Bomb blast in Maiduguri

5 people have been confirmed killed after a bomb strapped on a tricycle went off at the popular Gamboru Market junction this morning.

EU bans food exports from Nigeria

The European Union has banned some food exports from Nigeria. Among the food items banned includes beans, sesame seeds, melon seeds, dried fish and meat, peanut chips and palm oil.

A statement from the European Food Safety Authority says the food substances were banned because they contained 'a high level of unauthorized pesticide.'

Nigerian beans was banned because it contained between 0.03mg per kg to 4.6mg/kg of dichlorvos pesticide when the acceptable maximum residue limit is 0.01mg/kg. The ban on the food substances will expire in 2016.

Anambra governor, Obiano increases salary of state workers by 16%

Anambra state governor, Willie Obiano has increased the salary of state workers by 16%. He announced the increase in salary during the Civil Service day celebration in Awka the state capital yesterday July 30th.

Karim Benzema had a GF all the time he was gallivanting with Rihanna?

A few weeks ago, there were rumors that Rihanna was getting serious with French footballer, Karim Benzema after they were spotted in public numerous times. Well, somebody should have told Karim's 'girlfriend'. Some lady who claims to be Benzema's GF is calling RiRi 'the other woman'.

From In Touch Weekly 

"Karim and I have been together for over a year,” bikini model Analicia Chaves exclusively tells In Touch. “Rihanna is the other woman!”

To make matters worse, Karim has kept both his women in the dark. “After photos surfaced of Karim and Rihanna in NYC [in early June], I confronted him,” Analicia tells In Touch.

“He denied everything. Karim told me to not believe the gossip when I asked him about Rihanna,” says Analicia. "I was crushed when I recently found out what was really going on."

Toyin Saraki: I went to EFCC with her as a private investigator - Dino Melaye

Read the press statement below...

Kogi West Senator in the National Assembly, Otunba Dino Melaye, has defended his recent visit to the Headquarters of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), when wife of the Senate President, Mrs. Toyin Saraki, honoured the invitation by the anti-graft agency.

The chairman, Senate Adhoc Committee on Media and Publicity also challenged anybody who will controvert the truth that he has never done any government contract, either at the Local Government, State or Federal levels, to come foreward with evidence.

Melaye in a statement entitled: "Stand up for what you believe in regardless of the popularity or acceptance of your belief", and issued on Friday in Abuja, said he has I made sacrifices to the extent of escaping assignations.

He said, "I chose to react to the attacks I have received Sent from my iPad

"I was arrested 14 times in one year by the administration of ex-President Goodluck Jonathan because I desire a country where my grandchildren (that I may never know) will dwell in a nation where life is already structured for them. I cannot throw away my sacrifice of being beaten and my clothes torn on the floor of the House of Representatives because of fighting against corruption. I have come too far to compromise my stand on corruption and corrupt persons.

"I make bold here to challenge anybody who will controvert the truth that I have never done any government contract, either at the Local Government, State or Federal levels. It is not criminal to do so, but he who must come to equity must come with clean hands. I have made sacrifices to the extent of escaping assignations. Will my fellow citizens forget all these too quickly on the altar of loyalty to friends, family and loved ones? My loyalty to friends is not only when the going is good. I will be there even when the roads are rough. 

"The invitation of Mrs. Toyin Saraki by the EFCC, however, is not a criminal indictment. I will not abandon my friend because of mere EFCC invitation. I also went there as a private investigator and an anti-corruption crusader to find out the extent of culpability of my sister and friend since she was not told the content of the petition against her before her appearance before the EFCC.

"My definition for friendship is he or she who walks in when others are working out. If my father is invited by the EFCC, I will go there; if a prima face case is established against him, I will shout for his prosecution. So my great people, I have no regret following my friend and sister to the EFCC. If you are my friend, you are my friend. I cannot control what my friends will do, but they remain my friends. I am not fighting corruption out of passion only, but because it is the Godly thing to do.

"Finally, Winston Churchill said, "I may not believe in what you have to say, but I will defend to death, your right to say it." No change of values, in the next few months ahead, Nigerians will those who want President Muhammadu Buhari to succeed. I promise to be with the people at all times, within the constitutional milieu. I thank you for taking your time. Be a change agent! God bless you and bless Nigeria."

Sign...

Otunba (Senator) Dino Melaye

Wolverton Woo ‘Jay Jay’ Okocha At 45

Former World Cup and Premier League star Jay-Jay Okocha could be on the verge of a shock move to amateur side Wolverton Town after playing for their reserve side last week, the club confirmed.

Okocha, 41, played 45 minutes for Wolverton’s reserves against Arlesey Town reserves last week, but has not yet decided on whether to make a permanent move to the Milton Keynes club.

Wolverton, who currently ply their trade in the Spartan South Midlands League, were tight-lipped about Okocha’s long-term future.

Amanda Keech, chairperson of Wolverton Town, said: “He did play 45 minutes last week for us but we can’t say either way whether he will sign yet.

“He is friends with somebody who coaches at the club and could be helping out with pre-season training with the players. We will be able to say more once he has decided.”

Sad! 3 Sisters Die In Isolo, Lagos Fire

Three sisters aged 5,7 and 12 have been confirmed dead by fire service and police men this morning when a midnight fire outbreak occurred at the Mechanic village area of Oke Afa, Isolo Lagos. Their guardian reportedly locked the sisters from the same family in a shop before the fire incident.

Their corpses have been removed by policemen from the Ejigbo division as people wailed and cried seeing the burnt bodies of the young girls.

Ooni of Ife, Oba Sijuwade dies at 85

The Ooni of Ife, Oba Okunade Sijuwade, has died at the age of 85. Family sources say he died at about 5pm today after a brief illness. He was reportedly flown to UK in an air ambulance after he became unconscious following his illness. The late Oba is survived by wives and children. May his soul rest in peace Amen.

Ex Akwa Ibom gov, Akpabio announced as Senate Minority Leader

Immediate past governor of Akwa Ibom state, Godswill Akpabio has been announced as the Senate Minority leader. His nomination is against the rules of the senate that exempts first time senators from becoming Senate Minority leaders. He was nominated by the South South Senators in the Senate. Senator Emmanuel Bwacha was named Deputy Minority Leader, Senator Philip Aduda becomes Minority Whip and Senator Bioudun Olujimi is Deputy Minority Whip.

Late Bobbi Kristina had a history of falling asleep wasted in bathtubs

Investigation into the circumstances that led to the death of Bobbi Kristina, 22, has began and there are reports that she had a history off getting wasted and falling asleep in bathtubs. TMZ reports below

Bobbi Kristina got extremely drunk the night before her mom died, fell asleep in a bathtub at the Beverly Hilton Hotel and flooded the room ... and it could be critical evidence in the homicide investigation.

Law enforcement sources tell TMZ, Bobbi was partying with Whitney Houston at the Beverly Hilton bar and got drunk and unruly. Bobbi Kristina went up to her room, drew a bath and fell asleep in the tub ... intoxicated. By the time she woke up there was water everywhere.

Sources tell TMZ, attorney Jose Baez, who reps Bobbi's BF Nick Gordon, knows about the incident and will use it to convince prosecutors Nick did nothing wrong ... that she simply took too many drugs and did the same thing she did at the hotel with fatal results.

We've also learned the night Whitney Houston was found dead in her tub, Bobbi Kristina was rushed to the hospital for acute alcohol poisoning. Whitney's PR team said it was for exhaustion, but law enforcement tells us it was excessive alcohol consumption.

It's relevant especially in light of the Medical Examiner's preliminary autopsy report, which reveals no obvious evidence of foul play. 

Photos: Children at IDP camps in Borno need immediate medical attention

These two children are among so many children currently leaving at the Dalori IDP camp in Borno state who are in dire need of medical attention. 5 year old Falmata Modu pictured left has this growth on her stomach while Mustapha Modu pictured right has a growth on his face. They, like many other children, urgently need medical attention.

Today's America and a few more questions for US Senator Patrick Leahy - FFK

Article written by Femi Fani-Kayode. Read below...

The United States of America funded and led the fight against tyranny and the German Kaiser (Emperor) Wilhelm 2nd in World War 1. She led the fight against fascism, the Axis Powers and Adolf Hitler’s Germany in World War 2. 

She led the fight against communism, Josef Stalin, Nikita Khrushchev, Leonid Brezhnev, the Warsaw Pact and the Soviet Union in the cold war. 

She led the fight against Saddam Hussein in the two Gulf Wars and the fight against the Taliban and Al Qaeda in the war against terror. On all these occasions and many others the Americans literally saved the world. That is the United States of America that we know and love.

In those days, in the conduct of their foreign policy, they led by example, they displayed solid religious values, they feared God and they stood firmly against all manner of evil. Sadly things appear to have changed in the last few years. 

Today’s America seeks to impose her culturally deviant and strange values on the rest of the world by hook or by crook. Today’s America boastfully and openly erects statues of and builds monuments to Satan (the Lord of Destruction) in her cities, all in name of religious freedom. 
  

Today’s America openly celebrates the cult of humanism and the rejection of God in all its dealings and affairs. Today’s America says things like "we will compel Nigeria to accept homosexuality and gay marriage".

Today’s America, through its Supreme Court, has redefined the institution of marriage, has rejected its traditional definition and has affirmed the right of every American to enter into same-sex marriages- a course of action which is in direct contradiction with the Holy Bible and which is nothing less than an affront to the Living God.

Today’s America has done more than any other country in the world to destabilise and topple Arab and North African secularist governments and to help spread the dreaded Wahhabi/salifist philosophy, jihadist terror and Islamic fundamentalism.

Today’s America has isolated the State of Israel and has pampered and appeased the traditional enemies of the Jewish state more than any other.

Today’s America has provoked and alienated Russia, caused a civil war in the Ukraine, divided eastern Europe, increased tensions and nuclear proliferation amongst the world powers and made the world a far more dangerous and unstable place.

Today’s America has a police force that slaughters blacks for sport and has a military that indulges in the systematic torture and rape of prisoners of war. Today’s America gives sodomy a pride of place in the affairs of men. I could go on and on.

So much has gone wrong in "the land of the free and the home of the brave". So much has gone awry in "Gods own country" and all of it has happened under the watch and during the tenure of office of a suave, good-looking, elegant, eloquent, brilliant and seemingly gentle, humble and pious African American President who first rode into power in 2008 on the slogan "yes we can".

Little did we know at that time that "yes we can" actually meant "anything goes". Yet despite all these challenges and conflicting signals one thing remains clear: many of us, including this writer, still love America and we always will.

 

Our admonitions and observations are made out of love and concern and not out of anger or hatred. Let us pray that the USA gets back up there again where she belongs.

Let us pray that she turns back to God and that her glory is restored. Let us hope that in 2016 the American people elect a President that "knows God", fears Him and stands in awe of Him.

Meanwhile I have a few more questions for U.S. Senator Patrick Leahy. 

The United States of America, both directly and through their regional allies like Saudi Arabia, Turkey, Qatar, Kuwait and various other Arab Gulf states, supplied millions of dollars’ worth of arms to the vicious Islamic fundamentalist terrorist organisation known as the Al Nusra Front three years ago in Syria in an attempt to get rid of President Bashir Al Assad. Did they forget about the Leahy Act then? 

Did they not recognise the fact that when Al Nusra was going from town to town wiping out whole civilian populations, including women and children, and openly cutting out and eating the hearts of their victims that it was a gross violation of human rights? Worse still they filmed their barbarous behavior and proudly aired it on the internet.

The Al Nusra Front was to later transmute into the beast called ISIS and the rest is history. Who created, funded and fed that beast at the initial stage? Who encouraged them at the outset? Was it not America?

Come to think of it who funded and created Al Qaeda itself and who supported and armed Osama Bin Ladin to resist and fight the Soviets in Afghanistan right from the start? Was it not America?

 

Again who supported and funded Saddam Hussein in the early years and who sold him millions of dollars’ worth of weapons to fight a war against Iran in an attempt to topple Ayatollah Khomeni after the Iranian revolution? Was it not America?

Where was U.S. Senator Patrick Leahy on all these occasions? Did he lose his voice? Was he on vacation in Hawaii? Did he complain about the atrocities and human rights violations committed by the Al Nusra Front, Al Qaeda and Saddam Hussein at the appropriate times?

In particular why was he so silent about the atrocities of Al Nusra three years ago and why did he not call them ''rapists and murderers'' in the same way that he called our soldiers same?

Why was his celebrated Leahy Act not invoked to stop the Obama administration from supplying arms to the Al Nusra Front in the same way that it was invoked to stop them from supplying arms to our Armed Forces?

Senator Leahy should explain that one away to the world instead of insulting the sensibilities of our people. Who is kidding who?

British grandfather who left wife of 43yrs to marry a Cameroonian woman frustrated with UK govt

Paul Catchpole, 66, divorced his wife and mother of his two grown up children to marry Angele, a woman 36 years his junior. The couple met and fell in love when Paul temporarily moved to Cameroon to work in Douala,Cameroon.

“I didn’t go looking for love, it just happened. I couldn’t believe it when Angele showed me she was interested in me" he said.

But it hasn't been all sunshine and roses for the couple who have been married since 2011 and are blessed with two children.

So far, the besotted husband has invested over 151,000 Pounds, including his life savings, loans and inheritance in the marriage and two visa applications in order to get his wife and children to the UK.

So far all attempts have been in vain after British authorities refused his new wife permanent residency in the UK because she can’t speak fluent English.

"There have been bombings in Cameroon recently and I worry if I don’t get them over here soon, their lives will be at risk. I don’t care how much it costs I won’t stop until Angele and the kids are here with me." says the frustrated husband. "It is heartbreaking but I believe one day I 'll have them all here with me" he concluded.

Credit: The Sun UK

A Lot Of Knowledgeable Nigerians Have Been Compromised, Buhari Explains Why It Is Taking Time To Appoint Ministers

The President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, President Buhari has once again explained why it is taking him time to appoint ministers, saying that a lot of knowledgeable Nigerians fit for the position have been compromised and it is very risky to appoint such people into office. He explained that appointing ministers who will be taking instructions from ‘powerful people’ outside the cabinet will take Nigeria back to square one and that is part of what he is running from. Read his exact words after the cut.

“From what I have seen so far, we need very patriotic Nigerians (to be ministers); Nigerians that can work very hard with knowledgeable experience; committed Nigerians to be in charge of ministries.

“A lot of institutions in Nigeria are compromised, everybody for himself and God for all of us. It is most unfortunate. We have people, educated and experienced people, but everybody seems to be working for himself on how much they could get away with as soon as possible.

“We have to look for technocrats and politicians. We have to look out for decent people in this class to give them the responsibility of being in charge of ministries and important parastatals.

“It is taking so much time (to appoint ministers) because a number of knowledgeable people have been compromised. They have been compromised by people who will like to depend on them to damage our economy and security; a lot of them have been compromised.

“The worst thing that I think can happen is to get a compromised person to be in charge of institutions. There is no way he could be efficient or patriotic. Somebody behind the scene will be manipulating him at the expense of the nation.

“This is what we are trying to avoid and I assure you that so much damage has been done to Nigeria. We cannot rush to give this responsibility to people that have unfortunately been compromised.

“This is because there is no way you can effectively supervise, let’s say 20 ministries, you have to give it to people you trust and you allow them to perform according to the Constitution of the country. If you appoint compromised people, then we will be back to square one and Nigeria will be the loser.”

Adams Oshiomole Comes For Ex-President Jonathan Agai

The Edo State Governor, Adams Oshiomhole, yesterday came for president Jonathan again saying the former president and his then ministers almost destroyed Nigeria through corruption. He said for example, at their last visit to America where he was part of President Buhari’s entourage, it was revealed to them that a minister single handled stole $6bn, in what America it self described to be earth-shattering. Oshiomole said these and more yesterday in Abuja shortly after meeting with the president to State House correspondents. Read all he said below...

“The PDP destroyed the country. I mean from the lips of American officials; senior officials of the State Department said one minister under PDP cornered as much as $6bn.

“The man said even by Washington’s standard, that is earth-shattering.

“So, the PDP is a party that presided over the liquidation of our nation, destroyed all our institutions, converted the Armed Forces commanders to use them as if they were political thugs, converted the Nigerian Television Authority to a party megaphone, destroyed the Department of State Services, went after opposition as if we were rabbits to be pursued into our holes, compromised even student unions and destroyed everything that you can think of, and elevated religion to a state affair.

“Under the party, Israel became a place you visit every week; they placed pastors against mallams, placed the North against the South, the East against the West, just to retain power; elevate Obas and Obis with dollars.

“You guys (journalists) were reporting dollars that were changing hands; when the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation was spending much more money than is available to the Federation Account.

“We are a very patient people. If we were not a patient people, anybody wearing the tag of PDP ought to feel very unsafe because you are all victims — all of us here.”

He added, “Mr. Johnnie Carson, who was the Assistant Secretary of State, when we visited him in company with Senator (Bukola) Saraki, then as the Chairman of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum — that was at the eve of President Obama’s first visit to Africa — and we went to complain, ‘why is Nigeria not on the list?’

“What he said, for me, was quite instructive compared to what he said last week. Then I was present when he said ‘you know, we, who see ourselves not just as friends of Nigeria, each time we think there is light at the end of the tunnel and it is time to encourage Nigeria to build on it, you would wake up the following day under President Jonathan to find out that even the tunnel had been removed.’

“Those were the words of Mr. Carson. Now last week, this same Carson chaired the President’s address at the Institute of Peace and he said ‘we now have a man of enormous integrity; one that has shown so much faith in the democratic process; one that refused to be frustrated even in the face of massively rigged elections. He submitted to the judicial process and even when that was compromised he never gave up.

“‘America has done its check and we are convinced that this President is the one that Nigeria needs at this time to regain its leadership of the African continent.’”

INEC Commissioner & Former VC Of LAUTECH, Prof. Salau Is Dead

A National Commissioner with the Independent National Electoral Commission, Prof. Muritala Salau, is dead. Salau who was a Professor of Physics, was also a former Vice-Chancellor of the Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, Ogbomoso.

He died at the Turkish Hospital, Abuja, where he went to treat a sickness on Saturday. He has since been buried in Mioniya, Ibadan according to Muslim rites. He was 67. May his soul rest in peace. 

Fayose approves N119m car loan for Ekiti workers

Press statement from Ekiti state government

Governor Ayodele Fayose of Ekiti State has approved the disbursement of a sum of N119m as car loans to 623 workers in the state public service. The state Commissioner for Finance, Chief Toyin Ojo, disclosed this in Ado Ekiti, the state capital, at the weekend. Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) got N82,120,000 while Parastatals and Agencies got N36.80 million.

Chief Ojo, according to a statement by the state Ministry of Information, today, said the loans, which ranged from N800,000 to N1.5 million, was "approved depending on the salary grade level of the benefitting officers."

The government statement said that the commissioner "stressed the commitment of the Fayose's administration to the welfare of workers in the state civil service," and added that he explained that "the loan is to be disbursed in one single tranche to the benefitting officers." It said he had "also promised that another batch of beneficiaries of the workers car loans will be announced before the end of this year."

I married well' Dr Sid says as he celebrates 1st wedding anniversary

Dr Sid and his wife Simi are celebrate their 1st trad/wedding anniversary today July 27th. He wrote "I married well#Trad/Anniversary". They are already blessed with a daughter. Congrats to them.

Photos: Madonna University builds longest/largest exams hall in Nigeria

So Madonna University has built what they claim is the longest and possibly the largest exams hall in Nigeria. The hall is called 'Edeh's Ark', named after the school chancellor's name; Rev. Emmanuel Matthew Paul Edeh and I got some exclusive photos

"The idea is that several exams will hold at the same time. If you are to write an exam in this hall, OYO is your case as students from different levels are made to sit side-by-side" a student of the school told LIB. See more photos after the cut...

We Maintain Our Stand On Homosexuality, It Is WRONG- Catholic Archbishop

The Catholic Archbishop of Abuja Diocese, Cardinal John Onaiyekan today said the position of the Catholic Church in Nigeria against homosexuality remains the same.  Onaiyekan made this statement to journalists in Makurdi during his official visit to the Diocese of Makurdi today.

“Unfortunately, we are living in a world where these things have now become quite acceptable but for the fact that they are acceptable doesn’t mean that they are right. The Catholic Church considers itself as carrying the banner of the truth in the World that has allowed itself to be so badly deceived.

“Even if people don’t like us for it, our church has always said homosexuality is unnatural and marriage is between a man and a woman. There is no such thing as marriage between two men or marriage between two women, whatever they do among themselves should not be called marriage. There is no question of the Catholic Church changing its positions on this matter,” he said.

Bobbi Christina Finally Joins Mom In Heaven As She Passes On At 22

Brown, the daughter of late superstar Whitney Houston and singer Bobby Brown has died, a representative of the Houston family has said in a statement.

"Bobbi Kristina Brown passed away Sunday, July, 26 2015, surrounded by her family. She is finally at peace in the arms of God. We want to again thank everyone for their tremendous amount of love and support during these last few months, the statement said.

How Britain’s Fattest Man Spent £22,000 On Takeaways Before He Died

The final weeks of Britain's fattest man are to be revealed in a documentary filmed shortly before he died - showing how he spent £22,000 on takeaways in six years. Carl Thompson, who weighed 65 stone when he died aged 33, was found dead at his flat in Dover, Kent last month after binge-eating for years following the death of his mother.

He agreed to talk about his struggle with obesity as part of Channel 5's six-part Supersized season - but died just weeks after filming had finished. Mr Thompson was completely bedbound in the run-up to his death and often consumed 10,000 calories a day spending thousands of pounds a year on fast food.

He reveals in the documentary how he had even given staff at his local takeaway a key to his home so they could bring food to his bed. Too sad. See more photos of him below.

Yaga! Tiwa Savage and Teebillz welcome son (photo)

Tiwa Savage just welcomed her first child - a son. She gave birth today July 21 at St Mary's Hospital in London. Big congrats to them

Lionel Messi in Gabon, chauffeur driven by the country's president (photos)

Four-time world player of the year, Lionel Messi was hosted in Gabon on Saturday July 18th by the country's President, Ali Bongo, for the brick laying of their new 22,000 seat stadium. He was  chauffeur driven by the president himself around the streets of Libreville.

Messi officially started the building process at the Port-Gentil stadium, which will host Africa Cup of Nations matches in 2017. He came dressed in a casual pair of denim shorts and t-shirt

"When I was in Barcelona a few years ago, I met Messi who had told me that he would come to visit me in Libreville" said the Gabon president. "It's a promise he made me. He is a man of honour who just kept his word.".

There are reports that he was paid 3.5m Euros by Ali Bongo to make the appearance and it's causing serious wahala in the country. Gabonese are angry about the obscene amount and say their president belittled himself by driving Messi around. He was there for just one day. More photos after the cut..

Maheeda dances naked!

The photos are two raw. Too insane. Can only post one. See it after the cut...

Photos: Buhari hosted to dinner by the US Chamber of Commerce & the Corporate Council on Africa

After his meeting with President Obama at the White House yesterday, President Buhari attended a dinner hosted in his honor by the US Chamber of Commerce & the Corporate Council on Africa. He is seen above addressing the group. More photos after the cut...

Photos: Nigeria Team Departs For Los Angeles To Participate In Special Olympic Games

The 2015 Special Olympics World Summer Games will kick off in Los Angeles, California on the 25^th of July, 2015 and the Nigerian contingent to the games have left yesterday to be able to settle down on time for the competition ahead of them.

The athletes will compete in aquatics, gymnastics, track and field, basketball, football (soccer) and other summer sports. Over 7,000 athletes with intellectual disabilities around the world are expected to perform in this year’s edition. See more photos below.