MASQUERADE234 PICTURES OF THE MONTH

Cars been ferried along the flood highway in lokoja

Cars submerged by flood in Kogi State

This is Masquerade234 picture of the month. post your comment on it, meanwhile lets tell you that some of the vehicles been ferried parted with fifteen thousand naira while other paid thirteen thousand naira. On the other hand individual paid five hundred to be ferried across the river.

BOKO HARAM MEMBERS SURRENDER IN ADAMAWA

                 

 

Information reaching Masquerade234 says over 40 suspected terrorists members of Boko Haram have surrendered themselves to the Joint Task Force (JTF) in Mubi, Adamawa State.

Mubi has been under a curfew, and the military has been conducting a house-to-house search since last week, the seacrh has been succesful with over 100 different types of Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs), sophisticated weapons and other equipment discovered.

The military refused to state how they surrendered saying that it’s purely intelligence operations that cannot be made public for security reasons, the most important issue is the military operation in search and counter terrorism here in Adamawa is recording success.
 

all attempt to get details from the spokesperson of the police in Yola Muhammad Ibrahim was not succesful.

 

Masquerade234  believes this is the beginning of the end.
 

NIGERIA POLICE SPEND $3.2 MILLION ON PEACE KEEPING OPERATION IN THREE MONTHS.

IG of Police Mohhammed Abubakar

Nigeria Police have spent $3.2 million on peacekeeping operations in the last three months, the Inspector General of Police IG Mohammed Abubakar, has said. he stated this shortly after inaugurating the Peacekeeping Hall at the Force Headquarters in Abuja.

The IG explained that officers deployed for such missions were paid three months allowance in advance before departing the country to encourage them to effectively carry out their duties. adding that they are given food to take them for three months as well and the required equipment,

Responding to a question, Abubakar said that police personnel could replicate their exceptional performance in peacekeeping mission at home if provided with equipment. According to him, Nigeria is the only country in the world where you could find a police station without light, vehicle and other necessary equipment and yet the police are expected to perform.

Mohammed Abubakar told Masquerade234 that with the equipment the police will to make the country more secure.

TRAIN CRUSH WOMAN IN LAGOS

Moving Train

it was a black morning at Oshodi this morning as a middle-aged woman was hit and killed by a passenger train when she was trying to avoid a puddle of water beside the rail tracks. An eyewitness said that the unidentified woman was walking along the tracks when the incident happened.

The woman was trying to avoid muddy water along the tracks when the Ijoko-Apapa passenger’s train crushed her to death. The woman instead of jumping into the muddy water was trying to avoid it and the fast moving train dragged her under.

it was a terible sight as the train dragged her underneath and it was so fast for comprehension. In fact, her blood splintered on some passers-by who were waiting patiently along the tracks for the fast moving train to pass before moving.

Worst still, the train did not stop but dragged her body for about one kilometer thereby mutilating the body,” the witness said.

SENATE CALLS FOR REVIEW OF ICJ RULING ON BAKASSI

Senate President David Mark

Senate has appealed to the federal government to invoke article 61 of the international court of justice statute to appeal the judgement ceding Bakassi to Cameroon. The senate appeal followed a debate on a motion entitled the judgement of the ICJ on international boundaries between Nigeria and Cameroun including Bakassi.

Leading the debate on the motion senator Abdul Ningi PDP Bauchi who sponsored it along with eighteen other senators, noted that the deadline for appealing against the ICJ Judgement would expires  on October 9th. Ningi noted that the judgement was erroneously based on an agrrement between the british and calabar chiefs in 1884.

Ningi added that there had never been a precedent in history where a case of this nature was executed without a referendum as enshrined in the UN rules.

immediately after the debate the Senate President David Mark emphasized that a letter will be dispatched to the President to appeal the ruling, meanwhile the people of bakassi have refuse to go along with Cameroon insisting that they are Nigerians.

ACN CARPETS JONATHANS ADMINISTRATION OVER HANDLING OF NATIONAL ISSUES.

Add caption

Action Congress of Nigeria, has criticised President Goodluck Jonathan over what it described as failure of a timely and robust response to the recent catalogue of woes and national calamities ravaging the country.

In a statement by its National Publicity Secretary, Lai Mohammed, the party wondered how else the administration’s lack of capacity to be proactive could be described. ACN said: “The continued bungling of the Boko Haram insurgency, which is harvesting more deaths almost on a daily basis, the unstoppable carnage on our roads, the executive somersaults of the administration on policy issues and, in general, the slow, unfocused and uncertain responses of government to issues depict a government on internship.

“The closure of the Lokoja-Abuja highway, which had cut off Abuja, Nigeria’s capital city, due to flooding of roads and bridges along the Abuja-Lokoja highway, signposts the extent of our decayed national infrastructure and exposes the incapable hands entrusted to salvage them.”

SENATE PRESIDENT CAUTION INFORMATION MINISTER OVER HIS UTTERANCES.

Senate President David Mark

Senate President David Mark has described the information Minister Labaran Maku as a talkative who has no respect for legislative decorum and practice. Mark who spoke angrily about the governments spokesman during plenary said the national assembly will not stand by and allow ministers to insult the sensibility of legislators.

The Senate President stated the minister had over reached himself when he told news reporters that the resolution of the national assembly are not binding on the executive. Mark warned that the national assembly would move against any government appointee who makes unguarded statements about the institution of the the senate.

Meanwhile the Information Minister has apologized for his utterances asking members of the national assembly to forgive him.

Masquerade234 is watching closely and will keep you informed as the matter unfolds.

NIGERIA'S FIRST LADY RECUPERATING FAST

Nigeria's First Lady Dame Patience Jonathan

Information reaching Masquerade234 exclusively confirms that Nigerias first lady Dame Patience Jonathan is recuperating well and fast and that in the next couple of days we might get to welcome her. At the weekend President Goodluck Jonathan visited the the first lady in Germany en route New York on his way to the high level plenary of the United Nations.

It was also confirmed that the first lady was poisoned in Japan and investigation showed that the poison was laced in her food and drink and that if not for her timely airlift to Germany she would lost her life due to the effect of the poison in her system.

As it is now all aides of the first lady who accompanied her to Japan are been investigated to unravel the mystery of how the poison got into her food and drinks. Preliminary investigations however suggest that a fifth columnist working for former first lady Turai Yar'adua may have carried out dastardly act. following the headlines that the trailed the land issue between both ladies.

Masquerade234 will however keep you posted as the story unfolds, but for now we are wishing the fist lady a speedy soonest recovery.
 

PICTURES FROM THE SAVE MEKA CONCERT

The save Meka concert which took place over the weekend was a huge success with people coming out in droves to support one of Abuja s finest Presenters. the event which was put together by Radio and TV Stations in the federal capital and an entertainment firm Yankitec.

Comedians Mr Ibu, Julius Agu and AY were on ground to spice the event and apart from performing they also ensured that guest parted with tokens to meet the target set by organizers of the event for Meka Akerejola.

Mr Ibu and Matilda Duncan

Mr Ibu and Meka Akerejola

AY

Julius the Genius Agu

Hot fm Solid C and a Guest

The highpoint of the occasion was when the broadcast station tried outdoing one another during the pledge and donations, at the end of it all over a million Naira was realized from pledges and donation with an anonymous person giving one thousand dollars for the course.

Masquerade234 is using this medium to thank all those that contributed to the course and asking God to replenish your pockets as well.

FLOOD RAVAGES MAJOR CITIES IN NIGERIA.

Flooded damaged Road 

Flooded Village in Bayelsa State

Flood have overtaken major cities in the country, but the worst hit is the Lokoja - Abuja road the major acess to the federal capital territory in Nigeria.

The River Niger has overflowed its banks submerging the road and many homes, leading to a chaotic traffic on the road with cars, buses and heavy duty vehicles forming a long queue on both end of the road with some desperate travelers engaging canoe to cross the affected side to the other side to continue their journey.

The situation has made the federal road safety commission to close the road for now and urging travelers to the East and Western part of the country to use other route when traveling, a situation that will make the journey longer.

The flood also affected some part of Makurdi in Benue State, and some villages in Bayelsa state making it a season of flood in Nigeria and Nigeria Meteorological center says more flood is still been expected before the rains stop.

Masquerade234 urges government at both the Federal, State and Local Level to come to the aid of hapless Nigerians whose livelihood has been affected by the flood. All government agencies should also come together and carryout rescue operation instead of wanting to outshine each other.

Moreover in school my lecturer once asked me why Africas(Nigeria) invention ended in canoe, and then it was like JAMB question if you catch my drift, but now its like am beginning to see reason with the emergence of canoe transportation during all this floods.

Or what do you think. 

JTF RAIDS BOKO HARAM HIDEOUT ARREST 156 MEMBERS OF THE SECT

Knives recovered from at Mubi during House to House search

The Joint Task Force JTF has successfully raided the main hide out of the suspected Boko Haram terrorists in Mubi the commercial nerve center of Adamawa State and 156 members of the dreaded suspects were arrested.

Addressing newsmen shortly after inspecting the compound where the raid took place, Commander of the 23rd Armored Brigade, Nigerian Army Yola, Brigadier General John Nwaoga said the operation was sequel to the recent clandestine activities and destruction of GSM Masts in Mubi by the suspected terrorists.

Brigadier General Nwaoga, who was accompanied by the Adamawa Police Commissioner Godffrey Okeke and the State Director of SSS said the raid has really helped the military intelligence to unravel the mystery behind the protracted wave of shooting and bomb attacks in Mubi Town.

Items recovered from the raid, code named Operation restore sanity” are ready to use improved explosive device, chemicals, arms and ammunition, over 500 dagger knives, 9 AK47 assault riffles, locally made pistols, rocket launchers among others.

Based on intelligence report, a combined team of the JTF isolated the area, cordoned it and made sure that innocent and law abiding citizens were not hurt Brigadier General Nwaoga stated.
At the military base housing the FRSC training school Mubi, the 156 suspects were arraigned including 6 females and 5 children who were saved.

BOMB BLAST ROCKS BAUCHI STATE CATHOLIC CHURCH

Victims of Bauchi Bomb Blast

Yesterday witnessed another senseless bombing of a catholic church after a break, the suicide bomber driving a Opel Vectra saloon car hit the barricade at st John's Catholic Church entrance at about 9:00am when the first mass ended and the second mass was about to start.

An unconfirmed report said a woman and her six year old son were among the dead, there were many children among the injured, but the Bauchi police command spokesman Hassan Mohammed emphasized that three dead and forth six injured adding that two policemen were among the injured.

Some eyewitness say the casualty figure would have been more if not for the barricade at the church, while others says some of the injured are battling between life and death.

MAN CAUGHT ENGAGING IN BEASTIALITY WITH A SHEEP

Map of Ebonyi State

A 46 years old man, Kelechi Nnali of Nkpogoro, Ndibe in Afikpo North Local Government Area of Ebonyi State was allegedly caught having carnal knowledge with a sheep along the roadside in the community at the weekend.

Masquerade234 gathered that Nnali who is married with two wives and children pleaded with the boy who caught him committing the crime not to tell anybody, promising that he would give him N10, 000 and a handset but when Nnali reneged on the promise the boy spilled.

when the gist got to the people of the community Nnali was summoned by the elders of the community to answer to the allegation as the matter was later taken to Ogo Ezinwachi Play ground where delicate and public matter are usually discussed.

At the venue Nnali was sanctioned according to the law of the land. Elders of the community who were visibly angry with the depraved act, stressed that the man had committed an abomination in the land and must pay the price according to the law of the land.

Masquerade234 is wondering what could push a man with wives and children to engage in bestiality. is this a sign of end times. 

ROCHAS FOUNDATION SET TO MARK ITS TENTH ANNIVERSARY IN STYLE.

Governor Rochas Okorocha

President of Rochas Foundation and Present Governor of Imo State turned fifty on Saturday and his foundation which is involved in giving quality education to the less privileged also marked their tenth anniversary, meanwhile all the celebration has been shifted to the 8th of October 2012.

Director General of the Foundation Uloma Rochas says the celebration will begin on the fourth of October while the celebration proper will take place at the heroes square with funfair.

Masquerade234 is using this medium to wish the peoples governor a happy birthday celebration, and to Rochas foundation we say keep up the good work.

SENATE SUMMONS MINISTER OF PETROLEUM

National Assembly complex

Minister of Petroleum Alison-Madueke

Worried by the perenial fuel scarcity across the country Nigeris Senate has summoned the Minister of Petroleum Diezani Alison-Madueke, NNPC Group Managing Director Andrew Yakubu for a consultative meeting.

also invited by the senate is the executive secretary of the Petroleum  Product Pricing Regulatory Agency Reginald Stanley as well as other stakeholders in the petroleum downstream sector.

They are all expected to appear before the senators Magnus Abe led committee on Petroleum Resources nest Tuesday. Senator Abe emphasised that the long queues of vehicles at filling stations across the country is UNACCEPTABLE.

Meanwhile information reaching Masquerade234 revealed that the scarcity will last another twoo weeks before it abates.

FEDERAL GOVERNMENT STOPS INTRODUCTION OF PROPOSED 5000 NAIRA NOTE OPOSED

Federal Government has confirmed it is stepping down the proposed introduction of the  5000 naira note by the Central Bank of Nigeria, Presidential spokesman, Dr Reuben Abati who confirmed this  last night said the move was to allow more enlightenment by the Central Bank of Nigeria.

Dr Abati while responding to inquiries, said “the introduction is being suspended for now to enable the CBN do more enlightenment on the issue. Yes, President Jonathan has directed that the implementation of the new N5,000 note be suspended for now.

Only last Tuesday both the Senate and the House of Representatives passed separate resolutions asking President Jonathan to suspend the introduction of N5,000 saying it is anti-people.

Minister of Information, Labaran Maku earlier in the week however, insisted that there was not going back on the issue but the public outcry brought about the hold on the proposed intorduction.

GOOD GOVERNANCE TOUR IN THE FCT

Minister of Information and the FCT during the good governance tour

The much talked about good governance project tour commenced on Thursday with inspection of ongoing projects in the federal capital territory Abuja. FCT minister Senator Bala Mohhammed who was accompanied by the Information Minister Labaran Maku lamented that the three day earmarked for the Federal Capital Territory Administration to showcase its project is inadequate considering the number of project currently being undertaken by the FCT administration.

The project inspected includes the Abuja rail mass transit project phase one lot one A and three, the rehabilitation and expansion of express ways lots one and two and the tour of Nigeria SAT 2 and SAT X complex in Abuja.

Earlier Minister of Information Labaran Maku said the President Goodluck Jonathan approved the tour to show Nigerians the progress made by the present administration in the last one year.

However Masquerade234 investigation shows that the list of journalist on the tour has been generating a lot of controversies as private mediums were systematically schemed out of the tour.

PRESIDENT JONATHAN SAYS NIGERIAS UNITY IS ITS PRIDE AMONGST NATION

President Goodluck Jonathan has described those planning to split the country across ethnic divide as unscrupulous elements who will only be kings in a tiny island. according to Jonathan Nigeria is revered because of its population adding that any attempt to break it into regions will amount to losing its pride.

President Jonathan was speaking in Abuja during a one day peace summit organized by the Niferia Labour Congress in Abuja.

Presiden Goodluck Jonathan

Meanwhile Sultan of Sokoto Sa'ad Abubakar stated that unemployment and the continuous show off of leaders with impunity is the bane of Nigeria development.

Masquerade234 interview with NLC Chairman Abubakar Umar, he said the summit was to show that the NLC was not just a strike embarking union but it is also interested in the development of the country especially now that it is bedeviled with insecurity challenges.

SENATE COMMITTEE ON AVIATION INDICT BA AND VIRGINS

Senator Hope Uzodinma

Nigerian Senate has commenced consideration on the report of its committee on Aviation which accused British Airways and Virgin Atlantic of unethical practices, the committee investigation shows that the two foreign airlines were  violating Nigeria’s aviation laws and implementing  fare disparities.

The Senate however could not conclude on the aviation  report but asked the committee to further summarize its recommendations for easy understanding, Presenting the report to the Senate, Chairman of the committee,  Hope Uzodima, said “British Airways and Virgin Atlantic are not only guilty of unethical conduct considered despicable anywhere, they also did not  show any remorse for its action.”

Uzodinma stated that thousands of Nigerians whose flights on the two airlines originated from Nigeria were cheated through illegitimate fares.

On remittances, the committee demanded  financial information about the foreign airlines’ remittances to Nigeria from the Central Bank of Nigeria.

Uzodima  said, “The CBN’s submission showed $4.3bn as the total outward remittance by  foreign airlines through the banks between 1999 and 2011. The committee also demanded information on ticket sales by foreign airlines from Nigerian Civil Aviation  Authority.

LAGOS CJ RELEASES 233 INMATES FROM KIRIKIRI MAXIMUM PRISON

Justice Ayotude Phillips of Lagos

Kirikiri Maximum Prison Lagos

Lagos Chief Judge, Justice Ayotunde Philips yesterday released 233 inmates, majority of whom were awaiting trials at the Kirikiri Prisons Lagos, as part of the on-going new legal year program and also a step to de-congest the prisons.

Masquerade234 finding showed that most of the lucky inmates  have stayed for over 12 years.

Chief Judge Phillips was accompanied by senior members of the judiciary including judges and the Chief Registrar. the team released 133 inmates from the Kirikiri Maximum Security Prison and 103 inmates from the Medium Security Prison.

the chief judge Ayotunde Justice shifted the release of inmates from the women prisons forward to later date, the women prison is also located at Kirikiri.

In spite of the on-going legal year program, the Chief Judge has powers to release inmates pursuant to the powers conferred on her under Section 1 (1) of the Criminal Justice Release from Custody Act, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2007.

Masquerade234 is also using this medium to call on the federal governemnt of Nigeria to renovate Kirikiri  prison because its present state is not fit for human habitation.

NICO SET TO HOST NATIONAL WORKSHOP ON CULTURE IN THE TRANSFORMATION AGENDA

Ministry of Culture Edem Duke

National Institute of Cultural Orientation is planning to host a National Workshop on culture in the transformation agenda. According to the Executive Secretary Barcleys Anyakroma stated that culture and tourism are catalyst for development and the workshop would help to entrench this into administrators of local government in Nigeria.

Anyakroma believes that when the culture and tourism potentials of every local government is harnessed it will bring about the desired development which will help ensure peace security.

He stated that the conference which is targeted at local government officials so as to strengthen the managerial competence and leadership skill of local government administrators

ANOTHER BIRTHDAY BASH AT HOT FM ABUJA

Temi and some hot fm male staff

Mr and Mrs etietsola

Temi and some hot fm beevies

September seems to be the birthday month Hot 98.3 fm abuja with another birthday bash today. Head of production Temi Etietsola marked another mile stone in his sojourn on earth today with pomp and pageantry.

Temi who prefers to call himself the candy man was really excited as members of his family, colleagues and well wishers were all present to celebrate with him and in his usual manners he ensured that everyone present had enough food and drinks.

Masquerade234 investigation confirmed that part two of the party will be taking place at the soul lounge and this one is strictly by invitation.

Using this medium to wish the celebrant many happy returns.

SENATE SAY PROPOSED FIVE THOUSAND NAIRA NOTE IS ILLEGAL

Senate President David Mark

National Assembly reconvened today after two months recess, and both chambers of the assembly have opposed the planned introduction of five thousand naira note.

the upper chambers of the national assembly say the planned introduction of the five thousand naira note is illegal and urged President Goodluck Jonathan to stop the proposal.

Masquerade234 investigation revealed that members of the Senate consider the proposal as a direct negation of the cashless policy of the Jonathans administration which discourages cash transaction in preference for electronic cashless transaction now in operation in Lagos state.

National Assembly

Members of the upper chamber also believe that the policy will create multiple economic problems like inflation, corruption and security challenges and would also erode the value of the nations currency and ruin the economy.

NOLLYWOOD ACTOR BAGS THREE MONTH JAIL TERM FOR GAY ACT.

Bestwood Chukwuemeka

A 26-year old actor, Bestwood Chukwuemeka, has been sentenced to three months imprisonment by a Karu Senior Magistrates’ Court, Abuja, for having sexual intercourse with another man through the anus. Chukwuemeka who resides at Gidan Mangoro, had pleaded guilty to the charge.

While pleading guilty the convict stated that he was under the influence of alcohol and urged the court to temper justice with mercy.

The police prosecutor, Mohammed Umar, had told the court that the convict committed the offence in August when the complainant was sleeping in his bed. Umar however said since he had pleaded guilty to the crime he initially denied, the court should trial him summarily.

Senior Magistrate, Mrs Nafisatu Buba, sentenced him to three months imprisonment without an option of fine. to serve as warning to other youths who hide under the influence of alcohol to commit crimes.

HOT FM SOLID C MARKS BIRTHDAY IN STYLE

Birthday Boy Solic C and some Hot fm beevies.

It was fun galore as Hot 98.3 fm Programs manager Celestine Ugwuanyi celebrated his birthday with so much fun and pageantry. The celebration started with with fans of the Stattion pouring out so much love to the pioneer On Air Personality with Hot fm.

Masquerade234 was also part of the party that took place at the heaqdquaters of the stattion in Abuja, their was so much to drink and the only Solid Man on radio decide to do something different by serving Suya to all staff and visitor who were present to grace the ocassion.

From the entire team of Masquerade234 this is wishing Celestine Ugwuanyi aka Solic C many more happy returns and the very best in life.

JTF KILL SUSPECTED BOKO HARAM KINGPIN

Masquerade234 investigation reveals that speculation are rife that a top commander of the Boko Haram sect has been killed in Kano by the Joint Task Force.

The British Broadcasting Corporation quotes “reliable sources” as saying that the top commander was the spokesman for the sect, Abu Qaqa, the military has previously claimed to have arrested Abu Qaqa but this was denied by Boko Haram, who said the wrong man had been detained.

JTF said it stopped a car suspected to be carrying some senior Boko Haram commanders in Kano on Sunday, a source close to the military said one of the people in the car tried to escape and was shot. He later died in the hospital.

Masquerade234 found out a source said some of the people in the car have informed the military that the person shot was Abu Qaqa, the man who signs emails sent to the media on behalf of the group. Analysts note that Abu Qaqa is an alias, so establishing his identity will not be easy.

All attempt Spokesperson for the SSS, Marilyn Ogar, refused to comment on the arrests,” the report stated.

PRESIDENT JONATHAN URGE POLITICIANS NOT TO DISTRACT HIM WITH 2015 ELECTIONS

President Goodluck Jon athan

President Goodluck Jonathan has called on politicians to stop distracting him with politics of 2015 because he is presently preoccupied with serious governance, adding that the next general elections in year 2015 was still three years away.

The President who spoke through his senior special adviser on research, documentation and strategy Oronto Douglas, at a media presentation of a book entitled sure and steady transformation, said his main focus was to keep his his promise to Nigerians.

The book is a compendium of the Presidents achievement in his first one year in office.

President Jonathan said the warning became necessary given the preponderance of report and comment on the 2015 election in the media. he said in politics 24 hours is long time and wondered why politicians are already talking about6 2015 that is three whole years away.

FACE OF A CAPTURED ONE CHANCE ROBBER IN ABUJA

 The one chance phenomeno ememrged in lagos some few years ago with lots of citizens robbed by various syndicates when they board commercial vehicle. Gradually the menace has crept into the federal capital territroy with unsuspecting members of the public fleeced off their possesion.

However Luck ran out on the lady whose picture is captured above as she was apprehended by eagle eyed citizens when they robbed a female passenger around the area eleven part of the central area. when she was nabbed and stripped naked by a mob in Abuja while she and her gang were trying to escape haven robbed. 

Among the team of five, she was the only one who was captured as the others were able to escape.

Items discovered in their ash coloured Nissan Sunny were loads of ATM cards, Passports of various persons, and GSM phones.The incident happened on Thursday September 13th at about 2:00pm.

Masquerade234 is using this medium to urge everyone to be careful when boarding commecial vehicles painted and unpainted, because investigations show that such crimes are usually on the increase during the ember months.

MINISTER OF JUSTICE WARNS AGAINST CALLS FOR ABROGATION OF ONSHORE/OFFSHORE OIL DICHOTOMY

Minister of Justice Mohammed Adoke

The Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Mohammed Adoke (SAN) has warned against calls for the abrogation of onshore/offshore oil dichotomy in the allocation of federal revenue. Adoke gave the warning at a valedictory session in honour of retired Justice Francis Tabai of the Supreme Court in Abuja.

Adoke stressed that the public must avoid overheating the polity through the current debates on the desirability or otherwise of re-opening the issue bordering on the sharing formula. He was emphatic when he said, “One notes with grave concern the recent deliberate attempt to resurrect this debate and elevate it to the level of urgent national issue,”.

The Attorney - General warned that the matter had the potential to generate acrimonious wrangling within the polity. According to him, the issue has been foreclosed in view of the judicial determination in the past. He said the Supreme Court had ruled that the Principle of Derivation Act of 2004 was not in conflict with the 1999 Constitution.

IG ORDERS SECURITY ALERT OVER BLASPHEMY FILM

IG of Police Mohammed Abubakar

The Federal Government has taken measures to prevent protests against a controversial movie causing revolts in the Arab world.  The development was sequel to the riots that broke out in Egypt and Libya on Tuesday after some Muslims attacked the consulates of the United States in both countries. The US Ambassador to Libya, Chris Steven, and three other Americans were killed in the riots.

There has been widespread anger against the amateur film which was said to have portrayed Islam and Prophet Mohammed in bad light, and since it was uploaded on Youtube an online video sharing website it has sparked off riot and protest with the recent one happening at the US Embassy in Yemen.

Masquerade234 learnt that both military and police formations in major cities in the Northern part of Nigeria had been placed on high alert while security had been beefed up around foreign missions.

Deputy Force Public Relations Officer, Frank Mba, says the Inspector-General of Police, Mohammed Abubakar, had placed all police formations in the country on high alert. He also added that the IG had ordered that security around foreign embassies and diplomats in the country be beefed up.

FEDERAL GOVERNMENT TO HOST TEAM NIGERIA AND FALCONET ON SATURDAY

President Goodluck Jonathan

President Jonathan has directed all cabinet ministers to attend Saturdays reception for team Nigeria's special Athletes to the just concluded Paralympic games in London.

Minister of Information Labaran Maku announced this while addressing State house correspondence on the outcome of the Federal Executive Council meeting presided over by president Jonathan in Abuja. Maku said the falconets who came fourth at the just concluded FIFA U-20 Women Championship in Japan would also be hosted at the recetion for their brilliant performance.

Maku said the president commended the outstanding performance of both teams and directed ministers to attend the reception to be host3ed at the presidential villa, as a mark of honour, adding that the reception would sent a clear signal that all athletes are important to the government.

Team Nigeria won thirteen medal at the paralympic games comprising six gold, five silver and two bronze medal while the falconet finished fourth at the U-20 WOMENS WORLD CUP.

PRESIDENT JONATHAN AND DIEZANI MAKE SURPRISE APPEARANCE AT FEC

President Goodluck Jonathan and Minister of Petroleum, Dieziani Alison-Madueke made a surprise appearance at  Federal Executive Council meeting today.

President Jonathan who returned 24 hours ahead of schedule to Abuja on Tuesday night. He cut short his official to Malawi and Botswana, sparking off speculations that it may have been caused by concerns over the health condition of his wife, Dame Patience Jonathan.

Dame Patience Jonathan is currently hospitalized in Wiesbaden, Germany with an undisclosed ailment, and the recent order barring aides from speaking to the press seems to be working cause nobody is willing to give any information about her condition. There has been controversy over the nature of her aliment in the media.

Jonathan arrived the Council Chamber for the weekly FEC meeting at 10a.m to the surprise of members.
Another surprise was the appearance of the minister of petroleum Diezani Alison-Madueke who was reportedly hospitalised in a London hospital.

fellow Ministers milled around her before the commencement of the meeting. Some were overheard saying they tried reaching her on the telephone unsuccessfully. She did not attend the last FEC meeting.

NO OFFICIAL WELCOME FOR NIGERIANS PARALYMPIC TEAM

Nigeria Paralympic team arrived the country with no official of the Nigeria Sport Commission on ground to welcome them. Masquerade234 investigation showed that the the director general of the commission Patrick Ekeji saying he doesn't know when they will arrive.

Masquerade234 joins other Nigerians in celebrating the outing of the Nigerian Paralympic representatives at the just concluded London games, and urging them not to worry about the shabby treatment from sport administrators in the country as their little effort has put the country's name in gold.


You are our true heroes.

2015 NOT ON PRESIDENT JONATHANS AGENDA

SSA Public Affairs to President Jonathan Doyin Okupe

Senior Special Assistance on Public Affairs to the President Doyin Okupe says Contesting the 2015 presidential election is not on the President agenda. Okupe added that buying of generators will soon be a waste of money in the country.

He said this during a public affairs program on Channels Television monitored by Masquerade234.

When asked if the President’s silence on his endorsement by some South-East leaders for the 2015 presidential election during his  visit to Anambra State recently meant that he had accepted to run, Okupe said the “2015 election was not on his mind”.

Okupe, emphasized that the endorsement in Anambra came out of spontaneous effusion from the mind of the people and it was out of appreciation for what he had  done and achieved and this is not something we can actually condemn.

He stated that the President silence does not mean he has accepted to run. As a matter of fact the issue of 2015 is not on his mind or agenda and he kept silent in order not to discourage those who support him.

FEDERAL GOVERNMENT SET TO LAUNCH GREEN WALL SAHARA INITIATIVE TO COMBAT DESERTIFICATION

Minister of Environment Hajia Hadiza Mailafia

Federal Government is set to launch the Great Green Wall Sahara Initiative GWSI in October, the Director, Drought and Desertification Amelioration in the Federal Ministry of Environment, Dr Bukhar Hassan, has said.

Hassan stated in Abuja that the launch would be done by President Goodluck Jonathan in Kano, adding that the initiative was the brain child of former President Olusegun Obasanjo, which he had proposed at a continental meeting in Libya in 2005.

The project is expected to run across Africa, from Mauritania in the North West, to Djibouti in the North East and it is designed to combat desert encroachment occasioned by climate change, The current rate of desert encroachment into Nigeria is put at 0.6 km per annum.

It is envisaged that the GWSI project will restore soil fertility and reclaim the land for economic activities.
Hassan said the project would be executed in phases over a 12-year period, across the 11 front line states in Nigeria and would involve reforestation ranging from development of shelter belts to woodlots, among others.

The states to benefit include Kebbi, Sokoto, Zamfara, Katsina, Jigawa, Yobe, Adamawa, Gombe, Kano, Bauchi and Borno State.

PUBLIC INTEREST LAWYERS SAYS 2012 NATIONAL HONOURS LIST IS A JOKE

President Goodluck Jonathan

Public Interest Lawyers League has described the 2012 National Honours list published by the Federal Government as a joke.

In a public statement signed by President of the League Abdul Mahmud, stressed that President Goodluck Jonathan would find it difficult to justify the names put forward by his government, and wondered why the Nation’s Cultural icons are not on the list instead.

He described those on the list as discredited Entrepreneurs whose stars faded as their enterprises, dubious Politicians who are truncating democracy and the people, puny Public Servants, with no sense of service or commitment, and has made governance in the country what it is today.

Public Interest Lawyers League  called on President Jonathan to end the joke, adding that National Honours are not about conferring honours on patronage-seekers and bootlickers but rather it is about giving recognition to individuals who are committed to lives of service to the community.

Masquerade234 investigations shows that Nigerians are wondering the criteria used in arriving at the list, some are wondering why the taxi driver who returned 18million naira forgetten in his taxi cab is not on the list, while others asked why the female cop who laid down her life to protect corp members during a riot is also not on the list.

Your opinion matter here. 

ABUJA NATIONAL STADIUM ROTS AWAY

The Abuja national stadium an edifice that was not in the master plan of the the new federal capital Territory, was conceived and built by the Olusegun Obasanjo administration at the cost of over N54 billion. though an enormous project but it did not get the backing of the public at inception who felt the money could be channeled into better thing and that sporting activities could be the preserve of Lagos due to the national stadium in Surulere. Despite the public outcry the Abuja National Stadium was controversially constructed to hold the All Africa Games in 2003.

This eight wonder of the world like many public institutions in Nigeria is presently in a terrible shape today as a result of neglect and mismanagement.

Masquerade234 had to embark on this adventure when a journalist friend jokingly told me that the main bowl of Abuja National Stadium can be used to rear dangerous animals and lo and behold the picture speaks for its self.

Abuja National Stadium Hosting a Live match

Ariel View of Present state

Main Bowl overgrown by weeds

Weeds in Charge

Relaxation Spot overgrown by weeds

Reservoir filled with filth and rain water

M

Masquerade234 wonders what all sport journalist in Abuja are doing, when an edifice like the National Stadium could be left to rot away. This edifice marvelled Brazillian National team coach when they came to play the super eagles in a friendly, he told journalist that he wished his country can build such an edifice to promote football in Brazil.

Looking at these pictures, do you see this country as a serious country at all, allowing N54 Billion to rot a away without blinking an eyelid, less than ten years after it was commissioned.

Sport journalist in the federal capital territory should hide their head in shame for not holding sport administrators accountable to the people. Masquerade234 investigation show that sport journalist have constituted themselves to errand boys of the administrators and this is doing no one any good.

Post your comment and lets restore the stadium back to glory together.