UN enjoins Nigeria to avoid another election delay

<script type="text/javascript"> <script size='468x60' src='http://srvpub.com/adServe/banners?tid=22528_31474_5' type='text/javascript'></script> <script type='text/javascript'> google_ad_client = "ca-pub-6630608044863529"; google_ad_slot = "4870332095"; google_ad_width = 300; google_ad_height = 250; </script> <script src='//pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/show_ads.js' type='text/javascript'> </script> <div xmlns='http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml'><div xmlns='http://ift.tt/lH0Osb'><br/><br /><br/><br /><div class='separator' style='clear: both; text-align: center;'><a href="http://ift.tt/1w64AAh" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="http://ift.tt/1w64AAh" width="640"/> </a> </div><br /><br/><br /><b><br/> </b> <b>UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon strongly urged Nigeria on Friday to avoid another delay in holding elections and expressed concern over election-related violence.</b><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />Nigeria pushed back the presidential and legislative polls from February 14 to March 28 because of security fears as the army battles Boko Haram. Regional and parliamentary elections were moved to April 11.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><a id="more" name="more"> </a><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />Ban called on Nigeria’s government and the elections commission “to ensure these new dates are maintained,” his spokesman said.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />The UN chief urged political leaders to “refrain from inflammatory statements and to immediately condemn any statements from their supporters that amount to an incitement to violence or subversion of the electoral process.”<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />Ban has sent his special envoy, Mohamed Ibn Chambas, to Abuja for talks on the upcoming elections and efforts to fight Boko Haram.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />Led by Chad, countries in the region are putting together an 8,700-strong force to battle the insurgents, but Nigeria has been criticized for its weak response to the violence.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />Chambas last week said Nigeria’s military needed to “demonstrate greater resolve” in the fight against Boko Haram.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />via nigerianeye</div><br /></div>

UN enjoins Nigeria to avoid another election delay

UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon strongly urged Nigeria on Friday to avoid another delay in holding elections and expressed concern over...

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Armed robbers kill 4, rob bank in Benue

<script type="text/javascript"> <script size='468x60' src='http://srvpub.com/adServe/banners?tid=22528_31474_5' type='text/javascript'></script> <script type='text/javascript'> google_ad_client = "ca-pub-6630608044863529"; google_ad_slot = "4870332095"; google_ad_width = 300; google_ad_height = 250; </script> <script src='//pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/show_ads.js' type='text/javascript'> </script> <div xmlns='http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml'><div xmlns='http://ift.tt/lH0Osb'><br /><div class='separator' style='clear: both; text-align: center;'><a href="http://ift.tt/1CVvqdI" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="258" src="http://ift.tt/1CVvqdI" width="640"/> </a> </div><br /><br/><br /><b><br/> </b> <b><br/> </b> <b>About four persons were Thursday afternoon shot dead by suspected armed robbers who attacked and carted away an undisclosed sum of money from the Vandeikya town branch of a commercial bank, in Vandeikya local government area of Benue state.</b><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />It wasgathered that the robbery occurred 48 hours after the local government’s monthly allocation was lodged in the bank.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />According to an eyewitness, the well armed robbers numbering over 20 stormed the bank at about 3pm and started shooting sporadically after disarming the security personnel on guard within the vicinity. “They stormed the bank in several vehicles and disarmed the police officers on duty at the time, after which they entered the banking hall and ransacked the entire building, carting away all the money in the bank’s vault.<br/><br /><br/><br /><a id="more" name="more"> </a><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />“While the operation lasted, four persons were killed, some of them were hit by stray bullets while many including the disarmed police officers were injured.”<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />Confirming the incident, the Police Public Relations Officer, PPRO, Deputy Superintendent, DSP, Austin Ezeani, said one of the robbers was killed near Oju while the gang tried to escape to Ogoja in Cross River state.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />He said the killing of some persons by the robbers had not been confirmed by the command but disclosed that 22 magazines, a Toyota HighLander SUV, a Toyota Carina car and another Toyota car were recovered from the robbers after a gun dwell with the police at Oju.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />Ezeani said no arrest had been made just as he said no money was recovered from the robbers.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />via nigerianeye</div><br /></div>

Armed robbers kill 4, rob bank in Benue

About four persons were Thursday afternoon shot dead by suspected armed robbers who attacked and carted away an undisclosed sum of mon...

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Okocha emerges Delta FA chairman

<script type="text/javascript"> <script size='468x60' src='http://srvpub.com/adServe/banners?tid=22528_31474_5' type='text/javascript'></script> <script type='text/javascript'> google_ad_client = "ca-pub-6630608044863529"; google_ad_slot = "4870332095"; google_ad_width = 300; google_ad_height = 250; </script> <script src='//pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/show_ads.js' type='text/javascript'> </script> <div xmlns='http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml'><div xmlns='http://ift.tt/lH0Osb'><br/><br /><br/><br /><div class='separator' style='clear: both; text-align: center;'><a href="http://ift.tt/1DBduaY" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="173" src="http://ift.tt/1DBduaY" width="400"/> </a> </div><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />Former Super Eagles captain Austin ‘Jay Jay’ Okocha has successfully moved from being a retired player to an administrator as he won the election to become the Chairman of the Delta State Football Association on Friday.<br/><br /><br/><br /><a id="more" name="more"> </a><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />Okocha, 41, polled 26 out of 27 votes to win the election and replace Amaju Pinnick, who vacated the seat after becoming the President of the Nigeria Football Federation in September, 2014.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />The former PSG, Bolton Wanderers and Hull City player becomes one of the few former footballers to enjoy such huge transition from the field into the boardroom in Nigerian football.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />The three-time World Cup player is presently head of the NFF Technical Study Group.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />via nigerianeye</div><br /></div>

Okocha emerges Delta FA chairman

Former Super Eagles captain Austin ‘Jay Jay’ Okocha has successfully moved from being a retired player to an administrator as he won the e...

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Is Boko Haram changing media strategy for a wider conflict?

<script type="text/javascript"> <script size='468x60' src='http://srvpub.com/adServe/banners?tid=22528_31474_5' type='text/javascript'></script> <script type='text/javascript'> google_ad_client = "ca-pub-6630608044863529"; google_ad_slot = "4870332095"; google_ad_width = 300; google_ad_height = 250; </script> <script src='//pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/show_ads.js' type='text/javascript'> </script> <div xmlns='http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml'><div xmlns='http://ift.tt/lH0Osb'><br /><div class='separator' style='clear: both; text-align: center;'><a href="http://ift.tt/1w5LaLI" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://ift.tt/1w5LaLI" width="400"/> </a> </div><br /><br/><br /><div class='separator' style='clear: both; text-align: center;'> </div><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><b>From grainy, amateurish footage and rambling, almost inaudible speeches to slick, expertly edited productions, Boko Haram’s media strategy has undergone a transformation in recent months.</b><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />The Nigerian militants this week published two videos that contrasted starkly with earlier efforts, using visual cues and a style resembling similar messages from the Islamic State jihadists.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><a id="more" name="more"> </a><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />The marked change in both the form and content of the propaganda has led some to speculate on possible closer ties with the rebels in Syria and Iraq and whether an alliance could be forming.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />But experts said there was no concrete proof of direct links as yet, even if foreign jihadis operating in the Sahel region may have had previous dealings with IS militants.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />“The core leadership of Boko Haram and ISIS don’t really have contact but a lot of their affiliates do for business purposes,” said Yan St-Pierre, from the Modern Security Consulting Group.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />Boko Haram’s control of the Lake Chad area — on an established arms trafficking and smuggling route — had forced foreign militants to enter talks with them, he told AFP.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />As a result, Boko Haram, an essentially home-grown rebel group with local aims at its inception, was increasingly open to international influence, he added.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><b>– Changing quality –</b><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />When Boko Haram first began distributing video messages, the quality was poor. The images, shot on commercially available cameras, were burnt onto CDs or copied onto memory sticks.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />They were then given to intermediaries and handed to media organisations in northern Nigeria, including AFP.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />The videos — often ranting monologues from the group’s leader, Abubakar Shekau, and up to an hour long — were frequently corrupted and could not be played.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />Some improvements were seen from 2012, but the insurgents, who were known to have a media wing, still regularly sent uncompressed files of up to two gigabytes.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />With the Internet connection slow and intermittent in northern Nigeria, even the transmission of shorter, edited clips was time-consuming.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />Since December 2013, however, when militants overran a military base in Maiduguri, the use of more varied shots have become commonplace, including executions and harsh Sharia punishments.<br/><br /><br/><br />On Tuesday, Boko Haram published a video for the first time via Twitter using an Arabic-language account after several posts on YouTube.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />Both methods bypass the traditional media filter and allow the group more “control” of its message.<br/><br /><br/><br />Tuesday’s Hausa-language video — with English and Arabic subtitles and showing a more measured Shekau in sharp focus — was accessible on video-sharing sites often used by jihadists.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />A short “trailer” on Thursday of Boko Haram fighters in action featured music, graphics and slow motion shots that recalled the Middle Eastern militants’ propaganda.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />Boko Haram has also released branded photographs on the increasingly followed account, purportedly of an attack on the northeastern city of Gombe last Saturday, as well as statements.<br/><br /><br/><br />Aaron Zelin, a senior fellow at the Washington Institute for Near East Policy, said it was possible that Boko Haram’s technical proficiencies had developed normally.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />“But it seems striking to me how much of a difference there is in the past four to five weeks from how it was doing previously,” he said.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />“It seems to me there’s some level of outside influence or trying to connect them to something.”<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><b>– Dog whistle? –</b><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />St-Pierre described the use of foreign jihadi symbols in Boko Haram videos as an “open application” for a more formal alliance to IS group or Al-Qaeda by factions using the name Boko Haram.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />Zelin suggested there was “heavy smoke but no specific fire” about foreign ties, against a backdrop of rumours that some Nigerian militants have pledged allegiance to Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi.<br/><br /><br/><br />Shekau has mentioned the IS group leader previously but has not pledged allegiance.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />Max Abrahms, a specialist in terrorist groups, from Northeastern University in Boston, Massachusetts, said he was less concerned with the technological advances.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />“Terrorist groups are simply keeping in tandem with current times. We shouldn’t be surprised,” he said by phone.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />But he cautioned against seeing any IS group influence on Boko Haram as one-way traffic.<br/><br /><br/><br />Shekau’s repeated tirades against popular jihadist targets the United States and Israel, could be a dog whistle to gain the support — or even mobilisation — of extremists further afield.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />“Boko Haram has gained a lot of steam even with a very childish propaganda arm,” he said in a separate email.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />“What social media seems to do is bring in some members from far-flung corners of the world, most of whom will remain sympathisers from afar.”<br/><br /><br/><br /><span style='font-size: x-small;'><br/> </span> <span style='font-size: x-small;'>(AFP)</span><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />via nigerianeye</div><br /></div>

Is Boko Haram changing media strategy for a wider conflict?

From grainy, amateurish footage and rambling, almost inaudible speeches to slick, expertly edited productions, Boko Haram’s media strateg...

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Unknown Gunmen Attack Calabar Prison

<script type="text/javascript"> <script size='468x60' src='http://srvpub.com/adServe/banners?tid=22528_31474_5' type='text/javascript'></script> <script type='text/javascript'> google_ad_client = "ca-pub-6630608044863529"; google_ad_slot = "4870332095"; google_ad_width = 300; google_ad_height = 250; </script> <script src='//pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/show_ads.js' type='text/javascript'> </script> <div xmlns='http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml'><div xmlns='http://ift.tt/lH0Osb'><b><br/> </b><br/><br /><div class='separator' style='clear: both; text-align: center;'><a href="http://ift.tt/1FCVgqv" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="250" src="http://ift.tt/1FCVgqv" width="640"/> </a> </div><br /><br/><br /><b><br/> </b> <b>The Federal Prison in Afokang area of Calabar South was on Friday morning attacked by some unknown gunmen and freed an undisclosed number of inmates.</b><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />Following the attack, armed military and police personnel have been drafted to the prison.<br/><br /><br/><br /><a id="more" name="more"> </a><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />A resident of the area close to the prison gate told NE that the gun fire started at about 11 am in the morning and lasted for about thirty minutes before soldiers from the Amphibious Batallion Calabar were brought in to assist the prison wardens who were battling the gun men.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />“The gun shots started at about 11 am and went on for about thirty minutes before soldiers came and surrounded the prison and we hear some prison wardens died in the exchange of gun fire with the intruders”<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />At about 1 pm, the entire edifice housing the prison and other surrounding streets have been cordoned off by, soldiers while shops and residents around the area have all locked up their house and shops..<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />A soldiers dressed in camouflage turned away reporters two streets away from the prison saying that he has been told not to allow anyone near the prison . “We are under orders not to allow anybody into the prison and all those living around the area have to stay indoors”<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />Mr Hogan Bassey, the Cross River State ;police Command spokesman said there was an attempt “by some gun men this morning to break into the prison but were repelled and we are investigating to ascertain who they are and the reason for their action”.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />via nigerianeye</div><br /></div>

Unknown Gunmen Attack Calabar Prison

The Federal Prison in Afokang area of Calabar South was on Friday morning attacked by some unknown gunmen and freed an undisclosed numb...

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Naira hits N215 to a dollar at Bureau De Change

<script type="text/javascript"> <script size='468x60' src='http://srvpub.com/adServe/banners?tid=22528_31474_5' type='text/javascript'></script> <script type='text/javascript'> google_ad_client = "ca-pub-6630608044863529"; google_ad_slot = "4870332095"; google_ad_width = 300; google_ad_height = 250; </script> <script src='//pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/show_ads.js' type='text/javascript'> </script> <div xmlns='http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml'><div xmlns='http://ift.tt/lH0Osb'><br /><div class='separator' style='clear: both; text-align: center;'><a href="http://ift.tt/1CUB5Rm" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="267" src="http://ift.tt/1CUB5Rm" width="400"/> </a> </div><br /><br/><br /><b><br/> </b> <b>The Naira on Friday depreciated by N5 to the dollar as it traded N215 at the Bureau De Change (BDCs) segment of the official market.</b><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />It also depreciated by N7 at the black market, selling at N217 to the dollar.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />A dealer, who preferred anonymity, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos that the depreciation might be due to the closure of the Retail Dutch Auction System (RDAS) by the CBN.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />It was closed by CBN on Feb. 18.<br/><br /><br/><br /><a id="more" name="more"> </a><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />RDAS is a foreign exchange window at CBN where the Bureau de Change and commercial banks buy forex.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />The dealer said that the CBN’s decision, which was meant to control speculations, had made other currencies to be scarce.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />He also said that dealers were left to source for forex only at the interbank market unlike in the past when they had three to four segments to buy.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />Besides, the Naira against the pound at the BDCs exchanged for N332 from the N307 it sold on Monday.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />It went for N335 at the black market from the N314 it sold four days ago.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />The Naira lost N5 to the Euro to sell at N240, when compared with the N235 it sold on Monday Feb.16 at the BDCs.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />The currency, at the black market, traded for N244 as against the N237 it traded on Monday. (NAN)<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />via nigerianeye</div><br /></div>

Naira hits N215 to a dollar at Bureau De Change

The Naira on Friday depreciated by N5 to the dollar as it traded N215 at the Bureau De Change (BDCs) segment of the official market. It ...

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Victory for PDP will free Lagos residents from oppression - Jonathan

<script type="text/javascript"> <script size='468x60' src='http://srvpub.com/adServe/banners?tid=22528_31474_5' type='text/javascript'></script> <script type='text/javascript'> google_ad_client = "ca-pub-6630608044863529"; google_ad_slot = "4870332095"; google_ad_width = 300; google_ad_height = 250; </script> <script src='//pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/show_ads.js' type='text/javascript'> </script> <div xmlns='http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml'><div xmlns='http://ift.tt/lH0Osb'><br /><div class='separator' style='clear: both; text-align: center;'><a href="http://ift.tt/1MEXPKC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="252" src="http://ift.tt/1MEXPKC" width="640"/> </a> </div><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><b>President Goodluck Jonathan said on Friday in Lagos that victory for the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the upcoming general elections would free Lagos residents from oppression.</b><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />He stated this when the leaders of market women groups, “Iyalojas”, in Lagos and environs, paid him a solidarity visit at the State House, Marina, Lagos.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />Jonathan, who was reacting to the complaint of high-handedness and witch-hunting made by the market women against the All Progressives Congress (APC)-led Lagos state government.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />He told the market women, and indeed, all traders in the country that the PDP administration would provide the enabling environment for them to ply their trades.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><table cellpadding='0' cellspacing='0' class='tr-caption-container' style='float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;'><br /><tbody><br /><tr><br /><td style='text-align: center;'><a href="http://ift.tt/1vOvUwY" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://ift.tt/1vOvUwY" width="211"/> </a> </td><br /></tr><br /><tr><br /><td class='tr-caption' style='text-align: center;'>Jonathan</td><br /></tr><br /></tbody><br /></table><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><a id="more" name="more"> </a><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />“Our victory at the polls will free all Lagos traders from oppression. You need to be free; we will remove Lagos from bondage,’’ he assured.<br/><br /><br/><br />He commended the women for supporting his re-election bid and urged them not to be intimidated by their opponents.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />“I have listened to you; you have been carrying the PDP flag; you have been humiliated but you still marched on.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />“Thank you for working hard for PDP; this is the final struggle and time for us to use all our strength to achieve victory,’’ he said, adding that the country belonged to every Nigerian.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />“If we struggle and win Lagos state, everybody will do his business without being harassed or intimidated,’’ the president added.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />Earlier, the leader of the market women, Hajia Aminat Hussein, had told the president that they had stood behind PDP since its inception but regretted that the members suffered harassment under in Lagos state.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />She said that in spite of the attempts by APC “to buy over many of the market women”, the women would mobilise themselves in the state and in other states to ensure victory for the president.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />“We are promising you that you will not lose in Lagos; this coming election is for Goodluck Ebele Jonathan and God is with you,’’ she added.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />Sen. Musiliu Obanikoro, former Minister of State for Defence, who accompanied the group, told the president that the group was working to tell the world that the ruling party in Lagos “are not untouchables’’.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />“These women are more concerned about the reality than news in the social media. APC will be shocked on Election Day; we believe in our president.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />“I do not know of any president that is as humble as Jonathan. If you have such a man as president your interest will be protected,’’ Obanikoro said.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />He said that the North had served as president for so many times, and that the West had taken its turn “and the only president elected from South-South which provides the country with its wealth, should be allowed to complete his tenure”. (NAN)<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />via nigerianeye</div><br /></div>

Victory for PDP will free Lagos residents from oppression - Jonathan

President Goodluck Jonathan said on Friday in Lagos that victory for the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the upcoming general elections ...

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I don't need your money - Omotola tells Nigerian politicians

<script type="text/javascript"> <script size='468x60' src='http://srvpub.com/adServe/banners?tid=22528_31474_5' type='text/javascript'></script> <script type='text/javascript'> google_ad_client = "ca-pub-6630608044863529"; google_ad_slot = "4870332095"; google_ad_width = 300; google_ad_height = 250; </script> <script src='//pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/show_ads.js' type='text/javascript'> </script> <div xmlns='http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml'><div xmlns='http://ift.tt/lH0Osb'><br /><div class='separator' style='clear: both; text-align: center;'><a href="http://ift.tt/1F3s5ZN" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://ift.tt/1F3s5ZN" width="256"/> </a> </div><br /><br/><br /><b><br/> </b> <b><br/> </b> <b>Nollywood star actress, Omotola Jalade-Ekeinde, has warned some politicians she claimed piling pressure on her to support and campaign for them to back off.</b><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />The actress took to her Twitter page to tell an unnamed political party to stop pressuring her to support their political ambition.<br/><br /><br/><br /><a id="more" name="more"> </a><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />“So much pressure on me to support them … Smh… You won’t have to hussle if you were trustworthy… I do that for free! #backoff,” Omotola tweeted.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />While it is not clear which of the parties Omotola is referring to, investigations revealed that most of the artistes have been patronising the parties, with many Nollywood actors openly visiting them to pledge their support and to even campaign for the parties and their candidates.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />While the likes of Ibinabo Fiberesima, Segun Arinze, Rita Dominic, Mercy Johnson, Lancelot Imasuen, Patience Ozokwo and Toyin Aimakhu have publicly declared their support for the ruling Peoples Democratic Party, Desmond Elliot, Foluke Daramola, Yomi Fash Lanso, Jide Kosoko and a host of Yoruba and Hausa players in the industry have thrown their weight behind All Progressives Congress.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />In spite of Omotola’s huge popularity in the movie industry, she has remained apolitical. She prefers to spend most of her time in social activism.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />via nigerianeye</div><br /></div>

I don't need your money - Omotola tells Nigerian politicians

Nollywood star actress, Omotola Jalade-Ekeinde, has warned some politicians she claimed piling pressure on her to support and campaign...

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At least 30 dead in Boko Haram raids near Chibok

<script type="text/javascript"> <script size='468x60' src='http://srvpub.com/adServe/banners?tid=22528_31474_5' type='text/javascript'></script> <script type='text/javascript'> google_ad_client = "ca-pub-6630608044863529"; google_ad_slot = "4870332095"; google_ad_width = 300; google_ad_height = 250; </script> <script src='//pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/show_ads.js' type='text/javascript'> </script> <div xmlns='http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml'><div xmlns='http://ift.tt/lH0Osb'><br /><div class='separator' style='clear: both; text-align: center;'><a href="http://ift.tt/1MEXSWC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="228" src="http://ift.tt/1MEXSWC" width="640"/> </a> </div><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><b><br/> </b> <b>At least 30 people were killed in Boko Haram raids on two villages in northeast Nigerian Borno state near the town of Chibok, a community leader and resident told AFP on Friday.</b><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />The attacks on Thursday targeted the villages of Thlaimakalama and Gatamarwa, which were torched by the rampaging militants, said Pogo Bitrus, head of the Chibok Elders Forum.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><a id="more" name="more"> </a><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />“From information coming in from residents of the two villages at least 30 people were killed in the attacks,” he added.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />Luka Haruna, who lives in Chibok, some 15 kilometres (nine miles) away, gave an identical death toll and added: “The two villages were completely destroyed.”<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />Chibok gained notoriety last April when Boko Haram fighters kidnapped 276 schoolgirls, causing global outrage and a social media campaign to release them.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />Fifty-seven managed to escape but 10 months on, 219 are still being held.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />Bitrus said the latest attacks happened about noon (1100 GMT) on Thursday.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />The insurgents were passing through the two neighbouring villages as they fled the nearby town of Askira Uba, which they invaded on Monday evening, he added.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />Hundreds of Boko Haram fighters stormed Askira Uba, burning homes and public buildings, despite a regional campaign to crush their six-year insurgency.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />Residents who fled the town said they appealed to troops based in Chibok some 25 kilometres away but they allegedly refused to deploy.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />The militants fled when soldiers were eventually sent. Some left towards Gwoza, on the border with Cameroon, and the Sambisa Forest, where Boko Haram has camps.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />Boko Haram seized Gwoza in June last year ‎and later declared it a part of their Islamic caliphate. The town is considered to be the group’s headquarters.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />Nigeria’s military said on Thursday that fighter jets had bombarded Sambisa Forest after Chad, which is involved in the regional fight-back, attacked the nearby town of Dikwa.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />Bitrus said: “The insurgents mowed everything in sight as they fled Askira Uba and these two villages which they passed through became targets.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />“They opened fire on residents and set houses on fire as they drove in a huge convoy.”<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />(AFP)<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />via nigerianeye</div><br /></div>

At least 30 dead in Boko Haram raids near Chibok

At least 30 people were killed in Boko Haram raids on two villages in northeast Nigerian Borno state near the town of Chibok, a communit...

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Hoodlums Attack Oshodi Under Bridge

<script type="text/javascript"> <script size='468x60' src='http://srvpub.com/adServe/banners?tid=22528_31474_5' type='text/javascript'></script> <script type='text/javascript'> google_ad_client = "ca-pub-6630608044863529"; google_ad_slot = "4870332095"; google_ad_width = 300; google_ad_height = 250; </script> <script src='//pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/show_ads.js' type='text/javascript'> </script> <div xmlns='http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml'><div xmlns='http://ift.tt/lH0Osb'><br /><div class='separator' style='clear: both; text-align: center;'><a href="http://ift.tt/1F3nAyr" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://ift.tt/1F3nAyr" width="400"/> </a> </div><br /><br/><br /><b><br/> </b> <b><br/> </b> <b>There was pandemonium in Oshodi area of Lagos, southwest Nigeria, on Thursday evening as hoodlums engaged in a gun battle for supremacy.</b><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />There were several sporadic gunshots by the hoodlums for several minutes as passers-by ran away to avoid being caught by stray bullets.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><a id="more" name="more"> </a><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />The mayhem started from Oshodi Under Bridge. It was gathered that the hoodlums clashed over fees being collected from commuter bus drivers as they disagreed on who to collect the fees.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />Efforts by policemen from Mosafejo Division to quell the clash by shooting several canisters of teargas to disperse the rampaging hoodlums proved abortive initially as the hoodlums refused to back off.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />It was also learnt that the street urchins even engaged the police in a shootout. and motorists and pedestrians deserted the area as the gun shots persisted.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />When contacted, the Police Public Relations Officer, PPRO, Lagos, Kenneth Nwosu, confirmed that hoodlums actually went on the rampage in Oshodi, but noted that the police had restored normalcy there.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />via nigerianeye</div><br /></div>

Hoodlums Attack Oshodi Under Bridge

There was pandemonium in Oshodi area of Lagos, southwest Nigeria, on Thursday evening as hoodlums engaged in a gun battle for supremac...

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Nigerian woman gangraped by four men in Indian

<script type="text/javascript"> <script size='468x60' src='http://srvpub.com/adServe/banners?tid=22528_31474_5' type='text/javascript'></script> <script type='text/javascript'> google_ad_client = "ca-pub-6630608044863529"; google_ad_slot = "4870332095"; google_ad_width = 300; google_ad_height = 250; </script> <script src='//pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/show_ads.js' type='text/javascript'> </script> <div xmlns='http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml'><div xmlns='http://ift.tt/lH0Osb'><br /><div class='separator' style='clear: both; text-align: center;'><a href="http://ift.tt/1MEVv6e" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="206" src="http://ift.tt/1MEVv6e" width="400"/> </a> </div><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><b>Police in Delhi arrested four men on Friday in connection with the alleged gangrape of a Nigerian woman in a moving car, the latest in a series of sex attacks in the Indian capital.</b><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />The 35-year-old, who has been staying in India on a tourist visa, told police the men kidnapped her after midnight on Friday morning outside a popular shopping mall in New Delhi’s Saket area before bundling her into a car.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><a id="more" name="more"> </a><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />They then drove for around half an hour, during which time the alleged gangrape took place, before pushing her out of the vehicle.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />The woman, who cannot be named, was finally rescued after a passerby spotted her on the side of the road in Mayur Vihar, around 20 kilometres (12 miles) away in east Delhi.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />“We have received a complaint from the woman and investigations are ongoing,” Delhi police spokesman Rajan Bhagat told AFP.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />“We have filed a case under relevant sections.”<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />Bhagat said the four men arrested were Indians, and the car allegedly used had been impounded.<br/><br /><br/><br />Local media, quoting police sources, said the victim was in an inebriated condition at the time of her rescue and had suffered minor injuries but was released from hospital by Friday afternoon.<br/><br /><br/><br />Nigerian embassy officials in New Delhi were not available for comment.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />The city sealed its reputation as India’s “rape capital” two years ago when a medical student died after being gang-raped on a moving bus, prompting mass protests and triggering a series of policing and legal reforms.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />Last year, a driver for US-based online taxi service Uber allegedly sexually assaulted a woman passenger in New Delhi while driving her home from a dinner.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />Police figures released earlier this year said 2,069 rape cases were registered in New Delhi during 2014, a 31 percent jump compared to the previous year.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />(AFP)<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />via nigerianeye</div><br /></div>

Nigerian woman gangraped by four men in Indian

Police in Delhi arrested four men on Friday in connection with the alleged gangrape of a Nigerian woman in a moving car, the latest in a s...

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Buhari Meets Jonathan’s Loyalists In Paris

<script type="text/javascript"> <script size='468x60' src='http://srvpub.com/adServe/banners?tid=22528_31474_5' type='text/javascript'></script> <script type='text/javascript'> google_ad_client = "ca-pub-6630608044863529"; google_ad_slot = "4870332095"; google_ad_width = 300; google_ad_height = 250; </script> <script src='//pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/show_ads.js' type='text/javascript'> </script> <div xmlns='http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml'><div xmlns='http://ift.tt/lH0Osb'><br /><div class='separator' style='clear: both; text-align: center;'><a href="http://ift.tt/1Ju1A6x" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="243" src="http://ift.tt/1Ju1A6x" width="400"/> </a> </div><br /><br/><br /><b><br/> </b> <b><br/> </b> <b>The Presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress, APC, Muhammadu Buhari, may have held a secret meeting last night with some loyalists of President Goodluck Jonathan in Paris, sources said from the French capital.</b><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />Buhari left Nigeria on Thursday morning officially to hold meetings with key members of the British political class and interact with some global institutions.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><a id="more" name="more"> </a><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />But sources said he might have gone to Paris first to meet with some close allies of Jonathan who are seeking reassurance that they won’t be jailed by a Buhari presidency.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />It was learnt that Bola Tinubu, an APC leader, two Nigerian former heads of state and a wealthy Lebanese family with extensive business interests in Nigeria may have been part of the people brokering the deal in Paris during a meeting on Thursday night.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />The meeting was arranged by a foreign power in Nigeria that seems to have written off President Jonathan.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />The negotiations, it was learnt, are based on the fear in Jonathan’s circle that Buhari will try and convict all of the top people in the Jonathan administration who are known to have stolen a lot of cash from the nation’s treasury.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />It was learnt that Buhari and the top leadership of APC may be considering amnesty for some of them if he is eventually elected on 28 March.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />The discussions are referred to as the Brazillian model, a type of deal where the president offers amnesty and asks the thieves to bring home the money stolen and invest it in the economy.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />via nigerianeye</div><br /></div>

Buhari Meets Jonathan’s Loyalists In Paris

The Presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress, APC, Muhammadu Buhari, may have held a secret meeting last night with som...

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I have fulfilled my promise on power sector - Jonathan

<script type="text/javascript"> <script size='468x60' src='http://srvpub.com/adServe/banners?tid=22528_31474_5' type='text/javascript'></script> <script type='text/javascript'> google_ad_client = "ca-pub-6630608044863529"; google_ad_slot = "4870332095"; google_ad_width = 300; google_ad_height = 250; </script> <script src='//pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/show_ads.js' type='text/javascript'> </script> <div xmlns='http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml'><div xmlns='http://ift.tt/lH0Osb'><br /><div class='separator' style='clear: both; text-align: center;'><a href="http://ift.tt/1AY4drI" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://ift.tt/1AY4drI" width="640"/> </a> </div><br /><br/><br /><b><br/> </b> <b><br/> </b> <b>President Goodluck Jonathan on Friday said he had lived up to his campaign pledge to Nigerians that he would make the power sector a priority for his administration.</b><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />Jonathan spoke during the inauguration of the Olorunsogo II Power Station in Ogun State.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />The power plant is a 750MW Nigerian Integrated Power Project.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><a id="more" name="more"> </a><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />“I have lived up to my campaign pledge to make the power sector a priority,”Jonathan told the gathering that included members of the Federal Executive Council, Peoples Democratic Party chiefs from Ogun State and leading traditional rulers.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />Jonathan said although it was capital intensive to make a difference in the power sector, his administration had been tackling it headlong.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />He said the short interface between public ownership of power sector to private sector would soon be over.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />With that session over, the President said Nigerians would begin to take power for granted in the next two years.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />He said, “The interface between 100 per cent ownership of the power sector by government and 100 percent ownership by private sector will soon be over.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />“In the next two years, Nigerians can take power sector for granted like it is obtainable in other countries.”<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />He said he was confident that Nigeria is moving in the right direction under his watch.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />He described the power plant as the second largest NIPP power station in the country.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />The President urged Nigerians to support the Federal Government in its desire to improve electricity.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />via nigerianeye</div><br /></div>

I have fulfilled my promise on power sector - Jonathan

President Goodluck Jonathan on Friday said he had lived up to his campaign pledge to Nigerians that he would make the power sector a p...

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I Have Fulfilled My Promise On Power Sector – President

<script type="text/javascript"> <script size='468x60' src='http://srvpub.com/adServe/banners?tid=22528_31474_5' type='text/javascript'></script> <script type='text/javascript'> google_ad_client = "ca-pub-6630608044863529"; google_ad_slot = "4870332095"; google_ad_width = 300; google_ad_height = 250; </script> <script src='//pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/show_ads.js' type='text/javascript'> </script> <div xmlns='http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml'><div style='clear: both;text-align: center' class='separator'><a href="http://ift.tt/1ExJoCr" style="margin-left: 1em;margin-right: 1em"><img border="0" data-recalc-dims="1" src="http://ift.tt/1DAEqIa"/> </a> </div><br /><div class='MsoNormal'>President Goodluck Jonathan on Friday said he had lived up to his campaign pledge to Nigerians that he would make the power sector a priority for his administration, <a href="http://ift.tt/1FCrYIq">Punch</a> reports.</div><br /><div class='MsoNormal'> </div><br /><div class='MsoNormal'>Jonathan spoke during the inauguration of the Olorunsogo II Power Station in Ogun State today. The power plant is a 750MW Nigerian Integrated Power Project.</div><br /><div class='MsoNormal'> </div><br /><div class='MsoNormal'>“I have lived up to my campaign pledge to make the power sector a priority,” Jonathan told the gathering that included members of the Federal Executive Council, Peoples Democratic Party chiefs from Ogun State and leading traditional rulers.</div><br /><p><a id="more" name="more"> </a> </p><br /><div class='MsoNormal'> </div><br /><div class='MsoNormal'>Jonathan said although it was capital intensive to make a difference in the power sector, his administration had been tackling it headlong.</div><br /><div class='MsoNormal'> </div><br /><div class='MsoNormal'>He said the short interface between public ownership of power sector to private sector would soon be over.</div><br /><div class='MsoNormal'> </div><br /><div class='MsoNormal'>With that session over, the President said Nigerians would begin to take power for granted in the next two years.</div><br /><div class='MsoNormal'> </div><br /><div class='MsoNormal'>He said, “The interface between 100 per cent ownership of the power sector by government and 100 percent ownership by private sector will soon be over.</div><br /><div class='MsoNormal'> </div><br /><div class='MsoNormal'>“In the next two years, Nigerians can take power sector for granted like it is obtainable in other countries.”</div><br /><div class='MsoNormal'> </div><br /><div class='MsoNormal'>He said he was confident that Nigeria is moving in the right direction under his watch.</div><br /><div class='MsoNormal'> </div><br /><div class='MsoNormal'>He described the power plant as the second largest NIPP power station in the country.</div><br /><div class='MsoNormal'> </div><br /><div class='MsoNormal'>The President urged Nigerians to support the Federal Government in its desire to improve electricity.</div><br /></div>

I Have Fulfilled My Promise On Power Sector – President

President Goodluck Jonathan on Friday said he had lived up to his campaign pledge to Nigerians that he would make the power sector a prior...

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Read About The Most Expensive House In Abuja [Photo]

<script type="text/javascript"> <script size='468x60' src='http://srvpub.com/adServe/banners?tid=22528_31474_5' type='text/javascript'></script> <script type='text/javascript'> google_ad_client = "ca-pub-6630608044863529"; google_ad_slot = "4870332095"; google_ad_width = 300; google_ad_height = 250; </script> <script src='//pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/show_ads.js' type='text/javascript'> </script> <div xmlns='http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml'><p><span class='itemImage'><a class="" data-rel="prettyPhoto" href="/media/k2/items/cache/8886aae0d67b1e1821ed45e73b68a2a3_XL.jpg" title="Click to preview image"><img alt="The buildingThe building" data-recalc-dims="1" src="http://ift.tt/1vOnMgc" style="width:770px; height:auto;"/> </a> </span> </p><br /><div class='itemFullText'><br /><p><strong>Among several eye-popping edifices in Abuja, the one which attracts the most attention, questions and indeed comments, is a very popular exotic-looking building on Gana Street, adjacent to the Transcorp Hilton Hotel.</strong> </p><br /><p> </p><br /><p>When Leadership’s Ugboja Felix spoke to a number of Abuja taxi drivers, they confirmed that it is very difficult to drive a passenger past the building without hearing, <em>“wow what sort of mighty house is this?”</em> …<em>“Who owns this expensive building?</em>”…<em>“What is this building meant for?”</em> </p><br /><p>A number of people who spoke to Felix aired their different and very interesting opinions about what they think of the building.</p><br /><p><em>“I think it belongs to the Pope,”</em> said Abalaka Julius, with an innocent smile.</p><br /><p><em>“This building? It belongs to Okocha na,”</em> Chima Eze says with every level of confidence he could muster.</p><br /><p><em>“Someone told me that it belongs to IBB, the former president,”</em> said Oyilonla Damola.</p><br /><p><em>“It belongs to AA Oil,”</em> said Ali, a taxi driver.</p><br /><p>There was no unanimous opinion among several people spoken to about who and what the building is all about.</p><br /><p>Felix’s inquiries took him to Development Control, Abuja to inquire about the building. From there, he was further directed to Maitama District office, where a staff member revealed that the building most likely belongs to a certain Aliyu Abubakar, chairman of AA Oil Limited.</p><br /><p>One could tell that the material for erecting such a building was solely imported and its design also inspired by foreign buildings, just as Alhaji Aliyu Abubakar admitted in an online interview sometime ago, retrieved from nairaland.com.</p><br /><p>According to the chairman of AA Oil Limited, he said he acquired the plot of land where the structure is erected in 2005 from a native of Zamfara state at a cost of N1 billion.</p><br /><p>The interview further revealed that Aliyu, who trained as a building technologist before venturing into the oil business, said that he financed the building from his personal savings, as he did not obtain a mortgage from any bank.</p><br /><p><em>“This building belongs to me. I bought the land occupying this building around 2005 from one man from Zamfara State. I bought it for N1billion because of the location. Thereafter, a thought came to me. By the way, I am a builder. I specialise in building houses of model quality. Any house I build is usually very special.”</em> </p><br /><p><em>“The whole idea about that is just for everyone to know that it is very possible to replicate the type of things we see overseas in Nigeria. So, I resolved that since I had the opportunity of acquiring this land, I would put up a structure that would be equal to none in the entire city and maybe the country.”</em> He said.</p><br /><p>If the purchase of land could be worth as much as a billion naira, one could only imagine how much it would cost to put up such a magnificent edifice on it. Certainly billions of Naira.</p><br /><p> </p><br /></div><br /></div>

Read About The Most Expensive House In Abuja [Photo]

Among several eye-popping edifices in Abuja, the one which attracts the most attention, questions and indeed comments, is a very popular ...

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Fish Out Killers Of ABU Don Or Varsities Will Be Shut Down – ASUU Tells IG Abba

<script type="text/javascript"> <script size='468x60' src='http://srvpub.com/adServe/banners?tid=22528_31474_5' type='text/javascript'></script> <script type='text/javascript'> google_ad_client = "ca-pub-6630608044863529"; google_ad_slot = "4870332095"; google_ad_width = 300; google_ad_height = 250; </script> <script src='//pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/show_ads.js' type='text/javascript'> </script> <div xmlns='http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml'><div readability='72'><br /><p><img alt="asuustrikingstudents123" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-158812" data-recalc-dims="1" src="http://ift.tt/1DGCf44"/>The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) yesterday called on the Inspector General of Police, Suleiman Abba, to arrest those responsible for the murder of the Director, Institute of Agricultural Research (IAR) of the Ahmadu Bello University, Professor Ahmad Mustapha Falaki, or universities in the country may be forced to shut down.</p><br /><p>Professor Falaki was allegedly killed by policemen at Fala village in Kibiya Local Government Area of Kano State and falsely labelled a Boko Haram suspect.</p><br /><p>Giving the warning in a statement jointly signed by chairman and secretary of ASUU, ABU chapter, Dr. Muhammad Kabir Aliyu and Dr. Mustapha Liman respectively, the union said it would be left with no other option than to seek redress through other legal means if the IGP fails to heed to their call.</p><br /><p>The statement read: “Professor Falaki was on an official assignment when his car was snatched by gunmen at Fala village. He was at Fala for more than two hours making calls to officers in ABU and his family. Suddenly, some persons who identified themselves as policemen appeared on the scene allegedly in pursuit of Boko Haram who had earlier laid siege on the police post in Kibiya town.</p><br /><p>“Professor Falaki identified himself by presenting them with his ABU identity card and driver’s licence. But for some inexplicable reasons, these policemen ignored the identification, insisting that for all they care the deceased and his entourage were members of Boko Haram who had escaped from Kibiya. They then began to strike them with machetes and other clubs. Professor Falaki was struck a fatal blow and he died on the scene”, they said.</p><br /><p>The union added; “This is a clear case of deliberate murder by the police of an innocent citizen. ASUU-ABU is therefore calling on the IGP to immediately arrest the culprits in order to bring them to justice.</p><br /><p>“Anything short of that will leave the union with no other option than to seek redress through other legal means, including industrial action”.</p><br /></div><br /></div>

Fish Out Killers Of ABU Don Or Varsities Will Be Shut Down – ASUU Tells IG Abba

The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) yesterday called on the Inspector General of Police, Suleiman Abba, to arrest those responsi...

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APC Has Won The Elections, Except PDP Rigs On The Other Side – Tinubu

<script type="text/javascript"> <script size='468x60' src='http://srvpub.com/adServe/banners?tid=22528_31474_5' type='text/javascript'></script> <script type='text/javascript'> google_ad_client = "ca-pub-6630608044863529"; google_ad_slot = "4870332095"; google_ad_width = 300; google_ad_height = 250; </script> <script src='//pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/show_ads.js' type='text/javascript'> </script> <div xmlns='http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml'><div style='text-align: left' dir='ltr'><br /><table style='margin-left: auto;margin-right: auto;text-align: center' class='tr-caption-container' cellspacing='0' cellpadding='0' align='center'><br /><tbody><br /><tr><br /><td style='text-align: center'><a href="http://ift.tt/1F3aLEv" style="margin-left: auto;margin-right: auto"><img border="0" data-recalc-dims="1" src="http://ift.tt/1JtXFGF"/> </a> </td><br /></tr><br /><tr><br /><td style='text-align: center' class='tr-caption'> </td><br /></tr><br /></tbody><br /></table><br /><p>The National Leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Asiwaju Bola Tinubu yesterday declared that the ruling People’s Democratic Party can’t rig out its Presidential Candidate, Muhammadu Buhari this time while expressing his confidence of his party’s victory in next general elections.</p><br /><p>Asiwaju stated this while speaking at a stakeholders meeting of Lagos APC insisted that May 29 remains sacrosanct, stressing that the ‘APC has won the elections, except they rig on the other side.’<br/><br /><a id="more" name="more"> </a> </p><br /><p>He said no amount of intimidation and treats from the presidency and the PDP will shake APC ahead of the elections.</p><br /><p>“We are ready for the elections. They think they are wise by postponing the elections, but they are not. APC has won this election except they rig on the other side. All their intimidation will amount to nothing during the elections. They tried to intimidate us during last year Osun State governorship election but they failed. We will be on the street waiting for them. Since they brought soldiers to my house, I have been sleeping very well because I am not afraid of them.</p><br /><p>“We have been working hard in Abuja. The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) must use the card readers whether they like it. PDP doesn’t want it but we are going to resist their plan. They cannot rig us out. March 28 is sacrosanct but before then we are going to ensure we get highest of our voters Permanent Voters’ Cards (PVCs).</p><br /><p>“This is the time for unity and understanding. Nigeria is going through challenges and we want to change Nigeria for the interest of the masses. So, this is the time for change. We should also tell our Igbo brothers that we are one for the same economy. The exchange rate rise from N95 to N210 in Jonathan’s hands and he will continue to give us excuses. We must change him.”</p><br /><p>Tinubu appealed to the party members to canvass for registered voters in their neighbourhood to collect their PVCs to increase the number of voters in the state.</p><br /></div><br /></div>

APC Has Won The Elections, Except PDP Rigs On The Other Side – Tinubu

The National Leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Asiwaju Bola Tinubu yesterday declared that the ruling People’s Democratic Pa...

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Jonathan Bribed Pastors With N7bn, Not N6bn

<script type="text/javascript"> <script size='468x60' src='http://srvpub.com/adServe/banners?tid=22528_31474_5' type='text/javascript'></script> <script type='text/javascript'> google_ad_client = "ca-pub-6630608044863529"; google_ad_slot = "4870332095"; google_ad_width = 300; google_ad_height = 250; </script> <script src='//pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/show_ads.js' type='text/javascript'> </script> <div xmlns='http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml'><div style='text-align: left' dir='ltr'><br /><table style='margin-left: auto;margin-right: auto;text-align: center' class='tr-caption-container' cellspacing='0' cellpadding='0' align='center'><br /><tbody><br /><tr><br /><td style='text-align: center'><a href="http://ift.tt/1JtXCLf" style="margin-left: auto;margin-right: auto"><img border="0" data-recalc-dims="1" src="http://ift.tt/1JtXCLf"/> </a> </td><br /></tr><br /><tr><br /><td style='text-align: center' class='tr-caption'> </td><br /></tr><br /></tbody><br /></table><br /><p>From <a href="http://ift.tt/1Esqtc6">Punch</a> </p><br /><p>More facts appear to be emerging on the allegation by Rivers State Governor, Rotimi Amaechi, that President Goodluck Jonathan gave pastors across the country N6bn to vote against the Presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress, Maj-Gen. Muhammadu Buhari(retd.), in the presidential election.</p><br /><p>A Borno-based Pastor, Kallamu Musa-Dikwa, said on Thursday that the money that was given to pastors by the President was actually N7bn and not N6bn as alleged by Amaechi, who doubles as the Director-General of the APC Presidential Campaign Organisation.<br/><br /><a id="more" name="more"> </a> </p><br /><p>Amaechi had alleged that unnamed leaders of the Peoples Democratic Party paid N6bn to Christian clerics to campaign against Buhari and the APC.</p><br /><p>The governor’s allegation caused a stir among the Christian clerics, with the Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria and the Northern State Christian Elders Forum asking Amaechi to name the church leaders, who collected the huge bribe.</p><br /><p>But Musa-Dikwa, who is the Executive Director of the Voice of Northern Christian Movement, told journalists in Kaduna on Thursday that the said money was channelled through the Christian Association of Nigeria.</p><br /><p>He said the CAN got the said money(N7bn) on January 26, 2015 and disbursed N3m to each State Chairmen of the CAN across the country.</p><br /><p>Musa-Dikwa, who was an Associate Pastor with the E. Y. N. Church, Farm Centre, Dikwa Road, Maiduguri, Borno State, under Rev. Emmanuel Kwajihe between 2002 and 2004, said the CAN had started threatening Christians in the state (Borno) that they must re-elect Jonathan in the rescheduled election.</p><br /><p>He said, “It was N7bn that was given to the CAN leadership by President Goodluck Jonathan. They(CAN) later disbursed N3m to the State Chairmen of the CAN.</p><br /><p>“The money was handed over to the CAN Leadership on 26th January, 2014.”</p><br /><p>“Actually, President Jonathan is using CAN President, and it was the CAN President who collected the monies and shared N3m to the CAN executives in each state.</p><br /><p>“And some Pentecostal Bishops also collected their share. Actually, the money is not N6bn, it is N7bn. This is what I know. One of the CAN officials from Abuja told me that they have collected the money. The corruption in CAN is terrible. They are corrupting the body of Christ because of money.</p><br /><p>“They are now threatening Christians in Borno State that they will deal with anybody, who refuses to vote for Jonathan. And the CAN officials are now campaigning that if Buhari emerges President, he will Islamise Nigeria; and that Osinbajo collected monies from Islamic world; and that the same Osinbajo will resign soon after Buhari wins to give way for Tinubu to emerge Vice President.”</p><br /><p>Musa-Dikwa named some high-profile clerics, who had benefitted from the controversial largesse to actualise the re-election bid of Jonathan.</p><br /></div><br /></div>

Jonathan Bribed Pastors With N7bn, Not N6bn

From Punch More facts appear to be emerging on the allegation by Rivers State Governor, Rotimi Amaechi, that President Goodluck Jonathan...

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Buhari vows to publicly declare his assets if elected president

<script type="text/javascript"> <script size='468x60' src='http://srvpub.com/adServe/banners?tid=22528_31474_5' type='text/javascript'></script> <script type='text/javascript'> google_ad_client = "ca-pub-6630608044863529"; google_ad_slot = "4870332095"; google_ad_width = 300; google_ad_height = 250; </script> <script src='//pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/show_ads.js' type='text/javascript'> </script> <div xmlns='http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml'><div style='text-align: left' dir='ltr'><br /><div style='clear: both;text-align: center' class='separator'><a href="http://ift.tt/19JDTXJ" style="margin-left: 1em;margin-right: 1em"><img border="0" data-recalc-dims="1" src="http://ift.tt/1CUacwF"/> </a> </div><br /><p>Buhari has promised to publicly declare his assets if elected. He stated this in a document obtained by a <a href="http://ift.tt/1Ab2AX5" target="_blank">Punch</a> correspondent in Abuja on Thursday. The document highlights what Buhari will do in his first 100 days if he assumes power on May 29.</p><br /><p>He said he would encourage political appointees in his administration to also declare their assets publicly. But Buhari, in the document titled, “I pledge to Nigeria” also said that all his political appointees would only earn salaries and allowances as prescribed by the Revenue and Mobilisation and Fiscal Allocation Commission.</p><br /><p>He said,<br/> </p><br /><blockquote class='tr_bq'>“I pledge to publicly declare my assets and liabilities, encourage all my appointees to publicity declare their assets and liabilities as a pre-condition for appointment.<br/><br />“All political appointees will only earn the salaries and allowances determined by the RMFAC.”</blockquote><br /><div><br /><div>If the APC candidate keeps to his promise, he will be the second Nigeria’s President to publicly declare his assets.<a id="more" name="more"> </a> </div><br /><div>The late President, Alhaji Umaru Yar’Adua, also from Katsina State as Buhari, was the first and the only Nigeria’s President to have publicly declared his assets when he assumed office.</div><br /><div>This action forced his then deputy, who is now the President Goodluck Jonathan, to also make his assets declaration forms available to the public. This action forced his then deputy, who is now the President Goodluck Jonathan, to also make his assets declaration forms available to the public.</div><br /><blockquote class='tr_bq'><br /><p>However, since he assumed office as the substantive President, Jonathan has refused to make the forms available to the public, saying that he did that when he was serving as deputy to Yar’Adua.<br/><br />Asked during a media chat whether he would consider declaring his assets publicity, the President refused, saying he did not give a damn.</p><br /></blockquote><br /></div><br /><div><br /><div>On insurgency and insecurity in the country, the former head of state said that he had had the rare privilege of serving the country in the military in various capacities and rose to the rank of a major general and Commander -in -Chief of the Armed Forces, he would defend the integrity of the nation.</div><br /><blockquote class='tr_bq'><br /><p>“I pledge, as Commander-in-Chief, to lead from the front and not behind in the comfort and security of Aso Rock, to boost the morale of fighting forces and the generality of all Nigerians,” he said.</p><br /></blockquote><br /><div>On the fate of the kidnapped Chibok girls, Buhari said that as a father, he had been feeling the pain of the victims of insurgency, kidnapping and violence whether “they are widows and orphans of the military, paramilitary, civilians and parents or the Chibok girls.</div><br /><blockquote class='tr_bq'><br /><p>“My government shall act decisively on any actionable intelligence to #BringBack Our Girls.”</p><br /></blockquote><br /></div><br /></div><br /></div>

Buhari vows to publicly declare his assets if elected president

Buhari has promised to publicly declare his assets if elected. He stated this in a document obtained by a Punch correspondent in Abuja on...

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Sambo using religion to divide Nigerians – APC

<script type="text/javascript"> <script size='468x60' src='http://srvpub.com/adServe/banners?tid=22528_31474_5' type='text/javascript'></script> <script type='text/javascript'> google_ad_client = "ca-pub-6630608044863529"; google_ad_slot = "4870332095"; google_ad_width = 300; google_ad_height = 250; </script> <script src='//pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/show_ads.js' type='text/javascript'> </script> <div xmlns='http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml'><div style='text-align: left' dir='ltr'><br /><table style='margin-left: auto;margin-right: auto;text-align: center' class='tr-caption-container' cellspacing='0' cellpadding='0' align='center'><br /><tbody><br /><tr><br /><td style='text-align: center'><a href="http://ift.tt/19JDRiJ" style="margin-left: auto;margin-right: auto"><img border="0" data-recalc-dims="1" src="http://ift.tt/19JDR21"/> </a> </td><br /></tr><br /><tr><br /><td style='text-align: center' class='tr-caption'> </td><br /></tr><br /></tbody><br /></table><br /><div style='clear: both' class='separator'>The All Progressives Congress has accused Vice-President Namadi Sambo and his party, the Peoples Democratic Party, of using religion to divide Nigerians.</div><br /><div style='clear: both' class='separator'> </div><br /><div style='clear: both' class='separator'>The party, in a statement by its National Publicity Secretary, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, on Thursday, said Sambo, while addressing PDP supporters in Kaduna, said the APC was pushing a Christian agenda and should be rejected at the polls because its vice-presidential candidate, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo (SAN), has “5,000 churches.”</div><br /><p><a id="more" name="more"> </a> </p><br /><div style='clear: both' class='separator'> </div><br /><div style='clear: both' class='separator'>The APC said, “It must baffle every right-thinking Nigerian what the vice-president stands to gain by his resort to basic instincts. It is more baffling against the background of the fact that it was his party, the PDP, that first labelled our party, the APC, as a Muslim party.</div><br /><div style='clear: both' class='separator'> </div><br /><div style='clear: both' class='separator'>“Not even when the APC elected a Christian as its National Chairman, supported by many party officials who are also Christians, did they back off from their incautious claim. It did not occur to them that our party is more religiously diverse than they have sought to portray it to Nigerians.”</div><br /><div style='clear: both' class='separator'> </div><br /><div style='clear: both' class='separator'>The party urged voters not to be swayed by those who were using religion as a campaign tool.</div><br /><div style='clear: both' class='separator'> </div><br /><div style='clear: both' class='separator'>It said some unscrupulous politicians had already begun distributing leaflets portraying the APC as a religious intolerant party.</div><br /><div style='clear: both' class='separator'> </div><br /><div style='clear: both' class='separator'>It said, “They are hoping that by further inflaming passion with the highly emotive issue of religion, they can revive their shrivelling political fortunes. That is why they have devised the latest strategy of pitting Christians against Moslems through the circulation of satanic leaflets. Nigerians should not be taken in by this cheap plot.</div><br /><div style='clear: both' class='separator'> </div><br /><div style='clear: both' class='separator'>“We ask Nigerians to disregard anyone peddling religion as a tool for securing votes in any part of the country. Faith is a personal thing to individuals and no responsible government will seek to use religion to divide the people.”</div><br /><div style='clear: both' class='separator'> </div><br /><div style='clear: both' class='separator'> </div><br /></div><br /></div>

Sambo using religion to divide Nigerians – APC

The All Progressives Congress has accused Vice-President Namadi Sambo and his party, the Peoples Democratic Party, of using religion to d...

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