VENTURES AFRICA – Insurgency by Islamist sect group Boko Haram will knock off half a percentage point from Nigeria’s economic growth in 2014 just like it did in 2013, according to Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, Nigeria’s finance minister. “We are expecting about 6.75 percent growth in 2014 and we have accounted for the impact of the insurgency which we think will take half a percentage point off GDP growth,” Reuters quoted the minister as saying in an interview. The former World Bank vice-president, who visited Berlin, Germany Tuesday said although violence in Nigeria’s North-east might discourage some potential foreign investors, existing investors…
Author: Wale Adebayo
Veteran Nollywood actress — Mercy Johnson-Okojie is currently overseas where she is due to deliver soon. However, the actress shared epic photos of herself and her husband from way back. Nollywood actress Mercy Johnson-Okojie posted a few never before seen intimate photos of herself and her husband and captioned one photo “My hope”. See photos below: –
EMIR OF GOMBE The Emir of Gombe, Alhaji Abubakar Shehu Abubakar, on Thursday stressed the need for unity among northern monarchs to enhance peace in the region in view of its current challenges. Abubakar spoke yesterday during a visit to the new Emir of Kano, Alhaji Muhammad Sanusi II, to condole with the Kano emirate over the death of the former emir, Alhaji Ado Bayero, and congratulate him on his appointment. He said relations between the Kano and Gombe emirate council go as far back as 200 years ago with respect and dignity, adding that over 80 percent of Gombe…
THE IG AND Top Police ECHELON AT A Meeting YESTERDAY AT FORCE HEADQUARTERS Worried by the incessant terror attacks, herdsmen/farmers clashes in some parts of the country as well as other forms of crimes and criminality – kidnappings, abductions trans-border banditry, proliferation of arms and ammunition – taking place in the country, the Inspector-General of Police, IGP MD Abubakar, yesterday convened an emergency meeting with the top police brass in Abuja to appraise the overall security situation and the way forward. According to a statement by the Force Public Relations Officer, ACP Frank Mba, the police IG charged zonal AIGs…
CREDIT: PREMIUM TIMES Soldiers have gone on a rampage along Ikorodu Road in Lagos State, destroying BRT buses, residents have said. The soldiers’ actions was sequel to an alleged hit and run involving a BRT bus. The BRT bus driver was alleged to have run over a yet-to-be identified soldier, killing him instantly. Details later..
GOV. MURTALA NYAKO PRESENTING THE 2014 BUDGET ESTIMATES TO THE STATE HOUSE OF ASSEMBLY, YOLA The move by the speaker, Adamawa State House of Assembly, Umaru Ahmadu Fintiri, and 19 others to impeach Governor Murtala Nyako and his deputy, Barrister Bala James Ngillari has attracted the wrath of some constituents, who have threatened to begin the process of recalling them. According to a report by LEADERSHIP, some electorate and party chieftains across Adamawa State perceived the move by the lawmakers to impeach Nyako and his deputy as an avenue to enrich themselves at the detriment of their constituencies. The new…
The Peoples Democratic Party, Lagos State chapter, has vowed to repel any direct or decoy action aimed at blackmailing or attacking any of its members ahead of the 2015 general elections. The Party was reacting to a statement credited to former Lagos Governor, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu that the Minister of State for Defence, Senator Musiliu Obanikoro, was paying more attention to politics than the growing threat of insecurity. The Lagos PDP described Tinubu’s outburst as not only irrational, but a clear sign of being frustrated as he was desperate to hold on to the southwest and Lagos State in…
The ongoing National Conference in Abuja has adopted the recommendation of its Committee on Political Restructuring and Forms of Government, which proposed that the presidency should be rotated between the North and South; and among the six geo-political zones of the country, while the governorship seat should be rotated among senatorial districts in each state. Delegates at the conference also adopted the recommendation to have the president pick his running mate from among members of the legislature. The Committee co-chaired by Ike Nwachukwu and Mohammed Kumalia had presented its report on Monday. The Committee also noted that the subject of state…
Nigeria’s Senate yesterday kicked against the move to make presidential debates mandatory before an election on the grounds that such debates should remain outside the purview of the law. Similarly, the Senate also approved the controversial electronic voting by allowing the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, to choose the procedure for voting at an election – thereby removing the obstacle to electronic voting. These are contained in the bill in an act to amend the Electoral Act 2010 to provide for the tenure of office of secretary, power to issue duplicate voter card, and determine voting procedure. Senate Leader, Victor…
Distraught parents of the abducted Chibok schoolgirls and many residents of the community have expressed concern that almost three months after the girls have remained in Boko Haram captivity, they are left with no option than to go into the dreaded Sambisa Forest and rescue the girls, even if they die trying. The parents added that they would be happy to receive the corpses of their daughters for decent burial and mourn them than having them with the terrorists without knowing what their fate is. This was the position of some of the parents, who spoke with LEADERSHIP in a…
An Italian nun, Enza Guccione, has declared that the Boko Haram insurgency can only be defeated if corruption ends in the country. According to Guccione, Boko Haram’s deadly attacks will only end if corruption is eliminated in the country. Drawing on her years of experience in the country, the Nigeria-based Italian nun said the insurgency is as a result of Nigeria’s internal instability and politicians’ lack of effort to promote the country’s development. She was quoted as telling the IBTimes UK that “I believe Nigerian politics famous for its great corruption does not aim at promoting the country’s development. “Politicians’…
The BringBackOurGirls group (BBOG), Abuja family, has stated that apart from its daily sit outs and awareness rally, it is still determined to visit Chibok, Borno State, to identify with the families of schoolgirls abducted by the Boko Haram sect 81 days ago. The group, which spoke through one of its leaders – former Education Minister – Dr. Oby Ezekwesili, while fielding questions from journalists yesterday, said that during the early weeks of its advocacy, the group had applied to the Office of the National Security Adviser (NSA) for security clearance to visit Chibok, but the request has not been…
Nigeria’s Minister of Finance, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala said that the federal government has adopted a three-pronged approach to end insurgency and ensure security of lives and property as Islamist sect Boko Haram continues unleashing terror on the country. “We are taking a three-pronged approach to dealing with the various dimensions of crisis, and this includes security, political and economic solutions,” Okonjo-Iweala said Wednesday in London while briefing the British parliament on the Safe Schools Initiative. “On the security front, our military men and women are confronting an unprecedented challenge that they were not really trained to confront and so we…
Veteran Nollywood actress turned blogger has posed a question for all men out there. Whom would you rather date? Pick one and tell us why: – Which lady would you date? •Lady A Graduate. Looking for a job. Average looks. Goes to church everyday. Prays every night. Can only cook rice. Not stylish. Lives in a one bedroom with eight siblings. •Lady B High paying executive. Very beautiful. Very stylish. Travels regularly. Not spiritual. Has a cook. Lives in a Duplex alone. Drives a posh car. Make your choice. Who will it be?
B-Red hasn’t been half as successful as his fellow record label partner — Davido, but it seems the handsome but not so talented rapper isn’t really bothered. Nigerian Pop singer and HKN records signee, B-Red has slammed all rumors claiming that other artistes signed onto the label (HKN) are solely working for the success of Davido, the newly crowned prince of African Music. The singer who claimed the label is happy with the accomplishments of Davido, noted also that all members of the gang get credit because they all work as a team. “We are a team. Davido is very…
Former BBA housemate and rapper, Prezzo is dated a stunning beauty but it’s safe to say this is one of those situations of more beauty and no brains. Jack Patrick a.k.a Diva Boss have shown how clueless she is when it comes to soccer by mistaking Super Eagles goalkeeper Vincent Enyeama for Kenyan soccer star Victor Wanyama. During Nigeria’s second round match against France in the on-going World Cup finals, the Tanzanian socialite tweeted a compliment about Enyeama but referred to him as Victoria Kimani’s ex-boyfriend. See tweet below: – Diva @DivaTheBawse Follow Dis victoria kimani ex boyfriend is one of…
This has always been a controversial topic and would always be. However, Nigerian veteran comedian Alibaba has decided to talk about it. Read his tweets below and tell me what you think: – Akpobome @ALIBABAGCFR Follow I DONT KNOW IF IT IS A SIN, BUT IF I SIT IN A CHURCH AND THE PASTORS ARE NOT SERVING ME THE SPIRITUAL NOURISHMENT THAT I NEED, I GO WAKA 6:17 AM – 3 Jul 2014 AND BY SPIRITUAL NOURISHMENT, IM TALKING THE FULL ESSENCE OF THE WORD OF GOD. NO MATTER HOW HARD HITTING IT IS. GIVE IT TO ME LET ME GO…
Prominent northern politician, Alhaji Balarabe Musa, has taken President Goodluck Jonathan to the cleaners over his performance, saying his incompetence is taking its toll on the country. Musa, who was a Second Republic Governor of Kaduna State, said this during an interview with The PUNCH. The elder statesman argued that the fact that over 200 schoolgirls abducted by the Boko Haram sect from Chibok, Borno State, had not been rescued 81 days after, showed gross incompetence on the part of the Federal Government. He also described the involvement of foreign security agents in the bid to rescue the schoolgirls and…
After people would start blaming Etcetera for accusing Nigerian female celebrities of having 2nd hand husbands……hehe. Anyways, by now we all know that Nollywood actress, Mercy Johnson is a step mum. Her husband — Prince Okojie before their wedding in 2011, already had 2 kids with ex-wife, Lovely Okojie who now also has a new baby boy with her own man. Check out these very recent photos of the kids. See the shots below: –
Instant superstar singer — Yemi Alade, is done with her much highly anticipated Tangerine video. The female singer is also set to drop her anticipated debut album “King Of Albums” that will be available in stores in September. Her new video is expected to be a hit after the whole continent were impressed by her smash hit “Johnny”. This new video was directed by award winning cinematographer Clarence Peters. The duo also worked together in the past to create the successful video for her previous “Johnny” which gained over 2 million views in 3 months on YouTube. Yemi Alade who…