Nedu Echianu's Blog

Nigeria’s chances of advancing to the next round of the London 2012 Olympic Games suffered a setback Tuesday evening, as Lithuania basketball team beat D’Tigers 72-53 points in their second Group A match.   The Lithuanians, who were on a revenge mission for their loss to Nigeria’s D’Tigers during the Olympic qualifiers in Venezuela shortly before the London Games, asserted their superiority over their Nigerian opponents, leading 14-8 in the first quarter of the game.   The Nigerians heighten their game by closing the gap in the second quarter of the game, but still lost 20-19 points.   Seeing that D’Tigers were struggling to bounce back into the match, Lithuania raised their game against the Nigerian side that failed to maintain the momentum in the third quarter. Lithuania went ahead to win the quarter 22-13, and sealed their victory in the fourth quarter with 16-13 points to win the encounter 72-53 points.   Lithuania, who snatched their first

A policeman at the Michika divisional headquarters in Adamawa state (North West Nigeria) was on Tuesday shot dead after shooting two of his colleagues who are now receiving treatment in the hospital, police spokesman Muhammed Ibrahim said. An eye witness had told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Michika that the incident occurred around 7 am on Tuesday when the policeman, identified as Abba Gana, opened fire on his colleagues. Confirming the incident to NAN, the command's spokesperson, Ibrahim, a deputy superintendent, said an inspector and a constable were shot in the incident. He explained that the policeman who resisted arrest, had been shot dead with the assistance of men of the Adamawa special anti- robbery patrol, "Operation Tsaro.'' "It’s an unfortunate incident this morning, one of our policemen who signed for a rifle for duty, turned around and opened fire on his colleagues who are now receiving treatment in the hospital,'' Ibr

Imo state Governor, Rochas Okorocha has unveiled a revolving loan scheme that will offer the sum of 10m Naira interest-free loan to the Keke (Tricycle) Operators in the state.  The governor made this disclosure during an interactive meeting with the keke operators at the Government House,Owerri. Governor Okorocha explained that the loan scheme would be supervised by the leadership of the Keke Unions to ensure that beneficiaries do not default even as he added that the scheme will go a long way to empower the operators and make them earn better respect in the society. He solicited for their support in ensuring cleanliness of the capital city and urged them to continue in the fight against crime by making available information that can lead to the arrest of criminals.  He also promised that a handsome reward awaits those that will give useful information to government and security agencies. The governor further disclosed that he has stopped the collection of a

Imo state Governor, Rochas Okorocha has struck a peace deal with the 27 PDP Council Chairmen he sacked last year, but who were reinstated by a Federal High Court in Owerri . The Governor who addressed the council chairmen in a  meeting held at Sam Mbakwe Expanded Exco Chamber, Government House, Owerri underscored the need for the chairmen and other stakeholders to join hands in the drive to transform Imo State.

James Holmes, the man accused of opening fire this month inside an Aurora, Colorado, movie theater, has been officially charged with a total of 24 counts murder charge in relation to the shooting. James Holmes is suspected of killing 12 people and wounding 58 during a Batman film premiere on July 20. He is also being held in connection with the subsequent discovery of his booby-trapped apartment, which authorities think he rigged before the massacre.

Suicide bomber. shred to pieces by his own bomb at Jan bulo in Kano State. Viewer Discretion advised...

Suspected militants have attacked the family home of Vice President Namadi Sambo on Baba Ahmed Road in  Tudun Wada area of Zaria, Kaduna state.  Reports reaching me from Sahara Reports say gunmen drove by the house and shot at two policemen guarding the house. The policemen reportedly survived the attack while the gunmen fled the scene after the attack.

A gun battle near a mosque in the northern Nigerian city of Kano and two other shootings left at least eight people dead on Sunday in the latest violence to hit the area.

Two suicide bombers attacked police formations in Sokoto State (North-West Nigeria) today, leading to an unconfirmed number of casualties. The first blast happened at Marna area, which is close to the Zonal Police Headquarters in the state while the second blast took place at Angwar Rogo. Some residents suspect that the attacks were carried out by Boko Haram insurgents but the sect is yet to claim responsibility. Reports reaching me from Premium Times indicate that the police in the state have confirmed that an officer and a suicide bomber died in the attack on two police installations in the city. The suicide bomber had driven a bomb-laden car into the office of the Assistant Inspector General of Police in the city at Marina killing a police officer and injuring several others. The second attack, almost simultaneous, occurred at the Unguwar Rogo Police station in the metropolis.  The casualtuy rate from the second attack is unknown. The North-Wes

Before last weekend, the question of Nigeria’s underdevelopment, to my mind, revolved around the infrastructural and economic backwardness that is overwhelmingly apparent in our country. Last weekend, at the CNN Multichoice African Journalist 2012 Awards in Lusaka, Zambia, my perception of the true state of my country took a drastic turn.

Imo state Governor, Rochas Okorocha has extended an olive branch to the 27 PDP Local Government council chairmen he sacked last year but who were reinstated by a Federal High court in Owerri. The Council chairmen have however refused to accept the gesture as they shunned a meeting scheduled yesterday by the governor to interact with them.

Reports reaching me say Ukrainian International , Andriy Shevchenko has quit football for active politics. The former AC Milan, Chelsea and Dynamo Kiev attacker is quoted to have said that football is now history as he has now set his sight towards politics. Ukrainian media say he is expected to join an independent party known as "Ukraine - Forward" which was formed by this year by politicians who were expelled by the main opposition coalition that used to be led by former prime minister Yulia Tymoshenko. Wishing him the best, hope he becomes the President of Ukraine one day.

  As Nigerians were getting ready for another round of long queues at petrol stations occasioned by the strike embarked upon by the National Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas workers NUPENG, who are calling for among other things, the payment of 2012 petroleum Subsidy arrears, repair of bad roads in the country (their tankers ply the roads) and the restructuring of loans to jetty owners, the federal Government who only act when strikes are called seem to have negotiated with the union. The press office in the ministry of Labour and productivity has just released a communique which they say was signed with officials of  NUPENG.

Manchester United Midfielder, Michael Carrick is 31 today...happy birthday to you dear, wishing you more years of top notch football at Old Trafford.

I stayed awake all through last night to watch the opening ceremony of the 2012 London Olympics, while doing so, i also followed twitter and facebook updates on the ceremony and i must admit that a lot of Nigerians where awed at what the British presented to the world.

the half roasted cash Saw this rather intriguing story on Yahoo news and thought i should share it with you guys...

If you wake up with this under your pillow what will you do?  

Following a painstaking survey on the rate of crime and other forms of criminality in Nigeria by a non governmental organization, some of their findings i brought you  Here on this blog, one of which is the increasing rate of armed robbery in the country. Well, the Inspector General of Police, Mohammed Abubakar seems not to be happy with the result of the survey as it concerns the alarming rate of robbery. Speaking at a meeting with government agencies and non-governmental organisations in the justice sector, the police boss noted that such "assumptions" cannot be made without an input and cross checking with the police authorities. He added that such publications give the country a bad name and has a negative effect on the economy while also portraying the police as not carrying out its mandate. The IGP also noted that the removal of road blocks on roads across the country was a huge success, adding that, until now, the road locks had given the p

As the trial of the suspected fuel subsidy thieves kicks off on a shaky note, the ruling Peoples Democratic  Party has distanced itself from the business dealings of the son of its chairman Mahmud Tukur who is one of the suspects. Former Minister of the Federal capital Territory and vocal PDP "basher", Nasir El Rufai surprisingly seems to be in agreement with the official stand of the PDP...

These pictures released by the Imo state Government House Press show Governor Rochas Okorocha lending a helping hand or so it seems, with his deputy, Sir Jude Agbaso to remove a broken tiper lorry on the road during an unscheduled tour of the Federal Medical Centre, along Orlu road, Owerri recently... Check out the Photos and let me know what you think.

Sun Newspapers (Daily) Editor, Steve Nwosu, on Wednesday afternoon narrowly escaped being killed, as he was shot by men on a moving motorcycle, suspected to be armed robbers. Mr. Nwosu is said to be in stable condition, as he is recuperating from the trauma of the incident in an undisclosed private hospital in Lagos, where he was rushed to immediately after the incident. “Steve is fine,” Deputy Managing Director, Sun Publishing Company Limited, Femi Adesina, said in a telephone chat from Lagos. "There were no serious wounds, but he had to be kept overnight in the hospital for observation. As you know, the shock of an experience like that could be traumatic.”  Although the real identities of Mr. Nwosu’s attackers are still unknown, it was gathered that the men may have been armed robbers, who trailed him on a motorbike from a bank in the FESTAC area of Lagos, where he had gone to transact some business. The editor, who was in the front of

The Summary of Findings of a 2012 National Crime and Safety Survey carried out by a non governmental organisation, CLEEN Foundation indicates that incidence of armed robbery in Nigeria has been on a steady rise from 11% in 2010 to 17% in 2012.  When disaggregated by States, the results of the 2012 survey showed that Edo State recorded the highest of 63%, Anambra State 47% and Ondo 33%, while Jigawa and Kwara were among the least in robbery with 4% and 2% respectively.  The survey also revealed that security in the home is still a challenge as 47% of robbery occurred mostly in the homes of respondents, 24% near the home, 20% else where and 9%  in the workplace or school.   The survey added that incidence of mobile phone theft remains the highest crime in the country.  The survey also indicated that incidences of kidnapping has decreaed in the country, a total of 2% of all respondents interviewed nationwide disclosed having been victims of kidnapping or attemp

Lady Gaga and her management company are being sued for $10 million by the makers of Bratz dolls. MGA Entertainment filed legal papers in New York saying the star caused "deliberate" delays to the release of a doll based on her image. It claimed the doll was meant to be in shops for Christmas, but the pop star wanted the release held back to tie in with a new album, scheduled for 2013. The merchandising company working with Gaga called the claims "meritless". According to the breach of contract complaint lodged with a court in New York, the singer acted in "bad faith" by withholding final approval for the doll. MGA also claimed that Gaga and her management wanted to concentrate on marketing a perfume instead of their figurines. The line of dolls had been due to make $28 million in revenue for the Christmas 2012 retail season, it estimated. Agreements were in place with at least six distributors, with orders coming from at least 10 countries, accordi

The Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC, yesterday inched closer to its dream of becoming a first class National Oil Company with the launch of an ultra-modern Data Centre. The Green datacenter which is designed for maximum energy efficiency and minimum environmental impact is built with leading industry standard technologies adjudged by experts to be second to none in the country. Speaking at the brief unveiling ceremony, Group Managing Director of NNPC, Engr. Andrew Yakubu described the Data Centre as a highly secure, fault-resistant facility which will be available for use by the private sector and other industry stakeholders on commercial basis so as to generate revenue for the Corporation..   He said the philosophy behind the project is to establish a center where equipment central to the Corporation can be hosted. Thus business applications like SAP, Nipex, etc. as well as Microsoft Exchange messaging, Intranet systems, and other specialized systems

Imo State Governor, Rochas Okorocha has urged the National Assembly to ensure that an additional state is created in the South East on the basis of equality and fairness. Governor Okorocha who stated this when a committee on State Creation visited him in Government House, Owerri, maintained that an additional state in the south-east would bring the zone at par with other zones in the country. The governor posited that South-East has been marginalized due to the imbalance in the number of states and urged all the stakeholders in the zone to close ranks to ensure that the project is actualized. The governor further posited that the additional state for the zone could be created from Imo and Anambra. (Source: Imo State Government House Press)

This is an appeal to the management of the Abuja Environmental Protection Board to immediately cover up under ground drainage systems in parts of Abuja especially the Wuse 2 Area. These dangerous holes can be seen at Banex Junction, Adzope Crescent and Kashim Ibrahim way and other parts of the city.

A Federal High court sitting in Abuja has granted an interim order to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC to forfeit the sum of $15 million being bribe money allegedly offered by former governor of Delta State, James Ibori to former EFCC Nuhu Ribadu.   Granting the interim order on Tuesday, Justice Gabriel Kolawole, also ordered the EFCC to publish the interim forfeiture order in a national newspaper to enable anyone who is interested in the money to come before the court within 14 days and show cause why the final order of forfeiture should not be made in favor of the Federal Government.   The order made by the court was sequel to an exparte motion brought by the Federal Government represented by Rotimi Jacobs.    The Federal government argued that the cash was received by officers of the EFCC from an undisclosed agent of James Ibori in 2007 and has since been deposited to the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN.   The EFCC alleges that the money

Painful story from Daily Trust Newspaper... A man from Umuida, Enugu-Ezike in Igboeze North Local Government Area of Enugu State, (South East Nigeria) Mr. Mathias Nweze, on Saturday shot his wife to death thinking she was a thief.  Nweze, who is popularly called “Honourable”, was gathered to have said that he was sleeping in his house in the night when his generating set went off abruptly.  Reports say Nweze immediately woke up, and suspecting that thieves might have sneaked into the house, brought out his pump action gun and aimed at the direction of the generating set. He was said to have fired several shots to scare the suspected thieves. It was further gathered that Nweze realized his mistake when his wife screamed that she had been hit.   The woman was rushed to the New Testament Hospital, Ogrute  in Igboeze North Council headquarters, where doctors  confirmed her dead.  Police in the state said yesterday that they have already commenced investigati

A Lagos High Court has adjourned the arraignment of the first batch of oil subsidy fraud suspects till Thursday after all the accused persons failed to appear in court. The second batch of suspects would be arraigned before Justice Adeniyi Onigbanjo by 1 p.m. The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission had on Tuesday unveiled the first group of 20 suspected fraudsters billed for arraignment over their involvement in the subsidy scam. The suspects include Mahmud Tukur, the son of the national chairman of the ruling Peoples Democratic Party, Bamanga Tukur. Mahmud is managaing director of Eterna Oil, which has as board chair, the vice-presidential candidate of the Action Congress of Nigeria in the 2011 election, Fola Adeola.  (Source: Premium Times)

Ghana Vice President John Dramani Mahama was sworn in as the west African nation’s new president on Tuesday, hours after the sudden death of president John Atta Mills. Ghana’s chief justice swore in Mahama before an emergency session of parliament following Mills’ death. Speaking before parliament shortly after his swearing-in, Mahama pledged to maintain stability and paid tribute to his predecessor. “I wish Ghanaians to be assured that all is well,” he said. “We are going to maintain the peace, unity and stability that Ghana is noted for.” Mills’s death came five months before he was to run for re-election in the country seen as a bastion of democracy in west Africa. The 68-year-old Mills, who oversaw the start of large-scale oil production in Ghana in December 2010, had recently traveled to the United States for a medical check-up, but the cause of his death was not given. He had recently shown signs of illness, including losing his voice and dro

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, has concluded arrangements to prosecute the first batch of 20 suspects implicated in the oil subsidy fraud.   The suspects, comprising six oil companies and 11 individuals, will be docked in Lagos courts.

It seems the Imo state Government (South East Nigeria) has changed its mind on the relocation of the state University, (IMSU). The following statement from the Special adviser to Governor Rochas Okorocha on media says it all.

Ghana's President John Atta Mills, who had been suffering from throat cancer, has died in the capital, Accra. A statement from his office said the 68-year-old died a few hours after being taken ill, but did not give details. "It is with a heavy heart...that we announce the sudden and untimely death of the president of the Republic of Ghana," the statement said. Mr Atta Mills has ruled the west African country since 2009. A presidential aide said Mr Atta Mills had complained of suffering pains on Monday evening and he died on Tuesday afternoon, Reuters reports. He had returned to Ghana after visting the US for medical checks, the news agency says. (Source: BBC)

Two suspects have been nabbed by men of the state security service,  for beheading a seven year old boy and attempting to sell the head. The service, while parading the suspects, John Yakubu and Ishaya Dakulung, said the suspects were arrested at  A.Y.A junction in Asokoro, Abuja, the Nigerian capital after a tip-off. Ishaya Dakulung, one of the suspects, confessed to newsmen that he contacted John Yakubu to get a human head after he was approached by an unnamed person who was in need of it. Photo of the Suspects and the head of the 7 year old boy...Viewer Discretion advised...

A police corporal, Pepple Boma, has been arrested for allegedly killing the Otun Baale of Egun Makoko Community, Timothy Hunpoyanwa, during a demolition exercise authorised by the Lagos State Government. Hunpoyanwa was killed on Saturday while trying to make peace between task- force officials who were demolishing shanties and protesting youths.

Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon Emeka Ihedioha explained yesterday that the House resolution on budget implementation was informed by the House belief that appropriate and timely execution of the budget would critically fast-track infrastructural development in the country. He noted the preparedness of the House towards working closely with the executive to ensuring that the 2012 Budget and the subsequent budgets are comprehensively implemented for the benefit of all Nigerians.

The Social and Economic Rights Centre (SERAC) today led hundreds of  residents of Makoko, (a shanty community in Lagos State, Nigeria) where thousands of shanties have been destroyed over the past week, to Government House, Alausa, in a peaceful protest against the ongoing demolition exercise.  

  1   University of Lagos      Lagos 2   University of Ilorin       Ilorin 3   University of Ibadan    Ibadan 4   Obafemi Awolowo University                 Ile-Ife 5   University of Benin      Ugbowo ... 6   University of Port Harcourt      Port Harcourt 7   University of Agriculture,          Abeokuta ... 8   Ahmadu Bello University           Zaria 9   University of Jos           Jos 10   Covenant University                     Ota

These people were snapped yesterday scooping petrol from a crashed tanker, on Okene - Ogori road, Kogi State, Nigeria.   Recently, over 100 people were burnt to death in Ahoada, a community near Port-Harcourt, Rivers state while scooping fuel from an accident tanker. .. And I ask, why are Nigerians no longer taking their lives seriously...Someone says its as a result of the increase in porverty, do you agree? your views here...

Drug-resistant HIV has been increasing in parts of sub-Saharan Africa over the last decade, according to experts writing in the Lancet. Studies on 26,000 untreated HIV-positive people in developing countries were reviewed by the team. They said resistance could build up if people fail to stick to drug regimes, and because monitoring could be poor. A UK HIV organisation said resistance was a serious problem in Africa where alternative treatments were lacking. The researchers, from the World Health Organization (WHO) and University College London (UCL) found the most rapid increase in drug resistance occurred in East Africa, at 29% per year. In Southern Africa, it was 14% per year. There was no change in resistance over time in Latin America and in West and Central Africa. (Source: BBC)

Katherine Jackson, the mother of Michael Jackson and guardian of his three children, is safe and with a family member in Arizona, authorities said late Sunday, one day after another relative reported her missing. Los Angeles Sheriff's Deputy Mark Pope said investigators made contact with Jackson, but he did not have specifics on her whereabouts. The agency previously said they believed she was with a relative and safe, but wanted to speak with her. Katherine Jackson is with her daughter Rebbie in Arizona, following a doctor's orders to "de-stress" and stay away from the phone and computers, her son Jermaine Jackson said in a statement late Sunday. He said access to his mother is not being blocked. A member of the Jackson family had reported the family matriarch missing on Saturday, prompting a frantic plea from the late pop star's only daughter to help locate her grandmother. "I haven't spoken with her in a week I want her home now," 14-year-old P

Top Nigerian rapper and Storm Records artiste, Naetochukwu Chikwe also known as Naeto C has wedded his better half, Nicole Chukwueke. The church wedding, took place today in Lagos at Hecuvactor centre, Lekki Phase 2. Congrats Bro, wouldn't have  made a better choice.

Sylvester Stallone and several close family members mourned the passing of Sage Stallone today, at a private funeral held in Brentwood, Carlifornia.. The memorial services took place at St. Martin of Tours Catholic Church. Sly, his wife Jennifer Flavin, and his brother Frank Stallone were all present.  36-year-old Sage -- who appeared in "Rocky V" with his dad -- died July 13 at his L.A. home. The circumstances surrounding his death are still being investigated. (Source: TMZ)

Usher's 11-year-old stepson has passed away this morning (Saturday 21st July)from injuries suffered in a tragic jetski accident in Georgia earlier this month. Doctors removed 11-year-old Kyle Glover from life support after it was determined the injuries were too severe to overcome.  Reports say Kyle's mother, Tameka Foster, struggled tremendously with the decision. Glover was injured on July 8 ... as he was riding in an inner tube that was connected to a pontoon in Lake Lanier.  According to authorities, a family friend who was riding a jetski behind the pontoon lost control and collided with Glover's tube. The accident is currently under investigation.  (Source: TMZ)

A traditional ruler at Makoko, a shanty community in Lagos State, Nigeria, Timothy Agbe, was, on Saturday, allegedly shot dead by State Task Force officials deployed to demolish shanties in the community. Agbe, who was the Itun-baale of Egun Makoko, was killed while trying to prevent the officers from setting some property in the coastal community ablaze. Six other persons were arrested by the task force officials at the Makoko and Iwaya Waterfront which the state government declared unsafe for habitation. Agbe’s death infuriated some of the displaced residents, who rallied to drive the task force officials away. The Chairman of the Mainland Slum Dwellers Association, Musbau Agbodimu, said the task officers had taken the demolition exercise too far on their last visit. “The task force officials came this afternoon to continue their demolition but the people were surprised that after demolishing shanties under the powerline, they continued demolishing a

The  International Olympics Committee IOC on Saturday (21st July 2012) reallocated the medals removed from the United States men's 4x400 relay team from the Sydney Games because of the admitted doping by one of its four athletes, the late Antonio Pettigrew. The IOC stripped the U.S. team - including Michael Johnson - of the relay medals in 2008 but had postponed reallocating the medals pending any information from the BALCO doping investigation in the U.S. Pettigrew died in 2010 from an overdose of sleeping pills. The IOC has however decided to elevate Nigeria to the gold, with Jamaica moving up from bronze to silver and the Bahamas from fourth to bronze. The Nigerian relay team was made up of late Sunday Bada, Jude Monye, Clement Chukwu as well as Enefiok Udo-Ubon.

Nobel Laureate Prof. Wole Soyinka has supported calls for regional co-operation and autonomy, devolution of powers from the centre, community policing and the non-posting of Youth Corps’ members to violence-ridden areas. He, however, disagreed with the condemnation that has trailed the appointment of the First Lady, Dame Patience Jonathan, as a Permanent Secretary by the Bayelsa State Government, arguing that “after all,  the lady in question is not constitutionally disqualified from the office.” Prof. Soyinka condemned the Boko Haram insurgency, describing it as “a manifestation of a virulent religious backwardness.” Soyinka spoke at a lecture he delivered at the Banquet Hall, Government House, Uyo, the capital of Akwa Ibom State. In his lecture titled “Celebration of Good Governance,” Prof. Soyinka lauded the Akpabio Administration for what he called “the quantum leap in development” of the state he last visited 12 years ago. (Source: the Nation)