Nigerians react after Buhari refers to Germany as West Germany and their Chancellor as president Michelle

Nigerians react after Buhari refers to Germany as West Germany and their Chancellor as president Michelle

During a press briefing in Abuja yesterday June 11th immediately after the Lake Chad

Photos: Aliko Dangote promises 24hr electricity project in Lagos

Africa's richest man, Aliko Dangote paid a courtesy visit to the Governor of Lagos state, Akinwunmi Ambode earlier this week where he revealed that his company is in the process of building a Gas Pipeline from Bonny to under the sea which when done, will provide Lagos with 24hr power supply. 

Photos: Actress Jackie Appiah donates cash & gifts to flood and fire victims

Photos: Actress Jackie Appiah donates cash & gifts to flood and fire victims

Ganaian actress Jackie Appiah yesterday donated huge

28 APC senators walk out of Senate session

Members of the Barnabas Gemade -led Senate Unity Forum have threatened to take a legal action against the emergence of Bukola Saraki on Tuesday as the President of the Senate.

Suspend Tinubu and Gemade for opposing Saraki’s election, Group tells APC

A group, Leadership by Example League International (LELI), has asked the All Progressives Congress (APC) to suspend former Lagos State governor, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, and Senator Barnabas Gemade,

PDP Senators celebrate after emergence of Saraki as Senate President

Following the emergence of Dr. Bukola Saraki as Senate President for the 8th Assembly, Peoples Democratic Party’s Senators were seen partying on each others’ back even as it was a celebration galore in and around the lobby of the green chambers.

A Senator elect on the platform of Peoples Democratic Party from Anambra State who would not want his name in print disclosed that they capitalized on the APC loopholes to produce Ekweremadu, while noting that with Saraki/Ekweremadu on the saddle, PDP was on the path of resurgence.
According to him, the idea of Ekweremadu for Deputy Senate President was mulled by Senator Godswill Akpabio, a senator elect from Akwa Ibom State and immediate past governor of Akwa Ibom State which made the PDP senators to go into alliance with Saraki.

Sources also have it that Bukola Saraki was advised to defect back to the Peoples Democratic Party as part of conditions for PDP’s support for him, but he declined. His refusal however did not stop them from supporting him.

Meanwhile, the 8th Senate may have emerged with major changes and distortions as the new Senate Leader is now the immediate past Senate President, Sen. David Mark, despite being a minority Senator.

BREAKING NEWS: Yakubu Dogara emerges House of Reps Speaker

Member of the House of Representatives have elected Yakubu Dogara,

Osinbajo and Pastor Adeboye urge Nigerians to be honest

The Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, and the General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Chuch of God, Pastor Enoch Adeboye, on Sunday urged Nigerians to be faithful, diligent and honest in all that they do so as to attract favour from God and man.

Presidential poll: Ijaw lost to conspiracy, betrayal, says Graham-Douglas

Yenagoa—Former Minister of Youth, Sports and Culture, Chief Tonye Graham-Douglas, yesterday, said the Ijaw lost the Presidency to the North due to intrigues, conspiracies, betrayals and manipulations.

Soldiers in gun battle with Boko Haram suspects in Kaduna

A soldier was feared killed in the early hours of Monday during a gun battle between the military and two Boko Haram suspects at Ungwan Keke-B, near Danbushiya suburb in Chikun Local Government area of Kaduna, residents of the area told PREMIUM TIMES on Monday morning.

Obasanjo appointed co-Chair of InterAction Council

The InterAction Council of Former Heads of State and Government has appointed former President Olusegun Obasanjo co-chair of the Council at the 32nd Annual Plenary Meeting in Newport, United Kingdom Friday.

EXPOSED: President Buhari’s N2.1 Billion Asokoro Mansion

President Muhammadu Buhari owns the sprawling Asokoro lakeside mansion located at number 9, Udo Udoma Street, Asokoro, Abuja, BREAKING TIMES can authoritatively report.

No N3.2bn severance pay for Jonathan, others till 2016

Former President Goodluck Jonathan; his deputy,   Namadi Sambo; immediate past ministers and presidential aides as well as non-returning federal lawmakers will wait till next year before collecting their severance allowances, investigation byThe PUNCH has shown.

Fayose says I’ve conquered my enemies, exonerates Buhari from his problems

Governor Ayo dele Fayose, at the end of a victory procession round Ado-Ekiti, the Ekiti State capital yesterday, declared a total conquest of his political enemies with a warning that any further uprising would lead to the premature political death of such instigators.

Buhari likely to head oil ministry in new cabinet

There are speculations that President Muhammadu Buhari will keep the petroleum minister portfolio for himself in the new cabinet rather than trust anyone else with the ministry, which currently contributes over 80 per cent of Nigeria’s revenue.

Disaster in Ghana as flood overtakes Accra + 78 killed at fuel station (graphic photos)

No fewer than 78 persons were killed after a gas station they ran to for shelter during heavy downpour went up in flames in Acrra, Ghana yesterday June 3rd. According to Ghana's Fire Service spokesperson, Billy Anagate, the fire started at the Neoplan Bus station at about 5.00pm and then quickly spread to the Goil gas station, causing an explosion which killed all the people taking refuge there. Bodies of the victims are still being evacuated from the scene of the incident.

10 die after eating meal at a wedding in Katsina

10 people reportedly lost their lives while many others became very ill after they ate food provided at a wedding in Katsina state recently. According to a Vanguard report, many of those who died complained of stomach ache as they left the wedding. They were rushed to the Federal Medical Center in Katsina where they were certified dead. Some died while on their way to the hospital.

A staff of Federal Medical Centre, said the hospital had received a number of cases relating to the incident. “I think, from the information gathered so far, the case of some of the victims has to do with food poisoning,” the staff said.

Senate approves life imprisonment for rape, 10 years for incest and Child Pornography

The Senate yesterday passed the Sexual Offences Bill which approves life imprisonment for gang rape, 10 years for incest, another 10 years imprisonment for child pornography and a fine of N2 million as well as 14 years jail term for any other form of sexual offences committed in Nigeria.

Tour guide desperately tried to save the life of American tourist from SA lion attack - Tour company

The tour guide who was driving with the American woman who was mauled to death by a lion suffered serious injuries and a heart attack while trying to fend off the big cat and then desperately tried to save her, according to a dramatic new account by the tour company.

Adams Oshiomhole and new wife Iara Fortez head to Seychelles for honeymoon

According to reports, newly married Edo state governor, Adams Oshimhole took his new bride, Iara Fortez and some close friends to Seychelles for their honeymoon and also for more wedding celebrations. The couple, who got married on May 15th, postponed their honeymoon to enable them attend the presidential inauguration ceremony.

FIFA SEVEN executives including vice president are held in Zurich over £100m bribes claim

Fifa presidential election to go ahead despite corruption arrests

The Fifa presidential election will take place on Friday as planned despite the arrest of seven Fifa officials on charges they received more than $150m in bribes.

Among those arrested is Fifa vice-president Jeffrey Webb.

A separate criminal investigation into how the 2018 and 2022 World Cups were allocated has also begun.

But Fifa has already ruled out a revote, insisting Russia and Qatar will remain the respective hosts.

Sepp Blatter faces Prince Ali bin al-Hussein in Friday’s election as he seeks a fifth term as Fifa president.

Prince Ali described Wednesday’s developments as “a sad day for football” but declined to comment further.

Corruption probe number one

Swiss police made dawn raids at the Baur au Lac hotel in Zurich, where Fifa officials are staying ahead of Friday’s presidential election.

The seven Fifa officials were arrested after the US Department of Justice issued a 47-count indictment charging 14 defendants with racketeering, wire fraud and money laundering conspiracies in a 24-year scheme.

“The indictment alleges corruption that is rampant, systemic and deep-rooted,” said New York attorney general Loretta Lynch.

“It spans at least two generations of soccer officials who, as alleged, have abused their positions of trust to acquire millions of dollars in bribes and kickbacks.”

Indictment details:

• Bribes linked to commercial deals dating back to the 1990s for football tournaments in the US and Latin America
• Nine current or former Fifa officials, including Webb and former Fifa vice-president Jack Warner, charged with corruption
• Four individual and two corporate defendants, including former Concacaf general secretary Chuck Blazer and Warner’s sons Daryan and Daryll, plead guilty
• Alleged scheme “fostered a culture of corruption and greed that created uneven playing field”
• “Undisclosed and illegal payments, kickbacks and bribes became a way of doing business at Fifa”
• Majority of scheme involved corruption over media and marketing rights to matches and tournaments

Those arrested are Webb, Eduardo Li, Julio Rocha, Costas Takkas, Eugenio Figueredo, Rafael Esquivel and Jose Maria Marin.

They now face extradition to the United States.

Warner, a former Fifa vice-president from Trinidad and Tobago, insists he is innocent of the charges.

Now 72, he quit world football’s governing body in 2011 after being suspended pending the outcome on an investigation into corruption allegations against him.

In a statement, he said the “actions of Fifa no longer concern me”.

Corruption probe number two

In a separate move, just hours after the earlier arrests, Swiss authorities opened criminal proceedings over the awarding of the hosting rights to the 2018 and 2022 World Cups.

Electronic data was seized from Fifa’s headquarters in Zurich as part of a investigation into “criminal mismanagement” and “money laundering”.

Swiss police intend to question 10 Fifa executive committee members who took part in the voting process in December 2010.

Three years ago, Fifa hired a former US prosecutor, Michael Garcia, to investigate allegations of bribery over the awarding of the World Cups to Qatar and Russia.

However, it refused to publish his report, releasing only a summary in which it said there were no major irregularities. Garcia quit, saying the summary was “erroneous”.

Fifa’s reaction to developments

World football’s governing body has been dogged by allegations of corruption and wrongdoing in recent years.

The latest events are another major blow, although Fifa’s communications director insisted the organisation was committed to reform.

“This is good for Fifa,” Walter De Gregorio told a news conference. “It hurts, it is not easy, but it confirms we are on the right track.”

De Gregorio said Blatter was “very calm”, adding that the 79-year-old Swiss “is fully co-operating”.

Fifa later issued a statement welcoming “actions that can help contribute to rooting out any wrongdoing in football”.

The rest of the world reacts

Uefa, the body that governs European football, said it was “astonished and saddened by the events”, while Jim Boyce, Britain’s outgoing Fifa vice-president, said it was “another sad day for Fifa”.

England’s Football Association said the developments “are very serious for Fifa and its current leadership”.

FA chairman Greg Dyke added that there “must be a question mark” over whether the presidential election should take place now.

Damian Collins, a British member of parliament who has called for Fifa reform, said it was “a hugely significant development for Fifa” and said Blatter had failed to live up to his promises to stamp out corruption.

“Because he has totally failed to do this, it has been left to an outside law enforcement agency to do the job and take action,"

Igbo in Lagos present 7-point demand to Ambode

L—INDIGENES of the South-east geo-political zone resident in Lagos State, under the aegis of Igbo Progressive Leaders Council, IPLC, yesterday, presented a seven-point demand to the state governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode.

The association particularly demanded an inclusive government. This was disclosed yesterday in Lagos by the Publicity Secretary of IPLC, Dr. Harris Chuma, at a thanksgiving convened by the association.

The group, led by the Publicity Secretary of the state chapter of the All Progressives Congress, APC, Mr. Joe Igbokwe, called for continuous cordial relationship between Ndigbo and the state government.

Harris said: “Some of the issues are that the newly inaugurated Lagos State government will continue to ensure the safety of lives and property of all Lagosians, including Ndigbo. That the government will continue to partner Ndigbo in moving the state forward such that Igbo in the state will continue to have a place in the government and civil service.

“That the Lagos State Government will continue to support and maintain profound relationship with the Igbo traditional institution in the state. We propose the establishment of a board that will recognise the Lagos Igbo honorary chieftaincy affairs.”

“The body also asked for sustained improvement of the road network in the state, ensuring that Igbo people get equal treatment as their Yoruba counterparts, compensation for victims of fire disaster in the various markets and an end to the harassment, intimidation and extortion of Igbo by unscrupulous government officials.

“We wish that the newly inaugurated government will not take our people for granted and they will not treat us with impunity or claim that they know what is best for Ndigbo when we do not feel the same way and that the Governor Ambode-led government will listen to the sincere voices of their passionate Igbo followers.’’