Iyanya joins Mavins after leaving MMMG

Former MMMG artiste, Iyanya Mbuk popularly known as Iyanya has joined producer Don Jazzy’s Mavin Records.

Iyanya  joins Tiwa Savage, Korede Bello, Di’Ja, Dr. Sid, D’ Prince, Reekado Banks on the Mavin Records Label.

Don Jazzy on Monday made his announcement Iyanya as the newest member of the Supreme Mavin Dynasty.

Militants bomb oil pipeline in Delta

The Niger Delta Greenland Justice Mandate has attacked a crude oil delivery line at Effurun-Otor, Ughelli South Council Area of Delta State.

The pipeline, which is operated by the Nigerian Petroleum Development Company, was attacked early Sunday morning.

The militant group through a statement by its spokesman Aldo Agbalaja claiming responsibility said the attack was in rejection of Tuesday’s meeting between President Muhammadu Buhari and some leaders of the region.

NUPENG gives FG 21-days to stop sack of workers

The Nigerian Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas, NUPENG, has given the Federal Government 21 days to stop the mass sack of its members by oil majors or face mass action from the union.

A communique issued by the Central Working Committee during it's meeting in Warri, Delta state, revealed that over 3000 workers have been sacked by oil majors and servicing companies who are closing shops on account of the current recession.

Trending: Buhari’s aide, moderator pull out of conference over Bobrisky

The conference on new media, organised by Enough Is Enough Nigeria has suffered a setback after two panelists have pulled out of the Thursday’s session of the conference on New Media, Citizens and Governance as a result of the inclusion of Idris Okuneye, popularly known as Bobrisky.

Personal Assistant to President Muhammadu Buhari on New Media, Bashir Ahmad, was the first to pull out of the event. He was followed by a member of the Executive Committee of Alder Consulting, Subomi Plumptre, who was to moderate the panel.

Kayode Ogundamisi reveals sufferings Of Nigerian soldiers on twitter

Investigative journalist Kayode Ogundamisi who was recently in Maiduguri took to twitter to exposed the sufferings of soldiers fighting Boko Haram.

He showed photos of how they prepare food and the hell they are going through. He tweeted many of this at the President’s handle, and that of the Nigerian Army, but sadly, the Army blocked him on twitter.

See his tweets...

MTN admits moving out $13.9 billion out of Nigeria illegally

At the commencement of investigative hearing into the alleged illegal repatriation of $13.9 billion out of the country by MTN, the company told the Senate Committee on Banks, Insurance and Other Financial Institutions, that circumstances compelled it to move funds without observing the law.
The Senate had on September 27, 2016, alleged that MTN in connivance with the Minister of Trade and Investment, Okechukwu Enelamah, and four commercial banks exploited the porous Nigerian financial system to move the money out of the country without the required authorization.

According to a motion moved by Senator Dino Melaye (Kogi West) on September 27, MTN was alleged to have smartly beat Nigeria's financial regulatory laws by failing to obtain a certificate of capital importation (CCI) as authorised by CBN Financial and Miscellaneous Act within 24 hours between 2006 and 2016 before moving the money out of the country.

Buhari, Amaechi Oyegun behind judges’ arrest – PDP

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has accused President Muhammadu Buhari, Minister of Transport, Rotimi Amaechi and the chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), John Odigie-Oyegun for being behind the arrest of judges of the Supreme Court.

In a statement issued on Sunday by its National Publicity Secretary, Prince Dayo Adeyeye, the party in which made reference to the recent allegation levelled against Minister of Transport, Rotimi Amaechi, former Governor of Abia State and now Minister of Science and Technology, Dr. Ogbonnaya Onu and President Muhmmadu Buhari on by Justice Nwali Sylvester Ngwuta, Justice of the Supreme Court said Justice Ngwuta’s letter to the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Mahmoud Muhammed was an indictment on Buhari and Amaechi.

Dangote Group hits by recession as it reportedly sacks 48 workers

The current recession rocking the Nigerian economy has hit the Dangote Group, belonging to Africa’s richest man, Aliko Dangote,as the company has fired 36 expatriates and 12 local staff serving in Dangote Cement Plc and Dangote Industries Limited last week.

It is gathered from sources privy to the information that the decision to sack the workers was not unconnected with the current high cost of running business in the country occasioned by the unavailability of foreign exchange and the unprecedented hike in the naira to dollar exchange rate.

A letter signed by chairman of the group, Aliko Dangote, states that the company is currently embarking on restructuring due to high cost of production in both factories. The letter states that this year has been the most difficult for the group.

Over 4000 Ebonyi state primary school teachers fail certificate screening test

Over 4000 primary school teachers in Ebonyi State were said to have failed a test conducted by the state's Universal Basic Education Board to determine the originality of their teacher training certificates.Chairman of the boards investigating committee, Prof. Anthony Ani, who revealed this over the weekend in Abakaliki, said out of the 9000 teachers screened, half of them were discovered to have fake teacher training certificates.

Nigeria rises to 60th in new Fifa ranking, now 11th in Africa

The Super Eagles of Nigeria have risen to 60th in the new FIFA /Coca-Cola rankings published on FIFA's website today.

Nigeria is now the 11th best team in Africa behind Cote d’Ivoire, Senegal, Algeria, Tunisia, Ghana, Egypt, Congo DR, Congo, Mali, Cameron. Nigeria, before this latest ranking was 65th in September.

President Buhari forwards names of 46 non-career ambassadorial nominees to the senate for screening and confirmation

President Buhari today forwarded names of 46 non-career ambassadorial nominees to the senate. Among those that made the list are Musa Ibeto former deputy governor of Niger state, Pauline Tallen, former deputy governor of Plateau state, Olorunnimbe Mamora, a former senator from Lagos state, and George Oguntade, a former justice of the Supreme Court.

See list....

MFM's guidelines for intending couples about to wed in their church

The list is reportedly a guideline for couples who want to get married in Mountain of Fire and Miracles Ministries (MFM)

Things to consider before dating a co-worker

Falling in love with a co-worker can have serious implications for your job.

Love is unpredictable and it can cause us to act irrational. If you happen to be falling in love with one of your co-workers and start dating, this could have serious repercussions on your professional life.

 If you want to have your office romance to have a happy-ever-after ending, you need to seriously consider these 5 basic points first.

How to nail every job interview

You’d be hard pressed to find anyone who absolutely loves going to job interviews. For many, it’s an incredibly tense experience, especially when you’re not sure exactly what to expect going in. You can rehearse your answers all you want, but chances are that something’s going to come up that you never expected.

Fortunately, there is a few simple things you can do to help your next job interview go as smoothly as possible. While you can never completely guarantee yourself the job of your dreams, a clear head and plenty of preparation can go a long way towards impressing an interviewer.

Femi Otedola loses 1.3billion in value, now worth $550m

According to Forbes billionaires’ database , Forte Oil's chairman is now worth $550 million following a massive drop in the stock price of his company.

The report reads; "As at the close of trading on Friday October 14th, Forte Oil’s share price plunged to a one-year low of N145 ($0.44) per share, down from an all-time high of N342 ($1.1) in March this year when Forbes published its annual ranking of the world’s richest people.

Champions League results

In yesterday fixture of the UEFA champion league match played across Europe, Barcelona thrashed a Manchester city side who saw red 4-0. The match saw a rejuvenated Lionel Messi scoring a hat trick.

Arsenal beat Ludogorets Razgrad 6-0, while PSG thrashed Basel 3-0. Napoli FC of Italy, Dynamo Kiev, Celtic and Rostov all lost to away teams.

Justice John Okoro writes to Chief Justice of Nigeria, accuses Amaechi of bribery

Supreme Court Justice John Inyang Okoro yesterday wrote a letter to the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Mahmood Mohammed about his ordeal when DSS invaded his home and arrested him for misconduct.

He also accused Rotimi Amaechi of attempting to bribe him to influence the judgement in the election tribunal of Rivers state, Abia state and Akwa-Ibom state.

Read the letter...

Lists of the conditions for marriage for intending couples in RCCG House of David

The list is reportedly a mandatory guideline for couples who want to get married in Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG) House of David. The guidelines include;

Legislators’ residences used for parties with prostitutes – Jibrin

Embattled sacked chairman of the House Committee on Appropriation Honourable Abdulmumin Jibrin on Monday said the residences of most lawmakers in the country are used for hosting parties with prostitutes.

The lawmaker who is on a 180 days suspension made this disclosure via his Twitter account, accusing Speaker Yakubu Dogara and Deputy Speaker Yusuf Lasun of collecting N500m to rent houses.

He wrote, “On day 88 of Dogara Gate: At a time of recession when Members of House and ministers collect a paltry sum per annum for rent of official house.

Nigeria Customs Service dismisses 17 officers over drug addiction and other offences

The Nigeria Customs Service, NCS has dismissed seventeen junior officers from the Service for offences ranging from drug addiction, certificate forgery, theft and absence from duty from January to September 2016.

Spokesperson for Nigeria Customs Service, Wale Adeniyi, who made this known said; “Investigations into offences committed by the officers in the senior category are now being concluded. Officers found guilty are expected to face similar stiff penalties.

President Buhari insists Aisha belongs to the kitchen

In a fresh interview with German broadcaster Phil Gayle over the weekend, President Muhammadu Buhari has insisted his wife’s job is to take care of him, his kitchen and the living room.When asked to clarify his earlier comments, the President said; “I am sure you have a house. You know where your kitchen is. You know where your living room is. And I believe your wife looks after all that even if she’s working,”.

Obanikoro arrives Nigeria, to honour EFCC's invitation today

Former Minister of State for Defence, Musiliu Obanikoro, who is being accused of receiving N4.7bn from the diverted $2.1 billion arms procurement fund from the office of the former National Security Adviser (ONSA) Col. Sambo Dasuki rtd, which was allegedly used to influence the Ekiti state governorship election on June 21st 2014 has arrived Nigeria from the US and would be honouring EFCC's invitation later today. 

The former Minister landed Nigeria from the United States enroute London Heathrow. He will be accompanied by his counsels, Lawal Pedro and James Onoja.to the anti graft agency's headquarters in Abuja this morning.

She belongs to my kitchen, my living room & the other room – President Buhari responds to his wife Aisha’s allegations

In Berlin today, The Associated Press reports that President Buhari laughed off Aisha Buhari yet-to-be aired interview with BBC Hausa, that his government has basically been hijacked by people who were not with them from the very start saying; “I don’t know which party my wife belongs to, but she belongs to my kitchen and my living room and the other room.”

Buhari also said he hopes his wife will remember that he ran for president three times before succeeding on the fourth effort.

Aisha Buhari's Interview With BBC Hausa (Full Text)

This is the full text from the interview of First Lady of Nigeria, Aisha Buhari, by BBC Hausa Service:

BBC Hausa: It has been One and a half years since President Muhammadu Buhari came into power, a lot of people are expressing their unhappiness over the way few acquaintance of the President have hijacked power while neglecting people that work for his success. Like we have promised, here is how the interview with Aisha Buhari and Naziru Maka’ilu from Abuja goes.

Buhari meets German Chancellor Merkel

President Muhammadu Buhari on Friday met with German Chancellor Angela Merkel.

Buhari spoke with Merkel on issues ranging from terrorism, nation building and the economy.

Buhari writing on his personal Facebook page, said, “My team and I met with German Chancellor Angela Merkel and her team at the Chancellery in Berlin this morning. We had very fruitful discussions on a range of issues: the fight against terrorism and the rebuilding of the Northeast, trade and economic relations between Nigeria and Germany, among others.

Excerpts from Aisha Buhari's interview with BBC

Wife to Nigerian President Aisha Buhari in her yet-to-be aired interview with BBC Hausa has warned him that she may not back him at the next election. She suggested the government had been hijacked, saying a few people were behind presidential appointments
In the BBC interview, Aisha Buhari was quoted as saying: "After receiving complains and complains, I decided to tell him (President Buhari). But, all the same, a lot of People are coming on their own and also collectively to tell him that things are not going the way it should.

No judge can be invited by DSS without due process - NJC

The National Judicial Council has described the invasion of the residences and arrest of some judicial officers by the Department of Security Services (DSS) as a threat to the independence of the judiciary.

The council also added that no judicial officer shall be invited by any institution in the country, including the DSS, without complying with the rule of law and due process

The council said this in a statement last night after it had a two days emergency meeting over the arrest of seven judges over the weekend by the DSS for alleged corruption.

The council in its statement said the invasion portrays a great danger to Nigeria’s democracy and also considered the action as a clear attempt by the DSS to humiliate, intimidate, denigrate and cow the judiciary‎.

We'll negotiate with Boko Haram to release more girls - Osinbajo

Vice President Yemi Osinbajo after receiving the 21 Chibok girls on Thursday night where they are being recuperated at the Department of State Services (DSS) medical centre located along Airport Road, Abuja said the Federal government would do everything possible to secure the release of the remaining Chibok schoolgirls.

He also stood on the grounds that the Federal government did not do a swap deal contrary to insinuation that government exchanged four Boko Haram members in its detention facility to secure the release of the girls.

Osinbajo said the Swiss government aided the negotiations and debunked speculations that the Red Cross Society aided government in securing the release of the girls.

Chibok girls: 18 of 21 freed victims reportedly pregnant

There are unconfirmed reports that eighteen out of the twenty-one Chibok girls freed on Thursday may be pregnant.

Although it’s difficult to ascertain but officials have hinted that many of the girls returned with pregnancy.

Senate to make election debates compulsory

The Senate has commenced moves to make it mandatory for those seeking elective positions to participate in pre-election debates.
This move by the Senate is as a result of the presentation of a bill by Sen. Abdulfatai Buhari (APC- Oyo North) which was read for the second time.

The Senate referred the bill to the Committee on Establishment and Public Service as well as Committee on INEC.

Senate extends JAMB's UTME validity period to 3 years

The Nigerian Senate on Thursday passed the amendment to the law establishing Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board’s Act #JAMBBill SB. 245 into law.

Part of the amendment is the extension of the validity of JAMB UTME results from one year to three years.

Senate President Bukola Saraki commented that the new amendments will indeed bring financial relief to students as well as parents and reduce bottlenecks and corruption in the admission process.

Pres. Buhari departs for Germany

President Buhari has departed Nigeria for Germany on a three day state visit. He would hold bilateral meetings with the German Chancellor, Angela Merkel on issues of shared interests between Nigeria and Germany, including further cooperation on security, the humanitarian situation of Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) and rehabilitation of the North-East, as well as trade and economic relations between both countries.

President Buhari is being accompanied by Governors Kashim Shettima of Borno State and Rochas Okorocha of Imo respectively, also representatives of the National Assembly, will meet with Federal President of Germany, Joachim Gauck.

See more photos...

Presidency confirms release of 21 Chibok girls

The Presidency has confirmed the release of 21 of the over 200 abducted Chibok schoolgirls.

In a statement issued by senior special assistant to the President Mallam Garba Shehu, the girls were released based on negotiations between the Federal Government and Boko Haram.

The statement read, “It is confirmed that 21 of the missing Chibok Girls have been released and are in the custody of the Department of State Services, DSS.

FG sacks 22 FAAN directors and managers

The Federal government yesterday sacked 22 senior officials of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria FAAN.

While top directors, general managers and deputy general managers were handed their termination letters some general managers were demoted.

Sources privy to this information at the Ministry of Aviation said the sack is part of efforts by the Federal government to reduce the monthly overhead of the ministry as most of the top management officers had replicated duties. 

Boko Haram reportedly release 21 Chibok girls to FG

Boko Haram group has reportedly released about twenty-one of the abducted Chibok school girls to the Nigerian Government.

According to SaharaReporters, the girls were picked up by military helicopter from Banki area of the state where the terrorist group dropped them off earlier today.

FG demands immediate release of detained Nigerian students in Turkey

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Wednesday said it was determined to ensure that all Nigerian students experiencing different forms of maltreatment in Turkey are urgently addressed.

This is coming after a report alleged that the Federal Government had not taken appropriate actions to protect the welfare of Nigerian students in Turkey caught up in its post-coup situation

The Ministry’s Spokesperson, Mr Clement Aduku in a statement made available to newsmen in Abuja said that contrary to the report, the leadership of the Ministry had taken series of proactive steps to adequately address the situation.

CBN suspends all banks except first bank from forex sale to BDCs

The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has suspended all the banks, with the exception of First Bank, from selling dollar proceeds of International Money Transfer Services, (IMTS) to Bureau De Change, BDCs till further notice.The suspension came as a result of none compliance to the directive CBN had given to banks two months ago to sell proceeds of their international money transfer services to BDCs.

The directive is coming on the heels of several complaints from the Bureau De Change with the Association of Bureaux De change Operators of Nigeria, ABCON, who have been calling for a review of the policy measure.

Buhari, Obasanjo holds closed-door meeting

President Muhammadu Buhari held a closed-door meeting with former President Olusegun Obasanjo at the President’s office in the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

The meeting started at about 2:20pm. 

However the reason for the meeting is yet unknown.

Presidency hands over two Presidential aircrafts to the Nigerian Air Force

The Presidency this morning handed over two Presidential Fleet aircraft to the Nigerian Air Force.

This is coming few days after two of the Presidential Fleet aircraft were put up for sale on National dailies.

The two Helicopters are part of the 10 aircraft in Presidential Air Fleet. They were acquired on 20 Oct 2014 and 21 May 2015 respectively.

NYSC denies plans to slash corps members allowance

The Management of the NYSC has debunked reports on Social media that it was planning to slash corps members' allowance by 25%.

The scheme debunked the reports in a statement released via its Facebook wall this morning.

The statement reads; "The Management of the NYSC hereby refutes the content of a mischievous information circulating in the social media to the effect that corps members' allowance has been slashed by 25%.

Exchange rate as of today

This is how the naira fared at the foreign exchange market

Dino Melaye condemns arrest of Judges

Senator representing Kogi West in the Senate, Dino Melaye, on Sunday condemned the arrest and raid of the residence of some Judges by the Department of State Services, saying the agency acted outside its core mandate.
He however admitted that judges could be tried but acknowledged that the DSS went about it the wrong way.

He said; “I have studied the Act setting up DSS, Nigerian Intelligence Agency and DIA and can conclude that the DSS operatives went outside their core mandate. There is no doubt that many Judges are corrupt.

Kaduna govt orders arrest, prosecution of Shi’ites spokesperson

The Kaduna State Government has ordered the arrest and prosecution of the spokesperson of the Islamic Movement in Nigeria also known as Shi’ites.

The group was also banned and declared unlawful on Friday by the state government.

The state government  in a statement  said, “The Kaduna State Government has ordered the arrest and subsequent prosecution of one Ibrahim Musa who has owned up to being the spokesperson of an unlawful society, the Islamic Movement in Nigeria (IMN).

Buhari will never work against the independence of the judiciary – Presidency

The Presidency on Sunday said the recent clampdown on judges was not targeted at independence of the judiciary, but rather to phase out its corrupt elements.

The Senior Special Adviser to President Muhammadu Buhari on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu in a statement said the president will not go against the constitution and he is a committed democrat.

The statement reads; “The Presidency assures that the President reserves his highest respect for the institution of the judiciary as the third arm of government.

Judges Raid: APC backs Buhari, impels security agencies to respect rule of law

The All Progressives Congress (APC) have asked the opposition Peoples Democratic Party PDP not to drag President Muhammadu Buhari into issues as regards to Saturday’s night raid of the residences of some judges by operatives of the Department of State Services.

In a statement issued and signed by the national secretary of the APC Mai Mala Buni on Sunday night in Abuja, the party advised all security agencies to be guided by the rule of law in the discharge of their duties.

The statement reads; "The All Progressives Congress (APC) is concerned about the desperation of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and some of its governors to drag the President into circumstances surrounding the reported raids of the homes of some judges by the State Security Service (SSS)".

FJSC recommends Justice Onnoghen as next Chief Justice of Nigeria

Justice Walter Samuel Nkanu Onnoghen has been recommended by the Federal Judicial Service Commission (FJSC) as the next Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN).

Onnoghen has been put forward to the National Judicial Council (NJC) for further recommendation to President Muhammadu Buhari.

Onnoghen, a Justice of the Supreme Court since 2005 is set to succeed outgoing CJN Justice Mahmud Mohammed whose tenure ends November 10, when he will clock the 70 years mandatory retirement age for justices of the appellate court.

Troops intercept and neutralise 3 female suicide bombers in Gwoza

Troops in Borno state yesterday intercepted and neutralised a suicide bomb attacks by three female suicide bombers as they attempted to attack a military base at Gwoza, Gwoza Local Government Area, Borno State.

A statement issued by the Acting Director Army Public Relation, Sani Usman, said the Nigerian troops in Gwoza on Thursday thwarted what could have been a catastrophic incident.

The army spokesman said that the suicide bombers who came through Pulka axis were sighted by members of vigilante from a distance and alerted the troops about the impending catastrophe.

FG withdraws forgery charges against Saraki, Ekweremadu

The Federal Government has filed a motion to withdraw the charge of criminal conspiracy and forgery of senate standing order against Senate President Bukola Saraki and his Deputy, Ike Ekweremadu.

The Federal government through a litigation officer from the Federal Ministry of Justice, Odubu Loveme, yesterday filed an affidavit in support of the motion before the High Court of Abuja.

Police rescue two persons kidnapped in Lagos school, six others still missing

The Lagos state police command have rescued two persons among the eight kidnapped by suspected militants at the‎ Model College, Igbo Nla in Epe area of Lagos yesterday.

The gunmen said to be about six in number, a female included, stormed the school premises during their assembly.

INEC presents Certificates of Return to Edo State Governor-elect, Godwin Obaseki

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) on Thursday, presented certificates of return to winners of Edo gubernatorial election, Godwin Obaseki and his deputy, Philip Shuaibu.

Dr Mustafa Muhammed, INEC National Commissioner in-charge of South-South zone, presented the certificates to the governor-elect and his deputy.

Hurricane Matthew kills 269 as it hits Haiti, Bahamas, Cuba

At least 269 people have been killed so far in Haiti, the Dominican Republic and St. Vincent and the Grenadines with the death toll expected to rise as Hurricane Matthew hit the Bahamas on Thursday as it makes its way to the United States.
Haiti, still recovering from the catastrophic 2010 earthquake which killed hundreds of thousands reported more than 264 people dead as of Thursday evening. As the death toll rises, thousands have been displaced.

Hurricane Matthew has been described as the largest humanitarian event.

Suspected militants invade Lagos school, kidnap principal

Suspected militants armed with guns this morning invaded Igbo Nla Model College in Epe, Lagos, kidnapping the principal, the Nation reports.

It is said that men of the Lagos state police command are in search of the kidnappers.