Nollywood Actress, Genevieve Nnaji Shares Photos With Members of Her Family

Genevieve Nnaji pictured members of her family....

She's pictured with her parents

Louisiana police arrest 67-year-old white man who claimed to be a 'Nigerian prince' in emails he used to commit fraud

After an 18-month investigation, Police in Slidell, Louisiana have arrested a 67-year-old man who claims to be Nigerian royalty in his fradulent emails.

Michael Neu, 67 faces 269 counts of wire fraud and money laundering for taking part in hundreds of financial transactions involving phone and online scams to con money from people across the United States.

Neu is suspected to have been the “middle man”. In these scams, the supposed Nigerian prince asks for the person’s personal banking information in order to speed the transfer of a fake inheritance or temporarily hold the allegedly pilfered funds. The information can then be used to withdraw funds from the victim’s accounts.

The Police however claim that some of the money obtained in the scams was wired to his co-conspirators in Nigeria and many other leads in the case connect to people outside the U.S.

Absence of a bridge Forces Sokoto State Governor Aminu Tambuwal to be ferried Across River Benue

The absence of a bridge yesterday forced the Sokoto state governor, Aminu Tambuwal's convoy to be ferried across River Benue. Governor Tambuwal was heading to Ibi LGA of Taraba State to pay a visit to the former Chief Whip of the House of Representatives, Hon Isiaka Bawa, who recently lost his mother.

US agrees to sell fighter planes to Nigeria at $593 Million

The United States has officially agreed to sell 12 Super Tucano A-29 planes and weapons to Nigeria after confirming the resurrection of a deal frozen by the Obama administration over rights concerns.  

 Back then, former U.S. President Barack Obama delayed the sale in one of his last decisions in office after the Nigerian Air Force bombed a refugee camp in January. But his successor Donald Trump decided to press on with the transaction to support Nigeria’s efforts to fight Boko Haram militants and to boost U.S. defence jobs, sources told Reuters in April.  

The U.S. ambassador to Nigeria presented letters of offer and acceptance to Nigeria’s air force earlier on Wednesday, the air force said in a statement.  It said the U.S. State Department had approved the sale and final agreements would be signed and necessary payments made before Feb. 20.  There was no immediate statement from the U.S. embassy or from authorities in Washington.  

U.S. government and Nigerian Air Force officials would meet in early January to discuss the early delivery of the aircraft once payment had been made, the Nigerian air force said.  The sale of the 12 aircraft, with weapons and services, is worth $593 million, and includes thousands of bombs and rockets.

According to Reuters, the propeller-driven plane with reconnaissance, surveillance and attack capabilities, is made by Brazil’s Embraer. A second production line is in Florida, in a partnership between Embraer and privately held Sierra Nevada Corp of Sparks, Nevada.  The Super Tucano costs more than $10 million each and the price can go much higher depending on the configuration. It is powered by a Pratt & Whitney Canada PT 6 engine

World Health Organization to recognize excessive gaming as mental illness

According to new reports, people who spend unreasonable hours playing video games could soon be diagnosed with a mental health disorder!

The World Health Organization (WHO) has released a statment that it will add gaming disorder to its international classification of diseases next year, which means, doctors can now diagnose someone with the condition of having mental illness if they play video games excessively.

According to the WHO, the problem comes when gaming takes priority over other life interests and activities.

The behavior must persist for at least one year to be diagnosed, however, that time can be shortened in severe cases.

Ijaw Youth Council call for release of 50 N-Delta activists who have been in detention without trial for over a year

The Ijaw Youth Council under the leadership of Eric Omare has called for the urgent release of about 50 Niger Deltan activists allegedly arrested and detained without trial for over a year by security agencies in the country.

Highlighting the plight of the detained persons, IYC spokesperson, Henry Iyala disclosed that the spokesperson of Ijaw Peoples Development Initiative, IPDI, Mr Daniel Ezekiel, was recently released by the Department of State Services, DSS, after a year and three months in detention. He also accused security agencies of human rights abuse perpetrated against the detainees and refusal to release them on bail.

He disclosed that the aid of international bodies have been solicited as letters were written to the United Nations Human Rights Council, High Commissioner for Human Rights, Geneva, Switzerland, Mr. Zeid Al Hussein, Africa Commission on Human, Peoples’ Rights and the National Human Rights Commission, NHRC of Nigeria, urging them to wade into the continued detention of the activists.
He said:

“The IYC states that the continued detention of these Niger Deltans without trial amounts to a violation of the United Nations Universal Declaration on Human Rights, the African Charter on Human and Peoples Rights and chapter IV of the 1999 Constitution of Nigeria on fundamental human rights. These international instruments and local laws guarantee citizens’ rights to personal liberty and obligate security agencies to charge anybody that is arrested in suspicion of having committed an offence within 24 hours or a reasonable time.

“The IYC states that most of the Niger Deltans in detention have spent more than a year in detention without trial. In some cases, the courts have made orders for their release, but the relevant security agencies refused to obey the order and release them on bail."

 Source: Vanguard

Wall Street Journal claims that Nigeria paid €3million for the release of Chibok girls

According to Wall Street Journal, the Federal Government paid €3 million for the release of some Chibok schoolgirls who were in Boko Haram custody,

In 2014, Boko Haram insurgents had kidnapped 276 girls from Government Girls Secondary School, Chibok in Borno state. Of the 276, 163 are now free: 57 fled in the early days after their abduction, three escaped later, and a Swiss-coached mediation secured 103.

21 of the 103 were freed on October 13, 2016, while the remaining 82 were freed on May 6 this year. In a detailed report on the incident, WSJ said while €1 million was paid for the 21 first freed, additional €2 million accompanied the five Boko Haram commanders that were exchanged with the next batch: the 82 girls.

Read the full report HERE

Iran arrests 230 young men and women in one night for drinking alcohol and dancing

Police in Iran detained 230 boys and girls at different parties in the capital Tehran on Thursday night. 

Iran's semi-official ISNA news agency reported on Friday, that officers arrested 140 of the young partygoers in a garden on the outskirts of Tehran and 90 in the city's uptown while dancing and drinking alcohol.

The report said some participants posted an invitation to others to join on Instagram and police arrested them.

According to Islamic law in Iran, drinking alcohol and usual parties are illegal and considered a sin.

ISNA also revealed that some alcoholic beverages and psychotropic drugs were confiscated.

The latest arrests come months after six young people were detained in Iran for promoting Zumba dance exercises, in the town of Shahroud, about 250 miles east of Tehran.

The suspects were said to have published videos of Zumba moves and exercises on social networks, encouraging young women to take off their Islamic head-covering in public places. 

And under the Islamic law, women in Iran are required to cover their hair and avoid figure-hugging attire.

Man whose son was born three months premature after doctor told them to terminate him because he couldn't make it shares testimony as his son clocks 4

A thankful father shared the miraculous story of his son's birth and how he's gone on to have a healthy life despite the fact that doctors said he couldn't make it.

Read the touching story told by Rell Gregory below.

Victor Anichebe shares throwback photos as he recalls the injury that altered his career

Footballer, Victor Anichebe shared these throwback photos of the injury that altered his career. He wrote; 

A day I will never forget..this moment changed and altered a lot of things. But what to do..blame, dwell, complain? No because guess what..NOBODY cares. The only thing you can do is get back up and go again. I’ve had so many disappointments/set backs throughout my career which have hampered my career in many ways but these set backs have also made me stronger. Physically it’s so tough but the mental aspect is the real challenge. No matter what level you play at if you’ve been through this knows you what I’m talking about. Some Injuries I’ve taken harder than others as at the time I would be killing it and then ?? I would sit at home and ask God “Why God why again? What have I done wrong this time” I really don’t know the reasons to be honest. What I do know is that God will never give me more than I can handle and he’s always testing us. People think because I post and go to church I’m super religious but I have my moments where I place blame and turn my back on God. (sometimes it’s like he’s saying to me “are you done yet..when you’re ready I will bless you?”?) and I always come back as it’s the only way...he has a plan for all of us which we may not like or understand. What I can say is that through every set back he’s strengthened me ??? #tbt #foreverblessed

Swansea sacks head coach Paul Clement

English Premiership side, Swansea City has parted ways with head coach Paul Clement. Assistant coaches Nigel Gibbs and Karl Halabi have also left the club.

 Swansea City chairman, Huw Jenkins, confirmed: “To change the manager, especially at only the halfway point of the season, is the last thing we wanted to do as a club. We had three different managers last season and as a result we all wanted to give Paul as much time as possible to turn things around. But we felt we couldn’t leave it any longer and needed to make a change to give us the best chance of an uplift and a turnaround in fortunes with the club bottom of the Premier League".

He continued to say, “Paul has been at the club for 12 months and what he achieved in the second half of last season to keep us in the top flight was a tremendous feat. For that, and his effort and commitment this season, it goes without saying that the club thanks him for his work, together with Nigel (Gibbs) and Karl (Halabi). I have had an excellent working relationship with Paul and we are all, including the owners, surprised and disappointed it hasn’t worked out this season. We wish Paul every success in his career going forward.’’

Clement was appointed head coach on January 3, 2017, after the dismissal of Bob Bradley as manager.

Femi Falana steps out to support his son, Falz at the #FalzExperience concert

Renowned human rights lawyer, Femi Falana who is the father of rapper, Falz has just been spotted at Eko Hotels where he came to support his son at his first headline concert in Lagos.

His pictured here with one of his daughters.

South Africa's ruling party, ANC elects Cyril Ramaphosa as new leader to succeed Jacob Zuma

South Africa's ruling party, African National Congress (ANC) has elected Cyril Ramaphosa to succeed President Jacob Zuma as the party's leader.

The country's deputy president defeated former cabinet minister Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma, Mr Zuma's ex-wife, after a marathon voting process making him a strong position to become president in 2019 polls.

The leadership battle caused fierce political infighting, raising fears the party might split before the election. Mr Ramaphosa defeated Ms Dlamini-Zuma by 2,440 votes to 2,261, an ANC spokesperson announced.

The result triggered celebrations among party delegates in Johannesburg and also on the streets of the city. Media reports said earlier that the announcement had been delayed, with Ms Dlamini-Zuma's camp demanding a recount.

Producer of the famous 'Village Headmaster', Tunde Oloyede dies at 70

Veteran broadcaster, producer and director, Chief Tunde Oloyede is dead. .

He died this morning at his home in Festac Town, Lagos. He was 70 years old. He was producer and director of the popular, now defunct, television drama series “The Village Headmaster”, and "Tightrope."

Mel B to appeal to Spice Girl mates for a reunion as she faces devastating £7million payout to ex-husband

Mel B is reportedly in a tight corner financially following her divorce from Stephen Belafonte, so she's planning to appeal to her Spice Girl mates for a reunion as she faces a ­devastating £7million payout to her ex-husband.

Melanie Brown shot to fame as Scary Spice in the group Spice Girls before the group became defunct. Now, she is hoping for a reunion because she is desperate for funds to pay out her husband after their divorce which was Hollywood’s most ­sensational ­divorce battle in years.

The divorce settlement gives her film producer ex £175,000 in lawyers’ fees and £11,300 a month for at least three years. Mel, 42, also faces cash handouts for splitting their joint business ventures, ­including their Los Angeles restaurant Serafina and their LA mansion. Sources close to the America’s Got Talent host say the total payout to Belafonte will be £7 million.

Mel is also facing a £2 million claim from her German ex-nanny Lorraine Gilles, 27, who is suing her for defamation after allegations of threesome sex. Sadly, as a court heard during the divorce proceedings, Mel has burned through most of the £40million she made from the Spice Girls and other ventures.

A business associate of the Mel B said: "Mel is now on a revenge mission to rebuild her life and fortune without Stephen weighing her down. Top of the agenda is her desire to reform the Spice Girls, with or without Victoria Beckham, to get pieces in place to celebrate the group’s 25th ­anniversary in 2019. She knows that they can do something ­together and is hoping for new music, gigs and some kind of movie documentary about their success."

Mel has hired top US showbiz agent Ari Emanuel, 56, to rebuild her fortune.

The source added: "Ari has the ­connections to make this happen. Posh [victoria Beckham] may not want to sing but a ­documentary could work. Mel will also put herself up as a ­presenter, actress, face of endorsements and if the money is right, ­reality star. Mel feels her appeal and image means that she can easily get back to making new lucrative ­business deals.? The world better get ready because she will be everywhere."

Judge Mark Juhas granted the ­dissolution of former X factor judge Mel and Belafonte’s ten-year marriage in LA’s Superior Court on Friday.

Belafonte reacted by posting a photo of civil rights fighter Martin Luther King Jr on Instagram and writing: "In the ­immortal words of the late great DR Martin Luther King Junior!!!! FREE at LAST!!"

"I am happy. I got everything I wanted." Belafonte told reporters outside the court after the hearing, which Mel did not attend. "She put me through the worst hell ever. But now it’s all over I hope. Today’s a beautiful day."

Meanwhile, Mel’s mum Andrea Brown questioned why her daughter had to pay so much.

She tweeted:

"Just can’t get my head around the laws in LA when a mother of 3 has to lose her home & pay maintenance???"

'Quit wishing you were someone else, stop complaining and run your race' - Kiss Daniel

Singer, Kiss Daniel who is in the middle of a legal battle with his record label, G-Worldwide tweeted, 'Quit wishing you were someone else. You don't need that anointing. Quit comparing/Complaining and run your race'.

Obafemi martins wins award for sporting excellence in Asia

Obafemi Martins has won the Best Player award for sporting excellence 2017 in Asia. He currently plays for Shanghai Shenhua in the Chinese league.

'People attacking Nigerian pastors don't have sense, attack the politicians you voted for' - Samklef tweets

Reigning African footballer of the year Asisat Oshoala meets Tony Elumelu in Lagos

the reigning African footballer of the year, Asisat Oshoala paid a courtesy visit to Nigerian economist, entrepreneur, and philanthropist Tony elumelu to discuss girl child education and football.

Usain Bolt enjoys boat trip with his girlfriend Kasi Bennett as they vacation in Thailand

Olympic champion and former sprinter, Usain Bolt, who has been enjoying his retirement, is currently on vacation in Thailand with his stunning model girlfriend, Kasi Bennett.

The pair have been updating fans with their romantic gateway by sharing photos of them chilling and enjoying boat ride together on a Thailand beach.

See more photos below..

Barcelona stars Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez pose with their Golden Shoe trophies

Barcelona stars, Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez have been pictured together with their collection of Golden Shoes trophies. The South American duo posed for a picture at the club's training ground with their combined six Golden Shoe trophies

Lionel Messi is a proud winner of four trophies, while Suarez has two.

 '2 friends, 6 Golden Shoes…and counting!, the Spanish club wrote on their Instagram page 

According to reports, the photo will form the front cover of Barcelona's new magazine and celebrates the joint success of their strikers. 

The Golden Shoe is awarded to the season's top league scorer in Europe.

Estate Surveyor slumps, dies while delivering speech at an ICPC event in Abuja

The Chairman of the Estate Surveyors and Valuers Registration Board of Nigeria, Olayinka Sonaike, has died. According to reports, the 74 year old was delivering a paper at an event at the headquarters of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission in Abuja when he slumped.

Efforts to resuscitate him by people who were present at the event proved abortive as he did not respond. He was rushed to the hospital where he was certified dead. 

Russia to build $21bn nuclear facility in Egypt

Russia is set to build a new nuclear power plant that'll cost as much as $21bn (£15.7bn) in Egypt.  

Rosatom, Russia's state-owned nuclear company, said the nuclear plant would be completed by 2029 as Russian President Vladimir Putin signed an agreement with his Egyptian counterpart Abdel Fattah al-Sisi, two years after the initial deal to loan Egypt 85% of the construction costs in return for servicing the reactors for 60 years was signed.

This is one of a series of plants Russia is building across the continent.  In October, it was revealed it would build two in Nigeria, while a similar deal in South Africa has run into trouble.

Former Indomitable Lions of Cameroon player, Massing Benjamin found dead

Former Cameroon's National Football team player, Massing Benjamin is dead.

The 55-year-old former Indomitable Lion central defender was found dead this morning at his home in Edea, Cameroon.

Massing, who played professionally for, among others, France’s US Créteil-Lusitanos (1987–91), was picked up for Cameroon’s squad for the 1990 FIFA World Cup, where he was famously sent off in the opening game for a spectacular foul on Argentina’s Claudio Caniggia (in a 1–0 shock win).

Massing also appeared in the quarterfinal loss against England (2–3) where he was booked, conceding a penalty for committing a foul on Gary Lineker.

Previously, in the match against Argentina, he received another caution, after bringing down Diego Maradona.

Internationally Massing, who gained 21 international caps in four and a half years, also took part in three Africa Cup of Nations, namely the 1992 edition while playing for Olympic Mvolyé. He has led a modest private life since.