Five Die, 13 Injured In Third Mainland Bridge Autocrash

No fewer than five people, including two children, have been confirmed dead and 13 others injured after three vehicles crashed on the Third Mainland Bridge, Lagos State.

PUNCH Metro learnt that the accident happened at about 6pm on Sunday around the UNILAG Waterfront end of the bridge. It involved a LAGBUS, a Rover Jeep and a Hilux pickup.

An official of the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority told our correspondent on the telephone that the accident was caused by the pickup.

He explained that the driver of the truck drove at top speed and had a blowout before somersaulting.

He said, “The truck driver was at top speed when he had a blowout and somersaulted. The truck crashed into the other vehicles, including the LAGBUS. In all, two vehicles somersaulted in the accident. Five people died and 13 were injured.”

A resident, Babajide Kabiawu, said there was an influx of emergency response teams at the scene of the accident.

“Fire service trucks and ambulances were seen going to the scene to remove the corpses and clear the wreckage. Commercial vehicles are turning back from the bridge,” he said.

The General Manager of the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency, Michael Akindele, confirmed the crash, adding that two children were among the victims.

He said, “The accident occurred around 6.10 pm on the Third Mainland Bridge inward Iyana Oworo, by UNILAG Waterfront. It involved three vehicles, a LAGBUS, a Hilux truck belonging to a local vigilante group, and a Rover Jeep.

“Five persons were confirmed dead, among which were three female adults and two children (one female and one male). Five persons were also injured and taken by LASAMBUS to the Trauma Centre.

 “The LASEMA response team towed away the vehicles from the bridge, while the dead bodies have been taken by the State Emergency Health Monitoring Unit to the Mainland Hospital mortuary.”

Akindele said proper investigation would be carried out to ascertain the cause of the accident, urging motorists to avoid speeding and adhere to traffic rules and regulations.

My Response To Ali Modu Sheriff- By Femi Fani Kayode

This is a response from Femi Fani-Kayode to Ali Modu Sherif. Read his response below:
Lying Ali Modu Sheriff told Channels TV that I sent people to beg him for claiming that he was Boko Haram. These are the lies of a desperate and drowning man. He came to destroy the PDP and if we did not rise up against him and kick him out when we did he would have succeeded in his mission.
I am proud to have been the first to see him for what he is and to publicly blow the whistle on him. I was one of those that led the rebellion against him and orchestrated the campaign to push him out and dump him as the National Chairman of our party and many have thanked me for that including some of those that brought him in the first place and attempted to impose him on us. The man is of the devil and no-one should believe a word that comes out of his mouth or take him seriously. He is a curse to the PDP and the sooner he is kicked out of the party the better it is for us all.

Siasia Says An African Country Can Win The World Cup Given Adequate Preparations

Speaking shortly after his side beat Denmark 2-0 to advance to the semifinals of the Olympics, Samson Siasia said that poor preparation hampers the performance of African sides on the world stage. He said that if the right preparations are made, an African country can go as far winning the world cup. He said:

“I think that’s an issue we have, not just in Nigeria. I think it’s the case with most Africa countries. If African counties were better prepared, they might have a shot at the World Cup. “But the problems are that it’s always the same thing. It’s not good trying to compete with having problems. “Hopefully, we might find a way to change the way we prepare. Africa won’t win the World Cup, having these problems."


Source: Vanguard

EFCC To Grill Jibrin Again Over N418m Contracts That Cannot Be Accounted For..

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission is set to quiz a former Chairman, House of Representatives Committee on Appropriation, Mr. Abdulmumin Jibrin, again this week over a petition alleging “fraudulent award” of contracts worth N418m to firms linked to him.


The petition, dated July 26, 2016, was written by the Anti-corruption Unit of the National Youth Council of Nigeria.
The EFCC acknowledged receipt of the petition on July 29.

Jibrin was reported to have been interrogated on Tuesday over allegations relating to N17bn money laundering.
It was gathered that the EFCC had concluded arrangements to interrogate the former appropriation committee chairman again this week.

An officer, who confided in Sunday PUNCH, said, “Our operatives will before the end of the week, invite him to answer questions relating to the fresh petition.”

In the petition, the NYCN stated that in September 2014, the National Commission For Refugees, Migrants and Internally Displaced Persons awarded 10 contracts to five companies in the combined sum of N418m in one day.

It noted that the contract documents merely directed the firms to make supplies to “Kano State”, but did not indicate the purpose of the contract, the location where the supplies would be delivered, nor the names of the recipients.

However, in each of the contract document, the agency copied Jibrin, who was at the time the Chairman, House Committee on Finance.

Part of the petition read, “All contacts were awarded in one day; all the contracts were awarded to Kano State.
“All the contract award letters were copied to Jibrin; three of the companies are located in the same EFAB Mall, Area 11, Abuja.Two of the companies, which got four of the contracts, used the same office address, Suite A47, EFAB Mall, Area 11, Abuja.”

Going through the contracts papers, Sunday PUNCH observed that one of the firms, M/S Eash Progressive Ventures, was awarded a contract to supply 140 units of computers for N47.6m.
Another firm, Eleku Construction Limited, was awarded a contract worth N44.1m to supply 2,452 bags of “maize and millet to Kano State.”


The council urged the EFCC to probe the contracts because of the “curious” nature of the deals, which did not include any other lawmaker or the Kano State Government other than Jibrin, who was copied.

It called on the commission to establish the “capability” or otherwise of Jibrin and the Federal Commissioner, who awarded the 10 contracts.
It added, “The unit cost of the supplies in the 10 contracts is outrageous.

“Efforts to trace evidence of completion of the contracts have proved abortive.
“The description of the companies is ambiguous, as they were all supplies to Kano State, without any specification to whom or what purpose the supplies would be deployed.”
The document to the EFCC was signed by the Council’s Coordinator, Mr. Ifeanyi Okonkwo.

The spokesman for the EFCC, Mr. Wilson Uwujaren, confirmed that the commission had received a petition against Jibrin.

Pres. Buhari's Senior Special Adviser On Economic Matters, Ayoleke Adu, Dies At 44

Senior Special Assistant to President Buhari on Economic Matters, Ayoleke O. Adu has died. He was aged 44. A statement by the Special Assistant to Vice President Yemi Osinbajo on Media and Publicity, Laolu Akande, states that Adu died last week Saturday after a brief illness. Read the statement from the Vice President's office regarding Adu's passing after the cut...


May his soul rest in peace Amen. With heavy hearts, we regret to announce the untimely passage of the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Economic Matters, Mr. Ayoleke O. Adu. He was aged 44. Adu, a diligent economic professional and Certified Financial Analyst, CFA, passed on last week Saturday after a period of illness. Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, SAN, on behalf of the President and himself condoles with his wife, children, mother and the entire family.
He prays that God will grant them the fortitude to bear the loss. Before he joined the Buhari presidency last year, Adu was the Chief Executive Officer of Morgan Capital Securities Ltd, a leading investment firm with headquarters in Lagos. As a member of the President's Economic Management Team and a presidential aide deployed to the Office of the Vice President, Adu would be remembered as a patriotic, forthright, creative and astute professional.
He will indeed be sorely missed. Burial arrangements will be announced later. Laolu Akande Senior Special Assistant-Media & Publicity In the Office of the Vice President

Mrs Dolapo Osinbajo And Mrs Bolanle Ambode Flag Off Get Involved Campaign In Lagos

Mrs. Bolanle Ambode and Deputy Governor of Lagos State, Dr. (Mrs.) Idiat Oluranti Adebule joined wife of the Vice President, Mrs. Dolapo Osinbajo at the #GetInvolved campaign in Lagos today. Committee of Wives of Lagos State Officials (COWLSO) got involved in the programme in Lagos today.  Mrs. Bolanle Ambode and Mrs Dolapo Osinbajo got involved by providing supplies for some children in Lagos. More pictures below...

Lionel Messi Returns To Argentina’s National Team

 Lionel Messi of Argentina and Marc Wilmots, headcoach of Belgium during a FIFA 2014 World Cup Quarter-Final match between Argentina and Belgium at the Estadio Nacional stadium in Brasilia, Brazil.

Star footballer Lionel Messi in a statement has confirmed his intention to return to the Argentina national team.

Messi said that his love for Argentina convinced him to return for the next World Cup qualifiers.

According to GOAL.com, the 5-time FIFA Ballon d’Or winner said:

I see there are lots of problems in Argentine football and I do not want to create another.

I do not want to cause any harm, I have always tried to do the opposite and help wherever I could.

We have to fix a lot of things in Argentine football, but I’d rather do that from the inside and not criticising from the outside.

A lot of things went through my head the day of the last final and I seriously thought about quitting, but I love this country and this shirt too much.

I thank all the people who want me to keep playing with Argentina, I hope we can soon deliver them some joy.

The Barcelona star made the decision to retire from international football after another heartbreaking loss in the final of the 2016 Copa America.

6 Killed In Clash Between Indigenes And Hausa Residents In Imo State

No fewer than six people have been feared dead in a clash between indigenes of Akokwa community in Ideato North Local Government Area of Imo State and some Hausa residents in the community.

According to Channels TV, the State Commissioner of Police, Taiwo Lakanu said that preliminary investigations revealed that the clash was triggered by an alleged murder of a woman and her friend by a Hausa man.

Lakanu said that the Hausa man, a security guard in the area had an altercation with a woman which escalated, and he murdered her with a shovel.

Lakanu also said that the Hausa went on to kill the lady’s friend who tried to intervene, adding that “on seeing the level of crime committed, the Hausa man went ahead and committed suicide”.

Lakanu said that there was a reprisal attack by indigenes against the Northerners, leading to the death of three other people.

He said that policemen have been deployed to the area to prevent further breakdown of law and order.

The state government has also called on the indigenes to remain calm and as security agents fully restore peace to the area.

Why We Arrested Popular Political Blogger Abubakar Sidiq Usman – EFCC

                                                            Abubakar Sidiq Usman

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Monday arrested Abubakar Sidiq Usman, a blogger, for offences bordering on cyber stalking.

According to the EFCC, Sidiq, an online publisher was picked up at his Kubwa, Abuja home in the early hours of Monday August 8, 2016 its officials and is currently being questioned over the alleged offence which contravenes sections of the Cybercrime Act.

He has already been offered administrative bail and would be released to his elected sureties.

Reports say Sidiq’s arrest was as a result of a post on his blog, abusidiqu.com titled: “EFCC boss, Magu, commences total war with core EFCC staff”. The post was published on August 2, 2016.

Part of the post read:

Regular members of staff at the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC are complaining that they are being bullied by the Acting Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Ibrahim Magu.

Magu, who returned a few seconded police men to their mother organisation has become panicky following series of revelations on his activities at the commission.

According to a source, Magu was ‘panicking because his confirmation had been deferred and is beginning to suspect any and every one in the commission for his problem’.

                                              Sidiq and President Buhari

Manchester United Sign Paul Pogba From Juventus For £100m

Manchester United have completed the world-record £100 million signing of 23 year old Paul Pogba. Pogba who has been termed as the world's most in-demand midfield talent arrives from Juventus, to rejoin Manchester United, the club that he left for next to nothing in 2012. Pogba, is expected to wear the No 6 shirt and has signed a £290,000-per-week, five-year contract to work under Jose Mourinho. There is also the option to extend for a further year.

On their twitter page Manchester United wrote:
Manchester United is delighted to announce that Paul Pogba has completed his transfer from Italian club Juventus. Paul joins on a five-year contract, with the option to extend for a further year. Paul, 23, has been with Juventus for four seasons, making 124 appearances and scoring 28 goals.

He joined the Bianconeri from United in 2012. The midfielder has been capped by France on 38 occasions, scoring 6 goals and was a member of the recent squad that reached the final of Euro 2016.
Paul Pogba said:
“I am delighted to rejoin United. It has always been a club with a special place in my heart and I am really looking forward to working with José Mourinho. I have thoroughly enjoyed my time at Juventus and have some fantastic memories of a great club with players that I count as friends. But I feel the time is right to go back to Old Trafford. I always enjoyed playing in front of the fans and can’t wait to make my contribution to the team. This is the right club for me to achieve everything I hope to in the game.”

José Mourinho said:
“Paul is one of the best players in the world and will be a key part of the United team I want to build here for the future. He is quick, strong, scores goals and reads the game better than many players much older than he is. At 23, he has the chance to make that position his own here over many years. He is young and will continue to improve; he has the chance to be at the heart of this club for the next decade and beyond.”

Daily Mail claims he was signed for £100m
BBC claims he was signed for £89m
The Guardian claims he was signed for £93.2m

We Have Defeated Boko Haram Group And Stopped It From Regrouping

The Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Tukur Buratai, during a courtesy visit to the Gbong Gwom Jos, His Royal Majesty, Da Jacob Buba, in his palace in Jishe yesterday, said that the Nigerian Army had defeated Boko Haram terrorist group and have also stopped it from re-grouping anywhere else in the country.
Buratai said:
“Our efforts in the North-East have really paid off. As you can recall, the incessant bombing of market places and different places of worships and high population areas has virtually stopped now. I can assure you and the people of Plateau State that they will never witness Boko Haram attacks like you witnessed in the past.
“The Army has not only succeeded in routing them from their camps in the North-East, we have been able to block these criminal elements from crossing down to these areas or building their camps anywhere in Nigeria.
“I want to particularly commend you on your role as the Gbong Gwom Jos, for all the moral support you gave us through wise counsel. I want to also acknowledge the cooperation of Plateau people.”
General Buratai, also spoke at the pull out of seven retired Generals of the Nigerian Army Corps of Engineers at the Nigerian Army School of Military Engineers, NASME, Makurdi, saying that without discipline and professionalism, there wont be any core values of the service remaining.
Represented by Major General Lincoln Ogunewe, Chief of Policy and Planning, Buratai praised.


Source: Vanguard

Speaker Dogara And His Corrupt Gang Have Gone Mad- Abdulmumin Jibrin Says

Former Chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on Appropriations, Abdulmumin Jibrin, shared some new tweets alleging that Speaker Yakubu Dogara and others have fabricated a screenshot (s) of a fake WhatsApp chat, with the intention of blackmailing him and sending it out to the Media. Jibrin debunkeded the authencity of the screenshot(s) and made more allegations. More tweets as you continue.

Sani Omolori Emerges New Clerk Of National Assembly

Mohammed Sani Omolori has been confirmed the substantive Clerk of the National Assembly. Omolori's confirmation was contained in a letter signed by the Executive Chairman of the National Assembly Service Commission‎, Adamu Fika, in Abuja yesterday Wednesday August 3rd.
“I have the pleasure to inform you that the National Assembly Service Commission has at it 443rd Meeting approved the confirmation of your appointment as Clerk to the National Assembly. This appointment takes effect from Aug. 15, 2016.” the letter read