FIDELITY BANK DEBUNKS OBSCENE VIRAL VIDEO POST

In the wake of a very stinking and rather distasteful development in the social media, foremost e-rated commercial financial house, Fidelity Bank, has released a statement addressing the viral obscene video which is said to have been seen on a tablet in one of their banking halls in Lagos state.

The financial institution noted that the tablets are only provided to enhance the experience of their users. In the statement, the bank also added that it was “dishonourable” for customers to visit inappropriate sites, using their platform. Apparently, a customer visited an inappropriate site on one of the tablets provided for customers use to perpetrate this unwholesome act. They however assured that there would be no repeat of the incident, if at all it ever happened. For the avoidance of doubt and clarity of purpose on the side of Fidelity Bank, their reaction, signed by Charles Aigbe, Divisional Head, Brand and Communications, is presented to you unedited: 

‘Re: False claims stemming from video post – Our attention has been drawn to a social media video featuring an assault on two people at a Fidelity Bank branch in Lagos. The two individuals featured in the video were suspected of ‘shoulder surfing’ to steal customer card details at the ATM. The security personnel on duty interceded and they attacked and injured him before the intervention of the Mobile policemen who are seen in the video. No Fidelity Bank official ordered any violence against customers as alleged and there was no incidence of the Branch ATM not dispensing cash. The matter has been reported to the Police and the suspects have been handed over for prosecution. Fidelity Bank is customer-centric and we remain committed to providing easy and convenient banking and financial services in a safe environment for our customers and the banking public

Airwaves reports

AgegePulse Magazine

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Fidelity Bank debunks obscene viral video post

 

In the wake of a very stinking and rather distasteful development in the social media, foremost e-rated commercial financial house, Fidelity Bank, has released a statement addressing the viral obscene video which is said to have been seen on a tablet in one of their banking halls in Lagos state.

The financial institution noted that the tablets are only provided to enhance the experience of their users. In the statement, the bank also added that it was “dishonourable” for customers to visit inappropriate sites, using their platform. Apparently, a customer visited an inappropriate site on one of the tablets provided for customers use to perpetrate this unwholesome act. They however assured that there would be no repeat of the incident, if at all it ever happened. For the avoidance of doubt and clarity of purpose on the side of Fidelity Bank, their reaction, signed by Charles Aigbe, Divisional Head, Brand and Communications, is presented to you unedited: 

‘Re: False claims stemming from video post – Our attention has been drawn to a social media video featuring an assault on two people at a Fidelity Bank branch in Lagos. The two individuals featured in the video were suspected of ‘shoulder surfing’ to steal customer card details at the ATM. The security personnel on duty interceded and they attacked and injured him before the intervention of the Mobile policemen who are seen in the video. No Fidelity Bank official ordered any violence against customers as alleged and there was no incidence of the Branch ATM not dispensing cash. The matter has been reported to the Police and the suspects have been handed over for prosecution. Fidelity Bank is customer-centric and we remain committed to providing easy and convenient banking and financial services in a safe environment for our customers and the banking public

Airwaves reports

AgegePulse Magazine

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Why I Ordered Invasion Of National Assembly” — Lawal Daura Opens Up

The sacked Director General of the Department of State Security Service, Lawal Musa Daura, has confessed that he deployed hooded operatives of the secret service to the National Assembly on Tuesday.

based on intelligence report that unauthorized persons were planning to smuggle dangerous weapons and incriminating items into the complex.

His confession was disclosed in the interim investigation report submitted by the Inspector General of Police, Idris Ibrahim to the acting president, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo.

In the report seen by Daily Trust, IGP Idris argued that Daura carried out the siege on the National Assembly without the approval of the acting president.

“The former Director-General, Department of State Security Service, Mr Lawal Musa Daura acted unilaterally without informing the presidency. He did not share or intimate other security agencies on the unlawful operations,” Idris said in the report.

The IGP said the purported intelligence report by Daura cannot be substantiated as the personnel deployed were not EOD (Explosive Ordnance Disposal) experts or specialist in this regard.

Masked and unmasked DSS operatives laid siege to the National Assembly on Tuesday halting lawmakers and staff from gaining entry into the complex.

A female member of the House of Representatives, Boma Goodhead from Rivers State (PDP) confronted the DSS men laying siege at the National Assembly, daring them to shoot her.

The Acting President, who sacked Daura over the invasion described the unauthorized takeover of the National Assembly complex as a gross violation of the constitutional order, rule of law and all accepted notions of law and order.

The leaders of both the Senate and House of Representatives also condemned the siege as a “coup against democracy”.

Meanwhile, the All Progressives Congress (APC) hailed the invasion in what it called ‘timely intervention’ of the Department of State Services (DSS) in scuttling plot by Senate President Bukola Saraki to cause chaos at the National Assembly on Tuesday.





2019: Obasa Urges Electorate To Obtain PVCs; Says It's Their Only Access To Vote For Credible Leaders

The Lagos House of Assembly Speaker, Rt. Hon. Mudshiru Obasa has appealed to the people of Agege  to obtain their Permanent Voters’ Card(PVC) as it is their only access towards voting credible leaders in the 2019 general elections.

Rt. Hon. Obasa, at a stakeholders’ meeting where he gave account of his stewardship to his constituency, said PVC confers power on the electorate as a key stakeholder in the development of democracy.

“The only way to make impactful contribution to the development of democracy is for us all to obtain our PVC.  If you have not registered, you still have a few weeks to do so. We have held series of meeting with the leadership of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Agege to give them support on how to ensure a seamless registration process," the Lagos Assembly Speaker who is also the Chairman of the Conference of Speakers of State Legislatures of Nigeria, noted.

He appealed to traditional rulers, community leaders and religious leaders to mobilize as many people as possible to collect their PVCs for them to participate in the electoral process.

Speaking on the theme: “Towards a Peaceful and Credible Election,’’  Rt. Hon. Obasa enjoined political leaders and  party supporters to conduct themselves in ways that would promote peace and unity during and after the elections.

“We also urge religious leaders and parents to contribute to the success of the elections by preaching against violence of any form.

“The electoral process is one of the most important features of democracy with voters as the major stakeholders. The electorate must have confidence in the electoral  process for them to participate ,’’ he said.

The Lagos Assembly Speaker also called for a community-based security trust fund for people to donate voluntarily to support the government in ensuring security of lives and properties.

According to him, security should be a collective responsibility of everyone in Lagos State.

“It is work for us all; paying attention to happenings around us, reporting strange activities and not shielding criminals helps to ensure everyone  is safe. Let’s not keep quiet," he said.

He called on various Community Development Associations to monitor the works of  the Lagos Neighbourhood Safety Corps in order to measure their performance.

“LNSC was created to work in collaboration with the  police by gathering intelligence on criminals within neighbourhoods and reporting them for arrest and prosecution. The thieves stealing parts of parked vehicles live in our communities,’’ Obasa said.

World Bank supports Nigeria with $611m to get children back to school

The World Bank will support Nigeria with $611m to get children back to school under the Better Education Service Delivery for All programme, the Coordinator, Prof. Gidado Tahir, has said.

Tahir made this known in Kaduna on Friday at a meeting with officials of Kaduna State Universal Basic Education Board, on modalities for the implementation of the programme.

The BESDA national coordinator explained that the project is being supported by the World Bank to tackle the problem of out-of-school children in the country.

According to him, the alarming rate of out-of-school children has remained a worrisome phenomenon in the country that must be addressed.

“Whenever you attend international conferences and conventions, Nigeria is being described as one of the top nations with huge number of out-of-school children.
“The Federal Ministry of Education therefore decided to make the issue one of its top priority areas to find a way of tackling the issue.

“This attracted the World Bank who accepted to provide the Nigerian Government with $611 million dollars to implement BESDA in line with Universal Basic Education Commission programme.

“UBEC is focusing on increasing access, quality and ensuring equity; BESDA is also tailoring its attention towards doing that, but specifically focusing more on out-of-school children,” Tahir said.

He explained that BESDA would essentially focus on increasing access for out-of-school children and ensuring that children who attend school could read, write and manipulate figures.

The coordinator added that another basic objective of the programme was to strengthen accountability in the school system which has been very week over the years.
He said that 17 states with the highest number of out-of-school children in the country would participate in the programme.

The states include Adamawa, Bauchi, Borno, Gombe, Taraba, Yobe, Jigawa, Kaduna, Kano, Katsina, Kebbi, Sokoto, Zamfara, Niger, Ebonyi, Rivers, and Oyo.
According to Tahir, the states have more than 30 per cent of their school-age children out of school.

Also speaking, Malam Iro Umar of UBEC Coordination Support Team, explained that the meeting was organised for Kaduna SUBEB as implementing partner to understand the processes involved in the implementation of the programme.

“We are here to share with you the processes involved so that we will all understand what needs to be done before implementation of the programme begins.
“At the end of the meeting, every participating agency and individual would know what BESDA is and what their responsibilities are in the course of the implementation of the programme, “he added.
Umar said that out of the $611 million dollars, $578 million would be expended on Programme for Result (P for R) and $33 million on Technical Assistance (TA).

He explained that under the P for R, states would be rewarded for result achieved within a given period based on the number of out-of-school children they were able to return or enrol in school by gender.
On the technical assistance component, Umar said that $33 million dollars would be spent on various activities to strengthen the capacity of Federal and State government officials to improve monitoring and evaluation as well as data evaluation.

“The component will also increase effectiveness and transparency in UBE programme management and strengthen intergovernmental coordination in areas of policy formulation, strategic planning and monitoring of UBE programme implementation.

“Design and implementation of national learning assessment and a research agenda to inform UBE programme implementation and provide the analytical underpinning for future initiatives focused on out-of-school children.
“This would greatly improve the quality of basic education, “he added.


Earlier, Nasiru Umar, Executive Chairman, Kaduna SUBEB, thanked the Federal Government and UBEC for including Kaduna State as a participating state in the programme.

AMBODE, AMOSUN, GOWON, AKIOLU, OTHERS CELEBRATE WILLIAMS AT 99

…He’s A True Nigerian We Should All Be Proud Of, Says Lagos Gov

Lagos State Governor, Mr Akinwunmi Ambode and his Ogun State counterpart, Senator Ibikunle Amosun on Thursday led other eminent Nigerians to celebrate the first African to qualify as a chartered accountant, Chief Akintola Williams who clocked 99, describing him as a true Nigerian who worked assiduously to lift up the country.



Speaking to reporters at a special birthday reception held in honour of Williams at his Lagos residence, Governor Ambode described the celebrant as the doyen of accountancy profession and elder statesman who deserved to be celebrated for his contribution to the growth and development of the country.

According to the Governor, “The main reason why we are here is to celebrate a true Nigerian and for somebody who has actually contributed to the development of Nigeria and he is still alive at 99, is worth celebrating and this is like a prelude to the centenary that we are waiting to celebrate next year, and that is why you can see that Ogun State Governor is here too.



“Apart from the fact that Chief Akintola Williams is the Doyen of the Accountancy Profession, we see him as a founding father of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN); he is also the founding father of the Musical Society of Nigeria. So, he has too many parts and this is one Nigerian that we are proud of and we are willing to celebrate him every day,” Governor Ambode said.



He particularly commended Williams for his role in the development of Lagos, saying the State Government would continue to celebrate true Nigerians like him.



“That I am here today is more or less to say a big thank you to him for lifting up Lagos; for lifting up Nigeria and we also wish him well on behalf of all Lagosians. We will continue to celebrate true Nigerians and he (Chief Williams) is just one true Nigerian, an elder statesman that we should all be proud of,” Governor Ambode said.



Responding, Williams appreciated all those who found time to be with him on his special day, and wished them long life as well.


Aside Governors Ambode and Amosun, other eminent Nigerians at the event include former Military Head of State, General Yakubu Gowon (rtd); first Military Governor of Lagos State, Brigadier-General Mobolaji Johnson (rtd); Oba of Lagos, Oba Rilwan Akiolu; foremost banker and founder of First City Monument Bank (FCMB), Otunba Subomi Balogun; legal luminary and philanthropist, Chief Chris Ogunbanjo; former ICAN Presidents, among other captains of industries and members of the diplomatic corps.

RRS Officer Gives First Aid To Hit and Run Victim in Lagos

RRS Officer name withheld administering first aid to a hit and run victim on Ojota bridge before the arrival of an ambulance.

The RRS officer said, "I did this because of the value we place on human lives".

Lagosians who has been reacting positively on this gesture, described it as service to humanity.

 @TunjiDisu1

Friend kills Lagos driver to date girlfriend

Samson Folarin

 A 28-year-old bus driver, Abraham Umar, has been killed by suspected cult members at Cele bus stop, in the Ijanikin area of Lagos State.

The police said the victim was set up by his friend who was obsessed with his (Abraham’s) 17-year-old girlfriend.

PUNCH Metro learnt that Abraham, akaAbi, was eating at the girlfriend’s mother’s bamboo restaurant when the gunmen invaded the place around 9pm on Tuesday.

They reportedly shot the Benue State indigene in the head, killing him on the spot.

Our correspondent learnt that the case was reported at the Ijanikin Police Station and the girlfriend, identified only as Elo, was arrested.

A witness, who did not want to be identified, said the gunmen came in a group after Abraham, who plied the Lagos-Badagry Expressway route, parked his vehicle and went to eat.

He said, “He was with his conductor and the owner of the commercial bus when one of the gunmen tapped him on the back. Another one pushed him and slammed his head against the wall. Then one of them put a gun to his head and shot him dead. Everybody ran away.”

The victim’s sister, Aminat Umar, while fighting back tears, said Abraham’s friend, one Peter, broke the news to the family.

She explained that the victim had called her after parking his vehicle around 9.21pm.

"He said he was on his way home. About 10 minutes later, his best friend, Peter, rushed to our house, saying Abi had been shot at Cele bus stop and that his corpse had been taken to a police station.

 “My mother and uncle ran to the Ijanikin Police Station, but were told that nobody was brought there. They went to a private hospital around Cele bus stop and were again told that the body was not brought to the hospital.

“The hospital workers said they should check the station. The police later admitted that he was there. I was told that his conductor and the owner of the commercial bus were in the cell,” she added.

Our correspondent learnt that the deceased lost his father, a former naval officer, when he was barely six years old.

His foster father, Muhammed Umaru, said Abraham had been receiving threat text messages from some men who asked him to stop his relationship with Elo.

He said, “They told him to leave the girl because she belonged to one of them.

“My son’s friend, Peter, said the young man behind the messages had once confronted them. I was told that the rival was dark in complexion and had dreadlocks.

“I told his aunt and uncle, who asked the girl to stay away from Abraham and also warned him to leave Elo alone. But they refused to quit the relationship.”

The deceased’s uncle, Sani Umar, described him as gentle and easy-going.

He said, “He was a calm man and never involved himself in any trouble. This incident is just unfortunate. The problem was that the girl he was dating had another boyfriend who is a cult member and that was why he was killed. We want justice; he must not die in vain.”

Elo, 17, who had been arrested by the police, however, said Abraham was her only boyfriend, adding that she could not tell why he was killed.

“He called me last night (Tuesday), saying he was going to my mum’s shop and if he could wait for me there. I said he should not wait because I was at my brother’s place in Ajegunle and would not be coming back that night. I told him that we were planning my brother’s wedding. On Wednesday when I got back home, I was told Abi had been killed. I don’t know about any threat because he did not tell me about it,” she said.

A source said cult killings were rampant in Ijanikin, adding that security operatives had not been able to curb the activities of cult members in the area.

He called on the police authorities to come to the aid of residents.

He said, “The cult members go into houses to kill people at will. Members of a family are still at a hospital after they were attacked by these boys. Two weeks ago, two boys were shot and killed at the bus stop because they refused to release their phones.”

The Lagos State Police Public Relations Officer, CSP Chike Oti, said four suspects had been arrested.

However, Oti noted that Abraham’s best friend set him up over the 17-year-old girlfriend.

BREAKING: Akpabio Formally Joins APC, Mocks ‘The PDP Brothers I Left Behind’

He also mocked his PDP colleagues, saying: ‘I want to tell my PDP brothers that I left behind, ‘eeeyahhhh.’”

READ MORE: http://bit.ly/2njXA18

I’ll Leave If Impeached By Two-Thirds Of The Senate, Says Saraki

Saraki said this on Wednesday while addressing a ‘World press Conference’ on Tuesday’s siege to the National Assembly by the Department of State Services (DSS).

The Senate President defected from the All Progressives Congress (APC) to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in July, sparking calls for his resignation/impeachment by the ruling party.

“The day two-thirds of our members no longer have confidence in us, we will leave this place,” Saraki said as he wound up his speech.

LRs

DARKNESS LOOMS AS NUEE LAYS SIEGE AT IKEJA ELECTRIC

   
                                             
Customers of Ikeja Electric Plc (IE) may once again experience the discomfort of extended darkness as members of the national Union of Electricity Employees have laid siege at the Company Headquaters in Alausa Ikeja and all its other offices across Lagos.

The Union members who claim that the picketing of IE followed the disengagement of about 40 members of staff, have forcibly shut down operations at the offices thereby resisting access to IE personnel and customers who  have attempted to gain access to the offices.

According to Ikeja Electric, the recent separation of staff, was due to varying actions which are not in furtherance of the overall company objectives.
This protest in coming in the heels of the promotions of about 300 employees last week and the recruitment of over 500 new employees in the past one year. The promotion exercise cut across all cadres of staff, including members of the respective Unions in the organization.

Speaking on the development, Head Corporate Communications Felix Ofulue, questioned the motive for embarking on the protest which he described as self serving.

“When NUEE chooses to cripple socio-economic activities of over a million households, for issues that can be resolved through dialogue, one then wonders if the motives are as selfless as they claim. How do you plunge a country’s commercial nerve center into darkness because of a few of your members who have been separated from the business for cogent reasons. It is really appalling. It’s an abuse of privilege to picket.” he said.

“Imagine that our employees  in Alausa Injection Sub Station were chased out of the facility by the Union and they had to shut down 9 Feeders that supply power to Ikeja and its environs on safety grounds. This has resulted in an immediate blackout for at least 3000 customers”, Ofulue concluded.

He further apologized to customers for the disruption of service by NUEE and promised that they will continue to work with stakeholder to ensure that the company continues to improve and provide quality service to our customers”.

OYO2019: Lado Meets Eruobodo

Where Will You Be When LADO Meets ERUOBODO?

Come Saturday August 11th, 2018, two technocrats vying for the governorship seats of Oyo State, Dr Olusola Ayandele Stainless and Ogun State, Hon. Oladipupo Adebutu in the forthcoming 2019 elections will put to the floor what they have in stock for their people respectively.

According to Dr Olusola Ayandele, he said, "It’s time to have technocrats take the lead in the political space. Fresh Fm, this Saturday Don’t miss this for anything. #eruobodo shine on #oyo #oyostate #oyogovernor2019."

See image for details.

Dr Yinka Ayandele #ERUOBODO2019

NASS Invasion: Speakers' Conference Chairman Commends Osinbajo's Timely Action

The Chairman of the Conference of Speakers of State Legislatures of Nigeria, Rt. Hon. Mudashiru Ajayi Obasa has commended the acting President, Professor Yemi Osinbajo, SAN, for his timely action on the invasion of the National Assembly by the men of the Department of State Security (DSS) on Tuesday.

Men of the DSS invaded the National Assembly and prevented staff and lawmakers from going into the complex early Tuesday morning.

But Professor Osinbajo in a swift reaction ordered the sack of the DSS Director General, Lawal Daura for what the Presidency described as unathorised action.

Rt. Hon. Obasa who is also the Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly described Professor Osinbajo's action as very timely which has not only succeeded in cooling the already heated polity but has also brought credibility to the Federal Government both at home and abroad.

"The acting President has acted timely and this has confirmed that the Presidency has no hand in the invasion of the National Assembly. This has brought credibility to the government and show its sincere commitment to rule of law and justice," the Chairman of Conference Speakers said.

Rt. Hon. Obasa condemned the invasion describing it as a desecration on the sanctity of the Parliament. "The action of the DSS is condemnable because it's a desceration on the sanctity of the Parliament. But the acting President has restored the pride of the Parliament through his timely action," he said.

The Chairman of the Speakers Conference further reiterated that he and his colleagues had warned in the communique issued at the end of their meeting in Lagos which ended in Lagos at the weekend that the Nigeria Police and in essence other security agencies should be more professional and apolitical in the discharge of their constitutional responsibilities by desisting from invading and occupying legislative houses in the country.

"This invasion, coming barely 48 hours after our meeting, is sacrligeous and inimical to the growth of democratic values and ideals because the Parliament is the anchor on which Democracy stands. Any attempt to desecrate it, will have negative lasting impact on Democracy," he said.

Breaking: Osinbajo Sacks DSS Boss, Lawal Daura

The Acting President, Professor Yemi Osinbajo, SAN, has directed the termination of the appointment of the Director General, State Security Service, Lawal Musa Daura with immediate effect.

Mr. Daura has been directed to hand over to the most senior officer of the State Security Service until further notice.



By Laolu Akande
Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity

Office of the Acting president

Kidnapper sleeps off in victim’s house after taking tramadol

A suspected kidnapper, who wanted to kidnap a pharmacy owner, slept off as a result of tramadol he took before the operation.

The Ondo State Police Command said the incident took place in Owo town , Ondo State, on Sunday, adding that as of Monday, the suspect was still sleeping due to the effect of the drug.

Parading the unconscious suspect at the command headquarters in Akure, the state Police Public Relations Officer, Mr Femi Joseph, explained that the suspect and his gang members had invaded a pharmacy in Owo to kidnap the owner.

Joseph said the three-man gang stormed the store with a gun, but the victim raised the alarm and escaped through the back door.

The PPRO said, “After failing to abduct their target, the hoodlums fled, but one of them stumbled because he was not active again due to the effect of the tramadol he had taken.

“The suspect has been sleeping for  more than 24 hours after his arrest while a 400mg tablet of tramadol was found in his pocket. “

The police spokesman said the suspect would be charged to court after regaining consciousness.

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AgegePulse

BREAKING: DSS Operatives block National Assembly as Senators move to impeach Saraki

Officers of the Department of State Services have barricaded the entrance of the National Assembly in a percieved bid to aid pro-Buhari Senators impeach Senate President Bukola Saraki and his deputy, Ike Ekweremadu.

Members of the House of Representatives and staff of the National Assembly are being turned back.

As at the time of filing this report, more police officers are arriving the National Assembly.

More details coming...

SENATOR AKPABIO RESIGNS AS MINORITY LEADER

Senator representing Akwa Ibom North West  Senatorial District, Senator Godswill Akpabio has resigned as the Minority Leader of the 8th Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

In a resignation letter addressed to the Deputy Minority Leader, Senator Emmanuel Bwacha, Senator Akpabio said his resignation was with effect from August 4, 2018.

Senator Akpabio thanked the Senate leadership, the minority leadership, all distinguished Senators, his party the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for the opportunity to lead the PDP Caucus in the last three years.

Senator Akpabio is expected to be received into the All Progressives Congress (APC) at a rally in Ikot Ekpene, Akwa Ibom State on Wednesday, August 8, 2018.

Copied Agege Pulse

The Mandate Movement Amuwo Odofin LGA & Oriade LCDA Endorsed Hon. Risikat Ajoke Adegeye For Rep

*THE MANDATE MOVEMENT OF AMUWO ODOFIN LGA AND ORIADE  LCDA ENDORSED HON. MRS RISIKAT AJOKE ADEGEYE AS THEIR SOLE CANDIDATE FOR THE AMUWO ODOFIN FEDERAL CONSTITUENCY 2019*.

The political atmosphere in Lagos State is gradually taken shape, with the endorsement of the former Lagos State lawmaker who represented Amuwo Odofin Constituency 1, *Hon. Risikat Ajoke Adegeye*, as the sole candidate for Amuwo Odofin Federal Constituency in the coming 2019 general elections.

*Hon. Adegeye* popularly called the _*Iya alaanu of Amuwo Odofin*_  is presently a  commissioner at the Lagos State House of Assembly Civil Service Commission. By this endorsement is now the sole candidate of the Mandate Movement of All Progressive Congress (APC) in Amuwo Odofin LGA and Oriade LCDA, market men and women, youth groups, professional groups/ organizations, CDA's, Hausa community, Igbo community, social clubs and the South-south group of the two local governments under her constituency.


Rising from a gathering of the Amuwo Odofin LGA and Oriade LCDA  Mandate Movements stakeholders and members, on Wednesday August 1st, at the 206 garden Festac in Amuwo Odofin LGA, it was agreed that in view of *Hon. Geye* achievements in terms of physical infrastructure, unequalled empowerment and human capital development “we have unanimously chosen her as the only candidate for *Amuwo Odofin Federal Constituency 2019*”.


The communique read at the end of the meeting explained that “after extensive brainstorming on the forthcoming 2019 election as it affects the seat of the Federal House of Representative, it was unanimously resolved that *Hon. Risikat Ajoke Adegeye*  remains our best candidate to be elected for the post as the member representing Amuwo Odofin Federal Constituency, during the next national assembly election come 2019.”

The communique stated that "*Hon. Adegeye*, a former lawmaker is the only one who never abandoned nor left the people at anytime, a politician who believes in the stability of her constituency, her drive for good governance and development is a testimony of her  unflinching efforts in transforming her constituency.

 The gathering said the mistake of the last federal house of representative election must not be repeated as such popularity, acceptability, and meritocracy must not be sacrificed for pettiness and sentiments. All the unparalleled attributes of *Hon. Adegeye*  are ultimately meant to compliment the efforts of *Governor Akinwumi Ambode and President Muhammad Buhari*, in the economy diversification agenda and the emancipation of the down trodden which is way of life.

It added that besides endorsing her to represent the interest of our great constituency, the gathering explained that she is the only candidate that can guarantee the APC an effortless victory and fetch the Senate, Governor and President the required unequalled votes with her popularity/goodwill across all parties.

The endorsement gathering believed that the Constitution did not put a bar to her aspiration as a one-term Lagos State lawmaker who is aspiring for this  position to represent her people's interest.

She is the most qualified, experienced, philanthropical, popular and acceptable politician to serve as a national legislator in Amuwo Odofin Federal constituency and our believe is that “the value of the experience acquired at the Lagos State House of Assembly could not be discarded and wasted but consolidated upon in the interest of Amuwo Odofin Federal Constituency.”


The beneficiaries of her unending goodwill, were not left out as they flooded 206 park to show solidarity and support to *Hon. Adegeye 2019* project as the only one endowed with the requisite requirements to represent the interest of the generality of Amuwo Odofin Federal Constituents irrespective of party, tribe, religion or qualification.


*Geye de......Iro run de........*


*© Geye Media Team*.

Housewife stabs husband to death over telephone call

by Samson Folarin

A 23-year-old housewife, Damilola Ayeni, has been arrested by the police in Lagos for allegedly stabbing her husband, Olumide, to death at their house on Bamgbose Street, Lagos Island.

PUNCH Metro learnt that the duo, who got married about two years ago with two children together, had a disagreement at their home on Friday.
The woman was said to have stabbed the 36-year-old husband in the chest.
He was rushed to the Lagos Island General Hospital where he died.

The deceased’s father, Sunday Ayeni, who reported the case to the police, told our correspondent on Sunday that the couple’s marriage was fraught with disagreements.

The Ikale, Ondo State indigene explained that he had tried to intervene, but he was stopped by some family members, who warned him to back off.
He said his son was murdered by the wife over suspicion of infidelity.

Sunday said, “My son and I work at the Lagos Island General Hospital. While I work as a security guard, he worked in the pharmacy department. They got married at the Ikoyi registry.

“They had issues many times and my son reported her to me. I told them to go their separate ways, but people said I should not come between them.
“On Friday, after my son and I closed from work in the evening, he went for a party. Around that time, he called his wife on the telephone and they spoke.

“When he returned home that night, his wife waited for him at the door and stopped him from entering. She said she heard the voice of a woman in the background when they spoke on the telephone and accused him of infidelity. That was how she stabbed him in the chest and killed him. There was no struggle between them. Their two children were taken away by the wife’s mother. She has a three-month-old baby.”

He demanded justice for his son, describing him as gentle and easy-going.
A source, however, told our correspondent that the woman in her statement to the police said she acted in self defence.

The source noted that the Lagos State indigene claimed that her husband was the aggressor.
He said, “The woman said the deceased called her mobile phone sometime in the evening, but she missed the call. When he came back home around 1am on Saturday, he queried her whereabouts when he called her phone. He accused her of infidelity and charged at her with a knife. She then picked the kitchen knife and stabbed him in self-defence.”

PUNCH Metro gathered that the remains of the Ondo State indigene had been deposited in a morgue awaiting autopsy.

The suspect, who was arrested by policemen from the Lion Building division, had reportedly been transferred to the State Criminal Investigation and Intelligence Department, Yaba.
The state Police Public Relations Officer, CSP Chike Oti, said the Commissioner of Police, Edgal Imohimi, was saddened by the rise in spousal killings.

He said, “Early Saturday morning, the police got a report that a woman, Damilola Ayeni, stabbed her husband, Olumide Ayeni, with a knife on the left side of the chest. The victim was rushed to the Lagos Island General Hospital where he died.

“The CP advises couples to resolve their matrimonial disputes amicably without resorting to violence which may ultimately lead to the death of either of them.”

Obasa Is World Class, Says Ayantayo

By Afolabi Ayantayo
Commissioner 1, Lagos House of Assembly Service Commission

It has now dawned on critics, pseudo analysts and the entire political hoi polloi what many of us have been saying about the person of Mudasiru Obasa, Rt. Hon. Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly. To the glare of us all, we are witnessing the career of a precocious student of political history rising to a level unprecedented in the annals of politics not only in Agege but Lagos State as a whole.

The Conference of Speakers of State Legislatures just elected our own unassuming Muda, brother, friend, associate, colleague and consequently, leader of the Agege political class to the position of Chairman of the Conference of Speakers of State Legislatures in the federation.

It is trite and petty for a political gladiator to flaunt his/her meagre political accolades in the face of subordinates and the less fortunate as some are wont to do, but Mudasiru Obasa is in a class of his own. Brilliant but preserved, intelligent but calm, wise but considerate, imbued with knowledge and wisdom, Obasa is your ideal political mentor and an inspiration to political actors old and young.

As Nigeria's democracy waxes and strengthens towards maturity, it is not unexpected that political actors with sharpened wits and organizational dexterity will be emerging to claim the saddles of leadership in their various domains and help steer the course of the nation towards utopia. The age of young, vibrant, astute and visionary leadership has emerged all over the world and young men of exemplary characters are claiming the positions that is rightly theirs. Nigeria is not an exception and Mudasiru Obasa is one of the aforementioned.

Born and bred in Agege, a suburb on the northern fringe of Lagos, Nigeria's economic capital, the Speaker actually cut his political teeth quite at an early age, in the early nineties during the days of SDP and NRC the only two constitutional parties then, emerging as a delegate of the SDP in his ward in the old Agege Local Government, a tenuous and tedious process demanding rigorous house to house campaign to mobilize supporters to queue behind you in an open election for party positions popularly referred to as Option A4.

The experience has since guided and aided him to emerge first as a councilor of the same ward in the current dispensation beginning in 1999 via a multiparty constitution, on the platform of the Alliance for Democracy (AD). 2003, and he emerged as member, representing Constituency 01, Agege Local Government in the Lagos State House of Assembly, a position he has occupied since then and which eventually catapulted him to the acme of the House, the Rt. Hon. Speaker.

The people of Agege are still basking in the euphoria of having a Speaker from their downtrodden enclave and counting enormous benefits derived therefrom when other Speakers of State Legislatures across the nation, at the culmination of their conference held between Friday 3rd and Sunday 5th voted Rt. Hon. Mudasiru Obasa as Chairman,  Conference of Speakers of State Legislatures in Nigeria.

The Agege township has erupted into an euphoria of jubilation since the announcement of Obasa as the federation's Head Speaker. It is now talk of the town as the good news resonates deep into the heart of the town, for, to be Speaker is one thing, to be Speakers' Speaker is another.

Within the scope of reengineering the fortunes of this country, Speakers of State Legislatures have important roles to play as heads of an important arm of government in their states. Thus, their status and powers can be harnessed for the future of the country. For example, in amending the constitution, sponsoring bills and formulating policies that will better the lot of their electorates. Indeed, the bastion of governance falls within their purview as they can make or mar the programs of their various governors.

The Speakers can, on their own, foist blueprints of good governance on their governors and even by extension the National Assembly and the Federal Government. An example is education. For any meaningful progress to be made in our quest towards national development, education must be made a priority for all citizens. The Federal Government, has over the years failed at presenting a policy that will guarantee that the Nigerian child has access to quality education irrespective of his/her background. This failure has hindered our progress since independence. Citizens cannot contribute anything to national development if they're not adequately equipped to do so, and this can only be ensured through attainments of knowledge in various fields at the tertiary level.

The Universal Basic Education being touted by the Federal Government is outdated as it cannot go deep enough to prepare anyone for today's educational requirements. Even our universities are inadequately funded for prerequisite researches and seminal publications for standard teaching. The Conference of Speakers may take a look at this and make it a litmus.

All who have studied Rt. Hon. Mudasiru Obasa can attest to the fact that the Conference could not have made a better choice to lead it. Self-made, intelligent and optimistic, Obasa is a World Class material and all these qualities are what his colleagues must have seen in him before unanimously electing him to lead them. Having known our man for many years I'm sure this is a burden he can carry easily due to his clinical efficiency and faithful dedication to duties and assignments.

Our prayers to the Almighty is for this exemplary son of Agege to continue to wax stronger. We pray for more accolades and higher positions for him and many other aspiring sons and daughters of Agege Kingdom. As usual, we know the higher Mudasiru goes the more he helps others to also climb the ladder of attainment. God Almighty, on this we thank Thee while still looking forward for more to come.

Lagos releases N2.04bn to pensioners in three month

The Lagos State Government has in the last three months released N2.04 billion to clear the arrears of pensions under the Contributory Pension Scheme.
Mrs Folashade Onanuga, the Director General of the Lagos State Pension Commission made this known in a statement in Lagos on Monday.

Onanuga said that the sum represented money released for the months of May, June and July.

She said that N859.06 million was released for the retirees in May, N716.9 million in June and N466.9 million in July, totalling N2.04 billion.
She, however, emphasised that the total pensions fund released by the state government under Governor Akinwunmi Ambode’s administration as of June had hit N38 billion covering  9,214 retirees.

Onanuga said that insurance benefits of N40.2 million were also paid to 15 beneficiaries of deceased employees.

She said that the state employees were expected to have signed-up a Retirement Saving Account with one of the 13 PFAs approved by the state.

The LASPEC boss said the PFAs were AIICO Pension Managers, ARM Pensions, Crusader Sterling Pension, Fidelity Pension Managers, Leadway Pensure, Nigerian Life, and Provident Company, Pension Alliance, and Premium Pension.
The others were Stanbic IBTC Pension Managers, Trustfund Pensions, Sigma Pensions, FUG Pensions, and Legacy Pension Managers.

Onanuga said that the governor was committed to the welfare of retirees and was working toward clearing accrued pension backlogs that the administration inherited under the old pension scheme known as Defined Benefit Scheme.


“Retirees that retired solely under CPS for one reason or the other collected their gratuities upon retirement with steady monthly pension payments because the pension funds under CPS is intact,” Onanuga said.

Punch

9,438 Nigerians repatriated from Libya, says Dabiri-Erewa

Eniola Akinkuotu, Abuja

The Special Assistant to the President on Foreign Affairs and Diaspora, Abike Dabiri-Erewa, says the Federal Government and the International Organisation for Migration have repatriated 9, 348 Nigerians from Libya this year.

Dabiri-Erewa said this in a statement by her media aide, Abdurrhaman Balogun, on Sunday.

The President’s aide said the IOM and the Federal Government had identified the detention camps and offered to bring all the willing Nigerians back home.

She said the repatriations were a sequel to pleas by some trapped Nigerians in Libya via a viral video.

In the video, Nigerians were told how they were being tortured to death daily under dehumanising conditions, pleading for an urgent evacuation from the Federal Government and prominent religious leaders in Nigeria.

Dabiri-Erewa said information from the Nigerian embassy in Libya confirmed that the Nigerian migrants had been traced to the Osama detention Centre,  Zawiya, Libya where 116 of them had been processed online for repatriation to Nigeria.

“Regrettably, she said 24 of them had refused to come back insisting they must get to Europe,” the statement added.

“Let me reiterate that President Muhammadu Buhari will continue to ensure that all the stranded migrants willing to return are brought back,” she assured.

She said those repatriated were being profiled and enrolled in various technical and vocational training centres with relevant agencies and groups.

Punch

Ikeja Electric Commences Installation Of 85,000 Pre-Paid Meters

… Collaborates with Community Media to Reach the Communities

In what seem to be a family meeting, the Corporate Communication team of Ikeja Electric Distribution Company (IE) led by Mr Felix Ofule with Mr Fidelix, Mr Ayeni and others had a maiden edition of media parley with Association of Practitioners of Community Media in Nigeria (APCOM) on Wednesday. The event which took place at the upper room of Yellow Chilies Restaurant and bar had members of the pen industry drawn from nooks and crannies of network coverage of IE.



The head of corporate communications of the energy company Mr Felix Ofulue hinted on the need for the collaboration which in his words, ought to have been held earlier before now but for some logistics. He however noted that it is better late than never while reiterating that having understood the roles of the community media especially for a peculiar outfit such as IE, it is paramount to nurture a forum such as this for mutual benefits.

The aim of the meeting was to partner the community media in disseminating information to their various communities with the understanding of some of the usual challenges faced with customers and ways of achieving possible solutions to them. The issue of pre-paid meter was top on the list as it affects even the men of the pen world. Mr. Ofulue informed the gathering that IE is highly desirous to meter each of its customers; however the prevailing economy has not made it possible for IE to achieve that while noting that prior to the current phase of pre-paid installations of 85,000 meters ongoing IE had invested about thirty million US Dollars on metering her customers before it was halted. He said that the current phase is done through a method of identifying highly revenue zones which will in turn enhance her revenue generation for further investments, while assuring that in the next six months the issue on metering will be drastically reduced in addition with the proposed Meter Asset Providers (MAP) currently been fine tuned for implementation by the federal government. He reiterated the benefits accruing to the company which he said was enormous.




While answering question on why the estimated bills have persisted despite the public outcry, Mr Ofulue hinted that though it is agreeable that the estimated bill system does not reflect the true consumption of customers which can only be solved by metering every customer however IE has reduced the basis of estimation on actual consumption per transformers by installing meters to all the transformers thereby determining the actual consumption within the community using such transformers, he counselled further consumers to help IE in monitoring the consumption within or community and using the appropriate whistle-blower to report such while noting that it is very impossible for IE to carryout consumption assessment on all her customers, hence since the ripple effect of consumption of one customer is borne by all, it is therefore imperative for every consumer to be watchful and report such to IE authorized agent for appropriate investigation and subsequent actions.



Head Corporate Communication Ikeja Electric Driving home his point


On outstanding or inherited bills he enlightened the men of the press that by explaining that the energy sector is broken into different units which include the generation companies (GENCOs) transmission companies (TCNs) Distribution Companies (DISCOs) which IE represents, hence for any consumption the DISCOs earn about 24-25% the GENCOs earn about 50% and so on; therefore it is very difficult for any debt irrespective of who consumed it to be written off by any DISCO, he advised that in the case of rental of an apartment the prospective tenant should demand for the position of energy bill before accepting such, where it is observed that there are outstanding the tenant should demand from the landlord/landlady on how to offset such, on the other it is expedient for landlord/landlady to notify IE of any tenant failing to pay his or her energy bill for disconnection and further actions before such tenants moves.

Mr. Ayeni Akinola added that even in the case of outright purchase of a property, it is important to verify the status of such property before purchase as the bill will always surface at the time of reconnection of the new property which was termed by publisher of The Alimosho Mail as “ancestral bill”. In his (Mr. Felix) word, no bill can be written off by any DISCO once it is issued as it will mean owing the other parties.

Furthermore he used the opportunity to mention of the exclusive customer pilot program which is currently text run with Ikeja GRA, which has seen IE investing more within the axis which has also improved their supply with the effect of paying more. He boasted that power has improved tremendously except for areas with difficulties like lack of payment, threat to life of IE personnel etc.

He reiterated that IE does not tolerate any assault on its staff for any reason as it will plunge such area into darkness without any apology and for the areas with low payment; it will be unwise as a business to continue supplying such area with energy thereby forcing the company to plunge resources from other areas into such areas. While responding on question on ceeding part of their network jurisdiction to private GENCOs (Embedded Power) as the case with Isheri Whitesand and Obadore, he vehemently rejected the possibility of such without proper agreement on the modus operandi.

On why installation of transformer bought by communities sometime become almost impossible to connect to the grid and the possibility of a community retrieving materials bought for the purpose of power supply; he opined that there are due processes, standards and specifications for the purchase of any electrical product; that if any of such is not met it becomes very difficult to effect such connection while stressing that it is impossible for any community to retrieve any appliance from any Disco as there would have been an agreement signed before such is connected.

Ofulue further assured that the engagement will be frequent while reiterating the need to partner community media and used the medium to inform the forum of their whistle blower handle which he said is an independent partner from the personnel of IE and urge members to always report issues to the appropriate quarters of decision makers and not to marketers who he said are not part of the decision maker. Issues should be reported to the undertaken offices through the commercial manager or to the business unit office before escalating to Alausa. While on the social media platforms he said that efforts are often made by escalating issues to the appropriate quarters once it is received, however unlike the telecommunication industry the energy sector requires physical inspection/assessment of issues hence it is difficult to get feedback immediately as in the case of telecos.

The president of APCOM Mr Dayo Akintobi on behalf of the association thanked IE for such recognition and pledged support of the association to IE, in what seem to be the case of Oliver Twist, he further highlighted the challenges of community media and the need for a partnership such as this be backed with supports such as quarterly advert placements.

Senator Akpabio meets Buhari in London as former Governor moves to dump PDP

AgegePulse Magazine

A former Governor of Akwa Ibom state, Godswill Akpabio, has been pictured in London with President Muhammadu Buhari.

Akpabio, who won his seat in the Senate on the platform of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), is believed to be set to decamp to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

The lawmaker’s meeting with Buhari, comes after an aide to the National Leader of the APC, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, claimed he would join the party in a few days.

More to follow..

LR

APAPA CONGESTION: AMBODE FLAGS OFF EXPANSION OF ABAT TRUCK TERMINAL IN ORILE

...To Explore Another 5,000-Capacity Terminal In Ijanikin

...Extends Egan-Agric Road Project To Ayobo, Orders Palliative Work On Ikotun-Ijegun, Others

…Inspects Ongoing Projects Across The State

 AgegePulse Magazine

Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode on Sunday flagged off the expansion of the ABAT Truck Terminal in Orile Iganmu, assuring that work would be accelerated on the 1000-capacity terminal to take trucks parked indiscriminately on the roads and bridges.

Governor Ambode, who led an extensive inspection of ongoing projects across the State that last for about six hours, said the expansion of the Terminal was one of the resolutions reached at the recent meeting with stakeholders, especially in the Maritime sector on finding lasting solutions to take containerized trucks permanently off the roads, a development that is majorly responsible for the gridlock in the Apapa area.

 

The Governor said: "One of the resolutions is that we should have authorised truck Terminal Park and so my visit to this place today is to flag off the reconstruction of this terminal so that we can accommodate 1000 trucks.



"We would do this in collaboration with the Nigeria Ports Authority so that the call-up system can work efficiently. The expansion we are adding to this particular terminal in which we have decided to acquire the adjoining land, we would use that primarily for non-petroleum trucks so that we can sectionalized these trucks and allow the call-up system to work.



"This is just part of the efforts that the State Government is making to make sure this Apapa gridlock and the truck menace becomes a thing of the past permanently."



Governor Ambode also disclosed that the State Government has concluded plans to utilise an expanse of land in Ijanikin area with a capacity to accommodate at least 5,000 trucks.



"I have just been briefed that we have an additional land space in Ijanikin that can accommodate 5000 trucks. We will explore that possibility immediately; all that we are doing is just to make sure that there is a permanent solution to this whole idea of trucks destroying our bridges and roads," he said.



While appealing to Lagosians for their understanding, the Governor said that within the next six to eight weeks, the Terminals would be up and running to get the trucks off the roads and bridges within the axis.



Governor Ambode said aside the expansion of the Terminal, the commitment by the Federal Government to commence the reconstruction of the Apapa-Oshodi Expressway was on course with the approval of N72.9billion by the Federal Executive Council for the project.



"You would recall that about two weeks ago, we had a stakeholders' meeting with the Vice President presiding in Apapa and at that meeting, we resolved that we would ensure that the reconstruction of the Oshodi-Apapa Expressway would be awarded within two weeks which has been fulfilled by the Federal Government; they have awarded the contract and construction should commence within the next two weeks.



"We thank the President, Vice President, Minister of Power, Works and Housing, and that of Transport for reconstruction of Oshodi-Apapa Expressway and the rail track from Apapa Ports to Ibadan which is strictly a cargo rail that would assist in moving heavy-duty goods away from the Apapa axis," he said.



Besides, Governor Ambode said his administration was also looking at utilizing barges on the waterways to move heavy cargo as a way of complementing efforts on road and rail transportation system.



"I just think Lagosians will have the relief to see that we have actually done what is right and in their overall interest.



"I want to thank all the stakeholders for their interest and we must continue to join hands like I said and we would get the results that we so desire," he said.



Speaking on behalf of stakeholders, Chairman of Association of Maritime Truck Owners (AMATO), Chief Remi Ogungbemi said the flag off of the expansion of ABAT Truck Terminal by the Governor was a new dawn towards addressing the Apapa gridlock.



According to him, "Today, I must say is a beginning of a good thing that will start happening in our sector as haulage operators in the State. Today is the beginning of a new era as far as Lagos State is concerned.



"We have been saying it that our Governor is an action Governor and his coming here today has shown that he is very dynamic and pragmatic. This is what we have been expecting and for the Governor to be here to see things for himself and flag off the rehabilitation and expansion of this terminal shows that he is not only talking but matching words with action," Ogungbemi said.



He expressed optimism that the steps taken by the State Government would go a long way to end the menace of trucks parking on roads and bridges in the State.



Earlier, the Governor had inspected the progress of work on the modern bus terminals in Yaba and Oyingbo, as well as the failed section of Sari Iganmu Road which had been abandoned for over two years, assuring scores of residents, who trooped out to welcome him, that contractors would move in to fix it within the next two weeks, while their blocked canal would also be cleared.



The Governor and his team also inspected the ongoing palliative work embarked upon to fix the bad sections of the Lagos-Badagry Expressway.



While inspecting the progress of work on the Egan-Agric Road Project which is an access road to the ongoing Egan-Igando Housing Scheme, Governor Ambode said the project would be extended to Ayobo to serve as alternative route to decongest the Lasu-Iba Road to ease movement and further make life comfortable to the people.



He said the housing scheme, which had been on for about eight years, had largely been stalled due to the bad road in the axis, saying that the work would be accelerated, while interested residents would be allowed to benefit from the rent-to-own housing policy whereby the ownership of the scheme would be on monthly basis.



Besides, the Governor ordered immediate traffic signalization and palliative work on Ikotun-Ijegun Road, Abaranje, Isheri-Oshun, among other adjoining roads in the axis.



Addressing residents, Governor Ambode said: "We have received several complaints from this community about the deplorable state of the road from Ikotun to Ijegun, Abaranje and the other axis leading to Igando. I have come to see this place myself and beyond repairing the roads, we also need to do a lot of traffic management solutions here and so we are going to signalize Ikotun Junction and this particular junction immediately.



"Public Works Corporation should proceed to do palliative from the Ikotun Junction down to Ijegun, Abaranje and then we link it up to Igando. I know there are some complaints about Isheri-Oshun also. The part that we have finished there, we will look at that part and then from Isheri-Oshun down to link up this Ikotun-Ijegun Road and immediately carry out palliative now that the rain is subsiding," the Governor said.

Chelsea must let Courtois join Real Madrid, says agent

Christophe Henrotay has appealed for the Blues to do the decent thing and allow the goalkeeper to move closer to his children in the Spanish capital

Thibaut Courtois’ representative has urged Chelsea to allow the goalkeeper to join Real Madrid.

The Belgium international shot-stopper holds a desire to move back to Spain, where he spent two years on loan at Atletico Madrid, in order to be closer to his family.

Los Blancos have been keen to make a move, but thus far the Blues have refused to budge on their £40 million (€45m/$52m) valuation of the player. 

While no deal is in place, manager Maurizio Sarri did not appear confident on Friday that the Stamford Bridge will be able to retain their No.1, while former Belgium coach Graeme Jones says that a move is "definitely" on the cards.

“I have been reading everywhere that Chelsea are saying it is up to Thibaut, but he has made it clear to the club that the best option for him is to move to Madrid,” Christophe Henrotay said, according to The Sun.

“For him this is a big decision because he wants to be near his family, and there is an offer in place for Chelsea to accept.”

Some supporters have criticised the 26-year-old as they feel that his desire to move to the Bernabeu is being financially driven, but Henrotay has dismissed those claims out of hand.

“We have seen suggestions that it is about money, and it is true he could get an increase with a move.

“But he has turned down a better offer elsewhere because this is more than a financial decision.

“Throughout this it has important for everyone to be reasonable, and the buying club has come up with a reasonable offer for a player who has one year left on his contract when they know they could sign him without a fee in 12 months.

“Chelsea could get a fair fee for him now and sign a replacement. Or they would still have to sign a replacement next summer, but without getting a fee for Thibaut.

Goal

Churches meant to feed the hungry

Jesusegun Alagbe

The Lead Pastor, Life Anchor Ministry International, Lagos, Bayo Akinjiyan, has said that the purpose of the Church, which is the body of believers in Christ across the world, is to feed the hungry and treat the sick.

The cleric stated this at the fourth anniversary of the ministry which held in Lagos recently.

Speaking on the theme, “The Glory of the Latter House,” Akinjiyan said the purpose of the Church was to provide for the needy, saying this was why the local church recently conducted a community medical outreach in the Agege area of the city.

Akinjiyan recalled this was why those who brought Christianity to Africa  established schools and hospitals in order to provide free education and medical service.

He said, “We had a community outreach recently and we were able to reach out to the sick and the needy by giving out free drugs and clothes. Foodstuffs were also sold at highly discounted prices.

“This is because I believe that Christianity is about relationship with God and affecting lives. Jesus commended some people by saying they visited him while he was in prison, fed him while he was hungry and treated him while he was sick.

“Those ones asked when they saw him and did all those things; he replied that as long as they did it for others, they had done it for him. That is the essence of Christianity.”

The cleric added that the church had trained over 2,000 people in recent years in leadership and skills acquisition.

Punch

Prostitutes threaten to starve policemen of sex over incessant arrests

AgegePulse Magazine

Tony Okafor, Awka

Sex workers in Anambra State have threatened to starve policemen who patronise them over alleged harassment and arrest of their colleagues in major cities of the state.

One of the sex workers, simply identified as Kaamsi, who claimed to be a leader of the group in Umunze in the Orumba South Local Government Area of the state, told Saturday PUNCH on Friday that  her members in the state had decided to starve policemen.


Kamsi, a leader of the group of prostitutes, said they would commence the decision as from Monday next week.

She said, “These policemen constitute over 50 per cent of our customers, yet they come here at the garden to harass and intimidate us on daily basis.

“About two days ago, no fewer than 10 of our members here were arrested and taken to SARS office. They were maltreated and so dehumanised before they were granted bail and asked to pay through their noses before they regained freedom.

“This happens on daily basis here in Umunze, Onitsha, Awka, Nnewi, Ekwulobia, everywhere. So, we have decided that none of our members would ‘serve’ any policeman here in Umunze and the entire state.”

Asked whether the policemen came to them in their uniforms, Kamsi said, “We know them; we know almost all our customers. They don’t need to come to us in their uniforms to be identified.

“Brother, let me tell you, we get information here. All big men that come here, we know them up to their family level.”

Saturday PUNCH gathered that about a week ago, the Anambra Police Command raided brothels in various cities in the state and arrested no fewer than 120 persons.

According to our source, the police raided Morning Star Hotel, Amawbia, Awka South Council Area, arresting about 20 persons.

The source further said that on Sunday, the police raided Happiness Hotel in  Amanwayi, Amawbia at about noon, arresting about six women alleged to be prostitutes.

The source further alleged that the police also raided Dot4 Hotel, Mgbakwu and Bolin Hotel Nise, as well as another hotel in Ogidi, in the Idemili North Council Area, where about 60 persons were d.

Other areas raided, our correspondent gathered, were Amansea, Umunze, Onitsha and Ihiala.

Kamsi said, “The suspects were raided and bailed with N10,000 each. The police have used such raids for making money.”

Punch