Bataclan Concert Massacre - A Victim's Husband Leaves Message For Gunmen!

A Frenchman, whose wife was among the casualties of the Bataclan Concert Hall terrorist massacre on Friday night, 13th November, where at least 89 people were killed, has a message (as seen below) for the gunmen. 

Fans from across Paris, the French capital had gathered on a sold out show, to see one of their favorite bands, the Eagles of Death Metal at about 7:30pm when all of a sudden, terrorists struck, leaving scores of defendless men and women dead in what was best described in the words of Denys Plaud, a survival who recounted his story with NBC News as "blood, bodies, and even brain fragments scattered everywhere".

Roving Informant Dialogue, First Edition!

If the present administration in Nigerian must succeed all hands in the cabinet must be on deck to strategically map out feasible ways to effectively tackle the so many challenges currently facing the country. 

Foremost among these challenges is the lingering sparse Electricity Supply, sending out obnoxious PHCN bills to the masses and on the other hand making the process of obtaining the Pre-paid meter a herculean and discouraging task, leaving people at the mercy of paying increasing bills without a corresponding increase in electricity supply. 

Welcome to the first edition of the Roving Informant Dialogue, where we take on issues that confronts the Nigerian populace, with the hope that those in the position to effect changes where necessary will stumble on these and effect required change(s).

This edition critically analyse the (Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN)'s recent increased tariff despite poor electricity supplies, and the on-going debate on redeeming  the =N=5,000  to the unemployed and the poorest youths in the country. 

Scene: Crowed gathered at a newspaper stand in a popular area of a major city.

Free reader 1: Good morning vendor, what is in the news today, any thing of interest? 

Vendor: Nothing much from the usual around here, but there appear to be a debate on whether this government should redeem their promise to pay =N=5,000 each to every unemployed Nigerian youth, also the increment on the phcn billing.

Reader 1: Picks a copy of one of the dailies and goes through the headlines...

Reader 2 (Baba): A much advanced retired civil servant who makes it a point to stop at the newspaper post every morning to read about happenings in the country, he is given the special consideration for 'free reading' because Baba can not afford the =N=50 often charged on the 'free readers association'.

Baba: Interrupting abruptly, What type of people do we have in our government? which phcn wants to increase tariff, and over what? I have not had light consistently for the past 2 days, and by the end of the month, they will bring an exact amount as they do on every occasion, it doesn't matter if there is light or not. 

Reader 1: Baba you are talking of not having light for two days, you live in paradise nah, in my area, we have not had light since last week, we power ourselves with our "I better pass my neighbour generator", a few days back some phcn officials came around to fix the transformer which blows up every now and then, yet I bet you when the bill comes out by the end of this month, we will be billed the exact amount as when they managed to give us light for a few hours a day.

Readers 3 comes along, a young man in his 20's:These people should pay up the =N=5,000 they promised us, a promise is a debt. 

...Laughter...

Baba: Young man, the way I see things, those of you banking on that allowee should look for something better  to do because if it is these people that are after increasing the electricity bill on an almost 'zero-supply' situation you are hoping to give you that money, I pity you. 

Reader 3: Which electric bill them wan increase? on top which light?       Their fada....

Vendor: The government is saying there is no money, maybe they want to raise some funds from you people nah...(laughs). 

Reader 1: They cant be serious, but you have a point you know....they have hinged their inability to carry out any major project on ...no money....they say the last administration looted the country's past, present and future....sighs.

Baba: That is what every new government says, I have never seen a situation where the past administration says that they met money in the treasury, both at the state, federal...even local governments...peharps  vendor is correct, maybe they want to raise some money from your tariffs...But is it the unemployed youths, retirees without pensions and very poor majourity that they are banking on to pay the tariffs, people that are anticipating =N=5,000 allowance from the government? 

Readers 3: Maybe they want to give us the money so we can use it to pay for the increased phcn bill...they cant be serious, me wey I don plan my share siiiince...

Reader 1: Vendo how much am I owing you now? by the way, here is =N= 100 for 2 days, I will see you later, I have to run along now, I have a job offer some where.

Vendor: No problem my brother, I pray you get the job. see you tomorrow.

Dialogue Copyright: Oby Denis

Area Boys's Unnecessary Harassment On Local Economic Development!

A passerby sent in these pictures of area boys (Alayes or touts) as they intercept a lorry loaded with plantain on Friday 13th November, around 6:45am, at Ajah round about, Lekki Peninsula. 

The owner of the merchandise, (the woman in a dress and red scarf in the picture below) probably on her way to the market or where they are to be supplied, can be seen pleading with them to let go, but they appeared adamant, as they wanted to be 'settled' before they could be allowed passage.

These roads which the masses are constantly being harassed when ever there is movement of properties or merchandise are built by 'tax-payers money' hence there is absolutely no reason for some group to claim 'ownership' and harass enterprising individuals. Not after they have had to deal with other officials on the road like the Police, Customs etc.  How much profits are they making to warrant these series of harassment in a country where the majority depend on self employment to survive? 

This unhealthy practice, which is common in most parts of the Lagos metropolis can only suppress entrepreneurial development.

This Is One Magnificent Tower!

Photo Speak: 

This is the Civic Tower situated on Ozumba Mbadiwe street, Victorian Island, Lagos. 

From which ever angle it is viewed from....

Be it from neighboring Ikoyi ...

Or coming in from the Bony Camp end, from Adetokunbo Ademola, or Lekki axis, into Ozumba Mbadiew street, especially in the early hours of the morning when Crows flock around it or at night when it is lighted, you can not help but be attracted to the magnificent sight of this tower. 

About 128 Killed And Scores Injured In Paris Multiple Attack!

About 129 people were killed, and over 415 injured and receiving treatments in hospitals, in a deadly Friday night's, November 13th multiple attacks in six sites namely the Bataclan Concert Hall on boulevard Voltaire,  Paris, where fans gathered to see their favorite bands, the Eagles of Death Metal, Stade de France at Commune of Saint-Denis, where they was an on-going- match between the host country France and Germany, Restaurants and Bars across the French capital, Paris.

French president, François Hollande in his speech stated that the attacks which he described as "an act of war" was planned abroad. 

The eight gunmen were killed by Police, although it is believed that some terrorists might still be on the loose. Information revealled that the stadium bomber was part of a group passing as Syrian refugees.

French Police men found an abandoned car at the outsketch of Paris with AK47 riffles.

Islamic state claimed responsibility for the action.

France has declared a state of emergency and a three-day national mourning.



There have been raids and arraest in Belgium, seven people linked with the attack have been arrested. During the raid, it was discovered that two of the attackers were of French nationals, but living in Brussel, Belgium. Three brothers were also linked to the attack, one died during the attack, ones was arrested in the Belgium raid, while the third is still at large.  


As part of its support to France, the United States have been sharing intelligence information with France..


..to the effect that France conducted air strickes on Isis held city and training camp in Raqqa. 

Pope Francis condenmed the attack, describing it as "a piecemeal of the 3rd world war".




 The Pope reinterated his condemation of the act in his message on Sunday, November 15th,  saying that "To use the name of God to justify this path is a blasphemy”.

May God's Peace, Which passes all human understanding rest in Paris, and every other parts of the world.

  

President Buhari In A Group Photo With Newly Sworn In Cabinet!

Nigerian President Buhari, Vice President Yomi Osinbajo in a group photo with the newly sworn-in permanent secretaries and some Ministers after the swearing in ceremony on Thursday, November 12th.

The Army Is Duty Bound To Intervene In Any Situation To Avoid A Breakdown In Peace - Nigerian Army To Protesters!

The Nigerian Army has sent out a warning to members of a sect threatening and agitating for the dismemberment of the country, that officers and men of the Nigeria Army had been cautioned not to take sides in any conflict, but to work objectively in the interest of the country, but if the situation is escalated beyond what it is at the moment, the Army will not hesitate to apply ROE to the fullest.


Stating that the core duty of the military is to defend the unity of the country, the acting Director of Army Public Relations, Colonel Sani Usman, while addressing the press in Damaturu, Yobe state capital,  said it is the duty of an officer or soldier to ensure the enforcement of law and order in conjunction with other security agencies for the restoration of peace, Colonel Usman however prayed that such circumstance does not arise.

“It is however, hoped that such circumstances would not arise that we should be deployed on such operations, because let nobody make any mistake, within the ambit of the law, we shall apply the ROE to the fullest,” he said.

Pointing out that it is inexcusable for troops to stand aside and watch the security situation deteriorate leading to loss of lives or damage to property without intervening, the Colonel said the Troops “are duty bound to intervene in any situation to avoid a breakdown in peace, stability or law and order of an area where they are deployed”.

“Such intervention should be strictly based on sound judgement and within the ambit of the code of conduct for Internal Security Operations while exhibiting good professional ethics”. Usman added.

He emphasised that fire would only be opened as a last resort as a measure to avoid collateral damage. This he said is because the use of lethal force would only be resorted to if all other means to control the situation had failed, or in case of unexpected attack or suspected Improvised Explosive Device (IED) attack during which a delay could lead to loss of life or serious injury to personnel among others.

The Colonel listed the application of the Principle of Minimum Force and Proportionality at all times while every reasonable effort would be made to control the situation through measures short of using force, including personal contact and negotiations whenever operational situation permits as the Rule Of Engagement that could be employed by the Army.