Gbajabiamila’s Security Aide Shoots Newspapers Vendor

The victim was seen gasping for breath and unconscious in a video obtained by SaharaReporters while one of his colleagues tried desperately to revive him immediately after the shooting.

A policeman attached to the convoy of Speaker of Nigeria's House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila, has allegedly shot dead a newspaper vendor named Elechi Emmanuel at the Federal Secretariat in Abuja.

The victim was seen gasping for breath and unconscious in a video obtained by SaharaReporters while one of his colleagues tried desperately to revive him immediately after the shooting.

It was gathered that newspaper vendors upon sighting the Speaker's convoy gathered to hail him but the overzealous security detail opened fire on them, killing Emmanuel in the process.

A source confirmed to SaharaReporters that the victim was rushed to the National Hospital where he was confirmed dead.

Media aide to the Speaker, Lanre Lasisi, did not respond to calls and a text message from our correspondent as at the time of this report.

The incident comes weeks after Nigerian youth took to the streets across the country to demand an end to police brutality and extrajudicial killings especially by operatives of the now disbanded Special Anti-Robbery Squad unit of the Nigeria Police Force.

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Rohr Is The Worst Coach In Nigeria History – Aiyegbeni


Yakubu Aiyegbeni believes coach Gernot Rohr and a significant proportion of Nigeria‘s national team players are not fit to wear the famous green and white shirt in the wake of their outing against Sierra Leone.

In the recent Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers against the Leone Stars, the Super Eagles surrendered a four-goal lead in the first leg to settle for a 4-4 draw, while the return leg in Freetown ended 0-0, with Rohr’s team looking off the pace in both games.

Even with the draws, the three-time African champions lead Group L with eight points from four games – although their qualification hopes for Cameroon 2020 is on ice.

Gernot Rohr - Nigeria vs. UgandaShengolpixs

Questions have been asked of those calling the shots in the Super Eagles squad and important decisions made on and off the field.

And Aiyegbeni, who is Nigeria’s third highest scoring player of all time believes the German tactician must take the brunt of the blame for the poor form.

“The coach is not good enough, let him go,” the former Maccabi Haifa, Everton and Portsmouth striker said on Lagos Talks.

“Some of the boys are not good enough, I don’t know where they are bringing them from. Who is inviting these players?

“Our football is getting worse every day. When I was there, people criticise us, but we’re way better than these ones.

“The coach is not good enough, no clue. Gernot Rohr is one of the worst coaches in our history. He is not good enough.”



Former Gabon and Etoile du Sahel manager Rohr replaced Sunday Oliseh as the country’s permanent handler in 2016. He led the Super Eagles to the 2018 Fifa World Cup in Russia, where they crashed out of a group that had Argentina, Iceland and Croatia.

He was also in charge when Nigeria placed third at the Egypt 2019 Afcon – where they pipped Tunisia 1-0 for the bronze medal.Goal 50 Revealed: The best 50 players in the world

Nigeria travel to Porto-Novo’s Stade Charles de Gaulle for their next fixture against Benin Republic in March 2021. (goal)

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Onu Absent As APC Governors Welcome Umahi

Governor David Umahi of Ebonyi state, on Thursday, officially joined the ruling All Progressives Congress. The defection ceremony which took place at the Ecumenical Center Abakaliki had the attorney general of the federation and minister of justice, Abubakar Malami, governors of Kebbi, Abubakar Atiku Bagudu, Jigawa, Mohammed Badaru Abubakar, Yobe state, Mai Mala Buni, Niger state, Abubakar Sani Bello, minister of humanitarian affairs, Sadiya Faruk, among other dignitaries in attendance.

Correspondent reports that only the lawmaker representing Ezza South/ Ikwo federal constituency at the National Assembly, Hon. Chinedu Ogah, was present during the defection.

APC stakeholders in Ebonyi state and South East zone, including science and technology minister, Dr Ogbonnaya Onu, were absent in the event.

Speaking during the defection, Umahi repeated that he defected from the PDP because of unfulfilled promises by the party to the South East zone and the high handedness of some leaders of the party.



Umahi said Ebonyi, as PDP people, had forgiven everyone in APC and gave assurance that everyone in APC had forgiven PDP as well.



Umahi went further: “Let me tell you something. Let your heart not fail you. No man has your destiny. When mere men tell me that I will regret this movement, I have examined myself and I have consulted God. There is a saying that says that if serving God, there is no heaven, that the peace of righteousness on earth is enough reward. The reward of freedom; freedom from dictatorship, freedom from one or two people deciding the affairs of men is gone. We are free at last and we have moved into blessings.”

Chinedu Ogah, in his remarks, said that all the national assembly members would work together with the state governor and the federal government for the development of Ebonyi state.

Former senate president, Senator Ken Nnamani, said Governor Umahi was taking the Igbo back to her roots as Ndigbo were not known for opposition. He further pointed out that the South East didn’t have the indices to be in opposition and commended the governor for taking the step he described as ‘bold and courageous’ step and urged stakeholders of Ebonyi state to support him.

Governor Mai Mala Buni said Umahi’s defection was timely, saying the party was undergoing rebuilding from the grassroots.

Highlight of the event was the inauguration of the state Caretaker Committee of APC led by Mr Stanley Okoro and presentation of APC membership card and APC flag to Governor Umahi by Governor Buni.

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Anambra 2021: PRP Vows To Wrestle Power From APGA


The aspiration of Chief Nnamdi Nwawuo, aka Igwe Ayaya, to become the next governor of Anambra state in 2021 got a huge boost at the weekend as the Peoples Redemption Party, PRP, issued him with a membership card as a frontline candidate of the party in the race.

Nwawuo’s aspiration was equally boosted with his endorsement by various groups and individuals, including rural women, youths, businessmen, Onitsha market traders and social clubs.

Anambra state chairman of PRP, Hon. Matthias Aninwachukwu, (Igurube) who issued the card to Nwawuo at Central School Field, Nando, in Anambra East local government area of the state, on behalf of the party’s national chairman, Malam Fala Bello, said he was optimistic that Nwawuo would take over from Governor Willie Obiano as the next governor of the state.

Flanked by the state secretary of the party, Hon. John Okolie, and other party officials in the state, Aninwachukwu described Nwawuo as a decent party faithful, who if given the mandate to become the next governor of the state, would surpass Obiano’s developmental achievements; adding that PRP does not believe in unconstitutional zoning formula.

He, therefore, urged the large supporters to take the message of Igwe Ayaya and PRP to all the nooks and crannies of Anambra state, assuring that the party, which is the oldest political party in Nigeria, is ready to give Ndi Anambra the kind of leadership they have been yearning.

The card issuing ceremony, which formed part of the annual New Yam festival organised by Nwawuo, was witnessed by some prominent groups and individuals, including Chief Paul Ofoegbu, deputy state chairman of Igwe Ayaya Movement; Hon. Anhony Ufoaro, state chairman, Door-to-Door Movement; Engr. Ikenna Kingsley Nwobosi, member of Igwe Ayaya Movement, and members of Big Star Club of Nigeria, including Chief Yakubu Adoma and Ejike Udeh.



Declaring their support for Igwe Ayaya’s governorship ambition, a group of women, under the umbrella of A-21 along side other groups such as Igwe Ayaya Movement, Ifunanya Women Group and Big Star Club of Nigeria, identified Nwawuo as the best option for Ndi Anambra, after Obiano.

Earlier in an address presented on his behalf by the director of projects, Igwe Ayaya Movement, Prof. Justice Chidi, Nwawuo explained that he was in the 2021 race under the PRP platform because, according to him, Anambra needs a governor that is connected with the rural dwellers like himself.

He argued that as a rural dweller, he did not only have a better understanding of the challenges facing Anambra state, but also in a better position to address such challenges; adding that time was rife for Ndi Anambra to elect a home-base politician, who would not spend his working hours on foreign trips; even as he posited that when elected, he would live in Awka all through his tenure.

“I will be at home working for the youths to get jobs, to get the roads fixed, conduct local government elections, see that education and health sectors are working, build a blossoming agricultural sector and ensure rapid development of sports, among others things”, he stated.

Speaking on behalf of the women, the leader of A-21, Mrs Ngozika Aganiru, noted that A-21, which is made up of women from the rural communities drawn from the 21 local government areas of Anambra state, was supporting Igwe Ayaya to become governor because, he understands the feelings of the rural dwellers.

“He is one of us, and we are supporting him because, it is the turn of rural dwellers to become governor. The rural dwellers are being marginalised. We don’t have good roads, no water supply, no jobs for our children, and we don’t have power,” she added.

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Group Begs Okorocha To Join 2023 Presidential Race


A political interest group, Igbo for Rochas 2023 Movement, has urged the former governor of Imo state and member representing Imo West in the Senate, Owelle Rochas Okorocha, to declare and contest the 2023 presidential election on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

Speaking when they led a delegation to visit the former governor in his Owerri residence, the Imo state capital, national coordinator of the group, Jeff Nwaoha, described Okorocha as the person that fits the description of President Muhammadu Buhari’s successor and what the party’s candidate should be.

“We consider you, Senator Okorocha, as one who fits this description and call on you to declare to contest the 2023 presidential election on the platform of the APC. Igbo think that now is the right time for you to step into the ring. Your entrance into the race will rekindle hope in many Nigerians and arouse the commitments of millions of Nigerians, who believe in you to join in championing the cause of positive change in Nigeria come 2023,” he said.

Nwoha said the Okorocha’s candidacy would bring a lot of commitments and support as millions of Igbo people would throw their weights behind him and APC.

According to him, Okorocha’s early declaration would give room for enough time to strategise and enlighten Nigerians towards the need for Nigerian president of Igbo extraction; adding that it would make APC more united and position it for victory in the 2023 general election.



He said: “Your Excellency, we want you to understand that this is neither about you nor what you feel as an individual; but it is about the 45 million Igbo people, who want you to take their turn in 2023. We encourage you to disregard all the obstacles and challenges and step into the race for the 2023 presidential election in the interest of Igbo and Nigerians.”

Responding, Okorocha expressed happiness for receiving the delegation urging him to run for the presidency come 2023; saying the call came to him as a surprise.

“I’m happy because you found me worthy of this position. It’s an honour for me. I have noted your demands that you want a Nigerian president of Igbo extraction. We will see what can be done to balance this unbalanced equation of the FGN”, he said.

Okorocha urged them to go about this movement peacefully “because Igbo alone cannot make this happen. You must reach out to the other parts of the country. Also, make out time more to reach out to other Igbo to understand your message. I’ve run for this office on the platform of ANPP, PDP and APC. Under APC, I ran to give Igbo a sense of belonging.

“So, if I must run for presidency, it must be for the glory of the job, peace and unity for Nigeria and employment of the youths, as well as improving the economy of the nation. If I must run against anyone, I would only show my track record. I won’t run for that office without you.”

#orientdailynews

NAUTH Mgt Assures Total Relocation To Permanent Site Before 2021


The management of the Nnamdi Azikiwe University Teaching Hospital (NAUTH) Nnewi, in Anambra state, has assured that all the clinic (departments) of the health institution would move to the permanent site of the hospital before the end of 2020.

The Chief Medical Director of the institution, Prof. Anthony Igwegbe, who made the disclosure to Orient Weekend in his office in Nnewi, last Wednesday, also assured that only departments that would be left at the temporary site are emergencies, surgeries and admissions.

Igwegbe, who is serving out his eighth-year tenure said: “I have done my best with the limited resources before me, and I have been able to work on the permanent site fully and steadily, and that is why we were able to get to this stage.



“Within these eight years, we have done a lot. I will say that my best legacy is decent environment that is very conducive for both research and clinical services.

“Our schools are doing well and we have been encouraging and sponsoring our resident doctors and they are doing very well in their examinations. We are happy to say that even people from bigger institutions come to NAUTH to do some postings and that means that we are quite recognised for setting the pace in some areas.”

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Jobless Man Flees Home, Abandons 7 Kids, As Wife Delivers Triplets


Mr Sunday Odinaka, a jobless father of seven children has reportedly abandoned his nursing wife, Mrs Evlyn Odinaka, at a hospital in Okpoko, a community in Ogbaru local government area of Anambra state, where she delivered triplets. Idinaka reportedly fled to an unknown destination over his inability to afford hospital bill.

Orient Weekend learnt that Mr Odinaka, who allegedly withdrew his four children from school due to alleged inability to cater for their education, prior to the birth of the triplets, neither sighted nor contacted his family since he fled a fortnight ago.


His wife, who was still held at the hospital, (name withheld) told our reporter that her husband, who hails from Ubaraekwem, Ihiala local government area of the state, is not a fraudulent person, and that his decision to flee their home at Obodoukwu Road, Okpoko, was due to his inability to raise the funds needed to discharge them from the hospital and take care of their needs.

“Before I gave birth to the triplets, there was nothing in the house to eat. I sell sachet water and my husband has no job. Sometimes, he would do menial jobs, and we use the money to feed. We have been living like that until the arrival of the triplets, and the trouble became worse for us.



“My husband was even complaining about how to afford the hospital bill even before I gave birth, believing that I would deliver of a single baby; but on seeing three of them, in addition to four kids we had already, he left home.

“The day he came here, he was told to bring money to take them to a specialist hospital due to complication the babies had. He said he would go out to look for money, and never came back since then, and I believe he fled because there was no money to foot the bill.

“My daughter, who goes to our house every morning to get hot water for me said she has not seen her father in the house since then.”

According to Mrs Odinaka, out of the N450,000 the family was billed at the hospital, only N50,000 had so far been raised, leaving them with a balance of N400,000.

“So far, we have raised about N50,000 from friends and well-wishers, and we don’t know how else we can get the remaining money to pay. That is why I use this opportunity to beg Chief Mrs Ebelechukwu Obiano, wife of Anambra state governor, to come to our rescue.”

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Man Attempts To Steal Deity In Ebonyi, Given 24 Lashes

A middle-aged man identified as Chinedu ‘Nwa Afikpo’ has been given 24 lashes by youths of Enohia Item community in Afikpo North local government area of Ebonyi state for allegedly attempting to steal their powerful deity called ‘Ekweteni.’

The suspect, who hails from Kpoghirikpo, Orient Daily gathered, was publicly flogged by the youths at the instance of the elders of the community.

Chinedu, who recently returned from Spain for the burial of his grandmother, was said to have hired a strange woman called ‘Ezenwanyi’ and a man allegedly from Isu-Njaba in Imo state, to assist him in carting away the dreaded deity. According to a source from the community, luck ran out on him when he was sighted by some women entering the deity’s forest accompanied by the woman.

The women were said to have raised the alarm as it was a sacrilege in Ehugboland for a woman to go into the forest. “They ran to the community and alerted the youths who arrested Chinedu and his team. They were seen with different types of charms, a goat which they allegedly came with to enable them neutralise the power of the deity before carrying it away. The community burned the charms to ashes. They released the two others but held back Chinedu for punishment over the act,” the source said.

The source further told this paper in confidence that the suspect later claimed that the deity was the source of success and so he wanted to take it to where he would be worshipping it alone, adding that his uncle, who normally helped him sacrifice to the deity for blessing had died.



According to him, his action was widely condemned as the deity was co-owned by 10 communities in the area. “As we speak, elders of these communities are yet to decide further punishment to be meted to Chinedu to appease the deity. The deity has been a source of protection to the communities who jointly own it but Christianity has made people not to be giving full sacrifice to it (the deity) any longer”, he adds.

However, another source who disclosed that the suspect was his distant cousin, further revealed that Chinedu had no intention to steal the deity but just to revive it.

According to the source, “Before now, he used to bring things for sacrifice to one of his uncles to help him make some sacrifice to the deity. Now the uncle has died, he came back saying that Christians had gone to desecrate the deity. He now brought people to do some sacrifice to appease the deity so that its power will become strong again.

“He approached the elders who told him that he was too small to talk about the deity. And that it was only the Essa age grade that was traditionally authorised to ever go to the deity. He was told he was not qualified to go there or even discuss the deity.

“So, he went and brought some people, including a lady, who came with their own deity to revive the Ekweteni to what it used to be before the (so-called) desecration. However, his move was misconstrued as attempt at stealing the deity.

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Tension In Yenagoa As Gunmen Attack Ex-Governor’s Home, Kill Police


Gunmen suspected to be assassins, yesterday, attacked the country home of former governor of Bayelsa state, Hon. Seriake Dickson Toru-Orua community in Sagbama local government area, killing a police inspector during exchange of gunfire.

According to police report, on 19 November, 2020, about 0200 hours, the unknown gunmen, who arrived in three speedboats through the Forcados River, attempted to invade the residence of Hon. Dickson; but were repelled by policemen on duty.

In a statement, the Police Public Relations Officer, Asinim Butswat, further explained that “an Inspector of Police, who sustained gunshot injuries resulting from the fierce encounter with the gunmen, later died and his corpse has been deposited at the mortuary.”

“The Commissioner of Police, Bayelsa state command, CP Mike Okoli, has visited the scene and appeals to members of the community to remain calm, as the command is working assiduously to arrest the perpetrators and bring them to book.”



According to community sources, Dickson and his family were not in the community during the attack. The former governor had, however, condoled with the immediate family of the late police officer, the Inspector General of Police, the Bayelsa state police commissioner and the entire police team on the death of the gallant policeman.

The former governor said that the commissioner of police and heads of other security agencies have commenced immediate investigation to unravel those, who perpetrated the heinous acts.

He assured that no stone would be left unturned in the bid to fish out those behind the cruel act.

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