Global Naija Info

The Minister of Interior, Lt.-Gen. Abdurahaman Dambazau (retd.), has ordered immediate security beef up at the Kuje Medium prisons and all other prisons across the country. The minister gave the order on Monday in Abuja shortly after an on-the-spot assessment of the Kuje prisons where two inmates had escaped on Friday. The two inmates standing trial for murder were said to have escaped from the kuje prison on Friday and are still at large. Dambazau, who was taken round the prison facility by the Comptroller General of the Nigeria Prisons Service (NPS), Ahmed Jafaru and other prison officials, expressed dismay at the ugly incident. He said that he had ordered for detailed investigation into the matter and vowed to get to the root of the matter, while the hunt for the escaped inmates continues. The minister decried the poor state of the prison and recalled that he had observed some security lapses around the prison the last time he visited and called for remediation. “The last time...

Chief (Mrs) Yetunde Onanuga, Deputy Governor of Ogun State Suspected militants on Monday attacked the security team of the Ogun Deputy Governor, Chief Mrs Yetunde Onanuga at Ibafo. The militants engaged Onaguga’s security team in gun battle when she embarked on an inspection visit to some borderline communities between Ogun and Lagos states‎ sacked by militants. The suspected militants had last Friday attacked the communities killing scores of residents. Onanuga, who visited Imushin, Elepete and Igbo-Olomu communities‎, reassured the residents of the commitment of the authorities to protect their lives and property. The suspected militants however, began shooting at the security operatives who accompanied the deputy governor at Akoka Ebute area of Ibafo, in Obafemi-Owode Local Government Area. However, the gun battle which lasted for about 20 minutes, did not record any casualty. Traditional rulers from the affected communities‎ had earlier held a meeting with the Secretary to ...

Those whom the gods will destroy, they first make deaf – Nobel Laureate, Prof. Wole Soyinka. Only God knows what we can do without artistes – writers, intellectuals, and critics especially. What would our world be without their artistic talents, creativity, and Bohemian spirit? To my mind, they are the very essence of our existence; the totality of our being. Apart from educating and entertaining us, they interrogate ’knowledge’; speak the truth to power; explore unknown terrains; and fantasise about the future. In doing these, they break barriers and lounge us into new frontiers. They help restrain despots and free a thousand thoughts to contend and thousands more ideas to blossom. These they do at grave personal risks to their own freedoms, liberties, and limbs. In “Writers against rulers”, Dusan Hamsik extensively discussed the perils of those who frontally confront officialdom, especially vile dictatorship. As editor-in-chief of the official newspaper of the Czech Writers’ Union,...

R-L; President Muhammadu Buhari, Global CEO of Unilever, Mr Paul Polman, Managing Director Unilever Nigeria, Mr Yaw Nsarkoh and Chairman Unilever Nigeria, HRH Igwe Nnaemeka Alfred Achebe after an audience with the President at the State House in Abuja. PHOTO; SUNDAY AGHAEZE President Muhammadu Buhari says Nigeria is paying dearly for incompetence in managing high revenue that accrued from oil, particularly over the past decade, and for allowing the decay of critical infrastructure. Speaking at the State House, Abuja, Monday, while receiving the Chief Global CEO of Unilever, Mr Paul Polman, the President said his administration is working very hard to change the structure of the Nigerian economy battered by many years of mismanagement. ”We refused to save for the rainy day. Now the rain is beating us. No money, no savings, nothing. And we are thoroughly wet from the rains,” he said. President Buhari said Nigeria was paying the price for turning herself into a mono economy, but ass...

President Buhari President Muhammadu Buhari has dismissed the allegation by Senate President Bukola Saraki that a cabal had hijacked the government. In a strongly worded statement by Mr Femi Adesina, special adviser on media and publicity, President Buhari said the allegation was a mere invention of Saraki and “is not even worth the paper on which it was written, as anybody can wake from a troubled sleep, and say anything”. “This claim by Senator Saraki would have been more worth the while, if it had been backed with more information. If he had proceeded to identify those who constitute the “government within the government,” it would have taken the issue beyond the realm of fiction and mere conjecture. “But as it stands, the allegation is not even worth the paper on which it was written, as anybody can wake from a troubled sleep, and say anything. “The Attorney-General of the Federation is the Chief Law Officer of the state. It is within his constitutional powers to determine wh...

Olu Adebanjo, alleged impostor The long arm of the law has again caught up with a suspected fraudster, Olu Adebanjo, who heads a syndicate that extorts money from people in the guise of clearing them of non-existent petition purportedly brought against them at the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission. The 45-year old businessman was arrested on June 17, 2016 in a failed attempt to swindle Professor Julius A. Okojie, Executive Secretary of National Universities Commission of N3 million to clear him of a purported corruption allegation. The complainant (Okojie), who also alerted the Commission of the activities of fraudsters impersonating him to defraud vice chancellors of various Universities, was advised to play along. Consequently, the suspect (Adebanjo) was arrested while trying to cash ‘the money’ from one of the new generation banks. He will be charged to court as soon as investigation is concluded.

Kazeem Ugbodaga The Lagos State Government has inaugurated a five-man Special Task Force to checkmate the illegal activities of land grabbers, popularly known as ‘Omo-Onile’ in the state. The State’s Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Adeniji Kazeem, disclosed that government would henceforth enforce the provisions of sections 52 and 53 of the state Criminal Law which prescribed a jail term of two years for any person who forcibly enters or take possession of land in a manner likely to cause a breach of peace. Kazeem said the move was necessary to nip in the bud, acts of dispossessing legitimate land owners of their properties and stifling commercial activities as well as protect investors and maintain law and order. He said the terms of reference of the special taskforce was to reduce to the barest minimum the activities of persons or corporate entities who used force and intimidation to dispossess or prevent any person or entity from acquiring legitimate interest and ...

Wizkid, BET winner Jennifer Okundia Music star, Ayo Balogun better known as Wizkid has thanked his fans and colleagues in the music industry after he won the award for the Best International Act (Africa) at the BET awards, on Sunday. Wizkid alongside Ghana’s Sarkodie were announced as winners in a contested category which featured nominations from fellow Nigerian, Ice Prince; Camp Mulla (Kenya); Lira (South Africa); and Mokobe (Mali). In a statement, the father of two says “I feel blessed and I am thankful to God for making all of this happen.” The star joined previous winners, Tuface and D’banj, on the league of champions of the category. “Thank God for my EME fam, it’s a blessing to be part of an amazing team. Everyone I’ve worked with, everyone who has supported me in one way or the other, God bless you. “To my fans who keep me going, thanks for the love. Thanks to my family for believing in me and letting me live my dreams. Special thanks to everyone at BET. I’m truly honou...

A businesswoman, Helen Ogunniwa, who allegedly obtained a truck load of vegetable oil worth N7.4 million from a business associate, was on Monday docked before a Lagos High Court, Igbosere. Ogunniwa was arraigned by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on a two-count charge of fraud and issuance of dud cheque. The Prosecutor, Miss Elizabeth Oyedotun, told the court that the accused committed the offences on Aug. 23, 2014 in Lagos. She said that the accused fraudulently obtained a truck load of vegetable oil worth N7.4 million from one Alhaja Jumoke Yusuf of Bakro-Jummy Industries Ltd. Oyedotun said that the accused obtained the goods under the pretext of paying back the money realised from the proceeds. She said that the accused did not pay the money but rather issued a bank cheque worth N7.4 million which was dishonoured on presentation due to insufficient funds. The prosecutor said that the offences contravened Sections 1 (2) and (3) of the Advanced Fee Fraud and...

Michelle Obama Visits Liberia with Daughters Sasha and Malia to Push for Girls' Education: 'I'm Here to Shine a Big, Bright Light on You' http://ift.tt/28ZD13X @Peoplemag

Lena Dunham Calls Kanye West's 'Famous' Video 'Disturbing' and 'Sickening' http://ift.tt/28ZCOh9 @Peoplemag

Senate President Bukola Saraki, his deputy, Senator Ike Ekweremadu, former Clerk of the National Assembly, Alhaji Salisu Abubakar Maikasuwa and his deputy, Mr Benedict Efeturi, were on Monday arraigned before the FCT High Court for alleged criminal conspiracy and forgery. These are photographs taken on their arrival in court. Photos: Femi Ipaye Senate President Bukola Saraki and his deputy, Senator Ike Ekweremadu appearing before FCT High Court Policemen threaten to shoot photo-journalists trying to take photographs of the accused Supporters of Senate President Bukola Saraki at the premises of the FCT High Court on Monday The Coaster bus which brought Senator Saraki and others arriving the court premises

The outgoing Deputy Consul-General of the United States in Lagos, Mrs Dehab Ghebreab, on Monday said that about 300,000 Nigerians were currently living in different parts of the U.S. Ghebreab, speaking in Lagos said that the number of Nigerians in America was increasing, also said that about 30,000 Americans were living in Nigeria. “It has been estimated that there are currently about 300,000 Nigerians working, studying or doing business in different states of America. “We also have about 30,000 Americans living in different parts of Nigeria today. “There is a growing increase in the people-to-people relationship between Nigeria and the United States today,’’ she said. Ghebreab noted that after decades of mutual partnership between and the U.S., their relationship had grown favourably within the last five years. According to her, both countries will continue to have closer ties in the near future. Ghebreab said that the U.S. government would continue to promote people-to-people ...

Oldest Female Bodybuilder Celebrates Her 80th Birthday and Still Wakes Up at 2:30 a.m. to Train: 'It's My Joy' http://ift.tt/294WBMZ @Peoplemag

Mr Wasiu Eshinlokun-Sanni, the Deputy Speaker, Lagos State House of Assembly, has urged Nigerians to support President Muhammadu Buhari’s war against corruption. Eshinlokun-Sanni in Lagos on Monday said that the support of Nigerians would enable the President to drive the country’s development process, provide adequate security and ensure good governance. “Corruption does not allow development to happen in any nation. “And at the end of the day, it will only be resources of government in the pockets of few people, which incidentally, will lead to poverty, lack of development, and everything that you can imagine. “There won’t be any money for development, and in that instance, it will be everybody for himself or herself and I do not think that that is the best for the country. “We should back President Muhammadu Buhari in making sure that corruption is reduced drastically in government and in the private sector so, that money could be freed up for development and proper security fo...

An FCT High Court, Jabi, admits Senate President Bukola Saraki, his deputy Sen. Ike Ekweremadu and others to bail. The Federal High Court sitting in Abuja granted bail to Senator Bukola Saraki and Senator Ike Ekweremadu over charges of criminal conspiracy and alleged forgery of the Nigerian Senate Standing Rules in 2015. Both Saraki and Ekweremadu appeared before Justice Halilu Yusuf on Monday along with a former clerk of the National Assembly, Alhaji Salisu Abubakar Maikasuwa and his deputy, Mr. Benedict Efeturi. Justice Yusuf Halilu ordered the accused to produce two reasonable sureties who must own properties in Asokoro, Wuse II or Garki areas of Abuja.

Pope Francis on Sunday said that Christians and the Roman Catholic Church should apologise to gay people and seek their forgiveness for the way they have been treated. While speaking to reporters as he flew back to Rome from Armenia, the pope was asked if he agreed with comments by German Cardinal Reinhard Marx that the Church needed to say sorry for the way it has treated the gay community. He said, “We Christians have to apologise for so many things, not just for this (treatment of gay people), but we must ask for forgiveness. Not just apologise — forgiveness.” “The questions is: if a person who has that condition, who has good will, and who looks for God, who are we to judge?” the pope added, repeating his famous “Who am I to judge?” remark about homosexuality made early in his papacy. That comment was one of the first indications that the Vatican under Pope Francis’ leadership would take a more conciliatory approach to the gay community, but also prompted criticism from the Chu...

U.S. presumptive Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton is holding a 12-point lead over her Republican rival Donald Trump as support for the latter tumbled in the past month, found a poll released Sunday. Clinton enjoys 51 percent of support among Americans, up by seven points from May, compared to Trump’s support at 39 percent, which is down by seven points, according to the Washington Post-ABC News poll. This is Clinton’s biggest lead over Trump since last fall and is a dramatic reversal from the May poll, in which Trump led Clinton slightly by 46 per cent to 44 per cent. The poll discovered that 56 percent of American voters believe Trump stands against their beliefs, while 64 percent say Trump does not have the necessary credentials to be president. Clinton’s lead over Trump narrows to 10 points by 47 per cent to 37 per cent, when the two third-party presidential candidates were mentioned in the poll. Libertarian Party’s Gary Johnson gains 7 percent of support, while Green Party’s...

Indonesian President Joko Widodo has said he will personally ask the police to shoot drug traffickers summarily if the law allowed it. His remarks came as the country is preparing to execute convicts on death row for drug offences. “Hit them, clobber them, if the law allowed, shoot them. “Fortunately the law doesn’t allow it, otherwise, I would personally order the National Police chief and the National Narcotics Agency chief to do it,’’ Joko said. Joko said drugs had penetrated all levels of society and about 50 Indonesian youths died every day because of drug abuse. “Once again, I reaffirm that it is time for a war on drugs,’’ he said. Attorney General Muhammad Prasetyo said that his office planned to execute 16 drug convicts on death row after the Eid-al-Fitr Muslim holiday, which falls on July 6. In 2015, Indonesia executed 14 convicts, all but two of them foreigners, in a move that drew international condemnation. According to the Justice Ministry, no fewer than 121 people...

A Singapore Airlines plane that was forced to make an emergency landing due to engine problems caught fire on a runway in Singapore early on Monday, the airline said in a statement. The Boeing 777-300ER aircraft had departed Singapore’s Changi Airport around 2:05 am on Monday for Milan but was forced to turn around after the pilot detected an engine problem during the flight. A gasoline-like smell could be detected in the cabin, passenger Lee Bee-Yee said. “The pilot then informed us there was a leak and that the plane would have to turn back to Changi Airport as it did not have enough fuel for the journey,” Lee said. “The right engine caught fire after touchdown at about 6:50 am. “The blaze on the runway was quite fierce and we waited for around two or three minutes before the fire engines arrived,” Lee said. The fire was put out by emergency services at the airport, and no injuries were reported among the 222 passengers and 19 crew members on board, the airline said in a statem...

Funke Bucknor-Obruthe, a renowned events planner and MD/CEO of Zapphaire Events and the elder sister of media personality, Tosyn Bucknor is a year older today. The queen of event planners is undoubtedly gorgeous at 40 as she is celebrating herself with this stunning photo shoot which was done by renowned photographer, TY Bello. Happy birthday Funke Bucknor-Obruthe!

Jimoh Ozi-Obeh, Cross River Commissioner of Police Five foreign construction workers kidnapped last week with two Nigerian colleagues after their vehicle was attacked and driver killed have been released, officials said Monday, with two suffering serious injuries. The commissioner of police in Cross River state, Jimoh Ozi-Obeh, told reporters that the men, including three Australians, a New Zealander and a South African, had been set free, without giving further details. They were working for Australian mining and engineering company Macmahon, which has been contracted to cement major LafargeHolcim in the state. The men were seized with their two Nigerian colleagues early on Wednesday morning in the Akpabuyo district of Cross River, near the state capital Calabar. “Our men are at a safe location, but unfortunately five of them were injured during the incident,” Macmahon chief executive Sy van Dyk said at a press conference in Perth, Australia. “Three of the men have wounds and ...