BREAKING NEWS: Buhari, Wole Soyinka meet on national, international issues...Read It All On Tafia World

Prof. Wole Soyinka

Olalekan Adetayo, Abuja

Nobel Laureate, Prof. Wole Soyinka, on Thursday met behind closed doors with President Muhammadu Buhari.

The meeting which lasted about an hour was held inside the President’s office at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

Soyinka was accompanied by a public relations expert, Dr. Yomi Ogunbiyi.

The agenda of the meeting described as a private one was not made public and the Presidency did not issue any statement on it.

As he emerged from the President’s office after the meeting, the Nobel Laureate was visibly surprised to see State House correspondents who were already laying ambush for him in front of the Press Gallery.

“I didn’t come to see you people,” he said as he attempted to break through a barricade set up by the journalists.

When it became clear to him that the reporters would not relent, Soyinka said, “I came to discuss national and international matters, general matters, that’s all!”

When further probed about the details of the discussion, he said he would not divulge such.

Clearly not comfortable with press interview, Soyinka declared, “I will be holding a press conference in about a week. You can ask me any question then, but now, please I will just like to get away.”

With that the journalists made way for him to leave the premises.

FG, Italy finalise mutual legal assistance against human trafficking...Read It All On Tafia World

Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Mr. Abubakar Malami

Ade Adesomoju, Abuja

The Federal Government and the Italian government have finalised talks on the Memorandum of Understanding to strengthen cooperation between their judicial systems.

This was contained in a statement by the Special Adviser on Media and Publicity to the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Mr. Abubakar Malami, Salihu Isah.

Isah said the agreement between Nigeria and Italy in the areas of mutual legal assistance, transfer of prisoners and extradition agreements had already been negotiated and were ready for execution.

He said the AGF met with an Italian delegation led by the foreign nation’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Paolo Gentlioni Silveri, last week.

According to Isah, the MoU between the two nations was finalised at the meeting.

Malami was said to have stated, during the meeting, that “the underlying factors attendant to human trafficking, criminality and migration are issues of terrorism and corruption.”

Isah said the occasion was for “the finalisation of the Memorandum of Understanding to strengthen the cooperation between the judicial systems between the two nations”.

The statement read partly, “Malami, who emphasised the need for effective cooperation in order to reduce incidents of human trafficking and other associated crimes, explained that unemployment in Nigeria had been a major cause of incessant migration of Nigerians to Italy.

“He informed the Italian delegation that agreements between Nigeria and Italy had already been negotiated and was ready for execution in the following areas: Mutual Legal Assistance, Transfer of Prisoners and Extradition Agreements.

“He therefore urged them to identify the timeline and venue for the execution of the agreements.

“The minister expressed appreciation to the Italian government for its support to its Nigerian counterpart, in particular, as well as the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons requesting further assistance to strengthen NAPTIP skills and capacity.”

The Italian Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Silveri, was said to have, in response, concurred that there was a connection between criminality, human trafficking and migration.

He advised the Attorney-General of the Federation to leverage on the opportunity of the agreement between the two nations on the three issues raised at the meeting.

He also said his team was in the ministry to seek for collaboration with the Nigerian government in areas such as strengthening the political and economic relationships between Nigeria and Italy and the need to manage migration especially, migration from Nigeria to Libya.

Police arrest pastor behind serial car theft...Read It All On Tafia World

Onyenweaku Chibunnam

Ogbonnaya Ikokwu, Umuahia

Operatives of the Abia State Police Command have arrested a pastor, Onyenweaku Chibunnam, for allegedly stealing a Toyota Camry in Ebem Ohafia community, of the Ohafia Local Government Area of the state.

Chibunnam was arrested with an accomplice, Prince Nnabugwu, who confessed that they belonged to a car-snatching syndicate.

Parading the suspects at the Police Officers Mess in Umuahia, the state capital, the Commissioner of Police in Abia State, Leye Oyebade, said the suspects were arrested after stealing the Toyota Camry from where its owner packed it last Saturday.

Oyebade added that the suspects, who were arrested on Sunday based on a tip-off, confessed to have stolen six Toyota Camry cars from Aba and sold some of them to one Maxwell in Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital.

Chibunnam, who is the founder of a new generation church identified as the Assembly of the Redeemed at Ohafia, said they did not snatch the car, but stole it from where it was parked.

The suspects

He explained that it was their sixth in the last few months, adding that he usually sold the cars at 60,000 to one Maxwell who resided in Port Harcourt.

He said, “Maxwell contacted me sometime last year to buy my car that I put up for sale, but he didn’t give me a good price for it, so, I couldn’t sell it to him. But when I stole an old model Toyota Camry last year, I called him to come and take the car I stole.

“We started having a misunderstanding when he requested the car’s original papers and I couldn’t provide them. I later told him that I stole the car. Maxwell became more interested in the business and gave me a master key with which I could steal Toyota Camry cars.”

Chibunnam, who said he used the money from the crime to fund his 30-member church, however, blamed the devil for his stealing lifestyle.

He promised not to return to crime if he was set free by the police.

Our correspondent learnt that the owner of the stolen black Camry Saloon had recovered it.

Meanwhile, the Abia State CP has warned criminals in the state to relocate, saying the command would not relent in its war against criminality in the state.

The CP also advised members of the public to purchase their vehicles from only genuine car dealers.

I can do anything for my job –Uche Ogbodo...Read It All On Tafia World

Uche Ogbodo

’Nonye Ben-Nwankwo, and Ademola Olonilua

Popular actress, Uche Ogbodo, got more than what she bargained for earlier in the week when she posted a picture on her Instagram page showing a new hairdo and a unique make-up style.

Shortly after the picture was posted, fans feasted on her like lions do their prey with many calling her a masquerade and other unprintable names.

But Ogbodo seems unperturbed as she told Saturday Beats that she could do anything for her acting career.

 

Speaking on the backlash she got from fans, the actress said that she is unmoved by their utterances and she is tired of insulting people on her social media. She explained to Saturday Beats that as an actress, she has to constantly change her looks.

“I am aware of all the negative comments people posted on my wall after I uploaded a picture some days back. That picture and the make-up were done for a designer that contacted me for a celebrity runway gig. The make-up artist felt that was the look that would work for them. I am an artiste and that work puts food on my table. In my past interviews, I have always said that I can do anything for my job. I don’t care what people think or say about me. It does not affect me in anyway and it is not going to make me cry neither would it make me feel bad about myself because I am a very confident woman.

“I began losing weight because after I had my baby, some people said that I was too fat while others felt I was not looking okay so I had to go to the gym to work on my body. I am a very busy girl and I work round the clock. If I am working on my body, it is because of the love I have for myself and my job so anybody who does not like it should know that I don’t care. If you don’t like the make-up applied on my face, then that is your business.

“Last week, I was filming in Abuja and I played the part of a tomboy so I needed to cut my hair to look the part. I have a full hair and I always cut my hair. It is my job and I will do anything I have for it. When the director told me to cut my hair to fit the role better, I did not think twice about it and that was why I did the Mohawk style. Right now, I am producing my movie and I am going to play the part of a blind girl. I will do anything to get into character. I don’t care what people say about my looks. I get bored with one particular look and if you know me well, I change my looks from time to time and if you do not like it that is your business. I don’t care about what anybody says; I wore the dress that the designer made and the make-up artist worked on my face to sell the product. When I got on the runway, people liked it and they took pictures. That was why I decided to upload it on my Instagram page so that my followers would have a feel of what I did over the weekend.

“Instead of applause, I got comments that I look like a masquerade or I am very dark. I am tired of insulting people on my page. I have a very sharp tongue and if I start to talk, people would say I am rude and I would later have to apologise for it. What I have learnt about being a celebrity is that you can never satisfy everyone. My career demands that I look different at all times. I am going to post a picture of me as a blind girl and I don’t care what people say,” Ogbodo said

My wife trafficks humans, man tells court...Read It All On Tafia World

A middle-aged man, Simon Akor, has told a Nyanya Customary Court, Abuja, that his wife, Patricia, demands money before allowing him to make love to her.

The man also alleged that his Patricia was involved in human trafficking.

Simon said this when he testified in a divorce petition against his wife on Tuesday.

“My wife always says I must give her money before I enter inside her buttocks, sometimes when I have money, I give her.

“Whenever am angry about it and talk to her about it, she will say that all her friends collect money from their husbands before their husbands can get into them.”

According to him, Patricia rubs juju on her private part before making love to me.

The petitioner said when he confronted her, Patricia said it was the native doctor that gave it to her.

“That the native doctor instructed her to always rub it before making love to me, so that even if I drive her out of my house, I will not be able to perform with another woman.

“Whenever my wife rubs that oily substance in her private part and I make love to her, my penis will become very weak. I will not be able to do anything again,” he said.

He said that his wife invited the native doctor to live with them without his permission.

Simon said Patricia told him that the native doctor saw “darkness in our home’’ and had come to dispel it.

The petitioner also told the court that his wife was into human trafficking, adding that she used to bring girls to people in Abuja.

He told the court that his wife chased him out of the house, adding that he was no longer interested in the marriage.

Patricia, a businesswoman, denied the allegations, adding that they pull resources to buy the house.

The presiding officer, Everyman Eleanya, advised the couple to reconcile.

“You can’t force the court to divorce you, this is a court of justice, we are going to give you room for reconciliation.

“This is not because of you or your wife but because of your children.

“You should consider your children before you take certain decision in life,” Eleanya said.

He urged the petitioner’s sister, Mary Akor, who was also present in court to try and reconcile his brother and his wife.

He further advised her to “explore every possible means, including her church to bring peace and love between them’’

He adjourned the case till Sept. 5, for the report of settlement.

Three Nigerians create records at Rio Olympics...Read It All On Tafia World

 

 

Chierika Ukogu

At least three Nigerian athletes in the ongoing Rio de Janeiro Olympic Games created records of sorts that will be cherished in a longtime to come.
The trio with records are two table tennis stars, Segun Toriola and Aruna Quadri as well as Rower, Chierika Ukogu .
The 41 year-old Toriola had his 7th appearance in the current Games, equaling the table tennis record. This has made him the most capped African Olympian.
Nigeria’s Aruna Quadri set another continental record after the 2014 ITTF star became the first African to reach the quarterfinals of men’s singles event at Rio 2016 Olympic Games.

Ukogu on the other hand, qualified for top classification in the rowing event in Rio.
She is Nigeria’s first ever rower in the Olympics to have got that far, placing fifth in the third quarter final of the Women’s single sculls after clocking a time of 7:54.44 secs.
She will now participate in the semi finals C/D 1 event on Wednesday. This is the 23-year-old’s first ever appearance in the Olympics.

Jonathan using Avengers to destabilise Buhari govt — MEND1...Read It All On Tafia World

Former President Goodluck Jonathan

Ramon Oladimeji

The Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta says it has been vindicated by the Reformed Niger Delta Avengers’ allegation that former President Goodluck Jonathan is a grand patron of new militant group, the Niger Delta Avengers.

MEND claimed in a statement on Tuesday that Jonathan was sponsoring the NDA to destabilise the government of his successor, President Muhammadu Buhari.

The statement signed by one Jomo Gbomo was MEND’s response to Jonathan’s denial of the allegation by the RNDA, linking the ex-President with the new militant group.

The full text of the statement was made available to online news platform, SaharaReporters by MEND.

MEND said it was highly infuriated by Jonathan’s rebuttal of the RNDA earlier claim, particularly his declaration that Henry Okah was after his life rather than clear the air on the allegation.

The statement said, “MEND cannot hold brief for the RNDA, which pointedly accused Mr. Jonathan of complicity in fueling the ongoing Niger Delta crisis and patronising the NDA, apparently for political reasons.

“We are, however, quick to point out the fact that the RNDA has merely vindicated MEND’s belief and conviction that the former President and his cronies, who lost the 2015 presidential election, were using the illegal and treasonable NDA platform to destabilise President Buhari’s government.”3

The group accused Jonathan of wasting the opportunity of the South-South to rule the country, accusing him of failing to develop the region when he was in the saddle as President.

The statement added, “Indeed, the problem in the Niger Delta today has nothing to do with the current administration of President Muhammadu Buhari. Far from it! The problem is simply the failure of Mr. Jonathan to address the root issues confronting the region when he was at the helms of affairs.

”Even though he was from the impoverished region and had, by his own admission in numerous electioneering campaigns, experienced the utter poverty and abject neglect of the region foisted by successive Nigerian governments and the international oil companies since the discovery of oil in 1958 at Oloibiri (a few metres away from his native Otuoke) in Bayelsa State, Mr. Jonathan disappointingly frittered away the opportunity to rescue his people when the Nigerian Presidency fortuitously landed on his laps, virtually on a platter of gold.

“For six whole years, Mr. Jonathan was busy drinking, making merry and generally chasing shadows at the State House.2 Such a fellow deserves to be ostracised from the assembly of reasonable men; because the Nigerian Presidency might never come back to the Niger Delta region as cheap as it came to Mr. Jonathan; perhaps, in the next 100 years.

“Lest we forget, MEND was at the forefront of the armed struggle back in 2006/2007 which forced the then Government of President Olusegun Obasanjo to consider the option of drafting an Ijaw into the mainstream of Nigerian politics. That was how the perpetually timid and naïve Dr. Goodluck Ebele Jonathan became Vice-President and later, President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. When he assumed the reins as President, he did the unthinkable; he tracked down perceived MEND leaders and promptly got them imprisoned on a trumped-up charge of attempt to assassinate him.

“Up until today, Mr. Jonathan is still suffering from an assassination paranoia complex.1

The group added that a substantial portion of Jonathan’s statement, “unfortunately, dwelt on judicial matters which are pending in various courts in Nigeria and South Africa.”

Housewives bathe each other with hot water over lover...Read It All On Tafia World

 

 

Samson Folarin

Two housewives, identified only as Muyibat and Biliki, have suffered severe burns after a fight over a man.

PUNCH Metro learnt that the two women emptied a kettle of hot water on each other during the brawl which occurred at their residence in the Yaba area of Lagos State.

Biliki, who was living with her husband in the Surulere area of the state, relocated to her parents’ house in Abule Oja, Yaba, in 2015, after separating from the husband.

Muyibat lives with her husband and three children in the house.

Our correspondent was told that 32-year-old Biliki accused Muyibat, 29, of marrying her former boyfriend, which caused bad blood between them.

Matters, however, came to a head after a disagreement on Saturday when the duo poured hot water on each other.

They were both admitted to a general hospital in the state.1

Our correspondent gathered that the case was reported at the Sabo Police Division and one of the parties petitioned the Lagos State Office of the Public Defender, which mediated in the matter.

Muyibat told PUNCH Metro that their problem started after Biliki accused her of marrying her (Biliki’s) boyfriend.

She said, “Biliki told neighbours that she once dated my husband and that she aborted for him during their relationship.

“She calls me Iyawo Sara1 (free wife).  I have never known peace in that house. She fights me over every minor issue.

“On Saturday, I went to the market with my husband and when we got home, my child started crying.

“Biliki’s younger brother, Ahmed, came out and shouted at him and I cautioned him.

“His sister then picked up a quarrel with me and started raining curses on me. I did not talk because I was observing a fast. While she was abusing me, I sneezed and said, ‘Ausubillahi minashaitani rojeem’ (God, deliver me from the devil).”

Muyibat said Biliki, who is also a Muslim, thought she was referring to her and queried her for calling her a devil.

She alleged that Biliki attacked her in the process.

“I removed the water I was boiling for my vegetables and put it on the table. She (Biliki) held my head from behind and poured the hot water on me.

“Her younger brother slammed a plastic paint on my head, while she drew my hair. Both of them assaulted me,” Muyibat added.

The Kwara State indigene said she was rushed to a private hospital where she was rejected, adding that she later went to the Sabo Police Station to report the case.

Muyibat, who claimed to have passed out on the way to the general hospital, said Biliki had earlier in May threatened to pour acid on her.

However, Biliki, who suffered burns on her breasts, chest and hand, denied the allegations, saying her neighbour was the first to attack her.

She denied ever dating Muyibat’s husband, saying Muyibat was fond of making trouble with her and efforts to reconcile them had always been rebuffed by her.

She said, “I went back to my parents’ house when I had issues with my husband. Because of that, many of the tenants started ridiculing me.

“I was ill that Saturday and was sleeping beside my baby. Her child had come to play with my baby when she called him back. When the child didn’t heed her call, she hit him and the child started crying.

“Another child passing through the passageway was also crying that partcular time. My younger brother asked the other boy to stop crying and Muyibat abused my brother.

“My brother reported her to me and I told him not to reply her. She then started insulting me. We fought and our neighbours came to separate us.

“I was backing her when somebody suddenly shouted, ‘hot water!’ As I turned back with my hands raised, she emptied a kettle of hot water on me. Because my hand was raised when she attacked me, a little of the water splashed on her.”

Biliki said Muyibat also bit her brother while the latter came to separate them, adding that her two phones were smashed by Muyibat.

The Director of the Lagos State Office of the Public Defender, Mrs. Olubukola Salami, described the incident as horrific.

She said, “This horrific incident was totally avoidable as either of the parties could have just walked away and lodge a formal complaint at the nearest police station. But they decided to take the law into their hands and the result was unfortunate.

“Domestic violence has repercussions and it’s totally unacceptable anywhere. The Lagos State Government will deal harshly with those who disturb public peace.”

The Lagos State Police Public Relations Officer, SP Dolapo Badmos, confirmed the incident.

She added that the victims were both given medical papers for treatment, but they had yet to report back to the station.