LASTMA Officials Kill Danfo Driver

A commercial bus driver was yesterday killed by an official of the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority, LASTMA, at Brown Bus stop in Oshodi, around 6.30a.m.
Narrating what led to the death of 54-year-old Isaac Popoola, his 56-year-old conductor, Aremu Salau, said that they loaded the bus with 17 passengers from Isheri heading towards Oshodi, when about seven LASTMA, officials double crossed their bus.
Salau said Popoola asked the LASTMA officials, why they wanted him to come down since he didn’t contravene any traffic law. But the LASTMA officials kept insisting that he should get down from the bus.
The conductor, added that the passengers in the vehicle also intervened by asking what the driver did, but when the LASTMA officials did not listen to them and it didn’t look as if it was going to be settled easily, they all had to get down and go their different ways.
According to Salau, the LASTMA officials continued to struggle with Popoola, and in the process, they started beating him on the head with the iron of the vehicle’s seat belt.
They also began hitting his head against the bus and in the process, the driver fainted.
When they saw that he had fainted the LASTMA officials ran away one after the other, but the people in the area caught one of them, who said that it was his commandant that asked them to go after the driver.
The conductor said that while he was looking for people to help him convey the driver to the hospital he found out that people had already held one of the LASTMA officials and they had taken him to Isheri Police Station.
Reacting to the allegation, the public relations officer of LASTMA, Bola Ajao said that the Management of LASTMA, has dissociated itself from incident that led to the death of a commercial bus driver at Oshodi-Isale, Lagos.
According to a statement released by the General Manager of the agency, Engr. Babatunde Edu at LASTMA Headquarters, Oshodi, the alleged officers -Adesanya Olatunde and Ogunride Oludele- acted on their own contrary to the operational guidelines of the agency.
Edu noted that Adesanya was identified by the Provost Marshall of the agency and handed over to the police while Oludele who was reported to be off-duty as at the time of the incident was still at large. He re-affirmed that the duo, were operating illegally at Oshodi this morning when the deceased driver slumped. [VN

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Passenger Arrested With N71m At Lagos Airport

The Murtala Muhammed International Airport, MMIA Command of the Nigerian Customs Service, NCS, on Monday arrested a passenger, Mr Ikebude Akoma, with $456,000 (N71,660,400) during the outward clearance of passengers of Qatar Airways flight to China en route Doha.
The Public Relations Officer of the Airport Command of Nigeria Customs Service, Mrs Thelma Williams while reacting to the arrest said that the passenger was apprehended for not being able to explain to the Customs authorities the source of the foreign currency with either bureau de change or bank slip which was a prerequisite for a proper documentation of the currency.
According to Mrs Williams, the passenger with the passport number A04073478, was arrested at the ‘E’ wing section of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport screening hall from where he was interrogated by officials on duty before being handed over the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
She noted that the passenger was guilty of the law for his inability to convince relevant authorities over the source of the money as well as his defiance of rules concerning the movement of huge sum of foreign currency outside the country.
“During the outward clearance of Qatar Airways flight to China via Doha, our officials reported that one passenger identified as Ikebude Akome with passport number A04073478 declared f$456,000 at E Wing screening hall of the Lagos Airport,” Williams said.
“On further investigation, it was discovered that the passenger had no proper document like the bureau de change or bank slip.” she added.
Williams, however, pointed out that the passenger had been handed over to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for further investigations and necessary actions. [VN]

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The Pope Frowns At Gay Marriage, Says It Destroys The Essence Of Being Human

The Pope has used his Christmas address to the Vatican bureaucracy to disclose the papacy’s stand on gay marriage saying that gay people entering into marriage is against nature in such a fundamental way that it could spell the end of humankind.
“There is no denying the crisis that threatens it [the family] to its foundations — especially in the Western world,” the Pope is quoted as saying. “When such commitment is repudiated, the key figures of human existence likewise vanish: father, mother, child — essential elements of the experience of being human are lost.”
Steve Williams wrote onCare2.com; “Utter nonsense of course, as some gay people marrying does not by extension delete the mother, the father or the child, and to infer that it does is beyond childish, it’s belittling to all intelligent conversation. It also infers what the Pope has previously offered: that people in same-s*x relationships are somehow not human.
Indeed, the Pope seems to have jettisoned all measured response on this issue, going on to say that people are somehow manipulating their identities against nature and destroying the “essence of the human creature.””
The Pope was also quoted by the Independent as saying; “People dispute the idea that they have a nature, given to them by their bodily identity, which serves as a defining element of the human being,” he said.
“They deny their nature and decide that it is not something previously given to them, but that they make it for themselves. The manipulation of nature, which we deplore today where our environment is concerned, now becomes man’s fundamental choice where he himself is concerned.”
Earlier in the week, the Vatican released a full front-page editorial that appears to claim same-s*x couples exist in some sort of different reality because they cannot conceive children together, and that marriage equality is questing after an “unachievable utopia.”
Although nations like Portugal and Argentina, and more recently the United States and Britain, have moved, with increasing support, to offer marriage equality, the Vatican’s stand on the issue is not influenced.
“Man and woman as created realities, as the nature of the human being, no longer exist. Man calls his own nature into question. From now on he is merely spirit and will. [...] When freedom to be creative becomes the freedom to create oneself, then necessarily the Maker himself is denied and ultimately man too is stri*ped of his dignity as a creature of God,” the Pope said.
There has been confusing reports on the stand of the Catholic Church on gay marriage, but the Pope’s address has stated clearly the stand of the church.
The Pope obviously isn’t hiding his stand on this issue as he earlier this month, chose to bless Ugandan parliamentary speaker Rebecca Kadaga, who is now the chief proponent of Uganda’s ‘Kill the Gays’ bill. The bill which was supposed to be passed this week missed its Christmas deadline but would most likely will be taken up in the new year.

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Omotola Jalade Ekeinde falls face flat at Lagos airport

 

 

 

Is there a photo? Lol *just kidding*

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Lagos State Government demolish N100million PFMI church

 

There was uproar at Afero village on Lekki-Epe Expressway, Lagos, as officials of the Lagos State Government demolished a sprawling church, the Pure Fire Miracles Ministries International (PFMI) in a controversial manner.

Lagos Task Force men, accompanied by officials from the Ministry for Physical Planning and Urban Development (MPPUD), stormed the church to enforce an eviction ordered by the government.

The ministry demolished the building over allegation that there was no approval for the construction of the building.



The church structures, which officials of the church said had gulped over N100 million, were erected on a 10-acre land and comprised six auditoriums, offices, residential buildings and buildings for other uses.

The church was having its annual convention with worshippers from 12 foreign countries in attendant. The more than 10,000 worshippers that included old and pregnant women, children and men, were said to a have been at a loss on why the building was demolished when the church was holding its convention.

The bulldozers from the taskforce moved in immediately and three of the buildings were brought down before the traditional ruler of Epe, Oba Kamorudeen Ishola Animashaun, Chairman of Epe Local Government and other prominent citizens in the community intervened to stop the exercise.
Commissioner for Physical Planning and Urban Development, Mr. Toyin Ayinde, alleged that there was no approval for the church building and that notices had been served on the church to vacate the land, claiming that the land fell within the proposed Lekki International Airport and, therefore, could not have been approved for such development.

“We have served them quit notices since 2011 and another one was served on them in November, which they didn’t comply with, said Ayinde, adding that the church officials were being economical with truth.

The church disputed the claims by government that it had no approval, while a document from the legal adviser to the church’s pastor, Enoch Idowu Aminu, Messrs Ibrahim A. Shittu and Co., of Probono Chamber, showed that the land was purchased from Ikujenya Okanlawon Ikuforiji Chieftaincy Family, with the address at 3, Ikujenya Street, Bado Oke, Epe, Lagos State, on 21 May, 2010.

The purchase, according to the cleric, was embarked upon as a result of the information contained in the Lagos State of Nigeria Official Gazette, No. 29, Volume No 27, September 1, 1994.
In page 274 of the gazette, it has as follows: Description- Afero Village: “All that parcel of land in Afero in Eti-Osa Local Government of Lagos State of Nigeria containing approximately area of 28.52 hectares, the boundaries of which are described below,” stated the bearings, length of metres and the co-ordinate measurements, among others, indicated that the land was excised and properly belonged to the original owner(s).
“Besides, we applied for regularisation of land title through Law Title International, the appointed Consultant to the Lagos State Government on Land Regularisation, on which there was no objection.
This was confirmed in the official receipt of payment, dated 23 November, 2011, in the sum of N1.64 million. The church claimed that the government lied by saying that the property fell within the proposed airport as other buildings in the same vicinity were not demolished.

Reacting to the demolition, the worshippers found it disheartening that the demolition was executed amid threats and intimidations by government officials
Pastors Johnson Samuel Ani from Burkina Faso, Tamomo Jose, from Benin Republic, David Amevoi from Ghana, Richmondson Shekesesay, from Sierra Leone, Mawu from Manuzikpi, Togo, all felt that the manner of the demolition was not properly handled.

Ten years old Camerounian girl, Miracle Bosco, was shocked when the building was pulled down, saying, “why is it that police came and destroy the house of God? I am sad because all the money our parents spent here has become a waste. Please, help us to beg the Governor to stop this demolition. God is not happy and I am not happy.”

Chief Isaac Shigbata, a Nigerian born pastor, residing, denounced the manner at which security agents invaded the church without any consideration for the safety of the people.
“What happened on that fateful day was not of any credit to any government. Laws were made for man and not the other way round. No matter what may be the situation, the timing was not only bad, but rather, the action was capable of breaching security. And not at this time that Nigeria, as a country is battling religious extremism in some parts of the country’. According to Pastor David Bangali from Liberia, “Nigeria is a country that many African countries are looking unto for guidance, especially, Lagos State. But activities of security agents last week was not palatable at all.”

Source - Kazeem Ugbodaga for PM News

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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
Read Bankole Solomon’s full statement after the cut…

“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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Boko Haram Threat: Allow Us Celebrate Christmas In Peace – Northern CAN Pleads

Just as anxiety mounts over the celebration tomorrow of Christmas by Christians worldwide, the Christian Association of Nigeria, CAN, in the 19 northern states and Abuja yesterday declared that no force or evil plan could stop tomorrow’s Christmas celebration in the region.
This is even as the umbrella body for all Christians while calling on security agencies to protect Nigerians during the celebration, appealed to the Muslim Ummah to prevail on the Boko Haram Islamic sect not to attack Christians during the Yuletide.
This formed part of the views of the Northern CAN Public Relations Officer, Mr. Sunday Oibe, in Kaduna. He said Christians would not accept the killings of their members on Christmas Day, “which is a day of peace.”
while also noting that the continued attack on Christians and churches was deliberate, added that it was impossible to wipe out Christianity from the region.
The CAN spokeman said: “We are appealing to Boko Haram to shelve their threat on Christians in the North during this Christmas celebration because they claimed to be working for Islam but Muslims celebrated their Sallah and there was no Christian attack against them.
“We are also appealing to a respected Muslim leader in Nigeria, Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar III, together with good Muslim imams to please preach their message that would reach Boko Haram to drop their threat because Christians in the North are running out of patience
“We can’t take the killings of our brothers, children and women in churches during Christmas anymore.
“This period is special to Christians all over the world; it is a period of peace. But if Boko Haram goes ahead with their planned attack, according to security warning in the newspapers, it will be a declaration of war against Christians in Nigeria” he concluded.

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Xavi, Puyol, Capdevila, Others For Catalonia Tie Against Super Eagles

Veteran midfielder, Xavi, is one of 10 Barcelona players named by Catalonia coach Johan Cruyff to engage the Super Eagles of Nigeria in a friendly on January 2 at the Cornella-El Prat Stadium by 7pm local time.

Others are: Carles Puyol, Sergi Roberto, Cristian Tello, Gerard Pique, Victor Valdes, Jordi Alba, Marc Barta, Sergio Busquets and Martin Montoya. Cesc Fabregas will miss this game due to an injury.
Espanyol­ will provide seven players led by Joan Capdevila, while Getafe, AC Milan, Rayo Vallecano and Red Bull Salzburg will each contribute as player to the Catalonian side.
Eagles are using this game to fine-tune preparations for next year’s Orange Africa Cup of Nations in South Africa, where they are drawn against defending champions Zambia, Burkina Faso and Ethiopia in the group stage.
The last time both sides met in December 1998, the  Catalonians emerged victorious as they trounced the Eagles 5-0.

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Swaziland Bans Miniskirts, Provocative Dressing; Offenders Face 6 Months In Jail

wear any of these, get 6 months jail term

It is now a sin to wear miniskirts in Swaziland as police in Africa’s last absolute monarchy have banned women from wearing miniskirts and midriff-revealing tops saying they provoke r*pe, local media reported on Monday.
Offenders face a six-month jail term under the ban, which invokes a colonial criminal act dating back to 1889.
“The act of the defiler is made easy, because it would be easy to remove the half-cloth worn by the women,” police spokeswoman Wendy Hleta was quoted as saying in the Independent Online news.
Not only miniskirts are affected by the ban, but the ban also applies to low-rise jeans.
“They will be arrested,” she said.
Hleta said women wearing revealing clothing were responsible for assaults or r*pes committed against them.
“I have read from the social networks that men and even other women have a tendency of ‘undressing people with their eyes’. That becomes easier when the clothes are hugging or are more revealing,” Hleta said.
However, the ban does not apply to traditional costumes worn by young women during ceremonies like the annual Reed Dance, where the ruling King Mswati III chooses a wife.
The flamboyant king already has 13 wives.
During the ceremony, beaded traditional skirts worn by young bare-breasted virgins only cover the front, leaving the back exposed. Underwear is not allowed.
The law was enforced after a march by women and young girls last month calling for protection against a spate of r*pes in the impoverished kingdom, almost entirely surrounded by South Africa.
According to the media report, the march was blocked by police who has now found what they believe is a solution to the incidence of r*pe in Southern African country. [AFP]

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Christmas Eve Tragedy As 5 Teens Drown In Mysterious Circumstances

THE LIFELESS BODIES OF THE DROWNED KIDS

In rather mysterious and unclear circumstances, five teenagers have reportedly drowned this morning in Anambra state. The children, four boys and a girl went swimming for fun in the Omambala river at Umuezeanam, Anambra west, where they were later allegedly found to have drowned.
Four of the victims who are from the same family including the girl among them, and their friend, had travelled with their parents from Lagos to the village for the Yuletide celebrations when they met their untimely end on Christmas Eve.
More details later…

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