NO PLANS TO INCREASE FUEL PRICE - FG

The Federal Government said, yesterday, that it had no plans to increase the pump price of Premium Motor Spirit, PMS, popularly known as petrol from the prevailing pump price of N97 per litre, describing the growing fear of imminent price hike as unfounded.

Equally, what appeared to be a major change in policy, the Federal Government, yesterday, said it has no plans to sell any of the country’s refineries.

Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Dr Reuben Abati, who spoke on the issue, also said that if selling the refineries was the basis for the plan by the junior oil workers to embark on strike, then the action would be fruitless.

Dispelling fears of pump price hike, the Department of Petroleum Resources, DPR, said in a statement that all its offices nationwide had stepped up surveillance and monitoring of all products retail outlets to ensure and enforce compliance, stressing that all defaulters will be sanctioned in accordance with the law.

DPR reiterated that all petroleum product marketers must continue to sell at government approved prices. It said: “The DPR wishes to inform the general public that the Federal Government of Nigeria has not and does not intend to increase petroleum product prices contrary to speculations by some members of the public.

“Consequently, all petroleum product marketers are hereby advised to sell at government approved prices and desist from hoarding, thereby causing artificial scarcity and hardship to consumers. “The DPR wishes to reiterate that there is adequate supply of petroleum products nationwide.

PREMIER LEAGUE.COM TEAM OF 2013

The criteria for selection was that all candidates must have played or managed in the Barclays Premier League throughout 2013, thereby ruling out the likes of Gareth Bale (who was sold by Tottenham Hotspur in the summer), Sir Alex Ferguson (who retired in May), and Dejan Lovren, who signed for Southampton in June.

Everton are the most heavily represented Barclays Premier League club, with four Blues defenders included among the back five, while the peerless 82 points Arsenal amassed during 2013 meant that two players from the North London side made the grade, in addition to their manager Arsene Wenger.

There were also two players selected from both Manchester City - Yaya Toure and Sergio Aguero - and Liverpool - Steven Gerrard and Luis Suarez-  and one from the 2012/13 Barclays Premier League champions, Manchester United - Michael Carrick. 

RIVERS STATE HOUSE OF ASSEMBLY MAJORITY LEADER CHIDI LLOYD ARRESTED FOR MURDER

The Leader of the Rivers State House of Assembly, Mr. Chidi Lloyd, has been arrested for the alleged murder of his kinsman, Mr. Kingsley Ejeuo and a police sergeant, Urang Obediah.

Lloyd was purportedly arrested on his way to join the state Governor, Mr. Rotimi Amaechi, in his private jet in order to escape justice. A statement sent via by the State Police Public Relations Officer, Mr. Ahmad Mohammad, specified that Lloyd knocked down Obediah while pursuing Ejeuo, identified to be his political opponent.

OAU GRADUATE HANGS HIMSELF BECAUSE HIS GIRLFRIEND'S FATHER DID NOT SUPPORT THEIR RELATIONSHIP

LATE ADEBAMBO

In what could be described as a very spiritual tragedy, the Ikorodu town, Lagos State, western Nigeria, was thrown into mourning on New Year day when a graduate of Architecture, Ogunsona Daniel Adekunle Adebambo, committed suicide by hanging himself in an uncompleted storey building.

Read more from PM News..................

The suicide is coming on the heels of the controversy surrounding the death of a mother of two, Mrs. Ibironke Sanni, 31, who allegedly committed suicide two weeks ago by gulping Sniper insecticide in Sholebo Estate, Ikorodu, over her husband’s alleged infidelity.

The body of Adebambo was found around 1 a.m. yesterday dangling from a rope tied to the hook of a fan in an uncompleted storey building at 1, Alice Ogunsona Street, Hilltop Estate, Eruwen, Ikorodu.

P.M.NEWS investigations revealed that Adebambo, 30, studied Architecture at the Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU) and did his national service in Abia State.

The deceased was found by his younger brother after reading the suicide note he left in their sitting room.

He allegedly blamed his action on his girlfriend’s father who refused to allow him marry his daughter.

WHAT HAPPENED TO PASTOR BIODUN'S ROBUST REPLY????

About 4 months ago, news of infidelity of a popular Abuja based pastor circulated around the social media. Ese Walter claimed that Pastor Biodun of COZA had a secret affair with her in a blog post she published. The Pastor neither accepted nor denied the claim, instead he promised a "ROBUST REPLY".

Ese Walter has since deleted the post while the response from  Pastor B is still not ROBUST enough to be published.

Many of us have moved on from the story but a publication caught my attention this afternoon which I deemed fit to share.

Ijabla Raymond wrote thus for Sahara Reporters..................

"It has been more than 4 months now since pastor Biodun Fatoyinbo of COZA ministries promised a “robust reply” to the scandal of sex allegation made against him by Miss Ese Walters, has anyone heard any reply at all? I gather he is still preaching and people are still going to his church.

2014 PROPHECY BY T.B. JOSHUA

Believe his prophecies or not, Prophet T.B Joshua have rolled out the 2014 edition of what has now become an annual prophecy for Nigeria. Read as obtained from PM News.

Prophet T.B. Joshua of The Synagogue Church Of All Nations (SCOAN) has declared 2014 as a year Nigeria’s corrupt leaders would go down. He spoke while ushering in 2014.

In a broadcast beamed live via the church’s popular television station Emmanuel TV, he first counselled believers to stay steadfast in faith despite the challenges that would arise in the coming year.

“We are tempted so that we may pray the more. Afflictions are meant for our spiritual benefit,” he told the congregants and television viewers.

Speaking further, he said: “This New Year 2014 is not like any other year in the past. It is a year of crossing the bridge. To cross the bridge, you need to grab onto faith. This is not going to be easy for the mighty. Many of the mighty will fall. Pray for them. The rich, famous and popular people – many will fall this 2014 because crossing the bridge is not going to be easy; they need God. Many of them believe it is their own making to be great in their own area of expertise.”

THE HEALING WATER IN ENUGU - GREG ODOGWU

A couple of weeks ago, a smartly dressed middle-aged man entered a bank premises in Enugu dragging a 25-litre jerry can filled with unspecified liquid content.

Because he looked awkwardly suspicious with his incongruous cargo, the security personnel at the bank insisted that the man opened the jerry can so they could ascertain the contents.That was when the customer unscrewed the can and simply told them, “I am just coming from Orimiri Jordan (River Jordan). I am here to

withdraw some money before heading for my village in Anambra State.”

That statement turned the man into a momentary celebrity. This is because he just came in from Nachi, a community located in Udi Local Government Area of Enugu State, where a mysterious stream which allegedly heals all kinds of ailments erupted from the ground. The security guards begged the man to give them some of his “miracle water”; and the man obliged them with some cupfuls.

WELCOME NOTE TO 2014 - IT SHALL BE A GREAT YEAR

Let me officially welcome you to year 2014 AD.

Indeed, being alive, hale and hearty cannot be exchanged with money or other valuables. Hence, we must as individuals, family, society, country, race and people give thanks to the giver of life.

This year promises to be an intriguing one politically in Nigeria and events within this year will no doubt determine how the other sectors will fare.

Set your goals for the year, highlight enhancers backed up with prayers to the GOD you believe in and you will not be disappointed.

Finally, we appreciate your support for this blog and be rest assured that we will keep getting better as we bring verified news and gist to you real time.

Regards.

Xantaplus

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.