Showing posts with label Nigeria. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Nigeria. Show all posts
Friday, 16 January 2015
Nigerian military condemns CNN's interview with Nigerian soldiers
Thursday, 15 January 2015
Photos: Fire incident at Kirikiri
Osun-Osogbo: The Goddess Is Missing
The noise grew in pitch, in rhythmic cadence. As I drove through an adjacent street to Gbodofon foyal, where Oranmiyan house dwarfed everything around, the crowd assemblage to illuminate the entire city that hosted the fleeing migrants following the fall of old Oyo Empire frenzied in excited gyration to different incursions of traditional rythms. From afar, my camera zoomed in on the Atupa Olojumerindinlogun. The 500-year-old sixteen-point lamp is claimed to give radiance to the entire conurbation – Osun is believed to be a sexy river goddess.
Stripped together by hunters, perpetually punished by famine in a nearby village – induced by the advancing Fulani Jihadists, Osogbo became the saving paradise for the Yorubaland. The present day Idi-Osun was known as Ode-Osogbo, where Larooye, one of the hunters that moved in their families built his palace and he was proclaimed as the first Ataoja. The early history of Osogbo is essentially the legendary account of the spirit-world; it is the history of the traditional humans whom we call the spirits and fairies. This is in line with Yoruba traditions, which use mythical stories to explain the origins of the ruling families of an early Yoruba state.
I struggled through the crowd, the sun was scorching. The adjoining roads to the grove were crowded. It was time for Osogbo people to re-enact their mystic bond with Osun – the river goddess that gives fertility and protection. A deeper look at the trooping crowd revealed a people whose soul was hungry for the invisible Osun, as if though, the goddess was missing. They kept moving, dancing, clapping, singing; expecting the god to speak with the full length of its mouth before they route for silence. The silver lining in the waters of uncertainties holding the future of Osogbo people pushed them ahead of the Gangan cadence.
The Iya Osun and the Olosun women were sweating in their white and blue apparels. The procession continued amidst fanfare, with Gangan drums dishing out the beat and Bata drums making intermittent rhythmic incursions. I held my camera to my side, twisting my legs to the Bata rhythm. Versus others, I was expending more energy; I soon got lost in the dance rituals, with my eyes blinking as if responding to the Gangan cadence.
The Osun forest was protected from the outside world by some spooky figurines lining the road down the coppice. The ambience inundated a visitor with an intimidating invocation. As the hysterical crowd were approaching the spirited orchard, the gates flung opened as if controlled by the numinous waft. The forest blinds bowed to this mystic breeze as they whoosh their swanky glooms. I suddenly stood still, starred at the statuettes for some seconds. The throng continued the procession until a mud gate beckoned. The crowd descended through the mud gate, down the gently steeping landscape kissing the Osun River.
The greenery fresh leaves, the whistling forests, the seemingly swampy terrace, made the landscape to play host to some meshed palm fronds and images of some deities. These metaphors possessed bulging and dragooning eyes that seemed to focus directly on anyone approaching.
Worn by the heavy weight of the sacrificial calabash, as well as the spiritual vituperations invoked on her, the votary maid sauntered along to the palace of Osun, just beside the river, whose waves swished the river banks, interspersing the river course and the network of expansive tree roots protecting the river from losing its glossy effect.
Carried away by my hallucinatory trips, I suddenly stood face to face with an Esogba man. He wore a scary face, adorned with slanting tribal marks and reddish eyeballs, held on tightly to his serrated staff. My perspiration resisted the cold ambience of the grove when I sighted him in a close range, smelling of repelling voodoo. Goose bumps took over my skin, for beads of sweat multiplied under my armpits, on my chest, under my temple and under my feet. The creases on my forehead moved in tempo with my palpitating heart. Then he beamed a smile and led me to the waiting crowd. I resurrected.
The sorcerous bond had been renewed, the crowd got frenzied once more. People trooped to the river to have their shares. Supplications, promises and resolutions were flying out. The seemingly missing goddess was back; the town had not been forgotten. People would flourish, the soil would multiply the roots of trees, peace would reign, animals would cry like animals, humans would cry like humans. Procreation would multiply with ease. The Ataoja would live longer, his crown would stay long on his head and he wouldn’t become shoeless.
Marked with low turn-out because of the dreaded EVD, Osun-Osogbo festival beams hope into the future, an assurance that not all our inheritances are tradable for civilisations.
Police Present N460, 000 As Compensation To Families Of Slain Policemen
Police Present N460, 000 As Compensation To Families Of Slain Policemen
The police command in Borno on Wednesday presented N400,000 cash to families of two policemen who died in active service in the state.
The two policemen were CPL Raymond Ishaku and CPL Bawa Abdullahi.
The Commissioner of Police in Borno, Mr Clement Adoda, presented the money at a ceremony in Maiduguri.
Adoda, who represented the Inspector General of Police (I-G) at the event, said that the money was the deceaseds’ entitlements at the Police Insurance Welfare Scheme (POLIWS).
He said each of the two families was given N200,000 as payment from the POLIWS.
He also presented N30,000 cash and a gallon of cooking oil to each of the families as I-G’s Christmas gift.
Responding, the families thanked police authorities for the gesture and pledged to use the money judisiously.
OMG! Watch how this Nigerian was nearly beaten to death in Malaysia
Wednesday, 14 January 2015
Aliko Dangote interested in buying a stake in Brooklyn Nets?
"Sources on Tuesday confirmed a Bloomberg News report stating that Prokhorov has retained Evercore Partners to sell the franchise he acquired majority ownership of in May 2010 for $223 million. A league source said Evercore will gather bids potentially as soon as the end of the month. Sources likewise confirmed a report from Bleacher Report that the struggling Russian economy is a factor." Bloomberg reportsThere are now reports from people with 'knowledge' that Dangote may be interested in buying, either as a fractional owner, or main owner. Time will tell. It'll definitely boost his international recognition
Sunday, 11 January 2015
Funny But True Nigeria Facts!
FUNNY BUT TRUE NIGERIA FACT :
1. The Toilet, best place to eat a stolen meat.
2. Why count your money in front of the ATM?
Will you return it if it's incomplete or is there a
button that says "incomplete''?
3. It amazes me that people are afraid to talk
in the exam room when the question clearly
said"Discuss''
4. Some girls are looking for tall guys with
pink lips and six packs when their father is short, potbellied with pommo lips.
5. It is only in Nigeria that a Policeman will
stop you and search your phone gallery for blue film.
6. If People Can Use "LOL" Without Even
Laughing Surely They Use"I Love You" Without Even Loving You.Be Guided.
7. It is only in Nigeria that when you Walking in the public & someone mistakenly hit you,you touch ur Private Part(Men).
8. It is only In Nigeria that if a Man ask a lady of her fone number it means she want to be Wooed by d Man.
9. You've been Engaged since 2010, till today
you're still ENGAGED.
MY sister,you're not LORD OF THE RINGS please
return that key holder
10. If runs girls don't fail sundays church services I wonder who will?
Guys shey I Lie?
1. The Toilet, best place to eat a stolen meat.
2. Why count your money in front of the ATM?
Will you return it if it's incomplete or is there a
button that says "incomplete''?
3. It amazes me that people are afraid to talk
in the exam room when the question clearly
said"Discuss''
4. Some girls are looking for tall guys with
pink lips and six packs when their father is short, potbellied with pommo lips.
5. It is only in Nigeria that a Policeman will
stop you and search your phone gallery for blue film.
6. If People Can Use "LOL" Without Even
Laughing Surely They Use"I Love You" Without Even Loving You.Be Guided.
7. It is only in Nigeria that when you Walking in the public & someone mistakenly hit you,you touch ur Private Part(Men).
8. It is only In Nigeria that if a Man ask a lady of her fone number it means she want to be Wooed by d Man.
9. You've been Engaged since 2010, till today
you're still ENGAGED.
MY sister,you're not LORD OF THE RINGS please
return that key holder
10. If runs girls don't fail sundays church services I wonder who will?
Guys shey I Lie?
Saturday, 10 January 2015
Nigeria Is Among The Top Marijuana Consuming Countries In The World - UN Report
Here Are The Countries That Smoke The Most Marijuana
A recent United Nations report on drug use reveals drug trends around the world, including which countries have the highest rates of cannabis use.
The United States, Canada, Nigeria, and Australia rank the highest, with over 10% of the population over age 15 admitting to using the drug.
Western European countries also see fairly high rates of marijuana use, but did not rank in the highest category.
Although much of America's pot comes from Mexico, the southerly country has a surprisingly low rate of use, according to this data.
Check out the map
A recent United Nations report on drug use reveals drug trends around the world, including which countries have the highest rates of cannabis use.
The United States, Canada, Nigeria, and Australia rank the highest, with over 10% of the population over age 15 admitting to using the drug.
Western European countries also see fairly high rates of marijuana use, but did not rank in the highest category.
Although much of America's pot comes from Mexico, the southerly country has a surprisingly low rate of use, according to this data.
Check out the map
Friday, 9 January 2015
Very funny...A Police Station In Benue State (picture)
Very funny...A Police Station In Benue State (picture)
Wednesday, 7 January 2015
Nigerian Pidgin Proverbs That Will Surely Make You Laugh
Man wey Unclad no dey put hand for pocket
loose translation:You can't do somethings if there are no certain conditions.
Chicken wey run way from borno go Ibadan go still end up inside pot of soup
loose translation:You Can't Run Away From Your Destiny
Today’s newspaper na tomorrow Suya wrap
loose translation:Keep calm! Nothing last forever
Cow wey dey in a hurry to go America go come back as corn beef
loose translation:Just be patient. Let the game come to you. Don't rush!
Akara and moin moin get the same parent na wetin dey pass tru make dem diffrent
loose translation:How you start doesn't matter,what matters is how you finish.
Wetin consign agbero with twitter handle,or malu/cow with face cap?
loose translation:Mind your business.
If life dey show you pepper,my guy make pepper soup from am
loose translation:Make something good out of a bad experience
I get am before No be property
loose translation: stop living in the past and start living in the present.
If person too tey for party e go follow dem wash plate
loose translation:Don't outstay your welcome
Rolling stone,ofcourse na person push am now!
loose translation:There is always a reason for something
Craze no hard to form,na the trekking be wahala
loose translation:Easier said than done
No matter how hot your tempa be,e no fit boil beans.
loose translation:Calm down,your temper won't solve the problem
Every mallam with em own kettle,every Northerner with em own radio.
loose translation:Every man for himself
You no need cutlery to chop slap
loose translation:You don't need my translation to understand this,lol
Opolo eye no be open eye
loose translation: Having Big eyes doesn't make you civilised,lol
Leave matter for Mathias and Sabi for Sabinus.
loose translation:Give everyone what they deserve.
Bring suya, bring suya,.......na cow body dey suffer am.
loose translation:Every action has a consequence
E go better e go better,na im make ibo man still dey Kano
loose translation:When there is hope,there is Life.
The different between kpekere and plantain chips na packaging
loose translation:Don't judge based on appearance alone
Escort me, Escort me, naim slave trade take start.
loose translation:Serious things sometimes start like joke
Na from play play dem dey form PLAYER
loose translation:Serious things sometimes start like joke
Pikin wen use agbada take stat guy go talk wetin e go wear wen e old.
loose translation:Slow and steady wins the race
The water wey dem use take make eba can never be recovered back.
loose translation:Don't cry over spilt milk
Which is your favourite?
loose translation:You can't do somethings if there are no certain conditions.
Chicken wey run way from borno go Ibadan go still end up inside pot of soup
loose translation:You Can't Run Away From Your Destiny
Today’s newspaper na tomorrow Suya wrap
loose translation:Keep calm! Nothing last forever
Cow wey dey in a hurry to go America go come back as corn beef
loose translation:Just be patient. Let the game come to you. Don't rush!
Akara and moin moin get the same parent na wetin dey pass tru make dem diffrent
loose translation:How you start doesn't matter,what matters is how you finish.
Wetin consign agbero with twitter handle,or malu/cow with face cap?
loose translation:Mind your business.
If life dey show you pepper,my guy make pepper soup from am
loose translation:Make something good out of a bad experience
I get am before No be property
loose translation: stop living in the past and start living in the present.
If person too tey for party e go follow dem wash plate
loose translation:Don't outstay your welcome
Rolling stone,ofcourse na person push am now!
loose translation:There is always a reason for something
Craze no hard to form,na the trekking be wahala
loose translation:Easier said than done
No matter how hot your tempa be,e no fit boil beans.
loose translation:Calm down,your temper won't solve the problem
Every mallam with em own kettle,every Northerner with em own radio.
loose translation:Every man for himself
You no need cutlery to chop slap
loose translation:You don't need my translation to understand this,lol
Opolo eye no be open eye
loose translation: Having Big eyes doesn't make you civilised,lol
Leave matter for Mathias and Sabi for Sabinus.
loose translation:Give everyone what they deserve.
Bring suya, bring suya,.......na cow body dey suffer am.
loose translation:Every action has a consequence
E go better e go better,na im make ibo man still dey Kano
loose translation:When there is hope,there is Life.
The different between kpekere and plantain chips na packaging
loose translation:Don't judge based on appearance alone
Escort me, Escort me, naim slave trade take start.
loose translation:Serious things sometimes start like joke
Na from play play dem dey form PLAYER
loose translation:Serious things sometimes start like joke
Pikin wen use agbada take stat guy go talk wetin e go wear wen e old.
loose translation:Slow and steady wins the race
The water wey dem use take make eba can never be recovered back.
loose translation:Don't cry over spilt milk
Which is your favourite?
Monday, 1 December 2014
Nigerian lawyer Tunde Okewale makes GQ's World's Coolest men list
The human rights advocate was listed alongside the likes of Prince
William, Drake and Tom Hardy. GQ described Tunde as having “celebrity”
status within
the English legal profession. The mag said Tunde was included in the
list because he “was named one of
the best-looking men in the legal world" by several blogs and also
because he set up Urban lawyers, an organisation that is making the law
accessible to young people.
Born to Nigerian parents, Tunde Okewale came to the UK when he was just a year old. He
grew up on a council estate in Hackney, London and put himself through
law school working at Sainsbury’s.
"I am a black kid from a working class family that grew up in Hackney, and I am hoping that young people will look at me and say, ‘if he can do it, I can do it’. It doesn’t have to be something in the legal profession, whatever you are passionate about go for it and give it your all.”
Friday, 28 November 2014
Photos: Tanker carrying diesel overturns, catches fire in Enugu
FG approves the purchase of N9.2bn cooking stoves for rural women
Speaking with state house correspondence after the FEC meeting, the Supervising Minister of Information, Dr. Nurudeen Muhammed said the scheme which is a federal government initiative, is geared towards reducing the use of firewood among rural women in Nigeria.
"The National Clean Cooking Scheme is an aggressive drive to engender clean cooking culture amongst the poor rural women, to reduce and possibly eliminate cooking with solid fossil which is detrimental to health. The scheme is expected to provide 20 million clean stoves over a five-year period at the rate of four million stoves per annum, which will be distributed free of charge. It will also reduce incessant felling of trees, which exposes the country to ecological problems” he said.
The Minister said N9.2bn, inclusive of Value Added Tax, was approved for the procurement of 750,000 units of clean cooking stoves and 18,000 wonder bags, a non-electric slow cooker invented by Sarah Collins, a South African eco-entrepreneur, who came up with the idea of surrounding the pan with cushions six years ago during a power cut in her country.
He said the stoves were expected to be delivered by Messrs Integra Renewable Energy Services Limited within a period of 12 weeks.
Minister of Environment Mrs. Lawrecia Mallam who also spoke on the initiative, said the government decided to purchase the cooking stoves for the rural women because it considers cooking with firewood a silent killer.
Thursday, 27 November 2014
Billionaire Business Woman Bola Shagaya buys N36 m Rolls Royce for son (See)
Her son Sheriff Shagaya recently got married, and his Mother the oil merchant and top business woman, gifted them with a Rolls Royce Phantom worth Over 36 million Naira!
According to Encomuim Magazine, that couple are enjoying their honey moon in Los Angeles California. The trip to God’s own country would have been made earlier than now but because the couple were sorting out their travelling documents and to take a little rest after close to two weeks of activities for their wedding ceremony.
Embarking on another long hour flight would not be advisable. We gathered that Sheriff and his delectable wife, the daughter of Alhaji Bamanga Tukur flew out in the early hours of Wednesday, November 17, 2010, with Hajia Bola Shagaya and few of their relations to the Abuja airport. This the billionaire businesswoman confirmed to ENCOMIUM Weekly on Friday, November 19, 2010, “Yes, they are spending their honeymoon in Los Angeles.”
While there, sources revealed that they will hibernate in one of the choicest hotels in ‘the city of angels’ with everything at their beck and call.
Though still fresh in matrimony, Sheriff and Maryam Shagaya have already started counting their blessings with the expensive presents showered on them as wedding gifts. Informed sources disclosed that many expensive gifts have been delivered to them. They were later pampered with a new Rolls Royce Phantom.
The wonderful ride, we gathered was given to them by the groom’s mother, Hajia Bola Shagaya and it cost $380,000 to bring in the exotic ride made for the rich and powerful. It was in that Rolls Royce that they cruised to the wedding luncheon on Saturday, November 13, 2010.
Hajia Shagaya also dazzled in her own Phantom with registration number FQ 440 ABJ that day. Said to be the latest in the Phantom family, the ride is more than 19-feet long, it commands attention anywhere it’s found. The Phantom is powered by a 6.7 litre V12 with 453 horse power and 531 pound feet of tongue, weight about three tons, riding on a 60 mph takes just 5.7 seconds and behind the 20-inch wheels are superbly powered brakes and an air suspension. The inside boast of sophisticated leather sofar. The rear seat provides lots of room for stretching one’s leg. And once in motion, the steering feels light in one’s hand yet offers good feedback and can change direction with ease so long as you are travelling at a relaxed pace.
The Sheriff and Maryam Shagaya wedding ceremony will go down as one of the most expensive in recent times, gulping close to N1 billion, the couple’s parents did not spare any cost to pamper their children for that special occasion.
The nuptial kicked off with the wedding Fatiha on Friday, November 5, 2010, in Yola, Adamawa State. The next day, Saturday, November 6, 2010, it was ‘The Mother’s Night’ in Kaduna and the mother-of-all luncheon which was the climax came up on Saturday, November 13, 2010, at the Grand Ballroom, New Expo Hall, Eko Hotel and Suites, Victoria Island, Lagos. The city of Lagos was painted gold as crème de la crème, politicians, businessmen, billionaires and others stormed the venue. Wife of the President, Dame Patience Jonathan was also in attendance as the Mother of the Day. The most interesting part of the day was the performance of American R & B singer, Donell Jones for the couple. He was flown in from the US for the nuptial and it costs a fortune to have that done.
Wednesday, 26 November 2014
Our National Debt Rises by 30.3% (N10.8 Trillion) In 12 Months!
The total debt of the Federal Government, the 36 states of the federation and the Federal Capital Territory rose from N8.32tn on September 30, 2013 to N10.84tn on September 30, 2014.
This means that the nation’s total debt stock rose by N2.52tn or 30.29 per cent within one year period.
Statistics obtained from the website of
the Debt Management Office in Abuja on Monday indicated that the N8.32tn
did not include the domestic debt of the states in 2013.
Details of the current debt status of
the country showed that the external debts of both the federal and state
governments stood at $9.52bn or N1.48tn.
As of September 30, the domestic debt
stock of the Federal Government alone stood at $49.12bn or N7.65tn. The
domestic debt of states, on the other hand, stood at $10.97bn or
N1.71tn.
In comparison, the external debt of both
the federal and state governments stood at N1.28tn (or $8.26bn) as of
September 30, 2013. Also, the domestic debt of the Federal Government a
year ago stood at N7.03tn.
Dissecting the Federal Government’s
current domestic debt of N7.65tn by instruments, the Federal Government
Bond contributed N4.6tn or 60.12 per cent to the profile; the Nigerian
Treasury Bills contributed N2.74tn or 35.76 per cent while Treasury
Bonds contributed N315.39bn or 4.12 per cent.
As of June 2014, out of a total external debt of $3.01bn owed by the states, the Lagos State Government owed $1.02bn.
Other major holders of the country’s
external sub-national debts include Kaduna State which owes $245.51m and
Cross River State, $120.21m. Others are Ogun $116.69m; Bauchi,
$111.61m; and Oyo, $80.11m.
The states least exposed to foreign
debts are Borno, $16.07m; Plateau, $22.99m; Taraba, $24.06m; Delta,
$24.7m; and Benue, $28.79m.
However, in comparison to the nation’s
total external indebtedness, the states owed 32.13 per cent; leaving the
Federal Government with 67.87 per cent.
Loans from China Export Import Bank and
monies raised from Eurobond accounted for $2.54bn of the Federal
Government’s $6.36bn external debt while multilateral sources accounted
for $3.82bn.
As of June 2013, the nation’s total
external loan stood at $6.92bn. This means that over a period of one
year, the country’s external debt rose by $2.46bn, showing 35.51 per
cent increase.
The growth of the nation’s debt stock
can be seen in the budget for debt servicing. The Federal Government
plans to spend N2.08tn servicing the country’s debt within the next
three years.
The figures for debt servicing as well
as the county’s debt stock are contained in the Medium Term Expenditure
Framework and Fiscal Strategy Paper of the Federal Government.
PunchNg
Sunday, 23 November 2014
WOW!! SEE Now & Then Photos Of The First Ever Miss Nigeria! [Photos]
Grace Oyelude became the first Miss Nigeria when the Competition First Commenced in 1957, It was a Photo contest Back then and contestants were asked to send photographs of themselves to Daily Times headquarters in Lagos where finalists were shortlisted.
Successful finalists were afterwards invited to compete in the live final at the Lagos Island Club. At that time, the Miss Nigeria contest did not include a swimsuit competition. Oyelude was working at United African Company(UAC) when she represented the then Northern region.
She won £200 and used part of it to travel to England to study nursing at Royal College of Nursing, England.
Saturday, 22 November 2014
Nigerians To Pay More For Electricity As New Gas Price Takes Effect December 1
NERC said on Thursday in Abuja that the review of the regulated price of $1.8 per Million British Thermal Unit (MBTU) for natural gas in 2014 to power plants would definitely take off on December 1.
The vice chairman of the electricity regulatory authority, Mohammed Bello, said that the upward review of electricity tariffs was inevitable despite the continued poor electricity supply in the country.
Mr. Bello said apart from gas price, NERC took into consideration other factors such as inflation, foreign exchange rate and power generation capacity, before approving the recent tariff review.
He described tariffs review as a sensitive issue to electricity consumers, who are always opposed to any tariffs increment without improvement in electricity supply.
Dangote Farms Begins Hybrid Tomatoes Production In Kano
 |
| Dangote |
Kaita told newsmen at the end of a two-day stakeholders’ forum on tomatoes value chain in Kano that the company had also introduced the hybrid seedlings to farmers.
He said the farmers, however, insisted that the seedlings be tried by the company’s farm before they could patronise it.
He noted that the company had begun a pilot project at Kadawa area of the state during this year’s rainy season and was about to begin the second phase of the project in the dry farming season.
“The yield produced before is about 10 tones per hectare, while the hybrid seedling varieties introduced will produce 80 to 100 tones per hectare using the best practices,” Kaita said.
He said the meeting was aimed at mobilising the farmers to rub minds to save the company from shortage of raw materials.
He added that the company had engaged farmers in the past two years and provided them with best practices in tomatoes production and processing.
Kaita said the company had orgnised the farmers into groups to enable them benefit from the company.
Vanguard