Lagos Assembly Passes Bill Making Yoruba Language Compulsory In Schools

The Lagos State House of Assembly has passed a bill making the teaching of Yoruba language compulsory in schools in the state.

The bill was passed into law on Thursday after it successfully scaled through the third reading on the floor of the House.

The bill makes the teaching of Yoruba language compulsory both in private and public schools in the state. It also makes it a core subject at all levels.

On Thursday, the Speaker of the House, Mudashiru Obasa, ordered the Clerk of the House, Azeez Sanni, to send a clean draft copy of the bill to the state Governor, Akinwunmi Ambode for assent.


Meanwhile, the bill also mandates state-owned tertiary institutions in the state to incorporate the use of the language as a course unit into their General Nigeria Studies, GNS.

The bill indicates a fine of N500,000 for a corporate offender while any school in the state which fails to comply with the law faces closure and a fine of N250,000.

Man jumps into Lagos lagoon through Lekki-Ikoyi Link Bridge

                          

A man jumped into the Lagos lagoon via the Lekki-Ikoyi Link Bridge this afternoon.Officials of the Lagos State Waterways Authority (LASWA), Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA), Marine Police and other stakeholders are already at the scene to rescue the yet-to-be-identified man.

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Dencia Attacks Lupita Over Weinstein Comment

Dencia has come for Lupita Nyong’o over her revelation that Harvey Weinstein also sexually made advances to her. Dencia says people like Lupita kept quiet for money and fame and so have no right to talk now! She made the accusation on twitter. Her tweets after the cut...

Leaked photo of the remaining statues that Governor Rochas is yet to unveil (Photo)

Here’s a leaked photo of a few of the remaining statues that Governor Rochas is yet to commision!

Rita Ora Hails Women For Speaking Out Against Weinstein

                           

She worked with the now-disgraced Hollywood producer Harvey Weinstein on the gritty boxing film Southpaw in 2015.

And Rita Ora has now opened up about her experience with the mogul after more than 20 women accused him of sexual assault, harassment and even rape.

The singer, 26, said on Jonathan Ross's chat show - which will air on Saturday evening - that Weinstein has never acted inappropriately towards her in the years they have worked and partied together.

Joined on the sofa by Ed Sheeran, Russell Howard and Gordon Ramsay, Rita said of the Hollywood scandal: 'It's insane.'


When asked if she was on the receiving end of any untoward behaviour from Weinstein, she said: 'I did not encounter that. And I value everybody's confidence in coming out and being brave and showing their independence.

'And I think it's an incredible time right now, especially in the world, to really prove yourselves and stick up for who you are and what you believe in.'

The Hot Right Now songstress added: 'The world is a crazy place, life is crazy isn't it? And you just never really know anything really do you?

'As long as you are honest with yourself and as long as you do the best things that you can to achieve what you want to achieve.

'I love my family, I do everything for my family and so I think that's what helps me go to sleep at night.'

Rita's insight comes as the Metropolitan Police announced it is reviewing an allegation against the producer dating back to the 1980s.

FRSC Begins Operation “Show Your Licence’’ In Lagos

                        

The Lagos State Sector Command, Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) says it has commenced operation “Show Your Licence’’ across the state to arrest drivers without valid licence and curb road crashes.

Mr Hyginus Omeje, the State Sector commander, said this in an interview with newsmen in Lagos on Thursday.

“The state command, this week, inaugurated operation ‘Show your License’ campaign across the state to arrest motorists who had no valid driving license.

“We are doing this as part of our ember month programmes to sensitise drivers on the need to possess valid licences before driving,’’ he said.

Nicki Minaj Will Be A 'Star Witness At Her Brother's Child Rape Trial

Nicki Minaj is set to take the stand at her brother's child rape trial and tell jurors that the mother of the alleged victim offered to make the charges disappear if the rapper handed over $25million.

An attorney for Minaj's 38-year-old brother, Jelani Maraj, told jurors at Nassau County Court in New York on Thursday that the rape charges against his client were all part of an elaborate plot to extort money from Nicki.
Maraj is accused of raping his 11-year-old stepdaughter multiple times in 2015 soon after he married her mother Jacqueline Robinson.

During the opening arguments on Thursday, Maraj's attorney David Schwartz told jurors that Robinson hatched a plan to marry the accused so she could try and get money out of his famous sister.


He added that Robinson forced the alleged victim and her younger brother to lie to authorities about the rape allegations as part of her extortion plan.

Schwartz said Robinson allegedly told Minaj: 'I can make the charges go away for $25million.'

It is not clear when Minaj will take to the stand but she will be the defense's star witness.

Prosecutors, however, gave harrowing details of the alleged sexual abuse during their opening arguments, saying Maraj raped the sixth-grader as often as four times a week for eight months.

Assistant District Attorney Emma Slane told jurors that the girl's brother, who was then eight-year-old, witnessed some of the abuse.

Man Rapes Only Daughter, 15, For 3 Years

A 52-year-old retired civil servant, Paul Akpederi, is cooling his heels in a Lagos police cell after eating the forbidden fruit.

The Delta State indigene, who lives on Adegbite Street, Ori-Okuta, in the Ikorodu area of Lagos State, was alleged to have raped his 15-year-old daughter, Rose, for over three years.

Punch Metro learnt that Paul started sexually abusing Rose when she was in Junior Secondary School Three.

When the secret got to the knowledge of a teacher, Paul allegedly changed her school. The suspect was said to have continued the abuse until she got to Senior Secondary School Two in her new school.


Rose’s former teacher was said to have run into her sometime in October 2017 and told a friend about Rose’s plight, who then alerted the Lagos State Office of the Public Defender through the agency’s social media platform.

Punch correspondent learnt that officials of the agency reported the case to the police at the Owutu division, who then arrested the suspect and rescued the 15-year-old.

A social worker, who was part of the rescue, told our correspondent that Paul started sleeping with his only daughter after separating from her mother.

He said, “The man had been defiling his daughter since the wife left him. She is their only daughter and when the marriage broke down, he took custody of her. That was when the problem started.

“He started sleeping with her when she was barely 12 years old. She was in JSS 3 then. They were about to start their final exams in the junior school when her colleagues found her crying uncontrollably. When they could not console her, they called the attention of one of their teachers, who then took her to a room.

“She told the teacher what she had been going through and the teacher informed Rose’s pastor at a branch of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, who counselled her. Her father was invited and that was the end of the case.

“The man, who was desperate to cover up the crime, changed her school and she lost contact with the teacher.”

Punch Metro gathered that the defilement continued until Rose got to SSS 2 in her new school.

It was learnt that the teacher in her former school ran into her one day and they had a brief discussion about her (Rose) welfare.

The teacher, who suspected the abuse was still continuing, reportedly informed a friend, who wrote about Rose’s ordeal on OPD’s Facebook page on October 9.

A member of the OPD team that visited the victim’s school said she initially denied the defilement and attempted to exonerate her father.

He said, “She kept lying and when we didn’t get a breakthrough, we got in touch with the mandatory reporter (teacher) who then assisted us in trailing her to her parent’s house. The police arrested the man and rescued the girl.

“They were both taken to a police station. During interrogation, the girl again denied that anything happened. Her father suddenly became aggressive and said we didn’t have his permission to interview his daughter.

“The girl was taken to the OPD’s office at Ikorodu, where she opened up to an officer. We took her to a home in Ijede, where she was placed in a shelter and protective custody.”

The social worker who interviewed Rose said she gave a chilling account of her ordeal.

“She said her father had been sleeping with her since she was in JSS 3 and he slept with her at least three times in a month. She said he slept with her in August and September 2017 as well. She explained that he always poured his semen into her private parts and he never used contraceptives. She said anytime he slept with her, he would tell her not to tell anybody. The girl said she could not tell people because she thought nobody would believe her,” the official said.

It was gathered that she was placed on medication over complaints that she had yet to see her menstrual period, just as some growths were allegedly spotted in her private parts.

She was reportedly taken to Mirabel Centre, Lagos State University Teaching Hospital, Ikeja, for medical tests.

Punch correspondent gathered that the result of the tests, which had been given to the police, showed that Rose’s hymen was broken and there was “continuous penetration” of her private parts.

Punch Metro learnt that after the victim’s confession, the Owutu Divisional Police Officer requested that she be brought back to the station.

In a drama that ensued at the DPO’s office, Paul, who had initially boasted, was alleged to have become humble after being confronted with his daughter’s confession.

“When the DPO asked what he had to say to the daughter’s allegations, he said, ‘Oga, I am in your hands o’. The DPO ordered that he should be taken back to the cell,” a source said.

The Director of the OPD, Mrs. Olubukola Salami, confirmed the incident, adding that the agency would pursue the case to the end.

She said, “We cannot stop re-emphasising the zero tolerance of the Lagos State Government for domestic and sexual abuse. OPD is alarmed at the high rate of incidents of sexual abuse, especially by people of trust. OPD is not only interested in arresting and prosecuting perpetrators, it is also interested in curbing this rising trend.”

The Lagos State police spokesperson, ASP Olarinde Famous-Cole, said the suspect would soon be arraigned in court.

He said, “The case was reported at the Owutu division and the DPO led a police team to arrest the suspect. The girl was taken to a hospital where preliminary medical tests were conducted on her to be sure she was not infected or had any pregnancy or mental issue as a result of the sexual abuse.

“The case will be transferred to the Gender Unit of the state police command for further investigation before the case will be charged to court. For now, we are working with the girl’s confessional statement.”

M.I Abaga drags Nicki Minaj’s boyfriend Nas to court after paying him N18million for rap verse

                            

Chocolate City Boss, M.I Abaga who once asked for a retweet to get American rapper, Rick Ross on his new song, has dragged Nicki Minaj’s boyfriend, Nas to court after claiming the rapper didn’t deliver the verse he was paid N18million for.

M.I who dragged Nas to New York State Supreme Court in his lawsuit, accused Nas and Mass Appeal Records’ Ronnie Goodman, of duping Chocolate City after they had paid the rapper $50,000 (about N18million) for the verse.

According to the lawsuit, in 2013, Nas and Goodman entered an agreement to contribute a verse to a track from M.I. The details of the deal were that Nas was supposed to mention “M.I, Chocolate City, Nigeria, Queens, New York—NAS’s hometown—, Mandela, Trayvon Martin, and the struggles of Africans and African Americans” in his verse.

Pulse reports that Nas went on to deliver a verse but it didn’t mention any of the subject matter Chocolate City had asked for.The Nigerian label requested that the Queens rapper to re-record the verse, and three year later, it hasn’t happened despite them delivering the $50,000 payment.

Checkout Photos From former Governor Mimiko’s daughter’s wedding

                     

On Thursday 19th October, 2017, Ondo State’s former Governor Mimiko’s daughter, Bibitayo tied the knot with his sweet heart, Adetola Aderemi in the State’s capital, Akure.

Dignitaries who attended the wedding ceremony include serving Governors which includes; Nyesom Wike, Ayodele Fayose and Seriake Dickson. Here are photos from the event;

                        

                        

                        

                        

                        

                        

                        

Mariah Carey's Los Angeles Home Burgled

Mariah Carey had roughly $50,000 worth of purses and sunglasses stolen from her Los Angeles mansion during a break-in.

Burglars gained access to her residence around 3am Thursday entering through a window or door on an upper floor, law enforcement officials told TMZ.

Thieves surprisingly didn't take any of the mother-of-two's pricey jewelry, but instead they stole her more than valuable sunglasses and purses.

Carey was not harmed during the incident since she is currently in New York City.

Burglars did trip a silent alarm when they entered her home, but her security team did not notice the break-in until a few hours later. 

Authorities have not made any arrests and are still investigating.  

Carey is just the latest celeb to be hit by crooks this year. Jason Derulo, David Spade, Emmy Rossum, Scott Disick and more all have been robbed during 2017.

Dino Melaye accuses Gov. Yahaya Bello of using N40million for newspaper advert

The bad blood between Sen. Dino Melaye and the Governor of Kogi State, Yahaya Bello, keeps getting bitter each day as the Senator representing Kogi West has leveled another accusation on the Governor.

Here’s what he wrote on Instagram as he shared photo of the newspaper advert;

“Yahaya Bello today spent about #40 million today on averts in leadership Newspaper (72pages) to propagate lies when he has not paid salaries and pension for over 15months. Workers are on strike and he is engaging in this colossal wastage. God help us”

2 Men Stab Woman To Death In Lagos

An Ebute Meta Chief Magistrates’ Court in Lagos has ordered the remand of two men; Nduka Okafor and James Aikhionbare in prison custody for allegedly stabbing a woman to death.

The Magistrate, Mrs A.S. Okubule, ordered the remand of Okafor, 62, and Aikhionbare, 38, who were brought before her court on a two-count charge of conspiracy and murder.

Okubule said that the accused should be remanded at the Ikoyi Prisons, pending an advice from the Lagos State Director of Public Prosecutions.

Earlier, Mr Goddey Osuyi, a counsel from the Panti Police Station told court that the accused committed the offences on Aug. 17, 2016 at House J68B, Close 9, Victoria Garden City, Lekki, Lagos.


 Osuyi told the court that the accused conspired to stab one Mrs Mabel Okafor to death at her residence. He said the offences contravened Sections 223 and 233 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015. Okubule adjourned the case to Nov. 20.

Man Accidentally Falls Into Well In Lagos

The Response Unit of the Fire and Rescue Team of the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency - LASEMA - were seen on a rescue operation as a man accidentally fell into a well at Ipaja, Ayobo.

No confirmation yet on if they were able to resuscitate him. More photos...

Actor Imeh Bishop & Wife Celebrate 4th Wedding Anniversary

Popular comic actor Imeh Bishop, aka Okon Lagos, and his pretty wife, Idara, are celebrating their 4th wedding anniversary today. He shared their photo via his page and wrote:

"#happy #fulfilled that's what these guys make me feel. I thank God that the big decision on this day 4 years ago to pick @idarabishop as Vice President of #okonrepublic is paying off for real. ��...It's a big day for me. It's a big day for #okonrepublic. It is my wedding anniversary today and so far so good I gat the good Lord to thank for his grace��"

Checkout Cute Photos Of Alaafin Of Oyo's Youngest Wife & Her Cute Sons

The youngest Olori is seen in the first photo posing with her son. In the second, she is alone. So cute!

Female Students Forced To Pack Refuse With Bare Hands

Two female students of Edgerly Memorial Girls School, Calabar, were forced to pack refuse with their bare hands by men of Cross River Green Sherrif after they dumped refuse on the ground.

The action of the so called Green Sherrif has been generating reactions...

Prince Harry Takes Meghan To secretly Meet The Queen At Buckingham Palace

Smitten Prince Harry and girlfriend Meghan Markle reportedly had an hour-long tea party with the Queen last week as rumours continue to swirl about an imminent engagement.

The royal, 33, and the Suits actress, 36, reportedly enjoyed a discreet visit to Buckingham Palace last Thursday.

It's believed that Harry was desperate for his grandmother to meet his girlfriend after the pair first met 18 months ago.

According to Daily Mail, the couple were driven up to the Queen's private entrance in a blacked out car for their informal hour-long meeting that took place around 5pm.


Given their meeting, the publication reports that friends say an engagement 'is not a question of if but when'.

Engagement rumours have been hotting up about the duo after they were spotted holding hands and kissing at the Invictus Games - where Harry was also seen meeting his girlfriend's mum and friends.

And last week, a source claimed he's planning to pop the question the minute she wraps up filming her last season of Suits next month.

Sources say as soon as Harry gets down on one knee Meghan will leave her current hometown of Toronto for London, where she'll get involved in what an insider described as a 'detailed media rollout'.

"Harry and Meghan will most likely hold a small photo call at Kensington Palace, with just one photographer and journalist invited.

“On the same day, they’ll do a TV interview that will be syndicated around the world,” a source said to US Weekly.

President Buhari meets with Turkish president Recep Tayyip Erdogan (Photos)

                                   

President Buhari who is currently in Turkey with his wife, son and daughter paid a visit to the president of Turkey, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, at the presidential palace in Ankara this morning.

The president is in Turkey to attend the D-8 summit

 Photos from his visit below;

Notorious 'One Million Boys' Gang Kills Woman In Ibadan

A woman has died after she was attacked by a group of hoodlums in Ibadan, Oyo state. According to reports, the woman was allegedly killed by miscreants parading themselves as ‘One Million Boys’.

Reason for the attack was not revealed as authorities arrived the scene to evacuate the woman's corpse.

Oyo residents are calling on security agencies to come to their aid and halt activities of the notorious criminal group, ‘One Million Boys,’ who has reportedly been terrorizing them.

There has been series of armed robberies and other violent attacks.

Notorious kidnap kingpin Evans, accomplices arrive in court (Photos)

The trial of notorious kidnap kingpin, Chukwudumeme Onwuamadike, aka Evans, who was arrested on June 10 continues today in Lagos.

Evans and his accomplices were brought to court in cuffs.

Photos: (PUNCH)

China Arrests Corrupt Fugitive Officials In Nigeria

The Peoples Republic of China said it had arrested 3,339 fugitives who fled to Nigeria and 89 other countries  to escape prosecution for corruption.

The Chinese Ambassador to Nigeria, Ambassador Zhou Pingjian, stated that 628 of the suspects were former officials from whom N468bn (9.36bn yuan) was recovered.

The envoy disclosed this on Wednesday in Abuja at a colloquium on the ongoing 19th national congress of the Communist Party of China organised by the Centre for China Studies.

Speaking on the theme, ‘Global significance of the 19th CPC National Congress and its implications for Africa,’ Pingjian noted that the party fought corruption head-on because it was aware that graft remained the greatest threat to its existence.


He added that the current CPC leadership launched an aggressive high-profile anti-corruption campaign which according to him brought down a number of high-level officials, known as ‘Tigers’ and their accomplices at the grassroots level.

The diplomat said, “More than 70,000 officials, including 42 members or alternate members of the CPC Central Committee, have been investigated for suspected corruption since the 18th national congress.

“China also worked with the international community to hunt corruption suspects who had fled overseas; 3,339 were captured from more than 90 countries and regions, including Nigeria. About 9.36bn yuan was recovered.”

How 'Drunk' Richard Branson Almost Harrased A Lady

Formula One driver Jenson Button says he had to confront a "very, very drunk" Sir Richard Branson after the tycoon touched his model girlfriend's face at a posh restaurant.

Button said the incident occurred at high-end Japanese restaurant Nobu with his then girlfriend Jessica Michibata at the 2009 Australian Grand Prix.

Writing in his new book, Button said team sponsor Branson had made his girlfriend "uncomfortable" after the driver had gone to the toilet.

"His Royal Highness Sir Richard Branson was arriving," Button wrote of the businessman approaching their table.


"And he was very, very drunk.

"I had to make a toilet visit so I didn’t see what happened next, which was that he leaned over to Jessica and told her, 'Stop staring at me.'

"She pointed out that she wasn’t staring at him. 'Stop staring at me,' he insisted.

"Although Jessica was a model she was quite shy, so this was making her feel uncomfortable.

"Especially when Sir Richard followed up his blatant flirting by putting his hand on her face."

Button's entourage told Branson to leave or risk getting "chinned" when the driver returned from the toilet, Button wrote.

In the book extract published by the the Daily Telegraph today, Button said he was not in the habit of "punching knights of the realm in Nobu".

But he said he was furious to return to see "His Excellency with his hand on my girlfriend’s face".

Button recalls: “'Hold on', I said, 'that’s enough. That’s well out of order'.”

Button acknowledges that Branson had later apologised for his behaviour and said that he gave up alcohol after.

Mirror.co.uk