Jerry Douglas' Blog

The Borno Elders led by Ambassador Gaji Galtimari are currently having an emergency meeting with the Borno State Governor, Kashim Shettima, and security chiefs. The meeting is about the kidnap of a former minister, Shettima Ali Monguno, who was kidnapped after the Friday Jumat prayers. The meeting is being held at the family house of Mr. Monguno adjacent the Borno Government House. Mr. Galtimari, who is chairing the meeting, confirmed to reporters that Mr. Monguno was kidnapped as he was leaving the mosque. In his reaction before the closed door meeting started, the governor said that it was “inhuman for anybody to kidnap a 92-year-old man,” indicating that Mr. Monguno is 92 and not 87 as earlier reported. Mr. Shettima said he had spoken to President Goodluck Jonathan and the National Security Adviser, Sambo Dasuki, over the kidnap. He said it was only a “mad man that will harm an old man.” Also attending the meeting is the State Director of the State Security Service

For Chief Abayomi Tella, the immediate past chairman of Ado-Odo Ota Local Government Area of Ogun State, Sunday, April 21, would have signalled his end. But he survived and he’s grateful to God that he’s alive to tell the story. He informed that the day started like any other day for him, with no premonition that disaster was looming. That day, he prayed with his household before setting out for Abeokuta for meetings and other social engagements. As night gradually set in, Chief Tella decided to visit a friend along Obafemi Awolowo Way in the Ogun State capital. And that was when the incident that almost claimed his life occurred. He was driving his SUV, a Toyota Landcruiser, when he suddenly lost control and the vehicle skidded off the road and struck a tree. “What I heard was a loud bang as my vehicle rammed into the tree. The bizarre thing was that I became trapped in the vehicle for two hours. I was all alone without any assistance from anybody. For two hours, there was

Today - May 3rd, 2013, President Goodluck Jonathan has issued a statement via his Facebook page. Given below is his address to the people (original style of writing and punctuation preserved): "In January last year, I had cause to brief our nation on my determination to sanitize the oil industry in order that it would be run in a most businesslike manner such that Nigeria receives value for her God given resources and investments. I had earlier taken strong action with regard to the power sector. The goal was to arrive at the destination of self-sufficiency where waste and inefficiency is eliminated and electricity is available to meet the needs of our citizens. "I have received briefings that previously closed petroleum depots have been reopened or are about to be reopened nationwide and as at today, our domestic refining capacity has peaked at over 10 million liters per day which is our highest level in decades. Nigeria is now is on the road to meeting her fuel

Since the Kokomaster, D’banj, made a public confession that he’s still single and looking for a good woman to make his wife, we reliably gathered that actress Genevieve Nnaji has been making frantic efforts to get back into the arms of the super star. A source, who is an insider in D’banj’s camp, said Genevieve and D’banj never really had a quarrel but that she was complaining too much because of the many ladies around him.D’banj, he said, got tired of her drama and simply ignored her. Now she wants to come back by all means… Genny just clocked 34 and its obvious she can’t just settle with any guy from the street corner; her man has to be someone with some level of class. The source said she made contacts with D’banj at least three times in the last days of April but  D'banj  is still having some reservations. One of his concerns, the source told Olufamous.com, is that Genny is too nosy and always wants to know everything about her partner.  D'banj  is the cool type

The Government of Bayelsa State on Friday officially launched a welfare scheme which will pay citizens aged 75 years and above, the sum of N5000 monthly. Governor Seriake Dickson who had promised to put a smile on the faces of the senior citizens announced this on the official receipt of a report containing data of all citizens in the age bracket. The Special Assistant to the Governor, Mrs Keseme Wilson had been saddled wıth the task of procuring the data of Bayelsans who are 75 years old and above. The Governor upon receipt of the data announced an allowance of N5000 monthly for the elderly ın the State. Source:  Channels TV

An election petition tribunal sitting in Akure, Ondo State a short while ago threw out petitions filed against the governor of Ondo State, Olusegun Mimiko, in two rulings delivered back-to-back in the state capital. The Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) candidate, and former president of the Nigeria Bar Association, Rotimi Akeredolu, had his petition defeated in the first ruling. Justice Andovar Kaka'an ruled that the contention of the ACN that the election voters register had been "pumped up" was a pre-election matter, stating that the party and its candidate was aware of the issue before but did nothing about it. The tribunal therefore dismissed Mr. Akeredolu's petition for lack of proof. Mr. Akeredolu was third in the gubernatorial election last year. In the case of the PDP candidate, Olusola Oke, the tribunal stated that his evidence before the tribunal did not gell with his pleadings in which he asked to be declared the winner of the election, and

The Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), Kwara state, has lost over 2,500 members to the Peoples Democratic People (PDP) over non-fulfillment of election promises. Dr. Bukola Saraki (Senator representing Kwara Central Senatorial District) who received the new PDP members promised that they will partake in the prosperity that the PDP government offers. Elaborating on the reason for the defection, Abdulazeez Kazim who was the ACN secretary for Oke Ogun ward in Ilorin South local government area noted that the decampees were disappointed by ACN’s failure to provide jobs for the youths. Source:  Channels TV

President Barack Obama said on Thursday he is comfortable with a U.S. government agency’s decision to allow over-the-counter purchases of emergency contraceptive  pill for anyone 15 and older. Some critics have complained girls that young should not be allowed to purchase the pills without a doctor’s approval. But Obama told a news conference in Mexico City that the decision was based on “solid scientific evidence.” The U.S. Food and Drug Administration on Wednesday appealed a court order directing the agency to make morning-after emergency contraception pills available without a prescription to all girls of reproductive age. Lawyers with the Justice Department filed the appeal with the 2nd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in New York, according to court documents. The appeal is the latest foray in the years-long legal battle over the pill known as “Plan B,” a drug that has also sparked political and religious clashes. If taken up to 120 hours after unprotected sex, it is

The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has released the 2013 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) results. The board, however, withheld 12,110 results for possible disciplinary action. The Registrar of JAMB, Prof. Dibu Ojerinde, announced this at a news conference on the release of the results in Bwari, FCT, on Friday. The registrar said after thorough processing of answer scripts of the candidates who sat for the examination, the board discovered some forms of malpractice perpetuated during the conduct of the examination. “However, the results of 68,309 candidates from various centres are undergoing further screening to ascertain the culpability of 12,110 candidates’ results.“ A total of 1,629,102 candidates applied to sit for the Paper Pencil Test (PPT), while 15,008 candidates applied for the Dual Based Test, bringing the number of candidates  to 1,644,110. “The general performance of candidates in this year’s examination shows remarkable

Jose Mourinho will not be the only significant departure from Real Madrid this summer. When the outspoken coach finally leaves for Chelsea in the summer, he is likely to be followed out of the Bernabeu by five high-profile players, all of whom have close links to him personally or his agent Jorge Mendes. Following his "maybe not" comment this week when asked about staying on for another season, it is now a given in Real Madrid circles that Mourinho will leave the club at the end of the season. His relationship with heavyweights in the dressing room has deteriorated to the extent that they would be unlikely to be able to work together for another season in any case. As a result, Mourinho is expected to announce his departure in the next few weeks and Madrid are already looking for another coach, with Carlo Ancelotti the leading candidate. And, Mourinho will be not be alone in relocating. Goal has learned that a quintet of players, closely linked to him and also rep

Statistics seem to have finally proven what many citizens had suspected all along that many Nigerian police officers are incapable of passing a standard intelligence gathering assessment test. Reports say out of the 5,000 police officers assessed for intelligence gathering, only 266 qualified. According to the Assistant Inspector General of Police in charge of Force Intelligence Bureau Solomon Arase: “Not every police officer can be an intelligence officer. After we carried out assessment test on the officers on ground, we discovered that a lot of them have to go.” Arase said this in Benin, the Edo state capital yesterday at the inauguration of Zone ‘5’ Intelligence Bureau Ultra modern office complex built by W/ASP Patience Omokaro and her officers through community assistance. “Intelligence is knowledge-based. If you don’t have the knowledge, you can’t be an intelligent officer,” Arase added. Source:  Ynaija

Homicide detectives of the Lagos State Criminal Investigations Department, Panti, Yaba, have arrested an undergraduate of the Redeemers University, Ogun State, in connection with the brutal murder of a suspected gay banker, Adindu Ohamara. According to sources, the banker was on April 9, found in a pool of his blood in his room, having been stabbed severally by the suspect. Six persons were thereafter arrested in connection with the crime by detectives from the Homicide Unit of the State Criminal Investigations Department ,SCID,in Panti, Lagos State. Some of the persons picked-up by the Police included, a sister of the deceased, Flora who regained her freedom on Wednesday. DailyPost has gathered that detectives finally picked up the male student from the Redeemers University, located along the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, Ogun state who is now termed the prime suspect. According to our sources, the prime suspect, name withheld, initially denied knowing the deceased while be

Paris Saint-Germain goalkeeper Salvatore Sirigu has been handed a two-match ban for his part in last weekend's post-match brawl, while former England captain David Beckham was suspended for one game for his late red card in the 1-0 Ligue 1 win at Evian. Beckham was given his marching orders in the last minute - six minutes after being introduced as a late substitute in Annecy - for a dangerous lunge on Youssef Adnane, with fellow midfielder Marco Verratti having also been dismissed. Evian striker Saber Khelifa and PSG goalkeeper Sirigu were then involved in an altercation which saw both also red-carded as skirmishes ensued after the full-time whistle. The disciplinary commission of the Ligue de Football Professionnel (LFP) dished out two-game bans to Sirigu, Verratti, and Khelifa, with the former having risked further punishment for refusing to return to the pitch to be shown the red card by referee Olivier Thual. The bans mean Sirigu, Verratti and Beckham will all

Arsene Wenger has dismissed speculation linking him with Paris Saint-Germain by insisting he still loves his job at Arsenal. Wenger has faced criticism this season after the Gunners again failed to land a trophy and his relationship with the fans has been strained by a string of dismal results. Reports suggested the Frenchman could cut short his lengthy spell at Arsenal and link-up with Paris Saint-Germain before his contract runs out in 2014. But Wenger has ruled out a return to his home country as he remains passionate about his job at the Emirates and hopes to even extend his reign. When asked about his future, he said: "I answered that question already. I respect my contracts. Football excites me...my love for this club excites me." Questioned about a possible new deal, Wenger added: "I want to stay if I do well, if the club considers I do well." Arsenal will be hoping to maintain their push for a Champions League place on Saturday with a win

Dear Arsene wenger I became an Arsenal Supporter just a year after you joined the club, you brought a big change to us and we give you the credit of building a great team. It’s seven seasons since we last won silverware and the team is deteriorating slowly by slowly. My only question to you is, “Where is the old Arsene Wenger we knew” who took us from shame to fame, who lead us to glory. Match after match we’re looking awful, your squad planning is becoming worse day after day, you give players I won’t mention chances to play while we can all see its like they are not ready to deliver. Leaving players on the bench whom, when given the chance, they play their hearts out. Have you lost your touch or what? Why do you want to abuse the trust we’ve given you for all those seasons you’ve been with us? Your always giving out all our best players and replacing them with others that can’t even come near their standards, and leaving players who are always disappointing. We’re losing

Alleged mastermind of the Christmas Day bomb blast that killed about 44 persons and wounded 75 others at St. Theresa’s Catholic Church at Madalla, Niger  State, in 2011, Kabiru Umar, a.k.a Kabiru Sokoto, Thursrday, begged a Federal High Court in Abuja to release him on bail pending the determination of the charge against him. Sokoto made the plea on a day he accused authorities of the Kuje Prison where he was  remanded on April 19, by Justice Adeniyi Ademola,  of denying him access to his lawyer. The accused person, who is answering to a two-count terrorism charge that was preferred against him by the Federal Government, told the court that he was kept incommunicado at the prison, a situation, he said, has hampered his ability to package his defence. Consequently, Justice Ademola, yesterday, ordered his immediate transfer to the custody of the Department of State Security, DSS, pending hearing on his bail application which was fixed for May 6. It will be recalled that tho

The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) on Thursday in Makurdi, destroyed substandard, fake and adulterated medicines and food valued at N400 million. The Director General of NAFDAC, Dr Paul Orhii, who led the destruction, vowed that the agency would continue to destroy harmful items in pursuant to its mandate of ensuring a healthy country. He said that the items were seized by various NAFDAC units across the North Central zone and explained that most of the items were expired medicines. “Most of the expired drugs were voluntarily handed over to NAFDAC by officials of the state ministries of health and other stakeholders,’’ he stated. The NAFDAC boss decried the prevalence of fake drugs and described the situation as “economic sabotage and terrorism against public health. “I have always urged religious and community leaders, traditional rulers and members of the public to support the fight against the cankerworm. I will continue to sing

In a rare collaborative effort, Pop singer Wizkid has released his new single, a duet with Afrobeat legend Femi Kuti. Produced by Pop beat slayer Sarz, Wizzy gives his best on the vocals while Kuti, spreads his famous saxophone tunes all over. It would have however been a highlight if Femi Kuti dropped his vocals. Listen to song below

Emeka, first son of late Biafran leader, Dim Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu, Thursday, accused Governor Peter Obi of betraying his father, following the continued crisis in All Progressive Grand Alliance, APGA. Emeka, who spoke at Nnewi, Anambra State, further alleged that while pockets of crises in  APGA lingered when  his father was alive, he did all he could to resolve the problem only for the governor to upturn the ideologies and ambitions of the party as pronounced by his father in death. Emeka, who spoke with reporters while addressing Nnewi North chapter of APGA, noted that the governor chose to personalise the party and annihilate the real grass-roots members of the party only to bring in strangers who he wanted to do his bidding. “I resigned as commissioner in Governor Peter Obi’s government and some people felt that I should not do that. “Today, those people have got me vindicated.  There are several irregularities that I saw then that made me leave the governmen

The maiden edition of Mr Sam Nda-Isaiah Lecture Series in Minna, Nigeeri State, brought to the fore the atmosphere of friendship between former head of state, General Muhammadu Buhari, and former military president General Ibrahim Babangida as the latter conceded the chairmanship of the occasion to Buhari. Babangida was reluctant to speak at the occasion as the chairman, but when pressed upon, got up and stated that he could not be chairman in an occasion where Buhari was present. “I can’t be a chairman at this occasion when General Buhari is here, and this is for two reasons: one he was 5 and I was 6, and those of you in the military understand what I mean; in other words he is my senior. Secondly, he was the head of state before me, so it is my pleasure and honour to formally invite General Muhammadu Buhari to declare this conference open,” IBB said, conceding the chairmanship to Buhari. Buhari who got up to accept the offer said in the same hilarious mood: “I think

When in November 2008, sultry actress, Ini Edo got married, many expected that it would be a goodbye to spinsterhood for the actress. But about five years after marriage, Ini Edo's case can best be described as that of a 'married but living single' woman.  Her husband, an  American  based, but Edo State-born businessman, Philip Ehiagwina was reportedly married to Ruth, who accused Ini of snatching the handsome dude from her.  So, when news started flittering around about Ini Edo's romance with Philip, it became a war for the actress, who tried everything possible to scare away possible intruders. But five years gone, the couple seldom stays together for a period of straight six months, a source informed Nigeriafilms.com. As we were also informed, while Philip has stayed back in the United States of America, while Ini Edo finds solace in Nigeria, where she stays most of the time. This has raised concerns and questions about the marriage. People have asked if ever

“Good morning, girls!” Igor Fuchs exclaimed as he greeted his students at the start of English class in this southeastern Brazilian city. But this is no ordinary crowd and the curriculum, for the most part, is focused on sex props. Fuchs teaches English to prostitutes so they can give a warmer welcome to tens of thousands of football fans headed here for June’s Confederations Cup, as well as next year’s World Cup. The city’s 80,000 sex workers are counting on brisk business as authorities predict 40,000 tourists will be in town next month for a total of three matches June 15-30. A whopping 140,000 are expected to follow for the 2014 World Cup. With that in mind, the Association of Prostitutes has been offering free English classes to its members at a local mall since March. “We teach basic expressions but also have demonstrations with erotic paraphernalia so they can learn the names, how to use them and propose them,” said Fuchs, a volunteer who also teaches Spanish and

Rangers flew out to Angola for a CAF Champions League match on Thursday without Super Eagles attacker Sunday Mba and Emeka Ezeh. Both players were dropped from the team to the southern African country due to problems with their travelling documents. Both players were on the final 18-man squad for this Saturday’s Champions League third round second leg match against Recreativo Libolo, but they were dropped at the Murtala Muhammed Airport in Lagos after they could not secure the release of their passports from the German Embassy to enable them to travel to Angola. Midfielder Ezeh spoke with MTNFootball.com shortly after the other players left for Angola. “Mba and I did not travel with the rest of the squad to Angola because the German Embassy in Lagos refused to release our passports for us to travel with it. I’m on my way back to Enugu now.” Both players were among the 12 players from the Nigeria Premier League who last week applied for visas to Germany ahead of a Super Eagl

Prior to 1985, Nigerians were amongst the most literate, intellectually-inclined, respected, well-informed, well-read and well-educated people in the world and this had been so since the mid-1800′s. Our education system was once the envy of the British Commonwealth and in terms of academics Nigerians scored firsts wherever they went. However as from 1985 everything changed in our country including our attitude to life, our economic situation, our sense of values, our perception of ourselves and what we stood for and our education system. From that time everything appears to have gone to the dogs and from that point it was just one period of degradation and degeneration to another up until today. Nothing was more affected by this unfortunate state of affairs than our education system. Post-1985 the whole education system in our country simply broke down. The result of this was predictable, swift and startling as an attitude of disdain and derision for anything that lay in th

Robert Lewandowski  is ready to snub Manchester United and join Bayern Munich instead. Alex Ferguson admits he would love to sign the Borussia Dortmund striker this summer. But the £25million-rated Polish sensation is on the brink of sealing a stunning £160,000-a-week five-year deal at Bayern. Lewandowski’s reputation soared after he smashed all four goals in Dortmund’s 4-1 win over Real Madrid in the Champions League semi-final first leg. It sparked a scramble for the 24-year-old — who has just a year left on his Dortmund deal. United believed they were in the driving seat when Bayern signed Lewandowski’s team-mate Mario Goetze. But the striker has also set his heart on joining the team who dumped Barca out of Europe.