Middle East Leaders Give Up on Obama, Turn to Putin - US Diplomat

Russia has demonstrated to Middle East leaders that it is a country willing to act, which had completely changed the region’s perception of the US, according to former top Obama White House aide on Middle East issues, Dennis Ross.

America may seem strong regarding its military capability in the region, but for some reason local leaders are becoming frequent visitors in Moscow, not Washington DC, Ross wrote in a piece for Politico. The diplomat noted that the Arabs as well as Israelis gave up on Obama because of his indecisiveness.

Taste of His Own Medicine: Erdogan Accuses Europe of Dictatorship, Cruelty

Just days after taking a hard line on the EU-Turkey deal, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan accused the EU of “dictatorship” and “cruelty” for closing their borders to migrants.

Turkey's president Recep Tayyip Erdogan, speaking at the short film festival "Mercy and Justice", organized by Çekmeköy Istanbul Municipality, accused the EU countries for "dictatorship" and "cruelty" for closing their borders for asylum seekers from Middle East, noting that the EU has no "mercy" and no "justice".

Victory Day Parade Kicks Off at Syria's Hmeymim Airbase

The Victory Day parade marking the 71st anniversary in World War II victory has started at Russia's Hmeymim airbase in Syria.

HMEYMIM (Syria) — The Victory Day parade marking the 71st anniversary of the victory over Nazi Germany in World War II has started at Russia's Hmeymim airbase in Syria, a RIA Novosti correspondent reported Monday.

Thanks for Nothing: Archeologists Turn on Russia Despite Palmyra Liberation

The liberation of the ancient city of Palmyra by Syrian and Russian forces has become arguably one of the most important victories in the war against global terrorism in the last several years. Unfortunately, some Western archeologists have joined their countries' political and media elites in trying to turn the victory into a political sideshow.


The victory, Russian online news and analysis journal PolitRussia recalls, "was particularly symbolic because the [Syrian and Russian] military were able to rescue one of the greatest cultural monuments in the world from the [Daesh] barbarians."
Unfortunately, the publication adds, some groups have now attempted to put a damper even on this victory.

WWII Clip Featuring Crimea's 'Cute' Prosecutor Poklonskaya Goes Viral

Natalia Poklonskaya appeared in a Second World War-related Internet video clip; it has already attracted more than 1.5 million views.


Crimea's young, fresh-faced General Prosecutor Natalia Poklonskaya stars in a new Internet video tribute to those who served during World War II; it has already been seen by 1.5 million viewers, RIA Novosti reported.

We Need Ali-Modu Sheriff To Recapture North – PDP Lawmaker Tells Members

A lawmaker, Lagos State House of Assembly, Mr Jude Idimogu has appealed to chieftains of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to support the National Chairman, Alhaji Ali-Modu Sheriff to stabilise the party.
Idimogu, (PDP-Oshodi/Isolo II) made the appeal in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos on Sunday.
The lawmaker said that there was the need for the elders in the party to shelve their personal and sectional interests.
According to him, all hands must be on deck to ensure the success of the party in the 2019 general elections.

Abacha Never Stole: “Nigeria is awaiting receipt from Swiss Govt. of $320 million, identified as illegally taken from Nigeria under Abacha” – Buhari

WHEN Twitter-addicted Nigerians stumbled on this posting on President Muhammadu Buhari’s Twitter handle last week, the whole Internet went abuzz, with most people expressing their dismay at Buhari’s refusal to call a spade by its correct name. Before we go on, let us try to reason out the meaning of this statement, especially against the backdrop of its nexus to our history where Abacha and Buhari’s paths crossed.

How Ex-NIMASA DG, Akpobolokemi, Approved Looted Funds-Witness

A prosecution witness, Olamide Odusanya,  in the on-going trial of a former Director-General of the Nigerian Maritime and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Patrick Akpobolokemi,  and six others, has told a Lagos State High Court that the former DG approved the disbursement of all funds from the accounts of the agency.

Corruption: Again, Lamido’s Trial Stalled Over Defence’s Absence

Again, the trial of a former governor of Jigawa State, Alhaji Sule Lamido, and his cohorts before Justice Adeniyi Ademola of the Federal High Court sitting in Abuja could not continue on Monday, May 9, 2016, due to the absence of the counsels to the defendants.

Three Bag 12 Years Jail Term for N160m Fraud

Justice J.J. Majebi of the Kogi State High Court sitting in Okene, Kogi State has convicted and sentenced three former officials of Bassa Local Government Council, Kogi State to 12 years imprisonment over a N160, 000,000.00million( One Hundred and Sixty Million Naira) fraud.

My Wife Was Dating Her GM, Says Wife-Killer Shonde

Depot worker, Lekan Shonde, who allegedly killed his wife in the Egbeda, Lagos area, and vanished thereafter has spoken from his hideout, revealing what may have provoked the tragic incident.
Shonde told PUNCH Metro that his wife, Ronke provoked him by describing vividly how her lover slept with her in a hotel in Abuja.
He said his wife of eight years changed after she allegedly started dating the general manager of a publishing company.

FG To Concession 2nd Niger Bridge, Four Airports

The Federal Government has listed six strategic intervention areas to be covered by the 2016 budget signed into law by President Muhammadu Buhari on Friday.
According to a series of tweets from Aso Rock twitter handle, on Sunday, the intervention areas include Governance, Transparency and Security; Diversification (Industrialisation, Agriculture, Solid Minerals, Tourism, Entertainment); Critical Infrastructure (Power, Rail, Roads and Housing); Oil and Gas Reforms; Ease of Doing Business and Social Investment.
Under Governance, Transparency and Security, the Federal Government intends to put in place what it called appropriate forex regime that would lead to a stable and predictable forex exchange rate.
The government also targets 25 per cent reduction in the cost of procurement by the Bureau of Public Procurement.

Jonathan Declares 2019 Presidential Ambition. (May Fool?)

Former president Goodluck Jonathan has declared his interest to run for the presidency in 2019 in Bayelsa State today. A jubilant crowd erupted as news leaked that the former president would be holding a press briefing this afternoon. In a statement released by his media secretary, the former president said, he has been inundated with calls from famous Nigerians to reconsider and salvage the economy from the current decay under the APC led government.

Pipeline Bombings: FG Deploys Team To Unmask N’Delta Avengers

The Federal Government has set machinery in motion to uncover those behind the recent bombings of oil installations in the Niger Delta apart from the express directive to the military to halt the return of militancy in the region.

As part of the efforts in security and government circles to identify the masterminds of the attacks on the oil facilities, the Special Adviser to the President on Niger Delta, Brig.-Gen. Paul Boroh (retd.), has dispatched a team of investigators to the Niger Delta.

Civil Service Commission Hires 4,916 Illegally

The Federal Civil Service Commission (FCSC) recruited 4, 916 workers in the last three years without following due process, Daily Trust investigations have shown.
An analysis of official documents revealed that over 90 percent of the recruitment, which favoured the southern part of the country was done from 2013 to 2015.
The vacancies were neither declared nor advertised for qualified and interested persons to compete for the positions.

Ignore Inciting Pictures, Videos On Social Media — DHQ

The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) yesterday advised the public to ignore inciting pictures, videos and statements posted on some social media platforms to cause disharmony and division among Nigerians.
A statement from defence spokesman Brigadier General Rabe Abubakar warned that the military would not condone any unwholesome act by persons or groups seeking to engage in acts capable of causing break down of law and order in any part of the country.
Daily Trust.

We’ll Try Our Best To Fix Nigeria – Buhari

President Muhammadu Buhari acknowledges greetings from palace guards during his visit to the Emir of Daura Alhaji Faruk Umar Faruk in Katsina State at the weekend.
President Muhammadu Buhari has assured Nigerians that he would do his best to turn around the fortunes of the country through the effective utilisation of available resources.
Speaking in an exclusive interview in Katsina monitored on radio and television, Buhari said he would do his best to implement the 2016 budget.

Group Asks EFCC To Probe Contract Awards Under Oduah

The Society Network Against Corruption (CSNAC) has asked the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to probe alleged gross abuse of contract award processes under former aviation minister, Stella Oduah.
The group, in a petition to the EFCC on behalf of the National Union of Air Transport Employees (NUATE), also called for investigation into alleged financial recklessness and theft in the ministry.

Buhari To Probe $16b Power Investment By OBJ, Jonathan

President Muhammadu Buhari has vowed to investigate the $16 billion spent by the Olusegun Obasanjo and the Goodluck Jonathan administrations in the power over the years.
Despite the huge investment in the sector by the previous administrations, Nigerians are still grappling with poor power supply and most companies have closed down or relocated to other countries, due to non availability of electricity for production.

Why I Won’t Contest 2019 Presidency —Okorocha

Governor of Imo State and the chairman of All Progressives Congress, APC, Governors’ Forum, Owelle Rochas Okorocha, has said he will not contest the 2019 presidential election because of President Muhammadu Buhari, adding that the President had so far displayed leadership and should be encouraged.

Looted Funds: Malami Denies Secret Pact With Banks In Reply To Buhari’s Query

Minister of Justice and Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) Abubakar Malami has denied frustrating moves by the Federal Government to recover looted public funds.
Malami said this in his response to a query issued to him in relation to a petition written against him to President Muhammadu Buhari by a security expert, George Uboh, of Panic Alert Security System (PASS).
Uboh was engaged by the AGF on February 9 to recover public funds stashed away by individuals in different Nigerian banks and some Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs).
But Malami revoked Uboh’s appointment through a letter dated March 24 on the grounds that he exceeded his brief.

I’ll Support, Encourage Buhari For 2nd term- Okorocha

Governor Rochas Okorocha of Imo State has promised to encourage and support President Muhammadu Buhari for a second term in office.  Okorocha who made this promise while inspecting projects in Owerrri, also assured that he would not contest against President Buhari in the 2019 election.

Okorocha said since assumption of office, Buhari had exhibited unparalleled leadership qualities.
“What the president therefore needs in the circumstance is to be supported and encouraged to continue the good work even after 2019. For that reason, I have decided to keep my presidential ambition aside,” the Chairman of APC Governors’ Forum said.

Buhari’s Plan To Import Grass From Brazil Gets Senate Backing

The Senate Committee on Agriculture has thrown its weight behind the proposed plan of the President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration to import grasses for grazing from Brazil.
Chairman, Senate Committee on Agriculture and Rural Development, Senator Abdullahi Adamu yesterday said the move to support the plan of the current government became imperative as the importation of grazing pastures for cattle at designated places across the country will bring an end to the lingering crises between herdsmen and their host communities.
Adamu, however, berated some professors of agriculture for criticising the move by the Federal Government.

Biafra: Nnamdi Kanu Is Our True Leader – IPOB Replies Ojukwu’s Son, Debe

The Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, has berated Chief Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu’s son, Debe Odumegwu Ojukwu over comment that its embattled leader, Nnamdi Kanu is not the leader of the group.
In a statement by IPOB spokesperson, Emma Powerful, the group said Debe’s statements showed he was not properly informed about the movement and restoration of Biafra.

South East: Ekweremadu, Govs Demand Rehabilitation Of Roads

Commend Buhari on 2016 budget
DEPUTY Senate Presi­dent, Ike Ekweremadu and South-East gover­nors rose from a meeting and demanded the Fed­eral Government reha­bilitate federal roads in the South East.
Besides, they com­mended President Mu­hammadu Buhari for signing the 2016 budget into law.
Ekweremadu and the governors met with some of their predeces­sors in Enugu, largely considered to be the capital of the South East.
The meeting, which was held at the Enugu Government House, had in attendance the host Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, Ebonyi State governor, Dave Umahi, Abia State governor, Okezie Ikpeazu, for­mer Imo governor Ikedi Ohakim, former Anam­bra governor, Peter Obi and Ekweremadu who briefed the newsmen.