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Tinubu: I Have Taken Decisions that Brought Discomfort to Save Nigeria from Fiscal Catastrophe President Bola Tinubu said he had taken some decisions that brought discomfort to save the country from fiscal catastrophe.In his new year message to the nation, the President Tinubu said everything he had done in office, every decision he had taken and every trip he had undertaken outside the shores of Nigeria since he assumed office as President had been done in the best interest of our country.“Over the past seven months of our administration, I have taken some difficult and yet necessary decisions to save our country from fiscal catastrophe. One of those decisions was the removal of fuel subsidy which had become an unsustainable financial burden on our country for more than four decades. Another was the removal of the chokehold of few people on our foreign exchange system that benefited only the rich and the most powerful among us. Without doubt, these two decisions brought some discomfo...

Sydney, Auckland are first major cities to kick off 2024 New Year's celebrations Sydney and Auckland have become the world's first major cities to ring in 2024, with more than a million revelers cheering spectacular fireworks displays that lit up the skies over Sydney Harbor and New Zealand’s tallest structure, Sky Tower. As the clock struck midnight in Australia's largest city, tons of explosives erupted in a 12-minute display that focused on the Sydney Harbor Bridge. More than 1 million people, a number equivalent to one in five of the city's residents, watched from the shore and from boats in the harbor. “It’s total madness,” said German tourist Janna Thomas, who had waited in line since 7:30 a.m. to secure a prime waterfront location in the Sydney Botanic Garden. “It’s not so easy to find a good place to sit, but the view is incredible.” In Auckland, the light rain that fell all day had cleared as forecast by midnight over the city of 1.7 million people before the c...

How To End A^ttacks, K!ll!ngs In Plateau, Others – Atiku The 2023 presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, has said the random and incessant killings and maiming of scores of people across the country such that recently happened in Barikin Ladi and Bokkos Local Government Areas of Plateau State calls for tougher action. Naija News reports that Atiku, in a statement in Abuja on Sunday, called on the government to take action in terms of prompt and proactive measures. The former Vice President said that those attacks could be stemmed only when the government shows utmost determination to eliminate the threats by expanding the security architecture in the country and fast-tracking the arrest and prosecution of those involved in such dastardly acts to serve as a deterrent. He expressed concern about the frequency of these barbaric attacks on innocent people by outlaws, noting that under no circumstances should murderous criminal gr...

 *PRESS STATEMENT* ALEX OTTI'S CHEAP LIES ABOUT ATTRACTING $150.9M AS FOREIGN DIRECT INVESTMENT INTO ABIA IN NINE MONTHS The attention of the Abia PDP has been drawn to a misleading news item circulating on social media and evidently sponsored by the unintelligent propaganda machinery of Alex Otti and the Labour Party wherein it alleged that Abia State under their watch attracted a Foreign Direct Investment, FDI of $150.9m which placed it in the third position when measured against other States that attracted FDI in 2023. The said news item is not only misleading and false but also dangerous and unintelligent because no Foreign Direct Investment, FDI has come into Abia State since March 29, 2023 when he assumed office despite his numerous trips on Abia tax payers money to poor Eastern European countries like Hungary to market Aba-Made-Shoes, no single investor has stepped into Abia with a dollar. It is important to emphasise that external borrowing does not in anyway constitue or t...

I coined Afrobeats – Ice Prince Nigerian rapper, Panshak Henry Zamani, popularly known as Ice Prince, has claimed that his 2011 song ‘Oleku’ featuring Brymo is the first song to be categorised as “Afrobeats.” He said he and his team decided to add an “s” to Afrobeat, which was created by Fela Kuti to give an identity to their new sound when they were sending ‘Oleku’ to international radio stations. The rapper explained that Ghanaian-British disk jockey, DJ Abrante is widely credited for coining Afrobeats because he was the one who playlisted ‘Oleku,’ stressing that the DJ used the tag Afrobeats on the directive of him and his team. Speaking in a recent interview with Echoo Room, Ice Prince said: “‘Oleku’ was one of the first songs to be playlisted on BBC Radio. One of the first Afrobeats songs to be playlisted. And at that time, they [foreign DJs] didn’t know what to call our music and they couldn’t call it Afrobeat. So, we [I and my team] told them to put an ‘s’ it to make it Afrobeat...

Subsidy reduced, not removed’ – Rewane The Chief Executive Officer of the Financial Derivatives Company, Bismarck Rewane, has said that subsidy was not removed but reduced. He stated this when he appeared on Channels Television’s on Sunday evening. During the programme, Rewane also highlighted the effects of the reduction in fuel subsidy and how it has affected Nigerian salary earners. “At the inauguration, it was said that subsidy was gone but subsidy was actually reduced,” he said. According to Rewane: “There is the convergence of exchange rates and reducing the windows into one. The consequence of that money has been transferred from consumers to the government. “Subsidies are reversed taxes; if you reduce them, you increase the people’s taxes and reduce their income. What has happened is that government revenue has increased by 44% between May and June. Money has been transferred to the government but what is the government doing with it? “The consumers, on the other hand, had a mi...

 LAGOS HAS NO HAND IN DEMOLITION OF POWA COMPLEX Lagos State Government has nothing to do with the demolition at Computer Village in Ikeja. The structure is owned by the Police Officers Wives Association (POWA), which ordered its demolition.  Those circulating the fake news that Lagos State Government is demolishing Computer Village are opportunistic ethnic chauvinists who will always relish in vacuous propaganda that can fuel their fiendish mission; they will always fail in dividing Lagosians. Gbenga Omotoso HC, Information & Strategy

Celebrities pray as actor Zack Orji reportedly slumps, lands in hospital Prayers from celebrities and netizens have started to pour in for a veteran Nollywood actor, Zack Orji after a video of him in the hospital went viral on Sunday. According to his friends who reached out to Linda Ikeji’s blog, the actor was “rushed to the hospital two days ago after he slumped in the toilet after being quite weak for a few weeks.” The sources added that he was currently in critical condition in the Intensive Care Unit at The National Hospital in Abuja, adding that he cannot walk or talk, and all kinds of tests are being run on him to diagnose the ailment. Reacting to the viral video on Instagram, prayers have begun to pour in from some of his colleagues in the entertainment industry among other netizens. Nollywood actress, Uche Ogbodo wrote, “God pls heal him. Amen. 🙏🏽” Another actress, Shan George, commented, “Prayers up sir 😢🙌” Comedian and actor, Woli Arole, also commented, “God’s mercies in...

 Police arrest popular Radio Presenter MC Manosky for defiling  a 15year Old Boy in Abia. A Popular On Air Personality Mr Chigozie Anumudu otherwise known as MC Manosky has been arrested by the Abia State Police Command for allegedly def!ling a 15year old Boy in Aba, Abia State. MC Manosky who is not a staff of any radio station but operates as a freelance Journalist in  Radio Stations within Aba was arrested this afternoon 31st December 2023 at his residence following complaints lodged at the Estern Ngwa Police station by the Father of the victim. According to the Victim(Name Witheld) “Mc Manosky took him to a place around Addrexx Hotel in Aba and gave him bread to eat, he refused,  then Manosky slapped him, he fell on the bed and Manosky climbed on him,  he automatically slept off and when he woke up this morning,  his anus was paining him badly,  he asked manosky what he did to him and manosky threatened him that if he tells anyone, he will kill him...

PRESS RELEASE NEW YEAR MESSAGE: IGP ADVOCATES LOVE, TOLERANCE FOR PEACEFUL NEW YEAR As we welcome the dawn of a new year, the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun, Ph.D., NPM, on behalf of the Officers of the Nigeria Police Force extends warm wishes to all Nigerians. In the spirit of unity and progress, he calls upon citizens to embrace love and tolerance as pillars for fostering peace across the nation. In these times, the IGP emphasizes the importance of collective efforts in building a harmonious society urging communities to strengthen the bonds that unite us and foster understanding among diverse groups. By embracing love and tolerance, the IGP affirms that we can overcome differences and work together towards a safer and more prosperous Nigeria. The IGP reiterates that the Nigeria Police remains committed to ensuring the safety and security of all citizens while encouraging the public to collaborate with the Police and other security and law enforcement agenci...

 I am pleased to inform the Lagos state council National union road transport workers members and general public that the little misunderstanding between us, Alh. Mustapha Adekunle (Sego)  Alhaji Sulaimom (Kudeleti) and I has been amicably resolved.  While I will be moving to the federal and becoming the National President of our NURTW, Alh. Mustapha Adekunle (Sego) will be taking over from me as the Lagos State chairman of NURTW.  To all of our followers, I urge you all to maintain peace and harmony that we currently enjoy in Lagos. My esteem appreciation and gratitude goes to his HE Babajide Sanwo-Olu, the Executive Governor of Lagos State, Hon. Tayo Ayinde( Chief of Staff ), Commissioner of Police, Lagos State Director of DSS, Dapo Amao, Commissioner for Transportation and  S.A. on transportation. I appreciate your fatherly roles and intervention. God bless NURTW  God bless Lagos state  God bless Nigeria  UP NATIONAL..... PROGRESS  Alhaji ...

Popular Nigerian lawyer dies six months after being called to the bar in Canada Users of the social media app, X, poured in condolence messages and heartfelt emotions early Saturday, following the demise of a popular Canada-based Nigerian lawyer, Ayokunle Odekunle. Odekunle lost his life to stage 4 cancer. Announcing his death on Saturday, one X user, @KayceeMaduYEG, tweeted, “It is with profound sadness that I bring to you that our dear brother, friend and colleague, Ayokunle Odekunle, @oddy4real, lost his courageous battle with stage 4 cancer. “Ayo was a brilliant young lawyer who sacrificed so much to be called to the Alberta Bar this past June whilst terminally ill. We had hoped for a miracle.” investigations revealed that Odekunle worked as a barrister and solicitor at Queck and Associates Law Office, Alberta, Canada. Odekunle, a 2011 Law graduate at the University of Ibadan, Oyo State, was called to the Nigerian Bar in 2012. He was later called to the Alberta Bar in 2023. He work...

Gas Explosion Rocks National Arts Theatre In Lagos Gas explosion has rocked the National Arts Theatre in the Igamu area of Lagos State, Southwest Nigeria. Although the fire due to the explosion has been brought under control, SaharaReporters gathered that gas cylinders caused it within the National Arts Theatre complex. According to reports, the inferno started around 10 pm on Saturday. Meanwhile, operatives of the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service were deployed to put out the raging fire. The Director of the State Fire and Rescue Service, Magaret Adeseye, confirmed that an exploded gas cylinder caused the fire but added that the situation had been brought under control. There was no casualty as of the time of this report. Meanwhile, the incident might affect any events scheduled for New Year’s Eve at the venue.

STATE HOUSE PRESS RELEASE JANUARY 1ST 2024: PRESIDENT TINUBU ADDRESSES THE NATION President Bola Ahmed Tinubu will make a New Year's Day broadcast to the nation on Monday, January 1, 2024, at 7 am. Television, radio stations, and other electronic media outlets are enjoined to hook up to the network services of the Nigeria Television Authority and the Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria for the broadcast.   Chief Ajuri Ngelale Special Adviser to the President (Media & Publicity) December 31, 2023  

The legend Sir Alex Ferguson turns 8️⃣2️⃣ years old today… what an incredible career he had!  🏆 13x  🏆 10x English Super Cup 🏆 5x FA Cup  🏆 4x League Cup 🏆 4x Scottish Cup  🏆 3x Scottish Champion 🏆 2x Champions League 🏆 2x UEFA Super Cup 🏆 Scottish League Cup 🏆 Intercontinental Cup 🏆 Club World Cup….  

 Father, Son Killed In Fresh Attack On Plateau Community Two persons have been killed in an attack by gunmen on Durbi village of Shere District in Jos East Local Government Area of Plateau State. It was gathered that the attack occurred Saturday night, leading to the death of two villagers – a father and his son. One of the attackers, it was learnt, also lost his life as the villagers came out to repel the attack. A source said the corpses were being held by the villagers, including that of the attacker. The incident was coming a few days after a series of attacks on communities in Bokkos and Barkin Ladi local government areas of the state claimed about 150 lives and left many others injured. Reacting to the latest attack, the spokesperson of Operation Safe Haven, a multi security taskforce maintaining peace in the state, Captain James Oya, said the incident was a case of attempted kidnap of one Luka Kaze whose son was killed in the process. Oya said when troops started coming for ...

Asake, Davido, Burna Boy, others make Obama’s favourite music of 2023 list Former American President, Barack Obama has included four Nigerian songs in his favourite music of 2023 list. The songs are ‘Unavailable’ by Davido featuring Musa Keys, ‘Amapiano’ by Asake featuring Olamide, ‘Me & U’ by Tems, and ‘Sittin’ On Top Of The World’ by Burna Boy featuring 21 Savage. South African singer, Tyla’s ‘Water’ was also included in the list released by the former US President on Friday. The list featured music from around the world including Latino, pop, Afrobeats, Hip-hop, Grime, Reggaeton, Reggae, Dancehall, R&B, and Soul. Sharing the list via his X handle, Obama wrote, “Here are some of my favourite songs from this year. Let me know if there are any artists or songs I should check out.”. One more photo below. 

Michael Reportedly Spotted In U.S. With Angela After"Engagement"‼️ Michael Ilesanmi is reportedly in America for certain this time around, as a fan is claiming to have seen him in Georgia with his 90 Day: The Last Resort partner Angela Deem. Michael is a Nigerian man who debuted in the franchise with 90 Day Fiancé:Before the 90 Days season 4 in 2018. Michael metAngela on Facebook when he sent her a good morning message.  The mother of two in her 50s was enamored by Michael, who was more than 20 years younger than her, and flew to Lagos to meet him.Angela and Michael got married in January 2020. However, four years later, Angela was still waiting for Michael to get his visa. According to Twitter user @SHABOOTY, a 90 Day Fiancé viewer had good news about Angela and Michael's relationship to share. The fan met Angela at the Food Lion in Georgia. While sharing the photo with the Twitter user, the fan expressed their excitement upon meeting the reality TV celebrity.  They also...

I Still Don’t Understand Why Genevieve Nnaji Distances Herself from Me and Others– Kate Henshaw Kate Henshaw, a Nollywood legend, has openly recounted her recent encounter with old colleague Genevieve Nnaji, providing a thorough account of their restored bond after a lengthy period of separation. Kate was quizzed by Media Maestro Chude Jideonwo about whether her friendship with Genevieve Nnaji from the good old days is still rock-solid. In her eloquent answer, Kate stated that she and Genevieve Nnaji have had small differences in recent years. The actress neatly highlighted her main concern: Genevieve’s proclivity to alienate herself from her and their coworkers. The actress went on to say that she reconnected with Genevieve Nnaji on a Netflix production. She described Genevieve as friendly and accommodating after years of no touch. Regardless, she showed Genevieve some love, comparing her to the Nollywood version of Angelina Jolie, who prefers to ride solo and avoid the movie industry...

“Get me a Canadian visa, let’s fight in Canada” – VeryDarkMan accepts Niki Tall’s challenge for a boxing match. Online personality, VeryDarkMan has accepted a challenge to fight Niki Tall, an Afrobeats artist, DJ, multi-instrumentalist, and music producer. The Greek-German musician had released a statement in a viral video, urging VeryDarkMan to engage in a fight, while also calling for Portable, a Nigerian singer, to agree to a rematch with Charles Okocha in a celebrity boxing match. Just hours after Niki Tall challenged VeryDarkMan to a celebrity boxing match, VeryDarkMan responded in a video, stating his readiness to fight. However, he requested a Canadian visa to travel and accept the challenge, proposing to wrestle with Niki Tall. VeryDarkMan’s response to Niki Tall’s request has attracted the attention of many social media users, who have flooded the comment section of the post to react.  

DRC opposition candidates call for protests after election results Opposition candidates in DRC have called for protests after the country's electoral agency announces the December 20, 2023 presidential election results on Sunday. A group of opposition presidential candidates in the Democratic Republic of Congo asked supporters on Sunday to take to the streets to protest after provisional results of the disputed election are released. Congo's election commission is due on Sunday to release full provisional results from the December 20 presidential election. The opposition has alleged widespread irregularities, which they say have enabled fraud. "We categorically reject the sham elections... and its results," the main opposition candidates said in a joint declaration. They demanded fresh elections be held with a new electoral body on a date to be agreed by all. "We call on our people to take to the streets en masse after the proclamation of the electoral fraud,...

Qatar-based businessman, others to spend New Year in custody over drug trafficking . As NDLEA intercepts drug consignment going to bandits in Kebbi, Zamfara, arrests supplier Barely hours to the new year, operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, have intercepted a Qatar-based businessman, Agu Evidence Amobi, and one other, Uchegbu Onyebuchi Obi with consignments of psychoactive substances at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, MMIA, Ikeja Lagos. While Amobi was arrested on Saturday 30th December at the departure point of terminal 2 of the MMIA on his way to Doha, Qatar on a Qatar Airways flight, Obi was taken into custody same day following the seizure of a consignment of 72,000 pills of tramadol 225mg, which he attempted shipping to Kano on a local flight. Amobi who claimed he’s been living and working in Doha, Qatar for over 10 years was caught with 1.30kg cannabis sativa concealed in a bag of foodstuff. He claimed he bought the substance in Enugu to del...

Bayelsa Govt intervenes in controversial four-year-old girl marriage: summons parents, 54-year-old groom The Bayelsa Government has taken swift action in response to media reports surrounding a controversial marriage involving a four-year-old girl and a 54-year-old man in the Akeddei community, Sagbama Local Government Area. In a statement issued on Saturday, the government expressed its concern over the alleged marriage, calling it illegal based on tradition and customs, and contrary to natural justice, equity, and good conscience. The statement, jointly signed by Dr. Dise Ogbise-Goddy, Chairman of the Gender Response Initiative Team (GRIT) Bayelsa, and Mr. Paniebi Jacob, Director of Child Development in the Ministry of Women Affairs, Children, and Social Development, outlined the government’s stance against child marriage. The Ministry of Women, Children Affairs, and Social Development, in collaboration with GRIT, acknowledged a formal complaint from the DO Foundation, a child rights...

DisCos Set To Hike Electricity Tariffs Jan 1 There are strong indications that the electricity distribution companies (DisCos) in the country will hike their tariffs with effect from January 1. An official source from one of the electricity distribution companies who confirmed the development under the condition of anonymity said a virtual emergency meeting was held in that regard. “All has been perfected for the new tariff to take effect from the first of January, 2024. “It is now left for various electricity distribution companies to enlighten their customers on new developments,” the source said. He said the National Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) had already invited distribution companies for a meeting on the development. He expressed fear that while it is mandatory for electricity distribution companies to regularly evaluate tariffs every six months, the recent increase would meet customers’ dissatisfaction. “In fact, we were perturbed by the short notice and how we woul...

CAC extends penalty deadline for firms to file annual returns to April 2024 The Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) has extended the deadline for imposing penalties on companies that have failed to submit their annual returns from January 1, 2024, to April 1, 2024. This extension grants companies an additional four-month period to file their annual returns with the Commission. The CAC had previously warned that it would remove 94,581 companies from its register for failing to file their annual returns by July 2023. However, as of November, the number of defaulting companies had been reduced to 91,843. The agency in a statement issued on Thursday, December 28, attributed the deadline extension to technical issues experienced on its portal. The statement read: “Further to its earlier notice published on Thursday, 2% November 2023 informing the General Public that it shall commence the full application of the penalties prescribed by the Companies and Allied Matters Act 2020 and the Compani...

Ruger acquires multi-million house in Lagos Afropop sensational singer, Michael Adebayo Olayinka, popularly known as Ruger has acquired a multi-million naira luxury home in Lagos. Ruger’s latest accomplishment circulated widely through a viral video shared on social media showing the artist exploring the property. The video captured the moments the singer inspected the interior and furnishings of the house before making the decision to purchase it. An accompanying detail in the video includes the presence of a real estate agent who formally announces the sale of the luxury residence to Ruger. Celebratory messages and well-wishes from enthusiastic social media users have flooded the comment section, expressing their congratulations to Ruger on his impressive new home. Social media users have taken to the comment section to congratulate him on his new house. @Chris_Ejiofor wrote: “Congratulations to him. I’m hitting the music industry” Macroben228 said: “Money stop nonsense who Dey breaa...

I knew I was going to be famous at age 8, says Chioma Goodhair Reality TV star, Chioma Ikokwu, popularly known as Chioma Goodhair has recounted how at age eight she already was aware that she would be famous, adding that she is very spiritual.  The businesswoman, who gained popularity for her role on the reality series The Real Housewives of Lagos, spoke candidly about her spirituality and how it aided in her ascent to stardom during an interview on Pulse On The Record. Chioma Goodhair discussed the part of her life she chooses to disclose to the world and characterizes herself as a public-private person. In her words; “I saw my fame coming,” she said. I was eight years old. I saw everything I was going to be, so nothing surprises me. Sometimes the methods and technicalities might shock me, because I don’t know how it’s going to come. But I’m 100% certain it’s going to happen. I’m quite private about my spirituality. A lot of people don’t know, but I’m extremely religious. I’m very...

Kogi Govt confirms rescue of 21 kidnap victims The Kogi State Government on Saturday evening confirmed the rescue of 21 kidnap victims in Ajaokuta Local Government Area of the state. The confirmation was made in a statement released by the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Onogwu Muhammed. It was gathered that the 21 victims, who were kidnapped along Ajaokuta-Itobe road in Kogi State on Thursday, were rescued on Saturday by a joint team of security operatives, comprising personnel of the Nigerian Police Force, Civil Defence and local vigilantes. The statement said, “The victims, predominantly travelers, had been whisked away to an unknown destination within the dense forest around the Ajaokuta Local Government Area of Kogi State. “Upon receiving report of this distressing incident, His Excellency, Yahaya Bello, promptly issued directives to both security agencies and local vigilantes to embark on immediate actions that will lead to the freedom of the captives. He said the perpetra...