November 2020 | Page 8 of 12

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Notorious armed robber, Shina Rambo resurfaces, says he is now born again

Shina Rambo and his gang once terrorised the peace and tranquility of Nigeria, especially the southern part of the country. In a new interview, the notorious gang leader revealed he is now born again and he is in relationship with God.

Shina Rambo, born Oluwashina Oluwagbemiga resurfaced on Sunday, November 8 when he appeared on Yinka Ayefele’s radio station, Fresh FM in Ado Ekiti, Ekiti State.

He revealed that he is now a born again Christian as he no indulges in nefarious and rebellious activities.

He confessed to be the same person whose gang terrorised some parts of the country for years and tormented innocent citizens with attacks, killings and maiming.

As a matter of fact, Rambo said so many people, especially the police, would be surprised to hear that the same man they claimed to have killed on a number of occasions was still alive today.

Claiming that he was now a complete child of God preaching the gospel in prisons and other reform centres, Rambo, who gave 1958 as his year of birth, said he was born as a native of Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital, but was raised in Benin city.

”My father was a prominent person, and a soldier moving from one part of the country to the other. In my attempt to acquire black power then, I went to a total of 21 places, prominent among which were Minna, Niger state, and later Oro, in present day Kwara.

”I was in one of those places for 91 days in Idanre, Ondo state, where we were mandated to be sucking the milk of a possessed woman’s breast, as our only food and water, so occult powers can transmit to our body.

”At the end of the whole exercise, I possessed a total of 901 power images that can be used to cajole or disappear at a scene of crime and project the image of another person. So, if I was killed at a particular point, I had the powers to resurface in another place in another form”, he said.

He said the moment he accepted Christ, he realized he had no more occult powers as the spirit of God suddenly descended on him directing him to drop all his bad habits and start preaching about God.

Quoting the holy bible copiously throughout the radio programme, Rambo said he had won many souls through his preaching, while a number of churches had also been established.

Rambo stated that the death of his wife and three children on a single day in the hands of those who came to arrest him, but did not meet him, was his worst regret of his former life in crime

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Nigerian pastor accused of rape, human trafficking in South Africa to stay in prison until conclusion of trial

A Nigerian pastor accused of rape is set to remain in prison custody until the conclusion of his trial in South Africa.

The pastor, Timothy Omotoso, saw another application for bail denied in a High Court in Port Elizabeth; South Africa on Wednesday, November 11.

Consequently, he is set to remain behind bars until the conclusion of his trial after several failed attempts to secure bail was rejected. Reports monitored by 1st News in South Africa state that the Nigerian pastor; a popular televangelist is charged with a number of crimes. They include rape and assault. Further, he stands accused of involvement in a human trafficking ring.

Specifically, he faces almost 100 charges.

The Nigerian pastor was first arrested in 2017. Since then, he has remained in prison custody. Also, he had seen a number of appeals to get the judge to grant him bail fall through.

The South African, an online medium in that country reports that on Tuesday; Omotoso’s lawyer, Peter Daubermann, argued that there were clear grounds to consider a leave to appeal the failed bail submission. Daubermann stated that Omotoso does not present the flight risk as was suggested when bail was denied last week.

4 February 2019 – Nigerian pastor Timothy Omotoso and his two co-accused appeared for their rape and human trafficking case in the Port Elizabeth High Court on Monday morning. Picture Werner Hills

“It’s not a borderline case, it’s an obvious case. The reasons why you should grant leave to appeal are obvious. As I have mentioned, my learned friend failed to address 80% of my argument and points raised before you. He therefore had no answer to those arguments which suggests that those arguments are valid.”

“I submit that your lordship should have no hesitation in granting leave to appeal. I submit that if you refuse to do so; you will simply be compounding the errors that you made in your initial judgement. The applicant is entitled to leave to appeal, and if you refuse this unreasonably, we would have to petition the Supreme Court of Appeal and this will delay the applicants hearing and finalisation of his attempt to secure bail.”

However, Judge Phillip Zilwa considers the Nigerian pastor a flight risk due to his status as an illegal immigrant along with his family.

Omotoso’s criminal trial is expected to commence this week. He stands accused along with two South Africans, Lusanda Sulani and Zukiswa Sitho, who have been granted bail.

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I am the biggest artiste in Nigeria – Davido

Nigerian recording artiste, Davido has declared himself the biggest artiste in Nigeria.

In a recent interview, David Adeleke better known by his pseudonym, Davido stated that he is the biggest artiste to emerge from this part of the world. According to him, no singer in the music industry puts in similar work ethics and dedication like himself.

The singer who made the declaration in an interview with Bolanle Olukanni on Ndani TV stated that the facts are clear for everyone to see.

Davido further stated that he is not talking about money, but stressed he is bigger than everyone in all ramifications.

Watch the interview below.

View this post on Instagram

In other news, Davido confirmed that his 3rd studio album will be titled, A Better Time.

He also confirmed that Nicki Minaj is on the album. Speaking about how that happened, he said, “Before this song, I had never spoken with Nicki. We were in a club in Abuja and I was really drunk and I had also just recorded this song. I was like ‘Nicki will kill this song.’

“So I took my phone and DMed her. I said, “Nicki, I got a song for us. It’s gon’ go number one, I promise you’ in those exact words. The next morning, [I saw a message from her which read], ‘send it.’ The next day, she sent it…“

He also spoke about why his upcoming third album, A Better Time is coming so hot on the heels of his sophomore A Good Time. He said, “I was going to ride on ‘A Good Time’ till [2021] but while on tour, I realized that like six songs from ‘A Good Time’ were already out. So I really only added how many songs?”

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Senate urges Buhari to emulate UAE towards ensuring prosecution of Boko Haram sponsors

The Senate on Wednesday, November 11, implored President Muhammadu Buhari to expedite action on the prosecution of sponsors of the deadly Boko Haram sect.

This was contained in a statement issued by the Senate Committee on Army; during a press conference addressed by the committee.

This was shortly after the Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Tukur Buratai, led other generals to defend the 2021 budget of the Army.

The budget defence of the Army was done behind closed doors.

Speaking on behalf of his colleagues, Chairman of the Senate committee, Senator Ali Ndume, said Buhari should emulate the leadership of the United Arab Emirates; which recently prosecuted and jailed some identified sponsors of the deadly sect.

It would be recalled that the UAE had recently arrested and prosecuted 11 Nigerians; for sponsoring the deadly insurgent group.

Meanwhile, the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), University of Lagos (UNILAG) chapter, has lauded the Federal Government for what it said was “standing on the path of justice’’ by reinstating the institution’s Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Oluwatoyin Ogundipe.

The union’s Chairman, Dr Dele Ashiru, gave the commendation; while reacting to the development in an interview on Wednesday, November 11, in Lagos.

4wardwego reports that the FG had in August, directed the then Pro-Chancellor of the university, Dr Wale Babalakin, and Prof. Ogundipe to recuse themselves from official duties pending the outcome of a Special Visitation Panel set up by the visitor, President Muhammadu Buhari.

It then directed the Senate of UNILAG to immediately convene; to nominate an acting vice-chancellor from among its members.

The Babalakin-led Governing Council had on Aug. 12, sacked Ogundipe as the vice-chancellor over alleged financial misappropriation.

However, Babalakin later resigned from his appointment.

According to Ashiru, the reinstatement of the vice-chancellor is a huge step; to further boost the belief of the government’s effort in restoring peace in the entire university community.

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Ndume reveals how bandits camouflage by donning Nigerian Army uniforms

The Chairman of the Senate Committee on Army, Sen Ali Ndume on Wednesday, November 11, revealed that bandits are buying uniforms of the Nigerian Army from the market.

Ndume, who has always opposed the rehabilitation of repentant Boko Haram members, also revealed that those rehabilitated insurgents are using information from the Nigerian Army to attack military formations.

He disclosed these while speaking to journalists on Wednesday at the budget defence organized by the committee on Army.

“What I see that is the difference between the Nigerian army; and the bandits is that the Nigerian army is trained and they have uniform. Even that, the bandits, some of them take away the uniform from the Nigerian army; or they buy it from the market.

“Some of the bandits have better AK-47. I think they have what they call AK-49; the latest AK used by bandits and insurgents in the North East and North West.

“I want to use this opportunity to tell you the committee’s position that as a matter of urgency… the budget of the Nigerian army should be increased.”

He noted that people who are directly or indirectly involved with Boko Haram should be used as an example.

“We are still calling on the Nigerian government that those that are directly or indirectly involved in Boko Haram activities should be brought to book and used as an example. I think we have not been up and doing on that.

“I am in disagreement with the Government; on the issue of deradicalising and reintegrating (Boko Haram repentants). I still maintain that. You can’t be resettling people, pampering them while the war is on.

“The committee is on the same page and I believe many Nigerians are on the same page with this. In my village, mallams that are Muslims, not ordinary Muslims but Mallams, elders above 60; quote me, 75 of them were taken to an abattoir and slaughtered by Boko Haram.

“Can you imagine that the Nigerian army or the Nigerian government is saying that because these people have gone to repent, or they say they have their hands up, you bring them back and pamper them?

“In addition to that, the recent attack in Damboa was carried out by a repentant giving information as to the movement of the army, the general that was killed was a victim”.

Ndume expressed dismay at the budgetary allocation to the Nigerian Army, while describing the allocation as inadequate.

“I want to say to the public that in a budget of N13 trillion and in the period of war, you can’t budget less than N30 billion to the Nigerian Army. That amount I have said is grossly inadequate especially now that we have challenges everywhere.

“The Nigerian army to my knowledge are operating in 32 or 33 states. All these require money; and with that kind of capital, it means it is that money that will be used to buy ammunition; arms; other equipment that will be used to carry out their operations.

“The army needs money to operate effectively. But this committee will have to be convinced about what you need; and what it is needed for so that we can be able to support that position.

“Last year, it was the same thing. The budget, we cried out was grossly inadequate. I have the committee’s mandate to say N27 billion as Capital for the Nigerian army out of a budget of N13 trillion is (small).”

Asked why the parliament cannot increase the budget of the Nigerian Army; since it has the power, Ndume noted that they want to collaboratively work with other arms of government.

“The three Arms of government are supposed to work hand in hand. We have engaged the Nigerian army and we are going to engage the executive to make them understand that based on what we oversight; what they budgeted; they need to increase the budget of the Nigerian army.

“So far, we are on the same page with the executive. We are going to work together and make them understand that there is a need. Some of them do these things and present it to Mr. President without him knowing the implications”, he added.

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Buhari hails COVID-19 vaccine progress, calls for equitable distribution

President Muhammadu Buhari has reacted to an announcement by Pfizer and its German partner BioNTech that an experimental COVID-19 vaccine is more than 90 percent effective based on initial trial results.

Consequently, Buhari called for equitable distribution of the vaccine globally upon approval for delivery.

The President made this known via his verified handle on the microblogging site, Twitter on Tuesday.

“I welcome the news that a Coronavirus vaccine has recorded 90% effectiveness in clinical trials. This is a major milestone. The world must now make great effort to facilitate equitable access and distribution of these vaccines, to protect people in all countries,” he said.

I welcome the news that a Coronavirus vaccine has recorded 90% effectiveness in clinical trials. This is a major milestone. The world must now make great effort to facilitate equitable access and distribution of these vaccines, to protect people in ALL countries.
— Muhammadu Buhari (@MBuhari) November 10, 2020

Meanwhile, CGTN reports that scientists, public health officials and investors have also welcomed the first successful interim data from a large-scale clinical test of the vaccine. However, mass roll-outs, which need regulatory approval, will not happen this year.

Pfizer and German partner BioNTech said they had found no serious safety concerns yet. Also, they expect to seek the U.S. emergency use authorization (EUA) later in November. The development significantly raises the chance of a regulatory decision as soon as December.

If granted, the companies estimate they can roll out up to 50 million doses this year; enough to protect 25 million people, and then produce up to 1.3 billion doses in 2021.

Data gathered by Nigeria’s disease-fighting agency, the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) shows that as at midnight; on Tuesday, November 10, 2020, Nigeria had reported 64,336 confirmed COVID-19 infections, the seventh-highest tally in Africa. It has also recorded 1,160 deaths from the disease.

Director General, NCDC, Dr. Chikwe Ihekweazu has also disclosed that there is still so much work for us to do globally in strengthening countries’ preparedness and response to health emergencies.

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Nigerian billionaire invests $1bn in Zimbabwe platinum mine

A Nigerian billionaire, Benedict Peters is set to invest $1bn for the development of a platinum mine in Zimbabwe.

Peters, owner of Bravura Holdings Ltd., has revealed that the sum of $1 billion has been stumped up for the project, the company’s Country Manager disclosed.

Bloomberg reports that the 3,000 hectare (7,413-acre) concession where it plans to dig the mine is in Selous; 80 kilometers (50 miles) south of Zimbabwe’s capital Harare and close to existing platinum mines.

Lionel Mhlanga, Bravura’s manager in Zimbabwe, told Bloomberg in an interview at the mine on Friday, November 6, 2020 says construction should start in 18 months.

“From where we are now, we will go to resource definition, after that we will go to resource modeling, after mine development and then mine construction. Those are all things that should happen in the next 18 months,” he said.

Meanwhile, Bloomberg says Bravura is one of a number of little-known companies that have secured platinum concessions in Zimbabwe as the government seeks to kick start its stagnant economy. Still, established platinum miners haven’t announced plans to expand their operations. While Zimbabwe has the world’s third-largest platinum group metal reserves; investors have been deterred by frequent changes to mining laws and currency policies.

In addition to Bravura, Russian and Cypriot companies have announced plans to invest in Zimbabwean platinum mines.

Nigerian billionaire, Peters owns Aiteo Eastern E & P Company Ltd., Nigeria’s biggest domestic oil producer. However, he has little experience in mining. Still, the group also intends to explore mining lithium, rare earth minerals and tin in Zimbabwe, Mhlanga said.

Also, it intends to mine cobalt in the Democratic Republic of Congo, copper in Zambia, gold in Ghana; as well as iron ore in Guinea. Namibia and Botswana could also be options for the company, he said.