Nigerian journalist arrested in Cameroon, accused of spying for Boko Haram

Simon Ateba works with (or used to work for) PM News and is the publisher of Simonateba.com. A few days ago, he managed to leave a message on Twitter and Facebook before he was locked up in Cameroon on spying charges. The journalist who said he was in the country to investigate the conditions of over 50,000 Nigerian refugees camped there, was arrested for venturing into a refugee camp without permission. Now they are threatening to charge him for espionage, saying they suspect he was spying for Boko Haram. See his tweets after the cut..

According to Premium Times;

Ateba received a grant from the International Centre for Investigative Reporting in Abuja, to investigate the ordeals and suffering of Nigerians who fled into Cameroon as their communities came under sustained attacks from the extremist Boko Haram sect.

Dayo Aiyetan, executive director of the centre, confirmed that his organisation is aware of Mr. Ateba’s travels and investigation.

“We are saddened that he is being incarcerated for doing his job, and we demand his immediate release,” Mr. Aiyetan told Premium Times

Below is what Simon wrote on Facebook

“Was given my phone for five minutes to make some calls. Just spent my first night in Mokolo cell with two Nigerians who fled Boko Haram terrorist attacks between Gwoza and Maiduguri in a town or village called Sigesia. My first night in a cell in Cameroon far north was because I went to a refugee camp with about 50,000 Nigerians to do an independent reporting without they allowing me to do so.

“Having contacted the minister of communication, spoken to the governor, the army spokesman here and having gone to the UNHCR office in Maroua and spoken with officials there, I realised they will never allow me to see Nigerians living there. So I went anyway.

“Entered the camp and saw things for myself at Minawao camp, 12 kilometres in the bush from the main road and about 60 kilometres from Maroua where Boko Haram have struck three times. I spent the night with Abdulahi Amidou who fled and was accused of bringing foodstuff. He denied it.

“Living the best hotel in Maroua to sleep in a stinking cell with mosquitoes everywhere was shocking but Abdulahi and the rest told me their horrific stories. My flight should be 31 from Ndjamena but with me in a cell, that’s difficult to achieve.”

“Still with my phone in my cell. Before I left, I was told I will need to meet the governor of the region who will grant me access to the camp with Nigerians. I met the governor. He said he doesn’t have power. That power rests with the minister of communication.

“I got in touch with the minister and the army spokesman, sent text messages and so on. Here you need to travel to Yaoundé 800 kilometres away to meet the minister when he’s ready to meet you. Then he will send you to meet the governor in person in Maroua 800 kilometres back. Then the governor will send you to see the mayor. Then the mayor will send you to the gendarmerie. Then the gendarmerie will send people with you to the camp. The minister will choose which Nigerian in the camp you will speak with. And generally the leader who will tell you “We are grateful to the Cameroonian government. We are just very well treated here”. So that’s the procedure.”

Pope Francis grants Catholic priests the right to forgive women who have had abortions

Pope Francis has called on catholic priests to pardon women who have abortions and the doctors who perform them, during the upcoming Jubilee year. The Pope's statement overrules the Catholic Church's doctrine which frowns strongly against abortion.

In a message outlining special measures for the Jubilee year starting in December, Pope Francis said

"I have decided, notwithstanding anything to the contrary, to concede to all priests for the Jubilee Year the discretion to absolve of the sin of abortion those who have procured it and who, with contrite heart, seek forgiveness for it.
The tragedy of abortion is experienced by some with a superficial awareness... many others... believe that they have no other option"he said

Pope Francis said he was "well aware of the pressure" that some women were under to abort, adding that he had "met so many women who bear in their heart the scar of this agonizing and painful decision".

Abortion is considered a particularly serious sin and is punishable under Canon law by excommunication, by which those guilty are expelled from the Church and considered to be condemned to Hell in the afterlife.

TATA Motors showcases it power in automobile industry at Lagos exhibition

TATA Motors show its power in automobile industry at The Confederation of Indian industry exhibition which took place at Eko Hotel and Suites on August 25-27 August,2015. 

The car giant showed the different kinds of cars they have in stock. TATA Africa Services (Nigeria) Limited (TASNL) established in 2006 is a subsidiary of TATA Africa Holdings (SA) (Pty) Limited, South Africa and serves as the hub of Tata’s operations in Nigeria. 

TASNL shares the core values of Tata business ethics and commitment to corporate social responsibility. At the core of the company’s approach to doing business is the Tata Business Excellence Model incorporating sound business principles, providing quality to its consumers, customer satisfaction, attention to detail, conservation of resources and protection of the environment.

The company has a strong infrastructure base, excellent marketing capabilities, knowledge of the local market and needs, highly qualified manpower and a commitment to community development initiatives for improving the quality of life of the people.

Tata Africa Services (Nigeria) Limited offers products in different segments such as the Automotive Division: which offers a one-stop shop for all commercial vehicle requirements, including a full range ofTata Motors trucks and tippers, fast turnarounds and superior customer service. TATA Vehicles are also available with various applications like tippers, compactors, fire tender, tankers, sewage disposal, concrete mixer etc. The applications includes special purpose vehicles like troop carriers, recovery vehicles, fuel browser, water browser, mobile hospital, armoured carriers, etc; Chemicals Division: They deal in chemicals that are used in the production of a variety of products, ranging from food processing and FMCG products such as soaps, detergents and cosmetics to glass, leather, textiles and paints to mining activities.

They also have the Agricultural Equipment Division: Being sole dealer of John Deere, TATA Nigeria provides Agriculture mechanisation solutions from world class producer John Deere. Trained team ofTATA Nigeria advises the agriculturists on right mechanisation solutions for best output & economy. Agro Division: In addition to mechanisation solutions from John Deere Agro division provides various agro inputs like Insecticides, Herbicides, Fungicides and spraying equipment that serve as plant protection chemicals, fertilizers and seeds. With ever increasing products portfolio division is committed to provide products in sync with the market demand and latest agro technologies.

And the Pharmaceuticals Division: Tata Nigeria addresses the requirements of the healthcare sector in Nigeria. The product range includes pharmaceuticals, surgical disposables, diagnostic kits / reagents. Equipped with domain knowledge and infrastructure including a network of offices, warehouses and delivery system, we provide end-to-end solutions.

Their team of experts collaborates with pharmaceutical companies in India and other geographies offering quality-compliant branded or generic products. They work with suppliers to match regulatory standards and dossier compliance, and promote our products to Nigerian health experts. Their approach is transparent as we screen suppliers through a qualifying procedure that complies with all applicable patent and other local laws.

For more enquries, please follow @brooksrockmedia on Twitter or add us on BBM: 2BB3B194.

New pics of 28yr old Ugandan artiste & his 68yr old wife, Monalisa

According to Guvnor Ace and his almost 70 year old new wife, Monalisa, 'they are happy together'. Guvnor Ace posted new photos on his Facebook page and wrote:

 "Love is not an equation, it is not a contract, and it is not a happy ending. Love is the slate under the chalk, the ground that buildings rise, and the oxygen in the air. It is the place you come back to, no matter where your headed." See more photos after the cut..

It also seems he is fed up with all the insults and accusation that trailed his marriage. What he wrote below.."If you are not doing better than the person you are talking you 're talking about, i suggest you STFU #Attitude"

Janet Jackson tears up during Michael Jackson tribute on tour opener

Janet Jackson kicked off her “Unbreakable” tour in a truly memorable fashion, all while unashamedly allowing her emotions to shine through. During her kickoff on Monday night in Vancouver, the 49-year-old star teared up and broke down before her performance of her hits songs during a Michael Jackson tribute.

 Her song set included “Scream,” which she had recorded with her brother, Michael, and the emotion was clearly palpable on her face.

After the emotional opening, she spent the rest of the night rocking the stage, pulling off her signature moves and continuing to sing in perfect style.

Segun Odegbami declares interest to run for FIFA presidency

One of Nigeria's greatest footballers, Segun Odegbami has declared his interest to run for FIFA's president. An election will hold in Zurich Switzerland on February 26th 2016 to determine who will be the next President of the World Football governing body. A statement from 63 year old Segun Odegbami today September 1st, states that FIFA requires an individual who will come correct the reputation of the body following the recent scandal that rocked it

"Moving forward, FIFA thus require a new era of leadership that can restore the dignity of the noble sport and that of this esteemed international institution with global followership. To address the issue will demand that FIFA purges itself, launders its image, restores its reputation and reinstates integrity into its activities and operations. Times like this call for all concerned members of the global football family to contribute to the actualisation of renewed objectives for FIFA by electing a deserving and qualified person, with the right character that can achieve the desired goals and restore confidence and integrity to the organization and its activities. The world is very interested in who becomes the next President of FIFA, considering the present image and state of this institution and I see myself fitting into this role”.

Jay Z fighting to keep financial & criminal records out of 'Big Pimpin' lawsuit

Rapper Jay Z is asking a judge to keep his financial and criminal records confidential in his 'Big Pimpin' lawsuit, insisting the documents do not pertain to the case.

The hip-hop mogul has been locked in a California court battle with Osama Ahmed Fahmy since 2007, after he alleged Jay Z's hit song, Big Pimpin violates his rights to his uncle Baligh Hamdy's Egyptian composition, Khosara, Khosara, which was released in 1957.

Jay Z has maintained the song is protected under a previous licensing agreement made by producer Timbaland when the song was released in 2000, but a trial date has been set for later this year if the two parties cannot come to an agreement.

Fahmy is reportedly seeking the financial paperwork to show how much the rapper made during each concert he performed the track and claims that Jay Z's criminal past is relevant because he stole the track.

In 1999, Jay Z pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor in the stabbing of record executive Lance Rivera and was sentenced to three years probation.

A judge has yet to rule on Jay Z's request, according to TMZ.com.

Kris Jenner cancels TV appearance after her lip swells up from suspected insect bite

59 year old Kris Jenner cancelled her appearance on the "Bachelor in Paradise" after-show after suffering a nasty bug bite during her own trip to paradise.

She believes she sustained an allergic reaction to an insect bite during her recent family vacation in St. Barts, causing her lips to swell up well beyond their normal size.

Jenner, was originally scheduled to join "Bachelor" host Chris Harrison on the show on Aug. 31, but she was forced to cancel "After Paradise" due to the unexpected facial inflammation.

"I got up, and we just came back from St. Barts, we were on a family vacation filming our show about a week ago," she told Harrison.

"And I feel like, I don't know what happened," she continued. "I feel like I got a bite on my face and like half of my face blew up."

She said she took some medicine and even called a Doctor to her home to help with the swelling but nothing worked.
She said:

"They gave me everything they could possibly give me in 12 hours," she said. "It went down a little bit, but not quite enough. I'm a little too vain, I think, to go on live TV with a huge lip.

Osun State Assembly assures workers that outstanding salaries will be paid soon

Osun State House of Assembly has assured its workers that the relief package given to the state would be judiciously administered, saying that they would soon have their outstanding salaries paid, while the work-in-progress of public infrastructure would be attended to.
It also vowed to drive the anti-corruption crusade with its oversight functions, promising to break bureaucratic difficulties, which are capable of dragging development at a slow pace.

The speaker, Hon. Najeem Salaam, in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Goke Butikakuro, stressed that the parliament under his watch was more than ready to bring all ministries, departments and agencies to account on how budgetary funds appropriated to them were managed with a view to getting them to be on their toes and be accountable to the public.

Salaam reiterated that the state parliament has taken the first leg of its anti-corruption crusade through the passage of the procurement bill into law, stating that the law when signed by Governor Rauf Aregbesola would drive the processes of contract award, purchases of the government and other state transactions; noting that punitive measures were well spelt out for the transgressors. The Speaker also disclosed that the parliament would obtain the report of ongoing workers’ audit and frisk it in order to be updated on the actual numerical strength of the work force of the state with a view to giving rough tackles to the would-be manipulators of the process.

He expressed the support of assembly to Gov. Aregbesola in plugging all the financial leakages and cutting of cost of governance.



Vanguard

Singer Bimbs Fernadez mourns her late dad, Deinde Fernandez

The singer and art enthusiast shared photos of her late billionaire dad, Deinde Fernandez, who died yesterday in Belgium at age 82. She shared some photos with her dad. See them after the cut...