PDP ‘Sacks’ Sheriff, Appoints ex-Gov. Makarfi Interim Chairma

The Peoples Democratic Party has fired its national chairman, Modu Sheriff, and has appointed an interim party executive led by a former governor of Kaduna State, Ahmed Makarfi.

A former Anambra governor, Peter Obi, was also appointed the interim secretary of the party.

Van Gaal eyes FA Cup glory

Manager Louis van Gaal says Saturday’s FA Cup final is a huge match for Manchester United and that his own interests are not as important, Skysports reports.

United will face Crystal Palace at Wembley looking for their first major trophy since Sir Alex Ferguson departed at the end of the 2012/13 season.
Victory in the match could also help the cause of Van Gaal, whose job security has been the subject of intense speculation.

BREAKING: Court jails ex-NIMASA boss, Omatseye for five years

A Federal High Court sitting in Lagos has sentenced a former Director-General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration Safety Agency, Mr. Raymond Omatseye, to five years in prison for a N1.5bn contract scam.

Crashed EgyptAir Manifest Out, No Nigerian Found

EGYPTAIR 

✔‎@EGYPTAIR

An EGYPTAIR official declared that EGYPTAIR A320 aircraft in its flight number MS804 lost contact with radar above the Mediterranean Sea.

6:39 AM - 19 May 2016

Check Out These Beautiful Natural Art Works which show the immence beauty in Nature

 

Nature remains the most beautiful entity, one wonders what else to compare with.

I got stumble on these beautiful art works that makes one feel that nature is beautiful, life also is beautiful.................!

These Art work collections were gotten from a garden in China called 'Beautiful Garden', like what what written about the Garden of Hidden in the Holy Bible. 

Fuel price hike protest:Reps declare support for FG, beg NLC

The House of Representatives on Wednesday made a formal declaration of support for the decision of the Federal Government to remove the subsidy on Premium Motor Spirit, better known as petrol. 

A litre of petrol now sells for N145 instead of  N86.50k.
However, the government claimed that what it did was price increase and not the removal of subsidy or deregulation of the downstream sector of the petroleum industry.
On Wednesday, the House, which was presided over by the Speaker, Mr. Yakubu Dogara, backed the price hike.
The price hike had pitted the government against  organised labour, as a faction of the Nigerian Labour Congress led by Mr. Ayuba Wabba, vehemently opposed it.

Protests in major cities as NLC strike begins

Workers  in most states of the federation on Wednesday shunned a directive of a faction of the Nigeria Labour Congress to embark on an indefinite strike due to the increase in the pump price of petrol from N86.50 to N145 by the Federal Government.

Despite this, however, labour and civil society organisations held rallies in most states to press home their demand that the Federal Government should reverse the price hike.

How we uncovered Saraki’s N375m London property – Witness

The first prosecution witness in the ongoing trial of the Senate President, Dr. Bukola Saraki, before the Code of Conduct Tribunal, Mr. Michael Wetkas, continued his testimony on Wednesday, giving details of how his investigative team uncovered a property in London owned by Saraki.

Wetkas, who said he led a team which investigated intelligence reports leading to the charges preferred against Saraki, is a detective with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission.
He said under cross-examination by defence lawyer, Mr. Paul Usoro (SAN), on Wednesday, that the London property was acquired by Saraki  in 2010 but was not declared in his asset declaration form which he submitted to the Code of Conduct Bureau after completing his second term as the governor of Kwara State in 2011.

Six of my colleagues dead, says rescued Chibok girl

One of the missing schoolgirls abducted by the fighters of the Boko Haram Islamic sect from Government Secondary School, Chibok, Borno State, on April 14, 2014,  Amina Ali Nkeki, has been found, the Nigerian Army has said.

Activists also told the BBC that Amina was found by a vigilante group on Tuesday in Sambisa Forest, close to the border with Cameroon.
Amina was reportedly recognised by a civilian fighter. She told her rescuers that six of her abducted colleagues had died while others were being held in Sambisa Forest by their abductors.

Breaking: EgyptAir flight from Paris to Cairo disappears from radar

An EgyptAir plane headed to Cairo from Paris with 69 people on board disappeared from radar at dawn Thursday, the airline said.

Flight MS804 operating an Airbus A320 took off from Charles de Gaulle airport at 11:09 p.m. with 59 passengers and 10 crew members, the carrier said in a statement. The aircraft lost communications with radar around 2:45 a.m. Cairo time, it said in a separate statement. All communication has been lost with the missing plane and search and rescue operations are underway, a spokeswoman said.

Anambra Labour Commences Strike Action Today

The Anambra state chapter of the Nigeria Labour Congress and civil society of Nigeria have condemned in strong term the removal of subsidy  on the premium Motor Spirit (PMS) by the federal government and described it as described it as insensitive o the plight of common man.

Addressing journalists  at the end of their meeting in Awka, the state chairman of the Nigeria Labour Congress, Comrade Jerry Nnubia lamented that the APC led administration has disappointed Nigerians with their programme of governance,  he called on workers, non civil service work force to join them in the struggle to liberate Nigerians from the stronghold of the present administration.

He maintained that the strike action, which will commence tomorrow (Today) will be indefinite in line with the national body of the NLC request, in making sure that government is forced to revert the pump price of petroleum from the present price of 145 naira to its previous price of 86 naira respectively.

FANS CAME IN THOUSANDS TO SUPPORT AFRICAN BASKETBALL LEAGUE IN ABIDJAN

The City of Abidjan was thrown into fun and excitement over the weekend as the African Basketball League hosted basketball lovers to the Abidjan Basketball Challenge at Palais des sports de Treichville, Abidjan.

The two days in Abidjan showcased more than basketball as African music stars and dancers spiced up the nights with electrifying performances. The Nigerian artistes were led by Sound Sultan, Chidinma , Korra and May D. D J Arafat and others were also on ground to entertain fans.
The arena with a capacity of over five thousand was packed full to capacity and tickets were already sold out before the tip off time.

Arthur Eze, NAUTH To Facilitate National Sickle Cell Centre at Ukpo

                                                           By Okechukwu Christopher
All is now set to build a befitting national sickle cell anemia centre at Ukpo.
According to Dr. Ifeoma Modebe, an Associate Professor and Consultant in public health and physician in the Department of Community Medicine Nnamdi Azikiwe University Teaching Hospital (NAUTH), Ukpo, the centre would be furnished with modern medical equipment geared towards providing quality health to the sicklers in the country and Anambra State in particular.

Fuel price: Murray-Bruce demands effective mass transit system

The Vice-Chairman, Senate Committee on Media and Public Affairs, Senator  Ben Murray-Bruce, has called for an effective mass transit system to regulate the cost of transport and cushion the effect of the recent fuel price hike.
He said this on Tuesday while briefing journalists after plenary.

Anambra Professionals Charge Governor Obiano To Beef Up Security Against Possible Fulani Herdsmen Invasion

Sequel to the renewed calls by stakeholders in the south east, challenging  their state governors to beef up security to avert a re-occurrence of Fulani herdsmen attacks on villages in the zone, Anambra League of Professionals have charged the state house of assembly to cooperate with the state governor to ensure safety of lives and properties of the people in the state is maintained.

They solicited for an improved convivial working relationship within the three arms of government to enable them discharge their  constitutional  responsibilities creditably in the area of providing adequate security of lives and properties of the people living in the state.

The meeting, which ended at about 12 midnight, will resume at 3pm on Tuesday (today).

Fuel price hike: FG, Labour meeting ends in a deadlock …negotiations continue today at 3pm




Talks between the Federal Government and organised labour on the increase in the pump price of petrol ended in a deadlock on Monday night.

Briefing journalists at the end of the four-hour meeting on Tuesday morning, the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Mr. Babachir Lawal, said the two parties had “a fruitful discussion and will continue from where we stopped.”

 The Federal Government, however, began another round of meeting with the Joe Ajaero-led faction of the labour movement at about 12.15am on Tuesday after its meeting with the Ayuba Wabba-led Nigeria Labour Congress.

Wabba confirmed that discussions with the Federal Government would continue by 3pm on Tuesday (today).

FUEL HIKE: Rowdy session at House of Reps as lawmakers block oil minister, Kachikwu, from chamber

The scheduled appearance of Minister of State for Petroleum, Ibe Kachikwu, at the House of Representatives on Monday has left the lower chamber bitterly divided, as lawmakers bicker over whether the minister should be allowed to enter into the chamber or not.

Mr. Kachikwu was invited to brief lawmakers on the recent increase in the price of petrol.
But when Mr. Kachikwu arrived to honour the invitation, he was met with echoes of anger from lawmakers who started shouting “No! No! No!”
Shortly after noon, House Leader, Femi Gbajabiamila, moved a motion to let Mr. Kachikwu in, but many lawmakers shouted him down.

Information ministry defends minister’s travel loan from NBC, says it’s nothing unusual

The Ministry of Information and Culture has risen in stout defence of Minister Lai Mohammed, saying there was nothing wrong with requesting a loan from the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) to cover travelling expenses of a delegation to China.

The ministry’s clarification was contained in a statement issued on Saturday in Abuja by the Director, Public Relations and Protocol in the Ministry, Peter Dama.
The letter to the NBC requesting a loan of N13.12 million was leaked to the  media by an unknown staff of the Commission.

Kogi Governor Bello reacts to PREMIUM TIMES report, says funds not squandered

The Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Bello, has reacted to a PREMIUM TIMES investigative report detailing how he spent N260 million days after he was sworn into office.

Mr. Bello, who reacted through his Chief Press Secretary, Kingsley Fanwo, described the report as “libelous,” but did not deny that the funds were drawn.
In a statement signed by Mr. Fanwo, the governor said PREMIUM TIMES’ investigation into the spendings was “a clear abuse of the right to information.” He claimed that this newspaper erred when it said the money was squandered.

Lagos now officially an oil producing state – Governor Ambode

The Lagos State Governor, Akinwunmi Ambode, on Monday declared that Lagos has officially joined the League of Oil Producing States in Nigeria following the discovery of crude oil by Tunde Folawiyo Petroleum Company Limited in Badagry, Lagos.

Governor Ambode, who made the declaration when the management of the company led by the Group Managing Director, Tunde Folawiyo, paid him a courtesy visit at the Lagos House, Ikeja, commended the firm for their doggedness to achieve the feat after 25 years of hard work, saying by the provision of Section 162 Sub-Section 2 of the Nigeria Constitution, Lagos has become an oil producing State.

REVEALED: Read How Nigeria’s Accountant General deceived VP Osinbajo, Governors; Over ₦324 Billion Oil Money Unaccounted.

At a time Nigeria is facing severe economic crunch, a comprehensive oil report presented to the National Economic Council (NEC) has been found to be silent on a whopping N323.58 billion earned as crude oil revenue under the President Goodluck Jonathan government.

The report, submitted to NEC by Mohammed Dikwa, the then Director of Funds, Office of the Accountant General of the Federation (OAGF), revealed a startling discrepancy of about ₦323.58 billion, which his analysis failed to explain.

Nigerian Deejays Elect New National Executives In Awka

DJ Conference Group picture

The perceived faction rocking the Disc Jockey Association of Nigerian has finally come to an end, with the two major unions collapsed their structures into one recognized national body called DEEJAN.

Consummating the relationship, the newly elected national president of the Disc Jockey Association of Nigeria (DEEJAN) , Comrade Tade  Adeyemi, popularly known as DJ Cool,  stressed the need for the professionals to operate under one umbrella to be able to champion their course in a unique direction.

Ask Tiwa Savage if she has any beef with me –Seyi Shay

It is quite obvious there is supremacy battle between two divas- Tiwa Savage and Seyi Shay. Of course, Tiwa has come up with so many hit songs back to back but then, Seyi Shay is still on top of her game as she continues to endear more and more fans to herself.

Speaking to Saturday Beats on the perceived rivalry between the two Pepsi ambassadors, Seyi said she would rather our correspondent called Tiwa to ask if she had any beef with her (Seyi).
Actually, the supposed beef began with a post Seyi Shay had put on her Instagram page with the caption, “I compete with NO ONE. You heard me girl, YES YOU. Good evening. #carryon.”
So many people had believed the post was directed at Tiwa. Even before then, Seyi, in an interview, had said she didn’t really know Tiwa Savage personally.

DJ Zeez keeps mum as court orders him to refund N22m to record label

Popular  singer, DJ Zeez, is probably not in the best of moods right now, no thanks to a court judgement that ordered him to refund N22m to his record label, HF Music, over breach of contract.
When Saturday Beats reached out to the singer via the telephone to feel his pulse and know what his next line of action would be, he simply said, “I am currently busy, can you please call me back in the next 35 minutes.”

Timaya Storms PH For Live Performance

The self-acclaimed Egberi Papa 1 of Bayelsa, Timaya, is a Niger- Delta true son and he proved this when he performed at Legend’s Real Deal Experience held at the Joseph Yobo Mini Stadium in Port Harcourt, recently.
The stadium was practically filled to the brim as fans wanted to get a first- hand glimpse of the star as well as have fun.

No one influenced me to leave Olamide’s label – Lil Kesh

Ever since artiste, Lil Kesh, announced via his Instagram page that he has left YBNL, the record label of his mentor, Olamide, so many people have had diverse opinions about the young chap.

While many said that he was ill-advised by those he surrounded himself with, others opined that his career was not ripe for such a move as they said  it would affect him adversely.

Check Out How Falz Discovers His Funny Accent

Comedian cum singer, Falz, got more fans than foes when he came into the entertainment industry with his unique funny accent. In a recent chat with Saturday Beats, he revealed what made him to have such funny accent.

FG replies Falana on ‘recover $200bn looted funds advice’

The Minister of Finance, Mrs. Kemi Adeosun, has said she is attending to the advice by human rights lawyer, Mr. Femi Falana (SAN), asking the Federal Government to focus on recovering about $200bn outstanding revenue instead of obtaining foreign loans.

Falana had in his letter to the minister entitled, ‘Request for the collection of outstanding revenue of $200bn withheld from the Federation Account or stolen by looters’, threatened to sue the Federal Government if his request was not taken seriously.

Breaking News: FIFA president to visit Nigeria

The Nigeria Football Federation on Sunday announced that President of Federation of International Football Associations, Gianni Infantino, will visit Nigeria in June.
A statement issued in Abuja on Sunday by NFF’s Assistant Director of Communications, Ademola Olajire, said that the visit was a fall-out of NFF President, Amaju Pinnick’s recent meeting with Infantino in Mexico.

Don’t go on strike, Akande urges labour

A chieftain of the All Progressives Congress in Lagos State, Chief Ayo Akande, on Sunday, asked labour unions in the country not to embark on any strike to protest the increase in fuel price.

Akande said President Muhammadu Buhari meant well for Nigeria and would do everything possible in ensuring that Nigerians got the desired change they voted for.

Rivers Police rescue boy from abductors

Rivers State Police Command have rescued an 11-year-old boy identified as Chisom Okafor from four men suspected to be ritual killers.

Chisom’s abductors had taken him away on May 1, 2016 after a friend to his father, Okorie, sent him on an errand. Chisom, who hails from Ndimoko community in Anambra State, was said to have be whisked away by his abductors in a Sport Utility Vehicle.

Read How Retired Teacher forged certificates to help the needy In Anambra

A 75-year-old retired teacher, Onuzuruike Udu, paraded by the Anambra State Police Command for allegedly forging different certificates said he committed the act “out of milk of human kindness.”
The old man said he committed the act out of the necessity to help the youths and the downtrodden.
“I was in the school system. I knew what the system looked like, where you would fail a brilliant child and pass a dull one because of gratification.

Iheanacho shines

Manchester City are all but assured of a place in next season’s Champions League as Manuel Pellegrini’s time at the club ended with a draw at Swansea on Sunday, BBC Sport reports.
They were denied a win as Andre Ayew’s deflected free-kick cancelled out Kelechi Iheanacho’s close-range opener.

D’Tigers going to Rio as medal contenders – Oyedeji

D’Tigers captain Olumide Oyedeji says the men’s national basketball team are not afraid of their group opponents at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games in Brazil.
D’Tigers are in Group B alongside hosts Brazil and London 2012 Olympics silver medallists, Spain, Argentina and Lithuania, while one of the winners from the 2016 FIBA World Olympic Qualifying Tournament in July will complete the five-team roster.

Man United/Bournemouth match called off over suspect device

 Manchester United’s final Premier League game against Bournemouth on Sunday was  abandoned after a suspect package was found in one of the stands at Old Trafford, Soccernet reports.
The bomb disposal squad was called in and a controlled explosion carried out within the stadium. Greater Manchester Police described it as an “incredibly lifelike explosive device” but added that the “device wasn’t viable.”

Fuel price hike: FG meets labour today

The Federal Government has invited the leadership of organised labour to a meeting in the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation on Monday to discuss the increase of fuel pump price from N86 and N86.50k to N145.

Representatives of organised labour and the civil society had, after a meeting in Abuja on Saturday, given the Federal Government till midnight on Tuesday to reverse the increase or face an indefinite national strike.

RUBISH: Father deflowers, batters daughter for refusing more sex

A commercial driver, Fatai Ogundele, has been arrested by the Ogun State Police Command for allegedly raping his 14-year-old daughter, Titi (pseudonym).

He was said to have been arrested by the police from the Onipanu Police Divison after he beat up his daughter for denying him more sex.