Obanikoro, 6 others make new ministerial list

Former Minister of state Defence, Musiliu Obanikoro, who resigned his position in October 2014 to pursue his governorship ambition in Lagos state which he lost, and six others have been nominated to be Ministers by President Jonathan. A list of the seven nominees was sent to the senate earlier today for screening and confirmation. Kenneth Kobani from Rivers state and Patricia Akwashiki from Nasarawa state also made the list.



LindaIkeji

Paris supermarket Shopkeeper who saved lives at terror attack given heroic welcome to Mali

 

 

Lassana Bathily, the 24 year old Malian-born employee who saved the lives of several shoppers at Kosher supermarket during the Paris attack that left 4 dead on Jan. 9th was given a heroic welcome in Mali yesterday, 9 years after he left his birth country for France. Lassana was welcomed by Malian government officials led by the Malian Minister of Foreign Affairs, Cheickkna Kamissoko. He and his father later had lunch with the Malian French Ambassador at the french embassy in Mali.

Osun Governor Throwing Money and Recharge Card at APC Campaign

Osun state governor. Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola was pictured this afternoon , throwing cash and recharge cards to APC supporters on his way to the APC campaign rally held in Lagos today. He was sitting on the bus conveniently...  How funny our politicians can be sometimes.

President Robert Mugabe of Zimbabwe Named the New African Union Chairman

 Zimbabwean President, Robert Mugabe was this morning named the new Chairman of the African Union. Mugabe took over from Mauritania's President Mohamed Ould Abdel Aziz at a ceremony which held at the Union's secretariat in Addis Abbaba, Ethiopia this morning. 


Robert Mugabe is 90 year old, and wondering at this age if he can really carry on with such big responsible.

China to Buy More Crude Oil from Nigeria

Following the loss of America’s market for its crude oil last year, China has stepped forward to fill the gap by pledging to buy more oil from Nigeria. According to the country’s Deputy Chief of Mission in Nigeria, Mr. Zhang Bin, the Chinese government is looking forward to importing more of Nigeria's oil, reported the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN). Zhang said China was interested in Nigeria’s oil and that when President Goodluck Jonathan visited China in 2013, the country discussed the possibility of importing more oil from Nigeria. He also said the trade volume between Nigeria and China in 2014 exceeded $16 billion, but his country was looking at possibilities of improving balancing of trade with Nigeria. Zhang said the figure exceeded that of 2013, which he put at $13.5 billion. He said: “In 2013, the trade volume between Nigeria and China was $13.5 billion and then according to our statistics, from January to November 2014, the trade volume already amounted to $16.47 billion. So that means that in the first 11 months, the trade volume exceeded that of the year 2013, which indicates an increase of 35 per cent over the previous year. We do have this problem of trade imbalance and the Chinese side is going all out to solve it. One of the solutions is that we encourage more Chinese enterprises and companies to import more from Nigeria, especially agriculture products and also some of the manufactured products.” The envoy explained that a few years ago, China started importing cassava and some agriculture products like cocoa and palm oil from Nigeria. Zhang said due to the joint efforts of both sides, imports into China from Nigeria had increased by a large margin last year. According to him, in the first 11 months, there was an increase of 93.7 per cent in China’s imports from Nigeria, adding that the import percentage was almost doubled. The Chinese official said his country encourages its companies in Nigeria to invest in telecommunications, agriculture, automobile assembling, food processing, energy, mines and solid minerals. Zhang said China's competitive telecommunication companies like Huawei and ZTE currently supply the Nigeria’s network operators with terminals and broad bands. Zhang revealed that the business volume of just one Chinese telecommunication company in Nigeria for a year was huge, putting it at about $1 billion. According to him, China and Nigeria were also working on other projects like the rehabilitation projects for the Nigerian Railway Corporation and the Zungeru hydropower project in Niger State.

 ThisDay (online)

4 year old boy brutally attacked by dogs, returns home from India

 

 

Omonigho Abraham, the 4 year old boy who was violently attacked by dogs owned by a neighbour in his family home in Lagos, returned from India alongside his dad yesterday January 29th after a successful operation in the country. Omo had been in India since late last year. Omo's dad praised the doctors in India for the successful completion of the operation, thanking God for ensuring that his son can now live a normal life. He also appreciated the Lagos State Government for their help in LASUTH, all the NGOs that got involved and the media for the attention given to his son.

INEC TO Extend PVCS Distribution Beyond January 31

The Independent National Electoral Commission is set to extend the distribution of the Permanent Voter Cards beyond January 31, one of our correspondents has learnt. The commission also said that it had pushed 65 million cards to the voters and that it was about receiving the balance of 3.4 million cards from the contractors. The Chief Press Secretary to the National Chairman of the commission, Mr. Kayode Idowu, disclosed this in an interview with one of our correspondents in Abuja on Thursday. Idowu said that there was no way the commission would not give a window for the new cards to get to their owners. He said, “Yes, we are going to give a window of opportunity for the distribution of the 3.4 million PVCs that we are getting now. Already, we have distributed 65 million PVCs to the voters and they are being distributed to the voters as we speak.” Idowu gave the assurance that members of staff of the commission were at every ward, including weekends, working to meet the demand of the distribution of the cards. But the INEC Resident Electoral Commissioner in the FCT, Prof. Jacob Jatau, who addressed journalists at his office in Abuja, said the commission would not be able to extend the distribution of the Permanent Voter Cards till the eve of the presidential election scheduled for February 14. He said though the distribution exercise was due to end on January 31, Jatau confirmed that the commission was considering an extension of the PVC’s distribution by a week to increase the level of collection from the current 55 per cent to between 60 and 70 per cent in the FCT. Jatau said, “Though it is not for me to take a position on the extension of the distribution of the PVC till the election eve, if you look at the logistics involved in preparing for election you will realise that it is not possible. “But as I have said, if we look at the level of collection of the PVCs, it is most likely that we will extend the distribution till the first week of February.” The REC, who was recently redeployed from Abia State to the FCT, urged registered voters who had yet to collect their PVCs to do so within the stipulated time. Only the February 14 presidential and the National Assembly elections will hold in the FCT, while the governorship and state House of Assembly elections will hold in other states on February 28.


 Punch, (Online)

Dr Sid's wife Simi Esiri in London to give birth to their first child

 

 

Mavin artist Dr. Sid's heavily pregnant wife, Simi Osomo Esiri, landed in London yesterday January 28th where she's expected to stay until she welcomes the couple's first child. Dr Sid, who's currently a student at the New York Film Academy, is expected to join his wife later. 


LindaIkeji

Zahra Buhari Back on Twitter, Says PDP Hacked Into Her Account

The daughter of the All Progressive Congress presidential candidate, Zahra Buhari has accused the People Democratic Party of hacking into her Twitter account.

This was coming from her new Twitter handle where she alleged that the ruling party used someone to gain unlawful access into her account to post a grammatical blunder aimed at embarrassing her.

"The PDP had someone hack into my Twitter account to post a grammatical blunder. This is so uncalled for", she said.

She however, did not give additional detail to support her claims.

Below are some of her tweets in quote:

"Change is the only thing that is permanent. We need change".

"If school certificate defines a good president, don't you think President Jonathan's PhD ought to have fought insecurity and corruption"

"Now the real change begins!!! PDP founding member, Jonathan's woman coordinator, others switch to APC"

"We really need change. #WENEEDCHANGE not a third chance RT if you agree with me"

Since her comebank, Zahra's fans are pouring in by the second to reconnect with her on the new account - @ZahraBuhari. She has also become more active on the medium.

Asari Dokubo's wife comes for Gen. Danjuma after he called for the arrest of her hubby

Former Minister of Defence Gen T.Y Danjuma yesterday called for the arrest of Asari Dokubo, Tompolo and other Niger Delta ex-militants for declaring that they would destabilise the country if GEJ does not win next month's presidential election. Asari's wife just came for Danjuma on Facebook

Pope Francis meets transgender man at the Vatican

Pope Francis met with transgender man Diego Neria Lejárraga and his fiancée on Saturday January 24th at the Vatican. The Pope agreed to meet Diego after Diego wrote to him telling him about the constant discrimination he experiences in church since he converted from a woman to a man. According to Spanish newspaper, Hoy, Diego, who was labelled 'the devil’s daughter' by a priest said: “After hearing him on many occasions, I felt that he would listen to me.” Despite the meeting, the Vatican has not commented on it or released photos from the visit.

Fuji musician Malaika builds multi-million naira house in Lagos - PICS

 

 

Fuji music star, Alhaji Sulaimon ‘Malaika’ Alao Adekunle has completed a multi -million Naira house in Ajah area of  Lagos state. The house will be officially opened very soon by Malaika's idol, K1 De Ultimate. Malaika current lives in Ebute Metta but will be moving to his new home soon.

Samuel Eto signs new contract with U.C. Sampdoria - PICS

 

 

The Cameroonian football star, Samuel Eto'o Fils who used to play as a striker for Premier League club Everton took to his instagram page to announce his new contract with Unione Calcio Sampdoria, an Italian association football club based in Genoa, Italy. Samuel Eto’o salutes Sampdoria’s fans at Genoa’s Luigi Ferraris stadium

Buhari's daughter, deleted her twitter account

 

 Following serious bashing and criticisms from Nigerians who oppose her father's political ambition, General Muhamadu Buhari's daughter,  Zahra Buhari, who broke the internet a few weeks ago when her beautiful pics hit the internet has deleted her twitter account. The bashing came after she tweeted to defend issues surrounding her dad's credentials. It seems she couldn't take it anymore or was asked to? Her twitter account was Zahra3_ but the page no longer exists as at the time of this report.

Former Super Eagles coach Musa Abdullahi passes on

 

 

Former Assistant coach of the Super Eagles, Musa Abdullahi died on Sunday January 25 after years of battling from stroke. He died in his home state of Kogi. Abdullahi assisted Coach Fanny Amun to lead Nigeria to a second FIFA Under-17 World Cup title in Japan in 1993. He also coached the Nigerian under 17 and 20 teams. May his soul rest in peace, Amen. 


LindaIkeji

Photos: EKSU students brutalized during protest in Epe today

There was rioting between students of Ekiti State State University (EKSU) and the management of one of its affiliate colleges, Michael Otedola College of Primary Education in Noforija, Epe Lagos State where some students were allegedly brutalized by security men drafted by the school to disperse them. Heard the riot was over the failure of MOCPED to present the results of students of the College to the Senate of EKSU for approval which would enabled the affected students obtain certificates. 



LindaIkeji

Asisat Oshoala Scored a Doal for Liverpool on her debut

Talented Nigerian Female football star, Asisat Oshoala who joined liverpool ladies on January 23rd, 2015 score her first goal in her debut. she scored the first goal earlier today in the match against Aston Villa ladies which ended 4-1 in favour of Liverpool. The  delighted Super star took to her instagram to share the news... Congrat and goodluck to her 

Burial arrangements for late Muna Obiekwe announced

Candle night; February 1st 2015. Meeting point at Marsha, Roundabout, Surulere by 4pm. Procession from there to Ojez stadium. Dress code - white - but Tshirts will be provided at the venue. Burial: 3rd February at Umudioka in Anambra state. Announcer: Ibinabo Fiberesima AGN President

US: Nigeria’s Election Must Hold as Scheduled

The United States Government on Sunday said Nigeria’s general election billed for next month must hold as scheduled because it is one exercise that is both critical to the survival of the country and reaffirm its place in the world map. The US Secretary of State, Mr. John Kerry, who said this at a news conference in Lagos, also had separate meetings with both President Goodluck Jonathan and the All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential candidate, Gen. Muhammadu Buhari, where they discussed the need for a violence-free election and the nations’ bilateral relations. While the meeting with Jonathan was said to have held at the State House in Lagos, the one with Buhari was held at the official residence of the US Consul General in Ikoyi, Lagos, the same venue as the news conference yesterday evening. Kerry, who repeatedly harped on the need to eschew any form of violence, also noted that for Nigerians to know how seriously the US government took the issue of election violence, perpetrators would be ineligible for the US visa as a new measure against every anti-democratic tendency. “The fact is that one of the best ways to fight back Boko Haram and similar groups is by protecting the peaceful, credible and transparent elections that are essential to any thriving democracy. And certainly, it is essential to the largest democracy in Africa. “It’s imperative that these elections happen on time as scheduled. There have been improvements over past elections and a need to set new standards for this democracy. That means that Nigerians do not only have to reject violence but they have to actually promote peace,” he said. The US Secretary of State, reading the riot act to violence perpetrators, said: “So, let me be clear: anyone who participates in plans or calls for widespread or systematic violence against the civilian population must be held accountable including being ineligible for an American visa. “Violence has no place in democratic elections and I can guarantee you that the perpetrators of such violence will not be welcomed in the United States of America. Nigeria is Africa’s most populous nation and one of the world’s largest democracies. It is blessed with some of the planet’s most valuable and abundant natural resources.” 

ThisDay, (Online)

May 29 Handover Date Sacrosanct, Jonathan Tells US

 President Goodluck Jonathan on Sunday assured all stakeholders including the United States of America that the May 29 handover date was sacrosanct. He gave the assurance amidst calls by some individuals including the National Security Adviser, Col. Sambo Dasuki (retd.), for the postponement of the February general elections. According to a statement released by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Dr. Reuben Abati, the President gave the assurance during a closed-door meeting he had with the United States Secretary of State, Mr. John Kerry, at the State House, Marina. The statement was signed personally by the President. He said he had what he called “a candid and constructive discussion” about a broad range of issues with his guest. He said he emphasised to Kerry that he was deeply committed to ensuring that the elections were free, fair and credible. He added that he also promised his guest that his government would provide all resources required by the Independent National Electoral Commission to conduct hitch-free elections. Jonathan said, “I emphasised to Secretary Kerry that I am deeply committed to ensuring that our forthcoming election is free, fair, and credible. “It is especially critical that all political parties abide by the Abuja Accord, which commits each to non-violence before, during, and after the election. “I made it absolutely clear that the May 29th handover date is sacrosanct. “In addition, the government will provide all resources that are required by the Independent National Electoral Commission to ensure that the election goes smoothly. “I also emphasised that INEC is an independent body, which makes its own decisions without any interference from the government.” The President said he was grateful to the US for standing with Nigeria and its people in the nation’s fight against Boko Haram. He said he reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to working together with the US to put an end to global terrorism and particularly Boko Haram. He promised that Nigeria would also work to deepen and consolidate its bilateral relationship with the US. The President described Nigeria as a vibrant democracy and the largest trading partner of the US in Africa with over $18bn in bilateral trade. He noted that the two countries and peoples shared a mutual admiration for one another and a deep commitment to freedom, democracy, and human rights. This, he explained, was why the two countries were jointly engaged in a struggle against “a common enemy that promotes terror, fear, division, and violates human rights, most especially of women and girls, with complete impunity.”  The President added, “Winning the fight against Boko Haram in Nigeria and West Africa is absolutely essential to beat back the tide of religious extremism around the world. 




Punch, (Online)

Pastor Paul Adefarasin gets brand new G-Wagon as birthday gift

 

 

Head Pastor of House on the Rock Pastor Paul Adefarasin got a brand new Mercedes Benz G-Wagon G63 from people in his church as he turned 52 today January 25th. He got this brand new SUV weeks after he gave a singer in his church a Range Rover SUV.


LindaIkeji

Man threatens to kill gay activist Bisi Alimi on Facebook

A Nigerian man has threatened to kill the Nigerian gay activist, Bisi Alimi if he enters Nigeria. Bisi Alimi posted on his Facebook page that he gets death threats frequently and is sometimes followed by some people, even in London. He shared some of the messages on his facebook page.

Photos: Jay Z always avoids looking at cheerleaders at basketball games

 

 

At a basketball game last week, Jay Z looked everywhere but at cheerleaders when they came out to dance during breaks. (left). He did same thing last night when he and Beyonce hit up the Staples Centre to watch another game (right). He looked everywhere but at the scantily-dressed hot chicks. But Beyonce looked. Meanwhile check out pics of the power couple at the basketball game yesterday 


LindaIkeji