PICTURES - CELINE DION MOURNS HER HUSBAND AT OPEN CASKET VISITATION AT NOTRE-DAME BASILLICA, MONTREAL.

Celine Dion joined fans of René Angélil's as they paid their final respects during a visitation on Thursday at Notre-Dame Basilica in Old Montreal.

The 47-year-old performer hid her face behind a black veil but it was clear she was distraught and had tears in her eyes in a video shared by Global News.

Angélil died of throat cancer at the age of 73 on January 14. His funeral will be held on Friday at the same basilica.

CHIEF OF ARMY STAFF ORDERS OFFICERS TO DECLARE THEIR ASSETS FOLLOWING THE ARMS SCANDAL.

Nigeria's Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Tukur Yusuf Buratai, has asked all officers of the Nigerian Army who have not declared their assets to do so immediately. 

A statement released today by military spokesman, Colonel Sani Kukasheka Usman, revealed that General Buratai "gave the directive today during a conference with Principal Staff Officers and Directors serving at the Army Headquarters."

The Nigerian Armed Forces have been in the spotlight after an audit ordered by President Muhammadu Buhari found that numerous retired and serving military officers may have colluded in billions of dollars worth of weapons procurement deals. Mr. Buhari asked the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to commence an investigation of the officers.  

OGUN STATE PDP CONGRESS - KASHAMU AND BANKOLE FIGHT TO TAKE OVER PARTY STRUCTURE.

As the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in Ogun State goes to the  polls to elect its new leaders from the wards  to local government and state levels,  there seems to be unease within the camps of some power blocs in the party.

The PDP has about three power blocs struggling for either   continuous  control  or total  take over of the party  in the state.

The power blocs are being led by the  representing Ogun East Senatorial district and a chieftain of the party,  Buruji Kashamu,  former Speaker of House of Representatives,  Dimeji Bankole and the former governor of the state,  Otunba Gbenga Daniel.

Now,  the PDP is being controlled by Kashamu who successfully installed the outgoing executive of the party from the wards to the local government and state levels.

Barring a last minute change of mind,  the PDP may hold  its congresses  February to usher in new leaders to paddle the canoe of the party for the next four  years

According to the PDP constitution,  all National, Zonal, State, Local Government Area and Ward Officers of the Party shall hold office for a term of four years and shall be eligible for re-election for another term and no more.

“The election of National Officers shall be at the National Convention, while that of those at the lower levels shall be at the respective congresses”.

Chapter seven of the party constitution which dealth with mode of election of officers of the party stipulated that “the National Convention, the Zonal, State, Local Government Area and Ward Congresses shall meet to elect the officers of the party at the various levels of the party structure as specified in this constitution except in the Federal Capital Territory where officers of the party shall be elected based on geo-political zones.

“ Every registered member of the party who has satisfied the requirements for nomination and election under this Constitution, the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria or any other law, rules or regulations in force shall be eligible to contest for any of the offices of the party.

“The guidelines for elections to any office of the party shall be approved by the National Executive Committee of the party in accordance with the provisions of this Constitution”.

Meanwhile with the situation of things,  only Kashamu and Bankole seem to be warming up for the forthcoming congresses as the Daniel camp  seems to be indifferent  to the congresses .

However, in his bid to take over the structure,  Bankole has begun hosting  party members across the state.

Bankole who organised a new year party under the aegis of Dimeji Bankole Movement  for  his  loyalists in the party,  warned that he may quit the party if the coming congresses are manipulated.

According to the former Speaker,  I am  still in PDP, if they repeat the same manipulation they did at the last congresses,  we will react. “The event in the next few months will determine our actions”.

But, in a bid to sustain his control of the party,  Kashamu has inaugurated coordinators across the state.

Kashamu who played host to hundreds of party leaders and members  at Ijebu Igbo, Ogun State, during an empowerment programme for PDP members in the state under his Omo Ilu Foundation, announced  his plans to donate cars to  all  the coordinators numbering about 100 in  the 20 local  governments.

According to Kashamu,   five  coordinators  in each local government would be given cars while about 4000 people would be given various empowerment packs.

He however, denied any plan to manipulate the forthcoming congresses,  saying,  “the era of sitting in your room and writing the names of the delegates and executive members of the party has gone.”

Kashamu  also  ruled out the idea of harmonisation and reconciliation of different emerging power blocs in the party.

He noted that each group should embark on massive mobilisation and sensitisation of their members ahead of the congresses.

Kashamu said he would not be a party to any form of manipulation during the congresses, which would hold at ward, local government and state level.

He urged the leaders of the different power blocs to play by the  rules of the party.

He said: “There is no need for any harmonisation of groups, let us not make that mistake. We can only come together after congresses. Let each group bring its candidates and allow voting to be done transparently.

“But the only thing I cannot do is to sit in my room and start writing names of the delegates and the executives from ward to the state level. It is not possible.”

Vanguard

FUEL SUBSIDY REMOVAL WILL SAVE THE FG N985BN - VP OSINBAJO.

Vice President Yemi Osinbajo has said the Federal Government, which relies on crude oil for about two-thirds of its revenue, is seeing a silver lining to the plunge in crude prices because it will no longer have to subsidize fuel.

“Lower oil prices also mean there is some advantage,” Osinbajo said in a panel discussion at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, on Thursday.

The decline “means that we are not paying any subsidies, which frees up something in the order of about $5bn (about N985bn),” Bloomberg quoted the vice president as saying.

LOS ANGELES TO PAY $24MILLION TO 2 MEN WHO SPENT OVER 30YRS IN JAIL FOR CRIMES THEY DID NOT COMMIT.

Los Angeles will pay more than $24 million to two men who spent decades in prison after they were wrongfully convicted of murder, officials said.  

Kash Delano Register won his freedom in 2013 after lawyers and students from Loyola Law School doubted a key prosecution witness’s testimony.

He was awarded $16.7 million by the Los Angeles City Council on Tuesday. It is the largest settlement in an individual civil rights case in the city’s history, according to reports.

ARMS SCANDAL - I DID NOT RECEIVE A DIME FROM DASUKI - CHIEF OLU FALAE,

National Chairman of  Social Democratic Party, SDP, Chief Olu Falae, yesterday, said he has fixed next week to adequately address his alleged involvement in the ongoing arms deal scandal involving the former National Security Adviser, NSA, Col. Sambo Dasuki (retd).

This came as he insisted that the alleged N100 million linking with with the former NSA was given him by former Chairman, Board of Trustees of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, saying he had never communicated with the former security chief since 1987,when he was Secretary to the Federal Government while the latter held sway as the Aide-de-Camp, ADC to then military president, General Ibrahim Babangida.

POLICE ARREST 37-YR-OLD MAN FOR RAPING MENTALLY CHALLENGED GIRL IN LAGOS. #SAYNOTORAPE.

The police in Lagos State have arrested a 37-year-old man for allegedly raping a mentally-challenged girl (names withheld).

It was learned that the suspect, Adesola Moses, who resides at Osenatuilo Street, Alagbado by AIT Road, reportedly raped the victim in her mother’s shop.

It was learnt that the suspect took advantage of the victim’s mental health and had anal sex with her.

ZAHRA BUHARI DENIES DATING GOV YARI OF ZAMFARA STATE.

Zamfara State Governor, Abdulazeez Yari has denied reports that he is romantically involved with Zarah, one of the daughters of President Muhammadu Buhari.

He also faulted media reports that he gave the president’s daughter $200 million as gift and that he divorced one of his wives, Hadiza Umaru Shinkafi, to accommodate Zarah.

DAVIDO SIGNS MULTI-MILLION DOLLAR RECORD DEAL WITH SONY.

Talented Nigerian superstar Davido has signed a Record deal with Sony Music at their headquarters in New York,  This exclusive deal which will Davido create, distribute and market his music at a world class level.

Congratulations to him.

22 YEAR OLD NIGERIAN SERIAL RAPIST JAILED FOR 24 YEARS IN UK.

22-year-old Oluwadamilare Baiyewu pictured above has been sentenced to 24 years imprisonment by a Woolwich Crown Court in the UK for raping a 17 year old girl while trying to attack another on December 2nd last year. Described as a ‘dangerous, calculating and predatory rapist’ who created the image he was the ‘pillar of the community’ by helping out at the church.

Baiyewu who resides in Fairlawn in Greenwich, first grabbed a 17-year-old girl at knife point on December 2nd, but she managed to break free and escaped.

ICPC ARRAIGNS FORMER ZAMFARA STATE GOVERNOR SANI YERIMA FOR STEALING OVER N1BN AND OTHER OFFENCES.

The former governor of Zamfara State, Ahmed Sani Yerima, will be arraigned today by the Independent Corrupt Practices and other offenses Commission, ICPC, today for allegedly scamming former President Olusegun Obasanjo and the federal government, promising to supply 50,000 metric tones of grains without delivering the goods after receiving payment for same.

Similarly, the anti-graft agency also accused the former governor, who amputated the wrist of a thief for stealing a goat, of diverting over N1 billion meant for the repair of collapsed Gusau Dam and the compensation of those to be displaced by the project for other purposes.

In a charge sheet prepared by the commission, which is to be executed in the High Court of Zamfara State today, the former governor, who is also a member of the All Progressives Congress, APC, representing Zamfara State in the the senate, was also alleged to have proposed to sell some grains to the federal government without providing same after he had been paid.

FEW DAYS AFTER THE DEATH OF OLUBADAN, TWO HIGH CHIEFS LAY CLAIM TO THE THRONE.

The age-long smooth ascension to the throne of the Olubadan of Ibadanland appears to be under threat as a two top Ibadan chiefs have laid claim to the coveted throne.

While the Balogun of Ibadanland, High Chief Saliu Adetunji, as the next in rank to the late Olubadan, anticipates his installation as the next Olubadan, the Otun Seriki of Ibadan, Chief Adebayo Oyediji, says he is the ‘‘next Olubadan’’.

Oyediji warned the kingmakers, the Olubadan-in-Council, not to flout what he called a 1989 ruling of the Supreme Court by installing Adetunji as successor to the late Oba Samuel Odulana Odugade, who died on Tuesday at the age of 101 years.

WOLFSBURG TABLE 3.5 MILLION EUROS FOR HIGHLY RATED VICTOR OSIMHEN.

German Bundesliga club Wolfsburg have tabled a four and a half year deal worth about 3.5 million Euros for Victor Osimhen, it can be exclusively revealed.

Osimhen, 17, was top scorer at last year’s FIFA U17 World Cup in Chile and the Wolfsburg deal is expected to kick in when he turns 18 in December.

KILLERS OF EX-FUTA VC SENTENCED TO DEATH BY HANGING.

An Akure High Court, yesterday, sentenced two domestic staff of former Vice Chancellor of Federal University of Technology, Akure, FUTA, Professor Albert Ilemobade, to death by hanging.

The convicts, Daniel Itah Effiong and Bamitale Olayemi, were the security/gate man of the 79-year-old former Professor of Veterinary Medicine, and driver, respectively.

Delivering judgement, Justice Williams Olamide found them guilty of the three-count charge of conspiracy to murder, murder and robbery.

DASUKI IN FRESH TROUBLE AS COURT ORDERS FG TO PRODUCE HIM ON FEB 16 FOR MONEY LAUNDERING CHARGES.

Justice Adeniyi Ademola of a Federal High Court in Abuja on Wednesday ordered the Federal Government to produce the immediate-past National Security Adviser, Col. Sambo Dasuki (retd.), in court on February 16.

The judge made the order with respect to the charges of money laundering and illegal possession of firearms preferred against Dasuki by the Federal Government.

The four counts preferred against the former NSA before Justice Ademola were unrelated to two other separate charges bordering on alleged diversion of arms funds pending against him and others before two judges of the Federal Territory High Court in Maitama, Abuja.

FAKE LUTH DOCTOR WHO PERFORMED MANY ABORTIONS AND BOUGHT 7 CERTIFICATES FOR N100K ARRESTED IN LAGOS.

A 43-year-old man, Opeyemi Adesina, who allegedly paraded himself as a consultant gynaecologist with the Lagos University Teaching Hospital, Idi-Araba, says he paid N100,000 to buy the seven forged certificates he used.

Reporters learnt that Adesina, who hails from Ekiti State, was arrested on Tuesday by the Alakara Police Division on Alowolodu Street in the Alapere, Ketu area of Lagos State.

It was gathered that Adesina was arrested after his landlord, identified only as Akorede, wrote a “save-my-soul” petition to the management of LUTH some weeks ago alleging that Adesina brought home female patients to treat in his house and did abortions for them, among other unwholesome practices which could implicate him (the landlord).

(VIDEO) MAN BEATS EX-GIRLFRIEND IN TRAFFIC FOR REFUSING TO HANDOVER CAR HE BOUGHT FOR HER.

BRUTAL BEATING

Reports says a man dragged his ex-girlfriend out of her car in Los Angeles traffic and brutally beat her while people watched. 

It seems he bought the car for the lady and had been asking for it back after they broke up but she refused to give it back until this confrontation.

COURT ORDERS NNAMDI KANU TO BE TRANSFERRED TO PRISON.

A Federal High Court judge has ordered that the custody of the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra and founder of Radio Biafra, Nnamdi Kanu, be relinquished by the Department of State Services. Nnamdi Kanu was arraigned before the court on Wednesday, January 20 on trial for charges bordering on treason and his agitations for the Republic of Biafra from Nigeria. Recall that Mr Kanu was supposed to appear before the Federal High Court Abuja, on Monday, but the much awaited case was adjourned due to the absence of the judge.

This is equally following the killing of eight  members of the the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB in Aba by the military during their  peaceful protest over the continued detention of their leader, Nnamdi Kanu on Monday,

NIGERIA SIGNS MOU WITH DUBAI TO RECOVER LOOTED FUNDS.

Determined  to recover Nigeria’s stolen funds stashed in foreign banks, the Federal Government, yesterday, signed different bilateral agreements with the United Arab Emirates, UAE.

The agreements were essentially on trade, finance and judicial matters.

While the agreement on trade was to promote investments and business dealings amongst the two countries, the judicial bilateral agreement will enable the country to extradite, or transfer persons serving jail terms.

VISAFONE'S ACQUISITION BY MTN, END OF CDMA????

It  became official, January 5, 2016, that the last Nigerian Code Division Multiple Access, CDMA operator standing, Visafone, has finally succumbed to the terrible distress in that genre of telecommunications operation and allowed itself to be swallowed by a GSM counterpart, MTN Nigeria.

However, when Vanguard carried the news eight months earlier that the CDMA operator may soon melt into another, it was quickly and unofficially, dismissed as a rumour by both players. But today, MTN has admitted that  the acquisition falls in line with the company’s determination to improve the quality of broadband services for its subscribers.

According to MTN Executive, Amina Oyagbola, the acquisition is also a reflective of MTN’s concerted efforts to deepen the growth and rollout of broadband services across the country in support of the National Broadband Plan for the benefit of Nigerians.