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.

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