Tension rise as Benin Republic invades 16 #Nigerian villages bordering #Kwara state

Palpable tension has enveloped the border town of Okuta in Baruten Local Government Area of Kwara State over the alleged invasion of 16 villages by the authorities of Benin Republic.

Already, the authorities of the neighbouring country have gone ahead to construct Gerdarmes Office (Police station) in the affected Nigerian communities and also hoist their national flag at the affected Nigeria villages.

The development, according to THISDAY investigations, has disregarded the boundary delimitation of 1914 between Britain and France which the two countries had respected.

The affected Nigerian villages, according to THISDAY checks, include‎ Ogomne, Bwin, Gandasunon, Kpuru and Woru Wuren Kparu.

Others are Ajuba,1, Ajuba 2, Saka Yeruman Kparu,Monta, Dotin Kparu,Halidun Kparu, Yakubun Kparu, Sonsi,Gunosani, Alhaji Kparu,Yodo Mankparu and Simen Kparu.

It was learnt that the development has also led the Okuta Emirate Council to order the people of Yakparu axis to dismantle of the Beninoire flag hoisted at Nigerian villages and the flag is currently at the custody of the emirate council in the town.

President Goodluck Jonathan at 58. Read his famous QUOTES #PetalsPolitics

Former Nigerian President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan turns 58-years-old today and the Vanguard newspapers has 58 of his most quotable quotes.

Quote 1

The stronger the boat of (democracy), the more it is able to meet the challenges of its voyage and deliver on its promise to citizens.

Quote 2
The air of freedom we breathe today is the result of the sacrifices of thousands of pro-democracy activists, human rights campaigners and others who organised as civil society.

Quote 3
My political ambition is not worth the blood of any Nigerian.

Quote 4
No minister will be allowed to go on a mission of endless search for solutions.

Quote 5
In the comfort of our offices, let us not forget that majority of our people live below the poverty line.

Quote 6

Terrorism has no conscience and spares no one.

Quote 7
Any society or country that closes the vital valves of its democratic space cannot develop at a reasonable pace

Quote 8

Where there is no opportunity for one man one vote, there will be no accountability and no responsibility.

Quote 9

Democracy is a journey that every nation mindful of advancing the liberty of its citizens must undertake.

Quote 10

Nobody’s political ambition is worth the blood of any Nigerian.

Quote 11
Our votes must count! One man, one vote! One woman, one vote! One youth, one vote!

Quote 12
Nobody should rig for me. I am assuring Nigerians that though I am contesting, nobody must manipulate votes in my favour. Our votes must count.

Quote 13
I congratulate the candidates of the other political parties. I regard them not as opponents but as partners.

Quote 14

In presenting myself for service, I make no pretense that I have a magic wand that will solve all of Nigeria’s problems or that I am the most intelligent Nigerian.

Quote 15
I have come to launch a campaign of ideas, not one of calumny. I have come to preach love, not hate. I have come to break you away from divisive tendencies of the past which have slowed our drive to true nationhood. I have no enemies to fight. You are all my friends and we share a common destiny.

Quote 16

Democracy calls for sacrifice and tolerance an open ear and a strong voice.

Quote 17
For the PDP family, the contest for party offices does not produce winners and losers.

Quote 18
I believe in the politics of give and take.

Quote 19
Separation of power is not separation of government.

READ THE REST

UPDATE #Mali Forces release 80 of 170 hostages at Radisson Blu Hotel in #Bamako

Malian special forces enter the Radisson Blu Hotel in Mali's capital, Bamako, where suspected Islamists are holding dozens of guests and staff hostage. The alleged terrorists are said to be three in number armed with AK47 automatic rifles. The 30 hotel staff and 140 guests have been held hostage since the early hours of Friday and we are now learning that 80 hostages have been freed. Mali TV footage shows special forces during their operation.

The hotel is a popular spot for foreigners, expats and others in the French liberated country. France is also active in Mali  in the war against Al-Qaeda in the region and has special forces present in the country with more on the way. At press time, three people have been killed, two Malians and a French national. Authorities have no specified whether any was a hostage or alleged terrorist. Stay tuned to Petals FM on Twitter @PetalsFM 

#BREAKING Five Banks attacked in #OgunState in a BRAZEN armed robbery #PetalsCrime

There was an armed robbery attack on five banks within Agbara Industrial Estate, Ogun state Thursday morning. In a similar style as the FESTAC bank robberies in Lagos a few months ago, we hear the robbers numbering over 20 and dressed in military camouflage were said to have arrived the area around 7.30am.

It was gathered that they strategically stationed themselves at the two entry points into the area long before the banks opened for business.

Those who claimed to have seen them alleged that the robbers actually arrived earlier than 7am.

According to a source, the operation started few minutes after the bank opened their doors for customers.

The robbers allegedly opened fire at some policemen attached to an Armoured Personnel Carrier along the main entrance to the area.

Having been overwhelmed by the superior fire power of the robbers, the policemen allegedly took to their heels, leaving behind the armoured vehicle.

The robbers allegedly blew up the carrier before heading towards a yet to be disclosed bank.

"Some of the robbers stationed themselves in front of most of the Automates Teller Machine (ATM) located at the banks visited.

"They blew them open with Dynamite and carted away cash stacked inside the ATM. Others held staff of the banks hostage at gun point while they made attempt to enter the volt" the witness said.

Though, some policemen from Agbara Division held the robbers in a gun battle, but a source said that the robbers came prepared with heavy ammunition.

It could not be ascertained if there was any casualty.

With files from the Daily Trust

Manhunt for teen explosive expert who built suicide vests in #ParisAttacks

A MANHUNT is under way for the bombmaker who supplied the suicide vests to the Paris attackers amid fears he is plotting a fresh attack.

Mohamed Khoualed, 19, is described by security services as a dangerous explosives expert.

He is one of two suspected bombmakers at large who caused authorities to call off two international football games this week in Belgium and Germany.

Intelligence agencies fear Khoualed has teamed up with runaway terrorist pal Salah Abdeslam.

Khoualed, originally from the French Antilles, is believed to have made the sophisticated vests for all seven Paris suicide bombers.

French police issued an alert with his mugshot yesterday warning that he was very dangerous and an expert in explosives and detonators.

Security sources describe Khoualed, who has a deep scar on the right side of his face, as even more dangerous than Abdeslam. He is from the northern French town of Roubaix close to the Belgian border, but could now be with Abdeslam.

READ MORE

Coach Samson Siasia's mother KIDNAPPED. Abductors demand N150M ransom #PetalsCrime

THE abductors of the mother of U-23 National team Coach Samson Siasia, Madam Beauty Siasia, has demanded N150 million ransom for her safe return.

Another high profile personality, a board member of the Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN), Prof. Ken Anugweje, was kidnapped yesterday in Port Harcourt, Rivers State.

The Inspector General of Police, Solomon Aranse assured yesterday that the police was working round the clock to ensure the safe release of Siasia’s mother.

READ MORE

Tribute day for Mrs #HIDAwolowo in #Ibadan filled with great memories #PetalsMemorial

Petals was at the Tribune house and church service memorial marking the final homeward journey of the matriarch of Awolowo dynasty, Chief Hannah Idowu Dideolu Awolowo continued yesterday in Ibadan, as dignitaries, led by Governor Abiola Ajimobi poured encomiums on the deceased.

At the lying-in-state held at the Tribune House in Imalefalafia area of Ibadan, Ajimobi described the late Mrs. Awolowo as an epitome of motherhood and womanhood adding that Mama Awolowo was a detribalized woman.

“Mama had an unlimited, unmatchable, dignifying and great mental capacity and sagacity, disciplined, firm and sturdy disposition. “I will also recommend her ideas and ideals for any brilliant scholar for in-depth research and analysis from which far-reaching solutions can be found to our peculiar socio-political problems,’’ Ajimobi said.

For Governor Rauf Aregbesola of Osun state , V Mama Awolowo was an icon, matriarch and super woman, whose exemplary character and leadership is worth emulation.

“ For any lady to have stood the way Mama did with such enigma is a mark of great honor,” he said.

On his part, Lagos State governor Akinwumi Ambode said: “While a lot have been said of her contributions to the development of Lagos state, Papa Awolowo was the originator of the vision while Mama was the spirit that drove the vision and it is worthy for all of us to carry on with that spirit of vision.

Wife of Minister of Solid Minerals, Bisi Fayemi described the late Hannah Awolowo as “a wonderful and devoted wife.”

With files from the Guardian

#BiafraOrDeath Placards carried by protesters at Aba March #PetalsImpact

Thousands of protesters took to the streets in Aba, the Abia State capital, yesterday, to demand the release of Mr. Nnamdi Kanu, who operated a radio station calling for a separate state of Biafra.

In Aba, the commercial hub of Abia State, some 2,000 people carried placards with slogans such as “Biafra or death” and waved the Biafran flag — a golden rising sun on red, black and green.

Others wore T-shirts and caps with the image of Nnamdi Kanu, the director of Radio Biafra and founder of the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, pressure group. Some sang freedom songs and carried the outlawed Biafran pound currency. A protester reportedly tore a Nigerian flag.

“Getting our leader out of detention is our immediate concern, but ultimately we want to be free from Nigeria,” IPOB’s Abia coordinator, Ikechukwu Ugwuoha, told the crowds.

DSS ordered to produce Nnamdi Kanu

Meantime, an Abuja Chief Magistrate Court sitting at Wuse Zone 2, yesterday, ordered the Department of State Services, DSS, to produce the detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, Nnamdi Kanu, before it, on November 23.

MORE

Nigerian Government bans importation of Generator sets #PetalsEnvironment

THE Federal government has banned the importation of a very common brand of generators locally called “I better pass my neighbour”.

The Controller, Federation Operations Unit Zone A, Lagos of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Madugu Sanni Jubrin, who disclosed this, yesterday, said, “the smaller generators have been banned by the Federal Government because it is causing air pollution and destruction of our lungs and breathing system.

“That is why they have banned it but people are still interested in smuggling them in, that is why we intercepted them. If you go to the market, you still see them because people have imported them before the ban. So it is the leftover they had before the ban that they are selling because the law did not backdate the ban and it is not an absolute prohibition. It is prohibition by trade which means you cannot bring it in large quantity and sell to the public. That is the type of prohibition we have on this but if you buy one piece, Customs will not seize it”.

SOURCE

(WARNING GRAPHIC) Video released of FIRST #ParisAttacks in restaurant where woman survives gunman.

Watch how that woman was on the ground when the attacker tried to kill her and ran out of bullets. The woman flees with another lady.

Late Mrs Awolowo set to become "Dr HID" on November 28th as Tai Solarin University gives posthumous Ph.D

Mrs HID Awolowo flanked by her daughter Tola Oyediran, granddaughter Kemi and great grandaughter
(Credits: Ovation mag)

As encomiums continue to pour in for the late matriarch of the Awolowo family, Chief (Mrs.) HID Awolowo, the Tai Solarin Universiy of Education, Ogun State, will confer a posthumous honorary doctorate degree in Business Education on her during the university’s 2015 convocation and 10th anniversary ceremonies slated for Saturday, November 28.

In a letter dated November 9 and signed by the Vice Chancellor of TASUED, Professor Oluyemisi Obilade, the university said the decision to honour the late Yeye Odua was in recognition of her passion for education, business acumen and service to humanity.

The letter, addressed to the Awolowo family, read in parts: “We are delighted to inform you that the University Governing Council has approved the recommendations of the Senate to honour the matriarch, Chief (Mrs.) H.I.D Awolowo, with the posthumous degree of Doctor of Science (D.Sc.Ed) (Honoris Causa) in Business Education of Tai Solarin University of Education, Ijagun. (The premier University of Education in Nigeria) at the forthcoming 2015 convocation and 10th year anniversary ceremonies scheduled to hold at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, 28th November, 2015 at the university auditorium, Ijagun Main Campus.

“This award is in recognition of her passion for education, business acumen and numerous contributions to the advancement of human race in Nigeria. The university takes special cognisance of her being a role model and legendary example of womanhood, leadership and family support.

"The university /joins well-meaning Nigerians in celebrating the enviable worth of Mama and her outstanding legacy in the service of humanity. We also congratulate you and your family on the noble achievement. May the Almighty God uphold the Awolowo family and keep them united.”

It would be recalled that the late Chief Obafemi Awolowo not only revolutionised education in the then Western Nigeria with the introduction of free education programme of his political party, he also recognised the support of his wife in the area of education.

SOURCE

Dasuki ordered ARRESTED by President Buhari in $2.9B arms scandal.

President Muhammdu Buhari Tueday night ordered the arrest of the former National Security Adviser, NSA, Col. Sambo Dasuki (Rtd), for allegedly siphoning billions of dollars earmarked for arms purchases.

In ordering the arrest, President Buhari observed that the actions of the erstwhile NSA brought the nation to international ridicule as the failure to procure the arms incapacitated the military in the face of the insurgency orchestrated by the Boko Haram sect.

READ MORE

Facebook's Safety Check activated following Nigeria bombing. Avatars to show Nigerian flag.

"We've activated Safety Check again after the bombing in Nigeria," CEO Mark Zuckerberg said in a Facebook post. "A loss of human life anywhere is a tragedy, and we're committed to doing our part to help people in more of these situations."

At least 31 people were killed and 72 others injured in a bomb blast that ripped through the northeastern Nigerian city of Yola on Tuesday, according to Aliyu Maikano, a local Red Cross official.

Facebook (FB, Tech30) faced criticism after it activated Safety Check following the Paris attacks last week. While 4 million people marked themselves as "safe" with the tool, some users asked why the people-finder feature wasn't used following other violent incidents, including a recent bombing in Beruit.

Facebook's policy up until the Paris attacks was to activate the feature only for natural disasters. But Zuckerberg said that in the future, it will also be used for human disasters. Safety Check asks users if they are safe, and allows friends to view the responses.

"We're now working quickly to develop criteria for the new policy and determine when and how this service can be most useful," Zuckerberg said Tuesday.

It's unclear how often Facebook will activate the feature. But the response to the Nigeria bombing suggests it could be used much more widely.

Nigeria has suffered a wave of terror-related violence in recent years. The country suffered 7,512 deaths from terrorism in 2014, a 300% increase from the previous year.

Now Nigerians can see their overseas friends avatars showing the Nigerian flag. 

With Files from CNNMoney

Three Suspects DEAD in St Denis Police raid during investigation of Paris Attacks.

At press time international cable networks CNN and Al Jazeera report that THREE suspects linked to Friday’s deadly attacks in Paris died after police raided an apartment in a northern suburb of the French capital, a prosecutor said, correcting an earlier report that said three were killed. The female suspect blew herself up.

Paris’ prosecutor Francois Molins said a female suspect killed herself by detonating a vest rigged with explosives at start of the operation in Saint-Denis early on Wednesday.

A second suspect was shot by police, the prosecutor said.

The identity of the casualties was not immediately released. However, French media said the target of the operation was Belgian national Abdelhamid Abaaoud, a key suspect of the attacks, in which at least 129 people were killed. Petals will have all the latest news for you. Follow us @PetalsFM on Twitter

Deputy Senate President Ike Ekweremadu says he was almost assassinated by GUNMEN in Abuja Tuesday.

We are learning that the Deputy President of the Senate, Ike Ekweremadu, claimed that he escaped assassination attempt, from suspected armed men on Tuesday in Abuja.

The assassination attempt, according to him, occurred around 10am between Apo Flyover and Dantata Construction Company’s yard, close to the Old Central Bank of Nigeria Headquarters junction, on his way to work.

Ekweremadu, according to a statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Uche Anichukwu, on Tuesday explained that the suspected assassins operated in a tinted, white-coloured Mercedez Benz AMG E63 without a number plate.

He said they were chauffeured by a long-bearded light skinned foreigner, apparently a mercenary.

The vehicle, which was positioned by the Apo Bridge, on noticing that the deputy senate president’s convoy, took the right turn to join the Nnamdi Azikiwe Expressway instead, and made a U-turn.

The statement added that the occupants attempted to attack the convoy, but were blocked.

The driver, it stated, violently broke into the convoy and made several frantic attempts to attack the Senator’s official car.

The statement added, “When charged at by the security operatives attached to Ekweremadu, the Benz driver made a U-turn, and partially smashed an oncoming vehicle on the opposite lane of the highway and escaped.”

It explained that the development had already been reported to the security agencies.

SOURCE

Arrest Warrant issued for #Israeli PM Netanyahu in #Spain.

Benjamin Netanyahu (AP Photo)

Benjamin Netanyahu and seven other Israeli officials are at risk of arrest if they go to Spain. The Israeli foreign ministry called the Spanish judge's arrest warrant a "provocation". According to the Latin American Herald Tribune, Spanish national court judge Jose de la Mata ordered the police and civil guard to notify him if Mr Netanyahu and the six other individuals enter the country, as their actions could see a case against them regarding the Freedom Flotilla attack of 2010 reopened. Read more at the newspaper's link

Alleged N3.1bn fraud: Ex- Benue gov, Suswam, secures N100m bail #PetalsGov

ABUJA – The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, this morning, docked the former governor of Benue State, Gabriel Suswam before the Federal High Court in Abuja over a nine-count criminal charge bordering on alleged money laundering.

Suswam was arraigned before Justice Ahmed Mohammed alongside his erstwhile Commissioner for Finance, Mr. Omodachi Okolobia.

They were alleged to have looted about N3.1billion, being proceeds of shares owned by the Benue State government and Benue Investment and Property Company Ltd.

‎The offence the duo allegedly committed are punishable under section 15(3) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act 2011 as amended in 2012.

Meantime, shortly after the accused persons pleaded not guilty to the charge against them, they were released on bail by Justice Mohammed to the tune of N100m each.

The court further ordered the accused persons to produce one surety each, adding ‎that such person must be a civil servant not below grade level 12 in either federal or state employment.

According to the court, the sureties must be ready to ‎depose to an affidavit of means.

Nevertheless, Justice Mohammed directed that in any event that the accused persons fail to secure a civil servant to stand surety on their behalf, he said they should produce someone with national honour to stand on their behalf.

‎Meanwhile, the case has been adjourned till December 8 and 9 for trial

SOURCE

Why PDP is losing at Election Tribunals #PetalsPolitics

BENIN CITY-SPECIAL Adviser to the Edo State Governor on Political Matters, Chief Charles Idahosa says the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) held the instrument of rigging elections in the country since 1999, saying therefore that the party’s persistent attack on the judiciary and the Presidency over tribunal rulings were uncalled for.

According to him, “President Muhammadu Buhari was not President when the Governorship election Tribunal annulled PDP elections in Ekiti, Ondo and Edo states, so why are they blaming the Presidency for Tribunal rulings which has been going against them now. Some of us who are veteran politicians, who were even members of the PDP from the formation days are always surprise when we read papers and see the leadership of the PDP accusing the Presidency of meddling into tribunal judgments.

READ MORE

Former President Obasanjo in CLOSED DOOR meeting with President Buhari #PetalsGov

Fmr President Obasanjo

For the second time this year, the former President Olusegun Obasanjo met with President Buhari Tuesday. Obasanjo arrived in Aso Rock at about 11.45am and the meeting was held at noon. By 12.50pm the meeting was over. Journalists were not allowed in the closed door meeting and the former president was seen clutching a file folder and left. No word on what the meeting was all about.

Environmental Activist Ken Saro-Wiwa Remembered on 20 years anniversary of Execution #PetalsImpact

Today marks 20 years that Nigerian Environmental Activist, Writer and TV Producer Ken Saro-Wiwa was executed by the former military government of General Sanni Abacha. He was very active in the fight to have Ogoniland cleaned up by oil companies. In today's British newspaper, The Guardian he son spoke in an article that it seems that his father didn't die in vain after all.  Petals FM's Prisca Abamba read an editorial this morning about it. Below are the tweets and you can read the full story in this Guardian article

@PriscaAbamba is #LIVE on the #petalseditorial. She is talking about the late Ken Saro-Wiwa who was executed 10th of Nov 1995, 20 years ago

— PetalsFM102.3 (@petalsfm) November 10, 2015

#petalseditorial Saro-Wiwa was an environmentalist and a member of the Ogoni people who spoke out against the crude oil environmental damage

— PetalsFM102.3 (@petalsfm) November 10, 2015

#petalseditorial Ken Saro Wiwa was executed by Sanni Abacha govt after being found guilty by a military tribunal of murders of Ogoni chiefs

— PetalsFM102.3 (@petalsfm) November 10, 2015

#petalseditorial You just heard Saro-Wiwa's voice appealing to the Judge saying to the judge that the Niger-Delta people have suffered

— PetalsFM102.3 (@petalsfm) November 10, 2015

#petalseditorial Ken Saro-Wiwa and 8 people gave their lives. the #keystonepipeline linking US/Cdn was cancelled by @BarackObama  days ago

— PetalsFM102.3 (@petalsfm) November 10, 2015

#petalseditorial #KeystoneXL #keystonepipeline  is just an example of how happy environmentalist are happy in US/CDN. Saro-Wiwa was KILLED

— PetalsFM102.3 (@petalsfm) November 10, 2015

HOW TO ADVERTISE ON PETALS FM NEWS BLOG

Advertise with us at PetalsFM.com. Call us for a rate sheet on our online blog advert space. When you advertise on Petals News Blog, your ads are seen by thousands of our readers. Promote your Business, Brand, Music, Company and more.

The numbers are: 
08185968627 for #MadamKOO our Social Media Manager 
08096882526 Marketing Manager Mr. Sanusi 
Our General Manager is Mr. Dotun Saseyi and his number is 08033295224

Biafra Protests Resume in Eastern Nigeria with Scores of Youth #PetalsImpact

Biafra rally via Twitter

Starting on Friday last week, the Million March March as it was billed came out with scores of youth in Eastern Nigerian cities like Aba, Port Harcourt, Enugu, Asaba, Onitsha and even Yenegoa. The Eastern Nigerian natives are protesting the arrest of Nnamdi Kanu the Managing Editor of Radio Biafra, an indegenous station broadcasting from the UK with messages to the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB). Many of the youth are asking for a separation into a Briafran state, something many Nigerians on social media are saying is a bad move for Nigeria, a country striving for Unity.

Confirming this to newsmen in Port Harcourt, Spokesman of the Police Command in the state, Mr Ahmad Muhammad, said that the protesters came into the state from Aba on Monday night.
According to him, they spent the night at Oyigbo and commenced the protest from there before moving into Port Harcourt.

The Biafra movement demonstration began early last week in parts of the South-East and spread to Asaba, Delta, on Friday, where no fewer than 20 of the demonstrators were arrested by the police.
In Rivers, the protesters, some riding on motorcycles and flying Biafra flags, marched through Aba Road into Port Harcourt city but where intercepted by the police with a barricade between Rumukrushi and 1st Artillery junction.

At that point, the scene became rowdy and the police used teargas in effort to disperse the protesters. In the stampede that ensued, some of the protesters fell down as they scampered for the safety.
But, some of them, who later converged on a spot in the area, claimed that the people that fell down were shot with live ammunition by the police. One of the protesters, Samuel Elijah, 25, explained that the reason for the demonstration was to make the Federal Government to release Kanu.

There are several hashtags on Twitter, many tweets and a movement looking like a revolution of sorts. #Biafra and the word #Igbo are currently trending number one on Twitter Worldwide.

With files from Vanguard