As the country continues its search for permanent solution to epileptic power supply, Onu Okorie in this article writes that adhering to metering plan by distribution companies should be taken seriously by the operators and the regulators.

ONE of the major burning issues in the lingering electricity power supply predicament in Nigeria is inability of operators to keep faith with the agreement terms signed before they acquired some of the power assets.

Part of the performance agreement undertook by the nation’s 11 distribution companies namely; Abuja Electricity Distribution Company, AEDC, Benin Electricity Distribution Company, BEDC Eko Electricity Distribution Company, EEDC, Enugu Distribution Company, ENEDC, Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company, IBEDC Ikeja Electricity Distribution Company, IKEDC and Jos Electricity Distribution Company, JEDC. Others are Kaduna Electricity Distribution Company, KDEDC, Kano Electricity Distribution Company, KEDC, Port Harcourt Electricity Distribution Company, PHEDC and Yola Electricity Distribution Company YEDC was to ensure that a certain number of meters are installed within their networks on an annual basis over a period of time to ensure equitable distribution of power n the various zone.

However up till now, many of the distribution companies are not measuring up in that agreement plan. For instance, part of the Enugu Electricity Distribution Company, EEDC performance agreement undertook, was to ensure that average of 100,0(30 meters is installed within, its network on an annual basis over the next five years. That agreement has since been reviewed to ensure that the present metering gap of 312,335 should be closed within the next three years.

But while addressing stakeholders during the inauguration of the Abakaliki Electricity customers’ Forum Office in Ebonyi State, Acting Chairman, Chief Executive, Nigerian Electricity Commission, Dr. Anthony Akah came heavily on EEDC for failure to meet up with the performance plan especially when it comes to metering.

According to him, “it is sad that Enugu Disco has not commenced the implementation of its meter roll-out, in accordance with the performance agreement signed with the government-under the privatization programme.’

He decried the fact that EEDC has not commenced its meter roll out plan as contained in the performance agreement signed with the Federal Government when the new owner took over the electricity distribution company about two years ago.

The case of the EEDC is just one out of many such outright disregards to the duly signed plan that is supposed to facilitate the development of power situation in the country.

Available statistics ‘with the Commission indicates EEDC has customer 732,423 customer size with 70 per cent or 512 335 of them unmetered, a development he described as unacceptable for quality service delivery.

The NERC boss stated that he has taken the Enugu Electricity        Distribution Company EEDC to task over rising complaints on estimated billing, which is a result of wide metering gap in the Nigerian Electricity Supply Industry NESI.

Akah said that the Commission is closely monitoring EEDC and other electricity distribution companies to ensure that the metering gap in NESI, estimated at about fifty percent should be eliminated within the shortest possible time.

The Commission has instituted measures to accelerate metering through very close monitoring of distribution         companies meter   roll-out   plan.   The present   metering   gap   in Enugu Disco alone is about 512,335    when    compared to its   total customer size of 732,423.    It is expected that the   present metering gap would be closed within next three years, “Akah said.

He disclosed that the meter roll-out being monitored by the Commission is a combination of the Credited advance Payment for Metering Implementation CAPMI, an initiative of the Commission, to fast-track meter deployment and the metering scheme financed by the Disco in line with the performance agreement signed with the Federal Government.

Dr.   Akah   further   urged electricity     customers     to shun     acts   of    violence, vandalism of     electrical infrastructure and stealing of     electricity; advising them  to  channel  all  such electricity complaints that were not satisfactorily treated at the Disco level to NERC Forum office for solution.

Ebonyi    State    Governor David Umahi represented by the   Commissioner   of Power,    Chief   Emmanuel Uguru pointed   out   that the state government at inception picked power as one of the major projects and that it was still committed to this.

According to him, the state government has been interfacing with the people and security agencies on electricity matters, and has succeeded in forming a united force against vandalism of electrical equipment.

Speaking at the occasion, Managing Director, Enugu Disco Mr. Robert Dickerman, appealed for co-operation from its customers, and urged them not to see the company as an enemy, but partners in progress. “The role of Distribution Company is to serve our customers by the goal that has been established, our obligations are real and sacred and we recognized that” he said.

All the NERC’s forum offices are localized both in terms of constituent members and location. The members are representatives of all the customer classes, industrial, commercial and residential, as well as professional bodies drawn from states within disco’s franchise area. Forum memberships include institutional agencies such as    the    Nigerian Society of Engineers; Consumer Protection Council; Manufacturers Association of Nigeria. The Forum handles appeals of customer complaints from the customer care units of electricity distribution companies.

Tunde Eso, a Peoples’ Democratic Party, PDP gubernatorial aspirant in Osun State in the September 22 gubernatorial election, a season Journalist, Media, Management and Property Consultant. He is also an author of African security solution and vision for Africa.
In This Interview with our Correspondent in Osun State, Richard Akintade, he spoke on his intention of becoming the next Governor of Osun State in the September 22 gubernatorial election in the state among other sundry issues.

Excerpts -:

Question. Can you let Nigerians know you?

Answer. I’m Tunde Eso, 2018 Osun State Governorship Aspirant under People’s Democratic Party, The president of Fix Nigeria Group, a group that advocates for Youth and inclusion in governance and encourage them to participate in policy making, I also coined a new system of government called YOUTHOCRACY defined as government of the people, by the youth and for the people in my book titled, Vision for Africa in 2013; i hails from Ilesa West in Osun State, Nigeria.

I read Accountancy for my National Diploma Certificate at Osun State College of Technology, Esa-Oke, in 2005, obtained my first degree in Political Science at University of Education, Winneba, Ghana and International Relations for my Master’s degree at University of Education, Winneba, Ghana in 2014.

I’m a prolific writer who has carved a niche for himself in journalism and with more than 10 years experience in public relations, public management, and media consulting; a youth leader and mobiliser.

I’m also an administrator and entrepreneur and I have to my credit more than 60 published articles in both local and national dailies. I’m versatile on both national and international issues.

I was for six years advertorial executive, news and Society Editor of The Guardian Newspaper Limited Nigeria, from where i moved in 2014 to News of the World Newspapers as a correspondent and in less than two months was made Managing Editor and later General Manager.

Later, I joined Newswatch Times as Society Editor and resigned a year later to continue with my business in March 2016.

I have edited a number of magazines, books and newspapers. I have immense passion for human development and nation building.

In 2008, I started free seminars to inspire the young ones in schools for nation-building, vision discovery and career development with free distribution of the Nigerian flag, with the tag name, School-to-School career talk, across Nigeria.

Question. Why are you into politics?

Answer. So, I can have more opportunities to serve and entrench youthocracy the new system of government that I coined.

Question. It’s no more a rumour that you are jostling to become the governor of Osun State under the platform of PDP, what is the motivation?

Answer. What motivates me why I want to become the next Osun State Governor, this year 2018 is the passion I have to serve the good people of the State with a view to providing equal opportunities for all as I have been involved in various life impacting projects.

If this opportunity is offered me to serve our people, there shall be multiplication of such efforts which will ensure youth empowerment, good welfare package for civil servants, physically challenged and less privileged, bursary and scholarship award for students, skill acquisition for men and women, welfare package for traditional institution; insurance scheme for journalist, electricity, industrial growth and security and general improvement of quality of life.

I am fully committed to providing an enabling environment for business growth, development and social integration if elected.

I have often considered myself a visionary which became clearer at the age of 19.

Visionary leaders are compassionate and humane and my desire is to provide visionary leadership to my people in Osun state when I become the fifth governor of the state and the best governor of osun state, by the grace of God.

Also to entrench youthocracy in Africa, the new system of government that I coined in 2013 in my book titled Vision for Africa.

Question. As a young man, do you think you have all what its take to govern such a state like Osun?

Answer. Yes, I have all its takes to win and govern. Because I have led in several capacity even though I have not hold any political office.

Question. In your manifestoes, do you cater for the physically challenged people as well as rural dwellers?

Answer. Yes.

Question. While wishing you best of luck sir, if eventually the primary election of your party did not favour you, are you ready to support whoever emerge as the flag bearer of your party?

Answer. Yes. Because one person can not win the race, even if I’m nominated as the flag bearer of my party after the primaries, I still can’t win the general elections alone, therefore, we need each other win, about seven Governorship Aspirants supported Senator Ademola Adeleke during his electioneering campaign which I was one of them. So, same will happen if I’m elected or not.

Question. What has been your contribution towards the upliftment of the entire people of your constituency as well as the party that justify your ambition?

Answer. I have been a card carrying member of PDP since 1999 and so you can imagine how much I would have contributed.

Question. If eventually u become the next governor of Osun State, how are you going to tackle economy problem?

Answer. In that regard, all I have to say is that Osun state is a civil servant state, therefore, I encourage we all seek for investors to industrialised our state so that poverty can be eradicated in our land.

Question. With the crisis in your party presently, do you think your party is winning the forthcoming gubernatorial election in the state?

Answer. There is no crisis in my party, what is happening presently is expected to ensure a smooth political transition that will make Osun State great again. We are winning the race but not the less I advice ahead that our winning will be more easier with youth inclusion.

Question. What is your general message to the entire people of Osun State?

Answer. Osun State will be great again. And I want to assure all that my vision as Osun State Governor is also to create 31,000 jobs in 2 years, industrialised Osun State and ensure made in Osun State products. Let us go and collect our voters card and vote for People’s Democratic Party, then we expect pragmatic change in few weeks dear compatriots.

The Nigerian Union of Teachers, NUT Osun State Wing, has congratulated the entire Muslim teachers across the state as the holy month of Ramadan commenced.

In a statement issued yesterday by the state Chairman and Secretary of the Union, Comrade Wakeel Amudah and Abdullahi Muhammed respectively which was made available to Journalists in Osogbo the state capital to felicitates with Muslim teachers in the state, said witnessing the Holy Month of Ramadan which is renowned for core worship is a great blessing made possible by Allah.

The Chairman and Secretary who commended teachers in Osun for maintaining peace and order all the time reiterated their readiness to be pursuing their welfare.

“Always continue to be demonstrating your solidarity by supporting the Union in fighting for the upliftment and betterment of the entire teachers in the state”, the statement charges teachers.

The statement, however, urged all NUT Muslims teachers to use the month of Ramadan to renew their commitments to the virtues of love and peace taught by the Holy Prophet Muhammad, and also work towards achieving them.

Britain’s Prince Harry, grandson of Queen Elizabeth, on Saturday tied the knot with Hollywood actress Meghan Markle at a glittering ceremony at St George’s Chapel in Windsor Castle.

The Rt Rev. David Conner, Dean of  Windsor, conducted the service, and the Most Rev. Bishop Michael Curry, the 27th presiding bishop and primate of the Episcopal Church, from Chicago, gave an address at the wedding.

Lady Jane Fellowes, the sister of Prince Harry’s late mother, Diana, Princess of Wales, gave a reading.

The couple who exchanged vows and rings before the Queen and 600 guests, will now be known as the Duke and Duchess of Sussex.

During the service, the couple pledged themselves to one another, saying: “For better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish, till death us do part.”

Prince Harry’s ring is a platinum band with a textured finish and  Markle’s has been made from a piece of Welsh gold, and wearing a wedding dress by British designer Clare Waight Keller.

The bride was walked to the altar by her father-in-law, Prince Charles, following her earlier announcement that her father, Thomas Markle, was having health challenges and would not attend the royal wedding.

Her mother, Doria Ragland was the only family member at the service, and there was a touching moment when Prince Charles offered her his hand as she was asked to witness the signing of the marriage register.

Notable international celebrities at the wedding include Oprah Winfrey, tennis superstar Serena Williams, David and Victoria Beckham and rugby star Jonny Wilkinson.

Others are Elton John, Amal, and George Clooney, among others.

Politicians, including Prime Minister Theresa May, were not invited, as it is not a state event.

However, the former Prime Minister, Sir John Major, is among the invited guests, as he is a member of the Order of the Garter.

NAN

As the country continues its search for permanent solution to epileptic power supply, Onu Okorie in this article writes that adhering to metering plan by distribution companies should be taken seriously by the operators and the regulators.

ONE of the major burning issues in the lingering electricity power supply predicament in Nigeria is inability of operators to keep faith with the agreement terms signed before they acquired some of the power assets.

Part of the performance agreement undertook by the nation’s 11 distribution companies namely; Abuja Electricity Distribution Company, AEDC, Benin Electricity Distribution Company, BEDC Eko Electricity Distribution Company, EEDC, Enugu Distribution Company, ENEDC, Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company, IBEDC Ikeja Electricity Distribution Company, IKEDC and Jos Electricity Distribution Company, JEDC. Others are Kaduna Electricity Distribution Company, KDEDC, Kano Electricity Distribution Company, KEDC, Port Harcourt Electricity Distribution Company, PHEDC and Yola Electricity Distribution Company YEDC was to ensure that a certain number of meters are installed within their networks on an annual basis over a period of time to ensure equitable distribution of power n the various zone.

However up till now, many of the distribution companies are not measuring up in that agreement plan. For instance, part of the Enugu Electricity Distribution Company, EEDC performance agreement undertook, was to ensure that average of 100,0(30 meters is installed within, its network on an annual basis over the next five years. That agreement has since been reviewed to ensure that the present metering gap of 312,335 should be closed within the next three years.
But while addressing stakeholders during the inauguration of the Abakaliki Electricity customers’ Forum Office in Ebonyi State, Acting Chairman, Chief Executive, Nigerian Electricity Commission, Dr. Anthony Akah came heavily on EEDC for failure to meet up with the performance plan especially when it comes to metering.
According to him, “it is sad that Enugu Disco has not commenced the implementation of its meter roll-out, in accordance with the performance agreement signed with the government-under the privatization programme.’
He decried the fact that EEDC has not commenced its meter roll out plan as contained in the performance agreement signed with the Federal Government when the new owner took over the electricity distribution company about two years ago.
The case of the EEDC is just one out of many such outright disregards to the duly signed plan that is supposed to facilitate the development of power situation in the country.
Available statistics ‘with the Commission indicates EEDC has customer 732,423 customer size with 70 per cent or 512 335 of them unmetered, a development he described as unacceptable for quality service delivery.
The NERC boss stated that he has taken the Enugu Electricity Distribution Company EEDC to task over rising complaints on estimated billing, which is a result of wide metering gap in the Nigerian Electricity Supply Industry NESI.
Akah said that the Commission is closely monitoring EEDC and other electricity distribution companies to ensure that the metering gap in NESI, estimated at about fifty percent should be eliminated within the shortest possible time.
The Commission has instituted measures to accelerate metering through very close monitoring of distribution companies meter roll-out plan. The present metering gap in Enugu Disco alone is about 512,335 when compared to its total customer size of 732,423. It is expected that the present metering gap would be closed within next three years, “Akah said.
He disclosed that the meter roll-out being monitored by the Commission is a combination of the Credited advance Payment for Metering Implementation CAPMI, an initiative of the Commission, to fast-track meter deployment and the metering scheme financed by the Disco in line with the performance agreement signed with the Federal Government.
Dr. Akah further urged electricity customers to shun acts of violence, vandalism of electrical infrastructure and stealing of electricity; advising them to channel all such electricity complaints that were not satisfactorily treated at the Disco level to NERC Forum office for solution.
Ebonyi State Governor David Umahi represented by the Commissioner of Power, Chief Emmanuel Uguru pointed out that the state government at inception picked power as one of the major projects and that it was still committed to this.
According to him, the state government has been interfacing with the people and security agencies on electricity matters, and has succeeded in forming a united force against vandalism of electrical equipment.
Speaking at the occasion, Managing Director, Enugu Disco Mr. Robert Dickerman, appealed for co-operation from its customers, and urged them not to see the company as an enemy, but partners in progress. “The role of Distribution Company is to serve our customers by the goal that has been established, our obligations are real and sacred and we recognized that” he said.
All the NERC’s forum offices are localized both in terms of constituent members and location. The members are representatives of all the customer classes, industrial, commercial and residential, as well as professional bodies drawn from states within disco’s franchise area. Forum memberships include institutional agencies such as the Nigerian Society of Engineers; Consumer Protection Council; Manufacturers Association of Nigeria. The Forum handles appeals of customer complaints from the customer care units of electricity distribution companies.

*Miyetti Allah plotting massacre again
*Its threat to protest against anti-grazing law uncalled for
*Law not against culture, movement or economic interest of
person, group
*It’s Benue Peoples’ law not Ortom’s
A socio-cultural group in Benue state yesterday reiterated its call for the arrest
and prosecution of the leaders of Miyeiti Allah Kautal Hore for the killings of
innocent people in the state since New Year day stressing that the recent
outburst of the group insisting to resist the anti-open grazing law enacted by
the state is a clear indication that its members could attack the people again if
not called to order.
The spokesman for the group consisting of Mdgzou U Tiv, Idoma National
Forum, and Omi’Ngede, Chief Edward Ujege in a statement decried the
insistence of the leaders of Miyeiti Allah to work against the law even when
the National Economic Council headed by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo had
endorsed ranching and banned open grazing in some parts of the country
including Benue.
The group said that the recent outburst of the leaders of Miyeiti Allah Kautal
Hore was tantamount to rubbish the NEC decision adding that it has shown
clearly that some powerful people in government were the one behind the
group
Ujege in the statement said that the leaders of Miyetti Allah should not
continue to use the enactment of the anti-open grazing law in Benue State as

an excuse to perpetrate their terrorist acts of killing defenseless farmers and
other members of the society in the state.
“The killings by Fulani herdsmen in Nigeria are not restricted to Benue State
where the anti-open grazing law has been enacted. The Fulani killings have cut
across Nasarawa, Taraba, Adamawa, Kogi, Plateau, Kaduna, Edo, Ondo, Enugu
and other states where the law does not exist.
“It must also be noted that the killings in Benue State particularly, started as
far back as 2010 before the anti-open grazing law was enacted by the Benue
State House of Assembly late last year”, the statement explained.
The group said that the Miyeiti Allah Kautal Hore leaders were wrong to have
assumed that the law was made by Governor Samuel Ortom, saying, ‘It is a law
of the people of Benue state through their democratically elected
representatives as a last resort in their futile efforts to find peace and ensure
security of lives and property in the state.”
“It is unfortunate that the leaders of Myetti Allah have deliberately chosen to
use Ortom as a scapegoat in their ethnic cleansing agenda in Benue state. For,
as his public service record would show, Ortom is an extremely peaceful and
God-fearing Governor who is only doing the will of his own people”, it further
noted.
While puncturing the argument by the group that the law had stultified their
culture, movement or economic interests, Ujege said that a good number of
herders, including Fulani, Hausa and other groups with good intentions are still
residing peacefully in Benue state.
It expressed deep concern that President Muhammadu Buhari administration
had refused to declare the killer Fulani herdsmen as terrorists and prosecute
the Miyetti Allah Kautal Hore Fulani Socio-Cultural Association leaders despite
the genocide on the state since New Year day.
He said that their concern stems from the fact that the Kautal Hore had invited
all Fulani from around West and Central Africa to converge on Benue State and
use all means available to visit mayhem on Benue people whom he said had
led to killings of hundreds of people in the state.
“Let it be known that the killings are still on-going, at an average of two
persons per day, although most of these killings are not being reported

“We categorically state that the position of the Miyetti Allah Kautal Hore Fulani
Association as contained in their communiqué after an emergency meeting in
Kaduna, clearly constitutes the height of lawlessness, impunity and terrorism,
which must not be condoned by the Federal Government.

“The same Constitution of Nigeria they are quoting also provides that every
state in the country has the right to enact laws for the good governance of her
people. Miyetti Allah has no right whatsoever to threaten the implementation
of the anti-open grazing and provision of ranches law in Benue State.
“We must not forget nor shy away from expressing our fears about the
impression being created, latent or apparent, that the Miyetti Allah has
become the mouthpiece of the Federal Government. How else do we explain
the body language of the government through statements by its highly placed
officials including the Chief of Army Staff, Inspector-General of Police, Minister
of Defence, and even, President Muhammadu Buhari himself, in the face of the
Fulani killings in Benue state?
“We and, indeed other concerned Nigerians are yet to come to terms with the
Inspector-General’s false and misleading assertion that the killings in Benue
were as a result of communal clashes. What about the declaration by the
Defence Minister that the anti-open grazing law in Benue was the cause of the
Fulani killings? Why would the Chief of Army Staff advice Governor Ortom to
review the anti-open grazing law to make for harmonious living by the various
groups in the state? Then, President Buhari, telling the world during his recent
visit to America that those responsible for the killings in Benue and other parts
of the Middle Belt were Libyans who were armed by the late Gadhafi.” Ujege
said.

Former Minister of Aviation,Fani Kayode’s wife,Precious is pregnant with triplets and she is very happy about it.

The couple shared beautiful maternity photos. Precious wrote

Had this amazing shoot at 22weeks and looked forward to sharing it but loosing my mom clouded my joy. Been cold for a while, still in denial, she remains irreplaceable even in death. But hey I’ve got to be the strong,cheerful and brave woman she knew. So as we await these amazing young ones , I celebrate you my angels, your presence would definitely cheer me up and I’m totally up for the new experience and challenges of being a trip-mama.thank you @byjaru stylist of life  #waitingtillyouarrive #twinsandmultiples #triplets #tripletpregnancy #tripletbelly #tripletmom.

Popular Nigerian Blogger, Linda Ikeji’s is pregnant and following the pregnancy, Mavin Records boss, Don Jazzy has given his reaction saying he’s not the father of the blogger’s forthcoming baby.

The 35-year-old music producer who is known to have Linda Ikeji on his marriage wish list took to Twitter after the pregnancy newsbreak and wrote;

Khloe Kardashian is taking a step to royalty as she want her daughter True to marry Prince George .

She didn’t shy away from the fact that she was watching the royal wedding, as she shared a picture of herself congratulating the newly weds on social media.

The 33-year-old called the ceremony ‘beautiful’ and appeared to be chatting to her momager Kris Jenner, as she added: ‘Mama, they’re prince and princess now.’

Well, Duke and Duchess of Sussex, but we get what you mean Khlo! But it appears that watching the royal wedding has got the reality star all loved up, and thinking about what the future could hold for her newborn daughter True.

Talking to Hollywood Life, a source revealed that the beauty mogul joked that now Meghan has become a royal, maybe her little tot could some day marry into the family with Prince George.

No pressure there, True. They told the publication: ‘Khloe thinks Meghan and Harry’s love story is incredibly inspirational, and she joked that one day True could marry Prince George, although she would need to fight off North and Chicago.’

The source added: ‘Khloe thinks it would be amazing for one of the Kardashian girls to be the future Queen, and it would be the perfect combination of British and American royalty!

‘If Meghan can become a member of the British royal family, then Khloe doesn’t see why her daughter can’t!’

This is probably what every girl is thinking right now.

And it looks like KoKo wasn’t the only family member getting in on the big day as Kim Kardashian shared the adorable video of Harry telling Meghan that she ‘looked amazing’.

The Kar-Jenner clan have been hailed American Royalty on countless occasions, and with Kate Middleton and Meghan Marlke setting the way for ‘commoners’ to marry their real life Prince, then who knows what could happen between True and George

Nigerian American actress, Yvonne Orji, who is best known for her role as Molly in the HBO series Insecure has revealed is dating Emmanuel Acho, NFL player.

The 27-year old former American football linebacker is currently an analyst on ESPN.

They both announced their relationship on social media by posting photos on their pages.

The 34-year old actress captioned her photo “Jesus out here answering prayers on a Sunday.”

Bobrisky has told some people that he is getting married   he even took them out  for a ride yesterday, claiming marriage things and even flaunting bridal dress-up and second dress for his bridal appearance!

The Worst part is that this man downloaded the photo of a US senator, caricatured it and passed it as the photo of his “Boo”.

Like seriously!! A lot of people fell for it and bought the story! – we found the original photo of the man Bobrisky posted up yesterday and it was photo of an American Senator, Eddie Melton.

Award winning American singer, Beyoncé has bought her own Church in New Orleans for $850,000 and the church is over a century old.

The famous 36 year old Queen Bey, seems to be having other interests asides from showbiz.

According to TMZ, the over-a-century-old church was listed at $850,000 (£631,000) and is 7,500 square foot, and has been out of use as a religious place for a while.

It’s not the first time that Beyoncé has hit headlines over a church – earlier this month Grace Cathedral in San Francisco held it’s first ‘Beyoncé Mass’, with the service including her solo songs and Destiny’s Child anthems.

Reverend Yolanda Norton had the idea to base the mass around the pop icon, explaining: ‘When we talk about womanist biblical interpretation, Beyoncé felt like a natural fit,’ reports the San Francisco Chronicle.

At the resume hearing of the corruption case against the former secretary of the PDP Olisa Metuh he collapsed suddenly.

METUH was making his way to the dock when the trial judge asked him to remain where he was seated and just as his PA tried to tell him they all heard a loud noise and noticed the defendant on the floor.

At the moment the trial judge is asking the court official to explain what happened.

The trial judge has continued with the trial even though Metuh is still on the floor.

Metuh’s counsel has withdrawn from the trial

He says he cannot go ahead with the trial when his client is lying on the floor.

Mister Etiaba withdrew his service to metuh when the trial judge Justice Abang insisted that he called his eleventh witness in the trial.

The witness is currently in the dock.

Details to follow…

Austin Maho Ph.D.
(09090005369 SMS only)

The IG of Police, Ibrahim Idris was in Kano last week Monday to commission the Force Technical Intelligence Unit and all hell was let loose. He was, practically speaking, lost in transmission!
In an embarrassing video clip that has since gone viral online the IGP was caught struggling to read from a prepared script, making multiple blunders and struggling helplessly to be coherent.
The usually loquacious Force Public Relations Officer, Jimoh Moshood, has been silent over the embarrassing outing, giving the feeling that since there was no prompt response from the police hierarchy, the video clip is a true representation of fact.
Watching the video leaves one dumbstruck and distressed. Below is the unedited transcript:
“I mean, transmission, I mean effort, that the transmission cooperation to transmission, I mean transmission to have effect, ehm, apprehend, I mean, apprehensive towards the recommendation, recommended formation effective and effect, I mean, apprehensive at the transmission of…and transmission and transmission for the effective in the police command.”
“Sorry, I’m sorry please.” (A man in suit joined him to help hold down his script, and even helped with the pronunciation of the words. But this didn’t make the reading any easier for the IGP). He continued, “All effective the transmission, other transmission, I can state without contradiction that I have commissioned what?”. “Over transmission of, over transmission of, over all kidnapping, armed robbery and other heinous crimes, I mean, ehm, commission transmission, recommendation transmission.” The end!
There have been speculations all over cyberspace on what could have befallen the IGP on that faithful day. Speculations range from the rational to the irrational. Some people have even gone to the ridiculous extent of attributing what befell the IGP to dyslexia or a spiritual attack

Be that as it may, two tendencies can be isolated from the different shades of opinion that have been expressed concerning the incident. One is from those who believe the video clip is real and to them a confirmation that the IGP is deficient in speech and learning and possibly explains why he has been dodgy in answering the summon of the Senate. At the second end of the spectrum are those who are convinced that the video was doctored by mischief makers to discredit and rubbish the IGP.
The first group of people who believe the video clip to be a true representation of fact base their reasoning on the following:
1. If all was well, WHY did the IGP apologise more than once to his audience?
2. If all was well, WHY were the men behind him uncomfortable when he was reading the speech that one had to come out to assist him in holding down the script?
3. Why was his mouth movements consistent with his words?
4. If the video clip was doctored as alleged by the police authorities, why was the police hierarchy not prompt in releasing “real” video and issuing a statement to denounce the “fake” video?
5. Why was the video which was purportedly released by the police about five days later as the real video very different in context from the one that has gone viral?
These are the key posers raised by those who say the viral video is real.
They have also taken a swipe at what they term the belated attempt by the police authorities to deceive unsuspecting minds with ridiculous explanations by the sharing of a second video clip showing the IG speaking ex-tempore as against the extant video clip where he read from a script.
Those on the opposite side of the spectrum have largely based their arguments on technicalities and the infinite possibilities to manipulate digital technologies.
An aggregation of the views of those who believe the video clip was doctored are summarised below:
1. There are a total of 6 jump cuts on the video and audio.
2. When you concentrate on the fence and canopy behind the video clip you will notice “flip clips”
3. The editor of the video clip used “add-and cross dissolve” on both audio and video.
4. The audio was generously repeated, more than 25% repeated. (The editor repeated the audio cut clip, then joined it with another audio clip, then joined it to a dissolved video clip, and so on).
5. If you enlarge the video, you will see that it is not totally in sync in places, which support the clip fault lines. It is clearer if played in slow motion. But you may not see it on an ordinary device especially as the video is not very clear.
6. If you import the video on “Avid” (an editing software) time line, it will show each clip layer very clearly an evidence of manipulation.
7. Evidence that the word “Transmission” was repeated several times.

The polarising debates over whether the first video clip is real or doctored and the place of the latter video indicate the growing influence of the social media to lead the agenda of public discuss. This is a fact those who manage public communication and the image of their principal can no-longer take for granted. Jimoh Moshood, the Force Public Relations Officer, who before now had always responded to criticism of the IGP with depth and precision, must be rueing his inability to respond comprehensively in the present situation.
The media today is very different from what it was just a decade ago. The dominant presence of Google and Facebook now means an endless battle to gain likes and shares. In this battle, the more absurd, provocative and divisive the story being pushed, the better as long as it gains public attention. Real journalism based on facts, verification and attribution is in permanent recession.
The viral video which probably has gained hundreds of thousands of shares and likes has fulfilled the primary objective of those who created and posted it in the first place; which is improved ratings by news aggregators and being atop the media food chain for the while before another circle commences.
The social media poses new challenges for public communication managers that must not be taken for granted. The social media gives direct, unmediated access, it encourages dialogue and responsiveness but it is not perfect. Things do go wrong, it can become a disruption. It has the potentials to open a world of criticism and sometimes the criticism isn’t based on fact but on a grudge; this is evident in the case of the IGP video. Most of the people that have supported the authenticity of the video have a tendency to link it to previous infractions of the IGP especially his serial refusal to honour Senate summons. To them the video is evidence that the IGP is unintelligent and unlearned and thus incapable of standing Senate scrutiny hence he is evasive.
Similarly, those who have disavowed the video are seemingly doing so on the grounds of caution not based on any real or verifiable fact; they would rather err on the side of caution than to join the bandwagon of criticism of the IGP. These set of people have even been criticised as paid trolls and e-rats out to launder the image of the IGP at all cost
Whichever side of the divide you choose, what is evident is that we are in a brave new world and the social media would increasingly become a major part of our lives which public communication and image strategists would only ignore at their own peril.
We’re really at a crossroads between digital and humanity. The state of polarising relationships online is worrisome more so as we enter a political season. Beyond the IGP video we should be worried about people who are unable to think critically. The truth is that we are in the cusp of technology that’s able to take a video of anyone and put words in their mouth and mortally destroy a reputation.
What this calls for is more critical thinking on everyone’s part before hitting the like or share button. In the age of the internet and social media, critical thinking unfortunately is becoming an increasingly lost art. There is the need for social media users to maintain some levels of criticality and to cut back, hold back or cut out certain things in other to bring humanity to technology.

National Bureau of Statistics has stated that the Nigerian Gross Domestic Product, GDP grew by 1.95 per cent year-on-year- in real terms in the first quarter of 2018. This was part of the release made available today in Abuja…

details later

In Kaduna, it was jubilation galore, as Narayi Empire defeated the Obaje Football Club by two goals, to emerge overall winner in the final maiden football match competition organized by “Kaduna REYOM 6-aside Unity, Peaceful Coexistence and Talent Development Football Competition”.

Keenly contested, the two wining goals at the final leg of the two weeks competition were scored during the second half of the match which took place at the NNPC quarters football pitch, Kachia road, in Kaduna, at the weekend.

Obaje FC, which lost by 2-00 to Narayi Empire therefore clinched the second place of the final match, while the third place position went to Boro United as a Walkover for failure of the opponent, Porto FC, to arrived pitch in records time.

Although, half pitch, the match which kick off by 4:00 pm Nigeria time on Saturday recorded three corner kicks on both side of the team, with two against Obaje FC and one against NarayI Empire, while a red card partly awarded against a team was not served.

Earlier, on Friday, Narayi Empire beat Boro United 1-0 on penalty shoot out after full time game of goalless draw, while Obaje FC defeated FC Porto 2-1 on penalty shoot out after full time game of 1-1 draw, at quarter final.

At the Grand Finale, ceremony on Saturday at NNPC quarters football pitch, cash awards, ranging from N10, 000 – N5, 000, and a sets of training vest and a brand new Football each, was given to first and second place winners of the competition, while N3, 000 and a brand new football was given to the third place winner of the game respectively.

Speaking to journalists at end of the ceremony, Coaching crew of Narayi Empire expressed happiness, saying they anticipated the victory through hard working of their team.

Governor Nyesom Wike National Open Judo Championships got underway on Sunday at the Alfred Diete Spiff Sports Complex, Port Harcout with over 300 accredited judokas taking part in the Cadet, Junior and Senior categories.

The championship is designed to produce Judokas that represent the country in next year’s African Youth Games in Algeria, the All African Games in Zambia next year, the Commonwealth Judo Championship in November as well as African Judo Championship next year.

President of the Nigeria Judo Federation, Timothy Nsirim said the Championship will serve as dress rehearsal for major events like the All African Youth Games

Nsirim, however, adviced parents and guardians to allow their wards embrace Judo as a Sport which he said  will not only help them become disciplined, but also  has the potential of engaging them meaningfully.

He added that the Nigeria Judo Federation is also using the Governor Nyesom Wike Judo Championship as a template to bid for major champiosnhips that will see Judokas from other parts of Africa compete in Port Harcourt.

“I am sure that with the progress made so far in Judo and the ongoing Championship, it will be a template for bigger events we will indicate our interest for as continental Championship.

“We want to talk with the government, any state that agree to host, we will take the championship there be it north or south, the President said.

A Professor of Performing Arts at the University of Ilorin, Abdulrasheed Adeoye while
Speaking on the merit of effective copyright laws, has said that effective laws would bring about springing up of original works which will add more value to the socioeconomic development of the country.

According to him, people will be encouraged to come up with new ideas because they are fully aware of knowledge reparation, adding that the upcoming authors will also develop mental positive attitude towards evolving new woks.

Professor Adeoye made the call in his office during an interview with newsmen in Ilorin, Kwara state capital, saying that the reason why copyright laws are unpopular and weak in Nigeria is because authors of intellectual properties refuse to fight for their own rights.

He called on original owners and authors of Intellectual property in the country to stop the habit of siting on their own rights but always cultivate habit of seeking redress in the competent court of law.

This decision, according to him, would prevent people from unbridled access to the copyrighted materials without due permission from the original authors.

Adeoye, who is the current Head of Department of Performing Arts, University of Ilorin, said the ugly scenario would only be nipped in the bud if authors of various intellectual properties in the country rise up to the challenge and jealously guide and guard their creative works by a way of seeking redress in the competent court of law.

Adeoye who taught copyright laws for several years in the department of Performing Arts, said implementation of the laws has been a major problem in the country and expressed conviction that authors’ readiness to change the narration will compel the government to come up with better laws that will be accompanied by adequate implementation.

Mammoths crowd at Christian Centre Abuja as members of catholic church celebrate mass in honour of the two priests who were killed along side other members in Benue state recently as corpse will be buried today in the state.

Both Senators ovie Omo Agege and Ali Ndume today appeared before the Senator Bala Ibn Na Alla Chaired joint committee investigating the snatching of the mace by hoodlums.

Both senators are currently being grilled for thier role in the act with Omo Agege refusing to speak saying he had gone to court over the matter.

The Committee members denied receiving any summon from the court on the matter and insisted that he should take advantage of his invitation to explain his action.

Ibn Na alla insisted that he has not been served since service is personal but Omo Agege remained resolute that service had been done through his office as Deputy Majority Leader

Omo Agege insisted that he has served all the persons involved including the Attorney General and Security Agencies.

All attempt by Senator Shehu Sani and David Umaru to make him speak failed as continued to insist that it will be against the law.

When asked which law he was relying on he said the constitution and Senate Rule Book which both the Senate members and House of Representative disagreed.

On this note he was told the committee would go on with thier job even without him speaking

Ndume on his part insisted he will only speak in executive session and Journalist were asked to leave and the meeting continued in camera.

Prior to the altercations Ibn Na Allah had narrated how security operatives while testifying implicated both senators in the snatching of the Senate mace by hoodlums leading to there been invited to testify

The Security Agencies had said Omo Agege led the hoodlums from the gate to the senate chambers and every attempt they made to stop them was blocked by the Senator who kept saying they were with him until they got into the chamber and snatched the mace which has been recovered

It will be recalled that after the incident that the senate set up a panel alongside with the house of Representative to investigate the matter