Metrolens Media Boss Speaks on SHACHAH CONCERT & AWARDS 2014

Psalmist Adebayo Oshin a.k.a Bayo Flavour GMFR, a prolific song writer, teacher, singer, multi-intrumentalist and music producer, who has produced many Gospel Artistes. He has 3 Album to his credit ‘Rock of Ages (2001), E bami yo (2002), Eleburu Ike (2006). He’s also a media expert and the convener of SHACHAH CONCERT & AWARDS 2014. In his exclusive interview with our correspondent, Lilian Chinenye Amadi, He unveiled his vision about SHACHAH CONCERTS & AWARDS 2014 and more. Excerpts…

 

Can we meet you sir?

 

My names are Psalmist Adebayo Olukoya Steve Oshin. I was born in Lagos, but hail from Ogere Remo, Ogun State. I started my primary school education in the year 1984 at St. Leo’s catholic school Ibadan and proceeded to Methodist High School, Expressway Ibadan /Government College Eric Moore, Lagos for my secondary education. I had IJMB A level from Ahmadu Bello University and B.Sc. in Mass Communication from the Lagos State University. By the special grace of God, I’m the managing director/CEO of De Spotless Communications (A print Media outfit), De Psalmist Music and Metrolens Media (Event outfit) all in Lagos-Nigeria. I got married in November 2008 with God blessings of 2 lovely kids.

 

Can you tell us about your music background?

I started my music career fully in the year 1993 as a choir member at Christ Apostolic Church, Isegun ni temi, Ibadan under the leadership of Prophetess V.F Oluwayoose (Mother of now Ekiti State Governor, His Excellency Ayo Fayose). I was brought up musically under the tutelage of Mr Femi Paul,  Pastor Rotimi Ajayi (CM) and later proceeded for the classical music school from Mr Segun Osinubi (CAC Oke Ibukun Oke Ado District Headquarters). And I later joined Pastor Rotimi Ajayi’s musical Band (Blessed Voices) in 1994, which is where I was fully exposed musically. I set up my Band ‘Hosanna Voices’ (De Psalmist Band) in the year 1995 immediately after my SSCE. I led CAC Isegun ni temi choir from 1997-1999 before moving down to Lagos to join RCCG Peculiar Treasure as a music director till date.

 

Tell us a little more about Shachah Concert & Awards 2014?

 

The word “SHACHAH” (shaw-khaw') is an Hebrew word meaning "to worship, prostrate oneself, bow down." Shachah is used as the common term for coming before God in worship. John 4:23-24 states that. But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship him. God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth. The SHACHAH CONCERT/AWARDS is very unique because it focus is in threefold.

Firstly, it is an avenue to experience total Worship with the Movers and Shakers of the Gospel Music Industry.

Secondly, to Celebrate the positive impacts of Gospel Celebrities and other Kingdom Builders by giving them something to be proud of, because they deserve to be recognized for their valuable contributions to our Father’s work.

Lastly, to promote and showcase upcoming industry members and businesses. Encourage all industry members, and let world know who to support with their money and resources.

 

Can you tell us the award categories?

he award categories of those that will be recognized for their valuable contributions to our father’s works are:

-THE MOST CELEBRATED GOSPEL ARTIST 2014

-THE ICON OF GOSPEL MUSIC 2014

-THE MOST INFLUENTIAL GOSPEL COMEDIAN OF THE YEAR 2014

-THE GOSPEL MUSIC DIVA 2014

-THE POSITIVE YOUTH ICON OF THE YEAR 2014

-THE MUSIC DIRECTOR OF THE YEAR 2014

-THE PEARL OF KINGDOM BUILDER 2014

-THE MOST CREATIVE COMPANY OF THE YEAR 2014

-THE YOUTH ENTERPRENUER – PHOTOGRAPHY 2014

-THE YOUTH ENTERPRENUER – CLEANING SERVICES 2014

 

When is the programme?

SHACHAH CONCERT/AWARDS 2014 will take place by the special grace of God on Sunday 28th September, 2014 at New Estate Baptist Church, 57, Adisa Bashua Street, off Adelabu Street by Masha Roundabout, Surulere, Lagos State-Nigeria. Red Carpet by 3.00pm while the main concert starts by 4.00pm.

 

Why I Prefer Sex Before Marriage — Actress Oluwaseyi Edun

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Oluwaseyi Edun aka Shai Ejanla recently granted an interesting interview to Kehinde Ajose , published in Vanguard, In the interview, she gave her honest opinion on the controversial topic of sex before marriage. Read below:

 

Sensuously beautiful Seyi Edun is a budding actress who has not only found her place in the world of acting but also taking giant strides as a movie producer. As new as she is on the scene, Seyi is already being regarded as one of the fast rising stars to watch out for in the Yoruba sector of Nollywood.
In this chat with Potpourri, Seyi talks about her life as an actress, a producer and the concept behind her first produced movie ‘Eja Nla’.  She also talks about her fondness for the pop star, D’Banj, her love life and several sundry issues:

Have you  always wanted  to be an actress?

 

I didn’t set out to be an actress. I joined the industry in 2009 through my younger sister who happens to be a scriptwriter.  I joined the House of Wisdom caucus .  I graduated in 2011 and also produced my first movie in  2011

Why are you called Eja Nla?

 

I got the name Eja Nla from D  Banj. I love D  banj so much.  I love his music and personality so I just decided to come up with something unique  and  produced a movie around that name. The name stuck ever since.

What is your most challenging movie role?

 

My most challenging movie role is in Ogo Olorun. It’s a movie where I had to speak Yoruba all through. Not just conventional Yoruba, but Yoruba rooted in proverbs and folklore. It was really challenging because   I wasn’t permitted to fuse English with  myYoruba. I didn’t find it easy, especially with the Yoruba proverbs.

Can you date any of your colleagues?

 

Yes and no. Yes, because you never can tell where you will find love, but presently     I will say no , I can’t date any of my colleagues.

 

What would you consider the good side and bad side of being an actress?

 

The good side of being an actress is that you are a known face and doors open for you as a result of your fame. While the bad side involves having to deal with scandals and nosy journalists. As an actress there is no way you can prevent some bad things being writen about you. It is a sweet and sour experience.

 

What are the challenges of being a movie producer?

Movie production is not easy at all. We face challenges from monetary to logistics. At times, the timeline of production doesn’t just agree with your time-table. A film of couple of weeks may end up running into months and this may stretch the budget and make you incur more expenses. But the biggest challenge is money, getting money to bankroll your production.

 

What will you consider as your favourite qualities in a man?

 

I love a responsible man, God-fearing, not extremely handsome and not too ugly. I also  don’t want someone who is extremely rich. I love a man with a good heart, someone who     will love   me for who I am.

 

Have you ever been heartbroken?

 Yes I have, and I don’t want to be heartbroken anymore. Heartbreak is not a good thing. When one is heartbroken it hurts and weighs you down. You feel like your life   has been thrown into a puddle and the truth is that it’s the person that one   loves that breaks one’s heart.

 Can you quit acting for your relationship?

That is why I said earlier that I love a man who understands me for who I am and my man       cannot tell me to quit acting because of our relationship.

What does sex means to you?

 Sex is a good thing, we are all sexual beings. Our sexuality is linked with   the rest of our lives. It’s a sort of bond between two people, a form of expression that goes behond the ordinary intimacy shared. It’s a good thing.

What is your take on sex before marriage?

 I think it’s an individual thing. Once you are an adult and you think you are ready, go for it. Personally, I think sex before marriage is good. Because it will make you know your partner well before going into marriage. So if there is anything you are not comfortable with, you have an ample time to correct it before actually going into the lifetime contract of marriage. Doing it before marriage also reduces adultery and fornication.  It is also a good way of studying your partner before you get committed to him or her.

What will you consider the sexiest part of your body?

 I will choose my leg as the sexiest part of   my body. People often tell me I have got sexy legs, so I will choose my legs.

Motionless Man trapped by a transformer

 

The corpse of a man who was electrocuted inside a transformer cabin was found by the residents of Lonlo area of Iju-Ishaga, Lagos after they woke up yesterday.

The identity of the deceased who was wearing a blue shirt and blue jeans trousers could not be ascertained, and the deceased tried to remove the steel covering of the power equipment when there was darkness and power failure. Unfortunately for the deceased power was restored and that resulted to a spark from the transformer.

Passers by saw his Still body and guessed it was an official of the Ikeja Power Distribution Company not until he was observed closely and they later learnt that he was electrocuted.. Residents of Lonlo area of Iju-Ishaga gathered at the scene to have a glimpse.

The local government council had been informed by the Police sources at Iju towards removing the corpse.

Nigerian Soldeirs sentenced to death ('Mutiny' soldiers face firing squad)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Twelve soldiers fighting an Islamic insurgency in Nigeria have been sentenced to death by firing squad for mutiny and attempted murder of their commanding officer.

 

Brigadier General Chukwuemeka Okonkwo said the military tribunal found 12 soldiers guilty and five others innocent. One was sentenced to 28 days in jail with hard labour.

 

All had denied the charges.

 

The revolt occurred after a convoy of soldiers was ordered to drive at night on a road frequently attacked by Boko Haram Islamic extremists. The soldiers initially refused, saying it was a suicide mission. But they eventually followed orders and were ambushed on May 13 by insurgents on the road from the northeast town of Chibok. An unknown number were killed.

 

Chibok is the town from which more than 270 schoolgirls were kidnapped a month earlier. More than 50 escaped and the rest remain captive.

 

The failure to rescue the girls is a sign of the inability of Nigeria's military and government to contain a five-year-old Islamic uprising that has killed thousands, with soldiers accused of gross human rights abuses in the process.

 

When the bodies of the ambushed soldiers were brought to the barracks in the city of Maiduguri on May 14, the soldiers revolted, throwing stones at their commanding officer, firing into the air and then shooting at him. Several bullets hit the armour-plated vehicle in which he sought refuge. The officer, Major General A. Mohammed, was unharmed.

 

The judgment describes an embarrassing scene where the second in command, Lt Col E. Azanda "has to dash for his dear life but discovered from where he was taking cover that soldiers eventually directed their shots" at Mohammed. It adds that Mohammed in his testimony said, "Thank God for the staff officer who rushed him into his car and the fact that the staff car is an armour-plated vehicle."

 

The judgment issued by the nine-member court martial panel said the soldiers accused their officers of cowardice and threatened to shoot them.

 

The court martial panel said it "considered the gravity of the offence alleged, particularly the attempt to kill the general officer commanding 7 Division, Nigerian Army, and it's likely effect on the counter-insurgency operations in the northeast as well as its implications on national security."

 

Before sentencing, the soldiers' private lawyers pleaded for leniency saying some of the defendants support aged parents, others are the sole bread winners in their family, and some of them had served in the army for 10 years, including in foreign peacekeeping missions

 

The judgment did not say what the soldiers said in their defence during the trial.

 

Boko Haram has made huge gains in recent weeks, seizing a string of towns along the border with Cameroon where they have declared an Islamic caliphate under Shariah law.

PM seeks UN backing for IS action

 

 

International efforts to finalise a strategy for action against brutal Islamic State (IS) militants are expected to intensify after David Cameron confirmed Britain would seek United Nations support for any such plans.

 

Following a summit of foreign ministers from over 30 countries, the Prime Minister said he believes the UN will back an international coalition strategy for tackling IS.

 

Mr Cameron called such support an important part of the blueprint for dealing with the extremists, who have seized swathes of territory in Iraq and Syria.

 

It is still unclear whether Britain will join in United States air strikes against IS in Syria, with ministers refusing to rule it out but insisting that no decision had been made.

 

The Government is currently arming Kurdish Peshmerga forces fighting IS in Iraq and providing other support in the country.

 

With the UN summit next week potentially set to prove crucial in determining the way forward for the group of countries including Britain, the US, European countries and Middle Eastern states, Mr Cameron said he expected "full backing".

 

The PM said yesterday: "I see it that we want to have as part of our comprehensive strategy the full backing of the UN for all of the strategy that's being put in place and that is exactly what I think will happen."

 

Calls for Parliament to be recalled so MPs can consider and potentially vote on military action grew last night with deputy Labour leader Harriet Harman saying Mr Cameron should reconvene the Commons if force is to be used.

 

Meanwhile, the pressure for action grew as Foreign Secretary Philip Hammond revealed the Government does not know the whereabouts of hostages held by IS, including a British captive who the militants are threatening to kill.

 

The extremists are now threatening to murder former cab driver Alan Henning, who was snatched while travelling with an aid convoy in Syria.

 

The threat follows the killing of British aid worker David Haines and two American journalists.

Mr Hammond's comments came after the Paris summit in which world leaders including French president Francois Hollande and Iraqi president Fouad Massoum called for action.

 

US secretary of state John Kerry has been urging allies - especially Middle East and Gulf states - to show a united front and an American official said several Arab countries had offered to join air strikes.

 

However Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei disclosed that he had received a request from the US to join the fight against IS but said he had rejected it because of Washington's "unclean intentions".

 

Nevertheless Mr Hammond said that he hoped Tehran - a key player in the region - would still be "co-operative" with the coalition's objectives, although he admitted Iran would never be a "fully-fledged" member of the coalition.

 

Al Qaida asked IS to release Mr Henning four days after he was captured, according to American filmmaker Bilal Abdul Kareem.

 

He told the Independent that Jabhat al-Nusra, a local commander of an al Qaida group in Syria, had criticised the kidnappers, saying they had no right to take Mr Henning hostage simply because he was non-Muslim.

 

Mr Kareem said he had spoken to Mr al-Nusra shortly afterwards and he seemed confident IS would release their British hostage.

 

Mr Kareem also claimed other rival groups had pleaded with IS to release the aid worker, saying it would harm those people who need food and help.

 

"One of the aid workers told them that the people rely on these convoys and actions like these would create problems for their efforts in helping the Syrian people," he told the newspaper.

 

"The Isis commander replied: 'We don't need convoys - we have Allah.'"

Davis, Australian negotiator is self-appointed – DSS

The Department of State Services, DSS, has denied being the source of the information credited to Australian Boko Haram hostage negotiator, Dr Steven Davis, describing him as “a self-styled and self-appointed negotiator.”

Deputy Director, DSS Public Relations, Marilyn Ogar, nevertheless said the body was investigating Davis claims and has invited former Governor of Borno State, Ali Modu Sheriff to answer some questions bordering on the fresh allegations linking him with the sponsorship of the dreaded Islamic sect, Boko Haram.

However, the department said it couldn’t be true that the immediate past Chief of Army Staff, COAS, Lt. Gen. Azubuike Ihejirika was a financier of the deadly Boko Haram, saying it would be wicked of anyone to link him with the sect.

Davis had listed Sheriff and Ihejirika as Boko Haram sponsors.

Ogar, spoke in Abuja while parading the alleged co-mastermind of the Nyanya blast, Sadiq Ogwuche, along with other suspects, Ahmed Abubakar, Muhammad Ishaq, Yau Saidu, Anas Isah and Adamu Yusuf.

But Ogwuche, the alleged mastermind of the bloodiest bomb blast at the El-Rufai Motor part Nyanya,  denied any link with Boko Haram and involvement  in the deadly explosions which killed over 100 peoples and injured many others.

While dismissing the allegations by Davis on Azubuike Ihejirika, the DSS spokesperson said, it was “uncharitable for Nigerians to reward someone who laid down his life, to associate him with the sponsorship of the sect.”

She said it was through the doggedness of the military under Ihejirika that insurgents were dislodged from the major cities like Okene, Kano to the Sambisa forest and that “it is wicked of anyone to link him to the sponsorship of the sect.”

On the former Borno State governor,  Ogar said, “Sheriff has been invited twice and he has been invited again (over his alleged sponsorship of Boko Haram). Investigation is ongoing to review every aspect of Davies allegations.”

She also noted that contrary to claims by Davies that the CBN official who handled the funding of Boko Haram, is an uncle to three of those arrested in connection with the Nyanya bombings, none of the six suspects in the agency’s custody was related to another.

“In other words, none is a cousin or nephew to any other and only two suspects namely Yau Saidu and Anas Isah have ever lived together at the makeshift clinic called ‘Kishi Clinic’ operated by Rufai Tsiga, a co-mastermind of the bomb blast who is still at large,” she explained.

She added that further interrogation of suspects indicated that none lived with or has any relationship with any staff of the CBN, noting that the clarification was necessary to correct the erroneous impression in the media.

I’m not Boko Haram member

But Ogwuche, who was repatriated to Nigeria from Sudan recently, denied being a member of Boko Haram. He stressed while speaking in an interview with journalists that he had no hand in the Nyanya bombings as he was in Sudan at the time of the incident.

The suspect, however, admitted to have donated N30,000 to widows of Boko Haram members through Tsiga, who had been declared wanted for his roles in the Nyanya blast.

On his deserting the Nigeria Army, Ogwuche said that he did it in order to go and study Arabic in Sudan even as he admitted receiving lectures and taking demonstrations with a Jihadist group in Britain before he came back to Nigeria to which he blamed for his arrest by the security operatives earlier.  According to him, “I am not a member of Boko Haram and I don’t know anything about the Nyanya blast. I deny it because I was studying in Sudan when the incident happened.”

How Cameroun arrested, released Sheriff – Falana

Lagos based human Rights Lawyer, Femi Falana, yesterday, revealed how Former Governor of Borno State, Ali Modu Sheriff was arrested in 2012 by the Cameroonian government for the crime committed by the deadly Boko Haram sect.

Meantime, ahead of the 2015 election, former Minister of Petroleum Resources, Professor Tam David-West, Professor Akin Oyebode and Dr. Joe Okei-Odumakin, have, unanimously, urged Nigerians to wake up from their slumber and use the next year’s election to bring relief to their unwholesome circumstances

Falana and other eminent personalities spoke at the 5th Gani Fawehinmi Memorial Lecture, titled; ‘State of the Nation and 2015 general elections: Issues, posers and challenges before us, held in Lagos.

“In October 2012, Sheriff was arrested in Cameroun on crime committed by the Boko Haram he sponsored. The state government pleaded with the Camerounian government to release him because he is a well known man here and he cannot be arrested.” Falana stated.

The Lagos based lawyer said that the former governor was not sincere in his relationship with the Boko Haram sect in the country.

Sue me not Davis

He however, asked Sheriff to sue him rather than planning to seek redress in court by suing the Australian negotiator, Dr. Stephen Davies, even as he reaffirmed that Sheriff sponsored of the Boko Haram activities.

This came few days after Sheriff said he would seek redress in court by suing the Australian negotiator, Dr. Stephen Davies, who recently fingered him as one of the sponsors of the Boko Haram insurgency. According to Falana, “I am expecting Senator Ali Madu Sheriff to sue me. I heard that he wanted to sue an Australian (Dr. Steven Davies). He doesn’t need that. He should sue me. I am waiting for him to sue me. Not only did he fund that organization (Boko Haram), he also had a deal with them.” He noted that Sheriff cannot denial all the allegations made against him, saying. “In 2003, he had a deal with the Boko Haram leaders to help him win the election and that if he wins his re-election, he will compensate the organization.

\When he won the election, he appointed one of them as Commissioner for Religious Affairs to implement Sharia in that state.”

He however, accused the Federal Government of shielding certain facts from its citizens.

Falana said “The Federal Government is yet to react to the statement by Dr. Stephen Davies against Sheriff. I expect the central government to have made its position known on the issue.”

The lawyer therefore, called for concerted effort to tackle the menace of Boko Haram, saying, “People’s Democratic Party, PDP and All Progressives Congress, APC should stop politicizing the Boko Haram issue but what is important is unity to tackle the menace”

In his remarks, David-West lamented the nefarious activities of Boko Haram sect in the country, saying, “We do not have a nation. If we have a nation, the problem confronting the country will have been resolved earlier than now.”

He added, “In fact, we are not at crossroad but we have missed the road. There is no road at the moment for the country to attain greatness.”

Explaining the reason for the longevity of the challenges facing the country, David-West said, “What do you expect from a country ruled by a Ph.d holder who said that 16 is greater than 19. The country when the president budget N1 billion for food in a year and cannot pay N18, 000 minimum wage. Daily I have begun to lose faith in our election and leadership.

ON 2015 ELECTION

David -West dispelled the claim that the country will fail to exist after 2015 election, saying, “we will not break in 2015.”

But he said “The citizens need to wake up from their slumber. We are too complacent and this was the reason why the current public office holders take the citizens for granted.

He continued; “Election affords citizens the opportunity to change government which they do not like. I do not believe in revolution but the citizens must go on the street to stop bad government. If 2015 election will be selection rather than election, Nigerians must rise up to stop it. It has to be election and not selection.”

Oyebode while delivering his lecture said the power to change any government resides in the citizens. “And this they can do through their vote.”.

According to him, “The 2015 election constitute yet another opportunity for Nigerians to see themselves as master in the political game rather than servants of the governing class.”

Boko Haram: Jonathan declares full-scale war ,deploys warplanes

Nigerian warplanes are carrying out air strikes against Boko Haram militant bases at Bama, Borno State, a senior official said yesterday, in a government counter-attack against Boko Haram’s drive to create an Islamist enclave.

The official, who asked not to be named, told Reuters Nigeria’s military was battling Boko Haram fighters at Bama, 70 km (45 miles) southeast of the Borno state capital Maiduguri.

Air strikes have been carried out “on all the Boko Haram bases”, the official said, adding this reflected President Goodluck Jonathan’s order for a “fully-fledged war” against the group which has waged a bloody insurgency since 2009.

“Bama today is the centre of the military battle with the terrorists … Boko Haram is being repelled by the Nigerian troops as we are talking now,” the government official said, without giving details of the operations or casualties.

The battle over Bama, and Boko Haram’s storming of towns and villages to the north, east and south of Maiduguri in recent weeks, has raised fears of an attack on the Borno state capital, prompting hundreds of civilians to flee.

“Even today, we can see so many people leaving … the buses are going out plenty now,” Musa Sumail, a human rights activist in Maiduguri who reports on the violence in the northeast, told Reuters. He said he had seen at least one or two Nigerian government fighter jets in the skies above Maiduguri.

We ‘ll do everything to defend our territorial integrity –Defence Hqtr

Indeed, the Defence Headquarters said the armed forces will do everything to defend the nation’s sovereignty.

In a statement by Major General Chris Olukolade, Director of Defence Information said,  the armed forces said: “DHQ wishes to reiterate the pledge and commitment it made while briefing the Joint Committee on Defence of the National Assembly to the effect that everything will be done to reverse the situation and defeat the rampaging terrorists.

“While welcoming all the concerns shown by Nigerians and a section of the international community following the increased menace and activities of terrorists, it is necessary to reassure all that the Nigerian Armed Forces is more than ever determined and committed to the defence of the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Nigeria, regardless of any odd.

“It is not only the pride and reputation of the military that is at stake but that of the entire nation.  We therefore urge our citizens not to lose hope or be disenchanted but to remain steadfast and supportive of the military as all steps are being taken to ensure the success of the counter-insurgency operations, especially at this crucial time when our sovereignty is being challenged.

“With this in mind, it is important to reiterate that the Nigerian military is fully conscious of its obligations to the Nigerian state and remains willing and ready to perform its duties with utmost diligence. Therefore, what the military requires at this critical period in the nation’s history is not pillories but continued support from all stakeholders and comity of nations.

“Indeed, this is not the time to despair or shift blames.   Rather it calls for concerted effort by all and sundry to stop the agents of darkness who seek to destroy our country and civilization. On its part, the Nigerian military as a fighting force, assures Nigerians once again that this battle will be won.”

Military ‘ve killed 1,200 insurgents –AVM Marizu

Sharing this view, former Air Officer Commanding Logistics Command of the Nigerian Airforce, Air Vice Marshall Chris Marizu (rtd), yesterday, cautioned politicians against utterances that were capable of pitching the armed forces against the citizens they were supposed to protect noting that the military forces have killed 1200 Boko Haram insurgents in the battle for Bama, Borno State.

He spoke in the light of the current challenges in the counter-terrorism efforts in the North east which has understandably elicited a sense of apprehension among citizens and even foreign allies, as

He made the disclosure just as the President of Course 18 participants of the Nigeria Defence Academy, Air Commodore Olufemi Agbetuyi warned that it was high time the nation stopped mixing politics with security issues.

Speaking at the 18th regular course re-union in Abuja yesterday, AVM Marizu said, “People should know that some persons who have done so much for this country and the military institution cannot just be rubbished on the altar of politics.

“Some unscrupulous citizens of this country are using the advantages that they enjoy under democracy to malign the military with innuendos and statements without facts. All the things that Mr. Davies said for instance, there was nothing in it and no facts to buttress anything. The angle of aircraft for instance, was Ihejirika the Chief of Air Staff?

“It shows there are undemocratic elements working in tandem with outsiders trying to destroy this country. For instance, the last few days, the media has been awash with reports that Boko Haram has over-run Bama and taken over the city whereas, the reverse is the case. We have troops there and we are in touch on a daily basis” “The truth is that as at Tuesday, our soldiers had killed over 700 Boko Haram insurgents during the battle. The following day, another 500 terrorists were killed.

What is happening is not what is being reported in the newspapers and sometimes I wonder if the media are Nigerian media or what they seek to gain by running our soldiers down” In his contribution, Air Commodore  Agbetuyi  cautioned politicians in the country against trying to bring the name of the military into disrepute warning that doing so will amount bringing down the military. On allegation against General Azubuike Ihejirika, he said, “Some political elites do not understand what the man went through as COAS, the sleepless nights, the sacrifices General Ihejirika made for the country.

I recall how he was tackling the security challenge in the country and some Nigerians who do not understand or pretending not to, or some enemies of Nigeria said the army was killing people indiscriminately. The same people today are saying he sponsors Boko Haram. Does it make sense?”

Northern Youth Forum calls for expulsion of Lamido from PDP

KANO – A pan Arewa Youth Group,  Northern Youths Forum, has called on the national leadership of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP to expelled the Jigawa Governor, Alhaji Sule Lamido from the party.

A statement made available to reporters in Kano, Friday, signed by the Director Publicity, Jigawa chapter of  Northern Youth Forum, Sani Talba Auyo stated that Governor Lamido’s recent positon on the endorsement of President Goodluck Jonathan by the PDP North West political family was done to score cheap publicity.

The statement noted that the Jigawa Governor’s political “tantamount to open disobedience to party leaders and Mr. President.”

Alhaji Sani Talba Auto in the widely circulated statement expressed utter dismay why Jigawa governor is uncomfortable with the growing number of Nigerians calling on Mr. President to contest 2015 general election.

The Northern Youth Forum further called on Nigerians to ignore Lamidos comments and maintain their support and solidarity to the Transformation Agenda and Good luck Jonathan bid for reelection in 2015.

The Pan Arewa Youth Group stressed that “It is now obvious that Governor Lamido hasn’t stop attack on Nigerian leaders when they refuse to submit to blackmail”.

The Youth Forum in the statement lament that Alhaji Sule Lamido igawa “doesn’t have masses or the north at heart other than his personal political goals.

Adamawa guber polls: Ribadu, seven others step down

Former chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, Nuhu Ribadu and seven other aspirants out of the  fourteen that have indicated their interests for the Adamawa State Governorship election under the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) stepped down from the race in the early hours of Friday.

The decision was reached following a meeting between the aspirants and the president of the Senate, David Mark and  members of the National Working Committee (NWC) of the party to douse tension generated by the large number of aspirants preparing for the primaries to be held saturday.

The meeting which was held at the banquet hall of the presidential Villa Abuja started at about 10pm and ended in the early hours of Friday.

The president of the Senate, David  Mark along with other officials of the party were able to reach a compromise with the aspirants and pruned  the number of those contesting to six, also agreed that those who have agreed to go ahead with the contest would not be eligible to contest in the 2015 election.

Under the new arrangement, those who will take part in the primaries scheduled for saturday are the former Political Adviser to President Jonathan,  Ahmed Gulak; former Military administrator of Lagos state,  Buba Marwa, Ahmed Modibbo, Dr. Umar Ardo, Acting Governor Umaru Fintiri, and Jerry Kumdisi.

Those who have withdrawn from Saturday primary election include Nuhu Ribadu;  Auwal Tukur; Aliyu Idi Hong, Andrawus Sawa; James Barka;  Gen. Aliyu Kama; Markus Gundiri and Abubakar Girei.

Other decisions reached at the  meeting were that  only those that stepped down now can contest for the party’s governorship election ticket in 2015, with more consideration to be given to  Adamawa Central senatorial district which had never produced a governor of the state.

Any aspirant who fails to win the party’s ticket in Saturday’s primary election, the meeting, also agreed must support the party’s flag bearer in  the  October 11th election.

The Chairman of the Adamawa State chapter of the party, Joel Madaki told  State House correspondents at the end of the meeting,  that “Fourteen aspirants contesting for the position earlier has now reduced to six aspirants due to this meeting. It is a very welcome idea. Nobody was forced to step them. Those who stepped down did so voluntarily in order to wait to contest for the position in 2015.”

“The six aspirants contesting this election are Ahmed Gulak, Buba Marwa, Ahmed Modibbo, Dr. Umar Ardo, Acting Governor Umaru Fintiri, and Jerry Kumdisi.” He added

The former Special Adviser to the President on Political Affairs, Ahmed Gulak, who is contesting for the ticket on Saturday, hailed the decision arrived at the meeting as ‘fantastic’.

“The outcome of the meeting was fantastic. We met as family members of PDP, even before coming here all the aspirants in Adamawa have unanimously resolved that after the primaries, in a free, fair primaries, anybody that emerges will get our support.”

“Today, in this meeting, the number of the aspirants have been drastically reduced to six, which is manageable. I am contesting, Gen. Marwa is contesting, Ahmed Modibbo is contesting, Dr. Umar Ardo is contesting, Hon. Jerry Kumdisi is contesting, and Acting Governor Fintiri is contesting.”

“And we have resolved to go into the primaries without rancour, without acrimony and to come out of it as peaceful co-existing members.”

“And at the end of it all, anybody that emerges, we will all queue behind him. And if I emerge as the candidate, they will all queue behind me. It is going to be a family affair and there will be no losers” he said.

Former Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Dr Aliyu Idi Hong, who is among those who withdrew from the race also expressed satisfaction with the decisions reached.

“Peace-building, negotiation, give-and-take, everything went well. We have been given a caveat and one thing we have succeeded in extracting from this meeting is that the meeting started with a preamble that whoever is going to contest and if he happens to win as a governor, he will not have the right to contest the 2015 election.”

“Some of us think that our aspirations, our ambition, our vision for Adamawa is a long term and more articulate vision and not a stop-gap six month” he said.