IMPEACH JONATHAN NOW - APC ADVISES NATIONAL ASSEMBLY

The All Progressives Congress have heated up the polity by calling on the National Assembly to immediately commence the process of impeaching President Goodluck Jonathan for alleged gross misconduct. It  said  in a statement on Sunday by its Interim National Publicity Secretary, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, that Jonathan’s impeachment  would  save Nigeria from imminent collapse.

But the Presidency warned the APC and others, who it said were  bent on plunging the nation into political instability,  to be ready for the consequences of treasonable action. The opposition party,  however, said it  made the  call with a high sense of responsibility and   strong belief that the impeachment of the President was a legitimate constitutional option available to the National Assembly not only to protect the nation’s democracy, but  to ensure its  unity.

It explained that  it based  the  call for Jonathan’s impeachment on the  dangerous drifting of the country. The APC added that there was a total failure of leadership,  insecurity, unprecedented corruption, impunity, massive unemployment and hunger  in the country. The statement reads in part, ‘’Since the raison d’etre of any government is the security and welfare of the citizenry, and the present administration has failed to live up to the justification of its existence, there can be no other definition of gross misconduct but that.

 “Therefore, the time has come for the head of that government, on whose desk the buck stops, to be removed through the provisions stipulated in the 1999 Constitution. This is the patriotic thing to do.”

SAM BAILEY WINS X-FACTOR UK FINAL (VIDEO)

SAM BAILEY

Sam Bailey beat fellow finalist Nicholas McDonald in the final of this year's X Factor UK.

The prison warder, 36, received more than one million votes and thanked everyone for choosing her before performing her single Skyscraper. Her mentor Sharon Osborne was tearful throughout much of Sunday's show.

Bailey and McDonald battled it out after teenager Luke Friend was voted out on Saturday after they performed at London's Wembley Arena.

NICHOLAS GAVE HIS BEST

When Bailey was shown her new CD single by host Dermot O'Leary, she was overwhelmed, but told the audience of 10,000 people: "I don't know what to say. I just want to say that I love that boy to pieces."

GOODBYE NELSON MANDELA (PHOTONEWS)

The legend of freedom, Nelson Mandela was finally laid to rest earlier today. He will be remembered for his enormous sacrifice towards liberating his people.......... Sleep well MANDIBA.........

HOW FELIX EDEBOR GAVE ME N6M & A LANDROVER JEEP - OJB (WATCH THE EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW ON HIS RETURN TO NIGERIA)

                                                   OJB'S EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW

It is no longer news that legendary music producer, OJB JEZREEL who was ill with a kidney ailment months ago had a successful kidney operation in India. He actually sneaked into Nigeria quietly on Nov 30  based on medical advise.   

He granted an exclusive interview, narrating events before and after the surgery. He also mentioned special angels GOD blessed him with during the ordeal which includes his wife(she donated her kidney) and a certain Felix Edebor who gave him N6M despite the fact that the money for the surgery had been realised in addition to a Landrover Jeep.`

May GOD bless and keep everyone who assisted OJB..... Amen.

JUST IMAGINE IF A CORRUPT POLICEMAN CATCHES YOU TRYING TO TAKE A SNAPSHOT OR RECORD A VIDEO

Since the ever increasing popularity of social media in Nigeria, a couple of Police officers have lost their jobs because they were caught in the act of demanding and taking bribe. When videos of such acts are recorded and uploaded on the internet by the victims, it goes viral instantly which makes it impossible for the police authorities to ignore.

I have severally imagined what the outcome would be if the police catches anyone trying to record a video or snap a photo of such bribery acts or related incidences. With my double experience with the Police, I need no soothsayer to relate how bad it will likely be. 

So, it was unsurprising when men of the Nigeria police on Friday evening in Lokoja almost lynched a photo journalist, Okanyi Enemali, who was alleged to have taken a shot of a policeman taking bribe.

The incident took place in front of the Lokoja Specialist Hospital as reported by "Sahara Reporter" where as many as eight armed policemen beat the helpless man for about 30 minutes until he almost lost consciousness.  The policemen then dragged him into their Hilux van which the inscription: B OPS KGS COMMAND 1.

Eyewitnesses believe that if Okanyi does not receive proper medical attention, he is unlikely to survive the assault.  There is no report on his condition at the moment.

As he was being bundled into the vehicle, Okanyi kept crying, "I'm a journalist, save me".

Policemen in Nigeria, famously corrupt, are understood to be nervous over compromising pictures and video of bribe-taking among their ranks that have been published in recent times. Police Public Relation Officer in the state latersaid that the Divisional Police Officer in the area did not report any incident of such to the Police command. He said nothing of such happened in the state.

YOU MUST RESPOND AND ATTEND TO ISSUES RAISED IN OBASANJO'S LETTER - NATIONAL ASSEMBLY TELLS JONATHAN

The long but detailed letter written by Ex-president, Olusegun Obasanjo to President Jonathan is perhaps the hottest topic of the year and it is still generating reactions and confusion.

CLICK HERE TO READ THE FULL TEXT OF THE LETTER.

The National Assembly has said President Goodluck Jonathan must “comprehensively” address issues raised by former President Olusegun Obasanjo in his letter to him (the President). The two chambers said this on Friday in their separate reactions to the controversial letter written by Obasanjo to Jonathan.

But while there are indications that the House of Representatives would, this week, raise a motion on the letter, the Senate stated that it would wait for Jonathan’s response before taking any action.

Obasanjo had in the 18-page letter accused Jonathan of condoning corruption and engaging in acts that were capable of destroying the country. The Chairman, Senate Committee on Rules and Business, Senator Ita Enang, in an interview with one of our correspondents on Friday in Abuja,  said Jonathan should address the issues raised by Obasanjo in the letter in due time to avoid tension.

PRINCE WILLIAM, DAVID BECKHAM AND YAO MING SPEAK AGAINST POACHING

IVORY

POACHING has never been so disastrous until now when it seems Africa might lose all it's wildlife to this illegal and highly sophisticated trade.

Read our previous post on this grave challenge HERE and HERE.

Famous people have joined the campaign against poaching whose major market is in China and other parts of Asia.

Prince William

Britain’s Prince William has appealed to parents in China to join in the universal fight against poaching of wild animals. The Prince is teaming up with ex-football star, David Beckham, in the campaign against animal poaching, which is widely believed to be common in some parts of Asia. To support the campaign, Prince William and Beckham have recorded a public service announcement for wildlife protection organisation, WildAid.

(VIDEO) MANCHESTER CITY DEMOLISH ARSENAL 6 - 3 AT THE ETIHAD STADIUM

A lackluster performance by Arsenal's defensive line gave Manchester City the opportunity to move within 3 points reach of the league leaders in a Nine goal thriller.

Although Theo Walcott was quite impressive on his return to the starting eleven, scoring two out of the three goals Arsenal managed to put past their rivals, the defeat was still very heavy and sour.

Sergio Aguero opened the scoring for City, volleying home from a corner, only for the returning Theo Walcott to level midway through the first half after Yaya Toure made a mess of the ball in the midfield. Alvaro Negredo turned home Pablo Zabaleta's cross to put the hosts back in front and City looked to have made the game safe when Fernandinho scored his first goal for the club early in the second half. England winger Walcott curled home a delightful second as Arsenal rallied, yet David Silva converted Jesus Navas's cross to make it 4-2 and Fernandinho struck again in the 88th minute. 

An injury-time header from Per Mertesacker provided little consolation for the visitors, particularly as there was still time for Yaya Toure to add City's sixth from the penalty spot.

See video below...............

MANCHESTER CITY 6 ARSENAL 3

FAKE INTERPRETER AT MANDELA'S MEMORIAL BEGS FOR FORGIVENESS

Thamsanqa Jantjie said that he began hallucinating whilst interpreting at the Nelson Mandela memorial, saying that he saw "angels". He added that he was once hospitalised in a mental health facility for more than one year and claimed he suffered a schizophrenic episode on stage that left him unable to do his job properly

Mr Jantjie, who stood gesticulating feet away from US President Obama and others who spoke at Tuesday's ceremony that was broadcast around the world, insisted that he was doing proper sign-language interpretation of the speeches of world leaders.

TAYE DIGGS AND IDINA MENZEL SPLIT AFTER 11YRS MARRIAGE

Taye Diggs and Idina Menzel have split after almost 11 years of marriage. The spokesperson for the couple confirmed the separation, saying that, “Idina Menzel and Taye Diggs have jointly decided to separate at this time. Their primary focus and concern is for their son. We ask that you respect their privacy during this time.”

The couple who have a son, Walker Diggs, had earlier complained of difficulties in maintaining a long distance marriage with Menzel emphasising the difficulties of being in Los Angeles while also having to be in New York for work.

INSTAGRAM RELEASES NEW FEATURE

Photo-sharing service Instagram unveiled a new feature that allows users to send images and messages privately, as the Facebook-owned company sought to bolster its appeal among younger consumers who are increasingly using mobile messaging applications.

The new Instagram Direct feature allows users to send a photo or video to a single person or up to 15 people, and to have real-time text conversations.

‘Sometimes you want to be able to share, not with everyone, but just with a specific group,’ said Kevin Systrom, Instagram co-founder and chief executive during a presentation in New York. ‘Instagram Direct is a simple way to send photos and videos to your friends.’

Instagram claims to have more than 150 million monthly users who have shared 16 billion photos on the service. Until now, the photos could only be shared publicly, allowing them to be seen by anyone using the service.

Facebook Inc, the world's No. 1 Internet social network, bought Instagram for $1 billion in 2012. The new features come as Facebook and Instagram face increasing competition from a new crop of mobile messaging services, including WhatsApp and Snapchat.

In October, Facebook said it was seeing a decline in daily use by younger teenagers in the United States, although it said overall use by teenagers was stable. Bottom line, this is a catch-up move for Instagram,’ wrote Forrester Research analyst Julie Ask in a blog post. ‘Apps like WeChat already allow users to share videos, photos, messages, cartoons, voice clips to individuals, groups, groups created around an event.’

Instagram made the announcement Thursday in a swanky two-story event studio in midtown Manhattan, which some industry observers speculated was picked to lure the attention of ad firms on Madison Avenue. Systrom didn't address advertising or any revenue-linked potential of the new features.

NORTH KOREA'S ECCENTRIC DICTATOR "KIM JONG UN" EXECUTED HIS UNCLE BECAUSE HE WAS A THREAT

JANG SONG THAEK BEING LED AWAY

The uncle of North Korean dictator Kim Jong Un was executed yesterday months after his ex-girlfriend was executed on his orders.

Jang Song Thaek, who had been considered the second most powerful official in the country, was killed immediately after a military trial. He was deemed a traitor and a ‘worse than a dog’ counter-revolutionary who was seeking to overthrow the state, the regime’s news agency KCNA said.

JANG SONG WAS KIM JONG UN'S MENTOR BEFORE THINGS FELL APART

Earlier this week he was expelled from the Workers’ Party of Korea and stripped of all his posts, having been accused of corruption, drug use, gambling, womanising and leading a ‘dissolute and depraved life’.

CONTROVERSIAL LETTER - JONATHAN MEETS OBASANJO IN KENYA

The dust generated by the letter written by Ex-president, Olusegun Obasanjo to President Jonathan will not settle in a very long time. Aides of both men have been attempting to outdo one another by analyzing the letter to their favour. Both political giants met on Thursday, behind closed doors in the  Intercontinental Hotel, Nairobi, Kenya. The meeting held less than 24 hours after an 18-page   letter Obasanjo    sent to Jonathan went public.

Both leaders were in Nairobi for  Kenya’s  50th independence anniversary which was held inside the Safaricom Stadium. The former President had in the letter accused Jonathan of  condoning corruption and engaging in acts  that were capable of destroying the country.

Before  the event, Obasanjo had made an  appearance at Jonathan’s hotel on a day the  media were awash with the letter  titled “Before it is too late.” The former President’s arrival was said  to have been heralded by the surprise visit to Jonathan by Obasanjo’s daughter identified simply as Funke.

The ex-President, in his usual humorous manner, said, “Mr. President, I have come to pay homage.” A source said they   talked briefly over breakfast  after which  Obasanjo jokingly said, “Mr. President, permission to go ahead of you.” Jonathan replied with “Permission granted,” amidst laughter by the two of them and their aides.

PHOTONEWS - PRINCE GEORGE'S FIRST CHRISTMAS

See more pictures after the cut................

GIRL(14) BULLIED TO DEATH FOR BEING TOO PRETTY

SARAH CLERKSON

A schoolgirl is believed to have hanged herself at a teenage house party after suffering weeks of abuse from jealous bullies. Sarah Clerkson, 14, was found unconscious in a bedroom early on Sunday and died shortly afterwards in hospital.

Horrified teenagers at the party kicked the door down when they realised something was wrong and tried to revive her with CPR. Friends and family said Sarah had become ‘emotionally disturbed’ after being picked on by girls. They were said to be envious of her good looks.

Sarah moved schools about six weeks ago after being bullied. She wrote on Facebook about how she was moving after being hit by another girl, but her family said she faced further bullying at her new school.

Grandfather David Chapman, 64, said she appeared to be coping better in recent weeks. ‘We saw her a few weeks ago,’ he said. ‘We went to the Metrocentre [a shopping complex in Gateshead] and she was bubbling, or in her words “buzzing”. ‘She was emotionally disturbed but we thought things were starting to change for her. ‘There’d been a problem with her introduction into a new school. She was bullied for about a week. You know what they’re like when new kids come but it had all blown over.’

ANOTHER NIGERIAN FOUND DEAD IN HIS APARTMENT IN BOSTON

LATE BENJAMIN

A 57-year-old Nigerian, Mr. Benjamin Chibuogwu was found dead in his apartment on Saturday in Lowell, Massachusetts. A native of Awka in Anambra state, Mr. Chibuogwu recently attended the Awka Convention in New Jersey over the Thanksgiving weekend.

Mr. Chibuogwu body was found three days after he died. The gruesome discovery was made when his brother who lives in Seattle, Washington, could not reach him over the phone for three days, he then alerted a friend who went to Mr. Chibuogwu’s house with the landlord and found his body. Mr. Chibuogwu, who is divorced and lived alone, is survived by five kids - three girls and two boys.

Chibuogwu popularly known as "Benny Chuks" briefly played professional soccer with Vasco Da Gama Football Club of Enugu before coming to the United States. The Boston community is having a wake for him on Saturday, December 13, 2013 at St. John’s Evangelist Parish in North Chelmsford, Massachusetts, after which his body would be taken back to Nigeria for burial.

Earlier this year, Elias Onyechi, a ther 60-year-old Nigerian man based in  Lowell,  was also found dead in his apartment. Elias Onyechi, from Ogidi in Anambra state, was also divorced with five children. He was buried in Lowell.

This summer too another Nigerian, 54-year-old Sonny Asoa, formerly resident of Lowell, died in Revere, Massachusetts. He, too, was living alone after divorcing his wife.

FULL TEXT OF OBASANJO'S LETTER TO PRESIDENT JONATHAN TITLED "BEFORE IT IS TOO LATE"

•A letter of appeal to President Goodluck Jonathan by Chief Olusegun Obasanjo

I am constrained to make this an open letter to you for a number of reasons. 

One,  the  current  situation  and  consequent  possible  outcome dictate that I should,  before the door closes on reason  and promotion of national  interest,  alert  you  to  the  danger  that  may  be  lurking  in the corner.    

Two, none of  the  four  or more  letters  that I  have  written to  you in  the  past  two  years  or  so  has elicited  an  acknowledgment  or  any response.    

Three,  people  close  to  you,  if  not  yourself,  have been asking,  what  does  Obasanjo  want?    

Four,  I  could  sense  a  semblance between  the situation that  we are  gradually getting into and the situation we fell into as a nation during the Abacha era.    

Five, everything must be done  to  guard,  protect  and  defend  our  fledgling  democracy,  nourish  it and prevent  bloodshed.    

Six,  we  must  move  away  from  advertently  or inadvertently  dividing  the country along  weak seams  of North-South and Christian-Moslem.  

Seven,  nothing  should be  done to  allow  the  country to degenerate into  economic  dormancy,  stagnation  or  retrogression.

Eight,  some  of  our  international  friends  and  development  partners  are genuinely  worried  about  signs and  signals  that  are  coming  out  of Nigeria.    

Nine,  Nigeria  should  be in a  position to  take  advantage  of  the present  favourable  international  interest to  invest  in  Africa  -  an opportunity  that  will  not  be  open  for  too  long.    

Ten,  I  am  concerned about your legacy and your climb-down which you alone can best be the manager of, whenever you so decide.

Mr. President, you have on  a  number of  occasions  acknowledged the  role God  enabled  me  to  play  in your  ascension  to  power.  You  put me  third  after  God  and  your  parents  among  those  that  have impacted  most  on  your  life.    I  have  always  retorted  that  God  only put  you  where you are and  those that  could be regarded  as having  played  a  role were only instruments of God to achieve God’s purpose in your life.   

For me, I believe  that  politically,  it  was  in  the  best  interest  of  Nigeria  that  you,  a Nigerian  from minority  group  in  the  South, could  rise  to  the  highest pinnacle  of  political  leadership. If  Obasanjo could  get  there,  Yar’Adua could get there and Jonathan can get there, any Nigerian can. It is now not a matter  of the  turn  of any section or  geographical area  but the best interest of Nigeria and all  Nigerians.   

It has been  proved that no group – ethnic,  linguistic,  religious  or  geographical  location  –  has  monopoly of materials  for  leadership  of  our  country.  And  no  group  solely  by  itself can crown any  of its members the  Nigerian CEO.    It is  good for  Nigeria.

FG & ASUU SIGNS AGREEMENT - SET TO CALL OFF 5-MONTHS OLD STRIKE

After five months and 10 days that the public universities have been on strike, the Federal Government and the Academic Staff Union of Universities on Wednesday finally signed a fresh  agreement. The fresh pact is the review of the Federal Government/ASUU 2012 Memorandum of Understanding reached on the 2009 agreement.

Both parties, however, refused to reveal the details of the agreement to journalists who witnessed the signing of the agreement. The meeting was almost boycotted by the union until the intervention of stakeholders.

ASUU had on Tuesday vowed not to attend the meeting because there was no commitment and proper invitation from the government.The union had demanded for proof of the payment of the N200bn into a Central Bank of Nigeria account for public universities, non-victimisation clause, review of the agreement in 2014 and that a representative of government, preferably the Attorney-General of the Federation to sign the agreement as conditions to call off the strike which began on July 1.

PRESIDENTIAL MOUTHPIECE,REUBEN ABATI, RESPONDS TO OBJ'S LETTER

YOU HAVE BETRAYED GOD AND THE PEOPLE OF NIGERIA - OBASANJO WRITES JONATHAN

An apparently angry and frustrated ex-President Olusegun Obasanjo has written what clearly competes as one of the most acerbic letters in modern history to President Goodluck Jonathan, accusing him of ineptitude and of taking actions calculated at destroying Nigeria.

“Nigeria is bleeding and the hemorrhage must be stopped,” Mr. Obasanjo said in the 18-page letter dated December 2, 2013 and exclusively obtained by PREMIUM TIMES Tuesday.

He said Mr. Jonathan has failed to deliver on his promises to the Nigerian people, stem corruption, promote national unity and strengthen national security.

He said in the letter titled “Before it is too late” that rather than take steps to advance Nigeria’s interest and up the standards of living of Nigerians, Mr. Jonathan had betrayed God and the Nigerian people that brought him to power, and has been pursuing selfish personal and political interests based on advice he receives from “self-centred aides”.