BREAKING NEWS

Vanguard reports that Tsur Dvir, a Marketing Officer for Aeronautics Defense Systems, a firm based south of Tel Aviv, that supplied Nigeria with Aerostar unmanned aerial vehicles, said yesterday that to the best of their knowledge, the drones are not operational. "To the best of our knowledge, these systems are not operational. They (drones) are probably parked in a yard somewhere". He said lack of maintenance have reduced their operational effectiveness and made them obsolete.  Tsur said they received a letter of inquiry for maintenance on the drones from the Nigerian govt but it was never followed through "We did receive an inquiry from them about spare parts, but it never turned into a deal. I wish it had.” he said. Aerospace industry experts say each drone cost between $15 million and $17 million.     The multi-billion naira drones purchased by the Nigerian Government in 2006 for the surveillance of petroleum pipelines...

Kassim Shettima Borno State governor said the state government would spend 150 million naira for the rehabilitation of the 53 girls that escaped from boko haram abduction.The Governor made this announcement when he received the Presidential Fact Finding Committee on the missing girls in his office yesterday. Gov Shettima decried the notion by some people that the missing Chibok girls was a scam or that it was a staged attempt by the state government to stop emergency rule extension in the state.  The Governor also revealed that since the beginning of this year, N1billion has been spent on the rehabilitation of people and places that have experienced attacks from Boko Haram.  "In this year alone, we had spent close to one billion naira on victims. In Gwoza, we spent two hundred million naira for reconstruction of destroyed houses, markets, places of worship and to provide cash to victims so they could have something to rely on in the immediate term to fee...

Over 118 people died in the commercial hub city in jos yesterday.The President has released a press statement condemning the bomb blast that occurred yesterday afternoon at Terminus market in Jos.Here is the press statement signed by his spokesman reuben abati President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan strongly condemns the bomb blasts in Jos, Plateau state, today, describing the perpetrators of this tragic assault on human freedom as cruel and evil.  He has also directed all relevant agencies to mobilise support and relief efforts in aid of the victims. The President extends his heartfelt sympathies to the affected families and persons. President Jonathan assures all Nigerians that government remains fully committed to winning the war against terror, and this administration will not be cowed by the atrocities of enemies of human progress and civilization. Continue...

Real Madrid duo Cristiano Ronaldo and Gareth Bale will be fit to face Atletico Madrid in Saturday's Champions League final in Lisbon. Despite former Tottenham winger Bale sitting out a morning training session, coach Carlo Ancelotti confirmed the duo's availability at a morning press briefing. But the Italian is uncertain over the fitness of striker Karim Benzema after he picked up an abductor injury against Espanyol last weekend. Midfielder Sami Khedira is likely to take part in the Stadium of Light showpiece. Ronaldo was limited to working on an individual training regime with a physio after he pulled out during the warm-up of last Saturday's game as a precaution due to recent thigh problems. "Bale has helped us a lot this season. He is in an excellent physical shape. Khedira is fit and ready to play," said Ancelotti. And Bale confirmed he was 100% fit and the fact he sat out the morning session 'was no cause for concern'. Speaking to  S...

Louis van Gaal believes he has joined the "biggest club in the world" after his appointment as Manchester United boss was confirmed. Van Gaal is currently with Holland as he oversees their World Cup preparations but he has spoken to Dutch TV about his new role, which he will take up once his duties in Brazil are over. Van Gaal has previously won titles at Ajax, Barcelona, AZ Alkmaar and Bayern Munich, and is not holding back in his ambitions for United. "The aim is to bring them back to the number-one position as soon as possible, because that's where they were under Sir Alex Ferguson," he told Dutch TV station RTL. "It was always a wish for me to work in the Premier League. "To work as a manager for Manchester United, the biggest club in the world, makes me very proud. "I have managed in games at Old Trafford before and know what an incredible arena Old Trafford is and how passionate and knowledgeable the fans are. This club has bi...

20 year old Delta state born Merrilyn Akpapuna (pictured above) on May 10th 2014 emerged overall Best Graduating Student of Dillard University, an Ivy league school in New Orleans, USA .  Merrilyn, the daughter of a dental surgeon, graduated with a first class honors in Psychology. She also won two other awards for highest academic achievements for the College of Arts and Sciences and College of General Studies. Her feat made her share the podium with US First Lady, Michelle Obama, who attended the school's convocation. Merrilyn is pictured above with the President of Dillard University, Dr Walter Kimbrough. Congrats to her. What an inspiration. Continue...

A spokeswoman at Florence's mayor's office has confirmed that Kim & Kanye West will get married at Belvedere Fort in Florence, Italy on May 24 th. You will find pictures from the Belvedere Fort in Florence where they will officially tie the knot after the cut. Meanwhile Radar Online is reporting that not only have Jay Z & Beyonce agreed to attend but Jay has also agreed to be Kanye's best man  RadarOnline.com has exclusively learned that not only are Beyonce and Jay Z attending - but the “Empire State of Mind” rapper will be standing up as West’s best man. After receiving the official RSVP from Beyonce and Jay, West was shocked to receive a surprise gift. Continue...

  Minister of State for Industry, Trade and Investment, Dr. Samuel Ortom has revealed the Federal Government's plans to roll out made-in-Nigeria vehicles into the market next month, June 2014. The Minister made this known when he received a delegation from Automobile Peugeot, France in his office in Abuja, Punch reports. The minister, while addressing the delegation which included the company's Vice President, Mr. Yves Moulin, said the newly introduced auto policy is quite effective and is attracting automobile brands to establish assembly plants in Nigeria. Continue... "The automotive policy is derived from the National Industrial Revolution Plan, and we are happy with the response we have been getting from the automotive industry worldwide; and with your coming, it shows that this policy is working. When the policy was introduced, people criticised it and most of them do not understand the benefit of the policy. We have had several stakeholders fro...

Nollywood actress, Ini Edo, has been offered a scholarship to study Law at the National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN). The actress took to her instagram page to share the good news. She posted a picture of herself holding up her admission letter, with veteran actor Kenneth Okonkwo. According to Ini Edo, the admission is a dream come true and she is excited about the chance. Congratulation Ini Edo.

26-year-old British musician,  Adele has an estimated fortune of a £45 million, a whopping £15 million more than the second-placed Scottish DJ and producer Calvin Harris, who has £30 million in the bank. In third place, 30-year-old former Girls Aloud singer Cheryl Cole, who recently signed a deal to return to UK TV show ‘The X Factor’, is worth an estimated £16 million. One Direction — with members Niall Horan, 20, Zayn Malik, 21, Liam Payne, 20, Harry Styles, 20, and Louis Tomlinson, 22 — share fourth place on the Sunday Times’ annual Rich List with a combined wealth of £70 million. They are each worth £14 million, a massive jump from £5 million each 12 months ago. Rounding out the top 10 are former ‘X Factor’ winner Leona Lewis, 29, and Mumford & Sons frontman Marcus Mumford, 27, who are both worth an estimated £13 million. Marcus’ three bandmates, Ted Dwane, Ben Lovett and Winston Marshall, share 15th place on the list with assets of £8 million each. The list is based on ...

NEW YORK (AP) — Oprah Winfrey and former Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton surprised Barbara Walters on Thursday as the legendary newswoman taped her final edition of "The View" to end a five-decade career on television. Actor Michael Douglas, a longtime friend and frequent subject for Walters' interviews, also dropped by for the tribute, which airs Friday on ABC at 11 a.m. EDT. Looking smart in a cream-colored blazer and a black skirt, the 84-year-old Walters was presiding over a studio audience of friends, colleagues and fans on hand to witness a bit of history.

The Governor of Borno state, Kashim Shettima has asked President Jonathan to negotiate with Boko Haram men if that is what it will take to release the abducted Chibok girls. Governor Shettima made this remark during an interview with CNN's Christiane Amanpour last night. "The issue of not negotiation with the terrorists – it’s out of the question. If it means talking to the devil, it means the devil can come down, we can get back our girls. The group that kidnapped the girls are a bunch of raving lunatics. "Do we have any other option? If I have to talk to the devil to secure the release of the girls, I will do so. President Jonathan did not act on time and did not talk to me over the kidnappings until 19 days after.’’ He also said for the first three weeks after the girls were abducted, the whole thing was politicized. 

Pregnant 27 year old Sudanese woman, Mariam Yahia Ibrahim Ishag has been sentenced to death by hanging by a Sudanese court for apostasy, (that is, renouncing ones faith or religion) after marrying a Christian man  Mariam, whose father is Muslim but raised orthodox Christian by her mother, was earlier sentenced to death by hanging on Sunday May 11th but was given till today May 15th to have a rethink and convert back to Islam before the verdict would be enforced. However during a court appearance today, Mariam maintained that she's a Christian and there's no going back.  "We gave you three days to recant but you insist on not returning to Islam. I sentence you to be hanged to death." Judge Abbas Mohammed Al-Khalifa told the woman in court today, AFP reports  Continue... Khalifa also sentenced Ishag to 100 lashes for "adultery". “I am a Christian and I never committed apostasy,” she said in court. Defending the judgement of the Sudanese judge, A...

see more photos after the court

President Jonathan had sent a letter to members of the National Assembly a few days ago requesting for extension of emergency rule in the three states.  The Senate would have to agree to this too before it can be fully effected. Their own deliberation and voting will take place May 20th. Adamawa, Yobe and Borno states have been the worst hit since the emergency of Boko Haram.

The Federal Government, yesterday, said with effect from today, electricity consumers that had no power supply for 15 days in a month are no longer required to pay the monthly N750 fixed charge to their respective Distribution Companies, Discos. The Chairman, Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission, NERC, Dr. Sam Amadi, who issued the directive at a briefing in Abuja, said it became necessary after the commission carried out investigations into complaints from consumers over continued payment of fixed charge even when service is not delivered. Amadi said: “While the commission has determined that the fixed charge remains an essential component of the bill, it has, however, reviewed the continued retention of the fixed charge component in the tariff and payment of fixed charge in the light of consumer complaints, particularly with regard to continued payment of fixed charge even when the energy is not delivered to the consumer.

With the Basketball Commission forcing L.A Clippers owner Donald Sterling to sell his team following his racist audio tape scandal, several high-profile black celebrities have shown interest in buying the team. Oprah Winfrey, Sean 'Diddy' Combs, Floyd Mayweather and Magic Johnson have all shown interest, especially Oprah. Sterling, however, says his team is not for sale and won't go down without a fight. The 81 year old, who has not issued a public apology yet, bought the Clippers for $12 million in 1981. Today they are worth a staggering $575 million. Oprah is worth over $3billion...so she's capable. The only way Sterling can be forced to give up his team is if 3/4 of the NBA owners agree to the sale. by linda ikeji

Nollywood actress Chika Ike sent BellaNaija.com a press release on the trending topic. Read it below; The Time to act is now. My heart is broken, our daughters have been taken away from us. 234 has become a memorable number but not for a good cause. It’s been 2weeks and all we hear is that our daughters have been abducted, I can’t even imagine my innocence at that age.

  A frica’s number one music authority, MTV Base has announced the nominees for this year’s MTV Africa Music Awards.  The announcement was made tonight, Wednesday, 16 April 2014 at an impressive nominations party at The Sands in Johannesburg, South Africa. This year’s nominations prove that Nigerian music has fast taken over Africa. Out of fifteen different categories, Nigeria has been nominated in eleven categories and includes some of the biggest names in the Nigerian entertainment industry including Omotola Jalade, Chimamanda Adichie, 2Face, PSquare, Wizkid, Burna Boy, Olamide, Flavour among many others.See more pictures after the cut Continue...

According to reports the mother of one is the highest paid female entertainer in Nigeria, charging up to N5 Million naira per show! According to an Encomium report, Omawumi has the most endorsement deals of any female performer, even Tiwa Savage! ENCOMIUM Weekly’s findings revealed that Omawumi’s performance fee has risen from N3 million (as at September 2013) to N5 million, depending on the show. Omawumi is missing from action at this year’s Nigerian Breweries sponsored Star Trek, the biggest music concert in Africa because of her relationship with another brand, Guinness. Sources close to her disclosed to ENCOMIUM Weekly that Omawumi performs, at least six times in a month.

Knocked out of the Champions League by Atletico Madrid on Wednesday, the Catalan giants then proceeded to lose to Granada on Saturday and lose pace with Diego Simeone's side at the top of La Liga. The Copa del Rey now represents Barcelona's best chance for significant silverware this season, but they will need to overcome their bitter rivals to claim victory. Meanwhile, Madrid are through to the semi-finals of the Champions League where they will face Bayern Munich but are also playing catch-up on Atletico in the Spanish league. 

More Nigerians including the Speaker of the House of Reps, Aminu Tambuwal, former Kwara state Governor Bukola Saraki and other government officials today visited the National Blood Transfer Service in Abuja to donate blood for victims of yesterday's bomb blast at Nyanya Motor Park. Saraki pictured left at NBTS today and Tambuwal pictured right donating blood.  by lindaikeji

Transformation: Cambridge Lodge, which was a disused water tank, has opened as a holiday home A disused concrete water tank dating back to 1909 has been transformed into a luxurious holiday home. Jim and Lisa Hardy spent 10 years renovating Cambridge Lodge, which was covered in earth and only accessible through manholes in the roof. The couple, who bought the property from Severn Trent Water, gave it a makeover – based on a sketch on the back of an envelope. Transformation: Cambridge Lodge, which was a disused water tank, has opened as a holiday  home see more pics after the cut

The National Blood Transfusion Service, NBTS, in Asokoro has seen a large turnout of Nigerians coming to the Asokoro General Hospital to donate blood to save Nyanya blast victims. 

Oh dear. This is not good. Two blasts at Nyanya Motor Park on the outskirts of Abuja this morning April 14th has killed several people with many injured. The blast occurred at the crowded bus station around 6.30am today during rush hour as commuters were about to board buses and taxis to go to work in central Abuja. Two buses full of people were struck. It is believed that one of the buses, which was parked overnight at the motor park, was loaded with the bomb that went off this morning. The explosion occurred in a section of Nyanya park allocated to luxury buses. An eyewitness said he saw at least 50 bodies being removed from the scene..

Nigerian award-winning singer, Ayo Balogun, a.k.a  Wizkid  has become the first Nigerian artiste to reach one million followers on popular social networking site, Twitter. Currently with 1,001,047 followers as at writing this, the EME music label act beats other popular music artistes like D’banj (816k+ followers), Don Jazzy (719k+ followers), 2face Idibia   (686k+ followers) and Nollywood actress, Genevieve Nnaji   (542k+ followers).

In an exclusive interview with UK Daily Mail today, Reeva’s sister Simone (pictured left) says they are in no doubt that Pistorius is a liar. "He is trying to convince the court that they were really close and that he cared for her. It’s not true. He is a disgusting liar. At the start of the trial, my heart stopped as he walked past, ignoring us. I like to think his heart stopped too. He knew we were there but he almost lost his balance and fell over when he saw us. ‘Then he sat in the dock, smirking. He killed my sister and yet he still seems to be enjoying his celebrity status. During the adjournments he marched around as if he was still a star while my mother and I just wanted to hide away. I don’t understand how anyone could commit that act – kill someone – and behave like that.’   To find an outlet for their feelings, the Steenkamps plan to open a shelter in Reeva’s memory for women who are victims of domestic abuse. But before that, there are  three more weeks of...

  NATO has released satellite photos that show the extent of Russia's military mobilization on its border with Ukraine -- including fighter jets, tanks, artillery and thousands of soldiers who are prepared to invade within 12 hours if called upon, say officials. The photos appear to confirm Western leaders' fears that Russia may be preparing for a ground invasion of eastern Ukraine, despite NATO's call for Russia to withdraw its forces from the border. What do the photos show? The photos, which private satellite imaging firm DigitalGlobe says it took between March 22 and April 2, purportedly reveal dozens of Russian "fast jets," helicopters and infantry units that were not spotted in photos of the same areas last year.

Presh of former music duo Kc Presh is now signed to Erik Manny Records. Erik Manny is owned by Mr Dilly, Chairman of Dilly Motors. Presh signed a multi million naira record deal with Erik Manny that comes with a a 2014 Prado Jeep and a 2013 Infiniti Qx 56 

Makurdi came alive as thousands of music fans trooped to IBB Square Makurdi to attend the second stage of Star Music Trek 2014 . They witnessed performances from artistes such as  2Face, M.I, Tiwa Savage, Wande Coal, Timaya, Dammy Krane  and other home grown talents. The event, hosted by  Gbenga Adeyinka , saw Tiwa Savage perform “ Missing You “, her tribute to late singer  Zara Gretti . Wande Coal also perfromed a snippet of his new single, ” Baby Hello “. 2Face also gave a sensational duet performance with international singer-song writer  Bridget Kelly  of Roc Nation . They performed  ”Let   Somebody Love You”,  off the music legend’s forthcoming album, Ascension .

The U.S. National Security Agency knew for at least two years about a flaw in the way that many websites send sensitive information, now dubbed the Heartbleed bug, and regularly used it to gather critical intelligence, two people familiar with the matter said. The NSA’s decision to keep the bug secret in pursuit of national security interests threatens to renew the rancorous debate over the role of the government’s top computer experts. Heartbleed appears to be one of the biggest glitches in the Internet’s history, a flaw in the basic security of as many as two-thirds of the world’s websites. Its discovery and the creation of a fix by researchers five days ago prompted consumers to change their passwords, the Canadian government to suspend electronic tax filing and computer companies including Cisco Systems Inc. to Juniper Networks Inc. to provide patches for their systems.  By Michael Riley

Mohammed Abacha — the son of late former   Nigerian military dictator, General Sani Abacha — is facing fresh criminal lawsuit from the Federal Government for unlawfully taking possession of approximately N446.3bn stolen from government’s treasury between 1995 and 1998.  The latest lawsuit follows a decision by the Nigerian Supreme Court in January ordering the Nigerian government to file fresh charges against the dictator’s son. Also, the US Government recently froze assets belonging to the late dictator through its kleptocracy initiative. In the nine-count charge filed by private prosecutor, Daniel Enwelum upon a fiat dated  February 18th, 2014 by Attorney General of the Federation, Mohammed Adoke, the government accused Mohammed of “dishonestly receiving stolen property” and “voluntarily assisting in concealing money.” This fresh charge substitutes an earlier 121-count filed against Mohammed and Atiku Bagudu — the late ruler’s ally. However, Ba...

According to a 2013 United Nations report, 99.3% of Egyptian women have experienced sexual harassment in some form. In a recent article on CNN , some individuals involved in cases of sexual abuse offered some perspectives on what they felt incited these incidents. Authorities also shed some light on why the statistics of sexual harassment are so high. For instance, last month, a group of male students at an Egyptian university groped a female student. The university’s dean, a male, blamed the incident on the female victim, citing her ”inappropriate attire” as the cause of the assault because she removed the black cloak she was wearing. However, it was discovered that the student’s attire was far from provocative – she was wearing black trousers and a long-sleeved shirt. In response to the Dean’s statement, Habiba , also a victim of sexual harassment, said harassment has nothing to do with dress-sense. ”Even veiled girls get harassed all the time,” she sa...

S unday Omotayo, an unemployed graduate of Mechanical Engineering from Ekiti State University attempted to kill himself yesterday in Akwa Ibom Staate due to frustration, Punch Reports. Omotayo who had gone to Akwa Ibom state to seek employment hoping that his services as a trained mechanical engineer would be needed having heard of the infrastructural development happening in the state, was greatly disappointed as he was not absorbed by any company in the state. Frustrated by his inability to secure a job in the last ten years since he graduated from the university, Omotayo yesterday morning went to the Akwa Ibom State Prison Services asking prison officials to shoot him dead or put him in prison where he could rot and die. Continue...

 Boko Haram members yesterday April 9th bombed a police station, a bank and a Sharia Court in Gwaram Sabuwa, Gwaram LGA of Jigawa State killing at least 4 policemen, one civilian, with quite a number of others sustaining various degrees of injury. According to eye witnesses, the men, who were about 20 in number and came in motorcycles and other vehicles, operated from 1am to 2am unhindered. They later told the villagers that they would be back again if they continue sending their children to school, operating football viewing centres and  accepting polio vaccines. Continue...

Headlining a weeklong chain of events in London to celebrate the success of Nigeria over the past 100 years, GLEEHD Foundation in partnership with the Commonwealth Democracy Initiative, ROSTRA Consulting & Amandla Consulting hosted the cream de la cream of the Nigerian Public and Private sector at a Gala and Award Night to recognise the contribution of Eminent Nigerians and Nigeria’s Emerging Leaders on March 11, 2014 as Nigeria celebrates its Centenary.Continue.. The Gala Award Night honoured the contribution of Nigerian luminaries and other exceptional Nigerians at the Sheraton Park Lane Mayfair Hotel in London which had the participation of Commonwealth Leaders, British and Nigerian Political Leaders, Friends of Nigeria and Nigerians in Diaspora.  Speaking at the Gala, Dayo Israel, GLEEHD Foundation’s Director for Africa said “Tonight we gather here to say thank you to those whose effort have contributed to the continuous growth and progress of our nation Ni...

Akon  is  40  and to mark his big day, the  Senegalese-American artist reportedly brought down an old house and rebuilt it as a mansion for himself. What a birthday gift! The singer and producer reportedly took a perfectly fine suburban home in the  San Fernando Valley  and demolished it before turning it into a dope new party palace. Real estate sources say  Akon  burned just under  $2 million  for his new elegant 5-Bedroom contemporary home with glass walls and concrete floors. The  Lonely  singer unveiled his masterpiece this week as part of throwing himself a huge  40th birthday bash