PHOTOS: Gov Idris Wada Picks Up Nomination Form

It was fanfare and celebration as Capt. Idris Wada, the Executive Governor of Kogi State picked his expression of interest and Nomination Forms to contest the forthcoming Gubernatorial Election at the state's party headquarters. The election in Kogi is scheduled for Saturday, November 21, 2015...

Buhari Meets Dikko Abdullahi, Outgoing Customs Boss After Resignation (Photos)

The outgoing Comptroller-General of the Nigeria Customs Service, Dikko Abdullahi, who resigned on Monday (yesterday) after six years on the seat met with being greeted by president Buhari during a farewell visit at the presidential villa on Tuesday...The president thanked him for his years of service.... Mr. Abdullahi’s bowed out amidst rousing farewell at the agency's headquarters on Tuesday just after he witnessed the commissioning of a Customs hospital by governor Nasir El Rufai in Karu, Abuja.

A Call To Change "My Children Will Not Suffer What I Suffered" Syndrome

LETTER TO NIGERIAN PARENTS written by Adeyinka Temitope

I wish to start by adding the benefit of my time as a student and then resident in the UK. Living in Abuja now.

The first thing that I discovered about UK-born, white, English undergraduates was that all of them did holiday or weekend job to support themselves – including the children of millionaires amongst them. It is the norm over there – regardless of how wealthy their parents are. And I soon discovered that virtually all other foreign students did the same – except status – conscious Nigerians.

I Fear President Buhari May Be Murdered – APC Chieftain

Hajiya Najatu Mohammed, a prominent All Progressives Congress (APC) politician from Kano state and close political associate of President Muhammadu Buhari, in an interview granted to Newsdiaryonline, has expressed her fears that some forces are seeking to scuttle the commendable anti-corruption moves of the president.
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Why APC Can’t Be Ashamed Of Aregbesola – Lai Mohammed

Against the background of the stretching arrears of salaries owed public workers in Osun State, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, the spokesman of the All Progressives Congress, APC , during an interactive session with the Editorial Board of Vanguard gave reasons why the state has found itself in dire straits asserting that the party cannot in any way be ashamed of the governor , Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, or his record of performance. Excerpts:
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UNIPORT Disowns Lawmaker, Say He Did Not Graduate -

UMUAHIA — THE National and State Assembly Election Tribunal sitting in Umuahia has been told that Mr. Emeka Nnamani representing Aba North State Constituency allegedly forged University of Port Harcourt certificate with which he filled his INEC forms for the April 2015 elections.

Nnamani was also alleged to still be a member of the PDP in his home State, Enugu while he contested the election on the platform of APGA in Abia State where he resides.

Senate To Suspend Two Senators Sworn In for Niger South

The two persons that were sworn in for the Niger South Senatorial District are going to be suspended, our correspondent has gathered. The crisis trailing the seat was compounded last Wednesday when Senate President Bukola Saraki swore in the second person for same seat. General Mohammed A. Garba was sworn in on June 9 and Malam Mustapha Sani Mohammed was sworn in last week.
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Wike Sacks VC, Rosamund Osahagulu, Week After Abduction, Release

Professor Rosamund Osahagulu, the Vice Chancellor of Ignatius Ajuru University, Port Harcourt who was kidnapped on June 20 and released by her abductors on June 26 has been sacked by Governor Nyesom Wike with immediate effect.


Her sack may not be unconnected to the saga concerning her alleged abduction that has been under police investigation.

Aliyu Yahaya-Gusau Appointed As DG Budget Office

President Muhammadu Buhari has appointed Mr Aliyu Yahaya Gusau as director-general Budget Office of the Federation. Until his appointment, Gusau was the director, fiscal policy, budget monitoring and evaluation and acting director- general, Budget Office of the Federation at the exit of the former Director-General, Dr Bright Okogu. The appointment takes effect from Tuesday, 18 August, 2015; with a term of four years renewable for anothwer four years, a statement by the director of press and public relations, federal ministry of finance, Marshall Gundu, said. The new budget office chief hails from Zamfara State. He holds a Bachelor of Science (BSc) Degree in Economics from Ahmadu Bello University Zaria.

FG Writes India Over Nigerian ISIS Suspects

The Nigerian embassy in Delhi, India, has written to the country’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs to see the two Nigerians that were arrested in Punjab recently while on their way to Pakistan, allegedly to join the Islamic State terrorist group.

Kano State Starts The Conversion Of Waste To Wealth

The Kano State Refuse Management and Sanitation Board on Thursday said it was ready to begin the conversion of wastes to wealth before the end of 2015.

The Managing Director of the board, Retired Group Capt. Mohammed Kura, told the News Agency of Nigeria in Kano that investors from England and India had sent proposals to start converting scrap tiles into powder, fabrics and wares.
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Oyo State Stops Payment Of WAEC Fees

OYO State government has stopped further payment of West African Examinations Council (WAEC) registration fees of students in public schools in the state, commencing from the 2015/2016 academic session in September.

The government alluded the poor financial status of the state government and lackadaisical attitude of parents and students to promotion of quality education as reason for the decision.
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PHOTOS: VP Osinbajo Presides Over Ongoing National Economic Council Meeting At The Villa

Vice President Prof Yemi Osinbajo presided over National Economic Council (NEC) meeting which is currently ongoing at the State House Villa....Here are some photos from the session...

Police Uncovers Goat Thieves In Delta, Recovers Arms (photo)

The Police authorities in Delta state last Monday bursted a criminal syndicate that specialized in stealing goats from the communities and selling them to restaurants and hotel operators in the big cities.

The Command Public Relations Officer, DSP Celestina Kalu said in a statement Wednesday in Asaba, that three members of the syndicate fled and abandoned their loot during a stop and search operation by the police recently.

Imo Assembly Workers Lock-out Lawmakers Over Unpaid Salaries

Staff of the Imo State House of Assembly, who had on Wednesday, shut down power supply in the Assembly complex, switching off electrical appliances while lawmakers were in plenary, continued their protest Thursday.
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Prof Olakunle Odumosu Appointed As NISER DG

A new Acting Director-General has been appointed by the National Planning Commission (NPC) for the Nigeria Institute of Social and Economic Research (NISER), Ibadan. He is Professor Olakunle Odumosu, a United States of America-trained research expert. He succeeds Professor Olufemi Taiwo, who in his last days in office battled workers who were averse to his style of leadership especially on workers' welfare.

Professor Dumps Wife, 6 Children After 46 Years Of Marriage; Claims His Life Is Not Safe

A university teacher has dumped his wife of 46 years, and their six children, saying his repeated effort to put the troubled marriage back on track has failed.
Sixty seven-year old Benki Womboh, a Professor of Library and Information Science at Modibbo Adama University of Technology, Yola, told a court Wednesday he felt his life was not safe and that he needed an end to his turbulent marriage.

Armed Robbers Broke ATM In EBSU, Cart Away Millions Of Naira

Armed robbers yesterday carted away millions of naira from an Automated Teller Machine, ATM, in the premises of the College of Agricultural Science of the Ebony State University in Abakaliki.

Eyewitnesses disclosed that the robbers attacked all security checkpoints within the school premises before proceeding to the ATM where they allegedly made away with over N10 million.

Syrian Army Retakes 16 Villages, Kills Over 300 Rebels in Hama Province

The Syrian army has retaken 16 villages and killed up to 350 rebels during the ongoing offensive in Syria's central Hama province, a military source said on Wednesday.

Free Syrian Army fighters of the 101 Infantry Division (the missile and artillery battalion) prepare to fire a mortar from Jabal al-Arbaeen towards al-Fanar checkpoint in Ariha, which is controlled by forces loyal to Syria's President Bashar al-Assad, in Idlib countryside April 16, 2015

Governor Ambode comes to aid of man who had his leg crushed on 3rd Mainland bridge

The press statement below is a follow up to the story...

Governor of Lagos State Mr Akinwunmi Ambode has come to the aid of Adwale Obelomo the young man who his leg was crushed by a hit and run driver on the Third Mainland Bridge on Thursday July 16th 2015.

Photos: Buhari meets members of the Independent Petroleum Producers Group

President Buhari and Vice President Yemi Osinbajo met with members of the Independent Petroleum Producers Group at the state house Abuja today August 19th. He also met with members of the Ministry of Tourism, Culture and National Orientation Agency who presented him with a handmade sculpture from Anambra state. More photos after the jump..

Onyeka Onwenu meets president Buhari (photo)

The legendary singer met with the president at Aso Villa today. Photo credit: Segun Dada.

Former Billionaire, Goddy Anabor Explains His Fall From Riches and The Reason

One time billionaire, Goddy Anabor who was the talk of the town by all and delight of musicians years back, a well-known IKEJA lord, has explained, how he lost the billionaires, what led to his fall, how he sold his properties and now left with none.
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4 fun activities to checkout during the Osun-Osogbo Festival

Osogbo is agog with activities as the festival holds. Tourists are flooding the ancient town to witness this 600 hundred year old festival. The fiesta has evolved over the years to become one of the most anticipated celebrations in Nigeria and the world. It is held in August and commemorated to renew the pact Osun people had with their deity.
It is a fun filled and enthralling event that leaves tourists desiring for more. They should be prepared for a two week idyllic adventure as it features key activities

Procession to Osun River

Natives believe the Osun River has healing and spiritual powers. This mystery adds to the frenzied atmosphere of the festival thus, everyone looks forward to this trek.

The procession starts from the palace of the Ataoja to the Osun Sacred Grove where the river is located. It is led by the Ataoja of Osogbo and Arugba-virgin maiden. The Arugba, a female that has not been deflowered becomes the cynosure of all eyes as she carries out the responsibility of carrying the rituals meant for the Osun goddess. At the river, tourists pour out their desires to the river god and it is believed their wish will be granted.

 

Oloju-Merindinlogun 

The Atupa Oloju-Merindinlogun, meaning lamp, is a significant feature during the celebration. The lamp is 642 years old and has 16 points. It is  lit on the 6th day of the festival from 7 am to 7 pm with the Ataoja, his wives, Ifa priest, Osun priest, and traditional chiefs walking circles around it hrice while dancing to the admiration of the people and tourists.

 

Iwopopo

The Iwopopo or street cleansing is one of the early activities of the festival. The people come out in their numbers to pay respect to the Ataoja of Osogbo as well as pray for peaceful co-existence in town. The programme is spiced by musical performances.

 

Competitions

The festival has a handful of competitions lined up to entertain visitors. These  are mainly traditional games.

Children are also part of the fun as games are organised to encourage them appreciate culture. It is in four divisions namely dancing, drumming, and Yoruba spelling bee.

 

 Jovago.com, Africa’s No 1 hotel booking portal highlight some of these joy-springing traditional performances to look forward to.

#Osun

Nigerian Customs officers give their former boss a rousing farewell (photos)

Officers of the Nigerian Customs Service pictured above as they said goodbye to their ex boss, Dikko Abdullahi, who resigned as boss of Nigeria Customs two days ago. More photos after the jump...