Brazil's Rousseff Dilma ousted in senate impeachment vote

Brazil's president Dilma Rousseff has been ousted out of office in a senate impeachment vote after she was found guilty of breaking budget laws.

It puts an end to 13 years in power of her left-wing Workers' Party.

Ms Rousseff has since denied the charges.

President Buhari to visit Osun state tomorrow September 1st

President Buhari is scheduled to pay a one day working visit to Osun state tomorrow September 1st.

A statement by the Bureau of Communication and Strategy in the Office of the Governor, Semiu Okanlawon states that President Buhari during his visit, will commission newly completed projects.

CBN reinstates 9 banks suspended from forex market

The Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, has reinstated the nine commercial banks that were recently suspended from the foreign exchange, forex, market.CBN Director of Banking Supervision, Mrs. Tokunbo Martins announced the reinstatement of the banks in Abuja. She explained that the apex bank reached the decision after the banks presented repayments plans.

Power generation rises to 3061MW

The Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) on Tuesday sent out 3,061megawatts (MW) of electricity generated by the electricity generation companies to the 11 distribution companies (DisCos), this was made known by the Nigerian Electricity System Operator (NESO) on its website.

According to its operational report for August 30th, the Nigerian Electricity Supply Industry (NESI) said the power sector on August 29th hit a peak generation of 3,556.5MW and lowest peak generation of 2,423.8MW.

CBN issues license to 11 new International money transfer operators

Central Bank of Nigeria CBN has issued license to 11 new International Money Transfer Operators (IMTOs).

The apex bank's Acting Director, Corporate Communications, Isaac Okorafor yesterday disclosed this in a statement released in Abuja.

Nigeria and UK sign MoU for the return of looted assets

The Federal Government on Tuesday signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the British Government on the modalities for the return of Nigerian stolen assets. The move is a follow up to the agreement reached at the London anti-corruption summit in May.

The Attorney-General of the Federation, Mr Abubakar Malami, who signed on behalf of the Federal Government in Abuja, said that the MoU reflected the desire and willingness of both countries to continue cooperation and mutual support.

ASUU threatens nationwide strike

The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) through its Lagos Zone Coordinator, Prof. Olusoji Sowande at a news conference in Lagos on Tuesday, threatened to embark on a nationwide strike in regards to its demands for the implementation of its 2009 agreement with the Federal Government.
Prof. Olusoji Sowande, said the 2009 FG/ASUU agreement, Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on funding of state universities, breaches of the conditions of service and re-negotiation of the agreement, exclusion of Nigerian universities from Pension Management Company and non-release of NEEDS Assessment Intervention Fund were still being ignored. 

Comedian Akpororo welcomes daughter

Comedian Akpororo welcomed a baby girl yesterday. The comedian announced the good news on his IG page announcing the arrival of his first child.

Congratulations to the couple!

Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg visits Nigeria

Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg and the 7th richest man in the world is in Nigeria. He came to see how Facebook works in Nigeria, how it can be improved and how it can support tech development in Africa. 

Nigeria is the first country Mark is visiting in the African continent.

One of his first stops on the trip was to visit a ‘Summer of Code Camp’ at the Co-Creation Hub (CcHub) in Yaba, known as the Silicon Valley of Nigeria.

Bring Back Our Girls group make silent march to the Presidential Villa, Abuja but are stopped by police from entering Aso Rock

The Bring Back Our Girls BBOG advocacy group today went on a silent march to the Presidential Villa, to advocate for the release of the Chibok schoolgirls that were kidnapped by Boko Haram terrorists, 869 days ago but security officers once again barricaded the group from gaining access into Aso Rock.

See more photos....

Militants blow up oil pipeline in Delta

Urhobo militant group, Niger Delta Greenland Justice Movement, NDGJM, has blown up a a major delivery line operated by Nigeria Petroleum Development Company, NPDC, and Shorelines Petroleum Nigeria in Delta State.The pipeline was blown up at 3.am on Tuesday, despite the introduction of military drill in the Niger Delta region code-named, “Operation Crocodile Smile.”

A statement by the group’s leader, Gen Aldo Agbalaja, said the attack was carried out by its Uproot Team B, adding that it was also launching “Operation Crocodile Tears” in response to the military’s “Operation Crocodile Smile.”

Emir Of Kano, Soludo won't be probed for their tenure as CBN governors - Presidency

The Presidency on Monday refuted social media reports that the tenures of former Central Bank Governors Lamido Sanusi and Charles Soludo would soon be probed by the Federal Government. This is coming after the two former CBN governors recently warned the Buhari led administration about its handling of the economy.

No more attacks, Niger Delta Avengers tells Buhari

The Niger Delta Avengers (NDA), last night in a letter posted on its website by its spokesman, Mudoch Agbinibo, and addressed to President Muhammadu Buhari said they were done with the hostilities. It also spoke of the need for regular dialogue to take place for the Nigerian union to survive.
The letter reads; “We call on President Muhammadu Buhari to put away the garb of a stooge to the imperialists, whenever he speaks outside Nigeria. We have listened carefully and halted hostilities in the Niger Delta. We expect a genuine and positive attitude to restructuring and self-determination for every component unit of Nigeria.

Let this change be real – Okogie pens open letter to Buhari

The Emeritus Archbishop of Lagos, Cardinal Anthony Okogie, has called on President Muhammadu Buhari to quickly address hunger across the country.

Okogie who penned an open letter to the President on Monday said that Nigerians are yet to see the change on which Buhari rode into power.

He said, “Dear Mr. President: Last year, when you assumed office, the chant of “Change,” your campaign slogan, ushered you into the Presidential Villa. Today, cries of “hunger” could be heard across the length and breadth of our vast country.

Pay Siasia his money, Sports Minister Dalung orders NFF

Youth and Sports Minister Barrister Solomon Dalung has charged the Nigeria Football Federation to pay the U-23 National team’s Coach Samson Siasia.

The Minister gave the charge when Siasia paid him a visit yesterday in his office in Abuja. Siasia had visited with his wife Eunice to officially inform him that his contract with the NFF has ended.

Barrister Dalung directed the Secretary-General Dr Mohammed Sanusi who was also present to ensure that Siasia gets the arrears of his five month’s salaries.

Military has no power to declare civilians wanted, it is illegal and unconstitutional – Falana

Human rights lawyer, Femi Falana on Monday said the Nigerian military had no power to declare civilians wanted.

He said this while criticizing the decision by the Nigerian military to declare three persons ‘wanted’ in connection with the war against Boko Haram insurgency. 

The Nigerian Army had recently declared a journalist, Ahmad Salkida, a lawyer, Aisha Wakil and Ahmed Bolori wanted in connection to terrorist group Boko Haram.

Nobody was hurt in Kuje prison shooting – Comptroller of Prisons

The Comptroller of Prisons, Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Command, Daniel Odaro, has confirmed that there was sporadic shooting by men of the command in Kuje prison, he added that nobody was shot at.

He said, “Nobody was shot at. Nobody was hurt.

“What happened was that there was a threat from one of the cells in the robbery section of the prison where one or two inmates resisting search by prison officers who were conducting search on the inmates.

Riot at Kuje Prison, Abuja

Emerging reports says there is a riot currently ongoing at Kuje Prison in Abuja.

It was gathered that the development follows the fallout of the last jailbreak in which some prisons officials were reprimanded. 

The prison inmates are been teargassed, unconfirmed report states that bullets are also been fired into some of the prison cells.

NUC releases list of unaccredited courses offered in major Nigerian universities (SEE LIST)

The National Universities Commission (NUC) has released a list of some courses that have not been accredited in some Nigerian universities.

The unaccredited courses pose serious danger to students who study them as the certificates issued by these universities for the courses will not be officially recognised.

According to Premium Times, the 2016 accreditation status report indicated that these unaccredited courses were taught in 37 out of 143 universities in the country. The Quality Assurance Department of the NUC is in charge of accrediting courses in the universities.

Naira crashes further against the Dollar

The naira fell to a new low of 414 against the US dollar yesterday amid the continued scarcity of foreign exchange in the country, with economic experts predicting further pressure in the forex market this week.The naira sold for 414/dollar across some black market segments in Lagos and Abuja on Sunday. It hit an all-time low of 412 against the greenback at the parallel market on Friday, after closing at 409/dollar on Thursday.

Parading of suspects unconstitutional – Lawyers tell Police

A Lagos-based lawyer has condemned parading of arrested suspects by the police, saying it is unconstitutional and damaging to the person involved.

According to the lawyer,  those often paraded were innocent and in the event of their being pronounced innocent by the courts of competent jurisdiction, the police never re-parade them.

Mr Olawale Apanisile, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) that parading suspects undergoing
investigation was illegal and could not be justified.

Pres. Buhari departs for Kenya

President Buhari has departed Nigeria for Kenya to attend the Sixth Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD VI)starting from August 27th -28th.
The summit, co-organised by the Government of Japan, the United Nations Office of the Special Adviser on Africa, the United Nations Development programme, the African Union and the World Bank.

One dead & two severely injured after explosion at sports centre in Belgium

At least one person has been confirmed dead and two severely injured after an explosion rocked a sports center in Chimay, 100km south of the capital Brussels, Belgium.

Chimay Police Chief Pierre Maton have said that only five people were in the building at the time and it was as a result of a gas explosion which collapsed a large section of the building with one person reported dead.

Cristiano Ronaldo named UEFA's Best Player in Europe for 2015/16

Cristiano Ronaldo has beaten off Gareth Bale and Antoine Griezmann to be crowned UEFA's Best Player in Europe for the 2015/16 season for the second time after winning the Champions League and Euro 2016 last season.

The announcement was made in Monaco on Thursday, following the draw for the Champions League.

Senate C'ttee moves to probe Dalung, NOC over failure in Olympics

The Chairman, Senate Committee on Sports, Senator Obinna Ogba, said the Minister of Sport, Solomon Dalung and the Nigeria Olympics Committee (NOC) has cases to answer in the abysmal performance of Nigeria’s team at the just concluded Olympics 2016 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

Speaking with journalists in Abuja, Ogba attributed the poor performance of the athletes to a lot of factors ranging from funding to logistics, recalling that his committee had invited the Minister of Sports, Mr. Solomon Dalong who repeatedly told the committee that funds were released to that effect.

Ogba said; “My committee intends to invite the NOC to come and brief us on the Olympics. Apart from the late arrival of our athletes’ kits, you can see even our national anthem at the opening ceremony was the wrong one. So, all these, we are going to find out what happened when we resume,”.

UEFA Champions league draw in full

Last night in Nyon, Switzerland, UEFA, European football's governing body released the draws for this year's champions league.

Suspected Fulani herdsmen attack Enugu community, many feared dead

Suspected Fulani herdsmen this morning attacked Enugu Atakwu community, in Nkanu West Local Government Area.

It is reported that several people were killed including ‎a seminarian of the Catholic Church in the community.

According to online news media, Daily Post, the herdsmen, who were armed to teeth invaded and started shooting and maiming anybody in sight. One of the victims, a Nwafor seminarian is said to have just returned from his apostolic work when he met his untimely death.

Man arrested for naming his dog released from prison custody

Chinakwe Joachim Iroko who was arrested and charged in Ogun State for allegedly naming and inscribing ‘Buhari’ on his pet dog, on August 13th and arraigned before a Sango Magistrate court has fulfilled his bail condition and has been released today from Prison custody.

Iroko was arraigned for 'intention to cause breach of public peace'. He was arraigned before Bolaji Ojikutu of Sango-Otta Magistrate’s Court on Monday morning and was subsequently granted a N50,000 bail.

LASU sanctions 84 students for indecent dressing

The Lagos state University LASU have sanctioned 84 undergraduates for improper dressing.A letter from the school's Dean of Student Affairs, shows that eight of those that have been sanctioned are final year students, 43 are in 100level, 20 in 200level and three in 300level. 24 of the sanctioned students are in faculty of Management Science, 18 from faculty of sciences, faculty of Education and Social Sciences were recorded as 11 students each and the faculty of communication has four students.

Rapper Illbliss quits music

Nigerian rapper/hip-hop recording artiste, Illbliss, announced his retirement from music, via his Instagram page, today. He is out of the music game and he is about to open another chapter of his life.

Fidei Polytechnic Gboko, Benue state shut down following violent protest

The management of Fidei Polytechnic, Gboko in Benue state yesterday shut down the school indefinitely following a violent protest by it's students.

The fracas started after the school management turned away students who had paid their school fees but had not collected their school receipts to write their exams which started yesterday. 

The appeal by the students did not move the management who were adamant as they had given the students enough time to do all the necessary registration before the commencement of their semester examination. 

Religious crisis: All the people burnt to death were muslims says Zamfara state gov

Abdulaziz Yari, the Zamfara State Governor yesterday while condemning the religious crisis that broke out in the Abdu Gusau Polytechnic in Talata Mafara in the state on Tuesday which resulted in the death of eight people disclosed that false alarm was what led to the killing and he debunked insinuations that it was a religious clash in which Christians were killed stating that the causalities were Muslims.

Speaking shortly to state House corespondents after his meeting with President Buhari yesterday, Governor Yari said: "From the intelligence I heard from the security agencies, there was a fight between two students and I think one of them injured the other and started shouting that the other person abused Prophet Muhammed. Other students came and beat the other boy who is Yoruba and from Kogi State. Some people are saying he was a Muslim and some say the boy was a Christian. They beat the student until he collapsed and thought he was dead. 

Naira now N400 to One Dollar

The Naira on Wednesday slipped further against the dollar at the parallel market. The currency was exchanged at about N400 on Wednesday afternoon, from N397 it closed on Tuesday; while it traded against the Pound Sterling and the Euro at N515 and N450 respectively.
At the Bureau De Change (BDC) segment of the market, the naira traded at N397, N513 and N443 against the dollar, Pound Sterling and the Euro respectively.

IPOB splits, New group names self TRIOPOB

A faction of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) has broken out of the main group. The new group, The Re-branded Indigenous People of Biafra or TRIOPOB, broke out of IPOB claiming that the Nnamdi Kanu led IPOB is inflexible.Chima Phillip Effiong Osuji, spokesperson of the splinter group, said the decision to break away, was taken at an emergency meeting convened by some disaffected members of IPOB on Monday, August 22, 2016 in Aba, Abia state.

He said; “It was resolved that due to the rigid and fatalistic position of the Nnamdi Kanu- led IPOB, several of us with like minds shall breakaway and form The Rebranded Indigenous People of Biafra, TRIPOB,”.

Min. of Finance approves the appointment of Ezekiel Oseni as the Ag. MD of NERFUND

Minister of Finance, Kemi Adeosun, has approved the appointment of Ezekiel Oseni as the acting Managing Director of National Economic Reconstruction Fund, NERFUND.

Prior to his appointment, Mr. Oseni served as a General Manager and Chief Risk Officer at the Bank of Industry.

Bauchi State Govt revokes 2013 Certificate of Occupancy granted to DA'AR Communication

Bauchi State Government through its Ministry of Works, Lands and Housing, has revoked a 2013 Certificate of Occupancy granted to Raymond Dokpesi's DA'AR Communication Plc.

The letter dated 23rd August, 2016 and entitled "Withdrawal order in respect of right of occupancy No. BA/35713 for overriding public interest" was addressed to the Head of Station, DA'AR Communication Plc,Tirwun, Maiduguri Road, Bauchi. Reason for this withdrawal is unknown.

Petrol tanker explodes in Edo state, many feared dead

A petrol tanker exploded at Upper Mission junction along the Benin-Auchi express road in Edo state this morning and many people were reportedly killed and about 4 houses razed.

Troops repel Boko Haram attack in Borno state

The army reported on Tuesday that troops on Operation Lafiya Dole stationed at Darul Jamel in Borno State, yesterday evening successfully repelled an attempted attack on their location by Boko Haram terrorists near Sambisa forest.

The terrorists attempted to storm the troops location at about 10.00pm, but was over run as the troops killed several of them including two senior commanders that led the attack.

Padding scandal: Abdulmumin Jibrin to appear before Presidential Advisory Committee Against Corruption

Embattled former chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on Appropriation, Abdulmumin Jibrin, has been invited to appear before the Presidential Advisory Committee Against corruption over the unfolding budget padding scandal.

The letter said Mr. Jibrin should appear before the anti-corruption panel at the Meeting Room of PACAC which is situated on the 1st Floor, Phase I, Secretary to the Government of the Federation Building, Federal Secretariat, Abuja, on Wednesday, August 24, 2016. Time: 11:00 a.m.

Senate Leader Ali Ndume says the National Assembly is broke

Senate Leader Ali Ndume yesterday in Abuja told newsmen that the National Assembly was broke and experiencing difficulties in meeting its financial obligations.

He also said the situation was so worrisome that legislators were not receiving their allowances as and when due.

CBN bars 9 commercial banks from forex transactions

The Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, has barred nine commercial banks from participating in all foreign exchange transactions and operations.

According to the apex bank, the commercial banks were barred following their failure to remit into the Treasury Single Account the sum of $2.12 billion belonging to the nation’s oil corporation, the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC).‎

NAFDAC alerts Nigerians of fake alcohol in circulation

The National Agency for Foods and Drugs Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has alerted Nigerians of fake alcoholic drinks, especially dry gin in circulation.

The NAFDAC Director of Special Duties, Abubakar Jimoh, disclosing this yesterday said consumers of alcoholic beverages should be wary of purchasing and consuming the fake products.

According to Jimoh, drinking alcohol is bad enough but the danger of taking fake alcohol can only be imagined.

241 Nigerians repatriated from Libya

The National Emergency Management Agency, NEMA, has disclosed that at least, 241 Nigerians have been repatriated from Libya.

NEMA’s spokesperson, Ibrahim Farinloye said the 241 Nigerians were repatriated on Tuesday from Libya and landed at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport at about 3:41pm.

6.2 magnitude earthquake hits Italy

At least 10 people have been killed and others trapped under rubble after a devastating 6.2 magnitude earthquake hit central Italy early Wednesday. 

Italy's Civil Protection Agency, described the earthquake as severe.

The USGS said that the quake hit at 03:36 (01:36 GMT), 76 km (47 miles) southeast of the city of Perugia, at the very shallow depth of 10km (six miles).

Gen.Yakubu Gowon visits Buhari

President Muhammadu Buhari today received former Head of State, General Yakubu Gowon in the State House, Abuja.

More photos..

US Secretary of state arrives Sokoto state

US Secretary of State, John Kerry, has arrived Nigeria and is currently at the Palace of the Sultan of Sokoto to discuss counter terrorism efforts in Nigeria.

He will also be giving a speech on the importance of resilient communities and religious tolerance in battling violent extremism. Kerry will later today visit President Buhari.

Senators rejects Buhari’s Emergency Powers Bill, say it’ll turn him to a tyrant

According to reports emanating from ThisDay, the move by President Muhammadu Buhari to secure emergency powers aimed at revitalising the nation’s economic crisis may not materialise as senators yesterday rejected the proposed bill, saying Buhari was seeking to transform himself into a tyrant.According to Thisday, many of the senators who have spoke on condition of anonymity, say the bill if passed, will turn President Buhari into a tyrant. They say the bill will not see the light of day and that it is dead on arrival. 

They said some of the provisions in the bill were unnecessary, describing it as nothing more than a subtle way of avoiding counterpart funding by the Buhari administration.

Boko Haram leader Abubakar Shekau fatally wounded in Air Force strike

A statement released today by Acting Director Army Public Relations, Colonel Sani Kukasheka Usman, says that an air raid by the Nigerian Air Force reportedy killed some key leaders of the Boko Haram terrorists while others were fatally wounded.

Lassa ever kills doctor in Delta, 32 others on surveillance

The Delta State Ministry of Health has confirmed one person dead and 32 others on surveillance following the reported case of Lassa fever.The state Commissioner for Health, Dr Nicholas Azinge, in a statement said that the state recorded one death from Lassa fever after a medical doctor in the state died from the disease.

The statement reads; “On Aug. 18, 2016, one case of Lassa fever was reported in Delta State. The confirmed case was a medical doctor resident in Asaba who hailed from Anambra State. “He was first admitted in a private Hospital in the state and was later referred to the Nnamdi Azikiwe University Teaching Hospital (NAUTH), Nnewi, Anambra State.