Security Forces Kill 21 Suspected Terrorists In Fresh Damaturu Attack

The spokesman of the 3 Division Special Operation Battalion, Damaturu, Captain Eli Lazarus says 21 suspected members of the Boko Haram sect were killed in the gun battle with security forces that lasted over 8 hours Thursday, 24 October in Damaturu the Yobe state capital.

The spokesman in a statement today in Damaturu says three vehicles were also recovered from the insurgents during a severe encounter with the terrorists in various parts of Damaturu that lasted for several hours.

FIFA U-17 World Cup: Nigeria faces Iran in second round

The line-up for the second round of the 2013 FIFA U-17 World Cup in the UAE was completed on Friday with Nigeria billed to face Iran on Tuesday, Oct. 29.

The last games in the third series of first round group matches were played on Friday evening in Dubai and Al Ain City.

The matches were in Groups E and F and they ensured the emergence of the last qualifiers for the eight Round of 16 matches.

NFF given 48 hours to explain why Keshi is owed 7 months’ salary

The Nigeria Sports Commission (NSC) has given the Nigerian Football Federation (NFF) 48 hours to explain why national coach Stephen Keshi is owed seven months’ salary.

Keshi, who is preparing Nigeria for November’s World Cup play-off second leg against Ethiopia, revealed to BBC Sport he has not been paid since he led the Super Eagles to the Africa Cup of Nations title in February.

Nigeria crushes Iraq 5-0, Seals top spot

Sensational Nigeria rounded off their Group F campaign with a 5-0 hammering of Iraq at the Rashid Stadium in Dubai, a result which is good enough to see them finish top of the section as they get set for the Round of 16 at the FIFA U-17 World Cup in UAE. Four goals in the first half set the tempo for the contest which was never really going to end well for the Iraqis, who now head for home after three straight defeats. Mexico and Sweden also go through from the section as second and third-place finishers respectively.

Court Awards Ibori Bribe Money To Federal Government

The Federal High Court sitting in Abuja has awarded the ownership of the $15 million former Delta state governor, James Ibori bribe money to the federal government.

The court averred that the Delta state government failed to prove beyond reasonable doubt that the money belongs to it.

The Delta state government claimed ownership of the money allegedly given by Mr. Ibori, as bribe to stave-off arrest by former chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Mallam Nuhu Ribadu.

The EFCC had in July 2012 approached the court through an ex- parte application, requesting for an

order forfeiting the Ibori bribe which had been lying in the vaults of the Central Bank of Nigeria for more than five years to the Federal Government as unclaimed proceed of crime.

The EFCC had urged the court to dismiss the claim by the Delta State government to the alleged bribe and order the final forfeiture of the sum to the Federal Government in line with the provisions of Section 17 of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Related Offences Act, 2006.

Nigeria military imposes 24-hour curfew on Yobe following Boko Haram attacks.

The military on Friday imposed a 24-hour curfew on Yobe following attacks on Damaturu, the state capital, by suspected insurgents on Thursday night.

This is contained in a statement signed by Capt. Eli Lazarus, spokesman of the 3 Division Special Operations Battalion, Damaturu.

“The 3 Division Special Operation Battalion, Damaturu, hereby imposes a 24-hour curfew across Yobe state, with immediate effect.

Show us evidence of Legal Marriage - Ojukwu's Family Tells Bianca

The story according to the NATION

As the tussle for the ownership of Ojukwu Transport Limited (OTL) and Ojukwu Estate rages, some members of the Ojukwu family have asked Mrs. Bianca Ojukwu to show proof of legal marriage to the late Biafran warlord, Emeka Odimegwu-Ojukwu.

The Ojukwu brothers and OTL, in a 19-paragraph statement of defence filed before Justice Funmilayo Atilade of a Lagos High Court, also demanded proof of the paternity of Bianca’s two sons, Afamefuna and Nwachukwu.

Pirates Kidnap 2 US Sailors Off Nigerian Coast

Pirates have attacked an oil supply vessel off the Nigerian coast and kidnapped the captain and chief engineer.

Security sources say that both men are US citizens.

UK based security firm AKE and 2 security sources say the US-flagged C-retriever, owned by US Marine Transport Group, Edison Chouest offshore, was attacked in the early hours of yesterday.

In a separate incident, 3 Nigerian soldiers are reported to have been killed on Tuesday after armed robbers attacked a vessel, carrying construction workers in the creeks of Rivers State.

Maritime sources say that pirate attacks off Nigeria’s coast have jumped by a third this year, as ships passing through West-Africa’s gulf of Guinea, a major commodities route, have increasingly come under threat from gangs wanting to snatch cargoes and crews.

Photo: EFCC arraigns female banker for N12million scam

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Wednesday October 23, 2013 arraigned a banker, Yagana Ibrahim Bukar before Justice Fatu Riman of the Federal High Court Kano on 10-count charge bordering on money laundering and theft.

The accused is said to have abused her position as account officer at Sky Bank Plc and stole N12, 626, 250 of depositors’ fund. She allegedly perpetrated the scam by posting the sum into three Sky Bank accounts belonging to her family members- Hajja Fanna, her sister; Grema Ibrahim Bukar, her brother and her child, Ummu Kulthum.

In order to conceal the illicit origin of the money, the accused allegedly used part of the money to open a provision store in the Kawo area of Kano Metropolis.

HIV positive doctor rapes patient on admission

A medical personnel believed to be a doctor has been arrested by the men of the Benue State police command for raping a female patient who was on admission in a hospital where he practices.

The alleged rapist (name withheld), is a medical practitioner with Tersoo Clinic in Naka town, Gwer West local government area of Benue state.

LEADERSHIP gathered that the medical personnel reportedly tested positive to HIV/AIDs and was receiving Anti-Retroviral (ARV) treatment at the General Hospital Naka, before the incident.

Today's International Football Headlines.

***Crystal Palace co-chairman Steve Parish has admitted that former Stoke manager Tony Pulis will be approached over the vacancy at Selhurst Park following Ian Holloway's departure from the club.

***Copenhagen head coach Stale

Solbakken remains confident his team can advance to the UEFA Champions League knockout stages. A 3-1 loss at Galatasaray on Wednesday was Copenhagen's second in Group B, with their only point coming in a draw against Juventus.

***Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti insisted the result was paramount following their 2-1 win over Juventus in the UEFA Champions League on Wednesday night.

ASUU Strike: Universities should also find ways of generating income – Jonathan

PRESIDENT Goodluck Ebele Jonathan has said that government alone
cannot fund university education, therefore charging the society and
the Universities come to the rescue of the federal government.

Speaking at the convocation ceremony of University of Ilorin,
President Goodluck Jonathan, who was represented by Barrister Nyesom
Wike, the Supervising Minister for education said that Universities
should find ways of generating income to supplement the federal
government funding while also calling on the society as well as stake
holders to also join hands in funding University education in Nigeria

BREAKING NEWS!!! ASUU ‘wants N1.5tr’ to end strike

The Senate on Wednesday said that the striking Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) wants N1.5 trillion to end its ongoing strike.

The Chairman of the Senate Committee on Education, Senator Uche Chukwumerije, released the figure in his contribution on a motion urging the striking lecturers to call off their strike.

The motion sponsored by the Senate Leader, Senator Victor Ndoma-Egba, and 106 others is entitled: “Appeal to Academic Staff Union of Universities to call off the strike action and return to work.”

Chukwumerije, who read the controversial 2009 agreement between the Federal Government and ASUU, said that part of the component of the agreement on funding stipulated that “all regular federal universities shall require the sum of N1.5 trillion for the period 2009 to 2011.

Jonathan Sets Up Panel To Investigate Oduah’s Armoured Cars.

The Federal Executive Council has set up a three-man investigative panel of inquiry to unravel the circumstances surrounding the procurement process of the armoured cars by the NCAA and find out if the purchase followed due process, the purpose for which the vehicles were procured and any other incidental matter.

Briefing state house correspondents after the council meeting the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity Dr. Reuben Abati said that the three-man panel will be headed by a former Head of Service of the Federation, Alhaji Sali Isa Bello, the National Security Adviser, Colonel Sambo Dasuki and Air Vice Marshal Dick Iruenavere (Rtd.) Will serve as members.

Military: African Winds Training Kicks Off In Calabar

About 200 Nigerian troops consisting of the Nigerian Army and the Nigerian Navy as well as 19 foreign troops from Netherlands, United Kingdom and the United States of America are now undergoing tactical training on capacity building at amphibious training school in Calabar, the Cross River State Capital.

The training exercise code-named The African Wing according to the flag officer commanding Eastern Naval Command, Rear Admiral Joe Aikhomu is a capacity building programme led by Netherlands marine forces to help African Military forces develop and improve their capacity to jointly plan and execute military operations in the maritime domain.

PHOTOS: Wizkid's son Faces the Camera in Different Styles.

Meehn!!! This boy looks stylish, cute and very intelligent. His swag is very hot tho!

More pics below.

BlackBerry rolls out BBM to Android,iPhone users.

BlackBerry Ltd said
on Monday it has begun to roll out its BlackBerry Messenger (BBM) service to users of Android and iPhone devices.
The long-awaited cross-platform offering, which was delayed after issues arose following the initial launch last month, is now being rolled out in a phased manner.
"To help manage this unprecedented pent-up demand for BBM, we are implementing a simple line-up system to ensure a smooth rollout," Andrew Bocking, who heads the BlackBerry's BBM business, said in a blog post on the company's website.
BlackBerry said last week that 6 million Android and iPhone customers had pre- registered for the launch.
The company said those that had alreadysigned up for the service at BBM.com are being allowed to use the platform right away, while others will be signed on as fast as possible.

Goodnews: Atiku, 215 others sign petition toend ASUU strike.

Two hundred and sixteen Nigerians at home and in the Diaspora have signed an online petition asking the Federal

Government and the Academic Staff Union of Universities to end the industrial dispute which has kept public universities shut for four months.

The petition launched on change.org, a go-to site for web protests, is asking President Goodluck Jonathan and the National President of ASUU, Dr. Nassir Faggae, to reach an “amicable consensus.”

In the petition entitled, “Mr. President and the Academic Staff Union of Universities: Please End the ASUU Strike now,” the petitioners said the

Presidency should stop playing politics with education of the Nigerian youth.

Nigeria's Amos Adamu Serves Out CorruptionBan

Former FIFA executive committee

member Amos Adamu has served out his ban for corruption.

The Nigerian, who was a member of the CAF Executive Committee, was banned from all football activities in 2010 for seeking money in return for voting on the 2018 and 2022 World Cup hosting rights.

Adamu was slapped with a three-year ban for corruption in the game, a ban he has finished serving, paving the way for him to return to the game.

Adamu was caught on video while asking for $800,000 by undercover reporters and was not allowed to take part in the 2010 votes.

FIFA U-17 World Cup:Nigeria 3-3 Sweden

Nigeria, who won their first game in UAE 6-1 over Mexico, showed some defensive frailties in their 3-3 draw with Sweden at the Khalifa Bin Zayed Stadium in Al Ain. 

The Scandinavians, playing in their first FIFA U-17 World Cup, stuck to their game-plan and were thoroughly deserving of their share of the spoils against the Group F favourites as both sides now look good bets to reach the knockout rounds.

The Swedes only needed 11 minutes to shock the much-feared Golden Eaglets, and the goal came from a hopeful ball lofted into the penalty area from deep in midfield. 

Nigerian keeper Dele Alampsu thought he had a chance at intercepting and raced out of his net, but Erdal Rakip got to the ball first and nodded across the face of goal. Valmir Berisha was on the spot to guide the ball home on the volley. It was 2-0 to the Scandinavians eight minutes later when Anton Saletros bamboozled his man on the left flank and crossed deep into the penalty area. Berisha showed he had his shooting boots on as he expertly headed home his second goal of the contest.

Nigeria’s illiterate adults’ population worries World Bank

The World Bank has expressed concern at the growing population of illiterate adults in Nigeria, which has been put at 46 million.

The figure puts Nigeria in the category of 10 countries of the world with more than 10 million illiterate adults whose ages range from 15 years and above.

The bank stated this in a document packaged for its State Education Investment Project, which would provide $150m credit facilities to Anambra, Bauchi and Ekiti states, in collaboration with the Federal Government.

It said poverty was still significant in Nigeria despite the nation’s strong economic track records and that addressing the trend would require strong non-oil growth and a sustained focus on human development.

I don't know why i don't sue my Tailors when they misbehave–Davida Okpara

Davida Okpara,the Creative Director of Davida Shirts is a law graduate who has been making an enduring statement with classy and trendy shirts since 1998. The ace shirt maker has won several fashion awards. The brand boasts of an enviable network of stylish clients and her shirts appeal to individuals who want to make a statement anywhere. She was one of the designers who showcased their brands at the just concluded Native and Vogue International Fashion Show in Port Harcourt. 

See the full interview with the SUN......

Senate set to resume tomorrow, to probe aviation crisis

The Senate will on Tuesday resume after its sallah break to consider various contending national issues, including the current crisis rocking the aviation industry.

The Senate had summoned the Minister of Aviation, Mrs. Stella Oduah, and heads of agencies under the ministry to appear before it in order to explain the real state of the aviation industry.

The decision was taken after the Senators exhaustively discussed a motion moved by senator Hope Uzodima from Imo West Senatorial District, who drew the attention of his colleagues to the air crash involving a 23 year-old Propeller aeroplane on the fleet of the Associated Airlines three weeks ago.

Naija Routine: Boko Haram kills 19 in Borno

Members of the Boko Haram Islamic sect may have killed 19 people in Borno State on Sunday.

AFP reported that the insurgents who were dressed in military uniforms and wielding AK 47 assault rifles killed the 19 motorists by blocking the highway near Logumani which is 19 kilometres from the nation’s border with Cameroun.

It was stated that while the insurgent who were riding on motorcycles shot five of the victims to death, the rest 14 were slaughtered.

The leader of the Civilian JTF in the area, Musa Abur, was quoted as having said that those shot included two truck drivers and their assistants.