Hearing on Renaming UNILAG for September 21

                                                

A Lagos Federal High Court Wednesday says its interim order barring the Federal government from change the name of the University of Lagos to Moshood Abiola University still remains.
Presiding Judge, Justice Steven Adah said his June 25 verdict on the name change will remain until the hearing and determination of the suits.
He adjourned mention on the matter to September 21 this year.

He disclosed this during the hearing of two suits challenging the name change broadcast by President Goodluck Jonathan recently.

Ras Kimono Put ' Real Deal' Nite on Fire

Ras Kimono

Despite the torrential rains in Lagos last Friday, hundreds of fun seekers trooped out to celebrate the monthly Legend Nite at the Niteshift Coliseum with Reggae music exponent, Ras Kimono, as the lead act for the night.

The venue was indeed charged as the music legend showed he still has the thrilling magic for his teeming fans when he took the animated audience back in time with the energetic performance of hit tracks like Under Pressure and Rumba Stylee among others. He was supported by the iconic Coliseum’s Shifters Band and slew of comedians who enlivened the windy night.

Jonathan To Sue House of Reps over Summon

President Goodluck Jonathan is said to be preparing a litigation against an invitation sent to him by the House of Representatives to brief it on his anti-terrorism strategies. This was disclosed yesterday by the House Committee Chairman on Federal Road Maintenance Agency (FERMA), Hon. Ofor Chukwuegbo.
According to Hon. Chukwuegbo, "the president is considering taking the House to court because of our invitation. His aides have advised him to do so."

I have contacts of Boko Haram members – Dasuki

Sambo Dasuki, NSA

The newly appointed NSA says that a plan to dialogue with Boko Haram is underway

The recently appointed National Security Adviser (NSA), Sambo Dasuki, says plans are in gear to meet with the top brass of the Islamist sect, Boko Haram, with a view to putting an end to the violence perpetrated by the terrorist group.

Mr. Dasuki said on Wednesday in Jos that he has the contacts of key Boko Haram leaders for possible dialogue with the group.

Mariam Aloma-Mukhtar Becomes First Female Head of Nigerian Judiciary

Mariam Aloma-Mukhtar

Mariam Aloma-Mukhtar, who was called to the bar in 1967, becomes the first female to head the Nigerian judiciary.

The President, Goodluck Jonathan, has sent Mariam Aloma Mukhtar’s name to the Senate for confirmation as the next Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN). The President also sent the names of Justices Kumai Akaah and Atanley Allagoa to the Senate for confirmation as justices of the apex court.

Gunmen kill Borno’s Housing Corporation GM

THE General Manager of the Borno state Housing Corporation, Engr. Isa Madu Ngaram was gun down by unknown gunmen in front of his office on Wednesday morning in Maiduguri metropolis.

Our correspondent gathered that the incident occurred at about 11.00am Wednesday. The gunmen trailed the General Manager to his office situated in the state’ Low Cost Housing Estate, where they shot him dead while attempting to enter his private car parked behind his office.

Police Rescue Seven-month-old Baby From Kidnapper

Asaba -The Delta State Police Command has recovered a seven-month-old baby, three days after the child was stolen from his parents.

The missing child was found at Agbor in Ika South Local Government Area of the state.
The command’s Police Public Relations Officer, Mr Charles Muka, who briefed newsmen on Tuesday in Asaba, said the police had arrested five suspects in connection with the incident.

A Nigerian Writer, Rotimi Babatunde, Wins A Prestigious Award

Rotimi Babatunde

Rotimi Babatunde has been announced winner of the 2012 Caine Prize for African Writing, for his short story 'Bombay's Republic'.

The panel of judges, chaired by Bernardine Evaristo, announced this at a dinner held on Monday at the Bodleian Library in Oxford.

Evaristo said, "Bombay's Republic vividly describes the story of a Nigerian soldier fighting in the Burma campaign of World War Two. It is ambitious,

Ghanaian Govt Chasing Us Out, Lament Nigerian Bizmen

A Market In Ghana

Nigerian businessmen operating in Ghana yesterday cried out to the Nigerian government to come to their rescue as Ghanaian authorities have commenced closing their shops for allegedly operating illegally.

The Nigerian traders said their shops were closed because they were said not to comply with the government policy which requires them to have an initial capital of $300,000 and employ 10 Ghanaians before they can start any business in Ghana regardless of the size of the business.

PLEASE HELP: 26-year-old Graduate Needs N5m for Kidney Transplant

Michael Ezekwere

Though Michael Ezekwere has just completed his national youth service, accomplishing his dreams in life will depend on Nigerians’ benevolence as he battles a kidney-related disease.

One needs not earn a degree in Medicine to know that Michael Ezekwere is sick. His difficulty in speaking, occasional tug at his sides and fatigued look are enough signs. He is actually battling with a kidney-related disease.

Ezekwere, a 26-year-old graduate of Political Science and Public Administration from the University of Benin, just completed his one year mandatory national youth service in Edo State.

Pregnant Woman, Baby Rescued As Building Collapses in Lagos

                               

A pregnant woman, nine-month-old baby, and some children were rescued when a building collapsed at 29, Freeman Street, Ebute Meta, Lagos on Monday.

A resident of the area, Mr. Rasaq Anifowoshe, wondered why the residents chose to risk their lives when it was obvious that the building was weak.

“I don’t understand why people are careless about their lives. Thank God nobody was killed. A pregnant woman, a baby not up to a year- maybe about eight or nine months and some children were rescued. Those who sustained injuries were taken to hospital,” he said.

Otedola Dares Reps, Insists On Live Coverage

                         

Mr. Femi Otedola, chairman of Zenon Petroleum and Gas, yesterday appeared before the House Committee on Ethics and Privileges to defend his bribery  allegations against the former chairman of the ad-hoc committee investigating the management of fuel subsidy funds but refused to make any presentation.

The closed-door meeting, which lasted about an hour and 30 minutes, was however fruitless as Otedola refused to testify before the committee unless its proceedings were done in the full glare of the public.

A smiling Otedola, clad in his traditional all white attire, backed by his team of lawyers led by his legal adviser, Jide Koku, SAN, emerged from the venue of the hearing to a barrage of questions

Reps to NYSC: Cancel Postings of Corps Members to North-East

                                           

THE House of Representatives, yesterday, directed the National Youth Service Corps, NYSC, to cancel all postings of corps members to states in the North East which are faced with security challenges.

This was sequel to the controversy that emanated from the posting of Batch B corps members, last Monday which resulted  in a protest by the corpers at the headquarters of the NYSC in Abuja. The affected corps members insisted that the authorities should redeploy them to safer areas in the country.

Pictures: Abuja Bomb Blast

Just more pictures at the scene of yesterday's Abuja bomb blast...

Scene of Bomb Blast At Wuse 11

CONGRATUATIONS: Chinua Achebe's Daughter, Nwando Achebe, Bags 2 Awards

Nwando Achebe-Ogundimu

Nwando Achebe-Ogundimu, historian and daughter of Prof. Chinua Achebe, has won the Barbara “Penny” Kanner Prize and the Gita Chaudhuri Prize of the Western Association of Women Historians for her book, The Female King of Colonial Nigeria: Ahebi Ugbabe.

The Barbara “Penny” Kanner Award is an annual award given to honour a book, book chapter, article, or electronic media that has been verifiably published or posted in the two years prior to the award year and which illustrates the use of a specific set of primary sources (diaries, letters, interviews).

Enugu Govt Bans Okada

GOVERNOR Sullivan Chime

GOVERNOR Sullivan Chime of Enugu State, yesterday, signed into law, a bill banning operations of motorcycles otherwise known as Okada in Enugu metropolis.

While signing the law in the presence of the House Speaker, Mr Eugene Odo, House Leader,  Udo Okoye and other principal officers of government, Chime noted that the law aims to checkmate the activities of men of the underworld and ultimately protect lives and property of the people. The law prescribes one year imprisonment without any option of fine for violators.

Good OR Bad? Court Dissolves 17-Year Old Marriage

                              

AN Oshodi Customary Court in Lagos State has dissolved the 17 years old marriage between Afusat Ogunrinde and Ibraheem Ogunrinde, noting that the couple can no longer stay together as the marriage has broken down completely after the husband’s alleged threat to his life.

Delivering the judgment, the Acting President of the Court, Mrs. R.I. Adetola, said that evidence before the court showed that Ogunrinde was a cruel husband and a threat to his family and ordered  that Afusat should have the custody of the three children as requested by the children and their mother.

Robbers Attack Pharmaceutical Shop in Abia, 2 Feared Dead

                                         

TWO persons have been confirmed dead following a robbery attack on a popular pharmaceutical shop located along Lagos Street of Umuahia metropolis, in the Abia State capital.

The robbers were said to have attacked the shop, usually filled with customers, at about 8-9 pm. Although details of the attack were still sketchy, the state Police command confirmed the death of two persons.

NNPC Denies Having A Secret Bank Account

Engr.Andrew Yakubu

The National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC, has said unequivocally that the Corporation does not operate a secret account but a statutory domiciliary account with the Central Bank of Nigeria thus laying to rest reports by some national dailies that the NNPC operates a secret and illegal foreign account.

The Group Managing Director of the NNPC, Engr.Andrew Yakubu stated this on Tuesday while fielding questions from the Joint Senate Committee investigating the oil subsidy regime in Abuja.

‘I Hope To Break Into Nollywood Someday’ - Former Miss Nigeria, Ireland, Emmanuella Olufunmilola Salako

                           

The immediate past Miss Nigeria, Ireland, Emmanuella Olufunmilola Salako, has expressed determination to break into Nollywood someday, adding that the acting prowess of the delectable Genevieve Nnaji and Omotola Jolade Ekeinde inspires her a lot.

The ex-beauty Queen, who disclosed this during a chat with NollywoodReel, reiterated that she currently runs a dance academy and a radio show which talks about music in Africa, back in Dublin.

“I have always loved dancing. I watched the late Michael Jackson dance and I thought of starting a dance academy. It’s something I really enjoy.

I Want To Reach Out To People Through My Music – Young Krazzle

Young Krazzle

Jamaul Taylor aka 'Young Krazzle' is a 26-year-old hip-hop artiste from Madison Heights, Virginia, in the United States of America, who has been in the American entertainment industry for over five years. In this exclusive chat with ANTHONY ADA ABRAHAM, by correspondence, the young artiste lets us into his world and his journey so far in the entertainment industry. Excerpts:

Tell us about yourself and how you started as an artiste?

I was in middle school with my cousin and he asked if I wanted to rap. He explained to me what rapping was; so I have been rapping since then. I'm 26 years old and I aim at attracting different crowds to make music that people can relate to.

BREAKING NEWS: Explosions At Popular Abuja Banex Plaza

                                  

A reliable source has learned that a car bomb has exploded near the Banex Plaza in Abuja, Nigeria. The car exploded in front of Park 'N Shop at Shefiff Plaza, close to Banex Plaza in Wuse 2. FCT police commissioner is there at the moment, as the police put up barricades around the area. No one is allowed to take pictures at the moment.

Unconfirmed reports state that one person has been inured. However, according to the latest statement from Police Spokesman Frank Mba, no causualties, injuries, or property damage has been recorded. 

Below is an official statement from Nigeria Police Forces in Abuja:

Maiduguri: Armed Men Slaughter Nine People

Nine persons were last night slaughtered like rams in Ungwan Bolori in Maiduguri, Borno State, a reliable source has been told.

A top security source in Maiduguri confirmed the tragic story to on the telephone.  The spokesperson of the Joint Task Force in the State, Lt. Col. Sagir Musa, has also confirmed the incident.

The security source said that the nine people were trapped in the night by an unknown group of persons who invaded their residence and slaughtered them one after the other, leaving them in a pool of their blood.

I Am Hungry For Challenging Roles — Stanley Nzediegwu

Stanley Nzediegwu,

Fast-rising actor, Stanley Nzediegwu, has said that he needs more challenging roles in the make-believe industry.

Stanley, who has acted in a couple of A-list flicks such as MNet’s Tinsel, Private Sector, Phamous Five, Bella’s Place, Hoodrush, Quarantine Zone and Heavy Duty hinted that being stereotyped is one of the major challenges he is facing.