Girl, 13, emerges Good Shepherd best pupil

L-R: Director, Good Shepherd Schools, Lagos, Dr. Bayo Oyeyemi; Best overall pupil, Miss Oluwabunmi Adeyeye; her mother, Mrs. Adeyeye, at the school’s prize-giving ceremony ...on Friday

For scoring over 80 per cent in all her subjects in the outgoing academic session, a 13-year old girl, Oluwabunmi Adeyeye, has won the best academic minded-pupil award of Good Shepherd Schools, Lagos.

Consequently, the management of the institution has offered the JSS 2 pupil a  scholarship.

Her parents would therefore be saved the burden of paying tuition throughout her secondary school education.

Oluwabunmi was the cynosure of all eyes at the 2012 graduation and prize-giving day of the school on Friday as she received three awards. First, she won the best JSS 2 pupil award; then the best in JSS arm of the school and the overall best pupil award of Good Shepherd Schools in the just concluded academic session.

The girl, who aspires to read Medicine, was full of joy when the director of the school, Dr. Bayo Oyeyemi, announced the scholarship. Her mother, Mrs Adeyeye, who accompanied her to the 14th graduation, was also happy.

Oyeyemi said the school awarded Oluwabunmi the scholarship as a way of motivating her to do better and to inspire other pupils to take their studies more seriously. He added that the girl was the only pupil that scored 80 and above in all her subjects in all the three arms of the school. Oyeyemi noted that such efforts should not go unrewarded.

In response, Oluwabunmi expressed happiness at her performance. But she was quick to add that God’s grace, hard work and the support she received from her parents and teachers were some of the factors that helped her to excel.

She said, “I feel very happy. I never thought I would emerge the best. I studied every day and I was not too playful. I want to study Medicine at the university.”

She advised her fellow pupils to embrace the culture of hard work, obedience and discipline if they hoped to excel in their academic endeavour.

Before the presentation of prizes to pupils who distinguished themselves in the outgoing session, Oyeyemi told the audience comprising pupils, parents and friends of the school that the school groomed pupils to fit into a competitive world.

He said, “We prepare them so that they can excel through self-reliance and not through any crooked means. Our commitment to discipline remains steadfast. Our pupils are trained to respect the rights of others, thereby shutting out all forms of vices.

Oyeyemi admonished the pupils not to join bad gangs, but to imbibe the virtues of honesty, transparency, accountability and hard work that had been inculcated into them as pupils of the school. This, he noted, would single them out for greatness in life.

He added, “We have taught you that through industry and working with your hands, you can have good success. If you keep to this path, more accolades are coming your way and other countrymen and women will emulate you.

“In higher institutions, stay true to the ideals you have learnt for six years during your stay here. I wish you success in the world.”

Also, the Lagos State Commissioner for Education, Mrs. Olayinka Oladunjoye, who was represented by a deputy director in the ministry, Alhaja Idowu Akinlade, urged the pupils to embrace hard work.

This, she said, became necessary because hard work “is the only recipe for success.”

In his remarks, a professor in the Faculty of Education, Lagos State University, Ojo, Emmanuel Akinlade, also advised the pupils to work hard as there was no easy route to success.

Responding on behalf of the graduating pupils, the outgoing Head Boy of the school, Adeniyi Adedapo, promised that they would not let the school down.

He also applauded their teachers for giving them the needed advice and support, which he said, contributed to their academic performance.

Guests were entertained by the school’s orchestra.

Woman to court: What kind of man would strip his wife naked in public?

A 28-year-old woman, Mrs.Rachel Raheem, told an Agege customary court that her husband, Mr. Aliu Raheem, beat  her constantly and  once stripped her naked in the public.
The husband denied the allegations. Rachel, who lives at 84, Egbabo Street Agege, said  her husband  was  fond of bringing home other women and had sex with them in her presence. According to her, confronting him on his behaviour always led  to him beating the hell out of her.
She informed the court that her husband would not  give her more than #500  as  feeding allowance, but would increase the money to #700 whenever he wanted to have sex with her.
The wife  claimed that  they had lived as husband and wife for 11 years despite the fact that no formal marriage was contracted and no bride price was paid.
“To my surprise, he got married to another lady secretly, and  the lady delivered a baby shortly after l gave birth to my second child”. Rachel alleged that her husband became something else after the second wife moved  in. Once, she claimed,  he descended heavily on her to the extent that she had to deliver  a baby through Caesarian operation. She  informed the court that her husband threw her belongings out of  the matrimonial home, while she was away in Abeokuta to report the marital problems to her mother-in-law.
The estranged wife said  she regretted  marrying Aliu, because “he was  a very difficult person”. Speaking in the same vein, Chief  Oloyede lsaac, who claimed to be Rachel`s father’s  childhood friend, testified that Aliu was wicked, adding that he always beat the wife.
Oloyede informed the court that he was the one that encouraged Rachel to institute  the divorce case  when he could no longer tolerate the way the husband was  always stripping  his wife  naked in pubic. In his defence,  Aliu  said his wife lacked  care for him and the children.
The husband  added that Rachel always returned  from the market late in the night and that the situation made  it difficult for him and the children to eat. He denied beating the wife, but admitted to slapping  her when they had misunderstanding sometime ago.The court president, Mr. Emmanuel Shokunle, adjourned the case till August 7 for further hearing.

Shina Rambo; Former Robber returns

A REPENTED former robbery kingpin, who terrorised the South West in the 1990s and now leading a prison ministry, Omokenwa a.k.a. Shina Rambo, is leading a power crusade to rid the Lagos Island of criminals and miscreants who daily make life unbearable for people in the central business district of the commercial capital of country.
A statement by the pastor in charge of the Lagos branch of Word of Life Bible Church, Lagos, Pastor Segun Braimoh, said the Lagos Island Power Crusade with the  theme: “Divine Visitation”, is scheduled for August 2-4, 2012 and it will hold at the popular Oluwole Park, a reclaimed area of Lagos erstwhile regarded as the centre for forging all kinds of documents.
According to Braimoh, Evangelist Shina Rambo, whose real name is Omokenwa, has agreed to share his testimony of conversion at the three-day event and preach the undiluted Word of God with a view to winning the souls of the area boys in Lagos Island for Christ and enthrone a regime of peace in the area.
Coincidentally, the main preacher at the crusade is  a  retired police officer, ASP Udeh Sunday, who at one time was in charge at Robbery Squad in Lagos and there will be two special prayer sessions for Lagos State and businesses in the state. He will be joined by the host, Braimoh, while the TLC Praise Choir will minister.
Braimoh confirmed that the Oba of Lagos plans  to send delegates from the palace.
In a telephone conversation yesterday, the former robbery kingpin, who claimed that his father hailed from Abeokuta, Ogun State, while his mother was from Sabongida-Ora, Edo State where he was raised and recruited into criminal activities.
Rambo reminded  that after terrorising the South west in 1990s, he gave himself up to the police, convicted and was released from prison after serving 11 years at Agodi Prison, Ibadan. According to him, he met the Lord miraculously through a chance encounter in prison with Prophet T.O Obadare and since then his life had not remained the same, and had a prison ministration.
In a recent interview, he advised the Federal Government to tap from the “wealth of experience of people like us who can decode a lot of knotty issues as regards how to curb the menace of armed robbery. Some of those inside the prison are not supposed to be there. By the time they are out, they become hardened criminals.”
He therefore prayed that God will make things work in this country, “If He could locate me from the pit of darkness where I sojourned, and now in Christ, He will deliver the country from bad leaders who make things difficult for the masses, he added.”

China wins Olympics first gold

China claimed the first Olympic gold of the London 2012 Games onSaturday, with a victory for 23-year-old Siling Yi in the women’s10-meter air rifle shooting, as the first official day of the Summer Games got going.
“I’m very excited and happy,” she said, quoted by theofficial Games website. The world’s No. 1, who started shooting atage 13, said there had been “a lot of pressure” on her toperform.
Meanwhile, rival American swimmers Michael Phelps and Ryan Lochteare set to go head-to-head in a battle that will be a highlight ofthe day.
And Albanian weightlifter Hysen Pulaku became the first athlete tobe sanctioned for failing an anti-doping test at the London Games.
Pulaku, 20, tested positive on Monday for the banned anabolicsteroid stanozolol, the International Olympic Committee said, and hasbeen excluded from the competition.

save a life: Jude Ibezim Osemeke needs your help!

An appeal from Jude's family. Please read below...

We write on behalf of Mr Ibezim Jude Osemeke to appeal to your good conscience to assist us in sponsoring him for overseas medical treatment. About four months ago, Ibe suddenly developed hearing impairment, change in voice and severe headache and weakness of the body. He was seen at the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital by a neurosurgeon who then requested for a CT Scan of the Brain. The report indicated that Ibe has brain tumour called Chordoma. The neurosurgeon then advised him to seek medical attention abroad.

Please continue...

We have contacted several reputable neurosurgery centres in India and all are of the opinion that he will benefit from surgery. The definitive surgery which will be in two phases is estimated to cost 3.7 million naira (including the cost of transportation, lodging, operation fees, feeding etc).
Mr Ibezim is from Onicha Ugbo in the present Aniocha North Local Government Area of Delta State. He is a Mass Communication graduate of Olabisi Onabanjo University, Ogun State and had been unemployed since on graduation. His father is late and the family cannot afford the total cost of his treatment.
We humbly appeal to you to assist in saving the life of this promising young Nigerian.
May the Almighty God continue to bless and keep you and your family.

Please make your donations to 
Name: Ibe Jude Osemeke 
Bank: Guaranty Trust Bank 
Acct No: 0008669433.
Thank you.

For: Mr Azuka Osemeke
On behalf of Osemeke Family.

Please feel free to call any of the members of the family:
1. Mr Azuka Osemeke : 08023138956,
2. Mrs Theresa Osemeke :08034936943
3. Mr Ibezim Osemeke : 07069766770
4. Mrs Phillipa Uchechukwu Edo ( nee Osemeke) 08033953178

MISS LASU 2012 to Hold on 8th of August 2012

The much and highly anticipated Lagos state university pageant tagged
“MISS LASU 2012” is finally here. The project which has been
generating a lot of buzz among the student populace of the school is
billed to hold on the 8th 0f August, 2012 at NEW LASU Auditorium, Lasu,Ojo Campus
Ticket: N500
This was revealed from the stables of the organizers of the pageant
SULCATA ENTERTAINMENT who was the brain behind the whole re-branding
of the MISS UNILAG brand in 2011, and is also behind the golden
jubilee edition of MR & MISS UNILAG coming up later this year.

MISS LASU 2012 is a collaborative effort of the Lagos State University
Student Union (LASUSU) and SULCATA ENTERTAINMENT and is targeted at a
total re-branding and upgrading of the pageant brand and the school
public image at large.

This edition is designed to act as a sequel to the success achieved at
Miss Unilag 2011 as it retains its theme “Who is She?”. The excitement
and the anticipation towards it is gradually becoming so high and thus
our resolve to consolidate on the success of the last three years. A
star prize of a Branded Car is going to the female winner.

It is important to note that this is pageant does not promote nudity
(i.e no contestant will be made to wear any costume that reveals her
body). The major basis of judgment for this pageant is “Beauty &
Brains”.

Come August 8th, the final 15 contestants will battle for the crown
which holds several benefits, they include:
* A Branded Car
* Represents Lasu at the Miss University Nigeria Pageant
* Becomes an ambassador of LASU
* N50,000 Scholarship
* Zaron Hair & Make Up Kit (courtesy Zaron Make-Up & Hair)
* 6 Months supply of Mimme Noodles (Courtesy Mimme Noodles)
* Endorsement deals
* Modeling Contract
…… and several other gift items

This edition will also enjoy a series of Pre-activities which acts as
a build up to the final event, they include
~ Meet The Contestants (Aug 1st):: This is the official unveiling of
the Final 15 contestants to the student community.
~ Pre Party (Aug 2nd):: This is targeted to bring friends and
supporters closer to the contestants
~ Charity Walk (Aug 6th):: A walk to combat teenage pregnancy and
unprotected sex.
~ The Ozone Experience (Aug 6th):: Contestants will be treated to a
movie reception at the cinemas
~ The Main Event (Aug 8th): to crown the queen
~ The After Party (Aug 8th):: To celebrate the queen
For More Info please Contact:
Oraka Nnanyelu
(CEO SULCATA ENTERTAINMENT)
08037263785, 08053241625

Gunmen kill 7 policemen in Bauchi, Borno

Gunmen ran berserk in Bauchi and Borno
states yesterday, killing seven policemen in
the process. The attackers also set ablaze a
police station and a local government
secretariat. Four policemen were killed in
Borno State, while several others were injured
when the gunmen, suspected to be members
of the Jamatul ahlis Sunnah lid Daawa wal
Jihad, otherwise known as Boko Haram Islamic
sect, attacked the Gubio Police Station in
Gubio, the headquarters of Gubio Local
Government Council.
The station, along with the local government
secretariat were burnt down, a resident, Mallam
Usman Gubio, said. "Many people ran away from
their houses and took refuge in safe places.
We have never experienced such in this local
government, but I do not know if any civilian was
killed.
However, I saw about four corpses of policemen
being carried in a vehicle. Security has now been
beefed up around the local government and we also
learnt that the police have made some arrests," he
said.
Gubio explained that when the residents heard
gunshots, they rushed into their houses and locked
their doors but had to also abandon their houses
when some of their relatives came and asked them to
leave the area, as it was no longer safe.
The state Police Commissioner, Mr. Bala Hassan,
confirmed the incident to newsmen.
He said: "Two people, including a civilian, were killed
in the attack in Gubio Local Government."
The commissioner did not, however, give any further
clarification, as his phone went off after he confirmed
the killings.
he spokesman of Joint Task Force, JTF, Operation
Restore Order in Borno, Lt.-Col. Sagir Musa, said the
situation in Gubio was purely a police affair and that
they should be contacted.
It was also a tragic day for the police in Bauchi as
three of its men, two inspectors and a corporal, on
patrol along Bauchi-Gombe road were gunned down.
The gunmen made away with the rifles of the three
policemen after shooting them.
National Mirror learnt that the hoodlums attacked the
policemen at about 8:50a.m. when they went on
patrol. It was learnt that the policemen had just
resumed duty at the patrol spot when the gunmen
opened fire on them.
Two of them died on the spot, while the third person
died in the hospital.
Eyewitness accounts said the fourth policeman
narrowly escaped death and ran into the bush with
his rifle. Bauchi State Police Public Relations Officer,
Mohammed Auyo, confirmed the attack to newsmen
in his office.
Auyo, an Assistant Superintendent of Police, ASP,
said investigation had begun into the attack. He said
that a team of policemen had been drafted to the
scene. The PPRO expressed optimism that the
hoodlums would be apprehended.
One of the policemen at the scene of the incident
said the hoodlums were still there before their
arrival. The policeman, who did not want his name
mentioned, added that he saw where the gunmen sat
before they got to the place.
He solicited for useful information from members of
the public that would assist the police in arresting
the suspects.
No group has, however, claimed responsibility for the
attack.

Robbers shoot reverend father in Owerri bank raid

Armed robbers struck in Owerri, the Imo State
capital, when they attacked a branch of a first
generation bank at Umuelemanya in Ehime
Mbano Local Government Area, carting away
millions of naira. The robbers disarmed the
security men at the gate and forced their way
into the bank. At least three people, including
a revered father, were shot in the incident,
which occurred about 4p.m. The reverend
father, who was in the bank to transact
business, was shot in the leg.
A source told our correspondent that the robbers,
numbering about eight, shot sporadically into the air
to gain access into the bank's strong room, where
they stole millions of naira.
According to the source, all the customers were
ordered to lie face down, while some of the bandits
watched over them.
It was gathered that before the arrival of law
enforcement agents, the robbers had fled with their
loot.
When contacted on telephone, the state Police Public
Relations Officer, DSP Vitalis Onugu, said that the
report of the robbery had not reached his office.
Meanwhile, the identity of the reverend father was
not known at press time, but a source said he was
rushed to a nearby hospital for medical attention.

President appoints Doyin Okupe as SSA Public Affairs

President Goodluck Jonathan has appointed Dr.
Doyin Okupe as the Senior Special Assistant on
Public Affairs. National Mirror learn Okupe was
appointed on Wednesday and resumed work at
the Presidential Villa yesterday. The new
presidential aide confirmed his appointment to
National Mirror last night.
"I have resumed on Thursday as the Senior Special
Assistant to the President on Public Affairs," he said.
Okupe told National Mirror that his job schedule
entails deepening the relationship between the
Presidency and the public.
"My duty is to engage the public, media and civil
societies on matters and issues that are current and
affect the Presidency.
I will also provide avenue for proper dissemination of
information," Okupe said.
A presidential source said the appointment was done
to change the poor public perception of the
President, especially through poor handling of his
media by the Special Adviser on Media and Publicity,
Dr. Reuben Abati.
President Jonathan has always been at the receiving
end in the media from the opposition.
Okupe was the spokesman of former President
Olusegun Obasanjo during his first term. He is a
medical doctor and politiOkupe cian.

Atta Mills great patriot, true African leader –Fashola, Saraki

LAGOS — Governor Babatunde Fashola of Lagos
State, and the immediate past Governor of Kwara
State, Senator Bukola Saraki, have described the
late President of Ghana, Prof. John Atta Mills, as a
great patriot, and a true African leader.
In their separate
statements, Fashola
and Saraki noted that
the late Atta Mills
succeeded, during his
reign, to make Ghana
a reference point not
only in the West
African sub-region but
on the African
continent.
Fashola said: "He built
on the achievements
of his predecessors
with his wise and pragmatic approach to
governance and succeeded in making Ghana a
reference point in West Africa and, indeed, the
continent. Without doubt, this generation will
continue to draw inspiration from his life and times
and celebrate his exemplary life of service to the
Ghanaian nation and Africa."
Extending the goodwill of the government and
people of Lagos State to the new President, the
governor said: "As you assume the high office of
President of your country to fill the vacuum created
by the demise of President Mills, our thoughts and
prayers will be with you as you lead your country in
mourning the loss of a patriot and in building on
the legacies of your late President".
In his statement, Senator Saraki, representing
Kwara Central in the National Assembly, in a
statement by his Special Assistant on Media, Mr
Bamikole Omishore, said the late Ghanaian
president "will forever remain in the memory of his
people and all those who knew him closely as a
true patriot of his native land, having devoted his
life to the struggle and good governance in Ghana."
According to the statement, "he was loved by
Nigerians with his invaluable contribution to the
smooth bilateral relationship between both
countries. His death is a huge loss to Africa and its
allies. I express my deepest sympathy and
profound condolences to the entire nation of
Ghana, most especially his relatives and close
associates
"I also use this opportunity to wish President John
Dramani Mahama, the new president, all the best
as he takes up the enormous task of leading Ghana
and we look forward to continue to strengthen the
relationship between Nigeria and Ghana."

Army donates anti-bomb equipment to churches, mosques

Nigerian Army on Thursday donated vehicle stoppers
to churches and mosques as part of measures to
protect places of worship against terrorist attacks,
the News Agency of Nigeria reports.
Army Chief of Civil Military Affairs, Maj.-Gen.Bitus
Kwaji, while handing over the equipment to some
churches and mosques leaders in Abuja, said the
gesture was part of Army's corporate social
responsibility.
Kwaji said the equipment could stop vehicles that
come in contact with it from any direction, saying,
"the innovation is simple and effective''.
He said the Army produced 18 of the equipment to
be distributed to places of worship within the Federal
Capital Territory.
He said, "It has been discovered that most attacks by
suicide bombers are carried out with vehicles loaded
with Improvised Explosive Devices.
"This mode of operation is simple as a suicide
bomber drives his vehicle straight into his target and
explosion occurs.
"In order to stop bombers from reaching their
targets, this invention comes in handy as it forcibly
stops any vehicle that comes in contact with it at
whatever speed."
He said the equipment was designed in response to
the challenge by the Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-
Gen.Azubuike Ihejirika.
Kwaji regretted the security challenges facing the
country had continued to hinder its progress.
Army Director of Policy, Maj-Gen. Richard Chioba,
said the equipment had been "tested in other
countries and it worked".
He said corporate bodies interested in the device
were free to mass produce it to secure their
organisations.
Chioba said the donation of the equipment was to
ensure that lives and property of the citizens were
protected.
The Executive Secretary of the Abuja National
Mosque Management, Alhaji Ibrahim Jega, expressed
joy at the development.
Also, Rev. Chukwuemeka Okonkwo of the Methodist
Diocese of Nyanya said the gesture had indicated
that the Federal Government and the Army were
bothered by the situation.
He said, "We believe that with this and other devices
revealed to us, there will be peace and security of
lives in the nation.''

Four feared killed in Edo cult war

Four persons were feared killed in the last two days
at different areas of the Edo State capital, Benin,
following a renewed cult war between suspected
members of Black Axe and Eiye Confraternity.
On Wednesday night, an unidentified middle-aged
man was killed at a bar on Zabayor Street, about
10.30pm.
Some members of the state anti-crime outfit,
Operation Thunderstorm, confirmed the night killing
to our correspondent.
An army sergeant said the security outfit got to the
scene barely three minutes after the man was shot.
The sergeant, who pleaded anonymity because he
was not authorised to speak on the matter, said, "We
got there minutes after he was shot. They shot him
on the head. The man later died in the hospital."
The deceased was said to have been trailed by about
six assailants to the bar.
Eyewitnesses said the assailants stormed the bar
and on sighting their target, they shot him several
times on the head.
The supremacy battle between the two cult groups
has left scores of people dead and several others
injured in last three years.
One Nosa Ebohon (aka Biggy), an engineering
graduate of the University of Benin was also killed on
Wednesday along Adolor College Road.
He was said to have been invited by unknown
persons to a bar, where he was shot on the chest at
close range.
His remains have been deposited at the University of
Benin Teaching Hospital.
When contacted, the state Police Public Relation
Officer, Anthony Airhuoyo confirmed the killings.
Airhuoyo said one person was killed at a bar at the
Okhoro area of the city, adding that police had
commenced investigation into the incident.

Women can vote us out in 2015 – Jonathan

President Goodluck Jonathan believes women voters
have the capacity to vote out his administration in
2015 and even elect their kind to preside over the
affairs of the country.
The President also expressed the hope that Nigeria
would soon produce its first set of women service
chiefs.
Jonathan, who spoke while declaring open the 7th
Summit of African First Ladies Peace Mission in Abuja
on July 14, said the governorship election in Edo
State had shown that women voters outnumber their
men counterparts and could utilise the numerical
strength for electoral purposes.
He said, "Women can vote us out come 2015. They
can even put a woman as President.
"Our commitment to electoral reforms and justice
has ushered in an era where women can deploy their
numerical strength to ensure that their preferred
candidates win elections at all levels.
"This has been made possible in every instance by
our administration commitment to the electoral
principle of one man one vote, one woman one vote,
and one youth one vote."
Jonathan said his administration had encouraged
women by giving them public appointments such as
the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of
the Economy and Minister of Petroleum of Resources
and the Chief Justice of the Federation.
He added that by making provision for the admission
of women to the Nigerian Defence Academy as
combatants, women could aspire to be service chiefs
and even Chief of Defence Staff.
He said, "For the first time, we admitted women to
the prestigious NDA to prepare women as full
combatants in the Army, Navy and Air force.
"We have admitted women now into NDA and we are
hopeful that in few years to come, a woman could be
chief of army staff, chief of air staff, chief of naval
staff or even chief of defence staff."
Jonathan said since women have got more than they
bargained for, he hopes they would not begin to
discriminate against the men.
He said, "They asked for 35 per cent and we have
given them 60 per cent. I hope they will not turn out
to discriminate against us."

Gunmen kill three in Borno police station attack

Police on Thursday confirmed the killing of three
persons by gunmen, who attacked Gubio,
headquarters of Gubio Local Government, Borno
State.
The state Commissioner of Police, Alhaji Bala Hassan,
told newsmen in Maiduguri on Thursday that the
attack took place on Wednesday.
Hassan said the victims included two policemen and
a civilian, adding that the police had begun a
manhunt for the attackers.
He told the News Agency of Nigeria "We have not
made any arrest yet but we have spread our dragnet
for them. We are combing the entire area in search of
them. We will get them sooner or later."
However, residents had earlier told newsmen that a
group of about 10 gunmen had invaded the town
located about 85 kilometres from Maiduguri in the
evening.
Mr. Modu Ibrahim, a resident, said, "Some gunmen
invaded the town in the evening shortly after
Muslims had broken their fast for the day.
"They went straight to the Gubio Police Station where
they attacked the officers on duty before heading for
the Local Government secretariat."
Meanwhile, the Federal Government has inaugurated
a joint paramilitary task force to repatriate illegal
aliens across the country.
Comptroller of Immigration, Osun State, Mr. Ola
Omolere, said this during the inaugural meeting of
the task force at the Osun Command of the Nigerian
Immigration Service, Osogbo.
The paramilitary task force included the police,
Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, State
Security Service, Customs and Excise, Nigeria Prisons
Service and Nigeria Immigration Service.
Omolere said the mandate of the task force included
arresting and deporting illegal aliens in Osun State.

Wazobia FM, COSON sign copyright pact

As part of the move to make artiste reap the
gains of their creativity, the Globe
Broadcasting and Communications Limited,
owners and operators of Nigeria's popular
radio stations- Wazobia FM, has signed royalty
agreement with the Copyright Society of
Nigeria (COSON). With the signing, the station
is now free to play any song by Nigerian
artistes in the course of entertaining its
numerous listeners without infringing on the
copyright laws as the media organisation has
agreed to pay royalty to the artistes through
COSON, which almost all Nigerian artistes are
members.
Speaking at the colourful occasion, the Group
Managing Director, Wazobia FM stations, Amin
Moussalli, said the agreement demonstrates his
organisation's respect for the Nigerian Copyright
Laws, urging other media owners to stop running
away from the law.
He said:"If you believe in the Nigeria laws, do the
same like John F Kennedy said, nobody is below the
law; nobody is above the law."
He stressed that it is the tradition of his organisation
to operate within the framework of the law, saying
business grows when the entrepreneurs respects the
right of others especially the environment where he
operates.
Mousalli also used the occasion to announce plans by
his group to go into television broadcasting in 2013,
saying that the National Broadcasting Commission
(NBC) was currently vetting his group's application
to this effect.
On his part, chairman of COSON, Tony Okoroji,
described the agreement as a positive step towards
making Nigerian musicians reap the fruits of their
labour.
He added that most Nigerian broadcast industries
are guilty of exploiting the potentials that exist in the
country for creation of wealth and employment. He
said, "business in Nigeria need to understand that in
the new world economy, driven by knowledge,
respect for intellectual property is central to any
sustainable development.

LASU Muslim students move against beauty contest on campus

The Muslim Students' Society of Nigeria (MSSN),
Lagos State University (LASU) chapter, Ojo, last
week, discouraged the institution's Students' Union
to discontinue its preparation for planned annual
pageant show tagged: "Miss LASU 2012."
The Amir (President) of the group, at a meeting
recently held at the university's central mosque, said
he had called the union president, Durojaiye Akeem,
to stop the programme from taking place for both
moral and security reasons.
Reacting on the issue, the union's Social Director,
Jerry Kabiri, said the social event was a tradition of
the union "and it is organised to promote the cultural
values and traditions of the country and it is also
used to expose the intellectual endowment of the
university's students to the world."
Kabiri, therefore, explained that the Students' Union
had already signed a memorandum of understanding
with a company - Sulcata, to fix the date and design
of the interior decorations of the hall. The students'
union president also subscribed to this position.

Presidency denies buying 200 cars for presidents’ wives

The Presidency on Wednesday denied a media report that the Federal Government
purchased 200 exotic cars for the ongoing African
First Ladies Summit being hosted by wife of the
President, Mrs. Patience Jonathan, in Abuja.
The government, in a statement by the Special
Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Dr.
Reuben Abati, described the report as "utterly false
and misleading."
It added that the report was another attempt to
incite public anger against the Presidency and the
Federal Government.
The statement read, "The true facts of the matter are
as follows: The African First Ladies Peace Mission
which is holding its summit in Abuja is a Non-
Governmental Organisation. Its activities are funded
by stakeholders and members of the private sector
who support and identify with its objectives.
"In accordance with its modus operandi, the AFLPM
set up several committees, including a finance
committee to raise funds and sponsorship for the
organisation of its Abuja Summit.
"As part of its own contributions to the successful
hosting of the summit by the First Lady, Patience
Jonathan, Coscharis Motors Ltd. offered to provide
some cars for the event at no cost to the organisers
or the Federal Government of Nigeria.
"Under an agreement signed by the committee and
Coscharis Motors, all the cars will be returned to the
company after the summit."
The Presidency argued that the authors of the report
were aware that they had no facts to support the
claim that the Federal Government bought the cars
in question.
It said it was regrettable that the authors of the
media report rushed to publish a completely
erroneous report, the falsity of which should have
been apparent to them.
"Their very unprofessional and unethical decision to
publish the unverifiable allegation can only be
construed as another attempt to incite public anger
against the Presidency and the Federal Government,"
the statement added.

Gunmen kill Indians, injure three in Maiduguri

GUNMEN on Wednesday killed two Indians, injuring
three at a factory in Maiduguri.
Sources said the gunmen demanded some money
from the Indian traders, before they fired several gun
shots into the factory and fled in an unmarked
vehicle chanting Allahu Akbar, (God is great!)
The Press Trust International quoted spokesman for
the Joint Task Force, Lt. Col. Musa Sagir, as saying,
"Suspected members of Boko Haram terrorists
attacked a Gum Arabic Factory located at Bayan
quarters, Maiduguri metropolis today at about 10:00
hours during heavy rain.
"The incident led to the death of two Indians, one
was wounded and is receiving treatment at the state
Specialist Hospital."
He said the suspects went away with some money
from the premises where they carried out the attack.
He said none of the local residents were killed or
injured, except for the Indian nationals affected.
According to him, investigation has commenced to
apprehend the hoodlums.
Islamic sect, Boko Haram, has been waging a
sustained war in the North, killing and destroying
property.
An eyewitness said, "The gunmen continued to fire to
scare us from the scene and it took the Joint Task
Force about 30 minutes to arrive at the scene."

Obasanjo, Amosun, others mourn Mills

POLITICAL leaders, parties, lecturers and groups on
Wednesday joined Ghanaians in mourning the death
of their President, Mr. John Mills.
Mills, a former lecturer of law at the University of
Ghana, died at a military hospital in Accra on
Tuesday. He was aged 68.
Former President Olusegun Obasanjo; Ogun State
Governor Ibikunle Amosun; renowned economist,
Prof. Pat Utomi; Governor of old Anambra State Jim
Nwobodo; Lagos State University Vice-Chancellor,
Prof. John Obafunwa; and the House of
Representatives regretted Mill's passing, describing
it as "a big loss to Africa".
Others who lamented the death were Covenant
University Vice-Chancellor Prof. Aize Obayan; Lagos
State House of Assembly Speaker Adeyemi Ikuforiji;
the Save Nigeria Group, the Movement for the
Restoration and Defence of Democracy; the
Republican Party of Nigeria, a professor of History,
University of Lagos, Mr. Yomi Akinyeye; and former
Dean, Faculty of Law, UNILAG, Prof. Chioma Agomo.
According to the News Agency of Nigeria, Obasanjo,
who is in Ghana for an engagement, described Atta-
Mills death as a "shock to the people of Ghana and all
of us who knew him".
Obasanjo added, "He has been a stabilising influence
in his country and indeed West Africa.
"My heartfelt condolences to the people of Ghana,
the Vice Presid and the family of the late President.''
Amosun, in a statement by his Senior Special
Assistant on Media and Communications, Mrs. Funmi
Wakama, described Mills' death as "lamentable,
especially coming at a time when his leadership
qualities were beginning to reshape opinions of the
world about democratic governance in Africa".
He added, "Mills was a democrat par excellence, a
foremost academic, who brought his wealth of
experience both in the classroom and political field to
bear on the governance of Ghana. Africa and the
world will truly miss him."
Nwobodo told NAN in a telephone interview that
"Mill's death was a big loss for Africa in general and
ECOWAS in particular".
Utomi said "Mills was a part of the voice of thinking
in Africa".
He said, "He was an intellectual able to work with
reform minded soldiers for the sake of his country."
On their part, Obafunwa, Obayan, Akinyeye and
Agomo regretted that death had denied Ghana the
services of Mills.
Obafunwa told NAN, "One would like to remember
Mills for the efforts he was making to bring a
turnaround in the fortunes of the country's economy,
compared to what it used to be."
The House of Representatives, in a statement by the
Chairman of the House Committee on Media and
Public Affairs, Mr. Zakari Mohammed, described Mills'
passing as "a great loss not only to Ghana but to
Africa in general".
Ikuforiji, in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary,
Mr. Rotimi Adebayo, said, "It is with great shock and
heavy heart that I , on behalf of my family, all my
fellow legislators, management and staff of the Lagos
State House of Assembly send our condolences to the
government and people of Ghana on this sad
occasion of the lsudden death of Mills, a great son of
Africa."

Assembly probes unpaid salaries of ex-councillors

The Lagos State House of Assembly is to probe the
non-payment of arrears, severance benefits and
salaries of former political office holders of the local
government areas in the state from 1999 till date.
The Speaker of the House, Adeyemi Ikuforij, at a
plenary session on Tuesday, directed Committee on
Local Government Administration to investigate the
matter following petitions by former councillors in
the state.
Earlier, the Leader of the House, Dr. Ajibayo Adeyeye,
lamented the complaints in the LGAs following non-
payment of benefits of past political office holders of
local councils.
He said, "Just last Monday, some former political
office holders of 2005-2008 tenure staged protests to
the House over non-payment and withholding
salaries and arrears of councillors by some council
chairmen. This trend is worrisome and needs urgent
intervention."
The leader urged the House to take holistic approach
towards finding a permanent solution to the problem.
He said, "The Deputy Whip, Rotimi Abiru, who is a
former office holder with Somolu LGA has confirmed
that he is still being owed some arrears by the
council."
The House directed the committee to investigate the
development and report back in two weeks.
In a related development, the House adopted the
report of a five-day workshop on budget and finance,
which recommended the monitoring of the revenue
profile of the state.
The Assembly subsequently requested Ministries,
Department and Agencies to furnish it with the
progress reports on the implementation of their
budget on quarterly basis.