Theophilus Afe

By Emeka Mamah, Vincent Ujumadu, Dayo Johnson, Simon Ebegbulem, Festus Ahon, Peter Okutu, Emmaneul Una, John Mkom & Rotimi Ojomoyela Following the killings in Benue and Taraba states in the new year by Fulani herdsmen, state governments across the country have begun putting in place measures to avert a similar occurrence in their domains.​ While the states that reacted to the development dismissed the proposal of cattle colonies by the Federal Government, they, however, said they were taking other steps to regulate the activities of the herdsmen to avert attacks. A woman wailing over killings ​ The states that have so far reacted include Cross River, Edo, Delta, Enugu, Taraba, Ondo, Anambra, Ebonyi and Ekiti. Ayade appoints Fulani as special adviser in C-River In Cross River State, which had witnessed several hersdsmen/farmers’ clashes that claimed lives and property, Chief Press Secretary to Governor Ben Ayade, Mr Chris Ita, said there was robust effort to nip the conflict in ...

Proponents for a second term for President Muhammadu Buhari in All Progressives Congress, APC, are warning that re-electing the President for a second term remained the surest way of ensuring geopolitical stability in the polity. The proponents are also pushing for a second term for Chief John Odigie-Oyegun as National Chairman of the party as a way of avoiding crisis within the party. Those involved in the project to return the President warned that failing to return him to power could open the way for another Northerner to get the office and delay the return of the Presidency to the South in 2023. The danger, Vanguard learned, is also compounded by the prospects of other party leaders, including Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, throwing their hats in the ring in the event Buhari does not contest. One of the governors now pushing for Buhari in a chat, stressed that Buhari’s failure to contest or failure to win re-election could open a crisis that is best avoided. While admitting challenges t...

By Anayo Okoli, Peter Okutu & Ugochukwu Alaribe ABAKALIKI. THE President-General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Chief Nnia Nwodo, has said the prevailing activities of the Fulani herdsmen had over the years led to the killing, maiming, raping of Igbo people and destruction of their farms. He said: “The peaceful coexistence between previously peace-loving Fulani herdsmen, who herded their cattle with long canes and our local farmers has been replaced by an era of AK-47 totting and rampaging herdsmen who kill, maim, rape our people and destroy our farms. “Not one of them is ever arrested for illegal possession of firearms. Even those arrested in Nimbo for mercilessly killing our people remain unprosecuted by the Northern dominated law enforcement agents.” Also, an Igbo chieftain in Ebonyi State, Chief Abia Onyike, alleged that the Fulani herdsmen have recently become a militia group charged with the continuation of the Igbo genocide in Nigeria. “The attacks have led to the loss of innoc...

By Emma Amaize and Perez Brisibe WARRI. – THE Niger Delta Avengers, NDA, Wednesday, called for restructuring of the country, declaring anybody opposed to it, including the Federal Government as enemy. File: Militants before the federal govt amnesty programme The group in a statement by the spokesperson, self-styled “Major General” Murdoch Agbinibo, also vowed to resume another round of attacks, in the next few days” on oil installations in the Niger Delta region if government refused to listen to the new demands, including control of ownership ofresources and release of detained Niger Delta activists. It words: “While promising a brutal outpour of our wrath, which shall shake the coffers of the failed Nigerian nation, our demand unambiguously is for the government to restructure this country.” “We wish to state in plain terms that anybody against restructuring is an enemy of this country and particularly an enemy of the Niger Delta Avengers; and we shall not rest until such en...

By Motunrayo Ogundipe. President Muhammadu Buhari has come under attack by Nigerians, particularly social media users over his statement that he is not in a hurry to act concerning the herdsmen attacks in Benue and other parts of the country. Buhari had on Thursday, after a dinner at Pesidential Villa, explained that he is guided by historical antecedents reason why he is not in a hurry to take decisions on the killings in Benue State. Reacting to this, Nigerians came hard on Buhari for quick action in proscribing IPOB as terrorist organisation, yet, failed to act against Fulani herdsmen. Some claimed that Buhari was slow to action because he is a Fulani man and leader of Fulani herdsmen. Here are some comments: @Alex “uh u were in a hurry to label IPOB terrorists, You were in a hurry to arrest dasuki,You were in a hurry to destroy our economy,You were in a hurry to increase price of fuel in Nigeria,You were in a hurry to turn Aso rock to be for you and your family members both n...

Leaders of South-South Forum under the aegis of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Afenifere and Middle Belt Forum, yesterday, paid a condolence visit to Benue State governor, Samuel Ortom.Head of the Middle Belt Forum, Alhaji Bala Takaya, commended the governor for establishing the anti-open grazing law and urged states in the federation to emulate same. “We are solidly behind you and ask you to be steadfast,” he said. President-General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Chief John Nwodo, and Afenifere leader, Chief Ayo Adebanjo, both stressed the need for restructuring of the nation, with Nwodo chiding Buhari for not visiting Benue following the recent killings of over 73 persons. Responding, Ortom appreciated the gesture and expressed his faith in the unity of the country. He added: “We must protect the interest of all and no one should be a sacred cow.”This came as Igbo youths yesterday issued a 24-hour notice to Fulani herdsmen to vacate the South East or face wrath. “Any of them found anywhere around the Sout...

By Nathan Nathaniel. Popular Nollywood film maker, Chukwuka Emelionwu aka Kasvid, has passed on this New Year as he was said to have died in a fatal accident. Chukwuka is not new to the movie industry as he was the brain behind the much watched movie, “Isakaba.” Friends and industry colleagues who have had the opportunity of working with the late producer have described him as a gentle fellow who was always filled with life as he loves carrying everyone along without having issues. Send your stories and gist to genesisnollywood@gmail.com WhatsApp: +2348035655009

Edwin Hawkins, best known for the hit "Oh Happy Day," has died in California. He was credited with being one of the founders of modern gospel music. Edwin Hawkins, who helped launch the gospel and inspirational music scene during the turbulent era of the late 1960s and went on to win four Grammys, has died from pancreatic cancer at the age of 74. A composer, keyboardist, arranger and choir master from Oakland, Hawkins had been performing with his family and in church groups since childhood. In his 20s, he helped form the Northern California State Youth Choir, which released its first album, "Let Us Go into the House of the Lord," in 1968. Radio stations in the San Francisco Bay area picked up one of the album's songs, the call-and-response style "Oh Happy Day," and a crossover hit was born. Featuring the vocals of Dorothy Combs Morrison, the song was released as a single credited to the Edwin Hawkins Singers in 1969 and sold more than a million cop...

Azeezat Niniola Allen, better known by her stage name, ‘Azeezat, has boasted that she is the brain behind the new sound and style of music now done by young Nigerian female music acts. Speaking to Showtime in a chat, she claimed that before the rise of young acts such as Simi, Yemi Alade, Niniola, to mention a few, she had prepared the music stage for them to build on. According to the acclaimed ‘queen of love’, reigning young female acts are just recreating what she has been able to create so she is not in any way worried of waning because in due time she would return to show them she is their master in the music game. “I think they have been putting touches to what I’ve been able to create, the revolution I was able to create by projecting our own cultural values and heritage through music, to take it to the next level. Kudos to them, they are doing well and I think it’s just for me to come in and build it to the next level because it started with the likes of me. I won’t claim i...

Pope Francis said on Monday that he was really afraid about the danger of nuclear war and that the world now stood at “the very limit.” His comment, made as he flew off for a visit to Chile and Peru, came after Hawaii issued a false missile alert that provoked panic in the United State state, and highlighted the risk of possible unintended nuclear war with North Korea, Reuters reports. Asked if he was worried about the possibility of nuclear war, Pope Francis said: “I think we are at the very limit. I am really afraid of this. One accident is enough to precipitate things.” He did not mention Hawaii or North Korea. Pope Francis has often flagged the danger of nuclear warfare and in November he appeared to harden the Catholic Church’s teaching against nuclear weapons, saying countries should not stockpile them even for the purpose of deterrence. As reporters boarded his plane bound for Chile, Vatican officials handed out a photograph taken in 1945 that shows a young Japanese boy ca...

By Christy Anyawu. Female Talking drummer Aralola Olumuyiwa, popularly known as Ara, is famous for her specialty in playing the traditional talking drum . Her stage name, Ara, meaning style, is reflective of her identity as a stylish person just as her trademark hairstyle and her distinct genre of music, all add up to to sum up her uniqueness in the nation’s entertainment industry. in its own way.   Ara who has son with her estranged husband before the duo parted spoke about her mum with Sunday Sun recently during an event in Lagos. Can you tell us about your mum? My mum is a very wonderful woman.  Like all mothers should be, she is a mother who takes everything about her children seriously. Of course she wouldn’t want me to disclose her age. She’s from Ondo town and she’s partly from Oyo. she’s a descendant of the Alaafin of Oyo. My mother is from a very big family. Her name is Alhaja Kudirat Olamuyiwa. What major lesson did you learn from her growing up? My mum is an extremely ...

By Oluseye Ojo, Ibadan Otunba Gani Adams was yesterday installed as the 15th Aare Ona Kakanfo of Yorubaland by the Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Olayiwola Adeyemi III at Durba Stadium, ancient Oyo town, Oyo State. Adams, who had been in seclusion since Wednesday evening till Saturday morning undergoing traditional rites, came to the venue of the swearing-in in white attire with a white cap, white pairs of shoes, red royal beads on neck and eye glasses to match.          He arrived in company with his entourage to the warm embrace of monarchs from different parts of Yorubaland, including the Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Saliu Adetunji, Aje Ogungunniso I, Deji of Akure and Timi of Ede, among others.   The installation ceremony kicked-off at 2p.m with the arrival of the Governor of Oyo State, Senator Abiola Ajimobi. Following the initiation process, Alaafin pronounced Adams as Aare Ona Kakanfo of Yorubaland and subsequently presented him with a staff symbolising the power of Sango (the g...

COURSE TITLE: Introduction to APC Government COURSE CODE: APC 101 TIME ALLOWED: 2HRS 45 MIN COURSE UNIT: 6 INSTRUCTION: Attempt All Questions 1. Discuss the probability of APC blaming GEJ for the next 3years for (i.) Dollar increase. (ii.)Fuel Price increase (iii.) Power Failure (iv.) Unemployment (v. )Fulani Herdsmen Killings 2. If APC = All Promises Cancelled, where PMB is a constant, discuss the speed at which: ( i.) N5k promise is cancelled (ii.) Feeding of school pupil is cancelled (iii.) NYSC allowance is reduced iv. Fuel pump prices are increased 3. Define the term, ''Budget padding''. 4. Mention 3 types of APC propaganda you know, and how they can be used in 21st century politics. 5. Mention 5 IDP you know that feeds with N14000 everyday. 6. Mention the next 3 countries PMB will travel to and the disgrace he will receive. 7. If PMB is silent when herdsmen kill people and buys jet fighter when Biafra is mentioned, what is the probability that PMB is not a...

Politicians, traditional rulers and other stakeholders from the South South, South West, Middle Belt and South East, yesterday, urged the Federal Government to declare Miyetti Allah a terrorist organisation. From left, Chief Joseph Odumuku, Coordinator, Nzuko Umunna; Dr Olusegun Mimiko, former governor of Ondo State; Chief John Nnia Nwodo, President Ohanaeze Ndigbo; Mr Alban Ofili -Okonkwo, Guest Speaker; Chief Ifeanyi Uba, LOC Chairman and Chief Ikedi Ohakim, former governor of Imo State, at the HandShake Across The Niger Summit held at Base Centre, Enugu. They also called for the restructuring of the country along regional lines to ensure growth and development of the country, and  accused President Muhammadu Buhari of spearheading the anti-restructuring posture. This came on a day the 73 persons killed by Fulani herdsmen in Benue State on New Year day were buried in Makurdi, with elder statesman, Paul Unongo declaring that the people of the state would raise a million-man army to...

The Fulani Nationality Movement, (FUNAM) after extensive deliberations on the state of the nation in the context of the recent killings and national uproar, met today in Kano, the capital of Kano State. Among other things, the FUNAM deliberated on attacks on cattles by rustlers, kidnap of Fulani men and women in some parts of Nigeria, displacement of Fulani traditional settlements in Northern Nigeria and some parts of Southern Nigeria, stealing of properties belonging to Fulani cattler owners amongst other issues. The group also deliberated on the political situation in Nigeria occassioned by the irresponsible calls for restructuring of Nigeria, the historic and vicious attacks on Fulani people by Southern nationalities and their cohorts in the middle belt, the plot to ensure Fulani are pushed to the backbench in the power equation in Nigeria and above all, the vicious campaign against the God ordained place of Fulani as the leading star guide in Nigeria, and after extensive delibera...

By Ademola Yakubu. The creation of cattle colonies as proposed by Governor Simon Lalong has been rejected by Former Plateau governor Jonah Jang Jang who is senator said that the people of his constituency are not in support of creation of cattle colonies He insisted that his people who victims of violent attacks by herdsmen are “not ready to accept the confiscation of their land by government” Former Plateau governor Jonah Jang says his constituents are opposed to the creation of cattle colonies as proposed by his successor, Simon Lalong. Jang, who represents Plateau North in the Senate, said in Jos on Friday, January 12 that he had met with his constituents to gauge their feelings on the proposal. “My people are against cattle colonies; they have said that they would not relinquish their ancestral lands for the purpose of grazing reserves or colonies,” Jang said in a statement signed by his media consultant, Clinton Garuba. Lalong had told State House correspondents in Abuja on Thurs...

As we grow older, say from 40 years up to 65. There is nothing better than a total life style change to preserve us and keep us healthy. After 40 if a person still wants to keep living like a child, he or she might not make it passed middle age. If however such individuals make it, while living like children, then they might suffer a lot of health problems as they age. One of the first things someone over forty years should consider, will be a life of moderation. Drink moderately, eat healthy and wisely, sleep enough and don't deprive yourself of sleep because of partying, hanging out and all such youthful desires and occupations. Regular exercises should not be missed. Because at the age of forty and above the vital organs of a human being will need some aiding to function properly through exercising. Any man or woman who after 40 still consumes alcohol like a little boy or girl and indulge freely in all the things he or she did at age 20, or say 25, does not understand ...

Their names are Joy and Testimony. Both of them are two weeks old. Baby Testimony was so named because her mother said she passed through a lot of stress before her birth, while baby Joy, according to her mother, “is the joy of my heart”. Both babies are examples of children returning from Libya without their fathers. What makes their stories sad is the fact that they may never see their fathers again. Their mothers are among the 373 Edo State-born returnees from Libya. Unlike the previous batches of returnees taken care of by the International Organisation in Migration (IOM), these ones were released from an underground cell in Libya and returned to Nigeria immediately. They looked unkempt and hungry as they started begging for food from people the morning they arrived Benin City. The males among the returnees looked skinny, while some of the females are pregnant. Carol Wisdom, aged 23, is the mother of Testimony, while Alice Monday, also 23, is the mother of Joy. Both women sat...

A pastor's baby was playing with her dad's phone and accidentally posted:::: "sdjmhryuiowq kdfshjsvfjj tokoloshika bskklspfrrrrrrrr" on the pastor's Facebook wall. Within an hour, over 1,500 followers had commented:::: "Amen" "I receive it" And about 900 people had shared the post. What exactly is wrong with this generation? 😕😕😕 Send your stories and gist to genesisnollywood@gmail.com WhatsApp: +2348035655009

TOLUWANI ENIOLA A  poll conducted by SUNDAY PUNCH has revealed that many Nigerians will not vote for President Muhammadu Buhari if he decides to seek re-election in 2019. The poll with the title, “Will you vote for Buhari in 2019?” was conducted on The PUNCH website, www.punchng.com. It gauged the opinions of Nigerians using three options for participants. Those who want to vote again for the President in 2019 answered by clicking ‘YES’ while those with a contrary opinion clicked the ‘NO’ button. The last option was for those who were indifferent to Buhari’s choice. The poll went live on Thursday, 5.48pm. As of 11pm on Saturday, out of the 9,524 participants who took part in the poll, 58 per cent (5,519 respondents) said they would not vote for Buhari in 2019. Up to 3,588 people, amounting to 38 per cent, said ‘YES’ to the poll while four per cent (417 votes) were indifferent to Buhari’s 2019 re-election bid. The poll, which has been read over 10,000 times, confirmed that many...

Mohamed Salah has won the African footballer of the year award. Prolific Liverpool scorer Mohamed Salah was named African Player of the Year in Ghanaian capital Accra on Thursday, the first Egyptian to win the award since Mahmoud al Khatib in 1983. The 25-year-old has scored 23 goals in 29 matches in all competitions this season for the Premier League outfit after moving from AS Roma in the summer. He also starred for resurgent Egypt, who last year finished runners-up to Cameroon in the Africa Cup of Nations and secured a first World Cup appearance since 1990. In the penultimate round of World Cup qualifying, Salah scored the brace that edged Congo Brazzaville in Alexandria, including the stoppage-time winner from a penalty that sealed a trip to Russia. Salah’s Liverpool teammate Sadio Mane, of Senegal, was runner-up and 2015 winner, Gabon and Borussia Dortmund striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang third after a 30-player list had been trimmed to three. National coaches, Confederatio...

By Ifreke Inyang. African football legend, George Weah, has been confirmed the winner of Liberia’s presidential election. According to Reuters, the National Elections Commission announced him as winner of the country’s run-off election on Thursday. Weah beat the country’s vice president, Joseph Boakai. The commission said with 98.1% of ballots cast, Weah garnered 61.5 percent of the total votes while Boakai got 38.5 percent. Weah becomes the 25th President of Liberia. The ex-Liberian international played for Paris Saint-Germain, AC Milan, Chelsea and Manchester City and later returned to France with Marseille. He is the only African to win the coveted Ballon d’Or. Weah also won the UEFA Champions League Top Scorer award, Coupe de France, Ligue1, Coupe de la Ligue, Serie A title, English FA Cup among others. Send your stories and gist to genesisnollywood@gmail.com WhatsApp: +2348035655009

Read this speech from the prime minister of Israel..... Benjamin Netanyahu, with all Glory to God. Mr. Nethanyahu said: Only 70 years ago! The Jews were taken to the slaughter like sheep. 60 years ago! We had no country. No Army. Seven Arab countries declared war on our small Jewish state, just a few hours after its creation! We were only 650 Jews, against the rest of the Arab world! NO IDF (Israel Defense Army). No powerful Air Force, only brave people with nowhere to go. Lebanon, Syria, Iraq, Jordan, Egypt, Libya, Saudi Arabia all attacked us at the same time. The country that the United Nations gave us was 65 % desert. The country was out of nowhere! 35 years ago! We fought the three most powerful armies in the middle east, and we swept them... yes... in six days. We fought against various coalitions of Arab countries, which had the modern armies and many Soviet weapons, and we had always beaten them! Today we have: *A country* *An army* *A powerful air force* *A State...

Mbaka berated the Buhari administration, saying it brought untold hardship upon Nigerian, adding that the President must quickly fix the problems in the land. Outspoken Catholic priest, Rev. Fr. Ejike Mbaka has said that Nigerians will change President Muhammadu Buhari in 2019 if he does not ensure things change for the better in the new year. Mbaka, who is the Spiritual Director of Adoration Ministries Enugu (AMEN) issued the warning at the new year eve service of his Ministry at its Adoration Ground Emene, Enugu State.. He berated the Buhari administration, saying it brought untold hardship upon the people, adding that the President must quickly find a solution to the numerous challenges in the country – economic hardship tops the list. “He should change quickly or else Nigerians will change him in 2019,” Mbaka said. Mbaka, however, opined that Buhari is a good man but has been hijacked by a cabal. He advised the Northerners to look for another candidate in place of Buhari ahea...