FG, Ogun State Govt. Protocol Officials Clash At Oluwole Awolowo’s Funeral

Funeral services are usually solemn and time for a sober reflection, but for the protocol officials of the Federal Government and the Ogun State Government who almost disrupted the funeral service held for late Chairman of Tribune titles, Chief Oluwole Awolowo on Friday, it was a time for power tussle.

Confusion started few minutes before the commencement of the programme which was held at Our Saviour’s Anglican Church Ikenne, when one of the Protocol officials of the State government asked some members of the delegation of the Federal Government to vacate the front seats for the State governor Ibikunle Amosun and other governors.

The Federal Government delegation which comprises, the Presidential Spokesman, Dr. Reuben Abati, Minister for Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Olugbenga Ashiru, Minister of State ,Federal Capital Territory, Mrs. Olajumoke Akinjide and Special Assistant to President Jonathan on Policy and Strategies, Mr. Oronto Douglas, had already occupied the front seats in the Church before the arrival of the state government protocol officials.

The clash of interest between the two governments’ officials was hinged on who should sit on the first seats in the Church that had already been reserved for dignitaries.

The Protocol officials of the FG became infuriated over the action of their counterparts in the State government who insisted that only one person from the delegation of the Presidency would be allowed to sit at the front seat.

Reports say it was only the intervention of a grand child in the Awolowo family, Segun, who begged them not to disrupt his uncle’s funeral service that stopped the issue from getting out of hand.

When the Minister of Information Mr Labaran Maku, who was representing the president arrived the Church after the first crisis had been resolved, Ambassador Olugbenga Ashiru had to vacate his seat for him.

Little did anyone know that the crisis was far from over as it reared its ugly head when another set of seats were arranged at the front for the five Governors that were at the service.

This development appalled the delegation of the President who resisted it but were ignored.

The crisis climaxed when the moderator called the representative of the President to speak before the governor of the State contrary to the order of protocol.

The Labaran Maku-led delegation ignored the call and did not stand up to deliver the President’s speech. The gesture put the programme on hold for a while before one of the Awolowo daughters, Tokunbo Awolowo-Dosunmu quickly went to the moderator to correct him.

Governor Ibikunle Amosun in his remarks publicly acknowledged the flop in the protocol, saying the Presidency would make the final speech as the protocol demands. The President’s representative, Labaran Maku later spoke last.

InformationNigeria

Boston Marathon Bombing Suspect Killed, Another On The Loose

A man suspected in the Boston Marathon bombings on Monday died after a frantic crime spree late Thursday night and early Friday morning. His accomplice is currently at large, and considered armed and dangerous.

At a press conference early Friday, Boston police officers confirmed that the pair are believed to be the same men wanted in connection with the Boston Marathon bombings.

Authorities have identified the surviving suspect as Dzhokhar Tsarnaev, age 19. The suspect who died has been identified as Tsarnaev's older brother, 26-year-oldTamerlan Tsarnaev, according to the New York Times. Authorities say the pair came from the Russian region near Chechnya and have been living in the United States legally for at least a year.

CLICK HERE for live updates

On Thursday evening, around 10:20 p.m., an MIT police officer was responding to a disturbance on campus when he was shot multiple times by two suspects, Middlesex Acting District Attorney Michael Pelgro, Cambridge Police Commissioner Robert Haas and MIT Police Chief John DiFava announced.

The officer later died at Massachusetts General Hospital. His name has not yet been made public.

Soon after the shooting at MIT, police received reports of an armed carjacking in Cambridge by two males.

The victim was reportedly jumped by the suspects, and kept in the car for about 30 minutes. After being released at a Cambridge gas station, unharmed, the suspects drove away.

The suspects were later identified as the Tsarnaev brothers.

The search for that vehicle led police to Watertown, Mass. When the car was sighted near the intersection of Dexter and Laurel, the suspects allegedly threw explosives into the street and engaged officers in a firefight.

During this pursuit, an MBTA police officer was seriously injured, The Boston Globe reported. According to WCVB, he is currently in critical condition.

Tamerlan Tsarnaev was also critically injured. He was taken to an area hospital, and was later pronounced dead.

Police are still searching Watertown for the Dzhokhar Tsarnaev, who is considered armed and dangerous:

HuffingtonPost

Dzhokhar Tsarnaev Captured: Alleged Boston Marathon Bomber Arrested Following Manhunt

Dzhokhar Tsarnaev, who was wanted in connection to the Boston Marathon bombing.

The hunt for Dzhokhar Tsarnaev ended Friday night when authorities captured the suspect wanted in connection to the bombing Monday at the Boston Marathon, according to the Boston Police Department. Authorities say the suspect, along with his brother, killed an MIT police officer, severely wounded another lawman and hurled explosives at police in a car chase and gun battle, according to the Associated Press.

Law enforcement officials in Watertown, Mass., responded to the site of reported gunfire around 7:00 p.m. -- approximately one hour after lifting a lockdown on the area -- where they found Tsarnaev, 19, hiding inside a small boat. Police cornered the suspect, not far from the site of a shootout the previous night that killed his brother and suspected accomplice, Tamerlan Tsarnaev.

The AP reports that the suspects were identified as ethnic Chechen brothers who had lived in Dagestan, which neighbors Chechnya in southern Russia. They had been in the U.S. for about a decade and were believed to be living in Cambridge, Mass.

While the searching was ongoing, authorities in Boston suspended mass transit and warned residents to stay indoors. SWAT teams were called in, as well as FBI special agents. Boston Police Commissioner Ed Davis said, "We believe this man to be a terrorist. We believe this to be a man who's come here to kill people."

Soon after the FBI released photos and videos of the young men at the Boston Marathon, Suspect 1 was killed. A day later, Suspect 2 was finally apprehended.

CLICK HERE for live updates

The streets of Watertown erupted in cheers as news came that the suspect had been captured alive, according to HuffPost reporters Christina Wilkie and Michael McLaughlin.

"I'm happy they caught him. I'm happy he's alive. I want to know why," said Jeannette Harvey, a Watertown resident who works at Massachusetts General Hospital in the trauma ward.

According to AP, Kathleen Paolillo, a 27-year-old teacher who lives in Watertown, also said, "Everyone wants him alive."

Residents were relieved as a heavily guarded ambulance headed east on Mount Auburn Street. It was unclear who was riding inside, but there was a sense that the danger was over.

The violent manhunt unfolded one night after FBI Special Agent Richard DesLauriers vowed that the alleged bombers would be "brought to justice."

HuffingtonPost

Miranda Rights Won't Be Read For Boston Bombing Suspect: Justice Official

WASHINGTON -- A Justice Department official says the Boston Marathon bombing suspect will not be read his Miranda rights because the government is invoking a public safety exception.

That official and a second person briefed on the investigation says 19-year-old Dzhokhar Tsarnaev will be questioned by a special interrogation team for high-value suspects. The officials spoke on the condition of anonymity because they weren't authorized to disclose the information publicly.

The public safety exception permits law enforcement officials to engage in a limited and focused unwarned interrogation of a suspect and allows the government to introduce the statement as evidence in court. The public safety exception is triggered when police officers have an objectively reasonable need to protect the police or the public from immediate danger.

HuffingtonPost

10 foods that detoxify your body, without fasting

by Brianne DiSylvester

Fiber is especially important for cleansing your digestive system because it expands to sweep the intestines clean.

Sucking down juice and only juice for 5 days straight is so 2010. Think that’s the only way to detox? Tsk, tsk! You can still flush out your system without starving yourself. Try incorporating these natural detoxifiers into your diet on a daily basis to feel refreshed in no time.

Broccoli Sprouts

Take the sprouts, leave the broccoli head. Broccoli sprouts are super high in antioxidants that help detox enzymes in the digestive tract.

Citrus

Vitamin C is one of the best detox vitamins around, so it’s no surprise lemons, oranges and limes made our list. The enzymes help to clear the digestive tract and cleanse the liver. Try drinking a warm glass of lemon water daily.

Fruit

Since fruit already has such wonderfully-high liquid content, it works wonders for your system. Plus, fruits are easy to digest, high in antioxidants, nutrients, fiber and vitamin C. Fiber is especially important for cleansing your digestive system because it expands to sweep the intestines clean. You can gently cleanse your system by eating plenty ofbananas, pears, apples, strawberries, blackberries, grapefruit, oranges, dates, figs andplums. Pst… pick the juicier fruits.

Garlic

It may be stinky, but by just adding raw or cooked garlic to your food you’re helping to filter out residual toxins.

Green Food

Remember when your mom told you to eat something green every day? Do it. And make sure some are leafy greens like kale, spinach, arugula and even wheatgrass or blue green algae. The chlorophyll will boost your digestive tract to eliminate toxins.

Green Tea

This well-known healthy drink washes out toxins with its special antioxidants called catechins, which also increase liver function. Win-win.

Mung Beans

These tiny beans pack a big punch as they absorb residual toxins along the intestinal walls.

Omega-3 Oils

Avocado, olive oil and flax seed oil… sounds good to us! These items are high in Omega-3s which help lube up the intestinal walls and absorb the toxins.

Raw Veggies

Since onions, carrots, artichokes, asparagus, broccoli, cabbage, kale, Brussels sprouts, cauliflower, garlic, beets, turmeric and oregano are all high in sulphur and glutathione, they help to rid your liver of harmful toxins.

Water

And lots and lots of it.

While you’re at it, boost your metabolism with these foods. Happy detoxing!

Naija.com

2015: Opposition Parties Won’t Disappoint Nigerians - Buhari

Former head of state and 2011 presidential candidate of the Congress for Progressive Change (CPC) General Muhammadu Buhari has said that the opposition parties would not disappoint Nigerians if given the mandate to rule in 2015.

He added that the emerging All Progressives Congress (APC) comprising the Action Congress of Nigeria (CAN), All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP), CPC, and the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) would uphold the trust in transforming the country positively.

Buhari, who is the chairman, Board of Trustees (BoT) of the CPC, stated this yesterday at the CPC contact and mobilization committee for the north-west zone in Kaduna.

He added that the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has almost collapsed the entire system in the country and stressed the need for urgent action that will put the country on the right track in order for the country to return to its lost glory.

Buhari noted: “The reason why we are here is to educate the people on the new party formation whose talks are ongoing; this movement for unity is a must for any CPC member.

“Any right-thinking person will know that, from 1999 to date, Nigeria has been blessed with human and natural resources. You will also agree that the leadership of this country has betrayed the nation and the people.

“From 2007, we started observing that if we are not united, we cannot overthrow the present set of leadership who is doing the wrong thing. What happened in 2003, 2007 and 2011 general elections does not show any sign of fairness and justice. Even the by-elections conducted has further indicated that there is no justice in the elections of this country.

“Those of you at the grass roots know better than I know that instead of the government educating our youths, putting the education system in the right perspectives to better the lives of the future leaders, they steal money in the name of doing so. But for the youths who lack what to do, they are given hard drugs, making them engage in all manner of atrocities.

“I was a governor, a minister of petroleum, a head of state, headed PTF -- and all these were through the help of God.
“In 2015, if Nigerians agree to give us another opportunity, we will uphold the trust.

“Those of you elected under the CPC are those that truly won the elections. I spoke about ‘Kare Jini, Biri Jini’ before; I don’t want to repeat it again. All those of you elected have lots of work to do now. Ensure that those who elected you agree with you for you to be re-elected, hold the party with your right hands and ensure that this unity is sustained.

“ In 2015, we shall be victorious in capturing states including Abuja, Insha Allah, and, from now onward, any CPC member should be ready to spend his or her money. If you have goats, sell it or mortgage your properties for the sake of this country.”

He reiterated that the elections of 2003, 2007 and 2011 lacked fairness and people’s votes were not allowed to count, saying that the development is responsible for the lack of meaningful development in the country.

He urged the party faithful and Nigerians at large to support the merger movement which is a coalition of political parties determined to wrestle power from the ruling PDP and give every Nigerian a sense of belonging where their well being will be given top priority.

Speaking earlier, the national coordinator of the contact and mobilization committee, Senator Solomon Ewuga, said the north-west meeting was aimed at sensitizing party members on the planned merger and setting up committees for the zone."

Respect State Marijuana Laws Act Introduced In Congress

NEW YORK -- Republicans and Democrats in Congress are coming together in defense of states' rights -- and marijuana.

Rep. Dana Rohrbacher (R-Calif.) introduced a bipartisan bill on Friday to protect marijuana users and businesses from federal prosecution when they are following state laws. The Respect State Marijuana Laws Act would shield both medical and recreational pot users.

"This bipartisan bill represents a common-sense approach that establishes federal government respect for all states’ marijuana laws. It does so by keeping the federal government out of the business of criminalizing marijuana activities in states that don’t want it to be criminal," said Rohrbacher, in a statement.

Despite promising not to go after medical marijuana dispensaries, the Obama administration has raided hundreds of them. Federal officials are still trying to make up their minds, moreover, about how to respond to recently passed referendums in Colorado and Washington state that legalized marijuana outright.

Rohrbacher's bill should take away any doubt: It would say that residents of states that take steps to reform drug laws on their own shouldn't be subject to federal harassment.

A Pew Poll released last week showed that a broad majority of Americans, even when they don't agree with legalizing marijuana, believe the federal government should not step in to punish users in states that do. Sixty percent of Americans said the federal government should not meddle in states that legalize pot.

"Marijuana prohibition is on its last legs because most Americans no longer support it," said Steve Fox, national political director for the Marijuana Policy Project. "This legislation presents a perfect opportunity for members to embrace the notion that states should be able to devise systems for regulating marijuana without their citizens having to worry about breaking federal law."

The bill is cosponsored by Reps. Justin Amash (R-Mich.), Don Young (R-Alaska), Earl Blumenauer (D-Ore.), Steve Cohen (D-Tenn.) and Jared Polis (D-Colo.). Rohrbacher, whose state has a large medical marijuana program, has previously introducedlegislation seeking to reclassify marijuana at the federal level as a drug that does have medical uses.

The bipartisan makeup of the bill's cosponsors reflects increasing support among Republicans for ending or shifting the country's war on drugs. In the past two months, for example, Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.) has called for lessening marijuana penalties and evangelical media titan Pat Robertson has announced his support for outright legalization.

HuffingtonPost