FRSC boss for ABC 20th Anniversary

The Corps Marshal of the Federal Road Safety Corps, Osita Chidoka, OFR, will deliver the keynote address at ABC Transport’s 20th Anniversary event scheduled for March 1, 2013, at the Sheraton Hotels, Lagos. ABC Transport recently unveiled 7 new coaches equipped with enhanced onboard security features and also announced a donation of 3 demonstration buses to the automobile/mechanical engineering departments of Lagos State University, Imo State University, and Federal Polytechnic, Nekede. ABC Transport plc commenced operations on February 13, 1993 as Associated Bus Company Limited, with 6 mini buses. Since then ABC Transport has grown to become West Africa’s leading coach operators pioneering many groundbreaking innovations in the road transport industry and g’arnering many awards and accolades. It remains the only road transport company listed on Nigerian Stock Exchange after its successful initial public offer in 2006. The company has also diversified its scope to include Cargo, haulage, Hospitality and tourism. Chidoka, a graduate of Business Management from the University of Nigeria (1995) holds a Master’s degree in Transport Policy and Logistics from the George Mason University, USA, a graduate Diploma in Maritime and Ports Management from the University of Singapore (2002) and a certificate in Global Strategy and Political Economy from Mansfield College, Oxford University in 2004. His experience spans areas of public policy, economy and politics. Under his leadership the FRSC has evolved into a dynamic government institution applying the best internationally recognised practices as well as introducing many innovative safety policies and practices that have drastically reduced the number of road traffic accidents on Nigerian highways.

Veteran Nollywood actor Justus Esiri is dead.

Veteran Nollywood actor Justus Esiri is dead. The legendary actor, who had acted in many blockbusters, passed away Tuesday night. He was aged 70. Secretary-General of the Actors Guild of Nigeria, AGN, Abubakar Yakub, confirmed the death of Esiri to our reporter. According to him, the popular actor died of complications from diabetes in a Lagos hospital. “This is a very sad one. I don’t know why death seems to have focussed on our industry for some time now. We have lost four members already this year. Uncle Justus was like a father to all of us, and we will miss him greatly,” Abubakar added. When P.M.NEWS called Ibinabo Fiberesima, the National President of AGN this morning, she was still in shock to make comments. “My brother, na so we see am o. Honestly, I’m not in the right mood to make any official statement right now. I will do that later. May his soul rest in peace.” Two years ago, the late Esiri was one of the actors who ran to the General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, RCCG, Pastor Enoch Adeboye for a special prayer session against consistent deaths and sicknesses in the industry. The event was held at the church’s headquarters in Ebute-Metta, Lagos. Esiri, Member of the Order of the Niger, MON, is famous for his role as the village headmaster in the then popular television series of the same name. Born on 20 November 1942 in Oria-Abraka, Delta State, Esiri attended Urhobo College, Effurun, Warri in the then Bendel State. Warri is now part of Delta state. He was at the Maximillan University, Munich, Germany, 1964, Prof. Weners Institute of Engineering, West Berlin, 1967 and the Ahrens School of Performing Arts, 1968. Esiri started his acting career in Germany. He was the only Nigerian male performing on stage between 1968 and 1969. He also worked for Voice of Nigeria, German Service as a translator. He was performing on stage when in Germany when a delegation from Nigeria invited him home to perform in a governmentt sponsored programme. He never returned to Germany. Justus Esiri: passes on Justus Esiri: passes on The veteran actor had won several awards including THEMA Awards, NTA Honours Awards and AMAA Awards. He was also the star actor in acclaimed productions such as Wasted Years, Forever, The Prize, Six Demons, Corridors of Power, Last Knight, The Tyrant, The investigation, The Ghost . He was also reputed to have performed on more TV Network drama programmes than any Nigerian actor. Esiri is the father of Nigerian fast-rising musician, Dr. Sid. Asked in an interview how he felt about his son becoming a musician, he said; “I just called him and told him both the negative and positive aspects of the entertainment industry and he has to be focused. I scolded but gave him my blessing and he picked up.” Assasin’s Practice, one of the most recent movies where he featured, was produced last year.

Nigerian Pop Singer Susan 'Goldie' Harvey Died Of Stroke-Pathologists

Medical sources at the Lagos State  University Teaching Hospital have revealed that Big Brother Africa singing sensation Oluwabimpe Susan Harvey aka "Goldie" died of Intracranial hemorrhage as a result of hypertension. Several of the sources told Saharareporters exclusively that Mrs. Harvey had bleeding in her brain which could be attributed to hypertension. The confirmation put to rest earlier speculation by her managers and fans that she died of Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT) as a result of her long journey  from the Grammy's Award in the US. One of our sources said that they could not immediately determine if drugs consumption triggered the excessive amount of bleeding that killed her as it was rare for someone her age to die of stroke.   The medical source stated that a toxicology test would be required to find out if her death was caused by drugs, a process that would likely take months as conclusive  tests could only be conducted outside Nigeria. The pop singer died on Valentine day shortly after returning from the US. The cause of death has been a source of speculation and resentment as her fans, and friends objected to suggestions that she might have died due to drug addiction.

Friday, 22 February, 2013 sees the official launch of yet another classy and hot new joint in the city of Lagos, Nigeria.

Friday, 22 February, 2013 sees the official launch of yet another classy and hot new joint in the city of Lagos, Nigeria. Murphis Plaza, 27 Sanusi Fafunwa Street in Victoria Island is definitely the place to be on the night as the Shaunz Club Nite Launch Party takes centre stage with a promise of a memorable and highly exciting time for all in attendance. Proudly supported by premium brands Remy Martin Fine Champagne Cognac and Cointreau, the launch party is poised to rock all night with two exciting DJs – Triple A & Steve and Dspin Club Nites – on the wheels of steel guaranteeing a ceaseless flow of quality music and hits. Come party with your favourite brands as we celebrate this landmark achievement together in grand style.

Gunmen kill security officers, kidnap six workers in Bauchi

Gunmen on Sunday invaded a Lebanese-owned construction company in Bauchi, killing a security guard and a police officer on duty. The gunmen also abducted six workers including two foreigners.

The State police chief, Mohammed Ladan while confirming the incident said: “There was an attack on the Setraco construction company site in Jama’are town (in Bauchi State) by unknown gunmen. Six company staff, including two expatriates, were kidnapped,”

“They killed the security guard at the site. We are still working to establish the nationalities of the two expatriates,” he told AFP.

The same gunmen had earlier attacked the prison and a police station in Jama’are, which lies about 200 kilometres (125 miles) from the state capital, Bauchi, but were repelled, Ladan added.

There was a similar attack on Saturday by gunmen on a police station in Kafin Madaki town, about 40 kilometres from Bauchi city, triggering a shootout.

Setraco Nigeria, a construction and civil engineering company, is a subsidiary of Setraco International Holding group.

The Nigerian company, which was established in 1977, is currently working on expanding a major road in the Northern part of the country.

Nigeria First Lady Patience Jonathan Admits Undergoing Nine Surgeries In One Month As Lavish Thanksgiving Party Shuts Down Abuja

About 5000 guests, including 18 state governors, have overrun Abuja for a lavish thanksgiving party thrown for Nigeria’s First Lady, Patience Jonathan, at a cost of N500 million. Although she had previously denied being in hospital in Germany, Mrs. Jonathan opened up today at a special service at the Aso Rock Chapel, stunning worshippers with the admission her medical condition had been very serious. “I actually died,” Premium Times quoted her as testifying. “I passed out for more than a week. My intestine and tummy were opened.” She said her doctors had actually given up hope, although she did not specify her diagnosis. “It was God himself in His infinite mercy that said I will return to Nigeria. God woke me up after seven days.” During her six weeks away from Nigeria last year, the presidency refused to say anything to the country about her condition. Upon her return to Abuja on October 17, Mrs. Jonathan denied having been in any hospital. “I don’t even know that hospital they are talking about…” she said on that occasion. “I do not have any terminal illness or cosmetic surgery.” For today’s thanksgiving merriment, an organising committee chaired by Mr. John Kennedy Okpara raised over N500m, which would most likely be presented to Mrs. Jonathan as a gift, as the presidency is bankrolling the event. The thanksgiving, which is being broadcast live on the National Television Authority’s (NTA) local and international channels, has such dignitaries as President Goodluck Jonathan; Vice President Namadi Sambo and his wife, Haj Amina; former Ghana President John Agyekum Kufour; former Nigeria Head of State, General Yakubu Gowon; and Aisha Babangida, who is representing her ailing father and former military president, General Ibrahim Bademasi Babangida. Also in attendance are members of the Federal Executive Council; wives of state governors; the wife of Senate President; the Deputy Senate President; Deputy Speaker Emeka Ihedioha; members of the National Assembly; the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Anyim Pius Anyim; the Head of the Federal Civil Service, Alhaji Bello Sali; the President of the Christian Association of Nigeria; and several members of the international community. The function, which commenced at 3p.m. Nigerian time, is expected to go on into the late evening. There were early invitations for 3,000 people, but the Banquet Hall of State House was quickly filled to capacity, with several guests unable to find a place to sit down. Several trucks bearing gifts from government officials and contractors lined the streets of the presidential villa waiting to deliver gifts to the First Lady. Our reporter saw luxury official cars parked everywhere around the Presidential Villa, from the Supreme Court to the Villa in Asokoro area of Abuja. Many of the guests parked their cars at the Eagle Square, where buses were provided to convey them to the venue of the event. In 2012, Mrs. Jonathan suddenly became ill and was evacuated in a medical emergency to Germany. SaharaReporters was informed by well-placed sources that her medical troubles had begun earlier in Dubai, where she was then treated because her hands were twitching. It was upon her return to Abuja following that experience that she was rushed in an air ambulance to Wiesbaden, Germany, where she reportedly underwent surgery to remove uterine fibroids. One of our sources said her condition was exacerbated by Parkinson’s disease, while the Lagos-based PM News reported that Mrs. Jonathan was being treated for uterine cancer. The presidency neither confirmed nor denied any of the reports, until Mrs. Jonathan, upon her return, issued her own denial. In a November 2012 Media Chat, President Jonathan contradicted her account, telling reporters his wife had been ill and needed treatment. Four weeks ago, on January 14, Mrs. Jonathan was again flown out to Germany on another emergency, less than 24 hours after SaharaReporters revealed that she was billed for another health-related trip to Spain. A scheduled appearance at a presidential event for foreign ambassadors was cancelled. In her church testimony today, an apparently humbled Mrs. Jonathan revealed the extent of her suffering, including having “eight or nine operations” within a period of one month. Of the future, she said, “I will be doing things that will touch the lives of the less privileged. God gave me a second chance because I reached there. He knew I had not completed the assignments He gave me that was why I was sent back.” Observers said this afternoon it will be curious to see how she implements that agenda, given her track record as well the massive “celebration” that is costing Nigerian taxpayers a ton of money on top of her humongous medical expenses so far.

Welcome To Ladun Liadi's Blog: Photo: Is Kim K Short? Take a Closer Look

Welcome To Ladun Liadi's Blog: Photo: Is Kim K Short? Take a Closer Look: As you read this, Kim Kardashian is on her way back to the US. She only did the red carpet stuff and left the venue. She even tweeted it. ...