NNPC MUST BE TAMED NOW.

WHO authorised the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation to unilaterally subsidise the price of kerosene? Unable to satisfactorily answer this simple question, the corporation and its backers in government have been dishing out unconvincing justifications and rebukes to its critics. But the emerging picture is that of a state-owned agency that operates unencumbered by checks or censure and where corruption and impunity have reached unimaginable levels.

At the heart of the latest scandal is money accruable to the Federation Account that, according to the Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Lamido Sanusi, ought to have been remitted by the NNPC. Revising his earlier estimates, Sanusi told the Senate Committee on Finance that NNPC had failed to account for $20 billion of the $67 billion realised from crude oil sales. Since the issue of missing funds cropped up, the NNPC, the Ministry of Petroleum Resources and, curiously, the Minister of Finance, Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, have been at pains to debunk the claims. After meetings among them, including Sanusi and the Director of Budget, Bright Okogu, to “reconcile the accounts,” CBN now agrees that $47 billion has been accounted for. While Sanusi had initially insisted that $12 billion was still unaccounted for, Okonjo-Iweala and NNPC only agreed that $10.8 billion (N1.68 trillion at N156 to US$1) was yet to be “reconciled.” Later, the NNPC claimed it had “legitimately” spent about 80 per cent or $8.76 billion (N1.366 trillion) on kerosene subsidy, partly on petrol subsidy and the rest on repairs to damaged pipelines.

SMOKE IN A PUBLIC PLACE AND GO TO JAIL - FASHOLA SIGNS LAW BANNING SMOKING IN PUBLIC PLACES IN LAGOS.

A piece of bad news for smokers in the city of Lagos. I personally support this though.

Governor Babatunde Fashola has signed a bill banning smoking in public places in Lagos State, southwest Nigeria, into law.

With the signing of the bill into law today, nobody can smoke in public places anymore in Lagos State as offenders would be made to pay fine or go to jail. The Lagos State House of Assembly had recently passed a bill banning smoking in public places and placed fine of N10,000, three months imprisonment or both for first offenders.

The bill for a law to prohibit smoking in designated places and vehicles, which was sponsored by Gbolahan Yishawu, the lawmaker representing Eti-Osa Constituency 2 at the House, had lingered since last year.

DETAILS OF HOW TIWA SAVAGE ASSAULTED A POLICE OFFICER AND GOT ARRESTED IN LAGOS

Many who thought Mavin Artiste & recently married Tiwa Savage(Mrs Balogun)  is an AJEBO were shocked to hear she actually assaulted a police personnel and was arrested thereafter on Saturday in Lagos. A simple proof that Mrs. Balogun has the full Naija genes in her...lol.

Read as reported by PunchNG.

Mavin Records artiste, Tiwa Savage, has been arrested by the police for allegedly humiliating a policeman who apprehended her for violating some provisions of the Lagos State Road Traffic Law.

Tiwa, often referred to as Mavin First Lady, was said to have argued with the policeman, who flagged her down for flouting traffic rules in front of Eko Hotels and Suites Victoria Island, on Saturday. She was recently signed a brand ambassador deal with Forte Oil, allegedly came down from the vehicle she was driving in and confronted the policeman.

THE SALE OF JUMIA TO FOREIGN INVESTORS...GOOD OR BAD DECISION?

Two young Nigerians founded the online retail store "JUMIA", barely 2 years after, it became a household name catering for the needs of many but..........the founders have sold the company.  Read why they took such a crirtical decision as reported by "The Nation".

Emotions ran high the day co-founders of Jumia Raphael Afeador and Tunde Kehinde broke the news to their young team of 500 experts at their Ogba, Ikeja, Lagos campus that new owners are taking over the business.

Inside the long horizontal office dormitory built beside their 90,000-square foot-warehouse, the largest campus in West Africa, where young men with an average age of 23 attend to thousands of online shoppers at the speed of light, Afeador, noted: “Jumia was an exciting one and a-half-year journey for us. We are extremely proud of Jumia and wish all the best to the company and all the people here.”

BOKO HARAM MURDERS MORE THAN 100 PEOPLE IN BORNO STATE AGAIN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

No fewer than 100 people were, weekend, killed in separate attacks in Baga and Izge villages of Kukawa and Gwoza local government areas of Borno State, by Boko Haram insurgents, who also reportedly wounded several others and destroyed property worth millions of Naira. This came as President Goodluck Jonathan said in Lagos, yesterday, that the security challenges facing the country would have been worse without prayers from religious groups across the country.

It has also emerged that the Federal Government may be under pressure to open fresh negotiations with the terrorist group.

President Jonathan, who spoke at the Redeemed Christian Church of God, Olive Tree Parish, in Banana Island, Lagos thanked Christians and other religious groups for their prayerful intercessions for the country. He said, but for their prayers, Nigeria would have been worse than it is in terms of the security challenges.

However, the Military High Command has now suspended further rotation of troops deployed to the North East region to fight the Boko Haram terrorists over alleged discovery that troops now play hide and seek to avoid being killed by the terrorists. The order banning further rotation of troops every six months came into effect on February 3.

Aside the weekend attacks, investigations by Vanguard showed that  the Boko Haram terrorists had killed over 200 people within the last few weeks as well as inflicting severe wounds on residents who lost property worth billions of naira in Konduga, Gwoza and Kukawa council areas of Borno State.

Vanguard gathered from reliable sources that the attack in Baga village bordering the Chad Republic Friday evening, claimed 10 lives, while the Izge massacre at the Cameroon border with  Borno State yesterday morning also left 90 people dead.

(PHOTOS) PRESIDENT JONATHAN'S PRIVATE VISIT TO TRADITIONAL RULERS OF 4 APC CONTROLLED STATES.

President Goodluck Jonathan yesterday continued consultations on his political direction in Lagos in meetings with stakeholders and solicitations for prayers for the country from religious leaders.

In a surprising development, the president, however, left regional leaders of his party out of the consultations as many of them expressed surprise on the president’s business in the nation’s commercial capital city.

The president’s efforts to woo support for his political future in the south was also being helped in the north by efforts by the new national chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP Alhaji Adamu Mu‘azu to break the ranks of the opposition in the north as represented by All Progressives Congress, APC.

A NATION WITHOUT EMPATHY - FEMI FANI-KAYODE

A few days ago (12th February 2014) in Borno state Boko Haram killed 60 innocent Nigerians and carted off 24 young girls without any trace. On January 27th 2014 no less than 70 innocent Nigerians were murdered in cold blood by Boko Haram in a series of attacks in Borno and Adamawa states. 

On January 14th 2014 at least 50 innocent Nigerians were blown to pieces by a Boko Haram suicide bomber in  the heart of Maiduguri, the capital of Borno state. Not too long before then they attacked an army barracks in Borno, killed 200 soldiers, carted off the wives and children of our military personnel and burnt the barracks to the ground. 

A few weeks prior to that, numerous schools were attacked and hundreds of our children were either shot to death, hacked to pieces or had their throats cut and blood drained. Consequently many schools have been closed down in Borno and Yobe states respectively. 

A few weeks back no less than 160 of our soldiers were killed by Boko Haram in one skirmish simply because they ran out of bullets. Worst still it has been generally acknowleged that the Boko Haram fighters are better equipped and better supplied than our soldiers. Goodness me....what a mess.

Finally no less than 130 churches were burnt down in Borno state in 2013 alone and the Catholic Church alone lost 53 churches out of that figure. All in all Nigeria has lost almost 8000 innocent civilians to Boko Haram in the last three years and that includes women and children. It does not however include the vast number of women that have been captured and kidnapped by them and that are now being used as sex-slaves. 

(PHOTOS) FULL LIST OF WINNERS AT THE BAFTA 2014 (BRITISH ACADEMY FILM AWARDS)

The BAFTA Awards were FULL of surprises and well-deserved wins

Best Picture: 12 Years A Slave

Best British Film: Gravity

Best Director: Alfonso Cuarón, Gravity

Best Actor: Chiwetel Ejiofor, 12 Years a Slave

Best Actress: Cate Blanchett, Blue Jasmine

Best Supporting Actor: Barkhad Abdi, Captain Phillips

Best Supporting Actress: Jennifer Lawrence, American Hustle

Best Original Screenplay: American Hustle, Eric Warren Singer, David O. Russell

Best Adapted Screenplay: Philomena, Steve Coogan, Jeff Pope

GLAMOROUS LAWYER DISAPPEARS AFTER £3.6M VANISHED FROM CLIENT ACCOUNTS.

A high-flying lawyer has disappeared after being placed at the centre of an investigation into millions of pounds going missing from clients' accounts.

Deidre Newell-Austin, who set up Austin Law just three years after graduating from law school, has been accused of one of the largest ever frauds investigated by the solicitors' watchdog. British Police are also involved in the probe which centres on the disappearance of £3.6million from at least 15 alleged victims, it was reported.

MUSIC MOGUL "SIMON COWELL" AND GIRLFRIEND WELCOMES SON

Simon Cowell has become a father...

Cowell tweeted three black and white photos featuring himself, Silverman and Eric, telling his followers: ‘…now you can see how handsome little Eric is’.

QUICK REVENGE - ARSENAL KNOCKS LIVERPOOL OUT OF FA CUP RACE

ARSENAL 2 LIVERPOOL 1

Arsene Wenger's men suffered a very humiliating 5 - 1 defeat in the hands of Liverpool (EPL) at Anfield about a week ago but took their pound of flesh when they won by Two goals to one in the FA Cup tie today.

Goals from Oxlade and Podolski were enough to see off Liverpool.

Arsenal are now in the quarter finals and will be hoping for an easy tie.

SEE VIDEO HERE.

#FLASHBACK - MASE BINU SI MI - CLENCH

MA SE BINU SI MI

This song was a massive hit back then...... 

I wonder where CLENCH is at the moment...

Enjoy the song.

RAPIST GOT KNOCKED DOWN BY A COMMERCIAL BUS AS HE ATTEMPTED TO ESCAPE FROM THE POLICE STATION

Another rape story as reported by PunchNG....This madness must stop....

In the emergency ward of the National Orthopaedic Hospital, Igbobi, Lagos, 21-year-old Oye Adeleke was lying on a bed like every other patient who had suffered different degrees of fracture to their limbs from accidents.

But Adeleke’s case is peculiar. In fact, the story behind how he landed in the hospital had circulated around the ward. Some of those who were discussing the issue when our correspondent visited him, used the word “karma” to describe his fate.

On January 18, 2014, Adeleke, who is an apprentice meat seller at Tinubu Market in Iyana-Ipaja, Lagos, allegedly added his name to a long list of sexual predators walking the streets of Lagos. That day, which would change the life of 12-year-old Bisola (not real name) forever, was when Adeleke ambushed the young girl and raped her for one hour.

MAN EATING TIGER ON THE LOOSE - CLAIMS NINTH VICTIM

Villagers who reside around Corbett National Part in India are currently living in fear as an invincible TIGRESS has claimed its ninth victim.  India has not witnessed such high number of causalities in a very long time.

Read more after the cut....

COUPLE ALERT - LUPITA NYONG'O AND JARED LETO IN HOT ROMANCE

African Superstar and Hollywood Actress Lupita Nyong'o is reportedly in hot romance with American Actor, Jared Leto.

Oscar has reportedly helped spark some chemistry between nominees Jared Leto and Lupita Nyong'o. Page Six reports that the 42-year-old rocker and the 30-year-old Hollywood newcomer were seen out sharing an initiate night out in New York on Wednesday.

The site reports they were seen sitting by themselves at a table at the intimate Crosby Street Hotel. The source told Page Six: 'They were huddled at a corner table together looking very close.' According to Page Six 'romance is blossoming' and they share 'off-screen chemistry'.

RANDY PASTOR SENTENCED TO 2 YEARS IMPRISONMENT FOR DEFILING 10YR GIRL IN EDO STATE

A 62-year old randy pastor, Alfred Idonogie was on Friday sentenced to two years in prison by an Egor Magistrate Court in Benin, Edo State, southern Nigeria, for defiling a 10-year old girl.

The convict was, however, granted an option of fine of N200,000 after he would have served six months out of the two years term.The court presided over by Chief Magistrate Taye Omoruyi, found Idonogie guilty after the prosecutor called five witnesses.

Omoruyi held that the prosecution witnesses, including the girl, her grandmother, the investigating police officer and a medical doctor established that there was penetration into the little girl’s private part.

JIMOH IBRAHIM GRANTS FULL SCHOLARSHIP TO CHILDREN OF SLAIN EDITOR.

As a mark of appreciation for his commitment and dedication to duty, the Publisher and Group Managing Director (GMD), Energy Group of which Daily Newswatch is a subsidiary, Dr. Jimoh Ibrahim, OFR, has announced full scholarship to the three children of the late Deputy Editor of Saturday Newswatch, Toyin Obadina, up to the university level.

Obadina was killed by gunmen in the wee hours of February 1, 2014, on the way to his house in Ikorodu, Lagos State. The late Obadina left behind an aged mother, wife and three children.

The education of the children, who are currently in primary and junior secondary schools, will henceforth be taken over by the business mogul, according to a statement by the Managing Director/Chief Executive of Newswatch Newspapers, Mr. Moses Jolayemi.

THE BANALITY OF TEEN SEX ON VALENTINE'S DAY - GABRIEL OSAMWONYI

The prevailing wisdom in most media-saturated societies says sex plus money equals the good life. This faulty equation is significantly changing the self-perception of many teenagers, their pursuit of happiness and envisioned future. If they are required to write on postage stamps their ultimate goals, different variants of this would appear: to outdo Cleopatra and make Croesus look poor. This aspiration is brazenly dramatised during Valentine’s season.

Valentine’s Day is increasingly taking on the defining character of a moral holiday. Raging passion largely shape its observance.  Dating violence reaches all-time high.  In the spirit of the day, many teenagers will indulge in carefree sex.  Some will get involved in romance-induced brawls. Others will use illicit drugs for the first time. This is worrisome. Even ardent laissez-faire elite who promote sexually liberal views would agree that the moral health of society is gravely endangered when sex, drug, alcohol and gambling become “teens’ issues”.

SANUSI INSISTS THAT $20B IS MISSING AS MINISTER OF FINANCE IS UNABLE TO ACCOUNT FOR MISSING FUNDS

Day Two of the investigative hearing of the Senate Committee on Finance into the alleged missing $20 billion oil money has concluded in Abuja, with the Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Sanusi Lamido Sanusi, insisting the money is missing according to a live blogging of the hearing by Premium Times of Nigeria.

Speaking to the committee, he said that despite the explanation tendered by Finance Minister Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, there is an outstanding $20 billion between what NNPC oil shipments and what it paid to government.

Mr. Sanusi insists the outstanding $6 billion given by NNPC to the NPDC should have gone to the federal government, but that it disappeared into private hands from there, and offered to bring in lawyers to defend that claim on the basis of three advisory opinions the CBN has already received.

#ODUAHGATE - EFCC CLAIMS INVESTIGATION IS ONGOING ON THE SCANDAL THAT CONSUMED FORMER MIN. OF AVIATION STELLA ODUAH

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission  has said  that all those involved in the controversial purchase of  N255m  bulletproof cars  by the Nigerian Aviation Civil Authority, including the sacked   Minister of Aviation, Ms. Stella Oduah, were still being investigated.

A   source at the EFCC, who made this known,  said  the outcome of the investigation would determine those to be  prosecuted. “We are progressing in the investigation into the scandal and I can assure you that anyone who is found culpable will be prosecuted; just wait and see,” he  stated.

The source spoke just  as  the Trade Union Congress, the   Campaign for Democracy, the   Coalition Against Corrupt Leaders,    the Nigerian Voters’ Assembly, Civil Society Network Against Corruption and human rights lawyer, Bamidele Aturu,insisted that  Oduah  must be made to  face trial for corruption.

The  EFCC had late last year interrogated the Managing Director of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria, Mr. George Uriesi;  the Director General of the Nigeria Airspace Management Agency, Mr. Nnamdi Udoh, and the Director General, NCAA, Capt. Fola Akinkuotu, over the scandal.