₦airaland Forum

A former Minister of External Affairs , who was a foundation member of the ruling All Progressives Congress , Chief Tom Ikimi, says the ruling party has been hijacked by incompetent persons .



According to him , this is why the party has been experiencing crisis , culminating in the defection of aggrieved members to other political parties.
Ikimi , who is now a chieftain of the opposition Peoples Democratic Party , added that those who hijacked the APC had failed to manage its affairs , leading to the “ demise of the party. ”


Ikimi spoke in Abuja on Monday during the inauguration of four committees by the Coalition of United Political Parties to solidify the agreement signed by the 39 - member coalition.
The committees are Contact and Mobilisation, Blueprint and Manifestos, Strategy and Planning , and Medial and Publicity .


The coalition , made up of 39 political parties and associations, was set up on July 9 by the political parties to wrest power from the ruling APC.
Ikimi is the chairman of the 23 -member committee on Blueprint and Manifesto, which includes a former Governor of Niger State , Babaginda Aliyu ; a former President of the Nigerian Bar Association , Dr Olisa Agbakoba (SAN ), and a former Minister of Power and Steal , Mr Olu Agunloye.
A former Minister of Sports and Youths Development, who was until last week the spokesperson for the APC, Mallam Bolaji Abdulllahi, was named as the head of the Media and Publicity Committee .



Read More - https://www.viatrends.com.ng/2018/08/chief-tom-ikimi-says-those-who-hijacked.html?m=1

The leadership of the National Assembly has summoned an emergency meeting for Tuesday (today).


The Special Assistant to the Senate President on International Relations , Bankole Omisore , called the meeting via his Twitter handle on Monday .
The tweet reads, “NASS leadership will tomorrow meet at noon to consider some national issues . The National Assembly leadership comprises both @NGRSenate and @HouseNGR.



“It will be followed by another meeting with the leadership of @inecnigeria led by its Chairman, Prof. Mahmud Yakubu. ”
It was gathered that the meeting , which will be attended by the President of the Senate , Bukola Saraki, and the Speaker , House of Representatives , Yakubu Dogara; and the principal officers of both chambers would be briefed by INEC on the 2019 general elections .
It was further gathered that the leadership would also discuss the recent defections, which had generated controversies in both chambers.



There had been rumours earlier on Monday that the National Assembly might reconvene on Tuesday, suspending its ongoing two- month annual recess . But a source at the Senate dismissed the resumption reports, stating that it was a leadership meeting and not plenary .
The source said, “ Yes , a joint leadership meeting has been called for 12 noon tomorrow . The meeting is on the current issues in the National Assembly , all the issues .
“By 1 pm , chairman of INEC and other leaders of the commission will join the meeting to brief the National Assembly on the preparations for the 2019 general elections . ”


Meanwhile , members of the Parliamentary Democrats Group have said that the Senate and the House will reconvene only after getting assurances that there will be no attempts to remove the leadership of the National Assembly .



Read More - https://www.viatrends.com.ng/2018/08/bukola-saraki-and-other-national.html?m=1

The Peoples Democratic Party said it was not aware that the Senate Minority Leader, Chief Godswill Akpabio, was going to London where he met with President Muhammadu Buhari on Sunday .
Rather , it said the former governor of Akwa Ibom State told members of the party’ s National Working Committee that he was on his way to Germany.

The National Publicity Secretary of the party , Mr Kola Ologbondiyan , who stated this in Abuja on Monday , said the party was not aware of Akpabio’ s planned defection to the ruling All Progressives Congress .
He said the minority leader of the Senate could have had what he called “technical stopover ” in London.
Ologbondiyan said, “ He told us he was going to Germany and if he ended up in London, maybe , he had a technical stopover .

“The PDP has no issues with Akpabio whatsoever and the party will not respond to speculations of his readiness to defect. We have no notice of the said defection and all I can say now is that we will cross the bridge when we get there . ”
Investigations by one of our correspondents showed that the rumour of Akpabio ’s planned defection had been rife within the national leadership of the PDP , including the governors .


It was gathered that one of the governors, name withheld, from the southern part of the country had openly accused Akpabio of hobnobbing with the ruling party at the residence of the Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Ike Ekweremadu , recently

Read more - https://www.viatrends.com.ng/2018/08/pdp-says-we-never-knew-akpabio-was.html?m=1

The plaintiffs in the suit filed against the eligibility of Senator Ademola Adeleke as the governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party in Osun State on Monday told Justice David Oladimeji that the testimonials and statement of result submitted to the Independent National Electoral Commission and the court by the defendants are forged documents .


The plaintiffs, Rasheed Olabayo and Oluwasegun Idowu had informed the court of the possibility of an out -of - court settlement of the case at the last sitting of the court but an agreement on this could not be reached as the court continued with the hearing of the case .



READ MORE - https://www.viatrends.com.ng/2018/08/senator-ademola-adeleke-presented.html?m=1

Tekashi 69 must not wanna get back the chains allegedly stolen from him .. . cause TMZ ' s learned he' s not playing ball with cops.

Law enforcement sources tell TMZ . .. Tekashi refused to describe to police the type of jewelry stolen or even estimate their value , though he told us it was nearly $1 mil.

What' s more .. . we ' re told his driver would NOT fill out a lost property form for the stolen iPhone and would not tell cops if the tracking software had been activated . BTW , we ' re told Tekashi ' s GF has also stopped cooperating.


Refusing to divulge what was stolen makes it incredibly hard for cops to know exactly what they ' re looking for . But , we ' re told cops are still active on the case because , as we reported ,



READ MORE - https://www.viatrends.com.ng/2018/08/tmz-tekashi69-goes-radio-silent-in.html?m=1

After a meeting with security chiefs, President Muhammadu Buhari on Thursday in Abuja departed for Bauchi.
The held behind closed door was also attended by Minister of Defence, retired Brig.-Gen. Mansur Dan-Ali, at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.


President Buhari, who presided over the meeting which lasted for about four hours, immediately departed for Bauchi, Bauchi state, on official engagement.


In a statement at the end of the meeting, the minister of defence, Mansur Dan-Ali, said he updated the National Security Council on security situation in the country.
The minister said that he also reminded the council that the nation’s armed forces in collaboration with other security agencies were doing all they could to address the turbulent security situation across the country.


He said: “In order to forestall future security incidences in Zamfara, Sokoto and Birnin-Gwari axis Operation SHARAN DAJI has been extended to cover up to the fringes of Niger boarder.


SOURCE - NAN | READ MORE https://www.viatrends.com.ng/2018/08/president-buhari-meets-security-chiefs.html?m=1

New reports confirm that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has begun the investigation of Feyisetan Fayose, wife of Ekiti governor Ayo Fayose and his top aides.

According to TheCable, Feyi is being investigated alongside others to include Lere Olayinka, spokesperson to the governor; Toyin Ojo, the state’s commissioner for finance; Oluyemisi Owolabi, the state’s accountant general and Kayode Ojo, the former commissioner for works in the state, who was sacked by Fayose in July 2017.

All those being investigated according to some sources are being investigated on allegations of money laundering and abuse of office.

Some of the letters seen by TheCable, dated July 20, 2018, and addressed to the managing director and the chief compliance officer of Access Bank Plc reveal that EFCC is also investigating the governor for abuse of office.


READ MORE - https://www.viatrends.com.ng/2018/07/efcc-starts-investigation-of-fayoses.html?m=1

Polls have opened in Zimbabwe’s first election since the removal of its former president Robert Mugabe , a watershed vote that will determine the former British colony’s future for decades.


The election pits the 75-year-old president, Emmerson Mnangagwa, a longtime Mugabe ally, against 40-year-old Nelson Chamisa , a lawyer and pastor who is vying to become Zimbabwe’s youngest head of state.


Voting began at 7am (0500 GMT) on Monday and will end at 7pm.

READ MORE - https://www.viatrends.com.ng/2018/07/election-zimbabwe-polls-open-in-first.html?m=1

Katsina – born businessman , Hon . Isah Saulawa , has declared his intention to contest the presidential election on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP ) in 2019.

Saulawa , who made this disclosure while delivering a keynote addresss during the North West PDP social media hnadlers ’ retreat held in Katsina at the weeekend , said although he had little political experience he is motivated by his love for the nation and the desire to change the current narratives of Nigerians .

The presidential aspirant , speaking more on the theme of the retreat :


READ MORE - https://www.viatrends.com.ng/2018/07/isah-saulawa-katsina-businessman-joins.html?m=1

Brandy, who came through in the 90’s with so many hit songs has set a new streaming record, as her discography has been streamed for over 1.5billion times on all digital platforms.

Though Brandy ‘s career may have stalled and been stifled by poorly executed moves in recent years, but that’s done all of nothing to shake her status as one of Pop’s greatest success stories. According to Music Connect, this makes her the only artist from the 90’s era to have to achieved this feat.

Leading the way for the likes of then-teenagers Beyonce and Britney Spears in the 90s, the vocalist’s unmatched success on stage and screen during the period saw her harvest a fan base which has unknowingly turned her into a streaming magnet as her ability to pick up pure sales falters.



READ MORE - https://www.viatrends.com.ng/2018/07/brandy-discography-has-been-streamed.html?m=1

At last, Benue State Governor , Samuel Ortom , on Wednesday formally announced his defection from the All Progessives Congress to the Peoples Democratic Party .
This is coming a day after the APC lost 13 of its senators and 37 of its House of Representatives members to the PDP , thus giving the majority status to the former ruling party in the Senate.
Ortom made the declaration during the meeting with local government chairmen and their councillors at the new banquet hall of the Government House, Makurdi .
Thirteen local government chairmen and 276 councillors were in attendance .
Ortom , who said that despite the intervention of the national leadership of the APC, the “state chapter of the party has continued to launch attack on me . ”
“This morning, I had wanted to go to Abuja to attend the meeting but some youths in the state refused , they asked me to go back .
“But let me formally inform this gathering that I have forwarded my resignation letter from the APC to the chairman of my council ward and he has promised to join me in the new party,” Ortom declared.
Immediately he announced his resignation from the APC, the governor displayed his resignation letter to the people .



PUNCH | READ MORE - https://www.viatrends.com.ng/2018/07/punch-ortom-defects-to-pdp-apc-says.html?m=1

President Trump ' s star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame is no more - - again - - after police say a man smashed it to smithereens with a pickax . That ' s right . .. ANOTHER pickax !

Police reportedly took a man into custody early Wednesday morning after turning himself in to Beverly Hills PD for vandalizing Trump ' s star . The dude who axed the star reportedly called cops to report the crime . .. but was nowhere to be seen when they arrived .



TMZ: SOURCE | READ MORE - https://www.viatrends.com.ng/2018/07/update-president-trump-hollywood-walk.html?m=1

Katie Price stripped naked and simulated an X-rated sex act on her toyboy lover on a beach in Thailand - totally flouting local customs around public nudity.

The outrageous mum of five took off all her clothes and rolled around in the wet sand before inviting new boyfriend Kris Boyson to look at her vagina.

Katie, who turned 40 in May, didn't spare the blushes as she then grabbed Kris's hips, dropped down on her knees and pretended to perform a sex act on him in the warm sea.

There was no notice taken of potential passersby as the two lovers groped each other and grappled with each others' flesh in the crystal clear ocean.

At one point Katie even grabbed hold of the waistband of Kris's swimming trunks and pulled them down, exposing him in all his naked glory to anyone who cared to be looking.


PHOTO & READ MORE - https://www.viatrends.com.ng/2018/07/exclusive-katie-price-strips-naked.html?m=1

Cristiano Ronaldo was expected to return to Madrid to meet his former team-mates and salute them before the beginning of his training with Juventus.
According to Il Corriere dello Sport, however, the former Real Madrid and Manchester United star won’t make return to the Spanish capital as he doesn’t want to run the risk of meeting his former president Florentino Perez.

The duo are not on good terms anymore as Ronaldo believes Florentino did not defend him from tax fraud accusations.

Ronaldo should have met his former team-mates at Real Madrid’s training complex Valdebebas but the Portuguese ace won’t make return to the Spanish capital.


READ MORE - https://www.viatrends.com.ng/2018/07/cr7-ronaldo-cancels-real-madrid-for.html?m=1

President Muhammadu Buhari on Sunday consoled victims of the Jos market fire which destroyed more than 200 shops .

In a statement by his Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity , Garba Shehu, the President said he was devastated by the scale of economic losses suffered by hard -working and ordinary Nigerians who believe in self- reliance to support themselves.

“Trading and agriculture remain the mainstay of these hardworking businessmen and women and every democratic leader would genuinely feel the pains of the victims of this fire disaster.



READ MORE - https://www.viatrends.com.ng/2018/07/president-buhari-says-im-devastated-by.html?m=1

Super Eagles and Arsenal forward Alex Iwobi has agreed a deal to become an ambassador for DStv.

The announcement was made at an autograph signing event that took place at the MultiChoice head office in Lagos during the week.
The cable network said that the 22-year-old Premier League player would be the face of DStv Compact, a ‘value for money package that showcases the best football leagues in the world and general entertainment content at the most affordable price.

"We are pleased that we are bringing the excitement of the new football season even closer to our customers. Iwobi’s energy and the passion he displays on the pitch is what endears him to fans across the world and as such, makes him a good fit for our brand”, said John Ugbe, Managing Director of MultiChoice Nigeria.

Iwobi said of the deal, "It’s an honour to be an Ambassador for DStv. Their passion for promoting sports is unrivaled across Africa.”



read more - https://www.viatrends.com.ng/2018/07/super-eagles-star-player-iwobi-agrees.html?m=1

Arsenal are poised to offload Nigerian-born striker Chuba Akpom from their books as it is understood that the player is close to joining Sint-Truiden in a £2million permanent deal.
The striker progressed through the Arsenal ranks but has been unable to establish himself in the first-team fold at the Emirates.
Akpom has spent a series of spells out on loan and spent the second half of last campaign with the Belgian side, scoring six times in 16 games.
The 22-year-old is in the final 12 months of his deal in north London and the Gunners look set to cash in, with a number of clubs in Belgium and France showing an interest in his services, according to the Independent.
Akpom who has made just 12 first-team appearances for Arsenal is very eligible to play for Nigeria and he showed interest playing an unofficial friendly for the Super Eagles.


READ MORE - https://www.viatrends.com.ng/2018/07/chuba-akpom-arsenal-fc-set-to-offload.html?m=1

Gov Ambode, you used to be bothered. About traffic logjams, about commuters mugged in traffic snarls, about every nuisance. But not anymore . Trucks have occupied Lagos. And you don’t seem perturbed.
Mile 2 has been shut down for three days now. Apapa is occupied. The nuisance has spread towards Oshodi and spilled as far as Ikorodu road. Our roads have become truck parks. You used to be concerned. We had thought you would sort it out when you took on it with determination. But it appears you have abandoned us to the menace.
Your Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) officials fold their hands and watch. They have joined us in our collective helplessness. And everyday the nuisance grows, their nonchalance increases, our helplessness deepens.



READ MORE - https://www.viatrends.com.ng/2018/07/lagos-state-governor-were-under-siege.html?m=1

A nursing mother and 154 out of 230 Nigerian football fans stranded in Russia after the 2018 FIFA World Cup arrived the country on Friday night.

The stranded football fans including a nursing mother in her mid- thirties came through Ethiopian Airline flight number ET- ALP that arrived Nnamdi Azikwe International Airport Abuja at about 9 . 12 pm on July 20 .

The Minister of Foreign Affairs , Mr Geoffrey Onyeama , who was at the airport to monitor their arrival , lauded President Muhammadu Buhari ’s effort to ensure their safe return.

He said that Mr President had directed that Nigerians , who were stranded in Russia after the 2018 World Cup tournament, should be evacuated immediately .

READ MORE - https://www.viatrends.com.ng/2018/07/russia2018-155-nigerian-world-cup-fans.html?m=1

President Muhammadu Buhari on Friday said he decided to announce his desire to seek re- election early enough in April in order to cool tempers.
Buhari said this while receiving members of the Buhari Support Group Centre at the Presidential Villa, Abuja .
He thanked members of the group for consistently standing by him over the years “without getting anything . ”
He said, “ I had to announce before the National Executive Committee about my intention to ask for the party’s nomination for next year ’s election , so that we can save a lot of time and cool tempers .
“A lot of people are trying to make it a habit of being a nuisance to themselves and to Nigerians .
“So , when I announced my intention, ‘I said okay, let those who are serious come out ;’ and I try to make sure that the party is re- organised and consolidated .



Read More - https://www.viatrends.com.ng/2018/07/president-buhari-revealed-reason-he.html?m=1

Juventus new boy Cristiano Ronaldo is expected to miss the Italian side's pre-season tour of the U.S.A in the International Champions Cup, instead of making his debut in the Villar Perosa friendly.

The Ballon d’Or has joined the Bianconeri from Real Madrid, but has been given extra time off after the World Cup.

The Portuguese captain will return for pre-season on July 30, but ESPN is reporting that CR7 will not take part in the International Champions Cup.

Source | Read More - https://www.viatrends.com.ng/2018/07/ex-real-madrid-star-player-cristiano.html?m=1

France celebrated the 2018 FIFA World Cup final victory over Croatia with Wizkid songs "Soco" on Sunday.

Les Blues defeated the Blazers 4-2 at Luzhniki Stadium in Moscow as coach Didier Deschamps became only the third man in history to win the World Cup both as a player (1998) and as a manager, as he led his young but talented side to glory.

France's victory can also be acknowledged as a triumph for the African continent as more than half the squad have an African origin, including goalscorers Manchester United midfielder Paul Pogba and PSG forward Kylian Mbappe.


Read More - https://www.viatrends.com.ng/2018/07/soco-france-celebrate-with-wizkid-song.html?m=1

Cardi B's a new mama after delivering a beautiful baby girl into theworld.Cardi had her daughter,Kulture Kiari CephusTuesday night in an Atlanta hospital with her husband, Offset, at her side.




TMZ broke the story in February ... members of Cardi's team were telling peopleshe was pregnantduring Super Bowl weekend, but the rapper went to ridiculously great lengths to keep her growing bumpunder wraps.She finally made thebig revealduring her performance on 'SNL' in April.



Read More - https://www.viatrends.com.ng/2018/07/congrat-to-cardi-b-has-she-gives-birth.html?m=1

Facebook Inc. co-founder Mark Zuckerberg has overtaken Warren Buffett as the world’s third-richest person, further solidifying technology as the most robust creator of wealth.

Zuckerberg, who trails only Amazon.com Inc. founder Jeff Bezos and Microsoft Corp. co-founder Bill Gates, eclipsed Buffett Friday as Facebook shares climbed 2.4 percent, according to the
Bloomberg Billionaires Index.

It’s the first time that the three wealthiest people on the ranking made their fortunes from technology. Zuckerberg, 34, is now worth $81.6 billion, about $373 million more than Buffett, the 87-year-old chairman and chief executive officer of Berkshire Hathaway Inc.

Zuckerberg’s ascent has been driven by investors’ continued embrace of Facebook, the social-network giant that shook off the fallout from a data-privacy crisis that hammered its shares, sending them to an eight-month low of $152.22 on March 27. The stock closed Friday at a record $203.23.



read more - https://www.viatrends.com.ng/2018/07/facebook-founder-mark-zuckerberg-apex.html?m=1

One member of the musical Jackson family was noticeably absent on Monday when Jackson 5 patriarch Joseph Jackson was buried in the same cemetery as his son Michael Jackson.

Joseph lost his battle with pancreatic cancer on June 27. He was 89. Joe had been ill for some time before the family announced his terminal illness to the public.

The extended Jackson family and friends, including eight of Joe’s 11 children, gathered for a private ceremony at Forest Lawn Cemetery in Los Angeles to lay Joe Jackson to rest.



Read More - https://www.viatrends.com.ng/2018/07/jermaine-jackson-was-absent-at-his-dad.html?m=1

XXXTentacion 's murder suspect who is sitting in jail was reported to have been sexually assaulted in a Florida jail -- but, that'sjust not true ... according to Broward County Sheriff's Office.


Law enforcement officials at BSO tell us the story assertingDedrick Williams was raped in Broward CountyJail is flat-out false.
The story -- citing someone who works in the Dade County Jail system -- claimed Williams had been showering recently and was ambushed "with an attempted rape."


The report went on to claim that people affiliated withKodak Blackmayhave been involved.The Broward County Sheriff's Office's Public Information Officer,Veda Coleman-Wright, says that story is"unfounded" and that the entire allegedincident did not happen.


Read More - https://www.viatrends.com.ng/2018/07/tmz-rapper-xxxtentacion-murder-suspect.html?m=0

Nigerian singer Chidinma Ekile,who is currently in a relationship with Kizz Danielsays ‘If I must brush before kissing you in the morning, we are not meant for each other’.


Chidinma is the toast to everyone in the entertainment industry, even the fans loveher because of her amazing talent and herbeauty which keeps glowing.

Read More - https://www.viatrends.com.ng/2018/06/i-think-you-should-agree-with-her.html?m=0

Joe Jackson, father of music superstars Michael Jackson and Janet Jackson, lost his battle with pancreatic cancer following a long illness. he was 89.



There were reports that the father of 11 was on his death bed in a Los Angeles hospital, but son Jermaine Jackson told reporters “dying” was a harsh word made up for headlines.“He’s very, very frail, he doesn’t have long.



The family needs to be by his bedside — that’s our only intention in his final days,” he told London’s Daily Mail.Joe gave his fans hope when he apparently tweeted a photo of himself staring at a sunset earlier this week.



But Michael Jackson’s daughter,Paris Jackson, said her grandpa did not send out the tweet.Joe is best known for being the driving force behind the Jackson5, who made history when their first four singles reached #1 on the charts in the early 1970s.



Read More - https://www.viatrends.com.ng/2018/06/father-of-music-superstar-joe-jackson.html?m=0

Slain rapperXXXTentacionis going to have an open casket funeral as family invites fans for his public memorial service in a 20,000-seat arena on Wednesday.



XXXTentacion’s family announced on the slain rapper’sInstagram pagethat fans are invited to Florida Panther’s Stadium in Sunrise on June 27, saying it will betheir ‘last chance to see him’.The service will be from noon to 6pm.


According to Entertainment Tonight, the funeral will be open casket and cell phone and video cameras are strictly prohibited.
The Instagram post read;



Read More - https://www.viatrends.com.ng/2018/06/rapper-xxxtentacion-to-have-open-casket.html

XXXTentacion 's life was marked with violence, and now his memorial was as well.


An "impromptu" Los Angeles gathering for the rapper, who was shot and killed in Miami on Monday, had to be broken up after some of the 1,000 people gathered stopped traffic on Melrose Avenue, climbed on cars, and eventually began attacking police.


LAPD public information director Josh Rubenstein told TheWrap :
"The crowd began throwing chunks of concrete and bottles at our officers, one was struck in the leg.


Watch | Read More - https://www.viatrends.com.ng/2018/06/watch-violence-erupts-at-xxxtentacion.html?m=1

Cardi B and her fiancé Offset , of the rap trio Migos , grace the cover of Rolling Stone magazine. You’re not alone ifyou’re wondering how a one-hit wonder made the cover of the holy grail of music magazines.



Nowadays, you don’t have to be a music superstar to make the cover of Rolling Stone.


Social media presence carries moreclout than any actual achievement.



Photos | Continue Reading - https://www.viatrends.com.ng/2018/06/celebrity-cardi-b-bares-her-belly-on.html

Chikeluba Ofoedu, a Turkey-based Nigerian footballer, has gifted his mum a N40m Porsche car.



He made the presentation during his house opening ceremony, on Saturday, in Enugu State.


Viatrends Bog - https://www.viatrends.com.ng/2018/06/nigerian-footballer-chikeluba-ofoedu.html?m=0