SHEKAU ESCAPES TO NORTH AFRICA

As the military deploys its special force units to track the fleeing lead¬er of the Boko Haram sect, Abuba¬kar Shekau, there are strong indi¬cations that the terror kingpin may have fled Nigeria through the help of Islamic State (ISIS) groups operating in East and North Africa.
Saturday Sun gathered that with the recent loss of his group’s caliphate headquarters, Gwoza to the Nigerian troops and the invasion of Sambisa forest by a detachment of the na¬tion’s special force units deployed from their base in Makurdi, Benue State, the Boko Haram leader saw his capture as imminent.
According to dependable military intelli¬gence sources, Shekau had to send emissaries to ISIS affiliates with strongholds in East and North Africa to pave the way for his escape to their region from where he intends to coordi¬nate his group’s activities or ultimately relocate to ISIS headquarters in the Middle East.
One of the sources revealed that “having discovered that he was being tracked through his Thuraya satellite phone, Shekau recently dropped the line and handset totally to evade capture. But the last satellite image of him and other intelligence pieced together by forces on the battle frontline show his desperation to es¬cape from the country to parts of East Africa or North Africa where ISIS is having some foot¬holds.”

What does Peter Obi really want? By Obiora Aghadinuno

The political tug of war going on between former governor Peter Obi and his successor, Chief Willie Obiano, the governor of Anambra State has continued to astound many observers. Coming against the backdrop of the former governor’s assurances of non-interference when he handed over power in March last year, the raging face-off between the two brothers remains a curiosity to people who had hoped that finally, Anambra had shrugged off the usual ego clashes between her leading citizens. That this needless ego clash has continued to fester against wise counsels and endless interventions by their mutual friends speaks to the deeper psychological inadequacies that characterize the lives of public servants in Nigeria.

In this case though, Mr. Obi seems to be the guilty party. After wrestling power from the strong men whose sole purpose of seeking political power was for personal enrichment and setting a record as the first governor to successfully hand over power to his anointed candidate, expectations were understandably high on Peter Obi. Many people had hoped that Obi would ascend to a higher grace; that he knew too well the cost of war to offer his successor peace. Many people had wished that Obi’s unassuming nature and loud simplicity would dictate his attitude to life after service. Alas, they were all wrong. It soon became clear that Obi was only willing to relinquish the office but not the power. The former governor has continued to act as though he is the alternate governor of Anambra State; stage-managing public functions for himself across the state where he is either flagging off a project or commissioning a new one with fanfare and robust media coverage. Obi’s recent visit to St Augustine’s Primary and Secondary School, Nkpor is one instance that stands out as not only unwise but needlessly provocative.

Obiano Condoles Family, NUJ on Death of Journalist

Governor Willie Obiano of Anambra State has expressed his deep condolences on the death of Comrade Ifeoma Anumba, a journalist with the Federal Ministry of Information, Awka, to her family and the Nigeria Union of Journalists, Anambra State chapter.

Chief Obiano who is away in United State of America for the Offshore Technology Conference (OTC) said the news of Ms. Anumba’s sudden death was sobering and depressing. ‘Every death takes something out of us but it is especially so when the deceased is plucked in the prime of life without warning as in the present case. Her sudden death has once more thrown up philosophical questions about the purpose and trajectories of earthly life.’

55% OF LAGOS COMMERCIAL DRIVERS HOOKED ON HARD DRUGS —LASG

Lagos State government has disclosed that of 801 commercial drivers screened for hard drugs through urinary test, 442 representing, 55 per cent, tested positive.
Commissioner for Health, Dr. Jide Idris, made the disclosure at a ministerial press briefing at Alausa, Ikeja, on the activities of his ministry in the last one year.
According to Idris, the state Ministry of Health has been engaging its transportation counterpart in securing health and safety of commercial drivers and conductors.
He said this was to reduce the prevalence of road traffic accidents and ensure the safety of residents.
He said the drivers were also at different times, screened for hypertension and diabetics, among other ailments.
Idris stated that the screening was carried out in some specific motor parks in the state in December last year.

HOW I INTERVENED IN THE TINUBU, FASHOLA FEUD----OBA AKIOLU:

• Warns Ambode against vengeance on assumption of office
• Fashola apologises to those he might have offended
After several denials and orchestrated public pretences, the Oba of Lagos, Rilwan Akiolu, on Thursday confirmed to a gathering of Lagosians of different classes that Governor Babatunde Fashola and his predecessor, Bola Tinubu indeed had a bitter quarrel that almost undermined the governance of the state.
This came as Fashola openly apologised to all Lagos residents irrespective of class, ethnicity or religion, whom he said, might have been affected by different decisions he had taken in office.
The duo spoke at the Lagos TV complex, Agidingbi while marking Fashola’s 2,900th day in office, which was attended by former governors, former deputy governors, serving and former commissioners and traditional rulers among others.
Akiolu, who spoke in Yoruba language, said he did not realise the weight of the disagreement between the two (Fashola and Tinubu) until almost all the Obas in the state called his attention to the development.
The Lagos monarch said the concerned Obas had told him that if as a successful retired police officer with 32 years in service he could not hold down on Lagos as the Oba, then, there should be cause for concern.

EMMANUEL ADEBAYOR OPENS UP ABOUT HIS FAMILY DRAMA: ‘I AM STILL ALIVE AND THEY HAVE ALREADY SHARED ALL MY GOODS’

Former African Footballer of Year, Togolese footballer Emmanuel Adebayor has been having a running battle with his family for years. His sister has gone to the media a few times to claim he doesn't take of them and has turned his back on them, plus other accusations. She even claimed that Emmanuel kicked their mother out of his house in November 2014.
The Tottemham striker took to Facebook yesterday to give a lengthy insight into his complicated personal life. He listed the things he's done for his family and basically accused them of using him for his money, stealing from him and being ungrateful
A couple years ago, I bought a house in East Lagon (Ghana) for $1.2 million. I found it normal to let my older sister, Yabo Adebayor stay in that house. I also allowed my half brother (Daniel) to stay in the same house. A few months later, I was on vacation and decided to go to that house. At my surprise, I saw many cars in the driveway. In fact, my sister decided to rent out the house without me knowing. She also kicked Daniel out of that house. Note that the house had about 15 rooms. When I called her and asked for explanation, she took about 30 minutes to abuse and insult me over the phone. I called my mother to explain the situation and she did the same as my sister. This same sister says I am ungrateful. Ask her about the car she is driving or anything she is selling today?

Obiano Magic – Sealing the Cracks between Churches in Anambra State

Governor Willie Obiano has continued to surprise his critics and admirers in a manner that leaves no one in doubt that the hand of God is truly upon him. And this is why. Apart from his seemingly mazy run through all the nebulous litigations that sought to snuff life out of his regime even before it could fully take off, the former banker has continued to win the approval and endorsement of well-known hardliners in Anambra State.

It was to his credit, for instance, that the phenomenal new generation novelist who was recently listed as one of the 100 most influential people in the world by Time magazine, Chimamanda Adichie accepted to deliver the lecture that marked his first 100 Days in office. In the truest tradition of iconoclasts and gifted artists, Adichie has an aversion towards the establishment. She is reputed to have turned down so many efforts by different state governments and the Federal Government to woo her to their side in the past. In fact, it is rumoured that an attempt by the incoming administration in this regard also hit the brick-wall. But Adichie did not just accept to speak at Obiano’s 100 Days in office but did so with an enthusiasm that turned to a magnetic enchantment that held her audience in a spell.

KAYMU PARTNERS SLUM2SCHOOL TO NET A CHILD IN COMMEMORATION OF WORLD MALARIA DAY

In commemoration of the World Malaria Day, leading online shopping community Kaymu has partnered with NGO, Slum To School, to combat the scourge of malaria in Nigeria through its “Net a child’’ campaign.

The team visited Makoko and Epe Communities in Lagos to distribute treated mosquito nets and sensitized the communities on the prevention and treatment of the infectious disease caused by the parasite of genius Plasmodium.

In a statement released by the Company, Managing Director of Kaymu Nigeria, Evangeline Wiles said, ’’Malaria has a devastating socio-economic impact in the country and all efforts must be intensified by the government and corporate organizations to eradicate the disease.

Delta teaming up with Zac Posen to bring modern American glamour to flying New uniform collection expected to debut in 2018

 Delta Air Lines and New York-based designer Zac Posen are partnering to bring high fashion and function to a different kind of runway as part of Delta’s new uniform program.

Delta is creating a program for nearly all of its uniformed employees. Through the partnership, Zac Posen will design a uniform collection for Delta’s flight attendants and airport customer service agents while advising on the uniform project for Delta’s ramp and ground support agents, Delta Cargo agents and Delta TechOps employees. 

“Through challenges and triumphs, the Delta uniform has been a source of great pride for generations of Delta people and continues to serve as a symbol of our values and the world class service for which we’re known,” said Tim Mapes, Delta’s Senior Vice President – Marketing. “With Zac’s talent and expertise, and in partnership with Delta people worldwide, we look forward to creating a timeless, fashionable and functional new collection that will continue to be a point of pride and symbol of our brand for the 170 million customers who fly with us each year.”

Bishop Ezeokafor Congratulates Newly Consecrated Auxiliary Bishop Of Onitsha Mourns Anambra NUJ Sec

BY ABUCHI IFESINACHI, AWKA
The Catholic Bishop of Awka Diocese, His Lordship Most Rev. Paulinus Ezeokafor has congratulated the newly consecrated auxiliary bishop of archdiocese of Onitsha ecclesiastical province, Most Rev. Denis Isizoh who was consecrated by Francis Cardinal Arinze as auxiliary bishop of Catholic Archdiocese of Onitsha on Friday, May 1, 2015.
Bishop Ezeokafor who gave his congratulatory message at the Basilica of the Most Holy Trinity, Onitsha shortly after the consecration expressed gratitude to God for the gift of Bishop Isizoh noting that with Bishop Isizoh's wealth of experience and laudable achievements in pastoral works the Archdiocese can only get better.