Southeast Shutdown for 50th Anniversary of Biafra Declaration

Declares the independence of Biafra.
Fifty years ago, the Igbo people of southeast Nigeria seceded, declaring an independent Republic of Biafra and sparking a brutal civil war that left about one million people dead. / AFP PHOTO / -

Banks, Shops, Schools and businesses were shut in southeast Nigeria on Tuesday, May 30, 2017 to mark Fifty years to the day since an independent republic of Biafra was declared, sparking a brutal civil war.

In Onitsha, the economic hub of Anambra state on the banks of the River Niger, most markets were closed and the streets were largely empty of people and traffic.

UK Deports 35 Nigerians

String of deportations of Nigerians from different parts of the world continued on Wednesday as the government of the United Kingdom deported 35 Nigerians for committing immigration-related offences in the country.

The deportees arrived at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMlA) Lagos in the early hours but were kept away from the public until they completed vital documentations with the Nigerian authorities.

Pastor has been sleeping with me since I was 10; this’s the fourth abortion

Scriptural assertions of wolves in sheep clothing resurfaced yesterday, following a startling revelation by a 16-year-old Senior Secondary School, SSS, I student, on how she has been subjected to sexual violations since she was 10 years by a pastor at the Egbe branch of a popular new generation pentecostal church.

The victim, who spoke from the hospital bed around Ikotun area of the state, alleged that the suspect, with the connivance of a medical doctor, had carried out four abortions on her without her consent. Trouble, as gathered, started for the teenager after the demise of her parents six years ago. 

An uncle she identified simply as George, took her to Delta State from where the suspect, who had just been separated from his wife, took her to Lagos to look after his child, with a promise to train her in school. That was when he allegedly started a sexual relationship with her in his three-bedroom flat at 6, Dolamo Street, Agodo-Egbe. 

Hawkers Stone KAI officer Dead along Oworoshoki - Ogudu Lay-by

Tragedy struck, yesterday, at Iyana-Oworo axis of Lagos State, when traders lynched an officer of Kick Against Indiscipline, KAI.Vanguard gathered that the officer, identified as Ayeni Moshood, was mobbed by the traders, when a KAI team arrested two hawkers few meters before the Ogudu Lay-By. 

Pep Guardiola in 'Shock' after it emerges Wife and two Children attended Fatal Ariana Grande Concert

The wife and two children of Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola attended the Ariana Grande concert at Manchester Arena at which 22 people lost their lives in a sickening suicide bombing.

Ivory Coast: Gunfire Erupts in Abidjan, Bouake amid Mutiny

Fresh unrest erupts as army press operation aimed at ending a mutiny by soldiers demanding bonus payments.

Gunfire was heard early on Monday in Ivory Coast's two main cities, according to witnesses, as the military pressed an operation aimed at ending a mutiny by soldiers demanding bonus payments.

In the commercial capital of Abidjan, shots were heard from two military camps in the east of the city, a nearby resident told the Reuters news agency. Frequent gunshots were also heard in the country's second city of Bouake.

Breaking: House of Reps Passes N7.44tn 2017 Budget

The House of Representatives, on Thursday, May 11, passed the 2017 budget of ₦7. 44 trillion to the presidency for assent. The House of Representatives passed the 2017 budget after adopting its report from the appropriation committee. The details of the 2017 appropriation bill shows that N434.4 billion was allocated for statutory transfer, N1.84 trillion for debt servicing and N177.46 billion for maturing bonds. 

Recall that the National Assembly raised the budget by over N143bn, up from President Muhammadu Buhari’s original proposal of N7.298tn last Tuesday. The development came after the Nigerian Senate received the 2017 budget report from its joint Committees on Appropriation and Finance earlier today.

Nicki Minaj & Nas Dating Rumors Fly After They're Pictured Getting Close At Dinner

The way Nas is pictured comfortably, nuzzled up next to Nicki Minaj during dinner at the New York location of his Sweet Chick restaurant on Tuesday (May 9), fuels speculation that the two are dating.

Nicki posted the pic to her Instagram annotated with the caption, “Only KINGS recognize QUEENS,” before gloating about how great the food at Sweet Chick is. 

Jay Z Battles Puff Daddy For Title Of Forbes' Richest Hip Hop Artist

The 2017 Forbes Five list of the wealthiest Hip Hop artists features the exact same names as last year. Except some major moves by the moguls have shifted the order.

Jay Z’s net worth, $810 million, jumped a reported 30 percent from 2016, boosted by Sprint investing $200 million in his TIDAL streaming service. This puts the value of the platform at $600 million. Hov also continues to run successful companies in Roc Nation and his Armand de Brignac (Ace of Spades) champagne. This is Jay Z’s first time surpassing Dr. Dre since 2014, who comes in at the third spot with a fortune of $740 million. The Beats by Dre founder is still riding high after his 2014 Apple deal.

Jackpot Winner goes Home with N5.675m

Anthony Akuma, a secondary school leaver has become the first jackpot winner in an electronic raffle draw powered by EG&H Concept in collaboration with Diamond Bank and First Bank.

A cheque of N5,675,000, was presented to him by an official of the National Lottery Regulatory Commission (NLRC), Savy Agba and the Chief Executive of EG &H Concept,  Thomson Eje and Nneka Umeh, Head, Diamond Y'ello, Diamond Bank Plc at a ceremony held in Abuja over the weekend.

The Igbos and Epileptic Patriotism - Lawrencia Chioma

I am very certain most Igbos want to liberate from the so called Nigeria and live as one under the Biafran republic. How prepared are they? Some of them believe in the dream but are not participating in the agitation simply because of the epileptic unity among Igbos and their selfish interests. In her own #AKONUCHE, Lawrencia Chioma a self employed and freedom activist  expressed her fears on the disunity among igbos....Read after the cut...

Ifeanyi Ubah sues DSS, seeks release from detention

The Managing Director of Capital Oil and Gas Limited, Ifeanyi Ubah, has sued the Department of State Services before the Federal High Court in Lagos over what he termed unlawful detention by the security agency.

Ubah’s lawyer, Mrs. Ifeoma Esom, who appeared before Justice Mohammed Idris on Tuesday with an ex parte application, claimed that her client had been in detention since May 6.

She urged the judge to order the DSS to release Ubah to prevent the security agency from coercing him to accede to “whatever conditions they impose on him in exchange for his freedom.”

Reps move to Summon Chris Ngige over job Losses in Telecoms Sector

The House of Representatives on Monday summoned the Minister of Labour and Productivity, Chris Ngige, over reported mass sacking of workers by telecommunications service providers in recent times.

An ad hoc committee of the House, which is chaired by Mr. Ahmed Abu, is investigating the development.

The committee gave Ngige the next 10 days to make himself available before the lawmakers to address the issue.

Don Jazzy, Wizkid , Davido make Forbes List of Richest African Musicians

Forbes Africa has released its list of Richest African musicians. The list was put together using factors such as endorsement value, popularity, show rates, sales, awards, YouTube views, appearance in newspapers, investment, social media presence, influence and others.

Nigerian artistes, Don Jazzy, Wizkid and Davido, are among the top ten richest African musicians. The top 10 are; 

Femi Kuti Breaks World Saxophone Record

Femi Kuti, Nigerian afrobeats legend and son of the legendary Fela Anikulapo-Kuti has broken the World Record for the longest note ever played on a saxophone. This record was broken in his performance at the New Afrika Shrine on the 7th of May, 2017. The previous record (45mins 37secs) was held by Kenny G before Femi broke the record playing for 46mins 38secs non-stop.

Macron, 39 Wins French Presidential Election

The 2017 French presidential election came to a head yesterday with 39-year old Emmanuel Macron emerging the winner by a decisive margin. The independent centrist Macron garnered 60.3 percent of the votes while his rival; Marine Le Pen got 39.7 percent.

The far-right La Pen who had since congratulated the president elect, expressed appreciation to her supporters and promised to “lead the fight” in the France’s parliamentary elections next month.

Le Pen also pledged a “profound reform” of her Front National party to create ‘a new political force’.

Recession Will Soon be a Thing of the Past, Says Adeosun

The Minister of Finance, Mrs. Kemi Adeosun, yesterday hinted that the current recession the country is facing would soon be over, assuring Nigerians not to lose hope in the country.

According to her, “God will turn around things for Nigeria. He knows why we are passing through this stage and I know we will overcome.”

Ike Chioke Appointed National Secretary for the Rhodes Scholarships for West Africa

In line with the commitment to reinstate the international Rhodes Scholarship for students in Nigeria, Ghana and other West African countries, Ike Chioke, Managing Director of Afrinvest (West Africa) Limited and a Rhodes Scholar, has been appointed as the Rhodes National Secretary for West Africa. Also named Strategic Adviser for the sub-region is Tope Folarin, award-wining writer and a former spokesperson for Google.

The appointment of both men was confirmed in a statement signed by Charles Conn, Chief Executive Officer of The Rhodes Trust and Warden of Rhodes House in Oxford, United Kingdom.

BREAKING : Court Grants Babaginda Aliyu N150M Bail

Minna High Court on Wednesday granted bail in the sum of N150m to former Gov. Babangida Aliyu of Niger State, charged with N4.568bn misappropriation.

Aliyu was arraigned last Tuesday on a six-count charge alongside Umar Nasko, the Chief of Staff under his administration.

The former officials were accused of conspiring and dishonestly converting for personal use, the sum belonging to Niger State Government.

According to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, which is prosecuting the former officials, the misappropriated funds are ecological projects funds as well as money realised from the sale of 16 per cent shares of the state in the North-South Power Company.