Kogi Mourns Hajiya Bilkisu Yusuf

The Kogi State Government has commiserated with the Nigerian Guild of Editors and the people of Nigeria over the death of Hajiya Bilkisu Yusuf,  one time editor of the Triumph Newspaper,  New Nigerian Newspaper and co-founder and editor of Citizen magazine.

In a statement by the Commissioner for Information, Hajiya Zainab Suleiman Okino, the government expressed shock over the death of Hajiya Bilkisu who died during the annual pilgrimage to Mecca in Saudi Arabia.

According to the statement, the death of Hajiya Bilkisu was a sad loss that has left a huge vacuum among the people of Northern Nigeria and the journalism profession.

"As a people, we are saddened by the death of one of Nigeria's foremost female journalists and a jewel of inestimable value to the journalism profession and the North, Hajiya Bilkisu Yusuf. And we join other Nigerians in praying to God to grant her eternal rest in peace", the statement said.

Hajiya Bilkisu Yusuf was the first woman editor in Northern Nigeria, a gender activist,  philanthropist,  journalism teacher,  mentor and  benefactor to so many equally successful journalists among whom is the Kogi State Commissioner for information,  Hajiya Zainab Suleiman Okino

Senate Begins Probe Of Obasanjo, Yar’Adua, Govt Over Power Funds Mismanagement

The Senate will today begin an inquest into alleged mismanagement of funds appropriated to the power sector from the Olusegun Obasanjo civilian administration to date.

In a statement, yesterday, by the Clerk of Senate ad hoc Committee on Power, Cletus Ojabo, the power sector probe will be in the form of investigative hearing/interactive session, just as there was an indication that former ministers of power will also be in attendance.

According to Ojabo,  the investigation would centre on funds appropriated for the power sector since 1999 and the unbundling of the Power Holding Company of Nigeria, PHCN, adding: “ It is expected that all those who played key roles in the power sector since 1999, including ministers and heads of government departments and parastatals, will appear before the panel.”

INEC Fixes Deadline For Transfer Of Voters In Kogi, Bayelsa

In line with the commission’s directive that all transfers of voters should be concluded 45 days ahead of the Kogi and Bayelsa governorship elections scheduled for November 21 and December 5 2015. The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has said the transfer of voters in Kogi State will end on October 6, while that of Bayelsa State is to end on October 20.

Uwazuruike Insists On MASSOB As Police Invites Him

The leader of the Movement for the Actualisation of the Sovereign State of Biafra (MASSOB), Chief Ralph Uwazuruike, monday reported at the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) section of the Imo State Police Command for interrogation. This was less than 24 hours after security operatives raided his private residence in Owerri.

The leader, who voluntarily turned himself in on the invitation of the police, was immediately whisked away to the Zone 9 headquarters in Umuahia shortly after a closed-door meeting with the state Commissioner of Police, Taiwo Lakanu.

Federal Government Withdraws Diplomatic Passports from Ex-Governors, Ministers, Legislators

The federal government has ordered with abrupt effect, the withdrawal of diplomatic and official passports to unauthorized holders including former governors, ministers and legislators.

This latest directive was contained in a statement signed yesterday by the new Comptroller-General of Immigration (CGI), Martins Abeshi.

Ohanaeze Demands Apology From Keyamo Over PMB’s Appointments

The pan-Igbo socio-cultural organisation, Ohanaeze Ndigbo, has demanded an unconditional apology from human rights lawyer, Festus Keyamo, for dismissing the outrage by Ndigbo over their exclusion in federal appointments as “mere noise.”

Keyamo, while defending the President against the allegations of deliberate exclusion of the South-East in his political appointments so far, said those criticizing the President “are political job seekers.”

YORÙBÁ LÁKỌ̀TUN: BIRTH OF CULTURAL RENAISSANCE

In a bid to revive Yoruba language in Lagos, Nigeria, Olútáyọ̀ Ìrántíọlá, a cultural and literary enthusiast, developed Yorùbá LákỌ̀tun, an event aimed at cultural and literary renaissance. The first edition took place at Ethnic Heritage Center, Ikoyi, Lagos over the weekend.

The center is a language training hub for people who are interested in learning and gaining proficiency in the three Nigerian languages, namely Yorùbá, Hausa, Igbo languages while French is the international language that people can learn there.

Ọmọ-Ọba Olúṣẹ̀san Ajewọlé, the special guest, whose book is currently being used by West African Examinations Council for Yoruba literature, Igbeyin Lalayo Nta, was delighted to speak to an audience of Yorùbá enthusiasts who want the language to survive despite the westernization of the African psyche.

Ajewọlé made reference to the experiment done by Prof Wande Abimbola some decades ago in which children were equipped with their mother tongue and they excelled also in English language. He urged participants to keep the language alive with fervour.

The depth of Yoruba language was also brought to the fore by Akin Ogundokun Winrínwinrìn, the performer poet for the day, he sang the praised of the Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Atanda Adeyemi III and other towns.

There were a lot of cultural enthusiasts in attendance cut across corporate and social Nigeria. The event was done in purely in Yorùbá language and the ambience was quite rustic in nature.

NOTE: 

To know more about YORÙBÁ LÁKọTUN or for press enquiries, send a mail to peodavies@gmail.com; www.facebook.com/peodavies, and https://twitter.com/peodavies or call 08052048143, 08064294834.

Nigerian Entertainment Awards 2015 Winners List #NEA2015

The Nigerian Entertainment Awards was held yesterday, the September 6,2015, at the Skirball Center For The Performing Arts, New York. 

The event, which was graced by many top Nigerian celebrities with Osas Ajibade and Ice Prince as the hosts of the evening.

See the full list of winners below…

71-Yr Old Pastor And Wife Arrested For Buying Baby For N500,000

A 71- year old retired pastor of a pentecostal church in Abriba, Ohafia Local Government Area of Abia State, Rev. Chima Egbochiogum, and his wife, Ugo, have been arrested for an alleged illegal adoption of a baby.

World's 'Shortest-Ever' Man Dies

Chandra Dangi, the shortest man ever to have been measured has died. He died at the age of 75.

Chandra Dangi, who stood at 1ft 9.5in tall, had reported to have been suffering pneumonia after being admitted to hospital in American Samoa last week.

 In 2012 was awarded the titles of shortest living man and shortest man ever after being found to be half an inch shorter than the previous holder, Gul Mohammed from India.

In a statement, Guinness World Records said it was "deeply saddened" to hear of his passing.

"GWR would like to express its sincere and heartfelt condolences to Mr Dangi’s family in this difficult time.

"He will be remembered forever as an iconic and extraordinary record holder."