FG To Begin Payment Of Salaries By 25th Of Every Month – AGF

The Accountant-General of the Federation (AGF), Mr Ahmed Idris, says the Federal Government plans to begins payment of staff salaries by the 25th of every month, as directed by President Muhammadu Buhari.

Idris, who disclosed this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja on Wednesday, said ``this is going to be given a test, I believe, by this month’’.

States To Benefit From The N345b EU Fund

Five states yesterday signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to access 1.5 billion euros fund for development projects.

The Academic Study European Union (ASEU) Resident Consultant for West Africa, Senator Jonathan Zwingina, who spoke at the agreement signing ceremony in Abuja, said the states paid nothing but only indicated their willingness and readiness to access the multi-billion-naira development funds.

Arik Air Shuts Down As Unions Protest N12.4bn Debt It Owed FAAN

Arik Air’s business activities were on Wednesday disrupted by members of several aviation unions over an alleged N12.4 billion debts owed the Federal Airport Authority of Nigeria (FAAN).
According to report, several passengers were left stranded at the General Aviation Terminal (GAT) of the Murtala Muhammed Airport as placard-carrying unionists frustrated the operation of the airline as early as 6.30am.

Some stranded passengers were seen demanding a refund from the airline staff while others were making alternative arrangements on how to be able to depart for their destinations.

Oshiomhole Builds 30-feet Underground Drainage System In Benin (Pics)

Governor Adams Oshiomhole of Edo State has assured residents of Sokponba Area of Benin City that the over 30-feet deep underground drainage project which is ongoing will bring a lasting solution to the problem of flooding in the area. He said his administration is determined to complete on-going road and drainage projects at the Second East Circular and Sokponba areas of the state capital. Already sections of the dual carriageway road on Second East has been asphalted. Speaking during an inspection of projectsat the Second East Circular and Sokponba Roads in Benin City, Governor Oshiomhole said, the government is doing everything possible to ensure completion of the projects before the full rainy season.

Saraki, Orubebe ‘meet’ At CCT (PHOTO)

Senate President Bukola Saraki and Godsday Orubebe, former minister of Niger Delta affairs, are both at the Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT) at present.

Orubebe arrived a few minutes before the senate president, who sauntered into the courtroom at 10:03am.

Both personalities are facing charges at the CCT for alleged false declaration of assets.

Obama Sends Samantha Power To Nigeria Over Boko Haram Growing Threat

The U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations, Samantha Power, will be in Nigeria between Thursday and Friday to highlight the growing threat Boko Haram poses to the country.
This is contained in a statement by the Information Unit, U.S. Embassy in Abuja and made available to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja.

It stated that Power had earlier visited Cameroon and Chad between April 16 and 20 to underscore the rising danger the insurgence poses to the Lake Chad Basin region.

“Boko Haram is one of the deadliest terrorist groups in the world.

Why world’s smallest phones, Zanco Fly are doing well in the market

Zanco Fly, believed to be the world’s smallest phone is doing well in the market. With a tiny 0.66 screen, most of the people buying the mobile phone from online market, Amazon are prisoners. Prisoners buy the phone and hide them inside themselves, reports metro.co.uk. One review claims that the phone can be hidden in the anus, because of its smallness. Former prison inmate Carl Cattermole, who created a guide to prison survival at prisonism.co.uk, said that smuggled phones were ‘everywhere’ in prison. But the owner of a company selling the phones described the Fly model as ‘pretty good’ – but warned against sticking them up your backside. “If someone rang me and said, “I’m going to put one of these up my anus,” I’d say don’t,” he said. “I’ve heard of people saying they’ve had some of these small phones on charge and they’ve blown up.”

Why We Can’t Disclose Asset Form Of Saraki, Others – CCB

The Code Of Conduct Bureau (CCB) has revealed that the Bureau cannot disclose the asset form of citizens as it runs contrary to the constitution which guarantees and protects the privacy of citizens.

The CCB hinged it’s argument on the premise that section 37 of the 1999 constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, as amended, which guarantees and protects the privacy of citizens, their correspondence and telegraphic communications amongst others.

The Bureau was responding to a request by Barry Benedict Ezeagu, the national cordinator,SNG, on the freedom of Information request on the declaration of properties, assets and liabilities of some public officers.

Tope Moradeyo Ogun Dies With 6 Months Pregnancy

This is sad! Close friends and family of Tope Moradeyo Ogun have been thrown into mourning, following the death of the beautiful lady who’s well known of in the Lagos social scene.

Tope, who is married to a Lagos socialite, Leke Ogun died on Thursday, April 14. According to reports, she died after suffering pregnancy complications.

Photos: Army intercepts 92 armed herdsmen at check-points, recovers deadly weapons and charms

 
 The Guards Brigade of the Nigerian Army on Monday, April 18, paraded 36 armed herdsmen who were intercepted by troops of the 117 Guards Battalion Keffi along the Abuja-Keffi road on Sunday. 56 other herdsmen were arrested at the Dantata check point between Kuje and the Abuja airport.

According to the spokesman of the brigade, Captain Bashir Jajira, the 36 herdsmen were arrested by troops at the Keffi check point at about 4:30 pm Sunday, April 16, in a Diana Truck and a Toyota Camry Salon car.

Just In: Buhari meets ministers over budget

Olalekan Adetayo, Abuja President Muhammadu Buhari is currently presiding over a meeting of the Federal Executive Council where a major decision on the 2016 budget may be taken. The meeting started at exactly 11am inside the Council Chambers of the Presidential Villa, Abuja. Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo; Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Babachir Lawal; and most ministers are in attendance. Details soon

Saraki seeks to stall trial again, asks judge to disqualify self

Ade Adesomoju, Abuja
The PUNCH can authoritatively report that the Senate President, Dr. Bukola Saraki, has filed another application before the Code of Conduct Tribunal, to stall his ongoing trial on charges of false asset declaration.
Saraki whose numerous applications seeking to stall the trial had been dismissed by the CCT itself and others including the Supreme Court, through his fresh motion, is asking the tribunal chairman, Danladi Umar, to disqualify himself.

PhotoNews: Saraki, some senators at the CCT today

See more pics after the page brea

Deputy Senate President Ekweremadu not our anti-corruption Ambassador - EFCC

EFCC has released a statement denying media reports that Deputy Senate President Ike Ekweremadu has been appointed as the agency's Anti-Corruption ambassador. Read the statement below...
The attention of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, has been drawn to some reports in the print and online media, on April 20, 2016 claiming that the anti-graft agency has decorated the Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu, as “Anti-Corruption Ambassador”.

Photos: Thief beaten & burnt to death in Abuja

According to the person who shared these photos on Twitter, a young man's life was wasted through Jungle Justice today. Apparently he and his gang stole a Generator & Television this morning, somewhere in Mararaba, Abuja. An alarm was raised and the thieves made an attempt to run away. Two escaped, however, one wasn't lucky enough. He was beaten & burnt to death. What's even more sad is that Parents allowed their kids to stand & just look at the dead body left on the road. See the graphic photo after the cut...

Saraki releases statement, denies plans to disrupt his ongoing trial at CCT

Read the press statement below...
The attention of the Media Office of the Senate President, Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki has been drawn to a press statement released by a group known as the Citizen United For Peace and Stability (CUPS), Titled Security Alert! - Bukola Saraki finally declares war on the Nigerian Senate.

The report by CUPS stated that some unnamed sources told them that Senator Bukola Saraki has made plans to disrupt his ongoing trial at the Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT) by making use of thugs through some key personalities from Kwara State.

Nicki Minaj's brother indicted for raping a child

Nicki Minaj's older brother, Jelani Maraj, has been formally indicted on charges of raping an unidentified 12-year-old girl “repeatedly,”. According to Bossip, according to Bossip, a grand jury “deliberated for about a month before handing down the decision on April 4th.” Maraj is facing a top charge of felony predatory sexual assault against a child, along with felony sexual conduct against a child under age 13, sexual conduct against a child and endangering the welfare of a child. The charges were brought upon him in December of last year. If convicted, he’s facing a prison term of 15 years to life.

World's oldest dog dies peacefully, sleeping in her basket

Maggie the Kelpie, believed to be the world's oldest dog, died while sleeping in her basket on Sunday night. Maggie's owner was an Australian dairy farmer, Brian McLaren. Maggie was 30 years old at the time of her death which is approximately 200 years old in human years. According to her owner, Maggie had been sick on Friday and died on Sunday.

Rapper Bobby Shmurda's gang members convicted of murder

In December 2014, Brooklyn rapper Bobby Shmurda was arrested along with members of his G Stone 90s gang. The GS90 had been under surveillance for months by the NYPD Brooklyn South Violence Reduction Task Force in connection with a series of gang related shootings and drug trafficking. Bobby and 20 members of his gang were charged with multiple drugs, guns and murder charges and were not released on bail. Update now is, two of the defendants have been convicted of murder...

You need science & spiritual intervention- APC Publicity Secretaries tell Fayose

Publicity secretaries ‎of APC in five Southwest states have asked Ekiti state governor, Ayo Fayose, to seek science and spiritual interventions following his repeated outburst against the Buhari-led government. In a statement jointly signed by APC spokesmen of Ondo, Ekiti, Ogun, Lagos and Osun states, Omo’ba Abayomi Adesanya, Taiwo Olatunbosun; Sola Lawal; Joe Igbokwe and Morakinyo Akintola, they said his actions in recent times depicts a man 'suffering from psychosis.”

CDK Integrated Industries set to open State of The Art Ceramic Tiles Factory

CDK Integrated Industries is now ready to open its state-of the-art Porcelain and Ceramic factory in May 2016, as revealed by the Chief Executive Officer Dr Khater Massaad, in a media chat at the factory in Shagamu Ogun state. This ultra modern factory is built on a million square meters of land to meet global Ceramics and Sanitary wares industry demand, particularly in Africa and Europe.

Senate denies buying 109 SUVs, says it only bought 36 SUVs at N36.5m each

The leadership of Nigeria's Senate has denied media reports that it recently took delivery of 109 SUVs, claiming that it only took delivery of 36 Land Cruiser XVR V8 at N36.5 million each.

In an interview with National Assembly correspondents yesterday April 19th, the Chairman, Senate Committee on Senate Services, Senator Ibrahim Gobir, said the reports of the senate spending N4 billion on cars was false and that senators unanimously rejected the proposed loan to purchase their vehicles.

Photos: Young woman who died in an accident at Cele Mile 2, Lagos, needs identification!

Onunkwo Johnson shared these photos of a young woman who was killed in an accident at Cele Mile 2, Lagos last night. There was no form of ID on the lady as her body was deposited at the mortuary. May her soul rest in peace. See the very graphic photos after the cut. If anyone can identify her then contact any police station in the area..

CLICK HERE TO SEE MORE PHOTOS

Photo: Borno state deputy governor reportedly walks into IDP camp officials cooking with weed leaves

Twitter user, @Dan-Borno who follows the activities of IDPs in Borno and shared these photos, alleging that the Borno state deputy governor, Usman Mamman Durkwa, caught the cooks at one of the Internally Displaced Persons camp, cooking soup for the IDPs using weed leaves.

Interview with Andrew Korybko by “Pechat”

An American studying in Moscow? For “Pechat” readers, that is a fascinating profile that sounds almost unreal. Can you tell us a bit about your background and how you came to study in a country that most Serbs greatly respect and admire, while most of your Serbian peers dream of studying in America?

Hi, and thank you for this very privileged opportunity to address your readers, I’m very honored that they’re interested in learning more about me. Let me begin by telling you about my family and that will hopefully help to explain a lot. My patronymic is Russian and my great-grandfather left what is modern-day Ukraine for Poland after the end of World War II. Aside from him, most of my dad’s side of the family are ethnic Poles and have lived in the country since time immemorial, and my dad was an immigrant from Poland (where he was born and raised) until he returned back to his homeland a few years ago. My mom’s side is what is particularly relevant to our readers. She was born in the US to immigrants that came from Yugoslavia, specifically Slovenia, after World War II. My matronymic grandparents ended up raising me because my parents were divorced, and I learned a lot from them. One thing that they instilled within me is a respect for all other people and identities, because this is what Yugoslavia was all about – strength through differences, unity through diversity!