Lil Wayne Visits Fan In Hospital Over Holidays

Like many of us, Lil Wayne headed home for the holidays, returning to his hometown of New Orleans to celebrate Christmas.

Weezy really embraced the giving spirit by visiting the city’s Children’s Hospital to put a smile on the faces of those who are struggling with illness or injury over the festive period.

Speaking to XXL, a rep for Lil Wayne confirmed that the visit was no mere publicity stunt: “Wayne visited Children’s Hospital of New Orleans the day after Christmas while he was at home for the holidays.”

“The purpose of the visit wasn’t for any special reason or for publicity. He just had it on his heart to visit these kids in hopes to brighten up their holiday a little more.”

It certainly seems like the New Orleans native was successful in brightening a few days, judging by the photos that have surfaced online since his visit:

Shoutout to #LilWayne for spending the holidays at #NOLA #ChildrensHospital #TSRPositiveImages

A photo posted by The Shade Room (@theshaderoom) on Dec 29, 2016 at 1:51pm PST

How we will transform Nigeria in 2017 — Buhari

My dear Compatriots,

I am happy to welcome you to the beginning of a New Year in our beloved country Nigeria.

I felicitate with you today at a time when our nation is witnessing a new and impressive turnaround in our security and socio-economic situation.

I know you will join me to, once again, congratulate the heroic and gallant efforts of our military and other security agencies on their remarkable successes to rid the nation of terrorism.

Following the successful capture of Sambisa Forest, spearheaded by troops of Operation Lafiya Dole, we have entered a new phase in our battle against our common enemy, Boko Haram.

When we see our beloved 21 Chibok girls reuniting with their families and community for Christmas, it gives us the hope that those who are still in captivity will one day return to the loving arms of family, friends and well-wishers.

I urge all Nigerians to be on the alert and watch out for strange figures settling in their communities, and report to the nearest security agencies, as our armed forces intensify the pursuit of fleeing terrorists from the captured Sambisa Forest.

Misguided elements who decided to take up arms against constituted authorities must be brought to face the full weight of the law.

Aisha may be poisoned by Aso Rock forces - Apostle John Suleman

According to the President of Omega Fire Ministry, Apostle John Suleman, in his 50 prophecies for 2017, Aisha must be wary for her life.

As reported by Daily Post and other online media, Suleman, in a statement issued by his Public Communications Advisor, Phrank Shaibu, said some ‘forces’ in Aso Rock were planning to poison Aisha and that the same ‘forces’ will alienate vice-president Yemi Osinbajo.

The prophecy states that the “Aso Villa forces” will make attempts to remove Osinbajo from office, but they won’t succeed.

The Apostle also said that “God will humble Buhari in 2017;” and that Mr. President will be bereaved in 2017. He did not elaborate, however.

A summary of the prophecies, with focus on Nigeria and the world at large, is as follows:

Lady writes Olamide open letter over his annual concert #OLIC 3

Radio and TV Personality Adenike Oyetunde has written an open letter to Olamide about his much talked about Olamide Live In Concert Show – OLIC. Read below: 

“Dear Olamide, what HAPPENED? What!!!I attended #Olic2 and without a doubt, it was by far my BEST event last year. I talked, and talked about it; everyone around me that didn’t go, knew they had to this year.Imagine my excitement when I saw these pictures by TyBello, I knew #Olic3 was definitely going to be a hit. I needed to see ‘Olamide Live In Concert’ *coughs. In my life, not even at either Canaanland or Redemption Camp had I EVER been stuck in such traffic.No clear plans on controlling humans (forget that we are peculiar here). The plan was go with Uber. There was a change, and a friend’s friend took @mayowaekpo and I. What should have taken maybe 30minutes max, turned to two years in traffic.Nobody deemed it fit to tell us that no cars were going into Eko hotel; we were all just hoping; stuck in traffic. Having to walk so far, isn’t always my first option; for obvious reasons.Then I got into the hall, Olamide, why? I came in just as you were done with your first outing and I figured, he’ll be back. You came back ONCE, while I was there and you played CD. Olamide, CD??? I’m still too lost. CD… Like, ALL that for ‘DJ, track 2’.Wait first, collect your money from the sound people; BAD, BAD sound. Even Adekunle (God bless his heart) who did LIVE for us, they sha spoilt his sound. I, Adenike Oyetunde came to see You Olamide, LIVE, (it was a complimentary ticket, FYI), and you hounded me with Comedy. HOW??? How does that even work?Alibaba’s January 1st Concert is coming, I’ll get comedy there, WHY, did you succumb, Why? I thought you had it all figured out; but, awon aye sold this BAD idea to you.By the way, were you at Asa’s show? If not, PLEASE, Watch the CD. That’s what LIVE IN CONCERT is on about. I was TOO disappointed and I can’t hide it Excellency is KEY. You had ONE year to plan. I honestly didn’t see ANY plan oh; at least, to me. Of course, I still danced, I screamed, I took videos; but, from last year; it could have been WAY better I will not comment on that uncle that was jumping arand with you!!! Give us what we ‘paid’ for Nigerian Artiste, PLEASE. People hustled to GET tickets.”

Nigerian Army Releases Statement Over Shekau’s New Video

The Nigerian army has released statement over claims in a video showing Abubakar Shekau dismissing claims that Boko Haram has been crushed is a “mere terrorist propaganda aimed at creating fear in the minds of people”.

A video surfaced on Thursday showing Shekau boasting that Boko Haram insurgents were safe and President Muhammadu Buhari was “telling lies to the people” by saying on Saturday that the group had been crushed and their camp in Sambisa destroyed.But in a statement by the army spokesman, Col. Kukasheka Usman insisted that the army had “captured and occupied the last known stronghold of the terrorists group in the Sambisa forest”.Usman said there was no cause for alarm because the army was making efforts to get out the insurgents that had gone into hiding.“The attention of the Nigerian Army is drawn to a video clip released by Boko Haram terrorist group from an undisclosed location a while ago, showing its purported leader, making spurious claims,” the statement read.

“While effort is on going to subject the video for further forensic analysis, the Nigerian Army wishes to reiterate that it has captured and occupied the last known stronghold of the terrorists group in the Sambisa forest.“We would like to reassure the public that this video is nothing but mere terrorists propaganda aimed at creating fear in the mind of people and to remain relevant.“Consequently, the public are hereby enjoined to go about their normal lawful business, remain vigilant and security conscious. They should also report any suspicious person or group of persons to security agencies.”

Trey Songz Arrested After Assault On Detroit Police Officer

Trey Songz

American songwriter Tremaine Neverson, who is better known as Trey Songz, will be ending 2016 with some legal issues. The R&B singer was arrested on Wednesday night when he refused to leave the stage at Joe Louis Arena in Detroit.He was performing at the fourth annual Big Show at the Joe alongside other artistes, including Young M.A. and Lil Yachty.Sources revealed that the 32-year-old threw objects and attempted to break equipment in an “upset and belligerent” manner, when organisers of the event informed him that his time onstage was over.While police officers at the event came on to remove him from stage, Songz purportedly continued to throw objects, one of which hit a cop.

US Expels 35 Russian Diplomats Over Cyber Attacks

The US has expelled 35 Russian diplomats and closed two Russian compounds in a response that Barack Obama says was “necessary and appropriate” against “efforts to harm US interests”.

 READ Barack Obama’s Below:

Full text of President Barack Obama’s statement announcing US actions in response to Russian Malicious Cyber Activity and Harassment

Today, I have ordered a number of actions in response to the Russian government’s aggressive harassment of U.S. officials and cyber operations aimed at the U.S. election. These actions follow repeated private and public warnings that we have issued to the Russian government, and are a necessary and appropriate response to efforts to harm U.S. interests in violation of established international norms of behavior.All Americans should be alarmed by Russia’s actions. In October, my Administration publicised our assessment that Russia took actions intended to interfere with the U.S. election process.  These data theft and disclosure activities could only have been directed by the highest levels of the Russian government. Moreover, our diplomats have experienced an unacceptable level of harassment in Moscow by Russian security services and police over the last year.  Such activities have consequences.  Today, I have ordered a number of actions in response.I have issued an executive order that provides additional authority for responding to certain cyber activity that seeks to interfere with or undermine our election processes and institutions, or those of our allies or partners.  Using this new authority, I have sanctioned nine entities and individuals:  the GRU and the FSB, two Russian intelligence services; four individual officers of the GRU; and three companies that provided material support to the GRU’s cyber operations.In addition, the Secretary of the Treasury is designating two Russian individuals for using cyber-enabled means to cause misappropriation of funds and personal identifying information.  The State Department is also shutting down two Russian compounds, in Maryland and New York, used by Russian personnel for intelligence-related purposes, and is declaring “persona non grata” 35 Russian intelligence operatives.Finally, the Department of Homeland Security and the Federal Bureau of Investigation are releasing declassified technical information on Russian civilian and military intelligence service cyber activity, to help network defenders in the United States and abroad identify, detect, and disrupt Russia’s global campaign of malicious cyber activities.These actions are not the sum total of our response to Russia’s aggressive activities. We will continue to take a variety of actions at a time and place of our choosing, some of which will not be publicised.In addition to holding Russia accountable for what it has done, the United States and friends and allies around the world must work together to oppose Russia’s efforts to undermine established international norms of behaviour, and interfere with democratic governance.To that end, my Administration will be providing a report to Congress in the coming days about Russia’s efforts to interfere in our election, as well as malicious cyber activity related to our election cycle in previous elections.

US Sanctions: Russia Vows to Retaliate

Russia has said it would respond in kind to the U.S. expulsion of 35 Russian diplomats and other sanctions following the Russian hacking of U.S. political parties before the 2016 presidential elections.

Vladimir Putin

“I cannot say now what the response will be, although, as we know, there is no alternative here to the principle of reciprocity,” said Russian presidential spokesman Dmitry Peskov in a statement late Thursday evening reported by the Interfax news service.He said that Russian President Vladimir Putin would decide the exact response.“The response will be formulated in a direction determined by the president of the Russia,” he said.

FULL WINNERS LIST: Soundcity MVP Awards 2016 – (#SoundcityMVP2016)

The Soundcity MVP Awards Festival held at the Expo Centre, Eko Hotel & Suites Lagos, Nigeria

The night’s event was hosted by ace comedian Basketmouth. The award festival featured stunning performances from Simi, Falz, Adekunle Gold, Patoranking.

BEST MALE
DIAMOND PLATNUMZ (TANZANIA)
EMTEE (SOUTH AFRICA) WIZKID (NIGERIA) – Winner
FALZ (NIGERIA)
OLAMIDE (NIGERIA)
PATORANKING (NIGERIA)
PHYNO (NIGERIA)

BEST FEMALE
TIWA SAVAGE (NIGERIA)
VICTORIA KIMANI (KENYA) YEMI ALADE (NIGERIA) – Winner 
VANESSA MDEE (TANZANIA)
CYNTHIA MORGAN (NIGERIA)
MS VEE (GHANA)
SIMI (NIGERIA

BEST HIP HOP CASSPER NYOVEST (SOUTH AFRICA) – Winner 
OLAMIDE (NIGERIA)
CDQ (NIGERIA)
EMTEE (SOUTH AFRICA)
EL (GHANA)
RIKY RICK (SOUTH AFRICA)
STANLEY ENOW (CAMEROON)
PHYNO (NIGERIA)

BEST POP
WIZKID (NIGERIA) KISS DANIEL (NIGERIA) – Winner
TEKNO (NIGERIA)
YEMI ALADE (NIGERIA)
ADEKUNLE GOLD (NIGERIA)
TIMAYA (NIGERIA)
TIWA SAVAGE (NIGERIA)

DIGITAL ARTISTE OF THE YEAR
PSQUARE (NIGERIA)
WIZKID (NIGERIA)
A.K.A (SOUTH AFRICA)
TIWA SAVAGE (NIGERIA)
DAVIDO (NIGERIA)
CASSPER NYOVEST (SOUTH AFRICA) TEKNO (NIGERIA) – Winner 

BEST COLLABORATION
MR EAZI FT EFYA – SKINTIGHT (NIGERIA / GHANA)
PATORANKING FT SARKODIE – NO KISSING (NIGERIA / GHANA)
EDDY KENZO FT NINIOLA – MBILO MBILO REMIX (UGANDA / NIGERIA)
EMTEE FT WIZKID & AKA – ROLL UP (SOUTH AFRICA / NIGERIA)
DJ MAPHORISA FT WIZKID & DJ BUCKZ – SOWETO BABY (SOUTH AFRICA / NIGERIA)
PHYNO FT OLAMIDE – FADA FADA (NIGERIA) OLAMIDE FT WANDE COAL – WHO YOU EPP (NIGERIA) – Winner
HARRY SONG FT OLAMIDE, KCEE – RAGGAE BLUES (NIGERIA)
MASTERKRAFT FT FLAVOUR & SARKODIE – FINALLY (NIGERIA / GHANA)

VIDEO OF THE YEAR
PANA BY TEKNO DIRECTED BY CLARENCE PETERS (NIGERIA) AJE BY ALIKIBA, DIRECTED BY MEJI (NIGERIA) – Winner
BABANLA BY WIZKID DIRECTED BY SESAN (NIGERIA)
ONE TIME BY A.K.A DIRECTED BY AKA & ALESSIO
SIN CITY BY KISS DANIEL DIRECTED BY H2G FILMS (NIGERIA)
EMMERGENCY BY D’BANJ DIRECTED BY UNLIMITED L.A (NIGERIA)
MADE FOR YOU BY BANKY W DIRECTED BY BANKY W (NIGERIA)
GBAGBE OSHI BY DAVIDO DIRECTED BY SLASH (NIGERIA)
PRAY FOR ME BY DAREY DIRECTED BY MEX (NIGERIA)

BEST GROUP OR DUO SAUTI SOL (KENYA) – Winner
MAFIKIZOLO (SOUTH AFRICA)
MICASA (SOUTH AFRICA)
NAVY KENZO (TANZANIA)
R2BEES (GHANA)
TOOFAN (TOGO)
PSQUARE (NIGERIA)
VVIP (GHANA)

SONG OF THE YEAR
KWESTA FT CASSPER NYOVEST – NGUD (SOUTH AFRICA)
MR EAZI – HOL UP (NIGERIA)
PATORANKING FT SARKODIE – NO KISSING (NIGERIA)
WIZKID – BABANLA (NIGERIA) TEKNO – PANA (NIGERIA) – Winner
EMTEE FT WIZKID – ROLL UP (SOUTH AFRICA / NIGERIA)
DJ MAPHORISA FT WIZKID & DJ BUCKZ – SOWETO BABY (SOUTH AFRICA / NIGERIA)
OLAMIDE FT WANDE COAL – WHO YOU EPP (NIGERIA)
D’BANJ – EMMERGENCY (NIGERIA)

BEST NEW ARTISTE
KOKER (NIGERIA)
YCEE (NIGERIA) MR EAZI (NIGERIA) – Winner
EMTEE (SOUTH AFRICA)
SIMI (NIGERIA)
NINIOLA (NIGERIA)
TEKNO (NIGERIA)
NASTY C (SOUTH AFRICA)

VIEWERS CHOICE MR SOLDIER – FALZ FT. SIMI (NIGERIA) – Winner 
BABANLA – WIZKID (NIGERIA)
OSINACHI BY HUMBLESMITH FT DAVIDO (NIGERIA)
PANA BY TEKNO (NIGERIA)
HOLLUP BY MR EAZI (NIGERIA)
PICK UP – ADEKUNLE GOLD (NIGERIA)
MAMA – KISS DANIEL (NIGERIA)

LISTENERS CHOICE
LAGOS TO KAMPALA – RUNTOWN FT WIZKID (NIGERIA)
BABANLA – WIZKID (NIGERIA)
OMO ALHAJI – YCEE (NIGERIA) PANA BY TEKNO (NIGERIA) – Winner
WHO YOU EPP – OLAMIDE FT WANDE COAL (NIGERIA)
OLUWA NI – REEKADO BANKS (NIGERIA)
PICK UP – ADEKUNLE GOLD (NIGERIA)
SKINTIGHT – MR EAZI FT EFYA (NIGERIA / GHANA)

AFRICAN ARTISTE OF THE YEAR WIZKID (NIGERIA) – Winner 
VANNESSA MDEE (TANZANIA)
DIAMOND PLATINUMZ (TANZANIA)
SARKODIE (GHANA)
YEMI ALADE (NIGERIA)
OLAMIDE (NIGERIA)

AFRICAN PRODUCER OF THE YEAR DJ MAPHORISA (SOUTH AFRICA) – Winner 
GOSPEL ON THE BEAT (NIGERIA)
MASTERKRAFT (NIGERIA)
YOUNG JOHN (NIGERIA)
LEGENDURY BEATS (NIGERIA)
SESS THE PROBLEM KID (NIGERIA)

Russian Expulsions: Donald Trump to Meet with Intelligence Leaders

Donald Trump

US President-elect Donald Trump has said he will meet with intelligence leaders next week to get the “facts of the situation” that led the Obama administration to expel 35 Russian diplomats in the wake of cyber attacks related to the US election.The statement from Mr Trump urged America to “move on to bigger and better things” but confirmed he would meet security officials “in the interest of our country and its great people”.It’s time for our country to move on to bigger and better things. Nevertheless, in the interest of our country and its great people, I will meet with leaders of the intelligence community next week in order to be updated on the facts of this situation.The Kremlin has warned the expulsion may lead to retaliatory actions.Mr Trump has previously dismissed as “ridiculous” claims Russian cyber-hackers had interfered with the US election process.

Boko Haram ‘not crushed’ - Shekau [Video]

Less than a week after President Muhammadu Buhari announced the “final crushing” of Boko Haram, the leader of the terror group has released a new video saying the group remained alive.

“We are safe. We have not been flushed out of anywhere. And tactics and strategies cannot reveal our location except if Allah wills by his decree,” Mr. Shekau said in the 25-minute video seen my French newswire, AFP on Thursday.

Mr. Buhari said in a Christmas Eve statement that the takeover of Sambisa Forest by Nigerian troops marked the country’s triumph over Boko Haram.

The military has celebrated the victory in subsequent statements since then.

But Mr. Shekau said the government “should not be telling lies to the people”.

No plastic, only contaminated rice in Nigeria – NAFDAC

Recent reports of plastic rice in Nigeria were untrue as the suspicious shipment merely contained a significant amount of contaminants, the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control has said.

The acting Director-General of the agency, Yetunde Oni, at a press briefing on Thursday in Abuja, said though the rice was found not to be plastic, contrary to media reports, it was still “unwholesome for human consumption”.

There was anxiety in country earlier this month when a report stated that the Nigerian Custom Services had intercepted tonnes of plastic rice allegedly imported by unscrupulous businessmen for distribution during the Christmas festive period.

The Minister of Health, Isaac Adewole, however debunked the report after some preliminary studies revealed otherwise.

He said there was no truth in the report and assured Nigerians that there was no cause for alarm.

However, the laboratory result which was made public Thursday confirmed the earlier declaration by the minister.

Ariana Grande Comes For Stranger For Making Her Feel ‘Sick And Objectified’

Ariana Grande isn’t having it. Do not mess with a “Dangerous Woman.”

“I am not a piece of meat that a man gets to utilize for his pleasure.” – .Ariana Grande detailed a gross encounter with a male stranger on Tuesday and took to Twitter to vent about the incident.The singer said she was getting food with her boyfriend, rapper Mac Miller, when a man started following them, praising Miller’s work. At first flattered, Grande lost her cool when he said, “Ariana is sexy as hell man I see you, I see you hitting that!!!”“Hitting that? the fuck?? This may not seem like a big deal to some of you but I felt sick and objectified,” the singer said in a note she posted on Twitter. “I was also sitting right there when he said it. I’ve felt really quiet and hurt since that moment. Things like that happen all the time and are the kinds of moments that contribute to women’s sense of fear and inadequacy.”Grande added, “I am not a piece of meat that a man gets to utilize for his pleasure. I’m an adult human being in a relationship with a man who treats me with love and respect.”Belt it from the rooftops, Ariana.The “Side to Side” singer then voiced her disgust that “young people” continue to use and perpetuate this kind of cat-calling and somehow find it OK to shout those sort of things at women. In order to put an end to these encounters, Grande said it’s time to stop ignoring them and start sharing stories.“We need to talk about these moments openly because they are harmful and they live on inside of us as shame,” she wrote. “We need to share and be vocal when something makes us feel uncomfortable because if we don’t, it will just continue. We are not objects or prizes. We are QUEENS.”While many fans praised the singer for speaking up, some insinuated that Grande deserved the unwanted attention because of her music ― as if owning her sexuality means she’s “asking for” these kind of encounters. Grande gracefully dismantled the age-old argument in a Twitter exchange: @ArianaGrande yet you objectify yourself in your music….. I mean I'm glad you are standing up for women but you're also a tad hypocritical

Actress, Toyin Aimakhu Changes Her Name To Toyin Abraham

Star actress and ex-wife of Adeniyi Johnson, Toyin Aimakhu has just publicly announced via social media, that she wishes to be referred to as Toyin Abraham. Read what Toyin wrote below:

Multiple-Award winning actress formerly known as Toyin Aimakhu will be called Toyin ABRAHAM from now onwards. The actress said the reason behind her name change, “is a family decision and will like to be officially addressed as Toyin Abraham henceforth.” Presently the actress is busy working on her new project; Alakada Reloaded. You can find her on Instagram @toyin_abraham

So Quick: Rihanna Unfollows Jennifer Lopez on Instagram

Singer Rihanna performs onstage during Direct V super Saturday night

“Jen and Drake have tried to keep their romance under wraps by suggesting they are just working together, but the truth is they are an item.” – Source Says Amid reports that Jennifer, 47, has recently started dating Rihanna’s ex Drake, 30, the singer has stopped following Jennifer on the social media site.A source recently revealed, “Jen and Drake have tried to keep their romance under wraps by suggesting they are just working together, but the truth is they are an item.“They have been seeing each other for a number of weeks and her friends are saying she is already smitten.“People in Rihanna’s circle are saying she is very unhappy about the whole thing. Only a few months ago she and Drake were still together. Jen is one of her friends in the industry which made her all the more surprised.”Both Jennifer and the hip-hop star are single after Drake and Rihanna ended their on-off romance in October.Jennifer, who has six-year-old twins Max and Emme with her ex-husband Marc Anthony called off her relationship with 29-year-old backing dancer, Casper Smart earlier this year, after four years together.Jennifer and Drake are said to be “smitten” with one another and are not “bothered” by their 17-year age gap.A source said: “Jen and Drake have tried to keep their romance under wraps by suggesting they are just working together, but the truth is they are an item“They have been seeing each other for a number of weeks and her friends are saying she is already smitten.“The age gap doesn’t bother them.“They have fun together and that’s all that matters.”

Actress Debbie Reynolds Is Dead

Debbie Reynolds, the “Singin’ in the Rain” actress who tap-danced her way into American hearts as a star of Hollywood’s Golden Age, died Wednesday, grief-stricken over daughter Carrie Fisher’s death a day earlier.The 84-year-old suffered a stroke at son Todd Fisher’s Beverly Hills home after telling him “I miss her so much, I want to be with Carrie,” he was quoted as telling celebrity news website TMZ.Reynolds made a name for herself as the girl-next-door lead of a string of hit musicals in the 1950s after being discovered by MGM studio bosses at a beauty contest in southern California, going on to earn her lone Oscar nomination for playing the title role in 1964’s “The Unsinkable Molly Brown.”

Debbie Reynolds

“We have lost a unique talent and a national treasure. Coming so close to the death of her daughter, Carrie Fisher, this is truly a double tragedy,” Screen Actors Guild president Gabrielle Carteris said in a statement.“Their imprint on our culture is profound, and they both will live on.”Reynolds is best remembered as sweet but shy voice artist Kathy Selden in “Singin’ in the Rain” (1952) and holding her own despite being cast opposite tap-dancing superstar Gene Kelly, who was more than twice her age.Off-screen, she was known as the wronged party in one of Hollywood’s most notorious scandals, when her husband, singer Eddie Fisher, left her for her friend and fellow screen icon Elizabeth Taylor.Reynolds’ daughter Fisher, who catapulted to worldwide stardom as rebel warrior Princess Leia in the original “Star Wars” trilogy, died in Los Angeles on Tuesday, four days after suffering a heart attack on a transatlantic flight.Media reports said Reynolds had been at her son’s house to discuss funeral arrangements when she became ill.

Aliko Dangote Loses 32% of His Wealth in 2016

Africa’s richest man and President of the Dangote Group, Aliko Dangote, has lost 32 per cent of his wealth, according to the Bloomberg Billionaires’ Index.Bloomberg reported on Wednesday that Dangote lost $4.9bn or one-third of his wealth as the combined effect of falling oil prices and the June devaluation of the naira pushed him to No. 112 on the billionaires’ list with $10.4bn. Dangote was the world’s 46th-richest person in June.Saudi Arabia’s Prince Alwaleed Bin Talal Al Saud fell by $4.9bn, a 20 per cent drop, the report added.Alwaleed had said in November that all of his stakes in public companies, including Citigroup Incorporated, were potentially for sale, reversing a longstanding policy that some of his most-prized shareholdings were “forever.”

Aliko Dangote

Wealth creation in China turned negative for the first time since the inception of the Bloomberg index five years ago, with the country’s richest losing $11bn in 2016 amid a slump in the Shanghai Shenzhen CSI 300 index and a seven per cent decline for the yuan against the dollar.Alibaba Group Holding Limited’s founder, Jack Ma, closed the year with $33.3bn, adding $3.6bn in 2016. He dropped in and out of his place as Asia’s richest person for the first four months of the year before claiming it for good in May, after Alibaba’s finance affiliate, which is laying the groundwork for an initial public offering expected as soon as next year, completed a record $4.5bn equity fundraising round.China has 31 billionaires on the index with $262bn, trailing the US, which has 179 billionaires who control $1.9tn, and Germany, whose 39 individuals have $281bn.Russian billionaires also began to put the negative effects of the US and European sanctions behind them, reversing the combined $63bn declines for 2014 and 2015, and adding $49bn in 2016.Wealth managers for the world’s richest are girding themselves for similarly frenetic start to 2017 as the seismic changes that voters demanded this year start to take shape.“Expect the unexpected,” said Sabine Kaiser, founder of SKadvisory, which advises family offices on venture capital and private equity. “I don’t think family offices are overly concerned or getting too nervous but after Brexit and Trump, they’ve resigned themselves to market volatility.”In a year when populist voters reshaped power and politics across Europe and the U.S., the world’s wealthiest people are ending 2016 with $237 billion more than they had at the start. However, the Bloomberg Billionaire index revealed that the world’s richest made $237bn this year. The gains were led by Warren Buffett, who added $11.8bn during the year as his investment firm, Berkshire Hathaway Incorporated, saw its airline and banking holdings soar after Donald Trump’s surprise victory on November 8. Buffett, who’s pledged to give away most of his fortune to charity, donated Berkshire Hathaway stock valued at $2.6bn in July.The US investor reclaimed his spot as the world’s second-richest person two days after Trump’s victory ignited a year-end rally that pushed his wealth up by 19 per cent for the year to $74.1bn. “The year 2016 has been event-driven with global news driving prices rather than fundamentals,” said Michael Cole, president of Ascent Private Capital Management, which has about $10bn of assets under administration.”

Lagos bound train from Kano collides with a trailer

A Lagos bound train from Kano collided with a trailer at railway crossing in Kawo, Kaduna, and cut the trailer into two, the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) said in Kaduna on Wednesday. Sector Commander of FRSC in the state, Mr Francis Udoma, told newsmen that the incident occurred at 3 a.m., adding however, that no life was lost. Udoma explained that the train, carrying Nigerian soldiers and civilians, crashed into the trailer, belonging to W.A Group of Companies, carrying sugarcane. He said the accident occurred when the driver of the trailer insisted on crossing the rail line even when the train was blaring. He said the incident caused traffic jam that lasted for six hours. Udoma said motorist coming from Kano and other northern states, as well as those coming from the southern and the eastern part of the country were all stranded at the railway crossing. “We deployed our men, including myself, when we received the call, and arrived there to manage the traffic jam for hours. “We were there until 9 a.m. before we were able to open the road for motorists to pass through’’, Udoma said. He blamed the accident on the impatience of the trailer driver, whom he said might be suffering from hearing problem. “It could be that the driver had problem hearing, because train normally will blare, but this driver, even with the horn decided to cross. “This is abnormal. Nobody with normal hearing sense would take such a risk’’, he said. The FRSC boss advised drivers with hearing defect to get hearing aids to avoid accidents. In a related development, Udoma said that no fewer than 14 people lost their lives and 160 injured in accidents involving 53 vehicles from Dec. 1 to date in the state. He said that the 14 people were killed in 11 fatal and 23 serious accidents involving 332 people. Udoma, however, said the corps had rolled out several operations which began on Dec. 12 to ensure safety on roads throughout the yuletide. “These include operation zero tolerance to accidents, special intervention patrol and traffic frequency monitoring. “The operations are being carried out in collaboration with the police, Nigerian Security and Civil Defense Corps, National Emergency Management Agency and the National Union of Road Transport Workers, he said. He said that marshals had been deployed to junctions to ease traffic flow in Kaduna metropolis, adding that officers had also been deployed to all flash points to assess the impact of the patrol. He added that the operations were being conducted along with mobile court, being part of FRSC mandate to prosecute traffic offenders with a view to bringing sanity to the roads. Legal Officer of the command, Ibrahim Tanko said so far, 210 motorists had been convicted by the mobile court from Dec. 7 to date. He said 32 motorists were convicted in Kachia, 49 in Kaduna – Zaria toll gate, 59 on Kaduna–Abuja Express way, while 70 were convicted at Sabon Tasha, in Kaduna metropolis. “The motorists were arrested for overloading, driver’s license violation; vehicle license violation; tyre violation; number plate violation, and obstruction of marshal on duty, among others’’, Tanko said.

Buhari Will Make Full Board Appointments in 2017 – Presidency

Following the delay in the appointments of boards of federal government agencies, and the subsequent outcry by several interest groups, the presidency has assured Nigerians of the president’s readiness to commence the appointments by 2017. This was confirmed by his Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu.

Muhammadu Buhari

Recall that the president had made a similar promise in 2015, however, one year after, the agencies are still without boards.Explaining the reason for the delay, Shehu said it was because of an issue of interest to members of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC). He however affirmed that: “the process will be fully back on track at the beginning of the New Year.”In his words: “You know that the reconstitution began methodically from sector by sector. You should expect that to resume at the beginning of the New Year. The president has given directions on what to do.”Shehu also stated that Buhari’s persistent call for a return to farming was yielding good results.“The talk about agriculture has driven people to the farm. This year, there is a huge boom in the rural economy. We have witnessed an excellent harvest. Farmers are getting value for their output.“What has encouraged farmers the more is the increasing availability of extension services. New farming techniques are helping farmers to do their occupation better. The readiness of off takers to buy the produce is also a major boost.“When you put all these together with the systematic move to curb importation as a boost to local production through the restriction of the available foreign exchange to critically important sectors of the economy, you have favourable environment for the diversification of the economy.

Donald Trump Slams Obama On Twitter

US President-elect Donald Trump on Wednesday accused Barack Obama of making “inflammatory” statements and complicating the impending transfer of power — the latest salvo in an escalating war of words with the current commander-in-chief.

The unorthodox personal and public criticism of a sitting president comes less than a month before the 70-year-old Trump — who defeated Obama’s preferred successor Hillary Clinton in November’s presidential election — takes office.“Doing my best to disregard the many inflammatory President O statements and roadblocks,” Trump wrote on Twitter.“Thought it was going to be a smooth transition – NOT!”The social media jab is the latest from the 70-year-old real estate mogul aimed at Obama, in what has become a most unconventional transition between the outgoing Democrat and the incoming Republican leader.Obama said in an interview released earlier this week that he could have been re-elected for a third term if he had been eligible and that the nation still largely embraces his political vision.“I am confident in this vision because I’m confident that if I had run again and articulated it, I think I could’ve mobilized a majority of the American people to rally behind it,” Obama told the interviewer, his former senior adviser David Axelrod. It was not immediately clear what exactly Trump was referring to in the first tweet, but minutes later, he took Obama to task over his policy on Israel.“We cannot continue to let Israel be treated with such total disdain and disrespect. They used to have a great friend in the US, but…..” he wrote.

President Buhari Is A Man of Honour, Nigerians Should Trust Him – Omotola Jalad

Omotola Jalade-Ekehinde

Nollywood actress, Omotola Jalade-Ekehinde, wants Nigerians to trust President Muhammadu Buhari.

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She said, “I am just going to say that I believe that the president, just the president, not until he beyond doubt convinces us that he is actually not for our interests, I think I for now chose to believe him based on his past history.

”I want to believe him as a man of honour, I want to believe that he knows what he wants to achieve and I wish everyone will support him for now until he shows us truly that he has ulterior motives. For now we should believe him and trust him.”

‘Scorpion’ Goal Was A little Christmas Magic, Says Mkhitaryan

Manchester United’s Henrikh Mkhitaryan fires in his stunning strike against Sunderland on Boxing Day. Photo: Phil Noble, ReutersHenrikh Mkhitaryan said his sensational “scorpion” goal in Manchester United’s 3-1 win against Sunderland on Boxing Day was “the best I’ve ever scored”.

The Armenian, returning from injury, brought the house down at Old Trafford with a stunning piece of improvisation that his manager Jose Mourinho called “phenomenal”.Mkhitaryan flicked up his right heel to connect with Zlatan Ibrahimovic’s cross for United’s third goal and said: “I had a great feeling. It was a little Christmas magic – the best I’ve ever scored.”But United could make up no ground on Antonio Conte’s leaders Chelsea. Their 3-0 triumph over Bournemouth was a club-record 12th successive Premier League victory.Manchester City moved into second spot after winning 3-0 at Hull, while Arsenal needed a late Olivier Giroud goal to beat West Brom 1-0.

Sultan Rejects Bill Seeking Equal Inheritance For Men, Women

The Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar lll, on Tuesday said the bill before the senate seeking equality in inheritance, was against Islamic religion and, therefore, unacceptable to Muslims.

Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar lll

The Sultan made the commendation in Gusau at the closing ceremony of the 20th Zamfara State Annual Qur’anic Recitation Competition.He said: “Our religion is our total way of life; therefore, we will not accept any move to change what Allah permitted us to do.“Islam is a peaceful religion; we have been living peacefully with Christians and followers of other religions in this country. Therefore, we should be allowed to perform our religion effectively.’’The bill before the senate is seeking equality for male and female children in the sharing of inherited family wealth or property.The bill also proposes that a widow is entitled to the custody of her children unless it is contrary to the interests and welfare of the children.The bill also seeks that a widow shall have the right to remarry any man of her choice and should have the right to a fair share in the inheritance of her late husband’s property and the right to live in her matrimonial house.The Sultan urged the senate to not consider the bill because of its religious implications.

APC BoT Member, Senator Francis Okpozo Is Dead

A member of the Board of Trustees (BoT) of the All Progressive Congress (APC), Senator Francis Spanner Okpozo, is dead.

Francis Spanner Okpozo

He died at the University of Benin Teaching Hospital (UBTH) on Monday evening after battling an undisclosed ailment at the age of 84.Okpozo, a chieftain of the APC in Delta State, was a consistent leader of opposition political party in the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) controlled state since 1999.The octogenarian had earlier made his mark in the political landscape of the country as Deputy Speaker of the defunct Bendel State House of Assembly, and later, an elected Senator during the third Republic.Regardless of his opposition status, Governor Ifeanyi Okowa yesterday commiserated with the family of the late Senator Okpozo, saying that he was saddened by the news of his death.The governor in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Charles Aniagwu, extended his heartfelt condolences to the Isoko nation and the APC over the loss.Governor Okowa recalled that Senator Okpozo was a vocal voice in the Senate, adding that until his death he has remained a consistent critic and commentator on national issues.He affirmed that the then Senator, served his country and humanity with all his God-given strength and talent, noting that the late politician was a worthy leader in the Niger Delta.The statement read: “We have lost a great man whose contributions to the literary world can best be described as legendary, inspirational and worthy of emulation.“The late Senator Okpozo, a distinguished lawmaker and elder statesman, will be remembered for redefining the place of service and patriotism in Nigeria’s development.“He will be sorely missed by all and sundry whose lives he affected in many ways. I therefore urge all who mourn the demise of the late Senator F.S. Okpozo to take solace in the fact that his was a life of integrity and great accomplishments.“On behalf of my family, the Government and people of Delta State, I mourn with the family of the late Distinguished Senator Francis Spanner Okpozo, the Isoko Nation, and the APC on the demise of the erudite Senator.”He prayed God to grant his immediate family the strength to bear the irreparable loss, pointing out that his achievements in different areas of national life will always be remembered.

Star Wars Princess, Carrie Fisher Is Dead

The actress, author and screenwriter, Carrie Fisher, who brought a rare combination of nerve, grit and hopefulness to her most indelible role, as Princess Leia in the “Star Wars” movie franchise, died on Tuesday morning. She was 60.

Carrie Fisher

A family spokesman, Simon Halls, said Ms. Fisher died at 8:55 a.m. She had a heart attack on a flight from London to Los Angeles on Friday and had been hospitalized in Los Angeles. After her “Star Wars” success, Ms. Fisher, the daughter of the pop singer Eddie Fisher and the actress Debbie Reynolds, went on to use her perch among Hollywood royalty to offer wry commentary in her books on the paradoxes and absurdities of the entertainment industry.“Star Wars,” released in 1977, turned her overnight into an international movie star. The film, written and directed by George Lucas, traveled around the world, breaking box-office records. It proved to be the first installment of a blockbuster series whose vivid, even preposterous characters — living “a long time ago in a galaxy far, far away,” as the opening sequence announced — became pop culture legends and the progenitors of a merchandising bonanza.

Kim Kardashian And Kanye West Kills Divorce Rumors With Family Photo

Kanye West and Kim Kardashian attend China Through The Looking GlassPicture: Getty ImagesRumors have been swirling for weeks that Kim Kardashian and Kanye West are on the brink of divorce after she was robbed in October and he was hospitalized for exhaustion . Well, as it turns out, it seems Kimye is thriving.Kanye took to Twitter on Tuesday to share a photo of his family, simply writing, “Happy Holidays.” In the picture, seemingly taken at Kris Jenner’s annual Christmas Eve party , Kim and a newly blond Kanye pose with their children, North, 3, and Saint, 1.

After Kanye’s hospitalization, reports that there was trouble in paradise with Kim started brewing.
But E! News shut down the speculation with a family source denying the rumors and telling the site ,“It’s been a very hard couple of months.”Kim remains out of the spotlight while Kanye is reportedly seeking outpatient treatment. Though Kim has yet to make a real return to social media herself, she’s been spotted on Kanye’s page, as well as Khloe Kardashian’s and Kylie Jenner’s Instagrams and Snapchats.Kim and Ye were also photographed on a dinner date last week for the first time in a while, so things are looking up.

Ughelli plant to generate 25% of Nigeria’s power

Ughelli GENCO, has said it will generate 25 percent of the nation’s electricity by the end of 2016. Chairman of the GENCO, Tony Elumelu, while at the Ughelli Power Plant, said that Nigeria’s single most critical agenda should be to fix power supply in the country and believes the Ughelli plant can produce more than a quarter of Nigeria’s power. 

“I see a future where everyone will have improved access to electricity in Africa, because improved access to electricity will help us to develop Africa, help us to transform the continent. Generating capacity It starts from the macro level and gets to the micro level. When we took over this plant the output was 150 megawatts, this was 2013, but today we have capacity to generate about 750 megawatts.” He added: “The capacity we have, this plant has about a thousand megawatts. By the end of this year, we should be at full capacity of 1,000. If we do 1,000 for context, Nigeria is currently generating 3,000 or something, less than 4,000. Let’s say 4,000. If it’s 4,000 and we’re doing 1,000, that already is 25 percent.” 

The increase in the generating capacity of Ughelli Plant is coming at a time the nation’s GENCOs are said to be generating less than 5.0 percent electricity needs of the country. According to Omotayo Dairo, Chief Executive Officer, Quintas Renewable Energy Solutions Limited, only 44 per cent of the country’s 170 million population have access to electricity from the national grid. “There is a lot of challenges in the country as regards electricity. The GENCOs are not generating enough to be able to go round the country. Nigerians are feeling the harsh economy today because government is the main financier of our economy, whereas it should be private sector-led. What we should try to do is to concentrate on the 56 percent of Nigerians who are not connected to the national electricity grid,” he added.

FIFA World Ranking: Nigeria No 1 in Africa

Nigeria improved its standing in the FIFA World ranking for Women, as it moved two places up to 35th , obviously triggered by the Falcons triumph at the Africa Women Cup of Nations in Cameroon this month.

The Super Falcons were previously ranked 37 on the log, and still retain their number one position on the continent, while Ghana’s Black Queens who moved a step further to the 45th position are the number two in Africa.

Cameroon, 47th in the world are in the third spot in Africa, Equatorial Guinea and South Africa make up the top five African ranks with 50 and 51 positions respectively.

‘Only empty bottles, crates’ destroyed in Nigerian Breweries inferno

The fire outbreak that engulfed a part of the headquarters of the Nigerian Breweries in Iganmu, Lagos, on Sunday morning, “impacted only bottles and crates,” the company has said.

In a statement issued through its official twitter handle, the company confirmed the inferno, saying there were no injuries or casualties and its operations had not been disrupted.

Witnesses told PREMIUM TIMES that the fire destroyed the company’s warehouse before fire-fighters arrived.

Rasak Fadipe, Director of the Lagos State Fire Services, said his agency discovered the fire around 5:25 a.m.

The fire outbreak at Lagos Plant of NB contained. No injuries or casualties. Only empty bottles/crates impacted. Operations not disrupted.

— Nigerian Breweries (@NBPLC) 25 December 2016

“We discovered it on our own, it was not as if they placed a call to us, we saw the thing billowing in the sky and that was how we responded,” Mr. Fadipe told PREMIUM TIMES over the phone.

God ‘ll give Buhari solution to Nigeria’s problem in 2017- Kumuyi

The General Superintendent of the Deeper Life Bible Church, Pastor William Kumuyi, on Sunday said that in 2017, God would grant President Muhammad Buhari the solution to the numerous challenges facing the country.

Kumuyi gave the assurance while speaking with newsmen when he played host to the Speaker, Lagos State House of Assembly, Mr Mudashiru Obasa, who led some members of the Assembly on courtesy visit to the church’s December Convention.

The cleric said, “We talk of the hours of recession, difficulty, distress and all that, but God is granting us His promises. We are not going to carry over our problems. “We pray and believe that the Lord will answer.

“As you will see, as we get to the New Year, there is no carryover of our problems. God will give solutions to the problems of our lives, families, communities, the state and our nation.”

The pastor said that with prayer and faith in God, the country would get out of all its challenges, including the economic recession.

Nigeria launches digital switchover

Vice President Yemi Osinbajo on Thursday launched and rolled out Digital Switch Over (DSO) on behalf of President Muhammadu Buhari. The project is spearheaded by the Ministry of Information and Culture and the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC). Buhari said Nigeria is “irreversibly committed’’ to meeting the June 2017 deadline for transition from analogue to digital television broadcasting.

The June 17, 2017 deadline for transition from analogue to digital television broadcasting in West African countries was set by the World International Telecommunication Union Council. Buhari, said that with DSO, the country stood at the threshold of exciting time for free TV channels, jobs creation, entertainment and commerce. He stressed that digitisation would create jobs in the area of contents, software development and production of Set Top Boxes. The President added that digitisation would provide platform for film producers and musicians to release their production directly to the platform that will substantially curb piracy. “ As the doors open for digital transmission, what is important is that it will liberalise access to and increase the versatility of media information. “Interactive programming, mobile reception of videos, internet and multimedia base advertising, educative programmes sales and marketing are obvious low hanging fruits,’’ he said. The President assured that the DSO rollout would continue in the states until the entire country was covered. 

Buhari to Nigerians: let’s be our brothers’ keepers

President Muhammadu Buhari in his second personally signed message to Nigerians on Christmas eve has enjoined the citizens to pray to God and seek divine guidance to enable the nation surmount its challenges. Nigeria is in the throes of its worst economic recession in recent decades and faces occasional disruptions to crude and gas flows by sabotage in Niger Delta.

President Buhari in his message urged Nigerians to change the narrative of our nation by learning to live in peace and learning “to tolerate and appreciate one another, respect constituted authority; and be our brothers’ keepers in word and deed.” More important, he exhorted Nigerians to pray. “There is no better time than now in our nation’s history to pray for divine guidance to get over our current challenges,” he said. “I heartily rejoice with all Nigerians, particularly our Christian brothers and sisters, on this year’s celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ. 

List of all Headies 2016 winners

Below is the full list of winners:

1. Best Recording of the Year: Pray For Me – Darey feat. Soweto Choir
2. Producer of the Year: Young John – Mama – Kiss Daniel
3. Best Music Video: Soldier (Falz Tha Bad Guy) – Clarence Peters
4. Best R&B/Pop Album: New Era – Kiss Daniel
5. Best R&B Single: Pray For Me – Darey
6. Best Pop Single: Reggae Blues – Harrysong feat. Orezi, Iyanya, Olamide, Kcee
7. Best Reggae/Dancehall Single: No Kissing – Patoranking Ft Sarkodie
8. Best Rap Album: Powerful – Ill Bliss
9. Best Collabo: Soldier – Falz feat. Simi
10. Best Rap Single: Eyan Mayweather – Olamide
11. Best Vocal Performance (Male): Shaydee – Smile
12. Best Vocal Performance (Female): Simi – Love Don’t Care
13. Next Rated: Mr. Eazi
14. Hip Hop World Revelation: Kiss Daniel – New Era
15. Lyricist on the Roll: Ill Bliss – Chukwu Agozi Gogi
16. Best Street-Hop Artiste: Olamide – Who You Epp
17. Best ‘Alternative’ Song: You Suppose Know – Bez
18. Album of the Year: New Era – Kiss Daniel
19. Artiste of the Year: Wizkid
20. Song of the Year: Fada Fada – Phyno Feat. Olamide
21. Hall of Fame: Music Producer, Laolu ‘Akins’ Akintobi
22. Special Recognition Award: Flavour

Nigerian govt hails Trump’s ‘smart’ decision to appoint Ogunlesi

The Federal Government has hailed the appointment of Bayo Ogunlesi by U.S. President-elect Donald Trump as an economic adviser, saying the decision is a smart move.

The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Geoffrey Onyeama, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in New York that Mr. Ogunlesi is an outstanding professional who has accomplished a lot.

“He (Trump) is very wise to have appointed Bayo because Bayo is really an outstanding person professionally and really, I think in many ways.

“It is almost paradoxical that we in the country will certainly need people with the caliber of Bayo Ogunlesi and that it should be the U.S. rather, that is now going to be benefiting from his amazing talents.

“But I think the U.S. can only benefit from somebody of Bayo’s talent,” he said.

Notwithstanding the misgivings of some people about the policies of Mr. Trump’s administration concerning Africa and Nigeria in particular, Mr. Onyeama hoped that Nigeria would have a cordial diplomatic relations with Trump’s administrations.

PHOTOS: Lake Rice Hits Lagos Markets

The much anticipated Lagos-Kebbi Rice christened ‘LAKE RICE’, on Wednesday released by the Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode and his Kebbi State counterpart, Alhaji Atiku Bagudu.

Snow Falls In The Sahara Desert For The First Time In 37 Years

A glimpse of snow on Sahara Desert

Villagers in the Sahara Desert were stunned after snow fell in the desert for the first time in 37 years. The snow brought about a chilly atmosphere for the people.Those who witnessed the event said it is the second time in living memory that snow has fallen, with the last occasion being in February 1979.The pictures were taken by amateur photographer Karim Bouchetata in the small Saharan desert town of Ain Sefra, Algeria, yesterday afternoon. He captured the amazing moment snow fell on the red sand dunes in the world’s largest hot desert.

Headies Withdraws Tekno’s ‘Next Rated’ Award Nomination

Barely 24 hours to the most anticipated entertainment award of the year, Headies, MMMG act, Tekno, lost the 2016 Headies ‘Next Rated’ award category.

It was the only category the 24-year-old singer was nominated in.he reason for the disqualification was obtained a in copy of a letter by THENETNG sent to him by the Headies secretariat, and signed by executive producer Ayo Animashaun, informing of his disqualification.‘Tekno has unfortunately not made himself available for any of the mandatory activities, hence the committee’s decision to effectively withdraw his nomination for this year.’Mr Eazi, Humblesmith, Ycee and Aramide now battles for the award with the disqualification of tekno.The award ceremony will take place tomorrow, December 22, at Eko Convention Centre, Victoria Island, Lagos.

PHOTOS: James Ibori After Release from UK Prison

The first photos of former Governor of Delta State, Chief James Ibori after his release from prison in the United Kingdom has emerged.

UK keeps mute on Ibori’s extradition to Nigeria

The British High Commission in Nigeria has refused to comment on whether former Governor of Delta State, James Ibori, will be extradited to Nigeria after serving his jail term in the United Kingdom.

On Wednesday, the Coalition Against Corrupt Leaders called on the Federal Government to initiate the process to extradite the ex-governor

On Tuesday, Ibori was released from the UK prison after completing his jail term over criminal offences of money laundering.

Speaking on the development, the Executive Chairman of CACOL, Mr. Debo Adeniran, urged the government to ensure that Ibori does not escape justice in Nigeria.

Internet Users In Nigeria Reduced to 93.2 Million In October

The Nigerian Communications Commission on Tuesday said the number of internet users in Nigeria’s telecommunications networks had reduced to 93.2 million by October.

 The telecommunications industry umpire made the disclosure in its Monthly Internet Subscribers Data for October.The data revealed that internet users on both Global System for Mobile communications and Code Division Multiple Access networks had decreased by 391,679 in October.It showed that of the 93.2 million internet users in October, 93.1 million were on GSM networks, while 38,309 users were on CDMA networks.Also, the GSM service providers lost 378,015 internet customers after recording 93.1 million users in October, as against 93.5 million it recorded in September.The CDMA operators lost 13,664 internet users, after recording 38,309 in October, against 51,973 recorded in September.The data revealed that MTN had 32.4 million subscribers browsing the internet on its network.It explained that MTN recorded a decrease of 306,480 internet subscribers in October, after recording 32.7 million in September.According to the data, Globacom has 27.2 million customers surfing the net on its network in October, giving an increase of 297,623 users, from the 26.9 million that surfed the internet on the network in September.Airtel had 18.8 million internet users in October, the same it recorded in SeptemberThe data also showed that Etisalat had 14.7 million customers who browsed the internet in October, revealing a decrease of 369,158 users against the 15.1 million users recorded in September.The NCC data revealed that the CDMA operators, Multi-Links and Visafone, had a joint total of 38,309 internet users on their networks in October.

Indonesia Announces New Visa Policy for Nigerians

igerian Passport

The Indonesian Ambassador to Nigeria, Harry Purwanto, on Tuesday announced his government’s new policy for issuing visas to Nigerians and other foreigners wanting to visit Indonesian for any purpose.Purwanto told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos that under the new policy, his Embassy would no longer be involved in visa processing, but only in the collection of visa applications.The Ambassador, who did not give any reason for his government’s new visa policy, said that the processing of visas to Indonesia would henceforth take a much longer time.“Nigerians seeking visas to Indonesia should know that the Indonesian government has introduced a new visa application and issuance policy.“Under the new policy, we as an Embassy in Nigeria, have been withdrawn from processing visas.“All we are now required to do is to collect visa applications and send them to Indonesia for processing. We now have to be taking authority from Jakarta.“We, therefore, want to tell Nigerians seeking visas to Indonesia to now begin their applications at least two weeks in advance, to enable us send their applications on time to Jakarta,’’ he said.Purwanto enjoined Nigerians to always ensure that authentic information and documents were provided in their visa application forms, to avoid visa refusal from Jakarta.The Ambassador, who restated his government’s commitment to issuing more visas to Nigerians, said that about 1,000 Nigerians were issued visas to Indonesia, this year.He also said that his government would continue to create the right environment for mutual trade relations and people-to-people interactions between genuine Nigerians and Indonesians. (NAN)

Governor Aminu Masari of Katsina Presents N140.2bn Budget for 2017

Gov. Aminu Masari of Katsina State has presented a budget estimate of N140.2 billion for the 2017 financial year.

Aminu Masari

Masari presented the budget before the State House of Assembly in Katsina on Tuesday.The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the 2017 budget is higher than the 2016 budget with over N25 billion.“The 2017 budget is tagged The Budget of Standardisation of all Capital Projects in the state.“The recurrent expenditure in the 2017 budget is N47.7 billion, while the capital expenditure is N92.5billion.“The state government is expecting the sum of N75.6 billion recurrent revenue and N10 billion as internally generated revenue.“The Katsina State Government is expecting N50 billion as federation allocation in the year 2017,” he said.The governor said that the state government had set aside N16.5 billion for the education sector which represents 17 percent of the budget.Masari disclosed that the water resources sector got N14.4 billion, representing 15 percent of the budget.He said that roads rehabilitation and constructions had been allocated N15 billion, representing 16.8 percent of the budget.The health sector was allocated N6.5 billion, representing 7 per cent, while agriculture got N8 billion which is 9 percent of the budget, he said.The governor said that in spite the security challenges that the state experienced, the government was able to implement the 216 budget by over 50 percent.The Speaker, Alhaji Sabiu Muduru, assured the governor of the House readiness to hasten the passage of the budget.He called on the heads of ministries and parastatals in the state to co-operate with the various committees in the house during their oversight functions.