The United States Condemn The State Pardon Granted Alamieyeseigha and other Ex Convicts.

Speaking Through it’s twitter handle, @USEmbassyAbuja, The United States Mission in Nigeria expressed deep disappointment over the recent pardon of corrupt officials by the  Government of Nigeria (GON).

It went ahead to tweet that the United States consider it as a setback in the fight against corruption.

Recall that the National Council of State headed by President Goodluck Jonathan, granted a state pardon to the former Governor of Bayelsa State, Diepreiye Alamieyeseigha and other ex convicts. Other beneficiaries  include former Bank of the North head, Shettima Bulama, former Chief of General Staff during the Abacha regime: General Oladipo Diya (rtd.); former Chief of Staff Supreme Military Council and brother of late President Musa Yar’adua: Major General Shehu Musa Yar’adua (Post Humous); ex-Major Bello Magaji NA/6604, Mohammed Lima Biu; Major General Abdulkareem Adisa (Post Humous) and former Major Segun Fadipe. 

Nigerians have reacted in various ways over the decision, ranging from widespread expression of shock to mild support.

Meanwhile, Civil Society Groups, CSNAS, says the state pardon granted to Diepreiye Alamieyeseigha is an abuse of power, a great disappointment and vowed to vowed to resist the decision.

The organized Labour Union also condemned the act, and requested that it should be reversed.  Labour Union doesn’t consider the decision to serve the best interest of the country, especially considering Government’s claim to be fighting corruption.

Justus Esiri, Nollywood Actor and Village Headmaster TV Series Star Actor Is Dead.

Veteran Nollywood actor, and star of the Village Headmaster TV series, Justus Esiri is dead…

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The Nigerian movie industry was thrown into deep mourning on Tuesday as the news of the death of a leading actor, Justus Esiri, hit the airwaves.

Esiri was said to have passed on at the age of 71 (1942 – 2013) in his hometown, Abraka,  in Delta State on Monday night, the 18th of February, after a brief battle with an unnamed illness – although it is speculated that he might have died of diabetes.

Mr Esiri attended Urohobo College and later went to Germany to study engineering where he developed an interest for theater. Thus he began his acting career on stage in Germany.

Having worked for some time as a newscaster with the Voice of Nigeria, German Service, he veered into movie production and had a stint with the Schiller Theatre in Berlin before returning to Nigeria in 1976.

The late actor played a key role in the production of Dr. Ola Balogun’s movie, Dinner with the Devil, as well as during the Second World Black and African Festival of Art and Culture in Lagos in 1977.

Esiri, who was awarded Officer of the Order of the Niger last year, died a few days to the public launch of his new movie titled, The Assassin’s Practice. The film was scheduled to be premiered in Lagos on February 22, 2013.

He came into limelight in the early 80′s through the popular Village Headmaster TV series and also featured in many Nollywood movies.

He will always be remembered for his words “I am an urhobo man, from an African aristocratic family…Throughout my whole life God has been very nice to me.”

He was married to his wife Omiete with whom he had six children, one of them being Dentist-turned pop artiste Dr SID.

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President Goodluck Jonathan, family and sympathizers mourn as his late brother, Meni, is put to eternal rest in Otueke. May his soul rest in perfect peace.

–Picture: Premium Times–