Seven desperate jobseekers die in 32C heat as they take part in fitness test for South Africa's traffic police

South Africa Job seekers

Seven jobseekers died and  230 collapsed after 15,500 unemployed youths took part in a fitness test in the hope of securing one of 90 jobs with South Africa's traffic police.

The massive crowd of jobseekers took part in the deadly fitness test - which was held in a football stadium - after they each received text messages informing them they had been 'shortlisted' for the precious traffic police jobs.

They were told that they needed to complete a four kilometre (2.4 mile) jog within thirty minutes to meet the force's minimum fitness level requirement.

But by the time they started running late last Thursday afternoon, temperatures inside Pietermaritzburg's Harry Gwala football stadium had reached over 33 degrees Centigrade (91.5 degrees Fahrenheit).

Many of the desperate jobseekers had neither eaten nor drunk anything all day. They all had very limited access to drinking water.A total of 230 people collapsed from heat exhaustion and dehydration during the run. Of these, six died. A seventh man committed suicide by slitting his throat when he learnt he had not finished the race in time.

15,500 applicants turned out for the South African traffic police fitness test for 90 jobs

Among the dead was Lenny Nxumalo, 28-year-old father of two whose body was only discovered over four hours after he died when the vast crowd finally cleared out of the stadium.He had collapsed having completed the race with ten minutes to spare.

Yesterday his best friend Brian Ngcobo told the local The Witness newspaper: 'My friend was so determined to become a traffic officer that he ran his life out because he was such a dedicated person.'Another applicant, Lindelani Kubheka told the paper that he collapsed at the 'horribly disorganised' event after he ran on an empty stomach and without water.

'We were starving and needed water, but the venue is isolated from fast food outlets, so it was difficult for many of us to survive the scorching heat without water and food', he said after waking up in hospital on Friday.

The tragedy is just the latest example of the problems that can occur when South Africa's desperate youth - who face an effective unemployment rate of around 40 per cent - struggle to make successes of their lives.Government positions, such as those with the police force or army, are highly sought after as they are relatively well paid, have low entry criteria and because the application process positively discriminates in favour of blacks.

Previous 'mass job interviews' for jobs such as these have seen tens of thousands of desperately poor and ill-educated young people descend on a location in the hope of securing one of perhaps just a dozen positions.

In this latest example, over 150,000 people applied for the 90 jobs within the regional KwaZulu Natal traffic police department.Of these, 34,000 were sent text messages on Christmas Day telling them to report to the Harry Gwala stadium in two groups on Thursday and Friday.

More than 230 applicants were taken to hospital when they collapsed during the first day's fitness test.The politician responsible confirmed that 'more than 34,000 applicants qualified for the 90 trainee posts which were advertised', but that 'scores of them could not cope with the hot weather condition and collapsed.'

South Africa's Communist Party - which is in political alliance with the ruling African National Congress - demanded a full enquiry into the traffic police fitness test tragedy.And the opposition Inkatha Freedom Party has called on Willies Mchunu, the politician with ultimate responsibility for the debacle, to step down.

'What happened in Pietermaritzburg was a classic display of being power-drunk, to an extent treating ordinary suffering people as subhuman. 

'No one in their right mind could in the first place short-list about 35,000 people for just 90 jobs,'IFP politician Blessed Gwala said.'

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Fire burns Lagos Deputy Gov.'s residence

Lagos -  The police on Sunday said the fire at the residence of Mrs Adejoke Adefulire, Lagos State Deputy Governor, was a minor incident. 

The Area Commander, Area `A' Command Lion Building, ACP Imohinmi Edgal, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos that the incident was quickly controlled. 

"It was a minor fire which affected the Boys Quarters and was immediately put off with fire-extinguisher ," the police officer said. Edgal, however, attributed the fire to electrical fault, adding that nobody was harmed. 

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Jonathan: Our Greatest Challenge Is Our Attitutude Not Corruption

President Goodluck Jonathan claimed today that Nigeria’s biggest challenge to good governance is not corruption, but the attitude of Nigerians.

Jonathan submitted this theory today in Yenagoa during a flowery tribute that he paid his former national security adviser, General Andrew Owoye Azazi, at Azazi’s burial.

President Jonathan stressed the need for attitudinal change among Nigerians for things to work and the country make progress.

His remark was provoked by the comment made by the Rt. Rev. Hyacinth Egbebo, the Catholic Bishop of Bomadi, who attributed the cause of accidents on Nigerian roads to bad roads created by corruption in government.

The president rejected the submission and instead retorted, “If Nigerians would change their attitude, you will realise that most of these issues being attributed to corruption are not caused by corruption.

“Recently, I met with officials of the Federal Road Safety Corps who told me that they had discovered that majority of the road accidents are recorded on good roads.

“So you can see it is not a matter of corruption, it is an issue of the people’s attitude.’’

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Stop Insulting Jonathan On Facebook, Twitter – N/Delta Youth Group

Nigerian youths have been called upon to desist from insulting the country’s President on Facebook and other social media.

The group, Niger Delta Youth Initiative for Positive Change, decried the penchant of some Nigerians in hurling abusive words towards President Goodluck Jonathan, adding that such attitude was uncommon in other countries.

Mr. David Ato, National Coordinator of the group, made this call while speaking with newsmen in Port Harcourt on Friday. Ato explained that President Jonathan meant well for Nigerians.

Ato stated that rather than insult the President, Nigerians, including youths, are supposed to support him so that he can deliver on his election promises.

While reminding abusers of the President that the economic and political problems facing the country were not created by him, Ato said, “The youth should desist from using abusive words against the President of the country. We should learn how to respect our leaders and we need to support him because we elected him into that office.

“Insulting him on Facebook and other social media is not the best. The truth is that Nigeria has been facing a lot of economic and political problems for a long time. President Jonathan did not create these problems.”

He, however, urged the President to begin to deliver on his election promises in 2013, adding that Nigerians were waiting anxiously to see the manifestation of his transformation agenda.

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Suicide Bomber Attack Averted In FCT

Indications emerged, on Thursday, that authorities of the Nigerian Army Garrison Headquarters in Abuja, foiled a suicidal plot by members of the dreaded Islamic sect, Boko Haram, to carry out a Christmas and New Year celebrations’ bombing in the Federal Capital Territory, FCT.

According to the Vanguard newspaper, two drums loaded with explosives, several sizes of cans, including those of vegetable oils and palm oil converted to Improvised Explosive Devices, IEDs; about six AK-47 rifles and timing devices were recovered.

The Vanguard also reported that two persons, the landlord of the house where the high caliber explosives were recovered, and another man described as the middle man who facilitated the movement of the plotters and IEDS to the house, where the attack was to be coordinated, have been arrested by operatives of the Army Garrison Headquarters.

Also, a manhunt is also said to have been activated for the persons scheduled to carry out the bombings. Operatives, made up of Military Intelligence and counter-terrorism personnel, stormed the house located in Suleja area, following a tip-off at the dead of the night, but were unable to apprehend the two suicide bombers, who did not return from wherever they went on that day.

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Colombian Drug Baron, Seven Nigerians Arrested By The NDLEA

A Colombian drug baron and seven Nigerians who specialise in the production of Methamphetamine (white, odourless, bitter crystalline powder) have been arrested by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA).

The NDLEA Chairman, Alhaji Ahmadu Giade, who made the disclosure on Thursday in Lagos at a news conference, expressed concern over the health and security implications of illegal production of the drug in Nigeria.

“Our investigation had shown that the Colombian expert on the production of methamphetamine, Mr Gonzelo Osorio a.k.a Fabian Arcila and Baez Benitez Milan was invited to establish three clandestine laboratories on a 38,000 dollars weekly contract.

“This is sad and worrisome. It is a clarion call on stakeholders to pay priority attention on this dangerous twist in our nation’s drug trade,” he said.

Giade said that narcotic investigators also arrested seven Nigerian members of the criminal gang who were now helping officials of the NDLEA in their investigation.

“The suspects are Gonzelo Osorio, Gabriel Obi, Anthony Ebi, Olisa Onyebuchukwu, Mickey Ezeokoli, Solomon Ogbonna and Chidi Efeagwazi.

“Twelve vehicles belonging to suspected members of the cartel have been confiscated.

“In addition, four houses have also been traced to the criminal group by the agency,” he said.

Giade said the undercover operation that led to the arrest of members of the gang commenced on Nov. 2011, when Osorio was contracted by a Nigerian drug syndicate to establish three methamphetamine production laboratories in different parts of the country.

He described the operation as ‘one of the best’ in terms of duration, expertise and professionalism handled by the agency.

“The first clandestine laboratory Osario established was situated at Majek area of Ibeju Lekki Local Government Area of Lagos State, while another one was located at Nanka Village, near Awka in Anambra.

“The criminal gang was in the process of establishing the third laboratory when NDLEA officers apprehended them,” he said.

The NDLEA boss said that Osorio left Nigeria in December, 2011 and returned on May 30, 2012 with a false identity as a citizen of Paraguay with the name Baez Benitez Milan on his travel documents.

“Osario is regarded as an expert in the production of methamphetamine in his country and was hired on a contract of 38,000 dollars weekly by the drug cartel,” he said.

Giade said that while the operation was on going, a Nigerian suspect was apprehended in Lagos for using his residence for the production of methamphetamine.

He said that suspects involved in the criminal act were either ignorant of the lethal health hazard of their actions or blinded by selfish interest

“The use of Methamphetamine endangers public health.

“More worrisome is the security implication, due to the huge profit involved,” Giade said.

Methamphetamine is a central nervous system stimulant available only on prescription but often abused by snorting. [NAN]

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Police Arrest Con-Man Pastor

The police in Lagos State said they have arrested a pastor and a travel agency operator, who allegedly specializes in defrauding intending pilgrims of using the Nigerian Christian Pilgrim Commission.

Lagos State Police Command Spokesperson, Ngozi Braide, who confirmed the arrests, disclosed that the suspects had been granted bail pending the completion of investigations.

The suspects, identified by the police as Lanre Onabanjor, a staff of Ashton & Dave Travel Agency and Rev. Joshua Taiwo, an Ibadan-based pastor, with the Gospel Faith Mission International (GOFMINT), were arrested when policemen attached to Bar-Beach Police Station following a complaint from a victim who accused the suspects of defrauding him of about N1.3million.

A police source says the victim, Fatayi Osholonge, had approached the travel agency, located at Saka Tinubu Street, Victoria Island, Lagos, after speaking to one of their agents assured him that the agency would assist him and his wife arrange a pilgrimage to Jerusalem and the Vatican in Rome.

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Former RCCG pastor berates Adeboye for welcoming politicians in to their annual Holy Ghost congress

A former pastor of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), Bankole Solomon, has criticized the General Overseer of the church, Pastor E A Adeboye, for allowing politicians i.e President Jonathan, into their annual RCCG Holy Ghost congress and turning it into a political congress.

According to a statement released by Bankole who said he left the church as pastor in 2010 but still worships there, the church programme has now turned to a 'supermarket where charlatans and political opportunists come shopping. He questioned why President Jonathan should be allowed to stand on their 'Once sacred alter' and speak deceitfully and indirectly campaign for 2015 during a spiritual gathering.

"I know this post will attract a sharp condemnation because I worship in RCCG and I was once a pastor before I resigned voluntarily because of rights violations in the name of religion. I resigned in December 2010 but I am still worshiping there as an ordinary member. So, whatever I have here is without prejudice.

"Holy ghost congress of our great church is now a political congress where all shades of corrupt leaders will mount our altar to fool Nigerians on what they will do.

"Holy Ghost congress is now a supermarket where all kinds of people like charlatans and political opportunist come shopping turning God to father Christmas to give them end of the year bonus.

"Jonathan was even there turning our once sacred altar to political podium talking deceitfully and indirectly campaigning for 2015. My question is this? On what ground was president Jonathan allowed to speak to people. Is he a pastor? Because the gathering is purely a spiritual gathering and event.

"I've been a pastor in Redeemed for the past 10 years and I've not got any opportunity to sit on dat altar not to talk of holding mic. If because Jonathan is a President and he is recognized, it means some are more equal than others.

"Immediately I left camp on Saturday morning, I looked at the camp very well because I know that would be the last time I will set my foot to that Eagle Square called Redeemed camp."

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Revealed: Ojukwu’s controversial Will

The late Ikemba Nnewi, Dim Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu, willed all his money to his wife, Mrs. Bianca Odinaka Olivia Odumegwu-Ojukwu, according to the bromide of his will exclusively obtained by Sunday Vanguard.

The 16-point will, prepared by the firm of Sir Emeka Onyemelukwe & Associates, is entitled, ‘Codicil, Varying, Revoking and Adding to my Will’, and dated, 16 December, 2009. The document was signed by the former Biafran warlord as the testator and two witnesses: Engr Mse Ezenuba and Sebastian Ray Afadi. It was the first codicil to the late Ikemba’s will dated 9 July 2005. Paragraph 10 of the codicil states how Ojukwu envisaged that peace will reign among his brothers.

He also explained why one of his properties, Nnewi House, in Lagos should not be sold.

The Codicil:

CODICIL

Download (PDF, 4.42MB)

DIM CHUKWUEMEKA ODUMEGWU-OJUKWU

Prepared by

Sir Emeka |Onyemelukwe (KGS) (JP)

PP.  Emeka Onyemelukwe & Associates

Legal Practitioners

17 Kenyatta Street,

Uwani, Enugu.

CODICIL, VARYING, REVOKING AND ADDING TO MY WILL

I, DIM CHUKWUEMEKA ODUMEGWU OJUKWU, EZIGBO-GBURUGBURU, of NO. 7 Forest Crescent, GRA, Enugu, formerly residing at No. 4 Isiuzo Street, Independence Layout, Enugu, declares this to be a first codicil to my will which bears date, the 9th day of July 2005.

1. By my said will I gave absolutely to my wife Mrs. Bianca Odinaka Olivia Odumegwu Ojukwu, the real property, located at No. 7 Forest Crescent, GRA Enugu, Enugu State and property known as Plot No. 20 Cadastral B9, located in JABI DAM, Abuja and covered by Certificate of Occupancy NO. 4405.

1(a)     I hereby declare that those two properties have since been transferred to my wife, Mrs. Bianca Odinaka Olivia Ojukwu, by a Deed of Gift (Gift inter vivos)) already registered.

2. In paragraph 5 of that will, I gave the property known as Jubilee Hotel on Jubilee Road, Zaria, Kaduna State to my daughter, Tenni Hamman.

(a)  I have since sold that property.

3. In paragraph 9, 10 and 11 of my will, I devised and bequeathed my one hector each out of my 6 (six) hecters of land, located at Umuezena, Umudim, Nnewi, to my son Nwachukwu, my daughters, Nmegha; Ebele; Chineme and two hecters to my wife, Bianca Odinaka Olivia Odumegwu Ojukwu.

4. In view of the current problem in that parcel of land at Umuezena, Umudim, Nnewi, I direct that on resolution of the dispute between Obi Umezena and the Youths, what ever acreage or number of plots of land given to me shall be shared in the same ratio used in my will.

5. By my said will, in paragraph 12, I gave and bequeathed my interest in my mother’s property at Onwudiwe Street, Uwani, Enugu to my nephew Tom Bigger.

(a) Tom Bigger is my nephew to whom I devise and bequeath my interest at 56 Onwudiwe Street, Uwani, Enugu.

6. Also in  my will, in paragraph 13, I gave my interest in  my mother’s property at Thinker’s Corner, Enugu,Enugu State, to my nephew Robert Bigger.

(a)  Robert Bigger is my nephew, to whom I gave all  my interest in my mother’s plot of land at Thinker Corner Enugu. That plot of land is registered as instrument No. 29 at page 29, in volume 478 of the land Registry, Enugu.

7. I gave all my moneys in my account in Zenith Bank of Nigeria Plc. Bourdillon Street, Ikoyi, Lagos and Diamond Bank of Nigeria Plc. Garden Avenue, Enugu to my wife, Mrs. Bianca Odinaka Olivia Odumegwu Ojukwu, for the up keep of our children and herself.

8. OJUKWU TRANSPORT LTD

I hereby direct that on my demise, my wife Mrs. Bianca Odinaka Olivia Odumegwu Ojukwu shall take over my seat on the board of Ojukwu Transport Ltd. She may nominate any person of her choice to represent her in her absence at board meetings.

9. My wife, Bianca Odinaka Olivia Odumegwu Ojukwu shall retain my interest at No. 29 Queen’s Drive, Ikoyi, Lagos, which I fought hard to secure from the clutches of Lagos State Government.

10. I have thought about how peace shall endure within my brothers on the Board of Ojukwu Transport Ltd. And I have come to the conclusion that the Real Estate properties and companies shares of Ojukwu Transport Ltd. Be shared, except NNEWI HOUSE, which shall remain, the legacy, binding us an generations to come. This property at No. 1-3 Creek Road, Apapa, Lagos, shall still be owned by Ojukwu Transport Ltd. However, I suggest that my half brothers agree on one Estate Agent, who shall manage the property. Proceeds from that property shall be shared equally among the three sons of late Sir. L.P. Ojukwu yearly as a binding legacy for generations to come.

11. I hereby direct that on the sharing of the Real Estate properties of Ojukwu Transport Ltd. The shares accruable to me shall be shared equally between my children from Late Njideka Odumegwu Ojukwu and the children of Mrs. Bianca Odinaka Olivia Odumegwu Ojukwu.

12. I also direct that my daughters, Ebele Odumegwu Ojukwu and Tenni Hamman, be given a share of the Real Estate properties accruable to me.

13. I also demand that all the company shares owned by Ojukwu Transport Ltd. Be brought to a common pool and shared amongst the directors of the company.

14. I devise and bequeath my bungalow, at Abuja under Federal Housing Authority, HSE 41, 1st Avenue, 1(A) Road, Lugbe Estate, Abuja to my daughter Chineme. She shall own the property exclusively.

15. I devise and bequeath to my son Okigbo Odumegwu Ojukwu, my plot of land known as plot 10, Block 1, Thinkers Corner Enugu. He shall hold and enjoy the land exclusively.

16. In all other respects, I confirm my said will as modified by this Codicil.

IN WITNESS I have hereto set my hand this 16th day of December, 2009.

Source:Vanguardngr

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Nigerians are educated illiterates —Chukwumerije

Too much emphasis on paper qualification has produced Nigerians that are “educated illiterates” without initiative, Chairman Senate Committee on Education Too much emphasis on paper qualification has produced Nigerians that are “educated illiterates” without initiative, Chairman Senate Committee on Education Uche Chukwumerije has said.

Chukwumerije, who made the statement in Abuja yesterday, said after 50 years of independence, Nigeria is still relying on imported goods because it has not empowered the middle level manpower.

He said countries like Ghana and South Africa are making impact because they have placed value on skills development.

He said those managing the education sector should  to give priority to technical and vocational education to produce skilled and quality level manpower that would drive the economy. has said.

Chukwumerije, who made the statement in Abuja yesterday, said after 50 years of independence, Nigeria is still relying on imported goods because it has not empowered the middle level manpower.

He said countries like Ghana and South Africa are making impact because they have placed value on skills development.

He said those managing the education sector should  to give priority to technical and vocational education to produce skilled and quality level manpower that would drive the economy.

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‘How herdsmen r*ped bride, k*lled 21’

For allegedly refusing some herdsmen the usage of  their farmlands to graze  their herds, no fewer than 21 people of Ketuland in Yewa North local government area of Ogun State were slaughtered while women, young and old,  including a bride, were allegedly raped. Among those  allegedly killed were  five members of a family.

Some Ketuland residents stated these while  narrating  their ordeal in the hands of the herdsmen who, according to them, always  lurked at the border areas close to their community at the approach of the dry season. They feared the same thing might happen this year unless urgent steps were taken to stop the herdsmen. Their spokesmen accused the state government of ignoring their cries for help, saying, in Abeokuta, Ogun State capital, that government seemed  to value the herds more than human lives.

The spokesman told the story of a bride  who was raped about 24 hours after she wedded on her way to fetch water from a river in the community.

The spokesman, Lasisi Adewole, who represented the leadership of socio-cultural groups, which included Ketu Advancement Front, Ketu Alliance and Ketu People’s Assembly, claimed that no fewer than 21 people have been killed since 2000 when the herdsmen first invaded their farmlands.

Adewole and three farmers in the area: Phillip Akanan from Owode-Ketu, Amosu Olofinjin and Akinola Tunde from Agbon-Ojodu, said they were fed up with the annual killings of their people  by the marauding  herdsmen.

They insisted that unless Ogun State government and security agencies took urgent steps, more lives would be wasted this dry season.

“Many of our sons and daughters have been gruesomely murdered in a manner  that appears as if we don’t have government. Our brilliant ones including our wives have been raped, assaulted. How would you feel if I mention your wife’s name as one of those that have been raped by the cattle rearers? Many of our wives and daughters who have been raped were  taken to  hospital in Abeokuta, the state capital,” they said.

“We are losing people as well as being prevented from doing what we know how to do best because of the grazing of our farms by the herdsmen’s cattle. With the terrible experience of the raping of our daughters and ones, including  the bride, our communities are no longer safe.

“In a matter of days, they will enter the country through our communities and destroy our farmlands with the indiscriminate grazing of their cattle. We are helpless and that’s why we are appealing to the state government to urgently checkmate them.”

Displaying the gory pictures of some of the victims, Adewole alleged that  Ogun State government and the police had been footdragging on the killings and rape and  even took sides with the herdsmen whenever they attempted to protect themselves against their onslaught”. According to Adewole, recently, they received calls from some of the herdsmen who threatened to enter their communities from Republic of Benin.

“It is against this backdrop that we want to draw the attention of the world to the failure of our government to guarantee our security as demanded of her by the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. The  herdsmen may  make good their threat having been receiving  protection from  our government,” he added.

“The result of this will be a repeat of what we have been experiencing in the past eleven years: murder of innocent people, robbery at gun point, raping of both young and old, especially children of school age, attack on our villages in the dead of the night, arson, destruction of farm produce and forced closure of schools.

“We have taken time to once again chronicle our plight and anguish to further underscore the fact that it is the Ketu people who bear the brunt of the avoidable Ketu/ herdsmen crisis and not any other people.”

The people demanded the execution of a 2007 Ilaro High Court judgment which barred the  herdsmen from grazing their cattle in the area and the payment of compensation to the victims of past  attacks by  Ogun State government and the Yewa North Local Government.

They also called for investigation of the alleged extra-judicial killing of a Junior Secondary School 3 student of Area Community High School, Ibeku by the police. Reacting to the incident, the state Police Public Relations Officer, Mr. Muyiwa Adejobi, said  the Ketu people were only crying wolf.

He said: “The police could only ensure that there was no breakdown of law and order rather than stopping the  herdsmen from coming into the area. They should not drag the police into the matter. “The state government and the House of Assembly have set up a committee on the matter. We are only waiting for the outcome of the exercise”. Also, the Secretary to the State Government, Mr. Taiwo Adeoluwa,  said the problem between the Ketu people and the herdsmen had been a recurrent one since the past 15 years.

Adeoluwa said  the state government had set up a committee comprising the Ketu people, the herdsmen and government officials to tackle the problem. “These are unfair allegations. Recently,  I held a meeting with them.  The 30 villages in Ketu and the herdsmen  too were represented. We’ve told the herdsmen to hold on, that we have set minimum standards for them.”

Source:Vanguardngr

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40-Year Old Man Excretes 90 Wraps Of Cocaine In 2 Weeks

A suspected drug trafficker recently excreted 90 wraps of substances believed to be cocaine in 14 days.The suspect, Peter Onyeagba, 40, who allegedly tested positive for drug ingestion after his arrest at the Murtala Mohammed International Airport in Lagos during an inward screening of passengers on a Kenyan Airways flight, was arrested by officials of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency.

While confirming the arrest, NDLEA Airport Commander, Hamza Umar, said, “Onyeagba is the longest observed drug suspect since January 2012. He began excretion the day he was arrested and took two weeks to complete observation. Some others conclude the evacuation of ingested drugs in three days, while a majority last for a week. This is the longest observed case since January.”

Onyeagba, who sells building materials for a living and is a resident of Lome, Togo blamed his predicament on greed. Hear him, “I have been selling building materials in Togo for over 10 years. I was on a business trip to Brazil with $8,000 and had planned on visiting Nigeria. Some of my friends that we usually meet in a drinking bar introduced me into drugs.

“They told me that instead of going back to Nigeria with nothing, that I should take some drugs and earn $3,000. I was not forced to smuggle the drug; I only decided to give it a try after much persuasion. I was interested in making an additional $3,000.”

It would be recalled that last year October, popular Yoruba comic, Babatunde Omidina aka Baba Suwe, was held for more than two weeks on suspicions of ingesting cocaine. The actor was later freed on the orders of a Lagos high court after he failed to excrete the suspected substance and would go on to win a N25m judgement against the agency.

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WAEC Records 62.03% Failure As Blind Students Top Performance List

The West African Examinations Council, yesterday in Yaba, Lagos, said that about 62.03 percent of students who wrote the November/December 2012 West Africa Seniour School Certificate Examination failed the test as only 37.97 percent or 150,615 obtained five credits including English Language and Mathematics.

Blind students performed better than those without sight problems as 46.93 percent of 49 students that registered for the examination obtained five credits including English Language. Blind candidates do not sit for Mathematics and Science practicals in WASSCE examinations.

According to the Head, National Office of the Council, Mr Charles Eguridu, out of 396,614 candidates who sat for the examination, about 47,289 candidates’ result, representing 11.04 percent were being withheld in connection with various cases of examination malpractices.

This even as a comparative analysis of candidates’ performance in the November/December 2010 – 2012 WASSCE, showed that there is an improvement in candidates’ performance.

He explained that in 2010, only 24.16 per cent passed just as 36.07 percent passed in 2011.

Eguridu disclosed that cases of examination malpractices were being investigated, pointing out that the reports of the investigation would will be presented to the Nigeria Examination Committee, NEC, for consideration and final decision would be communicated to the affected candidates through WAEC zonal and branch offices across the country.

His words, “A total number of 49 blind candidates registered for the examination. Out of this figure, 23 candidates, representing 46.93 per cent obtained credits in five subjects including English Language.

A total of 413,266 candidates registered for the examination, out of which 396,614 candidates consisting of 216,600 male and 180,014 female candidates sat for the examination. Out of the total number of candidates that registered, 406,108 candidates representing 98.27 percent have their results fully processed, while 7,158 candidates representing 1.73 per cent have a few of their subjects still being processed as various errors and omissions mostly traceable to candidates are being sorted out by the Council.’’ He said these errors were committed during registration and the actual conduct of the examination.

He added, “Out of 161,706 candidates that sat for the examination, 40.77 per cent obtained six credits and above. While, 268,688 candidates representing 67.74 per sent obtained credits and above in four subjects as 309,706 candidates representing 78.10 per cent obtained credits and above in three subjects. A total of 343,352 candidates, representing 86.57 per cent obtained credit and above in two subjects.

Candidates are expected to visit the council’s website for their results, even as Eguridu lamented the dearth of qualified teachers, inadequate and dilapidated classrooms and appealed to the federal, state government as well as other school proprietors to address these challenges. He also urged the Ministry of Education to ensure that only schools with the necessary facilities to function as schools will be duly registered.

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Medical Doctor Among Pipeline Vandals Nabbed: Says Vandalism More Lucrative Than Medicine

A medical doctor was one of 25 suspected vandals nabbed for allegedly vandalising pipelines in different parts of the country, information emerging from the Inspector General of Police’s Special Task Force on Anti-Pipeline Vandalism Unit, Force Headquarters Annex, Lagos, has revealed.

This was made known by Mr. Friday Ibadin, Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) in charge of the task force, in Lagos, on Thursday, while parading the suspects before journalists.

According to him, the doctor, who has a clinic, claimed that he went into the business because it was more lucrative than the medical profession. Ibadin said that some of suspects were arrested in Ikorodu, Takwa Bay, Altlas Cove and Owode in Lagos State, as well as Ibafo, Igbesa, Iperu, Sagamu and Fidewo in Ogun respectively.

He also added that items recovered from them were two (33,000 litres) trucks loaded with petroleum products, 105 (50-litre) jerry cans and 18 (25 litres) jerry cans filled with petroleum products. Other items included 32 drums filled with petroleum products, a pumping machine and an outboard engine.

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Suicide bombers attack Airtel office in Nigeria

A suicide bomber today attacked the office of a Nigerian subsidiary of Indian telecom giant Bharti Airtel in northern city of Kano."The attacker who hit the Airtel office was shot before the bomb exploded," Ibrahim Idris, the chief of police in Kano said.

According to initial information, the suicide bomber tried to force the Airtel office gates open. The driver came out and exchanged gun fire with the security personnel before being shot down.

Initial reports say another office of a telecom firm was also attacked.Firefighters are trying to put out the fire even as men of the military Joint Task Force (JTF) cordoned off the area.

Islamist sect Boko Haram has previously targeted phone firms, blowing up telephone masts and offices, saying the companies help the security forces catch its members.

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Four kidnapped S. Korean expatriates freed

Four South Korean workers who were kidnapped earlier this week in Bayelsa state have been released unharmed, a foreign ministry spokesman said Saturday.

The four workers from South Korea’s Hyundai Heavy Industries, were abducted by armed men Monday while working at a construction site in the state of Bayelsa.

They were freed unharmed late Friday, the South Korean foreign ministry spokesman said.

Two Nigerian co-workers were kidnapped alongside the South Koreans, with one apparently released soon after the incident, according to Hyundai. There was no information on whether the other Nigerian was also set free Friday.

It is not known if a ransom was paid.

Gangs looking for ransom money have frequently abducted expatriates working in the oil-producing Niger Delta.

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World’s Oldest Living Person Dies

No matter how long you live, you must die someday. No one lives forever, not even Dina Manfredini.

Dina Manfredini, the world’s oldest person, on Monday passed away in Johnston, Iowa. She was 115 years old.

Guinness World Records confirmed her holder of the title of world’s oldest living person just shy of two weeks ago. Her cause of death has not been released.

Guinness spokesman Robert Young says the next in line for the title is believed to be a Japanese Jiroemon Kimura, who was born on April 19, 1897. He is 15 days younger than Manfrendi.

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Mad Woman Miraculously Regains Her Senses after Being Hit by a Car

The story has been told about the miraculous cure of a 40-year-old mentally ill woman who has been simply identified as Olubisi Aina at Sanyo area of Ibadan, Oyo State on Tuesday, 11th December, 2012 after an auto accident.

According to the Tribune, which reported the story, the way and manner in which Olubisi Aina regained her sanity after about a decade or more of insanity is amazing and it could be described as a wonder. Aina had been insane for 10 years or thereabout and paraded herself, most often nakedly, on the Sanyo-Temidire-Agbamu road, her habitation for over a decade.

She usually slept on her back with her face up in drainages or on the main road close to the bridge on Damo River in the area; and come rain or shine, Olubisi was always in her habitat and is well known in the neighbourhood. Perhaps that was her saving grace on Monday, 10th December, 2012 when a car ran over her where she was sleeping at about 9a.m.

Olubisi was quickly rushed to Oore-Ofe Hospital and Maternity Home where her bruised mouth and legs were attended to. However, after being discharged, patron of the hospital, Mr Toyin Adesina, advised that she should have a bath. She was later led by acquaintances to Damo River where she was given new sponge and soap for her bath. As she raised the sponge above her head, she said “Thank you God” in Yoruba Language. Instantly, she regained her sanity and whatever question was posed to her, she answered accurately!

Culled from the Tribune

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New Superstition: Boy Who Celebrated His 12th Birthday at 12 Midnight on 12:12:12 is the Antichrist

Kiam Moriya

Yes, it is no longer Barack Obama. As some already know, the American President had been recently fingered as the “Antichrist” by some people for some reasons best known to them. However, there is apparently a new candidate for the post!

Well, the number 12 has been a recurring figure in young Kiam Moriya’s life. Thus, it had been noted that when he turns 12, the whole world would be watching! The Alabama boy – who loves Krispy Kreme donuts and BMX biking – was born at 12:12 p.m. on December 12, 2000.

His twelfth birthday fell on Wednesday, 12/12/12. And his father had this to say: “We’ve joked around that he’s the chosen one,” Kiam’s father, Kazuo Moriya, told Today.com. While some say his son is lucky, others fear the boy is a sign of a pending apocalypse. “There are these weirdoes out there online, all these doomsday people, saying he needs to be killed and that he’s the Antichrist,” Moriya said. “We’re trying to tone it down because it’s a little freaky. It’s just a fun little story.”

The numerically bizarre date has swept the nation into frenzy, as luck-seekers scoop up lottery tickets and couples seek marriage licenses to wed on Wednesday. Real weirdoes, isn’t it? No wonder nothing will come out of their stories!

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32-year-old Marriage Ends Without A Child

A 32-year-old marriage which was devoid of the fruit of the womb was on Thursday dissolved by an Orile-Agege Customary Court in Lagos following a petition filed by 60-year-old Joshua Ajala who accused of witchcraft and abandonment.

Ajala urged the court to separate him from his wife, Dorcas and got his wish.

“Starting from today, you cease to be addressed as husband and wife,” the Court President, Mr Joseph Adewusi said in his ruling.

“The evidence before the court revealed that the union had broken down as a result of childlessness.

“You shall go your separate ways and maintain the peace anywhere you see yourselves,” he said.

Joshua, a building contractor, had on November 19 filed a suit before the court saying his 53-year-old wife, Dorcas, refused to give him children.

According to Joshua who lives at 18, Fashola Street, Orile-Agege, for three years after their marriage, his wife was not concerned about getting pregnant.

He said that when she later got pregnant in 1993, she ignored his advice to register in the hospital and later lost the pregnancy.

He added that his wife brought home some concoction, which both of them drank, and he had been unable to impregnate her since then.

“My wife told many people that I was impotent and this was what prompted me to have an extra-marital affair,” he said.

Joshua told the court in tears that when he suspected foul play, he went out to date another woman but the problem persisted.

“I went to the mountain to pray and after the prayers, I went to the other woman I was dating and successfully made love to her and she conceived.

“My wife only got to know about my extra-marital affair after the woman had given birth to a female child.

“She told me that if she had known, she would have killed the baby in the womb,” he said.

Joshua testified that he lost the child when she was seven years old and his wife, happy at the loss, dressed gorgeously to pay a condolence visit to the other woman.

“After the death of the child, I left the house for her until two years ago when she decided to leave.

“This woman is out to ruin me, I want the court to dissolve the marriage so that I can be free from her,” he said.

In her response,Dorcas, a trader, who lives at 4, Ajibode St., Ajuwon, told the court that she lived with her husband with a truthful heart but was repaid with evil.

“I tried all I could do to get pregnant after I lost the first pregnancy but the efforts proved abortive; I love my husband with passion.

“He stopped giving me money, yet I never abused him; he called me all manner of names and disgraced me in public.

“He left the house after the death of his child and I left a year after. I am married now and I am happy where I am,” she said.

Dorcas told the court that she was not a witch and was not responsible for the death of her husband’s daughter from the other woman, adding that she is happy they are officially separated now. [PMN]

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