‘I know nothing about Tuface’s protest’ -Senator Akpabio

The attention of the Senate Minority Leader, Senator Godswill Akpabio has been drawn to a story circulating in the internet, alleging that the former Governor of Akwa Ibom State is the sponsor of the proposed nationwide protest to be led by 2 Face Idibia, to demand answers from the government over different issues in the country.
It is laughable that the only link between the music star, 2 Face and Senator Akpabio which the authors of the mischievous story belabour to establish is that “in 2013, 2Face and his wife, Annie Macaulay were gifted (sic) two brand new Prado SUVs by this former governor as their wedding gift which they amiably (sic) accepted.”
For the avoidance of doubt, we wish to state categorically that Senator Akpabio knows nothing about the planned protest neither is he the sponsor. In fact, Senator Akpabio has had no contact whatsoever with 2Face for many years.
According to the information being circulated the organizers of the planned protest have stated clearly that their protest is: “a call for nationwide protests as we say no to the Executive, no to legislatures, no to judiciary.” Is it not idiotic and senseless for anyone to imagine that Senator Akpabio will sponsor a protest against the same arm of government that he is serving as a leader!
As the Minority Leader, Senator Akpabio has consistently maintained that Nigerians should put aside their differences and support every effort that will pull the country out of the present recession. Much as he believes in the right of every Nigerian to express himself, he does not think that mass protest is the solution.
The mischievous attempt to drag the name of Senator Akpabio into the planned protest should be discountenanced as the handiwork of political jobbers.

I Bought This Human Head For Money Rutal:Says Saheed Adeyemi suspected ritualist.

Two suspected ritualist were arrested with fresh human by the Omi-Adio police division.

The suspects Saheed Adeyemi aged 33, and Micheal Edemba aged 60 were arrest following a tip off by member of the public.Saheed Adeyemi,who was the first suspect wailked into ambush laid by the police while triying to remove the exhibit wrapped in polythene bag and hidden beside a shop at Abidogun Junction,Omi-Adio.his arrest led to the arrest of the second suspect whom was preparing to escape from town when he knew that bubble has burst,during interrogation both has confessed to the crime.
The first suspect claimed to be an herbalist residing at Awosonso village,Apata.while speaking with set of journalist during suspected criminals paraded by the Oyo state police command at the state police headquater Eleyele Ibadan the suspected ritualist said"I help my customer to get this human head from yet to be identfy woman who is now at large,for #15,000,the said woman who specialize in selling different part of herbal materials for the traditional medicine for use,she also sells human part as well,I purposely bought this human head for money rituals for my customer Mr.Micheal Edemba who came to me and asked me to do money rituals for him,though this is my first time of doing it".
The second suspect who is a resident of Awidere area,Igisogba,Omi Adio,Ibadan,also confessed to the crime and said"I am the one who gave saheed money to help me get the human head as he told me we are going to need it for the money rituals I wanted to do because I am currently facing hard times and as a result of this financial difficulty I consult this herbalist Saheed and he said I should not worry that he will help me to prepared a money rituals and in the process he said he will need a human head and I have to arrange the money for him to help me get the head,though he said he bought the head."
The exhibit when recovered was oozing with stench,it indicating that the human head was still a fresh one.
While speaking with the journalist the Oyo state Cp Sam Dam Adegbuyi said"the suspects were part of the suspected criminals paraded along with one hundred and sixty-seven suspects whom were arrested for various heinous crime",the state CP also said that "these suspected criminals with human head will be arraigned in courts after diligent investigation".

-Kazeem Awojoodu:IBADAN

World Cancer Day: Bracket Embarks on ‘B2 For Life’ Campaign

Smash, Vast, Abigail and Dr Adekeye.

As the world marks the World Cancer Day yesterday, Bracket Foundation and Bricon Foundation have collaborated to launch ‘B2 for Life’, an initiative aimed at giving succour to cancer patients in Nigeria. Bracket Foundation is co-founded by the popular singing duo of Vast (Ozioko Nwachukwu) and Smash (Obumneme Ali), while Bricon Foundation on the other hand is co-founded by Abigail Simon-Hart and Dr Niyi Adekeye.
Both Abigail and Vast are cancer survivors and the foundations were set up in 2016 with a view of providing much needed funding for cancer patients in Nigeria. Having both had their treatment in the UK, on coming back to Nigeria, they realised that instead of encouraging treatment outside the country, there is a need to build the necessary support structure within the country and to ensure that this care can be accessed by people who cannot afford to travel outside for treatment.
The ‘B2 for Life’ campaign flagged-off with a press conference hosted by the Wheatbaker, Ikoyi a few days ago to mark the release of an awareness video which highlights the plight of cancer patients in Nigeria and the need for everyone to contribute their widows’ mite to helping those struggling with the disease.
Nigeria continues to have the highest cancer death rate in Africa, with survival as low as 20 percent for most cancers and as low as 3 percent for blood cancer. “We need to change these statistics. We also need to address the issue of stigmatisation of cancer patients. There is no shame in having cancer and until more cancer patients come out to talk, many will continue to suffer in silence,” Vast said.
Abigail noted that “although awareness about the disease is increasing, resulting in more people coming forward for treatment, until we as a nation address the lack of personnel, equipment, treatment centres and improve affordability of care, people will continue to die prematurely from the disease.”
She added that all funds raised from the campaign will be used to fund patients’ treatment.
As today, 4 February marks the World Cancer Day, Bracket Foundation and Bricon Foundation have collaborated to launch ‘B2 for Life’, an initiative aimed at giving succour to cancer patients in Nigeria. Bracket Foundation is co-founded by the popular singing duo of Vast (Ozioko Nwachukwu) and Smash (Obumneme Ali), while Bricon Foundation on the other hand is co-founded by Abigail Simon-Hart and Dr Niyi Adekeye.
Both Abigail and Vast are cancer survivors and the foundations were set up in 2016 with a view of providing much needed funding for cancer patients in Nigeria. Having both had their treatment in the UK, on coming back to Nigeria, they realised that instead of encouraging treatment outside the country, there is a need to build the necessary support structure within the country and to ensure that this care can be accessed by people who cannot afford to travel outside for treatment.
The ‘B2 for Life’ campaign flagged-off with a press conference hosted by the Wheatbaker, Ikoyi a few days ago to mark the release of an awareness video which highlights the plight of cancer patients in Nigeria and the need for everyone to contribute their widows’ mite to helping those struggling with the disease.
Nigeria continues to have the highest cancer death rate in Africa, with survival as low as 20 percent for most cancers and as low as 3 percent for blood cancer. “We need to change these statistics. We also need to address the issue of stigmatisation of cancer patients. There is no shame in having cancer and until more cancer patients come out to talk, many will continue to suffer in silence,” Vast said.
Abigail noted that “although awareness about the disease is increasing, resulting in more people coming forward for treatment, until we as a nation address the lack of personnel, equipment, treatment centres and improve affordability of care, people will continue to die prematurely from the disease.”
She added that all funds raised from the campaign will be used to fund patients’ treatment.

OONI OF IFE, GHANA'S PRESIDENT, OTHERS JOIN QUEEN ELIZABETH II FOR COMMONWEALTH CELEBRATIONS IN LONDON

The Ooni of Ife His Imperial Majesty Ooni Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi Ojaja II, President of Ghana, His Excellency,Nana Akufo Addo and Former Prime Minister of Barbados Arthur Owen are expected to join Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, other members of the Royal Family, Commonwealth Secretary General and other leaders of the Commonwealth as Special Guest Speakers during the this year's Commonwealth Day Service and Commonwealth Africa Summit 2017 where "Leveraging our Commonwealth Heritage for economic development and collective growth" will be at the top of conversations during summit slated to hold from the 13th – 15th March 2017.
In line with the yearly history of the rich tradition of Commonwealth celebration which is geared towards the promotion of mutually respectful cultural values of all member states, Ooni Ogunwusi will be involved in a number of events to include the Commonwealth Day Service and the Commonwealth Africa Summit slated to hold from 13th to 15th March 2017 where the African foremost monarch is expected as a keynote speaker and a Special Guest of Honour to lay wreath at the Memorial Gate in remembrance of Africans who died in the 2nd world wars.
As the Arole Oduduwa and Spiritual Leader of all Yoruba people at home and in Diaspora, His Imperial Majesty who will during his 2week visit to the UK meet with the multitude of Yoruba subjects residing in the country will be hosted by members of the British Parliament business leaders to discuss mutually benefits in cultural, economic and educational collaboration and partnerships.
He will also visit the Old Royal Palace of Queen Elizabeth I at the Hatfield House where he will decorated as the promoter of African Culture in modern Europe with a performance of MOREMI stage drama by the Elite Royal College of Mundon.
Ooni Adeyeye Ogunwusi Ojaja II will dedicate part of his schedules to meet with Nigeria High Commission heads, Nigerians-British Mayors(past and present), Local Councillors, business professionals, the youths who are global players in their fields of endeavours.
He will also be sitting as the Royal Distinguished Guest of Honour during the 2017 annual CANUK awards and dinner event aimed at recognising high achieving Nigerians in the United Kingdom.
The Commonwealth Africa Summit 2017 activities will begin with a wreath laying service in honour of those who were lost to the 2 world wars and will be followed by a Service at the Westminster Abbey in the Presence of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II and other Royals.
Her Majesty will host the Ooni, other Commonwealth leaders and eminent individuals in attendance at a dinner reception at Marlborough House as part of the activities to celebrate the Commonwealth Week.
The Summit business activities will begin on Tuesday 14th March with an Opening Plenary and close with a Dinner on Wednesday 15th March in Westminster.
The 2017 Commonwealth Africa Summit will be attended by government leaders from across Africa and the Commonwealth in addition to business leaders from all member states. At the 2017 Commonwealth African Summit, prominent leaders will deliberate on the theme ‘from Shared Prosperity to Collective Growth’ - one that promote prosperity and secures Africa’s future. Issues such as energy and power, Africapitalism, trade and investment, sustainable livelihood, child rights, counter insurgency and terrorism will be discussed and lasting solutions proposed.
Other activities lined up to mark the Ooni's 2week from 11th to 25th March 2017 are as follows:
*Special press interview with The Times, Economist and The Guardian
*Meeting with the Mayor of London
*Business Leaders Luncheon with Chambers of commerce leaders
*Meeting with Nigerian Mayors and Councillors(past and present)
*Meeting with Nigerian professionals at the Nigeria High Commission
*Visit to the British Museum to engage in the tour of "The Kingdom of Ife Archive" and other Artefacts
*Church service with the Head of Church of England - Archbishop of Canterbury
*Lecture at Oxford University with Oxford African Society
* Meeting with the Traditional priests in Diaspora
*Cultural celebration and Gala receptions with Egbe Omo Oduduwa, Yoruba, Yoruba Federation Egbe Omo Ile-Ife, and other dynamic cultural groups