Plane crash kills three in Washington D.C.

A small jet airplane crashed into a neighborhood in
the Washington, D.C. suburb of Gaithersburg,
Maryland Monday, reportedly killing at least three
people aboard the aircraft.
The Embraer EMB-500 twin-engine jet was a mile
away from Montgomery County Airport on
approach to land when the accident occurred,
according to a statement from the Federal Aviation
Administration.
Three people were killed in the crash, all
passengers of the plane, according to local
newspaper The Gazette.
Several homes were hit by debris from the plane,
destroying large sections of the houses.
Numerous homes were set on fire by the crash as
well.

How Oduah won PDP ticket for Anambra North Senate

For her philanthropic activities,
delegates at the just concluded senatorial
primaries in Anambra State threw their weight
behind former Minister of Aviation, Princess Stella
Adaeze Oduah which enabled her clinch the
People’s Democratic Party ticket for Anambra
North Senatorial.
Out of a total of 297 accredited delegates that
voted, 259 opted for Oduah, while other contestants
in the race, including Senator Margery Okadigbo,
former Minister of State for Water Transport, John
Emeka and Chief Samuel Ikefuna shared the
remaining votes, apart from the five votes that
were declared invalid.
Some PDP leaders in the zone commended the
delegates and the contestants for their peaceful
conduct during the exercise and urged others
participating in the electoral process presently in
different capacities to toe the same path during
their own elections.
Also the delegates said they voted for her because
of her feat in the Aviation Ministry, as well as her
penchant for remembering the down trodden
through her foundation.
The Returning Officer, Anthonia Nwankwo while
declaring Oduah winner having polled the highest
number of votes described the election as the best
so far in the history of PDP in Anambra State.
In an acceptance speech, Oduah said she was
overwhelmed by the love demonstrated by her
people in the PDP by choosing her to fly the party
flag during the 2015 elections.
She said she has accepted the outcome of the
election as a response to the call by her people for
service and promised not to let them down. She
acknowledged that there are difficult tasks ahead
but expressed optimism that with the support of
the people, they will overcome all challenges. She
also called on other contestants in the race to join
hands with her to ensure victory for the PDP and
to bring positive developments to the people of
Anambra North.
Also speaking, a former Member House of
Representatives ,Hon. Jessie Balonwu and former
Chairman, Onitsha South Local Government, Chief
Basil Ejidike lauded the PDP delegates for their
maturity and for voting their conscience without
any form of coercion which manifested in the
outcome of the election.
The Member Representing Oyi/ Ayamelum Federal
Constituency in the National Assembly, Hon. Chizor
Obidigwe said the outcome of the election has
shown that the people’s wish has prevailed. He
advised other contestants to support the winner
because according to him, it’s not a do or die
affair.

Ayogu,Ugwuanyi conduct parallel guber primaries in Enugu State

Three parallel primaries of the Peoples
Democratic Party, PDP, yesterday, took place at
different locations within the Enugu metropolis.
The Ayogu Eze’s faction of the party moved away
from the Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium to conduct a
separate primary at Filbon Hotel, Enugu, following
confirmed reports that the list of delegates
approved by the National Working Committee,
NWC, of the party was changed for a fresh one by
the Ikeje Asogwa’s faction, while the group led by a
transport mogul, Evang. Samuel Onyishi, boycotted
the primary over the illegality of the delegates list
provided for the primary, saying that their p.
The Speaker of the state House of Assembly, Hon.
Eugene Odo is also in the race but eventually
showed up at the Nnamdi Azikwe Stadium an
indication that he has aligned with the Sullivan
Chime/ Asogwa faction. Senator Eze won at a
parallel primary conducted at Fibon with 530 votes
out of 614 votes cast.
Both Anayo Onwuegbu and Chinedu Onu who are
close allies of the Deputy Senate President, Chief
Ike Ekweremadu withdrew for Hon Ugwuanyi on the
prodding of Ekweremadu.
Ugwuanyi, House Committee Chairman on Maritime
is the anointed candidate of Governor Chime.
However, going by the outcome of the delegates
election conducted by Elder David Aja, on
November 1, 2014, which was boycotted by the
Chime’s group led by Mr Asogwa, Ekweremadu
produced majority of the delegates from Enugu
West Senatorial District, while Eze produced most
of those from Enugu North Senatorial Zone.
Onu later said that he withdrew for PDP and not for
any person as he was not satisfied with the way
the primary was organised by the party.
However, the delegates from the Enugu East
Senatorial zone owe their victories to the former
Minister of Information, Mr Frank Nweke Jnr and
his group including Senator Gil Nnaji among
others.
Sources said that although Ekweremadu had lent
his weight to the aspirations of Hon. Ugwanyi,
there would not have been any major upset as his
two allies who withdrew from the race on his
instructions had no control over the delegates from
their zones.
At the time of filing this report, Ugwuanyi group
were still holding their primary at the Stadium were
he is expected to emerge winner.
As at Sunday night, almost all the delegates
approved by the National Working Committee,
NWC, had gathered at Senator Eze’s Enugu home
while those from Enugu East who were loyal to
Nweke Jnr and his group were also camped in the
former minister’s country home in Nkanu, waiting
to vote for the Senator.
At a news briefing presided over by the Chairman
of the PDP Electoral Panel in Enugu State, King
Asarah A. Asarah, Eze and Onyishi raised concerns
over the genuineness of the delegates list used in
yesterday’s exercise.
Onyishi said,”why should the delegates list to be
used in today’s (yesterday) governorship primary
be different from what was used in the House of
Reps and Senatorial primaries. It is purely a case
of selective delegates.
“I am still in the race of governorship. If I had gone
to the stadium, venue of the primary, it will mean I
am giving impetus to the adulterated delegates
list.”
Responding,the electoral panel chairman Asarah A.
Asarh said,”I know the list was not the certified list
from the court. My hands are tied. I cannot go
contrary to the mandate given to me.”
It was expected that the combined efforts of
Senator Eze and his friends in Enugu East would
have whittled down the efforts of Senator
Ekweremadu, who had already got his ticket back
to the Senate for the fourth time following the
withdrawal of Governor Chime from the race.

2015 tensions increases

One of the aspirants in the Peoples Democratic
Party Lagos State governorship primaries, Mr. Jimi
Agbaje has said he is not sure if he will emerge as
the candidate of the party.
Agbaje said this while fielding questions from
journalists at the venue of the primaries.
Agbaje who is being supported by the leader of the
party in the state, Chief Olabode George, said there
was nothing wrong with the leadership of the party
supporting him.
The aspirant said if he was given the ticket of the
party, he would be able to give the All Progressives
Congress a tough time at the February elections.
*Agbaje
He, however, stated that he would not leave the
party if he was denied the ticket.
Agbaje, who will have to defeat his fiercest rival,
Senator Musiliu Obanikoro , before he could win,
said he was the best candidate.
He said, “In politics you are supposed to bring all
that you can offer to the table and try to convince
the party hierarchy and the membership at the
lower level that you are the best and if they are
supporting me, it is because I have been able to
convince them. “This whole thing is about winning
the election, it’s not just about giving the ticket to
anyone but giving it to the person that can win.
“Elections can be tricky but I have done my work.
It’s a delegate thing and you can never know how
the voting could go. I could win by a wide margin,
by a small margin or I could lose.”

Nysc wahala

THE move by the management of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) to introduce online registration and call-up of prospective Corps members has raised a lot of controversy which, if not quickly addressed, might affect the activities of the organisation.

The full computerization of the call-up process was approved at the meeting of the management in Calabar, and aims to begin with the 2014 Batch “C” mobilisation exercise. Under the scheme, prospective corps members are given the option of registering and processing their call-up from the comfort of their homes or the nearest business centre if they choose not to travel to their schools.

The snag, however, is that they have to pay the sum of N4,000 to cover the cost of this computerized processing, since the NYSC says, a private firm is handling the computerization project on its behalf under a private/public partnership arrangement.

The concerns and outright rejection of this project by well-meaning Nigerians is quite understandable, in the wake of the Immigration job recruitment disaster in which job seekers were forced to cough out N1,000 each to apply for the jobs. More than 20 young people lost their lives in various centres.

The difference, however, is that the NYSC insists that the N4,000 call-up registration is not compulsory. Prospective corps members have merely been given the option to either save themselves the old troubles of travelling to their schools for the call-up letter, with the risks involved or simply  option for the seamless computerized registration.

The choice factor is very important, as it will enable those who live quite close to their schools not to carry out the online process and fee payment if they so wish. We, however, hope that those who opt for the old style of registration will not be subjected to any form of punitive sanction or disadvantage simply because they do not opt for the computerised scheme.

We call on prospective corps members who choose not to apply online to report any cases of victimisation, as this will expose the genuine intentions or otherwise of those behind it.

It is a welcome development that the House of Representatives has already waded into the matter with a view to ensuring that the right thing is done in the public interest.

We advise the legislators not to be carried away by sentiments but to focus on ensuring that when implemented the rights of corps members to chose to register online or not are respected with absolutely no room left open to the victimisation of those who prefer not to.

Particular attention should be paid to the cost attached to the call-up registration to make sure that due processes of the law were followed in arriving at it, and that the benefits are commensurate with what corps members are required to pay.

If foul play is suspected it should be dropped. But if the programme will make life easier for stakeholders in the NYSC scheme, let it go ahead.

Jeb Bush Former United State's President Set To Run For President Come 2016

 It may just be brotherly love, but former president George W. Bush said Thursday that his younger sibling Jeb wants the White House in 2016 — and he’s encouraging him to run.

“I think he wants to be president,” George Bush told Fox News.

“I think (Jeb would) be a great president. He understands what it’s like to be president.”

Jeb Bush, a favorite among some establishment Republicans who believe he would be a prime opponent to an increasingly likely run by former secretary of state Hillary Clinton, has said he will decide next year.

“(Jeb) and I had a conversation. I of course was pushing for him to run for president, he of course was saying, ‘I haven’t made up my mind,’” the former commander-in-chief said.

But George Bush said there was plenty of family presidential precedent to turn to in helping make a decision.

“He’s seen his dad (George H.W. Bush), he’s seen his brother. And so he’s a very thoughtful man, and he’s weighing his options.”

Jeb Bush, 61, is viewed as a mainstream Republican and less ideologically rigid than the conservatives considering a presidential run, like Senator Ted Cruz.

Jeb Bush, who served as Florida governor from 1999 to 2007, has notably expressed support for immigration reform, including the mass legalization of undocumented workers.

A survey of Florida voters this month showed odds-on Democratic frontrunner Clinton ahead of all potential Republican rivals — including Bush and Florida native son Senator Marco Rubio — in a hypothetical 2016 race.

The Clinton-Bush matchup was closest at 46 percent to 44 percent, within the poll’s margin of error.

Hon. Dimeji Bankole Loses Daughter

The immediate-past Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Dimeji   Bankole   on Wednesday lost his daughter, Yewande Semiat Bankole .

A statement made available to newsmen, yesterday, by the family stated that the late Yewande  was the grand daughter of Chief Alani Suara Bankole, aged 6.

It was also disclosed that Yewande was a sickler  and that she was a radiant girl who struggled with the disease originally managed at a Lagos hospital but later transferred to a London hospital where she eventually died.

“With gratitude to Almighty Allah and with heavy hearts we announce the demise of our daughter Yewande Semiat Bankole aged 6 years, at St Marys Children’s Hospital, London on October 1, 2014,” the statement said.

There Is Hope For Reconciliation

Tiwa Savage, beautiful singer and award-winning brand ambassador has finally broken the haze of silence that greeted allegations that she was on the verge of quitting her marriage and officially divorcing her husband, Tee Billz (born Tunji Balogun) after unconfirmed reports that she recently moved out of her matrimonial home after her husband allegedly beat her.

Emotions went wild on her husband's Instagram page after he sent her a message showing he had selected her as his 'Woman Crush Wednesday' (WCW - a Twitter term [#WCW] that encourages social media users to share pictures of females they admire and find very attractive).

For a couple already rumoured to be on the verge of going their separate ways with allegations of infidelity, domestic violence and battery already flying in different directions, this was a big deal.

The only thing that was bigger than Tee Billz's message was his wife, Tiwa Savage's reply and when it finally came, it read, "All day Everyday."

This reaction from Tiwa Savage was met by emotionally laden message from fans who reminded Tiwa Savage how beautiful she and her husband looked together and how much they looked up to her as a role model. One of the most remarkable read, "I love this. God bless your union - That was the prayer @ wedding and I pray it will be forever."

9JA Bolt Car Makers Storms Schools

IN an effort to propel the genius in young Nigerians, Team Nigeria, the ‘Special Ones’, makers of the Eaglemobile 9JA BOLT solar car, billed to represent Africa at the 3,021km long World Solar Challenge, come October 2015 in Austria, have pledged unending support to the improvement of quality science education in schools.

The currently 18-man and expanding team,  which has unveiled the 9JA BOLT at the  Africa Design Medal & Festival, in Lagos, spoke to Vanguard Learning through team leader and creative director, Engineer Ebube George in an interview. Excerpts….

SCIENCE education in schools
One of the things we would do in the course of marketing is to tell sponsors that we hope to use the car and the knowledge of what we are doing in the course of this journey to educate students across schools.

By creating an attraction, maybe by inviting them over to see the production process or taking it to schools, the inkling would definitely be struck in them to want to try it out.  It is just unfortunate that we do not have a culture of STEM- Science Technology Engineering and Mathematics that is impregnated into their thoughts at a very formative age. If we make that the crux of what building engineers is supposed to be, you would be surprised how many inventors we would produce.

Fear of Sciences
There isn’t anything so scary about mathematics and physics which are essential in science and eventual manufacturing. Physics is just the applied way the world works. Maths allows you know there are possibilities in a direction. Physics is just a clear application. For instance; weigh a man, calculate how much force would be needed to push a table to achieve a particular distance, that is physics. It is not scary, what is needed is to create some kind of finesse and actualisation in the mind of the child.

It is getting them to be more at home with numbers. It is not difficult for any child to achieve, you would be shocked that by the time you engage them in more practical ways of observing the world from a scientific point of view and also playing around with numbers, you can actually build a culture that would excite them and they would begin to explore it.

9ja BOLT
The difference between a solar car and the fossil fuel car is simply the taking out of the fossil fuel piece-engine and putting in a solar array for solar panels to trap as much sunlight per square millimetre that the batteries can store and with the MPPTs , create as much traction to push the tires  and propel the car.

The vehicle will have regenerative brakes so that even when breaking energy is stored. The goal is to store energy from every single part of the vehicle as much as possible. It is an electric car as well as a solar car.

For the common man: Nigeria stands to gain technology transfer from this project. If we eventually do this, it will become a legend for our children. I grew up watching Young Farmers Club on television, it inspired me. When kids see this, imagine how they will be influenced in the next 10-15 years.  Someone like Aregbesola has done Opon Imo that is laudable; imagine how much the children can Google, how much technology they would be exposed to.

Former MD of News Agency of Nigeria, Mrs Oluremi Oyo, dies at 62

Former Managing Director of the News Agency of Nigeria, NAN and first female President of the Nigerian Guild of Editors, Mrs Oluremi Oyo has died. She died yesterday October 1st at a hospital in London. Her husband, Mr Vincent Oyo confirmed her death this morning. Mrs Oyo had been battling with cancer for a while.

Born in 1952, Mrs Oyo served as the Senior Special Assistant to President Olusegun Obasanjo for media and publicity from 2003 to 2007, the first woman to be appointed to such a position. She was appointed in 2007 as the Managing Director of the News Agency of Nigeria.

She's survived by her husband, children and grandchildren. May her soul rest in peace Amen

Imo State Governor Pardons Prisoners

NINETY-four years old Mr. Canice Egbunnane, and Chidi Nwosu, 70, were among 16 prisoners Governor Rochas Okorocha of Imo State granted state pardon yesterday, as part of activities to mark Nigeria’s 54th independence anniversary.

The governor said Egbunnane and Nwosu were pardoned on account of their ages, based on the exercise of his powers on prerogative of mercy.

He said: “I acted on the recommendations of the Advisory Council on Prerogative of Mercy, which I earlier set up with the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice in the state, Chief Chukwuma-Machukwu Umeh (SAN), as chairman.”

He said 11 of the pardoned convicts were imprisoned for non-capital offences and had almost finished serving their prison terms, with less than six months left.

The governor said: “Mr. Canice Egbunanne was par-doned on the ground of age. He is 94 years old, while Mr. Chidi Nwosu, also pardoned, is almost 70 years old.”

He said at 54, it was time to address insecurity, youth unemployment, selfishness and corruption.

among leaders, lack of patriotism, emphasis on ethnicity, insurgence and other challenges facing the country.

15 BRT Drivers Resigns Over Assault From Soldiers

A witness, at the ongoing tribunal of inquiry into the July 4th, 2014 road accident and subsequent destruction of Bus Rapid Transit, BRT, looting and rioting, has said at least 15 BRT drivers  resigned immediately after the alleged arson by the soldiers.

Some witnesses at the ongoing inquiry  had alleged that a female soldier set the first bus ablaze, an act which led to the burning of other buses at the scene of the incident.

Speaking at the public hearing in Ikeja, Mr. Olusegun Spencer, the head of project development for National Union of Road Transport Workers, NURTW, owners of the BRT bus, said that this was the aftermath of the incident.

Spencer explained that drivers who suffered varying degree of injuries and bus ticketers, resigned over fear of subsequent attack from soldiers in the state.

His words “At least 15 drivers and some ticketers have resigned their appointment. However, those who stayed behind now work with fear of attack from the soldiers.”

Spencer lamented that before the July 4th incident, several attacks on the drivers by the army had occurred in the state since the inauguration of transport scheme in March 17th, 2008 by the state governor, Babatunde Fashola and “were swept under the carpet.”

He noted that the arson and vandalism of the buses, has affected the union’s revenue in the investment and ability to seek for finances from banks in the state.

Spencer said:  “Before now, we had several banks seeking the patronage of the union but after that ugly incident, the reverse has occurred. And I understand the plight of these financial institutions.

“For instance, each of the three burnt buses cost the union N13.5 million to procure and we are yet to recoup our investment. And we need to buy others to fill the vacuum. Aside this, some were vandalised, and will have to be repaired. These are extra expenses on the union.

“And it was due to these huge losses that we had to write the state governor, Babatunde Fashola to explain our plight to him. And in other to do justice to our allegations, set up the tribunal of inquiry on the activities that took place on Ikorodu road at palm grove bus stop.”

Family Of Five Found Dead

Nigeria’s independence day, which was widely celebrated yesterday, has turned sour in Itamaga area of Ikorodu as a family of five, including four boys and their mother, were found dead in their residence.

The bodies were found in their uncompleted building located on 8, Kunle Owooade Close.

According to eyewitnesses, they were last seen on Friday before their bodies were found on Tuesday, with three of them already decomposing. One died on the way to the hospital.

Three of the children were found in one room, while their mother had soiled herself and was with her last born in another room when sympathisers broke into their apartment.

The alarm was raised around 8pm on Tuesday, when neighbours noticed an offensive odour oozing out of the building.

They had called emergency numbers in the state, which did not yield a positive result until yesterday.

According to the residents, sympathisers were astonished that they could not receive any assistance from the much publicised emergency numbers.

The sympathisers also invited Policemen from Ikorodu Division who rushed to the scene, but did not offer any assistance, suspecting a case of the deadly Ebola Virus Disease.

The incident has been generating controversy in the neighbourhood as some attributed it to food poisoning, while others said it could be generator’s fume.

When Vanguard arrived the scene, many of the residents exhibited the fear of Ebola Virus Disease claiming the Policemen could be right in their judgement.

Some of the residents said, the victims, were seen last Friday evening before they went to bed switching on their generating set unknown to them that death was knocking.

When neighbours did not see their traces for three days, they assumed they had gone for church programmes as one of the children Pelumi, was a member of The Redeemed Christian Church of God while their mother usually attend Mountain of Fire and Miracles Church MFM, all in the neighbourhood.

The mother who took over the ownership of the building after her husband’s demise about four years ago, was said to be found in her bed room together with her last son while the remaining children were in the other room as at the time of the incident.

Cocaine Valued For 199million Found In Sealed Perfumes

Two traders, who allegedly concealed drugs suspected to be cocaine worth 119 million naira inside capacitors and perfumes, have been arrested by officials of National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA.

The duo of Daniel Marvin and Akubuo Victor, said to have succeeded in beating security checks in Brazil , were arrested during the inward screening of passengers on an Emirate Airline flight from Dubai, at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Federal Capital Territory, Abuja.

However, during interrogation, they told NDLEA officials that they were tempted by the offer of half a million naira for the botched trip.

The NDLEA Commander at Abuja Airport, Mr. Hamisu Lawan, gave the names of the suspects as Daniel Marvin and Akubuo Victor.

According to him, “Daniel Marvin, with Nigerian Passport Number A05545613, was arrested during the inward screening of passengers on an Emirate Airline flight from Dubai. He was found in possession of 7.580kg of cocaine hidden inside capacitors.

“The second suspect, Akubuo Victor was found in possession of 5.750kg of cocaine hidden inside perfumes. Both suspects were coming from Brazil when they were arrested.”

Twenty-nine years old Marvin, a trader from Abia State, during interrogation, claimed that he was introduced into drug trafficking by his childhood friend.

According to him, “I am a young man searching for business breakthrough. In the process, my friend told me that I could earn half a million naira by just going to Brazil.

“Aside that, he told me that they would buy my return ticket and that all I needed to do was to bring in cocaine. He assured that the drugs will never be detected because of the way it was packed.

“I succeeded in passing all routes from Brazil. Unfortunately, the drug was detected by NDLEA officers during search at Abuja Airport.”

On his part, 26-year-old Favour Victor, said: “I am a trader in Anambra State. But at a point, business started dwindling and I needed to revive it.

“I was lured into drug trafficking by a friend who promised to pay me N500,000. The drug was hidden inside new perfume containers.

“I was told that it was a new method that will never be detected. But it was uncovered by the NDLEA officers,” said the father of two.

Commenting on the arrest, Chairman/Chief Executive of the NDLEA, Ahmadu Giade, assured that the agency would continue to frustrate activities of drug barons through superior intelligence.

He said: “These arrests and seizures are products of superior counter-narcotic strategies.

“The agency is prepared and deeply committed to the eradication of drug trafficking cartels through similar intelligence driven operation.”

Star The Winner Geared Up For Grand Finale

After 11 weeks of endless and intensifying battles on Nigeria’s first music game show Star The Winner is, the first set of contestants who emerged as semi-finalists from previous episodes, had to slug it out for the first spot in the finals over the weekend.

With contestants displaying awesome stage presence, unbelievable vocal dexterity and irresistible charm, the last episode of Star The Winner Is had Naomi Mac, Job Emmanuel, Phillip Otuya, Jackson Okoro, Happiness Ayomide and Ilem Jahtell in a fierce battle for a spot in the finale.

After the confidence level of all six contestants were put to test with the cash prizes increased to N500, 000 and above, Joe Emmanuel emerged as the champion of the night after knocking out Naomi Mac, who walked away with the whooping sum of N1 million at the last round.

Joe emerged the shinning star of the night with his emotional and soulful performances of ‘Have you ever been in love’ by Celine Dion, ‘Olorun Mi’ by Tiwa Savage and ‘Hallo’ by Beyonce. This puts Job Emmanuel just one song away from N10 million and a brand new car.

With just one episode left for the show to come to a glorious end, the last six semi-finalists will joggle it out for the 2nd spot to compete with Job Emmanuel. The two finalists will have the final battle round which will birth the first winner of Star The Winner Is.

USA Sends Medical Expert To Study How Nigeria Controlled Ebola

Stunned by the entrance of the Ebola Virus Disease, EVD, into America, the United States’ Center for Disease Control and Prevention has despatched its personnel to study how Nigeria contained the killer disease.

HEALTH PERSONNEL IN PROTECTIVE KITS AT THE NATIONAL HOSPITAL IN ABUJA ON TUESDAY

The US reported on Tuesday that it has discovered a case of EVD in Dallas, Texas, but its health officials said “the crisis is under control and the public has nothing to fear.”

A statement released by US CDC Director Tom Frieden said “it’s clear the nation needs a quick and thorough response to its first Ebola patient”

He said although Nigeria was not completely out of the woods, “their extensive response to a single case of Ebola shows that control is possible with rapid, focused interventions.” Apart from Nigeria, the US will also visit Senegal to study its model.

Frieden said “the best practices in Nigeria and Senegal suggest the U.S. should monitor all individuals who may have been exposed to Ebola and establish a dedicated management and response system.”

Senegal has had no new reported cases of Ebola since Sept. 18 while Nigeria has not reported new ones since August 31,

US health officials are expected in Nigeria which it claimed had the best practices in combating Ebola Virus disease which entered into Nigeria through Liberian born American citizen Mr. Patrick Sawyer whose index case was reported on July 20, 2014. Nigeria is expected to officially announce today that the remaining two potential Ebola patients will exit the 21-day observation period.

How Nigeria stopped the spread of Ebola

According to US CDC, “Nigeria’s first reported case of Ebola surfaced July 20, when Patrick Sawyer landed in Lagos from Liberia and exposed 72 other passengers to the virus. Nigeria’s Health officials quickly issued notifications and tracked everybody who may have been in contact with Sawyer.

“Nigeria also established an Ebola Incident Management Center to handle the potential outbreak and developed a staffing plan that executed a social mobilization strategy that reached more than 26,000 households of people living around the contacts of Ebola patients,”

The deadly virus has killed more than 3,000 people in Sierra Leone, Guinea and Liberia in the largest outbreak ever recorded.

How Senegal contained Ebola

Senegal confirmed its first Ebola case Aug. 29 after a man, travelling from Guinea on Aug. 14, took ill and showed symptoms of the disease. This prompted a quick response, including an experienced and trained staff that was prepared to contain the Ebola outbreak. The procedure led to the identification of 67 contacts who were placed under quarantine, monitored for 21 days and showed no symptoms of Ebola.

Panic in America

The man who imported Ebola into US was found to have travelled to Liberia without informing the authorities and did not disclose the nature of his ailment to the nurse that attended to him. Reports from Texas yesterday said that the Nurse who attended to the man has also taken ill for Ebola in Texas.

A spokesman for Texas Health Presbyterian said the patient had walked into a Dallas emergency room on September 26, without knowing that he contacted the deadly virus and left after he was treated. He then returned to the facility on September 28 where it was determined he likely had Ebola and was isolated. He tested positive Tuesday, health officials said.

Following the lapse on the part of the hospital officials, questions are being asked amid panic across the country. The CDC has thus advised that all medical facilities should ask for patients with symptoms consistent with Ebola for their travel history.

TB Joshua-Synagogue Warns journalists To Stop False Report Or

Nigeria’s popular televangelist and General Overseer of The Synagogue, Church Of All Nations Temitope Balogun Joshua, commonly referred to as T. B. Joshua has warned people to desist from bad comments against his church and on the recent building collapse of September 12th at the Synagogue Church of All Nations’ guest house in Ikotun area of Lagos state where over 115 people were feared dead and many injured.

The preacher in a massage posted on his Facebook page warned that those making comments that are not likeable will face the wrath of God and will join those who died at the building collapse whom he referred to as martyrs.

TB Joshua suggests sabotage over deadly building collapse

He enjoined his followers to warn ‘family’ and ‘brothers’ about what they say concerning the building collapse “Warn your family and brothers about their talk”

‘I said, our God will get back to them. He has started somewhere. He is coming. If your brother is involved, unless he can resurrect the people who died, he will join them. If you can resurrect the people who died, you can go free. The servants, the people who sent them, the people who heard the stories all around and those who want to use it for themselves and disturb my spirit, you may likely join them. Be careful. To be forewarned is to be forearmed. Let us be very careful of our tongue’

The face book massage which was posted on Sunday 28 of September encouraged followers to pray for the families of those who died at at the building collapse.

The preacher also in the massage portrayed that he had inkling or vision that the incident will happen three weeks before as his massage were on how his followers should handle the building collapse.

‘For the three weeks before the incident, if you heard my message and sat down, you would know I was giving you a vision and prophetic Word on how to handle the situation at hand. Trials and tests are meant for our belief. I go by the directives of God.,’

Below is the full text of the massage

MESSAGE FROM #TBJoshua – SUNDAY 28.09.2014

Good morning church and viewers all over the world. I want to thank you for your prayer and your love for the victims and relations of all those involved in the incident.

The battle is for the Lord. I really want to thank God. God has been doing so much. We need to know a thousand victories, all the way long. Glory and honour to God Almighty.

For those who are outside the Lord, they would not know. When you are outside God, you will not know what I am talking about. When you are outside the light, you can’t understand what I am talking about.

For the three weeks before the incident, if you heard my message and sat down, you would know I was giving you a vision and prophetic Word on how to handle the situation at hand. Trials and tests are meant for our belief. I go by the directives of God.

I salute the martyrs of faith and the victims. I also salute their relations. My love and my prayers are always with them. The martyrs, victims and their relations, what they would like to see is the work of God continue. That is what they died for, suffered for and are living for.

From your heart, commit the relations of the martyrs to God. Ask God to strengthen them and open their understanding more to know and understand what happened here. Ask God to give them the grace to continue in God. In Him we live; in Him we move. Ask God to give them the grace to continue the work of salvation.

Remember the victims in one way or the other and ask for God’s intervention. Ask God for His power of resurrection within them and outside them, in Jesus Christ’s name we pray.

Remain silent and give thanks to God, within you. I want you to change your confession and give thanks to God.

Listen to God, not men. Don’t let your faith be disturbed. If anyone wants to disturb your faith with their negative words and message, remember God. See the need of God the more. See the need of serving the Lord the more, the need of moving closer to Him.

Don’t be disturbed. Pray for the relations; pray for the victims. That is your assignment – your love and prayer for the victims and the relations of the martyrs. That is your duty at this time.

Don’t allow yourself to be used by satan. If you do, satan will use his people to run to you and disturb you the more. This is an opportunity for them to disturb your faith with their negative words. Those who hate you and those who want you to die will run after you because of this issue. It is not that they love you but they want to see your countenance, your appearance, how you look and whether you are worried. Never allow this. Remember Jesus. Don’t change your words in a moment. Jesus is Lord.

What you saw happen – God is aware. If God is aware, who else is aware does not matter. The martyrs, victims and relations want to see your faith grow; they want to see the work of salvation and the work of God in your life continue. They want to see you serve the Lord the more. The only way you can allow the work of God to continue is to be with yourself and God, not to allow intruders and people around you to advise you and tell you what to do when they could not stop what happened.

I pray the satanic agents should be the only ones to suffer this. I said, our God will get back to them. Warn your family and brothers about their talk. You will know I am a man of God this time. People who are looking for your downfall and run to disturb your spirit, warn them to be careful of their tongues and the people who come to them. God is a God of vengeance – anybody can go for it.

You cannot help me, only God. Don’t disturb me; please leave me with God. You will see the outcome. I am saying this so that only the people who did this will suffer for it and you will not in any way suffer for it. The people who are writing whatever they are saying – all of us will see the outcome of this. Leave it for God.

I have been on this journey for 27 years. Do you think God can close His eyes and rubbish everything here? They are asking God to bring more evidence of whether He is the One who called me. Warn everyone to be very careful. This issue at hand is a delicate issue.

People are using all this to gain money and friends. This is a warning. Whatever anybody wants to write, let them write it; they will be the ones to read it.

I said, our God will get back to them. He has started somewhere. He is coming. If your brother is involved, unless he can resurrect the people who died, he will join them. If you can resurrect the people who died, you can go free. The servants, the people who sent them, the people who heard the stories all around and those who want to use it for themselves and disturb my spirit, you may likely join them. Be careful. To be forewarned is to be forearmed. Let us be very careful of our tongue.

Your responsibility is to the victims and the relations of the victims and martyrs of faith. If you say you are born again, wherever the victims and their relations are, wherever the relations of the martyrs of faith are, look for them. Let them know you are praying for them. What you eat, let them eat it. What you wear, let them wear out of it. What you have on your table, let them have it on their table, too. Share what you have with them – your love, prayer, affection and strength. Share it with them at this time. This is what we call ‘born again’ – my pain is your pain. Your joy is my joy.

The multitudes of people who claim to be with T.B. Joshua in prayer – if the same people turn to the families of the victims and martyrs of faith, do you not think life would be better for them than before? Join them, look for them, as many others are doing now.

Baby Factory Discovered In Aba Abia State

Many Nigerians thought the era of the proliferation of the so called baby factoriesin Nigeria has been nipped in the bud but they have resurfaced as the Abia State Police Command has busted another of such factories and arrested two nurses and fourpregnant inmates, among whom was one with a two year old baby, disclosing that they were rescued during a raid of a hospital allegedly used as baby factory.

The state's Police Public Relations Officer, Geoffrey Ogbonna, while parading the suspects in the state capital, Umuahia, said though the Medical Director of the private hospital where the nefarious act was being perpetrated had bolted by the time the police got to the facility, the police was on his trail.

The police spokesman say the fleeing doctor and the nurses were using the hospital as shelter for young women with unwanted pregnancy only to buy off the babies upon delivery and in turns sell them to willing buyers.

The Police Command warned dubious medical practitioners and charity homes in the state who use their facilities as baby factories to desist from the wicked act or face the wrath of the law.

Woman Saves Family From Ebola

A 22-year-old Liberian woman saved the lives of her 3 family members, who contracted the deadly Ebola virus.

Fatu Kekula

Fatu Kekula nursed her father, mother, sister and cousin, taking care of them all by herself: feeding, cleaning and giving drugs, CNN reports.

Unfortunately her cousin lost the fight against the tropical virus.

Fatu Kekula’s cousin Alfred

Miraculously, Fatu did not get infected even despite the fact that she had no protective ammunition. It is none of a secret that health workers contacting the patients are in the risk group. More than 300 medical staff representatives contracted the EVD.

Fatu Kekula’s family members, who survived Ebola

The young woman, who is a final year student of a nursing school, used her self-made equipment while taking care of the patients. International aid workers heard about the so-called “trash bag method”and even teach it to West Africans affected by the epidemic and lacking the protective gear.

Guess Who???

Guess which Nigerian celebrity this is????

Peter Okoye Of PSQUARE Fall On Stage

It all started well at Triple 9 Concert, which has been held at the Landmark Event Centre, Victoria Island, Lagos.

P-Square were the last performers of the night. While singing Bring It On hit-song from their new Double Trouble album, Peter Okoye got too close to the edge of the stage. He tumbled and went on a free fall from five-foot (1.5m) height.

Peter Okoye below the stage. Photo: Pulse.ng

Peter hit his back against the metal fence.

Security, stewards rushed towards the star singer to help him. Photo: Pulse NG

However, security and stewards helped the star singer and he found strength and courage to continue performance as if nothing happened.

Peter joins his twin brother Paul to continue performance. Photo: PulseNG

After the concert Peter took his accounts on social media to tell the fans and followers about the insident.

“I fell off on stage and it wasn’t funny… Like we said” keep ur head up high and standing tall… I will surely bring it on” #sadFace #headingToTheHospital love u all!”

The spine and a hand of the artiste were reportedly subject to check by doctors.

Jubilation In Main Market Onitsha As Governor Obiano Installs Cctv

ONITSHA – Traders at the Onitsha Main Market, the acclaimed largest market in West Africa yesterday showered encomium on Governor Willie Obiano of Anambra State for the installation of Metro Digital Mobile Camera Television, CCTV inside the market lines to help detect and prevent crimes and fire incidents within the market premises.

They also praised Obiano for awarding the on-going contract for the installation about 30 pieces of Solar energy lights within the market premises to assist in feeding the CCTV at nights, aimed at monitoring everything that may transpire at night inside the market.

The traders who sang Obiano’s praises at the Onitsha Main Market Secretariat, White House, when the Chairman o the market, Chief Innocent Agudiegwu briefed zonal and line chairman of the market about all the development programmes mapped out by Obiano administration, described Obiano as a market friendly governor

Agudiegwu had informed the chairmen that the multi-million CCTV project which was initiated by former Governor Peter Obi, was awarded and funded by Obiano shortly after he assumed office as a result of his interest in the development of trade and commerce, adding Obiano equally insisted on importing the on-going solar energy lighting project from Germany at a higher cost for a 15-year life span.

He further informed informed the traders that Obiano has agreed to visit the market on Thursday to commission both the CCTV and solar lighting projects, adding that apart from these two gigantic projects, Obiano had already replaced the obsolete fire-fighting equipment in the market with new one and at the same time, promised to construct modern toilet facilities for the traders and expand the market infrastructures in such a way that trading activities would be taking place day and night, as obtained in Dubai, China and other developed countries.

The chairman disclosed that the state government has directed that since government had paid for the installation contract of the CCTV, the traders would now contribute N200 monthly per shop for the maintenance and sustainance of the facilities.

Also speaking, the Chief Executive Officer, CEO of Metro Digital Mobile Company, Engr. Oliver Uzochukwu, told the traders that the company has completed the installation of the Camera Television, as they are now watching it on TV, adding that in the next few weeks, all the remaining lines in the market would be covered with the camera for effective security.

Responding, the Chairman of Zone 3, Main Market, Chief Vincent Ezeike commended both the government and the CCTV company for a job well done, adding, “truly, Obiano came to Anambra State for work and he has demonstrated that by chasing out criminals from the state in our own interest and we will continue to thank him for a job well done”.

The Vice Chairman of the Main Market, Chief Innocent Ezeoha, in his own contribution, thanked God for bringing Obiano as the governor and urged h

Ex-President Obasanjo Registers For PhD At National Open University

Former President  Olusegun Obasanjo, on Tuesday, formally registered for a Master of Arts (MA) and PhD degrees at the National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN).

 Obasanjo, 77, registered to study Christian Theology in the School of Arts and Social Sciences of the university.

The former president was among students, who graduated at the institution’s first convocation ceremony in January 2009.

The Vice Chancellor of NOUN, Professor Vincent Tenebe, said admission and registration in universities were not marked by special ceremonies  but that Obasanjo’s was a special case.

“When special people are involved, when passionate, sensitive and exemplary leaders whose leadership styles are people-oriented, committed and selfless in words and action are involved, then special attention and little celebration is in order,” he said.

Tenebe commended Obasanjo for his efforts in the educational development of the country by way of resuscitating NOUN and ensuring the vigorous development of the institution.

He said the former president was a leader to be emulated for his quest to see the development of Nigeria through the new technology in education.

 Tenebe said the former president’s quest for higher education so far had served as a boost to the student population.

He said the student t population of the university had increased from 16,000 in 2010 to 308,000 in 2014 with over 150,000 active students.

Tenebe said that the staff strength of the institution also increased from 820 to 2,463 during the period.

The highpoint of the ceremony was the inauguration of the ``Corruption and Anti-money Laundering Centre`` in honour of Obasanjo.

Tenebe said that the Senate of the institution in 2012 decided to honour Obasanjo for his contribution to the overall development of the country.

He, however, pleaded with government to expedite action in ensuring that law graduates of the institution were admitted to study at the Nigerian Law School.

The vice-chancellor also called on government to allow other graduates of the university to participate in the National Youth Service Corps scheme.

In his acceptance speech, Obasanjo challenged Nigerian youths and the other citizens to put more efforts in their bid to seek knowledge.

Obasanjo said that acquisition of knowledge at any age remained critical to personal and national development and transformation.

``Some years ago, when I decided to register as a student of NOUN, I did it for a number of reasons.

``Primary, to acquire knowledge, particularly in Christian Theology, not because I want to be a pastor but rather, to know God more and be able to serve Him better.

``Secondly, I wanted to make a statement that no matter one’s age or position, there should be no barrier to continuous learning.

``Thirdly, I wanted to showcase this university, knowing full well that this country will at no foreseeable future be able to provide adequate access to millions of Nigerians who are yearning for knowledge,” he said.

Obasanjo called on Nigerians seeking for knowledge to consider NOUN as a viable alternative, which was by no means inferior to the conventional universities,

He pleaded with the management of the institution to treat him like any other student.

He said he recognised the role of courtesy in his case but would be more comfortable to be treated like an ordinary student.

The former president urged the alumni of the university to continue to give it the necessary support to solve its various challenges.

3 Boko Haram Members Bags 25Years Imprisonment

After a prolonged trial conducted privately, Justice Ibrahim Buba of a Federal High Court in Lagos, on Tuesday, sentenced three alleged Boko Haram members to 25 years imprisonment each, for acts of terrorism.

The three convicts were among 17 accused persons earlier charged before the court on November 27, 2013.

The accused persons are Ali Mohammed, Adamu Karumi, Ibrahim Usman, Bala Haruna, Idris Ali, Mohammed Murtala, Kadiri Mohammed, Mustapha Daura, Abba Duguri, Sanni Adamu, Danjuma Yahaya, and Musa Audu.

Others are Mati Daura, Farouk Haruna, Abdullahi Azeez, Ibrahim Bukar and Zula Diani.

The Lagos State government had proferred an eight-count charge on the accused, bordering on acts of terrorism and possession of prohibited firearms and ammunition.

Justice Buba, however, delivered judgment in camera, as journalists and other lawyers were ordered to vacate the courtroom, leaving the prosecution and defence counsel.

The judge had earlier sought the views of lawyers in court, if it was within the law to deliver the judgment in the open court.

The Deputy Director of Public Prosecution, Mrs Idowu Alakija, responded that since the trial was conducted in camera for security reasons, judgment should also be delivered in the same manner.

But Buba, who noted that judges learn everyday, said he would like to do a brief research on the subject and rose at about 11.30 a.m. with a promise to return by 12 noon.

At the resumed hearing, Buba again asked the parties to address him on the legality of giving judgment in camera.

The Attorney General of Lagos State, Mr Ade Ipaye, in response, said if the trial was conducted in secret, the judgment should also be delivered in secret, as the judgment was also an inherent part of the proceeding.

The defence team also maintained the same position.

Buba subsequently ordered everyone except the parties and the security operatives to vacate the courtroom, to allow him deliver his judgment.

According to the source, the court had found the first three accused guilty of the offence as charged, and had accordingly sentenced them to 25 years imprisonment each.

“The fourth accused, who  was charged with allegedly sponsoring the sect, was, however, discharged and acquitted on the grounds that the prosecution failed to establish his guilt,” the source said.

The accused were said to have committed the offences on March 21, at Plot 5, Road 69, Lekki Phase I Housing Estate, and 24, Oyegbeni St., Ijora-Oloye, Apapa-Iganmu, Lagos.

They were said to have been caught in possession of  three packets of explosive construction pipes, 15 detonators, and 11 AK47 rifles with 30 rounds of live ammunitions.

Foreign computer expert in military detention

Meanwhile, a foreign computer expert, who works for the Boko Haram terrorists, is currently being interrogated by military authorities.

Informed military sources disclosed to the Nigerian Tribune that the computer analyst was responsible for configuring internet and other computer accessories for the terrorist group.

According to the source, the expert was arrested during a crossfire in one of the onslaughts against the Boko Haram.

Nigerian Tribune gathered that the detainee had even made some confessional revelations about the terrorists’ operations that could aid the troops to end the Boko Haram insurgency.

“We have made a very big breakthrough. The computer analyst is opening up and has made a very big revelation on the modus operandi of the sect,” the source said.