Catholic Church of Nigeria has withdrawn its membership from Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN).

‘CAN’ll continue without Catholic’

Christian Association of Nigeria has reacted to the threat by the Catholic block to pull out of the organisation, blaming their action on the loss of the Presidency of CAN to Pastor Ayo Oritsejafor.

The Public Relations Officer of the 19 Northern States of CAN and Abuja, Mr. Sunny Oibe, in an interview with journalists on Wednesday in Abuja also accused Catholics of arrogance.

He said, “There is no division in CAN and we are all speaking with one language. There are some certain elements in the leadership of PFN led by Cardinal John Onaiyekan because he lost PFN Presidency to Oritsejafor who has a lot of achievements.

“There is no need for anybody to lose sleep over the threat by Catholics to pull out of CAN because without them CAN will still continue. The constitution of CAN makes provision that membership can be terminated by any group that is misbehaving or any group can also terminate their membership.

“Why is it that when Catholics were in the leadership of CAN, every bloc supported them, but now because power has changed hands, they are threatening to pull out and causing confusion?

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However the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Nigeria, CBCN, Wednesday, debunked speculations that the conference has pulled out of the National Christian Body, Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), over alleged undisclosed issues.

The Nigerian Catholic Church letter expalining why it has decided to withdraw its membership of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) in order to promote Christian unity and peaceful coexistence amongst Christians and non-Christians alike. The Diocesan Administrator of the Catholic Diocese of Abeokuta, Monsignor Christopher Ajala, at a news conference stated that the Catholic church suspended its activities in CAN because it was too close to government.

The Director Communication, Catholic Secretariat of Nigeria, Rev Fr Raulph Madu, while speaking to a reporter of one of the national dailies maintained that the CBCN did not pull out of CAN, and that, the body was only trying to sought out some issues with National Christian body. He mentioned that the body only withdrew temporarily from CAN, which will only last for few weeks, adding that, there was no squabble between the two religious bodies.

According to him, “how can we pull out of CAN, we are just trying to iron out some issues with them, which are not palatable to us and its only going to last for few weeks” “We will always be in support of the National Body; some of our Bishops are head CAN in some states, like, Owerri, among others”.

Don't travel to Nigeria

Embassies of the United States, United Kingdom, Germany and Canada on Wednesday issued fresh warnings to their citizens, advising them not to travel to Nigeria.
The embassies hinged their warnings on the deployment of troops in northern Mali, fearing attacks on Nigeria by Islamic terrorists with sympathy for the Malian rebels, especially on Thursday (today) that has already been declared a public holiday to mark the birth of Prophet Mohammed.

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Nigerian 1,200 troops arrived in Bamako, Malian capital, on Sunday as part of an international military intervention to end the crisis in the northern part of Mali. Canadian embassy, for example, on its website advised its citizens against non-essential travel to Nigeria, with exception of Abuja; Calabar, Cross River State; and Lagos.

 It also described the security situation throughout the country as unpredictable, adding that there was a significant risk of terrorism, crime, inter- communal clashes, armed attacks and kidnappings. The warning read in part: “Increased threat of attacks and kidnappings Military clashes are occurring in Mali between armed rebels and government forces. Since January 11, 2013, the French military has been assisting the Malian government in efforts to repel these rebels. “Terrorist groups in the region have declared their intention to increase attacks and kidnappings, targeting Westerners.

Citizens of countries supporting the military intervention are at particular risk, but all travellers should exercise increased vigilance in the region. “There is a high threat of domestic terrorism in the northern states of Gombe, Yobe, Borno, Kano and Kaduna, where the extremist group, Boko Haram, which often claims responsibility for terrorist attacks, is based. “Boko Haram-related attacks have resulted in thousands of deaths and injuries.

A state of emergency is in effect in some areas of Borno and Yobe states. “There is a risk of foreign nationals being kidnapped in some northern states of Nigeria.” The UK, on its website which was updated on January 13, 2013, and marked, “Still current” on 23 January, 2013, said, “We advise against all travel to: Borno State, Yobe State, Riverine areas of Delta, Bayelsa, Rivers, Akwa Ibom and Cross River states. Warri city, Kano city. “We advise against ALL BUT ESSENTIAL travel to: Bauchi State, Jos city, Riyom and Barkin Ladi Local Government Areas in Plateau State, Gombe State, Mubi Town in Adamawa State and the area north of Mubi Town that borders Borno State. “Non-riverine areas of Delta, Bayelsa, Rivers and Akwa Ibom states; Abia State, Kaduna City and Zaria City.

 “There is a high threat from terrorism in Nigeria. Attacks could be indiscriminate, including government, security and educational institutions, international organisations as well as public venues and areas such as restaurants, bars, markets, hotels, shopping centres, places of worship and other areas frequented by expatriates, foreign tourists and business travellers. “A number of attacks have taken place around religious and public holidays.

There have been regular attacks on churches in northern Nigeria at times of worship. We cannot therefore rule out further attacks taking place. You should be particularly vigilant at these times and in these locations. You should avoid affected areas in the immediate aftermath of an attack. “Following French military intervention in Mali, there is a possibility of retaliatory attacks targeting Western interests in the region. We advise vigilance.”

On its part, the US Mission in Nigeria said on its website, “The U.S. Diplomatic Mission to Nigeria encourages US citizens in Nigeria to remain vigilant in light of recent events in Mali and the potential for retaliatory actions towards westerners in the region.” It, however, noted, “There is currently no specific information on threats against US citizens in Nigeria. It is prudent to be aware of events occurring in other countries of the region. “As a precaution, US citizens in Nigeria should exercise caution when in public areas, particularly areas frequented by westerners such as: hotels, nightclubs, and various forms of public transportation including ferries.”

 It also advised citizens to “stay tuned to media reports, be aware of your surroundings, and report suspicious activity or unattended packages to the police. As always, avoid demonstrations should you come upon them.” Germany said, “Due to the military operation in Mali, also Germans in Nigeria have to act on the assumption of an increasing endangerment. Please take note of the updated travel advice of the German Foreign Office.” When one of our correspondents contacted the Director, Army Public Relations, Maj-Gen. Bola Koleosho, he said that the tone of the Canadian alert to its citizens was not out of place. He said that it was a note of warning to their citizens so they would be careful. He said that there was nothing wrong in the advice they gave to their citizens.

The Army spokesman said that the warning did not mean that the Nigerian security agencies did not know what they were doing or lacked the competence to secure the society. He said that it was rather encouraging that the statement urged the foreign citizens to report any unusual movement to security agencies. He said, “They are free to warn their citizens, that don’t mean there is Armageddon “The decision to go to Mali is a joint decision of all ECOWAS countries, which has the support of the international community. “What they are doing is to warn their citizens. It doesn’t mean we are not capable; it is just a word of caution.”

'Have a nice life mum': Final words of boy, 12, who hanged himself hours after being expelled from school

A 12-year-old schoolboy who was excluded from school hanged himself just hours later, an inquest heard today.
Jordan Green,12, had hurled chairs round a room, sworn at staff and threatened them.

At first he was excluded from school for one day and when his behaviour worsened the ban was increased to five days before eventually the principal banned him permanently.

And when he told his mother Heidi of the ban he said: 'Have a nice life mum, I just feel like killing myself'.

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Ms Green said she tried calling him later, adding: 'He wouldn’t answer his phone and I thought "he obviously doesn’t want to speak to me".' The hairdresser said she returned to their home in Harrogate, North Yorkshire, after 8pm and told the inquest: 'I assumed that he wasn’t home. 'I thought he was playing with his friends.' Medics believe he had been dead several hours when his body was found on June 27 last year. Today, an inquest in Knaresborough, North Yorkshire, heard how Jordan, whose mother was separated from his father, Kevin, had been disruptive even when he was at primary school. Jordan had become increasingly disruptive in lessons since his grandmother died and his parents separated, Mrs Green told the hearing.

 When he went to Harrogate High School, his behaviour became worse, causing him to be excluded from lessons on several occasions. Vice principal Ann Francis said staff had had numerous meetings to decide how to help Jordan, who was academically adept but regularly disrupted classes and swore at teachers. On occasions he would just start running round the 800-student school and hide from staff who were looking for him. At one stage he was put in a special educational unit where his behaviour improved. But last June the decision was finally made to exclude him from the school for good.

 That morning he had left his home upset after he refused to get out of bed and go to school. When he did get there he was put in a 'chill room' to calm down before he returned to normal lessons. Miss Francis said he was allowed to use the computers in the room and was kept there because he seemed sleepy. But just over an hour later Jordan left the room without permission and a call went out to a special staff response team to find him. The schoolboy was permanently excluded from Harrogate High School on the day he died Miss Francis said: 'He was seen in different parts of the school but would not stop or listen to anyone.' For around half an hour, she admitted staff did not know where Jordan was until he was seen in the cafeteria but when staff tried to talk to him he was abusive to them and ran away. Eventually he was persuaded back into the chill room and staff tried to calm him down but he was 'quite difficult and agitated,' said Miss Francis.

It was then that the school principal Andrew Bayston decided to exclude Jordan for a day. But when Jordan realised staff were trying to contact his parents he started shouting 'mum is getting ill' and began throwing things around, including a board game and a chair. Miss Francis said: 'He was screaming and shouting abuse at staff who decided to leave him in the room to calm down.' At one stage another class of pupils were moved out of an adjoining room because they could see what was happening. And because of Jordan’s behaviour the school principal increased the ban to five days.

 When Ms Green was contacted she told the school she could not collect him because she was working - but gave permission for the school to let him return home. But then Jordan's behaviour deteriorated and two members of staff had to stand in front of a glass door as he tried to punch it and then threw himself at it. At one stage he picked up a chair and held it above his head, threatening to hit a member of staff with it. In an attempt to diffuse the situation Miss Francis ordered doors to be opened so that Jordan could leave school after she talked to him and he calmed down.

 Moments after leaving school, Jordan returned to pick up his scooter and minutes later returned again, asking for food and he was given some. But after another meeting between staff the principal decided that Jordan should be excluded from the school permanently. After that decision had been made, it would be up to the local authority to decide on Jordan’s future. Miss Francis said that suggestions that Jordan, who lived with his mother, had been bullied were wrong and Jordan had never reported that he had been bullied.

$3 Million Bribe: Keyamo Files Charges Against Farouk Law

A Lagos based lawyer, Festus Keyamo on Wednesday entered a 4-count criminal charge against the erstwhile Chairman of the House of Representatives Ad-hoc Committee on fuel subsidy probe, Farouk Lawal for allegedly collecting the sum of $3million as bribe from the Chairman of Zenon oil and gas, Femi Otedola.

Mr Keyamo had earlier given the police one week ultimatum to charge the embattled lawmaker over the bribery scandal.

Davido's sister set to wed.

Davido's elder sister, Sharon Adeleke is the CEO of Beautique, an online boutique store that deals in sales of unisex shoes, clothes and accessories. 

Fashola has skeletons in his cupboard – Lagos PDP

Capt Tunji Shelle (rtd),  said: “similarly, such a step pre supposes that all is not well in Alausa and the Governor is panicking.”

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The party chieftain added that such a directive can only be sustained in a “fascist regime which the Governor may turn the state into if not checked”, noting that “no wonder the Lagos State House of Assembly is so slow to domesticate the FOI Act, which would allow private persons to get information on the workings of the Government.” Speaking further, Shelle added that: “we have said severally that Governor Fashola is not on the seat to serve Lagosians selflessly.

We have equally stated too that the huge IGR, now over N40 billion monthly, are being shared between the Governor and the ACN leadership. “Now that the Governor is jittery and has come out to ban his Commissioners and Senior Civil servants from speaking to the Press, then he has admitted failure and misdeeds. We are now indeed vindicated. PDP recalled that the same Governor had sometime barred certain media houses from covering the State Secretariat, claiming that they are Anti ACN-policies.

“We make bold to say that Governor Fashola is now obviously fatigued of ideas to further govern Lagos State. He is now so overwhelmed by the self imposed pressures and no more has original ideas for Lagosians. “Lagos state is too sophisticated to be used as experiment. Rather than become a ‘taiwan’ idea Governor, we advise Governor Fashola to apologise to Lagosians and bow out honourably”, Shelle added.

Beyonce opens up about fake pregnancy rumors with 'GQ

On rumors that her pregnancy was fake:

“I felt like I kind of had to protect my mother, because when people made up the silliest rumor about me not really being pregnant, she was there when I went through all of those things. And my sister. They were very, very defensive. It’s not personal to me, and it comes along with the job, but the lack of respect - people will just go too far sometimes.”

On giving birth to her daughter Blue Ivy Carter:

“When I gave birth, that was the first time I truly let go and surrendered. And it taught me how amazing that feels… Giving birth made me realize the power of being a woman. I have so much more substance in my life. And expressing that excitement and that sensuality and the connection I have with my husband—I’m a lot more comfortable with that now. I actually feel like my child introduced me to myself