The Nation Newspaper

Tag: alive

  • I’m alive, says Masaba 

    Ninety-two-year-old Bida super-polygamist and Islamic cleric Alhaji Muhammad Bello Masaba is alive, contrary to rumours that he was dead.

    The social media was awash last Saturday with news of the death of the controversial cleric in his Masaba quarters of Bida, Niger State.

    In a telephone interview, the octogenarian said the rumour was untrue. He attributed the rumour to “enemies of Allah and the divine assignment given to him”.

    “I am alive; I am not dead. Allah’s divine assignment must be carried out. Though death is the ultimate end of all, for me, I will fulfil my days and divine assignment.

    “I have heard the wicked rumour being peddled, but Allah is greater than all the perpetrators of this wicked rumour. Please, I am inviting you to Bida. I am now with my children and well wishers. My health is in perfect condition and I have been attending to people since the wicked rumour went viral”, Masaba said.

    Masaba has been in contention with Islamic scholars and the traditional institution for marrying 89 wives as against the maximum four prescribed for Muslim faithful.

  • TARIBO WEST: Taribo: I’m alive

    TARIBO WEST: Taribo: I’m alive

    Former Super Eagles defender Taribo West on Friday evening described those who paddled the rumour of his death as liars including the ‘devilish mother-in-law’.

    Stunned by the calls he received from Nigerians, who were eager to confirm his health status, West said: “I will live for another 100 years. The 50 more years that you have wished me will be doubled in Jesus’ Mighty name, Amen.

    “I will be at the Agege Stadium in Lagos to watch MFM FC against Ifeanyi Ubah FC. I have called the club’s proprietor to keep my jersey. I’m a staunch supporter of Ifeanyi Ubah.”

    “I’m alive. Shame to the devil and others who wished me dead. I’m grateful to all of you,” he added.

    “All these calls don make me get all una contacts. Don’t mind dem. Na dem go enter grave ooo!

  • ‘June 12 still alive’

    The Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ondo State, Hon. Isaac Kekemeke yesterday said the spirit of June 12, is still alive among progressives in the country.

    Kekemeke said June 12 represents freedom in the political history of Nigeria.

    He made this known while addressing reporters at the June 12 freedom rally organised by the Coalition of Progressives in Ondo State.

    Kekemeke assured that the state, which will soon join the league of progressives, will give importance to June 12 in the future.

    Also speaking at the rally, the Publicity Secretary, Omo’ba Abayomi Adesanya, noted that June 12 was a watershed in the political history of Nigeria.

    According to him, June 12, 1993, is symbolic, special, heroic and indelible in the annals of the history of our democracy and the struggle for freedom for our dear people and country.

    He called on the Federal Government and the National Assembly to enact a law, institutionalizing June 12 as Freedom Day.

    “June 12, 1993 is a day Nigerians filed out in millions, to speak in one voice to elect the most popular President-elect, Chief Moshood Kashimawo Olawale Abiola, in an election that was annulled by a military junta led by General Ibrahim Badamosi Babangidam

    “We will continue to celebrate, respect, honour, remember, and pray for that day, June 12, Chief MKO Abiola, and those Nigerians who lost their lives, in the struggle for the actuallization of the presidential mandate freely given on June 12.”

    “Twelve itself is symbolic and spiritual, so let us all from the North, South ,East and West, respect and honour June 12 and put it in a place of pride.

    “A day will come, when the progressives, from the North and South, East and West, irrespective of their political divide and persuasion, language or tribe, culture or tradition, ideology or belief, will salvage our country Nigeria from the myriad of political, economic and social malaise. When the sovereignty of the people will be placed as a national priority through ballot, as one united Nigeria,” Adesanya stated.

  • KSA is alive

    KSA is alive

    Contrary to romours floating on the internet that music legend King Sunny Ade is dead, The Nation can authoritatively confirm that the famed juju maestro is alive and well.

    On Wednesday, KSA as he is fondly called by his fans was in Ijebu Ode, Ogun State to pay a visit to the Awujale of Ijebuland Oba Sikiru Adetona at his palace. The musician’s manager, Clement Ige, who had earlier dismissed the rumour made a picture of KSA’s visit to the traditional leader available.

    On Monday, news of the juju musician’s death rented the internet.

    KSA who was nominated for a Grammy award in 1987 turns 70 on September 22, 2016.

    On Sunday, April 24, he was honoured with a Silverbird Lifetime Entertainment Award alongside Victor Uwaifo and film maker Eddie Ugboma.

  • Skiibii is alive, says record label

    Skiibii is alive, says record label

    Saturday, August 15, would have been another black day for the Nigerian entertainment industry as news of the death of Abbey Toyyib Elias, aka Skiibii, a Five Star Music group rapper and singer broke online. The young crooner was said to have slumped and died that morning on his way out, with pictures of his prostrate form flying all over the internet.

    The news proved false; even though the singer did collapse, he was quickly taken to a hospital where he is said to be responding to treatment.

    According to Kcee of Five Star Music, via an Instagram post, “Been on transit from Oslo, Sweden to Norway this is to confirm that @ Skiibii is not dead, he is responding to treatment. Official statement dropping soon.”

    The imbroglio is as yet unresolved as Five Star’s General Manager, Soso Soberekan refutes the allegation that he is alive, in an online argument with disbelieving fans on Instagram he said, “It’s true he collapsed in his house this morning and died. Not a stunt”.

    According to an official statement from the label, “The wide spread rumor of Skiibii being dead that shook the airwaves and social media platforms this morning is confirmed false. The 22 year old talented musician signed to Five Star Music is fine and alive. “Given that he had a minor health issue this morning, he collapsed and was rushed by his brother and his friends to a nearby hospital from where he was taken to a more equipped hospital by the intervention of the CEO of Five Star Group for further treatment.

    “Skiibii is currently recuperating at a private hospital, Please disregard negative information hitherto passed. Death is not something to play with. Kcee and Five Star Manager Soso Soberekon are currently in Europe on a tour.”

    The rapper has however received a deluge of criticisms from celebrities who thought he might be staging a fake death rumour as publicity stunt.

  • Troops mandated to capture Shekau alive

    Troops mandated to capture Shekau alive

    Troops have been mandated to ensure that Boko Haram leader Imam Abubakar Shekau is captured alive.

    Ground troops are expected to advance on Sambisa and Gwoza any moment from now, it was learnt yesterday.

    Top on the agenda of the military are the rescue of the Chibok girls and the capturing of Shekau.

    While the manhunt for Shekau begins, the military  are said to have reclaimed five key towns in Borno.

    The towns are: Baga, Monguno, Marte, Gamboru Ngala, and Dikwa.

    The military claimed that Shekau was killed in encounters with troops in September 2014 in Konduga. But Shekau later emerged, saying: “Here I am, alive. I will only die the day Allah takes my breath.”

    It was learnt that following persistent appearance of ‘Shekau’, the military decided to take advantage of the ongoing successful operations in the Northeast to launch a manhunt for him.

    A top military source said: “Troops have been put on red alert for any insurgents’ leader bearing the name of Imam Abubakar Shekau, who is believed to be desperately looking for escape routes.

    ”Troops have been urged to at all costs to capture Shekau alive so that he can face justice.

    ”On at least two occasions now, troops have killed characters calling themselves Abubakar Shekau in videos but the insurgents manage to find other individuals looking like him and pretend that he was still alive.

    ”The order to catch Shekau alive is therefore to ensure that it will no longer be possible to resort to the same trick.

    “The rumour about Shekau’s invincibility is one of the factors that troops are afraid to confront the terrorists.”

    The defunct Joint Task Force (JTF)  had on November 23, 2012  placed a ransom on 19 leaders of Boko Haram.

    The list  comprised five members of the Shurra Committee (the highest policy making body of the sect) and 14 Boko Haram commanders.

    But one of the Shurra  Committee members, Mohammed Zangina(a.k.a Mallam Abdullahi/Alh. Musa), with a N25million ransom, was allegedly killed in a shoot-out with the Joint Task Force(JTF) in Maiduguri.

    With Zangina out, four members of the Shurra Committee, including Imam Abubakar Shekau (N50million); Habibu Yusuf (a.k.a Asalafi) N25million; Khalid Albarnawai ( N25million); and Momodu Bama (N25 million) are still wanted.

    The fate of Momodu Bama was also unknown as at press time following conflicting reports on whether he is alive or dead.

    The Boko Haram Commanders being sought for by the JTF are:  Abu Saad (N10million); Abba Kaka (N10million); Abdulmalik Bama (N10million) Umar Fulata(N10million); Alhaji Mustapha (Massa) Ibrahim (N10million); Abubakar Suleiman-Habu (a.k.a Khalid) N10million; Hassan Jazair N10million; Ali Jalingo (N10million); Alhaji Musa Modu (N10million); Bashir Aketa (N10million); Abba Goroma (N10million); Ibrahim Bashir (N10million); Abubakar Zakariya (N10million); and Tukur Ahmed Mohammed (N10million).

    The military is said to have reclaimed five key towns from Boko Haram insurgents.

    These are Baga, Monguno, Marte, Gamboru Ngala and Dikwa.

    Another military source added: “Within a week of the massive operation, the troops have recovered Monguno, Marte, Gamboru Ngala, Dikwa among other big towns and several surrounding communities in Borno State.

    ”With acquisition of new equipment from various sources and the specialised training of the troops on guerrilla warfare, the military indirectly called the bluff of some deceptive western countries who are now trying to save face by claiming to work with our neighbours.

    ”The effective collaboration and mutual relationship with our neighbours is paying off as they now realise that inaction can pose disasters to their countries too.”

    An intelligence source gave insights into the factors behind the recent breakthrough of the troops.

    The source said: “Troops’ morale has been greatly boosted in recent times by arrival of sophisticated armaments and the decision of senior military officers to lead the war against terror directly which also influenced the change of some commanders.

    ”Some of the successes recorded in recovery of big towns in the Northeast were due to deployment of new strategies, improved disciplinary measures, and sincerity of participating countries in the regional alliance and the acquisitions of latest equipment.

    ”In the past, colonels have led direct attacks in accordance with military tradition, but because of the large scale desertions recorded, Generals then decided to directly lead the war and this has greatly boosted morale.

    ”Many of the troops that earlier deserted have returned while others have expressed desire to return to the front.”

  • Lagos alive at Yuletide

    At Idumota, Balogun and Isale Eko marketsin Lagos, shoppers were still seen buying one item or the other for the celebration, which will last till next week Wednesday.

    Traders displayed their goods on the floor of their shops.

    Some traders displayed Christmas lights, caps, decorations and balloons, all indicating the celebration.

    There was hardly a store that was not selling. Major roads were occupied.

    The Palms and Spar in Lekki had a busy time. These malls’ surroundings gave a clue of the season; Christmas jingles, Christmas trees and lights were on display. Santa Claus mannequin were positioned everywhere sending Christmas messages.

    The markets seemed to have more visitors than before, perhaps people buying more items at affordable prices a few days after Christmas.

    Mrs. Ngozi Chike sells children’s wears at Balogun market. She said the tradition to buy clothes for children this period has brought her huge patronage. “I make huge sales now, It wasn’t like this before,“ she said.

    A store attendant in Victoria Island, Mr. Kelvin Ettuk said: ”The crammed parking space and the obstruction caused by people moving in and out tells the season.’’

  • I am alive, says Shekau in new video

    I am alive, says Shekau in new video

    Boko Haram leader Imam Abubakar Shekau said yesterday that he is alive, contrary to the claim of the Joint Task Force(JTF).

    He said he would die at the appointed time.

    Shekau, in a new video, said the sect was responsible for last Tuesday’s killing of about 161 travellers in serial attacks in Benisheik, Borno State.

    According to a post on an online site, “Information Nigeria”, Shekau appeared in a latest video, where he was quoted as saying: “Here I am, alive, hale and hearty.”

    The site claimed that Shekau appeared in military camouflage, seated and surrounded by hooded insurgents.

    He faulted the purported claim of the JTF spokesman, Sagir Musa, on August 19 that he had been killed during an encounter in Sambisa Forest.

    But the video was not seen by our correspondent.

    Shekau said: “ Sagir Musa should bury himself in shame. President Jonathan (of Nigeria) should bury himself in shame. President Obama (of United States of America) should bury himself in shame and President Francois Hollande (of France) should bury himself in shame. Queen Elizabeth (of England) should bury herself in shame.

    “They said I am dead, but here I am. The world should know that I am alive and will only die at the appointed time.Everybody should be judged according to the dictates of his conscience.

    “What I am doing is written in the Holy Qur’an and the Hadith and I will not stop. I challenge all the clerics of the world to question my deeds. Those underrating my capacity should have a re-think. I will never allow democracy to thrive.

    “The concept of Government of the people by the people for the people will never be possible and will never exist. Democracy shall be replaced only by the government of Allah, from Allah and for Allah.”

    The site quoted Shekau as claiming victory over the Nigerian military.

    Shekau added: “Nigerian soldiers are late. After killing many of them in Monguno and Benisheik, we have snatched their armoured carriers and Hilux van and then hoisted Islamic flags on them. We now move freely with them.”

    The JTF had on August 19 declared that Shekau might have died during a shoot-out with troops in Sambisa Forest.

    Although the JTF claimed that Shekau was allegedly killed on June 30, the military high command, especially the Defence Headquarters, felt the conclusion was hasty.

    The then spokesman of the JTF in Borno State, Lt. Col. Musa, said: “Intelligence report available to the Joint Task Force (JTF) Operation Restore Order revealed that Abubakar Shekau, the most dreaded and wanted terrorists leader, may have died.

    “He died of gunshots wounds received in an encounter with the JTF in one of their camps in Sambisa Forest on 30th June, 2013.

    “Shekau was mortally wounded in the encounter and was sneaked into Amitchide-a border community in Cameroon for treatment from which he never recovered.”