Ekiti residents protest murder charge against monarch

Residents of Ikere Ekiti trooped out in large numbers on Wednesday to stage a peaceful protest and demanded the unconditional release of Olukere Ekiti, Oba Ganiyu Obasoyin.
The residents described the murder case against the king as politically motivated by the state government to dent his image.
The Olukere, Oba Ganiu Obasoyin, was in December remanded in custody for the alleged murder of one Femi Kolade in a reprisal on Christmas day.
A few hours after the protest, the Ogoga of Ikere Ekiti, Oba Adu Adejimi Alagbado, and the Ogoga-in-Council announced the proscription of the title of Olukere.

Obasoyin had demanded his staff of office from the state government and a recognition as a full-fledged King and founder of Ikere, a situation which had pitched him against the Ogoga and some prominent sons of Ikere.

ICYMI: Nigeria’s electricity grid collapses

Nigeria’s power transmission grid collapsed on Tuesday night, a development that led to widespread blackout across the country.
It was learnt that the collapse was due to a fire incident on the Escravos Lagos Pipeline System of the Nigerian Gas Processing and Transportation Company Limited.
The incident led to a shutdown of the pipeline that supplies gas to six thermal power plants, which prompted the collapse of the country’s electricity grid at 10:20pm on Tuesday.
This was confirmed by the Federal Ministry of Power, Works and Housing in a statement issued around 12:44am on Wednesday.

POLICE OFFICER THANKS GOV OBIANO, COMMISSIONER OF POLICE FOR BAGGING AWARD

 John Ndu
Mr William Odumu, who recently bagged an  Award as Best Operation Officer of the Nigerian Police in Anambra State  has expressed gratitude to the Commissioner of Police in the state, Mr Garba Umar for giving him the opportunity and platform to showcase his talent on the job.
Mr Odumu, a Superintendent, said this during an interview with newsmen in his office at the Police Command, Headquarters, Awka, also thanked Gov. Willie Obiano for honouring him.
He noted that the award would spur him to do more particularly in the area of carrying out his duty.
Mr Odumu said that the award series was the best thing to have happened to the command, especially in a clime where Police officers were hardly appreciated for their selfless service.
While advising other police personnel in the state to be committed and focused in their duties, the Mr Odumu reminded them that God always rewarded excellence.

Ojoto Igweship Selection : Crises looms as LG and Chieftaincy Commissioner, Obiano's aide allegedly collect 50 million naira bribe to subvert constitutional provisions.

Ojoto Akanasato Community in Idemili South Local Government Area of Anambra State, is at present experiencing one of the most difficult periods in its history and as is characteristic of many other communities, the development is not unassociated with traditional rulership tussle.
However, while most of these tussles emanate from perceived irregularities in the selection process for the traditional rulers, that of Ojoto seems to be coming from the planned thwarting of the collective will of the people by the State government.

Herdsmen kill 20, burn houses in fresh Benue attacks

Residents fleeing Tse Igbudu Taraka to Bakin Kota and the injured at the Benue State University Teaching Hospital, Makurdi, after attacks by Fulani herdsmen on some Benue communities. Photos: John Charles and James Igbudu facebook page.
Samson Folarin, John Charles and Umar MuhammedNo fewer than 50 persons have been killed in fresh attacks on Benue communities by suspected Fulani herdsmen after they invaded parts of the Guma and Logo Local Government Areas of the state on New Year’s Day.
The attacks, which spilled over to Tuesday, came on the heels of the implementation of the anti-open grazing law, which the Fulani herdsmen considered detrimental to their means of livelihood.
Our correspondent gathered that in the Monday’s attacks, the herders invaded two communities in Guma and three communities in the Logo LGAs.

PHOTOS: Nigerian Army patronizes Innoson for military vehicles

The Nigerian Army, on Tuesday, formally entered into partnership with Nigerian indigenous motor manufacturing company, Innoson Motors Manufacturing Company for modification of some of its equipment, local production of armoured fighting vehicles and other military hardware.
Chairman, Innoson Motors Dr. Innocent Chukwuma and Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General TY Buratai at the Army Headquarters, Abuja

Wenger allays Arsenal fans’ fears, to replace Sanchez, Ozil with world-class players

 Arsene Wenger moved to allay the fears of Arsenal fans on Tuesday saying he would replace both Alexis Sanchez and Mesut Ozil with world-class players should they end up leaving. Wenger Both Sanchez, who came close to moving to Manchester City on the final day of the last transfer window in August, and Ozil’s contracts are up at the end of the present season. Sanchez’s attitude and commitment to the club have been questioned by fans and some of his team-mates did not congratulate the 29-year-old Chilean after he scored a double in the 3-2 Premier League win over Crystal Palace last Thursday. Wenger, whose transfer dealings have been a sore point with sections of the Arsenal support, said he would also be on the look-out for players in the present transfer window. “We are open to any position for the exceptional player that can give us a plus. It depends a little bit on the injuries as well,” said the Arsenal manager on the eve of their match with reigning Premier

Ezenwa, Ali, Okpotu, 20 others make CHAN 2018

 Head Coach Salisu Yusuf on Tuesday in Abuja released his final squad of the Super Eagles B for the 5th African Nations Championship (CHAN) beginning in Morocco on Jan. 13. Goalkeeper and skipper Ikechukwu Ezenwa, as well as midfielder Rabiu Ali and marksman Anthony Okpotu headline the 23-man list. CHAN Eagles Ezenwa is joined for the goalkeeping duties by Oladele Ajiboye and Theophilus Afelokhai, while defensive stalwarts Osas Okoro, Stephen Eze and Kalu Okogbue also made the list. Midfielders Ifeanyi Ifeanyi and Ekundayo Ojo and forwards Sunday Faleye and Emeka Atuloma were also listed. The team’s players and their officials are expected to fly out of the country in a few days time. They are to continue preparations in Morocco ahead of Nigeria’s first match of the campaign against Rwanda in Tangier on Jan. 15. The 2014 bronze medallists will also take on 2014 champions Libya at the same Ibn Batouta Stadium in Tangier on Jan. 19, before facing

Family gives Ogunde grand museum, unveils competition on his songs

Two important things happened in the Ososa, Ogun State, home of legendary dramatist, Chief Hubert Ogunde, on Thursday. First, his family unveiled a competition on the translation of his songs. According to them, there is the need for children, youths and non-Yoruba-speaking people to also savour the beauty and messages of the songs. Hence, it unveiled the contest that will reward the winner with N500,000 while the first and second runners-up will get N200,000 and N100,000, respectively.

Events that shaped 2017

Banky W and fiancee, Adesua Etomi at their wedding engagement. Photos: lailasblog
Tofarati Ige & Olushola Ricketts
Sunday Scoop takes a look at some of the most outstanding events in the entertainment industry in Nigeria
Banky W and Adesua’s wedding
When Oluwabankole Wellington, aka Banky W, proposed to Adesua Etomi, many people thought it was a rehash of the roles they played in the movie, Wedding Party, where they acted husband and wife. But it later turned out to be the beginning of something special in their lives. It is not an understatement to say their wedding was the biggest in the entertainment industry in 2017. The white wedding, which was held in November, at Cape Town in South Africa, was the talk of the town for weeks. They had earlier had the traditional wedding ceremony at Landmark Event Centre, Victoria Island, Lagos.