Return to work or get sacked, Aregbesola warns striking medical doctors

OSUN State Governor, Rauf Aregbesola, has given a seven-day ultimatum to striking medical doctors in the state to return to work or consider themselves to have voluntarily resigned their appointments.

The governor, who gave the warning in a statement signed by the Permanent Secretary,

Kogi: APC stakeholders set to replace Faleke

FOLLOWING the refusal of Hon. Abiodun Faleke to accept the dep­uty governorship, some key stake­holders in the All Progressives Congress ( APC) in Kogi West are set to replace him.

Faleke was the running mate to the late Prince Abubakar Audu, the governorship candidate who died last month just before the results were announced by the Indepen­dent National Electoral Commis­sion (INEC).

FG probes Aero Contractors use of ladder to disembark passengers

THE Federal Government has directed an immediate investigation into the use of an unauthorized equipment ( a ladder) by Aero Contractors Airlines to disembark passengers at the conclusion of a charter flight to Bauchi over the weekend, the Minister of State for Aviation, Senator Hadi Sirika has said .

70 soldiers sentenced to death by courts-martial, says Falana

Lagos lawyer Femi Falana (SAN) yesterday clarified that 70 soldiers and not 66 were sentenced to death by two military courts-martial last year.

He gave the clarifications in a statement issued in Lagos yesterday in reaction to the claims of the Army Public Relations Officer (PRO), Sani Usman.

The Army PRO said at the weekend that

Panic in Abuja as Hijab-wearing Young Girls Besiege Cars in Traffic Junctions

There was panic in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja, at the weekend following the sudden emergence of several hijab-wearing young girls and some boys, asking for alms at strategic traffic lights and junctions of the City Centre.

Osinbajo: more evidence of change will show next year

Vice President Yemi Osinbajo has said more evidence of change will be announced by President Muhammadu Buhari in a 2016 budget to be presented to National Assembly tomorrow.

The Vice President spoke yesterday in Dutse, Jigawa State capital while receiving over 3000 People Democratic Party (PDP) members into the All Progressives Congress (APC).

Nnamdi Kanu: MASSOB vows to continue protests if…

Tension is building up in the South-East and parts of South-South geopolitical zones following the continued detention of the leader of Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, and Director Radio Biafra, Nnamdi Kanu, who was, last Wednesday, discharged and acquitted by a Magistrate’s Court in Abuja of the treason preferred on him by the Department of State Security Services, DSS.

Okonjo-Iweala named in N1.17b ‘suspicious’ transfer

A House of Representatives ad hoc committee is probing the “suspicious” transfer to another account of N1.17bilion approved for a Federal Government agency.

The committee is seeking answers to why the immediate past Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister for the

Communal clash: Kwara imposes curfew on gov’s town

A statement by the Secretary to the State Government, Alhaji Isiaka Gold, said the curfew was with immediate effect.

The statement said a detachment of Nigerian Army has been drafted to reinforce security being provided by the Police and other para-military agencies in the area.

N31b fraud: Anenih, George, Odili, others may refund N630m slush fund

Some former and serving Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) members of the House of Representatives may have to refund about N600million allegedly shared to them under the last dispensation for the purpose of seeking re-election.

Several bigwigs of the party who allegedly partook of the slush funds are also expected to return to    the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) the amount each of them collected.

President Shagari, please forgive us! - Tunde Fagbenle

Yes, we are so sorry, former president Alhaji Shehu Shagari. On behalf of other Nigerians, I, Tunde Fagbenle, humbly offer our unreserved apologies for our collective folly in misrepresenting your regime of 1979 to 1983 as the limit of rottenness, of brigandage, and of kleptomania any country can suffer, and the worst Nigeria would ever have. What folly!

Drama at Bauchi Airport as Aero uses ladder to disembark 34 passengers

A mild drama unfolded yesterday at the Bauchi Airport when passengers used ladder to disembark from a chartered aircraft belonging to Nigeria’s oldest carrier: Aero Airlines.

It was learnt that the aircraft had problems with unserviceable equipment by the airport management in disembarking about 34 passengers from Abuja Airport.

Why we crashed cement price – Dangote

Dangote Cement Plc is beating its chest for leading an initiative that crashed the price of cement by about 40 percent. The move by the market leader cut cement price from about N2,000 to N1,300. The cement company explained the rationale behind its action on a day it empowered  distributors with about 150 trucks. The trucks will aid the supply of cement to Dangote Cement Plc retailers. The 150 trucks represent the first phase of the trucks to be given to distributors. Another set of 250 trucks will get to the market leader’s distributors, according to the Group Chief Marketing Officer of Dangote Group, Oare Ojeikere, under the second phase of the Truck Empowerment Scheme.

Younger Sister Of Bayelsa State Governor Kidnapped

Nancy Keme Dickson, the younger sister to the Bayelsa state’s governor, Seriake Dickson, has been kidnapped.

Cult members seize Ooni’s second-in-command’s corpse

Some cult members believed to be members of the Isoro cult group in Ile Ife on Friday seized the corpse of Obalufe of Iremo Quarters, Ife, Oba Solomon Omisakin, for some hours before the remains were released for burial.

Buhari sacks 2,000 varsity workers

The Senior Staff Association of the Nigerian Universities has called for an indefinite strike on December 24, 2015 to protest a recent decision of the Federal Government to sack 2,000 university workers across the country by January, 2016.

Rivers Speaker, Ikuinyi Owaji-Ibani resigns

Speaker of the Rivers state House of Assembly, Hon Ikuinyi Owaji-Ibani has resigned .

His media aide Mr Onengiye Fineface said that he did on personal ground. This was after he received governor Nyesom Wike who presented the 2016 appropriation bill of N307 billion to the House.

Diezani plots to relocate from UK

Embattled ex-Minister of Petroleum Resources, s. Diezani Alison-Madueke,  is on the verge of leaving her present abode in the United Kingdom for the Commonwealth of Dominica  where she has reportedly  acquired the citizenship.

Mrs.Alison-Madueke  is currently  under investigation  in Britain for alleged corruption while in office.

Enugu deputy governor impeached for operating poultry cleared months after end of tenure

An Enugu High Court on Friday nullified the impeachment of a former Deputy Governor of the Enugu State, Sunday Onyebuchi, by the State House of Assembly.

Mr. Onyebuchi, a deputy to former Gov. Sullivan Chime, was impeached on Aug. 26, 2014, and replaced by Rev. Ifeanyi Nwoye.

In a judgment of the court, Justice R. Odugu declared the impeachment of Mr. Onyebuchi “null and void’’.

Dasukigate: You’re on your own, PDP BoT tells Bello, Bafarawa, others

The Board of Trust­ees, (BoT) of the Peoples Demo­cratic Party, (PDP) would not lend its voice in defending or pleading for any chieftain of the party who was found guilty in the ongoing investigation of diversion of fund meant for arms purchase to con­tain insurgency in the North-east.

Secretary of the party Board of Trustees, Sena­tor Walid Jubrin made the declaration while speaking with newsmen yesterday in Abuja.

Woman vomits padlock, delivers live turtle in Lagos

It sounds like tale by moonlight but it is indeed a verifiable fact that a woman was delivered of a live turtle and a padlock in the presence of thousands of worshippers during a church service in a Lagos church.

Appeal Court annuls Governor Emmanuel Udom’s election

The election of Governor Udom Emmanuel of Akwa Ibom state was Friday annulled by the Court of Appeal sitting in Abuja, which in its lead judgment held that the state election petitions tribunal erred by only voiding election results from 18 out of the 31 Local Government Areas, LGAs, ‎in the state.

I’m a radical emir, says Sanusi

Former Central Bank Governor and Emir of Kano, Alhaji Muhammad Sanusi II, yesterday, declared that he is now a full radical emir.

Sanusi added that he graduated from late Dr. Yusuf Bala Usman’s school of progressive struggle to become a radical teacher, banker and now, a radical Emir.

Rice Importers Shun Lagos Ports

As the Yuletide countdown begins, Nigerian importers have shunned the nation’s seaports situated in Nigeria’s commercial centre, Lagos, checks have revealed.

Lagos is home to Nigeria’s busiest port, Apapa. It is also home to the largest port in the country, Tin Can Island Port (TCIP), Apapa, among other terminals dedicated to specific cargoes.

Chelsea sack Coach Jose Mourinho

Chelsea FC of England have sacked their title-winning Portuguese coach, Jose Mourinho, after a seven-month reign, British media are reporting.

The Daily Mail and

I’ve no apology kneeling down to worship God – Ooni

The Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, has said he owes nobody any apology for kneeling down to worship God during the thanksgiving service held in his honour at the Paul’s Anglican Church, Ife, after his coronation.

The Ooni said this in statement in Osogbo on Thursday by the Director of Communications and Public Affairs, Ooni’s Palace, Ife, Mr. Moses Olafare.

Arms probe: PDP governors slam ex-presidential aide over comment on Jonathan

Governors elected on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, have lambasted a former political adviser to former President Goodluck Jonathan, Ahmed Gulak, over his comments regarding the ongoing trial of former National Security Adviser, Sambo Dasuki, and others, over arms deal in the last administration.

Anxiety over Diezani - She’s alive says Aide

There were fears, yesterday, over the health condition of cancer-stricken  former minister of petroleum resources, Mrs. Diezani Allison-Madueke.
The anxiety followed claims in some quarters that the woman, who has a running battle with cancer, passed on in London. However, a close family source said although the former minister was in critical condition, she was not dead.

Biafra: 5 shot dead celebrating Kanu’s release

FIVE members of Indigenous Peoples of Biafra (IPOB) were yesterday allegedly shot dead by security men in Onitsha, Anambra State while celebrating the release by an Abuja High Court of Radio Biafra Director, their leader, Mr. Nnamdi Kanu. The IPOB members who were jubilating at the Bridge Head in Onitsha clashed with the security operatives resulting in the death of five persons.

Naira in free fall, slides to 280 against dollar

The naira continued its free fall on Thursday, crashing to 280 against the United States dollar at the parallel market. The greenback sold for N269 on Wednesday.

The naira, which had been trading around 241 and 243 against the greenback for a long time, began a steady

Wike: Calm tide in Rivers

The nullification of the election of all three senators, 12 members of the House of Representatives from Rivers State and last Wednesday, the governorship election that threw Barrister Nyesom Wike as the helmsman in Rivers State may have put the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP in jeopardy. Despite the tension ahead of the judgment all was calm last Wednesday after the Court of Appeal nullified the election of Governor Wike as all sides now seemed determined not to go physical as before.

Obama appoints 34-yr-old Nigerian, Adewale Adeyemo as deputy NSA

U S President Barack Obama has appointed a Nigerian, Adewale ‘Wally’ Adeyemo who served in top roles at the Treasury Department to succeed Caroline Atkinson as his deputy national security adviser for international economic affairs.

HAPPY 73rd BIRTHDAY to PRESIDENT MOHAMMED BUHARI

Happy Birthday to this man of great integrity and honor.

‘Two NNPC refineries may be streamed this month’

The Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Dr. Emmanuel Ibe Kachikwu, has said two of the state-run refineries may be re-streamed before the end of this month.

A statement endorsed by  Group General Manager, Group Public Affairs Division, Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC),  Mr. Ohi Alegbe yesterday explained that the minister said based on available reports, the refineries may come alive again.

Jubilation in Rivers as Court okays governor’s sack

There was jubilation yesterday in Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital, and its environs, as the Appeal Court affirmed the Election Petitions Tribunal’s sack Governor Nyesom Wike.

Wike was the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate in the April 11 election.

As soon as information filtered into the Garden City

Finally, Dokpesi Regains Freedom After Meeting Bail Condition

The erstwhile Chairman of DAAR Communication Plc, Chief Raymond Dokpesi, has finally regained his freedom last night after perfecting his bail conditions as stipulated by the Federal High Court (FHC) in Abuja on Monday, December 14, 2015.

The court registrar who verified the landed documents of his trustees at the AGIS confirmed the validity of the ownership of the properties put forwards by the Trustees.

Army vs Shiite: It’s unacceptable for Army to declare war against unarmed citizens – NLC

NIGERIA Labour Congress, NLC, yesterday, said it was unacceptable for Nigeria Army to declare war of attrition against unarmed citizens and threw its weight behind the probe of the clash between the Nigerian army and the Shiíte Islamic Movement of Nigeria, MIN, led by Sheikh Ibrahim Zakzaky, in Zaria, which claimed 10 lives.

PDP’s fear over 23 House of Assembly seats

AFTER the sack of almost all National Assembly members by the Court of Appeal, the local chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Rivers State, through its legal adviser, Benjamin Israel, on Sunday demanded the disqualification of the three appellate court justices – Ali Abubakar Gumel, Ridwan Maiwada Abdulahi and Nonyerem Okorokwo – from determining the cases of members of the Rivers State House of Assembly.

N31b loot: EFCC goes after Dasuki’s, Yuguda’s assets

Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) detectives yesterday began a massive search for more assets of suspects in the N31 billion arms funds probe.

The agency sent a special team to Kaduna, Zaria and Sokoto to ascertain the assets of a former National Security Adviser (NSA), Mr. Sambo Dasuki, and eight other suspects.

FG to peg fuel price at N97 per Litre

Petrol price in Nigeria will go up in the new year going by official disclosure that over N1 trillion had already been spent on it in 2015.

A cash strapped Nigerian government appears not willing to continue the Santa Claus policy, anymore and will peg the price at N97 per litre.

The Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Ibe Kachikwu dropped this hint when he appeared before the Senate/House of

‘Charms don’t prevent accidents’- FRSC

The Ogun State Coordinator, Federal Road Safety Corps’ (FRSC) Special Marshal and Partnership (SMP), Elder Emmanuel Fagbenro, has urged motorists to stop believing in the efficacy of charms while driving. He also advised them against the erroneous belief that road crashes during the “ember” months are either spiritual or caused by evil spirits.

Elder Fagbenro spoke during the “ember month” campaign rally organised by the Egba Division of SMP at Panseke Motor Park, Abeokuta the Ogun State capital.

Court sacks PDP acting chairman

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), the embattled opposition party sank deeper into trouble when a court in Abuja, yesterday, removed its acting National Chairman, Uche Secondus.
A judgement by Justice Hussein Baba, ordered Secondus to vacate the PDP chairman’s seat within 14 days.

Buhari Admits Receiving Two SUVs from Jonathan after Boko Haram Attack

As the probe into the utilisation of funds in the office the National Security Adviser (NSA) continues, the presidency yesterday denied a report that President Muhammadu Buhari collected $300,000 and five armoured SUVs from the NSA’s office following the attack by suspected Boko Haram members on his convoy in Kaduna last year, but admitted that the president got two SUVs from the Goodluck Jonathan administration.

Court papers say Dasuki, Bafarawa, others allegedly stole N9.6 bn

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, has accused a former National Security Adviser, NSA, Sambo Dasuki, a former minister of state for Finance, Bashir Yuguda, and a former director of finance at the office of the NSA, Shuaibu Salisu, of stealing N5.05 billion between April 14, 2014 and May 7, 2015.

Woman Jailed For Burning Man's Genitals With Iron

A Nigerian woman has been sent to prison after burning a man's private parts with a hot iron and stabbing him with a bottle while they were having sex.

FG to peg fuel price at N97 per Litre

Petrol price in Nigeria will go up in the new year going by official disclosure that over N1 trillion had already been spent on it in 2015.

A cash strapped Nigerian government appears not willing to continue the Santa Claus policy, anymore and will peg the price at N97 per litre.

The Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Ibe Kachikwu dropped this hint when he appeared before the Senate/House of

Senate orders reinstatement of policeman “verbally suspended” for 21 years

The Senate has ordered the reinstatement of Amos Olaniyan, who was “verbally suspended” from the Nigerian Police Force 21 years ago.

The Senate’s order came on Tuesday, following the consideration and adoption of recommendations of its Committee on Ethics, Privileges and Public Petitions chaired by Samuel Anyanwu (PDP-Imo State).

Arms probe: Dasuki set to name more beneficiaries

As details of huge funds disbursed by the Office of the National Security Adviser under Col. Sambo Dasuki continue to surface, indications emerged last night that the embattled security czar is set to expose more top Nigerian leaders who benefited from the funds.

A source close to the former NSA, who was docked yesterday, said that Dasuki who was arraigned yesterday

Dokpesi, Unable To Meet N400 Million Bail Condition, Spends Night In Kuje Prison

Media mogul Raymond Dokpesi, the chairman of African Independent Television (AIT) who is in the middle of the massive arms scandal concerning former National Security Adviser (NSA) Sambo Dasuki, is spending Monday night in Kuje prison because he is unable to meet the conditions of his bail.

Withdraw Fuel Subsidy Now- World Bank

Yet again, the World Bank has called on the Nigerian government to withdraw the subsidy paid on fuel because it has become a drain on the nation’s resources. The Bretton Woods institution also, shockingly, revealed that Nigeria spent a whopping $35 billion on fuel subsidy between 2010 and 2014. The revelation was contained in the third series of Nigeria Economic Report released by the World Bank for the year, 2015.