NSE RANKED THIRD WORST PERFORMING STOCK MARKET IN THE WORLD

The Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) has been ranked the third worst performing stock market globally during the 2014 financial year. According to a report published yesterday in the online edition of Daily Telegraph of London, the Nigerian bourse recorded 33 per cent loss to earn third position among the 10 worst exchanges in the world.

BANKOLE LIKELY TO EMERGE AS SDP GUBER CANDIDATE IN OGUN

Indication has emerged Wednesday morning that the former Speaker of the Federal House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Dimeji Bankole may emerge the governorship candidate of the Social Democratic Party, SDP in Ogun State.

MAN,55, IMPREGINATES DAUGHTER,17, AND DEFILED ANOTHER,9

A Benin City-based housewife, simply identified as Stella, has narrated how Osaro, her 55 year-old husband, defiled their nine year-old daughter on Christmas day and has impregnated another, 17.
Stella who narrated her ordeal to journalists at Ogida police station in Benin where the suspected incest is being detained by the police, said he had earlier impregnated his 17 year-old step daughter whom she had in a previous relationship.

FG DECLARES THURSDAY AND FRIDAY AS PUBLIC HOLIDAYS

he Federal Government of Nigeria has declared both Thursday 1 January and Friday, 2 January 2015 as public holiday.

SOUTH SOUTH GETS LION SHARE IN CAPITAL VOTES

It has emerged that nearly half of Nigeria’s federal government’s N1. 6 trillion 2014 capital votes went to the South- South, President Goodluck Jonathan’s geo-political zone.

POWER GENERATION FELL TO 2900MW - REPORT

Average power generation declined to 2,900 megawatts per hour in the third quarter of 2014, down from 3,250MW/h recorded in the second quarter of the year.
Despite efforts to increase power generation to at least 5,000MW before the year ends, latest figures from the third quarter economic report of the Central Bank of Nigeria showed that the country lost 350MW/h of generated electricity during the review period.

AKINWUNMI AMBODE LEADING IN LAGOS STATE OPINION POLLS.

The Lagos State political landscape was today cleared with opinion polls projecting the APC candidates, Akinwunmi Ambode leading in opinion polls.

DONT TRADE EXPERIENCE FOR EXPERIMENT - FASHOLA

Thousands of Artisans, Tradesmen and Farmers in Lagos State joined the Governor, Babatunde Fashola, SAN to receive the Gubernatorial flag bearer of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the State, Mr Akinwunmi Ambode and Vice Presidential Candidate of the party, Professor Yemi Osinbajo, with the Governor advising them not to trade experience in government business for experiment and trial and error that the opposition wants to bank on.

ARTISANS, FARMERS THANK FASHOLA

Enumerating the various ways through which they have benefitted from it, thousands of Artisans, Tradesmen and Farmers in Lagos State on Tuesday thanked the administration of Governor Babatunde Fashola, SAN for all the support he has giving even as they pledged to mobilize their members to vote for the All Progressives Congress at all levels to ensure the continuity of good governance.

RUSSIAN ECONOMY SHRINKS TO A FIVE YEAR LOW

"The Russian currency extended its losses further on Monday after a report showed that the economy has started shrinking in annual terms for the first time since 2009 as the country is buffeted by falling oil prices as well as Western sanctions. AP report:

ATTEMPTED COUP FOILED IN THE GAMBIA

An attempted military coup in The Gambia was foiled early Tuesday, while President Yahya Jammeh was in France on a visit, military and diplomatic sources said.

JONATHAN YET TO SIGN 400 BILLS INTO ACTS OF NATIONAL ASSEMBLY - HOUSE SPOKESMAN

The Chairman, House Committee on Information, Zakari Mohammed, on Tuesday said 40 bills were awaiting President Goodluck Jonathan’s assent to become Acts of the National Assembly.
Mohammed, representing Baruten/Kaiama Federal Constituency of Kwara, said this at a forum organised by Correspondents’ Chapel of the Oyo State Council of NUJ in Ibadan.

SEC APPROVES UBA'S RIGHTS ISSUE

The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) on Monday approved the proposed rights issue of N13 billion for existing shareholders of UBA Plc.

MY MOTHER WAS AN ARTISAN - AMBODE

Akinwumi Ambode, the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate in Lagos state, on Tuesday disclosed that he was raised by an artisan mother.
Ambode made the statement while speaking at a meeting with artisans and tradesmen at Ikeja. The meeting was facilitated by the state government.

FAYEMI TO FAYOSE; 'PROBE ME, I DARE YOU!'

Former Governor of Ekiti State, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, has dared his successor, Governor Ayo Fayose, to investigate his administration or desist from further accusations against him.
Speaking in Akure, on Ondo State-based radio station, ADABA 88.9 FM, Dr. Fayemi warned Fayose against using falsehood as a tool of governance.

STOCKS; FOREIGN INVESTORS MOVE OUT N116.5BILLION IN NOVEMBER

Foreign investors are moving away their investment from the Nigeria stock market due to fears of aftermath of 2015 general elections.

NIGERIA SPENT N82 TRILLION SINCE 1999 -CBN

About N82 trillion was spent by federal, states and local governments in the last 15 years of democratic rule, Central Bank of Nigeria document obtained by Daily Trust has shown.

INEC CLEARS OGUN PDP CANDIDATES

Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, has cleared six All Progressives Congress, APC and Peoples Democratic Party, PDP candidates for the senatorial race in Ogun State.
The PDP candidates are Mrs. Abiola Sodipo-Clark, wife of elder statesman, Chief Edwin Clark, Buruji Kashamu and former Commissioner for Agriculture, Waliu Taiwo.

NIGERIA'S OIL EXPORTS HIT A FIVE YEAR LOW

Almost half of Nigeria’s cargoes due to be exported in January are still available, Reuters has reported, even as oil prices reach the $50s trough, ten dollars below Nigeria’s benchmark price.
The backlog has pushed Nigerian oil differentials versus Brent to their lowest since at least 2009 BFO-QUA at 65 cents a barrel, down 80 percent since May, said Reuters. And it is also creating a discount frenzy between African and Gulf oil producers to Asian buyers

JONATHAN IS NOT FIGHTING CORRUPTION - JUSTICE AKANBI

A former Chairman of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offenses Commission, Justice Mustapha Akanbi, and the Chairman, Anti-Corruption Commission, Nigerian Bar Association, Mallam Yusuf Ali (SAN), have said that the President Goodluck Jonathan’s administration is not serious in the fight against corruption.

CAMEROUN RETAKES MILITARY CAMP FROM BOKO HARAM

Some 1,000 suspected Boko Haram fighters from Nigeria attacked five towns in northern Cameroon over the weekend and briefly occupied a military camp on Sunday before being removed by the air force, an army spokesman said.

CHRIS ROCK, WIFE TO DIVORCE AFTER 20 YEARS OF MARRIAGE

Chris Rock and his wife are divorcing after nearly 20 years together.

GOVT MAY LOSE N20B TO RICE SMUGGLERS IF....

THE Federal Government’s backward integration plan for the rice industry may suffer a major setback if key issues of discretionary approval of waivers and unrealistic supply gap are not addressed.

GUNMEN KILLED 10 IN SOUTHERN KADUNA

Gunmen on Saturday night attacked and killed 10 residents of Tattaura Village in Kaduna State.
Mike Maikarfi, a pastor, told journalists on Sunday that the victims were having a post-Christmas celebration when they were attacked. He said four people also sustained gunshot wounds.
The injured were rushed to a hospital in Akwanga, Nasarawa State, because it was closer than rushing them to Kafanchan in Kaduna, he said.

MRS ALAKIJA NOW WORLD'S RICHEST BLACK WOMAN

Nigerian oil tycoon Folorunsho Alakija is now the richest black woman in the world with an estimated fortune of $7.3 billion.

16 OLD BLOCKS ALLOTEES RISK LOSING LICENCES

Sixteen out of the 28 oil blocks whose licences were issued through the 2003 marginal bid round programme are at the risk of being revoked for remaining unproductive since then. It was learnt that already, the Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR) had given a March 2015 deadline to all unproductive marginal oil blocks owners to develop them or they would lose their licences.

'PLEASE VOTE FOR MY HUSBAND DESPITE......' - PATIENCE JONATHAN

The First Lady, Dame Patience Jonathan, has enlisted the support of voters in Abia State and the South-East in general for the re-election bid of her husband, President Goodluck Jonathan.
Patience, who was speaking at a reception organised for her by her maternal kinsmen of Ohuhu clan in Umuahia North Local Government Area of Abia State, said a vote for Jonathan would guarantee sustainable transformation of the country.

THEY ARE ATTACKING OUR SUPPORTERS IN THE NORTH - JONATHAN

The Presidency has alleged that staunch supporters of President Goodluck Jonathan’s 2015 re-election bid are facing persecution and intimidation in the northern part of the country.

MISSING PLANE LIKELY AT THE BOTTOM OF THE SEA

The AirAsia plane that went missing with 162 people on board after takeoff from Indonesia is likely at the bottom of the sea, Indonesia’s National Search and Rescue Agency chief said as aircraft and ships were dispatched to search for the jet.

NEXT YEAR WOULD BE TOUGH -JONATHAN

IN clear terms, President Goodluck Jonathan, yesterday, previewed 2015 politically and economically and returned a grim verdict: It may be a turbulent year and there is need for Nigerians to pray.

ARSENAL HITS STRIDE AS THEY MOVE UP THE TABLE

Arsene Wenger believes Arsenal are gathering momentum at the right time after they enhanced their prospects of qualifying for the Champions League with a hard-fought 2-1 win at West Ham.

First half goals from Santi Cazorla and Danny Welbeck at Upton Park on Sunday were enough to help Arsenal leapfrog West Ham in the Premier League table.

BOKO HARAM ATTACKS NORTHERN CAMEROUN

Some 1,000 suspected Boko Haram fighters from Nigeria attacked five towns in northern Cameroon over the weekend and briefly occupied a military camp on Sunday before being removed by the air force, an army spokesman said.

SANCHEZ INSPIRES 10 MAN ARSENAL AGAINST QPR

Ads by

Alexis Sanchez helped maintain 10-man Arsenal’s Champions League push as his man-of-the-match display condemned Queens Park Rangers to a 2-1 Premier League defeat on Friday.
The Chilean forward went from zero to hero after squandering an early penalty and then putting Arsenal ahead with a 37th-minute header.

FG REPLACES 48 DAMAGED STEEL COLUMNS ON EKO BRIDGE

Julius Berger Construction Company have replaced all the 48 steel columns of the Eko Bridge damaged by fire in 2008 to prevent collapse of the bridge, the Federal Controller of Works in Lagos, Mr Godwin Eke, has said.

22 STATES OWING WORKERS' SALARIES

Secretary General of the National Union of Textile Garment and Tailoring Workers of Nigeria (NUTGTWN), Comrade Issa Aremu, has expressed concern over non payment of workers salaries by many state governors.

PASSENGERS STRANDED AS AIRLINES HIKE FARES

Hundreds of intending passengers were on Thursday stranded at the domestic wing of the Murtala Muhammad airport, Lagos over hike in fares by airline operators.
The operators capitalised on the Christmas rush to increase their fares.
The News Agency of Nigeria reports that the air ticket for an hour flight currently ranged from N30, 000 to N43, 000, depending on the carrier, which was against N18,000 to N30,000 a few days ago.

ELECTRICITY TO COST MORE FROM JANUARY 1 - NERC

The Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) on Tuesday approved a review of the Multi Year Tariff Order (MYTO) 2 regime with an implication for takeoff date for a disciplined electricity market by January 1, 2015.

NIGERIA IS NOBODY'S PERSONAL ESTATE - JONATHAN

President Goodluck Jonathan Thursday said he was embarrassed by the provocative utterances of some politicians which are capable of setting the country on fire.
He spoke at a special Christmas service at St. Mathew’s Anglican Church in Maitama, Abuja.
According to the president, rather than resort to provocative statements, politicians and those who seek leadership positions in the country should be more concerned with issues.
“As a politician, you want people to elect you to perform your responsibilities. If you mean well for the country, you wouldn’t be fanning the embers of discord and hatred.
“Nigeria is no body’s personal estate, but you want to serve. If the people want you to serve, you serve. But if they say no, then leave.

PASTOR OYAKHILOME'S TV SHUT OVER TAX EVASION

Officials of the Lagos Internal Revenue Service, LIRS, have shut down Infinity Television owned by flamboyant preacher, Pastor Chris Oyakhilome, for owing the state government several millions.

ANGOLA SET TO OVERTAKE NIGERIA

Nigeria is set to lose its crown as Africa’s largest oil producer, at least temporarily, in large part due to oil theft and governance issues, the International Energy Agency said in a report published on Monday.

The IEA forecasts Angola will overtake Nigeria as the region’s top oil producer from around 2016, a status Nigeria won’t reclaim until the mid-2020s.

EXTERNAL RESERVES DROPPED BY $2BN IN THREE WEEKS - CBN

Falling crude oil prices have made the nation’s external reserves to continue its free fall. According to a new data on the Central Bank of Nigeria’s website, the external reserves have dropped by $2bn in three weeks: it dropped from $36.8bn on November 28 to $34.8bn on December 23

FG TO BORROW $6B TO FINANCE PIPELINE PROJECTS

The Federal Government plans to borrow a whopping $6,084.78 million from external sources based on the rolling pipeline projects of 2014. It will also borrow another N570 billion from domestic sources.

EXCESS CRUDE ACCOUNT IS EMPTY- OSHIOMOLE

Governor Adams Oshiomhole of Edo State Wednesday revealed that President Goodluck Jonathan-led federal government has emptied the nation’s excess crude account.

DAD GAVE ME TO BOKO HARAM - FEMALE SUICIDE BOMBER

A female suicide bomber who was among those who attacked the Kantin Kwari International Textile market on December 10 told newsmen in Kano yesterday that her father engaged her and other girls for the Boko Haram to carry out suicide bombings.

CAF AWARDS; ONYEAMA IN FINAL THREE

Nigeria and Lille of France goalkeeper, Vincent Enyeama has made the final top three for the GLO/CAF 2014 African Player of the Year award.

NIGERIA'S ECONOMY LOSES $40M SINCE DEVALUATION - FORBES

The devaluation of naira by  nearly 10% after a plunge in world oil prices and dwindling dollar reserves has knocked more than $40 billion off the value of Nigeria’s economy, Forbes magazine has reported.

TROOPS KILL SUICIDE BOMBER IN GOMBE

Defence Headquarters (DHQ) said a suicide bomber who rammed into a military check point in Bajoga, Gombe State on Tuesday failed to achieve his mission.

WORKERS CELEBRATE XMAS WITHOUT DECEMBER SALARIES

There were anxieties yesterday as many workers could not access their December salaries to prepare for the Christmas celebration, Daily Trust findings showed last night.
Workers from ministry of finance, information and foreign affairs among others reported that they have not received payment alerts as at yesterday night.

EKITI SPEAKER RAISES ALARM OVER DEATH THREAT.

The Speaker of Ekiti State House of Assembly, Dr. Adewale Omirin, has raised the alarm over alleged plan by Governor Ayodele Fayose to set thugs after the All Progressives Congress lawmakers all over the state for humiliation.

KESHI TEARS NFF APART

There is a serious rift in the Executive Committee of Nigeria Football Federation, NFF, over a new contract for coach Stephen Keshi with a majority still opposed to this.

ITS TIME TO TAKE LAGOS TO THE NEXT LEVEL -AMBODE

Lagos State Governorship candidate for ‎Nigeria’s All Progressives Congress, APC, Akinwunmi Ambode, said on Tuesday that the time has come to leave difficult primaries behind and take Lagos to greater heights.

OPEC INSISTS ON CURRENT QUOTA

OPEC will not cut oil production even if the price drops to $20 a barrel and it is unfair to expect the cartel to reduce output if non-members do not, Saudi Arabia said.

PIRATES SNATCH GUNBOAT IN BAYELSA

Gunmen suspected to be pirates have allegedly attacked and killed three soldiers of the Joint Task Force, JTF, Operation Pulo Shield in the Nembe axis of Bayelsa, maritime workers in the area have said.

BLASTS KILL OVER 25 IN GOMBE, BAUCHI

At least 25 people were killed in explosions that hit a motor park and a market in Gombe and Bauchi towns respectively, officials confirmed yesterday.

BAUCHI MARKET BLAST; DEATH TOLL RISES TO 17

Death toll from yesterday's Bauchi Central Market explosion has risen to 17.
Chairman Bauchi State Relief Distribution Committee of the State Emergency Management Agency, Mallam Mohammed Inuwa Bello, stated this while speaking with newsmen in Bauchi today.

BOMB EXPLODES INSIDE GOMBE MOTOR PARK

Scores of people are feared killed after an explosion ripped through a crowded motor park in Gombe town, Gombe State, residents have said.

AMBODE RECEIVES ETHNIC GROUPS, OTHERS

The All Progressives Congress governorship candidate for Lagos State, Akinwunmi Ambode, received leaders and delegates of Ethnic Groups, Civil Societies and other allied groups at his Gbagada campaign office yesterday, December 19, 2014.

BOKO HARAM SPREADS TO NIGERIA'S NEIGHBOURS

Thousands of members of Nigeria's home-grown Islamic extremist Boko Haram group strike across the border in Cameroon, with coordinated attacks on border towns, a troop convoy and a major barracks.

IF IT SOUNDS LIKE A DUCK (THE FULL PRESENTENTATION)

The early part of 2010 were heady days for Nigeria's democracy. The President, Mr.Umaru Musa YarAdua was obviously not in the mental state to run to the toilet, not to talk of running a country.

PASTORS WHO ARE POOR NOT CALLED BY GOD- UKPAI

Dr Uma Ukpai, the president and founder of Uma Ukpai Evangelistic Association, has said poor men of God did not receive divine calling.
He also told Daily Independent that it was untrue that people resorted to Church establishment out of joblessness.

FULL TEXT OF AKINYEMI'S LETTER TO JONATHAN, BUHARI

President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, President, Commander-in-Chief, The Villa, Abuja
and
General Mohammed Buhari, APC Party Headquarters, Abuja
Your Excellencies,
Shortly after his appointment as National Security Adviser, General Andrew Azazi, at his own request, met with me in my office in Lagos to discuss the State of the Nation. It was on the eve of the 2011 elections.

2FACE, OTHERS FOR AFRIMA

Democratic Republic of Congo female music presenter, Madinga Sona Maria has been chosen to pair Nigerian contemporary music star, 2Face Idibia, as hosts of the 2014 edition of the All Africa Music, AFRIMA.

JONATHAN NO LONGER ONE OF US - AMAECHI

Governor Rotimi Chibuike Amaechi of the Nigerian state of Rivers has explained why he dumped President Goodluck Jonathan and his Peoples Democratic Party for the All Progressives Congress and its candiadte, Major General Muhammadu Buhari.

AKWA IBOM COMMUNITY WANTS MOBIL TO PAY $100M

Ibeno community in Akwa Ibom, wants Mobil Producing Nigeria (MPN) Unlimited, to pay 100 million dollars annually to the community as compensation for environmental degradation in the area.

WINNERS CHAPEL ADOPTS 'HEAVEN ON EARTH' AS NEW WAY OF GREETING

‘Heaven on Earth’ might not mean much to you but to members of Living Faith Church Worldwide, a.k.a. Winners Chapel, its the new way of greeting.

PLEASE DONT GO- GEJ TELLS AGGRIEVED ASPIRANTS

President Goodluck Jonathan on Saturday appealed to all Peoples Democratic Party aspirants who are aggrieved as a result of the outcome of its primary elections across the country not to ditch the party.

NORTHERN ELITES MOVE AGAINST JONATHAN

The emergence of a former Head of State, Gen. Muhammadu Buhari, as the presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), appears to have changed the political calculations in the northern part of Nigeria.

WHY WE STOPPED BUYING OIL FROM NIGERIA - US GOVT

OFFICIALS of the United States government have for the first time in months presented an explanation on the sudden termination of oil imports from Nigeria since July, an action which spurred concerns whether there were any possible political connotation especially because of the current strain in Nigeria-US diplomatic relations.

VIDEO SHOWS BOKO HARAM KILLING HOSTAGES

A new video from Nigeria's home-grown Boko Haram extremists shows gunmen mowing down civilians lying face down in a dorm, and a leader saying they are being killed because they are "infidels" or non-believers.

MAN CITY LEVELS WITH CHELSEA AFTER 3-0 WIN

David Silva scored twice as Manchester City joined Chelsea at the top of the table with victory over Crystal Palace.

The reigning champions had struggled to break down a resilient Palace side until the Spaniard made the breakthrough soon after half-time.

TB JOSHUA HAD NO APPROVAL FOR COLLAPSED BUILDING - WITNESS

TB Joshua did not have approval for collapsed building, says SCOAN Consultant
A town planner who worked for influential Nigeria preacher TB Joshua told an inquest Thursday that the building which collapsed at Joshua’s church, killing 116 people, did not have planning approval.

NIGERIAN ECONOMY TO DECLINE BY 5% IN 2015 - IMF

An International Monetary Fund mission led by Gene Leon visited Abuja and Lagos December 1?15 to hold discussions for the 2014 Article IV consultation. Discussions focused on policies to addressing near-term vulnerabilities and reforms over the medium-term to address the authorities’ strategic objectives of macroeconomic stability, sustained inclusive growth, and a reduction in poverty and inequality.

At the conclusion of the mission, Mr. Leon issued the following statement:

BUHARI AND THE NIGERIAN MOOD

"I am not a rich person, I can't give you a pocketful of dollars or naira to purchase your support," Nigeria's former military leader Muhammadu Buhari wrote to opposition delegates last week before they chose him to contest next year's presidential election.

NIGERIA NOT IN TOP 10 PROSPEROUS AFRICAN COUNTRIES - REPORT

Despite its latest status as Africa’s biggest economy, and its government’s claim of improved standard of living, Nigeria was not only one of the world’s least prosperous countries in 2014, but also one of Africa’s poorest beaten by smaller nations like Niger, Benin, Mali and Cameroun, an annual global prosperity survey released this week has said.

GOVERNMENT SLASHES CAPITAL VOTE BY 43 PERCENT IN 2015 BUDGET

The Federal Government may find it difficult to implement key infrastructure projects next year going by the details of the 2015 budget proposal, which was presented to the National Assembly on Wednesday, findings have shown.

CBN UNVEILS NEW N100 NOTE

The Central Bank of Nigeria said that the commemorative N100 banknote unveiled recently by President Goodluck Jonathan, is going into circulation from Friday.

This is contained in a statement signed by Ibrahim Mu’azu, Head, Corporate Communications, on Friday in Abuja.

PHOTONEWS; AMBODE VISITS TREM

General Overseer, Guiding Light Assembly, Pastor Wale Adefarasin, Presiding Bishop and Founder of The Redeemed Evangelical Mission, Bishop Mike Okonkwo, All Progressives Congress Governorship Candidate for Lagos State, Akinwunmi Ambode and Senior Pastor, Foundation of Truth Assembly during a cortesy visit by Akinwunmi Ambode to Bishop Okonkwo at the TREM Cathedral

NIGERIAN CURED OF EBOLA IN HOLLAND

A Nigerian United Nations peacekeeper infected with Ebola and brought to the Netherlands for treatment has been cured, the Dutch authorities said on Friday.

INEC RAISES TASK FORCE ON INTERNALLY DISPLACED PERSONS

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has raised a Task Force on how to get Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) to vote in the forthcoming 2015 General Election.

 

INSURGENTS KIDNAPPED 185 WOMEN AND CHILDREN, KILLED 125 IN FRESH ATTACKS

Boko Haram insurgents kidnapped at least 185 women and children, and killed 32 people in a raid in northeastern Nigeria this week, local officials and residents said.

JEGA ACCUSSES POLITICIANS OF WORKING AGAINST CREDIBLE ELECTIONS

The Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, Prof. Attahiru Jega, on Thursday blamed politicians and stakeholders, for working against the conduct of free, fair and credible elections in the country.

WIKE URGES OGONIS TO VOTE FOR JONATHAN

The governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party in Rivers, Mr Nyesom Wike, on Thursday urged Ogoni people to vote for President Goodluck Jonathan in the 2015 election.
Speaking at a ‘’Thank You’’ rally in Bori, in Khana Local Government Area, Wike said that Jonathan had implemented about 70 per cent of the United Nations Environment Report (UNEP) on the cleaning of Ogoni land.

FG RAISES TAX ON LUXURY ITEMS

The Nigerian government has announced new charges on high end products including private jets, yachts and champagnes, in a move the government says will force the rich to pay more to help the country deal with falling oil price

APC APPOINTS GOVERNOR AMAECHI AS DG OF ITS CAMPAIGN

The All progressives Congress, APC, has appointed the Governor of Rivers state, Rotimi Amaechi, the Director General of its party’s presidential campaign.

MASS FAILURE AGAIN ROCKS WAEC

More than 70 percent of the candidates who sat for the 2014 November/ December 2014 West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE), failed to make five credits, Mathematics and English Language inclusive, the exams body announced Thursday.

ARMY COURT SENTENCED 54 SOLDIERS TO DEATH.

A Nigerian Army court martial sitting at the Army Headquarters Garrison, Mogadishu Barracks, Abuja, has sentenced 54 soldiers to death by firing squad.

2015 CAPITAL BUDGET SLASHED BY N581BILLION

Indications emerged yesterday that a lot of Federal Government’s ongoing capital projects may remain uncompleted, while new ones may not be awarded next year, following the decision by the government to slash the 2015 capital projects proposed expenditure by N581 billion.

EX-MILITANTS PROTEST UNPAID ALLOWANCES

Scores of former Niger Delta militants under the Federal Government amnesty programme on Wednesday staged a protest over the non-payment of their arrears.

BUDGET ; WE WILL COVER THE SHORTFALL THROUGH TAXES - FG

Coordinating Minister for the Economy, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, said on Wednesday that the Federal Government will diversify the economy next year by shifting from the oil sector to aggressive revenue generation through taxes.

I STEPPED DOWN BECAUSE..... - TINUBU

Ahead of the unveiling of Professor Yemi Osibajo as the vice-presidential running mate of Nigeria’s All Progressives Congress in Abuja, the National leader of the party, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu has explained why he declined the position when offered and why he gave way to Osibajo’s candidacy.

MISSING MONEY USED TO SETTLE DEBTS- OKONJO-IWEALA

The Minister of Finance, Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, has said that the $1 billion said to be missing from the Excess Crude Account [ECA] was used by the Federal Government to settle debts to petroleum products marketers.

BUHARI UNVEILS HIS RUNNING MATE

Presidential Candidate of All Progressives Congress (APC) , Muhammadu Buhari present former Attorney general of Lagos State, Yemi Osibajo

UK CHARITY COMMISSION CLEARS YORUBA CULTURAL CHARITY ORGANISATION.

The Charity Commission, the independent regulator of charities in England and Wales, has opened a statutory inquiry into Yoruba Language and Cultural Heritage (registered charity number 1148023).

NOLLYWOOD; KUNLE AFOLAYAN, OTHERS LEAD THE ARTISTIC REVOLUTION

IMPOSITION ROCKS CHRISTIAN BODY IN LAGOS

The Lagos State Chapter of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) is currently enmeshed in crisis over attempts to impose some candidates for the election of new executive.

WE KNEW OIL PRICE WOULD CRASH- JONATHAN

President Goodluck Jonathan on Tuesday in Abuja said that the falling price of crude oil did not take his administration by surprise.

ARSENAL PLAYERS HAIL INSPIRATION HENRY AS HE RETIRES

resent-day Arsenal stars led the tributes to club great Thierry Henry on Tuesday after the former France striker announced his retirement from professional football.

ARJEN ROBBIN SCORES HIS 100TH GOAL FOR BAYERN

rjen Robben’s 100th goal for German champions Bayern Munich sent them on their way to a 2-0 win over Freiburg and extended their lead at the top of the Bundesliga table on Tuesday.
Goals by Robben and Thomas Mueller sealed Bayern’s win which gave them a 12 point lead over VfL Wolfsburg, who play struggling Borussia Dortmund on Wednesday.

MAN JAILED FOR N5M INVESTMENT FRAUD

A Lagos State High Court in Ikeja on Tuesday sentenced one Segun Bright, to three years imprisonment for defrauding over 40 persons of N4.9 million through an investment scam.

COURT ORDERS IGP TO INVESTIGATE ALLEGATIONS AGAINST THE ALAFIN

THE Federal High Court sitting in Ibadan, Oyo State, has granted an order of mandamus compelling the Inspector-General of Police, Sulaiman Abba, to investigate alleged criminal activities levelled against the Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Olayiwola Adeyemi III.

KANU, OKOCHA TO GO FOR COACHING COURSE

The Nigeria Football Federation, NFF, has revealed plans to send former Nigerian internationals, Nwankwo Kanu and Jay-Jay Okocha and 15 others on a three–week match–reading technique and back-room analysis exercise in the United Kingdom next month.

FIVE PDP REPS DEFECT TO APC

Five members of the federal house of representatives have announced their defection to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC).

ALLISON-MADUEKE APPOINTED PRESIDENT GECF

– The Nigerian Minister of Petroleum Resources, Mrs. Deziani Allison-Madueke, has been appointed President of the Gas Exporting Countries Forum (GECF) by the body at its 16th Ministerial Meeting on Tuesday in Doha, Qatar.

OKONJO-IWEALA TO REPRESENT JONATHAN AT BUDGET PRESENTATION

At a time of intense tension between Nigeria’s executive and legislative arms of government, President Goodluck Jonathan confirmed Tuesday he will not be presenting the 2015 budget proposal personally to the National Assembly, in a move that appears aimed at avoiding a possible backlash from lawmakers.

MAN ABANDONS BRIDE ON SIGHTING WIFE

ike a scene from a Nollywood home video, a 57 year-old man simply identified as Valentine, abandoned his bride to be at the registry and took to his heels during a marriage registration ceremony over the weekend at the Oredo Local Government Council marriage registry in Benin, Edo state.

UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE LAST 16 PAIRINGS

Jose Mourinho’s Chelsea were drawn on Monday against Paris Saint-Germain and Manchester City tackle Barcelona in two blockbuster Champions League last 16 ties.

TB JOSHUA FAILED TO APPEAR AT INQUEST, AGAIN

Pastor and televangelist TB Joshua on Monday again failed to appear at a coroner’s inquest into a building collapse at his Lagos church which killed 116 people, including 81 South Africans.
TB Joshua had been called to give evidence at the hearing but his lawyer, Lateef Fagbemi, asked for him to be excused because of a pending high court application.

MAN DETAINED FOR AIDING FEMALE TERRORISTS

An aid worker who helps girls who have escaped imprisonment by Boko Haram has been imprisoned without charge by Nigeria’s secret police.

PHOTONEWS; LAGOS- PAST, PRESENT AND THE FUTURE

Former Interim National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Chief Bisi Akande, APC Governorship Candidate for Lagos State, Akinwunmi Ambode, National Leader of the APC, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Executive Governor of Lagos State, Babatunde Raji Fashola (SAN) and Deputy Governor of Lagos State, Mrs. Adejoke Orelope-Adefulire at the Iwuye Ceremony of the Iyalode of Lagos recently

FOUR YEARS AFTER BARRISTER; STILL LEADING FROM BEYOND

How time flies!, it is unbelievable that the creator of Fujimusic and its Chief Exponent, Alhaji Sikiru Ololade Ayinde Balogun, MFR ,a.k.a, Dr. Sikiru Ayinde  Barrister, left this earthly plane four yearsago.

MAN UTD TOO MUCH FOR LIVERPOOL

Clinical Manchester United increased the pressure on Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers as they capitalised on some poor defending to run out comfortable victors at Old Trafford.

GUNMEN KILLED COMMUNITY LEADER IN EDO

A Sixty-six-year old community head in Ugbowo area of Benin City in Edo was on Saturday night killed by gunmen who invaded his residence.

OIL WORKERS BEGIN STRIKE ON MONDAY

Nigeria’s two main oil workers’ unions said they would launch an indefinite strike on Monday, threatening to hurt the output of Africa’s largest oil producer.

FOREIGN INVESTMENTS DROP BY 32 PERCENT IN ONE MONTH

Foreigners have reduced their investments in the Nigerian Stock Exchange due to concern about insecurity and fears regarding the outcome of 2015 elections.

The latest investment details from the NSE showed that foreign investments dropped significantly by N73.40bn at the end of October.

NIGERIA, USA IN FRESH FACE OFF

The face-off between Nigeria and the United States over the commitment and sincerity of the US military in assisting Nigeria to fight the Boko Haram insurgency worsened within the week.

This followed an allegation by a top Nigerian intelligence source that US trainers incited Nigerian soldiers to mutiny.

SEVERAL DEAD IN AKURE GAS EXPLOSION

Several persons were feared dead and many others injured on Saturday in an explosion at a gas station along Arakale Road in Akure.

ETHNICITY MAY DECIDE 2015 ELECTIONS

The emergence of President Goodluck Jonathan and a former military Head of State, General Mohammadu Buhari (retd), as presidential candidates of the Peoples Democratic Party and All Progressives Congress respectively have set the stage for a political war among various ethnic and cultural groups in the country.

YEMENI TROOPS SHOT DEAD FIVE TERRORISTS DRESSED AS WOMEN

Yemeni troops Saturday shot dead five Al-Qaeda suspects disguised as women who fired at a soldier during a checkpoint inspection of their Saudi-bound bus, officials said.

MASS FAILURE IN WAEC WORRIES GOVERNMENT

Ibrahim Shekarau Minister of Education

Concerned by the dwindling performance of Nigerian students in examinations conducted by the West African Examinations Council, WAEC, the federal government is taking steps to revive the trend.

SPECIAL REPORT ; REFUGEES IN THEIR OWN COUNTRY

- Dauda Bello came face-to-face with Boko Haram militants but managed to escape their hail of bullets, fleeing to safety after a marathon drive on a brutal mountain road.

"It was terrible... (Boko Haram) was firing in every direction," he told AFP in Yola, the capital of northeast Nigeria's Adamawa state, where he fled from the town of Mubi in late October.

FIRE GUTS FORMER POLICE HQ

Fire broke out Friday morning in one of the offices on the last floor of the old Police Force Headquaters building, on Moloney Street, Lagos, western Nigeria.

JOS EXPLOSION; DEATH TOLL RISES TO 32- NEMA

The National Emergency Management Agency, NEMA, has reviewed the Thursday Jos explosion death toll from 25 to 32 deaths.
The NEMA spokesperson for North-central geopolitical zone, Audu Yohanna, in a press release on Friday said 32 people were confirmed dead, while 47 others injured and were taken to hospitals for medical attention.

LONDON AIRSPACE SHUT DOWN BECAUSE OF COMPUTER FAILURE

ALL airspace over London will be CLOSED until 7pm today, according to reports.According to the European Organisation for the Safety of Air Navigation, a computer failure has resulted in all airspace over the capital being closed.

BUHARI'S EMERGENCE, JONATHAN'S EXIT - RIVERS APC

The emergence of General Muhammadu Buhari (rtd.) as the Presidential Flag-Bearer of the All Progressives Congress (APC) for the 2015 general elections has been described as an unmistakable quit notice to President Goodluck Jonathan and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

POLICE DIFFUSE BOMB IN KANO

The Kano State Police Command on Thursday said it had diffused “a high-calibre bomb” discovered at the Dawanau International Grains market, Kano.

11 KILLED IN MULTIPLE ACCIDENTS IN EDO

No fewer than 11 persons, including a 10 females and one male, were killed in a multiple automobile accident that occurred on Thursday evening at Ahor village, located along the eastern bye-pass express road in Benin.

31 DEAD IN JOS BLASTS

A double bombing Thursday in the central Nigeria city of Jos killed at least 31 people near the site where a similar attack in May killed 118 people, the state government told AFP.
“The bodies recovered so far are 31 but rescue workers are at the scene and the figures may change,” said Pam Ayuba, the spokesman for area Governor Jonah Jang.

PANIC AS OIL PRICE FALLS UNDER SIXTY DOLLARS

In comparison with Tuesday’s frantic profit-taking, the financial markets were calmer on Wednesday. That was of course until OPEC unexpectedly announced it sees less demand for its own oil next year. The bears snapped up this news as soon as they could and instantly dragged the oil markets down to fresh five-year lows. The price of Crude plummeted to $60.41, while Brent plunged to $63.54.,

100 NIGERIANS DEPORTED FROM EUROPE

No fewer than 100 Nigerians were on Wednesday deported from four Scandinavian countries for immigration and related offences. The deportees were from Sweden, Norway, Denmark and Finland.
They were flown into the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Ikeja, Lagos, aboard a chartered aircraft that took off from Oslo, Norway, en route Madrid in Spain.
The plane touched down in Lagos at about 6. 50pm after which it taxied to the cargo wing of the

COURT REINSTATES JOKOLO AS EMIR

The Kebbi State High Court 6, sitting in Birnin Kebbi, has ordered the immediate reinstatement of Alh Mustapha Haruna Jokolo as 19th Emir of Gwandu

IGP ORDERS INVESTIGATION INTO BRUTAL ATTACK

IG Orders Probe Into Police Attack On Couple
The Inspector General of Police, Suleiman Abba, has ordered an investigation into the brutal attack on a couple, Mr and Mrs. Ijeh Smith, by a policeman, Dada Ogunsanya in Lekki, Lagos.