FEC approves N4.333bn for procurement of trains, coaches

The Federal Executive Council on Wednesday approved N4.333 billion contract for the procurement of trains and coaches, Transport Minister Idris Umar, said.

Umar stated this after the Council meeting presided over by President Goodluck Jonathan at the State House, the News Agency of Nigeria reports.

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He said the council had also approved contracts for the procurement of air-conditioned trains which would be deployed to the Lagos-Kano rail axis in an anticipation of its formal opening before the Christmas. He said the council also approved contract for the procurement of two sets of five-car diesel multiple unit with a capacity of 540 passengers.

The minister said contract for the procurement of additional six number of 60-seater passenger coaches for intra-city mass transit service had also been approved. The contracts, he said, were awarded to Messrs CSR NANJIMG PUZHEN Co. Ltd. and Kin Tech Nig. Ltd with completion period of 13 months.

FEC approves N2.2bn for the construction of a new banquet hall in the Presidential Villa

The Federal Executive Council, yesterday,  approved the construction of a new banquet hall in the Presidential Villa for the sum of N2.2 billion.
The approval is part of  the final set of N19.4 billion contracts for this year covering road construction, rail transportation and infrastructural development in the Federal Capital Territory.

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Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Dr. Reuben Abati, who briefed State House correspondents after the meeting, said the new banquet hall would have a capacity of 150 seats. He said subsequent Federal Executive Council meetings would be devoted to reviewing what had been achieved by government in the last one year.

 Dr Abati, who stood in for the Minister of Information, Labaran Maku, said aside from the roads, rail and other contracts, the council also approved the award of contract for the conduct of fiscal allocation and statutory disbursement audit for 2007 to 2011 as well as oil and gas industry audit. He said the approval was in conformity with section 2 of the NEITI Act 2007. He said: "The objective of this initiative is to ensure transparency and accountability in the application of resources from payments received from extractive industries and to further ensure that all fiscal allocations and statutory disbursements due from the Federal Government to statutory recipients were dully made."

Abati noted that the essence of the contract was to enable NEITI track extractive industry sector funds paid into the federation account as distributed and received by federal, state and local government areas. He said there would also be special emphasis on the application, utilization of the funds, on beneficiaries of the 13 per cent derivation and relevant federal institutions that directly received allocations from the Federation Account.

Apostle Anselm Madubuko’s daughter wedding

                                  Anselm Madubuko                             The Couple
The General Overseer of Revival Assembly Church, Apostle Anselm Madubuko is happy again. After losing his wife few months ago. His 23year old daughter, Velma who just graduated from a Canadian University had her traditional marriage last week Thursday.  The church wedding will take place this Saturday, 1st of Dec. at Revival Assembly Church.

ELOY 2012 Winners-Those who made it happen!

ELOY 2012 Winners
Female Photographer of the year- Yetunde Ayeni-Babaeko
Female TV Presenter of the year- Helen Paul
Female On-Air-Personality of the year- Kayla Oniwo
Female Fashion Designer of the year- Kenny Okorie of Keto Couture
Make-up Artist of the year- Lola Maja-Okojevoh
Stylist of the year- Lucy Phil-Ebosie
Actress of the year- Omotola Jalade-Ekeinde(Ties that Bind)
Female Brand Ambassador of the year- Stephanie Linus
Female Producer of the year- Emem Isong(I'll Take my Chances)
Sportswoman of the year-Blessing Okagbare & Esther Onyema
Beauty Brand of the year- Sleek
Food Manufacturing Company of the year- Dufill Limited(Manufacturers of Indomie Noodles)
Entrepreneur of the year- Honourable Chief Mrs Oluremi Dangaji, CEO APlus Model Agency, Zakamfa Travel & Tourism, APlus Record Label, APlus Entertainment.
Female banker of the year- Mrs Marian Abubakar, Regional Manager, Eko Bank South-South

Tiwa Savage's Buba and wrapper outfit at the Eloy Awards

So much buzz on Tiwa's Buba and wrapper outfit she wore to the Eloy Awards(Exquisite Lady of the Year (ELOY), which place on Sunday 25th November 2012 at the Porsche Showroom Centre, Victoria Island, Lagos.

Was there anything really wrong with that order than her being proud of our culture by wearing that! What's your thought on this?

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I never said“I married my wife out of pity"-Joseph Benjamin

Omotola Ekeinde's reality tv show debuts in 8days

Omotola. j .Ekeinde ‏@Realomosexy

“@nollywoodtweets: 8 DAYS TO GO: Omotola reality TV series, OMOTOLA: THE REAL ME, debuts December 6 on AfmagEnT chn 151 !

New Sect Claims Responsibility for SARS Headquarters attack in Abuja

On Monday, another radical Islamist sect- Jama’atu Ansarul Muslimina Fi Biladis Sudan has claimed responsibility for the attack.

The unedited excerpt of the email claiming responsibility reads: “ In the name of Allah most Graciuos most Merciful

“The Jama’atu Ansarul Muslimina Fi Biladis-sudan is hereby declaring by Allah’s grace to be the responsible for the attack held on 12th Muharram, 1334 – 26th November, 2012, on S.A.R.S. detention facility in Garki area II, Abuja Nigeria.

“Allah SWT has obligated us to help those that are oppressed, especially those oppressions that is taking place in the security cells, prisons and other detention centers etc. and has become part of the main functions and basics that form Jama’atu Ansasrul Muslimina fi Biladissudan.

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“We are stating loud and clear that many of those captured by the Nigerian security or by the Christian in Plateau state such as the women and children in Langtang, Yalwan Shandam etc to mention but a few. by Allah’s grace we are matching towards their freedom.


 “Lastly, we are calling upon all Muslims to come and joined hands with us in carrying out this noble duty that Allah SWT has commanded us to do, Allah SWT said: “And what is the matter with you that you fight not in the cause of ALLAH, and for the feeble among men, and for women and children oppressed…”. Nisa’i:75. “Abu Usamatal Ansari (Amir JAMBS).”

O.B.O- a new clothing line from Davido

Ex-banker suspends hunger strike after 2 Weeks as Fashola intervenes

Olubiyi Odunaro, the 53-year-old do you guys remember when I posted this,lets hope Gov.Fashola comes to his aid on his request

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“Governor Fashola who was worried about his state of health formed an inter-ministerial committee comprising medical, legal and welfare officials and directed me to lead the team to persuade him to end his hunger strike. “As a responsible government we don’t want a dead casualty in our hands as a result of this protest. Once he ends this protest, we would first provide him medical service while the Lagos State Directorate of Citizens Rights would engage the authorities concerned in a comprehensive dialogue.”

Akinsola said the Lagos State Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Ade Ipaye, had given him his word on free legal services to Odunaro and other ex-workers of non-consolidated banks seeking the payment of their entitlements if the negotiations become unfruitful. “We will mediate and talk to the right people and we believe reason will prevail in this matter and if not, lawyers from the Lagos State Ministry of Justice will work in conjunction with the lawyer of the group and ensure that justice prevails and everyone of them gets their entitlement,” he added. John Ogunniyi, who led a legal team from the Public Complaints Commission, implored Odunaro to end the hunger strike.

 He said, “The Lagos Commissioner of the Public Complaints Commission, Funso Olukoga, sends his word that you end this protest and go back home while we look into your complaints. “We’ve listened to the complaints and we are going back to report to the commissioner and see the best we can do concerning it. “We are making this appeal because of your health and the negative consequences it may have on you.

The commissioner has given us the authority to ensure that the matter is resolved.” After persuasion and engagement by the state officials and consultation with members of the Association of Ex-Staff of Non-Consolidated Bank, who had gathered at the site which lasted for about three hours, Odunaro who clocked 53 on Monday announced the suspension of the protest. He said, “This struggle is not only about myself; it’s about the right of over 14,000 ex-workers of non-consolidated banks who are ably represented here today. “The Lagos State Government and the PCC have given me and my people their word and I would hold on to it. My other colleagues too have appealed to me to give the state government the opportunity to play their part in this matter.

 “In view of this, I announce the suspension of my hunger strike for two weeks to enable me to go for medical treatment and allow the state government play its part in this debacle.” President, Association of Ex-Staff of Non-Consolidated Bank, Magnus Maduka, said, “We will be leveraging on the clout of the state government and the promises of the Public Complaints Commission to get our entitlements which we have been fighting for for about seven years.” took him to the Medical Emergency of the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital for medical attention.

Yvonne Nelson spotted in UK

Yvonne Nelson in the UK for a Gaga-esque themed photo shoot at the renowned Second Floor Studios and Arts in London.

Angus T. Jones -"Two And A Half Men" Actor Turns To Religion

Angus T. Jones is pleading with his fans to STOP watching "Two and a Half Men" ... claiming it's nothing but "filth" that contradicts his deep Christian values.
19-year-old Angus T. Jones -- who makes $350,000 AN EPISODE playing Jake on the show "Two and a Half Men" has turned to religion after realizing his life was on a "downward trend" -- which included drug use and speeding tickets.

He is featured in a new video for the Forerunner Christian Church, pleading with his fans to STOP watching "Two and a Half Men" ... claiming it's nothing but "filth" that contradicts his deep Christian values. He talks about his commitment to his faith and explains, "If you watch Two and a Half Men, please stop watching 'Two and a Half Men.'"

"I'm on Two and a Half Men and I don't want to be on it."

"Please stop watching it and filling your head with filth. People say it’s just entertainment. Do some research on the effects of television and your brain, and I promise you you’ll have a decision to make when it comes to television and especially with what you watch on television ... it's bad news."

Jones also suggests that Satan is somehow involved with "Two and a Half Men."

Kendall Jenner covers Vogue

                                    Kendall Jenner(Kim's sister) makes Vogue cover at 17years

                                           You sure she won't ensure those legs?

Ill obese American woman dies in Hungary after airlines say she's too fat to fly to get medication

She died from health complications in Hungary nine days after she was kicked off the first of three flights and now her death could now be the cause of a multimillion-dollar lawsuit against the airlines.
On September 17, she had travelled with her husband Janos to Hungary to stay in their holiday home, a trip they made every year

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Before the journey, their travel agent informed Delta of Mrs Soltesz's condition and they planned to return on October 15 so Mrs Soltesz could continue her medical treatment for her illness - a combination of kidney disease and diabetes. Mr Soltesz said his wife was already seated on the plane when they were asked to leave by KLM.

 'They tried to fit her into the back of the plane, but they didn’t have an extension to secure her,' he said. She had gained weight due to her illness and the airline said it did not have a seat-belt extender for her, Mr Soltesz said. He was also told the seat back could not take his wife’s weight. After leaving the airplane, the couple waited in the airport for several hours and then were told to drive five hours to Prague for a Delta plane that could accommodate her as a disabled person. But in Prague, Delta staff told the couple the airline’s plastic wheelchair could not hold her weight and the staff also couldn’t put her on the sky-lift elevator.

The couple, who were born in Hungary, were forced to return to their holiday home until their New York travel agent managed to get them on an October 22 Lufthansa flight to New York via Frankfurt, which would be able to accommodate her size. Sue: Mrs Soltesz died from health complications in Hungary nine days after she was kicked off the first of three flights and now her death could now be the cause of a multimillion-dollar lawsuit against the airlines Although a local fire department were brought in to help move Mrs Soltesz into three seats assigned to her, they could not lift her out of the wheelchair. After half an hour of trying to move her, the captain asked them to leave the plane. 'We had 140 passengers on board, and they had connections and needed to travel,' said Lufthansa spokesman Nils Haupt.

'The question was never the seat belt. The question was the mobility of the passenger.' But when they returned to their holiday home again to make alternative arrangement Mrs Soltesz became more poorly. 'It appeared on the passenger’s return that it was not physically possible for her to board the aircraft, despite every effort made by KLM to this end. A seat or belt extender did not offer a solution, either,' said KLM spokeswoman Ellen van Ginkel to the website. 'After the operating carrier in Budapest was physically unable to board Mrs. Soltesz on its flight, and despite a determined good-faith effort by Delta in Prague, we were also physically unable to board her on our aircraft,' said Delta spokesman Russel Cason to the New York Post

Nigerian Churches and mosques to report their financial transactions from January 2013

From This DayThe Financial Reporting Council (FRC) said it had designed an accounting system for churches, mosques and other not-for-profit organisations, adding that it will compel them to report their financial transactions periodically from January 2013. The move is to ensure that more Nigerians are dragged into the corporate tax net.

This question is will it work effectively?

If you don’t want to be arrested then don’t go to a Bar in Lagos

On Friday, the 23rd of November, my friend went for a drink in a bar near his house. Members of the Nigerian Police Force came around 11pm and picked about 7 of them up from that bar. Dumping their victims into the back of a black van, loosely referred to as a “Black Maria”, they went on a raiding spree. Picking patrons of different pubs and bars around the Yaba environs, there was no method to the madness. There was no case of profiling; they picked girls and guys! One guy was hauled out of his car, leaving his bewildered girlfriend behind. They went into bars, just randomly dumping people in the back of their vans and they headed towards Sabo police station.

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Fortunately, their mobile phones were not collected so my friend went on a tweeting spree. By the time the battery of his smart phone died, he had been transferred to the Task Force office in Alausa. As I drove to Yaba in the morning to get him some form of identification (seeing as he had just gone on a leisurely stroll down the road) I went through different stages of anger.

Mostly at the state of things in Nigeria. The question that kept reverberating in my head was “Can a man not peacefully spend his money in a bar any more in Nigeria?” We spend hours in traffic plying through bad roads. We get home and there’s no power supply. We can’t turn on the generator because there’s fuel scarcity and the queues to buy petrol stretch over a mile long and then we can’t even go to a bar to have a cold drink? I don’t know about you guys but the problem with this country runs deep.

 By 9am the following morning, the ‘officers’ who picked them up had still not told them what their crime was. The girls amongst them were thrown in solitary confinement and the guys were locked up in a little enclosure. As friends and family of the people who had been held hostage gathered outside, testimonies were shared of how this was a regular occurrence. Someone said “This is December time, when dem police dem dey broke, dem go just go dey carry people up and down. Na money una go take bail una sef commot. No be serious matter” Another person said “People wey no get any person toh come for dem, if dem stay for 3 days and nobody come, dem go move dem go Badagry! From dia, pesin go just miss.” I literally shivered! Badagry ke? I hurriedly grabbed my phone, asking my friend to find out what the procedure for using money to regain his freedom. He was surprisingly very calm.

Knowing he’s a bit of a smart mouth, I asked if he hadn’t been running off his mouth at any of the police guys, to which he responded “Omo! I’m gentle oh! They’re brushing guys here. If you behave like you’re too smart sef, they’ll beat you black and blue.” A few hours and a whole lot of Tweets later, somebody called someone who called somebody else and KB was released.


The questions, however, remained unanswered. “What was their crime?” “Why were they picked up?” “If we supposedly live in a society were the constitution is the grundnorm, should things like these still happen?” If in a democracy, civilians can’t exercise their rights to move freely then I weep for my nation.

"I married my wife out of pity"- Joseph Benjamin

What Really Happened in his Marriage?
 “I was married for 8 years. It was a rather odd situation at that time. She got pregnant and I didn’t want to have a child out of wedlock and so I married her so we could build a home together for the unborn child. Things weren’t rosy then, but I believed it was the right thing to do for the sake of the child. I overlooked my own personal desires, I just wanted to do right. Our second child came and I stood by my family like I always have; but no one is perfect, we had our issues – the crisis persisted but we stayed because of the kids. But you never make that kind of decision because if the parents are not happy together then the children suffer.”

Is Your Wife Older Than You?
”She is not older than me, and she wasn’t taking care of my financial needs as people have insinuated. We were both starting off in life on the same grounds – no one was exploited.” “I’ve been separated for a year now but we still keep a good relationship, and our separation was a mutual agreement. She is a good woman but I could not go on with the union anymore seeing the foundation it was built on was untrue. I have two wonderful children – a ten year old daughter and a seven year old son. They are an integral part of my life; their mum and I have a very good arrangement on how to balance their lives and make sure that psychologically they are stable and unaffected by our separation

Newspaper vendor murdered for turning down free reader - PUNCH Metro

The picture above is a young man whose dream has been shattered over the refusal of him not allowing his neighbour to read his news papers free which he sells as business to get his daily bread 

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A newspaper vendor in Calabar, Cross River State, Mr. Innocent Monday-Francis, was on Thursday murdered after an argument that followed his refusal to allow one of his neighbours, identified as Eno, to read the papers. Monday-Francis (22), who sold newspapers around the popular Flour Mill junction, along the Murtala Mohammed Highway in Calabar, had retired to a neighbourhood bar at Ikot-Effanga area of Calabar to take a bottle of drink when the incident occurred.

 The deceased’s younger brother, Mr. Gabriel Monday-Francis, said his brother went to work as usual on Thursday morning and on his way back home in the evening he stopped at a nearby drinking spot for a bottle of drink. He said those at the drinking spot had alleged that the assailant, who is now on the run, had picked up one of the deceased’s newspapers to read but the vendor told him not to read any of the papers. He (Monday-Francis) accused the assailant of not only reading the papers for free on all occasions, but that on one or two instances, he had taken copies away without his knowledge.

 The deceased’s brother said after that disagreement, Eno got angry and slapped his brother and in retaliation he (Monday-Francis) emptied the content of his glass on the assailant but after people’s intervention, the vendor immediately went home. He said his late brother, who was already relaxed at home and eating outside, met his death when the assailant came from behind to hit him on his neck twice with shovel and he immediately slumped and died. “It was while he was already at home eating outside that Eno came to hit him with shovel twice his neck and head and he slumped and died immediately,” the brother said. It was gathered that when the incident happened, the assailant’s elder brother, whose identity could not be confirmed as at the time of filing this report, rushed to the Federal Housing Police Station in Calabar Municipality to inform the police of what had happened but by the time they got back to the scene of the incident, the assailant had disappeared.

The employer of the deceased, Mr. Etim Dennis, said he was shocked to receive a call on Friday morning that his highest selling vendor had been murdered. He said, “We are all in mourning now because Monday-Francis was the highest selling vendor I had,” he said. The deceased’s mother, Mrs. Happiness Monday-John, said that she was called on the phone that her son was dead and truly on getting home, she saw Monday-Francis lying down on the ground and she called him many times without answer. The police at the Federal Housing Police Station had on Friday morning taken his corpse to the mortuary.

The Cross River State Police Public Relations officer, Mr. John Umoh, said the suspect was already at large. Umoh explained that the assailant’s brother, who was being detained, would not answer for a crime committed by his brother but that the police was only trying to get information that would facilitate the arrest of the culprit.