Anti-Social Media Bill: Protesters Take Grievance To National Assembly

 The anti social media protest was Tuesday morning taken to the National Assembly by protesters against the ongoing law to gag the online platform by the nation’s lawmakers.
Protesters with placards reading, “Social Media Bill is anti-people” were chorusing “we no go gree o” in obvious angst, asking the lawmakers to stop further actions on the bill. They were however stopped at the first gate by heavily armed Policemen who insisted they would not be allowed to enter the National Assembly.

Yoruba People Are Honest And Have Integrity – Osinbajo

The Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, SAN, has identified honesty, integrity, and hard work as integral attribute that are inherent in among Yoruba people.
He made this assertion in Ile-Ife on Monday during the coronation of the new Ooni of Ife, Oba Enitan Ogunwusi, as the 51st traditional ruler of the ancient town.
Describing events such as the coronation as rare and very historic in all ramifications, particularly to the people of Ile-Ife and the entire Yoruba race, the Vice President brought to the attention of the new Ooni the great responsibilities lying ahead of him.

Dasuki Begs Court To Stop Moves To Revoke His Bail

ABUJA – The Abuja Division of the Federal High Court has deferred the trial of the erstwhile National Security Adviser, NSA, under ex-President Goodluck Jonathan, Col. Sambo Dasuki, retd, till January 20, 2016.
The matter which was originally scheduled for hearing Tuesday, was stalled by a preliminary objection Dasuki raised through his team of lawyers led by former President of the Nigerian Bar Association, NBA, Mr. J.B. Daudu, SAN.

No Boko Haram Sponsor ’ll Go Unpunished — FG

ABUJA— President Muhammadu Buhari administration will not spare Boko Haram sponsors, in the fight to rid the nation of terrorists and their backers, the Minister of Informational and National Orientation, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, has said.
Addressing a press conference on the successes recorded by the Nigerian military and other security agencies in the anti-Boko Haram war, in Abuja, yesterday, he said due process would be followed in bringing those behind the terrorists to book.

Yoruba Leaders Task Buhari On Constitutional Reforms

LEADERS under the auspices of Yoruba Summit met in Akure, the Ondo State capital yesterday and asked the Federal Government to look critically into causes of separatist feelings and initiate constitutional reforms to give sense of belonging to all constituent units of the country.
Conveners of the sum- mit include Chairman of the Yoruba Unity Forum, Bishop Bolanle Gbonigi, Chairman of Afenifere, Pa Reuben Fasoranti, leader of Oodua Peoples Congress, Otunba Gani Adams, Chairman of Yoruba Council of Elders, Gen Adeyinka Adebayo (retd), Chairman of the Summit Planning Committee, Dr. Kunle Olajide and Agbekoya.

Resign As Petroleum Minister Now, Ezeife Tells Buhari

Former governor of Anambra State, Dr. Chukwuemeka Ezeife has called on President Muhammadu Buhari to resign as petroleum minister now against the backdrop of the lingering fuel scarcity across the country.
The works of a petroleum minister, Ezeife said are many and, “too challenging to be combined with the numerous and complex jobs of President and Commander-in-Chief at a critical time like this.”
Ezeife said the results of such multiple jobs would be lack of focus and inefficiency and pointed out that these have already been bringing untold hardship on the citizenry.

Biafra: IPOB, MASSOB Declare Ceasefire On Protests

•Kanu asks court to quash detention order
Independent People of Biafra (IPOB) and Movement for the Actualisation of a Sovereign State of Biafra (MASSOB), have announced a ceasefire on protest in the South-East and some parts of the South-South.
The groups were masterminds of series of protests, which rocked the South-East recently.
In a joint statement made available to newsmen in Enugu yesterday, the groups announced resolve to halt demonstrations and protests to pave way for what they called the much-published dialogue on Nnamdi Kanu’s release.

Dasuki, Dokpesi, Others Charged With Money Maundering

ABUJA — The Federal Government, yesterday, slammed 43-count charge on former National Security Adviser, Col. Sambo Dasuki (retd); former Minister of State for Finance, Bashir Yuguda; former Sokoto State Governor, Attahiru Bafarawa and his son, Sagir.
Others charged with them by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission on behalf of the Federal Government are: High Chief Raymond Dokpesi, founder and Chairman Emeritus of Daar Communications Plc and Daar Investment and Holdings Limited; former Finance Director in the office of the NSA, Shuaibu Salisu and Aminu Baba Kusa.

Benin Republic To Send 800 Soldiers To Nigeria

Meanwhile, President of the Republic of Benin, Mr. Boni Yayi, has pledged to send 800 soldiers to fight alongside Nigerian troops.
Yayi’s disclosure came on a day President Buhari also charged him to ensure that he conducted a credible election that would herald his exit from office next year.
The visiting President. who addressed State House correspondents after a closed door meeting with his host at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, yesterday, stated that the soldiers were battle ready.
According to him, Benin Republic would always stand by the government of President Buhari to ensure he succeeds in office.

Your Anti-Corruption War Cannot Solve All Our Problems – Mimiko, Yoruba Leaders Tell Buhari

Ondo State Governor, Olusegun Mimiko and some leaders of Yoruba, today said President Muhammadu Buhari’s anti-corruption war would do little in solving Nigeria’s challenges, unless the federation is restructured.

Mimiko and the leaders spoke at the second edition of Yoruba Summit held in Akure, the Ondo State Capital with the theme, “Economic Downturn and Unemployment in Yorubaland.”
Yoruba leaders in attendance included Afenifere leader, Pa. Reuben Fasoranti, Chief Ayo Adebanjo, Chief Olu Falae, Bishop Bolanle Gbonigi (rtd), Ambassador Yemi Farohunbi, Otunba Gani Adams, and Sehinde Arogbofa.

Bill To Make Presidents Appoint Ministers In Two Months Passes Second Reading

The House of Representatives on Tuesday, read for the second time, a Bill for an Act to provide for timely composition of cabinet with portfolios attached by the President of Nigeria.
The sponsor of the bill, Rep. Omoregie Ogbeide-Ihama (Edo-PDP), said it stipulates eight weeks for the President to form his cabinet, upon the announcement of nominees.

Pastor Kumuyi Visits Ooni Of Ife, Tells Him Not To Miss Heaven [PHOTO]

The General Superintendent of Deeper Christian Life Ministry, Pastor Williams Folorunsho kumuyi, otherwise known as WF Kumuyi recently paid a courtesy visit to the newly crowned Ooni of Ife, Oba Enitan Adeyeye Ogunwusi.
Kumuyi, who is famous for his sermons on salvation and holiness reportedly told the monarch to make God his pillar while he oversees the Yoruba traditional stool.
The former university don, who was accompanied by some pastors of his ministry also reminded the monarch that he should try as much as possible to reign with Christ when he returns.
The king who concluded a 21-day ritual conducted by Ogboni cultists thanked the Man of God for the visit despite his tight schedule.

$2b Arms Deals: All Set For Dasuki’s, Dokpesi’s Trial

EFCC charges ex-NSA, AIT chair, Bafarawa, others to court
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) yesterday filed money laundering charges, among others, against businessman Dr. Raymond Dokpesi.
Also charged before the Federal High Court are: Former National Security Adviser (NSA) Sambo Dasuki, former Sokoto State Governor Attahiru Bafarawa, former Minister of State for Finance Bashir Yuguda and former Director of Finance, Office of the National Security Adviser(ONSA), Shaibu Salisu.

Fed Govt Plans 2,000mw In 15 Months, Says Fashola

•Lagos-Ibadan road, Second Niger Bridge priority projects 
•Toll gates to return •Massive construction of houses
The Federal Government plans to generate 2,000 megawatts within the next 15 months to boost electricity supply, it was announced yesterday.
The Lagos-Ibadan Expressway and the Second Niger Bridge linking the West to the East will get priority attention in next year’s budget, which will allocate more cash to infrastructure provision.
But tolling will likely be reintroduced on federal roads to generate cash for maintenance.
These are part of the government’s plan, which Minister of Power, Works and Housing Babatunde Fashola unfolded yesterday.

Dialogue With Pro-Biafra Agitators, APC Support Group Tells Buhari

The South-South chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Coalition Support Group, has appealed to the federal government led by President Muhammadu Buhari to dialogue with the Biafra agitators to ensure peace reigns in South-East.
Mr Isaac Obasogu, National Vice Chairman of the group, made the appeal on Tuesday in Abuja in an interview with NAN.
“At this juncture, let me call on the federal government to dialogue with those agitating for Biafra, we must not treat the call for the renewal of Biafra with an iron fist.

Coalition Of Political Parties Back Buhari’s Corruption Fight

The Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC) has thrown its weight behind President Muhammadu Buhari’s anti-graft war. IPAC described as mind-boggling, revelations of the past weeks on corruption cases involving some former public office holders.

I’m Not The Owner Of Stolen N310m, Says Saraki

Senate President, Dr Abubakar Bukola Saraki has dismissed claims by online news medium, SaharaReporters, that he was the owner of the N310m said to have been stolen during a robbery operation involving some military and State Security Service (SSS) officials.
In a statement by his Special Adviser (Media and Publicity), Yusuph Olaniyonu, Saraki said the stolen money did not belong to Saraki and that he did not know the owner, who is said to be a Bureau De Change operator.
“The Senate President was in Paris attending the Globe COP 21 Conference for Legislators on the Climate Change when we read the Sahara Reporters version of the report on a statement issued by the spokesperson of the SSS.

Niger To Transfer 500 Boko Haram Prisoners To Nigeria

Niger has agreed to transfer hundreds of prisoners from the militant Islamist group Boko Haram back to their home country of Nigeria to reduce pressure on its crammed prisons, judicial sources said on Tuesday.
Boko Haram militants mostly operate in northeastern Nigeria but have also stepped up their insurgency within Niger’s southern region
of Diffa in recent months, carrying out dozens of attacks.
Niger has declared a state of emergency there in an effort to improve security and has made hundreds of arrests.

How I Will Solve Power, Roads, Housing Problems – Fashola

Babatunde Fashola, Minister of Power, Works and Housing has outlined how he intends to tackle the problem of power, roads and housing in Nigeria.
The former Lagos governor, who recognised the Permanent Secretaries under his ministry as key players to the success of his plans, urged Nigerians to support him in achieving his goals.
Read his full statement below:

“SETTING THE AGENDA FOR DELIVERING CHANGE” BEING TEXT OF THE INAUGURAL MEDIA BRIEFING OF THE FEDERAL MINISTRY OF POWER, WORKS AND HOUSING.

It is no longer news that the Federal Executive Council, the highest executive decision making organ of the Federal Government of Nigeria has now been inaugurated.

Lai: Military Has ‘Largely’ Crushed Boko Haram.

The federal government says the military has “largely” met the December deadline fixed by President Muhammadu Buhari for the annihilation of Boko Haram.
Speaking at a news conference in Abuja on Tuesday, Lai Mohammed, minister of information and culture, said that the “military had sufficiently degraded the capacity of Boko Haram to launch spectacular attacks while also retaking most of the territories seized by the terrorists”.

‘PDP Needs To Change Its Name’

What do you make of the Kogi State governorship election logjam?
It is purely lack of political understanding with respect to the All Progressives Congress (APC) stand. On the part of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), I don't think I have much to say because they played their role well. Now that the issue has come, it is an unfortunate situation because of the death of Prince Abubakar Audu. Even the law has not envisaged something like this.
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) is insisting that its governorship candidate in Kogi, Captain Idris Wada is the winner of the election, arguing that Yahaya Bello of the APC can’t be winner. Will you say the PDP has a case?

Yoruba Leaders Calls For Restructuring Of Nigeria

Prominent Yoruba leaders yesterday called on President Muhammadu Buhari to urgently consider restructuring of the country as a way out of its lingering national crisis.
The leaders also urged the president to roll out a comprehensive economic plan to rebuild the country infrastructure, reflate the economy,create massive jobs and raise the standard of education in the country.

Troops Intercept Fleeing Boko Haram Members, Kill 100 In Pulka

Scores of Boko Haram fighters, who were on the run after the bombardment of their hideouts in Sambisa forest, were yesterday gunned down by soldiers manning their secret escape route in Pulka village near Gwoza town, army officials said.
After three weeks of strategic mapping of the areas occupied by Boko Haram fighters, the military had, on Sunday night, embarked on rapid bombardment of the insurgents’ enclaves by attacking, simultaneously, from air and ground.

Syrian High Command Confirms Western Coalition Attacking Government Forces

The Syrian General Staff has provided information revealing Western coalition strikes against Syrian troop positions in Deir ez-Zor on December 6, according to the Russian Defense Ministry.

Syrian General Staff information shows strikes against Syrian troop positions in Deir ez-Zor on December 6 were carried out by western coalition, according to the Russian Defense Ministry.     

video: Russia Releases Video of First-Ever Submarine Launch of Kalibr Missiles

The Russian submarine Rostov-on-Don fired a salvo of Kalibr cruise missiles from the Mediterranean Sea against Daesh targets in Syria.