Pope Francis Beats Miley Cyrus to Be TIME's Person of the Year

Pope Francis has been named TIME magazine's Person of the Year on Wednesday, December 11, meaning Miley Cyrus failed to take the coveted title. The Catholic church leader has been selected by editors of the magazine with consideration of a poll from its readers.

It was reported a while ago that Cyrus was leading the readers poll with 28 percent of the votes. She even scored a position on the Top 10 list which was revealed by the magazine's managing editor Nancy Gibbs on Monday. The only entertainer on the list, the 21-year-old singer thrived this year for her "Wrecking Ball" video which became a cultural phenomenon.

'Legacy Concert' For Mandela To Be Hosted By Some Nigerian Celebrities

 

On Wednesday, December 18, 2013, some celebrities in Nigeria will gather for 'Legacy Concert' in honour of late anti-apartheid leader, Nelson Mandela, who died on Thursday, December 5, 2013 at the age of 95.

The likes of D'Banj, 2Face Idibia, Darey Art-Alade, Burna Boy, Ikechukwu, Eldee the Don, Zaina, Mo Easy, Engage and Chioma have been penciled down to perform at the tribute concert.

Terry G’s Leather Pant Tears On Stage

#Run mad Master

Photo : Paul Okoye Flaunts His Fiancée Anita Isama And His Adorable Son

One word: Cute!

R Kelly's Q & A Sessions Haunts Him -- #AskRKelly

In the course of promoting his new gig, R.Kelly past initiated the Q & A session on twitter and here is what he gets:

I saw this wonderful pix of this couple and decided to share

#True Love#

Reps query N2.6bn deposit in CBN, FCMB

The House of Representatives Committee on Environment has queried the Ministry of Environment over allegations that it has lodged N2.6 billion at the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and a commercial bank, First City Monument Bank (FCMB) even with just a few months to the end of the year.

The committee said it was wrong for the money to be stashed away at a time numerous contractors were yet to be paid after doing over 60 percent of the jobs given to them. During an oversight function of the committee, a member, Hon. Pat Asadu (PDP-Enugu), said he was ready to waive his immunity and personally drag the ministry to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for corruption.

I Didn’t Love Mandela At First Sight —Widow

Nelson Mandela’s widow Graca Machel, has disclosed that her first encounters with the global icon cannot be described at love at first sight.

Machel who barely left her husband’s bedside in the final six months of his life, said her first encounters with Mandela wasn’t love at first sight.

“It wasn’t love at first sight,” Machel said.

Housewife, Pastor Arrested For Murder In Edo

Nigerian police detectives from the Edo State Police Command have arrested and detained a housewife and her lover, a pastor, over the murder of her husband, Victor Nsongbunyo, a Deputy Manager with the Nigeria Petroleum Development (NPDC) Company, in Benin.

It was gathered that the woman and her deceased husband, a native of Cross River State, who was recently promoted to Deputy Manager in the company and was due to retire from service next year, had been having issues with the paternity of their children after he suspected the wife was having an extra marital affair with the Pastor.

It was also learnt that when he suspected that the pregnancy the wife was carrying was not from him, the deceased visited their home town to complain to his family and his in-laws. Consequently, the families resolved that a DNA test would be conducted after the wife gave birth to the child.

Lagos Residents Must Stop Burying Corpses in Residential Areas – Government

Lagos State Government warned residents of the state to desist from burying their dead in their compounds and comply with laws prohibiting burial of family members on private property located within their community.

The government made this call on December 9, 2013, Monday, stated such practice poses a major challenge for the authorities to relocate such corpses in the course of future road expansion and reconstruction projects in such areas.

At the same time, Governor Babatunde Fashola of Lagos State has disclosed that over 200 roads had been constructed across the state within the last one year.

Dr. Obafemi Hamzat, the state Commissioner for Works and Infrastructure, gave the warning on burial to residents at Mushin Local Government Area of the state, shortly before Governor Babatunde Fashola, finally, handed over 16 completed networks of roads in the council totalling 10.127 kilometres.

Gov. Fashola in his remarks, appealed to residents to shun the culture of trading on roads and walk ways and other forms of activities that constitute nuisance on the roads.

EXCLUSIVE: Jonathan, Alison-Madueke, Okonjo-Iweala Guilty Of Diverting N8 Trillion Oil Funds

President Goodluck Jonathan and two of his top ministers may be attempting a cover-up on what clearly competes as Nigeria’s biggest fraud ever, involving the illegal diversion, or theft, of over N8 trillion crude oil sales proceeds.

In a memo to the president on September 25, 2013, Central Bank governor, Sanusi Lamido Sanusi detailed how government-owned oil firm, the Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC, had systematically diverted the huge sum, being sales proceeds between January 2012 and July 2013.

According to CBN governor, for all crude oil sales within the period, the NNPC paid only 24 percent proceeds into the federation account, and diverted or stole the remaining 76 percent-totalling N8 trillion.

ASUU strike: FG makes U-turn

  Nasir Fagge and Goodluck Jonathan

The Presidency said on Monday it was no longer interested in the December 9  deadline  it handed over to the striking university  teachers  to return to work.

Rather, it said it was satisfied with the lecturers’  level of compliance with  the  directive to them  to resume work or be sacked.

The Senior Special Assistant to President Goodluck Jonathan on Public Affairs, Dr. Doyin Okupe, said this while briefing journalists on the payment of the N200bn by the Federal Government into the “Revitalisation of Universities Infrastructure” account with the Central Bank of Nigeria.

Senate reverses decision on jail term for online critics

Nigeria Senate

The Senate on Tuesday rescinded its decision to pass a bill that seek to jail online critics of the government seven years. By this the Senate had bowed to pressure over criticisms that had greeted its proposed bill on electronic transactions and fraud detection,  which  stipulated a seven-year jail term for any user of social media who post information that threatened the security of the country.

Specifically,  section 13 (3) of the draft bill stipulates that “any person who intentionally propagate false information that could threaten the security of the country or that is capable of inciting  the general public against the government through electronic message shall be guilty of an offence and upon conviction,  shall be sentenced to seven years imprisonment, or a fine of N5m, or both.”

NDLEA arrests 442 suspected drug dealers in Anambra

Officials of National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) operating in Anambra State arrested 442 suspects and confiscated 409 kilogrammes of various narcotic substances between January and November 2013, Sule Momodu, the state Commander of the agency, disclosed on Monday in Awka at a news conference on the activities of the command during the period under review.

He said 275.944 kilogrammes of Cannabis, 130 kilogrammes of Psychotropic substance, 4.3 kilogrammes of Methamphetamine and 55.6 grammes of cocaine were seized from the suspects.

Enugu records 20 per cent drop in out-of-school children

The number of out-of-school children in Enugu State fell by 20 per cent between January and December 2013, Governor Sullivan Chime told the state’s house of Assembly on Tuesday.

Chime said the drop was due to the free basic education policy instituted for children in primary and junior secondary schools.

He said that available statistics showed that in 2013, the rate of school enrolment rose from 65 per cent to 85 per cent.

Chime said that more than 2,000 orphaned and vulnerable children in the state received educational empowerment from the state government in collaboration with some non-governmental organisations.

Jonathan’s inability to speak at Mandela’s memorial service is not an issue, says Presidency

Reuben Abati

The Presidency has said the inability of President Goodluck Jonathan to pay tributes to late Nelson Mandela at the state funeral service held in his honour at the FNB Stadium in Pretoria was not an insult to Nigeria as speculated.

It also described the public outcry that trailed the development as a case of worrying over something that was not an issue.

According to Special Adviser to the President on media and publicity, Dr. Reuben Abati, “This is obviously a further indication of a rising, minority tendency to read the negative into every official item.

“It was made clear at the occasion that the Chairman of the AU Commission, Dr. Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma will speak on behalf of African leaders and she did. I do not agree that Nigeria was insulted in any way. It was good that President Jonathan attended the memorial service and that Nigeria is in solidarity with the South Africans,” he added.

NIGERIA SNUBBED AT MANDELA MEMORIAL

The Nigerian president was not among the leaders that gave tribute during the memorial service of Nelson Mandela.

Despite leaving Nigeria early for the funeral of late South African leader, Nelson Mandela, President Goodluck Jonathan has been snubbed by the South African authorities at the State Memorial Service of the anti-apartheid leader.

An official release of programmes during the memorial service shows that the Nigerian president was missing on the list of world leaders billed to give tributes. The world leaders who will be giving tributes are, United State President, Barack Obama; President Dilma Rousseff of Brazil; Vice-President Li Yuanchao of China; President Hifikepunye Pohamba of Namibia; President Pranab Mukherjee of India; and President Raúl Castro Ruz of Cuba.

Other leaders billed to give tributes were the United Nations Secretary-General, Ban Ki-Moon; and the African Union Commission Chair, Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma.

ASUU Strike: FG withdraws ultimatum

Following the outcry of Nigerians and substantial compliance by some members of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), the Federal Government has withdrawn the ultimatum given to striking lecturers to resume in Universities or be sacked.

Dr. Doyin Okupe

The Senior Special Assistant (SSA) to the President on Public Affairs, Dr. Doyin Okupe, while speaking to journalists, displayed a letter, which was signed by the Deputy Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Mr Tunde Lemo and addressed to the Accountant General of the Federation. The letter confirmed that the total sum of two hundred billion Naira (N200 000 000 000) had been paid into a Revitalisation of Universities Infrastructure Account, as agreed in a meeting between ASUU and President Goodluck Jonathan on November 5, 2013.

"Nigerians Gave Me Bounced Cheques" --OJB Jezreel

Some months ago, there were calls made out to save ace singer-cum-producer, OJB Jezreel. Shortly after the passionate appeal to save his life from a kidney failure was made, some Nigerians took it upon themselves to help him raise the needed N16million for his treatment abroad.

Few days ago, OJB Jezreel returned from India, after a successful surgery in the Asian country. His wife was his saviour as she donated one of her kidneys to save her husband.

Speaking in an interview, OJB Jezreel revealed that some cheques issued by donors were bounced at the bank.

Kate Henshaw Weeps Uncontrollably on Nigeria’s Got Talent as Elderly Man Performs

She’s been mean all season, but Kate has now finally softening up.

Yesterday, Kate Henshaw burst out in tears on Nigeria’s Got Talent, as Simon, an aged singer from Benin performed.

His rendition of his original composition, ‘Small loaf’, got Kate laughing so hard till she started crying.

Upcoming Singer "Password" Wins N10m Porsche Cayman, Signs to Mavin Records

After struggling as an upcoming act, songwriter and producer Patrick Mathias better known as Password has finally gotten his well deserved break. The talented act has been announced as winner of  the MTN Songstar competition, walking away with a brand new Porshce and recording deal.

INEC Demands N2.2m To Make Anambra Electoral Documents Available To APC

The Independent National Electoral Commission in Anambra State is demanding an illegal sum of N2.2m to make certified true copies of electoral documents available to All Progressive Congress (APC), as ordered by the Governorship Election Petition Tribunal Awka, citing “hike in the price of materials.”

The memo was issued at the instance of the Resident Electoral Commissioner, Prof Chukwuemeka Onukogu, and could set a dangerous precedent for INEC work in the country.

In rather atrocious English, the memo said:

I’d Rather Drink Wine Than Take Water- Wole Soyinka

Wole Soyinka and son, Olaokun

Professor Wole Soyinka was his vintage self responding to questions about his life, activism, and muse amongst others during an interaction with four undergraduates at the just concluded Ake Arts and Book Festival in Abeokuta, Ogun State.

The audience broke into spontaneous applause as he walked briskly into the hall attired in his trademark collarless shirt and holding a jacket. They kept applauding till he climbed the stage. Then there was silence. Pin drop silence as he took his seat.

Though he had not yet uttered a word, it was as if the guests inside the Banquet Hall of June 12 Cultural Centre, Kuto, Abeokuta, Ogun State was aware of the scintillating performance that awaited and was thanking him in advance.

Funke Akindele, Ini Edo & BadGirl Sharon On Set

Photos from Nelson Mandela's Memorial Service; Not even the heavy rain could keep them away from coming to say "Goodbye!"

Today Dec. 10th witnessed the greatest gathering of world leaders in modern history. 91 Presidents of the world, including the US president, UK PM, and Cuba president attended the memorial service of late Dr. Nelson Mandela, at the FNB Stadium (Soccer City) in Johannesburg.

More photos after the cut;

Mandela's widow; Graca Machel & Barrack Obama

Mandela's former wife; Winnie Madikizela-Mandela (Left) and his widow; Graca Machel (Right)

Rapper The Game gets mocked on twitter because of his "Nelson Mandela's tatto"

The Game says:

The finished “Nelson Mandela” lookin out of the prison bars by @NikkoHurtado done on my side. 7 hour sitting…. Few more hours to tie in the tats around it & we solid. #NelsonMandela #RIP #Legend #Leader #Freedom #Peace #Equality #Tattoos #SouthAfrica

STRIKE: Why The Strike Will Continue –ASUU

Public university lecturers on Sunday insisted that they would not return to the classrooms on Monday (today).

They also accused the Federal Government of insincerity in its bid to resolve its dispute with the Academic Staff Union of Universities.

The President of ASUU, Dr. Nasir Fagge, confirmed this on Sunday via a Short Message Service  to an enquiry by The PUNCH.

The Federal Government had through the Executive Secretary of the National Universities Commission, Prof. Julius Okojie,  deferred its earlier ultimatum to the lecturers to resume work on Monday (today) or risk being sacked. The shift  was to enable them to participate in the burial of Prof. Festus Iyayi, a former president of ASUU on Saturday.

Before this , the Supervising  Minister of Education, Nyesom Wike, had advised  the striking lecturers to return to work on or before December 4 or face dismissal.

President Jonathan Goes To South Africa For Burial Of Nelson Mandela

President Goodluck Jonathan is going to South Africa on Monday for the burial of former South African President, Nelson Mandela, who passed away on December 5.

Jonathan will be accompanied by his contingent and the Supervising Minister of Foreign Affairs, Viola Onwuliri.

The beginning of Mandela’s burial picked up with South African national day of prayer and reflection on Sunday December 8.

On Tuesday, a national memorial service will be held across the South Africa. The official memorial service will take place at the FNB Stadium, Johannesburg. President of the country, Jacob Zuma, is expected to address the official service.

To pay the last respect to the world symbol of fight for freedom, heads of states from all over the world as well as representatives of international will attend the service.

Woman Confesses: "I Come To Lagos To Buy Stolen Babies"

Detectives at the State Criminal Investigation Department, Panti, Yaba, Lagos, western Nigeria have intensified efforts to recover all the stolen babies allegedly bought by an Onitsha-based human trafficker who was arrested in Lagos last Monday for purchasing a stolen two-year old baby.

Grace Onye (on the right) and her friend who needed a child

This followed the confessional statement made by the trafficker, Mrs. Grace Onye, 52. Onye told the police that she specialises in the illegal business of buying babies in Lagos for sale to those who required them.

In her confession, she admitted that it was not her first time of coming to Lagos to buy babies, adding that she had been coming to Lagos to buy babies in the past three years. She told the police that she sold all the babies to those in need, especially barren women.

Policemen Fearfully Locked Their Gates During My Abduction — GUO Motors boss

Chief Godwin Okeke

An Onitsha High Court in Anambra State, presided over by Justice Chudi Nwankwo has adjourned till Thursday, December 19, the continuation of cross-examination of the Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of G.U.O. Motors Limited, Chief Godwin Okeke, the first prosecution witness, PW1, in the on-going trial of three accused persons in connection with his kidnap on August 23,2009 at All Saints Anglican Church Cathedral, Onitsha.

The adjournment came after D. U. Nwafor, counsel to the second accused person, Ifeanyi Okafor, concluded his cross-examination on the complainant, Okeke, and midway into the cross-examination of Okeke by Mrs. Chinelo Okongwu, counsel to Alexander Onyinanya, the third accused person.

During the cross-examinations by the second and third defence counsel, Okeke noted that it was very difficult to track his kidnappers down after the incident, to the extent that the third accused person was arrested two years after because he was in hiding.