N200 MILLION ANNUAL PAY, HOUSE, CARS, FURNITURE FOR GOV. AKPABIO AFTER 2015

Millions of naira may soon be pockted annually by the outgoing governor of Akwa-Ibom state, deputy and all other elected governors to come after him if the new proposed bill in the state is passed into Law.

According to premiumtimes, Barely a year to his exit from office, Governor Godswill Akpabio of Akwa Ibom State has initiated a law to enable him pocket a whooping N200 million in annual pay after his tenure expires.

Mr. Akpabio is also demanding other benefits including a new house, brand new cars, furniture and luxurious living for the rest of his life.

Based on Section 1(1) of the bill, “An indigene of the state who has held office as a democratically elected governor or deputy governor of former Cross River State and a person who has held office as a democratically elected governor or deputy governor of the state shall when he ceases to hold office be entitled,” to the new perks.

Under the proposed law, Mr. Akpabio and others listed in Section 1(1) are entitled to a monthly pension for life at the rate equivalent to his current salary.

Similarly, the serving deputy governor, Valerie Ebe, is entitled to a monthly pension for life at the rate of her current salary.

Mr. Akpabio and his deputy; Mrs. Ebe will therefore pocket a total of N2, 223, 705. 00; and N2, 112, 215, 00 respectively as monthly and a total of N26, 684, 460,00 and N25, 346, 580 respectively as pension, per annum. Continue, see more figures after the cut

PICTURES OF SOME OF THE UNIJOS STUDENTS WHO WERE KILLED IN THE BLAST

This is a picture of some of the University of Jos students who were killed in the Boko haram bomb blast on Wednesday afternoon. The students were on their way home after lectures closed  for the day when the bomb exploded.   

May their Gentle Soul Rest in Peace. We should also pray for the peace of our nation so we don't lose the future of our country.

ANOTHER MUTINY IN MAIMALARI BARRACKS,SOLDIERS DEMANDS ALLOWANCE

There has been another mutiny by the 7th Division of the Nigerian Army located at Maimalari Barracks, Maiduguri on Thursday afternoon. This is the same division that protested over the killing of about a hundred soldiers who died in Chibok which led to the removal of the then Commanding officer. The angry soldiers stormed the office of the new General Commanding Officer, Brigadier General M.Y. Ibrahim, demanding their allowances and that he reinstates Motorbikes and Tricycles(keke) which he banned to enable them move around the barracks with ease.

According to Saharareports, several sources in the barracks said the soldiers’ second act of mutiny in two weeks began around 3:00 p.m. (Nigerian time). The angry soldiers blew a whistle, and most of the rank and file gathered at a spot before they marched en masse to the 7th Division headquarters building where the GOC’s office is located. Continue after the cut...

NIGERIAN MILITARY DENIES GENOCIDE OPERATION IN BORNO STATE

The military has denied that any form genocide is been carried out by the army, if you did not read the story see it here.
In a statement released by the Director of Defence Information, Maj.-Gen Chris Olukolade, he said the military is not involved in any genocide in any part of the country. Read the statement below;

"The DHQ wishes to unequivocally dissociate the Nigerian military from any involvement in the alleged genocide as depicted in the graphic pictures which appeared in the front page of Blueprint newspapers of 22 May 2014 edition entitled, “Alleged Killing field in Borno”.

While the military will continue to respect freedom of expression of Nigerians, it will not submit to desperate blackmail and propaganda aimed at diverting attention and pitching public opinion against the armed forces. continue after the cut...

COUP: THE MILITARY TAKES OVER THAILAND

Thailand Army chief, General Prayut Chan-Ocha, has announced that the military has taken over the country. This followed after a two days negotiation with the navy, senators and other stakeholders failed to yield results, General Ocha, would be in power till a new leader is elected. part of his statement reads

"It is necessary for the Peace and Order Maintaining Command - which includes army, navy, armed forces and police - to take control of governing the country," Chan-Ocha said.

Thailand has been in constant violence since November 2013, when the public asked the Prime minister to resign. The last six months have been full of protest against the government which led to the coup. The military has thrown out the 2007 constitution except for the section 2 which acknowledges the king as the head of state. 

This is the 12th Coup in the history of Thailand since it became a constitutional Monarchy in 1932.
The military has also imposed a curfew on the citizens between 10pm to 5 am. And also some stations have been removed off air from broadcasting the Thai situation including Cnn, while other stations were asked to carry only the signal of the army television

GORY IMAGES : GENOCIDE IN BORNO

This story and pictures made round ealier today dont know how true it is. Dr. Ahmad Abubakar Mahmu Gumi, a Muslim cleric shared this on his facebook page, he claims the men lined up are young Almajiris who were executed without trial as Boko Haram members in Borno state. 

Dr. Ahmad claims vigilante groups would move into the villages, pick young men, take them to the field and kill them. He said this is how some innocent people are killed in the name of fighting Boko Haram. He shared four photos some photos below. They are gory images, viewers discretion advised....see photos below

"HALF OF A YELLOW SUN": SEGUN ARINZE ASK NFVCB DIRECTOR TO RESIGN

Yesterday, i published an article which Biyi Bandele the director of half of a yellow sun wrote, why Nigerians can't watch "half of a yellow sun"(click on the link to read). Biyi like everyone else is wondering why we cant go to the cinemas to seethe movie this movie even after the director of NFVCB, Mrs Bala was in Canada to watch it during the premier.

This is the Biggest movie written by a Nigerian, produced by a Nigerian, for Nigrians, we are telling our story by ourselves and we are not allowed to see it in Nigeria. Some say it is not been released because of the story it tells about the Nigerian civil war but it is our history and the younger generation should know their story.

Following the refusal by Mrs director to release the movie, Mr Segun Arinze, the former president of Actors Guild of Nigeria has called for the resignation of the Director of NFVCB(Nigeria Film & Video censors Board) Mrs Patricia Bala. His statement  below;

Please tell Madam Patricia Bala of Nigeria Film and Video Censors Board to release the movie Half of a Yellow Sun. She has no reason to hold on to the movie. She has no right to censor the movie only to classify it. She saw it in Canada and even partnered with the producers in Canada during the premiere. What she is doing now is an embarrassment to government and a big insult to our dear industry, Nollywood. We are not in a military regime. She should kindly resign'. - Segun Arinze

CHIBOK ABDUCTION: NIGERIAN ARMY RECRUITS VOLUNTEERS FOR THE ARMY

The Nigerian army has announced the recruitment of volunteer soldiers that will aid in the search for the missing Chibok girls as well as help in the fight against Boko Haram insurgence, this is according to channelstv. In a press briefing, the Director of Public Affairs said the recruitment exercise will end on June 21st and is open to only able bodied persons.

Still on the Boko haram insurgency, CNN reports that the US will be sending military troops to the Chadian border in search of the missing girls. The US president in a letter to the National assembly said he  will be sending 80 members of the soldiers to chad.

"These personnel will support the operation of intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance aircraft for missions over northern Nigeria and the surrounding area. The force will remain in Chad until its support in resolving the kidnapping situation is no longer required."

The new development is due to a new intelligence which the US received.

UNIVERSITY OF JOS LOSS 15 STUDENTS IN JOS BLAST

About 15 University of Jos student were part of those who died in Tuesday's blast in Jos. This message was made public via their twitter handle yesterday, among the 15 dead students, 8 are final year medical students of the tertiary institution.

According to reports, the 8 medical students were returning home after a class at noon when the blast happened.

The students are said to have stayed away from the classrooms to mourn the students. According to the varsity, the bodies are yet to be found among the dead in the hospital.

CAN PRESIDENT, AYO ORITSEJAFOR SET TO LAUNCH NEW UNIVERSITY IN WARRI

PHOTO CREDIT: LIB

The Founder of the Word Life Bible Church Warri , and the President of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Pastor Ayo Oritsejafor, is set to launch a new University called Eagle Heights University. 

According to report from LIB, the christian university will be located in Omadino in Warri, Delta state. The ground breaking ceremony will hold 3rd June , 2014.

WILL NIGERIANS GET TO WATCH "HALF OF A YELLOW SUN" IN LOCAL CINEMAS

It has been almost a month since we heard that the movie "half of a yellow sun" was to premiere in Nigerian cinemas like it was done in Toronto but the said movie is yet to get a certification from the Nigeria film & censors board. I know most people must have seen the movie via online but the issue is can we go to our very own cinemas to see this movie? See what Biyi Bandele, director of half of a yellow sun wrote in this article: culled from cnn

When I heard last month that the Nigerian Film and Video Censors Board, headquartered in Abuja, had indicated that it would be unable to issue certification for "Half of a Yellow Sun" in time for the film's release date, I naturally assumed, at first, that what we were faced with was nothing more sinister than another instance of the typical, if frustrating, culture of wilfull incompetence that we'd grappled with during the making of the film -- while shooting the film in Nigeria two years ago, there were times when we felt ensnared in impenetrable jungles of red tape, when we would be given the go-head by one arm of the government only to find our path blocked by the other arm.

NIGERIA ASKS UNITED NATIONS TO BLACKLIST THE BOKO HARAM SECT

The Nigerian government has officially asked the United Nations security council to blacklist the Boko Haram sect, this decision was made due to the recent attack in Jos yesterday that killed about hundreds of people.

 According to reports by Premium times Nigeria urged the Security Council al Qaeda sanctions committee to recognize the group as a terrorist organization, indicating a further raise in the government’s effort to root the group.

 Nigeria urged the Security Council al Qaeda sanctions committee to recognize the group as a terrorist organization, indicating a further raise in the government’s effort to root the group.

17 FEARED IN ANOTHER ATTACK IN BORNO STATE

Barely 24 hours after the deadly boko haram sect attacked Jos killing over a 100 people, the sect last night raided Alagarno village, Borno state, killing abou 17 people.
According to BBC reports, some of the buildings were razed. The north-eastern state has been vulnerable to the sects attack since the insurgents started their operations.

Witnesses in Alagarno said the suspected Boko Haram fighters arrived close to midnight, forcing many residents to flee into the bush.

The militants left the village some four hours later with stolen food and vehicles. One survivor told the BBC that every single building in the village had been torched.

CHIBOK GIRLS:BORNO STATE TO SPEND 150 MILLION ON SUPPORT FOR 53 ESCAPED GIRLS, PARENTS

The Borno state goverment, Yesterday announced that the state government will be spending 150 million naria in rehabilitating the 53 escaped chibok girls and their parents. The Governor said this in a meeting with the presidential fact-finding committee, he also said a committee has been set-up for this purpose and that some international organisations are also working to aid the girls and their parents.

The Governor further slammed members of the public who doubted the abduction of the girls and he was deeply saddened by the notion.

MARKET WOMAN LOSES ABOUT 5MILLION IN FIRE INCIDENT

An unidentified woman who is known to keep her money in her shop may have lost most or all of it in a fire raze at the Daleko Market, Mushin Lagos state. The money lost is said to be about 5 million naira is kept in a huge hole inside the shop(see the hole in the pics above).

There was a mild drama on Monday in the Daleko Market, Mushin, Lagos State, as journalists searched in vain for an unidentified trader who was said to have lost huge sums of money buried in her shop to the fire incident that razed the market on Sunday.
Our correspondent, who visited the market, could see the huge hole in the shop where the money was said to have been buried.

One of the traders, who spoke to PUNCH Metro on condition of anonymity, said the trader was in the habit of keeping her money in the underground, instead of a bank.

He said, “The woman usually keeps money in her shop, and would use her goods to cover it.

GORY IMAGES FROM THE JOS BLAST

Two big explosions this afternoon ripped through the market located at Jos Terminus behind the popular Ahmadu Bello way in Jos, Plateau state.

Update: The first explosion occurred at 2.30pm, the second one 30 minutes later, killing scores. The first explosion reportedly went off in a Sienna Space bus, but didn't kill many people but the second one, which occurred as people came back to rescue the injured from the first explosion, recorded a high number of casualty. Men of the Fire Service, NEMA and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps are currently at the scene helping with rescue efforts.

GORY IMAGE: CUSTOM OFFICERS BATHES WOMAN WITH ACID

Mr Nwaeze, a Nigerian Customs Officer at Mosafejo Aradagun Unit has boasted he is "above arrest" after bathing Ms. Tope Fadipe  with a deadly acid solution two weeks ago over some missing money.

According to Sahara reports, Ms. Tope Fadipe is Salesgirl at a local food store run by Mr. Nwaeze's family.She had been selling stocks for the family for about three years before the incident.

On Friday, the 9th May, 2014, she was accused of not remitting N50,000 stock sales, and she had argued her defense.

However, community residents say, Mr. Nwaeze got frenzied at her refuting the allegation, and a heated argument escalated where he allegedly had bathed her with a deadly acid solution. See more after the cut...

POLICE AVERTS ANOTHER BOMB INCIDENT IN KANO

The Police averted another bomb detonation this morning in Kano. This is a press release signed by The Force Public Relations officer, Frank Mba on the incident,

The Police in Kano today, 19th May, 2014, about 9:00am averted what could have been another devastating bomb blast in the ancient city of Kano. Kano Police operatives, acting on intelligence, tracked and recovered a Mitsubishi Station Wagon car, ash in colour, with registration number Kano – AE 756 GSW loaded with assorted gas cylinders, one container of fuel and other electrical components of Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs). The vehicle was recovered at Tafawa Balewa Street, Nasarawa area of Kano State and has since been rendered safe by Police Bomb Disposal experts.
Meanwhile, security agencies in Kano have commenced investigation into both the aborted blast as well as the last night bomb incident. Continue

VAN GAAL APPOINTED MANCHESTER UNITED MANAGER, GIGGS ASSISTANT

Yea, the Dutch boss Loius Van Gaal has finally been appointed as the new Manager for Manchester united after three long weeks of deliberation by the board. 

The Dutchman signed a three year deal with the club, he will be set to take over the Man United club on July 14th once the Holland world cup campaign is over. Ryan Giggs has been named the assistant coach and also announced his retirement from professional football. 

Below is a brief managerial titles and honours Van Gaal has won for club sides for the past 23 years in the coaching business,

MH370: PRODUCERS SET TO MAKE A MOVIE FOR MISSING MALAYSIAN AIRLINE

MH370, does it sound familiar? Yes, that is the flight no of the Malaysian Airline that disappeared from the surface of the earth on March 8.  Movie-makers in Cannes, France have announced that they will be making a movie thriller for the missing airline.

The film is bein produced by an Indian Rupesh Paul Productions, is to be entitled "The Vanishing Act: The Untold Story of the Missing Malaysian Plane." Report claims their will be international casts from UK, France, Russia and Korea, and the experience of Hollywood technicians will add a touch to the said movie.

Paul told CNN gave an insight of what the movie entails, read After the cut

"The movie is based on an investigative report by a journalist which was rejected by the media so it is definitely controversial. The movie will answer two questions: one is what went wrong with MH370 and where is MH370 on this earth?"

An eight-page pamphlet promoting the movie at Cannes' Marchee du Film (film market) says the "The Vanishing Act tells the story of five people who seek revenge for the death of their loved ones. They hijack a plane. (sic) but things aren't as they appear. The FBI too makes an appearance and things get murkier."

Paul says investors from India, China and Malaysia itself are on board and will sign contracts at the weekend.