Nigerians Abroad Sent $21Billion Home In 2015

With about $21 billion sent home by Nigerians in diaspora in 2015, the country is the sixth largest receiver of remittances in the world, the Migration of Remittance Factbook 2016 has shown.
The country is also by far the largest receiver of remittances in sub-Saharan Africa, receiving a total of $34.8 billion this year.
The report, which relied on data gathered from January to December 1, 2015, was compiled by the Global Knowledge Partnership on Migration and Development with support from the World Bank, German, Swedish and Swiss governments.
An analysis of the report by PREMIUM TIMES also shows that the United States and the United Kingdom are by far the most lucrative destinations for Nigerian migrants. Nigerians at home received a total of $9.4 billion ($5.7 billion from the US and $3.7 billion from the UK) from both countries in 2015.

Umahi Distributes Made-In-Ebonyi Rice To Workers For Christmas (pics)

Ebonyi state governor not only paid in time december salary for workers but also distributed made in Ebonyi rice for workers...

see pics below
cc: lalasticlala seun mynd44 benedictnsi ....this deserves front page..we need to encourage local production of rice in Nigeria

50 Cent clowns his Baby mama again

To think he once loved this woman. See what he posted about his first baby mama Shaniqua again..

Aww...Chris Brown begs his fans to buy his new album, Royalty!

Chris Brown woke up early this morning pleading with fans to buy his new album, Royalty. His album is predicted to sell between 125-135k in its first week but it looks like that's not enough for him. He begged fans to buy the album to help him change the world, saying he works three times harder than any of his peers. See his tweets after the cut...

Photos: Protest in US, Canada, India over the arrest of Shiite leader in Nigeria

Some Muslims in the US, Canada, India and Beirut staged peaceful protest in their countries yesterday December 22nd over the arrest of the Shiite Muslim group leader, Sheikh Ibrahim El-Zakzaky. He was arrested after his members had a clash with the Nigerian Army. Continue...

Miss Colombia finally speaks days after the Miss Universe disaster

Days after Miss Colombia was crowned the Miss Universe...for two minutes, the world's famous runner-up is speaking out. Ariadna Gutierrez took to her Instagram page on Tuesday and wrote:

"After the storm comes the calm. I want to thank each and everyone of you who have sent messages of support and strength. Every one of you has become an incredible human being in my book and I am the most fortunate and thankful for having the support not only from one country but from the whole entire world.

Over 300 killed during Army/Shiite clash- Human Rights Group claims

An International Human Rights group, the Human Rights Watch, says over 300 Shiite members were killed during the Army/Shiite clash in Zaria Kaduna state on December 12th and 13th. A statement by the group which was released today claims that accounts by the Shiite members witnessed the killins say the Army hurriedly dug a mass grave for their members who were killed during the clash

Photos: 26 year old Ugandan singer who married 68 year old white woman finally visits her country

26 year old Ugandan singer, Guvnor Ace has finally made his way to Sweden, the birth country of his 68 year old Swedish wife, Mona Lisa Larsson. Ace made headlines in August when married Mona at a Ugandan marriage registry. He is visiting Sweden for the Christmas. He shared the photos and wrote "My wife thanks for welcoming me in your country. Wow I am gonna enjoy this Christmas and the new year eve with my baby". Mission accomplished! Lol. Continue to see more photos

Photos: Cristiano Ronaldo attends Miami Heats game..

The Real Madrid star fresh from a 10-2 bashing of Rayo Vallecano in the weekend, traveled to Miami to watch the basket ball game between Miami Heats and Detroit Pistons and took some pictures with Heats player Luol Deng. The club even announced his presence to the crowd, saying: "Soccer superstar Ronaldo is in the crowd tonight!" The Portuguese wore a tie and suit jacket alongside a pair of designer jeans and took a few selfies with fans. See more photos after the jump...

LAGBUS to provide free bus rides on Christmas Day

The Lagos State Government, through LAGBUS and its franchises, said it would provide free bus rides to residents on Friday, to commemorate this year’s Christmas celebration.

This is contained in a press statement signed by Mr Yemi Adesoye, the LAGBUS Public Relations Officer, which was made available to newsmen in Lagos.
According to the statement, the move is aimed at promoting the use of public transportation, as well as reducing congestion on Lagos roads during the festivities.
The statement said that the free bus rides would cut across parts of the metropolis, within the operational hours of 6:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m.
It said that the free bus services would ensure that fewer vehicles were on the roads during the period, appealing to motorists not to drink and drive to prevent avoidable accidents, which usually occurred during celebrations.
While wishing residents a Merry Christmas, the LAGBUS management commended them for their unflinching patronage.

Embattled Van Gaal storms out of United press conference

Embattled Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal showed signs of cracking under pressure as he stormed out of a media briefing on Wednesday after becoming annoyed by questions about his future.

Van Gaal has reportedly been given two games to save his job after United’s miserable six-match winless run cost his side their place in the Champions League and saw them drop out of the Premier League’s top four.

Rumours have been rife this week that the former Barcelona and Bayern Munich boss is about to be sacked and replaced by Jose Mourinho, who was dismissed by Chelsea last Thursday.

Quizzed about the speculation by reporters ahead his weekly press conference ahead of Saturday’s trip to Stoke, van Gaal quickly became irritated and it was less than five minutes before he decided he had had enough

Refusing to take any more questions, the Dutchman walked out, saying as he passed a table of mince pies and wine that had been laid on for the media: “I wish you a merry Christmas and also maybe a happy new year when I see you.

Georgia Prime Minister Garibashvili resigns

Georgia’s 33-year-old Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili resigned on Wednesday after two years on the job as the ruling coalition struggles to boost its popularity ahead of parliamentary polls next year.

“I took the decision to leave my post,” Garibashvili said in a televised address to the nation. “All posts are temporary. Only God and Motherland are eternal,” a stone-faced Garibashvili said without elaborating on his surprise decision.

Ambode drums support for military to boost war against insurgency

…Launches Armed Forces Remembrance Appeal Emblem

Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode on Wednesday advocated the need for acknowledgement of the gallant and bravery efforts of officers and men of the Nigerian Armed Forces both in protecting the territorial integrity of the nation and keeping the country united. Governor Ambode, who spoke at the Lagos House, Marina, while launching the 2016 Armed Forces Remembrance Emblem Appeal, also emphasized the need for all citizens to appreciate the gallant fallen heroes through donations for the welfare and upkeep of the families they left behind, especially their widows and children.

According to the Governor, such acknowledgement was needed not just in the spirit of showing appreciation for what has been done in the past, but also to assure those that are still in active service that their efforts and sacrifices would not be in vain. The Governor said that the appreciation was imperative particularly at this period that the nation is faced with the challenges of terrorism and insurgency in parts of the country.

Adamawa gets new Commissioner of Police

Mr Ghazzali Mohammed has assumed duty as the new Adamawa Commissioner of Police, a statement from the Command has said. The statement signed by the command’s Public Relations Officer, DSP Othman Abubakar, Mohammed assumed office on Wednesday.

 
A copy of the statement made available to newsmen in Yola said Mohammed replaced Mr Gabriel Adaji. Mohammed, until his appointment, was in charge of election planning and monitoring at the Force Headquarters, Abuja.

Kaduna Refinery begins daily supply of 3.2m litres of petrol – NNPC

The Kaduna Refining and Petrochemical Company (KRPC) has begun daily production of 3.2 million litres of petrol. This is contained in a statement signed by MR Ohi Alegbe, Group General Manager, Group Public Affairs Division, Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) on Wednesday in Abuja. It said that the plant began production with an initial PMS yield of about 1.5 million litres, adding that had ramped up its daily yield to 3.2 million litres.

“The injection of this volume into the system will significantly impact ongoing special intervention efforts designed to bring relief to motorists across the country,” it stated. The statement stated that the deployment of NNPC staff in the monitoring of fuel distribution and retail system at filling stations nationwide had started yielding positive results in Abuja and environs in less than 48 hours.

My enterprise is designed to reduce unemployment – Dare, CEO, Poise Graduate Finishing Academy

Young and innovative, Mrs Ukinebo Dare is CEO of Poise Graduate Finishing Academy, PGFA, a subsidiary of Poise Nigeria, one of Nigeria’s foremost finishing schools for human capacity development. Unlike the regular entrepreneur who take on ventures for profiting, Uki, as she is fondly called, conceived and designed PGFA five years ago to rescue Nigeria’s teaming youth population from unemployability by equipping them with skills that put them at par with employers’ requirement, using the PGFA PSENSE Employability Skill Certification.

The alumnus of Benson Idahosa University, Edo State, as well as Bradford University, UK, who has just clinched the Future Awards and Ford Foundation prize for Youth Employment tells more in interview and says Nigerian graduates are intelligent but lack pertinent soft skills. 

Breaking: Judge exempts self from hearing treason charges against Nnamdi Kanu

Following the fresh six-count charges filled by the Federal Government of Nigeria against the embattled leader of  Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, Mr. Nnamdi Kanu, a  federal High Court judge has exempted himself from hearing the case. Justice Ahmed Mohammed who announced the decision on Wednesday in Abuja after Mr. Kanu objected to the case, said that it was needless, as the federal government had repeatedly disobeyed previous court rulings.

Kanu was charged before the Federal High Court, Abuja alongside two others, Benjamin Madubugwu and David Nwawuisi in a fresh six-count charge of treason and managing the affairs of ‘an unlawful society.’ The government is accusing Mr. Kanu of plotting to split Nigeria, by creating a Biafra Republic with south east, south south states, and parts of Kogi and Benue states, as component units.

Somalia bans Christmas, New Year festivities

Somalia’s government has banned celebrations of Christmas and New Year in the Muslim majority country, saying the festivities might attract Islamist attacks. “All events related to Christmas and New Year celebrations are contrary to Islamic culture, which could damage the faith of the Muslim community,” the director general of the religious affairs ministry told reporters on Tuesday.

Sheikh Mohamed Khayrow said security forces had been ordered to break up any such celebrations. “There should be no activity at all,” he said. Sheikh Nur Barud Gurhan, of the Supreme Religious Council of Somalia, said that non-Muslim festivities might provoke the ire of the Shebab, East Africa’s Al-Qaeda branch, which is headquartered in Somalia.

Nigerian graduates need 21st Century skills to be employed – Pearson

With approximately 11 million people between the ages of 15 and 34 out of work in Nigeria, it is becoming more important than ever to tackle the country’s youth unemployment challenge with practical and effective solutions.  Without a doubt, higher education plays a key role in reversing unemployment trends in Nigeria, and in helping young people to establish meaningful careers. The Nigerian Government and other education stakeholders across the country have recognised this, opening over 70 new universities since 2005.

However, as the international experience demonstrates, higher education in itself is no panacea to curbing youth unemployment. Whilst creating additional university places is essential, what also needs to be considered is the quality and relevance of the tertiary education students are receiving. Frank Edwards, Education Expert and Workforce Development Director at Pearson, believes that giving students an education that sets them up for success in work and life is what will have the greatest impact on improving Nigeria’s unemployment statistics.

US investors to buy Everton Football Club for £200 million

A consortium led by two US technology investors is negotiating to buy Everton Football Club for an estimated £200 million (272 million euros, $297 million), The Times newspaper reported on Wednesday.

The report said the group had signed a preliminary agreement with owner and chairman Bill Kenwright and was checking the club’s accounts with the aim of completing a takeover within the next six weeks.

The agreement means the investors have been given time for exclusive talks on the deal. The consortium is led by John J. Moores and Charles Noell, co-founders of venture capital firm JMI Equity. The 71-year-old Moores, who is also the founder of business software firm BMC, bought the San Diego Padres baseball team in 1994 and sold it in 2012.