Rochas Okorocha has completely banned tricycles, popularly known as Keke Napep, in Owerri, the Imo State capital, and then gave out 2000 passat wagon vehicles to operators as a substitute.

In a press statement released through the governor’s Chief Press Secretary, Sam Onwuemeodo, on Thursday, August 31, 2017, the governor said the ban is a reflection of the state’s infrastructural developments.

The ban on tricycles will come into effect on September 5, as the governor gave out the free taxis to ease the burden that the ban would cause to operators.

The statement read,

“Years ago when the Keke people gave me a very resounding support, I promised you people that I will change you from three legged to four legged and for that reason, today marks the beginning of movement from tricycle to full car.

“Now government has made provision for 2,000 taxis to enable all of you to have one taxi each. This is done to give you comfort and make your life prosperous. I would have not been happy if I finish this government without fulfilling my promise.

“For purpose of clarity this is government empowerment scheme to empower the masses, to reduce pain in your families and to bring comfort. Keke has served us well in Imo State and I want to thank you all for serving us well but as Imo State is developing and getting better with good roads and a lot of infrastructural developments, Keke can no longer be the appropriate means of transport within the Owerri City, this is why we are moving from Keke to a full car.

“I give you these cars without subjecting you to pay for forms, or cost of transportation or any another fee, I release it free of charge, I am doing this for God’s sake that the poor people may smile.

“I want all of you to understand that I am making the highest sacrifice that it may be well with my people. I have tried to make Imo much better than I met it, as I struggle painfully, having sleepless nights to make the life of my people better, I want you to reciprocate by joining me in the fight to rescue the state totally from the hands of scavengers ravaging the state over the years.”

Keke operators would no longer be allowed to operate along the major roads of Douglas, Wetheral, Bank Road, Orlu Road and other designated parts in the state capital.

The operators that got the cars were chosen in a raffle draw in a balloting that was conducted at the capital’s Hero’s Square.

The governor promised to give out the next batch of cars in October, and another batch in December.

The Super Eagles of Nigeria has defeated Cameroon 4 Goals to Nil.

– Odion Ighalo scored in the 28th Minutes after a superb pass from John Mikel Obi.

– John Obi Mikel scored the second goal in the 42nd minutes.

– Victor Moses scored the third goal in the 54th minutes.

– Kelechi Iheanacho nets the 4th goal with a superb header!

This is the day many Nigerians and Cameroonians have been waiting for and it promises a lot for the victorious side.

Odion Ighalo and John Mikel Obi have both scored in the first half to put the Super Eagles ahead in the first half, as we await the second 45 mins on what looks like another cracker of a game ahead.

There are three points at stake, but a win for Nigeria will all but stamp the Super Eagles’ ticket to the Russia 2018 World Cup.

A Super Eagles’ victory will also take Nigeria to nine points, meaning the team only need one more win to cement their place in Russia.

Cameroon on the other hand needs to get at least a draw and beat Nigeria in the reverse fixture in Yaoundé to get within one point of their adversaries.

Meanwhile, Akwa Ibom State Governor, Udom Emmanuel had on Thursday, promised to give the team $10,000 for every goal the Super Eagles score against Cameroon, at the game scheduled for the Godswill Akpabio Stadium, Uyo.

UPDATE: The Super Eagles defeated Cameroon 4 Goals to Nil.

A Magistrate’s Court in Osogbo, Osun State has sentenced a 30-year-old man, Sulaiman Awokunle, to six months imprisonment for allegedly stealing a ram kept for Sallah by Saka Idowu.

The police prosecutor, Elisa Olusegun, told the court that Awokunle stole the ram valued at N25, 000 at about 6am inside Onunrin’s compound in Iree,

Olusegun said the accused person committed an offence contrary to Section 383 and punishable under Section 390(9) of the criminal code, cap 34, Vol. II, Laws of Odun state of Nigeria, 2003.

Awokunle pleaded guilty to the one count-charge of theft levelled against him and pleaded for mercy.

His counsel, Najite Okobe, said his client was a first time offender and urged the court to mitigate his punishment.

Magistrate Adenike Olowolagba convicted Awokunle and sentenced him to six months imprisonment. The Magistrate however gave him an option of N4, 000 in the spirit of Eid el-Kabir.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that a 41-year- old man, Kasimu Saka, was also arraigned before an Iyaganku Magistrates’ Court in Ibadan on Wednesday for allegedly stealing a ram valued at N40, 000.

Nigeria’s president Muhammadu Buhari on Thursday said he has no plans of resting until he cictizens the Nigerians of their dream. Buhari made the promise in his Eid-el Kabir message to Nigerians which he personally signed.

“Once again, I assure you that this administration, which has made the security, economic well-being and prosperity of all Nigerians its priority, will not rest on its oars until we see the Nigeria of our dream,” the President promised.

Buhari again thanked all Nigerians who prayed for his recovery. “Indeed your fervent and sincere prayers, which cut across religion, political and ethnic divides, has energised me to re-dedicate myself and this administration to the task of building a great Nigeria.

On the joyous occasion of this year’s Eid-El-Kabir celebration, I appeal to all Nigerians to rise against the odds, keep our prejudices aside and strengthen the bonds of friendship and unity to keep our country together.

For Muslims all over the world, this celebration is to commemorate the trials and triumph of Prophet (Abraham) Ibrahim.

As we celebrate, I sincerely believe that our nation can make rapid progress on all fronts if we re-enact the exemplary virtues, typified by Prophet (Abraham) Ibrahim, through his sacrifice, patience, steadfastness, generosity and obedience to Allah’s command and constituted authority.

We must learn to see ourselves as brothers and sisters from the same heritage, who must come to terms with the African proverb that ‘a family tie is like a tree, it can bend but it cannot break.”

A 30-year-old Russian woman accused of being a cocaine mule faces the death penalty in Vietnam.

But Maria Dapirka, who has already written a ‘farewell letter’ to her mother, claims she was set up by her lover who posed as a top footballer.

Her lawyers have said she has accepted she may soon be executed, but still clings on to some hope she will be freed after three years in prison.

Dapirka, who lived in Thailand when she met her lover, known as Nick, was caught with almost 3kg of cocaine by Vietnamese customs on a flight from Singapore.

She said the cocaine was planted in her luggage by Nick — or ‘Chib Eze’ — who apparently has a penchant for seducing attractive young women before conning them into carrying drugs.

Dapirka’s verdict and sentence was due to be handed down by a Vietnamese judge on Thursday in a Ho Chi Minh city court, but the session was postponed ‘for further investigation’ for the fifth time.

In a letter to her mother Olga, a desperate Dapirka said she was ready for any decision by the court.

She wrote: “Don’t worry about me. I am fine. I am ready for any end. I hope you will manage to visit me.

“I’ve not seen you for four years. I miss you so much! Please take good care of your health.”

Her lawyer Sunkar Nurmagambetov said: “We have received Maria’s appeal. She addressed her family and said that she has not lost faith yet, but realistically, she understands there might be scenarios like a death sentence or life term.”

Pro-Kremlin news site Mash in Russia published a picture purporting to be ‘Nick’, the man she accuses of framing her after they met in Thailand.

The Nigerian media has claimed the same man used different fake names to dupe dozens of other women with model looks to act as drugs mules. His real name is not known.

“What started as a beautiful love story for these innocent girls with model looks ended up in a nightmare on the death row on drug-trafficking charges,’ reported NAIJ.com two years ago.

“All these beautiful girls have been duped into being drug mules by an elusive Nigerian drug baron, who pretended to be a professional footballer or a pro from the fashion industry.

“He seduced the girls, promising to marry them and establishing intimate relationships with his victims, but little did they know what they have been chosen for.”

A campaign organised by Maria Dapirka’s friends calling for her release alleged that ‘a whole criminal syndicate of Nigerian men work in Asia and all around the world, like Maria’s so-called boyfriend.

“They make up all sorts of stories, win trust, some even marry their potential future drug mules. Maria is not in this alone, there is plenty of girls like her who trust these men.”

Maria was caught with two nylon bags packed with cocaine in her hand baggage, and more wedged inside a magazine, at Ho Chi Minh City’s Tan Son Nhat International Airport in August 2014.

Popular tourist destination Vietnam has some of the most severe penalties for drug offences in the world.
People caught with even small quantities of hard drugs are liable to be executed.

More than two dozen foreigners are currently facing the death penalty or life imprisonment for drug trafficking offences.

(DailyNews)