Move over Beyonce, Sister Solange Knowles 'A Seat At The Table' Album is now No.1 on Billboard 200 Charts

The Drunk inlove hit maker, Queen Bee has to move over as Sister, Solange Knowles has landed her first no. 1 album on the Billboard 200 chart with her musical masterpiece, 'A Seat At The Table.' Not only is this a win for Solange, but her no. 1 also adds her and Beyoncé into an elite group of solo siblings to have no. 1 albums in the same year, via Billboard. Previously, Michael Jackson and Janet Jackson managed the feat, as did Master P and his brother Silkk the Shocker. Beyonce has logged six previous No.1's,most recently with 2016’s Lemonade.Notably, Solange and Beyonce both earned No. 1s in the same calendar year, just as Michael and Janet did in 2001 (with Invincible and All For You, respectively).Congrats to Solange.

Corruption?Judges arrested Released on Bail...DSS Prepares to Charge them to Court

Following a public outrage by Nigerians, the Department of State Security(DSS) has released all Judges arrested days ago, kept in their custody.According to reports, all seven judges were released on self-recognition on Sunday. “They reported this morning (Monday) 10am and they have all gone back home. They will be coming back tomorrow," the source said, adding that everything went well and civil.“They were released on bail on self recognition based on the fact that given their standing in the society, they cannot run away.The investigation continues and preparation to charge them to court is ongoing” he added.

Militicians?Nigerian Politicians think winning Election is 'Do or Die' Affair,Nation's Electoral Arena now bloody battlefield...Prof Jega Spite Fire

Ex Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission,(INEC) Prof. Attahiru Jega, says the biggest challenge confronting the electoral body is the reckless mind-set of politicians, who believe that winning an election is a do-or-die affair.Through this mindset, Jega said Nigerian politicians had turned the nation’s electoral arena into a bloody battlefield characterised by political thuggery, snatching of ballot boxes and assassinations while creating fear in the minds of voters.Jega, who presided over INEC during the 2015 general election, said the situation was so bad that it took INEC a lot of effort to allay the fear of voters and revive their interest in the process before they could come out to vote in 2015.The ex-INEC helmsman declared that all attempts by the country to reform the electoral process would be a waste of effort except politicians changed their reckless mindset.Jega spoke in Lagos on Saturday at the 50th birthday ceremony of the National Legal Adviser of the All Progressives Congress, Dr. Muiz Banire (SAN).He delivered a paper entitled, “Challenges and prospects of sustainable credible elections in Nigeria.”Jega said, “INEC, as an election management body, faced perhaps its greatest challenge containing the predisposition and reckless mindset of Nigerian politicians. I quite often say that Nigeria has a special breed of politicians – ‘militicians’. They generally tend to believe that political power, through election, has to be captured and this has to be done by hook or by crook; by any means necessary. For many, winning an election is literally a do-or-die affair. That is why the Nigerian political arena increasingly resembles a bloody battlefield with maiming, killing, burning, assassinations and unimaginable destruction of lives and property.

Terrorism?Nigeria's Presidency hail S'African Judgement Sentencing Henry Okah to 20 yrs in Prison

The Presidency has expressed satisfaction over the South African Supreme Court of Appeal’s decision to confirm the conviction of Henry Orkah to 20 years in prison.A presidency official, who preferred not to be named, confirmed this development to State House correspondents in Abuja on Saturday, according to Metrowatch.The court, on Oct. 3, found Orkah guilty on two out of the 6-count charges relating to the Warri bombing labeled against him. The Court also upheld the 12-year sentence for his role in the Abuja bombing, that claimed many innocent lives.The convictions that were upheld are those in respect of the Warri bombing, relating to Okah’s providing finance and equipment without which the bombings would not have been executed.The source stated that already the Nigerian government had written “a measured letter” to the South African government, hailing the judicial decision as a big step forward towards removing terrorism from the continent.“South Africa has projected itself an enduring partner to Nigeria in the war against terrorism. 

Drama:NDDC Boss Semenitari call out Bayelsa State Govt over Internal Road Re-construction Claims

The Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC, Boss has taken a swipe at Bayelsa State Govt after it took credit for internal emergency road repairs and rehabilitation on 14 roads in Bayelsa State, including the capital, Yenagoa. A statement by its Special Adviser on Media and Communication Mr. Bekee Anyalewechi said, the Commission has described as untrue and shocking recent claims by the Bayelsa State Government that it was intervening on the roads.According to the statement, the Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, Mrs. Ibim Semenitari, in reaction to claims made by the Bayelsa State Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Mr. Obuebite Jonathan, on Saturday during a radio programme, in Yenagoa, that the ongoing emergency repairs on roads in the state were the handiwork of the state government, is untrue.She stated that “the ongoing emergency road repairs and rehabilitation covered the 9 mandate states of the Commission and wondered why that commend the interventionist agency for the bold step which would be a huge relief to it, the Bayelsa State Government decided to turn the truth head-down.“Such deliberate falsehood erodes public trust in authorities”,Ibim said, emphasising that the emergency work was meant to relief the government of some infrastructure burden.“The Commission had expected that the Government of Bayelsa State would, in best practice, emulate its Cross River and Akwa-Ibom States counterparts in commending the Commission.“Or, where it lacked the courage to attribute credit to NDDC, would keep quiet than spreading misinformation,” Semenitari added.”Semenitari expressed disbelief that though the Government knew the truth, it chose to hide it from the public noting that such style of governance erodes confidence in government and ridicules the tenets of probity.“NDDC saw gaps in road infrastructure across its 9 mandate states and the urgent need to intervene and after a management meeting, decided to act as to procure relief to motorists and other road users.“So the option of emergency road repairs came handy as it would afford immediate remedial solutions, relieve states of financial burden and enhance inter and intra-city communications. Under this intervention, hitherto impassable roads have become usable routes thereby boosting economic activity and improving livelihood of the people.”The Commission listed the 14 roads in which it is intervening in Bayelsa to be the Oporuma-Sabageria-Polaku road in Opokuma local government; Odi-Trofani road; Otiotio Road, Yenagoa; DooGood Street, Yenagoa; Goodnews Street, Azikoro, Yenagoa; Shepherd Vine Road, also in Yenagoa.According to NDDC, other roads in which its intervention is ongoing in the state capital are Capt. Ayeni Street; Saptex Road, Yenizue-Epie; INEC Road, Kpansia; Jasmine Suite Road, Kpansia; ErepaRoad ; and NIIT Road.Others it listed are the Dimrose-Green; Villa-Custom Link Roads 1 & 2, Biogbolo; and Tolda Road, Ekeki, all in Yenagoa.NDDC emphasised that while it was not engaging the Bayelsa State Government in any verbal war, it was necessary to leave the public with the correct information, saying “it is critical for good governance.

IMF predicts Nigeria will be out of Recession in 2017!!

The International Monetary Fund has predicted that the Nigerian economy will grow by 0.6% in 2017, effectively lifting the country out of an officially declared recession. In the IMF’s World Economic Outlook report released on Tuesday, Nigeria’s real Gross Domestic Product is expected to increase marginally by 0.6% with Consumer Prices rising by 17.1%.Nigeria’s Current Account Balance is however forecast to slump further by 0.4% next year.According to the Bretton Woods institution, the projected increase in global growth in 2017 to 3.4% hinges crucially on rising growth in emerging market and developing economies.The institution however revised down growth projections for the last quarter of 2016 in the region to reflect the challenging macroeconomic conditions in economies like Nigeria.In Nigeria for example, this revision was based on the contracted economic activity followed by disruptions to oil production, foreign currency shortages resulting from lower oil receipts, lower power generation, and weak investor confidence.

FG Policy Partiality? Nigeria's foremost Indegenous Tomatoe Paste Manufacturer ''Erisco Foods' may shut-down in 30 days

Nigeria’s biggest toma­to paste manufacturing company, Erisco Foods Limited, has revealed it will shut down operations within 30 days, if the Federal Government failed to ad­dress salient policy issues that are frus­trating the country’s manufacturers, but favoring foreigners.The President/Chief Exec­utive Officer of Erisco Foods, Chief Eric Umeofia, in a letter he addressed to the chairman of the Federal Government’s Economic Team, Vice President Yemi Osi­nbajo, said it is surprising that at a time when the country is grap­pling with recession and trying to discourage importation and encouraging local manufacture, key government agencies are do­ing everything possible to frus­trate local manufacturers.According to him, the CBN has refused Erisco access to for­eign exchange to enable it import machinery parts and raw mate­rials for the production of toma­to paste.He said the same CBN ap­proved intervention loan and fo­rex to companies mostly owned by foreigners to import the same finished tomato paste and other items like frozen fish, fish heads and supermarket items that “we don’t need at all or that we can produce better in Nigeria.The company, which has in­vestments worth over $150 mil­lion and a workforce of over 2,000, said it has been producing below 20 percent of its installed capacity since its inception because of the failure of some government agen­cies such as the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), the Ministry of In­dustry, Trade and Investment and the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) to live up to their re­sponsibilities.

 

Special Federal Grants for Lagos State Bill by Tinubu thrown-out...Uproar unleashed in Senate

Senator Oluremi Tinubu, representing Lagos Central Senatorial District on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC) was left in disarray after a bill sponsored by her,which sought to establish an Act to make provisions for Federal Grants to Lagos State was thrown-out, causing uproar amongst members of the Senate.While the bill was highly supported by South- West senators, those from the North, South-East and South-South rejected the bill, pointing out that it would give undue advantage to Lagos as well as set a dangerous precedence in the system.As the situation tended to get out of hand, Ekweremadu decided to stop further debate on the bill and went on to put the bill to a voice vote.He did it three times and it was rejected three times and accordingly, the bill was rejected. In the course of the debate, the bill suffered serious partisan considerations from the lawmakers, splitting the Senate along geo-political divides.The uproar was triggered by uncomplimentary comments made by the Senate Chief Whip, Prof. Olusola Adeyeye, when in the course of his contribution to the debate; he described the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) as a “rotten pampered child.”His comments irked many senators and generated mild commotion in the chamber. Adeyeye’s comment particularly provoked deep anger in Senator Philip Aduda (FCT), forcing the Chief Whip to withdraw the statement.But the withdrawal did not douse the tension, which had degenerated into a shouting match among the senators.

Bayelsa @20:Dickson Ignores Opposition, opts for Infrastructure Dev

Despite acts of destabilisation orchestrated by members of the opposition party, Bayelsa State Governor, Henry Seriake Dickson, said he would remain focused on addressing the basic challenges, particularly in the areas of education, security and critical infrastructure. He gave the assurance on the sidelines of the Independence celebrations in Yenagoa, where he also decried the activities of some political actors in the state to discredit his administration for selfish reasons.Dickson cited instances, where such politicians "collude with detractors to

Just In:Operation Delta Safe Repels Militant Group, Bakassi Strike Force in Akpabuyo-Cross Rivers State

In line with the mandate of 'Operation Delta Safe' to protect oil and gas infrastructure and deter/prevent militancy, sea robbery, crude oil theft and other forms of criminality within the Niger Delta region. Troops of Sector 4 Operation Delta Safe deployed at Efut Isighi at about 1:00am on 30 September 2016 engaged the Bakassi Strike Force in gun battle that lasted for more than 2 hours. The militants who were in military camouflage uniforms carrying charms and amulets were spotted at Ekpere Effiong creek in Akpabuyo during a special operation by own troops. See more photos after cut....The operation led to the killing of 7 members of Bakassi Strike force militants and

Edo Guber Poll:As APC Godwin Obaseki celebrate Victory, PDP's Izeyamu rejects result...Party calls for Eriyo Arrest

Candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Godwin Obaseki has been returned winner of the Edo governorship election held Wednesday.Immediately the final result was declared at about 4:30 pm, people took to the streets with brooms celebrating the APC and Obaseki’s victory.After his acceptance speech, Obaseki left to join the people in celebration at the ring road round about, Benin City.He polled 319,483 votes representing a little over 50 percent of the 613,244 votes cast.Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) polled 253 172 votes to come second. Meanwhile, the PDP candidate Ize-Iyamu has described the outcome as a ‘sham’ saying it did not reflect the huge turnout of voters in the state.He alleged that the result of the election was written at the State government house in Benin, ahead of the election, with connivance of some INEC officials and the security agencies. Also, Senator Ahmed Makarfi-led National Caretaker Committee of the PDP has called on the Inspector General of Police (IGP) Ibrahim Idris to order the arrest of one Mr. Osakpanwam Eriyo.The committee in a statement yesterday by its spokesman, Prince Dayo Adeyeye alleged that Eriyo a partisan of Governor Adams Oshiomhole had invaded Oredo Local Government Area with his team during the collation of results, forcefully removing all the result sheets for the area. 

Female Victims of Boko Haram Terror Sell body in exchange for Food at North-East IDP Camps!!

After the diversion of money meant for feeding IDP's by officials, many women in internally dis­placed persons camps in northeast Nigeria, have now resorted to selling sex in exchange for food, soap, and money, says Thomson Reuters Foundation.Tired of watching her five children go hungry in a camp for people flee­ing Boko Haram in north­eastern Nigeria, Amina Ali Pulka decided to befriend a young man who worked in the kitchen.Desperate due to the lack of aid distributed at the Bakassi camp in the city of Maiduguri, the 30-year-old had sex with the man in ex­change for extra food to give to her children.Aid agencies have warned of starvation, malnutrition and dwindling food supplies for the displaced in Borno State.“At times, the food is not enough so the women re­sort to giving themselves for food and money,” said Hassana Pindar of the IMC, which runs support centres for women in the camps.In addition to mothers desperate to provide for their children, many teenage girls in Bakassi camp are sleep­ing with men in exchange for food, said IMC volunteer Fatima Alhaji. Recall, hundreds of IDP's in North-East camps recently protested over the scarcity of food and deliberate neglect by officials, asking President Buhari to deal decisively with those found culpable.

Edo Guber Election:There were Votes for Cash & Cash for Votes....Says TMG

On Wednesday, September 28, 2016, the Transition Monitoring Group (TMG) deployed 100 citizen observers throughout the Edo State to observe the gubernatorial election. TMG Observers were deployed across the 18 local government areas (LGAs) of Edo State.  TMG observers witnessed the entire Election Day process from setup of the polling unit through the announcement and posting of the official results. Accordingly, TMG observers called the Information Center to report their observation findings at the end of the exercise. Summary of findings...

Oops!!Parts of Abuja to go without Water as board proceed with maintenace Operation

The FCT Water Board has advised residents of parts of the territory to store water as the board would shut down water supply to carry out repairs on some facility within the territory.Mallam Hdu Bello, Director FCT Water Board, who made the announcement on Tuesday in Abuja during an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), said the maintenance work would last for two days.He said that the board decided to carry out maintenance work following report it received of damage of some pipes within the territory.He listed the affected areas to include Kubwa, Gwagwalada, Airport road and residents within the National Open University.Bello said that the board would shut down water supply to residents of these areas to facilitate the repair.

$15M?Protesters storm Lagos Court against Media Trial of Ex First Lady,Patience Jonathan

Some group of protesters under the umbrella of Association of Media Professionals Against Corruption and Instability on Tuesday morning stormed the Federal High Court Lagos to protest against what they described as media trial of Patience Jonathan, a former first lady of Nigeria.They stated their support for the fight against corruption but rejected EFCC and Buhari's Selective Approach.The protest is taking place at a time the court is sitting on the matter involving a former aide to ex-president Goodluck Jonathan, Waripamo-Owei Dudafa, who is being arraigned before Justice Babs Kuawumi over another 17 counts charge preferred against him by the EFCC.Dudafa is also currently facing N5.1b alleged fraud alongside two other people.He is also facing another charge over alleged $15m fraud.But the former first lady had since claimed that the $15m belongs to her.

Drama:APC dolls out free local delicay 'Akara' in bid to woo Voters as Guber Elections holds Wednesday

Riding on the back of Recession bedeviling Nigeria, the ruling party APC has hilariously figured out a new strategy to woo voters ahead of edo State Guber Election, as they have set up free  'Akara' collection points around the state for intending Voters. It was reported that, the APC is said to be giving out free bean cake at strategic locations to citizens across the state.

Pipelines will go 'Boom' if our conditions are not met,Warns Undocumented ND Ex Militants

Ex-militants in the Niger Delta region under the aegis of Undocumented Third Phase Ex-Agitators have threatened to shut operations of major oil companies in the area if the Federal Government fails to include them into the ongoing amnesty programme. In a statement by Gen. Prince Eyeyon, leader of the group, they expressed dissatisfaction over the level of suffering and hardship they have gone through since they embraced peace and surrendered their arms and weapons to the Federal Government under the third phase of the Federal Government Amnesty Programme.They explained that on August 27, 2011, Kinsley Kuku, former coordinator of the Federal Government Amnesty Programme, documented them but only paid some of them and left others unpaid.The group alleged that the process of their documentation by Kingsley Kuku, the former coordinator, and Brig. Gen Paul Boro (rtd), present Federal Government Amnesty Director, was unacceptable, adding that they had exhausted all avenues for their names to be documented to collect their stipends as directed by the Federal Government but have not received a dime.“We request for the immediate documentation of all the undocumented ex-agitators of the Third Phase of the Niger Delta Ex-Militants. We must undergo skill acquisition programme and receive full payment of all our monthly allowances from August 2011 to date, else we would be forced to shut down operations of major oil firms in the Niger Delta region,” the statement added.

Change?Naira falls to all time low against Dollar @ N445 to $1

The Naira yesterday fell further against the dollar, as it exchanged for a record low at N445 per dollar in the parallel market.With inflation running at 17.6 percent and oil trading $46 per barrel, acute shortage of foreign exchange has taken its toll on the currency.Traders said that speculators and strong demand from parents buying dollars to pay school fees abroad are putting pressure on the Nigerian currency, though the president of the association of bureau de change operators, Aminu Gwadabe, said the rate is not a true reflection of the market.“The market is being driven by speculators who are taking advantage of the poor implementation of central bank policy requiring banks to sell dollars to bureau de change operators to ease pressure in the market,” Gwadabe told Reuters, adding that most commercial lenders are reluctant to comply with the directive.The central bank’s instruction accompanied its licensing of 11 new international money transfer operators last month in its efforts to boost dollar supply.The Naira exchange rate on the official interbank market was flat at 305 to the dollar.

#Edodecides:INEC,Police state readiness for Guber Election

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and Nigeria Police have declared their readiness for the rescheduled governor­ship election in Edo State holding tomorrow.The police said that it had deployed 25,000 officers in Edo and restricted vehicu­lar movements during the election.The movement restric­tion is with effect from mid­night of Tuesday to 6pm on Wednesday except for vehicles on essential duties.The Force Public Rela­tions Officer, Mr Don N. Awunah, noted that secu­rity measures have been taken to ensure hitch-free election, adding that the police officers were drawn from various tactical teams, including mobile force and counter terrorism unit.The others are the Explo­sive Ordinance Disposal, Special Protection, and Ma­rine Units as well as Police Air wing.Awunah said in a state­ment released in Abuja on Monday that police helicopters, gun boats, Ar­moured Personnel Carri­ers, police dogs and tech­nical platforms would be deployed.

Legendary Goalie,Peter Rufai ditches retirment for Celebrity football match

Nigerian football legend Peter Rufai came out of retirement to join the likes of Victor Agali, Victor Ikpeba and more in the Winihin Jemide Series Legend edition celebrity football match against Nigeria entertainment top shots.The 53-year-old, who won the 1994 Africa Cup of Nations with Nigeria, kept a clean slate and made series of breathtaking saves that fans want him back in the Super Eagles.If wishes were horses, Rufai might be wearing his gloves once again for the three-time African champions who begin their quest for a place in Russia 2018 Fifa World Cup against Zambia in October.

Rob Kardashian calls out kid sis Kylie Jenner on twitter over Blac Chyna baby shower non invite

Rob Kardashian is so upset that his fiancé, Blac Chyna wasn't invited to the baby shower being organized for him by his family and for some reason, he took his anger out on his kid sis Kylie Jenner by posting her phone number on Twitter.After Rob Kardashian shared his sister, Kylie Jenner's phone number on twitter for whatever reasons, several fans have flooded her with messages and posted the screenshots of what they sent to her. She has since disconnected that phone number. 

Tension in Imo State as Court freezes all Government Accounts

All hell has broken loose, as the official bank accounts of Imo State Government has been frozen and all monies domiciled in them confiscated by the order of the Court of Appeal sitting in Owerri. According to Vanguard the appellate court equally ordered that the confiscated monies should be used to offset the sum of N1 billion owed E. F. Network Nigeria Limited and Gideon Egbuchulam. While delivering judgment, Justice Mbaba handed down the order in an appeal filed by the Governor of Imo State, the Attorney General of Imo State, the Environmental Transformation Committee and the Ministry of Petroleum and Environment, Imo State.The appeal was sequel to the earlier judgments delivered by Hon. Justice Maryann Anenih of Maitama High Court, Abuja, and Hon. Justice Ijeoma Agugua, in suit numbers FCT/HC/M/9257/2016 and HU/538/2011, respectively.The appellants had prayed the Appeal Court to set aside the earlier judgments, which delivered judgment in favour of the contracting firm and Mr. Egbuchulam.No Imo state government official has officially commented on the judgment as at the time of filing this report.

Popular Nigerian Actor Kalu Ikeagwu arrested over bought stolen phone by aide

Nigerian star actor, Kalu Ikeagwu was yesterday, September 26th, 2016 arrested by security agents following a robbery and homicide case. According to Encomium Magazine, he was arrested in front of the gate of his house in Ogba area of Lagos around 3:40 that afternoon.The report further revealed that the newly married actor, who returned home to his Gbagba Crescent flat, off College Road, around 8:30 pm, explained to his worried neighbours that his personal assistant bought a stolen phone from Computer Village in Ikeja, and the thieves reportedly killed one of the victims of the robbery. Ikeagwu is said to have further revealed that the crime happened in Abuja, and the phone was traced to Lagos by the security agents who later came for him since his address and name were used during the purchase.He was said to have received a call from one of the operatives who had been waiting for him. And as soon as he stepped out of the gate, he was asked if indeed he was Kalu Ikeagwu, and he confirmed his identity.He was politely invited, but was about arguing with them when they brought out their guns. Neighbours who had tried to step in, stood back as soon as they saw the guns. He was ferried away in a bus. By the time they left, his wife was crying.He was later released by the operatives.

Pentecostal Pastor Wale Fagbere who went deaf,dumb after destroying Shrine charged to Court

Pentecostal pastor, Wale Fagbere, who allegedly invaded a traditional shrine in Ketu area of Ayetoro in Ogun state, will be charged before the court, the police said today.The Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) in Ogun state , Mr Abimbola Oyeyemi, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abeokuta on Monday that Fagbere would be charged with malicious damage and conduct likely to cause a breach of public peace.“What he did was wrong and so he must be charged to court. If it was the other way round too, he will also be charged to court.“Everyone has a right to worship whatever deity one chooses without fear or favour, “he said.Oyeyemi, however, said he could not tell in which court the accused would be arraigned as at press time.Fagbere on Saturday attempted to pull down a traditional shrine in Ketu, Yewa North Local Government Area of the state.But he was reported to have immediately gone dumb and numb upon entering the shrine, attracting a crowd to the scene.

Ex Under-23 Coach,Samson Siasia gives NFF 2 Weeks to pay 5 Mnths Salary Arrears...NFF says statement unfortunate

Nigeria’s former under-23 coach, Samson Siasia has reportedly given Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) a two-week ultimatum to pay his salary arrears.Siasia says the NFF owes him five months’ salary arrears from the start of April to August 2016.Barely five weeks after ending his two-year contract on a sour note,Siasia states his patience is fast running out.“I have given them a two week ultimatum to pay me or I will sit inside the NFF office in Abuja until I get paid,” Siasia told BBC Sport.““I’ve made it clear in my letter that my assistants and I should be paid the backlog owed because it’s inhuman.“As head of our families we sacrificed everything for the country but the NFF refused to pay us.It’s not only heartless but wicked,” he said. Meanwhile, a top NFF official reacting to Siasia's outburst, acknowledged the debt but said Siasia’s latest remarks are “unfortunate”.

Special Assistant on Street/Trafific Lights Appointed in Rivers Government

Rivers State Governor,Nyesom Wike, in an online statement by his Special Assistant on Electronic Media, Simeon Nwakaudu has ppointed Daye Graham-Douglas as his Special Assistant on Street/Traffic Lights. The appointment took immediate effect.

I will face any Probe of my Tenure as CBN Governor-Emir Sanusi Reacts

Former governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Lamido Sanusi, now Emir of Kano has declared his readiness to face any panel wanting to probe his tenure at the top bank. Sanusi’s comments came as a response to a call by Femi Falana, a senior lawyer, urging the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, to investigate alleged “diversion” of government funds by the CBN, under Mr. Sanusi. Falana in a statement on Saturday said, “Sometime in 2006, former Central Bank Governor, Profesor Chukwuma Soludo removed  $7 billion  from  the nation’s external reserves and doled it out  to 14 Nigerian banks. Two years later, the Central Bank Governor, Mallam Sanusi Lamido Sanusi (the current Emir of Kano) also gave a bailout of N600 billion  to the same  banks. The request of some civil society organisations for the recovery of the huge loan of $7 billion and N600 billion from the commercial banks has been ignored by the management of the Central Bank.” Mr. Falana also called for the investigation of Mr Charles Soludo.

Ex Kano Gov Kwankwaso call out Ganduje over Kwankwassiya Inscription Delete,Says it's a waste of Resource

Ex Kano State Gov, Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, has for the first time called out Ganduje to desist from erasing Kwankwassiya inscriptions on public structures,declaring the exercise as a waste of resources and time.Kwankwaso who spoke yesterday, said instead of “squandering the state’s scarce resources on a futile exercise, the government should use such funds to revitalize the education sector, which is deteriorating.” Speaking through his aide,Muhammad Tajuddeen Usman, during an event organized to empower women,he urged his supporters to remain calm.“The Kwankwassiya movement can never be erased from your minds. This is why I am asking the state government to desist from erasing our symbols on public structures because it is a total waste of resources and time. They should instead channel the funds to reviving education which they have allowed to deteriorate,” he said.

He added that if the government insists on deleting all Kwankwassiya logos in the state, then they should be prepared to establish a whole ministry to carry out the exercise because it is an impossible task.“You should remain steadfast in your belief in Kwankwaso; they can’t take that away from you. The time will come when your votes will be more than dollars.That is when we will ask you to follow a certain direction to change your destinies,” he said.

National Embarrassement!President Buhari under fire after Obama Speech Theft bust...Director blamed

Following the National embarrassment generated by the Plagiarism Scandal, involving President Buhari, the presidency today Friday admitted to the plagiarism charge and blamed an unnamed “deputy director” for the intellectual property theft. President Muhammadu Buhari on Friday directed that appropriate disciplinary action be taken against those responsible for a plagiarized insertion in his speech delivered on September 8, 2016 at the launch of the “Change Begins With Me” campaign in Abuja, a statement by presidential spokesperson Garba Shehu has disclosed.In a Facebook post, Garba Shehu wrote: “It was observed that the similarities between a paragraph in President Obama’s 2008 Victory Speech and what President Buhari read in paragraph nine of the sixteen-paragraph address while inaugurating the Campaign on Thursday, September  8, 2016 are too close to be passed as coincidence.” “There was a mistake by an overzealous staff and we regret that this has happened.“Already, a deputy director in the Presidency has accepted responsibility for the insertion of the contentious paragraph. This serious oversight will be investigated thoroughly and appropriate sanction meted.“The presidency wishes to state in the clearest possible terms that it regrets this unfortunate incident and will ensure that this does not happen again.“President Buhari urges Nigerians to look beyond this incident and focus on the message of change, which the country needs in order to restore our cherished value systems,” the statement said.

US President Barrack Obama billed to hold Sessions with Buhari,others @ UN General Assembly sideline...No talk with Duterte after Insult

President Barack Obama will meet with the leaders of Nigeria, Iraq and Colombia on the sidelines of the annual United Nations General Assembly gathering next week, the White House said today Friday.Obama will hold separate sessions with Iraqi Prime Minister Haider Al-Abadi, Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari and Colombian President Juan Manuel Santos, White House deputy national security adviser Ben Rhodes told reporters on a call.Obama is not expected to meet with Philippines President Rodrigo Duterte, Rhodes said. The White House canceled a meeting with Duterte during Obama recent trip to Laos after Duterte insulted him.

Shocking:N3.4 Billion spent on 'Change Begins with Me' Campaign despite Economic Recession

Despite the Economic Recession bedeviling Nigeria and untold hardship meted out Nigerians, the recently launched ‘Change Begins With Me’ Campaign by President Muhammadu Buhari has been revealed to cost a whopping N3.4 billion. According information gleaned by daily Independent, the communication consultant headed by Brian Ebden and a company, Centerspread, signed a contract worth N1.7 billion with the Ministry of Information.Centerspread and Ebden’s terms of reference were to create logo, artwork, jingles and TV concepts.Some civil society groups got N700 million to promote the campaign while some celebrities in the country got N100 million to be used as faces of the controversial change campaign.Their achievements would be used as basis for Nigerians to follow, according to the reasons, adduced for their inclusion.According to Independent’s investigations, other costs the ministry incurred include sponsorship of dignitaries who attended the launch, advertisements and other things labeled as miscellaneous.All attempts to speak with Alhaji Lai Mohammed, Minister of Information, proved abortive as his media aide, Segun Adeyemi, did not reply to text messages sent to his phone. Recall, the controversial campaign has been a subject of intense controversy with one Akin Fadeyi’s team laying claim to being the brain behind it.They alleged that the Minister of Information, Lai Mohammed, stole the concept from the team after series of meeting with him and members of the ministry.

Empty Treasury?Ex President Goodluck Jonathan left $30 Billion for Buhari....Obasanjo reveals

Nigeria's former President, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo has faulted incumbent President Buhari for claiming he met nothing in the treasury, after taking over from the previous administrations.In an Interview with Frisky Larr, Obasanjo said, “When I assumed office in 1999, I inherited $3.7 billion in reserve, while Buhari met $30 billion, almost 10 times of what I met then, and the price of oil then was $9.Recall, several media reports had previously quoted President Buhari stating, he inherited an empty treasury.

 

Shocking:Bsc in Witchcraft to be included in SA Universities Curriculum from 2018...Automatic Residence Permit Included!!

South African Minister of Higher Education and Training, Blade Nzimande has announced plans to have Bsc in witchcraft included in the curriculum from 2018,reports Sowetanlive.Speaking to representatives from student unions around the country, the minister announced the shocking move and urged future university entrees to consider taking Witchcraft. “There is a lot we can learn from witchcraft, like how they fly in that winnowing basket. Imagine if we learn that skill. It will eradicate traffic jams and everyone will just get in their basket and fly. It also means we will not be importing fuel anymore.” Blade said.The announcement was met with boos and bottle throws from the packed auditorium who had gone to the meeting hoping the minister would announce a 0% fee increase for the coming year. The unperturbed minister also invited renowned witches to make an appointment with his office so they can have their skills tested and those outstanding would then be hired as lecturers.He also invited witches from across the border, promising them permanent residents permits. “I spoke to Gibs (Minister of Home affairs Malusi Gigaba) and he agreed to issue witches from outside South Africa with permanent residence permits. I heard Malawi and Zimbabwe have an impressive collection of witches. We are hoping they will heed the call”, he added. Applications is said to be closing on the 30th of September at midnight, after which an appointed panel will conduct interviews. There is currently an opening for 109 witches.

Nigerians brace up!!Transportation Fare to Skyrocket by 40% Effective Sept 19...APTCON blames it on Recession

Passengers travelling by road to various cities in Nigeria have been told to brace up for an increase in fares, effective September 19, 2016. The transporters under the aegis of Association of Private Transport Company Owners of Nigeria (APTCON) made the announcement in a recent notice to its members.The transport group said it was constrained to mark up transport fares by 40 percent because of the prevailing harsh operating business environment, which has seen cost of operations rise by more than 80 percent. The association’s secretariat noted that it was compelled to implement the increase, as the local economy was showing no signs of stability while international transactions were becoming increasingly difficult to close.“As we are all aware, the global economy is currently facing a downturn that has greatly affected most countries in the world. As an industry, we are not exempt from the crisis as in recent months, our operating costs have risen significantly,” the group stated.

Kaduna State now Sinking into a Quagmire of Neglect & Inaction Under Gov el-Rufai,Salaries Upaid....KDEI Elders lament

Elders in Kaduna under the aegis of the Kaduna Development Elders Initiative, have lamented over the pace Kaduna State is speedily Sinking into a Quagmire of Neglect, Inaction under Governor Nasir el-Rufa’i, asking him to change his style of administration. The elders also opined that the measures and policies of Governor Nasir el-Rufa’i were unpopular and not in the interest of people in the state. In a communiqué signed by their publicity secretary, Alhassan Balarabe Musa, the elders said they resolved to continue advising el-Rufa’i for the state to experience physical and human development.' Kaduna is now sinking into a quagmire of neglect and inaction.'' “The people of Kaduna State deserve better than what is being given to them now and the sooner the governor realizes that the better. He should, therefore, change his gear now.”The communiqué also stated that civil servants and pensioners have been in agony due to what it called “endless verifications exercise,” resulting in the withholding of salaries for many months. It expressed displeasure with the appointment of non-indigenes into key positions in the state, saying that might be in accordance with el-Rufa’i’s’ refusal to distinguish between indigenes and citizens.“It could, therefore, be seen that Governor el-Rufa’i is walking a tight rope in Kaduna State, high above his people, totally indifferent about their aspiration, hopes for obtaining dividend of democracy they have toiled hard to install.

Fifa & Ballon d'Or Marriage now Over

World football governing body, Fifa and France Football have ended their partnership deal for the Ballon d’Or award.This follows an announcement by both parties on Friday, with the prestigious individual award now set to return to its original home after FIFA severed its sponsorship ties with the influential France Football magazine.“The contractual agreement between FIFA and France Football expired in January. We told France Football in early August that the contract would not be renewed,” France24 quotes the Zurich-based governing body.Under the new format, the next recipient of the coveted prize will be determined by a vote of accredited journalists, a mandate that belonged to national team captains and managers in the old order.

America's Power Couple, Beyonce & JayZ plan Huge Concert for Charity in Newyork

Power couple Beyoncé and Jayz are planning a huge charity concert in Newyork reports pagesix.The concert benefitting the Robin Hood Foundation is going down on October 15 with performances by Bey and Jay, Nicki Minaj, Lauryn Hill, Lil Wayne.The event for which tickets will start at $50, with some VIP packages going up to $100,000 will raise money for Robin Hood, education for children in NYC and for charities nominated by the artists. The event will also be streamed live on Tidal.Robin Hood fights poverty and funds educational programs in New York’s poorest areas. Its board includes Paul Tudor Jones, David Einhorn, David Tepper and Katie Couric.

Rivers Gov,Nyesom Wike Reinstates Comms,HOS,SA earlier suspended

The Governor of Rivers State, Nyesom Ezenwo Wike has reinstated the four commissioners he suspended, weeks after they were asked to proceed on suspension.The commissioners recalled by the governor are those of: Chieftaincy Affairs, Dr John Bazia; Culture and Tourism, Mrs Tonye Briggs-Oniyide; Finance, Dr Fred Kpakol, as well as the Sports Commissioner, Mr Boma Iyaye.According to the statement issued by Special Assistant on Electronic Media to the governor, the Head of Service, Mr. Rufus Godwin and Mr. Anugbum Onuoha, Special Adviser on Lands were also recalled.

Stop 4 Airport Concession Immiediately or.....Aviation Union Warns Nigeria's FG

Nigeria's National Union of Air Transport Employees has warned the Federal Government to immediately halt its plan to concession the four major airports in the country or face Industrial Strike.The union made this known in an eight-point communique issued at its National Executive Council meeting held in Ilorin, Kwara.A copy of the communique which was signed by NUATE’s General Secretary, Olayinka Abioye, was made available to newsmen in Lagos on Thursday.Abioye’s communique faulted the plan to concession the four airports which it described as the cash-cow out of the 22 airports owned by the Federal Government. Abioye said: “The NEC in-session therefore calls for immediate stoppage of the concession of Nigerian airports to avoid industrial crisis that may arise as the government has failed to carry along stakeholders on this germane matter.”He urged the aviation agencies, including the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority and the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency to improve the welfare of their workers. Recall, the Minister of State for Aviation, Capt. Hadi Sirika, had on September 6, announced that there was no going back on the concession of the Lagos, Abuja, Kano and Port Harcourt Airports.

Abia North Rerun?Uproar in Umuahia,Aba after Tribunal Struck-Out Dr Orji Kalu's Petition...Ohuabunwa Victory upheld

Justice James Abundaga of the Abia North Election Rerun Petition Tribunal sitting in Umuahia, on Thursday struck out a petition filed by the Progressive Peoples’ Alliance (PPA) and former Governor of Abia State, Dr. Orji Kalu against the declaration of Mao Ohuabunwa of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) as winner of the controversial election, has caused uproar among stakeholders including students, market women, traders as they thronged the streets of Umuahia and Aba to register their displeasure over the verdict.Though it was a peaceful protest, the looks on the faces of the people were disturbing and alarming as they could not hide their unhappiness over the decision of the tribunal.As they moved from one street to the other, the protesters were seen singing and carrying placards with different inscriptions such as “Kalu is the authentic winner”, “Appeal Court return OUK”,  “We want OUK”, “Ikpeazu, T.A Orji and MAO are enemies of Abians.”According to them, the ruling is biased and against the wish of the people.

Clash of the Titans:Confusion in PDP as Makarfi,Sheriff Factions submit 2 names for one Ondo Guber Spot!!

The never ending drama trailing the PDP has taken a new twist as, report state two factions from the Party have submitted the names of two different people as their candidates for one spot at the forth-coming Ondo State governorship election.The two factions are the  National Caretaker Committee headed by Senator Ahmed Makarfi, while the other is a faction led by Senator Ali Modu Sheriff.According to the online report, Makarfi’s camp submitted the name of Mr. Eyitayo Jegede (SAN), Sheriff’s faction gave the name of Mr. Jimoh Ibrahim as its own candidate to the Independent National Electoral Commission.The election is scheduled to hold on November 26.

Yoruba Org 'Afenifere' put Sokoto Gov,Tambuwal on blast for 'Parochial' Stand over Nigeria's Restructuring

Apex Yoruba socio-political organisation, Afenifere, has lambasted the Sokoto State Governor, Aminu Tambuwal for kicking against the call for Nigeria’s restructuring.The group described Tambuwal’s stand as parochial. Tambuwal had strongly kicked against the ongoing clamour for restructuring, insiting that Nigeria remain indivisible. In a statement,Afenifere National Publicity Secretary, Mr Yinka Odumakin, insisted that the present structure of Nigeria is “iniquitous, skewed, unfair, unjust and not conducive to justice, harmony, development and happiness of the constituent units of the country.Odumakin, however, maintained that the current crisis rocking the country will not have a peaceful resolution if leaders of the country, like Tambuwal, have such a mindset. He said: “Today, Nigeria is on ground zero with the government as confused as the governed and we are on our knees praying to avert our looming implosion. And it is only those dwelling in mischief or the hopelessly ignorant that would not see that the terminal crisis in Nigeria today, flows from our structural dysfunctionality. “It is therefore perfidious for anyone to tell us at this stage that the constituent units of Nigeria should be in their chains inside a suffocating cage with a little more meat added to the slave ration they currently enjoy.”

'MMM' Wonder?It's a Ponzi Scheme,Beware...Central Bank Warns Nigerians

The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has warned Nigerians to be careful of any deposit money institution that is not insured by the Nigeria Deposit Insurance Corporation (NDIC) especially the trending 'MMM' Nigeria community Wonder. Acting Director of Corporate Communications, Central Bank, Mr. Isaac Okoroafor, made this known yesterday against the proliferation of wonder banks in the country in recent times.Okoroafor said such deposit money institutions were dubious 'Ponzi' schemes.“At times like this when the economy has suffered some decline, Nigerians should be very careful with those they deal with. Any institution that is not licensed by the CBN to accept deposits should not be given money to keep under any guise,” he advised.He warned Nigerians to beware of the so-called wonder banks, explaining that they were makeshift institutions to dupe people.

Matters Arising!!NUT gives Bayelsa State Govt 7 days Ultimatum over Unpaid Salaries...Vow Industrial Strike Next Monday

Teachers in secondary and primary schools in Bayelsa State have vowed to commence an industrial action next week Monday if the state government failed to address issues bordering on their months of unpaid salaries.The teachers under the auspices of the Nigeria Union of Teachers, Bayelsa State chapter, have therefore given the Seriake Dickson administration a seven-day ultimatum beginning from Monday (this week).The teachers said if on the expiration of the ultimatum on September 19, 2016, the government did not address the over six months salary arears, they would be left with no option but to embark on strike.The teachers’ threat is contained in a communique reached after

Nigeria's Former First-Lady Dame Patience Jonathan Distant self from Money Laundering Accounts,others

In a statement by her media aide, Yemi Akinbode, Mrs Jonathan said she was constrained to respond to “tissues of lies being churned out” by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). The statement said: “That Mrs. Patience Ibifaka Jonathan is laying claim to ownership of a whopping sum of $31.7 million dollars fund recovered by EFCC is a complete fallacy. Mrs. Jonathan does not own and has never owned such amount of money. The reason for this lie is best known to the EFCC. “That another sum of $20 million dollars has been traced to Mrs. Patience Ibifaka Jonathan, is again, another falsehood aimed at hoodwinking the public against Mrs. Jonathan.“That a further sum of