Queen of England honours Nigerians in her Honours List of 2015

The Queen of England yesterday January 1st released its New Year Honours List of 2015 and honoured a few Nigerians. Among them, Dr Pamela Bernard (pictured left), the recently-appointed director of the Nigerian Community Assocation Bedfordshire CIC. She has been honoured for her work. She received an MBE for services to the African and Caribbean community in Bedford. While Professor Uduak Archibong (pictured right), Professor of Equality at the University of Bradford has also been honoured with an MBE for services to higher education and equality.

Pictures from Genevieve Nnaji's vacation in Jamaica...

Star actress Genevieve Nnaji and a few of her friends hit Ocho Rios Resort & Golf Club in Jamaica for a vacation and celebrated the transition into 2015 while there. Someone's having a whole lot of fun. See more pics after the cut...

Unilever donates 1 million free samples of soap to schools

As part of efforts to drive awareness for good hygiene among school pupils, Unilever Nigeria Plc has donated samples of Lifebuoy soap to schools across the countries. At one of the donation site, Oregun High School, the management of the Unilever enjoined the pupils to imbibe the attitude of handwashing as a critical step to preventing them from contacting diseases adding that doing so will further help them to stay healthy as they pursue their life ambition.

Speaking at the assembly ground of the school premises to sensitize the students on the essence of hand washing and the steps to be taken to prevent any form of diseases, The brand building director of the company, Mr. David Okeme explained that hygiene has become necessary considering the danger it poses to the future of children especially as it affects the realization of their life-long goals.

He said” Hygiene is something that is attached to the future of the children. In many cases, they always lead to the death of children. As a company, we believe that we have a role to play in ensuring that they grow up healthy and strong to become the leaders of tomorrow. You must take to the seven steps to good hygiene because doing so will help promote healthy living”.

Speaking further on what inform the initiative, Okeme explained that the idea stem out of the need to increase the level of awareness as far as hand washing was concerned and also promote good nutrition which formed the reason for bringing on the brand at inception.

He said” Lifebuoy is the world number one soap. It came at a point when the world was in the midst of diarrhoea epidemic after the Second World War. Since then, lifebuoy has been in the service of humanities trying to actually drive the awareness of nutrition and the impact of poor nutrition on children especially in Nigeria where mortality among children between the age of 5 and above is extremely high. As a matter of confirmation, it has been proven that basic hand washing actually reduces that incidence of disease by more than 50%. What we are doing is to carry on with the purpose of the brand lifebuoy. Secondly, it is the fact that we have just been through a major health emergency with lifebuoy  contributing  immensely through awareness creation and donation of soap to help drive the behavior. It is not just good enough to tell people how to wash hand but to give them the tool .That is what we are doing today. In Nigeria, we are giving a million free samples of lifebuoy to children to help them embed the behavior of hand washing . This donation you are seeing today has happened in key countries where we had this health challenge across West Africa. This is how Unilever has chosen to intervene to help restore our children with the right behaviours and ensure that we live a very healthy life.

Asked if the donation is done only in Lagos , Okeme disagreed saying that donations were taking place simultaneously across the country.

He said” This is not a one shot intervention we are doing .Lifebuoy runs a school program which goes to schools across the country to teach children. So, we have that as a regular service. By today, we have directly reached over 3 million school children to teach them the importance of hand washing. We have an ongoing service to drive awareness in that area. This is already happening across the country.

On her part, the principal of the school, Mrs.Kuti Toyin commended the company and the non governmental organization for the initiative.

She said” I think Unilever as well as the NGO has really done well. You are aware that the ebola issue was really challenging for us as a nation. By this action, I want to appreciate them on behalf po the school, the state government. For me, this action is not about saving the child alone but saving the world.

In his remarks, the representative of the NGO,Mr.Opeyemi Odedere Save the Children, harped on the importance of hand washing to personal hygiene stating that the intervention being made by Unilever will go a long way to promote healthy life among the children.

He said” Prior to now, we have been hearing about prevention against disease. But we all know what led to this campaign, the Ebola issue which has been curtailed. But yet, we find it as an opportunity  to chase it away by making sure we educate the children on preventive measures not only for Ebola built other diseases. This is an opportunity to also educate them on the essence of hand washing, keeping proper hygiene. Apart from the daily washing of hand, there are methods that are meant to be used to be able to wash the hand effectively.

Omoni Oboli Shares Adorable Family Photos as They Hang Out for the New Year

Omoni Oboli shared this photo of her happy family hanging out for the New Year. She has three cute boys as children, a handsome and caring husband, she is a successful actress and movie producer, her movie was premiered in Aso Rock. She has every reason to be happy and flaunt her family on social media.

Her caption on the photo goes:

Cool and the gang! �� Happy new year once again! I see greatness everywhere. The plan is for all of us to make it but anyone that digs a hole for us will fall into it themselves! God has prepared a table

for us in the presence of our enemies. We will have cause to dance throughout the year in Jesus name! #wifemotheractressdirector #Weareroyalty #westaywinning #winningisinourdna #TheObolis #Ionlyhavelovetogive

- See more at: http://www.lailasblog.com/2015/01/omoni-oboli-shares-adorable-family.html#more

Omoni Oboli Shares Adorable Family Photos as They Hang Out for the New Year

Omoni Oboli shared this photo of her happy family hanging out for the New Year. She has three cute boys as children, a handsome and caring husband, she is a successful actress and movie producer, her movie was premiered in Aso Rock. She has every reason to be happy and flaunt her family on social media.

Her caption on the photo goes:

Cool and the gang! �� Happy new year once again! I see greatness everywhere. The plan is for all of us to make it but anyone that digs a hole for us will fall into it themselves! God has prepared a table

for us in the presence of our enemies. We will have cause to dance throughout the year in Jesus name! #wifemotheractressdirector #Weareroyalty #westaywinning #winningisinourdna #TheObolis #Ionlyhavelovetogive

- See more at: http://www.lailasblog.com/2015/01/omoni-oboli-shares-adorable-family.html#more

Boko Haram attack travelers, kill many, others missing

Some Cameroonian travelers were killed after the bus they were traveling in was ambushed and attacked by members of Boko Haram yesterday January 1st. Cameroonian investigative journalist Chief Bisong shared the information on twitter.

Meanwhile Cameroonian authorities say they will be recruiting 20,000 military officers as part of measures to prevent further attacks by members of the sect even as information emerged that Boko Haram members are working to enlist young Cameroonians into their group.


A lawmaker in Cameroon's parliament, Senator Haman Paul told Voice Of America

"There was something that we witnessed in Maroua (in northern Cameroon). People told us that they found people in town that were not actually people they were used to. When we found that one part of the country is in a very delicate situation, it is better to manage prevention instead of consequences,”

Show of Shame: Abuja Women Scramble for Mrs. Jonathan’s Food and Money

A stampede broke out at the presidential palace, Aso Villa last Christmas when hungry market women and other members of the public living in Abuja scrambled to have a share of the food items, clothes and money Mrs Patience Jonathan had donated. The video by Premiumtimesng.com says it all, underscoring the state of Nigeria. Is this how we will continue our lives in this nation? See the video after the cut.

- See more at: http://www.lailasblog.com/2015/01/show-of-shame-abuja-women-scramble-for.html#more

Show of Shame: Abuja Women Scramble for Mrs. Jonathan’s Food and Money

A stampede broke out at the presidential palace, Aso Villa last Christmas when hungry market women and other members of the public living in Abuja scrambled to have a share of the food items, clothes and money Mrs Patience Jonathan had donated. The video by Premiumtimesng.com says it all, underscoring the state of Nigeria. Is this how we will continue our lives in this nation? See the video after the cut.

- See more at: http://www.lailasblog.com/2015/01/show-of-shame-abuja-women-scramble-for.html#more

Show of Shame: Abuja Women Scramble for Mrs. Jonathan’s Food and Money

A stampede broke out at the presidential palace, Aso Villa last Christmas when hungry market women and other members of the public living in Abuja scrambled to have a share of the food items, clothes and money Mrs Patience Jonathan had donated. The video by Premiumtimesng.com says it all, underscoring the state of Nigeria. Is this how we will continue our lives in this nation? See the video after the cut.

- See more at: http://www.lailasblog.com/2015/01/show-of-shame-abuja-women-scramble-for.html#more

Show of Shame: Abuja Women Scramble for Mrs. Jonathan’s Food and Money

A stampede broke out at the presidential palace, Aso Villa last Christmas when hungry market women and other members of the public living in Abuja scrambled to have a share of the food items, clothes and money Mrs Patience Jonathan had donated. The video by Premiumtimesng.com says it all, underscoring the state of Nigeria. Is this how we will continue our lives in this nation? See the video after the cut.

- See more at: http://www.lailasblog.com/2015/01/show-of-shame-abuja-women-scramble-for.html#more

Suicide bomber dies after failed attempt to attack church in Gombe state

A suicide bomber was the only one to die in a failed attempt to attack the Evangelical Church of West Africa, ECWA (pictured above), at Tudunwada in Gombe state yesterday January 1st.

According to reports, the suicide bomber arrived the church at about 8am in a motorcycle and attempted to forcefully drive into the premises which was parked full of worshipers as the church was holding its new year celebration service.

As he made to enter, the suicide bomber was stopped by members of the church's Boys Brigade stationed at the entrance of the church for security purpose. The bomb on him immediately exploded, killing him and injuring 8 others who were immediately rushed to the hospital for medical attention.


This attack came barely 24hours after two suicide bombers attempted to attack the Army barracks in Gombe state on New years eve. Reports say the suicide bombers arrived the military check point leading to the barracks at about 8pm and in the course of waiting to be searched, the bomb which was in a bag carried by one of the suicide bombers blew up, killing both of them instantly.

Kelly Rowland shares a pic from her wedding day

2014 was a big year for the singer. She got married, had a baby and lost her mum. Kelly shared the pic above and wrote - "2014, What an amazing year.... While I said I do, the following months brought along a hello to a new little life! Unfortunately, a goodbye as well, but hello again to a Guardian angel...2+0+1+4=7. 7 my lucky number!'

Oh my! Look at Chris Brown!!

This better be a joke. lol. Chris went from low cuts to locks so quickly a lot 

of fans are shocked. He announced on his Instagram page earlier on today 

that he and Tyga will be releasing a collaborated  “Fan of a Fan” album soon and these

 are the promo photos. What do you think about his new look, guys?

203 soldiers dismissed for allegedly asking for weapons to fight Boko haram

203 Nigerian soldiers have allegedly been dismissed by the Nigerian military over allegations of disobeying a direct order from their commanding officer to engage Boko Haram members and demanding for support equipment. The soldiers and their families are said to have been evicted from the barracks after a court martial that sat on December 24th night found them guilty of disobeying superior authority.

Premium Times reports that one of the dismissed soldier attached to the 7th division in Maiduguri Borno state, who spoke on the condition of anonymity said  that after the sect members dislodged their unit in Damboa, Borno state sometime last year,  they (the soldiers) were reconvened in Maiduguri in August to further engage in the fight against boko haram and upon their arrival, they were they were given two weeks pass and that at the expiration of their pass, they were issued new uniforms, boots and handed 30 rounds of bullets each as against the 60 rounds meant to be given to them. He said their commanding chief ordered that they move in a tipper to continue the fight to dislodge the sect members in Damboa but that some of the soldiers argued that serious weapons would be needed in the fierce battle they are expected to embark on as they have being fighting with the sect members and known the type of weapons they use.  

“So we asked for support weapons. No support weapon was provided. Our CO (Commanding Officer) said he would discuss with the GOC (General Officer Commanding) of the 7 Division at the headquarters. When he came back, he said we should stand down. We thought all was well,” our source said.

He said the next day their new CO, Mohammed A, a lieutenant colonel from 195 battalion, Agenebode, ordered them to submit their weapons and uniforms or be charged with mutiny.

“On the morning of 16 of August, after the GOC briefing, our commander started calling our names and he said anyone whose name is called should submit their uniform and weapon. He added that anyone who failed to do that would be charged for mutiny. We were surprised at what was happening. He started from the most senior soldier among us, a warrant officer who had served for almost 30 years. They asked us to go back to the barrack. It is a war zone and our weapons had been taken from us. Staying around was of no use so we left Maiduguri back home.”

The next order from the army hierarchy was for the soldiers to report to the 4th Brigade headquarters in Benin where they were detained for three months.

“They kept us in the fenced field at the officers’ mess in 4th battalion headquarters. When we first arrived at Benin they took statements from us and took it to Maiduguri. The original charge against us was for deserting but after our statements were taken they changed the charge to disobedient to particular order. They said we disobeyed the CO’s order. They seized our phones, we couldn’t communicate with our families for the 90 days we were kept in detention,” our source said.

After they were released on December 24, they were conveyed to their various units. The soldier said on getting to their units, a court martial was set up at about 11.30 p.m. where they were tried and dismissed. He said the next morning, they were evicted from the barrack with their families.

“It was dismissal without benefits. After 17 years in service. Even people that served for 30 years were dismissed without benefits. We had no legal representation.” the source said

The Nigerian military has not reacted to the report.

Photos: meet the first baby born in 2015 in Anambra state

The wife of the governor of Anambra State, Mrs Ebelechukwu Obiano pictured carrying the first baby born in Anambra state, who was delivered at 12am January 1st 2015 at Basic Health Centre, Court Road Onitsha, Anambra State. The baby and the health centre got a cow, five bags of rice, clothing materials and a token sum from the Anambra First Lady. See more photos after the cut...

Man decapitates mother with axe on New Year’s Eve

Christian Gomez, 23, (pictured left) has been arrested for decapitating his own mother's head with an axe on New Year's eve at her home in Tampa because she asked him to put some boxes away, Florida police say.

His brother called police to report the gruesome scene and when the police arrived, they discovered the headless body of 48 year old Maria Suarez-Cassagne (pictured right) near some garbage cans. Christian, who is said to be schizophrenic and has a history of mental illness, had fled in a bicycle before the police arrived but was arrested a few blocks away from the home.

When arrested, Florida police claim Christian admitted to killing his mother, saying he had been plotting his mother's murder for two days because he was tired of her nagging. He'd hit his mother over the head with the axe, then cut her head off her in the garage and then dragged the body to the garbage outside the home.

BigBoy! Wizkid Acquires Brand New Bentley for the New Year

Wow! Wizkid just showed this off. Dude can buy whatever he wants. Great stuff.

See Photo: Husband Stabs Wife after She Made a Joke about his Penis while Cooking

Pictured above is a shocked Indian woman, Suman Vaz who had a kitchen nightmare after her husband STABBED her because she joked about his penis while they were cooking.

MirrorUK reports that the housewife, 38, said she made a joke about her husband Ganpat's manhood as she chopped a cucumber while he prepared a plate of fried vegetables.

But fuming Ganpat, 40, suddenly flipped out at their home in Surat, India, and grabbed a knife from a
kitchen drawer before plunging the five-inch blade into stunned Suman’s shoulder, she claimed. He then fled the house leaving her in shock.

Neighbour Kadri Ravikiran, 35, said:

"I heard a knocking on my front door and when I answered I couldn’t believe my eyes. Suman was standing there with a knife sticking out of the top of her arm. At first I thought it was some sort of joke. But she was very pale and clearly in shock and when she told me what I had happened I immediately phoned an ambulance."

Suman was taken to hospital where doctors removed the knife.
A hospital spokesman said:

"Fortunately, the knife didn’t damage any vital tendons or arteries and she sensibly did not try and remove the knife herself. She is now recovering nicely."

Stunned Suman said:

"I can’t believe he did this. He’s never been violent before and we often joke about how useless he is in the kitchen. I just can’t understand what made him flip over such a harmless remark.

Vaz was eventually tracked down to a local park where he was arrested for assault. A police spokesman said he has pleaded guilty and has apologised. But he will still face charges and could end up spending two years in jail.