I smuggled cocaine to fund my dad’s burial – Suspect

A suspected cocaine dealer, Kingsley Agu, who was recently arrested at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos has told operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency that he took to crime because he needed money to fund his father’s burial.

The 30-year-old Agu was arrested with two others – Joseph Ezenna and Israel Okoye – for smuggling cocaine valued at N131m from Brazil.

Agu, who seemed remorseful for his act, said he was a trader in Aba, Abia State but was forced to travel to Brazil because of economic hardship.

He said while in Brazil, he got news of his father’s death and could not even afford a flight ticket so he decided to go into drug smuggling to fund his trip and his father’s burial.

He said, “I was born in Enugu. I sell clothes at Aba market. I travelled to Brazil in April 2014 because my business was not doing well. The few months I spent in Brazil were even worse than here in Nigeria. While in Brazil, my father died and I had no money for my flight ticket. Bringing cocaine to Nigeria was my last hope of raising some money for my dad’s funeral. I was to be paid N800, 000 for the assignment.” Continue..

200th day: Make rescue of Chibok girls top priority, Ezekwesili pleads

The rescue of the 219 girls abducted from Government Secondary School, Chibok, Borno State by insurgents of the Islamist Boko Haram group must take priority over every other activity, Bringbackourgirls campaigner, Mrs. Oby Ezekwesili has said.Speaking ahead of the 200th day today, of the abduction of the school girls, Mrs. Ezekwesili expressed sorrow over the continued abduction of the girls who she said, should not be allowed to abide a day longer in the captivity of the insurgents.

She rebuffed a direct response to the spate of political activities connected to the forthcoming elections saying tersely that every other thing was insignificant to the efforts to liberate the girls.“As far as we are concerned, we are not looking at any other thing, we are just interested in the Federal Government living up to its responsibility, the need to rescue the Chibok girls,” Mrs. Ezekwesili a former minister of education and vice-president in World Bank said. Continue...

Kidnappers release Julius Berger employee in Ogun

An expatriate with German construction company, Julius Berger Nigeria, who was kidnapped by four gunmen last Friday, has been released.

The expatriate’s colleague was shot when they were ambushed by their abductors and he later died in a hospital.

They were on their way to the company’s quarry at Ogbere, in the Ijebu East Local Government Area of Ogun State when the incident occurred.

The deputy spokesman for the police in the state, Mr. Abimbola Oyeyemi, said he was released in the early hours of Thursday, and he had been reunited with the officials of the company in Lagos.

Oyeyemi, who was silent on whether any ransom was paid or not, said the command would make the state safe and conducive for socio-economic activities adding that, members of the public should be ready at all times to support and cooperate with the command. Continue..

President Jonathan recalls Keshi

Good for keshi! President Goodluck Jonathan has ordered the immediate reinstatement of former Super Eagles coach, Stephen Okechukwu Keshi.Keshi’s contract with the Nigeria Football Federation was not renewed after the World Cup in Brazil. But in a twist of fate, Sports Minister and Chairman of the National Sports Commission, Tammy Danagogo invited the Afcon winning coach to return to the team and prosecute the first phase of the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers against Congo, South Africa and Sudan. The campaign has been a near disaster as the Eagles could only garner 4 points from a possible 12. Nigerians were enraged and called for the head of the coach. Keshi was subsequently asked to go by the new NFF board .President Jonathan’s order for the reinstatement of the embattled coach was not unexpected as there were reports of a strong lobby group comprising people from high places campaigning for the return of the former Hawks of Togo coach. Continue..

Boy attacked by dogs in stable condition – LASUTH

The management of the Lagos State University Teaching, Hospital, Ikeja has denied allegations of abandoning four-year-old Omonigho Abraham, who was attacked by two dogs.

However, in a swift reaction, Omonigho’s father, Odia, argued that the hospital authorities were lying as the doctors had neglected his son until Punch report was published.

The Chief Medical Director of the hospital, Professor Wale Oke, said the victim was going through a healing process which should not be misconstrued by his relatives that his condition was deteriorating.

On Thursday that Omonigho’s father, Mr. Odia, had expressed anxiety over his son’s condition.

Odia had said Omonigho’s head was giving off an offensive odour, because he had been abandoned by the medical personnel in LASUTH for two weeks. Continue...

Ayo Fayose Says - Reason why I go to beer parlours every Friday

Governor Ayo Fayose of Ekiti state says he goes to the beer parlour every Friday to meet with the commoners in his state. Fayose said this today in Abuja while explaining to newsmen the concept of the 'stomach infrastructure' he initiated in his state, saying it doesn't only mean sharing of food and money to the people..

"I go to beer parlour on Friday to stay with the common men there. Governance is not church; it is about diverse characters and you must relate with them as such. Christmas is coming. Why do people go out of their ways to be shopping or doing other things if it is not just to make people merry? So, I’m grooming chicken, buying rice, yams, plantain, and the rest of them. I am sure if I give it to families during the festive period, they will be happy. So, stomach infrastructure is a way of life.” he said

Amodu wants Keshi recalled for Congo, S’Africa matches

Interim Super Eagles Head Coach, Shuaibu Amodu, has asked the Nigeria Football Federation to allow Stephen Keshi to continue handling the national senior male football team, the Super Eagles.

Amodu’s plea was contained in a letter dated October 27 and addressed to NFF Chairman, Amaju Pinnick, through the Chairman of the Technical Committee.
He said Keshi should handle the team’s remaining matches in the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers, against Congo on November 15 and South Africa on November 19.
Amodu, who is the NFF’s National Technical Director was named as new Head Coach penultimate week. Continue..

Soldiers join protesters in Burkina Faso

Hundreds of soldiers in Burkina Faso on Thursday joined demonstrators opposing plans to extend President Blaise Compaore’s nearly three-decade rule, Radio France Internationale reported.

It said the protesters earlier stormed parliament and set it on fire.
While part of the army was helping police to repress demonstrations, about 500 soldiers from Ouagadougou’s main barracks joined protesters, asking for power to change hands on a central square.
It said the president’s brother; Francois Compaore, had been arrested at the airport when trying to leave the country.
However, Compaore’s whereabouts were not known. Continue..

Malala donates $50,000 to reconstruction of schools in Gaza

Nobel Prize winner and Pakistani education campaigner, Malala Yousafzai, has donated $50,000 towards the reconstruction of schools in war-torn Gaza in Palestine. Many public buildings and schools in the Gaza Strip were destroyed by Israeli warplanes and tanks during Gaza's recent conflict with Israel.
Malala made the donation yesterday Wednesday October 29th after receiving the World Children’s Prize for the rights of the child in Marienfred, Sweden. Speaking at the event, Malala said the money will be channeled through the United Nations relief agency UNRWA to help rebuild 65 schools in the Palestinian territory.

See Woman gave birth to triplets, unable to pay hospital bill

 A woman who just gave birth to triplets is being held at the hospital over her family's inability for N150k bill. Sun News reports below..

A couple with five children was recently blessed with a set of triplets. The couple, now with eight kids – five boys and three girls – never envisaged going that far in child bearing. But since circumstance had made it so, Mr. & Mrs. Ifeani Benjamin Amadu, from Ukpo in Dunukofia Local Government Area of Anambra State, have no option but to accept their fate.Mrs. Amadu told our correspondent that three months into her pregnancy, she had gone for scan only to be told that she was carrying three babies in her womb, a revelation that threw her into fright.  Continue...

Health of boy attacked by dogs worsens

 

It appears the condition of four-year-old Omonigho Abraham, who was attacked by two dogs in the Igando area of Lagos State about a month ago, has worsened in the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital, Ikeja where he is currently receiving treatment.

Omonigho’s scalp which was torn off by the German shepherd dogs during the gruesome attack, had not healed and had been giving off an offensive odour.

He said this had given the family serious concern.

Odia told our correspondent on Wednesday that attempts to get the medical report of his condition had also been frustrated by some medical officers in the hospital.

He said, “My boy still complains of pains in different parts of his body. Also, when they open the bandage on his head, you will see that there is no much difference. It’s still like the first time the incident happened. Continue...

Jonathan blames NFF crises for Eagles’ poor performance

President Goodluck Jonathan on Wednesday identified internal crises as reasons behind the abysmal performance sometimes put up by the country’s male national football teams.

He however noted that in spite of the numerous crises suffered by the Nigeria Football Federation, the female football teams had been putting up spectacular performances because of the high level of discipline among them.

Jonathan spoke when the Super Falcons formally presented the golden trophy they won at the just-concluded African Women’s Championship in Windhoek, Namibia to him.

The Minister of Sports, Tamuno Danagogo, led the team’s captain, coach and other officials to present the trophy to the President shortly before the commencement of the weekly Federal Executive Council meeting. Continue.....

Actor Osita Iheme 'Paw Paw learning how to play Golf

 Populat actor Ositah iheme is learning how to golf and shared photos from his practice on his instagram page. See more photos

Please Let's Help Save this Fine Girl, Pillar Egona

Pillar Egona is a 7-Year-Old girl, she was recently diagnosed with Osteosarcoma (bone cancer), a kind of cancer at knee cap region. The cancer has become so extensive that it might affect other parts of the body if surgery is not done as soon as possible

Leg amputation is all Nigeria hospitals could offer with less chances of survival as they don't have life support machine for kids. Treatment abroad through chemotherapy and possibly limb salvage can be done for her to make her walk with her feet again.

Nigerians please help her. Pay whatever you can into her bank accounts with the account details above.

Why I got solo endorsement without my brother — Peter Okoye of P-Square

Tongues have been wagging, anxiety high and of course, speculations running wild with all sorts of permutations on why Nutricima, makers of Olympic milk should endorse only Peter Okoye instead of the singing duo of him and his brother, Paul. Scandal hounds have sniffed another crack in the house of the Okoyes and felt another rift in the air as the one that nearly tore them apart months before.But speaking at his unveiling as the brand ambassador of the milk product, Peter debunked such development and explained why the company selected him alone. “ Music is like football. For example, if I play for Barcelona and I get endorsed by Nike, it doesn’t mean the whole Barcelona team has been endorsed. This is about me and not me and Paul” he explained.“Among thousands or perhaps millions of people in the entertainment industry, I felt honoured to be chosen as the brand ambassador. The deal means a lot, not just to me but also to my fans. If a brand isn’t worth it I have nothing to do with such a brand. The fact that I am ready to work with this brand is an indication of its top quality” he added in his inaugural speech as the brand ambassador of the brand.

Ronaldo crowned La Liga’s best

Cristiano Ronaldo claimed a hat-trick of honours after being named La Liga’s 2013-14 Player of the Year at the LFP awards on Monday, BBC reports.

Ronaldo received the top gong in recognition of his stellar campaign last season that saw him score 31 goals in just 30 matches for Real Madrid.

The Portugal captain also took out the Best Forward award and Best Goal for his incredible backheel against Valencia in May.

“I have to thank my team-mates, Real Madrid, my family… it is a very good moment in my career,” Ronaldo said.

“For me, the important thing is to win collective prizes, but I like the individual ones, too. I work every day, in training, to continue adding more to this.”

The 2013-14 Coach of the Year went to Argentine Diego Simeone after defying the odds to guide Atletico Madrid to the La Liga title last term. Continue..

Nigerian doctors meet in Wales

Twenty plus years ago, eight Nigerian doctors in London began a series of meetings at the Nigeria High Commission in London, thereby birthing an organization called the Nigerian Medical Forum (NMF). NMF was to be the platform over which the (then) 2000 or so Nigerian doctors in the UK would address health and medical concerns back home in Nigeria as well as advocate for each other.Mr Akin Idowu, a Consultant in Emergency Medicine was elected founding President; other founders were Mr Abba Gana and Mr Menakaya whose Uncle later became a Federal Health Minister under the Obasanjo regime. I was elected NMFs founding first Public Relations Officer.Membership grew fast. We shared dreams and objectives of delivering services, equipment and training for a better health sector back home.A few years after I relocated to the USA where Ive remained most of the last fifteen years before returning to Nigeria.Cue MANSAG……Formed in 1997, the Medical Association of Nigerians Across Great Britain, took the baton from NMF, and have run far ahead with it.Having watched their activities from across the Ocean for many years, I attended their 2014 Annual Conference held at the Mercure Hotel in Cardiff, Wales the weekend of October 25th.The theme was: Continue...

SYNAGOGUE: No blast injuries on 116 victims —Pathologist

A Consultant Pathologist, Professor John Obafunwa, yesterday, said that 116 persons died on September 12 when a guest house owned by the Synagogue Church of All Nations, SCOAN, collapsed in Lagos.

Obafunwa, who is the Chief Medical Examiner of Lagos State, made this known while presenting a preliminary report to a Coroner’s Inquest set up to investigate the cause of the building collapse.

Led in evidence by Mr Akingbolahan Adeniran, Counsel to the Lagos State Government, he ruled out claims of an explosion as the cause of the building collapse at the church, saying none of the victims had blast injuries. Continue...

IGP - 30 policemen still missing

The Acting Inspector General of Police, IGP, Mr Suleiman Abba, said yesterday that “about 30” policemen were still missing, more than two months after Boko Haram terrorists attacked their training facility in Gwoza, Borno state.The police boss who contradicted his earlier statement that about 20 policemen remained accounted for while speaking with state house correspondents said that one of the policemen that went missing had returned to his base.He said; “Last week we were able to identify that one of the missing officers in Gwoza had gone back to his base this time around. So, there can still be some that are in their homes, perhaps refusing to even report to anyone that they are around because of the trauma they went through.“Or they could still be among the families in some of the villages around there. It is still our hope that they are alive and that they will come out alive” he said.Thirty five police officers were declared missing following the deadly attack by suspected Boko Haram fighters on the Mobile Police Training School, Gwoza, on August 23. A statement by the Force Public Relations Officer, DCP Emmanuel Ojukwu had said. Continue....

NLC boss slams Buhari, Obasanjo over Muslim-Muslim ticket row

Vice-President of the Nigeria Labour Congress, Comrade Issa Aremu, has said it was wrong for a former Head of State and a presidential aspirant of the All Progressives Congress, Maj.-Gen. Muhammadu Buhari (retd.) to have said that he would not mind a Muslim-Muslim presidential ticket.

He also said that it was inappropriate for a former President, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, a to have warned against a Muslim-Muslim ticket.

Aremu spoke in an interview with journalists during the 26th Annual National Education Conference of the National Union of Textile, Garment and Tailoring Workers of Nigeria and the Nigeria Textile, Garment and Tailoring Employers’ association in Ilorin, Kwara State, on Tuesday.

He said that religion should not be a consideration or a factor in choosing candidates in the 2015 elections. Continue...

Singer Kcee shows off his new expensive Rolex watch

He shared the pic on instagram

76% of Nigerian children suffer from iron deficiency -Official

Managing Director, Nestle Nigeria, Mr Dharnesh Gordhon, has said 76 per cent of children in Nigeria aged between six months and five years are suffering from iron deficiency

Gordhon, who was represented by Mrs Iquo Ukoh, Marketing Services Director of the company, gave the information at a Nestle Nutrition Seminar in Lagos, with theme, ‘Preventing Iron Deficiency in Nigeria’.

According to Gordhon, iron deficiency is the most common form of micronutrient deficiency in children and a significant cause of anaemia.

Gordhon said micronutrients, such as iron, vitamin A, iodine and zinc were essential for growth and development.

He said, “Iron deficiency has series of functional consequences such as reduced cognitive development as measured by intelligence quotient, reduced attention span and poor learning and impaired scholastic performance. Continue...

FIFA gives Nigeria Friday deadline

Nigeria Tuesday received a reprieve from world soccer-governing body, FIFA, which has moved the deadline for the nation’s ban to Friday, October 31, 2014 at midday Nigerian time.
The grace according to FIFA’s Secretary-General Jerome Valcke in a letter addressed to the President of the Nigeria Football Federation, Amaju Pinnick was in order to give Nigerian football a last opportunity to avoid a lengthy suspension.

On Saturday in Windhoek, Namibia, CAF President Issa Hayatou told Nigeria’s Sports Minister, Tammy Danagogo in clear terms that the world was fed up with Nigeria’s incorrigibility in the area of football administration. ”It is all very disappointing because we have over 50 National Associations in Africa, but a big country like Nigeria is the one always giving us the biggest headache”. Hayatou lashed out in a meeting with Sports Minister in Namibia.

But in the letter to Pinnick, FIFA said that if they do not receive proof that the case has been definitively withdrawn from court and the board elected on September 30 is able to carry out its activities without any hindrance, they would refer the case to FIFA Emergency Committee for implementation of the suspension

Customs intercepts goods worth N70.4m

The Federal Operations Unit, FOU, Zone ‘A’ Ikeja, of Nigerian Customs Service, has wreaked havoc on smugglers with the invasion and evacuation of 19 trucks laden with 10,252 bags of 50kg parboiled rice and 554 jerry cans of 25 litres of groundnut oil with Duty Paid Value of N70,377, 500.The Controller of the zone, Deputy Comptroller Usman Turaki, who affirmed that the recent operational exploits of the unit is based on the unit’s renewed vigour and determination to eradicate smuggling, said it will continue to protect the investments of organizations and individuals, who have invested heavily in rice farming and production.Turaki also said his men and officers will continue to reciprocate the logistics and capacity building given by the Comptroller-General, Alhaji Abdullahi Dikko Inde, by ensuring re-dedication to duty.

Gunmen kill Julius Berger worker, abduct another

Gunmen suspected to be kidnappers on Friday killed a German construction worker with Julius Berger Nigeria Plc, and abducted his colleague while on their way to Ogbere in the Ijebu East Local Government Area of Ogun State.

The victims were said to be on their way to their quarry and were without their usual escorts, when the incident happened. It was learnt that the deceased German national, whose name had yet to be known, was a sub-contractor. A source told our correspondent that the driver of the vehicle in which the Germans were travelling in, was trying to make a U-turn when they suddenly ran into the abductors, who fired bullets at their car. The Deputy Police Public Relations Officer, Ogun State Command, Mr. Abimbola Oyeyemi, said the police were on the trail of the abductors.

He said, “The hoodlums accosted the expatriates on the way to their quarry. They hid in the bush and as soon as they sighted their vehicle coming, they opened fire on them. Continue...

Redknapp disagrees with Mourinho on Mikel

Former Liverpool midfielder Jamie Redknapp has questioned Jose Mourinho’s decision to bring on John Obi Mikel against Manchester United on Sunday, insisting that the Chelsea boss should have learned his lesson from the game against Manchester City.

The Blues travelled to Old Trafford on Sunday looking to continue their unbeaten run this season and it seemed like that would be made even sweeter, as Didier Drogba gave them a second-half lead.

Mourinho decided to shut up shop with roughly 20 minutes left and sent on midfield enforcer Mikel to nullify United’s attacking threat. However, that move backfired and a stoppage-time goal from Robin van Persie stole a point for the hosts.

Mourinho did the exact thing at the Etihad last month when a late goal from Frank Lampard earned a point for City, which Redknapp believes Mourinho should have learned from.

The former Spurs man told Daily Mail, “That’s twice now – against City and United – Chelsea have been 1-0 up, brought on Jon Obi Mikel and conceded late on. It’s not him as a player, it’s the message of the manager.

“Jose is a safety first boss but when you make that switch, it tells the team to sit back and defend. Unfortunately for him, it’s not working.”

Boko Haram raped, beat us – Abducted girls

One of the chibok girls cried out! He soon began to threaten me with a knife to have sex with him and when I refused, he brought out his gun, warning that he would kill me if I shouted.

“Then he began to rape me every night … I had never had sex before; it was very painful and I cried bitterly because I was bleeding afterwards.”

These were the words of a 15-year-old girl, who was abducted by Boko Haram and forcibly married to one of its commanders in a camp in the Sambisa Forest, Borno State.

The girl, according to a report by Human Rights Watch, was abducted in 2013 but she escaped after four weeks in captivity.

The teenager is one of the five girls that personally recounted their ordeals in the publication which was made public on Monday. She said that after her marriage to the commander who was in his early 30s, she was ordered to live with him in cave. Continue....

Cybercrime had left Nigerian economy in a bad state’

Reactions have continued to trail the passing of a bill by the National Assembly on Thursday to allow for the investigation and prosecution of perpetrators of cybercrimes in the country.

In separate interviews on Monday in Abuja, some members of the public commended the assembly for taking the initiative to put an end to internet fraud.

Mr James Ojukwu, the Manager of Dee O Cyber Café in the Abuja metropolis, said that cybercrime was a fraudulent act which involved swindling unsuspecting citizens with the use of the internet.

“Some people impersonate others in a bid to swindle unsuspecting individuals. It does not necessarily involve going to a cyber café because even mobile phones are used to perpetrate this criminal act.”

Ojukwu said that cyber crime impacts negatively on the economy as most businesses fail to see returns on investments, a problem caused by copy rights infringements.

Another respondent, Mr Ayodele Abodurin, the Manager, Oko Printing Press, said cybercrime had left the Nigerian economy in a bad state of decline as taxes were often not collected on these pirated products. Continue..

I didn’t ask Amaechi for Rivers’ money –Patience Jonathan

Wife of the President, Mrs. Patience Jonathan, on Sunday denied a statement credited to Governor Rotimi Amaechi of Rivers State that she asked him to share the state’s funds with her.

Amaechi had while speaking in Port Harcourt at the joint graduation of the students of the University of Ibadan and pioneer graduates of Ignatius Ajuru University of Education, on Saturday was quoted as saying that his problem with Mrs. Jonathan started after he rejected her demand.

“I refused to give them money in Abuja because if I do that, I won’t be able to carry out any development project or finish the road from Rumuolumeni to Rumuepirikom.

“The quarrel between me and the wife of the President is because she said I should bring your money, Rivers people, money and share with her,” the governor reportedly said. Continue..

Jim Iyke flaunts his Special Swags in new Photos

Swag dude with effisy.. See more picx...

Supreme court sacks Delta lawmaker, orders salary refund

The Supreme Court on Friday sacked a member of the Delta State House of Assembly representing Ugelli North Constituency II, Mr. Edoja Akpodiete.

The apex court ordered him to refund to the state coffers all the salaries and allowances he had collected since he had been occupying the seat since 2011.

It was the first time the Supreme Court would be ordering any person to refund the money earned from office that he or she illegally occupied.

In its lead judgement delivered by Justice Walther Onnoghen, the Supreme Court ordered that Mr. Jenkins Gwede of the Democratic Peoples Party to take over the seat from Akpodiete.

The court held that the Independent National Electoral commission had wrongfully issued the certificate of return to Akpodiete even when it was aware that he had ceased to be the sponsored candidate of the Democratic Peoples Party over 45 days before the state House of Assembly election was conducted on April 26, 2011. Continue..

Jonathan in Jerusalem on pilgrimage

President Goodluck Jonathan arrived in Jerusalem on Saturday for a two-day pilgrimage to Israel.

According to the president’s itinerary, he will observe the Sabbath Day on Saturday at the Wailing Wall, where he will pray privately before going to Mount Tabor and Mount Carmel.

Jonathan will also visit some other Christian holy sites during the pilgrimage.

During the pilgrimage, he will pray for Nigeria at an Interdenominational Church Service with the theme: ‘A day with Jesus for Nigeria in Israel’.

The progamme of events indicates that other Nigerian Pilgrims will join the president during the service to pray for the well being and progress of the country.

Nigeria’s Ambassador to Israel Davi Obasa received the president on arrival at the David Ben Gurion International Airport, Tel Aviv. Continue...

I don’t mind dating a younger man now –Ara

Now single drummer girl, Ara, has said she is ready to give marriage another shot now that she and her once Iceland-based hubby have divorced.

 Ara said she wouldn’t even mind going for a younger guy if he comes around her.

“When I meet the right person and fall in love, I will consider marriage. I really want to fall in love again. I don’t believe in marriage just for its sake. If a younger guy comes up to me, I don’t mind dating the person. I don’t mind marrying somebody who I am older than. I have spoken to a couple of people and they don’t see anything wrong with it. If the person has a mature mind and is committed, then it is not a big deal.”

When asked if she is not looking for somebody who she can control and manipulate, the singer said she is not the overbearing type and she never exhibited such trait in her former marriage.

“I am not that kind of person. I am the most submissive wife. I am ‘mumu’ for love. You can ask my ex, he can tell you. There was never a day I didn’t ask him what I should cook even though I was the breadwinner. I would always ask him what he wanted. And whatever he said, if we didn’t have it, I would jump on an okada and enter the market to go and buy the stuff. I am a hopeless lover,” she said. Continue...

Gunmen kidnap Deziani Alison-Madueke’s sister in Port Harcourt

There are reports that gunmen on Wednesday Oct. 22nd kidnapped the younger sister of Petroleum Minister, Deziani Alison-Madueke. Osio Agama was reportedly kidnapped by unknown gunmen in Port Harcourt and taken to an unknown destination. The kidnappers are yet to make contact with the family.

Russia seizes banned EU meat disguised as chewing gum

Russian customs officers are struggling to digest a new smuggling scam after some 600 tonnes of banned meat from Europe were discovered disguised as other items such as chewing gum.Officials in northwestern Russia made the finds in refrigerated containers shipped from Antwerp, Hamburg and Rotterdam, the country’s agricultural safety agency said Friday.“While searching 26 refrigerated containers whose accompanying documents said they contained frozen mushrooms, juice, fruit jellies and chewing gum, they discovered meat and fatback pork produced in Germany, the Netherlands, Belgium and Poland,” the agency said in a statement.Russia this summer imposed sweeping bans on food products from the European Union in retaliation for tough sanctions imposed on Moscow over its meddling in Ukraine.

Chita Agwu releases wedding invites

Beautiful Nollywood actress, model and Akachawa presenter, Chita Agwu and her Malaysia based fiance, John Maduabuchi have been in the news, not only because of their celebrated engagement but more because of the romantic ways they have been celebrating their new-found love.On Chita’s birthday a couple of months ago, John whisked her away for an exotically romantic celebration in Dubai. On Friday, October 24th Chita woke everyone up with the ultimate news.“ I shall be privileged to have you in one of the auspicious moment of my life. I hereby invite you to my traditional marriage ceremony between Chita Agwu and Johnson Maduabuchi, which takes place on 25th October 2014 in Umuobuna Uburu Ohaozara local government area of Ebonyi State” she wrote in a Blackberry message

Africa richest woman to expand banking empire to Namibia

 Africa’s richest woman, Angolan Isabel dos Santos, is set to spread her banking empire into neigbouring Namibia, after a banking licence was approved by the country’s central bank.

Bank of Namibia spokesperson Ndangi Katoma said the bank had granted provisional authorisation to Bank BIC Namibia Limited to conduct business as a banking institution in Namibia.

Bank BIC Namibia Limited is a subsidiary of Angolan Bank Banco BIC, which is 42.5-percent owned by Africa’s first woman billionaire, the daughter of Angolan President Jose Eduardo dos Santos.Isabel dos Santos, is reported by Forbes to be worth $3 billion.But Katoma warned that Bank BIC Namibia would not be allowed to engage in banking activities with any person in Namibia just yet, “especially soliciting deposits. Continue..

Sammie Okposo bags South-Africa’s biggest gospel awards nomination

Multitalented gospel artiste and Glo ambassador Sammie Okposo has been nominated in this year’s Best of Africa category at the biggest South-Africa gospel music awards, SABC Crown Music Awards. Okposo is the only Nigerian artiste nominated for the awards and in same category with four other revered African gospel artistes, Frank Chimpazi, Shongwe & Khuphuka, Saved Group and Seapour N.

The awards which is in its seventh year will be held at ICC Arena, Durban on 23 November 2014.

Speaking concerning his nomination, Sammie said the nomination came as shock because he was not expecting it. “Firstly, all thanks to God for his grace and excellent spirit. He is the only one that blesses a man and lifts him up. I’m grateful for the nomination but for me it means more hard work. Many years after I won the Kora Awards Best Gospel Artiste in Africa, my works are still much in demand and here is another nomination as the Best of Africa Gospel Artiste. It’s an honour”.

The organisers also announced that Sammie Okposo will be performing at the event scheduled for November 23, 2014 Durban ICC Arena in South-Africa.

 

Nigerian leaders must show Godly character —British MP

A member of the British House of Commons, Lord Paul Boateng, yesterday challenged Nigerian leaders to lead the people in fear of God, show courage, character and de-emphasize greed and corruption for the common good.Boateng gave the charge while delivering a keynote address as a guest speaker at the 5th edition of the annual National Breakfast Prayer organized by the National Assembly in Abuja.He said the current state of affairs in Africa’s most populous nation was due to actions which had gone contrary to the ideals of its founding fathers, who preached and worked for the greatness of Nigeria.He said: “As a little boy in a small neighbouring country of Ghana, when Nigeria came along to join us as an independent state, I remember the words of a great son of Africa, Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe.“Also known as the Zik of Africa, he gave bond-building and strengthening speech, calling on all compatriots for a concerted effort of leadership, oneness and patriotism.

Jonathan urges Super Falcons to continue African dominance by beating Cameroon

President Goodluck Jonathan on Friday urged the Super Falcons “to continue their glorious domination of African women football with another victory’’ by beating Cameroon in Namibia on Saturday.In a statement in Abuja by the President’s Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Reuben Abati, Jonathan also congratulated the team on their efforts so far.He urged the players “to go all out to continue their glorious domination of African women football with another victory’’.The Falcons will meet Cameroon in the final match of the 2014 African Women Championship (AWC) in Windhoek, Namibia on Saturday.They had on Wednesday beaten perennial foes South Africa 2-1 in the semi-finals, with the victory also earning them a place at next year’s FIFA Women’s World Cup in Canada.President Jonathan however urged the Falcons not to take it for granted that they will achieve victory against Cameroon. Continue..

Ebola: FG sends 250 experts to Liberia, others

President Goodluck Jonathan has given approval for the Nigerian Centre for Disease Control to support Ebola-ravaged countries of Liberia, Guinea and Sierra Leone to build local capacity of health workers to enhance response to the fight against Ebola Virus Disease.

Already, 250 Nigerian experts are set to be deployed in these countries in the next few days. The number will constitute the first phase of the 506 Nigerian volunteers that have been identified and ready for deployment in the West African countries ravaged by Ebola.

The Supervising Minister of Health, Dr. Khaliru Alhassan, who stated this during a press briefing on Thursday in Abuja, warned that the transportation of corpses was still banned in Nigeria except proper clearance is obtained from the Ministry of Health. Continue...

Na Wa O! Baby born in Ibadan clutching holy Qur’an

For those who believe in things like this...Nigerian Tribune is reporting that a baby was born recently in Oyo state clutching a pocket-size Qur’an (pictured above).

The baby, who has since been named Ismail, was born in a church at the Oniyanrin area of Ibadan in September, the reports states. A renowned Islamic preacher who the newspaper spoke with said the woman who delivered the baby threw away the object she found in the baby's hand thinking it was something devilish, only for them to later find out it was a pocket-size Qur’an which contained all the 114 chapters in the holy book. It was wrapped in a thread. The preacher said although the Qur’an was small, the lettering inside was readable. Continue..

AY - I Will Do Anything To Keep My Marriage

Popular comedian, Ayo Makun, speaks on divorce syndrome ravaging the entertainment industry and other issues with Punch's GEOFF IYATSE and he took up the issues very frankly.

When they celebrate wedding vows, the entire city seethes. Some take their ceremonies to the Middle East, Europe and America, making offshore wedding a symbol of prestige, to prove that no mountain is too tall for their love to cross. But within a short period, many a much-celebrated holy matrimony crumbles like a pack of cards. Continue...

Patience Jonathan resigns as Bayelsa 'Super' Permanent Sec.

Dame Patience Jonathan has resigned her appointment as 'Super' Permanent Secretary in the Bayelsa state Civil service, a position conferred on her in July 2012 by the Governor of the state, Dickson Seriake. Seriake said he gave the appointment to Mama Peace based on her good service to the state and nation.A source in the state Ministry of Education who pleaded anonymity with The Nation confirmed the First Lady's voluntary resignation and said her resignation may likely not be unconnected to her deepening rift with the state governor.  Continue..

Tuface - African queen is like a Set up

The hit song African Queen was 2face’s claim to fame, but the pop star sees it in a different way. In a chat with Showtime,the versatile award-winning artiste says African Queen makes him want to break his own record.

“The thing about songs like African Queen is that they are like a set up. Anything I do now people will always compare it to African queen. That’s the problem when you have a monster hit. So the standard is already high and you have to break your own record” he said.

“I won’t say I want to be as rich as Dangote or Bill gates I want to be able to provide for my family and do whatever I want to do at any time I want to do it” he added.

 

Nigeria slumps to 42 on FIFA ranking

The Super Eagles continue their slow and steady fall having dropped five places in the October FIFA ranking released on Thursday morning.

Nigeria’s senior national team has dropped five places to 42nd in the latest FIFA world ranking released on Thursday.

The African champions were adjudged the 38th best football playing team in the world according to the ranking released earlier in September.

The Eagles are now the ninth-ranked African side behind Algeria, Cote d’Ivoire, Tunisia, Ghana, Cameroon, Cape Verde, Egypt and Senegal following their poor run in the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers earlier this month. Continue...

Day a fan ‘embarrassed’ me in USA- Zack Orji

Zack Orji is a veteran actor who has seen all the tricks in the movie industry. Though he recently took up the cloak of a pastor, it doesn’t appear the vineyard of the Lord has taken all the tricks away from him as a consummate thespian .

What have you been up to lately?

I’ve been up to a lot of things. I still act, produce and direct. As a matter of fact, I have a shoot in South Africa this October and thereafter, I have a movie premier in the US and Kenya.

I’ve also been involved in a lot of training; training young actors, training people who are desirous of a career in film-acting, costume designing, cinematography, film production, script writing and post production.

I put together different professionals who are on top of their game in motion picture practice and then create the environment and the platform for young people to be trained in different crafts by these professionals. Continue...

NLC, others threaten strike over national minimum wage rejection

The organised labour on Wednesday threatened to go on strike to protest the decision of the National Assembly to move the minimum wage from the exclusive legislative list to the concurrent list.

The Nigerian Labour Congress, the Trade Union Congress and the Association of Senior Civil Servants of Nigeria said they had rejected the planned deregulation of wages.

They argued that if allowed to succeed, it would be akin to a declaration of war on Nigerian workers and would complicate the already bad security challenges in the country.

They threatened to commence an indefinite strike following the planned exercise.

The NLC General Secretary, Dr. Peter Ozo-Esan, said in a telephone interview with one of our correspondents, that the organised labour would resist the move with all the resources at its disposal.

Ozo-Esan said that the NLC had called an emergency meeting of its National Executive Committee for Monday to take a final decision on the next plan of action. Continue...

Germany tops FIFA world rankings despite poor form

World Cup winners Germany stay top of the world football rankings published by governing body FIFA on Thursday in spite of making a poor start to their Euro 2016 qualifying campaign.

Though Joachim Loew’s team have only one win in three Euro qualifiers, they remain ahead of Argentina and Colombia in an unchanged top three.

In the top 10, Belgium leap neighbours Netherlands into fourth, France move up two spots to seventh and Portugal gain two places to ninth.

Uruguay (8th, down 1) and Spain (10th, down 2) both slip but remain in the top 10 while Switzerland have dropped to 12th.

The next ranking will be published on Nov. 27. Continue...

LG launches internet TV

LG electronics recently launched an internet television tagged webOS Smart+TV. The TV has the unique ability to connect users with the wealth of knowledge available on the internet. Yet it grants access to the full potential of the smart TV. The first time the user turns on the webOS-enabled LG Smart TV, an animated character named BeanBird appears onscreen to help get connected and walk the use through the setup process.All the viewer has to do is shake the Magic Remote or press the OK button to receive further advice from the winged virtual facilitator. webOS can instantly recognize when and what kind of external device has been plugged into the TV and brings up a pop-up menu listing all relevant options for the user to choosefrom. Continue..