Senate President Bukola Saraki pays surprise visit to Super Eagles camp

Ahead of their upcoming friendly match against England this weekend, Senate President, Bukola Saraki, last night paid a surprise visit to the Super Eagles camp and wished them all the best and even greater success in the upcoming #Russia2018 World Cup.

Goalkeeper Karius hides his face as Liverpool return home after heartbreaking Champions League final loss to Real Madrid

Liverpool squad have returned home after their heartbreaking  3-1 defeat in the Champions League final to Real Madrid on Saturday

The team landed at John Lennon airport on Sunday morning just hours after the final tournament took place at the Olympic Stadium in Kiev, Ukraine.

Goalkeeper Loris Karius, who made two costly errors that gifted Madrid two of their three goals, was pictured hiding his face as he walked onto the airport runway. 

Also spotted at the airport was Liverpool and Egyptian star Mohammed Salah, who had to be substituted in the 26 minutes of the game following a tussle with Madrid captain Sergio Ramos that saw him dislocate his shoulder.

See more photos below.

24 passengers narrowly survive as two boats capsize in Lagos

At least 24 passengers escaped death on Friday evening when two boats collided and capsized in the Ojo area of Lagos State.

The accident which occurred at about 7:45pm close to the Ojo Terminal involved two open fiber boats. Managing Director of the Lagos State Waterways Authority (LASWA), Damilola Emmanuel, who confirmed the incident, said one of the boats was driving at full capacity with 22 passengers, while the other had just the boat captain and deckhand on board.  

He said immediately the incident occurred, the patrol team at the Ojo Terminal was able to move swiftly to rescue the situation. “One boat was going from Liverpool to Ojo while the other was doing a return trip from same location. LASWA response team were able to rescue all passengers from the capsized boat and transported them to shore, no lives were lost,”

He said the affected boats (Toba Marine & Eco Lima) are presently in the custody of LASWA at the terminal until conclusion of investigations into what led to the collision.  Emmanuel attributed the success of rescuing all passengers alive to the fact that they were all putting on life jackets, which according to him also made rescue efforts a lot easier.  

“All passengers on both boats were all putting on their life jackets. This is what we have been encouraging. Our agency has been on the forefront of leading the campaign that for no reason should anyone embark on a journey on water without putting on a life jacket. We have also gone a step further to distribute life jackets to encourage boat operators to enforce it,” the LASWA boss said.  

He said the 1,500 life jackets were distributed within 2017 and January 2018, adding that more would be distributed in the course of the year.

photos of Footballer Emmanuel Emenike and Iheoma Nnaji at their wedding

The wedding of Super Eagles player Emmanuel Emenike and ex-MBGN Iheoma Nnadi in Lagos. See more photos below

Dwyane Wade & Gabrielle Union flaunt their toned abs as they vacation together

NBA star Dwyane Wade and his wife, actress Gabrielle Union are currently on vacation in France.

''States must think and plan as countries to be more financially viable'' VP Yemi Osinbajo

Vice President Yemi Osinbajo has asked state governors to think and plan like countries so they can be financially viable and stop depending solely on the funds allocated to them from the Federation account.

Osinbajo said this when he spoke at the Leadership awards which took place in Abuja yesterday May 24th.

“This conversation about creating financially viable states should therefore be viewed through the lens of the medium to the long term. There will always be the temptation to prioritize raising Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) at all costs. If this is done in a manner that stifles today’s entrepreneurs and investors, then clearly there will be a great price to pay down the line. So, it is clear that Governors have to think beyond four or eight year cycles. There must be a commitment to laying a foundation that our successors will build on, and for successors to be ready to build on foundations laid. One of the challenges with governance in Nigeria today is that penchant for dismantling or dismissing everything inherited. President Buhari insisted when we assumed office that we must ensure the completion of projects started but abandoned or uncompleted by previous governments before starting new ones. Our problem, of course, in our country, is not in new ideas or starting projects, it is the lack of rigour and discipline to complete projects and to maintain them.

 Our States must think plan and act as countries, and why not? Ten of Nigeria’s States with the highest GDPs have higher GDPs than over 15 African countries. In fact, I was saying the other day, that if you look at Rwanda, which is a country that is celebrated in Africa, the GDP of Lagos State is almost four times the size of Rwanda’s GDP.

Thinking like a country means planning like one. And I think that one of the most important things for states to do is to begin to think and plan like countries do. And we cannot wait for constitutional reforms that may be required for further devolution to the states. We must act whether or not there is this reform. In many cases, states have control of some of the resources that can make a tremendous difference in the way that they operate” VP Yemi Osinbajo says

Lagos State announces plan to review its Child Rights law to widen the scope of punishable offences and persons

Lagos State Government has disclosed that its Child Rights Law is being reviewed to widen the scope of punishable offences and persons as well as accommodate present-day realities.  

The Permanent Secretary and Solicitor-General Ministry of Justice, Funlola Odunlami, who disclosed this in her office stated that some punishments as stipulated in the law have not served its intended purpose of deterring abusers of children from desisting from such acts, hence the need to review the Child Rights Law.  

The Permanent Secretary who spoke on Tuesday during a stakeholders’ meeting on “Amendment and implementation of the Child Rights Law, 2015 maintained that the overall intention of the review is to place emphasis on empowering children and protecting their rights from being infringed upon.  She added that the review would take into cognisance necessary framework that would be helpful in the entire review process, assuring that the outcome would be more beneficial to all concerned stakeholders on children matters.  Odunlami listed the sections of the law that are being considered for review as Section 3, 7, 13, 17, 19, 20-23, among others.  

The Sections, according to her, range from parental neglect, sentencing terms, forms of punishment for offenders as well as the inclusion of persons responsible for facilitating the under-age or forceful marriage of a girl in the punishable persons, among others under the Child Rights Law.  The Solicitor-General expressed the hope that the participants, drawn from government, non-government and private organisations would produce a more robust recommendation that will take care of the interest of all the concerned parties.  

Ondo State House of Assembly impeaches deputy speaker, Iroju Ogundeji

Iroju Ogundeji, the Deputy Speaker of the Ondo State House of Assembly was on Tuesday impeached for alleged gross misconduct by his colleagues in the House.

Ogundeji, who represents Odigbo Constituency II in the Assembly and member of the All Progressives Congress, was removed after 18 out of the 26 lawmakers had signed for his removal and the signature was received by the Speaker of the House, Bamidele Oloyeloogun, during the plenary session.  

The reason for the action of the lawmakers against Ogundeji was not known yet as of the time of filing this report; but a source told our correspondent that the former deputy Speaker was removed following some allegations of “gross misconduct” leveled against him.  Another source in the Assembly said that Ogundeji ‘s impeachment came as a result of the “misunderstanding that ensued between him and the Speaker.”  

The former deputy Speaker was among the 18 lawmakers who defected to the ruling party from the Peoples Democratic Party shortly after Governor Rotimi Akeredolu became governor in February 2017.  Ogundeji was immediately replaced by Mr. Bimbo Fajolu, who represents Ile Oluji/Oke Igbo state Constituency.  Fajolu’s nomination for deputy Speaker was moved at the plenary session by Mr. Israel Olajide, and was seconded by a former Speaker, Mrs. Jumoke Akindele.  The new deputy Speaker was immediately sworn-in by the Clerk of the House Mr. Bode Adeyelu.

N20 Billion debt: AMCON takes over Stella Oduah’s assets

The Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria (AMCON) has taken over Sea Petroleum Oil & Gas Ltd. and other assets belonging to Senator Stella Oduah over an unpaid debt of about N20 billion.  

AMCON said the takeover followed an injunction granted by Justice M.S. Hassan of the Federal High Court, Lagos against Sea Petroleum Oil & Gas Ltd. The corporation in a statement by its Head, Corporate Communications, Jude Nwauzor on Friday said that Oduah-Ogiemwonyi had been having a running battle with AMCON over her inability to settle her huge debt of nearly N20 billion.  

The statement said that AMCON purchased the Eligible Bank Assets (EBAs) of Sea Petroleum & Gas from Union Bank Plc. sometime in 2012. It said that in spite of overtures and genuine efforts made by AMCON to reach an amicable settlement, the senator and her co-promoters had remained recalcitrant. “Having exhausted all avenues of peaceful resolution of the humongous debt, AMCON had no other choice than to refer the matter to court,” the statement said.  

It said that the order also affected the senator’s other business interests for which AMCON had since appointed Moyosore Jubril Onigbanjo (SAN) as receiver over the assets of Oduah-Ogiemwonyi; Sea Petroleum Oil & Gas; Sea Petroleum and Gas FZE as well as Star Tourism and Hotels Ltd. The statement said that the court also ordered the freezing of the funds of Sea Petroleum & Gas and its affiliated companies and principal promoters, held anywhere by any entity or persons in Nigeria. It also authorised AMCON and its receiver, Onigbanjo to take over all assets pledged as collateral for the facility by Sea Petroleum Oil & Gas Ltd.

“In compliance with the order of the court, AMCON through its receiver, Moyosore Jubril Onigbanjo, SAN, today (May 18), simultaneously took possession of the assets of Sea Petroleum & Gas Ltd. and its affiliated companies. Justice Hassan specifically, ordered Sea Petroleum Oil & Gas Ltd. and its affiliated companies to hand over the company’s business, which sits on over 9000 square kilometres of land in the fastest developing area of Lagos State along the Lekki-Epe Expressway,” it said.  

Other affected assets, according to AMCON, are two tank farms of 500 metric tonnes capacity; a property at Maiyegun Tourism Zone, Lekki Peninsula Scheme 11, Lagos Island and a filling station complex at kilometre 14, Lekki-Epe Expressway, Ikota, Lagos.  

The court order also listed a host of other assets across the country, including Plot 2, Block 12C, Babafemi Osapa Crescent Lekki; Block 5, House 4A Mobolaji Johnson Estate, Lekki, and office/filling station at Jakande in Lekki, Lagos, among others. 

Ebola spreads to more cities in Congo

Congo’s health minister says Ebola has spread to more cities including the capital of Equateur province, a worrying shift in the new outbreak in the northwest.  

Health Minister Oly Ilunga said two suspected cases of hemorrhagic fever were reported in the Wangata health zones, which includes Mbandaka city, about 150 kilometers (93 miles) from Bikoro, the rural area where the outbreak began.  

He said one sample proved positive for the deadly Ebola virus, bringing to three the number of confirmed Ebola cases in three health zones. Ilunga said Congo now is entering an urban phase of the outbreak, with higher spread potential.

He said epidemiologists are working to identify additional contacts to the 500 already identified.  Congo has reported 23 deaths among the 42 suspected, probable and confirmed cases.

US Senate confirms Gina Haspel as the first female director of CIA

President Trump’s nominee for CIA director, Gina Haspel was confirmed today by the Senate, with help from several Democrats who backed the nomination despite concerns over her role in post-9/11-era interrogation and detention practices.  

The Senate voted 54-45 to confirm Haspel, with a handful of Democrats voting in support. The vote came a day after Haspel was recommended in a 10-5 vote by the Senate Intelligence Committee.

Haspel will be the first woman to lead the agency. She will replace now-Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, served as the base chief at a black-site prison in Thailand in 2002, where techniques such as waterboarding were used on terror suspects. But Republican supporters accused Democrats of politicizing her nomination, and initially trying to derail an otherwise highly qualified nominee.  

At her confirmation hearing last week, Democrats grilled her on her views on what they deemed torture, as well as objecting to what they saw as the CIA’s selective declassification about information on her. She was also questioned at length about the 2005 destruction of more than 92 interrogation tapes a move she said she supported to ensure the safety of CIA agents. Haspel refused to criticize her colleagues and superiors for their conduct during what she called a “tumultuous time,” but said the CIA under her watch would not resume such techniques. She also defended her own conduct.  

“After 9/11 … I stepped up. I was not on the sidelines, I was on the frontlines in the Cold War and I was on the frontlines in the fight against Al Qaeda,” she said in response to a question from Sen. Ron Wyden, D-Ore.

Haspel’s confirmation had been in question after Sen. Rand Paul, R-Ky., later joined by Sen. Jeff Flake, R-Ariz., said he would not vote for her. 

Victoria's Secret model Lais Ribeiro flaunts cleavage in plunging white gown as she arrives for amfAR Gala

Victoria's Secret model, Lais Ribeiro, put on a very busty display as she arrived for amfAR's 25th Cinema Against AIDS Gala at the Cannes Film Festival, held at the Hotel du Cap-Eden-Roc in Cap d'Antibes on Thursday evening.

The 27-year-old Brazilian model commanded attention in a plunging white gown, which featured a daring thigh-high slit and sheer glittering panels across her torso.

Ribeiro completed her look with a pair of strappy heels and flashy necklace.

See more photos below.

Photos from Super Eagles defender, Kenneth Omeruo's star studded white wedding in Turkey

Last night, Nigerian Super Eagles defender, Kenneth Omeruo held the final leg of his wedding in Turkey.

Omeruo and his wife, Chioma Nnamani who held their traditional wedding on December 30th in Enugu state brought the biggest names in football and entertainment to Turkey for their white wedding.

Some of the stars who attended include Iyanya, Praiz and several others.

Two rich Nigerian students who battered a fellow student during an argument over who had the richest father receive suspended sentence

Two rich Nigerian students, Elvis Ilonze, 20, and Daniel Oluyemi who used a shisha pipe to batter a fellow student during an argument over who has the richer father have received a suspended sentence.  

Elvis Ilonze attacked his childhood friend, Prince Nnaji in their shared flat at Brighton, East Sussex on April 7, 2017 in a bid to teach him a lesson after Naji suggested he had a richer father. 

Mr Nnaji tried to escape from the flat but Ilonze, along with his friend Daniel Oluyemi chased after him and beat him with a wine bottle. 

While inside the flat Louanna Rayawa, Mr Nnaji's girlfriend, tried to stop the attack but was pushed to the ground by Elvis Ilonze.

The pair also assaulted law student Chiedozie Dibiagwu, 23, who was sitting on a chair nearby and witnessed Mr. Nnaji being assaulted.

Ilonze came to the UK to study a four-year Masters of Engineering degree at the University of Sussex, and is one year away from completing his course. While Oluyemi, who is training to become an accountant at the same university, is expecting a child in September or October.

Ilonze and Oluyemi both pleaded guilty to two counts of assault occasioning grievous bodily harm and were spared jail at the Old Bailey.

Ilonze's lawyer, Tom Hoskins said that Ilonze faces deportation back to Nigeria if he were given a sentence of more than one year in custody.

Oluyemi's lawyer, Johnathan Page, said that the right place for him is at home, preparing for the 'momentous occasion' of welcoming a child, not in prison

Judge Christine Laing QC gave them a suspended one-year custodial sentence for 18 months to give them 'one last chance'.

The judge said:

'Unlike many of the people who pass through the courts you both come from, effectively, backgrounds of privilege. It couldn't be more childish, effectively an insult on somebody's parents - who's got the richer dad - that started this fight.You both appear to be incredibly immature, perhaps as a result of being cosseted in your upbringing.'

The judge added that the pair of them, though immature, have 'much to contribute to society'.

Both Ilonze, and Oluyemi thanked the judge for sparing them jail before leaving the Old Bailey dock.

Actor Martin Lawrence celebrates oldest daughter Jasmin as she graduates from Duke University

American comedian and actor, Martin Lawrence, is in a celebratory mood after his oldest daughter, Jasmin Lawrence, 22, graduated from Duke University in Durham, North Carolina.

The 53-year-old actor took to his Instagram account on Sunday to share photos from his daughter's graduation ceremony and wrote: 'Congrats to my 1st born. I’m so proud of you Jasmin. Keep doin your thing. I love you so much! #Dukeuniversity #cumlaude'

See full photos below.

North Korea to invite journalists from South Korea, China, Russia, UK and US to witness nuclear test site closure

North Korea will make a public show of its promise to close its nuclear testing site, north of the country. According to South Korean news agency, Yonhap, North Korea  said it is taking “technical measures” to dismantle its nuclear test site, moving closer to honouring an offer made by its leader Kim Jong-un during the inter-Korean summit last month.  

The North’s foreign ministry issued a press release, carried by the state-run Korean Central News Agency (KCNA), detailing the country’s plans to shut down its Pyunggye-ri nuclear test ground. The English-language statement said the ruling Workers’ Party and other relevant institutions are “taking technical measures for dismantling the northern nuclear test ground” in order to “ensure transparency of discontinuance of the nuclear test.”  

During the third inter-Korean summit on April 27, Kim told South Korean President Moon Jae-in that he would “carry out the closure of the northern nuclear test site in May,” according to Seoul’s presidential office, Cheong Wa Dae. Kim also offered to make the dismantling public. And the North’s foreign ministry said the ceremony for the occasion has been scheduled for between May 23 and 25, depending on weather conditions.  

Given the limited space, only journalists from South Korea, China, Russia, the United States and Britain will be invited to cover the dismantling on-site, the ministry added.

photos from the traditional wedding of John Dumelo and his girlfriend Gifty Mawunya

Here are star-studded photos from the traditional wedding of John Dumelo and his beautiful girlfriend Gifty Mawunya.

Continue to see more photos below.