Obasanjo, Jonathan meet over breakfast in Kenya

Former President Olusegun Obasanjo paid a surprise visit to President Goodluck Jonathan in his hotel in far away Nairobi, Kenya on Thursday.

Both leaders are guests of President Uhuru Kenyatta, who invited them and other African leaders, past and present, for the 50th independence anniversary of Kenya.

Kidnappers take turn to rape female pastor in Lagos

The Lagos State Police Command has arrested a gang of kidnappers who abducted a female pastor for ransom and took turn to rape her.

The gang was said to have been busted after the pastor escaped naked from the kidnappers’ den.

She was said to have screamed as she ran out of the den until residents in the area came out from their respective apartments to know what was going on. She was later taken to the Area N Police Command, Ijede in Ikorodu.

Jonathan’s record does not qualify him for another term – Atiku

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has said although he was not competent to speak on former President Olusegun Obasanjo’s letter to President Goodluck Jonathan because he was not privy to the communication, it was expedient for leaders consulted by the former president before the publication of the letter to intervene and reduce the tension created by the weighty allegations.

Spelling errors stall Bill in Senate

Consideration of the Bill seeking more powers for the National Sugar Development Council was stalled at Thursday's Senate plenary due to some spelling and numbering errors.

Entitled: National Sugar Development Council Act 2004 Amendment Bill 2013, it was sponsored by Senator Nenadi Usman (PDP-Kaduna).

It had passed second reading and was sent to the Senate Committee on Industries for further legislative work.

However, during the consideration of the committee’s report at Thursday’s plenary, some senators observed some errors in the bill and asked that it should be sent back to the committee for fine tuning. 

Usman told newsmen that the errorswere minor and the committee would need just a few hours to correct them. “What needs to be done will take the committee just a few hours or at most a day because it was just some numberings that we didn’t get right and some spelling errors, which we will correct,” Usman said.She said the exercise was only an amendment to strengthen an existing law, which was weak, in order to give the council powers to deliver on its mandate.  

Usman said: “This is just an amendment because there is an existing Act setting up the National Sugar Development Council.“The council has not been achieving much because the Act that set it up was a bit weak in some areas.”Usman recalled that the Minister of Trade and Investment, Olusegun Aganga, had, alongside major stakeholders in the sugar industry, worked on the National Sugar Master Plan. She, however, added that the master plan on its own could not deliver what Nigerians sought to achieve in the sugar industry.She added: Nigerians seek to have backward integration in the industry.“That is having more people employed.“But with the plan alone, it’s not going to work.“So, what the plan needs is for it to be backed by a very strong bill hence this bill.”The chairman was optimistic that when the amendment becomes effective, the council would live up to its responsibilities because major stakeholders in the sugar industry had made inputs into the Act.Usman said: “We didn’t just, as a committee, sit down and work on this amendment.“We invited major stakeholders, including the board itself and the minister, to make inputs.“This means that everyone who should make an input has made an input, that is all those who know about the sugar industry.”

The Senate President, David Mark, had on May 22 said the N228.5 billion claimed to have been used for sugar importation within three years was alarming.Mark made the remark at the second reading of the bill, adding that this could be described as “a classic example of policy failure”.

Over 200 Bankers Lose Jobs in Enterprise Bank and Keystone Bank

Due to the rationalization exercise that was recently carried out by Enterprise Bank and Keystone Bank, over 200 staff members of both banks have lost their jobs   On the 2nd of December Enterprise bank rolled out a list comprising of a 150 staff members that were affected by the rationalization excersie which according to the bank's management was done in order to achieve effective service. Worst hit by the retrenchment exercise are the Lagos Island branches of the bank. Spokesman for the bank, Olusola Longe-Okenimkpe says the rationalization exercise was carried out to identify resource optimization.

Lawyer, colleague die in car with engine running

Eagle Online has reported; 

Tragedy struck in Asaba, the Delta State capital, on Thursday following the puzzling way a lawyer and his colleague dies at a popular roundabout in their steaming Toyota Camry car in the state.The casualties, seated in the neatly parked steaming car, with registration number FGG 931 AE, along the road, after negotiating the roundabout, left the air-conditional system on and dozed to death. 

Within the twinkle of an eye, the victims started gasping and foam was seen coming out from their mouth and nos. The disaster had since thrown members of the state chapter of the Nigerian Bar Association into sorrow. Hundreds of passersby and government officials abandoned their duty posts and trooped to the scene to catch a glimpse of the misfortune.

Obasanjo spoke the minds of Nigerians, Jonathan should resign – CNPP

The Conference of Nigerian Political Parties, CNPP, has asked President Goodluck Jonathan to resign “because Obasanjo has clearly spoken the minds of all Nigerian and it is clear that Nigerians have lost faith in this administration.”

The Benue state chairman of the CNPP, Mr. Baba Agan who Thursday reacted in Makurdi, the Benue state capital, to the 18 page letter that was written to President Goodluck Jonathan by former a President Obasanjo said “the letter was explicit enough and it has actually opened the eyes of all Nigerians to how this administration is underdeveloping our country.

'I had Szchizophrenia attack' Mandela memorial sign interpreter says

34 Year Old Tamsanqa Jantjie who was ACCUSED to be "fake" in his sign interpretation at Nelson Mandela's memorial has defended himself, saying that he had a schizophrenic attack during the ceremony hence his senseless signs. He said he started hearing voices & was hallucinating while on stage with world leaders.

"There was nothing I could do. I was alone in a very dangerous situation. I tried to control myself and not show the world what was going on. I am very sorry. It's the situation I found myself in," He told the paper. He said he was on medication for Schizophrenia and wondered why he still had the attack

He also spoke with a SA based radio station, where he was asked if he was satisfied with his performance, he replied "Absolutely, absolutely. I think that I've been a champion of sign language".

Former NEMA Spokesman Yushau Shuaib Sues Okonjo-Iweala, Others For Inducing His Premature Retirement

Minister for Finance Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala

For the hasty and arbitrary manner in which he was retired after 20 years of meritorious and unblemished career in the federal civil service, Mr. Yushau Shuaib has dragged the Federal Civil Service Commission (FCSC), Federal Ministry of Information and Minister of Finance, Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala to the National Industrial Court for redress.

Fracas In Rivers State House Of Assembly

A man whose head was allegedly broken by Police during the fracas

Nigeria’s Rivers State Police Command today freely used teargas to disperse 22 lawmakers, who had come to the Assembly Complex to sit, following a court order yesterday that invalidated the appropriation of its functions by the National Assembly.

A cute photo of Yemi Sax and family!

 

Talented saxophonist, Yemi Adeosun, popularly known as Yemi Sax has every reason to be thankful.  He has been enjoying a blossoming career.  This year, God blessed him with a beautiful wife and a lovely son as well.

Photo Of Basketball King Lebron James And Wife’s Sexy Honeymoon Snap

American professional basketball player LeBron Raymone James aka “King James” and wife Savannah Brinson were high school sweethearts. They got married September 14, 2013 and have two sons( LeBron James, Jr. and Bryce Maximus James) together.

Can You Change Church To Please Your Partner? Celibrities Answers From Some Nigerian Celebrities

It has become a disturbing issue among married couples when it comes to changing your place of worship in order to please your partner. Most times , the man has always been the one on the receiving end, while the woman doesn't. Here is what celebrities had to say to on this issue;
Why not?--- Angela Okorie, Actress

In as much as we are worshiping the same God, I will definitely follow him. Why won't I do that?

Mercy Johnson Turns Food Hawker On Movie Set(Photos)

The mother of one has made leading ladies and a-listers in Nollywood look like amateur since her return from maternity… Mercy Johnson recently released some photos from the set of 3 different movies she is currently shooting. 

More pix after the cut...

Nollywood stars join 2015 political campaigns …Desmond Elliot, Alex Okoroji, others on the list

2015 is around the corner and politicians are busy getting their campaign caps on. Don’t be shocked to hear that Nollywood is being dragged into it. Already, we have names like star actor, Desmond Elliot campaigning for Lagos politician, Jimi Agbaje, who is eyeing the state governorship. After Fashola’s.

Leading the team of campaigners who call themselves ‘Team Jaykay (Think Tank) are Alex Okoroji, Desmond Elliot, Benjamin Joseph, Gbenro Ajibade and a host of others.

Producer Teco Benson Hits At Actor Mike Ezuruonye For Absconding From Set

Movie director and producer; Teco Benson and Nigerian lead actor; Mike Ezuruonye are at log ahead now. It was unveiled that Mike abandoned the set of Teco’s new film titled "Centrifugal Force", thus halting the movie’s production.

Pastor of 107 years old marries 30years old lady(must read)

Founder of Gospel Apostolic Church (Samuel Akinbode Sadela); 107 years old is said to be Nigeria's oldest preacher and has been on the pulpit for 75 years. He first got married in 1934, and the marriage lasted for 21 years but none of the couple's seven children lived beyond their infancy.

A second marriage, consummated in 1965, was blessed with four children, but only two survived. His second wife died in 2001. And then he met the new woman of his life, 77 years his junior

D’banj ‘Hitting Hard’ A Female Dancer On Stag

Entertainment baba! Ose!!

Another Nollywood Veteran Actor, Olumide Bakare Down With Heart Problem

Nollywood is having one of its best on the sick bed again. Veteran actor, Olumide Bakare, is said to be down with a heart related illness now and looks weak.

The famous ‘Chief Koko’ of the infamous ‘Koko Close’ TV series of the early 80s, we learnt, was recently admitted into a hospital due to the severity of the ailment.

Respect fellow Elder statesmen, Tukur tells Obasanjo

NATIONAL Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Alhaji Bamanga Tukur yesterday urged former President Olusegun Obasanjo to respect his fellow Elder Statesmen and patriots following the way he carries out personal attacks and vituperation on people in exalted positions.

Reacting to Chief Obasanjo’s 18- page letter to President Goodluck Jonathan on the high level of corruption and inept leadership as well as attack on PDP national chairman, Alhaji Bamanga Tukur who stressed the need for Obasanjo to tread with caution, however described his criticisms and lampoon as unexpected and unfortunate.

'I Inherited A Collapsed Aviaiton Sector’ – Oduah

Nigeria’s Aviation Minister, Stella Oduah, says that the aviation sector was in total collapse when she assumed duty as minister and has made efforts to reposition the sector to meet global standards.

The minister’s comment came as she responded to questions from the senate committee on aviation on Tuesday.

ASUU Signs MOU With FG To Call Off Strike In A Week

The Federal Government and the leadership of Academic Staff Union of Universities, ASUU, led by its President Dr. Nasir Fagge yesterday, signed Memoradum of Understanding on the restructured 2009. Agreement.

ASUU President, Dr. Nasir. Fagge said the document signed would be presented to the union to take an affirmative stand on the suspension of the 5 months old industrial action.

He said with the signing of the MOU the 5month old strike would be suspended in a week’s time.

Nelson Mandela Memorial: Sign Interpreter Was Fake.. "He Was a Complete Fraud"

The sign language interpreter at Nelson Mandela's memorial service was "a fake" who merely flapped his arms around during speeches", South Africa's deaf community has said.

South Africa's deaf federation has confirmed that an interpreter using sign language during the Mandela memorial was a "fake".

Concerns over the male interpreter had been raised by deaf people watching the service at Johannesburg's FNB Stadium on Tuesday.

Bruno Druchen, national director of the Deaf Federation of South Africa, said the unidentified man who was on stage alongside world leaders including US President Barack Obama, "was moving his hands around but there was no meaning in what he used his hands for".

Julius Berger To Pay $32 million In US Corruption Charges For Bribing Nigerian Officials

Some board members of Julius Berger in Nigeria

The US Justice Department  and FBI said Tuesday the German-based international engineering company, Bilfinger SE, has agreed to pay a $32 million penalty for charges relating to violating the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act.

Bilfinger's Nigerian construction subsidiary, Julius Berger PLC was charged with bribing Nigerian government officials to obtain and retain contracts related to work for the Eastern Gas Gathering System (EGGS).  A project valued at $387 million.  

Former President Obasanjo Writes President Jonathan; 18-page letter titled "Before it is too late"

Ex-President Olusegun Obasanjo has written what clearly competes as one of the most acerbic letters in modern history to President Goodluck Jonathan, accusing him of ineptitude and of taking actions calculated at destroying Nigeria.

“Nigeria is bleeding and the hemorrhage must be stopped,” Mr. Obasanjo said in the 18-page letter dated December 2, 2013 and exclusively obtained by PREMIUM TIMES Tuesday.

He said Mr. Jonathan has failed to deliver on his promises to the Nigerian people, stem corruption, promote national unity and strengthen national security.
He said in the letter titled “Before it is too late” that rather than take steps to advance Nigeria’s interest and up the standards of living of Nigerians, Mr. Jonathan had betrayed God and the Nigerian people that brought him to power, and has been pursuing selfish personal and political interests based on advice he receives from “self-centred aides”.

Teacher Slashed With Machete In Osun State As Fighting Breaks Out Over Educational Reforms

Fakunle High School

Osun State parents and students are protesting the new educational reforms as fighting are breaking out. 

As earlier revealed by SaharaReporters, the new education reforms policy not only merged schools with different missions and faiths but re-classified grades which is causing students to fight each other over seniority.  

The re-classifying policy brought students at one higher class together with those in a junior class with senior students exercising their authority over the junior ones.

Fighting has been breaking out all over the state.  

NNPC denies not accounting for N7.90trn in oil revenue

Lamido Sanusi says the NNPC only remitted 24 per cent of the N10.35 trillion (about $63.5 billion) earned from crude oil sales between January 2012 and July 2013

The Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) has dismissed the Central Bank of Nigeria’s (CBN) allegation that it is withholding N7.90 trillion ($49.8 billion) in revenue from the sale of crude oil which should have been paid into government accounts under law.

Omar Ibrahim, a spokesman for the state oil company known as NNPC, said in a statement on Tuesday that the CBN’s assertion “is borne out of misunderstanding of the workings of the oil and gas industry and the modality for remitting crude oil sales revenue into the Federation Account”.

Zamfara sacks 400 striking nurses

Nurses on Industrial Action

The Zamfara State Government has announced the sack of over 400 nurses and midwives, who went on strike over pay, accusing them of leaving their duty posts without permission.

The state’s Commissioner for Information, Ibrahim Magaji announced the decision in a statement on Wednesday in Gusau.

The health workers had been on an indefinite strike since last Wednesday, over the alleged non-implementation of CONHESS by the state government.

FAAN returns passenger’s missing luggage, $8,500

Yakubu Dati

The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) said on Wednesday that it had returned 8,500 dollars (about N1.4 million) misplaced by a passenger at the Murtala Mohammed International Airport, Ikeja.

The General Manager, Public Affairs of FAAN, Yakubu Dati, told journalists in Ikeja that the amount was in a luggage misplaced by the owner, Titilayo Onabokun.

He said that Mrs Onabokun, who resides in the U.S., had misplaced her luggage at the airport while flying to Georgia, on November 10.

Angelina Jolie's Plane Banned by FAA

Angelina Jolie has reportedly been banned from flying her private plane after failing to renew its registration in time. The certificate to the 38-year-old movie star's red-and-white Cirrus SR-22 has expired on June 30.

According to NY Times' Page Six, FAA documents noted that a renewal application was sent to the agency but it arrived too late. FAA sent a letter to Jolie's Chivan Productions at the beginning of September that they could not process the renewal because application did not arrive in time.