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 ‘I’ve no regrets being a stripper’ – BBNaija Chichi Former Big Brother Naija housemate Chichi said she didn’t regret being an exotic dancer. The reality star, who recently announced her retirement from exotic dancing, said if given another chance to be a stripper again, she would grab it. In a video message shared via her Instagram account recently, Chichi disclosed that American rapper and former stripper Cardi B inspired her. She said: “I just woke up to see that my fave Cardi B has commented on my tweet. She has really inspired my life. She changed my life without even knowing it. “Cardi B made me realise that I can be whoever I want to be in life. I will never regret ever being a stripper. And I will never deny the fact that I used to be a stripper. Why would I deny an occupation that catered for my needs when no one was there? If I have the opportunity to do it over and over again, I will.”

 Newlywed bride slips into swimming pool and drowns during her wedding party A newlywed bride died at her wedding bash this weekend just hours after tying the knot with her fiancé. The tragic incident occurred on Sunday afternoon at a property in the city of Limeira in the state of São Paulo, when Elisangela Gazano, 38, lost her balance and fell into a swimming pool at a rented house where she was hosting a party. She was also celebrating her daughter's birthday that same day. Local reports said the woman had been dancing by the water's edge when she slipped and fell into the water and immediately began to panic. Guests at the party tried to rescue her and called the emergency services, but Gazano went into cardiac arrest as she was rushed to hospital and was declared dead on arrival. Hours before the incident, Elisangela had posted a photo on social media, showing her signing paperwork in a white wedding dress after tying the knot with her partner. In a goodbye message on soci...

 Delta state bans water travel without life jackets The Delta State Government has banned travelling on its waterways without putting on life jackets and ensuring other safety measures. The state Commissioner for Culture and Tourism, Dr Nnamdi Ijeh, made this known in a condolence message to the families of those who lost their lives in the recent boat mishap on the River Niger. The boat accident claimed the life of Nollywood actor, Junior Pope, and four crew members.  Ijeh's message was made available to newsmen in Asaba, Delta State on Monday, April 15.  According to the letter dated April 11, 2024, the commissioner conveyed the sympathies of the state government and the creative family in the state in the unfortunate incident of April 10, 2024. He said: "On behalf of the State Government, Ministry of Culture and Tourism and the entire creative family in the state, I sympathise with the families of those who lost their lives in the process of expressing their creative t...

 Lady in tears as lip blushing goes wrong  A Nigerian lady is seen crying uncontrollably after undergoing a botched lip blushing procedure, which caused a stir on social media. She shared a video of how she excitedly booked an appointment for lip blushing and the procedure itself. However, her lips remained swollen after the procedure and did not return to their usual state, causing it to be infected. Online users commented that she deserved what she got since she bought herself pain and tears with her money. Read some reactions below: Ishowleck said: “Now that we use our money to buy pain and tears, let’s keep enjoying the view. Even God is laughing at us.” LekkiDiva said: “The lip blushing got infected. Using that nylon to cover it up could easily lead to infections. People are always trying to change their looks, but sometimes they forget about safety and hygiene. The rate is alarming” Mobolaji Abdul asked: “But why do ladies go extra miles for beauty ? It’s insane” Dansuki...

 Davido says he no longer communicates with Wizkid and Burna Boy in recent interview Many Nigerians have lost hope of a budding friendship between Afrobeats superstars as Davido states that he doesn’t talk to Wizkid or Burna Boy anymore. The singer made this public in an interview with Shade 45 recently, where he shared the update on his friendship with them. Davido is currently in New York City to perform at the BET Experience alongside Cardi B and other famous musicians. In an interview while touring the city, he was asked if he communicates with Burna Boy and Wizkid as the trio is famous for putting Nigeria on the map with their songs. Davido confessed that they no longer relate to each other, and even though they have each other’s phone numbers, they don’t speak. He stated that they all grew up from different parts of Nigeria and were all content with their current relationship as it would always be love between them. Recall that recently, despite news of the online beef betwee...

 BBNaija star Omashola explains why fake money was sprayed at his wedding Omashola has explained why fake money was sprayed at his wedding reception. The Big Brother Naija star got married in December 2023 and guests who wanted to spray the couple had to give real money in exchange for fake notes which they now proceeded to spray the couple on the dance floor. Now, with Idris “Bobrisky” Okuneye serving six months in jail for Naira abuse, Omashola has said he had foresight which is why he avoided money spraying at his wedding. He shared videos from his wedding and wrote: “Use me as poster boy for EFCC campaign against Naira abuse…. . I remember introducing the facemask in 2020 before the covid hit Nigeria people been de laugh me. Same thing happened in my wedding December 2023, them say i de spray fake money, I tell Una say he get why. Thank God man pikin for don de inside for 6month now. THEM DE LEARN.”

 President's Wife Launches Renewed Hope Initiative Programme for South West Women In Abeokuta  No fewer than 120 women from the six south west states are to get the sum of N60million from The Renewed Hope Initiative, a social intervention programme of the wife of the President, Mrs. Oluremi Tunubu. Mrs. Tinubu, who disclosed this on Tuesday at the launch of the Renewed Hope Initiative Women Agricultural Support Programme for the south west and flag off of the 2024 Ogun State Planting Season, held at the Cultural Centre, Kuto, Abeokuta, also said that N10million would be given to 100 persons with disability to capitalize their existing businesses. She said: "Today, we are supporting 20 women farmers per state with the sum of N500,000 each. To this end, a draft of N10million per state for the South West zone will be handed over to the first ladies of Ekiti, Lagos, Ogun, Ondo, Osun, Oyo states who are the Renewed Hope Initiative (RHI) state coordinators for onward disbursement to...

 Indiana deputy sadly died while responding to a vehicle accident when he comes in contact with a downed power line. At around 11:50 p.m. on April 15th, deputy Fred Fislar with the Hendricks County Indiana Sheriff's Department was responding to a single vehicle crash on the 2600 block of South State Road 267. A vehicle had crashed into a utility pole leaving power lines dangling dangerously close to the crash scene.  Only moments later, dispatch received a call from Fislar's radio reporting an officer down. A citizen driving by had noticed an officer in distress and used the deputies own radio to call for help. It is believed Deputy Fislar unintentionally came into contact with the power lines while attempting to render aid to the victim of the crash. First responders were soon on the scene and attempted life saving measures, however Fred Fislar was pronounced deceased at 12:59 a.m. on Tuesday  morning.  The driver of the vehicle involved in the crash was taken to a ...

 STATE HOUSE PRESS RELEASE  PRESIDENT TINUBU LAUNCHES NATIONAL SINGLE WINDOW INITIATIVE TO ENHANCE REVENUE GENERATION AND STREAMLINE IMPORT/EXPORT TRADE PROCESS FOR EASE OF BUSINESS President Bola Tinubu on Tuesday launched the National Single Window initiative, a transformative project that will propel the nation's economy to new heights.  The initiative is another bold testament to the President's commitment to breaking long-standing developmental barriers in advancing the progress, prosperity, and well-being of every Nigerian. Speaking at the launch of the initiative at the State House, President Tinubu said the National Single Window is a game-changer that will revolutionize the way trade is conducted in the country, and with the Office of the President overseeing the steering committee that will drive the reform process forward. Outlining the benefits of the initiative, the President said by simplifying government trade compliance through a digital platform, Nigeria ...

 EFCC is set to arrest Cubana Chief Priest, To Arraign Him For Naira Abuse The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) will, on Wednesday, arraign Pascal Okechukwu, aka Cubana Chiefpriest, over alleged naira abuse. He was arrested at the Lagos airport and is currently being held in custody.  This comes days after popular cross-dresser, Idris Okuneye aka Bobrisky, was sentenced to six-months in jail over naira abuse. The agency noted that Cubana Chiefpriest will appear before the Federal High Court in Lagos for spraying and tampering with the naira. This was contained in charge sheet filed on April 4, 2024, by EFFC’s prosecutor Rotimi Oyedepo (SAN) alongside seven other lawyers representing the chairman of the anti-graft agency.

ENUGU STATE POLICE COMMAND PRESS RELEASE OF TUESDAY, APRIL 16, 2024 NAIRA COUNTERFEITING: ENUGU POLICE OPERATIVES ARREST SUSPECT FOR POSSESSING AND TRANSACTING IN FAKE NAIRA NOTES Police Operatives serving in Abakaliki (AI) Road Police Division of the Enugu State Command, with the support of law-abiding citizens, on April 10, 2024, around 3 p.m., arrested one Mmaduabuchi Okonkwo “m”, aged 24, of Mkpologu, Emene, Enugu, at the Old IMT Bus Stop, Abakaliki Road, Enugu. The suspect's arrest is sequel to his alleged possession and transacting in counterfeited Naira notes. A total of forty thousand Naira (₦40,000.00) suspected counterfeited one thousand denominated Naira notes were recovered from him. A preliminary investigation reveals that the suspect boarded a minibus from New Haven Junction to Old IMT Bus Stop, Enugu, and gave the driver one of the counterfeited notes. The driver, however, scrutinized and observed that the currency was fake, thereby raising an alarm that led to the s...

 Despite persistent increases, IMF projects decline in Nigeria’s inflation to 26% The International Monetary Fund (IMF) expects Nigeria’s inflationary pressure to ease to 26 percent this year. The fund spoke on Nigeria’s economic growth trajectory while presenting global projections from its World Economic Outlook at a news conference in Washington DC on Tuesday. Inflation has remained a major challenge for Nigerians and continues to worsen the operations of businesses in the country. To tame the inflationary uptick, the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) had raised the interest rate by 400 basis points (bps) — the largest in recent years — to 22.75 percent on February 27. The regulator further jacked up the monetary policy rate (MPR) by an additional 200 basis to 24.75 percent. Still, inflation has continued to soar in Nigeria, extending increases seen between 2022 and 2023 to 33.20 percent in March — up from 31.70 percent in February. However, speaking during the press conference, Dan...

 TROOPS DISLODGE TERRORISTS'  ENCLAVE IN ZAMFARA, ANNIHILATE TERRORISTS, RECOVER ARMS, SEVERAL MOTORBIKES Nigerian Army troops deployed for Counter-terrorism Counter-insurgency operations in the North West on Monday 15 April 2024, made a significant inroad into terrorists' enclave in Maru Local Government Area of Zamfara State, where they destroyed the camp and exterminated the terrorists. Acting on credible intelligence on the activities of the terrorists, troops conducted a targeted clearance operation to dismantle the suspected terrorists' operational base in the town of Maru. In a fierce gun battle with the terrorists, the gallant troops neutralized 12 of the terrorists, compelling the others to flee. The troops also recovered one AK-47 rifle, one magazine, 12 rounds of 7.62mm (Special) ammunition, and two locally fabricated gun. Additionally, our troops captured 10 operational motorbikes used for mobility by the terrorists and 18 rustled cows. The troops destroyed the ...

 PRESS RELEASE Obey Safe Driving Rules or Get Sacked ─ LAWMA boss tells truck drivers   The Managing Director/CEO of the Lagos Waste Management Authority (LAWMA), Dr. Muyiwa Gbadegesin, has told truck drivers in the agency’s fleet, to strictly obey safe driving rules or risk severe penalties, including outright dismissal.  He said this on Tuesday, at the agency’s headquarters, Ijora-Olopa, where he repeatedly warned against any breach of safe motoring and road traffic rules and regulations, involving non-use of seat belts, drunk driving, over-speeding and reckless behaviour on highways. Other breaches according to him, include: over-loading, loss of safety equipment, possession of invalid driver’s license, waste handlers hanging onto moving trucks, and such other reckless actions, that could trigger an accident.  He emphatically stressed, that stiff sanctions would henceforth be applied, including outright dismissal, prosecution, suspension from work, forfeiture of m...

 Action Follows Expiration of Mandatory Served Notices           The Lagos State Ministry of the Environment and Water Resources on Monday commenced the removal of all contravening structures under the System I drainage channel midstream (Odo Iya Alaro) Ojota and Ogudu. The removal exercise, which followed the expiration of several served contravention notices on the property owners, was carried out by operatives of the Drainage Enforcement and Compliance (DEC) with security backup from the Task Force on Special Offences and other agencies. The Ministry had also explored consultative stakeholders’ meetings that involved members of the Legislative Assembly, one of which was held on December 21, 2023, to find possible solutions. At one of such meetings convened by the Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab, with House of Assembly members representing. Kosofe I, Hon. Sanni Okanlawon in attendance, none of the property owners c...

 GOV. ALIA SUSPENDS ALL PAGEANTRY ACTIVITIES IN BENUE The state government and commissioner for Information, Culture and Tourism through the office of the Senior Special Assistant (SSA) to the Governor on Entertainment and Cultural Affairs has announced the suspension of all pageantry-related activities in the entertainment industry in the state till further notice. This is to enable the government look into crisis in this area of entertainment and consult with all the relevant stakeholders within the pageantry business on possible ways of recreating, rebranding and regulating every activity of the entertainment business for the good of all. Pageantry as a business and part of entertainment in the state has lost its beauty and relevance due to numerous events lacking in content,quality and standard. These and many more shall be addressed to make the business more impactful,lucrative and attractive to those willing to invest in this aspect of entertainment. The public and everyone c...

 HOODLUMS SEIZE TWO TRUCKS OF PALLIATIVES IN BENUE COMMUNITY 16th April, 2024     Hoodlums in Benue State seized two trucks of palliatives and also attacked the drivers, acting Chairman of the Benue State Board of Internal Revenue Service (BIRS), Emmanuel Agema confirmed yesterday. According to Agema, the hoodlums posed as revenue officials at a collection point close to Aliade, Gwer East Local Government Area, when the driver conveying the palliatives from Adamawa State to the east ran into their ambush He said: “The hoodlums stopped the vehicles, broke the windscreen and stole N200,000 from one of the drivers. “Two persons have been arrested and transferred to the DSS on the Governor’s directives, and investigation is on to fish out those behind illegal tax collection in the state. “Since assuming office, my biggest challenge has been how to curtail the activities of illegal tax collectors. So far, 35 persons have been charged to court.”

 NDLEA destroys 304,436kg, 40, 042 litres of illicit drugs seized in Lagos, Ogun . As Sanwo-Olu, Marwa canvass more support for ongoing efforts  The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, on Tuesday 16th April 2024 destroyed a total of 304,436kg kilograms and 40,042 litres of illicit substances seized from parts of Lagos and Ogun states.  Speaking at a brief ceremony where the seized drugs were publicly destroyed in Badagry Lagos, Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of the Agency, Brig Gen Mohamed Buba Marwa (Retd) said the open destruction of the seized illicit drugs followed court orders, even as he called for more public support for ongoing efforts by NDLEA and other stakeholders to curb the menace of substance abuse and illicit drug trafficking in Nigeria.  “Though a routine exercise and an established process of removing dangerous substances from our society, the public destruction of confiscated illicit drugs is usually conducted at the end of their related ...

 NNPP Suspends Kano State Governor, Abba Yusuf The Board of Trustees of the New Nigeria People's Party,NNPP, has suspended the Governor of Kano state, Abba Yusuf for six months over alleged involvement in anti party activities. National Secretary of the party, Comrade Oginni Olaposi Sunday disclosed this on Tuesday at the party’s headquarters in Abuja. He said the suspension of the governor was a culmination of a recent invitation extended to him to appear before a disciplinary committee to explain infractions on the party constitution which he refused to appear. Oginni also disclosed that Gov Yusuf was expected to appear before the committee to explain why he participated in an illegal/factional national convention organised by the Kwankwasiya group at Class Event Center in Wuse, Abuja on April 6, 2024. He further explained that, in accordance with Article 39.0, 39(1-4) on disciplinary procedures of the party, His Excellency Abba Yusuf was availed with an unfettered opportunity to...

 Kaduna assembly sets up committee to probe expenditure, projects under el-Rufai     The Kaduna house of assembly has set up a committee to examine the books of the state under the administration of Nasir el-Rufai, immediate past governor of the state.  The committee has been tasked with looking at loans, grants, and project implementation from 2015 to 2023 — the period in which el-Rufai held sway as governor. On March 30, Uba Sani, governor of Kaduna, said his administration inherited a debt of $587 million, N85 billion, and 115 contractual liabilities from the el-Rufai administration. Speaking during a town hall meeting, Sani also said he has not borrowed “a kobo in the last nine months”. He, however, said the huge debt burden is eating deep into the state’s share of the monthly federation allocation.

 STATE HOUSE PRESS RELEASE VP Shettima Leads Tributes For Late Ezeife, Lauds Ex-Governor's Visionary Leadership **Says he was a man of exceptional intellect, pillar of nationhood* Vice President Kashim Shettima led the nation in mourning of the late first civilian Governor of Anambra State, Dr. Chukwuemeka Ezeife, describing him as a visionary leader and a man of exceptional intellect. In his solemn tribute during a National Night of Tribute held in honour of the late elder statesman at the grand arena of the ThisDay Dome in Abuja last night, VP Shettima hailed Dr. Ezeife as a "national colossus and a pillar of nationhood." Represented by Special Adviser to the President on General Duties (Office of The Vice President) and former Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Dr Aliyu Modibbo Umar, the Vice President commended Dr. Ezeife's exceptional journey, highlighting his rise from someone with no formal secondary education to a Ph.D. holder in Economics from Harvard...

 ‘Scapegoating Of Bobrisky Has Worked’ – Reno Omokri Reveals ‘True Reasons’ Behind Bobrisky’s Imprisonment Social commentator, Reno Omokri, has contended that controversial transvestite Idris Okuneye, also known as Bobrisky, faced more than just the Naira abuse charge for which he was convicted.  Bobrisky was sentenced to six months in jail without the option of a fine by Justice Abimbola Awogboro of the Federal High Court in Lagos on Friday, for mutilating the naira. In response, Omokri asserted that the Nigerian government employed the Naira abuse allegations as a pretext to crack down on the crossdresser. He stated that the Nigerian government aimed to suppress the rising cross-dressing trend in the country but was cautious due to the potential backlash from Western powers if they took direct action. On his X handle on Monday, Omokri wrote: “What happened with Bobrisky just shows you the savviness of Nigeria compared to other nations and the intellectual response to governi...

 Playing with fire’: Ukraine’s frustration grows with US lawmakers, Europe Ukraine is raising its standing army by 300,000, as the US stumbles and the EU lacks capacity to defend a future member. Athens, Greece – Frustration with the United States for holding back critical financial and military aid from Ukraine spilled into the open at the Delphi Economic Forum in Greece last week. “The Russians are destroying Ukrainian power plants, which is a war crime, but unfortunately they’re getting away with it because as the collective West we have not supplied Ukraine with enough missiles,” Radoslaw Sikorski, the Polish former foreign and defence minister. 

 NECO shifts Unity School Entrance Examination The National Examinations Council (NECO) has re-scheduled the 2024, National Common Entrance Examination into Federal Unity Colleges and the Entrance Examination into Federal Government Academy, Suleja The National Common Entrance Examination which was earlier scheduled to hold on 20th April, 2024, will now hold on 1 June, 2024.  In a statement issued by the Acting Director, Directorate of information and Digital Communication, Azeez Sani said, the Entrance Examination for Gifted and Talented Children into Federal Government Academy, Suleja earlier Scheduled to hold on 4th May, 2024 will now hold on 25th May, 2024. The rescheduling of the two examinations was due to low enrolment of candidates.   All candidates, parents, guardians, schools and relevant stakeholders are therefore enjoined to take note of the new dates for the examinations.  The Registration of candidates will continue till the new dates for the exami...