Lagos under siege, says Deeper Life

The Deeper Christian Life Ministry has said that Lagos State is under siege and needs urgent divine intervention. The ministry said the high rate of robbery, cultism, drug abuse and corruption, among other ills, could have totally destroyed the state, but for God’s grace. The church stated this on Wednesday at Gbagada, Lagos, while announcing a city-wide crusade, organised by the ministry in conjunction with the Christian Association of Nigeria and the Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria. The 20-day event, which is themed, ‘Supernatural Power of God’s Wonders,’ will begin on September 8 and cover 17 local government areas of the state. The church’s state Moderator, Pastor Joseph Fasanmi, described the event as unprecedented, adding that the ministry’s General Overseer, Pastor W.F. Kumuyi, would be one of the men of God that would minister at the event. He said, “The crusade will be unprecedented because its geographical spread will cover every nook and cranny of Lagos State, including Ikorodu, Epe and Badagry.” Fasanmi said the alarming rate of crime in the state necessitated the crusade, adding that despite the change mantra of the present administration, real change remained elusive to the people of Lagos State... source punchng

Fani-Kayode to Fashola: Make peace with Tinubu or prepare for war

As mixed reactions continued to trail the purported frosty relationship between the former governors of Lagos State, Mr. Babatunde Raji Fashola and Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, erstwhile Minister of Aviation, Femi Fani-Kayode has advised Fashola to mend fences with his former boss, or prepare for a long war of attrition.

Fani-Kayode, yesterday, on his Facebook page, said: “Things are getting messier by the day. My advice to Tunde Fashola is to go and make peace with his benefactor, Bola Tinubu, before it is too late. Other than that, he should prepare for a long war of attrition which may ultimately end in the destruction of them both.”

It will be recalled that shortly after the last general elections, on May 7, the Oba of Lagos, Oba Rilwan Akiolu, had confirmed that he helped settled a quarrel between the former governors.

However, speculations that all was not well between Asiwaju Tinubu and Fashola came to fore Tuesday, last week,  when the mainstream of the state’s political class, abstained from the launch of three books on Fashola’s stewardship entitled: “The Great Leap,” “In Bold Print” and “The Lagos Blow Dawn” authored by Hakeem Bello, at the MUSON Centre, Onikan, Lagos. Governor Akinwunmi Ambode and Asiwaju Tinubu were not present at the books presentation.

Although, represented by a former Commissioner of Education in the state, Prof. Tunde Samuel, Asiwaju Tinubu, lauded Fashola for his success in office saying; “We are happy about your success in office and we believe the sky is your limit.”

London police arrest another Arik Air crew with cocaine

A crew member of Arik Air,  Mr.Chika Egwu Udensi, was on Monday night apprehended at Heathrow Airport, London, for allegedly peddling substances, suspected to be cocaine.

Spokesman of Arik Air, Mr. Ola Adebanji, confirmed the latest arrest.
He said the crew member was arrested by the UK Border Force in connection with alleged possession of items suspected to be banned substances.

Adebanji, in a statement, stated that the airline was presently carrying out its own investigation to determine how the cabin crew member came about the suspected banned substance.

He stressed that the airline would also be cooperating fully with the UK authorities and other appropriate agencies in their investigations.

The statement said: “The airline again reaffirms its commitment to the fight against drug and illicit substances trafficking and will not tolerate the use of any of its aircraft or crew for the courier of banned items and substances.

“Arik Air carries out very stringent checks on all members of staff and its travelling guests ahead of all flights. The airline will continue to focus its attention on measures to prevent the possibility of any future similar incidents.

“Arik Air is a responsible Nigerian company always seeking to maintain and uphold the integrity and proud reputation of the nation.”
The arrest came barely two years after two crew members of the same airline were arrested, also in London, for the same offence.
The suspect was arrested with 2.7 kilogramme of the banned substance.

The aircraft had departed the Murtala Mohammed International Airport, MMIA, Lagos, for a flight to London.

In December 2011, a 29 years old Arik Air cabin crew, Ms. Chiwendu Uwkaoyenma, was arrested in London for drug trafficking.
She was jailed for five years in 2012.
Also, in 2013, two staff of the airline were arrested at the Heathrow Airport for suspected drug trafficking.

Meanwhile, NDLEA, has threatened to sanction Arik Air over the arrest of its crew member in Heathrow, London over trafficking of cocaine into the country.

This is as the agency said that investigation had commenced immediately into the operations of the airline.

Media statement by the spokesman of the agency, Mr. Mitchell Odoyeju stated that the Chief Executive Officer, CEO, NDLEA, Alhaji Ahmadu Giade, gave the order following the seizure of 20kg substances that tested positive for cocaine.

Ofoyeju gave the name of the suspect as Chika Egwu Udensi, an air steward with the airline.
Ofoyeju said that the agency was notified of the arrest by the National Crime Agency, NCA, of the United Kingdom.

The statement added, “The agency will carry out full scale investigation into this case to ascertain those behind the criminal act. We shall work closely with our international collaborators on the matter. Arik Airline will be sanctioned if found wanting.

“The agency shall invoke section 25 of the NDLEA Act against the airline, which states that it shall be the duty of every commercial carrier to take reasonable precaution to ensure that its means of transport are not used in the commission of offences under this Act.

“Every commercial carrier is to comply with appropriate security measures at points of entry and exit in the Federal Republic of Nigeria and other customs control areas, to prevent unauthorised cargo in its means of transportation.”

He emphasized that the law refers to the precautionary measures to include training of personnel, promotion of integrity of their personnel, submission of cargo manifests in advance, use of tamper-resistant, individually verifiable seals on containers and reporting to the Agency at the earliest opportunity all suspicious circumstances relating to drug trafficking.

He maintained that Nigeria had a cordial working relationship with the United Kingdom in drug control, which he said had resulted in a drastic reduction in the number of arrests made in the United Kingdom from flights originating from Nigeria over the years.
Nigerian Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, in a statement at the time, had disclosed that it was investigating the allegation, which it described as a national embarrassment.

New salaries for lawmakers, others ready in September -RMAFC

The Chairman of the Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission, Mr. Elias Mbam, on Tuesday said a new renumeration package for public office holders including members of the National Assembly would be ready in September.

Mbam disclosed this to State House correspondents shortly after briefing President Muhammadu Buhari of the commission’s activities inside the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

There has been outrage over the renumeration of members of the National Assembly which many believe is outrageous.

The public outcry became more pronounced recently when Buhari and Vice President Yemi Osinabajo offered to take only half of the salaries approved for them throughout their four-year tenure.

Many Nigerians had called on the federal lawmakers to take similar steps.

Mbam however claimed that the figures being peddled on the renumeration packages of lawmakers are not known to his commission.

He explained that based on renumeration packages determined by the RMAFC, no federal lawmaker should earn up to N1million per month.

This notwithstanding, Mbam said the commission was almost concluding work on new renumeration packages that will reflect the current socio-economic realities in the country.

He said the draft would be ready before the end of September.

He said, “Presently, we are currently reviewing the subsisting renumeration packages and it is going to reflect the socio-economic realities of today.

“We expect that before the end of next month, it will be ready.

“But it will go through a process, it is not something that you will just say ‘yes or no.’

He said the review would affect all cadres of public office holders at all arms of government including the executive, legislature and the judiciary

Mbam said the review became necessary because many government agencies, states and local governments had not been able to pay salaries as a result of the sharp drop in oil price.

He however admitted that the downward review of the renumeration did not start with the present administration as the commission had started the review process from last year.

When asked whether the National Assembly members will accept pay cut as being planned by the commission, Mbam said, “They (the federal lawmakers) do not have a choice. We are guided by the constitution and we are going to be guided by such laws that are provided for in the constitution. They swore to obey the laws of the country.”

He said the President’s advice for the commission during the meeting was that they should ensure that they use all legitimate means to see that all public office holders took home the renumeration as determined by the commission.

He added that Buhari also advised his team to ensure that leakages are blocked and make attempts to expand the size of the cake.

Mbam said he was not in a position to say when the new revenue sharing formula whose draft his commission had already produced would come into force.

“I do not want to give a definite date because it is beyond my control. I do not determine when the process will be concluded but as far as the commission is concerned, we have concluded our work and announced to the general public that we have a draft. But you know it goes through a process before it finally becomes a law,” he explained.

The RMAFC boss identified inadequate funding as one of the challenges being faced by the commission.

He made a case for the commission to be allowed to benefit from first line charge.

He also sought the power of enforcement for the commission, saying it should be empowered to sanction defaulting Ministries, Departments and Agencies.

He added, “One of the challenges is that the commission is not properly funded and we are saying that we expect that the commission should be one of the agencies of government that should have financial autonomy.

A DEAD TEENAGER WOKE UP FROM DEAD, SCREAMED FOR HELP, AND LATER DIED IN THE HOSPITAL..

Desperate family smash into tomb of pregnant teenager who woke up screaming and banging on her coffin after being buried ALIVE... only for her to die in hospital..

• Neysi Perez, 16, was initially pronounced dead after collapsing at her home.
• 
  
• The married teenager, who was pregnant, was buried in her wedding dress
• 
  
• Her husband raised alarm after hearing her 'screaming for help' from coffin
• 
  
• Footage shows family smashing concrete tomb, but she had no sign of life
• 
  

 A 'dead' teenager woke up in her coffin and screamed for help one day after she was buried – but died again before desperate relatives could save her.

Footage has emerged showing grieving family members breaking through the concrete tomb from where Neysi Perez, 16, had been heard 'banging and screaming'.

Relatives who removed the girl's corpse found that the glass viewing window on her coffin had been smashed and the tips of her fingers were bruised.

But despite efforts to revive her medics found no signs of life and she was later returned to the cemetery and reburied in the same mausoleum.

Worst nightmare: Desperate relatives smash into Neysi Perez's concrete tomb a day after she was buried alive by mistake. Her husband raised the alarm after hearing her 'screams for help' while visiting her grave.

Ms Perez, who was three months pregnant, reportedly fell unconscious after waking up in the night to use the outside toilet at her home in La Entrada, western Honduras.

It was believed she may have collapsed in an apparent panic attack after hearing a burst of gunfire.

But when the teenager started foaming at the mouth her religious parents called the local priest believing she had become possessed by an evil spirit.

Relatives told how the priest tried to exorcise her, but she later became lifeless and was rushed to hospital, where three hours later doctors declared her dead.

Ms Perez was buried in the wedding dress she had recently used to get married.

A day after her funeral, her husband Rudy Gonzales was visiting her grave at the La Entrada General Cemetery when he heard banging and muffled screams from inside the concrete tomb and raised the alarm.

The footage shows desperate family members breaking through the concrete block tomb with a sledgehammer, before bringing out and opening up Ms Perez's coffin to try to revive her.

Teen is smashed free from coffin after family hear screams

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Tragedy: Ms Perez, who was three months pregnant, was buried in the wedding dress she recently used to get married. She was taken by truck to hospital still inside her coffin, but although medics tried to revive her, all the tests they carried out showed that she was clinically dead

Mr Gozales told local TV news Primer Impacto: 'I was heartbroken because my sweetheart had been taken so suddenly from me. I wanted to be near to her.

'As I put my hand on her grave I could hear noises inside. I heard banging, then I heard her voice. She was screaming for help.

'It had already been a day since we buried her. I couldn't believe it. I was ecstatic, full of hope.'

Cemetery worker Jesus Villanueva said he had also heard noises coming from the grave.

He said: 'I convinced myself that the screams were coming from somewhere else. I never imagined that there was someone alive in there.

'That afternoon the girl's husband came to me begging me to get her out because she was alive. 

'He was hysterical. The family were soon here and started breaking through the tomb, shouting her name.'

Ms Perez was taken by truck to the nearest hospital in San Pedro Sula, where she was carried in still inside her coffin.

But although medics tried to revive her, all the tests they carried out showed that she was clinically dead.

Doctor Claudia Lopez recalled: 'The whole family rushed in, almost breaking the door down, carrying the girl in her casket. 

Doctors believe Ms Perez (above) may have suffered a severe panic attack which could have temporarily stopped her heart activity. Her mother blames medics for being too quick to sign her death certificate

'I told them to take her out and put her on the bed. Everybody was claiming she was alive so I went through all the necessary procedures.

'We evaluated and tried everything but the girl was dead. They put her back in the coffin and took her away again, back to the cemetery.'

Doctors believe Ms Perez may have suffered a severe panic attack which could have temporarily stopped her heart activity.

Another hypothesis is that the teenager had a cataplexy attack, an abrupt temporary loss of voluntary muscle function typically triggered by a strong emotional stimulus such as stress or fear, during which the victim maintains full conscious awareness.

She may then have died from lack of oxygen after waking up inside the closed coffin.

Her cousin, Carolina Perez, said: 'Once we had taken her out of the tomb I put my hand on her body. She was still warm, and I felt a faint heart beat.

'She had scratches on her forehead and bruises on her fingers. It looked like she had tried desperately to get out of the casket and hurt herself.

Ms Perez's mother Maria Gutierrez firmly believes her daughter was buried alive and blames medics for being too quick to sign her death certificate.

She said: 'The doctors declared her dead but everybody else around me kept telling me she wasn't. She didn't look like she had died.

'Even after a day in the tomb the colour of her body was normal, her corpse didn't smell, she just looked like she was in a deep sleep. 

'There was no rigamortis, her body was still flexible, it was impossible that she had been dead for so many hours.

'We were all so happy. After being declared dead for such a long time, everybody was saying that she had come back to life. 

'We were all so happy. I thought I was going to get my daughter back.'

Source: Mailonline

WHEN THE SAINT GOT STAINED

Osun judge didn’t snatch estranged  woman’s husband – Group

The Civil Societies Coalition for Emancipation of Osun State has risen in defence of Justice Folahanmi Oloyede, who one Mrs. Emily Richard-Obire, accused of snatching her husband.
The group in a statement, made available to our correspondent on Tuesday, said it had investigated and found out that Justice (Mrs.) L.A.M Folami of Ikeja High Court had since dissolved the marriage between the woman and her former husband.
In the statement  signed by Chairman and its Director of Mobilisation,  Adeniyi Sulaiman and Rev. Theophilus Ayodeji, the group said going by the query dated July 28, 2015 issued to the judge by the National Judicial Council, it appeared that the NJC was falling into the antics of politicians by turning the body  into a customary court where marital issues were  being settled.
They said the woman’s  former husband  was free to fall in love with anybody he choses, while criticising the woman’s counsel, Mr. Femi Falana, for allegedly digging  up the case to discredit the judge.
The group accused Falana of working for Governor Rauf Aregbesola to disparage  the judge because of her petition to the House of Assembly that the governor should be impeached.
The statement read, “Our group has thoroughly investigated that matter and found out that Mr. Falana was a lawyer to Mrs. Richard-Obire in the divorce case filed with her husband, Mr. Ricahrd Obire in 2012 at an Ikeja High Court in Lagos.
“Already, the case with suit number ID/473HD/2012 has been decided and the court, presided over by Justice (Mrs) L.A.M Folami, had legally dissolved this marriage between Mrs. Emily and her former husband and so the case remained closed.  We believe that by the law of the federation, Mr. Obire has the right in the world to love whomever he wants and to marry anyone without any prejudice’.
“Our group has it on good authority that Emily’s husband, Mr. Richard Obire had to file a divorce case because he caught his wife (Emily) having an extra- marital affair in Ikeja, Lagos State in year 2010.
 “Although, we are sure that the woman judge was able to defend herself as our check at the state High Court  indicated that she had replied to this query through the office of the Chairman of the State Judicial Commission.”
The coalition said members of the group were not surprised that politicians were fighting dirty because of the courage of the judge to tackle the governor based on issues of financial recklessness, but said  it was surprised that the NJC would allow itself to be used by these unscrupulous politicians.

Lagos police arrest 14 suspected cult members

The Lagos Police command arrested 14 Cult members for allegedly terrorising Mushin residence.

This is contained in a statement signed by the command’s spokesperson in Lagos, DSP Patricia Amadin, .

Amadin said the suspects were arrested on August 24 at Mushin Area of Lagos.

“The Lagos State Police Command has recorded yet another success in its fight against Cultism and Armed Robbery in the state.

“In a bid to make good its promise to chase out armed robbers and cultists from the state, the command has smashed a notorious robbery/cultist group.

“This group has continuously unleashed a reign of terror on the residents of Mushin and Idi-Oro Areas of Lagos,” it stated.

According to the statement, acting on diligently sourced and managed intelligence, the command swooped in on the gang and 14 members have so far been arrested.

It stated that the Commissioner of Police in the state, Mr. Fatai Owoseni, urged the people of Lagos to be calm and continue to furnish the police with vibrant and actionable intelligence.

Owoseni also warned all cult members and robbers that the police would employ all legal means within its disposal to decisively deal with them and their sponsors cum benefactors.

He added that unless the group desisted from its nefarious activities, there shall be no hiding place for them.

BUHARI CANCELS GOVERNMENT DELEGATION TO HAJJ TO SAVE $1,000,000.

In his bid to cut cost  of governments,  President Mohammadu Buhari has announced that there would be no federal government delegation for this year’s hajj in Saudi Arabia.

He however stated that the government shall play its traditional roles of providing consular, medical and security services to Nigerian pilgrims.

With the decision, the government is expected to save about $1 million and N30m in local expenses.

The Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Malam Garba Shehu who stated this on Monday quoted the president as saying that the decision was not targeted at any individual or group.

He also stated that States we're at liberty to sponsor their pilgrims,  if they so desired.

“The states can deal with that (meaning appointment of own delegations) but this year at the Center, we will not be involved” Shehu said.

HANDS-OFF... I'LL NEVER BE A POLITICIAN AGAIN – OBJ.

ABEOKUTA—Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has said that he would never be a politician again in his life, declaring that he remains a “partyless” Nigerian and would continue to carry the toga of a statesman.

Obasanjo stated this yesterday while hosting Kogi State governor, Capt. Idris Wada, at his residence in Abeokuta, Ogun State capital.

Obasanjo was the former Chairman, Board of Trustees of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, to which wada belongs.

The former President said despite his not playing active partisan politics anymore, he would continue to work with any Nigerian with good intention and leadership traits.

He said “Everybody is welcome but they must be with good leadership traits, and genuine intention to improve the country.

“We should understand first that, not the party makes the person, but the person makes the party. It is who you are that you bring into the party. Though, for now I remain a “partyless” Nigerian, but, I will continue to welcome any Nigerian with good leadership qualities.

“It does not matter which party you are, either, PDP, APC, Labour, APGA any party at all, as long as you a are committed, sincere and a purposeful leader, I am ready for you. And that is what our brother is doing. I pray that this country will never be short of this type of people,” Obasanjo said.

Reacting, Wada explained that the visit to Obasanjo was coming on the heels of his recent award as the best governor in the country that took place in Lagos, saying, “Since we were honored as the best governor yesterday in Lagos, we deem it appropriate to come down to Abeokuta to report to our father, the little recognition we got.”

ISIS TARGET THE QUEEN OF ENGLAND... ALSO READY TO LUNCH A "LONE WOLF" ATTACKS IN UK.

Islamic State militants are training British jihadis to carry out 'lone wolf' attacks in the UK rather than travelling to their stronghold in Syria, it was reported today.

Two senior British ISIS commanders sent undercover reporters terror guidebooks that included advice on raising funds and making explosives.

Chillingly, they revealed that the Queen and the Royal family would be targeted at this Saturday's VJ commemorations.

The investigation also learned that ISIS already has potential bombers in UK who are ready to strike after being trained at terror camps in Syria.

Hidden enemy: The Islamic State has potential bombers in UK who are ready to launch bombing attacks on Britain after being trained at terror camps in Syria, it was reported today

News of the VJ Day plot, uncovered by Sky News, has forced the police and MI5 into a frantic race against time to thwart the assassination attempt.

Such an attack, if successful, would cause high casualties and represent the realisation of long-held fears of a terror ‘spectacular’ by home-based Muslim extremists.

The Mail on Sunday revealed at the weekend that a specific threat was made against the Queen, triggering an urgent review of security arrangements for next weekend’s events.

Target: Sources claim that a specific threat was made by ISIS against the Queen, triggering an urgent review of security for this weekend’s VJ commemorations

Other members of the Royal Family, including Prince Charles, who is identified in intelligence reports as another possible target, are also due to attend.

They will join Prime Minister David Cameron, assorted dignitaries, more than 1,000 veterans of the Far East campaign and their families, and serving members of the Armed Forces.

And with thousands of members of the public expected to line the streets around Whitehall and Westminster Abbey, police fear enormous potential for carnage.

The plot is understood to involve a device similar to that used in the 2013 Boston Marathon bombing which killed three people and injured more than 260.

Buhari brought N2.7trn investments from US, Spent N220m on visit – Presidency

LAGOS — An estimated N2.7 trillion ($13.6 billion) worth of direct investment is part of the immediate benefits accruing from President Muhammadu Buhari’s recent state visit to the United States, the Presidency claimed yesterday.

The presidency also affirmed that the visit cost the Nigerian treasury less than N220 million contrary to assertions in some sections of the media. It further explained that President Buhari’s son, Yusuf, did not receive any estacode for the trip even as it contended that great savings were made by members of the delegation against previous visits.

The five governors who were in the delegation, the presidency said, paid their way while permanent secretaries and other senior government officials only received their entitlements.

The presidency’s explanations followed news reports in some sections of the media that the visit was wasteful, cost N2.2 billion and was not in anyway beneficial.

In a statement, yesterday, Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Mallam Garba Shehu, said besides the economic benefits, plans were already in motion to lift hindrances to the flow of military support for Nigeria’s war against insurgents in the North-East.

Some immediate  benefits

According to him, “some of the more immediate benefits of the President’s trip to the US include: the proposed $2.1 billion fund from the World Bank for the re-development of the northeast battered by Boko Haram; $5 billion from US investors in Nigeria’s agriculture sector; $1.5 billion investment in the Nigerian’s health sector; and another $5 billion investment from the US in our country’s power sector.

“Also, as things stand, the embargo on weapons sales to Nigeria is in the process of being removed. The trip to the US by President Buhari was definitely very successful and beneficial to Nigeria. Only those rabidly determined to find faults unnecessarily will cook up falsehood in a futile effort to rake up murk where none exists.

“It is very sad that in this age of free-flowing information and in this era of change, a media organisation would make itself available as a vehicle to peddle a lie of such low and ignominious quality.

“Contrary to the newspaper’s assertions, the total cost of the trip to the Nigerian taxpayer was at the most minimal, in line with the policy of this administration to cut waste and extravagance.

Buhari’s son didn’t receive estacode,  govs paid their way

“In point of fact, the total amount expended on the trip by the office of the President amounted to nothing near 10 per cent of the speculated figure.

“Owing to the free accommodation provided by the host government, all the personal staff who accompanied the President on the trip received reduced allowances.

“His son, Yusuf, received neither allowances nor estacode. The five governors on the trip each paid their way. Permanent Secretaries who travelled on the delegation did so in accordance with extant rules and none of them exceeded their estacode entitlements.

“Apart from the Nigerian pilot’s mischievous  mathematics, it is  shortsighted and misleading of the newspaper to have claimed that President Buhari’s trip to the US achieved nothing.

“Nigerian-US relations had suffered severely over the past few years. That relationship has now been reset. The benefits of this symbiotic relationship will become more and more evident as the Buhari administration continues to tackle the challenges of  corruption, security and the economy.”

Credit: By Emmanuel Aziken, Political Editor & Livinus Nwabughiogu.. vanguard.

There is Heavy Traffic in Brazil due to patrol by 2015 Miss Bumbum Competitors...

Keep your eyes on the road! This year's Miss Bum Bum hopefuls kick off the competition with a stroll through the streets of Sao Paulo stopping traffic on their way.

• Competitors include a Kourtney Kardashian lookalike, a former porn star and a DJ best known for her huge breasts
• The ladies were out on the streets promoting the competition's online voting stage to see who will be in the final 
• Only 15 of the finest contestants will be voted into the final, which will be held in November 2015 
•  
• Striding down the streets of Sao Paulo in their green and yellow bikinis and high heels, these glamorous models have been stopping the traffic as they promote the much anticipated Miss Bum Brazil competition.

The 27-strong bevy of ladies includes a competitor who works as a Kourtney Kardashian lookalike, a DJ better known for her substantial breast implants and a former porn star.

With just a tiny bikini and a flimsy white sash to cover their modesty, each of these ladies were doing their best to represent their state in the competition known locally as Miss Bum Bum. 

 

Heavenly hopefuls: All of the girls will be hoping to win the top prize of a lad's magazine photo shoot, cash and eternal fame

Body confident: Strutting her stuff, the Rio de Janeiro representative smiles for the cameras as she shows off her curvy figure

Bending down to allow plenty of photos of their peachy behinds, the models were busy raising awareness of the start of the online voting stage of the competition. The public must decide which of the 27 women will be allowed to compete in the November final.

Competition is fierce as only 15 of the buxom beauties will be allowed to take part in the final. The winner of the competition will be awarded a much sought after cover shoot for a popular men's magazine, a significant cash prize and celebrity status.

Miss Bum Bum was first started five years ago and developed into a major glamour model competition in Brazil. Several spin-offs have been held as well as the world famous annual competition in Brazil. 

However the contest has been hit with several incidents of controversy. The 2014 contest was marred by scandal after it was alleged that one of the contestants, Indianara Carvalho, had bribed the panel of judges with over £70,000 in cash to make sure she was crowned the winner.

Before her long awaited photo shoot, Ms Carvalho later revealed in December 2014 that she had undergone surgery to 'restore' her virginity so she could enjoy her first time with 'someone special'. 

Even Sundays: Miss Bum Bum 2013 winner Dai Macedo told reporters that winning the coveted title was no easy feat: 'It's a lot of work, a lot of devotion. I denied myself a lot of things. No nightclubs. No sweets. I went to the gym Saturdays and Sundays'

Casual walk: Striding down the streets of Sao Paulo in their green and yellow bikinis and high heels, these cheeky models are busy promoting the much anticipated Miss Bum Brazil competition

Peachy: The competition has been held for the past five years and has led to several spin off contests

Just a number: Last year's competition saw the appearance of Juliana Bittencortt, the first plus-size model to make the top 28. Similarly, Patricia Oliveira became the oldest contestant ever when she competed at the age of 39 last year

Proud: Plenty of fleshy buttocks were on display in the streets of Sao Paulo, causing traffic to grind to a halt

She won the 2014 competition despite Claudia Alende, better known as the Brazilian 'Megan Fox', appearing to be clear favourite among the jubilant crowd. Ms Alende had to settle for second place.

Rumours of bribery and vote rigging have been alleged in the previous two competitions. 2014 contestant Livia Santos was kicked out of the competition for allegedly rigging the online voting poll by attempting to buy votes.

Likewise, contestants Mari Sousa, 25, and Eliana Amaral, 24, were also accused of paying bribes in the 2013 edition of the much loved contest. 

However, the contest has continually broken new ground with a wide range of different contestants bringing something unique each year.

Last year's competition saw the appearance of Juliana Bittencortt, the first plus-size model to make the top 28. Similarly, Patricia Oliveira became the oldest contestant ever when she competed at the age of 39 last year. 

Selfie time: One man, keen to appreciate the ladies' hardwork, couldn't resist the temptation to pull out his camera phone and ask for a quick selfie with one of the scantly dressed glamorous models

Fresh start: Last year's winner Indianara Carvalho revealed that after winning the contest, she has since undergone surgery to restore her virginity and hopes to meet a 'someone special'

Claim to fame:The contestants include a former porn star, a Kourtney Kardashian lookalike and a DJ better known for her huge breast implants

VOTE! Some of the girls took time out to inscribe messages of encouragement for members of the public to vote for them for the final

Body proud: Each glamorous girl wears a thin white sash, to show which region of Brazil they are representing, as well as a skimpy bikini and towering heels

Controversial: The competition has had its fair share of controversy over the last few years, with allegations of bribery and vote rigging

Wowzers: All the girls took the chance to show off their shapely bottoms as they hope their peachy posteriors will reward them with a place in the final of Miss Bum Bum 2015

One man, keen to appreciate the ladies' hardwork, couldn't resist the temptation to pull out his camera phone and ask for a quick selfie with one of the scantly dressed glamorous models. 

All of the girls will be hoping that winning the competition will change their lives but one former winner has warned that hard work is required. 

Miss Bum Bum 2013 winner Dai Macedo told reporters last year that winning the coveted title was no easy feat. 'It's a lot of work, a lot of devotion. I denied myself a lot of things. No nightclubs. No sweets. I went to the gym Saturdays and Sundays,' she told AFP.

Noticeable: Also on display were a wide range of bodywork, adorned on the skin of some of the daring contestants

Quick workout: Lining up, some of the girls show off their long legs and impressive flexibility ahead of the all important vote

Striking: Lapping up the attention, the girls cheer as they pose for photos in the empty streets of Sao Paulo, Brazil

Shining: Many of the girls worn their favourite jewellery to add a bit of shimmering gold to their heavily bronzed figures

Don't press too hard: One of the contestants uses a black biro to write a message on one of her fellow competitors bum cheeks

Posing: One smartly dressed gentleman poses with two of the contestants for an all important selfie

Popular: The Miss Bum Bum competition is now in its fifth edition and remains a highly competitive and respected contest