The National Agency for the Control of AIDS on
Monday called on President Goodluck Jonathan to give
his assent to the anti-stigma bill into law saying, it would
enhance ending the AIDS epidemic by 2030.
The Director-General of NACA, Prof. John Idoko
stated this in his message during the commemoration of this
year’s World’s AIDS Day with the theme: “Close the
Gap: No to stigma and discrimination.”
The World’s AIDS Day is an opportunity for people
worldwide to unite in the fight against HIV to show
their support for people living with HIV and remember
those who have died.
As early as 8:30 am on Monday, scores of stakeholders
involved in the fight against the scourge of HIV/AIDS
had converged in NACA Headquatres drumming and
singing solidarity songs demanding that the President
should give his assent to the anti-stigma bill.
Other major activities that were held to mark the World’s
AIDS Day include a symposium involving issues
concerning fostering understanding of the anti-
discrimination law amongst various stakeholders and HIV
Counseling and Testing Campaign Flag-off at Mambila
Barracks, Abuja.
The activities also include inter-school drama, a novelty
football match, extensive voluntary counseling and testing,
as well as a roadshow to create awareness about HIV
and existing HIV services in Nigeria.
Idoko said, “Nigeria is rallying against stigma and
discrimination on the 2014 World AIDS Day by urging
Nigerians to stop stigma and discrimination against people
living with HIV. Both the House of Representative and
the Senate have passed the anti-stigma bill. The
elimination of stigma and discrimination will make ending
the AIDS epidemic by 2030 possible through increased
access to HIV prevention, treatment, care and support
services and ensure that no one is left behind by Nigeria’s
HIV response.
“The anticipated signing of the anti-stigma bill by the
President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria is a much
welcome action in the country’s AIDS response. It will
help more Nigerians to seek testing, treatment and care
services without fear of facing stigma and discrimination.”
The UNAIDS Country Director for Nigeria and
UNAIDS Focal Point for ECOWAS, Dr. Bilali
Camara said, “The signing of the anti-stigma bill into law
is a landmark in the efforts to end the AIDS epidemic.
It is a symbol of renewed hope that Nigeria shall be able
to achieve the ambitious 90-90-90 treatment targets meant
to ensure, by 2020, 90 percent of people living with HIV
know their status, 90 percent who are HIV positive are
placed on treatment, and 90 percent of those on treatment
manage to suppress the virus.”
The Oyo State Commissioner of Police, Kola Sodipo,
on Monday had a meeting with the leaders of various
communities in the state at the state command in Eleyeile,
Ibadan, where discussion was held on the mayhem in the
city two weeks ago.
A policeman was killed in Oke Ado area of Ibadan
during a political rally on November 21 and two days
later, hoodlums set fire to several houses and vehicles at
Born Photo, Popoyemoja, and other areas of Ibadan
threatening people with gun.
Sodipo said it was important to ensure security of lives
and properties ahead of the 2015 elections, warning that
any act of violence would not be tolerated during the
elections in the state and even after the exercise.
While briefing newsmen after the meeting, Sodipo said
the command responded swiftly to the situation and that
those who were arrested have been charged to court.
He said, “The meeting was called because of the build-up
of the security situation in the country. We are moving
into the thick of political period and you are all aware that
about two weeks ago, there was problem in Born Photo
area of Ibadan and its environs.
“We have made 16 arrests and charged them to court.
We are still searching for others who were involved in
the violence. Our response was perfect and that was why
we were able to put a stop to the mayhem.”
Sodipo also appealed to the public to support police effort
by volunteering information about shady activities in their
communities.
“We know that we cannot protect lives and property
without help from members of the public especially the local
security groups. That is why we called them together. The
youths will be invited on Tuesday because they are
vulnerable. We need to talk to them and tell them that we
need peace in Oyo State. We have talked to the
politicians and we are still going to invite them for another
round of meeting,” he added.
The Speaker of the House of Representatives
Representatives, Mr. Aminu Tambuwal, has petitioned
the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court, seeking
protection in a fresh suit filed against him by a member of
the House, Mr. Abidun Akinlade.
The suit, NO. FHC/ABJ/CS/871/2014, has
Tambuwal, the Independent National Electoral
Commission and the Federal Government as respondents.
According to Tambuwal, the suit was assigned to Justice
E.S.J. Chukwu of Court 8.
In the suit, Akinlade, a member of the Peoples
Democratic Party in Ogun State, is seeking a “judicial
interpretation” of an earlier judgment of the same court,
where it held that there was no division in the PDP.
The aim of the fresh suit is to justify the PDP’s stance
that the defection of Tambuwal from the PDP to the All
Progressives Congress on October 28 was “illegal” and in
breach of Section 68(1)(g) of the 1999 Constitution (as
amended).
But, in Tambuwal’s petition, dated November 30, he said
he had no confidence in Chukwu to treat the case without
“bias”, having given a judgment in 2013 that there was no
division in the PDP.
He observed that Chukwu’s judgment had been relied upon
for subsequent decisions on defections, such as the one by
Justice A.F.A. Ademola of the same Federal High
Court, who also declared the December 2013 defection of
37 PDP lawmakers to the APC as illegal.
The speaker appealed to the chief judge to re-assign
Akinlade’s case to another judge in the spirit of fairness.
Tambuwal, who is a lawyer by training, noted that the
new case was like asking Chukwu to “sit on appeal over
his own judgment.”
Part of the petition reads, “Sometime in 2013, the said
Presiding Judge, Justice ESJ Chukwu, presided over
the case of PEOPLES DEMOCRATIC PARTY
& 12 ORS VS. INEC & 4 ORS, wherein he made
a judicial pronouncement,which has been interpreted by
some , to the effect that there was no division in PDP.
“The above decision of Justice Chukwu was heavily relied
upon and cited severally in the case of PEOPLES
DEMOCRATIC PARTY VS. (1) HOUSE OF
REPRESENTATIVES; (2) THE SPEAKER
OF THE HOUSE OF
REPRESENTATIVES & 52 ORS, Suit No.
FHC/ABJ/CS/4/2014.
“Consequently,Justice A.F.A Ademola, relying on the
said judgement of his brother Justice Chukwu, even
though, the said suit before him, had nothing to do with
defection, ruled that there was no division within the
PDP. And as such, the defendants in that case, who are
members of the House of Representatives, who have
similar cases as mine, currently pending in the Federal
High Court Abuja,were not protected by proviso to
Section 68(1)(g) of the 1999 Constitution.
“He rested his decision on that earlier judgement of Justice
Chukwu aforementioned.”
The speaker added that Ademola ‘s judgment too had
elicited “four” appeals still pending at the Court of Appeal,
Abuja division.
Similarly, the speaker said five other cases filed by
“various parties” relating to the same issue of defection
were before the Federal High Court in Abuja awaiting
disposal.
Tambuwal prayed further, “My Lord, my apprehension is
particularly in respect of the presiding Judge, Justice
Chukwu,ESJ, having made a pronouncement on similar
issues, in similar cases, decided by him, clearly shows that
he has an iron-cast judicial position or opinion in respect
of Suit No. FHC/ABJ/CS/871/2014, concerning me
sir, which has just been assigned to him.”
Meanwhile, there were doubts on Monday whether the
December 3 scheduled resumption of the House would be
a reality.
Findings showed that both PDP and the main opposition
APC members of the House would be preoccupied with
the primaries of their respective parties, taking place
between December 6 and 8.
“You don’t expect members to come and sit in Abuja on
December 3, just days to their primaries, do you?
“Why does anybody want us to come and sit here when
we should be contesting for our return tickets?, ” one
member asked our correspondent.
The Peoples Democratic Party in Bayelsa State has
released the comprehensive results of its state House of
Assembly primary election held on Saturday and Sunday
across the state.
The results, signed by the Chairman of the party’s
Electoral Committee for the State House of Assembly
Primaries, Mr. Yusuf Hamisu Abubakar, and the
members of the committee, were made public on Monday
by the State Publicity Secretary, PDP, Mr. Osom
Makbere.
According to Makbere, Ball Oyarede, Omonibeke
Kemelayefa and Michael Ogbere emerged standard
bearers for Ekeremor Constituencies 1, 2 and 3, while
Dr. Parkinson MacManuel, Mrs. Ebiuwou Obiyai and
Gentle Emelah were victorious from Yenagoa
constituencies 1, 2, and 3.
The results from the Ogbia showed that Chief Miteme
Obodor won the primaries in constituency 1, with Dr.
Anapurere Awoli and Naomi Ogoli emerging from
constituencies 2 and 3.
The primaries in Sagbama produced Akpe Peter
Pereotubo for Constituency 1, Col. Bernard Kenebai
(retd) for Constituency 2 and the ticket for Sagbama 3
went to Salo Adikumo.
Tonye Isenah and Joshua Ongore won the tickets for
Kolokuma/Opokuma constituencies 1 and 2, while the
Southern Ijaw constituencies 1, 2, 3, and 4 primaries saw
the emergence of current Speaker, Konbowei Benson
from Constituency 4, with Kate Owoko from 1 and
Monday Obolo, Baraladei Igali taking the slots for
constituencies 2 and 3.
The incumbent Deputy Speaker, Chief Victor Ateki,
Obed Andi and Ingobere Abraham came out victorious
from the primaries in Brass 1, 2, and 3, respectively,
while Nembe 1 went to Ebi Ben Ololo, with
constituencies 2 and 3 going to Ingo Iwowari and Obiene
Iniyobio.
In his remarks, Abubakar described the primaries as
peaceful, transparent, fair and conducted in accordance
with the constitution and guidelines of the party.
He also expressed gratitude to the National Working
Committee of the party for giving them the opportunity to
serve and pledged their loyalty to the party.
Former Lagos State Deputy Governor, Alhaji Rafiu
Jafojo and some other chieftains of the Peoples’
Democratic Party (PDP) in Lagos state on Saturday
defected to the All Progressives Congress (APC).
The other chieftains who defected include Dr Oluyomi
Finnih, former Lagos State Chairman, Elders Council
of PDP and Chief Tunde Daramola, former state
secretary of the party.
Vanguard Newspaper reports that the announcement of
the new members was held at the APC secretariat in
Acme, Lagos.
Chief Henry Ajomale, the State Chairman of APC,
on welcoming the new members said they had made a
good decision, promising that the party would be fair to
them.
Finnih, who spoke on behalf of the new members, said
that the defectors had come for the unity of the party
and not to divide it.
“We took the bold decision because we see the party as
a prosperous party.
“We defected based on lack of internal democracy in the
PDP and our aim is winning the presidential election
by APC,” Finnih said.
Mr Babatunde Fashola (SAN), the state Governor
said that the party was glad to accommodate the new
members.
Fashola urged them to ensure that the party’s interest
was placed above individual interest, saying that there
would be a level playing ground.
However, the state chapter of PDP described the
defection of Finnih and his group to the APC as a
welcome development.
The State Publicity Secretary Mr Gani Taofik told
NAN that “Finnih and his group have long been out of
PDP.
“The defection ceremony today is just a charade for
people who have long left our fold.
“Finnih and his group had always worked against the
PDP even when they were our members.
“Their roles of playing moles and fifth columnists in our
party have been extinguished. They had no choice but to
be part and parcel of the APC, their real party.”
He cautioned other members of the party who are not
willing to abide by its rules and loyalty to leave or risk
being disciplined.
“The Lagos PDP can no longer tolerate
insubordination. It is no longer business as usual. We
want to enforce party discipline to the letter,” he said.
However, he assured members that the party would
emerge victorious in 2015 general elections.
David Beckham and his eldest son Brooklyn got ino
serious car accident on Saturday, Hertfordshire,
Londondon UK
The accident occured when a 39-year-old father picked
up his eldest from Arsenal’s training ground. The details
of the car crash are sketchy but judging from the pictures
the front side Beckham’s Audi RS6 was badly
damaged.
The other car, supposedly a Mitsubishi Colt Coupe
Cabriolet, was totally destroyed and now is beyond
repair. A woman and her adult daughter in the car
were treated in hospital for minor injuries.
Luckily for the ex-footballer, he was treated at the
scene for minor injuries to his shoulder while Brooklyn
was unhurt. Audi’s airbags are said to have been
deployed in the smash.
The photos show the driver’s side of the former
England captain’s Audi RS6 was badly dented in the
collision
A witness said that Beckham was ‘lucky to be alive’
and gave his jumper to woman while they waited for
help to arrive. Arsenal staff ushered onlookers away
from the area and Beckham was driven away in
another car.
England captain’s Audi RS6 was badly dented in the
collision
A witness said that Beckham was ‘lucky to be alive’
and gave his jumper to woman while they waited for
help to arrive. Arsenal staff ushered onlookers away
from the area and Beckham was driven away in
another car.
Supreme Mavin Dynasty presents the visuals to
D’Prince’s critically acclaimed single - OYO, the
video depicts the message in the song perfectly and it
was directed by Clarence Peters .
Enjoy
Watchvideo: www.youtube.com/watch?v=6UASvhAkeDE
Downloadvideo:
live2.tooxclusive.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/DPRINCE-OYO-OFFICIAL-MUSIC-VIDEO-.mp4?01b06b
Kida Kudz (Kayode Odesanya) is that UK
Based Nigerian rapper who we can’t help but
describe his journey into the music scene as
nothing but commendable… He has scored
high, receiving thumbs-ups from music
pundits in Nigeria & across the shores of the
country!
This year has been really ‘busy’ for the music
star as he kept churning out music contents
accompanied with videos under his label
‘UNG Music’.
Kida Kudz performed with big music guns in
the UK this year… These included Afrobeat
star ‘Iyanya’, World famous music icon ‘T-
Pain’ & many others.. The list been too long
to mention.
He released ‘Ibeere’, a street inclined single
which has been getting a lot of love back here
in Nigeria, Ibeere served as a follow-up to his
‘Olamide Collaboration’ – Beat It'; Which had
the video directed by Mr. Moe Musa & & his
funky rap tune ‘Le Boo’
Fast forward to today (December 1st 2014),
Kida Kudz is releasing an EP titled “1995”
which commemorates with the year of his
birth…
DOWNLOAD HERE:
notjustok.com/2014/12/01/download-kida-kudz-1995-ep/
Erhiatake Ibori won the bid to contest for the Ethiope
West constituency seat after her opponents reportedly
boycotted the primaries which held over the weekend.
The daughter of former Governor of Delta State , James
Ibori has won the People’s Democratic Party (PDP)
primaries for the 2015 state House of Assembly elections in
the state.
Erhiatake Ibori won the bid to contest for the Ethiope
West Constituency seat after her opponents reportedly
boycotted the primaries which held over the weekend.
She will now represent the PDP at the 2015 elections as
its sole candidate for the post.
The Coca-Cola Company in partnership with (RED),
invites all Nigerians to join efforts to help end mother-to-
child transmission of HIV this World AIDS Day
through the “SHARE THE SOUND OF AN
AIDS FREE GENERATION” campaign.
Award winning hip-hop artist Wyclef Jean recorded a
song titled Divine Sorrow for the (RED) campaign
together with various Coke Studio Africa artists including
Neyma, Chidinma, Navio, Rabbit and Shaa. Coca-Cola
has partnered with MTN to make the song available for
download with proceeds going to the Global Fund to fight
AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria, and to finance grants
which provide HIV prevention, testing, counseling,
treatment and care.
The campaign shares a message of hope and unity to
empower today’s youth to understand that they can be the
generation to end the AIDS pandemic. 650 babies are
born with HIV every day, yet life-saving medication
exists and costs as little as $.40 a day. That same
medication can reduce the risk of an HIV-positive woman
passing on the virus to her baby by 95%.
In 2013, for the first time since the discovery of the virus,
more people were newly added to treatment than were
newly infected with HIV, a critical milestone marking the
beginning of the end of AIDS.
“One of the primary goals behind the movement of this
campaign is to use the power of music to rally millennials in
realizing that an AIDS Free generation is within reach,”
said Emmanuel Seuge,
Vice President, Global Alliances & Ventures, The Coca-
Cola Company. “We are grateful to all of the artists who
are joining us in this remarkable effort.”
The Coca-Cola Company is dedicated to the fight to end
HIV/AIDS. Since 2006, The Coca-Cola Company
and its foundation have committed over $15 million in the
fight to end AIDS through awareness, education and
prevention. In 2011, The Coca-Cola Company initially
pledged $5 million to the Global Fund through the
partnership with (RED) and has recently raised its
commitment by an additional $2 million directly to the fund.
This year, Coca-Cola will leverage the size and scale of
the system to rally for the cause ultimately activating this
campaign in over 40 countries worldwide. “Incredible
things have happened in the fight against AIDS, bringing
the pandemic to a tipping point. There is much to celebrate,
but we must also renew our vow to wrestle this virus to
the point it becomes part of our history not our present,
said Bono, (RED) co-founder.
(RED) partners like Coca-Cola are on (RED) alert this
World AIDS Day to keep the pressure up, with the help
of longtime AIDS activists Queen, and musicians Avicii,
Deadmau5, Wyclef Jean, Aloe Blacc and OneRepublic.
Music fans have been a real army in the fight against
AIDS, we hope this campaign will swell the ranks.”
Coca-Cola and (RED) have partnered with OMAZE,
a leading fundraising platform that specializes in offering the
chance to win once-in-a-lifetime experiences that require
fans to make a donation to secure a chance of winning. By
visiting www.Omaze.com/CokeRED, fans will be able
to enter to win incredible experiences, including:
Go Backstage with Bono and Win his Guitar: Get flown
to a U2 show where Bono will give you his custom
(RED) Gretsch guitar and sign it for you backstage.
(Omaze.com/Bono)
The Ultimate EDM Year of Your Life: Avicii has
designed his own special experience for a fan to win tickets
to three of the biggest music festivals in the world and
ultimately join Avicii onstage in Las Vegas next year.
(Omaze.com/Avicii)
On-Stage with Queen + Adam Lambert: Queen and
Adam Lambert are inviting two fans to sit on-stage for
their concert at the O2 Arena London. They will also be
given a VIP tour of Queen’s legendary recording studio
in Montreux, Switzerland. (Omaze.com/Queen)
Live Like OneRepublic for a Day: OneRepublic has also
created a fundraising experience where a lucky fan can
spend the day with the band and enjoy VIP access to a
show. (Omaze.com/OneRepublic)
To watch and share Divine Sorrow, go to http://
www.youtube.com/watch?v=rquWgCAhY8Q
