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Russian Journalist Sells His Nobel Prize For £84,500,000 To Aid Children In Ukraine

A Russian journalist has sold his Nobel Peace Prize for a staggering £84.5 million, over $100m.

Dmitry Muratov, an award-winning Russian journalist sold his Nobel Peace Prize to help fend for Ukrainian children ravaged by war brought on them by Russia.

Muratov who was awarded the gold medal in October 2021, having helped found the independent Russian newspaper Novaya Gazeta, smashed the record for the highest sum paid for the medal last night in New York City.

He raised $103.5 million (£84.5 million), a sum 27 times higher than the old record set eight years ago.

The journalist will be giving the money to Ukrainian child refugees to give them ‘a chance for a future’.

Proceeds from the auction will go directly to UNICEF in its efforts to help children displaced by the war.

Ahead of the auction, Mr Muratov said he was particularly concerned about children who have been orphaned because of the conflict in Ukraine. ‘We want to return their future,’ he said.

Previously, the most ever paid for a Nobel Prize medal was in 2014, when James Watson, whose co-discovery of the structure of DNA earned him a Nobel Prize in 1962, sold his medal for $4.76 million (£3.9 million).

Melted down, the 175 grams of 23-karat gold contained in the medal would be worth about $10,000 (£8,156) alone.

Mr Muratov has been highly critical of Russia’s 2014 annexation of Crimea and the war launched in February. It has caused nearly five million Ukrainians to flee their country, creating the largest humanitarian crisis in Europe since World War II. UNICEF estimated back in March that 2 million children had been among those forced to flee.

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Organ Harvesting, Photos of The 15-Year-Old Boy Ekweremadu Took To The UK

Photo of alleged 15-year-old boy taken to the United Kingdom by Senator Ike Ekweremadu has surfaced online.

The boy identified as David Ukpo Nwamini was flown to the UK to donate one of his kidneys to Ike Ekweremadu’s daughter who has a kidney ailment.

Ike Ekweremadu and his wife have been arrested in the United Kingdom by the police and detained on allegations of child trafficking and organ harvesting after Ekweremadu had flown David to UK for the kidney transplant, Moore Media Africa reports.

Ekweremadu and his wife were subsequently denied bail in court, and the case adjourned to July 7 for further hearing.

Shortly after the news of Ekweremadu’s arrest, David Ukpo shared a cool photo of himself on his Facebook handle with the caption;

“Grace sweet
Let us keep hustling”

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Lift ban on motorcycles, restrictions on tricycles, people are suffering – Prof. Ubangeji to El-Rufai

A former professor of Conflict, Peace and Strategic Studies at the Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA), Professor Moses Ubangeji has called on the Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai to lift the ban on Motorcycles and the restrictions on tricycles in the state.

He said there has been a rise in cases of banditry, and criminals in the state since the ban on vehicular movement.

The state government had in October 2021, placed a ban on Motorcycles, and restricted tricycle movement to curtail the banditry activities.

However, Professor Ubangeji who is worried over rising cases of kidnapping and the continuous attack on residents of the state, since the ban, noted that the government’s ban on vehicular movement has no effect on bandits and criminals.

Professor Ubangeji while speaking to DAILY POST in Kaduna on Thursday, said that bandits have their strategies for attacking the victims, adding that the only way to reduce crime in the state, is through peace talk, as there seem to be lapses in discharging responsibility by security forces.

He further added that several people are going through silent pains, since the ban, especially those in remote villages.

“Most people in remote villages who need medical attention at the night cannot find motorcycles or tricycles to convey them, because there is a ban on their movement.

“Several innocent people in the state have died, especially those who fall sick at night, and the parents have no car. ” He said

According to him, even those who depend on these vehicles for survival, have been in pain and hunger.

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Tension in Bayelsa as Gunmen K*ll Traditional Ruler, Community Development Committee Chairman.

There is palpable tension at Kalaba community in Yenagoa local government area of Bayelsa state, over the killing of the paramount ruler Chief Francis Kolubo and the Community Development Committee Chairman Samuel Oburo by unknown gunmen.

The reasons behind the killing have not been made known, but was allegedly attributed to the lingering chieftaincy dispute and their stand against oil thieves in the community.

When contacted, the Bayelsa police spokesperson Asinim Butswat who confirmed the story said the police have stepped up investigation leading to the killings, while also confirming that the traditional ruler was abducted on Sunday by unknown gunmen before discovery of his dead body and that of the CDC Chairman.

Efforts according to him are on to arrest the perpetrators of the dastard act

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Ekweremadu, wife arrested for bringing child to UK for organ harvesting

Ike Ekweremadu, former deputy senate president, and his wife, Beatrice, have been arrested and charged for bringing a child to the UK for organ harvesting.

Confirming the arrests in a statement, the metropolitan police said the pair were charged to court on Thursday following an investigation by the force’s specialist crime team.

The police added that the investigation was launched after detectives were alerted to potential offences under modern slavery legislation in May 2022.

“Beatrice Nwanneka Ekweremadu, 55 (10.9.66) of Nigeria is charged with conspiracy to arrange/facilitate travel of another person with a view to exploitation, namely organ harvesting,” the statement reads.

“Ike Ekweremadu, 60 (12.05.62) of Nigeria is charged with conspiracy to arrange/facilitate travel of another person with a view to exploitation, namely organ harvesting.

“They have both been remanded in custody and will appear at Uxbridge Magistrates’ Court later today.”

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Drama as human rights lawyer attends Supreme Court proceedings in traditional worshippers’ attire

There was mild drama at the Supreme Court, Abuja, on Thursday as a Lagos-based human rights lawyer, Malcom Omoirhobo caused a stir in the courtroom when he appeared in the full traditional attire of an “Olokun priest” to attend court proceedings.

The lawyer said he dressed to court in that manner to exercise his fundamental human rights following the judgment of the Supreme Court that allowed all Nigerians to express their way of worship and the use of hijab in schools and public places.

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It would be recalled that the Supreme Court had on Friday given approval to female Muslim students to wear hijab to school in Lagos State.

Five out of the seven members of the court’s panel which sat on the case ruled in favour of hijab while the two remaining members dissented.

The lawyer, who arrived at the court at about 9:05 am, created a scene in the courtroom when other lawyers who had been seated were taken by surprise to see him robed in traditional attire to look like an herbalist.

The lawyer who gained entry into the court was barefooted with feathers attached to his wig.

He was also wearing a gourd on his necklace with cowries and a red wrapper tied around his waist.

He dared the police officers and security guards who approached him to go out saying that he has the right to come to the court in his traditional regalia without any harassment in line with the judgment.

The court proceedings were abruptly stopped when the presiding justice suddenly announced that they would be going for a short break.

Though it could not be immediately ascertained what was responsible for the short break.

The situation attracted a large crowd who thronged the courtroom to catch a glimpse as people were seen using their mobile phones to take his pictures.

Malcom who addressed journalists said, “I am very grateful to the Supreme Court just last week Friday they made a very resounding decision that promotes Section 38 of the constitution. That is our right to freedom of thought, conscience, and religion. That we are free to express our way of worship in our schools and in our courts. That decision was reached on Friday and that has encouraged me.

“Because I am a traditionalist and this is the way I worship. Based on the decision of the Supreme Court this is how I will be dressing henceforth in court because I am a strong adherent to “Olokun” the god of rivers.”

Malcom said the implication of the judgement was that every Nigerian, including doctors, police, military students, and journalists, can now wear their mode of worship in public places.

He added that he was not against the judgement rather he was happy with the decision because it strengthened and enriched the rights of all Nigerians as stipulated in the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria as amended.

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‘Stop the killings’ – Sagamu residents beg cultists

Residents of Sagamu have appealed to cultists terrorising the community to stop killing one another

It was reported that many persons have been killed in the past weeks in Sagamu when rival cult groups took turns attacking one another.

Worried by the continued spate of killings in the Ogun State community, the people trooped out on Wednesday to plead with suspected cultists.

Addressing a press conference, a youth leader, Kayode Segun-Okeowo, described as disgusting, the fact that “Sagamu has become a centre field for cult-related activities and killings.”

He said many stakeholders and community leaders have come up with different ideas and ways forward to end this menace, regretting, however, that ”all efforts in the sensitization, peace and reconciliation processes have proven abortive and it seems as if there is no solution to this menace.”

He lamented that the rise in cult killings in Sagamu had reached a peak of communal shame among the comity of towns and cities in Nigeria.

“Therefore, at this mediational and conscious point, there is an absolute and compulsory need for every Sagamu son, daughter and resident to as a matter of must, rise and raise their voice against every act of cult killing in Sagamu, not minding whose ox is gored. Enough is Enough!” Segun-Okeowo said.

He lamented that the recent cult killings in Sagamu are enough to destroy and disrupt the economic potential of the ancient town.

He called on government at all levels, security agencies, Obas, Baales, community leaders, youth leaders and other stakeholders to come together towards battling the menace.

The speaker urged them to ensure a compulsory peace reconciliation between all the warring groups, stressing that this has become necessary.

He listed some of the consequences of cultism to include untimely death, loss of moral and social values, jail sentence, incomplete education, drug addiction, unrealizable life ambitions, mental illness, spiritual problems and possible loss of family members.

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Tinubu, Atiku, Obi Won’t Make Good President, They Are Just Deceiving Nigerians – Pastor Giwa

Pastor Adewale Giwa of Awaiting The Second Coming Of Christ Ministry has said that none among the top three presidential candidates vying for the 2023 presidency will make a good president because they are only going there to get their share of the country’s resources.

According to the popular pastor, the constitution of the country, which is defective, will hinder anyone who has the intention to perform.

Giwa, who spoke on Wednesday, emphasised that all efforts must be geared towards restructuring the country for proper administration.

“None of the top three candidates can make a good president. They are just going there to get their share from the resources of the common people.

“What Nigeria needs is disintegration. How can you become a president on a military constitution? How do you want to perform? A lot of things are wrong unless we address them.

“I repeat none of them can make a good president. They are just deceiving Nigerians.

“I don’t know what Christians in all the political parties, particularly in APC and PDP are looking, that they allowed the muslims hijack the tickets of the party from them. They should be ashamed of themselves.

“I urged Nigerians to pray very well. We need a Christian and competent president, not a muslim president.

“We should deliberate on how to change the 1999 constitution. Any presidential candidate that fails to sign a paper showing Nigerians that when he becomes the president, he will restructure the country and change the 1999 constitution is not ready to serve the people.”

Giwa added that “Peter Obi should exercise patience. He has a long way to go. He is not a saint. How many lawmakers does Labour Party have in the National Assembly? We should not deceive ourselves. He should just align himself with somebody he thinks is competent to change the 1999 constitution and to restructure the constitution.

“If Nigerians vote a saint without restructuring the country, what we will experience will be a total failure.”

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LASG CONDEMNS ILLEGAL EXCAVATION OF MAGODO WETLANDS BY ONIKOSI FAMILY

…Warns Culprits Urges To Desist From Provocative Act
…Says New Scheme Is Being Created To Resolve Dispute

The Lagos State Government has condemned in strong terms the indiscriminate excavation of Magodo wetlands by the Onikosi Family, saying it portends serious danger to lives and property.

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The Commissioner for Physical Planning and Urban Development, Dr. Idris Salako, who visited the area on Monday, described the action of the Onikosi family as unwarranted, provocative and contrary to the civic gesture of the State Government, which has displayed absolute trust in the Rule of Law in the Magodo land saga.

He said: “While the Government was busy making efforts to resettle the Onikosi family in Magodo Scheme III, being created in between Scheme I and II and Omole Estate, the family decided to stoop so low by taking the law into their hands and traumatising innocent citizens with the unlawful act, which has affected the foundation of some buildings in Magodo GRA.

“It is unimaginable that any family in Lagos State, noted for her unrivalled sense of accommodation and conviviality, will go to this length to inflict pain on others despite reassurances by the Government”, Dr. Salako stated.

The Commissioner urged the Onikosi family to henceforth desist from any untoward acts such as the current ill-advised excavation in the Estate or face stiff sanctions from the Lagos State Government.

Meanwhile, Salako visited Mr. Bolaji Omotoso, a resident of Magodo Scheme II, to see the extent of damage caused to his property as a result of the excavation by the Onikosi family, commiserated with the resident and advised him to evacuate the building while proper engineering tests would be carried out to ascertain the level of damage.

Emphasising that it was no longer safe to continue occupying the building as it could cave in due to heavy rainfall, the Commissioner said that the area being excavated had been sealed to arrest the situation.

CAPTIONS:

Pic 1: Foundational damage to a property, occasioned by the excavation by Onikosi in Magodo wetlands

Pic 2: Damage to buildings due to Onikosi Excavation of Magodo wetlands.

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Cyber-Fraud, Yahoo Boys to Wash Toilet for Eight Months in Osun

The Ibadan Zonal Command of the EFCC, on Monday, June 20, 2022, secured five convictions before the Federal and State High Courts in Ibadan, Oyo State and Osogbo, Osun State respectively.

Among the convicts is Amusa Abdulhakeem Oluwasegunfunmi, a final year student of Transport Planning Management at Tai Solarin University, Ijebu Ode, Ogun State who was sentenced to eight months community service for fraudulent impersonation. The others are Amusa Abdulhakeem Oluwasegunfunmi, Ajisafe Sodiq Olaide, Lawal Samuel Morenikeji, Osuolale Abdullahi Abiodun, and Olamilekan Ridwan Taofeek.