Asari-Dokubo, a liability to Jonathan, says varsity don

Kabiru Mato is a professor of Political Science and Director, Institute for Anti-Corruption Studies of the University of Abuja. He is a strong voice in northern politics. In an exclusive interview with Daily Sun in Abuja he came hard on former militant leader, Asari Dokubo over his recent statement that Nigeria will cease to exist if President Goodluck Jonathan is not reelected in 2015. According to him, that statement is a declaration of war on the Nigerian State, warning Jonathan to distance himself from Asari Dokubo as he has become a political liability.
Professor Kabiru further warned against any plans by serving and past political leaders to manipulate the 2015 elections.  “People’s votes must count. Any attempt by people in or out of power to manipulate the will of the people will be met with serious consequences. If those in power want to use that opportunity to do anything wrong with the votes, it will be too bad for this country,” he warned.

Below is the full excerpts of the interview…

SABOTEURS

The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt-General Azubuike Ihejirika, yesterday revealed that some soldiers have been caught relating with the Boko Haram and divulging vital operational secrets of the Army to the Islamist sect. Ihejirika gave the revelation in Abuja at a seminar on “Personnel Management and Development,” organised by the Army Transformation and Innovation Centre.
The COAS, who was very angry with the development, stressed that this had hampered Army operations leading to the death of some soldiers. Recall that on January 19 this year, two soldiers were killed with five others injured at Okene, Kogi State, when an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) planted on their path exploded while travelling from Akure to Kachia, Kaduna State to train, preparatory to international peace-keeping operations in Mali.

Anti-Amaechi protesters shut down Port Harcourt

The city of Port Harcourt, Rivers State, was metaphorically shut down for several hours, yesterday, when some protesters, under the aegis of Rivers Peoples Assembly (RPA) took over the major streets and highways, chanting anti-Amaechi songs. The protesters, who wore white vests and displayed banners with various inscriptions, were demanding that Governor Chibuike Amaechi should account for the two aircraft he inherited from ex-governor Odili and explain the real owner of the grounded jet.

Agbani Darego Still On Top Of The World

When Agbani Darego was crowned Miss World 2001, she became the first Black African to win the contest. She has gone on to build a career for herself as a model following her win.

Joke Silva: My most heartbreaking experience

Veteran actress, Joke Silva has shared her most heart breaking experience. It was the day she met a 10 year-old prostitute while volunteering for her church, This Present House.
In an exclusive chat with The Entertainer, the mother of three recounted her ordeal thus: “Our church, This Present House, runs several shelters for drug addicts and people who have been trafficked within and outside Nigeria; you will be surprised what happens within Nigeria.

Boko Haram attacks church in Maiduguri

Gunmen suspected to be Boko Haram yesterday engaged in what security sources called flamboyant attack on a local assembly of Church of the Brethren- Ekilisiyar Yan’uwa a Nigeria (EYN) in Maiduguri, while the Sunday service was going on.
Yesterday’s incident was the first time armed men would launch such attack on a church in Maiduguri metropolis in broad day, especially during Sunday service since the Boko Haram insurgence heightened in the area.

FG scraps UTME, NECO, NAPEP, others

Indications emerged last night that the Federal Government may have resolved to scrap some of its agencies in line with the recommendations of the Steve Oronsaye-led Presidential Committee on the Rationalization and Restructuring of Federal Government Parastatals, Commissions and Agencies following the completion of study of its White Paper Committee report. Among those scrapped are Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UMTE), National Examination Council (NECO), Public Complaints Commission, National Poverty Eradication Programme (NAPEP) and the Fiscal Mobilization and Allocation Commission among others.

Can Nigeria’s military win the war against terror?

Some Nigerians applauded President Goodluck Jonathan’s tough talk against terrorism when he visited Maiduguri recently. He dismissed the amnesty request made by elders of Borno state when he categorically stated that he will not grant amnesty to Boko Haram on the grounds that it is a faceless terrorist group. Prior to the Borno elder’s request,

Barrack romance: 25 soldiers wed at special mass in Onitsha

It was an unusual Easter celebration when 25 soldiers took their heartthrobs to the altar in a special mass at the Nigerian Army 302 Artillery Regiment, Onitsha in Anambra State.
Daily Sun gathered that the 25 soldiers and their brides filed up at the St Peter’s Military Church (Anglican) as early as 10 am to take their nuptial vows with the Commander, Col T. A Gagariga, advising them to live up to expectation.

Lagos traffic congestion Cable car to the rescue

Although Capt. Dapo Olumide has many achievements to his name (some of which manifested too early in his life to feature in his impressive resume), his footprints in the aviation industry remain reference points long after he exited. After years of flying Aero Contractors planes and managing the airline later, he went on sabbatical…only to return to the industry as boss of Virgin Nigeria until it was sold in 2010, prompting a well-earned ‘retirement’.

Last month, the articulate and amiable project development specialist re-emerged on the scene with a project, which he insists is related to aviation: The Lagos Cable Car Transit System. In this exclusive interview, the Chief Executive Officer of Ropeways Transport (the company behind the cable car project) gives more insight into the project planned to dove-tail into the existing transport network in the state, with fast, safe and affordable services said to be its strong points.

Boko Haram moves to Lagos

Joint operatives from Department of State Security Service (DSS) and the military have arrested a Chadian with explosives, arms and ammunition in Ijora Badiya on Lagos Mainland.
The operation and the arrest of the Chadian with bombs sent shivers down the spines of residents of the area who were suspecting that the dreaded terrorist group, Boko Haram, may have finally arrived in Lagos.

Daily Sun reliably gathered that the operation follows information from residents of Ijora Badiya that a strange man had been making some suspicious movements in the area. The suspect whose identity remains a secret for now, was alleged to have rented a mini-flat in the area since the past one month.
The man was said to have been making some suspicious movements and after last Monday’s multiple bombings of the Luxury Bus Park in Kano metropolis, residents of Badiya became afraid and reported him to the DSS. The DSS was said to have mounted surveillance on the man and after confirming the fears of their informants, they contacted the military.

Girl, 5, sold for N750,000 to UK couple

A five-year-old girl, Favour (other names withheld) who was allegedly taken from an orphanage by Anambra State Government officials has been recovered by state police command from a couple based in London, United Kingdom.

Nigerian prof discovers cancer cure

A major breakthrough in the treatment of cancer, diabetes and prostate enlargement may have been discovered following announcement of a new drug for the treatment of the ailments by the Deputy Vice Chancellor of Benson Idahosa University, Benin City, Professor Ernest B. Izevbigie.

I saw death

Survivors of Monday’s suicide bomb attacks at a luxury bus station in Kano have been recounting their tales of woes, especially how they escaped death in the horrible incident in which dozens of innocent passengers died. For Mr. Obinna Omekwe, a middle-aged trader from Abia State, that Monday was one in which he saw death face-to-face. But he remains grateful to God that his life was saved.

FG to commence work on second Niger Bridge soon

The Federal Government has declared that the second bridge across the River Niger would be completed before the expiration of President Goodluck Jonathan’s administration in 2015 as part of efforts to deliver on the campaign promises of the present government.
The Minister of Works, Mr. Mike Onolemomen stated this yesterday during a stakeholders’ meeting on second Niger Bridge, adding that when the bridge is completed would among other things ease transportation hitches often faced by travellers across the country.
He further said that plans have been completed on the take off for the construction of the second bridge after the completion of geological and hydrological surveys, adding that Julius Berger was the preferred consortium for the project.

God, these blessings are too much for me

What ordinarily should have been a thing of joy turned sour recently, as a mother of five, Mrs. Paulina Lucius, was delivered of a set of premature quadruplets. The incident took place at the Rural Hospital in Kaura Local Government Area of Kaduna State.
The birth of the quadruplets has brought the total number of the woman’s children to nine. Paulina’s husband, Mr. Lucius Kanvong, had in the early hours of February 27, this year, visited his wife, who was in labour at the hospital.

Broken heart may have led Pope Francis to priesthood

A broken heart led Pope Francis to the priesthood. At least, that’s what a 76-year-old Argentinian woman claims, Sky News reported.

The old flame, Amalia Damonte, told Argentine TV that Jorge Bergoglio, as he was known then, declared his love for her in a letter. “He said that if I didn't say yes [to his marriage proposal], he would have to become a priest. Luckily for him, I said no.” The future pope was 12 or 13, she recalled.

Chelsea Clinton, Husband Buy $10.5M New York City Apartment

Chelsea Clinton and husband Marc Mezvinsky are moving on up … to a deluxe apartment in Manhattan’s Flatiron district.

The married couple of three years has traded in their “measly” $4 million apartment for a much more spacious (and much more expensive) $10.5 million pad located in Manhattan’s Flatiron district, a source confirms with omg!

Which football team does the new Pope support?

The new pope, Jorge Mario Bergoglio, is not above the passion his countrymen share for football and is an avid a fan of San Lorenzo, one of Argentina's top clubs.
Bergoglio, who took the name Pope Francis when he was elected to the post on Wednesday, received his San Lorenzo membership card after saying mass at a sports complex near the team's stadium.
"He says he lives in a permanent state of suffering for San Lorenzo," said Oscar Lucchini, an architect and fellow fan who handed Bergoglio's membership card to him after that mass about four years ago.

New pope urges Church to return to its Gospel roots

VATICAN CITY (Reuters) - In his first public Mass, Pope Francis urged the Catholic Church on Thursday to stick to its Gospel roots and shun modern temptations, warning that it would become just another charitable group if it forgot its true mission.
In a heartfelt, simple homily, the Argentinean pope laid out a clear moral path for the 1.2-billion-member Church, which is beset by scandals, intrigue and strife.