APC Leaders Pleaded For My Return - Osoba

Former Governor Olusegun Osoba on Tuesday said the public misconstrued what happened at his Bourdilon home, Ikoyi – Lagos, last Sunday when the leaders of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the Southwest met.
In attendance at the meeting included the National Leader of the APC, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu; Governor of Oyo State, Senator Abiola Ajimobi; Governor of Lagos State, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode who was represented by his deputy, Dr. Mrs. Oluranti Adebule and former Governor of Ekiti State, Otunba Niyi Adebayo.

I'm Happy My CCT Trial Commenced, Says Saraki

Senate President, Abubakar Bukola Saraki, has said that he is glad that his trial before the Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT) on alleged asset declaration in 2003 has finally commenced.
Saraki in statement by his Special Adviser (Media and Publicity), Yusuph Olaniyonu, said that Tuesday’s proceedings gave him confidence that “if the trial is conducted fairly” he would “be vindicated.”
The Senate President noted that “even though the prosecution tried to bring in some dramatic narratives, it was clear that they were merely thrashing around and hoping to titillate the public with salacious tales.”
Saraki added that he was “hopeful however that when the time comes, his lawyers will have the opportunity to present his case.”
The Nation.

Ortom, Abounu Visit Agatu With Trucks Of Soldiers, Policemen

Governor Samuel Ortom of Benue State and his deputy, Benson Abounu, Tuesday, visited the ravaged Agatu Local Government Area of the state.
This is the first time the governor will be visiting the area since he assumed power last year.
Many residents of the community have been killed, while several others were rendered homeless by suspected Fulani Herdsmen.
Ortom has been facing public criticisms following his refusal to visit the area or take necessary steps to end the crisis.

Launching Of Abuja-Kaduna Rail Project Not Feasible By May 29 – Amaechi

Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi, has stated that the official launching of Abuja-Kaduna rail project would not be feasible by May 29.
Amaechi made this disclosure at Idu, Abuja, while inspecting the arrival of two new coaches by the contractors, China Civil Engineering Construction Company (CCECC) on Tuesday.
The minister said that the development was due to earlier refusal of Daughters of Charity Hospital in Kubwa to relocate for the alignment of the rail track.

Dangerous Islamic Group Emerges In Kaduna – Governor El-Rufai

The Kaduna State Governor, Nasir el-Rufai, has raised the alarm over the emergence of a deadly Islamic group, “Gausiyya” in Markafi Local Government Area of the state.
Mr. El-Rufai made this known in a radio interview on Friday, while justifying the need to regulate religious activities in the state.
The governor had weeks ago forwarded the Religious Regulation Bill, 2016, to the state House of Assembly, a situation that pitched him against religious leaders and rights activists across the country.

Buhari: Boko Haram Has Close Links With ISIL.

President Muhammadu Buhari on Tuesday said the Boko Haram sect has a close link with the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL).
According to a statement issued by Femi Adesina, special adviser to the president on media and publicity, Buhari said this at the presidential villa in Abuja during a farewell ceremony held in honour of Tom Amolo, high commissioner of Kenya to Nigeria.
The president was quoted as saying ending insurgency in Africa will require stronger collaboration and commitment from governments, financial institutions and security agencies.

Saraki: Despite EFCC’s Salacious Tales, I See Hope.

Senate President Bukola Saraki says he will eventually be vindicated in his case at the Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT) despite the “salacious tales” by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
EFCC had described in detail the huge sums of money allegedly lodged in the personal accounts of Saraki, who is being accused of false asset declaration while he was governor of Kwara state between 2003 and 2011.
Yusuph Olaniyonu, his media adviser, said in a statement issued on Tuesday that the senate president was “glad” that the trial has finally commenced.

Stop Blaming PDP For Your Failures, Sheriff Tells Buhari

The National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, Senator Ali Modu Sheriff has charged the All Progressive Congress led federal government to concentrate on providing solutions to the myriads of problems confronting the country rather than perpetually blaming the PDP for the failure of government. Senator Sheriff spoke Tuesday while inaugurating four committees of the party– the convention, Reconciliation, Finance and Zoning committees.

I Didn’t Reconcile With Fayose, Aluko Cries Out

Dr. Temitope Aluko, a chieftain of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) who was alleged to have reconciled with Ayodele Fayose, governor of Ekiti State has described the purported reconciliation as a mere propaganda aimed at tarnishing his image.
It was reported in the media on Sunday that Aluko who revealed the fraud that characterised the governorship election in Ekiti State and other irregularities against Fayose had reconciled with the governor.

However, Aluko at a press conference in Lagos on Tuesday, said he agreed to a purported peace meeting organised by two members of the party because of the respect he has for PDP, not knowing that it was a set up by Fayose.

LASTMA Experience Is A Proof That State Police Will Succeed -Ambode

The Lagos State Governor, Mr Akinwunmi Ambode, on Tuesday said that the state’s experience and success with Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) was a sign that state police would succeed.
Amobode spoke at the 6th Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC)Annual Lecture in Abuja with the theme“ `State Road Traffic Management Efforts: the LASTMA’s Experience’’.
He said , LASTMA was established as a traffic management agency in the state to curb traffic issues and carry out the required enforcement responsibilities..

‪#‎PanamaPapers‬: Toyin Saraki’s Lawyers Disagree With Husband, Say Secret Assets Belong To Her Alone

Lawyers to Toyin Saraki, the wife of the embattled Nigerian Senate president, Bukola Saraki, have said the controversial hidden assets the politician failed to disclose, tucked away in secret offshore tax havens, belong solely to Mrs. Saraki, and not her family estate.
A trove of internal data from the Panama-based offshore-provider, Mossack Fonseca, obtained by the German newspaper, Süddeutsche Zeitung and shared by the International Consortium of Investigative Journalists (ICIJ) with PREMIUM TIMES and over 100 other media partners in 82 countries, revealed that the properties were part of the assets belonging to the Senate President’s immediate family.

You’re A Threat To Democracy, Rivers PDP Tells Amaechi.

The war of words between the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the rival All Progressives Congress (APC) continued on Tuesday as the former harped on the activities of the former governor, Rotimi Amaechi, which it said was dangerous to democracy.
While the APC was calling for a fresh conduct of the legislative elections rerun in the state, PDP was accusing the leader of the party of fomenting artificial crisis and tension so that a state of emergency could be declared in Rivers.

PDP To Amaechi: Wike Not A Threat To Democracy

The Chairman, Rivers State Chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Felix Obuah says there is no truth in Mr. Rotimi Ameachi’s statement, describing the Rivers State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike, as a threat to democracy in the country.
The PDP Chairman notes that former Governor Amaechi is only struggling to divert attention from his abominable atrocities, rebellious activities and breach of public peace and security in the State and the nation at large, stressing that it is he (Amaechi) that has become a threat to democracy and peace in the country.

Syrian Fighter Jet Downed Near Aleppo - Source

A Syrian fighter jet has been downed Tuesday near Aleppo.

Militants have downed a Syrian Air Force warplane to the south of Aleppo, according to the source.

A representative of the command of the Syrian Armed Forces confirmed to RIA Novosti that a Su-22 warplane had been downed in Aleppo.

"The Syrian Air Force plane was shot down by militants in the Aleppo province during a combat mission. At the moment, we are trying to find out the fate of the pilot," the Syrian military told RIA Novosti.

Russia Faces High Demand for Su-34, Su-35 Jets After Success in Syria

After their successful use during the Russian military campaign in Syria potential buyers are standing in line for the aircraft, military analyst Konstantin Sivkov told Sputnik Radio.

Indonesia, India and Malaysia have expressed interest in buying Russian-made Su-34 and Su-35 jets.

Su-34 jet fighters/bombers were deployed to Syria from the first day of the operation. They destroyed terrorist infrastructure facilities and command points. Su-35s were deployed to Syria later. They provided protection for the striking force.

#PanamaPapers: What They Didn't Tell You About Putin's True Wealth

Vladimir Putin's personal wealth has always been a source of speculation. So much so that when the Panama Papers scandal broke out on Sunday, everyone seemed to have focused on the only person not mentioned in more than 11.5 million documents leaked from the Panama-based law firm Mossack Fonseca.

The latest figure provided in the Panama leaks places Putin's wealth at no less than $2 billion. Well, not Putin's personal fortune, to be exact. This is what a close friend of the Russian president is alleged to own. No direct links to the Russian leader were offered.

Army Establishes Camp For Repentant Boko Haram Members

In line with the Federal Government’s commitment to the war against insurgency in the North East and in furtherance of its efforts to rehabilitate and reintegrate surrendered and repentant Boko Haram terrorist members, the Defence Headquarters has established rehabilitation camp in an Exercise known as Operation SAFE CORRIDOR.

Army intercepts 92 armed herdsmen at check-points, recovers deadly weapons and charms (Pics)

See more pics bellow.

Graphic photos: Thief beaten & burnt to death in Abuja

See another photo after the page break

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

See more photos after the page break

Man Steals Formula To Feed His Baby, Gets Jailed In Kirikiri

Policemen attached to Igando division in Lagos have arrested a man who allegedly stole an infant formula worth N45,000 in a supermarket.

The 28-year-old suspect, Nurudeen Sulaimon, allegedly stole the formula to feed his crying new born baby.

There were different accounts on the circumstance that led to the act. A version said his wife was delivered of a baby last week Saturday, but had difficulty in breast feeding the baby, as her breasts were not bringing out milk. Though the baby was reportedly given water to drink but he kept crying, apparently yearning for milk that could sustain him.

Fashola Settles EEDC And Geometric Power Dispute Over Supply To Aba

Abuja – The Federal Government on Thursday settled the power dispute between Enugu Electricity Distribution Company (EEDC) and Geometric Power Limited over which of the two companies would supply power to Aba and its environs.

The Minister of Power, Works and Housing, Mr Babatunde Fashola, said in Abuja where the companies signed an agreement that the settlement of the dispute was a historic achievement in the sector.

He said that it was important that two former ministers in the country, Prof. Barth Nnaji and Mr Tokunbo Kayode, were on different sides of the dispute.

I Never Said Fuel Scarcity Will End By April 7th - Kachikwu

Chineme Okafor in Abuja with agency report

In its bid to reduce fuel importation in the foreseeable future, the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) has said that nine companies have submitted bids for the co-location of new refineries within the complexes of its three existing refineries in Kaduna, Warri and Port Harcourt.

This is just at the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Dr. Ibe Kachikwu, has clarified that he never informed the Senate Committee on Petroleum (Downstream) last Tuesday that the fuel shortages will end between April 5 and 7, but assured THISDAY in a phone conversation that concrete measures had but put in place to end them soon.

Nigeria's First 'Frozen Egg' Baby

*First in West Africa, 5,001st in the world

By Sola Ogundipe

LAGOS — Nigeria has recorded the first successful birth of a baby conceived from frozen egg of a 44-year-old woman, who had suffered infertility for eight years, making it the first in the country and West Africa.

The birth and conception of the baby, named Tiwatope, which is the 5001st in the world, were carried out by Nigerian fertility specialists at The Bridge Clinic, a Lagos-based fertility treatment centre, where the mother had her eggs frozen using the vitrification (flash-freezing) process.

Bola Tinubu: My Life As A Cab Driver And Security Guard: PM News

Many are of the opinion that former Lagos state governor, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu was born right at the middle of a money-printing machine, but that is not true.

Some rumours also have it that his parents were very wealthy, so he practically worked for nothing in his life but that is also not true.

The diminutive Nigerian politician had to work his way up the ladder. He was once a cab driver and even a security guard who worked very hard to reach where he is today.

In a special publication by TheNEWS magazine, Tinubu detailed how he worked has a cab driver and a security guard. Here are excerpts from the interview.