WOW Photos!! Top 50 Colourful Photos Celebrating The River Goddess Osun Festival 2015

Photographs by Ife Martins

Held each year in a sacrosanct woodland on the edges of the southern Nigerian city of Osogbo, the Osun-Osogbo, Osun Festival is a two-week-long festival of the Yoruba river goddess Oshun. The celebration, which starts with a customary purifying of the town (Iwopopo) and closures in an individuals’ parade to the Osun-Osogbo holy grove, draws in participants from everywhere throughout the globe.

#OsunFestival

EFCC invites and interrogates Diezani's ally, billionaire businessman Jide Omokore

Chairman of Atlantic Energy, Jide Omokore, who is a strong ally of embattled former Petroleum minister, Diezani Alison-Madueke, was on Monday October 5th invited to the Abuja office of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission EFCC, as part of the ongoing investigations into the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation. Omokore was invited by the Subsidy Unit of the EFCC, which is handling the probe of NNPC and all its transactions while Diezani served as Minister. He arrived the EFCC headquarters on Monday afternoon and was quizzed for several hours. He was later released on administrative bail. "I don’t think it would be right to say that he was arrested as he came to the office on his own and was interrogated. He was later released to go on administrative bail.” a source told Punch 

Ben Murray Bruce advises Buhari on how to handle his ministers

The Senator shared some 'common-sense' advice for the President to act upon concerning his cabinet of ministers & their conduct when screened and fully appointed. More of his tweets after the jump

Mother charged for injecting 14-year-old daughter with heroin

34-year-old Lynn Riffey has been charged for repeatedly injecting her 14-year-old daughter and another teen with heroin, prosecutors said Monday, October 6. The Chester County district attorney's office alleged that the Philadelphia woman supplied the 14-year-old girl and a 16-year-old boy with heroin and injected them multiple times last month. She also tied a string around their arms to hide their veins. Riffey was charged with corruption of minors, endangering the welfare of children and drug delivery. She was jailed in lieu of $50,000 pending a preliminary hearing Friday. Prosecutors also alleged that Riffey's boyfriend supplied heroin for the teens to snort. He has been charged separately with drug dealing and other offenses. District Attorney Thomas Hogan said the family lived in a trailer in which numerous people were using heroin. He said the mother was supposed to be caring for and protecting her daughter and instead exposed her to the drug and enabled her use of it. "It's hard to make that leap as a parent, to think how you end up in that position," Hogan said.

Ministerial list: Rivers senator raises petition against Amaechi

Senator George Sekibo of Rivers East Senatorial district at the Senate's plenary session this morning raised a petition against Rotimi Amaechi's ministerial nomination but was shut down by APC Senators. 

Ebonyi state governor loses mother

The mother of the Ebonyi State Governor, David Umahi, Deaconess Margaret Umahi, has died. Family sources say she died yesterday October 6th at an Enugu based hospital after a brief illness. Her remains have been deposited at the Federal Teaching Hospital, Abakaliki. She is survived by many children and grand children. Sun re O!! Ase 

Screening of ministerial nominees will commence on October 13th

Senate President Bukola Saraki says screening of all the 21 ministerial nominees will begin on Tuesday October 13th. See the full list of the nominees and their states of origin after the cut...



Babatunde Fashola-Lagos
Rotimi Amaechi- Rivers
Kayode Fayemi- Ekiti
Chris Ngige- Anambra

Photo: Nigerian army arrest suspected Boko Haram financier

Nigerian troops intercepted and arrested a suspected Boko Haram financier and stimulants dealer, Mohammed Maina in Bama, recently.

Of Warriors and Heroes Past by Femi Fani-Kayode

Article written by former minister, Femi Fani-Kayode. Read below...

Consider Generals Foche and Hague at the battle of the Somme. Consider George Armstrong Custer at the battle of the Little Big Horn, the Duke of Wellington at the battle of Waterloo and Napoleon Bonaparte, in his full glory and power, at the battle of Marengo. The warrior is noble and strong. His resolve is firm and his commitment is total. His is to kill, to shed blood and to be killed. His is to die for his king and for a worthy cause. His is to protect and lay down his life for his faith, his nation, his people and his loved ones.


What manner of men are these whose spirit speak of such valour and nobility? Consider the ancient Spartans and the Roman warriors of old. Consider the fearsome Vikings who believed that it was a curse to die a peaceful death and that the only way to heaven was to die violently and heroically in fearsome battle. Consider the greatest of all warriors that ever lived, the noble and gallant Achilles.

3 Boko Haram militants killed by own bomb in Niger republic

Three suspected members of Boko Haram died after a bomb they were transporting exploded in Diffa region in Niger republic. Local sources say the bomb exploded when the terrorists were about to enter Bosso town where they had planned to carry out an attack.

Kaduna uncovers N1.3 billion pension racket in the state

The Kaduna State Government says it has uncovered a pension racket that costs the state N1.3 billion annually. A statement by Samuel Aruwan, spokesperson to Governor Nasir El-Rufai, states that the discovery was made during the verification exercise of pensioners in the state which was conducted recently.

The report from the verification exercise was presented to the state Executive council yesterday and it showed that 2,484 ghost pensioners were identified and removed from the pension payroll.

Another set of 1,404 were classified as probable ghost pensioners because while they managed to get verified, they curiously failed to pick their pension cheques.

Copy of partial ministerial nominees list sent by Buhari to Saraki

These are the copies of the ministerial nominees list sent to Senate President Saraki by President Buhari on Sept. 30th. The list has been unveiled and the nominees will be screened from Oct. 13th.

Man sentenced to prison for wanking & ejaculating on female passenger on London Underground train

Peter Fabiyi,32, was on Wednesday, September 30, sentenced to 3 years and nine months in prison by Blackfriars Crown Court after he masturbated and ejaculated over a woman while on a London Underground train. Fabiyi committed the offence on Wednesday, July 2014.

The victim, a woman in her 20s boarded a train towards Mitcham Junction and traveled a few stops before she realized that Fabiyi was standing directly in front of her with his trousers undone as the train left Elephant and Castle station in central London, after which he performed the sex act while they were both alone in the carriage.

Buhari must be screened if he's Petroleum Minister - Senate

The Senate's plenary session will hold tomorrow, where president Buhari's ministerial list will finally be unveiled. And according to Vanguard, The Senators are saying the President must, in line with the constitution, submit himself before the Upper Chamber for screening if he appointed himself Minister of Petroleum. They are also set to reject an incomplete list, saying the constitution provides for a nominee from each state of the federation and that any list that did not cover the 36 states would suffer serious opposition on the floor of the Senate.

Plot To Sack IGP Thickens

•Southern AIG tipped as successor
A confirmed plot to exit the Inspector General of Police, Mr Solomon Arase, is on, Nigerian Tribune can reliably inform.
Sources close to Arase confirmed their awareness of the plot.
An Assistant Inspector General of Police (AIG) from the South is being packaged as his replacement.
Multiple sources involved on both sides (pro and anti-Arase forces) also confirmed the thickening plot.

2019: PDP Presidential Ticket For North, Excludes Hausa/Fulani

Barrister Mark Nzamah Jacob, was Kaduna state Commissioner of Justice and Attorney General (2005-2007) before he became the National Legal Adviser of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP (2007-2009). He played powerful roles in the 2011 general elections as one of the key players in the Neighbour -2-Neighbour campaign that retained then resident Goodluck Jonathan in Power.

Video: Is this what we call Leadership ? (Watch)

This is what we call leadership and portraying one’s country in good esteem and good light; unlike the quality of leadership and uninspiring leadership we have today. This man was slaughtered like a fowl by overzealous, misguided and insane trigger – happy officers, some of the relics of that brutal military dictatorship and entropy, whereof are still in the corridors of Nigeria’s power base to this day.

This humble man might not have been perfect, of course his government might have been wanting somewhat in governance and the machinery of delivering the country’s over – expected hasty hopes and aspirations, but can shooting him like a dog in the bush by some crazy military officers ever be justified and defended an iota.

The dire and diabolical consequences of killing this man and so many others still haunt the whole Nigeria nation to this day.

We should apply some sober catharsis on the murder of this man, reflect and ask for eternal forgiveness from not only the Gods, but from a whole family, a whole region and a whole country we traumatised by murdering this man and many others, and only then can we and will we ever see any semblance of peace in Nigeria!!

(Philosophy & Politics)

Prince Dayo Fadina.

#LeadershipNewspapers

TAFAWA BALEWA...GOLDEN VOICE FROM NIGERIA
This is what we call leadership and portraying one's country in good esteem and good light; unlike the quality of leadership and uninspiring leadership we have today. This man was slaughtered like a fowl by overzealous, misguided and insane trigger - happy officers, some of the relics of that brutal military dictatorship and entropy, whereof are still in the corridors of Nigeria's power base to this day.This humble man might not have been perfect, of course his government might have been wanting somewhat in governance and the machinery of delivering the country's over - expected hasty hopes and aspirations, but can shooting him like a dog in the bush by some crazy military officers ever be justified and defended an iota.The dire and diabolical consequences of killing this man and so many others still haunt the whole Nigeria nation to this day.We should apply some sober catharsis on the murder of this man, reflect and ask for eternal forgiveness from not only the Gods, but from a whole family, a whole region and a whole country we traumatised by murdering this man and many others, and only then can we and will we ever see any semblance of peace in Nigeria!!(Philosophy & Politics)Prince Dayo Fadina.
Posted by Ọmọ Oòdua on Monday, October 5, 2015

Alleged Oil Sector Fraud: ‘ Why FG Is Not Charging Diezani, Others Now’

*Investigation still on-going, says security source
Ex-NNPC official faces arrest
ABUJA — As anxiety mounts over the identities of suspects arrested alongside former Petroleum Minister, Diezani Alison-Madueke, indications emerged last night that she and other suspects might not be charged to court in Nigeria soon.
This came as chairman of the Presidential Advisory Committee on Corruption, Prof. Itse Sagay (SAN), said he was not shocked about the former minister’s arrest, especially as she had earlier been indicted by the Senate, noting, however, that his committee had no role to play in her prosecution.
According to a top security official working with one of the anti-crime agencies, the reason is that investigation into the money laundering case and bribery is yet to be concluded.

Pope Asks Church To Move Forward As Gay Issue Overshadows Synod

Pope Francis said Monday that the Church was “not a museum” but a place for progress, as members of a key synod on the family rolled up their sleeves for the first day of what promises to be a spicy debate.


Francis urged a spirit of ‘solidarity, courage and humility’ as the Catholic Church’s conservative and liberal wings began tackling hot button topics from communion for remarried divorcees to acceptance of homosexuality.

Abuja Bombings: DSS Not In Full Grip Of Nigeria’s Security Intelligence – PDP

Reacting to the last Friday’s multiple suicide bombings in Nyanya and Kuje areas of Abuja which killed at least 15 people, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) on Monday blamed the leadership of the Department for State Security (DSS), saying the agency is not in full grip of Nigeria’s security intelligence.
In a statement signed by the party’s acting national chairman, Uche Secondus, the party condemned the resurgence of terrorism and renewed attacks at the FCT.
Read the statement :

Abuja Bombings: PDP Wants SSS Director General, Daura, Fired

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has urged President Muhammadu Buhari to urgently overhaul Nigeria’s intelligence agencies in the aftermath of Friday’s multiple bombings in Abuja.
In a statement signed by the party’s acting national chairman, Uche Secondus, the party said on Monday that it noted with deep sadness and concern the resurgence of terrorism and renewed attacks on Abuja.


The attack killed at least 15 people.
The statement reads in part:
“That the Abuja coordinated attacks came just as the nation was already celebrating the success of our security forces in their efforts to rout terrorists, indicates either a fact of dereliction of duty or sabotage against the anti-terrorism fight.

African Leadership: Nigeria Stumbles On As South Africa Stalls

President Buhari of Nigeria has finally named his cabinet. He was either slow, or he was very choosy, or he couldn’t find enough honest people. Certainly his 55th national anniversary speech was full of references to “lawless habits”, with particular reference to public officials.
Bold though that speech was, Buhari still has much to do – and he may not have the dependable and powerful army he needs to do it.
The anniversary was followed by bomb attacks on the capital, Abuja. Meanwhile senior military figures were involved both in starting and ending the coup in Burkina Faso. The army sided with the civilian administration and helped deliver the surrender of troops from the mutinous Presidential Guard.

UNESCO centre: Soyinka, Oyinlola suit for hearing Oct 12

A case between the Centre for Black Culture and International Understanding and the Attorney-General of Osun State will come up for hearing before the Federal High Court, Osogbo on October 12, 2015.

This is contained in a hearing notice issued by the registrar of the court and dated September 15, 2015.

A photocopy of the hearing notice, signed and stamped by the same registrar, was made available to our correspondent in Osogbo on Sunday.

Nigeria has only 39 registered Orthodontists –Perm Sec

Mr Linus Awute, the Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Health says Nigeria has only 39 registered orthodontists that attend to 50 per cent of Nigeria’s population that have poorly arranged teeth.

Mr Awute disclosed this at the opening ceremony for the 9th Scientific Conference of the Nigerian Association of Orthodontics and the launching of the dental sensitisation and screening in Abuja on Monday.