Murray ends 2016 as World No. 1

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"> <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"> <tbody> <tr> <td style="text-align: center;"><img alt="Image result for Andy Murray" src="http://ichef.bbci.co.uk/onesport/cps/480/cpsprodpb/16203/production/_92572609_murray.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" /></td> </tr> <tr> <td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Image credit: Getty Images</td> </tr> </tbody> </table> <br /> Andy Murray defeated five-time champion, Novak Djokovic, to win his first ATP World Tour Finals on Sunday and will now end 2016 as the world number one.<br /> <a name='more' id="more"></a><br /> <br /> With the year-end top ranking on the line, Murray won the much-anticipated final 6-3 6-4 at London’s O2 Arena.<br /> <br /> The 29-year-old had ended Djokovic’s 122-week reign as world number one two weeks ago and has now extended his career-best winning run to 24 matches.<br /> <br /> His win also ended Djokovic’s four-year run of winning the tournament and the Serb’s quest to equal Roger Federer’s record of six titles.<br /> <br /> “I’m very happy to win and to be world number one is very special,” Murray said afterwards.<br /> <br /> “It’s very special playing against Novak in a match like this.”<br /> <br /> Murray, who had won 10 of the pair’s previous 34 encounters, added: “We’ve played Grand Slam finals and in the Olympics before, but I am very happy to win.<br /> <br /> “It is something I never expected.”<br /> <br /> Djokovic was graceful in defeat and full of praise for Murray.<br /> <br /> “Andy is definitely number one in the world,” he admitted.<br /> <br /> “He deserved to win. He is the best player.<br /> <br /> “In the decisive moments, I wasn’t able to come back. I played better late in the match but it wasn’t enough.”</div>

Murray ends 2016 as World No. 1

Image credit: Getty Images Andy Murray defeated five-time champion, Novak Djokovic, to win his first ATP World Tour Finals on Su...

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Fan attempts to steal from Burna Boy during a concert, Burna Boy reacts

Fan attempts to steal from Burna Boy during a concert, Burna Boy reacts

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Reality will force Trump to adjust as U.S. president – Obama

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-jrIP_6wDRoc/WDLl3gKE11I/AAAAAAAAcoo/dm0tZDxlt2IrfevsQTQt_F05quDFkCBzQCLcB/s1600/obama%2Btrump.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="166" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-jrIP_6wDRoc/WDLl3gKE11I/AAAAAAAAcoo/dm0tZDxlt2IrfevsQTQt_F05quDFkCBzQCLcB/s400/obama%2Btrump.jpg" width="400" /></a></div> Outgoing U.S. President Barack Obama says he can not guarantee that president-elect Donald Trump will not pursue some of his campaign rhetoric when sworn-in as president.<br /> <a name='more' id="more"></a><br /> Obama made the remark in Lima at his final international news conference as U.S. president after attending the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation Forum.<br /> <br /> At the news conference, Obama said “I can’t guarantee that the president-elect won’t pursue some of the positions that he’s taken.<br /> <br /> “But what I can guarantee is that reality will force him to adjust how he approaches many of these issues; that’s just the way this office (U.S. presidency) works.”<br /> <br /> The U.S. president, who had been assuring world leaders about a Trump’s presidency until now, however, asked them to adopt a “wait and see” approach about the president-elect.<br /> <br /> “What I expect from world leaders is the same thing that I have said in a number of press conferences, which is the president-elect now has to put together a team.<br /> <br /> “He has to put forward specifics about how he intends to govern and he hasn’t had the full opportunity to do that yet.<br /> <br /> “So people should take a wait-and-see approach in how much his policy proposal, once in the White House once he’s sworn-in, matches up with some of the rhetoric of his campaign.<br /> <br /> “My simple point is that you can’t assume that the language of campaigning matches up with the specifics of governing, legislation, regulations and foreign policy.<br /> <br /> “I can’t be sure very well, I think like everyone else, we will have to wait and see.” Obama, however, assured that the reality would force Trump to adjust his stance on issues.<br /> <br /> “As I have said before, once you are in the Oval Office, once you begin interacting with world leaders, once you see the complexities of the issues, that has a way of shaping your thinking. “Also in some cases, it has a way of magnifying your thinking.<br /> <br /> “This is because, you recognise the solemn responsibility not only to the American people but some responsibilities that America has as the largest most powerful country in the world.”<br /> <br /> The outgoing president also said that Trump’s campaign rhetorics were not as easy to fulfil as he thought. According to him, if those issues were that simple, they would have been done by previous presidents before Trump was even elected.<br /> <br /> “I’ve said before, if these issues were easy, that ensuring prosperity, jobs, security, good foreign relations with other countries, if all that was simple, then it would have been done by every previous president.<br /> <br /> “I’m a very pretty good presidential historian and I’ve looked at my 43 predecessors. “I’ve seen that for all of them, even the best ones, that you end up confronting the realities and I think that is a good thing, that is interesting,” Obama said.<br /> <br /> On the chance of the Democrats in producing future presidents, Obama expressed optimism, saying that former Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton won the popular vote.<br /> <br /> He, however, said that Democratic Party’s message needed to speak to a broad number of Americans and not limited to a segment adding, that was the secret of his victories.<br /> <br /> NAN reports that Obama’s tenure as the 44th president of the U.S. will end on Jan. 20, 2017, when Trump will be sworn-in as the 45th president.

Reality will force Trump to adjust as U.S. president – Obama

Outgoing U.S. President Barack Obama says he can not guarantee that president-elect Donald Trump will not pursue some of his campaign rheto...

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Pope empowers priests to forgive abortion

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7LFZX91mcqE/WDLdvMDEvMI/AAAAAAAAcoQ/u98IWkuSYb4Frd5AmhlTT8iKnvytnVjpwCLcB/s1600/Pope-Francis-696x452.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="258" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7LFZX91mcqE/WDLdvMDEvMI/AAAAAAAAcoQ/u98IWkuSYb4Frd5AmhlTT8iKnvytnVjpwCLcB/s400/Pope-Francis-696x452.jpg" width="400" /></a></div> Pope Francis said Monday that all priests will be able to forgive abortion, making permanent a temporary measure he had put in place for the Vatican’s jubilee year.<br /> <a name='more' id="more"></a>“I henceforth grant to all priests, in virtue of their ministry, the faculty to absolve those who have committed the sin of procured abortion,” the pope wrote in an apostolic letter marking the end of the “Year of Mercy”, which wound up Sunday.

Pope empowers priests to forgive abortion

Pope Francis said Monday that all priests will be able to forgive abortion, making permanent a temporary measure he had put in place for th...

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Key areas Chelsea need to strengthen in January

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-kB4A-rjAcOs/WDLkBWoLKjI/AAAAAAACuic/-jTvtYPLV84IyY0yvpQV3TQcnLq1m5V8gCLcB/s640/Conte-Chelsea.jpg" width="640" /></div> <br /> Chelsea are flying high in their title bid and after another victory this weekend that saw them dethroned Liverpool at the summit of the Premier League, the <a href="https://mybookie.ag/sportsbook/">sports betting lines</a> revealed they are also topping bookmakers favourites to win the league.<br /> <a name='more' id="more"></a><br /> <br /> Their 1-0 win over Middlesbrough may not have been as convincing as the 5-0 demolition of Everton but Diego Costa’s strike was enough to extend their winning run in the league to six games, scoring 17 goals and conceding none.<br /> <br />  They are now one above Liverpool and Manchester City<br /> <br /> But despite their brilliant form presently, Antonio Conte still needs to strengthen some key areas of his team. The Premier League is arguably the most competitive league in Europe and as we are edging closer to the end of the first half of the season, it is left to see if Conte’ 3-4 -3 formation can carry squad for the whole season.<br /> <br /> The Italian boss has no serious injury concerns and has stick to the starting eleven in his last five league games but injury to any of them could peg them back in their title bid.<br /> <br /> Having said that we take a look at the three important departments of team Conte needs to strengthen to when the transfer window opens in January.<br /> <b><br /></b><b>1. The Central Midfield</b><br /> Nemanja Matic and summer signing N’Golo Kante have blended so well and doing great in the central midfield but their supposed back-ups Cesc Fabregas and John Mikel Obi have not really convinced Conte. The duo does not possess the box-to-box energy of Matic and Kante which is paramount to the success of the 3-4-3 formation. Kante was instrumental to Leicester City winning the title last season and has brought that to Chelsea.<br /> <br /> Recruiting players who can offer similar quality in January might not come easy. Tottenham’s Mousa Dembele fit that criteria but convincing them to sell one of the performing players mid-season could be impossible. Highly rated Atlanta playmaker Franck Kessie could be an easy option.<br /> <b><br /></b><b>2. Right-back</b><br /> Victor Moses has been dragged into that position and has been impressive so far but the Nigerian international is more of a forward that a defender and his lack of natural defensive abilities may be his undoing in the long run. Branislav Ivanovic is out of form and favour and look set to leave the Stamford Bridge when his contract expires in the summer.<br /> Monaco rising star Fabinho could fit in perfectly well in that role, likewise Everton‘s Seamus Coleman is another good option for Conte to consider.<br /> <b><br /></b><b>3. Striker</b><br /> Both Diego Costa and Eden Hazard have formed a strong partnership terrorising defence in the Premier League. They both have seventeen goals between them. Though Conte still has Domonic Solanke or Pedro to fall back to in case of injury to his preferred attackers but it is not yet certain they can deliver at the level of Costa and Hazard. Former Manchester United striker Javier Hernandez will represent a good buy. He netted 26 times in all competitions for Bayern Leverkusen last season and made the Bundesliga team of the season for 2015/2016.

Key areas Chelsea need to strengthen in January

Chelsea are flying high in their title bid and after another victory this weekend that saw them dethroned Liverpool at the summit of the P...

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Jonathan may contest 2019 elections – Dele Momodu

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-WXJNNRZwI9A/WDLjYuyc7eI/AAAAAAAAcoc/11d50jM6uj48O4yy_mvTs_ptXOj0TzbWACLcB/s1600/Goodluck-jonathan.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="260" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-WXJNNRZwI9A/WDLjYuyc7eI/AAAAAAAAcoc/11d50jM6uj48O4yy_mvTs_ptXOj0TzbWACLcB/s400/Goodluck-jonathan.jpg" width="400" /></a></div> Former President, Goodluck Jonathan, may seek reelection in Nigeria’s 2019 presidential election, the publisher of Ovation Magazine, Mr. Dele Momodu, has said.<br /> <a name='more' id="more"></a>Jonathan, who ruled Africa’s most populous nation from 2011 to 2015, lost his bid for reelection in last year’s presidential polls to President Muhammadu Buhari of the All Progressive Congress.<br /> <br /> Since leaving office Jonathan’s profile internationally has risen, and Mr. Momodu says the Peoples Democratic Party chieftain may stage a comeback bid in 2019.<br /> <br /> In an article titled, “The second coming of Goodluck Jonathan”, Mr. Momodu explained that the victory of US President-elect Donald trump “should bring us back to our senses”.<br /> <br /> He wrote, “I have been reading about the rising profile of our former President, Dr Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, and wish to state without equivocation that no one should rule him out of the 2019 presidential race. I first hinted this possibility about two months ago and wish to reiterate that Nigerians should prepare for the shock that awaits us. The story of Donald Trump should bring us back to our senses. Nothing is impossible. The second coming of Goodluck Jonathan may be so far-fetched or even belong in those categories of impossibilities but I wish to plead with our government and my fellow citizens not to rule it out. As one of those who made our modest and humble contributions to the coming of this Buhari government, I’m pleading with trepidation.<br /> <br /> “Jonathan’s popularity is rising not because of anything he has done to atone the sins that must have led to his waterloo but as a result of what our change government has failed or refused to do. The obsession of our government with going all out after Jonathan is the main reason the Otuoke man is beginning to smell like roses after the odoriferous position he landed himself last week. Only if our government had succeeded in maintaining the economy it met, Nigerians would have been ready to enter fire with Buhari. But there are just too many unresolved problems and challenges. The excuses that Jonathan and company left this peculiar mess behind has refused to fly. The groans might not be loud enough to reverberate all the way to the Aso Rock Presidential Villa, as of now, but trust me it may become deafening, sooner than later. I do not care if men and women of power dismiss my submission with a wave of the hand but they should mark my word, there is a thickening conspiracy in the clouds. It would be a shame if we inadvertently play into the hands of those hovering and ready to pounce on Buhari.<br /> <br /> “I read about “persecution complex” long ago and I understand how it works. If you beat your own child so ruthlessly as if you want to kill him, the tilt of public opinion would always go against you. Many would wonder why you want to kill your own child. In our anger, let us pick our fights. There is too much tension in the land. I would be delighted if anyone could educate and convince me that Nigeria has gained much more than we’ve lost to this war of attrition. If we haven’t, we may need to retrace our steps urgently.<br /> <br /> “The BBC reported on Friday how Jonathan caused a stir in Sokoto State during his visit to the state to pay his respects to Ibrahim Dasuki, the late former Sultan of Sokoto. According to the report, Jonathan was received by a large crowd of admirers, some holding banners bearing the words “Come Back Baba Jonathan”. The same voices that chanted “Sai Baba” and “Jonathan Must Go” are now fiddling with the tunes of the possibility of a Jonathan to stage a comeback. Here lies the irony of political triumph and the paradox of high expectations.<br /> <br /> “The euphoria and momentum that saw the exit of Jonathan and the emergence of the Buhari change administration has since begun to wane following the inability of the new government to hit the ground running with the tenacity of a government in a hurry!<br /> <br /> “There are many who believe that the poor management of the ensuing economic recession didn’t help matters. Suddenly, Nigerians who had high hopes and voted massively for change are now caught in a limbo between confusion and uncertainty. As it stands today, the average Nigerian is confronted with the reality of an economic recession they never planned for; a situation they did not experience under the Jonathan administration and under previous governments.<br /> <br /> “Many of President Buhari’s supporters are worried that the humongous goodwill that engineered the Buhari change mantra is now being frittered away at the speed of light. The unfolding plot has now thrown up former President Jonathan as a new protagonist in Nigeria’s theatre of the absurd. For many of us who are ardent students of history, we have since learnt that nothing is impossible in the game called politics. Will history repeat itself again? Time is pregnant with answers!”

Jonathan may contest 2019 elections – Dele Momodu

Former President, Goodluck Jonathan, may seek reelection in Nigeria’s 2019 presidential election, the publisher of Ovation Magazine, Mr. De...

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Messi Could Man City This Summer

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xxmPI8yQ8xA/WDLi-R1diWI/AAAAAAACuiY/4_V2RMzqChwGa7h4FzUsrL53bqT-cx4-QCLcB/s1600/Messi%2Bman%2Bcity.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="336" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xxmPI8yQ8xA/WDLi-R1diWI/AAAAAAACuiY/4_V2RMzqChwGa7h4FzUsrL53bqT-cx4-QCLcB/s640/Messi%2Bman%2Bcity.jpg" width="640" /></a></div> <br /> <br /> Lionel Messi could be on his way to Manchester City at the end of this season after refusing to sign a contract extension at Barcelona. The Argentine attacker is reportedly unhappy at the Nou Camp and could reunite with former Pep Guardiola at Etihad Stadium. According to bookmakers and pundits, the <a href="https://mybookie.lv/">online sports betting</a> of him moving to England is 6/4.<br /> <br /> <a name='more' id="more"></a><br /> <br /> The five-time World Footballer of the Year will see out his current contract which expires at the end of next season and has a rejected a contract extension. The £215 million buy-out clause in his contract seems not to be realistic again as the club risk losing him for nothing.<br /> <br /> Messi contract situation at the Catalans has put Man City on red alert and are planning a stunning financial package to lure the prodigy to Etihad. Barca president Josep Bartomeu and coach Lius Enrique are still confident their star player will remain at the club beyond 2018 but the entrance of Guardiola into the picture has raised more fears at the Nou Camp.<br /> <br /> The 29-year-old was reported to have made the decision in mid-July while on holidays and could make good of his threat to quit the Spanish club. Years back it would have been difficult to envisage such but happenings that have made the Barca player unhappy could have led to the decision.<br /> <br /> Tax evasion allegations faced in Spain and a suspended 21-month prison sentence for him and his father are reportedly parts of the reasons for his unhappiness. Also Barca stalling over offering him a contract in excess of £365,000 a week being earned by Cristiano Ronaldo at Real Madrid and reports of a strained relationship between him and boss Lius Enrique, all these summed up could be the reasons for his decision to quit his boyhood club.<br /> <br /> Chelsea, French club PSG and Chinese clubs are all interested in him but Man City have a clear chance of landing him with Pep Guardiola at Etihad with whom he enjoyed a frosty relationship during their time together at the Nou Camp. The Spaniard boss gave him the opportunity to shine turning him into world class player.<br /> <br /> Coupled with the fact that City has the financial might to secure his signature. City are preparing a package in the region of £200 million - £500,000 a week basic salary and extensive bonuses and the club hierarchy are confident of getting him.<br /> <br /> Not only Guardiola could tempt Messi to switch to Etihad the Argentina skipper is also friendly City chief executive Ferran Soriano and football director Txiki Bergiristian as well as national team mates Pablo Zabaleta and Nicolas Otamendi.<br /> <br /> Messi joined Barcelona aged 13 who played a crucial role in his development as a player. He has won eight La Liga titles and four Champion League trophies as well as many individual honours.<br /> <br /> Should this materialize, Barca fans will be devastated with the departure of their idol. Suarez and Neymar will be left to fill in the void created.<br /> onel Messi could be on his way to Manchester City at the end of this season after refusing to sign a contract extension at Barcelona. The Argentine attacker is reportedly unhappy at the Nou Camp and could reunite with former Pep Guardiola at Etihad Stadium. According to bookmakers and pundits, the <a href="https://mybookie.lv/">online sports betting</a> of him moving to England is 6/4.<br /> <br /> The five-time World Footballer of the Year will see out his current contract which expires at the end of next season and has a rejected a contract extension. The £215 million buy-out clause in his contract seems not to be realistic again as the club risk losing him for nothing.<br /> <br /> Messi contract situation at the Catalans has put Man City on red alert and are planning a stunning financial package to lure the prodigy to Etihad. Barca president Josep Bartomeu and coach Lius Enrique are still confident their star player will remain at the club beyond 2018 but the entrance of Guardiola into the picture has raised more fears at the Nou Camp.<br /> <br /> The 29-year-old was reported to have made the decision in mid-July while on holidays and could make good of his threat to quit the Spanish club. Years back it would have been difficult to envisage such but happenings that have made the Barca player unhappy could have led to the decision.<br /> <br /> Tax evasion allegations faced in Spain and a suspended 21-month prison sentence for him and his father are reportedly parts of the reasons for his unhappiness. Also Barca stalling over offering him a contract in excess of £365,000 a week being earned by Cristiano Ronaldo at Real Madrid and reports of a strained relationship between him and boss Lius Enrique, all these summed up could be the reasons for his decision to quit his boyhood club.<br /> <br /> Chelsea, French club PSG and Chinese clubs are all interested in him but Man City have a clear chance of landing him with Pep Guardiola at Etihad with whom he enjoyed a frosty relationship during their time together at the Nou Camp. The Spaniard boss gave him the opportunity to shine turning him into world class player.<br /> <br /> Coupled with the fact that City has the financial might to secure his signature. City are preparing a package in the region of £200 million - £500,000 a week basic salary and extensive bonuses and the club hierarchy are confident of getting him.<br /> <br /> Not only Guardiola could tempt Messi to switch to Etihad the Argentina skipper is also friendly City chief executive Ferran Soriano and football director Txiki Bergiristian as well as national team mates Pablo Zabaleta and Nicolas Otamendi.<br /> <br /> Messi joined Barcelona aged 13 who played a crucial role in his development as a player. He has won eight La Liga titles and four Champion League trophies as well as many individual honours.<br /> <br /> Should this materialize, Barca fans will be devastated with the departure of their idol. Suarez and Neymar will be left to fill in the void created.<br /> <br />

Messi Could Man City This Summer

Lionel Messi could be on his way to Manchester City at the end of this season after refusing to sign a contract extension at Barcelona. T...

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IN PICTURES: Protesters storm INEC office in Ondo

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-TgvHCwHN2TM/WDLcLwcV1HI/AAAAAAAAcn4/asP9cua19owmKDKF2pUhrowqVxxgwM35ACLcB/s1600/protest-in-Ondo3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-TgvHCwHN2TM/WDLcLwcV1HI/AAAAAAAAcn4/asP9cua19owmKDKF2pUhrowqVxxgwM35ACLcB/s320/protest-in-Ondo3.jpg" width="320" /></a></div> Several protesters have stormed the INEC office in Ondo State concerning the controversial surrounding the candidate(s) of the Peoples Democratic Party PDP.<br /> <br /> <a name='more' id="more"></a>They demanded the inclusion of Jegede's name among the candidates contesting  for the election.<br /> <br /> See photos:<br /> <br /> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-iDjPNKL1jiw/WDLcL4th3sI/AAAAAAAAcn8/w7wIOAT7LmUQCHDEbYo_3WObKHmzzvTnQCLcB/s1600/protest-in-Ondo1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-iDjPNKL1jiw/WDLcL4th3sI/AAAAAAAAcn8/w7wIOAT7LmUQCHDEbYo_3WObKHmzzvTnQCLcB/s320/protest-in-Ondo1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div> <br /> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-TgvHCwHN2TM/WDLcLwcV1HI/AAAAAAAAcn4/asP9cua19owmKDKF2pUhrowqVxxgwM35ACLcB/s1600/protest-in-Ondo3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-TgvHCwHN2TM/WDLcLwcV1HI/AAAAAAAAcn4/asP9cua19owmKDKF2pUhrowqVxxgwM35ACLcB/s320/protest-in-Ondo3.jpg" width="320" /></a></div> <br /> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-xaSHFHHSz1U/WDLcNPX6HTI/AAAAAAAAcoI/ikbf6-2WNfw5FrfFHyK8gDiDpx2Rzm0zwCLcB/s1600/protest-in-Ondo6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-xaSHFHHSz1U/WDLcNPX6HTI/AAAAAAAAcoI/ikbf6-2WNfw5FrfFHyK8gDiDpx2Rzm0zwCLcB/s320/protest-in-Ondo6.jpg" width="320" /></a></div> <br /> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-F8Gn698wf1s/WDLcM6i0MYI/AAAAAAAAcoA/oujt8WalRLkr_79y4vlgtD22FF-2086qgCLcB/s1600/protest-in-Ondo5-696x392.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-F8Gn698wf1s/WDLcM6i0MYI/AAAAAAAAcoA/oujt8WalRLkr_79y4vlgtD22FF-2086qgCLcB/s320/protest-in-Ondo5-696x392.jpg" width="320" /></a></div> <br /> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-815xypq-ooc/WDLcL2MdgzI/AAAAAAAAcn0/p_XEueviHuAQj49ARKmACwah0VgIqSB7ACLcB/s1600/protest-in-Ondo2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-815xypq-ooc/WDLcL2MdgzI/AAAAAAAAcn0/p_XEueviHuAQj49ARKmACwah0VgIqSB7ACLcB/s320/protest-in-Ondo2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div> <br /> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Up1Md_rS9u0/WDLcNHzjFPI/AAAAAAAAcoE/mjFNpgrYRM86ykIIbSjH5H9mHFtBdxmSwCLcB/s1600/protest-in-Ondo4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Up1Md_rS9u0/WDLcNHzjFPI/AAAAAAAAcoE/mjFNpgrYRM86ykIIbSjH5H9mHFtBdxmSwCLcB/s320/protest-in-Ondo4.jpg" width="320" /></a></div> <br />

IN PICTURES: Protesters storm INEC office in Ondo

Several protesters have stormed the INEC office in Ondo State concerning the controversial surrounding the candidate(s) of the Peoples Demo...

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French police foil terror attack, arrest seven

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-kHoriQ2WjzM/WDLX1dN1JKI/AAAAAAAAcno/CEjdI-L4vwwg3DMsgGwcPJP0henHIeq_QCLcB/s1600/france.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-kHoriQ2WjzM/WDLX1dN1JKI/AAAAAAAAcno/CEjdI-L4vwwg3DMsgGwcPJP0henHIeq_QCLcB/s400/france.jpg" width="400" /></a></div> Police have broken up a terror ring  plotting an attack in France after arresting seven individuals in Strasbourg and Marseille, Interior Minister Bernard Cazeneuve said on Monday.<br /> <a name='more' id="more"></a><br /> <br /> The weekend arrests of seven suspects — of French, Moroccan and Afghan origin — “enabled us to prevent a long-planned terror attack on our soil,” Cazeneuve told a televised news conference.

French police foil terror attack, arrest seven

Police have broken up a terror ring  plotting an attack in France after arresting seven individuals in Strasbourg and Marseille, Interior M...

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Rohr: Super Eagles needs new players

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"> <div style="text-align: center;"><img alt="Image result for Gernot Rohr" height="297" src="http://static.pulse.ng/img/incoming/origs5439358/8999727405-w900-h600/Gernot-Rohr.jpg" width="400" /></div> <br /> Technical Adviser of Nigeria, Gernot Rohr, has admitted he needs new players in his team, before the 2018 World Cup qualifiers double-header against Cameroon in August 2017.<br /> <a name='more' id="more"></a><br /> <br /> Rohr was speaking in an interview on radio where he also allayed fears his team won’t play enough matches in preparation for the qualifiers.<br /> <br /> The Germans says the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying matches, which will begin in March 2017, will be a good testing ground to help the Super Eagles gel.<br /> <br /> “We have a match with Egypt in Dubai for them to prepare for the AFCON,” he said.<br /> <br /> “The next AFCON qualifiers begin in March and that will be good for us. We will look for good players to invite.<br /> <br /> “We will try all good players and they will improve our team.”</div>

Rohr: Super Eagles needs new players

Technical Adviser of Nigeria, Gernot Rohr, has admitted he needs new players in his team, before the 2018 World Cup qualifiers double-hea...

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Repairs on Lagos-Ibadan expressway to end December 25

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-3-fUANMK2FI/WDLVqiEfi8I/AAAAAAAAcng/5x6j5RAi80MjNkKQaTdHGZdgqIfafljhACLcB/s1600/expressway.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="205" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-3-fUANMK2FI/WDLVqiEfi8I/AAAAAAAAcng/5x6j5RAi80MjNkKQaTdHGZdgqIfafljhACLcB/s400/expressway.jpg" width="400" /></a></div> The engineer supervising section one of Lagos-Ibadan Expressway reconstruction/rehabilitation contract by the Federal Ministry of Power, Works and Housing, Mr. Kayode Ibrahim, said that the project was 32 per cent completed.<br /> <a name='more' id="more"></a><br /> Ibrahim said on Monday that work had been completed on one section of the Long Bridge and on various critical sections.<br /> <br /> Section one of the projects is from Ojota in Lagos to Sagamu Interchange and is being handled by Julius Berger.<br /> <br /> He said that more warning signs and crash barriers had been deployed to the highway to ensure free flow of traffic and check accidents.<br /> <br /> He said, “We will complete the repair of the long bridge by December 15 and we will complete all palliatives to make the road motorable before the Yuletide.<br /> <br /> “The entire project is 32 per cent completed. We have done earthworks, laid asphalt and base course, done culverts and drains on various changes between Redeemed Camp and the Sagamu Interchange.<br /> <br /> “We have constructed trapezoidal drains, rectangular drains and retaining walls on various portions and also laid polymer modified asphalt on various shoulders. We are working massively on various portions.”<br /> <br /> Tack coat (binding material for asphalt) was being laid on a portion of the outer lane of the popular Long bridge.<br /> <br /> Earthworks and laying of asphalt were also ongoing on various points as the committee members made intermittent stops to raise questions.

Repairs on Lagos-Ibadan expressway to end December 25

The engineer supervising section one of Lagos-Ibadan Expressway reconstruction/rehabilitation contract by the Federal Ministry of Power, Wo...

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Super Falcon’s thrashing of my team expected – Mali coach

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"> <div style="text-align: center;"><img alt="Image result for Super falcons of Nigeria 2016" height="359" src="http://i0.wp.com/media.premiumtimesng.com/wp-content/files/2015/06/falcons-celeberate.jpg?fit=652%2C366" width="640" /></div> <br /> Coach of Malian women football team, Oumar Guindo, has said that the thrashing of his side by the Super Falcons, did not come as a surprise.<br /> <a name='more' id="more"></a><br /> <br /> The Malians received some football lessons from the Nigerian ladies in their opening game of the Africa Women Cup of Nations Cup, AWCON, and Guindo has given praised Coach Florence Omagbemi tutored side.<br /> <br /> Nigeria defeated Mali 6-0 in the opening Group B clash on Sunday and the coach confessed that the thrashing did not come as a shock going by the pedigree of the Falcons who are an astonishing seven-time African Champions.<br /> <br /> According to him, “To play a team like Nigeria in the first match at a tournament of this nature is always going to be difficult.<br /> <br /> “We met a strong team and it was not easy for us. We are a young team and my players have yet to adapt.<br /> <br /> “For six years, Mali failed to qualify for the final tournament of the Women’s AFCON until this year,” he told a post-match conference.<br /> <br /> Oumar further said that the preparation of the Mali team does not give room for much expectation.<br /> <br /> “Our preparation was not the best as we played only one friendly match against Cameroon.<br /> <br /> “After that, we did not test our readiness against any tough opposition.”<br /> <br /> He said they will put the humiliation they suffered in their first match aside and face the next matches against Kenya and Ghana, adding that it is too early to give up on qualifying from the group.<br /> <br /> “There are still two matches to play. Our objective remains going past the group stage and we will work towards achieving that.<br /> <br /> “We are a young team and are hoping that in the near future we will be at the level of a team from Nigeria,” he said.</div>

Super Falcon’s thrashing of my team expected – Mali coach

Coach of Malian women football team, Oumar Guindo, has said that the thrashing of his side by the Super Falcons, did not come as a surpri...

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Ondo PDP senator decamps to APC

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-vmREbyVflYc/WDLRL8LasaI/AAAAAAAAcnY/4PhTfZi6jpwURxSdOGLSnzrmh7CNcTLmgCLcB/s1600/Ogunfuwa.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="273" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-vmREbyVflYc/WDLRL8LasaI/AAAAAAAAcnY/4PhTfZi6jpwURxSdOGLSnzrmh7CNcTLmgCLcB/s400/Ogunfuwa.png" width="400" /></a></div> The senator representing Ondo South Senatorial District, Mr. Yele Omogunwa, has reportedly dumped the Peoples Democratic Party for the All Progressives Congress.<br /> <a name='more' id="more"></a><br /> <br /> This came when the forthcoming  governorship election in the state is six days away.<br /> <br /> Although the senator had not formally announced his decision, it was gathered that the lawmaker made his intention known to his supporters in Ode Irele, the headquarters of the Irele Local Government Area of the state on Sunday evening.<br /> <br /> It was also gathered that the defection of the senator was not unconnected with the ongoing factional crisis rocking the party.

Ondo PDP senator decamps to APC

The senator representing Ondo South Senatorial District, Mr. Yele Omogunwa, has reportedly dumped the Peoples Democratic Party for the All ...

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Moses: I Want To Improve In Every Game For Chelsea

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"> <div style="text-align: center;"><img alt="Image result for Victor Moses wins man of the match against Middlesbrough" height="360" src="http://video.skysports.com/JxZjRxNzE6unbNOtcxzAlgrl3hW6jv_6/YUAndpMCbXk_9hvX4xMDoxOjBzMTt2bJ" width="640" /></div> <br /> Nigeria winger, Victor Moses has vowed to keep improving after picking the man of the man of the match award in Chelsea's 1-0 win against Middlesbrough at the Riverside on Sunday.<br /> <a name='more' id="more"></a><br /> <br /> The former Wigan player put up a fine performance as the Blues moved to the top of the table with a win courtesy of a first half strike by Diego Costa.<br /> <br /> "I'm happy I got into the starting eleven and I want to improve in every game, " Moses stated in his post match interview.<br /> <br /> "I have been on loan three times, but we have a good manager here who wants to give youngsters an opportunity.<br /> <br /> The 25-year old also heaped plaudits on his team for protecting their lead in the face of spirited fight back by their hosts in the second half.<br /> <br /> " In the second half, Boro came at us, but we were very strong at the back. The big man here (Cahill) was dominating," Moses added.<br /> <br /> "I think we showed great character today from the start. We had chances in the first half and we should have taken them.<br /> <br /> "We have to keep working hard to make sure we stay at the top until the end of the season.<br /> <br /> " It's very tight from the fifth to the first.The league is hard this season, we want to take each game as it comes."</div>

Moses: I Want To Improve In Every Game For Chelsea

Nigeria winger, Victor Moses has vowed to keep improving after picking the man of the man of the match award in Chelsea's 1-0 win aga...

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Update: Court stands down for Justice Ngwuta’s bail application’s hearing

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-qDcPbrzG6vY/WDLPPaAdIUI/AAAAAAAAcnM/rwpPYr9pGbk6_NdTrWB95R5gKZ-ipQ2PACLcB/s1600/Ngwuta-in-court3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="281" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-qDcPbrzG6vY/WDLPPaAdIUI/AAAAAAAAcnM/rwpPYr9pGbk6_NdTrWB95R5gKZ-ipQ2PACLcB/s400/Ngwuta-in-court3.jpg" width="400" /></a></div> A Federal High Court in Abuja has stood down proceedings for two hours to enable the Federal Government respond to the bail application filed by a Justice of the Supreme Court, Justice Sylvester Ngwuta, who was arraigned on money laundering charges and others earlier today (Monday).<br /> <a name='more' id="more"></a><br /> <br /> The prosecuting counsel, Mr. Charles Adeogun-Philips, told the trial judge, Justice John Tsoho, that he prepared to call the first prosecution witness shortly after the defendant pleaded not guilty to all the 16 counts preferred against him on Monday.<br /> <br /> But the defence led by Chief Kanu Agabi (SAN) later informed the court of his client’s bail application.<br /> <br /> Adeogun-Philips responded by saying that he was just served and so he needed time to read the motion to enable him to take a decision on whether to oppose it or not.<br /> <br /> He suggested a two-hour stand-down which was agreed to by Agabi and subsequently by the judge.<br /> <br /> The judge then stood down till 12.30pm.<br /> <br /> The Federal Government on Monday arraigned Justice Ngwuta, on charges of money laundering and others bordering on breaches relating to obtaining of passports.<br /> <br /> The justice of the apex court, who was charged  following the raid on his house and some other judges by operatives of the Department of State Service, pleaded not guilty to all the 16 counts read to him on Monday.<br /> <br /> It was alleged in the 16 counts  that Ngwuta transferred the total sum of N505m “denominated in naira and US dollars” to a building contractor, to Nwamba Linus Chukwuebuka, between January and May 2016.

Update: Court stands down for Justice Ngwuta’s bail application’s hearing

A Federal High Court in Abuja has stood down proceedings for two hours to enable the Federal Government respond to the bail application fil...

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Why I can never disrespect Tinubu — Kayode Fayemi

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-LJgjXKimcOg/WDLK9Qx6TJI/AAAAAAAAcm8/FgxEqsZSkiYnqXGOMSHVOlYuBkr1PZSdACLcB/s1600/Kayode-Fayemi.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-LJgjXKimcOg/WDLK9Qx6TJI/AAAAAAAAcm8/FgxEqsZSkiYnqXGOMSHVOlYuBkr1PZSdACLcB/s400/Kayode-Fayemi.jpg" width="400" /></a></div> Dr Kayode Fayemi, Minister of Solid Minerals and Steel Development, has dismissed media reports which quoted him as saying a National Leader of the All Progressives Congress, APC, Bola Tinubu, was responsible for his own travail in the party.<br /> <a name='more' id="more"></a><br /> In a statement by his media aide, Olayinka Oyebode, the former Ekiti State governor described the report as, “highly mischievous and malicious,” stressing that he would never abuse or disrespect Tinubu because he holds the politician in high esteem.<br /> <br /> The statement reads, “Dr. Fayemi subscribes to the highest moral and ethical standard of the Yoruba and as such would not speak evil or seek to demean Asiwaju Tinubu or any of our respected leaders under no circumstance whatsoever.<br /> <br /> <br /> “For the avoidance of doubt, Dr. Fayemi has always held and will continue to hold Asiwaju Tinubu in high esteem.<br /> <br /> “The bond that exists between them dates back to decades of cordial relationship and no peddler of falsehood or group of blackmailers hiding under the guise of politics can put asunder.”<br /> <br /> “It must be stressed that Dr. Kayode Fayemi never granted any interview where he made disparaging comments about the person of our highly revered leader Asiwaju Bola Tinubu.”<br /> <br /> Recall that Tinubu has come under serious attack by APC members following his call for the party’s National Chairman, John Oyegun to resign  over alleged irregularities that marred the party’s primary election in Ondo State.

Why I can never disrespect Tinubu — Kayode Fayemi

Dr Kayode Fayemi, Minister of Solid Minerals and Steel Development, has dismissed media reports which quoted him as saying a National Leade...

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Why AMCON Took Over Dangote's factory

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-qgRTggy5nUk/WDLJkAP_cVI/AAAAAAAAcm4/8QauDd6CKS8P8VtGs-2IV8X9h2X1aMnhwCLcB/s1600/AMCON.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="220" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-qgRTggy5nUk/WDLJkAP_cVI/AAAAAAAAcm4/8QauDd6CKS8P8VtGs-2IV8X9h2X1aMnhwCLcB/s400/AMCON.png" width="400" /></a></div> The Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria, AMCON last Friday successfully took over possession and management of Dansa Foods Processing Company Limited belonging to Sani Dangote in order to recover its N400 million outstanding debt.<br /> <a name='more' id="more"></a><br /> Sani Dangote is the younger brother to Aliko Dangote, Africa’s richest man.<br /> <br /> The takeover of the company followed the orders of the Federal High Court granted by Justice C. Olatoregun in the exparte application filed by the Receiver/Manager appointed by AMCON in March 2016, Ekokoiesua Urua.<br /> <br /> The takeover of control of the company is part of AMCON’s efforts to recover over N400 million outstanding debt, out of over N4 billion owed Union Bank, which the company failed to pay.<br /> <br /> In 2008, Union Bank had granted Dansa Foods Limited’s request for a N5.2 billion loan.<br /> <br /> The loan comprised an overdraft of N500 million; short term loan for advertisement (N500 million), equipment lease (N300 million), equipment lease (sale and lease back, N300 million), and import finance (N3.6 billion).<br /> <br /> The loan was disbursed by the bank, and fully utilized by Dansa Foods company, which duly executed a deed of all assets debenture in favour of Union Bank<br /> <br /> However, despite all efforts by the bank, including several letters by its solicitors, the company did not liquidate its outstanding indebtedness of about N400 million.<br /> <div><br /></div>

Why AMCON Took Over Dangote's factory

The Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria, AMCON last Friday successfully took over possession and management of Dansa Foods Processing C...

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FC IfeanyiUbah Trophy Parade Gets New Date

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"> <div style="text-align: center;"><img alt="Image result for FC IfeanyiUbah fa cup winner" height="225" src="http://cdn.guardian.ng/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/MBAH-FC.jpg" width="400" /></div> <br /> FC IfeanyiUbah will on Wdenesday, November 23, 2016 present to the people of Anambra State the Federation Cup which they won last month after a 5-4 penalty kicks triumph over Nasarawa United.<br /> <a name='more' id="more"></a><br /> <br /> The ceremony was earlier billed to hold three weeks ago,  but officials of the Anambra Warriors put the event off for undisclosed reasons.<br /> <br /> It is the first national silverware lifted by the club in their two years of existence following a buy-over of Gabros International FC, also of Nnewi.<br /> <br /> An official of the club confirmed on Sunday that all logistics have now been put in place for the trophy public show to hold on Wednesday.<br /> <br /> “The trophy parade will hold on Wednesday,”  our reliable source informs.<br /> <br /> “It’s not restricted to Nnewi alone but throughout Anambra State.<br /> <br /> “This is the first time a club from this state won the Federation Cup, the oldest cup competition in Nigeria."<br /> <br /> FC Ifeanyiubah lifted the giant trophy in their first final appearance and will go on to represent Nigeria in next year’s CAF Confederation Cup competition along with Wikki Tourists of Bauchi who finished third in the Nigeria Professional Football League behind winners, Enugu Rangers and runners-up, Rivers United.</div>

FC IfeanyiUbah Trophy Parade Gets New Date

FC IfeanyiUbah will on Wdenesday, November 23, 2016 present to the people of Anambra State the Federation Cup which they won last month a...

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U-20 Women's World Cup: Dedevbo Blames Falconets’ Exit On Japan Thrashing

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"> <div style="text-align: center;"><img alt="Image result for Peter Dedevbo" height="277" src="http://static.goal.com/444800/444874_heroa.jpg" width="400" /></div> <br /> Head coach of Nigeria's Falconets, Peter Dedevbo, has attributed his team's elimination from the ongoing FIFA U-20 Women's World Cup to their 6-0 defeat against Japan in their first game.<br /> <a name='more' id="more"></a><br /> <br /> The Falconets finished on six points, same as Japan and Spain but bowed out of the tournament on inferior goals difference.<br /> <br /> After the heavy defeat to Japan, the Falconets beat Canada 3-1 before securing a hard-fought 2-1 win against Spain.<br /> <br /> Commenting on his team's elimination, Dedevbo told FIFA.com they did everything possible to improve their goals deficit from the first game but it wasn't possible.<br /> <br /> "In the first match against Japan, we lost 6-0. That defeat is very painful because it cost us qualification to the next round," Dedevbo lamented.<br /> <br /> "When you lose the first match in a competition, you have to work very hard to get back in the saddle. You need to win, and that's what we did.<br /> <br /> "After the first game, we told the players they absolutely had to win the next two matches, and that message went over well. We tried to score as many goals as possible, but it wasn't enough to keep us in the tournament."<br /> <br /> On lessons learnt by his players, Dedevbo said: "They know now that the first match is the most important in the whole tournament because it sets the tone for the rest. When you lose the first game, it's difficult to get back in the running."</div>

U-20 Women's World Cup: Dedevbo Blames Falconets’ Exit On Japan Thrashing

Head coach of Nigeria's Falconets, Peter Dedevbo, has attributed his team's elimination from the ongoing FIFA U-20 Women's Wo...

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Recession gets worse, Nigerian economy shrinks by 2.24%

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-fJk5Ginpp9c/WDLF_xAO3JI/AAAAAAAAcmw/eMKJYTTh3fA7JI9ma8NIGvzbyiEf0p0tACLcB/s1600/recession.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="223" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-fJk5Ginpp9c/WDLF_xAO3JI/AAAAAAAAcmw/eMKJYTTh3fA7JI9ma8NIGvzbyiEf0p0tACLcB/s400/recession.jpg" width="400" /></a></div> More headache for President Muhammadu Buhari-led federal government as Nigerian economy continued to languish in recession in the third quarter as its shrank 2.24 per cent compared to the same three months in 2015.<br /> <a name='more' id="more"></a><br /> This was a further deterioration on the 2.06 per cent contraction in the second quarter, which marked the official start to the country’s first recession in more than two decades.<br /> <br /> GDP shrank 0.36 per cent in the first three months of the year.<br /> <br /> "Oil output in the third quarter was 1.63m barrels a day compared to 2.17m in the same period last year, stripping out the oil industry, GDP grew 0.03 per cent between July and September", Dr. Yemi Kale, the head of Nigerian National Bureau of Statistics stated in a series of tweets on Monday morning.<br /> <br /> He added that year-to-date, GDP has contracted 1.58 per cent, “meaning Nigeria needs growth in Q4 of 4.32 per cent to avoid full year negative growth”.<br /> <br /> The slump in oil prices since mid-2014 has hit Nigeria hard while production was also disrupted by a fresh insurgency in the Niger Delta.Recession gets worse, Nigerian economy shrinks by 2.24%<br /> <br /> More headache for President Muhammadu Buhari-led federal government as Nigerian economy continued to languish in recession in the third quarter as its shrank 2.24 per cent compared to the same three months in 2015.<br /> <br /> This was a further deterioration on the 2.06 per cent contraction in the second quarter, which marked the official start to the country’s first recession in more than two decades.<br /> <br /> GDP shrank 0.36 per cent in the first three months of the year.<br /> <br /> "Oil output in the third quarter was 1.63m barrels a day compared to 2.17m in the same period last year, stripping out the oil industry, GDP grew 0.03 per cent between July and September", Dr. Yemi Kale, the head of Nigerian National Bureau of Statistics stated in a series of tweets on Monday morning.<br /> <br /> He added that year-to-date, GDP has contracted 1.58 per cent, “meaning Nigeria needs growth in Q4 of 4.32 per cent to avoid full year negative growth”.<br /> <br /> The slump in oil prices since mid-2014 has hit Nigeria hard while production was also disrupted by a fresh insurgency in the Niger Delta.

Recession gets worse, Nigerian economy shrinks by 2.24%

More headache for President Muhammadu Buhari-led federal government as Nigerian economy continued to languish in recession in the third qua...

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9 Governors, 100 chieftains to allegedly leave APC

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-FOdw1F4RrxY/WDLEEY1tqaI/AAAAAAAAcmo/AzJ4X__5Ug8rfC_Eu95-aqm6Hjuy1b09gCLcB/s1600/apc-logo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="250" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-FOdw1F4RrxY/WDLEEY1tqaI/AAAAAAAAcmo/AzJ4X__5Ug8rfC_Eu95-aqm6Hjuy1b09gCLcB/s400/apc-logo.jpg" width="400" /></a></div> There are indications that some state governors elected on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC) are planning to ditch the ruling party.<br /> <br /> <a name='more' id="more"></a><br /> The rumoured exit, according to a party leader, will affect the fortunes of the governing party and President Muhammadu Buhari’s future ambition in 2019, New Telegraph gathered.<br /> <br /> The party is expected to suffer more in South-West and North Central. Although the APC.<br /> <br /> However, National Secretary of the APC, Hon. Mai Mala Buni has dismissed the reports of the impending defection of some governors as untrue.<br /> <br /> According to Buni, President Buhari and the governors “are on the same page of providing democracy dividends to the electorate.”<br /> <br /> But a member of the ruling party, who confided with New Telegraph said the governors had been bearing the pains of dashes hopes and exclusion from major decisions of government for a long while and forced to voice it out after Buhari released his list of ambassadorial nominees and they found that they were completely sidelined from the process.<br /> <br /> <br /> Source: New Telegraph

9 Governors, 100 chieftains to allegedly leave APC

There are indications that some state governors elected on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC) are planning to ditch the ru...

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You'd be crazy to leave a woman who does these 4 things

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-zge6Oo5cqDk/WDK2DP0wR5I/AAAAAAAAY28/MbuEiz6_NIARevxWx6xN8FLyx9tMuQ-5wCLcB/s1600/lady.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="263" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-zge6Oo5cqDk/WDK2DP0wR5I/AAAAAAAAY28/MbuEiz6_NIARevxWx6xN8FLyx9tMuQ-5wCLcB/s400/lady.jpg" width="400" /></a></div> It's in our nature as humans to make mistakes.<br /> <a name='more' id="more"></a><br /> However, some mistakes are costlier than others, and there couldn’t be a worse mistake than letting go of certain special people.<br /> <br /> For men, there is often a need, a burning desire for a woman with whom they can build an empire, with whom they can grow together for life.<br /> <br /> Well, here are qualities of such woman, and if one finds one that exhibits these and still lets her go, that just might be the most ill-advised move ever made since the beginning of time.<br /> <b><br /></b><b>One who’s got your back</b><br /> In the Starz series, “Power”, Tasha has Ghost’s back so much that despite his affair with Angela Valdez she still covers for him while he and Tommy went to murder Lobos.<br /> <br /> Apologies if you aren’t conversant with the image painted in the paragraph above, but the point here is to create an idea in your mind of how deep loyalty lies with women.<br /> If you have a woman who’s got your back at all times, who’s got you covered come rain or shine, please you have to hold on to her.<br /> You can’t afford to let her go. It’s one loss you just might never recover from.<br /> [I mean, it’s hard to imagine Tasha snitching on Ghost the way Angela Valdez eventually did, right?]<br /> <br /> <b>She understands you</b><br /> Have you ever seen partners who seemed to understand each other to the point where words are no longer needed to communicate?<br /> Not even gestures, just an understanding. It’s just there.<br /> <br /> When you find yourself a woman who knows what you want each time, when to leave you alone, when to stick by you even when you ask to be alone, there’s every likelihood that you’ve found yourself a keeper.<br /> <br /> This portends that you both must have been together for a certain amount of time, of course, and this very fact further proves why you should not throw away what you have.<br /> <br /> Ask yourself, how long will it take to form that kind of bond with someone else?<br /> <br /> Can anyone even understand you like that ever?<br /> <b><br /></b><b>One who can be a freak for you</b><br /> One quote that never ceases to interest is 'be a lady in the streets and a freak in the sheets.'<br /> <br /> Do not pretend like you do not know the import of sex and sexual activities in romantic relationships, especially for men.<br /> <br /> So, when, as a man, you find a woman who functions beautifully as a financial adviser, a partner, comforter extraordinaire, and at the same time, a tigress between the sheets, my man, you’ve struck gold.<br /> <br /> When you find yourself a woman to whom you not only comfortably bare your soul in deep conversation, but with whom you also [ahem] get intimate ‘deeply,’ better not let her go.<br /> <br /> There, in your hands is a jewel you might never ever get a better replacement for.<br /> <br /> <b>She lives for you</b><br /> Are you with a woman who puts you at the top of every list she has in her life?<br /> <br /> Do you have a babe who thinks of you and considers you in every action she wants to take and every decision she wants to make?<br /> <br /> Have you met that woman who doesn't cheat, doesn't make you feel less of a man, and doesn't ever make you question your place in her life?<br /> <br /> Do you have on your hands a woman who loves you so much that her life seems to be built all around you?<br /> <br /> There is a woman who lives for you, and is ready to do a lot of things for you.<br /> <br /> There, mister, is a woman you would be crazy to let go.<br /> <br /> For the single men reading this, you'd be lucky to have a woman who has all these things.<br /> And for those who already have such women, you smile as you read these words because the hints are all there.<br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: medium; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; margin: 0px; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">You've found yourself a keeper, and you should hold on to them. Forever.</div> </div>

You'd be crazy to leave a woman who does these 4 things

It's in our nature as humans to make mistakes. However, some mistakes are costlier than others, and there couldn’t be a worse mistak...

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FG arraigns Supreme Court’s Justice Ngwuta for money laundering

<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"> <tbody> <tr> <td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-E19qxq0LfpQ/WDLA81fGmrI/AAAAAAAAcmg/0ffqqg1rgSkahs_2bBG41kkkYfYJqP-KQCLcB/s1600/Ngwuta-in-court3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="281" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-E19qxq0LfpQ/WDLA81fGmrI/AAAAAAAAcmg/0ffqqg1rgSkahs_2bBG41kkkYfYJqP-KQCLcB/s400/Ngwuta-in-court3.jpg" width="400" /></a></td> </tr> <tr> <td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photo credit: Punch</td> </tr> </tbody> </table> The Federal Government on Monday arraigned a Justice of the Supreme Court, Justice Sylvester Ngwuta, on charges of money laundering and others bordering on breaches relating to obtaining of passports.<br /> <a name='more' id="more"></a><br /> <br /> The justice of the apex court, who was charged  following the raid on his house and some other judges by operatives of the Department of State Service, pleaded not guilty to all the 16 counts read to him on Monday.<br /> <br /> It was alleged in the 16 counts  that Ngwuta transferred the total sum of N505m “denominated in naira and US dollars” to a building contractor, Nwamba Linus Chukwuebuka, between January and May 2016.<br /> <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"> <tbody> <tr> <td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-q5n6rtguviA/WDLA8srv3xI/AAAAAAAAcmc/LKWeFjaQiH08lh8mk85VdUihIPFp280_wCEw/s1600/Ngwuta-in-court2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="342" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-q5n6rtguviA/WDLA8srv3xI/AAAAAAAAcmc/LKWeFjaQiH08lh8mk85VdUihIPFp280_wCEw/s400/Ngwuta-in-court2.jpg" width="400" /></a></td> </tr> <tr> <td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Justice Ngwuta                           Photo credit: Punch</td> </tr> </tbody> </table> <br /> The N505m was alleged to be part of proceeds of Ngwuta’s “unlawful” activities.‎‎<br /> <br /> He was also accused of instructing a relative to remove some exotic cars from his house in Ebonyi while he was under investigation in violation of the provisions of section 18(1)(b) of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission Act.<br /> <br /> He was also  accused of retaining huge sums of money in local and foreign currencies which were alleged to be proceeds of his unlawful act contrary to the provisions of the Money Laundering Act.<br /> <br /> The prosecution also accused of Ngwuta of concealing the origin of sums of  money which were said to have been found at his home  during the raid on his house by the operatives of the DSS between October 7 and 8.<br /> <br /> Apart from the money laundering charges, Ngwuta was accused of passport offences in counts eight to 14 of the amended charges.<br /> <br /> He was accused of being in possession of two valid Diplomatic Passports and another two valid Standard Nigerian Passports, when his house was raided by DSS operatives on October 8, 2016.<br /> <br /> He also allegedly submitted multiple applications, made false information of loss of the passports and of his age age with intention to obtain multiple of the passports in violation of various provisions of the Immigration Act 2015.

FG arraigns Supreme Court’s Justice Ngwuta for money laundering

Photo credit: Punch The Federal Government on Monday arraigned a Justice of the Supreme Court, Justice Sylvester Ngwuta, on charge...

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Cool FM's Freeze and Do2dtun come for each other

Cool FM's Freeze and Do2dtun come for each other

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Senate to get reworked ambassadorial list soon – Presidency

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-0JsK0BtjVOk/WDK7pdR2oeI/AAAAAAAAcmQ/Z2P86RTRj88CF-yd_AcDeqYP5-s7HCV9ACLcB/s1600/Femi-Adesina.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="251" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-0JsK0BtjVOk/WDK7pdR2oeI/AAAAAAAAcmQ/Z2P86RTRj88CF-yd_AcDeqYP5-s7HCV9ACLcB/s400/Femi-Adesina.jpg" width="400" /></a></div> President Muhammadu Buhari will soon send a “reworked” list of non-career ambassadorial nominees to the Senate for confirmation.<br /> <br /> <a name='more' id="more"></a><br /> The Senate had last week rejected the 46 non-career ambassadorial nominees earlier sent to it by Buhari for approval.<br /> <br /> The lawmakers, who said the list would be returned to the President “for re-submission and re-jigging,” added that they rejected the nominees because of over 250 petitions against them.<br /> <br /> Our correspondent learnt on Sunday that a fresh list would be prepared and sent to the Senate.<br /> <br /> The fresh list, it was further learnt, would have the contribution of state governors elected on the platform of the All Progressives Congress who complained that they did not have input into the selection of those who featured on the rejected list.<br /> <br /> A government source, however, said some of the 46 names might still make the new list to be sent for approval if nothing serious was found against them.<br /> <br /> The Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Mr. Femi Adesina, confirmed to our correspondent on Sunday that the list of the ambassadorial nominees would be worked on and sent to the Senate soon.<br /> <br /> Adesina was however not specific on when the list would be ready for transmission to the Senate.<br /> <br /> “The (non-career ambassadorial nominees) list will be worked on, and communicated to the Senate as soon as possible,” the presidential spokesman simply said.<br /> <br /> The APC governors had met Buhari to protest about the inclusion of some nominees shortly after the rejected list was made public,<br /> <br /> The President was said to have asked them to put their observation in writing which was done on their behalf by the Chairman of the Progressives Governors Forum, Rochas Okorocha.<br /> <br /> Some notable names on the 46 non-career nominees’ list rejected by the Senate are retired Justice of the Supreme Court, Justice George Oguntade; a former Deputy Governor of Plateau State, Mrs. Paulen Tallen; a former member of the House of Representatives, Usman Bugaje; and a former Deputy Governor of Niger State, Ahmed Ibeto.<br /> <br /> Others include Dr. Uzoma Ememke (Abia State), Dr. Clifford Zirra (Adamawa), Maj. Gen. Godwin Umo (retd.) (Akwa Ibom), Christopher  Okeke (Anambra), Yusuf Tugar (Bauchi), Baba Madugu (Bauchi), Brig. Gen. Stanley Diriyai (Bayelsa), Dr. Enyantu Ifenne (Benue), Mohammed Hayatuddeen (Borno) and Dr. Etubom Asuquo (Cross River).<br /> <br /> Also on the list are Francis Efeduma (Delta), Jonah Odo (Ebonyi), Uyagwe Igbe (Edo), Ayodele Ayodeji (Ekiti), Maj. Gen. Chris Eze (retd.) (Enugu), Suleiman Hassan (Gombe), Amin Dalhatu (Jigawa), Muhammad Yaro (Kaduna), Deborah  Iliya (Kaduna), Prof. D. Abdulkadir (Kano), Haruna Ungogo (Kano), Justice lsa Dodo (Katsina), Prof. Tijjani Bande (Kebbi), Prof. Y. O. Aliu (Kogi), Nuruddeen Mohamed (Kwara), Prof. Mohamed Yisa (Kwara), Senator Olorunimbe Mamora (Lagos), Modupe Irele (Lagos), Musa Muhammad (Nasarawa), Ade Asekun (Ogun), Sola Iji (Ondo) and Adegboyega Ogunwusi (Osun).<br /> <br /> There are also Maj. Gen. Ashimiyu Olaniyi (retd.) (Oyo), Dr. Haruna Abdullahi (Plateau), Orji Ngofa (Rivers), Justice Sylvanus Nsofor (Rivers), Jamila Ahmadu-Suka (Sokoto), Kabiru Umar (Sokoto), Mustapha Jaji (Taraba), Goni Bura (Yobe), Garba Gajam (Zamfara) and Cpt. Abdullahi Garbasi (retd.) (Zamfara).<br /> <br /> Tallen and Bugaje had rejected their nominations, citing failure to duly consult them.

Senate to get reworked ambassadorial list soon – Presidency

President Muhammadu Buhari will soon send a “reworked” list of non-career ambassadorial nominees to the Senate for confirmation. The Sen...

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Newly married singer Ciara steps out with her baby bump for the first time

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-cQpjFjlvrEI/WDK7GRlWD5I/AAAAAAAAY3c/nwlkjbCD7tMsNkecwAOnY_T0X5UwW0ABACLcB/s1600/cece.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-cQpjFjlvrEI/WDK7GRlWD5I/AAAAAAAAY3c/nwlkjbCD7tMsNkecwAOnY_T0X5UwW0ABACLcB/s400/cece.jpg" width="266" /></a></div> All eyes were on recording artist Ciara at the 2016 American Music Awards which held at Microsoft Theater on November 20, 2016 in Los Angeles, California.<br /> <a name='more' id="more"></a><br /> <br /> The glam mum-to-be stepped out and showed off her baby bump for the first time!<br /> <br /> She rocked a fitting black gown with a super sleek high ponytail and this is the first time we’ve seen the singer since she announced her pregnancy with husband Russell Wilson.<br /> <div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-hoVVXiJsBiw/WDK7GQGLVBI/AAAAAAAAY3g/ndEwXDSpw5o664H0hlNRflKrGuIvvzcGwCLcB/s1600/ciara.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-hoVVXiJsBiw/WDK7GQGLVBI/AAAAAAAAY3g/ndEwXDSpw5o664H0hlNRflKrGuIvvzcGwCLcB/s400/ciara.jpg" width="266" /></a></div> Talking about how she feels, she said <i>“I’m feeling great, I’ve finally gotten to a place where I feel almost normal! It was a bit of, I don’t want to throw up but I don’t feel regular, for a while. That’s almost worse; you’d rather just throw up and get it done! But I’m feeling good and I’m happy to be here tonight.”</i><br /> <i><br /></i><i>Photo Credit: Getty Images/Frederick M. Brown</i></div>

Newly married singer Ciara steps out with her baby bump for the first time

All eyes were on recording artist Ciara at the 2016 American Music Awards which held at Microsoft Theater on November 20, 2016 in Los Ange...

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FCT arrests 31 cows, 53 sheep

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-K69-npVxrlM/WDK6cJadbKI/AAAAAAAAcmM/cATxfutOx6I-8KXFodwMPhfihdis9V2zwCLcB/s1600/HERBSMEN-CATTLE-REARER.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-K69-npVxrlM/WDK6cJadbKI/AAAAAAAAcmM/cATxfutOx6I-8KXFodwMPhfihdis9V2zwCLcB/s400/HERBSMEN-CATTLE-REARER.jpg" width="400" /></a></div> The Abuja Environmental Protection Board has seized 31 cows and 53 sheep and their owners were charged to court for illegal grazing in the Federal Capital Territory.<br /> <a name='more' id="more"></a><br /> The owners were fined various amounts of money by the environmental sanitation mobile court.<br /> <br /> The AEPB Information and Outreach Officer, Samuel Musa, told Northern City News in a telephone interview on Thursday that cattle grazing had reduced in the FCT following the new approach adopted by the board.<br /> <br /> He explained that the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association had partnered with the AEPB to enlighten its members about the illegality of cattle grazing in the FCT.<br /> <br /> Musa said, “So far, we have arrested over 31 cows and 53 sheep for illegal grazing in the FCT. Our tough approach is paying off, as we now have fewer incidents of cattle grazing in the city.<br /> <br /> “The cattle breeders association is also working with us to arrest errant herdsmen. Many of them were arrested with their cattle and arraigned in court and fined.”<br /> <br /> The AEPB also said that it had arrested 38 beggars and handed them over to the FCT Social Welfare Development for rehabilitation, adding that a member of a syndicate that brought them to Abuja from Suleja, Niger State was also nabbed and handed over to the police.

FCT arrests 31 cows, 53 sheep

The Abuja Environmental Protection Board has seized 31 cows and 53 sheep and their owners were charged to court for illegal grazing in the ...

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Nigerian Army begins operation crack down in Sambisa forest

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gXWACOs3FHw/WDK4agUuaPI/AAAAAAAAcmE/GVYHebVozJ06YnBDJxmsMdVJuilXNy5-gCLcB/s1600/soldier%2Bsambisa.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="298" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gXWACOs3FHw/WDK4agUuaPI/AAAAAAAAcmE/GVYHebVozJ06YnBDJxmsMdVJuilXNy5-gCLcB/s400/soldier%2Bsambisa.jpg" width="400" /></a></div> Counter-insurgency operations are ongoing in the notorious Sambisa Forest in northeast Nigeria, to clear remaining Boko Haram terrorists in the area, the Chief of Defence Staff, General Gabriel Olonisakin, said on Sunday.<br /> <a name='more' id="more"></a><br /> He says the army is not relenting in its counter-insurgency war.<br /> <br /> General Olonisakin gave the assurance during an operational visit to the Theatre Command and headquarters of the Operation Lafiya Dole in Maiduguri, Borno State.<br /> <br /> The Chief of Defence Staff told journalists in Maiduguri that even though the “Operation Safe Corridor” initiative was open for repentant insurgents to surrender, it would not in any way suspend operations.<br /> <br /> “There’s always a room for them to surrender. We put up Operation Safe Corridor initiative to have them surrender. That is the corridor for them to surrender and that corridor is always open.<br /> <br /> “However, we would not wait until they surrender. That is why the “Operation Crack Down” now leading to rescue finale is in place to ensure that we take over Sambisa, clear the Boko Haram terrorists in those places and make the place safe for development,” the Defence Chief stated.

Nigerian Army begins operation crack down in Sambisa forest

Counter-insurgency operations are ongoing in the notorious Sambisa Forest in northeast Nigeria, to clear remaining Boko Haram terrorists in...

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I might even give my son an earring to wear - Ik Ogbonna

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-OkJIQYuaas0/WDK4ZbK2ebI/AAAAAAAAY3I/OwodyX1Q7wk3DWT3iUTQ9OeQpvD4IUN9ACLcB/s1600/ik1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-OkJIQYuaas0/WDK4ZbK2ebI/AAAAAAAAY3I/OwodyX1Q7wk3DWT3iUTQ9OeQpvD4IUN9ACLcB/s400/ik1.jpg" width="266" /></a></div> In an interview with Vanguard News, the actor insisted that God did not create earrings, yet women wear them.<br /> <a name='more' id="more"></a><br /> <br /> For this reason, he does not reckon that there should be an issue when men are seen putting them on.<br /> <i>“Who invented earrings?”</i> he began.<br /> <i><br /></i><i>“God didn’t create earrings but girls are wearing earrings. These are things that people created overtime and then it became a norm and then people accepted it.</i><br /> <i><br /></i><i>"So someone shouldn’t just look at you and say Oh you’re a man, you shouldn’t wear earring.</i><br /> <i><br /></i><i>"If you feel comfortable wearing earring, wear earring and worship God.</i><br /> <i><br /></i><i>"If you feel comfortable having a tattoo, have a tattoo and worship God.</i><br /> <i><br /></i><i>"There are people that don’t have tattoos on their body but they preach hate, they preach lots of hate.</i><br /> <i><br /></i><i>“So let people focus more on major primary issues instead, and not IK Ogbonna’s tattoos and earrings.</i><br /> <i><br /></i><i>"I’m going to keep my tattoos and earrings for as long as possible.</i><br /> <i><br /></i><i>"I might even give my son an earring to wear."</i></div>

I might even give my son an earring to wear - Ik Ogbonna

In an interview with Vanguard News, the actor insisted that God did not create earrings, yet women wear them. For this reason, he does ...

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Why Melania Trump, son won't be moving into the White House

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-5w7aTI4z6BA/WDK2MrVK4tI/AAAAAAAAcl8/ECppgUE6cOoys3uKSaMaia9hwe5Iy47yACLcB/s1600/trumps.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="263" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-5w7aTI4z6BA/WDK2MrVK4tI/AAAAAAAAcl8/ECppgUE6cOoys3uKSaMaia9hwe5Iy47yACLcB/s400/trumps.jpg" width="400" /></a></div> Wife of US President-elect, and future First Lady, Ms. Melania Trump will not be moving to the White House after Donald Trump’s inauguration in January.<br /> <a name='more' id="more"></a><br /> The 46-year-old wife and their 10-year-old son, Barron are staying put at the family’s Trump Tower penthouse so that Barron can continue attending his Upper West Side private school, according to The New York Times.<br /> <br /> “Melania is extremely close to Barron, and they have become closer during the campaign,” said a source close to Trump’s transition team. “The campaign has been difficult for Barron, and she is really hoping to keep disruption to a minimum.”<br /> <br /> Another source said Melania Trump will travel to the White House as needed, but that her primary focus is on Barron.<br /> <br /> “Melania is very supportive of her husband and is fully on board of doing everything that’s needed as first lady,” said the second source familiar with the Trump transition.<br /> <br /> That source said also that there is a possibility that Melania and Barron may move to the White House at the end of the school year, but no plans are in place.<br /> <br /> “She is really devoted to Barron,” said a source close to the family, adding that Melania has not relied on nannies to raise the child and is frequently seen picking the fourth-grader up from his prep school, where tuition is north of $40,000.

Why Melania Trump, son won't be moving into the White House

Wife of US President-elect, and future First Lady, Ms. Melania Trump will not be moving to the White House after Donald Trump’s inauguratio...

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South West Governors set to meet in Ibadan

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-fHkMs_hCN9Y/WDKzshw_cKI/AAAAAAAAcl0/qv-aQ2WlIKU2ug__E9AKhDsr3Fd5ZtBdgCLcB/s1600/south%2Bwest%2Bg.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="285" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-fHkMs_hCN9Y/WDKzshw_cKI/AAAAAAAAcl0/qv-aQ2WlIKU2ug__E9AKhDsr3Fd5ZtBdgCLcB/s400/south%2Bwest%2Bg.jpg" width="400" /></a></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both;">The six governors from the South-West zone of the country will converge on Ibadan, Oyo State capital, on Monday, for an Economic Forum, aimed principally at discussing and promoting issues of common concern and interest.</div> <a name='more' id="more"></a><br /> <div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both;">A statement, on Sunday, by the Special Adviser to the Governor on Communication and Strategy, Mr. Yomi Layinka, said that the meeting was called at the instance of the host state Governor, Senator Abiola Ajimobi.</div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both;">The governor explained that the meeting was being called to discuss several issues of common concern to the region in view of the challenging economic circumstances confronting the nation and its constituent parts.</div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both;">He said, “These issues include security of lives and properties of all citizens and our peoples; the economic development of the states by leveraging on common resources and the competitive advantages of the region.</div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both;">“Other issues to be discussed will include the identification and development of critical infrastructure, especially road networks and the need for a regional rail network for transportation of goods and services within the region.”</div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Apart from the host governor, also being expected at the meeting are Governors Senator Ibikunle Amosun of Ogun State; Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola of Osun State; Dr Segun Mimiko of Ondo State; Mr Akinwumi Ambode of Lagos State; and Mr. Ayodele Fayose of Ekiti State.</div> <div><br /></div>

South West Governors set to meet in Ibadan

The six governors from the South-West zone of the country will converge on Ibadan, Oyo State capital, on Monday, for an Economic Forum, aim...

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'Beware of change, don't make the mistake we made in Nigeria - Fayose warns Ghana

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-jwOiQ_yHNNI/WDKyTH3TsTI/AAAAAAAAcls/nEQKYoWmjKIM1VlhX14UzJYceyrmhPPiwCLcB/s1600/fayose%2Ba.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="251" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-jwOiQ_yHNNI/WDKyTH3TsTI/AAAAAAAAcls/nEQKYoWmjKIM1VlhX14UzJYceyrmhPPiwCLcB/s400/fayose%2Ba.jpg" width="400" /></a></div> Ekiti State Governor, Ayodele Fayose has counselled the people of Ghana to be mindful of making the same mistake made by Nigerians in the 2015 presidential election by voting for change.<br /> <a name='more' id="more"></a><br /> Ghana will be going to the poll for a Presidential election on December 7, 2016.<br /> <br /> Fayose said the change has brought hunger, sufferings and economic recession to the country, such that even the entire West African sub-region is being affected.<br /> <br /> The Special Assistant to the Governor on Public Communications and New Media, Lere Olayinka, said in a statement issued in Ado-Ekiti on Sunday that Governor Fayose made the call while hosting some men of God from Ghana on Saturday.<br /> <br /> The governor said, “Ghanaians should not succumb to the deceit of the opposition party that are calling for a change of government. Rather, they should return the incumbent President, John Mahama, who has no doubt done creditably well to deserve a re-election.<br /> <br /> “Ghanaians should know that the change in Nigeria brought hunger, suffering, disregard for the rule of law as well as arrest and detention of Nigerians without trial and be mindful of those preaching change to them.<br /> <br /> “Most importantly, the situation in Ghana at present is similar to that of Nigeria. Like President Mohammadu Buhari, opposition party, New Patriotic Party (NPP) candidate, Nana Akufo-Addo has contested the presidency two times. This is the third time he is contesting. He is also 74 year-old.<br /> <br /> “In Nigeria, change is synonymous with economic recession that is even getting to the level of depression.<br /> <br /> Even majority of those who brought the change are now regretting it.

'Beware of change, don't make the mistake we made in Nigeria - Fayose warns Ghana

Ekiti State Governor, Ayodele Fayose has counselled the people of Ghana to be mindful of making the same mistake made by Nigerians in the 2...

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IN PICTURES: Jonathan celebrates 59th birthday with Fani-Kayode, others

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ZqVjGupTiis/WDKxKukyfPI/AAAAAAAAclo/1zvYV1RSxh0AbfPG2B2ZFsf82t1CjDSagCEw/s1600/JO4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ZqVjGupTiis/WDKxKukyfPI/AAAAAAAAclo/1zvYV1RSxh0AbfPG2B2ZFsf82t1CjDSagCEw/s400/JO4.jpg" width="400" /></a></div> Former President, Goodluck Jonathan hosted loyalists at his Abuja residence to celebrate 59th birthday anniversary.<br /> <br /> <a name='more' id="more"></a><br /> <br /> Among those present were former spokesperson of his presidential campaign, Femi Fani-Kayode and his wife; former coordinator of new media for the PDP, Deji Adeyanju, amongst others.<br /> <br /> See photos:<br /> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pPmlu8hqOP8/WDKxJ9K8Q-I/AAAAAAAAclk/Hwf1w4pDfm4qGupDfgkKaMSZ_zgmoAYTACEw/s1600/JO1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pPmlu8hqOP8/WDKxJ9K8Q-I/AAAAAAAAclk/Hwf1w4pDfm4qGupDfgkKaMSZ_zgmoAYTACEw/s320/JO1.jpg" width="296" /></a></div> <br /> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-6a2R3-gzTkM/WDKxJyUMXSI/AAAAAAAAclg/58j9ORemdkQWcZqvMMpgJ9Irvv_50u0wACEw/s1600/JO3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="236" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-6a2R3-gzTkM/WDKxJyUMXSI/AAAAAAAAclg/58j9ORemdkQWcZqvMMpgJ9Irvv_50u0wACEw/s320/JO3.jpg" width="320" /></a></div> <br /> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ZqVjGupTiis/WDKxKukyfPI/AAAAAAAAclo/1zvYV1RSxh0AbfPG2B2ZFsf82t1CjDSagCEw/s1600/JO4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ZqVjGupTiis/WDKxKukyfPI/AAAAAAAAclo/1zvYV1RSxh0AbfPG2B2ZFsf82t1CjDSagCEw/s320/JO4.jpg" width="320" /></a></div> <br />

IN PICTURES: Jonathan celebrates 59th birthday with Fani-Kayode, others

Former President, Goodluck Jonathan hosted loyalists at his Abuja residence to celebrate 59th birthday anniversary. Among those present...

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If Nigeria splits only the Igbos will survive - Fayose

<br /> <br /> The Ekiti State Governor, Ayodele Fayose has declared that in the event that the country is divided, only the Igbo nation can survive because of their resilience.<br /> <a name='more' id="more"></a><br /> <br /> <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"> <tbody> <tr> <td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-EcvuNhcNv_I/WDGGJXrOMCI/AAAAAAAAcf4/_HlK7FyJjckPF7mVJO6L6K24In_hANAwwCEw/s400/fayose%2Bt.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" /></td> </tr> <tr> <td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fayose</td> </tr> </tbody> </table> The Governor also boasted that there has been no politically motivated killing of anyone under his administration.<br /> <br /> Fayose stated this yesterday when the Ndigbo Community in Ekiti conferred him with the traditional title of ‘Nwanne – De – Namba at the Olukayode Stadium, Ado Ekiti during the Igbo Cultural Day.<br /> <br /> Fayose deployed those he called’ fake political leaders ‘ who are only accessible to the people when they are looking for votes only to buy bullet proof cars and erect artificial walls around themselves so that they would not be accessible to the people after the poll. He said, “whatever anybody says, the Igbos are a unique people in the country. God forbid, if Nigeria should break, they are the only nation that can survive because they are industrious people. ” All the permanent structures found everywhere are owned by the Igbo people.<br /> <br /> Wherever you go in the country, you will find an igbo man there.<br /> <br /> “No igbo man can vote for any other party in Ekiti State except the party I belong to because we are bonded with one another “, he said. The Governor lamented that women have been relegated in the scheme of things adding that his administration would provide for them in the 2017 budget of Ekiti State. Earlier in his address, the President General of Ndigbo Community in South West, Chief Nathaniel Ezeonu said that the Igbo people in Ekiti State want to have their own market.<br /> <br /> He added that the traders want to acquire an uncompleted market along poly road Ado Ekiti which the state government has pegged at N380 millions.<br /> <br /> He pleaded with Governor Fayose to rescind the decision to shut down Fayose market believed to be populated by igbo traders selling phones and other accessories. Ezeonu said that the the theme of the Cultural Day titled :Ndigbo and Socio-economic Reality in Nigeria, Which way Forward, was apt because the race have contributed more to the economic development of the country.<br /> <br /> To mark the occasion, major shops owned by the Igbos in the state capital were under lock and key. Those Present at the conferment of the traditional title on the Governor included the state Executives, local government Chairmen as well as traditional rulers in Ekiti and igbo land.

If Nigeria splits only the Igbos will survive - Fayose

The Ekiti State Governor, Ayodele Fayose has declared that in the event that the country is divided, only the Igbo nation can survive beca...

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FG hires 200,000 Nigerian graduates

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-V3mToSe5CaE/WDJGN43iEmI/AAAAAAACuiE/Yqy5H4iJLGEgPy8tYLbe-YtzA-1x5KMxQCLcB/s1600/080915F-Muhammadu-Buhari.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="230" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-V3mToSe5CaE/WDJGN43iEmI/AAAAAAACuiE/Yqy5H4iJLGEgPy8tYLbe-YtzA-1x5KMxQCLcB/s400/080915F-Muhammadu-Buhari.jpg" width="400" /></a></div> <br /> Two hundred thousand graduates have been hired by the Federal Government as part of the N-Power Volunteer Corps which will ultimately engage 500,000 graduates.<br /> <br /> <a name='more' id="more"></a><br /> <br /> Those engaged will resume on December 1 in the states where they will be deployed.<br /> <br /> The new employees are distributed as follows: 150,000 as teachers, 30,000 to work in the agriculture sector and 20,000 in healthcare delivery. They will cover three specific programme assignments, according to the Presidency.<br /> <br /> According to Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity Laolu Akande, they were employed two weeks ago and their names have been sent to states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), where they will be deployed to their specific assignments.<br /> <br /> The names will be published this week on the N-Power internet portal. They are expected to start receiving SMS messages informing them of their selection as from today.<br /> <br /> Akande said: “State governments and the FCT are also encouraged to post the names of the successful first batch applicants in their local government areas while there would be further public announcements.<br /> <br /> “Between now and the end of the month, the states and the FCT would be engaged in deploying the graduates who would formally start working and earning their stipends on December 1, 2016.”<br /> <br /> According to him, the N-Power Volunteer Corps is an expression of President Muhammadu Buhari’s commitment to invest in the human capital development of Nigerian citizens, particularly the young people.<br /> <br /> The N-Power programmme, Akande said, is also an innovative means to enhance ailing public services in the area of basic education and primary healthcare.<br /> <br /> “Also in the agric sector, it is aimed at achieving self-sufficiency by giving our farmers relevant advisory services.”<br /> <br /> Akande said the Federal Government was encouraging the successful applicants to take the opportunity serious by learning the skills that will brighten their future.<br /> <br /> He added: “They are also implored to serve their communities with commitment and dedication.<br /> <br /> “For those who have not been selected at this time, there is a waiting list based on the total number of applicants, and subsequent batches will absorb more of the qualified applicants.<br /> <br /> “All together, the N-Power will engage and train 500,000 young unemployed graduates. It is a paid volunteering programme of a two-year duration that engages graduates in their immediate communities, where they will assist in improving the inadequacies in the education, health, and agriculture sectors.<br /> <br /> “The 500,000 graduates under the N-Power Corps programme will be trained in skills that will enable them exit after two years to economically viable jobs and business opportunities.<br /> <br /> “As part of the programme, the participnts would own tablets that will contain information necessary for their specific engagements, as well as information for their continuous training and developments.<br /> <br /> “Participants will be provided teaching, instructional, and advisory solutions in four main focus areas, and will be paid a monthly stipend of N30,000 during the programme.<br /> <br /> “The four main focus areas are in basic education, agriculture extension services, public health and community education (civic and adult education).”<br /> <br /> Besides the N-Power programme for undergraduates, Akande said there are other schemes for non-graduates, including N-Power Knowledge, which would select 25,000 young Nigerians and N-Power Build 75,000, all of whom shall be trained and paid during the duration of the scheme.

FG hires 200,000 Nigerian graduates

Two hundred thousand graduates have been hired by the Federal Government as part of the N-Power Volunteer Corps which will ultimately enga...

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Bandits kill 25 in Zamfara fresh attack

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-0SSZU3n5Lkk/WDJDdWaY3kI/AAAAAAACuh4/x3weVfnVPdge7n2TDZnTMk0zulCXGZy5wCLcB/s1600/murder%2Bknife%2B3%2Bkill.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-0SSZU3n5Lkk/WDJDdWaY3kI/AAAAAAACuh4/x3weVfnVPdge7n2TDZnTMk0zulCXGZy5wCLcB/s320/murder%2Bknife%2B3%2Bkill.jpg" width="320" /></a></div> <br /> The member representing Zurmi West in the Zamfara State House of Assembly, Alhaji Yusuf Moriki, has said that bandits have attacked Dole, Tudun Bugaje and Kwangwami communities in Zurmi Local Government Area and killed 25 people.<br /> <br /> <a name='more' id="more"></a><br /> <br /> Moriki told the News Agency of Nigeria that apart from the dead 25 people, many others were injured during the attack.<br /> <br /> “So far, we have the record of 25 people who were killed during the attack, while many others injured have been taken to hospital for treatment,” Moriki said.<br /> <br /> NAN reported that the bandits attacked the villages on Saturday night after carrying out similar attacks in some communities at neighbouring Shinkafi Local Government Area, the previous day.<br /> <br /> The lawmaker commended security agencies in the state over measures so far taken to restore peace and stability in the area, but urged them to do more.<br /> <br /> He appealed to the people of the area to remain calm as the state government in collaboration with security agencies, was making efforts to restore peace and stability to the area.<br /> <br /> He also urged them to continue to pray and seek God’s intervention in the insecurity challenges facing the state and the country.<br /> <br /> The Force Public Relations Officer, Dan Awunah, who confirmed the attack to NAN in Abuja on Sunday, however, said only nine people, including two policemen were killed by the bandits.<br /> <br /> Awunah said seven of the victims were members of the communities where the hoodlums attacked.<br /> <br /> He said the Police Mobile Force and the operatives of the counter-terrorism unit had been deployed to the area to restore law and order.<br /> <br /> Over 40 people were abducted by gunmen in Maru Local Government Area of the state on November 18.

Bandits kill 25 in Zamfara fresh attack

The member representing Zurmi West in the Zamfara State House of Assembly, Alhaji Yusuf Moriki, has said that bandits have attacked Dole, ...

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EFCC files 30 charges against Justice Ajumogobia, Godwin Obla (SAN)

<br /> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="230" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-WzBrZsJO2LU/WDJCv3hP3cI/AAAAAAACuh0/zK11AFJ4TFoAI5FAGM8OpUT97ByNvvglwCLcB/s400/1-EFCC-OnoBello-1105.jpg" width="400" /></div> <br /> The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission has filed 30 charges against a Federal High Court judge, Justice Rita Ofili-Ajumogobia; and a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Mr. Godwin Obla.<br /> <a name='more' id="more"></a><br /> <br /> The EFCC said about $793,800 passed through the judge’s domiciliary accounts between 2012 and 2015. The judge allegedly used the money to buy a house in London.<br /> <br /> The two accounts, Access Bank (0002649223) and Diamond Bank (0032091183) have since been frozen by the EFCC.<br /> <br /> The commission is expected to arraign the two suspects before a Lagos State High Court this week.<br /> <br /> Five of the charges are centred on an alleged N5m bribe given to the judge by the senior advocate while the remaining 25 charges are on the huge amounts that passed through the accounts of Ofili-Ajumogobia and her alleged inability to explain her source of wealth.<br /> <br /> The other charges filed against the judge border on forgery, lying, unlawful enrichment and other related offences.<br /> <br /> Ofili-Ajumogobia and Obla have been in the custody of the EFCC for about 10 days following revelations that the senior advocate paid N5m into her account in 2015 at a time she was presiding over one of his cases.<br /> <br /> While Ofili-Ajumogobia claimed the money was a deposit for a N40m property she sold to Obla, the senior advocate said the money was a payment for building materials.<br /> <br /> Obla also insisted that he did not know that the account belonged to the judge.<br /> <br /> Some of the charges read in part, “That you, Hon. Justice Ngozi Ofili-Ajumogobia, and Godwin Obla (SAN), on or about May 21, 2015, in Lagos, within the jurisdiction of this honourable court, conspired with each other to pervert the course of justice in charge number FHC/L/C/482C/10 with the sum of N5,000,000.<br /> <br /> “That you, Godwin Obla (SAN), on or about May 21, 2015, in Lagos, within the jurisdiction of this honourable court, intentionally gave the sum of N5,000,000 to Hon. Justice Rita Ngozi Ofili-Ajumogobia of the Federal High Court directly from your Obla and Company account (1015319084) domiciled in the United Bank for Africa Plc in order that the said judge acts in the exercise of her official duties.”<br /> <br /> Investigations by the EFCC further revealed that about $793,800 passed through the judge’s accounts and she allegedly was not able to explain to detectives how she came about the sums.<br /> <br /> <b>Breakdown of figures</b><br /> <br /> A breakdown of the figures by the EFCC showed that Ofili-Ajumogobia received a deposit of $130,000 through her Diamond Bank account on May 30, 2013. On June 2, 2014, she allegedly received $70,000 through the same account.<br /> <br /> The anti-graft agency said the judge received $55,000 on March 27, 2014, and another $55,000 on October 14, 2014 while $20,000 was received through the same account on June 19, 2014.<br /> <br /> The commission alleged in the charge sheet that Ofili-Ajumogobia also received $20,000 on October 13, 2014 while she got an additional $50,000 on December 20, 2014.<br /> <br /> The judge allegedly received $50,000 on November 21, 2014 and $30,000 between June 17 and June 19, 2015 through the same Diamond Bank account as well as another $10,000 on July 6, 2015.<br /> <br /> She allegedly received $20,000 on June 11, 2013; $30,000 on February 11, 2014 and $150,000 on March 29, 2014.<br /> <br /> The EFCC accused the judge of receiving $68, 800 through her Access Bank account between August 11, 2011 and March 27, 2012.<br /> <br /> She also allegedly received $35,000 through the same account between April 30 and September 3, 2012.<br /> <br /> The charges were said to be contrary to Section 82 (a) of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, No 11, 2011.<br /> <br /> Some of the charges read, “That you, Hon. Justice Rita Ngozi Ofili-Ajumogobia, between the 11th day of August 2011 and 27th day of March 2012, in Lagos, within the jurisdiction of this honourable court, being a judge of the Federal High Court, enriched yourself with a total sum of $68,000 through your account (0002649223) domiciled in Access Bank Plc, so as to have a significant increase in your assets that you cannot reasonably explain in relation to your lawful income.<br /> <br /> “That you, Hon. Justice Rita Ngozi Ofili-Ajumogobia, between the 10th and 30th day of May 2013, in Lagos, within the jurisdiction of this honourable court, being a judge of the Federal High Court, enriched yourself with a total sum of $130,000 through your account (0032091183) domiciled in Diamond Bank Plc, so as to have a significant increase in your assets that you cannot reasonably explain in relation to you your lawful income.<br /> <br /> “That you, Hon. Justice Rita Ngozi Ofili-Ajumogobia, on or about the 20th day of December 2014, in Lagos, within the jurisdiction of this honourable court, being a judge of the Federal High Court, enriched yourself with a total sum of $50,000 through your account (0032091183) domiciled in Diamond Bank Plc, so as to have a significant increase in your assets that you cannot reasonably explain in relation to you your lawful income.”<br /> <br /> The judge allegedly received over N40m in mysterious deposits made by some companies.<br /> <b><br /></b><b>Judge accused of lying</b><br /> <br /> The EFCC also accused the judge of telling lies.<br /> <br /> Specifically, Ofili-Ajumogobia had told detectives around 7.16pm on October 19, 2016 that she would not be able to honour an invitation because she was admitted to Golden Cross Hospital, Bourdillon, Ikoyi.<br /> <br /> However, the judge was not there when detectives checked the hospital.<br /> <br /> She was also accused of forging a deed of assignment between County City Bricks Development Company Limited and Niger & Colive Limited in 2010.<br /> <br /> UN’s ex-prosecutor to lead Justice Ngwuta’s trial today<br /> <br /> A former prosecutor at the United Nations International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda, Mr. Segun Jegede, has been engaged by the Federal Government to handle the trial of a Justice of the Supreme Court, Justice Sylvester Ngwuta, who is to be arraigned before a Federal High Court in Abuja today (Monday).<br /> <br /> Jegede and another international lawyer, Mr. Charles Adeogun-Philips, have been engaged by the Federal Government to prosecute all the judges it lined up for trial.<br /> <br /> The two lawyers with decades of international practice are separately leading two teams that have been briefed by the Federal Government through its National Prosecution Coordination Committee.<br /> <br /> While Jegede is leading the prosecution of Justice Ngwuta, Adeogun-Philips has been briefed to lead the prosecution of some Supreme Court officials who had been charged with diversion of N2.2bn belonging to the apex court.<br /> <br /> The two lawyers are both on the team of 80 special prosecutors of the Federal Government whose activities are being coordinated by the NPCC.<br /> <br /> Jegede reportedly worked at the UNICTR for over a decade.<br /> <br /> Jegede’s work at the UNICTR mainly revolved around the investigation and prosecution of some of the known masterminds of crimes committed during the Rwandan genocide.<br /> <br /> According to online search engine, Wikipedia, the Rwandan genocide, which lasted about 100 days in 1994, was a mass slaughter of the members of the Tutsi ethnic group in Rwanda by the members of the Hutu majority government.<br /> <br /> Jegede was also said to have had a stint at the Federal Ministry of Justice as a state counsel before going into legal practice and establishing his own law firm in 1988<br /> <br /> Adeogun-Philips, who was born in England 50 years ago, is a former genocide and war crime prosecutor at the International Criminal Court.<br /> <br /> Already, three cases have been filed with respect to the charges of corruption preferred against some judges and court officials, following the raid on the houses of some judges by the operatives of the Department of State Services between October 7 and 8, 2016.<br /> <br /> The first case involved a Justice of the Supreme Court, Justice Ngwuta, who was charged with 14 counts of money laundering before Justice John Tsoho of the Federal High Court in Abuja.<br /> <br /> Another case involved a Federal High Court judge, Justice Adeniyi Ademola, who was charged with receiving gratifications, along with his wife.<br /> <br /> The other one involved the Chief Registrar of the Supreme Court, Mr. Ahmed Saleh, who was charged along with two other officials of the apex court.<br /> <br /> The three apex court’s officials were jointly charged with alleged diversion of N2.2bn belonging to the court and receiving gratifications from contractors providing services to the court.<br /> <br /> Also to be later charged is another Justice of the Supreme Court, Justice Inyang Okoro.<br /> <br /> Justice Ngwuta, who was charged with 14 counts of money laundering, has been scheduled to appear before Justice John Tsoho of the Federal High Court in Abuja, for arraignment today.<br /> <br /> It was alleged in the 14 counts of money laundering that Ngwuta transferred the total sum of N505m “denominated in naira and US dollars” to a building contractor, Nwamba Linus Chukwuebuka, between January and May 2016.<br /> <br /> The N505m was alleged to be part of proceeds of Ngwuta’s “unlawful” activities.<br /> <br /> He was also accused in the amended charges of retaining N35,358,000; $319,596 and £25,915 during the raid on his house by the operatives of the Department of State Services between October 7 and 8.<br /> <br /> Apart from the money laundering charges, Ngwuta was accused of passport offences in counts eight to 14 of the amended charges.<br /> <br /> He was accused of being in possession of two valid diplomatic passports and another two valid Nigerian passports, when his house was raided by DSS operatives on October 8, 2016.

EFCC files 30 charges against Justice Ajumogobia, Godwin Obla (SAN)

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission has filed 30 charges against a Federal High Court judge, Justice Rita Ofili-Ajumogobia; and ...

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How economic recession made me steal N5.675m from Diamond Bank – Cleaner

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-jsr8T6NZskc/WDJCDUYsU9I/AAAAAAACuhs/WYN3RaaJOPkiwlNZGrchR2Wm1QuVhrgwQCLcB/s1600/Peter-Oko.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="237" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-jsr8T6NZskc/WDJCDUYsU9I/AAAAAAACuhs/WYN3RaaJOPkiwlNZGrchR2Wm1QuVhrgwQCLcB/s320/Peter-Oko.jpg" width="320" /></a></div> <br /> <br /> A cleaner, Peter Oko, has narrated how he stole N5.675 million from the New Nyanya branch of Diamond Bank, where he worked.<br /> <br /> <br /> <a name='more' id="more"></a>The 29 year-old stated that he took the keys to the vault, stole the money and hid it in a carton, which he took home after the close of work.<br /> <br /> The money was however recovered by the police, which said that the suspect had been charged to court.<br /> <br /> <br /> Oko told Northern City News at the Nasarawa State Criminal Intelligence and Investigation Department in Lafia that he carried out the theft alone, saying, “As a cleaner, I knew where all the keys were kept.”<br /> <br /> He added, “I single-handedly carried out the operation because I have been working as a cleaner in the bank for the past 10 years and my eyes had been on one of the keys to the vault, where the bank used to keep all its money.<br /> <br /> “As a cleaner, my attention was not only on the keys, but on how I will carry out the operation successfully without being caught by either the security or any staff of the bank.”<br /> <br /> The suspect said he stole the money without the knowledge of the bank workers, adding that he had access to all the foreign currencies in the bank as he knew where they were kept.<br /> <br /> “As a cleaner, I knew where all the secret files were kept and where the bank kept its keys where you can have access to dollars, Nigerian currency and all other currencies.”<br /> <br /> Oko blamed the economic situation for his action, stating that he had never been involved in a criminal act before now.<br /> <br /> “The devil of economy recession pushed me into the crime; I have never committed a criminal act before, luck ran out on me and I was caught in the process,” he stated.<br /> <br /> The state Commissioner of Police, Abubakar Bello, said the crime was reported to the police in October, 2016, by the bank, adding that the matter was then transferred from Karu Divisional Police Headquarters to the SCIID for investigations.

How economic recession made me steal N5.675m from Diamond Bank – Cleaner

A cleaner, Peter Oko, has narrated how he stole N5.675 million from the New Nyanya branch of Diamond Bank, where he worked. The 29 yea...

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Buhari begs Niger Delta militants - 'Stop destroying oil pipelines'

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="242" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-2U75rDmnvP8/WDJBKwCnIHI/AAAAAAACuho/Bx6Op57uRVg_hdkoOhJCHUGAtxY82RarACLcB/s400/MILITANTS-buhari.png" width="400" /></div> <br /> President Muhammadu Buhari has appealed to the people of the Niger Delta to embrace peace and focus on agriculture for sustainable economic development and wealth creation.<br /> <a name='more' id="more"></a><br /> <br /> Buhari urged them to take advantage of the huge potential in agriculture and stop the destruction of oil and gas pipelines which only served to destroy the country’s ecosystem and economy.<br /> <br /> The President, represented by the Minister of State for Agriculture and Rural Development, Senator Heineken Lokpobiri, made the appeal on Saturday at the 20th anniversary of the Nigerian Agip Oil Company’s Green River Project Farmers’ Day in Yenagoa, the Bayelsa State capital.<br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> Buhari said, “I wish to acknowledge the unrelenting efforts of the Nigerian Agip Oil Company, which, in its bid to prove that oil production and agriculture can coexist, has for the past 29 years supported its host communities to focus on agriculture through the GRP, a corporate social responsibility initiative, which has resulted in sustainable development in these communities.<br /> <br /> “I appeal to the people of the Niger Delta region to embrace peace and focus on agriculture for sustainable economic development and wealth creation.<br /> <br /> “I urge you to take advantage of the huge potential in agriculture and stop the destruction of oil and gas pipelines, which only serve to destroy our ecosystem and economy.<br /> <br /> “The present administration is committed to doing everything possible to support the people of the Niger Delta to achieve their potential in agriculture, which is far more than its endowments in oil and gas.”<br /> <br /> The occasion, with the theme, ‘Sustainable Farming for Sustainability’, had in attendance representatives of governors of Bayelsa, Rivers, Delta and Imo states; Chairman, Agip, Mr. U. Carrara; and the Vice Chairman and Managing Director, Agip, Massimo Insulla.<br /> <br /> Others are General Manager, District, Marco Rotondi; former military Governor of the old Rivers State, Alfred Diete-Spiff; Vice-Chancellor, Niger Delta University, Prof. Humphrey Ogoni; and a leader of the Ijaw Youth Council Worldwide, Mr. Elvis Donkemezuo, among others.<br /> <br /> Buhari said the focus of his administration was to redirect attention to agriculture and empower Nigerians in a productive and sustainable manner.<br /> <br /> He said the process entailed treating agriculture as a business to create wealth and provide employment and take the country from being an import-dependent country to a self-sufficient nation with surplus for export to earn foreign exchange.<br /> <br /> The President noted that Nigeria spent an average of $22bn annually on wheat, rice, sugar and fish importation.<br /> <br /> Buhari said Nigeria had an estimated 84 million hectares of arable land with an estimated 10 per cent only being optimally utilised.<br /> <br /> He said there was an abundance of land available for cultivation to meet the demand of about 170 million consumers in the domestic market and the entire West African sub-region.<br /> <br /> The President noted that Agip, as part of its GRP, was supporting some farmers with processing facilities such as cassava, rice and oil palm mills, noting that they were significant as post-harvest losses were estimated to be about $9bn annually.<br /> <br /> He said the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development was also procuring sundry processing equipment for farmers across the country.<br /> <br /> The President encouraged the host states to collaborate with the ministry to make agriculture a key business in Nigeria.<br /> <br /> He stressed that the development would curb youths’ restiveness, protect the ecosystem, promote peace and investments and increase revenues in the states.

Buhari begs Niger Delta militants - 'Stop destroying oil pipelines'

President Muhammadu Buhari has appealed to the people of the Niger Delta to embrace peace and focus on agriculture for sustainable economi...

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