US trains Nigerian soldiers to fight Boko Haram

More than 250 US troops will take part in a three-week “Flintlock” training drill of soldiers from Nigeria to combat the Boko Haram insurgency.
According to a Reuter Report , soldiers from Algeria, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Chad, Mali, Mauritania, Niger, Senegal and Tunisia will also take part in the drill which is taking place in N’djamena, Chad. The training is expected to help improve intelligence-sharing, patrols, desert survival techniques, airborne operations and marksmanship. The US-backed counter-terrorism exercise involving 1,300 soldiers from 28 African and Western countries is billed as a warm-up for a multi-pronged onslaught against Boko Haram, Reuters reports. The annual “Flintlock” exercises began in 2005 in an attempt to improve cross-border cooperation in Africa’s arid Sahel belt, a region prey to al Qaeda-linked and home-grown fundamentalists, separatist insurgents and criminal trafficking gangs. “This exercise to a large extent can be considered a warm-up to enable our special forces to learn techniques in the fight against terrorism,” Chadian Brigadier General Zakaria Ngobongue said in a speech to mark the start of the exercises on Monday. Presidents from the 10-nation Economic Community of Central African States (CEEAC) pledged on Monday to create an emergency fund for military, medical and logistical support. The US has indicated interest to help Nigeria in the war on terror but said it was yet to receive any official request for troops.

Obama Signs Suicide Prevention for Veterans Act Into Law

President Obama signed a measure into law on Thursday to fight a wave of suicide among veterans struggling with post-traumatic stress, a problem that has won increased attention as American troops have returned from Afghanistan and Iraq.

The measure, passed by unanimous votes in the House and Senate, was designed to make it easier for veterans to find mental health resources, do more to recruit and retain professionals to help them and increase accountability for the government programs serving them.

By some estimates, 22 veterans commit suicide every day in the United States. While that includes older veterans who kill themselves years after their service, not just those who have recently come home from Iraq and Afghanistan, studies show that the rate is higher among those who do not receive mental health care. But in his remarks on Thursday, Mr. Obama stressed that fixing the Department of Veterans Affairs is only part of the solution.

“This is not just a job for government,” he said at a signing ceremony at the White House. “Every community, every American can reach out and do more with and for our veterans. This has to be a national mission. As a nation, we should not be satisfied until every man and woman in uniform, every veteran, gets the help that they need to stay strong and healthy.”

The new law was named for Clay Hunt, a Marine from Texas who served in combat only to struggle with post-traumatic stress after returning home. He took his own life four years ago at age 28, and ever since, his family and friends have lobbied Washington to focus more intently on the problem of veteran suicide.

Jake Wood, who served alongside Mr. Hunt in the Marines, said after the ceremony that 15 members of his unit in Afghanistan had killed themselves since coming home, and that he learns about a new death through Facebook every month or so.

Culled FROM...

Professor Jega to appear before the Senate wednesday

Senate leader, Victor Ndoma-Egba (SAN), Tuesday moved a motion to say that it was crucial that INEC chairman Professor Attahiru Jega appeared before the senate to explain the state of preparedness of INEC, and the underlying reasons why the elections were postponed.

Reacting to the motion, George Akume, a senator representing Benue‎ north west, argued that the service chiefs be summoned as well since it was on their behest that the elections were postponed.

“Those who asked Jega to postpone the elections because they could not provide security should be summoned as well,” he said. “We want to hear from them why they cannot provide security for the elections.”

David Mark, senate president, announced that the INEC chairman would appear before the senate on Wednesday, adding that if it was necessary for the service chiefs to explain their role in the postponement of the elections, they would be summoned as well.

Fake instagram Account posted Tonto Dikeh's pregnancy!!

According to reports it was a fake Instagram account that posted the false pregnancy rumor of the actress.
The news is false according to a close source to the actress and singer.
The source said “No she is not pregnant, and even if she was, she wouldnt announce it like that”

Okrika under siege by unknown gunmen, Disrupt APC rally

Today afternoon at The National School field in Okrika, Rivers state which is the home to Nigeria’s First Lady, Dame Patience Jonathan while the All Progressives Congress, APC, in the State held its governorship rally at the local government disrupted by unknown gun men.

According to a correspondent of daily newspaper  who was at the field when the event took place reports;
that there were series of bomb blasts near the venue. But, the APC leaders and their supporters dismissed it as a ploy to distract them from their campaign. Hence, they continued with the rally. But barely 20 minutes after, scores of unknown gunmen invaded the venue through the creeks in gunboats. They shot sporadically on the crowd not sparing the VIP stand with top members of their campaign executive council where the governorship candidate and his running mate were seated.

Though the party leaders in the State are said to have escaped unhurt, it was learned they had to crawl on the ground to their vehicles.
The police operatives responded briskly by assisting
the candidates as well as other party top shots to escape.
They also did their best to secure the crowd. 

Oyedepo dragged to court over breach of contract

A Federal High Court in Lagos will on March 25, 2015 decide whether or not to dismiss a suit filed against the founder of the Living Faith Church, Bishop David Oyedepo by a stock brokerage firm, over breach of contract.
The suit was filed by a stockbroking firm, Value Line Securities and Investment Limited, and its Managing Director, Samuel Enyinnaya.
The plaintiffs are seeking, among others, N1.86 billion from Oyedepo, his family, his book publishing company and the Winners’ Chapel over alleged breach of contract on a N9 billion investments entrusted to the plaintiffs.
They prayed the court to declare as illegal the freezing of their bank accounts by NSE and to make an order to immediately unfreeze their accounts.
At the resumed hearing of the case yesterday, Oyedepo’s lawyer, Mr. Chioma Okwuanyi, informed the court of his client’s preliminary objection to the stockbroker’s claims.
Okwuanyi contended that the Federal High Court lacked jurisdiction to adjudicate on a matter pertaining to capital market.
He argued that by the provisions of Section 34 of the Investment and Securities Act, only the Investment and Securities Tribunal had the vested authority to entertain a dispute between a capital market operator and his client.
They however said trouble started when Oyedepo wanted to buy his first private jet and the World Mission Agency Inc ordered the sale of majority of the securities in the investment portfolio, and that despite the professional advice to the contrary, the plaintiffs were made to sell the securities to raise the N3bn needed for the jet, a development which the plaintiffs claimed brought about huge losses to the investment.

But Oyedepo’s lawyer, Okwuanyi, said that the losses recorded by the investment were due to the plaintiffs’ recklessness with the marging loan purportedly obtained by the plaintiffs.
Okwuanyi further submitted that if it was true as the plaintiffs had said that the matter was “a simple contract” bordering on investment portfolio management, the state High Court and not the Federal High Court had jurisdiction on the case.
Besides, the lawyer argued that the plaintiffs’ suit as presently constituted before Justice Mohammed Yunusa was premature, as the plaintiff had yet to explore all the avenues laid down to resolve such dispute before heading for the court. 

Another Active Member of PDP tears Membership card in Gombe

 The PDP is obviously facing the worst times ever since the party's inception as more members are begining to dump their former party.
Senior special Adviser to Gov Ibrahim H Dankwambo of Gombe State on Security, Alh. Abdullahi B. Muhammad  has also torn his membership card just as former president Olusegun Obasanjo did yesterday. He was an active member of PDP in Gombe State until now:

Three Arik Air staff arrested for stealing Aviation fuel from an Aircraft

The Aviation Minister, Osita Chidoka, on Monday said the ministry has arrested three Arik Air staff for stealing fuel from an aircraft.

Making the announcement on his official Facebook page, Chidoka said the trio of Blessing Dugbe, Samuel Asuquo and Isaac Ajakaiye were arrested at the Murtala Mohammed International Airport, Lagos, during a security patrol operation on Sunday at about around 3 a.m. The trio were stealing Jet A1 fuel from Arik Air plane, with registration number: 5N-MID into six jerry cans for sale at a cheaper price to other unsuspecting airline operators.
See his post on Facebook below:

  “A development that has capacity, to threaten safety and security of airplanes. Meanwhile, the three (3) suspects were handed over to the Crime Investigation Bureau (CIB), AVSEC MMIA for further action,” Mr. Chidoka said.

He said considering the magnitude of the crime to the security and safety of airplanes, the chief security officer of the Lagos airport has been asked to ensure that the suspects are handed over to the airport police for adequate prosecution.

This is not the first time that Arik staff are accused of theft. Passengers have often lamented the loss of one item or the other, ranging from iPad, jewelleries, clothes to perfumes, aboard the airline’s flights.

Arik is yet to officially comment on the incident.

Spend with caution, REPS cautions Jonathan

Chairman House Committee on Rules and Business, Albert Sam-Tsokwa, Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Taraba has advised President Goodluck Jonathan not to spend recklessly before the passage of 2015 appropriation Bill.
Albert Sam-Tsokwa who gave the advice in a chat with House correspondents yesterday, said any reckless expenditure would lead to a deficit that the country had never witnessed before.

The House of Representatives  explained that though the constitution had empowered the President to spend before budgets were approved, the country would be plunged into financial crisis, if the President failed to exercise restraint.



Section 82 of 1999 constitution, as amended states: “If the Appropriation Bill in respect of any financial year has not been passed into law by the beginning of the financial year, the President may authorise the withdrawal of monies in the Consolidated Revenue Fund of the Federation for the purpose of meeting expenditure necessary to carry on the services of the government of the Federation for a period not exceeding .six months or until the coming into operation of the Appropriation  Act, whichever is the earlier:
The lawmaker said: “I am aware that the constitution allows Mr. President to spend an amount of money equivalent to the one that was spent in the preceding year, pending the approval of the budget.
“But the snag we have is that last year’s budget was based on crude oil price of over $100 per barrel but as we speak, the price is barely 50 dollars.
“So, if Mr. President is to spend the equivalent of what was spent in a particular period last year this year, we will run into trouble.
“So, I will advise that Mr. President thread cautiously and I call on legislators to expedite action on the budget and put it behind us before going for presidential and governorship elections”

Why I tore my PDP membership card — Obasanjo

Former president Olusegun Obasanjo In three tweets, yesternight explained his decision to tear his party membership card ,

Obasanjo said: “I’d rather sacrifice my political party for the interest of Nigeria than sacrifice my country for a political party led by a drug baron.
“I’d rather tear the PDP membership card than sit down and let Jonathan use PDP and corruption to tear my beloved country apart.
“I have national and international standard to maintain. For this reason I’d rather stand alone than be in the same political party with Kashamu.”
See some tweets below:

Femi Fani Kayode reacts to Obasanjo's tearing of PDP memberships Card

Femi Fani Kayode the Director, media and publicity has called out the former President Obasanjo for tearing PDP membership card.

In a statement he said that chief Obasanjo has burnt all the bridges, adding that what he did with his status and standing in the party and the country, was a spit on both the PDP and its members, adding that while he was free to leave, “he did not have to spit in their faces by publicly tearing the party card.
He went on saying “Watching our party membership card being torn up whilst President Obasanjo was standing there and smiling was painful and tragic.
“This is a party which he helped to build and on whose platform he was elected President for eight good years. The truth is that President Obasanjo is far better and far bigger than that. Such behavior is provocative and unacceptable.

“Oyedepo, Oritsejafor and Adeboye have disappointed God - Primate Elijah Ayodele

Primate Elijah Ayodele, the founder and spiritual leader of Inri Evangelical Spiritual Church has Joined those criticizing the said men of God.

He said that the level of religious contempt by notable religious leaders such as Pastor Ayo Oritesejafor, Pastor E.A Adeboye and Bishop David Oyedepo was unprecedented.

He believes that the men of God were disgracing God by relating with the people in power and not having the guts to confront them of their mistakes.
He made his views known during an interview with Yes! Magazine.
“Oyedepo, Oritsejafor and Adeboye have disappointed God. They see the truth but they are not saying it. I will be frank. These frontline pastors; Adeboye, Oyedepo, name them, PFN, CAN have they not disappointed the Nigerian masses now? Jonathan goes to Adeboye, what’s the other man’s name? Politicians have corrupted all church leaders. They are not saying the truth. Adeboye, Oyedepo and other big pastors are not saying the truth. We know that the economy is bad, things are not going right but they should have the courage to face them. For the first time let us be bold enough to tell them “What you are doing is bad”. Tell them, “change from bad to good”.
He also disagreed that there was any improvement in Lagos state, saying he has not seen the positive change people speak of in Lagos State.

“They say Lagos is moving. What is moving in Lagos? Lagos is just there. Nothing is moving in Lagos. Both APC and PDP have destroyed this country. Pastors who are to talk are part of the corrupt system. Bishops, Primates, Prophets. Everybody is going to answer before God. I am not here to judge any Pastor, but I am standing on the altar of truth,” he said.

Meet Maheed's 14th year a Daughter... she's pretyy!

 Her name is Divine Sam, she's 14-year old daughter  born on February 9, 2001 shares striking resemblance with her mum and According to her mum she currently studying in far away Australia.
See more pictures below

Charles Novia comes in between Mr incredible and columnist Etcetera.

Yesterday, Mr incredible came down really hard on columnist Etcetera calling "his album the worst Ever released by Nigerian artist" and all..
Nollywood Charles Novia has just stepped into the matter stating " Artist rights to their political opinion as they are also Nigerians!
Read his tweets below:

 See M I's post earlier below

Yemi Alade back on instagram with a New account!

After announcing her account (@yemialade) had been hacked by one "Mark Gerald"
Yemi has since gotten herself another instagram account (@officialyemialade).
See her post below:

Quess who's coming to Abuja!!

Rave of the moment, Kiss Daniel, who is currently rocking the clubs and airwaves with his smash hit single, ‘Woju’ is set to embark on a media tour to the Federal Capital Territory,‎ Abuja.

Kiss Daniel who is Currently signed to G-Worldwide Entertainment led by Emperor Geezy, will touch down in Abuja on February 26, 2015 bringing his visit to wrap with a special club appearance and performance on March 1, 2015 at Sledge Lounge at Kubwa, Abuja.

Lady Gaga is engaged to her longtime boyfriend Taylor Kinney.

The 28 year old pop star displayed the evidence given to her by the star of "Chicago Fire" to her family and friends on Valentine's Day at her parents' restaurant, Joanne Trattoria, on the Upper West Side of Manhattan.
Family members said the pair had been going out for about four years.
See her post and heart shaped diamond ring she was given..

Lagos State University Dress Code

This was posted in the school's premises guess its the New Dos and Don't for students in the school.

Buhari's supporters raze down PDP campaign office, six killed..

The PDP Campaign office of ex- governor Ali Modu Sheriff located few metres to the venue of the rally along Kashim Ibrahim Way was set ablaze today by alleged APC thugs.
The thugs overpowered security operatives after breaking the gate and throwing explosives inside.
Many PDP campaign centres located at strategic positions in the city of Maiduguri were vandalized with posters and bill boards were also destroyed by hired APC thugs during the visit.

No fewer than six people amongst them were has been feared dead with several others injured in a stampede at held at the Ramat Square, Maiduguri, the Borno state capital.
The rally which was well attended was graced by the APC presidential Candidate, General Mohammed Buhari, his running mate, Professor Yemi Asibanjo, Governor Kashim Shettima, state and national candidates of the APC, party stalwarts and thousands of its supporters.

A Correspondent who was in the entourage of governor Shettima reports that six people were killed during the uncoordinated visit, as the governor had since visited the victims at the hospital.

PDP releases Statement On Obasanjo’s alleged Exist

The people's democratic party has just released a statement on what happened TODAY (Chief Obasanjo tearing off his membership card)
Read below:

The leadership of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has received the news of the decision of former President Olusegun Obasanjo to withdraw his membership of our great party. We have also carefully examined the circumstances and the reasons adduced for this unfortunate decision.

While we concede to the inalienable rights of every citizen to hold opinion and to decide who to associate with, we are however deeply saddened that Chief Obasanjo, a revered leader of our party, our first Presidential flagbearer whom the PDP offered the platform to rule our nation for 8 years, could decide to abandon this party at this critical point in time.

This is especially as Chief Obasanjo, who was also the Chairman of the highest advisory organ of the PDP, the Board of Trustees (BoT) discountenanced all pleas by elders and leaders of our great party with regard to his reservations on certain issues within our fold.

Many Nigerians are still bewildered as to what manner of provocation could have led a former President to lose his composure and go to the extent of tearing the membership card of the party that he once led.

Indeed, the PDP is hugely at loss as to how the decision and action of the former President who had enjoyed the benefits of being elected to the highest position of leadership will assist in deepening our democracy and stabilizing the polity.

It is our considered opinion that no matter the provocation, a statesmanly disposition from a person of Chief Obasanjo’s status could have encouraged our citizens and help in stabilizing system.

We believe however, that what this country needs now is patriotic actions that engender national unity, tolerance and peaceful coexistence of our people irrespective of political, ethnic and religious persuasions. The overall interest of our nation and wellbeing of our citizens must remain paramount and above all personal and group interests.

Finally, we direct all our members across the country to remain focused on our campaigns and not to be distracted on this issue. With an array of credible candidates led by our Presidential flagbearer, President Goodluck Jonathan, we are sure that we will emerge victorious come March 28 and April 11, 2015 general elections.

Signed:

Olisa Metuh

National Publicity Secretary

PDP will not miss Obasanjo – Anenih

Chief Olusegun Obasanjo’s successor as Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Board of Trustees, Chief Tony Anenih, on Monday reacted to Obasanjo’s decision to dump the PDP, insisting that the party “leaders will not miss” his departure.

Anenih, who spoke briefly with State House Correspondents after meeting with President Goodluck Jonathan, admitted that it was within Obasanjo’s right to dump the party.

Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, who was president for eight years on the platform of the PDP had earlier on Monday in his Abeokuta palatial residence dumped his party by publicly tearing his PDP membership card.

“Your Utterances Mock The Status Of A General” – Military Reacts to Obasanjo

The Nigerian Defence headquarters has reacted to a statement credited to former President, Olusegun Obasanjo on the postponement of the 2015 elections and the role of the military, assuring that it remains, and will continue on its path of professionalism in the discharge of its duties at all times.
In a statement posted on its blog today, the military authorities in a respectful tone, stated that it is not “inept in the discharge of its duties, nor is it being misused for political ends in the manner the retired General Obasanjo who was also a former President has possibly been made to believe.”
Below is the full statement
The Defence Headquarters has noted the remarks of a former President, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo as reported in the media stating his views on perceived state of the armed forces and the roles being allegedly played by the military in the nation’s political process in recent times.
“The leadership and cross section of the military believes that the former President and retired General has every right to be interested in the actions and fate of the military. Hence, his views like many others will continue to be accorded the well-deserved attention.
“It is however noteworthy that most of his utterances lately indicate an attitude of playing to the gallery or indulging in politicization of serious national security or military affairs.
“For instance, the comments credited to Chief Obasanjo alleging that the postponement of the General Elections was to enable President Jonathan to use the Service Chiefs to plot a tenure extension is to say the least, very surprising.
“It is surprising indeed, considering the fact that the retired General chose to ignore the clarification and emphatic assurances of non-partisanship of the military as declared in a DHQ statement on the position of the Armed Forces in the ongoing political activities.
“His motive as usual remains unknown but it is certainly less than noble or well intentioned. We dare say again that Chief Obasanjo’s assertions are false.
“Much as the military desires to respect the old General and his views, it has become necessary to point out that his conduct and unguarded utterances of late has fallen short of the standard of discipline expected of an individual who has had the privilege of service in the military and risen to the status of a General.
The behavior of retired General (Chief) Obasanjo has been so unbecoming and continues to constitute a serious embarrassment to the military before all who have reasonably and rightly adjudged the essence of military background in terms of the high value and standard it tends to contribute to statesmanship.
“We feel constrained to remind the old General that the world has moved beyond that parochial and self-adulating reasoning and mindset which he seems stuck to.
“Indeed, he needs to be told that by virtue of their better training, exposure, education, assessment and environment, the military personnel of today are already far beyond his level in their appreciation of democracy and it’s indispensability for the stable and prosperous society which Nigerians cherish.
“In this instance, the military wishes to inform the retired General, that the institution which he bequeathed to the nation has .certainly developed beyond how he left it. The Nigerian military is now better placed to strive for the maintenance of the legacies and ethos of service, valour, subordination to constituted authorities, and nonpartisan commitment to duty and fatherland.
“It has to be restated that the military as an institution, is neither as inept in the discharge of its duties, nor is it being misused for political ends in the manner the retired General Obasanjo who was also a former President has possibly been made to believe.
“Indeed, the system now strongly believes in Democracy as well as its structures and institutions to the extent that it will do nothing whatsoever to undermine or truncate the steady growth and development of the nation’s democracy. The military will remain professional as it keeps doing its best along with others to ensure adequate security and defence of the nation’s territorial integrity in this auspicious period in the country.
“The Defence Headquarters will like to encourage Chief Obasanjo to be genuinely interested in the growth and sustenance of Nigeria’s democratic credentials. He is also enjoined to endeavor to improve in his understanding of intricate issues and try to encourage the military rather than continue with this tendency to indulge in imputation of ulterior motives to every effort, all for the purpose of discrediting well thought out policies or decisions related to the military’s roles in the polity.

Two trailers loaded with ammunitions and Explosives intercepted in Borno

APC Presidential campaign was scheduled to hold in Borno state today when two trailers loaded with ammunition and explosives were intercepted along airport road.

According to a twitter user, A.S Aruwa, angry youths set one of the trucks ablaze.

God help Us...

See picture and his tweets below!!

Nigeria Woman leaves her two children in London to attend wedding in Nigeria.

A Nigerian woman has landed herself in serious legal trouble over child neglect.

The unidentified mother of two allegedly left her children to cater to themselves before travelling to Nigeria for a wedding ceremony.

The woman left the children aged 10 and 13 to take care of themselves without water and food and travelled to Nigeria for the wedding ceremony of her younger sister.

The children had to got to school without food while she was away but the bubble bust when the younger one, a girl reportedly told her classmates her mother left them alone.

The report forced officers to visit the home only to discover that the house is unkempt and that the children had no food or heating.

The Salford-based mother had to cut short her trip and returned home on the 11th of February 2015. She was arrested for child neglect and her children were taken into care.

According to police report, the mother left the UK on the 28th of January 2015 and planned to return on Monday the 16th of February but she came back early after being alerted by neighbors that police were investigating her.

Breaking News: Obasanjo Denounces PDP, Tears Membership Card!! Video

Though Details  quit sketchy but from one a source OBJ was quoted as doing thus:

He handed his membership card to a PDP Ward 11 leader in Abeokuta North Local Government, Alhaji Sarajudeen Oladunjoye and asked him to tear it.
comgon:
This happened during a press conference held in his hilltop residence at the Gateway state. He reportedly instructed his aid to pick it up and give it to him. He stated that "If this is why we cannot have Nigeria  we desire, I am no longer part of this"
See VIDEO

See the remains of his membership card

More details coming