Family sells off Goldie’s belongings tomorrow

The family of late Big Brother Africa housemate and Hip hop star, Goldie Harvey will on Wednesday auction all her belongings. The family said this in a statement on Tuesday.

NCC orders MTN to reduce rates

TELECOMMUNICATIONS regulator, the Nigerian Communications Commission, has ordered MTN Nigeria to collapse the rates for its on-net and off-net voice services, which it said has a 300 per cent differential with effect from tomorrow, May 1.

Scientists close to finding cure for HIV/AIDS

Danish scientists are expecting results that will show that “finding a mass-distributable and affordable cure to HIV is possible”.
They are conducting clinical trials to test a “novel strategy” in which the HIV virus is stripped from human DNA and destroyed permanently by the immune system.

Borussia Dortmund vs Real Madrid: Can miracle happen?

 

As it stands, Jose Mourinho's men have a huge mountain to climb in the 2nd leg semi final match of this year's UEFA Champions League, following the 1-4 defeat to German power-house, Borussia Dortmund.

Ghanaian urinates in court over N550, 000 theft charge

 A Ghanaian, who was charged with theft of motorcycle spare parts valued N550,000, on Monday urinated in court when a two-count of offence of conspiracy and stealing was read to him.

Mohammed Daniel, 34, whose address is unknown, sells pastries (puff-puff).

Man jailed 45 years for stealing phone belonging to Osun State Governor

For stealing a N50,000 Sony Ericsson phone belonging to Governor Rauf Aregbesola, a 31-year-old Kelvin Ighodalo has been sentenced to 45-year imprisonment by an Osogbo High Court.

 

Ighodalo stole the phone from the pocket of Aregbesola on November 27, 2010, when the governor was being inaugurated at Government Technical College, Osogbo.

Nigeria's First Lady, Patience Jonathan Is Ill....Again - SaharaReporters

 

                   

Nigeria's First lady's Patience Faka Jonathan, has deteriorated again, becoming so critical that she has been from a proposed official visit to Namibia and South Africa to be embarked upon by her husband, President Goodluck Jonathan according to online media, SaharaReporters.

Number portability: Why most Nigerians may never port

The mobile number portability came into effect last week, Monday, April 22, 2013. With that, Nigerian mobile telephone users can now move from one network to another without losing their numbers. But there was not much excitement from Nigerians, in spite of the fact that the introduction of the MNP was meant to give them more freedom. The only news story concerning the MNP was that actor Saka–Hafiz Oyetoro – who was long associated with Etisalat Nigeria in most of the company’s TV commercials was shown in a TV commercial, on the same day the MNP started, dancing and singing that he had “ported” to a rival telecoms provider.

Imo pays stipends to school children

Imo State government has begun the payment of stipends to school children as well as distribution of school materials to public schools in the state.

While inaugurating the programme at Owerri City School, Governor Rochas Okorocha said the exercise was aimed at encouraging school children in their studies and further creating conducive environment for learning.

PICTURE OF THE DAY

This picture was taken 6-months after a Chinese firm, ZTE Corporation, reportedly completed the installation of Close Circuit Television Cameras (CCTV) in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja.

The contract was awarded to the Chinese company for $470 million and under the Umaru Yar'adua regime. The contract amount was reportedly increased by President Goodluck Jonathan.

However, a few months later the cameras and the solar panels installed to back them up have fallen apart.

More pictures below....

Tragedy As Family Of 7 Perish In Road Accident In Katsina

A ghastly motor accident has killed a family of seven on the Katsina-Kano road in Rimi Local Government Area of Katsina state.

The Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) for the Police Command in the state, Aminu Sadiq, told journalists that the accident happened on Saturday at about 8 p.m at Lambar-Rimi town.

Nigeria's Sydney Olympics gold medals arrive

The Nigeria Olympic Committee, NOC, secretariat erupted in celebration yesterday when they received the remaining five gold medals won by Nigeria’s 4X400 metres relay quartet at the 2000 Sydney Olympic Games following the disqualification of the USA team who were the original winners over dope violations.

Governor Fashola builds first suspension bridge in Nigeria

Lagos State Governor, Babatunde has finished building the first suspension bridge in Nigeria. The 1.358km bridge, which will link Ikoyi (Alexander Street) to Lekki (Admiralty Way), cost about N29 billion to build and a toll will be collected to recoup the investment. The link bridge was built by Julius Berger.

N-Delta students demand N150,000 annual assistance

COALITION of Niger Delta Students, CONDS, weekend, demanded that students of the region in tertiary institution across the country, who scored a minimum grade point average of 2.5 be paid N150,000 annually by the Ministry of Niger Affairs as Students’ Special Assistance Scheme, SSAS.
The student body, in a statement at the end of its quarterly joint executive meeting at Delta State University, Abraka, said the scheme, if introduced, “will go a long way to alleviate the sufferings of students from the Niger Delta region in their academic pursuits.”

Zamfara to boost Nigeria’s cotton production

Zamfara State Governor, Mr. Abdulaziz Abubakar, has stated that his administration will do everything possible to encourage farmers in the state to go into large scale agriculture, especially cotton production in order to restore the country’s lost glory in agriculture.

Amaechi is not above the law – Presidency

The Presidency has absolved President Goodluck Jonathan from the travails of the Rivers State Governor, Rotimi Amaechi, saying the governor is not above the law.

 

Special Adviser to the President on Political Matters, Mr. Ahmed Gulak, stated this at a briefing in Abuja on Monday on the grounding of Amaechi’s aircraft by the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority.

 

He added that Jonathan had no interest in who becomes chairman of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum.

Gulak, who said the president had not authorised any minister to canvass votes for him for 2015 presidential election, submitted that there was no plan to probe former President Olusegun Obasanjo’s administration.

PDP suspends Amaechi’s loyalists

The political forces against Governor Rotimi Amaechi of Rivers State cut sharper, yesterday, after 27 lawmakers loyal to the governor out of 32 in the State House of Assembly were suspended by the new leadership of the Peoples Democratic Party, PPD in the state. Their seats were immediately declared vacant.

Fake injection kills four in Benue

THE Director-General of the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control, NAFDAC, Dr. Paul Orhii, Monday, disclosed that four persons were allegedly killed in Gboko, Makurdi and Otukpo local government Areas of Benue State after fake procaine penicillin and gentamycin were administered on them.

Orhii who made this known at a one-day consumer awareness and sensitization forum in Gboko urged Nigerians to stand up against the fakers of drugs in Nigeria “because they are worsethan armed robbers.”

Nigerian Navy inaugurates website on crude oil theft

Following increased pipeline vandalism and oil theft in the Niger Delta, the Nigerian Navy has inaugurated a website on crude oil theft and pipeline vandalism.

Nigeria passing through a trying moment – Jonathan

President Goodluck Jonathan on Monday took a look at the various security challenges facing the country and returned a verdict: Nigeria is passing through a trying moment.

 

“This is quite a trying moment for this country in terms of security. A number of our police officers have lost their lives while serving their fatherland. We have challenges from the South to the North and from the East to the West. We sleep but some people will keep awake and these are the security personnel,” he said.

Don’t manipulate judiciary — Soyinka

Nobel Laureate, Prof Wole Soyinka, Monday, appealed to both the Federal and state governments not to manipulate the judiciary to avoid a complete breakdown of law and order in the country.

Professor Soyinka who spoke with newsmen at Government House, Port Harcourt noted that steps should be taken to overcome what he described as dark areas.

Stop Aba baby-making factory

THE discovery of a baby-making factory in Aba, the commercial hub of Abia State, by officials of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, early this month, draws attention to the nagging problem of the chilling child trafficking rings in the country. The existence of illegal baby markets, where infants are auctioned off to the highest bidder, is an evil that must be stopped. It is estimated that about 27 million people are trafficked worldwide annually, generating $32 billion in illegal profits, which makes it the fastest-growing black market in the world. According to a 2011 UNESCO report, human trafficking is ranked the third most common crime in Nigeria – after financial fraud and drug trafficking. The United Nations says at least 10 children are illegally sold every day across the country and the traffickers are seldom caught.

Community battle Lagos church over noise pollution

There seems to be no end in sight to the feud between residents of Mojisola Street, Ifako-Ijaiye, Lagos State and Evangelical Apostolic Church.

 

The residents are accusing the church, owned by Prophet Olatunji Talabi, aka Lesekese, of causing noise pollution in the area anytime it holds its services.

Student drags EFCC to court for character assassination

A university student, Mr Ifeanyi Okoye, on Monday dragged the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to a Federal High Court in Enugu for alleged character assassination.

Okoye, of Enugu State University of Science and Technology (ESUT), filed the suit alleging character assassination and a breach of his fundamental human rights.

Pirates abduct five expatriates in Bayelsa

Again, gunmen suspected to be pirates have attacked a German flag vessel and abducted five expatriates at 10 nautical miles, Middleton River, close to Sangana in Brass Local Government Area, Bayelsa State.

4 Friends Gang-Rape Woman In Lagos

A 24-year old woman (name withheld) has allegedly been raped by four friends in Olodi Apapa, Lagos State, southwest Nigeria.

Keshi Ranked 5th Best Coach In Africa, 27th In The World

Super Eagles coach, Stephen Keshi has moved one step on world coaches ranking for the national teams for the month of April. Keshi is rated the 27th best national coach in the world and the fifth best in Africa despite his triumphant run at the last Africa Cup of Nations in South Africa.

Gunmen bomb Ringim town in Jigawa, 5 Dead

No fewer than five people died during Sunday night attack on Ringim town, Jigawa state, northwest Nigeria.

Sources close to government and security agencies said three police men and two civilians were gunned down by suspected terrorists who invaded Ringim town at about 8 p.m. Sunday, attacking a Divisional Police station, a branch of Unity Bank and the residence of immediate past Inspector General of Police, Hafiz Ringim.

Al Qaeda threatens to hit France

France is “playing with fire” in Mali, the brother of Al-Qaeda’s chief said in an interview published Monday, warning that Islamic fighters would retaliate in the African nation and “on French territory”.
France launched a military offensive in Mali in January to help the army push back Islamic extremists who had taken hold of the north, and has now begun a phased withdrawal of its 4,500-strong force.

Accused bombed Thisday office with 12 gas cylinders – Witness

The Abuja Division of the Federal High Court, Monday, heard how an alleged member of the Boko Haram sect, Mustapher Umar, bombed office of the Thisday Newspaper in Kaduna State with 12 camp gas cylinders.

Late filing of opposition stalls hearing of al-Mustapha’s appeal

Hearing of the appeal by Maj. Hamza al-Mustapha, who was sentenced to death for the murder of Alhaja Kudirat Abiola, was on Monday stalled at the Court of Appeal, Lagos due to late filing of the state’s opposition in the case.

This came even as the convict’s supporters beseiged the courtroom like they used to do when the matter was being heard at the Lagos High Court, Igbosere which on January 30, 2012 sentenced him and Kudirat’s personal aide, Lateef Shofolahan, to death by hanging.

Angry Mob attacks PHCN Office Over Crazy Bill

An angry mob in Abaranje, Ikotun area Lagos State, southwest Nigeria, went on the rampage and attacked the staff of Power Holding Company of Nigeria, PHCN, and destroyed their property.

The attack which took place at the weekend followed what electricity consumers in the area described as the crazy electricity bills slammed on them by the PHCN workers.

Lagos college beat schools from other countries to win technovation contest

Princeton College (Princeton Girls in IT), a Lagos team, has won the Technovation Challenge competition in the African region.

In a statement made available weekend in Lagos, Mrs Martha Alade, the Chairperson of Women in Technology in Nigeria (WITIN), said that the team won in Nigeria and was also judged against teams across the globe.

Corps member offers free surgery to Adamawa indigenes

Reprieve has come to the way of cleft lip/palate victims in Adamawa State as a corps member serving in state, Victor Hilenen Aben offered them free surgery.

Aben who partnered Oral Health Advocacy Initiative, OHAI, a non governmental agency that aimed at increasing awareness on the problems of oral health in the society, said the free healthcare was part of his Community Development Service, CDS, of NYSC programme.

Baga crisis: Some displaced persons still in the bush – NEMA

The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) says some of the displaced persons during the recent Baga crisis in Borno are still hiding in the bush.

This is contained in a statement signed by Mr Abdul kadir Ibrahim, the NEMA Information Officer in the North East Zone, in Yola on Monday.

Murder trial suffers setback as prosecution fails to present witnesses

The trial of an accused, Ann Agu, for alleged murder suffered a setback on Monday as the prosecution failed to present three witnesses.

Agu was arraigned in an FCT High Court on a two-count charge of stabbing her neighbour, Kemi Agubiade and attempting to commit suicide.

Teen Girls Face Jail Over Mixing Islamic Prayer With Dancing To Pop Song

Five Indonesian teenage girls have been accused of blasphemy and may face jail after making a video in which they mixed Islamic prayer with dancing to a Maroon 5 song, police said Tuesday.

The girls were expelled from their high school in Tolitoli city, on Sulawesi island, and reported to police after the video of their dance to the US band's hit "One More Night" went viral online.

It is just the latest in a string of blasphemy cases in the world's most populous Muslim-majority country, which have prompted rights groups to call for a change in a law they say is outdated and misused.

In the five-minute clip, the girls, wearing school tracksuits, switch between Islamic prayer rituals and mostly innocent dancing, with the occasional pelvic thrust and suggestive hand gesture thrown in.

Several versions of the video on YouTube have been viewed more than 500,000 times.

It sparked anger in the remote community, with dozens of members of hardline group the Islamic Defenders Front (FPI) protesting outside the local police station on Monday.

The school brought the video, which was posted online in March, to the attention of police who questioned the girls on suspicion of blasphemy.

"The school and members of the community were offended by the video and felt it insulted Islam," Tolitoli police chief Rudi Mulyanto told AFP.

"We are considering the case, and if we think it is serious, we will recommend they be officially charged in court."

He said the girls, who are not in custody, could be jailed if found guilty but did not know what length of sentence they might face.

Blasphemy in Indonesia carries a maximum sentence of five years, though minors usually face half the adult sentence and are locked up in juvenile detention facilities. The girls are in grade 12, where students are normally aged 17 or 18.

Police did not give their ages but said they were being treated as minors.

The school principal told a local news website that the school had consulted the country's top clerical body, the Indonesian Ulema Council, as well as the FPI on the matter

AFP

Bomb Explosions, Intense Gunfight Between Boko Haram & Nigerian Troops In Jigawa

                     

Residents of Ringim township in Jigawa State said they have experienced intense gun fight between suspected members of Boko Haram and Nigerian troops after some 30 bombs were exploded by militants that invaded the town.

A security source told SaharaReporters that several militants invaded the township with bombs and rocket propelled grenades. The attack in Jigawa marks further escalation and expansion of the sects armed insurrection in northern parts of Nigeria.

A caller said the gunfight has continued into the night stating that the gunmen have now taken over the home of former Inspector general of Police, Hafiz Ringim and the police station in the township is currently under attack.

Former Inspector General of the Nigerian Police, Ringim fled to the UK recently and sought political asylum claiming members of the deadly sect are after his life.

SaharaReporters

Tell Boko Haram to stop attacking Christians, Anglican Primate urges Amnesty Panel

FOR peace to reign in Nigeria, the Boko Haram Amnesty Committee raised by the Federal Government must prevail on the sect to stop killing Christians and destroying their places of worship, the Primate of Anglican Communion, Most Rev. Nicholas Okoh, has cautioned.

Entertainment Heavyweights Fight In Public: Kenny Ogungbe and Tony Okoroji slug it out

The Nigerian Entertainment Conference held over the weekend at the Grand ball room of the Eko Hotel and suites, Victoria Island, Lagos was nearly marred by violent exchange of words between Kennis Music Boss Mr. Kenny Ogungbe and Chairman of Copyright Society of Nigeria COSON, Chief Tony Okoroji.

Man, 40, murders relative over wedding reception plan

One Emmanuel Nwegwe, 40, from Umunaga village in Uburu community of Ohaozara Local Government Area of Ebonyi State, weekend, was reported to have murdered his relative, Innocent Onu, 54, over an unresolved misunderstanding.

Vanguard gathered that the suspect had been engaged in a feud with the deceased and other relatives on Saturday over the suspects’ decision to offload sand inside the compound where the family members had planned to use for a wedding reception of another family member on Sunday.

It was further learnt that the family members of the suspect had scolded him over his decision to build a house for his father on a part of the compound different from the one allocated to him for that purpose.

Probe me, not my aides, Obasanjo dares FG

The cold war between former President Olusegun Obasanjo and the Goodluck Jonathan Administration came again to the fore on Sunday at a thanksgiving service held in honour of a former Minister of Education, Oby Ezekwesili, in Abuja.

 

 

At the service that had many eminent Nigerians, including a former Head of the Service of the Federation, Steve Oronsaye, and ex-Attorney General of Federation and Minister of Justice, Kanu Agabi, in attendance, Obasanjo said if the Goodluck Jonathan administration was keen on probing his government, it should come after him instead of people that served under him.

TRAGIC: 9 JAMB Candidates Die In Car Accident

No fewer than nine JAMB candidates died on Friday April 27th (yesterday) in a fatal accident along the Enugu-Port Harcourt Expressway when the bus they were traveling in rammed into a stationery truck after the driver of the bus lost control of his vehicle while speeding.

The Public Relations Officer of the Abia State Police Command, Mr Geoffrey Ogbonna, said seven persons, including the driver died instantly while two others died later in hospital. The police did not identify the victims.

'Jonathan is playing politics with Amaechi'

Dr. Doyin Okupe, Senior Special Assistant to the President on Public Affairs was in the Corporate Office of Vanguard Media Limited during which he had an interactive session with Vanguard editors on topical issues affecting the polity. He spoke on the administration’s response to the Boko Haram insurgency, corruption and the face off between the presidency and Governor Chibuke Amaechi of Rivers State among other issues. Excerpt:

President didn’t order grounding Amaechi’s plane – NCAA

The Federal Government on Sunday refuted claims that the President had a hand in the grounding and outright ban of the official plane of Rivers State Governor Rotimi Amaechi for “operating illegally in the country.”

 

Male Soldier Kidnapped, Raped By A Gang Of Four Women

A soldier was allegedly kidnapped and sexually assaulted by four women for nearly a week before being stoned and dumped in a mountain range.

The 25-year-old victim's ordeal started when he took up the offer of a lift to the city of Mutare in Zimbabwe.

ACN Calls Jonathan’s Plan to Spy on Nigerians ‘Evil,’ Calls on Citizens To Speak Up Before It Is Too Late

The Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) has condemned as ‘evil,’ the reported $40 million Internet Surveillance Contract that will enable the government to invade the privacy of citizens, calling on the National Assembly, civil liberties organisations, professional groups and ordinary citizens to speak out before it is too late.

In a statement issued in Lagos by its National Publicity Secretary, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, ACN noted that since the emergence of reports of the contract, which is said to have been awarded to an Israeli firm, it has yet to be denied, an indication that it is safe to assume that it is indeed true.

We planned to quit the business after the abduction saga of Okonjo-Iweala’s mum — Marvelous, alleged kidnappers’ leader

Marvelous’ alleged journey into kidnapping had been a successful one. The Aniocha Local Government Area of Delta State indigene says he ventured into the illicit trade out of frustration. He narrates: