Tunji Braithwaite dies at 82

Tunji Braithwaite, former presidential candidate of the oldest surviving political party in the country, Nigeria Advance Party (NAP) is dead.

The 82-year-old elder-statesman and  lawyer died yesterday morning at St. Nicholas Hospital in Lagos.

His son, Olumide, who confirmed his death, told newsmen that Sir Tunji Braithwaite died after a brief illness.

Fuel scarcity without end

By The Editorial Board of The Guardian Newspaper

The recurrent spectacle of petrol scarcity in Nigeria in recent times should be seen as an embarrassment that should be dealt with immediately. President Muhammadu Buhari has underscored this national shame with his meeting with all stakeholders a few days ago after which the government acknowledged the scale of the problem.

However, lamentations are not enough. In addition to the new mandates for more imports, the Buhari government should set to work immediately on a long-term scheme that will not only end scarcity but ensure the refining of enough petroleum products for Nigerians’ consumption.

As usual, the recurrent challenge that is apparently disruptive to the economy is attributed to the controversial billions of Naira in subsidy being paid to some importers and oil marketers. The issue has often generated heat and altercations and some of the marketers are still in court over charges of economic crimes against the state.

Open Heavens 21 March 2016 Monday daily devotion: THE PEACE OF GOD

THE PEACE OF GOD 

Memorise: And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. – Philippians 4:7

Read: John 14:23-27 (KJV)

23 Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him.

24 He that loveth me not keepeth not my sayings: and the word which ye hear is not mine, but the Father's which sent me.

25 These things have I spoken unto you, being yet present with you.

26 But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.

27 Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.

Bible in One Year: Judges 5:1-6:35, Job 39:26-40:14

MESSAGE

Nigeria's ex-defence chief raided staff salary funds

Nigeria's former chief of defence staff bought property including a $5.5 million mansion with air force money, passing off his fraudulent withdrawals as staff salaries, a court heard Wednesday.

Retired air chief marshal Alex Badeh is on trial at a federal high court in Abuja, accused of diverting 3.97 billion naira ($19.8 million, 18 million euros) for his own use.

The 59-year-old, arrested as part of a wide-ranging anti-corruption campaign by President Muhammadu Buhari, denies 10 counts of fraud, criminal breach of trust and money laundering.

The finance director under Badeh when he was chief of air staff at the time of the alleged offences in 2013 said he exchanged 558.2 million naira for dollars every month on his boss' instructions.

The money was part of some four billion naira set aside for monthly salaries for air force personnel, retired air commodore Salisu Abdullahi Yushau told the court in evidence.

Lekki Building Collapse: Ambode sacks MD of Building Control Agency, 3 others

In the wake of the Lekki Gardens building collapse, Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode on Monday approved the dismissal of the General Manager of the Building Control Agency (LASBCA) Engr. Adeigbe Olushola.

The Governor also approved the dismissal of the Head of Inspection and Quality Control in the Agency, Adeoye Thomas Adeyemi, the Zonal District Officer in the Agency, Dosunmu Gbadebo, while the Zonal Head of Eti-Osa West of the Agency, Mrs. Akinde Adenike Sherifat was compulsorily retired from the Civil Service.

Falz - Soldier (Full Length Movie) ft. SIMI

This Video is quite on point... Woooww!

This Falz Guy is quite talented.

Watch and Enjoy!

  

Former Minister of Finance, Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, shared the stage with IMF boss, Christine Lagarde, at the IMF international Womens day celebration. Continue to see more photos...

Wike lacks capacity to govern Rivers state - Amaechi

Former Rivers State governor and Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi has accused his successor, governor Nyesom  Wike of lacking the political will and capacity to govern Rivers State.

Amaechi stated this on Sunday at an APC rally in Rumueme, Obio/Akpor Local Government Area, ahead of the state and national assembly elections on Saturday.

LASU Anthony Campus Results are yet to be released for over 6yrs

An affected student writes in...

I attended LASU (Anthony Campus) and graduated in the year 2009 but as I write this, we are yet to receive our results from the school authorities. We have pleaded with the school authorities on several occasions on the release of our results but unfortunately our pleas have fallen on deaf ears.

It is high time we call the attention of Lagos State government and Management of Lagos State University (LASU) to the plight of ex-Students of the institution. many students who have graduated from the school and met all the necessary requirements to be awarded certificates are yet to receive any proof of graduation.

The worse hit are students of the School of Part-time Studies (Anthony Campus) who have nothing to show after spending at least 6 years in the institution. Some students who wrote their final exams some 6 years ago are still at the mercy of the School's Senate to approve their results. This is not encouraging especially in a highly competitive and harsh labour environment like ours.

We are pleading with the listening Governor of Lagos, His Excellency, Akinwunmi Ambode to look critically at the management of LASU with a view to expediting the release of student's result‎.

Ibe Kachikwu apologizes to Nigerians over lingering fuel scarcity

Minister of state for Petroleum Resources and Group Managing Director of NNPC, Ibe Kachikwu, took to his twitter handle to apologize to Nigerians over the lingering fuel scarcity. He also assured that the fuel situation will soon be allayed.

Fani Kayode reacts to call for EFCC to arrest and probe Jonathan

Nigeria's former Aviation Minister Femi Fani-Kayode has reacted to the call to probe former president Goodluck Jonathan.

He condemned calls for the EFCC to arrest and probe former President Goodluck Jonathan.

According to him Jonathan had done nothing to warrant being arrested and that those calling for his arrest and interrogation should understand the implications of doing so.

Open Heavens 14 March 2016 Monday daily devotion: ASSURANCE OF SONSHIP

ASSURANCE OF SONSHIP 

Memorise: The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God: – Romans 8:16

Read: 1 John 3:7-10 (KJV)

7 Little children, let no man deceive you: he that doeth righteousness is righteous, even as he is righteous.

8 He that committeth sin is of the devil; for the devil sinneth from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil.

9 Whosoever is born of God doth not commit sin; for his seed remaineth in him: and he cannot sin, because he is born of God.

10 In this the children of God are manifest, and the children of the devil: whosoever doeth not righteousness is not of God, neither he that loveth not his brother.

Bible in One Year: Joshua 13:8-15:63, Job 36:17-33

MESSAGE

New breast cancer drugs wipe out tumours in just 11 days

A new treatment for breast cancer has completely eradicated tumours in just 11 days, UK doctors have shown.

They said the “surprise” findings, reported at the European Breast Cancer Conference, could mean some women no longer need chemotherapy.

The drugs, tested on 257 women, target a specific weakness found in one-in-ten breast cancers.

Experts said the findings were a “stepping stone” to tailored cancer care.

The doctors leading the trial had not expected or even intended to achieve such striking results.

They were investigating how drugs changed cancers in the short window between a tumour being diagnosed and the operation to remove it.

But by the time surgeons came to operate, there was no sign of cancer in some patients.

Prof Judith Bliss, from the Institute of Cancer Research in London, said the impact was “dramatic”.

Open Heavens 11 March 2016 Friday daily devotion: JOINT-HEIR, JOINT SUFFERER

Open Heavens 11 March 2016: Friday daily devotion

JOINT-HEIR, JOINT SUFFERER

Memorise: If we suffer, we shall also reign with him: if we deny him, he also will deny us:  – 2 Timothy 2:12

Read: Romans 8:12-17 (KJV)

12 Therefore, brethren, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live after the flesh.

13 For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live.

14 For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.

15 For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father.

16 The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God:

17 And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together.

Bible in One Year: Joshua 7:1-8:29, Job 34:31-35:8

MESSAGE

Lagos building collapse : Death toll climbs to 34

34 people have now been confirmed dead in the 5-storey building that collapsed at Chisco bus stop, opposite Oando Gas Station in the Lekki area of Lagos state on ‎Tuesday March 8th. 16 more dead bodies were recovered from the rubble yesterday.

Meanwhile the number of survivors still stands at 13. National Emergency Management Agency Southwest spokesman Ibrahim Farinloye, while speaking to newsmen at the rescue site at about 7.30pm, said: “Operations concluded at 7.20pm with 34 dead and 13 rescued after reaching ground zero. Investigation on the cause of the collapse has started by various federal and state agencies.”

Afghanistan women's team launches football kit with world's first built-in hijab

The groundbreaking kit - released on International Women’s Day - is the first ever branded national strip to incorporate a hijab.

Hummel’s owner Christian Stadil said: "We don't sponsor the biggest teams in the world, but we make partnerships with teams and clubs with a story to tell, like Afghanistan.

"We try to meet the Afghan people where they are, and right now that is by helping the women play football with or without a hijab."

Khalida Popal - the hugely popular ex-captain of the Afghanistan women’s football team - helped design the kit.

Lagos Building collapse: Death toll now 30, building contractor arrested

The Police in Lagos have arrested the contractor who is handling the collapsed five storey building in Lekki area of the state, just as the current death toll rose from 18 to 30 in the last 24 hours.

The Lagos State Police Spokesperson, SP Oladapo Badmus, who made the disclosure to the News agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Tuesday in Lagos, did not disclose where the contractor was arrested.

Badmus gave his name as Odofin Taiwo, adding that he was currently under investigation. Meanwhile, the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA) said that the death toll at the collapsed five storey building in Lekki, had risen to 30 as at 4 p.m. on Wednesday The General Manager of LASEMA, Mr Michael Akindele, said that as at 12.40 p.m. on the same day, 13 other people had been rescued.

Correspondents of NAN who were at the scene report that the 28th dead person was brought out from the rubble at about 2 p.m., and the 30th minutes before 4 p.m. The dead bodies had been evacuated to the mortuary.

Assets declaration by civil servants

By The Editorial Board [The Guardian]

The directive, the other day, by President Muhammadu Buhari, making it mandatory for all workers in the federal ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs) to declare their assets signposts another level of the effort at winning the war against corruption. No one should be in doubt that asset declaration is a veritable part of the ongoing sanitisation process and extending it to civil servants, as it ordinarily should be, is a welcome development. Except those who have something to hide, the directive should be fully accepted and obeyed immediately as there is a compelling need to rid the civil service of corruption.

The directive came on the heels of overwhelming evidence of financial improprieties and sundry corrupt actions among government workers as gathered by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), in collaboration with financial institutions at the end of the Bank Verification Number exercise. Mind-boggling deals have been revealed involving all levels of officials in the country’s public service to the extent that, according to reports, what has been found with politicians pales into relative insignificance.

Electricity generation sinks to 1,580MW

The Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) yesterday confirmed that the power generation level has dropped to an all-time low of 1,580 Mega Watts (MW), thereby dampening hopes of early resolution of the nation’s power supply crisis.

The power generation slide, which was earlier attributed to gas pipeline vandalism, was said to have been accentuated by the on-going industrial dispute in the nation’s power sector.

Already the epileptic supply has been deeply impacting on commercial and domestic activities, as consumers continued to groan under intense heat and business collapse, even as fuel scarcity has blighted private power generation.

According to the TCN’s System Operations, the lower generation automatically degenerated into lower power allocation to the 11 electricity distribution companies (Discos) across the country.

Yakubu Gowon finally accepts fathering a love child, 48 years after

Ex-military Head of State, Gen. Yakubu Gowon, retd; yesterday owned up to fathering a love child with the late public relations expert, Princess Edith Ike Okongwu, bringing to an end the 48-year-old paternity dispute over Musa Gowon.

Musa Gowon. Musa, who returned to Nigeria at the end of last year, after about 23 years in a United States prison, was acknowledged by Gen. Gowon upon the report of a conclusive DNA test.

The paternity dispute was the subject of a legal action that reached the Supreme Court in Nigeria, which Okongwu won.

However, execution of the judgment was thwarted by the arrest of Musa by United States law enforcement officials in Dallas on the charge of importing heroin into that country.

Open Heavens 9 March 2016 Wednesday daily devotion: AUTHORITY OVER DEMONS

AUTHORITY OVER DEMONS 

Memorise: And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues; – Mark 16:17

Read: Luke 9:1-2 (KJV)

1 Then he called his twelve disciples together, and gave them power and authority over all devils, and to cure diseases.

2 And he sent them to preach the kingdom of God, and to heal the sick.

Bible in One Year: Joshua 1-3, Job 34:1-15

MESSAGE

Ese Oruru: Until Nigeria makes an example of people like Senator Yerima, there 'll be thousands of Yinusa- Soyinka

Nobel Laureate, Wole Soyinka and human rights lawyer and activist, Femi Falana have criticized individuals masking Ese Oruru's abduction with religion, adding that the perpetrator should be prosecuted so the victim could get justice.

Both men spoke during a joint press conference titled 'Justice At Bay: The Long, Twisted Road to Ese' held on Sunday, March 6, in Lagos. 

"Culture is not static; it is dynamic and evolves. It is humanity. Ther is no culture without human beings. If you say you are religious, there are others who could come to say they are holier than you are. We should take religion out of Ese's abduction. We are talking about criminality. Nobody should say people are Islamaphobic. We are only against criminality. Who invokes religion in criminal matters? Who brings religion into issues of government and constitution? If you want to bring religion into a criminal matter, then let us talk about other things. When we are talking about crime, don't diffuse it with religion." Soyinka stated.

GEJ denies making statement on the state of the nation

As shared by the former President. Goodluck Ebele Jonathan. 

Photos: Anglican Bishops, principal, parents laud Governor Ambode over rescued school girls

Anglican Archbishop of Ecclesiastical Province of Lagos Mainland Diocese, Most Rev. Adebayo Dada Akinde has commended the administration of Governor Akinwunmi Ambode, saying the prompt, positive and practical response of the government contributed largely to the success story of the safe rescue of the three kidnapped female students of Babington Macaulay Junior Seminary, Ikorodu.

Akinde who led other bishops of the Anglican Church, Principal of the school, Ven. Olaoluwa Adeyemi and parents of the three rescued female students on a “thank you” courtesy visit to the Governor at the Lagos House, Alausa, Ikeja, on Monday, March 7, said the success story of the rescue of the girls cannot be complete without the laudable efforts of the Lagos State Government.

The Sons Of Futa Jalon (Part 1) By Femi Fani-Kayode

“The new nation called Nigeria should be an estate of our great grandfather Uthman Dan Fodio. We must ruthlessly prevent a change of power. We use the minorities in the North as willing tools and the South as a conquered territory and never allow them to rule over us and never allow them to have control over their future”- Sir Ahmadu Bello, the Saurdana of the Sokoto Caliphate and Premier of Northern Nigeria, Parrot Newspaper, 12th October, 1960, recalled by Tribune, 13th November, 2002.

These are interesting words from the most reverred, prominent and powerful Fulani leader in the history of modern Nigeria. The Saurdana's world-view, vision and intentions are well-encapsulated here and they are self-evident. They need no further explanation or analysis. 

To add to the Saurdana's contribution and to butress his point,  in August 2001 President Muhammadu Buhari, a proud and ascetic Fulani man whose mass appeal, popularity and following has reached cult-like proportions amongst the working class Fulani population in Nigeria said the following: "God-willing, we will not stop the agitation for the total implementation of sharia throughout the federation". 

Badeh denies $1m was found in his Abuja home, challenges EFCC to provide proof

Embattled former Chief of Defence Staff, Alex Badeh, has denied claims by EFCC that $1 million was found hidden in his Abuja home. A source at EFCC had claimed that they found $1 million during a search at Badeh's home at Number 6, Ogun River Street, Maitama‎ Auja. Badeh refuted the claims in a statement issued by his counsel Samuel Zibri, challenging EFCC to provide proof to substantiate their claim.

The statement reads

Lagos Assembly wants Mile 12 Market relocated

The Lagos State House of Assembly has called for the relocation of the Mile 12 Market after a deadly ethnic clash left many dead in the area.

The Assembly, which described the conflict that resulted in the destruction of property running into millions of naira as unfortunate, urged Governor Akinwunmi Ambode to find another location for the popular market, a statement said.

The lawmakers sent their condolences to the families of those who lost their lives in the clash and condemned the killings and criticised the soldiers stationed at the market for failing to stop the conflict from spreading.

Some of the solider had been accused of taking sides in the clash between Yoruba and Hausa youths and the Assembly called for an enquiry into the incident.

Ray Tomlinson, Man who invented the Email is dead

Internet pioneer Ray Tomlinson, who is credited with the invention of email, has died at the age of 74.

The US computer programmer came up with the idea of electronic messages that could be sent from one network to another in 1971.

His invention included the ground-breaking use of the @ symbol in email addresses, which is now standard.

Tomlinson died of an apparent heart attack on Saturday, according to reports.

Open Heavens 8 March 2016 Tuesday daily devotion: HE KNOWS THE END FROM THE BEGINNING

 

HE KNOWS THE END FROM THE BEGINNING 

Memorise: I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, the first and the last. – Revelation 22:13

Read: Jeremiah 1:1-5 (KJV)

1 The words of Jeremiah the son of Hilkiah, of the priests that were in Anathoth in the land of Benjamin:

2 To whom the word of the LORD came in the days of Josiah the son of Amon king of Judah, in the thirteenth year of his reign.

3 It came also in the days of Jehoiakim the son of Josiah king of Judah, unto the end of the eleventh year of Zedekiah the son of Josiah king of Judah, unto the carrying away of Jerusalem captive in the fifth month.

4 Then the word of the LORD came unto me, saying,

5 Before I formed thee in the belly I knew thee; and before thou camest forth out of the womb I sanctified thee, and I ordained thee a prophet unto the nations.

Bible in One Year: John 19:17-21:25, Job 33:19-33

MESSAGE

How we kidnapped Lagos school girls - Suspects

The prime suspect in the abduction of three school girls in Lagos, Emmanuel Arigidi has revealed that twelve people were involved in the operation.

Speaking to journalists on Sunday after they were arrested and the girls recused, Arigidi said the operation was planned at Majidun area of Ikorodu.

“We went to Maya bridge to enter Canoe and went to the school around 8pm. After we gained entrance into the school, we took away three girls and we took them to our hideout,” he stated.

” But along the line, we had disagreement between ourselves and I was actually the one that started it. I told other members of the gang that what we have done is not good and that I don’t like it.

No ransom paid to free abducted Lagos school girls – Police

The Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Fatai Owoseni, has said that no ransom was paid to secure the release of the three kidnapped girls of Babington Macaulay Junior Seminary, (BMJS), Agunfoye-Lugbusi, Ikorodu.

At a crowded press conference at the State House, Ikeja, Lagos on Sunday, Owoseni said the children were rescued using the application of modern technology and that no ransom of any kind was collected by the kidnappers. Lagos CP, Fatai Owoseni and Gov. Akinwunmi Ambode of Lagos State.

The commissioner wanted the public not to encourage kidnappers to demand ransom as any ransom paid would encourage others to go into the unholy business. He said three suspects, including the prime suspect, Emmanuel Arigidi, were arrested, adding that the girls were in stable condition.

Labour minister, Ocholi dies in car crash

The Minister of State for Labour, James Ocholi, has died in a road crash along Abuja-Kaduna Expressway.

The accident in which Ocholi’s wife, Blessing and son, Aaron also died, occurred at Rijana, Kilometre 57 on the highway.

Ocholi and his wife were married for 27 years.

Kaduna State sector commander of the Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC) Mr. Francis Udoma said: “The minister and his son died on the spot; the wife died in the government hospital in Doka, Kaduna State.

“The driver, the chief detail, the orderly and the P.A (Personal Assistant ) were injured.”

James Ibori to complete his prison term in Nigeria

Nigerians serving jail terms in the United Kingdom will soon be transferred to Nigeria to complete their period, following an agreement signed between the Federal Government and the UK government.

According to a top government source, former Governor of Delta State, James Ibori, will be part of those that will be repatriated to complete their jail term in Nigeria.

Ibori still has more than six months to stay in prison.

The British government has also promised to give Nigeria one million pounds (about N280 million) to assist in the comprehensive reformation of Nigerian prisons to ease the stress of the inmates.

AFCON 2017 qualifiers: Siasia invites 42 players for Egypt

Coach Samson Siasia has invited 22 home –based professionals and 20 overseas –based players for Nigeria’s 2017 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying double-take against the Pharaohs of Egypt this month.

Siasia, who was named last week as Super Eagles’ Head Coach, passionately appealed to all Nigerians, including the sporting media, to rally round the team and show belief as the Eagles host the Egyptians in Kaduna on Friday, March 25 and play away in Alexandria on Tuesday, March 29.

The 22 home –boys are expected to hit camp at the Bolton White Apartments, Abuja on Sunday, March 6 before the overseas –based boys arrive as from Sunday, March 20.

Mile 12 Crisis: “Fulanis are dominating, cunning and relentless” – Fani-Kayode

A former minister of aviation and PDP Chieftain, Femi Fani-Kayode, has reacted to the bloody clash between Hausa and Yoruba people today at Mile 12 area in Lagos.

Read what he wrote on his Facebook page:

$20 Billion (N3.94tn) idle in Nigerians’ domiciliary accounts – CBN

The Central Bank of Nigeria on Thursday raised the alarm that about $20bn (N3.94tn) was lying idle in different domiciliary accounts of the citizens.

The Deputy Governor, Financial System Surveillance, CBN, Dr. Joseph Nnana, stated this during a meeting of the Joint Appropriation Committees of the National Assembly with government officials on the 2016 budget.

Nnana said, “Distinguished chairman sir, we have $20bn lying idle in various domiciliary accounts of many customers at the various banks across the country.

“This is part of the reasons why the naira has continued to slide against the US dollar.”

He alleged that some privileged Nigerians were behind the consistent slide in the value of the naira by embarking on dollar speculation to the detriment of the local currency.