THE MEN AND WOMEN WHO WILL SHAPE 2014

The year 2014, being the last year before the next round of general elections is bound to be decisive as politicians from across different political hues take position. Some Nigerians who are bound to direct the pace of political activities in the country are mentioned underneath.

President Goodluck Jonathan

GEJ will be the centre of action in the coming year. As president of the country eligible for a second term, the pace and posture of his politics would largely determine the pattern of political activities in 2014.

President Jonathan who had in the past pooh-poohed questions on whether he would seek re-election had said that he would make his plans known in 2014. With that year now at hand, the president can no longer wave aside a response to the issue. Will he or will he not?

Though his body language has all but indicated that the president would be contesting the election, it is not impossible for him to pull back.

A decision to run would heat up the polity to a level beyond the normal level of a presidential contest. A decision not to run could also pose serious threats to national security given the passion of the president’s Ijaw kith and kin who are determined to have their son return to office in 2015.

#PROJECTSMILES WAS A HUGE SUCCESS

PROJECTSMILES is a GREENHOUSE initiative solely reaching out to children. On 26th December 2013, the lives of about 300 police children at the "MOPOL 20 BARRACKS", Ikeja-Lagos, were touched by PROJECTSMILES even though the plan was to cater for 100 children. 

IT WAS INDEED A HUGE SUCCESS.

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

DWAYNE WADE HAD A SECRET BABY WITH A MYSTERY WOMAN BEFORE PROPOSING TO HIS LONGTIME GIRLFRIEN GABRIELLE UNION

It turns out Dwyane Wade's been playing more than basketball lately...and new fiancee Gabrielle Union is less than happy about it. 

It emerged on Monday that the Miami Heat star recently had a child with an unnamed woman, according to E! News.

The event occurred while the couple were on a break and before the 31-year-old proposed to the Bring It On star on December 21.

GUNMEN KIDNAP LAGOS PASTOR AND SIX OF HIS CHILDREN

A 27-man gang on Friday abducted a pastor, Mr. Godson Akubiro, and six of his children from their Adeosun Street residence, Koya Estate, Igbo Olomu, Ikorodu, Lagos State. Akubiro is said to be the founder of Mountain of Breakthrough Church in the area. The incident was said to have occurred about 1.30am.

Neighbours, who requested anonymity, said that the gunmen arrived at  Akubiro residence in three jeeps and a Toyota Tundra vehicle. The  number plates of the vehicles were said to have been covered. The gunmen, who wore army camouflage, had allegedly gained entrance into the house with the aid of an iron cutter. It was learnt that since the abduction, no one had heard from Akubiro and his six children.

The Community Developmen Association  Chairman, Mr. Yinka Obasan, said he was alerted about the development about 2am.

“I got a call that night from a resident who was coming from a vigil. He told me that he noticed some military vehicles parked outside Akubiro’s home. He said the vehicles belonged to a high ranking military official because the insignia was covered.

BOKO HARAM MURDER 12 AT A WEDDING CEREMONY IN BORNO

Despite the state pf emergency declared on some northern states in Nigeria, the dreaded Boko Haram sect is still on a killing spree. Their killing field in Borno State state remains one of the most dangerous places to live in. PM news reports.

Twelve people died in a suspected Boko Haram attack on a wedding party at the weekend, police and health officials in the northeast Nigerian state of Borno said on Monday. Two gunmen on a motorcycle opened fire in the mainly Christian village of Tashan Alade, 230 kilometres (over 140 miles) from the Borno state capital Maiduguri, on Saturday, said police commissioner Lawan Tanko.

“The attackers, who were obviously Boko Haram insurgents, arrived at the open-air venue of the party around 2:00 pm (1300 GMT) and opened fire, killing seven people and injuring five others,” he told AFP.

ISLAMIC TEACHER RAPES TWO GIRLS (6 & 7 YR OLDS) IN LAGOS

THE FACE OF A RAPIST

Mohammed Ibrahim (27), has been arraigned before an Ebute Meta Magistrate’s Court for allegedly raping two female pupils of Al Adab Nursery and Primary School, Surulere, Lagos. The incident occured inside the school's premises.

The RAPIST,  an indigene of Niger State, was said to have raped the six and seven year olds in the toilet during school hours. It was learnt that the defendant had only been appointed to teach primary three pupil Islamic Studies in the Muslim school in August 2013. He was placed on a salary of N10,000 per month which he accepted to take.

However, on December 18, 2013 he allegedly asked the victims (names withheld) to help him fetch water and take it to the toilet. He was said to have followed them there, undressed them and had carnal knowledge of them. The victims were said to have cried while the act was on, which attracted the attention of other kids.

Ibrahim allegedly pushed them out and pretended as if nothing had happened. The victims were said to have been invited and interrogated by another teacher, who then related their confession to the school management.

BLACK WIDOW KILLS 16 (VIDEO & PICTURES) IN DEADLY TRAIN STATION ATTACK IN RUSSIA

A female suicide bomber killed 16 people and injured dozens more at the main entrance of a railway station in Russia yesterday. It was the second deadly attack in the space of three days in  Volgograd and raises fears of  a terror campaign before and during the Winter Olympics which the country is due to host in 39 days. 

                

The bomber - named as 26-year-old Oksana Aslanova  - detonated her explosives in front of a metal detector as passengers made their way to and from trains. 

                                                              VIDEO FOOTAGE 

POOR PROJECT COMPLETION RECORD AND THE JONATHAN ADMINISTRATION

HERE is a gnawing sense of déjà vu in the latest reminder by the Bureau of Public Procurement that “less than 10 per cent of Federal Government projects initiated between 2009 and 2011 have been completed as of February 2013.” The assertion is contrary to the inanities being deceitfully mouthed by the Goodluck Jonathan Administration. It is a gross indictment on a government that came to power promising to deliver on infrastructure and boasting a nebulous “Transformation Agenda”. Yet, the government can’t claim it has no money to fix infrastructure as revenue from oil is supposed to be growing: the commodity has been trading far above the benchmarks in the budget in the past few years.

But instead of delivering on infrastructure, the livewire of every economy, Nigerians have witnessed deterioration in this vital sector. It is moot, but it is hard to nail down a single critical infrastructure that the present government has delivered since it assumed power in 2010. Conversely, there are so many uncompleted projects dotting our landscape. At the heart of the appalling project completion ratio is the “long delays in making initial and subsequent payments, and design flaws requiring corrective actions after the commencement of project execution,” according to Emeka Eze, the BPP Director-General.

MICHAEL SCHUMACHER FIGHTS FOR HIS LIFE AFTER SKIING ACCIDENT - SUFFERS BRAIN HAEMORRHAGE

Michael Schumacher is fighting for his life after he fell and hit his head on a rock while skiing with his son.

Read initial report HERE.

A leading brain surgeon was seen arriving at the hospital in Grenoble, France, where the ex-Formula One driver was being treated. His family were also at the hospital, where medical sources confirmed Schumacher was in a 'critical state' and suffering from a brain haemorrhage.

Eyewitnesses said Schumacher lost consciousness briefly after falling and hitting his head on a rock. They saw blood oozing from his helmet in the eight minutes between the fall and medics arriving in a helicopter to pick him up. The accident happened while Schumacher was skiing off-piste.

Yesterday a spokesman for the resort said it proved 'you can't do whatever you want', and that skiers should stay on the pistes. Last night the Dauphine Libere newspaper in Grenoble reported that the German's life was in danger. 

NNPC AND OIL REVENUE TRANPARENCY

HOW much does Nigeria actually earn from the sale of crude oil and gas? In any other country in the world, the answer would be readily available to the public. But Nigeria is no ordinary state and its most senior officials proved it convincingly this month: No one knows for certain how much we earn from our chief export commodity.

When the country’s central bank, its finance ministry, its budget office, its petroleum ministry and the state-owned oil company give conflicting figures on its earnings from oil, then, the rot in public finance administration here is brought out in bold relief. Worse, neither the President nor the National Assembly has demonstrated sufficient outrage at the mess. Instead, the government has carried on as if missing oil revenues of gargantuan proportions are of minor consequence.

EL RUFAI & 102 PEOPLE CHEAT DEATH AS AERO CONTRACTORS PLANE LOSES TYRE UPON LANDING

An Aero Contractors aircraft Boeing 737-500, with Registration No 5N-BLC, landed safely at the Murtala Mohammed Airport, Lagos, Sunday, after a loss of pressure in one of the tyres.The aircraft which landed at 10.50 am had a total of 104 passengers and crew members on board.

Nasir El-Rufai, who was aboard the plane, said in a tweet that the pilot and the crew of the plane did “a great job.” “Upon landing in Lagos, our Aero aircraft lost a tyre. The pilot did a great job of breaking to a halt suitably. My phones flew under seats,” Mr. El-Rufai, a former Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, said via his official handle.

“It was amusing hearing shouts of Allah Akbar and Jesus…while the dutiful captain was trying to slow down the plane to a safe location. “One of the passengers joked that he knew nothing would happen to us as I was onboard, nice of him, but Allah Decides our fate in His way,” he continued.

“The Aero pilot was good, the cabin staff calm and professional in the midst of mild drama and little panic by a few passengers. We thank God,” he added.

Confirming the incident, Yakubu Dati, Coordinating General Manager Aviation Parastatals, said that the aircraft had, immediately after arrival, been towed to the apron and that the Accident Investigation Prevention Bureau, AIPB, had commenced investigation.

“We wish to assure all air travelers of their safety and caution against magnifying a manageable incident out of proportion,” Mr. Dati said.

JONATHAN SENT ME COW GIFTS PLUS OBASANJO IS GUILTY OF ALLEGATIONS IN HIS LETTER - PASTOR TUNDE BAKARE

The Serving Overseer of the Latter Rain Assembly, Lagos, Pastor Tunde Bakare, says former President Olusegun Obasanjo is guilty of the sundry allegations he levelled against President Goodluck Jonathan in his (Obasanjo) recent letter to the President.

Bakare, who said this during his sermon in his church in Lagos on Sunday, noted that the former President’s letter to Jonathan painted a portrait of Obasanjo himself while he was in office as the nation’s helmsman.

Obasanjo had written an 18-page letter to Jonathan, calling the President’s attention to critical issues in the polity, which he believed could plunge the nation into chaos if not urgently addressed before they degenerated.

Jonathan had responded to the ex-President letter, where he tried to justify his actions and policies while calling Obasanjo to produce the evidence to back up his claims, especially the former President’s assertion that Jonathan was raising about 1,000 strong snipers against political opponents.

Speaking on ‘The parable of letters and the cacophony of voices,’ Bakare wondered why the ex-president could “turn around” to blame Jonathan for any of his actions when Obasanjo “imposed him and Yar’Adua” on the nation.

Admitting that Obasanjo marshalled his arguments well in the letter, the cleric faulted the morality of the letter, saying Obasanjo was as guilty of the allegations contained in his letter just as the person the letter was addressed to.

HOW VICE-PRESIDENT NAMADI SAMBO IS FURNISHING HIS RESIDENCE FOR N2.1BILLION ONLY

Vice President Namadi Sambo often appears to be a quiet and reserved fellow, rarely involved in Political Jagajaga. At least he is not known to have aides who bark like dogs and lie from both sides of their mouth in a bid to keep their job. However, the rich Architect/Politician is spending a fortune to furnish and upgrade his official residence and guest house, two projects costing N2.1 billion and lingering since his election alongside President Goodluck Jonathan in 2011. Sadly, he is not spending his (maybe) hard earned money but taxpayers money.

In three years leading up to 2013, the government has spent a minimum of N300 million annually to furnish and upgrade the vice president’s residence and guest house, according to past and present federal budgets.

The biggest spending -N900 million- for the upgrade and furnishing was done in 2011. That year alone, N500 million was channelled into acquiring, upgrading and furnishing the vice president’s guest house at Aguda House, while a separate N400 million was spent on purchasing some more furniture and extending the vice president’s lounge there.

In 2012, the government spent additional N437.1 million for the “upgrading and furnishing” of the same guest house, and squandered additional N112 million solely on “household equipment” for Mr. Sambo’s residence. The installation of Uninterrupted Power Supply (UPS) facilities at the residence, was completed at a whopping N202 million.

This year, the vice president’s Aguda guest house and his residence were furnished at a relatively modest N75.7 million, while landscaping at the residence alone was done at N26 million. A new guest house for Mr. Sambo, at Yakubu Gowon crescent, Asokoro, was also given N170.7 million worth of furniture. 

PROFESSOR WOLE SOYINKA LOSES DAUGHTER TO UNDISCLOSED AILMENT

Nobel laureate Prof. Wole Soyinka is bereaved. His daughter ,Iyetade Soyinka (48) died at the University of Ibadan Teaching Hospital where she was being treated for an undisclosed ailment which she had battled with for several years.

The death was disclosed in a statement signed by Jahman Anikulapo, an aide to Mr. Soyinka, one of the world’s foremost dramatists and winner of the 1986 Nobel Prize in literature. The statement noted that the late Iyetade Soyinka was a student at the Staff School and Queens School, Ibadan before she studied Medicine at the University of Ibadan.

Mr. Anikulapo’s statement described the deceased as “affable, intelligent and sometimes capricious,” adding that she “struggled with her health in recent years.” Despite her health woes, the late Iyetade Soyinka “greeted every day with a smile and doted on her two children.”

The statement, which was issued on behalf of the deceased’s family, revealed that Ms. Soyinka “took ill quite suddenly and passed away while being treated at UCH, Ibadan. “Iyetade Soyinka leaves behind two children, both parents, numerous siblings, nieces and nephews.” 

No funeral arrangements has been announced yet. May her soul rest in peace. Amen

MICHAEL SCHUMACHER (FORMER F1 RACING CHAMPION) SUFFERS GRAVE HEAD INJURIES IN SKIING ACCIDENT

Former Formular1 champion, racing driver Michael Schumacher(44)  suffered serious head injuries in skiing accident earlier today.

YOU WILL BE DISGRACED - CARDINAL OKOGIE WARNS CHRIS OKOTIE

A retired Catholic Archbishop of Lagos, Cardinal Anthony Okogie, has warned the Pastor of the Household of God Church International, Chris Okotie, against talking out of ignorance or else he will be digraced.

The cardinal was reacting to the Okotie’s recent comment that “all Catholics will go to hell” in an interview with a correspondent.

Okotie, while criticising the Catholic Church in a sermon, had said the church was “a counterfeit church set up by Satan.” He also said Catholics “bow to idols and crucify Jesus every Sunday when they eat bread claiming they are eating Jesus’ body.”

Describing Catholic as “a counterfeit church set up by Satan,” Okotie said. “They (Catholics) are not Christians and have never been. They don’t know Jesus. They believe that when they eat bread on Sundays, they are eating the body of Jesus. It’s ritual,” he added.

OFFICIAL HIGHLIGHTS OF THE HEADIES 2013 AWARDS

The HEADIES 2013 AWARDS took place on boxing day with Olamide-Baddo emerging the biggest winner carting away three awards.

See full list of winners HERE.

Watch highlights of the event >  CLICK HERE.

ADAMS OSHIOMOLE ESCAPES UNHURT IN MOTOR ACCIDENT

Comrade governor of Edo State, Adams Oshiomhole at about 9:45am on Saturday, 28th December 2013 escaped death in a ghastly motor accident involving his convoy around Ewu village, Auchi-Benin road.

He was on his way to Benin City from his Iyamho Village.

It was gathered that the incident occurred when a Peugeot J5 Bus with registration number XB 355 Fugar, conveying tomatoes and plantains lost control while trying to overtake an articulated vehicle and crashed  into the governor’s flag car, a BMW bullet proof car, before ending in a ditch.

It would be recalled that the governor’s convoy was also involved in an accident last year when a tipper  rammed into his car.

Nobody sustained serious injuries in the crash.

NOTABLE DEATHS IN 2013

- Nagisa Oshima, Japanese filmmaker, directed “Furyo”, aged 80, on January 15.

- Andree Putman, internationally acclaimed French designer, aged 87, on January 19.

- Hugo Chavez, Venezuelan president, aged 58 from cancer, on March 5.

- Ieng Sary, Cambodian Khmer Rouge co-founder who was on trial for genocide and war crimes, aged 87, on March 14.

- Zillur Rahman, Bangladesh president, aged 84, on March 20.

I ONLY STOLE N27M & NOT N50M AS ALLEGED - FRAUDULENT GUARANTY TRUST HOME STAFF SPEAKS FROM DETENTION

ADEOLA OLOKOJOBI

The Special Fraud Unit, Ikoyi, Lagos State, has arrested an account officer with Guaranty Trust Homes, Adeola Olokojobi, in connection with a N50m fraud at the financial institution. Prior to his arrest, Olokojobi was said to be working at the GT Homes, Saka Tinubu branch, Victoria Island.

The SFU had received a petition in October 2013, from a customer of the branch where Olokojobi worked. The customer had alleged that Olokojobi, who was his account officer, had “not been forthcoming with his account balances.” A statement by the SFU Commissioner of Police, Mr. Tunde Ogunsakin, said, “The petitioner also alleged that the balance given to him was at variance with his actual balance in the account.

AMAECHI, THE HEADACHE OF THE PRESIDENCY AT WAR AGAIN

The Presidency and Rivers State   Governor, Mr. Rotimi Amaechi, are in a fresh war of words over allegations that President Goodluck Jonathan is training   snipers and keeping 1,000 people on a watch list.

While the governor stated that he was the number one person on the President’s  watch list and that he had evidence to support this assertion, the  Presidency said the governor was like a drunken man in a china shop who was only interested in bringing down everybody with him.

The Presidency further dared the governor to prove his allegation. The governor, through his Chief of Staff, Government House, Chief Tony Okocha, in Port Harcourt, on Thursday, said that he was waiting for the invitation of the National Human Rights Commission.

TEN WOMEN WHO SHAPED 2013

Read this special report from CNN on the impact of some women in world issues in the year 2013.

The women of the year helped bring the economy back from the brink, worked against tyranny, and championed equality, education and justice. Most of all, they helped open our eyes to how much remains to be done.

MALALA YOUSAFZAI

If 2012 was the year most of us first heard about the 14-year-old Pakistani girl, it was 2013 when we learned nobody could silence her, especially not the cowardly Taliban men who tried to kill her. Malala had become a vocal advocate of the right of all girls to an education, a frightening prospect for the Taliban. In October 2012, machine-gun toting extremists walked onto a school van, asked for Malala, then shot her in the face. Instead of intimidating her, the Taliban turned her into their own worst nightmare -- a powerful girl more admired and articulate than ever. This year we found that Malala's impact is just beginning. As a leading candidate for the Nobel Peace Prize, her advocacy for girls inspires hope around the world. And she's just getting started.

COMEDIENNE PRINCESS WAVES GOODBYE TO HER 7 MONTHS OLD MARRIAGE

"I love everything about him and he is very understanding. He understands the essence of us being on earth which is just to worship God and he is God fearing. That’s the first thing I noticed about him and I was even surprised’.

The above were the words of the first lady of comedy in Nigeria, PRINCESS (Oluwadamilola Adekoya) , whose marriage held in May 2013 suffered premature crash. 

Before people take that very key decision of stepping up to the altar, they should have learnt to cope with each others imperfections. #JustSaying.

#HEADIES2013 - FULL LIST OF WINNERS.

FULL LIST OF WINNERS AT THE HEADIES 2013.

The HipHop awards ceremony otherwise called "THE HEADIES" was held last night in the city of Lagos.

The audio / video sound of the show was a sour point  although credits must be given to the organizers as the awards ceremony has survived for 8 years.

Waje surprisingly won the Reggae Dancehall Single beating Orezi's hit "Rihanna".... Quite a surprise.

Sean Tizzle beat Burna Boy and the rest nominated in the "NEXT RATED" category. He now owns a brand new car.

Mode9 won the..........you already know though.

See full list below:......

#Headies2013 Best Rap Album: @olamide_YBNL YBNL

#Headies2013 Best Rap single – Phyno’s Man of the year.

#Headies2013 Best Collabo - @phynofino ft Olamide ‘Ghostmode’

#Headies2013 Best recording Art of the year JAYWON – this year

#Headies2013 Hip Hop World Revelation: @iam_Davido O.B.O”

#headies2013 Lyricist on the roll - Modenine! Never let it go

#Headies2013 Producer Of The Year for ‘Sho Lee’ Dtunes

#Headies2013 Best vocal performance male – Praiz – Rich And
Famous.

#Headies2013 NEXT RATED SeanTizzle.

#Headies2013 Best street hop song – Olamide’s Durosoke.

#Headies2013 Best RnB Single – Banky W’s Good Good Loving.

#Headies2013 Best Alternative song – BlackMagic’s Repete.

#Headies2013 Best Pop song – 2Face’s Ihe neme.

#Headies2013 Best Music Video – Alingo (Clarence Peters &
Okoye).

#Headies2013 Reggae/Dancehall Single – Waje (I WISH).

#Headies2013 best vocal performance (female) Nikki Laoye ‘Only
U’.

#Headies2013 Artiste Of the year – Iyanya.

#Headies2013 Guinness song of the year – Limpopo.

#Headies2013 Most downloaded MTN callertune – Harrysong.

(Tribute To Mandela)
#Over5000DownloadsInADay.

#Headies2013 – Headies Hall of Fame - KWAM 1.

Congratulations to everyone.

Some surprises will be debated thereafter.

PROJECTSMILES

PROJECTSMILES is a GREENHOUSE initiative solely reaching out to children.

We, on december 26th  are hoping to reach out to 100children of police officers.

Why kids of police officers?  Our research shows that service men in nigeria and around the world give so much to the society albeit in a crude way in a place like nigeria  as their means of livelihood, and so not getting so much as a thank you back.

We believe their children deserve better since they never chose their parents, and PROJECTSMILES wants to touch them in the very little ways with little things. We hereby ask that you please partner with us by covering the event for us on your website.

You will help us this way to reachout to more kids around the continent and the world at large.

Venue- mopol 20baracks ikeja GRA Time 11am
Date dec 26th
Dresscode- blue jeans and Tshirts.

Thank You, looking forward to hear from you.

I'm reachable on this number 07052122222.

Godbless

Adesewa Josh For GREENHOUSE

JUSTIN BIEBER ANNOUNCES RETIREMENT FROM MUSIC AT THE TENDER AGE OF 19, BLAMES MEDIA..

The teenage music sensation has officially retired from music after many speculations.

Justin Bieber who is just 19 made the announcement via twitter  on Christmas day.

The talented & rich teenager blamed the media for his decision. He might stage a comeback soon though.

Merry Christmas Justin

I STAND BY MY LETTER TO PRESIDENT JONATHAN - OBASANJO

President, Chief  Olusegun Obasanjo, yesterday, declined to respond to President Goodluck Jonathan’s reply to his December 2 letter, saying that he stands by the contents of his missive.

Obasanjo who spoke to newsmen at his hilltop mansion in Abeokuta through his media aide, Tunde Oladunjoye, said he would not reply the letter because he has chosen to maintain his serenity.

President Jonathan in a 14-page response to Obasanjo’s 18-page letter, said he only had time to respond to the most serious of the charges which question his sincerity, personal honour and commitment to his oath of office. He said Obasanjo did him grave injustice by accusing him of “deceit, deception, dishonesty, incompetence, clannishness, divisiveness and insincerity,” among others and challenged Obasanjo to substantiate the allegations.

END GAME FOR JONATHAN PRESIDENCY - LEKAN SOTE

For the moment, please look away from the “Mummy Dearest” letter that Senator Iyabo Obasanjo-Bello purportedly wrote to her father, former President Olusegun Obasanjo. Even though it was a classic case of personality profiling that only Sigmund Freud can unravel, it should not be allowed to distract from the profound submissions of Obasanjo himself, on the state of the nation, and the jam that he thinks President Goodluck Jonathan has put himself. After weightier matters of state have been resolved, domestic matters of “Citizen Obasanjo House of Commotion” can be looked into. Right now, if the hand of the President is stuck in a cookie jar, all care must be taken to extricate it without breaking the jar. In his letter, Obasanjo observes that Jonathan, as President, occupies five strategic positions in Nigeria: As leader of the ruling Peoples Democratic Party; political leader of the nation; Headship of the Federal Government; Commander-in-Chief of the armed forces; and Chief Security Officer of the nation. These are positions, whose duties may be delegated, but  the responsibilities remain with the President.

PERFECT CHRISTMAS FOR DBANJ AS GLO RE-APPOINTS HIM....

KOKO MASTER - DBANJ has been re-appointed as a GLO ambassador 3 years after his initial contract with the telecoms company expired.

Glo had to act fast as the award winning artiste is on the rise and they wanted to avoid the same mistake their competitors ETISALAT made with SAKA when he jumped at MTN's offer.

There is an Asha Glo line/Phone pre-loaded with 50 of Dbanj's best songs....

You're definitely easier to see when you are in flight.............

EFCC WAKES UP FROM SLUMBER - ARRESTS LAWMAKERS IN KANO IN AN OBVIOUS POLITICAL WAR GAME

The Ibrahim Lamorde led EFCC has suddenly woken up from its long sleep and swung into action. 

Sadly, their major targets are the perceived political enemies of President Jonathan and their associates while Stella Oduah who the House of Reps have indicted as not following due process in discharging her functions relating to the purchase of  2 armored vehicles at an inflated sum is walking freely.

Economic and Financial Crimes Commission on Monday arrested the Speaker, Kano State House of Assembly, Gambo Sallau and 10 other principal officers of the house.

Their arrest followed an alleged a petition over the N25bn supplementary budget presented by the governor, Rabiu Kwakwanso to the lawmakers on December 5. There are suspicions that the supplementary budget is a cover up to financial misappropriation.

ROADMAP TO THE HEADIES 2013

                                                  ROADMAP TO THE HEADIES 2013

Watch your favourite artistes speak about the categories they have been nominated for THE 2013 HEADIES....

Vote  >>>>>  HERE.

FIRST LADY "PATIENCE JONATHAN" IN BMW IMPORT WAIVER MESSPATIRNCE

PATIENCE JONATHAN 

The scandal generated by the purchase of 2 armoured vehicles by NCAA under the instructions of Minister of Aviation, Ms Stella Oduah is still raging. This time, our dear first lady is in the middle of the crisis.

Sahara Reporters revealed that Nigeria’s First Lady, Patience Jonathan, sought and received import waivers that she then turned over to Coscharis Motors, a private car dealer, to import 200 BMW cars in 2012.

Figures released by Nigeria’s Ministry of Finance budget office show that Mrs. Jonathan secured the import waivers in the name of her pet project, African First Ladies Peace Mission. The ministry just released a list of beneficiaries of import waivers for 2012.

Other prominent beneficiaries include the Lagos State government which got waivers for the importation of 200 BMWs, Fords, Land Rovers, Range Rovers, Lexus, Mercedes, and Jaguar for the 18th National Sports Festival. Part of the waivers granted to the Lagos State government was fraudulently used by Coscharis Motors to import two BMW armored cars for Minister of Aviation Stella Oduah.

Whereas the Ministry of Finance outlined the reasons for giving out waivers to the Lagos State government, it just stated that the waivers granted to the First Lady’s NGO were for the importation of “units of assorted brands of BMW” cars.

TRIBUTE TO THE YOUNG AND BRAVE PHOTOGRAPHER "MOLHEM BARAKAT" WHO LOST HIS LIFE IN SYRIA WHILE ON FREELANCE DUTY

A teenage photographer whose images of war-torn Syria were circulated around the world has been killed while covering a conflict at a hospital. 

Molhem Barakat (17) died on Friday as he took photographs of rebel fighters and Government forces battling over the Kindi Hospital in Aleppo, which had allegedly been turned into a regime barracks. 

The 17-year-old, who worked for news agency Reuters on a freelance basis, took dozens of photographs capturing the city's unrelenting violence. 

His portfolio is equally weighted with images depicting civilian life in the divided city. The teenager had been sending images to Reuters since May, with many of his photographs being published around the world. 

FATHER THROWS SON(3) OVER 52 STOREY BUILDING THEN COMMITS SUICIDE AFTER HE WAS ORDERED TO HANDOVER CUSTODY TO HIS EX-WIFE

Dmitriy with his Ex-wife and son

A heartless 35-year-old threw his three-year-old son to his death from the roof of a 52-story skyscraper and then jumped killing himself, after a judge ordered him to hand over the boy to his estranged wife. So sad.

The killer dad has been identified as Dmitriy Kanarikov, a systems analyst from Brooklyn.His son Kirill plunged 46 stories after being pushed from a ledge on the roof of the building. He landed on a sixth floor landing before crashing down onto a John Jay College building next door to the highrise. He was alive when paramedics arrived on scene, but died minutes later at St. Luke’s Roosevelt Hospital.

Kanarikov was found on a fourth floor landing of the Midtown Medical Pavilion next door. He died at the scene. He lives in Brooklyn, but reportedly accessed the South Park Tower at West 60th Street and Eighth Avenue because a friend lives there, according to the New York Post.

He threw the Boy down from this apartment before also jumping to his death

(PICTURE) THE MAGICAL MOMENT GABRIELLE UNION SAID "YES" TO DWAYNE WADE'S PROPOSAL

NBA star, Dwayne Wade finally proposed to his girlfriend, Gabrielle Union with a One Million Dollar  diamond set on a platinum band ring and as expected, she said YES.

Wade (31) has been dating his Actress sweeteheart Gabrielle(41) for quite some time. It was the most romantic moment of her life and  couldn't contain her joy.

The picture released reveals the Miami Heat basketball player Dwyane Wade's proposal on Saturday and shows her embracing her new fiancé while he is still on bended knee. The cute picture shows Union dressed in a white skirt and grey and black vest top holding Dwayane’s head in her hands. While her face is hidden by her glossy black hair, his huge smile is clearly evident as he poses on bended knee with his head leaning against her, clearly having just proposed. 

MEET TIWA SAVAGE'S STEPSON & STEPDAUGHTER....

Tiwa Savage's husband Tee-Billz is not new to parenthood. The dude has 2 lovely children known to Tiwa even though he didn't share pictures of them before their marriage.

Some commentators feel Tiwa might have made a bad choice hooking up with a man with children when there are numerous single and eligible bachelors bu hey "LOVE IS STILL BLIND".

We wish their family, the larger family the best in their sojourn....

EMMANUEL EMENIKE MAKES TOP 100 FOOTBALLER LIST FOR 2013

EMMANUEL EMENIKE

Super Eagle's powerful striker, Emmanuel Emenike has been ranked 97th in the world by British newspaper Guardian. This was published on its electronic edition a list of the top 100 footballers in the world for the year ended 2013.

The Fenerbahce striker scored  four goals for the Nigeria  at the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations. “Emenike staked an early claim as one of Africa’s most influential players when his exploits propelled Nigeria towards a long overdue success in the Cup of Nations. “Emenike was prolific, consistent and finished as the competition’s top scorer.

“It is the determination and pace of his runs that make the difference to Nigeria’s counter-attacking strength – Emenike’s team-mates figure that if the pass is half decent, he should find it.

“Brazil 2014 could be a useful shop window for the Fenerbahce striker,”said the editors of Guardian. This season, Emmanuel Emenike has netted 6 goals in 14 Super Lig matches for his Fernerbahce side

THE ALL PROGRESSIVES CONGRESS (APC) WILL COLLAPSE SOON - PRESIDENCY BOAST

The war of words between the media aides of the President and the major opposition party rages on. 

The Presidency declared that the on Sunday that the APC will not last. It said it  was evident that the party was suffering from a leadership deficiency and  hence its  penchant for   embarking  on   journeys  in search of leaders to give  it direction.

The Presidency, through the Special Assistant to the President on Public Affairs, Dr. Doyin Okupe, therefore predicted that the APC would soon collapse. Okupe, in an interview with journalists after addressing a press conference on the achievements of President Goodluck Jonathan in Lagos, was apparently referring to the visit of the opposition party leaders to former President Olusegun Obasanjo on Saturday.

The APC leaders had also paid a similar visit to a former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar. But the APC, through one its leading members,Rotimi Fashakin, said the Jonathan Presidency had since “lost direction and does  not really know how to constructively engage the myriads of problems that are besetting it.” Okupe however  expressed the  view that members of the APC seemed  to have forgotten that God had a hand in their search for capable leaders.

YOU LIED AND DID ME GREAT HARM - PRESIDENT JONATHAN REPLIES OBASANJO'S LETTER

The President of Nigeria, Goodluck Jonathan has replied the CONTROVERSIAL LETTER written to him by Ex-President Olusegun Obasanjo.

Read the full text of the letter below........

December 20th 2013

His Excellency,

Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, GCFR

Agbe L’Oba House, Quarry Road,

Ibara, Abeokuta.

RE: BEFORE IT IS TOO LATE

I wish to formally acknowledge your letter dated December 2, 2013 and other previous correspondence similar to it.

You will recall that all the letters were brought to me by hand. Although both of us discussed some of the issues in those letters, I had not, before now, seen the need for any formal reply since, to me, they contained advice from a former President to a serving President. Obviously, you felt differently because in your last letter, you complained about my not acknowledging or replying your previous letters.

It is with the greatest possible reluctance that I now write this reply. I am most uneasy about embarking on this unprecedented and unconventional form of open communication between me and a former leader of our country because I know that there are more acceptable and dignified means of doing so.

But I feel obliged to reply your letter for a number of reasons: one, you formally requested for a reply and not sending you one will be interpreted as ignoring a former President.

Secondly, Nigerians know the role you have played in my political life and given the unfortunate tone of your letter, clearly, the grapes have gone sour.  Therefore, my side of the story also needs to be told.

The third reason why I must reply you in writing is that your letter is clearly a threat to national security as it may deliberately or inadvertently set the stage for subversion.

The fourth reason for this reply is that you raised very weighty issues, and since the letter has been made public, Nigerians are expressing legitimate concerns. A response from me therefore, becomes very necessary.

THE MATCH MAKING OF 1,111 WOMEN IN KANO'S GOVERNMENT SPONSORED MASS WEDDING CEREMONY

More than 1,000 Muslim couples tied the knot at a mass wedding Thursday in Nigeria's second city of Kano, part of a government programme aimed at promoting stable families.The elaborate event at the city's central mosque included 1,111 previously divorced women and an equal number of men, many of whom had also been married before.

The mass wedding programme was launched last year by the state government and sharia police, or Hisbah, who enforce Islamic law, in response to what officials have described as a divorce epidemic.

'We are gathered here today to solemnise the weddings of 1,111 couples under Kano state’s mass wedding programme,' Deputy Governor Abdullahi Umar Ganduje said at the ceremony, the fourth of its kind since May 2012.

'The high divorce rate in our state leads to rampant cases of births outside wedlock, with children being born and dumped which leads to appalling social decay,' Ganduje said. Hisbah chief Aminu Daurawa said the programme has arranged 4,461 marriages over the last 18 months.

APC LEADERS VISIT OBASANJO IN OTA

Leaders of the major opposition party in Nigeria, All Progressives Congress (APC)  will today visit former President Olusegun Obasanjo. The meeting is scheduled for the Ex-Pesident's palace in Ota, Ogun State.

At the residence of a former Vice-President, Atiku Abubakar, on Wednesday, former Head of State and a chief of APC, Gen. Muhammadu Buhari, hinted that the next stop of the party’s leadership in its visits to notable Nigerians would be Obasanjo’s residence.

Buhari said APC will meet Obasanjo and explain to him the reason for the formation of the party.

A source noted that the team to Obasanjo will be comprise of select leader of the party and some governors.

“The visit in happen tomorrow. Select leaders of APC will visit Obasanjo tomorrow. Some APC governors will also be there,” he said. The source however did not mention the names of the APC leaders, who will be part of the delegation, but noted that it would include largely the same set of the party’s leaders that had visited other former Heads of State such as Gen. Abdulsalami Abubakar and Gen. Ibrahim Babangida.

Apart from the Interim National Chairman of APC, Chief Bisi Akande, other leaders such as former governor of Lagos State, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Gen. Muhammadu Buhari and Dr. Ogbonnaya Onu are expected to be part of the delegation to Obasanjo.