EXPOSING THE NEWS - politics . sports . cartoons

The Premier league, La-liga will spark into life from Saturday August 8, 2017 and all the thrills, actions, suspense and anxiety will resume. So far clubs have been busy in the transfer window shopping for the best of players, as well as doing business in selling, loaning out fringe players. Manchester City leads in player recruitment with the addition of at least five players so far. Bernado Silva, Goalkeepr Ederson, Benjamin Mendy, Kyle Walker and others. The star-studded side is expected to mount a strong challenge to the Premier League title this 2017-2018 era. For the La-liga, the sensational move of Neymar to PSG has thrown open new levels in the transfer market with the outrageous $222 million by-out clause payment to secure his services. Barcelona has been relatively quiet this transfer window and it is believed they were rattled by the departure of Neymar to PSG. For Madrid, there are rumors of $90 million move to Manchester..though not confirmed yet.

Governor Ambode of Lagos State has been described as a rare breed, by a former student Union leader from the University of Benin, Barrister Abubakar Yesuf. Speaking in Lagos at a recent event, Barrister Abubakar praised the youthful Governor for his decision to reconstruct the  worn out , dilapidated and long abandoned -Airport road, rebuild all of the 181 local Government roads, erect modern Bus Terminals in Marina, Ajah, Iyana-Ikpaja, as well as fix potholes immediately after the rains. He described Governor Ambode as a go-getter and also as the archetypal Nigerian who is openly detribalized. Barrister Yesuf hailed Ambode for being urbane and cosmopolitan stressing that all other fellow Governors should emulate his exemplary character.

The Federal Government of Nigeria has been told to soft-pedal on Appointments alone and instead concentrate on raising committees for monitoring Government projects. Barrister Abubakar Yesuf gave the advice in Lagos during a short press Briefing held at his Ikeja Law Office. He declared that a situation where there are abandoned projects scattered all over Nigeria with everyone seemingly interested only in appointments does not augur well for the country. “We have to start thinking of sustainable legacies, not to eat, eat and eat alone”, he stated. “Let Government for once raise committees to monitor people who are given responsibilities”, he charged.

Ex-President Jonathan’s Abuja Gwarimpa resident has been burgled.   In a statement by his spoke-person, Ikechukwu Eze the former President explained that the house, bought in 2004 from CITEC was stripped bare by thieves who stole every movable item in the house.   though he denied reports that 136 Plasma Television sets and about 25 Refrigerators were amongst items stolen, observer were of the view that much more than that was actually stolen including hard cash hidden in the building.

The coalition of Northern Youth Groups that issued an ultimatum to the Igbo people to quit North on or before October 1, 2017 has reiterated that the quit notice subsists. But rising up from its Annual General Meeting, the Youths Ask for Better Nigeria (YAFBN) berated the Arewa Group for insensitivity and callousness. Speaking at the occasion the President, Dominic Ikepkhia described Yerima Shetima the leader of the Arewa Group as self seeking, parochial and illiterate.  He said, if all Yerima could do with his time is to take Nigeria backward by his reckless utterances, then all Nigerians should ignore him. “No one can be bigger than Nigeria”, the President added, stressing that all Yerima Shetima is seeking for is attention and a way to rip off the government or claim relevance with his Northern people.

That, the Cable Network News is locked in mortal battle with President Donald Trump is no longer news.   So deadly is the combat that there is no longer pretense about it.    The President is gradually being pushed to the wall and the confrontation has become so uncharacteristic, that CNN as they are popularly called is becoming boring to viewers. Their daily news content is now filled with exposing one from of Donald Trump’s gaffe or perceived flaws; only a mild effort is made to disguise the real intention of abuse and insults!  Now this charade has gone beyond ordinary handshake.  It is now an obsession.  The President’s families, business interest not to mention the continuous dig at his perceived Russian connection are all in the firing range. Donald Trump has not kept quiet either; he has continued to call their bluff and has hit back calling CNN and other adversaries “FAKE NEWS”.  After nearly Seven months in office the tug of war has esc...

Justice is here at last for the four students of the University of Port Harcourt butchered in cold blood at Aluu Village, Ikwerre Local Government Area of the State in 2012. Among those convicted was a Police Sergeant, Lucky Orji who stood by when the boys needed help. Four others were discharged and acquitted The Four students were thoroughly beaten and burnt to ashes in a mob-like fashion at Umokiri Aluu, a university community on October 5, 2012 for allegedly stealing mobile handset phones and laptop. All through their ordeal, help was no where and the bystanders hailed in disgusting footages. The manner of their deaths sent shock waves round the world. Those killed were Ugoma Obuzor (19), Tekere Elkanah (23), Lloyd Tokwu Mike (22) and Chiadika Biringa (23). They were all first sons of their various families. In sentencing the convicts, Justice Nyordee stressed that this should be a lesson that human life should be respected as the utmost value of God the creator. He c...

A group, Committee for the Creation of New Edo State (Abuja Chapter) has criticized Chief Dan Orbih, Chairman of PDP in Edo State for challenging the Senate decision to transfer Powers to conduct Local Government Elections from the State Independent Electoral Commission (SEIC) to Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC. The group faulted Dan Orbih’s statement on the matter insisting that it would not bring credibility to the system.  “Dan Orbih, has been and remains a beneficiary of the corrupt system that threw PDP out in the first place, and this is a case of pot calling kettle black”, Chief Austin Atakhame disclosed. Taking a swipe at the recently constituted Committee to revamp PDP, Chief Austin attacked Orbih once again:  “Who are those in the Panel? His friends, associates and fellow bootlickers”, queried  Chief Austin.  “So what is he telling us?” he said.

A group known as the Coalition of Southern Youth Congress has issued a statement advising Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike and Minister of Transportation, Mr. Rotimi Amaechi to focus on their jobs instead of distracting the peace of the public.  “The attitude they have displayed so far is abominable, uncharacteristic and childish”, said Kingsley Ogbo, the Coalition’s Secretary General.  He noted that no day passes without these men trading tackles and pointing accusing fingers at each other.  “These altercations does not augur well for our people; whatever is their difference, they should patch it up – or keep quiet forever”, said Mr. Kingsley. The two “gentlemen” once very good friends have been locked in mortal combat for which the end doesn’t appear in sight.  But the fact remains that it is the “grass that suffers” when two elephants fight.

Members of the House of Representatives are said to be angry over late delivery of their exotic cars worth about N6.1bn.   The vehicles are meant to serve as their official vehicles.   Of the 360 Peugeot 508 series vehicles ordered for, only 175 has been supplied and now there is stampede as to who takes delivery first since hiccups were noticed. The vehicles, priced at N17miliion each, was said to have been foist on members by Baballe-Illa, House Services Committee Chairman, instead of the preferred Prado or Camry vehicles, which could have been easily supplied. But when The Expose reporter visited the Green Chambers Members of the pensionable staff were happy about the saga.  “Let them feel what we are feeling in the public ….no light, no water, nothing:, said Hadiza Usman.  “Let them focus on getting these things done instead”, she added. 

There is no more sleep in America; the reason is not far-fetched: President Trump must be shown the door and there is no more pretense about it. Everywhere, on news media, town talk, workshops, seminars, Trump is being vilified, castigated from all corners; they see him as inexperienced and some have gone ahead to dub him as a Russian Agent! Never in the history of America have they witnessed this kind of betrayal, something President Trump has called “the biggest hate campaign in America’s history” Yes, we heard of Monica gate, the Nixon Watergate scandal, but this one is exceptional. Democrats, Media moguls and the all powerful gay movement, the proponents of same sex marriage are involved. So obsessed are they that no minute is spared to pour venom on President Trump. It is almost as though he stole the “Presidency” without their knowledge. And now that they know they are so incensed. But they do not have to throw caution to the wind; there are enemies watching; there are domes...

Mallam Shamsudeen Bala, son of former Federal Capital Territory (F.C.T) Minister was on Wednesday June 7, 2017 granted permission to travel for lesser Hajj by a federal High court sitting in Abuja. The flamboyant ex-minister’s son has been standing trial on an amended 15- count charge bordering on money laundering. The decision by Justice Nnamdi  Dimgba predictably has been raising dust and tongues are wagging to what extent should the nation continue to dither on high profile cases?

There is apparent lull in the activities of whistle blowers in Nigeria.  The Tempo suddenly fizzled out with the arrest and detention in Kuje of a whistle blower said to have provided wrong information.  “It is not lull as you think” says Sunday Agbabiaka, a Civil Servant in Abuja.  “What you see is the result of subdued environments”, he declared.  Not since the announcement of that policy has the Nigerian Government made so much harvest of cash haul and eventual seizures in millions of dollars, pounds sterling, etc.  Yet, inspite of this, life continues as usual.

After no one came forward to claim the sum of $43,449,947, $27,800 and N23, 218,000 recovered from flat 7B of No. 16 Osborne Road, Ikoyi, Lagos, by the EFCC,  Justice Musliu Hassan of a Federal High Court in Lagos on Tuesday, June 6, 2017, ordered the permanent forfeiture of the money to the Federal Government.   The EFCC had on April 11, recovered the money stashed in Ghana must go bags.  However, the mystery deepens portraying Nigeria as a country of paradox.  Where there is crystal clear evidence involving very important personalities, the nation’s security apparatus suddenly develops  cold feet preferring  instead to look the other way.  The Osborne road affair is clear: the owner of Flat 7B is the owner of the recovered loots!

Only few weeks ago there was rancour over the abuse of returned Paris - fund to some Nigerian Governors.   One of them in particular had sunk his entire booty of $3 million in building a Five Star Hotel in Lagos!   Still this has not deterred the Nigerian Government from seeking for a further $1.8 billion in loan…to the same Governors….this time for 10 States!   As at today, National debts stands at N19.16 trillion up from what it was two years ago N7.1 trillion!   Now, a Lagos based financial consultant Bismark Rewane says “we need to move away from debts from recurrent expenditure to debts for capital expenditures – which are project specific”.

With the new craze for the creation of regional development commissions, the National Assembly may be singing the dirge for State Governors! There is no better way to confirm the irrelevance of their stay in office than the creation of parallel Institutions. With the likely emergence of the South-East Development Commission that has now scaled second reading and the North-East Development Commission in the toe, it is all but a matter of time for the nickel to drop. The commissions, when created  are to provide road maps, Education, Health facilities, Industrialization, Agriculture, Housing and Urban development, Water supply, Electricity and Commerce; so what is left for the Nigerian Governors to do?can the Treasury  handle duplication of functions? Well, let the future tell. However, these are issues for both the Senate and House of Reps to ponder

A shadowy Youth group claiming to represent the North based in Kaduna with obvious mischief in mind had stirred the hornets’ nest by recklessly issuing 3 months ultimatum for the Igbo’s to vacate the North. The faceless group citing baseless reasons charged that it would make good its threat after 3 months should any igbo be caught. But in a swift reaction, Nasir Ahmed El-Rufai, Governor of Kaduna state dismissed the masterminds as infantile, cheap and seeking popularity. Amidst this furor, another prominent Northerner, and former member House of  Representatives, Usman Bugaje added fuel to the raging fire by claiming that  Nigeria’s oil belongs to the North! He said no particular group should claim ownership of natural resource anywhere in Nigeria. “These are inflammatory remarks driven by hate, nothing more” said Usman Kachallah. “It is rubbish fit only for the thrash can”, he stated. Usman Bugaje tried to turn logic in its stead by declaring that oil producing states...

Six months into the new year, it s disheartening that the country seems to be drifting into limbo. Paralysis may appropriately describe the situation, because there is a meltdown-spread across board! A breathtaking Landmark in Nigeria There is a lull in Ministries; departments are quiet and nearly all the Agencies are static. It is a wonder that a Government that holds so much hope for a people is now down to seeking what political pundits call lifeline! to add salt to the injury, Industries, Factories and Manufacturers are locked in a gripping battle with Energy suppliers, whose brand are nothing but epileptic!. And there appears to be no end to all this, for the simple fact that the leadership too is embroiled in a mess. What to do? That's where the problem is. Who to bell the cat is the issue. Balls, balls, this is lacking.

We are sorry for the long break which was due to technical hitches. Thankfully, all have been resolved. We tried during this break to improve the style and delivery of content; we will continue in this regard to serve you better. We promise you a better news outlay from now on. Hon. Sule Oyofo in handshake with Governor Bello of Kogi State