Britain's Prince Philip to retire this week

Prince Philip, the 96-year-old husband of Queen Elizabeth II, will retire this week, conducting the last of more than 22,200 solo public engagements, the palace said today.

The Duke of Edinburgh, who served as a naval officer during World War II, will attend a parade of Royal Marines at Buckingham Palace on Wednesday. He is captain general of the commando force.

"This concludes the duke's individual programme of public engagements. But he may choose to attend engagements alongside the queen from time to time," a spokeswoman said.

Aluu 4: Court finds three persons guilty

A High Court sitting in Rivers today has found three persons guilty of the murder of four students who were lynched in Aluu community in 2012.

The court presided over by Justice Nyordee also discharged and acquitted four others, who were standing trial for the 2012 murder.

According to the Judge, the prosecution failed to prove its case of murder against the 4th, 5th, 6th, 7th accused persons beyond every reasonable doubt.

He, however, found the 1st to 3rd defendants guilty of murder, Punch reports.

No killer antimalarial drugs in circulation – NAFDAC

The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has said asked Nigerians to dismiss reports that there are killer antimalarial medicines in circulation in the country.

NAFDAC‘s Acting Director-General, Dr. Yetunde Oni said this at a press briefing in Lagos on Tuesday.

Oni stated that the approved malaria treatment in the country were the artemisinin combination therapy.

Executive, N’Assembly must not be divided – Osinbajo

Acting President Yemi Osinbajo while addressing the African parliamentarians at the 16th Commonwealth Speakers and Presiding Officers Conference on Tuesday in Abuja said the executive and legislature must not waste its relationship on conflicts.

He said the cooperation between the two arms of government has helped lives and livelihoods of millions, adding that poverty, hunger and disease could become history in Africa through legislative and executive options.

According to him, it would be foolish for leaders to think that their positions were for self-aggrandisement or the pursuit of selfish interests.

EFCC official twitter handler finally revealed as he resigns

After years of all of us on social media app Twitter wondering who was behind all those funny and witty tweets from the official twitter page of EFCC, the EFCC twitter handle this afternoon revealed @FshawKingFisher as its handler.

From the tweet shared by the agency and the handler's response, it seems the handler has resigned and moved on from the job. Although there are some who think he may have been sacked.

42 Anti-malaria drugs banned in Europe are being consumed in Nigeria-Senate alleges

The Senate during Thursday plenary raised alarm on the alleged circulation of 42 anti-malaria drugs that have been banned in Europe but are being administered and sold to Nigerians in some hospitals and pharmacies.

The senate ordered its committee on Health (Secondary and Tertiary), led by Senator Olarewaju Tejuoso, to urgently carry out an indepth investigation into the allegation and report back for further action.

The Senate resolution came after a motion by Senator Theodore Orji, was read on the floor of the house.

Civil society group suit filed to declare Buhari unfit

The trustees of a civil society group, Kingdom Human Rights Foundation International have filed a suit asking for an order to compel the Federal Executive Council, FEC to declare ailing President Muhammadu Buhari as unfit to continue to hold office.

It filed the suit before the Federal High Court in Abuja.

The group also filed another mandating the National Assembly to constitute a medical panel to verify the President’s fitness.

FG orders reinstatement of CRK, IRK as seperate subjects

The Federal Government has asked the Nigerian Educational Research and Development Council (NERDC) to reinstate the Christian Religious Knowledge (CRK) and Islamic Religious Knowledge (IRK) as separate subjects.

Minister of Education, Adamu Adamu said this at a meeting with state commissioners of education and some stakeholders in the education sector in Abuja on Thursday.

Adamu, who was represented by Anthony Anwukah said the reinstatement of the subjects was necessary considering the controversies the revision had generated.

Sheriff and his followers must be sanctioned, groups tells PDP leaders

The leadership of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has been told to impose sanctions on the former National Chairman of the party, Senator Ali Modu Sheriff, and his followers, Punch reports.

According to the news meduim, some groups have started submitting petitions to that effect. Some members of the party believed that Sheriff and members of his group, which included a former National Secretary, Prof. Wale Oladipo; Deputy National Chairman, Dr. Cairo Ojougboh; and the Acting National Publicity Secretary, Mr. Bernard Mikko, should be punished for the crisis that befell the party.

In a petition by the PDP Reform Group, co-conveners Ariyo-Dare Atoye and Sefinatu Umaru said the amnesty extended to Sheriff and his followers was unnecessary.

Declare state of emergency on education, Malala tells Osinabjo

Child rights activist and Nobel Prize winner, Malala Yousafzai has urged acting President Yemi Osinbajo to declare a state of emergency in the education sector.

Malala gained prominence after she was shot by a Taliban gunman speaking up on the right of a girl child to be educated on October 9, 2012.

While speaking with journalists after meeting with Osinbajo on Monday, she said she spoke on the importance of education for boys and girls.

Nigeria does not need restructuring – Okorocha

Governor Rochas Okorocha of Imo state has dismissed calls for the restructuring of the country.

Okorocha argued that Nigeria was better as united country, stating that it only needs repackaging not restructuring.

The governor who spoke on Monday while declaring open the 67th annual conference of the Broadcasting Organisation of Nigeria held in Imo state, noted that each of the geopolitical zones in the country had different understanding of the term restructuring.

Lagos assembly to reduce ex-governor's pension

The Lagos State House of Assembly has said it is planning on reducing the pension of former governors in the state.

Speaker, Mudashiru Obasa disclosed this at a parley with civil society organisations where he stated that the decision will help save taxpayers money.

He said: “This House is amending the Public Office Holder (Payment of Pension) Law. The amendment is titled, Public Office Holders (Payment of Pensions) Amendment Bill, 2016. The bill has been read first time and awaiting second reading. The intendment of this bill is to save taxpayers’ money while addressing the cost implication of some parts of the law.

Seek judicial resolution to confirmation of appointees | Falana, others tell FG

Human rights lawyer, Femi Falana and other prominent activists have called on the Presidency to approach the Supreme Court over the confirmation of non-ambassadorial and non-ministerial nominees.

This advice was contained in statement jointly signed by Falana and some activists including Prof. Jibrin Ibrahim, Lanre Suraj, Anwal Rafsanjani and Ezenwa Nwagwu.

They said It has become necessary to involve the court since the Presidency and the senate could not agree and maintained that the upper chamber of the National Assembly had no right to sack Magu since it had no power to hire him.

The statement read in part: “While the dispute over the budget had yet to be resolved, the Senate passed two controversial resolutions. The first resolution directed the Acting President to remove the acting Chairman of the EFCC, Mr. Ibrahim Magu, from office.

FG ends dichotomy between HND and degree holders

The Federal Government has ended the dichotomy between holders of University degrees and Higher National Diploma in all the Para-military services.

The Civil Defence, Fire, Immigration and Prisons Board to this end has directed that all officers with HND should be upgraded to COMPASS 08, which is the salary grade level for holders of degree certificates at entry point.

FG begins assets, tax probe of wealthy Nigerians

The Federal Government has engaged a United Kingdom Forensic and assets-tracing firm and some others to trace the assets of some very wealthy Nigerians at home and abroad.

The Minister of Finance, Kemi Adeosun said this at a press briefing in Lagos on Thursday.

The minister said names of 150 very wealthy Nigerians are on the list for the first batch of the exercise, which is expected to last for some months and that the Federal Government was trying to match the lifestyle of wealthy Nigerians to taxes they pay.

Nigeria's new oil is the creative industry – Lai Mohammed

Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed has said the creative industry is Nigeria’s new oil.

Mohammed said this on Thursday when he spoke about the Creative Industry Financing Conference holding in Lagos.

He said: "The creative industry is capable of producing a breakthrough for the country.

“The creative industry contributed 84.1 billion pounds Sterling to the British economy in 2014. It also contributed $698 bn to the US Economy, according to a 2015 report. So, Nigeria cannot afford to be left behind; hence, we are ready to explore and exploit the new oil.”

NNPC has owed capital oil N16bn for two years – Ifeanyi Ubah

The Chairman of Capital Oil, Ifeanyi Ubah, on Thursday said claims that he was owing Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation N11 billion was false and instead the national oil corporation was owing him N16 billion.

Ubah made the disclosure at the on-going public hearing organised by the House of Representatives Committee on Petroleum Downstream.

The committee is investigating how 82 million metric litres of petrol belonging to NNPC that was stored at Capital Oil tank farm in Lagos disappeared.

JUST IN: Supreme court declares Makarfi's group authentic faction of PDP

The Supreme Court led by CJN Walter Onnoghen, today Wednesday has declared the Makarfi's group as the authentic faction of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP. 

Sheriff was declared the chairman of the party by the Court of Appeal, but the Supreme Court verdict today has recognised Makarfi’s faction.

Justice Bode Rhodes-Vivour reading the lead judgment of the Supreme Court on the PDP leadership tussle held that Sheriff had presented himself for PDP Convention and was disqualified and he decided to rely on existing judgements.

The apex court also said that the National Convention of PDP was not held in disobedience to any Court Order.

The court affirms Makarfi's group the authentic faction of the PDP and fines Sheriff for losing the case.

You can't continue to subsidise electricity | GenCos tells FG

Power generating companies (GenCos) have called for increase in electricity tariff, demanding that the government stop subsidising electricity.

Vice Chairman, Mainstream Energy Solution, Ismaila Funtua said this on Tuesday while speaking with journalists on the sidelines of the quarterly presidential business meeting held in Abuja.

He also said the GenCos operatives had asked to meet with Acting President Yemi Osinbajo alongside key government officials to sort out constraints in their business.

Police needs N1.13trn to function effectively – IGP Idris

The Inspector-General of Police, Ibrahim Idris has said that the Nigeria Police Force needed at least N1.13 trillion annually to perform it’s functions effectively.

Idris made this remark at a Public hearing on a Bill to establish the Police Reform Trust Fund and a Bill to amend the Explosives Act 2004 in Abuja.

The hearing was organised by the House of Representatives Committee on Police Affairs.

He said; “To fully appreciate the funding challenges of the Nigeria Police Force, it will be appropriate to compare the MD Yusuf financial estimates of 2008,”.

Osinbajo orders contractors to complete Niger bridge in two weeks

Acting President Yemi Osinbajo on Monday ordered contractors handling the temporary bridge at Tatabu village in Mokwa Local Government Area of Niger State to complete the work in two weeks.

The bridge which links the South-West geopolitical zone, was washed away two months ago by flood caused by heavy rain.

Osinbajo, accompanied by the state Governor, Alh. Abubakar Sani Bello and Min. of Power, Works & Housing, Babatunde Fashola, visited the site for on-the-spot assessment and directed the contractors to complete the project in two weeks.

Psquare's Paul Okoye and wife Anita welcome twins; a boy & girl

Paul Okoye of Psquare is now a father-of-three. His wife, Anita has welcomed twins, a baby boy and girl, in a hospital in Atlanta.

The couples already have a son together, named Andre, and celebrated their 3rd wedding anniversary back in March. 

INEC begins Dino Melaye's recall process today

INEC will today barring any last minute change, begin the recall process of senator Dino Melaye from the Senate. 

INEC had on June 21st released 188,588 signatures from registered voters in Kogi West Senatorial district seeking the recall of their senator, Dino Melaye.

Melaye has maintained that the process for the collation of signatures was flawed as some of those who signed the recall registers were dead.

INEC declares late Isiaka Adeleke's brother as winner of Osun State Bye-Election

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has declared Ademola Adeleke of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) winner of the just concluded Osun west senatorial bye-election.

Ademola is the younger brother of Late Isiaka Adeleke, a serving Senator who died in April.

He won in nine Local Government Areas in the district out of 10, polled 97480 to beat Senator Mudashir Hussein of the APC who had 66116.

Senate approves law school, NYSC for NOUN graduates

The Senate on Thursday approved the participation of graduates of the National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN) in the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) scheme and the Law School.

The amendment followed consideration of report of the Senate Committee on Tertiary Institutions and TETFUND, chaired by Senator Jibrin Barau (APC, Kano) on the amendment of NOUN Act.

Barau said the amendment would address perception that the university is correspondence and seen as part time institution.

US judge sets Bill Cosby retrial for November 6

A Pennsylvania judge ruled on Thursday that entertainer Bill Cosby would go back on trial for alleged sexual assault on November 6.

The first trial ended with a deadlocked jury after a 12-member panel failed to reach a unanimous verdict which made Judge Steven ONeilll declare a mistrial on June 17.

 Judge O’Neill ordered lawyers for both sides to submit any proposed jury selection questions and instructions no later than October 30.

Nigeria ranks 5th in World's Most Dangerous Countries list

Nigeria has been ranked as the 5th most dangerous country in the world by The World Economic Forum. 

In its biennial tourism report with one section focusing on safety and security, WEF ranked 136 countries and Nigeria was the 5th most dangerous based on violence and terroristic attacks by Boko Haram.

They named Finland as the safest country in the world while Colombia was listed as the most dangerous.

Nigerian rapper, Vector loses dad

Nigerian rapper, Vector is bereaved and is in a bitter mood.

His dad, Mr Ogunmefun died yesterday after a brief illness at his Lagos Island residence.

He is survived by 5 children including Vector, his elder sister and juju singer, Shola Vibrate

Troops neutralise invading Boko Haram insurgents in Borno

The Nigerian Army said troops of 81 Division Task Force Battalion have neutralized some Boko Haram insurgents who attacked them at Gulumba Gana in Bama LGA, Borno State.

In a statement by Army spokesperson, Brig-Gen. Sani Usman, the Army said the soldiers killed many of the terrorists and went in pursuit of those who escaped.

Usman said the troops recovered 2 AK-47 Rifles and 2 magazines of 9 round of ammunition, 2 AGL bombs, several empty cases of Shilka gun ammunition, AGL bomb and 1 damaged mobile phone handset.

Vincent Enyeama and 10 other players sacked by Lille

Former Super Eagles goalkeeper, Vincent Enyeama has been told to leave his club, Lille alongside 10 others by new coach, Marcelo Biesla.

After being appointed by the club's new owner, Gerard Lopez, on a two-year deal in May, Bielsa immediately set about reshaping the squad that finished 11th in the French Ligue 1 last season. 

Private jet crashes into sea with nine on board

A Gulfstream III private jet with nine people on board, has crashed into the sea off Venezuela.

The Mirror UK reports that the  plane came down 30 miles from the coastline near Macanao, northern Venezuela.

Etisalat Nigeria appoints new CEO, dissolves board

Former Deputy Managing Director of Celtel Nigeria has been named the chief executive officer of Etisalat Nigeria during the transition period.

Former CEO, Matthew Willsher along with the chief financial officer, Olawole Obasunloye stepped down on Monday.

A deputy governor of the central bank, Joseph Nnana, will be the chairman of the board.

Three feared killed as Badoo strike at Owode-Ajegunle in Ikorodu, Lagos

Suspected ritual cult, Badoo, known for terrorising residents in Ikorodu area of Lagos has again struck at Owode Ajegunle, killing at least three people.

The cultists attacked Crystal Church of Christ (C&S) Aladura at no 4, Victor Anibaba Street, Owode Weighbridge, along Ikorodu Road.

The cultists attacked the wife of the founder of the church, Mrs. Ajidara, her two-year old daughter and another woman who lived in the church with her daughter.

An eyewitness said one woman and the two girls were killed during the attack.

APC does not know the health status of Buhari – Spokesperson

Spokesperson of the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC, Bolaji Abdullahi has said he is not privy with information to the health situation of President Muhammadu Buhari.

In an interview with Channels TV, Abdullahi said that the party was also ignorant of the president’s well-being.

Court fines former first lady, Patience Jonathan for withdrawing her suit against EFCC

Justice S. Seidu of a Federal High Court sitting in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, has imposed a fine of N50,000 on former First Lady, Patience Jonathan, for withdrawing a suit instituted against the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC.
In the suit, Mrs Jonathan sought an order of the court for "the enforcement of her fundamental human rights to own property, fair hearing, human dignity, private and family life and freedom from discrimination".

In a defence led by I. A. Adedipe, SAN, she prayed the court to retrain the EFCC from encroaching on those "rights".

INEC announces timetable for Dino recall

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has released a timetable and schedule of activities for the recall of Senator Dino Melaye, representing the Kogi West Senatorial District.

According to the timetable, the first step in the recall process, the notice of verification, will be held July 10.

See time table below...

Akon signs Samklef to KonLive record label

Nigerian-born music artist and producer Samklef, whose real name is Samuel Oguachuba has just signed a multi-record deal with Akon's KonLive Records.

According to Akon; 'Samklef was signed to KonLive because he is one of the best all-around entertainer from Nigeria, everything he touches turns to gold and I expect his first single, “Philo” to quickly climb the charts once it is released in 2017.

We will reconsider our quit notice to Igbos in the North – Arewa Youth

The Coalition of Arewa youths which issued a quit notice to Igbos residing in the north has said they will reconsider their stand.

This is following a declaration of support for a united Nigeria by South East governors and leaders.

President of Arewa Youth Consultative Forum (AYCF), Yerima Shettima, told The Nation on Sunday that they were pleased that the Igbo leaders strongly condemned the pro-Biafra agitators.

Aisha Buhari to visit President Buhari in London

Wife of President Buhari, Aisha Buhari, is on her way to London to visit her husband, President Buhari, who is currently on medical leave there.

According to a statement issued by the director of information, office of the wife of the president, Suleiman Haruna today, Mrs Buhari would stop over at Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, en route London.

Gov. Ayo Fayose sacks entire cabinet

Ekiti State Governor Ayodele Fayose has sacked his entire cabinet. 

Lere Olayinka, the governor’s Special Assistant on Public Communications and New Media, said the governor directed all former commissioners to handover to the Permanent Secretaries in their ministries.

Fayose thanked the commissioners for their service to the state and wished them well in their future endeavours, Olayinka said in a post on Facebook.