NICKI MINAJ & TAYLOR SWIFT IN WAR OF WORDS OVER VMA NOMINATIONS.

The 25-year-old singer and the 32-year-old rapper got into a war of words on Twitter, with the ‘Blank Space’ hitmaker initially accusing Nicki of pitting “women against each other” after the ‘Anaconda’ hitmaker admitted she felt snubbed after only receiving three nominations ahead of the upcoming awards ceremony.

Shortly after the nominations were announced on Tuesday (21.07.15), Nicki tweeted: “Hey guys @MTV thank you for my nominations. Did ‘Feeling Myself’ miss the deadline or…?

“If I was a different ‘kind’ of artist, ‘Anaconda’ would be nominated for best choreo and vid of the year as well.

LIONEL MESSI IS IN DEEP MESS - ACCUSED OF RECEIVING £2.4M FROM CORRUPT GABONESE PRESIDENT TO LAY A STONE AT A STADIUM.

Lionel Messi received at least £2.4million in cash for supporting one of the most corrupt dictators in Africa, it was claimed on Tuesday.

The 28-year-old football superstar caused outrage at the weekend when he arrived in Gabon, the former French colony, as a guest of president Ali Bongo.

Wearing Bermuda shorts and a T-shirt, and showing off his new tattoos, Messi was officially laying the foundation stones for a new stadium in the city of Port-Gentil.

MY LIFESTYLE IS AN ILLUSION, I TAKE THE JEWELRIES & CARS BACK TO THE STORE- 5O CENT TESTIFIES.

After filing for bankruptcy last week, 50 Cent, whose real name is Curtis Jackson, appeared in a Manhattan Supreme Court on Tuesday morning to testify that he is not as wealthy as his flashy lifestyle makes him appear to be.

While Forbes estimated the rapper's fortune to be about $155 million in May, Jackson's lawyer said in court Tuesday that his client's worth is $4.4 million, which presents a problem after he was hit last week with a $5 million verdict for publishing a sex tape starring rival Rick Ross' ex-girlfriend.

Jackson explained in court that while his social-media accounts may be filled with flashy photos, "I take the jewelry and the cars back to the stores," according to the New York Daily News.

GORDON OBUA FORMER CSO OF JONATHAN REFUTES RUMOURS OF DEATH.

The Chief Security Officer of former President Goodluck Jonathan, Gordon Obua, has refuted rumours that he had died.

Mr. Obua was rumoured to have passed away in the custody of State Security Services. He is a staff of the organisation, and was detained last week.

Mr. Obua’s lawyer said Monday that the former president’s chief guard was in poor health and was held for no clear reasons and without a charge.

LESSONS PRESIDENT BUHARI CAN LEARN FROM OBAMA ABOUT MANAGING A TOUGH ECONOMY.

It is atypical for an American president to invite a nascent African head of state to the White House, especially less than one month after the latter's inauguration.

To some observers, therefore, U.S. President Barack Obama's invitation of his Nigerian counterpart, Muhammadu Buhari, for a White House parley scheduled for July 20 would seem to be an aberration and a surprise. But an analysis of both leaders' circumstances suggests that such a meeting is a no-brainer.

BURUNDI CRISIS - PRESIDENT PIERRE NKURUNZIZA SEEKS 3RD TERM AMIDST PROTESTS.

PRESIDENT PIERRE NKURUNZIZA

Polls opened in Burundi on Tuesday for a controversial presidential election where sitting leader Pierre Nkurunziza is seeking an unprecedented third term despite calls against his candidacy.

Scattered gunfire could be heard in the streets of the capital, Bujumbura, and ballot casting was light in the first hours after polling stations opened.

Overnight, two people -- a police officer and a civilian -- were killed in separate incidents in pre-election violence, authorities said.

FORMER HEAD OF SERVICE STEPHEN ORONSAYE GRANTED BAIL ON SELF RECOGNITION.

A Federal High Court on Tuesday granted bail to a former Head of Service of the Federation, Mr. Stephen Oronsaye‎ on self-recognition.

But the trial judge, Justice Gabriel Kolawole, granted bail to Oronsaye’s co-accused, Osarenkhoe Afe, in the sum of N50m with two sureties, one of whom must not be less than Grade Level 16 in either federal or state government establishments.

The judge also ruled that one of Afe’s sureties must have property worth N75m within Abuja.

I WILL FORM A CABINET IN SEPTEMBER - PRESIDENT BUHARI.

President Muhammadu Buhari on Monday said it would neither be prudent nor serve the interests of sound government for him to have formed his cabinet immediately he was inaugurated on May 29.

He said it was necessary for the country to first put new rules of conduct and good governance in place before he could make critical appointments into his government.

Buhari made the clarification in his article titled, “Nigeria committed to good governance and fighting terror”, published by the Washington Post ahead of his historic meeting with President Barack Obama of United States.

SAMBO DASUKI HAD 5 BULLET PROOF CARS & DESTRUCTIIVE WEAPONS IN HIS HOUSE - DSS.

Nigeria’s Department of State Services (DSS) has stated that it found five bullet proof cars and destructive weapons in the houses of former National Security Adviser, Col. Sambo Dasuki, in Abuja and Sokoto following a simultaneous search.

Dasuki who has been accused of having plans to commit treasonable felony against the Nigerian state prevented DSS operatives from carrying out their duty even after he was presented with a search warrant.

“Twelve exotic vehicles were retrieved from Dasuki’s residence having failed to produce evidence of ownership. For instance, what could he be doing with five bullet proof cars as a retired NSA? These cars, which from all available evidence, were purchased with tax payers’ money were being kept for possible sinister enterprise,” a statement signed by an official of the DSS, Tony Opuiyo read.

TENSION IN SSS AS NEW DG DEMOTES ABOUT 100 OFFICERS.

There is growing disaffection  in the Department of State Security Service (DSS)  following the decision of the new Director General, Lawal Daura, to reverse the promotion of about 100 officers carried out by his predecessor, Ekpeyong Ita, and approved by the Jonathan administration.

Also, a  Deputy Director and spokesperson of the department, Mrs. Marylin Ogar, has been redeployed to Maiduguri, to serve in the DSS component of the Military Command and Control Centre.

It was  gathered that the officers, who had suffered stagnation  for years and promoted by Ita are mostly those who put their lives on the line for the nation and were engaged in deadly  operations.

#MTVMAMA2015 LIST OF AWARD WINNERS.

2015 MTV Africa Music Awards Winners:

Best Female: Yemi Alade (Nigeria)

Best Male: Davido (Nigeria)

Best Group: P-Square (Nigeria)

Best New Act Transformed by Absolut:Patoranking (Nigeria)

PRESS RELEASE - KING OF THE CONSOLE. #KINGOFTHECONSOLE.

Lagos is set to host a new premium gaming event as King of the Console comes to town. The event, put together by sports media and marketing experts is created to give an outlet to many football lovers and enthusiasts with a passion for gaming. 

With many familiar with the FIFA PlayStation football games, King of the Console will pit 16 of the finest gamers against each other in a tournament format as the gamers compete against each other for bragging rights. 

The star prize is a staggering N50,000 with the second placed gamer going home with N20,000. The third gamer will win N10,000. 

The event will be a mix of gaming, music and fun as the organizers are planning a secret celebrity match-up which will see two of your favourite celebs go head to head as well! 

SUICIDE BOMBERS KILL 60 IN GOMBE & DAMATURU.

Two suicide bombers killed at least 12 people in the northeastern Nigerian town of Damaturu on Friday, said police spokesman Gbadegesin Joshua Toyin. The attackers, who were also killed in the blasts, struck near a Muslim prayer ground, he said, adding that the number of people wounded isn't clear yet.

At least 48 people were killed and dozens more were wounded in two simultaneous bombings that ripped through a market in northeastern Nigeria on Thursday, a Red Cross official said.

One of the blasts was caused by a female suicide bomber, the other by a bomb hidden at the market in the city of Gombe, the official said.

THE QUESTIONS OKONJO IWEALA COULD NOT ANSWER - ADAMS OSHIOMHOLE

Governor Adams Oshiomhole of Edo State has said that there is nothing ‘personal’ between him and former Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala.

The Edo State Governor in a statement signed by Kassim Afegbua, Special Adviser, Media and Public Affairs, to the governor, on Thursday said the questions asked were: how come those accruals into the Excess Crude Account got depleted without the knowledge of the National Economic Council?

See full text after the cut..

WIZKID DASHES TANIA'S HOPE. DECLARES HE IS SINGLE AGAIN!!!.

Ayo Balogun, popularly known as Wizkid has declared that he is single again. The superstar father of one who has been dating his girlfriend Tania Omotayo for many years shocked many fans when he posted that he is 25, single & enjoying life.

It is hard to understand if this is just a way of putting people off his relationship.

Tania shine your eyes... 

SECURITY AGENTS INVADES EX-NSA SAMBO DASUKI'S HOME IN RELATION TO MISAPPROPRIATION OF DEFENCE FUNDS

Barely five days after being removed from office, the former National Security Adviser, Col. Sambo Dasuki (retd) is being trailed by security agents.

A source privy to the matter said that many armed operatives of the Department of State Security Service, DSS, in four unmarked trucks, swooped on the home of the retired military officer frisking everyone around his Asokoro residence.

A close source hinted that the operatives who appeared to be acting on higher instructions were after Dasuki in connection with the amount of money said to have been spent under his watch as NSA since his appointment by ex-President Goodluck Jonathan in 2012.

SENATOR SHEHU SANI DISTRIBUTES CAMELS, COWS & FOODSTUFF WORTH OVER N15M TO HIS CONSTITUENCY.

The Senator representing Kaduna Central Senatorial disctrict, Shehu Sani, on Thursday, distributed camels and cows to seven Local Government under his zone.

He said he was giving out 12 camels and eight cows in addition to foodstuffs worth over N15 million that has already been distributed during the month of Ramadan.

“In the last 28 days, my office has been involved in a programme of feeding the poor in the seven LGAs of my zone and to my own very ward for them to celebrate Salllah with it. Today I am here to share 12 camels and eight to people within my senatorial district.

“This is in addition to foodstuffs of over N15 million distributed since the beginning of Ramadan till date,” he said.

He said he was distributing camels “because camels symbolize endurance, resilience and courage and this is what all Nigerians need at this very time of Sallah event”.

He expressed hope that the distribution would encourage all elected representatives to do all they can to help the poor at this very time of need when the country is passing through a very difficult moment in its history.

“I am here in fulfillment of that very promise to feed my people and to make sure the Sallah turns out to be a memorable one for them and their families.I promised that, this will continue to be for the period that, I will continue to serve as a senator.

“This is what we need to do to help the poor even though there was a saying that the poor should be taught how to fish and not to give them fish, but the the poverty in Nigeria has reached a humanitarian state where you need to give them fish to be able to fish,”

Mr. Sani, while presenting the gifts to representatives of the LGAs at Zango Livestock market in Tudun Wada, Kaduna, dispelled speculation about his ambition to run for governorship of Kaduna State in 2019.

He said, “People are saying that I am taking advantage of assisting people as a plan for 2019 governorship race. For now, my very important focus is to see how I use the opportunity of my senatorial seat to serve my people in conformity with the pledges and promises I made to them before the 2015 election.

“You can’t stop people from talking and praying for you, but for now I want to make sure that I please and appease them.”

PRESIDENT BUHARI DISSOLVES BOARD OF PARASTATALS, AGENCIES & INSTITUTIONS.

President Muhammadu Buhari has approved the dissolution of the Governing Boards of Federal Parastatals, Agencies and Institutions.

According to a statement by President Buhari’s Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Femi Adesina, the dissolution is with effect from today, July 16, 2015.

Until the boards are reconstituted, Chief Executive Officers of the affected parastatals, agencies and institutions are to refer all matters requiring the attention of their boards to the President, through the Permanent Secretaries of their supervising ministries.

While the dissolution does not affect Federal Executive Bodies listed in the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, it covers administrative or technical committees and other similar organs established by the now dissolved boards.

CAITLYN JENNER'S WINS COURAGE AWARD AMIDST OUTBURST.

Caitlyn Jenner tearfully thanked her family while accepting the Arthur Ashe Courage Award on Wednesday at the ESPYs in Los Angeles.

The 65-year-old honoree made her first major public appearance at the awards show since announcing her transitioning to a woman during an April tell-all interview with Diane Sawyer.

Caitlyn got tearful toward the end of her 25-minute acceptance speech in which she gave a heartfelt appeal on behalf of trans youth.

'Trans people deserve something vital,' she said. 'They deserve your respect.'

PASTOR SENT TO 12 MONTHS IN JAIL FOR REFUSING TO JOIN GAY COUPLES.

A pastor at the Christian Proctor Church in Vermont, has been sentenced to one year in federal prison after refusing to marry gay couples. This comes shortly after the Supreme Court’s 5-4 decision ruling that states must allow gay-marriage.

The Christian Pastor, 56-year-old Paul Horner, had his lawyer speak to reporters on his behalf.

“We are currently disputing the guilty verdict and I am confident my client will be a free man here shortly,” said attorney Tom Downey. “Horner was just using his best judgement according to his rights and religious freedom in this country.”