Global Naija Info

A red carpet extravaganza was experienced in Greenwich ODEON in London, on Friday, June 11, 2016, at an event hosted by iROKO World and Lebara Play, to honour iROKO World’s Global Brand Ambassador and Nollywood star actress, Funke Akindele. Funke Akindele and DJ Abass The event which was put together to celebrate Funke’s renowned Nollywood character, ‘Jenifa’, saw hundreds of Funke’s fans troop out for a screening of episodes 1 and 2 of Season 4 of Jenifa’s Diary, as well as a Q&A on stage with Funke and DJ Abass. As a special treat for her fans, Funke also showcased a world-exclusive, much-anticipated sneak peek of Jenifa’s Diary Season 5. The talented actress was elegantly adorned in a stunning orange gown which she paired with a beautiful pair of Sophia Webster heels and finished up wearing a nude makeup on the red carpet where she met and took selfies with fans. Also in attendance on the red carpet were DJ Abass, Ayo Shonaiya, Oyinbo Princes, Diana Yekinni, Falz, Wisetola...

Late Sir Ahmadu Bello, first Premier of Northern Nigeria Gripping details of how Sir Ahmadu Bello, the Sardauna of Sokoto and Premier of the Northern region was killed by mutinous soldiers led by the late Major Patrick Chukwuma Nzeogwu on January 15, 1966 have been revealed in a series of dispatches by British diplomats and intelligence officers during the period. Titled:British Secret Files on Nigeria’s First Bloody Coup, Path to Biafra, the details are contained in the current issue of TheNEWS magazine which is out today on the newsstand. It was written by Damola Awoyokun, an engineer and historian. According to intelligence dispatches on the death of Ahmadu Bello, he was not in the main house but upstairs in the rear annex with his senior wife Habsatu; his second wife Goggon Kano, third wife Jabbo Birnin Kebbi and Sallama, a house retainer when Nzeogwu and his soldiers started breaking down doors asking for Sardauna. ”They (Sardauna and his wives) listened and rattled prayer be...

R-L: Representative of Lagos State Governor, Secretary to the State Government, Mr. Tunji Bello, with Speaker, Lagos House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Mudashir Obasa; and Son of late M.K.O Abiola, Mr. Jamiu Abiola during the 23rd Anniversary of June 12 with the theme Democracy and Inclusiveness: Basis for Good Governance, at the Blue Roof, LTV. Agidingbi, Ikeja, on Sunday, June 12, 2016.   R-L: Representative of Lagos State Governor, Secretary to the State Government, Mr. Tunji Bello; Speaker, Lagos House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Mudashir Obasa; Chairman of the Occasion, Mr. Ayo Opadokun; former Military Governor of Lagos State, Rear Admiral Ndubusi Kanu (rtd.) and Senator Olabiyi Durojaiye during the 23rd Anniversary of June 12 with the theme Democracy and Inclusiveness: Basis for Good Governance, at the Blue Roof, LTV. Agidingbi, Ikeja, on Sunday, June 12, 2016.   L-R: Speaker, Lagos House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Mudashir Obasa; Representative of Lagos State Governor, Secretar...

Kazeem Ugbodaga Officers of the Nigerian Customs Services, Federal Operations Unit, Zone ‘A’ Ikeja have attacked a Magistrate of the Lagos State Mobile Court, Magistrate Lekan Aka-Bashorun and carted away court exhibits with recording gadgets. ID Card of the customs officer who slaps a Magistrate One of the fully armed Nigerian Customs Assistant ‘1’, Mr. Yusuf S. S with Service No. 48730 and a card No. 368 attached to the Federal Operations Unit, Zone ‘A’ Ikeja was said to have slapped Magistrate Aka-Bashorun for ordering his court officials to impound Nigerian Custom officers private vehicles for traffic offences. His other armed men beat-up two para-military officials and manhandled two Superintendents of Police attached to the Lagos State Task Force, Sunday Ikharere and Adeloye Okunola at the gate of their premises in Ikeja. Two customs officers arrested and later released Taskforce spokesman, Taofiq Adebayo said officers of the Nigerian Customs Service at Ikeja who troope...

Kazeem Ugbodaga The operatives of the Rapid Response Squad (RRS) have arrested an ex-convict for allegedly robbing a Portuguese couple in traffic around Ijora area of Lagos, Southwest Nigeria. The suspect, Samuel Meme, 22, from Delta State, an erstwhile scrap metal collector before venturing into robbery, stated that he targeted and robbed cars whose occupants were busy using their phones while in traffic. Picture: The ex-convict (Right) with the receiver of stolen battery Meme was arrested on Saturday morning after robbing a Portuguese couple and an occupant of another car in traffic at Marine Bridge, Ijora. In his confessional statement, the suspect said, “my plan was to operate alone that night. Luckily for me there was heavy traffic, which extended deep into the night on Marine Bridge. Just as I was planning to strike, I ran into Wasiu (still at large), we decided to rob cars together. “During the operation, we opted for a car at the rear, a Toyota SUV. The occupants were w...

Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer, center right, and Orlando Police Chief John Mina, center left, arrive to a news conference after a fatal shooting at Pulse Orlando nightclub in Orlando, Fla., June 12, 2016. A gunman behind the killing of 50 people in an Orlando, Florida, nightclub early Sunday has reportedly been identified as Omar Saddiqui Mateen, a U.S. citizen of Afghan descent. Police stormed the building, fatally shooting the suspect and rescuing club-goers trapped inside, another 53 people were wounded. An FBI official said the mass shooting is being investigated as an “act of terrorism.” The White House issued a statement indicating President Barack Obama has been briefed by his counterterrorism and homeland security advisor and has asked to receive regular updates. The statement said the president ordered the federal government to provide investigators with “any assistance necessary.” It also said, “Our thoughts and prayers are with the families and loved ones of the victims.” ...

Malam Nasir El-Rufai, Kaduna State Governor The Supreme Council for Sharia in Nigeria (SCSN), Kaduna State Chapter, on Sunday declared that the attack on one Francis Emmanuel for eating during the Ramadan was not Islamic. The Chairman of the council, Sheikh Yusuf Rigachikun, disclosed this when he led other members of the council to St. Gerard’s Catholic Hospital, Kaduna, where the victim is currently recuperating. Emmanuel, a carpenter, was attacked with knives and other dangerous weapons by unknown persons on Tuesday in Kakuri, Kaduna, for eating during the fasting period. Represented by Tukur Abdussalal, a member of the council, Rigachukun said that the council was “upset” after receiving the news of the ugly incident and decided to visit and console the victim. “We are deeply sorry that this has happened. It is not Islamic and we condemn it. “We received the news with disbelief and decided as a council to come and console you and share in your pains,“ he told Emmanuel. He p...

Akinwunmi Ambode Kazeem Ugbodaga Twenty-three years after the annulment of the June 12, 1993 Presidential election widely acclaimed to have been won by the late Moshood Kashimawo Olawale Abiola, Lagos State Governor, Akinwunmi Ambode, former Lagos Military Administrator, Ndubuisi Kanu and the Convener of the Coalition of Democrats for Electoral Reforms (CODER), Ayo Opadokun, have called for true federalism in the country. The argued that true federalism is the way out of the current problems facing the country. The trio spoke at the 23rd anniversary of June 12, organised by the Lagos State Office of Civic Engagement at the Lagos Television Ground, Ikeja, Lagos, Southwest Nigeria on Sunday. According to Ambode, the ideal of June 12 was that of true federalism, which he said was currently lacking in the nation and that there was the urgent need to embrace true federalism so that things could take proper shape in the nation. Ambode, who was represented by the Secretary to the State...

Deputy governor Yetunde Onanuga at the Abiola family home in Abeokuta where prayers were offered for the martyrs The family of the late Chief MKO Abiola, the presumed winner of the June 12, 1993 presidential election, has called on the Federal Government to declare him the winner and pay presidential entitlements to his family. The request was made on Sunday by the head of the family, Alhaji Muritala Abiola, at the commemoration of the June 12, 1993 election. The event, which was organised by the state government, started with a Democracy Walk from the June 12 Cultural Centre, Kuto, Abeokuta to the Oke Ido ancestral home of the Abiolas. Muritala, who is the younger brother of the late business mogul, said he deserved the entitlement for dying for the enthronement of democracy in the country. “First, we want the Federal Government to declare June 12 as Democracy Day. It should do even more than that. “Ken Saro Wiwa died fighting over Ogoni oil spillage, the Federal Government is ...

Asiwaju Bola Tinubu Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, the National Leader of the All Progressives Congress has tasked Nigerians on the need to speak up against corruption and financial recklessness in high places. In a statement released on Sunday to mark the June 12 anniversary, Tinubu called on all to speak up against any form of financial recklessness and corruption in high places in their state or local administration and wherever found. ”Beyond speaking against and exposing corruption, Nigerians must speak for and in support of the on-going concerted efforts being coordinated by President Muhammadu Buhari,” he added. In the statement entitled: June 12, the cornerstone of our democracy, Tinubu said the lessons of the June 12 struggle abide. ”To June 12 we must return to rekindle our love and devotion for democracy and Nigeria. ”We know that no change comes easy and we must be mindful of the fact that the success of the APC led government is the success of all of us,” he stated. Read the...

Simon Lalong, Plateau State Governor Proprietors of private schools in Plateau have cried out over what they called multiple taxes in the state. They also expressed the fear that “such massive extortion” could lead to the closure of some institutions. “The taxes are not only very heavy, but so many. ` We have been trying to get the authorities to harmonise them otherwise it will be very difficult for many of us to cope,” Chief Ezekiel Sabo, President, National Association of Proprietors of Private Schools (NAPPS) in Plateau, said on Sunday. Sabo, in an interview listed the taxes to include the N200,000 charged schools whose registration process was still on-going. Other charges, he said, included the annual renewal fee of between N75,000 and N200,000, depending on the number of arms as well as the Pay As You Earn (PAYE) taxes paid on behalf of school workers. He said that the proprietors were also charged separate taxes, depending on the income and size of the school. “In the ...

File photo of an arrested Boko Haram kingpin The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) on Sunday said it had arrested a 56-year-old Boko Haram kingpin in Aski Uba Local Government Area of Borno. The Commandant of the NSCDC in Borno, Mr Ibrahim Abdullahi, disclosed this in an interview in Maiduguri. Abdullahi said that the suspect was apprehended at Mussa village on June 7. “Our men have made remarkable progress by arresting a Boko Haram kingpin. “The notorious kingpin was said to be a recruiter as well as supplier of arms and IEDs to Boko Haram terrorists. “He confessed that his three children were also arrow heads of the Boko Haram sect,’’ he said. He said the command had since handed over the suspect to the army for further investigation.

File Photo: Suspected pipeline vandals The Ogun Command of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) has arrested two members of a syndicate which specialises in pipeline vandalism‎ on the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway. The command also recovered a total of nine vehicles and seven motorcycles from the suspects as well as 3,000 jerry cans in an operation at Oluwo-Ifote village in Obafemi-Owode Local Government Area of the state. The state NSCDC Commandant, Akinwande Aboluwoye, who conducted reporters on an on-the-spot assessment of the vandalised pipeline on Saturday, said the corps raided the forest in the early hours of Friday. The two male suspects were aged 33 and 21. It was gathered that other members of the syndicate fled when NSCDC operatives stormed a thick forest in Oluwo-Ifote where fuel was being scooped from a vandalised NNPC pipeline. Aboluwoye said that some of the jerry cans as well as drums had been loaded with Premium Motor Spirit and were awaiting transport...

•Armed Niger Delta militants in the creeks. Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has urged the Federal Government to “stand up to powerful oil companies that have continued to abuse the human rights of the people of the Niger Delta with impunity for decades if it is to satisfactorily resolve the crisis in the region.” Against the background of continuing crisis in the Niger Delta fuelled by the activities of the ‘Niger Delta Avengers’ who are relentlessly bombing the country’s oil infrastructure and have slashed its crude output, SERAP in a statement today by the organization’s executive director Adetokunbo Mumuni said that, “an important part of the solution to the human rights crisis is for President Muhammadu Buhari to implement the ECOWAS Court judgment which ordered the Nigerian government to punish oil companies over oil pollution and devastation in the region.” The statement reads in part: “This government should make sure that the activities of oil compa...

Governor Ibikunle Amosun of Ogun State Abiodun Onafuye/Abeokuta Governor Ibikunle Amosun of Ogun State this morning led dignitaries and the people of the State for the commemorative walk to mark the 23rd anniversary of June 12, the acclaimed real democracy day in Nigeria. The walk commenced at the June 12 Cultural Centre, Kuto, Abeokuta and will terminate at the Oja- Agbo,Gbagura, Abeokuta, the .ancestral home of the late business mogul,Late Chief Moshood Kasimawo Olawale Abiola. Our correspondent, who moved round the town early this morning reported that all was set for the walk. A tent has been erected at the Abiola family house,where special prayers will be observed for the acclaimed winner of the Presidential election of June 12,1993, Chief M.K.O. Abiola,his late wives,Simbiat and Kudirat Abiola and other departed souls. In a statement issued on Saturday and signed by the Secretary to the State Government, SSG,Barr. Taiwo Adeoluwa, Civil servants,political appointees, human...

Governor Ibikunle Amosun of Ogun State Abiodun Onafuye/Abeokuta Governor Ibikunle Amosun of Ogun State this morning led dignitaries and the people of the State for the commemorative walk to mark the 23rd anniversary of June 12, the acclaimed real democracy day in Nigeria. The walk commenced at the June 12 Cultural Centre, Kuto, Abeokuta and will terminate at the Oja- Agbo,Gbagura, Abeokuta, the .ancestral home of the late business mogul,Late Chief Moshood Kasimawo Olawale Abiola. Our correspondent, who moved round the town early this morning reported that all was set for the walk. A tent has been erected at the Abiola family house,where special prayers will be observed for the acclaimed winner of the Presidential election of June 12,1993, Chief M.K.O. Abiola,his late wives,Simbiat and Kudirat Abiola and other departed souls. In a statement issued on Saturday and signed by the Secretary to the State Government, SSG,Barr. Taiwo Adeoluwa, Civil servants,political appointees, human...