Photos: Femi Otedola's daughter graduates from college

Billionaire oil magnate, Femi Otedola was in London yesterday to attend the graduation ceremony of one of his daughters, Temi, who just finished from the American School London. Congrats to her. More photos after the cut...

Atiku Fighting Tinubu Over Control of APC

Some politicians often find it hard to give honour to whom it's due. Bola Tinubu is the kingpin of the move to form a formidable opposition to the PDP, he PRACTICALLY made the first move when most of those who are fighting him today as national leader of APC where enjoying themselves.

There are strong indications that two power blocs within the All Progressives Congress are now engaged in a fierce battle for the soul of the party.

The battle between the two power blocs to control the party: one led by Asiwaju Bola Tinubu and the other led by Atiku Abubakar, played out during Tuesday’s National Assembly leadership elections.

The ruling party’s preferred candidates in the Senate and the House of Reps were defeated through a high powered politicking which saw a desperate group give PDP the position of deputy Senate President.

PUNCH learnt that both Atiku and Tinubu wanted to have maximum control over the party structure, one so that party decisions could favour him, the other so that party supremacy can be maintained.

It was learnt that the two blocs wanted their candidates to emerge principal officers of National Assembly since that would automatically qualify their candidates to become members of the party’s National Executive Committee, which is the highest decision arm of the party.

Atiku was never in support of the mock election because he knew Bukola Saraki would be defeated. 

With the outcome of the National Assembly leadership elections, there are indications that the Tinubu camp, which many agree, boasts of the likes of Lawan and Akume are not prepared to let the matter rest.

Sources said the Tinubu camp, though still jolted by its initial ‘defeat’ would likely spring a surprise in the days ahead.

It was gathered that members of the Senators Unity Forum, who supported the party’s candidates are queuing behind Tinubu and are likely to continue to do so in the days to come.

Nigeria makes history as St. Ives Communication launches Nigeria's first women radio station

As the glory of the celestial nymphs burnishes the luster of merely human women, so will St. Ives Communication's first radio station for women, improve the lot of the Nigerian woman, according to 'Toun Okewale Sonaiya, director of the media firm. St. Ives Communication was recently granted license to operate Nigeria’s first radio station for women by the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC).

The radio station will provide a platform to engage on issues of local, national and international importance for Nigerian women.

 

The radio station's programming is geared towards the advancement and social wealth of Nigerian women and their families by providing access to a truly independent and commercially run radio station for the female gender. This, Sonaiya said, will be achieved through quality, informative and entertaining programming that will cut across business, politics, sports, news and entertainment from the woman’s perspective.

Though focused on women, the radio station will also cater for the interests of the male gender, family and everything important to Nigerian women. Sonaiya emphasised that the programming style will be interactive and engaging, to foster a sense of connection among Nigerian women and their families across all ages, social, cultural, religious and ethnic backgrounds. "We will operate 24 hours of ongoing conversations and less music addressing everyday issues for Nigerian women and their families.

The radio station will be Nigeria’s first reliable and trusted source for up to date information on the interests and issues for women and their families," she said.

Photos: University of Uyo Girls hostel on fire

A girls hostel at the University of Uyo caught fire this afternoon. It started from a room and spread to two other rooms. Thankfully the fire was contained by man-o-war and fire service before it spread to more rooms. And more thankful is that no life was lost. The cause of the sudden fire is yet to be known. More photos after the cut...

Posted by Linda Ikeji at 3:58 PM

Photos: Commercial flight makes first landing in Maiduguri Int'l airport after 2yr closure

The Maiduguri International Airport in Borno state which was re-opened on June 9th after being shut down for two years due to Boko Haram attacks, made its first commercial landing today June 13th. The Governor of the state, Kashim Shettima was onboard the flight. More photos after the cut...

President Buhari Arrives South Africa for AU Summit (Photos)

Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari has arrived South Africa for the AU Summit.

4 Men Nabbed at Enugu Airport Trying to Smuggle Hard Drugs to China And Turkey (Photos)

They are Emmanuel Chukwuebuka Ifeanyichukwu, caught with 1.293kg of cocaine on his way to Istanbul, Turkey. Ukaeji Eric Tochukwu, with 1.408kg of cocaine on his way to Hong Kong. Nwoye Ekene Godfrey, caught with 1.283kg of cannabis on his way to Guangzhou, China.

38-year old Godfrey Nwoye, has been arrested by officials of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, at the Akanu Ibiam International Airport, Enugu, for concealing 1.283 kilogrammes of cannabis sativa inside garri en route Guangzhou, China.

The culprit, who hails from Ukpommili Village in Dunukofia Local Government Area of Anambra State, said he wanted to sell the cannabis in China and use the proceeds to buy goods.


Another suspect, Samuel Anele, a commercial tricycle rider, who was about to board a flight to Bombay, India, was arrested with 4.892 kilogrammes of methamphetamine, the NDLEA said in a statement Wednesday.

Mr. Samuel Anele, 45, and other suspects were arrested for offences ranging from concealing illicit drugs in their luggage to ingesting the drugs, the NDLEA said.  Samuel said he's going to Bombay to see how big it really is after Wizkid claimed a girl's bum bum was bigger than Bombay n her backside was making him throway in his song titled "Bombay" where he featured Phyno

The suspects were arrested on their way to Turkey, China, and Hong Kong with 8.876kg of various illicit drugs.

According to the NDLEA Commander at Enugu Airport, Nsikak-Abasi Udoh “The suspects are helping our team of investigators”.

Mr. Anele was caught with 4.892kg concealed in false bottom of his luggage aboard an Ethiopian Airline on the Enugu-Addis Ababa-Bombay route.

“Life is not fair to me. Every day it is one problem after another and the money I earn is not enough,” said Mr. Anele, from Ichi village, Ekwusigo Local Government Area of Anambra State.

“It was frustration that made me to smuggle drugs. They promised me that the drug has been properly hidden and that when I return they will pay me the sum of one million naira.

“At the airport, my bag was searched and the drug detected. Now I am now left alone to suffer”, he lamented.

The other suspects, Emmanuel Chukwuebuka, was caught with 1.293kg of cocaine on his way to Istanbul, Turkey; while Eric Ukaeji was arrested with 1.408kg of cocaine on his way to Hong Kong.

Mr. Chukwuebuka, 31, who is married with a child and hails Ezioko in Orumba North Local Government Area of Anambra State, ingested 1.293kg of substances that tested positive for cocaine. He was to depart Enugu to Istanbul through Addis Ababa on an Ethiopian Airline flight before he was nabbed.

His reason for trafficking in drugs was to raise more money for his business, according to the NDLEA.

If he had successfully trafficked the drug, he would have received US$ 3,000 on arrival in Turkey.

Mr. Ukaeji, 43, who hails from Ajali in Orumba Local Government Area of Anambra State ingested cocaine weighing 1.408 kilograms.

According to the NDLEA, his route was Enugu-Addis Ababa-Hong Kong on an Ethiopian Airline.

I his confession, Mr. Ukaeji said he wanted to raise money for his business and the treatment of his sick daughter.

“I used to buy clothes from Hong Kong. I am married with three children. I dropped out of school in Junior Secondary class 3”, said Mr. Ukaeji.

“They promised to pay me 5,000 dollars on delivery in Hong Kong, which I would have used to buy goods”, he added.

NDLEA Chairman, Ahmadu Giade, said that the Agency would continue to step up security checks at the nation’s entry and exit points.

US Government provides $10.5m grant for internally displaced people in North east Nigeria

The US government has provided a $10.5 million grant for the rehabilitation of the internally displaced persons in Northeast Nigeria. The grant was announced in a statement released by the USAID today June 11th.

The statement in part reads; 

"The grants will support the activities of the United Nation’s Population Fund (UNFPA), UNICEF, and the World Health Organization (WHO) to improve access to health care services for affected populations in Boko Haram affected states of Borno, Adamawa, and Yobe states. With this new funding, total U.S. humanitarian assistance since the start of the crisis is nearly $44 million."

Security expert explains why Osinbajo can't attend national security meetings for now

 A security expert has explained why Vice President Yemi Osinbajo has so far not been allowed to attend any of the national security meetings President Buhari has had with Service Chiefs since he assumed power. On June 2nd and yesterday June 10th, President Buhari met with the Service Chiefs without Osinbajo and this has led to some media houses reporting that the Vice President was "locked out" from the Defence House, venue of the meetings.

A security expert explains why the pastor and lawyer can't be allowed into such meetings for now. See that after the cut...

The security expert explaned that Vice President Osinbajo is not a trained military officer and so it will take the military some time before sensitive intelligence can be shared in his presence. He also made reference to the Vice President's affiliation to Tinubu. What he said below...

"I am sure he would have been invited if he had security background. Being a Professor of Law is fine, but in terms of intelligence and access to security information, you are nowhere near the rank of Colonel or equivalent in the Nigeria Military. Look, I have watched some footages that if the VP gets to see, he would lose appetite for days. Now, we have someone who has been in luxury virtually all his life, attaining the position of VP and some people are clamouring for his presence in highly sensitive talks. The truth is that the military hierarchy would not even feel comfortable saying some things in his presence. I can tell you that they respect Prof. Osinbajo as VP but they cannot trust him with information yet.

You cannot compare him to Buhari who served in many military roles, chased away a militia that was threatening Nigeria security, overthrew a military government, became Head of State, fought corruption and went ahead to instill discipline among a stubborn citizenry. The VP would have to go through what is called ‘Stimulation’. This is a process where he is lectured on terms, dealings, operations etc. of the military. His inner strength, strong heart and ability to keep things to himself will first be put to test before he gets access to some classified materials and information. We must understand the fact that Osinbajo was a candidate promoted by Bola Tinubu (ex-Lagos Governor), he was not handpicked by Buhari. If the President had picked a vice, it is likely that such individual may get the access Osinbajo isn’t getting now. Everyone knows the VP has been loyal to Tinubu for decades and he cannot swear that he would not divulge details of these security meetings to his political godfather. So he has to earn it. Tinubu may have used his influence to put him in this position but he must draw a line between blind loyalty and national duty.” he told Daily Independent

Photos: Omotola Jalade Ekeinde takes Congo DRC by storm

The fab actress and mother of four was a special guest at the Congo film festival, celebrating female filmmakers in cinema. The actress and activist who had just left the World Economic forum where she spoke on women empowerment against poverty, landed in Kinshasa with her team ready to inspire the country's female filmmakers. See the photos after the cut...

She visited popular Tv and radio stations, BOne, Radio Okapi etc. She also met up with with fellow actress and filmmaker Chika Andrea , who was showing her movie at the festival. Omotola then had a meeting with the minister for Arts and culture on the Success of Nollywood and how the Congo film industry can strive. See all the photos after the cut...

Photos: Protest in Rivers over alleged plan by state governor to sack LG Charimen

Some folks this morning took to the street of Port Harcourt to stage a peaceful protest over the alleged plan by the state governor, Nyesom Wike to dissolve the state Local Government Councils. The Council Chairmen who spoke at the protest said any attempt by the governor to sack them from office will be resisted. More photos from the protest after the cut...