The Federal High Court sitting in Lagos in a landmark judgment has held that successive governments since the return of democracy in 1999 “breached the fundamental principles of transparency and accountability for failing to disclose details about the spending of recovered stolen public funds, including on a dedicated website.
He shared the photo and wrote “Ma home boy came around with his new Porsche …and the winner is??? Just passing through…” – What does he mean by that? Lol…
Nigeria’s former minister of petroleum, Diezani Alison-Madueke… In the concluding part of her interview with Dele Momodu insists she’s innocent of the allegations leveled against her. “Believe it or not, and God is my witness, I didn’t have to steal. I’m not an Angel but I’m not a devil. I don’t have billions anywhere. How is it possible for one woman to steal billions of dollars in a country like Nigeria? Did I blow up the vaults of the Central Bank or transfer the money to heaven? Where can you keep such money in this age of money laundering fiasco? “I did my job professionally without even thinking of anyone as opposition. Otherwise we would not have approved the Oando-Conoco Phillips deal…. Tinubu came to see me three times and we approved on merit…” She said while it is true that a Minister is influential, the real power is in NNPC, the cash cow. A Minister sits in the Ministry treating files, holding meetings at home and abroad, looking glamorous and taking all the flak but people forget that the soul and heart of the nation is NNPC.
The 58th Annual Grammy Awards just came to an end with a handful of your favorite artist, given credit for their work.
LL Cool J hosted this year's festivities, held at Los Angeles' Staples Center. See below for a full list of 2016 Grammy Awards winners:
The Naira yesterday suffered its biggest daily depreciation against the dollar as the exchange rate rose to N345 per dollar in the parallel market. This represents N20 depreciation when compared with the closing exchange rate of N325 per dollar in the market on Friday.
The world was in shock when Amber Rose, Kanye West’s most famous and vocal ex-girlfriend, and Kim Kardashian West, the rapper’s wife, shared a picture of them – together.
Austin Swift is having none of that! After Kanye West played a song from his new album on Fashion Week, in which he rapped about having sex with famed songstress Taylor Swift, Tay-Tay’s brother knew he wanted nothing to do with him, nor his brand.
As the Government turns attention to agriculture to ease the pressure on the economy and create jobs, President of Dangote Group at the weekend flagged off his multi-billion Naira 8000 hectares of Rice Outgrowers Scheme in Hadejia, Jigawa state
Kano—Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Chief Audu Ogbeh, has called on state governors in the country to emulate Kano State in its efforts at boosting agriculture, food security and providing jobs for jobless citizens.
TV gal and model Jumai Shaba who is expecting her first child got married to her beau, Rosiji in an outdoor wedding in Dubai in 2015. This is the first pic (I think) from the wedding she's shared online.
It is actually to the credit of the National Assembly that the gross errors of Nigeria’s 2016 Federal budget were spotted and brought to quick light. I have been a critic of the inaction and complicity of the legislative arm in the defrauding of Nigeria since 1999 by the various elected governments of the federation.
“Love isn’t something you find. Love is something that finds you”
It’s another season to express your love, whether you are in a long term relationship or a new found love. Whether it is to a family member, friend or colleague. It is a day that is supposed to transpire thoughts of happiness, gratefulness, kindness and consideration.
It’s a known fact that every man has a treasured possession,” said Julius. (Mine is my newly acquired jeep, Seyi, my best friend loves his state-of-the art music equipment with his vast CD collection and our managing director adores his daughter, Juwon.
Air Vice Marshal Lucky Ochuko Ararile (retd) is the Ovie of Umiagwha Abraka Kingdom, Delta State. Before he retired from the military, he commanded many formations including the Operation Restore Hope for the Niger Delta. He was later appointed the Coordinator of the Amnesty Committee that midwifed the Amnesty Programme for ex-militants by former President Umar Yar’Adua. In this interview, the retired air force officer bares his mind on the $2.1bn arms deal involving a former National Security Adviser (NSA), Colonel Sambo Dasuki (retd), and some top military officers, among other national issues.
THE feud between the Igbo and the Yoruba ethnic groups is contrived, just like the feud between the Igbo and the Ikwere. Whenever these feuds take centrestage, the impetus is invariably traceable to the divide-and-rule imperative, which inevitably profits the oligarchy of northern Nigeria. Every other explanation adduced in the explanation of the phenomenon can only be peripheral. It is important to make this point from the outset, before going about the business of explanations – for the benefit of those who may genuinely be ignorant of a crucial factor in the continued inability to resolve some of the more critical of Nigeria’s contradictions.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, Monday charged three men, Johnson Salako, Enoche Ugbabe and Enebeli Theophilus before an Ikeja High Court for allegedly stealing N1, 424 billion belonging to Bank of Industry.
Son of basketball great and reality star, EJ Johnson, 23, stepped out in Beverly hills for the filming of an episode of Rich Kids of Beverly Hills and he looked fab in a tight all white outfit, brown fur coat and boots to match. More photos after the cut...
What’s going on in Nigeria? We used to think that some of these gruesome crimes were restricted to American TV shows such as “Criminal Minds” but the news we read everyday is really disheartening.
A 7 Month pregnant woman was almost killed by her neighbour in Mushin after she caught him stealing from her. Tragically, she lost her unborn child.
With Jose Mourinho gone and Chelsea languishing, Premier League leaders Arsenal have an opportunity to assert their supremacy over their London rivals in Sunday’s encounter at the Emirates Stadium.
President Muhammadu Buhari has expressed concern over low ranking of the country’s universities. The president expressed the concern on Saturday in Bauchi at the 19th to 22nd convocation ceremony of Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University, Bauchi.
Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal has praised captain Wayne Rooney for a half-time outburst that reminded him of a pivotal moment from his time with Ajax.
A South African region on Friday said it had launched a new grant scheme for girls who remain virgins throughout the course of their university studies, triggering outrage among rights groups.
Technology giant Google is to pay £130 million ($185.4 million, 172 million euros) in back taxes to Britain following a government inquiry into its tax arrangements, a company spokeswoman said Friday.
The 31 year reality star was spotted wearing a skin tight ultra gold dress while filming with her sisters Kourtney and Kylie in California. Khloe ended up showing off more than she bargained for as the dress was so tight that it in the sunlight, it revealed her underpants. More photos after the cut...
Girl misuses a bath oil and turns bright pink (photos)
An embarrassing misuse of a Lush product has left one girl pink in the face - and everywhere else. While Abi Shenton believed she was properly using a Lush oil in the bath, she was actually dyeing her skin a very bright pink.
CRISIS is brewing at the Nigerian Customs Service, NCS, following management’s decision to clampdown on officers from the ranks of Assistant Comptroller of Customs to the lowest cadre, over their alleged indiscriminate allotment of ranks to themselves.
The development, it was gathered, has made some of the affected officers to start running helter skelter with a view to scuttling the exercise. Customs CG, Hameed Ali inspecting Guard of Honour at Customs Headquarter
ABUJA - Trial of the erstwhile governor of Delta state, Chief James Onanefe Ibori and his associates before the Southwark Court, London, suffered a set back on Thursday.
Yesterday I shared TV Personality Bolanle Olukanni's comments about Will Smith's Nigerian accent in the film Concussion (See here). Well, TV Producer and music talent agent, Ayo Shonaiya absolutely doesn't agree with what Bolanle wrote, which was featured on MediaTakeOut and took to his Facebook page to air his views. Find what he wrote after the cut...
ABUJA – The Chief Judge of the Federal Capital Territory High Court, Justice Ishaq Bello, yesterday, granted bail to the embattled National Publicity Secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Chief Olisa Metuh, to the tune of N300million with two sureties in like sum.
The Judge stressed that the two sureties must have verifiable addresses.
Film and Television Costume Designer, QueenSylvia Akuchie is a budding celebrity stylist, Costume Designer and Style Director. Sylvia, who discovered her flair for the creative arts at a tender age, has over the years transformed her passion for fashion into a stylishly rewarding career. QueenSylvia Akuchie
Abuja – Popular hip hop artist Olamide Adedeji, a.k.a Olamide has solicited the help of fans in selecting the first female artiste for his record label, the Yahoo Boy No Laptop (YBNL).
YBNL is currently an all-male music imprint which includes musical raves such as Lil Kesh, Adekunle Gold, Vikto, Xino and Chinko Ekun.
Love it or hate it, they are comfortable with their trendy looks. Even though it is said that the eyes are the window to the soul, many have come to the conclusion that it’s actually the beard. And that’s why many celebrities across the world today are stopping at nothing to sport facial hair that helps them to improve their popularity.
From Hollywood to Bollywood, and Nollywood to Ghollywood, the story has not changed. The male celebrities are steadily embracing this trend to redefine their personalities. Particularly in Nollywood, about five notable actors are leading the way.
They are Richard Mofe Damijo popularly known as RMD, former Tinsel star, Victor Olaotan, Zack Orji, Debo Jibola and now Fred Amata. Richard-Mofe-Damijo
Decomposing body was found in Umunede, not Ekpon”
By Festus Ahon
THE hitherto bobbling town of Ubulu-Uku in Aniocha South Local Government Area of Delta State, has been thrown into mourning, following the killing of their king, HRM Obi Akaeze Edward Ofulue III by his abductors. IGP-Solomon-Arase
Rapper, Tyga who was recently spotted walking together on Thursday with Instagram model ValMercado, whom everyone says looks eerily similar to his girlfriend KylieJenner, (don't see the resemblance). The two were seen at a Beverly Hills shopping center while Kylie spent Thursday night partying in the city with friends. Neither Tyga nor Val have commented on their rumoured relationship. More photos after the cut...
The Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode went on an inspection tour of Ajasa-Command in Agbado Oke-Odo LCDA, on Thursday, January 21, 2016with House of Representative member, Hon. Jumoke Okoya-Thomas; Deputy Director, Ministry Works & Infrastructure, Engr. Rasheed Akindele; General Manager,Lagos State Public Works Corporation (LSPWC), Engr. Ayotunde Sodeinde, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Works & Infrastructure, Engr. Bade Adebowale and Commissioner for Energy & Mineral Resources, Mr. Wale Oluwo.
Shortlisted 447 contacts, records 14 suspected cases
By Chioma Obinna
The Lagos State government, Friday, confirmed the death of one of the three cases of Lassa Fever in the state.
Giving update in Lagos, the Commissioner for Health, Dr. Jide Idris said one dead victim was expected to be buried later Friday, noting that the State has recorded 14 suspected cases of Lassa Fever as at January 21.
He also disclosed that the Ministry has shortlisted 447 contacts of the confirmed cases and 438 (98 per cent) of the contacts who are currently being monitored.
Idris who was giving update on the Lassa Fever outbreak in the state along with the Lagos State Commissioner for Environment, Dr. Babatunde Adejare, said: “Three of the suspected cases were confirmed positive of Lasssa Fever. One case was confirmed on January 15 and two cases were confirmed on January 18. Eight suspected cases tested negative, while we are awaiting results for the remaining three suspected cases.”
Speaking on the late victim, the commissioner said that it was a 51-year-old man who lived in Ilasan, Lekki and returned from Edo where he attended a wedding ceremony on December 28, last year.
According to Idris, the late patient was initially admitted at Divine Medical Centre in Ikoyi on January 12, 2016 and referred to Mainland Hospital Yaba early January 18, 2016 and later died at 2pm same day before the result of the laboratory test that confirmed him positive of Lassa Fever was received.
He said: “The dead victim will be buried today after due consultation with the family and has been kept in the morgue in leak proof body bag.”
Giving breakdown of the Lassa Fever cases in Lagos, he said the first confirmed case at Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LUTH) and listed the contact line as follows; Ifako Ijaiye; 100, Mushin; 18, Alimosho; 42 and Kosofe; one with a sub-total of 160.
Further giving breakdown, he added that contacts being monitored are as follows; Ifako Ijaiye- 91; Mushin – 18, Alimosho- 42; Kosofe- 1, with a sub-Total of 151
For case the two at Mainland General Hospital the contacts line listed is Eti-Osa- 66 and the contact line being monitored is at Eti-Osa- 66, with a sub- Total: 66.
“Case three, Mainland General Hospital, the contact line listed is at Amuwo: 220 and the contact being monitored is at Amuwo: 220, Sub-Total: 220. The over cases, total figure for both contacts line listed is 447 and contacts being monitored is put at 438.” he added.
The health Commissioner also stated that the Ministry has established an Emergency Operations Centre( EOC) and holds a daily briefing meeting at 6pm in the conference room of the ministry.
He requested for more Ribavirin injection and tablets and other items from the Federal Ministry of Health, adding that there is need for step up on community sensitization intervention.
Says he remains the authentic candidate
By Clifford Ndujihe
WITH the defection of Senator Uche Ekwunife to the All Progressives Congress, APC, after the Court of Appeal voided her election over invalid nomination as Anambra Central senatorial candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Dr Obiora Okonkwo, who is also laying claim to the ticket, has urged the PDP leadership to use the opportunity to redress all anomalies hallmarking the process. Obiora-Okonkwo
Okonkwo, who still has a case in an Abuja High Court where he went to contest Ekwunife’s right to the party’s ticket, said handing him the ticket is the surest way of resolving the crises the party is enmeshed in over the issue.
The politician said he is not opposed to a fresh primary to select a popular candidate for the PDP. Asked if he would partake in the primary, he said, “the question actually is not that I am running for primary, but that I remain the big contender for the seat.”
On what would happen to his case in court if he won the fresh primary, Okonkwo said, “my participation is without prejudice to any court case. Those processes are tests of popularity. And any party man will not shy away from any process.”
Indeed, his campaign body, the Dikeora Campaign Organization, in a statement by its Director-General, Chief (Arch) Okey Chukwuogo, stressed the reasons Dr Okonkwo should be given the ticket.
According to Chukwuogo, Dr Okonkwo is ‘’the authentic candidate who was illegally displaced by Ekwunife’s imposition. Dr. Okonkwo still has a subsisting pre-election suit in which, if he prevails, would result in declaring him the duly elected Senator. Furthermore, it was due to the confidence that Dr. Okonkwo’s candidature would be ultimately validated that led to the almost 40,000 votes garnered by the PDP in Idemili North and Idemili South where Dr. Okonkwo hails from. This is in addition to the quantum votes scored in the entire senatorial zone on account of Dr. Okonkwo’s presumptive status as the lawful candidate.’’
The Minister of information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, has assured that the Federal Government will not regulate Online Publications in the country, saying the publishers are responsible enough to regulate themselves.
The Minister gave the assurance on Friday when he met with Online Publishers in Lagos, in continuation of his ongoing consultation with key stakeholders in the Information and Culture sector.
He however told the publishers to ensure that they maintain their credibility, saying: ”If the online publications suffer credibility problems, they stand the risk of losing the confidence of their readers and the advertisers who provide the lifeblood for the publications’ survival”.
Alhaji Mohammed said while the number of online publications is bound to grow in the days ahead, only the credible ones will continue to enjoy patronage, either from the readers or from the advertisers.
He said it was in the interest of government that Online Publications continue to grow in number ”because the more the number of such online publications, the easier it becomes to bridge the information gap between the government and the governed, and the easier it becomes for the government to carry the citizens along in the formulation and implementation of policies that touch on their lives”.
The Minister promised that the Federal Government would patronize the Online Publications through adverts, saying: ”All we ask for, in return, is that you provide accurate information to the people, and avoid sensationalism and partisanship.”
He sought the Publishers’ support to ensure the success of the various campaigns that have either being launched or are about to be launched by the Federal Government.
”The National Security Awareness Campaign, aimed at rallying the support of Nigerians for the war on terror, is ongoing. Also, the National Sensitization Campaign against Corruption was formally launched in Abuja on Monday, and it is aimed at rallying Nigerians against the cankerworm of corruption which has eaten deep into the fabric of our society. We are also preparing to launch a National Re-orientation Campaign, which is tagged ‘CHANGE BEGINS WITH ME’, to achieve a paradigm shift in the way we do things,” Alhaji Mohammed said.
Describing the war against corruption as one of the cardinal programmes of the Buhari Administration, he said: ”Some have said the government is dwelling too much on the war against corruption to the detriment of other areas of governance. Our response to that is that indeed, there is nothing like dwelling too much on this war, which is a war of survival for our nation.
”The situation is grim, very grim indeed, as far as corruption is concerned. That is why the Federal Government is embarking on this sensitization Campaign Our approach is not to vilify anyone but to use facts and figures to give Nigerians a sense of the cost of corruption.”
The Minister blamed corruption for the fact that while the countrys budget had grown consistently from just over 900 billion Naira in 1999 to over 6 trillion Naira in 2016, poverty has also grown almost in direct proportion.
”The simple reason is that appropriated funds have ended up in the pockets of a few,” he said.
Giving a comparative analysis of the number of those who benefitted from the funds allegedly collected from the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) and funds allocated for the 2015 Zonal Intervention Projects, Alhaji Mohammed said ”the amount received by 21 individuals and companies from ONSA is more than the 2015 Zonal Intervention Project budget by 2.829 billion Naira!
”Whereas the sum of 51.829 billion Naira was appropriated for 1,278 projects in the Zonal Intervention Projects for 2015, a total of 21 individuals and companies benefited from the Dasukigate to the tune of 54.659 billion Naira as we know so far.
”The implication, therefore, is that the amount received by 21 individuals and companies is more than the 2015 Zonal Intervention Project budget by 2.829 billion Naira! Furthermore, the value of what beneficiaries of Dasukigate contributed to development is zero, compared to how the lives of Nigerians would have been transformed, poverty reduced and livelihoods improved by the Zonal Intervention Projects which would have cost 2.829 billion Naira less than Dasukigate.
He appealed to the Online Publishers to support the war against corruption by ensuring that Nigerians are well informed about the evils of corruption, saying: ”This is not Buhari’s war. This is not APC’s war. This is Nigeria’s war and failure is not an option.”
Abolore Adegbola Adigun, popularly known as 9ice, has released a statement saying his former wife Toni Payne never cheated on him. This is coming six years after Toni Payne has went through the torment and accusations of infidelity.
Read statement below: FILE: 9ice and Tony Payne on their traditional wedding day
It has come to my attention that yesterday some people were up to some mischief harassing Toni Payne regarding an evil rumor that was spread years ago. I would like to use this opportunity to state categorically that the song Once Bitten Twice shy was not and can never be about Toni Payne. I have NEVER accused her or told anybody that she cheated on me because she DID NOT. It did not happen and it was never an issue. Let me be very clear. Toni Payne NEVER cheated on me. Some marriages do not work for different reasons.
Unfortunately I released my album at a very delicate time in our relationship and a song from the album was taken the wrong way and things were blown out of proportion due to my silence.
I have apologized to her in person and she has accepted my apology. I have moved on to a fresh start and she has moved on too. I would appreciate if the general public do the same.
I would appreciate if people refrain from insulting her for something she is not guilty of. Once again, the song Once Bitten Twice Shy was NEVER about TONI PAYNE. It was just a song. I wish I had come out sooner but I cannot change the past, I can only try and make amends for the future.
It is a new dawn for us all and I hope this closes the topic permanently. If it does not, maybe it is best I release a song clarifying this issue for the 100th time because what started all this was a song and all my effort to clear that air via interviews have been futile. I assure you, I will stop at nothing to make sure this evil rumor is put to sleep once and for all. Again It was never my intention to cause her pain. My apologies to everyone who was affected. God Bless!
This represents N20 depreciation when compared with the closing exchange rate of N325 per dollar in the market on Friday.
TV gal and model Jumai Shaba who is expecting her first child got married to her beau, Rosiji in an outdoor wedding in Dubai in 2015. This is the first pic (I think) from the wedding she's shared online.
Son of basketball great and reality star, EJ Johnson, 23, stepped out in Beverly hills for the filming of an episode of Rich Kids of Beverly Hills and he looked fab in a tight all white outfit, brown fur coat and boots to match. More photos after the cut...
Yesterday I shared TV Personality Bolanle Olukanni's comments about Will Smith's Nigerian accent in the film Concussion (See here). Well, TV Producer and music talent agent, Ayo Shonaiya absolutely doesn't agree with what Bolanle wrote, which was featured on MediaTakeOut and took to his Facebook page to air his views. Find what he wrote after the cut...
Rapper, Tyga who was recently spotted walking together on Thursday with Instagram model Val Mercado, whom everyone says looks eerily similar to his girlfriend Kylie Jenner, (don't see the resemblance). The two were seen at a Beverly Hills shopping center while Kylie spent Thursday night partying in the city with friends. Neither Tyga nor Val have commented on their rumoured relationship. More photos after the cut...
The Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode went on an inspection tour of Ajasa-Command in Agbado Oke-Odo LCDA, on Thursday, January 21, 2016 with House of Representative member, Hon. Jumoke Okoya-Thomas; Deputy Director, Ministry Works & Infrastructure, Engr. Rasheed Akindele; General Manager, Lagos State Public Works Corporation (LSPWC), Engr. Ayotunde Sodeinde, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Works & Infrastructure, Engr. Bade Adebowale and Commissioner for Energy & Mineral Resources, Mr. Wale Oluwo.
