16 Years Old Boy Missing16 Years Old Boy Missing

Segun Majekodunmi 

Family of  16 Year old Oluwaga Adebola Samuel have been in panic and desperate search of their son after he got kidnapped on Sunday, 6th of December 2015.

Embrace The Yoruba Culture -Gani Adams Urges

Majekodunmi Segun

The coordinator of Oodua People’s Congress, Gani Adams, has urged Nigerians to embrace their cultural values and heritage.
He said this during the celebration of Elegbara festival, in Shasha area of Akowonjo in Lagos State, where members of the Oodua People’s Congress, OPC, celebrated the festival with hundreds of members of the community.
Speaking on reasons for the celebration, the elated Adams said. “With what we are doing here today, we are correcting the erroneous belief that Elegbara is competing with God, while he was in heaven, but he was remorseful and sought for forgiveness from God and was forgiven and later sent down to the earth and given a great task.”
Speaking further on what the deity is about, and why they celebrate it, Adams said; “Elegbara is a major deity in Yoruba land, although, there are certain negative acts which people attributes to him. Some of these are mischief making, causing tragedies and confusion, tempting and unprincipled, and trickery, but the greater value of Elegbara lies in the fact that he is the second to Olodumare.’’
Former HOD Performing Art Department at LeedCity University Ibadan Prof. Dipo Kalejaye, Made it clear that in the first Yoruba Dictionary compiled by Bishop Ajayi Crowder defines Elegbara As The Devil and this was what changed peoples Insinuation.

Fireworks: As Yuletide Approaches

Majekodunmi Segun

Aside the buzzing and rattling of guns from Nigerian soldiers exchanging fire with insurgents in the evil forests of Sambisa in the war zones of the North-East of the country, the next noise are the ones from children throwing bangers and fireworks to welcome the coming Xmas, as if there are no laws against it
On January 26, 2012 the news media reported the story of an inferno, allegedly caused by a fireworks stored at a warehouse at Jankara market Lagos Island the havoc caused this inferno are in inexplicably painful; a kid was reportedly burnt to death, property worth of Millions were destroyed  and many were injured.
Over the years, the ban fireworks has been one of the rituals of the police banning fireworks from sale to the Nigerian public during Christmas seasons.
The ban didn’t say what happens to the sellers of fireworks, popularly called knock-out or bangers. It was understood that importers of such items risked being arrested for flouting the order.
Even as the ban has been applauded by some residents of Lagos and other states, observers are worried about the implementation and enforcement of the order by the various police commands.
These simple fireworks consist of a rolled paper tube filled with gunpowder with a fuse at the top. The banger is lit and then usually discarded by throwing it. After a short pause the banger explodes with a loud bang. Investigations showed that the ban was as a result of their potential to cause injury through misuse.
Experts stated that such ban is necessary to discourage misuse by children. Bangers are still on sale in Nigeria on yearly basis in Nigeria and nobody has been convicted before now for throwing banger and fireworks.
From Ajangbadi in Ojo areas of Lagos State to Ajegunle in Ifelodun/Ajeromi Local Government Area, to Ikotun in Alimosho to FESTAC Town and from Isolo to Oshodi, and to Onitsha in Anambra, in the South-East zone and to Calabar, to Uyo and to Warri all in South-South, it has been bangs, bangs, and bangs. These are the noise of the fireworks and knock-outs as it’s commonly called.
Manufacturers and importers of the bangers and fireworks, including the retail shop owners are smiling to their banks, as youths troop to the shops in last minute rush to buy the devices in readiness for the Christmas and New Year celebrations.
It has come to the knowledge of the Nigeria Police Force that some Nigerians have started using fireworks and firecrackers in anticipation of the yuletide celebrations. With the present security situation, occasioned by recent bombings in parts of the country, the Inspector General of Police, IGP Solomon Arase, is advising Nigerians to desist from using fireworks, otherwise called “knock out” as the ban on it is still in force. This warning becomes crucial as there are reports that hoodlums are now using fireworks to confuse Nigerians in order to carry out their nefarious activities. Violators of this warning will be made to face the wrath of the law.
Our correspondent got Lagosians thought over the use of fireworks as christmas and New year approach  by speaking with some of them.
A Lagos resident, Ubochi Akandu, told New Telegraph that governments at both state and federal levels are guilty of fireworks and bangers because they also use it during the day and night time celebrations and parties.
The crackers are still available to professional displayers. Fireworks are made from a long tube of crackling powder and are legally classed as a fountain. The emergence of Boko Haram has increased the fear of fireworks and other explosives.
Mrs Olatunji Mother of two kids said I cannot buy banger for my children because they are too small for it, as for me the mature age I see for children to play with banger is fourteen upward"
Some parent see nothing bad in it, like a trader Mrs Babatunde she said "There is nothing bad in using banger to celebrate Christmas and New Year all we as parent have to do is to instruct our children on how to handle it"
In a conversation with our correspondent, Olufemi Davies a fourteen year old Senior Secondary School student said "If I don't throw banger during Christmas as for me that means the celebration is incomplete  though I haven't seen someone whom it has dis figured"
Mr Gbemileke a Civil Servant and father of four said "if there is one thing I will never let my children play with, it is fireworks because that was what killed cousin in Year 2000 while celebrating the New Millennium, since then I have vowed to never buy it with my Money or even play with it"
Firecrackers are commonly used in celebration of holidays or festivals, such as New Year, Halloween, and Independence Day. It was discovered that firecrackers, as well as other types of explosives, are subject to various laws in many countries, although firecrackers themselves are not usually considered illegal contraband material.
It is usually the manufacture, sale, storage, and use of firecrackers that are subject to laws including safety requirements for manufacture, the requirement of a permit to sell or store, or restrictions on the use of firecrackers.
The use of firecrackers, although a traditional part of celebration, has over the years led to many injuries. There have been incidents every year of users being blinded, losing body parts, or suffering other injuries, especially during festivities that customarily involve firecrackers such as the Xmas and New Year season. Security agencies and many governments have enacted laws completely banning the sale or use of firecrackers, or banning the use of firecrackers in the street, primarily because of safety issues but the orders have not yielded fruit.
Chairman Of Nigeria Football Federation Amaju Pinnik sustained a serious  injuries in the face while lighting a firework to celebrate Valentine's day exloded in his face in February 2012  in his Warri home, Delta state when he was the FA Chairman for Delta State It left him in coma for days before he recovered, and left him scars on his face.
Even the storage of fireworks is hazardous  if it is stored where there is heat. Government should intercede as the situation is getting out of hand.

Complete Names Of 21 Ministerial Nominees Read By Saraki

Nigeria's Senate President Bukola Saraki has read out the names of ministerial nominees sent by President Muhammadu Buhari to the Senate for screening.

See the names of the 21 nominees read by Saraki during plenary on Tuesday below:

1. Rotimi Amaechi
2. Babatunde Fashola
3. Kayode Fayemi
4. Adebayo Shittu
5. Audu Ogbeh
6. Chris Ngige
7. Amina Ibrahim
8. Kemi Adeosun
9. Lai Mohammed
10. Ogbonnaya Onu
11. Ibe Kachikwu
12.Aisha Alhassan
13. Hadi Sirika
14. Udo Udoma
15. Solomon Dalong
16. Ibrahim Usman
17. Ahmed Ibeto
18. Suleiman Adamu
19. Abubakar Malami
20. Abdulrahman Dambazzau
21. Osagie Ehamere

Iran In Trouble For Fielding Men In A Female football Competition

Iran In Trouble For Fielding Men In A Female football Competition 

A FIFA medical officer on Tuesday rejected media reports that Iran had broken rules by fielding women footballers, winners of a recent Asian championship, who were actually men.

Days after Iran triumphed at the inaugural Asian Women’s Futsal Championship in Malaysia, reports emerged that eight of the Iranian team were male.
In violation of FIFA rules, the players either had yet to complete a sex change or had suffered from sexual development disorders, Britain’s Daily Telegraph reported, citing Iranian sources.

A report by an Iranian state television website said the women players had the physical strength of men and some had “male inclinations”.
An official for FIFA rejected the claims of rule breaking, though she indicated some players had previously suffered medical conditions that affected their appearance.

“There are no gender concerns for women’s futsal and football teams,” Dr Zohreh Haratian, the governing body’s appointee in Iran, told Shargh daily.

“No scientific proof exists on these claims,” she said, noting that all the players had been checked.
According to the rules, any players participating in overseas matches, should first go through gender verification by FIFA’s medical representative, Haratian explained.

“Only then the player will be permitted to play in Asian or global matches. FIFA will respond to such accusations by foreign media,” she said, naming Saudi Arabia’s Al-Arabia and Britain’s Sky News.
The allegations are not new, said Haratian, also the Head of Iran’s Football Medical Assessment and Rehabilitation Center.

“In the past, a few of our female football players were accused of being bisexual,” she continued, adding that in 2010, one player suffering “an inborn disease of adrenal glands” and looked liked a man but was actually a woman.

“When FIFA understood that their problem was inborn, it rejected the claims and issued permits for them to play in matches.”

http://www.vanguardngr.com/2015/10/iran-in-trouble-for-fielding-men-in-a-female-football-competition/

OAU Students Protest Non-Payment Of Workers' Salaries

OAU Students Protest Non-Payment Of Workers' Salaries (photos)

The Students Union, Obafemi Awolowo University took to the street of Oyo state as its joins in the celebration of Nigeria at 55 to peacefully expressed its displeasure at the non payment of workers' salaries accross Nigeria especially in the Osun state and Oyo state. the Union and its members who despite in their period of examination came out en-masseto protest the poor funding of educational sector, have demanded that President Buhari to implement the 26% budgetary allocation to education as recommended by UNESCO.




Members of CEC were led by Students' Union President, Omotayo Akande (TY); Students' Union Vice-President, Oladunjoye Opeyemi(Oprah); Students' Union Secretary General, Oketooto Oluwaseun; the Union's PRO, Ojedokun Emmanuel (Immanuel Kant) and; the Union's Welfare Officer, Hamzat Olajide(Secrenene).
Two buses were used to convey all individuals present.
The Student Union President, Omotayo Akande took center stage to give a welcome message. He spoke on the reason for embarking on trip which was a two-way motive trip: to pay a condolence visit and embark on a protest. He further enlightened all students present on the order of programme for day.

He stated that there would be a protest at Ibadan to pass messages to the Governor of Oyo State through the media houses on the poor welfare conditions on Obafemi Awolowo Campus and the non- payment of salaries by the State Government despite receiving various funds as bailout for the disbursement of these monies.
This was a welcome idea by everyone in the bus as they all abided by the President's plan.

Along the way, the Union's President threw a question and opened the floor to all students in the bus to bear/lay their minds bare on certain intellectual discourse as pertaining the Independence day celebration.
His question was titled, " 55 years of Nigeria's Independence: Is Nigeria truly 'Independent' or 'neocolonized'"
As a preamble to the discuss, the President spoke on the unpaid salary trend, Ministerial listing, political party Ideologies and EFCC's recent recovery of stolen funds. Attempting to be comprehensive in his approach, he spoke on the HDI(Human Development Index) factor fashioned out by Europeans in order to measure a country's growth in totality of all areas. The criteria he mentioned for this HDI Measurement were just three: Gross Domestic Product(GDP), Life Expectancy and Literacy. He spoke on how developed countries could only attain 0.9 out of a 1, noting that 1 is the highest while stating that developing countries fluctuated between 0.1 and 0.2. Bringing home his argument, he spoke on the collapse of some parts of Block 4 in Awolowo Hall of Residence, the ever dwindling welfare situation on campus;he however justified these reasons in his preamble to the argument. He finally called for submissions, stating that Education was the only way out of Nigeria's socio-economic,Economic and political mess.

A submission was given to further press home his point by one of the students. Which agreed to the ever glaring fact that Education is the only solution that can be used to tackle any problem. Proper planning and the right intellectuals are all that is needed.

To conclude the argument, Omotayo Akande called on Adebayo Benjamin, ACJ's President to speak on the effect of neocolonialism and the role of the press in the whole process.
Laying Credence to the book, "How Europe Underdeveloped Africa," the ACJ President advised that as students,we should erode underdevelopment and fight for what is ours, adding that Education is our only way out.


The Union's President pleased with the trend of the arguments, pushed for an Aluta praise and worship Session that was heralded by the Two versions to the Great Ife Anthem. Lots of songs were chanted to praise the Greatness of the University and the generality of the Students.

However, when "TY" came back on stage(inside one of the buses), he observed that some of the students could not "gyrate" as they should and he stressed the need for everyone to be able to "gyrate" properly.

Immediately the buses arrived at Iwo road in Ibadan, protest placards and handbills were quickly distributed as a massive protest started in earnest.
All students, engaged in a protest blocking the traffic as they marched down to NTA Ibadan on foot, followed by the two buses at a slow pace inhibiting the flow of traffic on the way.
Interviews with the President, Vice-president and other notable individuals in the Union were taken by ACJ Correspondents.
The protest continued at NTA Ibadan but the media house proved to be obstinate and unapproachable as they refused the Union say even after the roads were blocked to attract their attention. An ultimatum was given with immediate effect. It was after much cajoling that the Union were finally given audience and a live coverage. The President of the Students' Union, Omotayo Akande spoke first, conveying his message to the Government in English after which Oketooto Oluwaseun relayed his in the Yoruba Mother tongue.

The protest moved to the National Union of Journalists(NUJ),Oyo council secreteriat in Ibadan where the Union was warmly received as their press statements were taken before another media coverage was given.

Buhari 100 Days: Nothing To Celebrate – Labour Party, Afenifere

Buhari 100 Days: Nothing To Celebrate – Labour Party, Afenifere

For the Pan-Yoruba socio-political organisation, Afenifere President Muhammadu Buhari has performed below the expectations of Nigerians in his 100 days assessment.

Afenifere’s National Publicity Secretary, Mr Yinka Odumakin said “the failure to have a cabinet in 100 days has led to a situation where governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, has taken over the powers of the minister of Industry doing a list of what can be imported into the country.
Only God knows the number of people exercising powers that they dont have today. Look at the illegal bailouts being packaged for the states in clear contravention of the fiscal responsibility act which could have been prevented through a robust debate at the executive council.”

Robust debate
Besides, Odumakin said “the 100 days have also witnessed serial violations of the Federal Character principle through skewed appointments. Day-for-day, Boko Haram has killed more people in the last 100 days and we dont even hear a word of empathy for the victims these days.
Perhaps, the greatest disappointment of the period is the brazen denial of promises made to the electorate by the APC before the elections. They have denied the 100 days without telling us what to expect in the remaining days.”

I doubt Buhari’s good intentions —Ajulo, LP scribe
Giving a cursory glance at the president’s 100 days in office, National Secretary of the Labour Party, LP, Dr Kayode Ajulo expressed doubt over the president’s good intentions in fixing Nigeria.
Ajulo said “President Muhammadu Buhari has recorded one hundred days in office as the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. A hundred days means he has spent approximately three months since his inauguration as president on May 29.”

“On the whole, one is left to wonder if President Buhari, his good intentions notwithstanding, has taken upon himself a responsibility so huge to bear in his goal to fix Nigeria”, he said.

In addition, he said “regardless of what the army of praise-singers, in whose eyes the President can do no wrong, may say, it is in tune with globally acceptable best practices to evaluate his performance as president so far; indeed in view of our unique circumstances as a leadership-challenged nation, it is also very prudent and also necessary for every socially conscious and well-meaning Nigerian- particularly those who clamored and voted him in as president- to conduct a personal scientific evaluation of the performances of the man who promised to usher in change, and a new season for Nigerians and Nigeria.

“His party’s manifesto, his campaign promises, which are presently being denied and the level to which he has redeemed his promises are the standards by which his performance should be evaluated.

Performance evaluation
President Buhari has been severally described by many as a man of integrity whose word is his bond. He is generally perceived as an austere man who belongs to that class of men for whom materials acquisitions take a distant second place to honour, moral rectitude and integrity. If this is so, he should not have any issues with those who seek to hold him to account based on promises made while seeking their votes.

“It is on record that as a candidate, he promised to address three major issues concerning Nigeria namely Security, Corruption and Economy. Areas such as Security, corruption, Economy, National Unity and Integration should serve as a yardstick for ascertaining if Nigerians are on the right track or if we have been given a ‘dud cheque’ by the APC.”

www.vanguardngr.com/2015/09/buhari-100-days-nothing-to-celebrate-labour-party-afenifere/