Agagu’s Coffin May Have Caused Crash – Analysts

Following the several events which trailed the Associated Airline plane crash weeks ago, there are now speculations that the cargo craft may have crashed a few minutes after take-off because the coffin it was carrying shifted.

The National Transportation Safety Board (NTBS) after its investigation had reported that the aircraft crashed after it stalled at take-off. Being a cargo aircraft, the sudden movement of its cargo displaced the “aircraft C of G”. The report also indicated that the coffin carrying the remains of former Governor Olusegun Agagu was not strapped. A source who chose to remain anonymous told Channels Television that the circumstances leading to the crash of a cargo aircraft in Afghanistan, right after take-off, is similar to the case of the Associated Airline plane crash which occurred on 3rd October. The Director General of the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), Captain Dele Sasegbon, on Wednesday said that an argument which reportedly ensued between the pilot of the ill-fated flight and the co-pilot indicated that there may have been a load shift. While speaking on Sunrise Daily, Mr Sasegbon stated that the speculations are not confirmed yet. Air safety has been ascertained in the past one year, he added. We have attained a lot of goals that were expected as far as air safety is concerned as the AIB is yet to submit a comprehensive report on its investigations. However, he attempted to allay the fears of travelers in Nigeria’s airspace, adding that “we have attained total airspace coverage” which means that all activities in the country’s airspace can be monitored. “As far as I am concerned, progress is being made although it may be slow, he said. Mr Sasegbon, who said that people have to consider several aspects before adjudging the airspace safe or not, stated that, the first criteria to consider, is that “the aircrafts, flying in our airspace, are safe and we can see them wherever they are.” “That has been achieved,” he said. Speaking about the aviation authority’s plans to improve the sector, he disclosed that in the past month and half, the NCAA, has been discussing with other stakeholders about aircraft safety. We have actually formed the team between the industry and the aviation authority. The team which will begin its work with helicopters has the oil companies in it and is headed by the same. The team is expected to come out with advisory circulars after the exercise. However, the said team is not fully established, yet.

Eid-El-Kabir: Sultan Calls On ASUU, Doctors To Call Off Strike

The Sultan of Sokoto yesterday joined the long list of eminent citizens and ordinary folks, who have pleaded with members of the Academic Staff Union of Universities, ASUU, and resident doctors to return to work and embrace dialogue in resolving their disputes with the federal government. Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar III, who is the President-General of the Nigerian Supreme Council of Islamic Affairs, NSCIA, spoke at his palace in Sokoto while delivering his Eid-el-Kabir message. “We wish to use this opportunity to call on all those on strike, especially university lecturers, to call off their strike, so as to reduce the suffering of the people,” he said, adding that “they should go back to the negotiating table in order to bring an end to the crisis”. Sultan Abubakar further said: “The matter is of great concern to Nigerians. This creates problems in the development of the country. We call on the government to listen to the complaints of the workers with the intention of solving them. The workers, on their part, should always be mindful of the suffering of teeming populace in the country. “The strike by university lecturers, which is in its fourth month now, has caused a lot of hardship to millions of students and their parents, just as the strike by medical doctors has led to loss of several lives and untold sufferings for the sick, who cannot afford going to private clinics,” the Sultan lamented. He, therefore, appealed to the lecturers and medical doctors to call off their strike actions and go back to the negotiation table in order to resolve the industrial crisis. The monarch also expressed worry over the insecurity situation in the country, saying “it is a matter of great concern”. He urged Muslims to live peacefully with all and avoid all acts of violence.

Kris Humphries Engagement Ring To Kim Kardashian Auctions For $620k

After all the ups and downs, Kim K and ex-hubby, Kris Humphries, finalize their divorce a couple of months ago. The engagement ring Kris gave to Kim was sold at an auction for $620, 000. The ring was weirdly acquired by Kim herself and sold yesterday October 15th at a Christie’s auction in NYC, This is how Us Weekly reports it: - The unknown buyer bought the Lorraine Schwartz creation, which features a 16.21-carat center diamond and two 1.8-carat side diamonds for a total of $749,000, which is plus tax

Nigerian 11-Year-Old Girl Becomes Ambassador In Tanzania

Zuriel Oduwole, a Nigeria wonder girl advocating for education for the girl child in Africa at the age of 10 already became the youngest person ever interviewed by Forbes. Now Zuriel is 11 and she has been appointed Ambassador in Tanzania.

It was the girl’s second country stop on her East African leg to launch the acclaimed Dream Up, Speak Up, Stand Up program, aimed at inspiring and motivating Africa’s girls. When the girl’s plane landed, she was welcomed by senior officials of the Tanzanian State House, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and Ministry of Education On the first day Zuriel visited one of the oldest academic institutions in Dar Es Salaam, the Olympio School. In the afternoon of October 11th, the day designated by the UN to celebrating the Girl Child, she attended the United Nations UNFPA event in Dar Es Salaam, which focused on reducing the incidence of child marriage in Tanzania. She later gave exclusive interview to the national ITV network. Her stay, rich in events, was followed by formal invitation by the First Lady to the State House. Madam Salma Kikwete praised Zuriel for attracting attention to the issues of girls education to several African leaders.

Vector thinks (some) Nigerian rappers can outdo Jay Z in a freestyle

In an interview with Encomium mag this week, Nigerian rapper Vector Tha Viper said he would like to freestyle with the current king of rap Jay Z and thinks he and other Nigerian rappers can outdo him When asked what he tell Jay Z if he had a moment with him, Vector replied "I will really like to freestyle with him. I hear he doesn’t write in the studio and that’s cool but somewhere in my head I’m thinking we can outdo that guy. I’d like for him to see that hip-hop for Naija no be beans.. you think they really can do it?

Tonto Dike Flaunts Her Diamond Plated Iphone 5

Controversial actress, Tonto Dikeh is among the few celebs with the gold plated or diamond plated customized iphones. The actress and singer flaunted her expensive iphone on her Instagram page a couple of days back. Tonto seems to be doing very well financially, considering she hasn’t been in any movie recently.

Special Adviser’s Elder Sister Kidnapped In Bayelsa

Elder sister to Mr. Oronto Douglas, Special Adviser to the President on Research, Documentation and Strategy has been kidnapped in Ogbia town, Bayelsa State. Mrs Douglas-Ayam was kidnapped at 8p.m., Monday night, in Ogbia town by unknown gunmen, acccording to reports. Confirming the incident to newsmen in Yenegoa, yesterday, Sate Commissioner of Police, Mr. Hilary Opara said he had just returned to the state capital after visiting the scene of the kidnap at Ogbia town. According to Opara, no arrest had been made, but that the Marine Police had been deployed to the creeks to effect the victim’s rescue. Spokesman for the state’s Police Command, Mr. Alex Akhigbe, also speaking on the kidnap, said that officers from Anti-Kidnapping Squad had been deployed to go after the kidnappers. “We are after the kidnappers and very soon, they will be apprehended and the woman rescued,” he said. Meanwhile, Bayelsa State Government has expressed shock and disbelief over the incident. Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Mr. Markson Fefegha said that the report of the kidnap came as a shock, but that the state government remained resolute in its determination to stamp out criminal activities in the state. “It is sad and embarrassing that it happened at a time the present administration is recording great successes in the area of sustaining existing peace. “The state government is, however, optimistic that the security agencies will go after the kidnappers and swiftly rescue her,” Fefegha said.

PHCN: We Shall Resist Any Physical Hand-Over Until All Payments Are Concluded – SSAEAC

Claims by the federal government it had paid most of the workers of the Power Holding Company of Nigeria, PHCN, their terminal benefits ahead of hand-over to new owners, have been dismissed by the Senior Staff Association of Electricity and Allied Companies, SSAEAC, saying only a few workers had been paid. The association, in a petition to the Minister of Power, claimed that the money purported to have been paid to the workers after the October 2 agreement with the government never entered the workers’ accounts, reiterating its position that no new owners would take physical possession of PHCN assets until all workers had been paid their terminal benefits. SSAEAC President-General and Secretary General, Bede Opara and Abiodun Ogunsegha, in the petition warned that workers would shut down the sector should effort be made to physically take over the assets without full payment of workers’ benefits. “We state here that in our meeting with the Chairman, Implementation Committee, Permanent Secretary, Federal Minister of Power on Wednesday 2nd October, 2013, it was agreed that payment of terminal benefits of PHCN staff entitlements will be concluded in two weeks from that date. However we note that up to this moment, only a handful of payment has been made.

OC Ukeje gets brand new Nissan car for winning Best Actor at NMA

Nollywood actor OC Ukeje was the lucky winner of a brand new Nissan car for winning the Best Actor award at the Nollywood Movies Awards which held on Saturday October 12th. Rita Dominic, who won the Best Actress award was also supposed to get something but the organizers didn't make public what she won. Big congrats to OC. cool actor i think!