PRESIDENT BUHARI WELCOMES THE RELEASE OF UNIMAID LECTURERS, 10 POLICE WIVES

 The Department of State Services, DSS  Saturday briefed President Muhammadu Buhari on the release, through negotiations, of three University of Maiduguri (UNIMAID) lecturers abducted by suspected Boko Haram terrorists in Magumeri, Borno State. 

Also released from the Boko Haram terrorists are 10 women, kidnapped in a raid by the militant group on a military/police convoy on Damboa road, near Maiduguri. 

ASUU,SSANU, NAAT Attempt to Disrupt NAU Matriculation Foiled by Joint Security Operatives

The three striking unions of the Nigeria Universities in Nnamdi Azikiwe University Awka have alleged that the school authorities have assigned their responsibilities to Corps members to carry out their duties.

They lamented that the school authorities are insensitive to their plight by engaging ad-hoc staff to carry out their duties.

Buhari sends his best wishes to Team Nigeria at PyeongChang Winter Olympics

President Muhammadu Buhari on Friday extended his best wishes to Team Nigeria as it begins its historic appearance at the 2018 Winter Olympics in PyeongChang, South Korea. (L-R): Seun Adigun, Ngozi Onwumere, and Akuoma Omeoga attend a social social event in Lagos, Nigeria on February 2, 2018. The lady bobsledders will be the first ever Nigerian team at the Winter Olympics when the compete at the 2018 Winter Olympics in PyeongChang, South Korea.

Fans to celebrate Ayinde Barrister’s 70th birthday

The essence of legendary fuji musician, Alhaji Sikiru Ayinde Barrister, will come alive on Saturday, when his fans will celebrate his 70th posthumous birthday in Lagos.
The event holding at Shodex Garden, in the Anthony Village area of Ikorodu Road, is being organised by the Ayinde Barrister Legacy Club.
Apart from an anticipated rain of tributes, a fuji artiste, said to be propagating Barrister’s style, Taju System, will perform.

I’ve lived a fulfilled life –Yinka Ayefele

In spite of the huge success recorded in the music industry, Yinka Ayefele has revealed that he never thought of becoming a musician at a time.
Ayefele, who is now a highly sought-after musician, said he dumped his quest to become a banker when he couldn’t get a job.
 He told Saturday Beats, “Growing up, I loved music but I didn’t know it would become my profession. My late father wanted me to be a banker and I worked towards it too. After my degree, my brothers made efforts to get me a job at the cooperative banks but nothing worked out. My life changed a day we went to a Christmas event at the Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria. They found out that I had a good voice, and immediately, they gave me some programmes to handle.”

We are tired of foreigners, coming to win Lagos City Marathon – Ambode

Buratai, Dalung, Pinnick, A-List Artistes, Celebrities, Others To Participate Ahead of Saturday’s Lagos City Marathon, Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode on Friday said the State Government has set a target to get the event listed in the annual calendar of the International Association of Athletics Federation (IAAF) that would make the Marathon earn a Gold Label award within the next two years.
Akinwunmi Ambode Governor Ambode, who spoke during an interview with Kwese TV, said it was gratifying that the Lagos City Marathon had, within three years, earned a Bronze Label rating, saying that the past two editions have put Lagos on the international map as the hub for sports development in Africa and that efforts are in top gear to make this year’s edition bigger and better. “For Lagos, this is an exciting moment for us. We believe strongly that we are the capital of sports in Nigeria and we need to showcase all the infrastructure and facilities that we have in

I died but woke up on my way to mortuary –Julius Agwu

But for the love of God, ace comedian, Julius Agwu, would have been dead by now. In fact, in an exclusive interview with Saturday Beats, the humour merchant noted that he had died but woke up when he was being conveyed to the mortuary.

Four dead, two injured, as truck hits bus on Kara bridge

Four persons reportedly died while two others were injured in an auto crash which occurred on the Kara bridge along the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway on Friday.

Traffic report indicated that the accident involved a Sino truck laden with a container and an Urvan commercial bus.
The truck with the number plate KMC 47 ZB, which was travelling to Lagos, was said to have hit the commercial bus from behind forcing it to veer off the road and landed by the river under the Kara bridge.

Iyanya, Jeff, Niniola, others to headline ‘Live & Wavy’ concert

 After recording a massive success with the debut edition of ‘Live & Wavy’ concert in 2017, 10stringz Production in collaboration with Media Panache Nigeria and Temple Management brings the second edition of the concert which has been scheduled for March 9, 2018, with MTN Project Fame winner, Jeff Akoh, as major headliner along with several other big shots. Tagged ‘Live & Wavy with Jeff Akoh & Friends’, the concert will feature live performances from Jeff, Iyanya, Niniola,

Buhari approves compulsory retirement, dismissal of judges

President Muhammadu Buhari has approved the compulsory retirement of Justice Adeniyi Ademola of the Abuja Division of the Federal High Court and the dismissal from office of Justice O. O. Tokode of the Benin Division of the Federal High Court.

The approval was contained in a statement made available to journalists on Friday by the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu.

Senate leader backs call for state police

The Senate Leader, Ahmed Lawan, on Friday said he was on the same page with Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo that state police would go a long way in tackling the nation’s security challenges.

Lawan said this in an interview with State House correspondents after joining Buhari for Jumat at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

Osinbajo had on Thursday, at a security summit organised by the Senate, said having state police was the way to go.

My life is in danger, says Afegbua

The Media Adviser to a former military dictator, Gen. Ibrahim Babangida (retd.), Mr. Kassim Afegbua, on Friday in Abuja raised the alarm over his safety, saying his life was in danger.

Afegbua, who spoke with journalists after he left the office of the Department of State Services in Abuja, where he had been invited for questioning, said the threats started since he issued a statement on Sunday on behalf of his principal, in which he advised President Muhammadu Buhari not to seek re-election in 2019.

Voter registration: Shortage of manpower, faulty equipment mar exercise

Inadequate manpower and faulty equipment are   affecting voter registration in many states, Ashiwaju Media  investigations have revealed.

Visits by our correspondents to some Independent National Electoral Commission registration centres across the country showed that while some residents couldn’t register due to unavailability and/or shortage of INEC personnel, others couldn’t because of inadequate and/or malfunctioning machines such as laptop computers and printers.

My son’s wife treats him like a houseboy in his home –Taiwo, Obasanjo’s ex-wife

An ex-wife of former President Olusegun Obasanjo, Taiwo, in this interview with Ashiwaju Media speaks on her son, the alleged troubles in his marriage and the stance of the father

It was shocking to hear that your son allegedly left his matrimonial home. Is it true that he’s missing or you know his whereabouts?

I don’t know where he is. Of the two children that I have, Olujonwo is my first child and only son. Nobody knows where he is. People are telling me not to make noise about it, but he’s been missing since last year and the whole thing is taking its toll on me as a mother. He wasn’t answering my call, but now the phone is switched off.

Court orders Innoson’s arrest, as lawyer insults judge

                                                Chairman, Innoson Group, Dr. Innocent Chukwuma.
Proceedings in the alleged forgery case of the businessman, Innocent Chukwuma, was fraught with drama on Friday as his lawyer, Prof. J.N. Mbadugha, accused the judge of “encouraging lawlessness.”
The lawyer’s outburst followed an enquiry by the judge, Justice Mojisola Dada, about the whereabouts of Chukwuma, who was not in court.
The lawyer had begun by saying he had several preliminary applications which must first be ironed out.

Lekki: Protests, traffic crisis as tolling begins

Amidst a flurry of protests and counter protests, traffic gridlock and outright disorder, the planned tolling of the Eti-Osa -Lekki Expressway, took off yesterday on a shaky note. Commuters plying the axis had a hellish time as traffic spanned almost two kilometres on both stretches of the ever-busy road. It was confusion galore as some motorists refused to leave the plaza until they had collected to the last kobo, the balance of the money they paid as tolls.

NULGE, NGOs Protest on Local Government Autonomy Bill In Anambra State

No Matriculation Ceremony : SSANU Dares Unizik VC

Raymond Ozoji , Awka

The Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities ( SSANU ) Nnamdi Azikiwe University branch  on Friday threatened to disrupt the matriculation ceremony slated for Saturday 9th February 2018 on grounds of management's insensitivity to the plight of non-teaching staff of the university .

APGA​ Will Win South East Election Come 2019--+Igwe APGA

“All South East Must Key Into APGA” – Igwe APGA

The 2019 presidential elections scheduled for the February 16, 2019 appears the main stay of political stalwarts. Speculative permutations have taken over talks and deliberations in all political and administrative quarters of State Houses. This is as political parties have begun unfolding plans against the power tussle of 2019. One of the focus is the South East geopolitical zone.

Linda Ikeji floats N400m TV channel

After eleven years of ruling the blogosphere as Africa’s number one, 37-year-old and still singlebillionaire blogger, Linda Ikeji, is set to take over the TV space with the launch of an entertainment and lifestyle channel on DSTV and online. Linda Ikeji, who made her fortunes from blogging, is currently putting lots of cable channel owners in fear as contents to be aired on her channel have already ignited anticipatory excitement across Africa. Linda Ikeji Some of the shows to be aired already trending on social media include Oyinbo wives of Lagos, King Tonto, Gidi Girls,

I love sex , says singer, Lorraine Lionheart

As she launches sex podcast By Ayo Onikoyi UK-based Botswana artiste, who released a single on romantic appeal of popular commercial tricycle ‘Keke Napep’ has launched a sex-positive podcast on February 1, 2018, named TASSO. Lorraine Lionheart The name is abbreviation for The African Sex Show Online , and the singer aims to engage mostly the African online community around the world. The podcast will specialise on topics about sex and sexuality in black communities and the singer says she specifically targeted this demographic because she recognises that sex is still a taboo subject among Africans. According to her,the podcast also aims to bring an insight on how sex relates to African spirituality, religion, our culture, history and black consciousness. “I love sex. It’s that

INEC official re-arrested over Diezani’s alleged N30m bribe to rig 2015 polls

 A former official of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Kwara, Christian Nwosu, who is standing trial over alleged N30 million bribe to rig the 2015 polls, was on Wednesday in Lagos re-arrested by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). Ex Petroleum minister, Mrs Diezani Alison-Madueke Nwosu was alleged to have received the money from a former Petroleum Minister, Diezani Alison-Madueke, to rig the 2015 elections. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that ex-INEC official was arrested after Wednesday’s proceedings in another criminal case at the Federal High Court in Lagos. EFCC charged Nwosu and one Tijani Bashir with receiving N30 million bribe from Diezani to commit electoral fraud. They were arraigned along with Yisa

Herdsmen menace: Wike gives Benue displaced persons N200m

 GOVERNOR Nyesom Wike Wednesday donated N200Million to persons displaced by herdsmen attacks in Benue state with a call for lasting measures to resolve the killings by Fulani herdsmen across Nigeria. *Some of the displaced children The governor who led a delegation of Rivers Elders on a condolence visit to Benue State in honour of those killed by Fulani herdsmen earlier in the year, said the amount was to assist the state government in providing relief materials and Medicare for those displaced by the crisis. He said: “What has happened in Benue has affected me. Look at deaths everywhere. Nobody is free again. People don’t understand the magnitude of the injury inflicted on the people of Benue. The country must sit down to proffer solutions to this menace “. “There is no way anybody can justify these killings. There is no justification whatsoever. The people of Benue State must rally round their governor at this point.

PHOTOS: Nigeria unveil new Super Eagles’ kits ahead 2018 World Cup

Nigeria on Wednesday unveiled the Super Eagles’ home and away kits for the 2018 World Cup.
The new kits, whose home shirt features a bright green-and-white zig-zag pattern spreading across the torso and the contrasting sleeves, pay homage to their USA 1994 campaign.
The away shirt is closer in resemblance to their more recent shirts with an all-over dark green design.
Nigeria are in Group D alongside Argentina, Croatia and Iceland.

Don’t ignore red flags when courting – Seyi Ariyo (Shebaby)

Background

I hail from Ogun State. However, I grew up in Lagos State and it was a wonderful time. I come from a very humble family but we were raised with love and compassion. One memory from my childhood that stands out was a time I used my mum’s toning cream. When she discovered what I did, I was reprimanded.

No rivalry between Woli Arole and me –Woli Agba

Although humour merchant, Ayobami Ajewole, popularly known as Woli Agba, has been in the business of ‘cracking ribs’ since the early 2000s, the young man’s fame fizzled out of the industry shortly after, at a time the ovation was loudest.
In his absence and with the emergence of social media, another brand, Woli Arole, emerged and wormed his way into the hearts of Nigerians by making them laugh. Now, Woli Agba seems to be back and aims at holding sway like he used to.
In a chat with Saturday Beats, the comedian said that contrary to what people might think, there is actually no rivalry between himself and Woli Arole. In fact, he said that Woli Arole actually motivated him.

I’d cry if denied food –Okon

It is often said that the fastest way to a man’s heart is through his belly and that seems to be the case with funny man, Ime Bishop Umoh. In a chat with Saturday Beats, he disclosed that his love for food prompted him to be a good cook so that nobody could deprive him of food.
He said if he was deprived of food, he would cry.
“I do chores; the once that interest me. I love food a lot. There is no food I cannot eat and once I crave a certain food, I cook it. I don’t place myself in a situation where someone would hold me to ransom by denying me food. You can do that with anything but if you try it with food, I can cry. I love food immeasurably. I thank God that I can cook anything. My mother taught me how to cook,” he said.

If not for stardom, my plan was to have a wife, two children –Sir Shina Peters

If wishes were horses, beggars would ride. For the veteran singer, Sir Shina Peters, who has children from different women, the aspect of his life relating to the size of his family did not go as he had planned.
In an exclusive chat with Saturday Beats, the singer said that all his life, his plan was to have one wife and two children but everything changed when he was in the spotlight.
“When I think about the fact that I am happily married, it is like a miracle because before now, whenever I finished a show, I would have about 250 women waiting for me. The question people should ask me is that out of all the women that swarmed around me, how did I choose a wife? I would say I was destined to be with my wife. It is not by our making; it was just destiny.
“If not because of my profession, my plan was to have only one wife and two children. But the temptation that comes with this business is too much. I always look at things from the spiritual aspect; do you know how many handkerchiefs women have used to rub my face?

I’ve never had a threesome – Ras Kimono

Singer, Ras Kimono has said that he was not reckless as a young man, even at the height of his fame.
In a recent chat with Sunday Scoop, he said, “I have never smoked and I don’t drink alcohol. I tell people I have been a vegetarian for 37 years. Even when my friends were having sex with two girls at the same time in those days, I didn’t join them. I have never done what these girls and boys call threesome despite being famous and I am sure there are other people who have never done that too.
“When people attribute recklessness to youthful exuberance, I get worried because I once passed through that stage too. I believe it is all about your upbringing. The fact that you are young doesn’t mean you should be wayward.”

Midnight Crew not dead –Mike Abdul

Many people assume that Midnight Crew no longer exists but a member of the gospel music group, Mike Abdul, argues otherwise.
He told Sunday Scoop, “The fact that an individual needs to find his or her own expression doesn’t mean a group is dead. I think it is a misconception. The members of Midnight Crew are still together. At the last three editions of The Experience concert, we performed as a group. Yesterday, we performed in Abuja as a group too. We were friends before coming together as a group. Even if Midnight Crew does not exist again, we would still be friends because that is our foundation.”

Bishop Oyedepo fêtes wife, Faith, at 60

The founder of Living Faith Church Worldwide, popularly known as Winners’ Chapel, Bishop David Oyedepo, has taken to the social media to celebrate his wife, Faith Abiola, as she clocks 60.
He wrote, “Happy 60th birthday to my wife, Faith Abiola Oyedepo.  You’re more beautiful in every way with every passing day. I’m grateful to God for blessing me with you.”
Rev. Faith was born on February 5, 1958 and has been married for 35 years to Bishop Oyedepo.

Robbers shoot man, snatch N1.7m in front of bank

Armed robbers attacked a man in front of a bank at Ajibade bus stop on Mokola/Sango road, Ibadan, on Wednesday afternoon as he made his way into the bank.
The victim said the robbers snatched the N1.7m he had on him.
A crowd of sympathisers and onlookers gathered around the victim as he writhed in pain after one of the robbers shot him in both legs.

Fulani herdsmen kill SARS operative in Oyo

There was pandemonium in Saki town, Oke-Ogun area of Oyo State on Tuesday after suspected Fulani herdsmen killed the Officer-in-charge of the Special Anti Robbery Squad in Saki Area of the Oyo State Police Command, Sheu Magu, and a member of his team.
The deceased were said to have died as a result of machete injuries sustained in the hands of the herdsmen during an operation in a forest around Saki-Ogboro.
Two weeks ago, Commissioner of Police in the state, Abiodun Odude, held a peace meeting with herdsmen, farmers and leaders of the agrarian communities of the state in the command headquarters in Eleyele, Ibadan.

No herdsmen attack on Lagos-Ibadan Expressway –Police

The Ogun State Police Command has refuted the alleged attack by herdsmen on the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway.
The disputed information had trended on the social media all day on Wednesday.
The Police also asked members of the public to disregard a purported anonymous security alert letter allegedly written by nameless student group urging students and the public not to use the route.
The faceless group was said to have also posted a simulated voice recording on social media in which some people cried and pleaded with their alleged attackers not to kill them.
The police said the picture attached to the post was that of an accident which occurred about eight years ago, precisely on the 31st of July 2010; while the purported voice recording was stage-managed.

Herdsmen killings: Army launches 44-day operation in Benue, Taraba Published February 7, 2018 Share Tweet Share Pin it +1 Olaleye Aluko, Abuja The Nigerian Army said on Wednesday that it will begin Exercise Ayem Akpatuma covering Benue, Taraba, Kogi, Nasarawa, Kaduna and Niger states in order to tackle the cases of kidnappings, herdsmen/farmers’ clashes among others. The Chief of Training and Operations, Maj Gen David Ahmadu, who announced this in Abuja on behalf of the Chief of Army Staff, Lt Gen Tukur Buratai, said the exercise would run from February 15 to March 31, 2018. READ ALSO: Buhari reinstates NHIS boss under probe for alleged N919m fraud According to the army, Exercise Ayem Akpatuma, which is said to be the Tiv language for Cat race, will involve raids, cordon and search operations, road blocks, show of force and checkpoints.

Herdsmen killings: Army launches 44-day operation in Benue, Taraba
The Nigerian Army said on Wednesday that it will begin Exercise Ayem Akpatuma covering Benue, Taraba, Kogi, Nasarawa, Kaduna and Niger states in order to tackle the cases of kidnappings, herdsmen/farmers’ clashes among others.
The Chief of Training and Operations, Maj Gen David Ahmadu, who announced this in Abuja on behalf of the Chief of Army Staff, Lt Gen Tukur Buratai, said the exercise would run from February 15 to March 31, 2018.

Afegbua arrives Force headquarters, says he is not under arrest

Kassim Afegbua, the media aide to former military president, Ibrahim Babangida, has been released by the police after a short interrogation at the force headquarters, Abuja on Wednesday.
Afegbua, who was accompanied by his wife and his lawyer, Kayode Ajulo, told journalists that the police said he was not under arrest.
He explained that the police simply informed him that there was a mix-up in the statements he issued on behalf of the ex-dictator.

Defend yourselves if attacked, Benue gov tells residents

The Benue State Governor, Samuel Ortom, has called on the people of the state to defend themselves if attacked.
The governor, who spoke on a radio programme titled, ‘Issue of the moment’ monitored by our correspondent on Tuesday, said it was necessary for the people to defend themselves in order not to become easy preys.
Ortom noted that in spite of the presence of policemen in the state, killings were still going on in two local government areas.

Court threatens to strike out Dino Melaye’s suit for non-appearance

The Federal High Court, Abuja, has threatened to strike out a suit filed by Sen. Dino Melaye, if the senator or his counsel fails to appear in court on the next adjourned date.
Melaye filed a suit before Justice Nnamdi Dimgba seeking an interpretation of the court’s judgment of Sept. 11, 2017 .
The court in that judgment, held that INEC acted within its constitutional rights in commencing the process for Melaye’s recall.

Badoo: Herbalist, five others arraigned for allegedly killing pastor, family

Six men, including a herbalist, who were alleged to be “Badoo” cult members, were on Wednesday charged with murder for smashing the heads of a pastor and other family members with a grinding stone at an Ebute Meta Magistrates’ Court.
The accused are Chibuzor Igwe, 19; Omotayo Onamoyegun, 25; Samuel Ameze, 38; Gift Ameze, 35; Uche Igwe, 23; Fatai Adebayo a.k.a Aleshe, 34; and a herbalist.
The trial of the accused, who are facing a seven-count bordering on conspiracy, murder, and stealing, started at 3.00 p.m. and ended at 4. 05 p.m.

Police arrest mother, six others for selling her one-month baby

The Police Command in Akwa Ibom says it has arrested seven suspects over their alleged involvement in child trafficking.
This is contained in a statement issued on Wednesday by the command’s Public Relations Officer, DSP Odiko Macdon, and made available to newsmen in Uyo.
Macdon said that the police, acting on intelligence, arrested one female, Eno Archibong Emah, who was alleged to have conspired with others to sell her baby boy for N400, 000.
The suspect, who hailed from Ikot Eman Itam in Itu Local Government Area, was said to have been arrested on January 20.

NHIS boss’ reinstatement won’t stop EFCC probe – FG

The Federal Government on Wednesday said the reinstatement of the Executive Secretary of the National Health Insurance Scheme, Prof. Usman Yusuf, will not stop the investigation being carried out by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission on him.
The Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, said this during an interview with State House correspondents at the end of the weekly meeting of the Federal Executive Council at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.