Friday, 15 March 2019

Christchurch Mosque Shooter Makes First Court Appearance!

Christchurch Mosques shooter, a 28-year-old man, identified as Brenton Tarrant, who was arrested by the Police about 36 mins after the first attack, made a brief appearance in court on 16th of March. 

Brenton Tarrant in Court

Tarrant gave what appeared to be a "white supremacy" sign, with his hands in Court. No few than 49 persons were killed, and about 20 others seriously injured, after a gun-man attacked two mosques in ChristchurchNew Zealand, during Friday prayers, on 16th March, 2019. 




New Zealand's Prime Minister, Jacinda Ardern, during her address, stated that the gun-man, used five guns obtained from the Police: two of which were semi-automatic; and all legally gotten, with an 'A-class gun license'. 

Among those killed during the attack, was Mohamed Ataa, founder of the Masjid Alnoor, and his son.



Sunday, 10 March 2019

Ambode Describes Sanwo-Olu's Victory As: Victory For Continuity In Governance!

Out-going Governor of Lagos State, Akinwunmi Ambode, offered his congratulatory message to the newly elected Governor, Mr. Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu and Deputy Governor elect, Dr. Obafemi Hamzat. 

Clockwise: Newly Elected Governor of Lagos stateMr. Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu (left) Out-going Governor of Lagos state, Akinwunmi Ambode (middle) Deputy Governor elect, Dr. Obafemi Hamzat (right)


In what he described as victory for continuity in government, Governor Ambode's message read:  "Hearty congratulations to the Lagos State Governor-Elect, Mr. Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu and the Deputy Governor-elect, Dr. Obafemi Hamzat. This is a victory for continuity in governance, victory for the APC and victory for all Lagosians. I wish them a successful term in office".

INEC Suspends Rivers State Election!

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has suspended the 9th March, 2019 elections conducted in Rivers State until further notice. This came following reports of what it termed "widespread disruption".

In a statement, sighed by the Commission's National Commissioner, Festus Okoye, Esq.,  reports suggest that violence occurred in a substantial number of Polling units and collation centers, staff were taken hostage and materials, including result sheets, were either seized or destroyed by unauthorized persons.

The Statement below: 

Photo: INEC

A fact finding committee has been set up to establish the situation, and report back withing 48 hours, from Sunday, 10th March, 2019, before further actions can be taken.

Ethiopian Airlines Crash: Identified Bodies To Be Handed Over To Families After Investigation!

Ethiopian Airlines flights number ET 302, en-route Nairobi, from Bole International Airport, Adis Ababa, crashed 6 mins into take off, killing all 149 passengers and 8 crew members on board. 




The accident happened on Sunday, 10th March, 2019, at about 1:46 pm. The aircraft took off at 8:38 am, and lost contact at 8: 44 am.

Information made available revealed that a committee, made up of: Ethiopian Airlines, Ethiopian Civil Aviation  Authority, and Ethiopian Transport Authority has been set up to conduct forensic investigations, and identify the victims. Thereafter, identified victims will be handed over to their families.

In the meantime, emergency lines have been set up. 








Saturday, 9 March 2019

#Nigeriadecides2019: 9th March Poll, EFCC Stops Vote-Buying In Makurdi!

Information made available by the Economic and Financial Crime Commission (EFCC), disclosed that officials of the operative, intercepted bags of cash meant for vote-buying, at North Bank Area of Makurdi, Benue State, south-east, Middle belt region of Nigeria, on 9th March, 2019, Governorship and State Assembly Elections in Nigeria.

Intercepted bags of cash meant for vote-buying

Vandalised Patrol Bus

According to the report, in an attempt to arrest the culprits, some thugs attacked operatives and vandalised the patrol bus. 


Photo credit: EFCC Twitter handle

Monday, 4 March 2019

Amazing Pictures Of The New Abuja International Airport!

Travellers through the recently commissioned Abuja International Airport, Nigeria, cant stop commenting on its fascinating sight. The "glass tunnel, authomatic thermo-imaging machines work, spacious boarding gates, comfortable waiting area, and clean toilets with toilet rolls...". One would think you are in "the-abroad".






Take a peek into some of the facilities the Abuja International Airport, currently boasts of, through the eyes of a traveller, who recently visited the country.  


"Boarding gates were spacious and nicely laid out"






Clean Toilets, with toilet rolls in them



Like most Nigerian facilities, the worries about the newly commissioned International Airport, bothers on "maintenance culture"It is hoped, that a new Nigeria, with 'spot-on' maintenance culture was birthed, alongside this project commissioning.


Pictures credit: Twitter handle: Dr Joe Abah




Wednesday, 27 February 2019

#NigeriaDecides2019 Atiku Rejects Election Result, Goes To Court!

Presidential candidate of the Peoples' Democratic Party, (PDP), Atiku Abubakar, has rejected INEC's result of the 23rd February, 2019 elections, in-which APC's incumbent President, Muhammadu Buhari won for a second term.


PDP Presidential candidate: Atiku Abubakar

Citing "....manifestations and premeditated malpractices in many states, which negate the results announced", among other discrepancies, Atiku rejected the election result, saying he will challenge it in court.


"I thank the Nigerian people who trooped out in their millions to perform their civic duty this past Saturday. The patriotism of Nigerians is heartwarming and affirms my oft-repeated statement that we are brothers and sisters born from the womb of one mother Nigeria.

With regards to the Presidential elections that took place on February 23, 2019, it is clear that there were manifest and premeditated malpractices in many states which negate the results announced.

One obvious red flag is the statistical impossibility of states ravaged by the war on terror generating much higher voter turnouts than peaceful states.

The suppressed votes in my strongholds are so apparent and amateurish, that I am ashamed as a Nigerian that such could be allowed to happen. How can total votes in Akwa-Ibom, for instance, be 50% less than what they were in 2015?

Another glaring anomaly is the disruption of voting in strongholds of the Peoples Democratic Party in Lagos, Akwa-Ibom, Rivers and diverse other states, with the authorities doing little or nothing and in some cases facilitating these unfortunate situations.

The militarization of the electoral process is a disservice to our democracy and a throwback to the jackboot era of military dictatorship.

In some areas of the country, such as, Rivers, Akwa Ibom and Imo states, troops deployed for the elections turned their guns on the very citizens they were meant to protect.

This is condemnable and should not be associated with our electoral process in the future.

I am a democrat and there are democratic avenues available to present the truth to the nation and the watching world. Already, many international observers have given their verdicts, which corroborate our observations. I am sure more will come in the coming hours and days.

If I had lost in a free and fair election, I would have called the victor within seconds of my being aware of his victory to offer not just my congratulations, but my services to help unite Nigeria by being a bridge between the North and the South.

However, in my democratic struggles for the past three decades, I have never seen our democracy so debased as it was on Saturday, February 23, 2019.

2007 was a challenge, but President Yar’Adua was remorseful. In 2019, it is sad to see those who trampled on democracy thumping their noses down on the Nigerian people.

Consequently, I hereby reject the result of the February 23, 2019 sham election and will be challenging it in court.

I want to assure my supporters and the entire Nigerian people that together, we will not allow democracy to be emasculated.

I hope and pray Nigerians will someday summon the courage to defend democracy. That is the only way we can move away from being the world headquarters for extreme poverty.

The loss of over 40 lives in attacks at Dalijan, Rakkoni & Kalhu in Rabah council of Sokoto & reported herdsmen attack on Kajuru, Kaduna State stands condemned. I urge security be stepped up while peace building initiatives promoted in Kajuru to stem the lingering crisis there". - Atiku Abubakar.