Nigerian Civil War Hero, General Benjamin Adekunle, is dead

One of the most popular figures in the Nigerian Civil War that raged between 1967 and 1970 has died, according to the Nation Newspaper.

General Adekunle, popularly known as Black Scorpion, died Saturday morning in Lagos, the paper quoted his wife, Folake, as saying.

He was 78.

Details about the passage of the retired general, regularly credited with an immense bravery that helped Nigeria defeat Biafra, is sketchy at this time.

In the meantime, read the Wikipedia entry on General Adekunle below.

Secret Intelligence Report links ex-Governor Sheriff, Chad President to Boko Haram sponsorship

New facts showing stronger links between former governor of Borno state, Ali Modu Sheriff, and the Boko Haram sect have emerged, further fuelling suggestions the ex-governor is a major financier of the terrorist sect. 

Intelligence insights obtained by PREMIUM TIMES in Maiduguri, Damaturu, and Abuja show dated communications between field officers and the velvet ranks of Nigeria’s military chronicling Mr. Sheriff’s involvement in promoting the growth of the sect. 

The communications painted a picture of what appears to be a powerful regional support structure involving the Chadian president, Nigerian officials and Niger Republic, and spearheaded by Mr. Sheriff whom the intelligence presents as a powerful figure within this circle. 

Strong evidence indicates that the Nigerian government received actionable intelligence about Mr. Sheriff’s links to Boko Haram as far back as 2011 but has, curiously, ignored all warnings and nudges to act to stop the Boko Haram call him in for interrogation. 

Confusion as VIP seating collapses at Pro-Jonathan rally

There was pandemonium at the Minna Trade Fair Complex on Saturday morning as the venue’s VIP seating area collapsed during a political rally organized by the Transformation Ambassador of Nigeria [TAN] to campaign for the reelection of President Goodluck Jonathan. 

Dignitaries were seated and the venue was packed to the brim when the platform constructed to sit top government officials and chieftains of the Peoples Democratic Party suddenly caved in, trapping a few of those already seated. 

The development sparked panic across the venue with several people scampering for safety. Some people were so scared that they began to hurry out of the venue in droves. PREMIUM TIMES later learnt that a number of people, including top government officials, were injured and rushed to hospital. 

When the exodus from the venue threatened to truncate the rally, the host governor, Babangida Aliyu, rushed to the microphone to appeal to the crowd not to leave as the situation had been brought under control. 

The Senator representing the Federal Capital Territory, Gabriel Aduda, also rushed to the stage to blame the incidence on the devil and opponents of Mr. Jonathan’s administration. Mr. Aduda said, “Whatever happened here, the devil is a liar. No weapon fashioned against us and Jonathan shall succeed. What happened was because the crowd was too much.” 

N4, 000 Call-up Fee: NYSC Says Service Optional

Following the controversy over the introduction of the N4,000 to be paid by prospective corps members for printing of call-up letters on-line including services and infrastructure to be deployed by the collaborating firm, the NYSC has stated that the service is optional and not compulsory on prospective corps members.

Speaking at a press briefing yesterday, the director of corps mobilisation of the scheme, Antony Ani stated that the services which include receipt of call-up numbers through email/sms, printing or re-printing of call-up letters online in case of loss, explained that prospective corps members who choose to collect their call-up letters from their institutions need not pay the stipulated fee.

Ani added that apart form the ease of the collection of call-up letters, the services will help eliminate irregularities which include the mobilisation of unqualified, lack of proper record of those mobilised, tedious process on registration in camps and service evasion by corps members.

2015: PDP to kick-start Jonathan’s declaration Tuesday

Barring unforeseen circumstances, the leadership of the Peoples Democratic Party will on Tuesday, set the pace for President Goodluck Jonathan’s much awaited declaration for the 2015 presidential race.

The event which the organisers termed “National Summit for Goodluck Support Groups,” is billed to feature mainly prominent chieftains of the PDP.

The list of party chieftains programmed to speak at the event includes – a former Information Minister, Prof. Jerry Gana; PDP national chairman, Adamu Mu’azu; Akwa Ibom State Governor, Godswill Akpabio; and former PDP chairman, Ahmadu Ali.

Others are – former President of the Senate, Ken Nnamani; Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Anyim Pius Anyim; Senate Majority Leader, Victor Ndoma-Egba; a former PDP acting national chairman, Bello Haliru Mohammed; and the party’s members in the two chambers of the National Assembly.

Synagogue update: Two storey was being raised to five-NEMA

The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) has given more insights on the building that collapsed in the premises of the Synagogue Church in Lagos on Friday.

According to NEMA spokesman, Ibrahim Farinloye, the building was originally two story raised to five.

“ The additional three was being constructed when it collapsed around 1p.m Friday afternoon.

“ The church members have been very aggressive and tried attacking emergency responders.

Lady Shot Dead In Lagos On Her Way To Work

 A lady identified as Miss Oluwabunmi Adeola Oladokun, and a man, were Friday morning shot by unidentified gunmen in Orisumbare area of Idimu, Lagos State, western Nigeria.
The incident happened around 5:30 a.m. along Ejigbo road in Orisumbare.

Miss Oladokun was said to have died on the spot. She was on her way to work in Victoria Island when she was shot.

The male victim, whose name could not be ascertained as at the time of filing this report, managed to escape with a gunshot injury and is currently receiving treatment at a private hospital in the area.

The cause of the attack could not be ascertained as at press time, but eyewitness accounts have it that before Oluwabunmi was shot, people in the neighbourhood heard her shout for help.

Man, 28, Charged With Rape Of 2 Teenagers In Ogun

An Abeokuta Chief Magistrates’ Court on Friday remanded a 28-year-old man, Morufu Tajudeen, in prison custody over alleged rape of two teenagers.

The Chief Magistrate, Mr Anthony Araba, who did not take the plea of the accused, ordered that he should be remanded in Ibara Prisons pending advice from the State Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP).

The accused, whose address and occupation are unknown, is facing a four-count charge of conspiracy, assault, stealing and rape.

Earlier, the prosecutor, ASP Banji Sangotokun, told the court that the accused committed the offences on Aug. 24 at 10.00 p.m. at Alagbagbo Village, Odeda near Abeokuta.

2015: Nollywood Star, Olusola Desmond Eliot declare for House of Assembly in Lagos State [SEE POSTER]

9ice Takes Political Campaign To Ogbomoso [PHOTOS]

Music artiste 9ice, who is from Ogbomoso, Oyo state has kicked off his political campaign and he visited his constituency yesterday, September 10, 2014 for awareness campaign and to identify with the electorate.

He wore an ‘agbada’ and addressed the crowd that gathered at the Town hall in Oja Igbo to see him. The music artiste turned politician has promised that if he is elected to represent Ogbomoso Federal constituency 1, he will use this salary to do developmental projects in the constituency.

When 9ice declared his intentions to go into politics many weeks ago. Many thought he was just pulling a publicity stunt and might just be joking but now he has proved to