Welcome to Mimsme Blog: 2015-04-26

Saturday, 2 May 2015

I won’t quit PDP despite defeat – Fani-Kayode

The Director of Media and Publicity of the PDP Presidential Campaign Organisation, Femi Fani-Kayode, has said he will remain in the party in spite of its defeat in the March 28 and April 11 general elections.

Mr. Fani-Kayode said this while fielding questions from State House correspondents in Abuja on Thursday.

He also dismissed the insinuation that he was about seeking political asylum abroad, following the failure of the party to win the 2015 presidential election.

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar over the weekend commenced lobby for the candidacy of Nigeria’s Minister of Agriculture, Akinwumi Adesina as President of the African Development Bank (AfDB).
A statement issued by the Atiku Media Office in Abuja said that Atiku Abubakar’s shuttle diplomacy to shore up the much-needed support for the Nigerian candidate follows a mandate from President-elect Muhammadu Buhari to the former Vice President to leverage on his contacts to lobby for the emergence of Mr. Adesina.

Fuel scarcity being experienced in some parts of the country had resulted in a sharp increase in pump price of the product in Iseyin Council Area of Oyo, from the official price of N87 per liter, to N250.
A survey by the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Saturday indicated that while most of the filling stations in the town were closed due to non-availability of the product, few that had it sell from N240 to N250 per litre.

Is Buhari Also Planning To Revisit Stella Oduah, Fuel Subsidy, Other Probes? THIS WILL SHOCK YOU
It is believed that the administration of President-elect, Muhammadu Buhari, will revisit the reports of panels set up by the National Assembly to investigate various financial scandals in Federal Government’s agencies and ministries.

WBA and WBC champion, Floyd Mayweather has weighed in one pound more than Manny Pacquiao – two pounds under the welterweight limit.

WBO welterweight champion Pacquiao weighed in at 10st 5lb, while Mayweather weighed in at 10st 6lb.

The Filipino however enjoyed massive support from the 16,000 fans, who packed into the MGM Grand’s Garden Arena for the official weigh-in.

The Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, and the Trade Union Congress, TUC, on Friday in Abuja vowed to hold the incoming Muhammadu Buhari-led government accountable in respect of his party’s promises to Nigerians and workers in particular.
Mr. Buhari was elected on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

On the heels of repeated calls for the resignation of the Alhaji Adamu Mu’azu’s led National Working Committee, NWC, of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, the NWC has warned aides and associates of President Goodluck Jonathan to desist from their determination to cause crisis in the party and engender more defection or face the full wrath of the party’s disciplinary measures.

Akpabio advises losers of 2015 polls against wasting their money on tribunals

Senator-elect and Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Chief Godswill Akpabio, has advised candidates of other political parties who were defeated in the 2015 general elections not to waste their time and money on tribunal seeking for cancellation of the polls.

This was as he noted that any candidate that failed to get the endorsement of the labour force in the state for governorship and other elective positions will not win in any election.

Speaking during this year’s May Day celebration in Uyo on Friday, Akpabio stated that the workers had in 2014 assembled themselves and by early 2015, long before the first elections, endorsed the Peoples Democratic Party candidate, Mr. Udom Emmanuel, as governorship candidate of the state.

While observing that the labour force in the state represents voters in every family, in every unit, in every ward, and in every local government across the entire state, the Governor asserted that no one can make it on his own unless the owners of the state, the workers’ endorse you.

Outgoing Nigerian President, Goodluck Jonathan has advised the nation’s workers to be prepared for the harsh economic realities in the country triggered by the recent fall in the prices of oil at the international market, stressing that industrial relationship can only be more cordial, if democracy was nurtured to grow.

He noted that the current unfavourable economic realities were so glaring that the workers cannot afford to ignore them in their engagements with government and as such advised them to be realistic with their demands.

Veteran Nollywood actor, Peter Bunor, was yesterday reported to have died in Asaba, Delta State.

The Ogwashi Uku, Delta State-born thespian who two years ago lamented being neglected by his colleagues, was said to have died months after he survived a stroke attack.

The actor’s popular son, Peter Jr confirmed the death of his father, disclosing that he died in the wee hours of Friday. The veteran actor had featured in popular soaps including Cock Crow at Dawn, Memorial Hospital, Checkmate, Sound of Destiny, Second Chance, Third Eye and several movies among which are Living In Bondage. Peter Jr noted that his father’s Funeral arrangements would soon be made public.

Northern Govs, Senators elect to decide who becomes Senate President in Kaduna today

To make the job of electing the president of the 8th Senate easy, governors and Senators-elect from the Northern part of the country are scheduled to meet today in Kaduna to decide on who leads the Senate, Vanguard reports. The meeting, whose arrowhead is allegedly a governor elect who is a close friend of the President-elect, is expected to have in attendance Governor and Senator-elects from the North Central, North West and North East.

Nigeria’s major commercial airline, Arik Air, has announced plans to suspend flight operations from today over the lingering fuel scarcity in the country, potentially leaving hundreds of passengers stranded.

The Managing Director, Arik Air, Mr Chris Ndulue disclosed this yesterday at the airline corporate headquarters while addressing aviation reporters.

According to him, Arik has been operating 20% of its daily flights schedule because of scarcity of aviation fuel, particularly in Lagos, its major hub. The airline operates about 120 flights on its domestic routes daily.

Fuel scarcity: NSCDC clamps down on illegal PMS dealers

The unending fuel scarcity has continued to bite hard on motorists and users of the premium motor spirit (PMS) across the federation following long queues at the few stations that occasionally sell the product.
However, the Commandant General of the Corps, Dr. Ade Abolurin in line with the Corps’ mandate in curtailing the activities of illegal dealers on petroleum products have directed the Anti-Vandal Squad of the Corps to clampdown on illegal marketers of petroleum products, product diversion, unnecessary hike in pump prices and black marketers.

The North-East caucus of the All Progressives Congress (APC) senators, yesterday distanced itself from the aspiration of Senator Ahmad Lawan to emerge as the next Senate President.
Caucus leader, Senator Danjuma Goje from Gombe State, told Senate correspondents that what was before the North east was how to persuade APC leadership to consider the region for the “highest position in the National Assembly.”

Arsenal boss, Arsene Wenger, has told Jose Mourinho to show more respect towards his fellow managers.

Mourinho last week, fired back at talk of his Chelsea side being boring, by saying Arsenal not winning the title for 10 years is boring.

When Wenger was asked about the Portuguese’s comments at his Friday press conference, he said: “The biggest thing of managers is to respect each other and some people have to improve on that.

The defence headquarters said in a statement the hostages were rescued on Thursday through the Kawuri and Konduga end of Sambisa forest. Some 500 women and children have already been rescued by the military in the past few days. "They have been evacuated to join others at the place of ongoing screening," the military said. It said the "assault on the forest is continuing from various fronts and efforts are concentrated on rescuing hostages of civilians and destroying all terrorists camps and facilities in the forest.

Timi Dakolo is all Shades of Dashing in New Photos

This is man is so great looking. After the cut is the second pic Timi shared with the caption:
WHEN YOU SEE THAT PERSON THAT SAYS YOU WOULD AMOUNT TO NOTHING AT THE BUS STOP...AND YOU GO ...HEY God...HOW FAR?!

Lauryn Hill Addresses Inability to Attend Lagos Show in New Statement

Singer Lauryn Hill was supposed to host a concert tonight 'Lauryn Hill Live in Concert' at the Eko Hotel. Unfortunately, she couldn't make it and has on her Facebook page explained why.
According to her, from her end, she and her crew did everything they were supposed to do, including waiting at the airport for many hours, ready to fly out and share the evening with Nigerians. Unfortunately, after much effort, the promoter was not able to get all of their travel arrangements taken care of. After the cut is a photo of her crew at the airport.

Michael Igbinedion, younger brother of former Edo state governor, Lucky Igbinedion was today sentenced to 6 years imprisonment for charges bothering on money laundering. Michael, alongside one Mr Patrick Eboigbodin, an aide to former Governor Lucky Igbinedion were dragged before a federal high court in Benin city on an 81 count charge bordering on money laundering said to be carried out while Lucky Igbinedion was still governor of Edo state.

In what seemed to be a veiled remorse over the internal crisis that rocked the PDP leading to its defeat in last elections, Governor Liyel Imoke of Cross River State, has advised the Nigeria Labour Congress not to toe the line of his party- the PDP- in their activities and electoral processes.
The governor was speaking during the 2015 Workers Day celebration in Calabar. He promised to pay the April salary owed workers and also clear all other outstanding before leaving office.

Minister of Finance Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala yesterday disclosed that she was diagnosed with cancer some years back and had her last surgery for it 15 years ago. Mrs Okonjo-Iweala spoke about her experience at the Service of Songs for late Special Adviser to the President on Research and Documentation, Oronto Douglas yesterday April 30th. According to the Minister, she constantly used her experience to encourage Oronto during his battle with the disease which led to his death on April 9th. "Oronto and I had two similarities in life, we both had cancer. I had my last surgery 15 years ago and I shared my experience with him,” she said. She however did not state what type of cancer she had.

Fani Kayode’s Ex-Girlfriend Cries Out Over Alleged Threat To Life

Fani Kayode’s former girlfriend, Chief Mrs Adaobi Uchegbu has cried out this afternoon on her facebook page that some people have tapped into her line and are threatening her life. You will recall that FFK mentioned her name alongside that of Mrs Bianca Ojukwu in 2013 to prove he wasn't tribalistic. See what she wrote on Facebook after the cut, Na wa oh… we thought this was over.

Oritsefemi Turns Chest Into Blackboard, Check Out What He Tattoos On His Chest; Is It True?

The self acclaimed "international super star", Oritsefemi, has just gotten a new tattoo. According to him, he got "International" inked boldly on his chest because it's the new nickname he got after his leaked messages saga.

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Bruce Jenner is being sued for wrongful death by the relatives of a woman killed in a car crash in February.
A Los Angeles court spokesperson confirmed the ex-athlete was being sued for the accident in which his car caused another to move into oncoming traffic. The lawsuit by two adult step-children of of Kim Howe, 69, does not specify how much they are seeking, but states they have sustained enormous damages.

Hundreds of students from a Burundi university shuttered by the government were seeking refuge outside the U.S. embassy in the capital on Friday, amid unrest and escalating tensions ahead of the June 26 presidential vote.

The east African nation has been rocked by days of protests triggered by President Pierre Nkurunziza’s decision to seek a third term, a move opponents say violates the constitution and a peace deal that ended an ethnically charged civil war in 2005.

Citing security fears, the government on Wednesday closed University of Burundi, a prestigious institution where Nkurunziza taught physical education in the mid-1990s.

American soul singer Ben E. King, whose classic songs "Stand by Me" and "This Magic Moment" became worldwide hits in the 1950s and '60s, has died at the age of 76, his publicist said on Friday.

King died of natural causes on Thursday, spokesman Phil Brown told AFP.

Born Benjamin Earl Nelson on September 28, 1938, in Henderson, North Carolina, King moved to Harlem, New York, at the age of 9, according to his website.

He got his musical start with a doo wop group called The Five Crowns in 1958 after George Treadwell, who managed The Drifters, fired the group's original band members and replaced them with The Five Crowns.

British Prime Minister David Cameron won the last major TV contest of Britain's election campaign broadcast on Thursday evening, a snap Guardian/ICM poll showed, with 44 percent of viewers saying he had performed best on the night.
But despite taking the lead in the last television debate before Britain goes to the polls on May 7, the

In what appears to be the lowest drop to be recorded within a one-year period, the cumulative electricity generated in the country has dropped to a meagre 2,800 Megawatts. This is happening at a time Nigerians struggle with mini-heat waves caused by rising temperature.

Disclosing this on Thursday, the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Power, Godknows Igali, noted that power output dropped from a recent peak of 4,500MW on April 3, to 2,800 as of March 30. He blamed the huge cut on “vandalism of gas pipelines”.

Many Nigerians were shocked when news filtered in on Monday that President-elect, General Muhammadu Buhari, has barred the African Independent Television (AIT), from covering his activities.

Buhari allegedly gave the order through his security team,

AIT’s crew were walked out of the Defence House during the Cuban Ambassador’s visit.

The Federal Government on Thursday said it had paid N156 billion debt to oil marketers in line with its commitment to prioritise payments in spite of revenue constraints.

This was contained in a statement by Paul Nwabuikwu, the Special Adviser to the Coordinating Minister and Minister of Finance, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, on Thursday in Abuja.

The police on Wednesday arraigned one Samson Ndubuisi, 31, before an Apapa Magistrates’ court for allegedly having canal knowledge of an 11-year-old boy.

Ndubuisi, who resides at No. 3/4, Umuaka Close, Ilufe Junction, Alaba Market, Lagos, is standing trial on a two-count charge of conspiracy and sexual assault by penetration.

I have just read message sent to SSS by you to the effect that you heard that Governor Ayodele Fayose and his people are celebrating and that you and your people would be arrested even before getting to me tomorrow for the peace meeting. Consequently, you advised your people to cancel the meeting.

The All Progressives Congress, APC in Rivers state has alleged that the governor-elect in Rivers state, Nyesom Wike who won the guber contest in the state under PDP is making plans to cross to the APC.

Wike, who was declared winner of the governorship election by the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, received knocks over the alleged moves from the leadership of the APC in Rivers state.

Jonathan Appoints Sanusi Ado Bayero MD of NPA

President Goodluck Jonathan Wednesday approved the appointment of Alhaji Sanusi Lamido Ado Bayero, son of the late Emir of Kano, the late Alhaji Ado Bayero, as the Managing Director of the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA).

At least 12 out of the 24-member Kebbi State House of Assembly Wednesday served impeachment notice on Governor Saidu Nasamu Dakingari for alleged gross misconduct in the handling of the affairs of the state.

The lawmakers in a notice served to the governor last Tuesday night, accused Dakingari of gross abuse of office and misappropriation of public funds.

General Muhammadu Buhari

AIT: We look forward to healthy relationship with president-elect

The president-elect of Nigeria, General Muhammadu Buhari, has instructed all his staff, including the security personnel attached directly to him, to steer clear of all dealing with the media, and leave all media activities to his official media team.

Mother and child under mosquito treated net

Nigerians continue to shun the use of mosquito-treated nets, despite the prevalence of malaria scourge in the country, writes Martins Ifijeh

With the target set by United Nation that by 2015, Nigeria will be free from malaria if the estimated 60 million long lasting insecticide treated nets (LLITN) projected to be distributed across the country are actually judiciously distributed, it has unfortunately not achieved the set goal even with the statistics from the Federal Ministry of Health, Abuja, showing that over 60 million LLITN have been distributed across every nuke and cranny of the country since 2009 till date.

The Coordinating Minister for the Economy and Minister of Finance, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, on Wednesday said the federal government would disburse N156 billion to oil marketers today in order to arrest the fuel shortage nationwide.

One of China’s top schools has been causing quite some controversies after installing metal bars on the balconies to prevent students from jumping to their deaths. Read more from Scoop:

Burundi: Thousands Flee To Rwanda As Protests Grip Capital Before June Poll

More than 22,000 Burundians flee to Rwanda in a month amid violence provoked by President Pierre Nkurunziza’s bid for third term as president.

Thousands of people have crossed from Burundi into neighbouring Rwanda over the past week, fleeing intimidation by youth militia who are reportedly targeting rural areas as protests grip the capital, Bujumbura, over the president’s decision to stand for a third term in June’s presidential elections.

FCT Minister, Bala Mohammed Honors Rashidi Yekini, Jonathan, Sambo, Atiku, Dangote, Otedola, Others, Names Abuja Streets After Them

This is a good initiative that our government hardly takes, but I'm glad they did this time.

The Federal Government of Nigeria has named major streets in Abuja after some eminent Nigerians and accomplished Africans, with the soon-to-be inaugurated Inner Southern Expressway, running through Abuja city centre, named after President Goodluck Jonathan.

The Wuye district boulevard, measuring 1,730 metres, was named after former Vice President, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar.

Another major road in the same district was named after Vice President Namadi Sambo.

Transition: Don’t Take Jonathan’s Magnanimity As Cowardice, Jonathan’s Men Tell Buhari’s Men

A disagreement has broken out between the transition committees of outgoing President Goodluck Jonathan and the President-elect, General Muhammadu Buhari (retd) as the President accused the Buhari team of acting like a parallel government and trying to stampede the Jonathan administration out of office.

Addressing State House correspondents after the Federal Executive Council meeting, yesterday, Minister of National Planning who is also a member of the Jonathan Transition Committee, Abubakar Suleiman, said the Buhari transition team was making impossible demands from the government.

Although he did not specify those demands, he however warned that the President’s magnanimity should not be construed as cowardice.

Indonesian authorities last night executed eight people, including four Nigerians, convicted for drug offenses.
They were killed by firing squad on Tuesday.
However, execution of a woman Filipino was postponed at the last minute.
The Fillipino was spared after a woman accused of tricking her into carrying drug, turned herself to the police in Philippines Tuesday.

Queen Latifah on Homosexuality: ''I Don't Find Being Gay or Lesbian to Be a Character Flaw''

Queen Latifah is speaking out in support of the gay community.

In a new interview with Uptown magazine, the 45-year-old actress reveals her support for marriage equality. "People's ideas in general are antiquated when it comes to who you love. We haven't moved as quickly as we probably should. And the reality is that there's always been gay people in the black community, so it's not foreign to us. And not just as a black community but just a society as a whole," Latifah says.

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Senator Bala Mohammed, on Wednesday dared the incoming All Progressives Congress administration to probe his tenure as he had nothing to hide.

He said having being in the saddle for five years, he was armed with documents and records to account for his actions in office.

Twelve-year-old Primary Six pupil, Tijani Boluwatife of Araromi Primary School, Orile Agege, and Sonoiki Idowu of Ikotun Senior High School, Ikotun, have emerged winners in the primary and secondary categories of the 2015 edition of the Spelling Bee competition for public primary and secondary schools in Lagos State. Organised by the Office of Education Quality Assurance, Lagos State Ministry of Education, the competition is aimed at developing the innate skills of the students in the state, creating good reading habits and helping them improve their spelling skills, increase their vocabulary and develop correct English usage.

Pointing out that the overall goals of the competition are to help students improve their spelling skills, increase their vocabulary, create good reading habits that would lead to better academic performance, the Commissioner for Education, Mrs. Olayinka Oladunjoye, said these goals are being met as evident in the performance of the students in external examinations.

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Saturday, 2 May 2015

Friday, 1 May 2015

Hundreds of students from a Burundi university shuttered by the government were seeking refuge outside the U.S. embassy in the capital on Friday, amid unrest and escalating tensions ahead of the June 26 presidential vote.

American soul singer Ben E. King, whose classic songs "Stand by Me" and "This Magic Moment" became worldwide hits in the 1950s and '60s, has died at the age of 76, his publicist said on Friday.

Thursday, 30 April 2015