World's Tallest Dog Dies At Home

 Giant George, the world's tallest dog ever has died at home in Tuscon, Arizona one month before his eighth birthday according to Dailymail.
Passing away surrounded by owners on October 17th, the blue Great Dane measured 43 inches tall from paw to shoulders and was able to stand seven-feet-three-inches tall on his hind legs.Weighing 245 pounds, George was in fact the runt of his litter when born but grew up to be recognized by Guinness World Records in 2010 not just as the World's Tallest Dog, but the Tallest Dog Ever.

 

The enormous but gentle beast consumed 180 pounds of food a month and slept in his own queen sized mattress. In a poignant posting on his own official Facebook page, owners Dave and Christie Nasser wrote, 'It is with a heavy heart that we announce Giant George died last night. George passed away peacefully surrounded by loved ones; one month before his eighth birthday.'

'We appreciate the love and support you have given Giant George over the last several years. We look forward to honoring his spirit by continuing his charitable works. George would spend his days sleeping, barking at the UPS deliveryman and eating his favourite chicken and rice dinners. He weighed an incredible 100 pounds more than the average Great Dane and last year was ordered to lose a stone in weight to preserve his health.

Life for George with Dave Nasser and his wife Christie began as a seven-week-old puppy born into a litter of 13 over 1,000 miles away from Arizona in Oregon. At five months he still acted like a puppy, chasing his tail and playing games of fetch and tug-of-war with his favorite bit of rope. But he was already the size of a fully-grown Labrador,' explained Dave in his 2012 book, 'Giant George, Life with the World's Biggest Dog

Robbers take over Mile 2, attack Vanguard staff, motorists

THREE Vanguard Newspapers staff were, Tuesday, attacked by a gang of armed robbers, who laid siege on Mile 2 Bridge, dispossessing commuters of valuables and damaging vehicles in the process.

The incident, which happened at 8:35p.m., occurred in a traffic gridlock when the victims were going home after the close of work.

Narrating the ugly encounter with the hoodlums, who were brandishing dangerous weapons, one of the victims said: “On our way home, we were stuck in the usual traffic on Mile 2 bridge.

“The highway that leads to Oshodi was slightly free, so we had to stay on that lane with the aim of diverting to the lane that would take us to Lagos/Badagry Expressway.

“While we were waiting on that traffic, we heard knocks on the passenger side of the front seat. We did not suspect anything fishy.

“When the knocks persisted, we demanded to know what the two boys that were knocking wanted.

“They continued with the knocks and were ordering us to roll down and give them our phones. We did not oblige them.

Do you have any such experiences on Lagos roads ?

“When they noticed that we were hesitating to do their bidding, they shattered the side-glass of the front passenger seat with a heavy metal.”

The robbers then swooped on the occupants of the car and dispossessed them of their phones, wallets containing some amount of money, bank ATM cards, National Identity cards and other valuables.

The victim continued: “After collecting our property, they turned to the driver’s side. When the vehicle in front moved, we zoomed off. We were left with nothing.”

Few days ago, two staff of Vanguard were also robbed at the same spot, which has become a den for robbers.

The hoodlums, who also operate in day time, do so while some armed policemen patrol the Mile 2 bridge. The robbers capitalise on the traffic gridlock created by the ongoing re-construction work on the highway.

Motorists, who spoke to Vanguard, lamented the constant harassment and humiliation meted on them by these hoodlums.

They said that the attacks had turned the popular Mile 2 into a dreaded zone as the daredevils freely make use of hammer, knife, gun or any weapon to dispossess victims of valuables.

13-yr-old girl and 2 others injured by Kerosine explotion

In Abakaliki, a young lady, identified as Miss Ifeoma Nwofe, was yesterday reported to have lost her life following a kerosene explosion at her parent’s Azuiyiokwu, Abakaliki, Ebonyi State, residence.
Nigerian new gathered that the victim, who suffered severe burns all over her body, could not receive treatment at the Federal Teaching Hospital, Abakaliki, where she was rushed to because of the ongoing doctors’ strike.

She later died at a private hospital due to lack of prompt medical attention.

Other victims and siblings of the deceased, who are still in a critical condition, include Linda 8, and Chiemerie, 10.

According to report, the explosion occurred as Ifeoma was trying to light the family’s lantern after electric power cut.

This development has raised suspicion that the kerosene might have been adulterated.

Narrating his ordeal, father of the victims, Mr. Simeon Nwofe, said that Ifeoma returned home to observe her school’s midterm break.

“After hugging her younger ones, she decided to put on the lantern in the house and then the incident occurred,” he said, adding that her remains have been taken to their hometown for burial.

The Special Adviser to Ebonyi State Governor on Petroleum Products, Pricing and Distribution, Mr. Chief Ejem, promised to get to the root of the matter.

He said: “We will conduct a thorough investigation into the incident and prosecute those culpable.

“The government has been doing its best to rid the state of fake petroleum products, but have been thwarted by unscrupulous elements who deal on such products.”

An 18-yr-old victim of gang rape commits suicide

An 18-year-old girl, allegedly gang-raped by three boys, has committed suicide at her Amarata residence. It is a suburb of Yenagoa, the Bayelsa State capital.

The deceased, simply identified as Janet, was a native of Oduali in Abua/Odua Local Government Area of Rivers State.

She was reportedly gang-raped at gunpoint by the boys, who forced her into an uncompleted building last week, while she was on an errand for her elder sister.

A source said: “The girl was sad and devastated after the incident. After she narrated her experience, her sister’s husband, who is a pastor, asked her to describe any of her attackers. She described one of them.

“The boy was traced to his house, but he had absconded. The pastor counselled her and promised to pursue the matter to a logical conclusion.”

It was gathered that, unknown to her guardian, the distraught girl had decided to take her own life.

The source said the rape victim left behind a suicide note, after which she took a poisonous substance known as Sniper.

She was discovered groaning in pain, and taken to GlorylandHospital, where she died.

The state Police Public Relations Officer, Mr. Alex Akhigbe, confirmed the incident. He said the Police has launched investigation into the alleged rape charges filed by the girl’s family.

Lagos Closes Mile2-Lagos-Badagry Expressway

Lagos State government has said the Badagry bound carriageway on the Lagos-Badagry Expressway will be closed to traffic between 7am and 12 noon today, to allow for construction of pedestrian bridge for the blue line rail project along the axis.

Disclosing this, Lagos State Commissioner for Transportation, Comrade Kayode Opeifa, said the move was part of concerted efforts to deliver the first phase of the Blue Line Rail Project, as part of the 10-lane, expansion road project of Lagos-Badagry Expressway.

Opeifa said the contractor, Messrs China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation, CCECC, would be installing pre-cast beams for the pedestrian bridge to take commuters into the rail station at Mile 2 and across the road.

“The Badagry bound carriageway on the Lagos Badagry Expressway, will be closed to traffic between 7am and 12 noon on Sunday 20th October, 2013 to enable the contractor install the beams.

“This notice serves as awareness information on the beam launch. We therefore advise motorists and other road users to use alternative routes to avoid traffic delays.

“We appeal for caution and cooperation from all road users to obey all traffic regulations and ensure traffic flow during the period of closure.

“We are working with relevant Lagos State agencies to ensure free flow of traffic.

“The Lagos State Government sincerely regrets any inconveniences,” Opeifa said.

Motorists have therefore been advised to take alternative routes available, either through Festac Town or Kirikiri Road.

NEW PROPOSAL EDITION

So Ladies Have Started Going This Far? If a lady starts 'begging' a guy to marry her, just know that age is no longer on her side. *wink*

BBA Dillish and Maria hosted by Gov Adams Oshiomhole in Benin

This is an exclusive news and it is authentic. BBA winner Dillish Matthews and her Namibian best friend who also contested in BBA Maria Nepembe (pictured above) are currently in Nigeria. They came in quietly into the country a few days ago and went straight to Benin were they were hosted by Governor Adams Oshiomhole. You will recall that while in the BBA house, Dillish used to call on Gov Oshiomhole and other Nigerian rich men like Dangote to bless her with money and change her life. Well, God changed her life by making her the winner of the 2013 Big Brother Africa competition and Governor Oshiomhole, I hear, made her richer after her courtesy visit. :-)

BBA contestants Elikem and Selly are also in town. Dillish and Maria are currently in Abuja for another Selly's birthday party which will hold today October 19th at Sofa Lounge

Catholic Nun Kills Her Baby To Coverup Her Sexual Activities In The Seminary

WASHINGTON -- WASHINGTON (AP) — A woman studying to become a Catholic nun has been charged in the District of Columbia with smothering her newborn son, police said.

The woman, 26-year-old Sosefina Amoa, gave birth to the boy Oct. 10 in her room at the Little Sisters of the Poor elderly care facility, police said. Afraid the nuns would hear the newborn's cries and discover she lied about sexual activity, police say Amoa told investigators she smothered him by placing a wool garment over the child's mouth and nose and applying pressure.

A day later she and a nun took his body, in a small black luggage bag, to a hospital, police said.

Investigators interviewed Amoa after she arrived at the hospital and say they found bloody clothing and small traces of blood during a search of the convent room where she had been staying.

Amoa was charged Wednesday with first-degree murder after the death was ruled a homicide by asphyxiation. Her attorney declined to comment on the case Friday.

The order said in a statement that they are praying for everyone involved.

"We all feel that this is a tragic situation," said Sister Constance Veit, communications director at Little Sisters of the Poor.

Amoa arrived from the island of Samoa on Oct. 5 and was considered a postulant, someone who wants to be admitted to the order.

She initially told investigators that she did not know she was pregnant but that she experienced significant bleeding just prior to delivering the baby, whom she named Joseph.

She later said she had not told the convent about her past sexual activity and that after the child stopped breathing, she contemplated putting it in the trash but decided against it, police said.

Police say they interviewed a nun at the convent who said Amoa showed her the child and initially told her that she had found the body outside. The nun says Amoa later told her that she had given birth to the child, and police say the two of them together took the body to the hospital.

Jonathan begs ASUU, PHCN workers

President  Goodluck Jonathan has pleaded with the striking members of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) to call-off their four-month old industrial action. Jonathan made the plea  while commissioning the  Faculty of Engineering Complex building of  Afe Babalola University, Ado-Ekiti yesterday. Jonathan urged ASUU members to review their industrial  action and go back to class. The president said his regime was working assiduously to meet the lecturers’ demands.

Jonathan, who was the special guest of honor  at the first convocation ceremony at the University, acknowledged that the country is facing a lot of challenges, assuring that his government was poised to solving the problem confronting the education  sector.

”Even to those of us holding political offices, those in the health sector, the police, the army, the Department of State Service(DSS), the thinking out there is that  we are operating in the best environment. This is not true.

’If we all decide to embark on long strike ,definitely, we will all ground the nation.”

The president  reasoned that if ASUU members have genuine and patriotic mind towards pressing home their demands, four months was enough in achieving this.

”I urge every patriotic Nigerian  to plead with  ASUU to suspend their strike action and resume class.

Robben Island Prison: A peep into Mandela’s cell

It was a visit that evoked emotions of many kinds. It was also a visit to one of the most popular prison facilities in the world – Robben Island Prison.

And one of the inmates who made the prison to attract global attention was prisoner 466/64, Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela. Mandela, referred to as Madiba or Tata (Father of the nation), who was later to become President of South Africa, spent 18 of his 27- year jail term in Robben Island prison. He never gave up. The bold inscription on the walls of the docking area, THE HUMAN SPIRIT CANNOT BE MENACLED, or another, THE TRIUMPH OF THE HUMAN SPIRIT, are testaments to the struggle and the never-say-die mentality of Mandela and his other freedom fighters during the anti-apartheid struggle.  Even the very voluble and rambunctious President Jacob Zuma of South Africa, as well as the immediate past president of the same country, Thabo Mbeki’s father, served various jail terms on the island.

For an island that was purely a colony for lepers, the conversion of the island into a prison facility came in 1961.  It was a maximum security prison for political prisoners until 1991. The medium security prison for criminal prisoners was closed in 1996

A prison tour guide, Kolekile Mahlahla, who himself spent eight years as an inmate there, knows his trade very well.  He knows the history of the prison from inception, though he was hauled in there sometime in the late 1970s.  His own story was one of betrayal – a supposed friend he had met on one of his sorties in and out of South Africa for insurgency training, sold him out during interrogation. Narrating the story of what the inmates of the facility experienced, a story of immeasurable punishment both physically and mentally, Mahlahla was very graphic in explaining the suffering of the inmates.

How the deal on Oduah’s $1.6m BMW cars was sealed

More facts emerged, at the weekend, lending credence to the claim that the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) may have bought the two controversial $1.6 million (approximately N255 million)  BMW bullet proof cars for the Minister of Aviation, Princess Stella Oduah, amid the parastatal’s precarious  financial situation. “There is no way NCAA could have raised that kind of money in one lump sum.
Therefore when the pressure became unbearable that the vehicles had to be bought for the minister, the only option open to us was to explore how it could be done on hire purchase”, an NCAA source said.

Delta magistrate’s kidnappers to die by hanging

AN Asaba High Court, yesterday, sentenced two persons to death by hanging, having found them guilty of kidnapping and robbing a female magistrate at gunpoint on Boxing Day two years ago.

The convicted persons, Saidu Haruna and Raphael Egwuba, who claimed to be phone technicians and welder at Osubi, respectively, were arraigned on a three-count charge of conspiracy to commit kidnapping, kidnapping and armed robbery on charge no A/37C/2012.

Prosecution told the court that the female magistrate was, on December 26, 2011, driving into her compound at noon, when the armed men abducted her.

She was eventually taken to a bush where they dispossessed her of valuables, including an ATM card, which the convicts used to withdraw an undisclosed amount before they were caught.

Trial

During trial, prosecution called two witnesses, including the victim (female magistrate), to prove its case and also tendered some exhibits before the court, including the magistrate’s Blackberry phone, which eventually helped in tracking the convicts.

Identification parades were also conducted at the office of the Department of State Services, DSS, and in the open court, where the victim identified them.

The trial judge (identity withheld) in passing the sentence yesterday, said: “I disbelieve the evidence of the first and second accused persons as their testimonies were full of contradictions and meant to cover their tracks.

“From the totality of the evidence before this court, I hold that the first and second accused persons were involved in the kidnapping and robbing of one Onoriode Yvonne Asheshe of her Honda Pilot SUV, ATM card, jewelries and BlackBerry phone, while armed with a gun.

“I hold that prosecution has proved ingredients of counts one, two and three against the accused beyond reasonable doubt.

“For count  three (armed robbery), I hereby sentence the accused persons for execution by hanging on the neck until they be dead. May God have mercy on their souls.”

Nursing mother,  another remanded

Meantime, an Asaba chief magistrate’s court presided over by Chief Magistrate S. C. Okebu, has remanded two persons, including a nursing mother, who were arrested in Asaba for allegedly operating a patent medicine store without license, in prison custody.

The two accused persons, Mrs Juliet Ekhomu and one Mr. Emeka Oburah, upon arraignment before the court, were ordered to be remanded and prosecution asked to duplicate file and send to the Director of Public Prosecution, DPP, for necessary legal advice.

Prosecution told the court that the “offence was contrary to Section 2 (1)(b) and punishable under Section 3(1)(b) of the counterfeit and fake drugs and unwholesome Processed Foods (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act, Cap C34, Volume 4, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004.”

Some of the drugs allegedly seized and recovered from their respective shops in Asaba, included several bottles and packets of high profile antibiotics: Zinat suspension, augmentin tablets and suspension, Zitromax, Ampiclox, Amoxil, Erythromycin, Misopresol and Ciprofloxacilin amongst others.

Gunmen seize Libyan Prime Minister at Tripoli hotel

Gunmen seized Prime Minister Ali Zeidan from a Tripoli hotel Thursday, amid conflicting reports over whether he was formally arrested or abducted by lawless former rebels who helped topple dictator Moamer Kadhafi.

The pre-dawn seizure of Zeidan comes five days after US commandos embarrassed and angered Libya’s government by capturing senior Al-Qaeda suspect Abu Anas al-Libi off the streets of Tripoli and whisking him away to a warship.

A source in the premier’s office said Zeidan had been taken by gunmen from Tripoli’s Corinthia Hotel, where he resides. A hotel employee confirmed a pre-dawn raid by “a large number of armed men”.

A government statement said Zeidan had been taken “to an unknown destination for unknown reasons by a group” of men believed to be former rebels.

The Operations Cell of Libyan Revolutionaries, comprising former rebels and which had roundly denounced Libi’s abduction and blamed Zeidan’s government for it, said it had “arrested” Zeidan under orders of the public prosecutor.

The group, which in principle reports to the defence and interior ministries, said on Facebook it had seized Zeidan “on the prosecutor’s orders”.

It said he was detained for “crimes and offences prejudicial to the state” and its security.

But the cabinet said on its Facebook page that ministers were “unaware of immunity being lifted or of any arrest warrant” for the premier.

Later, another group of ex-rebels, the Brigade for the Fight against Crime, said it was holding Zeidan, according to the official LANA news agency.

The brigade added that Zeidan “will be well-treated”, the agency reported.

Thursday’s government statement said it suspected both the Operations Cell of Libyan Revolutionaries and the Brigade for the Fight against Crime of being behind the raid that netted Zeidan.

Both groups loosely fall under the control of the defence and interior ministries but largely operate autonomously.

Shell to sell 4 more oil blocks, pipelines

Shell Petroleum Development Company, SPDC, has announced plans to sell off its 97-kilometer, 150,000 barrels of oil per day Nembe Creek Trunk Line in the Niger Delta region.

The company, along with its joint venture partner, is also planning to sell off four more oil blocks — Oil licenses 18, 24, 25 and 29.

This was even as the company, yesterday, shut the Trans Niger Pipeline, TNP, following reports of new leaks, barely 10 days after the line was repaired from crude oil theft incidents, deferring about 150,000 barrels of oil per day.

The company said the latest leaks were reported at B-Dere, Nonwa–Tai, and Bodo West all in Ogoni land, adding that it shut the line as a precautionary measure after receiving reports of the incidents and has also mobilised a spill response team.

It added that a joint investigation visit be conducted as soon as possible to determine the cause and impact of the spills.

PDP’s founding chairman, Solomon Lar dies at 80

The Plateau State government has announced the death of the former governor of old Plateau State and founding chairman of the ruling People’s Democratic Party, PDP, Chief Solomon Daushep Lar, at the age of 80.

Lar’s death was announced by Governor Jonah Jang at the Government Lodge, Jos following a call from a member of the family from the United States where he passed on at 3.30am, yesterday.

”I received a call from the US that Baba (Chief Solomon Lar has gone to be with The Lord. Baba died at 3.30 a.m. this morning”, he said in a solemn voice.
He said he felt duty bound to inform the people of the state following the confirmation of the death.

Anxiety over the health of the elder statesman heightened on Monday after he reportedly passed out and had to be resuscitated and placed on life support.

Family sources disclosed that it became apparent that it was a matter of time as the doctors treating him doubted if he could make it.

It was learnt that they made it clear that he was not fit to travel when some family members suggested that he should be brought home following the hopeless picture painted by the medical team.

Dangote To Chair World Economic Forum

Africa’s richest man, Aliko Dangote, has been appointed a co-chair of next year’s annual meeting of the World Economic Forum in Davos-Kloster, Switzerland.

The Executive Chairman, World Economic Forum, Prof. Klaus Schwab, in a letter inviting the business mogul to co-chair the sitting, said that Dangote’s participation would contribute significantly to the substance of the discussions.
Schwab said in the letter, “The discussions aim to stimulate an unparalleled global dialogue among the relevant leaders from the government, business, academia, civil society and the media.
“In these unprecedented times, I feel that as co-chair, you will contribute significantly to the substance and relevance of the exchanges. You are well positioned to take on this role. Co-chair would in principle consist of your presence and participation in activities to be defined with you.”


The global meeting which is scheduled to hold between January 22 and 25, 2014, is themed ‘The reshaping of the world: Consequences for society, politics and business’.
In the same vein, Dangote has been appointed to the steering committee of the United Nations Secretary-General’s Global Education First Initiative.
Launched on September 26, 2012, the Global Education First Initiative is a five-year initiative sponsored by the Secretary-General of the United Nations, Ban Ki-moon.
A global advocacy platform which aims to generate a renewed push to achieve the internationally-agreed

21-Year Old Precious Okeke Wins Miss Black Africa UK Pageant

Precious Okeke, a Nigerian model fought off fierce competition to win the 2013/2014 Miss Black Africa UK pageant, held at the Royal Regency Hall in east London.

By far the toughest contest since the inception of the pageant two years ago, there were 30 finalists from 17 African countries who made it to the last stage. After a grilling contest that involved them appearing in swimwear, traditional costumes and talking about how they would help Africa if they won among other things, the contestant had a grilling wait at the end as the judges decided on the winner.

Warri boys letter to President Jonathan on ASUU strike. Hilarious!!

Oga Presido,

First of all I hail ooo! I no say u no dey cary last. You be confirm warri pikin. But ur middle name Ebele means mercy and make u pity ur children settle their lecturers naa! The matter neva tire u? Suppose say ur pikin wey u born for belle follow us dey house, Sheeh you for never answer our we lecturers them? Una say make we bone kidnapping, militant things and all the bad bad things go enter school, now now na una com dey f**k up. All the things wey them lecturers don teash us for klass we don forget am finish. Last last, na una go still call us “half-baked”, “half-roasted”, abi na “half-fried”. Na una sabi.

Them talk say person no fit run pass him shadow.
We go dey lasgidi dey for you. Na ur time be dis use am well, but we go catch you for 2015. U don forget say youths na we dey vote pass. Na we too dey snatch ballot box, dey do rally and som kain kukere things them wey them dey take win election. U go still nid our help. That time too we go go strike. Shebi u sabi waka for bare feet, u go carry ur leg do ur rally. No thugs for u. We no go snatch ballot make you for win. If any maga try am we go fall am.

So Oga Jona, na ur opportunity be dis ooo. Make u code this stubborn ASUU make dem cary their wahala goback. We no say na rush them go rush us we no send. All join. Na who get leg dey pass exam no be who read. Na still who get leg dey get beta work. Na Naija we dey. So make u do something because our mate dem for private university don graj finish. We don tire to dey beef them. If u no shake bodi fast make u no forget say university of militancy still dey admit. Dey neva release 2nd batch ooo!

May u grit maale Patience for we, thank baba God say she and gran papa Soyinka don settle that their quarrel, 2 agbayas, plus all those bad belle advisers wey u get. God pass them! Bros Amaechi still dey Niger-delta here, the guy don tire for ur mata. We dey grit u for am too. We go stop for here. E go be na. Naija! student for life!
Na ur waffi boy.

Nigeria To Experience A Lunar Eclipse On October 19 & Solar Eclipse On November

According to International Time U.T.C, A Lunar Eclipse will occur On October 19 and a solar eclipse will occur on November 3 2013 which will be visible in some parts of the World. It will be visble in some cities in Nigeria eg.Abuja, Ilorin, Kaduna, Lagos and other cities mostly in north central and west.

Another Auto-crash, Taraba Acting Governor Escapes Death

The Acting Governor of Taraba State, Alhaji Garba Umar, Monday escaped death in an accident that involved his convoy and that of the Emir of Bauchi, in Bauchi State.
The autocrash is coming about one year after the state governor, Danbaba Suntai was involved in an aircash involving Cessna 208 5N-BMJ aircraft with six persons on board at Yola, Adamawa State.
Suntai is still recuperating from the crash which led to his being flown abroad.

However, sources said that some vehicles in Umar’s covoy collided with others on the convoy of the Emir of Bauchi, Alhaji Suleiman Rilwanu Adamu, at about 11.32 am at Shafuri village in Bauchi.
The village is about 25 kilometres from Bauchi metropolis.
Some vehicles in the governor’s convoy were trying to overtake the Emir’s convoy, when the incident happened. Umar escaped unhurt even as two people sustained injuries while about seven escort vehicles were destroyed. Three of the damaged escort vehicles belonged to the Taraba State government while the others were on the Emir’s.
Some of the damaged vehicles had their registration numbers as TSGH 01 or Escort 1, Escort 2, Escort 3 and S. FADARI.

Umar was on his way to pay a condolence visit to Governor Isa Yuguda of Bauchi State over the death of his sister last week when the accident occured.

According to an eyewitness, the accident occured when one of the vehicles escorting the Taraba State Governor tried to overtake another vehicle on the Emir’s convoy and in the process collided with one of those on the Emir’s convoy, causing multiple accident.

Confirming the autocrash, the state Sector Commander of the Federal Road Safety Commission, FRSC, Mr Henry Olatunji said that only two out of the 16 persons that were involved in the crash, sustained injuries.

Dead Man found riding Bike During His Wake Keep

The man pictured above is dead, he was a lover of bikes during his lifetime, so his family decided to hour him while dead by placing him on a bike during wake keep. ..  weird .

IF I EVER WALK INTO A FUNERAL HOME AND SEE THIS....IM OUT.!!!!
DAM IT.

Portable generators: Standby power or standby death?

Who monitors incidents of unintentional carbon monoxide poisoning in Nigeria? A review of medical records of patients receiving diagnosis of unintentional carbon monoxide poisoning shows Nigeria is in dire need of active surveillance for proper generator use. VF findings show that misplacement of portable, gasoline-powered generators, for instance, indoors, in garages, or outdoors near windows, is often responsible for fatal and non-fatal generator fumes exposures.

Public health practitioners are yet to come up with educational campaigns on the safe operation of portable generators and prevention of hazards of carbon monoxide poisoning in the community. Sola Ogundipe report…

RECENTLY, a new-wed couple choked to death from generator fumes in their new home on the outskirt of Calabar, Cross River State. Around the same time, in Ibadan, Oyo State, a 69-year-old man passed away along with seven other members of his family after they were overcome by fumes from a portable generator that was running on the first floor of their home. Reports indicated that the level of fumes inside the home was three times the danger limit.

Prior to this incident, in Abeokuta, Ogun State, two teenagers died from generator fumes poisoning because the generator they were using to power ceiling fans was too close to the room in which they slept. Much later, in Agege area of Lagos State, a middle aged man who was running a generator in his basement died in his sleep when the generator fumes infiltrated his bedroom.

Separate incidents

In yet another incidence somewhere on the Lagos mainland, a 30-year-old man who went to bed with his family while a generator was running in his garage, also died along with them as a result of the close proximity of the device. In Abuja, between June 2012 and March 2013,  four people died in separate incidents as a result of  poisoning from generator fumes.

Almost daily, there is one report or the other of a generator-induced death. Someone is either burned to death while refueling a generator, or electrocuted connecting an appliance to a live generator. But by far the most common reports have to do with people inhaling generator fumes and choking to death in their sleep right inside their bedrooms.

Over the years, the monumental failure of the antiquated National Electric Power Authority, NEPA, and its equally moribund descendant – the Power Holding Corporation of Nigeria, PHCN, Plc. compelled the average Nigerian to invest in portable generators to provide electrical power more on a substantive rather than standby basis. For millions who have come to learn never to expect power at all, the generator is a life-saver because it has become the mainstay of electricity provision. For most purposes, the standby generator has become the “NEPA”, while the “NEPA” is now standby.

It is on record that Nigerians have acquired more standby generators in their life time than other nationals in the world. Owning a portable gasoline generator in Nigeria today is not only essential, but the norm. Recent statistics from the Centre for Management Development reveal that an estimated 60 million Nigerians invest about N1.6 trillion to purchase and maintain standby generators annually.

The typical portable generator ranges from the cheap and lowly “I beta pass my neighbour” to the high end noiseless series. To most Nigerians, “I beta pass my neighbour” is a life saver. Affordable and cheap to maintain, there are very few homes in the city, town and even village where the robust little contraption has not found a place.

But those who know better describe it as a potential life taker. Being a 2-stroke design, “I beta pass my neighbour”  has no separate lubrication system, so it uses a petrol-engine oil mixture

Findings by VF reveal that in a typical “face-me-I-face-you” apartment building in Lagos, there is one or even two “I beta pass my neighbour” per room. In a building with 20 rooms, up to 10-15 generators could be on at the same time, emitting thick clouds of environmentally unfriendly gases for hours on end.

Standby generators

But that is not the end of the story. Nigerians are not only world champions for acquiring the highest number of standby generators, the nation holds  the gold medal for recording the highest number of generator-induced deaths.

Generator fumes comprise a lethal cocktail of poisonous and environmentally unfriendly gases, including carbon monoxide and other noxious products produced from incomplete combustion of hydrocarbon fuels notably petrol (gasoline), diesel or a mixture of petrol and engine oil.

By far the most toxic of these product gases is carbon monoxide which is virtually invisible. You cannot smell it or see it because it is odourless and colourless and becomes fatal with sustained concentrations. VF gathered the carbon monoxide produced during operation of a portable generator can be a serious health hazard. For instance, the exhaust produced by a typical 5.5 kW generator contains as much carbon monoxide as that of six idling cars. When used indoors or in close proximity to residential dwellings, this exhaust can quickly infiltrate living spaces and incapacitate occupants. Misplacement of portable generators indoors, in garages, or outdoors near windows accounted for most exposures.

In normal use, majority of portable generators placed outdoors are reportedly located near windows or window-mounted air conditioners. More often than not, portable generators are placed inside a room or the corridor/balcony inside the home or garage to protect the devices from the weather or to prevent them from being stolen. Findings reveal that majority of fatal poisonings occur overnight.

Health records provide evidence that constant exposure to emissions from generators has proved hazardous to human wellbeing affecting the lungs and causing lasting health problems such as cancer, premature birth, low weight babies and neonatal abnormalities, cerebral palsy, etc., as well as numerous deaths.

THE REASON BEHIND AGAGU'S PLANE CRASH

THE Ondo State Government, yesterday, clarified that it did not hire the  aircraft of Associated Airline, which crashed last Thursday in Lagos, while  conveying  the body of former Governor of the state, Dr. Olusegun Agagu, to Akure for the commencement of  the burial rites.
The state government made the clarification on a day Chief Olu Falae, whose first son, Deji, was one of the 15 persons who died in the crash, said he has submitted to the will of God who cannot be questioned.
Ondo State Commissioner for Information, Mr. Kayode Akinmade in a statement in Akure,  said  the clarification would not have been necessary at the time the state and families were still mourning those who lost their lives in the crash, but for inaccurate media reports.

The statement reads: ”It explained that its determination to give the former Governor a

befitting state burial made it set up a burial committee, which met regularly with the family of the deceased to arrive at a burial programme agreeable to the family.

“At one of the meetings, the statement said,  the issue of the transportation of the body from Lagos to Akure was discussed.

“The committee deferred to the family’s insistence that the body be moved to Akure by air.

“The family thereafter introduced Mr. Tunji Okusanya (now deceased) of MIC Funerals as the official undertaker, who would make necessary arrangements regarding the movement of the body and the funeral.”

“Thereafter”, the statement further explained, the MIC boss forwarded the names of various airlines through an e-mail message to the Committee, namely, Aero Contractor; OAS Helicopters; Chachangi; Arik; Dana; and IRS as the Airline operators that have been contacted.

“It was indicated in his message that IRS was not available for conveying human remains; Dana aircraft had gone for maintenance; and Arik does not fly the Akure route.

“He, therefore, suggested Chachangi as “the best offer.”

The government further indicated that “it was neither the wish nor the prerogative of government to indicate any preference for a particular airline.

“The interface with MIC at the instance of the family, was necessary for facilitation of payment,” insisting that, “at no time was Associated Airline mentioned.

The statement  emphasised that “this is definitely not the time for this as we are still mourning, adding that, ït is pathetic losing any soul in the course of paying homage to our former Governor, particularly government officials and other bread winners of their families, including the Managing Director of MIC, his son, and other workers of his company.

“The government thanked the Federal Government for ordering a thorough investigation into the crash in order to prevent  recurrence of such tragedies, imploring  the team of investigators to leave no stone unturned in the course of their investigation.

Further, the government said it “wishes to place on record its appreciation of the active and timely involvement of the Lagos State Government through its emergency agency as well as federal emergency agencies.

“We thank the management and staff of the Lagos State Teaching Hospital LASUTH, and other medical facilities who came to the rescue of the survivors.”

The state government also “sincerely thanked those who have shared in our pain by identifying with us at this time.

“We implore you to pray for the repose of those who lost their lives in the ill-fated crash and also continue to pray for all the bereaved families.”

Meanwhile, Chief Olu Falae, yesterday, summed up the event of his son’s death last week by saying he has submitted to the will of God who cannot be questioned.

The former Secretary to the Federal Government said this in Akure when leaders of the Yoruba socio-political group, Afenifere paid him a condolence visit over the death of Deji, his son.

Deji, who until his death in the plane crash that was conveying the remains of former Governor of Ondo State, Dr. Olusegun Agagu to Akure from Lagos was the state Culture and Tourism Commissioner.

Chief Falae said: My wife and I have surrendered to the will of God who cannot be questioned.

“We pray that in due time the pain will go down, but it will definitely not disappear

“We will not because of this unfortunate incident renege in our service to this country, our church or any other place where our services would be needed.

“I as a person cannot but continue to serve; I have made up my mind to be of service to humanity no matter what comes my way.”

He said that few days ago he could not utter a word because of the tragic incident, but that “today, I can stand up on my feet to address you leaders of Afenifere because the Holy Spirit has comforted me and my wife.”

Speaking about his son, Chief Falae said he was proud of him because all the family values instilled in him from his youth were exhibited going by the testimonies from the governor, Dr. Olusegun Mimiko, his fellow commissioners and friends.

According to him, “Deji lived a fulfilled life. He was transparent and responsible. He distinguished himself in all areas.

“He augmented his salary to take care of his supporters. What he collected as Commissioner’s salary was not up to what he collected in his former place of work, so he augmented it to empower his numerous supporters.

“He was humble, honest, transparent and exhibited integrity. He did not build a house of his own but he helped most of his supporters to build their own houses.

Earlier, the leader of the Afenifere, Chief Olanihun Ajayi, extolled the virtues of Deji. “He was one of us and we looked forward to him as one of the Yoruba future leaders, but God knows best.

“We know and understand the impact and the pains his death has caused the family, but we will urge you to remain strong in the service of God and humanity,”Ajayi said.

DOES FRSC HAVE THE POWER TO ISSUE DRIVERS LICENCE

 With the October deadline on phasing out the old drivers licence and plate number for vehicles, agencies of government in Lagos State have found it lucrative to pounce on vehicles on the road to challenge owners or drivers of such cars to produce their driver’s licence.

The Vehicle Inspection Officers, VIO, and Nigeria Police especially have in such circumstance declared as “fake”, drivers licences issued by FRSC causing their victims to part with huge sums of money. Vanguard Conference Hall has taken up the issue of Road Traffic Management and Law Enforcement on Lagos State roads. Exercpt:


MODERATOR: You are welcome to Vanguard Conference Hall, which is our public policy platform and interactive  forum to engag on issues of public interest.

A 35 YEAR OLD MAN IN JAIL FOR RAPPING A 9 YEAR OLD GIRL

An Ibadan High Court, yesterday, remanded a 35-year-old man, Segun Majeed, in prison over alleged rape.

The prosecutor, Mrs Olumide Ojo, told the court that the defendant allegedly raped a nine-year-old girl on May 29, 2012, at the ArmyBarracksPrimary School, Iwo Road, Ibadan.

She told the court that she was yet to respond to the application filed by defence counsel, Mr. Olaniji Olabinjo.

Ojo said she had just been served, that the court should give her time to respond.

Justice Mashud Abas ordered that the defendant be taken back to prison and adjourned the case till tomorrow.

Two dead, 8 injured in Delta pipeline explosion

TWO persons were feared dead and eight others injured in an NNPC gas pipeline explosion, yesterday, at Okwokolo community, Mereje, Okpe Local Government Area of Delta State.

Officials of the Petroleum and Pipelines Marketing Company, PPMC, were battling to put out the fire ignited by the explosion as at 6.30 pm, but they disputed the claim that two persons died.

Many of the villagers fled for the fear of the unknown.

Two pick-up vans of PPMC were burnt in the fire disaster.
While a source said the explosion was caused by pipeline vandals, a villager said the pipeline sparked fired as PPMC officials were effecting repairs on a ruptured section.

It was gathered the fire started at about 3.30 pm. Our source said the injured persons were rushed to hospital for medical attention.

His words, “They were roasted like chickens. I wonder what they were doing near a gas pipeline. Our people don’t learn from the mistake of others and what they hear. As I speak with you, they are being rushed to the hospital.
“I was on my way to Sapele when suddenly I saw a thick smoke ahead of me and by the time I got nearer, I saw that it was pipeline explosion.”

Man Steals N6.8M From ATM In Abuja After Watching Tutorial On Youtube

The Police command at Jabi District, Abuja recently caught a man in a Bank with N6.8m
The 27-year old suspect, (Name witheld), said he has learnt the process of ATM fraud through Youtube, and he bought the tools.
DSP Altine Daniel, the command’s spokesperson, explained in an interview with News Agency of Nigeria (NAN). “On Sept. 21, at about 10 a.m., some staff of the bank came to report at our office at Utako that their ATM had problem. “When our men moved to the scene and started looking for clues and anything that will assist them in their investigation, they noticed that the CCTV monitor room had been tampered with.

“After a thorough search, they also noticed that the door of the toilet in the room was locked from within and when they opened it, they found somebody seated. “The suspect was picked up and taken to the station where he confessed to the crime,” she said. Investigations are still going on. The Suspect used a plier and a screw driver.

Lagos Plane Crash Update: List Of Passengers & Survivors

5 people out of the 27 people on board survived. See the list of passengers and those who survived below according to thenationonlineng.net. Sad!

Passengers

Feyi Agagu

Femi Akinsanya


Akintunde Joseph

Akeem Akintunde

Tunji Okusanya

Chijioke Duru

Kingsley Amaechi

Deji Afolabi

Mrs. E.O. Alabi

Daji Bernard

Deji Falae

Samson Hassan

Olatunji Okusanya



Crew members
Capt. Yakubu

Flight officer Oyinlola

Engr. Saroh Elaiye

Flight dispatcher Ibrahim

Mr. Felix Tatoye

Cabin attendant Owolabi

Cabin  attendant Samson.

The survivors are;

1. Agagu  Feyi - Survivor
2. Akintunde Taiwo - Survivor
3. Akintunde Akeem - Survivor
4. Akinsanya Femi - Survivor
5. Unknown male - Survivor

Residents desert Kokori as soldiers search for Kelvin’s armoury, associates

No fewer than six schools and the only health centre in Kokori have been abandoned by teachers, students and medical personnel, following the siege laid to the community by soldiers.

Kokori is the home of arrested alleged kidnap kingpin, Kelvin Oniarah, in Ethiope-East Local Government Area, Delta State.


Nigerian News learnt that teachers, health workers, parents and their children fled for fear of falling into the hands of soldiers combing the community for the armoury and associates of Kelvin.

A source told Vanguard, yesterday, that Kokori Girls School, Kokori; Ozegbe Primary School; Anigboro School; Erijere Model School; Samono Primary and Secondary Schools; Samono Primary and Secondary Schools; Suprina Academy and All Saints Modern College/Primary School had all temporarily shut down.

Agagu’s burial holds today

LATE AGAGU-OLUSEGUN

Late Dr. Olusegun Agagu, the immediate past governor of OndoState, will be buried today as planned after the ill fated air-crash.
Chairman of Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in Ondo State, Ebenezer Alabi, said: “We just consulted with the family and have decided to go ahead with the burial.

“More so, the son of the former governor survived and the son-in-law survived. There was no scratch on the casket. “So while the family sympathised with those that lost their lives and their loved ones, they have decided to go ahead with the burial as was initially planned.”