‘NYSC food budget not inadequate’

 The state office of National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) in Akwa Ibom has urged the state government to support the scheme in feeding of the 2012 Batch ‘C’ corps members.
The state Coordinator, Mr Akinkunmi Martins, made the call in an interview after the swearing ceremony of the 2012 Batch ‘C’ corps members at Nsit Atai.

      
The coordinator said the cost of foodstuffs had increased substantially due to the flood that submerged farmlands in parts of the country.
“I won’t tell how much the NYSC budgeted, but it is grossly inadequate.
“Most of the states are assisting in feeding corps members in camps. And you know that from morning to night, no rest and they need to feed well.”
He commended the state government for renovating and building of new hostels at the camp.
“The state government is trying; but there are areas where they still need to come in. So far, there has been significant improvement.”
Martins said that due to the increasing number of corps members posted to the state every service year, additional facilities such as hostels, multipurpose hall for social activities and camp lectures as well as an administrative block were required.
Earlier, Gov Godswill Akpabio, represented by his Deputy, Mrs. Valarie Ebe, urged the corps members to be of good conduct and adjust to the life in camp.

             
Akpabio, promised that his administration would continue to address the problems confronting the scheme in the state.
2,597 corps members comprising of 1,527 males and 1,070 females were sworn in for the one year national service.

Meanwhile, the Zamfara Government  has said that it would partner with the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) to ensure the rapid development of the state.
Gov Abdul’aziz Yari said this at the NYSC Orientation Camp, Tsafe, during the swearing-in ceremony for Batch ‘C’ 2012 corps members.
Yari,  represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Alhaji Hassan Atto, said the NYSC Scheme remained a veritable binding force and most indispensable tool for national integration.
He said the corps members had become positive agents of attitudinal change and development facilitators since the inception of the scheme.

Gov Abdul’aziz Yari of Zamfara state

          
He said the orientation course was designed to expose corps members to the realities of the world outside the classrooms and prepare them to face the challenges of the contemporary world.
He, therefore, urged the corps members to use the opportunity to serve their country well.
“We will continue with our collaborative intervention in addressing the lingering problems of welfare and hostel accommodation for the corps members.”
The governor said the state government had taken measures to address the irregularities associated with the payment of state allowance to corps members to ensure prompt and regular payment.
Also speaking, state NYSC Coordinator, Mrs Ruth Bakka, urged the corps members to respect the values and regulations guiding the operations of the scheme. (NAN)

Muslim leader suggests veil for female students

          

Osogbo – Sheik Salaudeen Olayiwola, the President of Osun Muslim Community, has urged the state government to approve the use of hijab (veil) for Muslim female student in secondary schools.
Olayiwola, who made the call at a news conference on the Hijrah celebration slated for Nov. 15, said there was no secrecy attached to the use of veil in Islam.
Hijrah is the migration of the Holy Prophet Muhammad from Mecca to Medina when his life was threatened by idol worshippers.
The cleric said the period marked a turning point in the process of Islamic movement when Muhammad preached against idolatry and corruption

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“We want our female children to use hijab in their schools. In Mecca, every woman uses it and the governor should allow female Muslim students to wear it as well.
“We appreciate the efforts of the governor in providing school uniforms for the students but he should include hijab in the dress code for female Muslim students,” he added.
On the social relevance of hijrah, the cleric explained that the celebration symbolised the decision to leave what had been considered bad to embrace a good thing in life.(NAN)

Oshiomhole dissolves cabinet ahead of Monday swearing-in

Benin – Gov. Adams Oshiomhole of Edo on Friday dissolved the state executive council ahead of his swearing-in for a second  term on Monday.
The governor, who announced the dissolution at a valedictory executive council session in Benin, expressed appreciation to the outgoing commissioners “for their selfless service to the state.
“I want to use this opportunity to say how much I appreciate your efforts.
: “Four years down the road, working together, arguing, debating, even sometimes disagreeing, we have provided a collective leadership to the people of Edo State.
“ We have served them diligently with all our hearts,’’

Edo State

                      
Oshiomhole said, “you are the least paid commissioners in the country but that did not dampen your morale to put in your best efforts.
“I want to thank you very much for what God has used you to do for me and your state. Thank you for the sacrifices you have made.
“I thought it wise that having worked so hard, it is right to appreciate you.
“On Sunday, I recognise it will be full time for the first tenure of this administration and when it is full time, no matter how interesting the game is, the referee must blow the whistle and end the game.
“The life of this council comes to an end on Sunday, not today, because that is when the end of the first tenure of this administration will come to an end. So, you are still commissioners even after this statement till 11.59p.m Sunday,’’ he said
Responding on behalf of his colleagues, the outgoing Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr Osagie Obayuwana, thanked the governor for giving them the opportunity and the free hand to serve.
He said “the experience of working with the governor had been a school of leadership for us, which was defined by the highest level of congeniality.

Governor Adams Oshiomole of Edo state

                  
“I doubt if there is any other exco in any other state in the country comparable to the one we had here,” he said.
Obayuwana  said  the last sitting  “is a day of celebration because an example has been set that when there is a will, there will always be a way, and this will endure for all time.’’
Oshiomhole will be sworn-in for a second term on Monday.

Paul Okoye, stepping into league of Baby Dadies

Some days ago, this gist went viral on social media like some wild speculation, today, however, we can confirm it’s true, Paul Okoye, the more laid-back of the P Square twins and long time girlfriend Anita are going to be parents soon.

His brother, Peter, who is soon to be a ‘lieutenant general’ in the ‘daddy’ business with Omotola his lover, expecting his second child, took to twitter to congratulate Paul.

He tweeted ‘Congratulations to Anita and @rudeboypsquare am sure its gona be a boy like me..#bigsmile‘.

Soon to be dad, Paul Okoye

                                                 

We don’t know how far gone Anita is, but those who have seen her say a bump is underway.

Any ideas who's next in line amongst the Okoye brothers ? I think we have a clue.

Halla back...

Terry G becomes a father

Akpako master Terry G is a proud father as his UK based fiancee, Mimi Omoregbe has given birth to a baby boy in the UK.

The Jingah Master... Terry G

Although Mimi and Terry G are not yet married some reports have it that the Gingah master secretly carried out a traditional wedding with Mimi. It is however a story that neither Terry G nor his management confirms or denies.
Terry G emerged in the music scene back in 2008 and released his debut ‘Free Me‘ the following year. After a series of features and production for artistes, he rose to fame with the release of the hit single ‘Free madness’ off the ‘Ginjah ur swaggah season 1 album.
He recently released his third album ‘Terry Gzuz‘ under his TGP Entertainment label.

N200 DEBT SENDS DEBTOR TO EARLY GRAVE

UmuahiaA –  A 35-year-old bricklayer, Mr Ugochukwu Ekwuribe, from Amuzu-Olokoro, near Umuahia, was allegedly stabbed to death over a N200 debt reportedly owed to his suspected killer.

Ekwuribe’s father, Mr Andrew Ogazi, a security man, told newsmen in Umuahia on Thursday that the incident happened around 7.30 p.m. last Friday.

Ogazi said that he learnt from several witnesses that his son bled to death after he was stabbed with a bottle at a beer parlour located at Itaja-Olokoro.
Narrating the incident, he explained that he was in his house at Amuzu, when news came to him that ”Ugochukwu is dead”.

He said that he immediately rushed to the scene of the incident where it was confirmed that the deceased was stabbed during a fight with the suspect.

The suspect, identified as Tochukwu Azuonye, popularly called Tobinto, is said to be at large.

Ogazi said that he was informed that Azuonye allegedly accosted his son at the bar and asked him to buy him a bottle of beer.

“’My son was reported to have promised that he would oblige him his request the following day being Saturday,” he said.

      

He said that the suspect, not satisfied with the promise, demanded that the deceased pay him the outstanding N200 he owed him for the towel he sold to him.

“I learnt that from there, a fight ensued and the suspect grabbed a bottle at the bar, broke it and stabbed him on the left arm.

“He reportedly bled profusely from the deep cut until he slumped and was rushed to a nearby maternity at Ahia-Ukwu Olokoro for first aid,” he said.

He explained that the deceased was rejected at the maternity and referred to the Federal Medical Centre, Umuahia, where he reportedly gave up the ghost, shortly after doctors commenced treatment on him.

Ogazi, who explained that the police had waded into the case and called for justice in the handling of the matter.

A senior police officer at the state Criminal Investigation Department confirmed the incident , saying that it was transferred from Ubakala Police Station.

The officer said on condition of anonymity that “full investigation into the case has commenced,’’ promising that the suspect “will certainly be apprehended’’. (NAN)

Ex-councillor stabs teenager for refusing advances

A former councillor of Amuwo-Odofin Local Government Area of Lagos State, Onimole Babatunde, is currently being detained at the Area E Police Command, Festac, Lagos for allegedly stabbing an 18-year-old girl in the neck after she refused his advances at a night club.

  On October 26, Mariam Abubakar went to Pearl Habour Night Club in Rochester Garden Hotel, Festac to “catch weekend fun.”

Her friend, who pleaded anonymity, said they only went there “to hang out” when Babatunde, who was obviously drunk, started to make advances to Abubakar.

She said, “She was not interested in him so she did not answer when he called her. He was dancing and Mariam (Abubakar) was sitting at a table. He was obviously drunk and he came to pull her.

“He was manhandling her and she insisted he should leave her alone. This did not go down well with Babatunde and he was really angry. He went to a corner, took a bottle, broke it and stabbed Mariam in the neck.”

According to the source, Babatunde fled the scene immediately.

The Mariam Abubakar victim lying in hospital

 

A police source at Area E told our correspondent that the preliminary report obtained indicated that the incident occurred at about 1:30am.

He said Abubakar bled profusely at the scene before she was taken to Naval Hospital, Ojo by sympathisers at the night club.

The source said she was not admitted because those who took her there could not produce a police report.

“That was when someone notified our station (Area E Command) and we went to take her to Ajeromi General Hospital,” he said.

It was learnt that as Abubakar was being taken to the general hospital, she went into a coma.

She was said to have been revived at the general hospital. A nurse at the hospital, who craved anonymity, told our correspondent that she had lost about 20 per cent of her blood.

Abubakar is currently under intensive care at the hospital.

However, the police said the night club workers destroyed evidence at the scene of the alleged crime by cleaning up Abubakar’s blood on the floor.

The hotel has currently been sealed off by the police because the management did not report the incident.

It was learnt that the police got wind of Babatunde’s whereabouts, said to be holing up somewhere in Ikoyi and called him to simply come and write a statement. But he was detained immediately he got to the station.

The police spokesperson, Ngozi Braide, said she had not been briefed on the case.