• Fact-check:  Is Nigerian president Buhari dead and  replaced with a lookalike?

• Tweets, Facebook posts and YouTube videos claim Nigerian leader is an imposter called "Jubril".
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• Former military ruler Buhari, 75, has made several trips to London for medical treatment since mid-2016.
• Claims about Buhari's identity emerged a month after Buhari returned from another lengthy medical trip to the British capital.

• Those pushing the claim are known critics of Buhari and his government but have provided no concrete evidence to back up their assertion.

LAGOS

Several high-profile figures in Nigeria, including a former government minister, have claimed that President Muhammadu Buhari has died and been replaced by a lookalike from Sudan.

Tweets, Facebook posts and YouTube videos repeating claims that the leader of Africa's most populous nation is an imposter called "Jubril" have been shared and viewed over 500,000 times.

But there is no evidence to back up the claim and the government has not commented.

Former military ruler Buhari, 75, has made several trips to London for medical treatment since mid-2016. Initially, the presidency claimed he had a "persistent ear infection".

PROLONGED ABSENCES

But concern mounted from early last year about his prolonged absences, prompting speculation the condition was more serious and might affect his ability to stay in power.

A lack of information about the exact nature of his illness, his gaunt features and a reduction in public appearances have fed speculation about his well-being.

Claims about Buhari's identity emerged a month after Buhari returned from another lengthy medical trip to the British capital.

The earliest online mention of the claim found by AFP was in a video posted by Twitter user @sam_ezeh on September 3, 2017.

The video has since been shared more than 5,000 times on Facebook and Twitter.

In it, the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) movement, Nnamdi Kanu, speaks to his supporters and says Buhari had actually died.

"The man you are looking at in the television is not Buhari... His name is Jubril, he's from Sudan. After extensive surgery they brought him back," he says.

In separate broadcasts on the outlawed pirate radio station Radio Biafra, Kanu has called Buhari "Jubril Al-Sudani".

But on each occasion, he gave no evidence for the claim.

The IPOB leader is a fervent critic of Buhari and the Nigerian government. His movement wants a separate independent state for the Igbo people who dominate southeast Nigeria.

Despite the lack of evidence, the claim has been picked up by other opponents of Buhari, who in February next year is seeking a second, four-year term of office.

On April 5, 2018, Femi Fani-Kayode, a former government special advisor and minister under president Olusegun Obasanjo, repeated the claim on Twitter (1).

A similar post on his Facebook page was shared more than 400 times. Press releases and statements by IPOB and its sympathisers have repeated the claim (2).

The rumour appears to have been fuelled further by a real-life event in May this year, when a Nigerian diplomat -- Habibu Almu -- was found dead in the Sudanese capital, Khartoum.

Nigeria's foreign ministry said on May 14 that Almu had been "stabbed to death" and that a Sudanese woman of Nigerian origin had been arrested.

ONLINE POSTS

Sudanese police said the killing did not appear to be politically motivated but Kanu and others have claimed the death was linked to an apparent cover-up of Buhari's death (3).

Buhari's appearance has come under scrutiny in many posts. One post compares Buhari apparently writing with his right hand in one photograph and his left in another.

But analysis indicates the image of the right-handed Buhari had been reversed.

One video even speculates on how a dead Buhari could have been operated on to transfer his appearance to "Jubril from Sudan", showing a scene from the 1997 film "Face/Off" (4).

The rumour has been stoked by Buhari's illness, which saw him receive treatment abroad for a large part of 2017, and the killing of a Nigerian diplomat in Khartoum earlier this year.

Those pushing the claim are known critics of Buhari and his government but have provided no concrete evidence to back up their assertion.

Source: www.nation.co.ke

Reduction in JAMB, SSCE fees welcome but not enough, Nigerians tell FG

Mixed reactions have trailed the Federal Government’s review of fees for the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination, Senior Secondary Certificate Examination and Basic Education Certificate Examination.

Some stakeholders, who spoke to the News Agency of Nigeria in Abuja on Thursday, commended the gesture and urged the government to overhaul the education sector.

NAN reports that the Federal Executive Council on Wednesday approved the downward review of the examination registration fees which will take effect from January 2019.

An entrepreneur, Mr Sunday Ukachukwu, described the action as a “good step” in the right direction.

“I give the Federal government credit for the downward review, but I think they can still do better because the reduction is not so significant.

“If they reviewed the fees by 50 per cent, the reduction would have been significant, but what you have is 13 per cent reduction,’’ he said.

A Public Affairs Analyst, Mr Ben Ekiyi, commended the Federal Government for the reduction saying that it would ensure inclusiveness among other things.

“‎It is a good thing because any reduction in prices of goods or services always makes the masses happy, especially in these times where many people are facing a lot of hardship. ‎

“I feel this reduction will ensure inclusiveness as more students will now be able to write these examinations.

“Since more students will now be able to write the examinations, hidden potentials will be exposed, because we have some intelligent students who have not been able to afford the examination fees,’’ he said.

A parent, ‎Mrs Lelo Apena, said the reduction of fees was a diversion from the real issues plaguing the education sector, such as poor quality of education, dilapidated infrastructure and out-of-school children.

According to her, this kind of reduction does not make any sense; N1,500 difference will not solve the problems bedevilling the education in Nigeria.

‎“I tell you, reduction in these fees is a kind of diversion from the real issue; has the government thought of reducing tuition fees so that those who are qualified will be enrolled and do not drop out for lack of fees.

“Our tertiary institutions are always on strike; is it the reduction of JAMB fees and NECO that will solve the problem of poor quality of students and lecturer?

“Are the out-of-school children and their parents and guardians being helped to ensure their children are enrolled in school and not drop out before completion for various reasons?‎’’ she queried.

Apena was of the opinion that states government should take over the payment of JAMB and NECO fees for poor students in their communities‎.

A retiree, Ms Ruseh Okaro, who also spoke to NAN, said the reduction was a welcome development, however, she said ‎ the quality of education was still a major cause of concern.

“It is a welcome development but I do not think the fees should have been as high as that in the first place, given the importance of education to the wellbeing of a nation.

“I also hope this reduction is sustainable and a holistic approach was used to arrive at these new fees”.

A parent, Mr Shittu Ahmed, said the reduction was commendable, however, government should look into other areas of the sector such as dilapidated infrastructure and lack of learning materials.

A public servant, Mrs Folakemi Aina, said the reduction in the fees was long overdue and wondered why the government was coming out with a lot of policies now that elections were drawing closer.

Source: punch newspaper

President Buhari visits wounded soldiers in Maiduguri, orders military to end Boko Haram threat

President Buhari who is curently in Maiduguri, Borno State has ordered the military to eliminate all threats of Boko Haram, declaring that the war against terrorism is “a must win’’.

“It is a must win war. I want to encourage our troops not to be distracted by speculations but remain focused and committed to the task of eliminating Boko Haram from the surface of the earth,’’ the President said while declaring open the 2018 Chief of Army Staff Annual Conference.

President Buhari assured the military that his administration will continue to address their needs in terms of manpower development and equipment supply, promising that their welfare and entitlements will also be improved.

“I want to reassure you that as your Commander-In-Chief, I will do everything within my power to continue empowering you by providing all the necessary equipment, force multipliers and enablers required for you to prevail on the field. I also want you to be aware that I am currently looking into measures to improve your entitlements and welfare generally,’’ he added.

The President commended the efforts and sacrifices of the military in safeguarding the peace, security and territorial integrity of the country. According to him, “the officers and men who are fighting against the curse of terrorism in the North East deserve all the attention our country’s leadership can give them.

“As President of the country, I am determined to ensure that every citizen feels safe and secure in all parts of the country. To achieve this, the security agencies must rise to the challenge and curb threats to security in our country.’’

President Buhari called on the armed forces to embrace “the wind of change that is blowing across the country,” urging more cooperation at inter-service and inter-agency levels.

“To this end, the Chief of Defence Staff and Service Chiefs must work closely together as well as with other security agencies to improve on strategies that will defeat terrorism, militancy and other forms of criminal activities in our country,” he said.

President Buhari, who also addressed officers and men of the Nigerian Army at the Maimalari Barrack, headquarters of Operation Lafiya-Dole, said he shared in the agony of loss of gallant soldiers.

“I have come to pay homage to the gallant soldiers lost by the nation and to console the injured ones in recent terrorist attacks. I urge you to remain focused and win the war,’’ the President said.

President Buhari also commended Nigerian Army’s commitment to upholding democracy and urged them to remain committed to their profession.

“As we approach the 2019 General Elections, I want to urge all members of the Armed Forces to live up to their responsibilities and remain non-partisan. In addition, you must all remain vigilant throughout the electioneering period and alongside other security agencies, prevent every form of violence that could disrupt the process in line with your Rules of Engagement,’’ he said.

President Buhari urged the soldiers, who were on parade, to always show disciplined conduct.

“No matter how equipped the military is, the military is of no use if it doesn’t have discipline,” he said, urging them to uphold the tenets of the constitution and ensure tight security to protect lives and property.’’

In his statement at the conference, the Chief of Army Staff, Lt. General Tukur Buratai said internal security had greatly improved from what it was in 2015 when President Buhari assumed office.

Lt. Gen. Buratai said a new proactive strategy would be put in place to counter the recent military losses.

He said the army remains neutral and non-partisan and will carry out their constitutional duty of safeguarding the nation’s democracy.

The Minister of Defence, Brig. Gen. Mansur Dan Ali (rtd) assured the President that the military was putting in place new strategies to stabilize the country.

President Buhari asked for a minute’s silence in memory of the gallant soldiers and before his departure, he went round the wards to visit wounded soldiers in the hospital within the army barracks.

He gave assurances that the soldiers would be taken care of.

At the Palace of Shehu of Borno, Abubakar Ibn Umar Garbai El-Kanemi, President Buhari said his administration will do everything to secure the country, commiserating with all Nigerians who lost loved ones following recent setbacks in the fight against terrorists.

“We have to remind ourselves where we were and where we are now and what happened in between. The people of Borno State know what we did in the last three years. The situation would have been worse,” he said.

President Buhari also expressed his determination to change the unemployment situation of youths in the country, pointing out that “Jobs for the young persons, especially those who are 30 and below in Borno State and across the federation continue to engage our attention. We go to bed with it and wake up with it.”

In his remarks, the Shehu of Borno, who spoke on behalf of the State’s Council of Chiefs, thanked the President for bringing peace to the state, and asked for intensive security patrols across the territories to save people from attacks on farms.

Source www.lindaikejisblog.com

Man Killed Huge Python That Swallowed His Dog In Anambra (Photos)

A man based in the South-eastern part of Nigeria opened fire on a massive python after the reptile killed his dog.

The incident happened this morning at Oba junction in Anambra State between a dog owner and a python.

According to reports, the huge reptile swallowed a dog before it was gunned down by the owner out of annoyance.

The incident attracted a lot of crowd as villagers gathered at the scene to see the dog owner showing off his kill.

It was claimed that the snake was later butchered and the carcass of the dog which had already died, removed from its stomach.

Source: gistmania.com

First wife storms wedding venue and pours red oil on her husband's new bride's wedding gown

A woman stormed the venue where her husband was getting married to another woman and poured red oil on the new bride's wedding gown.

The wedding took place at Altar of Prayer Gospel Ministry at Nkwo Orji in Owerri North, Imo state. According to Lilian Alilian, the husband had been to the Apostolic Church to ask that he be joined in holy matrimony with another woman while still married, but the church rejected him. However, he was accepted by Altar of Prayer.

As the wedding was taking place on Sunday, November 25, the first wife arrived at the venue and created a scene.

Click the link below to watch the full drama

https://www.instagram.com/p/BqsrWjagHD6/…

Top 10 best police force and the worst 10 Police Force in African

Ghana's Police ranked 8th best in Africa

If you are one of several citizens who seem to have very little confidence in the dexterity and uprightness in the Ghana Police, hopefully this will get you thinking.

The Ghana Police Service has won itself some accolades after being adjudged the 8th best police force in Africa.

A report released by Business Insider SSA ranked the police force of all 54 countries in Africa, with Ghana emerged 8th out of the best ten in the continent beating South Africa and Morocco placing 9th and 10th respectively.

The Ghana police service is among the ten best police force in Africa

The ranking focused on the internal security of the police force in Africa by critically looking at the capacity, legitimacy and outcomes of their work.

The Ghana Police Service has come under constant attacks by Ghanaians for their unprofessionalism and inability to salvage situations especially with the issue of vigilantism, police brutality on citizens, increase in robbery attacks, taking of bribes from drivers and many among others.

Also, they’ve often been ranked top of corruption perception lists in the country with many Ghanaians often expressing their belief that police officers are corrupt.

The service, on the other hand, has on countless occasions complained over the lack of resources and equipment that would help them to fight crime in the country, with government assuring to provide them with the needed logistics.

With all these happenings in the country, Ghana Police Service still emerged 8th on the list out of the best 10 police force in Africa.

However, same cannot be said for Ghana’s closest neighbour, Nigeria, as they were ranked 1st on the list of worst police force on the continent. It was established that they had the worst internal security in terms of capacity, legitimacy and outcome.

This means Ghanaians must uphold and appreciate the police personnel in this country as they are among the best in Africa although they lack some needed logistics. With the little they have, they are able to control and manage situations.

Top 10 best police force in Africa acconding to Bussiness Insider SSA
1. Botswana
2. Rwanda
3. Algeria
4.Senegal
5. Tunisia
6. Egypt
7. Burkina Faso
8. Ghana
9. South Africa
10. Morocco

The 10 worst police force in Africa.
1. Nigeria
2. Congo,DRC
3. Kenya
4. Uganda
5. Mozambique
6. Cameroon
7. Sierra leone
8. Ethiopia
9. Zambia
10. Madagascar

Ranking was based on internal security: capacity,process,legitimacy and outcomes.

Click the links below to watch video

https://twitter.com/BusInsiderSSA/status/1067070322183204864

https://twitter.com/twitter/statuses/1067367514999582721

Source: www.ghanaweb.com

Commotion as Anambra man attempts to bury carved wood in place of his brother

There was a commotion in Anambra state as a man placed a carved wood in a casket and tried to pass it off as his late brother's corpse.

The burial was ongoing and the casket was opened only for a relative to investigate and find that the lifeless being in the casket was actually a piece of wood carved in the shape of a man.

In a video shared online, the woman, who is the kid sister of the deceased, can be heard screaming in Igbo, saying:

This is wood, wood that he placed in here claiming it's Sunday.

The drama reportedly unfolded in Nnewi, Anambra state. The deceased identified as Sunday Nwosu, of Otolo Nnewi, was the eldest brother of Mr Ikechukwu Nwosu, better known as Ikechukwunyelu of Obiuno Otolo Nnewi, in Nnewi North local government area of Anambra State.

Sunday Nwosu is reported to have died since January 10, 2016, nearly three years ago, but his younger brother kept telling family members that his corpse was in the mortuary and he didn't have money to bury him yet.

Eventually, Ikechukwu organized a burial for his brother and chose the 23rd of November 2018 as the funeral date. He invited friends over for the burial but didn't follow due process neither did he inform his kinsmen of the burial.

On the day of the burial, he brought back the casket with the "body" in it and insisted that it shouldn't be opened. But their younger sister forcefully opened the casket to find that it was a piece of wood and she raised alarm and insisted that her brother must produce their elder brother's corpse.

According to reports, her cries yielded no result as the burial went ahead with the wood buried in the place of the deceased.

Video in the link below

https://www.instagram.com/p/BqpZnZ2An_v/…

Source:
https://www.lindaikejisblog.com/2018/11/commotion-as-anambra-man-attempts-to-bury-carved-wood-in-place-of-his-brother-photosvideo-2.html

I am pleased to make increase in Police salary, allowance – Buhari

We are ready for 2019 elections, IGP insists

By Johnbosco Agbakwuru ABUJA – PRESIDENT Muhammadu Buhari Monday assured the Nigeria police that his administration will continue to give attention to both their welfare and their operational needs with a view to restoring its lost primacy in the internal security framework of the country.

The President gave the assurance when he granted audience to members of the Nigeria Police Service Commission and the leadership of the Nigeria Police Force at the Presidential Villa. 

The visitors were on a “Thank You” visit following Buhari’s approval of Rank Salary Structure Adjustment, by which salary, allowances and pension of policemen will be increased. 

President Buhari, in a statement by his Senior Special Assistant on Media and publicity, Mallam Garba Shehu, regretted that the inability of the police in their constitutional role as the frontline force in the prevention of crime, had led to military involvement in the maintenance of law and order throughout the country.

He said, “From Taraba to Sokoto, to the South-South, people don’t feel secure until they see the military. I am pleased to make the increase in salary and allowances in the hope that it will increase the performance index of the police and strengthen Nigeria’s internal security system.” 

He observed that the more efficient the police is, the more confident the government and citizens will be. 

According to him, “The military should be reserved for higher tasks. The police should be able to cope well with the challenges of armed robbery, kidnapping for ransom and such crimes. In every town and village, there is the presence of the police.

 “From all these places, they should be able to forward first class intelligence to you on which to act. 

“There is a need to amplify the question of more men of the police, especially given the condition we are in – emergency in the North-East, pervasive insecurity and abduction for ransom and banditry in many parts of the country.

 “I congratulate you on the success you recorded against criminals taxing people and stopping them from their farms. We are expecting more from you,” the President told the police.” 

Full-time Commissioner in the Nigeria Police Service Commission, Justice Clara Ogunbiyi (rtd), who represented the chairman, Musiliu Smith, had informed the President that the Rank Salary Structure Adjustment would enhance police welfare and morale. 

The Inspector General of Police, Ibrahim Idris, also assured that the police would redouble efforts to ensure free, fair and credible elections throughout the country next year. 

Speaking with State House correspondents on the forthcoming elections at the end of the meeting, the IGP said, “We are ready; we have gone round the country; we have conducted several bye-elections which obviously prepared us to face the main challenge next. 

“I am assuring all Nigerians that we are going to do our best in ensuring that we have a free and credible election next year.

 “Obviously, we have the equipment but if we can get more, we will appreciate it.” 

On the welfare of the Police Force, he said that he was excited with the whole commitment and efforts aimed at improving not only the salary but the training of the Nigeria Police Force.

 He also said that he was expecting more dedication and loyalty to government and people of Nigeria from the officers and men of the Nigeria Police.

 Also Justice Clara Ogunbiyi said that the welfare of Nigeria Police needed to be enhanced because the idea of security had become critical. 

Policemen, she said, should be encouraged as the entire populace will like to see them perform maximally.

She said, “We are here on behalf of the PSC to appreciate the President Muhammadu Buhari for seeing it to enhance the welfare of Nigeria Police.

“To enhance in their emolument generally and to see that things are improved not only in terms of salaries and allowances but also seeing that infrastructure is improved; their working conditions, training expected of the police.

“In our recent retreat; we were in Enugu and we saw that a lot of the training facilities are in deplorable condition. 

“We will want to see that our policemen are properly trained; and our police will be able to match up with any police force anywhere in the world,

“This is one the reasons why we think we need to encourage the government to do that and the president is doing same in the right direction,’’ she said.

Published November 26, 2018 21:43

PSC commends Buhari’s commitment to police welfare

The Police Service Commission on Monday commended President Muhammadu Buhari over his commitment to enhancing the welfare of officers and men of the Nigeria Police Force.

Retired Justice Clara Ogunbiyi, a Commissioner in PSC, gave the commendation while speaking with State House correspondents after a delegation from the commission had a closed-door meeting with Buhari at the Presidential Villa.

She said that police personnel should be encouraged in terms of welfare for them to perform maximally.

“We are here on behalf of the PSC to appreciate the President Muhammadu Buhari for seeing it to that the welfare of Nigerian police officers is enhanced.

“Enhancement in their emolument generally and to see that things are improved not only in terms of salaries and allowances, but also seeing that infrastructure is improved; in their working conditions, training expected of the police.

“In our recent retreat; we were in Enugu and we saw that a lot of the training facilities are in deplorable conditions.

“We will want to see that our policemen are properly trained, and our police will be able to match up with any police force anywhere in the world,

“This is one the reasons why we think we need to encourage the government to do that,’’ she said.

On his part, the Inspector-General of Police, Ibrahim Idris, said he was excited with the whole commitment and efforts aimed at improving not only the salary but the training of the Nigeria Police Force.

He said that he expected more dedication and loyalty to government and people of Nigeria from the officers and men of the Nigeria Police.

On preparedness for the 2019 elections, Idris said that the police were ready to ensure a hitch-free election.

“We are ready; we have gone round the country; we have conducted several bye-elections which obviously prepared us to face the main challenge next.

“I am assuring all Nigerians that we are going to do our best in ensuring that we have a free and credible election next year.

“Obviously, we have the equipment but if we can get more, we will appreciate it,’’ he said.

(NAN)

Published

Novermber 26, 2018

Ngozi Mmadu