Why we killed NTA reporter –Boko Haram

SAM OLUWALANA (National Mirror)

Islamic fundamentalist sect, Boko Haram, has claimed responsibility for the killing of a reporter with the Nigeria Television Authority (NTA) Maiduguri Network Centre, Zakariyya Isa, saying that his murder was not a case of mistaken identity but that of a carefully planned and executed killing by the sect. The group also claimed responsibility for Saturday night’s multiple attacks on a police station and banks in Saminaka, Kaduna State as well as last week’s attack on a riot police barracks in Kwami, Gombe State.

The group said Zakariyya was killed because “he was an informant of security agencies”. The Spokesman of the group, Abul- Qaqa told journalists that, “Zakariyya was not killed in error. We killed him because he was spying on us.” There were earlier speculations that Zakariyya was a victim of “mistaken identity” because this is the first time that a journalist was killed since the beginning of the violence in Maiduguri, but Abul-Qaqa said the killing was “carefully planned and executed.” Qaqa stressed: “We have ample evidence beyond reasonable doubt that he was giving vital information to security agencies on our modusoperandi. We investigated thoroughly before we killed him. He gave information to security agents that led to the arrest of many of our members.

We sent him a text and told him that we would visit him. We killed him not because he was a journalist, but because of his personal misconduct. His actions were against the ethics of his profession.” Qaqa explained. Qaqa also added that his group has no qualms with journalists who conduct themselves professionally in the course of their duties. “And I want to tell you that we have no grudge against journalists that are working in line with the professional provisions of their work. Whenever they misquote or misrepresent our position, we normally call them and tell them to correct the error,” Qaqa said.

Dangote commences exportation of fruit juice to African countries

Dansa Foods Ltd., the beverage and juice fruits manufacturing arm of Dangote Group, will commence exportation of its fruit juice to neigbouring African countries in the first quarter of 2012.

The company Managing Director, Mr George Eremionkhale, made this known on Tuesday during an inspection tour of the company’s factory in Lagos and  listed the countries of export as Cameroon, Gabon, Niger, Senegal and Ghana.

The company’s products include Dansa fruit juices in various packs and flavour, Ziza yoghurt drink and milk of different packs, Kally carbonated drink and Mowa table water.

He said that the company had met all the needs of Nigerian consumers in virtually all the states of the country.

The managing director said that the company had already acquired hectares of land in Calabar in Cross River, for its orchard farm.

He said that the move was aimed at making the company self-sufficient in local raw material sourcing for its entire product range. 

“We have embarked on backward integration in our juice manufacturing. Our goal is not only to provide for Dansa, but also for other industries in Nigeria.

“This will reduce our dependence on imported concentrate juices, and produce adequate juice to feed the mills and also explore the export market,’’ he said.

Eremionkhale said that the company was equipped with the state-of-the-art machines.

He also said that the factory was equipped with modern machines worth billions of naira with adequate production lines and over 600 direct workers.

The managing director said that the company did not engage casual workers, adding that the company was according priority to workers’ welfare..

Eremionkhale identified inadequate power supply and poor infrastructure as some of the major challenges confronting the company.

He said that the company was planning to convert its power generation plant to use gas so as to to reduce expenses on electricity.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Dansa  was incorporated in December, 1994. 

Okorocha to pay N20,000 as minimum wage in Imo

Gov. Rochas Okorocha of Imo on Monday agreed to pay N20,000 as minimum wage to workers in the state, with effect from April.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the governor who broke the news during an interactive session with the workers in Owerri, however, said the arrears would be paid in instalment.

The announcement by the governor generated wild cheers from the workers, who had been expectant of an agreement on the new wage.

Okorocha, appreciated the hardship workers went through in taking full responsibility of their families, stating that ``the N18,000 national minimum wage cannot sustain a worker with a family in the present economic realities in the country''.

``N18,000 cannot sustain a worker, who has six children in school, plus his wife and other dependants,” he added.

Okorocha also announced free medical care for the workers, adding that a medical test would be conducted, particularly to ascertain their blood pressure and sugar level.

“A lot of people are suffering from hypertension and diabetes. This is why some people usually collapse in the office and it will be attributed to spiritual attacks,”  the governor noted.

He also said that Fridays would be set aside for fitness exercise in the state, explaining that the workers would be expected to jog round some parts of the state capital, to keep fit.

The governor solicited the cooperation of the workers in meeting the target set by the administration to provide dividends of democracy to the people.

Okorocha, warned the workers against lateness to work, absenteeism, truancy and laxity, saying the government would not hesitate to remove those found compromising the duties assigned to them.

The governor commended the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) for their steadfastness in the course of the negotiations and urged it to continue to partner with the government in order to transform the state.

Commenting on the decision of Abia government to sack non-indigenes in its employment, Okorocha said it was a sensitive issue that was being handled with care.

Chairman of the NLC Reginald Anyadike expressed delight over the governor’s gesture, saying it was a demonstration of the government's concern for the plight of the workers. 

He pledged that the workers would reciprocate by being more alive to their duties.

Ajimobi attends Commonwealth Business Forum

Gov. Abiola Ajimobi of Oyo State on Sunday left the country for Australia to attend the Commonwealth Business Forum.
In a statement on Monday in Ibadan by his Special Adviser on Media, Dr Festus Adedayo, the governor is expected to participate, alongside other governors at the Forum in Perth, Australia, in conjunction with Commonwealth Heads of Government.

 The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the Forum is centred on the theme, ``Partnering for Global Growth: The Commonwealth, Indian Ocean and the Pacific Rim."
The statement said that the Forum would highlight new global economic partnership for Trade and Investment in key sectors across the commonwealth and beyond.
The state government is expected to meet and discuss trade, investments and partnership opportunities with investors and learn about new businesses and investment prospects.
The statement stated that the governor was accompanied on the trip by his Chief of Staff, Dr Adeolu Akande and the Commissioner for Agriculture, Mr Bimbo Kolade.

Others are his Special Adviser on Trade and Investment, Mrs Princess Oworu; Special Adviser Solid Minerals, Mr Mathew Oyedokun and Special Assistant in the governor's office, Mr Dayo Iyaniwura.

House mandates committees to investigate plight of Nigerians in UK

The House of Representatives on Tuesday mandated  the Committees on Foreign Affairs and Diaspora to do a legislative work on saving one Mrs Gloria Musa and her six children from Haringey British Police.

The resolution followed a Motion by Rep. Abike Dabiri – Erewa ( ACN – Lagos ) and others ,which was adopted when put to vote by the Speaker Aminu Tambuwal.

Moving the Motion, Erewa said that one Gloria Musa  of Abia who is married to a Mr Musa of Adamawa living in the United Kingdom with six children had five of their growing children taken away since June  2010  by British Police on account that ``she is a sex worker''.

Erewa, who is the Chairman on Diaspora, noted that due to the forceful custody of her children, Mrs Musa and family has been subjected to the worst psychological crisis and were currently in a state of mental trauma.

The legislator lamented that the situation of this Nigerian family in the UK was pathetic.

She urged her colleagues to support the motion to save Mrs Musa’s children

The legislator explained that concerted efforts have been made by the committee, the Nigeria High Commission to Britain to get the children back.

‘’ We have made contacts with the Musa’s and her hope is on us,’’ she stressed.

In their various contributions in support of the Motion,Rep. Samson Osagie ( ACN – Edo ) said the matter required diplomatic strategy since the matter was not in court.

He said that the ‘’ trauma that the family is undergoing now can be better imagined’’.

Rep. Nnenna Ukeje ( PDP – Abia ) who is the Chairman on Foreign Affairs, on her part in support of the motion,  said Nigeria and the House of Representatives were committed to strengthening the family.

She, however, noted the absence of detailed information on the matter was important, adding that they might be ‘’ underlying factors’’ regarding the issue.

Ukeje suggested that the House find out the exact situation of the matter.

Rep. Jerry Manwe (PDP – Taraba ) who also supported the motion urged that the issue be investigated to actually know the nationality of the affected children.

‘’ Let the matter be thoroughly investigated to ascertain the real nationality of these children. ’’

Rep. Peace Nnaji (PDP – Enugu) in her contribution said that Nigeria has a right to protect her citizenry either at home or abroad. (NAN)

Crimes Against Humanity In Benue State

Friends of Prof. Steve T. Ugbah USA

Playing opposition party politics in Benue State can be akin to playing Russian roulette, and can often lead to wrongful arrests, discrimination, or worse still, death.

Unlike in the free world where opposition parties task themselves with playing the role of watchdog to keep the ruling party on their toes,  the Benue State Governor, Dr. Gabriel Toruwa Suswam has elected to subdue the opposition or eliminate them altogether.

That is the fate of those who woke up in Ugbah Village in Logo Local Government  Area on Monday October 13, 2011, thinking it would be an ordinary day. Little did they know that day will go down in history as a bloody day just because they dared express shock at the killing of one of their most valuable residents along with his brother, a recent graduate of Benue State University.

Mr.  Agber was until his death, a well-known micro-credit financier who had loaned to all regardless of party affiliation, albeit sympathetic to the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN).

When friends and family discovered the remains of the now deceased Celestine who was murdered along with his brother, they would also find out that the deceased were also beheaded.

Incensed, the villagers swung into mob action and launched reprisal attacks, and the casualties went from six originally to 30 and possibly more within the next 24 hours. In addition, over sixty homes were burnt, and the casualties if not contained could mount.

Since the April 26, 2011 governorship election in Benue State, the opposition have been hunted like game - some have lost their jobs, been demoted or transferred; while others who were not so lucky have lost their lives including Mr. Charles Ayede, who until his death served as the Communications Director to Prof. Steve Ugbah who challenged Governor Suswam under the platform of the ACN. Mr. Ayede was the first publicized victim of political assassination in Benue State after the elections.

So many others have been targets of violence, intimidation and threats by text messaging, and phone calls.  None of these acts are hidden from the Presidency or the office of the Senate President who himself hails from Benue State.

For the past six months, Governor Suswam has ruled Benue State with an iron fist, and twisted reality every time it suited him. On this recent mayhem in Ugbah Village, and without investigation, the governor promptly pronounced the death of Celestine as the handiwork of unhappy clients, while characterizing the ensuing fracas as the handiwork of the opposition.

The timing of Suswam’s most recent state sponsored terrorism could have been anticipated. The legal noose around his neck is gradually tightening. The case filed against him by his fellow PDP stalwart Mr. Terver Kakih regarding his elusive certificate has commenced this week with a mandate from the Chief Justice of the Nation that the court take no more than 21 days to  adjudicate the case cannot be pleasing to  Suswam’s  ears.

Similarly, a suit brought against him by Prof. Daniel Saror will soon be heard.  To make matters worse, Prof. Ugbah and his team are on the go in their march to the Supreme Court to regain the Benue people’s stolen mandate from Governor Suswam..

Wounded and cornered, Suswam lashed out, and sought to quickly blame the opposition for the latest violence.  After all, the people of Benue do not have a mind of their own, for most of their thinking must be done for them by opposition leaders.

It’s obvious that the strong man of Benue State continues to operate unfettered; committing atrocities in the name maintaining order, thereby stamping out the opposition - especially those with the scarlet letter ACN associated with them. But as the world stands by and watches, Benue citizens are dying and getting maimed.

A plethora of human rights atrocities are ongoing in Benue State, and the chief protagonist also happens to be the chief security officer of the state. Most alarming is the deafening silence of President Goodluck Jonathan and Senate President David Mark which may lead one to infer their tacit approval.

If Nigeria is not a one party state, when will the realization that political opposition is here to stay sink into the consciousness of those at the helm of affairs in Nigeria?

When will those who have no say in the running of the affairs of the country ever receive justice?

When will the citizens of Benue State who voted for change, a different kind of leadership get a fair judgment?
 

It’s so difficult to find a wife, says D’Banj

By Ogbonna Amadi Entertainment Editor(Saturday Vanguard)

The D’Banj in this very delightful interview with Saturday Vanguard opens up first time on his relationship with Genevieve Nnaji and the controversial interview with President Jonathan. He also talked about his ideal woman and why he cant find a wife and more…
Enjoy
The Kanye West Deal…
First of all there are two different kinds of contracts here. This deal is more like a Mo Hit’s Records contract and under Mo Hits, there are two deals.
The first, is a two- year production deal with Don Jazzy. He’ll be working directly with Kanye West. The second one is more like a partnership. It’s flexible because it’s a partnership. It’s not a regular deal because we’re funding some part of the deal. And it also puts us in the position of power. The deal isn’t just for the Mo’hits crew. Other artists will also have access to it and the money will come in. We now have the connection and the bridge has finally been built and as we’re doing that we’re still holding our base back home. So it’s flexible and good too.
The New Single
Oh yes, it will drop before December by God’s grace with a beautiful video. It’s a Kanye West collabo.
‘No long thing’?
Mo Hits records stands for more hits as you well know. I decided to use ‘no long thing’ meaning no long story, because I love freestyle and I love to play with words. The Koko thing was coined in London. Before we finished the recording of my first album, there was an independence show in October 2004 which I was invited to perform as a solo artist. Then I was signed on to Backbone records headed JJC of the 419 Squad.
Before the show, we’d parted ways JJC, but he was nice enough to say we could still perform with his group. Kween Onokala who was also a former member of the crew was the first to climb the stage. After her performance, I was told by DJ Abass the organiser of the show, I was only good enough for a song.
As I went on stage, I shouted ‘I’m D’banj and it was only one guy who responded by saying “ we no know you”(we don’t know you). Then I responded with “if you no know me, wait you go know me”. Then I started singing. And the song I did was an Afro beat song.
So as Kween made to leave the stage, I pleaded with her not to. I sang, “make you know ask me wetin you go do for me, but ask me wetin I do for you, wey go make my body stand well well…”
Everyone just went mad with excitement. The outfit I wore that night was sent from Nigeria by my brother. And because it was a size smaller, my broda the trouser come jump
As I was rounding up, DJ Abass beckoned that I continue. Immediately I went into the song, Mo Bo Lowo Won.
Gbagaun, come see spraying, meeen! Gbenga Adeyinka, can tell the story. By the time I finished that, I did a third song. Then Gbenga Adeyinka came up and said “who say them no know am?” And everybody shouted “we don know am!”
And that’s how I also came up with “I’m Skibanj. ” Skibanj evolved because of our interactions with some Jamaican friends who were always with us in the studio.
My performance earned me the right to now play with JJC. I played the mouth organ in the song, See Me See Wahala. A certain Nigeria journalist who was in crowd wrote on my performance.
As at that time, my mother who didn’t agree that I go into music, saw the story, called and demanded that I return home.
Coming Home
I was an Engineering student in LASU. And mum obviously like every parent, didn’t see anything good in the business.
But I told her it’s what I wanted. So advised that even if I wanted to do music, I should be through with school first.
So she said I could come back home and that they’ll support me. By this time, Don Jazzy and I were already planning on how to come back and that’s how we found Mo’Hits.
Do You like the Koko?
When we first returned home, we played some of our songs to friends and I remembered Ruggedman saying the Koko song was going to be a hit.
Because of the way people reacted to the Koko song, we decided to shoot the video. And after the release we went back to London to hustle. By February, we got paid N150,000 to do a show in Lagos. I was only able to pay for only one ticket to come home, but I told Don Jazzy not to worry because we were already gaining grounds.
The next show in 2005 was good and I told Don Jazzy to come home. He flew in and we did the album launch at White House on 25th March, 2005. And things have been going well since then.
Challenges
I want to say thanks to my mum because she’s been support. We had no godfather or money but mum supported myself and Don Jazzy. The challenges of settling in was more of us moving from one hotel to the other in trying to get ourselves ready because we couldn’t do it from the house. We did most of the jobs in the night and it was hard moving from one place to the other.
Don Jazzy and I were flat mates in London, so it was easy to share the boys-quarters of Mummy’s house. But soon we got a place at Otedola Estate around Marwa garden. We were happy and mummy was too. She was even in support because she knew that our jobs were always in the night. She supported us and I remember she bought us a Previa bus. Before success came we paid our dues by doing more than a hundred free shows
I’m D’Banj
I think I’m more matured and have more experience. Obviously life is good and sweet. To whom much is given, much is expected. So Don Jazzy and I think of ways to come out with creative things. God has been faithful and I owe no thanks to anybody but to God Almighty.
I’m not a great singer, I’m not even a singer, not a rapper, I’m just a entertainer. And whenever people hear my songs they’re always happy. And we try to bring out something different all the time and the Mo’hit crew live in harmony and blend with everyone, both the high and low.
Koko Mansion
The Koko mansion winner was not supposed to be come my companion. Even oversea when you do a reality shows, you could say you’re looking for the best this or that. Koko Mansion was a search for the ideal woman and not for D’banj’s ideal woman.
With my exposure, I’ve found out abroad, the picture of an ideal woman is different from what we have here. There, both couple would cook and do other chores together. But here, it’s not same. And that’s why I was not responsible for the winner or loser. If I had to choose the winner, I’d another woman. But it was all about whom an ideal woman is to us Africans.
At the end of the day after she won, I saw the reason why they voted for her because she was ideal to them in their own way. She was ideal, cool, respectful and had other qualities. But as a man, I was not attracted to want to date or marry her. Even some people in the house saw that I was attracted to some other Kokolet not minding if she’s a criminal. I wasn’t meant to be with her but it was for her to be established in her own way. We sponsored her to South Korea after then, she went on a project she signed for. So she wanted to work as a presenter and I tried getting her into HiTV and she did the job for a while but I don’t know whether she’s still there.
The return of Koko Mansion
So many things have happened to us over the years. We’ve had the America trip, the collabo with Snoop Dog and more. Reality shows takes a lot and we have to do it well.
The first time we did it, Hi TV sponsored it. After that we got sponsors especially from DSTV. But there’s a problem because Hi TV covers mainly London and a lot of my London people enjoyed the season one.
But for season 2, DSTV is going to give me 800 million Africans and I’m trying to look for how we can expand.
The next reality show might be a camera man just following me around. It doesn’t have to be the search for an ideal woman. It might be Koko Mansion shot in te studio and there will be the making of my album.
They say I’m a role model to many youths and they’re confused about how I work. The show could focus on the making of my songs, so the youth would seethat it isn’t so easy coming out with a good album.
So my reality show is not going to be limited to the search for an ideal woman.
The Genevieve Story
I really can’t remember, it cost between N4m to N5m. I ‘m not too sure. But I think it’s a beautiful idea if not for the way everyone is trying to go about it. I think Genevieve is a stunner I could date or love her. But we didn’t date. She’s my friend and a star you know. We’re close and we both understand that things couldn’t work out.
That song was recorded two years before the video was released and it remains my biggest song ever.I wanted to make a statement with it.
We had options of whom to use in the video, but at the end of the day, we saw that it’s an African song and by that time I had already played it in about fifty weddings.
A touch of Jazzy
I think we should ask Jazzy that question because I objected to the idea and wanted to do something for Koko mansion. It was Jazzy who insisted we do it. I told him I couldn’t do stuff like that because I’m not P-Square, I’m not used to love songs. But Jazzy said I had to do it.
I did it again in Scape Goat. Yes, I will do more love songs because now, I’m international and it doesn’t really matter if it’s Hip -hop or R & B.
My songs will be based on the ideas I get.When Falling love was done, I was going through a phase, now I’m a grown man. And that’s why I recorded Oliver Twist.
We’ve short listed our top 50.
You asked why it’s taking us long to start our realty show? We’ve started it, it’s just that we’re looking for the best way to drop it. Don Jazzy did the Enigma and we’d more than 1800 entries.
With Oliver Twist, we have over two thousand entries from more than eighty countries.
We’re actually taking the top five videos which we will either add or re-create to suit the real Oliver Twist video.
Cult llumminati
Unlike Don Jazzy, I’m not internet friendly. So I don’t know what Illuminati is. I believe in Jesus Christ the Almighty God, who has given to me, all the money and successes. I’ve no idea of what people are talking about. I’ve heard a lot of rumour about us being members of Illuminati, drug trafficking and other allegations. I think the rumours are because of our success stories and because Nigeria exports nothing but music and movies.
So, it’s wake up time for our youths know that what we do isn’t for us alone but for the whole nation. And if you tarnish what we export, you’d have us running away to overseas to live our lives. Seal ran away fron the country because of the same problem and he’s one of the biggest artists in the world today. If he was, his money would have done a lot for the youth.
President Jonathan connection
First of all, he didn’t ask to be interview, instead I did the asking and that was four months before the election came up. I asked for the interview because I needed to have a good reason for what I’d wanted to do.
A year before then, I already changed my song from Scape Goat to I Will Vote For Him. A lot of people had asked why I changed title of my song.
I told myself that if I had an opportunity to meet him, I’d ask him just one question which is, his agenda for the youths.
I’m not a journalist and couldn’t have asked the rellevant questions. I was only interested in his plans for the youths. I still have recording of the interview.
If some people were not biased, they’d see that he addressed at least nine issues ranging from job, employment to education and everything that I thought was okay for my level.
I’ve no regret for doing the interview. Because of the reactions of some people, I had to go back and watch the whole thing and I saw the highlights again.
I wasn’t even around when it was aired.
More Koko please
Am I good in bed? How I’m suppose to know? I think you should ask the women, but please don’t ask a virgin
That song is misleading them. When you say how big is the koko?, then they want to see if it’s that big. But when some come, they see what they either want to see or don’t expect to see.
So are you saying that the song has put you into a lot of trouble?
Yes, a lot of time. But to find a lady that really likes one genuinely makes me paranoid. Of late, I dated a lady called Dana and she doesn’t even know that I’m a musician. I told her I’m a businessman. She’s based in America and I like it. Is it wrong? Even if I date a foreigner, I still have to come back home.
Are you saying you haven’t met any Nigerian lady?
It’s really hard to find because how will I know she likes me genuinely? My mother said I should go to Bishop Oyedepo’s Church, Living Faith to find a wife.