John Obi Mikel named as Team Nigeria captain for Rio Olympics

Chelsea and Super Eagles of Nigeria midfielder John Obi Mikel has been named as the captain of Nigeria's Olympic team that will compete at the upcoming Olympic tournament in Rio while Table tennis star Funke Oshonaike will be the assistant team captain. 

Mikel Obi, one of the three over-aged players invited to the national U-23 football team for the games, is making his first appearance at an Olympic Games. This will be Oshonaike’s sixth appearance at the Olympics after she debuted at Atlanta ’96.

Video: Ambassadorial nominees who failed to recite National Anthem & Pledge properly

Two ministerial nominees at the Senate Screening on Tuesday failed to recite the National anthem and pledge properly.

The nominees, Ibrahim Isa from Niger state and Vivian Nwunaku Okeke from Anambra state mixed up the National Anthem and pledge when the chairman of the senate committee on Foreign Affairs, Monsurat Sunmonu asked them to recite it. A member of the committee, Senator James Manager, saved them from the embarrassing moment by correcting them immediately.

Turkish Govt ask FG to close down all Turkish schools in Nigeria

The Turkish government has appealed to the Federal government to close down the 17 Nigerian-Turkish International Colleges (NTIC) in Nigeria, saying they all belong to Fetullah Gulen accused of sponsoring the July 15th failed military coup in Turkey.

The Turkish High Commissioner to Nigeria, Hakan Cakil, disclosed this while hosting the vice chairman of the Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs, Senator Shehu Sani yesterday.

Buhari appoints heads of 5 health institutions

President Muhammadu Buhari has approved the appointment of heads of five strategic health institutions in the country.

In a statement made by Bashir Ahmad, the Personal Assistant to the President on New Media, the health agencies with new heads are the Centre for Disease Control, National Agency for the Control of Aids, Nigerian Institute for Medical Research, National Primary Health Care Development Agency and the National Health Insurance Scheme.

They are;

Our convention will go on, says Makarfi led PDP

The Makarfi led Caretaker Committee of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), on Thursday, said that its proposed national convention will go on as planned despite a court order stopping it.

According to a statement released by the spokesperson of the committee, Dayo Adeyeye, the party said the judgement delivered by Justice Abang was a deliberate act to frustrate the country’s democracy. 

Nigeria's 4x400m women's relay team banned from Rio 2016

The International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) has banned Nigeria's 4x400m women's relay team from attending the 2016 Olympic Games holding in Rio, Brazil, next month.

According to IAAF, the Nigerian team was banned because one of them, Tosin Adeloye, tested positive to drugs during the Confederation of African Athletics (CAA) Super Grand Prix/Warri Relays in Warri, Delta State on July 24th last year.

Boko Haram members attack UN convoy in Bama, Borno

Suspected Boko Haram members yesterday attacked a United Nation convoy carrying staff from UNICEF, UNFPA, and IOM. 

The convoy was traveling from Bama to Maiduguri in Borno State after delivering special food to malnourished children IDP camps in the state, when they were attacked.

A UNICEF employee and an IOM contractor were injured in the attack while four soldiers received gunshot wounds and are being treated at a local hospital. All other UNICEF, IOM and UNFPA staff are safe.

We took N1.2b to Fayose in Ekiti, says Obanikoro’s aide

The head of security of former Minister of Defence (State) Musiliu Obanikoro’s has told the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) how his principal moved funds to Ekiti State for the June 21, 2014 governorship election.
According to reports by The Nation, Lt. Commander A. O. Adewale gave an account of the cash movement when he was grilled by EFCC operatives.

The EFCC is investigating the N1.299billion cash taken to Governor Ayodele Fayose by Obanikoro in chartered flight before the election. The cash was part of the N4.745 billion paid into Obanikoro’s company, Sylva Mcnamara by the Office of the National Security Adviser (NSA).

Lagos Police Command weighs in on #SaveMayowa saga

The Lagos state police command has released a statement on the #SaveMayowa saga. The statement released by police public relations officer SP Dolapo Badmos reads;

The Lagos State commissioner of police CP Fatai Owoseni has directed full scale investigation into the report that the #Save Mayowa Campaign is a fraud.

#SaveMayowa saga: Mayowa's family releases video says fundraising wasn't a scam

The family of Mayowa yesterday released a video insisting the fundraising wasn't a scam...watch the video below....

Indonesia executes 3 Nigerians on death row by firing squad

Indonesia yesterday executed three Nigerian drug convicts by firing squad. The Nigerians were put to death along with one Indonesian despite pleas from relatives and international bodies. The execution took place despite heavy rain and thunderstorms.

#SaveMayowa was a scam!

It was a thing of joy when Nigerians despite the hardship donated to cancer patient, Mayowa Ahmed, for surgery she needed for ovarian cancer. The #SaveMayowa raised over $100k on GoFundMe and millions of Naira. We have learnt that Mayowa's family scammed kind hearted Nigerians.

Federal High Court stops PDP national convention

A Federal High Court in Abuja has stopped the Peoples Democratic Party from going ahead with its planned national convention scheduled to take place on August 17.

The Ali Modu Sheriff-faction of the national leadership of the Peoples Democratic Party had filed an application on July 4 for an interlocutory injunction seeking to stop the convention.

The plaintiffs had contended that that by virtue of the PDP’s Constitution, they must remain in office till 2018.

Funeral rites of late Super Eagles coach Stephen Keshi

The funeral rites for the late former coach ‎of the Super Eagles, Stephen Keshi, has started at St. Paul’s Catholic Church, Airport road in Benin, Edo State.

See more photos...

AGF orders re-opening of fraud cases associated with ex-govs

The Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Mr. Abubakar Malami, has written to the Chairman of the Independent Corrupt Practices and other related offences Commission, directing the reopening of the cases of 31 former governors.

Part of the AGF’s letter to the ICPC, indicated that the cases against some of the former governors were investigated some years ago but charges were never filed against them.

The letter also gave the Chairman of the ICPC a 14-day ultimatum to remit the duplicate case files concerning the politically-exposed persons investigated by the ICPC over the years to the office of the AGF.

Inconclusive elections are caused by politicains not INEC – Akeredolu

The All Progressives Congress (APC) Ondo State governorship aspirant, Rotimi Akeredolu, said politician should be blamed for inconclusive elections in the country not the Independent National Electoral Commission.

Akeredolu, a former president of the Nigerian Bar Association said this in Abuja, on Wednesday in an interview with newsmen after collecting his nomination and intention forms at the APC national secretariat.

He said politicians refusal to follow due process has been the cause of inconclusive elections.

Ali Modu Sheriff files suit to stop PDP from conducting its National Convention

Embattled factional PDP Chairman, Ali Modu Sheriff, has approached the Federal High Court Abuja to apply for an injunction restraining PDP National Caretaker committee and INEC from holding the party's National Convention in Port Harcourt, Rivers state on August 17th.
Sheriff, in the suit, is also seeking the court to grant an ancillary order compelling the police to enforce the interlocutory injunction if granted.

3 South Koreans to be deported from Nigeria

The federal government has announced the deportation of three South Koreans from the country over immigration related offences.

This was made known through a statement by the spokesperson for the Nigeria Immigration Service, Ekpedeme King. They were further issued a ten-year ban from stepping foot in Nigeria.

The statement reads;

Asari Dokubo’s first wife is dead

Alhaja Zainab Asari Dokubo, the first wife of former Niger Delta militant, Mujahid Dokubo Asari, is dead.

She died alongside a friend in a motor accident on her way to Ibadan.

Chairman Oyo state Muslim community, Alhaji Ishaq Kunle Sanni confirmed the death in a statement released on Wednesday.

Nasarawa state polytechnic closed indefinitely

Nasarawa State Polytechnic, Lafia, has been closed down indefinitely following protests by students.

The Registrar of the institution, Joseph Labani, said the authorities took the decision to restore law and order and stop any form of violence by students after one of them was knocked down and killed on Tuesday by a hit-and-run driver.

Union Bank donates N30m to Nigeria Olympic Committee

The Union Bank of Nigeria Plc in the spirit of corporate social responsibility has donated N30 million to the Nigeria Olympic Committee.

The bank said the donation was to support the nation’s participation in the Rio 2016 Olympic Games.

The Head, Corporate Communications of Union Bank, Ogochukwu Ekezie-Ekaiden said the money was for both the athletes and NOC.

Channels TV Chairman, John Momoh emerges BON Chairman

Chairman of Channels TV, John Momoh was yesterday elected the new Chairman of the Broadcasting Organisations of Nigeria, (BON).

The election took place at the organization's annual delegate conference in Abuja.

Momoh beat his opponent Abbas Dalhatu from Freedom Radio, Kano by polling 51 votes against  who scored 12 votes. This is would be the first time a private television owner would be occupying this position.

PDP zones Chairmanship position to the South

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Zoning Committee, yesterday in Abuja, released the zoning arrangements of the 21 available positions between the North and the South.

The report was presented by Gov. Dave Umahi, who headed the Zoning Committee, to the party National Caretaker Committee, led by Ahmed Makarfi.

Mr. Umahi, while presenting his report, said: “After robust deliberations on proposals presented by members, the committee proposed that all positions should be keenly contested for among the major zones they are zoned to.

Your statement are insensitive and provocative - MEND tells Buratai

The Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND) has described  Monday’s statement by Tukur Buratai, chief of army staff that the army would resort to force should peace talks with militants fail as provocative and insensitive.In a statement released by the group signed by its spokeperson Jomo Gbomo, MEND said such a statement is insensitive, provocative, unprofessional and prejudicial to the fair outcome of the ongoing preliminary talks.

Amaechi and Wike finally make peace

The Acting Inspector General of Police, Ibrahim Idris, the Director General of State Service, Mr. Musa Daura, the Minister of Transport, Mr. Rotimi Amaechi and the Governor of Rivers State, Mr. Nyesome Wike, met yesterday over the forthcoming elections into the Senate and House of Representatives in the State.The meeting was to chart the peace path in Rivers State before, during and after the re-run elections in the State. And Mr Rotimi Amaechi and Nyesome Wike for the first time since their fallout shook hands and took a picture together.

Hillary Clinton makes history as the first ever female presidential nominee

Hillary Clinton on Tuesday evening made history by becoming the first woman ever to be a major party's presidential nominee as Democratic delegates officially gave her the votes needed to win the primary election.

Bernie Sanders' delegates stood side-by-side with Hillary Clinton's delegates as part of a peace offering, as they formally cast their votes in the Democratic nomination process.

Ambassadorial nominees fails to recite National Anthem correctly

Two ministerial nominees Ibrahim Isa from Niger state and Vivian Nwunaku Okeke from Anambra failed to recite the National anthem and pledge properly.

The nominees mixed up the National Anthem and pledge when the chairman of the senate committee on Foreign Affairs, Monsurat Sunmonu asked them to recite it at the senate's screening exercise for the 47 ministerial nominees today.

Female prison officer dismissed for smuggling

The Nigeria Prisons Service has dismissed a female Prisons staff attached to Kirikiri female prisons, Lagos from the service for smuggling alcoholic drinks into the prison yard.

The dismissal letter signed on behalf of the Controller-General of Prisons by the officer in charge of discipline, DCP Agun Olatunji, stated that the unnamed wardress was found guilty of negative activities which borders on trafficking, an act that contravenes the enabling provisions of Sections 14 (i) (a) and Section 82 (n) of Prisons Act Cap P.29 LFN 2004 and punishable under Sections 14 (i) (g) and Section 83 of same Act.

Buhari appoints Mbam as RMAFC chairman

President Muhammadu Buhari has approved the appointment of Elias Nwalem Mbam, as chairman for the Revenue Mobilisation, Allocation and Fiscal Commission.

Buhari also approved the appointment of Dr. (Mrs) Marilyn Amobi as the Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of Nigerian Bulk Electricity Trading Company.

Buhari in closed-door meeting with APC governors

President Muhammadu Buhari is presently in a meeting with All Progressive Party-elected state governors.

The meeting, which started at 2pm is taking place at the President’s office of the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

Pres. Buhari commissions Abuja-Kaduna rail project

President Muhammadu Buhari on Tuesday commissioned the Abuja-Kaduna commercial rail operation. 

The President at the commissioning at Idu Station in Abuja said that the federal government would link all states and commercial centres in the country with rail lines

The commissioning had several senior government officials in attendance such as the president of the Senate, Dr Bukola Saraki, speaker of the House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara, Minister for Transport, Rotimi Amaechi amongst others.

More photos...

INEC postpones Rivers re-run elections

Citing last Saturday’s attack of the office of the Independent National Electoral Commission INEC in Khana local government area of Rivers state on Friday, the Commission has postponed the conduct of national and state legislative rerun elections in the state.

In a statement signed by its Secretary, Mrs. Augusta Ogakwu, INEC maintained that it was ready to conclude the rerun election within the shortest possible time but the enabling environment must be provided by the political actors.

Richard Mofe-Damijo drags online merchant site JUMIA to court

Nigeria’s popular online merchant site Jumia, is currently embroiled in a case of unauthorized use of image rights of veteran actor, Richard Mofe-Damijo, (RMD) on ‘Jumia Fashion’ Instagram page without the actor’s permission.

According to RMD’s publicist, this unauthorized use of the image has been ongoing and has had the effect of portraying to unsuspecting customers that Jumia enjoys the patronage of or endorsement of RMD.

RMD is a well known brand ambassador for various companies and his image has been widely and regularly used for product placement in a variety of platforms.

Suspected militants invade Igando

According to reports by Pm News, Niger Delta militants have invaded Ewedogbo area of Igando, along LASU road area of Lagos with people feared killed.

A resident in the area, who craved anonymity said policemen who came to the area had run away as the militants had occupied everywhere.

He said; “The police that came have run back, the militants have occupied everywhere right now in Ewedogbon”.

Two knifemen slit priest's throat in France after taking nuns and worshippers hostage

A parish priest has been killed after having his throat cut by two knife-wielding hostage-takers who stormed a French church in a suspected terror attack.

The two attackers entered the Church of the Gambetta at around 9.45am local time (8.45am UK time) during morning prayers.

It has since emerged the church was on a 'kill list' of a suspected ISIS terrorist arrested in Paris last April for allegedly plotting "imminent attacks" in France.

Co-author of the best-selling novel 'Left Behind', Tim LaHaye is dead

Co-author of the best-selling “Left Behind” novels and leader of the Christian Fundamentalist Movement, Tim LaHaye has died.

Rev. Tim LaHaye died on Monday in San Diego, California, days after suffering a stroke.

His passing was announced via his Tim LaHaye Ministries website.

Abductors demand N100m ransom for RCCG pastor

The kidnappers of Kayode Bajomo, a pastor of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, Santos bus stop, Isawo in the Ikorodu, Lagos State who was kidnapped in the early hours of Sunday morning shortly before the Sunday service have demanded a ransom of N100m.

A church member who confirmed this news feed said that the money is now a thing of concern.

We will use force for Niger Delta militants if dialogue fails- Buratai

Chief of Army Staff Lt.-Gen. Tukur Buratai has warned that the Army will use resort to force as an option if the Niger Delta Avengers (NDA) and other militant groups reject dialogue with the Federal Government.Gen. Buratai, who was represented by the General Officer Commanding (GOC) 82 Division, Enugu, Maj.-Gen. Ibrahim Attahiru made this remark in Port Harcourt on Monday at the commissioning of a modern 2 Brigade headquarter complex with an Olympic size swimming pool and four other projects at the Military Hospital on Aba Road, Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital.

Stoke City sign Liverpool midfielder Joe Allen

Stoke City has completed the signing of Joe Allen from Liverpool.

The 26-year-old Welsh penned a five-year deal at the bet365 Stadium.

The talented central midfielder is the club’s second signing following the capture of Egyptian Ramadan Sobhi earlier on Monday.

Akwa Ibom Police refutes NDA's claim of blowing up NNPC pipeline

The Akwa Ibom state Police Command has refuted claims by the Niger Delta Avengers that it blew up a Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation gas pipeline in Obotim Nsit in Nsit Ibom Local Government Area of the state.The state commissioner of Police, Murtala Mani says the explosion from the pipeline was as a result of a technical fault.

Federal govt scraps film village plan in Kano

The President Muhammadu Buhari-led Federal government has abandoned plans to build a world-class and ulta-modern film village in Kano following criticisms made by Muslim clerics who say it will promote immorality.

Nigeria's government had set aside N3billion for the construction of the Muhammadu Buhari film village at Kofa in Bebeji local government area of Kano State, that will provide over 10,000 jobs to Nigerian citizens and also increase revenue generation to Kano state in particular and the nation in general.

Buhari, Obasanjo in closed door meeting

President Muhammadu Buhari and former President, Olusegun Obasanjo are currently meeting behind closed doors.

The former President who arrived the Presidential villa, Abuja at about 12.54pm was accompanied by one of his daughters and was taken straight to President Buhari's office.

Reason for the closed door meeting is not yet known.

Peter Okoye says P-Square is back

Peter Okoye of the P-Square group has released an apology on his Instagram page saying he is sorry for his attitudes and takes full responsibility for dramas that had occurred.

According to him, they have threaded on the lonely part and can't do without one another. He also said the problems with P-Square is over and that they are back alongside Jude as their manager.

See what he wrote...

Alleged rapist caught, beaten and burnt to death in Ikorodu

A notorious rapist and paedophile known as Badoo was apprehended in the Ikorodu area of Lagos state and burnt to death by an angry mob.Baddo was reportedly caught on Saturday after allegedly raping an 8-year-old girl at Ota, Oode Ibeshe, Ikorodu. He was caught while hiding inside a primary school. He was then stripped naked, beaten and eventually set ablaze.

Graphic contents viewer discretion advised...

2 dead, 17 wounded as gunmen attack nightclub in Florida

At least two people have died and 17 others were injured after several gunmen opened fire in the car park of a nightclub in Fort Myers, Florida.

Club Blu was said to have been hosting a teen night when the shooting take place, at roughly 12.30am. Children as young as 13 years were believed to have been caught in the shooting.

Solomon Dalung summons Secretary-General of Athletics Federation of Nigeria over Rio ticket scandal

Minister of Youth and Sports, Solomon Dalung, has summoned the Athletics Federation of Nigeria's Secretary-General Olumide Bamiduro and staff of the Federation of Elite Athletes Department, over the ticket scandal that rocked the sports ministry over the weekend.A mail was allegedly written by the AFN Secretary Olumide Bamiduro and sent to Athletes, asking them to pay for their ticket to Rio with an assurance that refunds will be given to them if approved by the ministry.

Sacked Chairman of House of Reps appropriation committee releases more details of the alleged budget padding

Sacked Chairman of House of Reps appropriation committee Jibrin has released a detailed account of how speaker of the House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara and some other principal officers of the House of Representatives allegedly hijacked the budget consideration process so as to pad it.

In this statement, Jibrin alleged that Dogara an the house leadership had resorted to using some elements of the Nigeria police to kidnap, harass, blackmail and intimidate him into silence.

The statement reads;

Gas pipeline explodes in Akwa Ibom State, NDA claim responsibility

A gas pipeline exploded and caught fire in Nsit Ibom near Obotim Nsit, Akwa Ibom State yesterday night. Fire fighters are currently battling the massive blaze.

In a new statement released by Niger Delta Avengers spokesperson, Brig.Gen Mudoch Agbinio, the militant group claim to blown up the pipeline Akwa Ibom state.

Suicide bomber kills self and injures 12 near music festival in Germany

A Syrian man has killed himself and injured 12 others after setting off an explosive device outside a music festival in the German town of Ansbach at around 10pm local time on Sunday.

Former Pres. Jonathan is responsible for the current hardship and economic distress in the country- Fr. Mbaka

Enugu-based Catholic Priest,Rev. Fr. Ejike Mbaka, on Sunday slammed former President Goodluck Jonathan, accusing him of having ran a wasteful government which plunged the nation into its present economic recession.
Mbaka in a statement released ‎by his spokesperson, Maximus Ugwuoke, accused the past government of failing to heed to his prophecies that indicated Nigeria was going to experience economic hardship.

Payment of salaries and allowances to former governors who are in the senate should be stopped - Femi Falana

Falana, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), said it was illegal for former governors, who have been placed on life pension in their states, to earn salaries and allowances in the National Assembly.

He also said that lawmakers should not be paid their full salaries and allowances if they don't sit for the mandatory 181 days before going on a seven-month recess.

Femi Falana, in a lecture he delivered yesterday at the investiture of Mr. Dele Ojogbede as President of Rotary Club, Ikoyi in Lagos, counselled the Federal Government on what to do with those undermining the anti-corruption war.