UN blacklists Boko Haram

The United Nation Security Council committee yesterday May 22nd blacklisted Islamic sect Boko haram after the Nigerian government on Wednesday May 21st made a request asking for the sect to be blacklisted.

 

A statement released by the U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations, Samantha Power says the move was to help close all avenue of funding received by Boko Haram members

"Today, the Security Council took an important step in support of the government of Nigeria’s efforts to defeat Boko Haram and hold its murderous leadership accountable for atrocities. By adding Boko Haram to the U.N.’s 1267 (al Qaeda) sanctions list, the Security Council has helped to close off important avenues of funding, travel and weapons to Boko Haram, and shown global unity against their savage actions,”

With this blacklisting, it makes it an offence for any country or individual to provide any form of support to Boko Haram. The group is now subject to an international asset freeze, travel ban and arms embargo.

Nicki Minaj responds to a Forbes article claiming Iggy Azalea runs Hip Hop

Nicki Minaj has responded to a Forbes article published on May 19th titled “Hip Hop Is Run By a White, Blonde, Australian Woman.”, describing rapper Izzy Azalea as the new princess of hip hop. The mag said while Minaj has been 'oddly quiet for months', Iggy's rise in the charts has been swift.

The comment made Nicki feel some type of way and when asked about it on Power 105′s The Breakfast Club yesterday, Nicki said;
“Listen. All Forbes needs to worry about is my finances and when I’m going to be selling Myx Fusions for $250 million. That’s all they need to worry about. We rely on hip-hop connoisseurs and blogs for that kind of information. So we appreciate it, but no thank you

Breaking News! Breaking News!!Breaking News!!!

Breaking News! Breaking News!!Breaking News!!!
There's another plane crash and nobody survived. The plane was carrying all your Problems, Shame, disappointment,­ discouragement,­ Sorrows, Failure, Tears, Sickness, Weakness, Pains, and Struggles.
If you believe In God, say a BIG "AMEN!

Police Press Release: Police avert another bomb blast in Kano

Here's a Police press release signed by The Force Public Relations officer, Frank Mba...

The Police in Kano today, 19^th May, 2014, about 9:00am averted what could have been another devastating bomb blast in the ancient city of Kano. Kano Police operatives, acting on intelligence, tracked and recovered a Mitsubishi Station Wagon car, ash in colour, with registration number Kano – AE 756 GSW loaded with assorted gas cylinders, one container of fuel and other electrical components of Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs). The vehicle was recovered at Tafawa Balewa Street, Nasarawa area of Kano State and has since been rendered safe by Police Bomb Disposal experts.

Meanwhile, security agencies in Kano have commenced investigation into both the aborted blast as well as the last night bomb incident. Continue...

It will be recalled that a suspected suicide bomber detonated an IED yesterday, 18^th May, 2014, about 9:30pm at Middle Road, off Gold Coast Street, Sabon Gari, Kano. The blast led to the death of five persons including the suspected suicide bomber. Seven persons were injured, four of them already treated and discharged while six vehicles were also damaged.

While commiserating with the families and friends of the victims of the last night incident, the Inspector-General of Police, IGP MD Abubakar, CFR, NPM, mni, psc called for the cooperation of all in the fight against terrorism. He promised that the law enforcement agencies will continue to do their best towards winning the ongoing war against terrorism

Nigerian Unemployed graduates to receive N19k monthly allowance?

That's what a committee at the on-going National Conference is suggesting...for all unemployed graduates in Nigeria to earn a monthly allowance equivalent to the allowance of members of the National Youth Service Corps, which is N19,800.

Punch reports that the conference’s Committee on Law, Judiciary, Human Rights and Legal Reform made the recommendation but it can only fall through if it's accepted by the Federal Government.

A member of the committee said the recommendation was one of the ways the committee members felt that crime could be reduced in the country. He told Punch;

"The recommendation is our own way of finding solutions to the rising wave of crime in the country and to also force the government to do the needful for the increasing number of unemployed graduates in the country. We have done our part and it is left for the delegates to either reject or accept it at plenary.”

I have a feeling FG won't be interested in this. Who thinks it's a good idea?

Former players back Giggs

As Manchester United ponder the vital decision about who will become their next manager former players continue to champion the cause of Ryan Giggs.

The Welshman was given the job until the end of the season following the sacking of David Moyes last week and made a positive start with assured performances in front of the media and an emphatic 4-0 win over Norwich City on Saturday.

Dutchman Louis van Gaal is the favourite but Dutch media reports have said he would insist on bringing Patrick Kluivert and a team of his coaches to Old Trafford, putting the future of Giggs in doubt.

Giggs's former teammates have no doubts he is ready for the role despite his obvious lack of managerial experience.

"He started well on Saturday," former United defender Gary Neville said this week.

"So let him have two or three more games to see whether he settles into the position and whether he can bed in and be given that role.

"There's the idea that Ryan hasn't got experience, but he knows the club. And then there's the idea that Van Gaal has massive experience, but he doesn't know the Premier League.

"At the end of the day the owners will do what they want to do. I suppose in some ways they want an experienced hand, but I personally would like to see a British manager be appointed because Manchester United have always appointed British managers."

Neville said the success of young managers like Diego Simeone, Pep Guardiola and Kenny Dalglish proved that experience was not always necessary.

"There is no hard and fast rule in appointing managers nowadays," said Neville, a close friend of Giggs and now working as a television analyst.

"You've seen different examples of how sometimes it works and sometimes it doesn't work, and until you appoint someone, you haven't got a clue whether it's going to work or not.

"From that point of view, people say Ryan's got no experience, but then is Van Gaal going to work? We don't know. It's a call for people at the club."

Former United striker Louis Saha also backed his ex-teammate. "He can do the job now, for sure," the Frenchman said.

"It seems like an easy choice for now because he proved he can do it last weekend.

"I was sad to see David Moyes go. But maybe it would have been more clever to give (Giggs) his chance months ago."

GOOD FRIENDS

Giggs, assisted by his good friends and former United class of 92 members Nicky Butt, Phil Neville and Paul Scholes, made a confident start, promising his team would play with tempo and passion.

He made a bold decision to leave Marouane Fellaini, signed by Moyes for £27.5 million in August, out of the squad against Norwich and started record signing Juan Mata on the bench.

The Spanish midfielder scored twice after coming on as a second-half substitute and Old Trafford rejoiced at watching a much more fluent and vibrant display than they had become used to under the cautious Moyes.

Giggs has home games against Sunderland and Hull City to negotiate before taking United to Southampton on the final day of the season and four successive wins would considerably strengthen his claims to get the job.

United chief executive Ed Woodward will be reluctant to upset the fans by jettisoning the hugely popular Giggs, the club's most decorated player and still in the first-team squad at the age of 40, but he will also covet the proven pedigree of Van Gaal.

The 62-year-old Netherlands coach has won league titles as coach of Ajax Amsterdam, Barcelona and Bayern Munich and whether he and Giggs can both be accommodated in a workable managerial appears to be at the heart of Woodward's conundrum.

Rich black celebs, including Oprah, Diddy & Mayweather want to buy Clippers

With the Basketball Commission forcing L.A Clippers owner Donald Sterling to sell his team following his racist audio tape scandal, several high-profile black celebrities have shown interest in buying the team. Oprah Winfrey, Sean 'Diddy' Combs, Floyd Mayweather and Magic Johnson have all shown interest, especially Oprah.

Sterling, however, says his team is not for sale and won't go down without a fight. The 81 year old, who has not issued a public apology yet, bought the Clippers for $12 million in 1981. Today they are worth a staggering $575 million. Oprah is worth over $3billion...so she's capable.

The only way Sterling can be forced to give up his team is if 3/4 of the NBA owners agree to the sale.

Fresh Abuja blast leaves several people dead>>> MAY 1 2014

I'm bringing an update on this now because I was on my way out of Nigeria last night when the news broke. Just landed to hear that 30 people may have been killed in the blast. Some media outlets are reporting as high as 70 while CNN puts the figure at 9, NEMA at 10 and the Nigerian police at 12.

The blast occurred last night Thursday May 1st around 8.20 at Karshi Taxi Park, very close to the scene of the April 14th bomb blast. It is believed that the explosion came from a bomb-laden white Volkswagen parked at the taxi park.

The bomb went off as residents of the area were returning home. Eye witnesses said bodies of some of the victims were scattered on the ground, while some were burnt beyond recognition.

A statement released by the NSCDC and NEMA said that 10 bodies were recovered from the scene while several others were taken to different hospitals.

"While security agencies have condoned off the area of the explosion in Nyanya, Abuja, response agencies have moved injured victims to hospitals and at least 10 lifeless bodies have been deposited in the mortuary while 13 unconscious victims are receiving medical attention in different hospitals in Abuja. Other injured victims too are being attended to." the statement read in part.

Some security sources said yesterday that they believe the bomb was set to explode early this morning, just like the Nyanya blast that went off as commuters gathered at the park to take transport to their various destinations, but something went wrong and the bomb accidentally went off, killing the driver and other innocent people who were about to board buses to leave the Abuja City Park. Meanwhile, NEMA has called onAbuja residents to donate blood to help victims of the blast. This can't keep happening. It just can't! See more pics after the cut...

Fifa investigates Super Eagles

Fifa has opened an investigation into allegations by convicted match-fixer Wilson Perumal Raj, that he helped Nigeria qualify for the 2010 Fifa World Cup.

In his book released last Monday, the 48-year-old Singaporean revealed how he met with a Nigeria Football Federation official to try and fix games so that Super Eagles could top their group.

He also stated in his book that he had an agreement with the Nigerian federation that he would organise friendly matches for its men's national team as well as some percentage of whatever Fifa pays the country in lieu of qualifying.

NFF spokesperson, Ademola Olajire confirmed Fifa are looking into the matter with full cooperation from the federation.

Olajire affirmed that the NFF has received correspondence from the football ruling body related to the case and are watching tapes of the games Nigeria played during the qualifying series for the 2010 World Cup.

"We have forwarded the letter to our match-fixing officer Dr. Mohammed Sanusi and NFF's Integrity Officer Dr. Christian Emeruwa. All enquiries should now go to Fifa as I explained in my earlier release on the matter," Olajire said.

The NFF had in an earlier release condemned the allegations, citing it as a figment of imagination of a convicted felon.

"Perumal's statements are a hogwash and have no legs to stand on. We have ordered the book itself with a view to digesting it and looking critically at it," NFF General Secretary, Barrister Musa Amadu said on Tuesday.

" If the book impugns on the image of the Nigeria Football Federation, our players and the larger image of our dear country, we will take appropriate action."

Nigeria qualified for the 2010 Fifa World Cup ahead of Tunisia, Mozambique and Kenya in the final rounds of the Africa zone of qualifying.

Portugal go third in rankings

Europe occupies the top three places on the Fifa/Coca-Cola World Ranking after Portugal climbed third behind leaders Spain and Germany.

They are followed by four South American sides in Colombia (4th, up 1), Uruguay (5th, up 1) and fierce rivals Argentina (down 3) and Brazil (up 3), who share sixth position. Just 12 points separate this quartet.

Greece return to the top 10 for the first time since October 2012, while Scotland (22nd, up 15) are the only team to have climbed over 10 places.

Two teams managed to reach their highest-ever positions: Azerbaijan (85th, up six) and Afghanistan (122nd, up five).

Conversely, a number of teams have dropped by more than 10 places: Albania (70th, down 16), Israel (78th, down 13), New Zealand (111th, down 21), Liberia (119th, down 22), Dominican Republic (126th, down 15), Tajikistan (133rd, down 12), New Caledonia (136th, down 18), Philippines (143rd, down 13), Turkmenistan (156th, down 14), Tahiti (157th, down 19) and Hong Kong (158th, down 13).

Only six matches were played over the past month. The majority of changes to the Fifa/Coca-Cola World Rankings can be attributed to the devaluation of matches from previous years, most of which were Fifa World Cup™ qualifiers and now have a greatly reduced weighting.

No team has managed to break into the top 50. Uefa has an unparalleled 27 sides in the leading half-century, following by CONMEBOL and the CAF on eight, CONCACAF on five, the AFC on two and the OFC on zero.

The six matches played brought the total number evaluated so far this year to 128.

The next Fifa/Coca-Cola World Rankings will be published on 8 May 2014.

Fifa.com

Rihanna Wears Bikini Top & Nothing Below For New Photo Shoot

Rihanna has taken her sex appeal up another notch in a series of photos that have hit the net.

TMZ obtained pics from a photo shoot Riri did for a French Magazine.

The singer takes it all off except for a bikini top.

Check Out Pictures From The Shoot Below..

Photo: Woman caught stealing baby through window in Ogun state

31year old Blessing Aransiola (pictured) was caught in the early hours of this morning April 10th allegedly trying to steal a 1 year old girl, Oreoluwa Adanri, from her parents home at Ademola Coker Street, Alagbole, Ogun State, PM News reports.

Narrating what happened, Oreoluwa's mother, Mrs Adanri said Blessing gained entrance into their home around 4am by tearing their window net as they slept. She said she was woken up by the cry of her daughter in the hands of the suspect.

"She picked up the baby as she was sleeping on the bed by the window and stole N5,000 kept in a purse. She was trying to run away when my husband ran after her and caught her. I raised an alarm to draw neighbours’ attention to the incident and everybody came out to assist us,” Mrs. Adanri narrated.

Blessing was arrested and immediately taken to the Ajuwon station where she is being held for kidnapping. Continue...

 

In her statement, Blessing said she was homeless and was looking for a place to sleep when she found the passage of the Adanri's 

"I was looking for a place to sleep when I saw the verandah. I was trying to sit down when the net got torn. I was wandering about, I didn’t steal any baby or money. Last year November I sustained injury on my leg and I couldn’t walk properly again. Later, I developed problems in my eyes and I couldn’t see properly again. Since then I have been moving about,”

“I am not a thief. They accused me of kidnapping but I am not a kidnapper, I was just wandering about because I have nowhere to sleep. I did not kidnap any child,” she stated.

Blessing says this is not the first time she has been wrongly labeled a thief, as she was thrown out from her former abode at no 5, Modupeola Street, Iju-Ishaga, by her landlord after her co-tenants labeled her a thief.

See this throwback photo of Nollywood stars

Actress Ayo Adesanya (pictured far right) shared this throwback photo of her colleagues, Genevieve Nnaji (far left), Stephanie Okereke, Rita Nzelu, Chidi Mokeme, and Simi Opeoluwa. This was definitely over 12 years ago...

Happy birthday to Africa's leading entrepreneur - Aliko Dangote

He's an inspiration to many so it's only deserving to wish him a happy birthday. Africa's richest man, with an estimated net worth of $25 billion as of March 2014, Aliko Dangote, is a year older today Thursday April 10th. Wishing him many more successful years ahead!

Ms Sahhara strikes fierce pose during bikini shoot

She announced two days ago that she's doing a sexy lingerie shoot so I've been stalking her Facebook page...lol. She finally released a pic from the shoot today...and hot damn, that's the body of a former man. Mehn, I have to hit the gym ASAP!

Chartered jets: Diezani, NNPC GMD shun Reps’ queries

Minister of Petroleum Resources, Mrs. Diezani Alison-Madueke and Group Managing Director, NNPC, Mr. Andrew Yakubu


The House of Representatives Committee on Public Accounts appears to be in a dilemma following the refusal of the Minister of Petroleum Resources, Mrs. Diezani Alison-Madueke, to respond to its letter demanding information on the controversial Challenger 850 aircraft chartered for her use.

In the letter written by the committee Chairman, Mr. Solomon Olamilekan, on March 26, Alison-Madueke was requested to provide information on the sources of funding and to cite the law that empowers a minister to fly in chartered jets.

She was given one week to respond to the questions. However, as of Tuesday, there was no response from her.

A similar set of questions was sent to the Group Managing Director of the NNPC, Mr. Andrew Yakubu.

The committee was given the specific mandate to probe the alleged N10bn expenses the minister incurred in the last three years, flying in   Challenger 850.

In the course of preliminary findings, the committee got additional information that Alison-Madueke chartered other jets, including a Global Express XRS.

The committee was given three weeks to report the outcome of the investigation to the House.

The PUNCH gathered on Tuesday that three weeks after the committee got the mandate, little progress was achieved on the assignment because the minister and Yakubu had yet to   respond to enquiries by the committee.

A source close to the committee, confirmed to The PUNCH in Abuja, that “no response has been forwarded to the committee on this jet issue.”

“Not from the minister, not from the NNPC. There is a situation of a dilemma because the committee can really not make much progress without getting the responses,” he said, pleading not to be named.

The source added that, rather than respond to the enquiries, what the committee had heard was that the NNPC fired its Executive Director, Legal Services, Mr. Tony Maduchi, on Monday.

The source claimed that the alleged sacking was not unconnected with the ongoing investigation into the chartered jets.

The director was said to be in a position to avail the House committee of useful information on the investigation.

The source added, “These are not ordinary times. We are aware of steps being taken to prevent the committee from carrying out its assignment.

“Why the removal of the Director of the Legal Services of the NNPC at this point in time?

“The NNPC and the minister must come before the committee to explain their roles in the deal to all Nigerians. We, as lawmakers, will use all the constitutional powers we have to get to the root of the matter.”

The PUNCH had reported exclusively last week that the committee had come under pressure from “forces outside the House” to soft pedal on the investigation.

Efforts to get Olamilekan’s comments on the alleged frustration of the committee failed.

After our correspondent placed several calls to him, he picked one and responded, “Let me call you back, if you don’t mind.”

As of 7.15pm on Tuesday, Olamilekan had not returned the call. He also did not reply to text messages forwarded to him by one of our correspondents.

While the House committee is  in a dilemma over the probe, the Senate Committee on Petroleum Resources (Downstream) seems set to probe the NNPC over its handling of funds from the nation’s oil and gas sector.

The committee, according to a source   decided after a closed-door meeting to, among others, probe the chartering of aircraft for Alison-Madueke by the NNPC.

The source, who did not want his name in print,  explained that the committee decided to begin a full-scale investigation of  the corporation  because it (NNPC) had consistently shunned its invitation on six different occasions since October last year.

He added that the Senator Magnus Abe-led committee   had not been able to get details of NNPC’s use of public funds because of its management’s actions.

The source recalled that on April 4, the committee sent a letter to the NNPC GMD    to attend a scheduled meeting on Tuesday (yesterday) but got no response from him.

“The meeting originally planned for 2. 45 pm in the Senate had nobody from the NNPC in attendance and there was no correspondence either,” he said.

He  disclosed that the committee  had   again  written to   the NNPC, requesting among others, detailed records of the volumes and sales of all crude oil and products and detailed record of the volumes of crude oil received as part of the crude swap arrangement by local refineries.

Also, the committee   requested from the NNPC,  details of kerosene importation and distribution  and details of the number and management of aircraft  (both chartered and purchased)  in the corporation’s fleet.

The corporation was   asked to provide details of funds expended on aircraft purchases, hiring and maintenance in the last two years.

It is also to produce contract papers on the lease or purchase of aircraft;   issues surrounding the Turn Around Maintenance and or rehabilitation of the nation’s refineries as well as the supply and distribution of petroleum products and ancillary issues.

The April 4 letter read in part, “I am directed to refer to you, several letters of invitation to you to meet with the committee. You are requested to furnish the committee with information relating to the activities of your corporation since October 2013.

“I am to draw your attention to the fact that the 1999 Constitution,   as amended, statutorily empowers the Senate   and by extension, its committee on Petroleum Resources (Downstream) to ‘oversight’ the activities of the NNPC and its subsidiary refinery companies.

“I am to further express the committee’s dissatisfaction with the conduct of the management of the NNPC, especially its seeming disrespect and disregard of its invitations and requests for information and data relating to the activities of the NNPC and its refinery companies.

“Also, in view of the inability and or unpreparedness of your officials to adequately respond to questions at the committee’s meeting of Tuesday and Wednesday, the committee resolved to further invite the GMD (PPMC), the Group Executive Director (R&P), and the Managing Directors of all the nation’s refineries to a meeting on Tuesday, April 8.”

Another source told one of  our correspondents  that “previous meetings between the NNPC and the committee had  always been frustrated because junior officers were  sent to attend them.”

He said, “Those who attend the meetings are either junior officers or they are not in possession of documents or details pertaining to what the committee wants.”

When contacted, the committee chairman,   confirmed that the NNPC management had consistently shunned the invitation of the committee.

Photos from Julius Agwu's birthday celebration yesterday

Julius Agwu was a year older yesterday April 7th and marked his 10th anniversary celebrating with the kids at Heart of Gold Hospice. The ace comedian has been celebrating his birthday at the Hospice every year for the last 10 years. He later celebrated with his family. See photos after the cut...






 





 


 






 

PHOTOS: HAVE YOU SEEN A N164MILLION WORTH WRISTWATCH BEFORE? WELL, SEE FOR YOURSELF!!!

If Floyd Mayweather Jr. doesn’t knock you out, his new watch, dripping in 60 Carats of flawless diamonds, will definitely do the job… and TMZ has the first pics. According to TMZ, a source with direct knowledge of the deal says Floyd dropped $1 million to have the icy timepiece custom made from Russian cut diamonds. Floyd flew to NYC this week to check out the watch and from the look on his face, was thrilled with the result. The watch is covered in diamonds, with just the white gold hands and the leather band not made of diamonds.

Best part – TMZ reports Floyd owns the
trademark on the design, meaning it can’t be duplicated without his permission. Dope!!!
Pictures via TMZ

Tchidi Chikere and Nuella Njubigbo to wed this weekend; issues statement

 

I know this sounds like 'No way!' but it's really 'Yes way!' :-). Actress Nuella Njubigbo will wed long time love, Nollywood producer/director Tchidi Chikere this weekend in her hometown in Anambra state and this is authoritative.

The couple who have been dating before Tchidi divorced his actress wife and mother of his 3 children Sophia Chikere, moved in together at Graceland Estate in Ajah last year.

Nuella has issued a statement confirming the news of her upcoming wedding, saying that she's only following her heart. Find the statement after the cut...


Let me start by confirming some of the rumours you may have heard. Yes, the traditional marriage rites between Tchidi Chikere and I will be performed soon. This was not the way we imagined or planned it, but as they say, nobody has a crystal ball to tell where or who we end up with. Life is a dice.

At the time the rumours of his separation/divorce and me being involved was going on, I definitely was not in that space where some story writers said I was. I was busy doing other things with my life, other preoccupations, a relationship (I thought would lead to marriage), and my acting career. Things happened, my relationship packed up and we went our separate ways, I moved on.

Tchidi and I have always been friends (As I am with other colleagues), We trade in the same career, but we never crossed that line (we never dated), not to talk of me getting pregnant for him ( I’m presently not pregnant as still being written) sometimes It’s really tiring confirming or refuting some of these rumors.  I know some naysayers would still believe what they have made up their minds to believe and stick to; Truth is, I am not making this statement for those set of people, neither am I making it to get people on my side. This statement goes out to those who love me and truly care about me and the way I live my life, and to my very reliable and supportive fans who have been asking questions and deserve to know the truth.

In the past two years, Tchidi and I worked more, we got closer and more friendly, we were both single and I began to understand and see the real him. Needless to say that I also began to really, really like this real person I was getting to know more and more with every passing day. Then it happened, our hearts clicked. Well, maybe the flying rumours contributed to this and made me look more his way, or it could have been part of life we have no control over.

Suffice this to say, he proposed to me a while ago and after very careful thought and consideration on every side I said yes. Would I say no because of what people would say and damn where my heart led me? Just like Bill Cosby said, ‘the key to failure is trying to please everybody’. I chose not to take that route, instead follow my heart.

My heart is remarkably at peace with this decision, and I am willing to take this leap of faith which every married woman has taken. Where this love will lead me I cannot say, I am not God, but, I have hope, faith and believe that it will lead me to a good place. Every one of us in this life deserves a chance to be happy. I am taking my own chance.

This is the only statement I am making on this, any other one after this is not from me. I can’t help what people say or write, but please be careful about what you listen to or read and believe. For those who wish me the best, I wish the very best, for those who don’t, I leave you to God who sees and knows all things. Thanks for reading.

Check Out Michael Jackson’s 15year Old Daughter Paris Jackson Half Naked Photos

Paris Jackson is Micheal Jackson’s 15 year old daughter. .Wow!!! she is all grown up now….