Army begins trial of General, 22 others today

                                              Director of Defence Information, Maj.-Gen. Chris Olukolade

The military authorities will on Monday (today) commence the trial of a Brigadier General, four colonels, seven Lt. Cols, and 10 other officers of the Nigerian Army in Lagos.

The soldiers are being tried for alleged negligence and complicity in the invasion of the 21 Artillery Brigade, Bama, by Boko Haram insurgents on September 2, 2014.

The Lagos trial promises to be the biggest of the recent military court martial in the country.

For the first time, 23 very senior officers of the service would be arraigned for offences bordering on the counter-insurgency operations in the North-East zone.

The PUNCH learnt that the 23 Army officers would be prosecuted for various military offences under the 81 Division, GCM, Lagos, scheduled for inauguration at the Ikeja Cantonment today.

APC reports Patience Jonathan to ICC

                                                                             Mrs. Patience Jonathan

The presidential campaign organisation of the All Progressives Congress has reported the wife of President Goodluck Jonathan, Patience, to the International Criminal Court.

Two weeks ago, Patience had, while campaigning for her husband in Calabar, Cross River State, told the supporters of the PDP to stone anyone canvassing for change in the state.

The campaign organisation said the letter of complaint was signed by its Director-General, Mr. Rotimi Amaechi, who is the Governor of River State.

It said that the letter would be delivered to ICC on Monday (today), adding that the Inspector General of Police, Suleiman Abba, and the National Human Rights Commission would also be sent copies of the letter.

“Change, as the entire country knows by now, is the slogan of the APC – the rallying cry of a political party that wishes to bring hope of greater and better things to come for Nigeria and Nigerians.

Fresh explosion rocks Borno market, kills five

                No go area: The road to the bombed Maiduguri market and security operatives ... on Saturday

There was another bomb attack on a market in Borno State on Sunday where five persons were killed, a member of the youth vigilante group Boko Haram, who does not want his name in print told one of our correspondents on the telephone.

He said, “The insurgents planted a bomb at the entrance to the Beneisheikh market around 10am on Sunday and this led to the death of five persons while 15 others were injured.

“Today, being the market day in Benisheikh, villagers do come to buy and sell grains and other farm produce but they had bad news to tell as a bomb suspected to be planted by a suspected Boko Haram insurgent exploded leading to the death of the five people.”

Ibrahim said the casualty figure could have been higher had the bomb been planted within the market.

Anti-Buhari protesters at Chatham House were paid —Graham

                                                                                        Rose Graham

Nigerian freelance journalist in the United Kingdom, Mrs. Rose Graham, whose footage of anti-Muhammadu Buhari protesters at Chatham House two weeks ago has now gone viral, tells TOBI AWORINDE that she was not paid by the All Progressives Congress for her support

What happened at Chatham House on March 26, the day of the All Progressives Congress presidential candidate, Gen. Muhammadu Buhari’s talk?

I had never been to Chatham House; that was my first time there. I was given a description and saw a young, dark-skinned man. I just knew he was going there, so I followed him. When I got to Chatham House, right in front of the building, I saw the demonstrators getting ready. I felt General Buhari was not in yet and that it would be embarrassing for him because these people would put their placards in his face. I then told myself that before his arrival, I would quickly find out from the people why they were there and allow them to vent their anger about the military rule in the 1980s.

I did not attend secondary school — Prof. Adeniran

                   Former acting Vice-Chancellor of the Ajayi Crowther University, Oyo, Prof. Adekunle Adeniran

Former acting Vice-Chancellor of the Ajayi Crowther University, Oyo, Prof. Adekunle Adeniran, tells OLUFEMI ATOYEBI how he got his two biggest promotions in his academic career in one day

Kindly shed light on your career.

I was born in 1935 and like the life of most Ibadan people of my generation; life for me began in the rural area. My grandfather moved out of Ibadan central to settle in Ogeye village in Lagelu council area of the city. At six, I started schooling at Methodist Primary School, Kelebe, a village that is one kilometre away from Ogeye. I also attended Christ Apostolic Church School and returned to the village and attended St. Luke’s Primary School, St Andrew’s Primary School and then back to Ibadan central to complete my primary school education at Agbeni Methodist School.

Tinubu superior to Afenifere leaders —Opadokun

 Former Secretary-General of the Afenifere and ex-General Secretary of the National Democratic Coalition, Chief Ayo Opadokun

Former Secretary-General of the Afenifere and ex-General Secretary of the National Democratic Coalition, Chief Ayo Opadokun, speaks on the crisis in Afenifere and the controversial endorsement of President Goodluck Jonathan by leaders of the pan-Yoruba organisation, in this interview with LEKE BAIYEWU

There are different stories on what led the lingering crisis among the Yoruba leaders under the umbrella of Afenifere. What is your take of the state of the organisation today?

First, I want to remind you that I was the General Secretary of Afenifere for 15 years. We came to irreconcilable relationship in 2001 and since then, I have been out of that body. I have resisted every effort to make me to comment on Afenifere. Mr. Wale Oshun (President of Afenifere Renewal Group, a breakaway faction of the Afenifere) wrote about ‘Afenifere and the Kiss of Death.’ Sometimes in 2000 after we had won (governorship) election in six states in Yorubaland,

Shame on PDP —Senator Tinubu

                                                                 Senator Oluremi Tinubu

The senator representing Lagos-Central Senatorial District, Mrs. Oluremi Tinubu, at the All Progressives Congress rally in Lagos on Saturday described the way the country is being run by the President Goodluck Jonathan’s administration as shameful.

She told SUNDAY PUNCH that the Peoples Democratic Party-led Federal Government had run the country in a shameful way, which had drawn ridicule from the global community.

She described the rally as a march for change.

Tinubu said, “It is the month of March. Here, we are ready for a change in the way this country is being run. Everyone on the side of change has to join the movement.

Tinubu, Aregbesola, Osinbajo tackle PDP at Lagos APC rally

                                                                             Lagos one-million-man march

Thousands of members and supporters of the All Progressives Congress, on Saturday, held a ‘one-million-man march’ in Lagos for the March 28 and April 11 elections.

The march began at Maryland in Ikeja, the city’s capital, at 8.20am.

The train moved from Maryland through Ikorodu Road to Teslim Balogun Stadium in Surulere.

Those who led the march included former Governor of Lagos State and national leader of the APC, Senator Bola Tinubu; Governor of Osun State, Rauf Aregbesola; Lagos State House of Assembly Speaker, Mr. Adeyemi Ikuforiji; APC governorship candidate in Lagos, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode; and APC candidate for Lagos-Central Senatorial District, Senator Oluremi Tinubu.

Jonathan in fitness walk, pledges special funds for sports

                                                                        Abuja presidential exercise

President Goodluck Jonathan on Saturday promised to institute a special fund for the country’s sports sector if re-elected for a second term on March 28.

Jonathan made the promise while addressing sportsmen and others at a solidarity rally organised for him at the Eagle Square, Abuja.

Vice-President Namadi Sambo in his short remark at the event said Nigeria could not afford to be governed by a 73-year-old President.

The event put together by a Non-Governmental Organisation, Desire for Greatness Foundation, saw the President walking from the Presidential Villa, Abuja to the Eagle Square.

He was joined in the long walk by Sambo and President of the Senate, David Mark, among other top government officials and presidential aides.

INEC card readers pass mock exam

                                                                              INEC Boss, Attahiru Jega

The field testing of card readers which was held on Saturday was largely successful but not without some hitches.

These irregularities in the exercise that was meant to be a dress rehearsal according to findings by our correspondents ranged from the inability of the card reader to identify some finger and thumb prints and slow pace of the process.

However, occurrences of success permeated most of the poll units visited by our correspondents.

The major grouse of electorate in Niger State was the time spent on the accreditation of each voter. This, many of the participants in the mock polls described as “too slow”

This drew the attention of both the Peoples Democratic Party and the All Progressive Congress in the state on Saturday which commended the Independent National Electoral Commission.

Jonathan visits Ooni, monarch demands Oduduwa State

                                                                             Jonathan visits Ooni

The Ooni of Ife, Oba Okunade Sijuwade, on Saturday, demanded a total representation of the South-West in the cabinet of President Goodluck Jonathan and the creation of the Oduduwa State with its headquarters in Ile Ife.

The monarch made the requests among others when Jonathan led notable chieftains of the Peoples Democratic Party, including the National Chairman of the party, Adamu Muazu, on a visit to his palace in Ile Ife, Osun State.

About 50 other traditional rulers from Osun State and environs were present to receive the president. This is the second time Jonathan would be visiting the palace to solicit the support of the royal fathers and the people of the state to ensure victory in the March 28 presidential election.

The Ooni delegated the Orangun of Oke Ila, Oba Adedokun Abolarin, to speak on his behalf. He said, “ We want total representation. There are ongoing projects in Osun State and we know there is paucity of fund but we want you to finish all the projects.”

Moroccan king snubs Jonathan

                                                                       President Goodluck Jonathan

King Mohammed VI of Morocco has refused to accept a phone conversation with President Goodluck Jonathan based on the notion that it is politically inclined.

According to www.moroccoworldnews.com, the Moroccan Ministry of Foreign Affairs, in a communique released on Friday, said a request by Nigerian authorities for a phone conversation between Mohammed and Jonathan was refused by the Monarch who deemed it “inappropriate on grounds of the upcoming elections in Nigeria.”

The king refused to accept the request which he deemed “inappropriate” on grounds that it is linked to the important elections in Nigeria and also because of Nigeria’s positions regarding the sacred national, Arab and Islamic causes, the Ministry said in a statement.

Why Remedies broke up –Eedris Abdulkareem

                                                                                        Eedris Abdulkareem

It is no doubt that defunct Remedies made up of Eedris Abdulkareem, Tony Tutuila and Eddy Montana revolutionised today’s hip hop in Nigeria since their group was a hot cake back in the 90s.

Of course, the group broke up long ago, they even tried to come back, but so far, they are yet to come back with a hit since they made waves back in the days.

As much as they are not so vibrant as they used to be musically, Eedris Abdulkareem may likely not forget in a hurry what led to the break-up of the group.

Speaking to Saturday Beats recently, Eedris said, “Nothing serious led to our break-up. We did our 29th show during our Rothman’s Groove tour and the three of us were sharing the money given to us. It got to a stage where someone felt the other was not doing enough in the group. It did not come from me but one of my crew members. Then, the next thing that I noticed was that there was attitude change. I was close to both Tony and Eddy.

It’s no crime to be broke –Azadus

                                                                                                  Azadus

When singer, Azadus, hit the limelight with his hit song, You is the One, in the late 1990s, many believed he had come to the industry to stay. Shortly after, nothing was heard from the singer again.

But in a chat with Saturday Beats, Azadus explained the reason for his hiatus.

He said, “It is obvious I left Kennis because my contract with them expired and my career dwindled. When I was with Kennis Music, all hands were on deck to push my music out but now that I am on my own, everything is left to me. But the major reason I was out of the limelight was because I was attacked by armed robbers. I was shot in my neigbhourhood at FESTAC. I was away from music for over a year because I was hospitalised. That was what affected me. I could not move freely because I lost faith in the security around where I was staying. I hardly went out because I was afraid of another attack. I went through a lot of trauma.”

I wasn’t trying to seduce the President –Seyi Shay

                                                                        Seyi Shay and President Goodluck Jonathan

Most entertainers have been having fun with President Goodluck Jonathan in recent times and earlier in the week, the President was in Lagos and hanged out with some of these celebrities.

Singer, Seyi Shay was among the entertainers and the pretty diva ‘broke’ the internet with the dress she wore to meet the president at the event.

The picture where the singer, wearing an incredibly short dress, while sitting beside the president, went viral and so many fans and foes have expressed their feelings concerning Seyi’s outfit.

Many people, including celebrities and notable figures such as comedian Wale Gates; social analyst, Omojuwa, took to their social media accounts to express their feelings over her choice of outfit.

However, when Saturday Beats contacted the singer, she explained that she had two outfits for the event and the outfit that caused the stir was what she wore to perform.

APC holds Lagos mega rally, as Jonathan, others jog in Abuja

All Progressives Congress presidential candidate, Maj. Gen. Muhammadu Buhari (retd.) (left); and Borno State Governor, Kashim Shettima, during the APC presidential rally in Borno State.

The All Progressives Congress is today holding a one-million-man march.

The march, which kicks off from the Maryland area of Lagos at 8am to Teslim Balogun Stadium, Surulere in the city.

The march is expected to be led by stalwarts of the APC like the national leader, Bola Tinubu and the Lagos State Governor, Babatunde Fashola, in an attempt to psyche supporters ahead of the March 28 and April 11 presidential and governorship elections respectively.

The Coordinator of the APC Campaign Organisation in Lagos, Mr. James Faleke, had told journalists that the one-million-man march was to prepare the minds of supporters of the party for victory ahead of the polls.

He said, “In order to psychologically prepare the minds of our voters and give a psychological defeat to the opposition, we are planning a one-million-man march for Saturday (today) by 8a.m. It will commence at Maryland through Allen Avenue and will end behind Shoprite, Alausa.

I still want to get married –Moji Olaiya

                                                                                           Moji Olaiya

A popular cliché says life begins at 40 and for actress Moji Olaiya who clocked 40 earlier in the week, her life just began.

Granted Moji, in a chat with Saturday Beats, said she is grateful to reach this milestone, the actress believes that she still has a lot to achieve.

Even with her marriage that crashed some time ago, the actress said she has not ruled out getting married again in the nearest future. However, she said she wouldn’t even mind if she didn’t get married eventually.

INEC tests card readers today amid controversy

                                                               INEC Chairman, Prof. Attahiru Jega

The Independent National Electoral Commission will today test the card reader in 12 states amid controversy over the use of the new device in the conduct of the next general elections.

The ruling Peoples Democratic Party and the opposition All Progressives Congress have been engaging in war of words over the use of the card reader in the forthcoming polls.

While the Director of Legal Affairs of the PDP Presidential Campaign Organisation, Prince Adetokunbo Kayode, had said that the party did not support the use of the device because it is illegal and unconstitutional and that it had not been tested in any election in the past, the APC described the PDP’s rejection of the use of the device as a vindication of its claim that the ruling party was desperate to rig the general elections.

PDP lays fresh ambush against election

                                    National Chairman, Peoples Democratic Party, Alhaji Ahmadu Adamu Mu'azu

There are indications that the national leadership of the ruling Peoples Democratic Party might have perfected a fresh strategy aimed at stalling the March 28 presidential election.

Investigations by our correspondent in Abuja on Thursday and Friday showed that the ruling party was actually the brain behind those who registered Young Democratic Party and that it may use this new party to achieve its objective.

The new party had on Thursday asked the Independent National Electoral Commission to postpone the forthcoming general elections.

The party said this a day after the Federal High Court in Abuja ordered the commission to register YDP as a political party.

At a press briefing in Abuja, the party called on INEC to re-schedule the general elections if it could not accommodate it on its ballot paper.

FG accredits over 300 foreign journalists for elections

                                        Director General, National Orientation Agency, Mr. Mike Omeri

The Federal Government has accredited over 300 foreign journalists to cover Nigeria’s general elections scheduled for March 28 and April 11.

The Director General, National Orientation Agency, Mr. Mike Omeri, who said this in an interview with our correspondent, also explained that more foreign journalists would be accredited before the commencement of the elections.

He, however, added that accredited foreign journalists would be expected to adhere to the agency’s guidelines.

He said, “It’s an ongoing process and about 350 foreign journalists have been accredited already. As they report here, we will give them the guidelines to follow.”