Kaduna refinery to start fuel supply today
Dear Minister: Jonathan is not to Blame! By Reno Omokri
Dear Honourable Minister Lai Mohammed, Greetings and congratulations on your recent and well deserved appointment as Nigeria's Minister of Information. You may recall that we met on the set of 'Politics Today' in May of 2011 soon after I was interviewed by Deji Bademosi and just before you were interviewed.The purpose of my letter to you today is in response to your statement made on Monday the 21st of December, 2015 in which you accused former President Goodluck Jonathan, whom I served as one of three spokesmen, of being responsible for the current excruciating fuel scarcity now subsisting in Nigeria.
Your exact words were "What I will be telling Nigerians is that what we met on ground is such that we are paying for the sins of the last administration.....One of the reasons for the fuel scarcity was the inability of the last government to make adequate provision for fuel subsidy". My candid take on your message to Nigerians is that it is an abdication of responsibility on your part and does not project you and the government you represent as being responsible. Government, as you very well know, is a continuum. One government takes over from where the other stopped and to say that an action in December of 2015 (six months after ex President Jonathan handed over to the incumbent on May 29th, 2015, ) is the fault of the last President, is to confer super human powers on Jonathan.
Pro-Shi'a group hacks Nigerian Court of Appeal website. "Nigerian Govt are all terrorists" it says
"In the Name Of GOD Message to Nigeria Government and State Sponsors of Terrorism (USA, Israel, Saudi Arabia, Turkey, Qatar): Boko Haram and ISIS are terrorists, They are killing Muslims and innocent people because of your dirty money, Hey Nigeria Government you killed thousands of Muslims and specially Zakzaky’s family too, You are all terrorists, You are all murders, God damn you! Allahu maulana wala mula lakum.
Five Star CEO E-Money buys 2015 Mercedes Benz Sprinter (pics)
Tilers raise alarm over influx of quacks in building industry
The President of ATN, Com. Hassan Olanrewaju who noted that unsuspecting Nigerians have continued to fall victims to their activities, described the situation as worrisome.
According to him, these quacks have continued to carry out shoddy jobs to denigrate real professionals in the building industry, a scenario he said portrays genuine stakeholders in bad light.
“The Association of Tilers, Nigeria is a noble professional organisation registered with the Corporate Affairs Commission, CAC, under the Company and Allied Matters Act 1990.
MDCAN condemns closure of FMC, Owerri
Former President of the Medical and Dental Consultants Association of Nigeria, MDCAN, Dr. Steven Oluwole, has condemned the closure of the Federal Medical Centre, FMC, Owerri, Imo State, saying that shutting down the health facility was absurd.
Oluwole who reacted to the temporary shut down of the hospital Last week, said the Federal Ministry of Health had complicated the situation.
“Its actions imply that an appointee of government that implemented government policies and cleared of wrong doing could be sacrificed on the altar of appeasement of unions. This action shames justice, fairness, and good governance.
“It raises questions about the policy of government, its implementation and the health system in Nigeria.”
Emefiele promises robust economy, stable currency in 2016
Governor of Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Mr. Godwin Emefiele says the apex bank is evolving additional measures to boost the nation’s economy and stabilise the naira.
Emefiele made the remark at an Interactive Session with Media Editors in Abuja.
He declined to give details of the measures and modalities for their implementation.
Don’t ask me because I will not disclose our strategy for now’’, adding that doing so would be counter-productive and pre-emptive.
The CBN boss explained that the Nigerian economy was not as bad as being portrayed when compared with other economies in Africa.
Campaign organization lauds A’Court’s verdict on Ekwunife
LAGOS—THE Campaign Organization of Senator Annie Okonkwo, the nominated candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in the 2015 Anambra Central Senatorial district primaries has hailed the Court of Appeal verdict setting aside Uche Ekwunife’s victory as proper and timely, saying the constant beam of truth will always outshine the human burden of lies, darkness and deceit.
Senator Okonkwo’s Campaign Organization stated this in a release by its Media Adviser, Mr. Collins Ugwu in Lagos, yesterday, saying that Uche Ekwunife should not have been the flag-bearer of the party in that election.
NASS shuts down as Buhari presents 2016 budget today
ABUJA–AS President Muhammadu Buhari presents the 2016 Appropriation Bill to the joint session of the National Assembly comprising the Senate and the House of Representatives today, there were strong indications, yesterday, that the lawmakers are ready to ensure speedy passage of the bill.
Vanguard learned that senators and members of the House of Representatives are prepared to give the bill accelerated consideration and passage into law.
As part of moves to fast track the passage of the bill when the Senators resume from New year break in the second week of January, a source told Vanguard that once the President presents the budget today, the Senate and the House of Representatives will go to their various chambers to commence work.
Ekwueme, Danjuma, Balogun, Dafinone, Ovia, Akande, Rabiu are lifetime achievers
Two unpretentious politicians, two banking pioneers, an officer gentleman and two industrial icons are recognised for their lifetime achievements in the professions by Vanguard in the year 2015.
*Dr. Alex Ekwueme, former Vice-President
Dr. Alex Ekwueme, who served as vice-president in the Second Republic, is remembered for his unswerving loyalty to democratic norms a character that projected him as the rallying figure for democracy activists at the height of the abuses of the Sanni Abacha era. Dr. Ekwueme’s principled commitment to democracy, nay party fidelity, has been repeatedly tried, but despite mistreatments he has remained faithful to his party, the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP.
*Lt. Gen. T.Y. Danjuma (Rtd)
A distinguished officer and gentleman who rose to become the Chief of Army Staff, and subsequently, minister of defence, Gen. Danjuma on retirement from soldiering has distinguished himself in business with interests in oil and gas, agriculture, hospitality among others.
Nigerian banks struggle to meet $5 bn forex obligations
LAGOS — Nigerian banks are struggling to meet $5 billion foreign exchange obligations to importers and correspondent banks, reflecting the worsening foreign exchange situation in the country.
This was disclosed, yesterday, by Renaissance Capital in a report entitled: “Nigerian banks struggling for FX liquidity.”
The report stated that due to the inability to access foreign exchange from the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), banks are having challenges sourcing dollars to meet outstanding foreign exchange, FX, obligations to importers and correspondents banks ranging from $2 billion to $5 billion.
Photos: OAP Omalicha gets engaged
MC Galaxy's new song Hello goes international, video drops soon
The king of new dance aka mc galaxy is getting more international acceptance after the endorsement by one of the biggest international producer Swizz Beats (Alicia Keys Husband). Research says that Hello by mc galaxy is getting attention by local and international fans across the globe.
The Catchy tune which was produced by one of Nigeria’s Hottest producer Dj Coublon, mastered by Zino Foster, with guter played by Fiokeyhas gained a lot of buzz and downloads online by fans who though it was another cover of Adele’s Hello but found out its another amazing well composed and master song by the King of catchy phrase himself Mc Galaxy.
Buhari sacks NDDC Chairman, appoints former Rivers Information commissioner as acting chair
GEJ's administration responsible for the lingering fuel scarcity - Lai Mohammed
TV journalist Adaure Achumba weds (photos)
House on the Rock church celebrates the birth of Christ by putting smiles on the faces of over 20,000 families
Photos: Buhari receives British Secretary of State for Defence
"Our queen is still Miss Universe", says Colombia's President
Colombia's president Juan Manuel Santos on Monday said he was shocked when Miss Colombia won and then immediately lost the Miss Universe crown.
"Our queen was marvelous. She looked spectacular. It was such a disappointment when the host said he'd made a mistake," he told Radio Nacional.
Santos said as far as he was concerned Ariadna Gutierrez remained the winner.
Lisa Omorodion, DJ Cuppy, Mo'Cheddah, Zina Anumudu, others make SME100 25 under 25 Enterprising Females list.
Floyd Mayweather lies on a bed of money in new photo
The retired boxing champion shared a photo of him lying on a pile of cash with the caption: "They go to the strip club. I bring the strip club to me wherever whenever"
Gov. Ambode moves to transform Ebute-Meta to tourist haven
Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode on Monday unveiled plans to transform Ebute-Meta into a tourist haven by establishing a recreation park on the stretch of land overlooking the lagoon, adjacent to the Adekunle axis of the Third Mainland Bridge. The Governor, who said this during the commissioning of Ipaja-Ayobo and Ikotun-Ejigbo Roads as well as an inspection tour of on-going projects across the State, lamented the state of the piece of land which he described as an eye sore from the bridge.
BREAKING: FIFA Bans Blatter, Platini For Eight Years
A FIFA court on Monday banned Sepp Blatter and Michel Platini for eight years after finding them guilty of abusing their positions over a $2 million payment that was made to the suspended head of European football.
Both were “immediately” banned from all football activity. Blatter, FIFA’s president since 1998, was fined 50,000 Swiss francs ($50,000). Platini was fined 80,000 Swiss francs.
A statement by the court said both showed “abusive execution” of their powers. In the case of Platini, the court said he “failed to act with complete credibility and integrity, showing unawareness of the importance of his duties.”
Both were “immediately” banned from all football activity. Blatter, FIFA’s president since 1998, was fined 50,000 Swiss francs ($50,000). Platini was fined 80,000 Swiss francs.
A statement by the court said both showed “abusive execution” of their powers. In the case of Platini, the court said he “failed to act with complete credibility and integrity, showing unawareness of the importance of his duties.”
Russian Gamer To Sue Fallout 4 After Losing His Job & Wife To His Addiction
A Siberian gamer is suing the makers of Fallout-4 after he lost his job and broke up with his wife because of the video game. He wants 500,000 roubles (US$7,000) in compensation from the company, saying he did not know the game would “become so addictive.”
The 28-year-old man from Krasnoyarsk found out about the game in an advert and subsequently downloaded it onto his computer. That was when his problems began in earnest. He only intended to play it for a couple of evenings, but instead became addicted and the next three weeks flew by.
Such was his ‘dedication’ to the game, which sees the player emerge from a bunker following a devastating nuclear holocaust in a post-apocalyptic world, that his own apocalypse unfolded right before his eyes.
He regularly skipped work, which resulted in his employers firing him. He stopped meeting up and speaking with friends, and his wife left him. His health also started to deteriorate as he was not sleeping or eating.
The 28-year-old man from Krasnoyarsk found out about the game in an advert and subsequently downloaded it onto his computer. That was when his problems began in earnest. He only intended to play it for a couple of evenings, but instead became addicted and the next three weeks flew by.
Such was his ‘dedication’ to the game, which sees the player emerge from a bunker following a devastating nuclear holocaust in a post-apocalyptic world, that his own apocalypse unfolded right before his eyes.
He regularly skipped work, which resulted in his employers firing him. He stopped meeting up and speaking with friends, and his wife left him. His health also started to deteriorate as he was not sleeping or eating.
Karrueche shows off bikini body in Miami (photos)
1 killed, 36 injured as car plows into crowd on Las Vegas Strip
Sgt. McGrath said the driver was a black female driving an Oldsmobile and there was a 3year old toddler in the car with her. Her blood is being drawn to determine if she was under the influence of drugs or alcohol. The child wasn't injured. The person that died succumbed to their injuries. 6 other people are said to be in a critical condition while others are receiving treatment for mild injuries.
More photos from the fire at Wuse market
The fire reportedly started last night from an uncompleted building where knockout was being sold in Wuse market, Abuja..it's since been contained.
Photo from the ghastly accident at Ikeja-Along this morning...
Miley Cyrus dresses up as a racy unicorn and shows fake breast
Miley Cyrus's Saturday night show at the Wiltern in Los Angeles was weird with the singer sporting fake breasts while wearing a multi-coloured wig and a unicorn horn.
Joining the controversial star on stage was former Baywatch beauty Pamela Anderson, who also opted for a skimpy ensemble of black vest top, a pair of black knickers and towering stilettos. More photos after the cut...
Nigerian Chief of Army staff to appear before the Senate committee over Shiite clash
Buhari, Jonathan emerge Vanguard Personalities of the Year, 2015
inubu, Jega, heroes of democracy
*Ekwueme, Danjuma, Dafinone, Akande others win life time awards
*Oshiomhole, Amosun, Dankwambo, Shetimma emerge Governors of the Year
Muhammadu Buhari was focused in his persistent pursuit of the presidency. Having attained the maximum political office as a military head of state 32 years earlier at the age of 41, Buhari seemed determined to regain political office as president.
He submitted himself to a democratic process that in its course projected the re-engineering of the political landscape. In the end and for the first time in the nation’s political history, an incumbent president was defeated in an election.
In the run-up to the election, the Buhari persona became a major issue, but Buhari as candidate took the inquisition with remarkable aplomb. To the credit of the Buhari personality, many of those who contested on the platform of his party won on the coattails of his remarkable victory.
His dogged pursuit, his incomparable victory and his so far unwavering efforts in sanitising the polity, Muhammadu Buhari is by the unanimous decision of Vanguard editors, VanguardPersonality of the Year, 2015.
Jonathan urges Nigerians to work, pray for good of nation
Abuja—Former President Goodluck Jonathan yesterday enjoined Nigerians to pray and work for the good of the country, stressing that God would see the nation through its period of hardship.
Jonathan stated this yesterday while addressing the congregation at the Word Illumination Ministry in Gwarimpa, Abuja, where the former President, his wife and well wishers had gone to dedicate and thank God for his first grandchild.
Jonathan noted that every country has its high and low periods, adding that with dedication and hardwork, nations overcome their problems. The former President also advised Nigerians to endeavor to protect and give their best to their country at all times.
He said further: “I will just thank God for all he has been doing for our country and I also thank you all for the prayers for the good of our country. Whenever I am talking to Christians and other believers depending on their faith, I always urge them to pray for the country. Every nation go through two periods; period of adversity and period of joy.
A modular refinery strategy needed
THE euphoria following the inauguration of President Muhammadu Buhari’s regime seven months ago .appears dampened by a plethora of economic problems, one of which is the savage return of fuel scarcity, which has been on for two months.
Fuel shortage is a manifestation of multi-dimensional challenges facing the petroleum industry: deregulation of the downstream sector, removal of the petroleum product subsidy, product supply challenges arising from non-functional refineries, illegal artisanal refining business in the Niger Delta, crude oil theft and poor maintenance/management of the more than 5,000km oil pipelines in Nigeria. Corruption is a central player in all these.
The Nigerian public to whom the new government owes accountability does not need to be bothered with this long list of challenges. All they want is to get the petroleum products to run their lives.
Removal of fuel subsidy as indicated by the federal government is a step in the right direction only if it goes with the complement of local refining and supply of the products.
Naira exchange rate, CBN “don” miss road
Unfortunately, prevailing near double digit inflation rates were compounded by over 25% Naira devaluation this year. Alarmingly, the Naira has plummeted from N197 to below N270=$1 in the parallel market, while the huge margin between both rates has encouraged financial malfeasance and resulted in significant market distortions, which invariably promote rent seeking while discouraging any serious commitment to grow the real sector, and create more jobs.
Historically, Nigeria’s rising rate of unemployment and deepening poverty correlates loyally with Naira’s steady depreciation from 50kobo to N197=$1; consequently, in order to earn the same purchasing value that 50kobo commanded before 1980, Nigerians must now perform the impossible task of working almost 400 times harder today.
Inevitably, therefore, the consequences of high inflation rates and a sliding Naira exchange rate have ultimately propelled us amongst the World’s poorest nations.
Why Buhari is trusted in Yorubaland — Gen Diya
Nigeria may have problems producing Buhari’s successor
Lieutenant General Donaldson Oladipo Diya (Retd) was Chief of General Staff, CGS, during the military regime of late General Sani Abacha (1993 – 1997).
Earlier he served under the military regime of General Muhammadu Buhari as Military Governor of Ogun State between January 1984 and August 1985. Born on April 3, 1944 at Odogbolu,Ogun State, Diya was educated at the Methodist Primary School, Lagos, Odogbolu Grammar School, and then at the Nigerian Defence Academy, NDA, Kaduna.
He later attended the United States of America Army School of Infantry; the Armed Forces Command and Staff College, Jaji, Kaduna State (1980–1981) and the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies, Kuru, Plateau State. While serving in the military, Diya studied Law at Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, where he obtained an LLB degree, and subsequently the Nigerian Law School after which he was called to bar as Solicitor and Advocate of the Supreme Court of Nigeria.
General Diya was Commander, 31 Airborne Brigade before he was appointed by General Buhari as Military Governor of Ogun State after which he moved to become the General Officer Commanding (GOC) 82nd Division, Nigeria Army, in 1985 following the ouster of the Buhari government by General Ibrahim Badamosi Babangida.
FG probes Aero’s use of ladder in Bauchi
He said: “Several reports received by the Minister have indicated the airline used a ladder to disembark passengers from a Boeing 737 aircraft at the Bauchi airport on Saturday December 19th 2015.
Steve Harvey apologizes again on Twitter for Miss Universe winner blunder
‘The Rock’ shares adorable first photo of daughter Jasmine
Dwayne 'The Rock' Johnson who welcomed a baby girl with his girlfriend, Lauren Hashian, only four days ago shared a photo of his daughter, Jasmine on Instagram. He wrote:
Christmas came early! Within minutes of being born she was laying on daddy's chest. And being a grateful man takes on a whole new meaning... Thank you guys so much for the awesome congratulatory wishes and love you've been sending @laurenhashianofficial and myself. We're extremely grateful. Kinda crazy but in this cool and powerful skin to skin bonding moment with my newborn baby Jasmine, I had just one wish I asked the universe... Give me the strength to be a better man today than I was yesterday. If I can accomplish that, then I'd have a good shot at being a great father.
GEJ had no confidence in the 2015 budget- Dogara
Coco Austin shows before and after pregnancy photos with daughter Chanel
The new mother nestled her infant daughter over her stomach, where, just a few weeks ago, the little one was inside. She wrote:
Cameroonian soldier fighting Boko Haram commits suicide
Former US President Jimmy Carter announces unexpected death of grandson
Former President Jimmy Carter announced the unexpected death of his grandson Jeremy to a church class Sunday, just two weeks after he had announced to the same group by revealing he had beaten cancer.
Carter arrived about 25 minutes late to his weekly class at the Maranatha Baptist Church in Plains, Ga., and told the congregation his grandson had died just hours earlier, according to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution.
Disaster on Miss Universe 2015 as Steve Harvey announces the wrong winner on live TV
Just as Ariadna Gutierrez was blowing kisses and waving to her adoring fans she was informed, on live television, that it was actually Miss Philippines Pia Alonzo who was meant to be wearing the crown.
El-Rufai sees us as enemies -Shi’ite group says
“It is clear that the governor is more like an extremist anti-Shi’ite governor and not a state governor. Going by the concept and tone of the state broadcast on the extra-judicial killing of thousands of members of the Islamic Movement in Nigeria by the Nigerian Army, delivered by the Kaduna State Governor, Nasir Ahmed el-Rufai, it is clear that the governor is more like an extremist anti-Shi’ite governor and not a state governor. Although the governor took his time in his speech to elaborate on rights to religion and social association, but he chose to deny only the Shi’ites such rights who he sees as his enemies. Clearly, he spent considerable time collecting propaganda details indicting the movement,
Photos: Bus carrying tourists plunges off a cliff in Thailand, killing people
G12 Bar at Oniru Beach hosts Beach Boom today
Your premiere and evergreen seaside hangout G12Bar which is symbolic with events of such magnitude would be hosting a mega carnival themed "Beach Boom" - a festival to remember
This Sunday promises a different feel as we would be hosting whole lots of activities including welcome parties to all Nigerians in diaspora and diverse cultures in Nigeria, Lagos, first Private Beach @G12 lounge.
Super Host would be star Boi WIZKID
Also a special welcome back for FMV RECORDS' CEO.
Mikel Obi, Kanu Nwankwo & Okocha make Africa's top 10 richest footballers of all time
According to Footendirect, Mikel who earns about £75,000 per week at Chelsea has a total earnings estimate of $50m while Kanu Nwankwo and Jay Jay Okocha who have since retired made $100m and $150m respectively from their career. See the full list after the jump.
Trey Songz, Wizkid, Cecil Hammond at Club 57 last night (photos)
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