Photo: South African woman gives birth to 10 babies to set world record

 

A 37-year-old South African woman, Gosiame Thamara Sithole, has reportedly delivered ten babies at once in Johannesburg, South Africa, breaking a record earlier set by a Malian woman, Halima Cissé, of eight babies.

According to a report on Tuesday, Sithole and her husband, Teboho Tsotetsi, were expecting eight children following their doctor’s earlier report.

Sithole gave birth via a Caesarean Section at a Pretoria hospital on Monday.

The husband told the Pretoria News on Tuesday that the wife was delivered of seven boys and three girls.

Teboho Tsotetsi, who already had three children, expressed joy over the safety of his wife and her children.

According to him, the pregnancy was natural, debunking the rumor that his wife conceived via in vitro fertilization, IVF.

Uzodimma blames insecurity on disgruntled politicians

The Imo State Governor Hope Uzodinma said the opposition politicians and disgruntled personalities have being encouraging insecurity across the country.

Uzodimma told State House reporters after meeting with President Muhammadu Buhari at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, that he alone cannot guarantee security in his troubled state.

He said other stakeholders, including monarchs; religious and political leaders must engage more with the people to restore peace in the state.

According to him, former political office holders who fail to speak out against the activities of trouble makers have questions to answer.

He said condemnation of the unwholesome activities of those destabilising the country by the elite would have changed the narratives.

He, however, noted that those destroying public property must be ready to face the consequences.

Noting that he was in Villa to brief the President on developments in his state, the governor admitted that Nigeria was going through trying times.

He said: “It is not only in Imo State, I didn’t limit it to Imo State. I am saying that cases of insecurity here and there in the country have not been helped by the posture of opposition party and some aggrieved politicians, the reason being that at a time like this in Nigeria, anybody worth his onions as a leader should be able to speak out.

“How many of them are speaking out? How many of them are condemning what is going on? Rather, what you see are leaders fanning the embers of insecurity, blaming only government. We must be tired of this blame thing by now and then contribute our own quota towards ensuring that national security is not threatened in the country.

“So, it is not something for politics. It’s something that if you are a former Senate President and you are a former speaker, or a former deputy senate president, or a former deputy speaker and things like this are happening in the country and you are not able to speak out and we’re not seeing you where you are engaging in addressing the young men and women in your area on the need for a united Nigeria and this is a country that has given you opportunity to serve at that level one time or the other, then it is either overtly or covertly, you have a question to answer.

“At this point, we’re not dealing with feelings alone; we must tie feelings to national interests. It’s not about sentimental feelings, it’s about knowing that this is a federal government asset and you woke up willingly and deliberately go there to destroy, what you are trying to destroy is the sovereignty of the country and we shouldn’t encourage that.

“Whatever government has taken as a position…, I think there are two things; it’s either you respect government and not destroy government assets, or you destroy government assets and face the consequences. Those are the two things.

“So, let us not pretend as if all is well, all is not well, leaders must rise to ensure that they work hand in hand with government to ensure their security in the country.

“Have you seen a situation where people will wake up and take buses to school and then load 200 students, you can imagine how many buses that will take 200 students and drive them away to somewhere and they will be asking for ransom, what type of society is that?

“This is not the society we used to know. We should all be worried and not only be worried, or to sit down and begin to blame government or blame, Mr. President, we should all get involved.

“In Imo State as I speak to you, only me cannot restore security, only me cannot guarantee security. I have to work with traditional rulers, I have to work with opinion leaders, I have to work with the youth leaders, to be able to deploy community kind of security programme, to be able to resist what is going on today.

“You have heard how people will come from outside the state in the name of unknown gunmen. I don’t know when we will begin to know this people and they will commit atrocities, and they will now flee.

“So, these are the things. I want to use this opportunity to invite all leaders; religious leaders, political leaders, community leaders, traditionally institutions, to join hands, because the only country we have is this Nigeria, we don’t have another country and if we’re not united we will achieve nothing.

“We must contribute our quota, however it is, to ensure that Nigeria remains a strong and united, a place that we will go about our businesses, equity and justice is guaranteed and then we have a country.”

On the security situation in Imo, he said security agencies were already on top of the situation in the state and that he was engaging various stakeholders on how to improve the security situation.

Uzodimma said: “Of course, not just in my state, everywhere in Nigeria there are security breaches here and there, of course Imo is not left out. We are doing our best. So far, the situation is relatively okay in Imo State than it was.

“Imo is okay now; people can come around and do their businesses. The normal live and activities have resumed in Imo; security agencies are on top of the situation.”

He went further: “It is not only in Imo State that we have had the challenges of insecurity, there is insecurity in other states. In fact, I can even tell you that Imo’s case is better, apart from one or two cases that involved very important personalities.

On the reported resignation of Ebube Agu chairman Maj.-Gen. Obi Umahi, the governor said he was yet to speak with and therefore could not comment yet.

He said: “As I speak to you, I have not seen any letter from him and therefore I cannot say that he resigned. However, I am aware that the thing has dragged for some time. I don’t know if it’s the reason, but I really want to speak with him to confirm the information before I can comment on it.”

Stop deceiving Ndigbo, govt tells Anyanwu

The Imo State government yesterday cautioned Senator Samuel Anyanwu to stop misleading people on the cause of insecurity in the Southeast.

The government dismissed claim that the ruling the APC was marginalising indegenes

It noted what APC has done for the Southeast in just six years were more than what PDP did for them in 16 years.

State Information and Strategy Commissioner Declan Emelumba said the submission by the former senator was a cheap political propaganda meant to deceive the people.

He said it was instructive that the PDP government could not build a second Niger bridge for Ndigbo while APC has done that within six years.

According to him, almost all the federal roads in the region were impassable during the reign of PDP while the APC federal government has started fixing them.

The commissioner said that contrary to the marginalisation claim by Anyanwu, the federal government has never denied states in the region their constitutional rights.

Emelumba described as laughable that Anyanwu was promising restructuring which his party (PDP) could not do in 16 years.

“It is regrettable that the distinguished senator is always in a hurry to attract public attention, a haste that often makes him sound confused and hollow. This explains why he dabbles into every subject matter even when he has no point to make.”

BREAKING: Buhari receives first made-in-Nigeria cell phone

President Muhammadu Buhari has taken delivery of the first ever Nigeria-made cellphone called ITF Mobile.

The product was presented to him by Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Otunba Niyi Adebayo, just before commencement of the week’s Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

Introducing the product to the President, Adebayo said it was produced by the Electrical/Electronics Technology Department of the Industrial Training Fund’s (ITF) Model Skills Training Centre, using locally sourced components.

“Twelve indigenous mobile cell phones produced by the Model Skills Training Centre of the Industrial Training Fund; an agency under Ministry of Industry Trade and Investment was launched.

“It gives me great pleasure, Mr President, to present you with one of the phones,” Adebayo said.

Also before the start of the FEC meeting, Buhari also presided over swearing-in ceremony of a Commissioner each for the National Population Commission (NPC) and the Federal Civil Service Commission (FCSC).

Those sworn-in were Wakil Bukar as Commissioner of the Federal Civil Service Commission (FCC) and Mohammed Dattijo Usman as Commissioner of the National Population Commission (NPC).

Bukar is to replace the FCC Commissioner from Bauchi State while Usman replaces the NPC Commissioner from Niger State.

PRESIDENT BUHARI PRESENTED WITH NIGERIAN MADE HANDS SET MOBILE A. President Muihammadu Buhari was presented with Made in Nigeria Mobile hands set during the FEC Meeting at the State House, Abuja. PHOTO; SUNDAY AGHAEZE. JUNE 8TH 2021

Representatives from the two States died recently.

President Buhari is presiding over the FEC meeting at the conference room of the First Lady’s office.

Those attending the meeting physically are the Vice President, Professor Yemi Osinbajo (SAN); Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Boss Mustapha; and Chief of Staff to the President, Professor Ibrahim Gambari.

Others include Ministers of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed; Finance, Zainab Ahmed; Justice, Abubakar Malami; and Industry, Trade and investment, Niyi Adebayo.

The Head of Service of the Federation, Dr. Folasade Yemi-Esan and other Ministers are participating in the weekly cabinet meeting from their various offices in Abuja.

Details shortly…

Sen Wamakko, South-East leaders trade words over insecurity

 Former Sokoto governor and Senator representing Sokoto North in the National Assembly, Aliyu Wamakko, and political leaders in the South-East have disagreed over the raging insecurity in the region.

Wamako had, in a statement on Monday, accused the South-East political leaders of complicity in the security situation and challenged them to speak up in condemnation of the violence in the region.

Wamakko also insinuated that the silence of the leaders of the region could be interpreted as subtle support for criminal gangs in the region.

He made reference to an incident which happened last Friday where a trailer conveying cows from the north was burnt down in Awka, Anambra State by angry youths following an accident that left eight children dead.

The accident, according to eyewitnesses, occured when the truck’s brake reportedly failed while descending the Kwata junction slope, knocking down the eight children who were hawking on the street, while also injuring four occupants of two other SUV cars, which were all mangled.

Irate youths in the community who thought the truck and cows belonged to a northerner, quickly mobilised and set the vehicle, including the cows, ablaze.

He also cited the killing of former Special Adviser on Political Affairs to ex-President Goodluck Jonathan, Ahmad Gulak who was assassinated in Owerri, Imo State, recently.

“Prior to the assassination of Ahmed Gulak last Sunday in Imo, thousands of our people have suffered a similar fate in the hands of the increasingly emboldened IPOB militants.

“In the past week alone, there have been three incidents of arson and looting against properties belonging to Northern traders travelling in the South-East.

“Last weekend, a truck of onions with about 500 bags of the commodity was ransacked by members of the IPOB in a daylight robbery in Owerri.

“Through all these, as individual leaders and collectively, we’ve maintained a studied silence by avoiding anything that will further rock the boat.

“Regrettably but curiously, our friends and compatriots, leaders of Igbo extraction, have remained dead silent in the face of increasing assault and effort by their own people to stoke nationwide mayhem.

“For whatever reason it is, I want to loudly call them out to speak up. Silence is no longer acceptable in the face of this clear danger and threat against the country.

“The silence by political leaders and other prominent persons from that part of the country tells us only one thing: their tacit approval for the activities of the murderous IPOB gangs.

“As leaders of our own people, we’ve been under intense pressure over the current situation. We can’t bear it any longer.

“If leaders from the South-East feel they can allow their own people to do what they want, we may have no choice but to stop dousing the increasing tension among our own followers.”

But in a reaction on Tuesday, a faction of the Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide fired back at Wamako, insisting that Northern elders are the ones responsible for the insecurity in Nigeria due to their quest to hang onto power beyond 2023.

In a statement signed by the faction’s Secretary-General, Mazi Okechukwu Isiguzoro, the group accused the North of being responsible for all the disaster in the South-East based on an earlier warning by the US Embassy, Abuja.

Accusing Wamako of making inciting statements capable of causing ethnic cleansing and turmoil in the country, Ohanaeze said it is laughable that the likes of the former governor could not find solutions to the frightening insecurity challenges in the North for the last seven years.

“Northern Elders are behind the chaos in Nigeria as a ploy to retain the Presidency in the North beyond 2023 as they did to Jonathan in 2015,” the statement said.

“So they exported violence to the South-East to keep Igbo leaders busy with insecurity challenges and set traps for them (Igbo leaders) to fall in and get arrested.

“We are amazed at how someone who couldn’t remove a spark of dust in his eyelashes could see the remedy for the log of wood in the eyes of Ndigbo.

“Wamakko’s assertion that Igbo leaders are behind the scenes motivating the violence in the South-East has exposed the northern secrets of supporting bandits and Boko Haram for economic and political reasons.

“The silence of Igbo leaders is golden and will generate confusion in the camps of sponsors of terror in the South-East.”

Mbaka: Cleric seeks Ugwuanyi, others’ intervention to stop harassment

A cleric and former chairman of Nkanu East Local Government Area of Enugu State, Pastor Sam Iyiogwe has called on Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu state and other Igbo leaders to intervene and halt the current harassment of the spiritual director of Adoration Ministry, Enugu, Rev. Fr. Ejike Mbaka.

This is just as Igbo youths operating under the aegis of the Ohanaeze Ndigbo Youth Council (OYC) has vowed to resist any further onslaught on the Catholic priest.

Mbaka had been on the receiving end since he condemned the current state of insecurity, deprivation, and hunger in the country.

He was immediately visited with heavy sanctions by Bishop Callistus Onaga of the Enugu Catholic Diocese who banned him from commenting on issues relating to politics.

Mbaka was also said to have last Sunday disclosed at adoration ground that he had been invited by the DSS for questioning.

Reacting to Mbaka’s recent travails, Pastor Iyiogwe warned that “nothing can stop the voice of the man operating under the anointing of the Holy Spirit.”

He called on Governor Ugwuanyi and southeast leaders, the Catholic church and the entire leadership of the church in Nigeria to rise up to ensure that Fr. Mbaka was not harassed any further.

“Fr. Mbaka is speaking out the evil in our nation which many church leaders and senior citizens have failed to speak because of fear of persecution.

“Nigerians are dying of hunger! People are being killed here and there even in their homes, villages, farmlands and on the roads. Businesses are closing up in all parts of Nigeria. Our Naira is valueless.

“We the political and church leaders have failed our nation Nigeria and God. It’s only the truth, which we are fighting against, that will save Nigeria from her many terrible troubles which are manmade.

“No one should dictate the words of the prophet even the prophet himself cannot.

“If he speaks lies and falsehood, it’s for him and God to judge. We should do everything possible within the law to keep Enugu State peaceful so that our state will continue to move forward in infrastructural provisions.”

Also, OYC spokesman, Mazi Okwu Nnabuike, said the Igbo youths would no longer condone further harassment of the priest.

OYC described the invitation of Mbaka to Abuja by the DSS as a plan by the federal government to silence the priest.

“DSS has no reason to invite Mbaka, the same Mbaka who prophesied the emergence of Buhari and he was not invited by the DSS then but now that he’s talking about the state of the nation, the hunger and killings in the land DSS came to invite him.

“But we warn that any plot against Mbaka must be resisted by Igbo youths, let nothing happen to him or the federal government will have Igbo youths to contend with. The onslaught against a revered priest in Igbo land should stop forthwith,” the group said.

BREAKING: Soldiers block Sunday Igboho from entering Igangan Forest [Video]

Popular Yoruba activist, Chief Sunday Adeyemo popularly called Sunday Igboho on Monday visited Igangan in Ibarapa North Local Government Area of Oyo state, a day after the town was attacked by Fulani herdsmen.

Igboho was in the town to access the level of damage in yesterday’s attack. During the visit, Igboho also tried to comb the forest with his boys in search of the killer herdsmen.

He was, however, prevented from entering the forest by a team of fully armed soldiers, who were trailing his convoy immediately they arrived the town.

About 8 trucks of the Nigerian Army behind Igboho’s convoy. It will be recalled that several Yoruba people were massacred by suspected herdsmen in Igangan, also the palace of the Asigangan, the paramount ruler of the area was also burnt.

WATCH FULL VIDEO HERE

#Twitterban: Nigerians Must Have Free Access To Self Expression, US Envoy Insists

AMBASSADOR of the United States to Nigeria, Mary Leonard, on Monday, said at this critical time in Nigeria, free access to self expression is very important, as she reiterated the earlier position of the United States against the Twitter ban by the Nigerian government. 

Speaking at the end of a closed-door meeting, the Minister of Foreign Affairs Mr Geoffrey Onyeama held with ambassadors and representatives of the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, Ireland and the European Union (EU) in Abuja, the US envoy, though agreed that there were abuses of the microblogging platform by some people, said there is still freedom of speech and expression. 

“We recognise that there are issues of the irresponsible use of social media, but we remain firm in our position that free access to the ability to express self is very important and perhaps more important in troubled times,” she said. 

The envoy said many of the things Onyeama had referred to during the meeting, including incitements and violence, were crimes the Nigerian government has legitimate right to prosecute. 

“We encourage them to use judicial processes within the scope of respect for human rights and the rule of law and restrain such behaviours,” Leonard said. 

She stated that the United States and other partners will continue to engage with Nigeria to uphold human rights and the rule of law. 

“I thank the minister for inviting us here today because that is what partners do – talk about shared goals. We did speak about the issues of social media and our concerns. 

“We have to be very clear that we are Nigeria’s strong partners on issues of security and we recognise the daunting task on the issues of security that confronts Nigeria. 

“While they are daunting, they are not insurmountable, and part of the way you surmount them is with the partnership of the people you see represented here,” she said. 

Leonard expressed satisfaction that the Nigerian government and Twitter were in talks. Onyeama had earlier intimated the envoys that Twitter suspension is in the interest of national security and peace. 

He said President Muhammadu Buhari is keen on ensuring the peace and security of Nigerians and Nigeria, stressing that the government’s major objective is to advocate responsible use of social media platforms that would not destabilise the peace and unity of the country.

“We had very useful discussions and we just restated the security concerns of Mr President and of all Nigerians and the very strong steps that needed to be taken to address security challenges in the country.

“They (the envoys) are all living here with us in Nigeria and have a fair view and experience of the security challenges we are facing.

“We discussed the role of social media as platforms which could be used to do good or bad. Unfortunately, the bad that social media is often used to commit have very dire consequences on human lives and, in our case also, threatening the unity of the country.

“As the responsibility of the government is to maintain law and order, security and to preserve human lives, we have to take every measure to ensure that all those are preserved.

“We believe as a democracy that there must be the right to life, the right to property ownership and we believe in human rights and freedom of speech, but the social media has to be used responsibly.

“We had detailed discussions and our partnership and solidarity with those countries were reaffirmed,’’ Onyeama said.

June 12: Deal with anyone or group who threatens internal security order – IGP tells policemen

As June 12 commemoration of Democracy Day approaches, the Inspector General of Police, IGP Usman Alkali Baba, has directed Zonal Assistant Inspectors General of Police and Commissioners of Police in states and FCT to deal firmly with any person or group who may want to take advantage of the event to threaten internal security order.

Speaking during a meeting with strategic commanders of the Nigerian Police Force in Abuja, the IGP urged them to remain civil with law abiding citizens during the Democracy Day celebration.

“The June 12 Democracy Day is days away. We are currently reviewing the security situation, with a view to ensuring a hitch-free exercise.

‘’Details of this will form part of our discussion. I must, however, remind you all of the need to remain civil with law abiding citizens, but firm with any person or group that may wish to take advantage of the event to threaten our internal security order,’’ he said.

Expressing dismay that most Command Commissioners of Police ‘still allow their officers to unnecessarily impound vehicles at police stations, the IGP said: “Police facilities are not junk yards and must not be turned to one. Indeed, such acts create vulnerabilities which often engender attacks on our facilities.

“Accordingly, I task you to return to your commands and undertake a major operation to clear all such indiscriminately impounded vehicles off your stations.

‘’The compliance to this directive shall be confirmed in the course of my on-going tours to your command and any departmental head, zonal commander, commissioner of police or unit head that is found wanting will be dealt with.

“I have also received reports of abuses associated with the use of SPY plate numbers and tainted glasses. Accordingly, henceforth the issuance of SPY plate numbers and tainted glasses permits are hereby suspended.

‘’The existing authorizations are being reviewed and a protocol to regulate the issuance of such permits will be evolved.

“An emerging trend in which some motorists cover their plate numbers has also been noticed across the country. This practice inhibits our law enforcement operations and hence, is intolerable. Consequently, commissioners of Police are tasked to as part of their operations, to arrest any motorist involved in this act.

“Furthermore, I have been receiving reports that some Commissioners of Police are still allowing the mounting of road blocks in their jurisdictions. For the avoidance of doubt, road blocks under any description or guise remain banned across the country and any officer found to be contravening this order will be held liable and dealt with firmly.

“The society has evolved. As law enforcement operatives, we must align our policing strategies to this societal dynamics, particularly, at this time that our policing functions are being built in the community policing model in which the citizen’s interests are prioritized.

“Road blocks as a policing model is becoming obsolete and unacceptable, hence we are working towards enhancing our intelligence-led and technology-driven policing capability as well as strengthening the ‘Safer Highway Motorized Patrol Scheme as an alternative to road blocks.

“Therefore you are tasked to ensure that deployments within your command are reviewed and your operations aligned to this new policing approach which discourages the disposition to limiting the liberty of the citizens through road blocks which are known to be avenues for corrupt tendencies and other vices that widens the trust gap between the citizens and the police”.

Breaking: Abia Market On Fire, Trader Shot Dead

There is currently chaos at the Umuahia Timber market along Ahiaeke road in Abia State.

According to Daily Trust, the chaos started after traders failed to pay an annual levy of N18,000 imposed by the Abia State Internal Revenue Board.

A resident who spoke on the incident said the state revenue board directed the traders who failed to pay the levy to close down their shops.

The traders, however, resisted the order when vigilantes came to the market to affect the order given by the revenue board.

It gathered that the vigilantes killed one of the traders identified as ‘Indomie’, while 5 others were injured.

The development stirred anger in the traders who retaliated by burning the office and vehicles belonging to the local guards.

The state government while reacting, condemned that the destruction of Abia Vigilante Services Office and the Timber Market.

The Abia State Government in a statement released through the Secretary to the State Government, Chris Ezem, asked the police to commence an investigation.

The government directed the officers and men of Abia Vigilante Service to withdraw from the market, while the leadership of the market are directed to assist the police to identify people responsible for the attacks.

The statement read, “The impunity of burning buildings and other public institutions must stop forthwith, as arson remains a very serious crime against the state and humanity, which attracts severe consequences under our laws.

“Government will promptly discipline any Abia Vigilante Service personnel who harasses or intimidates citizens.”

Killing Of Northerners In South Must Stop – Northern Elders Forum Warns

 

The Northern Elders Forum (NEF) has warned against the attack and killing of northerners in the Southern part of the country.

Speaking to newsmen after a closed-door meeting in Abuja on Monday, NEF spokesperson, Hakeem Baba-Ahmed, asked northerners who are harassed and attacked to consider relocating to the north.

The forum also condemned the attack on government facilities, security operatives, and national assets in the South East, asking the federal government to arrest and prosecute those involved.

According to Baba-Ahmed, all Igbo and other ethnic groups residing in the north should be accorded the usual hospitality and security.

He, however, said the federal and state governments have a responsibility to enforce the law and protect citizens, adding that the agitation by the Igbo for secession has become widespread.

He said: “This nation has had to fight a terrible war to preserve the country. The north had paid its dues in that war, as indeed it did in many ways throughout the history of the country. Under our current circumstances, no Nigerian should welcome another war to keep the country together.

“The forum has arrived at the difficult conclusion that if support for secession among the Igbo is as widespread as it is being made to look, and Igbo leadership appears to be in support of it, then the country should be advised not to stand in its way.

“It will not be the best choice for the Igbo or Nigerians to leave a country we have all toiled to build and a country we all have the responsibility to fix, but it will not help a country already burdened with failures on its knees to fight another war to keep the Igbo in Nigeria.”