Photos: Gov. Ambode and Sen. Remi Tinubu at Island Club 2015 Christmas Eve Dance Party
Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode (middle), with Senator Oluremi Tinubu (left) and Chairman, The Island Club, Mr. Oladipo Okpeseyi, SAN (right), during the Island Club 2015 Christmas Eve Dance at the Peacock Hall, Island Club, Onikan, Lagos, on Thursday, December 24, 2015. More photos after the cut...
French Montana donates $1million given to him by Diddy
French Montana who is signed to Bad Boy Records got a huge bonus check of $1 million from Diddy as a bonus for a year's hard work and French in turn donated the money to a charity in the south Bronx he just started to help young children and schools. The recipient sent a shout out to French on social media...
Sri Lankan maid spared death sentence in Saudi Arabia adultery case
Sri Lankan maid who was sentenced to be stoned in an adultery case in Saudi Arabia has been spared from this mode of horrific death sentence. Instead the convict has been sentenced to three year jail time after several appeals made by the Sri Lankan government.
Harsha De Silva, Sri Lankan acting foreign minister said in a statement,” The government of Sri Lanka is very happy to announce that the appeal for clemency on the sentence was successful and the sri Lankan national will have to serve a reduced term in prison”.
The 45-year-old married woman who served as a domestic helper in Riyadh since 2013 was accused of adultery with another fellow Sri Lankan migrant worker and sentenced to a harsh punishment of stoning to death while the accomplice was given a lesser punishment of 100 lashes only as he was not married. Though there were no immediate comments from Saudi Arabia on the clemency reports and the announcement made by Sri Lankan authorities.
Source: New Delhi Times
FG removes fuel subsidy, says petrol to sell for N85 by Jan 1st 2016
Minister of State for Petroleum , Dr Ibe Kachikwu during a tour of the Port Harcourt refinery on Christmas Day said that the Federal government is working to reduce the pump price of petrol to about 85 or 86 naira per litre by Jan 1st.
He said efforts were on to get the refinery to achieve 60 percent production capacity and to supply about 11 million liters of petrol daily.
“If you look at the new PPPRA template that we developed and which I just signed off two days ago, when it is announced you will find out that for now ,and I use the emphatic word of the President for now, the price of the refined product will actually be lower than 87 naira, It will be 85. We will probably announce that in January if the prices hold.
“Like I said, we have done a modulation calculation and it is showing us below N87. I imagine that if PPPRA publishes it today, it will become effective immediately. But the 1st of January that is when we are looking at.”
“What that does for you is that its modulating. If it goes up you move up, if it comes down you come down. So we take away the fact of having to go find funds to pay for these subsidies that we cannot afford.
“More importantly we try to be as close to the pump price that we have now as possible,” he said.
Vanguard
Femi Otedola's children and Ayokunle Otedola Son pictured with Grandma Doja Otedola
Wealthy Businessman Femi Otedola's children, Florence aka DJ Cuppy, Prince Jason Otedola, Temi Otedola and Olawunmi Christy Otedola pictures with their Grandma in Epe for their Annual Children's Christmas Party. Another photo after the cut...
That's as well MC Cosmos Kay taking a selfie with Florence Otedola alias DJ Cuppy
Yeah, its DJ Cuppy in the house.
Many feared dead as Gas Depot explodes in Nnewi, Anambra state
Over 20 people are feared dead after a Gas Depot owned by Chicason Group and located along traffic light at Nnewi-Okigwe road behind Innoson Motor Manufacturing industry in Nnewi, Anambra state exploded this afternoon.
The fire destroyed the Depot and its surroundings including some buildings and cars around it. Workers, customers and motorcyclists are among those feared dead. The cause of the fire which started this afternoon is yet to be ascertained. See horrific photos from the incident after the cut... *viewer discretion advised*
Rescued Senegalese migrant wins €400,000 in Spain’s Christmas lottery
An unemployed Senegalese man who was rescued by the Spanish coastguard after making a risky journey from Morocco eight years ago on a packed wooden boat won 400,000 euros ($437,000) in Spain’s annual Christmas lottery, local media reported Wednesday.
The man, identified only by his first name Ngame, was one of the holders of one of the 1,600 tickets with the winning number in the draw draw.
He made an illegal entry into Europe with his wife.
“I just can’t believe this, I can tell you that on some days we do not have five euros between the two of us,” he told the newspaper which published a photo of Ngame holding his winning ticket.
Ngame and his wife arrived eight years ago in the resort island of Tenerife, a part of Spain’s Canary Islands in the Atlantic off the coast of Morocco. They were taken there after being rescued by Spain’s coast guard when the boat they were travelling in ran into trouble.
“There were 65 people on that boat. I want to give thanks to Spaniards and the Spanish government for rescuing me when I was in the sea,” he told the newspaper.
Appeal court upholds Okowa's election as Delta governor
The Appeal court sitting in Abuja has upheld the election of Delta state governor, Ifeanyi Okowa. Labor party candidate in the election, Great Ogboru had petitioned the court, challenging Okowa's election. In his ruling today December 24th, Justice Uwani Abba-Aji who led other five-man bench, struck out Ogboru’s appeal saying it lacked merit.
Dasuki to spend Christmas in Kuje prison
Former National Security Adviser Sambo Dasuki will be spending the Christmas holiday in Kuje prison following his inability to meet the N250 million bail conditions for two separate trials he is facing. Dasuki is standing trial for 32-count charge of money laundering and a 19 count charge of N9.6 billion fraud. Two Federal high courts granted him N250 million bail in two separate applications last week.
Read President Buhari's Christmas message to Nigerians
Read the president's Christmas message below..
I felicitate with all Nigerians, especially our Christian brothers and sisters, on the joyous occasion of this year’s Christmas. On this occasion of the commemoration of the birth of Jesus Christ, let us all rededicate ourselves to the virtues of peace, love, honesty, justice, equity, piety, humility and service to others which he taught.
There can be no doubt that a greater manifestation of these virtues and ideals in our lives will immensely help us to become a more united, peaceful, secure and progressive nation.
Let us also reach out in love and compassion to fellow Nigerians who are in distress at this period of our nation’s history.
I particularly urge you all to remember victims of terrorism and insurgency in the country, especially Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs).
The Federal Government will continue to collaborate with state governments and other stakeholders to ease the harsh conditions in IDP camps, while the ultimate objective remains to quickly put an end to insurgency and return the IDPs to their homes.
We must never again allow any group to hold the nation to ransom under whatever guise.
Let us also not allow current socio-economic and security challenges to dampen our expectations for a better Nigeria.
This administration has taken a number of measures to restore hope to our people. The 2016 Budget defines our commitment to giving Nigeria a new lease of life.
Our change slogan is not a campaign gimmick but a promise that must be kept. We are determined to bring about tangible changes in the lives of our people.
In this regard, efforts will be intensified to recover stolen funds, block revenue leakages and enthrone due process, transparency and accountability.
Public office is a public trust that must be held to the highest ethical standards.
I wish all Nigerians a Merry Christmas.
Please drive carefully.
MUHAMMADU BUHARI
Payment Of Salaries Is A Privilege Not A Right - Rochas Okorocha ( Nigerians React-See Tweets)
Nigerians have reacted to the following statement ” payment of salaries is not a right, but rather, it is a privilege” by Governor of Imo State, Rochas Okorocha.
He made the statement through his spokesman, Dr Kelechi Okpaleke, following the immediate payment of salaries to civil servant by the presidency.
The Governor who has been accused of owing Imo workers of over 4 months salries has come under attack after the the statement was made availaible.
See Tweets: and study their reactions
Media Babs at 14:10
Godsent23 December 2015 at 15:29
Where is Nigeria heading to with this kind of people in power? Rocha's there is God o, U won't be there forever , ur children to children children will work or u think u have made enough establishment for them? No one knows 2moro. U have to be very careful before u will incurred the wrath of God.
david makinde23 December 2015 at 17:06
Do you go to court while still working for salaries not been paid? I doubt Do you go to court even with your hard earned money saved in banks when bankruptcy is declared? I doubt.you know why b'cos you can only approach the courts for your rights and not your privileges.So Rochas is right. If its not by right jobs have been provided you, it only stands to reason that it cannot be by right you must get paid while still working. Its only a privilege. There should be no sentiments about it,if not pensioners should by right get their moneys immidiately.
Andrew Onalaja; British born Nigerian Architect rode from London to Lagos. Exclusive!!!
By Paul Adepoju -
December 23, 2015
Andrew Onalaja is a jet-setter who is living the dream of an adventurous soul. A British Architect by profession, a Nigerian by birth and a ‘junketeer-in-chief’ by hobby; who has travelled to more than 100 countries. He is a popular personality in the London social scene and a Lekki Big Boy whose name is synonymous with the biker’s elite.
Andrew rode with a BMW bike from London to Lagos in a fierce and challenging journey which last for 5 weeks. He shared his story with a team of Lekki Express led by Paul Adepoju andFagoroye Ropo at the Lagoon Crest Boutique Hotel Lekki Phase 1.
Can we meet you sir?
My name is Mr Andrew Onalaja, the grandson of Rev Ezekiel Onalaja from Ijebu-Ode. I’m an Architect based in the UK. I’m a family man, I have 5 children.
What motivate you to be a biker?
I was motivated when I heard that some of my friends were planning to ride to Nigeria from the UK, even though I had no intention of riding a motor-cycle at that time. I have always wanted to travel to Lagos from London by car. So when I was in Cape Verde in 2012, I saw a V-strom Suzuki driving on a bad road with its suspension oscillating esthetically. I said to myself that day ‘Andy, that thing go suit you ooo’. That’s how biking captured my imagination.
So how did it all started?
When I got back to London from Cape Verde, I met with my friends who were planning the biking trip that I will start to learn how to ride a bike so I can join you guys on the trip. They started laughing at me, saying that it is too late and my hand will not be strong enough on the bike. One of them said if I’m serious, I should do what I have to do so I can join them. That is how I started learning how to ride. I took the test and passed after series of attempt till I was certified to ride.
Are you a member of any bikers association?
No, I’m a lone rider!
Have you ever had a dream that you will one day ride across two continents?
When I first arrived the UK in 1981, my friends who were into cars told me that one of their friends left the UK in 1980 with a Ford Capri. The guy drove straight across the sahara to Nigeria on a Trans-African highway that goes across the desert, from Spain to Algeria then to Niger Republic finally to Nigeria. I said to myself ‘wow! I must do that’. That was when I had it in mind that one day I will drive to Nigeria from the UK but I never imagined it will be by a motor-cycle.
Did you had the support of family and friends before embarking on this trip?
My wife was not happy about the journey, but there is nothing she could do to stop me because I have decided I want to do it. So the only thing she could do is to support me, although she was worried at some point to the extent that if I don’t call her at the end of each day, she won’t be able to sleep. That was a lot of stress and strain on the family. My daughter was very concerned. In actual fact, when you take up a journey like that, you just don’t know if you will ever see your family again because you know it can be very dangerous and it’s the period of time when al-Qaida, robbers and kidnappers was all over North Africa.
Tell us how the journey began?
I first got a ferry from Portmouth, UK to Bilbao, Spain. It was around November, then, the weather was cold throughout Europe, assuming it was during summer, I would have ride from London to Dover to France then to Spain, but the ferry played a big role in cutting the journey short. It took one full day to cross Spain from North to South. At the Southern part of Spain, I took a ferry to Morocco. Upon my arrival to Morocco, I was happy that I am in Africa.
What was your challenge within Northern African countries?
In Morocco, I had to process a visa to go to Mauritania since Mauritania is no longer part of ECOWAS. The visa processing wasted part of my time in Casablanca. I spent 3 days inside Morocco because it is a big country. Bear in mind that I was still a learner, although certified and tested, I fell off the bike once inside Morocco because I forgot there was a stand in the bike which I didn’t pull down. So from Morocco, I got to Western Sahara, this is a region controlled by Moroccans. From Western Sahara, I got to somewhere called ‘No Man’s Land’. This is a stretch of land between Western Sahara and Mauritania. This was the worst and hardest part of the journey because there was no road; it was just mountains, sands, rocks, toxic waste, and land mines e.t.c. I had my second fall here. By and large, I made it to the capital of Mauritania and stayed in a hotel owned by a Cameroonian. Mauritania can be described as a place where the Arab world meets the black world. Something occurred to me when I was leaving Mauritania, the people at the border wanted to collect extra money to stamp my British and Nigeria passport but I ignored them till I made my way to the Senegalese border.
What about West African borders? Did you had a tough time there?
They said Ghana was going to be a problem and behold it was! I slept at the Ivory Coast-Ghana border for 3 days because I had to wait for them to do the necessary paper work before I can enter into the country; also they had to put a tracker on my bike so they can track my movement in the country. I paid $300 for the tracker. On the 3rd day after all the paper work was done, I rode to Elmina where I stayed 2 nights. I visited the Elmina Slave Fort popularly called Elmina Castle; it was a depressing tour because I toured the gate-of-no-return where the white men used in transporting our people as slaves. It’s an emotional place that can make any Blackman to fight every Whiteman he sees on his way. From Elmina I rode to Accra where I lodged in a big hotel called La Palm Beach Hotel, the workers there were rude, it was in the hotel that I noticed the animosity of Ghanaians towards Nigerians, they don’t like us. I only spent 1 night there because the attitude of the staffs there doesn’t seem hospitable. I left Accra the next day and rode towards Aflao border where I met with the immigration officer who has been calling my phone to monitor my movement while I was in Elmina and Accra. The immigration officer removed my tracker and I proceeded towards Togo without any problem. Togo was nice; the hotels are beautiful with moderate rate. I had to fix my bike in Lome because I notice some of the wires had melted, it took 3 days.
What can you regard as an indelible or emotional memory of the journey?
That will be within the borders of Senegal and Mali. There is a small border town where a lot of activities take place; it’s a busy place because Lorries and trucks pass through there to make it to Mali which is a landlocked country. I was in the border town when I suddenly heard some girls speaking Pidgin English; I called one of them and ask where she came from, she replied by ‘I am from Nigeria ooh’. This girl looks like an 18years old, as young as my daughter. I asked her what she’s doing there, she replied by saying ‘I be prostitute oooh’, I was shocked and at the same time inquisitive. She opened up to me and explained how those traffickers tricked them that they are going to take them to Europe, upon getting to that border, they seized their passport and told them that this is where they will start work. They have no passport, no means of getting home and no hope, all they do is prostitution, and the proceeds from prostitution is shared among those who are controlling them so they can’t save enough to return home. They are used as sex slaves. If I can remember well, there were atleast 30 Nigerian girls in that border and they range between 16 to 40 years old. It was shame and very depressing, I always reflect on the memory of that border every time. The only thing I could do for those girls was to empty my pocket and give them money, some of them even gave me their phone number and told me that I should remember them when I get to Nigeria, I almost cried:( I felt sober and weak.
What about the last part of the trip? Benin Republic to Nigeria?
I got to Benin Republic after days of fun and relaxation in Togo. I did not feel too good in Benin Republic, though, I don’t know why, my vibes were bad, and my instinct told me to get out of that country as soon as possible. I just headed straight to the Seme border, where I was asked to pay 40,000CFA which is around $60, I had no choice than to pay. I left Benin side and rode to the Nigerian side of the border. To my astonishment, I was given a grand welcome, I didn’t pay anything, everyone is just welcoming me, I even wanted to give them a tip; they said ‘no you’ve suffered, welcome home’.
So as a jet-setter, how many countries have you been to?
All the countries. I can’t really count but in total, I can say more than 100. The only place I have not been to is China and Japan. I am not looking forward to them because in those countries, they eat only rats and they are very dirty. I am not bothered about visiting there. Japan is a bit civilized; I will go to Japan next year.
With your bitter-sweet experience, would you love to do this inter-continental trip again by bike?
Definitely not by bike, I will do it by car and for a longer period. I will travel more extensively within each country.
What will be your advice for anyone who wants to embark on this kind of journey?
Just do it! My friends discouraged me from the planning stage of the trip, look at me now! I’m proud.
BIAFRA: DRAMA AS NNAMDI KANU REFUSES TO FACE TREASON TRIAL
Judge returns case file to Chief Judge
ATTEMPTS by the Federal Government to arraign the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Mr. Nnamdi Kanu, on fresh charges of treasonable felony witnessed a drama yesterday as he refused to submit himself for trial before Justice Ahmed Mohammed of the Federal High Court, Abuja.
Although Kanu, who is the Founder of Radio Biafra, was docked alongside two others, he refused bluntly to take a plea on a six-count criminal charge of treason, importation of illegal goods and possession of fire-arms filed against him by the Department of State Services (DSS), saying that he will not get fair trial.
Kanu, who was docked with Benjamin Madubugwu and David Nwawuisi, claimed that he has no confidence in the court because information available to him indicated that he will not get fair trial before the judge.
The drama started when Kanu sought the permission to address the court. Justice Mohammed granted his request after consultations with the prosecution counsel and his lawyer.
Grabbing a microphone from a court official, thebfreedom fighter thundered: “I will not sacrifice the due process of the law founded in the principles of natural justice upon the altar of speedy release from detention. In other words, I will rather remain in detention than subjecting myself to a trial that I know amounts to perversion of justice.
“Previous court judgments and rulings have been delivered by competent court of law in Nigeria in my favour which the Department of State Services (DSS) failed to obey or implement.
“On that premise, I am not ready to stand before this court for trial because I am convinced that the outcome will go the way of the previous ones, therefore I have chosen to remain in custody until justice prevails in my matter in the interest of justice,” Kanu said.
Government lawyer, Mr. Mohammed Saidu Diri, however, asked Justice Mohammed to reject the claim of the Biafra Leader on ground that being an accused, he cannot dictate to the court.
He said if Kanu has any objection to his trial, he could only come through an application stating his grievances with exhibits in clear terms and special circumstances on why he should not be tried by a particular court.
Diri, who is the Director,
Public Prosecution (DPP) of the Federation, cited Section 396 (2) of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA) 2015, adding that under the law, an objection to trial can only be raised by the accused when the plea had been taken and not before as being done by the accused person here.
He urged the court to compel Kanu, who was already in the dock to take his plea.
But Kanu’s counsel, Mr. Vincent Egechukwu Obetta, informed the court that the accused has the fundamental right to object to the trial and pleaded with the court to grant him his request.
In his ruling, Justice Mohammed agreed that an accused person has the right to object to trial before his court on the ground that justice is rooted in confidence and rejected Diri’s submission.
The judge ordered that case file be returned to the Chief Judge of the Federal High
Court so that it can be re-assigned to another judge and for further action.
Kanu had earlier been granted unconditional release by Justice Adeniyi Ademola of the Federal High Court, Abuja from the DSS custody but the order was not obeyed and instead a fresh charge was brought against him by the government.
-Sun
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(I have served Nigeria in different capacities over the years, from the Customs, Information, Sports and Reconciliation, some people who came after me and did nothing for Nigeria all got national awards. Nigeria is a country that do not value what they have and Nigerians do not encourage each other. I made an appeal to my friends here on Facebook to vote for my godson and what did I get, cold feat. I know you are all busy people
but please vote for Dr Raphael James as the "SDLG Africa's Most Reliable Person for 2015" he is doing great works in preserving the history of Nigeria. Click on the link below, click on his photo, click on submit and click on OKAY. Once
you cast your vote pleas let me know so that Raphael can confirm it )
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NIS deports 712 illegal immigrants in Delta state
The Delta State Command of the Nigeria Immigration Service in a statement by its Comptroller, Mr Madu Musa, said it captured and deported 712 illegal immigrants living in the state.
The command said:
“In our effort to control the influx of irregular immigrants in Delta State, we have embarked on this mop-up exercise across the length and breathe of the state to remove undocumented immigrants, this is a routine operation.
“As expected in an exercise of this nature, thousands of persons were apprehended, but after thorough screening, Nigerians and other legally resident foreigners were released, while 712 persons, (so far) have been confirmed as irregular immigrants (mainly of West African extraction) have been repatriated.”
Musa added:
“We shall continue so far as there are logistics support. The government of Delta State has greatly assisted the command with logistics support for this operation.”
Vanguard
Woman kicked out of Florida hospital by police for refusing to leave after she was discharged dies
A woman who collapsed after police arrested her for refusing to leave a Florida hospital when doctors discharged her died from a blood clot in her lung, officials said Wednesday.
Police say Barbara Dawson, 57, collapsed Monday while being escorted in handcuffs from the Liberty Calhoun Hospital, where she went for treatment for breathing difficulties. She was arrested for disorderly conduct and trespassing when she refused to leave, according to police.
In a statement Wednesday, Blountstown police Chief Mark Mallory said the medical examiner's office in Panama City found that Dawson died from a blood clot due to being excessively overweight.
The autopsy report, police report and dashcam footage of the incident have not been released.
Mallory said the officer who arrested Dawson removed the handcuffs after she collapsed and escorted her back into the hospital.
"We were told by a doctor once she got back in the hospital that her vital signs were good and it was their decision to readmit her," he said in a phone interview. He said the dashcam footage from the officer's car does not show the incident but does pick up the audio.
Florida Department of Law Enforcement officials have been called in to investigate, department spokesman Steve Arthur said. He declined to comment further.
The Tallahassee Democrat reported that Ruth Attaway, administrator and CEO of the 25-bed hospital, said staff did everything they could for Dawson.
"They did their best trying to save her," Attaway said. "Our staff was very aggressive with her treatment."
While doctors initially thought Dawson was stable and should be released, she felt as if she still had breathing issues and wanted to stay, said Tallahassee attorney Daryl Parks, who is representing Dawson's family.
"The most reasonable thing to do is to let her sit there and be able to settle down until she felt well. Instead, she is forcibly removed and put in cuffs," Parks said. "The early facts of this case should cause a great concern for everyone."
The Calhoun-Liberty County chapter of the NAACP held an emergency meeting Tuesday. Dale R. Landry, who is the regional vice president for the Florida State chapter of the NAACP, met with local leaders and the family.
Landry said he and others are glad state law enforcement officers are getting involved, "but we strongly believe the death was due to negligence by the police department and hospital."
The incident comes amid increased scrutiny of police treatment of blacks in the wake of several high-profile police-involved deaths. Dawson was black, the family's lawyer said. Mallory said the officer who arrested her is a white man and is on his regularly scheduled days off.
The war against Boko Haram is largely won- Lai Mohammed
Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed said that the Nigerian military had met the December deadline to defeat the Boko Haram terrorists. The minister said this on Wednesday, December 23, during his maiden meeting with editorial heads of media houses in Lagos.
"Today, I can report that the war against Boko Haram is largely won. I can confidently say this because just recently, I led a group of 33 journalists from both the local and international media to the hot bed of the insurgency, that is, Maiduguri, Kondugua, Kaoure and Bama,"
"Today, I can report to you that the entire 70 plus kilometres stretch from Maiduguri to Bama and all the way to Banki which leads to Cameroun and the Central African Republic are in the hands of our gallant troops."
Mohammed said the military presence could be felt "every few metres along the road; at a point along that road we were just a kilometre to Sambisa forest.
"They have so degraded the capacity of Boko Haram that the terrorists can no longer hold on to any territory just as they can no longer carry out any spectacular attack."
He, however, said that though there were still cases of suicide bombings, it was pertinent to note that such was the nature if insurgency globally.
"Unlike a war between two armies, an insurgency never ends with arms victory. Even in countries like Colombia where insurgency was supposed to have ended decades ago, attacks like this still happen."
He said that the insurgents had adopted a new style of attacking soft targets like motor parks, schools, entertainment centres, religious centres, killing innocent people mostly women and children.
Mohammed, therefore, urged Nigerians to support the military in the fight against terrorism in the country, saying that the military had availed itself creditably.
"It is our turn as civilians to give them our support; to realise that the war they are fighting is not their war alone, but our war, hence we must own the war."
Mohammed disclosed that a national security campaign had commenced to raise awareness among Nigerians about the war, the sacrifices of our troops, and how to stamp out the remnant of the war.
"Jingles are being played on national radio and television as part of the campaign in order to keep the media better informed about the war, so that they can also better inform Nigerians,"
The minister also said that an ad-hoc committee, comprising media representatives as well as intelligence agencies, would be inaugurated to regularly be updated about the war in order to better inform the public.
