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The forensic audit conducted by audit firm, PriceWaterHouseCoopers on behalf of the Federal Govt to investigate the financial transactions within the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, (NNPC) has indicted the management of the NNPC for various questionable transactions. The federal government had contracted the auditing firm in March last year to investigate allegations of financial impropriety within the corporation after Former CBN Governor, Sanusi Lamido Sanusi raised an alarm that $20m was missing from the coffers of the NNPC. President Jonathan received the report from the audit firm on Monday February 2nd. According to Premium Times, part of the recommendations in the audit report includes the Nigerian Petroleum Development Company, NPDC, the upstream subsidy of the NNPC, refund about $1.48billion to the Federation Account for various un-reconciled transactions. culled from linda ikeji

President Jonathan is currently holding the Council of State meeting with some past presidents and current Governors to deliberate on the forthcoming general elections. According to reports, one of the issues to be deliberated upon is the possible postponement of the elections to give INEC more time to distribute the permanent voters card. Present at the meet are; former President Shehu Shagari, Gen. Muhammadu Buhari (retd), Gen. Yakubu Gowon (retd.), Gen. Ibrahim Babangida (retd.), Gen. Abdusalami Abubakar and Chief Ernest Shonekan, Vice President Namadi Sambo; President of the Senate, David Mark; Speaker, House of Representatives, Aminu Tambuwal; Attorney-General of the Federation, Mohammed Bello Adoke Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Anyin Pius Anyim; National Security Adviser Sambo Dasuki, Governors Rotimi Amaechi (Rivers), Rabiu Kwankwaso (Kano), Babatunde Fashola (Lagos), Rochas Okorocha (Imo), Aliyu Wamako (Sokoto), Ibikunle Amosun (Ogun), Abdulfatahi Ahmed (Kwa...

 

The PDP presidential campaign group has condemned Gen. Buhari for refusing to participate in yet another presidential debate, this one organized by Channels TV in conjunction with ARISE TV and NPAN. A statement was signed by the party's presidential campaign spokesman, Femi Fani Kayode  "We have been informed that General Buhari and the APC have decided not to participate in the NPAN-Channel Television-organised debate after they had earlier agreed to take part in it. We had thought that having withdrawn from participating in the debate organised by Broadcasting Organisation of Nigeria (BON), they would have availed themselves this second platform. Now that they have also turned their back on this, it is now very clear that General Buhari is incapable of engaging in rigorous live television debates on the issues of governance. It speaks about his intellectual laziness and his loss of touch with contemporary issues of development and statecraft. We would like to reiterate...

President Jonathan receiving the forensic audit report of finances in NNPC by PricewaterhouseCoopers President   Goodluck Jonathan   on Monday in Abuja received the Forensic Audit report on the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) from the international auditing firm,   PricewaterhouseCoopers . He said that the report would help to address the lapses in the oil industry and help the administration to address the misconceptions in the industry. “The figures being branded in the newspapers are ones that Nigerians will be interested in. “Indeed, you mentioned the issue of the reforms in the sector. “Everybody knows that the sector needs to be reformed and I believe that by the time we go through the petroleum industry bill and make it a law, most of these lapses would be corrected and the misconceptions will be properly addressed by the different administrative structures. “I thank you for what you have done. It will help us, it will help this count...

I read some of the responses to my article, “Buhari vs Jonathan: Beyond the Election”, and I want to thank everyone who has contributed to the debate. I am glad that the debate has finally taken off. I have decided, for the record, to re-enter the debate if only to set some records straight and hopefully elevate the debate further.  Whom do I respond to? First, let me thank Gov Kayode Fayemi for his very mature and professional response on behalf of the APC. It forms a great basis for deepening the conversation. Pat Utomi, Oby Ezekwesili, Iyabo Obasanjo, and thousands of other patriotic Nigerians have raised the content of the debate. Femi Fani-Kayode made me laugh, as usual. The Gov. Jang faction of the Governors’ Forum played the usual politics, although I know what most of them think privately. Who else? Oh, Peter Obi. Well, since he can’t write and designated Valentine as usual to write for him (who never disputed the NBS statistics that Obi broke world record in the pauperiz...

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has extended the deadline for collection of Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) to Sunday, 8th February 2015. This supersedes the earlier deadline of Saturday, 31st January 2015, and is intended to give registered voters yet to collect their PVCs the opportunity to do so in readiness for the February 2015 general elections. Continue... INEC hereby calls on duly registered persons not to delay in going to collect their cards before the expiration of the new deadline. The Commission reaffirms its determination to make the 2015 elections free, fair, credible and peaceful; and urges all stakeholders, including voters, to spare no effort in working towards the same objective. Kayode Robert Idowu Chief Press Secretary to INEC Chairman

It is depressing to witness so many couples ending up in divorce, and it is especially disconcerting to see them going into divorce just because of some petty issues that can be resolved by simple communications. You may be asking "How can I save my marriage?" but it is really up to you to do that. My personal feeling is that, filing for divorce is not the solution for any marriage. In fact, it is the most silly thing a person can do. There are in fact ways to save your marriage and you need to be fully committed to reconcile a marriage. One of the first step that I would advice is to go for marital counseling. This will enable a couple to have a mediator to deal with their marriage problems. In addition to professional services, there are many other steps to save a marriage. The truth is that, saving a marriage is actually not a very difficult process if you are willing to do so. If you are asking yourself "How can I save my marriage?" then you really need the f...

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger says the Gunners are one of the favourites to win the FA Cup after a weekend of shock exits by fellow Premier League giants. The defending champions held on for a 3-2 win over Brighton, a day after both Chelsea and Manchester City fell to lower-league opposition. "We'll be one of the favourites with the other top-flight sides," he said. "But I can't predict if we'll win. "We have a good experience from last year. We want to retain our cup." Wenger added that the surprise results - which also removed Tottenham and third-placed Southampton from Monday's fifth-round draw - sparked Arsenal's impressive start at the Amex Stadium. Winger Theo Walcott gave the Gunners the lead in the second minute before German World Cup winner Mesut Ozil doubled the advantage. Play media FA Cup 2015: Bradford shock Chelsea as Middlesbrough beat City FA Cup 2015: One second, two goals, two shocks The Championship strugglers p...

The couple who got married in November 2014, stepped for their first red carpet event together last week for the premiere of 'Gone Too Far’ at the Genesis Deluxe Cinema, Lagos. by linda ikeji

king Abdullah bin Abdulaziz who has passed away on Jan. 22nd, had 30 wives .

The recent outbreak of the Avian Influenza Virus, popularly known as bird flu was reported in Edo state yesterday. The state Commissioner for Agriculture, Abdul Oroh, confirmed the outbreak yesterday in Benin. He said necessary steps of quarantine and decontamination have been instituted. While urging members of the public not to panic, he said the state government is already taking necessary steps to curtail the spread to other farms. He, however, advised members of the public not to buy any dead/sick bird. The commissioner also advised farmers to watch out for any high mortality in their farms and promptly report such to Veterinary Department of the Ministry of Agriculture and Natural Resources, Benin City. According to the state Director of Veterinary Services, Dr. Collins Aibaogun, a total of 420 birds were confirmed dead in a poultry farm in Benin. When the result of samples sent to the National Veterinary Institute yesterday returned, the results confirmed the existence of the v...

¨The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has disclosed that the collection of Permanent Voters’ Cards (PVCs) which is going on in all the electoral wards in Nigeria will end on February 8, about one week before the start of the 2015 general election. The presidential, senatorial and House of Representatives elections would hold simultaneously throughout the country on February 14 while the governorship and state House of Assembly election would hold on February 28. Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) of INEC for Cross River State, Dr. Okey Ezeani, made the disclosure on Thursday while interacting with members of the Inter Agency Advisory Committee on Voter Education (SICVEP). Ezeani said with the introduction of the PVC for the conduct of the 2015 general elections, Nigeria would own the elections and determine its outcomes. Ezeani said the 2015 election would be free and fair and devoid of violence as the INEC intends to conduct very peaceful election. Ezean...

Saudi Arabia's King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz has passed away, aged 90. The monarch died late last night January 22nd (Nigerian time) in his home. His death was announced in a statement broadcast on Saudi state TV. "His Highness Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud and all members of the family and the nation mourn the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz, who passed away at exactly 1am this morning (Friday - Saudi time)," the statement said. Abdullah became king in 2005 after the death of his half-brother King Fahd. The late king's brother, Salman, 79, has been announced as the new ruler of the kingdom. by linda ikeji

Angry youths in Bauchi on Thursday twice pelted President Goodluck Jonathan’s campaign team with stones and water sachets. The broom-wielding youths first blocked the motorcade of the President on Nasarawa Street as it made its   way to the palace of the Emir of Bauchi, where Jonathan and his team were going to pay homage. It took the combined efforts of soldiers and riot policemen to disperse the youths, who were chanting anti-Peoples Democratic Party slogans and extolling the All Progressives Congress presidential candidate, Maj.Gen. Muhammadu Buhari (retd.) Along the popular Ran Road, some of the youths, who were singing “Sai Buhari” disrupted business activities. In the President’s motorcade were Vice President Namadi Sambo; Governor Isa Yuguda;   the PDP National Chairman, Adamu Mu’azu; and the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Senator Bala Mohammed. Also on the convoy were Governors Ibrahim Dankwambo (Gombe) and Godswill Akpabio (Akwa-Ibom)...

The National Security Adviser, Col. Sambo Dasuki(retd.), has canvassed the postponement of next month’s elections to give the Independent National Electoral Commission time to distribute over 30 million outstanding Permanent Voter Cards to registered voters. Dasuki, according to  Reuters,  said he had told the INEC Chairman, Prof. Attahiru Jega,   that a postponement within the three months allowed by the law, would be a good idea. But his advice was rejected by the electoral umpire and the opposition All Progressives Congress. Before he spoke at the Chatham House, a London think-tank, groups like the Christian Association of Nigeria, the Ijaw Youth Council Worldwide, the Federation of Middle Belt People and the   Ohanaeze Ndigbo   had also advised that the elections should be shifted. Dasuki told participants at a talk in London, that INEC which had distributed over 30 million cards late last   year, had assured him that the o...

People ask why we bother with politics is there anything funnier than it now? Lol. Spokesperson of the PDP Presidential campaign organisation, Femi Fani-Kayode has called on the APC Presidential candidate, Gen Buhari to withdraw from the presidential race following the controversy surrounding the latter's academic qualification. He made this call  yesterday   while addressing newsmen in Abuja "Information reaching us now has shown that the Presidential candidate for the All Progressives Congress (APC), General Muhammadu Buhari has disclosed today ( yesterday ) in Kano at a press conference that the affidavit he swore to in which he claimed that his credentials were in the custody of the military was not true after all. The implication of the action of this so-called “Mr Clean” is nothing but perjury and we all know that this is a grave criminal offense under our laws and constitution

These are some of the key lessons I’ve learned that have helped my company grow to where we are today: 1. Know who you are and keep it simple. It doesn’t matter if you are the CEO of an established company or the founder of a new startup, you always have to know your core value. It may take a long time to figure out where you fit in the industry ecosystem and that’s okay. If you stay true to your value, everything else will fall into place. You can refine your image by focusing on your strengths, and doing one thing really well. For adMarketplace, we focus on data to drive performance for our advertisers, and we don’t ever want to stray from this mission. A lot of internet advertising companies try to do too much. They dabble in display, social, native, and search. This is unsustainable. In theory, it’s great to be a one-stop shop for all things digital, but a jack of all trades is a master of none. Some of the biggest companies in the world start to show weakness when they spr...

The Nigerian Army said in Abuja that its documentation shows that General Muhammadu Buhari, the presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress obtained the West African School Certificate (WASC) in 1961, but that it lacks the credential in his personal file. Buhari, the army said, was recorded as having credits in the relevant subjects: English Language, Geography, History, Health Science, Hausa and a pass in English Literature. A spokesman however said the army does not have in Buhari’s personal file the original copy, Certified True Copy (CTC) or statement of result of his WASC result.

  Miss World 2014  is Miss South Africa  Rolene Strauss - Miss Hungary   Edina Kulcsar   was named runner-up, while Miss United States Elizabeth Safrit   came third in the contest. – Top five semi-finalists are announced and they are from (in no order) Hungary, Australia, United States, South Africa and England. -  Miss Thailand won the People’s Choice Award -  Top 10 semi-finalists announced and they are (in order) Australia (10), Mexico (9), United States (8), Kenya (7), Hungary (6), Brazil (5), Guyana (4), England (3), South Africa (2) and India (1).

   An associate to the former President who spoke with Sahara Reporters, said Obasanjo has exhausted the first copies of the book. “Baba sold all the copies that were brought in,” the associate said The book sold out despite a high court injunction to stop it from circulating. A judge had ordered that copies of the book be confiscated by the police and the DSS after Obasanjo went ahead to launch it despite a court order not to do so... The associate of the former President who spoke to SR said SSS have stopped the importation of more copies of the book. “The SSS people have told us that they won’t allow more copies of the book into the country,” The three volume book among many things, critiqued the leadership style of President Jonathan as well as his former VP Atiku Abubakar, Late President Yar'Adua as well former Governors Ibori, Tinubu and Saraki.

         According to TMZ  reports, Coles, who played for the Jets, Redskins and Bengals -- was engaged to Kenda Fairchild ... and proposed by back in February with a 5.6 karat diamond ring valued at $240k.  But according to the Washington Post, the couple split just a few months later when she ditched Coles for another dude. But apparently, Fairchild kept the ring after they break up ... and now Coles is suing in Virginia to get it back.  Coles argues that the ring is a "conditional" gift which only becomes hers if she walks down the aisle.  Fairchild believes the ring became her property the minute he handed it over -- and says the conditional argument is B.S.  Here's the rub ... there have been conflicting rulings on similar cases in Virginia courts in the past --and Coles' case could become the one that sets the precedent for all engagement ring disputes moving forward.  The case is moving forward to trial. Stay tuned...

Manchester United boss Louis van Gaal has ruled Angel Di Maria out of the clash with Liverpool at Old Trafford on Sunday. Di Maria has not featured for United since limping off in the 14th minute of last month's 3-0 victory over Hull City at Old Trafford with a hamstring injury and is not yet ready to return. Van Gaal will also be without centre-back Chris Smalling, who will be missing for a further two weeks with a groin problem that forced him off 18 minutes into Monday's 2-1 win over Southampton at St Mary's. But, overall, the United manager is optimistic that the injury crisis that has plagued his start to life at Old Trafford is finally beginning to ease. 

How do you, at just 10 years old, beat someone until they die? At 10? That's exactly what Tristen Kurilla from Pennsylvania, (pictured above) did. He beat a 90 year old woman until she died. He is currently being held in the adult jail as he awaits trial. He is the youngest person ever to face a murder charge in Pennsylvania. Here's what he did. Tristen was visiting his grandfather in October this year. According to what he later told police, he entered the room of 90 year old Helen Novak who lived with his grand dad on Oct 11 to ask her a question. He said Helen screamed at him and told him to leave her room. He said he lost his temper, picked the woman's wooden cane and attacked the woman who sitting in her bed.

The National Emergency Management Agency [NEMA] has said 25 persons were  killed in the twin bomb explosions that rocked Jos, the Plateau State capital, on Thursday evening. But the spokesperson of the Special Task Force on Jos crisis [STF], Ikedichi Iweha, claimed 16 persons died in the incident. However, a resident of the area told the BBC Hausa service on Thursday evening that shortly after the incident, he counted 31 bodies – 11 in one location, and 20 in another.  Other witnesses told PREMIUM TIMES the death toll might rise as some of those injured suffered “serious and critical injuries”. The STF spokesperson however said a detachment of security operatives have taken over the scene of the incident.

A Federal Capital Territory High Court judge, Justice Valentine Ashi, on Wednesday ordered security agents, including the police and operatives of the Department of State Service, to confiscate the latest book of ex-President Olusegun Obasanjo, My Watch. The judge of the FCT Wuse Zone II court said the publication of the book, which was presented to the public on Tuesday in Lagos, contravened the order of the court restraining the publication. Justice Ashi also gave Obasanjo 21 days within which to explain why he should not be punished for flouting the court order. He ordered that the enrolled orders of the court be served on all media houses in the country and be equally served on the defendant by publication in two national daily newspapers. The judge held, “I hold the defendant not only in contempt of the court, but to show cause why he should not be punished for contempt and ordered to undo what he has wrongly done. “The defendant, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, shall be ...

Frontiline All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential candidate, General Muhammadu Buhari, today appealed to the sense of patriotism of delegates to the party convention in Lagos, which will determine the choice of flagbearer at next February’s election.  He told them in a letter he had no money with which to motivate them, and even if he had, would not give them because the fate of Nigeria is not up for sale. “I can’t give you a pocketful of dollars or naira to purchase your support,” he stated. “I seek to be the next president of our beloved nation because I believe I have something to offer Nigeria at this time of multiple crises. Insecurity, corruption, and economic collapse have brought the nation low. Time is past due that we work together to lift Nigeria up. I am ready to lead Nigeria to its rightful future.”

A British-born U.S. photojournalist and a South African aid worker held hostage in Yemen by al Qaeda were 'murdered' in a failed rescue attempt. American citizen Luke Somers had been held hostage since September 2013 in Yemen's capital Sana'a having moved to the country two years earlier. The 33-year-old was reportedly shot by his captors as US commandos carried out a dramatic rescue bid in the southern Shabwa province late on Friday night - the second attempted extraction by special forces in as many months. Another hostage, South African aid worker Pierre Korkie, was also killed during the operation - a day before he was due to be released. Outgoing U.S. Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel confirmed his death this morning during a trip to Afghanistan. During a press conference he announced that 1,000 more US troops than expected will be stationed in the country next year following a spike in Taliban attacks.  Mr Somers was badly wounded when commandos found ...

Mr. Okorocha made the declaration in Akure, the Ondo State capital, during a visit to the state’s secretariat of the APC with his team to woo delegates to back him for the party’s presidential ticket. The party has scheduled its presidential primaries for December 10 in Lagos. Mr. Okorocha said President Goodluck Jonathan had proved incapable of handling the Boko Haram insurgency, adding that the Islamist group’s threat was becoming worse than the Nigerian civil war. He accused officials of the Jonathan administration of using the anti-insurgency campaign as a “commercial business like buying and selling.” He said the officials benefiting did not want the insurgency to stop because they were making money through the supplies of arms and other gadgets. The governor maintained that it would be difficult for the present administration to fight if its still holdup to power in 2015 stressing that some people have already been making millions out of the opportunity created by the PDP...

Aliko Dangote, Nigerian billionaire  has been named Forbes Africa Person of the Year 2014. The announcement was made at the unveiling ceremony,  in Kenya’s capital city Nairobi,   CNBC Africa   reports. Speaking on the award, a panel of judges at the event said: “Aliko Dangote is a lion of Africa in terms of business. He is second to none when it comes to investing in Africa, not just Nigeria. He is also a capitalist with a big heart. He puts his money where his mouth is and his foundation is a step forward for a man who wants to make a difference on the continent.”

Instagram revealed today that the most liked photo on the social media app is this pic from Kim and Kanye's wedding with a staggering 2.4m likes. It's not just the most liked of 2014, it's the most liked pic on instagram's four-year history

The SSS yesterday November 8th returned the international travel passports (diplomatic & standard)  of the Emir of Kano, Alhaji Muhammad Sanusi II, which they seized a few months ago after he was removed as the head of the Central Bank. His diplomatic passport was seized at Lagos airport on his return from Niger Republic while his standard passport was seized at the Kano Airport when he tried to travel to France. The passports was returned to him at his Palace yesterday following his recent reconciliation with president Jonathan. by linda ikeji