Lagos State House of Representatives member, Abayomi Ayeola has died

The All Progressives Congress, APC, in Lagos State has described the death of Mr. Abayomi Ayeola, a member of the House of Representatives, representing Ibeju Lekki Federal Constituency of the state as a “great loss” to the party and the state.

Ayeola, who had won the primary election for the third term under the platform of APC, to contest in the 2019 general elections, reportedly died at St. Nicholas Hospital in Lagos on Sunday afternoon after a brief illness.

Ayeola who was until his death, leader of the Lagos State caucus in the House of Representatives, was rushed to the hospital in the early hours of the day after he suddenly developed health complications but was later certified dead.

Confirming the sudden death, Publicity Secretary of the party, Joe Igbokwe, expressed sincere condolences to the family, saying, the party ”has lost a loyal, committed, humble party member. His election to represent his people for the third term without any rancour is an indication of his popularity among the people that he was so loved and a respected party member.

“It is unfortunate that his death occurred at a time like this when we are already in campaign period for the 2019 general elections. Our hearts are with the family, may the Lord grant the repose eternal life and the family the fortitude to bear the irreparable loss. Ayeola will be greatly missed. The party and the family will give further announcements on burial arrangement.”

Former President, Alhaji Shehu Shagari buried in Sokoto

Boss Mustapha, secretary of the Government of the Federation led the Federal Government delegation to the burial of former President, Alhaji Shehu Shagari in Sokoto today.

Shagari, 93, was laid to rest in his hometown, Shagari Local Government Area of Sokoto state at about 3.30 pm. The funeral prayer was led by Professor Shehu Galadanchi, former Vice Chancellor, Usmanu Dan Fodiyo University Sokoto.

Shagari’s corpse arrived at the Sultan Abubakar Airport, Sokoto earlier and was received by Governor Aminu Tambuwal, alongside members of the state executive council.

Other dignitaries that attended the funeral prayers included governors of Kebbi and Zamfara states, former governor of Sokoto State, Attahiru Bafarawa, former Independent National Electoral Commission chairman, Professor Attahiru Jega, Senator Aliyu Wamakko and former Minister, Mukhtar Shagari.

Former Lagos Comissioner of Police, Fatai Owoseni, retires from police

Former Commissioner of Police in Lagos State, Fatai Owoseni, and nine other senior police officers, have retired from the police force.

Owoseni who was the commissioner of police in Lagos state between July 2015 and September 2017, retired on Saturday, December 29th after 35 years in service.

Asides Owoseni, the other retired senior police officers include AIG Abdul Bube, AIG Hilda Ibifuro-Harrison, CP Agyole Abeh, CP Joseph Agaji, CP Gbemisola Akinpelu, CP Bello Ahmed, CP Abdullahi Ibrahim, CP Bello Yahaya, CP Adekinte Ademoju, CP Wakili Maye, CP Fave Semili and CP Ahmed Magaji.

Also retired from the force were 55 police officers of the ranks of Assistant Inspector General of Police (AIG), Commissioner of Police (CP), Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) and Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP).

Former Nigerian President, Alhaji Shehu Shagari dies at 93

Ex-President Shehu Shagari has died. The former president passed away today Friday December 28th at the National Hospital Abuja. He was 93 years old.

Shagari was president in the second republic, from 1979 to 1983, before he was overthrown in a coup by Muhammadu Buhari.

The news of his demise was broken by the Governor of Sokoto State, Aminu Tambuwal, on his Twitter handle.

Norwegian outfit Avaldsnes sign Rasheedat Ajibade from FC Robo Queens

The reigning Nigeria Young Player of the Year has secured a move to the Norwegian top-flight side, thus, linking up with Cameroon's Gaelle Enganamouit 

Norwegian giants Avaldsnes have secured the services of Rasheedat Ajibade from Nigeria Women Premier League side FC Robo Queens on a two-year deal.

Ajibade was a member of the Nigeria side that won the 2018 Africa Women Cup of Nations in Ghana, having helped the team to a third-place finish at the 2018 WAFU Cup in Cote d'Ivoire.

Having finished ninth in the Toposerien log last season, coach Lena Tyriberget bolstered her squad with the highly rated 19-year-old versatile forward's signing ahead of the 2018-19 season.

"When you look at her age and her merits - been central to the U20 team and the A national team, most recently in the Africa championship that Nigeria and Rasheedat won,” said club’s coach Lena Tyriberget on Wednesday.

"You realize that Rasheedat is a very promising Nigerian national team player. As a player type, she is typically either 8s or 10s on the pitch.

"She is good with ball, is forward-looking in the game and has good drive. She is a player for the future. We look forward to having Rasheedat with us for the next two years."

The new league season starts in March and Ajibade will be focused on settling in her new surroundings.

10 people injured as 4.8 magnitude earthquake hits Italy on Boxing Day

An earthquake triggered by Italy’s Mount Etna volcano has jolted eastern Sicily, injuring 10 people and prompting frightened Italian villagers to flee their homes.  

Italy’s Civil Protection officials said the quake, at 3:19 a.m. Wednesday, was part of a swarm of some 1,000 tremors, most of them barely perceptible, that are linked to Etna’s ongoing eruption this week.

The 4.8 magnitude earthquake early Wednesday damaged some rural homes, including structures that had been abandoned years ago, toppled a statue in a church in the town of Santa Venerina and opened up cracks on a highway, which was closed for inspection.

The Italian news agency ANSA said an 80-year-old man was extracted from the rubble of a house. Government undersecretary Vito Crimi said there were no fatalities and 10 slight injuries.

Kevin Spacey charged with felony sex assault, to be arraigned on January 7th

Hollywood actor, Kevin Spacey will be arraigned on a charge of felony sexual assault next month.

Michael O'Keefe, the Cape and Islands district attorney in Massachusetts confirmed yesterday that Spacey will appear on January 7 at Nantucket District Court.

'On December 20, 2018 following a public show cause hearing at Nantucket District Court, Clerk Magistrate Brian Kearney issued a criminal complaint of indecent assault and battery against Kevin S. Fowler, also known as Kevin Spacey,' read a release from the district attorney's office.

'The incident is alleged to have occurred on or about July 7, 2016 at a local restaurant.' 


The victim's mother, Heather Unruh, said last year that Spacey repeatedly stuck his hand down the pants of her 18-year-old son. The boy was eventually able to get away when a woman walked over to him while the actor was in the bathroom and said: 'Run!'


At the time, Spacey was trying to convince the boy to join him at a party said Unruh, who now hopes to find the mystery woman who she believes saved her son from a far worse fate.


When the boy eventually got to his grandmother's home, he told his younger sister what had happened and then called his mother.


At the same time as the charge was announced, Spacey released a bizarre video on Monday suggesting that he was preparing to make a comeback.

U.S. judge slams North Korea with a $501m fine for the death of 22-year old American, Otto Warmbier

A US judge on Monday ordered North Korea to pay a fine of $501 million over the death of American Otto Warmbier, ruling that the University student likely suffered torture.  

The parents of Warmbier sued North Korea in a US court after the 22-year-old was flown back to the United States last year in a coma, unrecognizable to his family and dying within days of his return.  

Beryl Howell, the chief judge of the US District Court for the District of Columbia, awarded $501,134,683.80 to the family, most of it in punitive damages.

“An American family, the Warmbiers, experienced North Korea’s brutality first-hand when North Korea seized their son to use as a pawn in that totalitarian state’s global shenanigans and face-off with the United States.

North Korea is liable for the torture, hostage-taking, and extrajudicial killing of Otto Warmbier, and the injuries to his mother and father, Fred and Cindy Warmbier,” she wrote.  

She said that North Korea did not submit any response to the lawsuit, which the family filed under the Foreign Sovereign Immunities Act, which allows US-based plaintiffs to sue governments for offences not considered to be covered by diplomatic immunity.  

North Korea is highly unlikely to pay the amount voluntarily and, as one of the world’s most isolated countries, it is believed to have few assets in the United States that could be seized. But the verdict comes as President Donald Trump negotiates a deal on North Korea’s nuclear arsenal, raising the possibility of future US payouts, which could become entangled by the court-ordered damages.

Late Otto Warmbier, a student at the University of Virginia, traveled to North Korea on a tour but did not return home, with the regime pulling him away at the Pyongyang airport and charging him with crimes against the state for allegedly taking down a poster in support of leader Kim Jong Un. The lawsuit said the family was continually advised by the State Department to stay quiet, believing North Korea would make a demand in return for Warmbier’s safe release.

EFCC begins investigation as Union bank claims ownership of $2.8m seized at Enugu airport

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission EFCC, has reacted to claims made by Union bank that the $2.8 million its operatives seized from two men at the Akanu Ibiam International Airport  in Enugu last Friday December 21st, was legitimate and was for a legitimate operation.

Recall that on Friday, EFCC released a statement saying it had seized the money from the men and that a case of money laundering was being suspected.

Union bank in a statement claimed ownership of the funds, adding that moving money in such a manner was not illegal and was  a routine.

Also the Bankers Warehouse, a cash-in-transit contractor whose officials were moving the funds on behalf of Union bank, has written a letter to the Central Bank of Nigeria CBN saying that it did nothing illegal and asked the apex bank to compel the EFCC to release the money.

“We want to convey to you that once again, we are facing a challenge with one of the security agencies (this time the EFCC) which detained our couriers while trying to board an Arik Air flight from Enugu to Lagos, conveying currency on behalf of Union Bank. They were transporting US dollars.

When questioned, they presented their identity cards, identifying themselves as Bankers Warehouse employees on official CIT movement and also presented the letter of authority issued by the bank covering the movement.

“Despite this information, the EFCC insisted on detaining our employees, taking possession of our goods and threatening to confiscate the currency without making themselves available to our senior managers or other agencies familiar with our movement.”

Reacting to the position of Union Bank and Bankers Warehouse, the acting Spokesman for the EFCC,  said the commission invited officials of the bank to give explanation about the money but they refused to show up. He said investigations were still on and the outcome of the probe would determine the agency’s next line of action.

“On the Union Bank saga, the way forward is that investigation is ongoing. On the detention of their staff and threat to confiscate the money, this is neither here nor there. The two men arrested with the money were detained because they have to offer relevant information. 

The bank refused to honour invitation from the time of the arrest until we had to go out with the story. That was when they suddenly realised they need to honour the invitation. Be that as it may, a thorough investigation has to be carried out as to the source and legitimacy of the money because we are not unaware that some financial institutions are being used to launder money.”

Nigerian Army introduces drones in its fight against Boko Haram

The Nigerian Army has introduced new technologies and application of drones in the fight against terrorists in the northeast. Lt. Gen. Tukur Buratai, the Chief of Army Staff (COAS), disclosed this while fielding questions at a dinner and media interactive session organised for editors and defence correspondents in Maiduguri on Saturday.  

Buratai said that applications of drones and new technologies were critical in modern warfare to ensure successful implementation of the counter insurgency campaign. He disclosed that the army had utilised drones in surveillance and research, adding that the process was effective in execution of its operations against the dreaded Boko Haram insurgents.  

Buratai said: “now, even the uniform is technology-based, it will be tagged wherever you are; it sends signal when you are in danger, and these issues are very important. “Technology is playing important role in warfare and we are not left out; we have in place a transformation and innovation department.  

“The department is working on research and developments not only on basic equipment but equally more scientific and technological facilities to enable us to carry out our operations.  

We are also working on deployment of drones; the Nigerian Air Force has been deploying drones in our operations in the northeast and they are deploying more, it has been very effective in this operation.  “For surveillance, local drones are deployed and when new ones are also deployed, it will be effective and useful in the operation”.  

According to him, the military has also deployed modern military hardware, rehabilitated office and house accommodation, clinics and executed viable projects for the improvement of personnel welfare and boost their morale. Buratai added that the military would equally deploy modern scanning machines to check vehicular movements and enhance security on high ways.  

The army chief called for closer media-military relation to check the spate of terrorists’ propaganda and campaign of calumny against the Nigerian Army.

'We will not denuclearize until the US eliminates its own "nuclear threat" - North Korea says

North Korea has said it will not relinquish its nuclear weapons until the US eliminates its own "nuclear threat," according to a commentary published by state-run Korean Central News Agency (KCNA).  

"The proper definition of denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula is completely eliminating the American nuclear threat to North Korea before eliminating our nuclear capability," the commentary says.

The US and North Korea are deadlocked in negotiations over how North Korea will denuclearize in return for the easing of sanctions. On June 12 in Singapore, North Korean leader Kim Jong Un and US President Donald Trump signed a vaguely worded pledge to "work toward complete denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula."

However, in the six months since, talks have stalled and North Korean criticism of the US has sharpened, though Pyongyang has continued to heap praise on Trump. The commentary published Thursday suggests one obstacle in the negotiations could be US military assets based in South Korea and the protection of South Korea under the US nuclear umbrella.

"When talking about the Korean peninsula, it encompasses not only our republic's territory but also South Korea where the American nuclear weapons and armed forces for invasion are spread out. When talking about denuclearization of the Korean peninsula, [the US] needs to know that it means eliminating all nuclear threat factors," the commentary says.

The statement also says the US push toward the total denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula should include the removal of nuclear threats from "not only the North and the South, but from all neighboring areas."

In 3-days, a GoFundMe campaign for President Trump's border wall raises over $2.5M

A GoFundMe campaign titled "We The People Will Fund The Wall" has raised over $2.5 million and counting, to build President Donald Trump's border wall. More than 16,000 people have pledged donations to the campaign created Sunday, by a "fundraising team" in Miramar, Florida. Its initial goal of $200 million has been bumped to $1 billion.

On Tuesday, White House press secretary, Sarah Sanders, revealed the administration is exploring "different" sources to pay for his proposed wall along the U.S.-Mexican border. Trump has demanded $5 billion to pay for the border wall he promised to build during his campaign, according to reports.

Kolfage, a staunch supporter of the Trump presidency, believes the crowdfunding campaign can reach its goal if the 63 million people who voted for President Trump contributes.

Senate confirms Bolaji Owasanoye as ICPC chairman

The Senate has confirmed the appointment of Prof. Bolaji Owasanoye, an indigene of Ondo State, as Chairman of the Independent Corrupt Practices and other related offences Commission.  

Also confirmed as members of the board are Grace Chinda from Delta State, Okolo Titus (Enugu State), Obiora Igwedebia (Anambra State), Olubukola Balogun (Lagos State) and Justice Adamu Bello (Katsina State).    

Others are Hannatu Muhammed (Jigawa State), Abdullahi Saidu (Niger State) and Yahaya Dauda (Nasarawa State).  Senate Leader, Ahmad Lawan, explained that the issue of lopsidedness raised by the senators, who halted the confirmation of the nominees about two weeks ago, had been resolved.  

The Senate also confirmed the appointment of Justice Uwani Abba as a Justice of the Supreme Court of Nigeria and  passed a bill for the establishment of Federal Polytechnic Aba, Abia State.

Manchester United legend Ole Gunnar Solskjaer appointed as new boss until end of the season

Manchester United has appointed their former striker, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer as the club's new interim manager following Jose Mourinho's sacking on Tuesday.

The Old Trafford legend, 45, who scored 126 goals in 366 appearances for United during 11 seasons at the club replaces Mourinho on what is effectively a loan move from Norwegian side Molde.

He will be joined by Mike Phelan as first-team coach, also working alongside Michael Carrick and Kieran McKenna. 

In comments published on Molde's website, Solskjaer said that he will return to the club, whose league campaign begins at the end of March, when his duties at United are complete. 

Solskjaer said on Molde's website: 'In football you never know what can happen. We get proof of time after time. This is an opportunity I had to take. I am looking forward to leading Manchester United until the summer. 

'At the same time, I will follow closely what is happening here at home. We have built stone for stone and the end of the season this year gives us hope for another good season. 

'Erling, Trond and Per Magne will do a lot of work while I'm gone. At the same time, I would like to thank the club, and Kjell Inge and Bjorn Rune once again congratulate me on the world's biggest club.'

'Manchester United is in my heart and it's brilliant to be coming back in this role. I'm really looking forward to working with the very talented squad we have, the staff and everyone at the club,' said Solskjaer in United's club statement.

United executive vice-chairman Ed Woodward added in the club's announcement: 'Ole is a club legend with huge experience, both on the pitch and in coaching roles. 

'His history at Manchester United means he lives and breathes the culture here and everyone at the club is delighted to have him and Mike Phelan back. We are confident they will unite the players and the fans as we head into the second half of the season.'

Arsenal fan hits Dele Alli with bottle following a 2-0 defeat to Tottenham

Tottenham and England star, Dele Alli appeared to be struck by a plastic water bottle thrown by an Arsenal supporter after he scored his side's second goal of the Carabao Cup quarter-final at the Emirates.  

But with just over 20 minutes, he was struck with a water bottle on the back of the head as he attempted to collect the ball for a throw-in.  

Alli immediately appealed to referee Jon Moss before clashing with Arsenal's defender Sokratis. Alli also taunted the Arsenal fans by holding up two fingers to show the 2-0 scoreline.

Tottenham manager Pochettino wasn’t so sanguine about the missile throwing and demanded Arsenal find the “stupid person”.  

“Yes I saw. When we play a derby we hate each other in a good way, but that looks in a bad way when you want to damage some people. One stupid person made a mistake. I respect the Arsenal fans. I hope that Arsenal take some responsibility. Through the camera you can identify. It wasn’t a problem but it could be a big issue. I think they will identify the people” he said.    

There also appeared to be other objects thrown by Arsenal supporters into the section occupied by Tottenham’s fans as the atmosphere turned toxic. The shocking incidents came after a Tottenham fan was banned for four years after being found guilty of throwing a banana skin at Arsenal’s Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang when the teams met in an acrimonious clash earlier this month.

See the video below....

@CAFC123123

Arsenal fans throw a bottle at Dele Alli, he responds in the most Dele Alli way possible

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10:19 PM - Dec 19, 2018

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Pipeline explosion rocks Abule Egba in Lagos

Last night, a raging fire at Ebule Egba in Lagos reportedly caused by activities of pipeline vandals left residential and commercial houses severely affected.

According to reports, people are scampering to safety as It was alleged that vandals had caused an explosion from the pipelines, which extended to Abule Egba Bus Stop.  

Reacting to the incident, Lagos Emergency service (LASEMA) said, 'situation report regarding the oil spillage at Tipper Garage Bus Stop Abule Egba On arrival at the incident scene, the spillage from what appears to be bunkering activities came in contact with an ignitable source. The impact resulted in inferno as it ravaged houses and cars'.

Kylie Jenner ties with Jay-Z to become Forbes' fifth wealthiest American celebrity with $900 million net worth

Makeup Mogul and reality star,  Kylie Jenner is now the fifth Wealthiest American Celebrity of 2018.  

In a new list compiled by Forbes Magazine, the 21-year-old's net worth of $900 million sees her tied at fifth place with rapper Jay-Z.   

The mother of one who launched her Kylie Cosmetics two years ago, has already shifted over $630 million in makeup products, according to Forbes.

This is the first time Kylie has landed on the list, which ranks the wealthiest American celebrities based on fortune they have amassed off their fame. 

The number one spot on the list this year went to George Lucas, whose net worth was listed at $5.4 billion. The second place spot goes to Steven Spielberg, who is valued at $3.7 billion, while Oprah Winfrey landed in third with $2.8 billion. 

Michael Jordan's net worth of $1.7 billion placed him in fourth place, David Copperfield's $875 million landed him in seventh, Diddy's $825 million saw him take the eighth spot.

Tiger Woods and James Patterson tied for the ninth spot with a net worth of $800 million.  

Manchester United to fine Paul Pogba for posting 'disrespectful' image on social media after Jose Mourinho was sacked as manager

Premier League Club, Manchester United will hand their midfielder Paul Pogba a fine for posting a ‘disrespectful’ image on social media just minutes after Jose Mourinho was sacked as manager.

The French footballer who has had a series of problems with the Portuguese coach posted a smirking photo via his Instagram page on Tuesday with the message ‘caption this’.

The post was deleted 10 minutes later but has been liked by more than 64,000 people. He was also criticized by Sky Sports pundits Gary Neville and Jamie Carragher for the disrespectful image.

According to Mail Online Football, Paul Pogba is to be fined by Manchester United after his actions on social media.

Former Chief of Defence Staff Alex Badeh shot dead by unknown gunmen

The Nigerian Air Force has announced the death of the former chief of defence staff, Air Chief Marshal, Alex Badeh (retd.).  

According to the Air Force Spokesman, Air Commodore Ibikunle Daramola, the Adamawa state born Badeh died today Dec 18th from gunshot wounds sustained when his vehicle was attacked by gunmen on Abuja-Lafia Road. He was said to be returning from his farm when he was shot dead. 

The statement reads

“It is with a heavy heart that I regretfully announce the unfortunate demise of former Chief of Defence Staff, Air Chief Marshal Alex Badeh, who died today, 18 Dec 18, from gunshot wounds sustained when his vehicle was attacked while returning from his farm along Abuja-Keffi Road.”

“On behalf officers, airmen and airwomen of the Nigerian Air Force, the Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Abubakar, commiserates with the family of the late former Chief of Defence Staff over this irreparable loss. We pray that the Almighty God grants his soul eternal rest.”

Nigeria 2019 Elections: No one can annul elections in Nigeria again – Femi Falana

Human rights lawyer, Femi Falana has said no leader in Nigeria can annul elections in the country as was the case in 1993.

Falana disclosed this at  the inauguration of the League of Anambra Professionals Legal Defence Initiative, held in Lagos on Monday adding that for fear of ICC, no Nigerian leader dared annul election again like a former Head of State, Gen. Ibrahim Babangida (retd.), did in 1993.  

He also dismissed the fear that President Muhammadu Buhari might be unwilling to leave office if he should lose next year’s election.  

Falana said, “unlike in 1993 when the military President, Gen. Ibrahim Babangida, successfully annulled an election, that is no longer possible. Whoever does that now will end up in The Hague.

He is likely to be tried for crimes against humanity because if you annul an election, you are likely to have a monumental violence in the country which will lead to crimes against humanity.

Before the 2015 elections, the ICC warned that if there was any problem in Nigeria, anybody who was responsible would be arrested and charged like former President Laurent Gbagbo of Cote d’Ivoire. That was the atmosphere under which President Goodluck conceded victory.”

Falana said he decided to speak on the issue in order to assure Nigerians that election could no longer be annulled in Nigeria. This, he said, was important because of the fear that had been expressed that if Buhari lost election, he might not want to hand over.  “That belongs to the past,” he declared.

Suspected fulani herdsmen abduct children, civil servants, lecturers in Ondo

Eight travellers including two civil servants in the workforce of the Ondo State Government, have reportedly been kidnapped by suspected Fulani herdsmen. The victims were abducted while travelling from Owo to Akure after a ceremony over the weekend. 

The civil servants, Ayewunmi Ogunsemore of the Forestry Department of the Ministry of Agriculture and Bunmi Falodun, a civil servant with the FADAMA programme, were abducted around the bad portion of the Owo-Ose-Akoko road. Also children whose parents were driving through the Ogbese and Ilu-Abo road on the Akure-Owo road, were kidnapped.

Sahara Reporters reports that a Senior Lecturer at the Mass Communication Department of the Rufus Giwa Polytechic Owo (RUGIPO), Rahman Abubakri, who escaped being kidnapped by the gunmen, confirmed the incident. Abubakri disclosed that another lecturer from Marketing Department of the polytechnic fell victim of the hoodlums who dragged him and the others into the thick forest.

“Around 5:20pm on Saturday evening, I narrowly escaped being kidnapped around Ilu-Abo on my way to Akure after a wedding ceremony which I attended at Omuo Ekiti. Nigerians are under siege. I saw the Fulani shooting sporadically from a distance. The bushes and thick forests we don’t care to go into have been well-studied by these Fulanis. Unfortunately, some kids were taken away by the kidnappers," he said.

“[At] almost the same time, a lecturer of the Department of Marketing, Rufus Giwa Polytechnic, Owo was kidnapped by the same Fulani herdsmen between Ipele and Owo Road. Another kidnapping took place at Oba Akoko. Three persons fell victim as they were taken away into the bush. My colleagues missed being kidnapped on Friday evening." Abubakri said

Confirming the incident, the spokesman of the Ondo State Police Command, Femi Joseph, 

"Yes, it is true but we are on top of the situation as the Commissioner of Police has dispatched our men to the bushes around the incident of the zones in order to rescue those who have been kidnapped," he said. "So, I can assure you that justice would surely be done to those who are behind these evil acts and those who might have been responsible, we shall bring them to justice."

Recall that on December 5th, three workers of the Federal Medical Centre (FMC), Owo in Ondo State, were kidnapped by gunmen. They were later released by their abductors.

National Assembly workers to begin 4-days warning strike on Monday

The Parliamentary Staff Association of Nigeria (PASAN), National Assembly chapter, has issued a four-day warning strike notice which will commence on Monday, December 17.  

According to the Chairman of the association, Bature Mohammed, in a statement in Abuja on Saturday, the decision was reached in an emergency congress held on December 14.  

Though President Buhari is due to present the 2019 Appropriation bill to the joint National Assembly on Wednesday, December 19, Mohammed said that the warning strike which would run till December 20, was to press home the demands of the association.  

The chairman advised that all members of the association should stay away from their duty posts during the period as members of PASAN had on December 4 shut down operations at the National Assembly when they prevented lawmakers from sitting.  

The grievances of PASAN include a new condition of service for members, promotion and payment of 28 per cent increment in salary captured as contained in the 2018 budget

Pastor John Gray explains why he bought a $200000 Lamborghini car for his wife on their 8th wedding anniversary

A South Carolina Pastor, John Gray has defended buying a $200,000 Lamborghini luxury car as gift for his wife on their eighth wedding anniversary.

The man of God made the news over the weekend after an Instagram video of the moment he handed his wife the keys to the bow-wrapped “Lamborghini Urus” on Saturday went viral. 

Gray, who is the pastor of Relentless Church, later stressed online that he had purchased the vehicle for his wife, while rebutting critics who raised suggestions about whether he bought the car with church money.

“God helped me to make my wife’s dream come true. Why not? She’s made mine come true!”  Gray said in an Instagram post. 

He then addressed the matter in a video on Facebook Live afterwards saying “not a nickel, not a penny” of money from the church went to the gift.  

“First of all, it wasn’t a pastor that bought the car. It was a husband that bought the car. I’m a husband first. Don’t confuse what I do with who I am. What I do is I pastor God’s people. Who I am is a husband and a father and I’ll do anything to honour them.

And I won’t ask permission from anybody to do it. My wife has pushed for my dreams and my vision, and she has toiled with a man who is still trying to find himself. That carries a weight. I wanted to honor her for how she’s covered me.

What should concern people who are actually genuinely concerned is ‘did this man use any money from the church to do this?’ And the answer is no, absolutely not,” he said.

26-year old Salah retains BBC African Footballer of the Year award

Liverpool and Egypt striker Mohamed Salah has capped a sparkling 2018 for club and country by winning the prestigious BBC African Footballer of the Year Award for the second time in a row.

“It’s a great feeling to win again. I’m happy and I would like to win it also next year!” said Salah. The 26-year-old, who beat Medhi Benatia, Kalidou Koulibaly, Sadio Mane and Thomas Partey to the award, is just the second player after Jay-Jay Okocha to win it two years running.  

Yaya Toure is the only other player to have twice won the award in its current form while Nwankwo Kanu won it twice when it was a broader African Sports Personality award.

Salah scored 44 goals in 52 games for Liverpool last season, his first on Merseyside after joining them from Roma, and helped them to reach the Champions League final. His club form has continued this season with his winner against Napoli on Tuesday that saw the Reds into the Champions League last 16 taking his tally to 13.  

“There have been many good moments in 2018. I’m scoring goals and helping the team to get the points to be top of the league. That’s always a great feeling” he added. Salah also scored twice for Egypt at the World Cup in Russia.

Earlier in 2018, Salah won the English double the Players’ Player of the Year and the Football Writers’ Player of the Year.  Salah also won the 2017 CAF Player of the Year and is one of 10 nominees for the 2018 award which will be announced in January.

Three weeks old baby, 9 others gasp for air as Nigerian commercial flight suffers severe turbulence

Passengers onboard an AirPeace flight were all in a thanksgiving mode on Friday after they survived a terrifying  turbulence while on a Lagos-Enugu bound flight.

According to Instagram user @ennie_louiee, the turbulence was so severe,  the oxygen masks in the plane came out. A three-weeks old baby was gasping for air after the plane became stuffy.

Read her account of what happened and a video she shared from the scene below

Watch the video below

 

 

 

 

 

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Terrifying moment passengers experienced heavy turbulence on a Lagos-Enugu bound AirPeace flight. This reportedly happened yesterday December 14th.

A post shared by LIB - Linda Ikeji Blog (@lindaikejiblog) on Dec 15, 2018 at 6:57am P

Male traders in Yaba market mock women staging peaceful protest over harassment of female customers

Male traders in Yaba market mocked women who staged a peaceful protest to demand they stop the habit of touching any female passing through the market or prospective female customers.

The protesters were campaigning against , harassment, objectification, groping, catcalling of women and girls in Nigerian markets. But the traders fired back at them calling them 'asewos'.

Yaba market male traders are well known for touching women who pass through the road where the market is situated, inapproriately.

Watch videos of the traders verbally attacking the female protesters below.

 

 

 

 

 

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Shouts of HolyGhost fire and 'Ashawo' rent the air as Male traders in Yaba market mock women staging peaceful protest to demand they stop the habit of touching any female passing through the market or a prospective customer. The male traders are well known for touching women, sometimes inappropriately, who pass through the road where tge market is situated. To stop this, a group of women staged a peaceful protest today to demand that the male traders stop this habit.

A post shared by LIB - Linda Ikeji Blog (@lindaikejiblog) on Dec 15, 2018 at 1:31pm PST

photocredit: @MarketWatch 

Mahatma Gandhi's statue removed from University of Ghana over claims that the Indian leader was a 'racist'

A statue of legendary Indian independence leader, Mahatma Gandhi has been removed from a University campus in Ghana's capital, Accra.  

University of Ghana lecturers began a petition for its removal shortly after it was unveiled in 2016 by India's former President Pranab Mukherjee that Gandhi was a racist. The petition said Gandhi was "racist" and African heroes should be put first.  

In the wake of the row, Ghana's government at the time said the statue would be relocated. Lecturers and students told the BBC that the statue, originally located at the University's recreational quadrangle, had been removed on Wednesday.  

The University confirmed this, saying that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration was responsible. Law student Nana Adoma Asare Adei said "having his statue means that we stand for everything he stands for and if he stands for these things [his alleged racism], I don't think we should have his statue on campus."  

Mahatma Gandhi was one of the most celebrated figures of the 20th Century. He is best known for leading non-violent resistance to British colonial rule in India. However, as a young man he lived and worked in South Africa, and although he has inspired people throughout the world his comments on black Africans have been controversial.  

In his early writings he referred to black South Africans as "kaffirs" a highly offensive racist slur. He also said that Indians were "infinitely superior" to black people.

US Congress asks Google CEO to explain why the photo of Donald Trump comes up when you type “idiot”

When you type in "Idiot" in Google search, photos of US president Donald Trump comes up and Republicans in the US Congress grilled Google CEO Sundar Pichai about this.

Republicans allege that Google's search results are biased and that Democrats who work at Google choose liberal websites over conservative views for prime placement on Google services like Google search. 

Several Republicans on the committee, including Rep. Lamar Smith, said there was "political bias baked into" Google's culture.

Democratic Rep. Zoe Lofgren gave Google CEO a chance to explain and convince them that there's no conservative bias in Google.

Lofgren said to Pichai:

Manipulation of search results - I think it's important to talk about how search works. Right now, if you Google the word 'idiot,' under images, a picture of Donald Trump comes up. I just did that.

How would that happen? How does search work so that that would occur?

Pichai replied:  

We provide search today for - anytime you type in a keyword, we as Google, we have gone out and crawled and stored copies of billions of webpages in our index. We take the keyword and match it against webpages and rank them based on over 200 signals, things like relevance, freshness, popularity, how other people are using it. And based on that, at any given time, we try to rank and find the best results for that query. Then we evaluate them with external raters to make sure, and they evaluate it to objective guidelines, and that's how we make sure the process is working.  

Lofgren added:

So it's not some little man sitting behind the curtain figuring out what we're going to show the user - it's basically a compilation of what users are generating, and trying to sort through that information.

And Pichai replied:

Last year we served over 3 trillion searches. Just as a fact, every single day, 15% of the searches Google sees, we have never seen them before.

So this is working at scale. We don't manually intervene on any particular search result.