UNILAG students damage Davido’s car after concert

Dami Duro crooner, Davido, this evening, got more than he bargained for at the University of Lagos, after excited fans chased him in his car and ended up breaking one of the windows.

The HKN artiste, was in the institution to perform at the First Bank-sponsored Youth Excel Programme. After he held his audience captive with a great performance, the students refused to let him leave, trailing him to his car.

Davido, who just released controversy ridden single, ‘Gobe’, however took it in good faith.

He tweeted: “Damn they broke my car window at Unilag!! Still luv ma fans tho!! Bless yall!! Amazing show!”

Culled from Daily Post

“Django Unchained” star Jamie Foxx was upstaged on the red carpet by his stunning 19-year-old Daughter Corinne

“Django Unchained” star Jamie Foxx was upstaged on the red carpet by his stunning 19-year-old daughter Corinne, who was dressed in a strapless midnight blue gown with woven bodice.

The actor, who brought along the beauty – then just 11! – to the Oscars in 2005 when he won for “Ray,” gushed on the red carpet that he was “excited to show how beautiful my daughter has turned out.” Last September, Foxx told omg! that he takes the “homey” approach to raising both of his daughters (he’s also dad to much-younger Annalise). "Like with my oldest daughter, I say, 'Hey, if you're going to drink, pour your own drink, no drugs,’” joked Foxx. “You learn that it's all still the same parenting process, regardless if you're a celebrity or if you're just a person who's working nine to five.

The main thing is staying really, really close to them and making them understand that you've been through things and you can help them, but don't try to live your life for them."

Court Denies Babalakin’s Plea To Sit Outside Dock

A Lagos High Court presided over by Justice Adeniyi Onigbanjo today denied the chairman of Bi-Courtney, Mr. Wale Babalakin his plea to sit outside the dock during the resumption of his trial over money laundering.

Justice Onigbanjo also ordered Mr. Babalakin to consolidate into one, two applications filed seeking to quash the charges against him.

Mr. Babalakin and 4 others are facing a 27-count charge of allegedly laundering about N4.7 billion on behalf of the convicted former governor of Delta State, James Ibori under the guise of purchasing a Challenger Jet Aircraft.

The judge’s ruling followed arguments from Mr. Lateef Fagbemi, the lead counsel to Mr. Babalakin, and Mr. Rotimi Jacobs, the counsel to the EFCC.

When the proceedings commenced, Mr. Fagbemi (SAN) made a peculiar request asking presiding Justice Onigbanjo to allow his client leave the dock and sit in or near the bar.

The counsel quoted Section 210 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Law of Lagos, 2011. The section provides that “where a defendant appears before the court on a summons, he may be required to enter the dock, stand or sit adjacent to it as may be ordered by the court”.

But the counsel to the EFCC, Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Mr. Jacobs, opposed the request. For him, the section did not refer to sitting in the outer or inner bar with the other lawyers. The prosecution stressed that justice must be seen to be done to all and not to the status of one.

Justice Onigbanjo, however, held that the section of the law refers to a defendant who appears before the court on a summons and not one like Mr. Babalakin who appeared before the court on information.

The defendant was, therefore, ordered to remain in the dock.

On the arguments on the applications filed by Mr. Babalakin to quash the charges against him, Justice Onigbanjo noted that there were two of such applications seeking the same objective.

While the defence counsel, Mr. Fagbemi insisted that they had different grounds, the prosecution countered by saying that it was an abuse of court process and a move aimed at delaying the trial. He, therefore, urged the court to strike out one of the applications.

The arguments went back and forth for almost 30 minutes on the propriety of taking the two applications seeking the same relief.

After listening to the arguments and the submissions of other lawyers in the matter, Justice Onigbanjo ordered the defendants to consolidate their applications.

He then adjourned the case till the 27th of March.

Nigeria grants bail to Russian arms smuggling suspects

Fifteen Russian sailors charged with illegally bringing weapons into Nigeria last year were granted bail on Monday and released until a hearing in early April, a Lagos court ruled.

Nigerian authorities intercepted a ship and arrested its Russian crew on October 23 after they found several guns and around 8,500 rounds of ammunition aboard.

The Russian sailors have pleaded not guilty and the Moran Security Group, the Russian company that owns the confiscated vessel, has said the ship had permission to carry arms, calling the accusations "groundless".


"I'm glad that everybody - the court, the prosecution - they saw the need that the accused persons be granted bail. They've been in detention for months," defence lawyer Chukwuwike Okafor told Reuters after the hearing.

He said that, under the terms of the $500,000 (330,732 pounds) bail, the sailors were not allowed to leave Nigeria and were under the care of the Russian ambassador, who must ensure they return for the hearing in April.

Russia's Foreign Ministry, which has spoken out strongly against the charges, on Monday welcomed the ruling, calling it "the first positive turn in developments surrounding the Russian sailors", according to the RIA news agency.

It said Nigeria's Foreign Minister, Olugbenga Ashiru, had promised his Russian counterpart Sergei Lavrov that the sailors would be given "a chance to return to their homeland" so as not to upset ties with Moscow.

Arms smuggling to and through Nigeria is rife. Demand for weapons is great because of an Islamist rebellion in the north, armed robbery and kidnapping by gangs in the south and oil theft and piracy in the southeast.

The country is also sometimes used as a conduit for shipping arms to other conflict-ridden parts of West Africa.

In 2010, a consignment of rocket launchers, grenades and other explosives from Iran was seized in Lagos, causing a diplomatic row between Nigeria and Iran. It also strained ties between Iran and Senegal, which accused Iranian security forces of trying to supply weapons to its Casamance rebels.

Online video claims radical Islamic group Boko Haram from Nigeria holding 7 French hostages Read more:

A video appearing to show seven French citizens, including four children, kidnapped in Cameroon last week has been posted on YouTube. In the video, one of the male hostages can be heard saying: "We have been taken by Jama'atu Ahlis Sunna Lidda'awati wal-Jihad," referring to the name in Arabic of Nigeria's Boko Haram militants. "They want the liberation of their brothers in Cameroon and their women imprisoned in Nigeria." The kidnapping on Tuesday of the seven French nationals in Cameroon's far north, near the border with Nigeria, highlighted the risk to French citizens in Africa since Paris sent troops into Mali to oust Islamists there. "The president of France has launched a war on Islam," said one of the apparent kidnappers, warning the hostages would be killed if their demands were not met. France's foreign ministry said it was still trying to verify the authenticity of the video. Cameroon's Communication Minister Issa Tchiroma Bakary said he could not comment because his government was not aware of the video.

Akon Sued for Stage Diving- He Crippled Me!!!

A concert worker says he's physically disabled right now now now ... and it's all Akon's fault -- after the singer allegedly stage dove right on top of the guy, causing him permanent injury. A man named Matthew Graham has filed a lawsuit against the singer, claiming he was working Akon's show at BayFest music festival in Alabama back in 2009 -- when Akon "negligently or wantonly leapt into the overcrowded mass of concertgoers" and struck him. See video below (scroll to 00:50). Graham says he sustained severe and permanent injury to his knee, back, head, and body during the incident -- and is now physically disabled. He doesn't specify the extent of his disability. Graham is suing for medical expenses, lost wages, physical pain and mental anguish -- demanding unspecified damages. He is also suing BayFest, Inc.

After-Party Madness -- Inside All the Hot Oscar Bashes!

With the stress of winning off their shoulders, the biggest stars in Hollywood had one thing on their minds after the Oscars: Getting to an after-party! And there were plenty to choose from. As usual, the Vanity Fair bash was the most A-list event in town -- with winners like Jennifer Lawrence, Anne Hathaway, Ben Affleck and Daniel Day-Lewis all attending the Sunset Tower soiree. Inside the party, Jennifer Aniston was seen cuddling with fiance Justin Theroux, Catherine Zeta-Jones chatted up Ashley Olsen and Orlando Bloom and Miranda Kerr were seen talking with Halle Berry ... what a hot trio! Other stars at the party include Reese Witherspoon, Channing Tatum and preggers wife Jenna Dewan, Amanda Seyfried, Kate Becksinale and many, many more. See all the party pics above. The easiest event for the stars to get to was the Governor's Ball, which took place at the Hollywood & Highland center ... directly attached to the Oscars. Charlize Theron posed with Amy Adams and the adorable Joseph Gordon-Levitt ... and speaking of adorable, how great does Adele look with her little gold man? She was also seen hanging out with Barbara Streisand and Shirley Bassey. Talk about a vocally powerful group. Also at the bash: Jessica Chastain and her costar in "The Help," Octavia Spencer, John Travolta, George Clooney, Ang Lee and Quvenzhane Wallis ... who was dancing up a storm! And while there weren't any Oscar winners at Elton John's annual party, it was still the place to be seen for non-nominees. The bash, which was more of a viewing party for those not invited to the main event, was a who's who of celebrities. Britney Spears showed off her new brunette 'do, Heidi Klum flaunted some MAJOR cleavage and Kim Kardashian, Miley Cyrus and Kelly Osbourne all looked great in white. Elton also brought a special guest to the event: Adorable son Zachary, who was all dressed up in a suit as well. Other stars included Nicki Minaj, Steven Tyler, "Vampire Diaries" hotties Nina Dobrev, Ian Somerhalder and Paul Wesley and Anna Paquin, Stephen Moyer and Ryan Kwanten from "True Blood." Check out all the party pics above -- and some killer video from the Vanity Fair party below:

Nigeria first lady describes mystery illness

ABUJA, Nigeria — Nigeria's first lady has described details of a mystery illness she had that the country's presidency refused to discuss.

Patience Jonathan, wife of President Goodluck Jonathan, talked about the illness at a church service Sunday at Aso Rock, the nation's presidential villa.

Jonathan said she had her "intestine and tummy opened" and later fell unconscious for a week. She said she had "eight or nine" surgeries in all and some "sold my things off" because they thought she was dead.

The first lady said: "My doctors said all hope was lost."

In September, Jonathan disappeared from public view. Officials said she had "food poisoning" and was receiving medical treatment abroad. She returned in October visibly thinner.

Governor Amosun Commissions Farming Equipment

The governor of Ogun state, Senator Ibikunle Amosun today commissioned some farming equipment worth about five hundred million naira at the Arcade ground, Oke Mosan,Abeokuta, the state capital.

In the pack are bulldozers, tractors and other implements meant to boost farming in the state.

Speaking at the commissioning which was witnessed by farmers and other stakeholders in the state, Amosun said the government decided to buy the equipment in order to make Ogun state the food basket of the nation and check rural urban migration.
According to him, “when our administration came on board in May 2011, the state could not boast of 10 functional tractors. The situation was further worsened by the non-availability of agricultural land breaking equipment, without which farm expansion is not possible, particularly considering the peculiarity of our vegetation in the South-Western part of our country. We equally realised that the high cost of land clearing is a major constraint to increased agricultural production,this is further compounded by the declining farm labour market in the rural areas”.

According to him, the multi-faceted problems, “consequently limited our farmers to subsistence level of production, thereby discouraging our youths from taking farming as a business. In addition to this, we also realised that there is an urgent need to tackle the challenge posed by ageing farming population and make farming attractive to the younger
generation. This will help to tame the current trend of Rural-Urban migration”.

The farming equipment will be rented out to the farmers at a moderate rate.The equipment include, four CAT bulldozers, 30 MF 275 Xtra tractors, 33 Baldan Disc Ploughs, 15 Baldan Disc Harrows, 2 Baldan Rotary Slashers, and 2
Baldan 4 Row–Planters.

“The rate for hiring this equipment for land clearing and preparation has been subsidised so as to create a relief to our farmers. I wish to further announce a 10% subsidy on the hiring rate of the equipment for the benefit of our farmers and also as part of our administration’s determination to sustain the operation of these equipment”, the
governor disclosed.

He further enumerated some of the steps taken by the present administration to resuscitate some of the farm settlements and
establishment of model farm estates.

“Model farm estate will commence soon in Owowo town in Ogun Central Senatorial District of the state. The first set of participants will be admitted before May 2013, provisions have also been made in this year’s budget for the replication of similar projects in the other two Senatorial Districts of the state”.

“Rehabilitation of three government owned fish farms located at Ilaro, Odeda and Ikenne has been completed. Prior to this rehabilitation, these farms had been abandoned. Presently, fish production activities on these farms have commenced,government has rehabilitated the state government Central Feed depot at Kotopo. The essence of this is to
stabilize the cost of livestock feeds in the market. Our Administration has equally disbursed agricultural loans to over a
thousand farmers in the state in the first phase of disbursement under the Commercial Agricultural Credit Scheme, we are about to commence the next phase of the scheme”,Amosun declared.
In her welcome address, the Ogun State Commissioner for Agriculture, Mrs Ronke Sokefun said the government decided to procure the equipment to bridge the gap and sustainably produce enough food for the growing population and industrial development.

The Commissioner said,”our Ministry will continue to make efforts towards achieving self- sufficiency in agricultural production by stimulating the production of food of both plant and animal origins through the production and distribution of improved seeds and seedlings, improved livestock breed, fish and fingerlings”.

While soliciting for the optimum use of the implements and the support from both the public and private sectors in the mission to rebuild the state agricultural sector, Sokefun boasted that,”we can generate market surplus and adequately feed the growing agro based industries in the country”.

Obama State of Union speech watched by 33.5 million on TV

Some 33.5 million Americans tuned in for President Barack Obama's economy-focused State of the Union speech live on television, just a slight drop from the TV audience for his 2012 address.

According to ratings data from Nielsen on Wednesday, Obama's speech on Tuesday night was carried live on 15 U.S. broadcast and cable networks and was tape-delayed on Spanish-language channel Univision.

In an assertive start to his second term, Obama urged the sharply divided U.S. Congress to raise the minimum wage and strive for economic fairness for Americans hit by unemployment and four years of recession.

The TV audience for Obama's annual State of the Union addresses has dropped off sharply since he was first elected, from 52.4 million in 2009 to 37.7 million in 2012.

The most-watched television event in the United States is the annual Super Bowl, which drew some 108.7 million viewers earlier in February.

The Nielsen figures do not take into account viewers watching online or on mobile devices.

Adenuga Splashes $1million on Super Eagles

Mike Adenuga Jr, the Nigeria's second richest man has made a surprise donation to Super Eagles for winning the newly concluded 2013 AFCON.

Super Eagles beat the Stallions of Burkina Faso 1-0 on Sunday at the finals in Soweto, South Africa to clinch the title of African champions. The Nigerian telecoms and oil tycoon announced the donation shortly after the team’s victory over Burkina Faso’s Stallions. Adenuga also gave the team’s coach, Stephen Keshi, $200,000 cash and offered to pay the coach’s $32,000 monthly salary from his pocket.

Adenuga’s gift comes a few days after Africa’s richest man, Aliko Dangote, rewarded the Nigerian team with an $820,000 (N130 million) cash gift for making it to the finals of the competition.

Mike Adenuga, chairman of Globacom, Nigeria’s second largest mobile telecoms operator, has been one of the strongest financial pillars of Nigerian football. Last month his telecoms company signed a four-year title sponsorship deal with the Nigerian Premier League (NPL) for $16.5 million.

Kris Humphries Doesn’t Want to Speed Up Divorce Just Because Kim Kardashian Is Pregnant

Kris Humphries is reminding the world that he is no longer on Kim Kardashian’s timetable.

The divorce drama continues between the exes, who were married for just 72 days in 2011. While Kardashian quickly moved on – she’s expecting a baby with Kanye West later this year – Humphries is in no apparent rush to end the marriage, a fact he reiterated in a court filing on Monday.

According to the reports, lawyers for the Brooklyn Nets basketball star suggested Kardashian is trying to gain the upper hand in the divorce battle by trying to accelerate the proceedings – and baby Kimye is being dragged into the middle of it all.

"What is really going on here is that an 'urgency' in the form of an apparently unplanned pregnancy, something the Respondent had nothing to do with, is perceived by Plaintiff as an opportunity to gain a litigation advantage by trying to force this court to prematurely set this matter for trial,” Humphries’ attorney Marshall W. Waller states in the filing.

Explaining his reasoning for calling the pregnancy unplanned, he notes, "Indeed, why would the Petitioner plan to get pregnant in the midst of divorce proceedings?"

The attorney, who is trying to halt Kardashian’s request to put an immediate trial date on the books, suggests the other side is hiding something in their attempt to speed up the trial.

"Why don’t these people just give us the access we want?” Waller asks. "What are they hiding? What is there in the raw footage of this televised courtship, 72-day marriage and resultant breakup that they are so afraid of us discovering?"

The papers also note that Humphries wants to wait until his basketball season concludes – in mid-May or June – to continue with the legal matter. However it may not be up to him as a hearing regarding each side's readiness to go to trial is set for February 15.

Speaking of baby Kimye, Kardashian’s doctor supposedly thinks the reality TV star’s unborn child could be at risk because of the stress caused by the case, according to a TMZ report. A source tells the website that the mom-to-be recently suffered pains and was examined by her doctor, who suggested they were stress related.

Kardashian has been trying to put a positive spin on the situation – at least publicly. In a recent interview on “Late Show With David Letterman,” she said, "I can't speak for Kris, but I just want him to be happy and I want us to move on, and that's really what I want, is just to move on.”

Lagos White-Cap Chief Shot Dead

Some unidentified gunmen on Thursday shot dead a Lagos State prominent white cap chief, the Onimole of Lagos, Chief Kayode Adeshina.

The 73-year-old chief was shot at about 3am at his Onimole Palace, Iga Iduganran Street, Isale Eko on the Island.

It was learnt that as soon as the gunmen gained entrance to the palace, they went straight to Adeshina’s room where he was sleeping.

A daughter of the deceased, Oyinlola Ikuforiji, said, “My father was rudely woken up and a gun was pointed at him. He pleaded with the gunmen to spare his life but they demanded money. He was shot when he told them that he had no money.”

It was learnt that Adeshina was subsequently locked up in his room while the gunmen ransacked the palace. They reportedly carted away valuables including jewelries and phones belonging to the deceased.

The gunmen then locked up the entire house before making their escape. Adeshina was later rushed to a nearby hospital after the family members were able to break the doors open.

However, he was confirmed dead at the hospital.

The eldest daughter of the late chief, Mrs. Mosaku Aola, said the family could still not determine if what caused their patriarch’s killing was actually a robbery incident.

She said, “We cannot say for now if this is a murder or robbery. Subsequent investigation by the police should reveal that.”

The Lagos State Police Command’s Public Relations Officer, DSP Ngozi Braide, confirmed the incident to PUNCH Metro.

She said, “Adeshina was killed by some gunmen who broke into his house earlier on Thursday. After shooting Adeshina, they seized the phone belonging to one of his sons who was with him at the time.

“Arrests have already been made and investigation is ongoing to ensure the perpetrators are brought to book.”

But the Lagos State Government described the incident as unfortunate.

It wondered how the gunmen were able to carry out their mission successfully despite the security measures put in place across the state by government.

The Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Mr. Lateef Ibirogba, said the government had urged the police command to fish out the killers.

He said, ‘This is unfortunate. It is a surprise that this incident happened now that we have relative peace and security in the state.

“The government will support the police’s efforts to bring the perpetrators of this evil act to book.”

Culled from Punch

Sullivan Chime Fails To Show Up At The Villa

Despite the reports that the much awaited Governor of Enugu State, Sullivan Chime, has returned to the country and the confirmation by his aides, Mr. Chime failed to show up at the Presidential Villa where he was expected to pay a courtesy call on the Vice President on Thursday.

State House correspondents waited for hours in anticipation of the visit which was not to be.

There were speculations that he was to visit the Villa at 10am but the time was shifted to 2pm. While normal activities and meetings in the Villa went on, the Enugu State governor was not seen anywhere near the State House.

The governor, who had been away from the country for over four months was reported to have returned to the country on Thursday.

The Enugu State Commissioner of Information, Chuks Ugwoke, confirmed the governor’s return to Channels TV but declined to reveal his whereabouts.

In a telephone interview with Channels TV, Mr. Ugwoke confirmed that the governor arrived in Abuja, Thursday morning aboard an early morning British Airways flight and went straight to the Enugu State Governor’s Lodge in the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja.

However, a visit by Channels TV crew to the Governor’s lodge, which is situated in the Asokoro district, showed construction work was on-going in the premises and there is no activity to suggest that he is within the premises.

But the Governor’s failure to turn up at the Presidential Vila where he was eagerly awaited did not deter the day’s operations.

In one of the meetings, Vice President Namadi Sambo directed the Presidential Committee on Federal Government Intervention for Infrastructural Development of Peri-Federal Capital Territory (Peri-FCT) communities to fix a time frame for the development of the communities in the contiguous states.

He told the committee that the financial involvement of the federal government, the affected states and the local governments should be clearly stipulated, adding that time for the commencement and completion of the project should also be indicated in the recommendations.

Vice President Sambo noted that the idea of complimentary intervention of the Peri-FCT communities is not to build new towns but to develop the ghettos in the boundary communities to the FCT, urging the committee not to go beyond the communities surrounding the FCT.

In his presentation, the FCT Minister, Senator Bala Mohammed, noted that “a combination of factors particularly those associated with uncontrolled human population influx have created development challenges in the Peri-FCT communities of Niger, Nasarawa and Kogi States resulting in severe infrastructure gaps”.

He said the situation led the contiguous states and the FCT to appeal to the Federal Government for special intervention towards providing some relief for the affected communities.

Culled from Channels TV

Lil Kim- What Has She Done To Her Face Now?

Lil' Kim Shows Off Wild New Look at Music Video Shoot

Lil' Kim looks more than a lil' different.

We can't be the only ones who think the rapper looks like a completely refurbished person these days, right?

Over the weekend, the 38-year-old showed off her new face on two separate sightings -- looking like a mix between LaToya Jackson and infamous "Cat Lady" Jocelyn Wildenstein ... and nothing like the girl who sang "Lady Marmalade" in 2001.

For your reference, here she is preserving her modesty in a tasteful denim, zipper and pasty combination at the Source Hip-Hop Awards that same year:

Kim Kardashian Under Fire After Tweeting – and Then Deleting – Diamond-Encrusted Gun Photo

Does Kim Kardashian need to do a better job of practicing what she preaches?

The pregnant reality star reportedly tweeted a photo of a diamond-encrusted gun – and then immediately took it down after many of her 17 million followers gave her grief … but not before some media outlets were able to get a grab of the image and the outrage it evoked.

"You have too much influence to be this blind and ignorant,” wrote one commenter, according to ABC News. “Innocent children & people still die even if the gun is pretty.” Added another, “When everyone is debating gun control, this is what you post – as if it’s just a fun accessory?”

The post in question comes just weeks after Kardashian, 32, asked her fans to join her in signing a pledge to help reduce gun violence on the heels of the mass shooting in Newtown, Connecticut.

This isn’t the first time Kardashian has shown an interest in firearms. In November – weeks before the Sandy Hook Elementary School massacre – she posted a photo on Instagram of herself shooting a gun at a gun range with the caption “Bang bang.” Previously, she uploaded a photo of a gun designed by Yves Saint Laurent in June … both times, without incident.

Kardashian’s rep declined omg!’s request to comment on the situation.

New York Prisoner Impregnates Guard

A federal prison guard was charged Tuesday with having an illegal affair with an inmate convicted in one of New York's most notorious police killings, later becoming pregnant with his child.

Nancy Gonzalez, 29, was arrested on charges she intentionally engaged in a sex act with Ronell Wilson while working the night shift at the Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn. She became pregnant in June, a few months into the affair, according to court papers. Gonzalez appeared in court Tuesday visibly pregnant and crying, her hair pulled back in a ponytail, and was released on $150,000 bond.

"She's had a very tragic life," said her attorney, Anthony Rico. "She has long-term issues that affected her life and judgment."

Her family didn't comment as a swarm of photographers and television cameras surrounded them outside federal court. Gonzalez buried her head in Rico's shoulder while he spoke to reporters.

"These are very serious charges," he said, adding he wouldn't say whether Wilson pressured Gonzalez into the affair.

Gonzalez faces 15 years in prison if convicted.

Wilson, 30, was a young gang member on Staten Island when he was convicted in the point-blank shootings of undercover officers James Nemorin and Rodney Andrews in a 2006 illegal gun sting gone awry. The officers were both shot in the back of the head. Wilson was sentenced to death, but the sentence was thrown out in 2010 by an appeals court based on prosecutorial error.

Wilson could still face death; a new jury will decide his fate. But the replay of the trial's penalty phase has been put off as Wilson's lawyers seek to convince a judge that he's ineligible for the death penalty because he's mentally disabled.

In November, a hearing was held on the claim, and a decision from Judge Nicholas Garaufis is pending, though it's unclear if and how Gonzalez's arrest will affect the motion.

Wilson was moved to solitary confinement in August while reports of the relationship were investigated.

According to court papers, Gonzalez was seen by other inmates going in and out of Wilson's cell starting in March, meeting him in a vacant activity room next to his cell when other inmates were supposed to be sleeping.

"I took a chance because I was so vulnerable and wanted to be loved and now I am carrying his child," Gonzalez said, according to court papers.

She said she "kind of got sucked into his world," and that she "felt like, well, why not give him a child as far as giving him some kind of hope."

She confessed her relationship with Wilson to a different boyfriend, another inmate who had been under her supervision at the federal prison but is now housed at a state facility. She said it was over with Wilson, and that she was worried she would get into trouble.

After she became pregnant, Wilson's mother made contact, requesting a sonogram photo, according to court papers. Gonzalez said she was worried about the calls because she feared authorities would catch her.

"I know what's to come. I know what is going to be said about me," she said, according to court papers. "How am I going to explain this to this little boy? Mommy was in the military ... Mommy was a C.O., Mommy got wrapped up ... And then the opposite end is with a person who took lives. So how do you explain that?"

Burkina Faso shock Ghana to reach final after shoot-out

Minnows Burkina Faso overcame an embarrassing refereeing display to shock Ghana 3-2 on penalties to reach their first African Cup of Nations Final.

After a 1-1 draw in normal time, the Burkinabes dominated extra-time but could not find a breakthrough, with a clear penalty appeal rejected as Jonathan Pitroipa was shown a second yellow card for diving.

Rennes star Pitroipa had to watch from the stands but his team-mates won the shoot-out, with Ghana missing three of their kicks. It remains to be seen whether CAF will overturn his dismissal, but the rules state bookings can only be cancelled out for mistaken identity and he is set to miss the final.

Tunisian ref Slim Jdidi had awarded Ghana a soft penalty in the first half, which Mubarak Wakaso converted, having just rejected a Burkinabe penalty appeal with far greater merit.

He then disallowed Prejuce Nakoulma’s extra-time goal after the energetic winger hooked the ball beyond the keeper, deciding he had fouled John Boye in doing so.

The crowning glory came late in extra time, when Pitroipa was clearly fouled in the box by Boye, but Jdidi showed him a yellow card for diving, before sending him off as he had already been booked.

In fairness to Ghana, they were also on the end of some odd decisions, such as that to only book Paul Koulibaly after he kicked Asamoah Gyan in the groin.

And Burkina Faso ultimately should have won it in spite of the refereeing, with powerhouse striker Bance missing two good chances and seeing another cleared off the line by Harrison Afful.

However he was a hero in the end as his cheeky ‘Panenka’ penalty proved to be the winner, with Douda Diakite brilliantly saving from Emmanuel Agyemang-Badu to send the Stallions into their first final.

ACN, ANPP, APGA, CPC Governors Endorse Parties’ Merger Plan

The plan to unseat the ruling Peoples' Democratic Party (PDP)ahead of the 2015 general elections has thickened as 10 state governors from the different political parties and geo-political zones in the country on Tuesday met in Lagos and endorsed on-going merger talks by their various political parties.


The meeting which was hosted by the Governor of Lagos state, lasted for over four hours and a communiqué issued at the end revealed that the governors were concerned about the state of the nation and have all agreed to come together to rescue the nation, thereby endorsing the party merger talks.

Opposition parties; the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), All Nigeria People’s Party, (ANPP) and Congress for Progressive Change (CPC) are already involved in high level talks for the parties’ merger ahead of the 2015 general election.

The communique was read to journalists by the Governor of Borno State, Alhaji Kashim Shettima.

“As progressive and patriotic leaders of our people across party, religious and geo-political zones, we are extremely concerned about the state of the nation and we put our heads together in the interest of our people to deliberate on what can be done to rescue our country”, the communique stated.

It further adds that “as governors, we fully endorse the merger initiatives already commenced by our various political parties and we will put our full weight behind these efforts.”

Moving PDP Out

The Governor of Zamfara State, Alhaji Abdulazziz Abubakar Yari while responding to a question on whether the merger talk is about unseating the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), said it is about how to fix Nigeria in the right perspectives.

He added that it is a question of asking if the people have been happy since 1999 till date when the PDP has been in power. “If the contrary has been the case then the leaders are duty bound to drive the people aright.”

“We believe that the PDP has not done enough. We have the idea, the knowledge and the progressive intention to move the country forward. So, if you say that we are going to move PDP out of power, yes we are ready to do that, God willing”, Governor Yari emphasized.

Speaking on the meeting, the host Governor; Mr Babatunde Fashola stated that the meeting was about making the country a better place because what the country is having now cannot be described as her best and that those at the meeting intend to deliver Nigeria’s best.

On scepticism by some people that the merger may not work, Mr Fashola said the commitment that the governors bring to the table will certainly override any scepticism.

“I am convinced here that the full weight of ten of us Governors and many more who unfortunately could not make it today is a much more stronger force and the underlying reason is clearly how to make this place a better place” , Governor Fashola stated.

Also speaking, the Governor of Ogun State, Mr Ibikunle Amosun said a lot of the other governors who were not present at the meeting will come on board when they see the sincerity of the participants.

He noted the sincerity explains the seriousness attached to the meeting, adding that the governors are determined and believes that with the support of all Nigerians the arrangement would work.

Responding to a question on what informed his attendance of the meeting, the Imo State Governor, of the All People’s Grand Allaince (APGA), Owelle Rochas Okorocha said the merger has become necessary to save the country and its democracy and the likelihood of its being turned into a one party state.

“I personally fully endorse this movement and merger. We are on a rescue mission here and the essence is about making Nigeria a better nation”, Okorocha added.

The state governors present at the meeting and their representatives are Borno- Alhaji Kashim Shettima, Imo- Chief Rochas Okorocha, Lagos-Mr Babatunde Fashola, Nassarawa, Alhaji Tanko Almakura, Ogun- Senator Ibikunle Amosun, Oyo- Senator Abiola Ajimobi, Osun-Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, Alhaji Abdulazziz Abubakar Yari and Yobe which was represented by Senator Jejere Alkali.

Gunmen kill two soldiers in Nigerian ambush- Army Spokesman

YENAGOA, Nigeria — Suspected pirates attacked an Indian-owned oil barge Tuesday, killing two soldiers and wounding two civilians in an ambush in Nigeria's oil-rich Bayelsa state, an army spokesman said.

Spokesman of the Joint Task Force, Lt. Col. Onyema Nwachukwu, said: "I can confirm that some of our troops on board the Sterling Global Oil Resources Limited ran into an ambush along the Angiama-Etelibiri waterways ... of the state.

"There was a shoot-out between the unknown gunmen and our troops. Two of our men lost their lives and two other civilians (were) injured," he told journalists.

Local resident Ebilade Tuoyor claimed said that three soldiers and a civilian were killed in the gun duel, which lasted for about four hours.

Troops were deployed to the area and efforts were underway to find the gunmen, Nwachukwu said.

Officials at Sterling Global, a oil and gas exploration company in Lagos, could not be reached for comment on the attack.

Suspected oil thieves last September shot dead three employees of Nigeria's state oil firm NNPC in a village near Lagos.

The three technicians had been dispatched to the village of Arepo to repair a pipeline damaged by vandals.

Militant-related unrest declined sharply after a 2009 amnesty deal with oil rebels but groups who claim to be fighting on behalf of impoverished communities and gangs have persisted in attacking oil infrastructure and vessels.

Culled from AFP

Dangote, others wade into Jonathan, OBJ feud

Abuja - Investigation has revealed how ex-president Olusegun Obasanjo’s loyalists facilitated his visit to the Aso Rock Villa.

It was said that business mogul, Aliko Dangote, oil marketer, Femi Otedola and some other loyalists of the former president arranged the meeting between the president and Obasanjo.

Dangote and others were however, said to have received the blessing of Jonathan before they approached Obasanjo for a possible settlement.

Mali goalkeeper Mamadou Samassa is set to return to the starting XI for Wednesday's Africa Cup of Nations semi-final against Nigeria after suspension

His replacement, Soumalia Diakite, will drop to the bench, despite saving two penalties in the quarter-final shoot-out win against hosts South Africa.

Nigeria coach Stephen Keshi, who was sacked by Mali in 2010, has a fully-fit squad to choose from.

Super Eagles midfielder Fegor Ogude is available after a one-match suspension.

Mali, who have never won the Cup of Nations, are aiming to better their third-place finish in the 2012 tournament by beating Nigeria in Durban.

Eagles forward Mamadou Samassa, the cousin of the goalkeeper with the name same, believes success for the 1972 runners-up can help bring joy to a country which is currently troubled by political unrest.

"Of course it is not nice to see what is happening, but we are hoping that we can make the people back home very happy," said the Chievo player. "We know that football can unite people and heal many things."

One of African football's heavyweight nations, the pressure on two-time winners Nigeria to succeed is always high from Super Eagles supporters.

But, with a relatively inexperienced side, they struggled through the group phase. However, expectations of a third trophy, following successes in 1980 and 1994, have been increased by their last-eight win against tournament favourites Ivory Coast.

Mali coach Patrice Carteron:

"The players have been taking it easy. We had a physically taxing match against South Africa, the players need time to recover.

"It's important for the players to focus on our next match. But first, we relax.

"The target for us has been to improve on what the team achieved last year and so far we are on course to doing so."

Nigeria coach Stephen Keshi:

"Somehow, the Nigeria fans don't appreciate their players. But I know my team, I know their mentality. I know the boys I picked were right, I have confidence in them.

"Mali is a football nation, they have great talent. I have a lot of admiration for Mali's team, for the players.

"We respect every team in the competition, we intend to approach this game the same way we approach every game."

Shakira Shares the First Photo of Baby Milan

Shakira has released the first photo of her sweet baby boy Milan – and, not surprisingly, it is beyond adorable. The snapshot features the singer’s soccer star beau, Gerard Piqué, delicately cradling the nearly two-week-old infant while giving him a kiss on the cheek.

Milan, who snoozes through his big photo shoot, has brown hair and full lips.

The photo is available on the couple’s UNICEF website, where the charity is accepting donations of $5-$110 in honor of Milan's birth, which took place January 22 in Barcelona.

“We hope that, in his name, other less privileged children in the world can have their basic needs covered through gifts and donations,” Shakira, 36, and Piqué, 26, said in a statement. “Thank you for sharing this unforgettable moment with us.”

[Related: Suri Cruise and Other Celebrity Kids in Cute Winter Hats]

While this is the first time we’ve seen Milan’s face, the “X Factor” judge previously teased us with a glimpse of the baby. A photo posted on Piqué’s WhoSay on January 23 was a close-up of the newborn’s feet, which were adorned with custom Nike high-top sneakers that featured Milan’s name stitched on the side.

As for that name, when the “Hips Don’t Lie” singer announced the arrival of Milan, she explained that it means “dear, loving, and gracious in Slavic; in Ancient Roman, eager and laborious; and in Sanskrit, unification.”

But when we look at him, all we can think of is: “adorable!”

Mimiko wins round one as Ondo tribunal strikes out CPC, Accord Party’s petitions

The Ondo Election Petition Tribunal gave the rulings on Monday.

The Election Petition Tribunal sitting in Akure, the capital city of Ondo State, has dismissed the petition filed by Accord Party’s candidate, James Ojo, on the basis that a similar legal action has been filed at the Court of Appeal.

Similarly, the tribunal struck out that of the Congress for Progressive Change, CPC‘ s candidate, Olusoji Ehinlanwo, against the election of Governor Olusegun Mimiko.

The three-man tribunal also struck out the name of the People’s Democratic Party, PDP, from the petition filed by its governorship candidate, Olusola Oke.

The case with Accord

The tribunal, in the five-hour ruling, stated further that the petition filed by the Accord Party Candidate was struck out on the basis that it lacked the basic requirements as contained in the 2010 Electoral Act as amended.

The Chairman of the Tribunal, Justice Andovar Kaka’an, said since Accord Party flag bearer had filed an action before the Federal High Court sitting in Akure, the petition before the tribunal amounts to an abuse of court processes.

The CPC is out

The petition of the Congress for Progressive Change also suffered similar fate as the tribunal ruled that the party’s candidate failed to give necessary information that qualifies him to contest the election and file any petition before it.

It also held that since Mr. Ehinlanwo had agreed that he scored less than one per cent of the total votes cast in the election, it would be difficult for his petition to stand.

The tribunal held that “The petitioner is a day dreamer and the petition is a huge joke, since he has no petition against other political parties that participated in the election, how does he realise his dream of becoming the governor.”

PDP too

Apart from this, the tribunal also struck out the petition which was filed by the PDP candidate on the premise that the petition was signed by an unrecognized party official.

The tribunal also ruled on the application brought by Wole Olanipekun, counsel to Mr. Mimiko of the Labour Party, that the PDP had resolved not to challenge the result of the election and that the person that signed the petition on behalf of the party was not recognised, the tribunal held that Chris Omosuyi that signed the petition lacked the power to do so.

It held that the constitution of the PDP did not recognise the office of Director of Organisation, which Mr. Omosuyi claimed to be occupying.

Mr. Kaka’an said, “Omosuyi is an impostor in this matter, he is just an employee of the PDP and the constitution of the party does not recognise the office of Director of Organisation that he claims to be occupying”.

The tribunal in the five-hour ruling also struck out the substantive part of the petition filed by Mr. Oke on the ground that they are vague, speculative, generic, imprecise and pre-election matters.

The tribunal noted that the affected paragraphs made serious allegations against some people that could not be established.

The tribunal has, however, adjourned hearing on the ACN’s petition and the remaining part of the PDP’s to Wednesday.


Culled from Premium News

Gov. Lamido's Son Remanded In Kano Prison

Aminu Sule Lamido, one of the sons of the Jigawa State governor, Sule Lamido, who was arrested on December 12, 2012, for money laundering was arraigned earlier today in Kano and he has been remanded in Prison custody.

The accused according to Spokesman Wilson Uwujaren of the anti-graft agency pleaded not guilty and he was remanded in Kano prison pending bail hearing tomorrow February 5, 2013.

Aminu was arrested around 12 midnight at the Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport as he prepared to board an Egypt Air flight to Cairo.

He was flagged after he declared $10,000 in his possession to agents of the Nigerian customs at the airport.

Further checks on him by agents of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) at the airport revealed that he was in possession of $50,000.00 far higher than what he disclosed.

Culled from Daily Times Ng

Obasanjo Is Either Outright Ignorant, Mischievous Or Both – Presidency

The Presidency yesterday issued an angry rebuttal to the constant criticisms by former President Olusegun Obasanjo on President Goodluck Jonathan, calling the ex-leader ‘confused’. The Special Adviser to the President on Political Matters, Alhaji Ahmed Gulak, made the remark in response to newspaper reports yesterday which quoted the former president blaming the Jonathan administration for the state of insecurity in the country.

Goodluck said that Obasanjo was a man that should be ignored by Nigerians, as his comments were either borne out of ignorance or outright mischief, but the intention is to confuse the people and distract the Presidency from delivering on its promise to Nigerians. The presidential aide added that the security problem in the country at the moment was inherited by the Jonathan administration after it had started during Obasanjo’s presidency and peaked during Yar’adua’s time.

Thus, he said that it was wrong for Obasanjo or any other Nigerian to accuse Jonathan for not tackling the security challenges head on, saying the President was doing his best to solve the crisis. Describing Boko Haram as an international security threat with roots abroad, Gulak pointed out that the federal administration had shown the will and capacity to deal with the situation the way it should be. “As far as I am concerned, Obasanjo is becoming more confused and Nigerians should not take him serious on the issue of his attacks on President Goodluck Jonathan. “Nigerians have not forgotten that it was in Obasanjo’s time that Zaki Biam, Odi, bombing of oil facilities and militancy became very rampant in the country. So let us not be distracted by his antics, which are either borne out of ignorance or outright mischief or both,” he said.

The former President had been quoted in the magazine, New African, as saying that Jonathan should blame no one but himself if he cannot address the Boko Haram crisis. “If the president is the chief security officer of the country and there is a security problem, where do you go for the solution?”, Obasanjo said in his latest public criticism of the president. “And if that solution is not coming from the chief security officer, who has everybody and can mobilise everybody inside and outside to get a solution, then he has the responsibility to solve the problem. And nobody else should be blamed but him”.

America's most expensive home for sale: Crespi-Hicks estate, $135 million

It's not often we get to write about home listings that break the nine-figure barrier. Oh, sure, maybe there's a $90 million Woolworth Mansion or a twin mansion package or Yuri Milner's $100 million boondoggle of a house (which the county assessor said was worth half the price). Gianni Versace's Miami villa was listed at $125 million, but it's languishing on the market after a price cut to $100 million. The Spelling Manor was asking for $150 million, but ultimately sold for $85 million.

Now there's a new contender in the neighborhood -- and the neighborhood isn't California, or New York, or any coast at all.

The Crespi-Hicks estate, on 25 bucolic acres just five minutes from downtown Dallas, recently became the most expensive single-family home for sale in the nation, at $135 million. It has more than 40,000 square feet of living space, including a five-story main house, two guesthouses and a pool house, according to Forbes, and was built for the magnificently named Italian Count Pio Crespi in 1939. The main house is 29,000 square feet of opulence, our friends at Curbed report. And other folks in the neighborhood include business and civic leaders, not least among them former President George W. Bush.

Lagos Sends 30 Beggars To Jail- PM News

In a new dimension in the war against begging, the Special Offences Court in Alausa area of Ikeja, Lagos, Southwest Nigeria has sent 30 beggars to Kirikiri and Badagry Prisons for soliciting for alms and other offences.

The Lagos State Government had charged them to court for constituting nuisance in public by begging for alms.

The government says it is no longer going to be business as usual as it has vowed to prosecute erring beggars on the streets of Lagos.

The Attorney General of Lagos State was the prosecutor in the case. Some of the count charges against the beggars included conducting themselves as disorderly persons without visible means of livelihood and thus committed an offence under the criminal law of Lagos State.

They were also charged with conducting themselves in a manner likely to cause breach of peace and for receiving, demanding and or collecting dues or unauthorised levy from persons and thus committed offence punishable under the law on illegal collection of dues in public places.

The beggars, 39 in number pleaded guilty to the offences and were consequently sent to Kirikiri and Badagry Prisons for one month pending when the final judgment would be delivered by the judge. Nine of them, as a result of their disabilities were rejected by prison officials and were then taken to the Lagos State Rehabilitation Home, Majidun, Ikorodu on the outskirts of Lagos.

Some of the beggars prosecuted, P.M.NEWS gathered, were said to have attacked government officials during a rampage at the Lagos State Rehabilitation Home, Majidun, the place where they were being rehabilitated.

Thirteen other beggars were also arraigned on Friday by the government at the same Special Offences Court. Three of the beggars were sentenced to 72 hours community service or pay a fine of N5,000, while 10 others were sentenced to three months imprisonment or pay fine of N10,000 each. Three others were sentenced directly to 72 hours community service without an option of fine.

Special Adviser to the Governor of Lagos State on Youth and Social Development, Dr. Dolapo Badru said government decided to begin prosecution of beggars because it had exhausted its patience with the beggars.

“We still rehabilitate some of them, but most of them don’t want to be rehabilitated and they don’t want to work. They feel more comfortable preying on people with superstitious beliefs.

“Some people believe that if they are unlucky in certain cases or looking for certain ways to make it in life, what they need to do is to give alms to beggars so that their fortune can change. Some believe that if someone debars their progress in life, what they need to do is to give money to beggars to change their fortune.

“Lots of beggars now prey on these people’s superstitious beliefs to get money from them. Many of them pretend to be blind, crippled, among others. They make more money than many people gainfully employed,” he explained.

Badru added that the cosmopolitan nature of Lagos had made it possible for barons to ship beggars to the metropolis to beg for alms, making lots of money, stressing that many of them felt so comfortable begging for alms on roads.

“We have tried a lot to rehabilitate them by making some of them to learn trade, but they don’t want to work. Some of them don’t want to use the skill we taught them to work, but they prefer to be on the road because they make more money at a go than using their skills.

“What we do now is that when we have overcrowding at the rehabilitation homes, we re-unite some of them with their families. However, some people rescued from the street more than once are prosecuted. We have sent 30 of them to Kirikiri and Badagry Prisons,” he stated.

Some of the beggars prosecuted are Fatima Jubril, Sanusi Muhammed, Lado Amadu, Badayani Garuba, Denyaya Isali, Beto Manu, Garuba Ibrahim, Aruna Yau, Dauda Amadu and Magada Salisu.

U.S. to become biggest oil producer - IEA

The United States will overtake Saudi Arabia to become the world's biggest oil producer before 2020, and will be energy independent 10 years later, according to a new forecast by the International Energy Agency.

The recent resurgence in oil and gas production, and efforts to make the transport sector more efficient, are radically reshaping the nation's energy market, reported Paris-based IEA in its World Energy Outlook.

North America would become a net exporter of oil around 2030, the global organization said Monday.

"The United States, which currently imports around 20% of its total energy needs, becomes all but self sufficient in net terms -- a dramatic reversal of the trend seen in most other energy importing countries," the IEA stated.

The U.S. is experiencing an oil boom, in large part thanks to high world prices and new technologies, including hydraulic fracking, that have made the extraction of oil and gas from shale rock commercially viable.

From 2008 to 2011, U.S. crude oil production jumped 14%, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration. Natural gas production is up by about 10% over the same period.

Related: the facts about oil and gas under Obama

According to the IEA, U.S. natural gas prices will rise to $5.5 per million British thermal units (MBtu) in 2020, from around $3.5 per MBtu this year, driven by rising domestic demand rather than a forecast increase in exports to Asia and other markets.

"In our projections, 93% of the natural gas produced in the United States remains available to meet domestic demand," it said. "Exports on the scale that we project would not play a large role in domestic price setting."

North America's new role in the world energy markets will accelerate a change in the direction of international oil trade toward Asia, and underscore the importance of securing supply routes from the Middle East to China and India.


I think it is high time Nigeria began to diversify. I wonder what will be the fate of Nigeria by 2020 when there is oil and no one to sell it to. United States constitute major buyer of Nigeria oil.

President Jonathan to swear in 2 New Ministers today- Reno Omokri

The Special Adviser(media)to President Goodluck Jonathan wrote on his twitter handle this morning that President Jonathan will be swearing in 2 new ministers at 10am this morning.

Jermaine Dupri Money Ain't a Thang ... Pays Off $3 Mil Tax Lien!

Jermaine Dupri is eatin' crab, watching bitches shake s**t all night ... you know why? Because the music mogul just took a huge load off his shoulders -- AND PAID OFF A $3 MILLION TAX LIEN!!!!

The lien was filed by the IRS in 2008, claiming Dupri didn't pay all his taxes from way back in 2006 ... to the tune of $3,095,004.64.

But the rapper finally stepped up and paid off the massive bill and the lien was released on January 18.

It officially makes Dupri a super tax debt destroyer ... as you'll recall he coughed up almost $500,000 last year to pay off a different lien filed in Georgia.
Now if only he could use those powers on his mortgage.

Outrage over N4bn allocation for first ladies’ house

Civil rights groups and political parties have berated the Federal Capital Territory Administration for budgeting N4bn for the construction of First Ladies’ Mission House in Abuja.

They said that the N4bn budget was a demonstration of the Goodluck Jonathan administration’s penchant for profligacy.

The N4bn proposal was contained in the FCT’s N253bn budget for the 2013 fiscal year currently before the National Assembly.

In a statement signed by its National Publicity Secretary, Chief Emma Eneukwu, in Abuja, on Sunday, the All Nigeria Peoples Party described the budgetary provision as illegal, corrupt, and unpatriotic.

It said since the Federal Government had earlier declared the mission as a non- governmental organisation, it would be inappropriate for the same government to spend public funds on it.

The statement reads, “Our party believes that the matter is a non-issue as the budget for the complex is inherently illegal and should not waste the time of the distinguished senators in their work.

“The fact on ground is that the Federal Government has already declared that the African First Ladies Peace Mission is a non-governmental organisation and could not be funded with the taxpayers’ money.

The party added, “For the avoidance of doubt, we wish to remind Nigerians that in July 2012, the Presidency, while refuting reports that the Federal Government had purchased 200 new exotic cars for the African First Ladies Summit in Abuja, affirmed that AFLPM, which was holding its summit in Abuja, is an NGO and its activities are funded by stakeholders and members of the private sector who support and identify with its objectives.

“The statement by Dr Reuben Abati, Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, stated inter alia, ‘in accordance with its modus operandi, the AFLPM set up several committees, including a finance committee to raise funds and sponsorship for the organisation of its Abuja summit.”

‘Therefore, our party finds it puzzling, absurd and incongruous that another project of the AFLPM could now be smuggled into the budget of the FCT, an undeniable burden to the already burdened citizens of our great nation.”

While declaring the provision of the budget as unpatriotic, the party called on the members of the Senate to reject the budget provision.

It said that there were several people-oriented projects begging for attention in Nigeria and wondered why the FCTA decided to fund the project to the detriment of Nigerians.

On its part, the Congress for Progressive Change described it as “outrageous imprudence.”

According to a statement signed by its National Publicity Secretary, Mr. Rotimi Fashakin, the CPC declared that the budget in itself was a demonstration of the present administration’s profligacy.

The party said it had noted “the N253bn budget proposal by the FCT Minister, Mr Bala Muhammed, and for which the President had given his Executive approval.

“As expected with this regime, there are items in the 2013 budget that are not just absurd but utterly outrageous.

Among the bizarre lines embedded in the budget document are:

- N4bn for construction of First Lady’s mission building.

- N5bn for rehabilitation of commercial sex workers.

- N7bn for construction of two city gates.

- N150mn for renovation of vice-president’s guest houses in Asokoro.

“It is appalling to see budgetary allocation as much as N4bn for the office of the First Lady that is not recognised by the Nation’s constitution.”

The party added, “A cursory view of these budgetary items easily reveals that this PDP-led regime is never in short supply of nauseous financial recklessness and indescribable superfluity of indiscretion.

“At a time when many Nigerians have been rendered homeless by the anti-people stance of the PDP-led FCT administration, it is ludicrous to imagine that, rather than embarking on projects in alleviating the afflictions, this clueless regime has again shown its undisguised self-centeredness. Indeed, it beggars belief that a supposed democratic government can revel in such thoughtless insensitivity!

CPC said, “Recently, the N7bn allocation for the construction of a new home for the vice-president was mindlessly jerked up to N16bn. Despite the show of outrage by the Nigerian people – as evindinced by their elected representatives in the National Assembly- the same regime is demanding another humongous allocation for renovating the guess houses for the same Vice-president.

“It is unmistakably clear that, whilst the nation’s rulers demand selflessness and sacrifice from Nigerians, they do not show example in walking the talk in preachment on patriotism!

“As a party, we are convinced beyond doubt that this PDP-led administration is incapable of judicious appropriation of scarce resources. It is for this reason that we call on the National Assembly to investigate this dubious budgetary approval and ensure reversal of this reported infra-dig.”

Also speaking on the issue, Executive Director of the Civil Society Legislative and Advocacy Centre, Mallam Awual Musa-Rafsanjani; said the allocation was an insult to Nigerian taxpayers.

He explained that it was sad that at a time the administration was making plans to increase the tax burden on residents of the city, it was planning to waste such funds.

Culled from Punch Newspaper

Nigerians are too impatient –Keshi •Eagles grab $15,000 each

Super Eagles coach Stephen Keshi basking in the euphoria of a big victory over Africa Nations Cup favourites, Cote d’Ivoire has blasted Nigerians. Keshi who said that his team did not enjoy the needed support before the Eagles game against Elephants on Sunday carpeted the fans for their lack of patience.

Against all odds and bookmakers rating, Nigeria reached the semi-finals of the Nations Cup after beating the Ivorians 2-1 at the Royal Bafokeng Stadium, Rustenburg.

Keshi said, “I thank the players, Nigerians and all those who criticised the team. They all contributed to the victory we had today. The big challenge we have is that Nigerians do not believe in the home-based players but I do. I believe if they are given the opportunity they’ll play much better. The problem is that in Nigeria, where I come from, we’re not patient with the home-based players.”

In Sunday’s match, Nigeria scored first through a thunderous free-kick from Emmanuel Emenike but the Ivorians equalised early in the second half and seized control of possession before Warri Wolves’ Sunday Mba scored the winner. Keshi said he had no doubt that Nigeria would win even after the Eagles conceded the equaliser while avoiding singling out any individual player as hero of the game.

“It wasn’t about individual game; we just wanted to win the game. It wasn’t just Sunday Mba who was the hero; everyone in the team was a hero. Mba scored the golden goal, and I’m just so happy. Maybe I have to give him a kiss if I see him,” Keshi said.

“What is important is that we are progressing everyday and I hope that we will keep growing that way. Nobody gave us a chance to beat the Ivorians because of their quality but we have done it today.”

While assessing the opponents, Keshi noted that although Nigeria won the match, it was a difficult game for the Eagles.

“We are not ready to go home and that’s what has happened. We wrestled against great players like Didier Drogba and Yaya Toure and it’s good to end such contest with victory,” he said.

The Eagles should laugh to the bank with the victory over the Ivorians. The players were promised $15,000 each if they secured a semi-final ticket over their fellow West Africans. The amount does not include the $100,000 donated to the team by Rivers Governor Rotimi Amaechi and the pledge made by billionaire businessman Alhaji Aliko Dangote.

Nigeria’s semi-final match is on Wednesday. The third place match for losers will hold on Saturday while the final match of the competition is billed for Sunday in Johannesburg.

Culled from Punch Newspaper

Frank Ocean NOT Pressing Charges Against Chris Brown

It is obvious Frank Ocean WILL NOT be charging Chris Brown to court after the last week parking brawl that ensued between the two.

Frank wrote a post on his Tumblr page to explain his decision, saying, "As a child I thought if someone jumped me it would result in me murdering or mutilating a man. But as a man I am not a killer."

He continued, "I’ll choose sanity. No criminal charges. No civil lawsuit. Forgiveness, albeit difficult, is wisdom. peace, albeit trite, is what I want in my short life. Peace.”


It takes a special human to think this way. Nice one Frank.

Power outage at the Super Bowl

According to AP Photo/Gerald Herbert, Half the lights are out in the Superdome during a power outage in the second half of the NFL Super Bowl XLVII football game between the San Francisco 49ers and Baltimore Ravens on Sunday, Feb. 3, 2013