Nigeria News

Some Nigerians in Turkey want to return home – President, Nigerian community

Published

1 month ago

February 11, 2023

President of the Nigerian Community in Turkey, Prince Magboh, shares his thoughts with TOPE OMOGBOLAGUN on the recent 7.5 and 7.8 earthquakes in Turkey which led to the death of about 12,000 people and the safety of his fellow countrymen

Do you have an idea of the Nigerian population in Turkey?

We have many Nigerians in Turkey. The number of registered members (Nigerians) are over 4,500 as of February 9, 2023.

How many Nigerians live in that area where the earthquake happened?

Report reaching the Nigerian Community in Turkey from the Embassy has it that some Nigerians are resident in some of the earthquake-affected cities; Adana, Gaziantep and Sanliurfa. No Nigerian is amongst the dead or injured so far, but there’s an African footballer that was affected, he is from Ghana. There are no reports of Nigerians affected going by our research and findings.

How are you helping one another at these times?

As at the moment we got news of the level of damage, we reached out to Nigerians through our media channels and SMS, and we informed Nigerians in Turkey to give vital information about any Nigerian affected by the disaster. Though we did not set aside any provision for such an emergency in case of natural disaster, as a community working closely with the Nigerian Embassy, we are open to assisting every Nigerian with challenges they may have and offer any help regarding the current incidents that happen.

Some Nigerians in Turkey want to return home – President, Nigerian community

11th February 2023

By Tope Omogbolagun

Do you have an idea of the Nigerian population in Turkey?

We have many Nigerians in Turkey. The number of registered members (Nigerians) are over 4,500 as of February 9, 2023.

How many Nigerians live in that area where the earthquake happened?

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How are you helping one another at these times?

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Has there been an emergency response number your members could call if they need help?

Yes, we have issued out the community phone number with which affected Nigerians all over Turkey can reach us for assistance.

How would assess the response of the Nigerian Embassy since the incident happened?

In fact, I commend the Nigerian Embassy for its continued efforts. They have reached out to the community a number of times through letters and phone calls. The Ambassador, in his letter issued us, gave an emergency number that we’ll pass to all Nigerians if an emergency suddenly happens. The Nigerian embassy in Ankara, even long before now, has been responsive to our plights, doing their work effectively.

Where were you when the earthquake started and what were were your initial thoughts?

I was at home with my wife and family as at the period when the quakes occurred. The earthquakes happened at midnight. Immediately we heard about the incident, we switched on the television and confirmed it from the news channel, where we realised it happened in cities far from our city. My initial thought was that the disaster happened within its usual environs in Istanbul and hence I and my family were safe. My heart went to family relations, friends and members of the community.

Do you know any of your members that have been affected?

As of today, no Nigerian has reported through our emergency line in the public domain of being affected by the earthquakes. However, Nigerians are not mostly residents of those affected cities as we have more Nigerians in Istanbul than any other city in Turkey.

Turkey doesn’t seem to be one of the top destinations Nigerians travel to; how is life in that country, especially for foreigners?

Life in Turkey is great. The Turkish people are very good people, and they welcome foreigners, especially from the African continent. Life in Turkey is okay because there are business opportunities here. If you have money to do business, you will excel here. We have a lot of Nigerians doing business here; some are into textiles and clothing, building materials, and a lot of other businesses. Turkey is a very good business destination for Nigerians; their products are of good quality and affordable.

Would you know if some Nigerians are thinking of returning home because of what happened?

Yes, some people called me with the fear that the earthquakes might affect Istanbul soon and would like to return home to Nigeria to observe the situation for a while. Well, I responded by telling them that it is not in our hands to know where next it may hit, we don’t know when next it will happen and where.

Are there efforts to relocate those in or close to high-risk areas?

Yes, in areas where the incident happened, the Turkish government is getting their citizens to other cities that are safe now. As reported, Turkish airlines have reduced the prices for local flights owing to the disaster, with over 50% discount for those who want to travel to other cities because of the earthquake. So, it is a very good idea for the Turkish people.

Being a natural disaster that can happen in any other place, is there any apprehension among the people or there is calm?

There was fear among the people, but with government’s intervention, calm was returned to people living in the affected cities. Those in other cities like Istanbul have the same apprehension of being hit by earthquakes, but there is nothing we can do because this is a natural disaster. It’s not in our hands to control.

What has been the response of your organisation so far to help since the earthquake occurred?

Nigerians in Turkey are with the Turkish people and the Turkish government in these perilous times. We will continue in our prayers and support them through this period. We have already sent the first batch of textiles, drugs, and sanitary wear for women and children, and we will send the second batch as a community soonest.

We pray that such magnitude of earthquakes will not happen again. We should all show compassion and support to the victims of Turkey because when we find ourselves in the same position, they will reciprocate with kindness. So, let us come together and show our support.

Do you have any word for the Nigerian President over the Turkey earthquake?

We plead with the Federal Government of Nigeria, President Muhammadu Buhari, to show support to the Turkish government and the Turkish people for the natural disaster that happened to them because they are very good people that love Africa, they love Nigeria. We’ll be very happy if the Federal Government of Nigeria can give a helping hand to them. May God bless Turkey, may God bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria, and we say to those that lost their lives in this incident, may their gentle soul rest in peace, and to those injured, we pray God grant them quick recovery.

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Nigeria News

Court restrained Dr. Ayu from parading himself as PDP National Chairman

Published

9 hours ago

March 27, 2023

Editor 3

A Benue State High Court sitting in Makurdi has restrained the National Chairman of the People Democratic Party, PDP, Senator Dr. Iyorchia Ayu from office.

Justice W.I. Kpochi also restrained Dr Ayu from parading himself as the National Chairman of PDP pending the determination of a Motion on Notice filed by Engr. Engr Conrad Terhide Utaan against Dr. Ayu and the PDP following Ayu’s suspension from the party by
his ward executive, the Igyorov Council Ward ,Benue State on Saturday.

The judge issued an order of interim injunction after hearing from Mr. M.T.Assoh the lawyer who moved and argued an ex-parte application brought by Engr. Utaan .

Engr. Utaan had filed a suit marked MHC/85/2023 against Dr. Iyorchia Ayu and the People Democratic Party but later brought the ex-parte applications which the court granted as prayed.

The order issued by the judge read as follows:

Court.
“By this ex-parte application the Plaintiff’s/Applicant principally seek the order couched thus:

“An order of interim injunction restraining the 1st defendant Dr.Senator Iyorchia Ayu from parading himself as the National Chairman of the People’s Democratic Party , PDP, having lost membership of the party, pending the hearing and determination of Motion on Notice already filed.

‘”The application is supported by a fifteen (15) paragraphs affidavit to which is annexed three exhibits as Exhibits: A1, A2, and B, which are the Applicant’s membership card of the 2nd defendant, receipts for payment of dues and a vote of no confidence passed on the 1st Defendant/Respondent by the Igyorov Council Ward of the 2nd Defendant in Gboko.Local Government , Benue State.

‘”Upon hearing Mr. M.T.Assoh learned Counsel ably move the application and upon dispassionate considerations of facts placed before me in the pool of affidavit evidences, and again,upon the considerations of issues distilled in the written address by Mr. M.T.Assoh learned Counsel ,it is my candid view that this is a proper case to grant interim injunction as craved.

“Consequently, this application is hereby granted in the terms of the reliefs, captured in the motion paper as herein before reproduced.

“It is so ordered.”

The matter has been adjourned to 17/4/2023 for hearing.

Nigeria News

Suspension: Ayu mocks Exco members, derides them as illiterate persons who lack power to suspend him

Published

13 hours ago

March 27, 2023

Editor 3

Embattled suspended National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, Dr Iyorchia Ayu has described his suspension as exercise in futility and u n institutional.

He is fighting back with all the venom, the bile and causticity in him as he unleashed verbal attack on the exco members in hus state who suspended him fir alleged anti-party activities.

Deriding them, he declared that the members of the PDP Executive Committee in Igyorov Ward, Gboko Local Government Area of Benue State, who suspended him for alleged anti-party activities, were “illiterate” persons.

Ayu said the PDP committee lacked the power to suspend him, noting that the members of the committee were ignorant of the party’s Constitution.

The committee had on Sunday suspended Ayu for alleged anti-party activities, adding that his anti-party activities, alongside his allies, contributed to the party’s loss in his ward and local government in the March 18 governorship election in the state.

They also accused Ayu of not paying his annual dues as enshrined by the party’s constitution, noting that most of his closest allies worked for the All Progressive Congress (APC) which resulted in the abysmal performance of the PDP in Igyorov Ward.

However, the PDP chairman, in a statement issued on Monday by his media aide, Simon Imobo-Tswam, described his suspension as “an exercise in futility as it derives its strength majorly from gross illiteracy, ignorance, gambling, and desperation”.

He stressed that only the PDP National Executive Committee (NEC) had the power to suspend him, saying the suspension letter was written by an illiterate person and given to the coerced members of the committee to sign in Makurdi, the Benue State capital.

The statement read: “We wish to state categorically and with all emphasis at our disposal thus:

“For starters, Article 57(7) of the PDP Constitution as Amended in 2017 expressly prohibits any organ of the party or executive committee of the party at the Ward or State Level from taking any disciplinary measure against any member of the party’s National Executive Committee.

“The purported suspension is, therefore, an exercise in futility as it derives its strength majorly from gross illiteracy, ignorance, gambling, and desperation. It has only mischief, drama, and propaganda value.

“But more than this, the so-called suspension letter was written by an illiterate (sic) before hand and only given to the coerced members to sign somewhere in Makurdi.

“This is why the original date is tipexed and 24 March imposed on it. And this is also why it states that the presidential/NASS and Governorship/State Assembly elections were held on 25th and 18th March 2023, respectively.

“From what we know, the document itself is fraudulent as the signatures of the Ward Executives were forged or obtained under duress.

“The (Ward) chairman, his deputy, and legal adviser didn’t sign. The 14th person on the list didn’t sign, too. She was at NKST Ambighir for the Holy Communion.

“In fact, the same applies to Nos. 5, 8, and 16. At the time they were supposed to be in Makurdi with the other coerced, intimidated, and induced members of the Exco, they were actually in their villages, going about their normal businesses”.

“Up till now, about nine members of the Ward Exco are still being held hostage in a location in Makurdi for obvious reasons. And expectedly, their mobile numbers have been switched off. It is instructive.

“The general public is hereby advised to ignore rumours to this heinous effect. Those behind the plot are only investing in expensive illusions.”

Entertainments

I Prefer Kissing, S3x Scenes With Seasoned Actors – Nancy Isime

Published

17 hours ago

March 27, 2023

Editor 3

Popular actress and media personality, Nancy Isime has revealed how she feels acting s3x and scene kissing roles. She spoke during an interview with media personality, Dadaboy. According to her, she doesn’t enjoy acting such roles. She further explained that even if it looks good on screen, she prefers such scenes with seasoned actors who understand professionalism. She said, “Well, it’s a script, and Yes, I do kiss in movies. But Why will I enjoy it? 5,000 people around you. Enjoy what? I never enjoy doing nothing. There’s cameras around, it’s a scene. I prefer to actually have kissing scenes with seasoned actors who understand the professionalism of a kissing scene or a s3x scene. “S3x scene of course because everybody is all dressed up but there is movement. So there’s literally people who understand the job and are focused and are literally just running through a script.”