Nigerian Army denies plans to steal Shiite bodies from Zaria mass grave

The Nigerian Army has denied planning to secretly evacuate hundreds of bodies buried in a mass grave in Zaria, Kaduna State.
The bodies are believed to be those of Shiite Muslims killed and secretly buried by troops in December.
Amnesty International said satellite images supported the location of the mass grave earlier confirmed by the Kaduna government.
A report by the news website, Saharareporters, on Friday, said soldiers had been deployed to guard the site ahead of the evacuation of bodies to hide evidence.
A statement signed by Abdul Usman, a Colonel and Deputy Director, Army Public Relations, said the report was “simply a figment of their jaundiced imagination and a campaign of calumny againt the Army”, in reference to the Shi’a group, Islamic Movement in Nigeria.
“The Army strongly and categorically reject the IMN’s unfounded n spurious allegation. It is simply a concoction of lies and deliberate effort by the IMN to portray the the Nigerian Army’s image negatively.
“The Nigerian Army will like to make it abundantly clear that, it has never contemplated such act at anytime. It’s of no relevance whatsoever. We are focused on discharging our constitutional duty as a professional military force.
“We expect any responsible media to double check such weighty allegations before going to press. Nigeria’s national security and interest must never be toyed with,” he said.

He added that, “the Nigerian Army as a law abiding entity had already stated its facts regarding the December 12-14 incident in Zaria before the Justice Mohammed Lawal Garba led Judicial Commission of Inquiry.
“For the avoidance of doubt, the commission had on Wednesday 27th April, 2016 visited all the sites of the incident in Zaria including the grave site in Kaduna. It was widely aired.
“It is not the duty of the Army to guard any public grave site other than our own designated military cemeteries.
“It appears that the IMN’s desire is to whip up public sympathy not minding their crimes over several years against the people of Zaria as testified by the parties at the just concluded sitting of the commission.
“The Islamic Movement in Nigeria failed to state her facts or opinion if any as regards the incident of December 12th and 14th 2015 before the judicial commission of inquiry.
“While we await the report of the judicial commission, we would like to call on the general public to disregard this unfounded claim. Nigerian Army will continue to safeguard the lives and property of all citizens in every part of our great country. That is our mission.”

Oba of Benin dies

It was a solemn moment for the ancient Benin kingdom and the capital city of Edo State and its residents yesterday as top hierarchy of palace chiefs announced the transition of Oba of Benin, His Royal Majesty Omo N’Oba Nedo Uku Akpolokpolo, Oba Erediauwa.
The passage of Oba Erediauwa was broken by the chiefs led by the Iyase of Benin Kingdom Chief Sam Igbe and Chief David Edebiri (The Esogban of Benin Kingdom) to the heir apparent His Royal highness Eheneden Erediauwa and Edaiken N’Uselu, children and other members of the royal family as well as the Enigies and large crowd of sympathizers who thronged the ancient palace. There were traditional rites that heralded the solemn moment held amid wailings and reflections on the death of the sage and monarch of the kingdom.
The chiefs in a procession like manner accompanied by a man carrying the traditional Akpoki (a round sacred stool-like box with cover at both ends and said to be containing some traditional items of high spiritual powers), trooped to the centre of the main entrance gate where the Iyase of Benin made some traditional incantations and broke a big white chalk and announced to the hearing of all that the monarch had reunited with his ancestors.
An official statement by Chief Sam Igbe which was made available to newsmen stated that the HRM Oba Erediauwa has joined his ancestors after the traditional while chalk was broken at the main entrance gate and within the ancient palace after some rites laced with spiritual invocations and rites were also performed by the Iyase of the Kingdom who was accompanied by an army of top chiefs to carry out the all-important ceremony.
The Iyase of Benin Kingdom who described the late Oba of Benin as the Prince of Peace also prayed God to grant his soul external peace. According to the statement, “As announced by the Iyase of Benin kingdom, Osorhue Bunrun, Oba Erediauwa of Benin Kingdom, the Prince of Peace, Ebo, Ayenmwirhe (CMINI, MINI, MNI) has reunited with his ancestors. May he find perfect peace w i t h G o d , Amen.”
The core chiefs of the inner chamber of the palace had before the public announcement of the death of the monarch held hours of closed door meeting with the HRH Eheneden Erediauwa, the Enigies and other elders of the royal family before they came out to break the news of the exit of the nation’s revered traditional ruler and a former Federal Permanent Secretary.
The Oba’s children, relations, Enigies, in-laws and others were made to stand in a circular form with the top palace chiefs while the breaking of the sad news about the death of their father and other ceremonies lasted. At the palace were large crowd of sympathizers including popular businessman Captain Hosa Okunbor and others most of who gathered in groups to discuss hushed tunes about the sad development.
It would be recalled that the heir apparent HRH Eheneden Erdiauwa had recently completed the mandatory traditional rites of traditional spiritual fortification and also moved to Uselu traditional palace ground preparatory to the formal ceremony that will usher in his reign as the next Oba of the kingdom rich in culture and tradition.
A 28 day traditional burial rites is expected to be carried out with the latest breaking of news about the death of Oba Erediauwa who mounted the revered seat in 1979 and his reign has witnessed tremendous development and peaceful coexistence amongst all segments of people of the state, the country Nigerian and beyond.

Frank Edwards – “Ka Anyi Bulie” ft. Don Moen

Guess you never saw this coming!!! Rocktown Records lead singer, Frank Edwards has finally released his “Frankincense” album. Off the album is “Ka Anyi Bulie” which features International Gospel Evangelist, Don Moen .
This is absolutely brilliant, and Don Moen’s command of Igbo Language is excellent.
Enjoy below


Frank Edwards – “Ka Anyi Bulie” ft. Don Moen

Called You A Superstar From Day 1 – Banky W Gushes About Wizkid

E.M.E boss, Banky W, has registered his happiness on the success of
Wizkid , who was formerly signed under his label.
Banky, took to social media yo sow just how proud he is of Wizkid landing on Drake’s album:


called you Superstar from Day 1, because I always ALWAYS knew. Now the whole world does. Too proud of you Wizkid . Too proud. Win forever


Recall, we reported earlier today that multi award winner, Drake, confirmed Wizkid’s feature on his Views album.

MUSIC : MatterBoy - Tiding The Money | ‎@matterboyisaac

Chidiebere isaac known as matterboy,is a newly signed artiste under the management of web gang music, the born imo state singer has many tracks trending all parts of naija and he has dropped another dope track TIDING THE MONEY and it happens to be his first track from the stables of WEB GANG MUSIC. download and share.


DOWNLOAD NOW

MUSIC: Surwizzy(@Surwizzy) - Jagaban Cover

Nigerian indigenous Rapper "Surwizzy" drops his own version of Ycee‘s smash hit “Jagaban”. I bet ya'll this is the best jagaban cover you have ever heard.


Surwizzy delivers feisty bars over Jagaban's original instrumentation and the end result is fiery.


Enjoy!

Download Mp3 Here

6 awesome things to do alone this long weekend

Ah! Bank holidays are the best…especially when they fall a day before or after the weekend. Labour Day for Nigerians fall on the 1st of May and luckily, while it is a Sunday this year, the government has ensured we do not get cheated out of the free day by declaring the next day -Monday – public holiday. Hurray!

While holidays are great and offer the best opportunities for many to spend time with loved ones and family, it can be an especially lonely and trying time for people, who for a wide variety of reasons, find that they have to spend the entire time alone. If you are a potential “lonely Londoner” this long week, no need to worry as there are many things you can do to make the weekend a little less lonely. Jovago.com, Africa’s No.1 online hotel booking site numbers them in them in the list below:



Travel somewhere new

You can never go wrong with travelling or visiting some place you have never been to before. It does not have to be to a faraway place like America, Middle East or even Europe, which will require a long journey, cutting out valuable hours from your holiday; you can chose to go to the next town or one of the myriad tourist attractions around Nigeria. Traveling alone will allow you the luxury of going at your own pace rather than always having to make compromises on what sights to see, where to eat, and what activities to do so as to please travel partners. You are able to soak up everything about the trip that you want to and have a marvelous time .



Get experimental in the kitchen

This will only be a distasteful idea to someone who completely hates the idea of handling raw food or cooking. However, a very exciting way to spend the long weekend will be to try out new recipes on your own and test your cooking skills. You could even try to create your own recipe and come up with a completely fresh menu unknown to the world. If it all works out, you can show off your skill of special menu next time you have someone visiting.



3. Take yourself out on a dinner date

There is no rule that says a date has to be with someone else. Take yourself out on a date, go somewhere fancy and spend money on yourself. Dress up, order fine wine and an exotic meal. Take your time as you enjoy ordering anything you want without anyone else asking for a bite. If you are worried it would bore, take a book along or your iPad so you could stream short funny clips while dinning – really, what could be better than showing yourself some good old love?



Binge on a TV show

In Nigeria, the hustle is real and so most time, most of us do not have time to see all the shows we would love to follow. The long holiday gives an opportunity to get your slice of movie heaven. Pick one of the trending TV shows you have been itching to see and watch all the seasons in a marathon. Game of thrones will be a perfect option, but if you are not up for anything new, you can decided to re-watch series of old shows.



Complete a project

If you are the nerdy type who finds joy working on projects or inventing new things, take the long weekend to expand on and work on that idea that has been nagging at the back of your head. Take some time and do your research, draw up the plan and try to carry it through. You could make it all more exciting by working outside your apartment. You could visit a local library or work from one of the various patisseries around town.  At the end of the long weekend, you are rewarded with a sense of accomplishment.



Try stargazing

The average Nigerian will not only consider this idea as weird but think of it as a stressful  endeavor. It is always good to try new things. Star gazing can be very soothing and gives you an opportunity to admire nature while clearing your mind. Lay on your back and marvel at your complete and utter smallness in comparison to the rest of the universe.


Ndem Nkem
Travel/Tech Writer
Jovago Nigeria

3 experiences every thrill seeker in Nigeria must try

There is no scarcity of things to do in Nigeria. From visiting various landmarks and tourist sites to meeting the locals and trying the various street foods, everyone has enough activities to last them a lifetime. While these experiences are almost priceless, they are not always enough for thrill seekers who storm the country for ultimate heart-pounding moments.

Adventurous travelers want their adrenaline pumping and they want to feel a certain high. Luckily, there are several other places for these kinds of travellers to achieve their goal in Nigeria. As long as you have the finances to get away for a few days, Jovago.com, Africa’s No.1 online hotel booking site has rounded up 5 incredible travel activities that will rock your world.



Gear up and climb Chappal Waddi

Also known as Gangirwal a.k.a Mountain of Death, the Chappal Waddi mountain is considered the highest peak in Nigeria at 2419 meters. It is located in the southern sector Gashaka Gumti National Park, on the border of Cameroon in Taraba State. Featuring a waterfall and the thickly forested slopes, it is surrounded by flowing riverswith mischievous monkeys and chimps lurking around. A climb will leave you breathless and ecstatically thrilled.



Walk the Ancient Kano City Walls

Although this great tourist attraction in the northern part of Nigeria was built between 1095 AD through 1134 AD and completed in the middle of the 14th century, it is still described as ‘the most impressive monument in West Africa’. Talk a walk along the ancient beauty and appreciate Kano’s rugged topography while you are at it. There is no better way to explore the city’s landscape.



Tree climbing at Okomu forest reserve

Aside from the wildlife and alluring landscape, the trees at the Okomu forest reserve provide opportunities for exciting and heart-pounding experiences for adventurous tree climbers. The last surviving rainforest area in the south-west of Nigeria, you can challenge yourself with a tree climbing task and afterwards, you can enjoy a host of other attractions, as well as engage in sport fishing, canoeing or crocodile viewing if you are up for it.


Ndem Nkem
Travel/Tech Writer
Jovago Nigeria

Space-saving hacks for packing your suitcase

The average person hates packing for a trip. There really is nothing pleasant about it: the stress of folding, rolling and squeezing clothes in, the confusion of having to decide what to pack, the dilemma of trying to manage the space you have got and the fact that it takes all the time in the world!

No one wants an over-sized luggage, and so Jovago.com, Africa’s largest hotelbooking portal suggests 4 simple yet highly effective packing hacks that will help any traveler organize their essentials much easier.



Roll your clothes, do not fold

The general method for packing clothes is folding. While folding plays a huge role in ensuring your clothes are organized and crease is limited, they can also be the reason you do not have enough space for the other stuff. Rather than fold your clothes, consider rolling instead. Rolling may require more effort, but it surely saves more space compared to folding.

Pack items inside your shoes

Shoes are usually the most difficult to pack, especially if they are made of leather or sterner materials. The shoes however can offer good space to pack smaller items as the holes in them can hold little items that won’t fit in your toiletry bag, like socks.



Place the heavy items on the bottom

Most people do not care to check the weight of the items they throw in their  bags or boxes. They jumble all sorts of item together, even placing some of the heaviest on the top, making it hard to squeeze in extra items or zip the luggage up. Endeavour to pack your heaviest items on the bottom and work your way up to the lighter items, that way, your bag will have an easier time compressing into the compartments.

Avoid little pouches and purses

While packing, the idea of keeping certain items in separate pouches or purse may seem cute or give off a super organized look, however, they are not very helpful for managing space. Rather than use little bags like toiletry and make-up bags, squeeze them into the nook and crannies of your bag or whatever little space they can fit into.

Ndem Nkem
Travel/Tech Writer
Jovago Nigeria

Lekki: The golden treasure of Lagos

A popular city located to the east of Lagos State, Lekki has a reputation for being an area with one of the most expensive real estate assets in Lagos State, Nigeria, as it currently houses several Estates, gated residential developments, agricultural farmlands, areas allocated for a Free Trade Zone, with an airport, and a sea port under construction. There are two main local governments – Eti-osa and Epe in the area, however, it is better classified by the two phases in the Lekki vicinity:  Lekki Phase I and Lekki Phase II.

The city is not entirely intimidating as its environs are simple, classy and serene. However, with the high cost of living, the sprawl of major hot spots and limited public transport, it could pose a financial challenge for budget travellers who want to visit. Visitors are, however, bound to have fun in the area as there are numerous opportunities for fun including  several number of beaches and resorts around the location, a very bubbly nightlife and the music shows held frequently. They will find that this city is not all glitz; it has many cultural highlights as well as all the glamorous modern add-ons. Jovago.com, Africa’s largest hotel booking portal shares the details.



TOP 3 TOURIST SITES

Lekki conservation Centre

One of the major Nigerian Conservation Foundation (NCF) conservation sites, this major tourist attraction established in 1990 for the conservation of wildlife found in the southwest coastal environment of Nigeria, in the face of sprawling urban development, covers a land area of 78 hectares in Lekki.

Lekki Craft Market

The Lekki Craft Market is a classic open air African market, which offers almost everything from antiques to traditional Nigerian woven fabrics (Aso-Oke) and batik pieces, leather goods, Benin bronze works, wood carvings, drums and masks , e.t.c.

Nike Art Gallery

Ultimately the Number one spot for Arts in Lagos state and the largest of its kind in West Africa, Nike Art Gallery is an art gallery in Lagos owned by Nike Davies-Okundaye. The gallery is Housed in a five-storey tall building, it boasts a collection of about 15,000 diverse artworks from various Nigerian artists.



LODGING

Lekki’s hotels and resorts will dazzle and delight you as they are some of most expensive accommodation in Lagos, but luckily, they leave you feeling like you have gotten your money’s worth. Also, there is actually something to suit every taste — from opulent to standard. Aside from the high-end hotels, there are a few best value hotels, with traveller-friendly facilities. Boutique hotels are wonderful as well, however, some of them lack the facilities (pool, gym etc) available in other hotels of similar price brackets in other parts of the state



SHOPPING

Lekki can be a haven for shopaholics as the locals like to look good and set trends. Shoppers are spoilt for choice between gleaming new city-centre shopping centres, boutique arcades, bohemian streets and farmers markets. There is perhaps maybe too much choice for the tourist. Visitors can get anything from high street fashions, boutique gems, jewellery, gadgets, books, games, food or anything else under the sun for that matter,



DINING

The dazzling array of different restaurants and cafes, as well as local bistros you will encounter in Lekki, reflects the sheer joy the locals take in eating. Dining out is one of the main social activity. The menu is not restricted to local foods only. From Chinese to Indian, French and Lebanese,  Lekki restaurants have got it covered.  There is also food from every corner of Nigeria (and beyond) to be sampled too.

FUN FACT:

The Lekki  Lagoon located in the North of the city is part of a rich folklore and provides an important source of livelihood for the people of Lagos and Ogun State. It is the most important common property aquatic resources and the largest source of freshwater fish production in the states.


Ndem Nkem
Travel/Tech Writer
Jovago Nigeria

MUSIC: Kindwiz ft. Temted – Bumba

After making a grand entry into the music industry with his hit single “MONICA” Okih Mutari Kind popularly known as “KINDWIZ”
decide to Hit the club with his new song titled “BUMBA” .

The song features a talented Entertainer Daniel Vershima Nyigbar popularly known as “Tem3rd” and was produced by Kindwiz Himself, Mixed & Mastered by DjLoxzy…
Download and Enjoy


DOWNLOAD MP3 HERE

Night of a thousand laughs holds may 1st in Abuja

Comedy: Gordons/Helen Paul/ Funny Bone/Acapella/Osama/Buchi/Chuks 'D'General/Shortcut/ Stainless. Special Appearance: Emmanuella.


Music : LIl Kesh, Addiction.

Date:Sunday May 1st 2016.

Venue:This Day Dome, Abuja.

Time: 6pm.

Access:Regular- N5k// V.I.P-10K. V.V.I.P- 20K// Table of 8- 400k...


> Ticket Outlets;
> www.bookingant.com// The Bank Abuja
> Exclusive Stores// Shirileys Gwarinpa//
> Suits & Blazers Sharif Plaza



Info : 07059293941


> Powered by : Yankee Entertainment


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