old thing over and over again, despite the fact that creativity is dropping by the day. I still do a bit of acting; it is just that I am more of a production person. I am even derailing a bit back into doing English soap operas which was what I started out from. I started with soap opera and English movies before I delved into Yoruba movies.

Competition from upcoming actors: The only thing that is constant in life is change. If you do not look beyond and think outside of the box, you are going to box yourself in the corner. What I mean by that is that there is no how you would not grow. There is this proverb that says you have to take a bow when the ovation is loudest. Taking a bow doesn't mean leaving the scene; it means you should go and re-strategise and find ways to work around things that would make you relevant. There is no way I would say my younger colleagues should not grow. I started out when I was a teenager and I have had my fair share of the industry. I'm still having it. I'm still staying relevant. The only thing you can do is just to make yourself relevant. A threat from the younger generation is not one that relates with me. I am not one that would sit in a corner. A lot of my colleagues ask why I read so much. I just had my masters degree, I am going for my Ph.D. I believe in dynamism and upgrading myself at every point in time so nobody is a threat to me.

Journey so far: When I started I was very young. I was about 16 years and I had not entered the university for my first degree. At that time, I was a young girl who wanted to have fun and I did not see myself as anything. One thing about me is that I have had it in my sub-conscious that stardom would not change me or take anything away from me. I have had my challenges, times when I wanted to party with my friends, go to clubs, parties, go out to have fun. People see me and begin to talk. At each point in time, because I was a teenager, I might have made one or two mistakes. At the end of the day, I learnt while growing up in the industry that you do not do things like this, you just walk around them. It is just part of learning in life. I am not one person that regrets anything. I just learn from my past. Anything I have done in life, I do not wish they never happened.

My dream of becoming a lecturer: I have always wanted to be a diplomat. I have always loved to be a lecturer; that is why I'm still upgrading my education. I had a scholarship in Canada but I had to postpone my admission to take another course. It is an ongoing process.

My parents' reaction to my career: My dad is late; I lost him when I was very young. My mum was strongly against my movie career. She felt that I would be too exposed. Later, my mentors called her, spoke to her and gave her the assurance that I would still go to school. They told her that I would still be educated and do the normal things people do. She grudgingly agreed but I'm sure she has not regretted it so far. I sneaked to location several times after she said I should not go. There was a time she had to shave my head because I sneaked to location. I thought I would be back home that day but I did not get to our house until 2am. She was really worried; immediately she saw me, she picked a pair of scissors and shaved my head. I had to put relaxer on my hair to make it look like rough curls. Later, when she saw that I was determined and dogged about it, she allowed me. She just made me to sign an undertaking that I was going to go to school. She is an educationist so I had to sign and give her the assurance that I was going to go to school.

My first crush: I would say that my first crush was my first relationship. I was about 17 years old then. Unfortunately, he was not the first person I had sex with. I share it with the younger generation because it is something that has been talked about but I have got over it. The first time I had sex, I was raped. I had my first relationship with the first person I had a crush on, Seun Olomofe. He is one of the most caring and considerate persons I have ever met in my life. He was my mother's close friend's son. He was one person that showed me so much love. He was always there for me; he was the first person to ever make me a special card. I had a huge crush on him. When sex was not coming to play in the relationship, he said he was tired and I was so heart-broken. I was supposed to go to University of Lagos; it was because of him I changed my admission to Obafemi Awolowo University. I saw him as an epitome of the kind of person I would like to spend the rest of my life with. That was the first major crush that I had.

My first sexual encounter: My first introduction to sex was rape. It was with one of our tenants. I got so close to him and saw him as an elder brother. He looked at me as someone that had been exposed because I was busty and he thought I had had a sexual experience before. So he had his way with me. Then it was not something you tell the whole world. People said we should keep quiet about it. Then they tried to make trouble with him but subsequently people said we should keep quiet about it. We had to try and manage it in our own way even though it affected me for a long time psychologically. I had to gradually get over it. I believed so much in the principle of keeping your virginity till you are married. I started showbiz from Teen TV on DBN with Chichi Okaro. Then I used to be so vocal and when we spoke about pre-marital sex and virginity, I was always so passionate about it. It was such a disadvantage and a pity for me.

My experience as a busty lady: At the initial stage, I used to be so ashamed of myself. At that time, I would wear clothes that would not let my bust be noticeable. I was trying everything I could so that it would not be obvious. Subsequently, when I started acting and reading books, I read a book that said the best admirer you have is yourself and the way you carry yourself is how people would take you. I had to psyche myself to love it. After I did so, I noticed that I was getting advances even from people I didn't expect, like some of my late father's friends. Being a deep thinker, I always look at the advantage of everything, I saw that it was something I could not change so I had to make the best out of it. I got it into my sub-conscious that it was a plus than minus. I have had reasons to talk to a lot of people that are busty and who do not appreciate themselves. They now see it as an asset than a liability.

Errors in subtitles of Yoruba movies: The reason why that occurs is because we all want to be a jack of all trades and master of none. The few people that are educated know that there are supposed to be professionals for everything .The ones that are not believe that because they have a popular face, they are already stars and can do anything and get away with it. It's partly the reason I reduced acting because it was already becoming a mess. If you know you are good at acting and you are a popular face, it does not mean you know it all. Some people are perfect for some jobs but because they want to cut corners and believe they can do it better than the next person, they make a mess of it.

My recent project: I am working on my latest project called Cobwebs. It is a cinema-bound movie. We take our movies to the cinema because we are expanding our scope. Home videos are giving us a lot of problems. So we have decided to do something else that would expand our network. We are shooting that. We are planning on featuring Femi Kuti in the movie. We are still talking with him. I know he doesn't act but if I can get him, it would be a big break.

About my love life: No comment

Source: Punch

Boko Haram leader Shekau shot, escapes to Mali

According to reports garthered, there were strong indications in Abuja, that the leader of the Boko Haram Islamic sect, Imam Abubakar Shekau was wounded during a gun battle with security men on Friday.

Sources said that security agencies traced the whereabouts of Shekau, who succeeded late Mohammed Yusuf as leader of the sect to Mali, where he escaped to after sustaining injuries during a gun duel with soldiers of the Joint Task Force, JTF, a.k.a Operation Restore Order.

The Chief of Army Staff, Lt. General Azubuike Ihejirika who addressed officers and soldiers of the Nigerian army shortly before they were airlifted to Mali Thursday in Kaduna, asked them to be extra vigilant as there are indications that some terrorists had sneaked into the country with the aim of causing havoc.

Ihejirika however, pointed out that the Nigerian Army was not resting on its oars as the war against terror was being won.

We learnt that the battle between the JTF and the sect members took place at Gao city, in the heart of Northern Mali presently under the control of Tuareg militants.

Abubakar Shekau, the leader of Nigeria's Boko Haram Islamist militants, dressed in a black turban and a white gown and bullet-proof vest - holding an AK 47 rifle. In his 40-minute audio message, Shekau reportedly blamed the deaths of "innocent civilians" on Nigeria's security forces but threatened to carry out a bombing campaign against Nigeria's secondary schools and universities - unless security forces stopped what he claimed was a series of recent attacks on Islamic schools or madrassas in the northern town of Maiduguri.

It was further disclosed that Shekau, who is having N50million ransom hanging on his head from the Federal Government, was ferried to Mali through one of the porous routes in the vast Nigerian border without Customs and Immigration authorities getting wind of it.

Also, the Boko Haram leader was being given medication in Gao, the foreign sponsors of the sect's activities in Nigeria, were busy, using his name to indoctrinate, train and recruit more members for the sect.

Shekau was said to have been shot at a checkpoint when he reportedly attempted to deceive operatives of the JTF by posing as a nomadic Fulani who was returning from a journey. However, on approach of the vehicle conveying him and members of his sect, ''a hot exchange of gunfire ensued as the sect members started firing at the soldiers who equally returned fire for fire.''

During the crossfire, he and two other sect members with him escaped with gunshot wounds while two members of the sect were killed on the spot. Some AK 47 rifles were recovered from the vehicle.

While stating that most of the weaponry including IEDS recovered from Boko Haram members have been traced to the weaponry used during the Libyan uprising against late Libyan leader, Gaddafi, the source said Nigerian security agencies believed that the more sophisticated and deadly weaponry had gotten to the hands of sect members but they are unable to operate them because they are not trained for it.

The source cited the discovery of Shekau's hideout and the training base for Boko Haram sect members to unleash terror on Nigerians as a further justification of the action of the federal government to deploy 1, 200 troops as well as Airforce fighter and transport aircraft to Mali to help flush out the Tuareg militants and their sponsors.

It was gathered that security has been beefed up along the Nigerian Army First Mechanized Division and the Third Armoured Division's areas of responsibilities with the deployment of soldiers at the borders to complement the work of other security agencies following the escalation of the Mali crisis with a view to checkmating infiltrations into the country by terrorists.

Last December, a total sum of N290 million ransom was approved for anyone who could assist in locating Imam Abubakar Shekau and 18 other leaders of Boko Haram.

A release by the JTF listed the wanted Boko Haram leaders to include five members of the Shurra (the highest decision-making body of the sect) Committee and 19 of their commanders.

The five members of the Shurra Committee of the sect, including Imam Abubakar Shekau whose ramsom was N50 million, and Habibu Yusuf (a.k.a Asalafi), Khalid Albarnawai, Momodu Bama and Mohammed Zangina. Apart from Imam Shekau whose ransom was put at N50 million, the other Shurra members' ransom was put at N25million each.

A ransom of N10 million each was put on the Boko Haram Commanders including, Abu Saad, Abba Kaka, Abdulmalik Bama, Umar Fulata, Alhaji Mustapha, (Massa) Ibrahim and Abubakar Suleiman-Habu a.k.a Khalid.

Other commanders also included Hassan Jazair, Ali Jalingo, Alhaji Musa Modu, Bashir Aketa, Abba Goroma, Ibrahim Bashir, Abubakar Zakariya and Tukur Ahmed Mohammed.

The JTF statement on the N290 million ransom then, reads in part; "They are wanted in connection with terrorist activities, particularly in the North East zone of Nigeria that led to the killings, bombings and assassination of some civilians, religious leaders, traditional rulers, businessmen, politicians, civil servants and security personnel, among others.

They are also wanted for arson and destruction of properties worth millions of naira.Therefore, anyone with information that will lead to the arrest of any of the listed terrorists or more will have the rewards (placed on them) as stated.''

Ex-New Orleans mayor indicted on Federal corruption charges

The Former New Orleans Mayor Ray Nagin, who captured the drama of Hurricane Katrina in 2005 with an "SOS" call to the nation, was indicted Friday on 21 federal corruption charges, including bribery, money laundering, fraud and filing false tax returns.

Nagin allegedly defrauded the city through "a bribery and kickback scheme" in which he received checks, cash, wire transfers, personal services and free travel from businessmen seeking favorable treatment, the 25-page federal indictment said.

Among the conspiracy charges is an accusation that Nagin awarded "no bid" work to a city contractor who provided "concealed and direct campaign monies" to Nagin, the indictment says.

In 2005, as Katrina became the single most catastrophic natural disaster in U.S. history, Nagin took center stage on behalf of victims when he excoriated the slow pace of federal and state relief efforts, even using profanities.

Nagin, who is black, urged the reconstruction of a "chocolate New Orleans," adding "You can't have New Orleans no other way." He later apologized, saying everyone was welcome to the city.

The hurricane slammed the Gulf coast in 2005 and killed 1,833 people, directly or indirectly, in five states. Damages totaled $108 billion, according to the Federal Emergency Management Agency.



 

Obama Inspires Brother to Run for Office in Kenya Elections

U.S. President Barack Obama's message of hope and change has inspired his half-brother Malik to launch a political career of his own, with his eye on elections in Kenya in March.

"If my brother is doing great things for people in the United States, why can't I do great things for Kenyans here?" Malik Obama told Reuters in the village of Kogelo, President Obama's ancestral homeland.

Malik, 54, is running for governorship of the rural Siaya county as an independent candidate, reports Reuters.

His sibling's message resonates with a Kenyan electorate angry over a political class widely regarded as greedy and corrupt.

However, the odds are stacked against lone candidates in a country where ideology is trumped by tribe or clan ties. This is the first time independents have been permitted to run in an election after a constitutional change in 2010.

For Obama, the inspiration comes from elsewhere.

"He is an inspiration to me and I feel that he is an embodiment of my father's dream," he said of the U.S. leader.

"All he told me is ‘brother, it is not an easy thing to get into public office. Just have a thick skin because people will be targeting you. The media will be saying this and that. There will be people who love you and people who won't love you'."

He said his younger brother has flourished by following the footsteps of their father, Barack Obama Snr - the first African to attend the University of Hawaii before returning home to work in the senior echelons of the Kenyan civil service.

"The old and tested way has not really worked for us. Right now we need a bold, radical and fresh approach," he said.

Running late for the interview, Obama apologized, explaining he had to stop his car several times to talk to locals, who would routinely flag him down for greetings.

He says his race in the election is motivated by a desire to foster economic development and to answer the call of duty.

Obama, who said he is a polygamist with 10 children, has a campaign team that includes some family members and volunteers. He is unsure if the big name recognition he brings to the race will put him at an advantage.

Some Nigerian Corps Members cannot speak English – NYSC

The Director General of the National Youth Service Corps Brig-Gen. Nnamdi Okore-Affia has revealed that some Nigerian Corps members cannot communicate in English.

He pointed out that the inability of the academic institutions in producing eligible corps members became a tough task for the NYSC management.

Many school principals and employers fire corps members because they were difficult to re-orient.

SSS parades bombers of Jaji cantonment church

 State Security Service Department, SSS, on Monday, paraded the two suspects, who allegedly carried out the bombing of the Saint Andrews Protestant Military Church at the Armed Forces Command and Staff College, Jaji, Kaduna State.

The two suspects, whose names were given as Ibrahim Mohammed, aka Alilullah and Mohammed Ibrahim Idris, were paraded by the DSS Deputy Director of Public Affairs, Marylin Ogar, at a press briefing in Abuja.

Mohammed, 18, hails from Ilobu Village in Ilobu Local Government Area of Osun State, while Idris, 50, a yam hawker comes from Jalingo, the Taraba State capital.

Ogar said the two men would be handed over to the military for further investigation while other suspects arrested in connection with the bombing were being questioned by the service.

The DSS director maintained that the service was determined to work with Nigerians and bring to an end the evil activities of unpatriotic elements and restore peace and harmony to the society.

Mohammed confessed during interrogation that he was indoctrinated into the Boko Haram sect by one Bashir Madalla, who also trained him in the use of fire arms and the production and priming of Improvised Explosive Devices, IEDs.

The suspect said he participated actively in several attacks in Kaduna including the one on St. Rita’s Catholic Church and Badarawa.

He also said that the late Madalla sent one Mallam Lawal, one of the suicide bombers to Damaturu, Yobe State to retrieve some military uniforms and weapons from Boko Haram cells in the state and that the said Lawal often appears in military uniforms with the rank of a captain without being detected and arrested.

According to Mohammed, the Jaji attack was personally carried out by one Tasiu and Mallam Lawal who assumed the leadership of the sect in
Kaduna following the death of Bashir Madalla.

He explained also that Lawal decided to personally carry out the attack since there was no other suitable person to be saddled with the
deadly assignment due to time constraint.

The suspect admitted accompanying the bombers to the gate of the Armed Forces Military cantonment and bade them farewell and procuring the
fertilizer used in priming the Toyota Matrix car that was used in the suicide mission.

The car, he admitted, had been parked in the residence of Mohammed Ibrahim Idris, which served as the sect’s safe haven.

In his confession, Idris, admitted that he was also indoctrinated into the sect in August 2012 by a fellow yam hawker, Mallam Lawal after which he was relocated to Kaduna by Lawal and given a two-bedroom flat in Rafin Guza area in Kaduna, which serves as the sect’s operational
base.

Idris said that he served as a motivational preacher and father figure for the sect as well as conduct surveillance on selected targets using the cover of a yam seller.

Worshipers at the St. Andrews Catholic Church were about to dismiss their morning mass when daredevils struck on November 27, 2012, killing several persons in the process.

The attack, which hit the military authorities below the belt, led to the removal of the Commandant of the AFCSC and the deployment of another officer to the institution.

 23-year-old tap dancing beauty wins Miss America (PHOTOS)

According to reports, 23-year-old woman from Brooklyn, New York, has won the title of Miss America, beating out 13,000 other contestants including the pageant’s first autistic contestant and a woman with Tourettes.

Mallory Hagan won the beauty pageant on Saturday night after tap dancing to James Brown’s ‘Get Up Off of That Thing’ in Las Vegas and answering a question about whether armed guards belong in grade schools by saying the nation should not fight violence with violence.

Hagan defeated Miss South Carolina Ali Rogers, who took second, and Miss Oklahoma Alicia Clifton, who finished third.

‘Sandy may have swept away our shores, but never our spirit. I’m Miss New York, Mallory Hagan,’ she declared as she introduced herself to the nation on Saturday night.

Swarmed by hugs and smiles from the evening’s 52 other contestants, Miss Hagan balanced an armful of long-stemmed roses below her dazzling silver crown, one she will keep for one year while additionally awarded with a $50,000 college scholarship.

The former Fashion Institute of Technology student, whose platform was stopping child sexual abuse, hopes to use her scholarship money to obtain a degree in cosmetics and fragrance marketing according to her bio.

But first she is expected to spend her title reign on a nationwide speaking tour and raising money for the Children’s Miracle Network, the organization’s official charity.

Hagan defeated several other notable competitors who grabbed headlines this year because of their backstories.

Miss District of Columbia, a close runner up on Saturday, plans to undergo a preventive double mastectomy to reduce her risk of breast cancer, which killed her mother and grandmother.

Miss Montana, 18-year-old Alexis Wineman, was the pageant’s first autistic contestant who advanced to the semi-finals by America’s choice vote.

‘The girl you’re seeing right now is not the girl you would have seen 10 years ago,’ Miss Wineman told ABC News. ‘I have overcame a lot. I have overcome so many of my symptoms.’

Miss Iowa, Mariah Cary, who’s also 18, has Tourette’s syndrome after diagnosed at the age of eight after experiencing mild minor tics. Today she tours her state spreading awareness of the condition.

‘I made a choice early in life, that I wanted to use my condition to empower other people, not just kids who have Tourette’s, but anyone facing adversity of any kind,’ according to Mount Mercy University’s website.

There was also Miss Maine, Molly Bouchard, who lost more than 50 pounds before winning her state crown.

And finally Miss Puerto Rico, Kiaraliz Medina, who after twisting her ankle and fainting during the competition was forced to add a pair of crutches to her red swim suit.

She introduced herself to the audience by saying: ‘I’m here to make the crutches look good.’

The 92nd Miss America annual show held this year at the Planet Hollywood Resort and Casino on the Las Vegas Strip is the culmination of a week of preliminary competitions and months of preparations for the titleholders from all 50 states plus the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

The pageant, which started as little more than an Atlantic City bathing suit revue, broke viewership records in its heyday and bills itself as one of the world’s largest scholarships programs for women.

But like other pageants, the show has struggled to stay relevant as national attitudes regarding women’s rights and civil rights have changed.

More recently, the rise of reality television has provided a superabundance of options for Americans interested in seeing attractive young people in competitive pursuits.

 Rihanna's Complex Magazine Spread

Lance Armstrong confesses to Oprah Winfrey of performance-enhancing drugs.

US cyclist, Lance Armstrong confessed to Oprah Winfrey during an interview Monday that he used performance-enhancing drugs to win the Tour de France, a person familiar with the situation told The Associated Press.

The person spoke on condition of anonymity because the interview is to be broadcast Thursday on Winfrey's network.

Armstrong was stripped of all seven Tour titles last year following a voluminous U.S. Anti-Doping Agency report that portrayed him as a ruthless competitor, willing to go to any lengths to win the prestigious race.

USADA chief executive Travis Tygart labeled the doping regimen allegedly carried out by the U.S. Postal Service team that Armstrong once led, "The most sophisticated, professionalized and successful doping program that sport has ever seen."

After a federal investigation of the cyclist was dropped without charges being brought last year, USADA stepped in with an investigation of its own. The agency deposed 11 former teammates and accused Armstrong of masterminding a complex and brazen drug program that included steroids, blood boosters and a range of other performance-enhancers.

A group of about 10 close friends and advisers to Armstrong left a downtown Austin hotel about three hours after they arrived Monday afternoon for the taping. Among them were Armstrong attorneys Tim Herman and Sean Breen, along with Bill Stapleton, Armstrong's longtime agent, manager and business partner. All declined comment entering and exiting the session.

Soon afterward, Winfrey tweeted: "Just wrapped with (at)lancearmstrong More than 2 1/2 hours. He came READY!" She was scheduled to appear on "CBS This Morning" on Tuesday to discuss the interview.

In a text to the AP on Saturday, Armstrong said: "I told her (Winfrey) to go wherever she wants and I'll answer the questions directly, honestly and candidly. That's all I can say."

Armstrong stopped at the Livestrong Foundation, which he founded, on his way to the interview and said, "I'm sorry" to staff members, some of whom broke down in tears. A person with knowledge of that session said Armstrong choked up and several employees cried during the session.

The person also said Armstrong apologized for letting the staff down and putting Livestrong at risk but he did not make a direct confession to using banned drugs. He said he would try to restore the foundation's reputation, and urged the group to continue fighting for the charity's mission of helping cancer patients and their families.

Armstrong spoke to a room full of about 100 staff members for about 20 minutes, expressing regret for everything the controversy has put them through, the person said. He told them how much the foundation means to him and that he considers the people who work there to be like members of his family. None of the people in the room challenged Armstrong over his long denials of doping.

Winfrey and her crew had earlier said they would film Monday's session at Armstrong's home. As a result, local and international news crews were encamped near the cyclist's Spanish-style villa before dawn.

Armstrong still managed to slip away for a run despite the crowds outside his home. He returned by cutting through a neighbor's yard and hopping a fence.
-AP



Update: Lance Armstrong has apologised to the staff at his Livestrong Foundation, amid reports that the US cyclist may admit doping in a TV interview.

Nollywood actor, Enebeli Elubuwa to be buried today

According to reports gathered, the deceased Nollywood actor, Enebeli Elebuwa who died last December, in India, will be buried today at the Victoria Court Cemetery, Ajah, Lagos.

The funeral rites for the revered actor began on Wednesday with a candlelight procession and a Night of Tributes, organised by his colleagues at the Actors Guild of Nigeria, AGN, at O’jez, National Stadium, Surulere.

A wake was held in his honour yesterday at NTA Channel 10 ground, Tejuosho, Yaba.

This morning, there will be a requiem Mass at St Michael’s Catholic Church, Lafiaji, Lagos and internment at Victoria Court Cemetery, Ajah, which will be followed by thanksgiving service at the same church.

The actor had died in India where he had been flown for surgery to correct several pressing health issues, where he gave up the ghost.

His remains arrived at the Muritala Muhammed International Airport, Ikeja, on December 15, 2012.

Navy nab 8 illegal bunkering Suspects, to face EFCC prosecution

Nigerian Navy Officials in Calabar, cross River State, on Thursday, said they have arrested Eight Oil bunkering suspects and has handed them over to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC for prosecution.

The suspects, who were apprehended between Igbani Station and Parrot Island on the Calabar waterways, were caught with over 220 drums of illegally produced diesel by the Navy.

According to the Commanding Officer, NNS Victory, Commodore Kingdom Itoko, the men (whose names were withheld) were apprehended while conveying the diesel to Calabar  in a wooden boat, along with two pumping machines.

Itoko lamented the negative effects of bunkering on the economy, stressing that the Navy would not relent in ridding the Eastern maritime environment of criminal elements.

In his words,  “I want to tell Nigerians,  especially those living in Cross River State that we are not resting on our laurels  in the fight  against illegal bunkering and oil theft.”

On his part, Assistant Detective Superintendent of the  EFCC in  Port  Harcourt Office, Mr. Abdullahi Musa, said the anti-graft agency would investigate the suspects as directed by the headquarters, unravel the sponsors ans prosecute them all.

Today's Highlight in History (Jan. 11)

Today is Thursday, January 11, the 11th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. There are 354 days remaining until the end of the year (355 in leap years).

History of Nigeria:
Year      History
1957  -  Professor Attahiru Muhammadu Jega, an academic, former Vice Chancellor of Bayero University, Kano and INEC chairman was born in Jega, Kebbi State

More Today in History:
On Jan. 11, 1942, Japan declared war against the Netherlands, the same day that Imperial Japanese
forces invaded the Dutch East Indies.

On this date:
In 1759, the first American life insurance corporation, for "poor and distressed" Presbyterian ministers and their widows and children, was chartered in Philadelphia.
In 1805, the Michigan Territory was created by an act of Congress.
In 1861, Alabama became the fourth state to withdraw from the Union.
In 1908, President Theodore Roosevelt proclaimed the Grand Canyon National Monument (it became a national park in 1919).
In 1913, the first sedan-type automobile, a Hudson, went on display at the 13th National Automobile Show in New York.
In 1927, the creation of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences was proposed during a dinner of Hollywood luminaries at the Ambassador Hotel in Los Angeles.
In 1935, aviator Amelia Earhart began an 18-hour trip from Honolulu to Oakland, Calif., that made her the first woman to fly solo across the Pacific Ocean.
In 1943, the United States and Britain signed treaties relinquishing extraterritorial rights in China.
In 1964, U.S. Surgeon General Luther Terry issued the first government report that said smoking may be hazardous to one's health.
In 1972, East Pakistan changed its name to Bangladesh.
In 1977, France set off an international uproar by releasing Abu Daoud, a PLO official behind the massacre of Israeli athletes at the 1972 Munich Olympics.
In 1995, 52 people were killed when a Colombian airliner crashed as it was preparing to land near the Caribbean resort of Cartagena — however, a 9-year-old girl, Erika Delgado, survived.

Ten years ago: The first planeload of al-Qaida prisoners from Afghanistan arrived at a U.S. military detention camp in Guantanamo, Cuba. Ford Motor Co. announced it was eliminating 35,000 jobs, closing five plants and dropping four models. The Argentine peso floated freely for the first time after 11 years of being tied to the U.S. dollar.

Five years ago: President George W. Bush's plan to send more troops to Iraq ran into a wall of criticism on Capitol Hill from both Democrats and Republicans. Democrats selected Denver as the site of their 2008 presidential convention. English soccer star David Beckham announced a five-year deal to play for the Los Angeles Galaxy.

One year ago: Several hundred mourners remembered the victims of the Arizona shooting rampage during a public Mass at St. Odilia Catholic Church in Tucson. David Nelson, 74, who starred on his parents' popular TV show "The Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet," died in Los Angeles.

Today's Birthdays: Producer Grant Tinker is 87. Actor Rod Taylor is 82. Composer Mary Rodgers is 81. The former prime minister of Canada, Jean Chretien (zhahn kray-tee-EHN'), is 78. Actor Mitchell Ryan is 78. Actor Felix Silla is 75. Movie director Joel Zwick is 70. Country singer Naomi Judd is 66. World Golf Hall of Famer Ben Crenshaw is 60. Singer Robert Earl Keen is 56. Musician Vicki Peterson (The Bangles) is 54. Actress Kim Coles is 50. Actor Jason Connery is 49. Contemporary Christian musician Jim Bryson (MercyMe) is 44. Rock musician Tom Dumont (No Doubt) is 44. Rhythm-and-blues singer Maxee Maxwell (Brownstone) is 43. Movie director Malcolm D. Lee is 42. Singer Mary J. Blige is 41. Musician Tom Rowlands (The Chemical Brothers) is 41. Actor Marc Blucas is 40. Actress Amanda Peet is 40. Actor Rockmond Dunbar is 39. Actress Kristolyn Lloyd (TV: "The Bold and the Beautiful") is 27. Reality TV star Jason Wahler (TV: "Laguna Beach"; "The Hills") is 25.

Thought for Today: "In much wisdom is much grief; and he that increaseth knowledge increaseth sorrow." — Ecclesiastes 1:18.

Covenant University to recall expelled Students

The varsity has agreed to a reduction in the punishment of over 120 Covenant University's student who were expelled for failure to attend the university assembly held at the student chapel.

Sources say after intense lobbying by several groups comprising of parents, lawyers and the National

Human Rights Commission (NHRC), that the university authorities have agreed to lessen their punishment to 4 weeks suspension.

The students are expected to resume back in school later this month or early February.

Super Eagles players undergo medical tests, Ejide plays down injury

Eagles goalkeeper Austin Ejide will return to training by weekend after he quit Wednesday’s warm-up versus Cape Verde due to a thigh strain.

“I have been told that in two days I can resume action on the pitch, because I’m feeling very free  now,” Ejide said on Wednesday evening after the routine medical tests.

The Israel-based goalkeeper pulled out of the game after half an hour but that was not before he made four big saves to deny the giant-killing West African islanders.

Ejide, officials informed MTNFootball.com, is now the country’s No.1 choice ahead of long-term first choice Vincent Enyeama.

Meanwhile, all the 23 players who made the final cut for the Nations Cup were on Thursday taken for a comprehensive medical check-up in Faro, Portugal.

The medicals include scans, chest x-ray, blood tests and general health test for the players with the medical team headed by team doctor Ibrahim Gyaran and assisted by physiotherapist Adewale Oladejo supervising.

The players went for the tests in batches of four and five and there are indications that the health status of the Super Eagles is very good.

Coach Stephen Keshi described the exercise as routine and good for the players and the team, even though most of the players have undergone same in their various clubsides.

Ex-Taraba Deputy Gov seeks full powers for Acting Governor

The former Deputy Governor of Taraba State has called for the immediate swearing-in of the Acting Governor, Garba Umar, as substantive governor.

Senator Saleh Usman Danboyi, who was the second-in-command during the Jolly Nyame administration, said the installation of Umar would put an end to what he described as “administrative standstill in the state.”

In an interview with newsmen in Abuja, Danboyi lamented that governance in the state has come to a halt since Governor Danbaba Suntai was involved in a crash three months ago.

Danboyi who represented Taraba South Senatorial District between 2003 and 2007, noted that the electorate have the right to know the health status of their leaders.

Speaking further, he said: “Our governor was involved in a plane crash and he was taken to Germany. Ever since, we have not heard anything regarding his health status and this is causing much concern to the entire people of Taraba State.”

“We have the acting governor but things are not moving, particularly the developmental projects which involved capital projects. They are not forthcoming. Nothing is moving. It is believed in any civilised society that if their leader is sick, they ought to know the position of his health and we haven’t heard anything. We are being treated just like fools.”

He said everyone in the state was in the dark over the matter, adding that “nobody addresses us and we haven’t heard anything from him.

“What we saw was a picture trick indicating that the governor is sitting with his wife and his twin babies and one other person besides him. These are not sufficient evidence to prove to us that the governor is responding to treatment. We don’t wish him any bad omen. We want him to be well and recover quickly but we want to know the position of his health. If you take the case of Hugo Chavez of Yugoslavia, every morning in world news, his vice president will announce to the people of Yugoslavia about the health condition of their leader.”

Danboyi who also cited the case of Governor Idris Wada of Kogi State, said “you can see a typical example in Kogi State here. The governor was involved in a motor accident. We saw him in the television even when he was being discharged from the hospital. He talked to the people of the state and the country in general. We have seen that. But in our own case in Taraba, some cabals are just holding the state to ransom, saying the governor will come today, the governor will come tomorrow.”

“It is the issue of the state. We want the governor to address us. At least, he can do that from Germany.”

The former senator said he would challenge the matter in court if the present situation remains the same.

“The position of the constitution in Sections 189 and 181, is well spelt out on how we should have an acting governor and how the acting governor will become substantive governor. “So, the acting governor is not addressing us about the condition of the health of the governor. The onus of the proof about the health condition of our governor lies entirely in the hands of his deputy.”

"I am ready to blow", I will accept D’Banj’s record deal – Tonto Dike

Tonto Dikeh has said she will have no qualms accepting D’Banj’s offer to sign her to his DB Records.

In an interview with Toolz on Ndani TV, D’Banj had this to say about the actress turned singer: “I actually just met her and I’m thinking of signing her on my record label…don’t worry, I will sign her to my record label (and) she’ll blow… Aha, Tonto ma blow gan!”

In an interview with Nigezie’s E-Xtra, Tonto said she would be interested in a potential deal.

“It is just a very exciting thing,” she said “He needs to make a decision.

“I am new in this part of the industry wilk dover well… I have all the resources to make it work but being with D’Banj will add credit to me – it’s a 50-50 thing.

“But it’s a thing for D’Banj to think about, I will think about it too and hopefully we can do it.”

Tragedy: Freddy E Commits Suicide, I’d rather die than live alone

The Seattle hip hop artist, 22, allegedly took his own life by shooting himself in the head after a series of

tweets in which he revealed his extreme depression and heartbreak.

Frederick Eugene Buhl, aka Freddy E, was found dead on Jan. 5 after apparently committing suicide. The Seattle rapper, 22, was best known for his YouTube webisode program, titled Jerk TV, which mostly featured comedy segments and some original rap songs.

Freddy E allegedly killed himself after a series of tweets in which he said he suffered an extreme “heartbreak” — and then threatened to shoot himself in the head.

“If there’s a God then He’s calling me back home. This barrel never felt so good next to my dome. It’s cold & I’d rather die than live alone,” he tweeted on Jan. 5.

“It’s… all… bad… y’all. *puts finger around trigger*” he tweeted a little later, and then added. “I love you mom. I love you Dad. I love you Katherine. God… please forgive me. I’m sorry,” he wrote in a series of tweets.

Freddy E’s Family Speaks Out On The Rapper’s Death

Freddy’s dad, Frederick Douglass Buhl, revealed his family’s despair on his personal Facebook page.

“Our family is saddened beyond words; our loss is great; this tragedy is enormous and unforseen,” he wrote on his Facebook page on Jan. 5.

“Not only our family, but the world has lost a talented, sensitive, brilliant young man who lit up our existence with his. We love him a great deal, and he will be sorely missed. We pray that God will now watch over him, and we ask all of you to include Frederick and our entire family in your thoughts and prayers.”

So sad. Our thoughts are with Freddy’s family during his difficult time.

EFCC Arrests Former CBN Governor Charles Soludo

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Thursday arrested Ex-Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Professor Chukwuma Soludo in connection with the Australian polymer banknotes bribery scam.

A close relative of Mr. Soludo confirmed that operatives picked up the former CBN governor in Abuja at noon on Thursday.

A letter of invitation written by the EFCC to Soludo says Soludo was needed to make some clarifications on a matter under investigation. The letter invitation was dated 20th December 2012.

The letter says “This commission is investigating a case in which the need to obtain certain clarifications from you has become imperative.”

EFCC spokesperson could not be reached for confirmation of the arrest.

CPC blasts Obasanjo over comments on Boko Haram

The Congress for Progressive Change has blamed former president Olusegun Obasanjo over his comment on the Boko Haram sect.

The National Publicity Secretary of CPC, Rotimi Fashakin, while reacting to the controversy generated by the ex-president’s comments on the Islamic sect, said Obasanjo disappointed Nigerians by choosing wrong people to succeed him.

He said, “As Nigerians, we need to ask ourselves the leadership content of Gen. Obasanjo’s attributes that keep defying the law of succession as a fundamental imperative in Leadership. A good leader is measured by the quality of his successor!

“In 1979, Gen. Obasanjo handed over power under disputable circumstances, to a civilian regime that proved to be a case study in administrative ineptitude. Little wonder, in about four years of its life, the corrective military regime that toppled it, listed a litany of woes besetting the nation under the perfunctory watch of the regime.

“In like manner, Gen. Obasanjo handed over power, in 2007, to a sickly president that brought the socio-political milieu of the nation to a sickly state! The regime so born has now given birth to an irredeemably sick offspring. It is the Nigerian state that is worse off because her political and economic health is in shambolic state.

“This brings us to some pertinent questions:

• is it a deliberate personal policy by Gen. Obasanjo not to ensure a credible successor to himself?

• would this suggest that there is a desire in him for the people to always make his regime a reference point vis-à-

vis the succeeding regimes?

• Would this not suggest a selfish desire not to care if Nigeria’s dream is imperilled so long there is a noxious

messianic imagery of himself?

• Is Gen. Obasanjo not the architect of the travails of the Nigerian State since 1979?

South Africa: Six-month-old Nigerian baby kidnapped

Six-month-old Nigerian baby, Revelation Jones, was on Tuesday January 8th abducted by his parents neighbours, a couple believed to be Pakistanis.

The couple, who have three children of their own,  allegedly attacked Revelation's nanny, leaving her for dead and also locked up a six year old girl in the house, as they took the baby.

The father of the abducted baby, Ifeanyi Jones, said for several hours he and his wife Khanyisile had been phoning the nanny and the house, and no one had picked up the phone.

The Nanny’s husband, Daniel Kanda, said his wife had told him the attack had taken place early in the morning. She was carrying the baby when the couple attacked her.

“They wrestled as the couple was trying to pull the baby from her; until she fell to the ground, and (the couple) started attacking her. They were attacking her with shoes. The man tied a rope around her neck, that is when she collapsed,” he said.

During the attack, Jones’s daughter said she and the tenants’ three children had hid under a chair in one of the rooms. She told her father that when the wife noticed her watching them, she grabbed a pillow, pressed it against her face and pushed her into her parents’ room, locking the door.

“She saw them carry out her brother and lock the door,” said Jones. Kanda was taken to hospital, where she is in a critical condition, with head injuries.

The tenants moved into the house on 5 December, last year. The husband, who only gave his name as Bobby, told Jones that the family had come from Durban. They had been staying at a nearby hotel, but said it had become expensive. At the end of the month, the couple said they didn’t have enough money to pay the rent and asked for a few days’ grace.

Last week, the Joneses became suspicious when they noticed that something had been added to their food that was cooking on the stove. They later gave the food to the family, who they then discovered had dumped it in the garden. Jones suspects that they might have poisoned the food. “I think now that their motive was to come and do harm,” he said.

Police investigators are now searching for the Pakistanis, who have demanded a R100, 000 ransom, a day after the two alleged kidnappers walked out of Jones’s Bez Valley home with baby Revelation. Police are investigating a case of kidnapping and attempted murder, appealing to anyone who may know the Pakistani couple’s whereabouts to come forward with information.

KFC customer finds tiny brain in his fried chicken [PHOTO]

Ibrahim Langoo, age 19, who is from U.K posted a shocking photo on his Facebook page. The pix showed a piece of chicken with what looked like a brain inside it.

Ibrahim and a friend were eating lunch in between classes at a KFC near their university when Ibrahim made the discovery.

The pair were splitting a “Gladiator” box meal — two pieces of “original recipe chicken,” a “100% chicken bosom fillet burger,” side, fries and a drink. His friend ate the fillet burger, while Ibrahim went for the two chicken pieces.

Ibrahim said: “I have a habit of picking the chicken off the bone with my fingers and as I pulled the second piece apart, I saw this horrible wrinkled foreign body. I threw it down onto my tray immediately. It looked like a brain. I suddenly felt grim and really sick.”

“KFC says they are sorry and are concerned to hear of my experience as they have ‘rigorous standards’ but I’m still not impressed,” Ibrahim told UK newspaper The Sun. “I never want to eat KFC again – in Colchester or anywhere else. I’ll eat chicken at home, where I can see how it’s been prepared.”

After examining the photograph, experts at the fast food chain believe that the organ was a chicken KIDNEY, and not a brain, as originally thought.

A KFC spokesman, who agreed that Ibrahim’s finding was “unsightly,” apologized on behalf of the company.

“Although we haven’t received the product, it appears from a photograph that unfortunately on this occasion a kidney, and not a brain as claimed, was not removed in the preparation process. We’re very sorry about Mr Langoo’s experience and while there was no health risk, we agree it was unsightly.”

The company also reportedly gave Mr. Langoo some vouchers for free meals … but we have a feeling he’ll use them as toilet paper before he uses them to get more food from KFC.

Destiny’s Child “Love Songs” Coming in 2013 – Beyonce

Pop-Star world's diva, Beyouncy, has finally revealed by announcing the coming back of destiny's child "Love Songs" which will drop in 2013.

She revealed this on her Facebook timeline announcing their come back after eight years.

In the late 90s and early 00s, Destiny’s Child were one of the biggest pop groups in the world, dominating radio airwaves and charts with their distinctive sassy R&B.

Originally a four-piece, internal problems caused line-up changes at the height of the group’s success.

After carrying on as a trio, Destiny’s Child announced their split during a world tour in 2005.

Lagos House set to reduce banned routes for Motorcyclists

The Lagos State House of Assembly is considering the reduction in the list of restricted 475 routes to be plied by commercial motorcyclists also known as okada riders in the state Road Traffic Law.

This hint is coming on the heels of enlightenment campaign being carried out by lawmakers in their various constituencies.

At the Ifako-Ijaiye Constituency 2 where its representative, Ipoola Omisore, spoke with the constituents Wednesday, the lawmaker confirmed that the House would definitely review the restricted routes.

According to him, since power is more resident in the electorate than the politicians, the former should come together and list out the roads they want to be delisted from the Schedule 2 of the Lagos Road Traffic Law.

Omisore, who organised a forum he tagged ‘Public Awareness Forum on the New Traffic Law,’ at the Jankara area of Ojokoro Local Council Development Area of the state, confirmed that the lawmakers were aware of the controversies that have trailed the passage of the law, adding that it was time to address these controversies.

At the event, the constituents voted for the delisting of three of the five affected roads listed as banned to okada activities in the area. Omisore also promised to convey their stand to his colleagues at the House.

Omisore told the constituents: “I decided to organise this forum so as to ensure that we put an end to clashes between okada riders and the police.

“Whatever we discuss here will be tabled before the Whole House and if we need to amend any part of the law, we would not hesitate to do so.

“The issue of okada is a major challenge for the state. Since the law was passed, crime rate has reduced and accidents have also reduced drastically.”

He appealed to policemen in the area to implement of the law with ‘human face’ as the House is inundated with complaints about the high-handedness of police officers in relation to the Traffic Law.

The Chairman of the Forum, Adeola Adefolabi, also advised the senior police officers at the event to ensure that the law enforcement agency does not go out of its mandate in the implementation of the law.

“We have seen cases where the police have arrested okada riders who have not contravened the law. This aspect should be looked into,” he told the gathering.

Residents of the area had lamented that the state government did not consider the poor state of roads in the constituency before listing routes.

They asked the lawmaker to help inform Governor Babatunde Fashola that he needs to fix the roads in their constituency and provide the residents with alternative means of transportation as it was done in other states where okada ban came effect.

Various stakeholders and associations involved the okada business also made their submissions as they claimed that they were not carried along while the law was being processed.

According to them, when they saw the bill, the controversial Schedule 2 which listed the restricted routes was not there.

“All of a sudden and after the public hearing, when they knew we would not be there again, the House smuggled that part of the law into it and passed it without consulting us,” one of them said.

Confirming this, Omisore told the gathering that before a bill becomes law, it is not every part of the bill that is made public, illustrating it with an examiner who would not make answers available to candidates before they sit for examinations.

Wizkid acquires new house in Lagos

 EME starboy, Wizkid, has joined the league of house owners.

The sweet-faced singer, who spent most of 2012 touring different countries in Europe and Asia, took to Twitter to make the announcement of his newest acquisition.

“New house! Thank u lord!!” he simply tweeted.

Nollywood actress, Omoni Oboli rejoiced with ‘Wizzy’ and wrote back to him: “congrats dear. God bless ur hustle! Stay winning!”

The 22-year-old however did not reveal the exact  location of the property in Lagos, although that will soon become common knowledge.

Peter Okoye shares holiday (PHOTOS)

According to reports garthered, he is currently holidaying in San Fransisco, California, with heavily pregnant Lola Omotayo and their son, Cameron. Meanwhile, did they buy a home in the US

Forbes ranks Nigeria as the 20th saddest nation in the world

Forbes has ranked Nigeria as the 20th saddest place to live in the whole world. Nigeria ranks 123rd overall on the Legatum Prosperity Index. Decades of corruption have squandered great oil and gas wealth, while new concerns involve sectarian violence, Forbes wrote

See the top 20 saddest countries on earth:

1. Central African Republic
2. Republic of Congo
3. Afghanistan
 4. Chad
5. Haiti
6. Burundi
7. Togo
8. Zimbabwe
9. Yemen
10. Ethopia

See the remaining below:

11. Pakistan
12. Iraq
13. Liberia,
14. Angola
15. Sierra Leone
16. Guinea
17. Ivory Coast
18. Sudan
19. Mozambique
20. Nigeria

JTF sets ablaze Illicit Drugs in Damaturu

The Joint Task Force in Yobe state on Thursday  destroyed illicit drugs recovered in course of various raids and search operations and encounters with suspected terrorists few months ago.

The destruction was carried out in the presence of journalists, officers and men of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agencies (NDLEA), and other security agents.

Briefing journalists while setting the Illicit drugs ablaze, the spokesman of the JTF in Yobe state Lieutenant Eli Lazarus said the public destruction was made to discourage youths from indulging in the act.

He revealed that in the various operations carried out, it was discovered that most youths into terrorism and other criminal act do so under the influence of drugs.

Some of the drugs destroyed include Cannabis Sativa popularly known as Indian hemp, codeine, tramol, tutolin among others.

Lazarus appealed to parents and guardians to ensure that they monitor the activities of the children and wards and should endeavor to know their associates as a measure to prune their friends list.

Meanwhile the Task Force has embarked on a sensitization campaign to create public awareness on security issues and the need for members of the public to contribute towards eradicating crime and terrorism in the state and the country as a whole.

In the pamphlet distributed to motorists and Damaturu residents, JTF calls for cooperation with security agents in the search for lasting peace in the state.

The pamphlet made available GSM numbers that the JTF can be promptly contacted in the fight against crime and terrorists activities at any point in time.

The numbers include; 08065320525, 08183601361, 08185079293, 08039271822 and calls for general collaboration in the fight against the menace of crime in the society.

Let SMS be free, Telecom subscribers tell operators

Mobile telephone subscribers on Thursday in Abuja called for a uniform tariff for Short Message Service (SMS) from all telecom operators in the country.

The subscribers made the call in separate interviews. Mr David Amachree, who sells cosmetics, said that it was unfair for the operators to be charging differently for SMS from one network to another.

Amachree urged the telecom operators to slash the rate of SMS to other networks. “The SMS that we send cost N5 for same network and N15 for other networks. It should go down. It should be uniform for all networks.

“They should cut it down to a maximum of N3 or N5 per SMS, it should go down. The population of this country is so large that every one Naira cumulatively turn into millions.

“So they are cheating us honestly; the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC ) should sit up and be up to the task in their responsibility,’’ Amachree urged.

Mrs Victoria Onyebuchi, a primary school teacher, said that SMS should be free to subscribers to serve as value added services for being on a particular network.

Onyebuchi also urged NCC to compel the telecom operators to reduce and charge uniform tariffs for all networks in the country. “Why is it that whatever come to Nigeria is always different; they can’t do this in other developed countries.

Our leaders are not helping us they should try and do something to compel these telecom operators to come down. “Let free SMS be a kind of incentive for subscribers whom the operators make fortunes out of,’ ’ Onyebuchi said.

Miss Halima Yakubu, a student at the University of Abuja, said that the present charge on SMS was hindering text communication betwen students using different networks.

“For instance, a student in an emergency situation having just N5 credit in his or her phone cannot send an SMS to a friend using a different network; this is just unfair.
-NAN