The Hood – Hearing from your neighborhood

Seven Yahoo Boys And Girl In Kaduna Arrested By EFCC

Operatives of the Kaduna Zonal Office of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, in the early hours of Wednesday, June 26, 2019 raided and arrested seven suspected internet fraudsters in their hideout at No.15, Giwa Road, Barnawa High Cost area of Kaduna State. Gistvic Reports.

The suspects, which include, six males and one female were arrested sequel to an intelligence report received by the Commission.

They are, Iyere Eromoseze Sylvester, 40, Uyiekpen Gabriel Etiosa, 21, Elimia John, 22, Eguasa Osas, 24, Osaohian Osas, 23, Faith Equasaogbomo, 33, and Terry Ogbudu, 25.

An identity card belonging to a Special Assistant of the National Assembly (House of Representatives) bearing Sylvester’s name was found during the raid.

Other items recovered at the point of arrest include, a Toyota Venza car, 18 exotic phones (iPhones, Samsung, etc), three Apple iPads, five laptops, two international passports, several SIM cards of various networks, two Mifi and several flash drives, 11 ATM cards, exotic wrist watches and an exotic variant of indian hemp (Haze). They attempted hiding some of the items in the microwave, toilet water closet and bathroom sink.

The suspects will soon be charged to court.

"Okupe did not commit any crime." – Shuiabu Salisu, ONSA Director of Finance and Admin

The ongoing corruption trial of Dr. Doyin Okupe by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) appears to have suffered a major setback. The star prosucution witness admitted that Okupe did not commit any crime by receiving money from the office of the NSA, because the payments were made from the budget of the office of National Security Adviser.

The prosecution witness, Alhaji Shuaibu Salisu who is the Director of Finance and Admin in the office National Security Adviser told the court today under cross-examination that he made monthly payments of N10m to the office Senior Special Assistant to President on Media for ‘special services’ from the budget of the office of National Security Adviser (NSA). Shuaibu who admitted that the payments were not made directly to Dr. Doyin Okupe; also added that the former presidential spokesman has committed no crime by receiving the sundry payments released to his office.

Shauibu also admitted that the Finance Department in the Office of National Security Adviser is exmepted from following Civil Service rules and regulations. He therefore asserted that payments made to individuals and Departments under the presidency do not require receipts or to be retired.

Shuaibu also confirmed that all payments released to Okupe’s office were only made after verbal instructions from the National Security Adviser. Although, Shauibu told the court that he was not aware of whatever specific purpose the payments were meant for since he never attended any any of the meetings between the National Security Adviser and Dr. Okupe.

In the cause of further cross-examination of Alhaji Shuaibu Salisu by Barr. Tolu Babaleye, the counsel to Okupe, he

agreed in view of the evidence provided that the funds were released to the office of the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and not personally to Dr. Okupe; as indicated in the payment vouchers.

The case has however been adjourned to Friday, 28th June, 2019.

Salawa Abeni unveils plans to wed again

Not a pushover in the entertainment industry, Queen Salawa Abeni has been on this terrain since she was 13. Now 58 years old, QSA, as she is fondly called, has her bag of success stories full.

Just back from Hajj after a 10-year hiatus, the Waka Queen, who was challenged in her health for five years revealed this was her first hajj after the illness that claimed all that she had.

“Glory be to Allah because this is a significant trip,” she said.

Recalling her ordeal some years ago, QSA believed her last pilgrimage was significant.

“I just returned from lesser hajj. I went to thank God after 10 years that I’ve been there. I was there in October 2008 but fell terribly ill on February 1, 2009. I was bed-ridden for five years. Today, I thank God I am back on my feet.”

How has she evolved over the years especially now that she sings modernized Waka?

“To be up and retain the position is not easy. I have to also evolve so that I wouldn’t be stagnant. I’ve had collabos with my son, Big Sheff, I’ve had to feature in many shows/concerts to pass the message across that Queen Salawa Abeni is back,” she exclusively told,

Fans

Accommodating and support me since I came back. The prayers, messages, kind words are quite encouraging.

Overcoming challenges

I always advise that anybody challenged should learn to pray to God. Also, such persons should not be shy to tell others about such challenges. I am not shy to seek assistance. If you like, abuse me and start telling others, I don’t care because I want the best for myself. Don’t be moved by criticisms/hearsays. I don’t give up. If you fall, you will rise again.

Mentoring

I have a handful of mentees and they are doing well. Though some of them don’t sing Waka, they have chosen to toe the religion line.

Inspiration

Whenever I’m on stage, my inspiration is the crowd. Whenever I see people and a crowd of loved ones, I am inspired. It strengthens me.

Life as an artiste

I believe an artiste should be focused and refuse distraction. For young artiste, I think they should sing meaningful songs that would extend beyond the time they are. Young people should be patient, prayerful and meaningful. I remember a concert I performed in Germany. I try as much as possible to allow fans understand whatever I am singing. God is also my strength because you cannot claim to be happy and singing without dancing.

Support System

God has always surrounded me with good people who assisted me and still do in every step of the way. The journey has not been easy especially when I was raising my kids. To be able to still be relevant after so many years in the industry is a mystery. My first trip abroad was in 1978. I also went for Hajj in 1978 and from there; God started upgrading me to the next level. After that, I started travelling abroad.

Memorable Concerts

I would not forget Benson and Hedges show which held at Tafawa Balewa Square, Lagos some years ago. It featured Sir Shina Peters, Femi Kuti and many big artistes. We were accommodated in Federal Palace Hotel and I was instructed to perform the last show. That could be a challenge to some artistes because fans could decide going before you climb the stage.

The show was quite unique because you can’t even watch another artiste before your performance. When it was your turn to perform, organizers would come and request for your appearance. My turn was 6am. By time my name was announced, the crowd surged! They made so much noise and I was so happy. I started singing and they sang along with me. By 8.30am, the crowd still asked for more. They sang, ‘All we are saying, Salawa, give us more music,’ I was surprised because I would have continued but I had a show in Ijebu in the afternoon. It was a great time. Also, I would not forget another show I had in Queen Elizabeth Hall in England. That was about four years ago and two of us performed. I was the only black artiste because the other performer was a white man. I sang and the crowd asked for more because I was the artiste that closed the show.

Strength

It comes from God because I don’t drink or smoke. I realise that anytime I start to perform, I get inspired and the strength to go on and on comes upon me. You can’t perform without strength because I love dancing . At 58 now, I dance and dance while performing. Whenever I see older artistes like King Sunny Ade, Evangelist Ebenezar Obey, and others are still performing in their 70s. Even artistes in their 60s are performing .

Marriage/Career

Whatever you are doing that gets you a livelihood and you become famous or successful, people would get jealous and could bad-mouth you.

I was once married to Chief Kollington Ayinla but we are no longer together . I don’t want to comment on that because the union produced wonderful children. Now, I am not married but I have lovely kids. That a woman is successful in her career and still married is good. That’s a plus. On the other hand, it does not mean the woman who is divorced or single is of bad behavior—she is not abnormal. It could be a challenge and such women should move on and stop seeing everyone as an enemy.

They should also learn to ignore whatever negative words people are saying . There is no woman who doesn’t want to be married. Though there could be challenges, I believe God can give everyone a new beginning. Even at my age, I know and believe God can give me a new beginning. So, don’t give up!

Nicki Minaj set to marry childhood friend Kenneth Petty

Rapper, Nicki Minaj has confirmed she is set to marry Kenneth Petty after revealing they have obtained a marriage license.

The rapper and Kenneth have been dating for over seven months, when they went official with their relationship on Instagram.

She has since spoken about the decision to get the license with her ‘husband’, (which she called him )while talking about their evening routine on her Queen Radio show on Apple Music’s Beats 1 radio.

‘We did get our marriage license. I think I have what I was striving for, just happiness.

‘It was so hard to get to a happy place. Now that I’m there, I don’t want to compromise that for anyone or anything,’ she said, according to Metro.

Nicki referred to her other half as ‘husband’ when she said Kenneth gives her a loving foot rub every evening after her shower, but admitted that they were not yet legally married.

‘Every night when I get out of the shower, my husband takes this really good lotion that we just bought, and he massages my feet, and rubs them, and he rubs each toe individually, and the heel, and the ball of my foot, and he does it all.

It’s just so sexy,’ she said.

The Chun Li rapper recently praised Kenneth for making her feel ’empowered’, and said she is in the ‘best place’ she’s been in a long time ‘spiritually’.

She said: ‘If I’m being honest, spiritually, I’m at the best place I’ve been in a long time.

‘I think who you have in your life determines how you feel spiritually. I’m happy now with or without a man, but it just so happens the man in my life, he’s known me since I was 14,’ she added.

‘He knows the real me, I don’t have to pretend. We can be around each other all day and not get bored.

‘There’s a different level of friendship and passion I’ve never had before. So nurturing and knows just what to say to make me feel empowered.

The Trinidadian born rapper is the most awarded female rapper with lots of accolades to her credit.

In 2015 she won the award for Best Hip-Hop Video for “Anaconda”.

She won the BET Award for Best Female Hip Hop Artist in 2010 and 2016.

Throughout 2011 to 2016, Minaj was nominated for a total of 10 Grammy Awards.

INEC denies resignation of ICT Director

INEC boss, Mahmood Yakubu

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has refuted claims that its Director of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Mr Chidi Nwafor has resigned.

The commission made the clarification in a notice on its official twitter handle @inecnigeria, on Saturday.

It described the rumour as false, urging members of the public to disregard it.

“The rumour circulating that our Director ICT, Engr. Chidi Nwafor has resigned is totally false and should be disregarded.

“The Director and another staff have just returned from South Africa where they represented INEC at the high level 5th Annual Meeting of ID4Africa Movement in Johannesburg (from June 18 to June 20).

“Neither he nor any senior staff has resigned his appointment or indicated such intention, since the elections,” the commission twitted.

Barcelona to play Arsenal in friendly at Nou Camp

Barcelona will play a pre-season friendly with Arsenal at their Nou Camp Stadium on Aug. 4, the La Liga champions said.

The match against the Europa League runners-up is the annual Joan Gamper trophy, which is traditionally Barca’s final game before the new season.

However, this year, the fixture is sandwiched between two overseas tours, to Japan and the U.S.

Barca will play Europa League winners, Chelsea, on July 23 in Tokyo before meeting former Captain, Andres Iniesta’s side, Vissel Kobe, on July 27.

Ernesto Valverde’s side are then due to return to Barcelona after playing against Arsenal.

Valverde’s side will also fly to the U.S. for two matches against Napoli in the inaugural La Liga-Serie A Cup in Miami, on Aug. 7, and in Michigan, on Aug. 10.

Barcelona and Arsenal last met in a Champions League last-16 tie in 2016, which the Catalans won 5-1 on aggregate.

Multichoice, DSTV owners to sack 2,200 workers

Naspers’ pay-television business MultiChoice Group, owners of DSTV is planning to lay off close to 2,200 workers in a shake-up of its customer care service, the company said on Friday.

The axing will affect workers in South Africa.

MultiChoice, which competes with Netflix in online streaming via Showmax, said in a statement it is launching a consultation process to cut 2,194 positions in MultiChoice South Africa’s customer care call centres and walk-in centres.

“This has not been an easy decision to make but, in a business driven by advancing technologies, we must continue to drive efficiencies yet be agile enough to adapt to evolving customer needs,” MultiChoice Group Chief Executive Calvo Mawela said.

“We must act decisively to align to the change in customer behaviour and competition from over-the-top services,” he added, referring to video services that stream directly over the internet.

“If we don’t reposition now, we run the risk of being completely misaligned and we put everyone’s jobs at risk.”
Under the Labour Relations Act, the consultation process will take 60 days.

Over the past three years, MultiChoice has seen a steady decline in the number of customer telephone calls and e-mails into its call centres and walk-ins to its customer service centres, the company said.

In contrast, self-service digital channels have continued to grow, now accounting for 70 percent of all its customer service contacts.

“The company is also in an environment where it will rely more on technology than people,” it said.

Job cuts are politically sensitive in South Africa, where the unemployment rate is more than 27 percent.

In his state of the nation address on Thursday, President Cyril Ramaphosa called the unemployment rate among the youth a “national crisis” that demands urgent, innovative and coordinated solutions.

MultiChoice said it will make new roles available for multi-skilled workers with the “expertise, skills and technological prowess to enhance the customer experience”.

As part of a support program agreed with unions and other employee representatives, the firm will offer voluntary severance packages, wellness support and financial planning, it said.

It will also continue paying for the current studies of MultiChoice bursary-funded employees, and some other benefits.

However the Information Communication and Technology Union (ICTU) said in a statement it had not been officially informed of the action, “which makes the process unlawful”.

“The employer has timed Friday to make announcement, which shows some cowardice tendencies of not dealing with the consequences of their actions,” it said, adding that it will seek an urgent engagement with MultiChoice.

Shares in the company closed nearly 2% stronger at 134 rand prior to the announcement.

OGUN LABOUR PARTY DEBUNKS ARABAMBI’S STATEMENTS CREDITED TO THE NATIONAL CHAIRMAN THAT ALL OTHER STATE EXCOS ARE NOT FINANCIAL EXCOS

The Ogun State Chapter of Labour Party has debunked the statement Comrade Abayomi Arabambi credited to the National Chairman of Labour Party that all the State Executive of Labour Party in Ogun State are not financial member.

The State Chapter Labour Party debunked Arabambi statement through a press statement, the press statement stated thus:

“Our attention has been drawn to a link-less statements by the Ex-Chairman of Labour Party in Ogun State Comrade Abayomi Arabambi credited to the National Chairman of the party that all other members of the state executive of Labour Party are not financial members of the party and cannot be recognised at the National level.

The statement credited to the National Chairman of Labour Party is nothing but lies emancipated from put of hell, no political party would submit nomination form for the State Excos (not ward excos) without payment for nomination form when there are hundreds of qualified people who can pay are on standby.

We hereby implore the members of the public to disregard the misleading statement.

Attached are the pictures of the inauguration which had the National Chairman in attendance.

Labour Party belongs to everyone who believe in equity and justice.”

Arabambi is a goner none of his antics will work, National Chairman can not impose him on us – LP State Secretary

The State Secretary of Labour Party in Ogun State Otunba Akinyemi Jackson has reiterated the Commitment of the State Executive members of Labour Party in Ogun State to return Labour Party in Ogun State to the way the founding fathers of Labour Party laid the foundation of the party.

Otunba Akinyemi Jackson made it known during a press briefing in Abeokuta that “Comrade Arabambi has been sabotaging the image of Labour Party in Ogun State by playing a lone-game believing he has the backup of some people, meanwhile Labour Party is not property of anybody and someone cannot just be playing-god with the interest of the people. Labour Party is a constitutional oriented party, any act outside the constitution is mere child’s play”

Otunba Akinyemi Jackson also stated that he is aware of Arabambi using the name of the National Party Chairman to defend his defenceless acts, he said the National Chairman cannot issue such statements which Arabambi credited to the National Chairman unless the National Chairman is working against the good will of party faithfuls.

Comrade Abayomi Arabambi is no more the Ogun State Chairman of the party, Otunba Akinyemi Jackson added.

Ogun Labour Party passes vote of no confidence on Chairman, alleges anti-party activities.

The Ogun State Chapter of Labour party passed a vote of no confidence on the State Chairman of Labour Party in the State Comrade Abayomi Arabambi over marginalisation and anti-party activities.

The Executive members of Labour Party in Ogun state said in a statement after a joint executive meeting on Thursday, 9th of June 2019. Labour Party alleged the State Chairman of marginalising members of the State Executives adding that Arabambi failed to call for executive meeting which is against the constitution of the party.

In the same vein, Arabambi was alleged to have publicly supported APM Gubernatorial Candidate without consulting any of the executive members at the State level.

Arabambi was alleged of not allowing the finance officer of the party to do his work, Arabambi became a foreman not allowing designated officer to perform their duties which is against the law of the party.