Edo APC vows to petition EFCC, Presidency over the diversion of Jonathan’s campaign rice

APC in Edo State has accused members of the PDP of diverting rice meant for the state by the campaign organisation of former President Goodluck Jonathan. The party threatened to take evidence of the diverted rice which indicated how the sticker of the aspirant was super-imposed on the sack of the 2KG rice while under it was the map of Nigeria with the inscription “Feed Nigeria Campaign 2015”, to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, and the Presidency for probe.

Some leaders of the PDP, led by Okharedia Ihimekpen, had last week, alleged that the governorship aspirant seized the rice meant for PDP members during Jonathan’s presidential campaign and shared it to his supporters last Christmas.

They urged the EFCC and the Presidency to investigate the matter, adding that they also diverted funds meant for the Jonathan’s election campaign.

Tyson Beckford shares more nude photos, bares butt on Instagram

Supermodel Tyson Beckford wasn't done with the nude pic he shared of himself hours ago. He shared another butt naked pic for all his followers on Instagram to see. God bless him...lol. See the pic after the cut

Photos from the Introduction ceremony of Jimi Adesanya & Titi Osomo

Jimi Adesanya of Jadesa group, JM Films producer had his Introduction to The Osomo Family yesterday. Jimi proposed to Simi Esiri’s younger sister, Titi Osomo sometime last year. BankyW, Dayo Okeniyi, Usman Dantata Jr & others were present at the event. See more photos after the cut...

Theft of Lincoln’s hand baffles Illinois Museum

Someone stole Abraham Lincoln’s hand. The crime had no witnesses. There are no suspects. The police are not even certain when the hand disappeared.

About all anyone knows is that a plaster sculpture of the 16th president’s hand, proudly displayed for years at the Kankakee County Museum, has been missing from its shelf since at least Dec. 11.

Any art theft would be jarring in Kankakee, a working-class city about an hour’s drive south of Chicago, but because of its connection to Lincoln, the loss of this sculpture has touched a nerve there.

 

Museum officials had thought that the theft might have been a prank, and that the plaster study would resurface in a few days. The police hoped someone might provide information about the theft after seeing a Facebook post by the department, which included photographs and described the hand as roughly “the size of a 8-10 pound ham.”

The local newspaper, The Daily Journal, published an editorial pleading for the thief to come forward.

“We are blessed to have such a fine museum with an impressive inventory,” the editorial said, “but the collection is not complete without Lincoln’s hands.”

All Banks To Commence Zero CoT

Effective from last week Friday, January 1, 2016, Nigerian banks are expected to charge nothing as Commission on Turnover (CoT) according to the gradual phase out plan of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN). The CBN in April 2013 had revised the guidelines on bank charges, introducing the gradual phasing out of commission on turnover.

The revised guideline had introduced a gradual reduction of CoT from N5 per mile (per N1000) in early 2013 to N3 per mille or N1000, N2 per N1000 in 2014 and is to be N1 per N1000 in 2015 and finally phased out effective January 1, 2016.

One dead, 2 quarantined, as Lassa fever breaks out in Taraba

Barely three days into the New Year, the government of Taraba has reported an outbreak of Lassa fever in the state.

According to the Commissioner of Health, Innocent Vakkai, one person has been confirmed dead while two other people kept in for observation.

He said: “One person died and two others quarantined and their blood samples have already been taken to Irrua Specialists’ Hospital in Edo State for further confirmation.”

Vakkai however said that the state government had responded to the outbreak quickly and therefore urged the public not to panic.

Dismiss MTN’s suit against NCC, lawyer tells court

By Innocent Anaba

A Lagos lawyer, Mr Tope Alabi, has urged the Federal High Court in Lagos to dismiss MTN Nigeria’s suit against the Nigerian Communications Commission, NCC.

He said that the N1.04trillion fine imposed on MTN was in order, adding that the telecoms firm has no reasonable case against NCC.

According to Alabi, granting MTN’s reliefs will result in “people breaking one law and hiding under another law to escape liability.”

MTN is urging court to quash the $3.9billion sanction imposed on it by NCC in October for failing to disconnect unregistered subscribers. The initial fine of $5.2billion was reduced by 25 per cent to $3.9billion earlier this month. The payment deadline has expired.

But MTN through its lawyers led by Chief Wole Olanipekun, SAN, is challenging NCC’s powers to impose the fine. It argued that NCC being a regulator cannot assume all the functions of the state.

However, Alabi, in an application seeking to be joined as an interested party, said MTN’s suit was an abuse of court process that must not be tolerated.

Jonathan’s campaign rice: Edo APC vows to petition EFCC, Presidency

By Simon Ebegbulem

BENIN—All Progressives Congress, APC, in Edo State has described as laughable, the defence by the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in the state that none of its governorship aspirants diverted rice meant for the state by the campaign organisation of former President Goodluck Jonathan.

The party threatened to take evidence of the rice which indicated how the sticker of the aspirant was super-imposed on the sack of the 2KG rice while under it was the map of Nigeria with the inscription “Feed Nigeria Campaign 2015”, to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, and the Presidency for probe.

Some leaders of the PDP, led by Okharedia Ihimekpen, had raised alarm last week, alleging that the governorship aspirant seized the rice meant for PDP members during Jonathan’s presidential campaign and shared it to his supporters this Christmas.

They urged the EFCC and the Presidency to probe the matter, adding that it was the same way that funds meant for the Jonathan’s election were siphoned in the state.

Buhari’s social intervention package not one-off scheme — Osinbajo

Abuja— The social welfare intervention programme of President Muhammadu Buhari administration, for which N500 billion has been allocated in the 2016 budget, is not a one-off scheme, says Mr Laolu Akande, the vice presidential spokesman.

Akande, who is the Senior Special Assistant (SSA) on Media and Publicity in the Office of Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, said this in an interview with newsmen in Abuja, yesterday.

He said the scheme “is a combination of several well-thought out programmes emphasising direct connections with the extremely poor, and the needy among other categories of the masses of this country.”

A breakdown of the welfare programme is contained in the 2016-2017 and 2018 Medium Term Expenditure Framework (MTEF) and Fiscal Strategy Paper (PSP) submitted to the Senate for consideration and approval.

Soldiers aided us in the creeks —Suspected pipeline vandals

By Evelyn Usman

LAGOS—Two suspected pipeline vandals, who were arrested weekend in Isolo area of Lagos by operatives of the Inspector General of Police Anti Pipeline Vandalisation Unit, have alleged that soldiers aided them to load their truck in a creek in Ijedodo area of Lagos.

The suspects, Moshood Jubril 40 and Friday Joseph 37 were arrested at the verge of conveying a 33,000 truck laden with the siphoned petroleum product to Ibadan, Oyo state ,where a petrol station owner was waiting to receive the product.

While Joseph, driver of the truck with plate number XA 898 ABC drove ahead, Jubril, an escort, reportedly drove behind in a Toyota Camry car with plate number AAA 208 DU.

NEDCOM bill to rebuild N’East’s destroyed communities, resettles IDPs

By Ndahi Marama

MAIDUGURI—The North East Development Commission, NEDCOM, Bill before the Senate will address the “comprehensive rebuilding” of communities destroyed by Boko Haram in the North East geopolitical zone, before the over 2.2 million Internally Displaced Persons, IDPs, in camps return to their respective communities, the Senate Leader, Senator Mohammed Ndume, has disclosed.

Ndume spoke, Sunday evening, to newsmen in Maiduguri at his Government Reservation Are, GRA, residence, on the rebuilding of destroyed communities; and return of IDPs to their communities in the affected Northeast sub-region of the country.

ISIS throws Syrian teenage boy off a roof for being gay but the ISIS chief who raped him is spared

Militants of the Islamic State (ISIS) executed a teenage boy by throwing him off a roof in Syria’s eastern city of Deir ez-Zor for being gay, local sources reported on Friday.
The 15-year-old boy was arrested by ISIS militants on charges of homosexuality and he was thrown from the top of a building in central Deir ez-Zor.

“The horrific execution took place in front of a large crowd,” a local media activist and an eyewitness told ARA News in Deir ez-Zor.

Lagos orders Project Information Board display by contractors

By Evelyn Usman

Lagos State government at the weekend, directed  that henceforth ,  all ongoing construction works or telecommunication infrastructure works  must have  a Project Information Board  displayed on site, with a view to indicating the contractor involved.

The directive as contained in a press statement issued by the General Manager , Lagos State Infrastructure Maintenance and Regulatory Agency ,  LASIMRA Mr Babajide Odekunle , took effect from January 1, 2016.

Odekunle explained that the directive was aimed among other things, to curb illegal erection and encroachment on government facilities by contractors and also to ensure that public roads were not opened up without proper permit from LASIMRA.

The concerned telecommunication infrastructure to be displayed on site according to him, included  towers , masts, base stations, parabolic antennae as well  as tar cut for fibre optic cables.

Consequently, he said;  “All construction activities must ensure compliance with this directive by reverting to the LASIMRA  office.”

Kwara teachers begin strike over unpaid salaries

ILORIN— The Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT) in Kwara State has said primary school teachers in the state will embark on strike, today, to protest the non-payment of their four months’ salary arrears.

Chairman of the union, Comrade Musa Abubakar, made this known, yesterday, in Kaiama, Kaiama Local Government Area of the state.

The strike will begin just when schools are expected to resume from their first term holiday.

Abubakar said the union could no longer guarantee industrial harmony in the state following the non-payment of their four months’ salary arrears.

He said the primary school teachers had been loyal and dedicated to duty in spite of the failure of the government to pay them salaries for months.

Minority party will be lifted up in Nigeria – TB Joshua

After an eight month absence, Nigerian ‘Prophet’ T.B. Joshua returned to his Lagos-based church, The Synagogue, Church Of All Nations (SCOAN), on Sunday 3rd January 2016 with more prophetic revelations concerning Africa.
Speaking on the Nigerian political scene, Joshua declared that a minority party would soon rise to significance. “One of the minority parties will be lifted up and reckoned with,” he told congregants. 

“Let us pray for God’s love and unity in Nigeria.”

It would be recalled that Joshua allegedly predicted the rise of the current ruling party, All Progressives Congress (APC), in 2010.

Creating A Business That Takes Social Value Seriously

Sustainable development is in the spotlight as governments around the world meet in Paris this month to discuss action against climate change. GE’s mission is to help its partners to solve some of the world’s biggest challenges, to minimise environmental impact and to advance social development.

Here are just a few ways in which GE is partnering with customers to make a difference.

Expanding renewable energy capacity
GE now has a global footprint of 30 000 wind turbines, and is expanding into the production of offshore wind farms. By 2020, half of all new electric power capacity will be renewable.
A sustainability strategy focused on social value
GE is a partner in building Africa’s sustainable future, with strategic direction provided by GE Kujenga, helping to ensure that GE’s business and operations create value for societies and make a difference, while also creating a return on financial investment.

Mikel sparkles in Chelsea win

Life is certainly looking better for Super Eagles and Chelsea midfielder, Mikel Obi who put in another stellar perfor-mance for the Cham-pions who ran an away with a 3-0 win against city rivals Crystal Palace yesterday. The 28-year-old Nigeria international played the duration of the game at Selhurst Park and was effective sitting in front of the Chelsea back four.

It   was   Mikel’s   2nd consecutive 90 minutes in the League since Guus Hiddink took charge of the Blues and the once out-of-favour midfielder is finding his confidence back with the Manager who gave him an FA Cup final full appearance and a title back in 2009. ‘ It was a great result for the team, we’ve been training hard and I think the result is becoming evident on the pitch.

‘ We’re not where we should be now in the table but if we keep getting this sort of wins, we will move up and be where we are supposed to be in the table,’ he told Skysports after the game.

Akunyili: Court frees suspects over attempted murder

By Abdulwahab Abdulah & Jane Echewodo

Justice I.U Bello of an Abuja High Court, has acquitted and discharged six persons accused of conspiracy and attempted murder of the late Director-General, National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control, NAFDAC, Dr Dora Akunyili.

The suspects are, Francis Okoye, Emmanuel Nnakwe, Marcel Nnakwe, Emeka Orjiakora, Christopher Mbah, and Olisaemeka Igbokwe.

The accused persons, who were initially eight in number were charged with a four- count charge of conspiracy, attempted murder and murder brought against them by the state.

The charge reads: “That you Francis Okoye; Ebubedike;  Emmanuel Nnakwe; Marcel Nnakwe; Emeka Orjiakor; Christopher Mbah; Olisaemeka Igbokwe; Chukwuka Ezeukwu; Jude Ugwu on or between October, 2001 to December 2003 at different places in the Federal Capital Territory and Anambra State agreed to do or cause to be done an illegal act to wit: cause the death of Dr  Akunyili, Director-General, NAFDAC and that the said act was attempted to be done in pursuant of an agreement and that you thereby committed an offence punishable under Section 97 of the Penal Code.”

Plea

Dismiss MTN’s suit against NCC, lawyer tells court

A Lagos lawyer, Mr Tope Alabi, has urged the Federal High Court in Lagos to dismiss MTN Nigeria’s suit against the Nigerian Communications Commission, NCC.

He said that the N1.04trillion fine imposed on MTN was in order, adding that the telecoms firm has no reasonable case against NCC.

According to Alabi, granting MTN’s reliefs will result in “people breaking one law and hiding under another law to escape liability.”

MTN is urging court to quash the $3.9billion sanction imposed on it by NCC in October for failing to disconnect unregistered subscribers. The initial fine of $5.2billion was reduced by 25 per cent to $3.9billion earlier this month. The payment deadline has expired.

But MTN through its lawyers led by Chief Wole Olanipekun, SAN, is challenging NCC’s powers to impose the fine. It argued that NCC being a regulator cannot assume all the functions of the state.

However, Alabi, in an application seeking to be joined as an interested party, said MTN’s suit was an abuse of court process that must not be tolerated.

Biafra: Niger Delta didn’t betray Ndigbo —MASSOB leader

Leader of the Movement for the Actualization of Sovereign States of Biafra, MASSOB, Chief Solomon  Chukwu, has said that contrary to the widely held belief in the South East, the people of the Niger Delta area did not betray Ndigbo during the Nigerian Civil war.

Chukwu in an interview with Vanguard, said; “During the war, people said the Niger Delta denied Biafra. It is not true; the major betrayers of Biafra were even from the South East than the South South bloc. People like Ojukwu’s second in command, Gen. Philip Effiong, fought for Biafra till the end. My father and many strong men of Niger Delta also fought for Biafra. I’m a Biafran from Ikwerre extraction in Obio/Akpor Local Government Area of Rivers State.

“I’m a true son of Niger Delta. Forget about the role of people like Ken Saro Wiwa, but in the mainstream of Biafra, many Niger Deltans stood to be counted. Today, they still support Biafra. Now, Asari Dokubo, Kalada George, Uche Okwukwu, among other great Niger Delta sons are in support of Biafra.

Nigeria is too small for Igbo — Adamu Ciroma

Mallam Adamu Ciroma, journalist, administrator, politician, former minister of different portfolios and erstwhile governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, is one of Nigeria’s leading statesmen. Ciroma, who was third in the 1978 presidential primaries of the defunct National Party of Nigeria, NPN, subsequently turned out to become a close confidant of President Shehu Shagari and served as minister in the Second Republic. He was also a close confidant of President Olusegun Obasanjo in the Fourth Republic and a rallying figure in the northern opposition to the 2011 presidential bid of President Goodluck Jonathan. Ciroma has largely kept out of the public eye despite the active participation of his wife, Hayiya Maryam Ciroma in the affairs of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP.

Davido rebuffs Dele Momodu, says Sophia visits Imade weekly

David Adeleke, the 23-year-old pop artiste popularly known as Davido has rebuffed claims by his estranged lover, Sophia Momodu on the circumstances surrounding the removal of their daughter, Imade, from Sophia’s custody.

In a lengthy narrative issued last night, Adeleke alleged that Sophia had been in weekly contact with Imade up till last week and claimed that hospital authorities had sought to transfer the baby to officials of the Lagos State Children Welfare Authority on account of alleged drug use by Sophia.

Adeleke in his narrative said the hospital authorities recanted only after Sophia agreed to surrender the baby for care with him, saying his estranged lover had kept to the agreement until she recanted last week as she insisted on going along with the Adeleke family for the treatment and family vacation in Dubai.

Lol. See Vic O's response to Don Jazzy, Olamide reconciliation

Lol. I don't blame this guy...we keep giving him attention

Cynthia Morgan comes for Davido, calls him f**kboy...Davido replies her

This 2016 will be a very interesting one - at least in our entertainment industry. We are just 3 days into the new year and artists have been slamming each other...this time it's between Cynthia Morgan and Davido. In a Youtube video shared yesterday, Cynthia Morgan came for Davido, saying;

"If there's one thing I don't like, it's a f**kboy and me know a couple of f**kboys in this industry. And the award for the best Reggae/dancehall category is Cynthia Morgan...how do you feel now? F**k boy! Balu. Trust me, I like a couple of your music but I don't f**king like you, fam. I don't f**k with you so don't f**k with me. I don't play like that. If you're wondering who I'm talking about, I'm talking about Davido. If you got a problem with that, f**k all you niggas"

Looks like Cynthia has been beefing Davido since he declared Lil Kesh winner of Next Rated back in October. See the video and Davido's response after the cut...

Crystal Palace 0-3 Chelsea: Defending champions get back on track (EPL Round-up)

Chelsea got back to winning ways with an emphatic victory over Crystal Palace on Sunday after hitting three past Crystal Palace. With this 3-0 win, Chealsea recorded their biggest win of the season after Oscar, Willian and Diego Costa delivered the goods with an all round impressive team performance over their London Neighbours.

Olamide and Don Jazzy reconcile, release joint statement & pics together

Olamide and Don Jazzy both shared the photo on their respective instagram pages and wrote "We are very Sorry for the wahala make una no vex oh. It is our responsibility to lead but then again we are only human and we all make mistakes! #WeAreSorryHeadies #WeAreSorryFans #PeaceAndUnity"

Photos: Al-Shabaab terror group uses Donald Trump footage of Muslim immigration ban in recruitment video

Somali terror group Al Shabaab has released a new video featuring a footage of Donald Trump's controversial call to ban Muslims from entering the U.S. The video released in English and Arabic by the al-Qaida affiliated terror group on Friday criticizes racism and anti-Muslim sentiment in America and features footage of Republican presisidential candidate Donald Trump announcing a plan to bar Muslims from entering the country.

Photo: Even priests need some love...lol

Hilarious...

Photos from Olivia Idibia's birthday party

Olivia, Annie and 2face's 2nd daughter turned two years old today and her parents threw her a party attended by their celeb friends. More photos after the cut...