Nedu Echianu's Blog

President of the Senate, Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki, has commiserated with the government and people of Edo State over the call to glory of the Oba of Benin, Omo n’Oba n’Edo Uku Akpolokpolo, Oba Erediauwa, as he said "we have lost a People's monarch." In a statement  by the Special Adviser, Media & Publicity to the President of the Senate, Yusuph Olaniyonu, Saraki described the late Oba as a just, fair-minded, courageous, benevolent and a people's monarch who lived his entire life in the service of his people as a prince and king while also serving the nation as a bureaucrat and diplomat of high repute.

Years ago, my mother complained about a terrible earache. The pain was unbearable, and it wouldn't go away. For a week, she walked around with a debilitating ringing in her head. Eventually, she recalled to me the other day, the discomfort led her to a doctor, who carefully pushed an otoscope into her ear. Within seconds, he pulled it out and looked her in the face. "Have you been putting Q-tips in your ears?" he asked with a disapproving tone. Familiar in Britain, "Q-tips" is the name of the proprietary brand of cotton-swab, or bud, in America. And like so many others, my mother had been using them to clean her ears. But in doing so she was also messing with a natural process. Her ear was hurting because she had an ear infection, and there's a decent chance her routinely using cotton buds had helped to cause it.

Songstress, Tiwa Savage has broken the silence over the series of infidelity allegations leveled on her by husband, Tunji Balogun, aka, Tee Billz.  The talented singer who spoke on the troubling issues during an interview with an online news site, Pulse.ng, in her Lekki,  Lagos home emphasized that she never cheated on her husband.  According to her :”I have never cheated on my husband…not with Don Jazzy, not with Dr Sid, not with 2face..and I am willing to take a lie detector test, I have never cheated on my husband. Not with Don Jazzy, Dr Sid, 2face Idibia or anybody. I have never cheated on my husband, and Tunji knows this. He knows that in his heart. (She breaks down in tears)

The Oba of Benin Kingdom, His Royal Majesty, Omo n’Oba n’Edo Uku Akpolopkolo Erediauwa, has passed on. Punch reports that the passing away of the monarch was announced by the Iyase of Benin Kingdom, Chief Sam Igbe, on Friday afternoon. A native chalk was broken within the palace to signify his passage to join his ancestors.

Here is a list of states in Nigeria owing workers’ salary. Please check if your Governor is owing and how many months he his owing. These are salary being owned workers from level 8 and above. Osun state is owing some workers eight months but he his owing Level 8 workers and above two months. BudgIT

A Ghanaian actress and movie producer, Tracy Boakye has revealed why a lot of their actresses expose their bodies in movies. According to the mother of one, “When we go naked in movies, it is a form of education. We use it to advise our viewers. I have gone naked in several movies and it ended badly for me. It tells our viewers something.” In the Nigerian entertainment industry, nudity is considered a taboo as lots of Nollywood acts have come under fire for exposing their body while playing their movie roles. Tracey Boakye has featured in movies like ‘Odo’, ‘Oh Vera’, ‘Ntafuo Wuo’, ‘Odo Saman’ and others. Siurce: LiveOfofo Hmm! Interesting

A group of Youths under the auspices of the National Youth Council of Nigeria have marched on the headquarters of the Department of State Services DSS in Abuja demanding the immediate release of Ikenga Ugochinyere who is the the Special Adviser on Youth affairs to Senate President Bukola Saraki.

...Warn of Threat to Nigeria's Unity  The South East Senate Caucus has warned of imminent danger and possible attack on the unity of Nigeria if the Federal Government fails to urgently address the Enugu massacres by the marauding Fulani herdsmen. This is contained in a statement made available to this blog by Senator Enyinaya Abaribe (Abia South) after an emergency meeting in Abuja.

Imo state Governor, Owelle Rochas Okorocha has appealed to President Mohammadu Buhari to intervene as a matter of urgency in the repeated killings  in the South-East by Herdsmen to forestall future occurrence describing the recent killings in Enugu state as very unfortunate and barbaric. Governor Okorocha spoke while addressing traditional rulers in the state to take absolute control of security in their various autonomouscommunities and to also ensure peaceful co-existence between their people and people from other areas living in their midst; adding that what the country needs at the moment is absolute peace.

The Inspector-General of Police IGP Solomon E. Arase has visited the scene of pastoral farmers clash at Nimbo Uzowani LGA of Enugu State to commiserate with families of the victims , to access the situation and further give directives for thorough investigation with a view to bringing the culprits to justice. He also visited the victims at Bishop Shanaham Hospital Nzuka and National orthopedic Hospital Enugu on 27th April 2016.  More Photos after the cut...

A former Minister of State for Education, Iyabo Anisulowo, has been kidnapped. Mrs. Anisulowo was abducted late Wednesday in Ilaro in Yewa South local government area of Ogun State, police said. The spokesperson for the state police command, Muyiwa Adejobi, confirmed the incident to Premium Times at about 10pm Wednesday. He said the police commissioner had deployed five teams to rescue the former minister. Mrs. Ashimolowo was minister of state for education during the regime of late Sani Abacha. She later became a senator representing Ogun West Senatorial District. She is also a former governorship candidate in Ogun State.

The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress of Nigeria (TUC) have jointly proposed N56,000 as the new minimum wage to the Federal Government as against the present N18,000. The NLC president, Ayuba Wabba, said this at a news conference on Wednesday in Abuja. Wabba said both the NLC and the TUC made the formal demand on the proposed national minimum wage to the Federal Government on Tuesday.

President Muhammadu Buhari has ordered security chiefs to hunt down those who perpetrated the attack on Ukpabu Nimbo community in Uzo-Uwani area of Enugu State on Monday. The President gave the order in his address delivered by Lai Mohammed, minister of information and culture, at the public presentation of a book entitled “Who Will Love My Country: Ideas for Building the Nigeria of Our Dream’’, written by Ike Ekweremadu, deputy senate president, in Abuja on Wednesday.

The Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Ike Ekweremadu, has called on Nigerian leaders to govern effectively and use power wisely, saying that was the only way to safeguard the citizens' interest. Similarly, he challenged Nigerians to show more love for fatherland by rising above tribe, ethnic, religious and political persuasions, with a view to subordinate all the aforementioned interests, to the overriding interest of the country.

Anwuli Chikere, justice of the federal high court, Abuja, has withdrawn from the trial of Abba Moro, former minister of interior, citing personal reasons. In March, Justice Chikere granted Moro bail on self-recognition, and had adjourned the case to April 27 for trial.

The National Assembly Service Commission has said there is no basis to withdraw the appointment of Mohammed Sani-Omolori as the new Acting Clerk of the National Assembly. The senate president, Bukola Saraki, had demanded a reversal of Mr. Sani-Omolori’s appointment , arguing that the appointment should have rather gone to the clerk to the Senate, Ben Efeturi.

The Special Assistant to the Senate President on Youth and Student Matters, Mr. Ikenga Imo Ugochinyere, a lawyer, has been arrested and detained by operatives of the Department of State Services. Ugochinyere, who is also the President of National Youth Council of Nigeria, according to a statement on Tuesday, in Abuja by his brother, Obinna Ikeagwuonu, said Ikenga’s arrest and detention happened on Monday.

The National Publicity Secretary of the Peoples, Olisa Metuh on Tuesday fell off a swivel chair as he came into the National Working Committee meeting hall at the party secretariat to witness the inauguration of the caretaker committees of the party in Borno and Kebbi states. Chief Metuh who came into the hall while the chairman of the party, Ali Modu Sheriff was already seated made for a seat reserved for him but fell to the floor as the swivel chair gave way. The national Publicity Secretary who remained on the floor for about three minutes before he was assisted by two policemen out of the hall was said to have complained about a waist pain earlier in day. It was learnt that Olisa Metuh was moved to National Hospital where he was placed on observation as at a time of this report. Vanguard

The Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Ike Ekweremadu, has condemned in strong terms, the killing of unarmed Nigerians in Uzo-Uwani Council of Enugu State, by persons suspected to be armed herdsmen. This is even as he called for an immediate resolution of the unending conflict between farmers and cattle herdsmen, threatening to throw the entire nation into another round of crisis.

The father of Super Eagles and Watford striker, Odion Ighalo, died on Monday morning, family sources have said. Ighalo’s dad, Paul, a baker, died in his Salami Street, Ajegunle, Lagos home after having recovered from weakness and a loss of appetite. According to his wife, Mrs. M.S. Ighalo, the late Paul was aged 95 years.

The Game of Thrones sixth season premiere was a huge hit -- among pirates, anyway. TorrentFreak, which catalogs piracy online, found that there were more than 200,000 people sharing pirated copies of the latest Game of Thrones episode, "The Red Woman," since it aired Sunday night. So far, pirated copies of the season premiere have been downloaded at least a million times.

Scores of Nigerian citizens were on Monday feared dead as over 500 Fulani herdsmen invaded Ukpabi, Nimbo in Uzo-Uwani Local Government Area of Enugu State in the early hours of Monday, April 25, 2016. About eleven houses and a church, Christ Holy Catholic Church, Odozi-Obodo, at Onu-Eke, Nimbo, in Uzo-Uwani Local Government Area of the state were razed during the attack. Sources in the community disclosed that continuous gunshots were heard as the rampaging herdsmen moved to sack villagers from their homes.

Prince had no children, his parents are both deceased, and he was twice divorced. So who will inherit his millions? Prince was a meticulous planner, a thoughtful businessman and well-versed in legal matters (music-related ones, anyway), but it's still unclear if he had a will. Spokesmen for the star declined to comment on plans for his estate. But if he did die without a will, Minnesota law states that his estate would go to his sister and his half-siblings, according to estate planner Danielle Mayoras, author of "Trial and Heirs," a book about highly publicized battles over celebrities' fortunes.

•says PDP will bounce back in 2019 Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Ezenwo Wike has declared that the PDP will take over the reins of governance in 2019 because Nigerians have discovered that the All Progressives Congress, APC, is a political party founded in deceit. Speaking in Dutse, Jigawa State on Monday during the PDP Membership Mobilization Programme , Governor Wike from the mammoth crowd that turned up for the event it was obvious that there is no APC in Jigawa State.

The Abuja Division of the Court of Appeal, on Monday , struck out a motion the Senate President, Dr. Bukola Saraki, filed for an order staying further proceeding on his trial before the Code of Conduct Tribunal, CCT, sitting in Abuja. A three-man panel of Justices of the discardedappellate court led by Justice Abdul Aboki, the motion after it was withdrawn by Saraki's lead counsel, Chief Kanu Agabi, SAN. However, Agabi, prayed the court for accelerated hearing of the substantive appeal challenging jurisdiction of the CCT to entertain the 13-count criminal charge the federal government instituted against his client.

President Muhammadu Buhari, former President Yakubu Gowon, Senate President, Senator Bukola Saraki and Speaker of the House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara are among eminent Nigerians, billed to grace the public Presentation of the book: “Who will Love my Country: Ideas for Building the Nigeria of Our dreams,” authored by the Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Ike Ekweremadu. The event, slated for Wednesday, is also expected to feature a dialogue, where notable academics and technocrats, would be sharing their views on the broad themes of the book. These personalities include:Prof Pat Utomi, Founder, Centre for Values in Leadership, Prof. Sam Egwu of the Department of Political Science, University of Jos and His Royal Highness, the Emir of Kano, Muhammadu Sanusi II CON.

Sokoto state Government, on Monday announced that it plans to ban street begging across the state. The state Deputy Governor, Alhaji Ahmad Aliyu, who made the announcement said the government would engage the beggars into more useful activities to make them self reliant. Aliyu said while inaugurating the distribution of Zakkat to the needy at Sanyinna in Tambuwal Local Government, that the government would provide for those in dire need of support.

Note: This post contains a revelation from the end of the Game of Thrones season 6 premiere.... Now you know why the season 6 premiere of Game of Thrones is titled "The Red Woman."

The presidency has congratulated Anthony Femi Joshua, Nigerian-born British citizen who recently won the IBF World Heavy-weight Champion. The congratulations came through a statement by Senior Special Assistant to the President on Diaspora and Foreign Relations, Honourable Abike Dabiri-Erewa. Erewa said that that Femi’s achievement reflected his hard work, tireless dedication and a brave heart which he had displayed.

The Senate and House of Representatives Committees on appropriation led by Senator Danjuma Goje and Honourable Abdulmumin Jibrin have appealed to their colleagues in both Chambers to put behind the controversy surrounding the budget and make the necessary amendment in order for President Muhammadu Buhari to assent on it. Their Appeal was contained in a statement released Sunday night. Here is the complete text of the statement.

1. "I did not do any deal with the PDP. I did not have to because even before the PDP Senators as a group took the decision to support my candidature on the eve of the inauguration of the 8th Senate, 22 PDP Senators had already written a letter supporting me" 2. "What I did not envisage was a situation where some members of my party would not be in the chambers that day, especially when the clerk had already received a proclamation from the President authorizing the inauguration of the Senate."

The influential Congolese music star Papa Wemba has died after collapsing on stage in Abidjan in Ivory Coast, media reports say. Video from the concert shows the artist, who was 66, slumped on the floor as dancers continue to perform, unaware of what is happening.

A report entitled, “Country reports on human rights practices for 2015” written by the United States Department of States, Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights and Labour has revealed that the Nigeria Prisons Service (NPS) leads government agencies engaging in rape, human rights abuses, extra-judicial killings and illegal freedom to inmates. The Nigerian Armed Forces, the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) and the Department of State Services (DSS) were also accused of serious human rights abuses in their operations. Excerpts:

The late pop star Prince has been cremated with a small, private service for family, friends and musicians, his publicist has confirmed. The cause of his death is still unknown and the results of Friday's autopsy could take at least four weeks.

French forward Anthony Martial scored a nerveless stoppage-time winner as Manchester United edged Everton 2-1 at Wembley on Saturday to reach their first FA Cup final since 2007. Martial set up Marouane Fellaini to score against his former club in the 34th minute, but after United goalkeeper David de Gea had superbly saved a penalty from Romelu Lukaku, Chris Smalling's 75th-minute own goal looked to have sent the semi-final to extra time. Martial, however, had other ideas, the £36 million ($51.9 million, 46.2 million euros) close-season signing from Monaco charging into the box and finishing coolly to preserve manager Louis van Gaal's hopes of ending a difficult season by orchestrating United's first FA Cup success since 2004. United will be favourites in the May 21 final, when they will encounter either Crystal Palace or Watford, and Van Gaal will also hope that Martial's late strike serves to give his side a lift in their quest for Champions League qualification

Liverpool defender Mamadou Sakho is being investigated by Uefa after failing a drugs test. Although the France international, 26, is not officially suspended, he will "not be available" for selection during the investigation, Liverpool said. BBC Radio 5 live senior football reporter Ian Dennis said Sakho failed a test after the Europa League victory over Manchester United on 17 March. It is thought Sakho tested positive for a type of fat burner, said Dennis. The player has until Tuesday to respond with a B sample.

Most of the 23 states that got bail out cash from the federal government for the settlement of arrears of workers’ salaries and emoluments, diverted the funds for other purposes, thereby defeating the purpose of the government’s effort to provide succour for the workers. A comprehensive analysis carried out by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Related Offences Commission, ICPC, in conjunction with the Nigeria Labour Congress, revealed last night that many of the states deliberately lied that they were owing their workers huge debts when the reverse was the case.

Comptroller General of the Nigerian Prisons Service, Peter Ezenwa Ekpendu has faulted claims by a member of the House of Representatives, Joan Marakpor that the she was slapped and severally assaulted by the orderly to the CG on Wednesday. Ekpendu in a statement issued Friday in Abuja and signed by spokesman of the Service, Francis Enobore said it is important to state that whereas it is true that the he was at the National Assembly on the invitation of a Committee to attend to some official issues with some of his staff, neither the pilot car in front of him nor his official car had any confrontation with anyone. "He went there with 4 cars and not 20 as alleged", the statement added.

Time will tell...

My dear brother Dele, let me thank you most sincerely for your article last weekend, “My Candid Letter to Saraki.” I take everything you said in that article to heart and I must commend you for your candidness indeed and the sincerity of your intentions. As you said in your article, you are someone I have known more by reputation than by any personal relationship, until recently when we struck up some personal acquaintance based on our shared political interests, especially during the last presidential election. However, I understand why you had to sound so defensive for knowing me at all and had to publicly map the boundaries of our relationship. We have got to that point in our country when we no longer believe that anyone could stand for anything based on principles and convictions alone. Moreover, in the growing culture of media crucifixion and presumed guilt; it is rare to find a voice like yours that calls for fairness and justice.

Senate President Bukola Saraki has directed the national assembly service commission to withdraw the appointment of Sani Omolori as acting clerk of the National Assembly. The appointment of Omolori was announced on Wednesday, but he was to assume office on May 13, replacing Salisu Maikasuwa who will commence his pre-retirement leave on May 14. But in a letter written by Isa Galadau, chief of staff to Saraki, to Adamu Fika, chairman of the commission, the senate president said he was misled and misinformed by Fika.

There’s no other place like Nigeria in the continent the country finds itself. Its dynamic people reveal a layer of history preserved through rich traditions handed down over time, and its breathtaking landscape couldn’t be more diverse. With an eclectic mix of wild and modern, its cities, both urban and regional alike showcase a kaleidoscope of civilization as intriguing as the ancestors that tilled its earth to yield great fruit. Some say beauty lies in the eye of the smitten. To the wanderer seeking rest in an ever busy world, Jovago.com, reveals the 5 most beautiful cities in Nigeria they can call home. Victoria Island, Here, is the land of rich and famous, is a medley of high-rise buildings and majestic lakes. This elegant nest surrounded by blue-ocean, with a bustling cultural heritage and a high standard of living tops the show with its transformative grandeur, world-class affinity for entertainment, art, and alluring café culture.

The Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT) has adjourned the trial of Senate President, Bukola Saraki, until April 27 for continuation of cross examination of EFCC witness, Micheal Wetkas. The adjournment followed a one-week request by Saraki's lawyer, Kanu Agabi (SAN), but was opposed by EFCC counsel, Rotimi Jacobs (SAN) and a three-day adjournment was consequently given.

Adele’s best-selling album “25” added 30 million pounds (43 million dollars) to the London-born singer’s fortune, putting her top of the Sunday Times newspaper’s Young Musicians 2016 rich list for performers under 30. The worldwide hit which was released last November, booted the 27-year-old singer to 85 million pounds, lifting her to 30th place in the papers 2016 list of the wealthiest performers and composers in Britain and Ireland. Paul McCartney tops the musicians’ rich list for a second year in a row. The former Beatle and his wife Nancy Shevell, had a combined fortune of 760 million pounds, according to the Sunday Times on Thursday, a rise of 30 million on last year. McCartney was followed by composer Andrew Lloyd Webber, with 715 million pounds, while the Rolling Stones were Britain and Ireland’s wealthiest band with the fortunes of its four members totaling 630 million pounds.

The Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC, has described as “completely false” a widely circulated report that its Group Managing Director, Ibe Kachikwu, has been relieved of his job by President Muhammadu Buhari, saying the Minister of State for Petroleum is still carrying out his duties as assigned to him by the president. An unconfirmed report announcing the purported dismissal of Mr. Kachikwu had suddenly emerged on the Internet on Thursday afternoon.

Pop icon Prince one of the most influential but elusive figures in music died suddenly at his compound in Minnesota on Thursday, a representative said. He was 57. "It is with profound sadness that I am confirming that the legendary, iconic performer, Prince Rogers Nelson, has died at his Paisley Park residence this morning," said his spokeswoman, Yvette Noel-Schure. She did not offer further details. Local authorities outside Minneapolis said that they were investigating a death at Paisley Park, with local media showing images of emergency vehicles.

There was commotion at the Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT) today, as the CCT Chairman, Danladi Umar, refused to hear the motion of the Senate President’s lawyers on his alleged bias. Umar, who has been under investigation by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission EFCC for corrupt practices, lost his temper as Mr. Raphael Oluyede, Saraki’s lawyer, brought to the attention of the court, a motion filed on Wednesday, April 20th, 2016, seeking the CCT boss to disqualify himself from participating in the trial based on bias.