Bloody confusion in Abuja

 

A rescue team carrying a victim killed during a shooting incident in an uncompleted building in Apo Zone E, Abuja....on Friday.
| credits: NAN

There was confusion in Abuja on Friday as operatives of the State Security Service raided a building in Apo Quarters, killing eight people.

Though the SSS claimed that those killed were members of the dreaded Islamic sect, Boko Haram, eyewitnesses and survivors denied the security agents’ claim.

Survivors alleged that the attack was masterminded by the owner of the of the building that was raided,  who they said had strong connections in government, adding that it was done to force them out of the premises.

Earlier, the Deputy Director, SSS, Public Relations, Marilyn Ogar,  had in a statement claimed that the victims were gunmen who engaged the SSS operatives in a gun battle.

The SSS spokeswoman  said the security operatives were attacked by the sympathisers of the sect when they went to a building on Soji Aderemi Close, off Bamanga Tukur Street, Apo Quarters,  to exhume weapons  buried in an uncompleted building  by people suspected to be members of the Islamic sect.

She further stated that the attack was sequel to information obtained from two Boko Haram elements, Kamal Abdullahi and Mohammed Adamu, who had earlier been arrested for terrorist activities. She added that the suspects led the security team to two uncompleted buildings where arms were purportedly buried.

In a statement issued on Friday, Ogar said, “No sooner had the team commenced digging for the arms, than they came under heavy gunfire attack by other Boko Haram elements within the area, which prompted immediate response from the security team. As a result, some persons were injured and 12 others have been arrested in connection with the incident, and are making useful statements.

“Normalcy has returned to the area. Members of the public are advised to go about their normal businesses, as appropriate security measures have been emplaced to ensure the safety of citizens in the FCT,” the statement read in part.’’

8yr old Yemeni childbride dies of internal injuries after sex with 40yr old groom

An eight-year-old child bride has died in Yemen of internal bleeding sustained during her wedding night after being forced to marry a man five times her age, activists have claimed.

The girl, identified only as Rawan, died in the tribal area of Hardh in northwestern Yemen, which borders Saudi Arabia. Activists are now calling for the groom, who is believed to be around 40 years old, and her family to be arrested so they can face justice in the courts.


They say arrests would help put a stop to the practice of marrying very young girls to older men in the impoverished region.
Angry Man, a blogger, posted that the man was 'an animal who deserved to be punished severely for his crime'.
'All those who supported such a crime should also be punished,' he added.

Kerry Washington named World's Best Dressed Woman by People

Actress Kerry Washington has been named the 2013 ‘World’s Best Dressed Woman’ by People Magazine. People said they picked her because of her great sense of style.

"There has been a trend this year in lady-like fashion and I think she is almost single-handedly responsible for it.” People magazine Executive Editor, Elizabeth Sporkin said

Actress Jennifer Lawrence was named the celebrity with the best high fashion style while actress Jessica Chastain was named best in red carpet style. Solange Knowles got top marks for style risk-taking and confidence, Zoe Saldana was named the best in denim style and actress Lily Collins was named the best for up-and-coming style. Emma Stone won praise for her classic style & timeless look, while Nicole Richie was named best in trend-setting style.

OAP Matse Uwatse releases statement after sack from Nigerian Info

Some of you may have heard that popular Radio Personality Matse Uwatse Nnoli was fired from her job at radio station, Nigerian Info, two years after moving to the station from Wazobia FM where she worked for many years. There have been reports in the media that Matse was fired because 'she lacked discipline and couldn't be called to order'. Matse says this portrayal of her person is totally false and has released a statement exclusively to LIB. Find it below...

Dear all, compliments of the day to you.

I believe a lot of you must have heard of the recent termination of my job as an OAP (On Air Personality) on 99.3 Nigeria Info Fm. Well, it is true.

I have read on several blogs that I was sacked for being arrogant, rude etc. Even recently that I lacked discipline. If I lacked discipline, I wouldn't be successful in my career. I believe discipline, integrity and honesty goes hand in hand with true success. Ask those who have met and known me and they will tell you that this is what I live for. I am not perfect, I have made mistakes but who is perfect?

I prefer to be silent on matters like this but since silence is assumed to be consent, I will not consent to my hard earned reputation being dragged to the gutters. I worked too hard for it.

On the 2nd of September 2013 while on admission at First Consultant Medical Centre, Lagos. I received an email while on my sick bed, announcing my termination. Honestly, I was not angry but a bit shocked. I had been too sick lately due to my pregnancy and was not at my best but I expected my company to be supportive of me. Yes, I wanted them to be supportive of me because I had worked hard over the years to bring them much glory.

I know that I will see all sorts of articles and comments to discredit me but I simply ask this of you all. If you have ever met me and I was unpleasant to you, feel free to vent but If you don't know the real me and all you have heard are insinuations, hold your peace.

I love people and always wish them well. My mentees and honest colleagues will testify to this.I love progress because I believe the sky is big enough for all the birds to fly. AIM Consultants. I am not mad at you. I believe when one door closes, another one opens. I have served you well over the years, brought you accolades. So please, let me go in peace and insiders in the Organisation who do not like guts should not use it as an opportunity to tear me down. I am a good person and YOU

ALL KNOW THIS!

God bless AIM Consultants, I learnt a lot from you and I am grateful. God bless us all!

Matse Uwatse Nnoli

Photos: May D buys N150m 6-bedroom duplex in Magodo, Lagos

According to a press release sent out by his PR people, Ekiti state born dancer turned music sensation May D recently moved into his new 6-bedroom duplex in Magodo Phase II GRA said to be worth N150million. They didn't say rented, they said bought, hence my headline. Big congrats to May D. Another photo after the cut...

James Ibori gave me $15million as bribe in 2007" - Nuhu Ribadu

Desperate to halt a probe into his finances, governor James Ibori tried to bribe former anti-corruption boss Nuhu Ribadu in 2007 with $15 million in cash in a bag so heavy one man alone could not lift it, Ribadu told a London court on Thursday.

Ribadu said he pretended to take the bribe because he wanted the cash as evidence to use against Ibori in a prosecution, but rather than keep the money for himself he had it taken straight to the Central Bank of Nigeria to be kept safe in a vault. Continue..



Ribadu told the court that about $1 billion flowed from federal government accounts into Delta State coffers during Ibori’s eight years in power, and he estimated Ibori had stolen or wasted more than half of that amount.

The charges to which Ibori pleaded guilty amount to the theft of about $80 million, but British prosecutors say that was only part of his total booty, which was kept hidden via a complex web of shell companies, offshore accounts and front men.

Ribadu, who was chairman of Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) from April 2003 to December 2007, was giving evidence at a confiscation hearing in which prosecutors are seeking court orders to have Ibori’s assets seized.

Under Nigeria’s constitution, state governors enjoy immunity from prosecution but are limited to two terms in office. With the end of his second term looming in April 2007, Ibori was worried the EFCC were planning to prosecute him, Ribadu said.

“He was very desperate to terminate the investigation,” he told the court.
In late April 2007, a meeting was arranged between the two men at a “neutral place”, the house of Andy Uba, a close associate of former President Olusegun Obasanjo.

Ibori arrived at the house with several members of his staff and a very large black sack containing $15 million in cash. Ribadu said he watched as two of Ibori’s men lifted the heavy sack and handed it over to his own EFCC staff. “It was a bag that an individual could not carry alone,” he said.

The EFCC men drove the bag to the central bank where the money was counted and boxed into smaller containers. The court was shown photographs of the boxes of cash.

“I have given you money Nuhu, just give me my clearance,” Ribadu quoted Ibori as telling him after those events.

Instead, the EFCC continued to investigate Ibori’s affairs and had him arrested on corruption charges on December 12, 2007.

It will be recalled that the Delta state government had approached the court asking that the money belonged to the state government and should therefore be returned to the state. The EFCC are however opposed to the return of the money to the state.

The EFCC says that “that the said sum of $15 Million cannot be traced to any account owned or being operated by the Delta State Government or any of its agencies and officials”.

Source: Channels TV

Samsung Confirms BBM™ on Galaxy Smartphones

Samsung today confirmed that when BBM™, the mobile social network, launches for Android smartphones on the 21st September 2013, it will be available as a free download for Samsung Galaxy smartphones across Africa from the Google Play store.

“We are pleased to officially announce that BBM will be available for Samsung Galaxy smartphones across Africa,” said EmmanouilRevmatas, Director of Hand Held Products, Samsung Electronics West Africa. “We are focused on driving consumer experiences based on customisation to suit every lifestyle. By offering an additional messaging service through our Samsung Messaging Hub, it has never been easier to stay connected. This is another way that we are providing our customers with a more integrated lifestyle experience and a powerful new way of communicating and sharing. It’s really about giving the African market what they want – and what they want is choice.”

Jay Z & Beyonce top Forbes list of highest-earning celebrity couples

Beyonce and Jay Z top the 2013 Forbes list of highest earning celebrity couples while Kim & Kanye came in at No.5. Jay and Bey made more than any other celebrity couple this year with an estimated $95 million in earnings between June 2012 and June 2013. See the top 5 list below..

1. Jay Z and Beyonce - $95million
2. Tom Brady and Giselle - $80million
3. Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie - $50million
4. Ashton Kutcher and Mila Kunis - $35million
5. Kanye West and Kim Kardashian - $30million

Photos: Agbani Darego opens AD showroom in Lekki Phase 1

On Wednesday 18th September, beauty queen turned entrepreneur, Agbani Darego opened the doors to the AD Showroom in Lekki Phase 1 to members of the press.

AD by Agbani Darego embraces a luxurious and chic aesthetic that’s affordable with cuts & styles that are flattering to a range of body types and silhouettes. “It is a line that caters to the ease we require of our personal style and it is intuitive to our body, style and pocket needs” says Agbani.

Products available include its range of Jeans, Bags and its Zip front Shirt Dress. More products including the AD Polo’s & Tunics will be introduced to the line. See photos after the cut...

President Jonathan sacks two special advisers

About a week after President Jonathan sacked nine ministers, he has again sacked two more people. In a statement signed by his Special Adviser (Media & Publicity) Mr Reuben Abati, Pres. Jonathan announced the sack of two special advisers - Mrs. Joy Emordi, the Special Adviser to the President on National Assembly Matters and Dr. Tunji Olagunju, the Special Adviser to the president on the New Partnership for Africa’s Development (NEPAD)

The statement said the sack is with immediate effect. Rumble in the jungle!

Why Nigeria was Banned from US Visa Lottery

Jeffery Hawkins, U.S. Consul-General, on Thursday, gave reasons why Nigeria was banned from participating in its 2015 Diversity-Visa-Programme registration.

Mr Hawkins told journalists at the U.S. Consulate General in Lagos, that Nigeria was among other countries that had in the last five years, sent more than 50,000 immigrants to the U.S. through the programme.

"As at today, Nigerians have graduated from being under-represented to being a fully well represented group in the U.S," he said. "There is therefore no longer any need to encourage Nigerians to apply to travel to the U.S. through the Diversity-Visa-Programme. Already there are too many Nigerians in the U.S. that have benefited from this programme."

The envoy explained that the diversity visa was created to promote countries with low rates of immigration to the US.

He, however, said that the U.S. authorities would continue to give preference to Nigerians travelling to U.S for visits, business transactions, studies and professional engagements.

"All other types of immigration from Nigeria to the US, apart from the diversity visa, would continue unabated," he said. "Also, let me say that the ban has nothing to do with our relations with Nigeria now, and in the years ahead."

He also dismissed insinuations making the rounds that the move was to reduce the number of Nigerians travelling to the U.S.

The U.S official also said that the development had "nothing to do with insecurity, activities of Boko Haram and other forms of upheaval in Nigeria".

The U.S. Department of State recently banned Nigeria, Bangladesh, Brazil, Canada, China, Colombia, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador and Haiti from participating in the 2015 Diversity-Visa-Programme. Other affected countries are: India, Jamaica, Mexico, Pakistan, Peru, Philippines, South Korea, U. K. and Vietnam

ASUU, FG Reach New Deal To End Strike

The Federal Government and the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) struck a new deal last night.

This happened at a three-hour close-door meeting at the State House in Abuja between Vice President Mohammed Namadi Sambo and the leadership of the union.

Speaking to State House correspondents after the meeting, ASUU President Nasir Isa Fagge said the union had got a message from the government and would meet its members “and get back to the government”.

Fagge, however, refused to dis-close the details of the new “message”.
On whether there is a possibility of calling off the strike soon, he said “as a good messenger”, he would only report back to “the larger ASUU”.

Also speaking, Supervising Minister of Education Nyesom Wike, who was at the meeting, assured that the strike would soon end as the government was ready to resolve all the issues that led to the industrial action.

Also at the meeting were the Executive Secretary of the National Universities Com-mission (NUC), Professor Julius Okojie, as well as Vice Chancellor of the Bayero University Kano, Professor Abdulrasheed Abubakar, and his counterparts Isaac Adewole of the University of Ibadan and Hamisu Muhammed of the Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University, Bauchi.
Former ASUU presidents Dr Dipo Fasina and Dr Abdullahi Sule-Kano were also in attendance.

Would you rock Nicki Minaj's new fashion line?

The rap star models her new line of colourful clothes which will be available at Kmart from October. Nicki shared the promotional photos on her instagram page yesterday to give fans a peek at what to expect. Would you rock her line...? Kinda like it...

Forbes Africa denies releasing Nigeria's Top 20 Richest Men list

There was a top 20 Richest Men in Nigeria list that made the rounds online last week purportedly released by Forbes. I'm sure some of you saw it. I didn't put it up because I searched Forbes' website and didn't find it there. I eventually found the originator of the list - a blog called Strategic Business Team. Anyway, Forbes Africa wanted to clear the air and have released a statement. Find it below...

Public Disclaimer.
The information that was published in a recent article that made reference to a list of the wealthiest Nigerian businessmen was not created nor produced by Forbes Africa or its parent company, Forbes.

Forbes Africa, its parent company in the United States, its affiliates and subsidiaries including staff, hereby unequivocally disassociates itself from the article, the content, thereof and any information that is related to it.

See the list after the cut...

Not a Forbes List

Nigerian woman Ajibola Obabiyi wins Muslim World Beauty Pageant

21 year old University of Lagos student Obabiyi Aisha Ajibola, beat 19 other beauty hopefuls to emerge Muslimah Queen 2013. Ajibola won the exclusive beauty pageant for Muslim women which took place today Wednesday September 18th in Jakarta, Indonesia. She received 25 million rupiah ($2,200) and trips to Mecca and India as prizes.

The contestants were all required to wear headscarves, covered from head to foot. They were judged on their looks, how well they recited Koranic verses and their views on Islam in the modern world, in front of an audience of mainly religious scholars and devout Muslims

This pageant was actually staged as a retort to the Miss World pageant holding in the same country. The organizers said they wanted to create an awareness within the muslim female community that there is a better form of beauty than the one being portrayed by the Miss World. They said the pageant is Islam's answer to the glamorous Miss World Pageant. Congrats to her!

Fashion designer Ewemade Erhabor-Emokpae gets engaged

Ewemade Erhabor Emokpae, the Creative Director of Shakara Couture, is engaged. She showed off her engagement ring and her fiance on her instagram page today. Big congrats to her!

Miley Cyrus and Liam Hemsworth split, call off engagement

Is anyone surprised? The rumours that actor Liam Hemsworth was planning to end his relationship with Miley Cyrus because he believed her new erratic behaviour could hurt his career in hollywood is apparently true, because according to reports, the two have official split and called off their wedding and it was Liam who ended it. Reps for the singer and actor confirmed the split to E! News.

Miley, 20, and Liam, 23, got engaged in May 2012 after dating for over two years. Liam moved in with Miley shortly after the engagement but is said to be in the process of moving out of her LA home.

Miley over the weekend unfollowed her former fiance on Twitter as photos emerged of him with Mexican actress Eiza Gonzalez partying it up in Las Vegas after the Mayweather fight. (right photo)

John Legend & Chrissy Teigen share wedding photos

Singer John Legend, 34, & model Chrissy Teigen, 27, have shared some pictures from their weekend wedding in Lake Como, Italy. Chrissy actually had three Vera Wang wedding dresses. Happy married life to them

Late prophet Ajanaku's wife moves to rented apartment as his family fight over his assets

Joy Ajanaku, the wife of the late spiritual leader of Christ Victory Chapel International, prophet Ireti Ajanaku, who died August 18th (or 22nd), has been forced to move out of her matrimonial home into a rented apartment after her husband's family allegedly made life difficult for her after the prophet passed on. According to reliable sources, the ministry's board moved Joy Ajananku and her children out of her husband's Lagos home into a 3-bedroom flat in Abule Egba, Lagos after constant harassment from the prophet's family, who are insisting that Joy is not legally married to their son.

Joy and Ireti Ajanaku lived together for 7 years before finally formalizing their union with a court wedding in 2010 but the family insist that the wedding never took place...and want her removed as the man's next of kin. Family members are now fighting over his assets said to be worth millions of Naira.

Despite having issue's her late husband's family, Joy Ajanaku is on great terms with members of the church her husband left behind. The ministry's board agreed to install her as their new leader and said the late prophet anointed her as the chosen one before his death. They also said they have a wedding certificate to prove that she was truly married to their late spiritual leader. Joy and some members of the church are getting ready to take late Ajanaku's family to court over his estate.

An evening with Miss Russia, Miss Kenya and Miss Ghana in Lagos

Some of Nigeria’s leading celebrities came together on Sunday, September 15, 2013 to support the Exquisite Face of the World 2013 launch in Nigeria which will have over 50 beauty queens from across the globe converge in Lagos for the pageant. The event, which held at the Radisson Blu Hotel in Victoria Island, Lagos, had past beauty queens, Miss Kenya (right), Miss Russia (left) and Miss Ghana (centre) in attendance as well as Ethel Okosun, former Miss Earth, 2005 and daughter of late musician, Sunny Okosun who is the Nigerian Project Director for the pageant.

Guests in attendance include Dbanj, Uti Nwachukwu, Steve Onu, Tee A, Toni Kan, Latasha Ngwube, Yvonne Vixen Ekwere, DJ Zeez, , Tolu Ogunlesi, Gbemi Olateru-Olagbegi, Azuh Arinze among many others. More photos after the cut...