₦airaland Forum

Falz is set to be featured in a new season of popular Friday night comedy programme called ‘The Bigger Friday Show’. The show is set to premiere in the coming weeks, with a twist. The Big Friday Show was previously hosted by the comedian, Basketmouth but the show has been revamped and it will be hosted by rapper and widely-admired internet sensation, Falz the bahd guy. [ 61 more words. ]

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The war between Wizkid and Linda Ikeji is still on as the popular blogger has filed a petition against Wizkid to the Lagos State Police Commissioner, Fatai Owoseni. It would be recalled that Wizkid was quoted in the media as saying that he would send his 16-year-old cousin to beat her up. According to reports, a summon has been issued to Wizkid, with an invitation letter sent to his manager at his Surulere office. A source claimed that although he was expected to report at the state police command today, he did not.

http://newsbreakers.ng/police-summons-wizkid-over-linda-ik…/

It was hard convincing many Nigerians that the then candidate of All Progressives Congress (APC), Muhammadu Buhari actually had a secondary school certificate -- the basic academic qualification for candidates competing to be president. After emerging the winner and the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, the military fished out his certificate. It is worthy of note to reveal that Buhari does not just have school leaving certificate, he is also one of the most educated heads of state in this nation. [ 280 more words. ]

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The Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) said on Wednesday that it spends $1.8 billion every quarter on fuel import. The Group Executive Director Upstream of NNPC, Mr Bello Rabiu, stated this while addressing State House Correspondents. According to Rabiu, the organisation spends between $16 million and $20 million on imports daily, amounting to a total of about $1.8 billion per quarter. [ 408 more words. ]

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President Muhammadu Buhari Wednesday in Beijing warned vandals and saboteurs blowing up oil and gas installations in Nigeria to desist immediately or face the same drastic action being taken against Boko Haram by the Armed Forces. Speaking at a meeting with members of the Nigerian Community in China, President Buhari also reaffirmed his total commitment to winning the war against corruption, saying that corruption was an arch-enemy of the nation which has destroyed the lives of many Nigerians. [ 371 more words. ]

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Social Media giant, Facebook is now a step ahead of the game with the introduction of a new technology as it unveils a 360-degree video which will cost a whopping $30,000. The new system is called Surround 360 and Facebook is offering instructions on how to build the camera, according to a Facebook statement. At that price tag, it’s not for the casual filmmaker, but a serious aspiring director might be able to justify such a purchase. [ 245 more words. ]

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Former Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy in Nigeria, Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala has been named by Devex among five powerful women doing good around the world. In a tribute to the minister posted on the organisation’s site, Dr Iweala was praised for increasing transparency in Nigeria’s economy when she was minister. The tribute reads: There is a will to fight, Ngozi has said about Africans' impatience with government, corruption and waste. [ 170 more words. ]

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Former Super Eagles’ player and coach, Sunday Oliseh has been appointed as a member of the Federation of International Football Association’s (FIFA) technical study group (TSG). This will make it the second time Oliseh would be appointed to TSG. The Nigerian soccer legend took to his official verified twitter account to make the announcement. His tweet reads, ‘Honoured to be appointed into the “new look” FIFA Technical Department. Next mission; The 2016 Rio Olympics Football.’

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Nigeria has been described as the best country to invest in, in the whole world. The Chairman of Dangote Group, Alhaji Aliko Dangote, who made this declaration,...

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Popular Nollywood actor, Fred Amata also called ‘The Son of Devil star’ has taken over as the president of Directors Guild of Nigeria after a fierce contest. Other elected members of the national executive of the guild include Mike Ogunwusi (VP), Ugezu Ugor (Secretary), Uchenna Agbo (Ass Secretary) and Oduala Taiwo (P.R.O).

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The popular sensational Nigeria/British Pop singer, Sade Adu, must have a lot to be dealing with at the moment as her 20-year-old lesbian daughter, Mickailia 'Ila' Adu, has chosen to transform from a lesbian to a male identity.

Ila earlier disclosed that she suffers from gender dysphoria, a condition that makes her emotional and psychological identity like that of a male. She posted photos of her transition on instagram for her followers.

She now puts on male clothes, has chopped off her hair and may even remove her breasts as time goes on.

However, Sade has not publicly acknowledged Ila's transition.

The academic community goes into paroxysms of joy as someone discovered copies of William Shakespeare’s First Folio 400 years after his death. The playwright’s First Folio in the collection of a historic house on a Scottish island has been verified as genuine, bringing the number of known surviving First Folios to 234, according to a statement from the Mount Stuart mansion, in whose collection the book was found. [ 222 more words. ]

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The immediate past president, Goodluck Jonathan on Friday declared that in spite of the fact that he lost his office as president to the All Progressives Congress (APC), he still has a lot to offer Nigeria.

Jonathan was represented at the event by a one-time Minister of State for Works, Prince Dayo Adeyeye, who explained that he was unable to attend because the award ceremony clashed with Dr. Alamiyeseigha’s burial.

"He sent his unreserved apology particularly to Uncle Sam and to the management of Vanguard newspapers” Prince Adeyeye said.

“He has asked to me also congratulate his fellow recipients particularly President Muhammadu Buhari and other recipients.

"President Ebele Goodluck Jonathan is a man of history and I believe that whatever we are celebrating now is not the final verdict, we will leave that to history because all these emotional things that we display, when a man is in office or after leaving office, are better judged by history.

I believe Jonathan will be given a better verdict by history.

“He says I should tell everybody that he is not yet finished with his good works in Nigeria, he has left office but he is not tired and therefore, he said I should announce to this audience that very soon, he will be launching his foundation.

"That foundation will enable him to render services, not only to the people of Nigeria but to humanity.”

Jonathan’s Acceptance Statement

“I thank the editorial board of Vanguard newspapers for honouring me as their Personality of the Year 2015. I believe that the people of Nigeria are more deserving of the honour than me. I am thus dedicating this award to my countrymen and women, may God bless Nigeria.”

A student of Nigerian descent from New York’s Elmont Memorial High School has been accepted at all eight Ivy League universities.

Augusta Uwamanzu-Nna has a list of options to choose from among the prestigious northeastern universities. The daughter of Nigerian immigrants also can choose from Johns Hopkins University, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, New York University, and Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute.

The 17-year-old valedictorian with a 101.64 weighted grade-point average shares her thoughts 'My recent accomplishments reflect the hardworking ideals of the town of Elmont, my supportive parents, and my dedicated teachers. I am elated but most importantly I am thankful.'

'My family is so excited. Sometimes I feel like they get so much more excited than me. They literally screamed. When I called my mom and told her, she was screaming on the phone.'

'Though I was born here in America, I visited Nigeria many times. And I’ve seen that my cousins don’t have the same opportunities that I have. So definitely, whatever I do, I want to make sure that it has an impact on Nigeria.

Augusta credits her success to her teachers, perseverance and her parents who taught her the importance of education.

She further reveals, 'I’ve struggled with numerous classes in the past. But I guess what allowed me to be successful, ultimately, in those classes, at the end, is my persistence and my tenacity.

'I’m still quite unsure what school I’m going to attend, but I know attending any of them will be such a great honour. But for now, it’s just so amazing. I really can’t believe it still.'

Augusta loves science, and she was a finalist in an Intel competition for her research project on a cement that could prevent underwater oil rigs from rupturing.

Michelle Flannory, Augusta’s research adviser said, 'She knows that you have to work. Is she naturally talented? Yes, but she definitely pursues excellence.

She has to make her final decision in less than a month. I’m still quite unsure what school I’m going to attend, but I know attending any of them will be such a great honor. But for now, it’s just so amazing. I really can’t believe it, still.'

A Jos Federal High Court has sacked the President of the Nigeria Football Federation, Amaju Pinnick. The Court also ordered Chris Giwa to resume office as president of the federation. Adama Yahaya and Obinna Ogba had earlier approached the court to remove Pinnick but withdrew the suit after the intervention of former President Goodluck Jonathan. Before the court ruling, many Nigerians had demanded the resignation of Pinnick from office as they blamed him for the Super Eagles’ failure to qualify for the AFCON 2017, same way they missed out on the 2015 edition. [ 44 more words. ]

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NewsBreakersNG is calling for eyewitness reports from citizens, journalists and the public, giving them opportunities to get published on our platform.

Such reports, including videos and pictures, should be sent with relevant pictures via Whatsapp to 08027831945 or email to iwitness@newsbreakers.ng and one of our editors will get back to you.

Reporters should include their mobile numbers and emails for verification.

The sudden death of Nomoreloss, the Nigeria artiste popularly known for his Iyawo Asiko hit is still a shock to many as some people are yet to come to terms that the singer is no more.

He was said to have passed away some few weeks back through a brief illness which some of his colleagues claim they never knew about.

A service of songs was held yesterday April 7, 2016, on his behalf and friends, families and the media were there to pay their respect. However, while they were at the event, they got a shocker from the popular Nigerian rapper Ruggedman.

Ruggedman who is known for being blunt on issues took the stage to address the attendees adding that when the singer was alive, the media never gave him the support he needed but then showed up after he died.

The rapper also advised his colleagues to inform close friends, at least, about any challenges they were facing so that people could come to their aid.

He said, ‘Whatever problem you are going through, even if you cannot tell everybody in this world, tell people who are close to you.’ And to the press, he said, ‘While Nomoreloss was alive and doing his thing, we didn’t see these men with camera.’

From the University of Lagos Students Union

It is unfortunate that despite priding itself as the university of first choice and the nation’s pride, the University of Lagos Management cannot manage this simple issue. The Vice Chancellor has demonstrated his insouciance towards the welfare of the students. Despite his availability on campus today, he refused to avail the students of his presence.

In light of this public display of irresponsibility, the Union wishes to state that:

1) It is an inhumane move with a dastardly motive to demand the vacation of students from the University community. This is because it has got to the notice of the Union that certain hoodlums are around the school to waylay students who are trying to leave the school

2) Also, students who leave in distant areas have confessed that they do not have transport fare to transport themselves home. This is understandable as the notice for vacation just got to students this morning at about 6:30am, leaving us with less than 4hrs to vacate

This is a display of lower drunkenness and gross irresponsibility on the part of the VC and the University Management as a whole. They have displayed that they do not have the interest of the students at heart. They have shown that they are misfits with regard to parenthood.

Hence, we implore the students to stay in school so that they won’t be victims of circumstances. Hoodlums are everywhere and leaving the school now is dangerous.

The Union is on top of the situation. All students should remain indoors until further information by the Union.

SIGNED:

ULSU EXCOS

The Actors Guild of Nigeria's National Secretary, Femi Durojaiye, has urged Ibinabo Fiberesima-Egbuka, to comply with an order of the court and step down as the President of the body for nollywood actor, Emeka Ike. According to a statement in Lagos, Durojaiye argued that the Federal High Court sitting in Lagos at the application and argument of counsel to the Actors Guild of Nigeria, Mr. [ 98 more words. ]

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The immediate past Minister of Petroleum Resources, Mrs. Diezani Alison-Madueke will today appear before the Westminster Magistrate’s Court in London where she is expected to proffer answers to money laundering and bribery allegations. It would be recalled that she was first docked before the court in October 2015. The former minister was arrested alongside four others by the United Kingdom’s National Crime Agency (NCA). [ 31 more words. ]

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The Federal Government has offered 105 candidates of the botched 2014 Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) recruitment, and relatives, automatic employment as compensation for injuries sustained and the loss of loved ones during the exercise. Mr. Bassey Akpanyung, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Internal Affairs made this announcement in a statement to newsmen on Monday in Abuja. The statement said that after proper verification, employment was offered to three family members of each deceased applicant from the aborted exercise. [ 144 more words. ]

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YEAR DAY EVENT [ 2225 more words. ]

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The Lagos State chapter of the Association of Nigerian Authors (ANA) in its recent meeting raised a lot of issues about the state of Nigerian Literature. The main focus of the agenda was centred on the reason most Nigerian Institutions of higher learning do not seem to show deserving interest in the works of younger Nigerian writers.

They decided whether to write to Nigerian teachers formally to draw their attention to this development or to meet them at an official level to sort the issue out.

The Lagos ANA monthly meeting popular for its usual practice to discover and admit new members and to also read old and new works and banter generally on plausible new ways to move the association forward took a new course this time.

The theme of the day shifted to accommodate the growth and development and treatment of works of younger Nigerian writers by teachers of literature.

A former chairman of Lagos ANA and a teacher by profession, Daga Tola was bothered that the Nigerian state does not love the arts.

Tola said, ‘This is time for a literary revolution. The education system is in deep crisis. There is no consistent policy to promote education in Nigeria.’

The revolutionary writer pointed out that what the nation needs now is the total overhaul of all aspects of the society, he explained, ‘How can you say you have a sound educational system when the materials with which to teach are not there? There are no modern tools. And to make it worse, it is the same old poets and novelists that our people still teach. What sense does this make? We need therefore to restructure the system; we need to make those in charge refocus their attention on the modalities of how they teach and what they teach.’

Tanko Okoduwa, a poet and a former publicity secretary of ANA (national), chipped in, ‘Oh, yes, let attention shift to these new writers, especially poets.’

Okoduwa argued that poetry is about the only genre of literature that survives in a rough terrain where a lot of writers groan.

He reiterated, ‘This can be expressed in any language, form, and style, as it pleases the writer. Whether the language of expression is simple or hard, it is the structure of poetry and the message it conveys that distinguishes it from the rest. Indeed, poetry has so far created an enormously positive impression on literature. It has immensely contributed to the promotion of language, culture and education generally.’

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The need to urgently make sure that Nigeria's potentials are harnessed and utilised for the good of the country has been buttressed by President Muhammad Buhari.

Speaking when he received the President of the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO), Dr Bernard Aliyu, at the State House, Abuja, Buhari added, ‘Nigeria needs to work on her potentials so that we don’t remain permanently at the level of potentials.

‘If Ethiopia is sustained largely by her airline industry, we have greater potentials here. But we must move out, engage with the rest of the world, as we need to re-establish the integrity of this country.

‘We need to rebuild this country again. For the greater part of the last 16 years, oil sold above 100 dollars per barrel, but the nation did not have much to show for it.

In the First Republic, more enduring infrastructure was built with meagre resources. But in the past 16 years, we made a lot of money without planning for the rainy day.

‘We showed a lot of indiscipline in managing our economy and that is why we are where we are today. But this time around, we’ll do our best.’

Responding, Aliyu praised President Buhari for what he termed strides in anti-corruption and asked the country to pay more attention to the development of civil aviation.

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The National Leader of the All Progressive Congress (APC), Bola Ahmed Tinubu, has declared that Nigeria and indeed Nigerians are paying for the sins of the 16-year reign of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

The APC National Leader who posited that this is coming through the current fuel situation in the country argued saying, ‘For 16 good years, PDP destroyed the country. We should not be lamenting about petroleum queues today if they had seen what is necessary and done what is necessary for this country.

‘We can’t be emotional and in self-denial. If they had done Awolowo Road, if they had done Lagos/Ibadan Expressway, if they put a priority on our rails, if they put a priority on electricity generation and distribution, we will not be in this mess that we are today.

‘Nigerians are impatient for what? I research Nigeria, they just want to see the direction of the economic policy and want to be certain of the future that we will not continue in the direction of leaderless, directionless and hopelessness of the past 16 years.’

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Report has it that the Nigerian Army has the intention of sacking Brigadier General Aliyu Momoh due to his alleged role in the Ekiti State governorship election which held sometime in 2014.

Making this known in Washington, DC, Ali who was in the United States (US) as part of the Nigerian delegation to a nuclear power summit convened by President Barack Obama, revealed that the army decided to initiate the process of rusticating General Momoh, who he said was indicted last year by a military panel.

It would be recalled that General Momoh led a contingent of soldiers and other security agencies, to Ekiti State during the said election.

He was alleged to have intimidated voters and also subdued the movement of the officials of the All Progressives Congress (APC), sequel to an alleged order by former President Goodluck Jonathan to enable the incumbent governor of Ekiti State, Ayodele Fayose of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), to defeat the former state governor, Kayode Fayemi.

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The Kwara State Government has begun a verification exercise for workers and pensioners in schools across the state. This involves the use of Bank Verification Numbers (BVN) to verify workers and pensioners. To this effect, the Kwara State Committee on Personnel Database Development issued a signed statement in Ilorin on Thursday by its alternate Chairman, Alhaji Sola Isiaka Gold who disclosed that the verification of schools’ location started on Wednesday and would end on Friday, April 2, 2016. [ 57 more words. ]

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The Joint Admission and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has announced plans to release cut-off marks for universities and polytechnics in June 2016. JAMB’s Public Relations Officer, Dr. Fabian Benjamin reported, ‘JAMB will officially publish the 2016 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME), cut-off marks for universities and polytechnics in June.’ Dr. Benjamin advised candidates who wrote the 2016 UTME to ignore the cut-off marks from some websites and social media, adding that those cut-off marks were just the imaginations of people. [ 66 more words. ]

http://newsbreakers.ng/jamb-release-cut-off-marks-june/

Justice Monisola Abodunde of an Ado-Ekiti High Court has issued a three-year imprisonment verdict on two students of the Ekiti State University (EKSU). The EKSU students: Akintunde Olumide and Oladapo Olaoluwa are to spend the next three years in jail after being found guilty of involvement in cultism.

The Justice held that the prosecution has proved a case of stealing, assault and membership of a secret cult group against the accused beyond every reasonable doubt.

Mr Femi Falade, the police prosecutor revealed to the court that the accused committed the offence on July 13, 2013, at a hotel in Iworoko, Ekiti, adding that they were brought on a three-count charge of stealing, assault and cultism.

Falade added, ‘This offence is punishable under Section 355, 4(1) of Criminal Code Laws of Ekiti State 2012 and Secret Cults (Abolition and Prohibition).’

During interrogation Criminal Investigation Department, the accused made a confessional statement, stating they are members of the Confraternity.

The Police also found in their possession: a small cutlass, a black head warmer, black T-shirts and black trousers.

The judge commented, ‘It is not a tool for education, it is a weapon of danger and indiscriminating, which should not be seen within the school premises.’

The exhibit recovered from the accused gave the judge the needed proof to sentence them to three-year imprisonment without any option of fine.

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Aston Villa has omitted Gabriel Agbonlahor from its squad, selected to face Chelsea in the Premier League this weekend, pending an investigation by the club.

The 29-year-old is undergoing an investigation by the midlands team over reports that he was caught smoking a shisha pipe while on holiday recently in Dubai.

Villa, who are at the bottom of the Premier League, tweeted, ‘Gabby Agbonlahor will not be involved in Saturday's early afternoon clash with Chelsea.

‘An internal investigation is currently underway. While this is being conducted, Gabby Agbonlahor will not feature.’

The decision was taken after photographs were published by the British media apparently showing the striker smoking a pipe.

In what has been a trying week for the club, Villa parted company with manager Remi Garde on Tuesday before promoting first-team coach Eric Black to acting manager, while the club finds a full-time replacement.

And caretaker boss Black said of Agbonlahor, at Friday's weekly press conference, ‘Unfortunately, it's part and parcel of modern day football.

‘It's not specific to Aston Villa and we will deal with it in the right manner. I'm focused on our next challenge, which is Chelsea.

We have an on-going investigation which will run its course and I spoke at length last night to David Bernstein (recently appointed club director). So I took the decision to remove him from the squad for Saturday.’

The Birmingham-born player has only featured 15 times in the League this season, with Villa seemingly heading for the Championship.

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The League Management Company (LMC) has issued a 10-match ban to the proprietor of FC Ifeanyi Ubah, Chief Ifeanyi Ubah.

The ban was handed after the review of video evidence of the incident that occurred immediately after the Match Day 8 fixture between FC Ifeanyi Ubah and Heartland of Owerri in Nnewi. Chief Ubah was also handed a fine of N2, 500,000 in addition to the 10-match ban from all Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) venues in a Summary Jurisdiction notice issued Thursday afternoon.

The LMC had previously charged Chief Ubah for encroachment on the field of play but in light of new video evidence showing his assault on Heartland goalkeeper, Ebele Obi, fresh charges were drafted.

Chief Ubah was charged for breach of rule C1 of the NPFL Rules and Framework for an offence of misconduct in that immediately after the match he encroached on the field of play and assaulted Ebele Obi while his personal security aides further assaulted the player.

For this, the LMC ruled in an exercise of summary jurisdiction to suspend Chief Ubah from all NPFL match venues for the next ten matches.

The club owner was also ordered to write a letter of apology and an undertaking to be a good ambassador of the NPFL henceforth.

Due to the unruly and unrestrained behaviour of the personal security of Ubah, the LMC further ruled that club officials and guests to NPFL matches are henceforth prohibited from bringing self-procured security apparatus to match venues.

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President Muhammadu Buhari has appealed to all Nigerians to continue to believe that the change promised by his government will come to fruition. President Buhari made the appeal in his Easter message to the nation. He thanked Nigerians for their patience and understanding in the first 10 months of his administration, assuring that he was working very hard to overcome the challenges he encountered on assumption of office. [ 79 more words. ]

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