Saraki calls for legislation to address marternal mortality on International day of the midwife

As the Inaugural Global Midwifery Conference in Nigeria rounds off in Abuja, in commemoration of the International Day of the Midwife, the Senate President, Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki through the Special Assistant on New Media to President of the Senate, Bamikole Omishore , has congratulated midwives across the nation for their contributions towards the healthcare of Nigerian women and newborns.
The Senate President, who is a medical doctor by profession, stated that over the years, midwives have helped to improve the maternal healthcare options available to Nigerian women.
Saraki further stated
“According to data available from UNICEF, the deaths of newborn babies in Nigeria represents a quarter of the total number of deaths of children under-five.”
In this regard, as the event hosted by the National Association of Nigerian Nurses hand Midwives (NANNM), the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) and the Wellbeing Foundation Africa rounds off, Saraki stated that the Senate and the 8th National Assembly would work out ways to partner with organisations that help to promote the life-saving work of midwives across the nation.
“As we mark International Day of the Midwife 2016,” Saraki said, “The 8th Assembly will partner with organisations and other stakeholders to provide legislation that will help to strengthen the efforts of midwives in Nigeria, to enable them provide better support for expecting mothers.”
According to UNICEF, a Nigerian woman’s chances of dying from pregnancy and childbirth is 1 in 13, and presently, only about 20 per cent of health facilities offer emergency obstetric care and only 35 per cent of deliveries are attended by skilled birth attendants.

Chris Brown's daughter surprises him for his birthday

Chris Brown shared this adorable photo of his daughter, Royalty, who surprised him on his birthday by visiting him. He wrote:

Zanzibar International Film Festival Announces Film Selection for 2016 Event including “Gbomo Gbomo Express” & More Nigerian Movies

Nigerian movies are breaking boundaries!
Three Nigerian movies have made it on the final film selection for the 2016 Zanzibar International Film Festival.

The movies are “Gbomo Gbomo Express” by Walter Taylaur , “Salt” by Umar Turaki and “The Wages” also by Walter Taylaur.
Set to take place from July 9 -17 2016, the Zanzibar International Film Festival had a record of 490 films submitted from 32 countries.
The ZIFF panel selected 80 films to compete under 5 different jury categories; 59 General Competition, 15 Sembene Ousmane; 12 Bongo movies, and 6 films in this year’s newest jury category, The Emerson of Zanzibar Award recognizing films about Zanzibar’s culture and history.
For more details visit the ZIFF website, www.ziff.or.tz and the full list of films selected for ZIFF 2016 can also be found on the website.

Music: Rickpheelz - Kpanda (Panda Cover)

This is one of the best Panda covers i have heard so far, another one from Rickpheelz.But this one by RICKPHEELZ is blazing and differently deep, a street (ibile)rap delivered with a solid rhythm and lyrical depth....



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Family Of Woman Killed By Nigerian Army Seeks Justice As Commanding Officer Offers N200,000 As Compensation

The family of a woman killed by a Nigerian military officer on Saturday in Warri, Delta State demanded that the perpetrators are brought to justice.

The son of the deceased, Shedrack Aktarobi, appealed to the State and federal governments to immediately intervene in the matter and ensure that the culprits are held accountable for their actions.
Alice Aktarobi, a level twelve judicial officer with Oleh High Court, was on her way to chair the wedding of her daughter, Joy Aktarobi, before being killed by a trigger-happy army officer on April 30, 2016.
The middle-aged woman was reported to have boarded a commercial tricycle to a relative’s home near the venue of the wedding in order to make it on time, as the State-wide compulsory monthly environmental sanitation was in progress. The wedding ceremony reportedly commenced very early in order to beat the sanitation exercise.

However, the soldiers were said to have flagged down the tricyclist at Jakpa Junction, claiming it was not yet 10 a.m., the official time for ending the environmental sanitation exercise across the State.
One of the soldiers aimed his gun at the tricycle, as the rider was apparently not going to stop, shooting dead the woman in the process.


It was gathered that the incident occurred at about 8.30 a.m., although the body of the deceased woman was taken to the Ekpan police station later before being taking to the morgue.
Mr. Aktarobi, who narrated the family’s ordeal to reporters in Warri immediately after a meeting with the leadership of the Nigerian Army 3 Battalion Effurun, confirmed that the soldier fired a bullet straight at his mother’s chest.
“We rushed to the scene immediately when we got the information. Everybody had fled. Even the team of soldiers that wreaked havoc had deserted the area. It was only my mother on the ground in a pool of blood. Later, one of the soldiers simply identified as E. K. Christian helped us and we took her to the Ekpan police station before the police deposited her body in the morgue.”
A human rights activist, Rockson Igelige, has lent his voice to the demand for the prosecution of the officer involved in the heinous act by the appropriate security agencies. Mr. Igelige warned that shielding the perpetrator from justice would encourage more killings, as their actions would go unpunished.
Meanwhile, the Commanding Officer of the 3 Battalion Effurun Division, Major Azanku, has offered N200,000 as compensation to the family to avoid legal battle. It was later gathered that the family turned down the offer.

Nigerian man stabs a fellow Nigerian to death in Ghana over toothbrush

A 26-year-old Nigerian has been arrested by police for allegedly stabbing his compatriot to death during a brawl over a used toothbrush at the Beach Drive Road at Nungua in Accra, Ghana.
The suspect identified as Marvelous Okere-Son, a trader living together in the same room with other occupants "engaged the deceased" Sunday Orga, 27 in an open fight over his stolen tooth brush on Saturday, April 30, 2016.
Speaking to Starr News , the Greater Accra Regional Police spokesperson Afia Tenge, said in the course of the confrontation Okere took a bottle, broke it and stabbed the left rib of the deceased.
Reports received indicated that the suspect and deceased were from Delta State, Nigeria and arrived in Ghana only two weeks and were squatting with five other Nigerians.
On that fateful day, the victim, Sunday Organ after realizing that his friend Marvelous had taken his tooth brush and had not returned it, he confronted him. This led to a fierce fight. They were separated and told to vacate the room.

The two continued the fight outside the compound. The deceased slapped the suspect. In anger Marvelous grabbed an empty wine bottle, broke it and used the sharp edge to stab Organ on the head and back. The victim fell down and lost consciousness.
"He bled profusely and when he was rushed to the LEKMA Hospital he passed on," Tenge stated. Upon interrogation, the suspect said he stabbed his colleague because he slapped him.
Okere was arrested by the police, charged for murder and is being processed for court. The remain of Orga has since been deposited at the Police Hospital morgue awaiting autopsy while investigation continues.


-Starr News/OKAY FM

Buhari To Visit Hometown On Friday Before Katsina City Visit

President Muhammadu Buhari will visit his hometown of Daura on Friday ahead of his official visit to Katsina City.
Governor Aminu Bello Masari has called for support and cooperation from the people of Katsina State to ensure the president’s visit goes smoothly.

The governor told reporters in the council chambers of the government house that President Buhari would arrive in Katsina State on Friday for a private visit to Daura and on Monday, May 9, he will begin an official visit to Katsina State.
Mr. Masari described the president's visit as purely non-partisan and therefore enjoined people irrespective of their political leanings to show respect and regards to the visiting president.
He noted that the culture and religion of people in the State encouraged them to be hospitable and accommodating to visitors.

Army to begin court martial of 2 Generals Monday

The Nigerian Army has inaugurated a Special Court Martial to try two of its Generals on offences it had yet to disclose.


The Court Martial,which will be presided over by Air Vice Marshal (AVM) James Gbum, will begin the trial of a former Commander 68 Hospital. Yaba, Lagos, Major General Patrick Falola, and Chief of Army Transformation and Innovation Centre, Major General Ibrahim Sani.
Both two-star Generals have since been posted for jurisdiction at the Army Headquarters (AHQ) Garrison (Mogadishu Cantonment).
‘New Telegraph’ gathered that the offences will be read to the accused officers upon arraignment next week.
It would, however, not be out of place if the lead prosecuting counsel, Lt-Col. Ukpe Ukpe, serves the accused officers with the charge sheet before their arraignment.

Ex-President Olusegun Obasanjo Donates Chimpanzee Named ‘Patience’ To A Non-Profit Animal Conservation Organisation

Former President of Nigeria, Olusegun Obasanjo donated a chimpanzee named ‘Patience’ to Pandrillus , a conservation organisation based in Nigeria and Cameroun.
The Cross River branch of the organization is dedicated to promoting the survival of the highly endangered Drill (Mandrillus leucopheus) and providing safe haven for orphaned chimpanzees.

They shared a photo of the former president on their official Facebook page saying:


President Obasanjo donates chimpanzee “Patience” to Pandrillus!
Seen here at the Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library Wildlife Park in Abeokuta – from left: Peter, Liza with Patience, and Mr. President. As President of Nigeria, he visited Drill Ranch in 2001, and made a follow up visit in 2011. President Obasanjo recognises the special care needs of chimpanzees and therefore decided to place 3 year old Patience with Pandrillus so she can grow up in the forest as part of the large chimpanzee group at Drill Ranch Afi Mountain. Thank you, Mr. President!
Patience is a fantastic chimpanzee who has been well cared for by the staff of the OOPL Wildlife Park. Once she has completed her medical screening in Calabar, she will join the group at the newly completed Nigerian Chimpanzee Center – located at Drill Ranch Afi Mountain in Boki LGA of Cross River State.

VIDEO: Lil Kesh – “Cause Trouble” ft. YCEE

Lil Kesh comes with a bang yet again, giving us back-to-back hits in 2016.

“Cause Trouble” is a track off his recently released debut album “YAGI” [Young and Getting It]. He features the Jagaban himself “ YCee ” and they are a very lethal in this video.
This is Lil Kesh’s first video since starting up his own record label “YAGI”.
Produced by Pheelz.
Directed by Mex.



VIDEO: Lil Kesh – “Cause Trouble” ft. YCEE

Urgent Information for ESUT Students – 2015/16

This is to inform all the unregistered regular students of the Enugu State University of Science and Technology (ESUT) that they should go and register their GST Courses (GST 101, 103 and 105) on or before 6pm, Thursday, 5th May, 2016.

No registration of GST courses implies none participation in the forthcoming GST Computer Based Examination (CBE).

All unregistered “Spill-Over” students are expected to submit copies of their school fees receipts for 2015/2016 academic session to the Faculty ICT reps at their various faculties for registration of GST courses on or before 6pm, Thursday, 5th May, 2016.

6 airport tips for Nigerians who love to travel

Travel buffs in Nigeria prefer to travel by air; however, they would admit that the airport may not be one of the favorite aspects of their trips. From the intimidating crowd, long lines and delayed flights, getting through the airport can be a struggle!  

Airports do not have to be a complete nightmare though. There are many ways to navigate airports like a pro, saving you a lot of time and money, also, making your journey faster and more comfortable. Here are 6 airport hacks from Jovago.com, for Nigerians who love to travel.

Make your luggage easy to spot

Most luggages come in dark colours and similar designs so it can be extremely difficult to identify at the airport. Aside from causing undue delay, especially when you end up with someone else’s luggage, not being able to identify your luggage can cause a measure of frustration. To avoid all that and ensure a quick getaway at baggage claim, go for an eye-catching suitcase. It could be in manner of design or in colour. You could also just tie a brightly colored fabric or ribbon to the handles too.

Meet friends at departures

The airport, especially arrivals, usually buzzes with a crowd of people and so it can be difficult locating someone or identifying a stranger you are meant to meet. To cut out the stress of roaming the entire airport in search of a friend or contact, ask the person to meet you at the departures. It is so much easier there.

Search for an airport buddy when delayed

If you are travelling alone and your flight has been delayed. Rather than sit on your own and perish in agony, seek out someone else and make friends with them. Unlike other airports around the world, Nigerian airports do not offer free Wi-Fi, so your chances of alternative entertainment may not be high if you do not have data on your phone. To keep things interesting, search for someone who looks roughly your age and go chat them up.

Do not hesitate to ask for free things

Nigerians they tend to shy away from freebie in public lest they be judged as freeloaders. Unfortunately, refusing to ask for free things when you are at the airport can deprive you of very luscious benefits or opportunities to save. Ensure you take advantage of special events like birthdays and honeymoon! Inform the airline staff of your unique situation and ask for the possible privileges attached to it. The worse that can happen is a polite no.

Wear Your Extra Luggage

Sometimes, you find that when you get to the airport and your carry-on weight is over the limit…even if you already weighed it at home. Rather than toss some of the items away or going into a gift shop in the airport and asking for a large shopping bag with which you can carry all the extras, you can simply wear the heaviest items in layers to get past security, and once you are done with security, you then head to the nearest bathroom and switch out of the clothes.

Always use the checkpoints on your left

It almost amazing how most people in the airport always steer to the right when choosing a security checkpoint line, leaving fewer people in line on the left. To save time and reduce stress, just head toward the left rather than the right.

Ndem Nkem

Travel/Tech Writer Jovago Nigeria