Think Nigerians: 2014-12-28

Saturday 3 January 2015

I won't betray Keshi - Amokachi

Nigeria assistant coach Daniel Amokachi insists Stephen Keshi remains in charge of the Super Eagles, despite his contract having expired last year.

Keshi’s deal with the Super Eagles came to an end after the 2014 World Cup, although the tactician maintained the reins throughout their failed AFCON qualifying campaign, where they finished third in Group A.
Amokachi

7-year-old girl survives U.S plane crash

A disoriented seven-year-old United States girl has walked to a home in the U.S state of Kentucky to report that her plane had crashed, police say.
The plane was later found with four bodies inside in Lyon County, about 30 miles (50km) east of Paducah city.

Former Enyimba defender dies in his Enugu home

Former Enyimba defender, Romanus Orjinta was found dead in his Enugu home on New Year eve.

The player’s remains was discovered by neighbours who became curious after the 33 year-old Orjinta was not seen in the public for several days. The cause of his death has not been known.

APGA presents Maku as guber candidate in Nasarawa

The All Progressives Grand Allaince (APGA) on Saturday presented the immediate past Minister of Information, Mr Labaran Maku, as its governorship candidate in Nasarawa State.
The party also presented Mr Ibrahim Abu as Maku’s running mate in February’s governorship election.
The Chairman of the party in the state, Chief John Amako, presented Maku and his running mate in Lafia to the party’s officials and supporters from the 13 local government areas of the state.
”By this pronouncement, all rumours making the rounds that Maku is not the governorship candidate of APGA in the state should be disregarded,” Amako said.

Ayodeji Ibrahim Balogun, better known by his stage name Wizkid, has just blessed himself with a new car – a Bentley Continental GT Convertible estimated at a whopping $210,000 (N38.5 million).
The 24-year-old singer posted the photo and captioned it: “New year whip! Thankful to God: we been grinding son!”
This is a big addition to his growing collection of luxury cars which includes a Porsche Panamera.

See photo below:

Vincent Enyeama voted 'best' goalkeeper again

Nigeria international goalkeeper, Vincent Enyeama has been selected as the best shot stopper in Ligue 1 for 2014 by prestigious French Newspaper, L’Equipe.
The 32-year-old was selected as the league’s best goalkeeper for 2014 despite Lille’s stuttering start to the 2014-15 season that sees them languishing in place in 13th place in the 20-team standings.
Enyeama has played in every minute of Lille’s 56 league matches since he returned from his loan spell at Israeli club, Maccabi Tel Aviv in 2013.
This is the second successive year that Enyeama has been selected as Ligue’s 1’s most outstanding goalkeeping talent by L’Equipe.

Fashola

Governor Babatunde Fashola of Lagos , Billionaire Alhaji Aliko Dangote, Femi Otedola, Nigerian Breweries boss, Kufre Ekanem, among others ushered in the new year with a countdown in Lagos.

Fashola, who described the programme as a huge success, expressed profound gratitude and appreciation to the corporate organizations who partnered with the state government to organise the 2014 Lagos Countdown.

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From left: Dame Abimbola Fashola first Lady of Lagos state, carry First Baby of the Year 2015 in Lagos state, Baby of Mr and Mrs. Ogunnaike, deliver by Caesarean operation around 12:01 am. Female, Weight 2.3Kg, at Lagos Island Maternity with her Dr. Jide Idris, commissioner of Health and Dr. Yewande Adesina, Special adviser to governor on Public health, during the First Baby of the Year 2015 with Dame Abimbola Fashola, first Lady of Lagos state, in Lagos. on. 01/01/2015. Photo: Bunmi Azeez

Lagos—Wife of the Lagos State Governor, Mrs Abimbola Fashola, yesterday urged health professionals in Nigeria to work as a team, to improve and strengthen the health sector.

Mrs Fashola made the remark during her goodwill visit to public hospitals to welcome the First Baby of the Year, organised by the state government.

Cameroon recruits 20,000 to fight Boko Haram

*As 2 suicide bombers, 7 others die in Yobe, Gombe explosions

LAGOS — Cameroon has said it is recruiting 20,000 more defence and security forces to fight Boko Haram following reports that the terrorist group, based in Nigeria, is recruiting young Cameroonians to fight for them.

This is just as nine persons were killed, including two suicide bombers, as multiple bomb explosions rocked Yobe and Gombe states on the eve and New Year day, while 10 others were injured.

Senator Haman Paul, who hails from northern Cameroon, told VOA about Boko Haram’s recruitment of young Cameroonians to fight for the creation of an Islamist caliphate in northern Nigeria.

The Nigerian Army has dismissed 203 soldiers after a secret court martial held in the dead of the night, for allegedly disobeying a direct order from their commanding officer.

According to an online journal, Premium Times, one of the sacked soldiers, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said the soldiers were dismissed for asking for support equipment, following the army’s plan to convey them in a tipper for an operation in Bama and Gwoza, two strongholds of Boko Haram insurgents.

Full Text of President Jonathan's New Year Broadcast

File photo: President Goodluck Jonathan addressing the Nation at The State House in Abuja

President Jonathan addressing the Nation at the State House in Abuja

Dear Great People of our nation,

1. I greet and felicitate with you all as we enter the New Year today. As we mark the beginning of this New Year, 2015, a new nation is being born. A new nation is being born because of the foundations we have all laid, working together for the good and progress of our dear fatherland.

AirAsia Indonesia pilot fails drug test

AirAsia Indonesia said Thursday it had suspended a pilot after he failed a random drugs test, days after 162 people were killed when one of the airline’s planes crashed into the sea off the island of Borneo.

“I would like to clarify that one of our pilots in a random preliminary drug test was found to be positive,” airline president director Sunu Widyatmoko said, responding to media reports that the pilot tested positive for morphine after flying from Jakarta to Bali.

Jazeera urges quick Egypt release of jailed reporters

Al-Jazeera called for the swift release of three of its journalists detained in Egypt for more than a year, after the top appeal court on Thursday ordered a retrial.

The Qatar-based television news channel said that prolongation of the custody of its three staffers while legal proceedings dragged on could only do further damage to Egypt’s international standing.

Polio: Nigeria to be certified polio-free this January - Minister

The Minister of Health, Dr Halliru Alhassan on Thursday says Nigeria will be certified polio-free this January.

Alhassan disclosed this to newsmen in Sokoto while reviewing some of the activities of his ministry in 2014.

According to him, no case of polio has been recorded in the country in the last six months, and this qualifies the country to be declared polio-free in line with global requirements.

Maku

Lafia – Mr Labaran Maku, the immediate past Minister of Information, on Thursday, said that his ambition to contest in the 2015 governorship election in Nasarawa State is intact.

The former minister said this while delivering his New Year Message at St. Williams Cathedral, Lafia.

Maku said that in spite of what happened recently at the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) primary election, he was still moving on with his ambition to contest in the 2015 governorship election.

Suicide bombing outside church, several injured - witnesses

A suicide bomber blew himself up outside an evangelist church in northeast Nigeria on Thursday, injuring several people, witnesses and a rescue worker said.

“There was an explosion outside the ECWA church this morning. A suicide bomber who was restrained from getting into the church blew himself up,” said Abubakar Yakubu, who heads the Nigeria Red Cross in Gombe.

“Luckily no one was killed but some people were mildly injured.”

It would appear Presh is not having fond memories of his association with Kcee when the duo hooked up as a group known as KC-Presh. The singer in an encounter with WG spoke his mind about artistes starting out in groups.

Lagos— GENERAL Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), Pastor Enoch Adejare Adeboye, has predicted that insurgency worldwide will be weakened in the new year and the dreaded Ebola virus which have killed thousands of people especially in West African sub-region will finally be defeated. This came as the General Superintendent, Deeper Christian Life Ministry, Pastor William Kumuyi predicted a glorious year for Nigeria.

TB Joshua hosts relatives of building collapse victims

Prophet TB Joshua, Synagogue Church of All Nations (SCOAN), will host a New Year’s memorial service for the South African relatives of those killed in a building collapse at his Lagos mega church. A spokesman at Joshua’s SCOAN said 44 South Africans have flown to Lagos to attend the ceremony following the September disaster which killed 116 people, including 81 South Africans.

Tokunbo cars to cost more from January 1, 2015

As from first of January 2015, prices of imported used cars otherwise known as Tokunbo or second-hand cars are expected to go up as the second phase of the national automotive policy which was announced in November 2013, will commence.

Ini Edo's house warming party: Chichi Igbo, Tuface, Annie, others attend

Actress Ini Edo's house-warming is happening tonight at her new home in Lekki. Former Falcons player Chichi Igbo, Annie, 2face Idibia, Alexx Ekubo and others are there.

PHOTOS: Bauchi State Governor's son Yahaya Yuguda weds

Bauchi State Governor Isa Yuguda‘s son, Yahaya, has tied the knot with his lover Dr Asia’t Mojisola Yusuf.
The couple had their wedding dinner on the 21st of December while the budan kai – unveiling of the bride, was performed earlier.
Their wedding photography was taken by Eyes of Insanity while the bride’s make up was done by Mama beauty.

See photos below:

Minister of Police Affairs, Jelili Adesiyan, has threatened to arrest and prosecute anyone, no matter how highly placed in the society, that makes inciting comments to heat the polity in Nigeria. He made the threat while speaking at the launch of a book by Mr. Yinka Odumakin in Lagos State titled "Watch the Watcher" Monday December 29. He accused former President Obasanjo of trying to introduce an interim government in Nigeria after loosing his bid to impose his own Vice Presidential Candidate on the APC.

2014 Glo-CAF Awards: Media accreditation begins

Media accreditation for 2014 GLO – CAF Awards has begun in earnest.

Local and International journalists are expected from different parts of the world to cover the Awards, an annual soccer event that celebrates the best of African football including footballers, coaches and administrators who have distinguished themselves in playing or managing the game during the year under review.

Drogba

Ivory Coast coach Herve Renard has excluded Didier Drogba and two other top stars from his 23-man squad for the upcoming African Cup of Nations.

The Frenchman also excluded Didier Zokora and Emmanuel Eboue from his team for the tournament to be staged in Equatorial Guinea next month.

Premier beer out in 2015, says chairman

Chairman, Board of Directors, Premier Breweries Plc, Onitsha, Prince Arthur Eze, yesterday said the company would commence full stream production of beer in the first quarter of 2015.

Eze said this while addressing shareholders of the company during the 2014 Annual General Meeting, AGM, of the company for the year ended March, 2014, held in Enugu.

FCT police recover 203 cattle

The Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Police Command has recovered 203 cattle stolen by rustlers, who have been raiding neighbouring states such as Nasarawa, Niger and Kogi.

FCT Commissioner of Police, Mr. Wilson Inalegwu, who made the disclosure while fielding questions from newsmen, said in December alone, the command’s operatives also recovered 17 stolen vehicles out of which 14 had been returned to their owners.

Farmers' group donates N5bn for Buhari's campaign

A group of yam farmers cutting across some northern states in the country yesterday pledged to support the All Progressives Congress, APC, presidential candidate, General Mohammadu Buhari’s campaign in the 2015 general elections with N5 billion. The group disclosed this in a statement made available to the News Agency of Nigeria, NAN, in Jos.

Aregbesola

OSOGBO—Osun State governor, Mr Rauf Aregbesola has launched an attack on President Goodluck Jonathan, lamenting that the country under the current administration is being badly managed.

Aregbesola, who spoke at a book presentation to mark the 50th birthday of a front line rights activist, Comrade Amitolu Shittu, said under Jonathan, Nigeria’s economy has nose-dived to the point of near collapse and that Nigerians deserve to know the true state of affairs in the country.

US committed to free, fair election in Nigeria - US Consular General

The United States of America, has reiterated its commitment to free and fair elections in Nigeria in 2015.

The US Consul General in Nigeria, Jeffrey Hawkins made this known at the 5th Democracy and Political Participation Conference in Lagos. The conference organised by Youth For Transparency International, YTI, in conjunction with the United States Consulate, had Professor Pat Utomi and Ambassador Folake Marcus-Bello as guest speakers.

21-yr-old allegedly murders father

The Lagos State Criminal Investigation Department, SCID, is currently investigating the murder of one Moses Sunday, who was allegedly killed by his 21-year-old son in his three-bedroom apartment at Flat 6, 286 Jakande Estate, Mile 2 on November 6.

Vanguard gathered that the deceased was based in Nasarawa State, where he worked as a mechanical engineer in a company before relocating to Lagos to live with his family about three months.

According to reports, the victim, his wife Funmilayo Tifase, their 26-year-old graduate daughter and their only son, Oluropo, retired to bed that night before the unfortunate incident happened.

Tension as two policemen kill herdsmen over N50 in Adamawa

YOLA—ADAMAWA State would have witnessed another crisis on Friday but for the quick intervention of the Adamawa State Police Command, which quickly arrested two Police officers over alleged murder of two Fulani youths in Toungo Local Government Area of the state.

The two policemen allegedly shot their victims over an argument on N50 bribe in front of the local government headquarters at 5p.m.

Abuja- President Goodluck Jonathan made tax payments of N6, 264,221.75 to the Federal Inland Revenue Service, (FIRS), out of a total of N43, 230, 871.44 as president between 2011 and 2013.

Details of the president’s tax payment also showed that the president did not earn any other income besides his fixed income as president of the country in that period. There were no indications of income from stocks or other businesses that the president could have had.

German-born Hollywood actress Luis Rainer dies at 104

German-born Luise Rainer, the first movie star to win two successive Oscars for best actress, died on Tuesday in London at the age of 104, a friend of the family told newsmen.

The first Academy Award was for a relatively small part in The Great Ziegfeld (1936) and the second for the role of a poor Chinese farm wife in The Good Earth (1937).

AirAsia plane: Over 40 bodies, debris found in sea

The hunt for a missing AirAsia passenger plane appeared over Tuesday as wreckage and dozens of bodies were spotted at sea off Indonesia, prompting raw scenes of emotion from sobbing relatives of the 162 people aboard.

Members of the Indonesian air force show items retrieved from the Java sea during search and rescue operations for the missing AirAsia flight QZ8501, in Pangkalan Bun, Central Kalimantan on December 30, 2014. The hunt for a missing AirAsia passenger plane appeared over on December 30 as wreckage and dozens of bodies were spotted at sea off Indonesia, prompting raw scenes of emotion from sobbing relatives of the 162 people aboard. AFP PHOTO / Bay ISMOYO

Reno Omokri faults Buhari's social media usage

The Special Assistant to President Goodluck Jonathan on New Media, Reno Omokri has faulted the popularity of former dictator and presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress, APC, Gen. Muhammadu Buhari on the social media.

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Former Super Eagles captain Nwankwo Kanu has emphatically declared that Nigerian football in the out-going 2014 was a total failure, especially, when put side by side with 2013.

Presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress, APC, Alhaji Muhammadu Buhari, did not present his academic qualifications to the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, even as he prepares for the 2015 presidential contest.

Ghana's Ron Solomon Maxwell is winner of Next Movie Star 2014

27 year old chocolate skinned, Ron Solomon Maxwell is from Ghana. The outspoken, ambitious and friendly dude who believes in hard work, dedication and patience, smiled home with a brand new SUV, management deal, movie contract for three years and wardrobe allowance.

Congrats to him.

'I'm a born winner', says football star, Weah after winning Liberia senate race

Monrovia – Football legend and Liberian opposition leader George Weah declared himself a “born winner” Monday, after trouncing the son of President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf in a Senate election in the Ebola-ravaged country.

Tunisia's new President, Essebsi to be sworn in

Tunis – Newly elected Tunisian President Beji Caid Essebsi will be sworn in Wednesday at a ceremony in parliament, which is dominated by his anti-Islamist Nidaa Tounes party, officials said.

The election of Essebsi, an 88-year-old who served under previous regimes, is seen as a landmark for the birthplace of the Arab Spring that toppled dictator Zine El Abidine Ben Ali four years ago.

Kigali – A popular Rwandan musician who has pleaded guilty to plotting attacks against the central African nation’s leaders should face life behind bars, a state prosecutor argued Monday.

Olamide and Osinbajo

The VIce Presidenttial candidate of the All Progressives Party (APC) and General Buhari’s running mate Prof. Yemi Osinbajo was one of the people who graced Olamide’s live concert (OLIC) held yesterday Dec 28, 2014, at the Eko Hotel Convention Centre.

More photos below:

PHOTOS: Bootylicious actress, Didi Ekanem flaunts curves in new pictures

Nollywood actress Didi Ekanem has shared new pictures showing off her assets.

See picture below:

A healthcare worker who returned from Sierra Leone on Sunday night has been diagnosed with Ebola and is receiving treatment in Glasgow, the Scottish government has said.
The patient has been isolated and is receiving treatment in the specialist Brownlee unit for infectious diseases on the Gartnavel hospital campus.

For those who don't know who Ohimai is, aka MrFixNigeria, he was the Special Assistant to former Nigerian Minister of Sports, Bolaji Abdulahi, and current Special Assistant to the Nigerian Minister of State for Defence, Musiliu Obanikoro. See more tweets after the cut...

PHOTO: Actor, Aremu Afolayan grabs old friend's boobs in public

Controversial Yoruba actor Aremu Afolayan and younger brother to ace filmmaker Kunle Afolayan, went to an event and met an old friend.
Surprisingly the married actor grabbed the friend’s boobs in public and took a picture.

See picture below:

Police kill four robbery suspects in Anambra

The Anambra State police command has foiled kidnap and armed robbery attempts in Onitsha, killing four of the suspects and arresting 12.

The officer in charge of the State Anti-Robbery Squad, SARS, in the state, Mr. James Nwafor said that following a tip off, the police trailed the gang to Asaba, Delta State, adding that on sighting the police, the gang opened fire on his men and in the ensuing exchange of fire, four members of the gang were killed.

CAMEROON, Amchide : This photo taken on June 17, 2014 in the border town of Amchide, northern Cameroon, shows police forces of the multi-purpose intervention brigade holding a surveillance position, as part of a reinforcement of its military action against Nigerian Islamist group Boko Haram.

PHOTO: CAMEROON, Amchide : This photo taken on June 17, 2014 in the border town of Amchide, northern Cameroon, shows police forces of the multi-purpose intervention brigade holding a surveillance position, as part of a reinforcement of its military action against Nigerian Islamist group Boko Haram.

Cameroon’s army has killed at least 41 Islamist militants as it fought off a wave of attacks along its border with Nigeria in an escalation in the conflict, the government said.

Protest over 13-yr-old boy electrocuted in Kano

The death of a 13-year old boy, Bashir Auwalu, who was electrocuted at Naibawa quarters, Kumbotso Local Government area, Kano last week has triggered a protest in the area, Monday.

An eyewitness told Vanguard that the deceased allegedly stepped on a live wire in front of his house before the morning Muslim prayers.

Obasanjo wanted Third Term - Segun Osoba

Former governor of Ogun State, Chief Olusegun Osoba faulted claims made by former President Olusegun Obasanjo of not nurturing a Third Term agenda saying that he (Obasanjo) agitated for it.

Osoba, who was chairman at the launch of a book titled: ‘Watch the watcher: A book of remembrance of the Obasanjo years by Yinka Odumakin’, also accused Obasanjo of allegedly rigging out Alliance for Democracy governors in the 2003 governorship elections.

Russian economy shrinks for first time since 2009

Russia’s economy shrank in November for the first time in five years, the government said Monday, illustrating the sharply changing fortunes of President Vladimir Putin’s rule as he faces falling oil prices and Western sanctions. The figures were the latest indication that Russia was sliding into recession — and potentially a deep one should oil prices remain low — presenting a major challenge to Putin amid his current showdown with the West.

The police in Lagos have arrested four members of a 10-man robbery gang, which specialised in burgling and looting shop within Alaba International Market and its environ. The suspects identified as Azuka, aged 27; Onyenge e, 35; Arinze, 22; and Afolabi, 21 were arrested while the leader one Friday and five others are currently at large.

Lucky escape for 12 passengers as bus goes up in flames

No fewer than 12 persons cheated death yesterday when the commuter bus in which they were traveling, suddenly caught fire at Amaraku, Isiala Mbano Local Council area of Imo State and burnt to ashes.

It was not clear at the time of this report, where the bus was coming from or where it was heading to, before the mishap.

FG to sponsor 100 First Class graduates abroad

Kano—Minister of Education, Malam Ibrahim Shekarau, has said the Federal Government is set to sponsor 100 first class graduates for further studies abroad.

He spoke on Sunday in Kano during a media interaction and an awards ceremony.

Shekarau said the100 first class materials would be sponsored under the Special Presidential Scholarship Programme.

Peter Odili

Former governor of Rivers State, Dr. Peter Odili, has said that he regretted working for Governor Rotimi Amaechi to emerge governor of the state.

Odili, in Ndoni Local Government Area of the state, at a campaign rally for the governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Mr. Nyesom Wike, alleged that Governor Amaechi dismantled structures that the founding fathers of the PDP had in the state when he assumed office.

AirAsia plane likely at bottom of sea

The AirAsia plane which went missing with 162 people on board en route for Singapore is likely at the bottom of the sea, Indonesia’s National Search and Rescue Agency chief said Monday.

“Based on the coordinates given to us and evaluation that the estimated crash position is in the sea, the hypothesis is the plane is at the bottom of the sea,” Bambang Soelistyo told a press conference.

Jonathan on private visit to UK

President Goodluck Jonathan on Sunday afternoon left Abuja for a brief private visit to the United Kingdom, his office said in a statement.

The president, according to the statement, signed by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Dr Reuben Abati, was accompanied on the trip by some of his principal staff and personal aides.

Man kills son in Ebonyi

The Ebonyi State Police Command on Sunday confirmed the arrest of a 45- year-old-man, Nwofu Igbo, who allegedly killed his son in Nwofe Community in Izzi Local Government Area of the state.

The Police Public Relations officer (PPRO) of the command, ASP Chris Anyanwu, said in Abakaliki that the matter was being investigated by the police.

PHOTOS: Afrocandy shares sexy pics in Christmas

US-based Nigerian controversial soft-porn star, Judith Mazagwu, popularly known as Afrocandy, has shared sexy Christmas pictures wishing her fans well in this festive season.
She shared the pictures on her Twitter page with the caption: “Still in the great Spirit of Christmas all I do is Eat and Sleep..Pls. Enjoy it while it Lasts…..Happy Holidays!”

See pictures below:

It’s no secret that Chelsea Handler has had issues with Instagram’s policies regarding female nudity in the past.

She’s already had two different pics removed by the social media company for breaking the rules, and it looks like things aren’t changing anytime soon!

That’s because Chelsea the below topless pics to her IG on Friday and they’ve already been deleted… most likely by Instagram itself.

Chelsea posted the pics to her Twitter as well, who are much more lax.

Pictures below:

T.B Joshua posts footage of his 'prediction' of AirAsia crash

Prophet T.B. Joshua has released a video via his YouTube channel Emmanuel TV showing a purported prophecy he gave regarding the disappearance of AirAsia Flight QZ8501 in Indonesia this morning.

“I have a message for the nation, Indonesia,” Joshua is seen telling congregants in the video. “When it comes to this disaster issue, I don’t want to mention it,” the cleric continued, before calling on the faithful to pray for the Asian nation.

A divorcee in Mwenezi, southern Zimbabwe, with a penchant for bestiality will spend the next four months in jail after he was caught having sex with a neighbour’s donkey.
Sinos Mvuto of Petronella Ranch, who divorced his wife of ten years in 2006, had turned his neighbour’s female donkey into an “obedient lover”.

Search halted for the day for missing AirAsia jet, to begin again at 7am tomorrow

Rescuers scouring the Java Sea for a missing AirAsia plane with 162 aboard halted their search at nightfall on Sunday, Indonesia’s transport ministry said.

“We ended at 5:30 pm (1030 GMT) because it was getting dark. The weather was also not too good as it was getting really cloudy,” transport ministry official Hadi Mustofa told AFP.

Search“Tomorrow we will begin at 7 am, or even earlier than that if the weather is good,” he added.