Moody’s Downgrades Nigeria's Issuer Ratings From Ba3 To B1

Moody’s Investors Service, better known as Moody’s, has finally downgraded Nigeria’s long-term issuer ratings from Ba3 to B1.

B1, B2 and B3 are judged to “have speculative elements and a significant credit risk”, while Ba1, Ba2 and Ba3 are seen as “speculative and a high credit risk”.

Moody’s has also assigned a stable outlook after concluding the review for downgrade initiated in March 2016.

FG To Stop Religious Prayers At Events For 2nd Stanza Nat' Anthem

Strong indications have emerged of the Federal
Government’s move to stop the saying of opening prayers at events across the nation and replace it with reciting the second stanza of the National Anthem.

The National Orientation Agency (NOA) led by
the newly appointed acting director general,
Ngozi Ekeoba announced the move on microblogging website, Twitter on Thursday,
March 24, 2016.

High-profile Fraud: EFCC Probes Four Judges Frustrating Probe

•Considers tribunal to try suspects

Four high court judges in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) are currently under the radar of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for allegedly frustrating the probe of high-profile corruption cases.

The judges are said to have developed a penchant for going soft with suspects who approach their courts to stop their trial for corruption by EFCC.

Oshiomhole Increases Minimum Wage To N25,000

Governor Adams Oshiomhole of Edo State on Sunday announced a new minimum wage of N25,000 with effect from May 1, 2016 for workers.

Oshiomhole who was addressing a rally organised by the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and Trade Union Congress (TUC), to mark this year’s Workers’ Day at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium in Benin, announced the increment from the present N18, 000 minimum.

Police Arrest NURTW Chairman That Has Bought Over 4,000 Stolen Phones From His Park

Kazeem Bamidele paraded along with the stolen phones

The Rapid Response Squad (RRS) has arrested a National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) boss who confessed to have purchased 4,256 stolen phones.

The suspect, Kazeem Bamidele, 42, who is the second vice chairman of the National Union of Road and Transport Workers’ (NURTW), Ajegunle Unit confessed to have bought over 4,256 mobile phones from robbers, pickpockets and one-chance gang operating in the state.

MTN Staff, Oluwatosin Ashinwo Stabbed To Death By Her former Boyfriend

Shocking details have emerged on how Miss. Oluwatosin Ashinwo, a Customer Care Officer with mobile telecommunication giant, MTN Nigeria, in Ilorin, Kwara State, was stabbed to death by her lover, after she allegedly ditched her upon discovering that he was married with two kids.


The suspect, identified simply as engineer David, a staff of a private university also in Ilorin, also inflicted serious injuries on Tosin”s mother, Mrs. Ashinwo during a bloody encounter with the young lady, which culminated in her death.

Flight and Fight: A Look at the Soviet-Era Jet That Spooked a US Spy Plane

Now that the Pentagon has gone so far as claiming that a Russian Su-27's alleged performance of a "barrel roll" over an American surveillance plane will tarnish further relations between the countries, you may be eager to know a few facts about this sophisticated Soviet-era warplane.

Western Leaders May Huff and Puff, but Putin's Not Going to Give Up Assad

Commenting on the evolving situation in the Syrian conflict, Die Welt suggests that the main conclusion Western leaders should reach from recent developments is that Russian President Vladimir Putin will 'never' voluntarily abandon support for Syrian President Bashar Assad.

Amid pundits' condemnation of the Syrian government's possible plans to resume its offensive against Islamist militants in Aleppo province, Die Welt Moscow columnist Julia Smirnova writes that the Russian tone on Syria has been restrained, with Defense Minister Shoigu beginning a recent address on international security by calling for a joint Russian-US fight against terrorism in Syria.

Russian Missiles' Global Reach: Does Moscow Need Military Bases Abroad?

http://sputniknews.com/military/20160430/1038886500/russian-bases-abroad-analysis.html

Throughout the 20th century, military analysts have considered military bases abroad to be an indicator of a state's power and influence, demonstrating whether or not a country has the right to call itself a great power. Recently, with advances in military technology, Russian politicians and the military have begun questioning this logic.

In its own analysis on the issue, Russian news and analysis website Zvezda.ru ponders whether today's Russia has a need for military bases in the 'near abroad' (i.e. the former Soviet Union) and elsewhere around the world.

Cruise Missiles of Russian Navy: Nuclear Submarine Wipes Out Another Target

A Russian nuclear submarine obliterated a dummy target using the same type of cruise missiles that were used against Daesh militants in Syria. Severodvinsk, the newest nuclear submarine of the Russia’s Northern Fleet, executed a flawless precision strike against a dummy target during a routine military exercise off the coast of Arkhangelsk Region. The attack was carried out using Kalibr (NATO codename: Sizzler) ship-based cruise missiles during a routine military exercise off the coast of Arkhangelsk Region. This particular type of cruise missiles made somewhat of a sensation last October when the ships of Russia’s Caspian Flotilla successfully used them against Daesh targets located over 900 miles away in Syria.

$30 Oil Again? Energy Market Fundamentals Might Suggest Downturn in Prices

Global oil prices could sink to as low as $30/bbl once again as oversupply still lingers, the US dollar might rebound should growth tick up, and energy investors might start cashing out now that oil has enjoyed a bull market.


Kristian Rouz — After oil's massive 70% rebound from its 12-year low in January to its current price of $50/bbl, global oil prices might post steep declines soon, retreating back to as low as $30/bbl in the near-to-medium-term. Recent developments in the oil market, including a 20% gain in prices in April alone, might resemble a similar pattern seen in March-June 2015, when crude prices rallied from their multi-year lows only to crash dramatically in the second half of the year amid concerns of global oversupply.

Army Set To Wipe Out Boko Haram From Sambisa- Defense Minister

The Minister of Defence, Alhaji Mansur Dan’ali, while speaking on saturday, said the Nigerian Army is ready to destroy all camps and hideouts of members of the terrorist sect, Boko Haram in Sambisa forest. According to Mansur, the Nigerian Army is now at the verge of entering the forest and will soon flush out the insurgents terrorising some states in the northeast of Nigeria. He said since the beginning of the present administration, tremendous success had been recorded in the fight against Boko Haram as well as cattle rustling in the country. “We have been working seriously, going round the world, collaborating with other countries in fighting terrorism at the national, regional and international levels,” the minister said.

Fulani Herdsmen Attacks Archbishop Onaiyekan, Bishops Kick.

The Catholic Archbishop of Benin City, Dr. Augustin Akubueze, and the Catholic Bishop of Uromi Diocese, Dr. Donatus Ogun, have both appealed to President Muhammadu Buhari to tackle the issue of the growing attacks of hoodlums in Edo State.
The Bishops spoke against the backdrop of last Friday’s attempt on the life of John Cardinal Onaiyekan, the Catholic Archbishop of Abuja.

Soldier Kills Bride's Mum In Delta

Tragedy struck on Saturday morning as a mother of a bride was allegedly shot dead by a soldier at the Ekpan Junction, Uvwie Local Government Area of Delta.


The deceased was on her way to the wedding ceremony of her daughter when the incident occurred.

The first son of the deceased, Alero said a keke operator flouted the soldier’s order when he was flagged down and the soldier opened fire leading to the deceased death.

No One Can Stop Us From Grazing In The South — Fulani Herdsmen

Herdsmen from different parts of Nigeria have stated that nobody can stop them from grazing their cattle in any part of the country, especially in the south. They described such restriction as unconstitutional.

Troop Foils Boko Haram Attack On Military And Civilians (photos)

Statement by the Nigerian Army below;

Troops of 3 Battalion 22 Brigade, have today carried out a successful pre-emptive strike to foil a planned Boko Haram terrorists attack on the military and innocent civilians around Wunbi in Kala Balge Local Government Area of Borno State.

2016 Budget To Go Into Full Operation In Few Days – Osinbajo

The Federal Government has re-assured Nigerians that the 2016 budget is expected to go into full operations in the next few days.

This assurance was given by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo who was a guest speaker at the 12th edition of ‘The Platform’, an annual national discourse put together by Covenant Christian Centre, at the Federal Capital Territory Abuja.

ENUGU MASSACRE: Northern Govs Under Fire… For Defending Fulani

The 19 northern governors came under criticism yesterday over their position that the Fulani should not be labelled as criminals.
The Yoruba socio-political organisation, Afenifere, asked the governors to bury their heads in shame over their position which came in the wake of the heat generated by the attack on Ukpabi-Ninbo community in Enugu State by suspected Fulani herdsmen, last Monday.
Ijaw Youths Council (IYC) also condemned the governors.


The northern governors, who met in Kaduna, on Friday, had taken a strong exception to the branding of perpetrators of crimes around the country as Fulani.

Gunmen Shoot At Pius Odubu In Auchi

DEPUTY Governor of Edo State Dr. Pius Odubu, yesterday escaped death by the whiskers when gunmen shot at him. The incident happened at the secretariat of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Auchi as the deputy governor was receiving a delegation. The attack took place a few minutes after Governor Adams Oshiomhole and Odubu left a party organised by Damian Lawani, representative of the Estako Central Constituency in the House of Assembly. The gunmen reportedly invaded the secretariat and opened fire on the deputy governor and others at the meeting. Five persons were said to have been critically injured, including the Guard Commander of the Deputy Governor’s Police team who covered his boss during the invasion. Six delegates and three security details attached to Odubu are said to be in critical conditions. They are receiving treatment at Faith Medical Centre in Auchi.

The Coup Speech That Overthrew Buhari On August 27, 1985…

I, Brigadier Joshua Nimyel Dogonyaro, of the Nigerian Army, hereby make the following declaration on behalf of my colleagues and members of the Nigerian Armed Forces.

Fellow country men, the intervention of the military at the end of 1983 was welcomed by the nation with unprecedented enthusiasm. Nigerians were unified in accepting the intervention and looked forward hopefully to progressive changes for the better. Almost two years later, it has become clear that the fulfillment of expectations is not forthcoming.

Coup Speech Of Major-general Muhammadu Buhari, January 1, 1984

Coup Speech of Major-General Muhammadu Buhari, January 1, 1984
Please read carefully~

In pursuance of the primary objective of saving our great nation from total collapse, I, Major-General Muhammadu Buhari of the Nigerian army have, after due consultation amongst the services of the armed forces, been formally invested with the authority of the Head of the Federal Military Government and the Commander-in-Chief of the armed forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. It is with humility and a deep sense of responsibility that I accept this challenge and call to national duty.

Four Children Died From Severe Heat After They Locked Themselves In A Car

Photos: Four children die from severe heat in Kaduna after they accidentally locked themselves in parents car.
Four children lost their lives as a result of severe heat in Kaduna over the weekend after they accidentally locked themselves inside their parents car. According to Rariya, the tragic incident took place in Rigasa Quarters. The children entered the car without the knowledge of their parents and could not open the door for a long time and died in the stifling hot car. They have been buried according to Islamic rites. See the photos after the jump...

APC Has Failed To Keep Its campaign promises- Falana

Labour must lead campaign for stolen wealth recovery–Falana

— 30th April 2016
…Says APC has failed to fulfil campaign promises
Human rights lawyer, Femi Falana, SAN, has called on the Nigeria Labour Movement to lead campaign for recovery of stolen wealth and the prosecution of all indicted looters.
He made the call Saturday at the 2016 Pre-May Day Lecture with the theme, “The fundamental Objectives and Directive Principles of State Policy’’, organised by the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC).

The Light Will Conquer The Darkness

This comment was chosen by Mod HS from the post “Moveable Feast Cafe 2016/04/26 … Open Thread”. The moderator believes this comment is a long “rant” that covers many topics – this is an excerpt of the comment. The Mod feels the comment represents an alternative view of the way the world works that needs exposure. Many people all around the world are coming to similar conclusions. The Mod does not necessarily agree with everything written but feels there are many talking points to be discussed.
Comment by Straight-Bat

PDP Govs Brand Fayose A Potential Future Leader

Ado Ekiti- The Peoples Democratic Party governors and others gathered yesterday in Ado Ekiti, showered encomium on Governor Ayodele Fayose and branded him a potential future leader this came as the Taraba State Governor, Arch. Darius Ishaku, said Governor Ayodele Fayose plaid a significant role in his victory at the Supreme Court, after a dramatic loss at the Appeal Court.
Also, his counterparts from Akwa Ibom and Abia States, Hon Emanuel Udom and Dr Okezie Ikpeazu, respectively, disclosed that Fayose has foretold them of their victory even before the election tribunals' pronouncement, adding his support to their administrations has been monumental.
The governors said this in Ado Ekiti while attending the commissioning of some projects executed by the administration of Governor Fayose.