Unongu Shares Mind

Amnesty International Report 2014/15 Federal Republic of Nigeria Head of state and government: Goodluck Ebele Jonathan Crimes under international law and serious human rights violations and abuses were committed by both sides in the conflict between the Nigerian military and the armed group Boko Haram, which escalated during the year. Torture and other ill-treatment by the police and security forces was widespread. A law criminalizing marriage or civil union and public displays of affection between same-sex couples came into force. Freedom of expression was restricted. The death penalty continued to be applied. Background Preparations for general elections in February 2015, a five-month national conference of governmental, political and public figures, and the conflict between the government and Boko Haram dominated events during the year. The ruling People’s Democratic Party (PDP) and the All Progressives Congress (APC), formed in February 2013 from several oppositio...

Suspected Boko Haram gunmen shot dead at least 42 people in two separate attacks in northeast Nigeria, with no let-up in sight to the Islamist group’s targeting of civilians. The attacks in the remote villages of Debiro Hawul and Debiro Biu in Borno state on Monday and Tuesday came before at least 10 people were killed in a suicide attack in neighbouring Yobe. Boko Haram, which has been fighting to establish a hardline Islamic state in northeast Nigeria since 2009, has intensified its campaign of violence in the last month. In all, nearly 250 people have been killed in Nigeria since Muhammadu Buhari became president on May 29 vowing to crush the militant uprising that has claimed at least 15,000 lives. The latest attacks saw some 30 militant fighters storm Debiro Biu on Monday and Debiro Hawul the following day, with reports taking time to emerge because of the villages’ remote location. “We received reports of attacks by suspected Boko Haram gunmen on the two villages, in which 4...

Lawmakers at the Benue State House of Assembly on Tuesday literally turned the hallowed chamber to a boxing ring after engaging each other in what could be tagged a legislative show of shame. The brawl, DAILY POST learnt broke out following the election of Barr Adanyi of the (APC Makurdi south) as Majority leader. Apparently not okay with Adanyi’s election, Hon. Martins Aza (PDP Makurdi North) objected, saying they were 16 in the house so should have the majority. Argument ensued between two lawmakers in the process who reportedly descended on each other, thus exchanging deadly blows. However, the timely intervention of other lawmakers present prevented the lawmakers from causing more harm. Source:  http://dailypost.ng/2015/06/23/war-at-benue-state-house-of-assembly-as-lawmakers-exchange-blows/

Bayelsa State indigenes and residents are wearing mournful look following the rumoured death of Ariwera Jonathan, the son of the immediate past President of Nigeria, Dr Goodluck Jonathan, at a London hospital on Monday, June 22, 2015. Though no member of the ex-president’s family in Otuoke, Bayelsa State, could confirm the development, Jonathan has not been seen around for sometime. Ariwera was said to have been sick for a while. Meanwhile, it is believed that Jonathan’s family wouldn’t want the news spread as they want everything to be on a low key. Source: http://dailyindependentnig.com/2015/06/jonathan-loses-son-london/

Three weeks after his May 29 inauguration, President Muhammadu Buhari on Sunday evening relocated to the Presidential Villa, Abuja. He joined his wife, Aisha, who had moved in on Thursday. Before he finally moved in, the President had in the afternoon of Sunday visited the Presidential Villa where he stayed for about 30 minutes. Those who thought that he had finally relocated to the seat of power were however shocked when Buhari left the premises after spending a few minutes. He later returned finally in the evening. Source: The Punch Newspapers 

The suspected killer of a female National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) member,Yetunde Shukurat has been arraigned before an Ilorin Magistrate’s court. The suspect,Abdullahi Tanko, was arraigned before a Magistrate Court presided over by Magistrate K.A.Yahyah. The Police Prosecutor, Inspector Matthew Ologbon informed the Court on Monday that on May 23, 2015, at about 12pm ,the Police received a distress call that they should go to Simeon Okedi street in the GRA located at Upabiasika in Ilorin, the Kwara state capital. Ologbon said that when the police got to the place, they found the late Corps member on the ground in a pool of her blood. He further told the Court that investigation by the Police revealed that Tanko and his collaborators, now at large, conspired to trick the deceased from her residence at Saw-Mill area to Shoprite area, where she was killed on that fateful day. According to him the suspected killer and his gang had raped the deceased inside their car, which caused her...

The result of evil. These pictures were taken from the Akomor P. Isaiah’s blog. A man reportedly took his girlfriend to his friend’s house in Lagos. A few hours later, the lady ran out screaming for help, saying she had been raped. Few minutes later, the man, with blood all over his body, also ran out crying for help. Source: http://www.pmnewsnigeria.com/2015/06/16/lady-bites-off-rapists-penis/

The newly sworn in 8th National Assembly have been accused of being allegedly entitled to close to N9billion as wardrobe allowance as from next week. Considering the fact that the said N9billion would not cover for other allowances such as housing, furniture and vehicle, which are the lawmakers entitlements, Nigerians have taken to the social media to express their displease. Out of the said N9billion wardrobe allowance, each of the 360 lawmakers at the House of Representatives is expected to smile home with about N17.5 million while the 109 senators would have a share of N21.5 million each. Source: http://omojuwa.com/2015/06/nass-n9billion-wardrobe-allowance-whats-your-take-on-this/

T he  Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has fired queries to both coach Stephen Keshi and captain Vincent Enyeama over issues surrounding Super Eagles AFCON qualifier against Chad. Keshi has been asked by his employers to explain why non-league striker Gabriel Okechukwu made the Eagles team, while Enyeama has to explain his comments regarding the safety of match venue Kaduna. Striker Okechukwu features for non-league Water FC of Abuja and he failed to make the final cut for the U20 World Cup in New Zealand after he was named on a 35-man provisional squad. The unknown striker was so honoured by Keshi that he was even handed the revered jersey No.10 once made famous by football icons in the likes of Austin “Jay Jay” Okocha, Argentine legends Diego Maradona and Lionel Messi, Ronaldinho of Brazil, Italy legend, Roberto Baggio, the great Zinedine Zidane of France, Glenn Hoddle of England, among others. Enyeama, on the other hand, has been queried over his comments that Kaduna...

A new official report released on the authority of the former House speaker and current governor of Sokoto state, Aminu Tambuwal, has shown that of the 360 members in the old assembly, there were 191 who did not sponsor a single bill in four years. The official report was tagged “Status of Bills, Petitions and Other Legislative Measures,” and it had some high profile names like the current deputy speaker of the House, Yusuf Lasun (Osun, APC) and a former candidate for speaker, Abdulmumin Jibrin (Kano, APC). The official publication was put together by the Hon. Albert Sam-Tsokwa-led Rules and Business Committee of the 7th House. It said a total of 755 bills were introduced to the House and they were all read for the first time on the floor of the House. 679 of the bills were initiated by private members, six were sent from the Senate while 70 were executive bills. Only 123 of them were passed by the House including the Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB) before its tenure expired on June 6...

Excellency President Robert Mugabe, Chairman of the Union, Excellency President Jacob Zuma, our Host, Excellencies fellow Presidents and Heads of Government Excellency Mr. Jan Eliasson, Deputy Secretary-General of the United Nations, Excellency Dr. Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma, Chairperson of the AU Commission, Excellencies, Heads of Delegation, Invited Guests, Distinguished Ladies and Gentlemen Please permit me to join previous speakers in conveying my delegation’s appreciation to our host, H.E. President Jacob Zuma, to his Government, and the brotherly people of South Africa for their warm hospitality, and for the excellent arrangements made for our comfort and for the success of our meetings. As this is my first address at this august assembly, may I also congratulate H.E. Dr. Robert Gabriel Mugabe, President of the Republic of Zimbabwe, for his unanimous election as the Chairman of our Union. I feel highly honoured and extremely pleased to be able to address you today, barely two week...