Deji Adeyanju, an Abuja based socio-political activist took to twitter these morning to reply Davido over his Opinion on Passing social media bill by the Senate. See tweet below:



http://ventnaija.net/2015/12/deji-adeyanju-replys-davido-over-social-media-bil.html

I was having my lunch in a restaurant in Accra this afternoon, when A friend started a discussion of what some of our female Nigerian students in Ghana have turned themselves into. I could not agree more. While the parents spend lots of money to ensure their daughters are comfortable and graduate with flying colours, their children have a different agenda.

There was this particular case of a young girl whose mother rented a 2-bedroom flat for her in Accra. My friend,said news just got to him this week, that this student slept with 5(five) guys at the same time and was still begging for more. She is always high on hard drugs. And, the mother, back in Nigeria will be boasting of her daughter, who is studying in Ghana. Oh, so pathetic.

Sadly to say, many of these young girls have become international prostitutes and seriously hooked on drugs. I mean what I am saying. And many people in Accra can bear me witness. Some of the mushroom universities attended by the students lack hostel facilities and the students are forced to rent accomodation thereby according them too much privacy which they are not matured enough to handle.

This issues also involves our boys. Some have become drug addicts, school dropouts and they still collect school fees from their parents.

Parents need to pay regular unexpected visit to their children and monitor them via phone calls at odd hours to find out where they are and what they are up to. If you a parent, you must never cease to pray for your children. And, if you are not sure of child’s behaviour, keep him or her close to you.

Culled From : http://ventnaija.net/2015/12/before-you-send-your-daughter-or-sister-to-a-university-in-ghana-you-have-to-read-this.html

Governor,Willie Obiano of Anambra State, donated 25 patrol cars to the Anambra state command of Nigeria Police Force this past weekend. IG of Police Solomon Arase was on hand to accept the vehicles on behalf of the police. See more photos…

[img]http://2.bp..com/-dsPbQN92JNM/Vm6XZkQeeTI/AAAAAAAHqQA/e5OtcVWLNj0/s400/2.jpg[/img]

More Photos ==>http://ventnaija.net/2015/12/anambra-govt-donates-25-patrol-cars-to-nigerian-police-photos.html

Investigation has shown that the Nigerian Senate is set to acquire very expensive exotic cars for all the senators despite the cash crunch rocking the country.

Investigation by Premium Times has shown that the Nigerian Senate is currently on the verge of illegally buying various brands of exotic vehicles for use by its President, Bukola Saraki, and the 108 other senators.
The cars will cost taxpayers an estimated N4.7billion that could be spent on vaccinating newborns and safe them from dying or on providing electricity for remote communities so kids stop doing school assignments using paraffin lamps.
The upper legislative chamber is buying the vehicles at a time millions of Nigerians are facing severe economic hardship, including nonpayment of salaries.

The procurement is also happening at a time millions of Nigerians are enduring long and humiliating fuel queues across the country because the federal government is too broke to pay importers of petrol several billions in subsidy claims.

Already, the management of the National Assembly has invited bids from contractors interested in supplying the vehicles.

In an advertisement published in some newspapers, including Blueprint of November 20, 2015, the authorities asked the companies to tender for “Lot 1S, Supply of Utility Vehicles”.

The advert, in what appears a deliberate ploy to conceal details, failed to indicate the number, type and specification of vehicles being bought.
However, PremiumTimes obtained detailed copies of tender documents being discreetly issued to prospective contractors.

In one of the documents, the Senate indicated it was buying 120 units of Toyota Land Cruiser, 2016 model.

Other details of the vehicles included that they must be “American Brand, V8, VXR, 5.7, Auto Engine WITH INTELLIGENCE”.

The senators also want the vehicles to come with integrated navigator cruise control, QI-Compatible wireless charging and Kinetic dynamic suspension system, as well as being “full option”.

On November 21, the Senate also put up another advert it labelled “addendum”.

The latest advert under Lot 2S, which was couched to look like an oversight in the first advert, was for the purchase of vehicles for the use of the senate president’s convoy.

Under Lot 2S and based on the tender document, which we have also obtained, the national assembly is seeking to purchase a 2016 model Mercedes Benz S550 for Mr. Saraki.

Other vehicles being procured for Mr. Saraki include four 2016 Toyota Prado jeeps, four 2016 Toyota Hilux SS (Auto) as well as a 2016 model Toyota Hiace Bus.

The spokesperson for the Senate, Aliyu Sabi, could not be reached Saturday to comment on these new procurement as his telephone was switched off the several times our reporter called.

The Director of Information of the National Assembly, Ishaku Dibal, declined to comment on the matter. He said he was driving and couldn’t comment after our reporter put his question to him.

Subsequent calls to his telephone failed to connect.

Premium Times carried out a market survey on all the vehicles being bought by the senate and we can confirm that the upper chamber would spend over four billion naira of taxpayers money to enhance their taste for luxury.

Specifically, give or take, vehicles are valued at N4.739,515,625.

Although there are 109 senators, the lawmakers are buying 120 Toyota Land-cruisers. It is not clear where the balance of nine vehicles would go.
We arrived at our figure of N4.7 billion after computing the cost of the vehicles, 35 per cent duties to be paid, and another 35 per cent levy.

There is also the expected 35 per cent profit margin to be made by each supplier based on the requirements of Nigeria’s procurement act.

Our checks revealed that a Toyota Land Cruiser, 2016 model, goes for $84,000, and at the current exchange rate of N250 to the dollar, it amounts to N21,000,000.

If 75 per cent of cost is added, being duty, levy and profit margin (translating to N15, 750,000) each vehicle would cost Nigerian tax payers N36,750,000.

Given that the senators propose to buy 120 units of the vehicles, the total figure is expected to be N4.41billion.

As for the convoy of the Senate president, we found that Mercedes Benz S550 2016 model goes for $95,650, which translates to N23, 912,500 and addition of 75 percent (duty, levy and profit margin) takes the total cost of the car to N49,020,625.00.

For the Toyota Prado SUVs, we were able to determine that each unit costs $73,000, which equals N18,250,000, while a 75 per cent addition of levy, duty and profit would put the cost of each at N37,412,500.

The total cost of the four (4) Prado Jeeps being acquired for Mr. Saraki is N149, 650,000.00.

Equally proposed for the Senate President’s convoy are four Toyota Hilux SS, Auto vehicles each costing $50,150.

At N250 to the dollar, each Hilux Van would cost N12,537,500 and an additional 75 percent would skyrocket the price of each unit to N25,601, 875.00.

The total figure for the four being proposed amounts to N102,407,500.00

The last vehicle under consideration is a Toyota Hiace Bus 2016 model, which by our findings, goes for $65,000 or N16,250,000 in naira value.

An addition of 75 percent, being duty, levy and profit, put the cost of the bus at N28,437,500.00

Below is the number of vehicles and estimated cost in summary.

120NOS Toyota Land Cruiser — N4,410,000,000:00

1Nos.Mercedes Benz S550 — N49,020,625:00

4nos. Toyota Prado — N149,650,000:00

4nos Toyota Hilux SS — N102,407,500:00

1Nos. Toyota Hiace Bus — N28,437,500:00

Grand total: N4.739,515,625.00

A cocktail of illegalities

Premium Times reports that the acquisition of cars for senators is a violation of the monetisation policy of the federal government.

Under the policy, no new vehicles should be purchased by any agency of government for use by officials.

Rather, public officers and political office holders are to receive 250 per cent of their annual basic salary as motor vehicle loan, which translates to N5.07 million for each senator.

Our sources at the National Assembly said the Senators got these loans before also proceeding to acquire these new Toyota Land Cruisers.

Also, the President of the Senate is said to have inherited the vehicles used by his predecessor, and Senate insiders say “he really does not need new cars as the one he uses are in top condition”.

But even if he needs new cars, the number being acquired for him is in excess of what the law provides.

According to the Revenue Mobilisation, Allocation and Fiscal Commission, the Senate President is entitled to a maximum of six vehicles, and not 10 as being bought for him.

He is entitled to two official cars, one pilot car, one protocol/press car, one ambulance and one security car.

Members of the two chambers of the national assembly are renown for their taste for exotic vehicles even after receiving monetary pay in lieu of official vehicles based on the provisions of the law.

The Senate had in the last legislative session bought Toyota Prado Jeeps for each Senator at the cost of over N1.3 billion, coming after both chambers had also bought Toyota Camry, for Senators and Peugeot vehicles for members of the House of Representatives.

The allegedly shady deal involved in the purchase of the Peugeot vehicles formed part of the charges against then Speaker Dimeji Bankole when he was taken to court after completing his term.

Source : http://ventnaija.net/2015/12/revealed-despite-cash-crunch-nigerian-senate-set-to-buy-n4-7billion-exotic-cars-for-saraki-other-senators.html

Have you heard of the Nigerian village where not everyone who dies can be buried? Well then, welcome to Olomu!


In Olomu Kingdom in Ughelli South Local Government Area of Delta State, not all corpses are buried, according to their cultures and tradition. Pregnant women who die with pregnancy or during childbirth are not buried, instead their corpses are thrown into the evil forest near Akperhe-Olomu Community within the kingdom.

It is a taboo for a woman to die with pregnancy as it is their belief that if given proper burial, the dead woman will reincarnate, hence the people do everything to prevent her reincarnation.

“Deaths from such circumstances are classified as bad deaths and such corpses are not given proper burial by not being buried in the town”, says His Royal Majesty, Ovie Richard L. Ogbon, Ogoni-Oghoro I, JP, the Ohworode of Olomu, who is also the oldest person (Okpako-Orere) of Ogoni-Olomu.

The traditional ruler explains further that such deaths are taken that way because of their belief in the reincarnation of women who died from such circumstances. “It is our belief that women who died in such manners, if buried in town or specifically at home, will reincarnate.

"In the times of old, there were cases where new-born babies had marks of women who had died from such deaths. This is why we don’t bury them at home to avoid reincarnation.”

In addition to dead pregnant women, the traditional ruler adds that “when someone in a family have mental illness, epilepsy or other disease that are genetical in the family, if such a person is not treated properly or cured and he or she dies with such infirmities, it is also our belief that such people reincarnate by being born as children, and it is usually shameful to the family.” Such practices, he adds, are also applicable to people who died by suicide, in accidents, or from drowning.

Interestingly, those who die in such circumstances are buried in the bush as there are no designated places for such people in Olomu Kingdom, except the women who died with pregnancies, whose corpses are taken to the evil forest, according to the traditional ruler.

However, people now insist that such practices are not obtainable again, so they have rebelled against the practices.

The king said: “Some families, when they lose a pregnant woman, they immediately carry out surgery to remove the foetus so they can bring her home for proper burial. This is the very wrong practice that is going on now.

The late woman and her foetus are supposed to go to the evil forest. The Church has affected many practices. For instance, many who used to carry out such traditional functions like taking the corpses to the evil forest, have now become Christians and you can’t get people to perform such traditional rites anymore.”

He speaks further: “Many practices have been jettisoned today. People no longer forbid things. When such abominable deaths occur in families today, out of shame for people not to hear that a taboo has occurred in their family, people no longer adhere to the tradition of burying such in the evil forest or bush. They now blatantly bring such dead into town and bury. This wasn’t so in those days.”

He believes some of these disregards for cultures and tradition could pollute a community.

Source: http://ventnaija.net/2015/12/olomu-the-nigerian-village-where-it-is-a-taboo-for-pregnant-woman-to-die.html

Baba Fryo who released two smash singles in the 90s, Denge pose and Notice me, has said he never left the music scene because he was frustrated like many people have said, but the game changed. He said we no longer have raw talents and most people have flooded the music scene just because they are yahoo/drug boys and have the money. Fryo explained to Saturday beats on what he does now and how he has really not left his first love- the music industry. Enjoy!

“There was no time I left music, but the system has changed. At present, we don’t have raw talents in the music industry; people doing music now are the ‘Yahoo’ and drug boys. They took over the industry.

A ‘Yahoo boy’ can just enter the studio because music is easy now unlike before when you would have to pass through many processes to release a song. Then you would sing from the beginning of that track till the end, but they cut corners nowadays which also explains why their songs don’t last more than six months. When they play some of my songs like Denge Pose and Notice Me, people still dance to them and remember the lyrics. Many things have changed.

“It is not true that I quit music out of frustration. It can never be so. When I was growing up in Ajegunle, I became used to gossips. I cannot be moved by dirty talks because I have been hearing it all my life, especially when my music was famous. I am not the only artiste that has gone silent over the years; we have many but I am not willing to mention names. If they said I left music out of frustration, they should describe frustration. If I was frustrated out of music, I would tell people myself.”

Baba Fryo said that to keep body and soul together, he became involved in land speculation despite the fact that he is from Delta State.



“I am still doing my music obviously; I go to shows. Also, it is not only Yoruba who are land speculators (Omo Onile) in Lagos. I collect my entitlements too, I sell lands. It does not matter that I am from Delta. Was I born in Delta? I was born and bred here, so I have the right to collect entitlement. I have lived in Lagos all my life,” he said.

Source : http://ventnaija.net/2015/12/people-music-now-yahoo-drug-boys-baba-fryo-fires.html

This year, Nigeria lost some of her prominent politicians. May their humble souls rest in perfect peace.

See list of 5 Prominent politicians who died in 2015:

1. Oronto Douglas



He died on April 9 from cancer related complications . He was one of Nigeria's leading human rights attorney and Special Adviser to President Goodluck Jonathan on Research, Documentation and Strategy.


2. Diepreye Alamieyeseigha



He died on October 10 in Port Harcourt after having a cardiac arrest. He was Governor of Bayelsa state from 29 May 1999 to 9 December 2005.


3. Adebowale Adefuye



He died on August 27 in Washington DC. Prior to his death, he was Nigeria's ambassador to the United States.


4. HID Awolowo



She died on September 19. She was married to one of Nigeria's foremost politicians, Obafemi Awolowo and she was the chairman of Nigeria’s foremost newspaper, Nigerian Tribune.


5. Prince Abubakar Audu



He died on November 22. He was governor of Kogi state from January 1992 until November 1993 and from 29 May 1999 to 29 May 2003. He was contesting to be Governor again at the time of his death.

Source : http://ventnaija.net/2015/12/top-5-prominent-nigerian-politicians-who-died-in-2015-see-list.html

According To Her Friend Queeneth Sinatra



“Laureen Labo was a Student of Delta State University Abraka. She was confirm dead yesterday by her family and friends. It wasn’t and easy talk for her friends; Some of her colleagues shared the painful news on facebook to pay there Last respect for her yesterday.

We gather that she was Buried today before God manifested his miracle in the life of Laureen Labo through her Bishop.

Her Bishop believed she was not dead and ordered the family members to bring her out of the Casket she was buried with. According to report her body was warm and ok like that of a living human being as at the time she was brought at of the casket.”

The bishop said she is far asleep like in coma.

We believe she has been taken to a near by hospital for treatment,

That was all we gathered for now More Updates Soon……

View Photos from her friends rejoicing and tweeting the miracle work on God on her Facebook timeline after the news was disclosed to them that Laureen was brought out from here casket.

http://ventnaija.net/2015/12/omg-laureen-labo-a-student-rose-from-dead.html

Iyanya has shot the video of one of his new songs and here are two photos from it (screen shots). Do you see anything? Biko no look there. The truth is, this girl (okay these girls) are hot, they want to be there, they want to be rated the best, but when peeps like Iyanya that they are doing everything for wants to settle down, they don’t ever pick their likes. They believe they are strictly for entertainment. Women be wise. Okay who would like to see his fiancée’s breasts outside like that?

http://ventnaija.net/2015/12/iyanyas-new-video-will-be-everything-photos.html

This is the very last photo of Tupac Shakur, taken moments before he was shot 6 times. He was riding in a car with friend and then Death Row Records record label CEO Suge Knight, as they left a boxing match in Las Vegas. Moments after this photo was taken, a drive-by shooter gunned him down. Tupac died six days later at the age of 25. His killing still remains unsolved.

http://ventnaija.net/2015/12/last-photo-of-2pac-shakur-taken-minutes-before-he-was-shot-in-96.html

Drop Your Prediction Alongside with Your Phone Number, All You Have to Do Is to Predict the Correct Score And Stand A Chance To Win Free Airtime..

The first Six (6) correct entries will win N1,000 airtime of their choices.

How To Win Click Here to Predict http://ventnaija.net/2015/10/predict-correctly-win-5k-worth-of-airtime-chelsea-vs-liverpool.html

[img]http://2.bp..com/-oGkMepfgOXw/Vi6AcZWduoI/AAAAAAAAB3I/PMidv5fdv6E/s1600/images1-jesica_557050272-270x180.jpg[/img]

The president of Nigerian Association of Prostitutes,Jessica Elvis(Oluchi) is dead..According to Daily Post,Elvis died Sunday afternoon in an undisclosed hospital in Benin after battling a protracted heart-related disease.Just last month,she granted an interview in which she said her dream is to sleep with Cristiano Ronaldo and Wizkid before she retires.

Confirming the sad development to the publication on Sunday afternoon, the Secretary General of the association, Tamar Tion in a text message described Elvis’ demise as a sad loss to the group.
Hi Ameh, want to inform you that we just lost our President, Jessy this afternoon. She died after battling heart-related disease for years. It is a sad loss to NANP and we pray God to give her family and 15-year-old daughter the fortitude to bear the loss,” the statement added.

Between Davido, Wizkid & Olamide, Who is the most featured artiste in 2015 ?

Drop Your Comment.!!

http://ventnaija.net/2015/10/who-is-the-most-featured-artiste-in-2015-olamide-wizkid-davido.html

Michael Jackson’s doctor Arnold Klein has died, aged 70. The renowned dermatologist was hospitalised for severe chest pains in Palm Springs earlier this week. He then passed away at 7:50pm local time on Thursday.

Dr Klein enjoyed a long and lustrous career with a list of clients that once included Elizabeth Taylor, Dolly Parton and Goldie Hawn. Known as the father of Botox, he also formed a close friendship with his regular patient Michael Jackson.

However after Michael’s death in 2009, Dr Klein fell from grace after allegations that he may have led to Jackson’s decline.

It was reported that the medicine man was responsible for injecting Michael with Demerol 51 times in the three months before his death, as well as administering him Propofol under the pretext that it was for acne treatment

http://ventnaija.net/2015/10/breaking-news-michael-jacksons-doctor-arnold-klein-dies.html

YBNL Nation is a record label, not fully-fledged, that is currently shaking Nigeria music industry. Artistes in YBNL Nation are . Recent singles from this label are commercially successful and they have been gaining massive airplay on Nigerian media stations. In fact, they have been trending on social networking sites and blogs.

Moreover, we can’t discuss the commercial success of YBNL artistes without mentioning the names of these two talented producers; Pheelz (Mr producer) and Young John (Wicked producer). This is because these producers produced about 97% of hit tracks for YBNL soldiers (artistes). Both producers have proved themselves to Nigerians with some hit songs which are anthems in Nigeria. Pheelz produced these Olamide’s songs; Jale, Durosoke, Baddo love, first of all, Turn Up, Owotabua, Awon goons mi, Lagos Boys, Yemi My Lover, Eleda Mi O, Melo Melo, Matters Arising, The game ft Phenom, Make us proud ft Wale, Dope money ft Phyno, Shoro niyen ft Viktoh, Lil Kesh & Chinko Ekun while Young John produced Story for the gods, Bobo (or Shakiti bobo), Falila ketan, Confirm ni ft Wizkid, Ladi ft Phyno & Lil Kesh, just to mention but a few. In fact, Pheelz and Young John are among the hottest producers in Nigeria.

However, there have been several arguments on Pheelz vs Young John. Some people believe that Pheelz is the hottest producer in town while others chose Young John. Although, both producers are talented but Pheelz’s art of ingenuity is what puts him above Young John and it makes him remain the major producer for YBNL Nation. There is no dispute over the talent of Young John but Pheelz creativity is incomparable. Pheelz is the major producer for all Olamide’s albums under YBNL imprint as he produced 13 out of 20 tracks in YBNL (Yahoo Boy No Laptop), 20 out of 21 tracks in BGEL (Baddest Guy Ever Liveth) and 16 out of 22 tracks in StreetOT (Street Orientation).

Arguably, Pheelz is a better producer between the two because he is good in both commercial (street appeal) and international standard beats. His beats for Olamide – The game ft Phenom and Olamide – Make us proud ft Wale are standard. In fact, songs like Turn Up, Durosoke, Shoro niyen and First of all, which are produced by him are anthems in Nigeria. His percussion and harmony in Baddo love, Melo Melo and Sade make those songs unique and Lagos Boys is another proof of his creativity. Pheelz is not a one-way producer as he has proved himself with more than 15 hit songs.

The fact is, both Pheelz and Young John are talented producers but Pheelz is better. Some other notable songs by YBNL artistes are: Lil Kesh – Gbese + Efejoku ft Viktoh (both songs are produced by Young John), Adekunle Gold – Sade (Prod by Pheelz), Xino – TTYL + Nakam (both songs are produced by Pheelz), Chinko Ekun – Emi na re + Alejo oran (both songs are produced by Pheelz) and other songs. You can drop your view via comment box. Thanks for reading.

SOURE : http://ventnaija.com.ng/2015/09/pheelz-is-still-incomparable-to-young-john-find-out-why.html

[

Listen, Stream And Download The Lost Sounds Album By Leriq.

Leriq releases his Debut Album Titled “The Lost Sounds”. The album features heavy weight African artists such as 2face Idibia, Wizkid, Cassper Nyovest, Naeto C, Nneka, Wande Coal,Burna Boy, Phyno, Pucado and more. The Album Was Released Under Aristokrat Records and Sony Music Entertainment Africa.

Born Eric Isaac Utere, Leriq started producing at the age of 13. His love for art and the undoubted creativity in his home also brought about his love for musical sounds. Currently signed to Aristokrat Records where he has produced all the works released on the Label to date. See the tracklist below.

DOWNLOAD The Lost Sounds By Leriq

Popular Nollywood actress and singer Genevieve Nnaji, in May celebrated her 36th birthday where she received a lot of congratulatory messages from both colleagues and fans.



Over a month after, the sultry actress took to her Instagram page to show off her customized Apple Laptop gift from one of Nigeria’s telecommunications giant, Etisalat.

The screen diva and single mother, posted the picture of the gift with her name, ‘Genevieve’ crested at the back of her new Mac laptop yesterday Thursday, July 16, 2015.

However, Genevieve recently clinched a deal worth N100million, with one of Nigeria’s telecommunications giant Etisalat.

For the Easy Flex III TVC, Genny rides in a green Lamborghini while dishing the scoop on the telecommunication company’s new package.

Source : http://ventnaija.com.ng/2015/07/nollywood-actress-genevieve-received-customized-laptop-from-etisalat.html

Veteran Nollywood actor Sir Ozor Akubueze died in Enugu on Friday July 10 after a longtime battle with pancreas disease. He was in his 70s. He featured in several Nollywood movies that were shot in Enugu.

May his soul rest in peace..amen.

Source : http://ventnaija.com.ng/2015/07/veteran-nollywood-actor-sir-ozor-akubueze-has-died.html

Iconic actor Olu Jacobs turns 73 today July 11th. Happy Birthday to him and many more great years!

SOURCE : http://ventnaija.com.ng/2015/07/happy-73rd-birthday-to-nollywood-legend-olu-jacobs.html

Diezani Alison-Madueke, Nigerian former minister of petroleum resources, is receiving a new round of treatment for breast cancer, according to Sahara Reports sources.

It was gathered that former minister is now in a hospital in London where she commenced a fresh round of therapy on June 5, Friday.
The treatment was represented as a daily therapy that will continue for one week.

Diezani departed Nigeria on May 23, 2015 on a British Airways flight with President Muhammadu Buhari on the board of the same plane.

The development caused allegations that the ex-minister might have hastily booked herself on the flight for the opportunity to talk to president.
Alison-Madueke as one of the closest ministers to ex-president Goodluck Jonathan was at the center of a controversy over more than $20 billion in oil revenues that the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation reportedly failed to deposit at the Central Bank of Nigeria.

There were reports that President Buhari has indicated that he would personally run the Petroleum Ministry as well as Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries.



http://ventnaija.com.ng/2015/06/alison-madueke-undergoing-treatment-in-london-must-read.html

President Muhammadu Buhari’s determination to reduce corruption in governance seem to have begun.

The president has issued a warning to his incoming ministers to stay away from approving payments for contractors. The ministers are expected to be appointed in the coming weeks. The government new policy clearly states that only the heads of Ministries, Departments and Agencies are saddled with such responsibilities. According to the Head of Service of the Federation (HoSF), Danladi Kifasi, the Buhari government wants to keep the political class away from issues of finance. He made the disclosure recently at a media briefing in Abuja. He said: “If a minister travels out and payment is due, we cannot afford to wait for the ministers to come back before we pay.” Findings by Saturday Vanguard revealed that the HoSF was instructed to make the statement following a constant clash between permanent secretaries of major Federal Government ministries and former ministers in the Jonathan government over the payment of contractors.

Most permanent secretaries and directors of accounts in the ministries fell out with many of the former ministers following their refusal to pay contractors favoured by them. The Buhari government has however reversed the trend, warning that henceforth, no permanent secretary should allow any minister handle the award and payment for contracts. The HoSF made it clear that approval of payments for contracts are to be handled by directors of the major ministries and accounting officers.

He said, “The President has said that his administration will concentrate on policy issues and so we civil servants are re-directing our efforts and minds towards achieving or aligning with the president’s directive. “Payments are normally approved by the accounting officers.

In a parastatal, it is either the managing director or the director-general. In the ministry it is the permanent secretary and not the minster.
“In the procurement process, ministers do not approve either. It is the Ministerial Tenders Board that sits to consider and approve contracts within their approval threshold. If it is beyond the Board, it goes to the Federal Executive Council.

“The only thing a minister does is that he signs the council memo for the procurement that goes to the Federal Executive Council. For the Ministerial Tenders Board which is usually chaired by the Permanent Secretary; the Permanent Secretary sends his report and the minutes of the tenders board to the minister for his concurrence and endorsement.

That is their role “For instance, if ministers were asked to be approving payments, now that there are no ministers will work then stop? So it is actually a misinformation.” “Consequently, permanent secretaries, Directors, Chief executives of parastatals and agencies are to take appropriate steps to address this situation. All public servants are to note that measures as enshrined in the Public Service Rules will be enforced on erring officers,” he concluded. Meanwhile, following a request by the United States government, President Buhari has ordered the re-opening of the widely publicized Halliburton bribery case.


http://ventnaija.com.ng/2015/06/stay-off-contracts-buhari-warning-incoming-ministers.html

Artiste cum activist, Stella Monye, is as Amazonian as they come. In this interview with SOLOMON NDA-ISAIAH, she speaks on her passion for helping women, her human rights work, as well her pursuit of a law degree, among other juicy titbits

You’ve been described as a humanist; do you agree?

Let’s put it this way. I have a lot of experience in social service work. Although I sort of fell into it, I had interest in it in the first place. I have a wealth of ten years’ experience in human rights, civil society and social services work.

There was a time I would go to special schools for the visually-impaired, those hard of hearing and others. I used to make it a point of duty to serve these children food. I was working with a faith-based foundation in Apapa. I remember that in that organisation, we had other social service workers who were supposed to be the ones who served the food, but I always took it upon myself to go with them to make sure that the food was properly served.

It made a lot of impact because the children were always coming to see me. There were so many other areas where I participated in social work. I worked with the late Beko Ransome kuti, Gani Fawehinmi, Anthony Enahoro, Wole Soyinka and Gov. Oshiomole. When Pronaco was around, I did all the road shows with them. I used music and it was fun, but it was also hard work.

Do you have any songs that address human rights issues?
I would say Elenuwa though it is not as popular as Oko Mi Ye. The song says “in the days of my father, things were easier, but look at what the world has become. Life has gone haywire”. So, it is a strong song. However, now I am going into gospel. I believe that with God, everything is possible.

I had to come up with songs about societal ills whenever we had events. I would sing songs by Bob Marley, Fela and the like. I remember I used to sing “Mr President’’ by African China. I made sure that the songs were relevant to the event. I made a lot of people do what they never thought they’d be able to do in their wildest imaginations. It was fun. It has made these people become better individuals.
I had Lucky Okri, (Mike Okri’s younger brother) as lead singer. I had Charity, a singer who works in my band and also does other professional singing elsewhere. I was able to gather them together. They are great singers.

Do you have any shows to you credit?

I was on the NTA morning programme, ‘AM Express’ for about two quarters and I gave them a band through the foundation that I was working for. The music was tailored to what they discussed on the programme.

I also came up with a show that showcased only female acts who had been in the night club circle with no opportunity to break into the mainstream. It was called the ‘Hook Up Show’. The first outing was chaired by Senator Oluremi Tinubu. She encouraged me and even provided us with a hall in Alausa-Lagos. Tinubu was one of the people who bankrolled us from the beginning. But at a point, I had to do other things. I was also thinking of screening it on television. I will come back to it.

Tell us about your work with widows and other women?

For sometime, I have had this organisation called ‘Women Health Initiative Nigeria’. It was inspired by a young girl who dumped her baby in front of my house. She was just sixteen, living with her uncle in my area. He was always abusing her verbally and reminding her that she had a baby out of wedlock and that she didn’t have a job. She really didn’t have a job and so couldn’t take care of the baby. So, she dumped the baby and ran away. The policewoman who stayed in the same premises was called. She then called my attention to the baby. We decided to take the baby to Little Saints Orphanage.

Eventually, we found the baby’s mother and reconciled them and gave her some assistance. It inspired me. There are lots of girls out there with similar experiences with no place to go, because we have no social security in Nigeria. I had a baby as a teenager myself, though the circumstances may be different. When I see incidents like that, I pick them up. Another NGO that works with single girls recently invited me to be on their board of directors.

You went into fashion designing at a point, why did you leave the business?

I was into samba wears. I was using African materials to create men’s wear. I started from the men because it is easier to clothe men than to clothe women. I restricted it into African fabrics. I was in love with Ankara, Aso Oke.

But I had my fingers in too many pies;I had distractions. I went to the studio and I was working on my gospel album. I also travelled a lot out of the country. I was looking for more experience and I was also trying to source for things that I could do.

You were closely involved in political campaigns leading to the 2015 elections, are you now a politician?

Yes. For the first time in my state, the governor’s seat was zoned to my constituency. It was all hands on deck for me. To God be the glory, he won. I don’t put my hand in anything that fails.

I brought in some icons for a march and we went to all the 25 local government areas to campaign for the governor. Before his arrival, our duty was to sensitise the audience. It was wow! I took Ras Kimono, Orits Wiliki, and The Righteous Man. Kimono was even more famous than anybody else; he was almost mobbed at every location we went. It was a huge experience and it contributed a lot to the success story. At a point, we would park our cars and ride okadas (commercial motorcycles). We were told that the roads were bad. Our phones were stolen and we were almost mobbed as we didn’t have security. Righteous Man was huge in stature so when people see him coming, they would give way.

There is a raging controversy on artistes’ involvement in political campaigns, what’s your take?

We did that in Delta. We said that everything that the government promised, he would fulfil. If he fails, we would be the same people who would gather people to come and ask him why he has failed to live up to his promises and I think that is how it should be. People should not just focus on their own interests. Musicians should be on the side of the people, not politicians. Those who take sides with politicians are taking the wrong approach.

You are currently studying law, why is that?

There are two things responsible for my studying law. My late father wanted me to read law and I like the excitement of knowing my rights and knowing some things that could protect me. So, it is a combination of two things. I want to please my father wherever he is in heaven. I wanted to widen my own scope as well. I may not practise but at the end of the day, I would have had the knowledge and I would know how to make good use of it.

It is for me to be able to take care of all the pies that I have my fingers in. Now, I can look at things from a wider perspective.

http://ventnaija.com.ng/2015/06/i-had-a-baby-as-a-teenager-stella-monye.html

The immediate past governors of Akwa Ibom, Kano and Lagos states, Godswill Akpabio, Rabiu Kwankwaso and Babatunde Fashola respectively have been conferred with honorary degrees by the Babcock University, BU, Ilisan-Remo, Ogun State for their outstanding achievements while they held forth as governors of their states.

Speaking at the 4th postgraduate convocation of the university, held Thursday, in it’s central cafeteria, the Vice-Chancellor, BU, Professor Kayode Makinde said the university conferred the honorary degrees on the past governors having identified with their commitment to making the future of their states and Nigeria bright.

Makinde said, “In keeping with our tradition of recognizing excellence as part of our initiative of encouraging development and patriotism, the university is conferring honorary degrees on the following achievers: Mr. Babatunde Fashola (SAN), Alhaji Rabiu Kwankwaso and Mr. Godswill Obot Akpabio.”

While Kwankwaso, a Senator-elect for the 8th Assembly and Fashola who were present at the ceremony were conferred with Doctor of Science in Global Economic Development, Honoris causa and Doctor of Humane Letters, Honoris causa, respectively, Senator-elect Akpabio who was unavoidably absent bagged Doctor of Science in Global Economic Development, Honoris causa.

Responding, Fashola and Kwankwaso thanked the university for finding them fit enough to be conferred with the honorary degrees.

http://ventnaija.com.ng/2015/06/fashola-kwankwaso-akpabio-bag-honorary-degrees-from-babcock-varsity.html

Cant believe these lifting a goat is hard enough, not to talk of a ram. But a donkey? Download and See

DOWNLOAD HERE

[img]http://2.bp..com/-VAyWBxARDRU/VJO0Xa8LZbI/AAAAAAAAB14/dKjcRhzWauU/s1600/Big-Brother-Africa-Hotshots-Tayo-755x1118-660x440.jpg[/img]

Tayo Faniran is still on a roller coaster ride since his return to the country a few days back.

Tayo rose to celebrity status after competing in the just concluded 9th edition of Big Brother Africa this year tagged BBHotshots.
Though he lost the star prize to Idris Sultan of Tanzania, Tayo remains the people’s champion and he’s been receiving accolades and gifts from all corners including a customised iPhone 6 from Malivelihood among others.

Tayo’s latest gift is a customised bottle of Whiskey from Jameson whiskey in Dublin. Tayo shared the picture of his new gift on Instagram with the caption: ‘All the Way from Jameson Whiskey Dublin Distillery Reserve. This bottle has been specially labelled for TAYO FANIRAN .. I’m dedicating this to all the #TeamTayo all over Africa . I love you all.’

See shots below…

[img]http://1.bp..com/-PMhc0nUaYs0/VJO0fwIc6JI/AAAAAAAAB2A/mzAKltWAeZ0/s1600/james.png[/img]

[img]http://3.bp..com/-3RDJh2zs15Q/VJO0rrPZTjI/AAAAAAAAB2I/sPEEXR50DTs/s1600/jameson.png[/img]

SOURCE:http://www.ventnaija.com/2014/12/bb-hotshots-tayo-faniran-receives.html

[img]http://2.bp..com/-9n8uyiuuA7Y/VJGCOzt0tpI/AAAAAAAEHlc/jTrdfCqZ5lE/s1600/1.png[/img]

Choi! wats your say?

http://www.ventnaija.com/2014/12/singer-daniel-wilson-shades-governor.html

[img]http://2.bp..com/-ZW2B9sRcfx0/VIcBMR_vPcI/AAAAAAAABbo/CktgR0kHSKg/s1600/Omotola-Jalade-Virginity-African-Movies.jpg[/img]

With all those Donk on Omotola, always hard not to imagine who took the first pop at her precious apple

…and during a random interview yesterday, some Nollywood stars were asked many questions about their past including when they lost their virginities, and below are some of the answers they provided:

Benita Nzeribe: I lost mine at the university

Liz Anjorin: I had my first boyfriend at 21

Eucharia Anunobi: I lost mine during my A-Level

Omotola Jalade: I was still a virgin when I got married.

Do you think she is saying the truth? She stayed virgin till she got married? do you believe her?

SOURCE: http://www.ventnaija.com/2014/12/omotola-jalade-reveals-how-she-lost-her.html

Atiku Started Corruption In The National Assembly - Obasanjo Says

[img]http://4.bp..com/-RvmPuLkGSG4/VILbMfrjw1I/AAAAAAAABUY/QCZeU-FG13s/s1600/image15.jpg[/img]

The woes of the Nigeria national team has gotten worse after German manufacturers, Adidas, decided not to renew its kit sponsorship deal with the Super Eagles, BBC Sport has reported.

About four months back, Adidas complained that Nigeria’s coach and some players violated contractual obligations by wearing a rival’s kit at major events.

And now the team has lost a deal worth $7m-a-year, which is likely to increase problems for the cash-strapped team.
Nigeria’s Football Federation readily admitted finding a new sponsor is proving hard if Adidas refuses to reverse the decision to terminate the deal.

The Super Eagles had endured a difficult year, with problems both on and off the pitch damaging their reputation and their results.
Apart from being nearly penalised with by a global ban by FIFA for government interference in football matters, Nigeria failed to qualify to defend their Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) title at next year’s finals in Equatorial Guinea.

And a top official of the NFF told BBC Sport that major sportswear companies are not interested in becoming the country’s new kit supplier.
But NFF spokesman Ademola Olajire said the body was negotiating with other manufacturers or may still salvage a deal with Adidas.
“We currently are in discussions with multiple parties regarding our kit situation,” Olajire told BBC Sport.

“Despite receiving a notification letter from Adidas initially, we remain confident they could still reconsider their position.”
Adidas became the country’s supplier before the 1994 Africa Cup of Nations in Tunisia, which Nigeria won, and at their maiden appearance at the World Cup in 1994.

Nigeria switched to rivals Nike later that year then reunited with Adidas in 2004.

http://www.ventnaija.com/2014/12/nigeria-loses-adidas-kit-sponsor.html

[img]http://3.bp..com/-aCbZHXWg9W8/VILZ1EpPSvI/AAAAAAAABUI/vc4lW8UQx3I/s1600/image25.jpg[/img]

Speech by Governor of Rivers State Rt Honourable Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi at the APC State Delegates Conference On December 4, 2014 at the Civic Centre

PROTOCOLS,

Your Excellencies, Distinguished Ladies and gentlemen, the only constant thing in life is change and life’s greatest gifts is the gift of reproduction. Today, we begin the process of electing the next governor and national assembly of our dear state. This is by no means a casual affair or one to be treated with levity. Our party, the All Progressive Congress has a plethora of qualified men and women who can take our state to enviable heights. I am particularly pleased that we can select from this pool of men and women of passion and integrity and present them to Rivers people to consolidate on our gains and indeed improve on our records.

Let me thank our party chieftains, elders and loyal members for how peacefully they conducted the House of Assembly Primaries. Your conduct, which was exemplary, continues to set the tone for democracy, which guarantees the rights of all the people and their participation in their own governance.

As Rivers State people, we are witness to the state of affairs before we took over office in October 2007. Today is not the day for us to present our scorecard of our activities in the last seven years, but suffice it to say that we have moved thousands of kilometres from where we met our state. Our doggedness in the face of discouraging dwindling revenues and unwarranted attacks on our psyche as Rivers people has been only by the grace of God and the strength of our collective unity.

Let me remind us however that the days ahead will be even more demanding and disturbing. The signs of what we should expect are already here, the police harassments, attacks and economic strangulation are some of the weapons that the opposition have wielded in their attempt to prevent the people’s will. But we cannot give up. We must resolve to snatch our state from the jaws of death and the predators whose only desire is to sink the ship of state. We must remain the voices of our people and work for their betterment.

As we choose our representatives today let us bear this in mind. While they will be our torchbearers, they cannot achieve anything by themselves. They will need us. So we must all roll up our sleeves. The journey has begun and the work has started. No one can be a bystander and indeed no one should be a bystander. We must have all hands on deck. That is the only way can achieve our desired results.

Finally let me congratulate all those who have emerged from this process. Remember you are not gods but the people’s representatives. You must remember that what you carry is the people’s mandate and you must carry it with awe and great care. You must see yourselves as mere custodians and not as feudal lords and therefore must engage the people at all times. All of us together are greater than any one person and therefore our collective destiny should guard and guide all that you do.

While I congratulate you for your emergence, let me especially thank our party men and women for being committed to the greater course and their sacrifices and patriotism.
God bless APC

God bless Rivers State

I thank you for listening

http://www.ventnaija.com/2014/12/full-text-of-governor-amaechis-speech.html