Victorious Buhari picks Amaechi as Vice President Candidate

After several hours of horse-trading at Victoria Island in Lagos by party leaders, the All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential candidate, Muhammadu Buhari has reportedly picked the current governor of Rivers State, Rotimi Amaechi as his running mate for the next year presidential elections.

A source close to the campaign organisation of Buhari said Amaechi, a Christian from the South-oouth zone, was picked ahead of others as he was a major financing and logistic supporter of Buhari during the just concluded party’s primary to pick its presidential flag bearer.

Cynthia Osokogwu murder: I never requested the purchase of any drug - Defendant tells court

A defendant, Okwumo Nwabufor, on Friday told an Igbosere High Court, Lagos that he never ordered the purchase of the drug, Ryhophnol that was used to drug the late Cynthia Osokogwu

Nwabufor, 34, spoke while being cross-examined by Mr Chris Obiaka, the counsel to the third defendant in the case, Orji Osita.

``I never asked the third defendant to purchase any drug for me neither did I purchase any drug,’ ’ he said.

NDLEA seizes 1445.9kg of cocaine, other drugs in 11 months

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) in Sokoto State said that it seized 1445.901 kg of cocaine and other psychotropic drugs between January and November, 2014.

Its zonal Commander, Alhaji Misbahu Idris, made the disclosure when he previewed its 2014 activities in Sokoto on Friday.

FG to commercialise federal housing estates

The Minister of Lands, Housing and Urban Development, Mrs Akon Eyakenyi on Friday, inaugurated Interim Management Team and Technical Board of the Federal Housing Authority (FHA).

Eyakenyi, at the Inauguration, gave the 18- man team 18 months to ensure the restructuring of the FHA.

The minister, who would co-chair the team with Managing Director of FHA, said it would work out modalities to ensure the delivery of affordable and quality houses to Nigerians.

She said the board would also work towards the commercialisation of FHA by putting in place an effective monitoring and feedback mechanism to meet its targets.

Lagos PDP primary: Why I went to court - Obanikoro

The crisis rocking the Lagos chapter of Peoples Democratic Party, (PDP) might take a long time to linger as  Sen. Musiliu Obanikoro, a contestant for the PDP Lagos governorship ticket has explained the reason he took the party to court.

Obanikoro, while addressing his supporters at his campaign office in Ikeja, said he sued the party’s leadership to compel it to expedite action on a petition he made.

Obanikoro had on Tuesday petitioned the party’s leadership over the PDP governorship primary election in the state held on Monday.

Court strikes out PDP’s suit seeking to unseat Amechi, Kwankwaso, others

An Abuja Federal High Court on Friday struck out a suit filed by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), urging the court to sack its five governors who defected to APC.

Delivering his ruling, Justice Gabriel Kolawole, held that the suit's originating processes were invalid because they were wrongly issued and served on the defendants.

``This suit is struck out as the originating summons has been declared invalid.

``It is preposterous, audacious and breathtaking for the plaintiff to argue that the defendants sued individually in personal capacity, could be served through the office of the party to which they defected.

Kwankwaso pledges to support Buhari’s 2015 presidential ambition

Gov. Rabi’u Kwankwaso of Kano has expressed his readiness to support, Gen. Muhammadu Buhari, to actualise his presidential ambition in 2015.

Kwankwaso made this known when he spoke with newsmen in Kano on Friday.

He said the election of Buhari as the presidential candidate of the APC was his success as he would continue to support him to ensure his victory in 2015.

``Just few days to the primary election, Buhari was asked if not him who else, he (Buhari) said it is kwankwaso. So, to me, it is as good as I won the election.

Man dies after allegedly gulping 8 cans of energy drink during a bet

Elijah Nwankwo, of Ikwo Local Government Area of Ebonyi, have been confirmed dead after allegedly gulping energy drink from eight cans during a bet.

This is contained in a statement issued by Mr Ebere Amarizu, the Public Relations Officer of the Nigeria Police in Enugu State on Friday.

According to the statement, the victim had on Dec. 11 agreed to drink eight cans of energy drink for N1,600 to be paid by one Chikwado Nchionu, the challenger.

``After taking the energy drink, he became weak and went into coma. He was immediately rushed to a hospital in Enugu where he was confirmed dead by a doctor.

We’ll remain in APC; work for Ambode’s success, GOS tells supporters

Despite losing out in the All Progressive Congress gubernatorial primaries held in Lagos recently, contrary to expectation of nursing ill-feelings, Senate Minority Whip, Senator Ganiyu Olanrewaju Solomon has reiterated his commitment and that of his supporters to the party.

Speaking this afternoon, Tuesday 9 December, 2014, in Ikeja while addressing his supporters after the primaries, Solomon, one of the 12 governorship aspirants who participated in Thursday 4 December 2014, governorship primaries in the state, told his supporters that he has accepted the result of the primaries in good faith.

Airtel unveils Catapult-a-Startup to boost entrepreneurship

 

Segun Ogunsanya

Airtel Nigeria, has launched an entrepreneurial initiative tagged ‘Catapult-a-Startup,’ a platform which aims to inspire innovation and assist  start up mobile app developers towards actualising their business goals and dreams.

With this, Airtel is offering a platform for budding mobile app developers to receive advanced mentoring from industry veterans, funding, marketing, and also improve their skills to become successful using their creativity.

To participate in the programme, interested start-ups are to submit their ideas and presentations to the ‘Catapult-a-Startup’ website www.cas.ng, for evaluation.

Dettol unveils new claim of protecting from up to 100 illness causing germs

Leading health and hygiene brand, Dettol from the stables of Reckitt Benckiser has unveiled its new claim of protecting from up to 100 illness causing germs.

This, it said, is in line with its vision of creating a world where people are healthier and live better by proffering innovative solutions.

The Marketing Director, West Africa, Reckitt Benckiser, Oguzhan Silivrili, said the claim was based on recent studies which showed that there were about 10 million germs on each person’s hands and that these 10 million germs fall into about 100 types of common germs which cause illnesses.

He stated that it was important for people to be well informed why they should imbibe the habit of regular handwashing with soap and clean water as a cost effective solution that can protect them from the 100 types of germs.

Sterling Bank introduces Shopping Dash for kids

Sterling Bank Plc has flagged off the Shopping Dash programme to cater for children with the bank’s I Can Save accounts in four states in the country.

The four states are Lagos, Port Harcourt, Enugu and Abuja. The Bank is running the programme in partnership with top Shopping Malls in the country.

 The programme affords lucky children the opportunity to do a one-minute shopping dash and pick items of their choice at shopping malls selected for the programme.

The programme is meant to reward existing I Can Save Accounts holders, an account for children and those willing to open the account during the programme at the stated locations. It is strictly for children between the ages of 4 and 8

Ondo workers embark on 2-day warning strike over unpaid salaries

Ondo State Government workers on Tuesday began a two-day warning strike over three months unpaid salaries.

The state Chairman of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Mrs Bosede Daramola, said in a telephone interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Akure that, the strike was to draw the attention of the government to pay the workers.

According to her, the state government has failed to respond to the workers demand, in spite of series of meetings between it and the union.

Sierra Leone overtakes Liberia in number of Ebola cases- WHO

World Health Organisation (WHO) figures released on Tuesday showed that the death toll from the Ebola outbreak in West Africa has risen to 6,331 in the three affected countries.

It noted that with Sierra Leone overtaking Liberia as the country with the highest number of cases.

``The cumulative number of cases in Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone totalled 17,800, including 7,719 in Liberia and 7,798 in Sierra Leone,’’ WHO said.

Yuletide: Police restate warning against use of knockouts in Lagos

Firecrackers, also known as firework, banger

The Lagos State Police Command on Tuesday restated its warning against the use of firecrackers during the Yuletide, saying violators would face the wrath of the law.

Firecrackers, also known as 'Banger' or 'Knock-out' are a popular feature in various parts of Nigeria during Christmas and New Year.

Speaking in an interview, the command’s Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Mr Kenneth Nwosu, said the police had already issued a warning to that effect.

``We have issued a press release warning Lagosians against it and we will continue to emphasise that the use of knockouts or fireworks during this Christmas is banned.

Ndoma-Egba petitions PDP over NASS primaries in Cross River

Sen. Ndoma-Egba

The Senate Leader, Chief Victor Ndoma-Egba, has petitioned the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) National Assembly Electoral Appeal Panel, alleging “lapses and irregularities” at the Cross River Central Senatorial primaries.

The party’s primaries for the district held on Dec. 7 in Ikom, where Rep. John Owan-Enoh, member representing Etung/Obubra Federal Constituency, was declared winner by the PDP Electoral Panel.

But in a petition addressed to the appeal panel Chairman, Ndoma-Egba said the exercise was “fundamentally and fatally flawed as it fell short of the minimum integrity for an electoral process.

He also stated in the petition, dated Dec. 8, that “the exercise was in complete disregard of the PDP’s Guidelines for Primary Election 2014”.

He said that the list of delegates used for the primaries was not made public.

NAFDAC prosecutes trader over production of unregistered Custard

A Federal High Court in Lagos on Tuesday granted bail to a trader, Christopher Nduka, 42, standing trial for alleged production of unregistered custard.

Nduka, who is being prosecuted by the National Agency for Food, Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), is facing a two-count charge of production of unregistered consumer product.

However, the accused pleaded not guilty to the charge.

Justice John Tsoho granted the accused bail in the sum of one million naira with one surety in like sum.

APC Presidential Primaries: List of alternative routes in Lagos environs

If you live in Lagos, read and share

Due to the All Progressive Congress (APC) national convention holding on Wednesday 10th Dec, 2014 at the Teslim Balogun stadium, vehicular movement around the venue will be affected and congestion expected especially along, Funso Williams /Western Avenue Surulere, Yaba, Alhaji Masha, and Costain areas.

According to a statement released by the Ministry of Transportation, Lagos state, transporters are expected to adhere strictly to the alternatives being provided.

Vehicles to Surulere

• Vehicles from Lagos Island to Surulere will be directed to exit at Costain to link Surulere via Eric Moore.

• Vehicles from Ikorodu rd, Mushin, Yyaba and the Mainland to Surulere will be directed at Ojuelegba to link Surulere via Itire- Lawanson road or at Iponri via bode Thomas.

FRSC deploys officers, vehicles for APC National Convention in Lagos

The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) on Tuesday said that it would deploy over 100 officers and 15 patrol vehicles for APC National Convention in Lagos.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the convention is slated for Wednesday at the Teslim Balogun Stadium.

Mr Hyginus Omeje, the Lagos Sector Commander of the corps, told NAN, that machinery had been put in place to ensure free of vehicular movement in the state.

Give me N1b, I will act nude, says actress Da Silva

Liz Da-Silva

Yoruba actress Elizabeth Omowunmi Tekovi Da Silva a.k.a. Liz Da Silva, has revealed that she could act nude in a movie if she is paid the sum of N1 billion.

Da Silva made the revelation in an interview recently when she fielded questions on her pet project “The Ankara Day”.

“I can do anything in acting. There is no limit to what I can do on stage as an actress because I’m a professional actress and I don’t care because that role I am playing is touching somebody somewhere.

We are ready for APC National Convention in Lagos- Police, NSCDC

The Lagos State Police Command has said that it had deployed enough policemen to provide adequate security during Wednesday’s National Convention of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

In the same development, the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) also said it that had deployed its officers to assist in providing security during the event.

The convention, billed for Teslim Balogun Stadium, Surulere, is expected to elect the party’s presidential candidate for the 2015 election.

The state Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) told NAN that ``we have enough men on ground who are adequately kitted for the primary.

What prominent Nigerians say about Buhari

Former President Olusegun Obasanjo and Gen. Mohammadu Buhari.

By tomorrow, the All Progressive Congress would be electing its Presidential flag-bearer.  The arrays of possible candidates include General Mohammadu Buhari(rtd), former President Atiku Abubakar, Gov. Rochas Okorocha, Gov, Rabiu KwanKwasoa and  Leadership Newspaper publisher, Sam Nda-Isaiah.

But here what prominent Nigerians have been saying about one of the presidential hopefuls, General Mohammadu Buhari(rtd).

“The army after toppling our democratic regime have no option but to install Buhari as head of state so as to avoid credibility problems, especially in the sight of the international community because of his being an epitome of integrity."

- SHAGARI.