Pregnant women protest N25,000 childbirth fee in Ondo

Pregnant women staged a protest Thursday morning at the Ondo State Specialist Hospital, Akure.
The expectant mothers in various stages of pregnancies said the protest was against what they described as “outrageous money” being charged for their antenatal care by the state government.
They called on Governor Rotimi Akeredolu to “urgently reverse the N25,000 they are expected to pay for ‘normal’ delivery, and the N50,000 payable for Cesarean Section, which was free under Akeredolu’s predecessor’s Abiye Programme.

No plastic fish in Nigeria, NAFDAC states

The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control has said there is no plastic fish in circulation in Nigeria.

NAFDAC Management said in a statement in Abuja on Thursday that its finding followed “a thorough investigation and analysis of some unsuspected plastic fish samples’’ in its laboratory.

The agency said, “the investigation was triggered by a report from a consumer in Abuja who claimed that he bought a fish which refused to cook when set on fire for several minutes.

CATHOLIC BISHOP ADVOCATES FOR SPEEDY RELEASE OF REMAINING DAPCHI GIRL

CATHOLIC BISHOP ADVOCATES FOR SPEEDY RELEASE OF REMAINING DAPCHI GIRL

Five ways to improve your financial knowledge

 Last month, the banking community in Nigeria celebrated the 2018 Financial Literacy Week.
The annual Financial Literacy Day celebrated by the Central Bank of Nigeria and financial institutions in the country is meant to mark the Global Money Week usually held between March 12 and 18.
In line with the CBN directive, top management employees of banks go to different schools across the country to teach and mentor pupils and youths on basic money management skills and banking in general.
The financial literacy campaign is an initiative of the CBN and Junior Achievement Nigeria, in partnership with Bankers’ Committee.

Anambra Police recovers over 100 Prohibited Fire Arms

In line with the Inspector General of police directive, instructing the police commissioners nationwide to mop-up prohibited fire arms, Anambra state police command has so far recovered 59 pump actions, 46 locally made pistols, 1 AK- 47 and 1 Browning Long Gun.

It promised to keep the IGP’s directive to the latter in the bid to strengthen the country’s internal security architecture alive..

Melaye appeals to Supreme Court, asks INEC to stop recall process

Kogi West Senator, Dino Melaye, has urged the Supreme Court to declare the petitions submitted to the Independent National Electoral Commission seeking his recall as illegal.
The Senator in an appeal he filed against the March 16, 2018 judgment of the Abuja Division of the Court of Appeal, also urged the apex court to declare the recall process as illegal.
Melaye had on Tuesday filed a seven-ground notice of appeal against the judgment of the Court of Appeal which had dismissed his suit instituted before the Federal High Court in Abuja to challenge the validity of the process of his recall which commenced June last year.

Buratai approves special promotion for 3,729 soldiers

Chief of Army Staff Lieutenant General Tukur Buratai looks on at the headquaters of Operation Lafiya Dole in Maiduguri, Borno State. Photo: AFP
The Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Tukur Buratai has approved the release of special promotion for 3,729 troops of Operation Lafiya Dole,  who participated in Operation Deep Punch II in the Sambisa Forest.

Saudi’s first cinema to open on April 18

 Saudi Arabia’s first cinema in over three decades will open on April 18 in Riyadh, authorities said Wednesday, after a ban was lifted last year as part of a far-reaching liberalisation drive.
AMC Entertainment has been granted the first licence to operate cinemas, with Saudi state media saying the US giant is expected to open 40 cinemas across 15 Saudi cities over the next five years.
“AMC plans to open the kingdom’s first cinema theatre in Riyadh on April 18,” the information ministry’s Centre for International Communication said in a statement.
The news comes after AMC Entertainment signed a non-binding agreement in December with Saudi Arabia’s vast Public Investment Fund to build and operate cinemas across the kingdom.
“The granting of the first licence marks the opening of very significant opportunities for exhibitors,” Information Minister Awwad Alawwad was quoted as saying in the statement.
“The Saudi market is very large, with the majority of the population… eager to watch their favourite films here at home.”

[VIDEO] Where are Africans? Critics ask Deola Sagoe over advert

The social media platform is agog with reactions of Nigerians to the video advert tagged Komole by Nigerian-born international fashion designer, Deola Sagoe.
The video advert is intended to showcase her new collections, reports say.
The two-minute video featuring four white ladies and a black American modelling Sagoe’s Iro and Buba (a Yoruba traditional style) was greeted with mixed reactions, as some argued that she was trying to sell her brand in the international market, hence the appropriateness of the foreign models; while others said that the video did not in any way appreciate or portray the Nigerian/African culture or heritage.

Black Panther to be first film shown in Saudi Arabian cinemas

Marvel’s superhero blockbuster, ‘Black Panther’, will help open the first movie theater in Saudi Arabia on April 18, ending a 35-year ban on cinemas.
Marvel’s record-breaking superhero blockbuster, which has already amassed north of $1.2 billion since launching in February, will herald Saudi Arabia’s long-awaited return to the cinema world.
It will be the first film to screen to the public in a movie theater in the country since it lifted a 35-year cinema ban.

Land Dispute Between Umueri & Aguleri Tear Families Apart in Anambra Communities

Fresh crisis seems to be brewing between Aguleri and Umueri, over two families from both ends laying claims to ancestral land at the boundary between the two communities.in Anambra East Local Government Area of Anambra State, Nigeria.

The two communities were recorded to have engaged in an infamous communal war that was terminated in1999,  which claimed many lives and property worth millions of naira destroyed.

BBNaija: Iyanya, Bisola seek collabo with Teddy A

Teddy-A
Recently evicted housemate Teddy A has received invitations for music collaborations from Nigerian pop artist Iyanya and BBNaija season two first runner-up, Bisola.
The two musicians, who are signed on the same management platform, reached out to Teddy A through their Twitter accounts after his eviction on Sunday.
‘Kukere’ crooner, Iyanya wrote @Iyanya, “Yooooo @iamteddya #Biko hit me up once you get into Gidi. Make we enter studio cook banger! #AlphaMale #BBNajia #TMC #BeTheMovement.”

Minutes later, Bisola, who just released a new music single, commented @iambisola, writing: “Bruv @Iyanya, I need to be that studio with you and @iamteddya. Let’s do this! #BBNaija #AlphaMale #TMC #BeTheMovement.”

Meanwhile, other Nigerian stars have been drumming support for Teddy A right after his eviction, especially the growth of his music with some urging him to utilise the platform.

Mavin records boss Don Jazzy wrote on his Twitter handle @donjazzy, “Bam and Teddy will be very fine sha. Win or no win. They are mad talented and ready for the industry. #bbnaija.”

Former Big Brother Africa winner, Uti Nwachukwu, wrote @siruti, “TeddyA’s screen presence is undeniably extreme. The man is def gonna go places.”

Acclaimed media personality J.J. Omojuwa @omojuwa tweeted, “Teddy A will do outside the house. At least he got the talent and persona to be a star.”

Teddy A was evicted on Sunday after securing total  16.81 per cent of the votes, coming third after Nina and CeeC.
The housemate, who was best known for his musical prowess, spent the most part of his stay in the house glued to his love interest BamBam.

However, in a twist, BamBam was evicted on Saturday after the party, which left Teddy A feeling down as he visibly shed tears.
The ex-housemate reiterated the need to focus on his music now that his time on the show is over.

This leaves CeeC, Nina, Rico Swavey, Miracle, Tobi, Alex, Anto, Lolu and Khloe to continue the battle for the 45 million naira star prize.

NAN

BBNaija: Bambam’s eviction is a lesson about Christ’s second coming –Shocked viewers

Bambam’s eviction should teach us a lesson. This is how Jesus will come. It happened like rapture.

That’s how Nigerians viewed the eviction of Bambam from the House, with many hoping to be told that it was an April Fool prank.

Big Brother (Biggie) unexpectedly evicted Bambam from the reality TV show after the Legend Saturday night party.

Perennial host Ebuka Uchendu joined the housemates for their weekly Saturday night party.

Shortly after Ebuka enjoyed an evening of high life music with the housemates, he announced the arrival of an unexpected guest, Steve from Deloitte.

Some people think I’m just beautiful without brain –Lilian Afegbai

    

Background

I grew up in Benin with my family. I have always loved entertainment; so, I started acting in school, church and other places at a young age.

As a kid, I travelled on a lot of vacations with my parents and sibling and it was so much fun. I really enjoyed those trips because they gave me a wider perspective of life.

I didn’t bill Dangote to perform at his daughter’s wedding –Ali Baba

When the richest man in Africa, Aliko Dangote, decides to party, it is expected that cash will flow. Many believe that all the entertainers and vendors that were contracted for one service or the other at the wedding of Fatima, the daughter of billionaire businessman, Dangote, went laughing all the way to the bank after the event.

FG releases fresh 23 names of alleged looters

The Federal Government on Sunday released a fresh list containing 23 names of alleged looters.
It said the list of alleged looters which it released on Friday was based on verifiable facts, including the amount involved, the date the amount was collected and from where it was taken.
The names released on Friday were the National Chairman of the PDP, Uche Secondus, who allegedly collected N200m from the office of the former National Security Adviser.

Secondus had, however, denied the allegation and gave Mohammed 72 hours to retract the statement and also pay him N1.5b as damages.

Others included a former PDP Financial Secretary (N600m).
The rest were a former PDP National Publicity Secretary, Olisah Metuh, who is on trial for allegedly collecting N1.4b from NSA office; Dr. Raymond Dokpesi, who is on trial for taking N2.1bn from NSA; and a former SSA to President Jonathan, Dudafa Waripamo-Owei, who is on trial over N830m kept in accounts of four different companies
The last was former President Jonathan’s Cousin, Robert Azibaola, who was said to have collected $40m from NSA office.
While releasing a fresh list of alleged looters in Lagos on Sunday, the Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, in a statement said the Friday’s list “was strategically released as a teaser.”
He said, ‘’At the press conference where the list was released, I did say it was a tip of the iceberg… the Federal Government has a large number of alleged looters on its list.”
The minister said the PDP’s reaction to the looters’ list has shown that its recent apology was an election-induced act, to deceive unsuspecting Nigerians to vote for the party in the 2019 general elections.
Mohammed said, “The hysterical and panicky reaction from the PDP has shown that the party is not sincere about its choreographed apology. Were it not the case, the party would have followed in the footsteps of one of its leaders, Senator Ibrahim Mantu, who simply owned up to his role in the party’s rigging in the past elections and said he had turned a new leaf.
Mohammed said the Federal Government would neither be intimidated nor blackmailed into silence, adding that it would not rest until all those who looted the public treasury had been brought to justice.
Releasing the fresh list, the minister said based on the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission’s investigation, N126bn, $1.5bn and £5.5m were allegedly embezzled through Sambo Dasuki office as the NSA.
The amounts, it alleged, were apart from the ongoing $2.1bn military equipment scandal.
Mohammed further alleged that a former Petroleum Resources Minister Diezani Alison-Madueke, “in just one of the cases the EFCC is investigating involving her; about N23bn is alleged to have been embezzled. She is also involved in the Strategic Alliance Contracts of the NNPC, where the firms of Jide Omokore and Jide Aluko got oil blocks, but never paid government taxes and royalty. About $3bn was involved. The Federal Government is charging Omokore and Aluko and will use all legal instruments, local and international, to ensure justice.”
He said the EFCC allegedly recovered N13.9bn and N4.8bn from an ex-army chief, Lt. Gen. Kenneth Minimah (retd.) in cash and property.
Other names on the list are Lt. Gen. Azubuike Ihejirika (alleged N4.5bn; N29m recovered by the EFCC); Alex Barde, a former Chief of Defence Staff, accused of stealing N8bn (EFCC recovered almost N4bn in cash and property); Inde Dikko, a former Comptroller General, Customs, accused of taking N40bn (N1.1bn recovered in cash and property).
The Federal Government also named Air Marshal Adesola Amosun, who allegedly got N21.4bn (N2.8bn recovered in cash; 28 property and three vehicles recovered); Senator Bala Abdulkadir, a former FCT Minister, who allegedly collected N5bn (interim forfeiture order on some property allegedly secured); Senator Stella Oduah, who allegedly got N9.8bn (interim forfeitur order on some property secured).
The statement read further, “A former Niger State Governor, Babangida Aliyu took N1.6bn from the NSA, while Senator Jonah Jang, a former Plateau State Governor got N12.5bn.
“Bashir Yuguda, a former Minister of State for Finance got N1.5bn, but $829,800 has been recovered.”
The government also named Senator Peter Nwaboshi (N1.5bn), Aliyu Usman, a former Dasuki’s aide at NSA (N512m); Ahmad Idris, a former Dasuki’s Personal Assistant (N1.5bn);  Rasheed Ladoja, a former Oyo State governor (N500m); and Tom Ikimi, N300m.
Others are Femi Fani-Kayode (N866m), Hassan Tukur, former PPS to President Jonathan ($1.7m); Nenadi Usman (N1.5bn),  Benedicta Iroha (N1.7bn), Aliyu Usman Jawaz, an ally of Dasuki (N882m) and Godknows Igali (N7bn).”
The Peoples Democratic Party, in his reaction, accused the Federal Government of taking over duties of courts in the country.
It said the release of the names of those undergoing trial as “confirmed looters” by the Federal Government was an indication that the government had taken over the functions of the judiciary.
National Publicity Secretary of the PDP, Mr. Kola Ologbondiyan, said that the Federal Government, instead of speaking of how President Muhammadu Buhari got money for his election in 2015, had continued to attack the PDP and its leaders.
He said, “We are not interested in whatever names they are releasing; the government is taking over the duties of the judiciary.
“This government is the worst we have had in the history of our nation.  Nigerians will have to endure it till 2019 and vote it out.”
However, a former FCT minister, Bala, had denied the allegations as he had pleaded not guilty to the six counts preferred against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission when he was arraigned before the High Court in Abuja in May 2017.
When contacted, Oduah disconnected calls made to her telephone line. She also did not reply text and WhatsApp messages sent to her.
But Oduah had, in a statement she issued in February, denied diversion of the fund under her watch as Minister of Aviation.
Calls made to Jang and Nwaboshi rang out. They had yet to reply a text message sent to them as of press time.
In his reaction, Ikime said,   “I am in England.  I am not in Nigeria. I don’t know about it.
Ihejirika’s lawyer, Mr. Nnoruka Udechukwu (SAN), could not be reached on Sunday.
However, Udechukwu  had told our one of  our correspondents that the Federal Government was on a witch-hunt.
In his reaction, Fani-Kayode said the Federal Government was resorting to cheap blackmail because it could not secure his conviction in court.
The former minister said, “The names that should be there is that of President Muhammadu Buhari, Yemi Osinbajo and third, Rotimi Amaechi, Babatunde Fashola, Lai Mohammed, Babachir Lawal, Abdulrasheed Maina, Abdulrahman Dambazau and Isa Jafaru.

“All these persons either donated money or received money during the 2015 elections and these were public funds.”

Fani-Kayode said he received N800m from the then Director of Finance of the Goodluck Jonathan Campaign Organisation, Senator Nenadi Usman.

He, however, argued that the money was not from the government, but from private individuals.

Additional reports by John Alechenu, Eniola Akinkuotu, Ade Adesomoju and Leke Baiyewu

BBNaija: Miracle, Nina, Cee C, others nominated for eviction

Housemates nominated for possible eviction have been revealed in the Big Brother Naija eviction show on Monday evening.

They are Miracle, Nina, Cee C, Alex, Rico Swavey and  Lolu.

Khloe emerged the Head of the House which made her free from being nominated for eviction.

See how they were nominated.

Obasanjo attacks Buhari again, says he’s a failure

 

President Buhari and Chief Obasanjo, ahead of the Council of State Meeting today at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.
Sesan Olufowobi, Olalekan Adetayo, Kamarudeen Ogundele and Samuel Awoyinfa
Former President Olusegun Obasanjo on Monday called on President Muhammadu Buhari to stop giving Nigerians excuses, adding that the attitude was why he had not achieved results.
The former President advised Buhari to buckle down, saying he was presently a failure.
He spoke at the Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library, Abeokuta, Ogun State, while playing host to the New Nigeria 2019 Group, led by the convener, Chima Anyaso, in company with Moses Siasia.
As he did in the open letter he wrote about three months ago to the President, Obasanjo accused Buhari and the All Progressives Congress of bringing hardship on Nigerians and running ineffective economic policies which had crippled businesses.

Looters On Rampage In Nigeria: Over $302b (N66.7t) Squandered & Siphoned By Nigeria’s Federal Political Criminals Since 2003 Using Dishonest Party Politics & Ethno-Religious Sentiments

The Federal Government of Nigeria, representing the Federal Republic of Nigeria and its 389 ethnic nationalities dominated by three major tribes of Igbo, Hausa-Fulani and Yoruba and two dominant religions of Christianity and Islam; had been held by jugulars and progressively in the past 16 years or since 2003 by federal political criminals masquerading as “certain elected and appointed top public office holders of the Federal Government of Nigeria”. The federal political criminals had since 2003 budgeted, squandered and siphoned over $302billion or N66.7trillion using fraudulent or dishonest party politics and promotion of ethno-religious divisions and sentiments.

I will double current Anambra IGR Within Months---Madubuko

The new Anambra state commissioner for Trade Commerce, Markets and Wealth creation, Dr. Christian Madubuko has promised to introduce scientific method of revenue collection to increase the state Internally Generated Revenue (IGR), from where it is to six or ten places higher than it was, within shortest period of time .
He berated Nigerians attitude to tax payment, promised to employ proven scientific method that will encourage the tax payers to be encouraged and comply with the state module .