Socioscope News Agency

Polytechnic lecturers begin one week warning strike The Academic Staff Union of Polytechnic (ASUP) will on Monday, January 30, begin a one week warning strike to protest government refusal to honour its agreement with the union and fund the polytechnic sector. National President of the Union, Comrade Usman Dutse said the union’s one month ultimatum to government expired in December 2016 without any visible sign of government willingness to meet the demands of the union, leaving them with no choice than to embark on a warning strike. Dutse said in a statement after an emergency National Executive Council meeting of the union in Abuja that the union had earlier given the government an ultimatum in July 2016, but decide to stay action on its proposed strike because of appeal from the government and renewed the ultimatum in November, 2016. He said despite the magnanimity of the union, the government failed to address the issues raised by the union, which include the non implementa...

Donald Trump has fired the acting US attorney general, after she questioned the legality of his immigration ban. Sally Yates, who had been appointed under Barack Obama, earlier ordered justice department lawyers not to enforce the president's executive order. In a statement, the White House said Ms Yates had "betrayed" the department. Dana Boente, US attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia, replaces her as acting attorney general. Mr Trump's order temporarily banned nationals from seven Muslim-majority countries from entering the US, and sparked street protests in the US and abroad. Thousands join anti-Trump protests Diplomats' dissent falls on deaf ears Amateur hour at the White House? In a letter , Ms Yates had said she was "not convinced" that the president's order was lawful. "As long as I am the acting attorney general, the department of justice will not present arguments in defence of the Executive Order," she said. Wi...

Benin anti-voodoo sect members die of asphyxiation Five members of a Benin religious sect have died of asphyxiation after they were reportedly told to burn incense and charcoal in locked prayer rooms as they waited for the world to end. Several people were taken to hospital after the weekend incident in Adjarra town, near the capital Porto Novo. The Very Holy Church of Jesus Christ of Baname sect opposes the voodoo religion - one of the major faiths in Benin. Members of the controversial sect have clashed with followers of other faiths. The group's young leader, Vicentia Chanvoukini, known by her followers as "Lady Perfect", has proclaimed herself a god. About 40% of the population of the West African nation are believed to be following voodoo. Voodoo Day is a public holiday and there is a national Voodoo museum.

Did you know the Cuban twins(Lisa and Naomi ) who sing in Yoruba ?

Kaduna killings: We’re keeping quiet does not mean we’re powerless – Chris Okafor Founder, Mountain of Liberation and Miracle Ministries (MLMM) aka Liberation City, Dr. Chris Okafor has, while lamenting the spate of killings in Kaduna said that “nobody owns this country” and that “We are keeping quiet does not mean we are powerless.”

IGP challenges jurisdiction of court over Rivers re-run election matter The Nigeria Police have challenged the jurisdiction of the Federal High Court, Abuja to hear a suit filed by Rivers governor, Mr Nyesom Wike. Wike is seeking to stop the police from investigating allegations, petitions of crimes and various acts of criminality during the December 2016 River’s re-run election. The Inspector-General of Police Ibrahim Idris and a Deputy Commissioner of Police, Mr Damian Okoro, who are first and third defendants in the suit, told the court that it lacked jurisdiction to entertain the matter. Counsel to the IGP and deputy commissioner, Mr Deji Morakinyo told the court that the defendants had filed a notice of preliminary objection to Wike’s motion on interlocutory injunction. Morakinyo told the court that the issue of jurisdiction was of importance and should first be decided before the substantive case can be heard. The counsel added that the defendants would oppose a...

Ogun recruits 2,968 women for School Feeding Programme Gov. Ibikunle Amosun of Ogun says the State Government has recruited 2,968 women as food vendors for the Federal Government Home Grown School Feeding Programme. Amosun disclosed this on Monday in Abeokuta at the formal launching of the programme designed to provide one free, hot and nutritious meal per day for pupils in classes one to three in the nation’s primary schools. The programme is one of the five social intervention programmes of the federal government to assist and empower vulnerable Nigerians. The governor was represented at the ceremony by his deputy, Mrs Yetunde Onanuga. He commended the President Muhammadu Buhari-led administration for partnering state governments in feeding Nigerian pupils. The governor noted that the initiative would ensure increased access, enrolment, attendance, retention and completion in our schools. “There is a serious need to ensure the well-being of the pupils in the primary...

Buhari’s health: APC condemns attacks on President The North-West zone of All Progressive Congress (APC) has condemned the issues being raised over President Muhammadu Buhari’s health and vacation, saying it was unwarranted and unpatriotic. Abba Kyari, President Buhari and Adesina In a communique after its meeting in Katsina on Monday and signed by its National Vice Chairman, North-West, Alhaji Inuwa Abdulkadir, the party said the issues smacked of desperation of the opposition in the country. It said that the zone had declared total support to Buhari’s administration, in its bid to move the nation forward. “The meeting emphasized the need for members of the National Assembly from the North-West to fully support the president in his effort to provide responsive leadership to Nigeria. “The meeting called on north-west zonal leadership of the party to engage members of the national assembly, ministers, and heads of government agencies to ensure that po...

Iraq to place travel ban on Americans Iraqi lawmakers voted Monday to call on the government to enact a reciprocal travel ban on Americans if Washington does not withdraw its decision to bar the entry of Iraqis . The call is a response to President Donald Trump’ s executive order barring citizens of Iraq , Iran , Syria , Sudan , Somalia , Libya and Yemen from entering the US for at least 90 days , a move he billed as an effort to make America safe from “ radical Islamic terrorists ” . The travel restrictions, which come on the heels of repeated assertions by Trump that the US should have stolen Iraq ’ s oil before leaving in 2011 , risk alienating the citizens and government of a country fighting against militants the president has cast as a major threat to America . Parliament called on the Iraqi government to “ respond in kind to the American decision in the event that the American side does not withdraw its decision” , a parliamentary official ...

Igbo should talk about Presidency after Buhari – Okorocha The Acting President , Yemi Osinbajo, on Monday met behind closed doors with the Speaker of the House of Representatives , Yakubu Dogara ; and the Chairman of the Progressives Governors Forum , Rochas Okorocha. The meeting which lasted about 30 minutes was held inside Osinbajo’ s office at the Presidential Villa , Abuja . At the end of the meeting, Dogara did not speak with journalists . He said he only accompanied Okorocha who is the Imo State Governor to visit Osinbajo. Speaking on the call for Igbo President , the governor told State House correspondents that that could only come up at the end of the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari . He said , “ What I do know is that Ndigbo should talk about Presidency after President Muhammadu Buhari . I think we should support this government . “ President Muhammadu Buhari has a tenure to work for : four or eight years . “ According to the...

Don’t eat suya without vegetables, expert warns Consumers of barbecued beef popularly called “ Suya ” have been advised to always ensure that generous portions of onions, cabbage , tomatoes and other vegetables were eaten along with it. Suya is generally made with skewered beef , ram, or chicken . Innards such as kidney , liver and tripe are also used . The thinly sliced meat is marinated in various spices which include peanut cake , salt , vegetable oil and other flavorings , and then barbecued. A Professor of Community and Public Health Nutrition at the University of Nigeria , Nsukka , Ngozi Nnam , who gave the advice on Monday in Abuja said that there was a link between its consumption and increased risk of cancer , noting that consumption of suya garnished with onions and other vegetables has a strong cancer -lowering effect . She said , “ Eating Suya can actually cause cancer . This comes from the reaction of meat and the smoke during Suya preparation w...

ASUU gives FG conditions for resumption of academic activities in LAUTECH The Academic Staff Union of Universities , Ladoke Akintola University of Technology , Ogbomoso chapter , on Monday gave its conditions for ending the ongoing industrial action at the institution . The Chairman of the union , Dr Biodun Olaniran , told newsmen in Ogbomoso that meeting the conditions would end the crisis . The management of the institution had announced Friday for re- opening after it had been shut for eight months. But ASUU rejected the resumption date , declaring that it had not called off its industrial action which began on September 19 , 2016 . Olaniran stated that while the school had resumed , academic activities were yet to commence as a result of the ongoing strike . He said that the impasse could be resolved through transparent commitment , urging government to demonstrate honesty of purpose . Olaniran urged the government to clearly state a plan of sustainable funding pattern or fr...

Trump’s travel ban confusing – Airlines The aviation industry ’ s trade association on Monday criticised US President Donald Trump’ s travel bans for “ causing confusion ” and called on Washington to clarify the new rules. “ We ask for early clarity from the US administration on the current situation, ” the International Air Transport Association ( IATA) said in a statement . On Friday, Trump signed an executive order barring US entry for travellers from seven mainly Muslim countries — Iran , Iraq , Libya , Somalia , Sudan , Syria and Yemen — for 90 days . It also suspends the arrival of all refugees for at least 120 days , and Syrian refugees indefinitely . The order led to chaotic scenes at airports around the world , as well as mass protests in major American cities and a diplomatic outcry. Trump’ s order was “ issued without prior coordination or warning , causing confusion among both airlines and travelle...

Prison officer smuggles inmate’s sperm out of jail A 47 - year - old female prison official has been caught with what is suspected to be the sperm of one of the prisoners she was supervising . Alison Sharples was caught when a container of sperm belonging to a 32 -year - old convicted kidnapper, Marvin , was found in her handbag during a routine search . Marvin and his twin brother, Michael , were notorious for hijacking cars and kidnapping motorists , shooting their way around . Alison , a mother of three , said she wanted to use it in an IVF procedure . In vitro fertilisation, IVF , is a medical procedure whereby an egg is fertilised by sperm in a test tube or elsewhere outside the body . The fertilised egg is then implanted into the female recipient. A further search of her home revealed a love letter from the prisoner , hidden in her underwear drawer . Authorities hold that inappropriate relationships between staff and prisoners are very dangerous and can often lead to ...

Nigerians will not accept fuel price increase – NUPENG The Nigerian Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers has warned the Federal Government against any further increase in the price of petroleum products . The President of NUPENG, Mr . Achese Igwe , said that the increase in the pump price of fuel could not be the solution to the biting economic situation in the country. Igwe made the comment while speaking on Channels Television ’ s Sunrise daily programme monitored by our correspondent on Monday . He stressed that the claim that the Federal Government was owing the Depot and Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria was no reason to consider any increase in the pump price of petroleum products . When asked about the amount owed DAPMAN , he said “ That shouldn ’ t be a basis for talking about increases in the price òf petroleum products . If marketers are being owed by government , I believe they have a right to ask for their debt , I believe Gov...

Morocco readmitted into Africa Union The African Union agreed Monday to readmit Morocco 33 years after it quit the bloc, following a difficult debate over the status of Western Sahara , according to presidents attending the summit . “ Morocco is now a full member of the African Union . There was a very long debate but 39 of our 54 states approved the return of Morocco , even if the Western Sahara question remains , ” Senegalese President Macky Sall told journalists . “ As we have said , if the family grows bigger, we can find solutions as a family , ” he added. Liberia ’ s President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf confirmed that “ the majority of the member states have accepted Morocco ’ s application to rejoin the African Union. ” “ Africa wants to speak in one voice . We need all African countries to be a part of that voice . ” Delegates attending the debate described an emotional and tense discussion , with heavyweights like Alg...

Lover boy accidentally sends same text to 32 girls The text message seeking to chat up a willing female was intended to be sent to one girl at a time. However , lover boy only realised his error when the backlash began to pour in like floods of water ! At the end of the day , he failed to hook up with any of the girls. The young man who refused to be named texted 32 girls simultaneously. The idea was to spread his ‘ net’ as far as far possible , hoping that out of the 32 ladies he had tried to ‘ toast , ’ at least one would click The message, “You ’ re cute , where are you from ?” was supposed to initiate a conversation , which he thought he could improve on . He , however , ran out of luck when he sent the message to a group . He had clicked on all the names of his targets , expecting the text message to be delivered in ones . The text messages were delivered to individual phones , really , except that each recipient was informed that ...

ECOWAS troops recover weapons from Jammeh’s home The west African force deployed in The Gambia to secure the nation’ s presidential transition said Monday it had recovered weapons from the former leader ’ s home , and arrested a high - ranking Gambian general . Senegalese General Francois Ndiaye , who leads military forces sent by the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) , said the arms and ammunition were found at ex -president Yahya Jammeh ’ s private residence in his home village of Kanilai . Jammeh left the country after refusing for weeks to recognise his electoral defeat to Adama Barrow , who returned to The Gambia as president from Senegal this week. “ All the weapons and ammunitions are now under ECOWAS custody. So nothing will happen there, ” Ndiaye said . “ The situation is under control . ” He added that since the Kanilai residence is private, “ There shouldn ’ t be any military there. In the comin...

Wike, Amaechi clash over helicopters Transport Minister Rotimi Amaechi spoke yesterday on the two helicopters the Customs Service turned over to the Air Force at the weekend. He accused former President Goodluck Jonathan and Governor Nyesom Wike of blocking the government of Rivers State from taking possession of the controversial helicopters. But Wike, in a statement last night, said Amaechi resorted to the purchase of helicopters because he could not provide good governance. In a statement by his media office, Amaechi said when he took over as Governor of Rivers State, criminals masquerading as militants, kidnappers and other elements were on the prowl in Rivers State. Among measures to combat the menace was the purchase of the helicopters. Based on recommendation of security experts, he said his administration bought the two Bell 412 security surveillance helicopters in collaboration with the Federal Government through the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA). ...

Suleiman: compel El-Rufai to produce herdsmen he paid General Overseer of Omega Fire Ministries, Apostle Johnson Suleman has asked the Federal Government to compel Kaduna State Governor, Mallam Nasir El-Rufai to produce Fulani herdsmen to whom money was paid so as to disabuse the minds of Nigerians that Christians are not the target of President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration. The cleric in a statement by his Communications Adviser, Phrank shaibu in Abuja, said failure to compel El-Rufai to produce the herdsmen who purportedly collected money from the Kaduna State Government is an indication of the insincerity of the Buhari administration. “The governor of Kaduna State confessed that he paid money to some Fulani herdsmen as compensation to stop the killings in Southern Kaduna. That means he knows those who have committed atrocities against Christians. He must be made to produce them to answer to charges of murder and other crimes”, he declared. “El-Rufai c...

Miss France crowned 65th Miss Universe Miss France, Iris Mittenaere, 24, who said she hoped more countries would open up their borders for refugees, was crowned on Monday in the Philippines as the winner of the 65th Miss Universe pageant. Miss Haiti, Raquel Pelissier, 25, was named the first runner-up and Miss Colombia, Andrea Tovar, 23, was the second runner-up. Mittenaere, born in the northern French city of Lille, who is pursuing a degree in dental surgery, beat 85 other hopefuls in the finale in the Philippines in the 65th edition of the three-hour show that focused on diversity and empowering women to overcome the struggles of life. Courtesy: people.com Courtesy: people.com She became the second Frenchwoman to win the title in the pageant’s history and the first champion from Europe in more than a decade. “I was very surprised I won, I feel blessed,” said the 24-year-old, whose competition profile had described her goal as advocating for dental and oral hy...

Trump adamant as world leaders criticise travel ban Merkel, May condemn order 16 Attorneys-Gen: it’s unconstitutional World leaders kicked at the weekend against United States President Donald Trump’s controversial immigration order. There were outrage around the world and protests in many United States airports. It was chaotic at major airports across the world as airlines adjusted their crew members to avoid running foul of the order. United States Republican senators John McCain and Linsey Graham drove home the deep implications of the order on United States security in their condemnation of the order, which bans citizens of seven majority Muslim countries in Africa and Asia —Somalia, Sudan, Libya, Iran, Iraq, Yemen and Syria — from visiting the U.S.. It also puts a four-month hold on allowing refugees into the U.S. Sixteen Attorneys General in the U.S. have also declared the order as unconstitutional. In a joint statement, 16 attorneys general, from ...

Canada to offer temporary residency to stranded U.S travellers Canada will offer temporary residency to travellers stranded by U.S. President Donald Trump’s orders temporarily barring people from seven Muslim-majority countries, a senior official said on Monday. Immigration Minister Ahmed Hussen told a news conference he did not know how many people might be eligible but said only a handful of passengers headed to the United States from Canada had been denied boarding. Trump on Friday gave an executive order barring citizens from Iraq, Syria, Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan and Yemen from entering the U.S. for the next 90 days “Let me assure those who may be stranded in Canada that I will use my authority as minister to provide them with temporary residency if they need it,” Hussen said. Liberal Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s government has refrained from criticising the United States, which takes 75 percent of Canadian exports, preferring instead to stress Can...

Mourinho: People go to CSL for money not football Jose Mourinho has revealed he turned down a “big offer” to coach in the Chinese Super League, citing the competition’s financial influence as a cause for concern. The Portuguese opted to stay in the Premier League after his dismissal from Chelsea, taking over at Manchester United, who are fighting for cup silverware on three fronts. But he does have fears over the growing influence of the CSL, with the likes of Carlos Tevez and one of his former charges Oscar having made the switch. Mourinho suggested financial reward was the determining factor for players making such moves, with footballing ambitions taking a backseat. He told GQ: “If you are negotiating a new contract with one of your players and you offer him £5million per year and they offer £25million, then you have a big problem. Maybe the player takes £5million because he prefers football. Or £25million because he prefers money. ...

Why I kidnapped my boss son – Suspect I served my boss for five years at Mandalas. After serving him, he took me to my village in Imo State and refused to settle me. So, I returned to Lagos and kidnapped his son, so that he would settle me. Those were the words of 23-year-old Celestine Chimaobi arrested by the police in Lagos for allegedly kidnapping an eight-year-old boy, Emeka Chukwuyere, at Alafia in Orile Iganmu. Chimaobi, who said he picked the boy from his boss house, said he kept him for four days at a hotel where he worked as a cleaner. The suspect who was paraded alongside his friend, Emmanuel Blessing, 20, exonerated the latter from the crime, insisting he knew nothing about it. He said: “I told Emmanuel that the boy was my brother and that he would be staying with me for some days. He didn’t know I kidnapped the boy. He saw the boy when he came to the hotel and asked me who he was. Then, I told him he’s my brother and that he came to spend sometim...

Customs intercept 661 imported pump-action rifles The Federal Operations Unit (FOU) of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) intercepted 661 pieces of pump-action rifles from China, concealed with steel doors and other merchandise goods, which came in through Lagos port. The Comptroller-General of Customs, Retired Col. Hameed Alli, made the disclosure while briefing newsmen on Monday in Lagos. Alli said that the Federal Operations Unit, while on patrol, intercepted a Mark truck with registration number BUG 265 XG conveying a 40ft container with the number; PONU/825914/3 along Mile 2 Apapa Road, Lagos. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the consignment was cleared from Lagos port. The comptroller-general said the truck was immediately taken to F.O.U. premises for physical examination and 49 boxes containing 661 pieces of pump action rifles concealed with steel doors were revealed. Alli said the rifles were under absolute prohibition, adding that its importation was illegal....

Osinbajo recommends trial, punishment for Justice delay Vice President, Professor Yemi Osinbajo on Monday identified delay in the administration of justice as a major challenge that must be jointly tackled by all relevant stakeholders in the justice sector, just as he urged judges, lawyers and others to change their attitudes and stand up for what is right. Speaking at the opening ceremony of a two-day Stakeholder’s Summit organized by the Lagos State Ministry of Justice at the Convention Centre of Eko Hotels and Suites in Lagos, Osinbajo, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), said stakeholders in the administration of justice must now begin to take the issue of delay more seriously and shun all forms of delay tactics. Osinbajo, who was the keynote speaker at the summit with the theme: “Contemporary Trends: Catalysts For Justice Sector Reform in Lagos State,” called on the judiciary, as a way out of the problem, to embrace day-to-day system for trials and heavy punish...

Cyber Crime: Group urges NASS to enact data protection law Cyber Security Experts Association of Nigeria (CSEAN) has urged the National Assembly to enact a law to control government or organisations from arbitrary access to personal information of the people. President of CSEAN, Remi Afon disclosed that the law became imperative to protect citizens data from cyber criminals. He added that the country lacks professional ethics on information management of the people, as they are frequently accessed by different government agencies and private organisations such as Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), National Identity Management Commission (NIMC), commercial banks, and Telecommunications industries collecting massive personal data. In a statement on Sunday in Abuja, as part of activities to celebrate World’s Data Privacy Day, Afon said the law if implemented would among others guarantee protection of personal information and ensure such information are not kept lo...

Lawmaker wants Fayose to restore peace in PDP before March A member of Lagos House of Assembly, Mr Victor Akande, on Monday, urged the Chairman, PDP Governors’ Forum, Mr Ayodele Fayose, to broker peace in the party before the end of March. Akande, a PDP member, representing Ojo I Constituency in the house of assembly, told newsmen that Fayose should employ all measures to bring every stakeholder in the party on board. According to him, Fayose’s new position should be devoted to putting an end to all grievances in the party. He suggested that the new chairman of the forum should appeal to all aggrieved stalwarts, if need be, to reunite the party. “There is a very big task for him to accomplish and that task is to bring back PDP together on a common front. “Things have fallen apart and the centre cannot hold, but our centre must hold. “Fayose has a task of ensuring a lasting solution to all the political bickering in the party. He has now assumed a pos...

Nigerian families are free to enter S/Africa with children – SAT boss The head of South African Tourism (SAT), the department charged with marketing and promoting South Africa  as a destination, Mr.  Sisa Ntshona said the country has relaxed the stringent conditions given to Nigerian families wishing to the enter the country. He said the law was aimed nipping child trafficking but ended up affecting genuine Nigerian travelers wishing to visit the country with their children. He said genuine efforts are being made by the country to make sure Nigerian families do not experience difficulties entering the country with their children. His words: “The policy was aimed at curbing child trafficking. We have what is called unintended consequences. It has made it difficult for genuine people to come. This is where the balance is becoming clear.    If you close the door and let zero children come, you are killing an economy, and if you don’t do that, ...

Prosecution alleges threat to witnesses in Justice Ademola’s trial The planned continuation of trial in the case involving Justice Adeniyi Ademola of the Federal High Court and two others was stalled Monday owing to the inability of the prosecution to present its next witness. Prosecution lawyer, Segun Jegede sought an adjournment Monday when he was asked by Justice Jude Okeke of the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Maitama, Abuja to call his next witness. Jegede said his next witness, Dr. Shaibu Teidi was absent in court because he narrowing escaped being assassinated by some armed individuals, who invaded his home in the early hours of Monday. Jegede said Teidi, a former Director, Pension Accounts Office of the Head of Civil Service of the Federation, has been taken into hiding by security agents. Teidi, who is being tried by the state over his alleged involvement in pension fund scam, is to testify, along with his wife, Fatimah in support of the prosecut...

U.S. deploys ‘Iron Soldiers’ to Europe, warns Russia The U.S. says its Army’s 3rd Armoured Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, is ready for any mission to protect the territorial integrity of its allies in Europe, warning Russia over its invasion in Ukraine. U.S. European Command’s Deputy Commander, Air Force Lt. Gen. Timothy Ray, gave the warnings on Monday at the unit’s consolidation and validation event at U.S. European Command, according to a statement obtained by the Correspondent of the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) from the U.S. Department of Defence. He said: “these ‘Iron Soldiers’ send a clear signal of our commitment as they round out our joint team’s capability in a very significant way. “The events in 2014, and the trans-Atlantic declarations from the Wales and Warsaw Summits, demonstrate the indivisibility and unity of the alliance in light of Russia’s invasion in Ukraine. “These events forg...